Shadow: Cerberus MC Book 3 (34 page)

I see her lip twitch, and I narrow my eyes at her. “You’re fucking with me.” I smile wide when she grins and begins to laugh.

She wipes her mouth with her napkins and looks back at me. “Could you even picture me dancing on a stage?”

I clear my throat because honestly if I close my eyes I could imagine her doing just about anything. It may not fit her personality, but I have an incredible imagination that could easily formulate a scenario where she’s dancing on a stage. I mean it would be a private show just for me, but yeah, I can picture it.

“You had me,” I say standing and grabbing our plates. I walk them back to the sink before heading back to the dining room.

“Movie?” I ask as she stands from the table.

“Sure,” she says, and I catch a more sultry tone to her voice. I ignore it because if I let myself for a split second think that sex is where tonight is heading, I’ll fixate on it and won’t be able to carry on a conversation.

“Follow me,” I say and head down the hallway.

“Where are we going?” She asks as we bypass the living room and head deeper into the house.

I stop walking and turn back to her. “I don’t have a TV in the living room.” I shrug. “I don’t get the opportunity to watch much because I’m never home, so the only TV I have is in the bedroom.”

“Is that right?” I grin at her and nod.

I nod, “I only get to watch a little right before bedtime. Most days there’s not even time for that.”

She doesn’t respond but eventually moves her feet and begins to follow me to the bedroom.

I busy myself with grabbing the remotes from the bedside table and watch her from the corner of my eye as she takes in my inner sanctuary. It’s neat but lived in. I make my bed every morning, but it’s no longer done with the military precision I was accustomed to while in the service.

I settle on the bed against the headboard and point the remote at the screen. My eyes never leave her as she walks around the end of the bed and climbs on the other side. Even though I know it’s awkward to climb in someone else’s bed, especially having never even been here before, she takes it in stride and settles against the headboard as well.

I want to shift my body so we’re closer together, but I don’t. I let her decide if she wants to keep the distance between us. The sight of her legs wrapped in skin tight leggings nearly make me groan. I direct my eyes back to the TV before I make a fool of myself.

“So.
The Office?
” I ask while Netflix loads on the TV.

I catch her watching my face and have to nudge her with my hand to get her attention. “I’m sorry. What?” She asks a little flustered.

I smile big, putting my dimples on full display, well aware of what I’m doing. “Is
The Office
okay?” I ask again.

She shakes her head no, and her gaze leaves mine and refocuses on my lips. My cock jumps in my pants at the thought of her mouth on mine. “I don’t want to watch
The Office
,” she finally mumbles.

I clear my throat to hide the inevitable huskiness in my voice. It doesn’t help one bit. “What do you want to watch?” I ask her mouth because I can’t manage to pull my eyes away from it.

“Homework,” she pants softly.

That answer makes absolutely no sense. “I don’t think that’s on Netflix,” I answer, distracted.

She briefly cuts her eyes back up to mine and shifts her weight so she’s lying back against the pillow. “Let’s work on homework.”

I stare at her as she makes herself comfortable. All kinds of salacious thoughts are running rampant in my head right now. This beautiful woman is practically lying in my bed; there’s no way to keep those kinds of thoughts from happening.

“Homework for tomorrow’s class,” she says her voice turning as husky as mine is.

I shake my head in an attempt to clear the fog and lust that seems to be swirling around in it. We’re working on proper on-screen kissing techniques tomorrow. My eyes widen at her suggestion once my brain finally catches up with her words.

“You want to make out?” I ask stupidly just for clarification.

She bites her lips and dips her head in a quick nod.

“I think that’s a great idea,” I admit and turn my body so it’s facing her more.

I lift my hand up and sweep a strand of hair from the side of her face, but leave my hand in contact with her perfect skin. I groan when she tilts her head slightly, leaning into my touch.

I lean my head closer and whisper, “Want to just go with it or was there a technique you wanted to work on first?”

She licks her lips, and I almost lose all control.

“Camera technique or closed mouth kiss first?” I ask again when she doesn’t immediately respond.

I lick my lips in preparation for immediate action once she decides.

“I think the open-mouth kiss is going to be the one we should practice tonight.” This woman is my dream come true, and I’m certain each and every one of her rejections up until today was just a way to build the suspense for this exact moment in time.

I groan when she runs her pink tongue over her bottom lip, and my restraint snaps. I place my hands on either side of her legs and bring my mouth to hers. I’m met with the softness of her delicate lips and her quick, soughing breaths.

Call me a wimp if you want to, but I found heaven during Netflix and Chill.

Sneak Peek

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Prologue

“Do you really have to go?” I watch my best friend, fiancé, and the only man I could ever trust pack his bags.

He gives me a knowing grin. “I’m pretty sure the Army would have a problem if I didn’t report for duty, Khloe.”

I sit on the bed with my head hung low, fingers twisting in my lap. I shake my head slightly trying to stave off the tears I know will fall. I don’t want him to see me crying when he leaves. The last thing he needs along with his first deployment to Iraq, is to worry about me being upset at home.

“Khloe, oh sweetheart. It’s going to be fine,” he says wiping the tears I’ve fought so hard against from my cheek.

“I know,” I lie, even though I have a sinking feeling in my gut that once he walks out of the door, my life will never be the same.

“This tour is only supposed to last like six months. When I get back, you’ll be eighteen.” He tilts my head up, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Concentrate on this.” I feel his fingers touch the engagement ring on my left hand. “I’m getting you out of this damn town, Khloe, if it’s the last thing I do. My promise stands firm. You can count on me.”

“I know, Alec. I’m just going to miss you is all. You’re all I’ve got.” I sniffle, feeling like a child when I need to be acting like the grown woman I’m expected to be in just a few short months.

“And I’m going to miss you, Sweet Girl. I’ll be back before you know it.”

A quick hug, another kiss on the forehead, and I’m watching my life and only chance at freedom walk out the door.

Chapter 1

“You promised!” I scream in the empty room.

Sobs wrack my body even now, days after reading the news on the school’s Facebook page. Pretty fucked up that I had to hear about Alec’s death on the damn school site. His parents know I’m here. They know we were planning to get married. Once again in my life, not one damn ounce of care was wasted on me.

It’s been a week and a half since I discovered the news that has ruined my life. Forty-eight hours since we lowered Alejandro, Alec to me, Sanchez into the darkened depths of his final resting place. Even with the sorrow and pain the day had brought, it was a beautiful funeral, complete with an incredible showing of support from other local service men and women. The long motorcycle procession from the funeral home to the graveside was even a nice touch.

I was able to sneak on the bus carrying students from the high school. I got my GED months ago, but the other students were too busy pretending to mourn the loss of a boy, which not less than a year ago they tormented for being different. Anger is said to be the third stage of grief, but sitting on the bus with kids who wanted nothing more than a few hours out of school had me completely bypassing the first two stages altogether.

His family wouldn’t even acknowledge me at the funeral or the graveside. They’ve never been keen on the idea of their one and only son marrying a girl who, by their standards, isn’t even worth the money the great state of New Mexico has invested in her.

Invested. Such a kind, innocuous word for shoved into foster care with a family that couldn’t care less that she’s not stayed a night in their home in months. I’m the only person on the planet that knew Alec in and out. We’ve been friends damn near since my first day in Farmington, inseparable some would say, and I didn’t even warrant a mention in his obituary or during the funeral. His parents refused to let me sit with them, so I ended up with the group of fake kids from the bus. I’ve never felt more alone in my life, which is saying something considering my history.

I have to face all of those same people again today. I read online that there is a benefit fundraiser BBQ type thing going on at one of the parks honoring Alec’s memory; the goal being a monument in the park. He’s by no means the first, nor will he be the last this community loses, but somehow his death landed on the right radar.

Going is the last thing in this world I’d want to do, but I know Alec would want me to be there; if anything to at least see all the fake people. He despised this town as much as I do. He couldn’t wait to get us out of a place riddled with drugs, gangs, and hordes of people with simple minds. It’s the only reason he joined the Army. He didn’t want to be a soldier, but it was a means to an end.

I hear a key inserted into the lock of the apartment door. I know it’s only going to bring me more pain and despair. I’d anticipated this moment happening, but I figured I’d have more time.

Time.

I ask for it in some situations. More time in this apartment. More time with Alec. I’ve also begged time to speed up. Make me eighteen already. End the time I had to wait until Alec came home. Futile requests on all fronts.

I sit on the bed, standing my ground, refusing to give up my grief filled sanctuary. Cowboy boots and the clicking of the kitten heeled shoes Alec’s mother is famous for wearing echo off the wall. Seconds before their forms block the doorway, I see their looming shadows. I’ve lived in literal and perpetual darkness since reading about Alec’s death. It only seemed fitting for my now darkened heart.