by Piper Stone
“Why don’t you explain why you suddenly changed your mind,” I suggested.
“Some things didn’t add up during the last few months, but I wasn’t certain what the hell was going on. I truly believed that you’d been responsible for the initial extortion that nearly broke the company. After your arrest, I had to fight what few investors and stockholders that remained on board to try and boost the company’s reputation, but I quickly realized that wasn’t my forte.” He laughed bitterly. “It was always yours. I refused over those years to take your wealth to the company seriously. I was a damn fool, Sawyer. For that, I’m sorry.”
“But you’re not sorry for making certain I was sent to prison,” Sawyer countered.
Swallowing hard, Carter lowered his head briefly. “I make no bones about the fact my arrogance got in the way. Or my greed. I was blinded by my ignorance or maybe by my fear of what was going on.”
“You wanted to get away from your parents,” I offered.
Carter smiled. “Something you seem to know about.”
I cringed, feeling the heat rising on my cheeks.
Sawyer snorted, shaking his head. “That’s not good enough, Carter. You ruined my life.”
“Yeah, I know. There aren’t enough apologies. I know that.”
“What the hell changed your mind, Carter? What made you suddenly realize that I wasn’t the bad guy?”
Carter didn’t seem fazed, although I could see what appeared to be remorse in his eyes.
“The truth? It took Delaney bringing my attention to an odd pattern with the financials before I got my head out of my ass. I knew who she was, or her family’s wealth at least. Bart was right about one thing. I thought that I could convince her to invest in the company.” Carter shot me a look. “Hell, I was stretching for any help at that point.”
“So you were using me,” I hissed.
“I never said I was a good man, Delaney, but I was also curious as to why you’d accept a position of such low standing when you’re worth a fortune. You had to know I’d check out who you were. While you certainly attempted to ignore your family’s name, you didn’t go a great job of hiding your tracks.”
“I never thought I had to. I simply wanted to live my life the way I wanted,” I countered.
Carter gave me a respectful nod. “And I respect that more than you know, something I should have done fifteen years ago. Then maybe I would have learned something about humility as well as trust. Instead...” He allowed the words to die off.
“Go on,” Sawyer hissed through clenched teeth.
“Given everything that happened in the past, my red flags were raised when Delaney applied in the first place.” Carter turned his attention in my direction. “That’s why I refused to allow you to know anything of value within the company. I figured I’d see what you were made of. But you kept pressing. You wanted to make certain that I knew things were off. Granted, you were subtle, but you’d already pushed me into investigating what the hell was going on. The day Bart told me he found you snooping, suggesting I fire you, I had the distinct feeling that he wanted to get rid of you. By then, I’d already suspected him of wrongdoing, although I had some difficulty finding any evidence and I had no idea the lengths he’d gone for years. However, I did find an email that he’d exchanged with Amber Barclay regarding your true identity. That was the final straw. I contacted some buddies of mine in the prosecutor’s office to try and intervene, including your ex-boyfriend, Delaney.”
I opened my mouth then laughed. “At least Ted was good for something. Why didn’t you intervene then?”
“Because of the lack of evidence, it was recommended that I allow the ruse to continue and try and catch Bart red-handed. I assure you that you were not going to remain on the island for four days alone. I had a gut feeling Bart was going to do something drastic. Of course, I had no idea the hurricane would interfere, nearly costing you your life. I’m very... sorry.” Carter fiddled with the file although he kept it closed.
“Did you plan Sawyer’s escape?”
Carter seemed surprised. “No. I had no knowledge until Bart let me know from a report. Of course, since he’d fabricated supposed threats for almost two weeks from some unknown source when Sawyer sent a legitimate threat, I knew the draw of Sawyer’s escape would be too much for Bart to resist.”
“There must have been additional clues,” I insisted.
“The financials of course and when our accountant suddenly quit, that was a huge red flag. However, when Bart led me to believe that Tiffany had ignored the job she’d accepted, running off to get married instead, the truth was he fired her. That was easy enough to check. When he suddenly couldn’t be reached, I checked around, realizing he’d chartered a boat. That was all it took for the prosecuting attorney to push the case forward. Besides, I have enough friends in law enforcement that it was easy to get a warrant to search Bart’s premises. When I found the jump drive, everything fell into place. From there, I was able to track Bart’s footsteps, including talking with some of the investors he and Amber had contacted. Funny thing is, I’d never figured out why you’d been certain I’d taken Amber from you. I always thought she was a snake, her family as ruthless as mine. I should have become wise to the game much earlier.” Carter closed his eyes.
“Why?” Sawyer asked after a few seconds of silence. “Why would Bart want to destroy our company?”
“It had nothing to do with you, Sawyer, other than he saw a weak link. Or so he thought. You see, our families go back two generations, bitter rivals over land, although Bart and I were buddies once long ago. Bart brought me an idea about opening the same kind of company years before and I wasn’t ready to be an adult, much less own a company,” Carter said, half laughing.
Sawyer took a deep breath. “He felt betrayed.”
“Yeah, although I honestly had no idea. When he wanted to become a part of the organization utilizing his skills in the world of finance, I agreed. I trusted him. I had no reason not to.”
“That’s why you promoted him to VP.” Sawyer sat back in his chair, still giving Carter a hard look.
“Exactly. I honestly believed there was no one else I could trust any longer and he was like family to me. Anyway, while there is nothing that I can do to bring back the time you lost, Sawyer, I hope this will begin to make at least some restitution. While I will respect your decision and certainly don’t anticipate that we will ever be close friends, I can tell you that I respect you more than you know.” He slid the file across the desk, easing to a standing position, giving us both a nod before walking toward the door.
“I’m sorry about the estate,” I blurted out.
Laughing, Carter shook his head. “I have no intentions of selling it. I think I’m going to enjoy taking some time renovating it. Oh, and since you wanted to know about the lock on the door. Let’s just say... I enjoy the company of a beautiful woman in dark and dangerous ways.”
His words almost made me burst into laughter. Carter had certainly changed in the two weeks since everything had happened. Maybe a weight had been lifted off his shoulders as well.
I continued to hold my breath as Sawyer glared down at the file.
Carter stopped short and out of the corner of my eye, I could see a real smile crossing his face. “For what it’s worth, Amber was never good enough for you. However, Delaney is... Well, she’s going to keep you on your toes. You need to make certain you do everything in your power to make her happy, Sawyer. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened in your life.”
For some reason, the thud as the door closed made me jump.
The silence afterwards was even worse.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” I asked, curious about Sawyer’s reaction.
When Sawyer turned toward me, his eyes were more soulful than I’d seen them. “Do you trust me?”
“Always.”
He pulled me to a standing position, leaving the file closed as he led us toward the door. “Then let’s get
out of here. We have a life to celebrate. That is if you’ll have us.”
Us.
The tiny word meant more than I would have ever imagined, and the answer was deliciously easy.
“Yes.”
“Excellent. Now, we’re going to teach you all about obedience.”
As he rushed both of us out of the conference room as well as the office, goosebumps popped along every inch of my body. I couldn’t wait to begin my new life.
With the three men I loved.
Chapter Seventeen
Sawyer
Life.
The word had an entirely new meaning after everything that I’d been through. All the trials and tribulations, the rage as well as the self-doubt needed to be shoved aside. While I knew it would take time, as well as learning the art of forgiveness, Delaney was determined to make certain that happened.
Sweet, beautiful, ballsy Delaney.
The woman I loved more than life.
I didn’t take the expression lightly or without some reservation and I still didn’t consider myself a good man, but I was ready to live.
And enjoy.
And hunger.
My cock twitched as I pulled the car into the driveway. We’d talked endlessly over the last few days, allowing me to make decisions that would alter all our lives. While sharing her with my two best buddies would seem untraditional to just about everyone else, for the four of us, the arrangement was perfect.
“Where are you taking me?” Delaney demanded. “I do have a job to do, you know. Kidnapping me is considered a felony, buster.”
“I believe you have two. One, being the vice president of a very large and soon to be the most profitable boat-building business in the world. Two, being most talented up and coming photographer in all of Miami.”
“Florida, thank you very much,” she said her usual mischievous voice.
I chuckled and reached over, sliding my hand into the bodice of her dress. The moment I pinched her nipple, she let out a husky moan, squirming in her seat. Leaning over, I blew across the nape of her neck before whispering, allowing my voice to drip with lust, “If you’re a very good girl, you might find out why I chose to kidnap you. If you continue to misbehave, I’ll keep the blindfold on, and I’ll lock you in a cage.” I twisted her delicate bud again, resisting the urge to command her to suck my cock.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,” I growled, licking the side of her neck until she shivered. “Now, are you going to behave?”
“Yes. Sir,” she huffed, her defiance just where I knew it would be. The woman had no idea how hungry she made me.
Easing out of the car, I took a whiff of the ocean located only yards away then studied the house. I’d had difficulty accepting the position with Bradley Enterprises, complete with the majority share of stock, but it had been the right thing to do. Correction, Bradley and Gunn Enterprises. While I’d been hesitant returning as president of the company, Carter taking a leave of absence for a couple of months, I’d realized the company had been my pride and joy. When Delaney’s trust fund had been released after her reconciliation with her parents, she’d insisted on investing in the company.
Only for the time being. She would be paid in full. My way.
I bit back another chuckle as I took her hand, walking her toward the entrance. Carter’s last gift had surprised me, yet I’d known for the first time it had been one given from his heart. The house was everything that all four of us could ever want.
“Besides, there is the little thing of giving you your spanking.”
“What?” She feigned being shocked. “I’ve been very good.”
“You are one very bratty girl and we’ve been lenient on you during the last couple of weeks. There are rules to follow and you will learn to do just that.”
She wrinkled her nose, her lovely mouth twisting. “Fine. I mean, yes, sir.”
The woman had no idea what she was doing to me.
Or what plans we had in store for her.
Before reaching for the door, I pinched her chin between my fingers. “You once asked what I wanted out of life. I know the answer.”
“What’s that?”
“A family. With you. With the woman I love.” I gently pressed my lips against hers, then captured her mouth, drinking in her intoxicating perfume. Just having her in my arms remained surreal, visions of my time behind bars still haunting me at night.
Time would heal all wounds.
As she rose onto her toes, slipping her tongue inside my mouth, she pressed one hand against my chest. Electricity shot through us, driving me to the point of utter madness. I was prepared to fuck her right here on the stoop of our new home.
Seconds later, I reined in the beast, breaking the kiss, grinning from her obvious frustration. “Come, my beautiful brat.”
As I led her inside, myriad emotions rushed through me and I had no doubt by Jax’s and Rafael’s pensive expressions that they felt the same. This was our home. This was a new life. This was forever.
“What do we have here,” Rafael asked as he walked closer, using a single finger, brushing the tip along her jawline.
“One bad girl,” Jax stated in his husky tone. I’d been most surprised that Jax had relocated to Miami, although he could catch bad guys anywhere. That had been proven.
The thought made me shake my head. I moved toward the set of open doors, admiring the view of the lagoon-style pool as well as the ocean waters, my thoughts drifting to the hurricane. If it hadn’t been for the force of nature, things might have turned out differently. At least the beautiful estate hadn’t received tremendous damage and was the perfect respite for Carter.
Although the four of us had an open invitation. We just might take him up on it.
One day.
I heard Delaney’s exclamation of delight as the blindfold was removed. Blinking several times, she darted her look in my direction as she walked from one room to the other, finally returning with a grin on her face. “What is this place?” She moved beside me and out onto the terrace, shifting back and forth like a kid in a candy store.
“Our home,” I said as I flanked her side. “Let’s face it, your apartment was pretty cramped.”
Even though we’d shared several nights of outrageous pleasure, our bodies becoming one, this was the perfect space.
A new beginning.
“You bought a home,” she half whispered.
“It was a gift.”
She tipped her head, her eyes shimmering. “Carter.”
I nodded. “I think it’s large enough.”
“For a beautiful family,” she mused, her lower lip quivering.
“Don’t get all teary-eyed on us,” Jax growled.
“What a wonderful surprise.” Her whisper was throaty.
Why did I have the feeling her naughty girl side was ready to appear?
“Does this mean I can go swimming?” she purred, backing away as Jax and Rafael moved out onto the terrace.
“Hmmm...” I huffed, watching as she began a teasing little dance, twirling in a circle after moving just out of our reach. “You know exactly what you’re going to get.”
“One hard spanking,” Rafael added.
She swiveled her hips, sliding her fingers down her neck, blowing a kiss before slowly lowering one strap on her dress then the other.
“Our little woman is a tease,” Jax growled.
“Very much so,” I said under my breath, already kicking off my shoes. I knew exactly what she was going to attempt to do.
Rafael sighed before yanking off and tossing his shirt. “We should teach her a lesson.”
I pressed my hand against his chest. “Let’s enjoy the show. Then we will indeed.”
As Delaney did a provocative dance, all three of us stood mesmerized, the bright sun highlighting her glistening face as the light breeze tousled her dark curls. I couldn’t get enough of her, the passion we shared combustible.
I heard both Jax and
Rafael cursing under their breath as she shimmied the dress, allowing gravity to take it to the pool deck. She turned around, undulating her hips before easing her fingers under the thin elastic of her thong, ever so slowly lowering and kicking it away. When she shifted so she could see all three of us, she blew another kiss then moved to the deep end of the pool, diving in. When she surfaced seconds later, her laughter floated toward us.
“Come and get me, boys. If. You. Dare.”
Jax shook his head. “I think she needs to be taught a lesson who’s boss.”
“I think she needs to experience one hell of a harsh whipping,” Rafael added.
“And I think she needs three hard cocks filling every hole,” I managed, my entire body on fire. “But only after she’s punished.” I gave them an evil grin before removing the remainder of my clothes.
Jax was the first to jump in, Rafael second, both men diving under the water. I took my time, waiting until they’d captured and gathered her into their arms. Her squeals of mischief and delight only added gasoline to the fire raging deep within. I had to be inside of her.
Filling her.
Fucking her.
My hunger was too intense to wait. After all, I wasn’t a patient man.
I dove into the water, coming up within a few feet. As I gathered her into my arms, sweeping in her a full circle, her eyes never left mine. “You are one bad girl and you’re not getting out of your spanking.”
She clung to me, the mischievous glint remaining. “You’ve told me I’m very good more than once. Very good indeed.”
Damn, her sensuous voice did me in every time. The way she looked at me tightened my balls.
She reached under the water, wrapping one hand around my cock, pumping as she dragged her tongue across her lips. She reached for Jax’s shaft, giving him the same teasing treatment until a series of guttural sounds roared from his throat.
“I lied,” I growled before lifting her out of the water, ignoring her squeals. As I placed her over the edge of the pool, I winked at the other two. “What do you think, boys? Thirty in the pool.”
