Angels & Whiskey Read online

  Sure I’d let him control me for three years, but that was about to change—starting with today.

  The weather in early March was still cool enough to wear long sleeves or even a jacket despite living in the desert of Las Vegas. I drove my black Mercedes to Starbucks where Brandi and I had our usual coffee date. After Rich had proposed, he took my old Honda Civic and surprised me with the Mercedes. When he gave me the car, I was ecstatic. I’d never had a nice car before. I should have realized it was part of his master plan to control me. “I need my princess safe. Can’t have her driving around in a car that might break down at any moment,” he’d insisted.

  Safe from everyone but him.

  I parked my car then walked into the shop. The smell of fresh coffee hit me as soon as I entered. I saw Brandi sitting at one of the tables, and I waved before I stood in line to order my vanilla latte.

  After ordering, I walked over to her table. “Hey,” I beamed, excited to see my friend.

  “Are you pregnant yet?”

  She knew that Rich and I had been trying for two years. What no one knew, especially Rich, was that I was still taking birth control pills. While some people think that children might save a marriage, there was no way I was going to bring a child into the world for Rich to potential abuse.

  “No. I need to tell you—”

  The barista called my name, announcing my latte was ready. “Hold that thought.” I grabbed my coffee and sat back at the table across from Brandi.

  “Tell me what?” she asked, taking a sip of her coffee, her brown peering over the lid as she tilted the paper cup back.

  “I’m still taking my birth control pills,” I whispered.

  “What? Why?” she asked, raising her voice in surprise.

  “Shh. I have my reasons.”

  “I don’t understand. Don’t you want kids? Haven’t you been trying?”

  I took a sip of my warm, vanilla goodness before replying. “There’s more to it than that.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I know.” I sighed. I looked over at the menu that hung behind the cashier, not really seeing it as I thought of what to say next. I wanted to tell her about Rich—who he really was, but I was scared. I’d been living my life in denial for too long.

  “Explain yourself,” she teased.

  I looked back at her. This was my best friend. Best friends help each other out and if she knew, she could help me figure out a plan to finally leave him. “Remember that J. Lo movie, Enough?”

  She raised her brows in confusion. “Um … yes?”

  “Do you remember why she had enough?”

  “Her husband beat her.”

  “Right …”

  “What? Rich beats you?” she asked in a whispered yell.

  I hushed her again. “Shh. Not exactly.”

  “Jesus Christ, A. Spit it out.”

  “Never mind. Forget it.” I shouldn’t have brought it up.

  “If Rich hits you, you need to tell me.”

  I could feel the lump in my throat start to form. I was tired of being yelled at. I was tired of having bruises on my body that I had to hide. I was tired of living on eggshells. I pulled my sleeve down from my shoulder, exposing one of the bruises.

  Her eyes widened. “He does hit you,” she whispered.

  “He grabs me,” I corrected—as if that were any better.

  “How long?”

  “I can’t go into details here. People are around.”

  “Fuck the people, Autumn. You’re my best friend. How long?” Her voice had escalated to just below a yell.

  “Almost since we’ve been married.”

  “What?” she shouted, the people around us turning their heads to look at us.

  “Please. Not here.” I looked down at my coffee cup, tears pricking my eyes as I avoided her judging scrutiny.

  “Fine. Let’s go to my place.”

  I exhaled. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Today I’m only allowed to meet you for coffee.”

  “Are you listening to yourself right now?”

  “Just … Please.” I fidgeted with the brown coffee sleeve that was wrapped around the paper cup. I couldn’t look up at her. She had no idea what I’d been through—no one did.

  “You need to leave him,” she urged, lowering her voice.

  “I can’t.”

  “Why—”

  I finally lifted my eyes to hers. “He has people. It’s not good, B.”

  “Go to the cops.”

  I took a sip of my cooling coffee. “Yeah … he has people there, too.”

  “Of course he does,” she muttered.

  “I promise I’ll let you help me, but we need to come up with a smart plan. That’s why I decided to tell you. I’m ready—I’ve had enough.” I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

  “Dammit, Autumn.” She stood and reached for my hand, pulling me out of the chair and wrapping her arms around me. “You know it’s going to kill me letting you go back there.”

  I wiped my tears from my cheeks. “I know. I’ll be okay. I promise.”

  We sat back down and I glanced at my phone. “Shit. I gotta go or I’ll be late. Rich always calls me on the house phone while he eats his lunch at two.”

  “To make sure you’re home?”

  Rich went into work around ten and was home by eight unless there was a problem he needed to handle. Every day I was allowed to go to the gym and get coffee on my way home, but I had to make sure to be home by two for the call from him. I’m sure he checked our security cameras too to make sure I had no visitors that he didn’t know about and to see what I did throughout the day.

  “It will be okay. I’ve dealt with this for almost three years. What’s a few more months?”

  “Months?” she shrieked, raising her voice again.

  “Maybe sooner. The plan really needs to be solid and I need to somehow put money away. I don’t use cash and I’m not sure my name is on our bank accounts.”

  “I hate this,” she muttered, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest.

  I gave a weak smile. “Me, too. We’ll talk about this next week. We’ll have coffee in your car.”

  We stood, throwing our empty cups in the trash. I opened the door and walked right into a hard body, face first. “Oh my God. I’m so …”

  I couldn’t finish my sentence.

  The most intoxicating green eyes looked down at me as he held my elbows to steady me.

  “It’s okay. My mistake.” He smiled, still holding me up. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m … fine. Thank you.” I stepped passed him, Brandi right behind me.

  He smiled again and walked inside, but not before turning around again so our eyes could lock.

  “Who the fuck is that?” Brandi asked as if I knew, looking at where the mystery man stood staring at me.

  “I have no idea,” I said finally breaking our gaze.

  Brandi walked me to my car. “If you need anything, call me. No matter what time. Call me. I’ll be there in a heartbeat and ready to cut the major’s balls off.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  We hugged goodbye and then I drove home, speeding down the streets so I’d make it home in time for Rich’s call.

  By the time Rich arrived home after work, I’d thought about how I was going to leave him a hundred different ways. I couldn’t just leave because he’d find me. I had no doubt. I couldn’t come up with a good plan and needed more time to think, but as I stirred the pasta sauce for dinner, Rich walked in.

  “Hey, princess,” Rich greeted, opening the garage door that led into the house when he saw me standing at the stove. I tried not to shudder at my nickname. I hated it. At one time, I’d loved thinking I was his princess, but no anymore. Now I felt as if it were all an act and he said it simply to make me feel at ease.

  “Hey, honey. How was work?” I plastered a smile on my face, pretending as if nothing was wrong.
/>   He shrugged walking toward me. “You know—loaned some money and made sure others paid me back.”

  I never wanted to know how he made sure people paid him back. “Good.” I smiled, tilting my head back so he could kiss me like he did every night when he came home.

  “I have good news.” He stepped around me, walking toward the bar for his nightly drink.

  Our kitchen was massive. My old apartment could have easily fit in it. A black and brown marble granite breakfast bar sat in the middle and beyond that was the family room. The cherry wood bar with a matching granite top sat along the wall to the left that led to the family room that housed our giant flat screen TV.

  “Oh yeah?” I returned to stirring the pasta sauce.

  “I’ve decided to run for mayor.”

  I turned around, the wood spoon still in my hand. Rich was smiling as he poured himself a finger of amber liqueur. “The mayor of Las Vegas?”

  He smiled the smile I fell in love with. “Yeah.”

  “Wow … Honey, that’s—”

  “I know. It’s going to be good for us.”

  I had no idea what he meant by that. I wasn’t a political person. I had no idea what would be involved in running a campaign to manage a city—especially a large city like Las Vegas.

  I set the spoon in the spoon rest and walked over to him, a fake smile on my face. “I’m proud of you, honey bunny.”

  “We’re gonna run this town.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I like the sound of that, Mr. Mayor.”

  “I like that name; Mr. Mayor—Mayor Jones—Mr. Richard Jones, Mayor of Las Vegas.” He nodded his head as he tried the names on for size.

  “Me, too.” I kissed him again then went back to the stove.

  “Hurry up with dinner so we can celebrate and try to get you pregnant. It would be perfect timing. A baby would win me some votes.”

  I had no idea, but I agreed to keep him in a good mood. I wasn’t sure how it would look for a mayoral candidate to have his wife leave him without a trace.

  And I didn’t care …

  “I want you naked and ready for me when I get back,” Rich barked, pointing a finger at me as I stood at the end of the bed. “Don’t disappoint me.”

  Sex with Rich used to be something I craved. He’d take his time, making sure I’d gotten off multiple times before he did. Sometimes he’d please me and not expect anything back. But like everything else, that changed when we got married. At first I just thought he was role-playing, but I finally realized that he craved control—not me.

  I hurried and stripped off my jeans and purple sweater, tossing them in the laundry basket followed by my bra and panties. I’d made the mistake a few times of not being “ready” for him. He wanted me wet. As if my pussy instantly became drenched because he said so.

  I used to be wet for him all the time. Just the thought of his touch would turn me on. Not anymore. I didn’t enjoy it like I used to. I’d still get off, but it lacked the passion. He was basically a stick it and not lick it person now. Damn, I missed a good tongue lashing down south.

  Crawling under the plush white covers, I slid down, my back coming into contact with the cold sheet. It felt nice against my hot skin as stress coursed through my body. I couldn’t disappoint him. The bruises on my arms already hurt when touched and I didn’t want anymore.

  Spreading my legs, I slid my hands down my chest, caressing my breast with my palms and making my nipples pucker slightly. I teased them for a few seconds, trying to send signals to my brain that I was horny—but I wasn’t.

  Fuck!

  One hand slid down further, not stopping until I felt the slit of my pussy. I heard Rich in the bathroom. I didn’t know what he was doing, but if he caught me playing with myself, he’d be pissed. Continuing my path, my hand slipped lower, the other still trying to get my nipples to harden. I could hear the sound of water running from the bathroom sink, and I knew I only had a few more seconds—maybe a minute tops. My middle finger slipped down, running through my folds and straight to my clit. The moment I felt the nub, green flashed behind my closed eyes—green intoxicating eyes.

  I smiled, thinking of the stranger as my finger pressed harder, creating circles on my clit. I moaned slightly as I pictured his hand in place of mine. My finger started to glide effortlessly as my arousal finally coated my finger. Pressing two fingers to my clit, I circled faster, trying to come before Rich stepped out. I knew I shouldn’t, but the eyes and smile of the stranger played in my head …

  Damn.

  I faintly heard the water turn off in the bathroom and I stilled. Fuck!

  Kicking the covers off, I scurried to lay on the top comforter, waiting for my husband. He stepped out of the bathroom, naked. He really did have a nice body. He was cut in all the right places, especially the V that led to his cock.

  You’ve licked that. Nothing changes. Use him to get off while you think about Mr. Green Eyes with the bald head.

  “You ready for my dick?”

  I nodded, biting my lower lip.

  Rich walked over to the side of the bed and reached, grabbing a fistful of my brown hair. My head tilted back as he yanked—not hard, but enough to move me. He pressed his lips to mine, licking the seam. I opened, allowing his tongue to enter.

  He kissed me for a few seconds then released my hair. “On your knees,” he ordered.

  I didn’t hesitate. I knew better.

  Raising on all fours, I turned my ass to him as he stepped closer, running his finger down my butt crack and through my folds.

  “Damn, princess. You are ready for me. You’re fucking dripping.”

  I smiled, my head turned so he couldn’t see me. I wasn’t wet for him that’s for damn sure.

  Not waiting to agree with him, I moaned my response as his finger entered me, making my back arch like a cat. He thrust a few times before withdrawing, leaving me empty. I turned my head slightly, looking over my right shoulder as he stuck his finger in his mouth, licking my arousal.

  “Sweet as pie, princess. Sweet as fucking pie.”

  I smiled in response. Use him to get off while you think about Mr. Green Eyes. I turned my head back, closing my eyes. As Rich entered me, I thought about how Mr. Green Eyes would feel. I moaned, feeling his hard cock stretching me from behind. I didn’t know who he was. I’d probably never see him again, but things happen for a reason. I needed to bump into him today. Without knowing it, he helped me please my husband so I didn’t piss him off again.

  Rich grabbed my hips, urging his cock in as I fantasized about the stranger. I wondered what his hands would feel like as he pounded into me … the smell of his skin … the way his tongue would lick the sweat from my back as he made his way down … not stopping until he was sucking my clit into his mouth from behind …

  “Fuck, princess,” Rich hissed, breaking my thoughts. He grabbed my hair again, pulling my head back, my back arching. I knew he did it this way to control me. I couldn’t move as he rammed into me over and over and over. “You better be fucking close.”

  I’d be closer if you’d shut the fuck up!

  I moaned again, playing my role as his balls slapped between my thighs. He groaned, pulling my head back farther. I kept my eyes closed as I pictured my stranger again. Pictured his bald head, his eyes, his smile, his rock hard body as it pounded into me.

  “I’m coming and you better too,” Rich groaned.

  Rich pumped a few more times as I thought about Mr. Green Eyes stretching me with his cock and then I cried out, my body convulsing as my orgasm shook me.

  “That’s a good princess,” Rich praised, his hot seed running down the back of my thigh.

  Just in the nick of time. Thank you, Mr. Green Eyes.

  Chapter Four

  Gabe

  We left Malibu at 0600 sharp. The six and a half hour drive to Vegas was torture. It should have only taken five hours, but driving a U-Haul truck had set us back an hour and a half.

  I drove th
e giant truck while towing my Yukon—five miles an hour under the speed limit. Jackson was lucky. He drove his Jeep and listened to satellite radio while I had to scan the stations looking for anything enjoyable. The moment I’d find something I liked, I’d drive out of range, leaving me bored to death on the open stretch of road that was nothing but dirt.

  Once we hit the city limits, I followed Jackson as he drove through the streets of Las Vegas to our new house. Saddles & Racks had paid our moving expenses and our first month’s rent on a two-story, tan colored, stucco house that we’d be sharing. We didn’t mind sharing a house; we’d been in worse situations when we were in Afghanistan and it would be nice to live with Jackson in a new city.

  I parked the truck on the curb while Jackson parked his Jeep in the driveway. I needed a beer. “P.J., get back in the Jeep and let’s go buy a twenty-four pack.”

  “You don’t want to see the inside?” he called back.

  “I just drove almost six hours straight. I need a beer.”

  “Well, I need to piss,” he countered, walking toward the front door.

  “Fine, I’ll go. Throw me the keys.”

  He did. “Get lunch too.”

  I stared at him. Was I his fucking bitch? “Is this how it’s going to be living with you?” I joked.

  “Fuck you. I gotta go piss or I’ll give our neighbors a show when I pull my dick out here on the front lawn,” he said, walking backward to the front door. “Just get me a burger or something.” He turned and ran for the door.

  I laughed at him as I climbed into his Jeep. I didn’t know where I was going, but I figured a grocery store must be nearby or at least a liquor store. Shit, it was Vegas. I could stick a dollar in a slot at any casino and wait for a cocktail waitress to bring me a beer if I needed to.

  I drove a few blocks, then pulled into a parking lot of a Starbucks after realizing how tired I was from the drive. Alcohol would just make me exhausted, and we still had to unload the truck. Stepping out of the Jeep, my phone dinged with an incoming text.