by Nina Levine
I’d never had a man speak to me this way during sex.
I needed more.
“And what happens if I do interrupt?” I challenged him, wanting to know how far he would take this. Needing him to take it much, much further.
His brows rose, and the vein in his neck pulsed. “You really want to push this? I’m not sure you’ll like where it goes.”
I struggled to breathe as he squeezed his fingers a little harder around my neck.
Yes.
My pussy danced with delight. Staring hard into his eyes, I nodded. “Yes, show me who you are, Donovan.”
He uttered a string of words I couldn’t make out and raked his free hand through his hair. It seemed like he was weighing something in his mind, and then, suddenly, he let me go and moved off the bed. He strode to where his jeans were on the floor, scooped them up and grabbed a condom out of his wallet.
I held my breath.
Waiting.
Watching.
Coming back to me, he stood at the end of the bed and watched me while he ripped the foil packet and put the condom on. He climbed onto the bed and moved to where I was. A moment later, he’d flipped me onto my stomach, his hand had gone around my waist and he’d pulled my ass up into the air while I rested on my hands and knees. He knelt behind me and ran his hands over my ass, gently to begin with and then more roughly. I pushed myself back against him, desperate to have his cock, but he had other ideas. He kept one hand on my ass while the other one grabbed my hair into a ponytail and yanked my head back.
His mouth came to my ear. “You might regret knowing who I am.” His words and his warm breath on my skin made me shiver.
“Never,” I breathed out, welcoming the pain his grip caused.
He growled and bit down on my shoulder.
Hard.
I screamed.
He bit harder.
Fuck. Yes.
When his mouth moved from my shoulder, I wanted to demand he bring it back. However, he kept giving me what I craved when he thrust hard inside me.
No warning.
No more foreplay.
One hand pulling my hair back, one hand clawing at my ass, and his cock ramming into me over and over.
This man was made for my pleasure.
He moved me closer to my release with his rough fucking, and just as I felt myself tipping over the edge, he pulled out, let go of me, and flipped me onto my back. His movements were fluid and fast; for a man of his size he had a surprising agility.
I stared disbelievingly up into his eyes as he straddled me.
I was so close.
He shook his head and silenced my words with his finger over my lips. “This is what you get when you drag me away from your pussy.”
Oh.
His eyes moved to my breasts and he bent his face to my chest so he could suck and bite my nipples while he massaged my breasts. His hands slid down to my hips, and he shifted so he could kiss and bite his way down my body, ending at my inner thighs.
His punishment was both maddening and exquisite.
I wanted him to stop.
I needed him to keep going.
He spread my legs once again, looked up at me, and asked, “Will we have a problem if I finish what I started?” His voice had that growly quality to it that was like a shot of pure ecstasy in my veins.
I shook my head, and he grunted his approval before burying his face back in my pussy and setting me on fire with his tongue. I lay back and didn’t dare complain. Not because I didn’t like his form of punishment, but rather I didn’t want to delay having his cock in me any longer, and I knew I wouldn’t get it until he’d gotten what he wanted. And it seemed what Donovan wanted was to get his fill of my pussy first.
It didn’t take long for him to bring me to orgasm, and I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped his head as it hit. He didn’t waste time once I’d come; he prowled back up my body until our faces were centimetres apart. I’d barely had time to open my eyes, and I blinked to focus. The untamed look in his eyes spoke straight to my core.
It was time.
Finally.
I expected him to thrust straight in, but his unpredictability was fast becoming his signature move. He moved fast again, pulled me up, and flipped me around so I was on my knees facing the headboard of the bed. His hands grasped mine and he positioned them so they were gripping onto the top of the headboard. A moment later, his front pressed against my back, and he murmured against my ear, “Your cunt is so fucking tight this might not last long.”
My pussy clenched.
His words had the power to bring me to my knees.
I was sure of it.
A strong arm came around my waist and moved me so my ass tilted back. His cock rubbed against my entrance only for a moment, before he thrust in, hard, fast and to the hilt. He grunted, and the sound caused another ripple of pleasure to course through me. There seemed to be no end to it, and as he thrust in and out, balls slapping against me, I began to think I might never recover from tonight.
He’s going to kill me with bliss.
Donovan had been wrong when he said he might not last long. His dick had stamina. The longer he lasted, the rougher his thrusts became. His fingers dug into my skin, and his teeth sunk into my flesh as he chased his release. When he finally came, he roared it for the world to hear. The sound he made was the best thing I’d heard for a long time.
Passion and rage all rolled into one.
My kindred spirit.
Chapter Eight
Blade
I watched Layla sleep as I pulled on my clothes. She had the ability to look as sexy asleep as she did awake. Her long, dark hair fanned out over her bare back and the bed. My gaze travelled down her body, and my dick threatened to harden again at the sight of her waist, ass and legs. Everything about her was spectacular. But her physical beauty paled in comparison to her inner beauty.
Kind, nurturing and resilient; I was drawn to her.
We shared a connection I struggled to understand.
But I felt it.
I sat on her bed to put my boots on, and the shifting of the bed woke her. She rolled to her side, propped herself on her elbow and watched me silently.
We don’t need words.
I gave her my eyes for a couple of moments before focusing back on my boots. When I stood, she murmured, “Thank you.”
I turned. “For the sex?”
“No, for not judging me.”
Fuck.
I’d never judge her.
I nodded. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow, make sure you’re okay.”
“Okay,” she said softly. Sleepily.
“Do you have to close up?”
“No, Jess and Damian can do it.”
“Good. Get some sleep,” I said. With one last look at her, I turned and headed downstairs.
The bar was nearly empty. Over the last few months, I’d noticed a steady decline in business, and wondered how Layla kept it running.
“Blade!”
I turned and found Jess staring at me. “Yeah,” I said, walking towards her.
“Is Layla coming down?”
“No. Said you guys would close up.”
She grinned. “You knocked her flat, huh?”
I ignored that. “I’ll see you later,” I said and started heading towards the door.
“Don’t fuck her around,” she yelled at me.
I stopped. Turning, I said, “That’s not my M.O.”
She nodded. “Good.”
Once we had that settled, I left. As I stepped outside, I scanned the street. It looked clear tonight. I hadn’t mentioned anything to Layla, but I had concerns Mario would be back. Tomorrow, I’d put some eyes on her in case he did. That motherfucker wouldn’t fucking want to, though.
***
“Blade!”
I turned to the familiar voice screaming my name.
Ashley.
I smiled at her and began jogging to her. She kept moving, th
ough. I thought she was so close, but the more I ran, the further away she seemed. The smile on her face turned into a frown the longer I took.
“Ashley!” I yelled, extending my arm for her to grab hold of.
She reached her hand to try and grab onto it, but the harder we both tried, the further away our hands seemed.
“Blade, where did you go?” Her eyes grew sad, and when I saw the first tear fall, my heart constricted.
“Nowhere, baby. I’m right here,” I promised, wanting to take all her tears away.
Why does she think I went somewhere?
“No, you’re not. You went away. You left me,” she accused.
My foot hit something while I was running, and I fell.
The last thing I saw was her tears.
I was falling.
Falling into the darkness.
I sat bolt upright, my heart almost beating out of my chest.
Fuck.
The sheet stuck to my sweat.
Again.
I turned to the bedside clock.
Four fifteen am.
I scrubbed my hand over my face as I recalled the dream. I had no idea what it meant, and no desire to figure it out. Pushing the sheet off, I left the bed to take a shower.
Maybe it’s time for sleeping pills.
A couple of hours of sleep wouldn’t cut it today.
***
Three hours later, I pulled my car out of my driveway and drove to Harlow’s café for breakfast with Madison. When I arrived, she was standing on the footpath waiting for me.
I stepped out of the car, locked it and walked to her. “Morning.” I smiled at her.
She returned my smile. “Hey, big brother.” Her arms came up around my neck as she kissed me on the cheek.
I fought the instinct to pull away from her embrace.
“You’re getting better at this,” she said with a wink after she let me go.
“You’ve no idea,” I muttered, and began walking to the café.
She grabbed my arm and stopped me. “Wait! What does that mean?”
Expectation covered her face while she waited for my reply. Not ready to share my thoughts, I said, “Nothing.”
“That was not nothing,” she insisted, and I mentally berated myself for my words.
“Leave it, Madison,” I cautioned.
Her eyes widened. “Oh my god! You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?” Her excitement levels shot through the roof, and I almost expected her to start jumping up and down on the spot.
“Leave it,” I growled and stalked into the café without waiting for her.
Harlow looked up as I entered and smiled at me. I jerked my chin at her, and began walking to where she was at the counter.
“Good morning,” she greeted me. Harlow always had a smile on her face. I wondered if she had many bad days, because it seemed like she didn’t. Except for lately when I’d seen her and Scott arguing.
I scowled at her. “Morning.”
“Having a bad morning?” she asked softly.
“Sorry,” I apologised, not wanting to take it out on her.
“He’s shitty with me for asking him about who he’s dating.”
I turned to Madison who had come up behind me. If I didn’t give her what she wanted, she’d keep pushing until she got an answer. “Yes, I’ve met someone, but I don’t know what it is yet, so can we just leave it for now?”
She stared at me, stunned. And then a huge smile spread across her face. “Yes! Of course we can. I’m just so happy for you.”
Thank Christ.
Harlow stepped in and led Madison away from that conversation. “Are we still on for shopping tomorrow? I really need a new swimsuit.”
I tuned out their shopping conversation and let me mind wander to my day ahead. Merrick wanted to discuss the new construction job we were bidding for, and Ben, my head of security, wanted to discuss a new lead on Blue he had.
“Blade!”
I focused back on the conversation to find Madison staring at me, waiting for me to say something. “Sorry. What?”
“Do you want anything to eat or just coffee?”
She’d give me grief if I didn’t order food. “Eggs on toast and coffee, please,” I said to Harlow.
“I’ll bring it over soon,” she promised, and we made our way to a table.
I waited for Madison to interrogate me further, but she surprised me by leaning in close and asking me, “Do you know if everything is okay between Scott and Harlow?”
“I’m not sure.” I wasn’t one to break a confidence so I didn’t divulge the tiny piece of information he’d shared with me recently.
“I think there’s something going on with them. Harlow hasn’t been her usual self lately.”
“I guess, whatever it is, it’s between them. She’ll share with you when and if she’s ready.”
“I don’t want them to be having problems.” She sighed. “She’s so good for him. He better not fuck this up.”
“How’s J?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.
She grinned. “He’s an ass, but I love him.”
I snorted. “You two really were made for each other, weren’t you?”
“Yep.”
“You guys talking babies yet?”
“Oh god, he keeps bringing it up, but I’m in no hurry.” She grew serious. “I just want to enjoy him all to myself for a while longer, you know what I mean? We spent so many years stuffing around with what we had . . . I need more time with him before we add kids to the mix.”
“Smart move, babe.”
Harlow brought our breakfast over, and Madison spent the next half an hour while we ate filling me in on what she’d been up to. I listened to everything she said, but my mind kept shifting to Layla, wondering how she was this morning. Wondering whether I was ingrained on her soul as much as she was on mine.
One night, and she can do that to me.
Fuck.
“Blade!”
I blinked.
“What?”
She shook her head at me. “You’re so far away today, but you’re not gonna tell me where you are, are you?”
If I didn’t give her something, she’d never leave me alone. “No, babe, it’s for me at the moment. If it goes anywhere, I promise you’ll be the first to know.”
She slowly nodded. “Okay.”
We finished eating and headed out to our cars after saying goodbye to Harlow. Madison hugged me and made me promise to have breakfast again in a couple of days.
My phone rang, distracting me from watching her leave. “Hello,” I answered it, not recognising the number on the screen.
“Blade.”
The voice on the other end was one I hadn’t heard in years. One I’d never wanted to hear again. “Ricky.”
“Your father’s playing with fire. You might want to tell him to back the fuck off,” he threatened.
“I don’t have anything to do with my father so I suggest you tell him yourself.” Even after all these years he still managed to piss me off.
“This was just a friendly suggestion between old friends. I don’t intend to waste my time talking to Marcus.”
“You and I were never friends, Ricky.”
“It pains me you feel that way, Blade. Way I remember it, we were. We’ve certainly got a shitload of shared memories. You know, like that time I lied for you to that Judge.”
His meaning wasn’t lost on me. It was a clear threat.
Fuck.
“What do you want, motherfucker?” I snapped.
“I don’t want to share my territory. Talk to Storm,” he ordered, and he hung up on me.
I held my phone away from my ear and just stared at it.
Like fuck I’d roll over and give in to his threats.
Chapter Nine
Layla
Jess took one look at me and raised her brows. “I take it he marked your neck.”
My hand went to the scarf around my neck. He’d marked me in mor
e than one place. No way was I going out in public today without the scarf. I scowled at her but didn’t say anything.
She’d just arrived at work and went to put her bag out in the back. Damian had called in sick today so Jess had agreed to come in to help Annie and me. Annie stood at the other end of the bar, stacking glasses. I watched her for a moment. She was doing well, even seemed to be okay with the fact Gary hadn’t come after her. I’d given her phone back to her, and she hadn’t called him. I checked up on that every day just to be sure.
She looked up at me and smiled. “Who is he?” she asked.
It was the first time she’d asked anything about me since she’d moved in. Up until this point, she’d been completely engrossed in herself and her problems to have it in her to think of anyone else. I took it as a good sign. “His name’s Donovan, and he’s a customer who’s been coming here for about a year.”
Jess came back out to the front of the bar and started helping us get ready to open.
Annie kept the conversation going. “What’s he like?” She had that dreamy look in her eyes. Annie was a born romantic. Probably the reason she flitted from guy to guy with hardly a break in-between. She craved love and didn’t do well on her own. She was so different from me.
“He’s complex. Unlike any man I’ve ever met.” I paused to think about him. “I don’t know him that well yet, but I think he’s like those sour lollies you like: sour at first, but sweet when you get to the centre.”
“I can’t wait to meet him, Layla. You deserve someone good.”
I smiled at her. “Yeah, I do.”
Jess joined the conversation. “When are you seeing him again?”
“I don’t know. He said he’d call today. We’ll see.”
“He will,” Jess said, adamantly, like she knew something I didn’t.
“Do you have a crystal ball?”
She winked. “No, but I told him not to fuck you around last night, and he assured me he wouldn’t.”
“It’s so unlike you to trust anything a guy says,” I mused.
“I know,” she said, quietly. “But there’s something about him that makes me totally believe everything he says.”
Me, too.
We finished getting the bar ready and opened about fifteen minutes later. A couple of customers wandered straight in, and I sent a prayer to the universe that we’d be busy today. My bank balance needed it.
