Kevin’s head hangs, and he starts to sob as the sirens draw closer, and Lauren slowly slips her arm in mine as I lower my weapon.
Lauren
His fingertips across my bare flesh feels like fire. Every touch is met with a spiral of intense sensation, blooming bright and hot under my skin. We’re lying in a patch of sunlight across the bed in his cabin, where we have been languidly lazing around all morning. These days, it’s easier than I ever imagined to just let time tick by. With Bones, the minutes feel like seconds, the hours like minutes, the days passing by in a blink of an eye. I do my best to expand each moment as it unfolds, wringing as much out of every precious second as possible. I am never happier than when we are tangled up together like this, our bodies curling and curving around one another on top of the sheets or underneath them, sharing warmth and blessing each other’s skin with soft kisses and fervent, loving touches. He makes me feel safe and wanted, two feelings I never imagined possible for a girl like me. I come from such a dark beginning, and I always assumed that my past would loom over me like a frigid shadow, keeping me in the dark. Alone. Starved for touch and acknowledgement. Desperate for somebody to look at me and see something other than the wispy shell of a woman I felt like.
And I have found that in Bones. He cares for me. Not just on a surface level, but his heart and my heart, together, intertwined forever. I am no longer afraid of the future, because for the first time ever, I feel like I actually have one. I am not alone. I have someone around to laugh and joke around with, someone to share the good and the bad with. Although, I have to admit, there isn’t a whole lot of bad left in my life these days.
Quite some time has passed since the day they came and took Cranston away. I was forced to face up to my past, and this time, I had all the weapons and strength I needed to defeat it. Bones inspires me with that strength. He was my spine, my backbone when I felt flimsy and helpless, and now we have spent enough time together that it feels like I have grown my own power. I have learned that I am good enough. Powerful enough to push back against those dark things that haunt me. I have a light in my soul now that shines bright and reduces my demons to mere flickers of shadow. I can turn toward the monster that made me and hold my head up high, no longer afraid of seeing his face reflected in my mirror. He’s long since vacated my thoughts. I have other things to think about now. Good things. Hell, I have great things ahead of me, because Bones is walking alongside me in this new life.
Every day, he shows me a new part of myself I never let myself see before. He shows me who I really am, what I am really capable of. And every time he holds me in his arms and entices my body to new heights of pleasure, it’s like opening a door previously kept closed and locked. As it turns out, there is so much more to me than where I came from and who made me. I have the choice to determine who I will be from here on out. I have the power to become that version of myself, the version of Lauren that I really like. Bones respects and loves me, and that gives me the key to respect myself, even if I haven’t quite learned to love myself yet.
But Bones is working on it, even right now. He will get me there one day. I have no doubt about that. Especially on lazy days like today, watching the dappled light fall over his powerful, muscular body as he turns and moves around with me on the bed. He asks me again and again to trust him, and every time, it gets a little easier. There’s a lot of pain to unlearn and heal from, but I’m on my way. And these days, there is far more pleasure in my life than pain.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmurs, propping himself up on his elbow to peer into my face. I blush and try to turn away reflexively, knowing there isn’t a stitch of makeup on my face, and my hair is in need of a wash.
But he doesn’t let me turn away. He takes my delicate chin between his thumb and forefinger and gently pulls me back. He gazes deep into my eyes, and I can feel my body heating up instantly. That’s all it ever takes nowadays. One look, and I’m mesmerized. At least now I can be sure that I am in safe hands. He slowly bends to kiss me on the lips, his hand sliding over to cup my cheek while his other hand slips down to pull at the hem of my shirt. It’s one of his, oversized and well-worn to be softer than before. Sure, I have my own clothes. Plenty of them. Bones and I love to go out to the shops together so he can watch me try on new outfits. Twice now he’s come into the dressing room with me, covered my mouth with his hand, and fucked me right there in the store next to a pile of new clothes. Just the memory of that is enough to make me slick between the thighs, and I arch my back to let him pull up the t-shirt, lifting it up over my head. We’re going slowly, but I know exactly where we’re going. I’m along for the ride, always happy to follow Bones anywhere.
My nipples stiffen to peaks in the cool, free air and I let out a soft moan when Bones lays both hands over my chest. He massages my breasts, rolling my nipples under his thumbs until I’m mewling and rocking my hips, getting frustrated with need.
“Please,” I whimper.
“Please, what?” he repeats in a low growl.
“Just… don’t stop,” I murmur.
He laughs softly and bends to pull one of my nipples between his teeth, biting down gently so that I cry out and writhe beneath him. “Trust me, I don’t plan to,” he purrs back.
His hands slide up to grasp my wrists, pushing them up over my head. He pins my arms there while his tongue flicks over my nipples, going back and forth between them, every now and then grazing them with his teeth. There’s always that glorious edge of gentle pain, of force. Bones loves to test my boundaries, but I love it, too. I know he will only take me to good places. I’m never afraid anymore. I’m just happy to let him do what he pleases—because it pleases me.
He reaches up and grabs a bandana from the nightstand. I watch intently as he binds the bandana around my wrists, tying them to a post of the headboard. A little thrill of excitement rolls down my spine as Bones moves to straddle me. He makes his way down slowly, letting his hands and his lips kiss a trail down to my soft mound. He leans in, massaging and squeezing my thighs while he sucks in a deep breath of my fragrant sex. The look of pure hunger on his face is enough to make me tingle all over with anticipation. I never thought I could find someone who so perfectly jives with my light and my darkness at the same time. He lets me explore those once-fearful places deep in my soul, casting light into the shadows, bringing me out into the sunshine even as we delve deeper into my hidden desires. Bones can be hard, but he is always gentle. The bottom line is safety. And trust. And abiding love that conquers all trouble.
I never used to believe in that stuff. But I do now.
Bones spreads apart my thighs and dives in, flicking his tongue up and down my slick flower while my hips roll and buck, the breath holding and catching in my throat. His lips close around my sensitive clit, circling it and sending shockwaves of pure pleasure through my whole body, head to toe. My arms strain above my head as I rut against his tongue, the wetness and warm friction mounting my pleasure ever higher. Bones gets a little more aggressive, licking and sucking at my clit until I’m keening and moaning for release. He knows just how to bring me to the edge and then artfully dance away.
“Oh, you’re teasing me,” I whisper.
He laughs gently. “Yes. I am. Is that what you deserve?” he growls.
“Maybe,” I reply coyly, biting my lip as I open my eyes to look down at him.
He gives me a wry smile and grabs my legs, hooking them over his shoulders so he can better reach my pussy. He presses the flat, hard tip of his tongue against my clit and circles it slowly, then faster, making big circles and small ones. Just as I’m about to come, he pulls back and spanks my ass—hard. I cry out with mingled pain and pleasure, gushing honey all over his tongue at the new, sharp sensation. I tremble through the orgasm, my hands clenching and unclenching uselessly above my head.
“Good girl. That’s what I want,” Bones hisses. He dives in and licks up my honey hungrily, his hands still working my thighs.
�
��More,” I beg.
“More? Have you earned more?” he plays with me.
“Yes, sir. Please. I want… I want you inside of me,” I murmur.
“You have been a naughty girl lately. The other day, when you were cooking dinner, I know you know I could see right through those pale pink panties. I saw you getting wet. You were thinking about my cock, weren’t you? You were thinking about me bending you over that kitchen sink and fucking you from behind again,” he snarls.
I bite my lip, blushing bright pink. He’s right. As always.
“Guilty,” I admit.
“No reason to feel guilty,” he murmurs. “If you want my cock, you’re going to get it. Hard.” He sits up and slaps my ass again with a resounding smack.
It stings so deliciously that I’m still floating on cloud nine when I see him pull down his boxers and let his cock spring free. I lick my lips, hungry for it. He’s already stiff and hard for me as he rubs the head of his cock around my slick opening. I rut against him, moaning and pleading for him to take me.
“You want it bad, little girl?” he says in a rasping voice.
“Yes. God, yes,” I gasp, bracing myself for the inevitable. I’ve been hungry for it all day.
With that, he pushes inside of me, totally sheathing himself inside my clenching cunny. I cry out and buck against him, both of us rolling and thrusting in perfect tandem. The swollen head of his cock brushes against my g-spot again and again, and it’s not long before I come again, gushing all over his massive shaft as he pummels my pussy. I lose myself to the waves of pleasure, groaning and rocking in rhythm with him as he fucks me hard and fast. He reaches up to gently pull my hair, turning my head to one side so he can kiss and bite at my neck while he slams into me. He moves faster, fucking me so deeply that I know I’ll be sore the rest of the day. Tomorrow, too. But I live for this—for the moments when he truly lets go and uses my body the way he needs to. I belong to him and I love it when he marks me up, makes it clear exactly who I belong to. I love feeling the marks he’s left, seeing the reminders that he has been there, like a road map on my body of special places.
“You feel so damn good, sweetheart,” he purrs against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. I rise to meet his every crest, moaning as we move toward climax together.
He strokes my face, showing how soft he can be even as he pounds hard into my pussy, his other hand groping my breasts and feeling me up. We hurtle toward the edge, slipping closer and closer until finally he picks up the pace and pummels into me a few more times, and we explode as one being, gasping and groaning with pleasure. I love the feeling of his come inside me, pumping me full and making me feel complete. He gives me a few more short thrusts and then he withdraws, kissing me all over my face and body before untying my hands.
We curl up together and he strokes my cheek, our eyes locked on one another’s gaze.
“So, my love,” he whispers, “what do you want to do today?”
I smile playfully and reply, “What’s wrong with what we’re doing now?”
He chuckles and kisses my forehead. “Nothing at all. But first, I’m going to make some breakfast.” I immediately try to get up, but he stops me. “No—you stay right there. I’m going to bring it to you,” he explains.
I smile, shaking my head at how lucky I am as he walks out of the room. I lie in the sunshine, relaxing and feeling his come slowly drip down my thighs as I listen to Bones humming in the kitchen. My phone buzzes on the nightstand and, though I toy with the idea of ignoring it, my curiosity overcomes me and I grab it, sliding the screen open. There’s a news alert that makes my heart skip a beat. I see his name: Murray Smyth. But then, the headline clicks in my mind.
He’s been arrested and charged with the murders of three girls many years ago. Thank god there’s no statute of limitations on murder. I smile to myself, knowing he couldn’t outrun his own past, either. And then, as a footnote to the article about my father, there’s a link to another article. I scan the page and feel my soul get ten times lighter when I learn that Kevin Cranston has been arrested and charged for stalking and kidnapping. I know I’m going to have to take the stand again. It’s going to be a little scary. How could it not be? But this time, it’ll be different. I won’t be alone. I have Bones now, always in my corner, ready to protect and defend me. And it’s not just him, either. The Heartbreakers are all on my side, too. They are my new family.
All my monsters, neatly contained somewhere far away from me. It’s a dream come true. A day I never thought would come. And all I can do is smile.
My phone rings again and I pick it up without even checking the caller ID. I don’t have to do that anymore. There’s no fear. Only openness to the beautiful future unfolding before me.
“Hello?” I answer, turning over on my side.
“Lauren! Hey, it’s Kate,” says a cheery voice.
I grin. “Oh, hey! How’s it going?” I reply.
She carries on chattering about the baby, about Breaker. About how happy she is, how good things are. I feel exactly the same way. And it’s strange—I never knew how good it could feel to have a best friend, but I have one now. We talk nearly every day. As it turns out, Kate and I have a lot in common. As we chat, it’s hard for me not to let sip that I’ve been planning her baby shower. I’m so excited for us girls to gather up and celebrate the new life coming into the world. A new member of our extended but tight-knit family. We talk for a while as Bones cooks breakfast, but when he comes in and sets a tray on my lap in bed, I have to hang up.
“Blueberry pancakes?” I ask, looking up at him.
He nods. “Your favorite, right?”
I grin at him happily. “Absolutely.”
“Well, dig in,” he says, sitting down next to me.
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” I giggle, picking up my fork. I reach to lift the napkin and set it in my lap, but then I do a double take. There’s something there, under the napkin. Something sparkly and shiny.
A ring.
My heart begins to pound as I pick it up gingerly, my eyes wide when I turn to look at Bones. There’s a big, gorgeous smile on his handsome face that takes my breath away.
“Is this…?” I trail off breathlessly.
He nods, leaning in and kissing me on the lips gently. He strokes the hair back out of my face, beaming at me. “I want you to always have a physical reminder of my love for you. Lauren, I intend to spend every day for the rest of our lives taking care of you and defending you. I will always keep you safe. Remember that. You are mine, and I am yours. I love you. I always will,” he says warmly. There’s so much pure adoration in his gaze, I can feel my heart melting.
“I love you, too,” I murmur, happy tears burning in my eyes. “Now and forever.”
Next from Alexis Abbott
Are you ready for your next Heartbreaker? Grab this smokin’ hot alpha male now!
Teaser…
My steps are completely silent as I slip into the shadows of the club’s basement. It leads to a larger room that opens up at the base of the stairs, and I carefully take out a hand mirror I brought to check around the corner.
A stone falls to my stomach.
It looks like an average club basement at a glance--shelves of scant supplies line the walls, and there’s a man leaning by the entrance to what looks like a janitor’s closet.
Guards aren’t usually posted on janitor’s closets, and I think my suspicions about what that lock was for are about to be confirmed. But I don’t want to make noise and let the guard call in a dozen more men in on me. I glance around me, mind racing.
I notice a tall plastic bucket sitting by the door, and after taking a deep, silent breath, I kick it over. I hear a grunt from the guard, who approaches carefully, eyes down as if looking for an animal who’d slipped inside. Before he even sees me, I move.
My fist lashes out, and the steel padlock cracks him across the head. He staggers and looks up at me with hazy eyes before toppling over to the grou
nd. I clutch the padlock and check the man’s pulse to make sure he’s alive before moving on to the closet.
My face pales at what I see within.
Instead of any equipment, there’s a thick, scratchy blanket bundled up on a wet concrete floor in a tight roll...and there’s a shock of strawberry blonde hair spilling out of one end of it. Quickly, I stoop down and put my hands on the woman’s shoulders, and I’m relieved to at least feel warmth.
There might be hope.
I pull back the blankets carefully, and I find that they’ve been wrapped tight around her. Her body is limp, and I start worrying that I might be too late before I find a wrist and put my fingers to it.
She has a pulse. She must be drugged.
I pull the blankets down from her face, and I’m nearly stunned by the sight. She has the face of an angel, like a marble statue brought to life--and about as pale to match, too.
Clutching the girl in my arms, I curse silently. She can’t be a day over twenty, and she must have been taken recently. She looks like a healthy person, despite her condition right now. I wonder how recently she ended up here, and how, but I don’t have time for that. It’s only a matter of minutes before someone else has reason to come down here, or the man I just knocked out gets missed.
I’ve got to make a call on what to do, immediately.
This is Diesel’s place, this is all the proof I need of that. The smart thing to do would be to just snap pictures of what I’ve seen, send them to Breaker, and organize a raid. But that could put her life in more danger, and as if that weren’t enough, it would leave her to face whatever they have planned for her tonight.
And this is Diesel’s gang. What he has planned isn’t going to be pretty. Anger boils my blood, and for a moment, I let myself start to plan heading upstairs and taking them all on, armed with nothing but my padlock. I’d faced worse odds before and pulled out on top. But I’ve got to get this girl out of harm, and there’s only one surefire way to do that.
Bones: Heartbreaker MC #2 Page 18