by Tess Oliver
“Do they hurt?” I asked as I caressed the scars.
He shook his head without lifting it from my lap. “Only in my soul.”
I swallowed to relieve the tightness in my throat and chest.
Colt lay there hunched over me, completely silent and unmoving as I smoothed my hands and fingers over the scars, the ugly reminders of a brutal childhood. “I wish I could erase them with my fingertips. I wish I could erase all of it for you.”
“You are, baby.”
Chapter 21
Colt
With no covers on the windows, the morning sun poked its head through the glass like an annoying, nosy neighbor. I turned over to find that Jade wasn’t next to me. I sat up with a start. She walked out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee and her new hair color. “I’m getting used to the brunette look,” I said. “Of course, you could have a shaved head and you’d still be hot.”
“I think I’ll stick with the new color. A shaved head sounds cold.” She’d pulled back on one of my t-shirts. She glanced down at it. “Hope you don’t mind. I’ve grown very fond of wearing your shirts.”
“I love when you wear my shirts. Now get your cute ass over here, so I can take it off of you.”
“Actually . . .” She smiled and yanked out one of the fabric strips I’d used last night to tie her up. “I had another idea.”
“Fuck yeah. You want to be tied up again, darlin’. I’m all for it. Now get back into this bed.”
She walked over swinging the fabric piece around in circles. She stepped onto the mattress, and I reached for the strip of cloth. She held it up out of my grasp. “Nope. It’s my turn.”
She straddled me, took hold of my hands and put them up above my head. She bit her lip as she struggled to tie them together. It was fucking cute to watch, and it was making my cock stand straight up, especially with her pussy rubbing against me.
“You realize I could probably rip that strip of cloth with one pull,” I said.
She sat back with a satisfied smile. “I know,” she said confidently. “But, if you do, I’ll stop my plans, and—” She scooted back and knelt between my legs. Her hand wrapped around my cock and she moved it up and down the shaft, making sure to rub her thumb in the liquid pooling at the tip. “I don’t think you’re going to want me to stop.” She leaned down and licked the same liquid just before taking my cock in her mouth. She lowered her lips down, taking in as much as she could. Her mouth tightened around me. I lifted my tied hands and tangled them in her hair. I held her head over me as she moved up and down my cock, coaxing even more pre-cum from me. One of her small hands held the base of my cock while the other fondled my balls. I tightened my ass and pushed farther into her mouth. Her tongue slid over me.
“Fuck, baby, I’m going to come, but I want to be inside of you.”
I ripped the fabric strip. She looked up stunned.
“I warned you.” I reached forward and pulled her toward me. “Now drop that pussy of yours over me right now.
She giggled wildly as I grabbed her hips and positioned her over my cock. Her laughter faded, and she closed her eyes as she lowered herself over me. She braced her hands on my chest and rocked her body against me.
Even though we’d gone at it all night long, the two of us were so completely turned on by each other, so damn connected, we both came almost instantly.
I reached up, and she pressed my hand against her face. “Do you think it’s possible we’ll ever get bored of this?” she asked.
“Not a chance.” I looked up at her. “I don’t see myself ever being without you, Jade. Our boat was sitting on that dock for a reason. It was meant to be there to carry you home, to me.”
She climbed off of me and stretched out next to me, resting her head on my chest. I placed my arm around her. “It sure is quiet here,” she said.
“The highway is just far enough away that you can’t hear any traffic except for the occasional truck horn. If you listen really carefully though, you can hear the ocean rolling in. I think that calmness was what brought my brothers and me here a lot. That and Noddy’s cookies, of course.” I thought about those afternoons when we’d ride over here on our crummy bikes. Mine always had a flat tire, but I pumped it along behind Hunter and Slade. We knew we’d get here, and for that short period of time, we’d live without fear and the uncertainty my dad’s temper brought with every new day. For that short span of time, we were no longer the rowdy, out of control, severely neglected Stone brothers. We left all the ugly shit behind when we stepped through Noddy’s front door.
“I’m glad you had her,” Jade said. “And, with how quiet and remote it is out here, I’m glad she had you boys.”
“Yep, occasionally you just get lucky in the people part of your life.” I squeezed her against me. Sometimes I wanted her so badly I worried that I would crush her.
Jade pointed to a place on the wall where I’d painted on three color samples. “That’s interesting.”
“I was trying to decide on a color.”
She laughed.
“I know, it looks funny.”
“No, I’m just picturing you tapping your chin and trying to decide on a color. You’re not exactly the interior decorator type.”
“Hey, I have a sensitive side. I appreciate beauty.” I reached down and spanked her once. “As you may have noticed.”
“I guess every hard exterior has a soft core.”
“I know you’ve landed right on my soft core. I don’t think anyone has ever come close to finding it.”
She looked up at me and kissed my chin. “Ouch.” She rubbed her lips. “I’ve also found your less than soft beard stubble.” She relaxed her head against my chest and stared up at the paint samples. “The pale teal color,” she said. “I think that’s the one Noddy would have picked.”
“Then that’s the color I’ll use.” My phone buzzed. I reached to the floor and picked it up. “Hey, Street, what’s up? By the way, I got Jade a phone, I’ll have her call you to give you the number.”
“Oh good. I was afraid I wasn’t going to get to talk to her. Figured you were going to keep her all to yourself.”
“Damn right I’m keeping her to myself. What’s new? Did you guys yank those flyers?”
“Yeah, think we got most of them.” There was a knock on the door. Jade startled. I placed my finger against my mouth to tell her to keep quiet, and I grabbed my jeans off the floor. I stuck the phone in between my shoulder and ear and pulled the pants on.
“Hey, Street, got to call you back. There’s someone at my door.” I glanced around looking for something to swing that would dent a skull.
“I know there’s someone at your door, dork. It’s me. Now, open up before I spill the coffees.”
Jade was standing with her arms crossed around herself looking pale and shaken.
“It’s just Amy.”
She smiled with relief.
I swung open the door. “Fuck, Street, I was just about to grab a chair to clobber you with.”
“Real nice greeting for the breakfast delivery girl.” She swept in past me with a tray of coffees and a white bag.
I glanced out to the yard and the long gravel road that led to the cottage. It was deserted.
The girls took the coffees into the kitchen where I’d set up a rickety coffee table and some old boxes.
I grabbed my cup of coffee. “You’ve got to be careful coming out here, Street. We’re trying not to draw attention to this place.”
She broke off a piece of pastry and licked her finger. “Too late. You two, it turns out, have already been drawing attention all over town. I mean the town bad boy and heartthrob hanging out with the new, pretty stranger— it’s the stuff for tabloid headlines. Can’t make that shit up.”
“Actually, I think most of those headlines are made up,” Jade noted. The color had returned to her cheeks as she sipped her coffee.
“Shit, do you mean there really isn’t a boy who is half human and half bat? Those p
ictures were so convincing.” Street shoved another bite of pastry between her lips and drank it down with some coffee. “Anyhow, everyone knows Jade is the girl on the flyer and that she’s hanging with you. But here’s the kicker— Hunter was up the coast at the pool hall.” She rolled her eyes. “He said he was going up there to trash the flyers, but I saw right through his excuse. He’s hot on the trail of a new bartender up there.” She twisted her mouth, and her expression softened. “Asshole,” she muttered under her breath. “Anyhow, he dragged his sorry ass in after midnight. I fell asleep on the couch.” She pointed a finger at me. “But I wasn’t waiting for him, so don’t say a fucking thing, Colt.”
I lifted my hands in surrender. “Didn’t say a damn word.”
She sighed. “My mom’s been talking in her sleep like crazy, and I’m about to go nuts. So, I crashed on the couch. Slade came in right after him, and Hunter was telling him that the asshole you guys keep meeting out on the water was there asking questions about Jade.”
“You mean Ace?”
“Didn’t hear a name. He told Slade ‘the motherfucker who likes to shove his gun at Colt’s head’. I’ve got somewhat of an idea of what you fishermen are doing out there on the water but sounds like you guys need to shift professions.”
Jade was looking at the side of my face, but I didn’t want to talk to her about any of it right now. “He likes to shove his gun at you?” she asked.
I shook my head. “It’s nothing. It’s just how he does things, but I’m more worried about what he’s up to. He wants that reward money, and I’m sure there are plenty of others with the same plan.”
Jade didn’t look too satisfied with my answer, but I wasn’t about to get into details about our drug running business. I was sure it wouldn’t score me points with her. I grabbed up a pastry. “Since I’m out here I’m going to do some patching on the roof so the house is ready for the next rainstorm. I’ll leave you two to your breakfast.”
Chapter 22
Jade
Amy and I watched as Colt walked out the door in his tool belt and work boots. In an impromptu role reversal, women whistling at the construction hottie, we both made impressive attempts at a catcall. Colt stopped in the kitchen doorway and wiggled his ass before walking outside.
The door had barely shut when Amy reached over and took my hand. “Oh my god, I’ve never seen him like this. That boy is smitten, crushing, batshit crazy, whatever the hell you want to call it. How does it feel?”
I picked off a piece of pastry. “How does what feel?”
“To break through that stone exterior. Shit, you’re the first girl to ever do so. Many have tried, believe me. I’ve even had girls become my best friend”—her air quotes followed—”just to get close to Colt.” She sighed and sat back. “Wish I knew your secret. I had that date with Brock, the beer delivery guy. All I could think about was that stupid giant, Hunter. And he’s so fucking rotten to me all the time.”
I pressed my hand over hers. “Amy, when you’re not looking, that man is keeping a close eye on you. Colt told me no other local guys would get near you because they’re afraid of Hunter. That shows how much he cares about you.”
“Yeah, sort of like having the plague. No one will get near me, but at the same time Hunter treats me like an annoying pest most of the time.”
“Then maybe you need to be the ice queen for awhile. Show him that he takes you for granted too much.”
She seemed to be mulling over my words. “I might try that. Brock asked me on another date, but I haven’t decided. Maybe I’ll give it another chance.”
“Good idea.”
Amy’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it out of her pocket. She groaned with frustration as she answered. “Hey, Mom.”
She rolled her eyes and swirled her finger around by her temple. I felt bad for her having to deal with her mom’s health all by herself. It couldn’t be easy. “No one sprayed poison on the bananas, Mom. Just eat one. You’ll be fine.” Her brows creased together, and she shook her head. “All right. I’ll come home right now and make you a breakfast that hasn’t been tainted by poison.” She put the phone in her pocket. “Good times, huh? I’m living with a crazy woman, and you’ve got a crazy man offering a bounty to find you. But, at least, you have Colt. I’ve got no one.”
“That’s not true. You’ve got me, and I love having you as a friend, Amy.”
She reached over and hugged me. “You’re right. Enough of my pity party. I’ve got to go home and save my mom from the tiny green men who are lacing her fruit with cyanide. Now that you have a phone, we can talk anytime. I’ll call you later.”
I walked her out and sat on the small fence surrounding the backyard. Colt was up on the roof with a roll of black paper. Some of the shingles had been removed. They were stacked next to him. “Where’s Amy heading?” he called down.
“Her mom thought someone put poison in the bananas.”
He shook his head. “Amy has the patience of a fucking saint.”
“Yeah, and not just with her mom.”
He glanced down at me. “What do you mean?”
“What the heck is the deal with Hunter?”
“Oh, that. Not sure. I never really know what’s going on in my brother’s head, but I can tell you, if Amy found someone else, he’d feel it like a kick in the gut.” He hammered down some of the black material. “Speaking of Hunter— he texted that he needs some help at the boat. He’s been working on the engine, and he needs another pair of hands.” He looked over the edge. “I was hoping Amy was sticking around a little longer. Do you think you’ll be all right alone for a few hours?”
“I’m sure I can manage. I was going to look through some of those old dusty boxes. Noddy had some cool stuff.”
“Good idea. And when I come back, I’ll start a fire.” He lifted a brow. “I’m looking for a complete repeat of last night.”
“A repeat?”
“Well, maybe I’ll mix it up a little to surprise you.”
Chapter 23
Colt
Hunter’s motorcycle wasn’t parked in its usual spot by the docks, which was not completely unusual, especially since his bike had been having problems. Still, I couldn’t remember the last time Hunter had made the trek to the boat on foot. He’d ride his damn bike down the hallway to his room if the handlebars weren’t too wide. I checked my phone. He hadn’t texted me since the last message asking me to meet him on the Durango at noon.
I decided to check and see if Jade was keeping her phone near her. I sent her a quick text. “Miss you already. Everything all right?” Most of the boats were still out fishing, the only other signs of life were a few pelicans waiting for the fishing boats to return. Aside from the Durango, only a few other vessels bobbed up and down in the water.
There was no sign of Hunter as I neared the boat. Jade texted back. I stopped to read it.
“Everything is good. I guess no gas means no hot water either. I took a speedy shower, but now I’m in desperate need of body heat. Only yours will do.”
“Damn, I better get back quick then.” A call from Slade came through, and I answered it. “What’s up and where’s Hunter?”
“His lazy ass is still in bed. Think he spent the evening fucking that new little drink server up north.”
“That idiot. He texted me an hour ago to meet him at the Durango.”
“Nah, couldn’t be. He came home last night complaining that someone had jacked his phone out of his coat pocket while he was playing a round of pool. But I was calling to tell you that this black car keeps driving by the house.”
“Wait.” I scrolled through to the text. It was from Hunter’s phone. “He must have found it because the text came from him. What car?” Footsteps pounded the wood planks behind me. Before I could turn around, the hard end of gun barrel pressed against my back. I sensed there were at least three men standing behind me, including the one with the gun jammed into my kidney.
“Fuck.”
�
��What’s wrong?” Slade asked.
A hand reached forward and grabbed the phone away. The guy patted me down, but I wasn’t carrying a gun. I hadn’t needed one for helping Hunter with the boat.
“We’re just going to walk real slow to the boat at the end of the dock,” the unfamiliar voice said.
I turned my head and glimpsed his two partners. I didn’t recognize any of them, but something told me they were part of Ward’s new security team. One of the guys had a skull tattooed on the side of his neck. He looked like the kind that finished his beer by chewing up the can. One looked as if he ate steroids for breakfast. He’d stretched an extremely small black shirt over his shoulders to accentuate his arms.
I shot him an amused smile.
“You’re on the wrong end of a gun to be grinning like that, boy,” he snarled.
Whenever I was in trouble, I always managed to dig myself deeper with my big mouth, and I figured I might as well keep the tradition going. “No, man, you’re right. I was just wondering though— do you need an extension on your comb to be able to reach your head with those big, beefy arms? In fact, how the hell do manage to wipe your ass? Or maybe you don’t.”
His thick fingers pinched my skin as he grabbed my shirt. He brought his ugly horse face right up to mine. “You smart ass, I’m going to have fun messing up that face of yours.”
“Never mind,” I said. “You answered my second question. Your breath smells like shit.”
The guy with the gun in my back shoved it hard into my muscle, and I stumbled forward. Muscleman took the opportunity to throw his fist into my stomach. I coughed and sucked in the salty air hovering over the dock.
The gunman pressed his weapon against my back again. “Enough of the smartass shit. Keep moving or I’ll shoot you dead here and toss you over the side.”
I walked toward their boat. It was a nice ski boat, but something told me these guys didn’t do many water sports. “Great. Are we going to do some wakeboarding?” I asked.
