Wheels of Fire (Hollywood Demons Book 3)

by Autumn Jones Lake

  She nods and bites her lip.

  I grab her hips and drag her closer. “Nothing?”

  Tears shine in her eyes. If nothing else, I’m going to strangle Andrew for the emotional roller coaster he’s put her through.

  “You are not nothing. You’re my girl. My fiancée. Soon, you’ll be my wife. The mother of my children. You’re my whole world. My everything. No one touches what’s mine. No one hurts you.”

  Her lips part but I cut her off before she makes a sound by pressing a finger against her lips. “Don’t make another excuse for that motherfucker.”

  I slide my finger along her bottom lip. “Mine to kiss.” I swoop down and press my lips against hers hard enough to erase memories of anyone else. She moans into my mouth and drags her fingers through my hair. I grasp her hand, pinning it to her side.

  “Chaser?” she whispers when I draw back.

  Without answering, I slide my hand from her hip, between her legs, and cup her center. “Mine. To touch. Mine to lick. Mine to pleasure. Only mine.”

  She rocks against my hand and I grab her hip, keeping her still. “Is that clear?”

  “Show me,” she whispers.

  I draw back and study her face. “Excuse me?”

  Slowly, she lifts her gaze to mine. Challenge glitters in her eyes. “Prove it.”

  “You chose a bad time to dare me, little dove.” I press my mouth against hers and use my weight to push her down to the mattress.

  Mallory

  One minute Chaser has me so frustrated I want to strangle him, and the next he has me pinned to the mattress. His arms resting on either side of my head, caging me in.

  “Did you hear what I said?” he rasps.

  “I heard everything you said tonight,” I whisper.

  He closes his eyes for a brief moment.

  I reach up and brush my fingertips over his cheek. “I’ve never…not for a minute have I felt that you’re not enough for me.”

  “You think you’ll still feel that way, ten, twenty, thirty years from now?”

  It would be so easy to blurt out a yes. But Chaser doesn’t want easy answers. He wants the honest one.

  I blink, trying to stretch my imagination that far into the future. What will it look like? Where will we be?

  We.

  “Every vision of my future includes you. No matter where I go, I want you by my side. I want to come home and find you practicing guitar in the living room. Go on tour with you. Accept awards with you. Travel everywhere together.” I run my finger over his furrowed brow. “Have a family with you—”

  He slams his mouth over mine, cutting me off, claiming my lips and my heart.

  Hot, undeniable sparks fire through my veins. An electrical current of energy running between our bodies. A whimper of need and desperation tears from my throat. He answers with his own needy rumble.

  I slip my fingers over his hot skin and hard muscles. Stroking over firm abs, his sides, to his back.

  He groans again. Leaning on one arm, he runs his hand down my side, and tugs my shirt up. I lift up to help untangle it from my arms and stop to undo my bra.

  The corners of his mouth lift with approval. His dark eyes glitter with desire. Our lips meet again. My lips part and his tongue strokes against mine.

  “My girl,” he whispers against my lips.

  I nod slowly.

  He dives lower, kissing along my jaw, down to my neck. His scruff setting fire to my sensitive skin where he stops to suck and nip. I angle my head back, offering my neck as a canvas to leave his mark.

  Little cries of pleasure escape my lips as he continues kissing and claiming every inch of me.

  He slips one hand between our bodies. I gasp as he brushes his fingers over my inner thigh, up under my shorts. His teeth scrape my nipple as his fingers stroke the edge of my panties.

  I gasp and try to sit up but he keeps me pinned. Desire turns me inside out and I struggle under the weight of his body.

  “What’s wrong, little dove?” His wicked smile even more of a turn-on as he slowly slides his fingers under my panties. His thumb brushes over my clit and my body jerks.

  “Mmm, I like that.” He strokes in firmer circles until I squeeze my eyes shut, trying so hard to concentrate on the delicious sensations. My thigh muscles quiver in anticipation but he leaves me on the edge, never pressing hard enough to set me off.

  “Chaser,” I whine and try desperately to grind myself against his hand.

  I blink up at him. His dark eyes are heavy-lidded with desire. “I love watching you,” he whispers. Still watching me, he dips his head and tugs at the button of my shorts with his teeth.

  A pathetic whimper leaves me as he eases his hand away from my center and works my shorts loose. “Get these off,” he growls.

  I lift my hips and he shimmies my shorts and underwear down my legs, stopping to press a kiss to my bellybutton.

  “That tickles.” My belly quivers with held back laughter as her runs his scruff over my skin.

  He slides his body off the mattress, kneeling at the foot of the bed.

  “Come here.” His low, guttural demand has me scooting down the bed. Not fast enough, apparently. He slips his arms under my legs, and yanks me to the edge. Using his wide shoulders, he presses my legs open. The scratch of his stubble against my inner thigh sends more tingles of anticipation through me. He kisses and nibbles. When I think I can’t take another second of torment, he places his wicked mouth where I need it most.

  “Oh!”

  He groans and uses his tongue to flick my clit. My thighs clench, squeezing his head, until he pries me open again. Breathless, ragged noises escape my throat. I reach down, tangling my fingers through his hair.

  He tastes and teases, lapping and swirling his tongue in the most provocative ways, always leaving me teetering on the edge.

  He returns all his focus to my clit, sucking gently. My legs shake. My toes curl against the sheets. He twines his fingers with mine and I finally break. Waves of pleasure pulse through me, leaving me breathless and dizzy.

  When I can’t take any more, I buck my hips, shaking him loose. He sits back and chuckles, pressing a slippery kiss to my thigh.

  I curl my finger at him. Pressing his fists into the mattress, he rises. A flash of pain creases his face and I bolt up. “I’m sorry.”

  “Shh.” He presses a finger to my lips. He gestures to his jeans. “Take my cock out.”

  Eager to return the favor and make his knees quiver, I free him, shoving his jeans over his hips. His abs tighten and he sways as I slide my hand up and down his cock. I circle the tip with my thumb and he hisses.

  “Lie back.”

  “But—”

  His dark expression cuts off my protest. I scoot a few inches up the bed. Resting on my elbows, I dig my heels into the mattress and spread my knees wide. “Like this?” I ask in an innocent whisper.

  He growls and falls down over me. He reaches between us, positioning himself at my center. Rubbing up and down for a long moment while staring down into my eyes.

  “Give me—”

  He cuts me off, sliding into me, hard, in one smooth motion.

  “Oh, fuck.” My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I struggle to adjust.

  He presses his lips to my forehead and stills his movements. “You still with me, little dove?” His raw voice expresses his need more than his words.

  With him in this moment? With him for life?

  All of the above.

  I blink up at him. His intense eyes wait for an answer.

  I squeeze my inner muscles around him and he shudders.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  That’s the answer he needed. He clutches my hips and pulls back, slamming back in a second later. Not fast. Slow and hard, so I feel every inch.

  My greedy body aches with the demand for another release. Chaser’s controlled but relentless. Another orgasm builds, almost painful in its intensity.

  “I can’t—”

/>   “Yes, you can.” He slows his pace, leaning down to kiss me again. “Please.”

  His gentle plea after all our harsh words tonight unlocks my body. He comes with me, burying his face against my neck, whispering words of love in my ear.

  No one—no matter how hard they try—will ever tear us apart.

  Chapter Forty

  Mallory

  “You’re going to that photo shoot tomorrow,” Chaser says later as I’m falling asleep.

  His words are jolt of caffeine that pushes me upright. “No. I’m not.”

  He sits up and clicks the lamp on. “Yes. And I’m going with you.”

  “Why? To confront him?”

  “I can’t let him get away with what he did, Mallory. You know that. Tell me exactly how it happened this time,” he demands.

  I swallow hard. The pain and guilt almost make it impossible to say the words. I feel so stupid as I go over the events in my head. But I finally convey enough of the story to satisfy Chaser but not push him into hunting Andrew down and killing him.

  “What a fucking asshole.”

  “I’m not trying to make an excuse. I really don’t think he’s dealing with the breakup well. He didn’t seem like himself.”

  “Did he hurt you?”

  “No.” I duck my head. “Not really.”

  “Mallory,” he warns.

  “He hurt my feelings, okay? But I handled it. The whole thing was so bizarre and crazy,” I lift my chin, “but I handled it.”

  “Hurt your feelings, how?”

  Oh boy. This is never going to end. “When I told him not to kiss me, that we were just friends, he made it clear he didn’t consider me a friend and that he only wanted to fuck me.”

  Chaser growls low in his throat. “That fucking card makes more sense now.”

  “Yes.” I shrug. “He really didn’t seem to see the harm. He told me how Pamela and Kyle hooked up and he took her back—”

  “Fuck.” Chaser runs his fingers through his hair. “A long time ago, he kept pressing me about whether or not I’d be mad if you fucked a director or something for a part. Kept trying to tell me it was just sex and no big deal.”

  “Yes! That’s what he said. ‘It’s just sex.’” I glance down and scratch my nails over the comforter. “He sort of said something similar to what you said. How could I marry you without ever being with anyone else? I think that’s why it hurt so much when you said it.”

  “I’m sorry.” He rests his hand over mine and squeezes. “Why does he even know—”

  “Pamela. So much for girl talk.” I roll my eyes.

  He chuckles and tugs me closer.

  “Oh, Jacob must’ve told him how um, loud, I am too, because—”

  “Jesus Christ,” he groans. “Why do we know so many obnoxious assholes?”

  “Am I really that loud?” My lips twitch. “You know, since you’re vastly more experienced than I am and all.”

  “Mal—” He stops and glances over at me. “I can’t believe you’re making a joke about this.”

  “Would you rather I cry?”

  “Never.” His expression turns more serious. “I can’t joke about it. You’re my whole life. Nothing that happened before we met matters or compares.”

  “Chaser.” How do I respond to such a sweet sentiment? Void of words, I sigh and cuddle closer, resting my head on his chest. He wraps his arms around me and I soak up his warmth.

  “For the record, I love all the little noises you make.” He strokes his fingers over my shoulder. “I’m the one who makes you lose control. Forget where you are. It’s a huge rush. Excellent for my already giant ego.”

  I bury my face against his chest, shaking with laughter. “You’re nuts.” I pull back and slap my hand over my mouth. “Oh my God.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “What?”

  “I told Andrew he might be in love with you. I think he actually considered the idea.”

  “You, what?”

  I give him the general gist of that part of our conversation. Chaser doesn’t seem to find it as funny as I do.

  “Mallory, I want to give you all the experiences you desire but I couldn’t watch another man touch you and not beat him to death. Seriously.” He stops for a second and stares at the ceiling. “Nope. Couldn’t even do it with another female.”

  “I thought that was every guy’s fantasy?”

  “Maybe,” his fists clench, “but even thinking about it is pissing me off.”

  “Besides hurting my feelings, I was really angry that he betrayed you that way, Chaser.”

  “I’m not as shocked as I should be. He’s not wired right.”

  “So we agree, no photoshoot? I’m not even calling him to say I’m not coming. Cindy can tell him.”

  “No, we’re going.”

  “We? No. This is…there will be other models there. A photographer. Cindy…You can’t.”

  He rolls his lip. “Then he shouldn’t mind if I tag along. You said it yourself, Andrew and I are friends. It won’t seem weird.”

  “He’s going to ask why you’re home when you’re supposed to be in Vancouver.”

  “Yeah, interesting timing, huh? He just had to photograph those shirts while he knows I’m tied up in Vancouver.”

  Damn, why hadn’t I looked at it the same way? “I’m such an idiot. He said the shirts just came in and I believed him.”

  “You’re not an idiot. You’re a good person who doesn’t immediately assume others are being dishonest. But yeah, I bet he thought he’d talk you into bed and you’d spend the weekend with him.” He’s quiet for a second, considering his words. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I have a feeling when you show up tomorrow, no one else will be there.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “No, he’s really excited about the shirts.” But even as I protest, I have a feeling Chaser’s right.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chaser

  Irritation that Mallory talked me out of bringing my gun with me this morning still ripples down my spine as she parks her car in Andrew’s driveway.

  We step out of the car and start walking up to the front door.

  “Huh. Would you look at that?” I stop and do a slow exaggerated scan of the area. “We must be early. Not another vehicle in sight.”

  “Smug’s an ugly color on you, Chaser,” she scolds.

  I sweep my hand in front of me. “I’ll let you go in first.”

  “Great,” she mutters, hesitating with her raised fist, about to knock. “You promise you’re not going to kill him?”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Why is that not comforting?” she grumbles as she raps her knuckles against the wood.

  “Mallory!” Andrew’s goofy fucking voice reaches me in my tucked-out-of-view spot. “I didn’t think you were coming after…well, you know.” Is that a note of shame I detect in his voice? Doubtful.

  “I wasn’t planning to,” she admits.

  “Did you get the flowers?”

  “Oh, yes.” She draws out the word with dramatic flair. “Biggest part of my night.”

  “Look, I really am sorry. I’m so happy you’re here.”

  I bet you are. Knowing Andrew, he probably assumes Mallory showing up today means she’s ready to hop into his bed. Just the thought is enough to propel me out of the shadows.

  The happy expression slides off Andrew’s face as I step into view.

  I flash a cocky motherfuckin’ grin at him. “How ya doin’, friend?”

  “Chaser, what’re you doing here?” His gaze pings between Mallory and me for a few beats. “When did you get home?”

  “Last night.”

  “We had an eventful reunion,” Mallory adds, leaving it to up to Andrew to interpret anyway he wants.

  I’m still thoroughly pissed that this asshole’s actions prompted such an ugly fight between Mallory and me. But at the same time, it was the push we needed to air out a few things I’d
been avoiding.

  Andrew opens the door wider, motioning me to come in. I limp my way across the threshold—those fucking painkillers have not been as effective as I’d anticipated. But I sure as fuck wasn’t bringing that cane with me.

  “What’s up, bro?” The nervous wobble in Andrew’s voice almost makes me laugh. “You limping?”

  “Cut up my foot. I’m fine.”

  “Why aren’t you in Vancouver? Mark usually keeps that leash tight when you’re in the studio.”

  “Yeah, I bet you were counting on that.”

  Mallory may have talked me out of blowing Andrew’s brains out, but I never agreed not to be a dick.

  “Where is everyone else?” Mallory asks, covering up the awkward silence.

  Funny thing about Andrew—he’s honest to a fault. Something I once appreciated about him.

  He’s also a terrible liar.

  His shoulders jerk and his arms twitch. “Fucking flakes canceled on me. That’s cool, though. Glad you’re here, Chaser. You mind throwing on a few T’s for me?”

  “Sure thing.” I glare at him, and he has the decency to look away. “Anything for my friend.”

  “Cindy’s not here either?” Mallory persists.

  “Well, I, uh, when everyone else said they weren’t coming…” he gestures wildly in Mallory’s direction, “…and I assumed you weren’t coming, I called her and canceled.”

  “Oh.” Mallory’s gaze darts to me. I try to stop the told-you-so grin from forming but fail miserably. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

  I jerk my thumb toward the kitchen. “You mind if I grab a glass of water?”

  “Yeah, sure. Go ahead.” Andrew waves his hands in the air. “Whatever you need.”

  My foot’s throbbing from all the activity. I’m dying to pop another pill. Plus, I’m curious. What will Andrew say to Mallory if I leave them alone together for a few seconds?

  How much rope does he need to hang himself?

  Mallory

  Andrew watches Chaser limp into the kitchen.

  As soon as the swinging door stops moving, he turns to me. “Did you tell him?” he whispers in a low, urgent voice. “What I said? Jesus fuck, what are you trying to do to me?”