Liquid & Ash Read online

  I was gasping for air and still shuddering when I opened my eyes. I felt Brandon’s weight shift over me, and he unbuckled his belt. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a condom and undid his pants. He stood up and held my gaze as he pushed down his jeans, exposing his thick, hard cock. He was too good to be true. I licked my lips as my eyes roamed his beautiful tattooed body. I watched as he wrapped his big hand around his length and stroked it a few times. I took my panties off, and his abs flexed, his breaths coming faster. Moving my hands to my breasts, I pinched my nipples between my fingers as he rolled the condom on, the anticipation and urgency between us growing by the second.

  Brandon crawled on top of me, and we stared at each other as he positioned himself at my opening. He didn’t speak, but I could see the question in his eyes.

  I whispered, “Please,” and he kissed me as he slowly inched his hips forward.

  I broke the kiss on a gasp as his body stretched mine in the most exquisite way. Brandon panted, his muscles tightening, as he pressed himself all the way inside me, and his hips met mine. He dropped his head, his breath warming my skin, and his beard tickled my neck. My fingers raked down his back. I wrapped my legs around him, and he started moving.

  “Fuck, you feel so good,” he groaned as his dick stroked deep inside me.

  I squeezed myself tighter around him, and he cradled my head in his hands while his lips found mine again. His slow and deliberate movements were quickly replaced with wanton passion. He kissed me hard, his teeth biting into my skin, as his thighs slapped against mine. The heat between us grew hotter, and a sheen of sweat coated our skin. He increased his pace, and his pelvic bone pressed against my clit. My chest met his as my head pressed into his hands, and another orgasm built inside me. His body responded instantly to mine, growing harder, going deeper.

  Our heartbeats and breaths were like a symphony of desire echoing around us. It was the most wonderful pain I’d ever felt. Brandon’s head fell back, and the roped muscles in his shoulders coiled. An animalistic growl escaped his lips as his orgasm exploded out of him, and his cock pulsed inside me, his hips slamming against mine. My body reacted, and I came, too. This orgasm was so much more intense, and my insides squeezed and pulsed around him as my nails clawed and dug into his back.

  “Oh, fuck!” I shouted, my toes curling, as my legs pulled him in closer.

  He shuddered, and I held on tight, savoring the feeling, as his body went limp on top of mine. Smiling, I listened to his heavy breaths in my ear and felt his frantic heartbeat on my chest, but I couldn’t speak. There were no words.

  A few minutes later, Brandon lifted himself up with his arms and looked down at me, a sated look in his shining eyes. We smiled at each other, and I giggled when he carefully pulled himself out of me and rolled onto his back. I watched his profile as he stared at his ceiling, his chest still moving fast with his breaths. I wanted him to say something, so I could stop wondering what he was thinking.

  Turning to look at me, his eyes flicked to my mouth before he asked, “Can we do that again?”

  A cab dropped me off at my apartment as the sun hovered above the horizon.

  Brandon had offered to let me stay, but I’d told him I would sleep better at home. The truth was, I hadn’t wanted to get too comfortable in his bed or in his arms. He hadn’t seemed bothered by my leaving. I was sure he’d preferred it that way. He was giving me exactly what I needed—freedom.

  I smiled as I unlocked my front door, remembering the satisfaction and fascination on Brandon’s face after we’d had sex the second time. It seemed I hadn’t been the only one surprised by our sexual chemistry. In all the years I’d been with Derek, I’d never experienced sex like that. It was primal, uninhibited, and completely liberating. Brandon might be younger than me, but he definitely knew his way around a woman’s body. He had known exactly what to do and exactly how to do it.

  After taking a shower, I got into bed and slept until my alarm went off at ten. I was still tired, but my spirits were too high for exhaustion to slow me down. I got ready for work and was walking into Jackie’s Diner by eleven.

  “Well, look at you,” Nancy said as I went to put my purse behind the counter.

  I smiled at her. “What?”

  “You look refreshed.”

  “Do I?” I asked as I pulled on my apron.

  Her eyes narrowed as she studied me. “You got laid, didn’t you?”

  I laughed, my cheeks growing warm. “What?”

  “I wasn’t born yesterday, young lady. I know that look.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I went to greet some customers walking in the door.

  After getting their order, I stood behind the counter and sent a quick text to Tiffany.

  How are you? Is everything okay?

  She didn’t respond.

  I was exhausted by the time I got home from work. I made sure to check my mail before going inside and noticed an envelope from UNCW. I unfolded the paper inside, and my mood instantly darkened.

  Dear Mrs. Baylor,

  We regret to inform you…

  I didn’t even finish reading it. I tossed my mail along with my purse onto the dining room table and went to my bathroom to start the shower.

  I didn’t get approved for tuition assistance. Fuck! Now, what do I do? Keep working and try again next semester? Next year? How long can I keep living like this?

  I could feel my hopes falling as I walked down the hall and looked around my stark bedroom. Stripping my dirty clothes off, I tossed them into my hamper and went back into my bathroom where I stepped into the shower. The hot water soaked my hair, and I closed my eyes, willing myself to stay positive.

  You can do this, Penelope.

  Taking a deep breath, I began to wash my hair. I wasn’t going to give up on myself again. I’d figure something out.

  After my shower, I walked into my room and stared at my air mattress lying on the floor. I’d been camping out here for months, saving my money for school, and living like a broke college kid. I was ashamed of the state my life was in.

  Picking up my phone, I sent a text to Brandon. It was after midnight, so I knew he’d probably be working, but I had to do it now before I lost my nerve.

  Hey! Is Induce hiring any new bartenders? I need a job.

  He responded a few seconds later.

  Yeah. Why? What happened at Jackie’s?

  Nothing. Just looking for something better.

  I sat down at my table and added up my tips when he texted me back.

  What are you doing now?

  Looking at the tiny stack of tips in front of me. What about you? You aren’t working?

  No. I’m heading out to Raleigh for a photo shoot. You want to come?

  I smiled and chewed on the inside of my cheek as I thought about it.

  How long will you be there?

  Until Sunday.

  It was only Friday night, and I was supposed to work the dinner shift on Saturday.

  I can’t. I have to work.

  I thought you were quitting.

  Well, I can’t until I have a new job.

  You worry too much. Pack a bag. I’ll be there in a few minutes.

  I stared at my phone for a few seconds before standing up and looking around the room. “Shit!”

  I didn’t want Brandon to see my apartment. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go to Raleigh. How will I afford it? I would just meet him outside and tell him I couldn’t go.

  Running to my room, I took off my robe and pulled on an old T-shirt and a pair of cotton shorts I usually wore as pajamas. I quickly brushed my wet hair and then went outside to wait for Brandon.

  A few minutes later, he pulled up in his Camaro. Parking it next to the curb, he left it running as he opened his window and looked me up and down. “Where’s your bag?”

  “I can’t go. I have to work tomorrow, and I can’t afford to stay there overnight.”

  Brandon opened his door and fold
ed out of it as I stood there with my arms crossed in front of me.

  “How about you stop worrying so damn much?” he said as he moved to stand in front of me.

  “But I can’t just skip out on work. I need to—”

  “God, you’re fucking stubborn,” he said, interrupting me, just before he leaned down and shut me up with a kiss.

  My arms fell to my sides, and I lost my train of thought as his tongue slipped past my lips. He tasted like cinnamon. His big hands grabbed on to my hips as I held his face in my hands, my fingers curling into his beard. By the time our mouths separated, I’d already forgotten what we had been talking about.

  “I’m leaving in ten minutes,” he said as he looked down at me.

  He took a step back and smirked before he got back into his car and closed the door. I hesitated for a second, wondering what I should do. I knew what I wanted to do, but…

  Just do it.

  Brandon gave me a sidelong glance, and I smiled at him before I turned around and ran up my stairs to my apartment.

  About ten minutes later, I came out with a backpack and my purse slung over my shoulder, and he was still sitting in his car.

  He smiled when he saw me walking down the stairs. “I knew you’d come to your senses.”

  I climbed into the passenger seat and closed the door. “You know this is totally crazy, right? I could lose my job.”

  He put the car in drive and slammed his foot on the gas, making me squeal, as he sped down my street. “Everyone needs a little crazy in their life.”

  He opened the roof to his convertible and revealed the star-filled sky. The wind blew my hair all around me, and I laughed as I tried to control it. Reaching into my purse, I found a hair tie and pulled it back into a messy bun. Brandon’s hair was flying everywhere, too, strands whipping across his face. I searched my purse for another hair tie, and once I found it, I leaned over and gathered his hair on the top of his head. He chuckled as I tied his the same way I’d done mine. It was actually kind of hot, seeing his jaw and tattooed neck fully exposed.

  I liked that he didn’t seem fazed by me playing with his hair. He just kept driving. When I was done, I leaned my head back against the seat and smiled as I stared at the trees and sky flying past us. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so carefree.

  “Why are you driving to Raleigh in the middle of the night?” I asked as I kicked off my flip-flops and pulled up my feet in front of me on the seat.

  “Less traffic.”

  “Makes sense.” I pursed my lips and looked around the car, trying to find something to talk about. “So, you have a photo shoot tomorrow?”

  He glanced at me with amusement in his eyes. “Yeah, tomorrow afternoon. I’ve known the photographer, Liam Jenner, for a while now. He flew in from LA yesterday.”

  “Well, that’s cool. Will I be able to watch?”

  “Yeah. We’ll probably go out afterward, too. You know, live crazy.” He winked at me before running his hand over his beard.

  “What made you decide to grow a beard?” I hadn’t really planned on asking him that, but I had been curious about it. Maybe it was just the new fashion trend.

  Brandon switched his hands on the steering wheel and seemed to contemplate his answer before he finally looked at me. “I have a gnarly scar right here under my jaw,” he said, rubbing the backs of his fingers against the hair on his jawline. “I got tired of looking at it.”

  “Oh. Wow. How’d you get it?”

  “That one I got in Afghanistan,” he said, glancing at me before he turned onto an exit.

  “Oh.”

  My problems were starting to feel smaller by the second.

  “I didn’t get approved for tuition assistance,” I said mostly because I had to tell someone, and Brandon was easy to talk to.

  His eyebrows furrowed. “You applied for tuition assistance?”

  “Yeah. I’m trying to get into a nursing program at UNCW. That’s what I planned to do before I met Derek.”

  “A nurse, huh? That’s hot.”

  I laughed and tried to ignore the effect his tone had on me. “Yeah, well, it would be hot if I could finish school.”

  “So, what are you going to do now?”

  I shrugged. “I didn’t really have a plan B. That’s the reason I need a new job. The tips at Jackie’s aren’t nearly enough.”

  “Don’t you get money from your husband?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “Why the fuck not? You guys were together long enough.”

  “Because I don’t want it.”

  Brandon scoffed and looked up at the sky before watching the road again. “Wow. You really are stubborn, aren’t you?”

  “Look, I have my reasons. Derek always held his money over my head. I never felt like an equal partner in my marriage, and I refuse to let him take any credit for what I do now that I’ve left him.” I hadn’t meant to come off so defensive, but that decision hadn’t been an easy one to make, and part of me still felt a need to justify it.

  He glanced at me before saying, “I can respect that.”

  I tucked a few stray hairs behind my ear, feeling bad for sounding so bitchy. “Sorry. It’s a sensitive subject.”

  “Don’t apologize for telling me how you feel. I like this sassy side of you. It’s sexy.”

  He flashed me his panty-melting smile, and I instantly blushed.

  “And besides, you don’t need his money. I’m sure you’ll get a job at Induce,” he said.

  “I’ve never bartended before.”

  “Well, you could start off on the floor as a server and work your way to the bar.”

  “I hope so because Rick will probably fire me when I don’t show up tomorrow.”

  “Well, I’m the one who does the hiring, and you just had your interview, so…you’ve got the job.”

  My mouth fell open, and I smacked him on the arm. “Are you serious?”

  He chuckled as he rubbed the spot where I’d just hit him. “Hey, there’s no need for violence.”

  “I’ve been sitting over here, stressing about my job, and you knew I’d be hired the whole time!”

  “You worry too much,” he said, grinning.

  We sat in a comfortable silence for a while as Brandon drove, and I stared at the open sky. I was beginning to think a trip away was exactly what I needed.

  A while later, I remembered Tiffany and wondered how she was doing. I sent her another text, asking if she was okay, but she still didn’t respond. I stared at my phone, hoping everything was all right. I missed her and wished I could call and gush about my time with Brandon, but I knew she had more important things she was dealing with.

  “What are you thinking about?” Brandon asked as he pulled up to a red light.

  “Tiffany.”

  “Yeah? What about her?”

  “Nothing really. I’m just worried about her. She’s having some marital problems.”

  Brandon chuckled and shook his head.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I mean, not to disrespect your friend or anything, but you have to at least act married if you want your marriage to work, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah. Why? Is she really that bad?”

  “Well, she’s slept with a couple of guys I know, and she’s tried to get into my pants at least a dozen times.”

  My eyes widened as I stared at Brandon’s profile. I knew Tiffany liked male attention, but I’d never thought she’d actually done anything more than flirt. She hadn’t told me anything that indicated she’d been cheating on Brian.

  Not that she would.

  “Are you sure? I know she’s a flirt, but how do you know she actually slept with anyone?”

  He gave me a pointed look. “Let’s just say, I’m very confident that I could have fucked her if I wanted to.”

  “Why didn’t you?” The question had come out before I had a chance to filter it.

  Brandon peered over at me. “I don’t trust her.�
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  “And you trust me?”

  “Yeah. Why? Shouldn’t I?”

  “No. I mean, yes, you should, but you barely know me.”

  “You hardly know me either.” He paused to look at me. “I can’t explain it. There’s just something about her that doesn’t sit well with me. She’s too fake.”

  I turned to face the windshield again. “Oh.”

  Is Tiffany fake?

  I thought about all the times I’d hung out with Tiffany and how she’d always been so happy and positive. She’d been there to cheer me up when I was down. Sure, I thought she was a little annoying sometimes, but that was mostly because I was so cynical. I’d never thought she was fake—at least, not until now.

  “What?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing.”

  No matter how much I was questioning Tiffany, I wasn’t going to judge her based off of Brandon’s impression of her. As far as I was concerned, she was still a good friend to me, and that was all that mattered.

  About thirty minutes later, Brandon pulled his Camaro up to the Marriott in Raleigh. It was around three a.m. by the time we got into our room, and I was so tired that I was beginning to feel a little delirious. The room had one king-size bed, a small desk in the corner, and a couch and two chairs by the large glass doors leading to the balcony.

  Brandon tossed his bag onto the bed before sitting down on the couch and pulling a joint out of his shirt pocket.

  I wasn’t sure why, but staying overnight in a hotel room felt a lot more intimate than I’d expected it to. I thought we’d at least have separate beds.

  “Don’t you have to get your beauty rest?” I asked as I sat down on the foot of the bed.

  “Nah. I’m kind of an insomniac.” He lit the joint and opened the sliding glass door. “And besides, the tired look is in these days,” he said with a lopsided grin.

  “Oh, really? Well then, I’ll fit right in tomorrow.”