Striker's Waltz (Seattle Sound Series Book 6) Read online

  I frowned. “There are many jobs for such positions here in Seattle.”

  She glared at me. “Which is why there are a bajillion coders in the city.”

  Once again, I managed to say the wrong thing to this woman. Mierda. I was off my game.

  “Do you have plans for the night?”

  “No,” she grunted, staring at the TV.

  “Hi, Teo,” Preslee said from behind me. I turned to face her and my breath caught. She wore a light purple halter top outfit like the iconic white dress Marilyn Monroe wore. When she walked toward me, the skirt split to show the bottom was wide-legged pants. She paired it with some simple gold hoops and a necklace with a large purple flower that hit right above her cleavage. I managed to clear my throat.

  “You look lovely.” I raised her hand to my lips. At the last second, I turned her hand palm up and kissed her there, letting my tongue flick out and touch her pulse point just below her thumb. She inhaled sharply, her eyes darkening.

  “I brought you these.” I held out the green lilies I’d been holding by my side. “They reminded me of your eyes.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. They’re lovely. I’ll just put them in water.”

  Brenna’s eyes were heavy on my face as Preslee sashayed into the kitchen. Once she was out of sight, I dropped my gaze to Brenna’s, catching the hurt in the twist of her lips.

  “Why don’t you order out—my treat. Noah mentioned you’re a fan of Lo Mein.”

  Brenna pressed her lips together in a tight line and shook her head. I shrugged and stepped back, giving her the space she wanted.

  “Good seeing you.” I pulled my hands from my pockets and placed one at the base of Preslee’s spine, just above the luscious curve of her culo as she joined me by the door.

  “Yeah,” Brenna said. “You, too.”

  She turned back to the television, not bothering to tell Preslee goodbye. I waited until we were in the elevator before I broached the subject. “Your roommate doesn’t like me.”

  Preslee’s angel brows pulled low before she smiled. “She doesn’t like anyone I date. It all came to a head with Oren, obviously.”

  She played with the latch on her small silver purse. “Doesn’t that bother you?”

  “A lot. She’s always been jealous of my time and where I spend it,” Preslee continued, echoing her brother’s words. “But I can’t live my life for Brenna.”

  She looked at me from under her lashes as she moved farther back into the corner. She leaned back against the rail, causing her chest to thrust out enticingly.

  “I’m glad you invited me to dinner.”

  “I’m glad you accepted. I like the idea of wining and dining you.”

  “Why’s that?” she asked as the elevator dinged. I held out my arm, placing it at the small of her back as we stepped from the elevator. I loved the feel of her hips swaying in her high-heeled sandals.

  “Because I like spending time with you.”

  “You could’ve bought me pizza to share in your condo.”

  “Ah, but then I couldn’t show you off. And everyone deserves to see my beautiful, talented date. All the men tonight wishing they were me.”

  She regained her equilibrium and her lips quirked up. “I think the ladies are all going to want to gouge my eyes out with their utensils when they see you in that suit.” She brushed her fingertip down my lapel. “I never understood the term suit porn before. But on you… Hmmm, I like.”

  I leaned in, inhaling her soft fragrance. “As much as I love this outfit on you. I’ve been trying to decide if you’re wearing a bra since you stepped out of your room.”

  “You’ll have to wait to find out until you take me back to your place after dinner.”

  I groaned. “That pizza is starting to sound like a better option.”

  The look she gave over her shoulder could only be classified as a smolder. “But then you wouldn’t get to show me off.”

  14

  Preslee

  He drove to Altura. I laughed as he helped me from the car.

  “You remembered all this time?”

  He brushed my bangs off my forehead. “Your brother reminded me it’s your favorite. Let’s go feed you some pasta.”

  I bit my tongue, unsure how to take his remark. So, he didn’t remember me mentioning this place or was he being sweet to ask Noah? Either way, my mouth already watered. Pasta was my weakness.

  Discreet—and not so discreet—cameras focused on us as we were seated at a table in the corner of the restaurant. I tensed, wanting nothing more than to fade back into the background. With a deep breath, I focused my attention on my gorgeous dinner companion. The waiter came up and asked if we’d like to hear the small-bite plates and drink specials.

  “I’d prefer the wine pairing, please.”

  Teo nodded. “Same. Thanks.”

  “Would you like to place your order now or should I bring you the first glass of wine.

  “I know what I want,” I said, clutching the menu to my chest.

  Teo winked. “Pasta?”

  I smiled as I nodded. We placed orders for our meal before our drink order, then settled back in our chairs.

  I tried to ignore a camera’s flash.

  “I’m sorry about them,” Teo said, leaning in.

  “It’s fine. You’re hot stuff.” I winked.

  But he refused to let me keep it light. “I know they make you nervous.”

  I kept my gaze down in my lap. “Not them. I don’t mind having my picture taken.”

  “You’re worried Oren will see and react?”

  I smoothed my napkin as I settled deeper into the leather chair, debating what to say. Noah must have given Teo the rundown on Oren’s threats.

  The waiter brought our wine and I smiled my thanks as he set it down.

  “First, I need to say that I want to be with you. I’ve thought through what that means, and I understand I’ve once again put myself out into the media spotlight.”

  “Noah said you haven’t sang in public or played soccer—anything that could gain you media attention—in six years.”

  “Because Oren didn’t like when other men looked at me. He told me my clothes attracted the wrong attention or performing made men think I wanted sex.”

  I knew what that was—emotional abuse. I spent the better part of the past six years working through my issues. But I still hated how stupid I’d been to trust him, to let him break me down that way. He destroyed my confidence long before he kicked in my ribs and bruised my face.

  My teeth slid out to nibble at my bottom lip. “It’s part of why I got spooked. He called me after…after the lawyers came to an agreement and all the news stories. I didn’t pick up the phone, but he left me a message. All it said was he didn’t share.”

  I forced a smile. “As you said, that was six years ago. I’m sure he’s forgotten me.”

  If Teo’s long look was any indication, the attempt at good humor looked as fake as it felt.

  “I knew the drill when I invited you to dinner, Preslee. I’m here. You can ask anything of me. Your brother would help, too.”

  “This situation is my responsibility. I let him into my life. I don’t want anyone to get hurt for me. Because of me.”

  Teo opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “The security at the symphony keeps an eye out for Oren, as does the security at our condo. Any time I go anywhere, I’m with someone else and I try hard not to be out after dark. Those were all the precautions the police gave me when I filed a restraining order. And so far, those steps have worked.”

  Teo picked up my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Sometimes you need to take the help you’re offered because others want your happiness as much, maybe more, than you do.”

  I scoffed, but he just kept his gaze steady as he leaned in and cupped my chin, holding my face steady as he brushed his lips over mine. We both kept our eyes open, our breath mingling before our lips touched. Our eyes locked in an embrace as intimate as the brief lick
from Teo’s tongue against the inside of my bottom lip.

  This kiss morphed into something different.

  My feelings for Oren or any of my boyfriends in high school weren’t in the same universe as the emotions ricocheting through me as I kissed Matteo Cruz.

  I’d fallen hard for him while I watched him with the kids. His desire to see me home—and safe—softened my heart further, only to break it when he pushed me away. But now… I was willing to fight for a chance at happiness with him.

  The waiter brought out our small plates and we settled in to our meal. Our talk remained on lighter topics—my brothers’ youthful antics, mainly. We spoke of our favorite venues to play. Teo’s skewed toward Europe while I liked some of New England’s.

  Two and a half hours later, I was drowsy and full, completely replete from the food and wine.

  “Dessert?” the waiter asked.

  I shook my head. Much as I liked treats, I wanted something else more. Teo’s eyes locked on mine.

  “We’re good,” Teo said. “The bill would be fabulous.”

  The chemistry built between us again—not that it hadn’t been there before. Our dinner was fun, easy, but the mood shifted the longer Teo stared at my mouth. I picked up my wineglass and his pupils dilated.

  “Come home with me, Preslee.”

  “Yes.”

  “I want to make love to you.”

  “You better,” I whimpered.

  “You aren’t leaving my bed. For days.”

  “Okay.”

  Teo grinned as he tugged me up; he dropped a pile of cash on the table before getting up and quickly stepping to my side to pull out my chair.

  I stood as he took my hand and led me to the exit. I lengthened my stride to keep up with him. “A little impatient, there, aren’t you, buddy?”

  “I’ve dreamed of us together. I want to run my tongue across your skin, right here.” He raised his hand until the tips of his fingers glided down my neck. “This long line of your throat. I want to hold your breasts in my hands as I kiss my way up your spine.”

  Teo stopped at the valet, who smothered a grin. I should be embarrassed the college kid heard Teo’s comments. I wasn’t. My breasts ached for the warmth of Teo’s mouth.

  The car ride took too long. My oversensitized skin grew hotter with each heartbeat. Teo held my hand the whole trip, placing my palm high on his thigh when he needed to turn into our building.

  Once we were on his floor, he pressed me back against the wall next to his apartment door as he fumbled for his keys. I ran my hands up over his chest and nipped at his chin.

  He dropped the keys. I sucked my lips into my mouth to fight back the giggle bubbling up. He bent picked them up. Straightening, he covered my body with his, his mouth hot and coaxing over mine as he kissed me and kissed me. I fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, giving up and instead pulling the tail from his tailored pants.

  “Inside. Now.”

  Teo shoved the key in the lock and swung open the door. He picked me up with his free arm and deposited me inside. My bag slammed against the floor, followed by his keys. He kicked the door shut, his hands in my hair.

  “Lock the door.”

  He looked confused, his head bent toward me.

  “Lock the door. Please?” I gave him a gentle shove. Ensuring my secured privacy was one of the many precautions I took since Oren’s attack. Not that I wanted to say that now to kill the mood. I sighed with relief when Teo turned to lock the door, and I kicked off my heeled sandals and yanked off my wrap. My fingers felt clumsy as I undid the pearl clasp on my jumpsuit. Teo turned back to face me as I lowered the zipper.

  “I want you in my bedroom. If you undress here, I’ll take you here.”

  I raised an eyebrow, the ache between my legs intensifying. “Where?”

  “I might not make it past the door. I need you, Preslee.”

  I shimmied out of the top of my halter, and Teo’s eyes widened. “No bra. Santa Maria, you’re gorgeous.”

  I brought one of his big hands up to my breast, stepping between his splayed legs to give him better access to my overheated flesh. My jumpsuit slithered to pool at our feet. His breath hitched, his grip firming.

  “You made me a promise.”

  “You have to learn to listen,” Teo growled. He backed me up against the couch, hooking one of his large, warm palms just above my knee as he pressed me back. I clutched his shoulders, my hips tilting into his as I began to lose my balance. “Or not.” His smile turned predatory.

  He followed me down onto the couch, his teeth nibbling from my ear down to my collarbone.

  “Make love to me, Teo. I haven’t been able to sleep because I’ve needed you so badly.”

  “Oh, I like hearing that. And I intend to.” He smiled again, his head pressed into my right breast. My panties were boy shorts, my favorite style, in the same soft lavender color as my outfit. They hugged my hip bones and Teo ran his finger in the slight gap over my stomach.

  He sat up all the way and pressed his lips to my tight, pouting nipple. I drowned in sensations. My skin burned, plumped and primed. His fingers kneaded my breast, rolling the nipple between thumb and forefinger as he tongued the other. I speared my fingers back through his hair, needing him even tighter against my body.

  I gripped the collar of his shirt and yanked down. He laughed at my impatience but helped me rid him of his button-down and T-shirt. He pressed his palm into my lower back. We both groaned when our naked flesh touched.

  “You feel better than I remembered.” I looped my arms around his neck and plastered myself to his front. One of his hands cupped my left rear cheek through my panties while the other slid back to my nape. He kissed me again. Then again and again. His tongue set my entire body singing with need. I moaned, writhing against him.

  He took his time, drawing out the nuances of my reactions, testing them, testing me to see what I liked best, the amount of pressure against my skin I preferred. Once he found the point, he kept it there. His hand caressed my hips, molding the supple flesh to his hand. His lips left mine to trail down my neck. My pulse ratcheted up. He nipped at my neck before licking the pulsing vein.

  My hands slid from his shoulders, down his back to his narrow waist. I gripped it tightly before I slid my palms over his hard abs. I let my hands drift upward into the springy hair on his chest, then slid my middle finger down to the V at his hip, to the waistband of his dress slacks.

  “I like you like this. Covered in a flush of arousal.”

  He dipped his head and suckled at my breast again. My core clenched tighter, tiny pulses shivering through the sensitive flesh.

  I gasped. He grinned against the cushion of my breast as he slid over the smooth plane of my stomach. He pushed my panties down and cupped me through my short, neat curls. The tiny pulses there built.

  “You seem worked up, Pres. What do you need?”

  “To come,” I gasped. I hadn’t meant to say that. I meant to tell him I needed him.

  “Spread your legs wider.”

  I gripped his shoulders and did as he asked. His hand slid up into my folds. Those tiny ripples swelled up into a tidal wave of need. I pressed hard into his finger, urging him on as my mouth slammed into his. My teeth caught his lower lip, and he growled into my mouth as he pressed a second finger into my tight channel. I moaned into his mouth, bucking my hips. He pumped his fingers into me once. Twice. The little pulses became thick, powerful waves as the orgasm slid over me. I bucked against him, twisting both into and away from the extreme pleasure. I tore my mouth from his and screamed his name.

  The orgasm clutched and clawed through my whole body, deep and visceral. Finally, with a last shudder, I lay quiet, drifting, floating in a soft, sweet place I’d never before visited.

  15

  Teo

  She woke in tiny increments. Her lips twitched as she snuggled down into the pillow. She turned and stretched, her long limbs pulling her body taut and thrusting her breasts into shar
p relief. They were soft, pink-tipped and pouty. I drew my thumb across the upper slope of her right breast as her eyes flew open. I cupped the warm weight in my hand, my thumb rolling over the crest.

  She smiled and scooted closer even as her body flushed with shyness. I loved this dichotomy of the temptress wrapped within a shy, intelligent woman.

  “You carried me to your room?”

  “Seemed more comfortable than the couch.”

  “I’ve never fallen asleep like that before.”

  “I’ve never been with a woman who fell asleep screaming before,” I chuckled.

  “That second time…you wore me out.”

  “Now I know how to sedate you.” I winked.

  The blush rolled over her skin down to those perky globes I still palmed in my hand. I leaned in and kissed the side of her warm neck. She smelled good, better now that arousal warmed her skin.

  “I’ve never been so assertive either,” she said, her lids drifting down to cover her sparkling eyes.

  I pressed a kiss to her cheekbone. “I liked your need.”

  “Did you take the time to thoroughly check me out?”

  “Of course. I’ve been checking you out in your clothes since I met you,” I said with a sly smile.

  “Hmm. I like that.”

  I nipped her earlobe. “I like you naked better.”

  She laughed and rolled over so that she lay atop my chest. She leaned down and kissed me. Her lips were warm. I gathered her closer, needing to feel her heat against my skin.

  “I like you better naked, too.”

  I scowled, trying to control the blood pooling in my crotch. Nothing compared to the feeling of Preslee’s eager body pressed to mine. I didn’t have much self-control around her to begin with, and she quickly pushed me to my limit.

  I brought her forehead down to mine. She trailed a finger over my stomach, swirling it around my belly button. What little blood remained in my brain sank to mi pene.

  “I have a fantasy of you and me together.” Her voice, soft but rich, like warmed cream, slid across my skin.