by C. E. Black
Moist, soft, decadent. Those are the words that describe the feel of Stones lips on mine. Those lips seduced, as they moved over my own, teasing and tasting, tempting me to give in. I could do nothing else and opened my mouth to tentatively touch his tongue with mine. His taste, as sweet as his kiss, was addicting and pressed for my compliance, but I couldn’t. I had to hold the reigns, or at least take back some of the control.
I bit his lip, sucking the plump flesh into my mouth, before releasing with a pop. He groaned, then pulled away.
Both of us leaned back, watching each other as our breathing slowed. His eyes were the color of slate and full of wanting, though, I could see his control snapping into place –piece by piece. It was impressive.
“Good night, Foxy.” His voice was deep, direct and restrained. I smirked. If that’s how he wanted to play it, I was game.
“Night, Stone,” I grinned and stepped out of the car, careful not to glance back as I made my way up the stairs and into the hotel room. But before I shut the door, I couldn’t help but peek over my shoulder, as the roar of the engine slowly faded away.
What a night, I thought, as I sagged against the door jam.
“Come in here, Foxy and shut the door.”
I hated that I gasped, too busy swooning over Stone to pay attention to my surroundings.
The serious voice came from deep inside the dark room and I flipped on the light to see Paul sitting in a chair on the other side of the room. He sat casually, feet flat on the floor with his hands lying limply on his thighs, but his expression was anything but casual. His eyes were darker than I’d ever seen before, lit with the fire of anger.
Sighing, I closed the door behind me and placed my hands on my hips. “I know you’re mad, Paul, but it was no big deal, okay? Just drop it,” I huffed, waiting on the fight to commence, but it didn’t.
Paul’s gaze secured to mine, never once blinking. The tick of the alarm clock next to the bed began to slow, compared to the beat of my heart. Or maybe that was the other way around. As my breathing accelerated, I could admit the clock wasn’t malfunctioning, but my body sure was.
Arms dropping to my side, my legs unconsciously shifted back and forth anxiously. I couldn’t take this stare down much longer. What did he want from me?
Looking away, I licked my lips, preparing to speak, when he pounced. My back slammed against the door, as large hands wrapped around my neck and raised. My feet dangled in the air, as he pressed his body against mine, holding me up. And then I was eye to eye with the angriest looking male I’d ever come across.
He wasn’t hurting me. The pressure around my throat was firm, yet slight enough for me to breath. And breath I did. Panting breaths that caused my chest to heave. No matter how angry I wanted to be, I was more turned on than anything else. Which only fueled my irritation.
Eyes wide, I grabbed the wrist that was holding me with both hands and squeezed. “Put me down. Now.” I tried for a firm tone, but it cracked, thinning my voice and lessening the demand. It didn’t matter, though, because he wasn’t listening. As soon as the last words were uttered, his mouth crushed against mine.
This kiss was hard, bruising, and oh, God, so hot. His teeth bit down and pulled, sucking my bottom lip into the warm cavern of his mouth and I wanted to melt, wanted to give in, but I couldn’t let him beat me like this. My knee shot out, aiming for his groin, but he anticipated the move, shifting his hips to the side.
I gasped, as he gripped my kicking leg in his free hand and brought it roughly to his hip before slamming his body against mine, effectively making me immobile and causing my pulse to quicken against his hand. He squeezed gently, letting me know he could feel it, and fuck did it make me burn.
The hot, hard ridge of his shaft pressed at just the right spot and when he began to thrust, the stiff seam of my jeans only made the sensation that much more intense. And damn it! I couldn’t hold back my groan, as my pelvis, with a mind of its own, began moving with him.
Paul swallowed the noise, not letting up. The powerful kiss, was like a dam breaking. The tension from the moment I met this irritating man had finally snapped.
I wrapped my legs around his waist just as he let go of my throat. Thrusting his fingers into the back of my hair with one hand, while gripping my ass with the other, he pushed us away from the door and tumbled to the bed. My back hitting the mattress was like cold water splashing against my face and I shoved his shoulders, as I twisted, landing on top of him.
My hair fell around my face, as I looked down at him. His expression hadn’t changed. His jaw was taught and his nostrils flared.
“If we’re going to do this,” I told him, trying to keep my trembling voice unyielding. “Then I’m calling the shots.”
There was no time for reaction. I was suddenly on my back with Paul’s hand wrapped around my throat once again. His body pressed me down into the mattress and damn if I didn’t respond. My nipples tightened, begging for his chest to rub against them, causing a small whimper to escape my firmly pressed lips.
“That’s not how this is going to work. I’m in control here, not you.”
“What do you...” I was cut off, as he flipped me over and ripped my jeans off. I had to admit, that wasn’t pleasant. It was sharp and a little painful, but it also had my little red thong soaked.
“That was my favorite pair of jeans, you ass!” I tried to sit up, but his hand pressed against my back, and I fell forward with a huff. My hips were jerked up and just as I went to turn over, a resounding smack echoed throughout the room. The sting accompanied it seconds later, the flesh of my ass burning intensely.
“Fuck!” I yelled, twisting to get away. He pressed me down again and slapped the other cheek. This time even harder. I cried out, my hips lifting for more. What was I doing? I couldn’t help it. I’d never experienced anything like it and I was so wet, my juices dripped down my thighs. Never had that happened before.
Each slap stung sharp and painful, but dulled into a burning I craved. My fingers fisted into the mattress, tearing the sheets with my severe grip, as I screamed into the pillow beneath my head.
I whimpered when he finally stopped, my shoulders shaking with unfulfillment. His fingers brushed against the barely there thong that covered my pussy and I jerked.
“Do you know what that was for?” he asked, leaning down to whisper in my ear. I swallowed hard and shook my head.
“For being reckless, not thinking, and putting your life in danger for no damn good reason.”
I wanted to respond, tell him that there was a reason. That I needed to prove myself to the organization, but I couldn’t form the words. My throat was sore from my screaming and I was breathing too hard to form a sentence.
“Do you promise never to do that again?”
What? What was he talking about? Of course I would do it again. It was part of my job. “No,” I croaked “Can't–”
The slap against my ass was like fire licking over my flesh and felt so good, I screamed out. Then my thong was ripped off and his fingers lightly caressed my bare lips. Pushing backwards, I groaned when he refused me more.
“Do you promise to start thinking before you do stupid things, Foxy?” Burying my face against my pillow, I shook my head, more from confusion than as an answer, but he took it as one, striking my ass again before caressing my pussy just like before. So softly, I barely felt it.
“I can do this all night. Do you want more?” he asked, pressing just the tip of one finger into my aching hole. Not enough, I thought and nodded quickly, shoving my hips back. He pulled away, and went back to lightly stroking my outer lips. Damn the man!
“Then promise me you will stop unnecessarily putting yourself in danger. I can’t take it.”
My breath caught in my throat at his gruff admission. Was all this because he was worried about me? “Paul,” I began, but he smacked me again. “Well? Do you promise?” He growled.
Air escaped my lungs in a rush and I nodded. “Yes. Yes, Paul,
I promise.” I’d promise anything for him to finish me off.
“Good girl,” he whispered before shoving two fingers inside me. I cried out in ecstasy, my eyes rolling back in my head as he pumped them hard and fast. Another finger swiped across my clit and I fractured into a million pieces. My hips pushed back and forth against his hand, ringing out as much pleasure as I could from those talented fingers.
I don’t know if I blacked out or what, but the next thing I knew, Paul flipped me over and tore off my halter. I barely felt the sting this time, as I noticed his state of undress. He had gotten naked at some point, and oh man, was he a sight. All tanned skin and tight muscles – the man was packing. And his tattoo... A black jaguar that looked strikingly like him in his own shifted form. I wanted to trace each and every line with my tongue.
I scarcely got a glimpse of his beautiful throbbing cock, before his hot mouth descended upon one of my breasts, sucking and biting at the sensitive tip, while the other was being tormented. His fingers plucked and twisted the responsive nipple, causing my back to arch in agonizing bliss.
My hands gripped his hair and pulled him as close as possible, allowing his hips to fall in line with mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist and in one searing thrust, he was inside me, pounding into my swollen flesh over and over. My nails raked down his back as I tried to keep up, moving my body in sync with his. Wet lips and tongue slid up my neck and I moaned just as another punishing kiss took my mouth.
We were wrapped around each other, our sweat slicked bodies gliding together, bringing me to a fever pitch. I had never felt so taken in my life. And that was exactly what Paul was doing. Taking me. Owning me. The thought sent panic pumping through my veins just as I shouted out another earth shattering orgasm to the ceiling. I wrapped myself around him, my nails digging into his flesh, as I cried out, calling Paul’s name in worship, as my sex pulsed with pleasure.
Afterwards, before I could even catch my breath, Paul flipped me over once again on my stomach. I felt like a rag doll, but too boneless to care.
“We’re far from finished,” he growled in my ear, as he spread my legs apart. I groaned with a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation. “Hold on, this is going to get rough.” I barely had time to gasp in a lung full of needed oxygen, before his face was suddenly buried between my legs.
Oh, God, this was so good and so so bad. That was my last thought before my mind completely shut down, going on a long vacation to gratification island.
Chapter 14
Awake for some time now, I stared up at the ceiling, thinking about the night before. I had no confusion when my eyes first opened. I knew where I was, knew who was beside me, and I knew exactly what had happened the night before. And I was pissed as hell. Not at Paul, really. More with myself for allowing it all to happen.
The night had gone on long into the early hours of the morning, and each minute made me feel more alive than even the most dangerous mission. And it never should have happened.
Sighing, I rolled out of bed. “Where are you going?” Paul’s sleepy voice called from behind me. Without turning around, I answered, “Shower.”
“Want some company?” I could picture the wicked grin on his face. Or maybe the serious, dark, intense expression he loved to use, but I refused to look. If I had, I would have crawled right back into bed.
“No,” I said and began to step away. A hand grabbed my wrist and my eyelids fluttered shut in frustration. Why did he have to be so difficult?
“What’s the problem, Terry?” Ooh, my real name? He must be pissed, I thought. That was just too damn bad. He’d have to deal.
“No problem,” I snapped. “Just going to get cleaned up. I have stuff to do today.”
There was a moment of silence, as I tried to tug my hand from his, but he refused to let go. “Look at me,” he demanded, in that same hard voice he used with me the night before. The shiver that voice elicited only added an additional layer of annoyance.
Snarling, I turned abruptly, loosening his hand in the process. It fell to the bed as I glared down at him. It was hard keeping up the attitude with the way his dark hair stood on end in that just fucked look. It didn’t help that the sheet had slid down, showing off firm abdominals and a dark trail of hair that lead to... I swallowed and lifted my eyes to meet his, making sure he knew how unhappy I was.
“Listen, Paul, I had fun last night and all, but–”
“You did?” he interrupted with a tone that sounded like he was uncertain. Paul unsure? Right!
“Yes, but it can’t happen again,” I firmly told him.
“Why not? You obviously enjoyed it.” All insecurities I thought I saw just seconds ago, were gone. His gaze challenged me to deny it. He knew I couldn’t. That shit head!
My expression must have matched my thoughts, because he held up a hand, his face softening just a tad. “I’m not saying that out of ego,” he chuckled, when I snorted my disbelief. “Okay, maybe a little bit out of ego. But you just said you had fun and I’m no dummy. You loved every minute of last night.” His voice deepened at the end of the sentence, as he raked his eyes over my naked body.
“You loved the way I dominated you. You craved each punishing slap to your ass. Don’t deny it, sweetheart."
My nostrils flared, as I caught the scent of his arousal. It made mine elevate and I couldn’t hide it from him either. His words were infuriating, yet true.
Sighing, I ran my fingers through my tangled hair. “It doesn’t matter how much fun we had, or how spectacular the orgasms were.” He smirked at that and I rolled my eyes. Though with a deep breath, I got serious. “But we can’t do it again. Ever.”
“Because?”
“It would mess up everything!” I almost shouted, throwing my hands in the air. “We’re part of the same team and getting involved could screw up missions. And I don’t date. I don’t want a relationship, Paul. Not now, not ever. I love my job and that’s the only thing I have room for in my life.” And I promised I would never get involved with a traitor, I reminded myself silently.
He picked up on my thoughts, “And you hate me.” It was a statement, not a question, and I didn’t know how to respond. I thought I hated him, but that wasn’t true. The night before proved that. I could never allow just anyone, especially someone I hated, to do all those things to me. I had submitted to him in every way.
I shook my head. “No, I don’t hate you, Paul, but...”
“But you think I’m a traitor.”
“I don't think, Paul, I know.”
“You don’t.” His lips were pressed into a tight white line and his body tensed in anger.
After a moment, Paul rolled over, putting his back to me. I stared at that back, at the pink lines that were healing. I tore his skin up in the midst of such sinful pleasure and he hadn’t complained, not once.
I thought about what he said. That I don’t know. What was it that I didn’t know? I knew he betrayed us. I knew he drugged Bear and kidnapped Sam. But obviously there was more to it. Especially since he changed sides in the end and helped us. Even Teij allowed him to stay. Why? If I was anything, I was curious. It was one of my weaknesses.
Hesitantly, I sat on the bed and reached one hand out. My palm hovered, as I stared at the tattoo decorating his shoulder. As if ripping through his skin, the black jaguar snarled, showing off sharp teeth. It was the most unique and beautiful panther tat I’d ever seen.
Laying my palm on his warm skin, I traced the tattoo, petting the cat as I had wanted to do the night before, but never had the chance. Paul had other ideas for my hands at the time. Most of the time they had been tied down, or held behind my back. I shivered just thinking about it.
I stilled my fingers, though, I couldn’t bring myself to remove them from his soft skin, as I licked my lips and whispered, “Tell me what I don’t know, Paul. Why did you do it? Why did you betray us?”
He stiffened under my palm before turning over suddenly, dislodging my hand. His eyes were full of fi
re, as he glared at me. “I didn’t betray you,” he growled.
I shook my head in disbelief. “Yes, you did. You changed your mind in the end, which is admirable, Paul, but you still turned in Alex and Jordan. You still gave Alexander information. How is that not betraying us?”
“Because I was never part of the Division in the first place,” he said simply.
“Huh?” That made no sense.
“I came into the Alpha Division on my father’s orders. I was there to infiltrate you, not be a part of the team. So, technically, I didn’t betray you or the Division. The only person I betrayed was my father. In the end.”
“Paul, you trained with us. That training wasn’t a walk in the park either. You bonded with us. We saved your ass. Multiple times. And you did the same for us. How can you say that you didn’t betray us? To us...” I swallowed down the knot that was forming in the back of my throat. “To me, you were my teammate, more than family, and you shit on that.” Tears prickled behind my eyes, but I held them back by sheer will.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You’re right and I’m sorry.” Running his hand over my hair, he wrapped some strands in his fingers before letting go with a sigh.
Laying here with him like this was so strange. Our relationship had always been a battle. About annoyance and sarcastic come backs. This gentler side of Paul was odd, to say the least, and terrifyingly, it was making my chest hurt.
“I didn’t feel like a part of the team,” he continued. “I saw it as my own mission. You have no idea what it was like growing up with a parent you thought hated you. Trying anything and everything to make him proud of you.”
“I have an idea,” I said, thinking of my own fucked up family.