When Shes Mine - Dani Wyatt

W H E N S H E ’ S M I N E ___________________________________________________

By Dani Wyatt

Copyright © 2016 by Dani Wyatt All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. www.daniwyatt.com Cover Credit PopKitty Editing Nicci Haydon Cover Photo Lindee Robinson

Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page When She's Mine C H A P T E R O N E C H A P T E R T W O C H A P T E R T H R E E C H A P T E R F O U R C H A P T E R F I V E C H A P T E R S I X C H A P T E R S E V E N C H A P T E R E I G H T C H A P T E R N I N E C H A P T E R T E N C H A P T E R E L E V E N C H A P T E R T W E L V E C H A P T E R T H I R T E E N C H A P T E R F O U R T E E N C H A P T E R F I F T E E N C H A P T E R S I X T E E N E P I L O G U E WHERE SHE BELONGS SWEET RIDE Other Titles by Dani Wyatt FOLLOW ME Thank You.

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Dedicated to the Poptart lovers out there And those who believe every girl deserves An orgasm (or ten) her first time. .

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C H A P T E R O N E LEAH

It was a nice little service. My sister’s wedding that is, to her whirlwind new love, Decker. I’m happy. Right? Well, let’s go with ambivalent. You know what else I am? Horny. I can’t believe I just used that word. I’ve never felt that before and I’m not sure I know how I feel about feeling it now. But, my God. The man that’s about to sit in the back of the limo with me is causing all these new sensations. They are confusing to say the least. And wonderful. And a little wet. I mean...the sensations are making me wet. Gah. This is uncomfortable. Allister. That’s his name. That’s a great name. He’s Decker’s best man and best friend. I do my best not to stare as he lowers himself into the back of the limo, leaving the door still open behind him. I hear the rustling of leaves, the shrill call and response of birds, the scuff of shoes on gravel as my driver approaches. Allister Marshall fills the available space: side to side, roof to floor. His massive hands come to rest on his thighs, just above his knees, and I notice him squeeze gently. I’m mesmerized by the veins that stand out, shifting against the tendons on the back of hands that look as though they could crush bone. My gaze drifts a bit upward as a deep breath fills his chest. His lungs fill and the starched white shirt he wears under his perfected fitted charcoal gray suit stretches across his the flat of his chest. He looks directly at me, and I do my best to swallow the golf ball lodged in my throat. The look in his eyes... the hunger... it’s as though he’s afraid I will disappear. Hunger. For me. The girl with braces on her legs. The girl that gives in to the wheelchair at night because she can’t stand the pain anymore. Me. This man wants me in some way. Maybe in ways I’ve only read about in my stacks of books with wispy, corseted women on the covers.

Ways I’ve never known in real life. Never felt. I feel it in the dampness between my legs and the hairs standing up at the nape of my neck. It’s a fight to try to make eye contact. My eyes flit and fly around, alighting briefly on pieces and parts of him. Not staying anywhere long enough for him to notice, then landing on some incredibly compelling fleck of dust on the floor. I’m fairly sure there is some secret Zeus clone factory that spat him out. Where every single specimen is checked, double and triple checked to assure its gritty, masculine perfection before it is unleashed on the women of the world for them to swoon and drool over. This mythical factory that must have created Allister made him with a heartbeat so fierce it resonates in the very air that fills the space in the back of the car. And his heartbeat must be setting the pace for my own, because mine is threatening to burst out of my chest. He looks so comfortable sitting here in this deafening silence. His cut features look intensely relaxed. One of his golden brown eyes is slightly more closed than the other. A short growth of dark hair covers his formerly slick bald head and I wonder what made him start to grow it out. Wilson, my driver, closes the limo door behind Allister with a soft click. I feel the slight movement of the car as he sets himself in the driver’s seat and shuts his own door. Allister is older than me by more than a bit; I see it in the lines around his eyes. The three horizontal lines that accent his forehead make me think the years between us are slightly less than ten. That only flutters my heart more. He’s other things besides just older. Experienced. Controlled. Impeccable. The limo moves with barely any noise down the expressway. The Bentley insulated and made for luxury. Why doesn’t he say something? God, this is so uncomfortable. How can he sit there looking so calm? The silence throws me over the edge into my suffocating anxiety. The growing heat and tingling that is forcing me to press my legs tightly together also forces me to break the silence. “I can’t believe my little sister is married.” It’s impossible to hide the quiver in my voice. The words tumble out in a single, long stream. My face is flaming hot as Allister swallows and shifts his hips, then the limo gives a slight jerk as Wilson maneuvers through traffic heading for Decker’s guest house. I’ve been staying there ever since the police found me locked and bound in a room in the basement of my family’s mansion. Well, the police were there, anyway. Really, the person who found me was him. Allister. Why do I love that name so much? “Why can’t you believe she’s married?” Allister’s voice matches his physical presence perfectly, like a sonic boom, so powerful it nearly throws my head into the headrest, as if Wilson had just slammed on the brakes. It’s a reasonable question, and I turn away, looking out of the window, trying to think of an answer that doesn’t make me sound like a selfish brat. I was afraid of Allister when he came in that room to rescue me. That day a couple weeks ago when he walked into the locked, dark room at the estate where I’d been hidden away still plays over and over in my dreams.

The next moment I felt relieved, surrounded by people, light streaming in from the doorway. I remember my first thought. I’m Safe. Then there was Allister, nearly blocking out the light again, and I screamed at him. I pounded him with my fists as soon as he cut the bindings. Not one of my blows drew a wince from him. But they did hurt. Not him. My little, cotton candy fists banging against the solid lead under his clothes. Now I’m lost in my feelings, the contradiction of them. Just being this close has my breath coming short... teetering between fear and awe. I sense the undertone of his kind nature, the golden heart glowing straight through his perfectly tailored suit. And yet, on the other hand, he represents everything that I’ve lost. He is Decker’s best friend. Decker, who’s taken May away from me. Right when I need her the most. I shake away the selfish thought. May is happy. Decker is amazing. I’m being a petulant child. “I don’t know.” I consider his question about May and try to pluck up an honest answer. “I should be the one taking care of her, not some stranger she only just met.” His eyes rest on me and I shrink back into the seat. They remind me of a tiger’s eyes, gold and deep brown. They’re fascinating but in an almost unnatural way. I can’t tell where the gold ends and the brown begins. I look out the window before adding, “She just doesn’t seem grown up to me.” Ugh, I wish my heart would stop fluttering. “I can see that.” A low chuckle catches in his throat in agreement. “Bet you had your hands full with her since your mom and dad passed, right? I can’t tell you how sorry I am for your loss.” He looks down, his enormous hands rasping back and forth over the gray wool, working their way from knee to mid-thigh and back. I’m mesmerized by the movement. “I know it was years ago you lost your parents, but God.” His gaze moves from the floor to the ceiling and then back to me. “You’ve been hurt so much.” Something about his voice hits me in my belly. A flock of butterflies batting their wings flick and tickle me from the inside. They are the same ones that are tip-toeing all over the skin on my arms and neck. I’m fidgeting. Shifting from hip to hip, my hands finding it impossible to light anywhere for more than a second or two. I know I’m avoiding Allister’s eyes, but I can’t stop myself. My mind is filled with thoughts of how Victor would never meet your eye when he’d speak, like he didn’t really want to acknowledge that you were there. He was Simon our conservator’s son and May’s former fiancé. I hope I don’t have to see him or Simon ever again. Never. They should be out of my life for good. No more overlords. Now they are convicts. Although Victor is out on bond. And that thought turns the happy butterfly parade to a cold chill. But while Victor would never look you in the eye, Allister is the polar opposite. Although right now I’d welcome a break from his fastidious gaze, dissecting parts of me from across the back of the car. Power ripples off him like silent thunder, making it hard to breathe and harder to try to hide the contraptions on my legs that I wear as a constant reminder of what one person’s careless, selfish decisions can do. A four-pound bouquet of white roses and pink and purple peonies sits on the supple, caramel-colored leather next to me. The bouquet I just held for my sister’s wedding. She doesn’t need me anymore. The scent of the flowers is suddenly overpowering. I didn’t carry them as I walked up the aisle, though. No, I sat with them in my lap, because the thought of limping up the aisle on my metal crutches,

the thought of the clink, clink, clink of the braces that hold my legs in place... well, it wasn’t a humiliation I chose to endure so I took a seat at May’s side while the rest of them walked up the aisle until it was time for their vows. I struggled to stand there, doing my best to not sway and grimace through the ceremony, but it took a lot out of me. There were no other attendees besides May, Decker, myself and Allister. Just us and the Justice of the Peace. But still. I wish I didn’t have to always be ‘considered.’ The car accident crushed both my femurs into confetti and left my lower legs decorated with titanium pins and bolts. But May looked so happy today, I have to admit. Even though the selfish part of me worries about what I’ll do with my life now, I can’t deny the joy I feel seeing her so much in love. And oh my god, Decker cried during their vows. Which made me cry. There is something about a strong, tough man showing true emotion that gets me every time. Their relationship might have been a whirlwind, but I’ve never been able to deny the love I see between them. Not only see it, I can feel it too. The way Deck looks at May is something I wish for myself someday. He worships the ground she walks on and I’m so happy she’s found her Prince Charming, I really am. They remind me of Mom and Dad, and that’s something special. My parents started out differently, of course. In our world, arranged marriages are as common as dandelions in spring. But they ended up falling deeply in love and we grew up watching a perfect example of how a husband honored and loved his wife. I’m happy that we had that, an example of how it should be, but the lump in my throat reminds me that for myself, as much as I might not want to admit it, being a wife and mother is my dream. And yet, with what the accident took from me, it is the one thing I may never have. I still have my writing and my books, and that comes in as a close second. Oh, and blueberry Poptarts. Always blueberry Poptarts. And that will have to do for this life. The limo makes a sharp right turn and I shoot my arm out to brace myself from falling over. It’s not like Wilson to make such an abrupt move. And suddenly, the scent of the flowers doesn’t mask Allister’s own earthy, manly cologne. Combine that with our close proximity and the one glass of champagne I drank feels more like six. Thinking of Mom and Dad, May and Decker, only makes sitting here with Allister that much more humiliating. I’ve never reacted like this to a man. My life has always been about protecting May and trying to keep us safe. But right now, when I take a breath or even blink my eyes, all I see is him. The way he looks at me hurts because I know I’ll never have the kind of love I dream of. No one will want me like this let alone a man like him. How could they? Where May is naturally captivating, energetic and beautiful, chirpy and nearly dancing through each day, I’m broken and crooked. Serious and a bit distrustful. May used to always tell me how beautiful I was. How she thought of me as Cinderella at the ball. Or how she would do her best runway model walk in my bedroom. Strutting her stuff while saying I was the one that should be walking the runway in Paris or Milan. I never saw it before the accident and well after, I can barely look in the mirror. My mind is warped, half wanting to snatch May back from her happiness so that I can keep her for myself. I’m sure I’m mistaking what I see in Allister’s eyes. It must be pity, not want, because how could it be anything else? The Bentley limo we are in is one of our family cars, so it’s just a standard, hearse black classic limousine. Not one of the bachelorette-party-super-stretch kinds with an interior adorned with disco ball and moon roof.

Which sets Allister and I closer than I would like. A yard stick wouldn’t fit between us. I catch myself shaking my head again, trying to shake off the feeling, but it just keeps coming right back. I clear my throat before I look at his hands again and do my best to keep my voice steady. “You didn’t need to come, you know. I can manage on my own.” Each word is snappy and I’m immediately sorry. Instead of apologizing, I turn to look out the window instead of acknowledging my defensive coping mechanism. I glance back to see Allister tip his head to the side an inch. His lips tighten a bit as he tries to stay the smile that is threatening to erupt. For a second, anger bubbles up inside me, thinking the expression is condescending, but then I see the deep kindness in his intense eyes and I melt back into my seat. “I’ve seen how well you manage on your own.” His return tone is nothing but kind. “I just wanted to escort you home, that’s all. Every lady should have an escort, be treated with reverence and respect. It has nothing to do with what you can or can’t do, Leah.” My name on his lips sends adrenaline racing through me. “Sorry.” I attempt to meet his eyes but I can only bear it for a couple heartbeats before my gaze drops and lands squarely at his crotch. That only ignites new fire in my cheeks and forces me to bite back the little moan that comes from my throat. “I’m not sure why I’m being so rude to you.” It’s the first honest thing I’ve said to him and relief swims through me. “It’s okay, Leah.” We ride in silence for the last few miles. I don’t look back at him but there is no mistaking that he’s keeping his eyes on me the entire time. By the time the limo pulls into the driveway of Decker’s house, I’m ready to leap out of my skin. Instead of looking at him, I study the house like I’ve never seen it before. Its sleek, modern lines and lush, manicured gardens. A guesthouse typical of Decker’s way of life, I suppose, but such a contrast with the opulent mansion where I’ve lived until two weeks ago. Decker told May he’d designed both the main house and guest house himself. He’s a fan of architecture, with Frank Lloyd Wright being one of his favorites, and he even has one of the famous architect’s quotes chiseled into an enormous boulder that accents the garden at the entryway of the main house. It reads, ‘If you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.’ “Well, thank you for escorting me.” That snarky tone seeps back in and I don’t know why I’m such a brat to Allister. I adjust my attitude before finishing. “Wilson will take you wherever you need to go. I’ll get myself to the door.” I lean forward, my body tense, ready for the onslaught of humiliation that will accompany me as I get out of the car. “Do you know there is a code?” Allister smiles and my belly again does things that remind me of a cheap romance novel. God, how does he do that? “Code?” I raise an eyebrow and note the twinkle in his eyes. “Yes. The real-man code.” “What are you talking about?” My words are clipped, tipped with feigned annoyance, but in reality I’m desperate to keep him here. I want to be with him, just for a few more moments, indulging in my fantasy. “Yes. Real men finish what they start. Real men walk ladies to the door. Real men have a code. You’ll be more familiar with it as time goes on. But for now, just understand, I will be walking you to that door.” There’s no question or room for negotiation in his voice. All I can do is sit mute, swallow, and try to keep the drool from dripping off my chin. The limo comes to a stop in front of the guesthouse. It’s a smaller version of the main house: very open and clean on the inside, minimal, but still warm and comforting.

The back wall of the living room looks out over a ravine that leads down to a river. At night, when I’m staring at the ceiling and wondering what’s next for me and my life, I can hear the water rushing and bubbling over the stones and silt. My life has turned upside down in the last few weeks. I hope that’s the end of it, but I suspect the future is not yet settled. Because it never really is, is it? The car door clicks open and Wilson greets me with his usual warm smile. I see a glint of the goldcapped tooth he’s always had. He’s been with the family since my parents were alive, so he knows me as well as anyone besides May. I know that he stayed on after the accident just for us, as did all the staff who didn’t beat a hasty retreat after we were orphaned and Simon-the-Hell-Hound took over the house. And our lives. The staff that stayed didn’t hang around because Simon and Victor were pleasant employers, that’s for sure. Wilson, Miss Henrietta and Mr. Fredby have circled the wagons around me, so to speak, since the incident where Simon locked me downstairs trying to force May to marry Victor. Then, when it was clear that might not happen, they started prepping me for the replacement position. What a mess. All because my father trusted someone close to him rather than trusting his daughters to make their own decisions. His backward view of women wasn’t his fault, I suppose, he was a product of the community in which he was raised. But it was still the cause of all this. Wilson extends his hand toward me in the back seat, but Allister’s comes out to replace his. “I’ll take it from here. Thank you.” He moves swiftly and silently for someone so large. He’s out the car door and inching Wilson backward with his body. My driver steps back with a grimace. His eyes dart from me to Allister, then back again with a tip of his head. He is staff, sure, only we formed a different sort of bond. He’s not as old as Miss Henrietta and Mr. Fredby, and he’s a friend to me in his own way, as much as an employee. “I’ll be here to take you back to the house later——” Wilson starts, but Allister cuts him off. “We’ll be fine. I’ll take her where she needs to go.” The tension turns my stomach. Both men look like frothing lions and I’m trapped in the middle, not really sure what’s going on. The urge to cut the tension pushes my voice from my throat. “I’ll text you when I need the car, Wilson. Thank you.” I meet his eyes and smile as Allister steps my way. Whatever dynamic is ruffling their man feathers, it seems that it’s my job to try to sooth it. Wilson hesitates for a moment, then nods. “Yes, miss, of course.” He takes a step back before adding, “You have my number.” The two of them exchange another tense glance. I shouldn’t care, shouldn’t let it bother me, but for some reason it does. Whatever is going on between them, it involves me. I’m still puzzling over it as Allister’s frame fills the open door. It takes me a moment to decide my next move. I don’t know Allister at all really. I mean, sure, he’s Decker’s best friend, I get that, but that doesn’t make him anything to me. Honestly, I don’t remember the last person I could trust that wasn’t one of the staff. Well, obviously there’s May, but that’s different. She’s more like a part of me. Seems everyone else has an agenda, and usually it involves our money. That seems to be a motivator for most people I’ve noticed. Wilson has never said one word about needing anything in his life. He’s always been a perfect gentleman. Gone above and beyond the call of duty with the family, and especially for me. “Leah.” Allister leans down so his face is in the open doorway. “I’m here to escort you, nothing more. Just take my hand, let me help you inside. My gentleman card will be revoked if you don’t let me return you safe and sound.” That wry smile curves his full lips. It looks somewhat out of place, and yet perfect. I gulp the lump in my throat and shift my body over toward the door. Thank goodness my dress is a gauzy silk and it slips easily across the soft leather seat. I can’t push off with my legs, so I have to use my

arms to maneuver into position and reach down to lift and reposition my feet so they sit just outside the open door and will fall square under me when I stand. Hopefully I stand. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve toppled over. Face down and ass up. Pretty picture for a porn star, but not for me. Part of me wants to trade Allister for Wilson right now. Only because, at least he’s been around me, seen me at my worst... He doesn’t bring out feelings the way Allister is doing. Or give me the urge to kiss him. The way Allister is doing. The stainless steel that supports my legs inside and outside of my calves, upward, with a black strap that tightens just below my knee are part of the flat, black loafers I wore today. The bars disappear under the hem of my ruffled skirt where they are secured to two more Velcro straps which are currently digging into my upper thighs. Needless to say, Jimmy Choo’s these are not. Just as my cheeks flash flaming fuschia, Allister leans in the open doorway, both his enormous hands scooping up my own. And all the while, those golden eyes stay locked onto mine. “I’ve got you, Leah. I’ll never let you fall.”

C H A P T E R T W O ALLISTER

Dormant dick. Dormant - having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time, as if in a deep sleep. Well, hibernation is over. I tried to convince myself two weeks ago when I saw her for the first time that my reaction was a combination of adrenaline and male ego. White knight syndrome. I’ve got it. Always have. But this was different. Opening that dungeon door and finding Leah there, gagged and tied to her wheelchair in the pitch black, my legs threatened to buckle. In the dim light I could barely make out the fine features of her face, but it was more than her beauty that shook me. It was her. All of her. A thunder rumbled inside me. Her presence latched onto me and hasn’t let go. I can’t explain it; it hit me like a bat to the balls. I remember struggling for my next breath as I stepped closer to her, shoving cops out of my path as they attempted to step in front of me. No way was anyone getting to her before me. I became someone else in that moment, something wild. She’d been in there for two days with barely any human contact. They’d stuffed some bread in her mouth, a few sips of water, enough to keep her alive. But she was weak, shivering, and I wanted to render flesh from bone to whatever waste of breath had done this to her. Leah screamed at me. She didn’t beg for help. She fought. Pounding me with her fists, using all the force she could muster. As soon as I’d cut through the zip ties holding her arms she became a Gatling gun of fist shots. And I loved every blow she delivered. I even smiled and that just set her off on another round. I didn’t blame her either, even then. She didn’t know me and I suppose I should have let the cops go in first, but my senses told me she was in that room and as soon as I locked onto her, sitting there in the dark, all bets were off. I remember the words ‘finders keepers’ repeating in my head. Because that is exactly what I planned to do, keep her. She’s leaning into my arm now, taking slow, measured steps toward the door of Deck’s guesthouse where she’s staying for now. The police are done with the official investigation, but with May gone I don’t think Leah is comfortable returning to the estate just yet. Decker’s been my best friend since we went through basic training together a hundred years ago. Back then he was a mentor to me. I nicknamed him ‘Gramps,’ both because he had nearly ten years on all

of us other recruits, and also because he never went wild like most of the rest of the guys. And nor did I. That’s probably why we bonded so quickly. I don’t know, partying and hooking up with the girl of the day never appealed to me, and when you’re in the military that seems to be part and parcel of the standard program. So, even with our age difference, Decker and I forged a friendship that remains strong to this day. I’m president of his corporation, Monarch Ventures. He is the CEO and owner of a chain of five ubersuccessful high-end nightclubs. Before Leah, I was more than happy to work fourteen-hour days, seven days a week. Same with Decker before he met May. To tell the truth, now that Decker’s married Leah’s sister, he’s making noises that he intends to hand the reins over to me completely. The bulge in the front of my slacks is pressing out between the break in my suit coat, but there’s no controlling the monster when she’s this close. I clear my throat, praying for at least a modicum of control before speaking. “No need to thank me. It’s more than my pleasure.” She’s got her sable hair tied in these twisted, soft curls that pin at the back of her head, while the rest of it falls straight to the center of her back. The way it flows against the soft, peach fabric of her dress makes me want to bury my nose in it and take in that sweet scent I already know so well. That scent has been in my nose since last night at rehearsal dinner when I finally laid eyes on her again and managed to get close enough to breathe her in. When she saw me, she thanked me for helping her. It meant more to me than any recognition I could receive. Her soft, simple ‘thank you’ is a trophy I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life. But try as I might, I couldn’t find any words to respond. She must have thought I was a complete idiot, standing there with my hands in my pockets and my mouth open, my cock practically nudging his way out of my zipper to make his own introduction. But her scent stayed with me all night, just as it’s with me right now. It’s something I’ve never experienced before, sweet but fresh. It’s both decadent and innocent at the same time. I woke up this morning covered in my own cum from the endless dreams that fill my fitful sleep. The same way the morning has greeted me since that day I saw her the first time... That day I found her there, something inside me snapped. I swore off any more stroke sessions, it just didn’t feel right anymore. But, it seems my dreams have a mind of their own, because every night the hours are filled with her. My lips on hers. My calloused, rough fingers finding the tips of her breasts, twirling and pinching the nipples as I stare into her eyes, watching that dreamy expression. My arms, lifting her up and dancing around the room with her, her feet on mine, giving her that feeling of moving like a breeze. Then laying her down and making her body mine, in every way. “Smells great in here.” I raise my nose in the air just inside the guesthouse front door, breathing in the smell of home cooking. Fresh bread and the rich, thick aroma of roast beef. My mouth is watering for a new reason now. “That’s Henrietta. Her real name is Henryka, but when we were little we couldn’t say that so she became Henrietta.” Leah rolls her eyes playfully, raising her voice so that she’ll be heard by whomever is milling about in the kitchen. “She insists on cooking these huge meals for me every day, even though I barely touch a few bites.” That has me immediately worried. “You need to eat.” I tighten my grip on her hand, looking down to see her give me a questioning glance. “I do eat.” A quick smile brushes her lips and I want so badly to kiss her, my head is pounding in time with the ache from down below. I want all her smiles from now on. I want to teach her that her lips were intended to curve up, not down.

Or open wide. The lingering sadness in her eyes makes me draw in a slow breath. It takes her a moment to let the smile settle onto her face. I see that she’s forgotten the joy she so deserves. Joy I want to give her. “I don’t need these caveman meals cooked for me every single day.” She squeezes my hand. “Henrietta is overprotective. Feeding me more than the Knights of the Round Table could eat in a sitting is her way of showing it.” We step into the kitchen, where tall windows fill the wall over the sink and everything gleams in gunmetal gray, glossy white or stainless steel. You can tell that this place belongs to Deck, his influence is plain in the starkness of it. Leah looks so warm and lush in this cold room. An older woman with gray hair braided and tied up on the top of her head is fussing and speaking to something on the stove in Polish. I know it’s Polish because my parents emigrated from Warsaw. She’s swearing at whatever she’s stirring. “Hi, Henrietta.” “Oh!” She breaks from her Polish blue streak. As she turns to see Leah, her worn face lights up. “Zabka!” She twists back to the stove, stirring and falling back into a new grumbling Polish tirade. I never actually spoke Polish, well except the curse words. But I am still able to decipher most of the spoken words and I’m pretty sure she just called Leah a frog. I guide Leah to the glass-topped kitchen table and pull out one of the four comfortable white linen chairs with my free hand. She leans on me as I settle her into the seat, and even as my forearm bears her weight, I note that she’s so light, it’s unbelievable. I don’t miss the shaking sigh of relief as the weight leaves her feet. She didn’t use her arm crutches today and I know that walking with just her leg braces has been a challenge for her. I watched the strain in her face all day, and I wanted so badly to scoop her up and be her strength, but she stood strong while May and Deck took their short vows and I just stared at her, in awe the entire time. Henrietta turns back around, jutting out a round hip and narrowing her eyes at Leah. “So?” She jabs the word at Leah. “How was the wedding?” Her curt formality doesn’t hide her displeasure. “It wasn’t really a wedding, Henrietta. It was just a ceremony. Don’t be mad at May for not inviting you and Mr. Fredby. And Wilson. Well, Wilson drove, but he was kind of a grouch about it as well. It was so quick, like ten minutes, in and out. Recite the vows and get on with the honeymoon. That’s what she wanted. You know May, you can’t tell her anything. She gets her mindset and that’s that.” I work my way to stand behind Leah’s chair, my hands thrust down in my pockets, shifting my halfhard monster, hoping like hell the two ladies don’t take note of the tent in my trousers. Henrietta makes a frmpt sound and glares at us both. Then she trades the gravy-dripping spoon for a knife. She flicks it in the air sharply, then points it at me, narrowing her milky blue eyes as she does. “Who’s he?” She walks from the stove to where we are. The black and white of her uniform is crisp and clean, without a single drop of the meal she’s been cooking showing on the fabric. “Hmmm? Who is he?” She stabs the knife once more in my direction, making no effort to soften her question. I answer as Leah stifles a laugh. “Allister Marshall, ma’am.” I step around the table and hold out my hand. “My family name is Maslak. From Warsaw originally. My parents changed it to Marshall when they came here.” She stares at me and then back at Leah as though I don’t exist. “And who is Allister Marshall? Hmmm?” The giggle escapes from Leah’s mouth. “He’s the one that helped find me that night. He’s Decker’s best friend, they run the business together.” Leah draws out each word as Henrietta continues to stare her down with doubt. “He wanted to make sure I got home safely from the wedding, that’s all. I drank a

glass of champagne after all and who knows what horrors could have awaited me in my impaired state of mind.” Leah ends with a smile on those amazing lips. In the limo Leah’s walls were up, defenses primed and ready. But here, under the scrutiny of Henrietta, she appears to be coming to my aid, which warms my heart. “Hmmmph. Okay.” Henrietta examines me from my forehead to my feet, then puts the knife down into the front pocket on her white apron and smacks me on the chest before pointing at the chair next to Leah. “You. Sit. Eat.” “No, ma’am, I’m not hungry——” I raise my hands in surrender. Leah interrupts with a wave of her hand. “No, Henrietta, he’s not staying.” “Sit.” She stabs a finger toward me then the table then looks back at Leah before she continues. “And I saw the empty box of those Poptarts.” Henrietta narrows her eyes at Leah. “That’s not food.” Gone is Leah’s sullen expression and the discomfort, replaced by something warm and inviting. Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink, and that just lets me know I’m right. We both had just eaten after the wedding, but I’m happy to sit here and eat some more because it feels like we are in this together. Anything that makes me part of her life is okay in my book. May and Decker are going to the Pennington House for a couple nights. It’s this amazing house, set up on the bluffs above Lake Michigan. Decker’s been planning it until every detail was in place. Somewhere in my heart I know I’m as gone over Leah as Decker was when he met May. But I needed to give her time after everything that had happened. The last two weeks staying away nearly killed me, but last night when I saw her again, I knew right then I wouldn’t be able to let her get away from me again. The time is now and I’m not wasting any more. In the meanwhile, I’ve even been making changes at my place. I already border on ‘neat freak’ territory, but I’m organizing and making other changes as well. Making the place feel more like a home instead of a hotel. I like my house, but no one would guess a anyone lives there. I jet in and out on my way to work or the gym, but for the most part I hadn’t thought of it as a home until recently. Until Leah. She’s never been there of course, but I imagine her in each of the rooms: sitting at the kitchen table, laying in my bed. It makes me want to change everything for her. I’ve even gone shopping. I bought fucking throw pillows for crissakes. And sheets and towels that I think she would like. Even stop every few days and buy her flowers and put them in vases around the place. Practice, I tell myself, for when I get her there for real. Because I need her to see it as a home. A home where she would want to be, but also a place where we could raise a family. That’s how gone I am over this girl and we haven’t even been on a date. Not that I really want to date her, because I already know what I need to know, and she’s mine, she just doesn’t realize it yet. I think of her life before now. The mansion. The staff. The limos. It’s a different world and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a moment of doubt that what I can provide for her would be enough. Where she grew up is a castle. Money clearly was no object in her former world. But I want to take care of her in other ways. I’m not poor by any stretch. I’ve saved almost every dime I’ve ever made because I haven’t had any interest in spending it on anyone until now. I do take care of my mom, but that’s about the only other source of my spending. But I want to take care of Leah’s body and soul, not just her material possessions. I want to make sure she eats right, sleeps well, smiles and laughs. That she’s tucked in at night and has sweet dreams. I want

her happiness as my obligation, because when she smiles, nothing else matters. And I want to know about the Poptarts. “So.” Henrietta pulls a side of beef out of the oven, a cloud of steam coming up around her as she sets the roasting pan on the stove, grabs the knife and starts carving out pink and brown pieces of meat. “Now what? You coming back to the house? What do you want to do now you can do anything you want?” “Well...” Leah looks over at me and sees me looking right back. “I’m not sure what else I’m going to have to do with the police and the attorneys——” “You let those attorneys worry about that. You pay them. That’s it. They take care of the rest.” She waves the towel in her hand around her head. “Victor already took his deal and Simon will plead guilty to something smaller. That’s what you said, yes? So that means there is no trial. Yes?” Henrietta raises her eyebrows at Leah as her hands go back to serving heaping spoonfuls of mashed potatoes and cooked carrots onto two plates. When she’s done, she reaches for that knife again. Seems she’s more comfortable with it in her hand. “Yes, but——” Leah launches a protest which is quickly aborted by a glare from Henrietta. “No but. You get on with your life, Zabka, they stole enough from you already. Right?” She stabs the knife in the air toward me again and I grin. She’s a tough piece of leather, I’ll give her that, but she’s not intimidating me. I like her. “Am I right? She needs to go live her life. Young, beautiful girl like her, locked up in that house for all those years. It is time she looks after Leah.” “I agree. One hundred percent.” I lean back in my chair watching Leah roll her eyes but the smile pulling at her lips can’t be fought. What I want to say is it’s time someone looked after her. And that someone is going to be me. “Good. See?” Henrietta swishes her knife, pointing it at Leah. “May doesn’t need you taking care of her anymore. You did a good job, but now you take care of Leah. Look after Leah.” Henrietta’s eyes shift and she sets the knife on the table, opens up a cabinet and pulls out a white-capped, orange prescription bottle. “You haven’t been taking your medicine. I count and they’re all still here.” She shakes the full bottle like a rattle. Leah’s shoulders pull up and she leans her head away from me. “Henrietta.” Her voice falters as she shifts in her chair, her hands folding on the table as her fingers toil and tangle with each other. I look at the thin, rose gold band on her right ring finger. It’s worn, slightly bent and there is an inscription engraved around it which I can’t read. Leah’s face hardens. “I told you, I’m not taking them. I’m not.” She looks up at the ceiling and the light coming in the kitchen window glints in the welling tears at the corners of her eyes. I lean slightly forward, softening my voice. “Why don’t you take them?” I desperately want to help her, and the way both Wilson and Henrietta lord over her like a child sets my teeth on edge. I want to understand about the medication. I need to know so I can take care of her. “Leah. Can you tell me why you don’t want to take them?” My brow draws together and I watch her face turn a deep pink. Henrietta doesn’t give her a chance to answer. “This is for her own good.” Henrietta says, echoing my thoughts. “This is not the same as that man that hit her, high on drugs, high on pills. I wish she would see. These are for her pain. Zabka, please.” Henrietta’s voice softens as she sits the bottle back on the counter. She draws in a long breath, her shoulders slumping, and I get the impression that this is an ongoing battle. Not one that she expects to win today, but she needs to fire off a few volleys to let Leah know that she’s still dug in. Letting the sigh go, she reaches over to grab the two heaping plates of food, then walks to the table and sets them in front of us both. “I won’t take the pills. I won’t take drugs.” Leah’s voice rises in pitch, making me think of a child refusing to eat what’s been put in front of them. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. You seem to forget

that I’m in charge here.” Leah’s manner turns cold. Whatever this conversation is about, it’s hurting her and I hate it. “I will not be like that man.” “What man?” I ask, already angry at whomever he is. Leah’s eyes dart from Henrietta to me and her voice rises another notch when she speaks. “The man that drove the car that hit us that night. He killed my parents. He was taking all kinds of prescription painkillers. And he walked away with barely a scratch. How’s that for justice? I can’t stand anyone that has anything to do with drugs. No one in my life will ever bring that around me. Ever.” Her lips tighten as she picks up a fork and stabs a carrot, pushing it around on her plate. “Fine. You the boss. I’m leaving.” Henrietta announces slapping her hands down her apron. “I’ll be back tomorrow evening. You call Fredby or Wilson if you need anything tonight, yes? I have to go to my son’s wedding otherwise I be right here. Why he needs a wedding for third marriage... stupid.” She mutters then adds something in Polish I can’t decipher before going on. “He’s too American. All this modern living. Marry. Divorce. Marry. Divorce.” She reaches for her jacket and purse, picking them up from the end of the counter. “Take the pills, don’t take the pills, but make sure you eat. You make sure she eats, yes?” “I will.” I smile, my heart thumping around in my chest as I think of all the other things I want to have her do. Then I realize, she will be alone here tonight. May and Decker are gone and that’s not sitting well with me at all. With that, Henrietta swears in Polish as she bustles out the back door, leaving me sitting there with a hard-on that can’t be contained and a heart that aches for this beautiful, broken girl sitting next to me. I can’t help it when my fingers come up to brush a silken tendril of her hair behind her ear. “And I don’t think she means Poptarts.” I add and Leah smiles. “But, just so you know. I love blueberry ones myself.” My hand rests on the side of her head for a moment too long. And to my surprise, rather than slapping me away, she leans into my fingers.

C H A P T E R T H R E E LEAH

My skin is tingling and my chest is warm with the way he keeps finding reasons to touch me. First, it was my hand getting out of the car, then holding onto me, leading me to the door. Those could be explained, as they were sort of necessary. But now, he’s managed to make me nearly gasp twice when he tucked my hair behind my ear, held his hand there then a few moments later his fingertips grazed up and down the back of my upper arm as he talked about how he takes care of his mom. After Henrietta left, I couldn’t think of anything to say and Allister just started talking, filling in the empty space with his warm voice. And I realized how much I want to listen to him. He’s not just talking to hear his own voice; he knows he’s settling me with his stories. I think I could listen to him talk for hours and never wish him to stop “When my father died from a heart attack, mom sort of died with him a bit. She had some rough years, but managed to get herself back together. Now, I just do my damnedest to make sure she stays that way. Not always easy.” The low chuckle that comes out of him makes me smile in return. “Where does she live?” I fold and unfold my hands in my lap. Then reach back for the fork and murder another carrot which I have no intention of eating. Allister’s golden-brown eyes follow my hands. It only makes me more nervous so I leave the carrot to die a slow, agonizing death and I hug myself, rubbing my arms, trying to rasp away the last of the tingle he left there when he touched me. “Not far from me. I bought her a condo about a half mile from my house. Any day I can’t get over there to check on her, I send one of the girls.” The girls. Hearing him use that word sends up a flash of jealousy. At the Monarch clubs the staff are mostly women and I’m sure that is to whom Allister is referring. But that hardly assuages the green eyed monster rising up in my gut. I know from Decker and May that they have a tight group at the places they run. But, let’s just say, the women that work at the clubs are the things from which male fantasies are made. In my case, add in the scars, the leg braces and the general inability to walk on my own, I’m not thinking I’m in that fantasy category. The women that work there are glamorous to say the least. “That’s nice.” I push around the murdered carrots on my plate, hating the bratty tone that blankets my reply. Neither of us have taken a bite and the steamy aroma has cooled.

Allister takes a deep breath and I’m once again captivated by the veins on the backs of his hands. The hint of deep brown hair that shows under the white cuff of his shirt sleeve is also more interesting to me than is probably appropriate. Never before have such innocuous parts of a male being been so fascinating and elicited such a visceral response in me. Stop looking at all his man-ness, ding-dong. Clearly you cannot handle it. The voice in my head thankfully doesn’t mention the demise of my panties as well. “It’s not like that,” he says, and I hear in his voice that he’s trying to alleviate my insecurity, but that only makes me more insecure. I turn and look out the window over the sink. The streaming sunlight hurts my eyes but I’d rather not look at him right now. “I want——” He stops and his hand shoots out to embrace mine, fork and all. “I need you to know that it’s not like that. Leah, I’m their boss, that’s all. Some of us have known each other a long time, but it’s never been, and it never will be, more than professional or platonic friendship. Never.” “None of my business,” I snap turning back to meet his eyes which immediately sends my heart racing. “Leah, listen to me. It’s not like that.” His eyes are so open, so honest. It makes my face hot. I nod and he lets go of my hand, but a part of me wants him to grab me again. How can a man that looks like him exude such softness? I haven’t been at all charming and never, not even for one split second has he shown me anything other than acceptance and kindness. It’s as though he wants to draw out the petulance inside me and absorb it into himself, take it from me and in its place he gives me back something warm and comforting. For a second, I’m lost in his calm power. I shiver, thinking of what that caged intensity would show when drawn out. In anger. Or passion. Thoughts of the latter cause my nipples to draw tight. A flash of him naked, arms locked, caged above me nearly makes me whimper audibly. Instead, I shift in my chair, squeezing the muscles in my core as the tension there grows by the second. “I’m still stuffed from earlier.” He breathes a sigh and for some reason I wonder when the last time was he was with a woman. “Are you still full?” All I can do is nod, but it’s enough. He traces the backs of his fingers so lightly over my wrist it leaves both a tingle and a burn in its wake. “I know I promised to get you to eat. But that can wait. For now, let’s set it aside.” “I used to cook,” I blurt out, for some reason wanting him to know I wasn’t always like this. And dance, I want to add, but I keep that one to myself. “Yes? But Henrietta scared you out of the kitchen? Because that would be understandable.” Allister picks up the plates and stands up, making his way over to where the pots and pans sit. “No. Getting around in the kitchen became such a hassle. May and I used to spend hours in the kitchen with the cooks at the house before the accident...it was my constant craving for blueberry Poptarts that started her baking.” I let my words trail away, and worry about the silence in their wake. But if he notices it at all, he doesn’t let it show. “I’ve been lucky enough to taste some of May’s pastries.” He chuckles. “My God, Decker will be the fat man from the circus within a year. And, let’s face it, you and I have our favorite flavor of Poptarts in common, so I can’t be all bad.” He sets the plates down and smiles as he pats his stomach. It’s broad and flat, his dress shirt stretched tight across. For a split second the thought of what he looks like underneath his clothing hits me again. Is his body covered with the dark hair that I see dusting the backs of his hands and knuckles?

Would I like that? Yes, I believe I would. And, God, what about his abs? I imagine them defined and hard, my fingers discovering the valleys that run between each. Does he have those indents that run from his hips, downward toward—— “Leah? Where’d you go?” “What?” I shake off the burning in my cheeks, I’m sure my thoughts are appearing like a bubble over my head. “Did you say something?” “I said, I want you to come to my place.” To his place? My mind starts to analyze each of those words in an attempt to find the sense in them, but comes up blank. “What?” “I can’t have you here alone. I’m sorry, I just can’t. And this place.” He looks around the streamlined modern kitchen. “I don’t feel comfortable with you here. I’ll be the perfect gentleman. I’ve got a guest suite on the first floor. It’s all made up already, you won’t have to do a thing. I keep it clean. I want you to come. Or I’m going to stay here with you, sleeping on the couch. And that couch doesn’t look like it will last a night with me.” We both look over and chuckle at the squared off, white leather sofa that centers the living room off the kitchen. Barely half of him would fit. “Decker gave me a cell phone. I’ll be fine.” The truth is, I’ve never been alone for a night in my whole life. Unless you count the nights I spent locked up in the basement. Even then it was odd, I knew there was a guard outside the door so I actually didn’t feel alone. Staying here with May and Decker over in the main house is as close to being alone as I have ever been. But now with them gone tonight, this guesthouse is feeling lonely already. I put on a brave face for May when she asked if I would be okay tonight knowing Henrietta wouldn’t stay tonight. But, well, I’m worried Allister won’t argue with me and I’ll end up staying here when against my better judgment, I really, really want to go with him. I don’t want to stay here by myself. I could suggest we both stay over in the main house, but I hesitate to add anything. It might seem strange I’d be willing to accept his invitation when I barely know him, but it feels right. I’m silently pleading with him to try again, and he takes the cue. “A cell phone won’t help if you can’t get to it. Or you need someone to run out and buy you some Ben & Jerry’s at midnight. Or there’s a spider in the bathroom and you need me to come with a flamethrower and kill the rat bastard. These are things I can do. A cell phone cannot. I’m better than a cell phone, you’ll have to trust me on that.” A giggle spurts through my lips at this enormous man. I’ve never met anyone quite like him. Decker comes close, they do have similarities, but Allister is harder and softer at the same time. Decker tends toward serious and May gets his feathers ruffled with barely a wink, but he’s remained generally quiet with me. Allister feels like a giant teddy bear that could turn grizzly at the drop of a hat. I’m dragged down from my moment of euphoria by the weight in my stomach. If I stay with him, there’s no hiding all my contraptions and the hardware that’s necessary to keep me mobile. I may have been like this for a while, but having others see it all makes me wildly uncomfortable still. All my insecurity kills what could be a perfectly lovely moment. I have to look away because the desire in his eyes only makes me feel more humiliated that he may not understand exactly what my life entails. “Well, I’m all settled in here, but...” I throw out a weak excuse and he’s across the kitchen in a heartbeat, crouching down next to my chair. “You’ll be settled in better at my place.” The commanding sound in his voice draws out another round of between the legs tingles. “You’re coming, that’s settled. I’ll take care of you. Now, where’s your wheelchair and your crutches?” He slaps his hands together and rubs them back and forth.

The matter-of-fact tone in his voice when he uses those words –words that would normally cause me to shrink with embarrassment– has me incredibly turned on. And the way his eyes lock onto my face has me raising an arm and pointing down the hall from the kitchen without further protest. “Great. You want me to go ahead pack some of your things, too? Or you want to come with me?” He stops, making a face. “Sorry, I’m trying not to be overbearing but I’m failing. I’ll let you decide what to bring. You point, I’ll pack.” “What? No, I can manage. I may look helpless, but——” I catch myself, realizing my constant defensiveness with him is so unnecessary. His desire to help is more than sincere. “Sorry, I mean, thank you, but I can get my stuff together.” “I want to help you, Leah. Let me help.” I cross and uncross my arms because I know my nipples are piercing through the thin fabric of this dress. A nice, lumpy wool sweater would be perfect right about now. My eyes settle for a split second on the crotch of his pants. Suddenly, my renegade nipples don’t seem so bad because even as I dart my eyes away as quickly as possible, I note the bulge there that no sweater could help hide. He extends his arm, tipping his head down the hall. “I’m thinking, it’s way past time that someone took care of you.” It takes me a moment to get on my feet, even with his arm for support, but I push off with my other hand on the cool glass of the tabletop and we fall in step down the hall. The thought of being in the bedroom with him has the wet spot turning into a small puddle. This is all new to me, these feelings, the way my body has all these new bells and whistles that he’s operating with just a glance and a touch. The way his words make me feel safe is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s been a long time since anyone took care of me. I mean, the staff at the house provided for our needs and Henrietta and Mr. Fredby cared about us in their own way. But Allister feels different, like his number one focus is on me.. It’s more than flattering, it’s intoxicating. That voice in my head is badgering me. Making me wonder: Why is he doing this? A guy like him paying this kind of attention to a girl like me. I don’t know, maybe he’s the type that needs to be the savior. I’ve heard of that, men that want someone to rely on them. It gives them a rush, then when all’s said and done, the thrill of the conquest is gone and so are they. I watched Simon and Victor and so many of the men in my extended family over the years and their interactions with women. They all acted like women were disposable. Replaceable. My dad was the exception with Mom. He was loyal, and he was head over heels for her. But I watched, I listened. Most of the others made remarks about the house staff, young women they played with and then threw away like yesterday’s newspaper. It’s all I’ve ever seen from most men. Decker and my father being the only exceptions in my world. I do my best to chill the warmth that has been gathering in parts of my body I didn’t even know could warm like this. With as few words as possible, I point and instruct Allister as he packs up my things, watching him run back and forth to his car with them. He parked it at the main house this morning before the limo came and picked us up to head to the courthouse. I’m secretly thankful that Allister doesn’t make the same leap I did and consider that we could just slide on over to the main house and stay there. I want to see his place. Stay at his place. See how he lives. While he loads everything into his trunk, I lean over from my place where I’ve been sitting on the edge of the bed, and unsnap the braces from my loafers. I need to take the weight off my legs. It’s been more

than usual today and the ache and twinges are so painful when I try to stand, I know if I don’t make the swap my legs will crumple under me and Allister will be picking me up off the floor. My fingers shake as I try to rush. I pack the metal braces into their nylon bag and reach to where I asked him to leave my forearm crutches next to the bed. Before I secure them on my arms, I zip closed the case with the leg braces and put it on the floor next to the last suitcase, just as he’s striding through the bedroom door. And I can’t help it. I may hate myself for it, but I stop and stare because he is a glorious, squirm-inducing sight. “One more trip with these, and I’ll be back for you.” He leans over with a smile. “Saving the best for last.” “Thank you,” I utter and he pauses, staring at me again with that look like he thinks I might disappear in a poof. “Please, stop thanking me. You deserve so much more than just someone to carry your bags, precious.” I’m stunned by what he calls me, our eyes seem to be having a distinct and separate conversation for a long moment that has me breathless. A minute later, he’s been out and back with the final bags and I’m still struggling to find the oxygen in the room. My dad always called me precious. What could that mean that he just picked that name out of the air? Before I figure out what to do next, he moves to sit next to me and my heartbeat quickens. Before I know it, I’m leaning his way, his weight pressing down on the mattress so heavily that my body sort of falls toward him. I’m powerless to stop it, and a moment later his lips forge forward to meet mine in a soft, gentle kiss which freezes me. My mouth goes slack. I’m doing my best impression of a dead fish for my first kiss. I feel his lips smile against mine and I wish I could disappear. A shiver shakes me from head to toe as a sigh escapes him. It is such a contrast to hear such a soft, intimate sound falling out of this hard, concrete wall of a man. The kiss ends and he retreats, just an inch, enough for our eyes to pick up the conversation our lips started. His face moves back closer, his lips brushing mine with the softest words I’ve ever heard. “I want to kiss you again. You are already more precious to me than you know, but this time I want you to kiss me back.” Before I can think, I reply. “I want that, too.” I muster up a fraction of an inch of forward motion and the brush of his lips becomes a kiss, but it quickly turns the corner to something more. His tongue traces along my lower lip, I hear his measured breathing turn to a low groan and my belly turns up and in and over and down, all at the same time. His tongue is warm, full, and he tastes like masculinity and wintergreen. I don’t know what I thought a kiss would taste like, but this is so much better. I’ve never been kissed in my life, but in all my dreams this would be how I would imagine it. Soft yet urgent, with a man who seems to devour me with his lips and his eyes. All of my reservation drains from me. A kind of spinning takes over. A force I’ve never felt before, guiding me onward. My hands fly up to grasp around the back of his neck, tightening over the muscles there, enjoying the hard tension under my fingers. The slight prickle of the short shaved hair on his neck causes light friction. He’s warm and when I squeeze he lets out a groan that makes me light-headed. It’s the sound of a man in need and I love that it’s me causing that noise. He needs something, and that something sure seems like it comes from me. The growing tension between my legs blazes into a wildfire. I press my thighs together, trying to either stop the feeling or push it forward, I’m not sure. His teeth click against mine and my lips open, my tongue

pushing forward, entering his mouth as my movements cause him to growl into our kiss. His hands swoop around my back, running up and down slowly but firmly, intentionally, until one settles at the back of my neck and the other shifts to hold me steady. I’m lost in the kiss when suddenly he grunts. Like I’ve hurt him somehow then he’s gone. Breaking away and leaving me breathing hard as he shifts away from me. With that, our connection is lost and he’s back at full height, clearing his throat, letting out a deep, shaking breath, unable or unwilling to meet my eyes as he gathers the suitcase and nylon bag. All I can do is watch as he retreats out the open bedroom door, leaving me sitting there, red faced, embarrassed, and foolishly wanting more.

C H A P T E R F O U R ALLISTER

Steady, man. Jesus. I can’t breathe. I limp back out the front door, placing the last of her belongings in the back of the Suburban with a heavy breath which sounds like it could be my last. That’s a fucking death rattle, not a breath. What the fuck is wrong with me? She was fucking kissing me back. Hard. She was clinging to me and I just walked away? I rest a hand on my head, trying to gain my bearings as the sun streaks through the trees that surround the guesthouse. My usually bald head is now covered in a short growth of dark hair. I quit shaving it the day after I found her in the basement. Only because I heard her whisper to her sister that day that the ‘bald guy scared her.’ When May giggled and asked her why, Leah had said all the bad guys in fairy tales are bald. So no more bald for me. Now, I’ve left her sitting in there all alone. I just bailed on the best kiss of my life, a kiss that was leading me somewhere else I’ve dreamed of going since I laid my eyes on her that day. It’s no excuse, but damn if I wasn’t sure I could control myself. My dick sure couldn’t. I came in my fucking trousers when she squeezed the back of my neck and pushed her tongue into my mouth. Fuck. I kissed her and came. And it was by far the best fucking orgasm of my life. I lean my forearms against the car, lower my head between them and try to get a grip. My dick hasn’t lost an inch. It’s begging for more as the warm cum from my errant climax spreads in my boxers and down my shaft. Just then I notice that driver, Wilson, with the limo pulled in over by a bunch of trees at the entrance to Deck’s place. And he’s just standing there. Watching me. What the fuck? He starts toward the driver’s door to the car, but I’m already bolting toward him. “Hey!” I shout. I don’t know who to trust with Leah. Any number of the staff members might have been in on it with Victor and Simon. If I had my way, she’d drop them all, but I know she won’t do that so I’ll have to take things into my own hands instead. “I want to talk to you.” As I get closer I hear the engine start and I dig in and sprint, catching up to the car just as it pulls forward. Stepping in front of it, I slam my palm against the hood and his eyes snap open, staring at me through the windshield.

“What?” Wilson raises both hands and gives me a pained squint. I’m around to his side of the car before he can start it moving again. “Get the fuck out of the car.” “No.” I slam my hand against his window and he jumps again. “OK, Jesus, alright.” The driver’s door clicks open and I grab the handle, nearly tearing it from its frame. “I don’t...” “Why are you here?” I get that she’s been on her own for a few years, and some of the staff have gotten close to her, but this is too much. “Why didn’t you leave?” “I’m trying to now——” He rolls his eyes and that does nothing to settle the sense that he’s hiding something. “Don’t play. My bullshit detector is going off.” He squirms as I grab his collar and drag him from the car. “I thought Leah might need me, that’s all!” I take a deep breath. The look in the guy’s face is pathetic, but I think he’s telling the truth. My military training has given me a sense for reading people. I relax my grip on his collar and his shoulders drop. “Do you know who I am?” “Yes...” “Say it.” “You’re Decker’s friend. Allister.” “What else?” His lip is quivering as his eyes dart over my face. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me; there’s something there and I just can’t quite work it out. I’m just about to tighten my grip again when he speaks. “You’re the one that rescued Leah.” “That’s right. And I’m going to be taking care of her because that’s what I do. So you’d better get used to that.” I lean forward. Not too much, but enough to let him know that I’m in charge. His mouth goes wide and I see a flash of something cross his face, but then he nods and I let go and stalk away. I need to get back to Leah. The thought of her comes back into my head and I forget Wilson in an instant. Remembering what it felt like to kiss her, the cum still sticky inside my boxers, moving against my cock as I get hard just at the thought of her. My heart is wreaking havoc on my chest wall. Fighting with the bones there, trying to hammer its way out. I’ve never had heartbeats hurt before, but these do, because they’re mad as hell and I don’t blame them. No one’s tugged at my heart before, not like this. No one. Not ever. And I just left her there. With a strained breath, I break into a run back to the door and down the hall, bursting into the bedroom like a sheriff coming into the saloon to lay down the law. She’s on her feet, her arms secure in the metal bind of her crutches. Her deep-set, brown eyes match the shine of her hair, and my throat nearly closes at the sheer innocent beauty standing in front of me. “Let’s go.” Her voice is tense and that’s my fault. “Precious, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run out like that.” I’m on her, hands coming to rest gently on her shoulders, my thumbs rasping over the softest flesh I’ve ever felt at the curve where her neck meets her shoulders. She shifts her body, tense and slightly away from me. “Stop calling me that. It’s fine. Let’s go.” Her words are sharp, her lips losing all the softness that just imprinted her somewhere deep into my soul. Her flavor was like finding an old friend and a new day. She needs to know that one kiss has bound her to me. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s never getting away. Never. “No, it’s not fine. Listen. Sit down.” I pull gently at her elbow, noting the question in her eyes but urging her on nonetheless.

She sighs and follows, taking two tentative steps before I lay a hand at the small of her back and ease her down onto the edge of the bed. She releases her arms from the metal crutches, clinking the aluminum together as I grab them and set them to the side, taking my place on my knees in front of her, gathering her hands in mine. “That kiss...” I falter, heat rising from deep inside, my cock painfully bent inside my pants, never mind the sticky, drying cum that reminds me of just how desperate I am for this girl. I decide to go for broke, complete honesty. “I kissed you, Leah, and it was the best feeling in the world. And...” I pause, making sure she’s looking at me, giving her hand a squeeze leaving my ego at the door. “And it was so good, I came in my damn pants.” Time stops. My throat tightens and my balls tingle as I look into her warm, dark eyes, waiting for her to smack me across the face and send me packing. The next seconds feel like a year until I see the first sparkle in her eyes, a light deep in their darkness which then slowly flows over the rest of her face until she blossoms in a smile that lights up my soul, and a little girlish giggle escapes her lips. “Really? You—” Her cheeks ripen to a deep crimson and her full lips frame the masterpiece of her smile. Her voice falls to a whisper as if anyone else could hear her. “You came from our kiss?” “Full on, baby. Didn’t you hear that grunt? That was a cum grunt, it fucking hurt I came so hard.” I smile with her because it’s impossible not to. I’m released from pride and ego. Nothing matters but the truth and making her smile. She moves her hands in mine, twisting them so that our fingers entwine and cause my heart to swell with pride from knowing she wants to hold us together. “I wouldn’t know what kind of grunt that was. I thought I hurt you. I’ve never even kissed a boy...” She cuts herself off with another unsteady smile. “...a man before. Neither one, boy or man.” She tips her head side to side, fluttering her eyelashes, and it’s the damn cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She’s got my balls tied in knots already. The fact sinks in, she’s never kissed anyone before. I’m her first. I’m overwhelmed by that honor. And then the realization hits, and my ego marchest back in the door and swells with the thought that every other one of her firsts will be mine. She doesn’t know it yet, but I do. Being this close to her pushes away my own insecurities regarding my lack of experience in this arena. It also makes me want to see her smile every day from now until eternity And give her about a billion orgasms. And hopefully babies. Lots of babies. But always orgasms, because that’s the only other face I want to see her wearing, besides a smile. Her ‘O’ face. And I’m going to be the one to see it first and forever. “What are you doing?” Her eyes narrow and she tugs her lips to the side. The little mole that sits just under her left eye twitches. I shake myself out of my lust-filled stupor. “I’m honestly not sure.” My face aches, it’s an unfamiliar sensation and I realize I’m wearing the biggest dumbass smile the world ever saw. Like a ‘kid on Christmas morning’ kind of smile. “You look good with a smile. It suits you.” She teases. zaqg “Let that be our secret, okay?” Her giggle sends a lightning bolt from my head to my toes that explodes in a painful jerk of my stillwet cock. I let her hands go. “Do you trust me, Leah? Like, really, do you?” I cup her cheeks, feeling the silky warmth from her skin and imagining how that texture will be mirrored by her pussy when I get my tongue on it. Because I

want that more than I want my next heartbeat. Her lips tuck inward to her teeth for a moment. She’s considering me, and I like that she’s giving it a bit of thought because the question means more to me than maybe she knows. When she nods it sends my blood pressure through the roof, and my lips gently peck at her nose, then her forehead. I can’t take her lips again yet because the fire building inside me will explode and I’m not sure she’s ready for that kind of intensity. “May said orgasms are amazing,” she whispers. My bones ache with how much I want her right now. I adjust my head lower, gripping her face in my massive hands, forcing her eyes to stay on mine. I see a twinkle there, a boldness that shocks and inspires me. She fascinates me. This innocent doe has an honest truth about her that nearly sends me to the ground. “Well, let’s see what you think after I give you one.” I search her eyes for any hesitation, but an impish curve at the corner of her lips tells me there is none. “Or ten.”

C H A P T E R F I V E LEAH

He’s got me around the waist and onto his lap in three seconds flat. Before I know it I’m facing him, straddling something very hard that’s hiding behind his perfectly pressed slacks. His arms feel like they could wrap around my waist twice, they’re so long. He’s got me in a near choke hold, lips and tongue painting delicate strokes on my chest and neck while one massive hand glides up the indent of my back to take the weight of my head as it falls back, unable to hold itself upright on my neck any longer. “That feels so good.” It’s a pure statement of truth even if my voice is a whispering whimper. I am honestly surprised at how good it feels to have someone kiss your neck like this. It’s better than a thousand back rubs and I never want it to end. My words urge his mouth to a new gear and I feel his teeth brushing against me, making me gasp when he takes hold and doesn’t let go. My skin sends so many prickling messages to my central nervous system that it hurts, but my brain interprets it differently. As pleasure. An incredible, engulfing kind of pleasure. “Gawd.” I speak toward the ceiling, and my eyes give in and close. My hands are on his shoulders, the feel of the solidness of him arousing me even more. There is a constant tightening that starts just below my belly button and encircles me to the tops of my thighs. Allister’s scent is in my nose, filling my head, making my thoughts slow. He smells spicy and clean, heavenly and manly. In his lap I feel like a doll. Small and safe. And the amazing thing is the usual ache in my legs has disappeared. Whatever endorphins he’s releasing in me need to be bottled and sold. He grips my head, taking control and fixing my lips to his. Then it’s desperate, wet need as I wrap my arms around his neck, moaning and sighing into the kiss. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, some of his gentleness gone now. But for some reason I like that as well. I’m not sure how far I want this to go, but my body is taking over and I start to rock my hips up and back on what feels like a steel pipe under his trousers. I feel the liquid rushing out of me, but I don’t stop. I can’t. He’s moving with me, guiding my body forward and back as his mouth moves against mine with raw need. His hands move to my hips and his mouth drops from mine as he leans back and catches my eyes, holding my gaze He pauses, sensing a shift in my energy. “What is it? If you’re not sure, precious, if you want to stop, I’ll stop. Right now, just say the word. You’re running this show, Leah. Is something wrong?” The sincere concern in his voice answers my own doubt with a reassurance that has me pressing harder, needing the tension to snap. I’m close to something and I want to throw myself over the edge. I want to fling myself into whatever this is about to be with this man.

“You’ve never cum before, don’t be scared. Remember, I said I’d never let you fall, precious, and I won’t...” His voice drops, and a moment later his lips are on mine, biting my flesh and pulling away as his hands take control of my body, swaying me and circling me. My open legs ache as I force them further apart, needing this, all of it, whatever this is that he’s giving me. “I want it,” I mumble. “Just hold on, you’re close aren’t you?” His hips meet my rhythm, and I’m dimly aware that I should be embarrassed at how forward I am being, how much I want this from him, but I’m not embarrassed. Not a bit. “Yes,” I hiss, and one massive hand comes to the center of my back, pulling me flush against him. My head rests against his, letting his mouth work that magical spot on my neck under my ear. He quickens the pace of my grinding, pushing my body down onto him. The swirling starts to catch fire in my toes, and whimpers escape me as he pushes me faster and harder, our bodies moving against each other in a dance that feels instinctual. The movements are perfectly timed, perfectly placed, and he doesn’t miss a beat of what my body needs. The stubble of his beard rasps on my skin, making it burst with heat as the painful ache inside of me takes hold. The same fire that moments ago warmed my toes shoots up and wrestles my entire body into its hold. “Allister!” I cry out, half pain, half ecstasy. I want to feel him, to know he’s here with me, and he responds, holding me tight against his body like he’s never going to let me go. There’s no warning. I explode with a power I didn’t know existed within me, making noises I didn’t know I could make, screaming and shuddering as the tension spills out of me. I’m shaking and jerking, calling his name again as he roars into my neck, his hands wrapping around my body until I feel like we are one being. The feeling is unexplainable, unfathomable. May said orgasms were great, but that is a stupid, silly word for what just happened here. I’m out of breath. Allister’s face is buried in the crook of my neck and my arms are twisted around his head, clinging to him as though he’s the only port in this storm that’s raging inside me. He twists us around, holding me against him as he guides me back onto the bed. “Lean back,” he rumbles next to my neck, and I do as he says without question. My body is quivering with need and ecstasy, neither hot nor cold, and honestly, I feel so detached from myself that I barely even know how to lean back, but his voice has a direct connection to my brain. Even as I wonder at that emotional, almost psychic connection, the physical hold he’s had on my body loosens and I release his head, arching my torso, leaning back and gasping for air as his hands wander down from my waist, palms warming the tops of my thighs where the loose, light fabric of my dress grazes the skin halfway up. “Let’s see what you’ve got for me under here.” His voice turns playful and paternal, and the combination nearly sets me off again. My skin tingles as he pinches the peach fabric between his thumb and forefinger, his eyes lowering as we both watch him raise the fabric to the tops of my thighs. “God.” His control snaps. “This...” He falters as his fingertips touch the wet patch on the cotton covering my crotch. The sensation has me gasping for air as he runs his fingers so lightly there, my nerve endings sending out signals that have my muscles twitching and my hips jerking. “...this is mine.” The last word is fierce and I forget how to breathe. He drops the delicate, sensitive act, instead shoving the fabric hard into the crease where my hips hinge on my thighs, tucking it in so it won’t move. His eyes narrow, and that flush of fear takes me again, but I don’t want to be anywhere else. I want to be here, with him, and I accept him as he is: commanding, strong, unflinching. “Hold your panties to the

side. Show it to me. Show me your cunt. Give it to me, because you want to, don’t you?” I can’t speak. His words hit me like rapid-fire cannon balls. I think I should be offended by the coarseness of them, of him, but I’m not. I want to please him. Somewhere inside me it becomes all that matters right now. My shaking fingers come down to hold the soaking fabric, my eyes on his the whole time. I need him to reassure me, to let me know that he likes what he sees. “Leah...” He halts, his hands running up the insides of my thighs, rubbing gently back and forth until his thumbs graze the wet outer lips, making me wince. “I want to put my tongue inside you. I want to taste that orgasm you just had, and I want to give you another one with my mouth. You’ll let me do that, won’t you, precious? I need it.” The last words sound more caveman than before and I swallow hard to keep myself under control, even as I pull the fabric further away and watch as his eyes widen, letting me see how much it affects him. I feel overpowered and powerful at the same time. He could take whatever he wants from me. It’s not just his size, his physical power, it’s my broken body, too. I couldn't run if I needed to. It’s the ultimate rush of prey and predator, but the power here lies in places I’m not sure I understand. “Your pleasure is mine. It’s all going to be mine.” He groans. He flips me up and over as if I’m nothing but a feather. My body is at his mercy roughly tugging my panties down and off my legs. Then and only then does it hit me that he’s the only one in my life, besides May and a few doctors, that have seen my legs like this. My scars, the horror of how my lower limbs don’t fall straight and as expected, all my insecurities on full display. It overwhelms me with nausea as I wait for the inevitable disgust to be revealed in his face. I hold my breath, expecting him to finally realize the horror of my body and leave me laying here in my utter humiliation. I search his face for a hint of it, but all I see is savage desire. He drops to his knees, grabs my legs, throws one each over his shoulders, and then takes control of my hips, jerking my body to the edge of the mattress as he centers himself on the floor like a viper ready to strike. “I want you to cum all over my face, Leah.” His golden-brown eyes open and meet mine. “That’s your only job, give me all of your cum. All your orgasms, I want them all.” “I liked the one you gave me already,” I joke, nervous and unsure but reassured that not for one second did his eyes or face change as he looked at my exposed body. His face looks suddenly pained. “Promise me.” “Promise what?” “That no one’s been here before. Please, tell me, no one’s seen what’s mine. No one’s ever touched you here. Tasted you like I’m about to do. And God, please, no man has been inside you, has he?” He sounds angry, but I’m not frightened. “No. No one. Ever.” “Good.” The relief I hear in his voice sends a chill over my warm skin. “I’m going to tongue-fuck you first because I want to taste every drop of that first orgasm you just had. I’m going to shove my tongue right up inside you, Leah, and I want you to move yourself on me, take what’s yours. Because it’s my job to give it to you. If you’re not fulfilled, I won’t be either.” He drops his head, ready, prepared, but I have to know. I have to know for sure. “No.” I hold his cheeks, gripping him tight. “Wait.” “What?” “I mean, what about you? Have you ever...” I wish I could retract each word. I feel like an idiot because I already know the answer. How could I not? I guess I was just hoping for something different. “Never mind.” I lick my lips and swallow, watching as the gold in his eyes turns coppery and dark. He jerks me up another inch, my hips hovering over the edge of the bed, so close to his mouth that his breath warms my skin with each exhale, making me squirm and shiver.

“Do you want to know if I’ve done this before?” He settles a long kiss on my inner thigh, lighting up a squeal as my hips shake in his hands. “I’ll tell you, no. No one, ever. I’ve never had a woman cum for me before, you were the first. Never tasted a woman, you will be the first. And, no, never fucked one. Not today, but soon, you will be my first.” My mouth falls open. How can that be true? He’s a man. Like a man, man, I’d imagine him fucking his way through every single day of his adult life because he can. “Don’t look at me like that, precious girl. I have my reasons for the choices I’ve made. And when I saw you for the first time, you became the ultimate reward for holding off. I was so fucking thankful I’d never touched anyone before. I don’t want anything between us, not even memories of someone else. I’m a fucking virgin. You’re about to get my mouth cherry, but be prepared, I may have never had any practical experience, but trust me, I know what I’m doing. I know it somewhere deep inside, like knowing how to breathe or how to eat.” “I believe you.” “That’s good. But I think it’s time I proved it to you. And myself. You are my precious unicorn you know that? One of a kind and someone I thought didn’t exist. My magical, precious creature.”

C H A P T E R S I X ALLISTER

Her scent has turned me into someone I barely even recognize anymore. There’s this new being that’s been created inside of me, one that wants my teeth on her. That wants my marks on the softest parts of her body. That wants my cum splashed on her body and seeping out of every hole because they all belong to me. They’re mine to do with as I please. And I please. I want my face lodged between her thighs until she truly understands what the word ‘claimed’ means. It’s not what she thinks, I guarantee that. Because with me, it’s permanent. It’s an imprint on us both that will never be undone. “I’m going to take care of you, Leah. You’re giving me a gift right now, a precious gift, and I’m going to make you feel so good, baby.” I want her to know just how much I honor what she’s about to let me do to her. It’s perfect. She’s perfect. Inside my head a primal caveman is roaring to life. I want her hard and I want her fast, but I’ll hold on with the civilized parts of me because I want her first time to be gentle. That’s what she deserves. But I can’t promise they will all be this way. She’s unleashed something inside of me that is hard to contain. My need to be inside her is a constant drum beat in my head. She’s so small, I’m not even sure if it will work, but when the time comes, I’ll take whatever her tiny body can give me. Shit, if I’m only able to get the head of my cock inside her for the rest of my life, I’ll die the happiest man in the world. But right now, it’s my tongue I want in there and I can’t wait another second. “Tongue first,” I growl as I sink the thick length of my tongue between her dripping folds, shoving it into her with one thrust as my hands wrap around her upper thighs, mounting her mound onto my mouth, leaving only her shoulders resting on the bed. She’s hot and wet, and the taste sends me reeling. Her flavor is unlike anything else of this world, something made just and only for me, and I swallow hard as her taste spreads over my tongue and down my throat, making her part of me forever. Her arms fly wide at the intrusion into her virgin opening, but I delve deeper. I have to. My tongue barely fits, and I delight in watching her fist the white duvet cover as I begin to slowly fuck her with my mouth. I feel the membrane, swirl my tongue around the smallest part of her, memorizing what her virginity feels like in my mouth because I want to keep that memory forever. I want to carry it with me to the end of my days.

I moan along with her yelps, pushing my face as far into her pussy as I possibly can, tasting the deepest parts of her. I feel the texture of her walls, the tiny flickering petals that tighten and loosen as I rub my face over her open pussy. The pleasure I get from tasting her arousal on my tongue is unreal. This is the best and proudest moment of my life, knowing that she is giving me this. My dick punches upward, doing everything it can to get at her, my need a sharp, stinging thing. Like a knife carving into my gut. But I won’t take her like that today. It’s not time, not yet. My boxers are already soaked with cum and I feel another one ramping up. I want this moment to be all for her, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go all horny teenager and cream my jeans again because she tastes better than any touch my cock could have right now. I love the little bit of dark hair she’s left on her pussy. Just enough to tickle my lips and hold her wet dew for me to suck off. I move upward, taking my tongue from her opening so that I can lick slowly, flicking and discovering every contour and fold until I find her hard nub, already swollen and ripe from our little dry-humping session. “Leah.” I pause for a moment, then repeat it. “Leah.” She doesn’t respond, but I need her to listen, so I settle her beautiful ass lower down onto the bed. I want all her attention, forever, but right now I just want her to hear me. She gazes down her body, the peach dress rumpled and caught around her waist. “What?” She is breathless, her eyes wide and questioning. “This, what we’re doing, this means something to me. Okay? I need you to know that. Right now, I won’t let you go. I can’t. I’m in this for the long haul, Leah. I may sound crazy, but I don’t care. Just tell me you’re here with me. That you won’t change your mind. Because I’ll tell you right now, if you try to get away from me I’ll chase you down. I’ll bring you back to me, Leah, because in my heart you belong to me already. You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” It’s a bit odd, the position we’re in, her legs open, my face already damp with her juices. She’s looking down and I hold my breath, waiting, not sure if she might burst out laughing at what I just said. But if she’s not sure, I need to know now, because after this, I don’t think I could ever let her go. “I don’t think you’re crazy. Everything that you’re saying makes sense.” She pauses, staring straight through my eyes into my soul. “But you have to promise me something.” “Anything, baby. I want to give you everything you want in this world.” “Just don’t ever lie to me, okay? Don’t make me feel silly or used. I’d die if that ever happened. It’s so hard to trust anyone, but for some wild reason I trust you. Please, just don’t hurt me. Don’t betray that trust.” “Never, baby. I won’t hurt you. I couldn’t. And anyone else that does, I’ll be there to take care of them. Give it all to me, Leah, I want all of you. You deserve to be taken care of and I want to be the one that has that honor.” I kiss her clit, my tongue lapping slowly at first, feeling the softness of the skin there. It’s nothing like I expected. It’s a million times better. I’ve found my holy place, and it’s right here, my face between her thighs, my tongue on her clit. And her orgasm in my ears. I suck and nip until her body tightens and her legs fall open and off my shoulders. As she spreads herself for me to devour and worship, all I can do is obey the natural order of things. I inhale deeply, her scent becoming part of me along with her flavor, and revel in the luxury of her. My cock throbs and aches. He wants what my mouth has right now. But he’ll have to wait because I need her to know that her pleasure always comes first. I’m already on the edge of insanity when she starts to call my name. “Allister. Oh God, oh my God... Allister.”

“Cum, baby, give it to me.” I groan into her open pussy, sucking on her clit, and bring my hand down to slip one finger into her tight opening, gently fucking her while my mouth rides the movements of her hips. I make love to her with my tongue and finger, and when she bursts sweet juice all over my face it is the most satisfying moment I’ve ever known. I suck it in, slurping and groaning with her as she calls my name again and her orgasm seals her fate. Her hot cream drips down my chin, my only regret knowing that I can’t swallow it all, because I should. It’s mine, and I’m reluctant to let any of it slip away. Her opening clutches around my probing finger as her thighs smack closed on the sides of my head, squeezing me between them and making my ears rush with sound. I don’t care, this is it for me, everything I’ve ever wanted. I lap it all up, locking my lips on her clit, pulling more of her orgasm from her until her hands come to my head and her hips grind on my face. It’s beautiful, the most beautiful thing that’s ever happened to me, and I finally cum, my balls heaving out another round of my release into my pants which at this point cannot be saved by any dry cleaner in the world. When her body softens and comes to rest, I kiss my way up her thighs, letting them settle, hanging down over the edge of the bed. I take a few calming breaths, and then come up over her body, crawling until I’m holding myself caged over her, looking down at the sweetest smile God ever put on a woman’s lips. Her eyes meet mine, and she struggles to focus, then looks concerned. “What about you? Shouldn’t I do something for you?” Her sweetness amazes me. That she’s offering herself, that she thinks she’s the only one getting something out of this... for a moment, I’m dumbfounded. Her face goes red. “Not that I know what to do, mind you.” That innocence of hers, together with that matter-of-fact way she has of saying the most amazing things... the combination has my head spinning. “Oh, trust me, you’ve already done more than enough, Leah. More than you could possibly know.” I lower my head and give her a long, slow kiss, my tongue deep in her mouth. The thought of sharing her release with her is more arousing than I ever would have thought. I kiss her long and hard and listen as she mewls and sighs at the earthy flavor of her pleasure. “Wow.” “Yeah, wow.” I nibble at her neck until a couple of purple marks rise on her ivory flesh. Her sable hair swirls in soft halos above her head on the snow white bedding. “You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen, Leah. How did I get so lucky? This is happening fast, I know, but don’t be afraid. I feel it in my gut, this is right. More right than anything I’ve ever had in my life before. I just need you to always trust me. I’ll never do anything to hurt you, you have to know that. I want to be the one that protects you, takes care of you, shows you the good in the world. I’ll show you just how good a man can be.” A blush comes up her cheeks and she works her arms across her chest, a sudden flash of shyness creeping in. But I can’t allow that. “Don’t cover yourself. Please, Leah, don’t ever keep yourself from me in any way. You’ll break my heart. Only you have that power because I’ve never let anyone have my heart before you.” I kiss her forehead, taking a deep breath as I realize just how true those words are. She could shatter me and I’m scared to death by that prospect. She obeys, moving her hands away, creeping them up my forearms instead, upward until they are wrapped around the back of my neck. “I still can’t believe this is happening.”

“Oh, baby, it’s happening. And there’s more to come. But for now, let’s get out of here. I want you back at my place. We can figure out what’s next. You want to go out somewhere tonight? I can take you to a nice dinner, a movie. I know you haven’t been out much in the last few years. You deserve to be spoiled.” I settle back and stand up, reaching down to take her hands and pull her up to sit on the bed before arranging her dress back down for her. When I’m done, I reach over to pick up her crutches and help her get her arms situated so she’s able to pull herself up onto her feet. “Allister.” She bites her lip as she looks up at me, and my hands instinctively start smoothing her silky hair down over her shoulders. “What, baby?” I’ll give her anything she wants right now. “There are a few things I’d like to get. You know, from back at the house. Do you think you could take me there later?” My chest tightens. The thought of her going back there just doesn’t sit well with me. What if she decides she wants to stay? The image of her tied up in that basement still shakes me to the core. But she needs to know that she can ask me for anything, so I won’t argue. “Sure, baby. We can do that. Let’s get you set up back at my place first, then we can take a ride. I need a shower before we go anywhere. And if I’m lucky, I’ll get you to join me. The cum inside my boxers is feeling a bit uncomfortable right about now.” Her giggle warms me, and I drape my arm over her shoulders as we move together toward the front door. It feels so natural, so right, like we were made to be together like this. I want her to know all of me, to know my history even as she’s going to be a part of my future. “I need to run over and check up on my mom later, too. I’d love to introduce you.” “I’d love to meet your mom.” “Well, she’s sweet, but I won’t lie. We’ve had our troubles.” I open the door to the metallic gray Suburban and help her into the passenger seat, reaching over to buckle her in. “But, I’m all she’s got, and I try my best to take care of her.” My voice hardens a little as I say it. I love my mother, and I want Leah to be a part of that, but we haven’t had the easiest past. “You seem to like to take care of people. I think it’s something I can get used to.” “You better, because whether you like it or not, you’re signed up for more care than you might have anticipated, precious.” With that, I’m in the driver’s seat, my hand reaching over to entwine our fingers as we pull out of Decker’s driveway and start toward my place.

C H A P T E R S E V E N ALLISTER

Back at my house, I settle her into the bedroom, letting her get comfy in a big armchair that I keep next to the windows. There’s a fantastic view from the master bedroom, out over a ravine that I fell in love with as soon as I saw it. I live on seventeen acres, which is about right for me. I like my privacy, but it’s not so big as to mean I’m not close enough to the city for work. With her in it, my bedroom has now become our bedroom. Just like that. I get the shower going and strip my shirt off. I’m not sure what’s coming next, but I want her in there with me. I want to run the soap over her, find out what her nipples feel like in my mouth. With a deep breath, I stride out of the steam-filled bathroom. She’s sitting there still, watching the low afternoon sunlight, and the sight of it draping around her takes my breath away. “Come on.” I consider asking her if she wants to join me, but I change my mind. I’m going to be decisive when it comes to us, take the lead. She can always tell me with her voice or her cues what she’s thinking, but something inside me has changed. I need her, I need to be in charge. “I want you close to me. I want to feel you against me.” I walk over and take her soft hands in mine, and her eyes look me up and down. Then a blush of what I’m assuming is insecurity or doubt rises on her cheeks. “I’m not sure I’m ready.” “I just want us together, precious. I’d love to make love to you right now, but we’re going to wait until the time is perfect. Until you’re happy to go ahead, no matter how long that takes. Right now, I’d just love to have you let me wash you. Shampoo your hair and see you. All of you.” She bites her lip and I see her breathe deep, and it dawns on me what an idiot I am. “I’ll keep you safe. I’ll hold onto you the whole time. There’s a big bench in the shower, and you can sit if you’d like. Whatever makes you happy.” “I’m sorry. It’s just. I mean...” She throws her head back, looking up at the ceiling, and I hate that she’s feeling insecure. I wish I could take that away for her. “I can stand, I just have to be careful. I take showers all the time without anything on my legs. I just can’t stand for too long. God, this is so embarrassing, to have to tell you all this.” “Fuck, baby, no.” I pull her up and into my chest. “I want all this, you need to understand that. Nothing about you will ever be embarrassing to me, and it shouldn’t be embarrassing for you to share it with me. Tell me everything. Anything. Damn, if I could I’d live inside your head just so I would know

what you are thinking and feeling every second of every day. And, I love every part of you, even the parts you think are challenging or embarrassing. In fact, to me those things are just some of your most beautiful assets. Okay? So let’s go get wet.” I reach around her waist and pick her up in one swoop, making her laugh as her legs struggle to find purchase and finally end up half way around my waist, making her wince. “Careful, please don’t hurt yourself, Leah.” In the bathroom I stand her in front of me, leaning into the vanity as I work the zipper down the back of her dress, loving every moment, every inch of bared flesh. When I’m done, I let it drop to the floor around her ankles, and watch as she reaches behind to unclasp her bra before letting it fall, exposing herself to me completely. I stand enraptured, my hands automatically coming forward to cup her breasts, and then lean down to kiss her nipples and moan in my own selfish pleasure. “So beautiful,” I whisper, standing and stripping my cum-soaked pants and boxers off, tossing them aside and then reaching for her hand. “Hold onto me, Leah.” I open the clear glass door and escort her inside, letting the jets of hot water stream down her body as I stare in awe. The way the water catches in her dark lashes and runs over her full lips has my mind conjuring up all sorts of ideas. I imagine those lips open, taking my cock inside, and it has me instantly as hard as I’ve ever been. When she reaches to run her hands down my chest, lower to my abs, cum is already sneaking up and out of my slit. I grab the soap and start to discover her body, running my slick hands over her every line and curve as she steadies herself with her tiny hands on me. I can tell she’s averting her eyes; she’s yet to take a direct look at my full, thick cock, and it’s cute but I want her to see. I want her to look at what’s hers. I’m big. Not just big, long and thick and more inches than will probably be comfortable for her. For a moment, fear courses through me, and I’m just praying I won’t hurt her when the time comes. “This is so nice. It feels so good.” “Music to my ears, baby. Turn around, lean back against me.” I help her to turn in a slow pivot until her shoulders lean into my chest. I wash her hair, the sweet scent of the shampoo in the hot steam intoxicating. Her ass is rubbing against my cock and it’s clear she’s playing with me. “You keep that up and I may not be able to wait, baby. I’m a virgin and this virgin is about to explode.” “How is it that you are a virgin, anyway? I mean, look at you. You look like the kind of man that could have any woman he wants, that would go through women like other men go through razors. And with that club you and Decker have, with all those women—those beautiful women—there, I can’t imagine how you haven’t done it.” I let my hands roam down the front of her body, the hot water running over my fingers as they play with her nipples, then I drop one lower, stroking her between the legs until she’s softly humming and her head falls into me. “I have my reasons.” I’m fucking distracted as hell and thoughts of all the things I want to do to her right now have me chomping at the bit. The textures of her flesh are fascinating to me. I run a finger down low, toying at her opening and listening to the murmurs and keening noises as she shifts her legs and gives me more room to explore. “Tell me. Tell me the—oh—the reasons.” Her voice, soft and warm, spreads through me. I hear in there a girl that needs safety, comfort and reassurance. “Now?” The pitiful catch in my voice makes her giggle. Clearly I’m enjoying my finger dance down below. She’s so fucking sweet, it gives me a toothache, which only matches the cock ache.

Both of them throb like a motherfucker. As much as it pains me, I draw my fingers from her sweet, warm cunt, trailing them over her abdomen and hugging her around the waist as I start to speak. “I’ve seen more relationships fall apart than I’d like. My parents were in love, but they weren’t good for each other. My dad cheated on my mom. A lot. She was young when they got together and Dad was older. “He just wasn’t faithful and I saw how it killed her emotionally. Then, I don’t know, being in the military I just saw so many guys hooking up with girls. They were married guys. They had families. But they just did it anyway. Bad things would happen and it just always rubbed me the wrong way. “I wanted it to mean something when I lost my virginity. I’m not a ‘new girl every night’ kind of guy, I want one girl. One. And honestly, no one really held my interest until now. Until you. And then it all hit me at once.” I bring a hand up to encourage her chin upward, then I take her mouth. Those lips have me wondering when I can get them wrapped around my cock. She’s a naturally seductive kisser. Her lips open slowly, her tongue playing with mine before its warmth takes on its own movements inside my mouth. Before too long, our breath is fast and her arms are tugging around my neck, leaving me barely able to hang onto my gentleman card. We break apart, our eyes meeting, searching each other, and in some magical way we both have the same thought at the same time. I see it in her face, but I’m the first to put it into words. “Your mouth.” It’s all I can manage as she licks the water from her lips with a vixen’s grin. “You want my mouth?” Her tits press into the muscle of my torso and this sweet wonder looking at me has some skills that have my knees weak and my cock begging for what he’s never had. “Here.” Suddenly I’m a monosyllabic caveman, but that’s all my brain can manage right now as I guide us both toward the built-in shower bench a couple steps behind her. I sit her teasing ass down and with my height, the line-up is more than perfect. She bats her eyes upward for a moment, her hands brushing the drops of water out of them, then she licks her lips. “Fuck yeah,” is all I manage as my sweet angel grips the base of my shaft and flicks the drop of precum out of my slit with her tongue. “Like this?” She licks her lips, playing with me and I nearly decorate her face with cum right there. Her lips kiss the thick vein that is throbbing down the top side of my rock-hard dick. Alternating flicking her tongue and looking up at me like she needs my approval, which only makes it that much harder to hold back. “Yes, sweet girl. Jesus, yes, just like that.” The next few minutes she works some magic that has me moaning like I’m taking my last breaths on this earth. Nothing has ever felt this good. Not even close. My hands settle on the sides of her damp hair, guiding my dick in and out of her mouth as she sucks and does something with her tongue that has my knees ready to buckle. Her mouth is hot and slippery as I flex and begin to take control. Her eyes stay on mine as I shift and the head of my cock, slick and squelchy, pops in and out of her lips as I fuck into her face. “God, you’re so beautiful. More beautiful every moment I know you, Leah.” My words drive her to suck harder, deeper, the hunger in her eyes sending me over the edge and I’m lucky as hell I’ve been able to hold out this long. I fill her throat with a roar, gripping her head as my cock dispenses five, six, seven thick jets of cum into her mouth. My orgasm nearly tears me in two. The intensity sends one of my hands from her head to brace against the slick tile of the dim shower, holding myself up as my legs shake and my voice calls out her name.

I ate her pussy for a good hour in the shower until we both began to prune and her voice was raw from the series of shaking climaxes I was able to draw out of her. After that, I toweled us off and carried her into the bedroom, admiring her and hoping beyond hope that I can be everything she needs me to be in this life. My thoughts turn to the first time I will be inside her. How I may not survive it. I came again while I ate her pussy in the shower, spraying upward with so much force it landed on her thighs while I sucked her clit and she screamed my name. My heart climaxed as hard as my cock. It’s all in for me, the sex and the love and devotion I feel are all wrapped up together. They will never be separate and I will never give that to anyone else. “You know...” The orgasm blush is still on her cheeks and the twinkle in her eyes fills my heart. “You barely know me. You sure it’s safe inviting a strange woman to stay in your home?” I cross my arms. Her body is supple, laying on the pillows against the headboard. The light in the room is quickly turning to evening’s golden orange. The bedroom hangs on a cantilever over the ravine, with floor to ceiling windows that give the illusion that the room is dangling over the forest below. “I think I can handle myself. But, you do have some skills that very well could bring a man to his knees. At least this man.”

C H A P T E R E I G H T LEAH

“Leah.” Allister’s deep voice stirs me from a sleep like I haven’t had in a long time... longer than I can remember. It takes me a moment to get my bearings before I smell his spicy, clean scent and feel the warmth from his body as he shifts behind me. He’s fresh. Showered already. And I didn’t even realize he’d left the soft comfort of the bed we shared last night. I hum, trying to form some words, but I’m not ready. My body is a little achy, a little tingly. My legs throb but it’s more than just that. The near constant tension between my thighs is already coming to life from the mere sound of his voice. How does he do this to me? “Something’s happened.” He gently glides his fingertips from my forehead, running his hands down my neck and sending a shiver right through to my toes. His voice is thick with that same rumble that reminds me of a bass drum, but this time it’s undercut with something else. “What is it?” I turn and see his brown and gold eyes staring at me from behind a tense brow. We spent hours last night talking, and I love and hate that I feel so connected to him already. He makes me feel safe, but something in his voice is hinting that there is something wrong. I wouldn’t know that if we didn’t have this connection. “The club in Chicago and one in Indianapolis both burned last night. I’m sorry, I have to go.” Burned. My mind takes a moment to wrap itself around that word and grasp the meaning. “What? Fires at two clubs? Is everyone okay?” “As far as I know no one was hurt. Doesn’t look like a coincidence, though. I’m so fucking sorry, baby. With Decker and May just married and locked away...” He shakes his head, his hand stroking my cheek. “I don’t want to leave you, but I have to go deal with this shit. I fucking hate it, but it’s my responsibility.” “You have to go. I understand. Decker and May will be back tomorrow and Henrietta is coming back to stay with me today. I’ll be fine. I was a bit uneasy about telling her I wouldn’t be at the guesthouse, anyway, to be honest. She has strong opinions if you hadn’t noticed, and I’m not sure I’m up to explaining us to her quite yet.” The words are there but deep inside me my stomach drops. I run a hand over his shoulder. His body fascinates me. Massive in form and power but so controlled and decisive. Warm, golden light sneaks its

way through the bedroom window, cresting across half his face. It’s filled with a carnal look that makes me feel he knows things about me that I don’t. “I had so many plans for us today, precious.” His warm lips are on mine in an instant, his tongue slicing between my lips for a taste before he pulls away, leaving me desperate to breathe. “Tell me again how much you loved the taste of my cum.” Heat blasts my cheeks. He makes this change in the blink of an eye. From the brooding, caring protector to the filthy-talking sex god. In the light of the morning, I remember the way he spoke to me. I remember how uninhibited he was and how it drew wild parts of me. And yes, I remember telling him how good he tasted. Shyness replaces last night’s vixen and I squint my eyes together and cover half my face with a hand, gently shaking my head as I remember all the filthy things he’d said to me. All the filthy things I’d said to him... “Say it.” He pushes my hand from my face, pinching my chin and squaring his eyes with mine. “Tell me. You loved it in your mouth, didn’t you? Slick and hot.” I take a deep breath and giggle as I speak. “God, yes. I did love it. I loved making you cum. I loved how you watched me. All of it, I loved all of it.” “You’re the first and only woman that will ever have my cum, Leah. Only you.” I suck in a breath. Not just at his words but at the depth of emotion behind them. Was it dirty talk? Yes, of course, but something about it wasn’t tawdry or cheap. It was beautiful and meaningful, and something I never expected in a million years. I sigh. “I guess it will give me a chance to do some writing. I’m inspired.” I giggle like a little girl and try to remember the last time I giggled with anyone besides May. “Oh yeah? I have time for a bit more inspiration before I have to leave.” “Are you sure? You sort of gave it all last night. Several times, in fact, even if I didn’t get the pleasure from all of them,” I tease as his face comes to mine, his hand moving up to tangle in my hair. A rush of warmth spreads down my belly and between my legs. “You have no idea just how much I’ve saved up for you, Leah. You’ve created a monster and the only thing that will soothe this savage beast is you cumming for me.” He shifts on the bed, coming up onto his knees, the hand in my hair never loosening as he strips the towel from his waist and exposes the massive erection he’s been hiding behind it. Suddenly my heartbeat is straight into the red zone. I reach over to touch him, discovering his textures, the flesh on the swollen head, slick with drops of clear liquid. I smile at the deep rumble that comes out of him as I tighten my hand and look up to see the desperation in his eyes. “What about you cumming for me?” I grip and gently twist my hand as he taught me last night, wanting to see that mindless state of lust I saw in him then. “Christ, precious.” The words sound pained as his head drops back on his neck and he brings one hand down between my legs. His fingers immediately slip into the soaking wetness that’s already there. Our hands work each other, his fingers thick and rough as he grabs at me while mine twist and tug at his length. “Who does this belong to now? Who touches you like this?” He grips harder, sending a flush of heat from head to toe. “You do.” “Damn right. The thought of anyone else even fucking thinking about touching you...” He trails off, his fingers slipping inside me, spreading my natural lubrication around and around. He finds my clit and works it until I’m gasping and my hand reacts by pumping him up and down. I’m sure I must be hurting him but I can’t help it.

“Oh, God.” “Spread your legs, baby. Wide. Open up for me, Leah. Give it all. Take what’s yours. It’s all yours.” A sharp tug back on my hair reminds me of who’s in charge and I press my knees open wide, the result pushing me right to the edge. How he knows just how to make me cum I’m not sure, but he does. He’s just in contact with something deep inside me, something that lets him know exactly what to do at the right time. “Push up into me, Leah, show me who you are for me. Show me how much you want it. Let me know that you want to cum only for me.” That’s it. Any thoughts about the aching in my legs are long gone. The inhibitions about the scars and the way they will never resemble the legs of a runway model evaporate. I am his toy, the one that takes his direction, and it pleases him in a way that then pleases me. I can’t explain it, I can only feel it, and right now the tension low in my belly goes super nova as his fingers press and spin hard on my nub. The slick sound of wet movement, the look in his eyes as he stares down at me – they push me to the edge of Never-Never Land. Suddenly my hips start to buck and my voice turns to a wordless shriek. My hand grips tight and pumps the stone shaft between his legs as my body takes over. I only mildly feel the hot cream from his own release as it spreads across my breasts. My nipples tighten and my body shakes, and Allister moans and swears above me.

Henrietta glares at Allister as he disappears out the door of the guesthouse. We’ve been back here for about an hour, and he made sure we had a nice goodbye before Henrietta showed up. I made him promise to not let on about anything going on between us, not yet. I’m just not ready for the wrath it will bring. The household staff have been hovering around me for so many years they’re like family, and just like family they will all have an opinion on us. I just want to enjoy what we have without all the editorial from everyone. You would think I’m perpetually ten years old from the way they treat me. “Why was he here? Again?” Henrietta snaps. “He just came by to check on me, that’s all. He knew you wouldn’t be here until lunch, so he was just checking up.” My heart is beating like a drum. I’m not sure why I don’t want her to know, but I don’t. “You should be pleased that he’s looking out for me.” She narrows her eyes and sucks air through her teeth for a moment while shaking her head, then turns and goes back to her hasty movements. She swears in Polish under her breath while chopping vegetables and dropping them into the soup pot on the stove top. For a few long, silent minutes, I scribble some ideas for a book outline on a notepad Allister bought for me on our way here. I’m jolted out of my book fantasy when Henrietta thrusts a knife down through a head of cabbage with a sharp smack. “You know, you have to be careful,” Henrietta gripes at me as she works. “People want money. This is the way things always are.” I’m just about to respond, hoping I’ll find some words to defend Allister without giving the game away, when I’m surprised by the sound of the door opening. “Hello?” It’s Wilson’s voice. He sounds like he’s in a good mood. “How did you get in?” “Door was open.”

That seems odd to me because I was sure Allister would have closed the door on his way out, and it automatically locks. Maybe he didn’t pull it closed properly? “Did you remember my newspaper, Mr. Wilson?” Henrietta says to him, taking a quick glance at me before returning to her cooking. “I cannot go without it today, I am already behind on what’s going on in the world.” “Wilson, what are you doing here? I didn’t send for you.” “I just came by to see if you wanted to go out. I know you’re here all on your own. And, you heard Henrietta. She needed her newspaper.” He smiles. “Your newspaper is in the car., Mrs. Henrietta. I’ll go grab it.” “No, I will take it later. I was just telling Leah that she needs to be careful.” “Yes she does.” He winks at me. “Very careful indeed. Careful about what, exactly?” “Ojej! People. Her money.” “And I have told her that Allister has plenty of his own money, so why would he be interested in mine?” I turn to look at Wilson and he makes a small grunt in his throat. “Yes, well, Henrietta is right. Those are the worst kind. People with money always want more money. If they didn’t, they’d stop when they had enough. Think about it.” “And what about you?” I tease. “I suppose you don’t want any money at all?” I may not know exactly what everyone gets paid, but I know Wilson can’t be living like LeBron James. “No.” The normal twinkle in his eyes turns dark. “I don’t. Money means nothing to me.” His stern demeanor comes across as harsher than necessary. “Anyway.” Henrietta interrupts. “Now that you are queen of the castle over there, you have to be extra careful. People will try to take advantage of you.” She swings around, pointing the knife at me. “More than before.” “God, you both are on a crazy roll. I’m not as naïve as you think, you know. I have seen the worst things that people can do, remember.” “No ba. Fine, I am an old lady, I know when I should stop talking. Anyway,” she glances around at Wilson, “Where were you last night?” “Last night? I don’t know what you mean.” “I mean, the car was gone. All night. I came to find you and you were gone. When I left for the market this morning, you were still gone.” Wilson leans into the countertop, avoiding my raised eyebrows. I mean, what he does in his spare time is his business, but I’m not sure how I feel about him taking the family car. “I couldn’t sleep. Drove by here to make sure everything looked okay.” He turns to me and gives a half smile. “Didn’t like the thought of you being here alone.” He chuckles and crosses one foot over his ankle, then back the other way. “Okay, I’ll admit it.” He raises his hands in the air. “I hung out here, outside in the car all night. Even peeked in the windows a few times while you were sleeping. Might sound a bit creepy, but I had the best of intentions, I promise. Just wanted to be sure you were okay.” He’s lying. Henrietta grunts toward the soup pot as she turns back around. “You should tell someone when you leave with the car all night. You know better.” Wilson winks at me again and my stomach tightens. Why is he lying to me? Maybe he had a hot date and wanted to impress her with the car. I hope that’s all it was. I would understand that. He doesn’t have a lot, and despite his protests I’m sure he must feel the sting of that. I brush it off, tell myself to remember to increase his wages. “When is May coming back?” Wilson changes the subject after a long pause.

“Said they would be back around three o’clock, but then Decker planned to lock them in the house for a week. Or two.” “Psssst, that will never happen, Zabka. You know as well as I do that as soon as they get back May be over here checking on you, and you two will be making all your usual plans.” “She’s only been gone a day and a half,” Wilson interjects with a hint of judgment in his voice. “Wonder why they didn’t go for longer? Doesn’t seem like a proper honeymoon to me.” “May didn’t want to go anywhere at all. Decker had to twist her arm just to get her to spend a night away.” Wilson shakes his head. “I just think you both need to be careful.” “Are we talking money again?” Sometimes I wish I was born into a standard issue, cookie-cutter, middle-class family. “Decker doesn’t want her money. He even signed... No, he wrote up and insisted that May sign a pre-nup so he’d get nothing of hers. Even if she dies,” I snap back. Why Wilson refuses to settle into the fact that Decker loves May for May, and not her money, is beyond me and it’s annoying. He’s been on this kick since they got together. “Listen.” He grins. “I’m just saying. I’ve been out there...” He flips his head toward the door. “...more than you have in this life. I know people. Generally, if you think the worst then you won’t be disappointed.” My phone chirps from its place on the table in front of me. I pick it up to see it’s a text from Allister. A smile automatically takes over my lips as I read. “My precious unicorn... I’m just getting to the freeway towards Chicago. Looks like I’ll be here for at least five days, then I’m flying to Indy before I head back here for the drive home. I’m fucking pissed. I want to be there with you. Your pussy’s marked me, babe. I can barely fucking keep my eyes on the road. I can’t stop thinking about you. I’ll call you later. Text me, let me know you are okay. Please, make sure you eat. I know Henrietta will be there, but I need to know you are safe, so be ready for about a thousand texts and calls today. Okay, just so you know, I’m fucking off my nut for you, Leah. Please take care of what’s mine. I plan on calling you and giving you lots of direction on how to make that pussy cum for me over the phone. Be a good girl and be naked and in bed around 8pm. I want to hear how wet you are for me, and trust me when I say this: I will be hard all day thinking about you. Okay, better get back on the road. Pulled over to text you. Talk to you later, precious.”

I’m still smiling two hours later when May finally runs in the door like a hurricane of newlywed glow and chaos. “O.M.G.” May spins around and flops down on the sofa where I’m sitting with my laptop, typing away on my story for Allister. I flip the top closed before she can read it. For some reason I am hesitant to tell her about Allister, even though we share everything. But even when I do finally tell her, this writing is just for him. So I set my laptop on the side table and settle back as May dramatically throws her arm across her forehead. “So. You’re married and knocked up. You do know how to get things done fast.” “Ha. Yes.” Her voice turns down. “What? Didn’t you have fun? Wasn’t the hotel nice?” “Yes. It was great. Only, this morning...” “What?” “I don’t know if it was something I ate or just all the excitement. But, well...” She looks at me, her face more serious and her voice lowering. “It felt like I was having, well, like cramps a little bit.” Her

eyes dart to the door, like she doesn’t want to see the reaction in my eyes. “I got scared.” Her voice quivers. “Did you tell Deck?” I sit up straight, pulling at one leg to shift sideways and look at her. “No. He was in such a good mood. Even with the news about the fires. I didn’t want to ruin it.” “You need to tell him, May, right now. Go to the doctor. I mean it, May, do it right now.” I reach over to grab my crutches. I’m not sure why I want to stand up, but I need to. Any thoughts I had of hinting to her about Allister are long gone. “I don’t want to,” May whines. “You go tell him or I will.” I wince as I take the first couple steps toward the front door. The new ways Allister used my body have left me with a few glorious muscle aches. I hear her groan as her feet come off the couch and she’s moving my way. “Fine. But I know it’s nothing. I just got a little scared. I wanted sympathy, not bullying.” “Well, if you think it’s nothing then go make sure it’s nothing. Do I need to follow you and stand there to make sure you tell him?” “No, I’ll do it. I’m not supposed to even be over here. He’s on the phone with Allister about work, so I slipped out. With the fires at the clubs and Deck went to the office for a few minutes to find some paperwork or something. Oh, I don’t know, that’s his business. Anyway, he wants us to stay locked up in that house, maybe go out to eat, but since I didn’t want a proper honeymoon,” May signs invisible quotation marks around the last words, “he wants his private time with me.” She giggles as she gets to the front door. “I don’t know if all men are like this, but as soon as this staycation is over, you and I are going to talk. Because I have things to tell you! The man is a beast.” “Go. We can talk in a week. Wilson and Henrietta are over here constantly anyway, bossing me around and driving me bonkers...” “Well, without me, you need to find new interests. Decker took over your former full-time job of keeping me in line. Maybe get a cat. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. You’d make a great cat lady. Get six or seven, you can afford it.” She smiles. “You know I’m kidding. You’re going to find love. I know it and you're worth it Leah. You’ll see, I imagine it just like Deck and me. You’ll know it when it’s right.” I groan as she’s out the door, skipping across the lawn on the path to the main house. She disappears out of sight behind some high bushes, and I suspect I won’t see her again for a week. Decker is a man of his word and he does have a way of keeping her in line.

C H A P T E R N I N E ALLISTER

“I’m dying here,” I groan. She’s killing me and she knows it. “You are not dying.” Her voice is playfully irritated, like she’s explaining to a five-year-old why he can’t open his presents before Christmas. “I came twice for you this morning. My fingers did that new thing you told me last night. It makes me cum in like three seconds. Thinking of you doing it to me is the best.” Holy mother of God. If I don’t get my cock inside my girl soon I do think I might actually die. I’ve never ached like this before. Never. I got up this morning covered in cum from my dreams about her. The damn hotel in Indianapolis must think I’ve got a fucking badge from the Spunk Delivery Overachievers Club. The damn sheets practically crack in half from the amount of my sleep jizz that covers them. The first time I cum inside her, it may just drip out the corners of her mouth, she’s going to be so full. “No, I’m dying. Actually dying. Trust me. I’m a fucking virgin who’s found his one and only and I can’t touch her? Only listen to her touch herself? That’s the most exquisite kind of torture. Listening to you do all the filthy, amazing things I want to do to you is the sweetest form of execution. Just be ready when I get home, that’s all I’m saying, because I’m going to be a man on the edge.” She giggles. “I’m ready.” “Okay, let’s change the subject before I jizz in my pants. The disaster contractors are supposed to be here in a minute, so I might not have much time. What are you doing today?” “Well, let’s see. Henrietta is here, of course. She made me a breakfast even you couldn’t finish. Then Wilson is coming to take me to the doctor. Just my therapy appointment. Nothing to worry about.” “Ah, okay. How’s that going? Still painful, babe?” “A little, but you were right to push me to do it. I can already feel my legs getting stronger. I can’t believe for so many years with some therapy I could have been able to walk again on my own.” “Babe, you will, you’re fucking strong. It will just take time.” “Thank you for setting it all up. Who knew you were friendly with so many people? Anyway, I can pay for it, you know. I do a have a bit of money of my own now.” “I want to pay for it. I want to take care of you. We’re in this together. And I figured with me gone this week, you needed to stay out of trouble.” “Not much chance of that with the helicopter staff around me all the time. Wilson and Henrietta barely give me any time to myself. Wilson thinks I should move back to the mansion. He said it’s what Mom and Dad would want.”

Her mentioning Wilson’s telling her what she ‘should’ be doing has my nerves on fire, but I don’t want to ruin our chat with my thoughts of putting my foot up his ass. “Well, when I get back there, they better be on notice I’m taking over looking after you. They can keep up the housework and whatever, but as far as taking care of you is concerned, they are dismissed. Only a few more days, thank God. You and I have business to take care of, don’t we? You’re still sure, right? Because I’m ready for you to take my cherry, precious.” We’re both laughing when I hear Wilson’s voice in the background asking her if she’s ready to go. Little fuck seems to always be all up in her business. And with me not there, it’s rubbing my nerves raw. I hear her telling him she’ll be right out, to wait outside. I know I should calm down. It’s just that I don’t like another dude helping her out, even if he is the poster child for family loyalty. It fucking rips my heart out, to tell the truth. But he’s been with the family a long time and Leah said he’s always had her back, so I’m trying to trust him. It’s hard, but I’m trying. “Okay, babe, you need to go. Text me when you’re done with therapy and let me know how it went. Then take a steam in the sauna and relax and rest, okay? You’ve been up every night this week working on that book and I’m worried you are not getting enough sleep. You need to sleep.” “I want to have it done by the time you get back though.” There’s a bit of whine and pout in my voice. “The hero is just about to take the heroine’s virginity, which kind of reminds me of... anyway, I’m using all the filthy talk you’ve inspired. Who would have thought the word ‘cunt’ would make me wet? Oops, there I go. I’m wet...” “Oh my Jesus God.” I groan about to lose my mind and she laughs. She loves making me crazy. “I have to go, babe. My cock is hard already and the construction crew is coming in the building. You are trouble with a capital ‘T.’” I grin at the corny words and hear her laughter on the other end. “Okay, baby, take care, text me later.” We sign off and I meet the crew chief as he comes in the front door. Both fires took place on the same night, which is bizarre to say the least. Looks like arson, but it can’t possibly be the same person in both cases because the clubs are more than a hundred and fifty miles apart and they were both burning at the same time. Both places are a total loss, going to be a case of starting again from scratch, and all these meetings with insurance people and cleanup crews, along with going back and forth between the clubs, has me on edge. I’ve tried to keep Decker up to date without making it impact his in-home honeymoon, but from the looks of things this is going to be a good year or more to wrap up. Decker’s said he is ready to make the official switch over to me being CEO of the clubs so that he can enjoy his retirement, but I’m not sure I can handle all this while he sits at home and makes babies with May, particularly as the thought of traveling for the next year is impossible to fathom. Now that I’ve found Leah, I just want to spend all my time with her. Fucking life. It has its way of throwing the golden goose in my path then laughing its ass off because now I’m not sure I want it. I’ll figure it out, one way or another, but I’ll tell you this: I’ll lose the clubs a hundred times before I’d take any risk at losing her.

C H A P T E R T E N LEAH

Wilson is tapping his foot, waiting for me to answer. “So?” He’s been bugging me for an hour about moving back to the mansion. Yes, it’s true, I do actually want to. But I want to talk to Allister first before I make that kind of decision, and I know he’s on his way back home right now. If we just wait, he’ll be here and I can talk it through with him. It has me more than anxious knowing that he’s on his way. I’m not sure how to tell Wilson to leave. “Yes, it’s time to go back, and I will. Just a couple more days. I want all the investigating done so my life can be as hassle-free as possible. Surely you understand that? The lieutenant said they would be there today and tomorrow taking down any final notes and then it will all be done. Simon and Victor have already made their plea bargains or whatever you call it, anyway, so it’s just a bit of paperwork. After that, I’ll go back.” He doesn’t meet my eyes, but I can see his jaw clenching. I don’t know why this matters to him so much. “You need to be back at the house. That’s all I’m saying.” He lets out a sigh and shakes his head. “Henrietta told me to tell you to take your medicine.” Furious heat covers me. I’m so tired of them treating me like a child. “I’m not taking it! I told Henrietta that and she knows it. Not anymore, not ever. She is not in charge. I took those for too long. Simon forced them down my throat for years and I’m done. I told Henrietta the same thing I’m going to tell you: I’d rather live with the pain. “Besides, with the therapy Allister has me going to, my legs are getting better. The pain is less intense than it has ever been and should even get better over time. I won’t take them, Wilson, so don’t even try. Every time I think of those pills, it just makes me think of the person who killed Mom and Dad. Those pills are the cause of all our tragedy.” Wilson looks dumbfounded. He just closes the cabinet and walks back to the table where I’m sitting with my laptop open. I slap it closed. The scene I was writing before he walked in was the ending of the book I’d been writing for Allister and I don’t want anyone but him seeing the words. Besides, I don’t really want to read them myself right now. I’m not exactly feeling in the mood. Wilson sighs, but he shrugs his shoulders and takes a seat, and I force myself to take a deep breath. It’s not his fault, I remind myself. He’s just doing as he’s told. “Wilson, I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. I’m fine. Actually, I just want to take a nap. I’m tired and it’s making me snippy. I don’t think I’ll need you for the rest of the day. Allister is coming by soon

anyway, so if I need a ride anywhere he’ll be here. I’ll be fine. Take the rest of the day off. You deserve it.” Wilson crinkles his nose. “I’m not sure I should. I mean, are you sure you want him here? You barely know him, Leah.” He shakes his head. “I don’t like how he’s weaseled his way in with you so fast. Don’t you think it’s awfully coincidental? First May and Decker, then Allister starts showing you all this attention?” “Sure. Exactly. Coincidental, nothing more.” He rubs his head. His short cropped, red hair brushes through his fingers as he speeds up and then shakes his head back and forth with a sigh. I know he’s just being protective, and I appreciate it. I really do. But it’s also starting to get on my nerves. If he doesn’t leave soon, I swear I’m going to start screaming. “Wilson, I’m fine. You need to stop worrying about me so much. I am a big girl. I know that’s hard for some of you to grasp, especially you, and I get it... you’ve looked after me, and I really appreciate all you’ve done. But I am fine. Go, please. I’m going to take a nap. I didn’t sleep much last night and I want to be ready when Allister gets back.” Wilson grumbles under his breath as he heads out the front door without a goodbye, and I wait a moment to be sure he’s gone before I flip open the laptop to finish the last few sentences of the story. He wanted it steamy and the more I wrote, the more I discovered I have one darn filthy mind. “That’s the highest honor I’ve ever had, babe. Look, your blood on my cock.” Allister leans down to take my mouth in a deep kiss. His tongue enters me quickly, taking my breath away before he pulls back and brushes the hair from my forehead. He’s laying next to me, my body still shivering from the orgasms. Ugh, it’s not good, but that’s where I wanted the story to end. Right after our first time together. I never imagined really what my first time would be like. And I certainly never expected it to be with another virgin. It feels so perfect to know that we both waited for the right one. Well, I didn’t have much choice really, I suppose. But Allister? The fact that he’s never been with a woman before makes me swoon. And to know that he wants me? Well, perfect book boyfriend. And he’s real.

C H A P T E R E L E V E N ALLISTER

Taking a deep breath, I grab the white enameled box from the passenger seat of the Suburban. It’s tied with a deep pink ribbon, just for her. I know she’ll like it. I hope she will. I got a ticket on my way back from Chicago – 95 mph in a 70 zone, but that wasn’t nearly as fast as I wanted to go. I had slowed down by the time the State cop clocked me. I take a deep breath. “Go time.” I called Leah about a half hour ago. Made sure she got the overnight package I’d sent. I’ve sent her something every day I’ve been gone, but the one she received today was special. And from the smile in her voice when I’d talked to her, she’s as happy as I’m going to be when I walk in and see her wearing it. Then I’m going to give her this other gift. And everything will be perfect. My chest is tight. My cock is rock-hard already. But I’m nervous as a lemming wondering where everyone is running to. I know it’s only been a few weeks, but it feels like I’ve known her for years. Forever, somehow. We’ve talked every day while we’ve been apart, ever since that wonderful night that we spent together. We’ve talked for hours. I’ve told her things about me no one else knows, and vice versa. What an honor it will be to do what we are about to do. The first time for both of us, and with each other. Her taste. Her scent. Her softness. They have filled my mind and dreams every moment that we’ve been apart. The hunger in me is as painful as any wound. Now the time is here for me to make love to a woman, I can’t imagine how I would feel if this wasn’t my first time, if I’d done it before with someone else. Or more than one someone else. It wouldn’t be the same. It’s supposed to be with Leah. Yes, I’m sure I’m losing my man card, but I don’t give a shit. She’s saved this for me and what a fucking honor that is. I’d never do anything to soil what she’s giving me and what I want to give her. Pausing at the door, I draw a heaving breath that strains the limits of my lungs. This is it and I know it. As I reach for the handle I see her come around the corner through the glass entry door and freeze. Her hair falls in waves of warm brown, split over her shoulders into two dark rivers that rest on the sheer, pure white of the nightgown I sent her. The hem of the gown rests delicately against her upper thigh, teasingly short. A sneaky smile tips her lush lips as she inches herself toward the door, her forearms resting on the crutches. I love them as much as all the other parts of her. And I love that she is comfortable wearing them with me, love the way she’s smiling and still feeling sexy. I can see that in her eyes. She knows in this moment that she is beautiful. And wanted. More than wanted, needed.

When the door finally clicks open and she swings it wide, my dick is weeping inside my trousers. Throbbing and nearly bent in half, he’s trying to get to her. My hand comes up to tangle in her hair first. I need that. For her to feel my ownership. And for whatever reason, that does it for me. From the look in her eyes, she understands as well. I tighten my grip, looking into her eyes as they widen and her lips fall open. She’s waiting for whatever is coming next. Offering herself with her willing silence. “You’re going to be mine today, aren’t you, precious? All of you. And I’m going to be yours.” I don’t give her a chance to speak because I see her answer in her face. It's written in her eyes and the way her shoulders drop, more and more with each of my words. I step inside the door, my other arm finding its place in the small of her back, lifting her and spinning us around as I kick the door shut. I’m still fisting the small white box, my surprise gift, as my forearm tightens around her back to secure her body against mine. Her chin lifts as I tug back on her hair. “Drop your crutches. You know I’ll never let you fall.” The aluminum immediately clatters to the floor, the black granite of the hallways sending the echoing noise through the open house. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful, precious. Nothing exists that could match what I see right now. You promise me something okay?” I’m surprised when my voice cracks. Her eyes widen more as she hears the emotion in my voice. “What? I’ll promise you anything.” Her soft words are warm on my chin as I move us slowly down the hall keeping her soft body pinned to mine. “You’ll take care of my heart, Leah.” It’s a struggle to keep my voice steady. I’m raw, exposed, and it’s unlike anything I’ve felt before. And that’s scary as fuck. “Because it’s not mine anymore.” Her hands move from my back to my neck, gripping tight, squeezing at the tension in the thick muscle there. “I’ll promise that. But you have to promise me this...” She licks her lips then continues, “...you’ll do the same for mine. Because it’s been in your hands since that day you pulled me out of that dungeon. I was just too scared to admit it. You’ll never let me fall, Allister. I trust you with that.” “Do you know how many times I’ve thought of this? Making you mine. Making love to you for the first time?” Her eyes sparkle as I step us backwards toward the bedroom. “Five?” She plays and I increase my pace because I need to be inside her more than I need to breathe right now. “Close. Smart ass.” I wish I could go slow. Lay her down and feast on her sweet pussy for hours. Let her cum stream down my throat as her voice goes raw from the moans and screams. But that’s not going to be possible. Not this time. The sheer white nightgown only accentuates her stunning beauty. I texted her to be sure to have it on. The nightgown, nothing else. It’s almost as though she’s going to disappear any moment. The desperation I feel floods me with near violent urges to sink into her and never leave. I know it’s going to hurt and I hate that part, but if my cum is not dripping out of her soon I’m going to lose my fucking mind. I manage to get us to the bed without cumming in my pants, which is some kind of minor miracle. I set her sweet ass down on the edge of the bed and take a breath, admiring how she doesn’t just make the scene, she is it. Purity. That word just floods my mind. The room around her is this pure, brilliant white. Everywhere is white except the rich brown of her hair, the dark of her eyes, staring deep into mine, melting my heart.

She is so pure, and then there’s the fever, flaring inside me. Fever to make her filthy. “Do you feel this?” I take her hand and flatten it on the erection pressing out on the front of my slacks. The touch of her hand sends painful pulses of raw need into my balls. “Yes.” Her pupils dilate as I rub her palm up and down, feeling the weight of cum in my sac. It’s all hers and I want to fill her with me so she will never be the same. I want the world to smell me on her so they know without a question this girl will forever be claimed by me. “That’s yours, my precious unicorn. It’s connected directly to my heart so it’s your job to take care of it.” Her fingers curl around the steel rod and a moan escapes me. “I want it inside me.” Her throaty words send a shot of cum dripping out of me. “Soon. But first...” I bring the white box in front of her face. “Take it. Open it.” The sparkle in her eyes is all the thanks I need as her hands come up and flip open the lid. Her mouth falls into a soft round ‘o’ and I reach around to pinch the chain and pull it out of the box. The platinum pendant is embedded with a hundred and six tiny diamonds. “You’re my precious, one of a kind unicorn, baby. I thought you didn’t exist but here you are. No one has ever captured my heart before you.” I drape the necklace around her neck and fix the clasp, settling the little platinum and diamond unicorn perfectly in the crest of her cleavage. “It’s beautiful.” Her fingertips caress the metal and gemstones. But it’s her flesh that calls to me. “No. You’re beautiful. This is just a piece of jewelry. But it means something to me that I found you and this is just a token of thanks. Of acknowledgment. I want you to always know, there are no others like you. No others for me. Ever. You are my unicorn and I will take care of you, Leah. Always.” There’s no more civilized man left in me. Without ceremony my clothes are off and decorating the floor and furniture in my usually pristine bedroom. Before my mind can catch up with my body, I’m on top of her, easing her back and taking her mouth as my cock seeks out the heat I feel radiating between her legs. Neither of us break our kiss, even as the tip of my beast finds her opening. I barely press forward when I freeze and shudder. She’s soaking. Drenched for me. Jesus. For me. All for me. She has no idea what that means. What it does to me to know she wants me. It’s every fantasy I could have conjured up, multiplied by a thousand and tipped in every wet dream I’ve ever had. The energy between us is like a kind of gravity. Inescapable. The irresistible pull to connect to her is unlike anything I can describe. This moment is primed with all my need. If I don’t get inside her, I’m afraid she will disappear. “More.” She whispers into our kiss and I immediately thrust forward, tearing into her virgin opening. Her back arches and she lets out a shivering scream, but her hands slip down from my shoulders to the base of my back, tugging me forward, urging me on. I hold steady, my heart crashing against my ribs. My tongue owns her mouth as I absorb the moans coming out of her. Her pussy is snapped around the head of my dick so fucking tight it hurts. I’m big, I know I am, and she’s so tiny. For a split second I think of retreating, I’m so terrified of truly harming her. But she must feel my reservation, because she angles her hips up and takes more of me on her own. Her wet walls tug at me and I want to be in there, I want to go so deep I’ll feel her heartbeat against my crown.

Her sweet cream starts to stream down to base of my shaft as I ease forward. My hands wrap around her body. One snakes behind her neck while the other reaches around to her back, holding her steady as I push in. Her hips are quivering as I enter her. I want to rut into her like a wild boar, but instead I savor every petal of her inner walls. Feeling how they flutter and tighten with each morsel of me she takes. I ease back from our kiss, the need to watch her face as we unite for the first time suddenly too overpowering. This feels unlike anything I imagined. Better by a factor I cannot explain. Nobody would ever understand how happy I am that she’s my first. That all of this is for us, for each other. No one else has been here and no one else ever will. Her mouth opens as I guide my shaft a few more inches inside. I’m memorizing every detail of how it feels to have her body take me inside her. My cum is rising, my balls tight, but when I let go I want her orgasm in my ears and the tip of my cock buried into her cervix where my seed will find root. She’s clinging to me as I increase the pressure. My eyes take in the beauty of the moment as her head falls back, moans and whimpers falling like music around her. “Take it for me, baby. I need you.” Something in my words makes her hips buck, and I begin to ride her harder, slipping in and out easily as her body floods us both, easing the way into her tight canal. “That’s my girl. Let me in. I love you, my sweet unicorn. I love you more than you could know.” Being inside her is better than any sensation I’ve ever had. This moment is almost spiritual, operating on a higher plane than any moment I’ve ever known. Feelings I didn’t know existed are flooding me right now and I can’t hold back. I fuck into her. Her screams hit my ears as her nails score the flesh on my back. Her breasts rock back and forth under the thin white fabric as I take her completely. “Spread your legs wide, baby. Open for me.” I grunt as she obeys and I take the last inches of her body with my cock. I’m fully inside her, the moment is here and I can barely breathe. “Oh, God, it hurts.” She melts under me, her throat exposed, her eyes wide and unfocused, and I reach forward, bringing my mouth down, swooping my tongue inside as I hope to kiss away some of the pain, hope to bring her back into the moment. But that’s not what she wants. Instead she arches herself into me, her hips riding back into my wild motion and we become one person in that moment. We are more than perfect together. We are a set never to be undone. My own orgasm is building, but I kiss her harder, urging the tension in my balls to ease. There are no words created for how this feels. To be inside the woman you love. The woman you’ve waited for your entire life. Her body is slick and I move us together. Grinding my hips in and out until her moans turn to fast pants in our kiss. I pull back, biting down into her neck, kissing her hard as her body tightens around me. “Cum, God, please baby, cum for me.” I seethe into her ear and her body shudders. She flails her arms and I move faster, pulling more of her orgasm from her as she shakes violently under me. Her inner walls pulse and grip as her orgasm takes off. She cums hard and I’m finished. Making her cum is the pinnacle of my life. No other achievement comes close and I follow her into the bliss. I fill her tiny body with me. Pressing straight into her womb, I let myself go. I’m giving her more than just my cum, I’m embedding my soul directly into hers. I’m not me anymore, I’m just a man so in love with his woman I’ve ceased to be who I was before this moment. I let out a bellow into our kiss. My orgasm is near agony, it is so strong. So hard. I almost weep from the beauty. No self-pleasure is even close to what just happened. All the years.

All the desire for this amazing woman floods over me and I shudder with another orgasm. Tucking my head into the crook of her neck, I let the sensation of ownership wash over me. This is magic. I’ll fill her pussy with my cum for the rest of her life. “Thank you.” The words are out before I can stop them. “Thank me?” Leah’s breathless answer warms the skin on my shoulder. “For waiting.” My voice cracks. “For waiting for me.” That’s all I get out before my throat tightens. I don’t remember the last time I cried. But this is like birth and death and the most beautiful song ever written, and my own manly pride and ego are out the window. I tighten my hold around her body, drifting into a euphoria from which I will never fully recover. We lay like that until the room darkens. The sheets are soaked below where our bodies are connected and I tell her a thousand times I love her.

“Ready, babe?” I hesitate, then tap on the bedroom door before opening it and stopping dead in my tracks. Wow. To see her now, wearing the red dress I sent her a few days ago, looking like some sort of dream, some sort of fantasy. She looks up and bites her lip nervously. “Do I look okay?” For a moment, the question doesn’t even make sense to me, then suddenly I know what she’s asking and it breaks my heart. She’s wearing her leg braces so that she won’t need her crutches and she’s worried about how that looks. Honestly, it amazes me how she doesn’t know just how stunning she is, braces or no. Someone should have told her every day of her life. “You do not look okay, Leah, you never look okay,” I grunt, trying to walk toward her and shift the massive hard-on that just leapt to the top of my waist. She blinks, looking in the mirror and running her hands down the front of the dress. “You look amazing. You look like you belong in a museum somewhere, so that everyone can stand there and admire you and stuffy old men in silk shirts can tell the world how you’re the perfect representation of the ideal of human beauty. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.” “Really?” Her eyes glint and light up as I pull her into my chest, kissing the top of her head. “Really. How could you ever doubt it?” I escort her out the door after I cover her up with her long trench coat, so that the dress won’t be seen if anyone’s looking out the windows at Decker’s place. Not that that’s very likely, but I’ve reluctantly agreed to keep ‘us’ on the down low until May and Decker’s honeymoon is over. That also means she’ll be moving back to the mansion this week, even if it’s only temporary, and I might not like that at all, but I’ll respect it. “Thank you, Wilson,” she says as he opens the door for her. I grunt on hearing his name, but I agreed to let him drive us both to a restaurant this afternoon. Leah was worried that he was feeling sidelined, so I’m doing it for her. Besides, he’s part of the staff and since Leah has mentioned maybe she wants us to move back into the family home once we finally go public, I guess it’s time for him to understand I’ll be part of her life from now on too. The restaurant is my way of backtracking our relationship a little, and starting it right. I mean, we never really got that. First, there was the dungeon at the mansion, which is where we first met. Then there was May and Decker’s wedding. Then there was afterwards, where I showed her that how in love we are and things just moved so quickly. And then, when we were finally getting somewhere, I was

called away. I just figure we need some time to get to know each other the way the any other couple would. When we get there, I lead her inside to a private table. I know the manager, so I called ahead to request dozens of white roses in low vases, champagne at the ready. I want everything to be perfect for her because she is perfect and nothing less will do. She laughs nervously when she sees it, and covers her face with the back of her hand. “Allister, it’s too much.” “Nothing is too much, precious. Nothing is even enough. You deserve more than money can buy.” I look over to see tears in her eyes. “Leah, what’s up?” “Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before.” “Be ready then, because from now on I’m doing it in some way or another for the rest of our lives.” We eat and talk and smile and everything is perfect. “Now, that was better than a box of Poptarts.” She pushes her empty plate away and I’m so happy to see her eat. Making sure she’s healthy and taken care of satisfies me unlike I could have imagined. “I’ll be right back.” I squeeze her hand across the table. I can see she’s ready to go and I’m too anxious to wait for the check, so I go hunt down our server to pay the bill. This place is filling up fast. The Friday night crowd is starting to fill the bar and the vibe in the restaurant is changing from a quiet, intimate place to get to know one another into something else entirely. It’s time to go before it kills the mood completely. Too many fucks have been eyeing her from across the room and I can feel my blood pressure rising. The server is slow taking my card and dealing with the bill, and it sets my teeth on edge to know she’s back there at the table all alone. I should have just left. I could have called the manager and settled up later; he would have understood. When I finally get away and turn back to the table, I see some dude leaning over and touching her hair, and I nearly lose my dinner. Leah’s uncomfortable smile makes me ready to kill. As I come up behind her, I hear him talking, his voice low and slurred. I can already smell the alcohol before I get close. “...fucking hot. I mean, fuckable. It’s a compliment, honey. We should Kik sometime, you know? Or Skype? I’d die to see your tits——” My blood is boiling, and before I even know it I have him spun around by the shoulder, a look of panic flashing across his face as I lean forward, forcing him back. The thought that he might just kill him right now crosses my mind, and I pull my arm back, balling a fist that’s going to knock him into orbit. “Allister!” Leah’s voice cuts across every instinct I have to kill the fucker, the urge to see his blood spilt, and I hesitate, just for a moment, glancing her way. The look on her face pulls me up, the horror, the fear. I don’t ever want to see her like that. “Allister, no, please.” She’s holding her phone. Why didn’t I notice that before? “It’s May, there’s something wrong...”

“Come on, Leah, this way.” I have her by the elbow as I pull her down the hospital corridor. A nurse pointed us in the right direction, and I want to be moving faster. If I didn’t think she’d freak out, I’d pick Leah up and carry her. “Come on, baby.” All thoughts of that drunk idiot at the restaurant are gone from my mind. He’s a lucky bastard though, lucky that Leah took pity on him because I wouldn’t have been so understanding.

The hospital is like a rabbit warren, but we’re almost there now. Deck hasn’t called me, and in my head no news is bad news. When we turn the corner, I see him sitting outside the hospital room, his head turned down as he cradles a cheap cup of coffee, and my heart stops. “Deck?” He looks up and all I see is confusion on his face. I’m sure he’s aged ten years since the last time I saw him. He looks back and forth between me and Leah, then she’s struggling beside me and I realize I still have my arm around her. When I let go, she hobbles forward on her crutches and into the private room. “Deck, what the fuck’s going on, man?” I don’t hear anything from the room, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Decker stares at me through bleary eyes. “You and Leah?” “What?” At first I think he’s gone mad, then it dawns on me. “Oh, no, you have the wrong idea. We just arrived at the same time, that’s all. I found her in the lobby——” “Uh huh. Sure.” “Deck, speak to me, dude. What the fuck’s going on?” He shakes his head. The door to the private room swings back and there’s Leah, and for a moment I’m confused because she has tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. “May says you two should come inside.” I look back to Deck and he shrugs. “Turns out it’s nothing, just a urinary infection. But damn, man I was so fucking scared.” The relief that floods through my body has my vision spinning for a moment, and I run a hand over my head as I breathe out a sigh of relief. “Jesus Christ, I thought there was something seriously wrong, especially when I didn’t get a call from you.” “I’m glad you came. We only just found out everything is okay, but if it hadn’t been I would have been glad you were here, man.” We both stand and head through into the private room, Decker dropping his empty plastic cup into a trash can that sits outside the room. He goes straight over to May when he gets inside, and I can’t blame him. I want to go and grab Leah and pull her in for a hug, too, but since we’re not telling anyone about us, I think that’s kind of a bad idea. “Hey, did you two arrive together?” May’s eyes narrow as she looks between me and Leah. I open my mouth to speak, but Leah’s already there. “Allister was heading to the house to speak to Decker, then when he heard me panicking he offered to give me a ride.” When Decker looks around I can see the smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Really, what did you want to speak to me about?” I can’t even meet his eyes. He obviously had his suspicions before, but now he knows he’s caught me out in a lie. Sooner or later, we’re going to have to tell them, and I’d rather do it sooner, but I know Leah’s keen on keep it to ourselves. “Oh, it will wait, man, you concentrate on all this.”

C H A P T E R T W E L V E LEAH

It’s been a few days since the hospital scare, and May looks so happy standing there with Decker’s arms around her, patting her belly. They’ve emerged from honeymoon hibernation and we’re all here, back at the mansion, and I think from the way she’s looking between me and Allister she’s finally worked out what’s going on. Her voice rises as she turns to Decker. “Did you know about this?” “Hey, if someone else can find their happiness, more power to them.” I can feel the heat in my cheeks, but I guess there’s no denying it anymore. After what happened at the hospital, Decker had already worked it all out anyway, and May doesn’t look upset. Actually, she looks happy, just annoyed that she’s the last to find out. Decker grins and nods at Allister. “I’ll get her settled, then we can head out.” “Sounds good, boss.” They have a lot to go over, what with the fires on top of all the usual things at the clubs. Decker is also getting Allister up to speed with all the extra things that he does, ready for handing over the day-today running so that he can retire with May. With that, Decker and May head indoors together and Allister turns to me. “Sorry, Leah, but there’s no use denying it any longer.” “It’s fine.” I shrug. “I thought May would be more upset that things are changing so much, so quickly, but I guess when you’re happy there isn’t much that can ruin it.” I try to fight the grin that’s spreading over my face, but it’s a battle I can’t win. “I think I know how she feels.” “Come here.” He pulls me into a hug. “I wish I could stay longer, but there’s a lot that I need to sort out.” “Really, it’s fine. I understand.” My phone buzzes and I smile when I see the text from my sister. “Besides, I think May and I have some girl talk to do.”

I figure May will be up in a minute and we will talk for hours, I’m sure, but she’s taking longer than I expected. Allister left forty minutes ago. And that means Decker did, too. I’ve texted her to see where she is but there’s no reply. “Leah?” Wilson pokes his head around the door. “Yes?”

“May just called from a payphone in town. She said she forgot her own phone, her cell phone, she left it back at Decker’s. She said she would be back in a couple hours.” “Oh.” It doesn’t make sense. Where did she go? And why? “Okay, thank you. That’s not like her.” “She said not to worry. Everything is fine. Hey, listen.” Wilson steps into the room, his face dark and sullen. “I don’t want to tell you this, but I have to.” “What is it?” “It’s Allister.” “Allister? What about him?” “Look.” He licks his lips. “I used to drive Victor to that club all the time. I spent plenty of time there. Even got to know some of the staff. I’m still friends with one of the dancers there. No, it’s nothing like that, it’s just a friendship, that’s all. Anyway, the thing is, Allister has a problem, Leah. I mean... well, I think you should see for yourself.” Wilson hands me his phone. Pictures are displayed on the screen and I flick through a couple, then my stomach turns. Drugs. No, it can’t be true. Anything but that. I can feel the tears starting to sting my eyes. “I’m sorry, Leah. He’s also got a conviction for it. I didn’t want to tell you, but he’s getting his hooks in you and I know it’s all about the money. It always is with these people.” “No, this isn’t right. It can’t be. I don’t understand.” “Keep flipping. There’s a copy of his criminal record, too.” The photos cut into my heart. “How did you get these?” I don’t mean for my voice to sound accusatory, but I’m clutching at straws. I want it to be untrue. “Desiree. One of the dancers. He has her bring them over and store them. Then he sells them. The ones he doesn’t take himself at least.” The pictures of his office are clear. An open cabinet behind a shelf of books shows bottles and bottles of pills. Close-ups of the labels have multiple women’s names and they are all narcotics. I don’t know much about drugs, but I know enough. There is a ripping inside my chest. It’s not a tightness or anything else I can describe but a tearing open of something, like my heart is literally rending in two. I’ve known so many kinds of pain in my young life, but this one is new. Take all of them that came before and light them on fire, tip a poison arrow in the mix and shoot it into my chest. You still wouldn’t match how I feel right now. I’m burning hot and I’m freezing. “I’m sorry.” He stuffs his hands in his pockets. “I only want to protect you. Everyone wants something from you and now it’s even worse. At least in his own way Simon protected you. A layer of defense between you and the vultures.” “This can’t be true. It can’t. I know Allister. I know he wouldn’t do this.” “I know you feel that way, but how long have you known him? And even May with Decker? I know he signed that pre-nup, but think about it, Leah.” His voice thickens with sadness. “They work together. They came after both of you together. Decker got May, made her feel safe, signed the pre-nup to prove he is a good guy. And now, what a coincidence, here comes his best friend, also such a good guy and he’s after you?” I hate the accusation in his voice. “I’m so stupid.” I shake my head, the mirror above the dresser across the room reflecting back the naïve idiot that allowed herself to be a pawn yet again. No, not ‘allowed.’ I didn’t just allow it, I invited it with open arms. And open legs. I tug instinctively at the hem of my dress, trying to stretch it down over myself, not wanting to see my own flesh. My stomach twists and I’m a moment away from looking for a bucket. My vision is swimming.

“I don’t mean to be cruel, but do you think he would be with you if it weren’t for the money? Do you think you two are an equal match? You know what I’m saying, don’t you? I’m so sorry, but I just want you to see it before it’s too late. It might hurt a little bit now, but imagine how much it will hurt later if they get what they want. You and May are both under their thumbs and May’s pregnant. A baby is going to make things easier for Decker to get what he really wants. You can’t believe this isn’t all part of some other plan. I’ve been at that club. More times than I can count. I’ve seen Allister. He walks around there like he’s king of the castle with all those women.” “No, you’re wrong. He said he was never involved with any. Never involved.” “Do you really believe that in your heart, Leah?” I shake my head as my fingertips tingle and twitch. My toes are ice cold. I look over at the clipped together sheets of paper that make up the story I wrote for Allister. We were going to read it together tonight when he got back. He said he had a surprise for me as well. But now, all I want to do is pretend none of this ever happened. “He’s coming back here in a few hours. What do I do?” “I’ll help you, Leah. Just like I always have. I’ve never wanted anything from you. I just want you to be safe and happy——” “Stop! Just give me a second.” His voice is rising in pitch. “I know that I couldn’t help you when Simon was here, but now I can and I want to. If you do what I say, I think we can stop this now before it goes too far——” “No, I can’t, I have to think!” My eyes burn. My head is spinning. The things I feel for Allister can’t all be wrong. I’m so confused. But Wilson is right, he’s never asked for anything from us. He’s always been there when I needed him. “Just, I need some time. Please, this is so much to take in.” “Come with me. We can go to the lake house for the night.” “But what about May? She won’t go, she won’t understand.” “Let’s take care of you first. You should break it off with him right away. Don’t worry, I’m going to take care of everything.” “I can’t right now. Just——” Right on cue, my phone goes off. Hey, precious. Just checking in. You know I’m always thinking about you. I’ll be at the club for a few more hours. Let me know how it’s going there at the house. You feeling okay about being back? You know it’s up to you where we stay. You’re where I want to be, the place doesn’t matter.” “Is that him?” I don’t answer but Wilson grabs my phone from my hand and reads the text. “He’s trying to control you. Telling you everything you want to hear. Don’t you think he should have told you about his criminal past? And the women he’s been with at the club? It’s a sex playground over there.” My ears are ringing. That word is like nails on a blackboard to me right now. I don’t want to hear anyone say it, not Allister, not Wilson. Nobody. No way would I ever know if Allister was being honest about being a virgin. How could I? All I have is his word for it. How could I have been such an idiot? “Let’s go. I think we should go to the lake house and then try to figure out what to do. For you and May.” Panic rises from some deep place and overtakes me until I feel the pressure even in my eardrums. What if Wilson is right? May is already married to Decker, a baby on the way. This is crazy. But... what if he’s right? But that means that May needs me more than ever. “No. I don’t want to leave. I won’t leave May. I can’t. She’s my world.” My voice shakes. “And I don’t believe you about Allister. I just don’t.”

Wilson shakes his head. There are tears in his eyes as he looks at me, but there’s something else as well. Something I don’t want to see. “Leah, you have to come with me. I wanted you to go willingly. I really tried.”

C H A P T E R T H I R T E E N ALLISTER

“Fucking hell.” “What?” Decker looks up from the papers he’s been signing. His office is freezing, cold air blasting from the air con unit. The white walls reflect the fluorescent lights until the headache that’s been building is practically blinding me. “I’ve called and texted Leah four times. Do you feel this way about May? If I don’t hear back from her I can’t fucking think straight.” He grins and nods, then goes back to the papers. “Yes. We have an agreement. It might sound like I’m a possessive asshole, but she knows her phone is to be on her at all times. And I need to hear back from her within twenty minutes or I’m coming to look for her ass. Hard limit for me. I have to know where she is and if she’s okay.” “Exactly. Sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind, man. She’s got my nuts in her hand twenty-four seven, and I can’t fucking breathe half the time when I think about her.” Decker leans back in his chair, that knowing grin still on his face. “You guys official then?” He raises his eyebrows. We both know what he means without having to say the exact words. I just nod. “Glad you waited?” “More than glad.” I stuff my phone into my pants pocket and rub the ridge of my nose until pain shoots down into my eye sockets. Decker is the only other guy I know besides me that waited for the right one. It’s not standard guy code to hold out for your one and only, but damn if it wasn’t fucking worth it. “Dude, just go find her. You’re no good to me like this and I fucking understand. I’ve got this paperwork under control. Everything’s good here. I’m grateful to you for taking care of things for me. Just go.” With a quick nod of my head I’m out his office door, jogging down to my own office to grab my stuff. But as I’m about to go in, Desiree comes around the corner. She’s been with us for going on five years and we just made her assistant manager here at Monarch IV. We’ve developed our own friendship over the years, too, and she’s become more like a sister to me, to tell the truth. It’s been good, and it helps that men aren’t her ‘cup o’ tea,’ so to speak, so it kept the gossip to a minimum. The staff all know I don’t poach here, never have, but still, I like to keep the whispers to a minimum because one thing’s for sure, no matter what kind of great staff we have, they do fucking like to gossip. “Hey.” She eyes me and a grin pulls at the corner of her mouth. “Glad you’re back, baldy. Although, not so bald these days, what’s up with that?” As quickly as it appeared, the smile fades. “Those fires...

wow, right?” “Yep.” I punch in my key code to the door lock on my office. “You okay?” “Yes. Just have to get somewhere.” Inside my office I grab my suit jacket and my briefcase. Then I turn as I slip my arms into the sleeves of my leather coat. “How’s my mom?” Desiree and I have been texting over the last couple weeks while I’ve been caught up in this fire business. My mom is a constant drain on me emotionally, and thankfully, she and Desiree have formed their own friendship. I used to try to call Mom almost every day, but I’ve not seen her face to face as much as usual and as much of a pain in my ass as Mom is, she’s still my mom and I will always take care of her. “She’s the same. I was over there yesterday. Did a hunt and gather mission. Put everything I found where I normally do at your place. It wasn’t so bad. Three prescriptions from a new doctor she found.” “Jesus. I love her, you know, but... she’s killin’ me.” “Yeah, she said she’s still mad at you.” “That’s fine. She can stay mad while I keep her safe. I’ve got another rehab willing to take her, but if she won’t go, I can’t force her.” “I know. I’m sorry.” She crosses her arms over her black Monarch t-shirt. “Hey, at least it’s not as bad as that last haul she had. That was epic. That’s why I sent you the pictures of it all once I stored it in the cabinet. Didn’t want you to fall over from shock when you saw it all.” “It’s fine. Thanks for all you do for her. She lets you do things she won’t let me do. It means so much to me, really.” “It’s cool. Remember where I was at when you hired me? I understand where she’s at. It’s a beast to kick a habit like that. So I owe you. And she knows I understand the struggle.” “Still, I appreciate it. Okay, I gotta go. See if you can convince her to let me and Leah come for dinner next week. I want to introduce them. I haven’t told her all about Mom yet, so it gives me some time to explain the unique dynamics of our relationship,” I rumble with a half-hearted chuckle as I corral her out the office door and shut it behind us. “Oh, and thanks for keeping the whole Leah thing under your hat. We’re going public but I appreciate your discretion.” I let it slip about Leah in one of our phone calls last week but I swore her to silence and she’s a vault. If people knew just how much she does for me and Mom, the rumor mill would be smoking. I’m sure the assumption would be that she and I were having more than just a professional relationship and that would set the whole balance of the club right on its ear. “I’ll do it.” She smiles and punches me in the arm. “I’m happy you’re happy. Oh and one thing.” Her eyebrows tighten in the center. “I saw that black Bentley twice this week. You know, the one that douche Victor was always in? Same driver, too. Drove by your house when I was there dropping off your mom’s new scripts. Then I saw it again outside Decker’s place when I was there getting him to sign some documents. What the fuck do you think that’s all about? I thought that asshole was in jail and it’s creepy he’s over around Deck’s place and your place. That’s freaky, dude. That driver always gave me the shivers.” I’m at a dead run when I get to the parking lot. The phone is to my ear and I’m calling Leah again, but it’s straight to voicemail. My heart’s in my throat, because I feel something isn’t right. If she’s hurt I don’t know what I’ll do. And if someone’s hurt her, I know exactly what I’ll do.

C H A P T E R F O U R T E E N LEAH

“Please, I did it for you.” Wilson sounds like he actually expects me to say that it’s okay, that somehow I understand, but I don’t. I don’t understand at all. “You did it for me?” My eyes are bleary with tears. “How can this be for me?” “He was going to hurt you if I didn’t help him.” “Shut the fuck up, you imbecile.” Victor grunts the words like it’s beneath him to be talking to the household staff. “Just do what I said. She’s not a fighter, get her ankles and let’s go.” “Wilson, look at me.” My voice shakes. “You don’t have to do this. Whatever he’s said to you isn’t true.” “He’s said he’ll hurt you if you don’t go, and that is true. He will have someone hurt you, Leah. I can’t let anyone hurt you. I can’t.” “Jesus, you are pathetic. Get her and let’s go.” Victor looks down at me with dead eyes. “Everyone is going to be fine. Trust me, I have a deal you won’t want to refuse, Leah. Tell her where May is.” I can’t breathe when Wilson’s face goes white. “What do you mean? I know where May is. She forgot her phone. Right?” Wilson shakes his head. “She’s waiting in the car for you. Listen, we do some business with Victor and then you two get to carry on. Believe me, this is the best way. You just have to do as you’re told and everything will be fine.” “Shut up. Look, Leah, you fuck up, first it will be your precious May that gets hurt, then it will be you. You understand that, right? Good. Okay, gag her and let’s go.” “I’m sorry.” Wilson wraps the knotted cloth around my mouth as the tears burn my eyes. “Just do what he says. Sign the papers, do what he asks with the accounts and it’s all done.” We are down the hall and at the back entrance to the house. Wilson wheels me to the car and opens the door. I stop fighting the tears when I see May. Her hands are taped like mine, her mouth covered with silver duct tape. Looks like she’s been crying, but she doesn’t look physically hurt. One of Victor’s posse sits across from her in the back of the limo. “Put her in, let’s get this done.” Wilson lifts me and I glare at him as he buckles me into the back seat. His mouth is next to my ear. “Please sign it, then you’ll be safe. It will all be over. I promise.” May and I look at each other, unable to speak as Victor slides into the seat across from me and the sound of the driver’s door closing makes me wince.

The Bentley gently glides forward and the memory of the dark room from only a few weeks ago makes the bile rise in my throat. Victor smiles, looks from me to May then back. “The two little princesses in the tower, all grown up and out in the big world. Not all it’s cracked up to be, is it? You traded one devil for another, you just don’t know it yet.” He reaches to the floor into a black satchel and pulls out a thick stack of typed paperwork, clipped at the top. I lean to the left as the Bentley takes a turn and nearly topple over into May who is shooting daggers at Victor from her seat. She kicks her feet toward him, struggling and doing what she can to inflict harm without success. “Here’s the situation, you spoiled princesses. You may think my father and I are the villains here, but let me tell you a little story.” Victor leans his elbows onto his knees, black eyes going between us. “See, there once was a young boy born to loving, adoring parents. Lived a nice life. His father worked for a man he adored. It brought them prosperity, comfort, a nice home. The boy’s father was like a brother to the other man. They swore that if anything ever happened to one of them then the other would take care of his friend’s family. Time went on, and the little boy turned into a young man. His mother and father were happy. They were a family. Then one day, there was a tragic accident. His father’s friend was killed, along with his wife. And so, their promise from long ago came to pass. Only there was something the boy’s father didn’t know when his friend told him, ‘Trust me, if anything ever happens, I’ll take care of you.’” Victor snaps his tongue against his lips and sits up straight. “You see, ‘Take care of you’ apparently means different things to different people. Because what happened was not exactly what they’d agreed on. See, when your father died, his business should have gone to my father. Only that didn’t happen. He willed it to someone else, a man that ended up releasing my father from his position in the company and leaving him as nothing more than a servant. He built that company with your father, and he got nothing. What’s more, he had two spoiled princesses to raise with almost no access to the funds necessary to keep his own life afloat. While you two had everything, my life blew up. My mother left my father over it and we moved in with the two brats who caused it all. The only life my father had was taking care of you two and the ostentatious monstrosity of a home you’d inherited.” I can see Victor’s nostrils flaring, the red heat rising in his cheeks. “Taking orders from the new lord and master. Holding onto what was left of his dignity in this world of ours. He was emasculated, humiliated. You both know, there were no other options for him. For us. He couldn’t go out into the world and get a regular job.” Victor cracks a pained laugh, then pulls his phone from his pocket and starts texting someone. May and I look at each other. My legs are taped at the ankles, lying at an angle that is shooting pain up all the way into my spine. “You think you’ve both hit the jackpot with those guys? They’re using you. At least my dad put in his years, fulfilled his obligations. Those two? They’re going to get you both right where they want you, leave you and take the spoils. You’re both so stupid you barely deserve to live.” May shakes her head, her eyes looking at me as if to say, ‘We’ve got this’, but I want to scream at her. I want to tell her that her perpetual positivity, her sunny disposition, and her naiveté will not get us out of this. Not this time. Time grinds to a halt as the car exits the freeway; we’re heading toward the more industrial center outside of town, where our father owned several warehouses. My father was a good man, but I’m not so naïve that I don’t know the business practices sometimes involved levels of intimidation. I suppose it wasn’t something we thought about much as children, but as we lived the last years with Simon at the

helm of our lives, I realized that business in our ‘family’ wasn’t the same as ‘business’ out in the general world. “So, here’s the deal.” Victor continues. “You’re going to make good on your father’s promises. It’s all about business, we can get this done quickly or you can make it hard and someone will get hurt. You’re going to sign this either way. Both of you. The only choice you have is how easy to make it.” Victor waves the paperwork in front of him. “You’re going to initiate a transfer from your holdings. I know what you have, and it’s going to be easy. A couple clicks of the buttons, you sign over ownership of your shares of Daddy’s stocks, and we’re all good here. That’s all, just the stocks. Not the cash. You’re both still two rich, little, entitled princesses, even with our new transaction. Everyone wins. All will be right with the world again. You’re free to give everything else away to those two clowns if you want to. You see, I can be reasonable. But if you don’t sign, I’ll start with her.” He jabs a finger at May. “Thomas here has skills, shall we say, of inflicting pain in ways you can’t even imagine.”

C H A P T E R F I F T E E N ALLISTER

Decker slams on the brakes as he pulls into the turnaround at the front of the estate where I’m waiting. My head is pounding, my phone is in my hand, and I’m just praying for it to go off with a text telling me everything’s all right; that the girls are off somewhere eating cupcakes or whatever and there’s some innocuous explanation for the terror that has seized me since I got here. But deep down inside, I know that that’s not true. “The Bentley’s gone. Henrietta said she doesn’t know where they went.” “Fuck. I’ve tried May’s phone eight times. Fuck it, I’m not waiting. We’re tracking their butts. I’ve got that tracker in her phone so even if it’s off, it still pings. Let me get on it.” Decker brings his phone out and starts punching the screen as though he needs his fingers to go straight through it for it to respond. “Let’s go.” Decker’s already got the Suburban in drive as I hop in the passenger seat. “They’re on I69, heading south.” I check the tracker as Decker shoots in and out of the cars around us. The freeway traffic is light, thank Christ, and we hit the exit in record time, heading toward the industrial center. I’m guessing they’re not in any sort of hurry because according to the tracker we’re gaining on them. “They’re turning on Milwaukee.” I snap watching the little blue dot blink on the map. “Fuck.” Decker pounds the steering wheel and we both know if they get down into one of those abandoned warehouses, no good is going to happen. “I think we’re losing the tracking, Deck. Hurry. It’s not blinking.” “Fucking service down here sucks.” He roars, punching the gas and swerving around a work truck that was in front of us. Tires squeal as he hits the turn at Milwaukee and blasts his foot on the accelerator again. “Fuck! There!” My heart is slamming around in my chest as I catch red taillights turning into a half derelict, empty structure. “Turn left, go around back!” I can see the Bentley isn’t moving quickly and Decker’s on it. He pulls around the alley behind, takes another turn and we’re on top of them. The Suburban screeches and Decker lays the massive front of the car into the passenger side of the headlights. We’re both out the doors before anyone can react, and for the first time in more years than I know, both our hands go instinctively to grip the guns on our belts, drawing them and aiming right at the car. We don’t carry all the time, but Decker keeps a safe locked with guns at both the Monarch and at his place. Decker made sure we were packed and ready just in case. “Get out of the fucking car!” My voice could shatter glass.

I see Wilson’s hands fly off the steering wheel. Little fuck, I knew something was up with his overly attentive ass. “You better unlock those fucking back doors, you little shit.” Wilson lowers one hand and I hear the click of the locks. Lucky for him he’s complying because I am not in the mood to argue. I’m at the back door in an instant. I’m not waiting, no way, my girl’s in there. The first sight I see is Leah, taped up and leaning at a painful angle, her head against the side of the car. My eyes shift to Victor as Decker comes in from the other side. Dumb fucks didn’t have seatbelts on and they’re both on their knees in front of the girls. If this wasn’t so fucked up I’d laugh my ass off. Victor turns his head to lock eyes with the metal pointed at his slicked back Guido hair. “Don’t reach for anything. Don’t take a deep breath. Don’t fucking blink.” My voice is a steady growl and he puts his hand back on the floor of the car. Decker’s got Victor’s cohort by the hair, and has his gun against his temple when I hear the driver’s door open. “I’m so sorry. I had to...” Wilson’s pathetic little voice comes from behind me. He’s a little shit, but I’m not picking up on anything threatening so I turn my head but keep my gun trained on Victor. “Bullshit.” I look back at Victor. “You want to live, right?” It’s a rhetorical question so I continue. “Take the fucking tape off the girls, then sit your ass in that seat. You too.” I nod to the other meathead on the floor in front of May. They both shift and crawl back up, hands staying where we can see, then Victor starts untying Leah and May. “It’s okay, baby. It’s all okay.” I hate that he’s touching her. Hate it. But there’s no way I’m taking the gun off either of them. As soon as the tape is off of May’s mouth, she’s screaming like a banshee, wordlessly, and it’s clear that Victor’s none too pleased about that, but it makes me smile a little to see him uncomfortable. She kicks the other meathead in the shin before sliding over to help Leah as I keep the gun on Victor. When he’s done, he shifts and sits back in the seat, right next to his buddy, hands at his shoulders. Decker shoots me a look. He can’t help the smile that hits his lips and I return it. Neither May nor Leah are any sort of pushover. Even if we hadn’t got here, I have a feeling these two assholes would have had their work cut out for them. “I’ve got this.” Decker returns his gaze to Victor. “Help them into the car and I’ll wrap this up.” “Look, I didn’t mean... I thought this was for the best.” Wilson’s still pleading with me from behind and it’s starting to get on my nerves, so I shoot him a look and he shuts the fuck up. “Baby, you okay?” Leah rubs her mouth where the tape has left a red patch but she nods. “It’s not his fault. I don’t know what was going on, but it was all Victor.” May and I help her out of the car but her eyes won’t stay on mine. I try to put an arm around her, but she’s not having that, either. What the fuck? “Cops?” Decker mutters as he comes around to grab May, leaving the two assholes in the car to think about what’s going to happen next. “Please, no more cops.” May leans her head into Decker’s chest. “Can we just go? I’m so tired of police and investigations...” Decker looks at me and I shrug. “I just want to start our life. Our lives.” I’m ambivalent. I think these fuckers should get the long arm of the law shoved straight up their arse holes, but I also can see from the look in their eyes they get our message loud and clear. Leah looks up at me, her arms folded over her chest before Decker or I can say anything else. “Tell me about the drugs. I need to know right now. And you were arrested, tell me about that. I can’t do this any other way. I’m so confused right now. I can’t trade one life of being used for another.” My heart stops. “Babe, what are you talking about?”

“Don’t act dumb, either. Wilson told me. He showed me pictures of the drugs. All the prescription bottles. Your background check with a conviction for drug possession. Illegally possessing prescription drugs.” I see Decker shake his head and he speaks before I can. “That’s a long story, Leah, but it’s not what you think.” “He’s right. I’ll tell you everything, and trust me. But let’s get back to the house first.” Leah sighs, but she nods and lets May help her over to the Suburban. “You two.” I lean down to the limo and peer inside. “Get your asses in that building. Count to ten thousand, then leave. I never want to see either of you again, do you understand? If you even see my face in a crowd you’d better turn around and run the other way.” I keep my gun on Victor and his partner as they drag their sorry asses out of the car and into the abandoned building. I’m still not convinced we shouldn’t get the cops here. I take a glance to see the girls huddled in the back seat of the Suburban. I want them home and from the read I got on Victor, he’s not going to stick his ugly ass nose back around the girls again. “You,” I say, turning the gun on Wilson, “get this fucking car back to the house and wait inside of it or you’re going to be even more sorry than they are.” I almost feel sorry for him as he hangs his head and nods toward the ground. Leah says he didn’t have anything to do with this, but as much as I want to believe her, I’ve had a bad feeling about this little fuck since the moment I set eyes on him. I need to hear his side of the story, then I’ll decide what I’m going to do. After a moment, the Bentley turns in a wide circle, Deck grabs my shoulder and guides me toward his Suburban. “You okay, man?” “Yeah, I will be. I’ll tell Leah the truth. All of it. I’ll just have to take the chance that she won’t forgive me.” He nods and we climb into the car.

C H A P T E R S I X T E E N ALLISTER

Leah sits on her hands. We’re settled in the library at her estate. She looks so small sitting on the dark leather sofa as I lean my ass on the edge of the desk facing her. “So, you went to jail to cover for your mom?” I just finished telling her about Mom. Her struggle and how I’ve managed it as best I can. About how I took the fall for her once and I’m praying Leah sees the truth in my eyes. “Yes. I love my mom. She’s in pain. She’s sick. I don’t have any ill will toward her, but I’ve also accepted who she is. I took her pills that day. She called the cops saying I was stealing from her. When they came, the pills were on me and, I don’t know, I just didn’t fight it. I said they were mine and they cuffed me and I pled guilty. I could have fought it, but for some reason I didn’t. I’ve never taken or done any drugs in my life, Leah. Ever. I never will.” “This is all crazy. So much has happened so fast.” Her eyelids look heavy, and I feel how tired she is. “I know it has. But if you need more reassurance, Decker was around when it happened. Even my mom will tell you it’s true. I’ve had her in four rehabs; Desiree stops by and manages to snag most of her pills and brings them to my place. Those are the pictures you saw.” “But how did Wilson get them?” “Fuck if I know. If you’re okay with it, let’s ask him. I have quite a few questions for Wilson right now.” Leah nods and I push off from the desk. My hand cups the back of her head as I walk to her, my lips coming down to rest on the top of her head, breathing her in. I’m still praying we are able to close this chapter in our lives and move into the future together. It takes me just a few minutes to find Decker and May; I want them with us when we hear Wilson’s side of this mess. Then I work my way to the kitchen where Henrietta is standing there with her knife in hand. As soon as she sees me her eyes narrow and she points the steel my way. “You need to take better care of her.” “I’m workin’ on it. Trust me.” She grunts my way then points down the hall toward the entrance to the garage. “He is sitting down there. Waiting. He made mistakes, but he’s not bad. He’s sorry. I already told him how he was wrong. How he screwed up. But you talk to him now. He’ll tell you everything. Then those girls need some peace. If you can’t give it to them then you need to leave them alone.” “I’m going to give her everything, Henrietta. I promise.”

I work my way down the hall and see Wilson leaning against the wall toward the end. He turns his head when he hears me coming and stands, hands in pockets. His eyes meet mine, though they are not challenging but rather bloodshot and tired. “Come on. We’re all going to talk.” He follows me in silence until we get back to the office. May and Decker are there and Leah is still sitting, only May is now at her side. “I’m sorry.” Wilson’s voice breaks as he rubs his eyes and stands next to the desk. I stand a few feet away and Decker is settled in another chair at the end of the couch where the girls are holding hands now and looking from Wilson to me to Decker then back as Wilson speaks. “I honestly just thought I was doing the right thing. Keeping them from hurting you more. Trying to keep you safe.” “But you could have just told us. Gone to the police.” May is trying to keep her voice even but I can tell it’s a struggle. Wilson rubs his forehead. “I couldn’t go to the police. Victor sent me to both those clubs that night. The ones where the fires happened. He sent me to pick up two envelopes from some of his business associates there that night. He set me up. When I was sixteen I set fire to my foster parents’ house. I have that on my record and then with me being seen at both the clubs the night of the fires? If I didn’t do what he said, he was going to hurt you. I just needed to help. Victor said if I did what he asked and you signed the papers he would leave you alone from then on. That’s all I wanted. You are my family. I have no one else. I was just trying to help.” “What about the pictures? How did you get the pictures inside Allister’s house?” Leah’s voice is hard. I’m happy to hear the power behind her words. A moment of silence and I step forward to encourage him to speak, which he does. “I followed Desiree. I knew she and Allister were friends. I was trying to prove they were more than friends. I saw her going in and out of his house with a key. At the club one night, I came in and made sure she waited on me. Then I saw her going out back to take a break so I followed her around the building. She was on her phone so I told her I couldn’t find mine and needed to call Victor or I would be in deep shit. Since she knew me and Victor, she let me use her phone. I managed to have time to get the pictures and forward them to myself. I wanted to look for text messages between Allister and her, but she got suspicious and came and stood right behind me. I made my pretend call to Victor and handed her the phone back.” Wilson lets out a breath. I still want to hurt him for what I saw earlier in the back of that limo, but I’m not heartless. I feel he was misguided but in some way he was doing what he thought best to keep the girls safe. When he continues, his face turns red and his words come in a strained breath. “And I still think they are after your money.” “Man,” Decker chimes in. “You are going to have to get over that. It’s not our responsibility to prove anything to you. But if you would read the pre-nup I forced May to sign, you would understand just how much I do not want her money. How far I went to be sure that no matter what, I will never benefit from her financially. Allister will surely sign the same thing when he and Leah get married.” My eyes are already on Leah when her head snaps up to look my way. “That’s right, precious. I’m marrying you. And no, I didn’t ask. You’re mine, if you don’t feel it, just tell me I’m wrong.” I step forward, drop to my knees in front of her and manage to get her hands away from May, who’s lips are beginning to fight a smile. “You’re bossy,” May chirps, giving Decker an impish grin. “Like someone else I know.” Decker gets to his feet with a grunt. “So you didn’t have anything to do with the fires?” Wilson shakes his head. “No. I don’t know anything about the fires except Victor set me up to look like it would be me.”

Decker and I look at each other. Victor may not have set them himself, but I’m sure as shit he had someone do it for him. One of his mindless minions. “You can go.” I nod at Wilson. “We’ll let you know what’s next for you after I talk to the ladies. Your fate rests with their benevolent nature.” Wilson takes the cue and beats a hasty retreat out the door. With that, my head is back on my girl and getting a ring on her finger. It fits perfectly, of course, because I’m an obsessive bastard and I triple checked with the jeweler. When it’s snug in place, I reach up and cup her cheek. “You ready to be Mrs. Allister Marshall?” “What if I say no?” Leah gives me a winning smile. “Wouldn’t make a difference.” I look at May, then to Decker. “This Saturday work for you guys? You got the number for the Justice of the Peace you used?” Decker breaks a half smile and I look at Leah, who is shaking her head. “Do I get any say in this?” “Sure, baby. You get to say ‘yes.’”

E P I L O G U E ALLISTER

Eighteen months later “It’s crooked.” Leah giggles as she steps round and runs her hands up my chest then back down, grabbing me and pressing her pregnant belly into my back. It’s nearly nine months, and I know it could happen any time now. “It’s unique.” Reaching up to the top of the tree, I make one last attempt to straighten the wooden star. It’s homemade, carved by my own hands, and I still have the cut in my palm to prove it. It holds steady for a moment, then shifts and falls the other way, but now that she’s pressing herself against me I honestly don’t give a shit about the damn star. I thought she was sexy before, that I couldn’t keep my hands off of her, but with her belly full of me? Shit, I’m on her so many hours of the day it’s a miracle I haven’t impregnated her again by sheer force of will. I lower my hands to cover hers where they are belted around my middle, then turn to face her, looping them around my back to keep us as one. “It’s still crooked.” She pouts, but she knows it won’t do any good. “I’m going to make you crooked in a second, little girl. Crook those legs over my shoulders and have me a pussy feast. I could live on you. You know that, don’t you?” “Well, as much time as you spend down there you practically do live on me. When you tossed out all my panties after the wedding I was pretty sure then, but honest to God, Allister Marshall, you’ve gotten worse.” I look down into those deep, chocolate brown eyes and I’m the one that melts. She’s got the drop on me and she knows it. Her cheeks are pinker these days. The more her belly grows, the more stunning she gets. “No, baby. I’ve gotten better. How long does it take you to cum when I get my mouth on you? Hmm? Ten seconds maybe?” She shakes her head and her hair shifts over her shoulders. “Eleven.” She narrows her eyes, trying to be snarky, but I can see the little flames flickering there. “You want to set the timer?” I drop a hand from her neck, ease it slowly down her back, watching her shiver. Then I take her mouth in mine. “See if we can do the same with my fingers? Give me ten seconds?” Three seconds later she’s moaning and my fingers are drenched in her sweet cunt. Her body is dripping already and my dick is high and tight. Three seconds. Maybe a new record. I taste the little hint of mint chocolate I fed her earlier, setting off my taste buds. It’s Christmas Eve and in a couple hours May and Decker and little Emily will be here, along with my mom, Desiree,

Henrietta, Mr. Fredby, and even Wilson. Leah’s lips are full and sweet, dropping open as my tongue leaves the warmth of her mouth and traces along her jaw, her throat. All the while, my fingers are dancing in her folds. I slip my middle finger lower, watching her face just as she is watching mine, and hit the little spot on the front wall that drops her eyelids to half-mast. “That’s the spot, baby?” She nods, unable to speak. “You want my mouth?” I lean down to whisper in her ear, feeling the way she’s starting to pulse her hips just slightly on my hand. I love that almost as much as I love watching her cum. I love how sexy she is when she wants me. She wants what’s hers and only I can give it to her. She shakes her head. “No.” Her voice is far off already. “Fingers.” I’m more than happy to oblige. Truth is, as much as I love fucking her—fast or slow, hard or soft— that’s not what drives me. My own pleasure is secondary. It’s her. It’s always been her. The sounds she makes. Knowing I’m making those noises come out of her. The way her body drips and soaks me. The thought that this beautiful creature is allowing me the honor of making her cum. It’s like she’s inside my soul and I never want that feeling to end. “God, baby, cum on my fingers. Show me who you are.” I push up and in, the rough pad of my palm grinding into her clit as I drive into her G-spot. My free arm clasps around her waist, holding her steady as her legs lose their strength. She’s walking on her own now, all the therapy did just what it should, but in times like this her knees still give out and I have to be here to catch her. And I always will. A second later she’s taking the Lord’s name in vain right along with mine, and my hand is full of her slick release. But I push on, knowing there is more there and I need it. “One more, baby. Don’t stop. Give me one more.” I grunt into her ear and tighten my grip on her pussy from inside and out, milking another round of orgasm from her until I’m holding up her entire weight and she’s cursing and flowing like a river down to my wrist. Her breaths come fast and hot as her fingernails dig into my back. “That’s my girl. You’re my best girl, you know that, don’t you?” My teeth take a bite of her neck as the last of her climax shakes her and I finally hear the sighs that come after the ecstatic screams. “That was more than eleven seconds.” She whispers into my chest. Damn minx. “You’ll have to do better than that next time.” “Don’t challenge me. Remember what happened last time?” Her soft giggle warms my heart. “Yes. I couldn’t walk for a day and ended up knocked up.” “That’s right. Next time, you just remember that.” After our small wedding, I set about the task of getting her pregnant, only it was taking longer than I’d hoped. A few months went by and in jest, Leah challenged me. She’d known she was ovulating and said that she bet we were going to be one of those couples in five years trying to decide between a surrogate and adoption. She was getting sad about it and thinking it was all her fault. She said if she didn’t get pregnant that night, we should go ahead and start figuring out how to have a child in our life some other way. Well, apparently I took that challenge seriously. I filled her with so much cum for the next twenty-four hours, a week later that little dip stick had two lines. Six weeks later, the first ultrasound showed not one, but two little hearts fluttering inside my girl’s womb.

How’s that for rising to the challenge. “You are an overachiever, you big brute.” She looks up at me and I slip my fingers from her cunt, swiping them over my lips before kissing her to share the flavor. We’ve settled into the mansion. It’s where Leah wanted to be and like I told her before, home for me is where she is. The four walls and a roof don’t matter. Decker and I have, for the most part, turned over daily operations of the Monarch clubs to Cindy, who’s been the general manager for years anyway. We’re still involved, what with the expansion and new locations, but neither of us spend more than twenty or thirty hours on site every week. Leah and May have said they sometimes wish we would spend more time away—they are as thick and thieves, as always—and truth be told, Decker and I don’t stand a chance when those two get to conspiring on something. We’ve done a lot of redecorating. Livened up the old place with some new artwork and furniture. It’s slowly but surely becoming ours, even though I will never accept a piece of what belongs to her, just like Decker with May. I pay for everything we do here but the trust fund is still in Leah and May’s names. Decker and I both signed our pre-nups that will never allow us to have a penny of their inheritance. “Your mom is bringing a couple of her friends. She called yesterday, I forgot to tell you.” Leah leans back and I finally break our hug. My cock is still hard but he will wait. She took good care of me a few hours ago with that magic mouth of hers and at midnight we’re going to be upstairs in the bathtub. After a bath it will be my monster’s chance for another deep dive into her tight pussy. “That’s fine. She’s doing great at the sober living house. I’m fucking proud of her. Sixteen months clean.” “I’m so proud of you for helping her, you know. For setting up the house and getting that whole operation going.” Leah smoothes her skirt down and licks her lips before walking over to the glimmering Christmas tree and fussing with some ornaments. “She did the hard work. I just tried to set her up for success.” While Mom was in rehab, Leah decided she wanted to excise some of her own demons. The driver of the car that hit her family had been through several treatment facilities only to fail after being released. She wanted to set up some sober houses, and she took to it like a lioness on the hunt. I helped her set up a non-profit with a big chunk of her inheritance and we opened six sober living houses, each one specializing in different forms of addiction. Together we hired experts and staffed the places with the best people we could find. Now Mom is helping manage the main house which services the treatment of opiate and prescription addiction. I’m proud as fuck of both the ladies in my life and they’ve become as close as any mother and daughter. May and Decker are now working on baby number two. May got her panties in a twist when she found out that Leah and I would have two babies before her and Decker. Not at us, she was just happy as hell about that, but there was a little foot stomping and glaring at Decker. She threw down the gauntlet with him, that’s for sure. Told him she wanted twins next time, or even better triplets. May’s due a few months after Leah, and she demanded that he get on board and get her knocked up again as soon as possible after that. Decker just shook his head and then smacked May’s behind. She, of course, just took to wiggling it at him and about ten minutes later they disappeared upstairs somewhere for an hour or so. They keep a suite here at the mansion for weekends and holidays. But they call Decker’s place their home. Victor took his plea deal and we never have seen or heard from him again. Word is he decided the Cayman Islands would be a great long term vacation destination, so he spends lot of time gone. Wilson grew on me. Slowly, sure, but he’s not a bad person. Didn’t hurt his case when I found out a little about his past, that when he was eleven he was taken out of his own home due to abuse and neglect,

separated from his two younger sisters. He never saw them again, and that kind of wound is bound to leave a scar. We’ve had a few man to man conversations since that day he and Victor took the girls. He’s dating Desiree now and they look to be on the way down the aisle themselves very soon. “Brutus.” That’s my nickname, but Leah only uses it when she really needs something or something is bothering her. I’ve settled on the sofa to watch her playing with the Christmas tree. “Baby? What?” “I’m pretty sure I just had a contraction.” Her smile lights up the room and my heart. “Are you sure?” I’m on my feet in two seconds. “Yes. I thought maybe I had one earlier. But I just had another one.” “What do we do? Go to the hospital?” My mind is spinning. “No, silly. I’m sure I’ve got hours. I think we’re going to have a Christmas baby. It’s nine o’clock now. I’m pretty sure the best Christmas present ever is going to be here tomorrow.” “Jesus. I’m so fucking happy. Are you sure we shouldn’t go now? I think we should go now.” I’m terrified something might go wrong. “Calm down, I’m sure.” “Okay, but let me give you one of your presents now, in case we’re busy tomorrow.” I step past her, brushing a hand across her belly before kneeling down to fish out the one small box I hid under the tree. She’s a terrible sneak. She’s shaken every box and I even caught her trying to untape the wrapping paper on one to sneak a peek. “Hey, I didn’t see that one.” She gives me a quizzical look. “Yeah, I had to hide it under the pile of all the other ones so you couldn’t cheat.” “Gimme!” She’s got grabby hands and I don’t fight it. I set the little square box in her open palms. “Merry Christmas, my love.” She’s tearing off the wrapping paper like a little kid. Only, this gift is not what she’s expecting. I’ve managed to find or commission every unicorn piece of jewelry I could think of. She has to swap them out to give each one its proper attention. I’m as giddy as a kid as I watch her face. Her reaction is priceless. “What, are you kidding me?” She bounces up and down on her tip toes, holding the splayed out cards in her hands. “I told you I was going to tattoo your sweet ass.” We’ve had an ongoing battle about tattoos. She wants a unicorn tattoo, but she hates needles. I don’t care one way or the other, she’d be beautiful with ink or without. “I had them each designed by a separate tattoo artist. Some of the best in the country.” “Oh my God, you are the best gift giver ever!” I reach down to cup her cheeks and plant a kiss on her smiling lips. “One condition.” “What?” She’s already pulled away and plops down cross-legged on the floor to lay the fifty-two temporary unicorn tattoos out in front of her so she can see each one. “I was sure I was getting blueberry Poptarts again.” “Santa may still come through on that but you need to be a very good girl.” I tease but she’s not listening. Even sitting down like this, she barely struggles now. She’s worked her ass off in therapy and exercise to get her legs nearly back to one hundred percent functional. Girl’s a beast when she sets her mind to something. “I get to decide where each one goes. Each one will last a week. So there are fifty two. I get to decide where and I get to put it on.”

She’s giddy, barely able to keep still as she picks each one up to admire the intricate artwork. “I can live with that.” She holds a card to her heart and looks up at me. The twinkle in her eyes melts my heart. “I love you, Brutus. I love being your unicorn.” “I love you too, precious.” With that, we’re lining up the tattoos by week and picking out each beautiful spot on her body. By the time the first of our guests are scheduled to arrive, the first temporary tattoo is planted on her ripe, round belly. “Merry Christmas.” I stand up, admiring what’s mine. After the tattoo application I had to have myself a sweet little cunt feast, of course. “Merry Christmas to you. Now go get ready for our guests. I’m in no condition to walk for a few minutes.” Her thighs are quivering and her pussy is dripping. Just how I like it. “Maybe you need some different kind of therapy to get you up and moving again. I’m not going to walk around all night with this in the front of my pants. You just stay put, keep those legs wide and that pussy wet. My dick is in need of some of its own Christmas cheer.” With that I’m buried inside her to the hilt, both of us singing some of our own special sort of Christmas carols. It takes four rings of the doorbell before I’m finally down the hall to answer it, with her fussing after me about coming back to carry her around for the rest of the night. Seems a baker’s dozen orgasms may not have helped her ability to walk. I don’t fight the smile that crests my lips as I open the door. There’s May and Decker, and little Emily. “What took you so long to answer the dang door, ogre man? And where’s my sister?” May marches in, handing Emily to Decker and calling for Leah. “She’s in the bedroom.” I chuckle. “I’m sure she is.” May bobs her head and rolls her eyes at me. “You two may have waited, but you sure are making up for lost time. Beasts. That’s what I say. You are both beasts.” Her voice fades as she heads to the back hall and our bedroom. Decker’s half grin acknowledges what we both know. “Worth the wait.” Decker nods with his statement. “More than.” I slap my hand on his shoulder. We may have been some of the oldest virgins known to mankind before we met our girls, but neither of us would change a thing. “I agree, my friend. I agree.” Decker crosses his arms as both our girls come giggling and prancing out of the back hallway toward us. Both of us big, dumb oafs smiling like little kids on Christmas morning.

Want to know all about Decker and May?

WHERE SHE BELONGS Chapter One Decker

“It was just a handjob.” Claudia rolls her eyes like this is a joke. “That’s barely even anything. I didn’t even kiss him, for chrissake.” She’s looking everywhere but at me as if avoiding my eyes is going to change the outcome for her. “You know the rules,” I say. Believe it or not, it hurts me every time this happens. I want to help them all, but in the end, they have to help themselves too. I can’t do it for them. “I’m great at handjobs. I got him off in like twenty seconds. I mean,” Claudia attempts to look pitiful, “it’s almost like shaking someone’s hand. Would you fire Allister for shaking hands with one of the guys?” Allister, my right hand man, pipes up. “Congratulations on your skill set. And no, it is not like shaking hands.” His sarcastic answer doesn’t hide his own disappointment. His voice has always been low, but when he’s disappointed it takes on extra weight, extra gravity. It’s a bit like if a bass drum was suddenly able to speak. He’s more pissed off this time than usual, and he hates firing girls as much as I do. It’s because he’s the one that talked me into hiring her – even when I expressed my doubts that she would take the opportunity seriously. Looks like I was right, but I don’t take any pleasure in that. It’s too bright in here. The light and the situation drives ball-peen hammers into my temples and I rub them with my middle finger. I look at the file open on my desk, then glance around the room. I can’t make an exception for her. The rules are the rules, that’s why we’re all in here. It’s my job to deliver the bad news. I’m momentarily distracted by the surroundings of my office. They’re far from interesting. White gloss, cool air. Actually, the temperature in here is fine, but it feels cold. My office at the back of the club needs some warming up and organizing. I despise disorder. The white gloss paint is there because that’s what I like. Clean, pure and without blemish. Neatly stacked pillars of white boxes, labeled with their contents and color coded by unpacking priority, line one wall. My new office furniture was delivered last week – at least it got me out from behind the folding banquet table which had been my temporary desk for a month. The place needs artwork and some other touches, but I just haven’t had the time. Seems that’s a theme with me because my house looks the same way and I’ve lived there for five years.

I listen as Allister heaves a deep breath in and out. Allister is my General Manager. He’s also my best friend. If you saw him on the street, you’d probably cross to the other side. But he’s one of the best people I know. Heart of gold and the size of Texas. He’s shaking his bald head, running a hand back and forth over it while he stares at Claudia. It’s unusual for him to step in, to try to persuade me to take on a girl against my better judgement. But I guess he took pity on her – early twenties, brunette, streetwise attitude. Maybe she reminded him of someone, I don’t know. I didn’t push it. As for her, she’s glaring back and forth between us like she can’t understand what she’s done wrong. And that is exactly her problem. But this is my club and I have to work damned hard to keep it. It’s one in a chain that I own. Monarch night clubs. They are a mash-up of trendy, urban bar with a side order of gentleman’s club. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not seedy at all. I’ve made my name in this industry by keeping the seedy element away and that’s the way I intend it to stay. Which is why I have to be strict with the girls. Today it’s a handjob, tomorrow a blowjob. Once you start down that road there’s no turning back. I suppose “gentleman’s club” isn’t really the right label. I mean, I do have dancers, but they don’t take their clothes off. They don’t wear a whole lot to begin with, but they also don’t take anything off. They dance, and they do it well enough that they don’t need to show their bodies. Are they sexy? Yep. Do the men in the clubs wish they were dropping clothing? Of course. But while they work for me it’s not happening. My clubs have a fine dining area, a dance floor with a bar. Classy, trendy. And then there is the ‘back wall’ as it’s come to be known. The dancers are not center stage, but they are a huge draw. Somehow, I’ve managed to create a club where women and men feel comfortable coming in, but there is still an atmosphere of the upscale gentleman’s club – without the slimy element. Monarch V is the jewel in my so-called crown of successful nightclubs, and I am obsessed with how everything is presented, from the staff to the decor. But my office could use some warming up. I love what I do, but it’s beginning to wear on me. I’m also an obsessive planner, and my plan is to work another few years, then turn everything over to Allister and see if life has anything else in store for me. I’m not old, but I’m not young either, and as much as growing this business and helping out all these girls has been my reason for getting out of bed every day for a long damn time, there has to be more, I’m just not sure what that ‘more’ is. It took the better part of a year to get this particular club up to the zoning standards the surrounding high-brow community demanded. But, in the end, it will be worth it. Having a club on this side of town, and in this prime location, will pay off in spades. On weekends, the queue is already lined around the block and we’ve only been live a little over a month. Guess all the pearls and bowties that live around here are just as eager for a little fun as anyone else. I see the same folks that sat on their pious high horses in the local government planning meetings, the ones who were giving me shit about putting in the club, drinking and whooping it up here every night of the week. Fucking hypocrites. But their money is as green as I need it to be, so whatever. Their two-faced bullshit is between them and God. “So, I’m done?” Claudia juts a hip out and finally settles her vitriol on me. “You’re firing me? This is total bullshit. One handjob and one joint, that’s all it was. And now you’re firing me? I didn’t even smoke it here, for chrissake. You can’t tell me what I can do on my own time. This place is turning into the damn Westlake Baptist Church.”

I’m holding her file in front of me. “Yep, you’re done. The rules are clear. You signed the contract: You go to school. You don’t take drugs, and you don’t drink. You certainly don’t touch the customers. You fucked up.” I close up her file, shaking my head. “I don’t fire people, Claudia, they fire themselves. Get your stuff out of your locker; we’ll send you a month’s pay to give you time to get on your feet. Allister will walk you out. I wish you the best.” I lean back in my chair. My temples are still pounding and my stomach is curling over on itself. I entwine my fingers as I rest them on my mid-section. My stomach lets out a low rumble, reminding me that once again I’ve put the girls and the club before my own basic human needs. It’s already one in the morning and I don’t remember eating anything since I’d arrived here at noon. “You can suck my ass!” Claudia gives me one final single-finger salute before she trudges out the office door, Allister rolling his eyes at me as he walks behind her. As much as I try, I can’t save them all – that’s what I have to keep reminding myself. The irony is I don’t even care much for nightclubs. I don’t drink and never went in for strip clubs at all. Just didn’t do a damn thing for me. But, these places evolved after I retired from the Marines. Sixteen years of service and I’m damn proud of it, but it was time to move on. These clubs are the way I make a living – and a very good one at that. And, at the same time, I have some unique rules for my staff and try to give back where I can. The low vibration of the bass from the club floor comes through the open office door. I’m usually gone by midnight, but between dealing with Claudia and sticking around to interview a few new dancers, I’m beat. Tuesday nights, the club is quiet and we do our Men’s Only night. We also do a thing called, ‘Open Tryout Night.’ Similar to open mic night at comedy clubs or the like, but we let girls who aspire to dance or work here come in, strut their stuff and show us what they’ve got. So I usually stick around to see if there are any worthy applicants coming through the door. After a few minutes, Allister steps back into the office as I twist my head around on my neck, trying to relieve the pressure. “All set?” I ask. “Yeah. That girl is... colorful. Had some unique parting words for you.” He licks his lips, then adds, “And me.” I shrug. Insults don’t mean a thing to me. “Yeah? I wish her well. It’s a shame.” My stomach roars again, and I push my chair back and stand up. “You done for tonight?” Allister shoves his hands down into his front pockets, regarding me with a wry smile. “I think so. I’m going to go have the kitchen make me something to go. Anyone else coming in tonight?” I straighten up the loose papers on my desk into a stack and file them in my drawer. I put my Dunhill pen in my top drawer too, remembering when the staff gave it to me at Christmas. I’m a hard fuck to buy for; I don’t want for anything and don’t want much in general. But I do appreciate quality and rarity, and they all chipped in and bought me that pen. Probably the best fucking pen in the world. I exhale louder than I expect. I guess I’m just a little tired of all this. I finish by brushing dust off the walnut top of my desk until everything looks in order. “A few gals are still here to try out.” Allister reaches for his back pocket and pulls out three Polaroids, starts flipping through them. Then he looks at my face with mock concern. “You get some ice on that?” “It’s fine.” “Uh huh. You’re not twenty anymore. Next time call for back up.” There is a low throb coming from under my left eye where I took a punch earlier. It will be purple by morning, but right now it’s just an irritation.

“I got the job done.” My voice sounds gruff. I hate fucking fighting, but I also don’t back down when the situation calls for me to get physical. And when someone lays a hand on one of my girls, the situation calls for it. “You know we hire bouncers for that shit. You take on three at a time, old man, just at least let me stand behind you. Got it?” “I haven’t lost a fight yet, have I? Who got carried out of here calling for their mommy? Me? Nope.” I’m pissed because if the bouncers were doing their job, I wouldn’t have to jump in when I see that shit going on. “New subject.” Allister stares at me and then nods. He knows when I’m not messing around. “No problem.” He flicks one of the pictures against his palm, black Sharpie scrawled across the white strip at the bottom of the photo. We always take the girls’ names, phone numbers and a quick picture as soon as they come in to apply. Even if they don’t end up working here, we try to establish we are here to help, if they need any help, and get some basic information right up front so we can keep track of everyone that comes in. He steps toward me, ready to show me the photos, but I’m already up, coming around toward him. I’m grabbing my briefcase off the floor before he can even get close, taking my jacket off the hook, marching for the door. Allister and I have been friends since we were in boot camp together a thousand years ago. We didn’t end up serving together, but those first weeks of hell bonded us, and we’ve been as close as family ever since. We’re even in height, his build being slightly leaner than mine. Besides working with each other, we work out together four days a week so there is not much we don’t know about each other. “Here.” He jabs the photos toward me as I work my way to the door. Some guys might get off on the young women that come in for tryouts, but I’m not overly eager to look. It’s all work, we don’t play here. I’ve never touched one of the girls that works for me. Fuck, I haven’t actually touched a woman in more years than I can count. And when I say touched, I mean as in an arm around the shoulder, or a kiss. No one but Allister knows this, and I doubt anyone would believe me, but that’s about all I’ve done with a woman. Nothing below the belt has ever happened. Virgin. Even the word sounds unbelievable to me, but it’s true. I’ve never been overly outgoing, except when it comes to running my business and getting shit done. I’m on the shy side and have never felt comfortable with women in general as far as relationships go. I gave up years ago thinking there was someone out there for me. I figure that part of life just isn’t in my stack of cards. I know most of the guys that come in here sit there with their dicks hard, watching the harem of beauties that work here. They probably think that as the club owner, my cock samples all the goods. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I don’t even remember the last time I stroked off. If it’s not the real thing, I’m just not all that interested. And I guess I just haven’t met the real thing. And I probably never will. So I stay focused on work. Not just making money, though that part isn’t awful either. But the other part. Seeing so many of these girls come in over the years looking for work, thinking it was just another seedy club where they would take their clothes off and bang customers in the bathroom for extra cash. Then when they see what I’m doing here, they see a glimmer of hope for a different future. Since I had started my first club, I’ve gladly paid for my girls’ rehab, attorneys, GEDs, college tuition, and I’ve bashed in some pimps’ faces when they’ve tried to come get back what they think belongs to them. It’s become my life and I’m proud of each of them when they go off into the world to become whatever is next. Some are now lawyers, PTA mothers, social workers, even doctors.

I take the pictures from Allister’s hand as I pass by and look down at the top photo as I step into the hallway, heading for the club floor. I’m too tired to care much right now about what wayward young woman we may be able to help, but I pull my shoulders back and try to focus. This is important to me, I remind myself. I love the money I make, but I want to matter. I want to make a difference in someone’s life. That’s what gets me off. There’s a tug on the skin covering my chest as I pull my shoulders back and the muscles stretch over the scars, reminding me of why I retired when I did from the military. I roll my neck around, trying to loosen the tightness as we get closer to the end of the hallway. “I can handle it, boss.” Allister says from just behind my left shoulder, sensing my fatigue. “Just get your food, take off, leave it to me. Two of these girls look like they won’t last a day with your rules anyway. And the third,” he makes a noise in his throat, “she looks like she’s never been outside her nursery before. Although, you know, that innocent one has a rack on her. And a fucking ass for days. A little on the thick side, but different strokes for different folks. I guarantee she’s never seen the inside of a club before.” I chuckle under my breath. Allister enjoys looking, and he and I don’t necessarily have the same taste but he’s a gentleman to his core. “Who’s on the door tonight?” I ask, rubbing my chin with my other hand. “Buzz,” he says with a huff. “He’s on his last warning.” I second his huff. We try to help out everyone, guys as well, but I’m harder on them. I expect the men that work here to be gentlemen at all times as well, and Buzz seems to think this is his own private dick playground, and that shit does not fly. “Yeah, I know. He’s trying my patience, and there isn’t much of that to begin with. When that little doe arrived I gave him the stare. He was looking at her like she was a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.” Allister never touches any of the girls that work here either, but he’s a bit more outspoken than me. As we’re making our way down the hall I bring the three photos he stuffed into my hand into my line of vision. I shoulder open the swinging door that separates the offices from the club floor, then glance down absently at the top photo just as I’m losing the bright light of the hallway for the dim flashing lights of the bar. And I feel like someone just shoved a taser down my pants. There she is, standing across the room, same face as the one in the picture. She’s got her arms crossed, eyes looking around like she’s just landed on Mars. I know it’s fucking impossible, but I swear I can smell her and it’s like some long forgotten scent suddenly bombarding me with feelings about this tiny, lush creature – a complete stranger. My pace quickens and I’m making a beeline for the three girls standing where Allister left them waiting. Except I only really see one. “I got this, old man.” Allister urges me to make my way home, but there’s no fucking way I’m leaving now. “Like I said, that little one isn’t half-bad, it’s just—” “Shut up.” The anger in my voice shocks me. All he’s doing is talking about her and I’m worked up like this. What the fuck is wrong with me? Thinking that he’s looked at her, that he’s had lustful thoughts about her, has me ready to turn against my best friend. I don’t know what this reaction is, but I do know; I don’t want anyone’s eyes on her except mine. The mere fact that she’s here applying for a position as a dancer has me ready to split heads. “I’ll send the other two home. I’ll talk to this one.” I look down at the picture in my hand, then back up and my cock is filling my pants, something that has not once happened in all the years I’ve run these clubs and been around these girls. Whoever this little sweet-tart is, she’s managed to move things inside me I wasn’t sure were still moveable.

A rush of blood through my ears blocks out the music and ambient sounds of the club. Heat radiates from my core and I’m drawn into a vortex of something long forgotten. I want her in ways I didn’t realize I could want. Some primal part of me stirs and I know what I’ve been waiting for is right here. Right now. Now I have to go and make sure she knows she’s claimed. LIVE NOW ON AMAZON

SWEET RIDE PROLOGUE Eight Years Earlier

THORNE

“I’m out.” My words are met with a wall of silence from the other end of the phone. A long pause and then muffled, labored breathing. “You hear me? Done. Fuck!” My eyelid twitches as I stare at the evening news on the television. It’s unusual for me to turn on the electronic teat, but today, I got word I might want to take a look. No one knows when shit like this is going to hit home. In my world, for most, it never does. But for me, today is my day. My epiphany. The low static on the phone clears and I roll my eyes when I hear the voice on the other end. “You don’t get to tell me fuck-all about being done.” The man I know only as ‘Black’ is as pretentious as his pretentious code name. In my imagination, he holds court behind an enormous desk carved from some dark hardwood, pinching a Cuban cigar in his teeth while minions nod in agreement to whatever pontifications fall from his lips. But, truth be told, I have no idea what he looks like. In this business it’s better not to know too much about your associates. We have phone numbers on disposable phones, keeping things detached keeps you safe. As safe as possible I suppose. He takes a deep, raspy breath before he speaks. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” The gravelly voice twists with humor and my gut churns. The phone connection crackles, all I know is he’s on an island somewhere, which island I don’t want to know. Less is more. “And why the fuck do you care? People die. Fuck-all happens. It’s not like you pulled the trigger.” ‘Fuck-all’...his signature phrase. Jesus, get some new material. He’s a poorly written pulp-fiction character. There’s a pfft sound like he’s shrugging his shoulders. “Life is shit, Thorne. You do what you can to make yours a little less shit than everyone else’s.” “This is different. I did the drop. I delivered. But it went fucking sideways. Two civilians down. One’s DOA and the other in intensive care.” I steel myself to say what I have to. Let him know that I’m serious. I blink against the tears. Jesus, what the fuck is this? I’m soft in all the wrong places? “I’m fucking out. This is it. My name’s all over this. You and me, we don’t exist anymore.” This is no fucking way to live. And for some inexplicable reason, I decide I don’t just want to live. I want a fucking life. Something more. I don’t know that will be, but I’m damn sure going to live to find out.

There is a rustling then a clunk on the other end of the phone and a distant chuckle. He does this shit as well. Sets the phone down in the middle of a conversation, just like that. How did my fucking life get here? How did I slide into this swamp of piss and filth? Somehow I’d convinced myself I wasn’t the bad guy. People kill people. Not guns, right? That’s what I’ve always told myself. I’m just an entrepreneur. They will get them from someone if not me, so why not? I needed to make a living. No education besides what living on the streets had taught me, I convinced myself that the gun trade was somehow a step above the low life of drugs or the multitude of other crimes that to my rationalization were fucking below me. What a crock of steaming shit that turned out to be. The lights came on for me today. Watching the news and finding out two people just died because they got caught up in the crossfire from guns I delivered not three hours ago. Why does this bother me now? I’d pushed away the reality of the facts for too long. Had people died before from guns that passed through my hands? Hell yes. Fuck. I should be the one lying in a hospital bed or worse. Whatever he decides to do to me, I’ll take it, because I’m not doing this again. I can’t. I hear Black barking orders to someone in the background, telling them to bring him a drink. The irony is I know nothing about him, and yet I know all the little details. I even know his goddamn drink. Always the same, he likes to call for it whenever we talk no matter the time of day. Fucker has some weirdness about him. Dry vodka martini, two orange twists, in a rocks glass. There’s other weird shit I hear, too. He’s an attention whore, likes to tell me shit I shouldn’t, and do not want to know. Thinks he’s impressing me by spouting off about fucked up shit I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. I swear to Christ, during one phone call he was fucking bragging about taking kidneys out of people. Not willing people either. That’s some next level evil there. I pull the phone from my ear, hold it out at arm’s length and stare at it for a long minute. Finally, the faint voice of Mr.‘Fuck-all-Vodka-Martini’ broadcasts out of the tiny speaker talking about doing a new deal but I’ve stopped listening. Let the shit hit the fucking fan. He can find another gun runner. Someone will gladly step in to replace me. I get he might not like it, but I sure don’t think he’d take it so hard that he’d send me off the radar permanently but you never know. I hit the ‘end call’ button and gently place the cheap pre-paid phone on the floor. I bring the heel of my boot over the screen and listen to the steady crunching noise as I grind it into the faded linoleum floor. I’m out. Whatever that means, I’ll die a man not a pawn. I’m good with that. I sit there dead still for a long time. Long enough for the shadows on the tabletop to grow a few inches as the sun drops outside the window of my shit hole apartment. I set my elbows on my knees. Looking at my hands and the ink that decorates them. Then I bring them to my head and rub back and forth, the friction heating my palms. There is a faint scratching of something that has taken up residence in the cabinet under my sink. Truth is, I don’t have the heart to do anything about it. I don’t want to kill it, rodent or not, the damn thing just needs to eat and I remember scratching around for the same more than once in my life. The pounding on my apartment door hits me, making my body jerk and turn. Fuck. Maybe Black took it harder than I thought. Sent someone for me. A dark laugh comes out of me thinking he’s pissed that I broke up our little felonious romance. I wipe the back of a hand over my cheek and it comes away damp. Tears blur my vision and I look like a fucking pussy, but it’s not because I’m scared. I’m not afraid to die.

After all these years, I accepted that risk. But now it’s just all hitting home: I never actually did anything with my life. I could run, but fuck that shit. The pounding comes again, harder. “Open up. Police.”

ONE Present Day

THORNE

God, it smells so fucking good. I’ll never get enough of that smell. The backroom of the shop is clocking in at ninety-one degrees and it’s already cooled down a good bit from its highest point during the early morning baking hours. It’s also spotless, the steel and glass thermometer glinting in the sunlight through the window, and I make a mental note to thank the staff for keeping up on my standards. “Hey, boss man! I thought I heard your beast pull up. You ride that bike dressed like that? You are one of a kind, man.” Christopher Ward shakes his head and his eyes light up as I stride through the back hall. He’s in the prep area where he’s wiping down a gleaming, stainless steel table. “Guess it’s our undercover boss Friday, huh? How many stores we got now? Sixty? Sixty-three? I quit counting.” I straighten my suit jacket and run a hand through my hair, a little smirk pulling at the corner of my mouth. “Sixty-two opened last week in Times Square. But it’s your lucky day, man.” I slap him on the shoulder and he turns in for a quick bro hug. “Place looks great, as always. You run a tight ship. Don’t need to even come here, never anything to put on my report except ‘fucking outstanding.’” “That right?” He’s trying to hide the grin of pride, but I can see it. “Then why do you come here? Don’t you have investors to meet or something?” “Sure. But they don’t have your fucking personality, man.” I glance around. “Seriously, good job. I mean that. The place is safe in your hands.” I work at one of my stores every Friday. Always have, always will. I enjoy it; it reminds me of how lucky I’ve been. More than that, it lets the staff know that they’re not working for some faceless corporation. We’re in this together. “Awww, shucks, boss. Guess you raised me right. From thug to this.” He chuckles and spins his head, looking around the back room. “Who’da thought?” Tattoos cover his neck and hands, the only ink that’s currently on show, but I know from our time at Jackson State he’s almost eighty percent covered in color. I kid you not, and I have the community showers to thank for that information. My body isn’t far off from his ink coverage, either. But I’m a waist-up kind of guy when it comes to my body art. My ink is a kaleidoscope of color and covers me from hip bones up until it swirls up my neck under my crisp, tailored dress shirts. Yeah, my contradictions turn heads.

I look up to the ceiling, thanking whatever higher power took a hand in my life. “Do you remember years ago when we opened that door, took a knee and prayed?” I set my legs wide and cross my arms as he nods back. “Fucking crazy ass ride it’s been, right?” “Fucking sweet ride. Here we are. Two felons selling three dollar donuts.” He throws his head back letting out a deep breath. “From making fucking glazed donuts for a thousand inmates in that hell kitchen. Now this. Some days, I still wake up and think it’s a dream.” He looks around the room, gleaming with stainless steel and racks and racks of decorated donuts in twenty-four flavors. Not just any flavors either. Try a Cappuccino and Coconut. Or our white chocolate truffle. My newest is a dark salted chocolate and mango. We name them all, too, with these chicken shit names that would have the old Thorne shaking his head. Names like: Mango Bango. CappoNut, 101 Dalmatians. I look through the window of a glassed cool room at the rear of the baking area, where two smiling women are chatting and working to apply the icing and decorative toppings that have become our trademark at The Sweet Spot. “You know you can come up to corporate anytime. Get out of the store. I told you.” I twist my head, trying to work out the kink that settled in from falling asleep at my computer last night. All work and no play makes Thadeus a rich, but lonely boy. Which suits me fine right now. I love to work. Dating and getting laid for the sake of getting laid are not in my wheelhouse. Just doesn’t make me tick. If I don’t feel it, it’s not my jam. And the truth is I haven’t felt anything in the below the belt department for so long, I’m not even sure my damn equipment still works in a real life scenario. Maybe I’ll find out someday, but until that right girl hits me in all the right places, I’m a workaholic who doesn’t want an intervention. “Not a fucking chance.” Christopher shakes his head with a crooked smile. The scar on his cheek pulling his eyes a bit crooked. “I like being on the ground. The early mornings. The customers. The routine. It’s my home, bro.” Christopher has a good nest egg going I’m sure. Like me, he’s not an extravagant spender. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I like my suits and my bike but I don’t spend like I could. I prefer a few bank accounts with plenty of zeros showing. I’m sure neither of us ever thought we’d be part of the upper crust as we used to call it. The right side of the tracks I guess. Christopher could come up to corporate, sit in an office, buy a nice place in a suburb, find him a gorgeous wife, suit out his life with a dog and 2.5 kids. But like me, this crazy ass donut business got under his skin. It’s just part of who we are right now. The bells on the shop’s front door jingle as I nod at my friend in agreement. I get it, it’s the customers, the routine, early mornings and the smell of donuts baking. That’s what it’s all about. Out at the front retail area Angela greets whomever just walked in with a familiar, “Good morning, what can I get you?” She sounds happy, which is just the way I like it. Treat the staff well and it pays dividends. Literal dividends in my case. I clap my hands in front of me, then rub them together before speaking. “Alright, bro. I’m going to go check out the front. Watch Angela work her charm. You tell everyone it’s lunch on me today. If you guys want to go out, I’ll cover the store. Or I’ll bring in whatever you want.” I look down at my watch. Then pull the cuffs of my shirt so the white shows evenly under the dark grey of my suit sleeve then turn to step toward the front. “Yes, boss. Er, hold on, wait, there’s something else.” The lightness in Christopher’s voice turns to hesitation. “I got something else you need to know.”

Christopher is no drama queen, so I know whatever is about to be said will not be fucking rainbows and unicorns. I lick my lips and pause at the swinging door that separates the back room from the sales area. He’s rubbing and squeezing his temples, not meeting my eyes. “I got a call yesterday.” Christopher drops his hand from his temples to grip at the goatee that covers his chin. “Saul, man. He called. Again. Showed up last night. Again.” Fuck me. I was having a fucking good day. “Jesus. What the fuck did he want?” “He wants to work. Hey, that’s what he said, man, I’m just passing on the message.” Christopher shakes his head. My shirt collar is pinching the back of my neck when I throw my head back. Fuck. I let out a breath to relieve the pressure that’s building inside my head as Christopher continues. “He said he’s straight, and that you told him once if he got his ass straight you’d give him a shot.” “Yeah, that was before he took two more rides for breaking parole. He’s not straight. I’ll tell you right now, he’s still down on Cass, shuffling whatever he can to get his fix.” “I don’t doubt you, boss. But he just said you promised and I’m just delivering the message. You’ve helped out brothers before, so it’s not for me to decide.” Christopher throws his hands up and shrugs. I take a breath and close my eyes. Funny how Saul’s name turned my mood from sweet to sour. He and I were cellmates for a good two years in the fine accommodations at Jackson during my stint. Sharing a small space like that, you get to see the light in people despite all the darkness. So when I got out and made good, I made sure to do what I could to help others like me. See, the thing about being a felon...you do your time, you get out, you’ve got that big fucking F that comes up on your background check and no one’s going to hire you. So I do what I can when I can for brothers like me. But I’m also not putting my own ass and my whole business on the line for someone who can’t show me they’re ready for something new. Now, Saul—and I can forgive a lot—but he has two downs for sexual assault with a minor. He says he thought the girl was eighteen, and it was a long fucking time ago, yadda-yadda-yadda, but still. Some shit’s difficult to forgive, and he never denied the rest. I know people can change, and even with that black mark against him I’d give him another chance. Really I would. That’s why I told him what I told him. If he changed, then okay. But he hasn’t. “If he calls again, tell him I’ll be in touch. I won’t leave him hanging, man. But he’s not ready. Trust me. But I’ll tell him myself. It’s not your job.” “No, I’ll do it. I’ve got your back. If he comes around or calls, I’ll tell him it’s not his time.” I nod and drop my arms, hands in my suit pockets. “Thanks, man.” “Sure.” For a split second I think about Black and my final gun delivery. Never heard from him again which, considering when it came out the guy that died that day was Black’s son not just an innocent bystander I figured maybe he had an epiphany too and took himself off the grid. My ass took a plea deal for my involvement in the death of the female that day and I never looked back. I may have been a dumbass, but I just wanted it over. Stuck my head in the sand, didn’t even let my public defender tell me anything about the case. Just negotiated my deal and I took the ride to Jackson. The only other thing I heard, was that Black wasn’t even all that upset about his own son going down. Just confirmed that that guy was heartless. Even when it came to his own family. Forcing a smile onto my face, I head out into the retail area. Out here it’s all bright lights, walls painted in our signature green and mocha stripes. I look up just as Angela is handing two large boxes of donuts to a customer who is blocked by the easel holding our daily specials chalkboard. As I move forward, I catch sight of the woman and her wave of goodbye as she’s turning away, moving toward the door.

Did anyone else feel the fucking earth shift under their feet? Her fucking eyes are like nothing I’ve ever seen. Maybe green, but not green. A color that doesn’t have a name. Jade that flickers with glittering gold flecks. Cheeks that are the smoothest olive but peppered with freckles I want to count with kisses. A deep pink in the background of her exotic skin hints at a blushing innocence. She’s a Rubenesque masterpiece with hair that rolls in dark chocolate waves to just above her waist. I’ve never seen anything like her. A swirl of light and dark. Sweet and sensual. And for the first time in my life, I know what it truly feels like to want a woman. It’s been one second? Maybe two? But it’s enough for me to have a hard-on the size of California. My heart is palpitating, beating an uneven rhythm that steals my breath. She reaches the door in slow motion, turns and pushes her sweet apple ass against it to shove it open. Lucky fucking door. A smile crests her puffy lips and I think of her opening them for me. Sticking out her tongue with a lusty twinkle in her eye as I guide my dripping cock forward, ready for her to lick it clean, her gleaming strands of onyx hair cascading over her shoulders, swishing as she nods up at me and whispers my name. Thorne. I nearly shut my eyes thinking I could die fairly fucking happy right there, content that I was able to share the same space with her for even a moment. Then she speaks, and her words are so sweet I start to feel bad about my deviant thoughts. “Thank you so much. I gotta run, hop on the next bus to the clinic.” She nods toward Angela. “I’ll be back on my way home for my Friday night treat. Payday!” She trips a little as her eyes meet mine for split second. She’s unsteady and I hope like hell it’s because she’s feeling the same thing I am right now. Those magical green eyes shift away from my face, I see her blink a few times then the come back to me, one more fraction of a second but I see the pink in her cheeks spread and darken. The music of her voice turns on some damn twinkling lights inside my head. It’s like fucking Christmas in there and I have to shake it away just to gather some control. “Bye, CeeCee.” Angela smiles as she puts the cash in the register and gives her a friendly salute. “Don’t let Doctor Shit-son get you down. He’s an asshole.” I want to know whomever this ‘Doc’ is that might have the power to get her down. Because this girl doesn’t deserve to have a moment in her life that isn’t filled with smiles and laughter. Suddenly I want to break the guy’s neck, and I’ve never even met him. Then it’s her soft laughter that has me ready to nut right here in my pants. The twinkling lights that filled my brain are gone, replaced by starved need. A consuming lust shakes loose inside me in that single moment, sending images of her innocent, succulent curves laid out before me while I tear into her soft flesh like some sort of beast. Driving her further into the bed with every thrust. The bells over the front door jingle again and I’m shaken from my x-rated fantasies as the door closes behind her. She’s rushing now in the wrong direction because it’s away from me. There’s a hole in my chest. An emptiness that needs filling like I’ve never felt before. The loneliness that has been a comforting companion to me for so long is replaced by a constriction in my chest. It takes a Herculean effort not to chase her sweet, ripe ass down. Exquisite thoughts of how the flesh of her thighs would feel in my grip spin in my head and my mouth waters thinking of how she must taste. The thought of opening her up and dining on what would be the finest meal ever to grace my lips has my cock dripping. I’ve not touched a woman since before I went into prison. Something died in me somewhere between then and now, and until this second I think I just accepted that it would always be dead. At thirty-one years old, I’m comfortable that more than likely I’ll die never touching a woman again.

Until today, and whatever I thought was dead inside me, well, looks like it was just sleeping. Deep sleep, but it’s wide fucking awake now and hungry as hell. “Who was that?” I’m squared off at the register with Angela in a second, arms crossed over my chest, my brow tight but my eyes are stuck on where that dark-haired cherub just disappeared from view outside the front store windows. “That?” I’m not even looking at Angela. I’m too busy thinking about her, the little bird in the pink jeans. Fuck, I’m hard as an iron rod. I start moving to the other side of the counter so Angela won’t see the monster that’s sprung to life inside my pants, that’s already weeping for a taste of whatever that was that just blew through here. Just blew through me. “CeeCee’s her name, she’s a regular. Buys donuts for the clinic where she works and stops by every Friday on her way home to buy two just for herself. Friday’s her payday. She’s cute. She says your damn donuts are the best Friday night date she’s ever had. She’s sweet.” “You shouldn’t swear so much.” It’s all I can manage because my brain is shutting down. My inner Neanderthal is focused on throwing her down and thrusting into her, my hand around her throat, grunting about who she belongs to now. “Boss.” Angela drags out the word as her eyes twinkle with realization. It must be painfully obvious something is alight. “She’s cute, huh?” She bobs her eyebrows and stifles a giggle. “It’s not that.” I clear my throat, trying to get my dignity back. Angela’s been with us here since the beginning, so she knows me well enough to decode my sudden, out-of-character interest in a customer. “In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you look at a girl or anything. Truth, I thought maybe you played for the other team.” I frown as she throws a playful right hook into my gut. “Okay, look, just mind your own business.” I swat away her second fist thrust, but can’t help grinning. I’m not this friendly with most of the workers at the stores, but these folks here are my family. We came up together, struggled together, made some damn horrible donuts together in the beginning and these folks stuck with me during the hard times before the business took off like a rocket. So Angela gets a free pass. But right now, I need details. “So she comes in every Friday after work? Every Friday?” Angela takes a second to answer and I seriously start to consider fucking waterboarding her if she doesn’t hurry the fuck up with my answer. “Yeah. Pretty much like clockwork. She takes a bus from where she works to here, then catches the next one to wherever she lives... so she runs in around 5:05 or 5:10 between the two routes. She looks at what we’ve got, chooses, then she’s off.” “Why haven’t I seen her before?” I’m at the front windows, pretending I’m inspecting the displays, but really I’m just trying to grab one last glimpse of those pink jeans, watch her sway in that way that has my balls tight and heavy with what I want to put inside her. There’s a low buzz filling my chest. A tingling in my fingers. Thousands of filthy thoughts are playing fast and furious around in my head. I want to know everything about her. “Uh huh. And you haven’t seen her before because you’re always gone by five. You’re a creature of habit, boss.” The fabric of my dress shirt tightens across my chest as I draw in a slow, deep breath and hold it, letting this moment sink in. My world has just changed, I can feel it. Something crackles to life in the air and in some deep part of myself that until now has lain dormant.

Letting out the breath as it burns in my lungs, I turn and see Christopher come out of the back room wiping his hands on a white towel. Angela slips on some plastic gloves and arranges the colorful, iced donuts inside the case, humming and grinning to herself. Something about this moment feels profound. I’ve come so far. Gone through so much shit. But right this second, right now, I realize how empty I’ve been. The chasm of a hole that’s inside me. I clear my throat then look at Christopher. “Hey, both of you, listen. Just you two working until evening shift comes in?” Christopher nods, totally unaware of how my life just changed. “Yep. Margaret and Tracy are finishing up decorating, they’ll leave after lunch. Then Lucy will be working six ‘til close. Norman comes in at seven and helps close up and start prep for morning.” “Great. How’d you two like a couple paid hours off today? I’ll cover.” Christopher narrows his eyes, like I just started speaking in tongues or something. “Boss?” “Sure.” Angela giggles and nudges Christopher in the gut. “Good. I’ll bring in lunch at 12:30 for all of us, then you two can cut and run around four. Sound good?” The voice inside my head grunts. My dick is throbbing, the vision of CeeCee playing over and over in my imagination, her dark hair spread under her head as she screams my name. I’ll be waiting right here, little bird. I need to tell you who you belong to now. LIVE NOW ON AMAZON

Other Titles by Dani Wyatt Standalones Wrangler Perfect Sweet Ride Reining Her In

Love, Daddy Series Angel

The Forever Collection Where She Belongs When She’s Mine – Coming January 2016

Promise Duet Promise Cherish

Southside MMA Series Force Push

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I love a dirty-talking, head over heels possessive alpha who will stop at nothing for a happily ever after. Sign up for the mailing list http://eepurl.com/cgMjvn Creep around me, please: Follow me here: FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE Be my Friend here: FACEBOOK FRIENDS TWITTER: @ddwyattauthor GOODREADS: Dani Wyatt Visit my author page Dani Wyatt on Amazon [email protected] www.daniwyatt.com

Thank You. I have met so many amazing people since I started putting my naughty thoughts on the page. To some of the first fans who supported me, the bloggers, fellow authors who have been more than generous with their time and opinions as well as the other professionals that put up with my particular kind of crazy, thank you. Sybil, another book and you still put up with me. Not sure your motivation but I’m eternally grateful. Nicola, for our special kind of crazy that somehow makes more sense with you. Celia for your tits and always Putting a smile on my face. Neda for listening and being the Mama bear. Nicci for your work and effort. Richard for your talent And straight talk. Gi for being a lovely human being and the eagle Eyes I count on. There are more, so many, thank you all. Every day that when we support each other everyone wins. xoxoxo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dani Wyatt used to feel bad about having such dirty thoughts. Luckily, one day she decided to starting writing them down. Her uber alpha heros have a wicked possessive streak and an insatiable libido. Her heroines are intelligent, quirky and worry about having too much muffin top. With her books, you can count on a heaping helping of HOT, a dash of rough and always a happily ever after. When she's not writing (which is not often) she is probably laughing about some irony (like A-1 Steak Sauce is vegan), riding her horse, wondering why The Walking Dead can't have a new episode every night, or looking cross-eyed at some piece of technology sent to ruin her day.