Maeve hadn’t even thought about the people milling around outside. And didn’t give a damn.
She bit the inside of her cheek as his cock slid out. Her ass ached.
With the help of a tissue, he carefully removed the condom and threw it in the wastebasket.
Nox patted her bottom fondly. “I’ve pushed you as far as I can. Once you get used to my cock, I’ll ride you harder.” He reached into a drawer and withdrew a slightly larger butt plug. “I’m gonna put this inside you instead.”
Maeve didn’t raise any objections. Although, she shivered at the onslaught of wicked images in her head. He inserted the plug, and she relaxed. It was snug, but it didn’t hurt.
And then he grasped a red leather gag, which he slipped into her mouth. He fastened it at the back of her head and then stepped back to admire his handiwork.
“Try to talk. Say your safe word.”
She mumbled, “Bourbon.”
“Say it again.” He pressed a hand to his ear, as though he hadn’t heard her. Maeve got the sense it turned him on, seeing her mumbling, mouth stuffed full.
Maeve muttered the word again.
“Fuck. You’re a sight.” He reached over to plump her breasts and pinch the nipples until they stood out, tall and proud.
Nox moved around the bed, viewing her from every angle, as though Maeve were on display. She was helpless, tied down, and his for the taking. Maeve felt as if she was made for his pleasure.
He cupped her chin, so she looked at him. “You loved havin’ my cock in your ass, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Say it, Maeve.”
“I loved the feel of your cock.” Her words were slurred by the rubber ball, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“Mmm. Such a dirty girl. You’re my little slut, aren’t you?”
Maeve nodded. At this moment, Maeve felt like his possession, his plaything.
And it felt great. No, it was fucking terrific.
There was nothing but pleasure and release.
What the hell has happened to me? Nox was like a song she couldn’t get out of her head, an endless refrain.
“Yeah, your mine alright.” Nox crawled on the bed behind her and leaned over, to whisper in her ear. “And now, I’m gonna fill all your holes.” His cock head nudged her pussy.
Maeve whimpered.
“You want me to take that cunt, don’t you?” He smacked her ass.
Maeve nodded.
“I thought so.”
And yet, Nox didn’t push his dick back into her. Not yet.
Maeve was so wet; her thighs were soaked. Her sex felt liquid, gushing with need. She could sense the hot length of him against her hip, like a branding iron.
“Beg me.”
“Please fuck me, Nox.”
He thrust into her. Hard.
Once again, Maeve was untethered from reality.
She couldn’t worry about anything. Not her missing sister. Not her job. Not the board members who wanted to unseat her. All she could focus on was his cock in her pussy, the gag between her lips, the plug snuggled deep in her asshole.
Nox fucking her hard and deep. Her tits bounced, and she sobbed against the gag. And then Nox grasped her by the hair, pulling her back onto his dick as he lunged into her. Again, and again.
And then, his cock was gone.
Maeve felt bereft, barren somehow, as though it belonged inside her.
“A deal’s a deal.”
Before Maeve knew what was happening, he flipped her over, spreading her thighs. Her clit was a swollen little bud, eager to be stroked. He held her wide open and then Nox fell on her pussy like a starving man, slurping at her sex, lapping the drenched folds until she squealed.
He bit her clit, and she gasped, stunned at the sensation. And then he worked her over, fucking Maeve with his tongue, his fingers, licking and sucking. Screaming against the gag, Maeve wailed her release.
“Fuck me, I love that sound.”
Nox rolled her over once more and plunged back into her pussy. Hard. He slammed into her, smashing his cock inside her again and again, showing no mercy. And she loved every single second of it.
Then his movements slowed, hesitated, and she could tell Nox teetered on the verge of orgasm. With a groan, he came inside her.
They stayed there for what felt like forever, locked together.
Afterward, Maeve could barely keep her eyes open. She was utterly exhausted. Replete. Nox pulled the gag from her mouth, and she relaxed her jaw. He unbelted her wrists, and she rubbed the pink lines the leather had left behind.
Damn. He marked me.
It made her quiver.
Nox collapsed on the bed, propping one hand behind his head. He was gloriously naked, completely secure in his nudity.
He was scarred, with what appeared to be a healed bullet hole near his shoulder, and a long pink slash just under his throat. Had someone tried to slit it? The wounds made him look even more dark and dangerous.
He looped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close and it didn’t occur to Maeve to protest. Instead, her eyes drifted close, and she felt dangerously close to content.
More than anything, Maeve wanted to stay with Nox, in his bed.
No, in his arms.
But I can’t do this. No way. No how.
Maeve wriggled out of his embrace and started hunting for her clothes. She hastily pulled them on and headed for the door, before she could change her mind.
His voice forestalled her. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”
She winced. “I figured I’d stay in another room.”
“No, you’re gonna sleep beside me.” Nox shimmied under the covers and held the other side up for her. “We didn’t get much rest last night, so let’s take a short cat nap.”
It looked so damn comfortable, Maeve couldn’t resist. The next thing she knew, Maeve was tucked in close beside him.
Surely, a couple more hours spent in his arms wouldn’t hurt. Would it?
Wait. Don’t answer that.
***
Nox woke up to find himself alone in the bed.
He checked the clock to find it was just after four in the afternoon. Maeve was nowhere to be seen. However, he found her luggage in the hallway. He could tell because her initials, MK, was embroidered on one of the pockets.
Nox sighed in relief. At least she hadn’t gone home. Her chauffeur must’ve dropped everything off.
He wheeled the suitcase into his bedroom. Maeve didn’t know it yet, but she was staying with him while she was at HQ.
And he didn’t give a flying fuck what West or the rest of the guys said. Once that was done, he resumed the hunt for Maeve.
Dammit. Where did she go?
Nox got dressed then headed downstairs, but there was no sign of Maeve or anyone else for that matter.
And then he heard the lower murmur of voices outside.
Nox headed out the door to investigate. He found Maeve seated on the rickety old back porch swing next to some golden boy. The man looked like Ken doll with his perfect teeth and wavy hair.
Nox scowled.
“Jim, I presume?”
Maeve gasped. She’d been too absorbed by pretty boy’s presence to even notice him.
“Oh, hi, Nox.” Her voice sounded abnormally high and squeaky. She nodded to her companion. “This is Jim and Jim, this is Nox. He’s trying to find Amy.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jim held a hand out, and Nox gripped it hard, squeezing the other man’s knuckles.
“Same here.” To his credit, Jim gave as good as he got. They stared at one another, having a silent standoff.
Nox wasn’t sure what Jim’s deal was, but he didn’t like the way the man sniffed around Maeve. Something was off about him.
Or I’ve lost my mind, and I’m actin’ like a jealous boyfriend.
Hmm, it might be that last one.
Maeve frowned. “Okay you can let go now. It’s getting awkward.”
> Jim let go first, and Nox smirked when he caught Jim wincing for just a moment and shaking his fingers as if they’d gone numb.
Nox smirked. I hope I broke something.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but what’s he doin’ here?” Nox asked Maeve.
“Jim ran into Rogers when he stopped by to get my briefcase, so he offered to drop it off, along with my paperwork.”
“How thoughtful.”
“Yeah, I’m a giver.” Jim leaned back in the swing, wrapping an arm around Maeve’s shoulders.
Nox gritted his teeth. “You should be goin’ now. Me and Maeve have lots to do this afternoon.”
“Of course. I’ve got a meeting to get to anyway.” Jim stood and gripped Maeve by the shoulders. “I’m here for you, whenever you need me.”
“Thank you, Jim.”
With a nod to Nox, Jim strutted over to his red muscle car and drove away.
What a tool.
“That guy bugs me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Jim is terrific. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m not impressed.”
Maeve stayed there, watching Jim’s car until it disappeared and Nox gritted his teeth.
“Are you comin’ back inside with me or what?”
Maeve stared at his hand for the longest time, before taking it.
And Nox hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath until she did.
Chapter 8
The next morning, Maeve snuck downstairs.
She left Nox asleep in the bed. By all rights, she should be exhausted. They’d had sex three more times. Their last session was in the wee hours of the morning, he’d gently woken her up, and she’d nodded in answer. They’d had slow and sensual sex, rocking against one another.
Maeve had started a dangerous precedent, confiding in him, sleeping in his bed. If she got attached, this thing would only end in tears. Maeve refused to refer to their fling as a relationship. She needed to put some distance between them, clear her head.
And yet, she’d agreed to stay in his room.
They’d spent the entire day together, piecing together Amy’s movements, creating a timeline. Unfortunately, she didn’t have much information to go on.
When Maeve got to the kitchen, she found Annie and Savvy sitting around the table, drinking coffee and gabbing with two other women she didn’t recognize. Maeve froze, ready to tiptoe back upstairs when Savvy called out to her.
“Mornin’,” Savvy drawled. “Why don’t you join us?”
There was no way to leave without being rude.
“Sure.” She headed over to the table and had a seat. Maeve recognized Annie and Mack, but there was one new face.
“This is Ellie King,” Savvy said, making the introductions.
Maeve figured Ellie was King’s sister, given the close family resemblance and shared surname. She had a wild tumble of red hair and the same eyes.
“Nice to meet you.” Maeve shook her hand.
“She’s datin’ Zane,” Savvy explained. “You haven’t met him yet.”
Ellie quickly hid a feline smile behind her coffee cup. She seemed peaceful, content. Somehow, it irked Maeve.
Is everyone partnered up here?
“Oh, and this is Mack.” Savvy laid a hand on the redhead’s shoulder and Maeve nodded to her in greeting. “She used to be in the FBI.”
Maeve poured her a cup of coffee and quietly observed the women for a moment, watching them laugh and talk. They were a close-knit group. It was more than friendship, they seemed to be a family.
She felt a pang.
Maeve missed those weekends with Reggie and her sister. Her family had never been conventional, but they’d loved one another. Since her dad’s death, she’d felt isolated. Even when she wasn’t slaving away, Maeve made plans for the next project or presentation.
The only time she was truly off duty was in Nox’s arms. For some reason, she couldn’t think around him. All Maeve could do was feel. And it scared the hell out of her.
“So, how was it?” Savvy asked, raising a brow.
She blinked. “How was what?”
“Don’t be coy.” Savvy wiggled her brows. “How was Nox?”
Everyone giggled.
“Oh my God. You heard us.” She was utterly mortified. Maeve could feel the heat burning on her cheeks. Images from last night flashed through her head, each more wicked than the last.
“Yeah, we heard you,” Annie said. “Loud and clear.”
“I’m so sorry.” She buried her head in her hands.
“Don’t be.” Mack took a bite of cereal. “We’re used to Nox. He’s with a different girl every—”
Annie elbowed her sharply, and Mack fell silent.
Of course, Maeve wasn’t surprised. She didn’t have a claim on him and didn’t want one. Right?
Savvy broke the awkward silence. “We were just wonderin’ if he lives up to the hype.” She patted the seat beside her. “Come on, spill it. Don’t leave us hangin’.”
Maeve thought back to the time she’d spent with him, the way she’d just sort of fallen under his control, as though she didn’t have any will of her own. It had been a mix of emotions, intoxicating, seductive, and addictive.
She would’ve let him do anything he wanted with her. Maeve had been totally trusting, open with him. At first, she’d just thought he was a cocky asshole, but he had the goods to back it up, and he’d been surprisingly gentle.
In fact, Maeve wanted to go back upstairs and do it all over again. She had the sneaking suspicion, she might never get enough of that man. And she didn’t just mean Nox’s talented tongue.
She took a sip of coffee. “He’s, um, pretty special.”
They grinned like a group full of jack-o-lanterns.
And she didn’t just mean physically.
“Come on, give us some details,” Savvy prodded.
“Nope.”
“You like him then?” Ellie asked.
“Yes, I like him.” But I’m not falling for him.
Ever. No way. No how.
Just then, Mack’s phone buzzed, and she immediately read the message. Her lips curved.
Maeve recognized the expression from watching her own face in the mirror.
“Who is it?” Annie asked, nodding to the phone.
Everyone’s attention turned to Mack and Maeve breathed a sigh of relief.
“Nobody.” She dropped it as if the thing had burned her and turned back to breakfast.
“No, it’s definitely somebody.” Savvy leaned closer to sneak a peek. “Come on, who is it?”
Maeve chuckled. “It’s probably a guy.”
Mack lifted her chin. “No. It wasn’t.”
“Yeah, it was.” Annie snickered. “You’re all twitterpated and defensive.” And then her face fell. “Oh no.”
“What?” Maeve asked, not getting it. She had a feeling she was missing something huge.
“Tell me it isn’t him,” Savvy said.
“Isn’t who?” Maeve asked.
“It’s gotta be John Doe.” Ellie grimaced.
“Who’s John Doe?”
Annie filled Maeve in. Apparently, a convicted thief named John Doe had a thing for Mack. Maeve had dated bad boys over the years, but nobody with a record.
“He texted me from a burner phone, not the other way around,” Mack said defensively, clutching the phone. “I’m only keeping him talking, to see if he lets anything slip.”
Maeve wasn’t buying it, and from everyone else’s expressions at the table, they weren’t either. Clearly, she had a thing for this guy.
“Let me see the messages.” Annie held her hand out.
“No.” Mack tucked it in her pocket.
“You can’t go out with him,” Ellie said. “Trust me, datin’ the wrong man can lead you down the wrong path.”
From the way Ellie spoke, Maeve got the sense she’d had a similar experience.
“In case you missed it,
John Doe’s in Canada,” Mack said. “He’s in a whole other country. It’s not like we’re going to the movies.”
“I know, but you’re emotionally involved.”
Maeve privately agreed with Annie, but she kept her mouth shut. This was none of her business.
Mack took a deep breath. “Let’s drop it, okay?”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Although, Annie looked doubtful. Maeve suspected Annie wasn’t going to let this go anytime soon.
There was a long, awkward lull in the conversation.
And then Storm walked in the room.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, all twitchy.
“Nothing,” they all said in unison.
His eyes narrowed. “That wasn’t convincing, but I don’t have time to drag the real answer out of you.” Storm nodded to Maeve. “Good news, I got a ping on your sister’s car.. Wanna come with us to the sight?”
Maeve was already heading for the stairs. “Yes, just let me get my things.”
Thank God.
***
“According to the GPS, her car’s off Highway 36, by Nelson Woods.”
Nox, Stormy, and Maeve were in the ass end of nowhere, driving down a long, deserted stretch of road. Most folks used the interstate in this area. She sat in the backseat, while Stormy rode shotgun beside Nox.
Nox was beginning to think bringing her along had been a terrible idea. What if they found Amy’s body out here? Or even worse, what if they didn’t find any trace of her?
In the beginning, he’d thought this was a simple runaway case. But he had a terrible feeling things were about to go sideways.
When they reached the coordinates, Nox pulled over on the side of the road. The grass had been disturbed. There were two ruts in it, probably from a set of tires, which disappeared into a clearing.
A cold chill slid down his spine.
Someone had wanted to keep Amy’s car hidden, which didn’t bode well. As they walked closer, they found a pile of branches, which were draped over the silver sedan to disguise it.
“Oh, God.” Maeve clasped a hand over her mouth.
“Fuck,” Stormy whispered.
Together, Nox and Storm cleared away the foliage. The car was in terrible condition. The rear window had been shot out, as well as the tires, which explained the ruts in the ground, where the rims had torn into the grass and wet ground.
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