by Sykes, Julia
“Thanks,” I said, pointedly not looking at Sean as I got up to walk Sharon to the door. Despite my brave act in front of Sean, I hid in the foyer like a coward as I called Ava, the woman who worked the front desk at my clinic.
“Dr. Ellers,” she greeted me brightly even though I was calling right before close. “It’s so good to hear from you. Are you okay? We’ve been really worried.”
“I’m alright now, Ava. Thanks for asking. I’ve just been going through a lot lately. But I’m ready to come back to work. Can you arrange for me to take some of my usual patients tomorrow?”
“Sure.” She sounded genuinely happy. “I’m really glad that you’re feeling better.”
“Thanks, Ava. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When I hung up the phone, I stared at it for long moments, considering. Maybe I had more friends than I thought. I had just never given them a chance. Of course, Ava didn’t have an inkling of my real reasons for staying away from the office. Everyone I worked with was under the impression that I was still grieving for my foster mom, clinging to my foster brother for comfort. I suddenly felt exhausted as intense emotions swirled through me, so overwhelming in number that they were almost indiscernible from one another. I was elated that Ronan would soon pay for what he had done to my parents, but it would never erase the fact that they had been stolen from me, would never erase the memories of what I had suffered at Darla and Marcus’ hands. My shoulders slumped and I buried my head in my hands as my remembered pain washed over me.
I jumped when Sean tentatively touched my shoulder; I hadn’t heard him approach. I dropped my hands and craned my head back so that I could look up at him.
“Hey,” he said gently. “What happened to all of that fire?”
I just shook my head in defeat. “Everything,” I said, my voice heavy.
His arm wrapped around my waist. “Come on, little one. Let’s talk about it.” He guided me back into the living room and sat me down on the couch. I complied numbly. He kept his arm around me, pulling me up against him as he held me close. “What are you thinking about?” He asked gently.
“My foster family,” I admitted, shuddering. There was no point holding back from Sean. He had told me about his past, and it was only fair that I do the same. “Being with them was… difficult.”
He regarded me silently as he traced small, circular patterns on my upper arm with his fingertips. His touch was soothing, grounding me in the here and now. I took a deep breath and continued, needing to tell him everything, to purge it from my soul.
“Darla, my foster mom, wasn’t so bad, I guess. Her husband had abandoned her, so she didn’t get any child support. She didn’t want to go to work so she lived off of benefits. The only reason she took me in was so that she could get more. She wasn’t cruel, exactly. She just didn’t give a shit. Not about me, not about anyone but herself. Not even her own son. All she cared about was her soap operas and her gin. I guess that’s why Marcus was so fucked up. I mean, who wouldn’t be in that situation? He channeled all of his anger at me; he blamed me for his mom’s callousness towards him.” I closed my eyes as memories assaulted me. I never talked about this, never allowed myself to think about it. But now that I accessed them, the memories were as sharp as though it had happened yesterday.
Sean cupped my cheek, calling me back to him. His touch was tender, but fury was flickering in his eyes. “Did he hurt you?”
I blinked hard to force back the tears that were stinging at the corners of my eyes. I refused to cry over Marcus.
“At first it was just emotional abuse. He called me nasty names and said horrible lies about my parents. He was a year older than I was, and he had a reputation as a bully at school. He intimidated everyone into staying away from me so that I was completely isolated.” The words were spilling out of me now, flowing from me in an unrelenting flood. “But as he got older, things became more… physical, and the names he called me became more lewd. I learned to stay out of his way, and I snuck out of the house whenever he was home. Things got a little better towards the end of high school. He would stay out late most nights with his cronies, getting drunk or high and doing god knows what else. When I was seventeen, the summer before I went to college, I was so close to being free. But then one night he came into my room. He smelled like whisky and stale cigarettes. And he…” My voice broke and I dropped my eyes, unwilling to see Sean’s reaction. “Well, I lied to you when I said that I had only been with one man before you. I left the next day and stayed at a shelter until the semester started.”
A heavy silence settled around us, the weight of it unbearable. I peeked up at Sean, and what I saw made me shrink away from him. Rage radiated from him like a palpable thing. He hadn’t frightened me this badly since my first days of captivity with him.
“Where can I find him?” He ground out through clenched teeth.
My fear ratcheted up a notch. If Sean hurt Marcus, even the FBI wouldn’t be able to save him from serving jail time. His criminal history would be enough to condemn him in the eyes of the State. “Please, Sean,” I said desperately. “You can’t.”
The fire in his eyes turned on me, and I flinched. “He’s going to die for what he did to you.” His voice was harsh, terrifying.
Despite my fear of him, my hands fisted in his shirt as I clung to him. “Don’t, Sean. If you do anything, they’ll lock you up. I couldn’t bear it.”
He was still furious. “If you think I’m just going to -”
“Please,” I begged, cutting him off. “I can’t let them take you from me. I need you, Sean. You swore that you wouldn’t leave me.”
As I stared up into his eyes beseechingly, I saw them soften ever so slightly. His muscles were still tense with suppressed violence as he held me, but sanity was returning to his eyes. “No,” he said quietly, a promise in his voice. “I won’t leave you.”
I pressed my body more tightly against his as I hugged him to me. I never wanted to let him go. We didn’t have sex that night; we just held each other. His touch helped to melt away my painful memories, and mine helped soothe his anger.
Despite reliving my dark past that evening, I slept peacefully through the night as Sean held me.
Chapter 8
I awoke the next morning to the sweet sensation of Sean kissing my neck. There was something hard pressing against my ass insistently. Despite my sleepiness, I felt the beginnings of lust stir to life within me as it became apparent how badly he wanted me. I twisted my head further into my pillow, offering him easier access to the curve of my neck. He let out a low, satisfied chuckle as his teeth nipped at the sensitive area where my neck met my shoulder. I groaned softly as heat pooled between my legs. Then my eyes fell on the clock on my bedside table, and this time my groan was regretful.
“I have to get ready for work,” I told him.
He blew cool air across my heated skin, and I shivered. “Stay.” It wasn’t a request.
I rolled over so that I was facing him, and I shot him a level look. “I know your game, and I’m not falling for it. I’m going to work,” I declared definitively.
His brows drew together. “It’s not safe for you yet. Just wait one more day. Please.” His tone was laced with frustration.
“I’m not backing down on this, Sean. It’s my first day of freedom, and I’m going to use it to my full advantage. As soon as Sharon gives me the all clear, I’m going.” I touched his brow tenderly, trying to smooth the lines of worry. “I need to do this, Sean. Please understand. I hate the feeling of being trapped. It reminds me of when Bradley abducted me.”
Okay, so I was playing hardball. But I wasn’t going to bend on this. His expression turned to one of guilt as he recalled my days of captivity. “I can’t say that I understand, but I’ll do my best to resist the urge to tie you up and keep you here. I couldn’t do that to you. Not again.”
“Thank you,” I said softly, truly grateful that he wasn’t going to fight me on this. I didn’t want to leave him for
the day on bad terms. I gave him a small smile and trailed my fingertips over his hard chest. “We’ve never had that shower together,” I said huskily. “Not properly.”
The guilt was wiped from his face, replaced with a predatory smile. “That sounds like an excellent idea.” He moved lightning-fast, and I gasped as I found myself in his arms. He lifted me up and carried me into the bathroom.
“This is totally unnecessary,” I informed him. “I’m perfectly capable of walking five yards.”
His eyes were dancing as he looked down at me. “I know. But that’s not the point. I want to hold you.” Something darker flickered in his gaze, a challenge. “But by all means, continue to protest. I’d love to demonstrate the consequences of contradicting me.”
I just pursed my lips to hold back my snappy retort. He was baiting me, and giving him an excuse to put me in a submissive state would give him the leverage he needed to convince me to stay with him. He raised a brow at me, looking grudgingly impressed that I was able to hold myself back. He sighed heavily.
“I think I’m making you too obedient,” he muttered to himself. I smirked at him, and his lips quirked upward at the corners. “Or then again, maybe not.”
He set me down carefully on the counter, and I shivered at the contact of the cool porcelain against my heated skin. Sean sensually traced the line of my lower lip with his thumb. “Stay,” he ordered. My tongue snaked out, and I swirled it around his finger suggestively. He jerked his hand away, frowning at me.
“What have I told you about teasing me?”
“Sorry, Sir.” I smiled at him sweetly, teasing him further.
“You little minx,” he accused. “Don’t think you can play mind games with me. I won’t have you getting cocky.”
“You seem perfectly content to be cocky,” I stated.
He looked at me reprovingly. “I’m your Dom. Besides, I’m sexy as hell. I’m entitled to be cocky.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Your argument seems to be rock-solid. I can’t contest either of your points. Well played, Sir.”
There was a funny expression on his face, as though he was torn between amusement and disapproval. “You’re cute, so I’ll let that slide.” He tapped his index finger against my nose in reprimand. “But don’t make a habit of it.”
I wanted to say “Yes, Sir” and give him a sardonic salute, but I held back the urge. It wasn’t a good idea to push him any further this morning if I wanted to have a hope of escaping him for the day. I settled for a curt nod. He cocked his head at me, studying me for any further signs of defiance. After a moment, he turned from me and started the shower running. When he was satisfied with the temperature, he picked me up again before setting me down on my feet so that I was positioned under the hot spray. Sean was behind me, his chest pressed against my back, and I could feel his cock growing hard again. My nipples pebbled in response to the knowledge that he wanted me, and I suddenly became hyper-aware of the delicious sensation of the water hitting my breasts, teasing me.
Then his soapy hands were twining in my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp. I moaned in delight and dropped my head back against his shoulder. His touch moved down the column of my throat, tracing lower. The soap made his usually rough touch silky soft as his hands glided over my skin. Suddenly, he gripped my breasts hard, kneading my soft flesh. He pinched my aching nipples, and I writhed against him as I cried out my pleasure. He growled low in my ear as my ass rubbed against the hard length of him. His hands were around my wrists, jerking my arms forward. I caught myself on my hands, pressing my palms into the tiled wall for support. Now my back was arched into him like an offering.
“Stay still,” he ordered. I bit my lip, resolving to obey. I couldn’t challenge him. Not if I was going to get to work today.
But all thoughts of leaving were driven from my mind as his touch resumed, his hands rubbing across my abdomen before slipping further down. Skirting around my sex, he moved to my inner thighs, lightly rubbing in a circular motion. I was desperate for him to touch my pulsing clit. My heart skipped a beat as his fingers brushed against my swollen lips, the slickness of the soap mingling with my own wetness. Agonizingly slowly, his fingers moved upwards.
Just a bit higher. Oh god, please...
I was trembling with the effort of staying still, no longer motivated by a desire to escape, but a desire to please him.
I gasped when he finally reached my hardened bud, but his teasing continued as he swirled his finger around it, refusing to touch me directly in the way that I craved. I shuddered in pleasure as I felt the thick head of him nudging at my entrance. He pushed in slowly, matching the pace of his tormenting touch. When he was fully inside me, he paused, and his finger continued to circle my clit, torturing me sweetly.
I whined as I forced back the urge to rock my body against him. “Please, Sir,” I groaned, the honorific rolling off my tongue without a thought. There was nothing mocking about it this time.
He allowed me to come in reward. Pulling out almost all the way, he drove back into me harshly. At the same time, he bit down on my neck, and he pinched my clit hard. The sweet pain caused pleasure to overwhelm me, and I screamed out my orgasm as he continued to take me roughly. My knees went weak beneath me with the intensity of it, but he held me upright with a strong arm around my waist.
His continued onslaught was relentless, and his cock hit my g-spot with every powerful thrust. His fingers left my over-sensitized clit to grip my chin, turning my face back towards him so that he could take my mouth as he claimed my pussy. The merciless thrusts of his tongue matched the rhythm of him filling me. He groaned into my mouth as he jerked within me, and I felt another orgasm cresting. He held back for a few moments longer until my body caught up with his. Just as my inner walls began contracting around him, he let himself go. His lips didn’t release mine as we came together, our bodies intertwined as closely as was physically possible.
His kiss turned slower, sweeter, as we both came down from our high. I sighed regretfully when he finally pulled out of me. I wanted him to stay here forever; I knew that I would never get enough of him. He grasped my shoulders gently and turned me towards him before sluicing the lingering soap from my body. Every inch of my skin was still alive from his ministrations, and the feeling of his hands against me was delectable.
Even when all of the soap was gone, his hands continued to rove over my body, as though he couldn’t bring himself to stop touching me. I wanted to do the same. Squeezing some body wash into my hands, I returned the favor, relishing the contours of his hard muscles as I rubbed him down. I handled his cock gently, knowing that it would be hyper-sensitive after his orgasm. To my amazement, he began hardening once again, and I felt an answering desire awaken within my own sex in response. I removed my hand reluctantly, recalling my desire to get to work. How long had we been in here?
I turned off the water and regretfully stepped away from Sean as I exited the shower. He was behind me in an instant, wrapping a fluffy towel around me and kissing the top of my head sweetly.
I looked up at him, an apology in my eyes. “I have to get ready for work,” I said softly.
He frowned slightly, but he nodded. “If you insist.”
I stood on my tiptoes so that I could kiss his cheek, a silent demonstration of gratitude. He followed me into the bedroom and began pulling on his own clothes. I glanced at the clock: 7:48. I would only just have time to blow-dry my hair.
When I re-emerged from the bathroom, hair dry and fully dressed, I found Sean sprawled out on my bed, reading the last few pages of A Wrinkle in Time.
He looked up at me and smiled. “This is a really good book, you know. I can’t believe I’ve never read it. It definitely falls in the ‘nerd book’ category. Seems I didn’t have to convert you to nerddom; you’ve secretly been one all along.” He gave me a mock-offended look. “And yet you dared to make fun of me for my reading preferences. That wasn’t very nice of you. I’d go so far as to say it was hypocri
tical of you.” He tutted at me.
I grinned at him. “Okay, you got me. I sincerely apologize for being judgmental. I must admit, I’m dying to know what happens in A Storm of Swords. I never did get to finish it.”
He beamed back at me. “You will. Then we’ll start you on the TV show adaptation. Once we get out of here, we’ll fully integrate you into the real world. You have years of catching up to do.” His smile turned evil. “In fact, I don’t know if you’ll have the time to do anything else.”
The dark flame in his eyes made it clear what he meant by anything else.
“Uh-uh,” I said staunchly. “Harry Potter can wait. He’s not getting any older, but we are.”
Sean sighed as though he was very put-upon. “I suppose I could work something into our busy pop culture schedule.”
Our banter was interrupted when the doorbell rang. Sean got up and took me by the hand, walking me to the front door. As we descended the stairs, I thought about our conversations over the past few days, and I came to a startling realization: we had been talking as though we were going to be together for a long time. Maybe even forever. I knew that that was what I wanted with all my heart. Did Sean feel the same? We had yet to even define the parameters of our relationship, much less discuss a possible future together. I held back my questions, deciding to address them later. I would use my time away from him today to gather up the courage to initiate the conversation.
Sharon was waiting at the front door, but she wasn’t smiling this time. Her stance radiated uncertainty; she was clearly still bothered by the idea of me leaving the house today. “We have a team en route to pick up Ronan and Bradley,” she informed me. “You can go to work, but you’ll be riding in my car.”
“Okay,” I agreed quickly, pleased that she was still prepared to let me go.
“I’m coming too,” Sean said from behind me.
“I’m afraid that’s inadvisable,” Sharon said firmly. “You’re supposedly still in prison, and if anyone so much as glimpsed you it could cause problems. We’re about to take your father into custody, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t others out there who might be watching Claudia.”