His scream, and the fact that both his arms flew out to his sides, let her know she’d at least hit something important.
The knife hit the floor about the same time Hunter’s hands gripped her shoulders and jerked her to him.
Mitch McKeon grabbed the young sub and smoothly jerked his wrists into the small of his back, wrapping them tightly with a Velcro restraint. “Stay.”
“Why are you here, McKeon?” Hunter growled, pulling Kerri behind him and away from the double threat of Jeffrey and McKeon.
“I have business with Lillian.”
“Now is not a good time, Mitch,” she crooned, “but thank you for helping with Jeffrey. He’s a little too enthusiastic today.”
“Get out, McKeon. You don’t want to get involved here.”
“I disagree.” He strode across the floor and grabbed Lillian’s arm in a solid fist, drawing her close to his side.
“I have a vested interest in this conversation. Not an hour ago, Lillian Kosgrove sold that naked girl to me. She accepted my money. Didn’t you?” With one hand, he tipped her head back until she could see his face. “Well?”
“Yes, we spoke about a business transaction. But now is not the time to discuss it.”
“Are you agreeing with me, Lillian, or voiding the deal you made?” The harshness of his voice sent a shiver down Kerri’s spine while she waited for the dominatrix’s reply.
“I will not void our transaction. The money has been moved and I’ll not return it.” The whispered conversation, however quiet she’d intended, carried throughout the room.
Hunter’s arms tightened around her, and Kerri inhaled sharply at the realization of what Jase had experienced.
McKeon eased Lillian’s hands to the small of her back. “Thank you.” Holding her slim wrists in one hand, he pulled a set of silver handcuffs from his back pocket and fitted them around her wrists with an audible click.
“Take those damned things off of me, Mitch. I’m no one’s submissive.”
“That will most likely change shortly.”
His chuckle surprised everyone in the room.
“Lillian Kosgrove, you are under arrest for the abduction and sale of Jase Benedict. You have the right to remain silent, but if you choose to talk, anything you say may and will be used against you in a court of law.”
Hunter raised a hand to stop Mitch. “Wait. Who do you work for?”
Mitch slid a slim wallet out of his back pocket and flipped it open. “FBI.”
“Damn it,” he said. “Doesn’t anyone in law enforcement communicate these days?”
“You’re a lawyer, you tell me.”
“I wasted too many hours digging into your background. Why didn’t you say something?”
Mitch shook his head, never letting go of Lillian’s arm. “I wasn’t sure what game you were playing, especially where this little girl was involved. We thought for sure you’d drop out of the game when your partner bailed.”
“Did you set that up?”
“Nah. But I knew it was going down.”
Kerri stepped around Hunter and punched Mitch in the gut. The ass didn’t even flinch. “You—”
McKeon stood over her, his eyes half-lidded, his lips in a firm line. “You are a strong woman, Miss Hudson. When you finish your degree, I hope you apply with us. Let me know and I’ll be happy to write you a letter of recommendation.”
“Don’t count on it.” Hunter’s possessive tone surprised her, as did the offer of a reference. She’d never considered the FBI as a career choice.
Mitch grinned at Hunter, and Kerri was surprised at how much the smile changed his face. He was actually a strikingly handsome man without the dark demeanor of his dom persona.
“We might have an opening for you with the Bureau, too, Merrit. Let me know when you decide to give up the part-time, freelance spook business.”
McKeon’s grin faded when he turned back to Lillian and jerked at her cuffs. “Time to go. There’s a cell waiting for you downtown.”
Chapter 24
Kerri stood within Hunter’s sheltering arms while Jase argued with Richard and the EMTs he’d called. Wrapped in an oversized robe Richard provided from the club, she looked like a refugee from an unexpected toga party. Irritated and stubborn, Jase used her inner strength to insist she could go home and recover on her own. Kerri had lobbied for the hospital as a precaution, but until Richard actually called the medics, Jase’s plan to leave under her own steam was plausible but unlikely.
As the argument continued, Kerri could see her friend faltering. Jase’s ordeal in the club was taking its toll. Fine tremors, visible to Kerri only because they’d been friends for so long, raged through her body and she looked cold even though the temperature was near ninety at midnight. In a few minutes, Richard would win by default and Jase would fall flat on her face in the foyer of Velvet Glove.
Kerri stepped away from Hunter to put her arms around Jase. “Give it up, honey. Richard’s right. You need to be checked out by a doctor.”
“But, I wasn’t—”
“I know, but emotional trauma can be just as devastating. If for no other reason, do this for my peace of mind.” She squeezed Jase in a tight hug then turned her toward the waiting EMTs. Minutes later, they were loading her into the ambulance.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you and your friend, Kerri. I thought we could keep you safe. I was wrong.”
Richard’s words echoed his expression, deep regret and sorrow etching lines in his handsome face, and Kerri placed her palm on his chest. The tension in his body was palatable, every muscle tight with anger at what she and Jase had endured. He kept talking, but she tuned him out, sure his anger would abate if she stayed calm.
“It’s okay, Richard. They’re both safe now, and the police have everyone involved in custody.” Hunter pulled Kerri back into his arms as he spoke. He was warm and comforting, but she knew it wouldn’t last long. Her reason for being with him was gone. Soon she’d be back in her townhouse, studying and writing papers while he went back to his regular job.
Walking away from Hunter was going to be harder than enduring the public whipping. Hell, that particular experience had ended in pleasure, but doing without Hunter in her life would be hellish.
For now, Kerri allowed herself to wallow in the feel of his arms around her. She allowed herself to feel like she belonged with him. She allowed herself to hope he belonged with her.
Richard and Hunter continued to talk about Jase’s abduction and whether her testimony would be enough to put the entire group in prison. Kerri tuned most of it out, wondering if she should walk away completely. Her car was in the lot, her keys in her pocket. A quick, clean break would probably be easier for both of them. Her head was working on a reasonable way to be strong while her heart thudded against her ribs. With a deep breath, she stepped away from Hunter and strode across the driveway, moving in the direction of her car with firm steps.
Kerri was closing in on her car when Hunter’s arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her against his chest.
“Where are you going, pretty girl?” His words whispered across her senses and sent a chill of pleasure and resentment through her body. His power over her was thrilling and frightening, both feelings chasing each other around her heart.
“Home.” She pushed against his arms and turned to face him, holding her composure close. “My part in this is over, and I need to go home now.”
“You’re running away. Is that what you really want?” he asked.
She shrugged, working hard to project a calm façade, hoping to keep her emotions contained until she was alone. Letting Hunter see how much she’d miss him was a weakness she didn’t want him to exploit.
“You’re running away now that the adventure is over.” He turned her in his arms and cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Don’t act so surprised. I knew from the beginning about your need for adventure. Hell, I was happy to provide the excitement. But I’m not ready for it
to end.”
Kerri dropped her head against his chest. Continuing to see him and knowing it was a game would make her miserable. She’d foolishly opened her heart to him, and the only way to push him away would be to let him see her emotions. Not a choice she wanted to make.
Hunter took the choice away, taking her hand and tugging her across the parking lot to his truck. Without words, he put her into the passenger seat, buckled her in, and circled to the driver’s side. Moments later, they were on the road.
He didn’t speak until they were in his garage, the door sliding closed behind the truck. “Come on, sweetheart. We have a few things to talk about before bed.”
Dazed, her thoughts spinning, Kerri followed him into the house, desire tempting her body to be bold. One more night with Hunter wouldn’t hurt, at least not tonight. She could deal with the pain of separation a little better with a strong memory of his body covering hers.
He led her through the kitchen and sat her in a chair at the table. Surprisingly, he poured her a glass of ice water and set the glass in front of her with a smile. “No alcohol tonight. I want to be sure you understand everything we discuss with no reason to question your agreement later.”
He sat in the chair next to her, turning to face her and taking her hand.
“What do you want to discuss, Hunter?” She heard the tremor in her voice and sucked in a breath. With a little more control, she continued. “Why am I here?”
“I would think that’s obvious, but I’ll spell it out. I want you, Kerri. I know you started this situation as an adventure, but I’d like to continue it as something more.”
“What exactly do you want from me?” Fear and hope surged. Kerri wanted a true intimate relationship with Hunter. She wanted his love. But the club scene, the intensity of his possession, frightened her to the point of denial. She wasn’t sure she could fit into his life on a permanent basis.
“To begin with, I’d like you to move in here with me. Trying to get you out of the club tonight made me realize how much I want to protect you, cherish you. I lost my mind when I discovered you were there without me, sweetheart.”
Kerri fought to breathe. Living with Hunter was a dream or perhaps a nightmare. Could she submit to him completely, bare herself physically and emotionally?
True, she’d accepted the fact of her emotional need for him, even though she hadn’t admitted it to him. The L word hadn’t crossed either of their lips.
But Kerri knew it was there, waiting to be said, at least in her mouth. But his?
She wasn’t sure.
Living together and being in love were different ideologies altogether for men. Whereas her heart had been involved since he’d so tenderly made love to her in the pool, she couldn’t be sure of his emotional connection.
“Talk to me, Kerri.” His hand tipped her chin, and she realized she’d been staring at the wall behind him. Meeting his gaze, looking into those dark depths, she saw raw need and something else, something she couldn’t define.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, pretty girl.”
Hunter’s fingers moved to her cheek, stroked softly against her skin, enticed her to cuddle into his touch. It was always like this, the insidious need he caused within her at every touch pushed her to give in to his desire.
Kerri reached up and grasped his wrist, tugging until his fingers left her face. He allowed the action but raised a brow in question.
“I need to think, Hunter. I can’t do that with you touching me.” Pushing back in the chair, Kerri stood and paced across the tile floor, her heels clicking as she moved around the room trying to gather her thoughts.
With every turn, she saw his eyes brightly watching her every move. But he stayed in the chair and gave her the space she needed. If only she could find the words to explain her feelings.
“I don’t think I can live in this lifestyle, Hunter. I’m afraid I’ll let you down, drive myself crazy trying to please you….” She raised her palm to him when he started to stand.
“Kerri—”
“I admit wanting you, wanting what you’re offering, but I’m already so lost in my feelings for you that I’m afraid my heart will end up trampled beyond hope.”
“Your heart? What about mine? What do you think will happen to my heart?”
“I don’t know.” Kerri tried to fortify her voice, make herself heard through the tears choking her throat. “I don’t know how you feel.”
“I’m not prepared for you to walk away right now. I need you in my life.”
The roughness of his voice washed over her, emotion overwhelming her with desire. But she steeled herself against the urge. “I can’t be what you want, Hunter. I’m sorry. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
“What do you mean, sweetheart? You’re exactly what I want.”
“No. You want a woman who can submit to you completely, who can be with you in the clubs. I can’t be that person.”
“You are that person, Kerri.”
Vehemently shaking her head, she said, “No. I was pretending. That isn’t me.”
“Kerri.” Hunter wrapped his hand around her shoulder, keeping her close enough to feel his chest rise and fall with each breath. “Don’t kid yourself. No one could fake your responses in the club or in my bed.”
Tears ran down her face, but she continued to shake her head. She didn’t want to be the girl from the club scene.
“The truth, sweetheart, is harder to hear than the emotional connection.”unHH Hunter pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “If you’re worried about the club, you need to understand a few things. First, I don’t live the lifestyle. I just play there once in a while.”
Kerri dragged in a ragged gulp of air at the admission.
“I’ll admit to being dominant, wanting you to submit to me sexually, but I would never ask you for more than you can openly give. I love you too much to hurt you.”
Kerri gasped. “You love me?”
“More than I ever imagined possible.”
Heart pounding, the sound of surf rushing to shore filling her ears, Kerri stared at the hard, testosterone-fueled man looking at her with heat in his eyes. Hope flared within her heart. “Okay.”
“Okay to what, pretty girl? Okay to living with me? Are you agreeing to anything and everything I ask?”
His palms cradled her hot cheeks, pulling her closer to him, his warm breath a whisper against her face. Kerri soaked him in, letting his heat, his love, fill her soul.
“Everything,” she whispered as his lips neared hers.
“Marry me?” he whispered back, a bare inch from melding their mouths together.
“Yes.”
THE END
www.lavenderdaye.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lavender is a native Texan, and although her family has lived in many other states, she’s always called Texas home. She began writing in elementary school and by high school, she was addicted to romance and working on her first novel. On her one and only trip abroad, Lavender visited several castles and wished for one of her own, hence her penchant for fairy tales. She lives in Texas with her husband, two kids and a very spoiled dog. A firm believer in happily-ever-after, Lavender thinks every woman should have a fairy tale of her own, even if it’s make-believe.
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Daye, Lavender - Bound By Trust (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 20
