Bond Betrayed

by Ryan, Chandra

He slid into her slowly, the position demanding finesse and restraint. When he’d filled her, he stilled and started caressing her breast with his fingertips. “What is it about you that’s so irresistible?”

  He hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings, but that was exactly the wrong thing to say at that moment. Still, there was no way he would know the pain and self-doubt his words would inflict, so she did her best to let them slide off of her. “Pheromones and genetic predisposition to fuckability, I’m afraid.” Fine, so maybe she wasn’t able to completely let it go.

  He rocked out of her before sliding back into her depths. “No. I mean, you are rather fuckable, I’ll give you that. But I think it’s your laugh that makes you irresistible. Damn near the most perfect laugh I’ve ever heard.”

  Never in all her years as a seductress had anyone ever mentioned her laugh. Her tits, sure. Her ass, most definitely. But never her laugh.

  “And your eyes.” He moved his hand down to circle her clit as he continued thrusting into her. “God, they turn the color of aged cognac when you’re angry.”

  She would’ve asked if that was why he worked so hard to piss her off, but already her climax was building. He played her so well it scared her. But she could only hold on to her fear for a moment, then she was too wrapped up in sensation to feel anything but passion.

  The world broke around her, shattering into a haze of contentment and peace. But it was a peace that was short-lived. Isaac brought her down from her climax, but then started stoking the embers of the desire that still glowed in her. He whispered words of endearment in her ear as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge again. His hands worshiped her body as his mouth rained kisses on her neck and shoulder. And this time, as she let go of her firm grip on reality, he ventured into the abyss with her. Their breath coming in shallow gasps and moans, their hearts racing in sync, they fell together until the universe put itself back to rights. And, for the first time in a very long time, genuine warmth started to bloom somewhere Nikki thought had died decades ago. She hadn’t felt anything for someone new for so long she almost didn’t recognize it. But when she finally did, the realization hit hard enough to cause her to choke.

  “Are you okay?” Isaac asked, his voice groggy with exhaustion.

  “No, I don’t think I am.” She was attracted to him, she even liked him, but she couldn’t—under any circumstances—trust him. Especially not when trusting him meant trusting his psycho mother. But she couldn’t walk away either. He needed her. Molly needed her. And her father needed to be stopped. Her whole body started to shake as the panic built.

  “What’s wrong?” He rubbed her back, his voice tight with worry.

  “We can’t…” She stopped to take a breath and collect herself. “I’m leaving as soon as Molly’s safe. I can’t—this can’t…” Her heart was racing and her stomach cramped painfully. “Your mother will use you to destroy me.”

  He swore softly under his breath as he sat up. “I won’t let her. You have to believe me.”

  “You may not have a choice. I felt her. She was in my head tonight and she was strong.”

  “She may be strong, but I didn’t make it this far on my good looks. I will beat her at her own game. I promise, it’ll be okay. But you have to trust me.”

  There was no way she trusted him, not that completely. But that was her secret. She’d find a way out of this. Until she did, she just had to keep taking it one day, one hour, one minute at a time. They were on a dangerous path that led absolutely nowhere, but they’d ventured too far to turn back.

  Chapter Eight

  By morning, every muscle in Isaac’s body wanted him to roll over and stretch, but he refused to listen. Not when he had such a delightfully soft body to curl around. Yes, he should’ve left last night after her revelation. He should’ve gotten up, gone to his room and never looked back. Why? Because one way or another, this was going to end badly. Even if he won, which he anticipated fully, he’d still have to release her and set her free. But there wasn’t a force on Earth strong enough to make him leave her side last night. They didn’t have much time left together—he was going to enjoy what little they did.

  He nibbled on her ear as he caressed her side. “Did you sleep well?” The skin under his hand broke out in goose bumps and she rubbed against him in encouragement.

  “I didn’t know a good night’s sleep was the goal.” Her voice was groggy but already husky with desire as he started to caress her hip.

  He smiled as memories of their night together flooded his mind. “It wasn’t. Just seemed like the right thing to say.” He left a path of kisses down her neck, stopping when he found the sensitive spot right above her shoulder. “Don’t have much experience with morning-after pillow talk.”

  She rolled over so she was lying on her back. “Oh? You’re not used to waking up with your lovers?” She winked at him and then ran a hand down his chest. “Why does that not surprise me?”

  He knew the answer to that one. It was because they were the same and she wasn’t used to waking up with her lovers either. She wasn’t looking for a commitment any more than he was. But, suddenly, that didn’t seem like such a great thing. He’d liked sleeping next to her, feeling her steady heartbeat under his palm. More alarming, though, was how much he’d liked waking up next to her. That wasn’t a good sign and one that was best reflected on at some later time and date. “And if I were used to waking up with my lovers, what do you think I’d ask them?”

  “If they want coffee. And the answer would always be yes.”

  He kissed her gently on the nose before getting out of the bed. “Coffee it is.” He made it to the door before the noise of her clearing her throat stopped him. “Yes?” he asked, turning to face her again.

  “You’re going to scare Lesli if you go tromping around the house naked.” Her cheeks were touched by the delightful glow of a blush.

  “If today weren’t her day off, you might be right. Then again, seeing as she’s been with my family my entire life, I’m willing to bet she’s seen me in far worse states than naked.”

  Her eyes lit up as she jumped out of the bed. “So we have the house to ourselves?” Her smile was open and inviting.

  “Yes we do. Do you still want that coffee?” He said a silent prayer that coffee was as far down on her list as it was on his.

  But she didn’t seem to notice the change in his tone. She was too busy running past him and out the door. And he decided he’d let her go. It wasn’t that he couldn’t stop her. If he’d wanted to, he could’ve. One touch and he could’ve had her pinned to the wall. But he liked the thought of chasing her. Plus, he was willing to bet the view would make it well worth the wait.

  He meant to give her a five-second head start, but only made it to three before he grabbed a condom out of the nightstand and then started chasing after her. Down the stairs and through the hallway they ran. She was giggling as she turned to look at him over her shoulder from time to time, her face relaxed and glowing with what he’d swear was peace. He wanted to keep her like that—wanted her face to shine like that every time he saw it. It made his knees weak and his breath hitch painfully in his lungs.

  When she ducked through the door into the kitchen, he briefly wondered if coffee was indeed that important to her. But he was relieved to find her perched on the countertop waiting for him when he came through the door shortly after her.

  “You said something about being straddled at the countertop?”

  He smiled as he remembered the comment. He’d made it only a couple of days ago, but still, it felt like it belonged to another lifetime now. “I remember saying something along those lines.” He walked up to her slowly, savoring the tingle of anticipation that was growing in the pit of his stomach.

  Her smile was wicked as he took the step that brought him between her thighs. “I like this.”

  “Which part? Being chased or taken on a countertop?” He dropped his head so he could nibble on her shoulder. When she wrapped her arms
around his back and sighed, he couldn’t resist pulling her closer to him.

  “Both.”

  “Good to know.” He kissed her neck as he cradled one of her breasts in the palm of his hand. “I like that you like it.” Except instead of ‘it’ he actually meant ‘me’. The only thing he liked better than being near her was how happy being near him seemed to make her. In general, people didn’t like being within arm’s reach of him.

  She bit his shoulder just hard enough to relay her impatience and then rubbed her already wet pussy against his hardened cock. “Naked has its benefits,” she whispered into his ear.

  “It certainly does.” He tore open the condom package and then slid the barrier over his erection before thrusting into her warmth. Damn, being inside her felt even better this morning than it had the night before. It was as if his body recognized hers, craved her. “Feels so good.”

  The warmth of her hands disappeared as she moved them to the countertop behind her. But he wasn’t about to complain. With her hands to support her, he was able to thrust deeper into her. And he needed deeper. He needed to get lost in her—lost in the pleasure and temporary reprieve from his life she was offering.

  She moaned and let her head loll back as his cock slammed into her again and again. Desire was riding him hard and he wanted her with a passion that bordered on brutal. She didn’t back away from him, though. Instead, she opened herself to him further, tilting her hips to meet him.

  A strangled moan caught in her throat as he continued to thrust into her. The sound made his balls tighten and his spine tingle. She was close. Any second now, she would fall apart. And when she did, he would chase her over the edge.

  Her skin was covered with a soft sheen of sweat and her breath was coming in short, harsh pants. And then, just when he was certain he couldn’t take a second more of the sweet torture, she called out as her muscles tightened around him. It was more than he could take. His body tensed as he pushed into her once more and then he was thrown over the precipice into a shattering climax. There was no tenderness in the abyss he fell into. Raw hunger and need consumed him. And her breathy noises of pleasure only encouraged him in his demanding thrusts.

  But when the world began to come back into focus and his heartbeat slowed, he discovered he had a new need. He wanted to pull her close to him and listen to her breathing. Nothing more. Just share this contentment with her for a moment. It was an unsettling impulse since he wasn’t completely sure of the motivation behind it but, with no desire to fight against it, he pulled her into his embrace and ran his palm over her hair as he breathed in her uniquely spicy scent.

  They stayed like that for some time before he could bring himself to step away.

  “See, now that’s how you wake a lover up in the morning,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

  “Noted.”

  “And then you should make them coffee.”

  He hid his smile by turning from her as he disposed of the condom. “You certainly do know how this should be done,” he said, his amusement leaking into his voice.

  “Of course I do. And now you should offer me your shower so I can clean up.”

  His knees nearly buckled at the image but, with a quick grab of the countertop, he managed to steady himself. “Would you like to use my shower to clean up?” His throat was so dry he almost choked on the words.

  “Thank you. That’s very considerate.” She jumped down from the counter and walked to the door with an extra sway to her hips he found captivating. “And I had Lesli pick up some eggs and bacon at the store.”

  “Is that a request for me to make you breakfast?”

  She turned in the doorway and struck a particularly sexy pose. “It’d be greatly appreciated, not to mention rewarded. A girl can only stomach oatmeal for so many days in a row.”

  “Bacon and eggs it is.”

  “And coffee,” she added as she walked out of the room. “Oh, and I like my eggs the same way I like my men,” she called out as she walked down the hall. “Hard.”

  He laughed openly at her pronouncement. He would have to get dressed before he could start on the breakfast, but he could get the coffee brewing before heading back up to his room. Hopefully that would give her time to get safely in the shower. He couldn’t think straight when she was in any room with him, let alone when she was naked in his bedroom.

  His mind immediately pictured her naked and cuffed to his bed and he swore under his breath. He had to get his attraction to her under control. It was becoming ridiculous. Yes, she was hot. But he’d been with hot women before. And, okay, she was incredibly responsive and adventurous, both turn-ons. Still, he wasn’t a hormonal teenager and shouldn’t be acting like one. Especially with everything that was at stake right now.

  When he heard the shower going and the kitchen was filled with the heavenly scent of fresh coffee, he made his way to his room. They had three hours until they were supposed to meet with Rathe’s man. Three hours until he’d finally have the terms for Molly’s release. It may seem like forever right now but, with as much as he had to do to get ready, the time would speed by.

  He pulled on a pair of loose jeans and a black cotton t-shirt before heading back down to the kitchen to cook the requested breakfast. Fortunately for both of them, Nikki was all business when she came back down to join him. Well, as much business as she could be in a corset top, skinny jeans, and thigh-high black leather boots.

  “So, are you going to be negotiating with my father today?” she asked between bites of bacon.

  “No. He’s too smart for that.” Isaac’s stomach cramped with a completely different type of hunger as he watched her lick a fingertip. “He’s going to send one of his men, and most likely, Molly.”

  “But, if he sends Molly—”

  “I’ll be properly motivated to see her released and I’ll be assured she’s being taken care of. Something that would change quickly if negotiations break down.” He pushed his plate away from him as his appetite disappeared. “Molly’s not the endgame. She’s just a minor piece on the board.”

  Nikki didn’t have to ask. She knew what piece her father was after. “What are you going to do? You can’t give him what he’s after.”

  “I know that. But he has to believe I’m considering it.” He paused as the knots in his stomach cramped with anxiety. “And he has to believe I’d trade you for Molly.”

  Her smile was tight as she nodded. “I understand.”

  “I have to really sell it. It won’t be a comfortable experience for you.” He hated the things he might have to say and do to get Rathe to believe he was serious. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  She shifted uncomfortably in her chair and refused to lift her gaze to his. “You can’t take Molly and run?” she asked, her voice flat.

  “No. She’s been blood bound to someone. If she doesn’t return, she’ll suffer.”

  Nikki winced and he knew she was remembering that first night when he’d ordered her to call her uncle. It was on the tip of his tongue to apologize again, but she chose that moment to look up at him. She shook her head and waved her fingers at him as if she were shooing an annoying fly. “Don’t say it.”

  “Say what? That I’m sorry?”

  “What?” She narrowed her eyes as she studied him for a minute and then shrugged and went back to her breakfast. “Oh. No, that’s okay. Feel free to grovel whenever you like.”

  He had to fight not to smile. “What did you think I was going to say, then?”

  Her face paled slightly and she shoved a piece of toast in her mouth. He could only assume the move was to give her an excuse not to answer.

  “Let’s see. What was I saying at the time?” He thought back to his earlier words and suddenly things became a lot clearer. “I was talking about your father having Molly blood bound.” If he wasn’t certain before, her quick intake of breath, which made her choke on her mouthful of toast, quickly confirmed his suspicions. “I’m not like him.”

  She
successfully cleared her throat and then looked down at her plate again. “I know.”

  The words were too soft, her demeanor too submissive, and he felt his stomach cramp tighter with guilt. “That first night.” He paused to take a deep breath. “When I bound you to me. The only thing I cared about was getting Molly back. And you were the key.”

  “I still am.”

  “Maybe. But Molly isn’t the only one I’m concerned about now.”

  “Aww, isn’t that sweet,” she said, her voice syrupy. She rolled her eyes at him and then started clearing the table. “I can take care of myself.”

  When she came back for his plate, though, he stopped her by putting his hand on hers. “I’d release you from it, if you wanted.” Just saying the words was painful. He didn’t know how he’d bear the pain if she accepted his offer.

  “Do you know why he wants me?”

  He didn’t have to ask who or play dumb. Everyone knew why her father wanted her. “Because he can only seduce women.”

  She nodded as she picked up the plate. “He needs me to take care of all those troublesome men out there.”

  Isaac bit his tongue sharply to keep from interrupting her.

  “He knows he’d have to force my cooperation, though. But, as long as I’m tied to you with a blood bond he can’t do that. I’m safe. Safer, at least.”

  “At what cost?”

  “It’s a cost I’m willing to pay—for now.”

  “And you’re certain I’ll let you go when the cost becomes too high?”

  She finished putting the dishes in the sink before she took a moment to study him. And, for that moment, he was convinced she saw him—the real him. Lonely, angry and more than a little bitter about everything his life had taken away from him. The possibility scared the shit out of him. Not even he liked looking at himself that hard.

  “I am,” she said with a seductive smile. “When the time comes, you’ll let me go.”

  “How can you be sure?” He longed for her certainty.

  She sat on his lap gracefully and rubbed her cheek on his shirt. “Because, keeping me against my wishes would destroy me.” She looked up into his eyes, her own haunted. “And destroying me would destroy you. You’re a survivor.”