“I know we don’t have a past. And maybe it’s for the best that remains true.” I take a deep breath, hating that I’m not strong enough for someone like him, but at least I’m self-aware enough to admit it. The old Mina would never have questioned if she was enough for anybody, but I have too many cracks in my armor now. There’s just too much crap going on in my head, yet I can’t resist touching him at least once. Stepping closer, I rest my hand on his muscular chest. He’s as hard a steel, but so incredibly, deliciously warm. “You deserve someone equally as wonderful. Someone perfect, who’s fully whole—”
Den clamps a hand over mine on his chest, his fingers folding firmly around it. “I want you so much I can already taste you, Mina. I want to feel your nails digging in my back and hear the sounds you’ll make in the many ways I’ll make you come. When I’ve worn you out and all you want to do is sleep, understand this, I’m a relentless lover. I plan to bathe in your scent all night long. It’s all I can think about.”
For a man of few words, that was incredibly arousing. Adrenaline and desire shoot to every nerve center in my body in record speed. “Den, I—”
“No one is perfectly whole.” Cupping my neck, he pulls me so close only a breath separates us. The heat of his skin arcs to mine as his fingers fold into my hair, his touch both tense and reverent. “We all have dents and dings, maybe even a few chunks missing. But all that roadmap-of-life damage is what makes us who we are.” Lifting my hand from his chest, he presses a lingering kiss to my open palm. As the sensation tingles all the way down my arm, he moves lower, warming my wrist. “I want to explore every part of you. Every beautiful dent, ding, and missing chunk.”
I’m speechless as he nips at my skin, then lowers his hands to my bare waist above my jeans. “What’s your answer, Lady Mina?”
My throat tight with emotion, my answer is to shrug my shirt off my shoulders. I start to unhook my bra, but Den’s hand covers mine. Brushing my fingers away, his voice is gruff. “Let me unwrap you.”
I swallow and the instant I nod, he tugs on my hand and turns me around. My skin prickles when his mouth connects with my shoulder and warm fingers slide my bra off. I hold back an involuntary gasp of pleasure as his big hands fold fully over my breasts, but it’s the sensation of his bare chest and abs completely heating my skin from shoulder to waist that makes it hard to take a breath. He’s right that he’s so much larger than me, but my concern isn’t for my safety. It’s not being able to measure up. I’ve always considered my C cup breasts my best asset. For my size, they’re more than ample, but his hands completely dwarf them. “When you told me you’ve got me covered, I didn’t expect you to mean that quite so literally.”
Den’s low chuckle actually comforts me. At least he’s not letting go. Instead, his fingers tighten, his hold more dominant and possessive. “They’re truly perfect.”
My confidence bolstered by the appreciation in his voice, I tuck my hand around his neck and pull him down to my level, whispering in his ear, “I sure hope you plan on doing more than covering them back up, handsome.”
“Along with the rest of you, these gorgeous breasts are going to get a hell of a work out.” Pulling me fully against him, he slides a hand down my belly and deftly unbuttons my jeans.
“On that note.” I clasp his hand, needing to face my worries head on. Turning in his arms, I take a breath and step back to shimmy out of my jeans and underwear. When I’m standing naked in front of him, I take a deep breath, then clasp his hand and touch his fingers to my stomach. “These stretch marks are a part of me. I don’t have a perfect body, not anywhere near.” Lifting my gaze to his, I shrug and offer a trembling smile, hating how vulnerable I feel. “Might as well get the uncomfortable stuff out of the way.”
Den’s gaze drops to my abdomen and I swallow my embarrassment as his fingers slowly feather across the marred skin. Lowering his hand, he says, “You mean like these?”
When he turns around and I see a four-inch diagonal slash along the lower right of his muscular back, I lift shaky fingers to the marred skin. “Is this a knife wound?”
Den nods. “It took almost losing a kidney to remind me to never let my guard down.”
As my gaze travels to the new wound on his shoulder, I frown at the scab forming. That’s a pretty deep gash. What happened? My stomach churning, I take in the canvas of his back and pick up three more scars, some deeper than others.
Just as I brush my fingers over another scar, Den turns and pulls me close. “Dents and dings, sweet Mina. They just mean we’ve lived our lives.”
In Den’s arms, I feel invincible, perfect and whole. And now that I’m up close and personal, I can’t help but notice another mar on his chest. Oh God, was that from a bullet? I touch the perfectly round scar on his right pectoral, then press my lips to it. “Some of us have lived much harder than others.”
Den hooks his finger on my chin. Tilting it up, he lowers his mouth to mine, murmuring, “Right now all I want to do is live with you.”
Pushing up on my toes, I accept the press of his mouth and part my lips to show him I’m all his. Den rumbles his primal approval and buries his hand in my hair, fisting it tight as his tongue thrusts deep, tangling with mine in an aggressive dance of dominance.
When I start to unbuckle his belt, he grips my waist and quickly lifts me up onto the taller bureau to his left. “What are you doing?” I ask, not wanting to let him go.
“Spread your legs,” he says, his hands moving to free his belt from his pants.
Den’s gaze drops to my clenched thighs and my sex throbs harder as I watch the golden color turn a molten bronze shade when his hands move to his zipper. Sitting on top of a dresser is not what I expected, but I’m willing to take this intriguing journey with this man. Lowering my hands to my knees, I use them to help spread my legs wide and say innocently, “You mean like this?”
Den’s nostrils flare and he rips his zipper completely apart as his gaze locks on my exposed sex. I’ve never been more thankful that I kept my laser removal appointments than I am at this moment. They might’ve been just for me, but the look in his eyes makes it totally worth it.
When Den pushes his pants and boxers down, then steps out of them, I lose a bit of my siren’s swagger. He’s much bigger than I expected.
Just as I release my knees, Den steps forward and lifts one of my legs, draping it over his shoulder. His voice is guttural with want. “Put your other leg around me,” he says and clasps my bare ass.
I yelp in surprise when I’m yanked to the edge of the dresser and his tongue thrusts deep inside me.
Unable to do anything but feel, I grip the back of the dresser and fold my leg around his shoulder, arching against his hot mouth.
Den rumbles, his hands digging into my ass. “Bloody hell, you taste like honeysuckle.”
My stomach flutters at the very personal compliment, but the moment he finds my clit, I shudder and my legs start to tremble against him. Gripping the edge of the dresser, I pant and rock hard against his mouth. “God, Den…don’t stop!”
He grunts against my body, then makes my head loll when he slides two fingers inside me and curls them forward. Stroking me, he pulls me even closer to his hot mouth. “I can’t fucking get enough,” he husks then clamps on to my clit, sending waves of pain and pleasure rocketing through me.
I shiver and shake, my vision blurring as my orgasm takes over my body, consuming all of my senses, not once but…twice. I haven’t even stopped vibrating when Den hoists me up on his shoulders, one hand supporting my ass and the other splayed along my lower back. While my brain floats somewhere in lala land and my ability to reason temporarily ceases, all I can do is grip his head tight and clamp my legs around his shoulders as I speak in incoherent gibberish, asking for more.
Den nips lightly at my sensitized sex as he walks us to the bed, then drops to his knees to lower me down onto the mattress. The moment I’m free, I wrap my arms around his shoulders and accept all his weight as h
e lowers himself to the bed over me with dominant intent.
“Condom,” he rasps against my mouth, but I shake my head and kiss him silent, loving that his fingers are already sliding deep inside me once more.
“I’m on the pill. I have never climaxed back-to-back like that before. I’ve—” I pause and swallow. “I’ve clearly been missing out.”
“Any man who didn’t take the time to make this delicious body of yours sing through an encore should be shot.” His voice sounds strained as he kisses my throat. “I wanted to prepare you so you’re not too sore tomorrow, but holy hell, Mina. I’ve never tasted anything so arousing. You’re pure sex with heavenly nectar mixed in.”
“I loved how you proved me wrong.”
“Wrong?” he murmurs as he lifts my thigh over his and drops a kiss on my lips.
“Yep, apparently I fit on your shoulders really, really well.” As he chuckles, I smile then kiss his jaw, my fingers digging into his shoulders to pull him closer. “And for the record, I only taste like I do, because I want you so much.” Undulating my hips, I press my sex against his erection. “I want more, Den. Don’t hold back.”
He captures my jaw, his gaze searching mine. “I might have years on you, but fuck if you aren’t everything I need right now.”
The look in his eyes matches the ache in my chest. I slide my hand between us and guide his thick erection to my sex. “I’m pretty sure I’m right, but show me just how good we can be together.”
As he slides inside me, Den takes my hand and presses a kiss to my palm. Closing his eyes briefly, he tenses, then exhales slowly and slides deeper.
I swallow past the tension while my body resists, then welcomes him, adjusting to his size. Tingling all over, I embrace the flood of desire rushing right behind it. We begin to slowly move together, and when Den groans and fully seats himself inside me, I arch against him, biting back the last pinch of pain.
He slides his fingers in my hair, his breath rushing against my cheek, harsh and full of need. “I’m sorry, Mina. I wanted to take this slower. You’re just so addictive.”
When he takes a couple of deep breaths as if he’s afraid to move, I slide my fingers down his shoulders and dig my nails into his back at the same time I squeeze my lower muscles around him. “I want all of you.”
Den’s back muscles tense and his grip on my hair tightens just before he pulls out, then jerks his hips forward. His next thrust is harder, like he’s trying to imprint himself on me from the inside out. I gasp and meet his aggression with a welcoming roll of my hips. He fucks with fluid, strong movements, and the brutal tenderness makes me feel completely possessed and necessary for his pleasure. My head swims with emotion as waves of euphoria flood through me. We chase each other in a dance of need and want until I cry out and arch against him. When I moan and shudder through waves of pleasure, he roars through his own release.
Our bodies tangled together, hearts pounding, it’s hard for me to catch my breath. I’m exhausted, but hearing his heavy breathing makes me feel strong and confident. “That was incredi—”
Den clamps his mouth over mine, male satisfaction rumbling in his throat as he rolls me fully under him. Clasping my breast in a firm hold, he lifts his head, his golden gaze locking with mine as his thumb teases my nipple. “We’re nowhere near done. You’re all mine tonight.”
Before I can respond, he dips his head and latches onto my nipple, then bites down with such aggressive passion I completely forget my next thought. Instead, I dig my heels into his hard butt muscles and pull him closer, wanting more. All I can think about is reaching that same bliss with him again and again, until we fill every dent and ding between us.
Chapter Seventeen
Den
Mina’s laying across my chest, her hair a gorgeous tangle down her back. I smile at the wavy bedhead she’ll have in the morning as I run my fingers through the silky golden strands. Every movement releases her floral scent, making me both hard and relaxed at the same time. It’s a strange sensation I’ve never felt and I’m not sure how to unpack my thoughts on it. The fact I broke my own rule about never getting involved with a client, and the shit I’m going to get from Sebastian at some point don’t weigh on my mind as much as the fact that what I have with her is so intense. I didn’t think I had it in me to be connected to anyone or anything ever again.
One thing I know for sure, this woman is pure decadent pleasure. With a sexual appetite that matches—maybe even surpasses—mine, she surprised the hell out of me. She was insatiable in her desire to experience everything she could. While a part of me loves that I introduced her to new positions and experiences she’d never tried before, the idea she might later do them with other men splits every atom in my brain.
My fist tightens in her hair and I wrap the ends fully around my hand. Bringing the strands to my nose, I inhale deeply. She is everything I didn’t know I wanted. Perfect for me in every way.
I glance down at her angelic face. Even just watching her sleep, my body stirs to life all over again. As promised, I wore her out until she fell into an exhausted sleep, but the truth is as much as I enjoyed meeting her every desire, I just couldn’t get enough of her. I release her hair and lift her limp hand. Pressing my lips to her palm, I smile that her fingers twitch against my cheek as she sleepily murmurs, “Now you’re just being a glutton, Dennet.”
Chuckling, I lay her fingers on my chest and trail mine across her bare back, enjoying how soft her skin feels. I pause my movements when I realize that I don’t want to stop touching her. My brow creases at the thought. Mina loves teasing me about being older than her, but would she feel differently if she knew that I was older than Sebastian by more than a couple years? For that matter, would she even want more than this one night of phenomenal sex? How the hell could she not want more? What happened between us transcended any relationship I’ve ever had. This, from a slip of a woman I can pick up with one hand. I grin at the aptness of her earlier comment: dynamite indeed comes in a small package. Her wit and debate skills draw me in, keeping me on my toes, but the fact that I can hear every single heartbeat when I’m with her…that’s what fills my soul.
As I tuck a strand of blond hair behind her ear, a text message pops up on my phone. I lift my phone from the nightstand to see it’s from Travis.
You were right. The teas were laced with the same drug, which explains why you felt completely relaxed. It has a THC base (from marijuana) and some other natural drugs that mimic a lower dose of Rohypnol (roofies). As for reactions, this kind of cocktail would make the person feel a pleasant high and also be much more pliable, possibly even suggestible. Depending on the person and how much they consume, they could also experience hallucinations.
I frown, then quickly type a response back.
Would the response be stronger if mixed with alcohol? What do you mean suggestible?
It would absolutely be enhanced with alcohol. What I mean by suggestible is the person who ingested this could be more easily influenced and do things they might not under normal circumstances.
Worry tightens my chest and I slip my fingers in Mina’s hair once more as I type my next question one-handed. It’d better bloody only be a few hours.
How long would this cocktail of drugs stay in a person’s system?
Depends on the person, but it could stay in their system up to five days.
Five days? I scowl at the screen. Fucking hell. Could what just happened have been influenced by the drugs still in her system? I don’t like thinking that Mina would possibly have made a different decision about us. Not at all.
I splay my hand across her back, pressing her closer as I reply to his text.
Thanks for running the tests. I owe you.
Chapter Eighteen
Mina
My pencil slides quietly across my notebook as I sit cross-legged at the end of the bed and sketch Den. He’s sleeping on his back with one arm above his head, his chest and abs fully exposed, one leg out of the cov
ers. Even in this completely relaxed position, his muscles reflect just how powerful his body is.
With my first really good night’s sleep in ages—probably due to sheer physical exhaustion—I take advantage of the morning sun streaming through the window while it lasts. Casting soft light on Den’s darker skin, the sun highlights where his muscles bulge with spots of bronze. He’s a beautiful study of relaxation. One I’ll never get tired of capturing, for many reasons, but especially because I’m the only one he has allowed to see him this way.
I spend time on his jawline and mouth, then move down his shoulders, forearms, and hands to add more detail. My body tingles all over as I remember his possessive grip, the movement of his hands warming my skin, his mouth burning a hotter path right behind.
Getting the shading just right is a priority. It takes time and attention to detail to make an image pop. I lower my gaze to the paper, smudging, then erasing to achieve the right amount of negative space. I’m determined to capture his rich bronze highlights to perfection.
“You’re drawing,” Den says in a low tone, capturing my attention.
I close the notebook, not ready to let him see what I’m working on just yet. “It feels good to sketch again,” I say, smiling. “It has been a while since I’ve been inspired.”
Crawling to the head of the bed, I pick up the full mug of tea from the nightstand and hold it out to him. “I got so into my art, I forgot to drink this. Would you like mine? It’s not super hot, but still warm.”
“I’ll always want your tea, no matter the temperature, Lady Mina.” Smirking, he sits up and fluffs his pillow, then takes the mug.
When his golden gaze locks with mine over the mug’s edge as he takes a long sip, I realize his comment has nothing to do with morning beverages, and my face blooms with heat. What we shared last night was indescribably passionate—just thinking about it, my body warms to the memories—but the confident look in his hooded gaze is a stark reminder that the moment he touches me, he has this uncanny ability to tap into a wild side within me that I didn’t know existed. That Mina’s desires are a bit embarrassing in the light of day.
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