The edge of life: Official cover - coming soon

by Rachael Tonks

  “Fuck, don’t,” I warn. “You drive me crazy without even touching me. Continue touching me, and I’m going to crash the fucking car.”

  “Pull over then,” she says coyly, and I can’t help but widen my eyes. “You’re due your payback.”

  I chuckle. “Touché, pip.”

  Despite my warning, she doesn’t stop. Flicking the button on my jeans, she slowly lowers the zipper just enough to gain access. Every touch sends another rush of blood to my straining cock. I drop my head against the headrest, my whole body stiffening as I try to keep my eyes fixed on the road. Taking me in her hand, she frees me from the confines of my jeans, stroking so delicately, so fucking slowly, it’s like torture. My cock has stiffened so much it’s becoming painful. She was teasing me, and as I quickly turn and glance at her, I can only describe the look on her face as beyond beautiful. The way her lip curls a little at the corner as she teases me. How her eyes are wide with excitement as she watches me writhe, longing to stop the car and bury my cock so fucking deep inside her that it hurts.

  She looks at the frozen expression on my face while she works slowly over my shaft, rubbing her thumb in a circular motion over the tip of my cock.

  “Fuck,” I growl. “If I wasn’t driving I would take you and make you very fucking sorry that you ever teased me.”

  “Is it too much, Ryder?” she goads, her tongue slowly dipping out and wetting her lips while swirling her thumb round and round, showing me a side of Kailee that I didn’t know existed.

  “Never,” I strain. “This only makes me want to fuck you. So damn hard.”

  Her lips quirk, and I can’t help but zone in on them. So pink and plush, so fucking perfect as I envision them locked around my pulsating cock.

  Without thinking, I wrap my arm around her, grabbing a handful of her hair roughly and pushing those lips closer to where I want them. To where I need them.

  She doesn’t resist; it’s like she’s been waiting for me to guide her there, and I can’t help the fucking groan that escapes the minute she takes me into the warmth of her mouth. My whole body stiffens, my hips jerking up as much as my functioning body will allow. I have to be careful not to slip off the pedal.

  “Tell me how good I taste, pip.”

  “So good,” she squeaks, her tongue licking and sucking the end of my cock. I can’t help the urge to grab a fist full of her hair while chewing the corner of my lip. Trying to concentrate on the road is damn near impossible when she’s fucking me with her mouth. Her movements become eager and a little rougher, but I can’t deny it’s the pace changer I need.

  “Fuck, pip. I knew it would be good having your plush lips around my cock… but this… it’s almost too much.” I breathe out wildly. “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.” I grab her hair desperately as I feel my cock twitch and swell. I’m close to coming, and all I can think is she’s mine. Finally, she’s mine. And, as if without warning, my cock pulsates violently as ecstasy wracks through me, deep and so fucking intense. My body stiffens as I groan out loudly. Kailee continues to work, gradually slowing her pace before coming to an eventual stop. She resumes her upright position. She carefully buttons my jeans, the look of achievement etched across her face.

  “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  “Neither can I.” She covers her face with her hand. “I’m not sure what’s come over me. I feel like you’ve brought out the worst in me.”

  “Pip, if that’s your worst, I can’t fucking wait to sample your best.”

  Ryder

  Slowing my speed, I turn and park the car on the drive.

  “Wow.” Kailee’s eyes scan our surroundings.

  “What?” I ask, releasing my seat belt and turning my body to hers.

  “This is not what I expected. Like, at all.” Her voice is full of surprise, and her eyes are wide with excitement.

  “What? You expected my mom to live in a trailer park, too? Because I would never allow that to happen.”

  “You love her, don’t you?” She slowly takes my hand.

  “Of course.”

  “It’s just weird for me to hear how fond of her you are… you know, after Jax and all. And this,” she gestures with her hands, “this is a really lovely house. And this neighborhood, my friend lives just a few blocks from here.”

  “There were a lot of things my brother and I didn’t agree on. Our similarities are only physical. Although, my cock is much bigger, don’t you think?”

  She drops her head, closing her eyes tightly. “So not funny.”

  “Sorry,” I say with sincerity, the sick feeling hitting my stomach. Shit. What is wrong with me? I reach out, taking her much smaller hands in mine. “I’m such a dick.” She raises an eyebrow, and a low chuckle escapes me. “I need you to understand something. This thing” —I point back and forth between us— “this is something I’ve never done before. Something I never wanted to do. So fuck, I’m gonna say the wrong thing, and I’m going to be an asshole because, until you, that’s all I knew. Pushing people away is what I’ve done all my life, and frankly, relationships have always been last on my list of fucking priorities. I know you deserve better than me—”

  “No,” she exclaims. But I continue anyway.

  “But,” I say louder, “staying away was no longer a fucking option. I swore I wouldn’t allow you to get dragged into this world. This fucked-up existence. But you were forced into it. Everything that I feared came true when you disappeared. I knew saving you would come with its own repercussions. People are going to be pissed. Like really fucking pissed. I just don’t know who yet.”

  “Jesus, are you in danger now? Did saving me cost you your life?” she asks, and I see the swell of tears in her eyes.

  “I will figure it out,” I say with a whisper, cupping the side of her face and pulling her to me. I graze her lips with mine, and her eyes flutter shut, a solitary tear sliding down her face. “I will keep you safe, I promise.”

  I have to. Or this whole damn thing will have been in vain.

  In my heart, I’m not sure it’s a promise I can keep, but I will try with everything I have to keep her safe.

  We slowly make our way around the back of the house, and Kailee’s hand clings to mine. I unlock the door and start calling out for Mom.

  “It’s just me, Mom.” I look back at Kailee, and she looks nervous. I give her a reassuring smile.

  “In here, son.” Mom calls for me. I take Kailee’s hand, pulling her through the kitchen into the living room. The usually overpowering smell of cigarettes doesn’t hit me like it usually does. “Hey,” she calls from the sofa, holding up her arm. I rush over, bending down to kiss her gently on the cheek. Her usual floral smell mixed with cigarettes feels like home. It’s not the most pleasant of smells, but it’s Mom. As I pull away, her eyes focus on Kailee standing just behind me.

  “Oh, Ryder. You didn’t tell me you were bringing a girl here. I would have tidied the place up a little.” I can tell she’s fussing.

  “Oh, there’s no need, honestly,” Kailee interjects.

  “Here’s the thing, Mom.” Dropping down on the coffee table behind me. “We are going to stay with you for a little while. You know, if that’s okay?”

  “Why?” she asks, narrowing her eyes and scrunching up her nose.

  “Shit,” I groan. “It’s a long story, Ma.”

  “I feel like I’m going to need some coffee for this one,” she jokes.

  I look up at Kailee, and she smiles widely. “I, uh, I don’t mind making the drinks.”

  “Oh, be a love,” Mom replies with a wave of her hand. Kailee swiftly makes her way into the kitchen while I retell the whole story to Mom. I’ve yet to mention the whole Eric situation, but I know I fucking have to. Mom agrees to us staying, although I can see she’s a little reluctant. I try to reassure her that it wouldn’t be like when we were kids and the police were forever knocking down the damn door.

  The three of us sit chatting, and although I ca
n tell Kailee is nervous, she talks easily with Mom.

  “I can’t thank you enough for letting us stay with you,” Kailee says, resting her coffee cup on her knees.

  “Oh, it will be lovely to have some company, my dear. Ryder” —Mom turns to me— “you should show Kailee where she’ll be sleeping. Oh, and clear out some of the drawers to make space for her things.”

  “Oh, I don’t have anything,” she says with a sound of realization. “The few things I have are at the trailer park.”

  “I’ll pick them up for you later. I have to go speak to Jax anyway.”

  Her eyes widen, and her mouth parts as a look of horror spreads across her face. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she croaks before clearing her voice. “It’s too soon. Let the dust settle.”

  I shake my head. It doesn’t work like that with Jax. The longer he’s left, the longer he’ll spend scheming and plotting some sort of pathetic attempt at revenge.

  “I’m with Kailee on this one,” Mom says with a loose lift and drop of her shoulders.

  “No,” I snap a little harsher than intended. “You don’t know him like I do. I have to stop this before it starts.”

  “Before what starts?” Mom asks, her head tilted to the side a little.

  “Before he starts a war. Jax will want revenge.”

  “Why? What really happened, Ryder? Is there more to this than you are letting on?” She takes a wavering breath, her head tilting back as though she’s struggling.

  I let my eyes drift shut. “I shot Eric, Mom. Eric’s dead.”

  Mom gasps her hand pressed firmly against her mouth. “Mom, I need to know the truth…” My words trail off to a whisper as my eyes fix on her, waiting for an answer. “Jax has told me a little something about Eric. Something I didn’t know.”

  “I’m so sorry, Ryder.” Silent tears stream down her face. “I never wanted you boys to find out about that monster.”

  Mom runs her fingers across her forehead over and over.

  “So it’s true? Eric was our biological father,” I say with utter disbelief. I reach up, raking my hands through my hair roughly. I’d hoped it was all some sick joke. Jax’s way of fucking with my head. But this. This shit is unbelievable.

  “How?” I cry out. “How can this be true?”

  “He forced himself on me, Ryder. He raped me.” She whispers the word as if with difficulty. “You have to believe me. I was never unfaithful to your father.”

  “He fucking did what?” I snarl, my face hardening, the blood pumping through my body as my heart sinks. Bile rises, stinging the back of my throat. “I can’t do this.” I clench my eyes closed. “Just know, he won’t ever bother us again. That fucker is dead.”

  “I’m so sorry, son.”

  I can’t say anything because I have no fucking idea what I should say. I lean forward, kissing her lightly on the forehead before racing upstairs.

  Kailee

  I sit beside Stella, comforting her. What a mess. What a god-awful mess.

  “You’d better go see how he is.” She taps my leg lightly.

  “But how are you?” I question, the stains from where her tears have fallen have drawn lines down her face.

  “I came to terms with what happened a long time ago, my dear. But right now, Ryder has to do the same, and something tells me he’ll find that easier with you by his side.” She shows me a sad smile, creases appearing around her mouth when she does. I can’t help but study her face; the boys clearly look a lot like her.

  “Are you sure?” I ask, worried to leave her alone.

  “Get outta here,” she jokes. “This old girl needs a cig.”

  I smile, gently squeezing her hand before heading up the stairs. I have no idea where I will find him or which room he will be in. As I reach the top of the stairs, I call his name, waiting for a reply.

  “In here,” I hear him call out. I follow the sound of his voice which leads me to the door right at the end of the hall. I push carefully on the door to see Ryder laid out on the bed.

  “Hey,” I say, sliding down beside him on the bed. He rests up on his elbows, his eyes scraping over my body.

  “I’m sorry about everything.” He sighs loudly. “Fuck, someone like you shouldn’t have to deal with this level of bullshit. I wish to fucking God I’d stepped in early and claimed you as mine before Jax had a chance to get his claws into you.” His face is contorted; his eyebrows drawn together and creases on his forehead.

  “We can’t change the past, Ryder. We have to live for the here and now. Make the most of every moment. I know a lot has happened, but the one thing I’m thankful for is you. That when all those bad things happened, they led me to the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.”

  Reaching out, he wraps his hand around my arm, pulling me to him. I fall beside him on the bed, his head turning, and his eyes meet mine. I pause, searching his face for some indication of how he feels. The sparkling green of his eyes is glazed as if full of wanting and desire. He leans forward, grazing his lips over mine, and the second he does, a tingle of excitement waves through my body.

  “I think that’s possibly the nicest fucking thing anyone has ever said to me,” he breathes against my lips.

  “Do you want to talk about what happened with your mom just now?”

  “Not in the slightest,” he murmurs, before swiftly pulling me until I’m positioned on top of him. I rest my knees either side of his body. Sitting upright, I removing the loose strands of hair that have fallen over my face.

  “I’m here to help,” I say sincerely.

  “The only thing that would help me right now is to bury my cock deep in that delicious fucking pussy of yours,” he growls, thrusting his hips upward, hitting me right in the core. I let out a little yelp, and the smirk on his face spreads. My cheeks heat, but I can’t deny how much hearing him talk this way turns me on. I stare at him, not knowing what my next move should be. And then, without thinking, I reach for the hem of my top and pull it over my head. Ryder’s eyes are wide and full of desire. Wrapping a hand behind my head, he grabs a handful of my hair and drags my mouth to his. He kisses me wildly; everything about the kiss is demanding. He controls me with the simplest of touches as his tongue works into my mouth, deepening the kiss. The intensity kick starts my heart rate to a gallop. His free hand skims across my arm before resting on my breast. Hooking a finger into my bra, he pulls it down, releasing my breast then squeezing and caressing gently. A small moan escapes me as he works over my already tender nipple. I can’t help but rock my body, his cock digging right into my sweet spot.

  “Keep fucking riding like that, pip, and I’m not sure I am going to be able to control myself.” His voice is a hazy whisper, but I don’t stop. Ryder pushes himself up and pushes me off his knees. I let out a yelp as my back falls flat against the bed, my red hair splayed out all around me. Suddenly, he grabs my ankles, dragging me until I’m positioned at the end of the bed. Reaching into the drawer, I watch as he pulls out a pair of handcuffs. I gasp a little, excitement and nerves ripple through my body, and the wetness intensifies between my legs. He holds the cuffs just in front of my face.

  “Let’s play a little game,” he says, sticking out the tip of his tongue.

  “Uh, I’m… uh, not sure about this,” I try to explain, but his heavy hand lands on my mouth, covering it completely.

  “Shhh. Trust me; I ain’t gonna hurt you, pip. In fact, I think you’re really going to like this.”

  I shudder in uncertainty, but at the same time, I’m turned on. Not knowing what his next move will be and wondering where exactly his hands will land is so damn hot. One look at his muscular, Adonis-like stature would make any girl weak at the knees. And right now, my knees are as weak as they’ve ever been. He pulls one of my hands out in front of me, clasping the cuff around my wrist. Adjusting my body, he moves my arms above my head, wrapping the chain of the cuffs around the metal frame of the bed. Clasping the second cuff on my free hand, I find mys
elf bound to the bed. I pull lightly, realizing that I’m going nowhere. As if he sees the panic written on my face, he lifts his brows ever so slightly before mouthing, “Trust me.” I gulp down the nervous lump in my throat.

  Kissing me lightly, he works down my neck to my breasts, alternating between kissing and sucking. The heat of his mouth against me causes goose bumps to cover my body as it sears against my cold skin.

  I let out a contented moan, the throbbing between my legs multiplying. I let my head drop back, sucking in a deep breath as he kisses all the way down my body to the waistband of my pants. In one swift movement, he removes the rest of my clothes. Without a second’s pause, he continues placing searing kisses over my stomach and down to the inside of my leg. I shudder, feeling the wetness grow the closer he gets. He cups my sex, rubbing his hand back and forth.

  “So fucking wet for me, pip,” he moans as he works inside my folds. His finger finds my clit, and I cry out as my body copes with his assault. He massages my clit over and over, the pressure building quickly, and I’m scared I’m going to explode. Not yet. I need more of him. He slides his fingers inside me, and I know he feels it, too. He lets out a groan before pushing my legs further apart. He’s forceful and aggressive, and I love it. Before I know it, his mouth is on my sweet spot. The heat of his tongue breaks me apart one sensitive swipe at a time. I buck up in ecstasy as he laps and sucks, his fingers pumping in me. I clench my eyes shut as my body reacts to the contact. The hotness of his mouth against my sweet spot over and over causes every muscle in my body to clench tightly. The tightening becomes more intense. It’s nearly too much to take.

  “Stop,” I say breathlessly. “I’m going to come,” I shout out. My legs become weak, and my heart beats erratically. But Ryder doesn’t let up; he continues to work, swirling his tongue around my clit, licking and lapping until I can no longer hold on. The shockwaves of my orgasm cause me to arch my back, pulsating fireworks through every inch of my body. The pleasure and release fill every nerve.