Echo (Archer's Creek Book 1)

by Gemma Weir

  Echo’s face hardens slightly. “Oh yeah, what friend?”

  “James,” I say. “He’s my oldest and best friend; we grew up together. I think we’ve known each other since we were three. At one time, I thought we’d end up being family, when he was engaged to my cousin Juliet.”

  “What happened?” he asks.

  A chuckle bursts out at the memory. “It’s kind of a messed-up story.”

  Smiling indulgently, Echo settles into the warm water. “I’ve got time, sugar.”

  I lean forward and plant a quick kiss on Echo’s lips. “Okay, well, I’d always suspected James was gay, and when I finally asked him about it, he came out as bisexual. He always said he was an equal opportunity lover, guys, girls—he even went out with a guy who insisted he was a fairy for a while. But it was still a surprise when he got together with Juliet, even more so when they got engaged. I love my cousin, but Juliet is an intense girl, super high-maintenance, not at all what James normally went for, guy or girl. Well, I was seeing this guy called Dan.”

  Echo tenses beneath me and groans. “Fuck, I don’t want to think about your exes. It makes me fucking violent.”

  I giggle. “I wouldn’t worry. This isn’t one of those stories.” Echo’s hands settle on my arse, and he nods, indicating for me to continue. “Well, I was seeing Dan, and the four of us were close, and I mean we spent a load of time together. It was Juliet’s birthday, and we were all going out to a pub for a meal. The whole family was there, and we’re all drinking and having a great time. I nipped back to my car to grab my jacket, and there were Dan and James dry humping against a wall.”

  Echo’s eyes widen. “Hang on, sugar. Your ex and your best friend?”

  “Yep. I mean, obviously, James with a guy wasn’t exactly a shock, but finding Dan with his tongue in James’s mouth was a bit of a surprise,” I say, laughing.

  Echo sits up, shocked. “I thought James is still your friend?”

  I smile and shrug. “He is. They both are. Obviously, I was pissed at the time, but Dan and I weren’t serious. Honestly, I think I was angrier with James, but that was ages ago. James and Dan have been together ever since, and I love them both.”

  Echo shakes his head, nonplussed. “Fuck, that’s messed up.”

  Laughing, I lean in and kiss him. “I know, but they were meant to be together. I can’t hold a grudge and stay angry that they found their soul mates in a fucked-up way.”

  Echo smiles indulgently and lifts me from the bath. “Come on, sugar, time to get ready.” Wrapping me in a huge fluffy towel, he quickly dries himself, then painstakingly slowly dries my skin, caressing me and teasing me. He smacks my naked arse and nudges me out of the bathroom, throwing himself onto the bed. Naked, he rests against the pillows with his arms crossed behind his head and a smug smile on his face.

  My things are all unpacked, and my products are arranged on top of his bureau. I grab a tube of moisturiser and start to exaggeratedly smooth it over my naked skin. I glance over my shoulder and plaster an innocent expression on my face. “Don’t you need to get ready?” I ask him.

  His bottom teeth peek out and pull his lip into his mouth, biting on it gently. My breath catches in my chest and my hands still. Releasing his lip, he shakes his head, his eyes focussed intently on me. “I’m enjoying the show. Don’t let me stop you.”

  I flash him a coy smile and start to coat every inch of my skin in cream. I bend over and slowly caress my ankles, my hands rubbing the lotion in circles until it disappears. Next I straighten, rubbing my hands over my chest, circling first one breast and then the other.

  Echo’s eyes are wide, amused arousal flashing in them. He watches as I walk away from the bed, back to the bureau, and reach for the bottle. I don’t hear him move, but his hand stops mine before sweeping everything from the top and forcing me to bend over the unit. My nipples press against the cold wood.

  “Do you think you’re clever, Livvy? Do you think it’s fun to tease me?” His voice is gravelly and rough, barely restrained desire evident in every word. “What should I do with you, sugar?” His fingers tiptoe down my arse cheeks and dip between my legs.

  “Should I fuck you here?” Two fingers plunge roughly into me, pulling out quickly and tiptoeing back up to circle my arsehole, pressing gently against the tight hole. “Or shall I fuck you here?”

  I gasp, and he chuckles in response. “I’d love to fuck this ass, Livvy. Fill you up with my cock, knowing it’s the first time you’ve ever felt it.” Panting loudly, I shudder. Arousal and fear mix headily at his touch and his words. “You want it, don’t you? Your ass full of my cock, my cum dripping out of this tight little hole.”

  I groan, then nod and push back onto his fingers, willing him to ease the burn of desire.

  “I know you do, Livvy. But not tonight,” he drawls. His hard cock lines up with my pussy, and slowly he pushes inside of me. I hold on tightly to the wood of the bureau as he rocks in and out of me, forcing me onto my tiptoes with every punishing thrust.

  “Fuck, sugar, what you do to me.” Holding my hips, he pulls me back harder onto his cock.

  “Oh God, I’m so close. Echo, please,” I pant. He bends his knees, his cock thrusting at a different angle. Pleasure pulses through me, sending me flying over the edge, the orgasm buckling my knees. He quickly follows, his hot seed pulsing deep inside of me.

  I’m pulled upright, his strong arms turn me into his chest, and our lips meet. My breathing evens, and Echo’s hold loosens. His hand cups my chin and tilts my face to look at him. He forces his hands between my legs, collects the cum leaking out of me, and rubs it across my breasts and pussy.

  “Echo, I haven’t got time to take a shower,” I whine.

  Echo smiles smugly and lifts his eyebrows cheekily. “I know.” My mouth drops open. He leans forward and kisses me sweetly before swatting my arse. “Get dressed, sugar. Wear the black dress.”

  I step away from him on shaky legs and make my way to the wardrobe. Finding the dress he asked me to wear, I pull it from the hanger and slip it over my head. The skirt falls to midthigh. It’s black with a sweetheart neckline. Instead of straps, there’s a criss-cross pattern of thin ribbons across my shoulders and chest, so all my skin is still visible, but the ribbon makes a peekaboo pattern across my cleavage. It’s simple yet incredibly sexy. I tame my hair into a fishtail plait that falls across one shoulder, throw on my leather ankle boots, and finish my look with a swipe of mascara and cat’s-eye flick eyeliner.

  Dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans, and his cut, Echo’s beautiful. His colourful tattoos are framed against the dark material and my nipples pebble in appreciation.

  His eyes roam me from head to toe. “Sugar, you look like fucking sin.”

  I smile coquettishly. “Is that a good thing?”

  In a second, he’s across the room and I’m pulled back into his chest with his hand disappearing down my panties. “A fucking great thing. Except my dick’s gonna be hard as steel all night.”

  “Do we have to go to the party?”

  He laughs, but reluctantly releases me, licking his arousal-covered fingers. “Come on, let’s go.” With a pout, I let him guide me down the stairs and into his truck.

  The party’s much bigger than the last one, and people spill out of the clubhouse to dance around bonfires lit on the car park and grounds. Strangers fill the bar, hedonistic, sensual self-indulgence freeing them to forget their inhibitions. Naked women dance on podiums with their heads tipped back, lost in the music.

  Overwhelmed, I shrink into Echo’s embrace, allowing him to guide me through the room. A path clears for Echo as he walks. His naturally intimidating presence is dangerous enough for people to instantly recognise he’s not someone to fuck with. We stop at a table, and I’m grateful to spot the familiar faces of Sleaze and Brandi.

  “Liv, you look hot. I love this dress on you,” Brandi says, leaping from Sleaze’s lap and pulling me into a hug.

  “Thanks, hon, you look gorgeou
s too,” I say. She’s wearing super skinny, high-waisted jeans and nude heels, her top’s got a high neck with panels of fabric cut out to hint at the skin beneath.

  Brandi twirls and laughs. “Sleaze thinks so too,” she says, winking at me. Sleaze growls, and his hands snap out to grab her around the waist, pulling her into his lap. I laugh loudly as Sleaze drags her closer and kisses her passionately.

  Echo hands me a drink and lifts me to sit in his lap. Sipping it, I watch the revellers for a moment thoughtfully. “It feels like such a long time since we were at the last party, but it’s been less than two weeks,” I say.

  His hand slides up my leg before dipping beneath my dress. When he speaks, his voice rumbles sexily in my ear. “I wanted you so bad that night.”

  I turn to look at him fully and smile. “You ignored me the whole night, then threatened to kill that guy and dragged me off to your room.”

  His laugh vibrates through his chest. “I didn’t take my eyes off you all night, sugar. I tried to leave you alone, but the moment Puck touched you, I knew you were mine and he needed to keep his hands to his fucking self.”

  People start to join our table. Park arrives first, his assessing eyes watching me cautiously. Two bikers I don’t know arrive, then Blade, and finally Puck. I freeze, my whole body tensing. Echo’s grip tightens, and he pulls me closer into his arms before he turns to Puck and growls ominously.

  Puck strides straight up to Echo and holds out his hand. “Brother, I didn’t know she was yours. I’m sorry.”

  Echo leans forward, grasps Puck’s outstretched hand, and shakes it. “Apology accepted, brother. I’ll still fucking kill you if you touch her again.”

  Puck smiles and nods. “No worries.”

  Puck tilts his head in my direction, silently seeking permission to speak to me. Echo nods and Puck turns and kneels in front of me. My eyes widen, unsure what he plans to do. I expect him to touch me; he doesn’t, his hands stay resting on his knees. “Olivia, please accept my apology. I’m sorry.”

  His words sound sincere, and when I glance at his face, his eyes urge me to believe him. Nodding, I lean forward slightly. “That’s okay, but I appreciate the apology. I’m sure he doesn’t actually mean he’d kill you.”

  His laugh alters his features completely. “You’re his old lady, I’d deserve it.” I shrug and wrinkle my nose slightly in agreement. Puck laughs and rises, moving to the other side of the table, sitting next to Blade.

  Brandi catches my eye and signals that she wants to dance. I climb out of Echo’s lap, but his hand grabs mine, halting me. “Where you going?”

  I lean down and kiss him lightly. “To dance,” I say. He nods, slaps my arse playfully, and turns back to his friends.

  I down the rest of my drink quickly. Then Brandi grabs my hand and pulls me into the crowd. The music’s so loud it’s impossible to talk. We both throw our hands in the air and grind to the music, laughing and basking in the freedom. Thirsty, I touch Brandi’s arm. “Drink?” I shout. She mouths something in response, but it’s too loud to hear her. Confused, I lean in and shout in her ear. “I need a drink!” Nodding, she fans herself and gradually we force our way through the crowds back to our table.

  My eyes land on the back of Echo’s head, my skin heating just from knowing he’s close. I smile and pull Brandi behind me, eager to get to him. We weave around people, gradually edging closer to the table—and I stop dead. A blonde woman’s practically sitting on top of Echo, a brunette flanking the other side of him, her hands resting on his shoulder.

  Brandi walks into the back of me, shoving me forward. She catches me before I fall, and her eyes find the threesome on the sofa before turning a sympathetic look on me. Angry, I pull in a deep breath, push out my chest, march up to the table, and glare at Echo and his companions.

  I act before I think and grab a handful of the blonde’s cheap extensions. I violently yank her head back, and screaming, she falls from the sofa. Her shocked eyes turn angry when she sees that I’m her attacker, and she scrambles to her feet.

  We stand toe to toe. “Get the fuck away from him,” I snarl, my voice hard and lethal.

  Breathing heavily, she screams in my face, “Who the fuck are you?”

  My eyes flick to Echo for a second before returning to blondie. “I’m his old lady, so I suggest you get your skanky fucking arse away from him right now or I swear to God I will break your ugly fucking nose.”

  Her eyes widen for a second, then she snarls. “Echo doesn’t have an old lady. Go find another Sinner to fuck, ’cause me, Ebony, and Echo are gonna have some fun tonight, and we know just how to keep a man happy.” She smiles triumphantly and starts to turn away from me, my hand snaps out and grabs her shoulder and hauls her back to face me. I see red. I pull back my elbow and punch her in the face, blood spurts from her nose and she screams.

  I scan the rest of our group. A new-found respect is obvious on all of their faces. Brandi cheers loudly. “Woo, go Livvy,” she shouts. I laugh at her and curtsy briefly, shaking my head at myself. Skank one and two step towards me, and I feel Brandi at my shoulder, silently supporting me.

  Echo steps up behind me, his arms wrap around my waist, and I feel his tense body behind me. “Girls, I see you’ve met my old lady. I think you need to be reminded of what exactly your place is here. You pair are club whores; you’re here to get fucked. You’re easy, free pussy for those who want it. We can pick you up or drop you whenever we want. You girls let us fuck you anyhow, anywhere, in any-hole, and you love it, you beg for the scraps that the Sinners give you. But when a Sinner decides to make a woman his old lady, it’s because she’s a fucking lady, someone that we respect and that deserves the respect of everyone in or involved with the club. That means that the whores don’t ever disrespect an old lady. You need to fucking apologise to my woman, right fucking now.”

  Shocked, I stare at Echo, then at the thoroughly reprimanded skanks. Their eyes narrow on me even as they both apologise. Echo leans in and kisses my temple before he speaks. “Right, girls, you have two choices. You can get the fuck out of the club and never come back, or you can become Pucks playthings for the next week.” Their eyes widen at the mention of Pucks name. Echo chuckles. “I take it you both know about Puck’s… preferences.” Silently they both nod. “So, what’s it gonna be?”

  The girls look at each other. The one called Ebony turns and walks away, quickly scurrying through the crowd. All eyes turn to the remaining girl. She walks to Puck and sinks to her knees at his feet. He leans down and whispers in her ear, her eyes close for a second, then she nods. They stand, and Puck wraps his hand around the back of her neck and leads her towards the bedrooms.

  Puck and the girl disappear, and seconds later, Echo spins me to face him, lunging at me and claiming me in a brutal kiss. His lips consume me, and I melt into him—until images of women pawing him flash into my mind. I push his chest till he steps back, freeing me.

  “What the fuck was that?” I shout.

  Echo looks confused and reaches for me again, but I quickly step back. “Skanky and slutty pawing all over you,” I say pointedly. He ignores me, trying to pull me into his arms, but I bat his hand away.

  Echo scowls and grabs me, holding me tight to his chest. “That was nothing, sugar,” he coos.

  Anger pulses through me, and tilting my head to the side, I raise my eyebrows in question. “Oh, that was nothing. I just got into a fist fight with a girl who informed me I could go home because her and her skanky friend would be keeping you happy with a dirty little threesome tonight. Is that nothing? Oh, okay, then shall I go sit in some guys lap and offer him a lap dance? Would that be nothing as well?” I say sarcastically.

  Echo’s whole body tenses and fury explodes in his eyes. “Don’t fucking move, Livvy,” he growls.

  I bark out a dry laugh. “Yeah, not so funny when the tables are turned, is it? If you want those skanks, that’s fine, I’ll leave. If not, then I suggest you keep your hands to yourself and any
fucking sluts away from you, okay?”

  He nods once, his hand collaring my throat, gently stroking the pulse point there. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

  Apologetic eyes lock with mine, and I get lost in his gaze. My muscles relax one by one. Sensing my acceptance, he guides me into his chest, strong arms wrapping tightly around me. He dips his head to my ear and whispers, “I’m yours, you’re mine. That’s it, sugar.”

  Echo hands me a drink, and tentatively sits, watching me and waiting for my reaction. I tip back the glass and swallow deeply, the cool beer soothing my throat.

  Echo studies me. I smile at him mischievously, grab Brandi, and we head back out to the dance floor. I can feel his eyes on me. I dance, swaying provocatively to the music. Brandi winks conspiratorially before pulling me close. Our legs entwine, my arms resting over her shoulders, hers on my waist. Our bodies rub against one another, the music fuelling our provocative routine. Moving closer, we dance, smiling and laughing loudly.

  Her head moves to my ear and she speaks, but I can barely hear her over the loud bass. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.”

  Echo and Sleaze materialize in front of us, both intense and determined as they reach out and pull us apart. Sleaze pulls Brandi in close, whispering in her ear. The music hides what he says, but Brandi’s eyes widen and then glaze over with a lust-filled haze.

  I pause, unsure what Echo will do. I brace, expecting to be hoisted into the air, but instead his chest touches my back, swaying against me to the music. “We’re dancing?” I say in shock. Echo must hear the surprise in my voice, and he wraps one of his arms across my stomach and guides me to move to the rhythm.

  His hips rotate, grinding with the pulse of the bass. I relax and my body sinks against his, allowing him to move me as he pleases. His hard cock rests against my arse, rubbing against me as our hips sway. His large, tattooed hand rests on my thigh, edging my dress up inch by inch. The other pushes against my stomach, holding me tight against him.