For Love and Vengeance

by Theresa L. Henry

  Never before having been so grateful for a second bathroom, Jason pulled himself away from the sight Aviva presented and rushed towards the opposite side of the room. Closing the door as quietly as he could in his haste, he ripped off his clothes, his erection springing out with so much force it pained him. Switching the shower to cold, he stood under its force. But even the blistering feel of the ice cold water against his heated skin wasn’t enough to stop him from coming and coming until he had to brace his palms against the wall to support himself.

  As Jason hurried away, Aviva tipped her head to the side and smiled. “Bet you’re going remember that for a while, Mr. King,” Aviva spoke to the empty room, having heard him the moment he had come through the door.

  ~~~~~~~~~~

  Finished dressing and twiddling her thumbs, MacKenzie decided to head downstairs. She was hungry so these rich people had better be putting out a spread.

  Entering the room she and Aviva had escaped earlier in the day, she nearly turned around and left. She figured that the sole occupant of the large room was the twin who had picked her up earlier as she didn't see Aviva.

  Backing up, she reached out her hand to try to find the door handle. If he stayed exactly as he was, she could get out before he realized she was there.

  “From your earlier displays of bravado, the last thing I expected was for you to try to sneak out on me.”

  He still had his back to her as he spoke and MacKenzie wondered how he had known she was there. She was certain her reflection wasn't visible from the window he looked through.

  “How did you know it was me?”

  Jake turned to look at MacKenzie and again he didn't quite know what to make of her. He couldn't remember ever having seen a black woman who looked the way she did.

  “Are you going to answer my question or just stand there, staring at me?”

  Tilting his head to one side, Jake realized he had annoyed her, again. And he hadn't even been trying to. “Neither. Please come in and take a seat. The others should be joining us soon so you won’t have to spend much time with me as your only companion.”

  “Thank God for that!” MacKenzie mumbled under her breath.

  “That was extremely rude.” Jake called her out, expecting some show of regret.

  “What can I say? You bring out the rude in me,” She threw back without any remorse.

  “I already apologized for my error on the drive over. I won’t apologize again.”

  “Correct me if I'm wrong, but did I ask you to?”

  “No, madam, you did not. Yet your frost leads me to believe that is exactly what you want.”

  “Honestly, you don't have anything I want.”

  Deciding to change the subject, Jake walked over to the bar. “May I get you a glass of wine?”

  “No, thank you,” MacKenzie replied, not even bothering to look in his direction.

  “For God’s sake, accepting a glass of wine is not going to make you forever beholden to me,” Jake responded, already exasperated with her.

  “I declined wine because I'm pregnant and pregnant women should not drink alcohol.”

  “You're pregnant!” Jake said with such incredulity, MacKenzie was offended.

  “Yes, I'm pregnant. Just because you view me as an oddity doesn't make it so!”

  “I would never be so crass as to describe you, or any woman, as an oddity,” Jake threw back, equally annoyed that she was accusing him of something he hadn’t voiced or thought.

  “Whatever, twiney.” MacKenzie waved her fingers in his general direction by way of a dismissal.

  Twiney...this woman has got to be joking, she did not just called him, twiney, Jake thought. Pulling himself up to his full height, ready to put her in her place, Kingdom style.

  But the door opened and the rest of his family filed into the room and his moment was lost. Looking over at MacKenzie, he recognized her smug satisfaction, but he was determined to have the last word. Smiling at the new arrivals, he calmly approached MacKenzie and whispered in her ear.

  “Never think to dismiss me. I will have my say, and I look forward to it.”

  MacKenzie wanted to kick the arrogant bastard. Who the hell did he think he was? She'd dismiss his ass whenever the feeling took her, and she looked forward to it!

  Stepping away from her, Jake kissed Aviva on the cheek and went back behind the bar, ready to play barman for the pre-dinner drinks. Taking orders, he busied himself mixing drinks, all the while feeling the daggers MacKenzie threw in his direction. So she was pregnant was she? Well, where the hell was her husband?

  Walking over to her friend, Aviva could see that MacKenzie was giving Jake a look that said she would like nothing better than to pop him in the mouth.

  “What happened?” she asked, looking at her friend as she eyeballed Jake with displeasure.

  MacKenzie scowled in Jake's direction as she answered through clenched teeth. “That arrogant bastard is going down.”

  ~~~~~~~~~

  Dinner was turning out to be a lively affair despite the tension that poured off MacKenzie and Jake. They simply ignored each other. All three of the other men had, at some point, risen an eyebrow at her as though she should tell them what was going on. Her shrug had been the only answer she had to offer.

  As amusing as she found the situation between Jake and MacKenzie, there was an undertone of something else floating around the room. Every now and then, she was sure she caught a conspiratorial look passing between the men. They were up to something. She knew better than to ask outright, so she joined in their dinner time banter and waited.

  “Jason, I was thinking, seeing as how the lovely MacKenzie is here with the equally delectable, Aviva, I think it’s past time for a bit of brotherly bonding.” Josh smiled at his brother.

  “What a good idea!” Jake piped in, way too enthusiastically for someone who had been so surly only moments before.

  “Oh, I am glad you think so, Jake,” Josh said, his speech stilted.

  “Yes, I do think it is a very good idea. What do you think, Jason?” Jake replied, keeping up the unnatural sounding conversation.

  Jason bowed his head in shame. They had to be shitting him. Couldn't they hear themselves? They sounded as though they were reciting lines from a Z-rated movie.

  Aviva had similar thoughts but at the same time, she was also very interested in how Jason would respond.

  “Ah…umm, yes, Jacob and Joshua, that indeed sounds like a very good idea. Umm…something I would be very interested in doing with you both.” Jason closed his eyes as the words left his mouth. He knew he sounded lame. His words hadn't sounded so wooden in his head.

  Aviva and MacKenzie grabbed onto each other’s hand under the table and squeezed – hard. That was the only way they could withhold laughter.

  Ducking her head, Aviva whispered to MacKenzie. “Don’t put your sons on the stage, Mr. Kingdom, they suck!”

  Jackson was embarrassed for them all, unable to understand how such bright men could make such a complete hash of something so simple. It was time for him to intervene before the women succumbed to hysterical laughter.

  “My dear, Aviva, what my inept sons are trying to say is that they have decided to go out together for the evening. We all thought this would be the perfect opportunity as MacKenzie would be here to keep your company. You don't mind, do you, my dear?”

  Oh my God, Aviva thought, he's in on it too. “Of course, it’s okay. MacKenzie and I have loads of catching up to do.” Aviva gave her friend’s hand a squeeze and MacKenzie went into action.

  “I'm sorry but I don't feel so good. If you'll all please excuse me, I think I'll go and lay down for a while.”

  “Kenzie, are you okay?” Aviva asked, her eyes big with feigned concern.

  “I'm fine, please, don't worry. I told you how it is with me and this pregnancy.”

  “You're ill?” Jake asked, concern alive in his eyes.

  Taken aback by his words and look, MacKenzie faltered. Then s
he remembered he was an ass and shook off her momentary hesitation. Ignoring him, she addressed Aviva.

  “I just need to lay down for a little while, that's all.”

  “I'll come with you.”

  “There's no need, please finish your meal,” MacKenzie said, rising from her chair.

  “Don't be silly. Of course, I'm coming with you.” Placing her hands around MacKenzie's waist, Aviva excused them both as they left the dining room.

  “How the heck are we going to find out what there’re up to?” MacKenzie asked as soon as they were out of range of the dining room.

  Aviva remained quiet for a few moments, thinking of how they could eavesdrop on the men.

  “Come with me!” Pulling her friend behind, she rushed toward the entrance the staff used to enter the dining room when serving meals. The last course had already been delivered so, with luck, they wouldn't be caught listening at the door. Luck was with them. They heard everything, and Aviva still had time to be found relaxing on their room when Jason came in.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~

  “How's MacKenzie?” Jason asked as he came into their bedroom.

  “She's resting. This pregnancy's playing havoc with her. She eats and she throws up, poor thing. And that girl loves her food.”

  Jason loved the way she looked, curled up on the bed, and didn't think twice about keeping his brothers waiting. He needed a taste of his angel before he went out. Strolling towards her, his eyes at half mast, Aviva licked her lips in anticipation. She’d been lying on her side, but with his approach and his sexy regard, she rolled onto her back, giving him an open invitation.

  Coming to a stop at the side of the bed, Jason looked down at her. He wanted nothing more than to remove their clothing, piece by piece, and have her crawl all over him. But he knew he didn't have the time. What he was about to do was to secure their future. If all went as planned, and he’d do all that was in his power to ensure it did, he was going to make sure she never looked at another man for the rest of her life. When he was finished with her, she would know without a doubt she belonged to him.

  “I love you, you know that right?” Jason said, as he kicked off his shoes and lowered himself over her, his powerful arms holding his body a fraction away from the contact they both needed so badly.

  Jason’s body throbbed with need yet when he lowered himself to rest against her, it was with gentle care, never allowing his full weight to burden her. This was his love, his angel, the single most important part of his life and he would do anything to protect her.

  Because of the look in his eyes, Aviva forgot all about the plan she and MacKenzie had hatched. She loved this man and nothing would cause her to lose faith in him. Looking into his eyes, Aviva knew that he needed her affirmation and a demonstration of her love for him. This was the man who had called her his Angel almost from the moment he had met her and he needed her. There was something so raw, so vulnerable in his green eyes, Aviva fell in love with him all over again. What he was about to do was for their future. He had suffered enough hurt in life and it was time for it all to end.

  For now, she was going to give him whatever he needed to make him feel good. “What do you need, baby?”

  Watching her, listening to her words, he knew exactly what he wanted, needed. Bending his arms, he touched his forehead to hers, rolling his head from side to side.

  Aviva understood what her man needed. He needed to feel her love for him. Lifting her arms, she pushed him onto his back. He complied without resistance, eyes still closed. Her baby needed her to touch him, to make him know that whatever he did, whatever he had been through, and despite his myriad flaws, he was enough. He would always be enough...for her.

  “Did I ever tell you what I thought the first time I saw you?”

  His eyes popped open.

  “No.”

  Aviva smiled, she had his full attention.

  “In my mind, I called you 'Man Mountain.' I'd never met anyone like you before, and right from the very first moment, you pulled me, fascinated me, and the next thing I knew, I was in love with you. I will always love you. You, Jason Kingdom. When you come home, I'll always be here waiting you. You alone are the love of my life and you fulfill me as nothing else ever has.”

  Her words humbled him, and they strengthened him. This thing he had to do was long overdue. Before, it had been for his benefit and for the other boys who had suffered at the hands of those perverted men. Now he realized he wanted it to end so that he could get on with his life. So he could love this woman without having to look over his shoulders, waiting for a strike that could sever what they had just begun to build together.

  Enfolding her in his powerful arms, he breathed in her essence again and again, unable to get enough of her. He knew his brothers were waiting for him but he needed to feel her, to carry her with him.

  “I love you, my Angel. I will always love you. Never doubt that, never question that. My life so far has been filled with many uncertainties, yet from the moment you ran into my life, I knew it was you. You and I will grow old together, and this...what we have, it will only grow stronger.”

  Aviva had difficulty seeing his face through the tears that formed in her eyes. He didn't know it, but she would make sure the words he spoke became a reality. She was his angel and she would protect and keep him safe. “Go on. Your brothers are waiting on you. Have a good time.” Nothing in her words or tone betrayed that she would be only steps behind him.

  Jason pressed his lips against those of the woman he loved in the simplest of ways. He only meant the kiss to be a brush of lips before their short separation but it grew – it grew into something that he could never get enough of. He wanted to devour her. He wanted to pull her inside of him. How could a man love a woman so much that the very feel of her was a craving, a longing that made everything else fade away?

  Thrusting his tongue into her mouth while his hands pulled her against him, he didn't want there to be an ounce of space between them. As he felt her small body imprinted against his own, Jason deepened the kiss, his tongue traveling around her mouth, sucking, pulling, tasting. Needing more, needing everything that she had to give – it had been too long.

  Aviva could tell he was losing control, but this was not the time for what they both wanted, needed. They had business to take care of, and tonight would be the closing chapter in the story of the life of the young, Jason King. Tomorrow, he would be Jason Kingdom.

  Reluctantly, she pulled her lips away from his. He needed to go and she needed to dress and follow. Running her hands through his hair, Aviva looked deeply into his eyes as she filled hers with all the love she felt for him. “You need to go. Your brothers are waiting on you, and I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you get back.” Or at least she hoped she would make it back before he did.

  Jason had too much emotion rushing around his body to speak so he just nodded. She was right. The time had finally come when he would rid himself of the evil that had been the bane of his life. His only wish was that should she ever find out what he had done and was about to do, she would still love him as much as she did at that moment. He was willing to take the chance. If she ever thought to reject him, well that would be an entirely different story because he wouldn’t let her go. She belonged to him and what was his, he kept.

  Aviva was well aware of the possessive look in Jason's eyes. She recognized it because she felt the same way. He was a keeper, he might have ideas that she needed to be protected but with time he would realize that she wasn't as soft as her small stature belied.

  Dressed and ready to leave, Jason turned and looked at her. “I'll be back soon.”

  Suddenly, Aviva realized, although this was probably not the time, there was no way she was going to pass up the opportunity to give her man something to take with him. Something to make him know that he was loved, by her. He was always so generous with his love making, and she intended to be the same.

  She knew what her man liked, and she was going to
give it to him. Aviva knew their time was short, so this called for her finest work.

  Aviva called Jason’s name just as he was about to open the door. Looking over his shoulder, Jason watched as she rose from the bed and strolled towards him in silence, her steps slow and deliberate, hips swaying from side to side. Jason’s eyes locked on her, transfixed by the almost catlike way she moved, and the signals she transmitted. Her body language radiating sensuality in its most primal form and he was hooked.

  When she reached him, Aviva held Jason’s gaze before falling to her knees before him. Braced against the door, Jason drew in a sharp breath as he waited for her next move.

  Releasing the snap of his pants, Aviva pulled his zipper down as she ran her tongue over her lips in anticipation of what she was about to do. Zipper released, she moved his clothing down and away from her ultimate goal.

  For the first time, Aviva dropped her eyes and was confronted by Jason’s rock hard cock that seemed to be straining towards her, begging for her touch. Aviva had never been fond of giving blowjobs to past lovers, but giving this man pleasure in this way, was a massive turn-on. And she could feel her body begin to respond to the sight of him, so big, so hard, and so ready for her touch.

  Aviva took hold of him and swirled her tongue around the head of his shaft. Encouraged by his sharp intake of his breath, she went to work in earnest. She savored the moment, reacquainting herself with the different textures of him, the ridges that ran along his shaft, the roughness of skin that flowed into the smoothness at its head.

  Returning her gaze to Jason’s, Aviva sucked him into her mouth, extending her tongue so he could go as deep as possible. Slowly she returned to the head of his shaft all the while holding him firmly in place as she repeated her actions again and again with slow deliberation. Again reaching the smooth head of his now throbbing cock she gently eased her tongue into the small slit making gentle intricate patterns. His sensitivity to her actions obvious by the sharp intake of his breath, as he tried to arch away from her relentless touch.