Cherry Hill 15 - A Love to Kill For Read online

  Beretta shook his head and Cassius watched as his brother’s eyes swept over her body. She reached her hand out but she seemed nervous.

  “Brother number four. Nice to meet you,” she said and Beretta shook her hand.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you. What’s doing?”

  “Helping out Emerson. She has some other boxes in the house to get rid of,” Cassius said to him but his eyes remained on Emerson.

  “Oh, that’s okay, Cassius, I can get the other stuff. I wouldn’t want to keep you from your family.”

  “Nonsense. Come on, Beretta.” He motioned with his hand like she should lead the way and it worked. She did. He checked out her backside as she walked toward the cottage. “You know it’s funny, I actually met Emerson a week ago at Harper’s,” he said as they walked into the house. He paused and Beretta whistled.

  “Wow,” Beretta said and Cassius felt the same way. The place looked amazing. Her decorating, the furniture just added to all their hard work.

  “You like it?” she asked, smiling as she moved closer to the kitchen.

  They took in the sight of the leather love seat and couch, plus a carved wood table with a piece of glass on it. “This is a gorgeous piece. Where did you get it?” Beretta asked and he stepped closer. His brother had a deep, hard tone to his voice like Raven did. One look at Emerson and she was definitely intimidated. “Did someone make this?”

  “Actually, I did.”

  Both men swung around to look at her.

  “What?” Cassius asked.

  She walked closer to the living room and table. She bent down. “The business I work for, the guys that were here helping me move in last week, do all sorts of construction and home modeling. I started to hang out at the workshop they had and one of the guys showed me a few things. This was a piece I worked on for a month. I don’t know, I wasn’t too sure, but once I sanded it down, found the right stain to preserve it, I thought it was cool. Add in the glass top so I can appreciate my therapy work and there ya go,” she said, smiling.

  “It’s gorgeous,” Beretta said but he was staring at her.

  “Therapy work?” Cassius asked as he stood near the couch and watched her. His brother couldn’t take his eyes off of Emerson either.

  “Yeah, well, long story. Anyway, can I offer you something to drink?” she asked.

  “No need to fuss over us. Where are the boxes?” Cassius asked.

  “Oh, right over here. Plus I have this other one from the desk I picked up.”

  “You turned the other room into an office?” Beretta asked.

  She nodded. “Want to see?” she asked.

  “I don’t want to impose.”

  “Are you kidding me? You guys built everything in this cottage, and I loved it the moment I saw it. I’m sure Harley must have told you how much I rambled on about the details.”

  “No, he failed to explain any conversations you had,” Beretta said and they followed her down the hallway to the office.

  “This is perfect,” Cassius told her.

  “It is, and with that window right there I can even open it when it’s nice out, or just look out to take my mind off work.”

  “You bring your work home with you?” Cassius asked her. They were both in the room with her and the space was small. It smelled like her and she seemed nervous.

  “Sometimes. I figured if I get some more freelance jobs, or maybe can do some of the accounting work at home then it would be a great work space.”

  “I thought you worked at Harper’s?” Beretta asked her as he leaned against the doorway, blocking it.

  “I do, but I also work for the construction company in Benter. The guys I mentioned earlier who helped me move, own it,” she said and then stepped closer. He stared down into her eyes and Cassius wondered what his brother might do. It had been a long time since he showed interest in a woman. Obviously their new tenant snagged their attention. Beretta towered over her.

  “That was nice of them to help you move.”

  “Just like you guys are helping me with those boxes. Maybe we should grab them so you can enjoy a bit of time with your brother?” she said and it sounded like she was trying to get rid of them or perhaps just get out of the enclosed space.

  “Sure thing, let’s grab those,” he said and then Beretta moved out of the way and let Emerson pass and when she did he saw Beretta inhale. The woman smelled so good.

  As they started to grab the boxes, Emerson grabbed one, too.

  “This isn’t all going to fit in your jeep,” Beretta said.

  “I’ll manage. I’m going to drop them off at a place on Milcrest on my way to work in the morning. It’s supposed to be a minimal charge or something,” she said and when they got outside Harley was standing by their house.

  “We should put these in my truck and I can get rid of them for you,” Beretta offered.

  “Don’t be silly. It would be too much to ask that of you. I can get it all in there.”

  “How about you just offer us a few beers and we call it even?” Cassius said.

  “Well, I really don’t know if that’s such a great idea,” Emerson said, holding his gaze.

  “Why?” Beretta barked as he placed the box onto the ground.

  Cassius reached out and took her hand. She froze and stared up at him, eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. He gave a soft smile.

  “I don’t really know you, and you’re my landlords.”

  Cassius caressed her arm and then stepped closer. “Invite us to sit out back with you and enjoy a fire and a bit of friendly conversation,” Cassius said.

  “Cassius.”

  He moved his hand to her cheek and stroked her jaw. Her eyes darted to Beretta, who stepped closer. “Maybe dinner over by our place first then we can walk you back to your place, sit by the fire and call it a night?” Beretta added and Cassius couldn’t help the excited feeling he had. Could they be looking at the woman they thought they would never find, or deserve? It was crazy, the thoughts running through his head right now.

  “Say yes, Emerson, because you feel what we do and you want to get to know us, too,” he said.

  “What’s going on? You guys need help?” Harley called from across the way. Cassius turned and yelled to him.

  “Emerson is joining us for dinner.” He saw Harley’s shocked expression and then he looked back at Emerson. “Come on over with us.”

  “I have a few things to do and I need to change.”

  “You look perfect,” Beretta said to her, but his tone was so hard.

  “Well then, you go freshen up, and we’ll make sure things are good with dinner and set out another plate. Come on over when you’re set,” Cassius said to her.

  “What can I bring?”

  “Nothing, you’ll be our guest.”

  “Now how about we put these in my truck?” Beretta said and she nodded.

  “Thank you, Beretta, I appreciate the help.”

  “No problem. I can’t wait to enjoy that fire pit,” he said and then he started to carry the boxes across the way.

  Cassius gave her a wink.

  “Don’t be scared of us. We’re respectful men, and we look forward to getting to talk to you.” She looked unsure but she gave a nod and then told him she would see him in a little bit.

  * * * *

  Emerson took a shower, made sure she looked good, and then had no idea what to wear. It wasn’t a date, it was a friendship, a casual dinner with landlords then some drinks by the fire being neighborly. Yeah, right! She was debating about skirt or jeans. It would be a little cool out tonight. However, if she wore a skirt she could wear a little heel and that might help some standing around such big, tall men. She was losing her mind here. How did this happen? How tall are they? she wondered. She put on the sea green camisole dress. It looked like a two-piece but was actually one. It gathered at the waist, tight, but then flared out comfortably, and it hit right above her knees. With the heels on it looked classy, conservative, b
ut it did show her abundant breasts, and she pulled on a light sweater to match. She wore her hair down, and didn’t add any jewelry or rings. It wasn’t a date and she was trying for casual. She grabbed a bottle of wine to bring over, and a plate of the mini muffins she had made this morning. They were an apple strudel muffin, with chunks of sweet, soft apple and the crumb topping. She had made them to bring into work tomorrow, but she made so many because the guys would bring leftovers home to the kids. She had more than enough to spare.

  * * * *

  “You do realize that she had about a dozen men over there when she moved in? They were all helping,” Raven stated as he stood by the island in the kitchen drinking a beer. His brothers asked this woman over for dinner and planned on hanging out by the fire pit at her place that they built.

  “You just have a bug up your ass because you’re resistant to what you feel. You are attracted to her too but you put your foot in your mouth and accused her of being a party girl,” Harley said and Cassius chuckled.

  “Holy shit. This is crazy,” he said and then Beretta warned them that she was coming over. He spotted her as he looked out the window.

  Cassius went to meet her at the door. When she walked inside Raven ate her up with his eyes. She was a beautiful woman, there was no denying that. Young, too, and her body incredible but she hid it. She was classy, sexy. His brothers greeted her with smiles and kisses to the cheek. “What’s this?” Harley asked, taking a plate from her.

  “Oh, just some apple strudel muffins I made,” she said and Cassius took the bottle of wine she brought over to open it.

  “When did you make them?” Beretta asked.

  “This morning. I made a few batches, actually,” she said and then looked at Raven. He eyed her over in a distrusting manner and she looked insulted but then Harley took her hand.

  “You like to bake?” he asked her and she walked along with him deeper into the kitchen.

  “I love to bake and to cook, but it’s just me so I don’t have to get too crazy with ingredients and things.”

  “You would love this oven and stove,” he said to her.

  She looked at the eight burner commercial stove. “You could cook for an army with this,” she said.

  Raven saw Harley move his arm along her waist and keep her close. “We eat a lot, and enjoy cooking,” Harley said to her.

  “We take turns,” Cassius said and handed her a glass of white wine from the bottle she brought over.

  “Some of us have been slacking lately,” Beretta teased.

  “I’m working a lot and on a case so when I’m done I’ll make up for it,” Cassius replied in his defense.

  “A toast?” Harley asked and they all looked at Emerson. “To getting to know one another,” Harley stated.

  “To being neighbors,” she added and Raven was shocked at her obvious tactic to slow things down. Maybe she wasn’t on board, or she had a boyfriend and was trouble. A woman this good looking, living all alone, must have some problems.

  * * * *

  Emerson started to laugh again. The stories these men told were each one funnier than the next and all of them basically started by teasing one another. She took another sip of wine and smiled. “Dinner was great, Harley. I truly enjoyed it.”

  “Thank you. You are welcome over any time,” he added and stared at her.

  Cassius placed his hand on her bare knee and caressed it. “Definitely welcome any time.” He held her gaze and she swallowed hard.

  “So, dessert here or over at my place?” she asked, feeling like maybe she needed to slow things down, but then Beretta and Harley stared at her, looking at her body and she realized what she said sounded kind of sexual. “For the fire pit? You want to have the muffins there, or what?” she asked.

  Beretta exhaled but held her gaze as he looked at her so deeply she began to fidget. Cassius and he both caressed her leg. Cassius moved his hand along her thigh and Beretta caressed her shin, calf, and knee, up and down. It was wild how it felt with two men touching her at once. A glance at Raven and Harley and she knew they were attracted to her and were interested. When Blake, Terrence, Matt, and Scott entered her mind, and then Felecia, she cleared her throat and stood up.

  “Maybe we should just call it a night,” she said but as she went to pass Beretta he stopped her by her thighs, his face nearly level with her breasts where he sat and boy, did he looked serious.

  “Don’t go,” he said to her and just held her there and stared up into her eyes. She gulped as the scent of his cologne attacked her senses, along with the feel of large, warm hands as he began to caress them a little higher then lower, higher then lower. “Put your hands on my shoulders,” he said, in a hard whisper.

  She gulped. “Beretta, I’m not really experienced with men like you. I’m also not easy, and it would be a bad idea to even consider letting this go further. I mean it’s not a date or anything. Just a friendly visit between neighbors.”

  “Put your hands on his shoulders,” Raven said to her, making her gasp and tighten up, yet also making her pussy cream. Her lips parted and she looked over her shoulder at him. Raven sat there, stared right at her.

  “You feel what we’re feeling. Let’s see where this goes,” Harley added, and she looked at Cassius as Beretta massaged her outer thighs and then pulled her closer. She had no choice but to hold on to his shoulders. His chin tilted up, his bearded face, those stunning green eyes stared at her and she wanted. She wanted to feel, to take a chance but was so scared of getting hurt.

  “Kiss me,” Beretta said to her.

  Tears filled her eyes. She was shaking because of this situation. Because of the past. She was afraid of what these men were capable of. She reached up, cupped his cheek and Beretta closed his eyes like her touch truly affected him. She stroked his beard along his cheek, surprised at how soft it felt. Still thick, masculine whiskers but soft to touch. He moved his hands higher under her skirt, squeezing her flesh and then she lowered her mouth to his and kissed him. He tightened up, and she was surprised that she affected him so. She deepened the kiss, caressed his cheeks, then ran her hand along his thick, hard neck, to his shoulder. He was muscle upon muscle. The feel of his palms kneading her flesh had her moaning into his mouth and him moaning, too. She was pressed against him. She felt his one large palm cup her ass and the crack then felt the finger slide along her thong panties, the crack of her ass and right to her cunt. She pulled back.

  He gripped her around the waist and held her. “Whoa, slow down. You’re okay.”

  She shook her head, pressed onto his shoulders. The fear, the hurt left from Blake, was apparently still raw enough to make her pull back. When the second set of hands landed on her shoulders from behind and then a large presence, she gasped again.

  “You’re shaking, baby. Do we scare you that much?” Harley asked her and she nodded her head.

  “I think we should call it a night,” she said but Beretta shook his head. He continued to caress her thighs and it felt so good. She wanted to fight the fears, the concerns about being used, being betrayed but it was so hard. She only had one lover. He wanted her to screw his friends, too. What was happening here? Were these men out for a good time, too? To share her? They didn’t seem like the commitment types, and Raven definitely didn’t trust her.

  She went to turn and Harley pulled her into his arms. “Harley,” she said, her hands on his forearms, thick, hard, like steel.

  He shook his head. “We aren’t going to hurt you.” He used his other hand to cup her neck and cheek and he lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her tenderly, softly, but as he pulled her harder against his body, he deepened the kiss and moaned into her mouth. She felt the same, deep attraction for Harley that she did for Beretta. He took his time, caressed along her hip and turned her.

  “So damn beautiful,” Cassius said and joined in. Harley released her to Cassius, and before she could catch her breath, Cassius kissed her, held her tight, and plunged his tongue into her mouth in expl
oration.

  She was lost in Cassius’s arms. She felt so small, feminine, and weak against their tactics. When Cassius lifted her up and carried her from where they were, she didn’t know what he was doing. “Cassius?” she asked, breathless as he placed her onto the island in the kitchen. He pulled her thighs against his waist. Her skirt lifted to her hips and he cupped her cheeks and stared into her eyes, her face. Her sweater fell from her shoulders.

  “I don’t know where you came from, or how this even happened, but I want more, Emerson. A lot more,” he said and then kissed her again. When he slid his arm around her waist and was able to cup her breast, his size, his capabilities made her head spin. Cassius was sexy, strong, capable and a real man. All four of these men were seasoned and she felt completely inexperienced and virginal. With that thought came the fears of getting hurt, of being used. She had to slow things down.

  She pulled from his lips and Harley was right there. He leaned over and kissed her shoulder bone, then along her neck. “You’re incredible. We’re shocked right now,” Harley said and held her hand. Restrained her as he moved his mouth along her shoulder, down her arm, pushing the camisole lower.

  “Harley, we need to slow down. This is so unexpected and…”

  “Don’t you feel it?” Beretta asked, coming next to her other side. As she looked up at him, Cassius caressed her thighs. Her pussy ached to be touched, to be given attention. She felt Cassius’s thumb along her groin, so close to her pussy. So close to where she needed to be touched, but she couldn’t allow this just because it had been so long since she had sex. So long since a man touched her, played her body like an instrument, she couldn’t.

  In that moment she felt Harley’s mouth over her breast, his hand pushing down her top.

  “Holy fuck. You’re incredible,” Beretta spoke and he gripped her other hand, covered it as her palm lay flat on the island by her side and Beretta restrained it like Harley was doing.

  “Trust us to just do a little exploring,” Cassius said to her as he cupped her cheeks and kissed her again. She felt her top lower, her bra too and then Beretta’s mouth was on her other breast. She moaned into Cassius’s mouth.