Untangle Me (Love at Last #1) Read online

  The passion was palpable as he gripped the back of my neck, tilting my head up to give him deeper access. I opened to him, and his tongue swept inside, exploring my mouth. The kiss conveyed all the longing and passion we felt toward each other. My knees grew weak as the realization hit me that I was here—kissing him.

  Have I ever been kissed like this?

  His lips pulled away from mine, and I swayed a bit. “Let’s go inside,” he said as he steadied me and slammed the car door. “We’ll get your stuff later.”

  He snagged the keys from my hand, locked the car, and slid his hand into mine.

  I followed behind him, taking in my surroundings as we wound through the garden courtyard that led to his apartment. The units were stacked three high, lined with wooden porches connecting the doorways. Birds sang in the trees overhead as the sun cast shadows upon the ground.

  Stopping in front of the door, he gave my hand a quick squeeze before turning the handle. “The guys are excited to meet you.” He smiled.

  Another man sat in the living room, watching television with his hand shoved down his pants like Al Bundy from Married with Children.

  By the looks of it, a man had decorated the place because of the sparse, non-matching furniture and no decorations. It lacked the female touch and had only blank white walls.

  “Tom, this is Sophia. Sophia, this is Tom,” he said as we moved through the living room without stopping.

  “Hey,” Tom said, finally looking up from the television

  My belly began to dance again, but I walked behind Kayden with confidence and a smile. “Hey.” I waved to him as Kayden pulled me toward the hallway leading to his bedroom.

  Unlike the rest of the place, his bedroom matched and had a completely male feel, filled with modern black furniture, a flat screen television, and a few simple decorations.

  I turned around to face him, and his lips were on mine in a flash, guiding me backward. He kissed me deeply until the back of my knees hit the bed.

  How far will I let him go?

  I wasn’t sure, not even in that moment, but my mind flooded with images of him naked, and I knew I wanted him.

  He laid me on the bed and crawled on top of me, covering my body with his. Our hands moved across each other’s bodies quickly, exploring every inch of flesh. The man could kiss, and it was intoxicating. We’d spent so much time talking, teasing, that the sexual tension was almost suffocating.

  I’d lost all willpower due to his kiss, and his hands moved along my body, touching my breasts through my shirt and bra. I reached down, feeling his cock through his pants and gasped.

  Shit. He was large. Bigger than any man I’d been with before and I knew this wasn’t going be easy, but I wanted him just the same.

  He chuckled, but he didn’t stop as his lips blazed a trail of kisses down my neck, causing my body to break out in goose bumps. I wanted to feel his skin on mine, and I wasn’t about to stop him from having his way with me. It had been so long since anyone had touched me.

  He pulled my navy tank top down along with my bra, exposing my breast. His finger grazed my nipple, and pleasure shot through my body at the contact. When his mouth found my breast, I moaned and closed my eyes. I wanted this…wanted him.

  His smooth hands slid up my thigh and into my shorts, pushing my panties aside. I rubbed his head and scratched his arms, unsure of how to react as he sucked my nipple harder.

  Suddenly his head dipped down, and my stomach sank.

  Was I ready for this?

  He didn’t attempt to unbutton my shorts as he kissed down my stomach before his mouth covered me. He licked and sucked like a starved man, and I freely offered myself up as a meal.

  Pure ecstasy.

  He stopped abruptly and moved back up my body, kissing me on my lips. “We need to go, Sophia. Are you ready to hit the town?”

  “What?” One minute he was licking me in the most forbidden places, and now he wanted to leave?

  I gaped at him, confused and achy.

  He climbed off the bed and held out his hand to me. “We have to get out of here. If we don’t, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

  He’s right. My body felt like it was at the point of no return, but I knew what he was saying was true. If we went any further, if I let him fuck me now, we’d probably never leave his apartment.

  I rearranged my clothing and pulled my underwear back into place. “Okay,” I said, but I felt rejected and it stung.

  He helped me off the bed before I smoothed the wrinkles out of my clothes. I was at a loss for words as we walked out of the bedroom. In the heat of the moment, I’d forgotten about the guy sitting just a few feet away. My cheeks heated, and I started to sweat, feeling his eyes on me as we walked out the front door.

  As soon as we stepped outside, Kayden placed his lips on my cheek, pulling me closer. “I can’t wait to show you the beauty of New Orleans.”

  From this moment on, my life would never be the same.

  My fate was sealed.

  I thought I’d liked him before, but now…I knew it for sure.

  Kayden Michaels had my heart.

  8

  Sophia

  New Orleans

  DANGER was staring me in the face—the same sign that Kayden sent in a photo during his tour of the city. My mind was consumed by a haze of lust and disbelief after what had just happened in his bedroom.

  Kayden had had his mouth all over my body less than thirty minutes ago, and I didn’t want it to end. I couldn’t stop thinking about his rock-hard cock and the pleasure I felt from his mouth and large hands.

  Kayden leaned against the wrought-iron fence separating the street from the streetcar platform, pulling me against his body, and my body complied with his not so subtle coaxing. My head lolled back and rested on his shoulder.

  I couldn’t stop staring at the sign, even though I knew it wasn’t meant for me. Should I heed the warning? Kayden had already pushed me beyond my comfort zone within ten minutes of being in his presence. Am I out of my league with this man? My thoughts were interrupted when his lips brushed against my temple, and his thumb caressed my arm. The gesture was filled with love and adoration, and it took my breath away. I closed my eyes and became consumed in the feeling of his skin upon mine. I jumped when the streetcar whistle sounded to alert the waiting crowd of its nearness.

  I turned my body, wrapped my arms around his neck, and stared into his eyes. I was mesmerized by the color and depth. The green center was trimmed in a brassy brown hue, resembling a turbulent ocean during a storm, and I was drowning in them.

  “You told me your eyes were brown,” he said, “but they’re filled with gold and green flecks in the sunshine.”

  “No one has ever noticed that about my eyes before.” I was in shock that he noticed the complexity in my eyes as I had with his.

  “I want to know all of you…every spot on your body,” he said.

  I swallowed hard, and my mouth became dry as the words flowed through my ears and permeated my thoughts. I got lost in the possibilities that his statement held.

  “Come on, babe. The streetcar is here,” he said as he maneuvered my body toward the red and yellow streetcar.

  The streetcar was crowded, but we found an open bench in the back. The wooden seats were small and caused every inch of our sides to touch. His hand rested on my knee as he turned his body to look out the window. As the car glided down the tracks, Kayden pointed out city landmarks and told me stories about the Big Easy. The street was lined with long and thin shotgun homes in all the colors of the rainbow. Beads leftover from Mardi Gras clung to the electrical lines like a jeweled necklace decorating Canal Street.

  Kayden’s touch never broke from my body. He touched every inch of my uncovered flesh as the car shook and lurched to our final destination—there was electricity between us. The car stopped abruptly and brought me back to reality.

  “This is us,” he said as he stood and held out his hand for me.

&nbs
p; I rested my fingers in his palms as he helped me stand. He secured me under his arm as we started to walk down the busy street. The people of New Orleans were as colorful as the buildings.

  “There’s Bourbon Street,” he said, pointing across the street.

  My eyes followed his finger to a long, narrow street filled with people. I had heard about the decadence that can be found in New Orleans, but nothing prepared me for what awaited. My eyes grew wide as my feet touched the edge of Bourbon Street.

  The street was lined with burlesque shows and clubs, and girls stood in the doorways dressed in thongs and pasties. Their bodies convulsed rhythmically up and down the doorway, trying to tantalize the crowd to attend the show inside, and everyone was vying for business.

  Kayden squeezed my hand as he studied my face.

  “The whole street isn’t like this. It changes to bars and restaurants before you enter the residential area. Hold my hand so you don’t get lost in the crowd,” he said. “Have you ever been in a strip club?”

  “Not one with girls dancing, but I’ve gone to male ones.”

  “We’re going to keep it that way,” he said.

  Music streamed through invisible speakers filling the hot, humid air. Bodies were swaying with the beat as they meandered down the street. The brick facades were lined with black iron balconies packed to capacity. The strip clubs gave way to vibrant bars packed with people.

  “Want to get a drink?”

  “I’d love something sweet.”

  “I’ve got just the thing. It’s called a Hand Grenade, and it’s a New Orleans specialty.” He began to pull me down the street.

  “What’s in it?” I asked.

  “It’s a secret, but it’s filled with a bunch of different things. It’s sweet, but it’s strong too.”

  A line of people formed near a small window to order a Hand Grenade to go. Kayden ordered one for each of us, and the bartender placed two giant green plastic drink glasses on the counter. The container was made of neon green plastic, and a grenade shape was at the bottom. I had seen many people on the streets carrying them as they walked. Kayden handed me the drink, and my first sip was an explosion of fruity flavor across my palate. I swallowed a few refreshing gulps before taking a breath.

  “Slow down a bit. There’s a lot of liquor in the drink,” he stated as I removed the straw from my lips.

  “It doesn’t taste like there is any alcohol at all in it,” I said.

  “They’re easy to drink and go down smooth. Have you eaten today?” he asked.

  “I haven’t had much to eat, and I’m hungry,” I said.

  “Let’s get you something before you drink too much more,” he said.

  We sat on the stairs of the building next door and people watched while we finished our drinks. A drag queen directed traffic at the busy intersection, and the crowd followed his guidance, although some seemed confused. My legs began to tingle and feel like jelly. I needed to eat before I got drunk.

  We crossed the street to Yo Mama’s and entered the dimly lit doorway and went into the intimate dining room.

  “There’s an upstairs dining area. Let’s go up there to eat for more privacy,” he said.

  The upstairs was furnished with tables and a separate bar area. All of the seats at the bar were empty, and Kayden picked two in the middle for us to sit.

  “We can sit closer at the bar.” Kayden pulled out a chair for me, and I collapsed into it. My chair began to move, and my body lurched to the side when it came to an abrupt stop. Kayden had moved my chair close enough to his that our bodies touched.

  The bartender arrived a moment later to take our orders. Kayden ordered Jack and Coke, and I followed suit. My body was still vibrating from the nervousness and excitement of earlier in the day, and I thought one more drink would help calm me.

  “Want to split a burger?” I asked Kayden. I didn’t want to overeat, but I was starving.

  “Sure, how about a burger and salad?”

  “That would be fantastic. I’ll eat any type of burger,” I told him as I stroked his arm.

  “It won’t taste as good as you did. I can’t get the memory of your taste out of my mind. I need another one.”

  “Later, Kayden,” I said with a twinkle in my eye.

  “Later? I want one now,” he said as his hand moved up my thigh.

  I flinched when his hand reached my shorts. He reached a finger inside my panties and found my wetness. He left it there for a moment while I looked around the restaurant to see who was near. No one seemed to be paying attention to us, but my heart began to pound. He removed his finger from my panties, bringing it to his lips. Smiling, he placed his finger in his mouth and sucked on it with closed eyes.

  “Kiss me.”

  “What?” I asked.

  He reached over and grabbed my neck to pull me close enough to kiss me. “I want you to taste yourself on my lips. I want you to know how sweet and delicious you are.”

  He kissed me deeply and passionately. I could taste myself on his lips and tongue. It was intertwined with his intoxicating taste that I craved more than any food. After a moment, he released me, and I sat there like a fool—unable to move.

  I averted my attention from Kayden in order to gather my thoughts while he ordered our meal. I had never acted like this—public displays of affection weren’t in my character. I clutched the cold drink and swirled the straw with my tongue. I had never felt such electricity with anyone like I felt with him.

  “I’m dying to take you into the bathroom and fuck you right here. I won’t, though. The first time needs to be intimate and last longer than a quickie against the bathroom wall,” Kayden said in my ear in a slow, even tone. His words held promise of sexual pleasure like I had never experienced before.

  I pretended to pout, although I could have never gone through with it. I had never had sex in a public place in my life, and the idea of it scared the shit out of me. Kayden made me want to do things outside of my norm. I wanted excitement, but would I be willing to do all it entailed? I didn’t want a quick fuck in a bathroom either. I wanted it to be slow, so I could savor him.

  We barely spoke while waiting for our dinner. We kissed and touched each other, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him. I was drawn to his free spirit, and he oozed sexuality. His face was beautiful, and I couldn’t stop gazing into his eyes. The food finally arrived, and we removed our hands from each other only to eat.

  Kayden ordered another drink for each of us, and my stomach began to turn. The sweetness of the Jack and Coke wasn’t harmonizing with all the other contents. I didn’t complain even though I knew I would pay for it tomorrow. Kayden seemed unfazed by the alcohol coursing through his veins, unlike my jelly legs, hazy thoughts, and squinted eyes.

  My stomach filled quickly due to the liquid floating inside. I watched him finish the burger and lick his fingers. His hands were large, and his fingers were thick. His lips were full and engulfed his fingers one by one. My thoughts were riveted by his motions, and I jumped when his hand trailed up the inside of my thigh. The people around us disappeared from my vision, and I was overcome with lust. The bartender was on her phone facing away from us, and he was driving me wild.

  Kayden threw a fifty on the bar top and stood up. I followed suit a moment later. My body swayed from the change in altitude.

  “Steady,” he said as his arms wrapped around my torso.

  I giggled as he helped me down the stairs. The air in the French Quarter had become stale from the throngs of people. The sun had set while we’d enjoyed our meal, and the street was illuminated by neon signs.

  “I could use a cup of coffee,” I said.

  We approached Café Du Monde, and a heavenly scent filled my nose, causing my mouth to water. The white building was decorated with a large green canopy to protect diners from the elements. The line stretched down the sidewalk, and we found a spot in the back. Kayden wrapped his arms around me and held me as we waited. His lips brushed against my e
ar as I stared at the stars twinkling above. I watched him place the order for me. I studied him: his smile, his body, and his joy. He radiated sexiness, and I wanted more of him, of it.

  I sipped my coffee and swirled it around on my tongue. The taste was different than my normal brew, smoother and less bitter. We walked around the city until our coffee was finished and fatigue enveloped us. An illuminated sign filled my vision—The Funky Pirate.

  “Would you like to sit down for a while?” he asked.

  “Please.”

  The funky jazz music filled the air along with the stench of nicotine. Kayden held my hand as he walked through the bar and opened a set of wooden-slatted double doors. On the other side was a majestic courtyard. The courtyard was surrounded by brick walls lined with climbing vines entwined with beautiful white flowers. The ground was covered in bricks, tropical shrubs, and flowers. Lights twinkled above, held by a string, and they created a romantic atmosphere. The courtyard was empty, but the music flowed throughout.

  Kayden ordered a round of drinks to cool us down after the long walk, and I didn’t know if I could keep up with his ability to consume liquor. I put my legs over his, and he stroked my knee and thighs. We were alone, other than a trickle of people walking back and forth. It was romantic and sexy, but the alcohol was overcoming my ability to stay awake. I needed to sleep, and I wanted to be truly alone with Kayden. We walked toward the streetcar, and my legs wobbled as I walked. Kayden kept a firm grasp on my shoulder to help steady me.

  The streetcar was standing room only. Kayden gripped the bar above his head with one hand and wrapped his arm around me with the other.

  “Lean against me,” he whispered in my ear.

  I obeyed his request. I wouldn’t have been able to stay upright without his help. The interior was dark, and murmurs filled the air. The trip went by in a blur, and I slipped on the step on the way out of the streetcar.