by Raven Scott
“You’re so damn sexy, with and without clothes.” Squeezing my breasts together, Carlyle switched to my right nipple, and I moaned as his hot praise rolled down my abdomen. His cock hardened against my core, and I panted weakly as I reached between us to pump his shaft. “Fuck.”
“You only cuss when you’re turned on.” Posing the observation as I shuffled down, I caught Carlyle’s gaze as my mouth watered. His lips parted, his breath hitching noticeably when I dribbled spit on his cock, and I squeezed and worked his hardness as he propped his arm under his head.
“I hope you never see me mad.” Biting my bottom lip at that, I poised Carlyle’s cock at my entrance, and my heart thundered against the bars of its cage. The bulbous head stretched my walls even as they quivered in need, and I gasped as I took him all the way in. He groaned so loudly, the sound echoing in my ears, and hard palms grappled my ass to squeeze.
My eyelids fluttered closed in ecstasy when Carlyle thrust up, and I braced my hands on his chest to roll my hips. There was nothing more beautiful, I’d decided, than him, and I clamped down on him when his head hit that spot inside me.
“Valerie . . . ” Bouncing a steady beat on his cock, a shiver raced up my spine at his breathless moan, and Carlyle’s harsh pants scorched my nipples. Pleasure tightened my abdomen, and my ass cheeks quivered in his hands as he parted them to push down.
“Oh-h, God . . . oh, God.” My shaky breaths caught on my own voice as I rode him, and I clenched my jaw as I tried to stave off my orgasm. Sitting up, Carlyle wrapped his arms across my back, and the world spun until I landed on my back. My knees clung to his sides as he took control, and he ducked to kiss and lave my neck. Trapping me below him with his elbows, he tangled both hands in my hair, and I moaned when he tugged my head back. Thrusting deep, his cock caressed my walls, and I buried my cry in his powerful shoulder.
“Christ, Val . . . ” Nibbling my pulse point as I clamped down on him hard, Carlyle panted roughly as his thrusts became sharper and faster. The scraggly hairs on his sac teased my back entrance, the slap of his weight on my thighs, making me small, and I wrapped my arms around his neck to hold tight. “You sexy fucking bitch.”
“Yes . . . yes . . . yes . . . yes-s-s, Carlyle . . . right there. I’m gonna come.” His thick cock rammed just the right spot over and over, and my eyes rolled back as my toes curled around his ass. “M-make me come . . . ”
The high-pitched whine in my voice was one I didn’t recognize, and I held my breath as my face warmed. Pleasure coiled in my abdomen, and Carlyle grunted to the furious beat of my heart as he snapped his hips against mine. His fists pulled my hair taut, and prickles raced down my spine even while icy tendrils surged up my sternum.
Growling in my ear as I undulated wildly around his length, Carlyle thrust hard, and the slap of skin on skin rose above the blood drumming in my ears. Tearing a hand from the strands, he gripped the sheet above my head, and his other hand glided down to rub my ass cheek. His little smack sent a jolt of eroticism through me, and I sputtered a gasp before he hit me a second time in the same spot.
“Turn over. I wanna see that ass jiggle while I fuck you.” Eagerness tingled my calves and up my arms, and I rolled over to stick my ass up and spread my knees. Gripping my hips, Carlyle grazed his teeth along both my ass cheeks and my need dripped from my entrance before he slipped his fingers through.
“Oh, fuck!” Wiggling his hand viciously, Carlyle curled two digits against my inner walls, and I moaned into the mattress as I came undone. Shivering, goosebumps blanketed my skin as he jostled my pelvis, and my ass cheeks clenched when he cracked his palm against them hard. Arching sharply, I fisted the sheet with white-knuckle tightness, and he worked a third finger into my channel.
“Yeah-h-h . . . that’s what I like.” Gripping both my ass cheeks, his nails dug into the stinging flesh, and I rasped a moan when Carlyle plunged into my depths. The sharp snaps of his hips jolted up my body, and I pushed back on him as pleasure spotted my vision. “Fuck my cock, Valerie.”
“I’m gonna!” Pushing myself onto weak arms, I blew out a hot breath, and I glanced over my shoulder blearily when Carlyle barked out a laugh. His thrusts slowed, became less erratic, and I sat back to set a pace of my own to match his. My hair stuck to my cheeks and neck, and I blustered and shook my head, but it really didn’t help. Gingerly gathering up the strands, he didn’t yank them, and I ground my ass against his defined abs.
Each shove of his cock into my channel knocked the air from my lungs, and I whimpered from the pressure building behind my eyes. Leaning down to conform against my back, Carlyle reached under me to tweak my nipple, and I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth to gnaw diligently.
“Slow . . . slow . . . ” Shivering at the command, I dropped onto my elbows to ride Carlyle’s cock, and he sat back to thrust to my rhythm. Jiggling my ass cheeks, he hissed in pleasure, and I rocked forward to wiggled my hips around the very tip. “I’m gonna come all over this perfect ass, Valerie.”
“What the Hell is wrong with my mouth, or my foot, or—” A squeak escaped me when Carlyle thrust hard to cut me off, and I ground my teeth as pleasure shot through me like lightning. “Fuck!”
“It wasn’t a suggestion.” I could feel his stupid smirk against my shoulder blades, and Carlyle growled as his cock gorged and twitched against my walls. He pulled back, and I gulped down a shallow breath and braced myself before he plowed into my channel. My moan rang in my ears, and his fingernails dug deeper as he pushed down and sputtered a gasp.
Seconds ticked by like minutes before Carlyle pulled out of me completely, and he smacked my ass cheeks with both his palms to send me collapsing onto my bed. Gasping for air, I groaned when he draped himself over me to peel back my hair and kiss my cheek.
“Go to sleep. You deserve it.” The roughness of his tone thickened the goosebumps pocking my back and legs, and he pulled all of my hair up away from my face. “I’ll be back. You can bet your ass on that.”
“Wait . . . ” My mumble paused his sitting up, and Carlyle hummed hoarsely before I managed to get the strength to open my mouth again. “Get my laptop and put on Netflix for me.”
“Uh . . . yeah, just give me your password, and your social security number, birthday, mother’s maiden name . . . why not.” Grumbling as he climbed off the bed, Carlyle opened my laptop on my desk, and I sniffed hard as I struggled to roll over. “What do you want to watch?”
“Use the guest account, put on anything.”
“Hitler documentary it is, then.”
19
Carlyle
Stretching my arms above my head, I arched back with a groan, and my spine popped as satisfaction surged through my veins. Shaking myself out, I rolled my head to crack my neck, and I didn’t dare beat down this wonderful feeling that warmed my chest. Grabbing the doorknob, I took a big, stabilizing breath before pushing the metal barrier open, and the metallic scent of blood hit me square in the face.
Isobel was tied to a chair, her nose and face crusted with blood down her slender neck, and I couldn’t help but grin when her head snapped up. Fiery, brown eyes met mine only to widen in surprise, and I leaned on the door frame to cross my arms in an effort to contain my amusement.
“You really fucked up this time, Isobel.” The panic on her pretty, birdlike features was intoxicating, framed by hair sticking to her cheeks with sweat and blood. Like this, she was almost bearable to look at, and I rubbed my chin thoughtfully as I scanned her. “Did you think I didn’t know what you were doing?”
Posing the vague question to see her reaction, I watched that panic darken, and she must’ve thought I was talking about whatever bullshit her brother spouted. Isobel sat up a little straighter in the metal chair, stuck out her chin, and took a breath in preparation, but I didn’t let her open her big ass mouth. Holding up a hand to silence her, I sauntered into the makeshift interrogation room to lean on the armrests and get close to her face.
“The only thing I wa
nt to hear coming out of that disgusting mouth of yours is the name of whoever you’re scheming with. I know it’s not Wren because he’s missing right now. I know it’s not your dumbfuck brother because he hates you almost as much as I find you repulsive. It’s definitely not your father— the senile piece of shit probably can’t remember who you are.” She had the audacity to look pained at my snipe, and I pushed myself up roughly to jostle her chair. “So, think carefully about what idiocy you’re going to spew out.”
Isobel was quiet, and I hoped, for once, she was using her brain. I had shit that needed answers. Of course, I could tell her that I’d let her go, but if she really trusted my word and spilled her guts . . .
Well, then what the fuck did I need her for? The answers to my questions would be simple. The only issue was that I was too far removed from the Italians to know much of the fundamentals.
“What’ll you do for me if I tell you?” Barking a hard laugh, I threw back my head, and Isobel glared at me from under her raven bangs. “You’re an insufferable bastard, Carlyle, but the one thing you know is a business deal.”
Arching a brow quizzically, my mirth caught in my chest, and my hand shot out to wrap around her throat. Forcing Isobel’s head up, I leaned in until I could count each individual eyelash, and she gasped as her cold sweat slickened my palm.
“Is that how you want to start this, you stupid cunt? By insulting me?” Reaching for the gun tucked into its holster against my back, I pressed the barrel against her temple, and she whimpered a deliciously scared sound. “I don’t appreciate being insulted in my own home. I’ll give you the opportunity to retract that statement.”
Wide eyes wavered at my calm, and I put a little more pressure on her throat as irritation stained my tongue like acid.
“I said apologize, you fucking bitch!” Roaring in her face got her out of her own head, and Isobel shakily whispered an apology before I released her jaw with a jerk. Putting my gun away, I wiped my hand on my pants with disgust curling my lip. “Now, if you want to make a deal, we can make a deal. What you get depends on what you give.”
“I want to leave here unharmed.” Pausing, as if she expected me to deny her, Isobel frowned with uncertainty wrinkling her slender brows. Waiting a few seconds, I hoisted myself onto the metal table up against the wall, but she didn’t say anything else.
“Fine. What dumbass plan have you been cooking up in that empty head of yours, and who’s your even more dumbass accomplices?” I swung my legs a little just to relieve some tension and watched Isobel expectantly. Did she really think I was going to let her just waltz out the gates and trudge back home? She certainly seemed to believe that if her sturdy expression was anything to go by. The longer the silence stretched, the more sure of her decision she seemed.
It was almost funny how stupid she was. After all, you never specified where or when ‘here’ was . . . and you’re not leaving this room. That was one of the first lessons my father taught me— if I was ever held hostage, assume they’re going to kill me and keep my mouth shut. Talking would just delay the inevitable.
“Wren’s not missing, he’s dead.” My brows twitched in surprise, and I jutted my chin out as Isobel hung her head. “I had him assassinated after he took that deal to trade his enterprise for horses. He ruined our plan.”
“That is really vague and unhelpful. What plan?” Frowning darkly at this surprising but boring twist, I cocked my head as I contemplated this turn of events. Wren sold his State-side girls for horses. It wasn’t a stupid deal to take on his part. My issue with it was him being fucked over by that desert snake so completely. It’s true he wasn’t totally useless, as he still had the rest of the damn world, but . . . him being dead presented problems for me.
“We were gonna get someone under your skin— or one of your brothers— and blackmail you.” Trailing off, Isobel’s lips thinned, and I frowned under tightly knit brows as my mind chugged along like the Little Engine That Could. “Anyway, after Wren fucked it all up, I suggested to my dad to marry you, and my brother pushed it because he wanted to get me out of the way. When you said ‘no,’ I had to contact that bitch in Nevada, but she refused to even hear me out. I searched for a while, and I got word that some no-name from Dallas had access to some girls. By the time I went out there, they were gone, but I got assurances that they could be found.”
Dallas. Hiding how troubled that place was starting to make me, I inhaled deeply as Isobel paused. Her nasal voice rang in my ears, and I leaned back on my arms to drum my fingertips on the metal.
“Let me guess . . . it was a debtor or a debtor’s family member.” Turning back to Isobel, I frowned deeply as she nodded dumbly, and I slid off the table with a grunt. “Cool. Thanks for the chat.”
“Wait! Damnit, Carlyle!” Pausing at her frantic shriek, I almost winced as it bounced off the concrete walls, and she jerked her arms tied to the back of the chair. “You said you’d let me go!”
“You didn’t exactly give me anything to warrant your life, now did you?” Isobel started to pant, struggled to adjust the chair even as I turned my back on her, and I lifted my hand in a dismissive wave. “Let me know when you’ve got something important to say- if ever. I’m sure someone at some point will come down and give you some water.”
“Carlyle! Carlyle, wait! Please!” Even from outside the room, with the door shut, I could faintly hear Isobel screaming bloody fucking murder, and I ran my hands up my face with a groan.
“Valerie . . . Valerie . . . Valerie. What the fuck is your mother up to down there?” Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket, I dialed Esmarissa’s personal number, and she answered within the first ring. “Whatever you’re doing on Wednesday, cancel it. I’m coming to you.”
“I’m going to my boyfriend’s ex-brother-in-law’s wedding.” The bland response rolled my eyes, and I started down the hallway towards the elevator as a sigh floated through the speaker. “How’s next week? Tuesday?”
“Fine. Congratulations to your brother-in-law.” Hanging up, I tapped Vanessa’s speed dial, and her chipper voice gyrated harshly against my brain. “Send a wedding gift to Dean Warrhal. Something practical, like gift cards.”
“Do you want that bundled with a baby gift? Their second child is due in three months.” Grumbling an affirmative, I wondered how the fuck Vanessa stayed on top of every single person’s life that I’ve ever worked with. Women with an internet connection and a lot of time were terrifying. After all, she was a secretary that had no secretarial work— she was like the head maid of secretaries, doing nothing but gossiping while her assistant did all the work. Speaking of maids . . .
20
Valerie
Peeling open the envelope, I leaned back in my chair to sigh heavily, and Natasha twisted from her position by the stove to cast me a curious glance.
“There’s never any good mail, like, hey, you won the lottery, and here’s a check for eight million dollars.” She snorted at my complaining, and I tossed the credit card offer on the table to flop my head over the back of the dining chair. “It’s so much more boring without a job.”
“Why don’t you call Carlyle? Oh, wait . . . you’re too lazy to go get a new phone.” Frowning at the ceiling, I didn’t deem that jab with an answer, and my sister turned back to the stovetop out of the corner of my eye. “I don’t get why you haven’t, Val. You need a phone. It’s a simple fact of life.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m going to do it tomorrow. More importantly, when’s the fried chicken g—” The trill of the doorbell cut me off, and I stood up as Natasha cast me a curious look. Shrugging on my way to the door, I cracked open the door, and surprise sucked the air from my lungs. I was convinced Carlyle was the devil, coming to me whenever his name was mentioned aloud, and he smiled tenderly.
“Are you going to open the door?” His deep baritone wrapped around me to send a delicious shiver down my back, and I rolled my lip between my teeth.
“What’ll I get?” He leaned with his arm
above his head, his eyes dancing with amusement, and I held my breath in anticipation.
“My amazing company.” Smirking at me when I scoffed lightly, Carlyle held a plain, brown box in his hand just high enough to catch the bottom of my field of vision. “Also, I brought you this since Theo ate yours.”
“Oh. You brought me a grilled cheese sandwich? That’s my kind of gift. Come on in.” Closing the door to unlock the chain hook, I downright grinned when Carlyle’s chuckle squeezed through the frame, and he held out the box with affection tilting his mouth. “Even though it’s pre-made, it’s the thought that counts.”
“What did you think I’d do, put it in a sandwich-sized box, then put that box in another box, and so on? This isn’t the Looney Toons.” My fingers itched as they wrapped around the gift, and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood up when Carlyle leaned to kiss my cheek. “May I come in?”
“Of course.” I couldn’t resist taking his tie and wrapping it around my finger, and I turned around to tug him over the threshold. I mean, how was I supposed to not flirt with him when he was so, so, sexy? Biting back a groan when he grabbed my ass cheeks without the slightest hesitation, I glanced over my shoulder to find his bodyguard not standing there, scowling. “Where is Theo, anyway?”
“He has the day off. Last I heard, he and his girlfriend were arguing about showering together.” Arching a brow at that, I turned away when Carlyle’s cheek twitched in discomfort. “It’s a huge point of contention for . . . reasons.”
“Okay.” There wasn’t anything I could do but accept that, and Carlyle and I emerged in the kitchen just as Natasha was pulling the fried chicken out of the deep fryer. “Did you want to stay for dinner?”