22. Gemma
Chapter 22
Gemma
“Hey! You’re home early.”
Sasha was stretched out on the couch when I pushed through my front door. After the incident a couple of weeks ago, when he couldn’t get in on his own, he demanded a key. My pushback on the matter was short-lived, especially when he said if I didn’t cooperate, he would have the whole lock removed and replaced with one featuring a digital keypad the next time I went to work.
I would never admit it out loud, but I liked coming home to find him already inside. If I worked the day shift, he made sure to have dinner on the table, and if I closed, he would have a bath drawn upon my arrival.
I actually kinda missed him when he had to travel and I went a few days without seeing him. I slept better when he was in the house. And not just because, more often than not, he fucked me into an orgasm-induced coma. His strong arms holding me close throughout the night provided safety, a comfort I’d never known before. The longer he was around, the more I craved the way he made me feel—like I was cherished, adored, and if I weren’t so terrified of being the recipient of such an emotion, I might have even dared to say loved.
Tossing my keys aside, I slipped off my shoes and joined him on the couch. Cannoli promptly leapt into my lap, licking my face.
His puppy kisses tickled, and I laughed out loud. He’d definitely grown on me, and I was slightly addicted to his exuberant affection.
“I missed you too,” I assured him.
“All right, give your mom some room to breathe,” Sasha playfully chastised Cannoli as he pulled him off my lap and onto his own. He snuggled our boy before turning his warm gaze on me, teasing, “Did you quit or get fired?”
“Neither, jerk.” I shoved at his shoulder.
Blue eyes sparking with amusement, he asked, “Then what brings you home only three hours into your shift? You weren’t supposed to get off until midnight.”
Shifting my position on the cushions to face him on bent knees, I bounced, unable to contain my excitement. “I got a promotion!”
“What? Babe, that’s great!” Sasha set Cannoli on the floor and pulled me into a tight hug.
When we broke apart, I explained, “Bennie called me into his office and told me he got an offer at a nightclub. Then he explained that the owners asked who he would recommend as his replacement, and he gave them my name.” I tapped my chest with a shaky hand, almost unable to believe the events of the past few hours. “I’m the new manager. Me! Can you believe it?”
His dazzling smile was nearly blinding. “Of course, I can. They’d be fools not to put you in charge.”
Heat rose up my neck and onto my cheeks, and I dropped my gaze to my lap. “I don’t know if I would go that far.”
A finger hooked beneath my chin, lifting my face. Sasha looked at me almost as if in awe. “You have no idea how truly incredible you are, do you?”
Why would I? No one had ever seen fit to praise me before. Not until this man barged his way into my life and decided he was never leaving.
Before I could let dark thoughts from my past creep in, Sasha dropped his hand and stood. Clapping, he declared, “We have to celebrate!”
You’d think I would be used to the emotional whiplash this man offered up on the daily, but nope. It still had a jarring impact each time.
“Celebrate?” I asked in a daze.
He was halfway to the door before he turned back to find me staring at him, jaw hanging slack. “Well, come on!”
Shoving off the couch, I sighed. “Where are we going?”
Pushing his arms through his jacket, he snagged his keys. “I know a great little ice cream place not too far from here. We’ll enjoy a celebratory treat while you tell me all about your new position.”
It was late, and I wanted nothing more than to chill out at home, but Sasha was riding high on my news, and I knew better than to try and argue when he got an idea into his head.
Ice cream it is.
The place was cute; I had to hand him that.
It had a retro 50s soda fountain vibe, with its metal countertop, red vinyl stools, and black and white checkered tile flooring. The sign at the hostess stand told us to seat ourselves, so Sasha pulled me into a booth in the corner.
The menus were tucked into a slot behind the napkin holder, and I plucked one out.
“What’s good here?” I asked, scanning the ice cream options.
“I like a vanilla cone, but you can get whatever you want.”
Peeking over the menu, I arched an eyebrow. “Vanilla? Really?”
Sasha shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a classic.”
Humming, I set the laminated plastic sheet down. “I’m more of a chocolate girl.”
Folding his arms, he leaned over the surface separating us. “And that’s why we fit so well together. You’re the dark to my light. It’s a perfect balance.”
There wasn’t enough light in the world to combat the darkness I’d seen, let alone balance it out. But I wouldn’t be the one to burst his bubble. It wasn’t hurting anyone to let him believe I was the yin to his yang.
A waitress came and took our order, returning quickly with our cones.
The first burst of the creamy confection hit my tongue as Sasha said, “So, tell me about your new job.”
Butterflies fluttered wildly inside my chest as I thought about earlier today and what this promotion would mean for me going forward.
“Bennie’s going to help with the transition, showing me the ropes before he leaves next week, but from what he explained, I’ll be in charge of inventory management, setting the team’s schedules, and ensuring we keep on budget to maximize profits for the owners. He said he hired someone out to do the marketing, but I think I could take a crack at it, coming up with some fun promotions during the week to drive more traffic on slower evenings.”
The more I talked about it, the more my excitement grew.
“The best part is no more tending bar. No more biting my tongue when customers are rude and demanding in an attempt not to get stiffed on a tip. I’ll be salaried, can you believe that? And no more closing shifts! I’ll get to set my own hours!”
I was practically vibrating in my seat, and Sasha stared across the table at me with a loopy grin on his face.
“What?” I asked.
Chuckling, he held up his hands, which contained not only his vanilla cone but my chocolate one.
“Wait—How did you—I mean—“ My head cocked to the side as I tried to process how he’d gotten ahold of my ice cream.
His gaze dipped to my hands, which were flailing wildly, and it hit me.
“Oh my God,” I groaned.
“Cutest thing I’ve ever seen when you thrust it in my direction so you could talk with your hands,” Sasha remarked, his smile growing wider.
“Shut up. I’m Italian.” I reached across the table to retrieve my cone.
“I’m proud of you, you know.”
My heart stopped beating. “What?”
“You worked hard and earned this promotion, Gemma. I’m so proud of you.”
For most of my life, it had been beaten into me—both verbally and physically—that I was a disappointment. First, for not being born a boy. Then, for my defiance, my unwillingness to cooperate and cater to my father’s whims when deciding my future.
Never, not once, had anyone told me they were proud of me.
I didn’t know how to react. And it sure as hell didn’t help that the longer I stared at Sasha beaming at me, the blurrier he became.
Reaching his long arm over the table, he used the thumb of his free hand to swipe beneath my eyes.
“I need you to believe me when I say I will spend a lifetime making sure you know your worth, your true value.”
A watery laugh fell from my lips. “You really want a lifetime of this hot mess?” I gestured to my face, my makeup surely running down my cheeks at this point.
“More than I’ve wanted anything in my entire life.” There was nothing but sincerity in his words as he held my gaze.
A mix of emotions I wasn’t ready to name rushed over me at once, but I managed to say, voice thick, “Take me home, Sasha.”
Smiling softly back at me, he replied, “It would be my pleasure.”
At some point on the drive back to my place, weepy and emotional switched to horny, and I needed Sasha.
Not in ten minutes. Not when we got home.
Now.
My breathing came in shallow pants as I watched him drive. He’d tossed his coat in the backseat, which bared his rippling forearm as he maneuvered the steering wheel one-handed. His free hand gripped my thigh, and the heat from his palm seared right through the material of my jeans.
My desperation grew to new heights when his thumb stroked steady circles over the rough fabric separating us, and I bit back a moan.
I couldn’t wait another second. The throbbing between my thighs demanded action.
Shifting in my seat, I turned to face him. That hand brushed against my core, and I gasped softly.
Sasha peeked at me. “You okay, babe?”
Biting my lower lip, I could only manage a slight shake of my head.
Worry creased his brow as he kept one eye on the road. “What’s wrong?”
If I told him what I was thinking, I knew he’d try to talk me out of it. I wasn’t thinking clearly, my brain fuzzy as a haze of lust clouded my judgment. Because the idea at the forefront of my mind was hands down the craziest thing I would likely ever do, and I knew it was dangerous, but I didn’t care. I’d lived a life staring danger in the face, but this time I was facing it on my own terms.
The sound of my seatbelt being unbuckled was deafening inside the tight cabin of the sports car.
“Gemma, what are you doing?” Sasha’s voice rose in panic.
I didn’t answer. Twisting in my seat, I pulled my knees beneath me so I could lean my torso over the center console.
“Gemma,” Sasha tried again. “Get back in your seat and buckle up. This isn’t safe.”
I ignored him, my fingers brushing his fly, and he jolted in his seat.
“We’re five minutes from your place. This can wait.”
“No,” I panted, licking my lips. “I won’t make it that long.”
Working the button through the loop, I dragged the zipper down. A victorious thrill ran through me when I palmed his hard cock over his boxers, and his head tipped back on a moan. He might be protesting the location, but he was ready for action.
When I traced a line above the elastic of his underwear, he hissed.
“Tell me you don’t want this,” I taunted, leaning over enough that the warmth of my breath could be felt through the thin cotton, the last barrier preventing me from taking him inside my mouth.
Sasha’s hand smoothed over the crown of my head before he fisted my hair. Voice rough, he replied, “Baby, you know I do. But we should wait.”
Lifting my gaze to meet his, I instructed in a sultry tone, “Keep your eyes on the road.”
I yanked the boxers out of my way, and his impressive cock sprang free, gently slapping my cheek. Gripping the base, I held it steady, pointed toward the ceiling as I licked the underside, coating it so I could swallow it down easier.
Sasha’s harsh breathing was music to my ears, but I wanted to fucking make him sing, to unravel him in the same way he did me every time we were together. This was my chance, and I wasn’t about to waste it. He was wholly at my mercy as he sat immobile behind the wheel.
My lips parted, and I rimmed them around the head.
The grip on my hair tightened. “Don’t tease me.”
His rough voice settled right between my thighs, sending the throbbing to near-nuclear levels. If I shifted just right, maybe I could ride the seam of my jeans to get myself off while I took care of Sasha.
We were almost home. If I was going to do this, it needed to be now.
Taking a deep breath, I unhinged my jaw and slid down Sasha’s shaft as far as I could go in one stroke.
When the car swerved, my surprised yelp was muffled by the dick shoved so far down my throat that I gagged.
“Jesus Christ,” he hissed, using his hold to drag me off before forcing me back down.
The devil on my shoulder smirked, knowing we had him.
“Fuck, your mouth should be illegal.”
I preened under his praise, humming around him.
“Oh, shit,” he gritted out.
Damn, he’s almost there already?
Suddenly, my mouth was wrenched away, and I was shoved back into my seat.
The car slowed down, and for a second, I thought we must’ve made it home, but then I saw Sasha frantically tucking himself back into his pants and trying to do up the fly with one hand.
“What—“
“Buckle up. Now.” His head whipped to the side as he pulled to a complete stop.
That’s when I saw the flashing blue and red lights reflecting in the rear-view mirror.
Of course we got caught the one time I decided to be reckless. Why was I even surprised?
When I didn’t make a move, Sasha reached an arm across my chest, pulling the seatbelt between my breasts and over my hips before latching it into the base with an audible click.
“Gemma, I want you to listen to me. Let me handle this.” He said the words with a cautious hint of warning.
Normally, I’d be inclined to listen, but the sexual frustration of being interrupted simmered beneath my skin, leaving me agitated. So, when Sasha rolled down his window to reveal the cock-blocking cop, I blurted, “What’s the matter, officer? Saw a sports car as easy pickings to hit your quota this month?”
“Gemma.” My name was hissed under Sasha’s breath.
A flashlight shined brightly into the cabin, landing on my face. Then it tracked to the fogged-up windows, and the cop let out a knowing hum.
Leaning in menacingly, he spoke. “The reason I pulled you over has nothing to do with the make or model of the car, miss. It has everything to do with the fact that it was being driven erratically. Over the speed limit, I might add.”
Not gonna lie; that tracked. I wouldn’t have been able to focus on driving straight if I tried if Sasha’s tongue had been between my thighs.
His sharp gaze shifted to Sasha in the driver’s seat. “Would you like to explain why you were unable to stay within the lines?”
Nodding, Sasha replied, “There’s no excuse, officer. I was distracted.”
“I’ll say.”
My lip curled when the cop’s hungry gaze lingered over my heaving chest.
I had no doubt he’d be yanking his crank to the image of me the next time he found himself alone, and it gave me the ick.
“If it weren’t for the mouthy little thing in the passenger seat, I would have let you off with a warning since I’m a Speed fan and all.”
Of course he was. Everyone in this town was obsessed with the hockey team Sasha played for—one I’d never heard of before he walked into my life.
“License and registration,” the officer demanded, his tone harsher now that he’d decided to lean into the hard-ass cop routine.
Sasha reached for the glove box, producing the items and handing them over without a word.
The Power-Trip Patrol disappeared from view, and I opened my mouth to apologize, but Sasha cut me off with a stern, “Not a word, Gemma.”
Yup. Got it. Shutting up now.
When the police officer came back, he returned Sasha’s identification. “I’m going to need you to step out of the vehicle.”
Okay, this was getting ridiculous now. But I followed the command he’d issued in private and sealed my lips shut tight, not wanting to dig the hole deeper.
Sasha unbuckled and stepped outside. I twisted in my seat, trying to make out what they were doing. My heart sank when I figured it out. Officer Asshole was running him through a sobriety test.
So much for being a fan. Didn’t anyone clue this guy into the fact that he doesn’t drink?
Thankfully, he passed. Because if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to keep quiet, fighting tooth and nail against a bullshit DUI charge.
Sasha slid back into the driver’s seat, and even in the dark, I could see every muscle coiled tight with tension. My happy, gentle giant was downright pissed.
Yeah, I’d really fucked up this time.
Sasha didn’t say a word to me until we were safely inside my house, Cannoli jumping at our feet, excited that we were back.
I dropped to my knees, letting him lick the remaining sugary traces of ice cream from my hands before cuddling him close. I soaked up the comfort because I had a feeling I was in for it.
The deep sigh that sounded behind me had me daring to peek back to find Sasha leaning against the closed door, his face tilted toward the ceiling.
“Sasha, I—“ The words died on my tongue when his gaze landed on me, that warm blue stare full of disappointment.
He dragged a hand over his jaw before he spoke. “You know I love your fire, and I never want you to lose it, but when I tell you I have something handled, I need you to trust me.”
Shaking, I rose to my feet.
He didn’t know what he was asking of me. Trust equated to power. If you gave it up to the wrong person, it could destroy you.
“I can’t—“
“You can,” Sasha cut me off. “But clearly, there’s only one road that leads us there. I’ll have to earn it the only way you seem to understand.”
My brows drew down. What was he talking about?
“In the good faith of trust, I’ll let you decide how we go about it. Pussy or ass?”
A disbelieving huff flew past my lips, and I gawked at him. “Excuse me?”
“When we get upstairs, I’m going to earn your trust. It’s your choice whether I do that by using your pussy or your ass.”
My brain was misfiring. I couldn’t make sense of what he was saying. Were we talking about sex?
“I’m running short on patience, Gemma. And you’re going to want me to have it for what I have planned.”
Nervously, I shifted on my feet, needing to be sure I chose the right option. “When you say ass, you mean . . .”
Sasha cocked an eyebrow, the meaning clear.
I swallowed. Yeah, that was gonna be a hard pass for this girl.
Lifting my chin, I made my choice. “Pussy, then.”
He shook his head, a corner of his lips tipping up for the first time since we’d been pulled over. “Oh, Kitten. It’s adorable you think that was the softer option.”
What the hell does that mean? What’s he going to do to me?
“I’m going to take the dog out.” Sasha snapped his fingers, and Cannoli jumped at his command. “Take a shower and wait for me on your bed.”
Brushing past me, he stepped through the sliding glass and into the darkness.
What have I gotten myself into?