Standing, I made my way towards her, noticing how cute her tousled hair and twisted nightgown looked as she stepped into the light. I wrapped my hands around her waist. “Midnight brain… I need a pretty girl to put me back to sleep… you interested?” Instead of waiting for her reply, I bent and lifted her from the ground, tossing her gently over my shoulder.
She went with the flow, a willing victim to whatever I had planned. We were in sync, like thunder and lightning. I turned into the bedroom and laid her onto the Egyptian cotton like the queen she was, kissing her toes softly as I made my way between her legs. Her soft echoes of gratitude played like a map to her pleasure as I drove in deeper, letting my tongue flick against her clit in a frenzy until she shrilled a sigh of undeniable release. I lived for these moments of escape—the short seconds when she was at the height of pleasure because of me.
She pulled me towards her weakly in a lazy stretch of ecstasy. “You’ve done me in, I can’t move.”
A short smile stretched over my face as I laid into her, allowing her soft, wet sponge to comfort me as I pumped. Her eyes closed, then opened briefly before closing again. She arched her head back, lifting her chin slightly up as she let out a sigh. I mimicked her vocals, then tensed my legs, releasing the last bit of anxiety I had in a wave of sticky pleasure.
Smiling, she leaned up and met her lips with mine, then dropped her head back onto the pillow as though it were too heavy to lift. I raised my weight away from her quiet body, noticing a message blinking on her phone at the end table as I rolled onto my side of the bed.
“Who’s messaging you so late?” I asked, assuming she’d laugh and make light of my playful questioning—but she didn’t. Instead, she rolled towards the table and grabbed her phone awkwardly.
“It’s not that late in Nevada.” Her voice cracked when she spoke—enough that my curiosity piqued.
I laid next to her head and looked up at her phone, but she pushed the message away, then turned towards me. “He still texts me every night. I haven’t been responding. Sorry I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to make things more complicated than they needed to be.”
A twinge of unresolved jealousy coursed through my veins. “Is this the ‘he’ I’m thinking? What does he say?”
“He sends ‘I love you’ messages every night. I thought he’d stop after a few weeks, but he kept sending them. I need to tell him to stop… I just don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
I rolled onto my back staring blankly at the ceiling until I realized who ‘he’ was. Everything about him made me sick but when his name came to the forefront of my brain, so did a realization I hadn’t yet thought of.
“He built that software program for the drone, didn’t he? How’s that going?”
Hannah turned towards me with furrowed brows. “I guess it’s going well. I don’t ask questions though. Why?”
“Because I think I need his help with something.”
She laughed, “I think you’re the last person he’s going to want to help.”
“Yeah, probably but he might be the only option I have. Text him my number and tell him I have a proposal I’d like to talk about.”
She hesitated, “It will just confuse him. It’s not fair. Whatever we need, we can do without him.”
I nodded, kissed her head, and spooned her into me. She was having an emotional reaction to a clearly unemotional problem—and while I didn’t want his help, he did know a lot about software, and with no one else willing to assist, Kevin seemed like as good a candidate as any.
“Thanks for not pushing it,” She said, pressing her cold feet against my shins.
Guilt swirled beneath my skin. I planned on pushing it, just not right now.
Chapter Four
Hannah
It had been nearly five months since I’d broke things off with Kevin. When I did run into him at the shelter, it was awkward, and I tried my best to avoid conversation. Suddenly, I would have fieldwork to do, or an appointment I needed to rush to get to on time. But after a few encounters, I think he realized how uncomfortable I felt and stopped trying to make conversation—keeping his contact limited to the one text every evening. So this morning, when I received a second text, it caught me by surprise.
Kevin: Matteo called… wanted my help with some software thing. Not sure if you know what’s going on, but he left it cryptic. He wants me to meet him Friday at Stella’s for breakfast. You coming?
None of what Kevin said sounded familiar, but I didn’t want Kevin to know that. Standing from the bed, I lifted the short silk robe that hung behind the door and made my way into the main room. Hotel service had brought breakfast in silver domes that sat neatly on a cart with a coffee carafe, orange juice, and fresh fruit.
Matteo sat on the couch with one leg bent sideways over the other, still in his boxers, his body—art to be admired. “I was hoping the smell of coffee would wake you. How’d you sleep?”
“I have some text from Kevin that you called him about software. I thought we were letting this go?”
He didn’t hesitate, he just continued with his coffee. “I need his help hacking Kings Ranch security.”
“No! You have plenty of people that you can hire.” I snapped the words, unsure of why I was having such a reaction.
Matteo shifted the weight of his body, obviously upset by my defense. “No one wants anything to do with Kings Ranch. Kevin is the last option I have.”
I moved to block his view of the sportscast he was watching. “You can’t drag Kevin into this. He has his daughter Sophie to think about. She’s only six. She’s been through enough with her mother leaving… she doesn’t need to be dragged into all this too.”
Matteo’s teeth tightened against his lips. “I’m not making Kevin do anything. He can say no.”
I crossed my arms, “I’m sick of this whole thing. You’re finally home. You’re not on that awful island, I’m not in some horrid basement, we’re together. Please, just pay someone to hide us. I need you to listen to me this time.”
He stayed still at the table, his pecs flexing against the light of the sun as it streamed in through the window, his jaw still clenched. “I’m listening to you Bella, but they’re going to pay for taking you, for ruining my legacy, for leaving me for dead. I’m not living underground—hiding.”
His insane clarity scared me. I went to his side, attempting to lend comfort with my hand on his shoulder. “Maybe we should get you in to see someone. You haven’t been yourself since you got back.”
He flinched away. “Of course, I’m not myself! I’ve had everything taken! You, my horses, my identity.” His accent vibrated when he spoke. “The only help I need is from Kevin. I have to hack this software. It’s the only way I can get inside to see what they are really doing.”
“You didn’t lose me… I’m right here.”
He stood and began pacing in front of the row of picture windows. “And how long do I have you before they find a way to take you again? Before more nightmares ruin the sweet girl I’m so in love with?” He made his way towards me and brushed my cheek with the back of his hand, “They have taken pieces of us and they will keep going until there is nothing left. I need you to trust that I know what I’m doing.” He softened and pulled me against his chest. “I can hire people to watch Kevin and Sophie. I’ll keep it all quiet, so no one knows who hired the security, or why. This is if Kevin even agrees to help.”
Turning away from him, I sat at the edge of the white sofa. “You’re not doing this alone. What can I do?”
He sat next to me, pulling me onto his lap. “You can plan the wedding like none of this is happening, because when this is over, I want to know you’re mine forever.”
“So, you want me busy with wedding plans, so when you die, I’ll be even more devastated?”
“Bella! I’m not going to die! Have a little faith in me.”
Throwing him a glare, I stood and poured a cup of coffee fr
om the cart. “If you’re doing this, I’m not letting you do it alone. End of story.”
“You’re helping me by staying safe. I don’t want to worry about you too.”
I rolled my eyes. “We both know you’re just going to do whatever you want anyway.”
He smiled, then moved towards me, grabbing me up by the waist. “I’m glad we both agree then.”
Chapter Five
Matteo
Sinking into the booth, Kevin folded his hands on the table. He wore sensible slacks and a tucked button-up—classics for a nerd. I barely knew the guy. In fact, this was the first time I’d ever sat with him, though his hate for me was apparent in his tone.
“Make this quick. I have surgery in an hour,” he snapped.
I cocked my head to the side. “No foreplay? I figured you a slow starter.”
He stood from the table as though he were going to leave, but we both know he wasn’t going anywhere.
“I need your help. Hannah isn’t safe.”
He sat back down, brushing his thumb against his square chin. “She never is with you.”
I ignored his comment. “How much has Hannah told you?”
“I know nothing.” He checked his watch.
“Kings Ranch is the group that had Hannah kidnapped as a ransom for my horses, and they are the ones that left me for dead in the ocean. Once they find out I’m alive, they’ll be back and I need to get ahead of them or Hannah’s not safe.”
“Sounds like she needs to leave you. I can help with that.”
“Except for leaving me won’t help. They’ll come after her because they know I care for her. It won’t matter who she’s with.” Kevin stayed quiet, though I could see his wheels spinning.
I pressed on, “I need someone to hack their security software so I can monitor every inch of that ranch. Hopefully, get some intel on something so I can use it against them.”
He lifted his brows and pushed his blonde hair out of his eyes, maintaining the innocent look he worked so hard on. “So, hire someone.”
“I’ve tried. No one wants anything to do with these people.”
“Then why would you think I’d want to get wrapped up in this? I have a six-year-old to think about.”
“I can hire security for you. They’ll keep a loose tail; you won’t even notice they’re there.”
He fumbled with his keys thinking over his options. “There has to be another way to keep Hannah safe. Rent another place for her, then hire the security to trail her.”
I felt my heart pick up speed. “Forever? No. I need to take these people down and finish this, so we don’t have to worry about them in the shadows.”
Lifting his cup to his lips, Kevin peered towards me with piercing gray eyes. “Where is Hannah anyway? You’re so worried about her that you left her alone?”
“Not that it’s any of your fucking business… but she’s at the shelter.”
“You know, I’m always amazed at how good you are with people. How have you gotten this far? I’m not hacking security systems and messing with people no one else will. Sorry, you’ll have to figure things out another way.” He stood from the table. “If I did this, she’d be in the house with you while you view hacked software? So what happens when these people find out what you’re doing and follow the IP address? Even if we did this on private servers—if they are as good as you say—you’re putting her in danger anyway.”
“And what… let me guess… she’d be safe and sound with you?”
He threw a $5 bill down on the table. “I think we both know the truth about that.”
My body lit on fire, I wanted to punch this bastard in the fucking face. “You going to help us or not?”
He curled his innocent face into a dirty grin that made it hard to sit still. “How much of this does Hannah know about?”
“None of your fucking business.” I stood from the table. “Fuck it… I don’t need your help.”
He raised his voice in sarcasm. “Oh… so you’re lying to her again.”
My fists tensed. I wanted to punch this guy square in the face, but he turned to walk away before I could check him. I’m sure mouthing off to me was the bravest thing he’d ever done. And truly, I’d assumed much less of him. I threw a twenty down on the table, then walked out the door—a bell slammed against the glass alerting the diner that the ruckus had moved to the parking lot.
Kevin stood by his truck, kicking the rocks out of his tires until he caught sight of me. “Hey!” He cleared his throat and walked in my direction. He was tall and built, but lean—I could take him. “Sophie is on school break next week. My parents have been asking to take her to Disney. What if you got security for me, and Hannah came to stay at my place? I’ll get into the software for you and Hannah will be safe.”
I met him at the back of his truck. “She’ll be safe with me, thanks. We aren’t separating again.”
“You really are a selfish ass if you think any of that is true. When these people find out what you’re doing, they’re going to get you when you least expect it and Hannah will be there in the middle of it all.”
I tried to stay calm, but blood began to boil my face. “I bet you’d like that—alone with Hannah for who knows how long…”
He straightened, then turned away, effortlessly climbing into the tall pickup truck as he spoke. “Take it or don’t.” With that, he backed out of the parking lot into the rain that had begun to fall.
There was more to say, but my lips had stopped moving. The thought of being away from Hannah again killed me, but Kevin wasn’t entirely wrong. The further away from me Hannah was, the safer she got.
Chapter Six
Hannah
“Bella, we made plans. We’re going to Mexico. We can tour missions, check out flowers, explore a few more things on our bucket list. We need the escape; life is about to get complicated.”
“Why complicated, Matteo? Because I’ll be going to stay with Kevin?” I said the words blithely as if it were common knowledge.
Matteo pulled his head back. “What? How do you know about that? I haven’t decided anything yet.”
I pulled back my head. “You haven’t decided yet? Well, when you decide my future… please let me know.”
He sighed and curled his fist towards the wall but didn’t follow through. His moods were erratic and ever-changing lately. “You know what I meant.”
Silently, I yanked my suitcase from beneath the bed and unzipped the hardtop. Matteo softened and sat at the edge of the bed, watching as I made my way back and forth between the closet and the case.
“What are you doing? Where are you going?”
“Me? I’m packing for Mexico! This is what you wanted right? You want to go off and have one last bout of fun before you blow everything up again?” Tears streaked from my eyes. I wanted this to be enough. But it wasn’t, and it never would be.
Pushing away my suitcase, he invited me onto the bed to sit with him. “You know I don’t want you to go with him, right? I want you, always. I just need—”
“You just need it all. I get it.” I stood again, “Well you can’t have it all. You can’t have revenge and love. Which do you want more?” The words snapped through my lips without thought.
Standing, he raised his voice. “I want a life without hiding. I want a life without fear of someone taking you from your goddamn room while you sleep. Is that too much to ask?” He wasn’t himself. Never had he raised his voice to me, though he’d done it twice in the last week.
I walked towards him, meeting his gaze. “My mom used to say, if I let wildfires consume my mind, they’d leave nothing but ashes. If you need to burn Matteo, I can let you burn—just promise me you’ll rise again. Cause I can’t do this without you.”
“You can’t do what without me?”
“Life.”
“I promise I will come back to you.” He lifted his brows, then tapped the sides of my arms attempting to
shift the energy in the room. “So, we should get moving… those commercial flights don’t wait.”
We’d been flying commercial since he got back, not wanting to raise awareness of our location. The first time, it was a novelty—a fun experience he’d never had. This time, cramming his large body between someone else’s reclined seat and the window seemed less than thrilling. I never flew much before Matteo, but once you’ve flown private, there really is no other way.
We landed in Mexico late in the evening with heavy eyes, rented a Jeep, and found our way to a cozy, two-bedroom terra cotta cottage sat among palms and sand before the roaring pacific. Vacations with expensive welcome baskets, pre-stocked kitchens, and bathrooms set up with luxury items had become customary for us. Now, we’d have to gather those things ourselves. For the most part, we’d been doing this anyway. But tonight, we were too exhausted for anything but wine.
Matteo sprawled on the bed, throwing his strong arms behind his head. “What should we do to me?”
I laughed, “Do to you? That’s presumptuous and I’m exhausted.”
He rolled onto his side, resting his head in his hand. The scent of patchouli and cedar drifted off him. “You’re right. Grab that scarf from your bag…” He pointed to a dark blue chiffon wrap peaking from my suitcase.
Leaning, I grabbed at the delicate linen then dangled it above his bare chest, playfully tickling before he snatched it from my grasp.
“I gave you a chance, now I’m in control,” he said, wrapping the blue scarf to cloud my vision. He was gentle, as he darkened the world from me—his dark raspy voice and large hands now dragging along my curves as he made his way to my feet, then off the bed altogether. I could hear him fumbling through our bags, but I wasn’t sure what we’d brought that he would need.
Soon enough, a soft vibration along my ankle floated slowly over my hips and onto my hard nipples.
I squirmed, “Where did you get that?”
He didn’t answer, though I assumed he’d brought it in anticipation of more bucket list fantasy play. Kissing my neck roughly, he reached the vibrator down between my legs, pushing the lips of my pussy apart with the tip of what felt like a dildo.
Pleasure Vows Page 2
