by S. M. Soto
With my mind made up, I walk out of my room and down the hall. Stopping in front of the closed door, I lick my dry lips as I nervously look down the deserted hall. I raise my hand, and lightly rap on the door, hoping he’s in there. I’m not disappointed when a shirtless Creed answers. He leans against the door jamb, not allowing me to enter. There’s a tense air around us, but that magnetic pull, it’s also there—strong as ever.
“I’m sorry about earlier…with Garrett. I don’t know what has gotten into him.” I shake my head, because really, I do know what has gotten into him. The thought of me and Creed together.
Piercing me with those silver and slate orbs, Creed stares down at me silently for a beat, before running a hand through his mussed hair.
“He was right. You should listen to your brother.” He shifts his gaze away, avoiding my eyes.
His words throw me for a loop. He’s actually siding with my brother on this? After all the time we’ve spent together, he’s really going to give up that easily? Hell no.
“Are you crazy?” I raise my brows incredulously. “I’m not listening to him.”
“This is a problem the team doesn’t need. Just go back to your room.” His tone is gruff and irritated, which only serves to piss me off. I shove at his rock-solid chest with an oomph when his body doesn’t budge.
“No,” I seethe, staring up at him in challenge. “I’m not going anywhere. You want me to stay just as much as I do.”
Creed bends low, into my personal space. I get a whiff of fresh pine and spearmint as his breath ghosts across my face.
“Go.”
His mouth says one thing, but his eyes say something else entirely. There’s a storm brewing beneath those cloudy depths that has my core clenching in anticipation.
“All you ever do is push me away. It won’t work this time.”
“Sophia.” My name is a growl. A warning that I ignore.
“No.” The word falls from lips in a hushed whisper as Creed and I stare each other down.
Something in the air shifts, and next thing I know, our bodies are colliding and our mouths are fused together. Pulling me into the room, Creed slams the door behind me, shutting us off from everyone. His lips slam over mine heatedly and I can’t hold back the helpless moan that escapes. My hands claw at his thick biceps and grapple at his firm body, needing to feel closer. I open for him, and he flicks his skilled tongue into my mouth, dueling, dancing with my own. It’s sensual. It’s erotic. It’s enough to make my thighs clench together and leave my lady bits throbbing. We ravenously devour each other, never once coming up for air.
The firm warmth of his body presses against mine. It forces me to take caged steps backward until the backs of my knees hit his mattress and I’m falling back on his bed in a heap. My hair falls haphazardly around us, but it doesn’t deter his ministrations. We’re still all lips, tongues and hands—nothing stopping us. With each of his arms beside my head, I’m effectively pinned to the bed. Creed’s chest rises and falls violently, like he’s a caged animal.
“I only have so much self-control, Sophia,” he says through gritted teeth, and I smile up at him at the admission.
The fact that he can barely restrain himself around me fills me with a warm sensation in my chest. After everything he’s seen, everything he’s learned about what happened to me, none of it changes anything for him, and I can’t express how relieved that makes me feel. My heart flutters in excitement as I stare up at the beautiful man above me, who somehow, still finds me attractive, despite the horrible things inflicted upon me in my past. He saw the beauty in my darkness, and I reveled in his darkness—it was captivating and beautiful.
My hands trace the muscled grooves of his back and I pull him flush against me.
“I want this, Creed. I want you.”
He silently searches my eyes. So many emotions flash across his face before his mouth claims mine in a breath stealing kiss. It’s a kiss that ruins me for any other man.
Gripping the hem of my shirt, I tear it over my head, baring myself to him. Insecurity over my body claws at my throat. I may not be as skinny and malnourished as I once was, but I’m not perfect. The scars on my body are proof of that.
I inhale a shaky breath, hoping this doesn’t change anything. Creed stares down at me with fire in his eyes that sends a jolt of heat straight to my core.
“So beautiful,” he whispers in a tortured voice. “Damnit, Sophia. You make me want things I shouldn’t. You make me crave things I shouldn’t.”
His words are like a balm to my heart and soul. They are exactly what I need to hear from him in this moment.
Creed wastes no time blazing a path of white hot kisses over my body, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. My body yearns for him. Every touch, every stroke, every caress—it’s dying for him, for his touch.
Peeling my jeans down my legs, he pulls my panties to the side, baring all of me to him. Before I know what’s happening, his mouth is on me, and my head is thrown back as tightness coils in my body with each flick and suck of his warm tongue against my clit. His fingers work through my folds eliciting a moan from deep within. My chest feels heavy, and my body is fevered, dotted with perspiration. With each caress of his fingers, I can feel my wetness pooling between my legs, dripping along the crevice of my crack and onto the sheets. My hands thrust into his hair and tug on the dark strands as pleasure shoots through my belly and throbs deep inside my pussy. I grind my hips into his hand and mouth, needing more.
His fingers and his mouth push me over the edge. My body arches painfully and I whimper as heat spreads through my limbs, and fireworks flash behind my closed lids in a kaleidoscope of colors. My breathing is heavy as I come down off the high that is Creed. Peeling my eyes open, I marvel at the erotic sight of him shedding his clothes. I’ve seen Creed shirtless before, but nothing, and I mean, nothing could prepare me for the sight of his naked body.
With perfectly tanned skin, an abdomen littered with a variety of scars, and a delectable six pack that has me wanting to run my fingers over each of the grooves. He is perfectly imperfect.
A dark trail of hair runs from his navel to the waistband of his briefs and the deep v of muscle has me clenching my legs together to stave off the throbbing. My tongue juts out, wetting my bottom lip as he slowly slips them down his thick legs. My gaze widens as it falls on his thick length. I swallow roughly in anticipation. My chest rises and falls heavily with each erratic breath. I can’t seem to take my eyes away from his hard length, even if I want to.
A deep, husky chuckle has my head snapping up and my gaze lands on Creed and all his handsome glory. Butterflies roar violently in my belly like a swarm of angry bees. A nervous tremble wracks my body.
Holy shit.
“See something you like?” His lip twitches and slides into a slow sensual smirk that has me smiling in return. I suck on my bottom lip and bite down hard, to avoid saying something embarrassing. Like, oh hell yes.
I nod my head as my answer, and Creed slowly, predatorily stalks toward me and my position on the bed. I’m all too aware of his heated gaze trailing across my naked body. The urge to cover myself is strong, but I tamp it down, not wanting my turbulent thoughts to ruin the moment.
Clenching my eyes shut, I expel a harsh breath, trying to stay calm. I feel the bed dip beneath me. Creed’s smell wafts around me, filling my senses with him and him alone. Everything else falls away. The worry over the mole, over Garrett and his missions, over whether or not I’m safe here. It all falls away, and when I open my eyes all I see is Creed. When his mouth descends upon mine, all I taste is the mint of his breath and all I feel is the sensual stroke of his tongue. My hands curl around the back of his neck, yanking his body flush against mine. The heat of his body sears my flesh. My legs fall open in invitation for Creed as he settles between them.
With his eyes locked on mine, he slides into me, and everything I’ve ever known changes within a blink of an eye. With each stroke of his cock, my eyes
roll into the back of my head, and Creed ingrains himself further into my heart, and my brain.
He has me. Mind, body and soul.
My heart thunders painfully in my chest, as heat swirls in my belly. My walls clamp down on him, sucking him in with each stroke. I don’t want it to end. Not now, not ever.
His thrusts quicken as he slips his hands between our writhing bodies and strokes my sensitive nub skillfully. Creed stares down at me so possessively, the gray in his eyes looks like sharpened, jagged pieces of metal that cut into me, scarring me, branding me as his. A guttural moan escapes my throat, and I shove my face into the crook of his neck, unable to breathe. Shock waves of pleasure slam into me with each of his thrusts.
“Fuck, Sophia.” he growls, starring down at me with so much heat in his eyes. His hand grips my breast and tweaks my nipple while his hips pound into me. Each flick and pinch of my nipple sends jolts of pleasure straight to my clit. With that same hand, he trails it up my sweat slicked skin and his heavy palm lays flat against my throat, no pressure is applied, but I can feel the sensation of his thumb gently rubbing across my throat, caressing my skin. “I tried so hard to do the right thing, Sophia. I tried to warn you so many times.” Creed says, his cock driving deeper, rubbing against something inside of me that has me throwing my head back, unable to contain the pleasure.
“Look at me, Sophia,” he breathes hotly in my ear, forcing my gaze back to his. I stare up at him through heavy lidded eyes. “You’re mine now,” he says gruffly. His thumb slides erotically along my lips and dips into my mouth, and my lips automatically wrap around his thumb, nipping and sucking against the pad of his finger. “I can’t give you up now that I’ve had a taste. You. Are. Mine.” His hips smack against my flesh loudly, annunciating each word perfectly. His harsh words, mixed with his gruff tone have me hurtling over the edge. My body spasms beneath his and I bite down on his shoulder to hold in the scream that threatens to escape.
“That’s it,” he murmurs approvingly in my ear. His grip on my body tightens, and I feel the moment his orgasm takes over. His length thickens and his body shudders over mine. Warm liquid fills me, coating the inside of my womb and thighs.
We both struggle to catch our breaths as Creed hovers over me, trying not smother me. Sweat drips from his face and glistens on his body. The sight is so erotic, my pussy clenches around his still hard shaft. I can’t tell if it’s from the aftershock of my orgasm, or from the sight of him above me. Leaning up onto my elbows, I close the small distance between our bodies and place my mouth over his. Our lips glide over each other’s in perfect succession.
When we pull away, we’re both out of breath once again with a new fire in our eyes. My chest rises and falls erratically, my nipples grazing his chest sensually. Unable to help myself, I run my hand through his hair and massage his scalp. His eyes flutter closed, and he hums in approval. With my other hand, I trace my fingers over his face ever so gently, hovering over the healing scar. When his eyes open, there’s so much emotion there, my breath catches. Creed softly brushes stray hairs that are matted to my forehead off my face. Dipping his head down, he takes my mouth again, and slowly slides back into me, showing me once again how capable this man is of making me forget my own name.
IT’S SO WRONG.
It’s dangerous and careless.
But that doesn’t stop me.
They both have the same extensive training—the ability to sneak by without being noticed—ears of a hawk perked at the ready at the mere sound of an intruder. But each night, I still follow the same routine; sneaking around the halls. And every time I always find myself in Creed’s bed with those strong arms wrapped around me.
Whenever I’m with him, there’s an overwhelming feeling of contentment and safety.
I feel cherished in his arms.
I feel like I’m home.
After being taken from my family and everything I’ve ever known, I never thought I’d feel safe or at home again, but with Creed? I do. And for once in my life, I don’t feel like the odd girl out. I feel beautiful, sexy, and wanted. It all just feels so right.
I feel bad for keeping this from my brother, going behind his back, but I don’t see any other way. For the last three weeks, he’s done nothing but cause a rift between himself and Creed, I can’t even imagine what that rift will turn into if he finds out I’m slowly falling for his team member and “friend”. I know what my brothers argument will be, hell, I even understand it.
After everything I’ve been through, I shouldn’t be falling for a man like him. A man that kills people without blinking twice. A man that thinks he’s the Devil. But I am, and there’s no stopping my descent into hell, not where he’s concerned.
Earlier, Mera asked me if I could manage dinner for the guys tonight, while she ran to the nearest grocery store to stock up on supplies. Somehow, one of the guys forgot their task of picking up groceries, so, Mera had to go in their place.
I decided to go with a simple dinner for the guys tonight. Steak, potatoes and some asparagus. Quick, filling and easy.
“Smells just like home in here, love,” Finlay says, leaning against the counter next to me. Tossing the seasoned asparagus in a pan, I turn to him with a smile.
“Glad to hear it.”
“I miss the smell of frijoles con arroz,” Jose says taking a seat at the counter while popping a handful of nuts in his mouth. “Put in a request for me with Mera, would ya?”
“Why is it every time I see you, Jose, you’re eating those damn peanuts?” I say, trying not to raise suspicion around him. After those two incidents with him in brother’s room and the other with him and Ricky in the kitchen, it seems like Jose has been making an effort to be more…friendly with me. Don’t get me wrong, I still give him the suspicious side eye every once in a while, but the more time that passes, the more confused I become. The fact of the matter is, I don’t want any of these men to be a traitor.
He chuckles, pulling out a bag of those seasoned nuts. “They’re good. Cacahuates con chile y limon are a staple in my food groups. I try to squeeze a serving into all my meals.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle while I shake my head.
“Let me try one,” I say, holding out my hand. A devious grin spreads across Jose’s face as he shakes three reddened peanuts into my palm. Without much thought, I toss them back into my mouth, then immediately regret it.
My tongue burns immediately upon impact as I chew the roasted peanuts. Fire spreads inside my mouth, prompting me to open and close, gasping for air to cool off.
“Howy shet thas hot,” I cry out with my tongue hanging out of my mouth. Jose laughs at me and hands me a bottle of water as his apology.
“That’s the point, güerita. Once you get past the burn, it tastes good.”
I lean against the counter for support and swallow the entire bottle of water in two gulps, licking any excess droplets from the rim.
“You’re insane,” I groan, feeling my lips swell at the heat from just three pesky little peanuts.
I nurse a cup of milk and a large glass of water as I finish making dinner, all the while ignoring Finlay and Jose’s ribbing behind me.
“Well, besides the whole mouth on fire situation, how are you?” Finlay asks.
“Better than I was the other night we talked, that’s for sure. And as for spicy peanuts, keep those damn things away from me, Jose,” I scold. He raises his hands in the air and struggles to hold in his laughter.
“Tea in the sitting room after dinner?” Finlay asks with a hopeful hint in his tone. Creed’s face immediately comes to mind as I try to come up with an excuse why I can’t meet up with Finlay. At night is the only time I’m able to spend time with him without being seen, or having
anyone question us or our motives.
Just as I’m about to open my mouth to speak, Creed and my brother walk into the kitchen, the atmosphere changes around the room instantly. Garrett eyes Finlay through narrowed slits, no doubt having heard his p
roposition to hang out tonight and talk.
“Not happening, Williams,” Garrett says sternly to Finlay, skirting around him to my side where he places a chaste kiss on my head.
“Ah, of course. It was worth a shot, Cova. Can’t blame me for trying.” Finlay chuckles, shrugging his shoulders helplessly. He shoots me a wink as he settles down on the kitchen table with Kam, Ricky, and Jose. I clear my throat, hoping to rid of the awkward air, and focus back on the task at hand—finishing up dinner. Finally, all the guys settle around the table and engage in conversation.
As I’m flipping off the burners, I feel heat at my backside that has a shiver running down my spine. The scent of fresh pine and Creed wafts in the air around me.
“What would your answer have been?”
His voice sends a tremor through my body and has my eyes fluttering closed. I inhale a shaky breath and squeeze my thighs together to tamp down my incessant need for Creed.
“Answer to what?” My words come out gravelly, and lust filled. His proximity has my body firing off synapses at every turn; waiting, begging for his touch.
“To Finlay’s offer?” His lips graze the back of my neck and the shell of my ear. My hands curl around the counter for support as my nipples pebble against my t-shirt in arousal.
“No,” I breathe. “I would’ve said no.”
“Good girl,” he whispers, gently trailing his hand down my arm. I quickly dart my gaze around, looking toward the kitchen table, taking note of the guys so immersed in conversation they aren’t paying one lick of attention to us. The island in the kitchen blocks most of our actions from the guys but being this close to him in front of Garrett still sends my heart racing.
I shift my gaze back to Creed and inhale a shuttering breath at the heat reflected in those depths. Tension coils deep in my core, pulling taut, waiting for Creed’s touch to help me unwind and relieve the ache building between my legs. I bite my bottom lip and stare up at him through my lashes, thinking of every dirty thing I want him to do to me later tonight.
