He opened the tube, once more scenting the air. This time it smelled of oranges. He smeared the goo on her butthole. Using his thumb, he smoothed the lube around in a circle. When he pressed two fingers into her tight back hole, she clenched.
Sorry!
The resulting slap was hard and quick. Immediately pleasure poured over her rear and she relaxed.
“It only makes it harder if you do that.”
He was right. “I know.”
Blade stood slightly to the side. One hand gently massaged her nipples while the other worked to get her ready for the big event. His speed increased, as did his breaths. His fingers worked miracles by stretching her wide.
“Oh, Candy.”
She wanted to please him more than anything. Joining with him in this way would secure their already tight bond. He moved behind her and lowered his hands, one to her hip and the other presumably to his cock. The head of his dick nudged her back hole, and she forced herself to relax. He leaned his chest against her back, and the contact with his rippled, warm mass made her wild with need. She pressed her hips toward him and was rewarded with a slight pop. He was in.
Oh, my. This was no plug.
“Babe, stay with me.”
He rained kisses from her shoulder to her ear and slid both hands to her breasts as he eased down her back channel. Gone was the one-thrust man. This was about her enjoyment, not his. She loved him for that. Hell, she just plain loved him.
“You okay, babe?”
“Yes, but go faster.”
He chuckled and nabbed her ear between his teeth. His cock withdrew an inch and then pushed forward. This time, he didn’t stop for long. His tiny thrusts turned more frantic. When he lowered a hand and pressed on her clit, she lit up. Electric shards spread everywhere, exciting not only her pussy but her ass. His hips pumped. His cock expanded. She almost exploded.
Getting fucked in the ass was not like having a cock in her pussy. It set off different nerves, different thrills, and she liked it—no she loved it.
“More.”
“Oh, babe. What you do to me.”
Her plea seemed to reach him because he pressed hard on her nipples and pummeled her ass, stretching her back channel wide. Totally relaxed, she accommodated his large size and even managed to join in the rhythm.
When he slipped three fingers into her wet pussy, she lost it. Chaos descended. She gasped for breath and lifted her head for more air. Feral cries released.
“Blade!”
His cock pulsed and rocked as her orgasm grabbed hold. Together they reached that pure plane of delicious bliss. A minute later, his body went limp, and he wrapped his arms around her.
Kisses splattered her shoulders. “You are amazing.”
She smiled. “Ditto.”
Her arms shook. She lowered her forehead to her hands to catch her breath. He withdrew and walked to the other side of the counter. The water ran. He swiped not only her rear but her pussy. Then he turned her around. His hazel eyes had turned a soft green. He was such a handsome man who’d stolen her heart.
Chapter Seventeen
Candy was at the spa, putting the finishing touches on every aspect of the place. They’d be opening on Saturday. The scary part was her shipment of nail polish hadn’t come in, and she really wanted to be known for having all the exotic colors. Buying them at the grocery store wouldn’t do.
“Knock, knock.”
She looked up. Her heart soared. “Daniel!” No way. She raced to his open arms. “When did you get in? I thought you weren’t coming home until tomorrow.”
He kissed her. “I missed you too much.” He lowered his arms and clasped her waist. “We finished up last night and I went standby. I wanted to surprise you.”
Her body vibrated. “You did.” He looked tired, though. “I hope you have enough energy to celebrate tonight.” Every night she’d dreamt of being in his arms again.
He leaned his head back as if he needed to think. “I’m not sure I do.” He glanced back down at her, raised his brows then grinned. He tapped her nose. “I need to shower. Airplane grime. How about we have an early dinner out somewhere then see what comes up.”
She stepped back and lightly punched his chest. “Funny.”
He checked his cell. “It’s close to five now. Can you be ready by six?”
“Absolutely. All I need to do is bite the bullet and go to Creighton’s Beauty Supplies.” She explained that the latest shipment of nail polish was now on backorder for a month. “I should be at the apartment in fifteen minutes. I’ll throw on something dressy and be good to go. How about I come down to your floor when I’ve changed?”
“Perfect. I’ll be ready.” He stepped close again and drew her near. He dragged a finger across her lips. “I had a lot of time to think while I was away.”
Her heart jumped so high she thought it might come out of her throat. The word proposal popped into her head. “That right?”
“We’ll talk tonight.” He released her.
“See you in a few.”
No sooner had Daniel stepped away than Blade called. “Hey, babe. The door to the changing room didn’t fit so I’m at the suppliers now. I should have it installed by late tonight.”
“Can it wait?” She told him about Daniel coming back a day early.
“Works for me. I’ll have one of my men oversee the job. See you soon.”
She loved how he wanted her spa to be as perfect as she did. Before she walked down the street to Creighton’s, she finished filing her receipts. She’d enter the purchases in her spreadsheet tomorrow. “Purse.” She searched the office, but couldn’t find it. “Aargh.”
After a quick dash upstairs, she located it next to the can of paint she’d purchased for touch-ups. Excitement sizzled. Tonight was going to be the best night of her life.
On her way out, she locked up the spa. Blade’s foreman had the key, so he could let the worker in to install the door. Even though Creighton’s was only four blocks away, she drove. From there she’d head back to the apartment. It was almost closing time and most of the spots in front sat empty. She parked and as she entered the bell above the door rang. John Creighton was at the checkout counter. He looked up, but the smile she expected took a long time to appear.
His eyes widened as he stepped from behind the counter. His hands clenched and unclenched. What was up with that? She swallowed, not sure why her spine tingled.
“Hello, Candy. Come for a social visit or to shop?”
She found his comment odd. “I received a call today from my supplier. Seems my order of Divine Nail Polish is backordered and won’t come in for a month.”
His shoulders relaxed. “Happens to me all the time. It’s the nature of the business.”
She’d stopped in once before to see the extent of his merchandise. He was quite well stocked. “Mind if I look around?”
“Not at all. I have an appointment tonight and need to close in a few minutes.”
She smiled. “I’ll hurry then.”
The aisles were labeled. She found the nail polish easily. John hustled back to his counter. Papers shuffled and the cash registered opened and closed.
He suddenly appeared next to her as if he could vanish and materialize at will. She jumped and clamped a hand over her chest. “I didn’t hear you.”
“Find what you need?”
“I’m still looking.”
“I got a new shipment of nail polish today. It’s from a company I’ve never ordered from before.”
That might imply Donna didn’t use that brand. “What’s the name?” Perhaps she’d come across it in Denver.
He glanced to the ceiling. “I can’t recall. It’s in the back.” His brows rose. “Want to take a look?”
“Sure.” She was always open to something new.
She followed him down the narrow aisle and into the back room that was filled with boxes, some that reached the ceiling. There wasn’t much room so she stepped to the back.
&nbs
p; He located a box cutter and some duct tape. The combination made her pulse rise. He sliced open the box on top, and she leaned against the door that led outside. She didn’t know the man, but thought many of his interactions a bit strange.
He closed the door leading to the store then faced her. Her stomach cramped and her respiration increased. Stop being paranoid.
He waved the box cutter. “I’ve been curious why you’ve been so intent on competing with Donna when things haven’t been easy for you.”
What? Light glinted off the blade. He couldn’t be implying he’d been responsible for the bad things that have happened to her. “You think I came to Intrigue to compete with Donna?” Her armpits dampened.
He stepped closer. “Didn’t you?”
This was too creepy. She moved her hand behind her and edged closer to the bar that opened the rear door. “No. I came because I lost my job at a spa in Denver. My friend Mandy Callen lives here.” She prayed the Callen name would shake him.
“Why didn’t you leave after someone ran you off the road? Didn’t that suggest you weren’t welcome here?”
Oh, my God. He was crazy. She prayed he wasn’t responsible, but she had to be sure. “Did you run me off the road?” Her heart rattled against her rib cage.
He grinned as if he was proud. “I misjudged how much room I had, that’s all.”
“You knew it was me?”
His face blanched as if he’d made a mistake. “No.”
Liar. She had to get out of there. She judged how far she’d get if she ran. The odds weren’t good.
“Well, I wasn’t hurt.” She held up her palms in surrender. “All good.” She nodded to the box. “I know you’re in a hurry. How about if I come back tomorrow?” She stepped forward.
“You aren’t coming back.” Spittle dripped down his chin.
Horror slammed into her. He wanted to kill her. Adrenaline spiked through her body.
Think!
She told Daniel and Blade she’d be home soon. If she didn’t show, they’d know to come looking for her here. Or would they? How long would they wait before they realized something was wrong? Ten minutes? A half hour? Dear God in heaven.
Keep him talking. Creighton was young, strong, fast. Even if she pushed open the door to the alley, he’d be on her in a flash.
“Did you key Mandy’s car, too?” She tried to keep her voice even.
He cocked a brow. “You liked that touch?”
Holy shit. “Why?” She swallowed to wet her dry mouth.
“I love Donna. I can’t have anyone hurt her business.”
From the few times she’d seen them together, Donna had rebuffed him. Now she could see why. “I didn’t know you were dating.” She swallowed to wet her dry mouth.
“We aren’t. Yet.”
How should she respond? Tell him Donna told her how much she liked him but was afraid to show her desire for fear he’d rebuff her?
She cleared her throat to get it working. “That was clever breaking into Vince Callen’s house. I totally thought about leaving town. I was really scared.” Boosting his ego might calm his down. She hoped he was the one responsible.
“Then why didn’t you?”
“I wasn’t sure the threat was against me. I’ve heard other Callens have been targeted in the past.”
His lip curled up at the end. “I guess I’m too clever. I should have left you a note. I didn’t realize you were too stupid to put the pieces together.”
“Oh, but you did. The workers found a scarf belonging to Donna near the broken door. Were you trying to throw suspicion on her?”
His cheeks sagged and his gaze bounced over the room. While he seemed distracted, she’d never reach him in time to knock the knife from his hand.
“No. Never. It must have fallen out of my pocket.” He patted his pants as if he was used to feeling her scarf. Sick. Sick. Sick.
Keep talking. “Why did you have one of her scarves?”
He bared his teeth, looking like some feral wolf. “I know what you’re doing. You’re hoping someone will come in the store and check back here, looking for me.” She swore she spotted a hint of fear in his eyes.
Her cell rang. Thank God. She reached into her purse.
“Let it go to voicemail.” His harsh command stopped her cold, his evil voice curling her blood.
All logic evaporated.
Move. Now. Run.
She twisted around, punched the bar to open the door and ran. The dark alley had patches of ice in the ruts in the dirt road, but she couldn’t slow to pick her way to safety.
“Help! Help!”
No one was around to hear her. Footsteps pounded. She glanced over her shoulder and her ankle twisted. He closed the gap between them. Fire burned her lungs. Fear nearly shut down her brain.
Keep moving. Reach the end of the row. Get help. Someone would see her if she could reach the main road.
Her legs ached. He was coming. Her heart lodged in her throat making it so hard to breath.
The unexpected blow to the back of her head shot pain through her whole body. She tumbled and her purse flew. Her hands and knees broke her fall, but the pain stole her breath. Creighton pounced, tossed her on her back and slapped a piece of duct tape on her mouth. She reached up to shake him off, but he was too strong.
Can’t breathe. Nose clogged. Panic ripped up her spine. His fist smashed her face, and her world turned black.
* * * *
Blade paced in front of Daniel. “Stand still.”
He whipped around. “Where is she?”
Daniel had checked her apartment. She wasn’t there. “Something’s wrong. I feel it.” She should have been back. “It’s long past five. She should have been here ten minutes ago. How long does it take to buy nail polish?”
“You call her?”
“Fuck.” Maybe the cabin pressure had messed with his brain. He pulled out his cell and dialed. The phone rang. Now he paced. Then he got voicemail. “Candy, call me.” He disconnected. “That’s not like her. She always picks up no matter what she’s doing.” His gut soured.
“Let’s check Creighton’s place. See if she’s still there. Maybe John is talking her head off.”
Daniel hoped that was all it was. Creighton’s store was four blocks from here, but Daniel wasn’t in the mood to walk or run. “I’ll drive.”
They grabbed their coats and charged down the stairs. The drive was short. “That’s her car.”
He let out a breath and debated returning home. “Let’s see what’s holding her up.” The lights were on in the store.
When they entered the store, no one was there. “Candy?” Only silence greeted him. His body shot to high alert. “Try in back.”
As he hustled to the storage room, he knocked something off a shelf but didn’t stop to replace it. He rushed into the small room without knocking. The back door was ajar, and his heart stammered. This wasn’t good. “No Creighton. No Candy. I don’t like it.” Where could she be?
Blade pushed him aside and ran outside. He looked right and left then pointed. “That’s Creighton’s truck. He’s leaving.”
Fuck. Daniel rushed out. In the middle of the alley lay Candy’s pink purse. “Oh, shit. I think he’s got Candy.”
Heart pounding, Daniel ran inside and sprinted down the front aisle and out the door. He clicked open the lock and hopped in the car. His fingers struggled with getting the key in the ignition.
Blade was right behind him and hopped in. “Hurry,” Blade shouted.
“You’re not helping.”
The key made it in and the engine started. After a quick glance to make sure he wouldn’t run into someone, he backed out and drove to the end of the road. He jerked the wheel to the left. One block later, he tore down the back alley, keeping his eye out for Creighton’s truck.
Nothing. “He’s gone.” Adrenaline pumped his heart to the max.
Blade slapped the dashboard. “He can’t be far ahead. Go north.”
; The man only had a two-minute head start. The problem was when they hit the edge of town, Creighton could go east or west. If they chose the wrong way, there was no telling what would happen to Candy.
* * * *
Pain pounded Candy’s brain. Her heart knocked against her ribs and bile raced up her mouth. Her shoulder ached and her hands stung. She bounced up an inch and landed on the metal again. Shit.
Her brain fogged. Where am I?
She ripped the tape off her mouth and inhaled. Asshole Creighton. He’d bound her hands, but fortunately not her feet. Not that she’d be running any time soon. She rotated her ankle, and more pain laced her body.
Cold air seeped into her bones even though a tarp sat on top of her. Wheels whirred. She must be in the back of a truck, one packed with boxes and tools and other crap. She lifted her hip and extracted a wrench from underneath. Christ.
The man was insane. He wanted to get rid of her. That much she’d figured out.
Think.
This wasn’t television. No SWAT team was going to fly in by helicopter and touch down in front of him, coming to her rescue.
In a way, she hoped he drove and drove. It would give her more time to think and prepare when he stopped. The wrench could come in handy. When he lifted her from the back, she could strike him with it.
A kernel of hope bolstered her courage.
She couldn’t just wait long. She needed a plan now. If she sat up, he’d see her in his rearview mirror. She had to be smarter than him.
The old fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel came to mind. If she could toss enough junk out the back maybe the next driver to come down the road would signal Creighton to stop. When that happened, she’d yell like hell.
Now she had to figure out what to toss. It couldn’t be too big. No way she could lift a big box and toss it over the tailgate without Creighton spotting her. The wrench needed to stay.
She felt around the best she could, but only large objects appeared in the back. She didn’t remember what happened to her purse. Maybe he had it in the front with him or it was still sitting in the middle of the alley. Damn.
Something personal.
Craving Candy [The Callens 10] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 17