One Instalust…
ZACK
The bass thumps in my chest as I weave through the writhing bodies on the dance floor. Sweat and heady fragrances mingle in the air, the neon lights casting everything in a hazy glow.
Then I see her.
A curvy black woman in a red dress that clings to her every curve, full lips painted the same shade. She moves like sin itself, all rolling hips and fluttering lashes. Every man’s eyes are glued to her, but it’s me she’s looking at.
Our eyes meet from across the room and a jolt of heat races down my spine. I suddenly feel too hot. She arches a brow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips as she crooks a finger at me.
An invisible link pulls me towards her, and I don’t fight it. The crowd parts for my tall, bulky form and I come to a stop in front of her, close enough to smell her perfume.
“See something you like, big guy?” she purrs, placing her hands on my chest.
“Very much so.” I place my hands on her waist, guiding her movements. She follows without protest, her body melting against mine. “I’m Zack.”
“Issa.” She rolls her hips, grinding against me to the pounding beat. “Nice to meet you, Zack.”
“Pleasure’s all mine, gorgeous,” I murmur. Our bodies move together in a dance as old as time itself. Every point of contact burns. Her soft curves pressed to my hard muscles.
She laughs, the sound husky and full of promises. “We’ll see about that.”
I chuckle.
ISSA
I scan the crowd, looking for a distraction from the ache between my legs. Zack’s hands are hot brands on my skin, his touch igniting a fire I’m helpless to extinguish.
We’ve been dancing for what feels like hours, moving together like we were made for each other. His thigh is wedged between my legs, rubbing against me in a way that makes me whimper.
I should put a stop to this. I don’t do casual hookups or one night stands. But I can’t make myself pull away from Zack and the raw need reflected in his moss green eyes.
“I don’t usually do this,” I say breathlessly.
“Do what?” He dips me backwards, supporting my weight easily. Our faces are inches apart, his breath fanning across my lips.
I couldn’t agree more.
Zack grabs my hand and pulls me towards an elevator, impatience etched into every line of his body. We step inside and as soon as the doors slide shut, Zack is on me again.
His hands slide under my shirt, callused fingertips skimming up my sides. I arch into his touch with a moan, tangling my fingers in his hair.
The elevator dings and the doors open. Zack scoops me into his arms, striding down the hall towards his apartment. I wrap my legs around his waist, pressing open-mouthed kisses along his neck.
He fumbles with his key-card for a moment before kicking the door open. We stumble inside, Zack kicking the door shut behind us.
He sets me on my feet but keeps me caged against the wall, one thigh wedged between my legs. I rock against him, desperate for friction.
“So fucking sexy,” Zack rasps, nipping at my throat. He slides his hands under my skirt, gripping my ass. “I’m gonna to ruin you for
Muscles ripple under his skin and tattoos decorate his chest and arms.
He joins me on the bed, caging me in with his body. “You’re so fucking hot,” he says. “I’m gonna fucking wreck you.”
“Yes, please,” I reply breathlessly.
Zack grins and kisses me again, tangling his hands in my hair. I moan against his mouth, arching into him.
He pulls back after a moment. “Turn over and put your hands behind your back.”
Excitement thrums through me as I obey, rolling onto my stomach.
Zack straddles the back of my thighs, and I feel something soft and silky wrap around my wrists. A tie.
“Comfortable?” he asks. I nod, tugging experimentally at my bonds. “Good. Now the real fun begins.”
Zack leans down, kissing a trail down my spine. I shiver in delight, waiting to see what he has in store for me.
His lips brush the back of my neck, then he straightens up. A sharp crack echoes through the room as his hand comes down on my ass.
Two ISSA
I storm into my apartment, slamming the door behind me. My heart is pounding and my hands are shaking. That damn Zack St. James. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. I can still feel his large, rough hands on my body. The way he looked at me with those piercing green eyes made my knees weak.
I sink down onto the couch and put my head in my hands. Don’t let him get to you, Issa. You know where this road leads. My mind
could instill some strength in me. But a veritable war rages on inside, between my longing and my fear.
I pace my living room, gnawing my thumbnail as I debate with myself.
On the one hand, I know without a doubt that Zack is trouble. I can sense the danger simmering under his polished exterior. Getting involved with a man like him could never end well.
But…the way he looked at me, the way he fucking wrecked me. How can I resist that?
Maybe I should give it a chance before writing him off completely.
Ugh, listen to yourself, Issa! This is exactly how you ended up getting hurt last time. Believing one bad boy could be different.
I flop down onto my couch, grabbing a throw pillow and hugging it tight. My mind spins with “what ifs”.
A knock at the door jolts me upright. Speak of the devil…it’s Zack, wearing another impeccable suit, leaning in my doorway.
“Thought you could use some company,” he rasps out.
I open my mouth, but no words come out. My inner war continues
to rage on.
I stare at Zack, torn between the urge to slam the door in his face, and climb him like a tree. His presence is intoxicatingly dangerous.
“Can I come inside? I don’t bite,” he says with a crooked smile. “Unless you want me to.”
A shiver runs through my body at the thought. Fucking get it together, Issa!
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” I say with little conviction.
Zack steps closer, the delicious scent of his expensive cologne enveloping me. “Come on, just one drink. What could be the harm?”
I don’t even ask how he found my place. And the way he looks at me…I can’t resist.
“Okay, fine.”
I step aside, and Zack enters my apartment. As I lead him to the kitchen, memories flood my mind.
The last time I let a bad boy into my home, thinking he had changed. The lies, the manipulation, the way he broke my trust. I
swore I’d never make that mistake again.
Yet here I am, watching Zack make himself at home. I stare at his strong, tattooed hands. Hands I know can give insane pleasure. But
I also suspect can deliver immense pain. I shiver, lost between lust and anguish.
But my traitorous body has already surrendered. One drink, then we’ll see where the night takes us.
I pour him a coffee with a shaky hand, acutely aware of Zack’s eyes on me. He accepts the mug I offer him, his warm fingers brushing mine.
“To new adventures,” he says, playful clinking my tea. I take a big gulp, hoping it will help steady my nerves.
We sit on the couch, closer than necessary. Zack stretches his arm along the back and I have to resist the urge to curl into him.
“Tell me about yourself,” he says.
I nervously fiddle with my necklace. “Not much to tell. I work too much, sleep too little.”
Zack grins. “No man?”
My cheeks heat and I take another sip. “No. I haven’t really met any
worth my time.”
Zack nods, his eyes darkening. “We’re not all like that.”
He moves closer, his large hand cupping my face. I close my eyes, leaning into his touch despite myself. This man could destroy me if I let him.
But I’m so tired of being alone. Tired of building walls to keep everyone out.
I turn my head and softly kiss Zack’s palm. His breath hitches.
“Stay with me tonight,” I whisper, giving in to my desires.
Let the walls come down.
My breath catches as Zack leans into me, his lips meeting mine in a searing kiss. As his tongue expertly invades my mouth, I melt into him, days of pent-up desire boiling to the surface.
His hands roam my body, igniting trails of fire wherever they touch. I arch into him with a soft moan, the past momentarily forgotten.
But when his fingers find the hem of my dress, doubt creeps back in.
even through the screen. Issa. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get her out of my head.
I’m Zack St. James, one of the most feared mobsters in the country. I’m not supposed to catch feelings. But I can’t deny the way my heart races every time I see her sassy smile.
With a sigh, I tuck my phone away. I got business to handle. I can’t be distracted by thoughts of the way she bites her lip when she’s nervous.
Fucking focus, Zack. You got work to do. I straighten my tie and head for the door, pushing aside all thoughts of Issa’s curves in that fucking red dress.
Just as I reach for the handle, a knock sounds. I freeze. I open the door to find the woman who’s been haunting every single waking hour standing there, one hand on her hip.
“We need to talk,” she says, breezing past me into my apartment. The scent of her intoxicating perfume makes my dick jump in my slacks.
I shut the door and turn to her with a smirk. “And to what do I owe the pleasure?”
I let security know to always let her up to my place. I guess now I
know what all those missed calls from the front desk were.
She levels me with her gorgeous brown eyes. “You left without a word. You think you can fucking ghost me?”
I cross my arms, guarding myself against the onslaught of emotions this incredible woman entices in me. “I’m not sure what you mean, sweetheart.”
“The hell you don’t.” She steps closer and pokes a manicured finger into my chest. “First you fuck me senseless, then you show up at my place unannounced and hold me all night while I sleep. Then you fucking disappear. If you think I’m going to let you fucking ghost me, you’ve got another thing coming, buddy.”
I catch one of her soft, manicured hands in mine. The electricity between us, palpable. I hold her gaze, torn between my instinct to
protect her against the dangers of my world, and my craving to give in to the insane magnetic pull between us.
“Issa. You deserve more than a guy like me can give,” I say quietly. She tilts her head to the side. Studying me closely. Her gorgeous almond-shaped eyes searching mine. “How about you let me decide what I deserve, handsome?”
Before I can respond, she grabs my shirt and kisses me hungrily. The full, plump lips I missed so fucking much, her supple tongue, her small teeth, the taste of her. Fuck! In that moment, my doubts fade away like mist under the sun. I kiss her back with equal fervor, the taste of her lips feeling like coming home. I suck on her tongue, not too gently bite her bottom lip. Filling my hands with her generous curves. Fuck, her ass will be my ruin.
Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: I’m in deep fucking trouble when it comes to this woman. And for once in my life, I can’t bring myself to fucking care.
I break the kiss, breathless. My eyes taking in her hungry gaze, swollen lips, ragged breath. The way her big tits rise and fall under her cashmere sweater. The tight jeans I crave to peel off her thick
