Caught in the Devil's Snare

by Dani Matthews

  Everything within me goes still. “Charli’s building?”

  “I thought you’d want to know.”

  “Have a vehicle ready in two,” I order as I disconnect the call and launch myself from the bed. An explosion? What the fuck? I’d personally chosen the building for Charli because it would be safe.

  In the walk-in closet, I snatch the nearest item and yank on a long-sleeved shirt, buttoning it. After slipping on a pair of pants, I shove my bare feet into dress shoes and retrieve a suit jacket before exiting the closet. I’m concerned about Charli and anxious to verify that she’s unharmed. I’m not one to panic though, so even as my thoughts race a mile a minute, my actions are calm.

  Once I have my phone in hand, I stride out of the room and make my way down the curving stairwell. As I leave the penthouse and step into the elevator, I send a quick text to Charli. Are you okay? Instead of waiting for her to respond, I dial Keagan’s number. I want answers, and I want them now. My call is forwarded to voicemail, and I mutter a curse. Charli’s not responding to my text, either.

  If there was an explosion, they’re probably outside as the emergency crews take control of the situation. They’d likely left their phones in the apartment in the rush to exit the building.

  When the elevator doors slide open in the basement, I step out to find the limo waiting. Carter is patiently standing beside it. I nod to him, and he promptly opens the limo door. I climb in and try calling Keagan once more as the vehicle begins to pull forward.

  Still no answer but voicemail.

  I toss the phone onto the seat and drag a hand through my hair. I’d assured her that I’d keep my distance, but I need to see for myself that she’s okay.

  The drive is excruciatingly slow, and when we approach the block that the building is located on, it’s cordoned off by police cruisers. I lean forward to slide open the partition and tell Carter to pull over. When he does as I ask, I climb out of the limo and immediately smell the smoke in the air.

  People are milling around, and I stare in shock at the apartment building in the distance. From here, I can see flames engulfing the upper floors that face the street.

  I quickly brush past bystanders as I begin counting the floors of the building, concluding that the fire seems to have engulfed the eleventh, twelfth, and the thirteenth floors.

  Fuck!

  Charli’s place is burning to a crisp. I move through the crowd, anxious to confirm that Keagan had gotten her out safely.

  There are several firetrucks trying to put out the blaze, and police are struggling to keep the onlookers at bay. All around me, people are clad in what they’d gone to bed in. Some are crying, and others are simply staring up at the flames with shock.

  I’m not seeing Charli or Keagan anywhere.

  “Hey, you’re too close. Go back to the cordoned area,” an officer orders, stepping in front of me.

  I cut him a cold look. “I’m looking for family,” I say curtly before moving around him, daring him to stop me. When he doesn’t, I continue striding towards the ambulances parked on the opposite end of the street. There are numerous people sitting on stretchers with oxygen masks, but they all look to be okay.

  At last, I spy Charli and Keagan.

  They’re sitting on a stretcher near an ambulance, and a blanket is wrapped around their shoulders as they huddle together. Keagan’s wearing an oxygen mask and watching the flames eat away the building while Charli’s head rests on his shoulder. Her eyes are focused on the crowd as if dazed while she holds an oxygen mask to her face.

  As I approach, even in the flashing lights, I can see the soot in her blonde hair and the black grime that covers her face. This tells me that they’d been close to the flames, and inside my chest, my heart constricts.

  Charli happens to notice me, and she blinks a few times before bursting into action. She yanks off the mask and hops off the stretcher, rushing towards me.

  Thank God!

  As soon as she’s within reaching distance, I pull her to my chest, holding her tightly as I kiss the crown of her head. Her slim arms wrap around my waist, and she clutches me as if she’s never going to let me go. Her body reeks of smoke and charred material, but from what I’d seen, she seems unhurt.

  Keagan has walked over, looking worse for wear but unharmed. He still has the blanket wrapped around him, and his eyes connect with mine. He gives me a grim nod in greeting.

  Charli’s showing no signs of releasing me as she presses her cheek over my heart, and I’m fine with that. I run a hand through her soft hair and look at Keagan expectantly. “What happened?”

  “From what I gather, there was an explosion in the apartment above ours. It was close, but we made it out.” He begins to slip off the blanket, frowning towards Charli.

  It dawns on me that she’s wearing next to nothing. I carefully ease her back and slide off my suit jacket, slipping it over her shoulders. Her face tilts upwards so she can look up at me, and in the flashing lights, I can see dark smudges beneath her nose from where she’d inhaled smoke. She gives me a grateful smile, slipping her arms in the jacket and pulling it close, hugging it to her body.

  “Are you both cleared to leave the scene?” I ask Keagan.

  He shrugs, and his eyes begin to water. “Haven’t asked,” he grits out as he’s momentarily wracked by coughs.

  I reach over and place a hand on his shoulder. “Go sit with the oxygen while I find out. You can stay with us at the penthouse,” I invite.

  He shakes his head, his voice hoarse as he says, “I’m going to stay with Lance for the night. He’s already on his way.”

  I nod, and as he walks back to the stretcher to retrieve the discarded oxygen mask, I flag down a female paramedic nearby. “Does she need to be checked at the hospital?”

  “She already declined treatment. I had her friend explain to her what to watch for in case complications arise. At this point, it’s just minor smoke inhalation. She should make a full recovery,” she informs.

  “Does she need to speak with anyone or can I take her with me?”

  “She can leave.”

  After the paramedic returns to Keagan to check on him, I peer down at Charli. I’m not certain if she’ll be able to read my lips, so I simply ask, “Penthouse?”

  She studies my lips for a moment and then nods in agreement.

  I wrap my arm around her, and as we begin to make our way through the crowd, I realize that she’s barefoot. I quickly sweep her up into my arms, and instead of protesting, she sinks into my chest, her face pressing against my neck. A small cough shakes her slim body, but then she settles comfortably, her arms wrapping loosely around my neck.

  It takes a few minutes to make our way through the crowd, and when I approach the limo, Carter quickly opens the back door.

  I’m careful as I ease her inside the vehicle and climb in next to her, drawing her back into my arms. She nestles onto my lap, her eyelashes drifting closed as she rests her head on my shoulder.

  As the limo pulls away from the curb, I close my eyes and inhale deeply as I sort out what comes next. There must be a way to make this work.

  I need her in my life.

  Twenty-four

  Charli

  After the close call from the fire, it feels incredibly good to be wrapped in Devlin’s arms, his masculine scent infiltrating my senses instead of the acrid stench of smoke.

  A few days ago, I’d been determined to stay out of his arms, but now there isn’t anywhere else that I’d rather be. As odd as it sounds, the man signifies stability. I know he’s dangerous, but he would never hurt me. He’s always been there for me even when I don’t want him to be. And tonight, he’d come to check on me even after I’d left him in the limo a few days earlier. I’ve walked away from him so many times, and yet he keeps coming back. If nothing else can show me how much I need him regardless of whether he fits into my life’s criteria, that should.

  As I sit in the protection of his embrace, I realize that he’s nev
er asked anything of me. Well, not true. He practically demands that I follow his plans when it comes to my safety, but other than that, he asks for nothing but my time. When we’re together, he’s content to let me call the shots. Instead of pushing his views on me, he seems much more interested in what I am thinking. Most importantly, he doesn’t consider my deafness a hindrance to the relationship we could have. He’s embraced it since day one, even though there’s been a few hiccups along the way.

  Ironically, even after how we’d initially met, he makes me feel his equal when we’re together. The man likes control, but he reins it in when I’m with him. I like that. I’ve seen many unexpected sides to Devlin Kade, and the more I’m around him, the more I manage to learn. His business is far from appealing, but deep down, he’s a good soul. Maybe it’s time I concentrate on the man within instead of the person he portrays when it comes to his criminal affairs.

  When we arrive at the hotel, Devlin carefully shifts me off his lap, and I adjust his suit jacket around myself as Carter helps me out of the limo. Devlin is there in a heartbeat, and he swings me up into his arms once more before striding to the elevator. I want to protest until I glimpse my bare, dirty feet. Ah.

  A minute later, the elevator doors open and we enter the penthouse. Instead of setting me down, Devlin carries me across the main room to the curving stairwell that leads up to the second level. He gently eases me to my feet on the first step so that we are eye level. His eyes meet mine as he tenderly strokes my jaw with his thumb. “Will you stay with me tonight? No expectations. I just want to keep you close.”

  I understand that he’s asking me to stay in his room instead of the guest room. I don’t want to be alone, and as much as he doesn’t want me out of his sight, I don’t want him out of mine.

  A soft smile curves my lips, and I nod. I’m alive, and I want to savor the fact that I’m here. With him.

  He nods and touches my back, urging me up the stairs. I turn and begin making my way up. At the top, there’s a short hallway that leads to a closed door.

  Devlin moves past me and opens it, his eyes shifting back to mine as he politely holds the door open, waiting.

  I step past him and enter the room as the lights flicker on. I look around with interest. If I thought the main room was amazing, this room is stunning with its gorgeous city view. The wall facing the city is all glass windows, and sheer curtains fall luxuriously on the outskirts of the windows. The room is large, and a king-sized bed dominates the room. The sheets are black with gray accents, and the nightstands on either side of the bed each have matching contemporary lamps. The wall the bed is situated against is dark gray and bare of décor. This is Devlin’s personal space, and it’s simple but masculine—just as I would expect. Everything in this penthouse is simple at best, but incredibly sophisticated and lavish.

  When Devlin senses I’ve looked my fill, he leads me to a set of double doors, and we enter his private bath. My eyes are accustomed to Devlin’s posh surroundings, so instead of studying the classy bathroom with its immaculate, gray granite counters, I find myself distracted when eyes rest on the opulent mirror above the double sinks.

  My nose wrinkles. Soot streaks my blonde hair, and a light dusting of grime coats my face. Pale tracks stand out against my cheeks where tears had seeped from my eyes, and black dust darkens my upper lip beneath my nose.

  I ease out of Devlin’s jacket and note that my once white tank is dirty, and my pale pink panties are now a drab color. I’m a dirty mess.

  Movement draws my eye, and I watch as Devlin opens the glass door to the large shower. He leans in and turns on the water, adjusting the temperature before water falls from rainfall showerhead in the center of the shower.

  When he returns to me, his eyes look strangely torn before he hides the emotion. “I’ll leave you to shower. If you need anything, I’ll be in the other room.”

  He’s visibly reluctant to leave, and I don’t want him to. There is no more shyness when it comes to being with him. He’s proven that my body turns him on, and he’s seen me at my most vulnerable when he’s generously pleasured me regardless of his own needs.

  My eyes hold his as I reach for the hem of my tank and pull it up and over my head, dropping the dirty material to the floor. His eyes widen, and I’m pleased that I’ve taken him by surprise. I carefully slide off my panties and let them fall to my ankles before stepping out of them.

  First, I need to clean the dirt from my body, and if he wants to help with that, I’m fine with it. Afterwards…I need to stop denying what we both crave so badly. I need him tonight.

  I hold his gaze a moment longer, and I watch as a muscle throbs in his jaw as his eyes remain locked on mine instead of devouring my body. That right there is why I’ve fallen for this man. Yes, the sexual attraction is off the charts, but this is so much more. My feelings matter to him, and they come first over his body’s needs.

  I give him a sweet smile of invitation before turning and walking to the shower. After stepping inside, I position myself beneath the spray, closing my eyes and tilting my head up, allowing the water to wash away the filth from my face. The steady droplets coat my hair, and it feels wonderful as it sluices down my body.

  I sense movement, alerting me that Devlin’s joined me. A familiar scent permeates the air, and then I feel his hands in my hair. He’s gently coating it with shampoo, and it feels heavenly. I stand still, allowing him to wash my hair. Once it’s rinsed, I turn to face him.

  He’s a stunning sight with his wet, dark hair flattened to his head. Water drips off his features, and I can no longer deny the yearning to look at his body. His chest is just as I’d expected. Hard, powerful, and sculpted. It’s obvious that he takes diligent care of his body, and as tempted as I am to brush my fingertips over the ridges of his abdominal muscles, I refrain from it. Instead, my eyes drop to the cut of his hips, and then lower. His masculinity is bare of hair, and I study his arousal. It’s very erect, thick, and long. I wonder if it’s as velvety as it looks. My lower body begins to throb wantonly.

  Devlin ignores his body’s arousal and reaches for the bar of soap on the shelf. The atmosphere in the shower has intensified as he begins to rub the soap into my shoulders.

  Then, a sly look appears in his gaze as he begins to wash my body. He’s careful not to touch my nipples even as they tighten and beg for his touch. It’s torture just standing there, but before we do anything, I need the grime washed from my body.

  His hands run over the curves of my butt, and I draw in a sharp breath. He moves around me and then drops to his knees, using the soap to wash my right thigh. His fingers massage my skin and slide down to my calf.

  Oh damn.

  I can’t stand this anymore.

  I wait until he’s cleaned my other leg before I take the soap from him and lather my hands. I slip a soapy hand between my legs to clean away the grit, but Devlin grabs my hand, stopping me. He deliberately takes the soap, giving me a look of sternness with a hint of mischievousness lurking in his eyes as he lathers his hands. Then, his eyes shift as he parts my legs and runs his hand over my slick folds, careful not to play with my clit. It’s the best and worst kind of torture.

  He’s still on his knees, his face not far from my femininity. My lips part as he slowly rubs his fingers over me, washing, but also taunting the sensitive flesh.

  My hands automatically reach for his broad shoulders, and after he rinses me clean, he leans forward and presses a soft, intimate kiss just below my belly button. I reach for his hair, running my fingers through the wet strands.

  Much to my surprise, he abruptly stands. I blink with confusion as he turns off the water. He promptly whisks me up into his arms and carries me out of the shower. The air is cool against my naked skin as he strides back to his room and carefully sets me down in the middle of his bed.

  He then stands back and stares down at my nude body. I lie there, waiting for him to look his fill. I’ve never thought much of my body, but Devlin sure see
ms quite taken with it. The cool air has caused my pink tipped nipples to pucker as I wait for him to make a move.

  Like a predator preparing to devour its prey, he moves towards me, his body closing in on mine. His lips catch my own in a brief kiss before he pulls away and trails kisses down to one of my breasts, drawing the pert tip into his mouth. He flicks at it with his tongue, and I arch my hips into him, feeling his erection nestled near my folds.

  As he works my nipple with his tongue, his hand reaches up, and he rolls the other tip of my breast between his fingers. I arch my back, pushing my breasts into him as my body begs for more. He patiently gives them his attention, ignoring my searching hips.

  Then, his lips trail downwards, beneath my breasts and straight towards my navel. I blink and hold my breath, my head lifting as I peer down at him.

  His eyes lift to mine, his gaze holding a wicked gleam, and then he settles himself lower—directly between my thighs. My eyes widen as he shifts so that my legs are now splayed across his bare shoulders. The moist center between my thighs is now inches from his sensuous mouth.

  His lip tilts in the corner ever so slightly, and then his head dips down and his tongue glides along my slit. My breath hitches, and then his tongue is dancing across my clit. The feel of his mouth on me is mind-blowingly good, and I watch his dark head moving between my thighs. His eyes lift to mine, and they grow sinful as he opens his mouth so I can see his tongue brushing against the swollen knot of flesh. He begins to flick it ruthlessly as his eyes remain on mine.

  It's the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, and I feel my inner muscles clench as my folds grow wetter. I’m close to the edge, but I don’t want to go just yet. I want to enjoy watching him pleasure me like this.

  His lips lift from my clit, and with cunning eyes, he asks, “More?”

  I quickly nod, and I watch as his hand moves to my core. He gently inserts a finger inside of me. It’s an odd sensation, and he watches my expression intently as he carefully moves it around my tight channel. When I don’t pull away, he carefully inserts a second finger, allowing me to grow accustomed to having something inside me.