Claimed

by M. Never

  Once out of the way, I grab one of her thighs and hook it around mine, so her legs are wide and my view is unobstructed.

  “Keep touching yourself.” I sink inside her half way and am bathed in her scorching wet heat. “So good.”

  Ellie moans as she strokes and massages herself into a frantic state with me partly buried inside her.

  “Kayne, more,” she pleads, her voice elevating, her hips jerking.

  “No, baby that’s all of me you get. You have to make yourself come first.”

  She groans in agony. “Please.”

  “No,” I deny her as her face contorts, tormented with pleasure, just tempting me to slam inside her and shatter on the spot. “Keep going.”

  “Oh God!” She moans loudly as her sweltering little pussy sucks on the tip of my cock vigorously. “I’m going to come.” She fists her free hand in my shirt just as the tremors begin and fluid drips down my shaft.

  I thrust inside her at that exact moment and fuck her straight through her orgasm as she screams out into the dark night.

  “Fuck, fuck!” I fight off my own orgasm until she’s depleted and limp, then I lift her right off the ground and impale her onto my throbbing cock, once, twice, three times, until I explode inside the tightest, wettest, most heavenly pussy on the face of the Earth.

  Still shaky from the aftershocks, I sink to the floor with Ellie wrapped around me, the both of us sucking in air like it’s going out of style.

  I hold Ellie in my arms as she snuggles against me with a million stars twinkling over our heads.

  “Too much too fast?” I exhale breathless, suddenly worried.

  She shakes her head. “If I didn’t want to, I would have said no.”

  I tilt her head up so I can look at her.

  “You can always say no.”

  She kisses me lightly, “I know.”

  “Good.”

  “Can we still go skinny dipping?”

  “Sure,” I chuckle.

  “Good.” She nestles herself back up against me. “It will be nice to see you naked and wet for a change.”

  “Ellie.” I laugh, hugging her tight.

  I may never, ever let go.

  I’M COLD. IT FEELS LIKE my heart has stopped pumping blood through my body. I roll over to reach for Ellie, but she’s not there. I snap open my eyes and sit up. It’s still dark out. I get out of bed and search the bungalow, tearing through the living room, bathroom, and sundeck like a madman. I check upstairs as well before my craziness gets the best of me, and I open the front door.

  She’s gone.

  A streak of dread runs through me. Did she just leave? I check the closet. All her things are still exactly where I put them.

  Did someone take her? Paranoia flares.

  I storm into the bedroom and swipe my phone off the end table. Just as I’m about to dial Jett, I hear the front door open and shut. It feels like all the organs inside me sag in relief when Ellie walks into the bedroom.

  “You’re up,” she says surprised, wearing tight black shorts and one of my white wife beaters.

  “Yeah. Apparently, so are you,” I snap sharply. “Where were you?” I don’t mean to bite her head off, but she just fucking left. In the middle of the night. Without telling me. Does she have any idea how neurotic I can be?

  Of course she doesn’t. You haven’t shown her your self-deprecating, mistrusting, shithead side yet that’s wracked with mommy issues.

  “I went for a walk,” she wraps her arms around herself.

  “In the dark?”

  Ellie nods.

  “By yourself?”

  Ellie bites her lip. “I wasn’t exactly alone.”

  “You were with someone?” I raise my eyebrows about to blow.

  She nods again.

  “London?”

  She shakes her head.

  “Jett?” I try again.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “I needed to talk.” Her smoky-green eyes cut through me in the darkness.

  “To Jett?”

  “With Jett,” she corrects.

  “About what?”

  Ellie shrugs. She’s being difficult, and I don’t like it.

  “Stuff.”

  “Stuff?”

  “Stuff,” she repeats. Her and her fucking monosyllables.

  “Wanna tell me what kind of stuff?”

  “No.” She fidgets with her fingers.

  What!?!

  “Is everything okay?” I ask, on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

  “Yes.”

  “Did I do something to upset you?” I ask, trying not to snap the thin strand of composure keeping me together. I’m sure losing my shit won’t encourage her to talk.

  “No.” Her face drops. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because you snuck out of bed in the middle of the night to go see my best friend!”

  “He’s my friend, too,” she asserts.

  “And you needed to talk to him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why can’t you talk to me?” I have always had this issue with Jett and Ellie. I want to be the one she talks to and confides in. The one she trusts. It’s apparent I still have a lot of work to do before that happens.

  Ellie takes a cautious step closer to me. “I didn’t want to wake you. And I didn’t mean to upset you.” She takes another step, then another.

  “Well, you did wake me. It’s like my body knew you weren’t there. I didn’t like that feeling, Ellie, and I didn’t like not knowing where you were.”

  “I’m sorry.” She’s standing in front of me now looking apologetic, and sexy and utterly irresistible in my ribbed undershirt.

  “You’re forgiven.” I pull her against me, and she fastens her arms around my neck. Sucker.

  “You can talk to me, Ellie. You can tell me anything. I’ll listen.”

  She hugs me tighter. “I know.”

  Then why did you have to turn to Jett?

  “I know I’m not perfect and I’m going to make mistakes. I’ve never done this before,” I babble nervously, as I hug her. “But I’m learning.”

  “We’re both learning, okay?” Her words console me.

  I nod silently. Crushing her to me.

  “Can we go back to bed?” she asks seductively, nuzzling my neck.

  “Can I feel you up once we lay down?”

  “You’re actually asking permission?”

  “For now.” I smile against her temple.

  “I think there a few places on my body that could use a good rub.”

  “Well, if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s rub.” I kiss her roughly, tangling our tongues together. She moans into mouth, jumpstarting my blood flow, sending an excess straight to the head of my cock.

  When we break apart, I trap Ellie’s chin between my thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look up at me.

  “I love you,” I whisper sternly.

  “I know,” she responds softly.

  “Good,” I reply, hoping beyond hope one day she’ll love me back.

  HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO talk to Kayne when he’s the one we’re talking about?

  Tonight overwhelmed me to the point the aftermath woke me up out a dead sleep.

  It’s all coming at me so hard and so fast. I’m scared, excited, hopeful, and doubtful all at the same time. It’s a dizzying state. Kayne keeps telling me he loves me. Drilling it into my head the same way he drilled his perversions into my body. I just needed to talk to someone, hear a voice of reason, and Jett has always been that for me when it comes to Kayne. I was in such disarray, I didn’t know up from down or right from left. I needed to purge everything I was feeling, and I knew Jett would listen.

  When I called Kayne the Kingda Ka, I meant it. He’s a sharply winding trestle built for speed, and I’m not sure if I want the ride to stop or make it go faster.

  I WAKE TO MY PHONE vibrating on the nightstand. I snatch it up then glance over at Ellie’s naked form. She�
��s fast asleep on her stomach breathing softly. The sun is just starting to rise, casting a bright orangey glow over the horizon.

  I keep the phone close to my body as I read the text:

  FYSA. Second insurgent identified. Threat level elevated.

  What the fuck? I hit delete and slip out of bed, careful not to disturb Ellie. Tucking myself into the shadows, I dial the secure number I have memorized.

  “Yo,” a man answers.

  “Juice.” I keep my voice low.

  “Loverboy. Didn’t think I was going to hear from you.” He sounds way too awake and chipper for my liking. But that’s Juice.

  “Yeah, well, when you send text messages like that, I’m inclined to call in. What second insurgent?”

  “Nicky Cruz.”

  “Holy shit. He’s one of the biggest drug runners on the West Coast.”

  “Yup. We don’t believe it’s a coincidence that two of the most high-powered drug traffickers in the U.S. are both visiting the Rainbow State at the same time just for a holiday.”

  My blood pressure spikes.

  “A commission meeting?” I ask.

  “Could be. Or maybe they’re both looking for the same person.” I immediately glance at Ellie. She hasn’t budged an inch.

  “You need to fucking find out what they’re doing there,” I growl menacingly.

  “On it, killer,” he says aloofly, unfazed by my tone. “Probably a good thing you’re vapor. Watch your back.”

  Click.

  I crush the phone against my forehead and groan. Shit. Shit. Shit. Never a dull moment.

  I drop my cell back on the nightstand just as Ellie shifts with a small sigh as if searching for me while she dreams. I crawl into bed and pull her against me, locking her in my arms. Locked. That’s exactly how I intend to keep her—safe, secure, and completely protected. Except for once, it’s not her I’m worried about. No, that conversation meant something else entirely. It meant someone might be looking for me, or, even worse, coming for me.

  I’ve expected this, even anticipated it. I wasn’t lying when I told Ellie you don’t bring down one of the world’s most notorious drug lords without repercussions. I messed up a lot of powerful people’s businesses, and criminals don’t usually take kindly to people screwing with their income. But I’m ready and waiting. So, let them come.

  “You’re awake?” Ellie stirs.

  I glance down at her. Her eyes are still closed and her face is still pressed firmly against my chest.

  “How did you know?”

  “I heard you thinking.”

  I chuckle distantly. “I’m sorry if my thoughts woke you.”

  “It’s fine.” She smiles sweetly, and I melt. Jesus, the woman can cut my balls off with one twitch of her lips. “Is something wrong?” she asks, her eyebrows furrowed.

  “Nope. Not a thing.” I kiss her head.

  “I’ll take your word at face value, but I know you’re full of shit.”

  I exhale profoundly, half amused by Ellie, and half worried about the rest of the world. “It’s just—”

  “Work. I know. I get it. You have to keep different kinds of secrets now.” She cracks her eyes open, and the green is so deep her irises almost look brown.

  “I don’t want to keep anything from you.” Even though, I am.

  “Then don’t.”

  “Some things I don’t have a choice about.”

  “I can accept that. Just don’t lie to me about who you are. I want to know the real you, not who you have to be for work or who you think you have to be for me.”

  “I wish I knew who the real me is.” I’ve been someone else for so long, it’s hard going back to who you were. Not that I really want to be that person, either.

  “We can figure it out together.” She snuggles up against me, and I nearly fall apart. I think that’s most comforting thing anyone has ever said to me. Maybe with Ellie in my life, the person I am isn’t so bad.

  “There is something I do have to tell you.”

  “Oh yeah, what’s that?”

  I brace myself for the confession. “You’re not the only one living in Hawaii.”

  “What?” She lifts her head and pierces me with her now very awake green eyes.

  “I’ve been living in Waikiki with Jett.”

  “For how long?” She sits up hastily using the sheet to cover her naked form.

  “Ten months.”

  “What!?”

  “I needed to make sure you were all right,” I say quickly.

  “You needed to stalk me.” Ellie expresses her own interpretation.

  “I prefer to call it twenty-four-hour surveillance.”

  “So you’ve been watching everything I do?”

  “Not everything. I respected your privacy,” I inform her. “I was just making sure there were no intrusions to your life.”

  “Was there anything that threatened to intrude?”

  “No. Nothing that I was aware of. And I intend to keep it that way.”

  “So you really do know everything about me?” I nod. “Even about—”

  “Your boy toy? Yes,” I interrupt her.

  “He’s not a boy toy,” she responds affronted.

  “He can’t be very important if you’re here naked with me.”

  “He’s a friend,” she specifies. “And I can be naked with anyone I want. I’m unattached,” she reminds me harshly. I cringe inside.

  “I’m hoping to change that.”

  “I know you are,” she says sternly, but her expression is soft.

  Good sign.

  “Forgive me?”

  “For stalking me?” she asks drily.

  “For watching over you,” I correct her.

  “No.”

  “Come on. Wrong thing for the right reasons.” I try to argue my side.

  “So, you admit it was wrong.”

  “Nope,” I contradict myself. Us spies are good at that. “Protecting you will never be wrong, no matter how I do it.”

  “You’re going to be a very busy man then, because I don’t like to sit still.”

  “Don’t I know it.” I trap her head in my hand and graze my teeth along her neck. “You’re a very busy little bee.”

  “There’s a lot to see in this world.”

  “I’ll show you everything if you let me.”

  “That could take a long time.” She closes her eyes and sighs as I skim the tip of my tongue under her jaw.

  “Ellie, I’ve got nothing but time.”

  “Why didn’t you let me know you were there?” she asks almost sadly.

  “Truthfully?” I quit caressing her with my mouth. “To give you space. Plus, I saw what you did to those cupcakes.”

  “You saw?”

  “Baby, I have never been far away,” I divulge. “If you want to get mad at me for staying close, go ahead. I told you, I’ll endure it just as long as I get you in the end.”

  “Get me how exactly?”

  “Mind, body, and soul,” I tell her simply.

  Ellie looks at me skeptically. What I wouldn’t give to be telepathic right now.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask.

  “What kind of stipulations come with those things.”

  “None. No strings, no expectations, no demands. I told you that before. I will take whatever you’re willing to give me. And I mean it. I never go back on my word. You may not believe it now, but someday you will.”

  “Are you always so sure of yourself?”

  “Yes. When I want something, I get it. First rule of survival, identify your surroundings, accept them, and then try to improve them. I’ve identified, accepted, and now I’m trying to improve.”

  “Sounds like a lengthy process.”

  “Depends on the crisis.”

  “Are we in a crisis?” she creases her eyebrows.

  “At the moment, no. But if your boy toy becomes a problem, maybe.”

  Ellie stares at me silently as the sun creeps up over the wate
r brightening the room. Then she smiles impishly. “What boy toy . . .”

  Now that’s what I’m talking about.

  I FLOP ONTO THE BED, beat.

  The last five days have been the very best of my life, hands down, undisputed. Every day with Ellie I learn something new about her and myself. Her energy and love for life is infectious. She laughs more than I thought possible for a single person; she’s always smiling, always frisky, always playful. I never thought I’d say this, but she’s freaking wearing me out.

  “Tired, old man?” she yells from the sundeck. Ever since she found out I was a whole five years older, she has teased me about my age.

  “Not a lick,” I lie, waiting for my second wind. I’ve always been energetic, but Ellie takes stamina to the next level. She never stops, whether we’re out somewhere or in between the sheets. Not only have I met my match, I’ve met my competition.

  I check my phone. No new messages. I haven’t heard from Juice in three days, so I’m taking that as a good sign. Although in the spy game, no news isn’t necessarily good news.

  I shoot a quick text to Jett.

  Me: Hear any good gossip?

  Jett: No. Stop being a busybody. Only worry about that hot little piece of ass you’re hell-bent on keeping all to yourself.

  Me: I was never taught to share. Fuck off.

  And you wonder why I’m a possessive lunatic when it comes to Ellie. Everyone wants her, even my best friend. Not that he’s stupid enough to touch her, but he’ll let it be known the interest is there.

  “Kayne, what are you doing!?” Ellie shouts from the sundeck. “Come outside, and let’s go swimming!”

  I lift my head to look at her with wide eyes as she dips her foot into the pool. “We just spent the whole day snorkeling.”

  “So?” She shrugs.

  I can’t stop the smile from cracking my face. Energizer Bunny!

  We have literally done everything from off-roading to jet skiing to kiteboarding. Today we took that private tour of the island Ellie was so excited about. It’s been nonstop days and marathon nights. I’ve never been so sleep deprived in my life, even when I was on a twenty-four-hour surveillance mission in Afghanistan.

  “How about instead you come inside and sit on my cock and let me watch those hot little tits bounce in the air.”

  Crickets.