Forever in Love Read online

  He tugged on her dress, but she held firm. “Oh I know and like your curves.” He held her gaze. “Love them.”

  She watched the play of emotions on his face and something she couldn’t quite decipher flickered in his irises, but it kindled an answering flare in her heart. She lowered her hand and the dress pooled at her feet. His sharp inhale settled her remaining doubts as she stood before him with nothing to hide.

  “Beautiful.”

  The reverence in his voice sent warmth scurrying through her.

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and dragged her close. Her feet tangled in her dress and she stumbled against him while her nipples grazed the smoothness of his shirt and puckered painfully. She clutched at his biceps.

  “This is how I envisioned this night.” He scooped her in his arms while he brought his mouth to hers.

  Eagerly she accepted his kiss, matching his hunger with surprising ease. Maybe they had waited too long to consummate their relationship and though she was no virgin, there was still the underlying nervousness that he would find some fault in what she did or even her lack of experience.

  As if sensing her unease, he lifted his head and offered a gentle smile. “Relax sassy. We’ll go slow and I promise I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”

  She combed her fingers through his tresses. “What happens if I don’t want you to stop?”

  “God woman you are a tease.” He lowered her to the bed, following her down until he settled in the vee of her thighs.

  She shifted, bringing his erection in full contact with her core. He flexed his hips and silvery tingles crashed through her. She pushed his shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. He tossed the garment aside and rolled her nipple between his thumb and index finger, while he laved the other.

  A moan caught as she wallowed in sensation. He shifted his focus to her other breast and trailed his fingers down her body until they met the short damp curls of her pussy.

  She pushed against his hand. Her first time had not been this pleasurable and over before she realized anything had really happened. If not for the soreness or the spent condom her partner flung across the room, she’d never have known she was no longer a virgin.

  He moved down her body, trailing kisses in his wake. He feathered his lips from one hip to the other, the hairs on his chin aiding the erotic caress, when his tongue followed she tangled her fingers in his hair.

  Buck grasped her thighs and forced them wider, exposing her flower to the air. She shivered as coolness raced over her flesh. He dragged a finger down her core and she clutched a handful of sheets.

  “How does that feel?”

  “Good.”

  He separated her labia with his thumbs. The warm rasp of his tongue across her most intimate flesh left her waiting for more. She whimpered as he curled his tongue around her clit before sucking it between his teeth. When she tried to shimmy away from the intense pleasure he grasped her buttocks and pulled her back to his mouth.

  Tension bunched her stomach in knots and she thrashed her head back and forth, her moans becoming louder with each tug on her pearl. He made encouraging noises in the back of his throat as he released one buttock to plunge a single finger in her silken heat.

  Her world narrowed to the digit penetrating her and god if it didn’t feel like heaven. A second joined the first and she thrust against his hand and mouth. When he placed a third finger in her depths, her world shattered and she was sliding into an orgasm that splashed stars and fireworks behind her lids. He gentled his assault allowing her to ride the wave of bliss buffeting her body, he crooked his fingers inside and another climax crashed over her. She cried out his name.

  Buck eased from between her legs and withdrew his fingers. Bonnie watched him through a half-lidded gaze as he licked her essence from his hand. He planted a palm on either side of her head and dropped his mouth to hers, sharing her unique flavor with her.

  She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him on top of her and tangled her legs with his. They broke apart when a tickle vibrated her hip.

  “I forgot.” He rolled off her, digging his phone from his pants pocket, he pressed the screen and held it to his ear. “Yes?”

  Bonnie sat up and he wrapped an arm her shoulders, pulling her to him. She kissed his forearm, her body still humming from her climax and she placed a hand over the bulge straining at his crotch.

  “They’re releasing your brother.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  He shoved his phone back in his pocket. “We’ll have to continue this when I get back.”

  She fluttered her lashes at him. “Promise.”

  He kissed her long and hard. “Most definitely.”

  ***

  Buck scrubbed the heel of his hand across his face. If he hadn’t promised to look after her brother Buck would still be in bed with Bonnie. God that woman knew how to burn hot and she’d been so tight all he wanted to do was slide balls deep in her silken heat. He shifted his erection, but he’d have to be content with making it up to her when he returned. For now he was satisfied that Bonnie was safe. Before he could slide into his vehicle, his phone vibrated his hip.

  “Yes?”

  “I leave to show my lady a good time and when I come back you’re looking for me and there’s panic in the neighborhood.”

  “How is your lady?”

  “Happy and outta my hair for a few days. What’s up and why you on the block?”

  “Cool-Ade.”

  “You better hope you find him before I do. That fool been duckin me. Owe me twenty large.”

  Buck let out a low whistle, the pieces clicking into place. That would explain why, but what Cool-Ade think Buck still kept that type of money?

  “What’s your beef with him?”

  “He jumped my lady.”

  “Damn. Is she okay?”

  “She is now.”

  “Tell you what bro. If I find out where he’s holed up, I’ll give you a call. Let you settle your score and then I’ll clean house.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Oh and Buck?”

  “Yes?”

  “Can’t wait to see you.”

  Buck laughed and ended the call. One issue down. Now he just had to wait until Dexter was released. Twelve minutes later he parked his car in a vacant spot in front of the police station and stepped out the Benz as a tall, slightly disheveled man emerged from the entrance.

  “Do we have that out our system now?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Your sister is livid and there’s no placating her at the moment.”

  Dexter arched a brow. “I was willing to walk away. He threw the first punch.”

  Buck looked the younger man over. Other than a few tears in his shirt there wasn’t a scratch on him. Guilt sucker punched him in the gut. On some level he was responsible for what happened to Dexter. If they hadn’t gone to the old neighborhood, maybe Cool-Ade would’ve stayed away. “You’ve got blood on your shirt.”

  He glanced down, frowning. “Not mine.”

  “Well, your sister will be staying with me until Cool-Ade is caught.”

  “That’s fine.”

  “Watch your back, Dexter.”

  “Yeah. I will.”

  ***

  Buck dragged fingers through his hair as he trudged through the corridor toward his apartment. Only the thought of Bonnie waiting for him gave him the extra spring in his step.

  The scent of spice and roasted meat permeated the air and grew stronger as he neared the last door on the left. Who could be cooking this early in the morning. He pushed open his door and stopped.

  Seated at his kitchen counter was his neighbor from down the hall. A rather nice looking black guy who worked a swing shift at the local hospital. And he was closer to Bonnie’s age. Jealousy rolled through his gut. He still had the taste of her snatch on his mouth and here she was entertaining another man in his home. He gathered his composure and quietly closed the door behind him. On
the low coffee table sat a hammer. That hadn’t been there before he left. Buck entered the kitchen. Bonnie was bent over the stove, a cookie sheet in her oven mitt covered hand. The long tails of the dress shirt she wore barely covered her lush apple bottom and Buck noted how the other man stared in appreciation.

  She turned, closing the door and her eyes widened, but a smile creased her luscious lips. “You’re home.”

  “Oh. Hey Buck,” the man said around a mouthful of something.

  “Jeff.” He nodded in the other man’s direction, but didn’t take his eyes from Bonnie, searching her face for any hint of deception. Her scent mingled with that of spiced peaches and vanilla and all he could think about was tasting her again. “What’s all this?” Buck waved a hand to the counter full of baked goods. Not a stitch of the gray granite was visible.

  “Oh. Busy work,” she answered sliding the cookie sheet on a cooling rack. “You had all this stuff and I couldn’t sit still.”

  “I should leave,” Jeff said.

  Buck scowled at him. “Yes, I think that’s best.”

  “Take this with you.” Bonnie quickly wrapped what appeared to be pasties and added a couple of pies to it. “All of this can be frozen and reheated later.”

  Jeff grinned. “Thanks. You saved me a few days of eating out. I’ll take the pies to work. The guys there love sweets.”

  Bonnie nodded and loaded everything in a large paper bag. Buck stepped in her way when she went to hand Jeff the bag. He held her gaze a moment, then removed the package from her fingers.

  “Wait here.” He turned to Jeff. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Door locked, Buck toed off his boots and yanked off his socks. He padded back to the kitchen, tugging his shirt from his jeans. In those few shorts moments, she had everything in containers or freezer bags. He leaned on the door frame. “You want to explain why you’re up, entertaining my neighbor at three in the morning?”

  “I couldn’t sit still and I cook when I’m worried.” She tilted her head to the side, and he noticed a smear of flour on her cheek and ear.

  “And you’re not even dressed properly.”

  Her eyes widened, but she did glance at her clothes.

  “Do you want to explain that?”

  “I thought it would be better to wear one of your shirts over my shorts and bra than answer the door like that.” She settled her hands on her hips and tossed back her hair. “Are you jealous?”

  He moved farther into the room, noting the quick rise and fall of her breasts and the way her teeth pulled at her lower lip. “And if I am?”

  A flash of humor light her eyes. “Seriously?” She shook her head, stood in front of him and rested her palms on his chest. “Jeff stopped in to return your hammer and I shoved a pasty on him.”

  Buck shackled her wrists, tugged her closer. She stumbled forward. “At three in the morning?”

  She met and held his gaze. “You are the only man who holds my heart. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?”

  Heart hammering at her admission, he wrapped an arm around her waist and held her against his body. A quick inhalation was her only response, but she slid her hands up and locked her fingers behind his head. “What was that?”

  “I love you Buck, I have for a very long time.” She rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss. “And maybe inviting him in wasn’t the brightest idea, but he was a perfect gentleman.”

  “I don’t see how he could be, when you’re dressed to seduce.”

  Bonnie chuckled. “Right. Cutoffs and your shirt.”

  He slipped a hand down her spine to grab a handful of her luscious behind. Sure enough between the smooth cotton of his shirt was the heavier material of denim. He dragged the hem of her top up until he could trace the frayed cuff below the swell of her ass. “Like I said, dressed to seduce.”

  She studied him a moment. “You’re really upset with me.”

  He inclined his head. That momentary stab of jealousy didn’t sit well with him and that aside, she needed to be careful. “You have a crazy wannabe thug after you and you let anybody in.”

  She stiffened in his arms. “You said I was safe here. Are you telling me I’m not?”

  “He doesn’t know where I live.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  That was a good question. They’d spent a lot of time together and she’d spent the night on numerous occasions, but seeing her with someone else just annoyed him, especially after their earlier exchange left him on edge.

  “You don’t trust me,” she said.

  He was silent.

  She shoved away from him. “I don’t believe this. I thought we had more than that, Buck. You’re the only one I ever trusted with anything and everything. And I don’t deserve the same respect.” She stalked out the kitchen and down the hall.

  Buck followed her and stopped in the bedroom door to watch her jerk on a pair of sweats. “Bonnie?”

  “Don’t talk to me right now. You walk into my life, twice now, when I’m the most vulnerable and earn my trust all over again.” She snatched her purse from the dresser, rummaged through it a moment and placed a small rectangular object on the surface before she grabbed her cell from the nightstand.

  Dread knotted in his stomach as he realized what she placed on the furniture. He couldn’t let her walk away, yet he couldn’t bring the words necessary to prevent her.

  “I’ve never given you cause and for you to think some mess like that now—” She huffed. “There’s enough food in there for a week, so you won’t starve. I know you were going on the road again and thought you’d like something home cooked.”

  He caught her hand as she passed. “Where are you going?”

  She shook him off. “Somewhere to cool off. I’m very good at taking care of myself or have you forgotten?”

  “Don’t.”

  “I cannot stay here and you don’t trust me. This relationship won’t work if you can’t trust me. And you’re gone for long stretches of time leaving me alone. How is that going to work when you drag in weary from a long trip I’m happy to see you and you what, accuse me of seducing the postman or the UPS man or some younger or older neighbor? When I’m with you, I’m with you. When you’re not here, I’m still with you. The differences in our ages will always be there and there will always be some guy who will wish he were you.” She blinked rapidly but a tear still slipped beneath her lashes. “And lack of trust is not an issue I want to deal with if I marry you. I love you, but maybe I’m in love with a dream.”

  She rose on tiptoe, pressed her lips to his and before he could grab her and hold her close, she was gone.

  Chapter Six

  Bonnie hit the button for the seldom used garage door opener and parked her vehicle inside. The large gate rumbled and clattered as it slid closed. She sat in the car waiting until the wave of tears subsided. When the door on her right opened she scrubbed the heel of her hand over her eyes and exited her vehicle.

  “What are you doing here?” Dexter stood on the threshold in a tee and pajama bottoms. A bat rested on his shoulder.

  She ignored his question and stared at him. “What was that?”

  “What was what?”

  “A bar fight with a drug dealer. We’re not in the ‘hood anymore.”

  “He grabbed you and you looked scared,” he countered. He scrubbed the heel of his hand over his face. “What was I supposed to do?”

  He had a point, but still. “Do you even know who that was?”

  “Yeah, a guy who scared and beat up my sister.” He shrugged.

  He was deliberately being vague. A smile flirted with her lips. It was hard to stay angry with him when he was only being the loving, overprotective little brother. At over six feet there was nothing little about her younger brother and she knew he could handle himself in most situations, but against a guy like Cool-Ade...she didn’t want to see her brother hurt.

  “I thought you were staying at Buck’s.”

&n
bsp; “Don’t change the subject.” She pushed past him into the laundry room and dropped her bag on the floor. “You got arrested. Arrested!”

  “Bonnie I’m grown. I made my choice fully aware of what those consequences would be.” He touched her arm. “You wanna tell me why you have flour in your hair and you’re here at four in the morning.”

  “I live here.”

  “Okay, but you’ve spent more time at Buck’s than here.”

  She crossed into the kitchen and flicked on the light. “Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat?”

  He grasped her shoulders and forced her to sit in a chair. “Now I know something is wrong. What happened?”

  “He doesn’t trust me.”

  “What?”

  She used a knuckle to wipe away a tear. “It doesn’t matter. It’s been a long day. I’m gonna go to bed.”

  “Bonnie?”

  She sighed. “I’m tired, Dex.”

  He stood and engulfed her in a hug. “I’m here for you, sis. If you want I can go beat him up for you.”

  She chuckled and returned his hug. “No, but a few days apart should make a difference.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me.”

  “It will work out.”

  “I hope so. ‘cause walking away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  ***

  The scent of coffee and bacon tickled her nostrils. Bonnie burrowed deeper beneath the covers. No matter what her brother did, he was not coaxing her from her bed. She had no intention of leaving her room until Monday morning and even then she had thoughts of calling in and working from home.

  “You know this is very childish,” he called.

  “Go away.”

  “Suit yourself. I’ve got to work today. I made breakfast, in case you’re hungry and since you’re still moping there’s black cherry ice cream, hot fudge and Oreos.”

  She suppressed a grin. He knew her so well.

  “If you’re still in bed when I get back I’m hitting you with a bucket of water.”

  “Do it and die.”