* * *
We spent the day dozing in bed. I’d been with women. Not a lot, but enough, and Aria was the first I’d ever wanted to stick around with, to lie in bed and just hold each other, to look in her eyes until she blinked away, feeling awkward. I wanted to keep her here for as long as I could, but it wouldn’t be long because it couldn’t be.
“Hungry?” Her stomach had growled more than once, and I was starving.
“Yes. But I don’t want to get out of bed.”
“Well, princess, I don’t serve dinner in bed.”
She pulled me close when I made to climb out. “I meant I want to stay in bed with you, dummy.” She kissed the side of my face then ran her tongue over the outer ridge of my ear. I shuddered at the light, shy touch.
“Me, too, but I’ve got to eat and,” I pulled the blankets back, closing my hand over her jutting pelvic bone, “I need to feed you before you waste away. You’re thinner than you were.”
We climbed out of bed. I pulled on my jeans, and she wore my T-shirt, shrugging her shoulder at my comment as she gathered her hair into a loose braid.
“I eat, don’t worry. It’s just been hard since everything happened. I haven’t had much of an appetite, you know?”
“I get that, but things are different now, aren’t they?”
She nodded, and her stomach rumbled again. “I’ll tell you what, if you cook, I’ll eat. Deal?”
I took her face in one hand and brought it to mine, kissing the tip of her nose. “Demanding, aren’t you?”
“Nah. Just can’t cook.”
“Lucky for you, I can. Come on.” We went down to the kitchen, and I set a bag of salad in front of her. “Think you can empty that into a bowl?”
“Ha-ha, funny.”
“I’ll put some steaks on the grill.”
“So, tell me about my grandfather,” she asked, once I’d set the meat to cook and she’d sliced tomatoes for the salad.
“Xander Marks. He’s a complicated man. Ruthless, but fair. But don’t fuck with him or he’ll fuck with you back and that’s never ended well for the other party.”
“Oh yeah?”
“He’s Alpha, Aria. You don’t get to be the Alpha by being Mr. Nice Guy. People fear him. He’s — well, he’s Xander Marks. But he is also fiercely loyal, especially to his family, as you’ve seen.”
She nodded, rolling her eyes.
“And even if he’s a pain in the ass most of the time, I actually respect the guy. After your mom and brother were murdered, he went after my father, and all of Savage Blood. He lost a lot of men though. That was the first and only time I’ve seen him act so impulsively, and that was what made him lose.”
“So he went to war with your father?”
“War is a good word for it. I wasn’t there, so I’m telling what was told to me, but he went crazy and wanted my father dead. Hell, he wanted me dead, and that was before he knew my involvement. All he saw was hate. That and revenge.”
“What stopped it?”
“Well, Savage Blood was prepared for battle. Cain must have known Xander would come after him. I thought he’d kill Xander, too. But back then, I didn’t care, didn’t give a shit about anything or anyone. I drank and I raged. And I broke all ties with my father and my pack.”
“You must have felt so alone.”
I studied her face. She was so good. Thinking of me, after what I’d caused to happen. It made me feel more guilty.
“I don’t know what ultimately made them talk, Cain and Xander, I mean. They formed some sort of truce when they did. I guess it was good or there truly would have been war and a lot more people would have died.”
“What could my grandfather have said to stop it? What could your father have said?”
I flipped the steaks over, thinking. “Wish I knew.” I faced Aria again. “He means well, though, as far as you’re concerned.”
“I guess so, but he doesn’t get to choose for me anymore. He lost that privilege when he abandoned me. And he did abandon me.”
The way she said it, she wasn’t open to talking about that. I didn’t necessarily agree with her, but past was past and this wasn’t a battle between just us.
“Besides, I’m twenty-two. I decide for myself.”
“Steaks are ready.” I plated them, scooped some salad onto each plate, and joined Aria at the counter.
“What about your father? Do you have any desire to patch things up?”
I stabbed a piece of meat and put it into my mouth, shaking my head. Truth was, I wasn’t so sure about things anymore. I wasn’t as convinced that Cain was the evil behind this as I had been those first years. Fly had always thought Ace was up to something, that he was manipulating my father. That part I couldn’t believe. My father would not be manipulated. But, now, with this hijacked shipment and with Ace’s role in things, I had doubts.
“Zane?”
“Sorry. I don’t know, Aria. I don’t have any intention of rejoining either pack and wonder if it isn’t just best to leave well enough alone. I don’t want to be dragged back into that world.”
“But he’s your father. If my father were alive, I think I’d try…”
“Well, your grandfather is alive. You could do just what you’re suggesting I do.”
She closed off.
I chewed another piece of meat while she put her knife and fork beside her plate, wiping her mouth, even though she’d only eaten a quarter of her steak. I set my utensils down and took her hand.
“Listen, what happened between me and Cain is my business. I realize you mean well, but please don’t presume to think you know what’s best for me, and I will do the same where Xander is concerned. What you decide about your grandfather is up to you. Let’s leave our pasts behind us and remember that, ultimately, if either of us chooses that life, well, you’ve seen how violent it can be.”
“Okay.”
“Now, eat.”
She took a bite of salad, smiling. “Tell me about Ace. He’s your cousin?”
“Were you eavesdropping?”
“Not eavesdropping. I just overheard you and Fly talking.”
“What exactly did you overhear?”
She flushed as she stuffed a bite of meat into her mouth. “Something about guns.”
I raised my eyebrows, waiting.
“What? It wasn’t intentional. I just…overheard.”
“Hmm. I don’t remember seeing you in the bar when we were talking.”
“I may have been on my way into the bar when I heard you whispering.”
“Ace is being groomed to take the position of pack Alpha once Cain is ready to hand over the reins.”
“So he’s essentially taking your place.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you happy about that?”
“I’m not. He’s trouble. But I don’t want anything to do with the pack, which means I don’t get a say.”
“You keep telling me that, but maybe you don’t have a choice. I mean, maybe you have to be what you are. And if he’s stealing from your father —”
“Not now, Aria.” I stepped away, taking my dish and setting it into the sink.
She set her knife and fork down and stood. “If not now, then when?”
I faced her, seeing the challenge in her eyes. There were three ways I could go about this: tell her the rest of the truth, which would only upset both of us, refuse to tell her anything, which would piss her off, or distract her. My cock preferred the last, and I grinned, walking toward her.
“When the time is right, which is not now. In fact, I think now is the time to make good on that promise I made earlier. Do you remember what it was?”
A deep crimson warmed her face.
“I see you do. Go upstairs and get ready for me. On the bed, naked, on your hands and knees, your ass to the door. Time for me to claim that last part of you.”
“Zane, I don’t know if I can…take you…there.”
I smiled, rubbing her arms. “I’ll admi
t it’ll be a tight squeeze, but I’ll go slowly — to start — and I’m sure you’ll manage. Now, be a good girl and get ready for me.” I reached for the hem of the T-shirt she wore and dragged it up over her head so she stood naked. “See, I’m already helping you.” I turned her and slapped her ass once. “Go get ready. I’ll be up in a few minutes. You don’t want more belt strokes, do you?”
She shook her head.
“Good. Go on.”
It took her a moment, but soon, she was walking obediently up the stairs and my cock twitched in anticipation.
Chapter Seventeen
Aria
He was going to fuck my ass.
I’d always fantasized about anal sex. It was something I always thought I’d want and like, but Zane — he was huge. His cock was eight inches at least and thick. There was no way I’d be able to stand having him in there.
But even while those thoughts were going through my head, my pussy was throbbing at the idea of him really doing it, of Zane claiming me there. It would be the ultimate in submission to give that part of myself to him. He wouldn’t take it without my permission, but I would give it. There was no doubt of that.
I climbed up onto the bed and positioned myself as he’d asked, on my hands and knees, my ass to the door, feeling the heat of embarrassment on my face and neck. But, given that, I was equally aroused and curious. I’d liked his fingers inside me there. I’d liked his tongue licking me. I wanted him to fuck me there, too. I wanted his cock inside my ass and, most of all, I wanted to feel his cum spew inside me, inside my ass. I’d be wholly his then, in every way.
The door opened. I glanced back to find Zane standing in jeans, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
“Now that is a sight I will never tire of.”
I wiggled my ass for him but still felt more embarrassed than anything else.
From a drawer in the nightstand, he retrieved a bottle of lubricant. Watching me, he opened it and squeezed a generous amount onto one hand.
“Lay your face on the bed and reach back to spread your ass cheeks open for me.”
My mouth fell open. God. No. I couldn’t. I couldn’t do that.
The smirk on his face told me he knew what was going through my head, but he only kept rubbing the lube over two fingers. “You want this, Aria. You want me to claim your ass. You want me to fuck it just like you wanted me to lick it earlier. Now, do as I say, or I’ll take my belt to you first.”
He was right. I did want this. I wanted every part of it, and his words, as much as they humiliated me, made me wetter than ever for him.
“One more thing. I want your eyes on me while you present yourself to me. And I want them on me while I lube your pretty little asshole up. You’re not to hide while I play with that little hole of yours.”
Christ. He knew exactly what buttons to push.
I lay my face down, keeping my eyes on him as I reached back to pull myself wide for him, exposing myself wholly.
“Good girl.” He walked behind me, his gaze locked on my ass. He kept his jeans on as he climbed up between my knees and squeezed lubricant onto my lower back. I sucked in a breath at how cool it felt. “Eyes on me.”
I nodded as he met my gaze, our eyes locked as he smeared the lube down toward his goal, and when he began to rub circles around it, my mouth opened, the sensation of him touching me there so fucking different from anything else.
“It’ll be easier on you if you push against my fingers.”
I nodded, trying to do as he’d said but struggling. My body didn’t want to obey.
“Give it up, Aria. Just like before.”
And as he said it, I did, and felt one finger breach the ring and slide into my asshole, smearing lubricant inside me while I held my breath, wanting so much for him to touch, just touch, my clit.
“That’s it. I want you nice and slippery in there.” He withdrew his finger, to my disappointment, but it was only to smear more lube onto it before sliding in again, slowly pumping his finger in and out of me while, with his other hand, he unzipped his jeans and pushed them down. I panicked for a moment when I saw it again, saw his cock unleashed, and I pulled away, rolling onto my side.
“Zane, I’m scared. I’m scared it’ll hurt.”
He stood and pushed his jeans all the way off. “I promise I’ll make you come. Now, back up into position.”
I hesitated.
“Do you like my fingers in your ass?”
I nodded.
“Then you’ll love my cock inside it. I can’t wait to come inside your ass, Aria. Do you want that? Do you want to feel me come inside your pretty little asshole?”
He held out his hand and I took it, swallowing, relieved not to have to answer that question. Too ashamed to say that yes, I wanted exactly that.
“Put your face down, ass up to me. Hollow out your back. Just like that. Now stay.”
He took more lubricant and smeared it over his cock, massaging it as he did, making it grow even larger. He then twisted both fingers back inside me, making me shudder, pumping in and out a few more times before declaring me ready to take him.
“Up on your forearms now. And face forward.”
I did as he said, finding that last direction added to my already-heightened state of arousal, of anxiety. Without sight, I was giving him one more piece of me, one further surrender.
As soon as I felt the head of his cock at my entrance, his fingers closed over my clit. He worked slowly, rubbing himself against my entrance, taking his time as his well-lubricated cock teased me for long moments before the pressure of his entrance made me stiffen.
“Shh. Relax. It will go easier.”
I fisted the sheets, trying to relax, knowing he was right, but the pain of his too-big cock was too much. Tears in my eyes, I began to shake my head, but, as I did, he gripped a handful of hair and tugged my head backward so I was forced to look at him.
“You’re going to take my cock inside your ass now, Aria. And when you’re ready, I’m going to fuck it, and you’re going to beg me to fuck it hard. You don’t believe that right now, but I promise you will. Now, face forward and feel. Take it. You want this. You want me to come inside your ass. Imagine how that’s going to feel.”
He released my hair and I nodded, feeling just as he’d said. Feeling the thick head an inch inside me, feeling myself stretch to accommodate him and, slowly, I relaxed, and he moved, claiming more of me. Every inch was pain, each claiming costing me tears. But he moved slowly, taking and retreating then taking more, slowly working his way inside me, pumping gently until, finally, he stilled, and I felt his balls touch my pussy.
“I’m in. I’m all the way inside you now. Feel me?”
“Yes.”
He squeezed my clit.
“Oh…yes.”
He pulled out slowly, just a little, then pushed back in, and each time he did it, the thrusts came a little harder until, finally, he was almost all the way out and easily sliding in and out of me. He was right.
“Harder, Zane.”
I wanted this. I wanted him to fuck me. I wanted the pain that came with the pleasure. And I wanted to feel every moment of it.
Twisting my hair in his palm, he turned me to face him, his grin saying I told you so.
“You know what I like?” he began, alternately looking at me then at his cock disappearing inside my ass as he moved faster and faster, thrusting harder and harder. “I like seeing your ass like this, stretched to take me. I like knowing that I’m your first.”
“I’m going to come soon, Zane.” He was working my clit too fast and with the sensation inside my ass, the feel of him thrusting, growing thicker, combined with his words, it was all pushing me over the edge.
“Come then, baby. Come so I can fill you up.”
He held onto me, watching me as he fucked me harder, squeezing my clit hard when I came, making me call out, feeling him swell inside my ass. I watched him, his face, his eyes as his cock thickened and his thrusts grew faster
for one moment before he impaled me one final time, his cock throbbing as I came once more, feeling him come inside me, fill me up with him and claim me wholly, making me his.
Chapter Eighteen
Zane
Your phone ringing in the middle of the night was never a good thing.
Aria moved beside me as I sat up, picking up my cell phone and looking at the display. It was an unknown caller.
“Who is it?” Aria asked.
“Don’t know.” I answered the call. “This is Zane Von.”
“Zane?” A woman’s voice came through, whispering. And from what I could pick up, crying.
“Who is this?” I knew as soon as I asked. My heart thundered in my chest as I switched on the lamp beside the bed.
“It’s me. Maria.”
“What’s happened?” She wouldn’t be calling me unless my father couldn’t help her.
“It’s bad, Zane.” A sniffle. “He’d been suspicious of him for months. He should have told you when you were here. I told him to, but he’s so stubborn.”
“Talk to me, Maria. I can’t understand what you’re saying.” It was as though she was having the conversation with herself. “Tell me what’s happened. Is my father —”
She sucked in a breath and Aria leaned in, questions in her eyes.
“Maria.” My tone was harsher than I’d intended. I sounded like the Alpha.
If something bad had happened to my father, I’d feel it. Wouldn’t I? We were connected. But what if, when I’d severed ties, that was lost as well?
“He’s hurt, Zane. Bad. Your father’s been hurt.”
“How? Who?” I tossed the covers off.
“Ace.”
One word. It was all I needed to hear. I was a fool. I was an ignorant, selfish, stupid fool. Fly had been telling me for months. I fucking knew it myself! But I’d ignored it, disregarded everything. Even when I’d gone to see him, Ace had acted strangely; I’d felt it.
“Where is my father?”
“Ace locked him up. He’s in the jailhouse, unconscious. Ace has men on him, keeping him that way. He didn’t kill him because he was afraid you’d know.”
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