by Stone, Piper
“No. No. That means...” I couldn’t finish my sentence. Was it possible that members of the Council killed anyone who left the sect?
“I knew from that moment that the Council was bartering lives as business arrangements. They were able to keep control of their... flock, all the while making certain only chosen outsiders came into the community. There was no divine intervention. It was all about money and power.” Christian’s words were laced with anger.
“But Marcus’ family was banished.”
“Yes, his name forbidden from being spoken ever again.”
My hand shaking, I pressed it over my mouth, trying to catch my breath. “Jesus Christ. That’s insane.”
Christian laughed bitterly. “I was stupid enough to ask my father right after I’d found the Box what it all meant. The whipping I received was horrific. I was accused of meddling, told the devil was coming to take my soul, but when Marcus was killed, I believed I no longer had ties to the sect. Ostracized just like my father had threatened might occur if I broke the blood ties of our family ever again.”
“That’s why you went off on your own.”
“That’s one of the reasons. The other was I couldn’t stand the cult-like setting.”
“Then how did your name end up in the Box at my birthday?” Why would they make a switch?
Shrugging, he took another sip of his drink, staring off into the night sky. “That is what I intend on finding out. That’s also why you need full-time protection.”
I studied his expression, the guilt I could see even in the dim lighting. “You think you caused Marcus’ murder, don’t you?”
“Honestly? My guess is that the Crosby family was made to believe they were cursed. What happened after that... well, who the hell knows? I’m not taking any chances. Even my own father warned me to keep you in line.”
“An implied threat,” I whispered.
“A direct threat. My father was completely shocked that my name was in the Box, even disgusted. He’s afraid I might garner more influence. I understand greed and the lust for power, the hunger to control all those around you. I am my father’s son after all, but whatever is really going on here I believe was the very reason for why Marcus was killed and the assassination attempts at the christening years later. I’m certain that the reporter who accosted you have been delving into our history.” He shook his head, scooting closer.
“That means he also has a target on his back.”
“No doubt. My guess is that anyone who considers challenging the Sacred Sect is eliminated. When orders aren’t followed, or the secrets of the sect are revealed, there are always consequences. Those are the very words spouted off by my father both before my beating and after. I was forbidden from attending church until I redeemed myself.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I managed. The guilt the man was carrying had obviously nearly destroyed his life.
After giving me a watchful stare, he took another sip of his drink. “Eat your food before it gets cold.”
The darkness swirling in my mind was vicious. I could tell this conversation had ended for now, but I knew enough about Christian to know he had revenge on his mind. I no longer had an appetite, but when he pushed the plate toward me, I took a tentative bite.
We ate in silence for a few minutes until I could no longer stand the awkward tension.
“This is so good,” I said in between bites, grinning afterward from the expression on his face. “What?”
With his head cocked, he leaned over, swiping his finger against the corner of my mouth. Even in the shadowed light, I could see the dollop of mayo covering his finger. He issued a low growl before sliding the tip into his mouth, the sucking noises exaggerated.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him or the action, licking my lips in appreciation.
He took the last bite of his burger, every mannerism carnal in nature, ketchup sliding past his lips. I eased the plate onto the deck, moving onto my knees and crawling toward him. I was aroused, my pussy tingling, the scent of my desire wafting between us. I took the plate out of his hands, pushing it aside as I inched closer.
“What do you want, little girl?” he asked, his words breathless.
I didn’t bother speaking, merely leaning forward and dragging my tongue across the spot of ketchup, the move exaggerated. A slight moan slipped past my lips and I closed my eyes, savoring the flavor of beef juices mixed with the tangy sauce.
“One bad girl,” he muttered, rolling his hands over my shoulders, caressing my back.
“You have no idea.” I could tell he hadn’t expected my behavior, but I also knew how turned on he was, his cock pushing hard against the expensive material. I licked around his mouth, taking my time before sliding the tip across the seam.
He opened his legs, allowing me access, one hand fisting my hair and yanking me closer. “You think you have control but you’re wrong.”
“Am I?” I asked, blowing a puff of air across his face then placing my lips against his.
Growling, he brushed the tips of his fingers between my shoulder blades, creating a wave of sparks shifting all the way down my back. “Very.” As he captured my mouth, he held me close, thrusting his tongue inside.
I was trembling all over, goosebumps popping along every inch of naked skin. He was all male, desirable in every manner as he held me, his tongue exploring the dark recesses of my mouth.
As I placed one hand against his shaft, rubbing up and down provocatively, the kiss erupted with passion, his tongue smashing against mine, his mouth twisting. I was breathless, my heart racing, a series of stars floating into my field of vision. I stroked his cock, my fingers tingling from the touch of him alone. My actions ignited his fire, his actions becoming more brutal, leaving me intoxicated.
He was my drug.
He was my kryptonite.
He was my utter desire.
With no hesitation, he tugged at the hem of my dress, swiftly easing it from my body and tossing the unwanted material aside.
“What are you doing?” I asked, darting glances in either direction.
“Whatever I want when I want. Don’t you forget that.”
I’d never felt so naked in my life, the realization that any crew member could see us at any time adding an entirely new layer of dark desire as well as utter shame. As the light breeze wafted across my already pert nipples, I moaned.
“All mine,” he whispered, his ragged breathing barbaric in nature. He flicked his index finger across one then the other hardened bud, chuckling in an evil manner as he pinched and twisted.
“Oh!” The pain was intense, creating a pool of juice trickling into my panties. I could tell by the look on his face that he wanted to devour me.
“Just imagine what I’m going to do to the rest of your body. Inch. By. Inch.”
His words were stilling, leaving me shaking all over. I wanted nothing more than his mouth and tongue taking me, the rough pads of his fingers floating across my skin and his cock filling every hole.
Christian rolled me over dangerously close to the edge of the hot tub, the steam and bubbles floating across my skin. As he planted both hands on either side, the kiss continued, so brutal in nature.
I tangled my fingers in his hair, keeping him close as he sucked on my tongue. Every part of me was on fire, red-hot heat searing every nerve ending.
When he broke the kiss, he issued a series of husky growls before nipping my bottom lip. “You’ll never have control, naughty girl.”
“Mmmm...” I closed my eyes as he brushed his lips across my cheek then down to my jaw, taking his time to explore every inch. He licked down the length of my neck, growling like a wild beast every few seconds. He was taking exactly what he wanted, leaving me ready to beg for more.
Christian brushed his lips between my breasts then licked underneath both before engulfing my nipple into his mouth. The dazzling sensations rocketing through me were mind-blowing, my legs quivering to the point I could no longer feel
my toes. He dragged his lips to my other hardened bud, rolling the tip of his tongue in lazy circles.
“Does that feel good?” he asked, his voice almost inaudible, his fingers dancing down my stomach until they reached the slip of elastic on my thong.
“Uh-huh.”
“Are you wet for me?”
“God... yes...”
“Do you want my mouth feasting on your pretty pink pussy?” His husky tone sent another wave of vibrations skittering deep into my wetness.
“Yes, oh, yes.” I wiggled, arching my back as he toyed with me, sliding his fingers up and down the lacy material.
“Then you’re going to have to ask nicely.” He cupped my mound, digging his fingers into my pussy.
Moaning, I blinked several times in an effort to focus, opening my legs wide. “Please?”
“Please, what?” His question was demanding. As he pumped his cloth-covered fingers inside, I thrashed my head back and forth.
“Please lick me. Eat me.”
He smacked my pussy with several fingers, the jolt jerking me up from the deck. “That’s not good enough, my little princess.”
“Please, sir?” I was shocked at my use of the word, the connotations giving me chills.
“That’s more like it.” He buried his head between my legs, sucking on the lace as he gathered my juices.
I was stunned how incredible the feeling was, the electricity soaring until I couldn’t help but cry out. I slapped my hand over my mouth, struggling to keep from screaming.
He continued his actions, growling like some wild animal, the noises somehow echoing. When he slipped his finger around the thin elastic, I held my breath, knowing exactly what he was going to do.
The hard yank of his hand brought me a smile, the wind carrying the wisp of lace away, perhaps never to be seen again.
I bit back another cry, studying him as he gathered my legs into his arms, blowing hot air up and down the length of my pussy. He rubbed his fingers along the inside of my thigh, dragging the tips back and forth, tracing circles and lines before pressing his lips against my clit.
“Oh. My. God.” The moment he sucked on my tender tissue, I clawed the deck, taking several gasping breaths.
He laughed then licked all the way down, sliding his tongue past my swollen folds then resuming licking and sucking on my clit.
“Jesus. I...” I could no longer think clearly, various thoughts of the shame of being caught filtering into my mind. I was a bad little girl, naughty in every manner.
And I loved it.
His grip on my legs became rougher, keeping me spread open as he feasted, his tongue lapping every bit of my cream. Every time he brought me close to an orgasm, he backed off, growling under his breath and shifting his attention to my legs, pressing kisses against my skin.
He issued another series of hard smacks, driving me closer to nirvana. I was unable to keep from screaming out into the night air, allowing one hand to dangle into the water. The heat from the bubbles and wetness from his mouth was almost too much to take.
“Oh, God. Oh. Oh. Oh.” I jerked up once again as he slipped several fingers inside, pumping in and out in a calculated manner, the rhythm so practiced. I knew he was watching my every move, his savage chuckle continuing.
“Do you want my cock inside?”
“Yes. Yes, sir.”
He slipped his thumb between the cheeks of my ass, pushing the tip just inside. “Or would you prefer I thrust it into your tight little asshole?”
“Um, both...” I laughed at my answer, clenching my eyes shut as he shoved his thumb all the way inside, flexing his other fingers as he continued thrusting. I was a wanton woman, longing for everything he would give me.
“Good girl.” He plunged harder and faster as he swirled his tongue around my clit.
I had no sense of timing, no care for anything but his marvelous mouth and fingers driving me straight into ecstasy. I heard my own breathing turning shallow as light flickered in my mind’s eye. Every move he made was driving me closer, my body to erupt as the climax curled my toes.
“Are you ready to come, little girl?”
“Yes, sir. Please. Please!”
“Not yet.” He dragged his tongue up and down, sliding it inside and against his fingers. The combination was too much.
Oh, no. I wasn’t going to be able to obey him. There was no way. I held my breath, tossing my head back and forth until I nearly lost my mind. “Please!”
After biting my inner thigh, he issued his dark command. “Come. Now.”
There was no hesitation, no way I could hold back. I gritted my teeth, my entire body trembling as the orgasm rushed from my toes, sliding up my legs then exploding into my pussy. “Oh. Oh. Oh!” This time, my scream was high pitched and there was no doubt it could be heard from every angle on the boat.
Christian refused to stop licking, his savage noises escalating, his actions even more barbaric. The single orgasm turned into a giant wave, tossing me into another moment of raw nirvana.
Only when the pulsing sensations slowed did he brush his lips against my leg, lifting his head. “You taste incredible.”
I could see such lust in his eyes, unbridled in every manner. I struggled to breathe, to be able to move my arms or legs. Whatever had just occurred was different, as if the walls were breaking down between us. I didn’t want this to end. Maybe I was a fool for wanting him the way I did, but I allowed my guard to fall, shifting into embracing my feelings.
The moment he eased back, still crouching like a vulture ready to consume every inch of me, I rolled into the hot tub, reaching out from the water and fisting his shirt.
Then I pulled.
I’d made a deal with the devil, only I knew that perhaps it was exactly what I’d wanted all along.
The girl with fantasies.
The girl with intense longing.
Perhaps she’d secured the love of her life.
Perhaps...
Chapter Ten
Christian
Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord...
There was no reason for the ugly proverb to enter my mind, except I knew my instincts were sucking me dry. Or maybe for the first time in my life, I’d allowed more than a hint of trepidation to creep in. I had a sense that the world as I knew it was on borrowed time, and maybe I truly had a reason to live.
Or maybe I was allowing my weakness to crawl into my system, eating away at my rational mind. Just like my father had warned. Well, fuck him. He’d lived his entire life pretending to be something or someone else.
And all because of the promises of the great Box.
Now I had a chance to alter the course of history. The thought was enough to make me drunk with power. I had to calculate my plan well, making certain I had various aspects under control. Someone had switched names for a reason. While Father McGivney was the obvious choice, I knew every Council member had access. What was their ultimate goal?
The pieces weren’t easy to put together. If any member of the Council or the beloved father believed they could control me, they were dead wrong. I’d bury every one of them.
Including my father.
My lovely bride was certainly a fighter, a woman to be reckoned with. No wonder there had been warnings given to me. Train her. Discipline her.
Fuck her.
Break her.
Yeah, I knew the basics. While every dark craving I’d experienced for her had breached the surface, the beast crawling from his lair, I refused to follow their agenda. However, I would play their game to a certain degree until I knew what I was dealing with. There would be no running, no hiding from the sect or from the various men and women our little cult had pissed off. One false move and the house of cards would come crashing down.
Maybe that’s exactly why I’d seen the fear of God in Father McGivney’s eyes.
As well as my father’s.
And in truth, Stephanie’s father’s as well.
Hmmm...
“I see you’re not that tough, Christian,” Stephanie said, laughing.
Very few people every surprised me and when they did, it was usually a moment of disgust that would remain permanent. What had occurred between us was something entirely different. Stephanie had broken down a layer of my defenses, allowing me to feel freedom from my chains for the first time in years. The shock of being dragged into the water fully clothed would normally rile my anger.
I shook my head, taking several deep breaths as she laughed, moving as far away from me as the confines of the hot tub would allow. Watching her expressions morph from delight to a question of how I’d respond was more enticing that I could have imagined. For all her defiance, her need to usurp my control whenever she could, she was still a young girl at heart, even searching for acceptance.
Or maybe salvation.
I tilted my head, giving her a look of disapproval but unable to hold back my own laughter. “You did this.” I threw out my arms, turning in a full circle, the weight of my clothing amusing as hell.
“Uh-huh. What are you going to do about it?” She eased against the side, allowing her long arms to float over the edge, the challenge tossed out.
“Let me think,” I said as I rolled the shirt over my head, twirling it twice before pitching several feet. “That alone means you deserve discipline. You’re one very disobedient girl.”
“I think you like that about me.” She puckered her lips, blowing me a kiss.
She had no idea just how hard my cock was, the way my balls felt like they were going to explode. She also had no idea how hard I was going to fuck her, thrusting my cock so deep that she’d scream out my name over and over again.
“I think you need to be broken.” I kept the tone of domination in my voice as I struggled to unfasten my belt, finally managing to jerk off the wet pants. Every second that I wasn’t touching her was far too long, my needs intensifying to the point I was in near anguish.