by Asha Daniels
The sound of the hollowness in his voice was haunting. She shifted, facing him and could see tears in his eyes. “What happened?”
“We were never meant to be. She never realized how much I cared. After everything ended, I learned that I couldn’t care that much ever again. There was no point. I shut down and that’s the only way I can do my job.”
“No point. How sad,” she whispered.
“Reality. I blamed her for stealing a portion of my life,” he said quietly as he walked further into the room. “But the truth is, I allowed my guard to fall at the wrong time. I put lives in jeopardy, including my own. I can’t allow that to happen again.”
“But I’m not like her. I don’t know the circumstances, but this isn’t war.”
Cutter exhaled. “This is just as dangerous.”
“Damn it, Cutter. Whatever happens, this psychopath will be found. Then life will go on. Can’t you see that? I want to allow you inside. Don’t you understand? I need a man who wants to be in control, to love me unconditionally while making certain I’m safe and that I follow rules. I know it sounds insane after what you know about my father, but this is what I want. And I want you. I can’t explain it, but I know what I feel. If you’ll only allow me in.”
“You have no idea how much I want to, but I…” He allowed the words to trail off as he locked his eyes onto the counter.
Damn you! Damn you!
“I know. You can’t keep me safe. You’ve made yourself perfectly clear, Cutter. You’re hired help and here to do a tedious job. As I said, I’ll stay out of your way.” She turned her back on purpose, grabbing her wine. Her hand was shaking too badly to take a sip, but she hid behind the glass, doing her best to keep from crying.
She failed.
Hot tears streamed down her face and she wanted nothing more than to rush to him, pull him into her arms. Could she beat whatever demons he had inside? Could she be the love of his life, compete with another woman? She had to try, or she’d never forgive herself. “Cutter, I’m sorry. I…” When she turned around, he was gone. She heard the sound of the front door and sagged against the counter. She didn’t have the skills to get through to him.
* * *
Cutter grabbed the burner phone and dialed Jeff’s number. Yeah, they’d been gone for less than a day, but the information Jasmine had provided gave him a certain indication of what they were facing.
“If you’re calling now, must mean something is wrong,” Jeff stated, his tone of voice full of trepidation.
“Everything is fine, but I have some information that you might want to relay to the Feds.”
“Cutter, we’re not investigating the crime. We’re simply keeping her safe.”
“Yeah? Well, I have reason to believe that there is someone on her father’s detail who wants to make certain that Jasmine is scared enough to remain quiet. Or worse.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Jeff snorted. “This has nothing to do with her father.”
“Are you aware that Jasmine’s mother was forced out and later died of extenuating circumstances?”
Exhaling, he laughed before answering. “You’re trying to insinuate that Mr. Rush attempted to have his daughter killed?”
“I’m not insinuating anything. I’m telling you that this is information that the FBI needs to hear. You know I’m always right about my instincts.”
“Yeah. You usually are. Fine. I’ll mention it to them, but they’re not calling me on a regular basis.”
Why was the man pushing this off? Cutter glanced around from right to left, an eerie sensation was cutting through the chill. “That’s all I ask.”
“Do you need anything else, additional information?”
“We’re fine. Everything is exactly as expected.”
“Good. Glad to hear it. Incidentally, there has been a leak. At least one newspaper has been clued in that she’s been taken out of the city. You know reporters.”
“Yeah, I do. Do they have any indication the firm was hired?” Cutter listened for any hesitation in what he considered to be his friend’s voice. There was none.
“None. We’re keeping everything on the down low. I know how important that is to you. Just stay where you are. I’ll be in contact if anything changes.”
“Will do.” He ended the call and anger boiled from deep within. He didn’t like being played for a fool and his gut told him that he was merely a part of the game. The only question? Who was in charge?
He stood outside, leaning against the railing. The only person who knew about Stacy was Jeff and even then, he didn’t know the full extent of the story, only the brutal aftermath. The reason he’d opened up, even to the degree he had to Jasmine wasn’t an answer he had readily.
He was falling in love with her. One day. One fucking day and she’d opened his heart, managing to yank the darkness from the ugly hiding place. This wasn’t supposed to happen ever again. Cold dipped into his extremities, the wind biting. He shoved his hands into his pockets. He no longer wanted to dwell on the past or the bitter memories. The ugliness had forced him to shut down, if for no other reason than to protect what was left of his sanity. A chuckle bubbled up from his throat. How pathetic.
Closing his eyes, he listened to the sounds of the last remaining icicles falling from the towering trees, clinking against each other. This could be a peaceful place, even romantic with the right partner. There was no opportunity of love for a man like him. There should be no joy, no concept of happiness. The thought created another wave of loneliness.
Could Jasmine truly understand, even look past his particular brand of evil? No way. While she fashioned herself to be capable, strong and able to take care of her needs without concern, he knew better.
The time for lamenting was finished. He’d built up his resolve over the last few years and a single woman wasn’t going to break it. If even a single reporter knew Jasmine had been taken out of town, they would search every source to try and identify where and with whom. Laying low wasn’t an option. Not that it ever was.
There was no grandiose plan, other than to wait out the capture. If a storm was coming, he needed to check the supplies. The last blast of winter in the mountains of Virginia could be unpredictable. There was a single mom and pop style grocery store within five miles. He could stock up on missing items without drawing any attention.
His hand was on the doorknob when he heard her voice. He hadn’t listened to any of her recordings, nor did they matter to him, but hearing the melodic sounds, the haunting version of The Sound of Silence couldn’t have been more cutting, driving a stake into his heart. Her voice was incredible, lilting in a manner he hadn’t thought possible. The song was being sung by an angel, accompanied by the most incredible guitar chords.
A long breath escaped from his tightening throat, and goosebumps appeared on every inch of naked skin, sliding down both arms. As he walked inside, she didn’t notice the brisk air or hear his approach. She was lost in the music, her long legs crossed, silky strands of hair caressing her cheek and chin as she swayed back and forth, her fingers moving with a practiced yet easy dexterity.
The words were cathartic, disturbing. Hello darkness, my old friend… A single tear trickled down his face, the only reminder that he wasn’t dead inside. As she continued singing, the melody echoed, mixing with the thwarted sound of his heartbeat, the blood pumping through his veins.
“And no one dared. Disturb the sound… Of. Silence.” Her bottom lip trembled, and she lowered her head, her chest heaving.
And he could tell she was crying.
“That was as beautiful as you are,” he whispered, blinking. Trying to gain control. Longing to lose control.
Jasmine slowly lifted her head, her eyes locking onto his. She eased the guitar to the side and slid to her feet, her gait hampered. When she reached him, she pressed both of her palms against his chest. “Cutter, I surrender. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I need to be with you, make love with
you. I need your strong arms and dark passion. I crave your firm hand, the discipline that brings me peace. I. Need. You.”
There was no time for reckoning, no time for second guessing. There would be no salvation, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would have her.
To Hell with the rest…
Chapter 6
Cutter gripped both sides of her face, his thumbs rubbing back and forth. His hot breath floating down and over her face, he was unable to stop his rapid heartbeat. “If we do this, there’s no turning back. This isn’t about tonight or tomorrow, or even next week.” He whispered the words and crowded her space.
“I know. I want you, no one else.”
“Why?” Why in the fuck did she want him? Couldn’t she see through the façade? Couldn’t she grasp the fact that he could get her killed?
She kneaded his shirt. “Does there need to be an explanation?”
He licked his dry lips and heard the husky sound as he growled. “No.” Capturing her mouth, his hands were shaking as the hold continued, his almost desperate desire rushing to the surface. The taste of her ignited a fire burning deep within and when she moaned into the kiss, he wrapped one arm around her, pulling her onto her tiptoes.
Wiggling, she slid her hand up to his neck, caressing his skin, her moans becoming heated sounds of longing.
Thrusting his tongue past her lips, he grunted, the sound guttural as he explored her dark, wet recesses. He was hungry, the current rushing from one to the other creating a fog wrapped around his head, his eyes. His mind. The beast living just under his skin had breached the surface, taking over his rational mind.
She clawed his shoulder, undulating her hips, her groin.
Cutter licked around her lips then slid his mouth across her cheek, grunting. Rubbing down her back, he cupped her ass, digging his fingers into her jeans.
Tipping her head back, she closed her eyes, her mouth remaining open.
He kissed the underside of her chin before dragging his tongue across her heated skin. “I want to lick every inch of you.”
“Yes, oh, yes.”
Easing back, he bent his knees and peppered kisses down between her breasts, licking. Tasting. His legs were shaking from adrenaline and he tugged at the edge of her sweater, pulling then yanking the soft material up and over her shoulders. Cupping her breast, he kneaded over the thin lace of her bra then used his teeth to drag the material away, exposing her nipple.
“Oh, Cutter.” As he licked around her hardened bud, she arched her back, the offer blatant.
He sucked and nipped, allowing his tongue to move back and forth. He slid his arm around her waist and used his other hand to unclasp her bra, only letting go long enough to free her from the tight confines. “So damn beautiful.”
“You make me feel beautiful.”
Cutter’s mouth open, he dragged his lips to her other breast, licking in a wide arc before taking her tender skin into his mouth.
Jasmine whimpered, and she clenched her fingers around his arms, her body swaying.
Seconds later, he stood to his full height and cupped her breasts, rolling her soft flesh between his fingers. His eyes were unable to focus clearly, his breath skipping. Taking her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, he pinched, reveling in her expression of sheer ecstasy.
“Mmm… Yes.” Her mouth was slack, and she dropped her head, panting. “Please fuck me.”
“Oh, I will.” Keeping pressure on her nipples, he eased to his knees, licking down the length of her stomach. He mouthed her crotch, growling as he moved his head back and forth. “Just remember, you come when I say.”
She gripped his shoulders as if holding on and wiggled. “Yes, sir.” Her laugh was laced with a nervous edge.
He slid one hand down, fumbling to unfasten her button, tugging on the zipper. Peeling away the edges, he pressed his mouth against her skin.
“Jesus.” Shifting, she slipped her fingers underneath her waistband, pushing her jeans past her hipbones.
Taking over, he yanked them to her ankles, helping her step out, and tossed them aside. The scent of her, the wetness of her panties was mouth-watering. He licked a line across the edge of her thong before mouthing her wet panties, sucking until he could taste her sweet juice.
“My, my,” she breathed and rubbed both hands through his hair, one after the other.
Cutter shook his head, grunting as his teeth ripped at the thin lace. When a hole had developed, he darted his tongue through, swirling the tip around her clit.
A sharp cry erupting from her mouth, she jutted her hips forward.
As he moved his tongue up and down, the split became wider, enabling him to lick and suck. When the hindrance became an irritation, he slipped a single finger around the elastic on the side, twisting and snapping his arm back.
“Shit!” Laughing, she slapped her hand across her mouth, the strangled moan slipping past her fingers.
Wrapping his hands around her upper thighs, he gripped her buttocks, spreading her ass as he hunkered down, shoving his face into her cunt.
She opened her legs wider, giving him full access and tossed her head back and forth.
He studied her face as he feasted, licking and nipping, sucking on the folds of her pussy. After running his index finger up and down the crack of her ass, he wiggled his finger between her ass cheeks, finding her dark hole. When he slipped a finger inside, she jerked up, the move pushing her cunt harder against his face.
“Cutter. Sweet Jesus.” Her legs were trembling, moans floating between them and a single bead of perspiration trickled down, dropping onto his face.
Cutter continued licking, sucking, driving his tongue as deep inside her pussy as possible. He added a second finger, thrusting inside her asshole, using enough pressure he hit the tight ring of muscle.
“I… I’ll come,” she managed to whisper.
He grunted his response and moved his head back and forth. He added a third finger and flexed them open, pumping into her tight ass. The feel was incredible, forcing his cock to throb, his balls to ache like a son of a bitch. But he wanted her to come, to feel ravished before he accepted any pleasure.
Jasmine whimpered, the sound becoming scattered pants and she rocked her body forward and backward. Her fingers clamped down on the top of his head as she trembled.
More. He had to have more. His actions became crazed, manic as he licked and sucked, nipping her clit then swirling his tongue around in circle after circle. He was shaking, craving pumping her ass full of his cum. He continued thrusting, driving his long fingers deep inside. As her pussy lips began to quiver, he knew she was close to coming. His slow and husky growl was deep, and he refused to stop, refused to allow her to go.
“Oh. Oh! I can’t… I can’t hold it.” Tossing her head back and forth, her body jerked, her skin glistening.
He knew she would disobey yet he refused to stop. His tongue working in a fevered motion, he continued pumping her tight asshole and he knew, he would soon take her in every hole.
“Cutter!” Her body jerking forward, she tipped her head back and screamed.
As her juice flowed into his mouth, he held her fast, sucking every last drop. He could tell the single climax became an intense wave and he eased his other hand to the front, sliding his finger in beside his tongue, pumping hard and fast.
“Oh, God!”
When she stopped shaking, he rose onto his feet. Lowering his head, he crushed his mouth over hers, forcing her to taste her sweet cream.
She threw her arms around his neck and fell into the kiss.
Cutter eased back and narrowed his eyes before reaching down, taking her into his arms. He kept his eyes on her face as he took long strides toward the stairs, taking them two at a time. When they were inside her room, he eased her down, giving her a controlling look. “You disobeyed me.”
“I…” She laughed and brushed her hand through her damp hair. “Yes, sir. I did. You were just too amazing.”
&
nbsp; “Mmm… You do understand what this means. Correct?” While there was a part of him that wanted nothing more than to fuck her now, without waiting, he was ready to take full control, to become the man she needed so desperately in her life.
But there was nothing amazing about him.
“I…” She wrinkled her nose before nodding. “I do. I mean sir. Yes, sir, I do.” Her eyes flashed.
“Remove my belt.” The command was said with little inflection, merely a requirement that she would learn to follow. He’d understood everything she was asking for, the rules, the need to obey. And dear God, he wanted her to succumb to his will. He refused to tolerate anything less. This was his nemesis, what could be his ultimate demise.
He had to be in full control.
But she obeyed instantly, moving closer and lowering her head, this time out of full respect. There was no hesitation in her fingers, no clumsiness as she unfastened his belt, sliding the thick leather strap through his belt buckle then pulling a couple of inches at a time. When she’d removed it completely, she held it out, as if offering the method of punishment.
“Touch it. Feel the strap.”
Jasmine ran her fingers up and down a short section.
“Smell the rich leather.”
A slight smile crossed her face as she brought the strap to just under her nose, inhaling in an exaggerated fashion.
“This belt will become a special implement, meant only for you and for our combined need. You will learn to ask when your disobedience requires the belt.” The words were said easily, without a second guess. This was everything he’d ever wanted.
“Yes, sir.” This time, her words were a mere whisper, yet laced with longing.
“Prepare the bed.” He watched in utter fascination as she nodded then moved toward the headrest, dragging both pillows from under the comforter. He was in awe, every muscle, every cell on fire, jazzed from the realization that she’d craved this for so long.
Taking her time, she put one on top of the other, smoothing out the crisp linen before walking back toward him, her expression one of resignation as well as peace.