Independent Women - the Complete BWWM Romance Series Boxset (38 page)

#Chapter6

“Are you fucking serious right now?”

Kalena

Kalena sat on her couch in complete silence. She could have turned the TV on, but watching her favorite shows without her friend seemed odd. It only made her miss him more, and there was no one to talk to about when people did stupid stuff. None of her friends watched reality TV and it was her personal guilty pleasure. It was one that she shared with Tommy, but now she wasn’t speaking to him. She didn’t want to hear his bullshit explanation about why that girl was at his house again. They clearly liked one another and it didn’t take him long to move on from her.

So instead of putting on her TV, she tried to read Octavia Butler’s short stories that were just released. She was one of her favorite sci-fi authors and she died way too soon. They found some of her short stories that she’d written far before she became famous and released them. Hell, she pre-ordered the series on her Kindle and couldn’t wait to dig in, but now everything fell flat. She couldn’t even enjoy Octavia, that’s how she knew that things weren’t going too well.

No one could craft a story the way that Ms. Butler did, she created entire worlds and sucked her reader in. Once you were in her hold, you couldn’t put the book down. There were so few black women in the science fiction world, and she’d truly been a gem. She could still remember the feeling that went through her when she read
The Wild Seed
. One of her teachers in high school gave her the book and she finally picked it up over a winter break out of sheer boredom. She read the book in three days. She wouldn’t put it down, and it only got better and better.  The characters Anyanwu and Doro were so vivid that they seemed real. Every few years she re-read the book and it was just as good as the first time that she picked it up.

She sighed and put the book down onto the coffee table. She lay on the couch and stared at the ceiling. Sure, she could have called her friends but they each had their own lives to worry about. Also, calling them at the last minute to hang out usually never worked out unless it was an emergency. That was the cost of having friends with amazing careers.

Soon her buzzer rang. She got up from the couch and walked over to her intercom.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Umm, hey, it’s Tommy.”

Butterflies began to flutter wildly in the pit of her stomach. What was he doing at her condo?

“What’s up?”

“Can I come up and talk to you,, please?” he asked.

She stood there for a few moments and weighed her options. Should she let him upstairs? Was she ready to hash out their differences? Was she truly ready for what he had to say? Would their friendship officially be over after this? She wasn’t ready for what they had to end. It was easier to stay away from him without having any closure, to live in the realm of the unknown. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to mentally cope if they severed all of their ties. The buzzer rang again. Instead of talking anymore she let him upstairs. She unlocked her door and went to take a seat in her dining room.

Her door opened a couple of minutes later.

“Kalena?” Tommy said tentatively when he opened the door.

“I’m in the dining room,” she said nervously. Suddenly she wished that she’d opened a bottle of wine before he came up, or that she’d at least taken a shot of the bottle of Grey Goose vodka that she’d purchased the day before.

“Hey,” Tommy said when he stood in the doorway of the dining room.

He had a look of uncertainty on his face; it helped to ease her nerves. He was just as nervous as she was.

“Hi,” she said, “Please have a seat.”

“Do we have to sit in here? It feels really formal, like we’re at a board meeting or something.”

“Okay, where do you suggest?”

“The front room, I guess.”

“Alright,” she got up from the table and returned to the couch.

He took a seat next to her. Neither of them said anything, the silence was loud, and she felt like her ears were ringing. He nervously tapped his fingers on his knee and let out a loud sigh.

“Okay, so why are you here?” she asked.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

She looked at him with a smirk on her face, “For someone that wants to talk, you sure are pretty quiet.”

“I was sure that I knew everything that I wanted to say, but now that I’m here with you, I’m drawing a blank.”

“Well, what did you want to talk about?”

“I wanted to talk to you about how things have been between us lately, I don’t like it.”

“I don’t like it either.”

“I miss my friend,” he said.

“I miss you too.”

“Really?” he asked, “I sure can’t tell. When I call you don’t answer.”

“I don’t know what to say to you,” she admitted. “I wasn’t ready for the awkwardness between us just yet.”

“I’m sorry for what happened when you came to the house. I didn’t expect you to come by. If I knew that you were coming, then I wouldn’t have invited Sydney over.”

Kalena listened to him as he apologized but it felt wrong. He didn’t owe her an apology, they weren’t in a relationship.  He wanted to patch things up with her but she rejected him. It was naïve for her to believe that he would not date with the hopes that she eventually came around. Her rational mind knew all of this but her feelings were still hurt. However, it was time to put her ridiculous feelings on the backburner.

Damn, she missed him. Having him beside her was surreal and he smelled so good. All she wanted to do was wrap herself in his arms, it was where she belonged. He was so much more than her friend now, he was her lover.

“You don’t have to apologize to me.”

“I do, the things that I said to you were out of line. I was so upset with you over what happened and I know that you didn’t have any control over it. I lost my cool in a public place; it’s just that I don’t like anyone disrespecting you. Hearing that guy talk to you the way that he did it made me flip my shit,” he admitted.

“I know,” she replied, “I shouldn’t have gotten so mad at you for being upset. He was really disrespectful.”

“He wasn’t the only one that was disrespectful, so I was I. I shouldn’t have thrown your relationship with him in your face. I understand why you didn’t tell me about it now, a friend should have never done some shit like that.”

His full apology without making any excuses for himself made her like him even more. Not many men would be willing to take full responsibility for their actions and the actions of others. He wasn’t like most men, and she’d known that for a very long time.

“I appreciate the apology. You don’t have to do it anymore, I’m just glad that you were able to get out of the police station without catching a case,” she laughed.

“Also, about Sydney,” he started.

Kalena didn’t want to talk about that horrid woman anymore. She didn’t know the girl but she couldn’t stand her. Everything about her got on Kalena’s nerves, from her red hair, to the ridiculous smirk that was on her face when she opened the door. To put a stop to the chatter, she acted on pure instinct and pressed her lips against his. His lips were warm and inviting. He froze at first because it was unexpected, but he quickly got comfortable and placed his hand on the back of her neck to pull her closer. They lost themselves in one other. Hands roamed, moans were exchanged, and silent apologies were given all over again.

Kalena pulled away from him to catch her breath. They were getting ready to go down the same road as before, but she was ready.

He tried to break the silence, “That was…”

“Shhh,” she said as she leaned over and pressed her lips against his forehead, letting them linger there for a while, soaking up the warmth of his skin. The scent of his woodsy cologne wafted towards her nose, she inhaled deeply once again. His hand gently ran up and down her arm, causing her to slightly tremble. She then sat back against the couch again, she looked him over, and enjoyed her view.

He looked at her with curiosity. “Are you finished?”

Kalena smiled and brushed her lips against his cheek, “Not even close.” She felt bolder and moved her mouth to his neck, leaving a trail of light kisses on his throat, a gentle lick here, a nibble there. His pulse was strong and steady, his chin lifted to allow her easier access. Her mouth traveled up to the curve of his jaw and his five o’clock shadow prickled against her lips. She pressed a soft kiss there, then another, enjoying the masculine feel of him. “Damn, you smell really good. Are there pheromones in your cologne or something?”

He laughed, “Nope, are you saying that I need extra pheromones to turn you on?”

“Obviously not, you’re doing a pretty good job right now and you aren’t even trying.”

She nibbled his ear and flicked her tongue at the lobe. Kalena knew that tormenting him was evil, but the more she touched him, the more she wanted.

He pulled her on top of him so that she straddled his lap and secured her hands behind her back, “Are you intentionally teasing me? Are you really ready to take it here again?”

Her breast pressed against his chest and a low growl escaped from his throat, and her heartbeat raced at the sound. His grip tightened, his strength caused a sudden jolt to go through her.

She pulled back and looked into his eyes. They hadn’t solidified what they meant to one another yet, she wondered if having sex was the greatest of ideas. The both of them were fragile and their relationship was hanging on by a thread. His eyes were filled with need and lust, he wasn’t thinking about the future, he was only thinking about the moment. She knew that it would only take the slightest encouragement from her to take them into a sexual whirlwind.

She tried to pull her wrist free, but he tightened his hands.  It was clear that he was waiting on an answer from her. It was one that she wasn’t prepared to give. Words would only ruin what they were doing. However, his not letting her wrist free only heightened the feelings of arousal inside of her. He shifted his hips beneath her, bringing her into close contact with his erection. Her breathing became shallow and she closed her eyes, fighting the urge to moan. The game that they were playing was delicious.

Her body was already in overdrive and he’d barely touched her. She was ready to answer his question, “I’m ready to take it there again.”
He sighed, “I swear you drive me insane. Only you could do shit like this to me.”

She laughed and he finally released her hands, he crushed his mouth against hers. She didn’t have any time to brace herself before it all spiraled out of control. Kalena hung on and kissed him back, thrusting her tongue against his. One of her hands wrapped around the back of his neck while the other pulled him closer to her. Her knees clamped to the sides of his thighs and she grinded against his hard on. He groaned. The time for teasing touches ended, she wanted him, she missed him. 

Tommy slid one palm down her spine, curving over her ass. He squeezed and moved his mouth to her throat, leaving quick, damp kisses over her skin. He then pulled away to look at her again, she was everything that he ever wanted. He had to have all of her.

The intensity of his gaze left her breathless. She pressed her mouth to his, her tongue plunged between his lips, and her hands roamed his body. Heat radiated from him and his muscles flexed between her fingers. He seemed so much more powerful than before, maybe it was because she knew that he wasn’t weak. He had the ability to tell her just how he felt, even if it was inconvenient for her to hear. He’d always been putty in her hands, so it was a shock when he completely let loose on her. It hurt her feelings at the moment, but now she knew that he had a back bone. She couldn’t help but respect it.
 

His mouth left hers long enough for him to grab the hem of her shirt, drag it up her body and toss it to the floor. She straddled him in her black stretch pants and pink lace bra, her hair draped over one shoulder, and her lips were swollen. She reached for him again. He groaned and kissed her hard, flicking open the clasp on her bra and removing it from her body. His hand closed over her bare breast, massaging her flesh, his thumb sweeping across her nipple. A thrill shot through her and she pressed herself into him, holding him tight. Her tongue caressed his, her fingers dug into his shoulders.
Tommy pushed himself off the couch and took her with him. He helped her to her feet and pushed her stretch pants and panties over her hips. He pulled her to him again, making her feel like he didn’t want to let her go for more than a few seconds. It only made her need him more.
She pulled the clinging material down and stepped out of it. She then grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head. Their lips met again and she poured everything into the kiss. She fumbled with the button on his jeans, dragging them open.

Before she could free his erection he lifted her in his arms and gripped her ass. "Bed," he said against her mouth.
She clutched his body, linking her ankles at his back and sinking her hands into his hair. He walked with her into the hallway, took a couple more steps towards the bedroom. Kalena slid her fingers into his open jeans and clasped his erection, squeezing his length. She pulled her mouth from his, her breaths panting from her. "Now," she said. "Now." 
Tommy let out a deep groan and shoved his boxer briefs over his erection. He stood with her wrapped around him, one hand clasping the back of her neck. The other hand gripped his dick, rubbing it slowly up and down her damp pussy. Kalena tucked her face in against his throat and released a strangled cry as he guided it inside her as her back was against the wall.  She pushed her hips towards him to meet the thick glide of his rod, her eyes closing as he filled her. Exhilaration and arousal had her pulse racing, her skin flushing. Her stomach reeled with pleasure. 
He pulled back and drove into her again, his breathing harsh, his body tense as she took him in. He pulled her with him off of the wall and carried her into the bedroom. He lowered her onto the bed. She lifted her chin and looked into his eyes; they were fiery in their intensity, roaming her face, her breasts, taking everything in. He sank into her and retreated again. 
He plunged inside her over and over, his movements so deep, so forceful, she knew it wouldn't take long. 
Kalena hooked her hands over the backs of his shoulders and met his thrusts with bucking hips. A groan rumbled in his throat and he kissed her harder, his fingers gripping her ass. His speed increased and she felt it building inside her.
Her stomach dipped and her back arched. She tore her mouth from his and tilted her head. His lips moved to her throat and she dragged in a breath as it came over her. It crashed in a wave that sucked her under, had her shaking, pulsing around him. "Oohhh..." Her thighs clenched and she held on tight. The tip of his tongue traced the length of her throat. Desire surged and her hips lifted. She let out a loud sigh and collapsed, trembling, against his supporting arm. 
"Ahhh, Kalena." His thrusts eased to a slow grind and he pressed his mouth to hers. His lips moved softly, his tongue caressing hers. Knowing he was close had excitement building inside her all over again. His stomach muscles tightened and with a quiet groan he shuddered and came inside her. Her eyes closed and her heart pounded as he gave one final shove, his sound of surrender one of the most erotic things she'd ever heard.
Even after everything they'd shared, after everything he'd made her feel, all she could think now was: More. His mouth left hers and she wrapped her arms around him, resting her lips against the racing pulse in his throat. She wanted much more from him, the thought terrified her, and she knew that she wasn’t ready yet.