Chasing Aubrey (6 page)

Chapter 10

I didn't know what he meant when he said he was going to make it up to me. What was there to make up? This was the most incredible thing I'd ever done. There was no way that he could disappoint me now. Ripples of pleasure coursed through my sex, making my muscles contract around him as he drove into me.

He possessed me completely. He was demanding, unrelenting and completely primal in his need. It was such a turn on that I didn't have time to think of anything other than ‘fuck me!’

White-hot lightning shot through me as he pounded my ripe pink flesh, over and over. He was consumed by his raw passionate need and I was a willing participant in soothing that need. Involuntary shudders wracked my body as my climax neared.

His mouth was voracious on mine, capturing each of my cries before they had a chance to fully leave me. His dick was sweet sweet agony, driving me higher and higher with each new thrust until I thought I would explode from all of the pressure built up inside of me.

There was nothing I could do but go along for the ride.

The only sounds I made were incoherent babbling, hoarse moans and furtive cries for more. I needed him as much as he clearly needed me. Maybe that was why it was so amazing.

Our bodies were slick with sweat and our breathing was heavy with the exertion and excitement that flowed through our veins. My body was boiling in ecstasy and I knew that I was going to come undone at any moment.

"Oh, Tanner!" I heard myself scream. That didn't sound like my voice. That voice was lusty, wanton, and sexy. That wasn't really me, was it?

"Oh fuck," he groaned, before a tortured cry escaped his lips.

At the same time I felt his warm seed shoot into me, I was seized by my own ecstasy. Sparks flew through my overly-sensitive body and my limbs trembled with the intensity of my orgasm.

I couldn’t seem to catch my breath. We were both panting and Tanner rolled off of the couch onto the floor. I just giggled at him as he lay splayed on the plush carpet, spread-eagle.

“What’s so funny, miss,” he asked, a hint of mirth in his voice.

“I don’t know…” I giggled again, “That was just fabulous. Fantastic. Fantabulous.”

“Oh yeah?” He asked with a smirk.

“Oooooh yeah,” I answered with a big grin of my own.

“I’m glad to hear it. I hope you don’t think that’s all I have in store for the evening though.”

I leaned over the edge of the couch and locked eyes with him, my eyebrows narrowed in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“That was just the appetizer. I told you I’d make it up to you. I don’t typically finish that quickly, but my god you’re incredible.”

I felt my cheeks heat up at his words. I didn’t feel like anything special, but the way Tanner said it, it was impossible not to believe him.

“There’s no way in hell we’re not doing that again.”

I laughed and nodded.

“Well, okay.”

“Right after I catch my breath,” he said with a heavy sigh.

I giggled again, my arm and leg both hanging over the edge of the couch. I stared at the ceiling, replaying everything we’d just done in my head. I didn’t think anything in the world could ever compare. It didn’t seem possible that things could even be that good, never mind better. I didn’t know what he had in store to “make it up” to me, but I was pretty excited for it.

He rolled over and bit down on one of my fingers.

“Ow!” I hollered over laughter. I didn’t really hurt so much as it surprised me.

I looked down at him and he had a lop-sided grin plastered on his face.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

I fished my phone out of my dress and excused myself to the restroom to clean up. Part of me wanted to call Marilee, but the other part knew that she would not approve at all of this little tête-à-tête. As much as I loved her, Mari was very much a “duty to the family” kind of girl. She always admonished my rebellious streak and told me I should be more grateful for the life my parents gave me. I didn’t want to be grateful for something I never asked for.

I checked the time; it was still early. There was that text from my mother still sitting unread.

I sighed and opened it.

Where are you? Everyone’s worried. Brunch tomorrow with the Westmores at Le Bouffe 10 AM. Don’t be late!

Of course we were having brunch with my fiancé’s family. Why wouldn’t I be able to just enjoy one thing? Well, that was too bad, I was just going to spend the night with Tanner and then have to leave early in the morning to get my car and meet them for brunch. I knew I couldn’t miss the engagement without dire consequences. As much I would love to blow them off, it just wasn’t something that I could get away with. Not if I wanted to have any hope of continuing to live my double life. Racing was far more important to me than a one-night stand. Even if it was the most amazing one night stand ever.

I thought back to Tanner’s promise of an evening filled with erotic pleasures and felt a shudder go down my spine straight to my needy core. How could I already want him again already? He’d already done more for me than any other man — or even myself — had ever managed. What more was there?

I texted my mother back quickly.

At Mari’s for the night. I’ll see you at Le Bouffe.

I knew my mother wouldn’t like that answer. She would want to make sure that I had the proper attire, that my hair was perfectly coiffed, that I remembered all of my manners. But, she would probably hope that Mari would be a good influence on me. Maybe some of her familial obligation would rub off on me. At least that’s what my mother would hope for. I knew better.

With that taken care of, I shut my phone off and proceeded to clean myself up. I looked like a mess. My hair was sticking in all directions, my makeup was smudged and my body was flushed and sweaty.

I wondered how Tanner had even been attracted to this in the first place. Then again, I didn’t quite look this bad when we’d met. Most of this was his fault. I wiped the smudged make-up off of my face and tried my best to smooth down my unruly hair. I still couldn’t believe that we’d had sex! I never really gave much thought to what my first time would be like, but that certainly wasn’t what I expected.

There was a knock at the bathroom door followed by Tanner’s rich voice.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I called back, using a wet rag to wipe myself off.

Everything wasn’t really fine though. I’d just had the most incredible life-changing experience of my life and it could never happen again after tonight. I couldn’t even tell Tanner why. If I told him why, that would only make it easier for him to find me. I did not want my two lives to cross paths.

I opened the door and he was standing there, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed against his chest. He was stark naked and sexy as all get-out. His masculine draw lured me in like a fish going after a hook. I knew it was too good to be true, but I kept swimming toward him.

He thrust his hand into my mass of hair and pulled me in for a searing kiss. I didn’t know how, but every time we kissed I felt like it was the first time all over again. It was hot, full of promise and all-consuming.

His hands slid down my bare body and I shivered. His touches were electric and addicting. I could spend my entire life being touched like this. Chester would never touch me with the reverence that Tanner did.

“Caught your breath?” I teased, my hand sliding down his washboard stomach to find him hard and ready for me.

“You bet your sweet ass I have.”

He scooped me up despite my squeal of protest and deposited me on his bed before kissing his way down my body.

He hooked his thumbs into my panties and pulled them over my legs languorously. His pace was so slow that is was maddening. Excruciating. My body responded to him so easily in ways that I’d never responded to anyone.

His lips traveled further down my body, stopping at the apex of my thighs.

Oh god, he’s not really going to…?

His marauding tongue darted out and licked my sensitive flesh with velvety soft strokes.

I fidgeted under his ministrations and he held me firmly in place with a hand on my hip. I wanted to squirm and move against him, but he kept me in place.

Lust thundered through my veins, lightning emanated from where his tongue met my sensitive nub. He was creating the perfect storm inside of me and I already could feel the swell building within me.

He devoured me and I surrendered to him completely. My hands clutched at the bed sheets and his hair, trying to find purchase while the world spun around me. His fingers thrust into me, demanding and possessive.

Heat radiated from my core, spreading through my body like boiling lava.

“Oh god, Tanner,” I moaned, unable to form a more coherent sentence. He was driving me wild, driving all the thought from my mind, driving all desires except for him out of my body.

As the universe exploded around me and uncontrollable shudders rippled through me, Tanner cradled my sagging body in his strong arms. I felt spent, but I didn’t want this night to end. He petted my hair which made my eyes heavy and hummed a little tune to me.

It was the sweetest, most loving thing anyone had ever done for me and I couldn’t help but feel guilty for not being forthcoming with him. I was going to have to leave him in the morning without an explanation, and it killed me inside.

“Thank you,” I whispered, sleep clouding my brain.

“For what?”

“Everything,” I mumbled before drifting off.

Chapter 11

After my amazing night with Aubrey, I couldn’t wait to wake up with another good shagging. I stretched and yawned and reached over to the side of the bad where I’d left her and found it empty. With a frown, I ran my hand over the sheets and found them cool. I wondered if she was somewhere else in the apartment. I stretched again, my joints creaking and cracking from too much past damage.

“Aubrey?” I called out, expecting to hear her sweet voice answer back.

Nothing.

I climbed out of bed reluctantly and wandered around the apartment. She was nowhere to be found.

A pit of dread settled in my stomach.

She was gone. Not a note, not a word. Just like that she’d walked out of my life. As abruptly as she’d entered my world, she’d disappeared from it.

I hated myself for thinking that this was ever going to be something different. I wanted her to stick around. The one woman I actually wanted to stick around and she left without ever giving me a chance to tell her so.

My stomach twisted in knots and I wanted to break something. More importantly, I wanted to find Aubrey. She was definitely hiding something and I was going to find out what it was.

My doorbell buzzed and my head picked up. My heart pounded in my chest. Was that her? Maybe she just went out for coffee or breakfast to surprise me and couldn’t get back into the building.

That was plausible, right?

Sure it was.

I buzzed her in without looking at the monitor or calling down. I was certain it was her. I wanted so badly to hope that our night together meant more to her, that it was as special to her as I thought it was.

I never thought I would be this guy. I never expected to be pining over some strange girl with hope fluttering in my belly and my heart skipping beats.

I threw on a pair of shorts quickly, intent on asking her where she’d been. I needed to know who she was. I didn’t care if she was poor. Hell knows I’d been poor growing up on the streets. I couldn’t fault her for that. I could fault her for keeping secrets, though.

The elevator doors opened and I knew immediately that this wasn’t Aubrey.

A petite teenager stepped off of the elevator. Her hair was a rainbow of various colors, her face had more hardware than a Home Depot and the jeans she wore were ripped to shreds, revealing a fair amount of tanned skin.

There was a heavy looking bag slung over one of her slender shoulders and another in her hand. She looked like the weight of her bags could topple her over at any time.

She stepped off of the elevator and inclined her head to me.

“’Sup,” she said, her voice not quite fully matured. I would guess that she was sixteen, but it had been so long since I’d been that age that it was really anyone’s guess.

“Um… can I help you?” I asked, utterly confused. I expected to see beautiful wonderful Aubrey, not some homeless hooligan. Talk about disappointment.

“Uh, yeah, I’m looking for a place to stay,” her jaw worked diligently on a piece of bubble gum and she punctuated her sentence by blowing a big bubble before popping it loudly.

“There’s a shelter about six blocks away,” I told her, still confused about why she was at my doorstep. Was this someone’s idea of a joke?

“Well, I was told that you would give me somewhere to stay. I traveled a long way to get here, so the least you could do is be decent to me,” she said through loud smacking of her gum. She exited the elevator and dropped her bags on the floor before plopping down on the couch. She propped her feet up on the coffee table, dirty converse and all.

“Well, I don’t know who told you that, but I’m not running a half-way house for troubled teens here if you couldn’t tell.” My responses were beginning to get a little snippy. But hell, I had a right to be snippy, she was in my home! I didn’t know her or why she was here and she needed to get out. I had other things to deal with right now.

She rolled her heavily made-up eyes toward the ceiling.

“Do you have any food in this place? I’m starving.”

“Maybe you didn’t hear me? Get the fuck out of my house.”

“Whoa, is that any way to talk to your baby sister, Tanner?” She scolded.

My… what? I was an only child. At least, I thought I was. My mother left me when I was just a kid. My dad had been MIA my entire life.

“What are you talking about?”

She sighed, giving me another eye roll.

“You really don’t catch on quick, do you? Tamara is my mother, too.”

What was that sound? My ears were buzzing. I felt like I was going through a tunnel full of hornets, the sound was deafening. I needed to sit down.

My knees buckled just as I made it to the couch and I fell into place next to her.

“I don’t have… a sister.”

“Surprise!” She said with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, my name’s Skye, thanks for asking,” Another eye roll and a loud bubble pop, “and, like I said, I need a place to stay.”

I raked my hand over my face, scratching at the stubble on my cheek. This was insane. This couldn’t be happening.

“Why?” I asked, nausea building in my stomach. A sister? I had a sister? All this time… I thought I was alone without family. I didn’t know whether I should be happy or upset.

“Well, I turned eighteen a few days ago and Tamara kicked my ass to the curb. It’s kinda her thing if you don’t remember.”

I turned to look at her, a look of shocked dismay on my face. I was having trouble processing all of this, but I knew all too well how my mother was. In my case she just ran away…

“She always told me what a pain in the ass you were growing up, but that you grew up to be this big shot in California. I just thought you’d have a little place for your baby sis to crash.”

I looked her over. Beneath all of the body modifications, make-up and crazy hair colors, the resemblance was definitely there. We had the same hazel eyes, the same straight nose and the same mouth perpetually cocked in a half-smile. She had my mother’s thin face and narrow shoulders which contributed to my thinking that she was younger than she was.

I heaved a great sigh. I couldn’t exactly turn her away if she needed a place to stay. All of this time I thought I was without family. I envied Bryce for his happy little family and longed for my own. I couldn’t turn it away when it landed at my doorstep.

“All right, you can stay. Are you in school?”

She laughed.

“Yeah right. I dropped out a year ago.”

“All right, well, if you’re going to stay here, you’re going to go to school. I’ll get you enrolled. No drinking, no drugs. No staying out after eleven and absolutely no friends in my house. Understood?”

She rolled her eyes and nodded.

“All right, Big Brother, no need to control everything. Now, do you have any fucking food in this place?”

If I closed my eyes, I could have sworn that my mother said that last sentence. There was no doubting her story, as much as I wanted to. Why couldn’t I have a secret sister that was normal and well-adjusted?

Probably because my mother wasn’t capable of raising a child that turned out normal.

“Do we have any other… siblings?”

Skye shook her head.

“No, I think Tamara gave up. All she ever wanted was something to love her unconditionally; she thought a kid would do that. I told her she should’ve stuck with puppies.”

I laughed in spite of myself. The girl was funny, I’d give her that much.

I wanted a family; that meant accepting that it may not turn out to be what I expected. I could deal with this.

“So, what do you eat?”

“I’m a gluten-free organic vegan locavore.”

I stared at her for a moment, not really knowing what to say.

“Um… okay, so do you want some grass?”

“Was it grown in your back yard without pesticides?”

“Uh…” I really didn’t know how to respond to her.

She looked at me like she actually expected me to go pick her some grass.

Then she cracked up and smacked my shoulder.

“I’m
fucking
with you, man. I’m broke and hungry. I’ll eat anything.”

“Well, what sounds good?” I asked with a sigh of relief. I was already freaking out about how to feed someone that had dietary restrictions I’d never even heard of.

“A cheeseburger the size of my head.”

“That I can do.”

She was still chuckling as I led the way into the kitchen and started pulling out the various necessary ingredients. I didn’t cook very often, but I typically had a stocked kitchen in case the mood struck. If the food sat in my fridge for more than a few days, I typically just donated it to a homeless shelter. I would rather feed someone else than let the food spoil and the kitchens were always so grateful for whatever I could bring in.

I started seasoning the meat and forming the patties as I heated up a cast iron pan on the stove.

“I can’t believe you fell for that drivel…” Skye giggled, pulling up a seat at the breakfast bar.

“Well, how was I supposed to know?” I teased back with a hint of a smile playing at my lips.

“It’s not like you look all that different from the people that talk about that kind of stuff.”

“Hey!” She exclaimed, her mouth open in a shocked expression, “I resemble that statement,” she mumbled before we both started laughing.

Maybe having a little sister wouldn’t be so bad after all.

I still wanted to find Aubrey, but for the time being, Skye had to be my priority.