by Piper Stone
There was no possibility of thinking clearly, no chance of catching my breath. The climax was close, tickling the very ends of my toes then sweeping up the length of my legs.
I opened my mouth in a silent scream as he plunged a single finger deep into my asshole, instantly creating a wave of pain. There was no denying the moment of bliss, the powerful sensations driving me onto my toes, my fingers digging into his face and neck as I struggled to continue standing.
He refused to let me go, thrusting his tongue in powerful jabs, licking up every drop of my cream.
As one climax crested into two, my body sagged, my feet slipping. I was in a beautiful surreal moment, a gigantic wave of pure pleasure swallowing every bit of tension. What was left was a sated woman.
A series of whispered growls erupted from the depths of his being, the husky vibe slipping over my skin as he pulled me into his lap. Even the way he pulled me down, cradling me against his chest was possessive, forever controlling.
“Perfect,” he huffed as he rubbed strands of damp hair from my face, peppering my neck and jaw with heated open-mouthed kisses.
The way his cock pushed against me was far too enticing. I couldn’t help but shift back and forth until his breathing became ragged.
“You seem to forget what happens when you taunt me,” he half whispered, his voice dipping dangerously low.
“Do you mean like this?” I purred as I repeated the move, giving him a sly smile.
He shook his head, his eyes little more than darkened pools as he twisted me around, forcing us both to face the dresser. “See that girl in the mirror?” he asked, pointing toward the glimmering reflection.
“Uh-huh.” The girl was one I no longer recognized.
“She’s about to get fucked.” He lowered his head, nuzzling against my neck as he rolled his hands around to cup my breasts. The way he stroked his fingers across my skin left me covered in goosebumps. As the pressure built as he squeezed then twisted, I was simply left breathless.
But there was no way I’d stop teasing him, rubbing my aching bottom up and down as I kept my mischievous smile. I was shocked how the sensations increased in volume, my pulse skipping beats. This was provocative and sensual while wicked in nature.
He nipped my earlobe, darting his tongue just inside. “Be careful, little girl, or I’m going to tie you down once again.”
“Mmm... I’ll risk it,” I managed as I brushed my fingers down the sides of his thighs, rolling the tips over his carved muscles. How could any man be this incredibly built? As his cock throbbed under me, I closed my eyes.
“No, you don’t. You’re going to watch.” He pinched both nipples hard enough I yelped, the rush of discomfort forcing me to open my eyes.
“Yes, sir.” I twisted my mouth as he kept his hold, finally lifting me off his lap, his cock easily finding my slickness.
I was shocked at his self-constraint as he rolled his cockhead up and down, tickling my clit and driving me absolutely crazy with longing. By the time he slipped his shaft just past my swollen folds, I was panting, my eyes looking like a wild cougar in the reflection. The man made me hotter than any other, his barbaric need for domination yanking out the primal side of me.
Hawk tilted his head, giving me a practiced look of pure authority before yanking me down, my muscles straining to accept the thick invasion.
“Oh, yes. Oh. Oh...” I tried to obey him, watching our sinful actions as his shaft swelled, filling me completely, but I was foggy from extreme lust.
He didn’t have to command me to ride him. There was no way I could resist as I planted my hands on his thighs, using them for leverage as I pulled up then slammed down over and over again. My legs were tense, my heart racing and the feel of him expanding was yet another yank into ecstasy.
The way he studied me in the mirror only added fuel to the fire, both of us panting as we moved together. I couldn’t believe the way his cock felt buried so deep inside, taking me to new heights of pleasure, the angle adding to the rapture.
When he suddenly took over, using his rugged thighs to power into me, he pushed me forward. I gripped my knees, my entire body trembling as he thrust in a brutal manner, skin slapping against skin.
“So hot,” he murmured, still pinching and twisting my nipples, the pain beautifully blinding.
“So hard,” I retorted, half smiling as I attempted to focus, adoring the way we looked in the mirror.
Chuckling under his breath, he licked the side of my neck, letting out a roar before biting down.
“Oh...” The intense sigh left my mouth as I lolled my head, blinking several times in an effort to maintain focus. My tender tissue remained sensitive, my muscles straining as he pumped harder and faster. I could still feel the way his cock throbbed, smiling as I sensed he was close to coming.
He crawled his fingers up to my neck, squeezing until my eyes flew open, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “All bad girls get fucked in the ass and you are one sinful lady.” He used his hold on my neck to lift me, taking his other hand and nestling the tip of his cock to my dark hole.
I tensed as usual, moaning as I clawed his skin. When he slipped his cockhead just inside, I held my breath.
“Nice and easy, at least at first,” he murmured, pushing an inch inside.
Lights flashed in front of my eyes as the slice of agony drifted down my legs. He stretched me wide open, forcing me to take another inch. I raked my nails down his legs, no doubt leaving marks, a telling of our filthy passion. As the pain washed into dazzling sensations, scalding heat roaring through my muscles, he yanked me all the way down.
“Ah!” I whimpered as the jolt of electricity pushed me into what could only be described as nirvana.
Hawk held me in place for a full minute, grinding against me, peppering wet kisses along my arm and shoulder. “Feel good, baby? Do you like the way I fill you with my cock?”
“God, yes. More.”
“More, huh?” As he released his hold, sliding his hands to my hips, I couldn’t take my eyes off his expression.
Unbridled.
Covetous.
Obsessive.
I was no longer terrified of his desire or of the man behind the mask he continued to wear. However, I knew better than to think I could keep him. He’d never be happy with a quiet life. I shoved the way the thoughts as he drove into me long and hard, his body pitching as it tensed.
With every brutal plunge, I realized I could no longer think. This was as raw as it got, beautiful in the extreme passion.
Exhaustion mixed in with the wondrous sensations, leaving me breathless. I could tell he was close to coming, his growls escalating. Within seconds, his body began to shake, his fingers digging deep into my skin, the heat shared between us exploding.
“Fuck. Fuck!” he roared, jerking me against him as he erupted deep inside.
I eased my head against his shoulder as he held me, savoring the way his cock throbbed as he filled me with his seed. I’d never felt closer or more satisfied than at this moment.
He pressed his face against mine, brushing his fingers up and down my thighs. “I could do this forever.”
I opened my eyes, gazing at our combined reflection. Forever was a word that was difficult for both of us, but for a few beautiful seconds, I imagined what it could be like.
“Yes,” I managed. “Forever.”
* * *
The bourbon had been replaced with wine, the bottle remaining on his side of the bed. Candles flickered from their position on the dresser, the dim light still allowing a shadowed view of our naked bodies. I bit back a whimper at the thought as he pulled me closer against his chest. He tugged the sheet further up, covering my breasts as he continued stroking my back. I would have never taken him for one to pillow talk and while there’d been few words said, the comfort of being in his arms was as amazing as it was unexpected.
“I’m going to see Ashley tomorrow. You’re right. She needs to get to know her uncle,”
he said before reaching for his wine, swirling the glass.
I studied the way his jaw remained clenched, tense for obvious reasons. “I’m glad. Take my advice, don’t expect her to react at first.”
“I know,” he chuckled. “With my lack of patience, the entire process will be difficult.”
“I have faith in you. You got potential, Sergeant Travers.” The last sentence was said with an accent, a line from one of my favorite movies. Only in real life, rich princes didn’t come along to save damsels in distress.
“Ya think so, huh?” he growled the words and kissed the top of my head. “Don’t take bets on that, sweetheart.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re not a good guy. How could I forget?”
He finally took a sip of his wine, reaching around my head and lifting my chin as he lowered down. The moment he pressed his lips against mine, he pushed them open, allowing the wine to trickle inside. While the action was simple, I couldn’t help but quiver.
“And you’ll always be my brat,” he countered, finally easing the glass onto the nightstand, pulling me close once again.
We remained quiet for a few minutes and I thought he’d fallen asleep. Then he asked a question that I wasn’t certain how to answer.
“Why did you come here?”
“I already told you why,” I whispered.
“Nope. I know when you’re not telling me everything, remember?”
I stiffened, trying to push away but he held me fast. “Let it go, Hawk. Not worth talking about.”
“Maybe it is to me. The past is hurting you, keeping you closed off.”
“You call this closed off?” I teased, shuddering all over when he gave me an authoritative look. “My life was an ugly mess. Okay?”
“Tell me something, sweetheart. Whose life isn’t one fucking bunch of shit?”
Sighing, I rubbed his chest, drawing the tips of my fingers in aimless circles. “I know you’re right. I’m just embarrassed, I think.”
“Trust me, sunshine. I have plenty to be embarrassed about. Why don’t you trust me?” His words weren’t a question but his usual command.
I thought about his request. “The funny thing is that I do more than I have anyone. You are a man of true integrity.” When he bristled, I tweaked his nipple. “You have your own skeletons, Hawk. Why don’t you trust me?”
He peered down at me, making certain I looked directly into his eyes. “I do. There are portions of my life that you can’t fix.”
“But you can fix mine.”
Grinning, he rubbed his index finger around my lips. “Yep. That’s what cowboys do.”
“So, you’re a cowboy now.”
“Looks that way.”
Why did his words make me tingle all over? He was staying. I was flustered, butterflies pooling in my stomach. How could I care so much for a man I barely knew?
But I did.
Maybe I wanted my big, rugged cowboy to fix this for me. After all, he’d kind of swept me off my feet. That is, after I broke into his house. A smile crossed my face, warmth rushing into me. Maybe it was time to put the past in a big black box and toss it into the river. Hmm... “Here goes. On top of the fact my sister is getting that perfect job in the networks, the one I worked so hard to achieve, she also is getting married to my boyfriend of three years. I happened to notice the announcement in the Philadelphia Gazette. And yes, I do follow her career just to continue stabbing myself.”
“Ouch. Shit, woman.” He half laughed, yanking me closer as if expecting I’d pull away.
“She is far prettier, I guess. Maybe she’s worthy of love.”
The growl erupting from his throat was far different than the others, even more possessive as well as ferociously angry. His protective side was showing.
And I loved it.
Hawk’s grip on my chin was almost harsh, his nostrils flaring. “Now, you listen to me, girl, and you hear me good. You are the absolutely the most beautiful woman I’ve ever set my eyes on. You’re spunky and vivacious, one hell of a kisser and damn if you don’t have a pretty good right hook on you for a girl. As far as love, I ain’t no expert. That much you already know, but there isn’t a man alive who wouldn’t feel blessed at having you stand by his side for the rest of his life. As far as your sister goes, there are words I’d like to say, but I won’t in front of a true lady.”
Kisses were made for moments of raw passion or in times of sorrow and need, but this... This was something else entirely. I was jetted to another plane, a surreal place of ultimate beauty as well as unending desire from the way he kissed me.
As if our life depended on it.
As if he wouldn’t be able to breathe without it.
As if we would forever be entwined, our lives becoming as one.
I was breathless, my entire body quivering as he rubbed his fingers across my face, the intimacy raw, a thirst that would never be quenched. When he finally eased away, his breathing remained scattered, his chest heaving.
“Thank you for that,” I struggled to say, my hammering heart echoing into my ears.
“If you ever think otherwise, I will spank that beautiful ass of yours.” He winked, still hissing under his breath.
“Yes. Sir.”
As I nuzzled into the crook of his arm, more of the tension and the self-hatred washed away, leaving me with the sweetest reverence of peace. As I closed my eyes, I could still see his face and that was the very moment I knew that I’d fallen desperately in love with him.
What the hell was I going to do?
* * *
Buzz...
I opened my eyes, struggling to make sense of where I was. Had I heard a noise? No, the space was quiet, maybe too much so. Everything was hazy, including the slip of light in front of me. A candle. The flicker was coming from a single candle, the other already out. I couldn’t help but smile, still feeling the warmth of Hawk’s body against mine, the tickle of his breath rolling over my shoulder. I stretched, the shift allowing me to feel his semi-hard cock against my bottom. A part of me wanted to be very naughty, taunting him in his sleep, but I had the distinct feeling that he rarely slept.
Exhaling, I could lie in his arms forever, enjoying his hard body. The thought was scintillating. The second I closed my eyes I heard the same noise again.
A text message.
I was instantly on alert, my body tensing. Lifting my head, I was able to catch a glimpse of the time. Almost three in the morning. Oh, no. No one would text me in the middle of the night.
Unless it was another threat.
The damn phone was still in my jeans on the other side of the room. I held my breath as I slid away from him, taking my time, stiffening when his hand fell to my hip. Glancing over my shoulder, I could tell that he was still asleep, even though his fingers pressed down on my skin. I had to know what I’d been sent. Every move subtle, I finally slipped from under the covers, padding slowly toward my clothes.
The moment I pulled the phone into my hand, it began to shake. The picture was horrific, fire enveloping an entire building. I bit back a moan as I slid my finger across to the screen, fumbling to get to the text screen. The words were just as shocking as the image.
This is what will happen if you don’t shut the fuck up. And that Marine of yours won’t be able to help you.
I was shaking all over as I enlarged the picture. One of the barns at the ranch where I lived. At least that’s what it looked like. I held the phone against my chest, taking gulping breaths. Please God, don’t tell me any animals died because of my stupidity.
My heart racing, I glanced back at the sleeping giant. Whoever the asshole was knew about Hawk. I couldn’t risk his life or Ashley’s. I leaned against the dresser, trying to figure out what to do. My God, I’d sledgehammered both of us into a nightmare. All for a story? Or for a cause? I didn’t know any longer. What I did realize is that Hawk could never see the text or the picture.
There was only one way to ensure that he never would.
And the only choice was going to break my heart.
Chapter Thirteen
Hawk
Pop. Pop. Pop.
The shower of gunfire seemed to be coming from everywhere.
“Fuck!” Vader hissed. “We’re boxed in.”
“Like hell we are,” Mustang chided. “Over there.”
I studied where he was pointing, the dense foliage backing up to the fence that we’d just cut through. The prisoners were sequestered in small huts surrounded by steel wire that was usually live with electricity. I hadn’t calculated that short circuiting the voltage would be detected, at least immediately.
I’d been wrong.
We had one chance of getting Snake out alive.
The odds were shit and I’d never been a betting man, but I refused to leave one behind.
No matter the circumstances.
“This is shit, Sergeant,” Reaper stated in his official tone. “We shouldn’t do this.”
I studied his face in the moonlight, finally shaking my head. “We are doing this, soldier. We go on three. One. Two...”
I jerked up, dragging myself out of the dream, shaking all over. Fuck. It seemed so fucking real. Even my ears continued to ring from the gunfire. Exhaling, I threw back the covers, planting my feet on the floor, trying to rid the cobwebs as beads of sweat trickled down both sides of my face. The moon spilled in through the open slats on the blinds, but there was no other light.
Then I remembered.
Bryce.
I jerked around, wanting nothing more than to touch her. Maybe that would ground me. Only she wasn’t there. I shifted my gaze around the room, both scanning and listening for intruders. I stood slowly, shifting my gaze to the darkened bathroom before struggling to reach my jeans, jerking them on. Moving swiftly, I yanked the duffle onto the bed, searching for the Sig. Thank God it was still inside.
I checked the ammo before moving toward the cracked bedroom door, slowly opening it and darting my head out once. There was no outward sign of anyone in the house, including Bryce. What the fuck was going on?
