Duncan’s words slowly penetrated and she opened her eyes to find him standing in front of her, shaking her shoulders slightly, worry creasing his forehead.
“Where did you just go?”
“Sorry. Oh God, I’m sorry.”
“Keep breathing nice and slow. It’s okay. There you go. Calm down.”
“I don’t want to stop,” she told him, worried this would prove to him that she wasn’t ready.
His gaze narrowed. “Calm, sugar. We’re not stopping. Naughty girl. No, that wasn’t it.”
He walked around behind her, then grabbed her hair. Her breath sped up, panic clawing at her throat.
“Ahh, that’s it, then,” he said, turning and holding her. “Okay, baby, we’ll need to work on that.”
“Sorry, he grabbed my hair while he whispered things to me.”
“What things?” he asked. “Easy, baby. You’re safe here. I have you. Tell me. Take away his power over you.”
She took a shuddering breath and tightened her hold on him.
“Tell me, sugar.”
Duncan infused his voice with a firm command, knowing she’d find it hard to resist. Damn, she felt tiny in his arms. So delicate. When he remembered those photos his brothers had shown him, of her delicate skin covered in bruises and cuts, fury lit up inside him.
He tightened his arms around her until she squealed.
“Bitch,” she blurted out. “Dirty cunt. Fuckhole.” She shivered and he ran his hand up and down her back. Goddamn him. When Duncan got his hands on the bastard…
And how am I going to manage that?
He didn’t want to think about the plan his brothers had proposed. No way did he want Laken putting herself in danger, to risk herself. He refused to allow it. Yet, he knew he had to tell her that she was in danger. Today proved that.
His brothers were supposed to have someone watching over her. Yet somehow, she’d managed to get away without them seeing her. He’d be busting someone’s ass over that later.
He hadn’t expected her to initiate this tonight. Once again, she’d proven him wrong. He’d missed touching her, taking her this way. The last few days he’d been so caught up in stress and guilt that he had barely touched her.
Idiot.
“What else, sugar?”
“Do I have to say it?” She tensed, trying to move away from him. Reaching around, he squeezed her tender bottom. Hard.
She squealed and glared up at him. “He-he said he’d ruin me for any other man. That no one would want me after what he did.”
Ah, hell.
Lifting her, he carried her over to the bed and sat down with her on his lap.
“You know that’s not true. I have never stopped wanting you. These last few days I’ve been stressed, but I have always wanted you. The only reason I never went to New York and dragged you back here is because you seemed so happy there.”
Her gaze narrowed, her blue eyes filled with suspicion. “Were you spying on me?”
He shrugged unrepentantly. He would always protect her. No matter whether she was with him or not. He would damn well do a better job than he had.
“Is that why you never told anyone what happened? Lila doesn’t know and I bet your dads don’t either. Am I right?”
Her gaze moved away as she chewed nervously on her lower lip. He pulled her lip free.
“Eyes on me,” he ordered, tweaking her nipple sharply.
Pleasure and pain surged in her eyes.
“I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy. I just couldn’t bear for anyone to know.”
“Well, I know now and I’m not turning away from you. I want you as much as I ever did. In fact, every day I think I want you more.”
He stood and placed her on the bed.
“Lay back, sugar. Spread your legs.”
She moved back and opened her thighs.
Duncan moved around to the bottom of the bed.
“Beautiful. Now scoot towards me a bit.” He waited until her feet were dangling off the edge of the bed. “That’s far enough. Bend your knees; place your feet against your bottom.”
She hesitated for a moment and he narrowed his gaze as he stared at her. Slowly, she raised her legs up, opening herself to his gaze. He drank her in. Her bare pussy glistened with her dew, proving to them both that she thoroughly enjoyed having him take the reins.
“Now reach down and grab your knees and pull your legs up towards your chest.”
Duncan ran his fingers up and down her thighs, then cupped her bottom. He chuckled.
“Let’s inspect my pretty pussy. I want you to hold very still, sugar.”
He reached over and grabbed a small footstool that stood by the armchair, pulling it over and sitting on it.
“If you get uncomfortable, let me know.”
He cupped her mound, feeling her heat sear him. Then he drew her lips apart, staring down at the inner lips, glistening under the light. Laken’s breath came quicker and he glanced up to check on her. Her eyes were closed.
Duncan stood and grabbed a pillow.
“Head up,” he ordered and placed the pillow beneath her head. “Okay, I want you to watch me, sugar. Eyes on me the whole time.”
“Yes, Sir,” she replied.
He squeezed her shoulder and leaned down to give her a sizzling kiss. “Good girl.”
Returning to his stool, he parted her labia with one hand, running his finger up and down her folds. Her clit was peeking out, swollen with her desire. He squeezed it firmly. Laken shuddered and her eyes drifted closed.
Smack! He slapped her bottom hard. Her gaze flew open.
“Sorry, Sir.”
“I want your gaze on me so you know who is with you and so I can see if you’re in any trouble. Don’t close them again or I’ll be spanking this pretty pussy.”
“Yes, Sir,” she said, worried. A little worry never hurt a submissive. It kept them on edge. He would stop if she showed any real signs of stress.
He circled her entrance before slipping one finger into her passage.
“Damn, you’re tight, sugar.”
Duncan leaned in, taking her scent in. He took a long drink of her, then sucked on her clit, listening to her moan. He pushed two fingers deep, pulsing them in and out as he flicked at her clit.
Just as he felt her stiffen, knowing she was on the brink of orgasm, he pulled back.
“Oh, no,” she groaned. Duncan laughed and stood.
“Reach down and hold your bottom cheeks apart, sugar. I’ll be back.” He moved into the bathroom where he kept a small bag of toiletries. He grabbed some condoms and lube before returning.
He glanced down into Laken’s face, which was fiery red. But she had done what he’d asked and she deserved a reward. Before returning to the bottom of the bed, he leaned down and took one stiff nipple into his mouth, sucking strongly.
Then he moved to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment. When he rose, her eyes were glazed, her lips slightly swollen.
He sat back on the stool, glancing down at where the rosebud of her ass peeked out at him. He covered two fingers in lube, and placed one finger against her bottom.
Laken had always loved having her ass played with.
“Relax for me, sugar. Take me in,” he murmured, using the thumb on his other hand to flick her clit. As desire overcame her, he pressed his finger inside her, slowly pushing deep.
“Oh, God,” she cried out.
He smiled. Damn, he was enjoying himself. He thrust two fingers of his free hand into her pussy, sucking strongly on her clit as he worked her up to two fingers in her ass.
Driving his fingers in and out of her ass in time with the fingers in her pussy, he tugged and played with her clit until she came in a huge rush. Standing, he grabbed a condom and drew it over his hard cock. He couldn’t wait any longer. He needed her. Badly.
He lay on the bed beside her, his legs dangling off the end. “Ride me, baby.”
She straddled him.
“Take
She swallowed him into her, inch by inch. Duncan started counting backwards from one hundred in his head—anything to keep himself from coming prematurely.
God, oh God, she was delicious.
Eventually, he was fully inside her and they were both breathing hard. He clasped his hands around her hips and drew her up and down, thrusting his hips with each movement, driving deep. When she had the rhythm he wanted, he reached up and cupped her breasts, pulling her nipples.
He drew closer to the edge. Leaving one breast, he parted the top of her pussy, reaching out to lightly pinch her clit.
Laken let out a huge shout as she came. One, two more thrusts and he followed her over.
Chapter Eleven
By the end of the day Laken was nearly skipping in anticipation. God, the sex last night had been incredible. They hadn’t gotten to sleep until the early hours of the morning, but she felt great. She’d slept better than she had for years.
She closed up the shop and made her way to her apartment. The flowers resting on her doorstop brought her to a sudden stop.
Damn Ricky. When would he leave her alone? The last bunch of flowers had been a week ago and she’d managed to get rid of them before Duncan had seen them.
Duncan would not react well to her ex-boyfriend sending her flowers.
Picking them up, she unlocked the door and stomped inside. She placed them on the table and glared at them. She was really coming to hate gerberas. What to do with them? Duncan would be here soon and she still had to pack. They were going to spend the night at his place, which was on the outskirts of town. It was the first time he’d invited her over.
A knock at her door had her straightening. Although he had a key, Duncan still liked to knock, not wanting to give her a fright by just walking in.
She strode to the door and opened it with a smile. Her grin slipped off her face as she saw who it was.
“Hello, Doll. Miss me?”
“What are you doing here?” she hissed at Ricky, looking around frantically to make sure that Duncan wasn’t close by.
“Why, I came to see my favorite girl.”
“I am not your anything, Ricky. We are over. You cheated on me, remember? With my slutty assistant.”
He stared at her imploringly. “Come on, my lovely, don’t say you’re still holding a grudge.”
“Holding a grudge? Holding a grudge!” she yelled. Turning, she stormed over and grabbed the bunch of flowers. She then stormed back and swung it at him.
“Get lost, you fucking asshole! Stop sending me flowers, stop calling me. I never want to see you again.”
Ricky held his arms over his head, cowering pathetically.
“But Laken, she meant nothing. It was a mistake.”
Laken dropped her arms, breathing heavily. Damn, she was really out of shape.
“No. We were a mistake. You and I. I was stupid to ever get involved with someone as self-centered as you. Leave me alone, Ricky, before I call the cops. Oh, and take these stupid flowers with you. No flowers are ever going to get me to come back to you.”
He gaped at her, and then at the flowers. God, what had she seen in him? He was pathetic.
“But I didn’t send these,” he whined.
“Stop lying and go away.” She chucked what was left of the flowers at him. “I see you again, I’m calling the police.” She slammed the door, her breath heaving in and out. She had just sat down when there was another knock on the door. Racing over, she opened it.
“Now what, you ass—” Her tirade ended as Eli and Kellan Jones frowned down at her.
“Wonder what that’s about?” Eli Jones remarked to his scary brother. Kellan Jones would make the devil pause. It wasn’t just his dark eyes and cold demeanor; he had a way of looking at you, like he could see all of your secrets.
“I don’t know,” he said slowly. “But I think I should.”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting the two of you,” she managed politely. “Can I help you?”
“Just who were you expecting?” Eli asked.
“It’s nothing. It doesn’t matter. What do you want?” She just wanted some time to herself, was that too much to ask?
Kellan’s gaze narrowed as he watched her, testing her. He glanced down at the crushed flowers lying at his feet. “May we come in, Laken? This isn’t a conversation to have on your doorstep.
Laken nodded and stepped back, letting them in. She had a feeling things were going to go from bad to worse.
***
Fifteen minutes later, Laken was sitting on her couch, trying desperately to calm her heaving stomach.
Oh God, Oh God. Would this nightmare never end?
“You really think he knows where I am?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” Eli said, leaning forward with a sympathetic look on his face. “We think he’s been watching you all along.”
Oh God. Oh God.
She swallowed heavily as bile rose in her throat. This whole time she’d thought she had been free. Every day she had spent fighting the panic attacks, every night she had woken in sweat from her nightmares only to race to the bathroom and throw up, the only thing that had kept her sane was the thought that he wouldn’t be able to find her.
She had moved apartments, she had gotten an alarm, she had never gone back to another club in New York. She had done everything she could think of to keep herself safe. And he’d been there all along, watching her.
“I—I excuse me.” Standing, she raced into her small bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. She barely made it to the toilet before vomiting. Huge heaves shook her body as she sobbed.
“What the hell?” Duncan’s angry voice boomed through the small apartment. She took a deep breath then another. Just knowing he was there helped her claw back the fear. The bathroom door opened and then he was there, holding her close, one hand holding back her hair as he rubbed her back.
“It’s okay, baby. Calm down. You’re safe. I’m here. I’m here.”
Bit by bit she clawed back toward sanity, brought herself under control. When her stomach finally stopped heaving Duncan rose and grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste. He helped her stand, holding her close as she brushed her teeth.
Wetting a washcloth, he ran it over her face, soothing her hot cheeks and sore eyes. She turned into him, holding him close.
She clung to him until she could stand on her own without fear of collapsing. Then she pulled back slightly.
“When were you going to tell me?” she accused.
Duncan wouldn’t let her sit by herself. He drew her onto his lap, needing to hold her close as he glared at his brothers. Only Laken’s presence stopped him from smashing his fists against their loose mouths. Right now Laken needed him. She needed him calm.
But later, all bets were off.
Both of his brothers met his gaze and nodded, as though they could tell what he was thinking.
“What the hell were you doing, telling her without me?” he growled.
He nearly had a heart attack when he had come home to find his brothers pacing in front of the bathroom door while Laken threw up in the bathroom.
“We gave you plenty of time to tell her and you haven’t,” Kellan told him angrily, looking at Laken in concern. She was quiet, her face so pale.
Duncan kissed her forehead, rocking slightly.
“I can’t believe he’s been watching me. That he knows where I am.” She shuddered. “I’m never going to get rid of this nightmare, am I?” She looked up at Duncan, the fear in her gaze making him feel ill.
“Yes, you are. Because I have no intention of letting him get anywhere close to you.”
“How can you stop him? You can’t be with me all the time.” Realization filled her face. “That’s why you’ve been acting so funny, why you got so upset when I went to visit my dads without telling you. You thought he had taken me. Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you make me think that everything was okay?”
“They told me the other night, baby. They also told me their plan, which involves using you. I don’t want you doing this.”
Eli leaned forward, his face grim. “If you were mine, I would probably feel the same. But we need to catch this guy before he can hurt anyone else. He kidnapped, raped and tortured a friend of our boss’s. We will do whatever we need to in order to get this asshole. To do that, Laken, we need you. We need you to help us catch this bastard. Can you do that?”
Laken stared at Eli, his words echoing around her head. Could she help them?
“I thought you guys worked for a security firm?”
The two men looked at each other. “We do deal with security, but we also do investigative work, which is something we try to keep quiet. I guarantee this guy has no idea what we really do.”
“What would I need to do?” she asked.
“She’s not doing it,” Duncan interjected. “It’s too much for her.”
Temper stirred in her gut and she sat up straight. “Excuse me? I think I’ll be the judge of what I can and cannot do.” At the moment she was too scared to be mad at how he’d kept things from her, but it didn’t stop her from voicing her opinion.
But then didn’t you keep things from him as well?
That was to protect him.
Wouldn’t he say the same thing?
She rubbed her head, trying to think it all through. Duncan cupped her chin, turning her head. “Last time you were at Saxon’s you had a panic attack. You can’t honestly tell me that you’re ready for that on a regular basis?”
Laken swallowed. “You want me to go to Saxon’s?” she whispered.
Eli looked sympathetic. “We need to provoke him into coming after you. We believe that seeing you go to Saxon’s or another club would anger him. Right now, he’s probably left you alone because he thinks he’s reformed you. We need to show him that you’re no longer his good girl.”
Good girl. You’re going to be a good girl for me, aren’t you, Laken?
“Laken, eyes on me,” Duncan snapped. His hard voice jolted her out of the memory. She glanced up at him, noticing the lines of tension around his mouth and eyes. Poor Duncan, this wasn’t any easier on him than it was on her.
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