by Cat Mason
Only problem is, she’s figured me out and has decided to push back.
My concern now is that if she continues to test my limits of control, it’s only a matter of time before I lose my will power. She is in no way prepared for that.
By the time I make my way back up the beach, I can see the lights from the main house on in the distance. Instead of going toward the house, I go up the other side of the beach, away from the dock. Stopping, I turn and stare out at the water, watching the last bit of sunlight disappear into the horizon, I let my eyes adjust to the darkness.
“You’re the only man I know who wears sunglasses at night.” Turning around, I see Rae lying on the same blanket she and Brannon played on earlier this afternoon. Leaning up on her elbows, she assesses me. “Actually, there’s very little time when you’re not wearing them.”
“Sun and the stage lights hurt my eyes,” I shrug, giving her the stock answer I always use when someone asks, which honestly, isn’t often.
“Why is it that I don’t believe that’s the whole story?” she asks, tilting her head sideways, the moonlight framing her face. “You’ve got darkness behind those eyes, Henry.”
“What are you doing all the way over here?” I ask, ignoring her last statement, knowing that no one walks this far away from the house after it starts getting dark. There aren’t any solar torches this far out so it makes it harder to see. “You could get lost without the extra light now that it’s dark.”
“Since I have the night off, I wanted to lie here and look at the stars without the light reflecting from the houses. Sometimes it’s a good thing to just get lost, Henry. It reminds us that the world is so much bigger than us and our problems.”
“Some things you can’t run from,” I reply, running a hand through my hair, wishing it were just that easy to get lost for a while. “The shit you run from is always going to be there waiting when you get back.”
“It’s not hiding, Henry, it’s regrouping. Self-preservation at its finest. Sometimes the best thing you can do is say fuck it. Sure, your shit will be there when you get back to it, but you won’t be in the same frame of mind. Everyone has things they don’t want to face, but it’s how we handle them that make us who we are.” Patting the sand beside her, she gestures for me to sit. I don’t even move. She’s dangerous in a way that she can’t even begin to understand. “Oh, Henry. I’m not gonna bite,” she purrs. “Although, after the other night…” she pauses, making my knees nearly fuckin’ wobble. “If you ask real nice, I might nibble a little.”
“You’re not being fair.” Walking over, I sag to the sand beside her. “Do you have any idea how hard it is not to roll you beneath me right here and take what I want, Rae?”
I can hear her sharp intake of breath, but she runs her fingers up my arm. “Last I checked, I wasn’t stopping you.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying, Rae,” I warn, closing my eyes tightly.
“I want to see your eyes when I talk to you.” Rae grabs my sunglasses, yanking them off my face. My eyes fly open in shock as she hitches up the bottom of her dress and straddles my thighs. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she leans in so that our lips are nearly touching. “Henry,” she whispers, “I’m going to say this once, and only once, then I’ll never mention it again. Something clicked when I kissed you the other night, I don’t know what that thing was, but it clicked, sparked, and I liked it. Here’s what you can do: either tell me you don’t want me and I’ll go to bed right now, alone, or you can get lost with me, right now, and kiss me.
“Us doing this could complicate things, Rae,” I warn her, knowing that it’s happened a lot thanks to Mack. Nannies get nervous about shit and bolt the moment the group knows what has gone on behind closed doors, or in Mack’s case, not even with the doors closed. “Are you prepared for the consequences?”
“I’m a grown ass woman, Henry. I can handle whatever you’ve got to throw at me.”
“If you’re sure about that.” Gripping her hips, I fist her dress in my hands. “Then there’s only one more thing you need to know, Rae.” Rolling her to her back, I cup her face with one hand. “This is a place where I’ll be runnin’ things too,” I say, running my index finger over her lips before skimming it down her neck and chest, coming to a stop at the trim of her dress. Her breasts are rising and falling, faster and faster, pushing against the fabric teasing my raging appetite. Her eyes heat as she stares up at me. Nodding slowly, she sinks her teeth into that juicy bottom lip that I know all too well tastes like green apple chapstick.
I can’t take it anymore. My hand cups the back of her head and I slam my mouth to hers. Instantly, she opens for me and I groan at the taste of her on my tongue. Her hands slide around to my back, her fingers digging into my skin through my t-shirt. Fuck, it’s amazing.
My dick is already pressing painfully against my jeans, but there’s no way in hell I’m unleashing him just yet. I’d go off like a rocket in under a minute and I don’t want this to go there. Not yet.
Rae moans into my mouth, her tongue tangling with mine and I feel all my control going down the drain so fast it has my head spinning. My hands slide down her body, cupping her ass through her dress so that I can rock my hips into her to give us some kind of friction.
My mouth leaves hers, making a trail across her jaw and down her throat. “Mmm… Henry,” she moans, arching her back, causing her to grind harder into my throbbing cock.
Reaching her breasts, I yank down the stretchy top of the strapless dress and free her breasts from the bikini top. Tiny barbells with pink rhinestones twinkle up at me in the moonlight. Leaning down, I circle one pierced nipple before doing the same to the other. Rae lets out a long moan and wraps her legs around my waist, her hands sliding down to my hips. Her fingers curl into the belt loops of my jeans and she tugs.
Sucking her nipple into my mouth, I flick my tongue back and forth over the metal, making her body tremble. Rae moans again, her fingers sliding up my back and under my shirt. Leaning back, her nipple slips out of my mouth with a loud pop. I look down at her as she stares up at me before tugging my shirt over my head and tossing it to the sand beside us. Her fingertips skim along the tattoos on my abdomen and chest, tracing the lines of black script that lays against the vivid colors. Every inch of my ink tells a story. Her fingers stop on the monster tattoo and where it looks like he’s ripping my flesh away to the bone to escape. I can see the questions in her eyes, ones that I don’t want to answer. I don’t want to talk, not now. I just want to feel her, to hear my name on those beautiful lips again.
Grabbing her hands, I pin them both above her head before leaning down to take her mouth again. It’s not that I don’t want Rae to touch me. I do. She has no idea how good it feels, but I’m struggling to hold onto my last shred of control as it is.
Every touch feels so much more than skin deep.
My phone goes off in my back pocket and I groan. Not this, not now. This can’t be happening. Breaking the kiss, I jerk back and grab it from my pants. “Henry,” I bark into the phone a little harsher than I mean to.
“Big Man, main house, now,” Mack shouts frantically into the phone before the phone beeps alerting me to the lost call, making my blood run cold.
“Fuck!” I shout, grabbing my shirt.
“What’s wrong? Is it the kids?” Rae asks, already up and putting herself back together.
Every possible scenario is running through my mind while I make my way up the beach to the house with Rae keeping right up with me. What in the hell could possibly have happened? My heart is nearly beating out of my chest, my lungs burning like wild fire as I force air in and out. This feeling never gets old, and I never get used to it. The fear, the preparation of going into an unknown situation. You can never quite prepare yourself for the drop your stomach does in these moments.
By the time we climb the steps to the back deck of the main house and I fling open the closed patio door, I am damn near gasping for breath. Frantically
, I scan the room, but don’t see Mack anywhere. “Where the hell is Mack?” I ask, everyone looking up at me in confusion.
Hunter looks up from the table where he sits with Cam and Aiden. I look over to the couch where Daisy sits curled up with Grayson and Brannon, watching a movie with Luke and Kionna. “No clue, Big Man,” Luke says, standing to his feet.
“What the fuck is going on?” I ask, scrubbing a hand over my face. “He called and scared the shit out of me. You’re telling me I hauled ass back here and he’s not even here?”
“Dude, you run fast for an old man,” Mack says coming in behind us, laughing his ass off. “You should see your face. Fuckin’ priceless.”
Before I can even speak, let alone react, Rae pushes by me and steps up to Mack. Her small frame shaking with fury as she stares him down, her eyes looking damn near explosive. “Are you kidding me?” she yells, her fist connecting with his jaw. “I nearly had a panic attack thinking it was one of the kids. What the hell is wrong with you?” she shouts, shoving him. Mack stumbles backwards into the wall, chuckling as he fights her off. Turning on her heel, Rae storms off, disappearing down the hallway.
“Damn, all I gotta say is that chick has a hell of a right hook,” Mack says rubbing his jaw.
“What the hell were you thinking, Mack?” I ask, nearly ready to show him what a hell of a right hook really feels like.
Mack shrugs, throwing his hands up in the air. “I thought that since we were perfectly safe on this island that playing a prank on you would maybe help you relax. I really didn’t think you’d fall for it since you know how secure we are here,” he explains, blowing out a breath. “I’m sorry dude, I really am, but I thought you’d laugh and loosen up a bit, then tell me to fuck off or something.” Mack looks down the hallway, before swiping a hand over his face, guilt filling his features. “I had no idea she’d hear. I’m… Fuck, I messed up again.”
“Yeah,” I snap, my eyes going down the hallway.
“If she quits because of this, Mack, I’m going to tie you to a bedroom door and your prankin’ ass will be sailin’ home Jack and Rose style, bitch.” Standing to his feet, Hunter walks over and stands beside me. “According to some cockblocking wedding ‘tradition’,” he says, air quoting. “I’m not even allowed to see her pussy, let alone fuck it until after Chase has my last name.” Stepping closer, Hunter points a finger in Mack’s chest. “Nothing, and I repeat nothing, comes between my cock getting at that ass. Especially not one of your monumental fuck ups.”
“I get it, okay?” Mack replies, holding his hands up in defeat. “What do you want from me? I already said I was sorry, you don’t have to be such a crab ass.”
“I’m all for Henry unwinding, but nothing about that shit was okay,” Daisy says, pushing to her feet. “You’ve not been here the entire time, of course, but I know you remember that Taser to the balls.”
“Yeah, we don’t fuck around like that. Emergencies are just that,” Cam adds. “We have made it to this place because we don’t take what we’ve been through lightly. Yes, we joke, but some things just aren’t funny. Ever.”
Hunter looks at me, his lips twisting into a grin. The wheels are working overtime in his head, and that’s never a good thing. Except for now. Mack needs to be schooled and Hunter’s crazy fuckin’ ass may be thinking on it, but he isn’t the only person wanting to handle that.
“Don’t worry, Mack.” Leaning in, Hunter pats him on the back. “I’m not mad at all.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “I’ve had enough excitement for the night,” I say, making my way through the room. “How about you don’t call me unless there is really a problem? Thanks for covering the night shift again, Mack.”
Making my way down the hallway, I walk into my room and slam the door behind me. Beyond frustrated, but not just because Mack thinks it’s funny to cry wolf. I’m more upset about the fact that my dick was all set to be balls deep inside Rae. The way she felt beneath my hands was fabulous. My fingers itch at the thought of touching her again. Then there is the fact that there is some truth to what Mack said. I need to loosen up some. We are safe here, I know that, for the most part. Hell, I plotted all the damn security precautions myself, with no room for error. Rolling my shoulders, I crack my neck and look at myself in the mirror and grin. To hell with it, if they want me to relax some and have fun, then I will. I just hope that Mack is prepared for all that happens when I do.
Grabbing a pair of shorts from my bag, I walk into the bathroom and stop dead in my tracks when I see Rae in the floor, sobbing. Her arms wrapped around her knees, holding them tightly to her chest.
12
The Ginja Ninja
Rae
Running into the house, I was scared out of my mind. It was happening again. Instantly, I was transported back to five years ago. Feeling helpless and unable to do anything about it. Just like the day I lost Joshua. When Mack laughed and said it was a joke, my vision went completely black. I lost it. I’ve never hit anyone in my life.
Walking into the bathroom, I slump to the floor. Pulling my knees up, I bury my face and the emotions pour out of me. I cry, not just for Josh, but it’s a release of emotion and adrenaline as well. When you lose someone who was the center of your world, your biggest fear is for that to happen again to someone you care about. The hurt is one that aches for an eternity and is only dulled by giving yourself over to it and being strong enough to come out on the other side.
You die, just the same as they did, only you’re forced to keep breathing. You never forget, even though their faces seem to fade further and further away, you just simply learn to exist without them. You move on, whether you want to or not. I chose to push on because it hurt too much to keep looking back.
It doesn’t mean it’s always easy, it just means it’s what has to be done.
At the Daycare, I was reborn in a way. The children came in and were safe. I relied on that. I began to get stronger, knowing that the past could never repeat itself, because I refused to let it. Tonight, though, between Henry and me on the beach and Mack’s idiotic prank, my emotions have been put through the ringer.
“Jesus.” His sharp growl makes me jump. Instantly Henry is at my side, his broad shoulders pressing into the corner of the vanity as he kneels down to meet my eyes. Cupping my jaw, he swipes away tears with his thumb. “Mack’s a shit. Don’t let him get to you.”
“No, it’s fine.” I sniffle, swiping angrily at the tears that keep falling. “I’m fine, it just scared me, that’s all.” Looking up at Henry, I groan. “Is Mack all right?” I ask, still not able to believe that I actually hit him.
Henry’s shoulders shake, his body vibrating with silent laughter. “Don’t worry about Mack, Slugger, I think he’ll be just fine. Although, I think you scared him just as much as he scared us. I’m not sure a woman has ever tried to kick his ass before. I’m not sure he knew what to do.”
I giggle, unable to help myself. Burying my face in my knees again, my whole body shakes as I laugh. My emotions are off the damn wall. I go from wanting to tear Henry’s clothes off, to terrified, to angry, to sobbing my eyes out, now I’m hysterical?
“That’s a beautiful sound.”
Looking up into his eyes, I am unable to resist smiling when I see a grin spread across his face. Taking my hand in his, Henry helps me stand to my feet. Grabbing a wash cloth from the shelf, Henry turns on the faucet and wets it before tilting up my chin and wiping gently beneath my eyes. His fingers graze my cheek, making me shiver.
“You know, you don’t have to tend to me,” I say trying to grab the cloth from his fingers. “You’re not on duty with me, Bear.”
Henry scowls at me. “I didn’t come in here to tend to you, Rae.” Brushing his thumb over my bottom lip, his eyes soften. “But, here I am, drying your tears. Now, I’m going to kiss you because I need to taste you again. Then, we are going to get out of here and get revenge on Mack.” Wrapping an arm around me, he pulls me flush to his body. “If Mack want
s to see me unwind, Firecracker, I’m all about showing him how it’s done.”
Then his lips are on mine.
Hard, hot, and demanding, Henry’s mouth moves against mine like he’s trying to devour me whole. My brain short circuits, all I can do is grab his arms and follow his lead. His tongue runs over my bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth and tugging with his teeth. I gasp in surprise, and he starts to pull away, but I pull him back into me causing his hardening erection to press into my stomach. Knowing that I do that to him is a fucking high like no other. Every woman needs to know that they are the reason you are battling splitting your zipper with your hard on. It’s an ego boost, plain and simple. Men can give you sweet words and can tell you anything you want to hear, but let’s just face it, there’s no denying a crotch tent.
His fingers wrap around my pony tail, letting me know that he’s back with me again, wrapping my hair around his wrist before pulling to tilt my head. I moan into his mouth, my tongue finding his. A growl rumbles up from his chest as he lifts me off my feet and places me on the white tile vanity. Stepping between my legs, he deepens the kiss. Both his hands cup my ass, rolling me into him again and again.
His lips move down my jaw before pressing them to the crook of my neck. His hot breath against my skin feels so good. My fingers slide up his back and into his hair, wanting to hold him there, because it feels good to get lost and forget everything else.
“You ready for some revenge, Rae?” he asks, his jaw ticking as his grin turns into a sexy as hell wicked smile. The dimple in his cheek is barely visible through his scruffy beard, but I can still see it.
“Revenge?” I ask, still a little dumbstruck by his kiss.
