by MINK
She runs her hands down my chest, but I grab her wrists and listen.
“What?”
The whistle comes again. Fuck.
I climb off the bed and pull her up with me.
“Tiernan, what—”
I throw her over my shoulder and jog down the hall to my room, her voice a constant sound at my back as she protests, asks questions, protests some more, then asks even more questions.
“Stay here.” I put her down in my closet, her face red and her eyes narrowed.
“You can’t just—” I kiss her, hard, then back away. “Someone’s out there. You’ll be safe. Don’t leave this closet. If you do, I’ll redden that ass with my belt next time.” I swing the closet door closed then back away and grab a pair of knives from my dresser.
“You … jerkface!” she yells, but she doesn’t open the door. Good girl. I’ll reward her for that later.
I head out to the living area where Charles is already headed.
“Diego on the roof?”
“Yeah.” He gives me a terse nod.
“What did Barrow get eyes on?”
“Not sure. Stay frosty.” He heads out the glass doors and into the snowy afternoon. I turn and hurry down the back hallway, then down into the basement and out a side door.
Easing through the bare bushes along the side of the garage, I keep an eye on the treeline. For a hidden lodge full of ex-assassins and a supposedly dead mob kingpin, we’ve been getting a fuck-ton of company ever since the women showed up. But I don’t mind it. Not when it brought me Daphne and gives me the chance to get my hands dirty again. After all, I’m no good guy.
I creep into the trees around the eastern side of the house, making sure my profile stays low. Barrow is up ahead. He’s practically invisible, but we’ve played our little war games many a time in these woods. Look, it helps the days go by to pretend to hunt and kill each other every so often. Anyway, he’s crouched down behind a tree, his eyes on something way up on the ridge.
Joining him, I hunker down behind a nearby tree. “The fuck?”
“It’s a goddamn drone.”
“I fucking hate tech in the hands of morons.” I shake my head.
“Diego will tag it. He’s probably just waiting for a clean shot, somewhere closer so we don’t have to trek for hours to find it.”
“Thoughtful.” I nod. “But damn, I was hoping for some blood.”
“Same,” Barrow commiserates.
I’m about to settle in and wait for Diego’s shot when I hear the faintest whir overhead. We both look up at the same time. Barrow aims his gun at the two-turbine piece of shit floating over the lodge and closer to us.
Fuck it. I pull a knife and throw it hard. Two shots crack through the quiet, and my knife tags the damn thing right in one of its rotors as the other one explodes from two well-placed bullets.
It falls, hurtling down as we watch. At the very last second, another crack rings out, and I can’t see the video camera on the damn thing, but I’m certain Diego just shot it all to shit. Good. I’ll do my autopsy on it without worrying about disconnecting its video capabilities first. When it crashes to the snow, Charles, Barrow, and I advance on it.
And then, to my utter surprise, the thing explodes in a deafening boom that shakes all the snow from the nearby trees and sends us scurrying backwards.
“The fuck?” Charles puts a finger in his ear and wiggles it.
Mine are ringing, too. “That’s not some one-click shit from Amazon. Military grade. Professional.”
Diego whistles the all-clear from the rooftop, and I throw another knife at the twisted metal, making sure it doesn’t have any more surprises.
“Who would send this shit out here?” Charles growls, his anger rising right along with mine.
I sigh and approach the wreck. “I have a feeling this is about Daphne’s blog.”
“How the fuck did a blog do this?” Barrow frowns.
“Power of the internet.” I crouch by the device and gently lift what’s left of it. “Let’s get to work on this. I’m going to track it right back to whoever sent it, and then I’m going to handle this shit once and for all. No one threatens us or our women.”
“I’m in.” Barrow picks a few of the scattered components.
“Same,” Charles calls as he takes off to do one more sweep.
Diego opens the garage door for us and eyes the destroyed drone.
Daphne was right to feel threatened. But the men in her article—the ones who sent this shit to our doorstep? The ones who tried to hurt and silence my Daphne? After I find out where they are, they won’t feel threatened at all. . . At least, I assume the dead don’t have feelings.
9
Daphne
I rock back and forth as I sit in the closet, wondering if I’ve made a terrible mistake by sending that email. I keep my eyes closed tight. As silly as it sounds, if I don’t actually see that it’s dark, then I’ll be okay. My mind keeps flashing back to the look on Tiernan’s face when he asked me to stay put. I could tell that it wasn’t the time to hassle him or be a brat. I needed to stay out of the way so Tiernan could do what he does best.
When I posted everything online, I thought the only person that would be in danger was me. My parents may not be physically harmed, but emotionally they’re hurting. I could hear it in my father's voice. He didn't want anything to happen to me.
Now my concern is for everyone here. I’m putting them in danger, too. I should’ve stuck with my plan and run. Instead, I took a risk and stayed. I’m the one that’s brought this problem to their doorstep. Putting these innocent people at risk. They didn't ask for this. Now they don’t really have much of a choice but to deal with it. To top it off, I’ve been a brat to Tiernan.
The man drives me insane! He’s either ignoring me or mad at me. There doesn't seem to be an in between. I allow my mind to drift to thoughts of what it would be like if Tiernan treated me as sweetly as all the other men treat their ladies here. How would it feel for him to pull me into his lap in front of everyone and give me kisses that leave me breathless? I lick my lips, even though I’m never going to know the answer to that. Tiernan doesn’t seem the type to hand out public displays of affection. Especially not when he’s locked up tight with secrets.
I have to leave. It's the only thing that will work to keep everyone here safe. My problems will follow me. I’m sure Tiernan will enjoy having his sanity back, too. He made it clear in the beginning he didn't like me. I’m not so sure that’s really changed. Sure, we’ve fooled around a bit, but that’s only because I’m the last girl left standing in front of a man who lives in the middle of freaking nowhere, of course he wants to get in my pants.
I want him in them, too. Even if it’s only for one night. Who knows what’s going to happen when I leave here? What I do know is that I don’t want to die a virgin. And since I’m currently sitting in the dark in a closet, it sort of feels as though the chances of that happening are pretty high.
My head jerks up, breaking me from my thoughts when I hear someone enter the room. I hold my breath and try not to make a sound. The door flies open, spilling light into the closet. I let out a huge breath of relief when I realize it’s Tiernan. I jump to my feet and throw myself at him. He catches me easily.
I pepper kisses all over his face. “You’re okay.” I kiss him before he can answer me.
He groans into my mouth as he spins me around. My back hits a soft mattress a few seconds later.
“Why are you crying? Everything is fine, little one.”
“The dark,” I say.
“Fuck me.” He lets out a few more curse words. “I’m sorry. Why didn't you turn the light on?”
“I didn’t know if I could.” I lick my lips, wanting to get back to kissing him.
“Of course this would be the one time you actually did as I told you. Usually you can’t wait to disobey me.” He drops his forehead to mine.
“Is everyone else okay?” I run my hands up and
down his back, trying to reassure myself that he’s fine.
“Yeah. We have it handled.”
I let out a breath, feeling lighter knowing that everyone is safe. For now at least. It buys me a little time to figure out how I’m going to leave and where I’ll go next.
“It was my dad that I said I love you to. You know, on the phone.” I can feel some of the tension leave his body.
He smiles down at me. “Someone is trying to be a very good girl.”
It only takes those few little words from Tiernan, and I feel warmth hit my cheeks. My body flips a switch. I have no idea how he does this to me. I also had no idea that I was into this kink. Maybe that’s the reason why, when I did try to date, it never went anywhere.
“Do I get a reward?” I tease. Okay, maybe it’s not a tease. I would love to feel his mouth on me again. His lips twitch with a smirk. It goes straight to my sex, making the ache he always causes spring back to life. I’m turned on, not only because his big body is over mine keeping me pinned to the bed, but by the fact that I did something to please him that got me an amused smile. I’ll take it. I don’t know why it feels so good, but it does.
Seconds later, he pushes off the bed, taking all of his warmth with him. A pit forms in my belly as I realize he’s changed his mind.
“Clothes off or I’ll rip them off.”
My thighs go up in flames as I process what he just said. I stare at him as he pulls his shirt up and over his head before tossing it to the floor. I take in all the scars and tattoos he’s kept hidden from me. The scars make him look more intimidating, but they are also hot. Yeah, I definitely have some weird kinks. My eyes linger on the tattoos. Like him, they seem familiar, but I can’t place the reason why.
“I won’t repeat myself,” he growls.
I jump into action and pull at my clothes. The hungry look in his eyes makes me push back any shyness as I remove my bra first and then my panties. I remind myself this will be the one time I can have him. Soon, I’ll have to leave all of this behind so that I can keep everyone here safe, but for now I can enjoy our time together.
I lean back on my elbows, wanting him to see all of me.
“Spread your legs. I want you to show me what belongs to me.”
I do as he orders, spreading my legs. I’m so turned on that even my thighs are wet.
He sucks in a deep breath. “I’m tired of fighting this.” He falls to his knees beside the bed. Before I can ask him why he’s fighting, his mouth is on me.
His fingers dig into my thighs as he feasts. You would think the man was starving to death, and I’m the only one that can save him. He pushes a finger inside me and starts to work it in and out before he adds another.
I let out a small moan.
“You’re going to come for me, aren't you?” I hear him ask.
I try to answer him, but only his name slips out from my lips.
He lifts his head, and his eyes meet mine. “Call me Daddy when my mouth is on you.”
I instantly moan out his name, needing his mouth back on me. I’m so close.
“Good girl,” he says before sucking my clit back into his mouth. His words of praise give me the final push, making my orgasm rock through my entire body.
My mind blanks as I give up control and allow the pleasure and Tiernan to take over. I’ve never felt so free in all my life. I never knew that I even could until Tiernan.
10
Tiernan
When she’s limp, wrung out from pure pleasure, I crawl up her body and kiss the entire way. Her smooth skin is so soft, tantalizing, and I want to mark every inch of it with my tongue.
“You saved this sweet little pussy for me. I can tell.” I take her mouth and fist my hand in her red hair.
She arches against me, and my cock strains at my boxer briefs. I have to get inside her, and I won’t wait another second.
“It’s pure, just like you. And I’m about to dirty it all up, make you filthy and full of cum.” I bite her throat as she moans.
“Daddy,” she whimpers.
I grin as I ease down to her breast and suck her nipple into my mouth.
She grips my hair, her fingers twisting the strands as I suck and bite her hard nipples. Her tits are perfect, no more than a handful, and dusted with freckles just like her nose. I taste each one, running my tongue along her and profaning her silky skin with my rough hands.
When I rise up and strip out of my pants and boxer briefs, her eyes go right to my cock. It’s so electric it feels like a touch, and my cock jumps at the ‘contact.’ She licks her lips.
“You want it, Red?” I stroke myself slowly as I stare down at my prize, at her wet cunt and her taut nipples, at the way she looks at me as if I’m more god than man. Fuck, a woman like this is a dream for a man like me.
Her eyes stray from my cock to my chest. She’s looking at the rabbit’s foot tattoo, and then her gaze darts to my family emblem over my heart.
I almost stop. Almost use my brain to put the brakes on this whole thing. But I don’t, because then she looks at my cock again, sits up, and wraps her small hand around it.
“Fuck.” I let go, letting her stroke me as she scoots closer, her tongue darting out to wet her lips again. “You want to taste it, Red? You want to know what my cum tastes like on your innocent tongue?”
She leans forward and licks the pre-cum from my head, and I think I might exit my fucking body. Then she wraps her lips around my cock and uses her tongue to stroke it.
I grunt and thrust, unable to keep my hips still as I push into her hot, soft mouth. She takes me, even though her eyes water, and she isn’t sure what to do with her teeth. I don’t care. Her mouth is heaven, and I don’t know how long I can last when she looks up at me like this, like she wants to swallow my load and ask for seconds.
“Good fucking girl,” I praise and grab her hair, guiding her mouth along my cock. It feels so good, too damn good, and I’m not letting her out of this room until her cherry is all over my shaft.
With a grunt, I pull my cock from her mouth and lean down to grab her and position her in the center of the bed.
Her eyes are wild as she looks up at me.
“Scared, Red?”
In answer, she opens her legs, welcoming me closer, inviting me inside. Goddamn, but she’s an angel.
“Good girl.” I take her mouth, kissing her hard as I rub my cock head along her wet cunt. She wraps her arms around my neck, her kiss as urgent as mine as she rocks her hips against me.
“Please,” she pants against my lips. “I need you.”
“You need this?” I position my cock head at her entrance and push in just a little.
She moans and digs her nails into my shoulders. “Yes, please, Daddy.”
I’m a filthy fucker for loving that she calls me Daddy. But I don’t care. It turns both of us on, and I’m going to make sure she never calls anyone else by that name.
“You’re going to be a good girl for Daddy?” I bite her throat and push my head just a little deeper, the pressure so fucking good that I don’t know how I’m going to fuck her without coming.
“Yes.” She arches, trying to get more of me inside her.
“Good girl.” I push deeper, then deeper still until I’m fully embedded in her. I can hardly breathe, hardly even move now. I want her so much. I want to fuck her so hard she can’t walk straight, but I also want her first time to be something special. Something soft and sweet with an edge. Just like her.
So I pull back slowly and fill her again. She moans.
“Does it hurt, Red?” I bite her bottom lip.
“No.” She wriggles underneath me. “I just need more.”
I can’t say no to that. So I plunge in again, my muscles already shaking with the need to release. But I don’t. I go slow and smooth until she digs her nails in, her body begging for more and more. I give it to her, sweat breaking out on our bodies as the sounds of our skin slapping together ricochets around the room.
I kiss her and suck her throat, palm her tits, and whisper dirty words of praise in her ear. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
“It’s so good,” she cries, her legs shaking.
So I push all the way in and grind deep, making sure her clit gets every bit of friction I can give.
Her moan is guttural, the sound of sex.
“Come for Daddy, Red. Come all over my cock.” I grind harder, and I know the moment she lets go.
Her body tightens and then her cunt squeezes me in a rhythmic embrace. I swallow her cry of pleasure and keep grinding until I can’t stop myself from coming. Throwing myself into my release, I get lost in her, pumping her full of my seed as my body takes what it wants, and she moans my name again and again.
She’s mine now, and come hell or high water, I’m not letting her go.
11
Daphne
I stretch out all my muscles as I slowly wake up, enjoying the sweet ache that reminds me of how many times Tiernan took me throughout the night. My body feels well loved. My eyes flick open. Loved. Is that what this is?
Our night together ranged from sweet to rough and everything in between. There was not a place on my body that Tiernan’s mouth hadn’t visited. He couldn't keep his mouth or hands off me. For the first time in my life, I felt truly wanted. I roll over and discover the other side of the bed is empty. Disappointment fills me.
I sit up and look around the room. The bathroom door is open with the light spilling through. I take a deep breath of relief when I realize he’s still here. I get up and walk over to the bathroom, but I’m let down again when I look inside. He’s not there.
I do, however, catch my reflection in the mirror. I tilt my neck to the side and trace my fingers over the small love bites from there to my breast. I touch the light bruise on my hip, knowing it is from his hand gripping as he thrust inside of me. I start to get turned on looking at what he’s done to me.
Where is he now? I swallow back the knot of emotion I feel about him leaving. He might have gotten called out or something. I grab my toothbrush and get myself somewhat together. I should take a shower, but I can still smell Tiernan on me, and I don’t want to wash it away yet. Time is running out until I have to leave, so I want to savor this as long as I can.