by Dani René
“I don’t need her getting used to you, Slade. This”−I twirl a finger back and forth between us−”it’s... I don’t know what it is, but I can’t have Roxie getting attached and the next thing I know you’re walking out the door.”
“I’m not her father, Ryn. I’m not going to do that.”
“How can you be so sure?” I answer hotly, crossing my arms in front of my chest. Our gazes are locked in a standoff, and as much as I want to fight him on this, I know he’s not the same man who left me all those years ago, but fear still has me gripped in her fatal hold.
He steps toward me, his stare holding mine, not letting go. “I’m not him, Ryn. Listen to me.” His hands grip my hips as he pulls me closer, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. “I want you. I want Roxie. Believe me when I say, I want this.”
“Slowly. Baby steps because this is all so new to me, Slade. I’m not used to having someone who is there for me.”
“Get used to it. You’re mine. No one else will be there for you because I’ll kill any man that comes near you. Okay?” He implores me. His gaze reaches into those depths where I hide my emotion, where I’ve hidden my heart, and it leaves me bare to him. This is worse than being naked in front of someone. This is showing them your hurt and pain.
“Prove it, Mr. Maddox,” I taunt, leaning up to plant a kiss on his cheek, only to hear the naughty giggle of my daughter.
“Mommy has a boyfriend,” she says in her sweet little tone.
Stepping back from Slade, I turn to her. “Yes, Mommy has a boyfriend.” I lean down, kneeling in front of her. “Does that make you happy, Roxie?” She nods, racing into my arms almost knocking me to the ground.
“Slade is cool.” She giggles in my ear and my worry eases.
Chapter Eight
Slade
When Roxie told her mom that she was happy with me being her boyfriend it felt like I’d won the goddamn lottery. We spent the day together. I took them out to the park, then we headed back to the beach because Roxie wanted to collect more seashells.
We’ve just walked into Ryn’s apartment and the girls are changing while I watch some show on her flat screen, but my mind is elsewhere. It’s with the woman who’s turned my life upside down in the best way possible. She’s in every thought and I find myself wanting to spend more time with her, and her daughter.
“Hey,” she says as she enters the living room dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants and a floppy tee. Her hair is pinned haphazardly on her head. “Did you want to stay for dinner?” Her question makes me smile.
“I’d love to. I can help cook as well.” I push up off the sofa.
“I don’t think so Mister.” She giggles. The sound is light, carefree, and when I meet her stare, her eyes sparkle like the ocean on a hot day. “I’m going to make you my famous Cajun steak,” she announces with a satisfied smile. One that brightens the room, fuck, it lights up my whole fucking life.
“Fine, and that means I’ll be having dessert here too.” I stalk toward her, gripping her hips, tugging her against me. Her body molds to mine. As if she’s always meant to be there.
When I lean in, I brush my lips over hers, just a taste. The smidgen of her sweetness has me thickening in my jeans.
“And when we’ve had our ice cream, put Roxie to bed, then I’ll be having my after-dinner decadence with you on your bed, splayed open so I can devour your sweet pussy. Is that clear?” Her gasp is cock-hardening. It sends my need spiraling, but before I take her on the kitchen table I step back.
“Y-you c-can’t do that here,” she stutters, clearly affected by me, and I smile.
“I’ll do you anywhere I like, sweet thing,” I respond, my tone gravelly. Just then Roxie bounds into the kitchen, plopping herself down on the chair beside mine, oblivious to what’s just happened.
“Slade, help me color.” The little blonde smiles up at me with a toothy grin. She’s cute, sweet, and looks just like her mom.
“Sure, what are we coloring?” I shift in my chair, getting comfortable while Ryn moves around the room. Moments pass, and even though my eyes are on the picture we’re adding rainbow colors to, my body is aware of where she is. As if we’re magnetic, I can feel her no matter where she is.
“Right you two,” she says, causing us to glance up and find her standing with hands on her hips, watching us with a small smile playing on her lips. “Wash up, dinner’s ready.”
“Yay!!” Roxie squeals, shoving her pencils in a small pink case. I watch her tidy up, and head down the hallway.
“She’s amazing,” I say. I’ve never wanted kids. Didn’t think I have it in me to be a father, but there’s something about Roxie that makes me want to try. She may not be mine, but I hope to all hell her mother will accept me in their lives.
“She is. She’s been my rock through a lot. I’m not sure where I’d be if I didn’t have to be responsible. If she hadn’t come along, I’d have gone down a dark path.” The confession stills us both and I can’t help watching those big blue eyes glisten.
“Hey.” I rise, reaching for her hand. I take it in mine, lifting it to my mouth. “You’re not that person, you’re her mother, you love her and you’re everything a girl could need to look up to. Okay?” When Ryn blinks, a stray tear escapes past her long lashes and I quickly catch it with my thumb. Sucking the salty emotion from my finger, I meet her gaze. “Now come on, no more tears.” She offers me a smile and I know the moment has passed.
* * *
The washing up is done, Roxie is curled on the sofa in her pajamas reading a book, her eyes fluttering as we sit and watch the movie she begged for. About a dog that can bark, or something like that. My mind is elsewhere.
“Come on, baby,” Ryn coos, lifting her daughter from the sofa. Her eyes have fallen shut and her grip on the blanket is tight.
“Do you need a hand?” I ask, surprised when Ryn lets me help her. We head down the hallway and I feel like we’re a small family. There’s warmth in this place, so much more so than in my cold apartment across town.
When I lay Roxie on the bed, Ryn tugs her comforters up and over her. The sweet girl is in dreamland by the time we get back to the living room. Ryn settles in the crook of my arm as the TV plays in the background.
“Thank you,” she murmurs against my shoulder. Her warm breath heating my shirt, but my whole body too.
“If you stay snuggled against me like this any longer, you’ll be saying more than thank you.” I chuckle when she swats me.
“I’m serious, Slade. You’ve somehow wrangled your way into my life, into my daughter’s life and I’m afraid—” Before she can continue, I grip her face with my hand, cupping her cheek and pulling her against me. Crashing my lips against hers, I feel her moan, and I swallow it with the kiss. Our tongues duel as we savor each other.
In moments we’re hands, lips, and teeth gnashing against each other. I grip her hips, pulling her onto my lap so she’s straddling me. Her core on my crotch making me lose all fucking control.
“I’m going to fuck you tonight. Here or in your bedroom. You choose,” I say in a raspy tone.
“Bedroom.” Her breathy word is all I need. When I rise, her legs wrap around me and I walk us down the hall, finding the second bedroom. I step inside and shut the door with my foot. Once the click sounds, I make a beeline for her bed, setting her down on her ass.
“Now, take off those clothes. I want to see you naked. I need to see every inch of your sweet, supple body,” I order, watching her shove her sweatpants down her long legs. She’s wearing the tiniest red thong I’ve ever fucking seen in my life. “Jesus, Ryn,” I growl, my jaw ticking, I’m holding on to a sliver of restraint, which snaps as soon as she takes off the top and I’m met with a matching bra.
“Do you like?” She smiles, twirling so I get the full effect: a pert ass I can bite, lithe, slender legs I want wrapped a
round my neck while I eat her delicious little cunt until she’s screaming my name.
Chapter Nine
Ryn
“I fucking love it,” he rasps. His voice has dropped to a panty-melting growl and I can’t help grinning. It’s been so long since I’ve been wanted by a man—at least, one I wanted as well—that I took a chance and bought this set yesterday.
His eyes burn into me, causing me to tingle from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. When he reaches back and tugs his shirt from his body, I’m met with the full explosion of color on a toned torso that looks like it’s sculpted from marble.
My gaze drinks in every inch, finding the dipped V muscles pointing to his jeans. The fine line of dark hair that trails down toward his belt disappears to a bulge that looks like I’ll be feeling it tomorrow and possibly for the rest of the week.
“Lie back, sweet thing. I want you open for me. Show me what’s mine.” His guttural rumble shudders through me with a force so deep I can’t help but gasp.
When my body is on the mattress, I blush as I spread my thighs, showing him the panties I wore especially for him. He stalks toward me, his jeans now unbuttoned, hanging low on his hips, and I notice there’s no boxers underneath.
What does peek at me is the thick base of what can only be a cock that may actually break me in half. “You’re beautiful,” he utters then, breaking my concentration. He drops to his knees, both hands on my legs as he strokes them, teasing me wider, almost lewdly so. My panties are wet−they’re soaked.
“Slade—”
“Shhh, darling,” he whispers. Leaning in, he plants soft kisses to my inner thighs. Butterfly pecks that cause goosebumps to rise up over my whole body. Gently, he gives both sides equal attention. Teasing. Taunting.
“P-please, Slade,” I beg, lifting my hips toward his mouth. He ignores me and instead, places both hands on my hips, holding me down.
His mouth hovers over my core, then he crashes his lips onto my slick ones. Sucking the arousal from my panties, he laps at me like a man possessed. I’ve never been eaten out through my underwear. But the way his mouth moves, his tongue darting out and devouring me, I don’t know how much more I can take before I explode.
With an index finger, he pulls the material, which is now drenched, to the side, and finds my trimmed pussy. “Fuck.” He grunts the word before his lips latch on to my clit, sucking it into his hot mouth while his other finger probes my entrance. I fall back onto the bed, my back arching in pleasure as his tongue enters me along with his finger.
The sounds from between my legs are animalistic. My moans and whimpers are muffled by my hands; I’m trying to stay as quiet as humanly possible.
“Come on my tongue, sweet thing,” he orders and I do. My body detonates at his voice, on his fingers, for him. My legs tremble and I have to bite down on my lower lip to keep from screeching like a fucking banshee.
When he rises to full height, his eyes meet mine, and they’re dancing with satisfaction. “I enjoyed dessert very much,” he says, licking his fingers. “Next time though, we’re doing this at my place so I can hear you screaming.”
“You’re insufferable,” I retort, my knees wobbling as I try to stand. His hands come out, gripping me like I’m a lifeline and we’re in the stormy sea.
“You weren’t saying that a few minutes ago,” he counters with confidence. “Get back on the bed. This time I want you lying back, this meal isn’t over.” He lifts me, flops me back on the mattress with an oomph, then proceeds in shoving off the jeans that were molded to his thick thighs.
His body is impeccable. When his cock juts out, I can’t help gasping at the size. He fists the shaft, and covers my body with his. Gently, he slides the crown of his cock up and down my slick entrance.
The teasing way he inches it into my body causes my hips to buck and I fist the sheets on either side of me. “Slade, stop fucking around and do it already,” I grind out through clenched teeth.
Without warning, he drives into me, to the hilt, knocking the breath from my lungs. He stills once he’s fully seated, allowing my body to adjust. When I reach up to grip his shoulders, I dig my nails into his skin, my heels pressing his ass, needing him to move, to give me more, less, something.
“Want me, darling?” he quips, playfully annoying me in the way only he can. I don’t respond. Instead, I squeeze my muscles around his cock, pulsing around him, causing him to buck into me. A bite of pleasured pain shoots through me. “You’ll pay for that, sweet thing.” He grins, pulling out and slamming back in.
“Yes...” I hiss, my head dropping back as my eyes roll in pleasure. He takes that as his cue to start fucking me. The man is savage. He’s brutal. But he’s everything I need in that moment and the moments that follow.
Our bodies move in sync. Our breathing, hisses and moans are swallowed when he crashes his mouth on mine, taking my breath and making it his. And for the first time in a long while, I allow myself to feel. To need another person.
“You feel so fucking good, Ryn Callan,” he says, his voice thick with hunger and desire. “Look at me,” he calmly murmurs. When my blue eyes snap to his hazel ones, I can’t help seeing a man who I know will be my end. He’s going to take me and make me his and I have no way of stopping him.
“Slade.” His name on my lips is the match, striking and falling onto the embers, igniting passion I’ve hidden, desire I shoved deep inside me where I didn’t think anyone could reach. His hips buck, pulling out, and thrusting back in. In and out. Back and forth. Our skin slapping against each other as he takes me. And I know in that moment, I don’t want him to stop.
“Look at me when you come. I want you to see the man who’s owning you, Ryn. It’s me. Slade fucking Maddox.” His words set me ablaze, and I feel my orgasm tightening low in my belly. “That’s it, baby,” he coos. “I want you to unravel, break apart and shatter for me so I can fuck you back together.”
That’s my undoing. My body flutters and quivers around him, drenching him in my arousal as his body locks, joining me in pleasure that we know will be our forever.
Chapter Ten
Slade
Two months later
The living room is quiet when I step into the house. Our day was filled with paperwork and I hate it. I need to unwind, to relax with my woman and her daughter. Slowly, I’ve been starting to think of Roxie as mine. It’s a new feeling, but it’s so easy to love the little blonde girl. Ryn said she’d be here with Roxie, but normally there’s giggles and laughter when they’re over.
“Ryn? Roxie?” I call out as I set my gun and holster in the safe. Since having a kid here, I’ve had to be careful, making sure the house is child-friendly. Jag chuckles when I say that.
He told me recently they’re ready to try for another baby, and I hope that it works out. Since they announced their engagement, life has been manic with Ryn and Ava talking about cakes, crockery, and other shit that I don’t even know what it means.
Making my way into the living room, I hear a sound coming from the backyard. When I suggested that Ryn and I, along with Roxie look at a house, she was wary about moving too fast. It’s been two months, but I know without a shadow of a doubt, I want her in my life forever.
That night, we sat down with Roxie and told her that we need a bigger home for all of us. Her big blue eyes lit up and she ran over to hug me. And that had me done for.
The three of us came to view the property and as soon as we stepped inside, we knew. Roxie ran for the one bedroom that overlooks the infinity swimming pool and told us that’s hers.
Our master bedroom has an incredible view of the city, and two walk-in closets. This isn’t just a house, it’s become a home.
My only stipulation was that we needed a large deck where we’ll be able to have barbecues and I’ve also had a hot tub put in.
As soon as I step out onto the deck,
I notice Ryn’s blonde hair. She’s in the hot tub, the bubbles gurgling as she relaxes back. Her eyes are closed and I’m sure she’s a million miles away.
I’m not sure where Roxie is, but seeing my woman in there only seems to put one thing on my mind. “Baby?” I stalk toward her, shrugging off my shirt. When she turns to me, her big eyes are wide and swimming with desire. Then I notice a large glass of white wine in her hand.
“Hey, I didn’t hear you come in. Jessi said she’d watch Roxie tonight.” Her words are like music to my ears. A night with my lady. Exactly what I needed after a long day.
“And I see you’re celebrating without me?” I quip, nudging my chin toward her glass. When I finally shove my slacks to the floor and step out of them, her heated gaze roams me in a hungry way. A little lioness if ever I saw one—she may look sweet and innocent, but this woman is a predator.
“I wanted to get a head start. I mean, one night without Roxie walking in on us is definitely cause for celebration.” Not giving a fuck, I shove my boxers down, and once I’m naked, I step into the hot tub.
“I agree,” I growl, making my way toward her. The bubbles are foaming, her body is glistening with the suds, and I’m ready to eat. “I’ve had a rough day...” I say, my words trailing off when she reaches for the string of her bikini top and shucks it from her shoulders.
I know every part of her body, every inch of her creamy white skin, but every time she takes her clothes off, I look like a man in awe. Not surprised by her beauty, but shocked that she wants to be with me.
“Sit on the edge, spread your pretty legs, it’s time for dinner,” I grunt. My voice husky and feral. This is what she does to me. Turns me into a fucking maniac for her. She gulps the last of her wine, sets the glass down, and by the time she’s on the edge of the hot tub I feel like I’m about to explode.
Her legs slide open gracefully, her inked skin on display. With one full sleeve on her left arm, the right side of her ribs covered in an intricate tree of life, her body is a work of art. A masterpiece.