by Colt, Shyla
Got you.
Not about to lose her, he lifted her up, pinning her against his body. He continued to kiss her senseless as he backed away from the bike and strode to the condo. He lifted her higher and she wrapped her legs around his hips. They broke apart for air, panting.
“Damn you, Monster.” Her voice quavered.
“I’ve been a damned long time, babe. You want to be more specific.”
“You make me want things.”
“Good, because they’re yours to take.”
Her eyes grew glossy. “Are they?”
“I could show you better than I could ever try to tell you. We both know words are for shit. I just need you to give me an opening, babe. I’ll do all the work.”
A heartbeat passed.
“Only for today?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“I want that.”
The certainty in her voice made him smile.
“Then that’s what you’ll get.” He supported her round ass with his forearm as he reached around her to enter the code into the touchpad. The buzzer sounded and the lock clicked. He pulled open the door and strode to his front door. Once inside, he pressed her back against the front door and lowered his lips to hers.
Symone leaned back and nipped his bottom lip.
He growled at her slight display of dominance.
Her muscles tensed. “You don’t like that?” she whispered.
Her wide-eyed expression pained him. “I love any marking you want to place on me, babe.”
“You do?”
“This ownership thing works both ways. You’re mine, but I’m yours. I need you to understand. You have the power here. If you’re not happy, I can’t be.”
“Why?”
“I told you. For me you’re everything.”
“How is that possible?”
“From the minute I laid eyes on you, I knew you were my chance for happiness. Real happiness, not a settle for bullshit, but real joy. You’re precious as fuck to me. You think I go around spilling my guts like a bucket that cant’ hold water to everyone? Fuck no. But for you, for a chance at this, I will put myself out there.”
“And what if I can’t live up to this image of perfection you’ve built up? I’m not a woman to be placed on the pedestal, believe me.”
“Bullshit. That’s not you talking. That’s whoever fucked up your head space. All you have to do is let me in and hold on to this with me. I can’t do it alone. Put just a little faith in me and I will show you this is what’s right for both of us.”
“Why?” She shoved at his chest. “Why is this right for me?”
He set her down and took a half a step backward.
“You want some real live sex doll? Is that what you want?”
“No. I want the women hidden behind those walls and a shitty past. I know hurt. It sours you and makes you defensive. You think all you have is you and trusting anyone could be your downfall. You need me, because I won’t let you push me away or disparage yourself. I see what you can’t.”
She paused in front of the door, shaking her head.
“You know I’m right. That’s why you haven’t taken my head off. There’s a warrior inside you. I want to hear her battle cry and be on the end of her aggression in the bed. You were made to match me, Symone. Shit in this life doesn’t happen for no reason.”
She stopped and stared him down with eyes flashing like lighting. “You have it all figured out, don’t you?” She stalked toward him like a lioness.
Monster froze and his dick turned to granite.
“Always so sure and commanding.” She shook her head.
“I’m not sure. I’m hopeful and hanging on to the best thing I’ve had since I was a boy. I’m just as fucked up in the head and full of doubt.” He thumped his chest. “Look at my fucking face! It’s disgusting, and that’s the tip of the iceberg.” He gripped the bottom of his t-shirt, yanked it over his head, and tossed it behind him.
Her eyes became the size of quarters, but she didn’t turn away or show disgust.
His heart pounded in his chest as he waited to see if she could handle it.
Shy like, Symone stepped forward and ran a hand over his raised flesh.
His muscles twitched and he steeled himself for her response. Right now, she held what was left of his heart in her hands. His bravado had come to an end. He needed to know if progression was possible before he got any deeper.
Please, say something.
“You think this bothers me?”
“I don’t know.” His voice shook.
She gazed up at him and smiled softly. “No, this is a sign of bravery. A time when a boy who was…?”
“Thirteen,” he said.
“Thirteen…played the part of a hero. I know the prettiest people can be the ugliest inside. I don’t want to trust you because if this falls through and you aren’t everything you appear to be, it would kill me.”
Her words were a blow to the chest that knocked him on his ass mentally. “It would kill you, if I let you down? You think that much of me?”
“Who’s the one hiding? All this time, you’ve come on like a freight train with no hesitation and you’re just as scared as me underneath, aren’t you?” She rose on her tiptoes and cupped his face. “My black knight, placing me first in a way no one has ever done. I don’t know what to think of you.” She removed her hand from his face.
Instantly, his soul protested the lack of connection.
“I can tell, you this though…” She stepped closer and pressed her lips to his overly sensitive flesh.
The sight and feel of her beautiful lips on his warped flesh made him want to scream and hold her close at the same time.
“This is nothing.” She traced a path the fire had ravaged with the tip of her tongue.
With this small and tender gesture, she gained his loyalty forever. His lids lowered and he basked in the unflagging acceptance. The feel of her breath blowing against the area she’d moistened made him shiver.
“This is a side-effect of your past that, in my mind, labels you the hero I didn’t think existed, not for me. We’re both a little broken and wary, but I do want to traverse this rocky road with you, if you’ll put up with the start and stop, the wariness, and paranoia. It’s those things that kept me alive. I can’t simply abandon them.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“I know.” She lowered herself to her knees.
His jaw dropped. Is she doing what I think she is?
“You’ve bent over backward for me over the past month. Even before we started this dance. I want to do something for you.” She cupped the bulge in his jeans and he groaned. She unbuckled his pants and held his gaze. “If this is a two-way street, I think it’s time I give a little back.”
He swallowed. “Y-you don’t have to—”
“Oh, I want to. I want to see if you live up to the name Monster.” She slid down his zipper and plucked him from his boxer briefs.
He twitched in her hand. The sight of his pale cock against her honey-brown skin had him leaking from his tip.
“Oh, you are excited, aren’t you?” She swiped his slit with her thumb, gathered his cream and sucked it into her mouth.
“Oh, shit,” he hissed.
“Mmmm, you taste just as good as you smell. Did you know that’s one of the things that drew me to you?” She trailed her finger up the underside of his shaft. “Your scent.” She leaned in and circled his head with the tip of her tongue.
“Are you going to suck me into those pretty lips of yours, babe?”
She smirked and flicked his tip. “Is that what you want?”
“I want you to take me deep and let me fuck your mouth.”
“Like this?” She swallowed him down, allowing his ten-inch dick to touch the back of her throat. She bobbed her head, suctioning him like a Hoover and stroking him with an expert twist of her wrist.
His toes damn near curled up in his combat boots. No
thing had ever felt this right. He brought his hands to her head, wound his fingers in her thick, black hair, and moved his hips in time to her rhythm.
Symone watched him like he was something special.
His chest swelled with pride and more of the ice he’d been encased by melted. She filled the empty spots. She increased the pace and moaned. The vibration and the silky slide of her hot, wet, mouth pushed him closer to the edge. He bucked his hips and groaned. It’d been so long since anyone touched him. “I’m going to come, babe.”
Her moan of pleasure did him in and he came, shooting thick ropes down her throat.
She took in every drop, and leaned back on her feet. “Maybe now I should mention I have a high sex drive.”
He groaned. “I’ve officially died and gone to heaven. You’re killing me babe but I’d be more than happy to die with you.”
She tucked him back inside his underwear and straightened his pants and belt.
He helped her stand.
“I want to talk, just talk and get to know the man who’s forced his way into my life and is slowly, but surely instituting himself into every area possible.”
“Babe, you haven’t seen anything yet. This is the beginning of the siege.”
“Yeah, I’ve figured that part out.” She held out her hand.
He took it, finding comfort as she twined their fingers together, trusting him to lead her. As they walked inside to the living room, he felt his world shift at its axis.
CHAPTER SIX
A knock on the door made her glance up. It was lunchtime as Symone watched all the boys and Chase head out.
“Pan?”
“Yeah, you uh, you got a minute?” he asked.
“Yeah, come on in.” She waved him in and pushed away from the computer desk. Normally, she did the lunch thing with Monster, but he was out today running parts, so she decided to tackle payroll early. “What’s going on, do we need to place an order for something?”
“No.” He closed the door behind him.
She tensed. Red flags flew up and she tensed. Her gaze darted back and forth, familiarizing herself with the layout, so she’d have an exit and a weapon. “Then what do we need to talk about?”
“Monster.”
“Did something happen to him?” She stood up, ready to rush out.
“No, no.” He shook his head and gestured for her to sit down. “Nothing like that.”
“Okay?” She crossed her arms beneath her chest. “Spit it out then.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Why the hardball attitude all of a sudden?”
“Because, I don’t buy into your Don Juan bullshit and the only person I’m interested in as far as the Sumner family goes is Monster.”
“I just want to see how the happy couple is doing. Monster is tight-lipped and you…Well, you’re the mysterious woman who came in under our protection. Though, I don’t know from where or why.”
“And?” She arched a brow, keeping a calm exterior.
“And that’s a problem for me.”
“As long as it’s not one for Monster, I don’t see how it matters.”
Pan slapped his desk. “Because I’m his family. You’re just the new girl on the scene. You think because you come in here and you have scars you know him? I’m his fucking twin. He might put all his stock in you, but I know better.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve seen him hurt. I won’t stand back and watch it happen again.”
“Who says I’m going to hurt him?”
“History,” Pan barked.
“You know, you might be his twin. You shared a womb, parents, the childhood mysteries and a million other little inside things people like me could never understand. But I don’t mind that because I’m not trying to take your place. I don’t want to be his platonic bestie. I want to be his woman.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Pan scowled. “You hardly know him. You didn’t even wait to get settled before you had your hooks into him. Maybe because you saw an easy mark. Someone you could take advantage of.”
“Funny, to be the person you claim knows Monster best, you seem to have him confused with someone else.”
“We’re not talking about size and you know it. He’s got a vulnerable spot and you set your arrow, aimed, and fired.”
“Oh, you don’t like it because you can’t be in our scars club? Please, get over yourself, pretty boy. There are things that we share you and your perfect face and body could never understand. I think that’s what this impromptu meeting is about.”
“Fuck you.”
“No, thanks, I got the better copy for that job.”
“You’re a smart-mouthed uppity bitch, you know that?”
“You keep complimenting me and I might start to like you. Bottom line, you don’t have a vagina, breasts, or a different blood line, so there are many things I can do for him you will never be able to do. You’re having growing pains, because he’s finally getting out and going on with his life. That’s a problem I suggest you address. You have concerns about me or our relationship? Take it to Monster. As far as I’m concerned, if it’s not work related, I don’t want to see you in my office.”
“I hope you don’t think you’ve won this. My brother bleeds Dueling Devils. You’re just a skirt he happens to be under.”
The door exploded open. Symone jumped, completely caught off guard. The sight of Monster in the door with his chest heaving and his face flushed, told her shit had gone from bad to worse.
“What the fuck did you just say to her?” Monster growled. He dropped the pile of cardboard boxes on the ground and stepped inside. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” Monster stalked forward like a lion after prey. His massive hands slapped against his brother's chest, moving Pan backward until his back hit the wall. “You wait until I’m gone and you come in and talk shit to my girl?”
“She’s just some bitch.”
Monster wrapped his hand around Pan’s throat. “Let me set you straight. You’re looking at my future old lady, so I suggest you treat her with the according respect.”
Pan laughed. “Yeah right. Really? Beast and the beast? Is that how that works? You always go in blind and get your feelings hurt. You’re so fucking stupid.”
Monster slammed his head back against the wall. “The fuck are you talking about? You never have to do shit for me. I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
“No! I owe you and I can never forget that!” Pan shouted at the top of his lungs
The outburst stunned her. This all stems back to the fire.
“I’ve been trying to tell you for years, I don’t hold that against you. I’m over it. Why the hell aren’t you?”
“Because you shouldn blame me.”
“You’re my brother. Of course, I’d do whatever it took to get you out.”
“It was my fault, Hayes. I caused that fire. I killed our father and set him up to take the fall. I c-couldn’t—take it anymore. The yelling, screaming, the abuse, and God, the things he did to Mom. I heard them having it out and he hit her, hard. That’s why she was strewn across the couch. I went out to check on her and I couldn’t get her to wake.” He shook his head, looking all the world like a lost little boy.
“What?” Monster whispered. The blood drained from his face.
“I lost it. Next thing I know, I’m in the back bedroom with a pillow and Dad’s not breathing. I knew I had to cover my tracks, so I—I got one of his cigarettes, lit it, and got the old Zippo lighter. I rigged it, so it’d look like it was his fault. But the place went up so fast and the smoke disoriented me. I should’ve—died in that fire. Me! Not you. And now I have to see the results of what I did every damn day when I look at you. You’re suffering and Mom’s dead and all of it’s on me.”
Her jaw dropped open as she watched them air their dirty secrets. Part of her wanted to go to Monster, but she knew it wasn’t her place. This was for them to sort out. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself quiet.
> “I—I’ve been trying to make it up to you for years, but it’s like you don’t want anything to do with me.”
Monster shook his head. “This is why you’ve been up my ass all this time? Why you can’t accept any form of forgiveness?” Monster released his brother and stumbled back. A dazed expression covered his face. “Did you think I’d be mad at you forever about Dad? Hell, I wanted to the same thing a million times over. He got meaner and nastier with every passing day.” Monster ran his fingers through his hair. God, Hartley.” He shook his head. “I-I can’t do this—right now. I need space.”
“Hayes—”
“No.” Monster held out his hand. “Just, stay away for now, and from Symone. I can’t believe you could keep a secret this big for so long! God, what else are you hiding?”
“That’s it, I swear.” Pan held his hands up in mock surrender.
“Yeah, ‘cause you’re so trustworthy.” Monster sneered.
“Monster?” she whispered, unsure how to proceed.
“Hold down the fort here, okay? Pan won’t be a problem, and tonight…I’ll get back with you, yeah?”
She nodded, fighting the urge to wring her hands. He’d just gotten a bombshell dropped on him. The last thing he needed was to be alone. Still, she couldn’t abandon her position. Unlike them, she was still on a trial basis. Chase. She’s known him way longer and she’s good at talking people down.
Monster walked out of the room without looking back.
Slowly, Pan slid down the wall. He laughed. The sound bordered on hysteria.
As much as she wanted to slap his face and tell him to calm down, she knew it would only make more trouble for Monster.
“I knew it’d go like that. That’s why I kept putting it off. Now, look at us. He can’t stand the sight of me. All he wants is you.”
“You need to get your shit together and let him process.”
“So easy to say when it’s not your family.”
“Look, asshole. I know tragedy, loss, and family. And what you two had was a mild fight. It’ll blow over with time. Right now, you need to lock it down and stop feeling sorry for yourself.”
He went silent and peered up.