by KB Winters
“I know.” She was right. It was a dick move, but it was for her own damn safety. Fred had delivered her to my house. I guessed that was a polite way of saying it.
“Congratulations,” she said bitterly. “Now tell me why this was all necessary.” Arms crossed with a face full of anger, Ivy waited for an answer.
I gave myself a minute just to soak her in. She wore a simple outfit, curve-hugging black denim jeans and a black tank top that cupped her tits the way my hands itched to do. A far cry from the dumpy outfit she wore the first time I saw her. The hot pink sneakers only upped her cute factor, a thought I kept to myself because of the murderous look on her face. “I’m trying to keep you safe.”
“Did I ask for your fucking help, Shae? No, I didn’t. That’s because contrary to what you seem to believe, I am a fully functioning adult capable of taking care of my own damn self. Besides it seems you’re the reason I need help in the first place.”
Dammit, she was cute when she was pissed off. “Yeah, that’s fair, but that’s exactly why I’m keeping you safe. It’s my fault this happened to your brother, which means it’s my responsibility to keep you both safe until this problem is … resolved.” We were already working on solving this particular problem but she didn’t need to know that. “I promise.”
“I don’t need your promises, Shae. Besides, what does a promise from a stranger mean to me?”
Everything about Ivy, from the stubborn set of her shoulders to the ‘don’t fuck with me’ look on her face said she meant every word.
“I’m not exactly a stranger, am I?” I traced a finger down the slope of her bicep, hoping that a little physical contact would soften her attitude toward me.
Ivy shrugged away from me with an evil glare. “Yeah, you are. We slept together. Casually. That doesn’t make us anything more than two people who spent a night together.”
“More than once.”
“And I had to throw a tantrum just to get your last name out of you, Shae. Don’t pretend like there’s something more between us just so you can get your way. In the real world, you can’t just bully or pay people to get what you want from them.”
“Ouch.”
“Too much truth for you?” She shook her head, strawberry blonde hair falling around her shoulders and giving her a more delicate look than the flames that shot from her eyes. “Look, I’m not here for your rich boy games. Tell me what the hell is going on and don’t say it’s a work problem!”
Rich boy. It was almost too funny not to laugh, but I knew if I laughed right now she’d slap the shit out of me and probably leave, which wouldn’t allow me to keep her safe. “Fine. You want to know the truth, I’ll tell you. Over a drink.”
“Now, Shae. No more bullshit.”
I turned on my heels and went deeper inside the house to the bar because Ivy might be tough in her own right, but this news would require booze. Strong, smooth Irish whiskey to be exact.
“On the rocks or neat?” She blinked, confused but still angry. “Your drink, neat or on the rocks?”
“I don’t want a goddamn drink, Shae. Tell me what the hell you’ve got my family mixed up in and tell me now. Now.”
My shoulders slumped at her carefully chosen phrase that was dead ass accurate. I had gotten her family mixed up in the deep end of bullshit. So okay, we’d have to do it her way. But that was only as far as the story went. “You’ve heard of my dad because of the casino business, right?”
She nodded and took a step closer as I pulled down the twenty-six-year-old Glenfiddich and poured two fingers into each glass. Whether she liked it or not.
“Well, the part that no one talks about but everyone knows is that he is also the head of the Connelly crime syndicate.”
That was as delicately as I could think to put it, but Ivy’s expression was still inscrutable. Totally fucking unreadable.
“Crime syndicate,” she muttered to herself and shook her head. “So your dad, and you, are in the fuckin’ mob?”
Well that was an easier way to phrase it. “Yeah. We’ve been running games in this town on and off the books since my grandpa Seamus came over in the fifties.”
“The mob.” She damn near choked on the word. “So you’re in the mob and your fight with these other guys is related to that?”
I nodded, getting ready to explain while she gathered her thoughts, but Ivy was in no mood to listen. “And my brother’s injuries, his coma are because of some mob war?”
My lips twitched at how easily the words rolled off her tongue, but her glare warned me that any further displays of amusement might be detrimental to my health. “It’s not a war, yet and if my family has our way it won’t get that far.” I handed her one of the two glasses.
“Macho bullshit is what this all sounds like to me.” She smacked my hand away angrily. “I don’t want anything to drink, dammit. What I want is for you to let these mob men know that my brother and I have nothing at all to do with your mob business.”
“Sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me that. I’m not your sweetheart.”
I smiled at her feisty response, loving that, despite the fear burning in those beautiful eyes, she was still able to bust my balls. “Ivy, that ain’t gonna work, sweetheart.”
At her glare, I did laugh. “Look, be pissed off at me all you want but my family and our men will keep you and Ian safe until this shit all blows over.”
“But—”
“No buts, Ivy. It’s naïve to think we can go tell the Milano family that the Anders aren’t under our protection and they’ll just leave you alone. It doesn’t work like that.”
I hated that my family had put Ivy and Ian in danger, but I would use the opportunity to get what I wanted. More time with Ivy.
“This sucks,” she said on a disappointed sigh. “That still doesn’t explain why you had that big ass guy pick me up and force me here. Physically.”
I shrugged because I wasn’t sorry about my methods. Fred was an ace at handling difficult women because he had two troublesome seventeen-year-old twin sisters. I couldn’t even go there.
“I knew you wouldn’t come if he’d asked nicely.”
“I might have.”
“Next time we’ll test that theory, won’t we?” I finished my drink and slammed it down on the bar and took a step closer. Ivy moved away and notched her chin up high.
“There won’t be a next time. Try it again and I’ll have your kidnapper arrested.”
I snorted at her naiveté. “Have at it. Provided you can find a cop who doesn’t have Connelly money in his pocket.”
“Kidnapping is a serious charge, and if you’re telling me I can’t count on Rocket PD to keep me safe, then I’ll be forced to protect myself.” She tapped her chin and gave me a daring look. “It’s a good thing I have a carry permit.”
“What the fuck? You have a gun?”
“How I choose to exercise my constitutional rights is none of your business.”
I closed the gap between us, finally, and cupped her face. “I love it when you get all feisty. It makes me want to see more of that sassy side of you.” Ivy’s breath hitched, calling out the lie to whatever denial she was about to issue.
“Don’t,” she whispered. The word was more of a plea than a command.
“Why, when we both want it so much?”
She could attempt to deny it all she wanted, but her body told the truth, from the racing pulse at the base of her throat to the way her eyes burned dark with desire. Ivy wanted this too.
“Yeah, well I’d like chocolate for breakfast everyday, but it’s unhealthy.”
I was pretty sure that was an insult but with her soft tits brushing against my chest, I didn’t give a damn. “But sometimes chocolate for breakfast is okay. Why else would God have created chocolate Rice Krispies?”
Her laugh huffed out and her warm breath fanned my face.
“Yeah well some of us don’t have the luxury of indulging in unhealthy behaviors. Besides all that
,” she stepped back and found her back pressed up against the window, “I have to make sure I’m healthy and whole. In case my brother needs me. Especially now that you’ve got us mixed up in your bullshit.”
That was a direct fucking hit. “It’ll be taken care of, sweetheart. Just let me do this. Okay?” I could see the argument forming on her lips, the doubt in her eyes. The indecision.
“Fine. Ease your conscience if it’ll help Ian. In the meantime, I’m out of here.”
It was an asshole move to press my body against hers, making it impossible for her to slide free. “Not yet.”
“I said I’m leaving, Shae.”
I closed my eyes and groaned. “Say my name again. Please.”
Ivy gasped when she felt my cock harden against her. “Shae.”
“Fuck, yes.” The way my name rolled off her tongue, breathless and sexy. Full of need. “Ivy, I want you.” My teeth scraped against her neck and she let out another one of those strangled moans.
“Shae.”
“Not helping,” I groaned in her ear, pressing my cock against her and grabbing her earlobe between my teeth. “I know you want me too, Ivy.”
“Yes,” she moaned. “Even though I shouldn’t.”
“It would be a crime to deny chemistry this powerful.” I only wanted to hear one answer. Only one word would fulfill the desire turning my blood to lava.
“Yes.”
That was the fucking word.
Chapter Nineteen
Ivy
“This doesn’t mean I’m not still pissed at you.” I couldn’t decide if I wanted to kiss him or ball up my fist and send it flying at those big gorgeous eyes of his.
“It’s okay. I like you all fiery.”
He said that because a guy like him, rich and powerful and too damn good looking, wasn’t used to rejection and that was what I’d done. I rejected him. So he was determined to make me want him, which was working because I did want him. Too bad I would never tell him that. “So you keep saying.”
“Because it’s the truth.” Shae pulled me close by the hem of my t-shirt just a second before he tore it over my head and tossed it behind him.
“Never doubt how much I want you, Ivy.”
“I don’t need to hear your pretty little lies, Shae.”
“It’s not a lie how much I want you.”
“Yeah? Show me.” I was done with words. I didn’t need to hear any other words than the ones that would make me feel good. I wanted to forget what a hot mess everything was.
“Gladly.” Shae grabbed a handful of my hair and tightened his fist around it before his mouth crashed down on mine. I wanted to resist, but the taste of his tongue on mine, so potent and intoxicating made it difficult. His tongue swept across the seam of my mouth in an erotic move that soaked my panties in a hot minute, and then he dipped back inside and blew my mind.
He ripped the moan from me and then laughed, so I sucked his tongue until he moaned, smiling against his mouth when he pulled me close enough to feel the outline of his cock pressed right where I wanted him. We kissed like it was the first time, like neither of us had ever kissed before, or if we had, it hadn’t been as impressive or as life-changing as this kiss. Because it was.
Dammit.
“Ivy,” he groaned and let both hands leave my hair, roaming slowly down my back to cup my ass before he pulled me into his arms as if I weighed nothing. My legs wrapped around him automatically, and that devastating grin flashed when not even a breath of air could pass between our bodies. “You’re too fuckin’ tempting, Ivy.”
I smiled, not at his words but at the grittiness of his voice as they came out, the tightness in his jaw as he worked hard to be half a gentleman and not fuck me up against the wall. It was sweet but that was the last thing I was after, so I licked my lips as a slow smile played across my mouth.
“Think you can make me come up against this wall, Shae?”
He growled and stepped back, a menacing darkness crossed his face that I couldn’t look away from. “Naked. Now.”
For about a half a second I thought about disagreeing but my body throbbed with need for him, for how I knew he would make me feel. For how I knew it would make me feel when I was the reason he lost control. I stripped the rest of my clothes off like I was a teenager in the backseat of a Ford, not that I had ever been that girl, but it was what I imagined it felt like. When Shae looked up at me, I gave him a saucy smile. “I thought maybe you could take these off for me.”
His gaze raked over me, slow and hot, sending goosebumps shivering up and down my spine.
“Happily,” he growled and kicked his pants and shoes away, stepping close to me and gripping one side of my panties before he tore them away. “You won’t be needing those.”
“Not for the next fifteen minutes, anyway.”
He let out another growl and dropped down on one knee. “You’re gonna pay for that.” Before I could tell him how much I was looking forward to paying for that particular sin, he was spreading me open and licking me long and slow. His gaze trapped mine as he lapped at me, holding my legs around his shoulders so his hands and the wall were the only things holding me up.
“Yes.” It was a soft plea but it made Shae smile and that smile twisted me up as he brought me closer and closer to ecstasy. Even when he teased me, taking me to the edge before pulling back and starting all over again.
I could only moan, “Shae, yes!”
He laughed and the sound vibrated through me, making my legs quiver. And then the fucker stopped, laughing louder at my murderous look. “Told you I’d make you pay.”
“That’s okay, I’m used to taking care of myself.” I moaned when my fingers slid over my swollen clit and Shae groaned.
“Not while I’m here.” Again like I weighed nothing, he lifted me up and lowered me down the delicious length of his cock. “Always so fucking tight.”
“Shut up and fuck me, Shae.”
“Yeah?” He gripped my thighs and I screamed in surprise. A breath whooshed out of me when my back slammed against the wall. “You’re being bossy.”
“You have a problem with bossy?” He struck me as a guy who could go either way with a bossy woman, but I didn’t want to hear him calling me sweetheart and all that sweet lovey-dovey shit. I couldn’t bear to hear it.
“Not even a little bit, sweetheart.” Shae’s chest pressed into mine and he adjusted his grip, flipping my thighs over his forearms in a move that sent him deep. So deep all I could do was lean back and close my eyes, let my body adjust to the feel of him so deep and thick. I felt full. Completely full. “Oh yeah, your pussy is even tighter from this angle.”
“Happy to oblige,” I panted.
“Well let me show you my gratitude.” Being the recipient of his gratitude was exactly what I wanted. Shae fucked like a machine, with expert precision and the dedication of a professional athlete. His big cock rammed into me slow and fast, deep penetrating strokes and quick shallow bursts that sent sparks shooting off behind my eyes. Fucking him felt like a religious experience, and I cried out his name like a prayer.
“Shae.” Over and over his name fell from my lips, so much so that it probably would have been embarrassing if I didn’t feel so damn good. “Shae.”
“A little bit louder, yeah?”
“Cocky bastard,” I panted at him.
“You like my,” he withdrew slowly and slammed back in, “cock. Don’t you?”
I loved his cock but my throat wasn’t cooperating. Thank God for small favors.
“Don’t you?” He withdrew again, slowly. And stopped.
“What the hell, Shae?”
He laughed. Laughed while my body was burning up with need. The need to come, hard and long. He kept on laughing but I loosened my muscles just enough to add more weight to make his arms bend a little more. “Yes.”
“You’re naughty.” He was impressed, and I tightened around him, pulsing until a roar erupted form his throat. “Ivy, fuck!”
; “Exactly.” I smiled and Shae took a step back so only the top of my back was up against the wall while he fucked me, hard and fast, moving faster every second. I was in a trance, completely at the mercy of the pleasure coursing through my veins, sending heat through my whole body.
“Shae, yes. Oh fuck me, yes!”
“A little louder.” It was pointless to argue when he gripped me tighter and pounded even harder into me until I did exactly as he commanded.
“Shae!”
“Much better.” His grin came out tortured as he fought against his own pleasure, stepping closer so he could change the angle and he licked his thumb before sliding it between my thighs, rubbing in slow circles that grew faster every second. “If you could feel how wet your pussy is right now, Ivy, God!”
Shae pulled out of me and slid two fingers deep, pulling them out and putting his cock back where it belonged. “Look at that.”
Like I could look away.
“Be a shame to let it go to waste,” he said playfully and wiped my juices across my nipple, leaning in to suck it off while he fucked me to an intense orgasm. It was the dirtiest, hardest, most filthy orgasm of my life and it felt like it might never end.
Somewhere in the distance I felt and heard Shae’s growl of pleasure a moment before I felt the heat of his pleasure inside me. As pleasure swamped my body and threatened to carry me away, nothing else mattered. Not how inappropriate this whole situation with him was and not how badly this would probably end. For me. I couldn’t even remember those things as Shae pumped into me long after his orgasm faded because he didn’t want it to end as much as I didn’t.
It was perfect.
Too fucking perfect, and we were both damned.
Shae’s tongue curled around my nipple and sent shivers skating along my skin. “I can’t get enough of you, Ivy.”
If only that were true. If only I didn’t want it to be true.
After spending hours having sex, a smart woman might sleep the rest of the day. Sleeping with Shae was the best few hours of my adult life, even if it was another in a long line of mistakes I’ve made. But the man had inadvertently gotten my brother beat up. And I had to find out who was responsible. I also had to be with my brother, sit by his bed in case he needed me, regardless of Shae’s need to protect me from the creeps who’d hunted down Ian.