Liquid & Ash Read online

I pretended to flip my hair, and Brandon smiled as he offered me the joint.

  “No, thanks. I think I’m acting crazy enough as it is.”

  “This is crazy?” He took another hit.

  “Yeah. I mean, here I am, alone with a model slash drug dealer that I hardly know. No one knows where I am or who I’m with. I mean, it’s the ideal situation for any serial killer.”

  “Hmm…now that you mention it”—Brandon leaned back and draped his arm over the back of the couch—“I guess you’d better be extra sweet to me, so I don’t leave you on the side of the road somewhere.”

  “Ha-ha. Not funny.”

  He chuckled. “Why are you sitting way over there? Come sit next to me.”

  I stood up and walked over to the couch where I sat next to Brandon. He put his arm over my shoulders and pulled me in closer. I was uncomfortable with how good it felt to be in his arms.

  “Can I tell you something I’ve never told anyone else?” he said.

  I tilted my head to look up at him, and his blue eyes were on mine.

  “Sure.”

  “I had the best sex of my life last night.”

  I laughed.

  “What’s so funny? I’m serious.”

  “Well, I hope you’re talking about the sex we had. Otherwise, that was a totally inappropriate secret to tell me.”

  Brandon’s mouth fell open, and he acted offended as he flicked his ashes into his water bottle. “Wow. You really think I’m a whore, don’t you?”

  I playfully tugged at his beard and smiled. “Well, you’re a sexy whore at least.”

  “Well, at least I have that going for me.” He took another drag from his joint.

  I could tell my comment had rubbed him the wrong way, but I needed the reminder that I wasn’t special to him. I needed to keep my heart safe.

  “No, but seriously, the sex was pretty amazing,” I said.

  Brandon turned and gave me a pointed look. “And awesome.”

  “Yes. Really, really awesome sex.”

  He held up his hands and shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, don’t say it if you don’t mean it.”

  “I mean it. Trust me, there’s no way I could have been faking it. I’m horrible at acting.”

  He peered over at me, his eyes making a trail down to my legs. “You have no reason to fake anything with me. Isn’t that what drew you to me in the first place?”

  I shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.”

  “How about we promise each other something right now?”

  “Okay.”

  “If things ever get to the point where either of us feels the need to fake it, we walk away. Life’s too short to waste it on pretending.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  I woke up the next morning, lying next to Brandon in the hotel bed. I didn’t remember leaving the couch. Getting up on my elbows, I turned to check the clock and saw it was a few minutes after nine.

  I took a moment to look at Brandon as he slept. He had really long, thick eyelashes, and his full lips were the perfect color pink. He really was quite beautiful. It was the first time I’d seen a vulnerability in him. Brandon was always so quick-witted and told me just enough to answer my questions without ever revealing too much of himself. He was still a mystery to me.

  Reaching down, I carefully pulled the sheet away from him to look at his tattoos. He must have stripped down to his briefs after I’d fallen asleep. There was a giant eagle and an American flag tattooed across his chest. His abs were covered with three skulls, each with a different date underneath them. He also had a snake on his ribs that went all the way down his hip. I pulled the sheet up higher, and before I could lean in to inspect it closer, Brandon’s hand darted out and grabbed my wrist.

  I yelped, and when I looked at him, I realized he wasn’t playing. His eyes were intense, and his chest was moving quickly with his breaths. Then, he began to realize what was going on. He let go of my wrist and sat up in bed, turning his back to me. He ran his fingers through his hair and fought to catch his breath.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “No, you’re fine. What time is it?” He was clearly trying to hide his panic.

  “Um, it’s a little after nine.” I stared at the angels on his back.

  He sighed and tossed the sheets aside. “You want to grab some breakfast?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Okay. I’m gonna hop in the shower real quick.”

  Brandon got up and went to the bathroom without looking at me. I sat there for a minute, trying to digest what had just happened.

  Is he a jumpy sleeper, or did I just see one of his demons?

  Looking down, I realized he’d taken off my shorts. He must have carried me to bed the night before. When I heard him turn the water on in the bathroom, I realized I had to pee.

  Damn it.

  Getting out of bed, I tiptoed to the bathroom and peeked my head in the door. Brandon was already inside the shower, and I could see his naked body through the glass walls around him. I guessed I couldn’t sneak in, and after what had just happened, it probably wouldn’t be the best idea anyway.

  I cleared my throat as I knocked on the door, and Brandon turned to face me.

  “Uh, hey. I have to pee.”

  “Okay.”

  “Um, can you turn around and pretend I’m not here?”

  He chuckled and turned back around. “Yep.”

  I quickly pulled my panties down and sat on the toilet.

  “There’s only one problem,” he said, his back still facing me.

  “What’s that?” I asked as I wiped and flushed the toilet.

  “My dick saw you, and he’s not really good at pretending.”

  I laughed and stood up to pull on my panties. Just as I opened my mouth to respond, Brandon turned back around with his fist wrapped around himself. My eyes moved down, and my mouth snapped shut.

  Oh, wow.

  “Well, at least he seems happy to see me,” I said with a smirk.

  “He’d be even happier if you got in this shower.”

  I bit my bottom lip as I tried to fight my smile. “Well, if he insists.”

  Gripping the hem of my shirt, I pulled it up and over my head, and Brandon stroked himself as he watched. I could already feel myself getting wet from just looking at him. Hooking my thumbs into my panties, I slowly dragged them down my legs and stepped out of them, so I was standing naked in front of him. His heated eyes met mine through the glass, and his stare sent a shiver down my spine.

  “Come here.”

  Taking a step forward, I opened the shower door and got inside before closing it behind me. We stared at each other as steam began to hover in the air between us. Moving in closer, I replaced Brandon’s hand with my own, wrapping it around him. I nearly gasped when I realized how hard he was.

  Brandon hissed out a breath as I squeezed my hand and slowly moved it up and down his length. I was so mesmerized by what I was doing that he had to lift my chin to look in my eyes. His pupils expanded in the pools of blue as his rough hands came around to grab my ass.

  “Kiss me,” he demanded.

  Leaning forward, I got on my toes and pressed my lips to his. His fingers moved to my hair as he deepened it, his tongue sliding against mine. As I kept stroking him, he groaned into my mouth just before he nipped my bottom lip between his teeth, and his fingers curled tighter around my hair. My nipples grew hard, and my body was begging for more.

  “Turn around,” he said, his voice raspy in my ear.

  I let go of him and turned around, so my back was to his chest. I could feel his hard-on pressed against my ass as he reached around and took my breasts into his hands. His beard rubbed against my shoulder as he kissed his way up to my neck. My senses were heightened as he took control of my body, and I willingly gave it to him. I loved the way his touch penetrated the coldness inside me. His kisses helped me forget the cracks in my heart.

  “Fuck, you’re so sexy,” he whispered in
to my ear as he slid one of his hands down between my legs.

  I gasped as he found my clit.

  “I can’t wait to get back inside you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about your pussy, Penelope.”

  He slid one of his fingers inside, and I moaned.

  “It’s the tightest”—he kissed my neck again—“warmest”—another kiss—“and most exquisite thing I’ve ever been in.”

  “Oh God, Brandon, don’t stop.” I panted as he fucked me with his finger, his thumb rubbing over my swollen clit. “Fuck me, Brandon. Please.”

  He took his cock in his other hand and bent his knees to guide it between my legs, sliding it back and forth against me. Just as I was ready to start begging, Brandon stopped.

  “Shit. Stay right there.”

  He opened the door and got out of the shower before I even had a chance to open my eyes. A moment later, he came back with a condom in his hand, and I smiled.

  “Now, where were we?” he asked, stepping back in.

  He moved to stand behind me, so I bent forward and put my hands on the wall.

  “Fuck yeah. That’s beautiful.”

  I sucked in a breath as he ran his fingers through my folds and circled my clit a few more times. He tore the condom wrapper open, and a few seconds later, he was pressing himself inside me.

  “Oh God, yes,” I moaned as he punched his hips forward, entering me completely.

  His hands gripped on to my hips as he pulled himself out and slid back in. “Goddamn,” he growled as his fingers squeezed me tighter.

  I shut my eyes, and my mouth fell open as I took in all the sensations invading my body.

  Brandon moved closer, his thighs smacking against mine, the warm water soaking us. I could feel my climax building again as he moved one of his hands down to my clit. He continued fucking me from behind as his fingers brought my orgasm closer. Within seconds, I was breathless, and my legs trembled. My body fell into ecstasy.

  “Fuck yes, Penelope. Come all over my dick.”

  Brandon kissed my back and took my breasts in his hands as he pounded his hips deeper and faster. I cried out as his fingers dug into my flesh, and he hit spots that had never been touched before. He grunted, his body curling around mine, as he found his release. His movements slowed until he stood utterly still, buried deep inside me.

  After a few seconds, he muttered, “I don’t wanna leave.”

  I laughed and felt him smile against my shoulder.

  I was happy.

  I’d never met anyone like Brandon before. He had a confidence that I envied and an enigmatic energy that always kept me curious. No matter how open he seemed, I knew there was so much of himself that he still wasn’t showing me.

  After treating me to breakfast, Brandon waited in the car while I called the diner and told Nancy I wouldn’t be able to make it in until Monday. She discreetly asked if I might be moving on soon. I gave her the good news that I was taking her advice, and I’d be putting in my notice at the diner, so I could take a job at Induce. She sounded so pleased that I couldn’t help but feel like I’d made the right choice. Nancy knew Jacksonville better than anyone, and I didn’t think she would steer me in the wrong direction.

  Now, it was just past noon, and Brandon and I were on our way to his photo shoot. We were meeting his photographer at a local hotel where he’d be shooting Brandon and a few other models for a new clothing line. I wasn’t sure if hanging around models all day would be any good for my self-esteem, but I was curious to see Brandon working in front of the camera. From the photos I’d seen on Facebook, he seemed to have a natural talent for modeling. I’d watched enough episodes of America’s Next Top Model to know there was a lot more to modeling than just having a pretty face.

  When we arrived, Brandon handed his keys to the valet as I admired the giant fountain in the front courtyard. The hotel was gorgeous, and I could definitely see why his friend would want to do a photo shoot there. It had a French colonial feel with its large columns and wraparound porch and balcony.

  When we walked inside, a beautiful man with dirty-blond hair came up to Brandon and gave him a big hug and smack on the back.

  “It’s about bloody time you showed up! How ya been, mate?” the man with an Australian accent said.

  “I’ve been great. Thanks for thinking of me, man.”

  “Are you kidding? These clothes look like they were made for a bloke like you. You’re perfect for the job. I wouldn’t have anyone else.” His eyes moved between Brandon and me before he asked, “Well, you going to introduce me to this bird or what?”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry. Penelope, this is Liam Jenner. Liam, Penelope.”

  “Hi, nice to meet you.” A blush heated my cheeks.

  He had ruggedly handsome features, and his accent was so damn sexy.

  “Likewise,” he said, smiling, as he extended his hand out to me.

  I shook it, and he held on a little longer than usual as he checked me out.

  “How’d an ugly mug like Brandon end up with someone like you?”

  Brandon chuckled.

  I grinned when I said, “Oh, we’re not together. He’s just my drug dealer.”

  Liam’s eyes widened, and he laughed as he slapped Brandon on the back again. “Oh, you’d better keep this one around, Brandon. I like her already. Come on, we’re upstairs.”

  He walked ahead of us toward the stairs, and Brandon came to put his arm over my shoulders.

  “You’re going to pay for that later,” he whispered into my ear.

  I gave him a bright smile, and he playfully narrowed his eyes before smacking my ass.

  I stood aside as Brandon sat in a chair, getting his hair styled, and a young woman showed him his first outfit—a pair of holey jeans matched with a studded black leather jacket and some kick-ass boots. I knew Brandon would look sexy as hell in it, and I couldn’t wait to see it on him.

  Every few minutes, he’d peer over at me and make a funny face or wink as the woman fussed over his hair. I thought I was more nervous than he was.

  Other models were there, too. One other male and two females were all getting their hair and makeup done in the same room. They were all beautiful and heavily tattooed like Brandon, which I thought was pretty cool.

  A new woman walked up to Brandon and said something to him before he stood up and walked over to the racks of clothes. He started to undress, and I didn’t miss all the eyes watching him. I couldn’t blame them. He had an incredible body.

  Brandon pulled on the jeans and jacket, and the same woman put baby oil on his chest and abs.

  She must love her job.

  Pretty soon, all the models were dressed and ready to start shooting. I followed the group into an adjacent bedroom that looked like it had come straight from an old castle. All kinds of lights and reflectors brightened the room. A large four-poster bed sat in the middle, a huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and gaudy red-and-gold–patterned wallpaper decorated the walls. The room was almost the complete opposite style of the clothes the models were wearing, and somehow, it worked.

  Once all of them were in the room, Liam said, “You’re rock stars. I want tough, strong poses. No smiles, understand? There’s a lot going on behind you, so I need you to really stand out, and don’t forget that you’re selling the clothes. Make yourself big.” He lifted his camera and got down on one knee on the floor before he clicked away.

  I stood there for the next hour, watching each model pose alone first before they began pairing up. I was really impressed with Brandon, and Liam seemed to be really pleased with his work. Brandon made it look so effortless. He looked just like he had the night I’d first met him—dangerous and seductive.

  Liam was showing Brandon some of the shots from his camera when my phone rang in my purse. Brandon turned to look at me as I fished it out, and I pointed toward the door to let him know I’d be leaving to take the call. He nodded and continued talking to Liam.

  As soon as I stepped out of
the room, I looked down at my phone and to saw it was Derek.

  I rolled my eyes and answered, “Hello?”

  “Penny.”

  “Hey, I’m kind of busy. What’s up?” I asked in a low voice as I made my way down the long hallway and toward the stairs.

  “We need to talk.”

  I could hear an edge of anxiety in his voice.

  “Can’t it wait? Is everything okay?”

  He was silent for a few seconds before he blew out a breath. “Yeah. Yeah, everything’s fine. I just have something I need to tell you, but I’d rather not do it over the phone. Can we meet somewhere?”

  “I can’t. I’m in Raleigh.”

  “What are you doing in Raleigh?”

  I stopped on the stairs and sighed. It was none of his business, but I wasn’t in the mood to fight with him again.

  “I’m here with a friend. Why can’t you just tell me over the phone? Is it really necessary that you tell me in person? I mean, how bad could it be?”

  “I got her pregnant.”

  My breath stopped as my eyes moved to the large windows facing the fountain outside. I stared at the moving water as my heart began to ache in my chest.

  “I got her pregnant.”

  I blinked and was surprised by the tears that fell down my cheeks.

  “Penny?”

  I swiped the tears from my eyes and continued walking toward the front doors. I could feel my heart hardening in my chest. “Yeah, I’m here.”

  “I’m sorry to tell you like this. I just thought you should know. I didn’t want you hearing—”

  “Congratulations. I guess you got exactly what you’ve always wanted.”

  Hanging up before he could respond, I walked out into the courtyard and sat on a bench as I stared at the fountain. Sighing, I wiped more tears from my face and stared at the endless flow of water in front of me.

  I’d thought Derek was done breaking my heart. I had fooled myself into thinking he didn’t matter anymore, but I was wrong. Knowing I hadn’t been enough for him would always haunt me, and it would always hurt.

  I couldn’t help but wonder how long he’d known.

  Has he been sleeping with her this entire time? Did he know she was pregnant all those times he called me and begged me to take him back, or is she the center of his universe now?