The Price We Pay (13 page)

“I’m not getting bonked with all of you in this house,” I told her.

“Then go for a ride,” she suggested. “Do it on the bike.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “Too awkward.”

“Whatever you do, have fun,” she yelled after me.

Latch was standing by the bathroom door.

“What’s up?” I asked and he grabbed my hand. We walked down the hallway and to the other side of the living room. The lights were off so I assumed everyone else was in bed. He was taking me to his room. I’ve been in this room, but only when he wasn’t there. Us girls shared his master bedroom so I knew this was just a spare room for him.

I sat down at the end of the bed and Latch leaned against the closed door.

“So…” I smiled and got one in return.

“Jaxon had to leave, but he’ll be back in the morning to take Sofia to her finals.”

“Okay.”

“You’re going with Jaxon.”

“Really?” I said getting giddy.

“Yeah, but don’t get too excited, you’ll be sitting in the van with him.”

“It’s okay. It’s a break from this place.”

His eyebrows furrowed.

“Not that I don’t like your house, I love your house but you know…change of scenery and stuff,” I rambled.

“I figured it’d be good for you.”

“Thanks for thinking of me.”

Latch

I think of Marvey often. Too often. These make-out sessions were great, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted more. I wanted to worship her body with my mouth and explore her with my tongue. I would have more. When this job was done, we’d have more.

Jaxon and I were working on getting the girls home safely. They all had lives to live and our intel so far had told us that there was no threat to Sofia and Marvey; they had just made bad decisions and were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Kennedy was the target the night he was shot; it wasn’t Sofia. So now that that was cleared up we wanted to get them home. Sofia was moving in with Kennedy and he was working on extra security detail to make that happen.

“We’re working on getting you and Sofia home.”

She pulled her feet up on the bed and sat Indian style. “How soon?”

“Days.”

“Sofia will like that,” she commented, picking at her nails.

“And you?”

She shrugged a shoulder and never looked up. “Randy will be lonely.”

“Harper has to stay.”

She finally looked up. “I thought so.”

“Too much of a risk for her.”

“I feel bad for her.”

“You know she did it to herself,” I said the best I could, trying not to be an asshole.

“I know, but she’s very hell bent on finding the guy that killed her brother.”

“Jaxon is working on that.”

She scooted to the edge of the bed. “Is he fucking with her?”

“Excuse me?” I said stepping in front of her so I was between her legs.

“He better not be playing her. Being nice to her just so she’ll obey. She’s very emotional right now and I’d hate for it all to be a lie, even though,” she tapped her chin, “…even though he looks at her like she’s his whole world.”

I reached down and slid my hand into her hair and gently pulled her head back so I had her eyes, and her mouth. I leaned down, putting my other hand on the bed, trapping her in my arms. “Can we go back to not having a conversation?”

She licked her lips, and I took that as an invitation.

I wasn’t wrong.

The woman had a wicked mouth and soft lips. She moved with me, and just like all the other times, we were in sync. I lay her down on the bed and slipped my hand up her shirt. She did the same in return. I reached up her back and undid her bra with one hand, making her gasp.

“I can’t even do that,” she said breathlessly, “you’re talented.”

“Honey, you have no idea how talented I am.”

“Show me,” she said running her hand down my chest to the top of my jeans.

“You sure?”

“It’s just sex, Latch,” she breathed.

How I wished to hear my real name on her lips. “Sex,” I grunted while she readjusted herself. I sat up so she could remove my jeans.

“Hot.” She undid the button and pressed a kiss along my trail. “Sweaty.” She pulled the zipper down, antagonizing slow, running her lips up my stomach. “Sex,” she moaned in my ear.

“I can do that,” I growled, pushing her down on the bed.

She laughed and put her hands above her head, eyeing me as I slipped my jeans off. I slipped my boxers off showing her how much I wanted her, and she propped up on her elbows. She bit her lip then watched me pull her shorts down, exposing her beautiful curves and panties. I crawled on the bed and grabbed her foot, putting it on my shoulder. I ran my right hand up her leg and slowly pushed her knee to the side. As my hand made its way to her panties, her breathing picked up. My hand skimmed over her panties then she helped me slide them off. I dropped my head between her legs and slowly licked her. She moaned and arched her back, pushing herself against my mouth. I made sure I licked and kissed every part of her, bringing her to orgasm in my mouth. She wasted no time, sitting up, grabbing my cock, leading me to her so I could slowly push in.

“God,” she muttered, kissing me softly.

She was perfect, and wet, and I couldn’t help but push in harder. She didn’t mind, she took what I gave her and enjoyed every moment of it. She kissed me, my neck, and scratched my back while I fucked her. She slipped her ankles up around my neck, and I couldn’t hold back.

“Gonna fuck you harder, babe.”

“Do it, Latch, please.”

The harder I went, the more I felt her tighten up around me.

“This might not last long.”

“It’ll last long enough,” she panted, her nails digging into my arms.

I grunted, moved faster and gave it to her hard.

“Latch,” she moaned, “I’m coming.” Her whole body shook against mine. I pulled out fast and she grabbed my cock, milking my orgasm, and I came all over her belly.

“Christ.”

“That,” she whispered, eyes closed, “was awesome.”

She let go of my cock and I hovered above her. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.”

“No condom.”

“I know, good idea.” She relaxed into the bed, her breathing slowly returning back too normal. “I’m clean, Latch,” she said seriously.

“Trust me?”

She nodded, smiling. “I guess so.”

I chuckled, “Good. I’m good also.”

I slowly climbed off the bed and her trembling legs came together.

I pulled my boxers and jeans on, then went and got a wet rag to clean her up. She laid in bed with me for a few minutes, not saying anything but trailing her hand up and down my chest. We decided that it was probably best she slept in her own room tonight, even though neither of us wanted to move.

After she left I checked in with Jaxon.

When he went on his ride with Harper earlier he had several messages and missed calls from Laken and he was worried, so he took off to check on her.

He answered after the third ring.

“Yo,” he greeted but it was flat.

“Laken okay?”

“She’s fine.”

He told me what happened with Edgar, and said he’d be back later that night. I told him I could deal with the girls tomorrow, but he knew I needed to meet with Keylan so he reassured me he would be back tonight.

“Be safe,” I told him and he hung up on me.

Jaxon

I hung up with Latch and went back into Pacer’s house. My sister was here because her home was now a fucking crime scene.

Fucking Edgar!

I wanted to beat the asshole up even though he was dead. I knew he had problems but I had no idea he was involved with Keylan’s crew. We had only met Mack, and it was just the one time. I can’t begin to imagine what would have happened if we had a meet, and Edgar showed up. I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to keep my cool and not blow my cover. Even though Laken and I were adopted, he was still our family. I guess it didn’t matter now; his problems and bad choices led him to his grave.

And he involved my sister!

Turns out Edgar was high as fuck when he picked up his last bag from Keylan and he went home to sleep it off before delivering them. Someone stole them while he slept and he went to Laken to help him find them. He should have known the drugs were lost and gone forever. He’d never find them. But he was stupid. And reckless. He brought that shit to my sister’s doorstep.

I sat back down on the couch, and she leaned against my arm. “I wasn’t going to take the job, Jax.”

“I know.”

“Gabe was on his way over,” she said with no care or concern in her voice. “I was going to give him the information and let him deal with it.”

“Good.”

I’ve met Gabe, just a few times, and knew he looked after my sister like she was his own. He had some kind of security business so I knew we’d get this figured out in no time.

Pacer sat in the chair drinking his beer, watching TV, even though I knew he wasn’t paying attention to it. Every time Laken talked, I could see him tense up.

I’m glad he was there for her but at the same time it pissed me off that I wasn’t.

Laken sat back up and drank the rest of her beer, then turned to me. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying and what little makeup she did wear was smeared. “You want a beer?” she asked, not even looking me in the eye.

“I’ve got to drive back later.”

She went to stand and Pacer jumped up. “I’ll get it, babe.”

She sat back down next to me. “He’s so sweet.”

“Seems like he likes you.”

She hiccupped. “He does.”

“How much have you drank?”

“Lost count,” she mumbled and grabbed her bottle again taking another drink, then she realized she had already drunk it all. She laughed at herself. “Forgot it was gone.” She hiccupped again.

Pacer came back in with another beer and handed it to her. “I guess I should have told you I had to pee,” she said slowly, sitting the bottle down on the coffee table. She stood and Pacer walked her to the bathroom and then came back to the living room. He picked up the empty beer bottle and disposed of it.

I caught him before he went back to the bathroom. “Thanks for this.”

“No thanks needed.”

“This shit serious?”

He cracked a smile. “As serious as she’ll let me get.”

“Good.”

“Good,” he repeated.

“I want tickets to your next fight,” I told him.

“Good.”

“Front row.”

“Naturally.”

“With Laken,” I added.

“Wouldn’t want it any other way,” he said walking off to get Laken.

Hell yes, front row seats to a Pacer fucking Daniels match. I didn’t care if we were still working this damn case, I was going. It’s been years since I saw him in a live match. The man was talented - hasn’t lost a fight yet.

Laken drank one more beer and passed out on the couch. Pacer carried her to bed and I left shortly after that.

The whole way back to the house, I thought about the case. I thought about all the work we’ve done, everything we’ve witnessed and had to deal with while trying to get deeper into the organization, and the only thing that came to mind was trying harder. Going deeper. The drugs got us in the door but we were stuck. We needed something bigger. We needed to bring more to the table, show them what we were capable of. We needed the boss’ attention. Carlos, not Keylan. He wasn’t giving us any more access unless we gave him something they couldn’t refuse, then we’d get our meeting with Carlos and get this shit over with.

I pulled up to the house and turned the van off. The house was dark and the steps were vacant. I made my way quietly inside finding Latch waiting for me in the living room.

“Sorry, man,” he said as I grabbed a beer out of the fridge.

“Guy was an ass, but he didn’t deserve to die.”

“Especially how.”

My jaw got tight. “Especially how it went down.”  I joined him on the couch and drank half of my beer in one swig.

“Hear from Keylan?” Latch asked, and I let out a frustrated sigh telling him what he needed to know.

“Neither have I,” he added.

The last time we heard from him was a few days ago and it was just to go over some details about the next shipment. He could have given us the details over the phone, but he was paranoid and insisted we meet in person. He was seriously keeping us on a tight leash.

“I have an idea,” I told him.

“All ears.”

“We need to consider bringing someone else in,” I started, picking at the label on the empty beer bottle. “Might need to bring a woman to Keylan, show him we have more to offer.”

“We agreed we wouldn’t put anyone in that much danger.”

“They’re trained female officers. It’s their job.”

“Too dangerous.”

I was getting frustrated. “We’re stuck, man. Keylan isn’t going to budge no matter what we bring to the table, unless its women. We need to get in and get the fuck out, stop wasting time and energy.”

“You think I want this?” he snapped, just as frustrated as I was. “Back to back jobs, years of my life gone. Dealing with fuckwads like Keylan. It’s not. It’s a pain in my ass but we have to do this smart. Don’t need crap from the district attorney about not having enough evidence.”

“We bring someone else in,” I said again.

He thought about it for a few minutes then got up and walked out of the room without another word. I tossed my now empty bottle in the trash and went to my room, which was across the hall from Latch’s.

I opened the door slowly, hoping that Harper had stayed in my room like I asked. There was a small lamp on the dresser that lit up the bed just enough so I could see her beautiful body. She stayed. She was warming up to the idea of us, but I still had to prove it to her. I stripped naked and climbed into bed, curling up behind her. She gave me a soft moan and I pulled her hair aside to kiss the back of her neck.

“Hey,” she said softly rolling over so she was facing me, at which time her eyes went wide.

“I sleep naked, honey.”

She went stiff and had her hands tucked against her chest.

“You can touch me,” I put my forehead to hers. “Please,” I begged, “touch me.”

We’d fooled around a few times, but nothing serious. I knew it was asking a lot of her, but I was being selfish. I was stressed out and needed a release. A cold shower just wouldn’t do, I needed her touch. I needed her lips and naked body on mine. I wanted to feel every inch of her perfectly soft skin. It was hard to say what I saw flash in her eyes, but she slowly reached down and touched me. Her touch instantly had my body shuttering, feeling relieved. She couldn’t fit her whole hand around my cock, but she worked it well using my precum to lubricate me and make her hand work faster.

She slowly leaned forward and kissed me, then rolled over on top of me, taking me by surprise. She was usually the one making us stop after a few minutes of making out. She sat up and tore her shirt off, exposing those beautiful breasts of hers. Reaching up and massaging them in my hands, she leaned down so I could suck on them. She moaned and I sucked harder. I went to switch nipples and she abruptly stood up and pulled her sweats and panties down.

She crawled back on top of me and my hands flew to her hips. She wasn’t wasting any time but we needed a condom.

“Hold up.”

“What?” she breathed. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Christ, Harper.” She threw a leg over and let me up. “Need a condom.” I grabbed my wallet from my jeans and prayed to God that I still had one in there.

I did.

I ripped it open, turned around, and rolled it on.

“Oh no,” she gasped, “I almost forgot.”

“It’s alright, babe.

I crawled back into bed, and she went right back to where we left off.

“Fuck, your sexy,” I grunted when she slid her pussy up my cock and I couldn’t wait any longer. I reached down, guided myself, and pushed my hips up as she pushed hers down.

“Jaxon,” she breathed and I kissed those soft lips of hers while I pushed all the way inside.

Fuck.

“Hell babe, you’re tight.”

She started rolling her hips. “It’s been awhile.”

“Same.”

She rolled her hips again. “Fuck me,” I grunted and held her hips harder.

“Jaxon,” she moaned, kissing me, her hair falling in a curtain around us.

She moved faster. Up and down. Back and forth. She got a good rhythm and after a few minutes, her body started to tense up. She moaned, she cursed, then her nails dug into my shoulders when she came. Christ, it felt good, but I needed to move.

“Tummy, babe.”

“Yes,” she panted, and quickly jumped off me and put her sweet ass up in the air.

I wasted no time pushing back in. I planted my feet, she tilted her hips perfectly, and I fucked her. Hard, fast and sweaty.

Within a few minutes, I was coming. “Fuck. Fuck,” I grunted over and over again, coming hard and fast.

I bent over depleted and kissed the middle of her back. I pulled out and tossed the condom aside, I’d deal with that in the morning. I crawled into bed and curled up to her back again. I wrapped an arm around her so her breast was in my hand and that’s how I passed out.

Harper

“Stay in bed,” I insisted, scrambling to get dressed. I didn’t want anyone knowing that I slept in Jaxon’s room. I’ve never done the walk of shame and I knew Randy got up early so I wanted to avoid the whole situation, plus I had no idea when the girls would be getting up.

“Babe, who cares.”

“I care,” I shot back adjusting my clothes and combing my hair with my fingers, which I’m sure was useless.

Jaxon pulled the sheet down, exposing his hard on. It was spectacular. Last night was the best sex I’ve ever had. I’ve only ever been on top once, so I wasn’t sure I did it right, but he didn’t complain.

There was something wrong with him last night. He seemed upset and he’s not pushed me to do more than anything I didn’t want to do. I was surprised when he asked but in that moment, I was ready.

Now, I kind of regretted it but at the same time, I didn’t.

My feelings were all over the place.

Live a little,
Marvey and Sofia had told me more than once.
Give in and let go.
I sure did. I didn’t want him thinking I regret what we did but I was embarrassed about getting caught, so I needed to go. And I needed to go now. I kissed his cheek, shook him off, and ran out of the room. I heard him chuckling behind me. At least he wasn’t mad.

I peeked around the corner and saw Sofia leaving the kitchen, headed back towards the room.

Shit, they’re awake.

I snuck out the front door, only to find Randy on the steps.

There was no escaping it.

I sat down in the middle of the steps and Randy said nothing.  I glanced at him and saw his smile.

Busted.

Randy took a drag from his cigarette, blew it out, and then said, “Sofia’s excited.”

“About finals?”

“That and she gets to see Kennedy for a few minutes,” he explained. “That’s why she’s up early.”

I hadn’t even thought about that. I shouldn’t have let him cuddle up to me last night, but damn I felt good in his arms.

“No one cares, Harp.”

“It’s embarrassing.”

“Having feelings for someone, caring for them…sex…that’s not embarrassing.”

“The walk of shame is embarrassing.”

“You’re ashamed?”

“No, I’m not. It’s just, I don’t know. This whole situation, the house, the girls, it’s just not where and how I thought I’d have my first time with Jaxon.”

“That makes sense,” he muttered. “But seriously, don’t be ashamed. Don’t waste your time thinking about what can go wrong, and think about the good that you guys could have. Jaxon is loyal and honest. So is Latch. You girls are lucky to have them, and vice versa.”

I did have feelings for Jaxon. Too many. I didn’t want to get hurt but I think I was already screwed. Sex always complicated things and I always got way too attached to the people I slept with. I had too many feelings attached to the act of sex, and I could never turn them off.