Unequaled

by Charity Parkerson

  * * * * *

  Dane was going to kill her. Dead. She was dead. The only thing Kerry could do was pray she could reach Asher before it came time to confess her sins. Clutching her purse to her chest, she headed for the parking lot, hoping against hope no one noticed her absence. Dane would, but she needed privacy to make this call. Behind the wheel of her car, she took a deep breath and scrolled through her contact list. With the phone pressed to her ear, her heart rate didn’t slow until the deep accent poured through the line. A bit of feeling returned to her numb limbs. She would fix this. Rhys’ devastated expression as he watched Mandy marry his brother flashed across her mind. She would make everything right.

  Chapter Two

  She chose a red satin dress for her date with Rhys. Sometime between the reception and their scheduled meeting, calm settled over her. Anticipation set in. This was her territory. Familiar ground. Skyway mall was home to some of the most upscale stores in the area. They each locked their doors promptly at six on Sunday night. No one who glanced at the darkened building this late in the evening would ever suspect the things going on just below the surface.

  Headlights reflected from the glass storefront as Rhys pulled in alongside her. The F150 fell silent. Its driver spilled out. Her pulse quickened. The wide shoulders and narrow hips moving in her direction drew an involuntary growl from the back of her throat. It was ridiculous for any one person to be as sexy as Rhys Collier. The closer he came the more her muscles tensed. Her territory, she reminded herself. The door opened and his hand appeared in front of her. Even as his warm fingers closed around hers, Kerry wondered if she could go through with this.

  It was too late. Once her feet hit the pavement and his clean scent filled her lungs, her nipples hardened. She glanced at his sexy brown eyes and full bottom lip. Her gaze skittered away.

  “It’s not too late to back down.” The deep rumble of his voice rolled down her back and made her wonder if her thoughts were written all over her face. She did want to run. Instead, she forced her eyes to move away from the wide expanse of his hard chest back to his face. Half-lidded eyes, which held more than a hint of lust, met hers. Her breasts felt heavy.

  “You’re right. It’s not too late for you to throw in the towel.”

  His nostrils flared. “Not a chance.”

  “Then let the games begin,” she said, slamming her car door behind her. Wrapping her fingers around his upper arm, Kerry tried desperately to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other instead of the way his arm felt as hard as marble. Holy shit. It was truly unfair. It really was. Drawing him closer, she headed straight for the darkened building.

  “Looks closed to me.”

  “Hmm,” Kerry said noncommittally. She could feel the curiosity rolling off him in waves but didn’t bother to ease it. His muscles tensed beneath her fingertips. Moisture flooded her channel at the thought of his powerful body underneath her.

  “Good evening.” At the sound of Kurt’s soft voice floating out of the darkness, she realized he was the cause of Rhys’ reaction.

  “Hey Kurt. How’s it going?” Kerry hoped her familiarity with the man would ease Rhys’ concerns. The Collier brothers did tend to strike first and ask questions later.

  A flash of white teeth appeared before Kurt returned to his usual stoic expression. His huge frame, dark scowl, menacing head-to-toe tattoos and unusual piercings were enough to keep most people at bay. However, Kerry wasn’t most people. Dragging Rhys forward and closing the distance between them, she attempted a quick one-arm hug. The giant had other plans. Snagging her from Rhys’ protection, her toes left the ground. The air whooshed from her lungs on a squeak as he squeezed her against his chest.

  “Fresh,” she accused without any real heat when he set her away. His green eyes twinkled with humor.

  “If your friend wasn’t already raring to kick my ass, I’d show you fresh. I promise, you’d never forget it, darling.”

  She had no doubt. Kerry’s mind went a bit fuzzy for a moment at the hint of such a fantasy. Affinity had acquired Kurt from the same underground fighting league as Knox. In the world of testosterone-filled naughty deliciousness, Kerry was standing between two of the finest examples of manhood. Opposite sides of the realm, of course, since Rhys was every bit as clean cut as Kurt was bad boy, but oh what a ride it would be. Clearing her throat, she did her best to remember her part.

  Reaching behind her, she tugged Rhys forward. “Kurt Travis, this is Rhys Collier. He will be my guest for the evening.”

  If Kurt’s eyebrows weren’t hidden beneath the shaggy blond hair hanging in his eyes, Kerry would have sworn they touched his hairline at the name. She bit back a smile as he eyed Rhys carefully. The two men shook hands. Rhys dipped his chin in acknowledgement.

  “Lucky, lucky girl,” Kurt murmured before snapping back to attention and getting down to business. “Welcome to club Affinity.” He waved his security pass in front of the coded keypad beside him. The lock on the nondescript door disengaged. Swinging it wide, Kurt waved them inside. “Please enjoy your visit.”

  Walking backward through the open doorway, Kerry towed Rhys inside. With her gaze locked on Rhys, she aimed her words at Kurt. “Don’t you worry. We are going to have a great time.”

  Rhys’ mouth lifted in one corner and she realized he hadn’t said a single word throughout the entire encounter. “Tell Kurt thank you, Rhys.”

  “Thank you, Rhys,” he repeated obediently.

  Kurt threw his head back, roaring with laughter. “Mistress Kerry, you have your hands full with this one.”

  She could still hear Kurt chuckling even after the door closed behind them, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Rhys’ face. A dimple appeared in one of his cheeks while he mouthed the word “mistress” with a question to it. His eyes darkened.

  “Watch your step,” she warned, turning away from the temptation he presented. Once they turned the corner, a set of stairs led straight down into the huge underground club. Sultry music drifted up to meet them halfway through their descent. The temperature dropped. Chill bumps rose on her skin even while Kerry’s body heat rose. It took every ounce of her willpower to keep from glancing over at Rhys in order to see his reaction when the first low moan reached their ears. Sheer lace curtains hanging from the ceiling fell all the way to the floor. They danced in time with the air blowing out of the vents. It gave the illusion of privacy while doing nothing to hide every fantasy from view. Even with the low lighting, they could see the acts taking place in the rooms separated by nothing more than translucent bits of lace. Fire danced along Kerry’s skin. Excitement pounded through her.

  Rhys’ hand trailed down her back, brushing lightly over the curve of her ass before disappearing again. Kerry’s nerve endings singed at the contact. Pausing mid-step, she drew him closer and motioned toward one of the fantasies taking place nearby. Stripped bare, a dark-haired woman covered in sweat strained against the mattress beneath her. Her hips lifted to meet the eager mouth of the blonde female settled between her legs. A man knelt near her head avidly watching the pair as he fucked her mouth. The sound of his moans matched perfectly in time with each hollowing of her cheeks.

  “I wonder which she prefers,” Kerry mused quietly enough so Rhys was forced to lean down in order to hear. A low chuckle fell from his lips as Rhys pressed his mouth to her ear.

  “Definitely the woman,” he said. She could hear the laughter in his voice as he added. “She’s probably only half-aware of what she’s doing to him.”

  “Agreed,” Kerry said breathlessly. Her pussy clenched when Rhys didn’t move away. The air leaving his lips brushed over the column of her neck, nearly causing her to pant. She needed relief. His hand closed over her hip holding her in place. She bit back a moan at the contact.

  “Although I’m in no way conceding,” he said, sinking his teeth lightly into her lobe before releasing it. “I will admit, I never took you for a fetish club kind of girl.”

  �
��I’m full of surprises.”

  She tried again to step away. He halted her motion. Nodding toward a different room, he asked, “Is that what I can expect from you? It does seem your style.”

  Kerry snuck a peek at the man wearing a mask and ball gag. His hands chained to a hook above his head. Even from their vantage point, she could see the way his dick twitched in anticipation of the crop landing across his bare ass.

  Turning her head, she caught and held Rhys’ stare. “Your night is going to be ten times better than his as long as you’re still willing to submit.”

  His gaze dropped to her mouth for a moment. She wondered if he would kiss her. More importantly, she questioned if she would let him. After a few heartbeats, he released her and stepped away.

  “I’m willing,” he agreed. Her heart slammed against her chest. The idea of a submissive Rhys made her knees weaken. Forcing her feet to move, she stared straight ahead and focused on her goal.

  “Come with me, then. Our little fantasy cove is just ahead.” Kerry knew without looking that he did as she instructed. Turning to her left, she pushed aside a darker set of curtains, revealing an opulent king-sized bed draped in dark covers. A six-foot tall man stood proud in his nudity at its edge. With his hands clasped behind his back, every line of his defined muscles stood out for her visual enjoyment. Kerry kicked out of her shoes. Meeting the man’s light blue gaze, an understanding passed between them. This room offered more privacy than the others did. It had been a purposeful move on Kerry’s part. Heavy drapery separated the space from the rooms surrounding them, blocking them from sight, while still allowing the sounds of pleasure around them to seep through.

  She could feel Rhys’ overwhelming presence at her back. Turning, she focused on him. “Rhys Collier, let me introduce Asher D’Ettore. He is a friend of mine.” She watched Rhys’ face for any hint of revulsion or surprise over the nude male waiting for them. Asher’s golden skin and toned physique appealed to everyone, whether they wanted him sexually or not. With his jet-black hair and light-blue eyes, his beauty was almost beyond compare, but inside, Asher was easily the most exquisite person she’d ever known. The thought of Asher and Rhys together almost made her knees give out. They were the epitome of perfection.

  “Nice to meet you, Asher,” Rhys said politely. Kerry stamped down the happy dance growing inside of her. He wasn’t rejecting anything outright.

  Asher dipped his chin in acknowledgment. His gaze never left Rhys. “Ciao, Rhys.”

  Without giving Rhys time to object, she handed him the first order. “Strip.”

  The hunger in his eyes caused her panties to dampen and cling to her skin. His abs flexed as he tugged his shirt up and over his head. Her eyes locked on his sternum. The deep valley between the flat pads of his chest reminded her of his strength. His eyes never left her as he slipped his belt loose. The button worked loose on his jeans between his fingers. The idea of controlling so much suppressed alpha male caused her heart to race in anticipation.

  The low music mixed with cries of pleasure thrummed throughout the room, beating like a pulse. Even with the sounds drowning out everything, she still heard his zipper sliding down. Her fingers clenched. She wanted to stroke him. The material parted, revealing his erection. Her mouth watered. Asher’s hands settled on her hips from behind. The barely restrained desire pounding through her veins left her nerves raw. The sensation of satin slithering down her shoulders as Asher loosened her dress, combined with the vision of a now nude Rhys, made her moan. Rhys’ eyes darkened.

  “Come here.” At her command, he closed the distance between them. Her clothes fell away under Asher’s touch. He pressed his lips to her ear, speaking low enough for only her to hear.

  “He’s magnificent.” She couldn’t agree more.

  Even though she knew Rhys wouldn’t back down, she felt moved to offer him a way out. “If there is anything you are not willing to do, then you should say so now. There is no going back from this point. I won’t take mercy on you.”

  A smirk twisted his lips. “I don’t expect any.”

  Kerry reached behind her and Asher pressed a foil package along with a tube of liquid into the palms of her hands before moving away. He circled behind Rhys, running his fingers along his shoulders as he went. Rhys’ nostrils flared. His eyelids swept downward, hiding his thoughts. A flush appeared across his cheekbones. His lips parted on a breath. The reaction told her more than words ever could.

  “Tell me what you want,” she demanded.

  “Everything.”

  Her channel pulsed. Fluid rolled down the inside of her thigh. Asher met her gaze over Rhys’ shoulder. At her subtle nod, he touched his lips to Rhys’ shoulder. The sight was so erotic she ripped open the condom to busy her hands. She wanted to stroke her clit and relieve some of the pressure building there. Rhys let out a sharp hiss when she rolled the condom down his shaft. The sound became a low moan when she squeezed cool liquid over him. She coated the entire sheath.

  “I have a confession,” she admitted as she watched his erection slipping through her oiled fingers. “I’m a bit of a voyeur.” His dick twitched at the statement. A sinister smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. In that moment, she knew the truth. She’d been right about him.

  Rhys had known, of course. The moment they entered the room and he set eyes on Asher, he’d been expecting this. It was almost funny. Rhys was sexual by nature. He’d never made any secret of his escapades. Most everyone who knew him knew he’d dated a couple of men in the past. He should’ve been surprised Kerry knew this tidbit, but he wasn’t. Kerry possessed an uncanny ability to read people. The only real question was, did Kerry hope he would back down in the face of her challenge or did she want him to give in. Her expression gave nothing away. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t hide his body’s reaction to the man standing at his back. His cock hadn’t stopped twitching since they arrived. At this rate, he would explode before he saw any real action.

  “Don’t disappoint me.”

  Blood rushed in his ears at her command. “Not gonna happen.”

  The moment the assertion left his lips, Asher tugged his head back and covered Rhys’ mouth with his. The familiar flavor of turned-on male exploded across Rhys’ taste buds at the first brush of Asher’s tongue. Twisting in his arms, their teeth bumped. Their erections pressed between them. Gripping Asher’s ass, Rhys hauled him closer, creating a delicious friction between them. It wasn’t enough. Hot pre-cum spread across his abs, proving Asher enjoyed the rough treatment. Rhys didn’t know any other way. Heaviness in his balls grew as desire gnawed at the base of his spine. Everything going on around them fell away. Nothing mattered except Rhys’ yearning to bury his dick inside the man. Asher made a sound at the back of his throat. The need to possess him welled inside of Rhys at the vibration of it around his tongue. Taking a step forward, he left Asher little choice except to step backward until he hit the edge of the mattress. Tearing his mouth away, Rhys caught the final wisp of Kerry’s hair billowing out behind her as she slipped outside past the curtain. He didn’t care. Strong fingers clasped his hips, pulling his attention back to the sexy man in his arms.

  “What do you get out of this?” Rhys didn’t know why he’d asked the question. He wasn’t stopping.

  “The same as you, I imagine.”

  Damn, that accent. It hit him in the gut. He stroked Asher’s cock. “You can say no.”

  A sinful expression crossed Asher’s face. His lips drew Rhys’ gaze. The bottom one was fuller than the top. Rhys wanted to taste it.

  “I’m allowed to say no, am I? Peccato. You cannot.”

  A surprised chuckle escaped Rhys. Asher leaned in, swallowing the sound. Rhys crowded his space until he had him on his back. Their lips clashed, hard and hot. His needy cock twitching between them wouldn’t wait. Lifting his head, Rhys searched for what he needed. Finding a pillow, he snagged it.

  “Lift up.” The words sounded wrecked, even to him.

  At Rh
ys’ urging, Asher’s hips rose from the mattress enough for Rhys to shove the pillow under the small of his back. His heartbeat quickened. Trailing his fingers down Asher’s thigh, he hooked Asher’s leg over his hip. Pupils dilated, lips parted, Asher looked every bit as aroused as Rhys felt. His knuckles scraped along the inside of Asher’s thigh as Rhys took himself in hand. Probing, Rhys slipped inside Asher’s ass an inch, withdrawing again. Asher’s erection jerked. He wanted this. Rhys could see it.

  “Stroke yourself,” Rhys demanded.

  Reaching between their bodies, Asher did as commanded. The moment his gorgeous blue eyes fell closed on a pant, Rhys surged forward burying himself inside Asher. He tried to hold still.

  “Damn.” The deep, silky and heavily accented curse broke past Asher’s lips. “More.” It was all the permission Rhys needed. Rocking against him, Rhys followed the cues of the strangled cries leaving Asher’s throat. Sweat beaded at the base of Rhys’ spine. He wanted Asher’s orgasm. Craved it. He couldn’t look away from his face. Pressure built, drawing his balls up tight. Hot cum hit his stomach as a groan fell from Asher’s lips. Rhys slammed his mouth down on Asher’s, needing to taste the sounds coming from his deep inside his chest. Blood pounded in his ears. Flames licked at his skin. The tightness pulling at his dick was too much. The jet of semen shooting from the head of his cock brought with a wave of ecstasy that stole the oxygen from his lungs.

  Rhys spent a moment simply breathing in the scent of Asher’s cologne before grasping the top of the condom and rolling away. Spotting a trashcan beside the bed, he swore as he got rid of the evidence.

  “Thank fuck. I didn’t have the strength to hunt a trashcan down.”

  A deep chuckle rumbled from Asher’s side of the mattress, but he didn’t comment. Exhaustion threatened to pull Rhys under. The awareness of his surroundings kept sleep at bay. As if the feeling were mutual, Asher scrubbed his hand over his face. With a groan, Asher’s wonderful accent cut through the haze coating Rhys’ mind. “I have to be at the office by six a.m. tomorrow. I suppose I must leave here.”