by Stone, Piper
I didn’t even know if he was the same man, but I adored him even more.
Would they be able to handle a normal life, to find solace in simply enjoying what life brought on a day to day basis? The answer wasn’t one I wanted to contemplate.
“Do you trust me?” I asked, giving them the most innocent voice that I could fake.
Both men looked at each other, hunger in their eyes as well as the blatant need to dominate. The same look I received on the majority of days.
“Confess your sins, little girl,” Diego commanded.
“Or face the consequence,” Jack added.
“You might not think about them as sins.” Or so I hoped. I took several backward steps, finally turning toward the door of the empty store. Well, almost empty. I’d taken some time in placing a few special items inside. “Just trust me.”
“Said the spider to the fly,” Diego mused.
I said a silent prayer before unlocking the door, enjoying the tinkle of the bell over the threshold. I walked inside, moving quickly to turn on a series of specialized LED lighting, the glow giving me chills the same way they had after they’d been installed. Even the music seemed perfect, the light jazz playing over the expensive stereo system adding the perfect ambiance, already telling a story that I hoped would continue to grow.
Everything had come together quickly. It certainly had helped that I had enough money to entice not only the previous owner but contractors as well. While additional work would be needed, I was proud of what I’d been able to accomplish. “Take a look.”
Jack moved inside first, narrowing his eyes as he scanned the oversized room, his gaze finally falling to the polished maple floors. “I’m confused.”
As Diego walked further inside, barely closing the door behind him, his eyes were drawn to the back wall, a single pendant light highlighting the rather primitive piece hanging on the wall.
“I’m not,” he said quietly, closing the distance to the painting. “You remembered.”
As I flanked his side, I nodded, trying to keep tears from my eyes. “You wanted a gallery to highlight local artists. While the one who shared this painting might have talent, I doubt she’ll bring in a hefty price for this scribble.”
“You’re no art critic,” Diego breathed. “It’s beautiful.”
Jack moved closer, eyeing both of us. “You bought this place?”
“I did,” I whispered.
“A dream I had, one I told Lindsey about,” Diego managed as he reached out, air tracing the signature of the artist. “Dr. Lindsey Walters. A truly stunning piece.”
“I dabble.” I bit my lip as I watched his expression, his eyes shimmering as he blinked several times.
“You’re amazing.” Diego shook his head before dragging me into his arms, brushing the tips of his rough fingers across my cheek. “And very talented. I think you should give up your other profession.”
“Not a chance, buster. I enjoy saving lives.” I shifted my gaze toward Jack, his solemn face and body language suggesting he wasn’t entirely pleased with my decision to sink money into the place. While I had no way of knowing what other skills he had hidden behind his gorgeous eyes, I wanted to share them together, to help him heal. Saving his life had been one of my greatest joys.
I sensed a level of remorse in Jack, even for the death of Michael. There’d been no doubt the brooding Italian would have killed me. I’d been a fool to believe that the necklace had been a gift of letting me go. Maybe my belief that people were basically good had interfered, stripping away not only the common sense but all the past moments of abuse Michael had forced me to endure.
Michael’s threats had altered the course of everything in my life, his determination to strip me of my humanity something I hadn’t been able to tolerate. I should have known better than to think he’d allow me a chance at any kind of life other than caged by his demands.
I pressed my hands against Diego’s chest, marveling in the way his muscles felt against my fingertips. “I hope this makes you happy.”
As Diego lifted my chin with a single finger, I trembled in his arms, the heat shared between us scorching. He was so alive, a lighted aura surrounding him. “Darlin’, you’re what makes me happy, even if you will always be a brat.” As he lowered his head, lightly pressing his lips against mine, I melted in his arms, crawling my hand until I was able to tangle his long hair in my fingers.
The kiss became a roar of passion as it always did, his tongue dominating mine, the electricity shooting between us. Even the taste of him seemed richer, more intoxicating than ever before.
He slid his hand down, taking his time as his fingers dug into my back. When he slipped his fingers under my dress, kneading my bottom, I rose onto my tiptoes. The feel of his throbbing cock boosted the hunger I’d felt all morning to a breathtaking level. I wanted nothing more than to have his cock buried deep inside.
The subtle yet powerful sound as Jack walked closer sent another wave of longing ripping through me. He would never be a patient man, no matter the circumstances.
With a single hard yank, he ripped me out of Diego’s arms, the look on his face one of primal need. “Never forget that you belong to both of us.”
“As if you’d ever allow me to forget,” I mused, dragging my tongue around his gorgeous lips. There was so much love in his eyes, something I wasn’t certain I could get used to.
Growling, he fisted my hair, yanking until he was able to expose my neck. “We’re going to devour you.”
I palmed his chest, purring as he nipped my skin, the feel of his teeth biting into my flesh exciting as hell. I was so wet, my panties already soaked, and I knew this was only the beginning.
“She’s a very bad girl keeping something like this from us,” Diego said as he cupped my naked bottom, kneading forcefully.
“True,” Jack mumbled then licking from one side of my jaw to the other, finally pulling back. “What are we going to do about that?”
“I think she needs to hear the rules of the house,” he answered.
“Rules? What rules?” I retorted in a sassy voice.
Jack shook his head, issuing another husky growl. “How quickly she forgets that we’re in charge.”
I wasn’t prepared when he jerked me forward, his arm wrapped around my waist as he bent me over.
“What are you doing?” I moaned, staring at the wide-open glass windows fronting the store, dozens of people walking by. A rush of humiliation mixed with wicked excitement, my muscles tensing.
When Jack tugged my dress up to my waist, exposing the slender string of my red thong, I’d never felt so naked in my life.
“Giving you a spanking. That’s what you need on a regular basis,” Jack mused as he brought his hand down, his massive palm slapping against my naked skin. “Diego is right, regular spankings will be needed.”
“Every day,” Diego added.
“No! I’ll be good,” I whimpered as the spanking continued, Jack smacking from one side to the other in rapid succession.
“Of course you will be,” Diego said, laughing.
“Somebody will see us,” I whined, struggling in Jack’s arms.
“It would do them some good to see a woman being disciplined as she should be,” Jack huffed, not easing up one tiny bit.
The pain wasn’t nearly as horrible as the embarrassment as I watched people passing by, several of them looking inside the window. No. No! My bottom was already sore from the spanking two days before. Were they serious? I was mortified, kicking out my legs.
“This is just a taste of what you can expect tonight,” Jack added, bringing his hand down several more times.
The jingle of the little bell over the door was horrifying, the look on the contractor’s face just about the worst thing that I hoped to face.
“I’m sorry. Am I interrupting? I’m here to do some work for a Dr. Walters.”
* * *
Jack
Love.
Who the hell would have
thought I could actually feel the emotion again? I hung over the deck railing, staring out at the early morning light cresting over the water. There was something magical about this time of day, the way the glowing colors produced shimmers across the water. It had seemed natural coming here, sharing the private space with the woman I loved and someone I would have never thought would become such a good friend. Sharing our lives together might be considered unusual, but I realized how much both of us meant to Lindsey.
I laughed as I sipped my coffee, savoring the rich flavor more than usual. Everything seemed to taste better around her.
Did I regret walking away from a high-paying job? Not in the least. This way both Diego and I could protect her. Would I always look over my shoulder, concerned that the Mancinis would rear their ugly heads? Likely.
Would I continue to feel guilt regarding Teresa’s life? Maybe.
I’d come to accept both.
Tensing, I felt a presence behind me.
“When you reflect, people tend to die,” Diego teased as he flanked my side, taking a deep whiff of the salt air.
“Not this time, at least I hope,” I said, chuckling.
“Michael got what he deserved,” he stated as if I would disagree.
While Dante had been needed in order to handle the murder scene, Silas coached as to what to say to the police, the entire situation had left me numb for two days. The thought of losing Lindsey in such a careless manner had brought back the horrors of Teresa all over again.
To think she’d risked her life in order to confront her father had left me angry, frustrated, and stripped to the very core. She was one tough lady, refusing to accept any man’s bullshit.
Including from us.
I smiled thinking about how many times I’d yelled I loved her that night before fucking her like a wild man. Some romantic I was.
An awkwardness settled between us, but I could tell he was forming questions.
“I heard you talking with your sister,” I dared to say, giving Diego a quick look. While I’d expected anger, he actually smiled.
“Yeah, we had a long talk. She’s planning on coming to visit in a couple of months.”
“I’m glad, Diego. You deserve to be happy.”
He chuckled as he shot me a look. “So do you, my friend.”
Sighing, I gave him a respectful nod. We were friends.
“I’m curious. Would you protect your sergeant all over again?” he asked. Sharing information about my past had been more cathartic than I would have believed, and I didn’t regret it.
I’d tried not to think about the incident, the horrible bloody day ending in the loss of one of our own men as well as several civilians that weren’t supposed to be in the location we were scouting. While the insurgents had opened fire, the sergeant’s reactions hadn’t taken into account the cost of innocent lives. And he’d refused to listen to my concerns. I’d never figured him as the kind of man to betray one of his own, but when charges were brought against our unit, he’d almost immediately pointed fingers.
In my direction.
Protecting him had seemed like the right thing to do at the time.
“I don’t honestly know,” I answered truthfully.
“You would. The Jack I know is the most honorable man I’ve ever met. You’d go to your grave in order to save your country, the people you work with, or the woman you love.”
Diego’s words were heartfelt and much appreciated.
“Would you protect the man who both saved and tossed you away all over again?” I asked.
He inhaled in an exaggerated manner, holding in the breath for a few seconds before exhaling. “Not a chance.”
I patted him on the arm. “You’ll get the opportunity to exact revenge if that’s what you want to do.” From what we’d learned, Luis had gone underground, hiding from Fernando’s men. He’d resurface and if I knew Diego, he’d find a way to exact his revenge.
He shifted his gaze in my direction. “You know what? I’m no longer the man I used to be.”
Or maybe not.
“Now the gallery owner?” Smiling, I winked.
“Something I think I’m going to like. What about you? I can’t see you fishing off the pier the rest of your life.”
“Don’t worry about me. I have various investments that will keep me busy.” Besides,” I said as I glanced toward the house, “I think our little woman is going to keep us on our toes.” I chuckled as I glanced down at the copper band Lindsey had purchased in Peru.
Diego followed my gaze, looking at his. It was funny that neither one of us had removed them since the day I’d shot and killed Michael.
“To enjoy life, you have to take risks.” Diego’s deep baritone seemed to float out to sea, the inscription we both knew by heart. How damn appropriate for two men who used to be mercenaries.
The scent of our beautiful little vixen instantly forced my cock at full attention. She smelled like fresh strawberries with a hint of exotic spices. When I felt her hand on my back, it was all I could do to keep from dragging her over the railing, fucking her just like the savage beast I truly was.
“You left me all alone,” Lindsey purred as she shifted between us, moving onto her tiptoes to kiss Diego first before turning to face me, a sly smile on her face. “All alone. That’s no fair.” Using the tip of her index finger, she brushed it down my chest in a beseechingly slow manner, finally rubbing it back and forth across my belt.
“Are you asking for a spanking?” I half whispered, a rush of adrenaline already sweeping through me.
“Mmm… I’m asking for something else.” She took a step away before I could grab her, slowly untying the sash on her robe. Her smile was very much the naughty girl that both Diego and I adored. As she allowed the material to slip off her shoulders, revealing her naked body underneath, I was forced to take a deep breath.
“Bad girl,” Diego chortled.
“Even bad girl girls need attention,” she counted. “Care for a shower? Boys?” Laughing, the sound enticingly provocative, she beckoned with a single finger before disappearing inside.
Diego let out a long breath before moving toward the door. “Maybe I won’t get started working on the gallery today.”
His grin was infectious, forcing me to smile once again. I waited as he walked inside, taking one last look at the ocean, concentrating on the luminescent shimmers as they danced in an unusual yet beautiful form.
Perhaps I was ready to let go of the shadows that had haunted me.
Of the past.
Of the heartache.
Of the guilt.
Time to share in the joy of true friendship.
And love.
Darkness was no longer my best friend.
The End
Afterword
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Additional Books in the Dangerous Business Series
Persuasion
Her father stole something from the mob and they hired me to get it back, but that’s not the real reason Giliana Worthington is locked naked in a cage with her bottom well-used and sore.
I brought her here so I could take my time punishing her, mastering her, and ravaging her helpless, quivering body over and over again as she screams and moans and begs for more.
I didn’t take her as a hostage. I took her because she is mine.
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More Stormy Night Books by Piper Stone
Claimed by the Beasts
Though she has done her best to run from it, Scarlet Dumane cannot escape what is in store for her. She has known for years that she is destined to belong not just to one savage beast, but to three, and now the time has come for her to be claimed. Soon her mates will own every inch of her beautiful body, and she will be shared and used as roughly and as often as they please.
Scarlet hid from the disturbing truth about herself, her family, and her town for as long as she could, but now her grandmother’s death has finally brought her back home to the bayous of Louisiana and at last she must face her fate, no matter how shameful and terrifying.
She will be a queen, but her mates will be her masters, and defiance will be thoroughly punished. Yet even when she is stripped bare and spanked until she is sobbing, her need for them only grows, and every blush, moan, and quivering climax binds her to them more tightly. But with enemies lurking in the shadows, can she trust her mates to protect her from both man and beast?
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Millionaire Daddy
Dominick Asbury is not just a handsome millionaire whose deep voice makes Jenna’s tummy flutter whenever they are together, nor is he merely the first man bold enough to strip her bare and spank her hard and thoroughly whenever she has been naughty. He is much more than that.
He is her daddy.
He is the one who punishes her when she’s been a bad girl, and he is the one who takes her in his arms afterwards and brings her to one climax after another until she is utterly spent and satisfied.
But something shady is going on behind the scenes at Dominick’s company, and when Jenna draws the wrong conclusion from a poorly written article about him and creates an embarrassing public scene, will she end up not only costing them both their jobs but losing her daddy as well?
