“Yes!” she cried.
Whack. She grunted, running her hands all over me and her lips across my jaw.
“You getting hungry, little one?”
“Yeah.”
Whack.
And she moaned this time, starting to dry hump my cock.
“Have you ever lied to me?” I asked, my tone deep.
She paused, and I smacked her twice this time, knowing that was definitely my answer.
“Ah!” She pressed herself into me.
“I can play dirty, too.” Lifting her off me, I spun her around and yanked her panties down her legs. I shrugged out of my jacket and unfastened my belt, pulling out my cock and feeling relief at giving it some room.
I pulled her back down on me.
“This is called reverse cowgirl, little one,” I growled in her ear. “Hang on.”
I pushed her forward, her hands shooting out to grasp the little ledge under the priest’s screen, and I held her leg at the curve where it met her hip and used my other hand to guide my cock. Finding her wet, I nudged her opening and, at the same time, thrust my hips, pulled her back into me, and slid inside in one shot.
She sucked in a breath, and my head fell back as I groaned.
So hot and tight.
Whimpering, she tightened her muscles around me, holding me inside her. “Oh, my God,” she gasped under her breath.
Grabbing a fistful of her hair, I pulled her head back and pulled out, thrusting deep again.
“More, faster,” she moaned.
And I started fucking her. Faster and harder, pounding into her as she gripped the ledge in front of her and used it as leverage, backing up into me.
This is what I wanted. What I always wanted, since the first time I’d seen her. Someone who knew me and wanted to dive with me.
All the years feeling helpless, someone telling me when to eat, sleep, walk, and speak, I came out of that place, feeling less than human. Feeling less than a dog. I was stripped away, afraid of the consequences if I got angry or violent or mean, so I held everything in, because I was never going to go back there. I was never going to be that man again, because I’d killed a part of myself and killed my parents when I went away.
And I was still in prison when I got out, living like a machine, so I wouldn’t make any mistakes, and I wanted to fucking feel something. I wanted to push and pull and fight and fuck and own this whole goddamn world again.
I wanted to take.
I squeezed my eyes shut, reveling in how beautiful she felt. Releasing her hair, I ran my hands over her ass, wishing there was enough light to see if it was still red from the spanking.
I grabbed her hips and just held on as she took over, pushing back into me, sliding up and down my cock.
“Hey, Kai!” someone shouted. “Yo, where are you?”
Will.
Fuck.
Banks gasped, and I clamped a hand over her mouth, standing us both up with my dick still inside her.
“Shhhh,” I warned in her ear. Pinning her against the wall, I spread her legs wider, pulled off my shirt, and held her tight, continuing my thrusts.
But then Alex’s voice came, too. “Banks!”
What the hell? I clamped my hand tighter the more Banks started to moan.
“Is he here? Did she find him?” I heard Alex ask.
“I don’t know. His car is still out front,” Will added. “Kai!”
Banks pulled away from my hand. “They dropped me off,” she whispered. “They’re probably checking to make sure I found you. We should stop.”
“No.” I kissed her neck, feeling my orgasm coming as I groped her breast.
“Ah,” she whimpered. “Go harder. Please.”
I kissed her lips and cheek, her ear and neck, everywhere I could reach as I held her hard against me.
“Yeah, yeah…oh, God.”
I put my hand over her mouth again, but we were so close, I didn’t really give a shit if Will and Alex heard us. Only that Banks would be embarrassed when she came to her senses.
“You weren’t built for them,” I said in her ear as I reached around and rubbed her clit. “Not Damon or Gabriel or anyone else. You were made for me, and I want you in my bed tonight.”
“I’m not sleeping in that shithole.”
I smacked her on the ass, and her breath caught before she reached around and grabbed the back of my neck, kissing me with a laugh.
I didn’t know if Alex and Will had left or not, but I didn’t hear anything anymore, so they either split or heard the noises pouring out of the confessional and then split of their own accord.
I rubbed her faster and faster, thrusting as deep as I could. “Come on, baby. Come on.”
“Kai,” she whimpered.
And then her body tightened up, freezing in place, and just holding on as I pounded, bringing her ass back into me harder and harder.
She cried out, coming and breathing hard as she went limp, letting it wrack through her body.
God, I wished I knew what was in her head at that moment.
A few more seconds, I reach my climax and thrust, spilling inside of her and my fingers clenching the sweat-soaked skin of her hips.
She held fast to the little counter, desperate for air in the now stuffy confessional as little moans escaped her.
Pleasure swept through my entire body, and I felt dizzy as I rested my forehead into her back.
She was incredible.
But holy shit, my mom would kill me if she knew what I’d just done and where. I didn’t really care, though. This was me, and this is what we do.
A buzzing sound came from somewhere, and I paused, wondering if it was my phone or hers and if we should just let it go.
But slowly, she pulled away and dipped down to retrieve her jeans.
She dug the phone out, and I saw a green light flash, knowing it was hers that had been buzzing.
She swiped the screen and tapped a few times, then read.
“What is it?” I asked, seeing her just stand there frozen.
She dropped her hand to her side, not looking at me.
“Vanessa arrived early,” she said quietly. “She’s here in Thunder Bay.”
Banks
Present
The faint ding-dong of the doorbell carried up to Damon’s room, and I closed the lid to Kore’s tank, walking to the window. The limo my father sent for Kai sat out front.
My stomach knotted. It was time to meet Vanessa, and I didn’t want him in this house with her. I didn’t want her anywhere near him. Why did he come?
I swung open the bedroom door and descended the stairs, hearing my heart beat in my ears. I could tell him I wanted to stay with him, and this would be over. I could tell him I wanted to be with him, and he would take me, and we could both leave here.
But I couldn’t guarantee him my loyalty. I knew I couldn’t.
Closing the door at the bottom of the stairs, I rounded the bannister and headed down the next set of stairs, already hearing Hanson open the door and greet the guests.
“Good evening, Mr. Mori,” he said. “Mr. Grayson. Miss Fane. Please…”
Will and Rika, too? I was kind of grateful, actually. They didn’t want to see Kai do something stupid, so if they stepped in, I wouldn’t have to. I wouldn’t have to choose.
Kai came into view, and my steps slowed, locking eyes with him. It took everything not to smile.
I loved how he looked up at me and just stared. I loved how his right eye pierced a little more than the left. And I loved how just the sight of him made my stomach flip.
His gaze fell down my body, softening as he took in my new clothes. Nothing over the top, but the new jeans fit at least, and I really liked the white, V-neck T-shirt and cute military jacket. I’d even donned a tiny bit of the mascara Alex forced down my throat last night at McGivern & Bourne.
“Kai, how are you?” Gabriel approached, holding out his hand.
But his tone was false, and Kai’s body was ti
ght. They weren’t fooling each other.
I descended the rest of the stairs and stepped up next to my father, not really sure if that was where I was supposed to be. If it wasn’t, I might be in for another confession later.
My ass was still a little raw from last night.
Gabriel cast me a quick look and then turned back to Kai. “You got her out of those rags,” he said. “Well done. We kind of miss her around here, actually.”
My father nudged my chin with his fingers, and Kai’s eyes narrowed on him.
“Will,” Gabriel greeted, shaking Will’s hand. “Good to see you again.”
Will nodded, probably the one who knew my father the best out of the three of them, since he and Damon had been pretty close.
“And Erika Fane.” Gabriel stepped forward, invading her space and holding out his hand. “Gabriel Torrance. I believe you know my son.”
Her eyes shifted, looking uneasy, but she took his hand, shook it, and pulled away quickly. I couldn’t believe Michael let her come without him. He was kind of blind, but I hadn’t pegged him for ignorant.
“Crist is a lucky man,” he told her. And then he moved aside, gesturing for them to enter. “Let’s step into the den.”
Gabriel turned, leading the way down the hall, and I followed, walking at his side. But a grip caught the back of my jacket, and I sucked in a sudden breath as Kai hauled me backward.
To his side.
We kept walking, and he didn’t look or speak to me further.
“Where is she?” Kai asked Gabriel. “Vanessa.”
The quivering in my stomach from having him close changed to another fucking knot at the mention of her, and I fisted my fingers.
“Around,” Gabriel taunted and walked into the study.
He stepped over to his desk, and everyone filed in, leaving Hanson to close the door. Will immediately found the leather sofa and planted his ass down, while Rika moved to the side of the room.
Kai took the seat opposite Gabriel on the other side of the desk.
Gabriel tipped his chin at me. “Go check on dinner.”
“She doesn’t work for you anymore,” Kai interjected.
“Actually, she does. Technically speaking, of course.”
No contract. No agreement.
But Kai didn’t take the bait, relaxing in his seat. “I’ll meet the bride first, thanks.”
My father laughed under his breath. “Hanson.” He picked up the cigar sitting in his ashtray. “Fetch my niece.”
The man nodded, quietly slipping out of the room.
I looked out the patio doors, seeing a group of young women sitting at the tables several yards away. I couldn’t make out their faces, but Vanessa’s white-blonde hair was easy enough to pick out as she sat with her back to me.
What if he was attracted to her?
“So, when’s the wedding?” Gabriel asked, and I blinked, seeing him look at Rika.
For a moment, I thought he was asking Kai.
Rika replied, “No specific date yet.”
“And where’s Michael?”
Her eyes flashed to Kai before she answered. “Away at a game for the day.”
My father smiled, the thoughts in his head barely keeping themselves contained as his eyes raked over her body.
Kai rose and wandered to the book cases, placing himself in front of her. My father was eye-fucking her, and Kai knew it. His forehead was creased, troubled, but he remained quiet, not speaking or looking at me. What was he thinking about?
And finally, a light knock pierced the silence.
Everyone turned or looked up as the door opened and Vanessa Nikova entered.
I don’t know what I expected. Maybe for her to be awkward and look anywhere but at him, or maybe for Kai to be surprised and instantly attracted, losing all semblance of thought at the sight of her.
But they locked eyes and just stared at each other for a minute as she slowly closed the door.
That was worse.
I darted my eyes to him, watching him take her in as if he was actually considering her.
She walked into the room, wearing a silver cocktail dress that made her seem ethereal with Her blonde hair and big, blue eyes. She had much the same coloring as Rika, but Rika was different. She was alive, and Vanessa looked like a doll kept in a box. Not a fingerprint on her.
She wasn’t so pristine on the inside, though.
She approached Kai, and I saw him straighten, bracing himself. Holding out her hand, she smiled, her perfectly manicured eyebrows softening for him.
“Hello,” she said sweetly.
I did half an eye roll before catching myself. Two-headed snake.
“Hello.” He took her hand, shook it, and finally released it. A couple seconds too late in my opinion.
“Vanessa, this is Kai Mori.” Gabriel made the official introductions. “And his friends, William Grayson III and Erika Fane.”
Vanessa turned, her heels clacking as she stepped over to Will and shook his hand. Turning to Rika, though, she paused, clearly assessing her as the other reached a hand out with a tight smile.
“Rika is soon to be married to Michael Crist,” Gabriel explained. “Another friend of Kai’s. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be here today.”
Vanessa eased, the crack in her façade sealing up again as she shook Rika’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
The room fell silent as we all just stood there, and I could hear the dogs barking in the distance, probably hungry. Gabriel fed some and starved others, and while the experienced ones knew that barking only made it worse, he constantly had new blood coming in and learning the torture all over again.
“Well,” Vanessa finally spoke up, trying to make light. “We’ll have no trouble bonding like this.”
Gabriel laughed, Kai offered a smile, and I scowled.
Why was he smiling?
Why was he even still here? What was his game now? He wouldn’t actually marry her, for crying out loud, so why attempt to bond?
“I need some fresh air,” she told Kai. “How about you?”
His head turned like he was about to look at me, but then he nodded, stopping himself. “Sounds great.”
She smiled brighter, showing teeth, and led the way out the patio doors. “And don’t follow us,” she joked to Hanson who had moved to chaperone. “We need privacy.”
I shot the back of her head a glare as they disappeared outside. The grounds were extensive. They could be gone for an hour. Long enough for her to charm him any which way she wanted.
“Go check on dinner.”
I looked over, meeting Gabriel’s eyes. And now I was going to serve dinner to the man I was sleeping with and his bride. Fan-tastic.
Charging out of the room, I slammed the door closed, knowing full well my father knew I was angry. He wouldn’t care. He knew I’d do my duty anyway, no matter how much I pissed and moaned.
A dog yelped outside, and I didn’t know if it had been attacked by another dog or disciplined by a trainer, but then another one howled the most gut-wrenching sound like it was begging. For what, I didn’t know, but I walked into the kitchen feeling like I wanted to join him. Howl and scream and fight until I either escaped or someone put me out of my misery.
“Hey!” Marina exclaimed, seeing me enter as she washed her hands at the sink. Her delighted eyes took in my clothes. “You look great. When did this happen?”
I assumed she meant my “makeover” but I wasn’t in the mood. Seeing the steaks for dinner on the cutting board, I sauntered up and picked up a large chopping knife laying on the block.
And I started slicing.
“Those are the steaks—”
Marina stopped, watching me cut strips, slicing through the prime meat with the sharp knife like it was butter, and then chop the slices into chunks.
“Those are the steaks for dinner!” she said, rushing up to the island. “Banks, what are you doing?”
I looked at her, feeling my heart race, and shot her
a closed-mouth smile. She reared back, narrowing her eyes.
She probably couldn’t remember the last time I’d smiled at her.
Finishing my task, I took a large bowl out of the cabinet, tossed in all the chunks of meat, and grabbed the dish, taking it out the back door.
This wouldn’t end well for me, but God, it felt good. And I couldn’t stop myself.
“Where are the steaks?” Gabriel asked, glaring down at the leftover corn chowder from the guys’ lunch today and the plates of baked Piroshki—a hand pie with meat filling that Marina was preparing for lunch tomorrow.
“I fed them to the dogs,” I said.
Will snorted, and I heard a scoff, most likely from Vanessa, but I continued to stare at the wall ahead of me, ready to suffer whatever consequences were coming.
I could feel Kai’s amusement. He sat across the table, and I was almost sure he was staring at me, too.
Gabriel exhaled hard. “A couple weeks with you and she’s back to being as bold as brass,” he said to Kai. “Just like when she was a teenager.”
The table was silent, except for Will who’d started eating.
“She knows how to be disciplined, though,” he added.
“Oh?” Kai prodded.
I blinked long and hard. That wasn’t anyone’s business. Not here, not now.
But Gabriel continued. “Ask her to take off her gloves.”
Fucker.
I instantly locked my hands behind my back, out of sight as everyone turned their eyes on me.
Gabriel couldn’t discipline me right now, so he did what he had to do to retain his pride. He humiliated me. Kai hadn’t seen me without the gloves. Not since I was seventeen, before I was “disciplined.”
“Another time, maybe,” Gabriel said, sounding pleased with himself. “She’ll soon be your problem anyway.”
“Oh?”
This time it was from Vanessa.
“Part of the contract,” Gabriel explained, taking a slurp of his soup. “Kai gets you, the hotel, and Banks. Until the wedding, anyway.”
She remained silent, and since she sat below me, I couldn’t see her face, but there was enough hesitation to know what she was thinking.
Or what she suspected.
“She’s a good worker,” Kai chimed in, picking up a hand pie and sniffing it.
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