Lust & Lies Box Set-Sexual Awakenings, Excess, Predator & Prey

by Kate Stewart

  That card had turned out to be exactly what Ray had promised, but with a cost to the both of us.

  “You look lost.”

  I jumped in my seat as Daniello’s shadow covered my sun-exposed skin. Shielding my eyes from the bright sun, I lifted my hand and studied what I could of him. He was dressed casually and was looking down at me with an expression I couldn’t read.

  “I’m…What are you doing here?” I realized I was dressed in nothing but a ratty T-shirt and illegally cut jean shorts. I crossed my legs in my chair and poured another long drink over my lingering ice.

  He turned his head as if he smelled something bad as he answered. I tried not to laugh. “I am here for you, of course.”

  He sat next to me in the vacant chair. Elation in my chest, I looked over and smiled at him, completely taken with the fact that he’d returned. It had been weeks without a word. I’d been sure it was over.

  “You thought I would not return.” His tone was far from the one I’d experienced the last time we were together. It reeked of sincerity and amusement.

  “Yes.”

  His smile matched mine as his eyes trailed to my bare feet then scanned across the marsh. He picked my glass up from the table and threw it back in one long gulp.

  “Rough day?”

  “Rough,” he murmured as his hand shot out and he gripped my foot, bringing it to his lap. He was dressed so casually in a V-neck T-shirt and dark jeans. His black hair hung loosely around his ears, accenting a face that could grace the cover of GQ. His biceps bulged slightly as his strong, warm hands massaged me. I felt lucky in that moment to have captured the attention of such a beautiful man. His touch was gentle as he worked the bottom of my foot. My lips parted as he dug in deep, the tension in my shoulders rolling away.

  “What do you do in your pastime…for fun?” I almost hadn’t heard him as his touch became intoxicating. “Taylor?”

  I smiled as he picked up my other foot, giving it the same undivided attention. His eyes moved from my bare legs in a hot trail up to my lips before they met mine. I felt the tension grow thick as he continued his massage.

  “I work.”

  “Surely, there is something you do that is just for you?”

  I paused and bit my lip. “If I show you, then your hands will stop.”

  He lifted a brow as his hands continued. We sat in silence for a few minutes as we looked at each other. Oddly, I wasn’t shying away from the intimacy, and it seemed he didn’t intend to let me.

  Already wet from the mere sight of him, I was thoroughly seduced, slightly buzzed from the whiskey he’d gifted me, and acutely aware that I’d missed him.

  I remembered Cedric’s words to me that I was lonely.

  “Do you get lonely living this way?” It was an intensely personal question, another that according to our arrangement I had no right to ask, but really wanted an answer to.

  “I get exactly what I ask for in this life.”

  “Wow.”

  “What?” he asked, tilting his head and stopping his hands.

  “You are really good at bullshitting.” I stood before he had a chance to scold me for my mouth. “Come on, you wanted to see my hobby.” He stood, towering above me, leaned in, and then took my lips in a slow kiss.

  “Hello again, Taylor Ellison.”

  “Come on,” I said as he followed. I needed a shower, I didn’t have a single stitch of makeup on, and I was pretty sure he’d noted the spaghetti sauce stain on my T-shirt. I walked to my garage entrance and turned the knob, gesturing him in before me. I was quick to catch up, curious about his reaction. He turned to me after standing perfectly still for several moments.

  “Interesting,” he said, circling my Bomber and bracing his hands on the frame to peer in. He took his time studying each car and paid special attention to my GT-500. He looked up at me finally with amusement. “You have the habits of a man.”

  I nodded in agreement. “I guess in a way I was raised by men.”

  “No mother?”

  I shrugged in reply.

  “You do these things in place of words with your hands and your shoulders. I do not accept this.” He shrugged, mirroring my movement.

  I fought my smile. “Everyone has a mother.” My answer was just as evasive as his, and he gave me a dead stare. I moved past him and opened the driver’s door to the GT, my arms braced over the top of the window. “Shall we?”

  “You want to challenge me?” He laughed loudly as he opened the door to my Bomber.

  “Not exactly, Well, not you.”

  A deep grin spread over his features as he caught on. He reluctantly closed the door to the Bomber and took the passenger side of the GT. The engine roared to life, we gave each other a knowing grin as the garage door opened, and I gunned the vehicle into the street, slowly pulling past Rocco so he could clearly see us. I could feel his fury as we raced out of his sight.

  “Let’s teach him some manners,” I said, cruising slowly through the downtown streets as Rocco followed closely. As soon as we hit open highway, I dropped gear and floored it, smoking Rocco in the SUV. Daniello barked a loud laugh as Rocco struggled for mere minutes before he became close to invisible in my rearview.

  I sucked in a harsh breath as Daniello’s hand gripped my knee, his fingertips pressing into my flesh possessively. I caught a glimpse of the fire in his eyes before I shifted and let the GT reach its potential. Muse’s “Mercy” drifted through the air as I sped past the world around us, weaving through the inconvenience of sharing the road.

  “You thought I was no more and yet you have not had another man,” Daniello stated heatedly as his hand drifted up to the small strip of fabric between my thighs.

  “No,” I confirmed quickly and was rewarded with the stroke of his fingers. “And I’m not going to ask how you know of no other man.”

  “You want no one else.” It was another statement. And it was a true statement.

  “No.” I exhaled loudly as his fingers stroked my bare pussy beneath my shorts. I was slick with need and felt the air of the cabin thicken as he slid his thick digits up and down my slit. Grazing my clit, he continued his slow torture as we torpedoed down the highway, thoughts of Rocco and anything else abandoned.

  “Tell me what you feel with my fingers inside you.”

  Words, he wanted words as I fought to maintain control of myself, of the car. It had been too long without him. How could I tell him that? I couldn’t.

  “I…oh,” I moaned as he gripped the back of my head with his other hand and slid two fingers inside me. I was helpless as I took my foot off the gas and was instantly left empty.

  “No!” I protested loudly. I gripped his retreating hand and again resumed my speed.

  His fingers also resumed, and my insides trembled in appreciation.

  “Tell me,” he coaxed, bringing me close to the edge, his fingers curved perfectly to hit me there.

  “I don’t want you to stop.”

  “That is too obvious of an answer, Taylor. Tell me more.”

  I let out a deep breath. “I’ve never felt so go—God, ah, Daniello, I’m going to come.”

  “Take the next exit,” he said quickly. “Tell me more.”

  “I love the way you touch me, fuck me. I love the way you taste.”

  “How do you feel when I fuck you?” His fingers moved from my insides and stroked up to my clit. I reached for his hand, and he pulled it away. Two miles to exit, I panted out my plea. “I need this so much, please.”

  “What do you feel when my cock is inside you?” he hissed as his fingers plunged deep, taunting me before bringing my wetness to my aching clit.

  “Everything,” I answered as frustrated tears slid down my face. “I feel everything.” I took the exit and raced through the stop sign as his fingers remained constant. His breath hit my neck as he inched closer and I spread my legs wider.

  “I want to come with you inside me,” I pleaded, my eyes fighting hard to remain open as I skidded
onto an abandoned country road.

  “You will come the way I want you to,” he reminded me as I began bucking my hips to meet the thrust of his fingers.

  “I want you so much,” I confessed, cursing my mouth and honesty, and his effect on me. He pulled his hand away and sucked his fingers as I finally came to a stop near a tree line. We lunged for each other, the console keeping us separated where we wanted to be joined the most.

  “I have thought of you so often, Taylor, my cock stays hard,” he offered into my mouth as he pulled me into his lap. His thick accent, his smell, his dark eyes all created the perfect storm inside of me as I began to come undone. I rubbed my hot, wet mess over his lap repeatedly. “I have thought of your mouth, your taste, being deep inside you, and hearing your noises.” He pulled my T-shirt up, tearing at my bra to free my breasts as they peaked for his dark, hungry eyes. “Fuck.” It was the first time I saw his arousal weaken him. He closed his eyes, humming in appreciation as he sipped my nipple before enveloping it deep into his mouth. I arched my back, offering him more as I rode his lap.

  Another long kiss had us both moaning and desperate as he pulled the button on my shorts and pushed them down my thighs. I lifted my hips, pushing them off the rest of the way, my need bringing a whole new level of desperation. Daniello plunged his fingers back inside of me without hesitation as I gripped his belt.

  Before I could release him, he reached beneath him, reclining his seat back, and pushing me so my back was against the dash. I stared down as he spread me wide, lifted my hips, and dove tongue first into my aching pussy. I screamed his name as he devoured me like a hungry madman. I held myself up, my hands on his thighs and his lust filled eyes keeping mine as he fucking ruined me.

  In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to belong to him and to be as claimed as he made me feel.

  He pressed in, flicking his tongue over my clit with expert skill, and the visual along with the sensation sent me falling into a blissful heat before I exploded on his tongue. He lapped up my orgasm and slowly set me back on his lap. His hand traveled across my collarbone softly before he cradled my neck, leading me back to his lips. He kissed me deeply, and I threaded my fingers through his hair, pulling him as close as I could, unable to get close enough.

  I’d never been kissed that way, touched that way, cared for that way, fucked that way, and I was truly addicted.

  And I’d never in my life wanted a man more than I did at that moment. I pulled away briefly to look at him. The same heat accompanied his as he held me just as closely to him.

  Everything was what I felt, and that was no exaggeration.

  Fear, excitement, hope, want, need, completion.

  “I feel you, Taylor.” My whole body was trembling as he pushed me back on his thighs, his eyes never leaving mine as he started with his zipper. “I will fuck you so thoroughly tonight, I will be in your every thought.”

  Before I could object to the weight of his statement, a black SUV with a furious Rocco skidded to a stop next to us. Rocco jumped out of the SUV, and Daniello pulled off his T-shirt, quickly covering me as angry Arabic was sprayed on the outside of my window.

  I knew instantly something was off. Daniello listened as Rocco unleashed and looked at me with regret.

  “I guess our plans have changed,” I said, knowing Rocco’s anger had less to do with the stunt I’d pulled and more to do with business. Rocco disappeared behind the SUV as Daniello helped me gather my shorts. When I pulled them up and resumed my seat at the wheel, Daniello grabbed my hand, bringing it to his lips.

  “Tell me,” I implored as he paused briefly before pulling his T-shirt back over his head. “You can trust me.” I waited in vain as he exited the car and disappeared behind the SUV. Suddenly frustrated, I slammed my car door and rounded the SUV to see Daniello loading two Glock magazines. He eyed me warily as I pressed in.

  “You know enough about me,” I said to his back as he smacked a clip in with his palm.

  “Bitch, you leave here now,” Rocco snapped with so much venom I took a step back in surprise. Rage covered his features as he took a menacing step toward me.

  Daniello intercepted just as Rocco was closing the gap between us. More angry Arabic was exchanged as Daniello held up his hand and pointed in my direction.

  “Go, Taylor, now,” Daniello barked angrily between his back and forth with his driver, who was apparently anything but.

  I didn’t argue and made my way toward my car. By the time I had my door shut, the SUV had taken off, leaving me stunned. Stunned about Daniello’s departure, stunned by Rocco’s blatant hatred for me, and stunned I was dismissed so easily after what Daniello and I had just shared.

  Furious with the situation, I quickly fired up my GT and caught sight of the SUV just before it disappeared. I knew I was playing with fire and my curiosity could very well get me in the path of Rocco’s vicious assault.

  Still, I followed.

  I stayed as far behind as possible, exiting at the last minute, and keeping as much space between us as I could. It was impossible to disguise the red sports car, and I’d clearly be made if they so much as looked in their rearview. My hope was that they were distracted by whatever had called Daniello away.

  I saw the sign for Port Authority and followed the narrow road. With no sign of the SUV, I gunned the car in an attempt to catch up. Coming around a sharp curve, my whole body tensed in fear as I spotted Daniello in the middle of the road in front of the SUV, blocking both lanes, his arms crossed in front of him. I slammed on the breaks, missing nailing him by inches. Without hesitation, he came toward my car in a blur, pulling me out of it and slamming me against it.

  For the first time since I’d met Daniello, I was afraid of him.

  “Do you want to fucking die today, Taylor!” Rage and cold eyes greeted me as I managed to get some breath back into my lungs.

  I looked around us for Rocco and saw he was nowhere to be seen. Daniello gripped my shoulders painfully as he tore into me again. “Never would I trust you.” He gripped my T-shirt, handling me like a ragdoll, opened my car door, and then threw me into the backseat. I sat up, indignant, in an attempt to defend myself.

  “All right, you’ve made your point,” I snapped with slight fear as he pulled the seatbelt free behind me along with all the excess belt, wrapping one of my wrists tightly and snapping the belt into place so that it hung above me. He tied the other the same way, leaving me tied to the back of my car, completely helpless.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” I screamed. “I said I got it, all right. I’ll leave!”

  Daniello cursed and hit the roof of the car repeatedly before his breath hit my face and he snarled his reply.

  “I am save your fucking life, and I will not do it again, Taylor.”

  “It’s saving, Jesus, and you can’t fucking leave me here like this!” I was grasping at straws. I knew damn well he had every intention of doing so. He got into the driver’s seat, pulling my car over to the side of the road where I’d be less likely to be hit. He pulled out the key and slammed the door without another word. I fumed as I watched the SUV speed away.

  That was fucking stupid.

  I pulled at the seatbelts to no avail. I felt his anger in the bite at my wrists as I pulled at the belts. Giving up after about a half an hour, I tried to ignore the pain spreading through my chest at his harsh words.

  He was just supposed to be a fuck, a distraction. Why the hell did I care what he did when he wasn’t in my bed? The longer I waited, the angrier I became, and the more I distanced myself from my situation with Daniello.

  As of that moment, I needed to be done with him. I’d made the decision for myself, even if he’d already decided the same. Hours passed as the heaviness in my bladder kept me on angry edge. Eventually, night fell as I sat tied to the backseat of my car. Panic crept its way in the more time passed. I hadn’t seen a car the entire time I’d been tied up. Civilization seemed a million miles away.

  That was re
ally fucking stupid.

  I didn’t need this shit. I’d had enough of complicated to last me a lifetime. I didn’t need to add some crazed mobster and angry sidekick to the mix. As sweat gathered at my back and I fought the urge to relieve myself, I thought about the fact that Daniello had been intrigued with my car collection.

  I’d told him that men had raised me, and it was the absolute truth.

  Lazarus might have taught me to ride a bike and eventually shoot a gun, but the valuable truths I learned didn’t start until the day he returned from juvie.

  “Wow, you’re almost full grown now, Red.” I stiffened as I pulled my nightgown over my head and turned to see him smoking a cigarette outside of my window. No one had ever seen me bare the way he’d just witnessed and I felt a small thrill at the thought that he liked what he saw. He had grown at least another half a foot taller as he watched me through sharp blue eyes. His brown hair had grown slightly longer, and a smile graced his lips around the pull of his cigarette.

  “I was sure you had forgotten about me,” I huffed, unimpressed with his failure to write me a single letter in reply to the dozens I’d sent him.

  “I had to go hard in there, but I kept them all. I couldn’t let them see me writing to a girl in there. I had no privacy. I had nothing.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” I said, bracing my hands on the window to help myself out. He gripped me by the hips, pulling me out and closer to him. He smelled like sweat, cigarettes, and a hint of soap. I gripped him tightly to me for a brief moment, letting myself feel the false safety I always did when I was with him. He hadn’t stopped the last few years from happening, and my hero worship for him was short lived when he failed to save me from it.

  “Why doesn’t it matter, Red?” he asked curiously. “You can’t lie and say you didn’t miss me. I have it in writing.”