Next to Never: Shattered Innocence Trilogy

by A. L Long

  Evan waited for Dylan to move first before he followed her out. Parting ways, Evan turned as he walked backwards, yelling in Dylan’s direction. “Dylan?”

  Dylan shifted her feet to face him. “Yeah.” Seeing his body in the distance, she heard him say with his hands in his pockets. “Have a nice day.”

  Dylan smiled. “You too.” Dylan enjoyed her walk back to her office.

  Entering her building, she gave Sam a quick wave, then headed towards the elevators. Once she got to her floor, she walked through the frosted doors and poked her head into Veronica’s office. Veronica was on the phone putting her hand over the mouthpiece as Dylan told her she was back from lunch and would be in her office if she needed anything. Dylan lightly closed Veronica’s door and went to her own office. Not much happened the rest of the day. Just as she was getting ready to leave for the day, her cell phone began ringing. She saw it was Richard. “Hello, Ms. Adams. I’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready to leave.” Dylan let Richard know she was collecting her things and would be down shortly. Reaching the lobby, she saw Richard waiting out front for her just as he said.

  The ride was just as quiet. The silence allowed Dylan to drift into her thoughts. She thought about her earlier declaration of her relationship with Rade. She was lying to herself if she thought what they had was nothing more than sex. It felt like more, at least to her.

  Richard pulled into his parking space. He walked Dylan to the elevator and placed his key card into the slot for her. On the way up to the penthouse, Dylan could sense something was on his mind. Facing him she said, “Richard, you look like something is on your mind.”

  Richard pushed himself from the elevator wall and looked hard at Dylan. “Ms. Adams, I have worked for Mr. Matheson for many years. In all those years, I’ve never seen him so preoccupied before. He has always kept his mind clear. I’m sure it’s not my place to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway. It’s my belief that you’re the one occupying his thoughts. It could be dangerous for him as well as for you. Having deep feelings for someone could cloud his judgment. Preventable mistakes could be made.”

  Dylan looked at Richard disliking his comments. “I think you are mistaken about Rade’s feelings towards me.”

  “Am I, Ms. Adams?” Richard sneered.

  The elevator dinged. As the door opened, Richard exited the elevator, leaving Dylan to her thoughts. She wasn’t sure how to take his words. Was he saying her being with Rade could be dangerous for him? Dylan was just about ready to ask him that very thing, but before she could get the words out, the elevator doors closed.

  Walking into the penthouse, the only lights on were over the breakfast nook. Quietness filled the penthouse, informing her that Rade must still be at work. Hating his absence, she decided to text him. Where are you at? When can I expect you at the penthouse? Waiting for him to respond, she decided to pour herself a glass of wine and make herself comfortable. Kicking her shoes off, she walked to the wine cooler to pull out a bottle of wine. Taking a bottle from the rack, she inspected the label, making sure it was a white wine. She wasn’t a wine expert, but she knew it didn’t matter which bottle she chose, it would be delicious. As she settled on the couch to enjoy her glass of wine, she received a ping on her phone. She walked to the counter where she left her cell. The message was from Rade. I’m on my way now. I hope you are still wearing my little present. I want you on the bed naked in the same position as last night.

  Chugging her wine, she hurried to Rade’s room. She quickly took her clothing off and settled on his bed as he instructed. She almost forgot about the butt plug, but was reminded of its presence as she knelt down on his bed. Her mind kept going back to what Richard said in the elevator. As she shifted, the feeling of fullness came back to her as the plug pushed a little more inside her. She only hoped Rade would be home soon. Thoughts of what was about to happen caused a tingle between her legs.

  Unlike last night, Dylan immediately saw Rade as he walked into the bedroom. The sight of him made her heart beat faster. She watched his every move as he began loosening the knot in his tie. Stripping the tie from his neck, he began slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Like he was performing in front of her, Rade pulled his shirt off his shoulders and he walked towards her. “Do you like what you see Sweetness? Because I like what I see.” Dylan took a deep breath and nodded while lowering her eyes. “Look at me, Dylan.” Dylan lifted her head until her eyes met his. Taking in every inch of his beautiful body, the onset of moisture began to bloom inside her. Only he could do this to her as she took in his perfectly chiseled lines wrapped in golden skin. Moving her eyes lower, Rade began unbuckling his belt. He pulled the belt from his trousers and threw it on the bed. Dylan watched as it fell on the soft padding of the comforter. Moving her eyes back to him, she watched as he kicked off his shoes and began lowering his pants down his muscular legs.

  When he was completely undressed, he stalked towards her like a lion seeking out its prey. Placing his hand under her chin, he lowered his mouth to hers and gently kissed her. Taking her bottom lip between his, he lightly sucked while clutching his teeth just enough to draw out a soft moan. Rade could feel Dylan’s need becoming more demanding as she took hold of his nap and frantically laced her fingers through his thick hair, pulling him closer. Knowing she was thirsting for more, Rade grabbed a hold of her hips and effortlessly twisted her body while he picked her up and set her back onto the bed so she was kneeling with her back to his front. Pushing lightly on her back, he positioned her so her head rested on the bed and her ass was fully exposed. Rade slowly moved his hands down her silky back until they rested blissfully on her glorious ass. Sliding his hand between her cheeks, he took hold of the plug and gently began moving it, giving it the attention it longed for. He could hear her moans getting louder as he continued playing with the plug while his free hand glided over her wet opening. Lowering his head to her ear, he seductively whispered, “I’m going to fuck you now, Sweetness, until you scream for me to stop.”

  Removing his hand from her sex, Rade grabbed hold of his cock, placing it at the juncture of her sweet opening. Thrusting his length inside with slow, intricate movements, he could feel the tightness of her vagina amplified by the plug. Never in his life would he forget the feeling of her pussy wrapped around him. Taking hold of the butt plug, he began synchronizing the movement to mimic the push and pull action of his cock, like two oiled machines working together as one.

  When Rade felt her respond with the rocking of her hips back against his shaft, he slowed his thrusts to a mere tease. He sensed her frustration as she began moving her hips back and forth with more aggression. There was a devious smile on his face reflecting the torment he was causing her. With one swift pull, he dislodged the plug from her anus. Dylan screamed as her orgasm began taking over her body. Leaning over her limp body, Rade reminded her of his control. “You’re mine, Sweetness.” Flipping her body with ease, Rade grabbed the belt waiting for him on the edge of the bed. Taking both her wrists in his hand, he swiftly wrapped the belt around them, placing them above her head. “Don’t move your hands.” Positioning his body between her legs, he spread them wider, giving him better access to her sex. With one hand beside her head and the other clutching his cock, he pushed himself inside her and began pumping his erection inside inch by inch, absorbing the sensation of her pulsating walls from her recent release.

  Unable to hold back any longer, Dylan lifted her arms from above her head and wrapped them around Rade’s neck. With great control, he dipped his head from her grasp and raised her arms above her head, In a stern voice he whispered, “If you move your arms again, I will stop.” Doing as he said, Dylan gritted her teeth as the pressure between her legs began building once more. Feeling her vagina tighten around his throbbing erection, Rade gave way to his own control. “Come for me, Sweetness.” Exploding with such force, Dylan let her desire take over as the tears fell. Rade abandoned his own release as he took in Dylan’s fragile state. Brushing a s
trand of hair from her tear-soaked face; he looked at her with confusion. “Dylan what is it?” Dylan shook her hands to loosen the belt that held them together. Taking her freed hands, she gently cupped Rade’s face. “What is this between us?”

  Unable to answer, Rade lifted his body from hers and went to the shower.

  “This is not happening again.” There was no way Dylan was going to let Rade leave her alone again while her heart was being torn apart. She stormed into the bathroom, seeing Rade looking at himself in the mirror. Seeing her reflection, Rade turned to face her. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Dylan.”

  Dylan walked closer to him. “I just want you to tell me the truth.”

  Rubbing his thumb across her cheek, he told her only what he could. “I care about you, Dylan. Every second of every day all I think about is consuming you with every inch of my body. I don’t know what it is that we have, but I know whatever it is, I don’t want it to stop.”

  Affected by Rade’s confession, Dylan rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him tenderly on the lips. Rade’s arms wrapped around her as he took her in. Dylan still felt Rade was keeping something inside. It felt like he was kissing her like it would be the last kiss they would share. Like he was losing something he would never be able to get back. Rade easily lifted her like she weighed nothing and placed her on the cold marble vanity. Looking in her eyes, he whispered to her, “You’re so beautiful.” Rade placed gentle, barely there kisses over her face and down her neck. Adjusting his body so he was standing between her thighs, he pulled her closer and delicately entered her channel slowly, moving his cock inside her, savoring every breathtaking thrust. The more he was drawn to her, the more it was tearing him apart. He knew he had to keep his real feelings for her locked away.

  Rade and Dylan made love to each other again in the shower and then again in bed. There was nothing between them. No restraints, no toys, no punishments, just the two of them, touching and feeling each other like two people lost in love.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Spending every night for the past two weeks with Rade was taking a toll on Dylan. Not only on her body, but also on her heart. Rade agreed to give her a break. Pulling up to her apartment building after a hard day at work, she decided a glass of wine and a hot bubble bath was in order. When she got to her apartment, she noticed a note wedged between the door and the frame. Removing the note, she found it was a delivery slip. Entering her apartment, she called the number on the slip. Her call was answered by the security guard at the front desk. He told her a package was waiting for her and he would hold it for her until she was able to come get it. Dylan told the guard that she would be down shortly.

  Dylan retrieved the package from the gentleman behind the desk, whom she later found out was named Ernie. Getting to her apartment a few minutes later, she set the box on the counter and walked over to the fridge to take out a bottle of wine. Pouring herself a glass, she took a sip and headed to her bathroom. Even though she loved every aspect of her new apartment, the bathroom was still her favorite room. Turning on the faucet in the jetted tub, she poured two cups full of her favorite bubble bath into the water. Dylan undressed while waiting for the tub to fill. It was like a tropical oasis once her body hit the hot water.

  Finishing her bath, Dylan grabbed her bath robe and went to her bedroom to change into her pajamas. Almost forgetting about the package she received, she anxiously walked to the kitchen where the package was waiting. Grabbing a knife from the drawer, she carefully slid it beneath the tape, allowing the top to open. Looking inside she could see a small white box wrapped with a black ribbon. It was just like the previous packages she had received. Feeling tightness in her chest, with shaky hands, she undid the ribbon and slowly lifted the lid. Like before, there was a small gold charm with a Japanese symbol. “Oh God.” Dropping the box to the floor, Dylan scrambled to her purse and pulled out her phone. Listening to the phone ring once, twice, three times, four times, she became more anxious. By the fifth ring she was becoming desperate. Just about to hang up, she heard Rade’s voice.

  “Rade, I got another charm. Oh God, Rade. I’m so scared,” Dylan confessed as fear filled her voice.

  Hearing the terror, Rade asked, “Where are you?”

  “I’m at my apartment. They know where I live.” Dylan was barely able to talk as her fear started taking over.

  “Don’t move, Dylan, and don’t answer the door.” Rade warned her as he grabbed his keys and left the penthouse.

  Hearing the panic in Dylan’s voice, Rade knew he needed to get to her and move her from her apartment. If a package was delivered to her there, it meant they knew where she lived as well as where she worked. He needed to get her back to his penthouse where he could protect her 24/7. Pulling out of the parking garage, Rade immediately called Richard.

  “Richard, they sent Dylan another package. I’m on my way there now. Any word on the previous deliveries?”

  “We may have gotten a break. The delivery company keeps security cameras. They’re going to let me look through the footage for a small fee. I will head over there tomorrow.”

  “Whatever it costs, Richard. We need to find out who we are dealing with. If it’s this guy known as the ‘Eraser,’ we need to find him ASAP.”

  “I understand, sir. I will touch base with you tomorrow.”

  Rade ended the call with Richard. His only thought was getting Dylan back to his place and keeping her safe. He would worry about the rest once he had her with him.

  Rade pulled into the secure parking garage at her apartment building. Since he was the owner of the building, he had his own parking spot, which was also located close to the elevator door. Racing to the elevator, he slid his key card in the slot. The elevator opened immediately. Rade punched her floor. Being in the elevator, Rade was somehow able to pace the floor of the small space. He could only concentrate on how frightened Dylan must be. His hands were in tight fists. Anger was taking control of his already tense body. It seemed like forever until the elevator finally came to rest on her floor. Hurrying, he was at Dylan’s door in a matter of seconds. Extracting the master key card from his pocket, he jammed it in the slot and waited for the door to unlock. Pushing the door open, his eyes instantly spotted her body curled up on the sofa in the living area. She looked frail and terrified as he watched her rock back and forth with her knees pulled to her chest.

  Rade walked over to her, making sure he was in her sight. The last thing he wanted was to startle her and make her more uneasy. Sitting down beside her, he took her hand and gently tugged her near him. He could feel her shaking as he tenderly stroked her hair. “Dylan, I won’t let anything happen to you.” With those words Rade lifted her chin and softly kissed her swollen lips. Feeling secure in Rade’s arms, Dylan reached for him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Never had she felt as safe as she felt with him. Separating her lips from his, Dylan looked into Rade’s eyes with a troubled stare. “What do they want, Rade?”

  Rade gently rubbed Dylan’s cheek. “I don’t know, Sweetness, but I promise you, I am going to find out.” Dylan sank back further into his arms.

  Rade wasn’t sure how much time passed, but Dylan had fallen asleep in his embrace. Taking her in his arms, he gently repositioned her so she was lying comfortably on the sofa. He grabbed the throw blanket spread over the back of the sofa and covered her. When he knew she was taken care of, he walked over to the package Dylan received. The box was empty, but he saw the contents on the floor. Rade picked up the charm and searched for its meaning on his phone. It took him a little time, but he was finally able to match the symbol with the picture that appeared on his screen. Seeing the meaning, Rade knew now more than ever that Dylan was in more danger than he thought. The symbol represented Death. Rade picked Dylan up from the sofa, keeping her body wrapped in the blanket, and carried her from the apartment. With her in his arms, he was able to grab her phone and purse on his way out.

  *****

  Rade moved in an
d out of traffic like a madman. He was lucky he didn’t encounter any red and blue lights in his rearview mirror. His only concern was to get Dylan to a safe place. Tomorrow he would get in touch with Richard and make arrangements to get additional protection for her. So many things were going through his head, all of them focusing around Dylan. He needed to know once and for all what was going on and if she knew why she was being threatened. Was she playing games with him or was she as clueless as she seemed?

  Dylan began stirring in the passenger seat. Glancing over at her, Rade could see her eyes appeared to be reddened from the tears that punished her earlier. He also saw exhaustion taking hold of her body. With his right hand, he reached over and tenderly stroked her cheek. Dylan pushed her face into his palm, taking comfort in his touch. “Everything will be okay, Sweetness.” He saw relief in her eyes, but for only a moment before she turned her body toward the side window as if she was searching for answers to what was happening to her.

  Rade pulled the car into his parking spot and turn off the engine. Looking over to her, he gently touched her. “Dylan, look at me.”

  When Dylan turned to focus on him, Rade started questioning her. “Dylan, if there is anything you need to tell me, you need to tell me now. I will protect you with everything I have, but if there’s anything I need to know….”

  Dylan was confused. Why would Rade think she knew anything at all? Did he think she had something to do with this? Dylan’s body tensed and changed from a helpless state to raging inferno.

  “How could you even ask me that? I already told you, I don’t know what’s going on. I can’t believe you would think I had anything to do with this… this fucked up shit.”