It was incredible.
My beautiful bird made me feel whole in a way I never had before. It made me feel new, reborn as the person I was truly meant to be. As Ree.
Reagan was gone, the last vestiges of her had been colored over, released into the flames of this phoenix. The lines of my life had been redrawn, redefined, and filled in.
I’d come home at last.
I just wished I didn’t have to leave tomorrow. The only thing that made the looming separation less painful was the reminder that Dare would be joining me in two weeks. We’d made it through longer and rougher periods before. We’d survive the distance once again. With ease, this time.
Especially considering that things were different. Now that I was branded by his own hands, I felt more like I belonged to him than I ever had before. Dare owned me—mind, body, and soul. And he always would from this day forth. Even if I didn’t know all the things the future held for us, that much I knew was true.
“What do you think?” he asked, closing the space between us with one step, melding my back against his front.
“It’s…perfect.”
Our eyes met in the mirror, burning with need for each other.
A devious grin spread across his lips. “Almost,” he said, reaching for the hem of my tank.
The shirt slid over my head, and he tossed it into a nearby chair. Then he tugged my skirt over my hips, letting it drop to the floor, leaving me standing in front of him in only my bra and panties. Dare’s eyes were glued to my reflection as one of his hands slid around my side to skim my stomach while the other glided down to my ass, cupping and palming me.
“Already wet.” He practically growled the words. “And so ready for me.”
“I’m always ready for you.” I swallowed, my body tingling all over, a deep ache between my legs calling for Dare’s touch.
He unclasped my bra and slid the silky fabric off my arms, then his hands came up on either side to caress the tender flesh of my breasts. I leaned back against him, watching in the mirror as he teased my nipples into tight, tingling buds, feeling my panties get wetter and wetter with each pass of his fingers.
I moaned, turning my head, and his lips found mine, hungry and urgent. God, he was ravenous, always so deliciously wanting more. A thrill ran through me as his tongue met mine and they tangled together, tasting each other. His fingers left my breasts to thread through my hair as he held my head captive and devoured my lips.
Then he was kissing my jaw, making his way to my ear. Shivers flowed through me as he sucked the lobe into his mouth, nibbling at it with his teeth, sending jolts of electricity to my core. He kissed down my neck to my shoulder, his breath hot, his tongue fiery, his need insatiable.
As was mine.
I ached to feel all of him, to own him as he owned me.
And tonight I would.
Every movement and every flick of his tongue had that spot between my thighs throbbing harder and harder. His hands skimmed back down my body, grazing my nipples for just a moment, making them tighten in pleasure before he headed lower. I gasped when his fingers settled on the edge of my panties, pulsing with even greater intensity as I imagined them finally discovering my swollen clit.
A smile lifted his lips. “Sapphire?” he said, staring at my last remaining bit of clothing. “I haven’t seen these before.”
“You like?” I shimmied my hips a little.
“I like. I especially like how easily they come off.”
His hands slipped under the light fabric and he slid my underwear down with deliberate leisure over my hips, guiding them all the way to the floor, inch by inch, driving me wild with want, setting my entire body aflame.
He looked up at me, feral and hungry. “Now you’re perfect,” he said, his hands slowly roaming over my naked skin. “Wearing only your phoenix and your smile.”
Then he pushed my back against the bolted mirror and knelt before me, a dark, wicked look on his face as he slid his hand up one leg, lifted it, and placed it on his shoulder, completely opening me up to him. The ache between my legs grew to a fevered pitch at the thrill of being so fully bared. His fingers trailed along my inner thigh, getting closer and closer until he was circling my folds, almost grazing my core.
“Dare.” I moaned, leaning back against the cool, sleek surface, my heart beating a wild rhythm of primal desire. The ache inside me grew to be so vast I was sure just one touch would send me over the edge. “Please.”
“Please what?” He pressed my thighs open farther and I pushed my hips toward him, feeling his sharp exhale bathing my clit in warmth. So close. He was so fucking close to it. I needed him to take me into his mouth and—
“Lick me.” I panted the words, the feel of his hot breath teasing me, taunting me to new heights, the knowledge that his tongue had to be just millimeters away almost killing me. “Please, Dare. I need you.”
His tongue flicked out, and I moaned loudly, thrusting my hips forward, begging, needing. When it came again more slowly, I cried out his name.
“Mmmm…sweeter than ever.” He groaned into my heat, his face grinding against my pelvis. “I love how you taste, Ree. I could do this all fucking day long.”
“I’d let you.” I gasped out the words just as his lips wrapped around my clit and he sucked me into his mouth, simultaneously lifting my other leg over his other shoulder, completely putting me at his mercy.
Explosions of fireworks burst in my core, radiating from where his mouth heated me to the rest of my body. The rhythm of his tongue moving against me and delving into me rocked me higher and higher until I was shaking with pent up pleasure, Dare’s name a cry buried deep in my chest, clamoring for release.
“Do it, baby,” he said as if he’d read my need. “Say it. Scream it. Let go.”
His words sent me over the edge, screaming out his name as I rode tidal waves of pleasure.
When the spasms slowed, I realized he was still on his knees, gazing at me from below, watching the ecstasy of my orgasm subside, the most amazing look of wonder on his face. He slipped my legs off his shoulders, and slowly kissed his way up my body, forcing me deeper against the mirror as he covered my mouth with his.
“My turn,” I purred into his kiss, imprinting my naughty grin into his lips as I switched our positions so his back was to the mirror now. “I want to taste you. All of you.”
Grasping the hem of his white t-shirt, I lifted it up and over his head. God, he was so fucking beautiful. I let my hands roam over the contours of his chest and stomach, relishing the feel of his smooth, tight skin. He watched me admire him, a loving smile lighting his face.
As my hands dipped lower, his breathing hitched and his abs tightened. I loved that I turned him on as much as he did me. I gripped the front of his jeans and pulled, ripping open the button fly, freeing him in a single tug. He was gloriously commando, and as his pants slid down to his feet, I took the length of him into my hands.
He groaned at the feel of my hands sliding up and down his velvety hardness, but when I got on my knees in front of him and opened my lips around him, he threaded his fingers through my hair and shook his head.
“Ree,” he said, his voice wavering a little. “I don’t know how long I can—oh, fuck.”
I opened my mouth and swirled my tongue around the tip of him and he sucked in a sharp breath. Teasing my way along his shaft, I ran my fingers up and down his inner thighs, the sounds of explicit pleasure spilling from his mouth turning me on even more.
Parting my lips wider, I took in as much of his thick length as I could, pulling him in as far as he would go, and worshiping him with my tongue. A low growl rumbled from deep down in his chest, and his knees buckled slightly.
“Jesus, Ree,” he said, each word a strained groan. “I’m at your mercy.”
So I did it again.
And again.
And again.
Each time, I took him deeper, pushing past thresholds, owning him with my mouth.
“Re
eee…” My name was a plea on his lips as his hips rocked to the pace I set. Wrapping one hand around him, I continued to move back and forth, increasing the speed and intensity. “Fuck, Ree.”
His head fell back, hitting the glass behind him as he began moaning my name over and over again, spasms ripping through him, his own pleasure utterly out of his control. Once the tremors finally ceased, he lifted me up and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me so deeply I could feel it vibrate to the depth of my soul.
“I fucking love you. You know that, right?” he said against my lips.
“You are mine,” I whispered back. “Mine to love, mine to have, mine to own.”
He nodded. “And you, my beautiful Ree, are mine. All mine. Now and always.”
eighteen
Perched on the edge on my bed, I watched Ree bend over to tighten the clasps on her sandals. I was surrounded by her sweet scent and an even more delicious view. My cock stirred. Apparently last night’s double performance and this morning’s encore wasn’t enough. When it came to Ree, nothing was ever enough.
Goddamn it. I was going to go insane over the next two weeks.
As if sensing my eyes trail down her body, she looked at me over her shoulder and shot me a dazzling smile. “Stop staring at my ass like you want a bite,” she said with a laugh. “I’m going to miss my plane.”
“I’ll buy you another ticket.” I walked over and stood behind her, running my fingers through her hair then slowly trailing them down her spine, vertebra by vertebra, making her breath quicken into raspy, little pants.
“Dare!” She shot up when my hand went lower. “Neither of us have money to waste.”
“Would it really be a waste?” Gently palming her ass, I dipped my hand under her skirt to the lace-covered spot between her legs. “Your soaked panties tell a different story.”
“Fuck…” She shut her eyes and relaxed against my chest, moaning as I slipped under the fabric and glided my fingers to the spot I knew would have her head spinning within seconds. My other hand soared up her stomach to cup her breast as my mouth latched onto her collarbone.
“I’m just trying to fill myself up on every part of you so that I don’t completely lose my mind while we’re apart,” I said as I kissed my way up her neck to her earlobe. I took the sensitive flesh between my teeth and sucked as I thrust a finger inside her, causing her to cry out and push her hips deeper into me.
“There’s…always…phone…sex…” Her breathing grew more erratic, her words coming out in rapid spurts matching the pace of my hand. “I can call…describe the silky thong I’m wearing...tell you how I’m touching myself and wishing it was you doing it…how hot and wet you make me…how badly I need to have you inside me…”
“Fuck. Keep talking like that and I might never let you leave.”
I was only half-kidding.
There was a loud pound on my bedroom door and we both jumped. “HURRY UP! You’re going to be late for the airport!”
Indie. Of course.
“Looks like it’s time to go, baby,” I said into her ear, my fingers thrusting deeper, my thumb massaging faster. “So come for me.”
“REE!” Bang. “DARE!” Pound. “COME!” Bang. ON!” Pound.
“COMING!” Ree cried out. “Oh, god…coming!”
And she did. She collapsed into my arms with the sweetest moan and my name on her lips.
Just the way I liked.
“Oh, god.” She spun around and fumbled with her skirt, her cheeks a deep crimson that offset the watery hues of her eyes. “Is that the send-off you give all your girlfriends?”
“Only the special ones,” I said. “I’m just making sure that you don’t forget my talented hands when you’re surrounded by all those painters back in Paris. You know how an artist can be.”
“Yeah, an egotistical pain in the ass.”
“Interesting.” I shot her a wicked grin. “I was going to say a skilled pleasure in the—”
“You’re impossible, Wilde.” She rolled her eyes and pecked me on the lips, her bubbly laughter rousing a warmth inside me that no one else ever had.
The girl had no idea how beautiful she was. And, most of the time, she was adorably unaware of her full effect on me. Not just my body, but my heart.
Jesus. I was starting to sound like a freaking chick.
At least I wasn’t spouting this shit out loud. Though she was amazing…and leaving momentarily.
Oh, what the hell.
“I’m going to miss you,” I told her. “I’m going to miss your smart mouth, and especially this smile.” I traced her bottom lip with my thumb. “I fucking love your smile, Ree.”
“You’ll call, right?” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Every day, even though you hate phones with a passion?”
“Well, now that you promised to talk dirty to me, I’m calling you before your plane even gets in the air.” The truth was that ever since Ree had gone to rehab, I didn’t mind the phone thing as much. It had kept us close, but I’d also learned more about her. She’d opened up on those calls in ways she hadn’t before. “Although, video calls have the added benefit of visuals—”
“Dare!” She giggled and smacked my arm, but then quickly sobered. “Thank you.”
“For what?” I arched an eyebrow, the sudden gravity of her tone surprising me.
“For supporting me,” she said. “For pushing me to get help and fight for the future even when I didn’t think it was possible.”
“With you and me together…anything is possible.”
My lips met hers in a soft, deep kiss.
Fuck. I didn’t want to let her go.
“Two parts?” she breathed when we pulled apart.
“No. Not today.” I shook my head and claimed her mouth again. “Today, we’re just one whole, Ree.”
Ree was checking her luggage when my phone vibrated.
“Mom? Can I call you—”
“Daren!” Her voice was panicked, desperate. “Rex is hurt. He came…he came and he…Daren…he—”
“Mom, slow down. Take a deep breath. What happened to Rex?”
“He. Found. Me,” she said between gasps.
“Rex did?” She wasn’t making any sense.
“Your FATHER.”
I turned away from the counter where Ree still stood, and walked toward the front windows. “What?!”
“He’s out, Daren.”
My blood turned to ice. “Of Rykers?”
“He’s here,” she said. “In the city.”
“But you’re in L.A. You’re still in L.A., right? How the hell did he find you?”
“I don’t know. He told Rex to thank someone called The Mayor for the beating. He hurt him bad, Daren.” She started sobbing. “He broke Rex’s arm and gave him a concussion.”
“Did you just say the mayor?” The ice in my veins cracked, splintered, cut through me.
“One of his many thugs, I’m sure.” She sniffled. “I was at work when he came to the house, thank god.” She was silent for a moment, then said in a small voice, “I don’t know if I’m strong enough to fight him. The police aren’t very helpful. They have no evidence aside from Rex’s ID and Daren’s past record. They put a warrant out, but you know how good your father is at evading arrest.”
“Go to the hospital and stay with Rex,” I said. “You’ll be safe there. I’m getting on the next flight.”
“NO!” She sounded panicked, and I could almost imagine her big, hazel eyes widening. “He’ll kill…I…I don’t know what he’ll do if he sees you again. You can’t come here. It’s not safe for you.”
“It’s not safe for you either, Mom. I’m not leaving you alone with that bastard.”
“No, Daren—”
“STOP calling me that! That’s his name!” Not mine. Never mine.
“Dare…”
“I’m coming,” I said. “Go to Rex. I’ll be there tonight.” Then I hung up.
“Is everything okay?” Ree walked up to me, ticket in han
d, her eyes raking over my face. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”
More like a fucking demon. I shook my head and cleared my throat. “Everything is fine. Perfect.”
I squeezed her tightly to me, avoiding her eyes. Lying to Ree killed me, but how could I tell her? She’d never leave. She’d demand to go back to the States with me, and I couldn’t put her life in danger. I loved her too much for that.
It was bad enough that Dax and Dalia were home already, and my dad might find them, too. FUCK. I had to get on a plane. NOW.
I pulled Ree closer, breathing her in, memorizing her scent, the feel of her even as I was sending up a silent thanks for the timing of this job. She would be happy and busy, following her dream, while I dealt with my nightmare.
Then I’d fly back to Paris to be with her just as we planned.
I pressed my lips to her forehead. “See you in two weeks.”
She stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her hands around my neck. “Don’t you dare be late.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.” My chest clenched as our lips met.
Then Ree was walking away from me, biting her lip to keep from crying. I waited until she was out of sight before sprinting to the nearest airline counter and booking a seat on the next flight to Los Angeles.
My mind raced with all the things I needed to do even as I was dialing Dash’s number. A cold, hard determination settled over me. I would deal with my father. And, god-willing, I’d implicate the fucking mayor if I could for putting my family and Rex’s life in danger.
And, then I’d make him pay for everything he’d done to Ree.
I only hoped I could do it all in two weeks.
Without casualties.
nineteen
Two weeks.
What had felt like a lifetime when we’d said goodbye in Amsterdam had actually flown by in the blink of an eye. Preparing for La Période Bleue’s international show was unbelievably time-consuming, especially since we were working with several other galleries across the city. I was often up until the early hours of the morning, tackling the mountain of paperwork and scheduling that needed to be coordinated to pull this off. My days were spent schmoozing gallery owners and meeting artists from all around the world.
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