by Mia Knight
His hand moved over her stomach. “Have you taken a pregnancy test?”
The loss of his father and Vinny left a chasm inside him that hungered for what only she could give him. He needed more. Nora was the best thing that ever happened to him. Every day she grew stronger. He saw a glimmer of the woman she’d become. He couldn’t wait for her to learn to talk in complete sentences and grow into her personality. She was the perfect mix of him and Lyla, a part of them that would live past their time. One day, they wouldn’t be here, and Nora needed siblings for permanent backup. He wanted to see what their kids looked like, and if they’d all have Lyla’s stunning eyes. He wanted to see their similarities and differences and wanted the challenge of being the father to a huge brood.
Vinny’s loss haunted him. He saw it still had a hold on Carmen as well. She was pushing hard for the same reasons he was—they fucking owed it to Vinny and his father to live life to the fullest so their deaths wouldn’t be in vain. He had Lyla and Nora, and he was going to give them all he had.
“I’m not pregnant,” Lyla said.
“How do you know?”
“I just do.”
He rubbed her stomach. “I’m surprised you haven’t gotten pregnant.” He’d been trying his damndest.
“Gavin, it’s only been four months.”
Yeah, four months of constant fucking. Maybe he needed to put more time into the project.
The front door opened. He turned his head to see who the fuck was coming in when everyone was supposed to get out. His COO walked in and spotted them.
“Marcus!” Lyla exclaimed and rose to hug him.
Marcus grinned as he engulfed her in his arms. “How are you doing?”
“I’m excellent. I wish you could have come earlier. I set aside some food for you just in case.”
“Sorry I missed the party. Is Carmen still here?” Marcus asked.
“Yes, she’s out back.”
“Are you excited about your trip?”
Lyla beamed. “Yes! Maybe you can take Carmen somewhere once we get back.”
Marcus glanced at him before he murmured, “Maybe.”
“You can,” Gavin said.
Carmen said something to that effect earlier. If Marcus wanted time off, he hadn’t said a damn thing. Marcus wasn’t shy. He was always pushing him to expand, rebrand, or renovate something. Marcus was right where he wanted to be. It was Carmen who wanted to go off wherever the fuck she wanted to and force Marcus along. He didn’t approve of their fuck buddy relationship. Carmen was hell on wheels, and there was no controlling her. She would go where the wind blew her and get into any activity that had some amount of danger and risk involved. She was reckless and insane. He watched his cousin chase after her for most of their relationship. Marcus was no match for her.
“Where’s my goddaughter?” Marcus asked.
“Blade put her to sleep.”
“I’ll have to stop by to see her when you two get back.” He tilted his head to the side as he surveyed Lyla. “You’re glowing.”
Gavin yanked Lyla down on the couch beside him. “Fuck off, Marcus.”
He didn’t like any man close to Lyla, even if it was Marcus. His COO wasn’t offended. Marcus tipped his head back and laughed uproariously while Lyla shot him a reproachful look. He wasn’t in the mood for Marcus’ antics when he was thinking about getting her pregnant.
“I better fetch Carmen before he goes postal,” Marcus said to Lyla before he headed toward the back of the house.
Lyla smacked his chest. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“What?”
“You are so weird. You work with Marcus every day and still act like he’s a threat.”
“I don’t want his scent on you.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to smell another man’s cologne on you when I fuck you.”
She collapsed against him with a groan. “You’re crazy.”
“And you love it.”
He saw her mouth curve as she murmured, “I guess I do.”
Several minutes later, Carmen rushed by and said something he didn’t bother to pay attention to as she left with Marcus in tow. Angel followed several minutes later.
“Have a safe trip and don’t worry about anything,” Angel said as he kissed Lyla’s cheek.
Gavin glanced at his expression and knew he was going hunting. “Watch your back.”
Angel nodded. When the last of the staff shuffled out the door, he finally relaxed.
“I’m going out,” Blade said.
Lyla whipped around and propped her elbows on the back of the couch. “You need to get laid again?”
Blade didn’t answer. He walked out and slammed the door.
He tapped Lyla’s ass. “Why do you want to know if he’s getting laid?”
“Because!”
“Because why?”
She frowned. “Why doesn’t he talk to me about it?”
“About getting laid? Why the fuck do you need to know that?”
She waved her hands. “I don’t want to know that. It’s just … he doesn’t even talk to me.”
“He does.”
“No, he doesn’t. He just grunts and tells me what to do. He doesn’t talk about himself.”
“He doesn’t want to.”
“Why?”
“Not everyone has a past they want to talk about.” In fact, none of them did. Marcus, Blade, Angel, himself. All of their pasts were twisted and fucked up. Why would they share it with anyone, especially someone who couldn’t relate? “Leave him be. He’s fine.”
“But—”
He dragged her onto his lap. “I don’t think Blade should be the only one getting laid tonight.”
She smiled, and it made strange things happen in his chest. A part of him hated it, that a mere smile from her could make his heart change its rhythm, but he had finally accepted it. The only alternative was not having her at all, and that would never happen. She framed his face with her tiny hands and kissed him. She was in the mood. She was kissing him hard and rubbing her pussy against his already hard dick. He gripped her ass and ground her against him. She lifted her head and looked down at him.
“You think this will ever fade?” she asked.
“No.”
There was no doubt in his mind that he would always be desperate for her. His father never got over his mom, and he was going to be the same way. Even when he was eighty, he would be going down on Lyla in a fucking closet while their grandkids opened presents around the tree.
She kissed the corner of his mouth. When he tried to capture her lips, she kissed his jaw and then nipped his earlobe.
“I want to go down on you.”
His fingers bit into her ass.
“I’ve been thinking about it all night.”
He yanked on her hair so he could see her face. The lust in her eyes made his muscles lock with anticipation.
“You’ve been thinking about sucking me off with friends and family around?”
“You’re a bad influence.”
Fuck yeah, he was. “Show me what you’ve been thinking about.”
She kissed his neck while she undid his buttons. She sucked lightly before she used her teeth.
“Gavin.”
He realized he had her locked against him and forced himself to let go. She slipped down his body and left a trail of wet down his abdomen before she landed at his feet. Her blue eyes hypnotized him as she knelt between his spread thighs.
“What?” he bit out.
She grinned and shook her head. “Nothing.”
When she stroked the inside of his thighs, his hands curled into fists to stop himself from reaching for her. When she pulled down his zipper, his cock was standing at attention. She rested her head against his thigh and extended her tongue to lap at the base. He glared at her as she smiled at him and continued feathering her tongue around his dick when she knew what he really wanted.
“I’m going to come on your
face,” he threatened.
Her voice was supremely unconcerned as she said, “Fine with me.”
He was seconds away from shoving her on her back and fucking her mouth when her lips closed around his head. She stroked down firmly, making his eyes roll. Holy fuck. He’d taught her exactly what he wanted. She knew exactly how much pressure to use, what he wanted her hands and tongue to do simultaneously, and to keep eye contact the whole time. The blue diamond on her ring flashed as it stroked his cock. The sight of his brand on her finger satisfied him immensely. Anything he could put on her to declare to the world that she was his, he would do. Lyla’s hair brushed over his sensitive skin, and the hum she let out while she sucked made him jerk.
“Lyla, fuck. I’m not going to last.”
“Give it to me,” she said around his cock.
“I want to come inside you.”
“Come in my mouth,” she breathed as she followed a thick vein on the top of his dick with her tongue.
He tried to draw her up his body, but she wouldn’t budge. She grabbed his cock with two hands, one at the base and the other stroking while her mouth did wicked things to his balls. He couldn’t take it. He grabbed her head and shoved in, going as deep as he could go before coming in her mouth.
“Oh, fuck,” he groaned.
When he slumped against the couch, Lyla cleaned him up before she rose. He watched with lazy eyes as she slipped out of her dress. When she climbed on the couch and put her glistening pussy in front of him, he didn’t hesitate. He cupped her ass and drew her against his mouth. Her hands yanked at his hair while she rubbed herself over his face. When he slipped his fingers in her, she tossed her head back and moaned. Eating her out was one of his favorite pastimes. It didn’t take long for her to start humping his face. When she climaxed, she reared backward. He caught her and dropped her on the couch and finished her while she trembled beneath him and then pushed his head away.
“Too much,” she moaned.
He chuckled as he rose and draped her over his shoulder while she was still shaking with the aftershocks. She grumbled under her breath about how he was supposed to give her piggybacks. He ignored her as he climbed the stairs and set her on her feet in the shower. She leaned against him, telling him without words to take over. He liked her sated and lazy. She held his waist while he soaped her up and then bundled her into a robe. She was struggling to stay awake when he placed her in bed.
He checked on Nora who was sound asleep. He slipped his hand through her unruly curls and grinned when she tried to smack his hand away. So small and defiant, just like her mother. Carmen thought he was getting his just deserts by having a demanding and wild daughter. He wouldn’t want it any other way.
He glanced at the dogs curled up together a few feet from the crib. Honey thumped her tail when he looked at her, and he shook his head. The dog’s instincts were definitely off. When he walked back into their room, Lyla was buried beneath the duvet with only her hair showing. He sat up in bed with his laptop and clicked through some emails. Fucking Marcus, he didn’t know when to quit. He was a ruthless bastard in business. He was making him more money than ever before, but it also required more fucking attention.
An hour later, he received a notification letting him know that Blade returned. He dismissed it, shut down the laptop, and drew Lyla against his chest. He slipped his hand beneath the robe and gripped her breast. Her rough, raised scars rubbed against his skin, a reminder that it was a fucking miracle she was here. He buried his face in her hair and drew in her scent.
He wasn’t sure when he drifted off, but he woke to the sound of her ragged breathing. Lyla was trembling like a plucked string. He turned on a light and saw that she was covered in sweat. Her brows were drawn together, and her hands rose, reaching for something.
“Lyla.”
Her eyes opened halfway, showing only white and no hint of blue. He shook her and got more than he bargained for when she swung a balled fist, clipping him on the jaw. He cursed and pinned her arms over her head. She fought him for all she was worth, body bowing, limbs thrashing.
“Lyla!”
One sweaty hand slipped out of his. Her nails came right for his eyes. He deflected but not quickly enough. She raked her nails down his cheek. The burn roused his beast. He gave her a rough shake, which slammed her teeth together. Her eyes finally opened, but there was no recognition, only bloodlust.
“Lyla, wake the fuck up.”
She bared her teeth at him and let out a bloodcurdling scream that raised the hair on the nape of his neck. It was a war cry filled with fury and pain. Before she finished, Nora’s piercing cry split the air. Lyla went silent and blinked rapidly, her maternal instinct overcoming her nightmare. Her dilated pupils finally focused on him. She trembled uncontrollably, face ghost white.
“You with me?” he asked.
Her eyes closed, but not before he saw the glimmer of wet. She covered her face with shaking hands.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“It’s just a dream.” He wanted to comfort her, but Nora was screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Could you see to her? I-I can’t …”
“I’ll be back.”
He rolled out of bed and stepped into the hallway. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Blade clear the stairs and head in his direction. He entered the nursery, pulled Nora out of the crib, and tucked the baby under his chin while her tiny tears hit his chest.
Blade stopped a few feet away. His eyes touched on Gavin’s cheek before it went across the hall to the master suite.
“You heard her?” Gavin asked.
Blade held up his wrist, showing his watch, which vibrated if there were any spikes in Lyla’s heart monitor. Blade should have disabled it since Gavin was home, but he wasn’t surprised that he hadn’t. Blade never let down his guard and was bonded to Lyla and Nora in a way Gavin never expected when he appointed him as Lyla’s bodyguard.
“She okay?” Blade asked.
He nuzzled Nora who hiccupped against his chest. “It was a bad one.”
“No shit.” Blade held his hands out for Nora. “I’ll take care of her. See to Lyla.”
He handed the baby to Blade and was mildly peeved when Nora instantly quieted at Blade’s stern, “Hush.” He entered their room and stopped when he saw the empty bed. His adrenaline spiked.
“Lyla!”
No answer. She wouldn’t … He was about to run out of the room to search the house when he registered the faint sound coming from the dark bathroom. He slammed his hand on the light switch and saw Lyla in the shower, one hand braced against the wall, head bowed as the water beat down on her. Fuck. She was gonna give him a fucking heart attack.
He opened the door and was engulfed in steam. “What the fuck was that?”
She didn’t acknowledge him.
“Lyla,” he bit out.
When he reached for her, she evaded his hand.
“Don’t touch me,” she said hoarsely.
His beast slipped the leash, and he let it. He turned off the water. She further incited his beast when she slapped his hand as it closed around her upper arm.
“What the hell are you doing?” she shouted.
He dragged her out of the bathroom and tossed her on the bed. He didn’t care that she was dripping wet or still shaken from her dream. When she tried to roll away, he grabbed her ankle and yanked her to the edge of the bed. Her other foot lashed out and caught him on the shoulder with enough force to make him stagger back two steps. His beast growled in approval, but Gavin wasn’t amused. He was fucking pissed. She was on her way to the closet when he grabbed her hair and yanked her backward. He banded an arm around her waist when she collided against him.
“Don’t you fucking walk away from me,” he hissed.
“You need to let me go.”
Her voice was nowhere near cowed.
“How many times have you asked me to do that?” he hissed in her ear.
“This time,
you need to do it,” she said before she stomped his bare foot with her heel.
Game fucking over. He shoved her down on her hands and knees and pinned her with a hand at the top of her spine. His palm landed on her wet ass. The force of the blow mashed her face into the carpet. She screamed, but it wasn’t from pain. It was fury. Good. Now they were even. He walloped her ass. The sharp sound of his hand hitting her flesh and the sting and tingle in his hand alleviated the pounding in his head. Her muffled threats and curses spurred him on. When his hand was throbbing and her ass was bright red, he stopped. Immediately, she tried to rolled away. He stopped her when she was flat on her back with a hand on her throat and crouched over her.
“Who’s the fucking boss?”
Her eyes glittered with rage. “Fuck you!”
“Wrong answer, baby girl.”
He put his legs on either side of hers and pulled his rock-hard cock out of his pants. He saw her hands coming toward his face again and pinned them over her head. He pressed the head of his cock against her opening.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she shouted.
“Don’t tell me not to touch you.” A few choice words from her could send him off the deep end. The need to have her submit to him made his cock throb with the need to invade the pussy that was made for him. “You don’t pull away from me.”
“I didn’t!”
“You fucking did.”
“The dream—”
He didn’t want to hear what she had to say. He forced the head of his cock in. She was barely wet enough to take him, and her hiss of pain was music to his ears. He kept her thighs clamped together, creating an even tighter channel. His beast salivated as it looked over his meal. Her squeaky-clean skin begged him to cover her with cum. Lyla roused every primitive instinct he possessed and had the complete attention of his beast, which didn’t fuck around, especially when it came to its mate.