by Alicia Rae
Joshua attempted to pry me off of Drake. His efforts were pointless. All I could focus on was Drake and what he’d said, and I’d make damn certain he never got close to Raelyn again.
Joshua yanked on me again to intercede and shouted, “Enough, man! Stop before you kill the son of a bitch!”
Nothing could make me see reason…until I heard Raelyn’s voice cry out, “Damien!”
My fist paused midair, and I rotated my head to see her dropping to the ground beside me.
Her eyes lowered to Drake, and they went wide with fright before she flicked them back to me. “Damien, please. Not like this.” She set her hand on my arm and pushed it down.
Drake groaned in pain under me as I kept my gaze locked on Raelyn. In my peripheral vision, I saw Joshua and Iris standing quietly off to the side.
My chest constricted tightly, only to gradually release enough for me to inhale a sharp breath. “He keeps coming back,” I grated, clenching and unclenching my jaw, straining to rein in my temper. “I won’t allow him to hurt you or to come between us. He won’t take you from me.”
“He won’t,” Raelyn agreed, her voice but a whisper.
I let her tug me off of Drake, and we rose to our feet.
Raelyn placed her palm over my heart as she added, “I’d never leave you, Damien.”
Drake rolled over to his stomach where he sprawled his hands on the grass and pulled himself up onto his knees. He coughed, spitting up blood, and trembled with weakness. His legs wobbled when he finally stood up.
“If you actually knew the truth about this lowlife, trust me, you’d leave him,” Drake taunted. “Why don’t you ask your lover here what he did to break our family apart?” A red glob of blood poured down his chin. He swiped at it with his hand before curling his lip up into a sneer. “Or, better yet, ask him where my father is.”
I whipped my eyes to Drake and took a menacing step toward him. If looks could kill, the motherfucker would be dead. “If you’d like to walk out of here, alive and in one piece, you’d shut your fucking mouth.”
Drake stood there, his smug expression egging me on. I advanced on him when his mouth parted to speak. Joshua intervened, outstretching his arms between us to maintain our distance.
“Don’t be stupid, man,” Joshua warned Drake with a stern voice. “Get the hell out of here before he puts you six feet under the ground.”
“Good fucking call,” I growled, pushing my chest into Joshua’s hand, wishing I could beat the smirk clean off of Drake’s face.
Drake bit his lip and looked down at the ground, as if deliberating on his choices. He made the right decision when he started walking away.
Things were looking up until Drake had to pause and say, “Oh, and, Raelyn, Annabelle is looking for you.”
Raelyn’s face filled with shock.
“I hope you wise up and leave him while you still have a chance!” he shouted across the lawn.
My body burned with irritation, and the instinct to chase him down and finish kicking the shit out of him consumed me. Raelyn and Joshua were on me before I had the opportunity to get very far.
“Let it go, man,” Joshua stated.
Raelyn positioned herself in front of me and rested her hands on my chest. “He’s not worth it, Damien.”
I puffed my cheeks out, consumed with abhorrence for that man. Most people loved their family, whether blood or not, and here I was, wanting to rip that fucker’s heart out. I wasn’t sure what kind of person that made me, but there was no holding back my true feelings. My hatred for him was bone deep.
“And, all these years, I thought my brothers and I were too rough with one another, always beating each other up.” Joshua whistled, shaking his head from side to side. “We were all peaches compared to you two. Besides stalking your girl, what else has that guy done to piss you off so badly?”
If he was trying to lighten my mood, it wasn’t working. The list of Drake’s wrongdoings was too extensive to sit here and chitchat about in the middle of the night.
I shot Joshua a look and said, “Everything.” Then, I glanced between him and Iris. “Thank you for being here for Raelyn tonight. I’m forever in your debt.”
“No problem, man.” Joshua reached out to me, and he and I exchanged a handshake.
My gratitude for the guy multiplied, and I had to force myself to remain calm as different scenarios of me not coming home when I had played out in my mind.
“Truthfully, I appreciate it,” I told him as I dropped my arm to my side.
“We’re glad we could be here.” Iris stepped forward and opened her arms.
I let her hug me. “Thanks, Iris.” I tightened my hold on her, grateful she cared about Raelyn’s well-being as much as I did.
Iris drew back and smiled softly at me before shifting her attention to Raelyn. I slightly backed up, observing the two.
Iris pointed an accusing finger at Raelyn. “You’ll call me soon, so we can get together?” She arched a brow. “Don’t forget about kayaking this weekend.”
Excitement spread across Raelyn’s features. “Of course.”
“Kayaking?” I questioned, hearing of this for the first time.
“Oh, yes. I’m sorry. I forgot to mention it to you.” Raelyn frowned, coming to me. “Iris and Joshua would like us to go kayaking with them this weekend.”
“We would?” Joshua chimed in, looking as out of the loop as I was.
I was glad I wasn’t the only one.
“Yes,” Iris answered. Then, she dismissively waved her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll talk about it later. It’s getting late, and I’m sure we all need to wind down.”
I couldn’t agree more, so I wrapped one arm around Raelyn’s waist and pulled her body into mine while glancing at her friends. “Good night, guys. We’ll see you soon then.”
“Good night.” Iris blew Raelyn a kiss. “Love you, lady!”
“Love you, too!” Raelyn shouted after her.
I used my arm to bring Raelyn closer, and I pressed my lips to her temple. “Let’s get you inside.”
It was well past our normal bedtime when Raelyn and I climbed the stairs and went to our bedroom. Exhaustion settled over me as I unbuttoned my dress jacket, shrugged it off my shoulders, and tossed the garment aside. I began to undo my shirt, only to realize Raelyn wasn’t near. I turned around to see she’d paused at the threshold of the room.
She was leaning against the doorjamb with her arms crossed, completely quiet. Her eyes were fixated on me, and beneath her fatigue, there was an inquisitive look in them. We stood there, staring at one another in silence. Emotions were mounting in her expression, and it made me anxious.
I undid my belt and tossed it aside while inhaling a measured breath, preparing myself for what I knew was about to come. “Say what you need to say, Raelyn. Get it off your chest, so we can put this behind us,” I murmured, wishing like hell I could skip this conversation.
Ages passed before she finally asked, “Why does Drake want me to leave you?”
I rid myself of my undershirt. “Because he blames me for his wife and son leaving him.” I was pretty sure she knew that. Though, given Drake had said he’d waited a long time for me to care about someone, I was assuming he had another reason.
Raelyn nodded with understanding. “Why does he blame you for your family falling apart?”
That, on the other hand, wasn’t a simple question to answer. “There are many reasons. But my guess would be because we weren’t an ordinary family. We were a very troubled one…without compromise during the bad times, without laughter because there was no good, and without the slightest bit of love—none at all,” I stated, emphasizing each phrase, as I moved toward her.
“Where is your father?” Raelyn queried, persistent for information.
“I never met him. Apparently, he skipped out of town before I was born.”
“Oh.” Raelyn tilted her head to the side, seeming confused. “What about Drake’s fath
er then?” Her tone was barely above a whisper. “Where does he fit into all of this?”
The tiredness in her eyes was my undoing, and I tried to coax her into letting this go for now. “Raelyn, you’re beyond exhausted. Can we talk about this after you’ve had some rest?”
“No, Damien.” Raelyn put her arm up, keeping distance between us. I didn’t like it one bit. “I’ve had enough of you leaving me in the dark. What happened to Drake’s father?”
My entire body coiled with tension at the memory. “He died,” I stated flatly. The admission triggered unsettling deep emotions and memories from that day so many years ago, most of which I didn’t want swarming around my head.
Anguish filled Raelyn’s features as she inhaled a sharp breath. “I’m so sorry.” Her lower lip quivered. “Does Drake blame you for his father’s death?”
I stepped closer to her, and she let me.
“We didn’t get along well before that,” I answered, “but, yes, it was the final nail in the coffin.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been an awfully traumatic experience as a child.”
“Don’t be. It was a long time ago,” I said in response to her before adding, “It’s not something I like to talk about.” I brushed her hair off her shoulder before gently grasping her chin and tilting it up to gaze into her greens. “I have you. You are my family, Raelyn, and that’s all I need.”
As if reading my next thought, Raelyn brought her lips to mine. It was a tender kiss, one meant to comfort and soothe the soul. I turned my mind over to my body where I took Raelyn to bed and showed her how much she meant to me and just how much I loved her.
My world, my thoughts, my heart—they all revolved around her. No one else would ever compare.
eleven
Raelyn
I came to, opening my eyes on a yawn, and I snuggled into Damien, observing he was fast asleep. It was then I quickly recalled it was the weekend, not a workday. That meant I should be getting some extra shut-eye, but it seemed my brain had missed that memo.
It was finally Saturday, and I was thrilled to spend the day with my favorite people—Damien and Iris along with her boyfriend. Damien still wasn’t overly fond of Joshua. However, Joshua had earned a few points with Damien a few nights ago after he’d come to my aid and helped ward off Drake.
Since Drake’s and Annabelle’s unwanted appearances in our lives, Damien had been keeping a close eye on me. He’d even insisted on dropping me off and picking me up at work. I’d attempted to dismiss his over-the-top protectiveness, but the idea of being stalked was unnerving, so I’d given in to him. Carpooling couldn’t last forever though, so sooner or later, we’d have to put this quarrel with his family to rest.
I shook my head, refusing to think about Annabelle or Drake anymore. I stifled another yawn as I briefly contemplated making Damien breakfast in bed, only that idea was quickly eradicated when he gravitated toward me in his sleep, and I became achingly aware of his gloriously naked body.
It would be a shame to pass up such an opportune moment to admire his physique, so I didn’t. My eyes drank in the expansion of his toned chest as my greedy hands traveled over the planes of it, appreciating the delicious curves of his taut muscles. Black ink covered the tops of his shoulders and tied into the tattooed sleeves that further defined his thick biceps.
Need, want, and impatience to have him immediately consumed me as my center began to throb incessantly. I climbed atop him and connected my lips with his soft skin, trailing delicate kisses from the hollow of his throat to his chest.
Damien’s hands came to my hips, and he inched my body downward where my pelvis came into contact with his hard length. I moaned out loud.
His breathing increased as he captured my gaze with the heated stare of his grays. “Jesus, that fucking sound you make…it drives me crazy.” He rocked his hips into me again, instigating another sensual sound to escape past my lips.
All my blood rushed south, pooling at the apex of my thighs. I was a riot of sparks and flames, ready to be taken.
I brought my legs up to straddle his waist and took him in my hand. I gave his solid erection one firm pump, feeling him go impossibly hard at my touch. The velvety smooth contrast of his skin compared to the steel-like hardness of him was an exhilarating combination.
His eyes were smoky, and they smoldered into mine. The urgency in them matched my own, so I positioned him at my entrance and sank onto him with one unhurried, deliberate move. My lips parted to accommodate my breathing at the heady fullness of him as I gradually took him in all the way.
Damien exhaled on a rush. His hands clasped my sides as he thrust his hips up into me, impaling himself deeper within me. The feeling was exquisite.
His gaze traveled over my naked flesh, lingering here and there. His blatantly pure desire for me washed over me, affecting me so, as a warm essence flooded every part of me. I rose and fell over him again and again. I let my head fall back, and I pushed off of him with more determination, feeling myself cripple with the pleasure building in my core.
Damien continued to counter my movements, penetrating me deep on each of my downward motions. “That’s it, baby. Ride me,” he growled, raking his hands all over me, as I rode him with total abandon.
Normally, I was self-conscious in this position, especially with my growing curves.
But not today.
His need and craving for me made me feel adored, sexy, and beautiful. It spurred me on.
When I was with him, everything else faded into the background. The heat between us melded us together. It was only him and me and our passion and love for one another. I felt so taken, his.
My heart beat faster, and my orgasm brewed like a fierce storm within me, begging for release. “Damien,” I cried out, unsure if I could hold it back.
“Wait for me,” he demanded, pounding into me harder.
The muscles in my thighs bunched, and I fell forward on a cry. Damien came at me and seized my mouth, ravishing it with a hot, urgent kiss.
My entire body shuddered when my climax rushed forward, breaking through its barrier. Damien buried his nose in my neck and groaned as I felt his warmth flood me.
Several minutes passed as we both fought to steady our breathing. I was completely shattered, sated.
Then, his mouth found mine again, and he kissed me, tenderly and lazily. An eternity seemed to pass before his heart was content.
His hands eventually shifted to my back. He ran them up and down the length of my torso, caressing it. “What were you doing up so early on our day off?” Damien asked, breaking the silence.
“I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking of surprising you with breakfast in bed until you squashed my plan,” I joked, running my fingers along his bare chest. I’d simply never have my fill of touching him.
His brows inched their way upward. “Who squashed that plan?”
“You did,” I teased as I made circular motions over his heart, using the pad of my finger to point at him. “I was going to make you breakfast in bed until you distracted me with your glorious, godlike body. So, it’s all your fault.”
“I can’t help it that you find me so tempting. But I can’t deny that I’d take sleepy morning sex over food any day.” His eyes danced with mischief. “So, now that we have that settled, go make me some breakfast, gorgeous, and a nice warm cup of coffee.” He grinned boyishly and smacked my bare ass, making it sting.
I gaped at my arrogant, challenging, yet sexy CEO, fully prepared to strike him with my sass. “That gesture was only on the plate if you were sleeping, and it’s definitely not going to happen after that little demand!” I defiantly shoved at his chest and rose to my knees, prepared to leave him alone in bed and let him starve.
Damien moved with stealth and speed. Rising onto his knees, he caught my leg and wrapped his other hand around my waist, hauling me back to the bed, caveman-style.
“Get your hands off me!” I squealed, laughing uncontrollably.
D
amien straddled me, caging me in. He pinned my hands above my head and hit me with those unique grays of his. The things they did to me were totally unfair. I wanted the upper hand in this, and I had a feeling Damien wasn’t going to give it to me.
“Now, baby, we can do this the easy way…or the hard way,” he breathed huskily along my lips, dangling a kiss in front of me while keeping his mouth just out of reach. “You should know that, in both of them, I win.”
I bent my leg and skimmed my knee up the inside of his thigh until I reached his goods. Once there, I gently caressed them. Damien’s eyes were a mixture of heat and wariness. He knew my game.
I bit my lip to keep a straight face before gradually releasing it. “How about a compromise?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “What kind of compromise?”
“We can have coffee, and then we can make breakfast—together.”
He regarded me for a moment, seeming to consider my offer. “All right, deal,” he answered with a smirk. “See? I can compromise.” He pressed his lips against mine for a smacking kiss.
I was about to retort a comeback until his lips suddenly curved up into one of his infamously handsome yet devious smiles.
“But I get the first cup!” And, bam, he was gone.
I barely managed to lift my head in time to see Damien sprinting out of the room. All I could do was gape after him in complete shock until I finally chuckled.
I truly wondered what would happen if there were only one Keurig K-Cup left in the house.
Would he willingly give it to me?
Probably not.
Would I cave and let him have it?
Hell no.
Would we duke it out?
Most definitely.
It would be with love, of course.
With a wicked glint in my eyes, I scrambled off the bed and took off after Damien en route to the kitchen, mindful not to slip on the hardwood floor in my socks. I went around the kitchen island right as I heard the Keurig beginning to pour the first cup.
Damien was standing directly in front of the crafty machine.