Mistaken Identities (26 page)

“You’re going to come for me, aren’t you, baby?” he whispered against her lips. “You are going to come hard and soak my fingers.”

“Yes,” she cried out.

He built her up, hot like a volcano, and Stasia cried out as her body convulsed, and she undulated on his fingers. Her body shook as she came, releasing its hot, sweet juices. He sat her on the edge of the sofa and stood in front of her so his cock was right at her mouth. Stasia licked the tip, and she heard his breath hiss from between his lips.

He pulled away from her. “No, not yet, I want to feel your hands on me.”

Stasia wrapped her fingers around the smooth, hard shaft and began to rub his manhood. With long, smooth strokes, from the tip to the base, she jacked him off and watched how the muscles of his thighs clenched with each movement of her hand. She used her other hand to play with the heavy sack filled with his seed before she leaned forward to scrape his balls with her teeth. Stasia looked up to see his eyes close and his head arch back in pleasure. She wanted to taste him, so she wrapped her lips around his cock and took it deep into her mouth. His groan was one of agonizing need. She sucked until she felt him follow the rhythm of her mouth and his dick throb, but he pulled away, breathing harshly.

“Oh, sweetheart, not like this. I’m going to fuck you until you beg me for more, then I’m going to take your tight ass.” He picked her up and strode towards the bedroom.

“I thought the bedroom was only for sleeping?” Stasia teased.

“Well, I did say I would take you anywhere and this is the start.” Bryce kissed her hard. “Are you complaining?”

“Who me? Never,” Stasia purred.

He put her on the bed and the mattress dipped under his knees as he kissed her thoroughly. He touched her all over and re-awakened the fire in her while leaving trails of heat where ever he touched.

He lay on the bed and pulled her over him, kissing her and sinking his tongue deep in her mouth.

“Ride me,” he demanded.

Stasia grabbed his cock and positioned him at the entrance of her pussy. She took him inside her and they both cried out at the sensation. He grabbed her hips as he thrust into her over and over again as she rode him in the same rhythm. She leaned back and braced her hands on the bed between his legs. She spread her legs and pistoned herself on his cock so he could see himself slide in and out of her. Bryce groaned and reached forward to rub her clit with gentle pressure. That simple action caused her to throw her head back and come.

“I can see your come running down my cock.” His voice was harsh with desire.

“Ready to give me more?” Stasia asked.

“Get on your knees and find out,” he challenged her.

Stasia did as he requested and she felt his fingers tease the opening of her pussy before he eased the digit into the tight, puckered hole of her ass. Stasia moaned as he slipped another finger into her pussy and began to fuck both with his fingers. She felt the cool liquid of lubrication run down her ass and knew he had the bottle of baby oil close by.

“Oh, I love watching you get excited by my touch,” he murmured. “Watching my fingers slide in and out of you.”

He knelt behind her and she felt him fill her from behind. He caressed her breasts with hands slick with oil before playing with her clit, bringing her past the point of reality before he slipped his finger into her pussy while he took her ass.

“Oh, God, yes,” Stasia moaned. Her body trembled uncontrollably.

“You like that, don’t you, baby?” he moaned.

“Yes, Bryce, more,” Stasia cried out. “I’m so full of you. Come with me.”

She pushed back against him urgently and his low moan told her he enjoyed what she was doing. He sank himself deeper inside her and she cried out as the friction built. With each thrust the fever of their lovemaking took hold until both bodies were covered with a sheen of perspiration. Bryce’s moans filled her ears, and she felt like she was high and soaring as they strived for completion.

Her body bucked under him as her orgasm took her by surprise, and she cried out his name urgently. He slipped his fingers inside her pussy once more while he filled her ass, and she was sent over the edge once again. This time he followed suit and she felt his come fill her ass. She fell against the bed completely drained and her body humming from the experience. He collapsed against her back before he rolled over and took her with him and they ended up lying naked with legs entwined on the bed.

“I think I saw Shangri-La and experienced nirvana,” he gasped. “What am I going to do with you when I’m old?”

She kissed him and laughed huskily. “We’ll perfect the spooning position and still make fireworks. So you’re planning on a growing old together scenario?”

“Hell, yes, I am. Try to get rid of me.” His eyes were such a vivid blue when he looked at her she swore she saw them sparkle. “Regardless of what happens, I could never let you go, Stasia. I’ve spent my whole life wanting you. This love I have inside me that burns for you will span from one life to the next. It’s timeless.”

“Why do you have to say such damn awesome things to make me feel like jelly on the inside and make my heart beat faster?” she grumbled.

“That’s love, baby, better get used to it,” Bryce replied. “Let’s go shower and grab some shuteye.”

“You may have to carry me,” Stasia said. “I think my legs are still too weak.”

“I can, but if you wrap your legs around my waist I can’t promise that I won’t take you again,” he warned.

“Lucky me,” she drawled.

He carried her to the bathroom and Stasia had no problem with the acts that followed under the hot spray. He left her gasping, begging, pleading for more until they both came with a harsh cry and her hands gripping his hair. In bed, while he slept, she watched his face. She could almost tell what he was dreaming by the emotions that played over his face. The frown and the distressed murmurs were for Kim. But when he smiled and gave a soft laugh she grinned and wondered if it was for her. When he whispered her name, Stasia lay next to him and laid her hand against his back.

She listened to him breathe and could feel all the love she had for him even though she couldn’t say the words just quite yet. But she did—she’d loved him since she was sixteen years old and no other man could compare. He couldn’t let her go, but she couldn’t let him go either, and she wasn’t planning on ever sleeping without him again.

Chapter Six

Another ten days of searching went by. They continued to lose hope, but trying desperately to build each other up and keep the faith that Kim would be found. They had taken to walking around the city every night looking in shelters, showing Kim’s picture to people, going to homeless camps and asking if anyone had seen her. While doing this, Bryce became very aware of the homeless plight. It wasn’t usually obvious until you got out of Charlotte. That is when you saw the shelters made of cardboard boxes, torn tents, and old comforters that were found in trash bins and whatever else haphazardly put together in hopes that it would keep them warm and dry.

So while they searched for Kim they decided to take along meals to hand out. One night it was hot cups of soup, another night it was sandwiches and potato salad or macaroni salad in Styrofoam containers. Something simple but filling.

They were met with wary looks and distrust at why food was being given out freely. Bryce could understand that. In their eyes the world had given up on them. They were just regular people—veterans, even businessmen—who had gotten down on their luck. While he and Stasia walked through the underground community handing out food and showing Kim’s picture, no one recognized or had seen his sister.

Nearly six weeks had gone by and it seemed like that was it, there was nothing else they could do, when Bryce got the phone call he’d been praying for.

Very early that morning, the phone rang and Bryce sleepily answered. Kim was on the other end of the line and it made him sit straight up in bed.

“Kim! Oh, my God, Kim!” he practically yelled.

Stasia woke with a start next to him. “What? Is that her? Really, is it her?”

He nodded. “It’s her!”

“Who are you talking to?” Kim asked and he focused on her voice. His sister sounded okay and a sense of relief washed over him.

“It’s Stasia. She came home to help find you,” Bryce explained.

Kim gave a happy, tinkling laugh. “And she is in your bed. I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Where are you, Kim?” Bryce asked urgently. “Are you hurt? Are you back on drugs?”

“No to both questions,” Kim answered. “I could feel myself slipping and I couldn’t stand the thought of going back through the withdrawals and the pain again, so I booked a flight to Florida to a rehab center. It was six weeks before I was allowed to contact anyone. They are helping me with my addiction and my past. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but this time I had to save myself, big brother.”

Bryce cleared his throat. “So you’re okay?”

“I’m not one hundred percent, but I feel like I’ve really made strides,” Kim answered softly. “I’d like you to come see me. I can have visitors now. Bring Stasia and Cole. I need to explain to him why I left like I did.”

“We’ll be on the first flight out,” Bryce said. “Give me the address and we’ll see you soon.”

Stasia handed him a pen and paper from the bedside table drawer and he scribbled the information down quickly. He looked over and saw Stasia had picked up her own cell phone and was calling the airline trying to get three tickets for the same day. After he was finished speaking with Kim, he pulled Stasia into his arms without hesitation and kissed her repeatedly with happiness. Stasia just held him and laughed at his antics. He couldn’t even be mad at Kim for taking her life into her own hands and seeking help when she knew she was falling. All he knew was the past six weeks of hell dissipated when he heard her voice. There they were ready to grieve, and were handed a miracle.

“You’d better call Cole and tell him she’s safe. I got three tickets on United for us to get to Orlando this afternoon,” Stasia said and cupped his cheek. “I told you she was okay. Kimberly McDowell is a smart girl despite all she’s been through.”

“I’d have lost it if you weren’t here,” Bryce said huskily. “Well, her taking off on her own did one thing—it got me off my ass to go to you and get you cleared and into my life. So all in all, we’ve been lucky.”

“I guess so,” Stasia said.

He frowned. He wanted to hear her say she loved him but she ebbed and flowed like waves. One minute she was so receptive and the next guarded. Hadn’t he proved yet that he could be trusted, that he truly loved her? Bryce sighed and picked up his cell phone to call Cole. He heard the relief in his friend’s voice when he was given the news. Bryce pushed his own feelings aside for now. It was time to focus on Kim and her well being. He should just be happy that Stasia didn’t bolt. She was trying and he’d have to be patient. This whole situation taught him that things do not work out on his time frame; they work out in their own time.

Later that morning, there was a flurry of activity to get him and Cole covered at the sheriff’s department and then to get to the airport for their flight on time. They had to run to the gate because Wednesday seemed to be a peak travel day and the TSA security line at Charlotte Douglas Airport was very slow.

As they stood in line, he saw that Stasia was tense like she expected to be arrested at any minute. Living on the run has taken its toll. If he voiced it, she’d probably have told him off so instead he took her hand as they made their way through the line. When they finally boarded the plane he saw her relax and let go with a sigh as she settled in for the two and a half hour flight.

They got into Orlando at three in the afternoon with a couple of delays. They rented an SUV at the airport and checked in at a hotel close to the rehabilitation center where Kim was staying. Bryce called her to let her know they were there and to ask if they could visit that same day. It was against procedure, but due to the circumstances the director gave permission for them to come. After a quick freshen up, they were back in the rental car and heading towards Beach Meditation Rehabilitation Center.

A range of emotions traveled through him as they waited in the lounge for her. Outside, the sun warmed the golden beach and the ocean was a crystal blue. The air was warm and everything was serene. The rehabilitation center was nice and he could see her healing here and learning to live with her past. But, still, his stomach clenched with nervousness. He wanted her to be strong and needed her to see that she could surpass the evil their father put her through. He didn’t want to see her become a shell of a woman. He feared that she’d become a shell who lived in a fantasy world—kind of like their mother.

But when she came out to see them it was like seeing a three-sixty to the woman who had lived in Caldwell County. At home, her eyes were guarded, sad and afraid. Now he saw a light in them that he hadn’t seen since she was a girl in pigtails. Her hair was almost a golden halo around her head and the smile on her face was wide and bright. Her skin was tanned and it looked like she gained weight. The drugs had taken a toll on her body and she was always a little too thin while she was home. Now her face looked full and he could see something new inside her.

“Stasia!” Kim held out her arms and ran forward and Stasia met her half way. He watched them embrace and rock back and forth. It turned something in him, remembering how everyone used to look down on Stasia when she was young. He’d learned the hard way that she was the one who was his sister’s rock. Maybe she wouldn’t have turned to the drugs if Stasia had always been there. There were so many maybes about the past that it was time they look towards the future.

Kim pulled Stasia’s hair lightly. “No more braids. I liked those.”

Stasia gave a laugh and sniffed. “They didn’t suit my bad ass persona when I was on the run.”

“I worried about you every day. Where did you end up?” Kim asked.

“Your brother found me in Tombstone, Arizona tending bar,” Stasia said. “Practically dragged my ass back here to find you. He got Dani to confess finally.”