Pan's Salvation

by Shyla Colt

  “Is everything okay?”

  He glanced up and saw Lark hovering in the hall. “Yeah, it’s fine. Just a slight disagreement with my twin. It happens.”

  “I can only imagine,” Lark said. She walked toward him. “I have to go back to work

  tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, same here.”

  “How’s this going to work?” She fisted the oversized material of his t-shirt.

  “What do you mean? Like it has been, only we go to work.” He heard the slur to his words, but he couldn’t prevent it from happening.

  “Are you drunk?”

  “Just buzzed. You noticed the largest difference between my brother and me?” Pan gestured to the left side of his body.

  “Yeah, it was hard not to.”

  “Well, I’m responsible for that. To say it makes things strained between us would be a gross understatement.”

  Lark grimaced. “I am so sorry. Maybe if you talked to him, the two of you could come to some sort of understanding?”

  “Oh, no.” He laughed. “Monster is a prince among men. He doesn’t blame me for the

  accident. But he should. And that’s what kills me. We do this dance he and I. Hayes tells me it’s not my fault and I should move on with my life.” He mocked him, using a professor like voice.

  “And I think of all the years he spent persecuted over his disfigurement until I can’t stand myself.”

  “Hartley,” she whispered.

  “No.” He pointed at her. “Don’t you fucking pity me!”

  “Can’t I be sorry for your pain? You think I don’t know the pain that comes from a

  dysfunctional sibling relationship?”

  “You didn’t put the needle in your sisters’ arm did you?” He snapped.

  She flinched. “You’re not yourself.”

  “No, this is the real me, Lark. The man you’ve seen is the one I wish I was. The person you make me strive to be.”

  “You don’t even know me,” Lark said softly. “You placed me up on a pedestal I don’t

  belong on. The only direction I can go is down. I can’t handle that kind of pressure. I wake up in the mornings and I don’t know if I’m coming or going or who I am.”

  Her rambling turned the ground under him into quicksand. Before he knew it, he was in up to his knees. “What are you trying to say?”

  “I don’t know. That I can’t handle disappointing another person. That seeing you like this worries me. I don’t know who you are right now.”

  He plunked the bottle down on the counter. “I’m the same man who made you forget

  everything but the way I make you feel. I never claimed to be perfect. There are parts of me that are jagged and unrefined. I have my issues same as you. Would you begrudge me for that?”

  Lark hesitated.

  He strode toward her. “I can still provide you with what you need. Right now, your head feels like it’s going to explode because you’re on overload. “He stopped a few inches away from her body and raked his gaze over her. “You want to escape? I’m the man to help you.” He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. Don’t run from what you don’t understand. You could miss out on a lot.”

  Her chest heaved. Her lids lowered and her eyes dilated.

  “You can’t run from this, Lark. You’re here for at least three more weeks and we both know you need this.” He stroked the pulse point on her neck that beat a staccato rhythm. “You need to let go and I need to be in control. I told you while you’re with me…it’s my rules. Tonight, I think it’s time we move to the next level.”

  “N-next level?”

  “A little something for you to think about while you work tomorrow.” With every word he spoke, his buzz receded. He didn’t need the alcohol when he had Lark. “Go to the room, remove your clothing and wait for me on the bed.”

  Looking startled, she hesitated.

  “Oh, you are in sore need of discipline today Ms. Rosario. I was going to go easy on you.”

  “Go easy on me?”

  “Oh, no. Not anymore. Now, I’m going to treat you like the naughty little girl you’re being.”

  She licked her lips. Her dark eyes began to smolder. She loved their little games. Even as she balked against what society deemed an oddity, her subconscious craved it.

  The extra sway in her hips told him she anticipated what would come next as much as him.

  Body language always spoke volumes and he was a master at studying. While he might be brash and fun loving, he was also observant and skilled at manipulation. He took his time disposing of the beer bottles, giving her time to undress and allow her mind to dream up scenarios. Pleased, he turned off the lights and made his way to the bedroom.

  Lark sat on the edge of the bed, an ebony goddess with her hair tumbling around her face, her nipples pert and perky with her thighs clenched together.

  We haven’t even begun to play and she’s already wet and excited. Her arousal was a perfumed musk filling the air. It made him salivate.

  She stared at him with wide eyes.

  Remaining silent, Pan walked over to the footlocker at the end of the bed. Kneeling down, he spun the combination and opened the lock. He lifted the lid and revealed his vast collection of playthings. He ran his fingers over the variety of paddles and decided on the small leather slapper. “Stand.”

  She rose to her feet like a soldier.

  Pan moaned his approval. “You have no idea how sexy you are when you respond to my

  commands.”

  Quietly, she stood with her arms loosely at her sides.

  He sat down on the bed. “Do you see this little bird? It’s a slapper. Don’t worry, we’ll work our way up to it.” He patted his lap. “Come, lay across my lap.”

  She immediately complied.

  He studied the curve of her spine. Caressing her soft skin, he worked his way down to caress the swell of her ass. “You have such a nice ass.” He squeezed. “Firm, toned and soft.” Palming her cheeks, he massaged and kneaded.

  Her body shuddered as she moaned. Her muscles relaxed.

  Pan stroked his fingers over the areas he planned to smack.

  Her breathing accelerated as she rocked her hips.

  It’s time.

  “I’m going to show you what happens to naughty little girls now. You’re going to count to twenty. Ten blows a piece.” He delivered light slaps to her ass cheeks. The sound of her counting was music to her ears. She squirmed on his lap as they neared the final count. He smoothed the reddened area, soothing the sting as he bent over and placed kisses up along her back. “What did you think of that my little bird?” He slid his hand down her back and between her legs. Her sticky heat coated his fingers. “Oh yes, you liked our new game. Didn’t you dirty girl?”

  “Yes,” she whispered on a gasp.

  “Do you think you can handle more, my beautiful girl? Just five more for me?”

  “I-I think so. Yes.”

  He grabbed the slapper and delivered five light raps. She ground into his knee, leaving her dew there. “You come to life so beautifully under my tutelage.” He leaned down and kissed her reddened skin. “Thank you for trusting me to make your body sing. I know you want to come.

  I’d like to give you release, but you have to pay the price for your behavior. No touching yourself tomorrow. I want you thinking about me and how good it’ll feel when I finally allow you to come. Lay down on the bed now, little bird. I need to pamper that delicate skin now.” He helped her lay down on the bed and went to get ice and cream to soothe her skin.

  Lark groaned and he knew he had her back. His little bird was delicate and flighty. She had one foot inside the cage and one out. It was his job to make sure she liked it better…here with him.

  Chapter Seven

  It felt odd being back at work. Like she’d been lost in some sort of alternate realm. The daily grind at Naughty Emporium cleared her head. The duties were engrained in her muscle memory. She did them on autopilo
t. Who knew that one day, folding underwear and setting up new displays would save my sanity. The normalcy cleared her mind. Things with Pan were spiraling out of control. Every day she handed over another portion of her control. She’d come to rely on him. That was dangerous ground to be on. She heard his argument with his brother.

  Trading a person with one addiction for another wasn’t on her to-do list. How can I dismiss it so quickly, after all he’s done for me? He cared for her like no one else in her life had. It complicated everything.

  The bell above the door jingled. She glanced up and smiled at the sight of Tanya. The

  brown-eyed redhead was the closest friend she had. Her long legs ate up the space between them and she allowed herself to be embraced. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla swirled around her as she rested her head on her friend’s ample bosom.

  “Lark, I am so sorry.”

  “Me too,” she said.

  “Why didn’t you tell me? The girls and I would’ve been there at the funeral for you.”

  “I didn’t want that. I’ve had so many ups and downs with my sister. The final goodbye

  wasn’t pretty.” Lark pulled away and wiped away the tears escaping the corners of her eyes.

  “I understand. Addiction is a hard thing to deal with for more than just the person affected.”

  “Yes, but I’m back and I’m glad to be here. I need this stability and routine in my life.”

  “Then you got it babe. We’re all here for you.”

  Lark squeezed her hand. “Thank you for that. Everything has been so crazy,” she whispered.

  Tanya lifted a pin-up perfect eyebrow. “I sense this is about more than your sister.”

  “Cliff Notes version. I had some issues with people; Robin owed money to.”

  “Oh, my God, are you okay?”

  Lark held out her hand. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just. There’s a man who helped me out when he didn’t have to. He had my back and he stuck with me when I needed it most.”

  “He sounds amazing. So, why am I sensing a but?” Tanya’s brow furrowed.

  “Because he’s not my type. When I’m with him, I’m someone else and I don’t know if I like that. He’s—into things I never imagined I’d like.”

  “So, he’s kinky?” Tanya whispered.

  “To say the least,” Lark replied dryly.

  Tanya laughed. “Lark, in case you’ve forgotten you work at the Naughty Emporium. Isn’t

  that throwing stones in a glass house?”

  “What?” Lark huffed. “No, we sell beauty, glamor, fantasy and spice inducing accessories.”

  Tanya laughed. “That’s why you do all our PR.”

  “Come on. It’s not like we sell toys.”

  “And this new Mr. likes toys, I take it?”

  “Among other things. He likes to play games. Games I like more than I should,” Lark

  mumbled. Her body heated as she remembered the things he’d done.

  “Why? There’s nothing wrong with doing what makes you happy and your body sing. I’m

  betting before he came along, you had cobwebs girl. You’ve been denying yourself so much.”

  Tanya sighed. “If it makes you happy, I’m all for it.”

  “You don’t know him.”

  “So, tell me about him while I get settled,” Tanya said.

  Lark followed her to the back office. “Pan is my total opposite in every way. He’s tall, muscular, tattooed and runs with a motorcycle club.”

  “Holy shit…are you going Sons of Anarchy on me?”

  “What?”

  “You know, the popular motorcycle TV show that just ended,” Tanya said, exasperated.

  “You know I’m out of the loop,” Lark admitted.

  “I’d say you should watch it, but fuck you’re living it. Is he tattooed?”

  Lark smiled. “Full sleeved and yes, he’s absolutely delicious. But, that’s not what draws me to him.”

  Tanya hung up her coat, stored her purse and led her back out front. “What does?”

  “The way he treats me. I’ve never been treated so well in my entire life. It’s sad really. He had no reason to step in and help me, or keep me safe. But he did and every day since—I just—I lean on him a little more.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?” Tanya asked.

  “I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

  “You say he makes you feel safe, right?” Tanya questioned.

  “Yes, but is that what I want to see or is it the reality? My life’s been moving at lightning speed and my brain is struggling to catch up.”

  “Is there a rush? There’s nothing you have to be accountable for, Lark. You can live for you.

  You have a steady job. You know we couldn’t run this place without you, an apartment you love and emergency money in the bank. Spend this time getting to learn who you are and who you want to be.”

  “Why does it sound so simple when you say it?”

  “Because I’m outside the situation. But…Pan?” She arched her eyebrow.

  “As in Peter, because he lives to have a good time.”

  Tanya snickered. “When you go off the beaten path you hop right on the crazy train, don’t you?”

  “Thank you, Ozzy Osbourne.”

  “What? Someone has to loosen you up! You have a sexy biker taking care of you and you’re here worried? What you need to be doing is shopping for something to add a little spice,” she teased.

  “We don’t need any more spice, trust me,” Lark said fighting the urge to rub her sore

  behind. Just as he’d promised, she’d thought of nothing but finding completion at his hands.

  “You keep talking that way and I’ll be trying to get myself a biker. Keep an eye out for me, will you?” Tanya winked.

  The talk with her closest friend settled her nerves. There was nothing wrong with having a little fun. This was her time to live, explore and risk mistakes. She’d always miss Robin, but life without her, opened new venues. There were possibilities she’d never even dreamed of before.

  She could continue on her path with, Pan. Right? Because doing something else, wouldn’t break my heart? She ignored the voice that told her she’d lost her chance to walk away days earlier.

  The jingle of the bell brought Lark out of the back where she’d been taking inventory since Tanya was on her break. She pasted a smile on her lips and walked out to the floor. The tall man in the expensive gray suit made her stomach rebel. Pure will kept her lunch down. “What the hell are you doing here, Jim?”

  “Looking for Robin. She’s not answering her phone and she’s not at her old address. That leaves you.” Jim smirked.

  “You want to know where my sister is? In the ground! Where you drove her to, you son of a bitch.”

  Jim took a step closer. “Watch what you say to me, little girl. I’d hate to put you in your place. You see, Robin understood that. A real man has never taught you. Now, stop being obtuse and give me the address. We both know I have the money to find it.”

  She gave a humorless laugh. “You want the address? Drive about twenty miles north on 275, get off at the Greenland exit and about ten minutes down the road, you’ll find Oak Lawn Cemetery. I’ll leave the rest of the detective work up to you.”

  “What are you saying? She’s actually dead?”

  “What did you think would happen? You got her back on smack to a habit for shit she

  couldn’t afford.”

  “All she had to do was come back to me. I provided her with everything she needed.” He

  thumped his chest. “But I bet you wouldn’t let her. So, she had to what? Whore herself out.

  That’s on you. You uppity little bitch. I had a good thing going with her.”

  “Fuck you!” Lark roared. She was tired of being good, biting her tongue and swallowing

  down everything life gave her.

  Jim took a step toward her.

  She stood her ground and balled her fists
. If she faced down a store full of gun-toting bikers, she could face this overgrown prick, who never liked to get his hands dirty.

  The bell on the door chimed once.

  “You want to take a step back from my lady. Hospitality only goes so far in retail.”

  The sound of Pan’s voice flooded her with relief. She smirked up at Jim who looked ruffled.

  He lifted his hands in the air and took a step back. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding here. I’m a friend of the family and I just received some shocking news.”

  “The hell you are!” Lark snapped.

  Jim scowled.

  “Did I stutter? Get the fuck out of here, before I throw you out. If I hear about you anywhere near this place again, we’re going to have a problem. I promise you, that’s not something you want,” Pan drawled.

  His voice never rose above normal speaking volume, but the tone gave her chills.

  “Hah, funny I didn’t think the bitch even liked dick.”

  In the blink of an eye, Pan was across the room, grabbing Jim by the collar. He dragged the man out with the ease that spoke to his strength.

  The display made her panties wet. He defended her. Blood rushed to her head. Oh, my God, we’re in a relationship! This was more than two consenting adults playing. They had bonded.

  She watched from the main window.

  Jim’s head snapped back. A spurt of red blood left his nose. The droplets staining his shirt and the designer suit.

  The sight made her grin. He deserved to be put in his place.

  Jim stumbled while pointing at Pan.

  She couldn’t hear the words, but his flushed face said he was furious.

  Pan threw his head back and laughed.

  This action drove Jim into a bigger fit of rage. He was like a child throwing a tantrum.