Arrow's Hell

by Chantal Fernando

  I don’t believe that is true.

  I lean my forehead against his. “Arrow. Kiss me.”

  “Anna—”

  I take matters into my own hands. Grabbing his beard and pulling his face to me, I capture his lips in a kiss he isn’t going to soon forget. I move so I’m straddling his lap, my hands on his shoulders, gripping him in place. He moans, his hands moving to cup each globe of my ass. He squeezes. I slowly grind myself onto him, feeling his hard cock standing to attention. He holds me in place, so I can’t move anymore. I wonder why, until I hear the sound of someone knocking on my door.

  “Anna! Come on, breakfast is ready,” my brother calls out, interrupting us.

  Arrow’s cock goes a little soft at that.

  I sigh, burying my face in his neck. “Surely being this frustrated with no release isn’t good for my health.”

  “You aren’t the one with blue balls,” he says, puffing out a breath.

  I lift my head. “I didn’t have women at my beck and call these last few weeks.”

  He slaps my ass. “You going to hold that against me forever? And don’t say it was cheating, because it wasn’t. We weren’t together, and I was trying to get you off my mind. Not that it fuckin’ worked, but I tried.”

  “So what are you saying? We’re together now?” I ask, wanting to clarify this once and for all.

  “What I’m saying is,” he says as his hands move up my thighs, stroking lazily, “I see no other option for us. You’re mine, Anna, that’s all there is to it. It’s not a choice, it’s a fact.”

  “You don’t need to sound so happy about it.” I sniff. It sounds like he’s talking about a prison sentence or something.

  He lifts one hand to grip my chin between his thumb and index finger. “I’m not happy about it. I never thought I’d feel anything for a woman again, and I’m not sure I’m capable of being what you need. I don’t want to hurt you, Anna—”

  “Anna! Hurry up!” Rake bellows again.

  I kiss Arrow once, gently, just a simple touch of our lips, then slide off his lap. Without another word, I unlock the door and walk out of the room. I find my brother in the kitchen, sitting there with a plate full of food in front of him. He points to the seat next to him with his fork, silently inviting me.

  “Who cooked?” I ask, grabbing a plate and serving some of the scrambled eggs and bacon.

  Rake shrugs. “One of the women. Jess, I think.”

  I take my place next to him. “You still angry at me?”

  His eyes soften when he looks at me. “You know I can’t stay mad at you long.”

  I’m glad he feels that way.

  I eat my food in silence, wondering how best to approach the Arrow subject. I don’t want the two of them to fight over me. They’ve been friends a long time, and I don’t want to come between that. Arrow is right; it would be so much easier if we could just stay away from each other. In a way, I guess we’re being selfish, but at the same time, feelings like this don’t come around very often. They haven’t ever for me before. I’ve never felt such an instant attraction to someone before. Is it an attraction? Or fascination? There is something tethering us together, a connection. I can’t explain it, and I’m done questioning it.

  “I’m sorry I worried you,” I say. “And I’m sorry that I got involved in something that I wasn’t meant to.”

  Rake puts his fork down and pins me with his green eyes. “You’re my baby sister, Anna. I heard what Sin said to you, but I couldn’t ask for a better sister. Yes, you’re strong-willed, opinionated, and a general pain in my ass, but what sister isn’t?”

  I smile at that. “I learned from the best, after all.”

  He smiles, now staring down at his plate. “You’ve got that right.”

  “Everything else went well on your . . . run?” I ask.

  He nods once but doesn’t say anything else on the topic.

  “What are your plans for today?” I ask, easily changing the subject.

  “Tonight I’m going to Rift to see how it’s running. Are you going to class today?”

  “Yeah, I need to work on my thesis. Now that my kidnapping is over, I guess it’s back to reality.”

  He grins. “Only you would play it off like that.”

  “Yeah, well, I wasn’t hurt, so it could have been a whole lot worse,” I say quietly.

  Rake puts his piece of bread down. “And that’s why they are still breathing.”

  “I don’t want anyone hurt because of me,” I tell him, taking a bite of the eggs and chewing slowly. “So who do I need to thank for your good mood this morning?”

  He smirks. “They’re still in my bed sleeping if you want to go and take a peek.”

  “They? You’re a pig sometimes, Adam,” I say in disgust, enunciating his real name.

  “Hey, you asked.”

  “And you overshared.”

  “Not my fault only one woman can’t satisfy me.”

  Bailey had, but I didn’t bring her up.

  Instead, I roll my eyes. “When you find the right one, trust me, she’ll be more than you can handle.”

  “And until that day,” he replies, “I’m free to explore the many beautiful women who come my way.”

  * * *

  Arrow comes into the kitchen just as I’m cleaning up. His hair is damp and he smells delicious, like lime and soap. If he were mine to run my hands over right now, I’d be a happy woman.

  “What happened to Jill?” Rake asks him, brows furrowing and completely oblivious to the tension now filling the room.

  Arrow’s gaze darts to me quickly, before he clears his throat and answers. “Was done with her.”

  “So? You could have passed her on, she was great at giving h—”

  I slam the plate I was washing down in the sink, then turn to see the two of them staring at me. “Could you please have this conversation when I’m not here?”

  I walk past them and go to find Faye.

  Time in the gym is exactly what I need right now.

  * * *

  I plop down on the mat, breathing hard, my knees bent in front of me. “That was an awesome kick.”

  Faye, lying on her back, turns her head to me. “I know, right? And a man wouldn’t expect it.”

  “How long have we been at it?”

  “An hour.”

  “I better take another shower and get ready for class.”

  “What happened with Arrow?” Faye asks, sitting up and looking at me.

  “Nosy.”

  “Yep,” she replies, grinning. “I love the man and I want him happy. So please tell me there was some progress.”

  I nibble on my lip before I reply. “We kissed, and admitted our feelings. I think we’re going to try and make this work, but Arrow needs to talk to Rake first. I’d do it, but I think with how the club works Arrow needs to do what he has to do first.”

  “You’re right, let Arrow handle it. You know,” she says, hesitating slightly, “I was good friends with Mary. She was an amazing woman, beautiful and sweet. Never once did Arrow tell her how much he wanted her, or admit his feelings to her.”

  “I know I could never replace Mary—”

  Faye cuts me off. “Arrow shouldn’t make you feel like you have to.”

  I swallow. “He hasn’t. I think it’s more me overthinking things and . . .” I puff out a breath. “I don’t know. But it feels right between us, you know? And I want to explore what we could have. I don’t want Rake to be angry though; I couldn’t handle that.”

  Faye nods, understanding flashing in her eyes. “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. Although Dex would kick my ass for getting involved. But Arrow deserves to be happy. He’s stopped drinking as much; we’ve all noticed it. He hasn’t gone to Toxic as much either, and he’s happier, more focused. I think you’ve given him a purpose, Anna, and he needed that.”

  “I don’t know about all that,” I say a little shyly, staring down at my hands. “I mean, I think I can m
ake him happy, you know? I hope I can.”

  Faye giggles. “You have it bad, Anna Bell.”

  I groan at the nickname. “Not you too.”

  But really, I was happy. Faye was now my friend, and Arrow was right—she was a good friend to have.

  “Hey, it’s catchy,” she replies, standing up and dusting off her pants. “I have to go pick up Clover. I’ll see you tonight, if you’re coming back here.”

  “Okay. Thanks for the workout.”

  She smirks. “That totally sounded dirty.”

  I roll my eyes, my lip twitching. “Seriously?”

  She grins and pulls her hair down from its ponytail. “See you around, Arrow’s woman.”

  I shake my head to myself as she exits the gym, then I force myself to stand up.

  Arrow’s woman.

  Damn if I didn’t like how that sounded.

  FOURTEEN

  HAVE you seen Tracker?” Allie asks me, sticking her head inside my door. Why the hell is she asking me? I’m not Tracker’s keeper. I don’t understand Allie. Is she just a shit person? Or a woman who hides behind her defenses, which in her case would be her bitchiness and general unpleasantness.

  “Nope,” I reply. “Haven’t seen him all day.”

  He is probably hiding from her. That’s what I would be doing.

  She makes a noise of irritation and stomps her foot. “I’m so sick of this shit!”

  “Why don’t you just call him?” I murmur, staring down at my textbook and wishing that she would spontaneously combust. “And why the fuck are you in my room?”

  “He’s not answering,” she reluctantly replies. “If he’s with another bitch I’m gonna kill him! And her!”

  I slam the textbook shut. “Can you please fuck off and leave me out of your shit? I’m trying to study.”

  “Fuck, you’re a bitch,” she replies, sounding a little surprised. “How about some fucking help finding him?”

  My phone beeps with a message from Lana.

  Come over, I’m bored.

  “Is that Tracker messaging you?” Allie asks, crossing her arms over her chest and trying to peer at my phone. Was she serious right now?

  “You’re still here?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. I put down my phone and sigh. “I don’t know where he is, Allie, but if I do I’ll tell him you’re looking for him, okay?”

  “Anna, I have to go out for a bit,” Rake says as he enters the room. He looks at Allie. “Everything okay in here?”

  “She won’t leave me alone,” I say dramatically. “You should make her leave.”

  Rake ignores my outburst. “Do you wanna come with me, Anna?”

  “Will you drop me off at Lana’s after? She’s in need of some Anna time. I’ve done my time here anyway; I get to go home now.”

  His face falls slightly at that. “Is that how you feel about staying here? Comparing it to prison time? Fuck, Anna. I love having you here.”

  Shit, now I feel like a bitch.

  “I’ll come back on the weekend, how about that? You know I just like having my own space,” I tell him, trying to get him to understand. Allie silently leaves the room, clearly bored with our conversation.

  “Yeah, yeah,” he mutters. “Come on, I need to stop at Rift, then we can have some lunch before I take you to Lana’s.”

  I smile widely. “Thanks, bro.”

  His eyes soften. “Get your shit together then.”

  “Okay,” I say, standing up and grabbing my bag. Arrow walks in a few seconds later, just in time to find me in a compromising position, bent over, searching under the bed for my pen.

  “Trying to kill me, aren’t you, darlin’?” he says, clearing his throat.

  I sit abruptly on the bed. “Yes, I purposely waited in that position in hopes you would drop by.”

  He chuckles at that. “Lucky it was me then.” He looks behind him, then murmurs, “Fuck it.”

  Closing and locking the door, he steps to me and lifts me up to a standing position. Then, without a word, his lips are fused to mine. Hands on my ass, he lifts me in the air, and I wrap my legs around his narrow waist. “Need to be inside you,” he says against my mouth. “But I can’t.”

  “Why not?” I whisper, digging my fingers into his back, trying to get myself as close to his body as I can.

  “I can’t do that to him,” he grits out. “I fucking can’t. I need to talk to him first. I need to tell him.”

  I groan in frustration and lay my forehead against his chest. Suddenly he lays me back on the bed and starts lifting up my maxi skirt.

  “Arrow?”

  “Shhh,” he soothes, running his hands up my thighs and pulling down my white lace panties. I gulp in air as he spreads my legs wide, making a sound of masculine appreciation deep in his throat.

  “Beautiful,” he says in a soft, husky tone, then his mouth is on me, licking gently. I arch off the bed as he pays attention to my clit, gripping the sheets and slamming my head back into the pillow.

  “Arrow, holy shit,” I whisper, looking down to see his head between my thighs, the sight so erotic that a whimper escapes my lips. His large hands are on my thighs, spreading me to him, his head slightly bobbing as he worships me with his talented mouth. The orgasm creeps up on me, hitting me with full force. I take the pillow next to me and cover my face so no one can hear me scream. Arrow keeps at it, sucking my clit until he wrings every possible cry from me, each wave of pleasure making my thighs tremble and my eyes roll back into my head. I move the pillow away from my face and squirm silently, letting him know I’ve had enough. It’s too much; it’s too sensitive. He raises his head and looks at me with a smug, satisfied look.

  “That tongue should come with a warning,” I pant out.

  He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, then kisses the inside of my thigh, once. I hear Rake call out my name, and I quickly jump out of bed on shaky legs. Arrow stands and grimaces, adjusting himself, his arousal straining through his jeans. I lick my lips, wishing nothing more than I could take care of that big problem for him.

  “Later,” he says, staring at me, promise in his eyes.

  I pick up my bag from the floor, then realize that I’m not wearing any panties. “Where are my panties?”

  He looks to the ground, picks them up and lifts them in front of him. Grinning, he hands them over to me, but not before smelling them first.

  “Weirdo,” I say as I take them from his hands, then slide them on. “When will I see you next?”

  He rubs the back of his neck, considering. “I’ll talk with Rake tomorrow, then come and see you afterward.”

  I swallow hard. “Okay.”

  I close the space between us and press a sweet kiss to his lips, unable to stop myself from running my hand over the bulge in his jeans. “You better not use anyone else to relieve this.”

  His eyes darken. “I’m going for a cold shower as soon as you leave.”

  “Is that your promise to not screw around with anyone else until we sort out whatever this is between us?” I ask boldly, my eyes not leaving his.

  He tilts his head slightly, which I take as agreement. Another quick kiss and I walk out of the room, where Rake is waiting for me in front of his bike.

  “You know,” I tell my brother, “maybe it’s time I got my own bike.”

  His smile is so wide that I can’t help but smile with him.

  “I’ll teach you how to ride, then I’ll happily buy you a bike,” he says, handing me a helmet.

  “A hot-pink bike?”

  He laughs at that. “If that’s what you want.”

  I get on the back of his bike, still smiling.

  Life is looking up.

  * * *

  I was having the worst day ever.

  After a long and tiring day of observations at the zoo, I wait at the bus stop. I finished classes early and didn’t bother to message Rake because it was just easier to take the bus than hassle someone for a ride.

  “Hey, Anna,” Damien calls
out, coming up to stand next to me.

  “Hey, Damien,” I say, smiling. “How was your day? I saw you talking with some of the students and didn’t want to interrupt.”

  He grins. “That would have been a welcome interruption considering I was on babysitting duty all day.”

  “Got stuck showing around the freshmen, huh?” I tease.

  He puts his hands in his pockets. “Something like that. Do you need a ride home? I’m parked just over there,” he says, nodding his head to the student parking lot to the right.

  I look to his car and consider it. “Thanks, but it’s all right. I live close by.”

  “Are you sure?” he asks, frowning. “I honestly don’t mind.”

  He is sweet, Damien. We talk in class sometimes, usually about the work we were doing, nothing personal. But like I said, he is sweet, and I didn’t need Rake or Arrow scaring the shit out of him.

  “I’m good,” I say as the bus arrives. “I’ll see you around.”

  I get on the bus before he can protest.

  Ten minutes later, as soon as I step off, it starts pouring.

  Just my luck.

  Dripping wet and moody, I walk from the stop to my apartment, which takes a couple of minutes. As I walk to my front door, dying for a hot shower, I notice something that makes me stop in my tracks.

  The door is open.

  What the hell?

  Taking two steps backward, I pull out my phone and walk to the parking lot, where there would be people around. I dial Rake.

  “Anna?”

  “Hey, Rake, can you come to my apartment, please?”

  He’s silent for a second. “Talk to me, Anna.”

  “I just got home and the door is open. Something doesn’t feel right. I mean, it could be nothing; maybe I left the door open?”

  But I know I didn’t.

  “Are you safe?” he barks into the phone, and I can hear movement around him.

  “Yeah, I’m in the lot, so I’m in clear view of the main road,” I say, shuffling my feet.

  “Good girl,” he croons. “I’m on my way.”

  “Thanks, Rake.”

  “Oh, and, Anna?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You should have fuckin’ called me when you finished class.”