by Piper Stone
Being home was both cathartic as well as heartbreaking.
“Are you going to get me out of this shit?” she demanded.
I refused to turn around.
Just yet.
Maybe there was a sadistic man buried deep inside of me. Oh, hell, yes. I knew there was. I was enjoying this far too much. “Do we need another lesson with a bar of soap for that mouth of yours?”
“You wouldn’t freaking dare!”
I couldn’t resist the temptation riding hard deep within me. Turning sharply, I only had to take three long strides before I was on the bed and on top of her, sliding my hand around her throat. Her eyes opened wide, a moment of real fear settling in. I took a deep breath, holding it until I lowered my head, blowing it slowly across her face. “I think you know better than to challenge me on anything, sweetheart.” I kept my voice little more than a husky whisper. Meanwhile, my cock was already throbbing, aching to drive deep inside of her.
She closed her mouth, pursing those sexy lips of her tightly. Her eyes were full of intoxicating venom and there was no doubt she’d fight me like the wildcat she was the second I let her loose.
“Maybe I’ll keep you this way all day,” I added. “That is unless you promise to be a very, and I do mean very good girl.”
Her nostrils flaring, she gave me a jaw-clenching answer. “Fuck. You.”
I squeezed my hand then brushed my fingers down the tee shirt she’d found, fondling her breasts. She was unable to stop a moan from escaping her lips even though I could tell she was fighting her response tooth and nail.
“Here’s how we’re going to play this, and it will be my way. You’re going to play nice with my friend and you’re going to answer all our questions. Then we’re going to figure out what to do with your buddy, Dante.”
“He’s not my buddy. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“At least from what Scorpion found, you haven’t been lying to me. If you had been, well… Let’s just say I would personally take you to the sheriff and advise her to lock you up for a long time.”
“For what?” her demanding voice continued.
“For being a brat, number one. For endangering my life, number two. And for being a nuisance to society in general.”
I’d forgotten that I’d only tied one of her arms to the headboard, but I was given a rude reminder when she managed to smack me hard across the face. I was stunned at the force of her blow, my ears ringing. I almost burst into laughter because if she were a man, she could expect one hell of a wallop from me.
Instead, I crawled off, turning her over and lifting her tee shirt, immediately smacking her blushing pink bottom with several hard slaps.
“Ouch! Stop it! You’re a brute.”
There was an actual whine in her voice, but I knew she was just biding her time.
“Don’t bother begging, sweetheart. You earned this fair and square.” When she threw her hand back, trying to block my attempts, I pinned her wrist against the bed, barely able to keep the smile off my face. I peppered her bottom with a dozen or so hard cracks, enjoying the way she wiggled and attempted to jerk up from the bed.
“Asshole. I’m going to get you for this,” she threw out, still huffing and grumbling.
I was surprised but pleased at how strong her resolve was, the little fighter refusing to give in. That might have kept her alive. I had to give her cred points for being able to get away from such a dangerous and ruthless criminal. It must have taken everything she had to run away to an unknown state.
A small part of me actually admired her chutzpa.
That didn’t give her the right to treat me as if I was a bother.
Or an animal.
“Now, you need to stop fighting me. I am trying to help you, Mitch. Kinda getting tired of your tirades.”
“Then don’t treat me like a child.”
“Then don’t act like one.” I refused to stop, giving her six more in rapid succession. Given the spanking she’d received the night before, her skin immediately perked up to a warm crimson, although I had doubts that she would even remember the spanking after a few hours. Maybe I needed to give her a lesson in discipline around the clock.
My grin widened at the thought.
“Fine. Fine!” she yelped. “I’ll be good. I’ll obey you. I’ll follow your damn commands.”
“Uh-huh.” After giving her a few more, it seemed some of the fight was ripped out of her system. She stopped struggling, her back heaving as she took several deep breaths, pressing the side of her face against the pillow.
I was unable to resist, sliding my fingers around her heated bottom in circle after circle, enjoying the searing effect it had on my fingertips. Even the way my cock pressed against my zipper, while agonizing was also driving my hunger to an explosive point. She just had a way of enticing me like no other woman had.
“Just… stop.” She was finally breathless, the sound of her voice muffled.
“You’re going to promise me you’ll stop fighting me?” I pulled back, my heart racing.
“Yes. Yes! Okay? I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect you were going to tie me up. Where did you think I was going to go in the middle of the night in a city I don’t know?”
I thought about the question, chuckling softly. “Darlin’, you’ve shown skills that most men would long to have. I wouldn’t put anything past you.”
She snorted and closed her eyes, still taking several deep breaths. “I promise. I will be good. I know you’re trying to help me, and I appreciate Scorpion too.”
I knew she was only biding her time. She simply had no understanding of or reason to trust two big burly men. I crawled off the bed, moving to untie her, fighting to keep from fucking her like some wild animal. We had work to do and I needed to find some place to stay, at least on a temporary basis. While Scorp’s hospitality was much appreciated, I had a feeling our arrival would start to hinder whatever love life he had going on.
“I’m going to untie you and you’re going to apologize.” As soon as I said the words, I could swear I heard her giggling.
“Of course,” Mitch said contritely.
I pulled the rope and took a step back, waiting to see what she was going to do.
She took her time before rolling over, staring up at the ceiling and taking several deep breaths. “You cowboy types are rough.”
I wasn’t expecting her comment and couldn’t help but laugh full out. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, sweetheart.”
“I’m not your sweetheart. In fact, I’ve never been any man’s sweetheart.” There was a ring of truth in her words as well as a pang of sadness. For a woman so beautiful, I was shocked that she hadn’t been scooped up by several men.
Maybe that’s why Dante had set his sights on her. She was unabashed and had no idea how gorgeous she really was.
“All right. Brat it is.” I took a step away as she slowly sat up, staring at me with slightly less hatred in her eyes.
“You’re just mean. I have to wonder why.”
“I have my reasons.”
“Uh-huh. Whatever you say.” When she stood, rubbing her wrist the entire time, she was unsteady on her feet. The moment she took a single step forward, she almost tripped and fell.
“Whoa, little brat. You okay?” I rushed forward, gripping her arms.
“I’m… okay.” Her voice was so damn quiet, haunted. A part of me felt terrible for giving her a morning spanking. Maybe I was being too harsh with her.
Until she made the kind of move that she could have only learned in a self-defense class or perhaps from being on the wrestling team. She brought her knee to just the right place against my thigh, able to break our connection before kicking me in the shin then managing to toss me on the bed.
“You are a terrible man!” she snarled as she jumped on top of me, pummeling me with her fists. “You have no idea what I’ve been through, the kind of terror I had to face because of that horrible bastard. You don’t know how many night
s I laid awake thinking it was going to be my last on Earth. You don’t give a damn that I left everything behind, maybe never to see my photographs or favorite pieces of clothing again. You don’t give a shit about anyone but yourself!”
Her words were heartfelt, laced with outrage and what did I do? I rolled her over, pinning her against the bed and dragging her arms over her head. Then I crushed my mouth over hers, enjoying her spunk as well as the taste of her.
She pitched and tried to wiggle out from under me, but I was far too strong for her.
Then I thrust my tongue inside, dominating hers as I willed her to succumb.
As my hunger exploded.
I was the asshole she’d accused me of being. I’d left a huge part of myself in Afghanistan, unable to contend with my past or my future. I’d lost all sense of humanity until she’d fought me in the snow, refusing to give in.
And now, all I could think about was fucking her.
Tasting her.
Owning her.
Like some freaking Neanderthal.
She moaned into the kiss, still fighting me for a few additional seconds. Then she ceased moving at all, including her mouth. The little brat wasn’t enjoying the moment of passion, she was playing dead.
Goddamn, the woman was driving me bat shit crazy. I was ready to rip off her clothes and have my way with her. In fact, that’s exactly what I intended on doing, my cock aching to the point my balls were blue. I shifted until I was able to slide my hand between her legs. There was no resistance, no fighting spirit left in her.
Why did I have the distinct feeling she was just playing another game, likely to reach for my weapon or try to kick me in the balls? The heat between her legs was just as engulfed in flames as my entire body, the electricity surging like a live wire act in the middle of a raging thunderstorm. I was shocked at the hunger dancing into every cell and molecule, my entire body ready to explode.
I continued the kiss, making the action rough, exploring the dark recesses of her mouth as I took exactly what I craved. I needed to feel her naked body against mine. I craved driving my cock into every hole. I wanted her hot little mouth wrapped around my cockhead, sucking me for a full hour before I erupted deep into her throat.
I was such a barbarian, my hunger knowing no bounds.
The second I touched her pussy, she stiffened. Jesus Christ, it was her only response. I hesitated, my finger just outside her slickened folds. Then what was left of my honorable nature kicked in and I broke the kiss. Her eyes were still lit by the fire raging inside of her, but her face showed contempt.
And still, the electricity soared.
I pulled away, immediately climbing off the bed.
The knock on the door was almost welcomed.
“Yeah?” I asked, my voice turning gruff.
“Just your old buddy. We should probably talk.”
Talk. I turned my attention toward Mitch, shaking my head. “We’ll be right there.”
There were two things I hated most in my life.
Liars.
And women who pushed my every button.
As she moved off the bed, I couldn’t help but think she was both.
And all my mind could focus on was claiming her.
What the hell did that make me?
My answer was easy, although difficult to process.
A man with no conscience.
Chapter 10
Mitch
Shock and awe.
That’s exactly what the burly, rugged, pain in the ass man had wanted to do. He’d tied me up, for God’s sake, keeping me his prisoner all throughout the night. I rubbed my wrist as I glared at Scorpion, tugging the tee shirt further down my thighs as he stood there with a smirk on his face. The two men were exactly the same.
Rowdy.
Take no shit.
Gorgeous.
I was still tingling from the way Reaper had crushed his body against mine, my pussy quivering and the slickness between my legs disgusting me. I closed my eyes briefly, willing the entire morning away. The asshole had spanked me.
Again.
And he’d soaped my mouth.
Who did that kind of crap? Why in the world did I deserve such harsh treatment?
My inner voice broke into laughter, chastising me in a way that pissed me off. Sadly, she was right. I was acting more like a child than a grown woman. While I had a right to be terrified, I certainly didn’t have the right to take out my fears and frustrations on a man I barely knew.
Except carnally.
Groaning, I rubbed my hand against my forehead, trying to block out the visions of the extremely passionate moment in the shower. I’d loved every second of his utter domination, something that continued to shock me. After dealing with Dante for barely three weeks, how could I dare engage in the concept of allowing some man to control me?
The answer wasn’t that difficult to comprehend.
Because I had no other choice.
I mulled over the options as well as Reaper’s rough and tumble actions, pushing the wave of anxiety closer to the surface all over again.
What the hell was his problem? He hungered to control everything so much that it included me? A stranger? I’d never felt so awkward or unsure of what to do in my life, even during the trial with Dante. I’d known exactly what I believed to be the right thing. Tell the truth. Where the hell had it gotten me?
“Anyway, I have a few ideas,” Scorpion continued, his eyes twinkling. The man had obviously heard our interaction.
Fucking fantastic.
Reaper turned his attention in my direction, his chest rising and falling. “Get dressed.” The two words were gruff, his body language tight as a drum. I’d refused his advances and that obviously pissed him off.
Aww, what a shame.
I waited until the two men left the room, closing the door behind them before sagging against the bed. My entire body continued to tingle from Reaper’s touch as well as his brutal kisses. I rubbed my fingers across my mouth, hungering for more of his volatile actions, his aggressive nature. I almost laughed at the thought.
He was one hell of a man. I finally smiled before moving toward the dresser, retrieving the jeans I’d found the night before. At least they fit. After struggling into them, I took a look into the dresser mirror, my bottom aching like crazy. What the hell was I going to do? I’d never felt so alone in my life or so terrified of what every day was going to bring.
There was no way Reaper could protect me. He had no idea what he’d be forced to face. As I dropped my head, I realized my emotions were all over the place. I actually adored Reaper, even if he’d spanked me like four times. Maybe more. As I rubbed my bottom, the jeans scratching my bruised ass, I shook my head. He was one mysterious man.
I struggled into my boots before finding a flannel shirt to put over my tee shirt. I wasn’t going to make a fashion statement but at least I would be warm. Before I walked out of the room, I took a deep breath. I would need to learn to trust the man, although I’d been stupid enough to place my trust in the wrong one before. One time. I’d lost my mind one time and now…
I couldn’t stand thinking about the future. In my mind, there was only one outcome.
Death.
Sucking in my breath, I opened the door, immediately hearing the crackling of the fire. At least the sound was comforting.
“You really don’t know that much about her,” Scorpion said as I walked down the hallway.
“Nope. She’s an unknown but there’s something about her I like.” Reaper laughed, the husky sound of his voice sending the same kind of electric vibes into me that had occurred just a few minutes before.
“Just be careful, my friend. I know you’ve been through some shit,” Scorpion continued.
I eased against the wall, waiting to hear more. I knew whatever Reaper had been through during his time overseas had changed him. That was easy to tell by his gruff demeanor and the fact he’d attempted to find solace at a mountain cabin.
A moment of silence filtered into the room, the kind that I knew held angst for both men. Sighing, I realized I was chewing on my bottom lip, a clear sign of nervousness.
“Do you guys talk about Snake at all?” Reaper asked in such a quiet voice, one filled with reverence.
Scorpion exhaled, the sound exaggerated. “Not so much any longer. You should go to his grave.”
“Not sure I can.” Reaper’s voice was barely audible.
“You need to do it, Nash. It’s healing.”
Nash. I liked the name.
The tone of Scorpion’s voice changed, almost cracking from sadness. I closed my eyes, unable to imagine what they’d endured.
“Yeah, well, maybe. We will see.”
As I walked into the living room, the look on Scorpion’s face was a clear statement. He didn’t trust me any more than Reaper did. I didn’t blame either one of them.
“There you are. Why don’t you come and sit down,” Reaper said, his words more of a statement than a request.
“There’s coffee made in the kitchen. Might as well let her grab a cup.”
Scorpion was just as commanding as Reaper. I didn’t bother saying anything, just walked into the kitchen. I remained chilled to the bone, but it had nothing to do with their conversation or even the events from a few minutes before. The sense of dread remained kicking my ass. At least the smell of coffee was inviting, even though my stomach continued to churn. As I pulled a cup closer, my hand shook as I reached for the coffeepot, a memory shifting into the forefront of my mind.
“Do you want any coffee?” I asked as I poured a cup for myself, my entire body shaking. His presence was suddenly ominous, pushing my nerves to the edge.
“No. I need a shot of bourbon,” Dante said as he moved closer, pressing his hand against the small of my back. When I clenched, he snarled as he lowered his head toward my ear. “You need to remember that you can’t run away from me.”
“I wasn’t planning on running.” Like hell I wasn’t.
He found his bottle of bourbon, yanking a glass from the cabinet and taking his time to pour the entire glass full of liquor. I couldn’t help but turn my gaze toward the action, watching as the liquid was slowly poured. My blood began to curdle, my instinct to get far away from him furrowing into my system.