“An executioner is always in danger of losing his empathy and humanity. I don’t want to become that person.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“My question for you is this: can you accept a killer as your husband?”
“You aren’t defined by your contribution.” I lean forward and place a kiss against his lips. “I will accept you as my husband just the way you are.”
“I’m a dreadful person who does vile things.” He closes his eyes and presses his forehead to mine. “I don’t deserve you.”
I slide off the side of the bed and crawl on top of him, one leg on each side of his hips, and wrap my arms around his shoulders. I want to make him forget about who he is and what he does. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.” I move my hips and grind against his growing erection. “In fact, let’s spend the rest of the night not talking at all.”
* * *
Kieran and I are already in the backseat when Ellison is escorted out to join us. She immediately reaches out to me for a hug. “Oh my God, Wes. I’m so relieved that you’re in this car.”
Not one word is said by anyone during the drive home. I can’t bring myself to talk to Kieran in a casual manner in front of Ellison. And I also can’t speak to Ellison as though I’m still a captive in front of Kieran. I hide my left hand from Ellison beneath my leg; it’s a precarious predicament.
Kieran may be silent, but his possessive hold on my thigh speaks volumes. It tells me how much he hates taking me back. How much he’s going to hate being apart for the next few days. And I feel the same.
Lennox phoned Thane to tell him that Kieran was bringing us home, and I’m not surprised to see The Fellowship council standing in front of the house, awaiting our return.
The car stops, and I expect Ellison to jump out and run to Jamie. But she doesn’t. Not even when Niall opens the door. Kieran looks at me and then to her. “You’re free to go, Miss MacAllister.”
Ellison slides over and gets out of the car, but I stay behind. “Come on, Wes. Let’s go.”
“Miss Breckenridge and I need a private moment. She’ll join you in a minute.” Ellison doesn’t move. “Go, Miss MacAllister. Now.”
Kieran motions for Niall to shut the door. The instant it closes, he pulls me into his arms. “I don’t want to leave without you. It feels wrong.”
“I don’t want to be separated from you either.” I had no idea I could develop an attachment to someone so quickly.
“I’m coming for you in three days, and I’m not leaving Fellowship property without you.”
“I’ll be ready.” He holds the sides of my face and kisses me like crazy. Like he may never see me again. “Until Wednesday, Kieran.”
He kisses my forehead. “Until Wednesday. Call me if you need anything. Anything at all.”
“I will.”
Kieran taps on the window and Niall opens the door. Jamie races toward me when he sees me leave the sedan. My brother pulls me against him and uses his body to shield me from Kieran’s sight. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Jamie.”
Kieran lowers his window. “We’ll contact you in three days to set up the next meeting.”
“Bye,” I silently mouth.
“Everyone inside. Bleu and Isobel are desperate to see Westlyn and Ellison,” Thane says.
Isobel gives me the we will talk later eyes before she hugs me. “Thank God ye came back tae us safely. The entire brotherhood has been in a state of chaos.”
“I understand it’s the last thing either of you feel like doing right now, but the council needs to question you about the abduction.” Thane is eager to get answers for his questions.
Isobel releases her hold on me. “Can they wait until tomorrow? It’s late, and both of them are exhausted.”
Thane doesn’t know it yet, but I have no intentions of being questioned now or later.
Thane looks at Ellison. “Is that what you want? To come back for debriefing tomorrow instead of getting it over with tonight?”
“I haven’t slept. I’d probably be more help if we waited since I’m not sure I’m thinking straight right now.”
Poor Ellison. I hate so badly that she was a wreck while I was having the time of my life.
“Can you give them something for sleep?” Bleu asks.
I’m not surprised. Bleu was abducted and held captive by Kieran’s uncle not long ago. She had a lot of trouble sleeping after she came home.
“I have some mild sedatives at the infirmary.”
Jamie can keep his sleeping pills. “Nothing for me. I don’t need anything but a bed.”
“You’re sure? You could take half if you don’t want to be fully sedated.”
“Positive.”
“Westlyn needs her rest, and I’m sure she’ll do that best at her flat. I’ll see her home.” Isobel is dying to get me alone so that she can ask what happened.
Thane puts his arms around me. “I’m sorry we didn’t protect you. It’s unforgivable.”
“Don’t give it another thought; I’m fine.”
Thane pulls away and looks at my face. “You’re fine?”
“I was treated very well by the Hendry family. Like one of their own.” Because I am one of their own.
“That’s not the impression I got from the oldest son.”
Oh, Kieran. What did you say to my family during that meeting?
“I don’t know what Kieran said to give you that impression, but he was good to me. No need for a debriefing. Nothing to tell.”
I can see that I’ve shocked Thane. “Well, that changes things.”
“I’m exhausted. Am I free to go home?”
“Of course.” He hugs me once more. “We’re very glad to have you home safely.”
Isobel is silent until we get into her car. “Eventful weekend, aye?”
“That’s a total understatement.”
“Are ye a claimed woman?”
“I am a very claimed woman.”
Her smile is broad. “Are ye a happily claimed woman?”
“I’m very happy.”
“Oh, darlin’, I’m thrilled tae hear that. It was everything ye hoped for?”
“Everything and more.” I bite my bottom lip, trying to hide my grin. “So much more.”
“That’s wonderful. You really like Lennox’s son?”
“I do, and I don’t understand how. He kidnapped me. Threatened me. Manhandled me. I wanted nothing more than to see him dead. And then I wanted nothing more than to see him naked.”
“He’s a very handsome man.”
“So sexy.” That body… and the things he does with it.
“Just like his father.”
Isobel said that she’d known Lennox for a long time. I think something may have gone on between them. “Yes, Kieran definitely looks a lot like his father.”
“The claiming went well?”
Well doesn’t even begin to describe it. “Maybe too well. I didn’t want Kieran to bring me back early.”
“Why did he bring ye back early?”
“There’s trouble within The Order, and they mean to end it tonight. He felt I would be safer here while they tend to business.”
“His decision to bring ye home tae protect ye is a wise one. It shows that he’s more concerned with yer safety than with his image.”
I hadn’t thought of that.
“Are ye going to tell Thane that ye have been claimed?”
“No. I don’t want it to cause unnecessary problems.” Jamie would flip the fuck out if he knew that Kieran had officially claimed me before the marriage treaty was finalized. “I’m planning to keep things uncomplicated. I’ll simply volunteer to be the treaty bride.”
“Ye dinnae think yer motive will be questioned?”
“Maybe, but I’ll just say that Ellison isn’t Fellowship, and this isn’t her responsibility. If anyone says anything about Evanna, I’ll explain that I want to protect my sister. I’m confident that I won’t be drilled a
bout it.”
“Sounds like ye have a solid plan.”
“I want to thank you for going to Lennox and Kieran after their meeting with the council. Everything you said to Kieran changed the path that he and I have taken together.”
“I’m glad it has worked oot for the best. I love ye and I want tae see ye happy.”
“I don’t know Kieran yet, but I think we can be happy together. We’ve both agreed to try. We want this marriage to be real.”
“That’s a better start than some of us get.”
Isobel drops me off at my flat, and the first thing I do is shower and prepare for bedtime. I lie in bed watching television, typically one of my favorite shows, but my head isn’t in it. I turn off the television and lie there tossing and turning for what feels like forever.
No way I’m going to be able to sleep.
Kieran dropped me off six hours ago. I’m certain that whatever happened with The Order members has gone down. And I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.
I’m losing my mind with worry for him.
I’m losing my mind with lust for him.
I know it’s irrational, and I don’t understand how it’s possible, but I miss Kieran. I want to be with him. I want him beside me. But those aren’t the only irrational feelings I’m having.
Kieran stole me… and I liked it.
He told me I was beautiful… and I liked it.
He took my virginity… and I liked it. A lot.
He calls me wife… and I love it.
Captor becomes intended becomes lover becomes husband. Something is very wrong with that picture. And something is very wrong with me for being okay with it.
Maybe I’m just fucked up in the head from being raised by a monster for a father. A stupid woman who’s desperate for love and affection from a man, and he’s the first to show me any.
Maybe I’m dick-obssessed. Because I damn sure can’t stop thinking about Kieran’s and when I’m going to get it inside me again.
Maybe I have Stockholm syndrome. Captive falls in love with her captor. He steals the woman, but in the process, he also steals her heart. That’s a thing. Perhaps a mental disorder, but still a thing.
Doesn’t matter what kind of fucked-up label you put on me, I want him.
I pick up my phone and scroll through my favorites list. Kieran placed his contact at the top. And I love that he labeled himself as My Intended. It’s sweet.
I don’t want to interrupt him while he’s busy taking care of problems, but I want to know that he’s okay. I need to know. Being in the dark about his safety is killing me.
Westlyn: I’m worried. Please let me know you’re OK when you can.
His reply is immediate.
Kieran: All is well. Overseeing cleanup. Almost done.
Cleanup. That means he killed people tonight. He’s going to be troubled by what he’s done. In pain. His soul, tortured.
I think he needs me. I want him to need me. And I know that I need him.
Westlyn: Come to me. Let me help you shut everything off for a while.
One minute goes by. And another. Three more and no reply.
Have I pushed too hard? Too fast? Maybe I shouldn’t have reached out and suggested that he’d have a need to shut everything off. Maybe he’ll see that as my calling him weak.
Kieran: Be there in 30.
I sigh with relief.
Westlyn: I’ll be waiting.
Chapter 13
Kieran Hendry
Westlyn Breckenridge. She could have used this time away from me to try and figure out a way to avoid our reunion. She could have run away and escaped her fate as my wife. But she didn’t. Instead, she has reached out to me at a time when I need her most. I think she may understand me better than I understand myself.
I don’t want to retreat into myself to that lonesome place. I want to retreat into her. Make her my refuge from my wicked evildoings.
Fuck, I need her.
This woman. She’s the light to my dark. The angel to my devil. The quiet to my storm. The key to my prison.
She opens the door when I arrive at her flat, and I say nothing when I enter and take her in my arms. I hold her tightly, breathing in her scent as though my body might absorb some of her goodness and make me less murderous and vile.
I need this—her—in my life so fucking much.
I lessen my hold and pull away, so I can hold her face in my hands. Look at her eyes. “You’re the angel who possesses the power to ease my hell.”
She comes up on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my mouth before taking my hand in hers. “Come with me.”
I follow her into her bedroom. Lit candles are twinkling around the room, their illuminations waltzing with one another on the walls. A soft croon is coming from the corner of the room—not a song that I know, but it’s clearly meant for lovers.
I stop in the middle of Westlyn’s bedroom and pull her against me, my hand on her lower back. “Dance with me.” She smiles and places one of her tiny hands on my shoulder while the other cups inside mine at our chests. Her body leans against mine and together we move to a song that sounds like making love in the form of music. I’ve never danced with a woman this way. But I like it.
The song ends, and another begins. Another soft, romantic tune.
I grasp Westlyn’s chin and lift, forcing her to look at me. “I want to lose myself in you. Forget the blood and gore and carnage.”
She nods. “You can have me any way you need me.”
I tug her toward the bed, and she follows without hesitation. We’re standing at the bedside when she glides her hands up my chest, pushes my jacket from my shoulders, and tosses it to the chair in the corner. She moves to my tie next, sliding the knot down. I reach for my top button but she stills my hand.
“I want to undress you.” She brings my fingers to her mouth, kissing them. “I want to do everything for you tonight.” And you will, doll, as long as I ultimately remain in control. I can’t ever lose control.
The last button of my shirt is unfastened, and I think she’s done until she moves to my cufflinks. Times like this, I hate wearing these kinds of clothes. It would be so much simpler to pull a T-shirt over my head, drop a pair of jeans, and get down to shagging.
A jeans and T-shirt guy… that’s not who I am. I’ll never be that guy.
Westlyn pushes my shirt from my shoulders and tosses it to the chair to join my jacket. Her mouth drags wet kisses across my chest while her hands explore my pecs. My cock twitches when she bites one of my nipples and then flicks her tongue over it.
She unfastens my pants and lowers the pull tab of the zipper before looking up at me and licking her lips. My cock strains to be released. To get to her. Inside her.
She comes up on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my mouth. Her plump pink lips, a hint of sweet wine still lingering, taste delicious against my mouth. I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to have them wrapped tight around my cock.
I kick out of my shoes when her hands slide into the sides of my pants and boxer briefs. I almost wince when she grips my hips, digging her nails into my flesh.
My intended takes her time undressing me, looking at and touching almost every inch of my body. It’s both agony and delight. Every muscle in my body is tense as sexual desire slowly eclipses restraint. This woman is driving me mad and pushing me beyond the edge of self-control.
I love kissing Westlyn. Enjoying the taste of her mouth. Delighting in the feel of her tongue against mine. But I end our kiss because my cock is greedy. He wants his turn with that pouty mouth.
I take a single step back and sit on the edge of the bed. Looking at Westlyn in that virgin-white nightgown, her nipples pushing through the thin fabric, makes my erection throb. “I want my fiancée to get on her knees and suck my cock.”
Fear flashes in her eyes, but it’s quickly replaced with fiery passion.
My cock twitches when she lowers herself to the floor and kneels before me
. Grasping the back of her head, I pull her closer. I grab my dick at the base and rub it back and forth across her bottom lip, spreading the milky white fluid. “Lick it.”
She looks up at me with hooded, submissive eyes, and the tip of my dick trickles more pre-cum. I’m filled with ecstasy when she doesn’t hesitate to obey my command. She licks it again and again without even being told to.
I massage the back of her neck, giving her praise. “Such a good lass. Now put it in your mouth and suck.”
She opens wide and takes the head into her mouth, bobbing up and down my length. Her tongue is soft, wet, and sensual against the underside of my throbbing cock. Her hand moves up my legs and she lightly cups my balls from the bottom, massaging one of them between her fingers. Fucking tingles run up my spine, and I can’t contain the moan building at the back of my throat. “Uh… Wes… fuck…”
She briefly breaks off and licks her lips before taking it into her mouth again, this time so deeply that she gags and tears stream down her face. But she doesn’t stop. And I’m captivated by the sight of my dick in her mouth.
Her mouth feels amazing, but I’m ready to slide into her wet pussy. Because that’s where babies are made. “I don’t want to come in your mouth.” She instantly stops on command. I love the way she obeys without hesitation. Such a good girl.
“Take off your gown.” And she does. She’s not wearing knickers, so she’s completely bare for me to look at after the gown is gone. “I can’t believe that you’re mine. That I get to have you for the rest of our lives.”
I want to feel her slick juices gliding all over my cock, but not before I taste them. “Lie down on the bed.”
She climbs on her bed and lies on her back, knees pressed together. “Spread your legs. I want to look at you.”
I stare at her pussy. Despite the dim lighting from the candle, I can see that it’s gleaming. Wet and slick, just as I had imagined.
I slide two fingers into her, and the tip of my dick trickles a little when I feel the warm moisture between her legs. Her body responds. The arch in her back deepens, and so does her breathing.
Sin Series Stand-alone Novels: Endurance, Unintended & Redemption Page 34