by Elle Rease
“No ‘but’?” she prompted.
“No ‘but’,” he confirmed.
“Good.” She gave him a taste of his own medicine by disconnecting the call. Inhaling deeply, she dropped onto her chair and rolled her head back. It was hardly eight o’clock in the morning, and she was already annoyed. This day better have a happy ending.
A knock on the door had her looking up. “Oh hey, Reade.”
“Good mornin’, lass,” he greeted.
“To you, maybe,” she mumbled, grabbing a pen and tapping it on the edge of the desk. “What can I do for you?”
“Ah’m just checkin’ in, makin’ sure ye’re awrite. Are ye?”
“Not right now.”
“Aye, Bren told me about Byron. Ah’m sorry, lass.”
“Did he tell you about what he did?”
Reade frowned. “Wha’ do ye mean?”
With a sigh, she realized that dragging her father-in-law into this probably wasn’t a good idea. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
“Lass, if ye feel ye’d like tae take the day off…”
She nodded as he trailed off. “Noted, thank you, but I’m going to decline that offer.”
He seemed to understand what she couldn’t say aloud. “Right, then Ah’ll leave ye tae it.”
“Thanks for…” She gestured at the space between them. “I’m sorry I’m not in a good mood.”
He waved that away. “Anytime, lass.”
She was staring at the doorway long after he left, knowing that she could go to him to get all these emotions off her chest, but not wanting to push his loyalty towards his son. Reade might love her like one of his own, yet the relationship between a father and a son was on a whole different level. Reade had unbelievable pride in Brennan. In many ways, the Drummonds had the ideal family bond.
A bond I might never know, she thought melancholically.
An hour later, as she was ushered into the doctor’s rooms, she’d calmed down enough to smile politely without it feeling fake. She took a seat and waited for her physician and physiotherapist to arrive, staring out the window at the garden outside. Her gut was quietly screaming at her that something was very wrong, yet she dismissed it as nerves over her final diagnosis.
“Mrs. Drummond,” the doctor greeted as he entered the room to shake her hand, the physiotherapist on his heels. “Good to see you again.”
“Please, it’s Cinnia,” she insisted for the hundredth time.
The lopsided smile he sent her way let her know that he wasn’t going to change his habits anytime soon. “Let’s see how much movement you’ve gained since the last time I saw you, shall we?”
She listened to their instructions as she flexed her wrist and stretched her arms upwards until she felt discomfort. She wouldn’t be doing any crazy yoga moves in the near future, but she was impressed that her body was less restricted. It gave her hope, knowing that she was exceeding their expectations.
“This is very good, Mrs. Drummond.” The doctor leaned against his desk. “I suggest that you still wear the material splint around your wrist for a month or so, keeping it off for longer periods every day. I’ll book an appointment with your gynecologist in a few weeks’ time so you can get the final verdict on your uterus.”
“Your ribs healed fine, so I suppose you can tell Mr. Drummond the good news,” the physiotherapist added with a sly smile. “Although I don’t think you should be too, ah, rough.”
The only good news he’s getting is my foot up his ass, she thought angrily. “Thanks, guys. When should I see you again?”
She negotiated dates and times and, before she knew it, it was over. She exited the room and found Ryan waiting outside, scrolling through his phone. Wordlessly, she led the way to the parking lot, where they both mounted their respective Harleys. She was on a mission, so she appreciated that he wasn’t asking any questions.
It was time to level the playing field between her and Brennan, once and for all.
There were many cars parked in front of the tattoo parlor, and she grinned to herself as she cut the engine. The more people were around to witness what was about to happen, the better. She didn’t want Brennan to try to pretend like it never occurred, after all. He had to suffer her wrath.
Ryan must’ve tipped him off that they were on their way, because Brennan didn’t seem surprised to find her in the entryway of his shop. He was busy with a complicated sleeve on a man she vaguely remembered from numerous club parties. Brennan was, for once, wearing a shirt while busy inking a customer. Usually, he liked to flaunt his own body art to motivate people to get more tattoos.
She made sure she had a severe facial expression as she stared him down from the counter. Jonah, Brennan’s colleague, cleared his throat and walked to the back room, where they did privately placed piercings and body art.
“That was quick,” Brennan commented, sitting back and putting the tattoo gun down. Smart guy.
Cinnia narrowed her eyes. “Follow me.”
“Lass, I can’t just—”
She swung around and stormed out, silently daring him to defy her. If he ignored her, she’ll get even angrier and create an even bigger public display of animosity, so she silently wished that he’d get off his ass and out that shop, pronto.
Straddling her Harley, she glanced over her shoulder when she heard the familiar sounds of his boots’ thump-clink on the sidewalk behind her. He seemed wary as he met her gaze and she struggled to suppress her smile.
“What’s this about?” he demanded.
She patted the seat behind her and turned her head away from him. After a few seconds of tense silence, she felt the motorcycle shift under his weight and started the engine. He didn’t wrap his arms around her waist when she pulled away, but she suspected it had more to do with the state of her ribs than her attitude towards him.
His consideration warmed her heart, and she could only hope that he’d allow her to do what she wanted to with him.
No one was following them home, which she was happy about. She cleared her mind and focused on her objective. She stopped in the driveway and waited for him to get off, before rising to her feet.
“You didn’t wear a helmet,” he said conversationally. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
Frankly, she hadn’t even considered her safety. Whoops, she thought, briefly locking eyes with him and then sauntering past him to the front door. She preceded him inside and waited for him to shut them into the house before giving him her full attention.
“Okay, what’s this about?” he asked, exasperated. “I said I’m sorry about this mor—”
In the blink of an eye, she jumped into his arms and fused her mouth to his. She held him tightly, rubbing her chest over his invitingly as she parted his lips and dominated the kiss. His astonishment gave her an advantage for a good ten seconds before his arousal kicked in.
She moaned when his pierced tongue rubbed hers in that erotic way that never ceased to make her toes curl. He gripped her ass and squeezed, making her weak in the knees. She’s missed this Brennan: the one who took what he wanted and wasn’t afraid of the consequences. It was just too bad that he wasn’t totally getting the message…
His lips moved down her jaw, to her neck. “If you wanted me to fuck you,” he whispered hoarsely, “all you had to do was say so.”
Her eyelids fluttered. Focus, idiot! “But I don’t want you to,” she managed.
Startled, Brennan pulled back. “What the fuck, Cin?”
“Go upstairs.” She took a shaky step back. “Strip. Get on the bed.”
His frown deepened. “Cinnia—”
“You talk way too much, babe,” she interjected sassily. “If you want to get inside me, you’ll do what I say.”
Brennan’s eyes grew dark, stormy, and for a long time he simply stared at her, as if deciding whether it would be worth it. Fortunately for him, he did as he was told, taking the stairs two at a time and making it difficult for her to keep up. She had no doubt t
hat was his intention.
He was already halfway undressed by the time she stepped over the threshold. He kicked his shoes off and shoved his pants down. “How do you want to do this, lass?” he grumbled in a tone of voice that suggested irritation, but that she instantly recognized as sexual frustration.
“Get on your back, babe.” Her eyes followed his movements and she nodded approvingly at his erect package. “Me being bossy is really turning you on, isn’t it?”
“Is there a reason why you think you can be me?” he smirked.
“Doctor’s orders,” she shrugged as she pulled her shirt over her head.
Those eyes zoning in on her breasts, he inhaled deeply before asking: “Oh?”
“We’re not allowed to be rough,” she explained. Her jeans were next, pooling on the floor. “So, for the foreseeable future, you’re going to have to submit.”
Despite the fact that she had unbuckled her bra, he looked like she’d told him to eat dog shit. “No way.”
She raised an eyebrow and slipped her lacy G-string off. She posed with her hands on her hips, satisfied that his eyes were unable to roam north past her collarbones. “You sure about that?”
“Dammit, Cinnia.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t think I can hold back while you do your thing. That’s not how I operate.”
“I guess it all depends on how badly you want my pussy, babe.” She trailed a hand over her trimmed bush, her fingers parting her lower lips. “You’ve eaten me out more times over the past couple of weeks than I ever thought possible, but your cock must be pretty lonely. Don’t you want to feel me clamping around you?”
He gripped the duvet, transfixed by what she was doing.
She sashayed forward and lifted one foot onto the edge of the bed to give him a better view. A finger dipped into her core and she gasped: she needed to be penetrated, soon. “Wouldn’t you swallow your pride for a few weeks to get in me? I promise it’ll be worth your while.”
“Jesus,” he croaked.
“Not the answer I was looking for.” She pretended to be disappointed, knowing that he was very close to caving. “I could always get dressed—”
“Ride my cock.” He shifted back, getting comfortable against the headboard. His arms spread out and he clutched the wrought-iron design behind him. “Get on my lap right now and ride my fucking cock, Cin.”
She grinned and licked the fingertip that’d explored her depths, fascinated by the way his nostrils flared in response. “Since you asked so nicely…”
He closed his eyes. “So help me, Cin—”
“Shh, babe, I’ve got you,” she murmured. She crawled over his body, hovering her mouth over his dick and licking the tip, which was coated in pre-cum. “Hmm, I’m going to have fun with you, Bren.”
“Lass, don’t tease me.”
“But I like doing it.”
“Jesus Christ, don’t.” He’s never been this strained in her presence, probably because he always assumed control. It went against the grain for him to let that go. “Let me fuck your tight, sweet pussy. I’ll make it good, lass. I’ll make you scream. Fuck, I’ve missed the way you scream when I’m balls-deep in you.”
She shivered in delight, loving his dirty words. “I have no doubt about that, babe.” She spread her legs and pinned her knees on either side of his hips. Her breasts dangled in front of his face and she saw how mesmerized he was. It did wonders for her ego. “I bet you want to suck my nipples.”
“I want to bite them, too.”
“We can’t do rough, remember?”
He looked at her. “Oh, I can give you gentle lovemaking, Cin, but we both know you need more than that.”
She reached between them and wrapped her fingers around his cock, rubbing his tip on her clit. “All I need right now is for you to keep still.”
“Payback?”
“You bet your ass it’s payback.”
He shut his eyes and leaned his head back. “Just do it. I won’t move.”
“I’ll have none of that,” she admonished him. She adored being able to throw his own words back at him. “It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t look at me, Bren.” She let his pierced tip inside with a sharp thrust, and pulled back again. His chest rumbled as he moaned. “I want to see what I do to you.”
“Such a tease,” he said unevenly. He caught his bottom lip between his teeth and glanced at her. “Do that again.”
“You don’t get to boss me around, remember?” She leaned forward to kiss him, owning his mouth and soaking up his grunts of approval. Her grip on his dick tightened fractionally and she sheathed him for a few seconds, deeper this time.
“No,” he complained as she lifted her hips off him.
She repeated the movement. “Yes.”
“Cin, Ah need ye.”
“I know, babe, I know.” She looked at the bulging veins in his arms with pride. “Never knew I could drive you crazy like this.”
“Ye drive me crazy just by existin’.”
“Right back at ya.” And she took him right to the hilt, until he was nudging her cervix with his broad tip and expanding her out-of-practice channel. She gasped at the sensation of being stretched. “Finally.”
“Aye,” he agreed roughly.
She rolled her hips. With her on top, he was touching every part of her. It egged her on. Moving was essential if she had any chance of regaining her sanity. Brennan’s body often felt like it was tailor-made to fit hers. She loved having him inside.
Her nails raked down his chest and her fingers clamped on his pierced nipples as she rode him. His jagged breathing was like music to her ears; his muscles flexed as he somehow kept himself from assuming control; the fire in his gaze had her hypnotized. She increased her pace, pounding down on him impatiently.
“Need to cum,” she whimpered, tightening her inner walls.
“Fuck,” he swore, “Ah’m so close.”
“No, no, no!”
“Ye’re drivin’ me mad, lass.” He stared at the place where they were joined. “Lean back so Ah can see wha’ ma cock’s doin’ tae yer pussy.”
She was shoved closer to the edge thanks to his awestruck tone and mischievous words. Forgetting that she was in control, she followed his orders without question. The added pressure on her G-spot had her panting for air in no time.
“Touch yer tits, Cin. Ah, that’s it, pinch those nipples.”
“Brennan!”
“Never gets old.”
Her core rippled in warning of her impending release. “Fuck, Brennan!” she screamed as their tryst woke the parts of her body that haven’t been stimulated via sexual intercourse in what felt like forever. She couldn’t believe that this was going to be over so fast, but she couldn’t hold back any longer.
He pushed his hips up and thrust her right into a spiraling orgasm.
“Ah!” She collapsed on top of him, struggling to catch her breath. Her heart was racing and her breaths ragged, while her continual contractions around his cock only seemed to make it harder. “Shit, I’m… sorry!”
“Dinnae apologize for tha’,” he growled. His hands clutched her waist and he rolled her around, bracing on top of her. He swept her hair out of her face and nibbled on her bottom lip. He pulled out completely and shoved his dick back inside. “Ye’re so fuckin’ beautiful.”
“You’re so fucking big,” she moaned, arching her back at his delicious assault.
“Want to fuck ye all the time.” He hooked an arm under her leg and pushed it up to change the angle of his penetration. “All the fuckin’ time.”
She forgot about the doctor’s recommendations and her need to be careful. She couldn’t make herself remember why she’d started this in the first place. Heck, she couldn’t even recall her own birthday, not with him so deep inside her, making love to her in that way that was uniquely Brennan. She twined her free leg around one of his, wanting him closer. She couldn’t keep quiet: his name fell from her lips more times than she could count.
Not that she had the ability to do basic arithmetic anymore…
They reached completion together and Brennan went limp, breaths snatching at his chest. She traced the muscles of his back as she came down from the high, staring at the ceiling. Her ribs were tender, yet she’s never felt more complete.
“Jesus,” he whispered, lifting his head to gaze at her. “It never gets old, making you scream my name.” He dropped a loving kiss on the corner of her mouth. “Did I hurt you?”
She smiled. “No.”
“Thank fuck.” He peppered her face with gentle kisses. “I was worried.”
“No, you weren’t.”
His chest rumbled on hers as he laughed. “Maybe not in the moment, no.”
“I’m glad I could make you forget about safety.”
He went completely still on top of her. “Are you back on the Pill?”
“No, the doctor said my pain medication would lessen the Pill’s effectiveness, so it’s a bit of a waste.”
“Shit.” He got off her and stared at his subdued member. “When was your last period?”
Confused, she sat up. “Brennan, what the hell?”
“You can’t get pregnant, lass. When was your last period?”
Cinnia thought about that, mentally counting back to her last cycle. “We should be fine.”
“Until you’re back on the Pill, we’re using condoms.”
“But the piercing—”
“I’m taking it out.” He headed to the bathroom and shut the door.
With wide eyes, she tried to think why he would be so weird after what they’d just shared. Sure, her gynecologist had warned against pregnancy until they’ve done extensive tests to determine whether she’d be able to carry full term, but that didn’t mean…
The door opened and he leaned against the frame with arms crossed. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have barged off like that and ruined your afterglow.”
“Will you tell me what’s going on? You’ve done a complete one-eighty from wanting a baby, to freaking out about one.”
“Like I’ve mentioned before, I don’t want to endanger your life in the process,” he explained, striding over to the bed. “Cin, I’d love for us to have kids, but I’d rather have you.”