“I know what you mean. He has to be found. He just does.”
Taylor pulled away. “Let me freshen up then we’ll go.” Kylie turned back around to the window, staring out at a normal spring day as it unfolded before her.
***
As Kylie triedto concentrate on writing her English Lit paper, her thoughts kept drifting back to where Ricky was and if he were in any pain. Why would anyone want to hurt him? A small part of her was relieved that the police department finally took her fears seriously, and they’d opened an active investigation. She pushed her desk chair back and stretched out her legs. How would she ever finish anything as long as Ricky was missing? She pulled her hair up in a high ponytail and secured it with a neon green twisty. A knock on the door brought her to her feet.
As she shuffled to it, she prayed it wouldn’t be Marcus. Something just wasn’t right with him. She’d told the cops about all the scratches on his face and arms, and had added that they’d appeared after Ricky had gone missing. He definitely hadn’t had them the class prior to Ricky’s disappearance.
She opened the door and let out a huge breath as all tension flowed out of her. Jerry, in his tight blue jeans and black T-shirt stretched across his toned chest, crushed her to him, cocooning her in his strong arms. Tears formed behind her eyes, and she clung to her inked rescuer like a drowning person beneath a wave.
“Shh… I’m here now.” The movement of his fingers rubbing small circles on her back fused her connection to him. “I know you’re upset, and I feel like shit that I can’t do something for you.”
“You have,” she said against his chest. “You’re here.”
He walked her back into her room and over to the cushy chair by the window, sitting down and settling her onto his lap. Warmth spread throughout her as he held her close. Nestling her head under his chin, they sat like that until twilight erased the colors of the day. Sitting upright, she looked at Jerry, whose eyes shimmered with tenderness. His brown orbs pulled her in and she pressed her lips to his, kissing him fervently, never wanting to break away. He responded, and his tongue swirled around hers in a frantic dance which ignited sparks of desire through her.
“I want you so bad,” she murmured against his wet lips.
“You sure? I mean, you’re upset and all that.” His hard-as-granite bulge prodding the backside of her thigh told her he wanted it as much as she did.
Knowing how hard he was for her made the ache deepen between her legs. She wanted to block off all thoughts and onlyfeel. She craved to be lost in his arms, feel his lips on her body, and explode into a million pieces with his dick inside her. She needed to forget about Ricky, if only for one breathless night. “I’m sure.” She kissed him deeply, and his guttural moan shimmied from her hardened nipples down to her curled toes.
Leaning back, Jerry gazed at her lustfully. “Let’s get a room.” His mouth trailed down her neck, peppering it with light kisses that tickled and teased her skin.
“I just have a couple things I need to do before we can leave. I want to call Taylor and give her the heads-up that I won’t be home.” As she finished an assignment for her Spanish class, he watched an episode ofBeavis and Butt-Headon his phone, his low laughter twining around her.
After finishing her homework, she went to the bathroom to take a quick shower. She turned the water on while she began to undress. A knock on the door startled her, and she opened it. Jerry leaned against the doorframe.
“Whatcha doing?”
“Taking a quick shower.”
He pulled her to him and buried his face in her hair. “We can do that at the motel,” he rasped. Sucking in her breath, she simply nodded, butterflies swarming in her stomach.
She swallowed. “Okay. Just need to pack a few items then I’m good to go.” He kissed the top of her head and sauntered back to the chair.We’re going to take a shower together? Oh, my God!For a second, a pang of guilt pricked her heart as she thought of Ricky and where he might be at that moment. Then she heard Jerry’s voice, muffled by the closed door, asking if she were almost ready. Pushing down all thoughts and feelings of guilt, she ran a brush through her hair and went out to meet her lover.
The sign for the Silver Spruce Motel was neon blue and had a flashing pink arrow under the name, pointing to the parking lot in front of the lobby and the two stories of rooms. Tourists loved the motel because of the large pool, the all-you-can-eat breakfasts, and the friendly staff. The university students’ parents stayed there when they visited, but when the college students wanted a place away from the scrutiny of campus security, they stayed at the inexpensive and tacky Wildflower Inn by the interstate.
Jerry pushed the card key in the door, and Kylie scratched at a dry patch on her forearm as her stomach kept rolling over. The cold air from the AC blasted out from the dark room, and it seemed like she was walking into a cave. Jerry flipped on the light switch and a yellow glow bathed the room, a king-sized bed set in the middle. Glancing at it, her stomach rolled again. Stiffly, she walked over to the dresser, set her purse down on it, then just stood there, rubbing her hands down her jeans’ legs.
“This is a nice room, huh?” Jerry said, picking up the remote and turning on the TV. He kicked off his boots and sat on the edge of the bed. Kylie saw him look at her, and she averted her eyes and stared at a stain on the carpet that was half-hidden by the dresser. She jumped when his arms wrapped around her; she hadn’t heard him come over.
“No need to be nervous.” He tilted her head back and gently kissed her lips. “Let’s sit down for a bit, okay?”
“I want to wash up first. I’ll be right out.” She twisted out of his embrace and scurried to the bathroom, closing the door. Leaning her forehead against it, she breathed heavily, chiding herself for being so foolish.It’s not like you haven’t slept with him. What’s the matter with you? You want to be with him.She didn’t want him to think she was acting like a child. He was used to experienced women who knew how to make a guy feel great, and shewasinexperienced.
“Kylie?” His low voice outside the door made her jump.
“Yeah?”
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
A short pause then she heard the door knob jangle. “Open up.”
“Why?”
