Rock turned around when he felt someone clasp his shoulder. Bones stared at him stone-faced. Rock smiled and offered his brother a joint, but Bones just shook his head.
“What the fuck’s up with you? I don’t ever remembering you turning down a smoke, dude.” Rock put the joint back in his pocket.
“Are you drunk, high, or just plain fucking crazy bringing that rich prick’s wife to the club? What the fuck, bro?”
“I didn’t tell you, but I know her from my hometown. Isn’t that a fuckin’ small world?”
“Shit’s gonna hit the fan when Banger finds out.”
Rock shrugged. “Shit’s always hitting the fan around here for some damn reason or another. I’ll deal with it.”
“You fucking her?”
“Nah. We’re just friends.”
“That’s the best kinda fucking. You know each other, no love involved, just admiration for each other.” Bones glanced at his cell phone. “Damn, I promised my brother I’d help him fix his truck. I gotta go. Looking forward to the fireworks at our next church.” He drained his glass and placed it on the counter. “Later.” Bones rushed out the door.
After a couple hours, Rock checked his phone to see if Clotille had texted him, but there were no messages or calls. He wanted to make sure she was all right, so he took the stairs two at a time until he came to his room. He opened the door and saw her lying on his bed, wrapped in one of his many quilts—Isa was fucking obsessed with them—fast asleep. He padded over to her and took in her beauty: flawless skin, hair as golden as honey in the sun, lips full and parted slightly, and long burnt-umber lashes.She’s so fuckin’ beautiful.As he gazed at Clotille, he felt magnetically drawn to her, and he brushed her pinkish cheeks with the back of his hand.Fuck, they’re so damn soft.He sucked in his breath, the desire to kiss her, thread his fingers through her tresses, and trace her body with his tongue overwhelming. He longed to see her creamy breasts and suck their nipples to hardness. His desire grew and his pulse quickened as he looked on, his jeans tightening as the need for her burned from his head to his stiff dick.
For such a long time he’d thought about her, replaying their last night together over and over in his mind, like a movie projector set on autopilot. Mixed with loving thoughts of her were strains of bitterness, anger, and… hate. When he’d needed her the most, she’d dumped him for the rich high school star quarterback, whose father had paid his way to Harvard. Rock had been the troubled bad boy, who started fights, smoked cigarettes, and skipped school. He’d been from the other side of the tracks—white trash. Then he’d beaten his dad nearly to death and had ended up in the slammer. How could he ever blame her for bailing? Even so, it’d hurt when she’d given up on him so quickly. And looking at her at that moment, the hurt he’d buried deep inside began to resurface. He wanted her desperately, but he didn’t want to be dragged into her web again. He had vowed that he’d never let that happen.My sweet Clotille. You’re a ball buster, that’s for sure.
“I like you looking at me. It reminds me of when we were young,” she said as her eyes fluttered open.
His head jerked. “Uh… I was making sure you were okay. I still can’t believe you’re here after all these years.” He ran his hand through his hair. “You gonna tell me what the fuck’s going on with you?”
She pushed herself up and leaned against the headboard, then wrapped her arms around her knees that were pulled close to her chest. Her gaze locked with his. “Not now,” she said softly. “Tonight, I want to pretend that everything is wonderful and nothing bad ever happens to anyone.”
He watched her as her face flushed and she buried her head between her knees. It took everything he had not to reach out and stroke her hair, then press her close to him and soothe away the bad memories she had locked in her mind.
She lifted her head, a warm smile lighting her face. “Do you have food around this place? I’m starving.”
“Yeah. We got some food downstairs. You like barbecue?”
“Yes. I’m so hungry I could eat anything.”
“You lost a lot of weight since I last saw you. You didn’t need to.”
She pressed her lips together and looked away. “Frederick liked me very thin. He controlled what I ate and how much.”
He walked over to the other side of the bed and sat on the edge of it. “Why did you let him control you like that?”
She pulled her hair into a ponytail and stretched out her legs. “I don’t want you to think Frederick’s a monster. He isn’t. He’s just used to being in control. It’s his personality. He came into my life when there was nothing but chaos, and I yearned for someone to take over and tell me what to do. It really can make things simple when you let go… at least it did for me.”
“Were you happy with him?”
Her brows knitted together as she paused before answering. “I wouldn’t say I was happy, but I was safe and knew things in my life were taken care of. It’s kind of hard to explain. Frederick cherished me and I pleased him. It was a give and take.” Her stomach growled and she blushed, her hand flying to her belly.
He laughed. “Let’s go down and get you some food. You definitely need some fattening up.” He stood up and wanted to give her his hand to help her up, but he knew if he did, he’d never let go. He stood aside as she passed through the door.
She followed him into the kitchen and stood behind him as he rummaged through the refrigerator, her creamy vanilla scent coiling around his dick as want ribboned through him. “Here’s the pork. I can nuke it. Coleslaw. And some kickass potato salad. Pickles, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese slices. Perfect.” He brought his armload of goodies to the kitchen island.
“Is there any lettuce? I can make great salads.” Her eyes sparkled like a dew-misted meadow in summer. As long as he lived, her gaze would always pull him in.
“We got lettuce. Look in the vegetable bin.” A familiar easiness settled between them as he assembled the pulled pork sandwiches and she made a salad for them. He liked the feeling of being with her, acting like they were two people who didn’t have the history they did between them. He could get used to this with her.Fuck no. Remember how she ripped out your heart. So you’re having a domestic moment with the girl you crushed on all through high school. So the fuck what? You’re acting like a goddamned pussy.
“These carrots are so sweet. Here, taste them.” She placed her finger on his lips and put the chunk of carrot in his mouth, her finger lingering inside. He closed his mouth and sucked it, a jolt of lust zapping his cock like lightning. “Good, huh?” She slid her finger out. “Did you guys get these at a farmer’s market? I’m positive they didn’t come from the grocery store.”
I want to fuck you so bad,chérie. I don’t give a shit about the damn carrots. You’re the only thing I want to taste.“I don’t know where they came from.”
