The Land of Rabbits (Long Shot Love Duet #1) (14 page)

His dick’s rock hard, his ass clenched and trembling—then I feel it—an abrupt contraction and a quick release... and another. He fucks me hard for a few more seconds, then stops a second time, possessing me with his massive size as a bead of sweat runs down his chest.

I hold his heavenly face, loving that we did this, and savoring the moment.

By his warm smile, I can tell he feels the same.

“I’m already craving more.” I smile back.

“Yeah... this is only the beginning,” he whispers, kissing my shoulder and neck, his low voice drowning in pleasure. “I’ve been deprived my entire life, but you just changed all that. I’m going to give you so much more. Just wait, Adlyn...

... just wait.”

Chapter Eight

I LOST MY VIRGINITY in the comforts of my childhood bedroom with a guy I’d been dating for months... it sucked ass. My second time was in a tent with a homeless guy I’d known for three days... and it was fucking fabulous.

“HOMELESS? He sleeps along the Hudson River? Why didn’t you tell us this last weekend when you got back from your date?” Nadine asks. “You’ve been out with him twice since then. Was it down at that homeless camp?”

Brian’s neck veins pop out in anger. “You said he walked away from you that day because he was self-conscious about being poor, that he didn’t want you to see his home,
not
because he didn’t have one.” He turns to Nadine. “See, I knew something was fishy.”

“And you had sex there?” she asks. “With people around? Did they see you? Dang it, what else are you hiding from us?”

“It wasn’t like that. He has a tent. And we only did it once. Tuesday and Wednesday evening we hung out downtown and talked, but we didn’t go back to the river. He doesn’t like taking me to his place.”

“Place? It’s not a
place
... you can’t hang around this guy,” she says. “This is dangerous. You could get mugged or raped along that trail.”

“Being homeless doesn’t make a person a criminal!”

“You don’t know who’s down there or who he’s friends with!”

“That’s a load of shit. Just because he doesn’t live in a big brick mansion like the two of—”

“Adlyn, stop!” Brian snaps. He takes off his baseball cap and tosses it on the kitchen counter, scratching his head while he tries to figure out what to say. “We’re supposed to be looking out for you now that your mom’s gone.”

“Not forever. Just ‘til I go back to school and get my life in order.”

“Yes, forever! We’re family. Listen to me, I get that you just turned twenty and you’re not a teenager anymore, but fuck, you can’t date a homeless man. This is a bad idea.”

“Why?” I cross my arms in frustration. “He’s nicer than the last guy I dated, plus he’s trying to get off the streets. He’s been working for a landscaping company this week... and he doesn’t do drugs like some of the people I met at school. So tell me why having feelings for a decent, hardworking guy is a bad idea?”

“Because.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Because now more than ever you need stability in your life, that’s why,” Nadine says. “Linnet would’ve never allowed this.”

“I wouldn’t have told her.”

Their faces express disbelief.

“Okay, I would’ve. And she would’ve been upset. But she also couldn’t have stopped me. I thought the three of us were close enough to talk without me getting shit on. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you guys anything.”

“You kept this from us for a week!” my aunt shouts.

The doorbell rings and they look at one another then at me. Perfect timing.

“That’s him. He’s picking me up and we’re hanging out with his brother tonight.”

“What brother?”

“He mentioned him on our last date. He said he was meeting him in the city and I could come along.”

“Where in the city? What part? And picking you up how? Does he have a car?” She looks frantically around the room. “We need to hide the... we have a lot of collectibles that need...”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let him in if you’re afraid he’ll steal your stuff... God, you wanted me to fuck him at Afterglow last week, and now that you found out he’s homeless, you’re afraid of him? How fucking ridiculous is that?”

“I never said I was afraid of him.”

“You didn’t have to! Why was it okay to buy him for sex, but it’s not okay for us to date?” I head for the door. “Oh, and by the way, the people you were with were homeless too. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.”

Their eyes are the size of melons, following me to the door.

“Hi,” I answer.

“Hi, beautiful,” he says, leaning against the porch column, next to the wrought iron railing.

I can tell he just got off work by his sun-kissed face and the grass clippings stuck to his jeans and grey canvas shoes.

He nods toward the street. “You remember, Tyler... I mean, Trent. Tyler is his Afterglow name. His real name’s Trent.”

“Yeah.” I see the guy with spikey hair and tattoo-covered forearms, picking at his fingernails. He spits on the sidewalk then sits on the hood of a rusty Chevy Citation, appearing anxious as he spits again.

The hood’s held down with bungee cords, plastic’s covering the passenger side window, the rims are spray-painted green, and the back bumper’s secured with duct tape. It’s one of the worst cars I’ve ever seen.

“Hell no,” Brian mutters. “That car’s a death trap.”

“I don’t think we’re going far.” I turn to Quinn. “Are we?”

“Hurry up, peckerhead!” Trent yells. “He’s waiting.”

“Chill out,” Quinn calls back. “Sorry. He’s my brother’s best friend, not mine. We’re on our way to pick him up at the university. I haven’t seen him since I left for Afterglow last year.”

“Your brother’s at the university... in this city? SUNY Albany? Or are you driving somewhere else?” Brian asks.

“Here, in this city.”

“Is he taking summer classes?”

“Brian, stop.” I roll my eyes and step outside, taking Quinn’s hand. “I’ll call you guys later to check in.” We walk hurriedly down the front walk to the car.

“Addie wait,” Nadine says, quickly turning to Brian. “Do something.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, maybe you should let them use your car.”

“What? What about yours?”

“We’re good,” Quinn says, opening the back door to help me in. “It runs. It’ll get us there and home.”

He sits next to me in the back seat as Trent starts the engine and pulls away. He waits to turn the corner before hitting the gas, speeding out of the neighborhood.

“Fuck, that house was huge. And did you see their faces? That chick’s jaw was down to her tits. And the beefy guy, what a—”

“Don’t talk about my aunt and uncle that way.”

He grips the headrest of the passenger seat and faces me with a pissy expression.

“Trent, knock it off and watch the road.”

“Why? You worried she’ll fall in love with my good looks? Should I put a bag over my head so she can’t see me?”

“Just turn around. Watch where you’re going.”

“I am. Stop being so uptight.”

“Are you gonna be an ass all night?”

He lights a cigarette and cranks down his window, responding with a laugh.

Fast food wrappers are strewn all over the back seat, and a large hole in the floorboard reveals the blurry road. Ashes swirl and land on my clothes. My hair smells like smoke. Trent drives like shit. The car is shit... I must have a major crush to be sitting here right now.

I stare at Quinn. Yes, major crush. That’s why I’m here.

I’ve been distant and numb for days, longing to see him, walking around Nadine and Brian’s house like I was on another planet. I’ve done nothing but daydream.

And my heart and clit teamed up this week... one fluttering in quick bursts whenever I thought of him, the other following... back and forth, crazed over his face... his body... that devilish grin... and fuck, the size of his dick. I swear I must’ve masturbated fifty times in a matter of days, wishing he were in me.

“Sorry I haven’t discussed my family much. I guess I don’t want to scare you away,” he says.

“Why would telling me your brother’s at the university scare me away?”

“You talking about Dylan back there? You pussy. Always hiding him from people.”

“Shut up, that’s not true.”

“Why’d you leave the retreat? Did you get fired like Quinn?” I ask.

“Nah, Roxanne sent me to find that dick sitting next to you and bring him back. Her new massage boy is a total fuckup. You should’ve seen the kid the other night. The dumbass was wasted, and he puked all over a hot black chick while he was rubbing her down. Man, did Roxanne ever have a fit.”

“I’m not going back,” Quinn says.

“I don’t plan to either. Not ‘til winter... hold that thought.” He takes out his cell. “That you, Dylan? Yeah, we’re on our way.”

“How long have you known him?” I ask.

“He’s been friends with my brother since they were kids. He moved to Albany two years ago... he was with me on the streets until we left with Roxanne.”

“Your brother didn’t go to the retreat because he was in school?”

“Quinn?” Trent says with a grin, still on his cell. “He’s got some chick with him. No, I’m not shitting you.” He checks me out, top to bottom. “I guess, she’s hot... no, I haven’t asked him, hold on.” He looks in the rear-view mirror. “Your big bro’s wondering if you’re getting pussy.”

Quinn’s answer is a tight-lipped headshake.

“He’s blushing, I’d say so... yep, we’re about three minutes away. Head outside the building to that lot across the street, the one by the side yard... no, Quinn and I already talked about this, we’ll get you there... because he’s got a chick with him. I just said that... he doesn’t want... fuck no, we’re not picking you up from the front. Get your ass away from that fucking place... yeah, see ya in a few.”

“This is gonna be a wild night,” he says under his breath, sliding his arm around my lower back and placing a firm grip on my hip. “I might regret bringing you along.”

“No, don’t worry about it. Trent’s vulgar, like my friends back in Jersey. They use the word ‘pussy’ in every sentence. I can handle it.”

“It’s more than the swearing.”

“He’s talking about Dylan,” Trent says. “He’s testing you. He wants to see if you’ll run for the hills after meeting his brother... or worse, after meeting Wade.”

“Fuck you, I’m not testing her. And my dad’s at the bar on Friday nights... besides, we’re not going to his house, and she’s not meeting him.”

“Where the fuck do you think Dylan’s gonna want to go? I’ll bet ya twenty bucks he heads straight to the house for a beer and to get his dick wet.”

Quinn rubs the back of his neck, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. He wets his lips and leans in, giving me a soft kiss before whispering, “Don’t listen to him.”

“Tell this bitch the truth and get it over with, or I will.”

“I’ll kick your ass if you call her that again. Keep your fucking mouth shut.”

Trent reaches down by his foot, takes out a gun and points it over his shoulder. It bounces, hitting the seat when the car dips into a pothole.

Quinn freezes—not a movement, not a breath, not a sound.

“Is this a joke?” I whisper.

They gaze ahead with the gun pointed behind.

“What’s going on?”

“Shut
my
mouth? Is that what you said? Act like a good boy in that back seat or you’ll get your head blown off.” He lowers the gun to his lap, driving with one hand while the other runs through his spikey hair. “It’s been a long time, dipshit. You better think twice before acting out in front of Dylan. He asks you to be honest and you do it. Remember that. You better show him more respect than you’re showing me. It’s been three years. Three fucking long ass years without him.”

I look back and forth between them, trying to figure out what the hell’s going on.

He drives onto East University Drive and turns into a lot on the edge of campus, maneuvering slowly past the parked cars.

“Stop,” Quinn says in a harsh tone.

“For what?”

“I’m getting out. We’re getting out. Stop.”

“Fine, go find him. I’ll sit here and wait.”

He opens the door and I’m helped out then whisked swiftly away.

“What’s happening?”

He stops and grips the side of my tank, pulling me closer to his side. His sweaty palms on my wrists reveal his unease. “I’m sorry about the gun. He’s showing off, that’s all.”

“That was more than showing off. He sounded dead serious.”

“Everyone around me carries a weapon, it’s how we survive the streets. But he’s being an ass, pointing it at me like that. I’m not his fucking enemy.”

“What’s the truth he’s talking about? Just say it.”

He looks around for his brother. “This isn’t right. I didn’t think I’d feel this way, but I can tell now... I’m not ready to burden you with this bullshit. Being homeless is one thing; my family’s another. We’ll take a bus back to your neighborhood and I’ll walk you to your house so I can be sure that you’re safe. Let’s try this some other day. Just you and me, without Trent and Dylan.”

“No.” I stop him from walking away, pulling him back.

“Where the fuck are you going?” Trent shouts. “Yo! I’m talking to you. Get your ass over here!”

“Quinn, tell me. It can’t be any worse than what we’ve already discussed. Your dad’s abusive and an alcoholic... what about your brother?”

He draws in a deep breath when he sees a guy walking toward the campus. His brother’s not a student... he’s coming from across the street... from the direction of the prison.

“Dylan,” he says with a heavy breath.

I gawk at his size. Tall like Quinn, only much bigger—larger muscles, broader chest, thicker neck and arms—his tattooed knuckles being cracked as he approaches us.

I swallow hard, trying to fake a smile in his direction. “What’d he do?”

“He... he hit a guy in the face with his knife handle and beat the shit out of him. Got a second degree assault charge.”

“No shit?”

“We were at a party and I got jumped, Dylan pulled the guy off and went ballistic on his ass.”

“So he’s abusive like your dad?”