SNAP (The SNAP Trilogy Book 1) (15 page)

Everyone agrees and she goes to refill her wine. The conversation skips to something else and, in no time at all, it's really as if Phil has disappeared off the face of the earth. Watching Hazel and Cady together would put a smile on anyone's face. It's easy to talk with all of them and soon I find myself feeling as if we've been friends for years instead of hours. Erick is hilarious, constantly spouting raunchy jokes and innuendos that have me laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

"Well, the beer's almost gone. You know what that means," Erick says handing me another bottle.

"Time to get more beer?" I respond taking it from him.

"Precisely, my friend. I'll leave this last bottle in the fridge for you." He gets up and heads to the kitchen.

"Thanks, man," I tell him and he nods his head.

"Are you leaving?" Hazel asks Cady.

"Yeah, we're gonna head to Erick's and watch movies." She winks at her before downing the last of her wine.

Hazel glances at me out of the corner of her eye as she giggles. "You two be careful and have fun."

"Of course we'll have fun, I'll be there," Erick says as he helps Cady off the floor making me laugh. "I wanted to ask earlier, but it was bad timing. There's a party tomorrow night. Thought maybe you two might want to hang out with us."

"Where's it at?" Hazel asks, but by the sound of it, I'm pretty sure she already knows the answer.

"Dustin's," Erick responds and puts his hand up as Hazel opens her mouth. "Before you say anything, I hang out there all the time and never see Phil. Dustin has made it known that his house is to be empty when "his dude" stops by."

If Erick has never seen him there, then Phil never went into the house last week when they were there. They don't know it was him who slashed her tire. Was he pissed off she was there after I knocked him out and was getting even with her? I wonder if he still would've done it had I not interfered.

Hazel bites her bottom lip in deep thought. I don't blame her for not wanting to go. I wouldn't want to either if I was in her shoes. But this could be the break I need. Having a reason to be at Dustin's house could get me information that could bring all this to an end.

"Sounds good to me," I jump in, hoping that Hazel will say yes. I would hate to go to Dustin's without her and Phil make a move again. We'd be too far away to help her.

"It'll be okay," Cady adds. "Cash, Erick, and Bobby will be there and they won't let anything happen to you. Hell, you'd be safer there than sitting home alone."

The way Cady says Bobby's name has me stiffening. Who is Bobby, and how close are they that he would protect her from an attack?

"Alright, I'll go," she says as she stands.

"Awesome," Cady smiles and gives her a hug. "See ya tomorrow at work."

She lets them out and leans against the door frame as her and Cady finish their goodbyes. My eyes fall to her ass appreciating the way her jeans mold to it. They should be illegal. Or mandatory. I can't make up my mind. It's pure torture.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't I do," I hear Cady sing lightly as she walks away from the door.

"Go home, you're drunk," Hazel shouts at her then starts laughing.

"Not drunk enough," Cady shouts back.

Hazel waves at her then closes the door and locks it. She turns around and walks to the table with a grin on her face grabbing her glass. She finishes it off and looks at me.

"Well, those are my friends." She laughs and grabs Cady's glass walking to the kitchen.

"They seem like good friends to have."

And I honestly mean that. Loyalty like theirs is hard to come by. I think Cady would've ran out of here and hunted Phil down to murder him if it wouldn't get her thrown in jail. They might throw around bullshit for laughs, but they are straightforward and genuine. I felt completely at ease with them. That doesn't happen often.

"I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world," she says as she pours the last of the wine into her glass. "You want this other beer?"

Four empty bottles line the table in front of me. I shouldn't drink more. Tomorrow I can work and have fun, but tonight I still have to go on the search for Phil. After the day Hazel's had, she should get some rest and unwind. I don't think he'll come back here after the stunt he pulled.

Carrying the bottles into the kitchen, I toss them in the trash then lean on the counter next to her as she takes a sip from her glass, thankful her friends showed up today. Even after everything that happened, I could see myself backing her against the wall and tasting those lips that have been driving me crazy. She doesn't need that shit right now.

"You've gotta stop looking at me like that, Cash," she whispers, throwing my words from earlier back at me.

My gaze leaves her mouth and connects with her soft, gray eyes filled with anticipation. Her tongue darts out to wet her pink lips making them glisten. I've never been jealous of a person's tongue before, but I'd give anything for it be mine running over her flesh–all of it. Being alone with this woman is testing my willpower.

I turn and look at everything but her regaining my focus. I'm here for a reason, and it's not to behave like a teenage boy. "Walk me out?" I ask before I lose the battle and throw myself at her.

"Sure."

The disappointment on her face as she sets her drink down causes my stomach to dip. I haven't felt that in so long I almost don't recognize it for what it is. No. It's hero syndrome in reverse. She's been done wrong and I don't want to be another person to kick her while she's down.

She follows me over to the door and I unlock it. Stepping out on the porch, I take a look around. The few street lights in this apartment complex barely cover the area. Phil could be hiding in any number of shadows surrounding us. I don't want her out here for long.

Hazel steps next to me and I turn to her as she also looks around, squinting into the darkness. "I'll see ya tomorrow, Hazel. Text me and let me know what time to meet you."

She looks up at me and smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Okay."

I step down off the porch, but halt in my tracks when she whispers my name. The way it rolls off her tongue in that one breath has my heart pounding in my chest. I imagine her saying it over and over as I lose myself inside her. That's all it takes. One whisper to have me tripping all over myself to face her.

My hands cup her face that is level with mine and I pull her closer. Her breath is warm on my lips and smells of wine making my stomach flutter. I've imagined what would lead to this moment and how it would be. None of them were as good or prepared me for how it would feel when I brush my lips against hers. It ignites a fire in my gut that has me warming from head to toe.

"I can't give you what you're looking for, Hazel," I whisper, hoping she doesn't push me away.

"I didn't ask you for anything, Cash," she whispers back, her lips brushing mine as she pulls me closer.

My heart picks up speed listening to her words and reading her eyes. Her dark lashes flutter against her skin as her lips brush my lower one then my upper one. I want to crush her mouth to mine, but I let her have her moment because I'm enjoying it too. Her tongue glides over my top lip then my bottom before nibbling it. A slight groan escapes me when her teeth make contact with my lip causing her eyes to open and a sexy fucking smirk quirks her lips. My patience runs thin and I press my mouth to hers wiping the smirk from her face.

Sliding my hands into her hair, I place little kisses on her lips before running my tongue along the seam of hers. Her lips part and the tips of our tongues touch stoking the fire that is already spreading through my body. What starts off soft and gentle quickly turns rough and hard as our tongues and lips tell each other things we don't want to admit with words. She clutches my arms to keep herself steady as I attack her mouth with a fervor I've never felt before. Her nails dig into my skin as she rubs herself against my erection reminding me where we are. Mentally cursing myself, I break the kiss and forcefully pull back from her before we lose each other in whatever this is. Her glazed eyes stare into mine as we try to control our ragged breaths.

Hazel turns me on with a smile, her tongue and lips make me hard like a hormonal teenager. This was more than I bargained for when I came here. I didn't expect her to be beautiful. I didn't expect to be attracted to her. And for damn sure didn't expect us to have chemistry that makes us want to rip each other’s clothes off in public.

Rubbing my thumb over her cheek, I say, "You should get some rest. It's been a long day."

Her head bobs, and thankfully she doesn't say a word. I don't think I can control myself if she speaks again.

"Later, Hazel." I turn and walk to my truck, adjusting my raging erection as I go.

I never hang out with women. Usually I take a woman out, spend tons of money, take her back to her place, fuck her, and never see her again. I never have any urge to see any of them again. That's why I started using escorts. If I'm going to spend that kind of money to get laid, I might as well spend that money getting laid. I never see any of these women ever again, and don't care to. But tonight with Hazel makes me wonder what's coming next. And that scares me, because this can't happen. This can't go anywhere. No one needs to be part of my life, and no one can know about certain aspects of my life. She would constantly be in danger and I don't want that for her. Hazel deserves more than that. She deserves a better man than me.

Watching her go back inside, I wait another minute to make sure her door is locked up tight. Taking a deep breath, I start the car and head to the hotel to switch vehicles before hunting down Phil.

Hazel

Today was one hell of a strange day. It both started and ended scary, but on opposite ends of the spectrum. That's where Phil and Cash stand, on opposite ends of the scary spectrum. They are both terrifying in their own ways. Phil, because he's fucking psycho and just keeps getting crazier, and Cash, because he's a mystery and it worries me what lurks beneath his facade and the things he makes me feel. Phil is the terror you see coming. Cash is the terror that stays hidden until the most opportune time. Both are hunters and I am their prey.

As I get ready for bed the day replays over and over again in my mind. I wonder when Phil will strike again. Cash didn't think Phil would come over again, and I agreed. I dread calling my landlord about the damage Phil caused to my door. Pulling back the curtain in my room, I expect to see crazy eyes staring back at me screaming let me in, but no one is there. I sigh in relief and look at the cut screen and dent in my glass. The curtain falls back into place and I fix it so no one can see in and I can't see out. It makes me feel a bit safer, but not by much.

Cash drifts through my mind as I restlessly toss and turn trying to find sleep, but fearing it at the same time. He was solemn and had his guard up before he left. "I can't give you what you're looking for," reverberates in my head. What exactly does he think I'm looking for? All I want is happiness that's not shrouded by fear. I didn't ask him to be my savior. He chose to intervene and keeps coming around. Although there is nothing holding him to me, I hope that he stays. 

I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the hell I did wrong for him to take off so fast. I don't know what he was thinking, and I'm not sure if I want to know. That kiss we shared was…. I can't even put into words. Goosebumps break out on my skin remembering the way his lips felt on mine, the passion fueled duel of our tongues, the way he tasted, and the groans that came from deep in his chest that spurred me on. I wanted to wrap myself around him, I wanted him to wrap himself around me and become a second skin. It felt so right and yet it feels like only wrong will come from it.

I know one thing's for certain. I suck at trusting my gut instinct. Instead of staying away from Cash, I ran towards him. He stokes something inside of me that makes me feel alive and I'd give anything to feel that way over and over and over again. I'm taking what I can get from Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. Fallout be damned, I'll deal with it when the time arises.

Phil

"I'll be there in a little bit," I say into the phone as I watch Hazel's shadow behind her living room curtains. My pants get tight thinking about the night we shared together. There should've been more. There will be more nights like that.

"Alright. How was your trip?" Dustin asks, but I can tell he wants to discuss something else.

"Uneventful. Daddy just wanted a bonding day with his sons. I could really do without these trips, but if it ensures my inheritance, all aboard." I chuckle into the phone as I rub the bulge in my jeans watching her. Her profile comes into view showing off her beautiful tits. A memory of sinking my teeth into that flesh flickers in my mind making me squeeze myself through my jeans.

"I've got a question for ya."

There it is, what Dustin was leading to. I can read this fool like a book. He really needs to learn to mask that shit if he thinks he's going to make it in this business. He has too many tells and someone is going to take advantage of him, mainly me.

"Yeah? What is it?" I ask as I unzip my pants and let my dick fall out. My hand is a poor substitute for the tight pussy that's walking around inside those walls. It jerks in my hand remembering her dripping wet silkiness squeezing it. Oh that was heaven.

"You haven't seen anyone lurking around when you're here, have you?"

Dustin's words cause my hand to stop stroking myself and really paying attention to what he's saying.

"Why?" I school my voice to sound nonchalant.

"Just asking. There's been an incident and some cars we haven't recognized on the street lately," he says cautiously.

He's really starting to piss me off. My erection is deflating in my hand wondering where he is going with this conversation. Unknown cars hanging around makes me nervous. Is someone on to us? This could be extremely bad for business.

"No, I haven't. Why, what's going on?" The agitation in my voice has Dustin answering quickly.

"A neighbor's tire was slashed and I've been asking around if anyone saw anything," Dustin blatantly lies to me. I know exactly whose vehicle that is. Strike one for Dustin. Two more strikes and you're out, fucker.

"Alright, I'll let them know. See ya when ya get here."

He disconnects the call and I drop my phone into the passenger seat. Looking back toward Hazel's house, I grab my now flaccid dick and try to breathe life into it. I watch as she shuts the lights off inside her apartment and I know it's a lost cause now. Growling to myself, I punch the dashboard and take a deep breath. I needed this release, god knows I can't be with her tonight. I tuck my useless dick back into my pants then start my car. I take one last look at Hazel's house before pulling away.

My hands squeeze the steering wheel thinking about how she let that prick touch her, the way she looked at him. I've been pushing it out of my mind and trying to replace them with thoughts of us. He showed up awfully fast today when I was trying to get her to let me into her place. My suspicions of them dating were confirmed when I saw them on her porch making out like teenagers. She doesn't need a fucking child. She needs a man. One that can put her in her place where she belongs. I showed her my nice side, how well I could I treat her when she behaved.

I didn't like the first time she looked at me warily and with disgust. I had raised my voice to her so she'd shut the fuck up and stop yapping about something that happened at work. Bad days happen, and I was having one. I just wanted to have a nice quiet evening where I could admire her beauty, have her speak when spoken to and smile. She needs to smile dammit. My father didn't like the idea of me dating Hazel. He understood the attraction, but he thought she was beneath me. A bar whore would be the exact words he used. She's not a fucking whore. Hazel's a good girl, unlike that whore of a friend of hers. Girls like Hazel work hard to better themselves. I can offer her the life she deserves and she would be appreciative of it. She isn't about the money, although I can give her all the money to make her happy, and put her where she should be; higher up in society than the place she's currently occupying. Hazel just needs to comprehend that what she wants isn't always what's best for her. It won't be long until she sees that.

My mind begins to churn faster, blending my thoughts into a muddled mess of shit as sweat breaks out on my brow. I swipe it away and try to keep my focus on the road. If I get pulled over now they'll try to put me away for life with the amount of drugs in my car. Can't be using Daddy's money to keep me out of jail. I need that to build my empire.

"Oh, what an empire it will be," I say to no one and laugh.

By the time I reach Dustin's house, I'm racing inside to dose up. I pushed it too far this time, but I wasn't about to use in the car. Pounding on the back door, I pace from side to side as my muscles twitch and stomach burns. If I don't get to this I'm gonna be puking on the steps.

"Hey P," Dustin says then looks at me concerned. "You don't look so well. Get in here."

I push past him and go straight to the dining room and lay my bag on the table. I can hear other people throughout the house and I want them all gone. Dustin is pushing me lately. He knows the rules. No one here when I stop by. My agitation grows as I bust out my personal stash, snapping and crumbling four pills effortlessly and quickly. Putting the tube of the pen to my nose, I snort it down as fast as I can. The burn that consumes my nostril and trails down my throat puts a content smile on my face. I sink into a chair at the table and take a moment to let the drug take effect. When I open my eyes, it's to Dustin standing in front of me with his arms crossed.

"Get everyone out of here," I say to him, putting the bag under the table out of view.

He nods his head and walks into the other room. I can hear him telling everyone it's time to go, that he'll call them later. No he won't. I'll have his ass busy for the next few days. We've got a batch that needs extra special attention. I watch as some walk through the dining room out the door to their cars in the alley. One person catches my eye and I have to do a double take. She has long dark hair, big tits, and an ass that screams to be smacked.

"Hey," I say to her and she turns her head.

"Yeah?" She smiles and I almost cringe visibly. She doesn't need to smile. She's prettier with her mouth closed hiding those crooked teeth.

"Why don't you stick around and keep me company?" Her eyes dart around and land on my personal stash sitting on the table.

"Okay," she says, her hips swaying as she walks over to me. Her confidence level is up thinking the big drug dealer wants her. Girls like this only strive for one thing: an endless supply of drugs. What better place to get them than to catch the eye of the one who can deliver. She pulls out the chair next to me and sits down. "I'm–"

"I don't care what your name is," I say putting my face in hers. Her mouth drops open and her eyes get larger as she watches me. I take three pills out of my stash and lay them in front of her. "Be a good girl and do them all up."

She glances between the pills and me. "Tha-that's too many." Worry fills her eyes.

"Then just do one," I say as I scoop up the other two. "I wasn't sure how hard you party. Sorry."

Her eyes soften and she nods, the worry leaving her. I watch her snap and snort, sucking it all down. Dustin walks into the room and looks confused. I nod to the chair telling him to sit and give him a wink. He does and remains quiet.

"I'm gonna grab a drink," I say as I stand up. "Either of you want anything?"

"No, man, I'm good," Dustin responds.

I look to the drug whore and she nods her head. "Yes, please." She smiles making me turn quickly so I don't have to see it. When I get to the kitchen, I crush up three more pills then grab two glasses filling them with ice. Soda is poured in my glass and whiskey is poured into hers. Grabbing her glass, I brush the powder into her drink without thinking about it and stir it up with a spoon sitting on the counter, then top it off with the last of the soda. My night's about to get ten times better already.

I sit back down at the table and place her drink in front of her. Leaning over, I whisper in her ear, "I want to bury my face in your tits and lick your cunt all night." Her breath catches and I watch as her thighs squeeze shut. Works every time. "Will you let me," I lick the shell of her ear, "lick your fucking cunt for hours?" She nods her head then takes a big gulp of her drink making a sour face. "Go to the first bedroom on the right and drink your pop while you wait for me."

She stares at her drink questioningly before she leaves the room. I can hear the door shutting as I face Dustin. "Work first, pussy second."

Dustin laughs and shakes his head. "Any headway on finding it? We really need to figure this out and fast before they discover what we're doing here."

I shake my head. "I'll get it figured out, you just do what you're told."

"I am doing what I'm told, but it's making people sick. Hell, one dude died, and you're not looking so good yourself there,
boss.
Maybe you should cut back some, four pills is a hell of a lot."

My nostrils flare as my hand flexes around the bag handle. Dustin watches me intently waiting for something to happen. "You just take this to our place and start working on it. I'll be there later to help and speed along the process."

"Yeah, sure. What time you gonna be there?" he asks as he grabs the bag.

"Whenever I get done here. Just expect me."

Dustin nods and heads out the door locking it behind him. I check the front door to make sure it's locked before heading to the bedroom. Flinging the door open, I find snaggle tooth sitting on the edge of the bed holding her head. The glass on the bed side table is half empty.

"I don't feel well," she slurs trying to lift her head, but she can't.

"That's no good." I sit next to her and wrap my arm around her shoulders pulling her to me. Her head falls against my shoulder and a moment later her body becomes dead weight against me.