Run To You: The Damaged Series - Book Four

by Shayne McClendon

  When it came to a woman who’d bloomed late and lost her husband under such conflicting circumstances, it was going to take time for her to admit what she wanted...much less go after it.

  Nina returned to her home a few miles away with no small measure of relief. The copious emotions, pain, and tears...it was a lot for a woman like her - cold and detached - to handle.

  Chapter Fifteen

  For days, James stayed by Rowan’s side as they met with attorneys and representatives from Bennett’s company - that now belonged to his widow.

  While Nina understood why James couldn’t come to her, she’d grown accustomed to steady access to him. Suddenly not having him close made her body ache painfully.

  She was pacing when James walked through her door at midnight. Whipping Nina into his arms, he kept going to the bedroom.

  “Those fucking lawyers just left.” She started to respond and he barked, “No talking. I need my mouth on you or I’m going to stroke the fuck out.”

  Throwing her on the edge of the bed, he went to his knees to remove her clothes. He shoved her legs wide and smiled. “There it is. That’s what I need.”

  Then he buried his face in her pussy and ate her until she screamed his name, soaked him with her release, and begged for his cock.

  Shrugging off his suit jacket, holster, and shirt, he unfastened his pants enough to get them to his hips. Supporting her lower body with her legs over his elbows, he pushed in slow and stilled when he filled her completely.

  “Perfect pussy wrapped around my dick. Hot, tight, wet. Let’s level up, sweetheart.”

  With only her shoulders and head on the bed, he drove down into her body and she took every stroke in anticipation of the next one.

  She hadn’t had his cock inside her in almost a month - since before Bennett died. She’d sucked him twice to relieve his tension and he’d gotten her off countless times but their moments together were rushed and they were always aware that interruptions were possible on the estate.

  “Fuck me unconscious, James.” She pinched her nipples between her fingers and thumbs. “Don’t leave anything unfucked.” She watched him smile and her pussy flexed around him.

  “You want your pouty lips wrapped around my dick?”

  “Mm...and my fingers buried in your ass, James.” She blew him a kiss. “I’ll play with your little clit as nicely as you play with mine. Promise.”

  She watched a full body chill work its way over him. He propped her heel on his shoulder and stroked his hand down to grip her ass, separating her cheeks.

  “You sure you want my cock in this tiny hole?”

  “And a fake one in my pussy. Yes, James.”

  “Filled front and back...a little more pain than usual, Nina.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “You want it fucked...I’m going to fuck it, sweetheart.”

  She settled her fingers over her clit and snapped her teeth at him. “My animal wants yours.”

  His eyes glazed for a moment and then James hammered her pussy until she came with her eyes rolled back in her head, his name a chant on her lips.

  It wasn’t a purring kind of night.

  Nina needed teeth and claws and violence.

  James never disappointed.

  * * *

  It wasn’t long before Nina found herself going a little crazy.

  When a man like Bennett Jefferson died, there was a lot to be done to settle his affairs. He’d gone out of his way to make it easy for Rowan but there were endless meetings and mountains of paperwork.

  Where his charge went, James guarded. Days went by without seeing him and then Nina received a heavy dose of his attention.

  It made it harder to wait for the next time.

  Nina didn’t need money but work had filled a lot of her time over the years. Her skills were limited to singing, dancing, and being pretty.

  On a whim, she drove to the closest police station. In skintight workout gear, she walked up to the officer on duty and smiled.

  “Can you point me in the direction of really good self-defense training? I don’t want that stuff most girls do. I’m willing to pay for classes. Any suggestions?”

  The man’s eyes scanned down her body and back to her face. “You running from somebody, honey?”

  “No. I want real, not surface. You know where I can get training like that?”

  His smile was slow. “You sure about this?”

  “I am.”

  “Alright. It’s not like aerobics and shit.”

  She released a huff of laughter. “I’m aware.”

  He wrote information on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “These guys are ex-military. They’ll whoop your ass and show you how to whoop somebody else’s. I said what you wanted under the address so they know how you found them. They get a little paranoid.”

  Taking it, she winked. “Thanks.”

  A few miles away, she got out of her car and coiled her hair at the base of her neck. Taking her dance bag from the back of the car, she walked inside a nondescript building. She smiled at a man covered in tattoos she thought were meant to distract from his many scars.

  “Sugar, you lost?”

  “Nope.” She held out the paper and he read it with a frown.

  “Uh…”

  “I pay cash.”

  “It’s not every day that a hot little number comes in here to learn how to kick ass.”

  “I like being unique.”

  Keeping her expression blank, she followed him through a metal door to a well-used gym. It smelled like cleaning agent but there was no getting rid of the undertone of sweat that permeated the place.

  “Wait here.”

  Nina dropped her bag and taped her hands and feet. She pretended not to notice the way several men huddled together trying to figure her out.

  She wished them luck.

  One called, “What kind of training do you have?”

  “Nothing formal. Low level street-fighting stuff. I want more. I’m self-taught but a quick study.” Bending, she removed a roll of twenties from her bag and set it on one of the weight benches. “Three thousand in cash. I want three hours.”

  “You’ll drop before that…”

  “I didn’t come here for conversation,” she interrupted him. Going into a fighting stance, she held up her fists and added, “I learn by doing.” They approached her cautiously and it made her smile. “It’s not a game. I’ve never been trained. I come to places like this and fight whoever has the balls to hit a girl. I’m not great but since I don’t like to be hit, I learn pretty fast how to avoid it.”

  Nina’s upper body wasn’t very powerful but her legs were strong and she was fast, flexible. It was important to keep her reflexes sharp and there was only way she knew to do it.

  The first half hour she took quite a few hits to her forearms and torso. They were careful not to hit her face. She watched them, learned their weaker sides and which ones were faster than the others.

  Forty minutes in, the three men trading off kicking her ass backed rapidly off the mat. Breathing hard, drenched in sweat, and covered in red impact marks, Nina looked over her shoulder.

  James stood ten feet away. “What...” He took a deep breath and started again. “Nina. What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “Are you having someone follow me?”

  “Yes. You refuse to live within a safe perimeter even though you admit to having enemies who haven’t forgotten you. I answered your question. Now answer mine. What are you doing here?”

  “Improving my reflexes.”

  A vein throbbed at his temple. “Nina.”

  “Yes?” she asked in a sing-song voice.

  “Why didn’t you ask me to train you?”

  “Because you already have a job. This is their job.” Hand on her hip, she huffed.

  The men around the mat started talking at once and Nina frowned.

  “Statton, we didn’t know, man.”

  “When a hot blonde wa
lks in with three grand…”

  “We’ve been careful, dude. Seriously.”

  James stared into her eyes. “Do you remember our talk about the code my men live by?”

  “These aren’t your men and I didn’t fuck them.”

  “No. You let them hit you, hurt you, and draw blood to work off anxiety and frustration. Fighting as therapy, Nina, is often as intimate as fucking.” Without breaking eye contact with her, James loudly asked the room, “Who am I to you, gentlemen?”

  “You own the place.”

  Another murmured, “Have for seventeen years.”

  “Who trained you?” James asked.

  “You did, Statton.”

  “If I ran into trouble, would you come to my aid?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Would you call yourself my men?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Prepare to spar.” James removed his suit jacket, shoulder holster, shirt, belt, shoes, and socks.

  “James…”

  “Nina, I’d never seriously injure these men but I’ll make them work to keep me from doing it. They train law enforcement in the area. Particularly SWAT and undercover cops. Perhaps this will explain why you should have come to me and why I hope you’ll come to me in the future for anything involving self-defense.” In a low voice, he added, “Especially if you’re using it as a replacement adrenaline rush for what you really need.”

  Turning to look at the men, he added, “Don’t hold back simply because this gorgeous woman is watching. Nina doesn’t mind blood.”

  Over the next hour, James systematically mowed down the men Nina had struggled to keep up with. He fought them one on one and in groups. Fast, strong, and maintaining a fixed expression on his face, he beat them all.

  By the time the final man slapped his hand against the mat in surrender, she felt like she might come if he breathed on her.

  Bending, James offered his last opponent a hand and pulled him to his feet. “Excellent work. All of you. Lock up and take off.”

  They made their way to the back and James stood in the center of the mat, still and silent until he heard the slamming of the door at the back of the building.

  “Nina.”

  She took two steps, paused, and then ran at him. When she jumped into his arms, he caught her easily and whipped her to her back on the mat, his body on top of hers.

  Panting, shaking apart, she helped him get her clothes off and worked at the closure of his slacks.

  Then he was inside her and she latched her teeth onto the meat of his shoulder. He tasted of sweat, a little blood, and a warm musk she wanted to lick from his body.

  She settled for running her lips up his neck to his mouth and moaned as he ate at her.

  Pounding his cock into her, he growled, “In the wild, the strongest female always wants a powerful male. She’ll watch potential suitors rip each other to shreds without interfering and take the one who walks away.” He wrapped his hand around her throat. “My sleek jaguar. Did you know I owned this place?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  “I followed you here two weeks ago. I watched the place to see who came for training.”

  “Tell me why.”

  “I knew you could fight. I wanted to see it.” She shrugged. “I really do come to places like this a few times a year. Sometimes, I feel like I need to be beaten for my sins.”

  Pushing deep, he stilled. “You’re lonely.”

  “No…”

  “Lie to me again and I’ll keep you from coming for hours.”

  She swallowed hard. “I’m bored, I feel useless, and I don’t see you for days. I understand why. I get it. My insides go crazy and my mind follows.”

  “If you’d let Rowan know…”

  “No, James.”

  Sighing heavily, he shook his head. “You’re leaving them the cash for their trouble.”

  “I planned on it.”

  “Take my cock. After I fill you up, I want to watch you clean our come off my dick.”

  “It’s the least I can do…”

  “That’s where we’ll start. You wanted my blood up...it’s up. Now you can deal with the consequences.”

  By the time they left the training facility, her legs wouldn’t support her. James placed her in the passenger seat of her car and got behind the wheel. At her house, he bathed her, tucked her in bed, and locked up when he left.

  She was sated but knew it wouldn’t last. The more time she spent with him, the more she wanted.

  Nina didn’t know why she was spiraling but knew she had to figure things out before she lost the only man to ever quiet her demons.

  That was a loss she didn’t dare contemplate.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Rowan learning she was pregnant from her one night with Bennett was bittersweet. She struggled to navigate emotions and desires that seemed in constant conflict with one another.

  Nina continued to keep her secrets because the woman didn’t need more input with everything she was going through.

  Still, it was clear she suspected something when she called to give Nina the news about Miss Jeffries taking a fall.

  If she had to bet, she’d guess that James deliberately let something slip to hasten their coming out.

  Nina refused to travel with them to the home where they grew up when James asked. “I’ll drive myself. I’m not adding to the shit in her head right now. She needs to stay calm for the baby.”

  Laughing, he shot back, “Rowan has nothing to do with why you’re keeping ninety percent of your life a secret. You’re braver than that.” There was a pause. “We’ll see you there. I have a protective detail following you over to Daingerfield.”

  Through gritted teeth, she quipped, “Hope they can keep up.”

  His voice was firm when he replied, “They’d better. They lose you and I’ll make them explain why on the mat.”

  Nina stomped her foot and tightened her grip on the phone. “Stop threatening your men, James!”

  “Sweetheart, they have a job to do. They’re highly trained and get paid very well to do that job. If they fail to fulfill the requirements, there’s a price to be paid - as there would be for any position of employment. I happen to have excellent management skills.”

  “You’re infuriating.”

  “I imagine it can be infuriating to not always get your way but you love that I tell you no because few men ever have. I’ll see you tomorrow, pretty girl.”

  * * *

  It was deja vu when Nina got out of her car in front of Miss Jeffries’ place. Rowan waited on the porch with a big smile.

  “It’s like we’re twelve again.” Her friend ran down to hug her tightly and Nina was instantly on the verge of tears. To cover it, she said, “Tell me there are pancakes.”

  Leaning back, Rowan winked. “Brioche with dark chocolate and almonds.”

  “Lead the fucking way. I’m starving.”

  They walked toward the porch, their arms around each other’s waists, when adorable twin girls ran out on the porch screaming laughter.

  Right behind them, James followed on all fours, snuffing and neighing. He had a stuffed unicorn horn on his head and was clearly having a blast.

  Spotting Nina, he bounced to his feet and ripped the horn off his head. Clearing his throat, James said, “Nina.”

  Her eyes followed the girls as they ran across the yard to a swing set. They climbed on and started singing together.

  Every part of her in chaos, she asked carefully, “Whose children are those?” She felt on the verge of fainting.

  Rowan answered, “That’s Ava and Emma. Miss Jeffries is taking care of them.”

  Dropping her arm from around Rowan, Nina took an unconscious step toward the sisters before stopping herself. “They’re...orphans?”

  “Uh, they were abandoned.” There was a pause and Rowan added, “Hey. Are you okay?”

  Shaking herself from her confusion, her irrational longing, Nina masked h
er turmoil with a well-practiced smile. “What…? Oh, yes. I’m fine. Jet lagged, probably. You were going to feed me.” Walking up on the porch, Nina smiled brightly at James. “Hello, Mr. Statton. Lookin’ good as usual.” Then she passed him to enter the house and yelled, “Miss Jeffries! I’ve come to eat all your food.” There was tinkling laughter from Miss Jeffries’ bedroom on the first floor. Turning to Rowan, she said quietly, “I’ll eat in a bit. I think I’ll sit with her for a little while.”

  “She’d love that, Nina. I’ll go for a run.”

  “You’re still running pregnant?”

  “More common than you might think. Go spend time with Miss Jeffries and I’ll see you later.”

  Walking through the rooms that had been updated and renovated, Nina fought to control her reaction to children she didn’t know. Her smile was bright as she tapped on Miss Jeffries’ bedroom door.

  “I hear you fell ass over teakettle…”

  Laughing, her surrogate mother murmured, “Nina, there’s a reason they didn’t name me Grace.”

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, Nina took her hand and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “How do you feel?”

  “Old. Sore. Frustrated as all get out.” She shook her head and Nina was shocked to see tears in her eyes. “If I can’t help girls in trouble, I got no use at all, honey. No use. Rowan brought people I’m supposed to manage. I-I…”

  Then she was crying softly and Nina gathered her close. “Listen to me, Miss Jeffries,” she murmured at her ear, “you’re not useless. You could never be useless. You’ve saved so many people, one girl at a time, one meal or habit or stern talking to at a time. You saved me. You and Rowan kept me alive. If I hadn’t ended up here, I’d be strung out or dead. That’s the truth. You need to remember what you’ve done - not what you’ve yet to do. I’ll stay here with you for a little while so you don’t forget.”

  The woman held her arm. “You’d do that, Nina?”

  “Yeah.” She cleared her throat and stared at the pattern of the quilt that had covered Miss Jeffries’ bed as long as Nina could remember. “I-I lost...I lost a baby last year.”

  The old woman’s frail hands showed surprising strength as she gripped Nina’s. “Oh, honey...no. I’m so sorry.”