My jaw clenches, teeth grinding in frustration. “This is for the best. This. Is. For. The. Best,” I chant to myself over and over again.
Mentally, I command myself to turn the damn phone off, to break the connection. Nothing good will come of me answering the phone. It only serves to endanger everyone involved. Still, no matter how many times I repeat it, I can’t seem to turn the damn thing off.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I fight the urge to take a closer look at the devil’s whorehouse. The irresistible compulsion, the need to move, rallies in my already twisted thoughts telling me I’m wasting time. I’m ready to scale the damn wall and see what the devil is hiding in her compound. My agitation flourishes, growing steadily with each passing moment. I’ve exhausted so much energy fighting myself, and part of me knows that I’m just confused because of the mixed up emotions dashing through my head. But the insistent need to get to the woman who caused my goddess all of her pain is almost unbearable.
Vibrating sounds on the seat next to me alerting me to the incoming call. Nausea builds in the pit of my stomach, roiling, threatening to work its way up my rapidly tightening throat. Swallowing several times, I peek at the phone from the corner of my eye. All of the air in my chest explodes from me in an audible gush. With wide eyes, I stare at the image of my best friend. My hands quake with the force of my compulsion to pick up the phone and answer it. Blowing out several deep breaths, I focus on the image instead. I can still remember the day the photo was taken. We had just returned from a tour overseas and decided to go camping. Sam and I had argued for days about where to go. We’d finally settled on camping at the Northern Rim in Payson Arizona.
The picture was taken shortly after we’d returned from a small fishing excursion in Christopher Creek. Sam had sauntered up to me and slung an arm around my shoulder before giving me that shit-eating grin of his. We held up our catch from the stream—mine was severely lacking compared to Sam’s—and then we’d laughed and drank the rest of the weekend. It’s one of the best memories I have with him. The familiar ache returns, building in my chest and spreading throughout my body like wildfire. Instinctively, I reach for the phone only to pull away at the very last moment.
Locking my hands on the steering wheel, I grip it tightly to prevent myself from doing the one thing I know I can’t. The one thing I want the most at this moment: to talk to my best friend. There’s so much I want to say, so much I need to say. Inhaling a pained breath, I lean my head back, closing my eyes briefly.
The phone stops ringing, and my fingers relax, blood rushing back to my extremities. Exhaling a sigh of relief, I open my eyes and reach for my night vision binoculars resuming the task of watching my target. Parked around the corner from the house, my SUV is nestled between two cars, providing me the perfect cover to see and not be seen. Before I’m able to get the binoculars in place, the display on the phone lights up again. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I close my eyes. With a small sigh, I open them and glance at the irritating device.
“Stubborn bastard,” I murmur.
Darting a glance at the fortress, I watch the guards making their rounds. My throat is packed with emotion as I listen to Sam’s persistent buzzing. He never was one to give up. Always a stubborn ass when it comes to getting what he wants. A small smile begins to form as I think of all the stupid antics he’s pulled to get his way. The phone stops vibrating, and the knot in my stomach loosens, only to tighten and double in size seconds later as the phone lights up at Sam’s insistence. What the hell? Now he is starting to annoy me. Isn’t he getting the picture? Obviously not. Would you give up? the little voice in the back of my mind asks.
Stupid voice. Always sounding so logical. Maybe I should just fill him in and let him know what’s going on. Clammy hands reach for the phone on the seat, my fingers hovering over the answer icon, when out of the corner of my eye, I see movement, something approaching in the distance. Sitting up straighter, I lean forward to get a better look at who or what could be approaching.
Every muscle in my body tenses, freezing me on the spot as I stare at the woman of my dreams. Kylee strides up the sidewalk, slowly taking her time approaching the gate. The armed guards see her approach but don’t make a move to stop her. That means they recognize her and are ready for her. What the fuck? I can’t believe she’s here already. The phone buzzing in my hand brings me back to the present.
Grimacing, my teeth dig into my lower lip. “Forgive me, brother,” I whisper.
Lowering the night vision binoculars I’m holding with one hand, I place them on the seat. Never removing my gaze from my goddess, I hold down the power button, severing all communication with my team. Dropping the phone on the floorboard, I dash out of the vehicle and head in her direction. It’s time to get this show on the road, to take control of this situation and do what needs to be done. The wild thrum of my pulse pounds in my ears with each step I take in her direction.
My stomach leaps into my throat as Kylee nears the gate, forcing me to break out into a sprint to get to her in time. Sweat beads on my brow, trickling down the sides of my face as I pound the pavement, each step ringing loudly in my ears. The risk increases if I don’t make it to her before she slips through the gate. There would be no telling when she would come out. If she’d come back out.
I flinch at the thought of her not coming back, of something happening to her at the hands of the devil herself. The nearly overpowering fear pushes me harder. My muscles expand and contract with exertion as the strong desire to protect her from any further harm drives me forward. Rounding the corner, I have so much momentum, I practically barrel into her, sending us both skidding back several feet.
“Oomph,” she groans.
“S-Sorry,” I pant.
“Alex?” Kylee takes a step back, her eyes widening in surprise.
“The one and only.” I smile, stepping forward, closing the gap between us. The constant state of despondency clouding my mind seems to have lifted with her presence. Her eyes narrow, scrutinizing my appearance.
“What are you doing here, Alex?” she questions, her eyes lifting to mine, searching for answers while shielding her own emotions as if she’s afraid to hope.
“Looking for you.”
“Me?”
The skeptical tone she uses may as well have been a dagger to my heart. My girl has isolated herself. She’s become a lone ranger traveling a dark and dangerous road. My muscles tighten, readying themselves as my determined gaze holds her own. She will not travel this path alone because I have every intention of seeing this through to the end, by her side.
“Yes, you. Who else would I be looking for?” I smirk, crossing my arms over my chest, daring her to challenge me.
Her confusion quickly turns to irritation, her eyes shooting daggers at me. “Well, you found me. So, what is it that you want?” Challenge accepted it appears.
“Come with me,” I say, grasping her shoulder and giving her a little tug.
“No. Dammit, Alex. I don’t have time for this shit right now. I have things I have to do.”
“Come with me now, Kylee.”
“I said no, Alex.” Shrugging out of my grip, she sidesteps me, walking toward the gate.
“Kylee,” I say, grabbing her arm and turning her to face me.
“I do not have time to argue this with you again, Alex. I’ve already told you my mind is made up. Now let me go.” She tugs, pulling at her arm.
I tighten my grasp enough to hold her but not harm her. Kylee’s gaze narrows to tiny slits, a hiss leaving her luscious red lips. Red? My eyes zero in on her lips painted a deep red. I nearly groan as my cock swells, threatening to burst from my cargo pants at the sight. Now is not the time boy.
Now is not the time. Mentally shaking the thoughts away, I raise my eyes to meet hers again. Her eyes gleam with mischief, a naughty look glistening in their depths. Fuck me.
The hoarse, low timbre of my voice send
s an unmistakable shiver down her body as I speak. “You will come with me and listen to what I have to say. Now I am going to release your arm, and you will take my hand. We are going to walk across the street and head south away from prying eyes. Be very careful now love. We are being watched, and you wouldn’t want to get us both killed, now would you?”
Her eyes show no fear as I release her arm and she willingly slips her hand into mine. We cross the street in silence and make our way south, staying out of the devil’s line of sight. Kylee squeezes my hand, holding on for several long moments before releasing it. The cool night air caresses my palm, causing the hair on my arms to stand at attention. Right away, I miss her warmth, the softness of her skin, and the feel of her palm pressing against mine. Kylee hems, coughing lightly, casting glimpses at me from the corner of her eye.
Eyeing me warily, she is the first to speak, breaking through the surmountable tension. “What are you really doing here, Alex?”
“I already told you, looking for you.”
“I’m not buying that line, and you know it.”
“I don’t know why. It’s the truth,” I say, turning to face her as we reach the SUV.
“How did you even know where to find me?”
She turns, hitting me with the full force of her penetrative stare. The intensity in her chocolate brown eyes renders me speechless for several heartbeats, all thoughts obliterated as I drown in their deep recesses. The small hand on my bicep brings me back to the beauty before me.
“Did you hear what I said?” She snaps her fingers in front of my face.
“No, you hypnotized me with your beautiful . . . rack. Yeah, your rack. That’s it,” Kylee growls in response to my joke. Her red lips lift at the corners into the most fearsome little fucking snarl. My shaft immediately hardens, the tip pressing painfully into my zipper.
“Ah, dammit. You can’t do things like that to me, babe,” I say, readjusting my cock.
“Are you fucking serious?” Kylee huffs, spins, and stomps off, marching her way back to the devil’s domain. Shit. Don’t fuck this up, Grant! the little voice inside my head screams. Racing forward, I step in front of her, cutting off her retreat.
“Sorry, babe. Bad joke. Walk with me. Please?” Extending my hand, I give her a pleading look.
Sighing, she takes my hand, muttering, “Fine. Now, what did you need to talk to me about? I really do have something I need to do.”
The look of determination on her face sends a fluttery feeling racing through my veins. I scan her for any signs of fear, anything to clue me in on the fact that she may be acting. But she stands tall, chin held high, with her shoulders back, ready to march through the gates of hell.
Nodding, I school my features to reflect one of grim determination.
“Very well. I know you’ve made up your mind. But is there any way that I can persuade you to come back another day?”
Her cheeks redden as her expression tightens. Her voice is firm when she replies, “I’ve already told you. I’m doing this, and you will not change my mind.” She balls her hands into fists, broadening her stance as she prepares for a fight.
Shaking my head, I bite back the urge to smile at her display of dominance. “I didn’t ask you to change your mind. I only asked if you could come back a different day so we could plan out a strategy on how to best proceed.”
“Why do you care? It’s not like you’re going with me,” she barks.
Taking a controlling step forward, I eclipse her with my presence. Kylee steps backward, crowding closer to the vehicle. I abolish any space between us, overshadowing her completely.
My voice is deep and commanding, leaving no room for argument when I declare, “The hell I won’t. You won’t so much as fucking sneeze without me being by your damn side.”
Kylee’s eyes widen. She stares unabashedly at me, seeking answers to questions I won’t be able to give. Finally, after several seconds, she asks, “I don’t understand. You made it perfectly clear you weren’t able to come. Actually, I realized it was quite unfair of me to even ask. So, why now? What changed?” Her eyes scrutinize every facet of my face as she waits for my answer.
“I had time to think about it. That’s what changed.”
The deep brown irises I’ve come to love over the course of the last several months deepen with their curiosity. Sucking her lower lip into her mouth, she nibbles, chewing on her red lip. The contrast of her white teeth and red lips send tendrils of lust spiraling through my nervous system. Gingerly, I lean forward removing the lip from her mouth tracing my thumb around the edges. Our heads drift closer until we’re only a breath apart. Her eyelids flutter, lowering to half-mast.
Our breaths collide as her soft hands begin exploring my body, sparks of pleasure igniting in my abdomen as it flexes, coming to life with her touch. Gazing deeply into my eyes, Kylee smiles tenderly. For a brief moment in time, she drops the facade, allowing me to see the longing in her eyes. The same ravenous need to be with me as I have for her. Her eyes are full of passion, love, and sorrow—so much sorrow that I want to hold her, shielding her from the rest of the world, never letting her go.
Staring passionately into her eyes, my tone is dark and lustful, each word spoken with reverence. “It’s you and me, Kylee, all the way. Always and forever.”
Closing the distance, I place a chaste kiss on her lips, not daring to tempt myself with more for fear of getting lost in her embrace. And neither of us is in a place where we can be lost to our lustful desires. The moment our lips touch, Kylee lets out a sexy little groan, pushing herself up on her toes to get closer. Dark thoughts and images of shoving her skirt up and thrusting into her against the vehicle enter my mind, forcing me to take a reluctant step back. With a heavy sigh, I untangle her fingers from my shirt.
A small frown creases her brow before she tilts her head to the side, peering at me questioningly. Kylee nods, her shoulders stiffening, and smooth’s the nonexistent wrinkles from her knee length skirt.
“I see,” she says icily.
I blanch, reeling from the coldness in her voice. She sees? What exactly is it that she is supposed to see? Rubbing my forehead, I let out a little huff and level her with a glare.
“And what exactly is it that you see, Kylee?”
Thoughts race through my mind a million miles a minute in my confusion. I swear it’s like dealing with a fucking temperamental toddler. You never know if you’re going to get the sweet, cuddly kid or the evil fucker that’ll scream his head off. If the sharp pointed tap to my chest is any indication, I’m pretty sure it’s the evil one I’m about to deal with. Opening my stance up, I cross my arms over my chest and level her with a glare of my own. Two can play this game.
“You sure do talk a big game, Mr. Grant. But when all is said and done, it’s clear that’s all it was. A game.”
My earlier confusion dissipates, giving way to pure outrage. Forcing a laugh, I glower at her. “A game, Ms. Parker? You think this is all a game, do you?”
“I didn’t, but it’s obvious you do.” A small flicker of hurt manages its way into her voice before she masks it, clearing her throat.
“Is that right?”
“Yes, and while this has been . . . enlightening, I really must go. I have things to do. So, thank you for everything. It’s been a pleasure.” She gives me one final look before taking a breath and glancing in the direction we came from.
“The hell you do,” I growl.
“Stop, Alex.” Her voice cracks slightly on my name.
“No. You aren’t going anywhere.” The calm control I’ve held barely leashed is finally broken free, the dominant animal wild and free.
“Alex, I can’t play this game with you. I don’t have the time or the energy. I am doing this. You won’t change my mind. Besides you made it clear you don’t want me so let’s call it a day and go our separate ways.”
“Did you hit your head?”
“What?” she inquires, nailing me with her incredulous s
tare.
“I’m serious. Did you bang your head on the SUV or something? Because I don’t remember ever making it clear that I didn’t want you. As a matter of fact, that’s not something I’ve ever made clear. Here, let me show you the proof.”
Grabbing her wrist, I thrust the palm of her hand over my groin and let her feel my erection. “Does that feel clear to you? Hmmm? Does it, Kylee?”
She quietly watches me, not answering, just waiting for my next move.
“Answer me,” I bark.
“I don’t know, Alex. I don’t know.”
“Well, let me be clear, princess. I can’t get you out of my fucking head. And you aren’t going anywhere without me. You want to know what was going through my head a few moments ago? Do you?” She nods her head, unable to speak.
“I was thinking about rucking up this little skirt and shoving my dick so far up your pussy you’ll feel me for the next week.”
“Oh,” she whispers on a breathy sigh.
Leaning in, I hover a breath away from her lips. “But I can’t do that because there are eyes everywhere and there’s no telling who could be watching. And I don’t want anyone to see you like that but me. Do you understand?”
Kylee nods her head in assent.
“I want to hear you, Kylee. I said do you understand?”
“Yes,” she squeaks.
“Good. Now since you’re so hell bent on heading into the devil’s lair, tonight let’s get this show on the road.” I take her hand, tugging her in the direction we came from.
“Alex.” She pulls on my hand, stopping me.
“Yes?” I ask, curious as to why we’ve stopped. Kylee eyes me critically, glancing up and down as if she finally realizes I’m not up to her standards.
Royal Blood Page 5
