Pride & Pleasure (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 1) (17 page)

He lowered his mouth and kissed her, exploring her soft lips and warm tongue, moving his mouth to the damp line of her neck. He darted his tongue out and lapped up the rain drops. Her hands were on his chest, then shoulders, moving down his arms and back up to squeeze his biceps. She shivered and he wrapped his arms around her back. “Are you cold?” he whispered against her ear.

“Not when I’m with you.” She pulled back, lifted her chin and gazed at him through her thick lashes. “Is there a bed in the house?”

“None that we’d want to get into.”

“Then I guess the table will have to do.” She took his hand and led him to the ancient wooden table standing in the middle of the kitchen.

He gave it a shake. “Looks sturdy.”

She reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, dropping it onto the floor. Her breasts pushed against the thin material of her lavender bra and her hand at the button of her jeans drew his attention downward. A second later, she had stepped out of her pants and stood before him in the sexiest bra and panty he’d ever laid eyes on. He was mesmerized at how beautiful she looked in the shadows. The rain pelted the roof and thunder rolled in the distance, but neither cared. They were inside, together and about to share something amazing for the second time today.

He reached for the hem of his shirt and dragged it from his body, tossing it into the pile with her clothing. He started for the snap of his jeans, but she was already there, undoing the button for him.

Soon, he was naked and he felt the warmth of her body as she shimmied her way downward until she had his cock in her sweet mouth, sucking and licking. He threaded his fingers into her hair, guiding her head while she took as much of him into her mouth as possible. He felt her throat constrict around his tip and he realized he didn’t have a tight enough rein on his body to allow her to continue.

Pulling himself from her mouth, he helped her back on her feet and moved quickly in removing the undergarments from her body. He laid his hands on her bare bottom and easily picked her up, placing her on the edge of the table. Her legs swung freely over the side.

Grabbing one of the dusty old chairs, he dragged it across the yellowed tile and placed it beside the table in front of her. Just as he’d hoped, once he sat down, he was the perfect height to do what he’d wanted to do since she walked into his office.

“Open for me,” he demanded.

Without any hesitation, she leaned back onto her elbows and spread her thighs.

He roved his gaze over her glistening feminine folds surrounded by a soft thatch of dark hair. “Beautiful.” He rolled the pad of his thumb along the moist seam at her core and she jerked. “Steady, baby,” he whispered. She moaned and squirmed but he held her steady. He licked his lips. “I’m going to lap up your sweetness.”

“Yes!” the word slipped between her tight lips.

“Stay still, baby,” he reprimanded.

“I…can’t. I want you so bad I can taste the need.”

He leaned in, kissing her inner thigh, rolling his tongue along the trembling flesh. He trailed a moist path up her skin, pausing at her most secret part.

He slid one finger inside her while he glided his free hand up her body and to her breasts. He palmed them, milking the globes and pinching the hard nipples. She swelled under his touch.

“I love your breasts. Perfectly shaped and sized.”

Her nipples hardened even more and a whimper fell off her lips.

He blew on her pussy and she lifted her hips a few inches off the table, bucking wildly. “Now, now, my love.” He draped his arm across her hips, steadying her. His free hand still played with her breasts. “I’m going to make you come in my mouth,” he whispered.

He lowered his mouth and, with sweet assault, slid his tongue along the seam of her quivering lips. She moaned softly, her knees came up and she spread wide, opening for him. He rolled the tip of his tongue over her clit, making circles and then suckled the flesh until she cried out, but he didn’t stop. He continued to lick and nip at the sensitive flesh, lapping up her delicious juices.

“Victor!” she pleaded.

He joined his tongue with his fingers, sliding a thick finger inside of her while licking her slit. She groaned and he tasted her release.

He stood and he buried his mouth against hers, drawing her tongue in and out of his mouth just as he’d done with her clit. He pulled back, panting as he took his torrid shaft in his hand.

“That was magnificent,” she whimpered.

“Yes, it was.” His voice was husky. “You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met, Avary. So giving, like a powerful drug that has seeped into my system.” He kissed her chin, her cheek, and nibbled her ear lobe. “Are you ready, sweetheart? Ready for my cock?”

“Now, Victor. I want you inside of me,” she begged.

“Spread your knees, baby. Spread them wide for me,” he urged.

He pressed his tip against her opening and slowly eased his head inside. It took great control for him not to ram his cock inside of her, but he didn’t want to hurt her. He moved his hips, easing deeper into her wet folds until finally she wrapped around him, clenching him in her tight channel. He counted to ten, backwards and forwards, until he could finally take on a steady rhythm. Her fingers dug into his back and then to his ass.

He could feel her coiled muscle squeeze him and he realized she had reached release. He braced his hands on her shoulders and held her as he rocked inside of her, thrusting her through spasm after spasm. He wanted to come too, but he wasn’t quite ready.

Driving harder and faster, he grunted with each movement.

She lifted her knees high, angling her bottom more and he stroked deep inside of her. He almost lost it, but he gained control again.

He shifted, rubbing his head along the wall of her channel, reaching all of her.

His control slacked.

Bittersweet agony jolted through his balls and along his cock. He couldn’t hold back any longer.

He pulled himself out of her and squirted all over her stomach.

CHAPTER TEN

Avary was on top of the world as she and Victor walked into the estate house. She was still reeling high from their lovemaking.

Max approached them, his jaw tight and his eyes wide.

“What is it?” Victor asked. He immediately dropped her hand.

“I-I tried to call you all afternoon, but it just rang,” Max sounded out of breath.

“Spit it out, man. What’s happened?” Victor’s voice carried deep urgency.

“It’s Angelina. She took a turn for the worse and we called for help. The ambulance came and rushed her to the hospital. I haven’t heard how she’s doing.”

Victor started for the door, then stopped, looking at Avary with glossy eyes. “I have to go.”

“Yes, Victor. Go. She’ll need you.”

And the door went shut.

Avary turned to Max. “Do you know what happened?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Her chest panged. “I’m sorry, Max. We didn’t hear the phone.” Guilt rushed through her.

“Is there anything I can get for you?” he asked.

“No, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Avary followed the stairs, her heart wrenching. Numbly, she showered and dragged on whatever she came to first—a long, flowy dress with a soft flowered pattern. She’d never be able to afford the dress herself.

Not sure what she should do, she took her journal out and wrote…

I’m powerless over this emotion swimming through me.  I’ve fallen, and as dangerous as that is, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I think he has feelings too—I hope he has feelings.  I’ve opened my heart and I pray that I won’t be hurt.

She closed the cover and laid her head down on the bed. Thoughts of Victor swirled through her mind and eventually the darkness overcame her.

When she awoke, she came up to a sitting position, her heart beating fast. She clicked on the screen of her cell. 10 PM. She’d slept three hours. She had no missed calls.

Getting up, she went downstairs and found that she was alone. She was making herself a cup of hot tea when a knock came on the front door. She hurried and opened it, hoping to see Victor, but finding Sergio standing on the step, stress lines surrounding his blood shot eyes.

“Sergio, is everything okay? Is Angelina…?” Her lips trembled.

“No…I don’t know. I came to see if you had heard anything.”

“Please, come in.” She stepped to the side so he could pass. “Did you go to the hospital?”

He shook his head and forced a hand through his already unruly hair. “I thought it would be best not to since Victor wouldn’t be happy. He’s never forgiven me.”

She blinked. “Can I get you something? Tea? Coffee?”

“No. I don’t want anything.”

“Why don’t you come have a seat, Sergio? Maybe I can try to call Victor and see how Angelina’s doing.”

He nodded and she led the way into the living room, and sat on the couch as he sat down beside her. Picking up her phone, she realized she didn’t have Victor’s number. And she had no clue where Max was.

“Do you happen to have Victor’s number?” she asked.

He sighed. “No.”

“I’m sure he’ll call soon.” She hoped. She cared for Angelina too, and for Victor.

“I love her,” Sergio mumbled.

“Of course.”

“We had a thing a long time ago and I acted stupid. I always wanted her back, but she kept me in the friend zone.” A tear fell to his cheek and he quickly brushed it away.

“I know this is hard for you. Angelina has brought so much love to so many people.”

He lowered his head and rubbed his eyes. Avary wasn’t sure what to do, how to respond, except to offer comfort the best way she knew how. She wrapped one arm over his shoulders and patted his arm. “It’s okay, Sergio. She’s a fighter. She’s not ready yet.”

He leaned against her, burying his face in her shoulder as his body shook. Avary fought her emotions, but the tears came, until finally they both sat there leaning against each other.

“What the fuck is going on?”

Victor’s ragged voice tore through the silence. Sergio jerked back and Avary, stunned, stood. “Victor? I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Of course you didn’t,” he snarled, not even taking his eyes off Sergio.

She swallowed. “How is Angelina?”

Sergio was standing now.

“Get out of my house!” Victor growled the words.

“Victor!” Avary stepped between the two men. “He’s here because he’s concerned about your sister.”

He still didn’t meet her gaze. “He has no right.” His voice was dangerously low.

“I’m sorry, Sergio, but maybe it’s best that you leave.” The last thing any of them needed was a fist fight in the middle of the living room.

Sergio didn’t argue. He swept past them and out the door.

“I can’t believe how poorly you treated him,” she said, stunned.

Then he brought his gaze to her. He looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I can’t believe you.”

She inhaled sharply. “Me? What did I do?”

“Did you enjoy snuggling up with the likes of a womanizing prick like Sergio?” His anger oozed out of his pores in invisible needles.

“We weren’t snuggling. I understand there’s a lot of hostility between the two of you, but he truly cares for Angelina.”

He snorted. “Sure.”

“I’m sorry that Angelina isn’t well, but don’t take your anger out on me. There’s no plausible reason. Let’s talk—”

He jerked his hand away. “I’m tired. Understand, Avary, that I have very little to give anyone. I’ve enjoyed my time with you, I will enjoy this coming week, but once it ends you’ll go back to being who you’ve dreamed to be and I’ll still be here. Our lives are both complicated.”

She wouldn’t have hurt any worse if he’d stabbed her in the heart, but she refused to falter. “These aren’t your true feelings talking…”

He laughed. The sound was cruel and cold. “I’m in my right mind. Tired, yes. Hallucinating, no.” He turned and started walking toward the stairs. “You’re an amazing woman and deserve a man who can give you everything you deserve. I’m not him.”

“Can you at least tell me if Angelina is okay?” She hated that her voice trembled.

He kept his back to her. “She has to stay in the hospital a few more days, but she’ll recover from the infection.”

Then she let him go.

For a good minute she stood there, her heart shattering into a million pieces.

****

“You should come right away, sir,” Max said from the doorway.

Victor jumped up from his chair behind his desk and rushed from his office, taking the stairs, two at a time, until he was in his sister’s room. Her eyes were half-closed and her skin was a dull shade of blue.

“You must be one of the most stupid, bull-headed, immature imbecile’s in this world, Victor,” Angelina muttered weakly, attempting to point a finger at him, but she couldn’t manage to lift her hand.

Sandy gave Victor a weak smile, patted his shoulder, then left him alone with Angelina.

He sat at the side of her bed. She was on heavy pain killers and the doctor warned that her body would give out any time now. “I’ll forgive you because I know it’s the morphine talking.”

“You wish.” She narrowed her gaze on him. “I still can’t believe you let her leave.”

“For a woman who is as weak as you are, you certainly have a lot of fire left in you.”

“Is that your way of ignoring the subject?” She gasped while trying to catch her breath.

“There is no subject to ignore, Ang. Avary is a wonderful woman, but you need me to be here for you.”

A single tear fell to her cheek. “I’ve expected too much from you. Coming here…to live, making you…endure the pain…of my illness. It was selfish of me. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

He took her frail, cold hand into his. “Don’t talk of such foolishness. There’s nowhere you should be but here. You took care of me after mom died, and it’s only right that I make it up to you.”

“Oh, brother, please don’t let life pass you without experiencing the wonderful things. You know I love you, right?” She smiled but it had lost much of its glory.

“What am I going to do without you?” As hard as he tried, he couldn’t hold back his emotion any longer. His eyes flooded with tears and he laid his head on her chest, listening to the soft beating of her heart. If only he could switch places with her, he would. How could someone so loving and kind be leaving this world?

“Don’t forget to read your letter, okay?” she whispered.

“I’ll read it.”

He laid there, listening to her shallow breaths, her heart beating slowly, and then it stopped…

Her hand dropped from his shoulder.

And he knew his sister, the person who had been like a second mom to him, was no longer in pain.