Legend Anthology

by Brynn Paulin, Lacey Thorn, Bronwyn Green, Carol Lynne

  Chapter Two

  Beckett swallowed hard, pushing down everything within her that wanted to squeal with joy. She needed to remember that he didn’t really mean it. Not really. “It is a mistake. People always want what they shouldn’t have. They want things that are bad for them.”

  The corner of his mouth quirked and her stomach flip-flopped at the sight of his crooked smile. “So you’re saying you’re bad for me.”

  “More like you’re bad for me,” she mumbled. It was true. She’d already suffered a broken heart because of him. Now it crumbled a little more with every kiss, every touch, every whispered word.

  “Right. So I just imagined that you milked my cock ‘til I was spent, then?” He shifted, his still hard length caressing her swollen tissues. “Which means that I must have imagined you screaming my name loud enough that the neighbours heard it down the way.”

  Blushing, she took a deep breath, trying to ignore the way his chest hair abraded her tender nipples.

  His hair fell forward, partially shielding his eyes, but his firm, full lips were still visible—twisted in an angry frown. “God damn it, Beckett. I wanted to marry you.”

  Past tense. “You didn’t mean it.”

  “And you’re somehow privy to my most intimate thoughts?” He glowered at her.

  Needing space to breathe—hell, to think—she pushed at his shoulders. “I’m not an idiot. I saw the regret in your eyes as soon as you asked me.”

  In a move too quick for her to follow, he grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head. His weight rested more fully on her pelvis and she felt him swell and harden further inside her. How could he be ready for her again?

  Her pussy clenched around him and she bit her lip to keep from groaning aloud. How could she be ready for him?

  Completely aware of her arousal, he rocked against her, sliding through her passage, slick with their combined releases. His eyes closed and his lips twisted in a feral grimace. Breathing deeply, he opened his eyes and stopped moving, but his arms shook slightly at his restraint. “If you saw regret in my eyes it wasn’t because I didn’t want to be with you.”

  “Right.” She tried to pull her hands from his grasp, but he held tight and her struggling only lodged him more deeply within her.

  “I’d been desperate for you since you’d turned fifteen.”

  “Took you long enough to do anything about it,” she groused.

  “I was five years older. An adult. I didn’t really fancy doing time for doing you.” His eyes darkened as he stared at the slope of her exposed breast. “But don’t think I wasn’t tempted.”

  Her nipples constricted at his scrutiny. Lowering his head, he sucked a tight peak into his mouth, and she arched against him. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stay unyielding, but he knew her—knew her body too well. With his free hand, he plucked at the other nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, coaxing a strangled groan from her.

  Lifting his head from her breast, he nipped at her lower lip. “Look at me, céadsearc.”

  Her belly twisted and flopped at the endearment. His brogue had grown rougher, more pronounced with his arousal, and the sound of it sent hordes of butterflies marauding through her.

  “Open your eyes,” he commanded, adjusting his hold on her wrists.

  She shivered at his tone, her desire heightened by his mastery of her body. Reluctantly, she complied, trying to mask her response. “What?”

  “You still haven’t answered the question.”

  What question? It was hard to think with him slowly rocking in and out of her body.

  “Why did you leave?” he elaborated, never ceasing his motion.

  She sighed. At the very least, she supposed she owed him the truth. “Look, I followed you around like a lovesick puppy for years and I finally wore you down. I think you felt guilty because of it and asked me to marry you. It doesn’t mean we had anything then and it certainly doesn’t mean we have anything now.”

  His brow furrowed as he frowned looking at their joined bodies. “What the hell do you call this, then?”

  “Sex. Closure. I left without saying goodbye, so this is goodbye. Five years late.”

  Incredulousness coloured his features. “This is anything but goodbye, love.”

  Her heart constricted in her chest and she had to force words past her lips. “It can’t be anything else. It just can’t.”

  His entire body stilled. “I love you, Beckett.”

  Her breath caught and she blinked away tears. “You can’t,” she said flatly. “You don’t even know me anymore.”

  “Right.” His expression hardened. “Do you still pick up pretty stones when you’re out walking and bring them home?”

  She nodded.

  “Do you still alphabetise your book and music collection?”

  “Yes,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  “Do you still only eat the stalks of broccoli and leave the tops?”

  She sighed. “It’s not like any of this matters, but yeah.”

  “Do you still colour coordinate your bath towels? Feed the squirrels outside your apartment? Start stitchery projects you never finish? Visit your mum’s grave every year and bring her daffodils when they bloom?”

  “Yes, yes, yes and yes,” she practically growled.

  “There you are, then.” He shrugged slightly, the small movement torturing her already sensitive nipples. “I know you,” he said simply as he held her gaze, almost daring her to look away.

  He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone. “The new things and changes, I look forward to learning.” His gaze hardened as if expecting an argument. “I’m not going to lose you again.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him and tried to tug her arms free. “You don’t have me.”

  Kieran tightened his hold on her and covered her mouth with his free hand. A fresh rush of moisture coated them both and she groaned at his control over her.

  “We both know you’re lying.”

  She tried to argue from behind his hand as he withdrew slightly and pushed forward again, filling her completely. Her cunt rippled around him and her groan caught on his palm.

  A slow, wicked grin curved his lips. “Well, that’s interesting, isn’t it?”

  “What now?” she asked beneath his fingers, trying to force a note of boredom into her voice.

  “You like the way I’m holding you down— keeping you captive.”

  “I do not. Now get off me!” Any severity in her tone was muffled by his huge hand.

  Ignoring her outburst, he thrust inside her again. “I think you do. Your skin is flushed and your breathing has quickened. Your nipples are hard little nubs begging for my attention.” Gently, he licked one aching tip before blowing a gentle stream of air across it.

  Biting her lip, she refused to give him the satisfaction of admitting he was right. There was something about being at his mercy that was a total turn on.

  “Then there’s your pussy.”

  She glared at him and he laughed.

  “When I pin you to the bed or cover your mouth, your cunt floods and grips me so hard I can barely move. You like it.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “That’s the plan, love.” His eyes sparkled with amusement and arousal. “First, an experiment.”

  Nervous anticipation fluttered through her middle as he freed her mouth and reached alongside the bed. The rustle of denim and leather transformed anticipation to worry. She shifted beneath him, her clit grinding against his pelvic bone. Distracted by the sensation shuttling through her body, she barely noticed when he replaced his grip on her wrists with his belt. She yanked against it as he secured the other end to the open metalwork of the headboard.

  “Kieran,” she warned. The supple leather of his belt didn’t hurt, but she wouldn’t get out easily. “Untie me.”

  “Later.”

  With long, purposeful strokes, he slid in and out of her pussy.

  “You’re gett
ing even wetter,” he murmured. “So tight. So wet for me.”

  Using both hands, he pressed her breasts together and sucked on her nipples—one after the other. The scruff on his cheeks and jaw scraped her tender skin, leaving a delicious burn as he feasted on her.

  An agonized groan ripped from her. She didn’t bother trying to hide her needy response as he nipped and sucked at her flesh. Despite the fact that she could barely admit it to herself, she was exactly where she wanted to be since she’d left. With what little motion she could manage, she thrust against him—urging him faster and harder. She wanted to feel his sun-gold skin under her hands, but she couldn’t wriggle free of her bindings. For the first time since he’d secured her, she glanced towards where the belt was attached to the bed and her pussy flooded at the sight. The dark-coloured leather was an erotic contrast to her pale skin. Helpless, she was stretched out before him—his for the taking. Her internal muscles rippled around him at the thought, and he sucked in a harsh breath.

  She met his piercing stare as he lifted his head from her breasts. His eyes were so dark, she could barely discern the green colour. His hot gaze slid over her body, and she shivered under the almost tactile caress. “Looks like we’ve both learned something new. You like being bound.” Dropping his head, he nuzzled the valley between her breasts. “And I like binding you.”

  His dark words stroked her inside and out. She bit her lip on a whimper as he thrust deeply inside her.

  “I have never seen anything so fucking hot. You stretched and secured,” he whispered as he thrust again. “Waiting for me.” He ground his pelvis against hers, tormenting her clit. “At my mercy,” he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

  He punctuated his thrust by biting down on the side of her neck where it joined her shoulder, and she shattered. Her pussy clamped down on him, rhythmically squeezing him while sensation slammed through her body. Blood roared though her ears while she shook, screaming in his arms.

  Her heart still pounded wildly in her chest as she noticed the harsh sounds of their combined breathing filling the room. Becoming aware of her body again, she sighed at the loss as he eased out of her. With gentle hands, he rolled her over and leaned over her back, the ends of his hair tickling her cheek. “We’re not finished yet, céadsearc.”

  He trailed his lips and fingertips down her spine to the small of her back. His hands urged her to her knees. The belt didn’t give. Her head and chest remained bowed to the bed while her ass was in the air. The mattress sank as he knelt behind her. She’d never felt so exposed, but Kieran’s sharp inhalation was all she needed to know he liked what he saw.

  Palming her ass, he leaned forward, dropping more kisses at the base of her spine. “Do you have any idea what it does to me to see you like this?” he murmured against her skin.

  Shaking her head was the most coherent response she could manage.

  Kieran stroked her thighs and she trembled as he urged them further apart. “So pretty with your ass up in the air, waiting for my cock. Waiting for me to fill you. Waiting for me to make you come.”

  She shook as he dragged the wide head of his cock along her cleft. “Oh God...”

  Grasping her hips, he surged into her, working his thick length in and out of her pussy, filling her needy body. Heat speared through her as she stretched to accommodate him. How had she done without this for so long? How would she do without it when she left him again?

  His fingers dug into her flesh as he shafted her harder. Bruises would be inevitable, but worth it. Wanting him to be as desperate for release as she was, she slammed her hips backward to meet every thrust. Splaying his hand on the small of her back, he steadied her as he drove home.

  Her pussy clenched in time with every hot, wet slap of his balls against her cunt. His grunting whispers had long ago switched to Gaelic as he shoved hard and heavy into her willing body. His ragged voice was more than enough to make her come.

  Dragging his fingers from her back, he dipped them in her sopping pussy before spreading their moisture over the taut ring of muscles in her ass.

  “Kieran?” she called, unable to keep the tremor of fear from her voice.

  “Relax,” he soothed as he rimmed the puckered hole with his thumb.

  With insistent pressure, he pushed his way inside. He worked in and out of her ass in time with his plunging cock, stroking the thin membrane that separated his erection from his hand. For the first time in her life, she wondered what it would be like to be fucked by two men. The thought made her wetter still as he ploughed in and out of her grasping body. The sensations were too much. The grasping became a clawing need that rippled through her cunt, seeking escape.

  “Christ, céadsearc. You’re going to make me come,” he groaned, never slowing his sweet assault.

  His desperation-laced whisper sent her over the edge. Her release spiralled outward from her womb, sending pleasure spearing through her limbs as contractions continued to wrack her body.

  Kieran slammed into her, filling her with hot, shuddering gushes. Gradually, his motions slowed, then stopped. Still inside her, he bowed his forehead to her back and brushed kisses over her spine. Laying his cheek against her damp skin, he wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “Tá grá agam duit.”

  Tears pricked her eyes and her heart ached. She may have gone five years without hearing the language, but she hadn’t forgotten the sound of Kieran telling her he loved her. She doubted she ever would.

  Collapsing to the bed, he tugged her down with him and gently unfastened her bindings. Her wrists might be free, but her heart wasn’t. I love you. The words formed in her mouth, but she couldn’t say them. Wouldn’t say them. Her heart was barely holding together now—she wasn’t about to put it on the chopping block and hope for the best. Swallowing hard, she forced away the pain of loss and focused on savouring this short time with Kieran.

  He gathered her in his arms and gently massaged her wrists, placing tender kisses along her shoulder. Closing her eyes, she snuggled into his warmth. Her body ached pleasantly as she stretched and twisted in his embrace. The cool metal and stone of his pendant thunked against her chest.

  Lifting it, she inspected the hammered silverwork that twined around a deep green centre stone. The necklace was old—much older than she would have thought at first glance. Unable to ignore her curator training, she turned it this way and that, admiring the craftsmanship of the piece. Granted, she usually worked with fabrics rather than metals, but she could still tell it was old. The mottled shades of green reminded her of Kieran’s eyes. Eyes that watched her expectantly.

  “Where did you get this?” she asked.

  At the suddenly guarded expression in his eyes, she knew she wasn’t going to like whatever he was about to say. He opened his mouth and paused.

  “It’s old, Kieran.” She looked more carefully at the bail that supported the chain and then back at him. “Really old.”

  He shook his hair from his eyes. “It’s a long story.”

  “I’m listening.” She let the pendant slip from her fingers.

  His eyes tender, he traced the contours of her face. “I think it would be better if I showed you.”

  “Okay. So show me already.”

  Leaning forward, Kieran took her mouth in an achingly slow kiss. He lifted his head and grinned. “I think I should show you the shower, first.”

  She shifted and wrinkled her nose, feeling the sticky results of the last few hours. “Fine, but don’t think you’re going to distract me.” She tapped the stone hanging around his neck. “I want to know what you’re being so evasive about.”

  He laughed as he pulled her to a standing position and quickly wrapped his arms around her. “I’m still having trouble believing you’re not a figment of my sex deprived imagination.”

  She snorted. “Sex deprived? Somehow I doubt you’ve suffered the burden of abstinence.”

  Hurt flashed through his eyes, but it was gone before she was sure she’d actually s
een it. His arms fell away from her. “Believe what you want. You always have.” He scooped up his clothes and made his way to the bathroom down the hall.

  She regretted the words as soon as they’d left her mouth, but with no way to call them back she was reduced to gathering her own clothes and following him to the bathroom. Feeling like a complete ass, she pushed open the bathroom door to see him disappear behind the shower curtain.

  “Kieran?”

  The only response was the sound of the tap being turned and water tumbling into the tub. She pushed open the shower curtain and met his hard green gaze.

  “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “Believe me or don’t. It doesn’t matter.”

  Until now, she would have laughed in the face of anyone who suggested Kieran could be celibate for more than three days. Now she wasn’t so sure. She’d truly hurt him with her disbelieving words and more than anything she wanted to take them back or at least make it better.

  She watched as he tilted his head under the spray of water the droplets coating his body. Thick muscled thighs flowed into slim hips and a trim waist. Amazingly, his thick cock was already half hard again. She watched, almost hypnotised as it rose towards his tightly muscled stomach. All but ignoring her, he quickly scrubbed and rinsed himself. He moved to exit the tub, but she stopped him, placing her hand on the centre of his broad, perfectly formed chest.

  Finally, he met her gaze, his jaw tight. She gently pushed him backward to stand under the spray of water and followed him into the tub. Sinking to her knees, she grasped his penis, wrapping her fingers around his expanding girth.

  “This isn’t necessary, Beckett.”

  Looking up past his taut muscles, perfectly sculpted by years of hard work, she met his stony gaze. “I’m not doing this because I think I have to.” She inched closer and traced the heavy head of his erection with the tip of her tongue.

  His eyes closed and he drew a sharp breath through clenched teeth. The needy sound prickled along her skin. He obviously wasn’t about to accept her apology right now, but he might accept this.