Her knees rise, and hot blue eyes meet mine. “Fuck me, John.”
She doesn’t have to ask twice. I catch a knee with my forearm, lifting it higher as I bury deep, thrusting hard and fast. Her back arches, and she moans. Rotating her hips like a dancer, she blows my mind.
We move in a primitive dance, like the waves on the ocean. Leaning down, our mouths collide, and it’s all instinct and desire. The air is filled with soft moans and low grunts, It doesn’t take long before we’re coming again. Her insides clench, and I kiss her small breasts. I drag my mouth higher, kissing her shoulder, behind her ear. I taste the sweet salt of her skin.
She’s velvet and sugar and spice. She’s hot liquid and warm depths. She’s my best fantasy come to life. She’s the promise of a better life ahead, something richer and fuller.
Something true.
We’re coming down, and I quickly dispose of the condom before gathering her in my arms again. This time her back is to my chest, and my arms wrap over hers. My face is at her ear, and I kiss her neck.
She exhales a laugh, and I do it again. It makes me smile to feel her happy in my arms.
It makes me do something I haven’t done in years.
It makes me believe in a bright future waiting at the end of this long, dark road.
“I’ll drive you to your apartment.” Hope is sitting on a barstool across from me, holding a piece of jelly toast in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other.
She’s the cutest ray of sunshine in faded jeans and a long-sleeved green sweater.
“Thanks.” Taking out my black iPhone, I study the face. “The confession is stuck on this phone. I’m guarding it with my life.”
“Why don’t you back it up on a computer?”
“Don’t have one.”
Her brow furrows, and she looks around the cottage then back at me. “Isn’t that weird? Not so long ago everybody had a computer. Or at least a laptop.”
“Either way, I can’t lose this recording. Nothing can happen to this phone.”
“Why does that make me feel terrified?” Her voice is a whisper, and she stands, carrying her plate to the sink.
“Let’s get going. I’ll call my lawyer first thing and play it for her.” I tuck my shirt into my jeans. “Maybe she can record it through the phone.”
“Good idea.” Hope nods, snatching up the keys. “Did you get enough breakfast?”
“I’m good.” Polishing off my cup of coffee, I place it in the sink before catching her waist and pulling her to me. “You’re going to your restaurant?”
“My retail space,” she corrects me, and I can’t tell if saying it makes her sad. It seems not. “I’ve got to get what’s left out of there before the lease expires.”
“Let’s plan to meet up at noon.” Leaning down, I kiss her.
She melts into me, kissing me back.
I love how she does that.
“Your place or mine?” Her voice is sultry, but I don’t have time to carry her to the bedroom. It’ll have to wait.
“Here. We’ll come here.”
“I wish it were now.”
We’re out the door, and at this hour, it doesn’t take long to get from her beach house to my apartment in town.
As we drive, I take her phone and study the face. It’s a picture of her smiling on the beach, her blonde hair falling over one eye. “How would you feel about going back to Fireside with me? Once all of this is done.”
Her eyes are on the road, but a smile lifts the corner of her mouth. “I’d love to see everyone again, Scout and Jesse and your grandmother.”
“I don’t have your number.”
She parallel parks at the sidewalk in front of my apartment and takes her phone from me, unlocking it and handing it back. “Type in your number.” I do as she says, then she nods. “Now type in Scout’s.”
My brow furrows, but I do it. As soon as I’m done, she takes the phone again and quickly thumbs out a text. So that’s what Scout’s always bitching about.
Seconds later, my phone buzzes, and I lift it, reading her text on the face. Who’s up for another road trip?
It doesn’t take long for my brother to answer. Is this Hope? You found her?
I chuckle as my chest expands. Unlocking my phone, I slowly tap out. I found her.
She smiles, and when our eyes meet, hers are warm and glistening.
Leaning across the seat, I kiss her long and slow before I get out. Hell yeah, I found her, and I’m never letting her go again.
Before I get out, I think about what I’m about to do. “Everything’s going to change.”
“It’s going to be amazing.” Her voice is quiet, eyes bright.
Leaning in one last time, I kiss her soft lips, then I’m out the door, heading inside to call my lawyer and start our new life.
Only life never goes the way you choose.
Pacing my apartment, I listen to the phone ring. Checking the time, it’s after eight. I guess my lawyer doesn’t get into her office until nine, but she’s got to have an answering service or a machine or something.
A loud banging on my front door makes me disconnect. I’m holding the phone, looking down as I go to it, thinking about that text Hope sent, thinking about another road trip.
“Can I help you?” My voice has an edge. I’m not expecting a delivery.
I don’t think Clyde would come here, but I’m not certain. I am certain I could kick his ass, but would he bring a gun?
“Open the door, Dunne. It’s Deputy Blank.”
My chin draws back. What the hell is my parole officer doing here? I turn the locks and remove the chain. I’m just turning the doorknob when it flies inward on me, causing me to take a few steps back.
“What the hell?” The words barely leave my lips, before I’m surrounded by masked cops, jerking my hands behind my back. “Hold up!”
My phone slips from my grip and falls, hitting the wood floor with a crash. My stomach crashes with it, and I try to dive for it.
My struggle gets me a knee to the ribs, knocking the wind out of me. Still, desperation twists in my chest. That phone is everything.
“Stop resisting, asshole.” The men gripping my arms aren’t asking questions or reading my rights. Handcuffs are slapped over my wrists, and they jerk me upright, pushing me towards the door.
No… My throat is tight. My heart thuds fast in my chest. My entire future is slipping away with that shattered phone lying on the floor.
Hope…
“Why are you doing this?” My voice cracks.
I’m still struggling, needing to get my phone, but the more I twist, the tighter they grip my arms, pulling them behind me so hard, I think my joints will pop.
“Please…” I gasp, blinking the heat in my eyes.
“Don’t make me tase you.” The biggest guy growls at my ear.
He’s holding my arms behind my back, and he drags me up so straight, my feet nearly lift off the floor. It hurts like hell, then his black boot heel lands directly on my phone’s face.
“God… NO!” I shout. “I’ll go with you. Just stop… My phone.”
The first guy, the smaller of the two, looks down to where his partner’s foot is on the device holding my key to freedom. “Is this your personal device?”