by A. J. Macey
“What’s that?” I asked softly, not wanting to break the bubble of tender calm around us.
“I had hoped to try this with you,” Garrett started, holding out the box to me. Taking it, I lifted the lid.
“Rope?” My confusion continued to grow when I took out the black and red bundles. The rope was thinner and softer than I was used to most of the time, but it wasn’t the only time I had seen it. He wants to try that with me? I wondered, glancing up at him from under my lashes, a thread of heat starting to build within me at the thought.
“Shibari,” Garrett explained.
“Japanese rope bondage?” I asked, already knowing the answer. Chase and I had dabbled in it over the last year, and I was more than a little experienced in the different kinds of knots and ties.
“Yeah...” Garrett trailed off, his gaze never leaving the bundles in my hand. I could see him trying to build the courage to ask or say something, so I waited for him to be ready. He hadn’t rushed me when I came home, and I wouldn’t do the same to him now. “I want you to use it on me.”
“Yeah?” My head tilted when he looked at me, still wondering why. Sighing, Garrett’s hands returned to cup the back of my head. He held me still, staring for a long moment before finally explaining.
“I want you to be able to trust me. But most importantly, Kitten, I want you to know that I trust you no matter what. You hold so tightly to the control in your life, but I want you to be able to let those guards down. When you’re with me, I want you to be able to truly believe that you’re free from everything I know haunts you.”
A wavering wall coated my vision, unshed tears building at the sentiment. Blinking them away, I nodded. Garrett took the box from me, setting it on the nightstand. Before I started, I fisted his shirt and yanked him to me. Our lips locked as I tried to convey how much what he had offered meant, but I didn’t think I would ever be able to.
Garrett’s soft skin under my fingertips warmed me from the inside out, the dips of his sculpted abdomen fueling the thread of heat that had started moments earlier. Running my palms up his chest, I hiked his shirt up before pulling it over his head. Instead of kissing him once more, I let my fingers drift over his chest in search of my mark.
My cat paw print tattooed over his heart.
The first smile of the day spread across my face at the sight, my forefingers tracing the mark before I leaned in. Maybe all of my guys need to get one of these. Pressing my lips to the mark, I took a moment to cherish Garrett being right here in my arms.
“I’ve missed you so much, Kitten,” he whispered, his own hands coming to rest on my bare skin, nestling them under the back of my shirt.
“I’ve missed you too, Garrett,” I told him honestly, my lips barely touching his skin as I talked. Swallowing another wave of tears, I whispered the one thing I had been too hurt to say again until now. “I love you.”
“God, Kiera, I love you too,” he exclaimed, ducking down to kiss me.
As my tongue darted out to meet his, I worked his belt and denim off his hips. His hard cock springing against my stomach brought the need forward. The painful waves of grief and anger were replaced with desire, locking away the negativity for now. Wrapping my hand around his length, I stroked, nearly whimpering at the rungs of his Jacob’s Ladder.
I sure as fuck missed those.
But I stopped after a few pumps, grabbing the rope from the bed behind me. Studying Garrett’s full body, I finally decided the best way that I wanted him tied. He wanted to show me that I could trust him, but I also wanted to show him that I’d never really stopped, so I positioned his arms up until he had his hands behind his head.
Working slowly, I checked the tightness of each knot I tied. On one arm, I created a connecting chain of knots from wrist to shoulder in the red. Over the next half hour, I made a set of intricate knots on his back using both colored ropes. As I moved around him, I nipped and kissed, teasing. My eyes trailed over the goosebumps that pebbled his tattooed skin, the waves of them flaring as I licked and then blew lightly, the cool air a stark contrast to the heat of my tongue. A shudder worked its way through Garrett as I finally finished the last portion of my work, his other arm now secured.
“I’m a thief,” I explained with a smirk when Garrett gave me a single brow raise in question, no doubt wondering where or when I learned these. “It’s my job to know different kinds of knots. Now though, I want you to sit on the bed, leaning against the headboard.” What I said was true, that was my job, but I purposely left off that it was something I had done previously, not wanting to ruin the moment with him.
Climbing up onto his bed with measured movements, Garrett positioned himself where I asked. As he did that, I pulled out my phone, starting some sexy music through the speakers in his room. When I looked to where he was seated, his cock was standing at attention. Moving in a slow sway, I started to strip, letting the music flow through me. I could feel Garrett’s emerald eyes locked on my body, my nipples pebbling at the weight of his focus on me.
By the time I was finally naked, Garrett’s jaw was clenched. A glint of something caught my attention as I crawled onto the bed, noticing his cock had leaked precum down the vein on the underside. I had wanted to wait, draw out my teasing some more because I knew it wouldn’t be every day that I could get Garrett tied up, but I couldn’t. Holding his length still, I swirled my tongue around the head, lapping up the bead of precum and taking him further into my mouth. A wave of wetness surged in my core as I watched Garrett. Eyes rolled back, a guttural moan rumbling through him as I worked him. He tensed his abs, hips pumping forward and forcing him deeper into my mouth.
“Ugh, fuck me,” he groaned, his fingers tangling into his own hair as he was made to stay still.
“If you ask nicely,” I murmured, pulling off his cock. Propping up on my hands, I continued to crawl, this time climbing until I straddled his trim hips. “If you say please, then maybe I’ll fuck you, Garrett,” I whispered, my lips and tits barely brushing his chest. Another moan came when I rolled my hips forward, letting my soaked pussy rub against the length of his cock. Even if he didn’t say please, I realized I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself. In that moment, I wanted to be filled and fucked by Garrett more than anything else.
“Please, Kitten,” he pleaded as I rolled my sensitive clit against the rungs of his piercing. My body trembled with pleasure at each bump, lightning searing through me.
At his words, I lifted my hips, placing my hands on his rope covered chest to steady myself. My body wound tight as I sank down. Being totally and utterly filled by Garrett had me moaning, aching for more. I didn’t even try to move slowly, to tease or savor, immediately riding him until I bounced against his hips. Fire washed through me at the power that I held. The control that Garrett entrusted me with only turning me on more. I could do whatever I wanted right now. Hell, I could have left him here, but after everything we’d been through, knowing he was willing to let me push him past his comfort zone to prove his trust had my blood pumping. This meant something to both of us, beyond just a night of fun, and that was what I had been craving for the last six months.
Though, it certainly didn’t hurt seeing Garrett’s teeth grinding as he watched my tits bounce.
I felt sensual and irresistible when I grabbed ahold of the ropes crisscrossing over the beautiful ink on his chest, using them as leverage to move harder. The dominance he always exuded, both in and out of the bedroom, was sexy, but seeing him strain to touch me was just as alluring. I wanted him to crave me, for him to show me that he truly wanted to stay with me after we walked out of this room, and as he cried out, I knew he did. My orgasm built slowly with each rock of my hips, the lustful fog that surrounded me growing with each of Garrett’s moans and gasps.
“I’m going to come,” he murmured breathlessly. Each muscle in his body tensed as I worked him closer, the rope straining against his arms as he fought to keep his hands behind his head.
“Fuck,”
I screamed, my release slamming down on me hard enough that my vision dimmed and my arms gave out. Garrett’s cock jumped, spurting inside me as I rode the searing waves of pleasure. Panting, I stayed in my position, leaning into his chest while his racing heart rate filled my ear. “Good thing I’m on birth control,” I murmured with a chuckle.
“You would ruin the moment with that,” Garrett snarked, his laugh shaking my body. Groaning at the muscle ache already starting to set in, I pushed off his chest and looked at him.
“Yeah, but for real though, could you imagine me as a mom?” I scoffed, cocking a brow at him. While I waited for his answer, I moved off his quickly softening cock and began untying the ropes.
“Do you want to be a mom?” he asked softly, his eyes trailing over the planes of my face as I worked.
“You are the second person to be talking about babies with me. I don’t know what you and Abby are smoking to think I would make a good parent to any kind of creature, furry or human.”
“What about a lizard? Or a snake?” Garrett joked, chuckling when I flashed him a half-assed glare. “What? Those aren’t either of those things.”
“Smart ass,” I muttered, a grin appearing despite my best efforts. Leaning back, I pulled Garrett forward to work on the caged knots down his back. “What about you then, can you imagine yourself with a child?”
“I don’t know, honestly. I’m not sure I would be a good choice for parenthood but never say never, right?”
“I guess,” I murmured, choosing to not argue.
“Speaking of the future, is there something you want to do when this is all over?”
The last of the ropes were loosened as he asked his question, his arms wrapping around my back to pull me to him. Crossing my arms over his chest, I glanced at him, shrugging slightly.
“I don’t know. If we make it to that point, then I’ll think about it. It’s future me’s problem.”
“What about right now you? Does it want something?” My brow furrowed at his odd question seeing as how we just had a moment followed by some fucktastic sex.
“To cuddle with you and just enjoy the illusion that the hell that’s out there waiting doesn’t exist. Can we do that?”
“Always, Kitten.” With one more kiss, Garrett and I nestled down under the comforter. It wasn’t long until I was lulled to sleep, the scent of black currant and grease filling my nose.
My Garrett.
Chapter 16
December 22nd
Sunday Afternoon
Kiera
“Do I have to?” I whined. All of me wanted to lie back down and sink into the warmth of my bed instead of heading out with Abby and Elliot. Just the thought of having to set up for this Christmas party ruse made a groan escape my lips. Why did I sign up for this? Oh, I know, because it wasn’t until this morning that they told me another Old Lady would be going with us.
Can I just say I was so over interactions with Old Ladies?
“Yes, you do,” Abby countered, yanking the blanket off of me. Pouting, I curled into a ball, the cold air of the master bedroom making me shiver. “Get your ass out of bed and let’s go. Elliot’s waiting downstairs, and Laurel is going to be waiting for us at the store. So, up you go, bitch.”
Grumbling to myself, I slid out of the comfy bed and into the closet to get dressed. It didn’t take long before I was ready to go, no longer just wearing my pajamas, and scarfing down a toaster waffle that Elliot held out for me as I put my shoes on.
“Another heartbreaking story here today, Gayle,” the newscaster on the TV said. “Yesterday morning, a fire raged through a bank branch just outside of Carson City. Police believed it was the work of a firework mishap to celebrate their five year anniversary of being in business. We are sorry to report that there were no survivors.”
The vise curled around my chest tightened as they showed the burned rubble from my stash. A moment later, a photo of Dwight popped up on the screen as they talked.
“Turn it off,” I murmured, not ready for the onslaught that looking at his image might release. Thankfully, Abby was quick, flipping the TV off before I could lose the last of the grip I had on my emotions. Last night with Garrett had lessened some of the tension. That connection and emotion shared between us helped me grieve without losing control, but I knew at some point the dam would break, and there would be no stopping it until I grieved properly.
But today is not that day. Cannot be that day.
“Ready, K?” Elliot asked, his smile small. He didn’t push me to talk about it which I appreciated. Nodding, I led us out of the house and to the garage where we piled into the spare SUV I owned, figuring it would be easier for the three of us, groceries, and whatever else they were planning on picking out to fit into.
“Where am I going first? Chauffeur Kiera, at your service,” I joked, pulling out of the garage. Abby rolled her eyes with a small grin while Elliot burst out laughing in the back seat.
“Party supply store, then we’re hitting the grocery store,” Abby listed off, checking her phone and giving me directions. “So, what are the guys up to today?”
“Officers are on a ride, something about checking in with their dealers, doing an extra drop or something. I wasn’t paying much attention,” I told her as I turned onto the main road. “Chase and Val are doing some recon, best way to get in and out of the Solace, who is a heavy hitter in his hierarchy and who isn’t. That kind of stuff. I would be doing it, but some people have suggested I need to focus on non-work things for a bit.” I glanced at Abby and Elliot as I talked, but neither seemed fazed, knowing there was no real bite behind my words. I chuckled, turning into the strip mall where the store was. It didn’t take long to get to where we were meeting up with Laurel, but I felt my nerves on edge when I parked and saw a curvy woman with a simple ponytail hop out of her car.
“You’ll be fine. I promise she’s not like the others.”
“Yeah, you say that, but I tend to bring the worst out in people,” I muttered before taking a deep breath and climbing out.
Okay, Kiera, you can do this. Smile and be nice.
I can totally do that… right?
Guess we’re about to find out.
“Hey, you must be Kiera.” Laurel’s voice was rough and deep as if she had smoked one too many cigarettes in her life. “I’m Laurel, pleasure to meet you.”
“You say that now,” I spouted before I could stop myself, but thankfully Laurel just laughed and nodded.
“Yeah, I think we’ll get along just fine. All right, let’s get to gettin’; lots of shit to buy and not much time to get it done.”
Over the next few hours, the four of us shopped. Elliot and Laurel did most of the chatting, letting Abby and me push the carts as they dropped things in. By the time we finally left the party store, it looked like Christmas had thrown up in the carts.
The decorations filled up all the extra space in the SUV, so I was glad that Laurel had driven a spacious sedan to hold all of the groceries. I couldn’t stop myself as we loaded up the grocery carts, sneaking in some treats for myself when no one was looking.
This is why you don’t go to the store hungry, people, go on and write that down.
Cool Classes with The Cat, that’s what these little facts and advice are going to be and you’re welcome for doing it for free; you all know how much I hate doing shit for free.
Now, did you write that down yet?
“Kiera, ready to go?” Elliot’s voice pulled me from staring off into space. Nodding, I lifted out the couple of boxes of cookies I had gotten for myself and checked out.
“Hey, E, you’ve heard of Elf of the Shelf, yeah?” I called when he started to get into the SUV after unloading the cart.
“Uh, yeah?” His response was filled with confusion as he looked over at me.
“Well then, have you ever heard of returning your fucking cart to the cart corral?” I catted, pushing his cart from where he had left it in the middle of the lot to the metal aisle.
>
“Uh… yes… I’ll work on that next time. Sorry,” he apologized sheepishly, his hand coming to rub the back of his neck.
“Good, because they don’t get paid to chase down your laziness all over the lot. Now can we finally go to the compound? I want to eat my cookies.”
“Yes, you cookie monster, we can go to the compound.” Abby laughed at her own joke before pulling a box out of my bag. “Though I’m totally getting one, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
“Mhm,” I murmured, glaring at her out of the corner of my eye as she stuffed a cookie into her mouth.
That’s what she thinks but wait until I get her back by taking her coffee out of her house.
Payback is a bitch, and it was always the sweetest when I pulled one over on Abby.
December 23rd
Monday Early Morning
Kiera
Today was the day.
Today I was going to kill Lorenzo Bianchi.
I was nearly giddy at the thought as I sat in my truck waiting for the guys to show up. After more discussion last night about the Christmas party and the possibility of someone leaking information on our whereabouts, we had decided that we had gotten as much information as we needed from my ex-bodyguard. With no reason to keep him around, I could officially put a bullet in his skull. Val had attempted to break him, to confirm or not if there was an inside man… or woman helping Frankie but there was no such luck.
Meaning it was my turn.
My guys pulled in, parking in the slots surrounding me before hopping out. Rolling my shoulders back, I slipped from the driver’s seat of my lifted truck and onto the cement. All four were serious and sober, silence dominating the air as we walked across the compound.
“You sure you’re all right to do this?” Brooks asked when we reached the small outer building.
“Yes, are you sure you guys are all right with watching me do this?” I countered with a brow raise. It’s not like it’s entirely normal to watch your girlfriend kill a man.
