by Tabatha Kiss
“Go back inside, Dani,” he says over his shoulder.
I keep moving forward, refusing to stop. “You’re leaving now?”
“The sooner the better. I’ve wasted enough time already,” he explains as we reach the cabin.
“Fox, please. Can you just stop for a minute? We should talk about this.”
“Twelve, twenty-four, oh-seven.”
I close the cabin door behind us. “What?”
“Twelve, twenty-four, oh-seven.” He lowers to his knees and pulls a large case out from under his bed. “Say it back.”
“Twelve, twenty-four, oh-seven. What the hell is that?”
He pops open the case and my eyes grow wide at the selection of guns inside nestled in black foam. “It’s the night we met. Christmas Eve, 2007.” I stare into his eyes, unsure of what to say as his expression shifts towards memory. “My mother got you that hideous red and white scarf. I could tell you hated it, but you wore it the entire night anyway because you wanted to make a good impression on her.”
“I remember,” I say. “Why are you telling me this?”
Fox grabs a Glock from the foam and slides the case back under the bed. “Twelve, twenty-four, oh-seven. It’s the combination to the safe in the closet. There’s plenty of money in there. It’ll last you for a long time.”
He hands me the gun and my heart breaks. “Fox, I can’t…”
“Dani, I want you to stay here until you’re sure it’s okay to leave. Mercer can’t find you out here, so you’ll be safe until this all blows over.” He brushes past me and pulls open the closet to grab a jacket hanging inside.
I rush for the door. “Fox, stop.”
He reaches around me for the handle but I press my body against the door. “Dani, there’s no time—”
“Are you really going to leave like this, Fox?” My eyes swell. “Is this really how you’re leaving me?”
He hangs his head with closed eyes. “I came back to protect you.”
“Then do it, but don’t drop me off out in the middle of nowhere and leave me there.”
“This is the safest place for you, Dani.”
“But what about you?” I ask. “What’s going to happen to you? When will I see you again?”
“You won’t.”
The train finally strikes me and my chest caves in like a black hole. “That’s not okay,” I whimper.
“After this, Snake Eyes will be exposed,” he says. “That includes me.”
“No.” I shake my head. “There has to be another way.”
“There isn’t. And honestly, there shouldn’t be. I deserve to be put away, Dani.”
“If you really believed that, you never would have gone into hiding in the first place.”
“Dani—”
“No, Fox. I won’t let you leave me again.”
“Move away from the door.”
I stand still. “No.”
“You’re better off this way,” he whispers. “You have everything you need back home — you don’t need me.”
“That’s not true.”
“You have a good life, Dani. That’s what I’ve been fighting for this whole time. I want you to be happy.”
“You think this will make me happy?”
“I think you’ll be alive. That’s good enough for me.” He moves forward to open the door again, but I push it back. “Dani—”
I throw my arms around him and sink into his chest. The gun slips from my fingers and falls to the floor by our feet. He goes tense, but his body quickly relaxes against mine and he lays his hands on me.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “There’s no other way.”
I hold him tighter and he lays his nose against my hair, taking in my scent. A smile rolls on my lips; I can’t help it. Every sense I have bursts for him. “Fox…” I lean back to look into his eyes. “If this is your last night as a free man, I want to spend it with you.”
He tries to blink away the painful desire but it stays there, staring back at me. His hand moves to my cheek and his thumb brushes along my bottom lip, igniting every nerve in me. I push in closer, so close his lips graze mine. I slide my fingers beneath his shirt to feel his skin. He trembles as my fingertips brush his abs, striking fire between us like little match tips.
I kiss him and he pushes me back against the door. His lips descend on mine, eager and driven as he’s always been. I submit to his kiss, leaning back as his mouth travels my neck. I push my fingers beneath his jacket and it falls to the floor. My body aches for him, succumbing to sensations I’ve never experienced and a fear I can’t deny.
His hands move behind me and he secures his grip on my rear before raising me off the floor. My insides shift but I can’t pull my lips from his as he carries me across the room and lowers me onto his bed.
I lie back as he raises his shirt over his head. The black cobra eyes stare down at me from his bruised skin, a permanent reminder of the threat looming between us. I reach out and run my fingers along its tail. It’s just ink; nothing more. Just a meaningless picture sketched by a needle. I lean forward and kiss his chest while he pulls my shirt over my head to reveal my bare breasts.
He descends on me again, his breath hot and wild against my skin. I let him move down my body, licking and nibbling with intent to devour me.
He grabs my arm and twists me around onto my stomach. His fingers grip my hair and his teeth scrape my neck, driving fresh fear into my passions.
“Dani…” he whispers, latching my hair even tighter. “Tell me to stop and I will.”
I gasp with pleasure as fire runs down my spine. He presses his body against mine and I feel his stiffness begging to be free. His other hand slithers beneath me and he angles my hips to get at my zipper. His lips never leave my back as he moves to pull my jeans down. It’s more exposed than I’ve ever been in my life.
He returns to me and reaches for my face, turning my head to kiss me. His lips cover my entire mouth and I taste his tongue on mine, sweet and warm. His chest heaves, desires building high. Then he leans back and I hear him pull down his pants.
My fingers latch against the pillow by my head. Contradiction tears me apart. Nervous tension plagues my muscles while burning heat radiates from my core. I breathe deep, hoping to dispel my fear before he lays his hands on me again but the intense quiver shakes me as he leans over me again. His manhood presses against my slit, settling hard between my folds but he doesn’t enter me.
“Dani…”
I glance at him and he studies my eyes before turning me around onto my back again. He kisses me with love and slowly eases himself between my thighs. His hands travel my arms, pushing them up to pin them above my head as he tastes me over and over again. My body melts like warm milk. His hands graze down my naked chest, all the way south to my radiating heat. He parts it with a single finger and traces a line along my swollen bud.
A moan challenges my throat. He massages me even more with a smirk on his tight lips. I writhe against his hand, new pleasures rocking my hips. I dig my nails into the pillow beneath my head and bite my lip to keep from screaming. He kisses me again and I gasp into his parted lips. His fingertips work me faster. Blood pounds in my ears. I’m trapped beneath him, my life in his hands, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Fox pulls a climax out of me and the tension breaks me in two. I moan and scream and buck my hips for more. He kisses me in blissful triumph but his fingers never leave my skin. They travel up to my hands and he pins me again, stealing kisses from my lips until he’s had his fill.
I lie exhausted and wet but still wanting. His hardness rests firm against my throbbing core, just as eager for satisfaction as I am. I part my legs wider around him, giving him access to my everything.
Fox. My stepbrother. My protector and my biggest fan. May as well be my first lover, too.
He hooks his fingers beneath my knees and angles my hips upward, aligning his cock with my entrance. I sigh against him, breathing out the last bit of fea
r I have as he pushes forward and slides inside.
If it hurts, I can’t feel it. My body submits to his will, taking only pleasure where there should be pain. He keeps going, filling me with every inch of his sizable length, waiting for me cry out for him to stop — but I never do. I lick his lips, pulling him in for another kiss. He smiles and I feel him pull out until only an inch remains inside of me. Then he gives me one, hard thrust, challenging me to stop him but I only moan for more.
I close my eyes, focusing on nothing but this sweet pleasure growing inside. Fox pistons in and out of me, massaging and dominating my body as if he’s always known how. I found his experience frightening before but now I’m thankful for it. Every move he makes, every purposeful twitch of his cock calls to my desires like a siren’s song.
He groans against my neck, purring the most perfect vibrations down my arms and through my fingertips. My toes curl. My muscles ache. I’m so full of new sensations, I have no idea where to start.
His fingers latch around my wrists and he quickly rises to his knees. My body twitches with disappointment as he falls out of me, then lurches from dizziness as he spins me around and forces me back onto my belly. His fingers run across my skin and he pulls me in close to him.
I gasp, feeling his thick rod enter me again from behind. It’s tighter, harder, and more primal than before. I bite my lip, feeling his thrust take me over again. Fingers snake up my neck and into my hair to grip it tight. He holds me there, pounding away at me with a smirk on his lips. I imagine this look would grace any man’s face as he hits the Hollywood jackpot but I don’t mind. I know I’m more than that to him. I always have been. I push up higher on my arms, leaning back as far as I can go and he kisses me.
I settle against the bed and he lowers down with me, grinding inside. A powerful moan escapes me. His tip pulses against my inner walls, torturing me in the sweetest of spots. He pushes harder and deeper, purposefully shoving me closer to the edge. I hold my face in my hands and bite my fingers to keep from screaming his name. I feel him reach around me, pinning his hand between my body and the bed. My clit burns again as his fingers rub around it, enticing climax to find me again. I can do nothing but moan. I’m out-manned and out-gunned, helpless to stop my domination.
Climax charges through my body, washing away every fear and doubt I have, leaving me completely numb in his arms. I whimper with lust and Fox pauses deep inside of me, catching his breath as my inner muscles twitch around him.
I look back at him. His eyes are closed. His movements are focused and controlled. He finally opens them again and makes contact with mine. His smile, sly and devious, never leaves his lips as he reaches for me and raises me off the bed. He settles into a seated position and holds me against him while I wrap my legs around his waist.
“Fox…” I lean into him, lying my head on his shoulder as exhaustion tries to seduce me. My voice ripples off, leaving only light laughter on my breath.
“You still here?” he jokes.
“Yeah, I just need a minute.”
He lays a hand on my back to feel my racing heart. “You’ll be all right,” he says, kissing my shoulder. I still feel him between us, rock hard with passion for me. “Have I been too…?”
“No,” I breathe. I raise my head and settle my forehead against his with a permanent smile. “No, you’re perfect.”
“Good.”
I run my fingers along the white bandages on his back. “Aren’t you in pain?” I laugh.
“Oh yeah,” he says. “But it’s worth it.”
“I expected to feel more…” I inhale deep, “self-conscious.”
Fox shakes his head and his sweat-covered hair sways with it. “You don’t have to be with me,” he says. His lips curl. “It’s not like I haven’t seen it all before.”
I raise an eyebrow and lean back as my jaw drops. “I knew it!” His cheeks explode red. “You filthy, lying pervert!”
He laughs against my skin. “The biggest movie star in the world was getting naked through my scope. What was I supposed to do?”
I laugh with him until my face muscles burn. “I feel so violated!”
“Not yet, but you will.” He grips me tight and forces me onto my back to take me again. My body shakes. Laughter has its way with me and he does, too.
It’s almost enough to make me forget the outside world. No Snake Eyes. No Mercer Black. No over-protective father that will surely throw a conniption fit when he finds out about this. Just me and Fox in his cabin, finally together against all odds.
I don’t want this night to end.
But every scene eventually fades to black.
Chapter 17
Fox
Dani. My beautiful Dani.
Even when she’s sleeping.
I don’t have to worry about accidentally waking her. Being stealthy has always come naturally for me. The question is whether or not I should.
She won’t be happy either way. If I wake her to say goodbye, she’ll try to stop me from leaving. I can’t guarantee I’ll go after that. It’s hard enough watching her sleep knowing it’s the last time I ever will. If she opens her eyes right now and tears fall out, I’ll lose sight of what really matters. A life with me is no life at all; it’s a death wish.
I’ll let her sleep.
I put on a suit and drop the flash drive into my pocket. It sits there, burning a hole like a lit cigarette — but I suppose a stick of dynamite is a more accurate comparison. In an hour, one of the most deadly secrets on the planet will be exposed, along with anyone who knew about it. There are some big names on that list, bigger than me or Mercer or even Ronnie Lamb. They won’t be happy.
But at least, Dani will be safe.
One last look. Her eyes twitch behind her lids. Given the last few days she’s had, I can’t be sure if it’s a good dream or a bad one. Even in darkness, her face is so bright — full of color and life. I bet I’m glowing a bit after last night, too.
One perfect night with her. At least, I got that. At least, I finally know how it feels to be inside of her and what she tastes like. At least, I know what noises she makes when I touch her just right and what it’s like to hear her moan my name. At least, I have that.
Fuck. I can’t leave her yet.
I walk over to the bed and kneel down beside it. She lies on her back with the comforter up to her shoulders. Her unnatural, black hair is a little messed up, but that’s okay. She’s still the most beautiful woman in the world, even with the stitches on her cheek. I reach out to touch her but I stop before my fingers feel her skin. I can’t risk waking her, no matter how much I want to hear her voice or look into her eyes one last time.
Dani. My beautiful Dani.
I hope you remember me the way I’ll remember you.
I step outside. The air is soft and warm; the first morning so far this year that’s felt more like spring than winter. It’s almost fitting that nice weather shows up the second I enter a concrete box but I’ve had worse luck, that’s for sure.
It’s a long drive into the city. The closer I get, the larger the rock in my gut feels. I keep her face in my mind and it shrinks a bit. I think of her smile and it gets even smaller.
The police station comes into view. I park my car on the street outside. I wonder how long it’ll take before my car is towed. They’ll comb it for evidence once they figure out it’s mine before scrapping it, but they won’t find anything in here. A few fingerprints. Some stray hairs. Maybe an unregistered gun or two in the trunk.
I inhale deep and exhale slowly. This is it. This is the moment when everything changes.
I step out of the car and walk into the police station.
A dull rumble of voices hit my ear as soon as I step inside. Uniforms jolt around the front lobby, brushing passed a desk Sergeant that looks a bit pissed off that she decided to show up to work today. Her eyes shift between a stack of paperwork and the television on the wall but linger much longer on the television.
I keep my
focus and walk up to the desk. “Excuse me.”
“I’ll be right with you, sir,” she mutters without a glance in my direction.
Curiosity finally pulls my eyes to the television. It’s a national news report and something big is breaking, but I don’t have time to—
I pause and my heart collapses in my chest.
It’s my mother. Her mouth is covered with duct tape and the footage is shaky, but a son never forgets his mother’s eyes.
“Can I help you, sir?”
I don’t look away from her fearful face. I study the image. Dark room. Red light behind her. She’s on the floor, kneeling next to Bennett. Blood runs down his cheek from a cut above his eye.
“Sir—”
I look at the desk Sergeant. “What is this?”
She shrugs her thick shoulders. “No idea, but it’s taken over every news station in North America for the last hour. That missing movie star’s parents, apparently.”
A gloved hand enters the screen, holding a sign with a phone number on it. Mercer. Who else would it be? Who else has the power to take over the media as his own personal ransom service?
“Did you need something, sir?” She eyes me with suspicion.
“Do you have a public phone?” I ask her.
She points behind me. “Pay phone around the corner.”
“Thank you.” I walk away from the desk and search my pockets for any loose change. I don’t have any, but luckily, I find a quarter in the phone’s coin return slot.
Anger boils within me, but this isn’t the place to lose control. I dial the number and it only rings once.
“Iowa City, Fox?” Mercer chuckles. “Really?”
“What do you want?” I ask through my teeth.
“I want that damn file back.”
“Holding our parents ransom is a bit extreme, even for you, Mercer.”
“Desperate times, Fox,” he says. “Our boss is getting a little impatient over this whole ordeal and she wants results, so you understand my desperate ways.”