Keep It Sexy (KIS Series Book 3) (14 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

Christian

The first time I had a gun pointed at me wasn’t anywhere close to these circumstances. How had I gone from sleeping next to her this morning to having her dad press a gun against my forehead? When he cocked the gun the entire morning leading up to this played like a movie in my head.

I’d slept great, better than I had in a long time. I’d had sleepovers before with other women. But with Billie, it felt…right. She fit next to me perfectly. I was having a hard time focusing on anything else but her. I thought we were finally on the same page but she’d managed to fill her head with doubt and pushed me away. I knew my past bothered her, and she didn’t want me involved with her family, which wouldn’t be an issue. I was done with that type of life. Money didn’t interest me, nor did power. I was content busting my ass and working for myself and doing things the right way, the legal way. I wouldn’t be one to fall under the spell of the Grifter. I wasn’t one to follow in people’s footsteps or be anyone’s bitch.

After I dropped Billie off at Jade’s house, we had left things on an awkward note. I knew she felt my distance and that made me feel like a jackass but I wasn’t sure what to do anymore. She was confused, I was confused, and we didn’t seem to know where to take things. I was planning on going to the grocery store when I heard loud glass breaking outside of my apartment. The alarm of my car went off. I rushed downstairs and out the building to see all the windows on Big Bertha busted. My jaw clenched so tightly I felt my bones pop.

My instincts were to punch something, anything. Rage pumped through my blood. I could feel the heat through my skin. Seconds later, Billie called, and I knew immediately her family had something to do with this. But as I was talking to her I received a video clip of a bike that looked just like hers on fire. The video stopped right as it exploded. While Billie checked the garage for her bike, I texted Angel, asking him to pick me up. He didn’t ask why or what was going on, just replied with a simple,
be there in five
.

I waited for Billie to say something but the line was quiet until Jade’s terrified voice asked what was going on. I explained what happened to my windows and the video clip while I paced down the sidewalk, waiting impatiently for Angel. I realized Billie would put two and two together. She would connect the dots and know who was behind this mess. Then I overheard Jade shrieking about Pete giving Billie his keys. I felt hopeless and frantic.

I started pacing again when Angel raced into the parking lot. I ran to his silver Charger, which always reminded me of a bullet. I hadn’t closed the door when he sped onto the street.

“McAllisters,” I said. Angel nodded, reaching under his seat. He grabbed a Glock and handed it to me.

“She’s going to do something stupid, Chris.” Jade was still screaming in my ear as I looked at the piece in my lap. What the fuck was I doing? “Christian! Please, please, make sure she’s okay.” I grabbed the gun, testing its weight on my hand. It had been a long time since I’d held one. I cleared my throat, looking forward.

“Yeah, Jade. I’ll make sure she’s fine.” I hung up, slipping the gun behind the waist of my jeans so it rested against my back.

“I take it the McAllister crew fucked up your ride?” Angel asked. I nodded, feeling the disguise I wore two years ago slip back on. “You sure you want to do this? There’s no going back after this.”

I swallowed thickly, remembering how I told myself I’d walk away from this life and never turn back, but here I was at the ready for…for Billie. Shit. I rubbed my face, still undecided.

“Is she really worth all this?” Angel asked. I was starting to get pissed at him even though he was asking the questions I should be asking myself.

“I don’t know, man,” I finally said.

“All right, Chris. You know I’m down for whatever. I’ve been wanting to kick Donnie McAllister’s ass for a long time.”

I frowned, looking in his direction. This was news to me.

“Why?”

Angel scoffed and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “He fucked my girl.”

Jesus.

“Listen, Angel, we’re not going in there to start a war, all right? We’re going to get answers and keep Billie safe.”

He didn’t reply, but I knew he heard me and wasn’t going to start anything unless they did. I could tell we were getting closer by the way Angel started rocking slightly against his seat. He turned slowly into a street lined with brick houses on each side. Even though all the houses looked the same, their lawns differed. Some were kept up while others were dry and patched with wells of dirt. We could see a car blocks away from us suddenly Angel sped up.

“That’s them. That’s their car.” Angel raced in their direction, coming to a screeching stop when they did. We both jumped out the car. As soon as I saw Connor’s smug face, I remembered why I was here and my uncertainty vanished. It was wrong, but it felt right to be here with a Glock pressed to my back all in the name of Billie. Everything after getting out of the car was a blur. After what felt like seconds, I was standing in front of Don McAllister with blood spewing out of my nose.

When Billie stepped in front of me, I felt my heart rip open. It was a stupid fucking gesture but I’d never had someone value me so much that they’d jeopardize everything for me. I tried to move her away, but when Don clenched his jaw I felt like that pissed him off even more. Like he was trying to find a way to dislike me, and me trying to protect her in return made him madder. And you don’t want to make an already angry man madder, especially when he has a gun in his hand.

My stare snapped back and forth, taking in my surroundings. I was in enemy territory and I knew if I pulled out the gun in my back, Don would not be the only one to step out of their home with a piece. I had noticed three different people peeking out through their windows and two opening their front doors to watch. Don lowered his gun and mumbled something to Billie before he walked away. The blood was pouring into my mouth and as I turned to spit, Billie turned around to look at me. It was the first time since this shit had gone down that I had time to truly inspect her face. She looked tired and worried, but most of all hurt. Billie reached out and grabbed my face, tilting me side to side.

“We gotta go, Chris,” Angel said, inspecting his knuckles. Covertly, I looked at Donnie. Angel had gotten some good punches on his face. I took Billie’s hand in mine and lowered them.

“Give me Pete’s keys,” I said softly. She huffed but didn’t argue, handing me the keys. “Follow me,” I said to Angel, while I unzipped my hoodie to take it off. Billie took it from my hands and I smiled at her. Reaching for the hem of my shirt, I took it off, using it to wipe the blood from my nose. Connor snorted, then mumbled something as I took my hoodie back from Billie and zipped it up. She was looking at my ass and I knew she had seen the gun. “Come on, sexy,” I said, taking her hands in mine. As we walked toward Pete’s truck, Connor stepped in front us.

“Let it go, Connor,” Lincoln gritted. My free hand twitched from wanting to pull the gun out from my waistband. Billie must have been thinking the same thing because she squeezed my hand tighter and looked up at me with wide eyes.

“You’re really going to do this?” he asked Billie.

“How many times does she have to say it, man? She doesn’t fucking want you,” I snapped.

Connor stepped closer. I was letting go of Billie’s hand when she gripped it and said, “Christian, please.” The way she said it broke my fucking heart, and to add to my pain her tormented face did me in. I nodded, then pulled her to the passenger side of the truck. I opened the door and waited until she hopped in before closing it.

“Aw, look, how sweet. The
spic’s
so gentlemanly.”

I said nothing, but I felt the tension in my neck as I pressed my lips together into a thin line.

“This isn’t over,” he said.

I looked him up and down. “Nah, man, it’s not.” I pushed past him, jerking the car door open.

I pulled away and easily found my way out of the neighborhood into the familiar streets of Denver. I kept looking in the rearview mirror to make sure Angel was behind me and to make sure they didn’t follow us.

“Chris, I—”

I raised my hand, silently asking her to be quiet. I wasn’t in the mood to talk yet but I also didn’t want her to feel that I was mad at her, because I wasn’t. If anything, what I was feeling for her was nothing like I ever experienced before. Leaning in her direction, I gripped her thigh and slid her over to me. Pete’s truck was older so the bucket seats made it easier for her to sit beside me. Just as her thigh touched mine, she cuddled up on my side, breathing deeply. I draped my arm over her shoulder, bringing her closer before I kissed the top of her head. When I parked outside of Jade’s house, Billie appeared unsure of what to do next.

“Come on.” We climbed out. As I closed the truck door, Jade stepped out of the front door of her house. She looked back and forth between Billie and me and gasped at the dry blood on my face, neck, and chest.

“Oh my God, Billie, what happened?”

Soon, her husband was right next to her.

“Go get an overnight bag, Billie. You’re staying with me tonight.”

She gaped tilting her head. “What? No, Chris, I’m—”

“Billie, please don’t fucking argue with me right now. Just go get a bag. Please.” I tried my best not to sound like a dick, but under the circumstances I think I was doing a mighty good fucking job of staying calm. Pete, Jade’s husband, who I had only met three other times, pushed past his wife and sneered at me.

“Don’t boss her around like that, Christian, who the fuck do you think you are?”

I looked down, shaking my head. “Pete, this isn’t the time to get all alpha dog on me. I’m full of fucking rage and I’m ready to snap. So back. The. Fuck. Up.”

Pete stepped up, and I knew it wouldn’t be fair to fight him. He was a lot taller but I knew the damage I could cause. Luckily, Jade intervened, pushing us apart.

“All right, all right, guys, we’re on the same team here. Tensions are running high. We all just need to cool it for a while.” She looked between us. “Billie, go get your bag. You’ll stay with Chris tonight, okay?” Billie didn’t say anything before heading inside the house. I watched her slumped shoulders disappear and felt like an asshole. Rubbing my face, I sighed.

“Pete, I’m sorry, man. It’s been a weird fucking day.”

“Yeah, dude, I get it. But I don’t think Billie staying with you is the best thing right now.”

“I…” I released a shaky breath because I wasn’t sure what I was saying. “I gotta keep her with me.” Both Jade and Pete looked at me like I had grown three heads. “Uh…I’ll wait for her inside the car.”

I hurried in Angel’s direction. What I should have done was stay with Jade and Pete because the expression on Angel’s face was worse. When I sat inside his car, he let out a long whistle.

“You got it bad, son.”

I laid my head back on the headrest and groaned. “Shut up, man.”

He chuckled, then griped from what I assumed was from the pain on his jaw. Soon, Billie came out, hugging Jade and saying something to her that made her frown. I got out of the car and opened the door for her. She marched down the concrete steps, pissed. Billie sat inside while I stood outside the door waiting for her to move so I could sit next to her. But she just glared at me.

“Scoot over,” I said.

“Oh, more demands? You haven’t gotten your fill?”

“I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t boss you around like that. I’m a dick.”

“Yeah, you are.”

That cute wrinkle appeared and I smiled, knowing it was going to piss her off even more.

“You think this is funny?” she snapped.

“No, you’re just so damn cute.”

Wrong thing to say
. Her eyes enlarged and the tendons on her neck stood out.

“Get. In. The. Fucking. Car.” She fumed. I didn’t say anything else. I just did as I was told.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Billie

A tornado of emotions swirled inside of me. I wasn’t sure which one to pinpoint. And by the time we got to Christian’s, I felt worse. He said goodbye to Angel and thanked him before he got out of the car. I didn’t wait for Christian to open my door like he wanted to. I jumped out as soon as the car was parked, then noticed Angel lean in to him like he wanted a private conversation, so I walked inside the building to wait for Christian. I waited for about five minutes before he came inside. He extended his hand, leading me to the stairs up to his apartment. Inside, I felt a rush of comfort, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. It scared me to feel this way after such a short amount of time.

“I’m going to take a shower,” he said, checking the front door, then the windows. We both knew being together would make things worse, but I understood why he wanted me here. My family didn’t like me with Christian, so if they were going to do something, it was best they came to us instead of involving other people. So what did that mean? Was I moving in with Christian?

That was absurd. I hardly knew him. Maybe I knew him more than I liked to admit, but living together? That was crazy. Which reminded me that I had to email Abby and let her know I wasn’t interested in a roommate anymore. It would be too dangerous for her. Once Christian went inside the bathroom I figured I’d start getting ready for work. Today had been crazy and felt sort of like a Twilight Zone episode. I closed his bedroom door behind me, slowly taking off my clothes as I really looked around in his room.

It was simple and clean like the rest of his apartment. His queen size bed was placed in the middle of the room with the headboard against the only window. There was a dresser with a mirror across from the bed and a closet door on the adjacent wall. The navy blue and cream color scheme of his comforter set complemented the dark wood of his furniture. It was all very manly and modest—very Christian. I stood in my black underwear as I pulled out my uniform from my bag when the bedroom door flew open. Christian stood frozen in only his jeans; he’d cleaned off his face while in the bathroom because the dry blood on his skin was gone. I could hear the shower running from the bathroom. His gaze traveled from my forehead and slowly down my toes. He gulped, unable to break his stare from my body.

“I forgot my towel.” His breath was harsh. All I could do was nod. I was tingling all over, and I felt my blush sweep from my feet to the top of my head. Christian wet his lips before stepping in my direction. “No bullshit?”

I breathed in deeply before answering. “No bullshit.”

“Right now, in our little bubble, I don’t care about any of the shit that went down earlier. Right now, I want to have you. I
need
to have you.” He pressed his forehead against mine, and I breathed in his scent and went a little crazy. “Are you going to let me?” he whispered.

I whimpered something that sounded like yes. I was lost in him and wasn’t thinking anymore. He dropped to his knees and pressed his nose against the crook of my neck inhaling me. His hands slowly traveled from the back of my calves to my thighs. I moved my head to give him better access to my neck. Christian took the opportunity to press open mouthed kisses on my skin, then traveled down my chest. I reached behind me, unclasping my black bra. He hissed, helping me pull down the straps. Once my skin was exposed, he took my breasts into his hands and kissed my hardened nipples. I gasped at the feel of his warm mouth. He groaned approvingly while rolling my other nipple with his thumb. I threw my head back, eyes rolling behind my head in ecstasy.

“Oh, God,” I murmured.

Suddenly I was off the ground, then my back was pressed against the cool mattress. Christian hovered over me as he looked at my body before lowering his head to kiss me sweetly. I was expecting to be ravished, but his gentle kisses made my heart weak. I tightened my eyes shut, suddenly feeling like I wanted to cry. This was too much. Without me speaking a word, Christian stopped, holding himself up.

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” he asked, concerned.

Still with my eyes closed, I shook my head. “No, I…I…this is too much. I want you but…” He interrupted me by placing a quick peck on my lips.

“Yeah, I know. I feel it too.”

“You’re okay with this? With stopping?” I asked, puzzled.

“Of course I am. I’m not the kind of man who makes women feel guilty for stopping.” He kissed my forehead and hopped off the bed. And with that, I wanted to pull him back down to my neck and have him continue where we left off. “Imma go take that shower now, ’kay?” he said, showing off his dimples.

I was still a little shaken up, so I just nodded. I stayed on the bed with my arms covering my breasts. Did I really want to take the next step with him even though we weren’t even a couple? The answer was
hell yes
. I was human, with grounds to make my own mistakes. I might look back in a few months, maybe even a few hours, and be disappointed in myself. But in this very moment, I wanted Christian’s warm body against mine.

Standing, I looked at myself in the mirror. I’d never had a complex with what God gave me, but I would be a fool not to admit since meeting Ava and knowing her history with Christian, I had become a little self-conscious. I scarcely came close to having the curves she did. My hips didn’t round out like hers. My ass was smaller, a lot smaller. There was hardly any junk in my trunk. My breasts barely filled a man’s hands. But my legs and arms were strong with taut muscles. They had to be in order to ride my bike. Being this small and wanting to ride came with a price.

Before I could change my mind, I slipped off my black panties and sauntered toward the bathroom. Before opening the door, I took a deep breath, trying to fill my lungs with a second dose of courage. With shaky hands, I turned the knob and pushed the door open. Steam hit me instantly and I wondered how hot the water was. It stuck to my skin and my hair giving the illusion that I was glowing. Quietly, I closed the door behind me and stopped when I heard soft grunts and water splashing against skin.

Was he…?
My eyes widened. For some reason, the image lit a flame in my chest and traveled rapidly between my legs. I pulled the hunter green shower curtain aside just a little, to see Christian’s back and his arm moving in a jerking motion. When I pulled the curtain back some more to give me enough room to step inside, he turned sharply to look at me.

“What are you doing?” His stare was frantic and his voice a constricted whisper. I wasn’t sure if it was purely from shock or from getting caught masturbating. My gaze traveled from his chest to what was standing at attention between his legs. With a sharp tug I closed the curtain and stepped closer, swallowing the knot in the throat and suppressing my drool.

“Say kiss,” I whispered. He hummed before lowering his face to mine, licking the water off his lips.

“Kiss.” Before I could be the one to land my lips on his, Christian gripped the back of my neck and melded our mouths together. This kiss was nothing like we’d done before. He was a little rougher and more anxious. I
pressed my body against his,
breaking the kiss to gasp when I felt his erection slide perfectly between my thighs. Christian gritted his teeth, groaning.

“Billie, what are you doing?” His breathing was harsh while he tightened his hold against my neck.

“I just want to feel you, but I’m not ready to take it further. Just touching, okay?”

Christian’s eyes hooded into a predator-like stare.

“Fuck, yeah, it’s okay.” He kissed me hard before flipping me against the wall. My palms smacked against the wet brown tile while my chest rose in anticipation. “I’ve been waiting what feels like forever to feel you like this.” He nipped my earlobe before grazing his teeth along my shoulder. His broad hands gripped my hips, and then one slowly traveled up my side. He fanned out his fingers before he squeezed my breast and pinched my nipple. I cried out, forcing my legs to stay awake and not give out.

His other hand cupped me between my legs and he began to work his fingers against my clit. Christian shifted so his knee was right behind me; instinctively, I rested on it, giving me perfect access to his erection. I gripped the smooth skin and continued where he’d left off. He groaned, moving his fingers faster. I was moaning and panting. I hadn’t jerked off a guy since high school, this felt so innocently forbidden. Christian’s teeth clamped down on my neck, and I cried out.

“Oh, fuck, Billie,” he whispered harshly. I felt his dick get harder and I knew he was close, which made me crazy. My moaning increased, and I felt my hips begin to ride his hand. “Yeah, babe, ride it.”

I gripped him tighter, leaning my neck to the side. Christian’s mouth sank back against my skin. I cried out again, coming hard on his hand just as he groaned and pushed against my palm. I felt his hot release on my fingers. Christian removed his knee from beneath me. I stood shakily as he grabbed my hand and washed himself off of me.

“That was…” He rested his head against mine. I closed my eyes to avoid getting water in them.

“Wonderful.”

He chuckled then kissed me. “Fucking great.”

We showered together and spent the rest of the time making out in the shower until the water ran cold. When we were dressed and snuggled on the couch I asked him about my Frog. He reluctantly showed me the video of my bike on its side in flames. I could only watch a few seconds of it before shutting off the phone. My eyes begun to burn with tears. I loved my bike, but I loved that it was my way of escape even more. And they knew that.

“Hey.” Christian lifted my chin. “We’ll get them back, Billie, don’t worry about it. They’ll get theirs.” I jerked away from his grip.

“No, this doesn’t involve you. I can handle them.”

Annoyed, Christian sat away from me. “Like fuck it doesn’t. After everything, you’re still going to try to push me away?”

I sighed. “No, I’m not pushing you away. I…you…you don’t know what they’re capable of doing. You’re going to get hurt.”

Christian stood directly in front of me, angry at my words.

“I’m not some punk, Billie. I’m from the fucking streets too. What? Just because I’m not hustling anymore, you think I’m not capable of taking care of myself? Harden isn’t the only hood in Colorado, sweetheart. And
I
didn’t have a daddy and two older brothers to take care of me. I survived on my own.”

Who the hell…?
I pushed off the couch and looked straight in his eyes.

“Screw you, Christian, you don’t know shit about me.”

He smiled cockily. “That right?” He stepped back, giving us some much-needed space. “You got this all twisted in your head. You think I’m soft for leaving all that shit behind. Am I not
bad
enough for you, Billie?”

His words parted the fogginess in my mind. Did I really think that? How ridiculous was that? I was punishing him for doing the right thing. Or maybe it was jealousy that he could easily leave it all behind him, and I couldn’t. I swallowed hard, feeling like a fool.

“Say kiss,” I whispered, apologizing with my eyes. Christian inhaled sharply, closing his eyes then opening them. The tension in his shoulders seemed to melt away. I moved closer to him and planted my hands on his chest.

“Kiss.”

***

Finally, after so many nights without a full staff, we were all here. And it was a good thing too because yet again the bar was incredibly busy. Jade, Ava, and Christian were behind the bar as Claudia and I waitressed. Given the crazy day from earlier this morning, I was feeling good. The tips were great. I had developed a rapport with some of the regulars, even memorizing their names.

One in particular was named Diesel, a traveling construction worker. He always came in after a shift with his buddies. He spoke a lot with Ava and a lot more when her cousin Vanessa came in. I was clearing a table when I felt the texture of rough jeans skim my legs. I twisted around to see Diesel, and his friend who’d walked close enough to me that I felt his work pants on my skin. Trey was Diesel’s partner in the project they were on.

“Hey, sexy,” Trey drawled. I smiled back.

“Hey, boys, how was work?”

They both shrugged.

“Ava at the bar?” Diesel asked, and I nodded. “Thanks, darling.’” He turned to leave, but Trey stayed.

“So?” He rested against the table. Slanting my head to the side, I glanced up to meet his blue eyes.

“So?” I repeated.

“Do you want to grab something to eat sometime?”

I stared at my shoes, feeling my eyebrows pinch. Chris and I weren’t a couple, but accepting a date from another guy would still be wrong. Before I could answer, I felt an arm snake around my waist. I didn’t even bother looking up to see who it was. His magnetism pulled at me whenever
he
was touching me.

“What’s up, Trey? Ava’s got a cold one ready for you, bud.” Christian spoke in a friendly, welcoming tone, but it was pretty clear by his body language what he was trying to do. Trey looked back and forth between us, then at Christian’s arm around my waist.