Under Pressure

by Zoë Normandie

  As Kendra crested the kitchen, she saw over his shoulder that an elderly lady stood on his stoop with a German Shepherd dog in tow. The dog promptly barked, excited, and jumped on Delta with happy sounds, as if telling him an entire story.

  “Hey, girl,” Delta replied to the canine, roughly petting the dog’s fur as he bent over to hold her. “How was your sleepover?”

  The elderly lady, in a matronly blouse and slacks, smiled as she looked behind Delta toward where Kendra stood. Suddenly, Kendra felt underdressed—and judged.

  “And who is this?” the lady pried, which seemed to trigger the dog to come sniff Kendra’s legs.

  Delta looked backed to his stoop, beckoning the lady to come in. Then he glanced at where Kendra stood, a sly look on his face, and introduced her to Mrs. Romano.

  “Mrs. Romano, my apologies—this is my friend, Kendra.”

  Kendra lunged forward to greet her more politely, but Mrs. Romano did not want to step through the doorframe, citing that she had too much gardening to do. The twinkling look in Mrs. Romano’s eye told Kendra that she was pleased to see Kendra there and wanted to leave them alone. Her gray curls whisking over her shoulder in the breeze, she gave Kendra a welcoming nod.

  As the door closed and Delta got some dog food out of the fridge to put in a dog bowl, he turned his head up to Kendra, grinning.

  “And this very good girl is Timber.”

  Kendra chuckled as Timber dove headfirst into the bowl of food, ignoring her. She knew dogs well enough to know that nothing else mattered when food was laid out.

  Delta moved toward Kendra, putting his arms around her as he locked her against the kitchen counter. She didn’t miss that look in his eyes—the one she was coming to know well. He planted a kiss on her lips, soft and sensual, but just as quickly pulled away, leaving her literally breathless.

  “Ready for a shower?” The grin on his lips made her quiver.

  “I should get home—” she sighed, checking the clock.

  “Live a little on the wild side.” He shot her a sly wink, making her ache.

  So, she nodded deferentially and watched the father of her baby disappear down the hall. In her heart, she knew she owed it to her son to give him everything she had. For the little extra time away from him, maybe there was a chance to give him a daddy.

  Hearing the shower turn on, she followed Delta like he was a piper. He drew her in—in a way she could never explain. He’d left the door open for her, she realized, as she entered the steamy washroom. The dated fixtures gave a vintage feel, like they were in the 1950s, except for the large modern mirror hanging over his sink. It looked brand new. It was all very California.

  A few feet from the sink, he cracked open the glass door to the shower, inviting her in with him. She took him up on it. His tall, wide frame was almost comically large in the powder-blue-tiled shower stall. Under the water, she rinsed her face, ridding herself of whatever small amounts of makeup were left over from the night at the bar, feeling his body right behind her, holding her.

  “Would you rather have something average for a long time”—he ran his hand down her wet back toward her ass—“or something amazing for a short time?”

  “I don’t know.” Her heart pounded with his words, and she found herself biting her lip as was her nervous habit.

  He sprayed the hot water all over her body. With soap, he massaged her shoulders and neck, making her feel like a wet noodle in his grasp. Working his way down, reaching around her, and he didn’t avoid her breasts and nipples, giving each the attention they deserved.

  “What about you?” she moaned as he touched her.

  “I don’t have a choice. You do.”

  He ran his calloused hands even lower, along her abdomen and lower, until he finally hit her shaved mound. She couldn’t contain herself as he did, opening her legs in an inviting way. His touch never ceased to blow her mind.

  “I love this part.” He groaned.

  Slipping under her lower lips, he touched her pulsing clit, making her need him again. He knew how to draw the right circles around it, playing games with her body. He traced her slit to the opening of her pussy, which was so sore from getting fucked so damn well the previous night.

  “Baby,” she let out, experiencing intense pleasure.

  He spun her to him and dropped his head, kissing her underneath the falling water as he thrusted his finger up inside her. He made a come-hither movement with it in her pussy, rubbing against the spot that drove her wild. She loved it when he took control—and he knew that. He drove up two and three fingers, making her gasp for air. He was so close to making her come again, just with his hands.

  “You’re too good at this.”

  “Tell me more,” he growled, growing more aggressive with his movements.

  As she opened her eyes, she took in the crazy look in his. With something likely up his sleeve, he slowly spun her before him. She didn’t miss the now-bouncing erection standing at attention between them. Just so damn hard. He was aching, the same as her—and ready to fuck.

  “Bend over and touch your toes,” he demanded in a low growl, turning her once more in his arms.

  She obeyed without argument, feeling light and pliable. Behind her, he teased her legs apart, finding her opening again, but he put his cock in her this time. She enjoyed how long and hard he got, filling her up just like the night before. The only difference was that this time, hot water splashed over their bodies as he fucked her like he was savoring the moment.

  His hand on her ass, he traced her crack all the way. Slapping her wet ass like a savage, he groaned with every thrust he drilled into her. She gasped, falling forward as he hit the perfect spot with his thick manhood. She smacked her hands against the wet tile, and she tried to steady herself, getting lost in the hot steam.

  “Is this what you wanted?” he grunted, panting.

  “God, yes—”

  “You can have it anytime.”

  “Fuck, I wish that were true,” she groaned, loving his pulsing cock in her.

  Gripping her ass as he drove himself in and out of her, he traced her crack again, the hot water cascading down between them.

  “Me too,” he grumbled.

  His words, his hunger, the hot water, the passion of it all—Kendra was about to lose her goddamn mind. Grinding back into him as he fucked her, she realize that she needed more of him—everywhere. One of his thick fingers pushed into her rear hole, fingering her, pleasuring her, finding a spot inside that made her want to scream. He grunted, driving harder into both holes, pushing her against the tiled shower wall—demanding she take his full manhood in her already-aching pussy. She screamed out, the double penetration filling her in ways she’d never thought possible, giving her a rare electric orgasm.

  As she climaxed, he came, groaning as his hot seed filled her then ran out and down the backs of her legs. He slowly released her body, retreating as he soaped her up all over again. Even though her hands were still against the wall, as if immobilized, she enjoyed the sensation of his hands running over her back and down her ass and legs with slippery, soapy bubbles. He treated her too good. How can I hate him?

  Pulling her back against his chest, he held her to him, kissing her neck.

  “You’re damn amazing,” he groaned, keeping her tight against him, like he never wanted to let her go.

  She laughed. “No, I’m not.”

  “You are to me.”

  She sloughed it off. “If I really was, where would we be?”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself.” His voice dropped, and the reminder hit close to home. “My issues have nothing to do with you.”

  She parted her lips in surprise with the realization that he was starting to understand her too well.

  Chapter Nineteen

  In last night’s clothes, Kendra leaned against the white granite kitchen countertop. Finishing the best damn omelet she’d ever had, she marveled at Delta crafting her a second coffee. The man clearly knows wha
t he’s doing in the kitchen, she thought, as he adjusted the dials of an expensive-looking machine to perfectly extract espresso from grounds. Simultaneously, he had the milk frothing, ready to pour into two beautiful cups, white and delicate with engraved flowers on the edges.

  She could see his military training—focused, precise. He was as attentive and skillful in the kitchen as he was in making her body sing, something he seemed determined to do whenever he got his hands on her. Despite what he seemed to think, things were changing between them. She felt it, though she didn’t yet know if that was for the better or worse, tepidly hoping for the first time that it could be the former.

  Finally, Delta poured the frothed milk into her cup but not his—creating the perfect cappuccino for her and black espresso for himself, its own metaphor. As he handed it to her, she traced the flowers engraved on the cup, getting a closer look at the design. It didn’t look like something she’d expect a man like him to own.

  As if reading her thoughts, he explained without probing, “They were my mother’s. My dad gave them to me when I bought my first house.”

  “This house?” she asked, which was met with a sly chuckle from him.

  “No”—he shook his head, his thick hand practically gripping the entire cup as he sipped—“I’ve owned a handful of houses over the years, on either side of the country—near whatever base the Navy posted me to. Dad always taught me to put money in property.”

  “Where do your parents live?” she asked, eager to keep him talking about himself.

  “DC,” Delta started, adjusting his dark shirt over his fitted black jeans. “That’s where I grew up—just with my dad. My mom passed away a long time ago.”

  “I’m so sorry. There’s so much I don’t know about you.”

  But Delta simply shrugged and turned away, the morning rays catching his face as he gazed out of the kitchen window. The room became filled with the sounds of Timber lapping up water in her dish. Kendra opened her mouth to speak but got lost in her coffee instead, unsure if cross-examination would be welcome.

  Delta leaned back against the kitchen counter, putting down his cup and rubbing his unshaven chin. His expression turned more somber, and he looked over to her again, breaking the quiet.

  “I don’t want to get too serious—”

  She flinched, her stomach dropping, fearing the worst.

  He continued, “But we need to talk about Hunter.”

  Collecting herself, she realized she’d jumped too fast. He shot her a deadly gaze, getting on with it, and she briefly saw that other side of him—the one that gave her the wrong kind of chills.

  Kendra acknowledged him, quizzing, “What do you think is going on?”

  “I want to hear what you think.”

  Obviously assessing her, Delta let his tongue run across the bottom of his lip, clearly holding his cards tight.

  “He’s jealous,” she conceded. “He’s jealous of you.”

  “You have no idea how deep that rabbit hole goes,” Delta warned, his tone dire. “What do you reckon is his endgame here?”

  “Me,” she replied, dropping her gaze to the dog.

  “Could be.”

  She snapped her gaze back, locking onto him. The way he said that stirred her suspicion, as if he doubted that was all.

  “What are you not telling me?” she demanded, that analytical side of her catching on.

  He shot her a look—a very perceptive look. “There are things you don’t understand.”

  “Like what?”

  “Things.”

  “Are you going to tell me? Yes or no.”

  “No.”

  “What the fuck is this shit? Again?” Her eyes locked with his, and she had a sudden urge to scream at him.

  Seemingly reading her, he crossed his arms, sending a similar message. She didn’t mistake the fiery flush up his neck. A silent détente followed, awkward and stony.

  Timber, satisfied with her hydration, tilted her nose up to Kendra while she licked at her whiskers. She trotted lazily over to Kendra’s feet, sniffing. Kendra, stirring under Delta’s gaze, leaned over to pet the canine’s gorgeous fur. The dog was a big suck-up, and he and Kendra clicked right away. It was a welcomed distraction. Without ado, Timber let out a yawn and curled up into a ball on Kendra’s feet, immobilizing her.

  Delta glowered, rubbing his scruffy chin in thought, studying her.

  “What?” Kendra snapped.

  He shook his head, his forehead furrowed. “She doesn’t like most people.”

  Then Delta narrowed his eyes on her, grazing his teeth over his bottom lip, like he was ready to sink them into her… again. Trying to be civil, Kendra ran her hands behind her along the countertop for support, knowing it was up to her to do the heavy lifting. She took in a deep breath and made one last attempt to get the conversation back on track.

  “I don’t want there to be any more secrets between us.” She threw it out there.

  “Neither do I.”

  “You’ve got things to tell me.”

  “So do you.” He took a threatening step toward her, visibly intent. “Go ahead. Start talking.”

  Grasping at nothing, she shivered as he stalked even closer, dropping his hands on either side of the counter behind her, trapping her against the cold granite. His body holding strong, his face just inches from hers, he remained unapologetic. He lowered his head, almost brushing her lips, taunting her into submission. Time seemed to move more slowly as she fought herself.

  “No more games, Delta,” she held.

  He grinned, uncaring, blowing a teasing line of air up her cheek, exciting and infuriating her. She pushed back against him, but he just pressed her down without effort, making her even angrier.

  She cried out, “Christ in hell, please! Why don’t you just fucking tell me what your goddamn dark secret is?”

  His body flexed, tense as all hell, but he stood silent. Glaring. All those things he’d said, all those moments they’d shared cheapened, springing tears to her eyes. For all that progress, they seemed to have circled right back.

  “Why do you have so many cuts and bruises?” she demanded, losing it. “Why do you parade around in a black hood and a mask? Why does it look like you never sleep? What is going on with you?”

  He sucked in his breath. “That is none of your concern.”

  “You have no idea— That is absolutely my concern.” She pointed at his chest.

  “And why is that?”

  She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

  He growled, “Kendra, I told you—”

  Then the room caught on fucking fire. Stiffening her spine, Kendra just snapped, shoving harder at his chest.

  “You told me—what exactly?” She hated it but she couldn’t stop. “You won’t tell me anything!”

  “What the fuck do you think this is? A sharing circle?” He grabbed at her hand, causing her to wince. In a low growl, he moved the conversation on, “Now, I’ve seen enough shit. I’m handling things from now on. You are under my protection. You will stay here.”

  “What?” She pulled back, stunned. “Here?”

  “Right here.” He tapped the countertop behind her.

  “Fuck, no.”

  She slid away from him and toward the door. But, swift as hell, Delta pounced, planting himself in the doorframe, snarling down on Kendra as she tried to get out.

  “You can’t leave”—he crossed his arms, emotionless—“until I say so.”

  “Get out of my way.” She pushed to get around him, grabbing at the door handle, but he slammed his hand on the doorframe, trapping her in place once again.

  That savage look crossed his face, startling and unnerving her as they locked eyes. Whatever darkness came across his face quickly turned menacing, and she saw the real Matteo Valente for the first time—the fighter, the warrior, in battle, ready to rock. She tried to push his arms aside, to free herself—but he wouldn’t yield.

  Nervously glancing around, she real
ized she didn’t stand a chance.

  “Is that all you can think to offer me? A cage?” she cried out.

  Something in his face twisted as he snapped back, “Well, what the hell do you want?”

  “Maybe more than just a one-night stand?” She cracked, tears falling from her eyes.

  “It was good enough for you at the time,” he roared, fierce and brash.

  “No, it wasn’t. And it will never be.”

  Never. That word ricocheted for a split second, and suddenly, she heard a snap, and realized that with a single-handed grip and a cruel look in his eye, he’d shattered the double-thick wood doorframe, sending wood fragments and splinters into the air. The door fell open, no longer held in place by anything.

  “That’s not possible,” she breathed, panicking.

  Then Delta lost all control. The man she knew vanished and a savage animal stood in his place, muscles tensing as he stared her down, hungry in the worst way. Something was happening to him right before her eyes. A deep, predatory growl escaped his throat as he dropped his head to take her mouth with his, but she dove to the side, terrified.

  “Please, God—please, no.”

  He let her go.

  Gasping for air, Kendra bolted, lunging from the broken doorway, running out toward her car, which was parked on the road. Hyperventilating, she fumbled to get the car door open, then slammed it behind her as she started the engine. Still in disbelief, she couldn’t process how his ferocious grip had snapped the doorframe clean in half. It just wasn’t possible.

  In the mirror, she could see Delta’s hulking frame trailing down the driveway, his face cold and intent—staring at her.

  “Please, please, please,” she cried to herself as she nervously put her car into gear, pleading for something she wasn’t ready to admit.

  All she could think about was her baby, and what the hell he’d inherited from his father.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Are you paying for the monitoring service?” The technician wiped sweat from his brow as he stood from the front door, drill in hand.