Chapter Ten
TWILIGHT DESCENDED. I flicked on lights as the last of the sun disappeared over the horizon.
The view had been breathtaking from this vantage point.
That was a definite perk to staying in a penthouse.
Not to mention, it came with seven opulent bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a large kitchen, study, living and dining room. Impeccable, and only for the wealthy.
After the crew had cleaned up, Brent and Stash with a few more cuts and bruises than the rest, they had left for their meeting. I had escaped Ally’s questions by taking a long, hot bubble bath. It had been glorious after she had stopped pounding on the door. Just what my aching body had needed.
I flopped on one of the couches, flipping through the cable channels while wearing my black satin pajamas with Death Row sporadically stamped in yellow.
Ally was furious with me since I still wouldn’t answer her questions about my back– they would only hurt her more, so she was in the kitchen frying up chicken, colored greens, mashed potatoes, and cobbler pie from a pre-stocked supply of goodies.
I smelled home wafting from the open doorway as she banged dishes and slammed cabinet doors.
Brent threw furniture, Ally cooked with passion. Ah, just like the good ‘ol days.
The door to the penthouse opened behind me as I was pulling a blanket around my shoulders. The crew came in, loud as all get out, talking eagerly about their new assignment. Zane and Brent stopped so fast the other two ran into them from behind. It was kinda comical.
All four sniffed the air like dogs scenting a bone, and then smiled. Even Zane. I guess it was true. The way to a man’s heart is through his belly. Too bad Ally’s gay.
“I do love southern women,” Stash groaned.
They’re heads turned toward the kitchen door as one, where Ally was still banging away.
Stash’s forehead crinkled and he started walking toward the open door. “I’m going to see if she needs a hand with anything.”
Brent raised his hand, reaching for the back of Stash’s suit jacket and opened his mouth to say something. He hesitated. Then, dropped his extended arm and snapped his mouth shut and grinned. Oh, he was still being ornery. I didn’t think it was worth it.
“Stash, I wouldn’t…” I straggled off as he waved a dismissive hand. Okay. His funeral.
Brent jumped over the back of the couch, sat with his back against the arm, and pulled me into his embrace so we could watch the show.
Zane was mute, but interested and Cole watched Brent for a moment before leaning a hip against the dining room table and turning toward the kitchen. Poor Stash didn’t have a chance.
Stash was polite, inquiring, “Is there anything…”
Yep. That’s all he got out.
“GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE, YANKEE! CAN’T YOU SEE I’M FIXIN’ UP DINNER?
THIS IS MY DOMAIN WHILE I’M HERE. MINE! STEP INSIDE AGAIN AND I’LL BE FRYING UP YOUR BALLS FOR THE SEAGULLS TO MUNCH ON!
” Ally screamed. Stash sprinted through the doorway just as a butchers knife impaled the wall, black handle vibrating, behind him.
She had missed him by a good foot. She hadn’t been trying to hit him. “GO ON, GET!”
Boy. Stash was fast.
He made it to the hallway in two shakes, peeking back to see if she had taken chase.
She hadn’t, of course. He pointed a shaking finger at the kitchen, frantically whispering, “She’s gone fucking insane!
” He turned on his heel and rushed off, banging his bedroom door closed after him.
It took three times. The bugger just kept on bouncing back open.
“I’m thinkin’ you boys had better make sure you say thank you for dinner,” I deadpanned.
***
We sat around the dining room table digging into our grub.
Ally sat at the head of the table - thanks to her cooking the feast, Brent and I - I was eating real slow to make sure I didn’t dribble anything on myself - on either side of her, Zane next to me, Cole next to Brent…
and Stash two seats down from Zane. Stash kept his head down and crooned how wonderful the food was every other bite.
Ally wasn’t upset anymore, but acted like she was, just to amuse herself with Stash a bit longer. Poor guy.
Brent kept grinning when she thumped her glass down or cut into the meat with enough vigor to shake the table, making Stash squirm in his chair.
I swear the man almost dropped to duck and cover at one point.
I could imagine him tonight shoving the dresser in front of his door before curling up in the fetal position with the blankets over his head.
Yeah, he might be a real tough guy with another man, but put a spitting mad woman in front of him and it seemed to scar the living daylights out of him.
“Leave the poor man alone,” I whispered behind my glass when I thought I heard a whimper from the far end of the table. “You’ve had your fun.”
She stuck out her bottom lip and fluttered her eyelashes.
I huffed. “That doesn’t work on me any longer. So you might as well stop.”
She leaned over, whispering near my ear, “It doesn’t work because all you’ve had recently is sausage, honey. I think you’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a woman pleasure you.”
My mouth dropped open in surprise and I turned to her, our faces mere inches apart. I searched her eyes, closing my mouth gently. It was there in their depths. She wasn’t fooling. She still wanted me.
I took a piece of her hair and twirled it around my finger, playing with it fondly. I stared at it. It was soft and thick and curly, and everything I remembered. But…I also remembered that she had left me for love. My eyes met hers.
“Ah, sweetie.” I moved closer, kissing her lips softly, saying good-bye to a past lover.
They trembled like they had so long ago.
My caresses were tender and sweet, but when she pressed for more, I leaned back, removing my lips from hers.
“I’m flattered. I really am, but you have someone you care for.
Someone you love. You don’t really want to ruin that.
You just haven’t seen me in a real long time. ”
Her eyes fluttered back and forth between mine until she lowered them.
When they met mine again they were determined, and even slightly embarrassed, as she nodded in agreement.
I kissed her forehead before releasing her strand of hair and settling back in my seat.
I spooned a helping of mashed potatoes and was mid-bite before I realized that silence had descended on the table. I glanced up.
Oh, boy. I had kinda forgotten about them. The men. Seeing to females loving on one another. If I had been a match I would have burst into flame by the way they were all staring at us.
“You got to see that all the time?” Cole asked Brent. His voice was soft and dreamlike.
Brent wasn’t doing much better. He was licking his lips, obvious memories heating his gaze even further. He couldn’t even speak.
“Men,” Ally muttered, clearly disgusted. They ignored her comment.
“For the love of God, please tell me you guys made some damn videos,” Stash whispered his plea, picking himself off the table where he was half lying so he would have had a better view of our smooch.
My cheeks went bright red.
“Jesus, they did. Look at her face! Come on Brent. Give up the goods!” Stash begged.
Zane grunted.
Brent chuckled, finally snapping out of his sensual haze. “I’m not saying we did, but even if there were videos I wouldn’t have been the one to keep them. Nor would I let you have them.” He paused. “Besides, man, I would have been in them.”
Stash ignored him, glancing at Ally. “I’ll pay.” I really think the man was serious.
She choked on her chicken.
Brent rubbed her back until she was able to speak. “I certainly don’t have any videos.”
She and Brent found their food real interesting while everyone else’s gazes snapped to me. Lord. I jumped from my chair, grabbing my plate and rushing toward the kitchen. “Who wants dessert?”
“Oh no, you don’t, missy.” Stash grabbed the back of my pj top, hauling me into his lap.
“What?” I tried to look guiltless. I didn’t want to have this conversation.
“Let her up,” Cole stated slowly, just as Brent glared.
“The videos, doll.” My face burned brighter and he inquired further, “You have them in that duffle of yours?” His eyebrows bounced up and down.
“You’re a pervert,” I told him flatly.
“Agreed,” Brent stated. “I don’t much like her on your lap, either.”
“I’ll second that,” Cole asserted, eyes going icy.
“I’m not keeping her here,” Stash joked, waving his hands in the air. “Besides, I could ignore Brent on the screen if there were two females in it.” He smiled great big and innocent. The man was too pretty. And he knew it.
I got up, declaring, “I don’t have any videos, either.” I smiled just as sweetly.
Ally was watching my face, unfortunately. Hers turned white. “She’s not joking.”
“What?” Brent asked, glancing from her to me. His eyes widened even though I was trying my darndest to look in the clear. “Where are the videos, Ember?”
I pointed toward the kitchen, walking sideways. “I’m just going to get that dessert now.”
“Ember,” Brent lunged from his chair, stomping to me.
“Where are all of the fucking videos? It wasn’t just you on there, darlin’.
I’m sure Ally and I would both like to know they aren’t going to be found and plastered all over the internet.
” He paused, looking horrified. “You didn’t give them away when Ally left you, did you? ”
Smack!
The sound echoed throughout the penthouse. Brent stood stock still as his cheek flamed red, his head now turned to the right, while I held my smarting hand. No one said a word as his head snapped back in my direction and we stared one another down. I shook in fury and Brent’s eyes were huge.
“Oh, darlin’. I’m so sorry,” Brent whispered hoarsely, trying to wrap me in his arms, but I pushed his chest hard and managed to remain a few feet from him.