building, and he opened it for me. “Hurry inside.” He glanced at the street behind me. “Some rough-looking dudes have been following us since the train station. We might need to stay inside for a little longer. Just until they move away.”
“Okay.” I hurried across the trash-strewn lawn, straight to the graffiti-painted stairwell door, and opened it.
War was right behind me. Closing it, he turned and peered through the tiny inset of shatterproof glass. “They’re still there, but they’re staying outside the gate.”
Moving close to him, I glanced through the window over his wide shoulder. “They’re looking back the way we came. Maybe they’re waiting for someone.”
“Maybe,” War said low. “Your tits are pressing into my back.” He turned around, his eyes dark.
“Sorry.”
“Didn’t mention it for you to apologize.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and slid them down my arms. Chill bumps erupted on my skin that had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with him. Grabbing my hands, he brought them to his chest. “Told you because you feel good.”
“Ah,” I said.
“Touch me, babe.”
He groaned when I did. I spread my fingers wide. He was solid muscle and smooth skin. A warm shiver rolled through me when his gaze dipped to my lips.
“I gotta kiss you,” he murmured as he walked me backward.
My back hit the wall. He lowered his head, and when I went up on my toes, his mouth slammed down on mine. His wet tongue speared between my lips.
His hands were active while we kissed. Shaping my breasts, his thumbs flicked my nipples. They were easy to find. I was wearing so little on top, and they were tight and already aching. War knew how to kiss. We’d been together a year. He knew exactly how to touch me to get a response.
I had a stray thought that I’d dressed like this for Bryan, but reminded myself he wasn’t here. He didn’t want to be here.
My thoughts were consumed by fire as War’s hands flowed over my body, a conduit for his desire. He was an insistent lover. Tracing my ass, he grabbed a globe in each hand and squeezed hard. My pussy spasmed. Gripping my upper thigh, he lifted it.
“Put your leg around me, babe.”
I did, and he opened me wider, rocking his hardness against my needy, throbbing core. I moaned into his mouth.
“That’s it, babe.” His other hand in my hair, he yanked, forcing my head back. Breaking the connection of our mouths, he rained fiery kisses down the exposed column of my neck.
“War, oh, War,” I murmured. “Yes.”
I was about to come just from that, but froze when I heard voices. The door to the stairwell banged open, and War moved me behind him.
“Fuck,” a guy bigger than War said. “Didn’t know anyone was in here.”
“Oh, you’re a cute one,” a woman said, and more ice drenched me.
I knew that voice. I peeked around War, and my eyes widened and my stomach flooded with dread. It was my mother.
“He’s not interested,” I said.
“Sorry, honey,” she slurred. Her eyes, gold like mine but dulled by dope, narrowed on me. “Are you the new girl?”
“No. God, no.” I swallowed down bile as I realized my own mother didn’t even recognize me. “I’m not a prostitute.”
“Honest work is honest work, honey.” Her nose twitched with indignation. “Don’t be judgmental.”
“Nothing honest about selling your body for drugs.” I stepped out from behind War.
He was watching me closely, putting things together quickly for sure. Blond, with golden eyes and a wide mouth, my mother looked like me, though a me that was twenty years older, drugged out, and malnourished.
“My business, honey.”
“Is it just your business to pimp out your own kids for your next fix?” I asked.
“Whoa,” the big guy said. “I’m out of here.” Scurrying backward, he ducked out the door.
A blast of cold air came in, but I barely noted it. My focus was her.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” She swayed and started scratching her arms. Her thin skin was covered in tracks and began to bleed.
“Don’t you recognize me?” I asked.
She stared at me a long beat. “No.” Then her eyes brightened. “But for a twenty, I’ll suck your guy off and you can watch.”
“You disgust me.” I turned my back on her, curling my fingers into my palms. “Let’s go, War.” My grip was so tight, my nails cut my skin.
“You think you’re so much better than me?” she said, and I froze. “You’re just