by Beck, J. L.
“Come here. I want you to ride me,” Zane orders gruffly.
Slowly, I get my jellied body to move. As I sit up, I reach for the thick cock between his legs and lean forward, sucking the mushroom-shaped crown between my lips.
Instantly, Zane’s fingers sink into my hair, tugging at the strands harshly. Each tug sends a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.
“Fucking, fuck…”
I look up at him, his cock in my mouth, and I see how vulnerable, how bare, he looks. This is Zane, the dark, psychotic criminal that would slaughter, destroy, and rip the world apart for me, and he is all mine. I’ll never give him up. Never.
Releasing his cock, I toss a leg over his hip and straddle him. My hands move to his shoulders to steady myself while his hands move to my hips, holding me in place. My slickness slides over his hard abs, and I lift myself, guiding the head of his cock to my entrance.
Our gazes collide and stay that way as I sink down on his length, impaling myself. I can feel him deep, so deep. Feel us becoming one single eternity.
The air sizzles as our bodies come together, and our breaths mingle as we both pause, relishing in the tremors of pleasure that wrack our bodies.
“I love you,” I say, sighing as I start to move up and down at a torturous pace.
“I love you more,” Zane groans, and his head tips back against the headboard. He watches me through hooded eyes, his fingers digging into my hips, not guiding, but anchoring me. I love the way he’s looking at me right now, like I’m his heaven, the moon, and the stars in the sky. Like I’m his everything.
“Fuck, I’ve never seen anything so beautiful…”
“Me either,” I say, letting out a gasp as his hips flex up and the head of his cock brushes against my g-spot. I’m full, so full. I can’t tell where he starts and where I end. Grinding against him, I move back and forth like a wave against the beach.
Releasing my hips, his hands roam my body, mapping out each inch of flesh, touching parts of my soul. We’re frenzied, gasoline and fire, lightning and thunder, and we’ll burn the world around us to the ground.
“I’m close,” I whimper, tipping my head back, placing my hands against his firm chest as I ride him. He lets me take from him until I shatter like glass into a million pieces, and then he rolls us, taking from me, fucking me like an animal in heat.
Each stroke is raw and steals my breath a little more than the last. By the time Zane comes, we’re both sticky with sweat, our breaths ragged, and our hearts thundering in our chests. Zane rolls off of me and pulls me into his side, our combined scents fill my nostrils while the warmth of his body seeps into mine.
I never want to leave this bed.
“There is no me without you. There is only us,” Zane whispers into my hair.
“Us. Forever. For always,” I croak and let my heavy eyes fall closed, knowing that tomorrow we have nothing to fear. There is no one to hide from, no one to watch for. There is only the future, and it looks a whole lot brighter now.
Epilogue
Family becomes everything when you’ve never had it before. A year ago, I was all alone, living on my own, with only one person who I thought cared about me. Lonely didn’t even begin to cover what I felt. One year later, and I’ve got a whole new family. Xander and Damon have taken me in as if years didn’t separate us. They have families of their own, and I cannot wait to share mine and Zane’s happy news with them.
Zane and I got married in a tiny little ceremony three months ago. Xander walked me down the aisle and gave me away while my nieces threw rose petals along the way.
Being married isn’t much different to dating. Zane is still as possessive as ever, not letting me out of his sight unless he absolutely has to.
Tonight we’re doing our weekly Sunday dinner. Xander and Ella, Damon and Keira, and Ivan and Violet are here tonight.
Since getting to know my brothers, I’ve heard their stories of how they came to know their wives. I’ve also met their children and been told countless stories about how ruthless a father we shared.
They also shared some memories of our mother, the few nice ones they had anyway. I’ve come to terms with the fact that my mother was doing what she thought was best, that she did love me, but that she couldn’t handle a life on the run. It seems her life was ruined long before I came along, and even though she tried to run from it, in the end, she just couldn’t get away from her own demons.
Quinton rushes through the dining room, his baby sister hot on his heels, their squeals of joy cut through my thoughts. Xander reaches down and takes his daughter, Gia, into his arms.
She whines and pushes against him, trying to get away and to her brother, but he squeezes her a little tighter and peppers her adorable face with kisses before releasing her again. I can’t believe that’s going to be Zane and me soon.
“How is married life? I feel like I haven’t seen you guys in ages,” Violets asks, giving me a wink as she bounces her daughter on her knee.
“Yeah, I know. Zane has basically tied me to the bed,” I joke, well half-joke, since what I’ve said is partially true. Every night before bed, we make love. Sometimes it’s sweet, and other times, it’s raw and consuming. There is nothing in this world like the love he gives and shows me.
“I mean, it’s not like you’re lying.” Zane smirks and tugs me closer to him.
“Men.” Violet shakes her head. “I swear, they can never get enough. I told Ivan I need at least two years without getting pregnant again.”
I look over at Ivan, who is smiling like a fool. His love for Violet and his kids is profound. It’s crazy to think that she was once his prisoner. Then again, looking back on mine and Zane’s love story, we kind of came from the same thing.
“Doubt Ivan is going to let that happen,” Damon says, chuckling.
“Yeah, me too.” Violet rolls her eyes.
“When are you and Zane going to have a baby?” Keira, Damon’s wife asks, taking a sip of her wine. Her question makes my cheeks flame, and suddenly, I feel everyone’s eyes on me.
“Well, we actually had news to share with you all.”
“Oh, my gosh, yes!” Ella basically jumps out of her chair. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
I nod, unable to contain the smile that appears on my lips. “It’s still early, but there is definitely a little peanut in there.”
“Yes, mine,” Zane growls into my ear, his teeth nipping my lobe in a possessive way. I swear, since discovering we’re having a baby, he’s become even more possessive and controlling.
He’s currently working for Xander as a hitman. After we killed Matteo, we took over most of his territory. Xander asked me if I wanted to be in charge of it, but truthfully, I didn’t have any idea what I was doing, so I told him he could run it.
“I’m happy for you, Sister,” Xander exclaims, his eyes twinkling with joy. “We’re building an empire of little Rossi’s.”
“We sure are.” Ella giggles, looking up at her husband.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Violet narrows her gaze at her sister as if she can read her thoughts. Ella bites her bottom lip and looks like she’s going to explode with happiness.
“Well, we would never want to ruin this moment for Dove and Zane because we’re so very happy for you, but Xander and I are expecting again as well.”
“I’m so happy for you two!” I say, taking a sip of my orange juice. I’m beyond happy. I feel safe, secure, and protected, but above all, I feel loved. I feel as if I’ve finally found my home.
Xander snickers. “There is nothing quite as delicious looking as my wife’s belly, swollen with our child.” Ella’s face turns red as a tomato, and she shakes her head, dismissing his teasing.
Xander’s phone starts ringing, and he curses when he looks at the name on the screen before hitting the green answer key.
“What can I do for you, Luke?” he barks into the phone.
All the men around the table sit up a little straighter
, waiting for an order most likely. Luke says something, and Xander starts shaking his head.
“Okay, make sure you have someone on her at all times. We don’t need any issues with the police, and I don’t want to have to kill someone so young. Report back to me in a week and let me know how things go. If she talks before then, bring her in.”
Luke says something else, and then Xander hangs up the phone. I’m tempted to ask what is going on but keep my lips pressed firmly together. It sounds like someone saw something they shouldn’t have.
“That didn’t sound good,” Damon says.
“It wasn’t good, but if anyone can keep people in line, it’s Luke. Everything will be fine. I’m sure of it,” he assures Damon, and dinner carries on. After we eat and say our goodbyes, Zane and I head back to our little cottage that’s just outside the Rossi estate.
We walk into the house, and Zane reaches for me, tugging me into his arms. I crash into his chest, giggling. Max greets us at the door, curling his body around and between our legs.
While I was Christian’s prisoner, Zane picked him up and brought him to the shelter I used to work at. They kept him for me, while we were dealing with all of this. I picked him up as soon as I could. Max purrs, but I’m too consumed by my husband to give the cat any attention right now.
Since he started working for Xander, his muscles seem even more firm, his abs more defined, and because my sex drive is through the roof, I find myself tracing those abs every night. Also, grinding against them.
“I never thought we would be here. Married and having children. My plan was always to let you live your life, to let you be happy. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be the man you’d choose to spend your life with.”
I roll my eyes. “As if you would’ve let me pick anyone else.”
He gives me a boyish grin. “Touché. Though truthfully, I would’ve eventually had to let you go. I knew someday you’d find someone.”
“Yeah, that someone was you,” I snort.
Zane’s face turns serious, but I can feel the bulge of his cock in his jeans, pressing against my front, begging to be unleashed.
“I’m being serious here.” He cups me by the cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re mine. My wife, and soon to be the mother of our child.”
“Well, believe it. I’m yours today, tomorrow, and forever. Even back at the bunker, I knew that I wanted you. I was afraid to admit it, but I think I loved you then.”
“Could’ve fooled me, unless love is shown by hitting someone in the head with a weight.” I slap him playfully on the chest, loving that we can be so carefree now that there isn’t anything to fear.
“It’s the only way I could think of to escape.”
Grinding his groin into my center, my thoughts swirl, turning from playful to lustful in an instant. I’m ready to climb him like a tree.
“You didn’t escape then, and you won’t now. You’re my obsession, my heart, and my reason to breathe.” His lips find mine, and I swear the world falls away. There is only him and me, the darkness of our past, a distant memory.
Sometimes the love your life is right in front of you.
Other times, he’s hiding right outside your window, watching you sleep.
The End.
About the Authors
J.L. Beck and C. Hallman are an international bestselling author duo who write contemporary and dark romance.
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Also by the Authors
CONTEMPORAY ROMANCE
North Woods University
The Bet
The Dare
The Secret
The Vow
The Promise
The Jock
Bayshore Rivals
When Rivals Fall
When Rivals Lose
When Rivals Love
Breaking the Rules
Kissing & Telling
Babies & Promises
Roommates & Thieves
***
DARK ROMANCE
The Blackthorn Elite
Hating You
Breaking You
Hurting You
Regretting You
The Obsession Duet
Cruel Obsession
Deadly Obsession
The Rossi Crime Family
Convict Me
Protect Me
Keep Me
Guard Me
Tame Me
Remember Me
***
EROTIC STANDALONES
Their Captive
Runaway Bride
His Gift
Want more Xander?
Are you wondering who Xander, Damon, and Ivan are? They each have their own stories which are part of the Rossi Crime Family Series.
Keep reading the a preview of
Book One-Protect Me.
* * *
CHAPTER ONE
Keira
I stare at my brother's lifeless body on the floor of my apartment. I know what I need to do next, but I can’t move. My feet remain cemented to the floor, my brown eyes moving over the scene before me. There is blood…so much blood.
I bite into my bottom lip hard—hard enough to draw my own blood. I won’t scream. I can’t. Leo told me if someone ever came for him, I was to go to a man, one of his friends, and he would protect me, but I can’t remember his name.
My stomach rolls, bile rising into my throat. I place a hand over my mouth to stop the impending vomit.
My brother is dead.
My chest tightens; my hands fist at my sides. My brother is dead. Actually dead. We joked about this moment many, many times, but looking down at his lifeless body, his vacant stare, I know this isn’t a joke.
Start moving, a little voice inside my head says.
I look at the message the bastards left on my fridge. The sticky note shakes in my hands as I read the words over and over.
I’ll be back for you.
I shiver involuntarily. I need to find the man my brother wanted me to go to. I have a feeling he’s the only one who can protect me now.
With unsteady hands, I pull my phone out and go to my emergency information. I created a small doc simply for this very thing. Leo had only given me a name and address, saying it would be enough.
But how can I show up on someone's doorstep with this kind of thing? Leo said the person would understand—they’d know why I was there—but I didn’t believe that…not one bit. Too afraid to go into my bedroom or even stand inside the kitchen another minute, I walk out the door, closing it quietly behind me.
Tears fall from my eyes, staining my cheeks. I have never felt so much pain and confusion all at once. My lungs seem to deflate, refusing to fill no matter how many breaths I take.
I make it two steps down the stairs when I hear voices coming from the level below me. I spot two guys talking, both with accents—Russian maybe. I’m not concerned until the words meet my ears.
“The boss said he wants the sister for himself, so don’t fuck her up too bad.” The men are big and burly, way bigger than me, and definitely stronger. If they get their hands on me, I’m as good as gone.
Move, Kiera! My brother's voice fills my head as I try to stop the tensing of my muscles. I have to get out of here. If they catch me…I shove the thought away before it takes root.
As soft as my feet allow, I tiptoe backward, away from the staircase. I slip my shoes off and start walking up the stairs in my socks. Staying close to the outside, I make sure they can’t see me if they decide to look up through the middle of the stairs.
With my lip caught between my teeth, I hold in the scream that wants to rip from my throat. Fear consumes me, my muscles remain rigid, but I continue onward. I walk all the way to the top floor and take the emergency stairwell down.
I’ll be safe, hidden from their gazes—a secret passing through. My entire body shakes as I take
the steps two at a time, my eyes passing over my shoulder every few seconds, causing me to trip. Landing against the railing, it digs into my ribs. I need to pay better attention or I'm going to get caught.
I sigh in relief when I make it down the stairs. I am only in my first year of college. I’m supposed to be partying, hanging out with other people my age, not discovering my dead brother's body, or running away from two monsters who want to drag me back to their boss. The image of being attacked by one of them flickers in my mind.
No. I will myself to calm down. I’m right there, hanging on the very edge of losing control. I want to cry, scream, yell, but I know none of those things will happen. Pushing through the back doors of the apartment complex, I run down the street, my backpack still resting heavily against my back.
I sprint down the street and hide behind a group of trees before I decide to stop and catch my breath. My little legs do nothing to help me when it comes to running. I pull out my cell phone and enter the address into the map.
A little icon pops up on the screen, confirming it works. I sag against the tree, waiting for it to load.
Would they track my phone? Who are they to my brother? Dozens of questions rattle off inside my head. I didn’t even say goodbye to him. My gaze drops down to my phone. The map finally loaded.
Fear pumps through my veins. Hopefully, whoever I’m going to see will know more than I do. Otherwise, I’m screwed.