by Asha Daniels
“I’m not certain about the leather, but riding gives me peace, a center.”
“Because that big brain of yours is always thinking.”
“Not a crime, Jasmine. I’ve been tasked with keeping influential people safe during crises, war, kidnap attempts. I have to think, to try and get into the mind of the criminal.” Cutter continued rubbing, his hand moving aimlessly in circles and zigzags.
“And do you?” She tilted her head, trying to see into his eyes.
Shrugging, he reached for her glass of wine. “The majority of the time. Criminals can be placed in two categories. One, the emotional perpetrator. He or she is wounded by something or someone and is determined to get revenge. The second is the most dangerous. The calculated mastermind plans an event for months, going over every detail with care, making certain there are zero lose ends. When the action is put into motion, various members of law enforcement are already two steps behind. That’s why they often win.”
She thought about his words. “You don’t believe this is a crime of passion or some idiot being smitten, do you? That’s why you’ve been so serious about your level of protection.” She twisted and looked into his eyes as he took a sip of wine. “I’m right.”
“You are correct. First of all, the second round of emails went directly to an email address that few people, except those who are closest to you have knowledge of. Secondly, the concert venue was the weakest. The vantage points for taking a shot in order to stay hidden were well known, even discussed on various open forums. The shooter chose the most convenient spot to make it seem like a fan had taken the shot.”
The way he was putting everything together was chilling, but she was mesmerized by what he’d learned. “Meaning, this jerk is trying to throw the cops off the scent.”
“In a crude manner of speaking, yes. I don’t think there was any intention of harming you at the concert.”
Jasmine huffed. “They just wanted to scare me. Keep me off guard.”
“Exactly, which leads me to believe that the person responsible is someone that you know or is an acquaintance of your father’s.”
“Shit.” She thought about the emails, the phone calls and even the fact she was on a wide-open stage. Anyone who could shoot a gun should have been able to take a perfect shot. “Then what was their grand plan?” She turned around to face him, straddling his legs.
“That’s what we need to figure out.” He took another sip of wine and lowered his head, pressing his lips against hers.
When he used his tongue to part her lips, the wine slipped inside her mouth. She closed her eyes and swallowed. The dichotomy of this man was driving her insane. The moment was almost perfect.
“Johnny Falk. Do you trust him?”
“I… I’m not sure. He has a temper and I’ve broken up with him three times. Twice he plied me with roses, even wrote a song and I was stupid enough to go back.”
“The third time?” Cutter asked, his eyes never leaving hers.
“I don’t know yet. That happened just before the concert. He was pissed, but I don’t think he’s intelligent enough to plan something.”
“You said you were sent roses just before the concert?”
She nodded. “Not from Johnny, trust me. He only sent red roses. Not an imaginative bone in his body. The ones I was sent were a vibrant purple.”
“Like the color of your eyes.”
Jasmine shivered. The thought hadn’t entered her mind.
“Your manager, Tyler Markum has a record for assault.”
She opened her mouth and groaned. “I had no idea. I don’t know anything about him really. He’s been wonderful to me, but he was around when I was hired.”
“I will have Jeff check into his background. What I’ve found is disturbing enough.”
“Any other thoughts, Mr. Detective?” She gave him a wry smile and took the wine glass out of his hand.
“A few,” he whispered and slid a strand of hair from her face. “But I’ll hold my tongue.”
“What if I want you to use that tongue?” She slid her hand into the water, wrapping her fingers around his already stiff cock.
Groaning, he shifted, pushing bubbles over the edge. “Are you in need of another tongue lashing, little girl?”
She twisted her hand around his shaft before pumping, the friction making him groan. “I already told you. I’m not a little girl.”
“You may be right.” A dark chuckle escaping his mouth, he yanked her forward in the water, forcing her much closer to him. “You have such trouble with authority.”
“I always have.” Jasmine eased her hips out of the water and positioned the tip of his cock to the entrance of her pussy. “I guess you’re going to have to teach me a few lessons.” She sat down, tossing her head back the moment his dick slipped all the way inside. “Oh!”
Cutter breathed out as he rubbed his hands up and down her back, digging his nails into her skin. “You feel so damn good.”
She rocked forward and backward as she wrapped her arms around his neck, dropping her head back until the ends of her hair floated into the water.
Grunting, the sound animalistic, he lowered his head, engulfing her breast into his mouth, sucking. Biting.
“Oh, yes.” Dazzling sensations rushed throughout her body, forcing her to pant. She moved slowly, riding him as he growled and moved to her other breast. The way he touched her, licked and teased drove her almost instantly into a heightened level of ecstasy. She could let go with him, unafraid to submit in every way.
He moved his hands up, cradling her head and pulled her head down until their lips touched. “I’m going to fuck that sweet ass of yours.”
Excitement soared as he captured her mouth, instantly thrusting his tongue inside. The taste of wine mixed with a hint of bubble bath and she pumped forward, undulating as the water splashed over the sides. She couldn’t get enough of him: the taste, the feel, her needs bursting at the seams. The kiss became frantic, heated to the point they were both grunting.
Jerking up, he kept her in the same position as he moved out of the tub. The moment of raw passion continued as his hands moved under her legs, keeping her aloft.
She was ready for anything, any request, any demand. When he eased her to her feet and pushed her over the counter, forcing her to watch what he was about to do, she moaned.
Cutter wrapped his hand around her wet hair, twisting the long strands around his hand as he kicked her legs apart. The look on his face was savage, pure and unbridled.
Forcing her onto her tiptoes, she arched her back as he rubbed his fingers down the crack of her ass then slipped them inside her cunt. “Yes!” Her muscles instantly clamped around the tight invasion and she resisted begging for more.
His hand moving in even but forceful thrusts, he pumped his fingers inside several times, biting her shoulder, her upper arm. He yanked back her head, exposing her neck and slathered several licks on the side of her neck. “Every hole belongs to me. No man will ever touch you again.”
“Every hole. Yes,” she whispered.
“You’ll fuck me when I say, how I say. Always.”
“Always.” The thought was riveting.
Cutter snarled as he removed his soaked fingers from her pussy, shoving them inside her asshole.
“Oh! Fuck!” Jerking up, she panted as the pain became excruciating. She could just see the reflection in his eyes, the almost damning hunger that had consumed him.
“Mmm…” He nuzzled into her neck. “I can see we’re going to have to take care of that mouth of yours.”
“I’ll be good.”
“Yes, you will.” Adding a third then fourth finger, he fucked her ass, pumping in and out in slow and even drives. “A daily spanking in the morning. Washing your mouth out with soap. Corner time. Because you’re a very bad girl. But if you’re very good, you’ll have my cock twice a day, maybe more.”
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! The strangled words were driving her into a sublime state. She wa
nted everything he said. The cravings had kept her awake at night, the longing leaving her wet and hot. She’d never accepted her needs until now, until this man had dragged her from behind her own mask. “Yes, sir. Every day. God. Yes!”
Smack! Crack!
He slapped her wet ass, using his cum soaked fingers. After positioning his cockhead at her asshole, he gripped both hips. “And a hard ass fucking when you need it.” Impaling her with the entire length, he growled, the husky noise echoing in the heated room.
Shuddering, the pain forced her to drop her head, her grip on the edge of the granite counter white knuckled. “God… I…”
Pulling out, he repeated the move. Again. And again.
Pop! Slap!
He smacked her hip and continued pumping, moving harder and faster.
Her breathing ragged, she closed her eyes as the agony turned into pleasure unlike anything she’d ever known. Even the sounds of his brutal drives were like sweet music and she smiled. Beads of sweat dripped down from her forehead and the back of her neck and she pushed back, trying to meet every savage thrust.
Cutter continued, using his strong leg muscles, pumping, his grip firm.
“Oh, God…” The words slipped from her mouth as her vision clouded with only one image. Doing this every day, surrendering to his every desire, no matter what he asked. This was perfect.
“I’m going to…” As if overtaken by the climax, he threw his head back and roared as his entire body began to shake. “Fuck! Yes!”
Jasmine could feel the shot of hot cum spewing inside her dark hole. She was shaking all over, her legs vibrating to the point she could drop to the floor.
Keeping his cock buried inside her ass, he yanked her back away from the counter, one arm crossing over her breasts, the other rubbing down her stomach. “I want you to come for me. I want you to watch.”
“Yes, sir.” She kept her eyes open as he slipped his hand between her legs, rubbing his fingers up and down her pussy.
Cutter pulled her off her feet as he masturbated her, his smile remaining, his pupils enlarged. “Pain and pleasure.”
“Yes… I mean, yes, sir.” Unable to think clearly, she sagged in his arms as he finger-fucked her, swirling his thumb around her clit while he drove his fingers into her cunt. She gripped his arm and did her best to keep her legs wide open. He would accept no less.
He shifted his head, moving his lips against the side of her neck, his arm moving faster. “Come when I say.”
“I… Yes…” Perspiration was slipping into her eyes, stinging. Burning. She was tingling, electricity shooting down the back of her legs. How could she hold back? There was no way. She was…
“Hold it, my sweet. Hold it.”
The command was laced with a huskiness that she hadn’t heard. She could only nod and she was forced to blink, pushing away the salty beads. She was going to go insane.
“That’s it. Almost. Almost… Come for me now!”
The simple command sent tingles down her spine. The orgasm was so powerful she issued a full scream, the sound floating, ringing. Her heart was beating, thumping against her chest, her fingernails digging into his arm. “Oh my God!”
“Yes.”
“Oh, my sir. I…” She lolled her head, caressing his arm and never wanted this moment to end.
“You are amazing,” he whispered.
“So are you.” She was terrified that he’d shrink away, back into his prison and she was clinging to him as if they’d never see each other again. She kept her eyes open wide and when he finally gazed into the reflection, she held her breath. There was such pain in his eyes.
Cutter moved back into the darkness, the spell broken.
But before he left the room, she heard the words. His words.
“I love you.”
Chapter 8
Cutter remembered exactly what he’d whispered before leaving the bathroom. The moment had been his own foray into being impetuous. Love? How could he love anyone? He had no capacity for love any longer. It had been stripped away from him years before. He studied the pantry and made a list of a few items. Damn it. There were no batteries. None. Granted, Jeff had prepared the cabin in record time. He stopped for a few seconds and calculated the distance to the cabin and back. Had Jeff really made it to the mountains and back prior to their meeting?
He clenched his fist and recalculated. It was possible.
Risking going to the store was a must. Batteries were a must and he also wanted to hear news from another source, if there was any, regarding Jasmine’s disappearance.
His gut had been bothering him since he’d found certain items on the internet. What little he’d found on the news had seemed tempered, although the FBI wouldn’t want any details leaked. However, what few reporters he knew would smell a cover up. His mind was reeling and if he couldn’t get it together and think clearly, he could place them in a precarious situation.
“Good morning.”
He sucked in his breath just hearing her voice. Darting a quick glance, his cock immediately stiffened. Black jeans and a sapphire blue sweater. The color brought out her violet eyes, accentuating the golden streaks in her hair.
“What’s wrong?” Jasmine asked as she walked closer.
“Just checking supplies. There’s nothing wrong.”
“Any word on the storm?”
“On track. Should start later today or tonight. I’m going into town.” He took purposeful steps around her. He loathed the self-doubt, the anger furrowing inside.
“Can I go?”
“I think it’s better if you stay here. I want to get in and out.”
“Sure.” She touched his arm. “I’m ready for my spanking. That’s what you wanted.”
“What?” He couldn’t look at her. Not yet. Not until he figured out what the fuck he was doing.
“You said every morning. Remember?”
“I know what I said. I need to get this over with first. I’ll be back soon. You’ll be safe. I’ve checked the perimeter.”
Exhaling, she removed her hand. “I understand.”
Cutter bit back a snarl given his ridiculous behavior and took her hand. This wasn’t going to work. Squeezing, he tried to give her an authoritative look. Right now, he had to make certain he performed his job. The rest? Shit. “Lock the door behind me and under no circumstances go outside. Is that clear?”
“What if he comes?”
“I’ll be gone thirty minutes. As I said, I’ve checked the perimeter and surrounding area. There are no tracks of any kind. One road in and one way out. I’ll pass any car along the way and the terrain along the roads is rocky, so I doubt anyone would try approaching on foot. Still, please follow my directions. Am I clear?”
She offered a haughty look, her expression pinched. “Yes, sir. I’ll be waiting patiently, sir.”
He walked around her then stopped. This kind of tension could prove damaging. His head ached, reminding him of all the reasons his involvement could condemn both of them. But she didn’t deserve his wrath, the anger toward himself. “Why don’t you find a few implements while I’m gone?”
“Implements?”
“For your spanking when I return.” He heard the stilted tone in his voice. What the hell was he doing?
“I can do that.” She walked toward the coffee maker. “By the way, we need more wine. If that isn’t too much trouble of course. Granted, I’d enjoy tequila, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I might be the only one drinking, but I plan on doing more. Nothing else to do around here.”
He understood her discord, confusion regarding his alternating behavior. “Wine I can do as well.” He grabbed his coat and the keys and as soon as he walked out the door, his heart sank. What a damn fool he was. He needed to tell her the truth, but he knew when he did, the chances that she’d understand or even listen to him any longer were slim to nil. The thought kept him on edge, his stomach in knots. This stint needed to end soon for both of their sakes.
&
nbsp; He brushed the wind driven snow off the truck and checked underneath, also opening the hood to make certain there’d been no tampering to the engine. He glanced at the sky then scanned the perimeter. He was no longer happy with the location. A storm and they were sitting ducks. At least everything was quiet.
Satisfied, he headed out, immediately grabbing the burner phone. The call went to voice mail and while he wasn’t surprised, he selected his words carefully in case the phone had been misplaced or taken. Jeff was a damn good former agent, but he was getting older, even considering shutting down the business. Cutter had been without a job before. He could certainly do it again, especially with the cash he’d amassed during the last several years.
“Please leave a message.”
One thing was certain, if he botched this case in any regard, his days guarding anything other than a shopping mall would be a miracle.
“Jeff. Found out that Tyler Markum, the manager for the band Danger has an assault record. I had to dig so if the FBI aren’t on their toes, they could miss it as well. Might be something worth checking out. The storm is coming in, which could mean we’ll lose power as well as the internet. Call me with any updates before tonight. I’m also curious if a slug was recovered from the auditorium.” He could hear Jeff speak to him condescendingly for sniffing into the investigation, but his gut was never wrong. Pieces were fitting too perfectly together, as if planned or performed.
He tossed the phone and as he drove, he scanned the road and surrounding area. There were no passing cars, no late winter vacationers, even though a snow storm would provide additional skiing in the area. At least middle of the week usually meant fewer vehicles. He checked the clock and had made it to the store in just under fourteen minutes.
There were four cars in the lot and all but one from out of state. He made note of the makes and models before walking inside. If her attacker was a crazed fan, he’d make mistakes. If only he could be so lucky.
“Howdy. Help you with anything?” The person behind the counter offered a genuine hello and didn’t give Cutter a second look. The man hummed as he pulled cigarettes out of a box, shoving them into various locations on the shelf.