Branded

by Wild, Clarissa

  I place my hand on his face and caress him softly. “That’s not true. You wanted to give your life.”

  He sucks in a breath. “Don’t.” He grabs my hand, pushing me away. “I don’t deserve your love. And I don’t want your pity.”

  I don’t feel pity for him. I never did. I was fighting so hard against the feeling of needing him, and I’m done fighting now.

  So I grab him and pull him toward me, wrapping my hands around his waist. “I’m the one who decides who earns my love.”

  “Why would you give that to me, knowing what I’ve done?” He slams the brick wall behind me. “Dammit, Dixie. You should’ve been living out your life, enjoying it to the fullest.”

  “There’s no fun without you,” I reply. It’s the honest truth. Life is boring without him in it. I used to hate that feeling, but I’ve come to terms with that now.

  Brandon roars out, stepping away from me to watch the fire once again. The flames have really gotten him riled up. Does fire always do this to him? No wonder he likes burning shit so much.

  “Leave me be,” he says resolutely.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “Because I wanna do things to you that aren’t right.”

  My body responds to his words as if on cue, and my legs squeeze together with glee.

  I creep up behind him. “Like what?”

  “Everything. The fire … it does something to me. It puts me in a frenzy, and I need to release it. I don’t wanna do that to you. Or your body.”

  Does he mean … sex?

  Is that why he was jerking off in the shower that day he came back covered in blood? And why he was in such a rush to kiss me after the bonfire?

  It’s as if his body responds to fire the same way mine does when it sees a violent man. With a fluttering heartbeat and a need to fuck.

  But why make things difficult when the answer is so easy?

  All we need to do is give in.

  With a devious smile on my face, I pull him closer and kiss him on the lips. Then I go to my knees in front of him.

  “What are you doing?” he murmurs as I unzip him.

  I wink. “Giving you what you need.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Brandon

  From underneath her lashes, she gazes up at me with seductive eyes. For the first time in a long time, I don’t know what to say as she pulls down my pants. I feel ashamed to even like what she’s doing, but the moment she pulls down my boxer shorts, I’m already hard.

  I was already aroused just from watching the fire, let alone her touching me, kissing me … and now this.

  With her on her knees in front of me, I bite my lip while she wraps her hands around my length. It feels wrong to accept it, yet I don’t wanna stop her either. The more she rubs me, the harder I get, and I close my eyes and tilt my head back, sucking in a breath.

  Fuck. What an end to a violent show.

  Suddenly, her lips are on my cock, and my eyes instantly connect with hers. She won’t look away as she starts sucking my dick, and I can’t take my eyes off her either. She looks so damn sexy with her lips wrapped around my hard-on. Fuck.

  Is it wrong for me to want this? To stand here and let her suck me off?

  Maybe. But I’m not the one who started it. She basically threw herself at my feet. I’m surprised she’s willingly offering herself like this. Should I turn her down?

  “Why?” I mutter as she sucks and licks. Damn, it’s hard to even say the words when all I want is to fuck her pretty little mouth.

  “Because you need it.”

  “No, that’s not a good enough reason for me,” I growl, wanting to pull away.

  But she keeps going. “Because I want to,” she says.

  That’s better, but I’m still not sure I can accept it.

  Why would she want to do this after everything I did to her? She should hate me. Instead, she’s practically begging me to release myself inside her mouth.

  “I don’t understand,” I say.

  “What’s there to understand? I’m a sucker for bad boys,” she says, shrugging. “I just wanna be good for you.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” I say, licking my lips.

  “I told you … I want this. For me. And for you. But mostly for me,” she says, her tongue dipping out to lick my length. “I don’t want our last time to be in that damn shed.”

  “And this is better?” I scoff, raising a brow.

  “No, which is why I expect you to show up on my doorstep every single day.” She winks, sucking me off until my veins begin to pulse. “So we can do it better every single time.”

  “But—”

  When she takes my dick into her mouth all the way to the base, I forget the words I wanted to speak.

  “Fuck,” I murmur, trying my hardest not to bang her against the wall and fuck her mouth. It’s so damn hard to resist when she keeps looking up at me with those sweet eyes, practically begging me to do it. And when she rolls her tongue around my dick, I’m done for.

  “Use me,” she whispers, giving another lick. “Fuck my mouth.”

  My hand balls into a fist. I wanna punch the wall in front of me because I’m so pissed off at myself that I actually wanna do it. But I can’t say no to her.

  “I like it,” she adds.

  That’s it.

  I grab her face and shove her against the wall, thrusting in deep.

  She gags, the sound turning me on even more. I start fucking her real good, using her mouth like she asked me to, no, begged me to. If this is her choice, then so be it. I can’t fucking stop myself any longer. I need to release this pent-up energy. I need to release my seed inside her with a fucking roar.

  Am I sick? Probably. But she likes this. She likes the way I am.

  I can tell by the way she’s looking at me, her eyes sparkly and wide, as though she wants to enjoy every second of it. And fuck me, the way she sticks her tongue out and allows me to throat fuck her has me groaning out loud.

  I’m a fucking monster to do this, but so is she, and we’re both loving it like the psychos we are.

  She even lifts her skirts and starts rubbing herself right through her panties. I can see the wetness dripping through, and it makes my balls tighten. Because fuck me, do I wanna unload inside her so badly.

  “Yes, make yourself come for me,” I growl, completely overtaken by lust.

  She nods while I thrust into her mouth, and I pinch her nose to make it a little bit more uncomfortable. I like it when she squeezes her eyes shut when it all becomes too much. Right at the edge and over it, that’s where I like it. And she knows. That’s why she’s doing all this.

  Because she wants me to heal myself. To get over myself …

  And to restore the damage I’ve done by fucking my way back into her life.

  We’re completely lost and so fucking wrong together, but there’s no other way we could survive. And I can’t fucking say no to her and those sweet eyes of hers pleading me to let go.

  So I do. I let it all out on her.

  I rage fuck her into the wall, banging her with everything I’ve got and more. She wants me? She’ll have me. Every fucking inch of me.

  I grasp her by the hair and hold her in place. “You think you want this?” I mutter, gazing down at her watery eyes.

  Still she nods.

  “You’re insane,” I growl, continuing to fuck her.

  “Let’s be insane together,” she says between breaths.

  She’s talking too much, so I ram my cock back inside, and growl, “Keep sucking. Show me how badly you want me. Maybe I’ll reconsider.”

  The worse I talk to her, the more she flicks her clit. I shouldn’t be surprised. She always enjoyed being used. Especially by the one person she should’ve hated but adores instead. Me.

  Fuck. Am I one lucky man.

  “Stick your fingers inside your pussy and make yourself come hard,” I say, holding her by the throat while I thrust inside. “I wanna feel it on your tongue. Moan.�
��

  As if on cue, she moans. I know she enjoys it when I tell her what to do.

  Her tongue is coated with pre-cum, but she keeps sucking and swallowing like she relishes the taste, so I keep going, burying myself deep inside her. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted her more than I do now.

  And the faster I fuck her mouth, the faster she begins to breathe and finger herself. I’m sure she’s nearly on the cusp of euphoria. So I say, “Come. Now.”

  Almost instantly, her eyes roll into the back of her head, and she moans. The vibrations set me off, and I bury myself inside her to the base. Her gags are like music to my ears, and with a loud roar, I come. My seed jets into the back of her throat, and I keep my dick inside until it’s all gone down.

  “Swallow,” I growl, face-fucking her until I’m sated.

  When I’m finally done, and she’s swallowed all my cum, I slide out of her, and she coughs out loud, wheezing too.

  “Fuck …” she mutters, but I won’t give her time to breathe.

  I need her to know how fucking good she is for me, how fucking much she makes me love her. So I lift her from the ground and spin her around in my arms.

  “What are you doing?” she asks as I tear off her panties and throw them toward the dumpster in the corner.

  “Giving you what you deserve …” I groan as I shove her up against the wall and push her skirt up. “Now show me how badly you want me.”

  Before she can reply, I push my cock up her pussy. I don’t even need to hear her say the words. I already know it … she’s slippery fucking wet and so damn ready for me.

  I bite my lip and fuck her hard and fast, not wanting to wait a second longer to claim this woman. This woman I can call mine.

  Because fuck me, I gave her a chance to run. I gave her a chance to be safe, away from me, to live out her life in peace, but she didn’t want that. She wants the danger, the uncivilized man fucking her raw right now. Her wide-open mouth and loud moans say it all.

  So I fuck her tight little pussy like I should have all along. And I kiss her neck and jawline, dragging my tongue all the way up to her ear where I nibble her lobe. She mewls with desperation, so I slide my fingers down her belly and between her slit. Her throbbing clit is still enlarged, and she parts her legs for me the second I nudge them aside. Like a meek, willing little lamb that sacrificed herself to the wolf. What a fucking messed-up couple we make. But a couple, nonetheless.

  I don’t doubt it anymore. She came to me on purpose. Whether it was meant to be or not, we are here together, and that’s all that matters.

  After tonight, we can leave our past behind us and focus on tomorrow. A new future. With her by my side. With her pussy right where I want it to be … around my big cock every fucking day.

  God, she makes me so damn horny. I guess that’s what you get for finally falling in love with the only girl you’ve ever desired. A sweet, reckless disaster. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  So I fuck her like no other man ever has, sinking myself deep inside her until our bodies collide and it feels as though we’re becoming one. And at this moment, we lose ourselves in each other.

  We both come at the same time, relishing in each other’s moans and pulsations until we’re both left breathless and with goose bumps and shivers. When I’m satiated, I pull out and swiftly turn her around in my arms, pressing my lips to hers.

  She tastes even better now. Better than she ever has. Like a weight has lifted off my shoulders and all that’s left is complete and utter bliss. And I don’t even give a damn that the fire is still smoldering behind us and that my papa’s shop is probably destroyed because of my decision.

  It was all for a good reason. Her.

  The only girl I ever wanted. The only girl who will accept me for all the broken pieces I am.

  In her eyes, I find my peace.

  On her lips, I find my end.

  When our lips unlock, I’m sure of it. “I love you, Dixie Burrell.”

  She pauses and stares at me for a few seconds, frowning. “Really?”

  It sounds like she honestly can’t believe it. I can’t blame her. I’d probably be skeptical too. Hell, it’s hard for me to comprehend my own feelings toward her, but they’re definitely there.

  She licks her lips and smashes them together, but she can’t hide the smile appearing underneath. “You might need to say that a few more times before I’ll start to believe it.”

  “How many times?” I raise a brow.

  “Every single day … for the rest of your life.” She grins and pulls me in for another kiss.

  Goddamn, those sinfully good lips.

  Epilogue

  Dixie

  After the fire, Brandon didn’t ask the fire department to research the cause, and it was written off as an accident. He wanted to start fresh, so I guess he got his chance after all. Now we’re rebuilding the shop’s interior so we can use it as a storefront to sell some of my gadgets, which I agree is a much better place than my dad’s old farmhouse. I guess it’s his way to give new life to something that was old and broken. And probably because he wants to help me out a little too, which I appreciate.

  We’re lucky the shop was made of bricks, so the building still stands. The only things destroyed were the supplies, the drapes, the furniture, and the shelves, but those are replaceable. Everything is replaceable … except him.

  He would have burned in that place if I hadn’t come to get him. Even though he’s partly responsible for the misery in my life, I don’t blame him anymore. I’m done searching for a reason and trying to make people pay. For me, a fresh start was the best step to take.

  And I wanted it to be with him.

  After everything he put me through, after everything we went through, I don’t want to be apart from him, as crazy as that sounds. Some part of me just fell in love with the monster inside him. The beast behind the dark eyes.

  It’s as much a part of him as he is a part of me.

  I can’t let him go. Not even if I wanted to.

  So he stayed, for me.

  It was tough to get used to the idea that the same man who once helped kill my family now lived with me in my very own house. But that same man can put a smile on my face like no other. He’s the only man I’ve ever wanted to really get to know better, and after so many years of denying myself any form of love, his love feels like a gift I don’t deserve.

  But he’s right. I deserve to be loved and so much more. And so does he.

  Despite our differences, despite his wrongdoings, he deserves a second chance, so I gave it to him. And he’ll have a lifetime to make it up to me because I’m not letting him leave. Not ever again.

  * * *

  Brandon

  I’m drinking a coffee with Dixie at the local coffee shop, taking a much-needed break from all the work. It’s nice to enjoy a day off with the only woman I could ever spend it with. And I don’t say that lightly. She literally is the only female I want in my vicinity. She’s probably the only one who’d stick around.

  The coy smile she gives me makes my heart beat in my throat. Still to this day she has that effect on me.

  “What?” I mutter.

  “Nothing,” she says.

  “Sure, there is. You’re smiling,” I say.

  “I can’t smile?” She raises her brows. “I can pout all day instead if you want.” And she does just that.

  “Speaking of pouting, do you know where I might find Hanson, Mr. Moody himself?”

  “Hanson?” She narrows her eyes. “Oh, you two were friends, weren’t you?”

  I’m surprised she noticed. “Yeah. I haven’t seen him since I left that day.” I scratch the back of my head. This is such an awkward conversation to have, but I’d really like to know. “Point is, he was my best friend. I wanna know what he’s been up to. If he’s doing okay.”

  “Um …” She stirs her coffee reluctantly. “Last I heard, he went to jail.”

  My eyes widen, and I smack my coffee to t
he table so hard it almost drips over the edge. “What?!” I mutter. “Why?”

  “I don’t know. It’s all rumors,” she says, shrugging. “I just know he’s there for something horrible.”

  “Aw, fuck.” Just when I thought we might rekindle our old friendship, this shit happens.

  She grabs my hand and squeezes tight. “Hey, we can visit him sometime.” She smiles. “If you want, of course.”

  I lick my lips. “I don’t know about that.”

  Getting into close contact with the police is the last thing I want right now. Not after coldheartedly killing a bunch of men. It’s too much of a risk.

  “Well, anyway, I’m sure he’ll be released someday,” she says.

  I nod a few times, but I’m still shocked that he actually landed himself in jail even though I shouldn’t be. We were always doing things we weren’t supposed to even as kids. And with me as a friend, it should come as no surprise that he went off the tracks.

  Suddenly, Derek walks in to the coffee shop. Damn. It’s as if he knew I was here.

  Our eyes connect, and I swear I can hear him grumble. All I can do is glare at him while drinking my coffee. I wonder if he’s gonna make a scene.

  “What are you looking at?” Dixie asks.

  With only a nod toward him, I manage to persuade Dixie to turn her head. When she spots him, her face basically turns white. “Oh, fuck me …”

  I smash my lips together and put down my coffee. “What? I’m not doing anything.”

  “Of course not,” she says, narrowing her eyes while she takes a sip.

  I know she thinks I’m gonna start a fight, but I’m already over it.

  “I’ve got nothing to do with him,” I say.

  “Oh, really?” She folds her arm. “No unfinished business? Like you had with me?”

  “I’ve lost the will to care,” I reply.