Liquid & Ash Read online

  My body bowed on top of him, and his erection pressed against the warmth between my legs, my juices coating him. He began slowly lifting his hips and teasing my opening.

  “Oh God, you feel so good,” I moaned.

  Brandon’s hand went under his pillow where he pulled out a condom and handed it to me. I straightened my back, straddling his waist, as I ripped it open with my teeth. Reaching behind me, I rolled it onto him as his hooded eyes closed with pleasure. Holding on to the base of his shaft, I lifted my hips higher and guided the tip inside me. His eyes opened again, and we gazed at each other as I gradually moved my hips down an inch at a time. His back arched, and his fingers dug into my thighs as I took all of him inside me. I circled my hips, and he was so deep. I was lost to the power I had over him, and the sensations overtook my body.

  Leaning forward, I put my hands on his tattooed chest as I lifted myself back up. His hands moved to my hips, holding me still, as he pumped himself in and out of me faster. I cried out as his thighs smacked against my ass, and he pounded himself deeper and deeper each time.

  Rolling, Brandon tossed me onto my back, his cock still buried deep inside me, as he kicked his jeans all the way off. Resting his elbows on either side of me, he leaned down and kissed me hard as he shoved himself further inside. Clearly done with giving me control, he fucked me and swallowed my moans as they left my lips.

  When I broke the kiss, my muscles tightened, and my eyes squeezed shut as an orgasm approached and quickly uncoiled before exploding inside me. My body shook, and I whimpered as Brandon watched, never slowing his movements. I panted, and he surprised me by pulling out and rolling me onto my side. He got behind me and positioned himself at my opening before pushing himself back in. He kissed and licked my shoulder as he hooked his elbow under my knee, spreading me wider.

  “I love your fucking pussy, Penelope. Goddamn, you make me so fucking hard.”

  I listened to him panting as he thrust wildly into me.

  I turned my head, and Brandon let go of my leg to hold my chin in his hand. As he attacked my mouth with his, the intensity of his pace grew with each slide of our tongues. He bit my bottom lip before he released my chin and rubbed my clit with his fingers. My eyes rolled back into my head as I moaned. He reawakened my nerves, and another climax approached.

  “Come on my dick. Come on, come with me,” he whispered as he hooked his elbow under my knee and lifted my leg higher.

  I screamed, “Oh God! Oh God! Oh God!” as my body completely submitted to his, and I came hard, bursts of heat and light exploding through me.

  Brandon hissed out a breath as he felt me squeezing and pulsing around him. His arm flexed as his hips slowed, but his strokes got more forceful. I felt his mouth on my neck, his teeth clamping on my skin as he came.

  He let go of my leg and wrapped his arm around me as we both fought to catch our breaths, our hearts hammering inside our chests.

  “That was hot,” I said as my breathing finally returned to its normal rhythm.

  Brandon slowly pulled himself out of me, and we both sucked in a breath as we felt the separation. We just lay there for a minute with him resting his head on my bare chest while my fingers lightly stroked his back. It was intimate, it was wonderful, and it was dangerous. Almost as if he’d come to the same realization, Brandon abruptly sat up and went to the edge of the bed. The angels on his back watched me as he pulled the condom off and tossed it in the trash.

  “I’m glad you came over,” he said, peering at me over his shoulder.

  I grinned, ignoring the sudden awkwardness in the room. “Me, too.”

  Standing up, Brandon started walking out of the room.

  I propped myself up on one elbow and said, “Hey.”

  He turned around to face me, and I lost my train of thought as I looked at him standing naked in the middle of the room.

  “Yeah?”

  I glanced down at the bed before meeting his eyes again. “I just wanted to say, thank you. This was the best weekend I’ve had in…I don’t know how long.”

  “You’re welcome.” He winked at me before he disappeared into the hallway.

  My stomach grumbled as I sat up. I was even hungrier now. I got out of Brandon’s bed, collected my clothes, and got dressed.

  When I walked out of the room, Brandon was sitting on his couch with a towel around his waist and a joint between his lips. He pulled it from his mouth and offered it to me.

  “No, thanks. I’m starving. I think I’ll attempt another trip to the grocery store.”

  Brandon chuckled. “Good luck.”

  “What are you doing tonight?” I asked as I dropped my flip-flops on the floor and slipped my feet into them.

  “You’re looking at it.” He rested his arm on the back of the couch.

  I smiled as I pulled my hair back into a messy bun. “Well, have fun.”

  “You, too.”

  I was in a daze as I pushed my shopping cart up and down the grocery aisles. I couldn’t help but feel like things were getting uncomfortable between Brandon and me.

  I’d noticed he always made sure to keep an emotional space between us, especially after we’d had sex. We never cuddled or anything like that, which was fine with me. I was in no way ready to risk my heart again. But I’d never had casual sex with anyone before. Maybe I was just being paranoid, but something didn’t feel right. Remembering what Brandon had said about his relationship with Destiny, I wondered if he felt the same way about me.

  Does he think I’m just using him?

  Yes, the sex was amazing, but Brandon was also my friend, and I wanted him to know that.

  As I walked down the next aisle, I tried to decide what I wanted to eat when I recalled a conversation I’d had with Brandon in Raleigh. He’d told me that he had a weakness for Mexican food, especially tacos. Smiling to myself, I collected all the ingredients I’d need. Cooking him dinner would be a small gesture, but I figured, in this situation, actions would speak louder than words.

  About thirty minutes later, I was parking my car in front of Brandon’s building again. I grabbed my grocery bags, made my way inside, and climbed the stairs to the second floor. As I approached his apartment, I began questioning my decision.

  What if he wants to be alone? What if someone else is there?

  Taking a deep breath, I decided to take the risk. I’d gone that far already. I heard Brandon laugh just as I knocked on the door, and my heart raced. Feeling foolish, I realized he probably hadn’t even given our situation a second thought. He was already laughing with someone else.

  A second later, his door swung open, and Brandon stood there in sweatpants and a white T-shirt. His eyebrows rose in surprise when he saw me, and his gaze moved down to the bags in my hand.

  “I…uh—” I stopped and chuckled, feeling like an idiot. “I thought I’d cook you some tacos, but if you’re busy…”

  Brandon’s face lit up with a smile, and he reached forward, taking the bags from me. “Come in.”

  He opened the door wider, and I took a tentative step inside, praying I wouldn’t find another woman sitting on his couch. I released the breath I’d been holding and grinned when I saw Madison sitting there instead. She gave me a shy smile and tucked her hair behind her ear.

  “You have enough to feed the three of us?” Brandon asked as he walked past me, taking the groceries into the kitchen.

  “Absolutely.” I put my purse down on one of his chairs. “Do you like tacos?” I asked Madison.

  She nodded, and I turned to see a cartoon playing on the television. I couldn’t help but like Brandon more for the way he looked out for her.

  “Great. Well, I’d better get to work then.” I smiled at her before following Brandon into the kitchen.

  He had already taken all the ingredients out of the bags, and he began pulling out pans and utensils for me to cook with. He glanced at me as I walked into the room.

  “What did I do to deserve all this?” he asked, turning to le
an against the counter.

  I washed my hands. “You’ve been a good friend to me. I just wanted to return the favor.”

  Brandon smiled and glanced at the floor before lifting his eyes back to mine.

  We gazed at each other for a few seconds, the air growing heavy around us, until he blinked and looked back toward the living room. “Well, I guess I’ll go watch some more cartoons. Unless you need some help?”

  “No,” I said waving my hand. “Go ahead. I’ve got it.”

  Pushing off the counter, Brandon surprised me when he brought me toward him and chastely kissed me on the lips.

  “Thanks,” he whispered, and then he left.

  I’d done well enough on my first two shifts at Induce that I was put on the schedule for the weekend. Since I was only serving, it wasn’t too far out of my comfort zone even though the atmosphere at Induce was totally different than Jackie’s.

  Almost all of my male customers flirted with me, and my tips had more than doubled already. If I worked weekends regularly, I had no doubt that I’d be able to pay for school in no time.

  I’d gone home with Brandon on both Monday and Tuesday night after work. Some of the other bartenders had come with us, but they’d only come to buy weed. They’d hung out for a little while but eventually left us alone, which was fine with me.

  I was having some of the best sex of my life with Brandon. It was nice to be with someone who was just as attentive to my sexual pleasure as his own. Our sex always stayed on the fun and dirty side of things, never getting too intimate. I thought we were both more comfortable that way…although I was beginning to wish he’d give me more.

  I woke up alone in Brandon’s bed on Wednesday morning, the sun warming my skin as it shone in from his windows. He walked in a few seconds later, naked and wet from a shower, as he scrubbed his hair with a towel. I grinned and stretched while I admired his perfectly sculpted muscles covered in intricate ink. Both of us were off of work until Friday, and I was in no rush to get out of his bed. I’d been getting a lot less sleep since I’d met Brandon. He rarely stayed in bed after we had sex. I wasn’t sure if he’d slept at all.

  “Hey,” he said as he dried his beard.

  I was beginning to love it although I still wondered what he looked like under all that hair.

  “Morning.”

  “You have to get up. I’ve got some errands to run.”

  So much for sleeping in.

  Brandon seemed preoccupied, even a little cold, and I sat up, trying to suppress the weird rejection I felt in my gut.

  “Okay. I’ve got some things to do today, too,” I lied, protecting my pride.

  I quickly got out of his bed and collected my clothes as Brandon continued getting dressed. Making my way into his bathroom, I closed the door behind me and looked at myself in his mirror.

  Maybe he’s growing tired of me.

  I combed my hair away from my face with my fingers and stared into my green eyes. I couldn’t do this to myself again. Brandon was my friend, and yes, we had amazing sex, but we weren’t a couple. I didn’t want a boyfriend. I was supposed to be finding myself again, not looking for someone else to get lost in.

  As I pulled on my clothes, I thought about Tiffany. I needed to track her down and make her talk to me. My friendship with her was a lot safer than the one I had with Brandon. I decided I’d go to her house to check on her and make sure everything was okay. Despite Brandon’s opinion of her, she’d been there for me when I needed her, and I knew I should be there for her, too. I knew she’d said she was sick, but I could tell she was hiding something from me, and I intended on making her talk. She’d do the same for me.

  After using the bathroom, I walked into the living room where Brandon had a mug of hot coffee waiting for me. Perhaps it was an apology for his cold demeanor.

  “So, have you heard anything back from those nursing programs?” he asked as he sat down. He took a sip from his cup.

  I’d told him about the overseas nursing programs I’d applied to, and he’d said he thought it was a great idea. I’d even shown him some of the websites, and we’d discussed which countries I’d want to visit the most. It was nice to have someone supporting my goals and encouraging me.

  “No, not yet.”

  “Well, don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll hear something soon.”

  “Believe it or not, I’m not worried,” I told him with a smile before taking a sip from my coffee.

  He raised his eyebrows and peered over at me. “You’re not?”

  “Nope. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll do something else,” I said with a shrug.

  “Wow. I’m impressed.”

  “You must be rubbing off on me.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk before he took another sip. We drank together in silence for a couple of more minutes before I decided it was time to leave.

  “Well, I’d better head out. Talk to you later?”

  “Yeah.”

  Going over to the back of the couch, I grabbed my purse, and then I went to walk past him when he grabbed my wrist. I was startled when he pulled me closer and kissed me. My body melted against him as his demanding tongue slid into my mouth, and his soft lips sucked on mine. When he finally broke the kiss, my eyes were closed, and I had a hard time opening them again.

  “Bye.”

  I opened my eyes to see him grinning at me. “Bye.”

  After going home to shower, I sent a text to Tiffany, asking how she was feeling, but she didn’t respond, so I got dressed and drove over to her house. I was a little offended that she had been shutting me out. I hadn’t given her any reason to think I wouldn’t be there for her.

  When I pulled up, Brian’s car was parked in the driveway. I knew Tiffany had kept our friendship a secret from him, so I wasn’t sure how he’d react, knowing I was there, especially since I was his boss’s soon-to-be ex-wife. I was sure he wouldn’t want Derek to know what had been going on between him and Tiffany.

  Taking a deep breath, I moved my sunglasses to the top of my head as I walked toward their front door. It was quiet inside, and I assumed it was a good sign. I knocked, and the door opened a few seconds later.

  Brian looked like he’d just woken up. He smelled like liquor, and his eyes were bloodshot. He reminded me a lot of myself six months ago. His eyebrows furrowed when he realized who had knocked on his door.

  “Hi. Um, is Tiffany here?”

  “No,” Brian drawled like I should have known she wasn’t.

  “Well, do you know where she is? I’ve been trying to call her, but—”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “Why the fuck do you want to talk to Tiffany?”

  My eyebrows drew together as a feeling of dread washed over me. Something wasn’t right. “Because we’re friends.”

  Brian’s head jerked back. “You’re, what?”

  “We’re friends,” I said again, my tone holding an edge of defiance. “Now, do you know where she is or—”

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he muttered, looking past me, as he put his hands on the top of his head.

  He stood there for a second, and then his expression changed as realization dawned on him.

  “You don’t know, do you?” he asked, his eyes coming back to mine.

  “Know, what?” I could already feel my blood pumping harder through my veins, fear and anxiety filling them.

  “Wow,” he breathed, scrubbing his hand over his face. “What a scandalous bitch. I can’t believe—”

  “What?” I asked impatiently.

  “You want to find Tiffany?” Before I could answer, he said, “Why don’t you go ask your fucking husband?”

  I stood there, my body and mind freezing, as his words twisted their way through my heart. “What?” I asked again although I was sure I’d heard him.

  “Yeah. Your friend, my wife, has been fucking your husband for almost a year,” he spit.

  I couldn’t handle the truth in his eyes, so I look
ed down at the ground while my mind fought to understand what he had said.

  Tiffany and Derek? Tiffany was the one…it was Tiffany the whole time? The whole time!

  My eyes snapped back to his, and I could feel my hands balling into fists as I remembered all the times I’d confided in her, all the drinks we’d shared while talking about Derek and how much of a bastard he was, all the questions she’d asked me about our relationship and our sex life.

  That bitch!

  Without another word, I ran back to my car and got in the driver’s seat. I turned the key in the ignition, my hands shaking from the adrenaline coursing though my veins.

  She’s pregnant. She’s fucking pregnant! How could she do this? How could he do this? Did he know we were friends?

  I hardly remembered the drive to Derek’s apartment. I wasn’t even sure how I’d found it again. I’d only been there once before.

  As I parked my car, I wasn’t sure who I was angrier with—Tiffany or Derek.

  Yes, Derek was the one who had cheated on me, but when I’d confronted him, at least he had been man enough to live up to his mistakes.

  But Tiffany…Tiffany had known exactly what was going on, and she’d pretended not to. She was the one fucking my husband. Tiffany, the same woman who had told me to leave him, the same woman who had introduced me to Brandon and encouraged me to sleep with him. Tiffany, the same woman who’d shown up at my door, crying, just one week ago.

  By the time I made it to Derek’s front door, I was livid. I lifted my fist and banged on his door as hard as I could. I kept banging until it unlocked, and Derek opened it, wearing nothing but his boxers.

  “Penny? What’s going on?” he asked, confusion washing over his features, as he looked out into the hallway.

  “Where is she?” I growled.

  “What? Who?” he asked, inching the door closer to his side.