by S. Ferguson
I turn to face him. He is resting in one of his chairs, looking like a king granting an audience to an annoying subject, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of scotch in his hand. Dressed in those same plaid pajama pants no less.
“How long have you been there?” I glower at him.
“Long enough to watch those sweats fall off your ass at least three times.” He looks me up and down amused, but there is a heat in his eyes. A heat I have no time for. I’m done with this game.
I grab the pants pulling them farther up defensively. “That doesn’t give you a right to look,” I snap at him. He only chuckles in response before holding the glass out to me. I step over to him, grumpily taking the glass and taking a huge gulp. I feel the liquid burn the whole way down, filling me with a pleasant warmth. God knows I could use the liquid courage right now. My face screws up in the way it always does when I drink alcohol. Greg says it’s cute, I say it’s embarrassing, Ron just smiles before pouring himself another drink.
“How are you feeling?” he asks sipping his scotch nonchalantly. Like you couldn’t cut the tension in the room with a knife.
“I’m fine,” I bluff, sitting across from him, swallowing another mouthful of alcohol. Fuck it, let’s do this.
“Bullshit,” he replies calmly.
“How would you know?” I reply, my voice dripping with acid. My head is already beginning to buzz slightly.
“Because I was the one that stripped you down. I saw the marks, your body …” His voice trails off, cracking and he gives me a concerned look. “Kella, I’m—”
“Spare me, Ron,” I snap, cutting him off. “You have no right to do any of that. I don’t want to hear it.”
“I stripped you because your clothes were a filthy mess and covered in blood. And be thankful that I was the one that did it, not Greg or Jake. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” Ron cast me a hard look. “And the doctor needed to see the damage to figure out what you needed from him.”
“Then give me back my clothes!” I reach my hand out to him, quickly reaching the end of my patience.
“No can do.” He shakes his head. “Your old clothes were ruined, pretty sure Jake’s burned ’em by now. I was planning to take you back to have Bree bring some shit when you woke up, but you woke up sooner than I fuckin’ thought you would.” Do I see remorse in Ron’s eyes? I match his blue stare with one of frustration.
“I don’t have time for this.” I stand, downing the last of the scotch in my glass. If I wasn’t so upset, I’d appreciate it more. I also don’t miss the bulge beginning to form in his pants. He’s so fucking confusing. He doesn’t want me and when I’m trying to get the hell out of here, he’s arguing with me and turned on. Not that wearing his clothes, inhaling his scent is helping me either.
“Then make time.” His voice is husky and low as he stalks to me. “You aren’t leaving until I say so.”
“You’re not the boss of me!” I square my shoulders at him. He raises an eyebrow smirking at my ridiculous statement.
“Oh, but I am.” He continues stalking toward me. “If you are under my roof then you abide by my rules. Now back to bed before I carry you there myself.” He points in the direction of the bedroom I just escaped from.
“I leave when I want,” I taunt, turning around making my way for the front door again.
“Not when I can help it.”
I yelp with surprise as I am lifted up and gingerly put over Ron’s shoulder. I don’t miss how gentle he is being despite the fact he is manhandling me.
“Let me go!” I squeal, pounding his back with my fists.
“Hmm, no,” he muses smacking my ass playfully.
I screech as his hand makes contact, before huffing, more in annoyance than anger anymore. I already know he’s winning this round. Once in the bedroom, he gently lays me down on the far side of the bed before crawling in beside me.
“What are you doing?” I ask, scooting away from him, no way am I letting him know that he’s getting to me.
“I’m keeping an eye on you,” he replies. “Can’t have you trying to escape from me again.” I feel his body heat as he scoots closer than he needs to, the rapid rise and fall of his chest.
“It’s a king-size bed.” I push my hands against his chest. “Do you to be so close?”
“Yes, yes I do,” he purrs in my ear slipping an arm around me, careful to avoid most of the bruises.
“No, you don’t.” I breathe as he pulls me to him. I should be angry, I should be fighting him, but I just want to press myself against him and get lost in the feeling of his warmth. I’m weak. I’ve always been weak when it comes to Ron.
“Yes, I do,” he whispers, his lips mere inches from mine.
I don’t think of the consequences, I don’t care. I break the small distance, pushing my lips against his. He growls low in his throat as he kisses me back, his arm wrapping up over my shoulder, making its way down my hip,
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” he remarks between kisses as he loops his thumb into the bottom of my shirt, pulling it over my head.
I see a flash of pain in his eyes as he scans over my bruises, but soon lust and something else, something I’m too scared to name, replaces it. He reaches behind me to unclasp my bra with one hand, pulling it off smoothly. He lets out a low groan, his eyes on my breasts. Ever so slowly, he leans forward, kissing my neck with large, open mouth kisses. He wastes no time, moving down to my chest, licking, nibbling and sucking my nipples until I’m a writhing mess. I let my head fall back against the pillow with a moan. I feel him smile against my skin as he continues kissing down my body. He leaves no area untouched, kissing every bruise and mark. He pauses at the waistline of my pants, giving another deep growl of desire before grabbing them, slowly pulling them off my legs. His breath hitches in his throat as he takes ahold of my panties, his lips following, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake. My legs quiver as he works his way back up to my pelvis, laying a kiss on my center, sending an electric current up my spine. I whimper wanting more, needing more. He chuckles, looking up at me through his eyelashes before flicking his tongue out and over me causing my body to shudder with pleasure. I feel his fingers stroke over my core with his tongue before pressing at my entrance, sliding in one by one. Soon both are inside me to the hilt. My back arches off the bed as he begins to move, his fingers sliding in and out of me the way I want him to. Unable to control myself I hear, “More” come from my lips.
27
Ron
Hearing her plea, I can’t fucking hold back anymore. I need to be inside her now. I know that makes me a bastard, she should be resting, but I’m too far gone to give a shit. I make short work of my pants, pulling them down until I spring free. I reach up digging in my nightstand to grab a condom, slipping it on in record time. Wasting no time, I line myself up with her glistening body, pushing my way in a little too quickly. I see her wince, even after stretching her slightly with my fingers she’s as tight as a fist wrapped around me.
“I’ll try to be careful, but babe, I can’t make any promises right now.” I groan, holding myself above her on my elbows. “Fuck, I need this.”
She nods as I begin to thrust into her, slowly at first and increasing as her body stretches to accept me. Watching her go wild under me makes the urge to come almost overwhelming. I get embarrassingly close to the edge, gritting my teeth, I try to force it back. I reach between us stroking Kella where we are joined, I need her to come.
“Do it soon,” I growl giving her a hard thrust, changing my angle to hit that spot deep inside. It’s all she needs to go over the edge with a scream, her nails digging into my back. I hope she marks me. I see her eyes roll into her head, her legs shaking around my hips. I give in to my own release with a loud groan of her name, filling the condom as she squeezes around me. I groan once more before carefully pulling out and falling onto the bed beside her. I watch her chest rise and fall as she pants,
“Feel better?” I ask jokin
gly, moving my arm out of the way as she tries to slap it. “Hey, just asking. I know I do.” I chuckle rolling off the condom, throwing it the direction of the garbage can near the bed. I sigh, surprisingly happy in this moment, finally having her beside me, in my bed. Mine. I pause my thoughts when I hear her sniffle.
I roll over to look at her and I see regret in her eyes. I open my mouth to speak but she just stands on wobbly legs, grabbing her underwear and my clothes she was wearing, putting them back on in quick jerky moments. She turns her back to me, even though I just explored every inch of her succulent body, suddenly she’s ashamed for me to see her. I see her shoulders begin to shake. What just happened?
“Kella,” I begin as she stands up straight, turning to face me pulling the shirt over her head.
“I know,” she says with a wan smile, her eyes shine with unshed tears but her face is stoic. “Look, I need clothes, it’s time to go. Take me to Keegan’s.”
I’m not happy, I’m not even sure what’s happening but something about her face makes me hold back from arguing. With an annoyed sigh, I stand up and go grab a suit.
Once at the bar, Kella rushes around to the back toward her old room and the clothes stored there. I make my way through the heavy front doors, my eyes scanning the room looking for Greg. I find him and he nods, standing and following me to my office, as I march by.
“Did you find it?” I ask him.
“Yes, and they’re strong,” he replies, holding up a brown paper sack to me. I look inside, closing it up again.
“Damn it, Elizabeth,” I growl. “No one saw you?” I give Greg a hard look.
“I was careful.” He looked pleased with himself, and a little annoyed I’m questioning him.
“Don’t be so cocky. You don’t want to turn into your boyfriend,” I snap back. “You know as well as I do, we can never count on anything in this fuckin’ world.”
28
Kella
I pull a shirt over my head, thankful to be in my own clothes. I sigh looking in the cracked mirror on the bathroom wall. Why did I just do that? Sleeping with Ron again is probably a solid second on the list of stupid shit I shouldn’t do right now. Tears of regret fill my eyes as my shoulders shake. He doesn’t feel the same way about me. He has Lexi, and yet, I just couldn’t bring myself not to. He’s like an addiction. Something you just can’t escape from. I lean my head against the wall, pushing down the sobs threatening to come from my throat. This torture needs to stop. I can’t keep doing this to myself.
A knock on my bedroom door startles me. Wiping my eyes, and praying it won’t be too obvious I’ve been crying, I make my way to the door. I kick aside the duffle bag I packed into the corner, I don’t want anyone going back downstairs and telling Ron I’m leaving. I groan when I open the door and see Ron standing there. His large frame fills out the doorframe, and even now I feel a flutter in my stomach.
“What?” I grumble at him. “Haven’t you gotten enough of me yet?” He gives me a look I can’t place before speaking.
“Here,” he says, handing me a card with information for a gym and self-defense courses,
“You expect me to join a gym?” I ask skeptically,
“Yes,” he states. “You can fight, but it’s rough around the edges. You need real training to hone your skills.”
“Not gonna happen.” I shove the card back at him. “I’m fine the way I am.”
“You will go, end of discussion,” he finishes, pushing the card back into my hand. I huff at him, moving past him making my way toward the bar. Everyone is staring at me when I burst through the kitchen doors emerging behind the bar. Ron calmly on my heels, I make my way around the bar, facing Declan and Bree, rapping my knuckles on the bar.
“You look terrible,” Declan says, pouring me a whiskey, he winces at the harshness of his words. “I mean, I heard what had happened, but …” He pauses as I down the drink, tapping the glass on the bar for another,
“No shit, Sherlock,” I reply, pushing the glass to him when he doesn’t fill it right away. My leg twitches on the stool as I grow more agitated.
“Don’t bite my head off, geez,” he remarks, filling my glass again. Before I can reach for it, Ron’s hand snatches it up.
“Hey!” I protest. “That was mine!”
“And you can have it,” he looks down at me, “in my office.” He turns and makes his way to the door to the right of the bar. Grudgingly, I stand up following him but I tell myself I’m really just following the glass of booze in his hand.
“Let’s get down to brass tacks,” he says, sitting in the chair behind his desk, setting down the glass, I reach for it quickly. “You’re going through withdrawal.”
“Am not,” I snap back, grabbing the glass of precious liquid and taking a drink. “I have nothing to go into withdrawal over.”
“Lexi told me about the drugs.” Ron looks at me, his eyes sad. “Agitation and restlessness are some of the first stages of withdrawal.”
“I wasn’t drugged long enough to get addicted,” I protest, angry at Lexi for blabbing, again. Angry at Ron for trying to find something else to blame. This is his fault.
“You were both given strong drugs at high doses. Lexi also said that she was pretty sure you were given fuckin’ double what she got. You wouldn’t stop fighting back.” His eyes flash with what looks like pride as he pauses, running a hand through his dark hair. “I saw the drugs, they are strong shit. I’m surprised you’re still alive.”
“I’m not addicted,” I grit out through my teeth. “I’m not in withdrawal.” Ron sighs standing up from his desk,
“Fine, be in denial. But don’t come crying to me when this shit hits the fan.” I see him rummage through the drawers,
“You are also scheduled with Ze at the gym next week.”
I groan. “You aren’t the boss of me, and I told you I’m not going.”
“Yes, Kella, I am.” He looks up from his search, giving me an icy stare. “This is non-negotiable.”
“Who said I needed you in the first place?” I rise with a huff, he is really starting to piss me off.
“You really want us on your bad side?” Ron calls my bluff. I know I need him, in more ways than one. But he seems pretty set on just stringing me and my heart along. I down the rest of my whiskey, making a sour face again as it slides down my throat.
“I can take my chances,” I reply, making my way to the office entrance.
“Bullshit,” he responds. “You have too many enemies to go without us. Let alone the fact that one of them is Jake.” He smirks knowingly.
“Jake’s a punk ass bitch,” I say flippantly as I open the office door,. “I kicked his ass once, I can do it again.”
“Oh really?” I flinch hearing Jake’s voice. I turn to look at Jake, his arms crossed over his chest as he glares at me. “Wanna fucking try it?”
“Both of you chill.” Ron gives us a stern look. “Kella, you need to stop picking fights, and Jake, you know better than to agitate her.”
“She started it,” Jake whispers under his breath.
“And I’m finishing it.” Ron’s voice is firm and final, daring us to go against him.
“Yeah, Boss.” Jake rolls over, of course.
“Whatever,” I quip. I look at Jake, ready to flip him the bird. I stop when I hear Ron clear his throat menacingly. Instead, I storm off to the bar, giving the win to Ron, this time.
29
Ron
I sit down at my desk with a sigh, staring off into space as I rub the stubble on my chin.
“Why do you deal with her, Boss?” Jake asks, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.
“Because,” I look at him, “she’s shown great loyalty, even as a wildcard.” Even I don’t buy my own bullshit anymore.
“Sure.” Jake rolls his eyes, taking a seat in the leather chair across from me. “But she’s still a fucking cunt.”
“A cunt that took a bullet for me and was tortured while keeping ou
r secrets. I at least owe it to her to smooth out the rough edges and get her some help.”
“Help she doesn’t even want!”
“Help she will get, even if I have to force it on her.” I grit my teeth. “And since she is under my protection, you need to leave her alone!”
“But—” Jake protests,
“I don’t care,” I reply, cutting him off. “You leave her alone.” I point at him, staring at him until he looks away first.
“She going to Ze’s?” he asks softly.
“Yes, I’m sending her next week, after she’s had some time to heal and recover.”
“For training or something else?” Jake looks at me concerned.
“Both,” I reply. “Which is why you need to leave her alone.” Jake sighed shaking his head.
“Yeah, Boss. I get it.” And I knew he would, he had come back from a dark place himself and knew what being lost felt like.
“Good, any news on Tony?” I ask, moving on to a different subject.
“Nothing we could find,” Jake replies. “We still have our feelers out there.”
“Keep fuckin’ trying,” I say, turning to my computer, prompting Jake to leave me alone.
Once the door closes behind him, my thoughts wander to Kella. It’s been a few days since our last incident and what little I’ve seen of Kella she’s been an agitated wreck. Ze will have his work cut out for him, especially since she won’t let me help her with the withdrawal. Although she would probably be breaking through the worst of it in the next few days or so. I debated forcing her to accept medical intervention, but she might only retreat further into herself if I do.
She certainly wasn’t withdrawn when I was inside her. I smile. I feel a little bad that I couldn’t be more gentle, but I have no regrets about fucking Kella again. I needed to claim her again, to feel her wrapped around my cock. The way it should be.
