by Alexa McLean
She took a gun from Bradley and cocked it.
Shelly shivered, eyes clenched.
I wanted to pounce right then and there but doing so would ultimately result in Shelly’s demise. No. I had to wait for the perfect opportunity.
“Lacey.” I held out my hands in an innocent gesture. Everyone in the room tensed. A few guards pointed their guns in my direction. “I think you know that I am a reasonable man.” I dared to take a step forward but Hendrix tightened his grip.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He hissed into my ear, twisting the barrel of his gun against the side of my head. “You don’t get any closer than this.”
“As I said, you know I am a reasonable man. You did not need to take things to such a drastic level. I would have been compliant with negotiation.”
Bradley laughed. “Is that the case?”
“It is,” I said with a nod. “I’m willing to sign the paper and fork over my share of the casino. That’s not the problem.”
“Then, what is the problem?”
“The problem is that you didn’t trust me, Lacey and you decided to side with this rat instead. I’m warning you, this is going to nip you in the bud sooner than you think.”
“Just sign the paper.” She shoved the pen against my chest followed by the contract. “And I’ll let the girl go.”
“Uncuff her first.”
“Sign the contract.”
“Uncuff her.” I persisted. “Or you won’t get my signature.
Lacey eventually complied. Shelly was about to run over to me but Bradley held her back. So, I signed the contract and handed it over.
Bradley shoved Shelly my way. A few minutes later, we were being thrown out of the warehouse by the security guards.
Without a word, I swept Shelly off her feet and carried her all the way to my car. Gently, I eased her into the passenger seat. Only then did I look her over for injuries. “Are you alright?” I asked as I massaged her sore wrists. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault.”
Shelly cupped my cheek in her hand. “Stop apologizing and get me home.”
I frowned. Clearly, she was angry with me and for good reason too. I drove in silence, occasionally looking her way and trying to think of some way to make this right.
“You know, all things considered, that ended up being pretty anticlimactic.”
“What did you expect? A shoot-out or something?”
She shrugged. “Kind of. With all those people packing heat? I wouldn’t have been surprised.”
I shook my head. “I would never put you in that kind of danger.”
“But are you really going to let them get away with what they did?” She turned to look at me. “I mean, they could have killed me, you know.”
“Oh, trust me, I know,” I said through gritted teeth. “That’s why they aren’t getting off the hook as easily as they think.”
“Hmm?” She cocked her head to the side.
So, I turned to the right instead of the left and started to the casino. By the time I got to the scene, it was overrun by cop cars.
“What is all this?” She leaned forward, hands on the dash. “There’s like a hundred officers or something.”
“And the S.W.A.T team.”
“The S.W.A.T team? Who called them?”
“I did.”
“How?”
“I know people in high places.”
“Sexy.” She grinned. “And here I was thinking you had turned into some kind of a pushover.” She leaned closer. “Thank you for saving me, by the way.”
“Are you kidding? I’d go through hell and back for your sake.” I pulled into my hotel parking space.
“What are we doing here?” She asked.
“It was closer – and safer.”
“I think you just wanted me in your bed.” She whispered, voice low and sultry. “But I’m not complaining. I mean, I saw that nice jacuzzi in your bathroom. I wouldn’t mind testing it out.” She said with a wink. “That is if you don’t mind.”
“Maybe you should rest a while.”
“I’m fine.” She insisted. “Really. You can stop worrying about me.”
“I can never do that.” Gently, I pinned a strand of hair behind her ear. “You mean too much to me, Shelly.”
“You know, you could have just told me that Lacey was your partner.”
“I practically did.”
“Yeah, but how was I supposed to believe you when you legitimately sucked at gambling.” She ran her fingers through her hair and started to get out of the car.
I rounded the hood and joined her on the other side. Before she could take a single step, I scooped her into my arms.
“You know, I can walk, right.”
“Yes, but I don’t want you to.” I carried her over to the elevator. The doors closed and we started for the top floor. I was unable to control my urges. I leaned down and kissed her. Our lips collided with a fiery passion we could no longer hide. I held her even closer as our tongues tangled together.
The elevator dinged and I stepped out. Once inside my hotel room, I headed straight for the bathroom where I put her down on the sink. “Shelly, I want you to know that I truly do love you and that I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you. Always.”
She looked into my eyes for a moment like she was looking for something. After a while, she leaned forward and kissed the tip of my nose. “I know. And I love you too.”
Chapter 19: Shelly
IT FELT GOOD TO FINALLY say those three little words. It was almost like a weight had been lifted from my soul and I was finally allowed to breathe properly.
His eyes widened and I could see the happiness flashing across his face.
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into another kiss. This one was different. It unlocked something inside my heart and set it free.
My fingers tangled into his hair as I shimmied closer. I moaned his name against his lips.
Zip.
It took no effort for him to get me out of my dress. The cold air brushed against my nipples causing them to harden. I shivered and pressed myself against his warmth.
“Don’t worry, I’ll have you warmed up in no time.” He whispered against my ear as he nibbled on my earlobe. “I’m going to show you just how much I love you.” His fingertips traveled along my spine until he reached the top of my waist. I waited for him to grab my backside and knead it between his fingers but he never did.
Instead, he stepped back, eyes wandering over every inch of my body. A grin painted his face as his eyes lit up with glee.
I blushed, becoming a bit self-conscious in the wake of his stare. “What?”
“It just amazes me how beautiful you are and the funny thing is that you don’t seem to realize it.” He took one more moment to look at me before turning toward the jacuzzi. He turned it on and instantly, steam rolled off the hot torrent of water. As he waited for it to fill, he slowly took off his clothes.
I sat there and watched. “Mmm...” I licked my lips.
“Like what you see?”
“I’d be a fool not to.” I countered. I eased onto the ground and helped him unbutton his pants. Once he was wearing nothing but his boxers, I slipped my hand inside of them and took his member into my grasp. He was already nice and hard. “Someone’s excited.”
“Always, when it comes to you.” He said before leaning down to kiss the side of my neck. “You have no idea how attractive I think you are.”
“Why don’t you show me?”
He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of my panties. They were the only piece of clothing I still had on. With a flick of his wrist, they went flying across the room. Before I could see where they would land, he pushed me against the wall. His fingers danced along my slit. “Someone’s nice and wet. I wonder what’s been going through that head of yours.”
“Naughty things,” I answered as I brought his lips to mine. I hooked my arms around his neck and enjoyed the moment. He lifted
me and held me by my cheeks, fingers digging into the sensitive flesh. A second later, we were easing into the jacuzzi.
The hot water felt amazing against my fatigued muscles. For a while, I forgot about my sexual appetite and just leaned my head on his shoulder. “You promise that this time you’re here to stay.”
“I’ll stay for as long as you want me to stay.” He said as he kissed the top of my head.
“Forever, then?”
“Forever.” He agreed with a smile.
I closed my eyes and imagined our future together. I knew the road ahead would be filled with bumps but I was ready to suffer through them if it meant having this man by my side.
The smell of lavender wafted up to my nose. Before I could open my eyes, I felt a warm, soapy sponge pressing against my skin. Grayson took his time trying to pamper me. He was ever so gentle. “If you keep that up, I’m going to fall asleep...”
“We can’t let that happen, now can we?” He dropped the sponge into the water and pressed his middle finger against my entrance. He pushed it in inch by inch until I was forced to tilt my head back and moan. “Like that...?” He murmured with his lips pressed against my neck.
I reached for his growing member but he pushed my hand away. Despite my whimpers of protest, he did not allow me to have the wanted. Instead, he pumped his finger faster and faster. Soon, he added another and together they worked on stretching my hole.
Once he added a third, I could barely take it. I was screaming his name while my nails clawed at his back.
He leaned down and took one of my nipples into his mouth. He took his time with pleasuring it, tongue flicking back and forth. I swear he was trying to bring me to the brink of insanity. With his other hand, he started to fondle my breast.
Oh, it felt so good.
I leaned my head back as an orgasm ripped through my body. Before I could come down from my high, he pulled me onto his lap. His member sprung between his legs, eager to meet my entrance. I took it in my hand and stroked it ever so slightly. “It’s not nice to be teased, is it?” I rolled my thumb across his thumb. “Makes you wanna lose your mind, don’t it?”
He just grinned, hands behind his head. I could tell that he was enjoying himself.
I stroked him a little harder, gradually upping the pace.
He groaned, jaw tightening with the pleasure.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” I was about to say more but he suddenly took me by the hips and penetrated me with his length.
I screamed his name as my hole stretched to accommodate his thick girth. “God... you’re so big.” I moaned, eyes rolling into the back of my head.
With that wild grin on his face, he started to bounce me up and down, faster and faster. The water sloshed over the sides of the tub and onto the floor but neither one of us seemed to care.
I grabbed the ledge and used it for leverage as I rode him harder and harder. My breasts bounced right in front of his face. I pulled his hair and drew him closer until he was forced to motorboat the girls.
Pleasure coursed through my every inch. “Mmm!” I screamed, head thrown back, neck exposed.
He took the opportunity to skin his teeth into my sensitive flesh. It only added to the sensation. I was seconds away from climax when he stopped.
My eyes shot open. “What are you doing?” I demanded. I tried to keep going but he held me still.
“I’m trying to see how badly you really want it.” He ran his fingertips along my collarbone. They glistened and I wasn’t sure whether it was the water or my wetness.
“I don’t know if I like the sound of that.”
His fingers moved from my collar to the top of my chest. “Well, if you want it, I want to hear you beg for it.”
“Beg?” I repeated. “Don’t push your luck.”
He chuckled. “It was certainly worth a shot.”
I leaned in for a kiss but before I could do so, he grabbed me by the waist and bent me over the side of the tub. A second later, he had a fistful of hair in his hand and he was pulling on it – hard. I was forced to arch my back as he rammed into me, harder and harder. I had no idea how he was managing such a feat in a tub full of water was beyond me. All I cared about was how good it felt.
“Are you going to cum for me?” He whispered, voice husky with strain.
I answered him with a pleasure-filled moan that echoed through the room. He kept thrusting harder and harder even as my body shook with orgasm. Soon enough, I heard a loud grunt. His member twitched against my insides as his grip tightened around my hair.
Spent, he collapsed beside me and we both eased into the warm water.
“Wow...” I sighed. “That was amazing.”
“And to think, we get to look forward to that for the rest of our lives.” He said as he kissed my cheek.
“Even when we’re both ninety-nine?”
“Even when we’re both ninety-nine.” He said with a chuckle.
“You’re disgusting.”
“You love it.”
“I do.”
Chapter 20: Grayson
THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
The sunlight penetrated through the window blinds. I tried to turn my head and avoid them but then I heard a bird chirping. I’d never be able to fall back asleep at this rate so I gave up all hope.
When I turned, I spotted the most beautiful woman in the world lying by my side. Her angelic face was relaxed after a good night's sleep. Gently, I brushed the hair out of her eyes before kissing the top of her head. She did not stir.
I chuckled to myself. I had definitely worn her out last night so I wasn’t surprised by her tired state.
Slowly, I rolled out of bed, threw on a robe, and headed into the kitchen. There, I started on breakfast. I wanted to surprise her with a little in-bed treat.
To keep myself entertained, I turned on the TV, keeping the volume low so it wouldn’t wake her. On the news was last night’s raid of the casino. As I whisked some eggs together, I smiled to myself. No doubt Lacey had already told the police all about me but I already had my people working on destroying the evidence. By the time they could get themselves a warrant, it would be too late. There would be nothing left to find. All of Shelly’s hard work would be gone.
Then again, her work was never really needed. I had plenty of capable bookkeepers. It was mostly just an excuse to get her into the office. Luckily for me, it worked.
I added some bacon to the skillet. It sizzled against the heat. The aroma filled the entire suite.
When I turned around to grab some orange juice, Shelly was standing there wearing nothing but my button-up shirt. “Mmm, you look good.” I especially liked her tousled hair. It made her look even wilder.
“Yeah?” She giggled. “Well, you better get used to it because you’ll see me around more often.”
“Does that mean what I think it means?” I added some cheese to the scrambled egg mix along with a bit more of the chopped onion.
“When did you learn to make breakfast?” She studied one of the pancakes with heightened interest. I was too slow to slap her hand away. She was already nibbling on the end of it with this coy look on her face.
“At least put some syrup on it.” I protested. “Who just eats a plain pancake anyway?”
“It’s not my fault you forgot to put the chocolate chips.”
“Oh, my apologies.” I laughed. “How could I forget that Her Highness loves chocolate chip pancakes.”
“That’s right. One more mistake, mister, and it’s off with your head!” She bellowed dramatically.
I smiled. “This feels so amazing.”
“What does?”
“Just being with you. I haven’t been this happy in ages.”
She nodded. “I feel the same way. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time before. I was just worried that you’d walk away again.”
“I’ll never walk away again.” I took her hands and squeezed them against mine. “I promise.”
“Well, you might
have to or the bacon’s gonna burn.” She pointed out. “I mean, I like my bacon on the crispier side but there’s definitely a limit.”
I quickly tended to the stove.
Shelly came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I turned to kiss her but she avoided my lips with a certain air of playfulness. “You better be careful. If you keep tempting me like this, you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”
“Maybe that’s exactly what I want.”
“Is it?” I carried over the plates onto the table.
Shelly sat down across from me, legs parted just enough where it was obvious she wore no panties. I licked my lips already planning what I would do to her once breakfast was over. Oh, we were going to have a lot of fun together.
“Looks like you got your revenge after all,” Shelly said, pointing her thumb at the TV. “I have to say, she doesn’t look good in a pair of handcuffs.”
“No, she doesn’t. But you might.” I said with a mischievous grin.
“Whoa, hold your horses. We aren’t stepping into the kinky stuff just yet.” She wagged a finger in front of my face. “You’ll have to wait to open that door.”
“Will I?” I challenged.
“Mhm.” She popped a piece of bacon into her mouth. “Mmm, this is delicious. Seriously, where did you learn to cook?”
“I got tired of pre-made food and I didn’t want to hire a chef –”
“So, you’re okay with hiring someone for everything else but cooking, that’s where you draw the line?” She interjected. “Sometimes you’re impossible to understand.”
“I think I just wanted to learn myself.” I finished.
“Well, I’m not complaining.” She cut into her pancake and savored the taste.
“You’re cute, you know that?”
“Cute is what I aim for.” She said with a smile.
We fell into a pleasant silence, simply enjoying each other’s company. When Shelly was done, she got up and started to wash her plate in the sink.
I stopped her, took her by the hips, and set her down on the counter. Our lips drew together like a couple of magnets. But when I pulled away there was a certain level of uncertainty in her eyes. “What’s the matter?”