“Don’t be.”
“You’re not…”
A smile crested her lips. “I love all the pieces of you. I should never have asked you to change. I can’t take this from you, and now I realize I don’t want to. I can’t give you…that. But he certainly can.”
She was right about that. Sara would never be able to string me up and do all the filthy things Paul could do. He would take me, break me, and put me back together again. I needed the freedom to satisfy the dark urges, which swirled in my head.
“One half of a coin…” It occurred to me what Paul meant. “You’re the two halves that make me whole.”
“That’s what Paul thinks.”
“And it doesn’t bother you that he and I…”
“It did at first before I watched you. I expected it to bother me, honestly, but after watching you together, …it was intense, a little hot, and definitely not me.”
“You liked watching us?” Hope bloomed in my chest. Maybe there was a way to make this work.
“More than I thought.” She placed a hand on my chest. “I’m not sure about the threesome part.”
“I’d never ask.”
“I know, but is that what you want?”
“To share a bed with the two people I adore more than anything in the world? To give them pleasure at the same time? I’m not going to lie. I fantasize about it.”
“I’m not ready for something like that, and I’m not so sure about Paul thinking he can boss me around.”
“He’s wired for it, but I’ll talk to him.”
“Why don’t you clean up? I’m going to find a puzzle to put together.” She leaned in and brushed her lips against mine.
“Paul’s in there.”
“I know.”
I couldn’t deny my interest. Now that I’d had a taste of his dominance, I wanted more. I could tell he’d been holding back for Sara’s sake. If she was encouraging me to go after him, that was more than I could ever ask.
“And you’re going to be okay?” I twirled a strand of her hair around my finger.
“An hour ago, I would have said no. I was jealous and threatened by him, not to mention afraid I’d lose you. It’s different now.”
“How so?”
“Because I don’t feel excluded? I guess that’s the best word, but more importantly, I don’t feel like I’ve lost you. What we have is different from that. I feel a whole lot better.”
I wanted to pull her into my arms, but my chest and belly were covered in cum. I propped up on my elbow and ran my finger over her lips.
“You’re the light of my life, my guiding salvation, and the only reason I make it through each day. I love you more than life itself, and I promise to get you out of this horrible mess.”
“If anyone can do it, I know you can. Now, out of bed. He won’t wait for long.”
Chapter Forty
Sara
I watched Forest fuck another man.
The weirdest thing was that it didn’t bother me.
In fact, it kind of turned me on.
Not that I was Jonesing to hop in and join that hot mess. The collision of two powerful males, locked in what could only be described as sexual combat, didn’t feel like the safest place for a female.
Their exploration of mutual physical gratification intrigued me. It was nothing like any sex I’d ever seen. Whether that was because it was two men, or because of the power dynamic they shared, wasn’t clear.
Damn if it wasn’t sensual in its own right, and I kind of sensed Paul held back a little for my benefit. Or maybe, he did it for Forest.
Was that something a person eased into with a partner?
I didn’t know.
I went with my gut and sent Forest to be with Paul alone. Whatever else they needed to work out between them would be best done without me present. Watching Forest retreat to the bathroom left me alone to process my thoughts. He initially left the door open, but then it closed forcibly moments later.
My suspicions were confirmed a few moments later. Round two appeared much more brutal than the first.
I used my time to dig deep and sift through my emotions. There was no jealousy, which was impressive considering my previous meltdown.
I felt…at peace.
And happy.
Happy to share this with Forest.
He’d always been unconventional. There should be no reason being in a relationship with him should be any different.
We were in an unconventional threesome.
Or rather, two twosomes with Forest sandwiched in the middle. Was there a word for that?
Something heavy thudded against the bathroom door. A body, by the sound of it, whether Forest or Paul was left to my overly active imagination. When the next sounds turned out to be low grunts and groans, I let it go.
So Forest had a plan?
Of course, he did.
The thumping and banging in the bathroom escalated. It felt a little voyeuristic listening to them having sex, which was kind of funny considering that was exactly what I’d done moments ago.
A yawn slipped from my lips, and I decided to call it a night. Leaving Paul and Forest to do their thing, I changed the sheets and crawled into bed.
I felt drained. Like mentally exhausted as if my emotions had run a marathon. So, what did I know?
Forest had hijacked Snowden’s Wi-Fi network, piggybacking on the phones of Snowden’s men to spread throughout the compound.
That made sense.
I could see him planting some kind of virus on Paul’s phone. That virus would have jumped from phone to phone as Paul wandered around.
While I thought we were prisoners, Forest’s infiltration had been in place since the day we arrived. Did that explain the odd interruptions in Snowden’s business?
Not knowing much about how that might work, I couldn’t be sure, but that had to be it. Which meant, Xavier had to have access to Snowden’s network. That was the only explanation for how that information was getting out. Xavier had to be pulling Snowden’s operation apart brick by brick.
But where was the cavalry?
Where was our rescue?
If Xavier had details about bank accounts and slave transfers, wouldn’t he also know where Snowden was keeping us?
I pulled the covers to my neck and rolled to my side as I tried to sort through all the possibilities.
Every day we remained Snowden’s prisoners increased the risk of something terrible happening to us. What was Forest waiting for?
I didn’t trust Snowden. It didn’t make sense he would share Forest with another man, but he let Paul have Forest.
Why?
I understood the fights with his men and even the prize he awarded them. He wanted Forest beaten down.
But Paul?
With my thoughts in turmoil, I drifted into a restless sleep waking only when the bed dipped beside me. Forest tried not to wake me as he climbed in bed. He moved stiffly as if he were in pain. The hitching of his breath told a brutal story.
I didn’t move, but when he wrapped an arm around my waist and tugged me to him, I could no longer pretend to be asleep.
“Hey.” He nuzzled my neck and kissed the tip of my shoulder. “You awake?”
“I am now.” I curled my arm around his and allowed him to fit me against the curve of his body.
“How’s my angel?”
“I’m good. You?”
“I’m very good.” He kissed the crown of my head. “Thank you for that.”
How was I supposed to respond? You’re welcome? Like I’d given him some great gift in watching what was going to happen whether I wanted it or not?
Would Paul have left if I hadn’t stopped him?
I’ll never know. Not that it mattered. I learned what I needed to know. My love for Forest didn’t have boundaries.
“You don’t sound good.” I threaded my fingers with his.
“I’m sore, but in a good, satisfied, kind of way.”
“I
don’t like that he hurts you.”
“I need it. That might not make sense, but it clears my head and gives me an escape from the rest of it.”
No need to specify what the rest of it meant. I rolled over and traced around the ridges and contours of his chest.
“Snowden hurts you.”
“Snowden tortures me. It’s not the same.”
“I didn’t mean to imply it was. I’m sorry.”
“No, that’s okay. It’s different when it’s something I want. I can embrace the pain and use it to focus my thoughts rather than simply survive it.”
“Speaking of surviving…do you think we’ll ever get out of here?”
“That’s the plan.”
“And?”
“That’s all I have right now. It’s going to take time; until then, we keep our heads down, survive, and endure.”
“And Paul?”
“I’m working on him.”
“Do you think you can turn him?”
“I hope to.”
“Tell me about Piper.”
Forest ran his fingers through my hair and blew out a breath.
“Well, like you, she’s a rescue. She went into foster care, and things turned ugly when she entered her preteen years.”
I knew what that meant.
“Why didn’t you rescue Paul?”
“I didn’t get to him in time.”
“How did he get here?”
“My assumption is he was taken into Snowden’s fighting rings. Piper was slated for the sex trade, but I intervened before they could take her.”
“What do you think happened?”
“Paul survived. How he came to work for Snowden is unclear. My suspicion is Snowden discovered who Paul was, but it’s not something I can ask. I need Paul to share that with me.”
“I can poke around.”
“No.” His abrupt response made me jerk.
“But, I can help.”
“I don’t want you drawing any suspicion. Please, if anything happened to you, I wouldn’t survive it. I need you to trust me. I can’t…just please, don’t do anything.”
His desperation knifed directly to my heart. It was too easy to forget the pain he endured to protect me as I sat in our room safe and sound, day after day. While Forest suffered Snowden’s sadistic desires, I read books, put puzzles together, and waited for the long hours to pass.
“I promise, but if you need anything…”
“I need to know you’re safe, that you’re not placing yourself in danger. Knowing that gets me through…” His voice broke. “As for Paul, I’ll find a way to tell him about his sister. If he knows she’s safe—”
“Um, I may have already let it slip.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was after that first night…after you knocked Paul unconscious. When he took me out the next day to see Snowden, I mentioned Piper.”
Forest’s body stiffened. “You did?”
“He told me she was dead and never to say her name.”
A soft knock sounded on the doorframe. Forest rolled over.
“Yeah?”
“It’s after midnight. Get some sleep. You still have the morning to get through.”
“I can manage my bedtime; thank you very much.”
Paul’s low growl made my skin tingle. It lifted the hairs on my arms and sent a shiver shooting down my spine. Why did it sound so damn sexy? Tension coiled in Forest’s body.
“Just do as I say. Stop talking and get some rest. I have a bad feeling about tomorrow.”
Forest rolled to his back. “For shits and giggles, what happens if I don’t?”
“You want me to answer that?”
“No.” Forest draped his arm over his eyes and gave a low groan.
“I didn’t think so.” Paul rapped his knuckles on the door frame. “Goodnight, Miss Sara. Please don’t keep him up.”
After Paul left, I whispered, “What was that about?”
“He got a call as we were drying off. It appears Snowden is plagued with issues with his business.” He gave a low chuckle. “I sense he’ll be in a foul mood tomorrow.”
“Oh, Forest…”
A foul mood meant bad things.
“I mean it! Stop talking and go the fuck to sleep.” Paul’s shout from his bed on the couch had me clamping my mouth shut.
The man had impeccable hearing. He also had his own quarters, but he slept in ours. Ostensibly to protect us, but I had a sinking suspicion that was only an excuse to stay close to Forest.
Chapter Forty-One
Sara
Our morning began like any other, with a few notable differences.
Forest rose from the bed and went into the living room like he always did. I trailed behind him, yawning and wiping the sleep from my eyes. Paul was already up. He stood in the kitchen, where he leaned against the counter with a freshly brewed pot of coffee, a steaming cup in his hand, and another resting on the counter.
Instead of prowling around one another, keeping a wary distance, Forest strode into the kitchen and swiped the mug off the counter. He took a tentative sip, testing the temperature, all while keeping his eyes on Paul.
Their staring match continued for what seemed like forever before a smile cracked the hard planes of Paul’s face. He shook his head, laughing softly, then cuffed an arm around Forest’s neck. Pulling him close, Paul claimed a kiss then slapped Forest on the ass. He went to the couch where he plopped down and blew out a breath.
“You’re cutting it close.” Paul lifted the cup to his mouth as Forest circled the couch.
“I’ve still got time.” Forest took my hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of my knuckles. The tender gesture filled my heart with warmth, but a frown stole that happiness when his grip tightened.
I knew what he was thinking. Paul mentioned Snowden would be in a foul mood.
“Don’t push it.” Paul gave a warning.
“If you don’t stop talking and keep me from my shower, I will be late.”
“You had a shower last night.”
“With you.” He pulled me along and shut the door to the bathroom behind us.
“It’s late.” I turned on the water to let it heat up. “I’m with Paul.”
“Since when are you with Paul?” Forest pulled me to him, a smile on his face.
“When what he says makes sense.” I gave a little giggle as Forest nuzzled my neck. “That tickles.”
He rubbed the scruff of his beard over my sensitive skin, sending shivers racing along my nerves. I slapped him playfully.
“You like that, my sweet angel? I know where else I can kiss that’ll make you scream.”
Hot damn if I didn’t want precisely that, but time was not our friend.
He continued kissing down my neck, then yanked the soft cotton of my shirt off my shoulder. Nipping with his teeth, he skirted a fine line between pleasure and pain.
“Forest…” Small panting breaths escaped me as he cupped my breast and planted his mouth over my nipple. The heat of his breath and the warm, moist flicks of his tongue had my eyes rolling to the back of my head.
I ran my hands through his hair and gave more than a gentle tug when he bit my nipple.
“Holy fuck!” My back arched.
His gruff laughter vibrated against my breast. “Now that is something I can’t wait to try.”
He scooped me into his arms and deposited me on the countertop.
“Where are the condoms?” His gaze darted around the bathroom then landed in the trash bin where a couple of used wrappers had been discarded. “Shit, we used—Paul!” His roar was loud enough to rattle the mirrors.
Forest’s body flexed around me, all chiseled muscle and sinuous flesh, as he searched for a condom.
My gorgeous boss, the man I loved, rocked forward with an urge he barely contained. His ice-blue eyes took me in their hungry gaze. Need and want combined into a potent force as he gripped my thighs, torn from rutting between them to find
ing protection.
“Paul!” His voice deepened.
A throat cleared, followed by a low rasp. “My boy, seems like you have a problem.” Snowden’s oily eyes swept the room to take the two of us in.
All our heat turned to ice.
Forest stiffened, and he shoved me back, turning with a slow, purposeful movement meant to shield me from Snowden’s gaze.
I tugged at my shirt to cover my shoulder, then curled in on myself.
Be small. Don’t let him notice you.
But how could he not when he’d walked in to see my legs wrapped around Forest’s hips?
Forest took a step forward, placing himself firmly between Snowden and me.
“Should I wait?” Snowden hooked a finger over his shoulder. “Or are you done fucking the girl?”
“I’m done.” Forest’s reply came out a low growl, and I sensed the tremendous self-control he displayed not leaping for Snowden’s throat.
“Doesn’t look like it. It seems like the main event hasn’t happened yet.” Snowden’s gaze shifted between us. “You know…” He crossed his arms. “I could wait…”
“That won’t be necessary.” Forest’s low tone came out as a threat.
Snowden took a step forward, glanced at me, then sucker-punched Forest in the gut. Forest took the hit with nothing more than a grunt. Fire blazed in his eyes, but he averted his gaze to stare at the ground.
“Watch your tone.” Snowden’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “I wonder how willing she’ll be to spread her legs after she sees how eager you’ve become to please me. Maybe we should have her accompany us today?”
The muscles of Forest’s jaw bunched. He spread his fingers wide, then curled them into fists. He repeated the gesture several times.
“Actually,” Paul came up behind Snowden, “I need her this morning.” He propped his elbow on the door jamb and fiddled with his hair.
“And how was your evening?” Snowden turned.
Paul flashed a grin. “Pretty fucking awesome. I agree with you…the man is fun to fuck.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying your toy,” Snowden said with a sneer.
Forest’s face turned red, but he didn’t say a word. I huddled behind him and tried to breathe without making a sound.
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