“Nate, this isn’t how you make lemon bars,” she pants when I spin her and take her mouth with mine. Her hand reaches up and grips my cheek, pulling me closer and I ignore the dough on her fingers.
Our kiss gets heated, and soon I have her ass on the counter and she’s unbuttoning my shirt, frantically trying to remove it. I step back and rip it off, not caring that the buttons pop off. She groans and runs her sticky hands down my chest and abs until she reaches my belt.
I shove her hands away and press her back onto the marble counter, then reach for the lemon filling and dip my finger in. I trail the mixture along the top of her breasts, then lean over and lick it off.
So tart but also sweet. Just like my girl. Patience squirms and moans as I dip my finger again and smear it on her inner thighs, then lick that off too. A phone starts to ring and Patience groans.
“I don’t want to stop this, but it might be Ki,” she says. I step back and help her off the counter, then wait for her to come back as she races to answer the phone.
My dick is throbbing, and I want nothing more than to finish what we started, but I’m also hoping that it is Ki and he’s okay.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The past two weeks have been a nightmare. I am so over Richard James and all of his errands. I have told him time and time again, I do not want to join his business. I like being a teacher. I am not a criminal. But he knows what my weakness is, and man does he love exploiting it.
After leaving in the middle of the night to fly all the way to Italy, I thought my job was over. No, I had to wine and dine some princessa, and keep her busy while my father threatened and tried to blackmail her father.
Richard wants more territory, and he’s using us to do it. Two Korean men. I feel like there should be some joke pertaining to this situation. I am exhausted, and I miss my girl. I haven’t been able to contact her, and I know she’s probably freaking out.
I returned to the States an hour ago, and now I need to deal with this last task. Walking up the rickety steps to this shitbag’s house, I knock on the door and wait for the scumbag to answer. This is my last drop-off, then I can go home. My dad is waiting in the car and he looks nervous. We’re not in the best area, and after getting jumped the other night, he’s suspicious. I never thought I would see the day that my father was actually scared.
If he had known about the family he was marrying into, he may have thought twice, but we didn’t learn about the real Richard James until last year.
Patience’s grandfather is terrifying, and I wish I could just pack up my things, grab Pay, and run. But he has too many contacts. We would never be able to hide. The only way we will ever truly be safe again is if Richard James were to die. Which might just be on the agenda, if the people we met in Italy try to get payback. I wish I had the balls to do it, but unfortunately, I’m the wrong guy for the job when it comes to murder.
A kid opens the door and I wince. He should be in school, not taking drugs from Richard.
“You, Eli?” I ask, checking that I’m not handing off the product to the wrong person. He shakes his head and I sigh with relief.
“Dad,” he shouts over his shoulder, then walks away. A man in his thirties wearing a stained tank top and basketball shorts comes to the door, gives me a grunt, snatches the bag, and nods. I wait for him to say something, but he turns and shuts the door.
I would say it’s rude, but frankly, I’m thankful. Now I can get the fuck out of here and go home. I need a shower, and I miss my cat. One of my students has been stopping by my place to feed her. Plus, it will be nice to sleep in my own bed again.
I reach my car and climb in. Dad doesn’t say anything to me as he pulls us away from the curb and towards my place. “I don’t want anyone knowing about the past two weeks. That includes Patience, Kian. No one.” I nod and close my eyes.
Just more secrets I have to hide from her. One of these days, they are all going to be revealed and bite me in the ass.
* * *
I findmy phone where I left it on the table, and I’m not surprised it’s dead. I plug it into the charger, then go shower. The water feels amazing and I make a vow to myself to never let Richard control me again. I will kidnap Patience, and her rag-tag group of guys and run away.
Shit is getting too complicated, and even more dangerous than before. I don’t know why Richard is trying to gain more territory, and gather additional allies, but I fear a war is coming, and I have a sneaky suspicion that C&P is the leading cause of this upcoming battle.
Patience and Cal really don’t know what they are getting into, and I wish I could warn them, but I don’t even know all the inside details.
I quickly dress, then check my phone. I ignore the messages and voicemails and dial Pay. She picks up on the first ring and I immediately know I’m fucked. No hello, no are you okay? Just,“If your ass isn't in front of me in ten minutes, I am coming over there, tying you to your bed, and whipping your ass so hard you won’t be able to sit for a week.”The call drops and I gape at the screen.
* * *
I grab Mouse,because she’s being extremely needy, and leave my place. On the drive there I decide to risk it and swing by a fast food joint. Fried food always calms her temper. I get two orders of curly fries and a side of cheese sauce, then book it to her house.
I pull into the garage and try to think of what I’m going to say when I see her face-to-face. We have never gone more than a few days of not speaking. So, two weeks is unheard of. My car door swings open and Patience stands there, arms crossed, and cheeks red. She has her trusty whip in hand and I raise a brow at her.
“No, I’ve missed you, Ki? You’re just bringing out the big guns? I brought snacks,” I say with a smile.
“Meow,”Mouse cries and I laugh.
“Oh, and the cat,” I finish, and she steps back so I can climb out. I offer her the food but she takes the cat and walks away.