Basking in the afterglow of two mind-blowing orgasms, my stomach growled. It had gotten late, and the two of us had skipped eating in favor of savoring each other. Somehow, even the lingering smell of burned garlic bread tempted me out of bed. I rolled over onto my side to face the man who'd just rocked my world...twice. "Are you hungry?""Famished." He pulled me onto his stomach, and if I weren't careful, he'd have me chasing peak number three.I giggled, like a school girl, and my cheeks flushed with heat. "I meant for food."He leaned up to kiss me, grabbing the back of my neck with one hand and my ass with the other. "Trust me, I could dine on you all night long." The pinch of his nails digging into my skin jerked me into an upright position, right on top of his growing erection."If you're up for round three after we eat real food, then I'm game, but right now, I'm starving." I patted his chest and rolled off of him. "I still have to cook the noodles, but I managed to make
His silverware clanked on the plate, and he wiped his mouth with a paper towel. "What did you misunderstand about what I said in there?" He used his thumb to point over his shoulder toward the bedroom. "None of that meant you wanted me to move in." It kind of had, but I needed to hear the words because I was a girl, and girls needed copious amounts of confirmation."I told you I wanted to wake up next to you, go to sleep next to you. How is that going to happen if you live somewhere else?" He had a valid point, but I still needed more. It couldn't, although I wasn't ready to concede since I hadn't gotten what I wanted. "I don't know."Ryker turned toward me, and with his hands on my hips, he angled me to face him. "I know it's unconventional, and I'm probably out of my mind for suggesting it, but it's not like my life has followed the straight and narrow. I want you here. Every day. In my bed. In my home." That was hot as hell and almost had me convinced."And what am I sup
"I'd like to tell you not to be a stranger, but you're one of the few I doubt I'll ever see again." My parole officer had been with me since I'd gotten out of prison years ago, and today was my last meeting. "Not gonna happen, man." I had never been in trouble before that raid with Chase, and I would never be in trouble again. I couldn't even smell Union 21 anymore they were so far away from my daily life.Nikki would have me by the balls if I ever got arrested again, and there was no way in hell I'd ever cross that woman. I'd only thought I was in control when we were younger, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Looking back, claiming a girl who wasn't mine was the best decision I'd ever made. She'd turned me into a man I was proud to be: her provider, her lover, and her best friend. And sooner rather than later, she was going to add father to that list. As I left my PO's office, I couldn't help but think of all that would happen in the next couple of days. Nikki would gradu
Nikki missed graduation the following day, but I didn't think there was a single piece of her that minded. Although, when my parents left the hospital, I couldn't help but notice she seemed a bit somber. It was possible that she was tired or that the glow of giving birth had started to wane, but I still needed to check. "Babe, you okay?" I had just thought pregnancy was sexy. Seeing Nikki holding my son was hands down the hottest thing I'd ever witnessed. I could stare at her with Graham for hours and never tire of it.She smiled as she gazed at Graham, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I guess I had thought my mom would stop by." Nikki had tried several times over the last few years to get help for her mom, but Nikki couldn't force Tabitha into treatment, regardless of the number of carrots she had dangled in front of her. Nikki had believed the birth of our son-her mother's only grandchild-would get Tabitha to surface, even if it was just briefly. I'd done my best to keep her fr
Club Swank was anything but. It wasn't in the best area of town; the clientele was sketchy, and the girls all had secrets-most of which included drugs, money, and sex. The owner was a known ringleader for a local gang, and the place looked like bangers ran it. I hated to even step foot inside. As soon as I opened the door, I'd be accosted by smoke, lousy music, and women who'd hang on me in an effort to make a few measly bucks. It wasn't my scene. I pulled on the heavy wooden handle, and as soon as I did, a cloud billowed out like Puff the Magic Dragon welcomed me, and pink-neon lights illuminated the abundance of black tables and chairs. Once I stepped inside, the same bouncer who'd been there for years greeted me. "Ryker. My man. I wondered if you were going to show." Hank was a solid guy. Great as security. He looked the part-muscle-bound, thick neck, and a crew cut. His deep voice created the auditory intimidation needed to keep drunk customers in line. And he kept the place
She wasn't old enough to have the moves or the confidence she stomped onto that stage with. I'd practically memorized that video when it had come out-and lived on the fantasies for four years behind bars-and this girl had done the same. Her perfect C-cups bounced under the fitted lace of her black corset. As her slender fingers worked their way down, taking the zipper with them, my eyes followed past her black thong to her creamy-white thighs. I took in every inch of her fishnet stockings and her fuck-me patent leather heels. The Taylor lookalike owned the attention of every man and woman in the club, and she knew it. Her expression matched every lyric that echoed off the walls, and I wondered if she could sing half as well as she danced. She met my stare, yet she didn't shy away like most women did. Her navy irises pinned me to my chair, and anger winked at me from behind hooded lids. Everything about her was perfect for the song and the floor; even her eye makeup was on point. Bla
Fury was easier to manage than fear, and that was the emotion I'd clung to while I took off my clothes for the likes of a bunch of losers who thought running the streets was more productive than lucrative jobs. I'd do what I had to in order to keep my mom safe, even if it meant sacrificing my dignity to people who didn't matter. They couldn't touch me on the stage, so that was where I'd stayed. And as soon as I'd finished, I hadn't bothered to get dressed.While I waited for Sam on the corner, I pulled the zipper on my corset, securing my breasts back in a cage one size too small. The wind picked up, and my hair tangled with the breeze. It dawned on me that to any passerby, I appeared to be working the street. The last thing I needed was to get propositioned for sex. I dug a pair of black shorts from my bag, slipped them over my stockings, and slid my arms through my black, leather jacket. It wasn't much, but at least I wouldn't be arrested if a cop came by before my ride showed.T
The car stopped outside an industrial-looking building. I'd walked by this place a hundred times on my way to work at the restaurant. During the day, it appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. At night, it bustled with activity. Lights illuminated the windows, cars-mostly black Lexuses-lined the parking lot, and men in slacks and sports coats were easy to spot. I wondered what the hell they did at night dressed like that on cell phones, then I thought better of it. Whatever it was, I was sure their activity was illegal, and I wanted no part of it. Sam didn't pull into a parking place. Instead, he stopped in front of what I guessed to be the entrance and killed the ignition. "Out." His command grated on me, but I jerked the door open anyhow.Nothing like looking the part of a prostitute in front of men who'd gladly pay for company. The guy who opened the door slapped my ass when I walked by. The glare I gave him only earned a chuckle in return. Bastard.I grabbed Ma's hand, pulled