Banishing Shadows

by Lorna Jean Roberts

  Kayla’s finger slipped from his ass. He’d always enjoyed giving anal play, but never before had he allowed his partner to reciprocate.

  Aftershocks continued to race through him as Kayla licked at his now half-erect cock. Her eyes stared up at him, dancing with merriment. She knew exactly how much she’d affected him.

  “Proud of yourself, aren’t you?” He attempted a growl but it sounded more like a husky murmur.

  A “who me?” look of innocence crossed her face and he groaned as she stroked his dick.

  “I seem to have created a monster,” he murmured, staring down at her through heavy-lidded eyes. “Don’t think you’ll be getting your own way often, baby.”

  “Hmmm, I think he doth protest too much. Are you saying you didn’t like it?”

  “Of course I liked it, and you know it, so you can wipe that look of innocence off your face. You’re fooling no one.”

  He dragged her against his chest, holding her tight.

  “And to think, we could have been doing this for the last two years,” Kayla pondered.

  His hold on her tightened. “And believe me, I regret that. I’m furious that instead of being here for you, protecting you, I was halfway across the world when you needed me.”

  “You didn’t know.”

  “I should have.”

  Chapter Six

  Kayla heard the self-reproach in his voice. He held himself up to such high standards, took any perceived failing on his part hard. She knew he was a wonderful man, she only wished he saw what she did.

  “You’re a good person, Cord. You’re not like your father, you know,” she told him, knowing he still worried about hurting her.

  “I’ve got a part of him inside me,” Cord replied. “A cold, vicious, ruthless part.”

  “Cord, that’s not true. You’re not a violent man.”

  He gaped at her. “Honey, I was in the army.”

  “That’s completely different and you know it.”

  “Each time you’re threatened I feel the need to kill. Each time you’re in danger I feel this incredible fury. I have this beast inside me. His legacy.”

  Kayla clasped his face in her hands, turning him to face her. “I’m sorry, darling, but that’s bullshit.” He gave a start of surprise at her hard words. What was he expecting her to say? To agree with him?

  Men. They were such idiots sometimes.

  “You aren’t your father. You don’t have a ‘beast’ inside you. You’re your own person. Your father was weak. He was too stupid to see what was right in front of him—a wife who must have loved him at one time and a wonderful son. Cord, you are one of the strongest people I know. You’re a man who fought for his country, a man who has risked his life to keep others safe. You have friends who love you. And me. You have me as well. I trust you, and I think you should trust in yourself.”

  He didn’t reply, but she knew from the thoughtful look on his face that he was thinking about her words.

  “I want to hold on to you so tight I’m afraid you’ll burst under the pressure,” he replied. “I constantly have to remind myself to go slow, to not frighten you with the depth of what I feel, the overwhelming possessiveness. It grows the more time I spend with you—the more some creep threatens you. If I could, I’d keep you in my bed always, naked, tousled and safe, damn it.”

  “Yum, only if you promise to stay with me.”

  He shook his head, grumbling in exasperation before pulling her over to rest on his chest.

  “Cheeky minx.” He tickled her until she squealed with laughter.

  Cord took her mouth in a kiss so long and deep she thought they’d never find their way back to earth.

  “God, Kayla, you don’t know how much I’ve longed to hear you tell me you love me. How did I ever get a woman like you? Whatever happens we’ll deal with it together. No holding back. No running off by yourself or trying to cope with things alone.”

  “You might want to give yourself that advice, Mr. I’m-in-charge-and-you’ll-do-as-I-tell-you.”

  He shrugged as he pulled her into his arms and held her close, so tight, as though he expected her to disappear at any moment.

  “You’ve become everything to me. I ache constantly for you.”

  She stared down at the heavy erection nudging her side.

  “So I see.”

  “Feel like playing a little?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “Trust me?”

  She kissed him. “I trust you.”

  He slid up her body and took her mouth in a deep kiss. “Raise your arms.”

  She did as ordered, surprised when something cool and heavy surrounded her wrist. Looking up, she saw that her right wrist was now encased by a metal handcuff attached to the headboard. Her left wrist was soon captured in the same manner.

  “Been a busy boy, I see.”

  “I’ve had a lot of time to dream about all the ways I want to love you.”

  Kayla’s breath caught in her throat when his mouth took hers in a scorching kiss. He turned his attention to her nipples, sucking until they stood at stiff peaks and almost painful shocks of rapture raced through her body. His descent was agonizingly slow as he licked down her stomach, his hands running over her curves, leaving her skin oversensitive and eager for more.

  “Has anyone ever taken your ass, angel?” He gazed at her.

  “No.” She blushed. She’d read about it, and admitted to herself that the thought of it turned her on. But the reality could be vastly different.

  “Has it ever been plugged?”

  She shook her head.

  He grinned smugly. “Ahh, we’ll take it real slow then. I’ll just play with you tonight. Use a small plug. If you don’t like it, just say and I’ll stop. Okay?”

  She felt so loved, so cherished, having this strong, dominant man constantly put her first. Her needs. Her wants. He might see himself as unworthy. Yet she knew there was only good in him. He could be arrogant and bossy. But whatever he did, he did it with her safety and happiness in mind.

  “Okay.”

  He continued his path down her stomach with his tongue, finally reaching her pulsating clit. He lapped at the nub, teasing. Ruthlessly, he pushed her to the edge time and time again until she was near screaming, her world narrowing so all that existed was his touch.

  Cord placed a couple of pillows under her bottom, raising her up. As he covered two fingers with lube she shivered in anticipation. Kneeling between her legs, he kissed her mound.

  “Relax, baby, I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Kayla let his voice roll over her, soothing tense nerves. One finger played with the entrance to her ass, teasing, the tip slipping in and out. He whirled his tongue around her clit as he moved the finger in her, more of it entering with each small push until it was fully immersed.

  It felt strange, odd, daring. Tingles raced through her when he moved his finger faster, tapping his tongue against her clit. Suddenly she soared, her ass clamping down on him, a scream of pure pleasure erupting from her lungs.

  Limp, a huge grin spread across her face as Cord shifted so he lay beside her. He stared down at her, bending his elbow so he could rest his head on his hand.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered. She slid her legs farther apart as a second digit pushed through the tight ring of her ass.

  Relaxed from her orgasm, she barely noticed the second finger fully entering her. But she tensed as he built up speed. Nerve endings she never knew existed fired to life, spreading delight throughout her body.

  “Shh, baby,” Cord murmured soothingly as Kayla cried out in frustration. She pulled at her restraints, not even registering the pain until Cord halted and withdrew his fingers.

  Kayla glared at him in reproach.

  “I won’t have you hurting yourself. Either you quit pulling at your cuffs or I’ll stop right now.”

  Kayla nodded frantically, making a noise of distress as he left the bed to go to the bathroom.

  “Shh, b
aby, I’m coming back.”

  She heard the water running before he strolled back in, something held in his hand. He sat on the bed and held it out so she could see it.

  “This is a butt plug.” He grinned at her wickedly as he generously coated the plug in lubricant. He lay between her legs, sucking lightly on her clit until she started to lose herself in bliss once again. Then he pushed the tip of the plug into her ass. In and out, he slowly, steadily inched it inside her.

  “Push out, angel. There you go, such a sexy-looking baby taking my plug. How does that feel?” He turned it, making her writhe. A scream erupted from her when he turned on the vibration.

  “Oh,” she cried out as he pinched her nipples with his fingers, the pulsating plug driving her crazy. Her hips moved in an unconscious dance, begging him to enter her.

  Cord settled his cock at the entrance of her pussy, entering her bit by bit. She was so ready for him that he easily slipped inside her.

  “Kayla,” her name erupted from him in a chesty moan. “God, baby, that’s it, I can feel you tightening around me. Come for me.”

  Rapturous relief seemed never-ending as ripple after ripple rocked her body. She sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she soared.

  Cord followed with a roar, his head flying back, his body stiff with tension.

  Ten minutes later, Kayla lay snuggled against his chest. After untying her, he pulled the plug out slowly then cleaned her up with a cloth and slipped back into bed to hold her tight.

  “Feel okay?” he asked.

  “Any more okay and I’d be dead.”

  “Liked it, did you?”

  “When can we do it again?”

  His laughter filled the room.

  Chapter Seven

  Kayla gazed out the window of her office, ignoring the emails piling up in her inbox. She couldn’t concentrate on work, not at the moment.

  She’d barely seen Cord over the last few days and it was worrying her, niggling away at her confidence. She was very aware that while he’d said he loved her, he hadn’t actually talked about the future. Would he be sticking around? A man like Cord wouldn’t be happy with an office job. Would life with her be too boring for him?

  Kayla wanted a family—children, maybe a dog. Her dreams were simple but she didn’t know how they fit in with what Cord wanted. She was too scared to ask. Cord had lived an exciting life. Could he be happy settling down with her?

  Did he even want to marry her? Have children?

  She wished she knew. Yet at the same time, she didn’t feel now was the time to ask. Cord had a lot on his mind. And that left Kayla with a lot of time to worry.

  Her phone beeped, interrupting her thoughts. She picked it up, glancing at the message on the screen.

  Kayla glanced over at Nash, who was busy tapping away on a computer. He’d been here only two days but he’d made himself right at home.

  “Quinn just texted me.” Kayla put down her cell phone and looked over at Nash, who was busy tapping away on a computer. He’d been here only two days but he’d made himself right at home.

  He grunted, not glancing away from the screen. “Nice to know he’s learning how to use those opposable thumbs of his.”

  Kayla grinned. Nash and Quinn had clashed from the moment they’d met. She wasn’t quite sure why, but it was fun to watch Quinn griping at someone besides her for a change.

  “He wants us to pick him up. Apparently his truck’s broken down on the Eel Avenue site.”

  Nash’s gaze rose, his eyes narrowing. “Text him back and tell him to ask someone else.”

  “Don’t be silly. We can pick him up. It’s hardly dangerous. I won’t even get out of the truck.”

  She was feeling smothered and a trip out, even if she had to stay in the truck, sounded like heaven. The last few days Nash had been sticking so close to her they may as well have been cuffed together. She’d actually said that and his face had taken on this thoughtful look as if he were considering it.

  The ass.

  And she’d thought Cord overprotective. Nash gave a whole new meaning to the word. It was sheer torture. If they didn’t find who was threatening her soon it wouldn’t matter because she’d have died anyway.

  Of suffocation.

  “Joe has a date tonight and Luke’s working across town today, remember.”

  With an exasperated sigh, Nash picked up the phone and rang first Joe then Luke, then even Reed and Evan.

  “Damn it.”

  “See,” she crowed.

  “Can’t he call triple A?”

  “Fine, you call him and tell him that.”

  She knew he wouldn’t. He scowled.

  “Nash, what’s wrong with picking my brother up? Is it because you don’t want me going out or because you don’t want to see Quinn? What is it with you two anyway?”

  “Nothing,” he growled. “Let’s get going then, shall we? I’ve got better things to do with my time than run around after your brother.”

  She waited until his back was turned to let a little smile slip free. Jumping up, she ran out after him.

  As Nash turned his truck out onto the road, Kayla turned down the radio.

  “Hey, I was listening to that,” he grumbled. She ignored him.

  “It was good of you to leave your life to come babysit me. I hope your girlfriend wasn’t too angry.”

  He glanced at her, frowning. “If you’re trying to set me up with someone then forget it.”

  “Oh, so you do have a girlfriend?” she asked, feigning innocence.

  He growled. “No, I don’t. Nor do I want one.”

  “Bad breakup?” she commiserated.

  “What’s with the questions all of a sudden?” he snarled.

  She shrugged. “Just wanting to get to know you.”

  His gruff attitude had intimidated her at first. Until she figured out he was a softie on the inside.

  “You and Cord must be pretty close for you to simply drop everything and come running.” She was fishing for information.

  His eyebrows rose. “We are. And I owed him one. He helped me out a few years ago with a problem I had. I’m returning the favor.”

  “Must have been a big problem.”

  “My baby sister got involved with the wrong sort of people. I was overseas at the time. Cord helped me get her out of trouble. This must be it.”

  Kayla looked through the windscreen at the building site.

  “I can’t see him, can you?” she asked. It was already growing dark and the empty lot looked spooky.

  “No,” Nash said grimly. “I don’t like this one bit. We’re not stopping.” He was putting the truck back into gear when Kayla grabbed his hand.

  “You can’t leave without checking. What if he’s hurt or something?”

  His hand tightened under hers.

  “Where’s his truck then?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, maybe it’s been towed. I’ll text him.”

  “Call him.”

  Kayla snatched up her cell, dialing Quinn’s number. She growled in frustration when it went to voicemail. She stared at Nash pleadingly.

  He gave her a disgruntled look but took his hand off the gear stick. “Get in the driver’s seat and stay in the truck with the doors locked until I come back. Any sign of trouble and you drive the hell away. Understand me?”

  She nodded, moving over when he jumped out.

  “I mean it, sugar.” She nodded again. Of course she didn’t mean it, there was no way she’d leave without him. She gulped when he pulled out his gun and ran across the road, disappearing down the side of the building.

  * * * * *

  Kayla tapped her fingers against the steering wheel, groaning as her call went to voicemail again and the computerized voice told her to leave a message. Quinn hadn’t even bothered to personalize the message. He never listened to his voicemail, probably didn’t even know how. She hung up and sent him yet another text.

  Thoughts tumbled through her brain, movi
ng at high speed. Where the hell was Nash? How long could it possibly take to find Quinn? What if there had been an accident? Images of Quinn, wounded and waiting for help, haunted her.

  “Damn it, damn it,” she swore.

  Kayla nibbled at her lip, fidgeting until she could stand it no longer. Exiting the truck, she sprinted across the road, clasping her phone tight in her hand. She half expected Nash to appear and yell at her for not doing as she was told.

  Slamming her hand over her mouth to try to quiet her chattering teeth, she crept through a gap in the fence that surrounded the construction site. It wasn’t fully dark yet, but even in the light of dusk this place was creepy and difficult to navigate.

  “Ouch!” She hopped, rubbing her abused toe.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  Kayla squealed, turning so suddenly she slipped, landing on her butt. She peered guiltily into Nash’s furious gaze, then with a small cry of relief, flew into his arms. Holding her against him with one arm, Nash pulled her back toward the road.

  “Nash—”

  “Don’t talk, don’t even breathe,” he whispered in her ear as he paused, panting. “You got the keys?”

  She nodded.

  “When I say go, press the automatic unlock and run fast as you can to the truck, got it? Get in the driver’s side and scoot over quick.” His voice sounded strained and Kayla peered at him in concern.

  “What about Quinn?” she asked.

  “He’s not here. Now.” She pressed the unlock button even as Nash pushed her forward. With Nash behind her, shielding her, Kayla raced toward his truck. She jumped in the driver’s side, sliding across as he swiftly followed.

  It wasn’t until he’d pulled away that she turned to ask him what the hell was going on.

  And saw the stain darkening his shoulder.

  “Nash!” Terror restricted her vocal cords as her throat swelled with tears.

  “My God, your arm! What happened?”

  Nash ignored her, his gaze flicking between the road and the rearview mirror.

  “What about Quinn?” Kayla turned in her seat to stare out the back window. “We have to go back for him.”