I look with interest at the two women and note the love in Milly’s eyes for the woman who has left this life for, hopefully, a better one. It must hurt losing a close friend and I feel a surge of sympathy for the pretty girl.
Milly pushes a cool beer toward me and I eavesdrop on their conversation while Ashton and Bonnie talk babies.
Milly points to a man in the corner of the room. Something about that particular man strikes fear in my heart because like most of the guys here, he is built like a machine. He is pumped and ripped and the tattoos on his arms are stretched against his skin and his t-shirt is doing a bad job of covering him. His hair is dark and fairly long and there’s a scar running above his left eye. The look he wears is of grim determination as I watch him throw his hand of cards down on the table and hear his companion growl, “Fuck me, Mav, again - this is getting old.”
The guy grins and I watch his eyes flash as he sweeps the dollars toward him and grabs his beer, taking a long swig before setting it down. Then his eyes scan the room and land on Milly and the look in them tells me exactly what he wants from her. Milly gasps and whispers to Angel, “Looks like my lucky night; you’re staying, aren’t you, please say you are, we need to catch up properly?”
Angel looks across at me and smiles tentatively and I nod, “If you want to, that’s fine by me.”
She smiles, and it’s as if the sun comes out and I know I can deny her nothing. She always was and always will be my number one priority and if being here makes her happy, then, reluctantly, so am I.
We watch Milly head across to the giant of a man in the corner and he pulls her effortlessly onto his lap and runs his hands around her tiny waist. She snuggles into him and appears to be more than happy to be there and Angel laughs softly. “That’s made her day.”
She leans forward and whispers, “That’s Maverick. He’s a cold bastard with apparently no feelings. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all like that but he’s worse than most.”
Bonnie leans forward. “I hear you mention Maverick. Word is, Ryder’s got plans for him. Apparently, some politician’s daughter in danger and Ryder thinks Mav might be the man for the job.”
Angel almost spits out her drink. “You have got to be kidding! Maverick guarding a politician’s princess, why would anyone think that’s a good idea? He’ll probably kill her himself just out of irritation.”
Ashton laughs. “Who knows how Ryder’s mind works, he’s usually right though?”
She smiles and by the look in her eyes she’s thinking about her husband and I can see immediately the huge love she has for him.
Angel laughs and then leans in and whispers, “Let me show you around. It will all make a lot more sense then.”
She says goodbye to the others and as I follow her out, I’m not sorry to leave the room. Although the people in it were friendly enough, I could sense their mistrust of me and general unease. I’m guessing Angel told them what happened to make her come here and know I’ll have to prove my worth before any of them accept us as a couple.
The slamming door cancels out the noise and Angel giggles. “Sorry, Seb that was intense. At least you’ve met them now.”
She slips her hand in mine and pulls me toward her and kisses me softly on the lips. “Thanks though. I know it took a lot for you to face them and it means the world to me seeing all the people I love in the same room. Anyway, before I show you my room, I’ll show you what makes this place a home.”
For the next hour, Angel shows me around the steel-clad prison that houses this strange crowd. As we walk outside, she points out various modern sleek houses in the clearing. “That’s where the married Reapers lived with their families. They live in a community and watch out for each other. Once a Reaper takes an old lady, they live a relatively normal life. The kids all play together and go to school in the town nearby. They are brought up to respect and love in equal measures but are also taught to take no shit and stand up for themselves. In fact, we all are.”
“What do you mean?”
She grins. “We are taught to fight, defend ourselves and not be a victim. Most of us came here because we were running from something but the guys teach us to stop running and stand our ground. The women play a huge part in that too, rebuilding shattered confidence and providing a friendly wise ear when we need to offload.”
She looks a little guilty. “They know everything about my past, Seb. They know what brought me here and why I ran. They know the bad and the good and they helped me make sense of it all. Then they made me into a stronger woman, which gave me the courage to come back and face you all. I owe these people everything because they proved more like a family than mine ever did and it’s important to me that you understand they will always be in my life.”
As I look around at Angel’s home, I finally begin to understand just how special this place is.
Chapter 33
Angel
Coming home made me realize just how much I love this place and everyone in it. Coming home with Sebastian made everything right with my world. I wanted to show him who I became, and it’s important to me that he understands who I am now and doesn’t judge me. If I had to choose between the two entities, The Reapers or him, I’m not sure he would like my decision. However, what I also realized in coming here, was how much I love him.
Seeing the other guys was great but nothing like I feel when I’m with him. Yes, Sebastian was always my soul mate, and that never changed. When Milly was excited to spend time with Maverick, I was happy for her. She has always liked him and I know he will treat her well, at least for one night. You see that’s what it is here. One night of love and more excitement than a woman can stand and then maybe a month will go past before that same Reaper comes calling. If Milly is harboring feelings for Maverick, she would do well to forget them. That man is and probably always will be, a cold hard bastard who ditched any feelings inside him a long time back.
After I show Sebastian the gym and pool and the communal kitchen, I head toward the block of apartments near the main house where the whores live.
As we head inside, I breathe in the familiar smell of perfume that lingers in the air and sigh happily. Turning to Seb, I smile. “It feels good to be back.”
I note his concern and shake my head. “This will always be my home but I’m guessing I’ll have to vacate my room in case someone else needs it. They have visitors’ rooms though, so we will always have a bed here.”
Seb smiles and pulls me close. “You can come back here whenever you want to. You know I understand your love for this place and I’m not going to get in the way of that. However, know that I am going to do everything I can to make you happy and if that means coming here with you, then you just have to say the word.”
My heart leaps and I feel the love drowning the doubts and crushing them forever. Pulling away, I grin with excitement. “Come on, I’ll show you my own particular piece of paradise.”
Dragging him up the flight of stairs and along the hall, I stop outside the familiar door and take the key from my purse. “Honey, we’re home.”
Laughing, I push open the door. “You know, Seb, you’re honored.”
“Why?”
“Because no man has ever set foot in here with me.”
He looks surprised and I giggle at his expression. “Strictly a ‘no man’ zone. This was my personal sanctuary and you can relax knowing how special you are.”
His eyes flash and I know that look as he takes two steps and covers the short distance between us, before pulling me roughly against him. “So, no man has ever kissed you here.”
He lowers his lips to my neck and I shiver. “No.”
“And no other man has ever done this—here?”
He lifts my top off and kisses my quivering chest.
“No.” My voice is husky and I feel so turned on I almost can’t breathe.
“And no man has ever touched you here?”
He cups my breast and rolls his thumb around the nipple as it re
acts to his touch. “No.”
As his lips crash against mine, the heat travels through my body, then with a low growl, he makes short work of removing every last item of clothing on both of us and pulls me against him. The feel of his skin against mine is like a velvet glove, caressing me and sending little messages of lust throughout my body. He pulls me toward the bed and lowers me gently down and proceeds to kiss me all over as I tremble with anticipation. As he licks, teases and demands my body to react to his touch, I lose myself in desire for him. His hard chest would rival any Reapers and the hardness between his legs is more than a match for any other. As Sebastian makes love to me, I feel like a princess. He worships me like any girl would wish to be and as he enters me hard and fast, thrusting home where he’s always been destined to live, I thank God for happy ever afters and know that now my future is a bright one with the man I have always loved.
The sun pours through the crack in the drapes and I look across at the man sleeping peacefully beside me. As I stare at him, I feel like the luckiest woman alive. He stirs and as he opens his eyes, I see the lust in mine mirrored right back at me. Without saying a word, I reach across and kiss him softly on the mouth. Then I move down his body kissing every inch of skin with soft feather like kisses and drag my tongue across his chest. As I reach his thighs, he groans and his cock reminds me of what I want and as I lick the tip, he growls “Fuck…
Silently, I take his velvet shaft in my mouth and suck gently, loving the way he tenses and groans with desire. My hands massage his balls and as I dig my nails in, he thrusts inside to the back of my throat and I suck harder. I feel so powerful as the dominant man under me jerks and groans with desire and I rub my breasts against him, loving the way the hardness against my skin ignites the fire within me. He makes to pull me up but I resist and suck even harder. When I can feel he is close, I position myself above him and lower myself gently down onto his hard cock and rub my clit against it, groaning as I feel the friction between us. He growls as I tease him by taking my time and he reaches up and fists my hair in his hand and pulls me roughly down and kisses me relentlessly. As I rock back and forth, he stretches me in an intoxicating way and I gasp as my clit drags against his shaft. I feel my desire coat him, my orgasm building like a storm waiting to break and just before it does, he rolls me over on my back and grips my arms, pinning me down as he thrusts inside like a wild animal. As he enters me, he growls, “You’re mine, Angel, no one else.”
I gasp, “I always was.”
As Sebastian explodes inside me, the force of it causes me to shatter into a million pieces under him. As the sweat from my body joins his and our bodies cement us together, I have never been so happy in my life.
Remaining inside me, Sebastian strokes my hair and says huskily, “I love you, Angel, I always have.”
My voice trembles with emotion as I say the words I have never stopped believing in. “I love you, Sebastian Stone and I can’t wait to see where that takes us.”
He appears in no hurry to leave my body and for a while we just lie joined together, sharing soft kisses and scorching looks. Then nature evicts him and as he rolls onto his back, he laughs softly. “What?”
“You know, your daddy would turn in his grave he saw us now—especially here.”
“Hmm, I expect he would but not half as much as he will when he sees what mom has planned for Anastasia.”
Looking concerned, Sebastian turns to face me. “Do you think Ryder can sort it?”
“I’m not sure - probably. I mean, only someone with a death wish goes against the Reapers but I kind of got the impression Ryder wasn’t bothered by Moretti. They should be back now, maybe we should grab some breakfast and head over and see what happened.”
Sebastian nods and reluctantly we leave the warmth of the bed and head for the shower. As we do, I feel the unease returning as I think about the fate that awaits us all if Moretti goes through with his threat to marry Anastasia. Whatever anyone says, I know it will end in disaster for us all and I just hope Ryder diffused the ticking time bomb that’s threatening to blow our worlds apart.
Chapter 34
Sebastian
Angel fixes us croissants and coffee in their communal kitchen and for a while we are the only ones here until a bleary-eyed Milly enters the room looking wrecked. Her face lights up when she sees us watching her with amusement and she grins sheepishly, “Well, who can blame a girl?”
Angel laughs and as Milly grabs a coffee from the pot, she teases, “Somebody didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Milly winks and I feel the pain hit my heart as I see this is a conversation they probably shared most days and that time it involved Angel.
Milly sighs and sits opposite. “You know, he’s strange one.”
“Why?” Angel looks interested and Milly rolls her eyes. “He doesn’t give anything away. He keeps those emotions firmly inside and just uses them to give a girl more pleasure than she should ever be able to stand. He’s a machine and to be honest I’m wrecked. Him though, he was up at 5 and in the gym punishing the machines in there. Last I saw, he was heading out for a run and I doubt we’ll see him until he’s completed his usual ten kilometres. I’ll never understand these guys, surely they’re not human.”
Laughing, Angel takes a bite of her croissant and Milly sighs. “You’re lucky, babe, at least you found your happy ever after. I’m not sure I’m ready for mine yet because god knows this place is like a hard drug that I’ll probably never kick the habit. Man, I feel like the luckiest girl alive.”
Angel giggles and they are soon gossiping about some woman called Vanity. I tune out as I try to get my head around the world they live in. It’s like some form of fuck academy and I thought Blacks was bad. Thinking of Blacks, makes me hard all over again and for a different reason this time. As soon as this shit is over, I’m going to show Angel just what makes a dominant tick and I will enjoy dominating my beauty because it’s been a long time coming. Yes, by the end of it she will submit to me and love every minute of it.
Thoughts of the pleasure I’ll give her, make it difficult to concentrate on anything else but suddenly, she turns to me and says with a worried look, “I think we should go and find Ryder. You know, if Anastasia is still going through with this, then we may be needed back at home to try and change her mind.”
Milly’s eyes fill with tears. “But you’ve just arrived.”
Angel reaches across and hugs her, saying gently, “Come and stay with us, babe. As soon as we sort things out there’s a bed waiting for you. It’s not far and we’ll still be close, we always will.”
“It won’t be the same though, it sucks not having you here.”
I see the pain inside them and feel bad. It appears they share a much closer relationship than Angel does with her own sister and so I say firmly, “Angel’s right. There will always be a place for you with us. You are always welcome.”
Milly smiles gratefully and then says loudly, “I’m off to get some sleep. I can’t stand goodbyes, so until I see you next take care of yourself.”
She faces me with a firm expression. “Look after her, Sebastian. If you don’t, I’ll be after you, you have my word on that.”
Grinning, I nod and grab hold of Angel’s hand and pull her against me. “And you have my word she’s in safe hands. She is my number one priority and I won’t ever forget that.”
Milly smiles and heads off and Angel sighs. “I feel bad for leaving her but we have a job to take care of. Let’s go and see what the score is.”
It doesn’t take long for us to reach Ryder’s office and Angel knocks gently on the door. Almost at once we hear a terse, “Come in.”
Rolling her eyes, Angel smiles reassuringly and we head inside. I balk at the sight of Ryder sitting with his feet on the desk with Snake in the chair across from him and Brewer on the couch in the corner. There is a half-bottle of whiskey on the desk and the glasses they raise to their lips are almost empty. Their eyes are bright and I sense t
hey haven’t been to bed because they look weary and as if they could use a shower and a decent night’s sleep.
Angel looks worried and Ryder growls. “Sit.”
We sit beside Brewer who rolls his eyes and Angel looks at Ryder nervously. “What happened?”
I can tell she’s nervous which makes me nervous and Ryder shakes his head. “We just got back. Moretti was on his way out when we got there and wasn’t in any mood for unwelcome visitors.”
I sense Angel’s fear but then Snake laughs. “He had no choice though.”
Brewer nods and Ryder grins. “They are never happy to see us and that’s always part of the fun.”
The guys laugh and yet Angel still looks worried. “Did you sort it, will he sell?”
Ryder shakes his head. “No, he told us he will never sell because those shares stand to make him billions in the future. He did assure us of his intentions toward you and your sister.”
“Which are?” her voice sounds fearful and I reach for her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “Moretti isn’t interested in Johnson’s plastics. He just wants the dividends and is happy for you to run it, however…”
Ryder leans forward and narrows his eyes. “He wants to marry your sister to protect his investment.”
“But why, we could always draw up a contract to offer him first refusal on the shares if I wanted to sell?”
Snake laughs and they share a look. “The thing is, darlin’, Moretti has seen this marriage as a way of solving a few of his own problems. Apparently, he’s been looking for a wife who will help portray him more as a respectable businessman. His marriage, as he puts it, is purely a business arrangement and nobody is forcing anyone to do anything they don’t want to.”
Completing Beauty: Books 1-3 Page 17
