Unbalanced

by Parkerson, Charity

  “You’re so wet it’s killing me.”

  The ripple of his abs against her sensitized nub caused her channel to pulse with need. It also reminded her of how solid he was at the apex of her thighs. He was a real person, with feelings and expectations. Her chest tightened. She always destroyed real people. Slipping her hand between them, she positioned the head of his cock against her opening. Meeting his stare, she licked her lips nervously but gave him what she knew he wanted.

  “I do belong to you.”

  His pupils dilated at her confession. The wide crown of his cock pressed inside her as his hips left the mattress. Pushing against him, she accepted all of him. He filled her completely, stretching her wide. His nostrils flared. Every line of his face hardened, becoming hawklike. The transformation ignited a different spark of fear in McKenna’s chest. He looked deadly. She rocked against him. The piercing he promised was for her pleasure, was. It slid along her slit, hitting her clit at the perfect angle. The delicious friction stole away all of her doubts. Kurt’s eyes fell closed. His lips parted on a breath. McKenna needed to taste them.

  Capturing his bottom lip between her teeth, she allowed his dick to slip almost completely away before sitting back against it. She went slow, doing her best to torture Kurt. His hands rested on her hips but he didn’t attempt to control her movements. The tingle growing between her legs held her focus. She could hear the mewling sounds coming from her mouth. It was out of her control. Kurt’s tongue brushing hers, his cock pumping inside her and the smell of his skin all added strength to the pressure building. Balancing on the edge of ecstasy, she tightened her inner muscles around his dick. He growled. The sound triggered something that sent her flying apart. Light exploded behind her eyes. All the air left her lungs, leaving her gasping.

  “Thank fuck.” Kurt’s curse was the only warning she got before her back hit the mattress. With her leg over his shoulder, he surged forward, hitting something at the perfect angle. Another orgasm slammed into her, taking her by surprise. She tore at the sheets beneath her hands in an attempt to cling to some sanity. Kurt was all-consuming. She tasted him on her tongue. Her lips stung from his kisses and her body tingled as if crawling with tiny flames. The sound of his moans filled her ears. Her nostrils prickled with his scent. She was captivated by the sight of him possessing her. Even in a haze of ecstasy, the way his every muscle rippled in time with his movements left her fascinated. His locked jaw jumped in time with his cock as he came. McKenna’s heart slammed against the wall of her chest at the vision he presented. His gaze never left hers. He homed in on her with a laser-like precision. The oxygen in her lungs froze. He’d not lied to her about his intensity. Inexplicably, McKenna wanted to cry. She could love him.

  Love always destroyed her.

  Chapter Four

  A slash of sunlight fell across his face, startling Kurt awake. He blinked at the sight in amazement. The tightness in his muscles brought the prior night’s events rushing back. Flashes of McKenna’s delicious body floated through his mind. The memory of her moans and tight heat tugging at his cock caused his already hard dick to twitch. She was gone but her scent lingered on the sheets. Twice now, he’d slept soundlessly at her side. There was something about McKenna. She stole away his demons. He’d been in a dark place when his temper snapped in the cage. Even in the face of his insanity, she’d not backed down. McKenna charged into the place inside him where his mind retreated, refusing to leave. She could easily destroy him if she decided she didn’t want him any longer. Pushing aside the panic that threatened to overcome him at the realization, he scrubbed his hands over his face. Where had she gone? Following the smell of coffee, Kurt went in search of McKenna without bothering to cover his nudity. Clothes were pointless. For his purposes, he wouldn’t need them.

  When he spied her standing in the kitchen, he soaked in the view. With wet hair dripping down her back and a towel tucked under her arms, she bent close to something set on the counter. He couldn’t make out what she was doing since her body blocked it from view. It didn’t matter. She made his skin feel too tight. Moving closer to her task, McKenna’s towel slipped an inch lower down her back. His heart sped up. Without realizing it, Kurt’s feet carried him across the room. She drew him in without his permission. For the first time, he understood how a moth felt when it spotted a flame. He was helpless to resist.

  A moan escaped her as he ripped the towel away, replacing it with his body. The sound caused his eyes to fall closed. She wasn’t surprised. It was impossible to predict her reaction to anything since she never behaved as expected. She drove him insane, left him unbalanced. He couldn’t get enough. All his practiced seduction went out the window, replaced with need.

  “I’m sorry. I want you too bad to go slow.” He pushed her shoulders away as he hauled her hips toward him, forcing McKenna to bend at the waist. Sliding his crown along her slit, he released an inner sigh of relief when he found her wet. He didn’t have the strength to wait. Years of hard-earned self-control flew out the window.

  Her inner walls gave way as he slid inside. Staring down between their bodies, he watched as he slipped almost completely away, juices coating his dick. McKenna held on to the edge of the counter. She pushed against him. He gripped her hips, keeping her in place and forcing her to accept his will.

  McKenna growled and he chuckled at the sound. “You’re a tease,” McKenna snapped.

  She had no idea. Kurt buried his fingers in McKenna’s hair. Tugging her head back, he sank his teeth into the soft flesh of her neck. She whimpered. If possible, he hardened even more at the sound. She was killing him.

  “How far are you willing to go?”

  Inner muscles tightened around his member at the question. “Anywhere you want to take me.”

  “I haven’t found a thing I’m unwilling to try. Be careful what you agree to do.” Her back arched, pushing him deeper. She was panting. “I want it all.”

  It was all the permission needed. She’d sealed her fate. Pulling free, he snagged her around the waist, easily tossing her over his shoulder. Heading for the bedroom, she didn’t make any protest. Her hands cupped his ass as he walked, making him smile. McKenna was exactly as naughty as he liked. In one motion, Kurt laid her on the edge of the bed, knees spread wide. With his gaze locked on her face, he probed her ass. His dick was coated with her juices. Using her moisture against her, he pushed past the tight ring of muscles. Circling her clit with his thumb, he kept her aroused in hopes of offsetting any pain involved. There was an expression on her face he couldn’t put a name to but it did something to his stomach. It fluttered. He wanted to tighten his abs, staving off the sensation. Her pupils dilated. She visibly fought for every breath through parted lips. Before her, there had never been a single person he wanted to keep. McKenna belonged to him.

  When he was fully seated inside, he held still. He knew he didn’t need to move. The squeeze of her ass would pull him into release once he gave her the pleasure she deserved.

  “Are you okay?”

  The rough note in his voice almost sounded inhuman. She gripped his forearms, digging her nails in. Her hips left the mattress.

  “Fuck me.”

  Between her expression, the feel of her body surrounding his and the sight of her beautiful bare breasts, something inside his mind snapped at the demand. His intent to hold still flew out the window. His dick pounding inside her, his fingers pumping her channel before circling her nub, and the sounds of her cries, all of those details barely penetrated his lust. She made him half insane to have her in every way. As his balls drew up tight, he knew there was no way in hell she was leaving this bed again today.

  She didn’t. By the time darkness fell throughout McKenna’s room, she’d found all his piercings.

  * * * * *

  The gym at the Vegas Veterans rehabilitation center didn’t smell the same as any place most fighters trained. Antiseptic and cleaning solution hung in the air. Kurt barely registered the scent any longer
. The place was also brighter than most training facilities. No Rival and Grid Iron were both dark testosterone-filled places. The Veterans center was full of determination. It packed every square inch of the sterile facility. Terry Richards was already waiting for him. At one time, Terry had been the US middleweight champion before losing the title to Rhys Collier. The soldiers loved him. He was hard. It was something to which each of them could relate. Sweat coated Terry’s skin as he sparred with Cameron. One-half of Cameron North’s body was covered with extensive scarring. That and the two fingers missing from his right-hand were what was left behind after he attempted to save a small child who’d been set on fire by rebels in Afghanistan. None of those events managed to slow the man down. His will to live gave Kurt hope.

  “You’re smiling,” Terry bit out between ducking blows. Kurt hadn’t realized it. After a moment of trying to rearrange his features, he gave up.

  “So I am.”

  Both men seemed immobilized by his admission. As if by silent mutual agreement, the match ended. Their focus locked on him. Cameron eyed him suspiciously. The slight golden tint to his hair captured the light as he tilted his head to one side, as if trying to decide what was different. Terry smiled. Even then, his usual cynical look didn’t leave his eyes.

  “So who is it?”

  Cameron’s expression cleared at Terry’s question. He shook his head. “Oh man. I never thought I’d live to see the day someone snagged you.”

  In spite of his best efforts, a smile tugged harder at the corners of Kurt’s mouth. He didn’t alleviate their curiosity.

  “Come on. I’d tell you.”

  Kurt glanced up at the ceiling for a second, seeking guidance. “If you plan to keep digging until I tell you something, her name is McKenna.”

  Cameron released a low whistle. “That’s a sexy name. Is she a stripper?”

  Kurt ground his back teeth, biting back a growl. Even the hint of another man thinking of her in such a way pissed him off.

  At the sound, Cameron rocked back on his heels. “Whoa. You’re really serious about this one.” Kurt’s good humor returned. Cameron’s original opinion was based on Kurt’s past behavior. He could hardly blame the man. His temper would always be his biggest downfall.

  “She writes erotica,” he admitted. Tossing Cameron a wink, he let him know there weren’t any hard feelings. Terry’s spine visibly stiffened. He shoulders squared. There was something in his expression, or rather there wasn’t. His face had gone completely blank. The man had always been a bit of a mystery to Kurt. They weren’t friends but then, he didn’t think Terry had friends. Most likely, being the champion had taught him some tough lessons. Everyone was after something when you were on top. Terry wasn’t a Vet. He’d simply showed up one day and hadn’t stopped volunteering since. If anyone knew anything about him, they weren’t talking.

  Terry waved him away. “Get changed. Nobody likes a lovesick fool.” Tapping Cameron’s shoulder, Terry motioned for their match to resume. As happy as Kurt was, he almost felt guilty. All the years of black moods and wretched nightmares had been Kurt’s punishment for the lives he’d cut short. Part of him wanted to revel in finding a light in his darkness. Another part of him wondered if he deserved any comfort at all. In the locker room, Kurt tugged his shirt over his head and froze. Staring at a poster declaring Uncle Sam needed him, Kurt turned Terry’s words over in his mind. He called Kurt lovesick. Was he? McKenna would be the death of him.

  * * * * *

  February

  There was a kid on fire. He couldn’t have been more than seven years old. How could anyone do such a thing to a child? Cameron tackled him, attempting to beat out the flames. Whatever accelerant had been used, it wasn’t letting up. The heat from the blaze burned so brightly, it scorched Kurt’s skin from five feet away. The pain on Cameron’s part had to be massive but the man didn’t make a sound. It was almost a relief when the high-pitched screams came to an end. His eyes stung. He couldn’t tell any longer if it was due to the smoke or holding back tears. The scent of burning flesh assailed his senses. The screams began again. Why wouldn’t they stop? Dear God. Let him die already. Lifting his rifle, he fired two shots, ending the boy’s suffering. Still the screeching wouldn’t cease. Something soft hit his face. It didn’t hurt but it was enough to cause his eyes to fly open. McKenna hovered over him. She appeared half crazed. Sweat glistened on her face, causing strands of blonde hair to cling to her skin. His heart raced. There was no air. She was more important than oxygen.

  “What’s wrong, baby?” His voice came out sounding as if he’d chewed on broken glass.

  “You were screaming. I couldn’t get you to wake up. Holy shit.” She brushed a shaky hand across her eyes.

  Damn. He’d been dreaming again. Pressing the heels of his hands against his eyeballs, Kurt did his best to wipe away the picture in his head. He saw stars but the images were still there. He’d almost be willing to burn out his retinas if it would take the memories away.

  “I had a bad dream,” he told McKenna. He knew she was waiting for answers. There were things he couldn’t tell her. She buried her face against his chest.

  “Oh my God. You scared the shit out of me.”

  Burying his fingers in her hair, he massaged her scalp, hoping to ease her worry. She deserved so much more than the fucked-up mess she’d gotten in him. Her lips touched his overheated skin, lingering. The breath caught in his throat. He waited to see what she’d do next. Her tongue shot out, brushing over the same spot. The sensation caused his mind to go blank, setting him free. His focus locked on McKenna. Her hand came to rest between his legs. His dick went hard. Palming his erection, she tugged upward. Her soft skin brushed along his most sensitive nerve endings. Drawing a slow breath in through his nose, Kurt was almost scared to move. He didn’t want to miss whatever she planned next.

  Dipping lower, she stroked each rib with her tongue until he wondered if she was keeping count. He released her hair, allowing her the freedom to do as she pleased. Her hand trailed lower. As she rolled his balls between her fingers, his cock leaked on his stomach. Her hot mouth opened over his abs. Air hissed between his teeth at the feel of her tongue swiping over his obliques. Her hair tickled his erection with every pass. The tip of her finger toyed with his Guiche piercing. Bringing his knee up, he gave McKenna room to move. At the motion, she openly fondled the ring. It tugged at the skin near his asshole, bringing twinges of decadence. His hips left the bed.

  As if it was the cue McKenna had been waiting on, she closed her lips around his dick. Gripping the sheets beneath him, Kurt tried his best to keep from forcing her to take all of him down her throat. She could and she would. Patience wasn’t his strong point when it came to her. The pleasure she brought him bordered on torture. There had never been anyone who chased away the darkness before her. She made him want things again.

  Right now, she made him want to fuck her mouth. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop from grinding against her, urging his cock deeper. A noise came from the back of her throat. At the sound, his eyes flew open and he stared down the line of his body. The erotic vision waiting for him caused his balls to draw up tight. One of her hands moved between her legs, keeping time with the hollowing of her cheeks. Her muscles convulsed and she swallowed him with a hum. Without warning, an orgasm exploded from him. The breath left his lungs. He struggled to gulp down enough air to survive. As his brain disconnected from reality, Kurt experienced a blinding moment of clarity. He was completely in love with this woman.

  * * * * *

  McKenna tried to concentrate on the words on the screen. Her brain refused to cooperate. Three months. She’d let it go on for twelve whole weeks. Kurt’s nightmares seemed to be getting worse. He disappeared for several hours each day. There were hundreds of secretive things about him. Intentionally, she’d avoided asking him about anything. There was a huge part of McKenna that knew if she looked too closely at Kurt’s life, she wouldn’t like what she lear
ned. She’d ignored some other things as well. It was coming back to haunt her now. The news had come in at exactly two-seventeen that afternoon. She couldn’t avoid the truth any longer. There also wasn’t a single doubt in her mind she wouldn’t be able to hang on to Kurt. He was too much of everything. Most of all, he was too good to be true.

  “Come to work with me.”

  Kurt’s cajoling words cut through McKenna’s thoughts. “I have a confession. I’m not a fan of violence.”

  He snagged her chair, pulling it away from the desk. A wicked smile crossed his features. “Not that job.”

  Oh. That job. “You know I don’t know how to behave. There’s no way you’ll be able to take me to a fetish club.”

  Going down on his knees, Kurt tugged her forward, circling her waist with his arms. His body pressed against the apex of her thighs. “You don’t have to go inside. I don’t.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. The tingle between her legs became an ache. “There’s this awesome alcove outside the door. No one would be able to see us.”

  She felt moved to point out the obvious. “Nobody can see us now.” There was no way he was missing the breathless note in her tone or her hardened nipples. She wanted him. His teeth sank into her soft flesh. A moan fell from her lips. All it took was his presence and she was ready to rip the clothes off his back.

  “I don’t have time to do all the things I want. If you come with me, I’ll have all night.”

  It was tempting. Reluctantly, she pushed at his shoulders until he moved away. “I’m being serious. You’re working security for this place. I’m the one you’ll be forced to remove from the property. Can you imagine me questioning everyone as they go in? I won’t be able to help it. Plus, I really need to get some writing done. There’s a deadline beating at my door.”

  With a groan, Kurt gave in. “Yeah. I get you.”

  A look passed over his face as he came to his feet. Her rejection had wounded him. The line of the erection in his jeans distracted her. It was for her. She really wanted to give in. Her chest hurt. She needed to work. The next book in her series wouldn’t get written in a darkened alcove.