Sacrifice For Love Read online

  “Looks great, baby. What else are you gonna do today?” I kiss her lips quickly.

  “Well, I’m gonna need a new cell phone. I’m sure Daddy will shut mine off, if he hasn’t already, and I thought Irish and I could do a little shopping. I don’t want to spend too much money although I have quite a bit in my bank account but I want to help out around here.” I had a feeling this would come up but I thought it would be later.

  “I don’t want you to worry about money, Taren. I make enough to pay for the apartment, utilities and food. You just spend it on yourself. I want you to relax and feel like this is your place also but I’m the bread winner around here.” I laugh and she does too, but then she begins to play with an imaginary piece of lint on my shirt.

  Her eyes are bright as she looks up at me. “Well, that’s very caveman of you.” I laugh, and her smile widens.

  “Sweetheart, do what you want to our apartment and here….” I reach into my front pocket as she steps back, pulling out my cell phone, turning her hand over and putting it in her palm. “Take this until you get your own. If I need to call or text you, I’ll use Kane’s.”

  “But….”

  “No, take it. I don’t want you out there anywhere or here without a way to get ahold of me. Call or text me anytime and I’ll let Kane know.” Her lips squish into the most adorable pout. “Do it for me. It’ll make me feel better.”

  She signs and nods. “Okay. But I’ll get a new one when I’m out today with Irish. I love you,” she whispers as she leans up against me and kisses my mouth.

  God, she’s making it hard to leave. I wish I could stay and hold her in my arms all day, cuddle in bed and make sweet love to her. I hate leaving her after what she went through last night. I kiss her back and then turn to walk to the front door. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Have a good day, babe,” she hollers as I shut the door.

  Damn! I love having her here but I hate leaving on her first day. It’s gonna be a long ass fucking day.

  Chapter Seven

  Taren

  After Brock left I turn around and look at the living room. It’s definitely been a bachelor pad. Before I start to clean I decide to start a load of laundry and get my cell phone. I grab a load of his colored clothes, put them in the washer, add soap and turn it on then go back into his room, our room, and dig for my phone in my purse. Even though our laundry was always done by Mimi, I watched and learned. I figured someday I would be out on my own and would need to know how. Of course I’m not surprised when I turn on my cell phone to find the number has been shut off. Daddy really works fast. I grab Brock’s phone and scroll through his contacts, feeling like I’m invading his privacy and find Irish then hit call.

  “God, Brock! This better be good at this hour and on my fucking day off,” she growls in the phone. I stifle my laugh. She never was a morning person even when she didn’t work late at night into the morning hours.

  “Irish. It’s me. Taren.” I wait and hear shuffling in my ear.

  “Taren? What the hell you doin’ using Brock’s phone?” She yawns and now I feel bad that I woke her. More shuffling and then another yawn. “What’s wrong, bestie?”

  “Well, I kind of moved in with Brock, last night, um, really late and I….”

  “Whoa, whoa, girl! You moved in? Last night?” She all but yells in my ear.

  “Should I call back later? Are you not awake enough to talk because you keep repeating….”

  More shuffling and more yawning. “No! I’m mostly awake. Give me fifteen minutes to take a shower, dress and I’ll be over. Hang tight.”

  “But….” The line goes dead and I quickly get up to run around the place and at least pick up. Shit! She can get ready faster than any girl I know and make it look like she spent hours on herself.

  Between Kane, Brock, Irish and me, we are all stair-stepped in age, each just about a year apart from the other. We always hung out together growing up and had so much fun. When Irish started working for Pops a couple of years ago I thought we’d never get to hang out much anymore. She worked most afternoons, most weekends, and into the late hours of the night, but she said she needed the money and liked to work. On her off times, she’s always working out at the gym. I swear she could be a nun as little as she dates. But she just tells me she’ll know when the right guy comes along. I just hope he comes along before she’s old and gray.

  A knock comes on the door in exactly fifteen minutes. How does she do that? I look around as I walk, checking out my quick cleaning effort, and open the door. “Hey, chica!” She passes me and goes right into the living room and sits down on the couch. I close the door and walk there, sitting down in the oversized recliner. “So, what’s been going on? Your dad kicked you out, didn’t he? That motherfuc….” I put my hands up and cringe. “Sorry. I guess he is your old man.”

  “Yes, he did. It was horrible but I knew it was coming, at some point. The main thing is now, I need to get a new cell phone. He’s already shut mine down.” I can see her anger boiling. Her fists clench as her face turns a light red.

  She stands and starts pacing the floor. “That asshat! God, he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. What about your mom? Is she standing behind him on this?”

  “Actually, I’m not sure but I don’t think so. I haven’t heard from her since it all happened but I think she’s on my side.” Remembering the look on Mom’s face when I was packing, the way she held me and cried. “I hope.”

  Irish stops mid-stride and turns to me. “Well, I think some shopping is in order and caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine.” She walks over, sits down again and smiles.

  “Yeah, well, a cell phone first. I want to get Brock’s back to him right after. Oh! And the bank! Then….” I look around the dingy walls and then back at her. “I think the hardware store for some paint.” Irish’s eyes light up and I know she’ll be great in helping me. “Then to the store for some much needed small appliances and things for the kitchen and groceries. That should start me off.”

  She leans forward, her arms resting on her legs as she claps her hands and rubs them swiftly. “I love the way you think, girl. Let’s do this!”

  I grab my purse from the small table by the front door and we head out to her truck. We run to the bank first and I create another new account, transferring all my money over to it. I was smart enough when I turned eighteen to get an account and every time Dad gave me money I would transfer it from the account he created for me into it. Mom is on this account, just in case something happened to me, and even though she says she’s behind us, I’m a little leery. I have more than enough money to help out for quite a while but I still need to get a job.

  After getting my new cell phone, I texted Brock, and we headed to the construction site so I could give him his back. We pull in to the lot, and all the guys turn their heads when we get out of Irish’s truck. She leans against her door as I walk to meet Brock. Nothing like getting leered and whistled at along with winks as I walk over. “Hey, baby.” He smiles then gives me a quick kiss. More whistling ensues, and I think my face turns beet red with the heat of embarrassment I’m feeling, not to mention the bright sun. His bruises are magnified by the light of day but at least his swollen eye is open. Makes him look all kinds of tough yet I still feel bad that it happened because of me. “Don’t mind them. They’re harmless.” Yeah, right.

  A light shines, hitting me right in my eyes. I turn my head towards the street. The sun glares off a black SUV. I squint, putting my hand over my eyes to shield them from the bright sun, and I almost could swear that’s Jeffrey in the driver’s seat. The car moves slowly by, the sun playing havoc with my sight and my head turns trying to follow it. “Uh, babe? You okay?” Brock’s voice pulls me back to him, and I smile. No need in getting him angry when I’m not for sure that it was Jeffrey, but I have the strangest feeling.

  “I’m good. Here’s your phone back. I put my new number in your contacts.” I hand him his phone and he tucks it in h
is front pocket looking at me with concern.

  His face softens as he looks over at Irish’s truck and then back at me. “And where are you ladies off to?” He takes my hand and suddenly everything around us moves out of focus, my eyes only seeing him.

  “Oh, we are going shopping, you know, girl stuff.” He smiles and moves closer until a loud whistle breaks our spell.

  “YO, BROCK!”

  He turns his head, and I look over his shoulder. Kane winks and cocks his head back at the building. Party pooper. Brock turns back around, rolling his eyes but chuckling. “Okay, I guess I gotta get back to work. You two have fun. I’ll see you when I get home. Fuck that sounds so good.” My smile couldn’t be any bigger as he leans over and gives me a quick kiss. I turn just as the whistling and name calling starts up, our hands still locked and pulling away when we finally release them, and I walk to Irish’s truck.

  “Damn, there are some fine looking guys here,” Irish mumbles as I walk around the front of her truck and then open the door, sliding onto the seat. After we both are buckled in, she starts it up and drives out of the lot.

  “Uh, Irish? You just said there were good looking guys there. Feeling okay?” I laugh.

  She pulls onto the street and turns her head to me. “What? I am a woman. Besides, there’s never any harm in looking.” She winks and then we’re on our way.

  We shopped for two hours, and I’m so excited about everything I got. Then we spent another three hours covering furniture and painting the walls in the living room and our bedroom and setting out the small appliances. By the time we hug goodbye, I am exhausted but happy. I unpack my things, did another two loads of laundry, and then took a much needed shower. I’m sitting on the couch with my laptop and looking at jobs online. I had to text Brock earlier to get the password for his internet. My head turns when I hear the lock click open on the front door, and I smile when the most gorgeous, filthy man walks inside. His head turns, his eyes immediately find mine. I watch the corner of his mouth turn up into a grin as he walks directly to me. I barely get my laptop set on the coffee table when he lifts me into his arms.

  I immediately put my arm around his neck, giggling ensues, but it stops as I place my hand against his face, and our lips collide. He starts carrying me to be our room then into the bathroom. He begins to set me down, my body sliding down his front and feeling every single ridge of his muscular body. My breaths come out in pants, and I see he’s equally affected when he presses his hardened cock against me. He leans down and starts kissing right below my ear, traveling down my neck. “I’m filthy. Need a shower,” he whispers as his mouth moves back up my skin.

  “You do smell a little raunchy,” I whisper back as I tilt my head to the side so he can reach more of me.

  He stops, smiling against my neck, then proceeds to kiss downward again. “I think I might be so dirty I’ll need help cleaning.”

  My eyes flutter close and I moan as my head leans back, his mouth latching onto some skin. “I think that can be arranged,” I whisper. His hand finds my breast, and I arch my back in response. His arm is holding me tightly around my back and in this position I feel as if I could fall, but I don’t think I’d feel it if I did. Coolness sweeps across my neck when I feel his mouth release my skin, leaving wetness behind. I open my eyes and see he’s staring at me, his eye swollen with dark purple all around it. Suddenly, I remember he was hurt and went to work today. I lean back up, his facial expression changing from desire to concern. My hands hold onto his shoulders, and I kiss his cheek, softly.

  “What’s wrong, Taren? Did I do something?” I watch his face change again into anger. “Did something happen today? What? Tell me?”

  Never has anyone cared about me so deeply, loved me so fully. “No, it’s not that. Everything’s okay but….” I place my hand on the side of his face but his facial expression doesn’t waver. “You’re hurt because of me. I know last night we…. Maybe we shouldn’t….”

  His smile appears and relief spreads across his face. He leans into me, kissing my forehead then my mouth. “I’m good, Taren. Okay, I’m a little stiff and sore, and I’m not gonna lie and say that work didn’t make me feel any better but a shower will.” He kisses me again, smiling against my lips. “You will feel great. Best medicine ever.” My heart beats faster with his words and the feeling of guilt fades, momentarily.

  Brock

  My ribs and face were throbbing by the time I got off work. I already got razzed all day from Kane about the beating I took and got the fifth degree about it. I explained what happened and he was fuming, stating we’re to have a family meeting at Pops later tonight.

  When I walked into the apartment, I couldn’t believe the transformation, but I really didn’t look at everything thoroughly because all I could think about was seeing my girl. She had on a loose tank top. Her feet were placed on the coffee table with her computer on her lap. I could see she was wearing black yoga pants that stopped mid-calf, showing her unblemished smooth skin. It doesn’t take much for my body to want her and just looking at her, in my apartment, our place, makes it even harder to stay away. I couldn’t take it anymore. I walked to her like I was the predator and she my prey but that’s kinda how I felt. I barely gave her time to set her laptop down before I had her in my arms and taking her to the bathroom. I’m in bad need of a shower but don’t want to be away from her, so I figured why not take one together. After feeling her luscious body slide against mine, my lips kissed their way down her neck then back up, stopping to suck on her skin. God she tastes so good. When she stilled I got concerned but when she told me she was worried about me, my heart just soared even more. God, I fucking love her.

  I helped her undress then she did the same for me. Gotta say getting my shirt off hurt my ribs as I try to pull it over my head. I turn on the shower, adjusting until it wasn’t too hot, then I pick up my naked girl and carry her in. She starts nibbling on my earlobe, driving me crazy. There was no more foreplay as I couldn’t take it anymore so I drove my cock into her as her legs wrapped around my waist. I was careful not to slam her against the tiled wall, putting one of my hands behind her head. Our hips rocked as we made love in a frenzy. We kissed, our tongues rolling over each other’s, and we barely came up for air. Her mouth leaves mine but her lips still parted, her forehead creases, and her moan echoes against the tiles, coming from deep within her. Sexiest sound in the world. It hits me hard, watching her orgasm completely rip through her, and I climax quickly after. “God, Taren!” I cry out then cover her mouth with mine. Her legs drop down in their weakness. My arm tightens around her as my hips buck a few more times, and I expel all that I have into her.

  She opens her eyes, looking down into mine. The corner of her mouth lifts, a slight pink color on her cheeks. “I love you,” she whispers. I kiss her again then ease my hold, letting her wet body down until her feet are stable on the ground.

  “I love you, baby,” I whisper back. She kisses me again then takes the soap in her hand and rubs it until there’s a good lather. She places her hands on my shoulders, pushing so I’ll turn around, and begins washing my back. Just her soft hands on my skin makes my cock start to harden again. I’ll never have enough of her.

  She finishes washing me, and I take my turn. I pay homage to every inch of her gorgeous body, taking special care of her breasts, then I turn off the water and dry my girl off. She puts on a silky tank top with a tight pair of jeans and after brushing out her hair, she kisses me and leaves the bedroom. I walk into my closet knowing I probably have no clean clothes, and my eyes widen when I see all of them hanging there. I can’t believe she did all my laundry. I quickly put on a clean wifebeater and jeans then walk out into the living room stopping when I see her in the kitchen. My shoulder presses against the wall as I watch her move about, taking something out of the oven, poking her finger in it then bringing it up to her mouth and closing her eyes as she sucks on it. Oh, to be that finger. She puts on oven mitts that I didn’t know I had, on her hands
and picks up the pan. She turns, and her eyes widen. Her face softens and the smile I live for, the one that takes my breath away, appears.

  “Oh, I made us some dinner.” She walks over to the table which is already set and sets the pan down on a folded dish towel, again something I’ve never seen before. I walk over and as she sits in her chair, I lean down and kiss her luscious lips then take my seat across from her. “Looks like you were very busy shopping today and cleaning.” She picks up my plate, a large spoon in her hand and looks at me, her eyebrows creasing.

  “You don’t like everything.” It wasn’t a question but a sorrowful statement. She starts spooning food onto my plate.

  “No! No, I love everything.” I look around and then back into her eyes that have now softened. “I don’t think I’ve seen it all, yet. I was pretty preoccupied when I got home.” I wiggle my brows, trying to lighten the mood that I somehow managed to dampen. “Taren, I hope you know I don’t expect you to clean up after me. I’ll try to do better and do my part. I’ve never really had someone live with me before. Thank you for doing all this.”

  Her mouth turns into a smile as she sets my plate in front of me then picks up her own, scooping up more food for herself. “You’re welcome. I’ve never lived away from home so this is all so new to me but I don’t mind cleaning, cooking, doing my part. Babe, right now you work hard all day so the least I could do was get your laundry done for you. I didn’t mind at all.” She winks and then places her plate in front of her. My heart soars with her love, and even though she’s here in less than great circumstances, I’m so glad she is.