A Shadow of Doubt

by Dakota Black

  Whoosh! Smack! Pop!

  Pain tore through her as the spanking continued, yet she managed to remain in position, just as required.

  Crack! Slap!

  “You’re being very good,” he muttered as he rubbed her ass, one cheek to the other.

  Dani lost count of the number of strikes, her mind soaring as she released her inhibitions. When he lowered his body over hers, allowing his shoulder length hair to scrape against her shoulders, she issued a single moan.

  Mitchell wrapped his hand around her long locks, tugging until she was on her knees. He kept his hold as he lowered his head, brushing his lips across hers. When he whispered, he sent chills skating down her spine. “I want you more than any other woman I’ve had in my life.”

  Her lower lip quivering, she slid her hands up along the inside of his legs until she reached the crease by his groin. She tilted her head and opened her mouth as she breathed out. “And I want you. Take me.”

  His eyes darting back and forth, he gripped both sides of her face as he captured her mouth, grunting as his actions became unbridled. The kiss was a passionate roar, he thrust his tongue inside her mouth, dancing his tongue across hers.

  She grabbed his arms, marveling in his muscles, his absolute control, and rose onto her knees as the moment of intimacy drove them both to madness. No man had ever kissed her with such passion, such extreme longing.

  When he broke the kiss, he yanked off his shirt, tossing the material across the bed before easing her back until he was able to rise to his feet. Staring down, he exhaled, the sound low and husky.

  Fumbling with his belt buckle, when she unfastened then tugged on his zipper, he tossed his head back and issued a guttural sound. The moment she freed his throbbing cock, she wrapped her hand around the base and lowered her head, darting licks around his cockhead.

  Mitchell groaned as his legs began to shake and his grip tightened, pushing her head down toward his dick.

  She opened her mouth as he forced his cock inside, relaxing her throat muscles as she sucked the tip. Unable to resist, she slid her hands between his legs, cupping and squeezing his balls. They were swollen, already filled with seed, his need growing more intense with each passing second.

  Jutting his hips forward, he drove his shaft further into her mouth as beads of sweat dripped down from his face to his neck, slipping off his heated body.

  As he began fucking her mouth, thrusting in long, even drives, she shuddered, savoring the taste, his all male scent. She rolled his testicles between her fingers as she pumped the base of his cock. Her pussy ached, dripping with desire as she took him down an inch at a time. She closed her eyes, allowing her inner bad girl to take over, yanking her into a moment of sheer ecstasy.

  Grunting, he tossed his head back and forth as perspiration continued to fall, covering her face and shoulders. He pumped harder and faster as he intertwined his fingers in her long hair, keeping her in place.

  Drops of precum slid down her throat. Salty yet sweet, she moaned around the thick invasion as she took his shaft all the way down until her lower lip rested on his balls. Clamping down, she was rewarded with a lust-filled grunt. She twisted her hand, moving her fingers up and down to meet her mouth. Every part of her body was tingling, excitement off the charts.

  Seconds later, Mitchell pushed her away and dragged her to her feet. “Now, I take all of you.” He guided her down on the bed and thrust her legs up and out before brushing the tip of a single finger between her breasts, down to her bellybutton, then to her clit. Grinning, he swirled his finger around her tender flesh. “Hold still. Don’t move or you’ll get a taste of my belt.”

  Her desire building, she watched as he undressed, holding her breath as she gazed down the length of him. Muscular and carved, his slender waist and chiseled hips moved into long legs. She bit back a moan as he dropped to the floor, gathering her legs into his arms.

  He lowered his head, opening his mouth as he sucked on her pussy.

  She jerked up, gripping the comforter, and issued a single shriek. As he licked, his tongue darting in and out, his teeth nibbling on her clit as he continued sucking, she arched her back. “God. Yes.” Her strangled words floated up toward the ceiling.

  Mitchell continued feasting, the sounds mixing with growls. He pulled open her tender flesh and buried his face in her cunt.

  When he shoved several fingers inside her pussy, flexing them open, she knew she couldn’t hold the orgasm at bay for long. Panting, she wiggled as she clawed the dense material, her legs shaking uncontrollably.

  Blowing a swath of hot air across her swollen tissue, he licked down her folds to her ass and opened her cheeks, sliding his fingers into her asshole.

  “Fuck!” The exclamation rocketed through the room. She gasped and struggled to breathe as pain mixed with pleasure, the dichotomy relentless and powerful.

  Lifting his head, he peppered kisses on her inner thigh. “Do you want my cock deep inside of you?’

  “Yes. God, yes.”

  Chuckling darkly, he rose to his feet and leaned over, placing his hands on opposite sides of her body. “Then you’ll have everything you want.” As he crawled onto the bed, he lifted her legs, wrapping them around his neck. He kissed and licked first one then the other leg as he gazed down at her, his eyes narrowed, his brow tight and furrowed.

  She reached up, caressing his face, brushing her thumb back and forth across his heated skin.

  “No.” The word was simple. Mitchell wrapped a single hand around her wrist, yanking her arm over her head. He repeated the move, pulling her other arm then wrapping his hand around both wrists, holding her tightly.

  Time seemed to stand still as he slid the tip of his cock back and forth across her pussy, teasing.

  Struggling in vain, she arched her back, offering every inch of her body.

  After a single exaggerated hiss, he thrust the entire length of his cock inside her pussy, the force shoving her into the bed.

  “Oh!” Stars floated in front of her eyes and she gasped, trying to catch her breath. “Mitchell.”

  A smile crossing his face, he removed his dick until just the tip was inside then thrust again. And again. Each time more powerful than the one before. Within seconds, he was in an intense and deliberate rhythm. The sound of his balls flapping against her ass mixed with his savage grunts.

  She closed her eyes and squeezed her pussy muscles. Hearing him growl, she bit her lower lip to keep from screaming. He was fucking her, filling her and driving her to new heights of pleasure. With every manic move, every hard drive, she was thrown into pure ecstasy. She struggled to meet every hard plunge, her body undulating under his. “Oh. Fuck.”

  Stopping short, he bent down and licked around her mouth. “Are you ready for more?”

  “Please.” Her eyes unable to focus, Dani gazed up at him as he kissed her lips, the move gentle, loving.

  “Good.” The move swift, he eased back and pulled her up with one hand, tossing her over and onto her stomach. He tugged both of her legs until she was on all fours. “I’m going to fuck that pretty ass of yours. Then, you’ll be all mine.”

  His. The thought reverberated into her mind, filling her soul with rabid thoughts of the future. Needs collided with desire and she was no longer the same woman. Huffing, she opened her legs and dropped her head, preparing for the intense assault, one she wanted more than anything.

  Mitchell thrust his fingers inside her ass, pumping hard and fast, hitting the ring of muscle.

  “Oh!” The screech was loud and sharp as her heart raced, another slice of raw pain coursing through her system. He continued thrusting in and out, three fingers becoming four. She rocked forward and backward as she arched her back, her body flushed.

  Crack! Slap!

  “Just a reminder,” he whispered as he wrapped his hand around her hair and yanked back her head. Removing his fingers, he positioned the tip of his dick at the entrance to her dark hole, easing the cockhead just inside. Grip
ping her hip, he dug his fingers into her flesh and tipped his head back, roaring.

  The thrust was intense, the anguish blinding and she was left breathless, her entire body on fire. She opened her mouth to issue a silent scream as flashes of light flew across her periphery of vision. She blinked back tears as he pulled out, then repeated the move, she would have been shoved against the comforter if he didn’t have his fingers entangled in her hair.

  “Tight. Hot. Now, you belong to me.” In and out he thrust his cock, every plunge full of power and need. Beads of sweat rolled down from his face, the drops pooling on her naked back.

  He eased his other arm around her hips, fingering her clit. Swirling his finger in lazy circles, he bit down on her neck then slipped his fingers inside her cunt.

  “Oh!” Her pussy muscles clenched around the invasion, drawing his fingers deeper inside. She met every hard thrust as he flexed open his fingers. “I’m going to come.”

  “Not until I tell you,” he commanded.

  Every nerve on fire, she struggled to keep the orgasm at bay, until there was no way to hold back the tide. “Please.”

  “Yes, my sweet. Come!”

  A rush of adrenaline flooded her system as the intense climax rocketed up from her toes. Opening her mouth, she issued a strangled scream.

  When she stopped squirming, he licked across her shoulder. “All mine.”

  She kept her eyes closed as his moves became more frantic, his desire off the charts. She knew he was close to coming, close to spewing his cum deep inside her ass. She wanted nothing more than to be covered in his scent.

  “I. Can’t. Hold. Back.” His words were garbled, the sound filled with lust.

  He wrapped his hand around her shoulder, using the leverage to shove hard and fast. With every grunt, every dark and savage sound, his body shook harder.

  Moaning, she clenched down around his cock, allowing her ass muscles to clamp like a tight vice. When he let go of her hair and flopped over her, she jutted her hips back.

  “Fuck!”

  As hot cum oozed into her dark cavern, she dropped her head, satisfaction mixing with something else.

  Guilt.

  Chapter 6

  “What do you mean the tests haven’t come back yet?” Mitchell snarled as he glared out the window of the plane. Clean tests were the only way to thwart the ridiculous claims he’d manipulated funds. Why in the hell would he sabotage his own company? The rather terse phone call from Tom Willis, a member of the Board of Directors who up until this had remained on the fence, his support of Mitchell conditional. Tom’s warnings were crystal clear. Fix the issue at hand and quickly or leave the premises and his job permanently. He rubbed his eyes. Everything was getting way out of control.

  “Jesus Christ, Mitchell. Dani sent them to us late yesterday. I can’t just crack a whip and expect we’ll be pushed to the top of the list,” Camden rebutted, his tone full of indignation. “We don’t want any additional red flags raised.”

  He wasn’t in the mood for any bullshit. After checking the stock that morning, his fears were turning into nightmares. At least the call from his attorney had been promising. The cops were only sniffing, trying to determine if there was any issue. “I get it but we need to know what we’re dealing with. Pay them more money and do so quietly. I don’t care. We need those results today.”

  Sighing, he grumbled under his breath. “I know you’re on edge. Hell, we all are. I had a curious email from a newspaper reporter sitting in my inbox when I arrived this morning.”

  Mitchell fisted his hand and stole a look at Dani. She’d basically gone out of her way to ignore him through breakfast and the first part of the plane ride. What the hell had he done wrong? “I’ll handle the press when I get back. Just keep track of the tests. Okay?’

  “I will. Did Dani give you her thoughts on what’s wrong?” Camden asked.

  “She’s working on a report as we speak. I’ll let you know when we land so you can set up a mandatory management meeting. Keep everything as quiet as you can until then.” Mitchell was absolutely going to stay close mouthed. Whoever was leaking information seemed to have a gilded highway.

  “I’ll do my best. Did you actually visit the drill site?”

  “Of course. We both did.” Mitchell couldn’t figure out what in God’s name she must be thinking. He was very happy she was so dedicated, but this was out of the ordinary.

  “What did you think of the oil?”

  He thought about the question. “I might be crazy, but I don’t think there’s a damn thing wrong with the product. Even the roughnecks were curious as to why we were there.” The rigs that were shut down seemed fine, although he’d noticed an odd smell in the samples they’d collected. “I don’t know what to think.”

  “Then why the concern? Did you ever think about the fact you might have been pushed into a wild goose chase?” Camden’s question was met with a deep sigh.

  “I’ve thought about everything, but who would go to such lengths to create a ruse?”

  “Someone who wanted you away from Dallas for a few hours perhaps?”

  Mitchell had no idea what they could be looking for. The office was filled with his employees. His house was locked tight, plus he had a ranching staff to look over the estate. “I don’t know what to think. I’ll keep your idea in mind.”

  If you’ve pissed off the Indian spirts, they will get even.

  Hissing, Mitchell shoved away the thought.

  “Just food for thought. We’ll talk more when you get back.”

  After ending the call, Mitchell was ready to toss the phone. Throwing a tantrum wasn’t going to help the situation or save his company. Only the results and some powerful publicity might do the trick. He eased back in the seat and sipped his Bloody Mary. While he wasn’t usually a morning drinker, after the intense round of sex the night before, he needed a primer. He studied her tense form, the way she hovered over her laptop, and sighed. They’d been so close, the night spent together until the wee hours of the morning. Whatever had occurred after he left her room, he might never know, but she was out of sorts. “How’s the report?”

  After a full two minutes, she looked up at him, her expression bland. “Almost finished. I take it nothing on the tests?”

  “Unfortunately not, however Camden will push hard.”

  Dani nodded and went back to her report, her fingers flying on the keyboard.

  He glanced down at his email, determined to get some work done on the trip. When he was unable to concentrate, he eased out of the seat and moved closer, sitting down just in front of her. “Is something wrong?”

  “Wrong?” she asked without looking up.

  “Yes, wrong. You’ve been on edge this morning.”

  “On edge?”

  “Are you going to keep repeating my questions?” Mitchell shook his head. When she remained silent, he resisted getting angry. “Dani, talk to me. What happened? Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you?”

  Her fingers continued to fly.

  If he hadn’t noticed the slight tic in the corner of her mouth, he would have sworn she hadn’t heard him. Reaching out, he placed his hand on hers, stopping her action. “Dani.”

  While she didn’t jerk out of his grasp, she did slide her hand away from his then tilted her head. Her eyes cold and unforgiving, she exhaled before speaking. “Mr. Rush. I appreciate the trip, the clothes and the lovely dinner.”

  “But?”

  “No buts. That’s just the case. I appreciate sharing time with you, but we will never become intimate again. Am I clear?”

  The words hit him like a ton of bricks. “What are you talking about? At least tell me what’s going on?”

  “You left. I get the score. I’m just your usual conquest. I’m certain there have been many. However, I refuse to be a number. I have far more respect for myself than you obviously do for me. Now, please allow me to finish this report before we land.”

  Mitchell was stunned, completely ta
ken aback. While he hadn’t anticipated they’d be lovey dovey given what they were facing, to have the compete brush off was unexpected. “I left because I thought you’d want some time to yourself. I wanted to stay with you, wake up and share an amazing morning making love.”

  She exhaled her answer.

  “Dani. Come on. Be honest with me. What’s really going on?”

  She gave him one more look. “We didn’t make love. We had sex. Nothing more. I’m your employee. Period.”

  Gutted, Mitchell nodded and inhaled as he wiped his mouth. If this was the way she wanted to play the situation, fine. He wasn’t going to beg any woman. Ever. Anger furrowing just below the surface, he did as she asked and left her very much alone, sulking as he answered emails and prepared a statement for the press. The damn reporters were going to get his wrath.

  They landed a little over an hour later, the driver ready and waiting.

  He opened her door and was met with a contrite expression even behind her sunglasses. Even in her jeans and tee-shirt, the woman was formidable. Perhaps she was getting into an act, priming for the conference with the rest of the employees. Whatever the reason, he was shutting down, refusing to allow her misguided thoughts to interfere just yet. Business came first. The thought made him groan. He slammed the door closed and looked up at the sky, unable to get a sickening feeling out of his stomach. Time for his game face.

  The driver pulled up in front of the office building and as expected, dozens of people flanked the front entrance, rushing toward the vehicle the moment it pulled into the circle. Christ. This was unusual even given the subject matter.

  “Wow,” Dani managed, her face grim.

  “Somebody must have called them, I wonder who. This could get ugly. Just stay behind me and I’ll answer what questions I think are necessary,” Mitchell said as he turned toward her, his smile genuine.

  Dani gathered her things, merely nodding as her door was opened. The moment she stepped outside, she dipped her head back inside. “Remember, I can take very good care of myself.”

  When the door was slammed, he snorted before exiting the car. If she was playing hardball, he wasn’t in the mood. He smoothed back his hair, plastered on a smile and slid out of the car, rising to his full height. He greeted every reporter he knew by name, shaking hands and waving to those who were too far in the background.