by K. J. Dahlen
A strand of moonlight outlined his body. Roman was laying on his back with his eyes closed. His arm was flung over his head. His breathing was steady and quiet.
Stevie stood there for a moment and just watched him. She began to tremble as she dropped the towel and slid into bed under the covers.
She knew the instant he realized she was there.
For just a moment, he stopped breathing altogether and he didn’t say a word just gathered her into his arms. “You know if I take you tonight I’ll never let you go, don’t you?” he whispered in the dark. When she didn’t say anything he reached out and turned on the bedside lamp, so she could see him. Then he repeated his earlier statement, “You know if I take you tonight, I’ll never let you go.”
“I know,” Stevie whispered. “I just want to know what it would feel like. I got a little bit of that earlier when we kissed but now I want more.”
Roman gathered her close to him and just took in her fresh clean scent. Then he realized she was naked and warm as he reveled the feel of form in his arms. Her scent reminded him of chocolate and cinnamon.
Then his lips found hers in the shadows and he consumed her mouth. His tongue swept inside and he groaned when he tasted her. She was as sweet as honey and warm like sin. He crushed her to him and his need overwhelmed his body. His cock grew as it filled with desire and he slipped his lips down her neck and shoulders. He groaned as she hissed in pain. “Are you all right?”
“Yes I’m fine. Shoulder is just a little bit tender right now that’s all,” she whispered. “Please don’t stop.” She reached out and touched his lightly haired chest. Running her fingers over his skin, touching an old scar .
When she would have explored it, more Roman moved her hand away from the blemish.
“Please don’t stop,” she repeated.
“I don’t think I could even if I wanted to.” He growled. “I need you too much.”
“Then show me what this is all about.” Her words were low.
He could hear the need that matched his own. Roman pushed her on her back and loomed over her. Resting his forehead on hers he gave her one last out. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. Please. I need this as much as you do.”
Roman began moving his hips against hers. He pushed his way between her legs widening the opening and slipping between them into her embrace. Her legs wrapped around his waist.
Roman slipped down again to place his wet lips against the skin of the swell of her breast. Working his way to her nipple, he spread tiny nips and kisses. When he got to the hard bead, he licked the darkened skin then blew on it softly. Her nipple beaded into a hard little button.
Stevie groaned as his lips finally closed over her. Sensation burst over her entire body as he suckled her breast. “Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod…” she chanted in a broken whisper. Her core flooded and she raised her hips as if to try to capture something elusive.
Roman felt her moving beneath him and couldn’t wait anymore. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, please…”
Roman lined up his large cock and began pushing inside her wet core. He groaned and muttered, “You’re so tight. You fit me so good.”
“More…” she pleaded.
Roman surged ahead with a flick of his hips. His cock surged deep inside her and he heard her gasp when he broke through her thin barrier. His mind went blank at the thought of taking her innocence but he couldn’t stop. His cock swelled deep inside her and his mind went blank at how good she felt around him. Pumping in and out, Roman felt like he was in heaven. He’d never felt like this before. Each surge inside her felt so sweet. The aroma of her arousal filled his nose and he groaned. When she whispered, “Yes, more.” He went nuts. Pushing deeper and harder, he lost control and fucked her wildly.
After a bit, she stiffened and cried out his name.
He watched as she splintered in his arms. He felt her body clamp down on his cock. That caused a bolt of lightning to burst at the base of his spine and he felt something shift and then he was pouring his essence into her. Roman groaned as he let loose.
Finally, when his heartbeat slowed enough to calm down, he slid beside her and gathered her close to him. Pressing her back to his chest, he grabbed her full breast and squeezed while grinding his pelvis into her ass. Nipping on the back of her neck he turned her slightly, so she could see him, he whispered, “You’re mine now. No other man shall have you.”
Stevie felt her heart skip a beat. She might not have heard the softly spoken words he said but she did feel his whisper on her skin. Instead of feeling overwhelming fear or pain, or used… she felt safe and warm. Roman made her feel complete. She found she didn’t mind his touch. Frowning, she thought back to all the other times men tried to touch her. She never wanted anyone’s touch before. The only times she’d been touched in the past was when Mrs. Harris grabbed her and pushed her around. Having someone touch her made her think of pain.
Even living on the streets, she never allowed anyone to touch her. Everyone she knew on the street knew her and her story and they didn’t push the issue. Usually, the only person she initiated contact with was Benny.
Benny never expected anything from her she wasn’t willing to give. She loved him for that but she had loved him from the day she met him. He’d been so vulnerable the day he got there. Just a small three year old child, Stevie had seen the fear of uncertainty in his eyes that day and she felt a kinship with him.
Now she felt Roman’s arms around her and instead of the fear, she was expecting, she felt safe for probably the first time in her life.
Roman’s lips nibbled and sucked on the back of her neck. Moving up to her right ear he whispered, “I’ll take care of you and Benny from now on.”
Stevie closed her eyes. For as long as she could remember when people promised to take care of her, they wanted something from her. She tried not to think that way with Roman’s promises but she didn’t know if she could trust him yet. She wanted to she really did but after years of mistrust being her guide, it was hard to break that habit.
Roman moved his hand and placed it over her heart. For a moment, all he could feel was her heart racing. Then her heartbeat changed and began racing. He frowned then noticed a thin sheet sweat on her skin. Gently turning her to face him he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Stevie tried to speak but no words came. It was like they were caught in the lump in her throat. She tried again but still no words were heard.
Roman watched her try to speak but he could also see her struggling. Laying his hands on either side of her face, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. He spoke so she could read his lips, “Please don’t be afraid. It would kill me if you were afraid of me. You don’t ever have to fear me,” he whispered brokenly.
Stevie took a deep breath and exhaled softly before she began to speak, “All my life, no one has ever touched me without hurting me. I don’t remember my mother’s touch. Mrs. Harris always told me I was left on the steps of a church when I was three days old. I never knew my mother’s name or who my father was. The church gave me the name Stephanie Grace but all my life, I’ve been called Stevie. I went to live with the Harris’ when I was only two years old. That woman was vicious and loved to hurt the kids in her care. She set some impossible rules and expected young kids to obey them. I learned to avoid her touch and after a while, the other people who lived there learned not to touch me. For some reason, Mrs. Harris liked to use humiliation to keep us girls in line. She would allow her sons to touch us sexually as long as they didn’t go all the way with us. She made that a rule. We were barely more than children when the touching began, so I endured five years of having her sons touch me in places they never should have touched a young girl. It was horrible and I hated every minute of it. Even now, I can barely allow anyone to touch me.”
Roman held her tighter as his body seemed to tense.
“Then when I was ten years old, Benny came to live with us. When I looked in
to his eyes, I saw something there that touched my soul. I watched over him the best I could, but Mrs. Harris didn’t make it easy. For some reason, she liked to pick on Benny. She would watch me when she did it, so she knew it hurt me to watch. Then when the time came, I was old enough to go to work for her, I told her I wouldn’t do it. I wasn’t leaving Benny behind, not to her less than gentle touch. Caulder tried to grab me and haul me away but Benny fought back and when I got free, we ran. We hid for three days. It was then when I realized no matter how much I loved that kid, I couldn’t take care of him. It broke my heart. I tried I really did but I failed and Caulder caught him. I had to watch that day when Caulder dragged Benny back to the house. He was scared and crying all the way. Mrs. Harris beat him, threw him in a locked closet and left him there for days. I vowed that day to never feel that helpless again. Over the next two years, I learned how to live on the streets. Silas helped me learn, he taught me ways to get by, and he also taught me how to watch over Benny. I let him know I was always there if he needed me and how to get in touch.”
Roman had remained silent as he held her.
She looked up at him. “With you, I don’t feel that fear, that pain from being touched. I can’t explain it but I don’t seem to mind your touch. With you, I do feel safe. For how long I have no idea but for now, it’s enough.”
Roman wrapped his arms around her closely. “You belong to me now and that’s forever. You and Benny both. I’ll never let anyone else hurt you.”
Stevie shook her head. “No one knows what the future holds, so forever doesn’t mean much to me. All we really have is the right now, so let’s just go with that for now.”
“Is that why you were a virgin?” he asked softly. “Because you feared anyone touching you?”
Stevie closed her eyes for a moment then opened them to gaze into his eyes. “No, I just never found anyone I felt safe enough with to trust them not to hurt me.” She hung her head. “Mrs. Harris always auctioned off our virginity. She said virgins brought in the most money, that some men would pay big money for the first time.”
Roman felt his rage climbing but he didn’t want to scare her so he smiled and set aside his anger. “Well, I’m glad you feel safe with me.” He shifted his body to fit in her cradle. His cock was hard again and this time he wanted her to want him as much as he wanted her. Pressing his lips on hers he whispered, “I want you again.”
“Me too.” She moaned. “You make me feel so good.”
“I know a way for you to feel even better.” He growled as he began to move against her. As he slipped inside her, he felt her heat and he surged deeper.
Stevie moaned when she felt him move. He filled her so well. Her heart began to beat faster and she felt the tingle of his possession. She wrapped her legs around his hips and his scent filled her lungs. It didn’t make sense to her but suddenly, she wanted him in ways she never dreamed before.
When Roman hit a special place deep inside her, Stevie lost it. She screamed his name and his lips covered her mouth the muffle her screams. Her body locked down and her muscles tightened. Roman groaned and withdrew just long enough to grip her hips and turn her on her belly. Slamming deep inside her again, he ramped up his thrusts.
“Yes…” she moaned as he went deep. “Harder.”
Roman pushed in harder and nearly lost his mind. His control was gone and all he could do was feel. Unexpectedly, he was pouring himself deep inside her. Groaning, he grabbed her hips and just hung on until the last spurt of his essence left his body.
He rested his head on the pillow beside her head. Their bodies cooled in the night air and still he laid there covering her smaller body with his own. Finally, he moved off her back but he couldn’t let her go completely.
Stevie fell asleep with her head on his shoulder.
Roman laid there in the dark with his arms around her. He couldn’t explain it but he couldn’t let her go. Usually, when he had sex, he left soon after he was finished but this time he couldn’t. He never had a connection with the women he slept with. In fact, he’d used them as much as they used him. Sex to him was a temporary release or at least it had been before her. And always before he had used protection, not only for himself but for the woman as well. He didn’t want a child with any of the other women he slept with but with this one, the thought of a condom never entered his head.
Now he felt comfort, something he’d given up a long time ago. He glanced over at the window and stared at the darkness beyond the glass. He knew there was evil out there waiting for them but right here and now, he felt something special. He felt warm and whole.
Roman snuggled down and laid his head against the top of hers. Her scent of cinnamon wafted from her hair and he smiled before he closed his eyes and fell into a restful sleep.
The sun peeked through the window early the next morning and Roman frowned as the light hit his eyes. He moaned as he moved in his bed. Then his eyes snapped open when he realized he was alone. Sitting up, he stared at the place beside him.
The blankets were rumpled and he could still smell her scent but she was gone. He grabbed his pants and shirt and dressed quickly making his way to the kitchen. He found them both sitting there.
Stevie had a cup of coffee while Benny had a glass of water. There was something in the oven that smelled delicious and they both looked up at him with a question in their eyes. Stevie wore a slight blush.
Benny looked from one to the other of them. He didn’t say anything but stared at Roman with a slight frown. “What’s going on here?” Benny muttered.
Before either of them could say anything, there was a knock on Roman’s front door.
Roman broke away and when he opened the door, he found Yuri and Nikoli standing there.
When they came back into the kitchen Stevie got to her feet and Benny moved to stand beside her. “What’s going on?” Benny asked.
“We got more information last night. Caulder is essentially holding the city hostage in his search for the two of you,” Yuri informed them. “We talked to Pappy and Jackal yesterday and let them know what the deal was. Jackal said he would be willing to work with your people to take back the city but he needs a contact person. But before we can do all that, we need the evidence you’ve hidden against Mrs. Harris. We need to see what she’s holding against everyone to know just how far she’s willing to go to get what she wants.”
Stevie grabbed Benny’s hand and hung on to it. She looked at him and in his eyes, she saw a glimmer of hope. Looking back at the three men she said, “I need to talk to Benny for a minute. Will you excuse us?” Dragging Benny down the hall, she closed her door after they entered. “Do you think we can trust these guys? I know so much has happened since we met them but do you really think we can trust them? If we turn over the evidence against Mrs. Harris, how do we know that will end it?”
Benny trembled. “I don’t think we have a choice here. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want this life anymore. I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder every day to see Mrs. Harris standing there with a knife in her hand. I can’t live with this fear anymore. We need to stop her from turning other kids like us into nothing more than garbage, cuz that’s what’s she is doing. The girls under her aren’t living the good life, they are living in slavery with no hope left. It’s like dying a little bit every day.”
Stevie took a deep breath and let it out. “You’re right. We have to do something to stop her and Caulder. We have to trust they will do the right thing with the evidence and end this nightmare.” She looked over at him. “Come on let’s do this.”
A few minutes later, she stood facing Yuri, Nikoli and Roman. “You need to find a man named Silas. A couple of days ago he was in River Bend Park. He might still be there but he could have moved too. I told him to go underground until all this was over. If you can’t find him, go to the public Library and ask for Joan. He likes her a lot and is always watching her back. He’d never leave her on her own for too long and now he’ll be ex
tra careful if he thinks she might be in danger. Just give her a message and she’ll make sure he gets it. I trust Silas with my life, but I also trusted him with my secret. He knows where the evidence is hidden. But he won’t just give it to you. He knows it’s worth more than just my life, mine and Benny’s. This evidence will take down most of the local authorities and show everyone in the city how corrupt they really are. ”
“So how do we convince him to get it and hand it over?” Yuri asked.
Stevie swallowed hard. She reached inside her shirt and brought out a chain. Taking the chain from around her neck, she handed it over to Yuri. “Tell him this is from Stephanie.”
Yuri frowned. “Your name is Stephanie?”
She nodded. “My proper name is Stephanie Angelica Grace. The priests found me on the steps of a church with no word of who I was or who I belonged too, when I was three days old. They gave me that name. Father Corbin told me I was named after St. Stephan. He said I looked like one to help others and my mission in life would be revealed one day.” She shrugged. “I didn’t like the name Stephanie much when I was a kid, so I called myself Stevie and the name just sort of stuck. I guess this Father Corbin’s wish is coming true. The one about it being my mission, helping the people of Baton Rouge.”
Nikoli took her hand and patted it. “I need a promise from you guys before we go.”
“Our promise?” Stevie looked at Benny. “What kind of promise?”
“I need to know that you and your brother will stay here, under Roman’s protection,” Nikoli stated. “The men involved can’t do their jobs if they are worried about the two of you. Bad things are coming to your town in the next few days and for everyone’s sake, you can’t be there.”
Stevie nodded. “Ok, you have my promise.” She turned to Benny. “I hope I never have to see those horrible people again, in this lifetime.”