Lethal

by Robbins, Cassandra

  “Do you like it?” She puts her hands on her hips and I grit my teeth.

  “Yeah, I like it. I’m gonna throw on my trunks. We need to get out of this room if you want to learn to swim.”

  When she cocks her head, my mark is visible under her ear and I groan—she seems to be focused on what she’d rather do.

  “We can fuck later. I promised to teach you to swim weeks ago. Today’s the day.”

  “I’m so excited.” She claps her hands and grabs the spray and her big leather bag. I have given up trying to reason with her about her purse, bag, backbreaker. It’s the one thing she always keeps close and never leaves anywhere without. As crazy as it sounds, somedays I find myself getting jealous over that bag. The way she loves it and needs it makes me want her to feel that way about me. Kicking off my jeans, I pull up my black board shorts and take off my cut and T-shirt. Her eyes are huge as she stares at my chest and arms. I know she has a thing for my tattoos. She’s constantly touching them, asking questions about them. Reaching for her before I stick my throbbing cock into her, I spin her around and slap her ass.

  “March. Lesson one: you need to trust me.” That stops her and I wrap my arms around her small waist so as not to knock her over. When have I ever felt this light? Unburdened comes to mind even if it’s only for this afternoon.

  “Um… I’m not… I didn’t think about that.” She stutters, her frown making me want to kiss that small wrinkle between her eyebrows.

  “Let me get this straight—you don’t trust me?” Somehow this bothers me. It’s irrational and not needed, but somewhere deep inside, I never thought she wouldn’t trust me.

  She stares at me. Her pretty head’s probably spinning. “I have problems with that, but if I trust anyone, it’s you.”

  I lift her chin up so that she can see me. “Good. I want your trust.”

  Her eyes dart around the room. I watch somewhat fascinated that I’ve been inside her almost every night, took her virginity, and yet she still hesitates to trust me. I’ll have to work on that. Because much like all things with her, I need her trust.

  I let it go for the moment and take her hand, walking like a regular couple down the stairs, ignoring all the stunned, bearded, tatted-up brothers who are playing pool.

  As we walk outside, Amy has turned on the sound system and Frank Sinatra’s smooth voice sings “My Way.” Amy has a thing for Sinatra. Personally I like the Sid Vicious version, but I bow to Amy and her choices when it comes to the running of the house. I had to apologize three times and swear no matter how frustrated I get, I will never throw anything again in her kitchen. I also had Ryder buy her a gift certificate to a spa day at Burke Williams.

  “Okay, Angel, we’re going to start by learning how to float. If you can float you can…” Her big blue eyes stare down at the turquoise water.

  It’s impossible not to grin. She is adorable in her neediness as she holds my hand tighter. “Did you ever see that movie Jaws?”

  “Of course.”

  She nods and licks her lips. “It was always on cable when I was a kid.”

  I start laughing. “Are you worried Jaws is going to come out of the drain?”

  Her big eyes pop to mine. “That’s crazy, right?”

  And I can’t help but pull her into my arms and kiss her lips and nose.

  “I’ll protect you. Now let’s do this.” As I dive into the pool, knowingly splashing her, she lets out a squeal. She gracefully walks down the steps like a fucking swimsuit model then stops when she’s at the last step. I stand up and go to her, my dick completely ready to fuck not teach. I scrub my hands up and down my face and hold my hand out for her. She takes it and I slowly bring her to me. The cool water cascades around us like a caress. Her legs wrap around me as she fits her pussy on top of my cock.

  I smile. “Baby, you have to let me breathe.”

  Her breath is at my ear and its sharp and sweet. My hands travel up her ass to her hair and pull it back. “Look at me, Eve.” Her blue eyes lock on mine. “I will not let anything happen to you.” Her eyes search my face and she exhales, her whole body relaxing against mine.

  “Are you ready to learn how to float? Because if you can float you can save yourself.”

  “I am.” She smiles, showing me that dimple, and I pull her lips to mine. “I want to untie those strings and fuck you in this water.” Instead I detach her hands and place them under her. Lifting her up, I say, “Now relax and breathe, and gently become one with the water.

  “O-kay, you aren’t going to let go, right?” She lifts her head and starts to sink.

  “Eve, knock it off. I’ll never let you go,” I snap.

  Her eyes find mine and she slowly relaxes back into the water, her head up and my hands lightly on the small of her back. “Close your eyes.” She does and I grin as she starts to float.

  “That’s good, Angel. You’re doing it.” My praise makes her lips twitch. “Relax. Forget I’m here.”

  She exhales. “I can never forget you are here.” I lower my hands and watch as her body embraces the water like she was born for it. And my chest almost hurts. I am connected with her and I’m not even inside her. This is not how I should be feeling and I frown at my thoughts.

  Someone coughs, causing Eve to pop her eyes open and promptly sink. I reach for her and she wraps her arms around my neck. We both look over at Edge who stands with a pitcher of margaritas and three glasses.

  “You guys ready? Amy said enjoy them now.” He sets the glasses on the table and pours himself one from the pitcher. I sigh and reluctantly walk us over to the stairs although I should be grateful he’s here. Otherwise God only knows what I would have said or done. I motion for Edge to hand me mine. I don’t need him seeing my hard-on. Eve is busy making sure her bikini is in place—smart girl—and walks up the steps. As she emerges like a mermaid, her skin glistening as water trails down her toned limbs, I stare. Unfortunately so does Edge.

  He averts his eyes as he pours her a drink and hands it to her. “So, can you swim yet?”

  “Um… well not yet. I’m learning to float.” She reaches for a towel and flops down onto a cushioned seat under the red umbrella. “I did it though, right Jason?”

  “Yeah, you did it.” I emerge from the pool not caring if he does see my erection. Actually he needs to see it. I pull Eve’s chair closer and instead of growling “mine” at my brother, I refill my glass.

  Edge shakes his head. “I’m gonna let you two carry on with the lessons.” He laughs as he stands, grabs his drink, and heads back toward the house.

  Her eyes follow him, and as he turns the corner, she shifts her gaze to me. “Jason, you made him feel like a third wheel. He’s sensitive, you know.” She shields her eyes so she can see me.

  I almost choke on my drink. “Really?”

  “Yes. He’s in love with Dolly and feels like shit that he cheated on her. He’s tortured because he can’t give her what she wants.” She says all this with her feet tucked under her as she sips her margarita and glares at me like it’s my fault Edge couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.

  “I’m sorry—how do you know this?” I pull the legs of her chair closer to face me.

  “You’re kidding, right?” She looks at me like I’m clueless. It almost makes me laugh, but she’s being serious so I watch as she takes her finger and stirs the icy drink then puts it in her mouth to suck. My cock jerks. “We talk. I mean, besides Dewey and Amy, he’s my only friend around here.”

  “He’s not your friend, babe.” Gritting my teeth, I try to keep my temper down. “What he and Dolly had was a teenage fling. Then they were basically fuck buddies on and off for years.”

  She shrugs and looks around the pool area then back at me. “If you say so.”

  “Eve,” I say, unsure why I’m so aggravated all of a sudden. Her eyes narrow on mine, but she’s listening.

  “Men like us can’t get serious with one woman. We aren’t programmed to be monogamous.”

  S
he looks down at her drink then back up at me. “Maybe you can’t be with just one woman, but I watch the way he is with her. He loves her, and I guarantee if he could have a do-over on that night, he would never have allowed your dirty skank of a girlfriend to wrap her disgusting lips around his cock.”

  “What the fuck? Who the hell are you to judge?” I stand up and pull her out of her chair. “You have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about. I never want to hear the word cock come out of this mouth.” I grab her chin and rub her full lips with my thumb. “Unless it’s to say thank you to me for letting you have mine.”

  I tighten my grip. She jerks her head away, turns, and bolts toward the house. I’m so stunned, I almost can’t believe this woman is running from me. She’s quick as I lunge at her. The patio chairs tumble to the side and I toss one in the pool trying to grab her.

  “Motherfucker… I swear to God, Eve.” It falls on deaf ears—she’s already opening the sliding glass doors.

  I should stop and think instead of chasing after her. She’s got some balls thinking she can run away from me. My cock hardens, almost to the point of being painful, as thoughts of throwing her on the bed and showing her who’s boss run through my head. I own this wild gypsy. She needs to learn this.

  Barreling through the glass patio door, I notice Edge and a couple of other Disciples who were playing pool are now looking at me. Led Zeppelin is screaming and the room stinks of weed already.

  “Don’t disturb me,” I snarl, not caring what they think.

  I take the stairs two at a time, gritting my teeth as I see a flash of blond hair and hear the slam of our door. Ryder is smoking and leaning against his door, his brown eyes full of interest as he arches a dark brow.

  “You okay there, Prez? You let me know if you need some help.” His chuckle is almost my undoing as he slams his door. I stop outside our door and breathe for a second. She has to have locked the door so I already have the key out. To my surprise, it opens right up and as always, I go on alert. She isn’t stupid and can’t possibly think she’s going to win, right? She has to know I can’t and will never allow this kind of behavior. Slowly I enter and let my eyes adjust to the darkness. The curtains are closed giving the bedroom a much smaller feel. Maybe it’s our crazy chemistry bouncing off the walls, but it’s thick and I adjust my cock so it’s not throbbing against the Velcro on my board shorts. My eyes scan the room only to land on the bathroom door: it’s closed. Breathing heavily, I move toward her like a dog smells a bitch in heat. I try the door, and again, I’m surprised when it opens right up. I look around and don’t see her. Flipping on the light, I pull open my shower door and there she is in the corner. I freeze—not because she’s afraid. If anything, her eyes hold nothing but defiance. She’s angry and if I was a nicer man I would pull her up and kiss away her anger. Like a tornado, she’s seething with it. Her harsh breath makes her spectacular tits rise up and down in her gold bikini.

  “Stand up,” I spit out.

  Her eyes narrow as she gracefully stands. “Now come here.” Again I watch her, waiting to see some sort of weakness. But she shows me nothing as she holds her shoulders back and head up, stopping right in front of me.

  I reach for her silky hair and pull her up and into my chest. Our bodies burn with our heat and I wonder again why I have this crazy attraction to her.

  “Are you kidding me? You ran from me?” Our eyes clash and our breathing is harsh.

  “Angel, I’m not the one. I’m a bad guy. I told you this years ago. I will not allow this. You will know who owns you and you will obey.” Her blue eyes are pooled with tears but she doesn’t cower, which makes me almost see red. What the hell? Why does she push me?

  “You don’t get a right to feel anything except what I let you.”

  “You can’t control my mind, Blade,” she sneers. My eyes sweep her face, taking in her pink cheeks and red swollen lips, sliding to her neck and her rapidly beating heart. Suddenly I push her away.

  “So, you’re saying that you are done paying your father and brother’s debt?” Her face pales instantly and I know I have her again. “Trust me, Eve. The place I have your father at is a fortune. If you’re done with me, I’ll tell them to dump him in the street and you can pick him up.” I grab her arm and pull her into the bedroom. Whimpering, she still holds her head high.

  “Watch.” I reach for my phone. She grabs my arm.

  “Wait… stop. What do you want from me?” she screams. I lower the phone and look at her. If only she would bend to me, I wouldn’t have to do this. Christ, all I wanted to do today was teach her to swim and go out to eat.

  “I want everything, and if you ever run from me again, I’ll make sure it’s the last time.” I turn away unable to look at her or face all the ugly stuff I’ve said to her. I rip off my trunks not caring that she can see how much I want her. I need to get the fuck away from her, or I might do something I regret. Reaching for my pants and T-shirt, I take my phone and boots with me and call over my shoulder, “All you have to do is shut up and look good. Even someone with your limited amount of education can figure that out.”

  She gasps. It’s a cheap shot, but her father and her lack of education are the only things that make my Angel insecure. I push back and lock away the nagging need to go to her and confess that I don’t mean it. But I do. She needs to let me control her or she’s going to get hurt. Trying to beat her down isn’t necessary, but since she still has a fire in her eyes, I haven’t succeeded. She has too much power over me already. Slamming our door, I pound on Ryder’s door to get ready to ride.

  EVE

  I’m staring at a shimmering, black mini halter dress. Mini is the key word. Literally when I lift it up I’m wondering if it’s going to cover everything. Edge handed me the box this morning with a note. At first, I couldn’t help the butterflies in my stomach at the thought that Jason had given me an “I’m sorry” present. What a naïve stupid thought that was. Turns out it was from Dolly with a note:

  You’re welcome. That’s all it said.

  I look down at the halter dress and the high-heeled ankle boots and can’t help but smile. Dropping my towel, my body still warm from my shower, I start to slather on my cocoa butter cream and slip into a black lace thong so that I can start on my makeup and hair. Of course, my mind wanders to Jason and us. He left two days ago—it’s a pattern we have apparently. Anything gets intense and Jason runs. This time he’s been gone two days. I roll my eyes at my reflection, aggravated that I can’t stop thinking about him. He’s a shit and a true manipulator. What he fails to understand is that I’m not stupid. And nobody can make people do what they want better than me. Jason can rage and threaten me, but I see the way he looks at me, and that gives me an edge, however slight that may be. He’s fighting his need for me. I have all the confidence that I can still bring him to his knees. Whether he talks about other women, or not being able to have a lasting relationship, I’m not stupid. This man wants me as much as I want him. I have no idea where he is. He’s called, I guess to check on me. Yet whenever I ask when he’s coming home or what he is doing, he gets quiet and says he’s working.

  But not tonight. I smirk at my reflection and bite my lower lip. I reach for my vanilla-coconut perfume, spray some on my wrist and breasts, and reach for the scrap of a dress. A shiver of excitement goes up my spine as I get goose bumps. Jason is actually taking me out. Well, Edge is taking me, but Jason will show up eventually. It’s Dolly’s twenty-eighth birthday and she’s having a party at a club in West Hollywood. It’s not a club that one of the Disciples owns. When I asked Edge why, he said she’d rather die than give the Disciples any more money. The longer I stay here, the more I’m learning that Jason and the main guys seem to have their hands in all kinds of things. I’m not stupid enough to think all of them are nightclubs. I know Jason has a couple strip clubs and I’m sure he launders money through them. Snapping the halter around my neck, I turn and look at the back of the dress through the mirror. It dips lo
w, like almost seeing my ass low.

  “Jesus, Dolly.” I snicker as I sit down and pull on the high-heeled ankle boots.

  Standing, I straighten my shoulders and take a good look at myself. I have never looked better. Amazing what some makeup, a haircut, and new clothes will do.

  Tonight I want to make Jason notice me. I want him, and I won’t settle for anyone else. I look over at the picture of Crystal that still hangs in our room and wonder what he’ll do if I take it down. What did he ever see in her? She’s been creeping around lately. Her dirty looks and snide comments that my days are numbered make me even more determined.

  Walking toward the poster, I reach up and lift it off the wall, looking around for a place to put it. I set it down and go to find Dewey. Instead I see Edge as I peek out the door. Great.

  Sighing, I smile at him and his eyes travel up and down me. “You are not actually thinking about wearing that are you?” Sometimes Edge reminds me a lot of Jason, and not in a good way.

  “Yes, I am.” I stare at him and wave him in. “Can you help me, please?”

  He walks in and looks around. “Eve.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Did Dolly send you this dress?”

  “Yep.” I point to the poster of Crystal on the floor. His eyes look at it then me.

  “I need this”—I tap my high-heeled boot at it—“out of here. I’m here more than Jason and I’m sick of looking at her ugly face and flabby tits.” Her tits aren’t actually flabby because they’re fake, but I’m beginning to detest her and say it anyway.

  Edge ignores it and goes right back to my outfit. “Look… Eve, Dolly is… Dolly she looks good wearing things like this.” His eyes laser onto my legs.