by Morgan James
His shoulders rose and fell as he heaved a sigh. “Only on the bad days.”
If there was anyone in this world who hated Spencer Masterson more than me, it was Hossam. He'd worked under the man for several years and had seen firsthand the damage Masterson had inflicted on Elle, both mentally and physically.
I remembered the day I first met him. Hossam had requested a meeting at Noir, and I assumed he needed a loan. But, unlike most men of our acquaintance, Hossam didn't gamble or overindulge. Instead, he’d come for something far darker. He told me how Masterson’s drug problem had worsened and how his wife, Elle, suffered because of it. Unable to step in to protect her himself, Hossam requested my help. It was evident to anyone with eyes that he cared deeply for Masterson’s wife.
Naturally, I did what I did best. I'd read him and seen for myself just how cruel Masterson could be. No additional explanation needed, I had decided on the spot to help. Spencer Masterson had connections of his own—but mine were more widespread. To ensure their safety, I told Hossam that he and Elle would have to leave the country, at least until things had settled. He agreed, willing to do anything to help Elle.
The timing couldn’t have been better. I had just purchased this home, and I offered to let them stay here under the stipulation that he work for me. It was an arrangement that had worked out incredibly well. Hossam was an incredibly hard worker and loyal as hell. That night at Noir, we had worked out an elaborate plan to extricate Elle from Spencer’s control. To make it believable, though, Hossam had to leave Masterson's employ.
It hadn't been easy to convince him to do so, but I promised I would have someone watching over Elle in his absence. Hossam laid low for the next month until I was able to pull Elle from Masterson's clutches. During that time, I met with her once a week. Each time we saw each other, I had Dr. Marlowe draw a pint of blood. When the time finally came, my men and I staged the crime scene using Elle’s blood and DNA.
I would never forget Hossam’s reaction when I finally brought Elle to the house where he’d been staying. I had never seen a man look happier in my entire life, and it was the same look he’d bestowed on her this evening. I was incredibly glad that things had worked out for them. I only wished that I could find the same happiness with Eva.
From my spot on the terrace, I could see through the windows into the kitchen. Eva stood next to the large island, and even from here I could see the happiness radiating from her. My heart twisted in my chest. Would she ever forgive me? I sure as hell hoped so, because I had no idea how I would ever go on without her.
Chapter Twelve
Eva
My head spun, and my heart felt like it hadn’t slowed down all afternoon. Though I’d spent nearly the past six hours with my sister, it still didn’t feel quite real. I was terrified that I would wake up tomorrow and find out it was all some horribly wonderful dream.
Standing next to Elle in the kitchen, I dragged out the process of cleaning the dishes, making small talk with my sister until Fox and Hossam finally came inside.
“Ready for bed, angel?”
I bit the inside of my lip and threw a surreptitious look at Elle, but she only had eyes for Hossam. Turning back to Fox, I pasted on a smile. “Sure.”
He wrapped one arm around my shoulders and nodded to the other couple. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night.” Elle gave a little wave, and I longed to throw my arms around her again and hold her close. I’d lost her once; I didn’t want to let her out of my sight, even for a second.
“Come on. You’ve both had a long day.” The firm but gentle pressure of Fox’s fingers against my shoulder prompted me to move, and I gave a little wave of my own before turning and heading toward the stairs. He steered me into a room at the corner of the house with windows on two walls that overlooked the ocean. So preoccupied was I with my thoughts that I couldn’t even appreciate the beautiful view.
Behind me, I heard Fox close and lock the door. I spun toward him and thumped him on the chest.
He let out a soft oof, and his eyes flared with surprise. “What the hell was that for?”
“That was for not telling me about Elle months ago.” I flung myself into his arms, overjoyed by the revelations of the day. Looping my arms around his neck, I pulled him down for a kiss.
Nearly a minute later he lifted his head, breathing heavily, eyes glazed with lust. His voice was thick when he spoke. “And what was that for?”
“For being you.” I lifted my hands to the thin straps of my sundress and shrugged them off my shoulders. The fabric fell to my waist, catching on my hips, and Fox’s eyes lit with interest as they landed on my exposed breasts.
“Is this my reward?”
“Something like that,” I teased, pressing my hands to his shoulders and jumping into his arms. He caught me, just as I knew he would, and spun so I was pinned to the wall. Strong fingers curled into my bottom, and I arched, rubbing myself against him. My emotions were still all over the place, but I needed to feel close to him again, and this was the best way I knew how.
Fox levered his weight against me, the hard ridge of his arousal expanding and pressing against my hot center, covered only by my thin cotton panties. “Are you drunk?”
I leaned in and bit his ear. “Why?”
He let out a little growl as he shifted me in his arms so there was barely a breath of space between us. “Because I don’t want you to regret this in the morning.”
Would I regret it? Maybe. I couldn’t be sure. My emotions were still ricocheting around like a pinball, but the fact that he’d done this—brought my sister back to me—showed me exactly what kind of man he was. He wasn’t perfect. Hell, he wasn’t even good. But I couldn’t overlook the fact that he’d done this for me. He could have allowed me to live in ignorance, believing for the rest of my life that my sister was gone forever. Instead, he cared enough to bring me here and show me the truth. For that, I had to respect him.
“I won’t regret it,” I murmured as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I want you—only you.”
His head dipped, and he kissed the slope of my neck before sinking his teeth into the base of my throat. I jerked, my pelvis rubbing deliciously against his erection, and an involuntary moan filtered from my lips.
“God, Eva...”
Abruptly, Fox spun us away from the wall and strode toward the bed. My back hit the mattress a mere second later and I stared up at him, unable to move, as he grasped the hem of my dress and jerked it upward until my stomach was bared to him.
“So fucking gorgeous.”
My hands sank into the short, coarse hair at the back of his head as his lips brushed across my navel. Feathering kisses lower, his fingers teased the waistband of my panties before tracing a line across my hipbone and down the crease between my torso and thigh. Deftly he slipped beneath the fabric, and I arched into him as he swept his thumb over my clit. “Fox!”
With his free hand he brushed the backs of his fingers over my nipple, sending a shiver down my spine. His kisses changed direction, taking the stiff peak between his lips and teasing it with a gentle scrape of his teeth. My hips jerked at the sensation, and I could feel the moisture pooling in my core, easing the way for Fox’s questing fingers.
He lifted his head and smiled down at me. “I love that you’re always so hot for me.”
Part of me wanted to slap that smug grin off his face, but I couldn’t summon the energy, dazed with pleasure as I was. The only sound that left my mouth was a little whimper of need as Fox pulled his fingers free and started to strip my panties down my legs. I lifted my hips, maneuvering my legs in an attempt to help. Once my feet were free of the material, I struggled out of the dress.
Fox towered over me, a little smile on his face as he stared down at me, his fingers dancing softly up and down my calf. “You were awfully mouthy these past couple of days.”
A little thrill ran through me at his words. “What are you going to do about it?”
He landed two more slaps in the exact same place, and I winced even as I felt the heat in my core flare outward, my arousal coating my lips and inner thighs. I loved giving myself over to him like this. I didn’t have to think, didn’t have to worry. I knew he would take care of me, give me everything I needed and then some. Handing him control over my body was an exercise in trust, and there was no one I wanted more than Fox.
A hard smack to my left cheek caught me off guard, and I jumped a little. The pain morphed into intense pleasure, causing my toes to curl. More playful than punishing, he delivered a dozen more stinging slaps. He massaged my cheeks, then spread them wide so I was completely exposed to him. “Fucking love this view. All wet and ready for me.”
I shivered as he kissed one cheek, then moved lower. His tongue darted out, licking through my folds, and I clenched the bedspread to keep from crying out in sheer ecstasy. My legs trembled, and Fox chuckled. “You like that, angel?”
I couldn’t find the breath to form words, and I jumped as a firm hand landed on my left cheek. “I asked you a question.”
His mouth fastened onto my clit and he sucked hard, eliciting a wail from me. “Oh, God!”
“Was that a yes?”
My entire body shook from the effort of holding myself up, and Fox rolled me to my back before levering himself over me. I stared up into those intense dark eyes and said the only thing that came to mind. “I love everything you do to me.”
His nostrils flared, and some unnamed emotion glinted in his eyes. I sucked in a breath as his fingers curled into the flesh of my hips, and Fox jerked me toward the edge of the bed. My heart pounded with excitement as he spread my legs in a wide vee and ground his pelvis against mine, the soft fabric of his slacks brushing over my sensitive folds. I bit my lower lip, choppy breaths escaping in shallow pants as I watched him drink in every inch of me. He took my feet in his huge hands, gently massaging the arches before sliding his palms over my ankles, up my calves. His hands hooked behind my knees and dragged me up his body until I rested on my shoulders on the bed, my pussy inches away from his face as my legs dangled over his back.
Holding my hips firmly, he met my gaze and dipped his head to my center. I nearly shot off the bed as his tongue speared into me, hot and insistent. I pressed my head into the mattress as he nipped my clit, curling my fingers into the fabric of the comforter to ground myself in the storm of violent emotions. He licked and teased and ate at me, drawing out the sensual torture until I was nearly mindless with need and crying out for release.
Fox lifted his head and smiled down at me, his lips shiny from my arousal. “You ready to come, angel?”
“God, yes, please!”
He chuckled and flicked his tongue over my clit once more before lowering me to the bed. “I want to be deep inside you when you come so I can feel every inch of you.”
I watched as he stripped out of his shirt and pants, discarding the expensive garments carelessly on the floor. Instead of waning, my desire ratcheted up with every second that passed. Things had never been easy between Fox and me—except in the bedroom. Here we spoke fluently, attuned to one another’s needs. I’d gone months without him, and I needed to feel the connection we’d once had. After the tumultuous events of the past few days, I needed to feel close to him. I needed the solace and strength that only he could offer. Never in the time I’d spent in Omaha had I considered sleeping with anyone else. Now Fox was back. I had no idea what would happen tomorrow or the next day, but I wanted this moment right here, right now.
“I need you.” The words cracked as they left my throat, and Fox paused briefly as he stripped off his socks.
Propping a knee on the edge of the bed, he slowly climbed between my legs and caged me between his lean, muscular arms. “You have me, angel. I won’t let you go.”
Chapter Thirteen
Fox
Using my knee, I nudged her legs apart and settled between her thighs, every inch of her pressed against every inch of me. My erection prodded her wet, hot folds, and I slid one hand from her hip up to her breast. Her hands skimmed over my shoulders and across my back. I met her gaze and held as she splayed one hand over my scars, like she could take away the pain of the past.
And it was true. With Eva, I forgot about everything else. She was my whole world, the light that chased away the oppressive darkness. I let out a little growl then pushed forward, sinking into her. There was no resistance as she accepted me easily; she was always wet for me, always ready.
I pulled out until I was almost free of her then plunged back in. Reaching behind me, I captured first one hand then the other and pinned them to the bed over her head. I loved her like this. This position had always filled me with a sort of power, but seeing strong-willed Eva, breasts pushed forward in offering, completely and totally at my mercy, made me harder than I ever thought possible.
My dick throbbed as I thrust deep on slow, measured strokes. Our lovemaking the other night had been rough, fast, and raw, driven by mutual need. Tonight was different, more intense somehow, propelled by a multitude of emotions I couldn’t begin to analyze. All I could focus on was how glad I was that she was back in my arms—hopefully for good—right where she belonged. The relief was almost palpable, and her presence calmed me, settled my heart.
I’d loved watching her reaction—the sheer disbelief, the pure joy—when she’d set eyes on her sister this afternoon. I wanted to put that same look on her face for the next fifty years. I had a kingdom to run, and I couldn’t do it without my queen by my side. She made me better, stronger... more human. She belonged with me.
I set out to prove that very fact, using the slower, more tortuous pace to drive us both crazy until she was writhing beneath me. Her hips bucked upward to try to take me deeper, to push herself closer to the edge. With a little chuckle I pulled back, teasing her clit with the tip of my cock as I brushed it through her folds.
“Fox!” Her green eyes flashed up at me. “Please!”
“What do you need, angel? This?” I dipped my head and took the taut peak of one nipple in my mouth.
A little mewl broke free from her throat, and she wrapped her legs around the backs of my thighs, urging me to move. “Damn it, Fox! I need—Oh!”
Her body jerked as I lightly bit down on the tender tip, and her sexy little gasp filled the air. I rolled my hips, sinking an inch inside her sweetness. Christ, she felt so good. Releasing her wrists, I braced my hands on the mattress next to her shoulders for better leverage as I pulled out, then plunged back in, my cock bottoming out inside her. Her hands automatically moved to my biceps, her nails cutting into my skin as I withdrew then drove into her over and over.
Her tits bounced under the force of my thrusts, and I palmed one globe, digging my fingers into her flesh hard enough to leave bruises, holding her tightly in place as I pistoned in and out. Sex had never felt this good before. She gasped and clawed at me, searching for more. I gave her everything I had, pounding into her hard and fast.
Her pussy clenched tightly around me, and I knew she was close. Abandoning her breast, I slipped a hand between her legs to her distended clitoris. She bucked wildly as I fingered the sensitive bundle of nerves, and a keening cry ripped from her throat as she hurtled toward the edge of orgasm. Gripping her shoulder in one hand, teasing her clit with the other, I thrust into her, each stroke harder than the last. She shattered on a scream, her pussy flooding my cock with her juices.
I picked up the pace, and my muscles tensed as fire licked up my lower back. My mouth pulled into a grimace as my cock swelled
with my release, and I emptied myself inside her on a groan.
I collapsed on top of her, trying to catch my breath as my exhausted muscles quivered under the strain of exertion. Our bodies were sealed together by sweat, but I didn’t care. Keeping her clasped tightly to me, I rolled to my back and pulled her with me so she lay draped over my torso. Her head nestled into the crook of my neck, and I brushed a kiss over the top of her head as I held her close.
We didn’t need words. We didn’t need assurances. We needed nothing but each other.
Chapter Fourteen
Eva
I fingered the red silk scarf in front of the vendor’s booth, lost in thought.
A firm hand landed on my hip and squeezed gently. “We could put that to use later if you'd like.”
A tiny smile quirked my mouth, but I didn't meet his gaze. “We'll see.”
I continued down the line the row of booths lining the street, falling into step next to Elle as she moved to the next street vendor. No matter how many times I tried to turn it off, the memory of last night—of yesterday in general—flashed to the forefront of my mind. Things between Fox and me had seemed... Different. Or maybe it was just me. I was still just as in love with him as I was two months ago—maybe more so.
It was true that he'd withheld information about Elle, but even she herself had told me that it was for her own safety. Part of me was still disgruntled that Fox hadn't trusted me enough to understand, but I grudgingly knew why he didn't. If he had opened up to me, I could've slipped and said something to my father, and it would've jeopardized Elle’s safety. I respected him deeply for taking care of both Elle and Hossam. He could have merely sent them on their way as soon as he had secured their new identities. Instead, he had set them up in his own home based only on good faith. Granted, the situation was mutually beneficial, but it didn't change the intent behind his actions.