All In (The Drift Book 2)

by Susan Hayes

  He wasn’t the smartest of men, but he knew better than to tell the source of his frustration that the dent in the wall was because he wanted more from her than she was ready to give. “Just annoyed with myself is all. I was dropping my left, and it gave him a chance to score a few hits.”

  “We can work on it next time we’re in the gym. It’ll give me an excuse to go a few rounds with my favorite sparring partner.”

  “You never need an excuse to spar with me, you know that.” He prowled over to her and set a hand on the wall on either side of her, caging her in so she couldn’t disappear on him. She had done that too often in the last few days. Part of it was because work had been hectic. There had been several serious fights in the club, and at least two of them had been fueled by crimson overdoses. The pharma was showing up more often, and it had everyone worried and on edge.

  She lifted her hands to his chest and wrapped her fingers in his shirt. “I know I don’t need an excuse, but this way I have a reason that has nothing to do with how much I enjoy kicking your sexy ass. I can’t stay long. It’s a packed house out there. I just wanted to congratulate you on your win tonight. You were incredible.”

  “You have never kicked my ass, sugar. We’re too well matched for that.” He dipped his head and slanted his lips across hers, using the kiss to stop himself from saying anything more. He wanted to tell her she was his perfect match. He wanted to ask why she was pulling away from them. Instead, he lifted her into his arms and kissed her until he didn’t have breath left to speak.

  She came to him willingly, her long legs wrapping around his waist and her arms locking around his shoulders. His cock was caught between them, hard and instantly aching with need. Without saying a word, he wrapped one arm around her waist, holding her tight as he turned and headed for the door.

  “I have to get back to work,” she protested. Her words were a barely discernable mumble against his lips.

  “They’ll have to make do without you. I need you more than they do.”

  “Toro, I’m working!”

  He ignored her attempts to wriggle out of his hold as he made for his quarters. “You got a better offer.”

  She laughed. “You haven’t made me an offer, yet. You just walked off with me.”

  “You. Me. My room. Shower. Naked. Wet. Now.”

  “You really know how to sweet talk a woman.” She leaned in and nuzzled his ear before whispering, “You’ve got twenty minutes. Better make them count.”

  He broke into a run, narrowly missing Owen, one of the security guards, as he stepped through another door.

  “Sorry, Owen. We’re in a hurry,” she called out in apology.

  The only reply she got was Owen’s laughter following them down the hall.

  Toro didn’t stop until they were at his door, and even then he only slowed long enough to slap his palm over the access pad. He had her inside the second the door slid open, and two seconds after that she was pinned against the nearest wall so he could kiss her again. He needed to taste her, to feel her naked skin under his hands and hear her sweet cries as he brought her to orgasm. He couldn’t tell her what he was feeling, but he was going to do his damnedest to show her. They belonged together. Somehow he was going to make her understand. He had to.

  After two days of doubt and too much thinking, Cynder was tired. She didn’t want to think anymore. It was easier to react, to give in to the yearning to be with the two men who had knocked her out orbit the day they had shown up in her club. She hadn’t intended to see Toro after his fight. She had watched him defeat his opponents and instead of going back to work, she had gone to see him, knowing full well it was a bad idea. Staying away from them was hard enough already. Until she had time to digest the news Dr. Jefferies had hit her with the other day, being close to them didn’t feel right, but here she was anyway. When it came to her guys, she didn’t know how to stay away…even if it was the smart thing to do.

  “You have clothes here, right?” Toro asked.

  “Some. Why?”

  He grinned and pressed his hips into hers, pinning her to the wall, and freeing up his hands at the same time. Before she could figure out what he was doing, he had her shirt in his hands. A tearing sound filled the air, and her top was reduced to two handfuls of shredded fabric.

  “Really?” she asked.

  “You’re the one who said to hurry.”

  “I did, didn’t I?” She wrapped her fingers in the collar of his tank top and yanked, shredding his shirt the same way he had treated hers.

  “It is so fraxxing sexy when you do things like that.” Toro cupped her breasts in his hands and leaned in to kiss her again. He was all raw need and fire tonight. His every touch a demand for her attention, his kisses hungry and hard.

  “You inspired me,” she told him when he freed her mouth again.

  “Yeah? You inspire me, too.”

  He stared into her eyes, and beyond the lust burning in their depths was something deeper, something she wasn’t ready to deal with. She dropped her gaze to his bare chest.

  “Let’s see if I can inspire you to get naked and wet. That was the plan, right?”

  His brow creased, and she wondered if he was going to hold onto whatever moment they’d shared a second before. She didn’t breathe again until the frown vanished, replaced by a playful grin.

  “That’s the plan, sugar.”

  If any other man ever called her that nickname, she would laugh in his face, but every time Toro said it, her heart beat a little faster. He moved back, releasing her and letting her slide back down his body until she was standing on her own. Without a word, he turned and tore off his shorts, along with the protective gear he had been wearing underneath. He dropped it on the floor and headed for the shower, giving her a stunning view of his naked body as he walked away.

  “I’m going to get the water running. If I’m still alone by the time the water’s hot, I’m coming to get you,” he said.

  “And what if I decide to skip the shower and head back to work?”

  He glanced back over his shoulder and fixed her with a look so intense she forgot to breathe. “If you leave, I’ll come after you. Doesn’t matter if you’re in the next room or halfway across the galaxy.”

  He was gone before she could make her brain form any kind of response. She stripped off the rest of her clothes and dropped them on the corner of his perfectly made bed, then followed after him. She was still scrambling for something to say. Some witty retort that would push him back to a safe distance without being cruel.

  She was back in his arms as soon as she entered the room, which wasn’t a surprise considering he took up most of the available space. There was barely room for the two of them to fit between the counter and the glass partition that formed the shower area. At least the showers were large. It was something she and her partners had insisted on when they’d had the rooms designed. Cyborgs were bigger than normal humans, and some of their staff weren’t human at all. They’d made it roomy enough that even a Torski would be able to shower in comfort.

  His mouth sealed over hers in a toe-curling kiss so hot it could rival a star. All her doubts and worries melted away as he held her, and she let it all go. She would face reality later. For now, all she wanted was Toro…for as long as she could have him.

  They made it to the shower without breaking their hold on each other. She grabbed blindly for the liquid soap, managing to grab it on her second attempt. A quick squeeze filled her cupped hand, the slightly spicy scent filling the steamy air around them. She let her hands glide over him, exploring every inch of his powerful body and following the lines of muscle and sinew that flowed beneath his dark skin. As her hand drifted lower, he groaned her name, pumping his hips against her in silent invitation.

  His cock was already primed and ready, but she moved past the thick shaft to stroke his balls, rolling them carefully across her fingers.

  “Keep that up and I’m going to be inside you in a hot second,” he warned
her.

  “Is that a threat or a promise?” She continued her caress, sliding one finger back to stroke the sensitive skin between his sac.

  “Both. Either. Whatever you want it to be. Just don’t stop what you’re doing.” He cupped the back of her head in one hand and kissed her with a passion bordering on bruising.

  Toro stroked a water-slicked hand down her stomach to her pussy, using the pressure of his fingers to coax her thighs to part wider. She leaned back against the wall, using it to help her balance. The cool white tile pressed against her fevered skin, the contrast making her overloaded senses sizzle. He worked a finger into her folds and went straight for her clit, teasing the swollen bundle of nerves. Pleasure zinged through her, making it hard to think of anything but his touch. She responded in kind, stroking and touching until they were both panting and half out of their minds with need.

  He shifted his hand, plunging a finger into her tight channel, and she moaned as his calloused digit curved up to hit her g-spot. The pad of his thumb pressed down on her clit, sending sparks of need racing through her. He added another finger, preparing her body for what she knew would be coming soon. Very soon, she hoped.

  He tapped her thigh with his free hand. “Up.”

  She lifted her leg a little, and he slid a hand behind her knee, raising her leg even higher. He hooked her leg over his forearm, using his big body to steady her against the wall. “Tell me you’re ready. I don’t—I can’t wait any longer. I need you.”

  She withdrew her hand from between their bodies to wrap her arms around his neck. “Need you, too.”

  They came together hard, the slap of wet flesh filling the air as he lifted her until his cock found its target. He groaned as he bottomed out inside her, the sound rich with satisfaction. “Hold on tight.”

  She nodded and locked her leg around his hip before deliberately flexing her inner walls around his cock. That was all it took to shatter his careful control. He drove into her again and again, every savage thrust pushing her higher up the scales of pleasure. His head bowed over hers, her name a broken chant that fell from his lips in time to his wild lovemaking. His cock hit every pleasure spot she had, the fierce tempo and roughness setting fire to her senses and sending her flying higher than she had ever been before.

  Her orgasm came on suddenly, tearing through her with all the force of a plasma bomb. She threw back her head and screamed as her world shattered into crystalline shards of pure pleasure. Her body convulsed around his cock, milking him through his final thrusts. Toro erupted soon after, pounding into her with uneven strokes that left her feeling well used and breathless. He emptied himself inside her, and her moment of bliss was torn away as reality came crashing back.

  No matter how many times she made love to Toro and Jaeger, the act would likely never lead to children. Dr. Jefferies had broken the news to her the day before, and it had shaken her more than she could have ever imagined. For the first time in her life, she was starting to imagine a future where she wasn’t forever alone, and the universe had fired her fledgling hopes into the heart of a star and watched it burn. This new revelation was yet another reminder that she was a broken being whose past was never going to let her go. Toro and Jaeger deserved better. She needed to let them go so they could find someone else…but she wasn’t sure she had the strength to do it.

  So far, all three cyborg females Dr. Jefferies had tested were affected. The doctor had found something in their blood, a substance she had never seen before. It had taken her some time to break down what it was, and what it did. When she was certain, she had told Cynder what she had learned, along with the fact that so far, she hadn’t found a way to reverse it.

  Going to the corporations that created them wasn’t an option. Even if they weren’t the ones who had created the substance, they had to know about it. They had known and kept it a secret. Of course, Dr. Jefferies couldn’t prove anything, and she would be risking her career and possibly more if she tried. Cynder didn’t want that. The corporations had destroyed enough lives already.

  “Cyn?” Toro’s voice pierced her dark thoughts at last. “I was too rough, wasn’t I?”

  She stirred at last, raising her eyes to see Toro staring at her with guilt and worry gleaming in his eyes. It took her a few more seconds to figure out what he was talking about. He recognized her distress, but not the reason. “No, T. You weren’t too rough. You were perfect. That was perfect.”

  He withdrew from her then set her carefully back onto her feet, ignoring the tiny streams of hot water flowing down his face. “You sure I didn’t hurt you?”

  Her heart ached, and guilt sizzled in her stomach like acid. Toro was one of the best men she had ever met. His body may have been made for war, but he had a gentle soul and a heart not even years of warfare had been able to harden. “No, baby, you didn’t. I promise. I just needed a moment to catch my breath.”

  He frowned, clearly not convinced. She lifted a finger to his lips and smiled. “It’s been a rough few days. You know that. Being with you helped me forget about it for a little while, and then it all came rushing back. That’s all.”

  His expression softened, and he pressed a kiss to the tip of her finger. “I wish I could keep it all at bay for longer than a few minutes. If you ever want to talk about stuff, you know I’m here for you. Or Jaeger. He would probably be better at figuring out how to fix whatever’s going on.”

  “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re an amazing, talented man, and you deserve the best of everything. Never forget that.”

  Toro’s eyes widened, and his lips split into a grin that nearly reached his ears. “I don’t care if it’s true or not, I love that you think so.”

  Love. That single word resonated deep in her heart. Fraxx, no. She wasn’t falling in love with Toro and Jaeger. She couldn’t. She was too broken to fall in love with anyone. It would be the stupidest thing she had ever done. Not happening. Nope.

  Her heart was slamming against her ribs as she rose on tiptoes to kiss him softly. “I will always think so.”

  He uttered a sound of pure contentment and folded her deeper into his arms. “Thank you.”

  She laughed. “I think I should probably be the one thanking you. You’re the one who made all my worries disappear for a little while.”

  “I’m happy to banish your worries that way anytime you need me to. All you have to do is ask. Hell, you don’t need to say a word, just crook your finger, and I’m there for you.”

  “I’ll have to put that to the test later tonight. For now, though, reality demands my presence.”

  “I’d rather you stayed here with me and let me try to banish your worries again,” he said even as he loosened his hold and finally let her go.

  “Honestly, I’d rather stay here, too, but I can’t.” The truth of her words surprised her. She loved the club, especially on nights like this, but tonight there was something missing. The noise, the crowd, the buzz, none of it had energized her like it usually did.

  “I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Toro brushed his lips to her brow, before stepping aside to let her leave.

  “Come back out when you’re ready. You want me to order your usual victory dinner?”

  He nodded. “Steak and a beer, please. I’ll see you on the floor soon.”

  She blew him a kiss as she left, grabbing a towel on her way to the door. She toweled, dressed, and was out the door before Toro left the shower. She had a feeling that if she didn't go before he re-appeared, she might find a reason to stay with him, and that wasn’t a good idea. Not until she got things figured out. If she was walking away, she needed to do it soon. And if she wasn’t…If she wasn’t walking away from Toro and Jaeger, she had to figure out how to tell them what the doctor had found, then hope they didn’t turn and walk away from her, instead.

  “Life was easier when I didn’t care what anyone thought,” she muttered to herself as she threw open the door to the club and let crush of the crowd distract
her from everything else. She had a job to do and a business to run. Everything else would have to wait.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Jaeger rolled onto his side and smiled down at Cynder. She was tucked in between him and Toro, still mussed and flushed from their last round of lovemaking. As far as he was concerned, this was the best part of his day: The three of them together, relaxed and entwined after a round or two of mind-blowing sex. This was when everyone’s guard was down, and they talked about anything and everything as they lay in Cynder’s bed and waited for sleep to claim them.

  They’d shared a drink after the bar closed, toasting Toro’s victory as well as a very profitable night for the club in general. While his luck at the tables hadn’t been great, he managed to break even by the end of the evening. He also overheard one of the club’s licensed pharma dealers offering crimson to some of the patrons. He let Kit know first, then notified Corp-Sec officers Mack and Dash, along with the suggestion they hurry if they wanted to arrive before Kit killed the stupid bastard for dealing undocumented product in his club.

  With any luck, the dealer would be able to lead them to someone higher up the food chain, and Corp-Sec could finally make some progress on the case. Maybe then Cynder would be able to take a breath and find her smile again. He and Toro had both noticed she had been quiet the last few days, and it worried him. Everyone around her had someone they could turn to and talk with, but after spending time with Cyn, he had come to understand that she didn’t lean on anyone, not even her batch brothers. If something were bothering her, she would keep it to herself and try to push through it alone. He had done the solitary route himself, more than once, and he knew it didn’t work. Toro had taught him that. Now, he and T needed to show Cynder there was another way; one that had the three of them being there for each other so none of them had to be alone.