by Stone, Piper
I turned my head. “If you want to live.”
She choked on a laugh then snapped her fingers in front of her mouth, shifting her body back and forth. “You’re serious.”
“Yes. I will protect you.”
“All right. Let’s just say I’m stupid enough to allow you. What about tomorrow night and the next? Oh, hell. Next week. Are you going to become my personal bodyguard? Or my indulgent disciplinarian?”
I took decided steps toward her and this time, she didn’t back away. “This isn’t a joke, Crystal, and they aren’t simply criminals that you can hide from. Pricks like that are vultures picking on prey, the bottom feeders of life. They follow orders like lapdogs, advancing in their minute world of violence only by inflicting pain on others. It’s an honor to them. They burn and pillage, rape and murder like they’re playing a video game. You’ve become an issue. You will become a badge of that honor they deem so important in their disgusting little lives.” Hell, yes, she needed another hard spanking. She had no idea what kind of trouble she was in.
Swallowing, Crystal glanced quickly toward the door. “Why did you stop them? Why bother? I’m no one to you. Now, they could be looking for you in the same manner.”
“I can handle any shit that comes my way.” I snorted when I stated the words.
She refused to back down. “Tell. Me. Why.”
“Because I’m no coward nor can I stand fucking useless human trash. And because...” I turned away, almost laughing at my own admittance.
“Because why? Tell me, Blade.”
Crowding her space once again, I lowered my head until our lips were almost touching. “Because I believe in innocence lost, in good versus evil, and in protecting women at all costs, especially ones I care about.”
She seemed stunned by my words and tilted her head, leaving our lips only centimeters apart. Her breathing was ragged, the slight whimpering sounds becoming a powerful aphrodisiac.
The overwhelming desire to take her, claim her right here was strong, infusing every drop of blood racing throughout my system. The concept was barbaric at best, leaving every muscle aching. Her musky fragrance filled my nostrils, wafting into every cell, leaving a permanent scent buried under layers of tissue and skin. This was her indelible mark.
“You walked here from that motel,” she whispered, breaking the almost trancelike state we shared.
“Yes. To see you again.”
“Your Harley? What’s wrong with it?”
I gave her an offhanded smile. The woman knew her bikes. “Broken down. Driveshaft.”
“You’re not from Charleston.”
“No,” I muttered and finally took several steps away from her. “Driving through, or I was until last night.”
Crystal sucked in her breath, contempt still remaining in her expression. “I don’t know your deal, Blade, or why you’re really here, but I don’t like shit and I refuse to deal with liars, just like you don’t. However, I appreciate what you did more than you can know.”
“I understand.” I gave her a respectful nod. She had such a coat of armor surrounding her. What had happened in her life to make her so defensive? I could tell she didn’t want to explore what had occurred between us.
A long sigh escaping her mouth, she folded her arms. “I do believe you about the Desperados. The assholes will be back.”
“I will keep you safe. You have my pledge of honor and you won’t know I’m there.” I respected her hesitation.
“And what about your bike?”
“It’s in a shop. Nothing I can do about it right now.”
She opened her mouth twice before answering. “Fine. I have a really big and ferocious dog that will cut you down. Doesn’t matter how big you are, Zorro will protect me with his life if necessary.”
Her vehemence in the statement created another round of desire furrowing into every cell, pushing my cock to full attention. Whether or not she’d paid any attention to my condition didn’t matter at this point. I wanted to get her the hell out of here.
In truth, I wanted to spend some time alone with her, even with her vicious dog.
* * *
Fortunately, I didn’t detect any signs that we’d been followed, although my guess is that the gangbangers knew her vehicle. The fog had thickened, hovering over the wet streets like a blanket of death, waiting to claim its victims. I kept the window open, listening for any tell-tale activity. Crystal’s grip was tight on the steering wheel, her lips pursed as she drove. Every once in a while, she darted a glance in my direction the same way I did to her.
When we turned into a neighborhood, the tall trees and aging brick houses reminded me of where I’d grown up, now what seemed like a lifetime ago. Happier times. Certainly, more peaceful times. There were very few porch lights left on and even fewer streetlights. The place was a magnet for a violent crime. When she turned down what ended up being a long gravel driveway, the entire row canopied by overgrown trees and shrubs crowding the path, I cringed. There were far too many hiding places.
The house itself was quaint, a cozy front porch complete with two Adirondack chairs shoved close together. A single porch light cast a warm glow on the front space, creating an entirely different ambiance: laughter and sweet tea, a glass of wine while looking at the stars. What the hell? That would never happen in my life. I heard the throaty woofing sound and resisted smiling.
She threw the gear into park, allowing the engine to idle. “This is all I have, and I’ve worked damn hard to get here. Damn hard. My phone was broken, and I don’t have a landline. I’m taking a huge chance trusting you. As a matter of fact, I must be completely out of my mind. Jesus. And if you even think about hurting Zorro, there is nothing that will stop me from killing you with my bare hands. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?” Her lower lip was shaking, and she still refused to look in my eyes.
Her words echoed in my ears and my reply seemed stuck in my throat. Her pain pulsed through every vein, further connecting us in a manner I would never be able to explain, especially to myself. I knew then, I would be the one protecting her with my life if necessary.
“Do you?” she demanded, snapping her head in my direction, her eyes on fire.
“I am many things, Crystal, but I am not here to hurt or take advantage of you in any manner.”
“Okay. I do want you to know that I enjoyed our time together, but that’s not who I am.” Crystal sucked in her breath before nodding and cutting the engine. She grabbed her purse and keys and slid out, storming toward the front door.
I waited for a few seconds before exiting, allowing Crystal to greet her dog. Took only two seconds before the pup gathered my whiff, bounding around her and barking as if I was ready to attack her. Hunkering down, I waited as the dog moved to within two feet, frothing at the mouth as he continued yapping.
“Zorro. Be nice to our guest,” she said, watching from a distance.
Holding out my hand, I remained exactly where I was until Zorro became more curious than cautious, taking tentative steps in my direction. “That’s it, boy. I won’t hurt you.”
Crystal moved closer, studying her dog’s actions. I could see how much she cared for the pup and the feeling was mutual.
Zorro remained skeptical until I started whining like a dog, a trick I’d learn as a little boy. Within seconds, the dog bounded to me, his whines ones of joy and his tail wagging like a helicopter. “That’s a good boy. I’m here to protect your mommy. Would that be all right?”
Woof!
“Okay.” Zorro’s happy face and good demeanor were no doubt excellent company for Crystal, but even with his massive size, the dog was no match for the gang. Still, he was a noisemaker, which would help in my absence.
“Why don’t you come in. I at least owe you a beer or a drink. I have vodka, maybe some whiskey.” Crystal’s tone was softer. I’d passed the first test.
“I don’t want to bother you. I meant what I said, and I’ll stay out of your way.” I rose to my
feet, walking closer until I was only a few inches away. As soon as I neared, her breathing changed, becoming more ragged.
She swallowed twice before pushing open the door. “You’re not bothering me. You protected my bar and my girls, which is a hell of a lot more than any of my regulars could do. Damn cowards. So, drinks are on me. Hell, I could use one, maybe more. Come on, Zorro. Let’s get you some dinner.” She flipped on lights as she walked inside.
I took another look over my shoulder before walking into her home and closing the door. I was doing nothing more than invading her space, but at this point, my actions were necessary. I’d bet my life on it.
My sixth sense was already in overdrive. And I didn’t like at all she was this far removed from other people. I followed her into the kitchen, the space neat and tidy even though the appliances were older and the countertops worn. There was a warmth in the room, a touch of the woman herself crowded into every corner. I liked watching her, washing her hands and talking to the dog, grabbing his bag of food and filling his bowl. The kind of simple routine that everyone had in their lives.
Almost everyone.
“What would you like?” She held up two bottles of liquor.
“Whatever you’re having.”
“Screwdriver it is.” Her single gaze down the length of me was given with a slight smirk.
My cock was throbbing beyond acceptance, my balls screaming for relief. Fuck. I had to get her out of my mind. This wasn’t going to happen.
After preparing the drinks, Crystal didn’t ask me if I wanted to join her, merely walked out onto her back deck, moving onto another Adirondack-style chair. Zorro trailed behind her, flopping down at her feet. I walked to the door, feeling out of place.
“You can come and sit with me. You did fuck me after all.” She sighed and leaned her head back on the chair. “And spank me.”
“Truth is, you need another one for trying to take on dangerous men.”
“You mean like you?”
Damn, the woman was feisty. I chuckled and inched outside, glancing up at the still turbulent sky. The backyard was larger than I would have imagined, overgrown with no TLC, but a nice space. I moved toward the railing, leaning over and hearing a cracking sound almost immediately. “You need to have this repaired.”
Snorting, she took a swig of her drink. “Interesting comment for a man who probably put five dudes in the hospital and all in the space of five, maybe six minutes.”
As expected, I wasn’t into bullshit small talk, even though every ounce of me wanted to get to know her. “Just doing what I know best.”
“Is that really the case?”
Shrugging, I had no idea how to answer her.
“Violence, I mean. I can tell you’re trained, your skills are damn good. Martial arts?”
I felt another smile. “Nothing so formal, I assure you, but yes, I’ve been trained.”
“Military then.”
“They wouldn’t have me.”
Crystal swirled her drink until the ice clinked in her glass. “A mystery man. Let me see...” She laughed softly. “I know. A hired killer. Yeah, you’re some assassin for some bigwig. No, let me think. I almost have this.”
I dropped my head, thinking about the last time I’d told anyone about my profession to any degree. Years. If then. You never shared your shit and you never shit where you ate. Colloquialisms I’d never forget.
“Mafia. You’re the hitman for the mafia.” Her breath sounds were soft, almost like a purr. “I can see that in you. You’re the perfect badass. I bet the women love you though. What does your girlfriend think?” She darted a look in my direction, her eyes settling on the scar.
For the first time in ages, I slid two fingers across the rough edge, feeling more self-conscious than I had in a hell of a long time. Why did I care what this woman thought about me? I hissed under my breath, the longing for her increasing, now off the charts. “There is no one I’m tied to any longer, Crystal. I am on my own; however, I’m not a good man. That much you gathered.” The sexual tension between us was palpable, thick with longing that I hadn’t experienced before. My cock was aching to the point I’d need relief to some degree soon.
“Can you even tell me your real name?”
I moved the glass from hand to hand before answering. “I’m no one. Blade works.”
“Well, Blade, I’m no one as well. The world certainly wouldn’t miss me if I was gone. Just a blip ending. A puff of life. Nothing more.”
“You are a beautiful woman with everything to offer, Crystal.” I looked straight into her eyes. She seemed so surprised by my statement. All I could think about was fucking her. This wasn’t the best scenario.
“As I said, you don’t know me,” she whispered, rubbing her fingers absently across her mouth and jaw. “I live from day to day, worrying about paying bills and being able to purchase dog food. I have a sometimes-crappy job in a hick bar and even though I live in a vibrant city, I don’t remember the last time I went to the beach. I’m not sure what I actually have to offer anyone.” She took a long swig of her drink and even though there was almost no light that filtered onto the deck, I could see the glimmer of tears in her eyes.
“I don’t need to know you to capture your essence, to realize what a special person you are. And giving. I may be a hard man, but that’s easy to see. Funny thing about life is that you don’t know how special it can be until you throw it away. That much I do know.”
She shifted in her seat but remained quiet, yet I heard the sniffling.
“Thank you for the drink. I’m going out front. Lock the doors before you go to bed.”
“I don’t get another spanking?”
My fingers tingled at the thought. “Not right now.” I stopped just inside the doorway, peering over as she rubbed the top of Zorro’s head, her fingers caressing in such a loving manner. I moved through the house, stopping long enough to glance into her bedroom, a pang slicing into my heart. She was a stranger, and this was merely a stop in a town that was too close to Miami. Besides, I’d hurt her and that was the last thing I wanted to do. She obviously had enough baggage.
I turned off the light over the porch before moving into the darkness and sitting down. Crunching gravel would give anyone approaching by vehicle away. Tugging on one leg of my jeans, I yanked the knife from the sheath attached to my boot. The fuckers in the bar had no idea how close I’d come to using it on them. Creating a disturbance of that nature would only prove to alert Diego in some fashion.
The grip I had on the glass could easily shatter it. Fuck. I was far too attracted to Crystal and everything about her. Leave it to me to find a damsel in distress. Leaning back, I allowed my mind to wander, to think about the fact I wanted to taste the woman, every inch of her body.
I rested the knife on my knees and took another sip. Then another. The adrenaline rush was all but gone, leaving my eyes heavy and my mind foggy.
And God, my cock ached like a son of a bitch...
She stood in front of me, her naked body glistening from the giant moon. I was mesmerized, not only by her beauty but also by the look in her eyes, as if I was the only thing that mattered in her life. I took slow steps in her direction, feeling the effects of our intense connection, the hold she already had over me. While she was the one submitting, trusting me with her body and soul, I was the lost creature. I was the one required to protect and nurture her, care and love her like no man ever had.
“I thought you’d left,” Crystal whispered, her hand casually brushing hair from her ruby-stained mouth.
“Never. I will never be far away from you.” Her gentle smile was my reward. Using just the pads of my fingers, I caressed her shoulders, lightly moving down the length of her arms until I was able to intertwine our fingers. I lowered my head and inhaled, drinking in her sweet essence. When our lips touched, a near spasm rocketed through my body, the desire increasing until I had difficulty breathing. “I want you, all of you.”
“And I wan
t you, sir.” She tilted her head slightly, smashing her lips against mine.
I dragged her against my chest, lifting her onto her tiptoes and thrusting my tongue inside. The taste of her was sizzling and sweet at the same time, a hint of cinnamon mixed with the rich merlot we’d shared earlier in the evening. I was one hungry man, famished to the point I would feast on every inch of her body. I placed my hand on her cheek, caressing her skin while I fisted her hair, exploring the dark recesses of her mouth.
Crystal whimpered, her body shaking as she palmed my chest, allowing her fingers to dig into my shirt.
Grunting, I broke the kiss, dragging my tongue around her mouth as I breathed over her, every sound ragged and laced with the dark intensity I felt deep in my mind. I needed all of her, succumbing to me in every manner, no matter what I asked. I required her full submission, obedience, and trust. And in turn, I’d give her my heart.
I dragged her head, yanking down until her back was in a deep arc. She clung to me as I licked down to her chin, slowly moving along the throbbing vein in her neck. I cupped her breast, allowing my finger and thumb to pinch and twist her fully erect nipple. “All mine.”
“Yes. Yes, sir.”
A snapping sound. A change in the air. A scent that I didn’t recognize.
Swimming up from the electrified fog, I bristled instantly, opening my eyes only to find darkness, but my hand could still feel the blade. Snatching the handle of the knife, I jerked to my feet, one hand wrapping around the throat of the intruder, the other sliding the jagged tip under the assailant’s chin. Reacting, I pushed the fucker away from the chair, slamming the asshole against the front of the building. I heard the sound of a hard thud, a slight crack, further fueling my anger.
“Blade. Blade!” Her cry was laced with terror, her hands fisting my shirt.
I could hear her horrified and strangled breaths as well as her thumping heart. Grunting, I took several deep breaths until I was able to focus in the darkness. “Crystal.”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I just...” Her voice was weak, her fear palpable. She kept her head back, her eyes wild as the knife dug into her beautiful neck.
