by Opal Carew
Love?
He didn’t mean that the way her pounding heart wanted him to. Did he?
Shock zipped through her. Could she really want him to fall in love with her? This man she’d only met days ago? After he’d kidnapped her?
But the kidnapping made him all the more appealing because it showed the lengths to which he’d go to keep her safe.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, watching her changing expressions.
“I just realized that everything about our relationship has changed.”
His eyebrow arched. “Relationship?”
“Well, you know … I mean…” But she noticed his eyes were glittering with amusement.
“Yes, I know. I’m no longer the big bad man who has you chained to his bed.” He grinned and kissed her lips lightly.
She smiled timidly at him. “True. But you know, if I had to find myself trapped in someone’s bed, I’m glad it was yours.”
Fire blazed in his eyes and he drew her close, his lips ravaging hers.
“Steele,” someone said while rapping on the door.
Steele tore his lips from hers. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath, then snarled, “What do you want?”
“Laurie’s brother is on the phone. He wants to talk to her.”
He stared at her. “This isn’t over.”
She smiled and slipped from his lap.
Sometime during the night, she’d shed her jeans, so she quickly pulled them on as Steele walked to the door. He opened it, revealing Rip standing in the doorway.
Rip handed him a cell phone and Steele nodded, then closed the door and handed the phone to Laurie.
“Hello?” she said.
“Laurie, I’m glad you’re okay. I heard about what happened,” Craig said on the other end of the line.
She didn’t know which happening he referred to, and she didn’t care right now.
“You’ve been out of town,” she said.
“Yeah, I had to go on business, but I got back as soon as I could.”
“But you were busy before you left.” Her hand tightened on the phone.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, arranging for my kidnapping.”
“Laurie, wait—”
“No, I’m not going to wait. How could you do that?” She was aware of Steele in the background, watching her.
“I was just trying to keep you safe. And you must know that I made that suggestion when I was … uh … less than sober.”
“But sober or not, you really thought that turning me over to a gang of bikers was a reasonable solution?”
“I didn’t turn you over to a gang of bikers. I asked my friend—a cop—to help me look out for you. He knew these guys and one of them is an ex-cop, too. I knew you’d be in good hands. Anyway, I told you, I was drunk at the time, and desperate to protect you. But none of that matters, because they refused.”
“And yet, here I am,” she responded, her hand balling into a fist. But she realized that it wasn’t fair to pin that on her brother, since it was circumstances that had caused Wild Card to snatch her. And save her from Donovan’s clutches, she admitted to herself. Her gaze darted to Steele.
But despite that, she couldn’t let her brother get away with this kind of thing.
“Craig, you really can’t do things like this. You’re overprotective and controlling. I need to live my own life. I’m an intelligent adult.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, annoyance in his voice. “Because some of your choices suggest otherwise.”
Anger flared inside her and she jabbed the END button, then spiked the phone at the armchair. It hit the cushion then bounced to the floor as she tugged the bedroom door open and stormed out. She strode down the stairs then straight out the front door. She ignored the stares of Dom, Rip, and Shock who sat in chairs on the grass overlooking the water and continued along the path to the isolated beach. She kept walking until the glittering water came into view and past the dense bushes then stopped by a big tree and leaned back against it, waiting for her pounding heart to settle down.
“You okay?” Steele asked from behind her.
“Afraid I’d run away?” she asked, annoyance in her voice.
But he ignored her barb. “I thought you might want to talk.” He stepped closer. “Your brother cares about you. You know that.”
She drew in a deep breath. “Yet he arranged for you to kidnap me.”
“He wasn’t really serious, and we didn’t go along with it.”
She glared at him. “And yet I’m here.”
He walked toward her. “Laurie, don’t transfer your anger at your brother to me. You know what happened.” He grasped her shoulders and gazed at her, his granite eyes intense. “Wild Card—or any of us, for that matter—wouldn’t have ignored what was happening to you in that parking garage. He stepped in because he wouldn’t just stand by and allow that asshole to manhandle you like that.”
She pursed her lips. “The point is, my brother doesn’t think I can take care of myself.”
“You’re a woman and he’s trying to watch out for you.” He shrugged. “And I can understand why he wants to protect his little sister.”
She glared at him. “So you think that because I’m a woman I can’t take care of myself either? So tell me, if I wanted to leave right now, would you stop me?”
His jaw twitched. “I shouldn’t have to. You should know what’s good for you.”
“So you’d keep me here against my will?” She tried to step past him but he blocked her way. “You’d overpower me?”
He stepped forward, backing her against the tree. “Why not? That seems to be what you like.”
He dragged her into his arms, his lips taking hers in a forceful kiss. She stiffened, resisting the urge to melt against him. But her anger began to disappear when he pulled her tight to him, her breasts crushed against his hard, muscular chest. She longed for him to stroke them, to rip off her shirt and nuzzle the soft skin.
He stroked his hands down her sides to her hips, then pulled her against his body, his hard erection pressing against her soft belly. Oh, God, she wanted to feel that big cock. To hold it in her hands and stroke it. To feel him press it to her opening and glide inside. Deep and hard inside her.
She clenched her thighs as his hard lips dominated and his big body trapped her immobile against the tree. No escape.
She drew in a breath, wanting him so bad she thought she’d die from the need.
His tongue spiked into her mouth, and he rocked his pelvis forward. He was big and hard and she just knew he was going to take her, here and now. Just like Donovan would.
But Donovan hurt her.
She couldn’t let this happen.
He grabbed her wrists and pushed them over her head, holding her firm, his big, hard body pinning her to the tree. She pushed against his hold, but he was too strong. Panic rushed through her and she shook her head, breaking the demanding kiss.
“You’re going to force me into submission? Just like he did?”
The heat faded from his intense gray eyes, and they hardened into glinting steel.
“Shit.” He drew back and released her. “All you had to do was say no.”
He turned around and strode away.
She sucked in air as he disappeared through the bushes, her heart pounding.
Oh, God, she had been so aroused being overpowered by him. She had wanted him to take her right here against the tree. But those feelings reminded her of how she’d felt around Donovan when he’d taken control.
And that had terrified her.
But Steele wasn’t Donovan. Right from the beginning, he had been protective and caring of her.
And now she’d driven him away.
* * *
As she walked back along the path to the house, she heard a bike engine roar to life, then zoom away. When she pushed through the bushes, she saw that Steele’s bike was gone.
She spent the day trying to be useful.
She made lunch for everyone while they sat by the lake in front of the house, and after dinner, she helped with the dishes. Steele was still gone as the sunlight faded deep orange over the lake and finally disappeared, leaving the world in darkness.
She played cards with some of the others, but finally decided to go to bed. She heard Steele’s bike return sometime after midnight and she held her breath when he came into the house, waiting for him to come upstairs. Wondering what she would say to him.
But he didn’t come up.
She was restless and anxious as another hour passed. Then she heard someone on the stairs. She gripped the blanket and watched the door. But then she heard a woman’s giggle and the rumbling of a man’s voice.
It was Raven and Rip.
She hopped out of bed and pulled on her jeans, then peered out the door to see their bedroom door closing. She raced down the hall and tapped on the door.
It opened and Rip stood there.
“Hi. I … uh … wanted to ask Raven something.”
“Sure. Come in.” He stepped aside and she scooted into the room.
Raven walked toward her. “What is it?”
“I wanted to know if you could help me with something?”
Rip grinned. “Can I watch?”
“Rip!” Raven sent him an admonishing stare.
“Sorry, I’m just…”
Raven laughed. “Yeah, we all know what you’re just.” She turned to Laurie. “Don’t mind him. He’s had a few drinks and is ready to go, if you know what I mean. What is it you want?” she asked with a smile.
“Well, it’s about Steele. He and I had an argument this morning.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
“I want to fix things between us, and I thought you could help.”
* * *
Steele sat on the couch alone in the living room, nursing a beer. Everyone else had gone to bed. He wanted to go up to bed, too, but Laurie was there and he didn’t know what to say to her. And if she was asleep, climbing into bed with her just seemed … wrong. Especially since she’d accused him of trying to take her against her will.
Fuck, what could he do to prove to the woman she was safe with him?
A door closed upstairs and he could hear quiet footsteps and murmurs on the stairs. Then Raven and Rip entered the living room.
“Oh, Steele, you’re still up.” Raven stood there, her gorgeous body on display in a scant bikini.
His cock swelled at the sight of her.
Rip stood behind her.
“Steele, don’t you think you ought to go up and get some sleep?”
He shook his head. “Not yet.”
Raven sat down beside him. “Look, I know you and Laurie had a fight, but I just looked in on her and she was sound asleep. Whatever you argued about, you can sort it out in the morning.”
“I have a better idea.” He rested his hand on her long, silky thigh, slowly sliding upward. “Why don’t you and I and Rip enjoy a little together time?”
But she grabbed his wrist just before his fingers brushed her bikini bottom.
She shook her head. “Afraid not. I’m looking forward to some alone time with my man.”
“Are you sure? Seeing you in that skimpy little bathing suit has made me hard and ready for you.”
Raven laughed and stroked over his big bulge. “Oh, you’re hard and ready all right. But that boner is for Laurie, not me. And I’m not taking a backseat.”
“I think it would be me taking the backseat,” Rip said. “Steele would be riding up front.”
Steele’s cock grew harder.
“Yeah? My point is I’m only going to have one rider tonight.” She glanced at Steele. “I’m not here to relieve your needs, you know.”
Steele sucked in a deep breath and nodded. “I know that. Fuck, I’m sorry, Rave.”
She patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. Now go to bed.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why do you guys want to get rid of me anyway? You can fuck in your room.”
Raven smiled. “Because there’s a great hot tub out on that deck and I want to get naked in it and enjoy the attention of my man. And it won’t be as much fun with you in here mooning around.”
He grinned. “I could come out and watch.”
“No,” she said firmly. “Now go to bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Steele reluctantly pushed himself to his feet and started up the stairs.
* * *
When Steele opened the bedroom door, he was surprised to find the light on. As he stepped into the room, his heart rate jolted when he saw Laurie lying in the bed, her hands above her head in handcuffs. Her shoulders and arms were bare, and he suspected she was totally naked beneath the sheets. His already-hard cock ached.
His chest constricted and he strode toward the bed to release her. Had one of his crew done this because Steele had been out and they assumed nothing had changed?
* * *
“I’ll find the key and take those handcuffs off.”
She gazed at him, her big blue eyes wide. “No, I don’t want you to.”
Steele stopped in his tracks and frowned. “Why?”
She drew in a deep breath. “Steele, I’m sorry about the things I said earlier. I know I can trust you. I was just … reacting. And when you kissed me so forcefully, it reminded me of Donovan and—”
“I’m not like that asshole.”
“I know that. I just … freaked out. It was a knee-jerk reaction.”
“So why the handcuffs?”
“Because I want to show you that I trust you.” She sat up a little more and the covers slid down her chest, revealing the swell of her breasts. His cock twitched.
“I was thinking that with me bound like this, I could show you just how submissive I can be.”
She wanted him to take her like this? Naked and bound to his bed?
His heart raced.
She had one hand closed in a fist and she opened it now, revealing the key to the handcuffs in her palm. “This is for you. Because I trust you.”
He stepped closer. Could he do this? Take her while she was bound in his bed? When he was her protector?
He reached for the key and took it from her hand. At the merest brush of his fingers against her soft skin, he knew he had no choice but to obey the intense craving inside him and finally know the pleasure of gliding deep inside her body. His groin ached at the thought, and his cock swelled even more.
He placed the key in his jeans pocket, wanting this symbol of her willing surrender to him close, not discarded in a drawer. He sat down on the bed beside her and stroked her cheek. He smiled, then leaned toward her and brushed his lips lightly on hers, loving the soft sweetness of her mouth.
But his hands ached to touch her body, to explore the luscious curves hidden from him by only this thin cotton sheet. He wanted to see her naked breasts, and her long, lithe body. And her pussy. Would it be bare? Or decorated with a fringe of hair? Or maybe a pretty shape?
He longed to see. And she’d given him permission to not only see, but to touch. To enjoy.
His tongue glided over her lips. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then nuzzled her neck.
“You are so beautiful.”
“Steele, I am totally under your control,” she murmured softly. “There’s nothing I can do to resist you.”
His heart thundered in his chest. She wanted him to dominate her. Despite how her boyfriend had treated her. Or more likely, because of it. She wanted to get past her fear, and she trusted Steele to help her.
He caressed her soft shoulder, then dragged his finger down her chest to the edge of the sheet. Slowly, he peeled it downward, revealing the swell of her round breasts, then lower, until they were totally exposed.
They were so round and pert. Perfect. He cupped one, watching her face as he did. She watched him nervously, but when he closed his hand around her, her eyelids closed and she arched against his hand. He cupped her other breast and squeezed them both g
ently, delighting in the feel of her hard nipples poking into his palms.
He leaned down and licked one hard nub, then drew it into his mouth and suckled. She moaned softly.
He stood up and pulled off his shirt. She watched him, her gaze drifting down his naked chest, then locking on his hands as he unbuckled his belt. He unfastened the button, then drew down the zipper. Fuck, the intense look of anticipation in her eyes sent his hormones skyrocketing. He dropped his jeans, then stripped off his boxers and tossed them aside. He grasped his big, hard cock and stroked it as he stepped toward her again.
She licked her lips and he couldn’t help but take her up on the invitation. He sat beside her, leaning against the headboard and twisted toward her. He stroked her cheek with the tip of his hard cock and she turned her head toward him.
She stared at his erection with such hunger he thought he might explode right then.
“Lick it,” he said.
She leaned closer and her soft, wet tongue rasped across his tip. He suppressed a groan at the intense pleasure.
“Now take it in your mouth.” The words came out hoarse, revealing his deep need for her.
Her soft lips opened and glided around him. Fuck, her mouth was so warm and sweet as it closed around his big cockhead. His stomach tightened as he controlled his desire to drive into her mouth, then thrust until he came deep in her throat.
She squeezed him inside and he groaned.
“Now suck me.”
She obeyed and pleasure washed through him.
“Ah, fuck, baby, that feels so good.” He cupped her head, then glided deeper into her mouth.
She gagged a little and he pulled back, but then went forward again. Slower this time. He drew back and forward. Slowly. Going a little deeper each time. He knew he was too big for most women, and longed to be fully immersed in a woman’s mouth, but not here. Not now.
She sucked as he filled her mouth again and again. Heat built within him and he was close.
He knew he should pull out, but he wanted to come in her mouth, and she wanted him to dominate her.
“That’s so good, baby.” He stroked her hair from her face as he pivoted in and out of her mouth.
He was so close. He groaned. “Oh, yeah. Baby, I’m going to come in your mouth.”
She didn’t tense. She squeezed and sucked, pulling on him, driving him wild, then he groaned again as red-hot lava pulsed through him and he erupted into her mouth.