A Life Without Fear (Life #2) Read online

  “Knock knock,” she asks.

  “Who’s there?” Blake responds.

  “Cows go.”

  “Cows go who?” Blake looks at me confused.

  “No, silly, cows go moo.”

  We all laugh in unison and her laughter makes the joke even funnier. After catching our breath again after our fit of giggles, I get up to grab us some napkins. When I come back, Blake has now answered his phone. He looks pissed and Gracie is frowning at him. I’m not sure what I missed. Blake stands from the table when I return and heads out of the shop to talk on the phone. Gracie looks concerned, so I ask her to tell me another joke and that turns her attention. After two more ‘knock knock’ jokes, Blake returns looking furious.

  “We need to go, now.” His voice is calm, but his body language is anything but fierce.

  “But I’m not done with my ice cream,” Gracie complains.

  “You can eat it in the car Gracie, but we have to go right now.”

  “Come on honey. I’ll sit in the back with you and we can eat our ice cream together, okay?” I say to her.

  She nods her head. Grasping her hand, we head out to Blake’s car. We’re almost to the back door when I hear a car slam on its breaks right behind us. I turn to see a town car behind us, it’s late in the day and the windows are so darkly tinted I can’t see who’s inside.

  “Get in the car now, Angelica.” Blake sounds deadly.

  Grabbing Gracie, I hurriedly get in the back seat of the car and lock the door behind me. I take my phone out of my purse and click on the Netflix app. I tell Gracie to pick a movie and all is forgotten. She’s looking through the options as I turn to see what the hell is going on. I can only see Blake’s back and he seems defensive, he’s talking to someone, but I can’t see the other person. I notice a suit so I know it’s a man, and every time the man tries to go around Blake he steps in front of him. The man tricks Blake, he steps to the right but goes to the left and sprints to Gracie’s door. I’d already locked the doors so the man can’t open it, but he slams his hands on the window. Gracie screams from the noise and I retrieve her out of her seat and hold her in my lap.

  “Open the God damn door now!” I recognize the voice immediately. “Damn it, Blake, that’s my daughter give her to me.”

  “Daddy?” Gracie asks from my lap.

  “Get away from the car, Jon. You’re drunk and you’re scaring her.” Blake has reemerged and has put himself between the glass and Jon.

  “She’s my fucking daughter and you have her out on a date with you and one of your whores?” He tries to shove Blake, but he doesn’t budge. Jon leans down to look in and he meets my eyes. “Are you fucking kidding me, you brought that slut with you?”

  I wish I could be offended by that comment, but in all honesty he’s right. I am a slut.

  That’s the last thing he says before Blake punches him in the jaw. Gracie screams, I hadn’t even noticed that she was watching them. I hold her tightly and turn her head away from them losing sight of them as they both start to wrestle on the ground. Soon a man emerges from the town car Jon was in and pulls Blake away from Jon. Jon is screaming something, but I can’t understand him. The man pulls Jon away toward the car, I can see blood dripping from his nose and mouth.

  Blake watches them get back in the car then he turns and slides into our car. He starts it and looks back at us. I can see a small cut on his lip, and speck of blood sits on his lip. He looks from me to Gracie.

  “I’m sorry honey. Your daddy was just having a bad night. I’m going to take you back home, okay?”

  “Okay, Uncle Blake.” With that, she crawls back into her car seat and I help her buckle.

  I wonder if she’s used to this kind of behavior from her father. She doesn’t question Blake about him. Blake looks at me with sad eyes, so I simply smile then buckle myself. We head off to Gracie’s house, no one speaks. Our once light banter filled with laughter and frozen yogurt is gone. Silence is what’s replaced it. We arrive at Gracie’s penthouse a short time later. Blake steps out of the car as I help to unbuckle Gracie. He opens her door and takes her hand.

  “I’ll be back in a moment, Angelica,” he tells me.

  “Of course, take your time.” I smile at Gracie. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Gracie. I hope we can enjoy frozen yogurt again soon.”

  “I hope so.” She smiles at me, but she looks sad.

  She and Blake head off into the fancy building holding hands. I lose sight of them as they make their way through the front doors. Sweet Jesus, if it’s not one thing, it’s another with me. Sure whatever the hell was wrong with Jon had nothing to do with me initially, but that quickly changed when he saw me. I’m poison to anyone who gets close to me, I swear. The best thing I can do is walk away from Blake. But I don’t want to, I really like him. Plus, I know Blake won’t let me leave, he’s proven it time and time again. At the very least I should just keep my distance from his family. I can’t do much harm to anyone else if I just got to work and then go straight home. With Rodger gone, I should really think about joining a kickboxing class that could also occupy my time. I start cleaning our spilled frozen yogurt from the back seat. In Gracie’s haste to get on my lap, she dropped her cup. Luckily the mess is small and I clean it quickly with some tissues from a box I found on the floor. My door opens suddenly and I look up to meet Blake’s eyes. He holds his hand out for me and I take it. He pulls me tightly to him, just holding me.

  “I’m sorry about that Angelica. Jon and his ex-wife Alicia, are going through a custody battle with Gracie. He was drunk and a complete fucking idiot, please don’t listen to his foul words. They mean nothing.”

  “He wasn’t lying though Blake. I am a slut. I almost slept with him for Christ’s sakes. I almost slept with him while I was with you!” I break away from his embrace. “If that’s not a slut, I don’t know what is.”

  “Angelica you are not a slut! You almost made a mistake, but Jon took advantage of you when the situation presented itself. If anyone is going to be given the title of a slut, it should be him.” He grasps my shoulders and makes me look at him. “Do you understand me, Angelica? You are not a slut and I won’t have you call yourself that again.”

  “I’m not as innocent as you’re making me out to be Blake. I willingly went to his club. That was my decision.” I lay my head on his chest.

  “Angelica, stop, please. Let’s get you home.”

  He opens the front door for me and I get in. He strides over to the driver’s side and we head off to my house. Again, the ride is quiet, no music, no conversation, just the sound of the city. When we get to my house, I don’t wait for Blake to open my door. Instead, I slide out and head straight to my front door. I hear his door shut and his feet walking behind me.

  “Is this how we’re going to end our evening, Angelica? You walking away from me?” I pull him to me and wrap my arms around him tightly.

  “No Blake, this is not how we’re ending the night. I just want to go inside and change into P.J.’s and go to bed. Will you join me, please?”

  “Always Angelica.” He kisses me softly on the lips.

  I take him by the hand and he follows me inside the house, he locks the door then we head up to my room. He sits on the bed as I change into pajamas, I don’t hide or walk into the bathroom to change. I’m over all that when it comes to Blake, he’s seen me at my worst, he can handle this. I don’t turn to look at him, just strip off my clothes and change into an oversized T-shirt with nothing but booty panties underneath.

  When I turn around to face him, he’s just sitting there looking in awe.

  “Enjoy the show?” I jokingly ask him.

  “It was a beautiful show to watch. Is this the part where I hold you until you fall asleep?”

  Seriously? That’s what he says? I’m sitting here half-naked, we had one hell of a night and all he wants to do is fucking cuddle? I lose my shit. I rush to him; crushing my lips to his. He moans in response at my enthusiasm. Straddling h
im, I tug his hair while I hold his mouth to mine grinding my pelvis on his now rock hard erection. He flips me so I’m beneath him on the bed, kissing me once hard then he pulls away to take off his clothes. Unlike me, he undresses while locking eyes with me. I can hold his eyes while he takes off his shoes, socks, and pants but when the shirt and boxer briefs come off his eyes are the last place I’m looking.

  His stomach is insane. He’s rock hard in all the right places. That sexy V in his lower abdomen is pointing straight to his gorgeous cock. What a gorgeous cock it is. Suddenly, I have the urge to taste him. I scoot off the bed and kneel in front of him. He doesn’t speak, he only watches while I wrap my lips around his larger than life cock. He sucks in a large breath when I take his dick all the way to the back of my throat. I have no gag reflex so it works to my advantage right now. I take almost all of him in my mouth and use my hand to stroke what won’t fit. His breathing is becoming more of a hiss. Starting a steady motion on him, I’m pulling all the way out and licking the tip, I can taste the precum. That’s when I lose my cool. I hate cum in my mouth. I like to think I’m game for some kinky shit, but swallowing is not one of those kinky things. I take him back in my mouth to try and distract myself. Before I can pull him out again, he lifts me by the shoulders and tosses me on the bed. He pulls my panties down my legs then positions himself in-between them. Unlike me, he likes to start slowly, he gingerly puts the tip of his tongue on my clit causing me to jolt and moan in response. He pins my thighs down with his arms then resumes his position. He starts to lick me incessantly and I begin to buck off the bed, but his hold is stronger. I feel my release building up then he moves one arm from my thigh and moves it to his side. I can’t see what he’s doing with his other hand, but I can now feel it. He’s masturbating while he’s eating me out. It’s the most erotic feeling in the world. Now we’re both moaning, only his moans are being muffled by my pussy. That’s all it takes, that single act and I’m coming, screaming his name while my release drags out thanks to his magical tongue. He crawls up my body, kissing his way up. He detours at my breasts, aggressively sucking each one. I hear a tear and I know he’s keeping my body wound up while he puts on a condom. Once it’s on, he kisses my neck at the same time he gently slides his dick into me.

  It’s almost painful how big he is, he must know he’s extremely large because he doesn’t try to just ram me incessantly. He’s gentle and rocks his hips in just the right way. I start to rock with him, feeling my clit rub, his pelvis brings me back to the brink of another orgasm. I push him off me and reverse our positions. I straddle him and ease myself onto his waiting erection. Once he’s fully inside me, I start to rock on top of him. The feeling is pure ecstasy; he’s hitting a different part in me and it’s heaven. He grasps my hips and helps me to rock harder on him. I feel it coming and I can tell by his tense body he’s right there with me. I rock harder and slip one hand behind my back and grab hold of his balls and start to gently massage them.

  “Fuckkk.”

  That’s it; any noise from that man is fucking hot. I rock a few more times and scream my release. He grabs me and rocks even harder and moans his release with me. He slowly starts to break apart from one another. I lie next to him and try to catch my breath. My shirt is pushed up so I adjust it, he gets up and retrieves my panties from wherever they ended up and helps me to put them on. God, he’s so sweet. He goes to the bathroom to clean himself up while I crawl into the bed. He’s literally fucked me to sleep—I’m exhausted. He walks out of the bathroom looking simply delicious. He bends down to pick up his boxer briefs.

  “You’re not leaving me are you?”

  “Well, I fucked you what else is there to do?” He looks up with a serious face.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Where the fuck is this coming from? Is he just further proving Jon’s claims that I am a slut?

  “Yes, Angelica I am. I’m not leaving you.” He smiles that too perfect smile. I reach behind me and throw every pillow I can find at him. He’s laughing as he dodges them then jumps on the bed to stop me.

  “If you keep asking me dumb questions, I have the right to respond with an equally dumb answer. Do you not agree?” I smile back, he has a point. “I thought so.”

  He goes to retrieve us some pillows since the bed now has none. Once he’s back and we’re both settled, I turn off the lamp on my nightstand then turn back on him, fitting wonderfully.

  “Are we running in the morning, Angelica?”

  “No, I think I just got a good enough workout to last me through the morning.”

  “If you’d like we could do it again in the morning.” He kisses the back of my neck sending goosebumps all over my body.

  “Easy tiger, don’t press your luck.”

  “Goodnight Angelica.”

  “Goodnight Blake.”

  He kisses my neck one last time then we fall into a deep sleep.

  The rest of the week is a blur. Work has been non-stop which is great. Joey and I went on a night trip on Thursday to Jersey Shore to shoot some pictures. He wanted to try something different, I think he got some great ones and I’m excited to see them. That night Blake stayed with me again, it’s something I really like. I enjoy going to bed in his arms and waking up to his forehead kisses. Friday at work was interesting. Bill informed me that while I was away from work, after the Edward incident, he withdrew us from the I.P. Vodka Company account. He told me he didn’t want to do business with such a despicable man. Although I was incredibly touched that he did that in my honor I asked him to not make such decisions because of me, the company was important and needed the business. He would hear nothing I said. Apparently he and Blake have kept in contact and Blake is sending a few more opportunities our way. I smile at Blake’s thoughtfulness. After everything, I’ve put him through he still looks out for me in every aspect of my life. I haven’t paid for my coffee at all this week, thanks to that man. It truly is the little things that leave the biggest impressions.

  Friday after work Blake asked me over to his house for dinner, his parents are coming over and he wants to introduce me to them. I’m slightly hesitant because I’m not sure what they know about me. Surely Jon has told them something despicable about me and what I did. Again, I can’t blame him. After all, I did act extremely slutty that night. Reluctantly, I agree because I could tell that it meant a lot to Blake and I don’t want to disappoint him. But isn’t meeting the parents a big deal? On my way home I calm my panic attack by calling Joey.

  Ring…Ring…Ring…

  Hmm, odd, Joey always answers his phone. When he’s in a shoot he turns it off, so I know he has it. I try again.

  Ring…Ring…Ring…

  Again, nothing. What the fuck, now I’m worried. By the time I try for the third time, the taxi is dropping me off at home. I pay the fare then walk up the steps into my house.

  Ring...Ring…

  “Damn it Ang, can a guy not get laid without you freaking the fuck out?”

  “No, why didn’t you turn off your phone asshat. You had me worried.”

  “You have no reason to be worried, Angelica.”

  “Sorry, but lately everything around me has gone to shit so forgive me for being a little overly cautious.”

  “Baby, come back…” a woman’s sultry voice calls from Joey’s phone.

  “Who in the fuck is that?”

  “Relax Ang, it’s just a girl I met on a shoot yesterday.”

  “What the fuck happened to Liam? You told me you were going to try Joey.”

  “Ugh Angelica, can we do this later?” He sounds resigned. Something is going on and I will get to the bottom of it.

  “Fine. Bye, Joey.”

  “Wait, why did you call?”

  “Don’t worry about it, nothing important, I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up the phone and toss it on the couch.

  God, Joey is an amazing man, and right when he might have met a keeper he goes and fucks it up, literally.

 
Why is he with a girl? He’s very rarely with a woman.

  What am I missing?

  I instantly get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I run up to the library and head to the computer and once it wakes, I type Joey Livingston in the search engine and immediately see a story on TMZ. With my heart pounding hard, I click the link.

  ‘Model, Joey Livingston refuses to help mother, forcing her to live in a homeless shelter. Apparently partying with models is more important than his own mother.’

  Underneath the headline is a picture of Joey at a club dancing with a bunch of models. Oh Joey, why do you let her get to you still? As much as I want to rush to his loft, I don’t. He needs to figure his shit out alone. Unlike me, he likes to be alone for a while before he calls me. Well, alone with some slutty model apparently. Shaking off the thoughts of Joey and some model, I head up to my room to get dressed.

  I’m standing in my closet for I don’t know how long before heading back downstairs to get my phone. Going through the contacts I reach the name I’m looking for a hit call.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Betty.”

  “Hey, there Angelica. How are you doing sweetie?”

  “I’m fine. Just standing in my closet trying to figure out what one wears to meet someone’s parents.” If it were possible to hear a smile through the phone, Betty’s smile would be shouting.

  “Oh, well, now, we have to make sure it’s something very nice. Classy. This will be easy, you already dress wonderfully.”

  “Thank you, Betty.”

  “Oh, don’t thank me, that’s all your fashion sense child. Now let’s get to work.” I hear her pull a chair out then plop down. I put the phone on speaker so I can search while we talk. “Now, we’re going to need a dress. I’d say a nice light color, perhaps a crème or a nude.” I walk to the other side of my closet where the dresses hang and search for light dresses. “Make sure the neckline is up and the length preferably right above the knees.” I find two dresses that meet her criteria. “Now, we want it to be tight enough to show that shape of yours, but not low or high enough to literally show them. Do you get what I’m saying, Ang?”