by Elle Rease
“You should try it sometime. I think it’ll do you a world of good.”
“Clearly, it’s done wonders for you. I mean, you’ve been walking funny for months.”
“That’s not because of a whip, though. That’s got to do with a baton.”
“Shame, poor girl, batons are so small… Can’t imagine them penetrating very deep.” Piper flicked her hair over her shoulder. “I’m used a baseball bat, myself.”
“I can tell. How often do you have to get splinters removed?”
“It’s made of very smooth wood, so it doesn’t splinter at all, actually.”
They stared at each other with neutral facial expressions. They both knew that they were trying to say the most outrageous thing to get a rise out of each other, but neither of them wanted to admit defeat first. Unfortunately, the bubbling in Cinnia’s throat warned her that she wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.
They burst into a fit of giggles at exactly the same time.
“Now I’ve got that image in my brain!” Cinnia wheezed. “My brother, the baseball bat wielder!”
“Like a baton’s that much better!” Piper wiped at the tears in her eyes, to no avail. Her body was shaking with laughter. “And whips, really? Like you’re a slave and he’s your master!”
“I’m his sex slave, yeah.”
“Cin!”
They collapsed on top of each other, laughing until it hurt. Cinnia’s cheeks were wet with tears, but she couldn’t be bothered to wipe them away. She was having fun with a girlfriend. It felt like that hasn’t happened in ages.
Of course it hasn’t, a voice reminded her. The last time you had fun with Piper, you were attacked.
The sudden quiet scared her. Piper wasn’t laughing anymore, either. Somehow, they’d wound up on the floor, leaning against the chairs, staring at the wall opposite them. Piper took Cinnia’s hand and squeezed.
“I just thought of that night.”
Cinnia closed her eyes, crying for a whole different reason. “Me too.”
“Do you think it’ll ever go away?”
“I hope so.”
Piper reflected on that for a moment. “I hate how it’s affected By.”
Oh God, finally! Cinnia thought, the tears flowing. Finally, someone gets it! “Me too,” she choked out, dragging her friend into a tight hug. “I hate it so much and I don’t know what to do!”
That’s how their men found them: sobbing in each other’s arms.
“Lass,” Bren said gently.
“Angel,” Teagan said a split-second later, addressing Piper.
The women broke away in order to move into their partners’ embraces. Cinnia drowned in Brennan’s aura, giving him silent permission to comfort her. She couldn’t smell his leathery scent, thanks to her blocked nose, but called it up from memory.
She hated being this wreck, yet loved that she could fall apart in front of her husband. She was a fool for ever thinking he deserves better. He wanted her, that much was obvious.
She must’ve fallen asleep at some point, because when she came to, she was back on the chair with her head on Brennan’s shoulder. He was perusing something on his phone, his teeth tugging on his lip piercings, one after the other.
“How long was I out for?” she asked croakily.
“An hour.” He locked his phone and kissed her temple. “Your coffee got cold.”
She smiled wryly. “I’m not meant to have caffeine, then.” She pointed to his phone. “What were you reading?”
“I downloaded a Stephen King novel.”
“My husband, the sadist.”
“You know it,” he grinned. His mouth sought hers for a moment. “I love that you’re calling me your husband. It does something to me.”
“It does something to me, having you as my husband.”
His eyes filled with pure lust. “We have so much fucking to catch up on, wife.”
Heart hammering against the inside of her chest, her throat went dry. “How about right now?”
He glanced at Teagan and Piper, both passed out on the other seats, and nodded. He got to his feet and grabbed Cinnia’s hand. “Come on.”
Adrenaline coursed through her veins. They were actually going to do this… Have sex in a public place. A hospital, no less. Surely, she should be repulsed? The patients were sick, dying or giving birth. This was one of the least sexy places in the world, second only to a graveyard.
Brennan found an unoccupied office and pushed her inside. She managed to read Dr. PL Callum, Orthopedic Surgeon on the door before it shut and her husband locked it. There was a desk with two tub chairs opposite it, a bookcase and file cabinets. Photos of the doctor’s family and pets; his numerous accolades and degrees; a potted plant. Another door, leading God-knows-where.
Where were they going to do this?
“Lass.”
Her attention went back to him and she tried not to show how out of her comfort zone she was.
He leaned forward, grabbed the edge of the shirt she was wearing—his shirt—and ripped a long strip off, exposing the lower part of her stomach. He gestured for her to step closer, which she did. “Good thing you braided your hair.”
“Why—” She broke off as he placed the material over her eyes, tying it at the side of her head and leaving her blind. No, wait, she could still make out the light above her. “Bren?”
“Shh.”
She heard a click, and then her vision was gone. She yelped in surprise when he hauled her over his shoulder. “Bren!”
“Be quiet.”
Her clit pulsed at his bossy tone. There was the sound of a door opening. She guessed that they were going into the adjoining room.
“Perfect.”
“Where are we?”
“So help me, lass, if you say one more word…”
Her body thrummed with anticipation. He was being domineering and it was turning her on. She wanted him to fling her against any available surface and fuck her brains out, but she had no idea what this Brennan was up to.
Who would’ve thought he’d still have more sides to show?
She was placed on something long and soft, but it wasn’t very wide. An examination table? She’d hardly formed that thought when Brennan unzipped her pants and pulled them off, hooking his thumbs into her sneakers along the way. Her nipples tightened under the shirt once she heard the fly of his pants opening.
“You’ve had enough foreplay these past couple of weeks to last you a while,” he murmured, gripping her knees to part her thighs. He tugged her closer, until she felt his tip at her core. “I’m going to fuck you so hard now, until we both cum. And then I’m going to do it again, and again, and again.”
She wrapped her legs around his waist and reached for his cock. It was warm and thick and erect, taking her breath away. “Do it.”
He didn’t need more of an invitation. He surged into her, groaning once he was seated all the way. She gasped: she was turned on, but not yet wet enough for his size. The pain was exquisite. She locked her ankles behind his back to make sure he wouldn’t change his mind.
“Fuck, I could stay like this forever,” he said roughly, his hands sliding to her ass and lifting her slightly. He pulled back and pummeled inside. “Just like this.” He repeated the motion. Each time, he would retreat all the way, making her crave that moment he filled her, and then slam into her. “Always.”
It was different without his piercing, yet it was still Brennan. He was incredible, unlike anyone she’s ever known.
She rolled her hips with his, relishing in his grunt. Their pace increased and she wished she could see his face, see what she was doing to him. He shook the tiny examination table, thrusting into her like a man possessed, and she clutched her bouncing breasts through the shirt.
Her orgasm bloomed slowly and crashed soon after, in time with his. She panted as she felt him fill her with his seed, finding it interesting that he’s forgotten about his vow to have sex with a condom from now on. In fact,
it made her pretty smug, knowing she had this effect on him.
He pulled out and flipped her around. Her feet found the floor. He used his legs to keep hers apart, pressing her shoulders down. His semi-erect penis easily slid into her again. He kept rocking into her until he was rock-hard, like before.
“Again,” he grunted.
The edge of the examination table rubbed her crotch and she was thankful that it was padded, although she’d probably have bruises later, anyway. The tip of his dick jabbed her G-spot, at the same time her clit got friction from the material on the table.
She loved how aggressive he was getting, as if he was finally letting his inner animal out after so many weeks of abstaining from her body. His fingers dug into her hips to hold her in place while he had his way with her. Her nipples scraped against the shirt, wishing that he’d pinch them until she came apart. The added element of someone walking in on them—’cause surely there were people who had a key and wouldn’t be deterred by a locked door—and seeing him so savagely owning her had her clenching around his cock faster than she expected.
“Bren!” she exclaimed.
“Fuck, Cin!” he replied.
She relaxed while they recovered, basking in his tortured moans. His stamina never ceased to amaze her.
Brennan helped her sit up, facing him, and removed the makeshift blindfold. He kissed her closed eyelids until she felt ready to look at him. Even though there wasn’t much light in the room, it took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust.
“Gorgeous,” he whispered. He claimed her mouth, preventing her from responding verbally. She wasn’t at all surprised when he entered her again. Clearly, he hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d declared how many times he’d like to fuck her.
They clung to each other long after the fourth time, completely spent. She would’ve given her little toes to be home right now. She was exhausted. It’s been such a long day.
“I love you.”
She smiled. “I love you, too.”
“I’m happy you’re healed.”
“I can tell,” she giggled.
He chuckled, standing and stretching his torso. “How’re your ribs feeling, lass?”
“Tender,” she answered honestly. “It was worth it.”
“Five times in one day?” His smile was proud. “A few more weeks of this, and we’ll finally be back to our average.”
“Jesus, Bren. I won’t be able to walk.”
“Why would I want you to walk?”
She rolled her eyes and got up. “There should be paper towels somewhere in this room.” He discovered a box of tissues and handed it over. “Thanks, husband.”
To say that he glowed with pleasure would be making an understatement. For such a hard-ass, he was a big softie.
They cleaned up as best they could, got dressed and left Dr. Callum’s office. Cinnia had to resist the urge to giggle. Would the poor doctor know what had hit his examination table?
“You are one kinky fuck.”
Brennan winked at her. “Aye, and you love it.”
“Aye, laddie, I do.”
He burst out laughing. “The worst Scottish accent I’ve ever heard.” He kissed her cheek and bumped his hip to hers. “And yet, the cutest thing ever, at the same time.”
She was blushing as they entered the waiting room.
“What happened to your shirt?” was the first thing out of Piper’s mouth.
Teagan groaned and rubbed his eyes. “You’re like fucking rabbits, seriously.”
“Aye, with the emphasis on the fucking part,” Brennan agreed.
“When, ah, did you wake up?” Cinnia asked, changing the subject.
“A few minutes ago, when the doctor was here.”
Cinnia froze. “What’s the verdict?”
“She said that they had to pump Byron’s stomach. He’d taken twenty sleeping tablets.” Piper’s bottom lip quivered and Teagan held her hand in support. “He was about four times over the limit, alcohol-wise, and he’s definitely taken cocaine and heroin in the past twenty-four hours. They struggled getting a decent vein for his drip and, apparently, his skin was covered in needle marks.”
Cinnia felt sick. “Is he… Is he…?”
“He’s going to be fine, he just needs rest.”
“Can we see him?” Brennan asked, sensing that his wife has been rendered speechless.
“Once he’s woken up, yeah,” Teagan responded. “They think in the next few hours.”
Brennan inclined his head. “Then we’ll wait. I’m going to get water and something to eat. Teagan?”
The two men went off on that mission, leaving Piper with Cinnia.
“I feel bad for having sex when you had to deal with the doctor.”
Piper waved that away. “I think you needed it. You look a lot better.”
“As opposed to?”
“The emotionless zombie I saw earlier.”
Cinnia laughed softly. “I’ll have to thank Brennan’s penis sometime.”
“I thought you just did?” Piper teased.
They both giggled, settling in on the chairs. It must be a quiet night for the hospital, seeing as they were the only two people in the waiting room.
As if prompted by her thoughts, a girl walked in. She had chocolate brown hair and matching eyes, olive-toned skin and a great body. She looked about sixteen. Her gaze went wide in shock as she stared at Cinnia, making the older woman uncomfortable.
“You’re Cinnia Sloane,” the girl said.
“She’s a Drummond now,” Piper corrected protectively. “Who are you?”
“Oh, how rude of me.” The girl lurched forward, holding her hand out. “I’m Zoey Satriani, Byron’s girlfriend.”
The tension left Cinnia’s shoulders and she shook the girl’s hand. “Good to meet you. I’m Cinnia.”
“Yeah, I knew that.”
“How?”
Zoey chewed on her bottom lip. “By talks about you a lot.”
“Oh,” was Cinnia’s intelligent reply.
“I’m Piper.”
“Good to meet you.” Zoey sat down, fidgeting. “Is he okay?”
While Piper told Zoey about Byron’s condition, Cinnia studied the girl. She was completely different from Cassandra Abernethy. In fact, the two were like day and night: Cass with her honey blonde hair, and Zoey with her dark mane. Having never met Zoey before, Cinnia had assumed the girl would be better for Byron than Cass.
Now that she was face-to-face with Byron’s girlfriend, however, Cinnia felt a sliver of distrust, which made no sense. What could possibly be wrong with such a god-fearing, wholesome girl?
Brennan and Teagan returned and were introduced to Zoey, just as Zoey’s brother arrived. The six of them shared food and water, talking about Byron and his future. Cinnia’s unease didn’t decrease. Her gaze flicked between the twins, easily identifying the physical attraction Byron had found in them, yet failing to see the emotional substance that would keep his attention.
Zoey and Finn seemed shallow.
It’s because they’re teenagers, Cin.
But what if it was more than that? What if they were wrong for Byron? What if they were more trouble than they were worth? The club was going to go berserk if he ever had to go public with his attraction to men. And Zoey… Zoey…
A nurse appeared, pulling Cinnia out of her morbid analysis of Byron’s girlfriend.
“How is he?” Zoey asked eagerly, jumping to her feet.
“He’s awake now,” the nurse said. “He—”
“Can I see him?” Zoey interrupted.
“If your name is ‘Cin’, sure,” the nurse answered patiently. “He specifically asked for ‘Cin’.”
Brennan’s eyebrows rose as he looked at his wife.
Cinnia shrugged and got up. “That’s me.”
“Follow me,” the nurse urged.
Cinnia was certain she wasn’t imagining the look of pure venom that Zoey sent her way but, when she gazed closer, Zoey was back t
o being as sweet as syrup, making Cinnia wonder if she was hallucinating. She was tired enough, after all.
Whatever, he chose me, she thought while she walked behind the nurse to the ICU ward. She washed her hands with disinfectant and carried out the nurse’s instructions, getting flashbacks to her own stay in hospital, less than two months ago.
A cold drop of sweat slithered down her spine, raising the hair on her arms.
They rounded a corner and there he was, awake but drowsy with tubes sticking out of his arms. He seemed skinnier, somehow, and too pale. There were bags under his eyes and the skin around his lips was tainted blue.
“By,” she breathed, horrified.
“Hey, Cin.” He attempted a smile, but it just made him look worse. “Thanks for coming.”
She was angry and worried. She wanted to slap him and hug him. “I hate you.”
“Fair enough.” His brown eyes were sparkling with humor, despite the pallor of his complexion. “I’m glad you brought me to hospital and wanted to thank you. I’d be dead if it weren’t for you.”
She burst into tears. “You’d be alive if it weren’t for me.”
He didn’t need an explanation. “Don’t talk like that.”
“It’s true! If I wasn’t—”
“But you were, and here we are.” He held his hand out to her. “Sit with me.”
She was getting so fucking sick of crying. She grabbed a handful of tissues from the box at the foot of his bed, and got comfortable on the spot next to his hip. She interlinked her fingers with his. “I’m so happy you’re not dead.”
Byron smiled. “Me too, although that might just be the drugs talking.” At the rage in her eyes, he winked. “Too soon?”
“Like I said, I hate you.”
“Seriously, though…” He trailed off and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m going to rehab. If you ever have to dismiss me from doing my duty again… I can’t stand it.”
“By, I only did that because—”
“You did the right thing. Thank you.”
She closed her eyes, accepting that. Of all the scenarios she’d thought about since they arrived at the hospital, this was the one she’d hoped for. “Zoey’s here.” His silence caused her to gaze at him questioningly. “She’d really like to see you.”