Teach Me

by Cate Bellerose

  Oh God.

  Something bites my nipple. Ow! “Fuck!”

  “That’s ‘Fuck, Sir,’ I believe.”

  I’m going to kick his ass when we’re done.

  It’s a clamp. I get it. I remember the girl the first time we were here. I’d no idea they hurt so much. Jesus Christ on a stick.

  “And the other one.”

  The second bite isn’t as bad as the first, maybe because I expect it. It still hurts like crazy. I only squeak a little, then pinch my eyes shut. I’m sure I’m cutting some beautiful grimaces for him to laugh at.

  It’s funny how we adjust, though. It’s not long before the sharp pain is reduced to a dull, throbbing ache, and each throb sends a surge of tingles that dances across my nerve endings, straight into my core. I’m almost starting to see the appeal. Almost.

  There’s a click and a sudden whirring sound. Loud. Whatever it is sounds powerful.

  His voice cuts through the hum. “I’ve set this on the lowest setting. You are not, and I repeat, not allowed to come. Is that clear?”

  “What?”

  “Do I need to repeat myself? If you come before I say you can, I will untie you and you don’t get fucked tonight.”

  Seriously? What’s he going to do?

  Something rubbery and vibrating like crazy touches my upper thigh, just on the inside. I open my eyes wide behind the blindfold, staring into the blackness. Oh fuck. Is that going where I think...

  He slides it up the sensitive skin and presses it right into my folds. Holy shit. I can’t decide whether it’s too much or just right, but it doesn’t take long before I feel the surge rising inside me. Whatever that thing is, it’s magic.

  “Remember, babe. No coming.” He removes it for a second.

  “Jesus Christ.”

  “Oh, come on. You can do it.” He puts it back. Not enough time to cool down much. The surge picks up just about where it was. I try to center myself. Still my body. Calm breaths. Calm breaths. Fuck, those aren’t calm.

  He takes it away, and I whine. Just a little. That thing’s evil. I know I won’t be able to stop, but I still want it back. I’m so close.

  “I’m not sure you can handle it one more time. But we’ll try.”

  He teases, as much as you can tease with something that vibrates more than his motorcycle. Up the inside of one thigh, then the other. My hip. Just above my clit, but not touching. Right between my breasts, making the clips jiggle. Fuck, even that gets me closer, as little pleasure-pain shocks shoot through me.

  Suddenly it’s right back between my legs.

  Oh no.

  I won’t be able to stop. I clench everything, trying to deny myself. My lips tight, I breathe through my nose, my eyes squeezed shut in concentration. I will do this. I can do this. The seconds go by. I’m tearing up. I’m going to lose it. Can’t hold it anymore. My breath’s coming in ragged gasps and I’m about to go right over the edge, when the device suddenly disappears and shuts off, leaving the room strangely quiet.

  Holy... I need one of those for my apartment.

  I sense him between my legs. A crinkle of plastic, then his tip is against me. Finally! He’s over me, his breath in my face, but he doesn’t push in.

  I groan, and flex my hips at him. Tied down, I can’t do much. “Damnit, stop teasing me!”

  He laughs, the deep rumble I’ve come to love so much. “Patience, babe.”

  “Fuck patience. No, fuck me. Please, Eric.”

  For a moment he’s gone. Something cold, like metal, touches my calf. A snip, and my foot is free. The other side follows. Then he’s back. I wrap my legs around him, trying to pull him into me. I’m not letting him go again.

  “Come on. Please.”

  He doesn’t budge. I forget how strong he is.

  A tug and the knot gives behind my head. He slips off my blindfold, and I’m staring right up into his beautiful green eyes. Their corners are crinkled by his gorgeous smile.

  He whispers, “I want to see your eyes when I do this.”

  He pushes.

  Oh God. He fills me, sliding his full length deep into my wetness. Bending over, he locks his lips to mine, taking my mouth as he fucks me. Stiff wax cracks and crumbles between us as our bodies rub against each other.

  His hands are everywhere, on my hips, along my sides, squeezing my breasts, while every thrust shakes me. I wish my hands were free to touch him, but I urge him on with my heels, like a cowgirl spurring a wild stallion.

  It’s a release, everything resolving at once. His mouth, his hands, his cock, driving me to the brink and beyond. As soon as he’s in me, it’s like the animal in him wakes up. He ruts, fucking himself into me with powerful thrusts, his thickness opening me again and again.

  “Don’t stop.” My voice is a harsh whisper. “Oh, please, don’t stop. Don’t ever stop. Fuck me like this forever.”

  His words escape with his breaths as he pounds into me. “That would mean keeping me around forever.” He grins. “How do you feel about that?” Every syllable is driven home by his thrusting hips.

  Forever. It’s a much bigger word than it sounds like. Huge. Like Eric. I grin, while he looks at me with a puzzled expression. He drives me crazy, but in a really good way. My heart knows. My mind’s just slow to catch on some times.

  “Forever sounds nice.” I barely get the words out before he covers my lips with his.

  He reaches. There’s a click and my hands are free. I’m free. Wrapping my fingers in his hair, I grip as hard as I can, pulling him against me. I cling to him while he fills me over and over.

  His manic thrusts. His hard body against mine. His heavy breaths in my ear. I can’t hold it anymore. My back arches, pressing me against him. My toes curl as every muscle in my body goes tight. All I see is white, like there’s a bright light in my face.

  God, he feels so good in me. Deeper. I cling to him for dear life as he fucks me hard. Harder. I pull his hair and cry out around his thickness as I come undone around him. There’s a high keening noise. Shit, it’s me. Good thing the rooms are soundproof.

  Is anyone watching? I hope they’re enjoying the show.

  It’s like I’m floating, carried on hot currents that flow over me, through me until I don’t even remember who I am anymore. Fucked senseless. My whole world is just me and Eric.

  He comes with a groan, thickening and pulsing, over and over. Buried as deep as he can go, his body slick with sweat against mine. I clench around him, holding him as close as I can, keeping him deep. One last twitch and he settles over me, supporting himself on his elbows while breathing heavily.

  For a while we lie there, neither wanting to move. My hands are all over him, making up for lost time, exploring, making him mine. I said forever in the heat of the moment, but I mean it, even now. I don’t want him to pull out, ever.

  “Amber?” I love the sound of his voice saying my name.

  “Yeah?”

  “Is it crazy for me to be falling in love with you?”

  “Oh yes.”

  “Oh.”

  “But at least we can be crazy together.” I clutch him close.

  His lips meet mine, and I forget everything else for a while.

  “I hate you! I don’t ever want to see you again!” I slam the door behind me and stalk out of the club, glaring around me as if daring anyone to stop me. My high school drama teacher would be proud.

  Whatever Eric’s caught up in, I hope he figures it out soon. I wish there was something I could do. I can wait if I have to, but man, do I hate it.

  Chapter 13

  Amber

  This is stupid. I’m doing exactly what Eric told me not to do. Still, I did the work, I’ve got a fucking contract, and Sid owes me. I don’t care if he fired me just because Eric told him to. Not all of us are rolling in cash. I need the money, at least until my next contract.

  Besides, it’s the middle of the day. What could possibly happen? Sid might be sleazy, but I can’t see him having the balls to m
ess with me. I’ll be fine. If he tries anything, he’s going to get a solid, pointed toe shoe right in the nuts. Because that’s how I roll today.

  Rent’s due, after all.

  For once, the bus is right on time, and twenty minutes later, I’m standing in front of the Lotus. My hand is just hovering over the door when a huge guy with a long ugly scar down the side of his face and a worn blazer steps up next to me.

  “Fancy meetin’ you here.” His voice is artificially sweet, and his eyes don’t match his smile.

  I look up at him, craning my neck. He’s like a walking wall, his shirt and jacket at least a size too small. They might not make clothes his size.

  I’ve got a bad feeling about this. I don’t remember meeting him, and he isn’t the kind of guy you’d forget easily. “I was just going inside to meet someone. They’re waiting for me.” I go to pull the door open, but he puts a hand on the handle and holds it shut.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. This won’t take long.” He’s standing too close, and there’s something cruel about his expression that scares me. “We were just going looking for you. You know. Just in case.”

  “Who’s we? Just in case of what?” I debate screaming, but he hasn’t done anything yet except be creepy.

  A second bruiser comes around the corner. Just a hair shorter, he’s still monstrous. Broad, but well padded instead of muscular, he sweats as if he’s been running. “Hey, Vinnie. You found her already. That was easy enough.”

  I press my back against the door, keeping them in front of me. Fuck. Who are these guys?

  “You got nowhere to run, girlie. You’re better off comin’ with us.” Vinnie takes a step closer.

  My blood runs cold at the idea of going anywhere with them. I don’t remember a lot from self-defense, but never let your attacker take you anywhere was way up on the list. Whoever these guys are, I’m not going anywhere without a fight.

  Could I outrun them? I’m no track star, but they don’t exactly look built for speed. Especially the fat one. I just have to get far enough to find people. Fuck, I’d scream now if I thought I’d get away with it. My purse! Stabbing a hand into my purse, I pull out my little spray cannister.

  “This is pepper spray. If you fuckers come any closer, I’m going to use it.” I try to look menacing, but fuck, I’m scared.

  Vinnie laughs, unimpressed. “Sure, go ahead. You don’t think I’ve tasted worse? I use that shit for hot sauce.” Meanwhile, fat guy’s moving around my side, blocking me in. My back’s against the wall, in all senses of the word.

  “What’s this about. What do you guys want with me? Money? I’ll give you what I have.”

  “We don’t want your money.” Vinnie takes a step closer. I press my back against the door like I think I can pass through it. “Sid needs a warning, and I think you’re perfect for the job.” He trails off, but it doesn’t take a genius to see where he’s going with this.

  What do I do? I’ve never felt so helpless, not even when I was tied to a tree. The street’s empty. No one’s going to save me here. My heart’s pounding, and I’m sweating. My body’s shaking, like I have a fever. Don’t want to cry in front of them, but I feel it coming.

  “Leave me alone!” It’s useless, but I’m not going to just lie down either. I open my mouth to scream, but he slaps a meaty hand over my mouth.

  “Nice. I like that, but save it for later.” Vinnie‘s face is split by a hideous grin. He leans in close, and I smell stale aftershave and cigarettes.

  Fuck it, I gotta try. I whip my arm up and point my pepper-spray right at his face. I press the button, dousing him in acrid spray. He snarls, not quite as cool about it as he tried to seem, blinking and spitting, but not stopping either. He glares at me with bright red, watering eyes. Jesus Christ, what a maniac.

  His grin turns into an ugly sneer. “You little bitch. I was gonna go easy on you, but now you’re gettin’ it.” He grabs for me.

  I bite his hand as hard as I can, and manage to squirm away, only to end up right in fat boy’s arms instead. He picks me up like I weigh nothing, turning me to face Vinnie. My arms are trapped by his, but I wriggle and kick in desperation.

  This isn’t happening.

  This isn’t fucking happening.

  Vinnie’s pissed. He slaps me and grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You could’ve gotten off easy if you’d played along. Now it’s gonna be the hard way.”

  No! I squeeze my eyes shut. The tears come now. I can’t hold them back. I’m fucked.

  At first I barely hear it. A rumble, growing in strength. Louder, rougher, growling like an animal. I know that sound.

  Louder still. I don’t even dare hope. The bruisers don’t seem to have noticed yet.

  Vinnie takes a step back, punching the flat of his palm on one hand with the fist of the other. For a moment I forget the rumble. Oh God, no.

  The rumble turns into a roar. Impossible to ignore. Angry. Coming closer fast. Vinnie and his buddy raise their heads now, like impalas that just realized the lion’s coming out of the grass. “What the...”

  Like a fiery meteor, Eric’s red motorcycle tears down the alley, turning into a sharp skid just as it passes us, sliding sideways to a loud, screechy halt that sends dust billowing like a sand storm.

  “...fuck?” Vinnie’s jaw drops open.

  Stepping out of the dust cloud like an avenging angel is a shape I’ve come to know all too well. With a quick motion, he undoes his chinstrap and throws the helmet aside, revealing his face. I hope I never, ever end up on the wrong side of the expression he’s wearing.

  Eric’s eyes flash fiercely like green lightning under dark, furrowed brows. The muscles in his neck stand out like thick metal wires. His stance is wide and his powerful hands are curled into tight fists at his sides. When he speaks, it’s as if he’s fighting the tightness of all the muscles in his face. I’ve never seen anyone look so furious in my life.

  And he’s here for me.

  “I’ll give you one second to put her down.” Each word is tight, measured. His voice quivers with fury.

  Vinnie eyes him with surprise. “Who the hell are...”

  “One. Time’s up.”

  Then everything happens at once. Eric launches forward, his massive fist rocketing towards Vinnie’s face. Fat guy drops me suddenly and I barely catch myself from falling. It’s like I’m watching everything in slow motion.

  Eric’s fist connects with the side of Vinnie’s jaw, knocking him sideways, facing me. A spatter of blood sprays from his mouth. I see something white. A tooth?

  Getting up, I do the only logical thing and jam the toe of my shoe as hard as I can into his balls, kicking like I’m going for a field goal. I’d never thought a guy that large could make such a high-pitched sound. His ugly face, already red from the spray, turns purple.

  Eric spins around us, and I hear a crack and a scream behind me. Turning from Vinnie’s sinking shape as he drops to the ground, I see fat guy flat on his back, looking like his whole face is bleeding. Eric shakes his hand like it hurts, but his eyes leap back and forth between the two of them, making sure they stay down.

  “Eric...”

  It’s like a blood haze clears from his eyes. He steps up and wraps his arms around me, holding me in a bear hug I couldn’t hope to escape from. I flinch at first, the memory of being held by them too fresh, but my face is right up against his chest, and his familiar scent and the strong steady beat of his heart relaxes me.

  “Shit. Amber...” His voice is husky. “I thought I might be too late.”

  My nerves crack. Suddenly everything that happened piles up at once and I lose it. Clutching his shirt, I bury my face and let it all out.

  “Sssh, babe. You’re all right. I’ve got you. I’m not letting go. Not now. Not ever.”

  I hear voices. People running. Eric doesn’t react, so I don’t either. He’ll protect me.

  “Paul! Over here.” Eric’s voice rumbles deep in his chest and loudly in my ear.
>
  “Jesus fuck, Eric. You alright? She okay?”

  “We’re fine. She’s scared but she’ll be okay. These guys have just landed themselves some assault charges though. Do what you do best, man.”

  More footsteps. There are a lot of people here. Finally I look up.

  “Call an ambulance. This guy’s face is broken. Looks like he got hit by a truck or something.” Police. Thank God. Thank fucking God. In moments, the bruisers are cuffed and getting their rights read.

  I draw a deep breath, trying to gather myself. When I look up, it’s right into Eric’s emerald gaze. I swallow. “How did you know I was here?”

  “Paul had a guy on you. The idiot lost you when you got on the bus. Paul called me and I put two and two together. Didn’t I tell you to stay away until I said it was safe?” His eyes furrow. He’s mad at me.

  “I didn’t think...”

  “That’s right, you didn’t.” His strong arms hold me tighter, almost as tight as his voice. “Don’t you dare do that again.”

  “I’m sorry.” I really am. He’s tried to keep me safe and I just keep screwing it up.

  When he speaks again, though, there’s amusement. “I’m sorry, what?”

  Seriously? Now? I giggle anyway, even if it’s cut short by a sniffle. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

  “Much better.”

  Even with all the activity around us, it’s like Eric creates a bubble that isolates us from all of it. Within it, it’s just us, and none of the other stuff matters. I’ve never felt so safe. “So where does this leave us?”

  “Well, despite all my efforts to keep you out of trouble, you’re still here.”

  “I’m nothing if not persistent.”

  “Some might say stubborn.” He holds me like he’s never going to let go. “And hot. Sexy. Beautiful. Sassy. Did I say sexy?”

  I snuggle into his chest. “You can keep saying it. I don’t mind.”

  “Then I will, for as long as you’ll let me, and I hope that’s a really long time.” He pulls back to look at me, his voice soft. “I’ve fallen hard. I can’t get you out of my mind. Remember what I said about wanting to always be there to protect you?”