by J. C. Cliff
“Okay,” she murmurs, reaching for my hand. “You won’t leave me here too long, right?”
“No, babe, and I’ll be right down the hall if you need anything.”
With a nod, she lets me lead her into my private bathroom. It’s not the fucking Ritz Carlton but it’ll do. I start the shower water for her before grabbing a towel and change of clothes. When I get back to her, she’s still standing with her back against the sink and her arms wrapped around her middle section.
The fucking woman is in a state of shock and I don’t know how to pull her out of it.
“Can you handle a shower by yourself? Or do you need my help?”
Shaking her head, she lifts her tired eyes to mine.
“I can do it,” she sniffles. “I’ll only be five minutes.”
“All right.”
Pressing my lips to her forehead, I see myself out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me. In my room, I’m met by Brick. He sets the shot glass on my nightstand along with two Ambien’s.
“She gonna be okay?” he asks, turning to face me. Surprised by his concern, I chalk it up to him having a daughter. Maybe she’s made him soft when it comes to women.
“I don’t know, man,” I admit, running my hand over the tense muscles in the back of my neck. Squeezing the tension out, I meet his gaze. “Her emotions are all over the place.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, “but you gotta get her to settle down, or Rush will put her in her place.”
I nod, knowing the man is a ruthless cunt. “You got catfished, didn’t you?” he asks, changing the subject. “That one sure as fuck backfired on us.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “But it worked in my favor.” Pausing, I draw my hand to my cheek and scratch the scruff lining my jaw. “That the reason Rush got his panties in a fucking twist?”
“Probably,” he acknowledges. “He sent two prospects down to the location you gave him. You know we don’t need any kind of heat right now. Especially with the gun deal off the table. But you’re Chaos and we got you, man. They’ll get rid of the body and make sure it stays gone,” he says as he walks toward the door. Pausing as he reaches it, he glances back at me. “Don’t know what Rush is going to do with her though. I doubt he’s going to let her hide out here without you going to bat for her.”
I half laugh at his statement.
“Even if he agrees to let her stay here, it’s going to be fucking hell trying to convince her it’s safe.”
“She sure has a mouth on her,” he laughs.
He ain’t kidding.
That mouth might be my favorite part of Ree.
But I’ll like it a whole lot better when its wrapped around my cock and not spewing insults at my president.
“See you in a few,” Brick says as he’s halfway out the door.
Alone, I sit down on the bed and drop my head into my hands wondering how things got so crazy in just one night.
How the fuck am I going to tell Ree she can’t go back to her high society life, that she’s stuck here, slumming it with the likes of me until I sort this shit out.
“Are you okay?”
Lifting my head, my eyes connect with Ree as she leans against my bathroom door. My t-shirt hangs to her knees and she’s forfeited the sweatpants altogether. Without a stitch of makeup on and a towel wrapped around her head, she’s just as gorgeous as she was when I first spotted her sitting at that bar.
“I’m good, babe. Just thinking is all,” I say, rising to my full height. Stepping around the bed, I pull back the worn comforter and try to remember the last time I changed the sheets on the thing.
“C’mon,” I urge, patting the mattress. “Get in.”
She shuffles her way toward me and climbs into my bed. Forcing half a smile, I tuck the blankets around her and reach for the shot. Handing it off to her, I hand her the pills next and watch as she hesitates for a moment before placing them on her tongue. Washing them down with the shot, she scrunches her face as the alcohol slides down her throat and warms her belly.
Shaking the burn off, she lays her head on my pillow and struggles to keep her eyes open as she stares back at me.
“You’re gonna be all right. We’ll get through this,” I tell her softly. “I promise.”
And I do.
I swear on everything I am, I won’t let anything happen to her.
I won’t have another woman’s blood on my hands.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I’m stirred awake by a light ache in my forehead and let out a groan as I roll over. My body feels like it’s been hit by a ton of bricks and I’m not in a rush to move, causing me to bury my face in the pillow. It smells like Blade and that makes me grin.
“Hey, wake up wildcat,” Blade says, giving my shoulder a shake. His voice is thick with sleep and I find myself craving the sound. Swatting away his hand, I stretch my body along the length of the mattress and yawn. My body freezes midstretch as his warm hand caresses over my stomach.
Opening one eye, I sort through the haze of confusion and my gaze hones in on a very sexy Blade. The sight of him causes me to recall last night’s drama. A wave of anxiety rolls through me and I bolt upright. I don’t make it far before I find myself flat on my back, staring into a set of rich, chocolate-brown eyes.
“Ssh…”
By the way he looks at me, I can tell he recognizes the panic in my eyes and he’s quick to soothe me. It’s quite a contrast to the cut-throat, aggressive behavior he possessed when we first arrived here last night.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head,” he rasps.
My forehead wrinkles in confusion.
“Don’t worry?” I scoff. As much as I want to list all the reasons I should be worried, I can’t shake the grogginess. “I’m so tired,” I murmur, closing my eyes. His morning wood presses against my outer thigh and I realize he’s naked. A whimper escapes me as I curl into him.
“Sleep,” he commands. “You’re safe and in my bed. That’s all that matters.” He’s intoxicating, and I let him draw me further into his web of desire as he slides his calloused fingers underneath my shirt. His hands move up to cup my bare breasts and my heart rate quickens. Forcing my eyes open, I stare into his as he runs his palm down the length of my body.
Remembering the sweatpants he gave me were too big and that I didn’t have an extra pair of panties, I gasp when his fingers slide between my thighs. His mouth crashes over mine, kissing me with so much heat while his digits slip between my folds.
His tongue slides over mine and brutally sweeps through, exploring my mouth. Turning into him, my arms snake around his shoulders as I return the kiss, tasting and nipping at his lips. Consumed by the carnal need to feel him everywhere, I spread my legs wider and run my hands up his back. Finding his ass, I grab a hold of his cheeks and drag him between my legs. I thread my fingers through his already disheveled hair, pulling him into me, wanting to fuse us together. My whimpers blend into pants and the sounds fill the air. Excitement stirs low in my belly as he removes my t-shirt, exposing my naked body to him. Pressing his chest to mine, his hands roam freely over my body.
“Fuck,” he hisses, grinding against me. “I don’t have a condom.”
One would think a man like him has a stockpile of condoms hidden somewhere.
“Don’t look at me like that, babe. I don’t have a different bitch in my bed every night. I told you last night it’s been a while.”
“You’re not feeding me a line, are you?” I ask, hoping he’s telling the truth.
“Have no reason to lie, Ree. In fact, you’re the first woman to sleep in this bed.”
“I believe you,” I assert. I mean, I think it’s obvious he doesn’t need to feed me lines to get what he wants from me. I’m all too eager to give myself to him on silver platter.
“I’m clean, babe. I need to know where you’re at in your cycle,” he says, nudging the crown of his cock against my opening.
“I’m good,” I murmur, giving him the green light. Th
anks to the app on my phone, I’m in tune with my cycle and I still have another week before I begin ovulating.
“Thank Christ,” he grunts, bending his head to take my nipple between his teeth.
“Don’t you want to know if I’m clean?” I ask, hissing through the tantalizing pain his teeth inflicts upon my nipple.
“I know you are,” he whispers, lifting his head. Grabbing hold of one hip, he wraps his fist around his cock and runs his thickness along my slit, gathering my wetness and spreading it over my clit.
A loud series of bangs, yelling, and clatter echo outside Blade’s door causing me to stiffen and tense. Unfazed by the clatter, he charges into me. I gasp at the intrusion as another loud bang sounds. Slapping his shoulder, I demand his attention.
“Blade?” I ask nervously. “What’s going on out there?”
“Who the fuck cares? All I care about is what’s going on in here,” he says as pulls out of me. When he slams back into me, I grab his shoulders and arch my hips, forgetting all about the commotion outside.
Thrusting in and out, he rotates his hips and I get lost in the moment. His thumb strokes my clit and I start to buck. Something slams against his closed door and the noise is followed by a stream of curses. I’m jolted out of my sexual haze as someone hollers for the man pushing me to the brink of ecstasy. Blade pauses, and as the banging grows louder, I realize it sounds as if a herd of cattle is about to burst through the door.
“Blade!”
“Fucking hell,” he growls.
Flashes of last night assault me and I remember Rush’s rude comments about women, and the man who came into Blade’s room after my outburst and offered me a sleeping pill. I also remember shaking like a leaf all the way to North Jersey on the back of his bike, freaked out over the dead body we uncovered.
My eyes bolt open wide and I take a good look at Blade. The man doesn’t have a care in the world. He looks completely unfazed by the hooligan’s rough housing outside his door or the fact there are two murders roaming the free world with my identification. He’s also handsomely rugged… and aroused. He smiles down on me, and I melt.
“Relax, wildcat. My door’s locked. It’s just you and me in here.”
“No,” I tell him, firmly shoving against his chest while trying to prop myself up on my elbows, “I need go. I’ve got to get back home.” My elbows cave as the weight of his entire body collapses over mine, pining me down. Taking hold of my wrists, he coaxes them above my head as he nudges my thighs further apart. Oh sweet… Shit… “You’re not playing fair,” I grumble, breathless from his ministrations.
“I prefer dirty,” he tells me, his eyes swirling with need.
“Blade, just stop a minute, okay?” I need to get my bearings. This man has too much control over my body, making me want him no matter what insane situation I find myself in.
I’m thankful when he backs off. Well, he doesn’t back off me, per se, he’s still rooted deep inside me but at least I’ve got his full attention. I can tell by the expression on his face he’s regarding me with serious conjecture, waiting for me to speak what’s on my mind. I know he’s vibrating with need, I can feel it between my thighs, but he keeps himself under control while he acts as if he has the patience of a saint.
Even though he’s still got me pinned down by my wrists, I relax a little as the ruckus outside the door dissolves. His words from last night come back to me. ‘I’ll never hurt you, I promise you that.’
“What’s going on, Blade?” I ask, not knowing where to begin. He chews on the inside of his cheek and fights a grin.
“Seeing as my dick is inside you, I’m going to go with we’re fucking that’s what’s going on here. Now, can we get on with it?”
Rolling my eyes, I think about my purse and remember they also took down his license plate.
“Oh my god, Blade! Those men have the numbers to your license plates. You’re not safe here!”
He shakes his head. “The plates have already been changed. Those tags will do nothing but lead those fuckers to a dead end.” He tilts his head to the side as he asks, “Is that all that’s on your mind?”
“No.”
“Didn’t think so,” he mutters, pulling out of me. “Well, have at it.” Rolling off me, he rubs his hands over his face in frustration and stares at his erection.
“When can I leave?”
He snaps his eyes away from his dick and peers at me.
“Blade…” I prompt, getting agitated. “Answer me.”
“I don’t know,” he admits. “You’re not leaving here until I’m sure those cocksuckers aren’t going to try and hunt you down.”
“I can’t stay here,” I whisper. Every scenario runs through my head and causes me to ramble on. “I need to figure out a plan. I don’t know what I’m going to do—”
“Quiet,” he interrupts, placing two fingers over my lips. “My guys and I are working on a few things. But there’s one thing you need to get through that head of yours. I’m not letting you go, not until I know your safe, and even then, I’m not sure I’ll let you go.”
“Not letting me go.” I roll the words around in my mouth, trying to comprehend their meaning. “What are you trying to say, Blade? Are you kidnapping me?”
Rolling on top of me once again, he rests his forehead against mine and lets out a tormented sigh. “No, baby. Not kidnapping you,” he assures me. “I’m simply informing you that you’re not leaving.”
Not sure how to reply, I open and close my mouth, not knowing what to say. He’s insane.
“What’s the difference?” I screech.
“Hey,” he snaps at me. “Calm the fuck down, okay. There’s a big difference. If I had kidnapped you, it would’ve been for purely selfish reasons. I’m telling you, you’re not leaving, because it’s in your safety’s best interest that you stay here with me.”
Fuming, I curl my hands into fists. Anticipating my next move, he grabs a hold of my wrists and keeps the firmly planted at my sides.
“Let go of me, Blade,” I warn through gritted teeth.
“Or what, wildcat?” he challenges.
“I’ll… I’ll call the police.”
The bastard laughs at me.
“You want me to dial the number for you?”
Anger begins to course through my veins as he continues to educate me on the man he truly is. “Got half the police department on our payroll. They wouldn’t so much as send a patrol car to this place.”
“You are infuriating,” I sneer.
“Yeah, I get that a lot,” he replies as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Taking a page from his book, I growl at him and he laughs…again. I’m not funny—not really. “Damn, wildcat… you’ve been holding out on me.” Enraged even more, I bare my teeth and struggle to break free.
“Fuck if you ain’t sexier when you’re pissed off,” he says, desire radiating from his eyes.
“Get off me!” I scream.
I buck my hips to unbalance him, but of course, he doesn’t budge an inch. Instead, he closes the distance between us and drops his mouth to mine.
Bastard.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Her tirade doesn’t faze me, not in the least. I’m not going anywhere, and neither is she. She can just scream until she either tires out or loses her voice, whichever comes first. I’ve learned to be patient, and this ain’t nothing. To be honest, I like the feel of her squirming beneath me.
Her tangled mass of beautiful blonde hair is spread every-fucking-where and all I want to do is fist it as I fuck her raw.
She keeps trying to buck me off but all it serves to do is position my hard dick right where it wants to be, inside her. The second she stills, I smirk. All her floundering around has her grinding that sweet pussy against my cock and forgetting all about her tantrum.
Instead of fighting, she wants to get railed and I’m happy to oblige.
I can see the beginning of her surrender in her pale blue eyes as she finally understands
the deal at hand. I’m not giving in to her, but I will give her my dick. I know the minute it registers with her, because her breathing changes.
“You got it all out of your system now?” I ask. If looks could kill, I’d already be dead.
“Stop mocking me, it’s annoying,” she sneers.
Easing my grip on her, I shake my head.
“I’m not mocking you, babe, and there isn’t a damn thing funny about our situation. For all I know those two fucks are going to try and plan that murder on me and I’m sure as fuck not laughing over the fact that they got your address either.”
She swallows hard, and I think she might finally understand. To be sure, I reiterate the gruesome truth. “Those men will kill you. They don’t give a fuck that you don’t know anything. They won’t believe you and they’ll torture you. You are collateral damage, Ree. To them you’re a major problem right now.”
The moment her eyes fill with tears I know I’ve gotten my point across. I also know I went too hard on her.
“I’m scared,” she whispers, her voice hoarse with tears.
“Hell, baby,” I hiss. Releasing her wrists, I lift my hands to cradle her cheeks. My thumb swipes at her fallen tears. “I don’t want to hurt you, I just want to protect you. Why can’t you let me do that?” I ask, trying to make her understand how much she already means to me.
“I don’t understand. Why go to all this trouble for me?” she asks with a cracked voice.
“I ain’t got fancy words for you, Ree. I only got the truth, that truth being I want you. I wanted you last night and I want you now. This thing between us, whatever it is, I don’t mind seeing where it can go but we both gotta be alive for that to happen.”
“You can’t… you don’t.”
Cutting her off, I kiss her and wash away her doubts.
“You do understand if that murder never took place, you’d still be here. You were coming home with me regardless.”
“Yes, but I’d be home by now,” she argues.
“No, you’d still be here, and I’d be eating your pussy instead of explaining all this shit.”