Double Betrayal (Surviving Book 3)

by Frost, Ada

  His deep throated groan slid through me, coiling my muscles tight. I was wet in an instant and knew my new knickers would be a puddle on the floor. One large hand slid down my body. His mighty hand slid torturously slow over my breast. I prayed my clothes would disintegrate so I could feel his hand envelop my naked flesh. He tweaked the nipple, pulling at the beaded point before slowly trailing his fingers down my torso. Will’s hand wrapped firmly around my knee, lifting my leg higher up his side to open me to him; as he moved his hips, I could feel the cool air hitting my wet knickers.

  “We shouldn’t –”

  “Tell me to stop,” he dared. He held my gaze captive with hooded eyes; his cheeks were flushed and his ears a cute pink. His hand slid slowly down my naked thigh under the hem of my skirt. Blunt tipped fingers paused at the edge of my underwear. “Tell me to stop, Pix.”

  My mouth opened; I desperately wanted to produce sound, to stop him, because I knew this was bad news. We were past this. When his index finger brushed over my covered slit, I was lost.

  “Oh, God,” I cried, covering my mouth with my fist.

  He pressed his finger more firmly against my mound, and I bit down on my hand to silence my cries. Slowly, he slid me down the wall until I was standing on my own two, wobbly feet. I glared at the bastard. Was this just a test, a silly game? See if he could get the pathetic –

  He kneeled before me and bunched my skirt high above my waist. I glanced down at him to see him grinning at my waist.

  “What?”Oh shit, I knew why. I tried for a nonchalant shrug. “They’re new,” I said, slightly embarrassed I was getting hot and heavy with the sexy man and I was wearing Ghostbusters knickers. They were black with the glow in the dark logo, and they said ‘Who you gonna call?’ So sue me, I liked character underwear.

  Will slowly peeled them down my legs and held them up on his index finger. “The only thing you’re gonna call is my name as I fuck you with my mouth.”

  I stared at the ceiling as my legs shook and I panted liked I’d run a marathon. I was clutching Will’s hair in a vice grip. He’d done precisely what he promised and more. I was so pleased the club was loud and pumping outside, because I had just screamed the place down. As my pulse returned to normal, so did my sense. I unhooked my leg from around his shoulder; not that I had any idea how it’d gotten there. Tightening my fist in his hair, I pulled him away from my body.

  I bent and yanked my knickers from his hand and pulled them on aggressively. He reached out to me, but I swatted his hand away. I pulled my skirt down and tried to straighten the creases in my clothing out and make it look not quite like I’d been fucked in the bathroom.

  “Em?” Will stood and again reached for me, but I swatted his hand away and turned to open the door. He pressed his body against my back, effectively pinning me to the door. I could feel his hard length pressing insistently against my lower back. He slid his hands down my arms, twined our fingers and lifted our hands above my head. The movement moved me into a more captured position. His front was plastered to my back.

  “Em?”

  “Like you said, you had a point to prove. Well, good for you, you proved it. Bravo. Now I have a job to do. Some of us don’t have a hefty trust fund to fall back on.” Okay, so I was being a snarky bitch, but truthfully, I was ready to burst into tears. The feel of his skin, the heat of his body, was perfect. And I wanted him so much it terrified me. In a flash, he spun me. It took me a moment to get my equilibrium.

  His massive hands cupped my face; his heated gaze bore into me. “It was more than proving a point, Emily. It was everything. Every-fucking-thing. When I touch you, look at you, or breathe the same fucking air as you, remember this, I do it because I live for you. You’re my everything, pixie-girl.”

  I braced my hands on the door behind me; the way his words manipulated their way into my mind, heart, and soul disturbed me more than my physical reaction to him.

  “I have to get back to work.” I shuffled to the side and tried to turn in the small space without touching him. I’d wrapped my fist around the cold metal of the doorknob when a warm hand slid around my waist and pulled me against a hot, firm chest.

  “Emily –”

  “You need to let me go.”

  “I can’t; I made that mistake once.” His arms tightened around me. I slid my fingers between his hands and tugged them apart.

  “I need to work, Will.”

  “Dance with me.”

  “What?” I gasped out a shocked laugh.

  “I want to hold you in my arms.”

  “Okay,” I huffed and pushed away from him forcefully, but the lack of space didn’t allow for much room between us. “In the real world, Sonny Jim, some of us have to work for a living. You know, money doesn’t grow on trees. And I’d like to not need to resort to prostitution before I’m twenty-five, if it’s all the same to you.” I placed my hands on my hips and glared at the grinning fool.

  “You’re seriously sexy when you’re mad.”

  “Unbelievable.” I threw my hands in the air and reached for the handle. “I need to go.” This time he allowed me to leave, but I could feel him close behind me as I walked back toward the bar. His hand burned at the small of my back. I could still taste him on my lips and feel him between my thighs.

  “I need you to stop touching me.”

  “And why is that?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the curve between my neck and shoulder. When I shivered, I felt his lips curve into a smile against my skin. I elbowed him in the ribs.

  “I’m trying to stay mad at you,” I said jovially.

  He ran his nose up into my hair to the sensitive skin behind my ear. “Can you be mad and dance with me?”

  “Definitely not.”

  “So are you saying this is the last time I’ll get to touch you tonight?”

  “Pretty much.”

  He reached around me and yanked the door open; the low thud was suddenly loud booming sound, chatter and laughter.

  “We will see about that, pixie-girl,” he whispered against my ear. I shivered and contemplated turning to cover his lips with mine, but a sharp slap to my arse had me stepping forward and yelping. His large frame slid by me. He purposely pressed his chest against my side. The playful grin playing at the corners of his mouth and the mischief shining in his eyes had me ducking my head to hide my own smile.

  I prowled the outer edge of the bar, my gaze firmly fixed on Emily. Her face glowed with what I’d just done to her. She was explosive, and so fucking responsive to my touch, I could barely keep from yanking my dick out and burying it inside her. But I didn’t want to fuck her; I didn’t want us to come together while she was still angry with me. The next time I made love to her, she would be mine, forever. I’d admit I was a stupid idiot for letting her go, but I would spend eternity fighting to bring her back, make her mine and let her know she was my world.

  Her head was bowed; the long bangs that had escaped her hair tie were masking her face, but I could tell she had a shy smile dancing across her gorgeous lips. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her, not even when I bumped into someone and their drink spilled down the front of my shirt. I paused when Phil, the fucking handsy-man, slid his arm around her waist and whispered something to her. I balled my hands into fists, ready to jump over the bar and gut the fucker for laying his hands on her. She nodded, laughed, and pressed her hand against his chest to push him away. She was smiling at him, but at least there was space between them.

  “Oi, Phil, get your grubby hands off her and do your job and pour me a pint,” Acis shouted from the end of the bar where my brothers and Lou were sitting. I think I just became her brother’s number one fan. Phil glanced at me, a devious smirk on his lips as he leaned toward her, said something I had no chance of hearing and swatted her fine ass with his towel. I growled, like a freaking dog. I knew he was doing it to bait me, but I still didn’t like it. I inhaled a deep breath to stop myself from jumping the bar and killing the bastard; instead I found mysel
f grinning back at him. I puffed out my chest and watched my pix filling glasses and making drinks. I had her scent all over me; she was mine, and no matter what, no one was taking her from me.

  “I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Johan slurred beside me. Lou was laughing at my drunken brother and kept patting his chest when he’d pause mid-sentence to be a soppy shit. “I love you, my little walrus.” I rolled my eyes as he pressed his face into her neck and inhaled. Lou giggled and threaded her fingers through his hair.

  “He’s such a lightweight.” I slapped him on the back.

  “I love my brothers, too. Without them, I’d probably be dead, so yeah – loves them.”

  My hand grasped his shoulder tightly. Jo never talked about his past; it was the holy grail of untouchable shit we never discussed. Lou glanced at me over her shoulder with tears dancing in her eyes.

  “Some of us deserve to be in the proverbial afterlife, little buddy.”

  Johan’s head snapped up so quick, Lou had to tighten her hold to keep him from stumbling. He stepped toward me, trying to get to Ryan. He pointed a finger at him. “You’re a fucking hero.”

  “Hardly, but thanks.” Ryan tipped his glass of bourbon at Jo and swallowed it down in one gulp. Jo reached out and gripped his arm.

  “You’re my hero. Never forget that. I need you; don’t you be saying shit like that. Will here is staying here with me; when you complete this tour, you come home. Here!” Jo pointed to his feet. “I need you to be my best man, and I ain’t getting married until you’re home, safe and standing beside me when I take my vows.”

  I squeezed Jo’s shoulder.

  “I think your woman might have something to say about that,” Ryan said smugly.

  “Only that I agree; we refuse to marry until you come home safe, Ryan. Besides, I need the two of you at the altar distracting the ladies from my hunky man.” She hugged Johan’s back, leaning her chin on his shoulder.

  “Why do you want us? What about your best friend –”

  “I’m marrying my best friend. You two are my best men. My brothers. Simple as that.”

  I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I scoffed out a laugh and whacked him on the back. Ryan stood up.

  “I’d be honoured. I promise to come home.” I couldn’t look at him; the emotional pain in his voice was terrifying me. “I need to take a leak.”

  Johan beckoned for Em to come over for him to order more drinks.

  “He’s beginning to worry me,” Lou said quietly.

  I dipped my chin; I wasn’t sure whether she was having the same skin crawling fear I was that Ryan was on the brink of self-destruction.

  “He seems… lost. It’s almost like living each day hurts.”

  I closed my eyes; she was talking about Ryan, so it wasn’t just me that was seeing his ghost.

  “I don’t know what to do, and before you suggest therapy, he tried it. Wigged out and has refused since. He is a master at hiding this shit; what worries me is we are seeing it. He’s either stopped trying to hide or it’s gotten so bad he can’t hide it.”

  “We need –”

  “There is only so much darkness you can put into someone’s heart before they believe it. I had you two protecting me; who protected him? Who stood tall and protected his innocent mind? Nobody. No one came and took him away at the cover of night, no one rescued him. And when he thought he had a family, he returned to see we had abandoned him. He’s been alone in hell for so many years he hasn’t any hope left; he is succumbing to the darkness,” Jo said, turning to face us both. How his inebriated state could muster such words, I had no idea, but he did make sense. Apart from the abandoning part. My family had unofficially adopted Ryan, he was legally an adult when my family finally adopted an eight-year-old Jo. But my mom considered him her son like Jo and me. Ryan’s biological mother, Jo’s grandmother, informed us Ryan had been killed in a road side bomb. She refused us access to the small private funeral ceremony she supposedly held for his return. We now know that was a crock of shit, intended to hurt Jo. After that, my mom couldn’t stay in the small town and we moved.

  “What can I get you?” Emily asked, breaking the foreboding silence suffocating us. I lifted my gaze to two sky blue orbs. She tilted her head and regarded me; a look of concern darkened her features, and for once, I didn’t hide. I let her see my pain, regret, and fear for my brother. I had no reason to hide from her any longer; she owned me. She tugged on my hand so I would lean over the bar. She stepped on something so she could raise herself to reach me.

  “Are you okay?”

  I shook my head. “Dance with me?” I swallowed, feeling everything bubbling to the surface, a wash of emotion fighting its way out of me. I needed her in my arms. “Please.” I pressed my forehead to hers and closed my eyes, resting against her, gaining strength. I needed her so much.

  She pulled her face away from mine. My eyes remained closed; I couldn’t stomach the rejection right now, whether it was the alcohol buzzing through me, or the worry over Ryan, but my nerves were shot.

  Sudden movement beside me had me pulling back and opening my eyes. My pixie was climbing over the bar. Startled, I grabbed for her hips and pulled her to me; she’d break her fucking neck.

  “One dance, otherwise Phil will fire my lazy arse.”

  I bobbed my head; my throat clogged with sentiment. She slid her tiny hand in mine and pulled me through the club toward the dance floor. Christina Perri’s“ A Thousand Years” came on and I pulled her into my arms. The warm perfection of her curves fitted flawlessly against me. I tightened my arms around her and closed my eyes. I buried my nose in her hair and inhaled her calming scent; my world made sense with her in it. Pressing my lips to her head, I opened my mouth and spoke the words I was desperate to say.

  She pulled away from me; watery blue eyes looked up at me. I pushed a piece of her golden hair behind her ear. “What did you just say?”

  “I love you.” I inhaled a deep breath, feeling my heart floating free. “Even if you never forgive me, or can never love me back. You’re my all, Emily; nothing compares to your light. I’m sorry I hurt you. I was a coward; I messed up and I did the one thing I promised I would never do. I don’t feel like I’m alive without you.” I cleared my throat. “I love you… I love you.”

  She simply stood gawping at me, her mouth slightly agape, her eyes wide, but so silent I knew what I had said had stunned her. It shouldn’t have; I thought I’d made it pretty obvious how I felt about her, but clearly she’d needed actual words. I saw the battle in her eyes as she stared at me. The pulse at her neck beat furiously and I ached to suck on it, have her gasping my name.

  “Pix?”

  “I don’t know what to say –”

  If it’s possible to feel your insides twist, shatter and split into a million tiny pieces, I did. I stepped back, releasing her from my hold.

  “I just… this isn’t…” she waved between us as her teary eyes stared at me; she looked utterly terrified of the words I’d just said. I ran my hands into my hair and pulled to stop myself from reaching for her and forcing her to love me back. I felt raw, exposed, and so fucking alone. I’d caused this; I knew I had. I’d only wanted her to keep her babygirl. Was it possible to break someone’s heart and redeem yourself?

  “Will, I –”

  “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything; I shocked you. If you want to be friends I can do that, I’d follow you to the ends of the earth to be with you. I just needed you to know.” I glanced at our group and back down at my pixie. “It’s been a weird-ass night. I’m going to say goodnight and head home.” I took her hand in mine and squeezed it gently. I pulled her to me and pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead; I didn’t dare touch her lips for fear I’d split apart at the seams.

  I released her hand and headed for my brothers. I said my goodbyes and walked out into the cold night air. I sucked in replenishing air, thankful of the chill to cool my heated skin. I decided I would walk back home rather t
han call a cab. I needed the space to think. Just as I turned the corner, I heard her heavenly voice shout. Worried something had happened to my brothers or Lou, I jumped back and caught sight of her frantically looking for me.

  “Em? Emily, what’s wrong?” I’d started to walk back to her when she ran at me. She launched herself into my arms and hugged her tiny body around mine. I didn’t care what was wrong anymore, so long as she was in my arms, wrapped around me. I held her tightly, praying she wouldn’t want to leave me yet. She mumbled into my neck. I couldn’t hear a word she was saying, so I tugged on her failing braid to lift her face to me.

  “I’d follow you, too.”

  “What?”

  “You said you’d follow me to the ends of the Earth. I’d follow you, too.” Her eyes were flooded with unshed tears as she panted against me; soft clouds of warm air fanned across my face. I cupped her face with one of my hands as the other cradled her ass – I was a guy, sue me.

  She lifted both her hands and cupped my cheeks. We remained quiet a few moments, the beat of my heart the only sound prominent in the silence.

  “Did you hear me?” she whispered nervously.

  “Yeah, Pix, I did. I’m just trying to decide if I’m dreaming.”

  She giggled and the sound warmed my heart and hardened my greedy cock.

  “I need time to catch up; that’s all I ask.”

  “You’re worth waiting for.”

  Her beautiful smile was breathtaking.

  “And don’t be thinking it was the bathroom action either that won me over.”

  “No?”

  “No!”

  “Good, because that was entirely selfish. It was all for me; I was hungry and needed the sweetest tasting –”