Derrick's Choice (Titan Security Book 1)

by Cynthia P. O'Neill

  “So you showing up and stealing my management position wasn’t just coincidence?” I was a bit ticked, to say the least.

  He shook his head. “Remember how I’d moved in a month before starting at Pterodyne?”

  I nodded.

  “Well, I was keeping watch over Cassidy, Blaine, Tennison, a couple people from your workplace, a mysterious man that suddenly showed up in their lives, and…you.”

  I shook my head, trying to understand why the whole list of people. “Explain.” That’s the only thing I could get to come out of my mouth.

  He took a deep breath in, his fingers gently sweeping up and down my arm, giving me goose bumps from his touch. Why was I ticked at him, but reacting to his touch? Why did it feel like a pulse of electricity coursing through me every time?

  My mind had wandered, when I finally realized he was talking. “To understand what’s going on now, you need to hear where it all began.” With that he spun an elaborate tale about how his father and my uncle had been on a special ops assignment. I’d heard some of the details before, but was getting more information than I’d originally had.

  “How do you know all this? Isn’t it supposed to be classified?” I questioned, wondering how he had knowledge to things even my father didn’t know.

  He explained the mission had been declassified and that’s when small things started going wrong with Tennison. I was about to ask what it had to do with him, when I got more than I bargained for. I’d always felt a pull toward Tennison. I thought it had been his kindness, him taking me under his wing and showing me more than I ever thought possible as an engineer, but something had always lingered making me wonder if we were somehow related. I noticed the shape of his eyes and nose were a lot like mine and thought it strange that we shared a similar birthmark behind our ears. To think I’d been working with my Uncle Jesse—the man I’d been named for—all the while believing him to be dead, and now he was. I’d felt elated and destroyed with one fail sweep.

  “So someone was here to finish off what they couldn’t back then?” I understood my uncle had to go into hiding and take on the persona of Tennison. It warmed my heart that he’d kept tabs on us and ensured our security for a period of time, not wanting any harm to come to us. I couldn’t believe how many times his and my father’s paths had crossed or come close to it: the reason the guy Marshall, who’d worked for Tennison, asked to work for Prescott; why the club my parents, the Prescotts, and the Lombardis owned was created—as a means to keep them away from Rapture so they wouldn’t see him. I’d always wondered when my parents were in town, why Tennison always seemed to be out of town on business. Now it all made sense.

  “So why are you here?”

  Derrick’s face took on a serious look. “My father pulled me from Mr. Prescott because I was the only one with enough background in engineering and weaponry to pull off working for your uncle’s company. He knew he’d piss you off big time for giving me the job. Rogers wasn’t even supposed to retire for another year; however, he couldn’t refuse Tennison’s offer of a year of paid leave so I could come on board and figure out where the threat was coming from.”

  Derrick went on to discuss the elaborate goose chases their team had been on, how my uncle had withheld information, how his father failed to provide enough reinforcements, the corrupted operative that was currently missing and manipulated, and so on. The tale went on and on and on, bringing us up to the present and what had happened. I learned that a teammate named Jasper had planted the bomb, but purposefully caused it not to explode until I was safe, and also that he didn’t have anything to do with the man who tried to shoot me and run me over, but someone filled in the pieces and knew who I was.

  “What about my family and their safety?” My voice was thick with concern as my body started to tremble. He held me tighter, rocking me slightly back and forth with assurance.

  “They’re under the protection of a team headed up by my brother. We aren’t going through Titan Security until we can guarantee that all our operatives are clean—only a few of our most trusted people are working on this case now. We’re also using a couple of our own contacts to watch over your family and make sure no one harms them.”

  He paused for a moment, looking deep into my eyes. “I was enthralled by your beauty the first moment I saw you, knowing I’d seen you before. Tennison confirmed that you were indeed the same woman who’d come out of his office years earlier, but you’d grown so much and changed your hair color that he didn’t recognize you until you told him your name.” He ran his hand through my hair, curling it around one of his fingers and giving it a playful tug, sending shivers through my body. “I love your natural color much better. It suits your fiery personality. I hated hiding you behind a wig all this time at the club, but I needed to be sure the same person stalking your uncle didn’t attend the club or know who you were and your connection to him.”

  I wanted to ask more but he continued with explaining his disguise, the need to be the Master at the club, and my uncle coming up with the idea, since a lot of Pterodyne employees frequented the place. “Our first encounter was meant as an attempt to scare you off. You now understand why it was dangerous coming there: you were related to the owner. But, I convinced your uncle to allow you membership. At least that way, you wouldn’t seek guidance elsewhere, and I could keep watch over you and protect you.” His voice lowered and the pupils of his eyes widened as he took in my appearance. He was turned on, and I couldn’t blame him; the pull between us, which existed both in the club and at work, was stronger than ever—a hum of electricity just waiting to be released. “The moment I saw you, I wanted you for my own. I used the threat of a killer to keep you close, but truthfully, I wanted to explore the feelings you stirred inside me—something I’ve never felt with anyone before. When I gave you that collar, I made sure it had my initials as Master Derrick, not just the Master of your Dreams.”

  He looked out into the room, staring at what, I don’t know. “I love dominating you in the bedroom and behind closed doors. I want to push you to your limits, but I want you to challenge me in life. I’ve never met someone who could go toe-to-toe with me on anything.”

  He swallowed hard, before turning his face back to me. “You are the only person with the power to destroy me. I don’t know when it happened or why, but I’ve fallen for you. Seeing you almost killed made me realize just how deep my feelings run. I thought they were related just to the sexual chemistry between us, but the pull was there at the gym, at the pool, and in the office when I was just Derrick. Why do you think I worked so hard to keep my distance from you? I tried to force myself not to get emotionally attached, but here I am. As I said before, little one, you have all the power.”

  I reached up, grabbing the back of his head and bringing his lips down to hover close to mine, as I whispered, “I forgive you. I think I’ve fallen for you, too.”

  His mouth possessed mine completely, as his tongue pushed through to devour every inch of me. I matched his kisses fervently, needing reassurance that I was truly alive. We only stopped when my stomach started to grumble.

  “Do you want to grab a shower first or eat?”

  It dawned on me that my hair was a bit sticky and dirty, and my skin felt a bit weird, so cleanliness outweighed the need for food. “Shower, please.” I wanted to ask if he’d join me, but didn’t need to when I noticed him get off the bed and head into the bathroom to start the shower, before returning fully naked to pick me up and carry me into the bathroom with him.

  He positioned me gently back onto my feet, leaning me against the vanity, as he lifted my top carefully over my head before leaning down and slowly removing my pants. Until now, I’d been oblivious to the fact that I wasn’t wearing panties; he’d left me commando underneath everything.

  I turned around to get a good glimpse in the mirror and noticed all the scrapes and bruises that were blooming over my body. The worst was my shoulder, right where it was sore, but not that bad in the gra
nd scheme of things. Someone, maybe Cat, had removed my makeup, so at least I didn’t have raccoon eyes. The cuts and scrapes had been cleaned, but my hair looked like a rat’s nest with dirt and bits of gravel hidden in its depths.

  I turned around, finding myself fairly steady, given what I’d been through. Derrick turned to open the shower door, when I noticed the fresh stitches across his upper back and the scars all along his lower back and ass. “What the hell happened?”

  He guided me into the shower and began to wash my hair as he explained he’d sustained lacerations from my car exploding—some of the flying metal had hit him while he was protecting me. The smells coming off the shampoo and now the bath gel he was using to bathe me was familiar. I looked back and declared, “You have my things here.”

  He nodded, letting me know that with a death threat against me, I’d be living under his roof and care never leaving his side without someone he approved to cover me, from now on. He went on to explain how Cat was dressed as me, carrying on my rather predictable schedule. She’d already been tailed to the store, almost run off the road a couple times, and had a tracking device on her rental vehicle. I agreed I was definitely safer in his care. In all honesty, I was terrified about going over to my apartment at this point.

  Derrick avoided the subject of his other scars, until I insisted on washing him. I needed to focus my attention elsewhere, because the touch of his hands on my body, caressing my breasts, cleaning my most private of places was heating me up hotter than a firecracker ready to explode on the Fourth of July. Turnabout would only be fair play, in my book anyway.

  I took his shampoo and had him bend down so I could wash his hair and then rinse it. He seemed to like me digging my nails into his scalp, giving his head a massage. I noticed his “other head” took notice and began to look my way.

  Once his hair was rinsed, I took his washcloth and lathered it up with his body wash. I didn’t know if the stitches were allowed to get wet, but since a bit of time had passed, I was sure it would be okay to wash them lightly and pat them dry quickly. I moved very tenderly around the area and worked my way down to his backside, where he jerked a bit as I ran the soapy cloth over his aged scars. He settled as soon as I came around to the front and paid his cock a bit of attention. I loved the feel of his soft skin hardening inside my hand as I cleaned all around his balls, before stroking him back and forth as I let my breasts press against his chest. His head fell back against the wall of the shower as he moaned. The size of his cock continued to expand in my hand. I looked down, my eyes widening in a bit of alarm; it was clearly the biggest I’d ever seen, but I continued my ministrations.

  “What are you trying to do to me, Jesse? You and I are in no condition to carry on, not yet anyway.” I knew it wouldn’t take him long to retaliate; he reached between my legs, shoving two fingers straight into my pussy.

  “You never answered my question, Sir.” I kept one hand on his cock, building friction at his base while my thumb smoothed over the tip—which was already dripping with pre-cum. My other hand reached around to his ass and smacked it, getting his attention.

  His chest vibrated against my tits with his laugh. “You’re playing with fire there, little one. Unless you want me to tie you naked to the bed, you’d better stand down.”

  I shook my head, “Not happening, soldier. I think with the fact you lied to me, that I was almost killed, has given me the right to ask. And don’t think this impressive weapon of yours,” I looked down to indicate his dick in my hands, “is going to scare me away. I can handle anything you throw, or in this case, point at me.”

  He held up his hands in surrender as his head turned away from me. “I was captured in enemy territory, tortured to reveal my mission. They beat the crap out of my backside, finding it fucking amusing to scold us as if we were children. Some of my teammates were beaten worse and didn’t make it, with infection setting in. I was lucky to have been rescued by Rick when I was; two days later and I would’ve been executed for their claim of crimes against their country, since they’d realized I was the team leader.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “The irony of it all was that we weren’t on assignment. It was a mission of mercy and goodwill. No destroying anything, killing anyone, or stealing plans. We were there to sneak in provisions for some of their people who were dying of starvation and in need of medical attention. We admitted that, but they called us liars and tried to set an example for anyone else who’d offer to sneak across enemy lines.”

  I felt the tears uncontrollably rain down across my face as I leaned into his chest, circling my arms round his waist. His hands came up and rubbed my back gently as I cried for his pain, for his suffering, for all that he’d done to help others and our country.

  “Shh. No crying for me, love. It’s done and over. Hey, do you want to know why I always blindfolded you when I was naked in the club?”

  I knew he was trying to change the subject, and I indulged him. I nodded.

  “I was afraid you might have seen some of the scars peeking out of my swim trunks at the pool that day. If you saw them again on me as the Master, I thought you might make the connection I was one and the same. You are just too damn observant for your own good.”

  His smile was infectious, making my sorrow for him feel lighter, but I had to ask, “Do you have any, you know, issues from your ordeal?”

  Derrick leaned us into the water, rinsing both of us before turning off the shower and reaching for the towels. He dried me first, and then himself as he answered. “I started seeing your parents for help with PTSD, if that’s what you’re asking. I didn’t have too many issues, mainly nightmares and waking up in the middle of the night soaked with sweat. I was angry, but they helped me work through things.

  “You’re dad had asked if I’d ever dealt with submission and dominance. I had a taste of it, following some of my military buddies to clubs overseas. I liked what I saw and dabbled in the dominance side of kink. I guess your dad kind of suspected, with the attitude I had, so he helped me vent my anger and control some of my thoughts by training me to first be a Dominant, and then I went on to gain Master status.”

  I didn’t need for Derrick to finish anything. I was happy that my parents seemed to like him and wanted to help him. My father didn’t personally offer to train anyone unless he felt some kind of affinity toward them. “The control helped your focus?”

  Derrick pressed his forehead to mine so our eyes met. “I did regain a lot of who I was, with your dad’s help, but I didn’t feel alive again until I met you. I don’t know what it is about you, but I feel complete when we’re together and so lost when we’re apart.”

  I reached my hand over his heart and then placed his hand over my heart. “It’s called love and trust, Master. My soul only shines when you’re there to light me up. Without you, I’m eclipsed in darkness and consumed with work.”

  The lust coming from his eyes and the pulse between us was stronger than any shock from electricity. I’m not sure the voltage could be measured on any electrical meter. I wanted him to make me feel happy to be alive.

  There were no words needed between us, only a look. He threw our towels on the floor and hoisted me in his arms before depositing me in his bed. He reached over into his side drawer and brought out some silk scarves. A smirk spread across his face. “I wasn’t kidding, darlin’, when I said I’d have you tied to my bed and at my mercy.”

  Before I could even blink, he had me in the center of the bed, arms outstretched, tied to the metal pieces of his headboard and eating on my pussy like I was the most delicious treat he’d ever encountered. He was hungry, and I was the only one able to satisfy his craving.

  He pulled my legs over his shoulders, opening me wider to him as he worked a couple of fingers into my center, stretching it, rubbing against that tight little bundle of nerves that made me want to come, as he bit into my hard nubbin. “Come for me, sweetness. Come all over my mouth, because soon I want you to come all over my coc
k.”

  Master had trained me well. I came on his command. His hand came up and covered my mouth to absorb most of my cry, as his mouth continued to drive me through one orgasm after another. My pussy ached, needing something more…needing him.

  I rose up and saw him lift his head from my pussy, his chin glistening with my essence, his eyes burning with the most intense desire I’d ever seen on his face. He wanted me just as badly as I wanted him. My legs fell away to each side of his hips. “I need you.”

  I didn’t have to say more, because I knew he needed me too. We were already sweating and rushing high on adrenaline—a solar flare ready to fire off as hot as the sun. He came up the length of my body, kissing my belly button, the underside of my breasts, and then sucking on my nipples until they were hardened peaks. “I want to clamp these babies, make this even more intense for you, but I can’t wait to be inside you any longer.”

  I felt the nudge of his cock against my center. “Do I need protection?”

  I shook my head. “I take the depo-provera shot. I just had it again two weeks ago.”

  He sighed in relief. “Thank, God. I don’t know that I could wait another minute. I want to feel the walls of your pussy clamp down hard on my cock, milking me. I want to shoot my load deep inside you, plastering you with my come, claiming you as mine, showing that only I am welcome here. I’ve never wanted to go bareback before, until I met you.”

  His words were raw, barbaric, and sent my lust meter through the roof. I wondered if this was the rush Yeager felt when he knew he was about to break the sound barrier; the rush most people throughout history felt when they discovered something new or created some new kind of technology. I didn’t know, and I truly didn’t care—all I knew was I needed my Master inside me. I needed Derrick to claim me as his submissive and as his love.