Laid Bare

by Lauren Dane

  So achingly beautiful as she gave herself to Todd.

  Ben used the crop several more times, creating a pattern on her ass and thighs so pretty he nearly shot in his jeans.

  Todd pulled her back. “Wait, I want to fuck you. Can you take me? Is it okay?”

  She nodded slowly and Ben knew she was edging into subspace. He helped her up and she straddled Todd, reverse cowgirl. She arched, putting her head back on his shoulder as she slid down his cock slowly.

  “Oh, I’ve missed this so much,” Erin said, feeling his invasion right up to her scalp. The heat of the welts on her ass rubbed the couch and Todd’s skin, and when she opened her eyes, she caught Ben’s gaze on her, roving hungrily from nipples to face to cunt.

  Erin turned her head to kiss Todd, tasting herself on his lips.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Todd nipped her lip and she leaned forward, bracing her hands on his thighs.

  “Come here, Ben, and bring your cock with you.”

  He made a show out of unzipping his jeans and shoving them down enough to free his cock. When he got close enough, she caressed it with her cheek and lips before taking him into her mouth to the root and back.

  He groaned and Todd echoed it behind her.

  Sex with the two of them always came close to nearly overwhelming her. They were both so masculine and dominant it stole her breath away and as much as Ben seemed to have no problems touching Todd—and wow, had that few minutes they both worked over Todd’s cock been hot—he and Todd both put nearly every bit of their focus on her. What woman wouldn’t like that?

  One of Todd’s hands palmed her nipple and the other found her cunt, already spread from the position she held over his cock. The piercing wasn’t sore; she was happy about that. But she was nice and wet and filled with good stuff like serotonin and endorphins and she was on a sex high. He kept his fingers very gentle, just the lightest possible touch over her.

  Ben found a rhythm and began shallow digs into her mouth as her nails dug into Todd’s thighs. Both men groaned and she felt like a freaking goddess between them.

  “Come, honey. I want you to come all over my cock.” Todd leaned in and spoke in her ear. “Are you okay with Ben coming in your mouth?” He’d decreed that as a no-no before and she loved that he’d come far enough to change his mind. And to make sure she’d come that far too.

  She hummed her assent and Todd nipped her ear. “You’re so fucking perfect.” Then to Ben, “You can come.”

  “In her?”

  Such a comical conversation! But she liked that they both seemed to navigate the situation carefully and with their eye on keeping everyone happy.

  “Yes. Blow down that pretty throat.” As Todd said it, he slid his palm up for emphasis—to collar it—but a shiver ran through her and, totally unexpectedly, orgasm claimed her again.

  She ground herself down onto Todd, listening to his groans, knowing he was very, very close. Ben’s thrusts got deeper and faster, his fingers finding her nipples, playing with the rings until he gave a long groan and came.

  With a kiss to his belly, she leaned back, resting her head on Todd’s shoulder as he fucked up into her body. His thighs trembled with his effort to be gentle.

  “I’m not going to break,” she whispered.

  “I know,” he said through a clenched jaw, “but I like your new piercing. I can resist the urge to slam into you for another week or so.”

  He ended with a long groan and pushed up and into her, deep, as he came.

  Gently, he set her aside and left the room for a few moments. She leaned into Ben’s side, smiling at Todd when he got back.

  “Tell me about your trip. I missed you.”

  He kissed her and settled her skirt back around her as Ben handed her her shirt. When she was dressed again, she turned sideways, her feet in Ben’s lap and her body against Todd.

  “I’m never leaving you for two weeks again. It totally sucked to be gone for so long. You’re staying here tonight, right?”

  She nodded. “I hate sleeping alone. You’ve totally spoiled me.”

  He put his chin on the top of her head. “Good.”

  Todd told them about the trip and about the payout he’d be getting for the shooting, which was nice and enabled him to pay off the house. He wasn’t sure what they’d be doing with it. He’d also bought a ring at the family jewelers he’d driven past every day to work back when he lived in Boston. He’d spent part of that day on the phone with Brody and Adrian, along with his parents and siblings. He had plans for his beautiful little freak.

  For the moment though, he had brought her back a present that didn’t require a lot of fanfare. “There’s a box on top of my dresser. It’s for you.”

  She hopped up and raced from the room.

  “I think she likes presents,” Ben said dryly.

  “Guess I need to give them more often.”

  She came out moments later, ripping the pretty wrapping off. And when she flipped open the top to the box she gasped, pulling the fine chain from the velvet inside.

  “I knew you had a barbell so you couldn’t use a chain on your clit piercing. But this one will hang between your nipples.” He stood and went to her and she unbuttoned her shirt quickly. “We can’t use a collar. It doesn’t feel right for us and you obviously can’t wear something like that at work anyway. But this, next to your skin”—he slid it through each ring so that it hung just so—“will remind you of me all day long.”

  She put her arms around him and looked into his face. “I think about you all day long as it is. I think my talents as a barista have worsened since you’ve come back into my life. It’s beautiful and I love it. I love it when you mark me.”

  “Let’s eat some dinner and we’ll mark you some more afterward.”

  24

  She woke up as Todd stretched and turned off the alarm. Erin buried her face in Ben’s chest and he drew a line up and down her spine lazily.

  “I have to get moving. I need to get to the café.” She sat up and Todd pulled her back down to him.

  “Stay.”

  “I can’t. Ella will be waiting for me and I don’t like to be late.” She kissed his belly and he groaned. “Dibs on the big shower.”

  When she got out, she dressed quickly, glad she had a few changes of clothing at Todd’s, and headed out into the kitchen where Ben had just finished some toast.

  “Morning, gorgeous.” He kissed her quickly and tugged on her hair. “I like the spiky thing you’ve got going.”

  “I have a rep to uphold and all. I’ll grab something at the café. Tell Todd I’ll call later, all right?”

  “Sure. Erin, are you all right alone there? With this asshole trying to get to Ella, I worry about you.”

  “Aw, thanks. But Brody is right next door and so far, the creep has kept away from the café. Probably because of all the big, burly, scary-looking inked-up guys next door who’d smash a man into a greasy spot if he hurt a woman.”

  Speaking of Brody, her phone rang and the icon on the screen announced it was her older brother.

  “Hey, I’m on my way now,” she said by way of greeting.

  “I was wondering what was happening. You rarely just leave the shop closed.”

  “Closed? Ella’s not there?” Alarm seeped into her system.

  “No. She didn’t call either. I checked your voice mail when I saw no one was there. I just got in myself, that’s why I’m only calling now.”

  “It’s not like her to just not show. Okay, I’ll be there in five minutes.”

  Ben touched her arm when she hung up. “Is everything all right?”

  “Ella didn’t show. Didn’t even leave a message, which is totally not her style. She’s very responsible. I’ve got to go.”

  “Erin, let me come with you. Or at least wait for Todd to get out of the shower so he can.”

  She clenched and then unclenched her jaw. “I’m fine. My brother is right next door. I don’t need
a babysitter. I’ll see you later.” She was out the door before he could argue.

  The darkened windows of her café filled her with dread. She’d called Ella’s house only to get her machine, called her cell and got a “voice mail full” message. Ella’s mom’s number was inside on the café’s phone book, but she knew Brody would cluck at her if she went into the café first, so she breezed into the shop, waving at the other artists.

  Brody grinned at her, kissing her cheek. “I love it when you indulge me. Did you get hold of her?” He unlocked the connecting door into the café and went in first. She rolled her eyes at his back.

  “I didn’t. Her voice mail on her cell is full. I left a message at her place. I’m going to call her mom now.”

  He turned off the alarms as she bustled to get the place open.

  Once she’d dealt with the three customers who’d jumped from foot to foot to get their caffeine fix, she dialed up Ella’s parents’ house and nearly fell over when she found out why Ella hadn’t been there that morning.

  She grabbed the edge of the counter and Brody was next to her in moments. “What? Damn it, Erin, what?”

  “Ella is in the hospital. Her ex tried to kill her last night.” She gathered her stuff. “I have to go. She’s at Overlake.” Erin scribbled a note saying they’d be closed for several days and taped it to the front door.

  “I’m coming with you.” Brody reset the alarms and pulled her back through the door into his shop.

  “Shut up. I saw the appointment book when I walked in a few minutes ago, I know you’re slammed. I’m fine. I mean, I feel awful for Ella, but I can visit her in the hospital. I promise,” she added when she saw the worry on his face.

  “Erin.”

  “This isn’t me trying to be the spunky heroine who refuses help for no apparent reason, okay? I’m fine. It’s full daylight. I go over there all the time. As you may recall, my therapist is there and you made me start going back.” He rolled his eyes at her. “It’ll take me like twenty minutes tops to get there. I’ll be all right and she will too, thank god. I promise to call Adrian or you or Todd if I need someone.”

  “That’s not necessary.” Todd stepped into the shop. “I’m right here and able to help with whatever has you looking so upset.”

  She wanted to groan when she caught the look passing between Todd and Brody, but she didn’t have time.

  “Fine.” She kissed Brody’s cheek. “I’ll call you later to fill you in.” She looked to Todd as she walked past. “You can drive if you like.”

  Todd followed her, opening her door before she could do it herself.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You’re obviously in trouble and you left without getting me out of the shower? Ben had to do what you should have.”

  “What? All I knew when I left your place was that an employee didn’t show up for work. I’m the boss, welcome to my world. That shit happens all the time. I don’t need you for that, for god’s sake. You want I should get you to walk me through when the toilet in the bathroom overflows too? How about when the water filters on the espresso machine need changing and no one seems to know what the fuck to do?

  “Ben didn’t need to run and get you out of the shower for that. In fact, I told him not to. I am not some stupid, helpless person. I ran that café for three years before you came back to Seattle, thank youverymuch.”

  “Where am I going?” He kept his eyes on the road.

  “Overlake.”

  “Who’s in the hospital and why?” He clenched his jaw, holding on to the steering wheel so tight his knuckles cracked.

  “Ella. I spoke with her aunt a few minutes ago. Ella’s ex broke into her house last night and attacked her. Beat her badly. That fucker tried to set her on fire! Luckily a neighbor heard and called the cops. She’s in stable condition. The burns are worst on one of her legs. Her aunt said Ella covered her face, so there’s one small light in the darkness.” She sighed and put her head against the back of the seat.

  “Do the cops have him in custody?”

  “Yes. I don’t know much more than that though.”

  He pulled onto 520 and headed east across the lake to Bellevue.

  “Why didn’t you call me?” Hurt pooled in his gut that she hadn’t turned to him.

  “Because I’d just walked in! I went to work like I always do and then no one was here and I found out why. It’s been a grand total of about twenty minutes, so leave me the fuck alone. I don’t owe you a minute-by-minute account of my fucking day, all right? Just because I let you call the shots in bed does not mean you control me. You need to get that right now. Something bad happened to me four years ago, but that doesn’t mean I’m helpless.” She’d raised her voice, which she did so rarely it alarmed him a bit.

  “I’m sorry. Okay? I just worry about you. Domestic violence isn’t something to mess around with. These abusers get touchy about other people in their victims’ lives. I love you. I can’t bear to think of you getting hurt. It’s not because I don’t think you’re capable. I’m a protective man, Erin. It’s who I am. I want to be there to make your life easier in all ways.”

  She blew a stream of air out. “I get that, Todd. But I cannot be managed or guilted. And I do not want to be wrapped in cotton and shielded. I have a life and I want to live it. I love you, but I don’t want you to take over. I won’t have it.”

  He wanted to though. He wanted to step in and take care of her, keep her safe and shielded from any and all threats. She couldn’t know how much or she’d freak. Hell, he was a protective person in general; it’s why he’d become a cop to start with. But with her it was more. She was his and he protected what was his.

  Still, the last thing he wanted was to annoy or agitate her any further. She was upset enough by that point. Erin was strong, more than she gave herself credit for. But abusers were batshit crazy and he had no intention of letting her get in the middle of this mess.

  He took her hand. “I’m sorry. I know you’re capable. I just want to take care of you. Call Ben and tell him what’s going on; he’s worried too.”

  She made that snorting sound he knew meant trouble. “Call him yourself when we get there. And tell him I don’t like tattle-tales.”

  Erin said little else to him on the drive over.

  “I’m coming in with you. I don’t care how mad you are,” he said as he parked. But he said it to an empty truck because she’d already gotten out and moved across the lot toward the elevators at a furious clip.

  Great. He didn’t know Ella’s last name and he’d just wander around aimlessly if he lost sight of Erin. He rushed to catch up, putting an arm around her to keep Erin at his side. She’d be protected whether she liked it or not. They would always need to work on their relationship; that’s how relationships thrived and grew. This was something he hadn’t understood when he was married. But he got it now.

  Erin was his to protect and he would. He’d find a way to do it so she knew he respected her and her independence, but she had to understand it would happen.

  He made a snorting sound of his own.

  Two hours later, Erin’s hands shook as she got back into Todd’s truck. As much as she hated to admit it, she was glad he was there. If he hadn’t been, she’d have needed to sit in her car a good half an hour before she could have driven anywhere.

  Ella had been a mess. Barely conscious from the stew of opiates keeping the pain at bay. Her face purpled and swollen from the beating she’d endured. Her feet and legs wrapped up from the burns.

  Ella’s mother had filled them in on all the details. The ex was in police custody. There’d be a bail hearing on Monday. The cops would be able to show the guy had violated the protection order three times in the past sixty days, and hopefully he wouldn’t get bail as he awaited trial.

  Ella would recover. She’d walk again and hopefully find love with a man who didn’t think killing her was the only way to keep her. Erin sighed heavily. What the fuck was wrong with people?
/>   “You okay?” Todd asked softly.

  She nodded. She’d been there in that hospital. In worse shape than Ella. And she’d survived and found love and happiness she’d never imagined holding in her life ever again. But the smell of the room, of the tape holding the bandages on, of the tubing, of the antiseptic—it brought things back and for a few minutes there, the walls felt very close.

  But Todd had kept his arm around her and she’d felt better bit by bit. It still hung around her like shitty weather, but it would clear. Because it wasn’t her life anymore.

  Still, it was her friend’s life, and she knew what that dark pit felt like.

  “I just . . . Thank you for being there with me.”

  He looked startled and then he smiled. “Honey, I wouldn’t have been anywhere else. I’m glad my being with you helped. I’m going to take you home, okay? Ben will get your car and bring it to your place. Are you up to seeing him? Or me, for that matter?”

  She nodded again and he touched her neck but said nothing else.

  25

  “She’s stable now. The burns are worst on her left leg and foot, but they said she’ll be fine, although they’re watching for infection.”

  Todd listened to her speak with Brody on the phone as he made tea for her. He needed to do something with his hands because he was torn between wanting to punch something and wanting to fuck her until she thought of nothing else.

  “They didn’t need grafts apparently . . . Yeah, I thought so too . . . Not much, she wasn’t really conscious. They had her on a pretty major opiate cocktail,” Erin continued.

  Todd buzzed Ben up, relieved he’d arrived. He hadn’t had much time to think about what had happened the night before other than to know he’d enjoyed it. Something had shifted; there was an easy sort of acceptance that Ben was part of whatever he and Erin had. He knew Ben cared about Erin and hoped between the two of them, they could keep her calm and stop her from thinking overmuch about what had happened to her friend.

  He’d called a contact at the Seattle PD and spoken to him about the case. The guy had several assault priors and had repeatedly violated the protection order. He also had two other ex-girlfriends in his past who’d filed for protection orders, and the bastard, not surprisingly, had a history of stalking. Todd hoped it was enough to keep him in jail.