APPEAL: Esquire Black Duet #2 Page 3

  In one quick motion, he enters me completely. I watch in awe as his face loses some of its tension and he closes his eyes with a sigh.

  I lift my legs, wrapping them high around his waist, causing him to sink a little deeper inside of me. I feel his body tremble above mine, then he places his mouth at my ear.

  “You’re staying right here, kitten. This pussy stays in my bed, every night. Take it from me and I’ll come find you. You’ll just be wasting your money at a hotel, because I’m going to drag your plump ass right back here. Then I’ll spank it. Test me, Brooklyn. Fucking test me,” he grunts.

  Sucking in a breath, I wrap my hands around his shoulders while he thrusts inside of me, slamming his pelvis hard against mine, grinding himself against my clit on every down stroke.

  “I’ll stay here, Lucas,” I murmur.

  Once the words leave my mouth, it’s as if he loses all control of his body. He rears back and focuses his intent gaze on me as he fucks me, hard, with abandon. My breath hitches with each stroke of his cock.

  I cry out his name, but it’s as though my cries fall on deaf ears. He’s like an unhinged animal. As much as I shouldn’t, I love it—every damn second of it. Every second of his punishing thrusts are nothing but magnificent and were truly missed.

  My body tenses as my climax rushes through me, my entire body humming and tightening around Lucas’. He hisses but doesn’t slow down or stop the way he slams against me. I grasp at his shoulders, my nails biting into his flesh, and that only seems to spur him on more.

  I’m overly sensitive and clawing at him. I want to beg him for more, then in the next stroke, less. I don’t know what I want. Shaking my head from side to side, I let out a sob, more tears than I thought that I was capable of crying spill down my cheeks.

  I feel his thumb against my clit and let out a long moan. He rubs against me, bringing me toward a second release. When I come, only then does he stop, and I feel his own climax fill my body.

  Lucas buries his face in my neck as his body jerks above me. “You try to leave me again, Brooklyn—take this from me—you’ll goddamn regret it,” he murmurs against my neck.

  Wrapping my arms and legs around him, I hold on tight. “I’m not going anywhere, baby,” I whisper.

  “Damn fucking right.”

  We stay wrapped in each other’s arms and silent until our breathing evens out. Lucas’ cock eventually softens and slips from me, causing me to mourn the loss of him.

  When he’s inside of me, I feel complete. I’ve never felt that way before. Lucas is dangerous, and my feelings for him are even more so. I want so much for his words to mean that he wants me—forever.

  Like this, right now, I can imagine white picket fences, babies, and golden retrievers. All the things he said he could never give me, I want them with only him.

  I’ve been so focused on school and my career that I haven’t allowed myself to think of the future in that way. But I want it all, and I want it with Lucas, only him. I know that he doesn’t want any of that, but it doesn’t stop me from hoping and praying that he will change his mind one day.

  I’m not convinced that this relationship won’t end up exactly like my condo, a burst of fiery flames, but I’m just naïve enough to still have hope.

  “We’ll go to the station after work tomorrow. You’re going to work tomorrow. Don’t let them, whoever they are, scare you,” he announces as he rolls off of me and stands up. “Let’s shower.”

  He helps me off the bed and out of my clothes. Then he wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides me toward the shower. He’s taking care of me. Then again, doesn’t he always in his own way?

  When the water is to his satisfaction, he helps me into the shower and I allow him to wash my body and my hair. I moan at the feeling of his fingers massaging my scalp. After he’s rinsed me, and himself, he guides me out of the shower and wraps a towel around me, along with his arms.

  Lucas pulls me against his wet chest and his nose skims mine before he speaks. His voice is low, sexy, and raspy.

  “Thank you, kitten. You don’t know what it means to me that you didn’t fight about this.”

  Lifting my arm, I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and press my lips to his without kissing him.

  “Thank you for wanting to take care of me. I’ve never felt as safe as I do when I’m with you, baby,” I admit.

  It’s all true too, this is the man that I’ve given my heart to, and I’ll always feel safe in his strong arms. I don’t allow him to respond. I press my lips against his and I kiss him, hard and chaste.

  LUCAS

  I watch her sleep. It’s creepy as fuck, but I do it anyway. There’s something about her, something she holds that I’ve never found in another. I find it curious.

  I want to study her.

  What makes being with her feel so different than being with another woman? I wish that I could figure it out, I want to know exactly why she is so different to me from any other woman I’ve had.

  I’m so fucking thankful she didn’t fucking argue with me last night when I told her she was living with me from now on. I didn’t have the patience to deliver the spanking I know she deserves, or maybe more like that I know she craves.

  Deciding I can’t stay in bed another minute longer, I dress for another run and leave Brooklyn sleeping and safe in my bed. I know my house is a hell of a lot safer than hers. Taking my phone, I turn on the alarm after I’ve locked the front door behind me.

  I push myself harder, farther, than I have in weeks. My excitement, or perhaps nervousness, about having Brooklyn back in my house and my bed is on level ten. My body is completely exhausted by the time I jog back up my walkway.

  Making my way into the house, I disarm the alarm and head toward the kitchen. Brooklyn is standing there at my blender, looking tired and rumpled—and fucking sexy as shit. Her back is to me and I almost whimper at the sight of her in nothing but my t-shirt again.

  I wrap my hand around her stomach from behind and press my lips to her neck. She lifts her arm to sink her fingers in the back of my sweaty hair. I missed her touch more than I’m willing to admit aloud.

  “Morning,” she whispers.

  “Morning, kitten,” I grunt against her skin.

  She hums as I release her, then I walk toward the fridge. I listen to her blending up the fruit she had in my freezer as I down my bottle of water. I put that goddamn frozen fruit in there just for her, in the hopes that she would be back here. I actually went to the grocery store myself and bought that shit for her.

  “Did you have a good run?”

  “Is this you completely forgiving me?” I ask.

  Her spine stiffens and I watch as she lifts one shoulder. Obviously, she doesn’t want to talk about this and I’m more than willing to fucking oblige. Feelings are not something I want to get into—ever.

  “Can we just move on?” she suggests, turning her head slightly to look over at me.

  “Yeah, as long as it’s together,” I mutter.

  I hear the hitch in her breath, her eyes widen as she looks up at me and that’s when it hits me like a goddamn ton of bricks. I really do fucking love the shit out of her. I may never tell her that, but I do.

  Wrapping my hand around the front of her neck, I squeeze her gently but firmly as I look into her eyes, hoping that she can read my mind. Brooklyn licks her lips, letting her mouth part slightly and I want nothing more than to take her back to bed and fuck her for the rest of the day.

  “Hey, you want to go to the gym for yoga tonight?” I ask, clearing my throat and trying to change the subject.

  She turns to me, surprise laced in her features, and then she smiles widely. Lifting my hand, I trail my finger down her arm and enjoy the goosebumps that appear on her flesh from my touch. She looks up at me, taking in a deep breath before she exhales.

  “Not tonight, I need a full night’s rest, after everything,” she whispers.

  “Okay, kitten.”

  When she
’s finished with her smoothie, I wrap my hand in hers and together we silently make our way upstairs. The fight we had a week ago nothing but a distant memory. I’m glad it’s done and that she’s not going to probe me with a million questions and demands.

  We spend the morning getting ready for work. It’s almost impossible for me to keep my hands off of her, but I succeed. She still has a couple things here, items that were in the dry cleaner’s pile and I had cleaned. Walking her to my car, I frown thinking of her piece of shit vehicle. It’s not safe. She needs better.

  “What’s got that look on your face?” she asks, her voice sweet and soft.

  She doesn’t look like a woman who has lost her entire condo. I should try to force her to stay home from work today to just veg and relax, but I know she wouldn’t, she’s too driven, she’s too much like me. I wouldn’t stay away from the office unless I absolutely had to. She needs to work, to get back to her routine.

  I shake my head. I’m not telling her what’s on my mind before I make a decision. I am thinking, though, and what I’m thinking is that my woman is not going to drive this shitty car for much longer.

  Now that she’s mine, irrevocably mine—she’ll be getting a new ride—a safe ride. It’s my job to take care of her from now on.

  If anybody saw my woman driving that shit around, they would think that I don’t take my job as her man seriously. They would think badly of me and I can’t have that shit.

  The drive toward her office is quiet. My thoughts are all on what kind of car I’m going to buy her. I’m sure hers are on the catalog of items that she finds herself without now. I can fix that too. Whatever she needs, it’s hers without question.

  Pulling up to her building, I turn to face her. Wrapping my hand around the side of her neck, I roughly tug her face closer to mine.

  I press my lips to hers, careful not to deepen the kiss, my cock wants nothing more than to find its home again and again.

  We part ways with the chaste kiss. When I release her, Brooklyn is as breathless as I am. She fumbles trying to open the door to the car and I can do nothing but smirk as I watch her.

  “You’ll be ready by six? We’ll go to the police department and talk to Anderson and Warner, see what needs to be done about your place.”

  She sucks in a breath, bending down slightly to look at me. “I will.”

  “Kitten?”

  She waits, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she watches and waits for me. “Call me if you have even a slightly bad feeling. I’ll be here immediately,” I murmur. Her round eyes meet mine and she nods.

  “I will, Lucas,” she exhales.

  Brooklyn straightens and I watch her sweet ass sway as she makes her way into her building. I wait until the door closes behind her, not truly wishing to leave her alone today, not even for a split second.

  Whoever these fucks are won’t win though.

  They will not break my strong girl.

  I won’t let them.

  The next few days are going to be a fucking nightmare for the both of us. We go to court on the Dunning case in ten days, the date set after the extension that Brooklyn filed. I’m ready for it to be put to bed.

  My phone rings as I pull back on to the road, heading toward my own office. I answer it without being able to look at who is calling.

  “Lucas, honey, how are you?” my mother’s voice sings through my speakers.

  “Hey, Mom,” I greet. “I’m good.”

  She sighs and I can tell she wants to ask me something, but she doesn’t. “I’m doing a headcount for the summer party. You’ll be there, correct?”

  I never miss my mother’s family summer party. She acts as though it’s a huge affair, but it’s really just my parents and my brothers and sisters and their spouses, or dates, and kids.

  She likes to have the family get-together every four months or so. She despises that there is such a long break between Easter and Thanksgiving, so the first weekend in August, she makes a big to-do.

  “I’m bringing a guest this year, Mom.”

  The silence is deafening, and then I hear her sniffle. “Lucas?” she asks with a tremble to her voice. I know she wants more from me.

  My mother is a gentle creature. I honestly don’t know how I became the asshole divorce attorney I did with her raising me.

  The only reason that I have a semblance of a heart is because of her gentle nature and kindness. She sniffles again, so I put her out of her misery. If I don’t, my dad will certainly be on the other end of the line and he’ll be handing me my ass for making her cry.

  “I’m seeing someone, Mom,” I announce.

  She gasps. Then I hear the phone clatter to the ground. I’m unable to hide the chuckle that escapes my throat. I have no doubt that my mother thought I would die a bachelor.

  If I hadn’t met Brooklyn, I know that would be my fate. She is special in a way that I don’t think anyone on earth could ever take her place.

  “What on earth is happening?” my father’s voice booms on the other end of the line. “Your mother dropped the phone, and she’s standing here crying. What the fuck did you say, boy?”

  I repeat myself, trying not to laugh too hard at his anger. “I’m bringing a guest for the party. I’m seeing someone.”

  My father goes silent. For a moment, I think he’s dropped the phone as well.

  “She pretty?” he asks quietly.

  I’m unable to contain myself a moment longer, I burst out laughing. Of course, my dad would ask that. My mother may be a gentle creature, but I am almost a replica of my father. Personality-wise, he’s actually a little rougher around the edges than I am.

  “Her name is Brooklyn. She’s a child advocacy attorney. And Dad, she’s gorgeous.”

  “Well, holy shit, son. I can’t wait to meet her. I’ll take care of your mom. See you soon,” he calls out before he ends the call.

  I hope Brooklyn doesn’t have any plans in two weeks. She’s coming home to Carmel with me. If my mom can keep it together, then she can meet her. My sister and brothers are going to have a fucking field day with this new information; all except Dillon and Benji. They already know about Brooklyn, hell Benji’s already met her.

  Walking into my office, I’m unable to keep the smile off of my face. For the first time, ever, I’m excited for the summer party. I’m excited to take Brooklyn home to meet my family. I know my mom and dad are going to love her.

  I know without a doubt that my brothers will love her. Luna, my sister, will more than likely adore her, as well. She’s never really liked Benji’s wife. The woman doesn’t have much of a personality, she’s plain and vanilla in all aspects of life I’m sure. Nevertheless, she tolerates her.

  Dillon’s ex-wife wasn’t really liked by anyone, she was a fucking bitch. She and Luna fought like cats and dogs.

  Brooklyn is nothing like either of them, and I know she’s going to fit in perfectly with my family. She is light and happy, full of life and she has a personality that just makes others around her smile.

  “Meredith Dunning is waiting for you in your office,” Peg announces before I can even grab the coffee that’s waiting for me in her hands.

  My good mood immediately dissipates, causing me to frown. My lips press together in a thin line. That is the last person I want to see, especially since she’s one of the suspects in the torching of Brooklyn’s condo.

  “Did she say what she needed?”

  “No, sir,” Peg grunts.

  I can tell that Meredith has pissed her off already. A pissed off Peg first thing in the morning does not make for a promising day for me. Fucking great. I suck in a deep breath.

  “I’m so ready for this to be over and done with. I honestly hope I lose,” I murmur.

  “Me too, Lucas,” Peg mumbles as I walk past her into my office, where Meredith Dunning is waiting, in full force.

  Chapter Three

  LUCAS

  Pulling up outside of her office, I know that I’m forty-five minute
s early, but I can’t seem to care. I’ll wait. I couldn't sit in my own office any longer, knowing that she was here without me.

  She’s only a few blocks away, but after last night and the strange visit she said she had a week ago, a few blocks felt like hundreds of miles.

  Closing my eyes, I lean my head back. In an hour I’ll have to walk her into the police department and listen to her talk to those detective fucks about everything that’s happened the past few days.

  Even though I don’t want to admit it, she’s not safe, and I fucking hate it. She should never feel uneasy—not fucking ever. And they keep telling her that there’s nothing they can do about it. Well, now there’s arson involved.

  They better do fucking something.

  Brooklyn appears at six on the dot. She opens my car door and silently sinks down into the passenger seat. Shifting my gaze toward her, I notice she’s twisting her fingers in her lap looking nervous as fuck. Reaching across the car, I wrap my fingers around her own and give them a squeeze.

  “I’m nervous,” she admits.

  “Don’t be.”

  My eyes stay glued to hers. I don’t pull out into traffic yet, too focused on ensuring that she’s going to be okay.

  “Let’s get this done so that I can take you home and fuck the day away,” I offer.

  Her eyes light up at the same time her lips curve into a wide smile. “Sounds perfect,” she sighs.

  Two hours later my dick is buried deep inside of her, thrusting in and out of her wet heat at a punishing pace. I fuck the day away, the stressful, exhausting goddamn day. It’s how I want to spend every evening for the rest of my life—balls deep inside of Brooklyn.

  We fall asleep, a sweaty pile of flesh wrapped up in one another. I’m not even sure that we ate, but her pussy was substance enough for me, at least for tonight.

  “Baby,” she murmurs against my chest.

  My cock hardens at the sound of her sleepy voice calling me baby. I’ve never allowed a pet name before, but I don’t deny that I adore the way she calls me that. It sends a thrill up my spine, puts a smile on my face, and makes my cock rock fucking hard.