“Now that’s a shame. Don’t you want your mom to come swimming with you, Lex?”
“Yeah!” she shouts, leaping out of the water and falling back with a laugh, setting off a big splash.
I purse my lips. Classic parent blackmail. “You can change in there.” Leigh gestures to a small structure off the side of the outdoor kitchen.
Realizing that resistance is futile, I enter the small changing room and struggle into the contraption Leigh gave me. It takes longer than you would think. Finally, I position myself in front of the full-length mirror, and my eyes almost fall out of my head.
It’s a two-piece swimsuit that’s comprised of strips of fabric that crisscross over my chest but virtually disappear in the back. The bottom portion is high-waisted, but the strap motif is picked up again across the hips, leaving peeks of skin uncovered.
Holy shit. I’ve never worn anything like this, and I don’t think I can now either. Leigh is thinner than me, and the suit is at least one size too small. I’ll look like a dairy cow next to a show pony in a tiny metallic bikini.
“Mom, come on! I want to race you!”
Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh. Oh, the things we do for our children.
With a fortifying breath, I leave the changing room and head back toward the pool. At the same moment, the French doors open again, and I see Ax come out in the tightest pair of shorts I’ve ever seen.
They hug every bit of his muscular body, and if they weren’t made of dark fabric, I’d be afraid he would be in danger of public exposure.
He catches sight of me and stops in his tracks. His father, who follows him out, has to dodge him or risk crashing into his frozen son.
“Close your mouth, boy,” he says with a chuckle. “You’ll catch flies.”
Ax’s eyes rove my body, his gaze having physical weight as it sweeps across my skin. I fight the desire to blush and look away.
“Those shorts,” I say. “They look familiar.”
His grin is sheepish. “They’re from high school.”
“No kidding.”
Ax laughs. “It’s all I have, sweetheart.” He looks me over from head to toe. “Besides, I think we’re in a bit of a pot-calling-kettle situation here. But if you’d worn that in high school, you wouldn’t have even made it to the pool.”
His threat makes me smile. “You like the suit? It’s Leigh’s.”
“No, no it’s not. That suit was made for you.”
It’s hard not to preen under his compliment. The longer he looks, the more he has to adjust his shorts. I decide to stop tempting him before he rips through his trunks. Slipping into the pool, I challenge my daughter to a race.
She beats me, just barely, and we move to the aquatic handstand competition. There’s a gigantic splash at the other end of the pool, and then Ax breaks through the water’s surface. He’s magnificent, and I watch him, unable to stop myself.
The water sluices over his broad chest, and he flips his head back and runs his hands through his hair, slicking it back. When his eyes open, they meet mine, and the hunger I feel is mirrored there.
Ax joins in the fun with Lex, and soon he’s got her on his shoulders, flipping her around and tossing her into the water, to her delight. I can’t help but smile. After about an hour of hard-core play, I realize I’ll need to recharge my daughter’s batteries soon or she’ll start to fade. I take a plush towel from the stack outside the changing room and wrap it around myself.
Mr. Craven has been watching our antics while Leigh scrolls through her phone. As I walk by, I tell them I’ll be making some snacks and ask if I can get them anything. Leigh asks for a bottle of sparkling water, and her husband shakes his head, engrossed in watching his son and grandchild bonding in the pool.
I’m in the kitchen, slicing up some celery to fill with peanut butter when I hear footsteps behind me. Before I can turn around, warm arms encircle me, and a wet chest is pressed to my back. Ax leans over my shoulder, looking down, then releases me to swipe a hand through the jar of peanut butter.
I chastise him, but he gives me a shamefaced shrug and sticks his finger in his mouth. I shake my head, laughing, and then he’s behind me again, pressing a kiss to my shoulder.
“You look so fucking sexy in that suit,” he growls into my ear, and when he presses against me again, I can feel his erection pressing into me.
When he kisses his way up my neck, I close my eyes and lean back into him. Strong hands slide around to cup my breasts. “These are driving me crazy,” he murmurs against my skin. “These straps are designed to tease a man to death.”
God, he’s fucking turning me on. It’s like going from zero to one hundred miles an hour in an instant. There’s something about him that trips all my triggers.
When Ax starts to slide his hand under the bottom of my suit, I pull back and stop him. “Someone could come in at any time.”
“I fucked you in this exact spot less than a week ago.”
“That was before everyone was awake!”
Ax groans. “There’s no way I can watch you run around in that tiny little suit and not want to drag you to my cave and spend the whole day using that delectable body of yours.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should, baby,” he murmurs, turning me around. Taking my hand, he places it on the fabric barely containing his throbbing cock. “And I want you to take this, too. All of it.”
My mouth goes dry. I want to take it, all of it, bounce on it until I come hard enough to pass out. But right outside those French doors are my daughter and her grandparents.
Ax grabs my hands and pulls me into the pantry, a small room off the kitchen. Closing the door behind us, he stalks me like I’m prey. “They won’t see us in here.” Without hesitating, he pulls down his trunks and steps out of them.
His massive cock swings out in front of him, and just the sight of it makes my mouth water. Dropping to my knees, I take him in hand and begin to lick the tip.
Groaning, Ax leans back against the door as I start to run my tongue down his turgid length. A little bead of pearlescence appears at the tip, and I swipe my tongue over it, savoring the flavor.
“Fuck, Sabrina!”
Pulling me up, he walks me closer to the built-in shelves. Putting my hands against the shelves for bracing, he begins to peel my swimsuit bottoms down. Ax positions himself behind me, and I can feel his dick tracing my wet slit.
Without warning, he shoves into me right to the hilt. I throw my head back and start to moan, but he covers my mouth. Gripping my hip with his other hand, he starts to fuck me from behind with enthusiasm.
“Goddamn, you drive me insane with lust,” he growls, his thrusts rapid and deep. “You’re all I think about. I want to spend every moment enveloped by your tight heat.”
His words make me start to shiver. I push back against him for all I’m worth. My pleasure climbing, I hold out for the powerful climax that only Ax can give me.
57
Ax
Nothing will ever feel as good as this does right now.
I know we shouldn’t be doing this, in the goddamn pantry, with most of the house on the other side of the outer wall. But there’s no way I’m going to pass up the opportunity to claim Sabrina again.
And the way she looks, that tease of a white bikini against her bronzed skin. All sleek curves and silken flesh. How in the holy hell would I be able to pass that up?
My cock is throbbing so hard I think I might lose consciousness from lack of blood to my brain. But not before I come. Not a chance.
It’s quick and dirty, but it’s also fucking hot as hell.
I can tell that Sabrina is close. She starts to make the most adorable moans, now muffled by my hand. Her inner walls are squeezing me tight enough to make my eyes cross. It’s time to bring her across the finish line.
Bending her lower and forcing her to arch her back, I plunge deeply, aiming for the spot inside her that I know makes her lose her mind.<
br />
I thrust again and again, hitting the spot over and over. “Come for me, Sabrina. Show me how pretty you are when you come.”
Her head falls back, and her eyes close as I feel those inner walls start rippling with her climax. I can’t hold back either. I release my seed deep inside her, biting my bottom lip to stop a moan from escaping.
Afterward, I clasp her to me. We’re both panting, staring at each other, cheeks flush, eyes full of the knowledge of our secret rendezvous.
When we’re once again dressed, I crack open the door, look around to find the kitchen empty, and slip out. Sabrina follows me, then skirts around me to wash her hand. Then it’s snack construction on the double-time to get back outside as quickly as possible.
Giving her the tray of snacks and carrying the beverages, I shut the French doors behind us. Sabrina hustles over to set it down on the table and motions for Lex to come out and eat. Leigh slinks over beside me, hand out. “Where’s my water?”
I shrug. “Forgot it.”
She pushes her sunglasses up to her forehead and looks me up and down, then rolls her eyes. “Uh-huh.”
I don’t bother to hide my amusement, and head over to take the chair that she recently vacated next to my father. Leigh goes into the house to fetch her own damn water, and I join my father in watching Lex enjoy the early summer day.
“She’s a good kid,” my dad says after a while, his voice strangely rough.
I give him a look, trying to gauge where the emotion is coming from. For most of my life, my father has been gruff and distant. This new, more accessible father takes some getting used to, but I think I like the guy.
Leigh comes back out carrying her water and stands beside the chair I’m in. Letting out a little cough, she clearly wants for me to make like a tree.
I oblige, heading over to grab one of the ants on a log and pop it into my mouth. An afternoon spent with my family. It’s something I never would have even dreamed about when I was locked up in Tabor. But now, I don’t think it’s something I could ever give up.
That night, we have dinner out on the terrace. I feel so good, it almost makes me panic. The fear of losing this feeling makes my insides do cartwheels.
Why am I so fucking worried? Sabrina’s all but agreed to give me a chance and has promised not to keep my daughter away from me. My dad’s getting better, and I’m actually making in-roads in our father-son relationship. What is there to fear?
Plenty, it turns out.
We’re digging into dessert when Chuck hustles out onto the patio toward us. I expect him to go to Leigh since he’s essentially my stepmother’s lackey. Instead, he leans over my shoulder to whisper in my ear.
“I’ve heard from a reliable source that your brother is back in Cape Craven.
I stiffen. That easily, my evening in paradise has returned to a hell on earth.
“What do you know?”
“Not much. He was spotted at The Office, at least his car was. The driver got out and hustled up to the security guys, passing him a heavy envelope, then he got back into the car and drove away. But my guy says he saw your brother in the back seat.”
“And just who is your guy?”
Chuck swallows. “Tommy Bowen.”
“Isn’t he on the force?” He’s the dumb motherfucker who thought Sabrina was joking about being kidnapped. What kind of reliable source is that?
“Yeah. He moonlights as security when the opportunity to make a couple extra bucks comes his way.”
I nod, not sure of what to make of the news. I catch Chuck glaring across the table at Leigh, then he turns and scurries off, back into the house.
“Some news, I suppose?” my stepmother says, idly twirling her wine glass.
“Could be.”
I consider remaining silent. There’s no reason to get everyone worried. I glance at Sabrina, and her face is tight, watching mine.
It’s not right to keep it from her, I decide. I can’t make the same mistake I made before. “According to Officer Tommy Bowen, Brent is back in town.”
Sabrina’s fork clatters to her plate, making a loud noise. “Is he coming here?”
“I don’t know,” I reply, “but the security detail is still out front, and we’ve got Luke here.”
The mercenary-turned-bodyguard spent most of the day going for a run and working out. He’d finally joined us in the late afternoon, swimming a few laps while Lex cheered him on.
Luke looks nonplussed at the news. I can’t blame him.
Why does my piece of shit brother have to ruin every fucking good thing in my life?
Letting out a sigh, I set my napkin on my plate and stand up. “I’m going to look for him.”
Sabrina leaps up. “Why? Isn’t that inviting trouble?”
“I need to figure out what the fuck he’s doing. I can’t afford to let him take me by surprise again.”
“I agree.” My father has remained silent through most of the discussion, but his voice comes out strong and clear. “I want to know what your brother is up to as well.”
“You can’t go alone! Your brother wasn’t above having me and Lex kidnapped. Do you really think he’d hesitate to put a bullet in you now?”
Sabrina has a good point. Still, something inside me wants it to be me versus him, to prove at last who’s the better man. Maybe my lust for revenge is still inside me. I want my vengeance, and I want it to be me who brings him down.
“Luke should stay here to keep an eye on you. I can take care of myself.”
“Take Chuck with you,” Leigh calls, “since his network of spies has the lowdown on your brother.” She says it mockingly, but it’s not a bad idea.
I start heading for the house, but Sabrina’s at my back, tugging on my shirt. “Please, Ax, don’t do this.”
I turn, drawing her into the house and out of sight of the table on the patio. Putting my hands on her shoulders, I look down into her anxious face. “Honey, it will be all right. We need to end this, and to do that, I need to talk to my brother, let him know how things will go moving forward.”
“It’s too dangerous!” Her eyes are wide, her bottom lip starting to quiver.
“I don’t think so, not anymore. He’s got more things to worry about than the brother he hates. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s here to beg for his job back. In that case, he might even invite me to help. A united Craven front could be more convincing to the board.”
Sabrina shakes her head. “You’re still underestimating him. Something is going on here, Ax. Something way more involved than Brent pleading for his job. Until we figure it out, you shouldn’t make any rash moves.”
I try for a grin. “I act on instinct, darlin’. Can’t help it.”
Putting her head in her hands, she lets out a groan. “Why won’t you listen to me?”
I pull her hands away from her face and give her a little kiss on the tip of her nose. “Calm down, Sabrina. I’m just going to check things out. I promise I’ll be careful.” I don’t mention I’ll be packing heat and that I won’t hesitate to use it.
Her face is cloaked in bitterness, and she turns away and heads back out the door. I don’t like hurting her, but I don’t see any other way out of this mess. I have to confront Brent.
I find Chuck and ask him if he’d like to do a little recon with me. He shrugs, gives a halfhearted “might as well,” and says he’ll meet me out front in ten minutes.
In my room, I grab the handgun I hid away, tucking it carefully into my waistband. Snagging my leather jacket, I jog back downstairs.
At the bottom of the staircase, I run into Lex. “Daddy, is your brother going to hurt you?”
Her tiny voice breaks my heart. I squat beside her, running my hand over her hair. “No, honey, I don’t think so. Your daddy can take care of himself.”
She blinks up to me, her eyes so like mine. “You promise?”
“Yeah, kiddo,” I say, pulling her into my arms and hugging her little body tight. “I promise. I’ll b
e back soon, safe and sound.”
“You better,” she says, pulling away and giving me a small grin. “I want to go swimming again!”
I laugh, ruffle her hair, and then rise. Sabrina comes down the hallway, carrying a glass of water. She doesn’t look at me. “Let’s go, Lex. How about we have a movie night in bed tonight?”
“Yeah!” Lex scrambles up the stairs and Sabrina makes to follow, but I grab her arm and hold her back.
“Do me a favor. Stay in your room tonight. I’ll tell Luke to watch your door.”
Her eyes narrow. “You are afraid your brother is going to do something.”
“I just want to cover all the bases. It doesn’t hurt to be ready, just in case.”
She shakes her head. “Fine. We’ll stay put and batten down the hatches. You go play hero. Or villain. I can’t really tell anymore.”
I lift her chin to force her to meet my gaze. “Sabrina, I know you’re upset, but this time you’ve got to trust me. This is my mess, and I’m going to clean it up.”
“Either that, or you’ll need someone to clean up after your brother splatters your brains all over the sidewalk.”
Although I think she’s being a tad overdramatic, it shows me how much she cares. That means a lot.
“I love you,” I say, the first time I’ve said those words, and her eyes shoot wide, her mouth falling open. “I fucking love you, and I’m coming back home to you and our daughter.” Then I capture her lips in a fierce kiss, showing her the truth of my words.
She looks dazed when I finally break the kiss, and I brush a thumb across her cheek, not wanting to let her go. After a few moments, she pulls away. “Be careful, please,” she says, and I see a hint of tears in her eyes, shimmering like tiny diamonds. Then she climbs the stairs and heads out of sight.
I stand there for a moment, looking up after her until I hear footsteps coming down the hallway.
“Well, wasn’t that a quaint little domestic scene?” Leigh claps her hands a few times, slowly, and I get annoyed at her mocking.
“Don’t let anyone in tonight,” I say, my tone stern.
Billionaire Biker's Secret Baby_A Bad Boy Romantic Suspense Page 40