Burned

by Stone, Piper

  I pressed my fingers across my lips, fighting a laugh. The man took dark and dangerous out for a spin and then some.

  Arrogant.

  Dynamic.

  Complicated.

  Then again, he’d say the exact same things about me.

  I bit my lip as I thought about our relationship. He was all commanding, still terrified to leave me alone. Dominating. Demanding. Delicious. The words would forever be the best way to describe him.

  The man I loved.

  The man I craved.

  However, he was also a man of discipline and given my infrequency about following the rules, he’d promised me a spanking for my latest infraction. I did seem to have an issue with authority. I stole another look at the clock then closed the blinds, resigned to the fact I needed to heed his orders.

  Stand in the corner naked.

  He’d scolded me before leaving for work, even using the word ‘disappointment,’ which he knew I loathed hearing.

  I rubbed my arms before heading for his favorite corner, pressing my nose close to the wall. A time for reflection. As usual, my mind drifted to the last few months, the last vestiges of anger and fear ready to shut down. I was free and happy.

  And loved.

  The last few months had been a complete whirlwind of activity, including one trip to California to ‘settle’ things with the courts. Josh had survived and while both he and his father had been arrested because of the evidence I’d provided, they’d lawyered up and had been set free on bond maybe thirty minutes after.

  I was honestly surprised they hadn’t been assassinated, their dead bodies highlighted in the news. They were wanted men by the mafia they’d stolen from and members of the mob didn’t take kindly to betrayal.

  The press had been vicious, following me for several weeks, but my fifteen minutes of fame were finally over, other more important stories needing their commitment. While the criminal implications with the Hamilton sheriff and the few members of his staff who’d controlled the city with an iron fist were merely a blip in the case, they’d all resigned from their positions in disgrace. I’d heard they’d been railroaded out of town by gunpoint.

  And no one admitted their involvement in helping rid the town of vermin.

  As far as Rusty and his boys? Well, they were enjoying five to seven years in their own very special cages. Like rats.

  Then there was Sherry.

  I hadn’t been able to press charges. She had been the one providing information to her boyfriend regarding my possible whereabouts. She also turned herself in after admitting what she’d done. My mistake had been trusting her more than the man I loved. In a way, her convincing me not to run had allowed my happiness to develop, even though her reasons for keeping me in town were tarnished. I’d learned the hard way to allow my instincts to rule. I’d known something was off with Sherry, her friendship as fake as the reason she’d applied for a job at the bar and grill in the first place.

  I still worked at the bar part time. At some point I’d consider the request made by Gregory’s attorney to take over Dunham Enterprises, but only if the headquarters moved to Montana.

  Smiling, I actually liked the idea. Somehow, I doubted Hawk would be impressed.

  The crunch of gravel dragged me away from the past. My heart skipped, my nipples hardening as I heard the sound of the front door opening, keys being placed on the counter. Inhaling the scent of him, my gorgeous rugged hunk, was enough to make my mouth water. He smelled like the forest, woodsy and all male.

  Buck went nuts, his whines filled with happiness. I knew without seeing him that his entire backside was wiggling.

  Just like mine was.

  My big, brooding, and often silent lover and master, soon to be my husband, was home.

  “Shush, Buck. We’ll go play in a little while,” Hawk said in his deep and throaty voice, the very one that skimmed across my skin, leaving me panting.

  I sensed his presence behind me, felt the sizzle of his eyes as he slowly lowered his gaze. When I heard the deep inhale, my fragrance filling his nostrils, I issued a single moan.

  Hawk brushed the tip of his finger down the length of my spine, rubbing up and down the crack of my ass. “My beautiful brat.”

  “Mmmm... I missed you.”

  Twisting his finger between my cheeks, he gripped the back of my neck with his other hand. “And I always miss you. Time for your spanking. Then I’m going to fuck you.”

  His dirty talk always thrilled me, his husky tone forcing prickles to pop up on my arms. As he guided me toward the kitchen table, his favorite place to provide his stern discipline, the butterflies in my stomach increased.

  He wrapped his hand around my hair, pulling back my head as he lowered his. “My naughty girl.” His lips captured mine, his tongue darting just inside, teasing me with regard to things yet to come.

  I shuddered in his hold, undulating my bottom back and forth across his jeans. I adored the feel of his throbbing cock through the thick material, the way he held me in his strong arms, making certain I was reminded who was boss.

  Every nerve stood on end as he growled, the guttural sounds creating another wave of quivers dancing in my pussy. I was more alive than ever, the bliss of true joy igniting every spark from deep within. The man just knew how to get to me, keeping our passion running hot.

  Blazing hot.

  He licked across the seam of my mouth before easing me over the edge of the table, spreading my legs wide open. The coolness of the wooden top pressed against my face was comforting in some odd way. I heard him rummaging in the kitchen drawers and groaned. He was going to use a series of implements. That meant a long spanking.

  He placed the wooden spoon and wicked-looking plastic spatula where I could see them, preparing me for what was to come. Whimpering or begging wasn’t going to do any good. I was at his mercy.

  Hawk pressed his hand against the small of my back, rubbing his other in circles on my buttocks. “You take chances all the time and you’re mouthy. Fuck is your favorite word.”

  “You’re not supposed to curse.”

  “Wise ass.”

  I bit back a giggle, gasping when he smacked my bottom several times, moving from side to side. The man wasn’t wasting any time. “Ouch.” I was surprised as his level of vehemence, my leg involuntarily kicking out.

  “Don’t fight me or I’ll have to start all over.”

  “No, sir!” In truth, every spanking he gave me, all the time spent ‘reflecting’ in the corner had freed me of the awful demons, the level of guilt that I’d carried with me for years. I’d accepted the fact I needed a firm hand, a man who would take no shit.

  He peppered my bottom with a series of hard smacks, every move practiced and methodical. Whistling, he picked up the spoon, sliding the handle down my back then tapping both ass cheeks. “I think thirty with the spoon.”

  “Thirty?” The heat was already scorching on my bottom, the aching pain leaving a warm flush on my cheeks. The second the spoon was cracked against my backside, I jumped, pushing up from the table. “Oh, God.”

  “Be a good girl.” Hawk pushed me back down, smacking my bottom several times.

  How the hell was I supposed to be a good girl now? In the middle of this? The spanking continued, his hand moving rapidly from one side to the other, stinging turning into pain then anguish. My pussy clenched, juice trickling and I knew pooling on the table. I was more aroused than usual, my entire body trembling, my skin so sensitive.

  “I don’t like when you keep secrets. You know that.” Hawk switched to the spatula, striking my upper thighs before moving to my very sore bottom.

  “What secrets?” I almost choked when I said the words. I was the master of keeping secrets.

  “Uh-huh. I’ll let you tell me when you’re ready. Until then, we’ll keep the spankings going.”

  The snapping noise of his wrist as he continued my punishment seemed to reverberate in my ears. The man was like a hawk, his senses keen. He’d
figured me out the moment we met.

  Damn him.

  I wiggled on the table, clawing the edges as he popped one after the other. And the man was still whistling! How dare he? I bit back another cry, wanting to beg him for this to be over, ready to swear like a sailor when he slipped two fingers into my pussy.

  “Oh, God.”

  “You’re wet.” He pumped in and out, adding a third finger.

  “Uh-huh.” My pussy muscles clamped around the delicious invasion immediately. I realized I was humping the table, rocking my hips.

  I felt a wafting of cold air as he removed his fingers, cracking the spatula against my buttocks four more times. Then he drove his fingers inside once again, curling his fingers as he pumped harder.

  Faster.

  I was breathless, stars floating in front of my eyes as he repeated the process. Pain and pleasure, a delicious and wicked specialty of his. The scent of my desires wafting across my nostrils, the longing increasing until I was gasping and moaning. I was thrust straight into a moment of utter nirvana then nothing. “Oh! Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

  He blew across my back, moving in a long line. “I don’t intend on stopping. In fact, I’m just getting started.”

  I felt those rugged hands of his stretch me wide open, cupping my bruised bottom and lifting me slightly off the table just seconds before he thrust his tongue inside my pussy.

  “Yes... Oh...” My entire world was rocked, ecstasy shooting through me as he darted his tongue in and out, licking up and down in a rough and tumble manner. His ragged breathing and animalistic growls were raucous, his tongue magical as he lapped up every drop of my cream.

  He was feasting, taking everything that he wanted. His possession.

  I closed my eyes, falling into nirvana as he ate, swirling the tip of his tongue around my clit over and over again. Fingers found my asshole, sliding inside until they thrust savagely.

  “Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh.” The guttural sound pushed up from my throat as he drove them past the tight ring of muscle. Everything was a blur, electricity soaring. I wanted this man. His cock in my mouth.

  In my pussy.

  In my asshole.

  The second I felt nothing, no tongue or fingers, I whined like an absolute child. “Please don’t stop. Please. Please!” I heard the rustle of clothing, the sound of his belt being undone, a noise that always thrilled me.

  “Now, I’m going to fuck you in the ass, my little sunshine.” Hawk shoved the tip of his cock just inside, holding back for only a few seconds before plunging the entire length all the way in.

  “Oh. God. Oh!” My scream was high pitched. I slapped my hands on the table, arching my back as he took me like a wild beast, his long fingers gripping my hips. There was no stopping this man as he fucked me, skin slapping against skin.

  With every hard thrust, his cock spreading me wide open, I fell into an amazing spell, the same one he’d had on me from the beginning. The sensations were dazzling, my muscles tensing.

  He slid his hands under me, cupping and caressing my breasts as he yanked me backward.

  I was putty in his hands, nothing more than a ragdoll. My only control?

  Squeezing.

  The moment I did, I could feel his entire body shaking, the rumble of the gravelly sounds rising from his chest sweet and beautiful music. He pinched my nipples, his growls becoming more gregarious, his breathing ragged. As his body swayed back and forth, I squeezed again.

  “Fuck!” Throwing his head back, he roared. My sexy beast erupted, filling me with his seed.

  A smile of satisfaction crossed my face. My little secret. My little joy.

  Soon, my lover. Soon.

  Hawk pumped several more times until his breathing was calm, but he wasn’t ready to stop. He twisted me onto my back, pushing my legs up, keeping me wide open. “Now, I feast.”

  As he pulled a chair into place, taking his position, a king ready to savor his meal, I lifted my arms over my head. His mouth and lips worked together in a perfect orchestration, moving up and down in a slow and easy manner.

  He swirled his tongue around and around my clit, finally sucking on the tender tissue. The tips of his fingers brushed along the crease of my legs, inching closer and closer, darting across my pussy lips. The man was trying to drive me to madness.

  I bucked my hips, tossing my head back and forth but he was taking his time, taunting me the way I had him.

  Smacking his lips, he made several additional animalistic sounds as he licked up and down, finally driving his tongue all the way inside.

  There was no concentration left, no focus. I was wet and hot, my pussy clamping then releasing, driving me so close to an orgasm. I shivered, taking several deep breaths and trying to hold back the climax.

  “Oh, please. I need to... come.”

  “I’m not finished yet.” His answer was followed by a dangerous laugh and hot breath skipping across my skin. He dragged his tongue all the way up, swirling the tip around my clit then all the way down.

  I wasn’t going to be able to hold back much longer. My head was spinning, every nerve ending on fire.

  And still he feasted.

  “Please. Please. Please let me come.”

  Hawk lifted his head, kissing one inner thigh then the other. “Then come for me, baby.”

  I was shot into absolute ecstasy, my entire world rocked as the orgasm rolled through. There were no sounds, only ragged pants and moans as one climax turned into another.

  And another.

  I could no longer feel my legs, but he held me fast, keeping me spread open as he licked every drop. He brushed his lips across my stomach as he rose to his full height. Standing over me, he lowered his head.

  While I could see love in his eyes, there was a portion of his life that was missing. The man would forever remain haunted.

  Only minutes later I was in his arms, once again protected from the evils of this world.

  Who was going to protect him from the demons gnawing at his insides?

  The little whisper inside my head gave me chills. At this point all I could do was pray.

  * * *

  New beginnings.

  A shiver trickled down the back of my legs, a slight sense of nausea filling my stomach. I’d had several new beginnings in my life and I’d challenged every one of them with my false bravado and pretending to be a bad ass. All the while I was aching inside.

  Hawk was determined to let the past be the past, refusing to open up about what he’d endured with Chantal. In return, I said very little about Josh or the feelings I’d had, since every single moment had been fake.

  The wall between us I knew would crack at some point. As close as we were, we were living in a glass house. My decisions would either make us stronger or break us entirely apart.

  And I remained on edge.

  The day dawned with bright blue skies and warm temperatures, the light breeze tickling against my skin. We sat out on the small deck, sipping lemonade and enjoying the sunshine. Hawk had taken off today at my request. Now all the pieces had to fall into place.

  “What’s on your mind, sunshine?” Hawk asked as he leaned over, brushing hair from my face.

  “Nothing. Just enjoying. Isn’t that allowed?” I gave him a saucy look, licking my lips in an exaggerated fashion. Buck remained at my feet, his head resting on the deck. He was as content as I wanted to be.

  “You keep that up and I’m going to chain you to the bed for the rest of the afternoon.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  He lifted his sunglasses, his smile sly. “You really want to push that, little Miss Sunshine?”

  “Maybe.” Hearing my cell phone, I immediately moved to a standing position, turning away from him. I couldn’t let him see the look of terror on my face. “Hello?” I held my breath, listening as the man made a statement. “That will be perfect.” I was so sick inside, sadness finding me in a way it hadn’t before. “Okay then. Thank you very much.”

&
nbsp; I ended the call, blinking back tears before turning around, a fake smile on my face.

  “A special admirer?” he asked casually.

  “Just the girl from work. She’s traded shifts and wanted to let me know.”

  “Hmm... Miss Assistant Manager. No work today. Remember?”

  “That’s all.” I sat down on the deck in front of him, taking his hand into mine. We sat quietly for a few minutes, enjoying the moment. “It’s so beautiful here, but I can’t wait to be back on the mountain.”

  Buck whined once before settling down, his big brown eyes staring up at me. He was well aware that everything was about to change.

  “I know. Should be just a couple more months,” he said wistfully. “They’re making excellent progress.”

  “And it’s much larger.”

  “At your insistence.” Finally, his laugh was lighthearted. Leaning over, he took my other hand, bringing both to his mouth. “You need to tell me what’s wrong.”

  I took a deep breath, glancing over at the pot of flowers I’d planted just yesterday. “Do you love me?”

  “Very much.”

  “You don’t say it very often. I guess I just worry.”

  Hawk kissed my fingers, one by one then sighed. “I do love you more than I even know how to show you. You’re my light in a sea of darkness.”

  Easing my hands from his, I removed his sunglasses. The same darkness had returned, his memories of the past turning into nightmares at least three times a week. “You’re my heart, Hawk Chambers. You grabbed it the very first day.”

  “Oh, really?” he asked playfully.

  “I’m serious. I was too stubborn to admit it, but that’s the truth.”

  “You’re thinking about the money. Aren’t you?”

  I nodded and leaned against him. “I can’t help but do so. I don’t want it to change anything, but the funds can be used for wonderful things. Paying it forward.”

  “I agree. You have a big heart, my sunshine.”

  I used to hate when he called me the nickname. Now I loved it. “What if things change? What if there are complications?”

  “Life is full of them. Spill this secret or I’ll spank you right here in the open.”