by S. M. West
She then pushes for details about the auction and what happened. I fill her in as we lock up and head to the bedroom. We’re both tired and want to crash, but we agree to a shower first.
In the bathroom, Tommie starts the shower and begins to shed her clothes. I love the way she looks at me with heat flaring in her deep dark gaze, so much heat, as if I am everything she needs.
My thoughts are unruly and jumbled, enthralled by how fucking edible she is in her birthday suit, so unassuming and comfortable with me. And I’m also confused—last thing I knew, she said we were over.
“I’m not surprised Ash got away from the auction. And it may be stupid, me being here.” She gathers her long hair into a messy knot and secures it on top of her head.
My fingers clutch at her hips; her skin is soft and warm, and I bring her close. Her eyes grow heavy and dazed. I won’t let her walk away again. Not a chance.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
A humorless laugh tumbles from her soft lips. “I’m not. I’m here to stay even if the smartest thing to do is leave. Danger still exists. Ash wants to kill you.” Her gaze swims with unshed tears. “I can’t stay away from you. I need you, Max.”
“I don’t want you anywhere but here.” I drop my pants, then just as quickly latch my hands back onto her body.
“Ash needs to be stopped. Your mother needs to be stopped. But we’re stronger together. It may be selfish but I realized that today. My biggest regret and perhaps my biggest misstep was in not telling my parents what I’d done. Maybe if my father had known, we could have gotten to Ash first, prevented the fire. I don’t know.”
She hangs her head, shaking it back and forth, and I slide two fingers under her chin, tilting her head to look at me. “Don’t do that to yourself. You’ll never know if you could have changed the outcome. And you’re not to blame for what happened to your parents, or tonight’s fire. That’s all on Ash.”
“I’m the reason for the fire. I betrayed him, or so he thinks. But when we’re apart, we give him an advantage. And dammit, I’m not letting Ash ruin my life again, or hurt you. I won’t.”
“We’ll do this together.” I’m disarmed by her realization. We are stronger together.
Her fingers glide up my chest and over my shoulders. My cock is painfully hard and my body aches for her but this conversation is needed.
“We’ll figure out a way to stop both Ash and Taya. And if that doesn’t work, then we run.”
She gasps, and blinks through the tears sticking to her lashes. “What?”
I’d never considered running until this very moment and I’m okay with it. If that’s what it takes for us to be free of Ash and my mother, then I’d do it in a heartbeat.
“Before you, leaving Tate, my only family, wasn’t an option. But she has Ry. He’d never let anything happen to her or their son.” I brush a stray strand from her face. “And now, I have you. I can’t imagine my life without you. Never.”
“But—” she says, and I press a finger to her lips, guiding her into the hot shower.
Warm water sprays our bodies and I tip her head back to wet her long hair. A moan slips past her slightly parted lips as my fingers knead her scalp. I dip my head until my lips are a breath away from the shell of her ear. Her fingers grip my shoulders as her hard nipples press into my chest.
“It’s you and me. Always. Don’t ever run from me again.” I draw her closer, bending to press my lips to her now-damp neck, water streaming down my back.
“I’m sorry I ran. I was—”
“I know why you ran. To protect me. But listen to me.” My mouth dances across her collarbone, the fleeting trace of my lips making her quiver in my arms despite the hot water. “We stay together. We’re stronger together.”
I find her lips and kiss the breath out of her. Determined, passionate, my mouth devours hers as our tongues tangle. Gliding my finger along her throat, I feel her shaky swallow under my touch and she opens wider, my name escaping on a sigh.
Her hand wraps around my length and she strokes me as I bury my head in her neck, kissing the base of her throat before breathing in the familiar, heady scent of her.
She guides me to her entrance, and my desperate need to touch her, feel her, overrides all sense of control. I hoist her up against the wall and she latches on once more to my rapidly hardening shaft, guiding me to her entrance.
“Wait, condom,” I grit out, my tip pressing into her wet heat. It’s a herculean effort to stop.
“I’m clean and take the shot. We can go without it if you’re okay.”
“I’m clean. I get tested regularly. Are you sure?” My voice is a shaky rasp, finding it hard, in more ways than one, to stay as we are, the need to plunge into her irresistible.
“Max, I want you. Now, like this. It’s ok—” Before she can complete the word, my tongue is in her mouth and her hands are tangled in my hair as I plunge into her.
Both greedy, we match each other thrust for thrust and she rides me hard, wild and crazed. She moans, twirling her hips, and I see stars. I’ve never been bare, without protection, with anyone and the sensation of her is fucking phenomenal.
“Tommie,” I moan as she wraps her legs tightly around my waist.
My fingers dig hard into her ass and I drink in the rosy flush of her skin, hooded eyes and swollen lips. Blistering pleasure blazes through me, making me senseless with need. I stroke hard and fast and she returns the intensity with a cry of ecstasy.
“Max, we stay together,” she says again, as if needing to reaffirm that she’s doing the right thing.
She may think she’s being selfish and putting me in danger by being with me, but without her is worse. And we’re both in danger; neither of us is safe until we’re rid of them.
She tips her head to one side, her walls clenching tighter around me, and I moan, the pleasure overwhelming.
“Love you so much.” I thread my fingers in the mass of her wet hair, bringing her mouth to mine.
Fuck, I love this woman with an intensity that should but doesn’t scare me.
Tommie
“You asleep?” His deep voice circles my body like a warm, seductive embrace.
“Hmmm.” I snuggle closer, my ass pressing into his hard length.
He groans, kissing behind my ear. “Be careful. Don’t start something you don’t intend on finishing.”
I slide my hand between us, down to his erection, and he sucks in air between his teeth as his cock twitches in my grasp. His already taut, hard stomach muscles turn to steel against my bare back.
“Who said I don’t intend on following through?”
He thrusts upward into my grip and I lick my lips. “We’ve got work to do,” he whispers in my ear, his lips tickling the soft, near-invisible hairs on my skin.
I want every part of him, now, even if we have work to do. I wish we could stay in bed forever. Just Max and me. His strong, fine hands ensnare my waist, rolling me over and causing me to loosen my hold on him. Now face to face, his hips grind into mine, no holding back as his hot, throbbing length slides through my slick folds.
“You don’t play fair, Conrad.” I pout, sliding into a gasp as his crown breaches my entrance before pulling out with a smug grin.
“Neither do you.” He taps the tip of my nose, dives in for a quick kiss before sliding out of the bed.
“Grrr, I wish we could stay in bed all day,” I groan, but then his firm ass cheeks and muscled thighs tease a wicked smile out of me.
As if sensing my salacious stare, he turns around fast, catching my gaze where his ass was just seconds ago. I don’t blink or blush, or even drift my gaze upward to meet his because now I’m looking at his magnificent penis.
“You’re just plain naughty.” He tosses a pillow at me. “Get out of bed.”
“I’m coming. Actually, I’m not coming and that’s the problem,” I grumble.
He laughs, pulling his boxers and then jeans on. “I’ll go walk Gun and you make breakfast
?”
He pauses to glance at his phone. “Make that lunch. I’ll be back in fifteen.”
“Mkay,” I murmur, dropping my head back onto the pillow
A flash of Ash obliterates any bone-melting relaxation and I bolt upright in bed, running after him into the living room, buck naked.
“Max, be careful.” I cringe at the panic circling each word.
The fierce desire in his gaze steals my breath as he takes me in. Then his features soften, morphing to concern as our eyes meet.
“I’ll be alert and safe. Remember, I’m going to have Mister No-neck shadowing me.”
“Okay.” I smile, somewhat comforted by the reminder of the FBI agent standing guard outside of Max’s place. Even still, Ash is the devil and one tricky bastard.
“Go put some clothes on or else I won’t be going anywhere.”
“Maybe that’s my plan.” I’m wicked and seductively thrust out my chest with a sway of my hips.
He brings his clenched fist to his mouth, biting on his knuckles. “Woman, you’re going to pay for that. Now go. I don’t want our friend outside to get a peek at your delectable body.”
I turn on my heel and my cheeks heat at his appreciative growl that carries me into the bedroom. I tidy the room, make the bed, and then get dressed. Before starting breakfast, I call Ry, Van and Tripp to make sure they are all okay and confirm we’re meeting them within the hour. We have a ton of work to do.
Between sex, some tears, and sleep, Max and I talked for several hours last night about how we could take another run at Ash and Taya. They are likely more of a threat than ever before and the problem is, we’ve got two targets and likely only one shot.
We played through several scenarios and sadly, the strongest option pits us against each other. Not literally, but in the sense that we couldn’t both get what we want. Ash gone. Taya gone.
Or more specifically, none of our plans would get rid of them both and of course, Ash is the biggest and more immediate danger. It will be near impossible to get them both now that we’ve failed with the raid. They’ve likely gone to their respective corners, and who knew if their joint venture was even viable. I figured Ash would have at least one more move up his sleeve.
Besides, he wanted to grab me, and he still hasn’t put that into play. But no matter, both would be waiting for us and so we have to make a play that they won’t expect.
We finally came up with a plan and while it isn’t the greatest, and not even that elaborate, it’s our best shot. Ash admitting that Taya wasn’t important to him was what gave me the idea. I only wish it didn’t mean Taya would walk away free.
I crack a couple eggs and get working on brunch. I’m in the mood for an omelet. A smile crawls across my mouth at the thought of waking up in Max’s arms. Paradise. It really was, especially because up until yesterday, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get to do that again.
The fire. My chest tightens as if an elephant is sitting on me. Someone could have died, but Ash messed up. Not only did everyone get out alive, his plan backfired in more ways than one. The fire was intended to make me pay when it only showed me how I should never have left my family. I should never have left Max.
After breakfast, we head to Ry’s, where Tripp and Van are also waiting. I’m both nervous and excited to put things into motion, although Ash could mess up our plans at any moment.
He’s out there and he’s got to have another move.
When I walk into the kitchen, Van is the only person I see. He stands at the far end of the room, leaning against the island. He’s in one piece, although showing signs of wear and tear. He sports a nasty bruise across one cheek and a white bandage covers a forearm.
Vivid hazel eyes hit me square in the chest and I’m running toward him, wordlessly throwing myself into the muscled arms he holds open for me.
“Van,” I choke out. “You’re safe.”
He brings his lips down to my ear. “Yeah, I’m good. Better to know you’re safe too. Missed you.”
He nearly crushes me to him with the force of his hold, and I don’t care. I’m more than happy to see him alive and well. Those many minutes after I’d realized Ash was going to torch HC but I didn’t know if he’d succeeded were a living hell.
And even last night, when I knew Van was okay, it wasn’t enough. I needed to see for myself. I needed this.
We break apart to all gazes on us. I glance up at him and he looks tired; fatigue lines his mouth and the corners of his eyes but his smile is bright and all I care is that he’s breathing.
“So you said you’ve got a plan? Let’s hear it.” Ry is all business, taking a seat at the table and holding a chair out for me.
All of us sit and I straighten my spine, knowing this isn’t going to be an easy conversation. Sacrifices will need to be made.
“With the increased FBI heat on Ash and Taya thanks to the raid, we’ve tipped our hand even if we have plausible deniability. There’s nothing concrete linking HC to any of it but they aren’t stupid.” Max’s grim features matches his tone.
“When I spoke to Ash yesterday, he told me that he has no interest in Taya. Or more specifically, that he was using her for her contacts.” The guys nod; we’d suspected that was the case. “It’s a safe bet that the auction attendees were her connections.”
“Yeah, so far, from who the Feds rounded up, it looks to be,” Ry adds.
“Ash pretty much said that he planned to build connections with her network based on her introduction and then dispose of whatever he felt was of no value.”
Max shifts beside me. “We’re thinking if we tell Taya what Ash’s plan is—to double-cross her—and that she’s likely in danger, she’ll cooperate with us.”
I inch closer to the edge of my seat, eager to put things in place but also not content with what we might have to give up. “Yeah, but the thing is, we’re going to have to bargain with her.”
Max and I fall silent, letting what that really means sink in. Understanding is quick to come, dawning on their faces almost immediately.
“Fuck no.” Tripp points into the air like a switchblade, fast and sharp.
Pressure weighs on my chest. Taya isn’t a good person and her organization has done a lot of damage to not only her children but also Ry, Van and Tripp. While it might not have been her directly, her husband and Tate’s ex-husband ordered the death of Tripp’s younger brother, Griffin.
“Ash is the imminent danger. He won’t stop at just taking me.” It’s painful to have to reason with Tripp when he’s already lost so much. “He has threatened to kill Van and Max. And last night’s fire…”
“She’s going to negotiate her freedom,” he grits out and I nod, biting at my bottom lip.
“It’s the only way,” Max says, trying to keep any irritation out of his voice.
He’s also losing something in this. He’s giving up his desire to see his mother behind bars for me, and I get why he’s doing it. He loves me.
“Is it?” Tripp’s voice is a boom.
“Easy, bro.” Van clamps a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t like the idea of her walking any more than you do, but have you got a better one?”
There is another option, but I didn’t mention it last night to Max. I knew full well he’d flat-out refuse. This could all go away if I go with Ash. I could bargain with him, me for their lives. Their freedom at the price of mine.
How dare I ask any of them, most of all Tripp, to give up his retribution for mine? It’s wrong. My problems shouldn’t negate his.
Griffin was killed by the Conrad organization. We’ve all suffered, and my suffering isn’t more important than his.
“I shouldn’t be asking this of you. Of any of you. I’m sorry.” I push from the table and all the guys stand.
“We don’t have anything to use as a bargaining chip with Ash. And he can’t be trusted anyway.” Max’s eyes fix on mine and I swear there is dread lurking in the depths of his green irises.
“There is one thing w
e can use.” I’m queasy with what it means.
“No.” All four of them are fierce and forceful, speaking at the same time, none of them skipping a beat in the implication of my comment.
“We’re not putting your life on the line.” Max comes to my side, his hands anchoring me to him.
“Not a fucking option.” Tripp’s voice is a heavy, unapologetic rasp.
“So now what?” A hint of a frown creases Van’s forehead as his gaze lands on me.
Tripp paces the room, no one saying anything for several beats until Ry takes a step, exhaling, and says, “How do we draw her out? Has she contacted you?”
He motions to Max and he shakes his head no. “And we can’t contact her how you would normally, anyway. Ash has to be watching her and his computer guy must have all her shit tracked.”
Max pulls out his phone, holding it up. “I still keep in contact with a housekeeper that used to work for us. Taya still talks to her, too, but only because the woman’s son is in her organization. She can get to Taya in person. No electronics.”
“But can we trust her?” Tripp joins the conversation once more and I should feel relieved that he’s warming to the idea, but I only feel sick with my selfishness.
And grateful.
Grateful to have a friend like him. One who is willing to put aside his wants for mine. I will make it up to him. I don’t know how or when, but if I make it out of this alive, I will if it’s the last thing I do.
“We’ll make it worth her while. Her son may be in the life but he’s a heartless bastard and doesn’t take care of his mother.” Max’s hand tightens on my hip. “As for Taya, I’m sure she’s furious with me. I’m sure she suspects I had something to do with the raid. She’ll want to meet and then we’ll go from there.”
The meet with Taya has to be carefully planned, and we’ll bring in both the FBI and NYPD because they need to be on board if we’re going to get Ash. They have to agree not to touch Taya for her involvement in the auction. Thankfully, they do. Like us, Ash is their main target right now.