“I know. I do too.”
I started righting some of the end tables that had been turned over and returned the pillows and cushions to the sofa, trying to get the bulk of the items out of the way so we wouldn’t trip over them. I walked back toward the bedroom to see if any of the other rooms had been touched. “Looks like your computer scared the shit out of the guy … he didn’t manage to get any further than the living room. Both of the bedrooms and bathrooms appear untouched, at least as far as I can tell.”
I watched as he looked around, opening closets and dresser drawers to make sure everything was in its rightful place. “What the fuck is this?”
He picked something up off the bed and handed it to me. It was a photo of me, and an ‘X’ was drawn through my face and the words “Never Again” written in red sharpie. “I come home to find my place nearly destroyed. You come here saying you need my help. I find a threatening note tossed on the kitchen counter, and now a picture of you on my bed. What the hell’s going on, Rafe?”
My mind raced, trying to understand the significance of the break-in, note, and picture. Did one of the women I’d slept with have a stalker? Why did someone think I lived here? Who the hell was I supposed to stay away from? Is this really about me?
I felt something cold press against my arm; Ethan had nudged me with a beer. He handed me the bottle then sat across from me on the sofa. “Wait, how did I get to the couch?”
He laughed. “You were so deep in thought that you never so much as blinked when I put my hand on your shoulder and led you over here. Why don’t you tell me what all this is about. I have a sneaking suspicion that your problem, and …” he waved his hand around, “… this, is all connected. You do realize that someone was taking pictures of you and the building when you were jogging this morning, right?”
I nodded. “I’d had the feeling I was being watched, but noticed the camera shifted away when I looked at them. Wait a minute! How did you—?”
“I was pulling out of the parking garage at the same time you began your run. I had a physical therapy session to get to.” He positioned his bad leg out in front of him, and his expression became solemn. “Enlighten me.”
Everything started coming back to me in a rush. “Do you remember Dawn?” He nodded. “I have the strange feeling she’s in trouble, but no one will tell me anything.”
He sucked in a deep breath, moving his lips ever so slightly, and looked as though he was counting so he didn’t lose his temper. He regained his composure and took a long swig of beer. “Start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”
I SIGHED AND SPOKE softly, recalling that incredible night. “I’ve learned not to laugh at my brother for falling in love with Marissa at first sight. He’d dragged me to her graduation, since we weren’t sure her brother would make it in time. I’d hated being there, but when Dawn’s name was called to walk across the stage, I swear I’d been hit by one of Cupid’s stupid arrows. I was immediately smitten with her and I never ragged on Dane again.”
“So how did you two hook up? I thought she left town immediately after graduation.” Ethan asked.
“We were introduced after the commencement was over. When our hands touched, it was electric. I followed her out to her car because I wanted to see what it would be like to kiss her. I needed to know if I should press for an opportunity to get more familiar with her.” I smiled at the memory. “The kiss seared her into my heart and my soul. I knew I needed her, plain and simple. We exchanged numbers, and agreed to try a long distance friendship just to see if anything else developed. I knew she’d be back in town for their other roommate’s wedding, so we decided to converse until then.”
“And?”
“We hit it off. She’s so easy to talk to on the phone. We share so many common interests, including a love for BDSM. She only reads about it and I like to explore various avenues of it.”
He held his hands up. “TMI, man—that I didn’t need to hear!”
I shook my head. “You need to get over your aversion to the very mention of BDSM, Ethan. You should know by now that the entire family is involved in the lifestyle to some extent. I’d advise you to talk to Nate or Dane, maybe have them take you to the club sometime. You’d be surprised how, with the right person, you can escape from all the bullshit going on around you and just exist in the moment, finally having complete control of your own little world.”
He raised his hand to stop me. “I’ll think about, but let’s get back to the matter at hand. Why do you need my help? What gives?”
“Dawn seemed happy in her new job and we were talking on a regular basis on the phone. We began Skyping when we were no longer content to just hear each other’s voice. We agreed to go on a couple of dates when she came home for Ashley’s wedding.”
My heart pounded, unwilling to reveal every little detail. “I took her to places she’d longed to visit, restaurants she’d wanted to try – I spoiled her. We’d had some intense make out sessions, but she was guarded and didn’t want to get too intimate.”
My mind drifted back to our third date, watching everything play out in my mind. I continued, speaking softly as I recalled that night. “I’d picked her up right after Ashley and Brian’s wedding. I wanted us to have a little private time, so I brought her back here. I’d already asked if I could stay here for a bit, to avoid the paint fumes at mine…”
Dawn’s eyes were wide, taking in everything around her, including the table set for two with a couple of red roses, candles, and a chilled bottle of champagne. “I’m sorry Rafe, but I never pictured you in such a sophisticated setting. I thought your place would be less … pretentious.”
I laughed, closed the door behind me and lead her to the table. “This isn’t my place. I actually live in the unit above, but I’m in the process of redecorating and the paint fumes are noxious. This is actually Dane’s old place.”
She smiled. “You have me curious. What’s your place like?”
I started by pulling two plates that I’d put together earlier and had kept warm in the oven. I was glad that she didn’t care much for haute cuisine, because regular fare and Italian were all I knew how to cook—nothing fancy, just the recipes that had been passed down from one of our family members to another. “You’ve got me pegged. I still have most of the stuff I’ve had since college, but I’ve grown past that. I realized it was high time for me to take life more seriously. I’ve hired the same decorator who did this condo to decorate mine.”
“Ethan, our conversation flowed easily during the meal. Afterwards, we turned on some music and danced in each other’s arms.” I closed my eyes, dropped my head back, and allowed myself to silently enjoy the memory of what had come next. I blazed a trail of kisses down her neck, nipping along the way—I wanted to mark her as mine. Soft moans escaped her lips as I sucked her earlobe into my mouth. “I want you, Dawn.” My hands caressed her luscious backside and drew her hips to mine, hoping she could feel how hard I was.
She responded to me by rubbing against my length. I could feel her heat through the fabric of her dress. We continued swaying to the music, and I slipped one hand under the hem of her dress to caress the softness of her outer thigh.
She shook her head, took a step back, but looked frustrated, “Yellow, Rafe.”
I removed my hand, but didn’t release her from my embrace. I could tell this night would end with yet another cold shower, but I didn’t mind if it meant I’d eventually be with Dawn. I knew I had to earn her trust.
I leaned my forehead against hers, laying chaste kisses on her lips. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“I’m afraid.” Though barely audible, her words were enough to stop me in my tracks.
I sat down on the sofa and urged her onto my lap. I wanted her close while we talked this through. I knew she struggled with low self-esteem, she considered herself the ‘duff’- designated ugly fat friend - of the bunch. It infuriated me. “I don’t know who fed you that load of crap. In my eyes yo
u’re the vision of a goddess.”
“But I’ve got all this extra weight.” She complained, just as she’d done on our video chats. I’d warned her that I’d smack her ass if I ever heard her talking that way again. I quickly lifted her where she was straddled my legs, her skirt rode up enough for me to see her beautiful, milky white thighs and I swatted her twice — once on each butt cheek.
“What the hell, Rafe?” She yelped, her voice husky, and I could smell her arousal. It was obvious that she thought she should be angry, but that she was surprised how much she liked it.
“I warned you that the next time I heard you put yourself down I’d smack that lovely ass. You should know me by now that I’m true to my word.” Her hands came up to grab my shoulders. I knew she’d try to push herself off my lap, but I wrapped my arms around her and held her closer. “What are you thinking? You know I’ll only take this as far as you want.”
She took a deep breath and her body relaxed into mine. “I know. You’re one of the few men I trust.” Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times, searching for just the right words. “I still expect men to only pay attention to me so they can meet my roommates or friends.”
I slid my hands from her waist to the nape of her neck, massaging the tension away. She began to relax even further under my ministrations. “Those men were all fools. Anyone can see you’re a catch.” Her lips opened in silent protest, but I put a finger over them to ensure her silence. “Some men say they want a woman that’s got long legs and is model thin. Many women are too thin nowadays. If I wanted to hug a stick, I’d throw a wig onto a broom handle. Not happening. I want my woman to have curves and be proud of them, to be comfortable in her own skin and love her body—someone I can sink into, who’ll wrap herself around my hips and together we can find paradise.”
She shivered in my arms. “Are you cold, bella?”
Dawn’s eyes dropped down to the side of the sofa. “No.”
I lifted her chin with my fingers and held her in place, so our eyes met. I noticed her lids were hooded and her eyes dilated with sensual need. “You are my definition of perfection. Don’t ever forget that.” I whispered against her lips, waiting for a response.
If I’d ever had any doubt as to her submissiveness, it was laid to rest with her quiet, “Yes, sir.” Two simple words, but they meant everything to me.
Our mouths melded together, engaging in a passionate dance. Her tongue caressed my lips, and my teeth nipped hers, each of us begging to be inside the other. My lips blazed a trail down her neck, nipping at the juncture of her shoulder. A soft moan escaped her throat, her fingers clenched my shoulders, and she unconsciously rocked her hips against my thighs, making me harden beneath her. Don’t forget this is about her tonight, not you. You need to gain her trust, so she knows you have her best interest at heart.
I brought one hand up to gently brush across one of her breasts, feeling her hardened nipple through the fabric. The other traveled up her inner thigh to rest against her center. I could feel the heat radiating off of her lace panties, which were soaked with her arousal. The scent was starting to permeate the air and forever burning a place within my heart and mind.
I slowly ran a finger along the edge of her panties, but was met with a slap to my arm. Her words were breathy, barely audible, as her head shook. “I can’t Rafe. You promised we’d go slow.”
I held her close to me and gently bit her nipple through her clothes. Her eyes closed, then she threw her head back, my name expressed in a sensual moan that had me so hard I was afraid there would be a permanent imprint of the zipper on my dick. My mouth moved slowly up her jaw line and to her mouth, where I tugged on her lower lip with my teeth, teasing it. “Make no mistake, bella. I. Want. You. But tonight is all about your pleasure, not mine. Let me show you what it can be like with me. Let me give you both pleasure and pain. Together, they elicit orgasms that have to be experienced to believe. I promise to take nothing for myself, only giving you the satisfaction that you desire—that you deserve. Please, may I show you what it’s like to be mine?”
My hand moved higher on her inner thigh, massaging circles into her skin, as I spoke. When I reached her drenched center, I rubbed the heel of my hand against her mound to emphasize my point. “Say no and we’ll stop right now. I’ll return you to your hotel, no harm no foul. What will it be, mi amore?”
She trembled and shifted closer, an impassioned, “Yes!” was her only response.
I thrust my tongue into her mouth, devouring every inch of it, demonstrating what I’d love to do with her in bed. My fingers found their way under the saturated lace of her panties and caressed her warm, slick folds.
I stroked from her clit to her entrance once, twice, and elicited a sweet moan from her lips. “That’s it, bella. Feel me, my touch, focus on this moment, and allow the pleasure to fill you.”
Dawn’s body relaxed into mine, my fingers moved further down to her soaked center. Her smell was intoxicating. A gentle hint of lavender mixed with the subtly of cherries. It was all I could do not to rip open my pants and shove deep inside her. My cock had other ideas, but tonight would be about gaining her trust, show her I was a man of my word. I’d give her pleasure beyond her wildest dreams, but I’d leave her craving more—needing me.
My teeth nipped at that oh so tender spot just behind a woman’s ear that drove everyone nuts, including Dawn. I slipped one finger into her center, as my thumb smoothed over her hardened nub, causing her to rock hard against my hand. I knew there was a little minx in there somewhere. Now I just need to coax it to the surface and encourage it to explore.
Her core was tight, hot, and needy. Her vaginal walls clamped down hard on my finger, sucking me inside. I rimmed her core, trying to stretch her with each pass until I was finally able to push in another finger. She’d be hell on my dick, so tight I wouldn’t even last a second. God, she felt good.
Dawn began riding my hand. My thumb circled her distended clit, and my fingers sought out the bundle of nerves inside that would make her explode in my arms. Her breathing became erratic and soft whimpers escaped her lips as her walls began to flutter against my fingers.
“This is your first lesson in discipline, mia bella angelo. You will not come until I tell you.” Her body became stiff as she tensed. She scrunched her eyes and panted in an attempt to keep herself from coming apart in my arms. I wouldn’t torture her for long.
I kept up my ministrations, as she whimpered and fought to control her body. Her scent, her movements, everything about her solidified it was only her that I needed. And I needed her here, with me.
Her fingers began to dig into my shoulders, signaling it was time to watch my woman come for the first time. My fingers moved in and out of her moist heat at a brutal pace. My thumb pressed firmly against her clit, I whispered against her neck, “Come for me, mi amore,” and my fingers curved inward to press against her g-spot. Her body began to quake in my arms and my mouth covered hers, swallowing her cry of ecstasy.
Dawn collapsed against my shoulders. I held her tightly with one hand at her waist, while my other hand continued to rub against her engorged clit, encouraging another explosive orgasm. Her beautiful blonde locks caressing my face and arms. Just the memory of how beautiful she had been while she came had me hard as a rock.
I jolted at the slap to my thigh. “Earth to Rafe!” I looked up and realized I’d zoned out while talking with Ethan.
“Oh my God!” I sat up straight and slapped a hand to my forehead. Not only had I not taken Dawn to my place that night. I hadn’t brought her to my place when she returned for Marissa and Dane’s wedding either, because a pipe had broken and the water was shut-off for repairs. I’d used this condo both times, since mine was having work done both times.
“Did you remember something?” Ethan’s face was full of concern.
“They weren’t here to scare you man. They thought this was my place. I’d brought her here both times we were together since my place was being work
ed on. It was unoccupied then and Dane said I could crash here a few nights. That note was meant for me.”
My fingers tunneled through my hair, while I shook my head. “She told me she was afraid of her boss. Dammit, I’m sure I was being watched today. Apparently we both noticed. He had her followed. It’s the only way someone would know where to look.”
I punched my fist into the cushion. “Can you pull up any video from the front of the building and hallways, from earlier today, and see if any video from five months ago had been saved to DVD? I also need to find out as much as I can about Dawn and the asshole she works for.”
Ethan smiled with a gleam in his eye. I knew he lived for the opportunity to put his phenomenal computer skills to work. I guess it helped that the Prescott family owned the building, giving him easy access to the video feeds. “I’d be happy to. Just give me as much information as you can and we’ll go from there.”
I KNEW I SHOULD talk to Marissa and tell her everything. It was hard to hide the bruises and scars from her. I actually thought Dane was about to pop a vein when I joined them at the breakfast bar the first morning. Marissa was willing to let me wear my sunglasses to hide how bad things were, but Dane had insisted I remove them.
“Who the hell did this to you?” His words were curt and his voice cold.
I wanted to tell him, but I didn’t want him to hunt down Liam, which would lead him right here to me—to them. Dane was furious; having me here could be disastrous to his beloved wife and unborn child. All I could do was promise, “I won’t let any harm come to anyone you love.”
After that, I was unable to remain downstairs or talk with either of them. Fear, of escaping or that I’d be found, made me so nauseous that I barely made it to the bathroom before retching uncontrollably.
It came as no surprise that Marissa had followed me up and was waiting for me to emerge from the bathroom. She’d prepared a tray of food and sat on the bed, her face drawn with concern. “Are you going to be okay?”
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