Hero

by Julia Sykes

  “I am,” he agreed. “I’m you Master. But right now, I’m asking you to take control. I want you to. I think I need it as much as you do.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He sighed. “I’ve submitted once before—with a friend. It took me to a vulnerable place, and I was too fucked up inside to deal with it. I’ve been scared to open up to anyone for years. But I know I can trust you. I can be vulnerable around you. Let me prove it, to both of us.”

  “What…” I licked my lips. “What would you want me to do to you?”

  One corner of his lips ticked up in a crooked smile. “That’s for you to decide, princess. You’re the Top.”

  I stared at him, amazed. “You really want to do this?”

  He stroked my hair back from my brow. “I really do. I want to be with you.”

  “I want to be with you, too,” I admitted. I might not be ready to say “I love you,” quite yet, but I was getting closer. I couldn’t believe he was willing to go against his nature to prove to me how much he cared.

  His smile widened. “Then let’s get started, Mistress. I’m yours.”

  I eyed him, dubious. “But this is just for tonight, right? I like having you as my Master.”

  “I’ll always be your Master. And I’ll always be yours. Does that make sense?”

  “I… Yes.” I lifted my chin, confidence flooding my system. I looked around the room, studying my options. I’d never Topped anyone before, and while I’d studied the techniques involved in impact play, I didn’t know how to wield a flogger or crop with the proper care.

  I gave him a wicked grin.

  Bondage. I could do that. An image of his powerful body strapped down, spread out just for me, flashed across my mind. My core pulsed with the beginnings of sexual excitement.

  I grasped his shoulders, applying gentle pressure to urge him onto his back. If he tried to struggle against me, I wouldn’t have a hope of moving his bulk. But he went down with easy compliance, eager to give me what I wanted.

  Sensing where I was taking this, he scooted back so his head rested on the pillows in front of the wrought iron headboard. Supple leather cuffs were attached to the metal bedposts by short lengths of silvery chain. Straddling his hips, I took his wrists and guided them wide apart above his head, stretching his corded arms toward the cuffs. As I buckled the first one closed, I felt his cock begin to swell between us, straining against his leathers.

  “You really are turned on by giving up control,” I marveled as I secured his other hand.

  His pale blue stare was intense, his masculine features drawn with hunger. “I’m turned on by you.”

  I pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Your safe word is red,” I murmured against his mouth. “But I don’t intend to cause you any pain. Do you trust me?”

  “Always.”

  Keeping my eyes locked on his, I reached for the tie on his leathers, pulling it slowly. His hard cock sprang free; the head already purple with his desire. A bead of moisture glistened at the tip. I leaned down and kissed it, lightly catching the salty substance on my tongue. He groaned and shifted his hips up toward me. I pulled away with a saucy grin. Power began to flood my mind, humming through my veins and sending me flying high.

  “Is this what it feels like for you all the time?” I asked, thrilled.

  “Is this what it feels like for you?” he ground out. “Because I’m extremely frustrated. I don’t think I like being tortured.”

  I laughed. “This is hardly torture. Think of all the times you’ve teased and tormented my poor pussy.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Oh, I am. And I’m making plans for the future.”

  I tugged down his leathers and slapped his inner thigh. He grunted.

  “Well, you can stop making those plans right now,” I told him. “Stay here with me.”

  He gave me a sudden, proud smile. “Yes, Mistress.” There wasn’t a hint of mocking in his tone.

  “That’s better.” My smile was wide and silly. I was enjoying this new game.

  Shifting off him, I continued slowly peeling off his pants until they came free. I tossed them aside and sat back on my heels, taking long seconds to admire him. His muscles rippled and flexed as he struggled to control himself.

  Well, I didn’t want him to control himself. I wanted him to let go, to trust me. He’d said he wanted to be vulnerable with me.

  In that moment, I understood that there was another form of vulnerability in being a Top. Dex was my responsibility, his wellbeing and pleasure in my hands. I didn’t want to let him down. I wouldn’t.

  Gathering my resolve, I climbed on top of him again, planting my knees on either side of his thighs so his erect cock nearly touched my clit. He lifted his hips, but I let my weight fall on him, holding him down as best I could.

  He stopped struggling, and I gave him a sly grin. Slowly, I reached for the hem of my tight lace dress and drew it up my body, revealing myself to him inch by inch. His nostrils flared, and his eyes heated impossibly further when the material slipped up over my breasts, revealing my peaked nipples.

  I threw my dress to the side and leaned down over him. He hissed as his cock pressed into my belly, but I didn’t stimulate him further. Instead, I moved my breasts close to his mouth, cupping them in one hand as the other braced against the mattress to support my weight.

  “Suck on my nipples,” I ordered, the sense of power intoxicating me.

  He complied immediately, opening his mouth to capture one between his lips, swirling his tongue around the hard peak. I moaned and shifted so he could do the same to the other, rocking my clit against his cock simultaneously. He growled and bit down, giving me a little flare of pain.

  As soon as his teeth released me, I drew away and sat back up so I could swat his thigh again. “Naughty,” I accused.

  He grinned. “Sorry, Mistress,” he said, not at all contrite.

  “No, you’re not. But you will be.”

  I shifted so my knees were between his thighs, spreading his legs wide and giving me better access to his cock. Keeping him locked in my gaze, I slowly lowered my mouth to his erection. Cupping his balls, I traced the circumference of his cockhead with my tongue before licking my way down his shaft, tasting him like my favorite candy.

  “Don’t tease me,” he commanded, his voice tight. The chains rattled as he pulled against them, his muscles straining.

  “You don’t get to give the orders this time,” I reminded him.

  A wicked idea came to mind. I trailed my forefinger away from his balls, pressing against the small patch of skin near his asshole.

  “Chloe,” he growled in warning.

  “You taught me the best way to tame a willful sub,” I told him sweetly. I sucked my finger into my mouth, getting it nice and wet before touching him again, slowly drawing nearer to his most vulnerable area.

  “Chloe.” The chains clattered as he yanked against them, straining.

  “Growling my name isn’t a safe word,” I informed him before bringing my mouth down on his cock again. I took him all the way in a slow slide. At the same time, I applied pressure against his ass. My fingertip slipped inside.

  “Chloe…” This time, my name left him on a long groan. I stared up at him to find him watching me intently, his blue eyes searing into me.

  Emboldened, I explored further. His head dropped back on a curse as I eased into him, pumping his shaft at the same time, sucking him and working my tongue along the underside of his cock. He pulsed in my mouth, and I knew he was close to orgasm.

  Suddenly, a snapping sound reverberated throughout the room, followed by the clanking of chain against metal. Shocked, I took my mouth and hand away from him to see what was going on.

  Dex had literally broken free; the thin chains no match for his brute strength.

  He stared down at me as he ripped the cuffs from his wrists. “That was very naughty, princess,” he said, his voice low and rough with lust.

  “Dex,” I gasped out. />
  “Master,” he corrected me.

  I sat back, moving to scramble away from the raw power that pulsed off him. He was on me before I could suck in a breath, flipping me onto my back and settling his weight on top of me.

  To my surprise, I wasn’t at all afraid of the feel of him pinning me down. I trusted him completely. He’d made himself vulnerable to me, and I would give the same to him.

  “I love you,” I said, the words heavy with conviction.

  He crushed a possessive kiss against my lips. “I love you, too.”

  His mouth left mine briefly as he reached for a condom from the bowl on the table beside the bed. He ripped the wrapper open with his teeth and sheathed himself. Not waiting another instant, he shoved my thong aside and drove into me in one harsh thrust. I cried out, and he caught the sound on his lips, tasting my pleasure on his tongue as he took up a fast, punishing rhythm. Each thrust branded me with heat, marking me as his.

  But he was mine, too. He’d given himself to me, just as I’d given myself to him.

  I reached around him, one hand sinking into his muscular ass as the other found his asshole again. I brushed my fingertips over it, giving him another taste of dark pleasure.

  He threw back his head with a roar, his cock pulsing within me as he came undone. My bliss followed, triggered by his. I came apart with a scream, ecstasy bubbling through my veins, making my toes curl. I held him close for several minutes, maintaining my grip on his ass to keep him inside me as he softened. We exchanged hard, fast breaths in between hungry kisses.

  Finally, he eased out of me and arranged my body so I was draped over his chest. We lay there for a long time, floating in residual bliss.

  “I love you, Master,” I declared, my voice hoarse from screaming out my pleasure. “I love you, Dex.”

  He stroked my hair and gave me a lust-drunk grin. “I love you, too, my sweet sub.”

  20

  Dex

  I was about to usher Chloe out of Dusk when I saw Katie and Reed where they lingered in the bar. For the first time in years, I didn’t feel pain knifing through my chest at the sight of her. Its absence was odd; it had become something of a dark companion.

  But with Chloe’s warmth at my side, the only discomfort I felt was a twinge of regret at the time I’d lost. I’d spent far too long mourning the loss of something that was never meant to be mine.

  After my intense scene with Chloe and our declarations of love, the world looked different. Better and brighter. For the first time in years, I could see a future for myself in which I wasn’t horribly, starkly alone.

  Chloe was that future. But Katie could be a part of it. I wanted my friend back.

  My hand flexed on Chloe’s waist. “There’s something I need to do,” I told her. “Do you trust me?”

  She grinned up at me. “After what we just did? Definitely.”

  I returned her smile and guided her over to where Katie and Reed leaned on the bar. Chloe’s steps didn’t falter when she saw where we were headed. Instead, she smiled at me, encouraging.

  “Dex?” Katie said when she caught sight of me. “Are you leaving?” Her features drew tight with sorrow. She really did miss me.

  “For tonight,” I said. “But I wanted to ask you something before we go.”

  “What’s up?” Katie asked. “You can ask me anything.”

  “Will you come out to dinner with us this week?” I looked to Reed, including him. “Both of you?”

  Katie’s face lit up with joy, and her eyes grew over-bright. “Of course!” She threw her arms around me for the second time tonight. This time, I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable returning the embrace.

  “I’m so happy for you, Dex,” she said, her voice low in my ear.

  “Thanks, Sparrow.”

  I extricated myself from her hold and wrapped my hand around Chloe’s waist again. She didn’t seem at all bothered by the fact that I’d just hugged Katie. If anything, she looked proud.

  I turned my attention to Reed again. “Jason is having some issues with Chloe,” I told him. “Would you mind if she shadows you for a few days while he cools off?”

  His dark eyes widened with surprise, but he gave me a pleased smile. “Sure. Do you want to come, too?”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  “Done. And we don’t have to tell Parkinson. I’ll talk to Jason and see if I can get him to change his mind before she notices anything’s off.”

  “Thanks,” I said, genuinely grateful. For a smarmy asshole, Reed Miller could be damn decent.

  “I don’t think it’ll be for too much longer,” Chloe supplied. “I have tons of great material already.” She glanced at me. “But maybe a few more days, at least.”

  I knew what she wasn’t saying: she didn’t want me to go back to New York. I didn’t, either. I didn’t want to leave her. I’d have to come up with a solution for that soon.

  “Excellent,” Reed said. “I’ll see you at the field office tomorrow. Meet outside at eight-thirty? I don’t want Parkinson to see you again, Dex. She was pretty pissed about it last time.”

  “Right,” I agreed, but secretly, I was thinking Parkinson might have to get used to seeing me. My time in New York might be coming to an end.

  But I wasn’t ready to say anything aloud yet. Chloe and I would need to talk it out and make a decision together. I respected her wishes, and if she wanted time to get used to our relationship, I wouldn’t impose myself on her. Moving for her would be a huge step, and while I was fairly certain I was ready to take it, there was plenty of time for us to discuss the matter.

  “Come on, Chloe,” I said. “Let’s go home.”

  We said our goodbyes to Katie and Reed before leaving Dusk and getting a cab back to her place. When we reached her front stoop, she paused, turning to me and twining her arms around the back of my neck.

  “I am so proud of you,” she told me. “And thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For everything. For believing in my career, for supporting me. For loving me.”

  She went up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to mine. I responded to her kiss with gentle care, lavishing affection on her mouth so she knew just how much I loved her.

  My stomach dropped at the sound of a hollow snick whispering through the night air. I recognized it before I could fully register the implications: silencer.

  Chloe’s lips stilled beneath mine, and she began to fall. I caught her limp body, fear lighting up my system.

  The sound teased through the air again, twice in quick succession. Something slammed into me, knocking the air from my lungs. I looked down to find two silvery darts sticking out of my chest.

  I fumbled at the doorknob behind me, trying to get us into cover. But Chloe hadn’t unlocked the door yet. I didn’t have time to go for her keys before my legs began to feel watery. Keeping one arm wrapped around Chloe, I reached up to pluck the darts from my chest. I could feel drugs oozing through my veins.

  I looked down at Chloe. Her eyes were closed, her body utterly still and achingly vulnerable.

  My knees gave out, and I hit the pavement with a curse, still desperately holding onto her as my arms began to tremble.

  “No more tranquilizers for you, asshole.”

  I blinked hard, forcing my vision to clear. Chloe’s bastard ex-husband was storming toward us, a gun drawn. This one didn’t have a silencer.

  I had a single second to shove Chloe out of range before the shot rang out. Pain exploded through me as the bullet ripped into my shoulder. My back hit the ground, robbing my breath a second time. Chloe’s boneless body was draped over my legs.

  Then her weight was lifted. Neil smirked down at me as he gathered her up in his arms.

  I tried to shove myself up, to rip her away from him. My arms wouldn’t work. Nothing fucking worked. Despite the fact that the bastard hand just ripped a hole in my shoulder, I was going numb. Darkness clouded the edges of my vision. I struggled to shake it off, but it b
lotted everything out. I couldn’t see Chloe; I couldn’t feel her.

  She was gone, and there was nothing.

  Agony assailed me, bringing me back to wakefulness. My eyes snapped open, and I jolted upright.

  Chloe.

  I looked around wildly, searching for her. Two sets of hands tried to push me back down. I shrugged them off.

  Then the world tilted, and I fell back, shouting when I hit the stretcher. I registered the wail of a siren, the bright light shining directly into my eyes as a paramedic checked my pupils.

  I’m in an ambulance.

  I batted the light away. “Where’s my phone?” I demanded.

  I groped at my pocket, only to realize I was still wearing my leathers. I’d left my phone in Chloe’s purse.

  “Give me a phone,” I demanded.

  “Sir, I need you to calm down,” the big blond paramedic said sternly. “You’ve been shot.”

  “Give me a goddamn phone,” I snarled. “I’m FBI. A woman has been abducted. I need to go after her.”

  The man had gone pale, but he faced me head-on. “What you need is to go to the hospital. The bullet’s out, but you lost a lot of blood. Not to mention the internal damage. We don’t know how extensive—”

  My hand fisted in his shirt. “Are you going to give me your phone, or am I going to have to take it?”

  “Okay!” he said quickly, holding his hands up in a show of surrender. “Okay, you can make a call.” He reached into his pocket and handed me his phone.

  I snatched it from his hands and called the only number for the Chicago team I knew by heart: Sam.

  “Dex?” she answered cautiously. “Listen, I really am sorry about—”

  “Chloe’s been abducted,” I cut her off. Now wasn’t the time for apologies. “Her ex-husband came after her. Fuck, I don’t even know his last name. I need you to find everything you can on him. Find out where he took her.”

  I heard the clattering of her fingers on a keyboard. “On it,” she said, her voice clear and professional. I only had to wait thirty seconds for her to speak again. “His name’s Neil Hollins.” More clattering. “I have his cell number. Pinging his location now.” A few seconds of silence. “I have an address.”