by Ellie Jean
“See what bullshit I’m putting up with here. It’s a crime to my manhood.”
“All in the name of claiming her, T.”
“And soon she’s gonna know she’s been claimed thoroughly and entirely by me. No holding back.”
Leaving the guys with their amusement at my suffering, I walk through the lounge and pick up Crystal’s computer that Emerald had brought around for her. Having a fashion show coming up, my Tiger had to complete designs so she could get busy making them once she was out in the wide world again. Little did she know, just like Emerald, she would be closely watched by our security if they were out of our sight. Until Liza was found, none of us were safe.
“Here you go.” Rounding the corner into my bedroom, Hotcakes was lying sprawled out in the middle of the king-size bed with pillows behind her, looking like a queen. Crystal was my queen, but we still hadn’t had a chance to talk about everything yet. She thought I had her hostage in my apartment until Liza was captured and killed, but this was it now. Her raspberry scent drove me insane with need, her warmth entwined around me was perfect while I slept. It calmed any other thoughts. Hearing from her that she was okay after the assault during the kidnapping was on my priority list. I didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves. Crystal would still be processing the events, and I would be there if she needed anything. Kyle would not be the one caring for her this time or ever again.
“Fuck…” Things were being fired at me from the bed, bouncing off my face and body.
“I told you I only like the raspberry ones. Do we need to go through it again?” Crystal snaps at me as she pelts marshmallows toward me like they’re being shot through a machine gun. A devious grin makes her lips curl at the ends, her eyebrows raised.
“Tiger…” a growl erupts.
This is war.
Holding her gaze, she runs out of projectiles and smirks.
I pounce.
There’s a small gasp.
Lifting the blanket from her feet, I expose her silky legs, running my hands up to her knees. My lips trail next, nipping her skin, licking it, making her legs tremble. Grasping her knees, I hold them still so she can’t move. My mouth tastes and devours.
“Tanner…”
“It’s Tanner now, is it. Nice to know you do actually know my name.” My fingers graze the inner thighs and she stiffens. Until my tongue follows. Warming her gently like a flicker from a flame on a candle. She would be sparkling soon enough.
“No…you have no right.”
“You were the one who declared war on me by shooting candy at me. There must be payback. And I think you’ll love this type.”
Goosebumps break out on her flesh and her legs move to my lips. She may be playing hard to get, but her body knew what it wanted. My fingers trail up farther until they hit her flimsy material. Pushing it aside, I swirl my fingertips through her manicured hair and let her adjust to what will happen in a few moments. Her core clenches trying to keep me out, but I run my thumb lightly over her clit. My left grasps her panties tight while my elbow ensures her legs stay apart.
“I will only make you feel good, Tiger.”
Her shallow breathing gives it away that she’s enjoying my touch. I nibble at her pussy and I slide my tongue through her drenched folds. Her back arches and her hips push in my direction. Slowly I lap at her juices. My piercing hitting her jewel rhythmically.
Moans escape her mouth and I know I’m the luckiest damn guy in this universe to be eating something so decadent. I’ll be the last one to ravage it.
“I want you to come on my tongue.”
My hand snakes up to her tit. Why didn’t I fucking take my Linkin Park t-shirt off her gorgeous body first?
“If you want that, you need to stop talking and get on with it.” My hair is grabbed and pulled, pushing toward her pink pussy. I pinch her nipple through the material and Crystal groans.
“I’m in charge here, Tiger.”
Spearing my tongue forward, her body reacts.
It flinches.
Her pussy moves in the opposite direction to my mouth.
This is a first.
I stop.
Crystal stops.
What the fuck was that? We search each other’s eyes looking for an explanation as to why one minute I’m licking her juices and the next her body pulls away from my touch.
I should have listened to my mind, not my dick.
I’ve pushed her too far. I’m a fucking idiot.
“I’m sorry.” Rearing back, a chill runs down my spine. I move my hands and rub them over my dipped head. What have I done? Shit. I’m so used to taking anything I want in this world. But this I can’t. Crystal has to want to give herself to me.
“Don’t…” Crystal reaches her hand forward to grip my wrist. “Don’t be sorry. My body…I can’t explain why that happened.” Her somber voice shreds me. It’s so unlike her chirpy self. I crave her backchat and insolence as much as her killer body.
“I’ve pushed you too far.” I’ve never taken from a woman what she didn’t want. This time though, her playfulness pushed me too far. I thought I could remove the ugliness from her mind, make her feel amazing. I was wrong. Fuck, how wrong I was.
Her lids are downcast. Pulling her body into a ball, she shields herself from…fuck, probably me. Lifting my leg, I move off the bed, I am lost. So sure that I would have her, I haven’t given the talented, hot-headed, fashionista actual time to understand what she went through and why. For someone that I consider to be the one I want, I’ve been a selfish prick, thinking of myself first and foremost. If Emerald was here, she’d be calling me a stupid dick. And I am.
“Will you stay?” Her voice wobbles and it rattles my entire shell.
I freeze, unsure why she wants that. But she doesn’t have to ask twice. Playing butler to her, she knows she only has to ask, and I will do what she says. Fuck. Being truthful, I’m pussy whipped. I’m so done for.
Removing my clothes except for my shorts, I slide in next to her heated back. My arm wraps around so I can tenderly swipe her face. Moisture coats my fingers.
To the world, she’s my strong girl. But here, she cracks.
Exposed, helpless, and defenseless.
“You will get through this.” She hiccups and I pull her closer to my front. My chin rests on her hair. Kissing it reverently, my chest beats in time with hers. Tracing my fingers over her arms haphazardly, I let my mind wander. I vow to help her get to the other side of this dark place she’s been forced into.
“I will. But how long it takes, is unknown.”
“I will be by your side the entire time and then some.”
Linking her fingers into mine, we lay in silence. Crystal should be shouting at me, telling me to go to hell. My heart twists and I want to yell and kick, screaming my desperation aloud. She’s quiet, too quiet and that scares me more than a bullet to my brain. I knew then and there that I would do everything in my power to bring her back to me, completely. Because in that second, I realized I couldn’t walk this planet without her by my side.
Heat woke me.
Or was it the memory of some guy holding a gun to Kyle’s head, sweeping it across his temple in case we didn’t get the message clear they were sending us. The sadistic beauty was pure evil, and we were lucky to have been saved without much harm. The rational part of myself understands this, but my emotional self…it’s a different matter altogether.
Tangled in Tanner’s shirt, sweat leaks out of me and my pulse is racing. My breaths are shallow. Lying still, I watch Tanner sleep peacefully next to me. Untroubled. His arm across my chest, protecting me even in his sleep. Yes, I’d seen his body multiple times and yes, I had licked most of it but studying it was a whole new experience.
A strong wide chest, waxed and smooth, ripped with muscles lay in front of my eyes. Black ink inscribed across it. My fingers lightly traced each letter, but it was in a language I didn’t recognize. Shoulders decorated with patterns and roses, entwined with vines
and words which make me curious. What are they about? Why does he need to have these adorning his body permanently? My gaze travels to his strong jaw covered in dark stubble. Sighing silently, he looks so peaceful. It’s so irregular to see him like this. Last night he looked utterly broken and desolate. A look I hoped to never see again on this demanding and controlling man. My heart had fractured when my mind took complete control over my body. A reaction so far from the norm.
I’d never flinched from anyone.
In my line of sexual history, not once had I recoiled from a touch or a taste. Sexual boundaries were pushed but never had I flinched.
Could Tanner really care for me?
His macho, cocky self is how us mere mortals perceive him. He’s the untouchable. The unattainable. The monster who hides in the dark, luring you to his lair where he destroys you. Quickly if you are lucky, or deliberately piece by piece. There’s no option. His world is destructive and full of deception. You’d be dead in a heartbeat if you weren’t conditioned for it. But perhaps, I’ve seen a small sliver of the inner Tanner, the pieces of him he keeps hidden from the dark world that he lives in.
Somehow it makes sense.
I’d made a choice last night when sleep took me under.
I chose him.
Tanner.
My monster.
No fanfare. No huge outbursts of undying love, but in my mind, I had always wanted this sexy beast. And perhaps now we were on the same page.
Three nights together, in his bed, in his apartment with only him. No quick escapes, flirting, antagonizing him, being cared for and wanted. Where the outside world couldn’t sink their talons into him or me.
Our private oasis.
But no sex. And I think that was the problem.
I was aroused. My body wanted his touch. My mind wasn’t on board last night but studying him, like a rare, priceless piece of artwork in an art gallery, I knew I wanted to wipe my memory clear of the kidnapping. My body and finally, my head, is hungry for it.
“Why have you stopped?” A groggy voice and sexy eyes pull me back to the bedroom.
“Hmmm?” I raise my eyebrows, wondering how long he had been awake for.
“Your touch. It’s like droplets of rain dancing against my skin. Refreshing and invigorating. Perfect.” Completely sincere, Tanner smiles but doesn’t move.
“Perfect, like your canvas. Your body.” A flush spreads across my face, heating me more. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“Don’t…” Swiping his hand through my hair, he moves it from my face. “Nothing to be sorry for. I was being an inconsiderate jerk.” His eyes question mine. “I know that’s hard to believe.”
A small laugh escapes. “You…never.”
The mood is light. I bend forward chancing a taste of his lips. He doesn’t move away. Wiggling my ass closer to his strength, I take more this time. Fastening onto his mouth, my heart pumps faster. My hand on autopilot takes the back of his head and pulls it closer to me, deepening my kiss. Tanner is hesitant. He’s holding back, but I persist. I need him fighting for me to wipe the past events away.
“I think it’s still too soon. You need to heal.” Stroking my neck, I lean into his touch more.
“I need you to heal me.”
Heaving a breath to steady myself, how do I get this brute of a man to do what he does best.
Fuck me hard.
I’m desperate to feel complete again. Sappy Tanner isn’t doing anything for my confidence.
“And I’m here, but after last night, I think it’s best we wait.” Grabbing his hand, I put it on my pussy; challenging him.
“Tanner Grayson, you’re not honestly telling me you don’t want this.”
Thud…Thud…Thud…Being bold is wreaking havoc on my nerves. His touch ignites me instantly.
Dark flashes across his eyes. And I know there’s a battle of wills playing out inside him.
“You know you do.” I smirk. If only I had changed into my silky, lace pajamas last night instead of keeping his t-shirt on, I could allure him more.
“Fuck, Crystal. I’m trying to do what’s right.” Licking his lips, I watch each movement with precision. They need to be sliding over mine.
“I’m telling you, this, now, between us, is right.” My finger twirls along his words, dancing over his roses. Sliding them down his abs, the firmness underneath them is delicious. He’s a machine. A deadly one that I will never get out of my system. Cupping his balls, I squeeze them and close my eyes, savoring the touch.
“Hotcakes, I knew from day one you would ruin me.” Latching onto my neck with his firm hand, he steadies his eyes on mine.
“That’s only fair, since you did the same to me. All tough, threatening and intimidating that fateful day. But I guess you still are.”
“That won’t change. It can’t.” With control, he takes my lips, and I feast on his. I’m addicted to them. Possessive and warm, I relax and find comfort in his touch. My cheeks heat and the grasp around my neck tightens so there’s no escape. Perfect. A wave of happiness washes over me with each tingle that breaks across my skin. For now, I grab hold of it and pray Tanner’s true to his word.
I pull his shorts off. His cock is thick, steel-like and I run my finger up his bulging vein. Wetness floods my greedy pussy.
“I’m taking this slow.” Rawness in his voice makes me pause.
Really? That would have to be a first.
“We will see.” Slowly, I move my hand and my lips trail down his neck.
Fingers lightly float over my arms. He lifts his shirt off my body. I have to let go of his cock which I’m not happy about, but it’s for a worthwhile cause.
“I want to treasure this heavenly body. Savor each delicacy. It’s what you deserve, Tiger.”
I can’t argue with that.
Wrapping his lips around my nipple, the adoration and tenderness undoes me. My hand keeps a slow pace from root to tip on his cock, but the tantalizing sensations coursing through my tits, straight to my pussy are awakening me. My body arches and I gasp with each bite and subdued touch.
My heart beats wildly in time with his chest that is braced against the side of me.
This was a new side of Tanner. And I wasn’t complaining.
I watch his lips suction around my breast, teasing it before kissing across my chest ready to lap at my other pebbled nipple.
I was being worshipped.
Taken care of.
I was being put back together.
He was fighting for us.
Sliding his hand under my panties, he lowers them down and I wriggle my legs to help.
“Oh…” A quick nip of my breast and he leaves it to his hand, which is perfectly skilled, trailing kisses down my abdomen.
My hold on his cock is snatched away from me. My pussy is aching with need.
Stubble lightly scrapes down my emblazed skin and I run my hands through his hair, onto his shoulders. His lips tease my pussy and his tongue slides through my folds, flicking my jewel with his piercing. Christ, it catapults me close to oblivion with each stroke. My hips rear up and his tongue swirls around sending me into a delirious state. His hand squeezes and molds my tit, pinching it as he swipes across my clit again.
My body is strung tight. This is where we got to last night, but today is a new day.
“Don’t stop.” My back bows and I want his cock deep inside me.
“Fuck.”
Tanner’s expert touch knocks me so damn hard as my breath catches and I fall. The tip of his tongue lightly caresses prolonging my ultimate bliss. My body writhes, but he keeps lapping.
Squeezing his head between my thighs, I’m locked.
Please leave my lips. I’m unsure what I’m pleading for. For Tanner to stop, to keep going, to give me his huge cock. So much to plead for.
Strong hands brush over my hips and I release my knees. A gorgeous grin graces me as Tanner longingly looks up to me. My juices coat his lips.
“Perfection.�
�
I agree with him.
My eyes flash to his throbbing cock. It’s truly beautiful. A wariness clouds his features as he pulls himself up from my pussy. His virile length needs to be inside me.
Moving off the bed, still foggy-headed, I open his side drawer. Fudge cakes, nothing. My naked body still tingles with electricity as I get to the other side drawer.
“Heck.”
“Tiger, what are you looking for?” The wariness from before has disappeared, his smile taunts me.
“They’ve got to be here somewhere, ‘cause I know you would never be far away from them.”
Hands on my hips, Tanner smirks his lazy smile. His golden flecks are shining from his brown orbs with naughtiness.
“Hotcakes?”
I go to his bathroom and search the drawers in there. My patience is running thin and my blissed-out state is nearly gone.
“Damn Tanner, where are the condoms?” Flicking my hair over my shoulder, I am about to launch a search party to find them. Why aren’t they right here, by his bed?
He belly laughs making me scowl harder.
“Don’t tell me you’re all out?” I want to scream. He has to have some, I’m aching for him to be inside me. “Son of a monkey…”
My tantrum, my bulging eyes or the fire darting from my eyes must have given away the urgency because he stretches and makes a performance of getting out of bed. Holy hell, I could watch this man all day long. Give me ten packets of raspberry marshmallows and Tanner’s naked body on repeat and you’d know where to find me.
“I might have one.” Strolling past me, he swipes his arm across my nipples. My legs shudder at the electrifying contact. He stops at the heap of clothes on the floor and pulls out his wallet.
“Of course.” Hitting the palm of my hand on my head, how stupid I am. I’m like a little girl at a fair, waiting in anticipation to see what gets pulled out of the lucky dip box. My fingers want to fidget. I want to lunge at his cock and pull him deep into me.
“Shit.” Tanner slowly looks up at me. The spring in my step has gone. How can this be happening? He’s a guy, he’s Tanner Grayson, a womanizer who gets laid every chance he wants. I want him now, and I’m out of fucking luck?
