“And your eyes?” she asked eagerly. “What colour?”
“Brown.”
“Same as mine,” she breathed.
“No, mine are lighter. Yours are like dark velvet, very expressive.”
She thought about that for a moment. How alike they were, but also different. “Do you have any tattoos?” she asked.
“No,” he answered. “Have enough knife and bullet wounds. Don’t need to pay someone to add more holes.”
She didn’t really know what to say to that so she said the first thing that came to mind, “I don’t have any either.”
“I’m aware.”
Of course. He’d seen every inch of her body. Sometimes the sighted forgot that she was blind and conversely, sometimes she forgot the sighted weren’t blind. She realized her window of opportunity for questions was closing so she needed to move on to less safe territory before he shut her down.
“What about your parents?” she asked, barely daring to breath.
“Don’t know who my father was and I doubt my mother ever knew either. She was a street prostitute. Dead now,” he said, his voice hard.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be,” he grunted. “She sold me when I was eight.”
Horror filled Addison. She tried not to let it show on her face, but she was never good at hiding her expressions. She tried to drop her face and curtain her expression with her hair, but he stopped her.
“Don’t,” he snapped, “do me the disservice of hiding your disgust.”
Her head snapped up and her eyes widened. “Never,” she gasped. She flew out of her chair, dropping her wineglass onto the coffee table and going onto her knees in front of him. He tried to move back so she couldn’t touch him. So instead of touching him she simply pressed herself against the couch at his feet and looked up at him. “I could never feel disgust.”
“Don’t want your fucking pity either,” he snarled, catching her by the back of the head and shaking her like a rag doll.
“No, no!” she shook her head. “Look at me, look at my face. I can't hide from you Daniel. Tell me what my face says?”
She could feel his eyes on her, searching her face. He sighed heavily, his fingers easing their tense hold on her hair, “I don't know, Addison.”
She reached up and touched his leg gently. “It’s empathy, that’s all. I would never wish that fate on anyone, especially a kid. If you had the chance to save another kid from a similar fate, would you save them?”
“Of course,” he replied.
“Then you can feel empathy for that kid too,” she said softly. “Not pity or disgust. Just sorrow and pain.”
He didn’t say anything for a long time. She could feel his chest collapsing and expanding as he processed her simple words. He was a tough man. The toughest she knew. Heck, he was the toughest she could imagine. He had buried those memories so deep they were never allowed to see the light of day. Now, with her, he was taking the first tentative steps toward healing. She felt him nod and his hand absently start to stroke a path from her head, down her back and up again. It felt really good.
“Ask your questions,” he said. “You’re running out of time.”
She smiled and racked her brain for more questions. He was right! She needed to take advantage of this unique opportunity. “How many languages can you speak?”
“Five fluently, three less fluently,” he admitted.
“Eight languages!” she gasped. “You could be an ambassador or something for the United Nations. That’s incredible, Daniel!”
He shrugged. “This pays a lot more.”
She glared up at him. “Or you could have a conscience and do something wonderful with those amazing skills of yours!”
He continued to run his hand up and down the length of her spine sending waves of tingles through her body, reminding her of how deprived she’d been without his touch these past weeks. “How about you have enough conscience for both of us, baby, and I’ll protect our backs,” he murmured huskily, sinking further down into the couch so his hand couch reach down her back, closer to her ass.
“How many times have you been shot?” she asked.
He hesitated.
“You said I could ask anything,” she pouted.
“Four.”
“What!” she yelped, her hands flying up to his T-shirt. She’d felt the scars of bullet holes in his skin before, but she was usually so far gone in passion that she was in no position to be counting. Apparently not even to four.
“Two of them were the same incident,” he said, as though that made it better.
“Perfect,” she said sarcastically. “Would that be the time Tyson King saved your life?”
He tensed. “Claudia has a big mouth.”
She smirked. “Her fiancé has a big mouth first.”
“Brat.” He tapped her jaw lightly with his finger. “Yes, that would be North Korea. Not my favourite shithole.”
“Care to tell me about it?” she asked eagerly.
“No,” he said with finality, standing up and towering over her. He reached down and hauled her up by the armpits. She yelped as he tossed her over his shoulder and slapped her ass hard.
“Daniel!”
“Enough questions,” he growled and headed for the bedroom. “Haven’t had my tongue in that pussy for weeks. I’m fucking starving.”
She gasped as her pussy flooded with warmth at his words. She didn’t murmur a single word of protest as he tossed her down on her bed and began pulling clothes off of her. He was surprisingly gentle with her dress. She arched a brow at him.
“Not that I mind, but you don’t usually care that much about the fate of my clothes. What gives with the patience for buttons and bows after eight weeks of abstinence?” she asked breathlessly.
After he tugged the last button through its hole, he lifted the dress off of her, tugging it gently when it caught in her long, curly tresses. “You looked beautiful tonight, Addison. I… fuck, how do I say this? Don’t want to ruin it this time.”
Her breath caught in her throat and tears sparkled in her eyes. For the first time she gave real credence to the idea that maybe he could have a real relationship with her. She reached up and tugged him down until his lips met hers. She could tell he was trying to be gentle. He barely allowed his hard body to touch hers and his muscles shook with the effort it took to restrain himself. She wanted to beg him to take her hard and fast and then maybe later take his time if he wanted to, but he pushed her back onto her pillows and began slowly peeling her panties down her thighs.
He went slow at first, licking and biting his way up her thighs until he reached her core. She was moaning and begging him to touch her before he’d even arrived at her pussy. She knew exactly what this man was capable of and no matter how many times she tried to replicate those feelings over the past two months, nothing came even close to the magic Daniel could play out on her body. He didn’t hold back for long. He began sucking and licking her in long, delicious swipes that nearly sent her into a delirious spiralling orgasm, except he was careful not to allow her that coveted release just yet.
He was gentle at first, but as he drove her closer and closer to that elusive peak, he became gradually more ferocious, licking and biting her roughly, drawing her labia into his mouth and forcing cries of supplication from her. She writhed under him and alternated between widening her legs and trying to close them until he was forced to wedge his shoulders between her thighs and push her knees over his shoulders. Completely exposed, she was at his mercy.
He used his fingers to add pressure within her passage. “Fuck, you’re so tight,” he groaned. “This might hurt.”
She was beyond caring. She shook her head against her pillow, hair spilling freely across her sheets and yelled her pleasure as he continued to torture her body with unbearable pleasure, sending shockwave after shockwave with each thrust of his fingers and every swipe of his tongue. Just as she was about to fly into orgasm
, he rocked back on his heels, unzipped his jeans and dragged her up into his lap.
“Open your eyes, look at me,” he growled, his voice tight.
He reached between them, took his big, hard cock and swiped it through her pussy. Addison cried out and rocked her hips as pleasure crashed through her. He began to enter her, slowly thrusting into the silken depths of her dripping pussy. Addison clung to him, digging her nails into his T-shirt as pain and pleasure merged. Wanting to feel his skin against hers, she frantically clawed at his shirt until, understanding, he peeled it over his head with one hand, while holding Addison up on his lap with his other arm around her waist.
“Feels so fucking good,” he snarled, dropping his head into her shoulder and biting.
Addison jumped and cried out as he thrust full length up into her pussy. Pain flared through her and she held on tight, trying to adjust to his size once more. This position wasn't the easiest for taking him, especially not after nearly two months apart. He gave her a moment to adjust while he enjoyed the heated clasp of her vagina on his throbbing cock. When she began wiggling on his lap, actively seeking pleasure once more, he took her by the waist and began pumping up into her body until she was moaning and yelling once more.
When he sensed she was close, he pushed her gently back over his arm and reached between them sliding his thumb over her clit. She began orgasming so explosively that she would have fallen off his lap if he hadn’t anchored her to him. The rhythmic spasm of her pussy surrounding his cock was too much for him to resist. He began pumping savagely up into her, driving her higher and higher until he exploded with her, sharing his orgasm with his woman.
They stayed locked together, Daniel holding Addison up on his lap while she collapsed against his chest, until he’d softened inside her body. After another minute, he gently lifted her off him and laid her back on the bed. He got up and walked away from her. Despite their evening of revelations, Addison couldn’t help the instant anxiety that flooded her. Was he going to get dressed and leave her now, ruin everything they’d achieved?
He returned less than a minute later with a warm wash cloth and proceeded to clean the fluids from Addison’s thighs and pussy. She tried to feel embarrassed, but she actually felt taken care of. When he finished, he pulled the quilt up her bed and tucked it around her. He returned the wash cloth to the bathroom and came back to bed where he pulled his jeans off and got into bed with her. Addison rolled against him and held her breath as he pulled the covers over both of them.
“I’m not going to promise to stay,” he said quietly. “I spent years training myself to sleep in uncomfortable conditions for only a few hours at a time. Beds aren’t… comfortable for me.”
“But you’re going to try?” she whispered.
He nodded, holding her tighter against the hard muscles of his side. “I’m going to stay for a while. Watch over you.”
She yawned and smiled. “That’s creepily sweet.”
“Go to sleep, Addison.”
“So you can watch me?” she asked.
“Shut up, woman, before I put something in that mouth,” he warned.
She giggled. “I don't have time or energy for more of that tonight. I have a performance in just a few days and I have a feeling I got my music back. Maestro is going to be very happy when he finds out tomorrow.”
“You lost your music?” Daniel asked, gently brushing his hand soothingly through her hair.
“Mmm, when I lost you,” she murmured sleepily.
“It won’t happen again,” he said, hugging her tightly against his side.
“Do you promise?” she whispered, her voice drifting.
He didn’t say anything. She’d already fallen asleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Applause thundered through the concert house, reaching Addison where she sat on the stage. She smiled slightly, and waited for a signal from Maggie, who sat behind her. Maggie would let her know when the orchestra was to stand and take their bow. After a few moments she felt the light tap on her shoulder. She smiled toward the other woman and stood with the orchestra.
After another moment, she felt Maestro approach and gently take her elbow. One of the stage hands approached from her other side and carefully took her cello and bow. Addison thanked him and allowed Maestro to lead her to centre stage where he took a bow with his First Chair. She smiled graciously and accepted an armful of what she knew would be red roses.
Addison waved and thanked the audience before waving her arm back toward the rest of the orchestra indicating that they should share equally in the applause for their wonderful performance. Finally, after several more moments, Maestro handed Addison off to another stage hand so she could be led off the stage. She heaved a sigh of relief to be out of the spotlight.
Her relief was short lived when she found herself seized by an exuberant Erica as soon as she was in the shadows of the stage.
"Addie! You were simply amazing out there!" she gushed, hauling Addison away from the stage. "You were way better than everyone else, totally on point! Didn't you just love the dress I chose for you?"
"What do you mean?" Addison asked, confused. "I'm not wearing the same thing as everyone else?"
Erica spoke in a high-pitched, nervous voice. "Oh, I thought you knew! I mean, you said you didn't care what you wore and that I should just decide. I thought you trusted me. I mean it is my job to make these kind of decisions."
"Yes, Erica, of course it is," Addison gritted her teeth and tried not to sound annoyed. "Please tell me what I'm wearing that's different from the others."
"Well, it's the same classic long-sleeved dress as the women."
"I can feel that.” Addison gritted her teeth, losing patience.
"But yours is burgundy, while the rest of the orchestra is wearing black. As the First Chair I thought you should stand out. It turned out just beautiful! I think the Maestro was even a little shocked when he first saw you, but I think he likes it too!"
"Erica!" Addison gasped. "You should have told me!"
"Addison?" Claudia's voice reached Addison's ears. Addison turned toward her friend and reached out for her. Claudia enveloped her in a big hug that smelled like very expensive perfume.
"Is everything okay?" she whispered in Addison's ear.
Addison nodded. "Except for for the imminent death of Maestro's assistant, it's fine."
Claudia laughed and pushed Addison back a little. "She's walking away in what looks like a bit of a tizzy. Bloodbath denied, I guess!”
Claudia placed another load of flowers into Addison's arms on top of the ones she was already holding. "You were amazing. I couldn't catch my breath when you played your solo, Addison, it was so damn beautiful!"
Addison grinned. "Thank you, that really means a lot."
A huge hand came down on Addison's shoulder and squeezed her affectionately. Tyson King's booming voice rumbled over her head. "You're converting me to classical music, Ms. Sterling. I'll have to talk to your Maestro about sponsorship."
Addison grinned. "He'll be very happy to hear that, he's not at all shy about having friends with money."
Claudia squeezed her hand. "You must be so tired."
“Yes, actually," Addison said. "I'm just heading to my dressing room to get out of this performance gown and then Daniel was going to pick me up. Have you seen him?"
"He's here somewhere," Tyson confirmed.
Addison's heart picked up in response. Just thinking about Daniel did strange things to her body. She said good-bye to Claudia and King and made her way down the corridor to her private dressing room. She was lucky that she got to use one during performances. Just as she reached the door and turned the knob, she was seized from behind and lifted right off her feet.
"Oh!" Addison gasped clutching her flowers tightly.
"Addison, my darling girl!" Maestro beamed down at her, or at least she was pretty sure he was beaming, because his voice certainly was.
She laughed as he lifted her up
again and twirled her around. "You were better than I've ever heard you! Simply stunning!" he enthused. "I don't know what's to thank for this transformation, but your work has reached a new level. You've tapped into something I've been trying for years to reach. A type of... of romance in your soul to match that delicious darkness you've always sported. And that dress, it takes my breath away. Absolutely stunning."
"It was Erica's idea," Addison said, laughing as he set her back on her feet and jammed another bouquet of roses into her already brimming arms.
"Damn, maybe she's worth keeping around then," he grumbled. "I must get back out there. I had to come see my star though. You are coming out to do the rounds, aren't you? You must, I insist!"
"Maestro..." she whined.
"I expect to see you, my dear, ten minutes," he dropped a lingering kiss on her lips before she could turn her face. Addison was surprised. They were good friends, but he wasn't usually so familiar with her. She hoped it was just the excitement of the evening.
With a sigh, she finished pushing open the door of her dressing room. Strong hands yanked her completely into the room, tearing a shriek of surprise from her lips. The door slammed shut and Addison was pushed back against the closed door. She dropped the flowers she had been holding and brought her arms up defensively, terrified it might be her stalker.
"He kissed you," Daniel growled angrily.
"Daniel," Addison breathed.
Relief flooded her, followed quickly by annoyance. Couldn't he do anything like a normal person and freaking help a blind girl out?
She opened her mouth to tell him off for scaring her and once again manhandling her in a completely unnecessary manner. But he kissed her passionately, with so much tenderness and longing, that Addison was stunned into silence. She knew he wanted her. Daniel always wanted her. But this kiss conveyed desperation and need, something he swore he didn't feel, because he didn't have "boyfriend" emotions. Despite their recent strides forward, he still struggled to find a normal path with her.
Fear in Her Eyes (Fire & Vice Book 5) Page 21