The Next Sin

by Georgia Cates

  I place my palm in the center of her chest and slowly drag my hand downward. “I can’t believe all of this is mine for the rest of our lives.”

  She sits up and wiggles free of her coat. She comes closer and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I’m yours for the taking any time you’d like.”

  “No worries. I’m very good at taking what’s mine.” I kiss her quickly before standing. I place her hands in mine and pull her from the sofa. “And I’m going to start right now.”

  I lead her down the hallway to the bedroom I’ve rarely used. We’re barely inside when she glides her hands up my chest and pushes my jacket to the floor. She moves to my tie next, sliding the knot down. “Always so much to take off of you.”

  “Anxious to get me naked, huh?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Let me help.” I’m eager to feel her naked body pressed against mine.

  I reach for my top button but she stills my hand. She shakes her head and brings my fingers to her mouth, kissing them. “I want to do it. I’ve missed undressing you.”

  She’s moving at a painstaking pace. “Bonny. I’d like to bed you tonight.”

  She grins up as she unfastens the last shirt button. “In case you’ve forgotten, anticipation is one of the best forms of foreplay.”

  She removes my first cufflink. “I haven’t forgotten how much you enjoy making me wait. It’s a lesson I won’t be forgetting any time soon.”

  I hold up my wrist for the next one. She appears amused. “You make it sound as though I’m purposely torturing you.”

  “You have no idea.” I need her five minutes ago.

  She places my cufflinks on the nightstand. “It’s been months. I want to take my time with you and savor every moment.”

  She pushes my shirt from my shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor. Her warm mouth spreads kisses while her hands explore my chest. She stops and cups her palm over my heart. “Another thing I’ve missed.”

  I place my hand over hers. “You’ve been right here inside my heart the whole time.”

  “Who taught you to say such pretty words?”

  She’s right. I’m not normally the kind of man to say such things. But losing my beloved Bleu changed my world. “You did—when you stole my heart.”

  She rises to the tips of her toes so her mouth reaches mine. She laces the fingers of both hands through my hair and pulls me closer. Her tongue is soft and wet moving against mine in perfect rhythm. Her kiss is delicious—the sweetest aphrodisiac. There hasn’t been a single moment in the last three months I haven’t longed for this.

  I guide her backward and she stops when her thighs touch the bed. “Lie back. I’m going to ruin you for all other men.”

  She sits on the edge of the bed and then does as I tell her.

  I begin my erotic journey by kissing her ankle. “May these feet never run from me again.”

  My mouth moves up her calf. I lift her leg and kiss her behind her knee. “Know now that every time you run, I’ll seek.”

  I drag my lips up her inner thighs. “I did it once but I’ll never be able to let you go again. Ever.”

  “Then don’t.”

  She’s writhing below me. She knows where I’m going next.

  She says she wants to fully appreciate our reunion so I’m going to give her something worth savoring.

  I slip my thumb inside the edge of her knickers and move it up and down, stroking the bend of her leg. She squirms, lifting her pelvis up and over in an attempt to move my finger toward her center where she wants it most. I resist the temptation of giving in to her. But it isn’t easy. I want to caress her there as badly as she wants me to. “All in good time.”

  “You’re killing me and you know it.”

  “Anticipation, Bonny. You say it’s the best form of foreplay.” I take my thumb from the bend of her leg and rub it down the center of her knickers. The fabric of her crotch is soaking. “I think it’s working.”

  I lower my mouth to her abdomen and nibble at her groin. She jerks and groans, “You’re torturing me.”

  “But what sweet agony it is.”

  I push her legs apart and move my mouth down her knickers. I do nothing but breathe, letting her feel the warmth of my breath between her legs. This is my way of giving her a moment to guess what my next move will be. When I’m satisfied she’s had time to think of at least a dozen different deeds, I lick the center of her wet knickers.

  “Oh God.” She jolts, either in surprise or ecstasy. Either is an acceptable reason to me.

  I lightly stroke my thumb up and down the saturated fabric, gradually increasing the pressure. She wiggles closer and rocks her pelvis against my hand. “I think someone no longer wishes to play the waiting game.”

  “We can play all the games you want later.” She sits up and reaches for the buckle of my belt. She yanks it apart and goes for the button of my trousers. “It’s been too long. I can’t wait another excruciating minute.”

  I kick off my shoes while she frees me of my pants and boxer briefs. She reaches inside and grasps my cock in her hand, stroking it from tip to base. “I need to feel this inside me. Now.”

  “That can be arranged.” I hold the bed for balance as I step out of the clothes that have fallen down my legs.

  She lifts her bottom and removes her knickers before reaching behind her back to unclasp her bra. She finishes undressing before me since I’m still playing the balancing game with my artificial limb.

  She’s lying completely naked on the bed before me. “You’re beautiful. And all mine for the taking.”

  She moves to the edge of the mattress and slides off to stand. “Unless I take you first.”

  She puts her arms around my shoulders and guides me to turn. She puts her hands on my chest. “Sit.”

  I do as she says before she removes my prosthesis. When she completes the chore, she rises to climb on top of me, one knee on each side of my pelvis.

  I move my hand between her legs and glide my fingers back and forth through her slick slit. She leans forward and wraps her arms around my shoulders while rocking her pelvis against my hand and panting into my ear. Her mouth makes its way down my neck, first nibbling, and then sucking a patch of skin on my shoulder. I have no doubt it’s going to leave a mark—a big, dark one. But I don’t care. I’m hers. She can brand me any way she chooses.

  She releases my shoulder and sucks air in through her teeth. She arches her back and lifts her chin so she’s looking upward. “Ohh. Right there, Sin. Don’t stop.”

  As if.

  I pull her tight so my mouth is over her ear. “I’m never going to stop making you come. Ever.”

  She tenses tightly, squeezing me hard, our foreheads now pressed together. “Ohh. Ohh.”

  She relaxes a minute later and I notice her shaking. “You’re trembling.”

  “Mmm … because that was magnificent. And so very needed. It’s been too long.”

  “I’m happy to hear that.”

  “You’re still the only one.”

  I’m relieved. I didn’t think Bleu had been with another man but it eases my mind to hear it confirmed.

  She rises and finds my hard cock with her hand. She lowers herself onto it until I’m balls-deep inside her. “There will never be anyone else for me, Bonny. Only you.”

  Her eyes never leave mine as she moves up and down. I have to say the words dying to escape. “Into me … you see.”

  She cradles my face with her hands. “Into me … you see. Always.”

  She’s too good at this so my orgasm builds faster than I’d like. I’m not ready for this first time to be over. But it’s been too long. I won’t last much longer at this pace so I move my hands to Bleu’s hips, encouraging her to slow down. “Easy, Bonny.”

  “Are you having a hard time keeping it contained?”

  I can’t talk about coming while I’m trying to hold off. “Something like that.”

  “Then you should be in control.” While gras
ping my neck, she rolls to her back, taking me with her so I’m on top. I’m nestled between her thighs and push into her slowly and deeply as she wraps her legs around me tightly.

  My hands glide up her arms until they find hers. We lace our fingers together between thrusts. “I love you, Bonny.”

  “I love you too, Sin.”

  Again, my climax builds sooner than I’d like but I’ve done all I can to prolong it.

  I clasp Bleu’s hands and thrust deep, emptying myself and all my love inside her. She squeezes her legs tighter and I’m certain I’ve never been deeper within her body. “Uhh!”

  When it’s over, I collapse—spent and exhausted—onto the bed beside her while still holding her left hand. I lift it so I can see how it looks with an engagement ring on it. “Do you really like it?”

  “Like is a serious understatement for how I feel about this ring.”

  “You never wear jewelry so I had no idea what you’d prefer. I had to go with my gut since I couldn’t ask your sister for help.”

  “Your gut has excellent taste.”

  She rolls to her stomach and props on her elbows. “We live on separate continents. Have you worked out the details for when, where, and how this marriage is going to take place?”

  I’ve done my research. “We’ll marry here. I brought the appropriate documentation with me. Once we’re legally married, you’ll return to Scotland with me on a spouse visa. That will be valid for two and a half years.”

  “What happens when it expires?”

  “You’ll get an extension for another two and a half years. Once you’ve lived in Scotland for five years, you’ll apply for a permanent residency, called an indefinite leave to remain.”

  “Sounds like you’ve thought of everything. When are we doing this?”

  I don’t think it’s wise to wait a minute longer than necessary. “The sooner, the better since Abram’s men could find you any day. But I suppose you’ll need a little time for the things you have to do.”

  She looks at me puzzled. “Such as?”

  “I assume you want to buy a wedding dress and get a bouquet of your favorite flowers to carry. And I need a wedding band. But I get it if you’re too busy.”

  “No. I want to pick it.” She holds up her hand and studies her engagement ring again. “You did such a wonderful job of choosing for me. I want to do the same for you.”

  I bring her hand to my lips for a kiss. “Thank you.”

  “You’ve told me the how and when—what about the where?”

  “I was thinking we’d have a civil ceremony at the courthouse since we won’t have friends or family present. We can have a big celebration with family once we’re home. I’m certain my mum will love planning that.” She practically turned Bleu’s initiation ceremony into a wedding celebration so there’s no limit to what she’ll do for the real thing.

  Bleu looks sad. “What’s wrong?”

  She reaches up and wipes several tears from her face. “I’m sad my family won’t be there. Or even aware that I’m a bride.”

  “Your family is welcome to come. I’d like it very much if they were in attendance. I know how happy it would make you.”

  She shakes her head. “No. And you know why.”

  I do know but it doesn’t mean I’m going along with it. “It’s possible your father may never know but Ellison will have to be told at some point. Are you sure you want her to find out after the fact? I’m sure she’ll be bitter you didn’t tell her beforehand.”

  “My sister is the mouth of the south. She’ll rat me out to Dad if she knows I’ve married you.”

  I’d really like to change her mind about this decision. “Would it be so bad if your father knew you were marrying?”

  “That I’m getting married? No. That I’m marrying you? Hell yes. He’d die of a coronary.”

  I don’t know Harold MacAllister but I think Bleu may give him too little credit. “Why would he be so opposed? I’m going to take care of you. You’d never find another man who will provide you with the life I’ll give you.”

  She looks at me as though I’ve grown two heads. “My dad’s FBI. You’re the future leader of a criminal organization. He dedicated his life to going undercover so he could arrest people like you.”

  She forgets one thing. “You were an agent sworn to uphold the law and you seem to like me just fine. He might also. I’m not an unlikable person.”

  She sighs. “He might like you as a person but he’d never accept the things you do.”

  She shouldn’t be so closed-minded. “He’s a dying man. He might be happy—or maybe even relieved—to know there’s a man who is fully committed to loving and protecting his little girl.”

  “In his eyes, your criminal background will negate any feelings of love you have for me. And in case you haven’t noticed, I don’t need a man to take care of me. I do a right nice job on my own.”

  Bleu is strong but she needs my protection, even if she’s not yet willing to admit it. “I wish you’d at least think about telling him. I want to be the man you introduce to your family. Not the one you hide. I’d very much like to meet my father-in-law before the opportunity is gone forever.”

  Her brow wrinkles. “Why?”

  This is another thing Bleu doesn’t understand about The Fellowship. “Marrying you behind your father’s back without his permission feels like a betrayal against him. A brother wouldn’t dare marry a Fellowship daughter without her family’s approval.”

  “Trust me. My father would feel betrayed if he found out about our marriage, but it wouldn’t be you he considered the traitor.”

  And he won’t feel betrayed by Bleu, either—not when I finish explaining everything to him. I’ll tell Harold MacAllister my true intentions and how much I love his daughter.

  Bleu will have her father’s approval before he dies. I will see to it.

  Chapter Five

  Bleu MacAllister

  Oh my God. I’m getting married. In a courthouse. To a criminal. I’m literally going to stand in a building where defendants are prosecuted for their crimes and vow to love, honor, and cherish the future leader of a notorious criminal organization—the biggest one in Scotland.

  Shit.

  There’s no waiting period. All we need is the appropriate paperwork and we can become husband and wife as soon as we like.

  Again, shit.

  Am I seriously going to do this? Become Sinclair Breckenridge’s wife? The spouse of The Fellowship’s next leader?

  I look at myself in the full-length mirror as I stand on the platform at the bridal shop and can only come up with one answer: Yes.

  “Honey, you look beautiful. This shade of ivory is gorgeous against your skin tone,” my sales associate, Wendy, says.

  I went into the bridal shop determined. I didn’t want a traditional wedding gown—wouldn’t even consider looking at a long white beaded gown with a train. To do so would be silly. I won’t be walking down an aisle or saying my vows in a church. My family won’t be present—or even privy to what’s going on. I’m neither proud nor happy about that.

  I spin and look at myself in the mirror. The dress is knee length with an ivory lace overlay. It’s strapless—and A-line—with a wide champagne satin sash at the waist. It’s not bridal looking; I think it’s likely a cocktail dress.

  There’s no way Ellison would approve. She’d have me in a sparkling white ball gown with a train as long as the room. I’d look like Princess Diana when she was finished with me. We’d never agree on a dress. But I wish she were here arguing with me.

  “I really like this dress but do I look like a bride?” I’m having trouble seeing myself wearing this when I say “I do.”

  “Of course you look like a bride,” Wendy squeals and holds up her index finger. “You just need to see the final product to be certain.”

  She spins me around so I can’t see my reflection and begins the process of pulling my hair up and blinging me out with sparkly jewelry.
r />   She places an artificial bouquet in my hands and tells me to close my eyes before spinning around to see my reflection. “Take a look.”

  I stare at the stranger in the mirror. I’m almost breathless, but not because of the image I see looking back at me. It’s because there’s no doubt remaining in my mind. I am a real bride—Sinclair Breckenridge’s.

  She grins when she sees the awe on my face. “What do you think now, honey? Feel like a bride?”

  I reach up to touch the side bun and floral hairpiece Wendy pinned in my hair. I’m sold. “I do.”

  “You should. When is your wedding?”

  “Friday.”

  Her eyes grow large. “Honey! That’s only two days away. Why have you waited until the last minute to get your dress?”

  “We just decided yesterday.” Or last night. Actually, it was twelve hours ago if we’re being technical. “We decided to elope.”

  I’m sure she suspects pregnancy is behind the mad rush since it isn’t possible for her to guess the truth—that I’m in a hurry to marry the handsome Scotsman in the lobby so we can stop his psychopathic uncle from annihilating me.

  It’s true. I’m doing this to save my hide but that isn’t the only reason I said yes. I love Sinclair Breckenridge with all my heart and soul. I would’ve agreed to marry him even if Abram’s men weren’t coming for me.

  Wendy tugs at the dress hem, smoothing it. “This is a perfect fit for you. That’s a good thing since it couldn’t possibly be altered in time for your wedding.” She stands back and studies me. “I think you should carry a bouquet of off-white, soft peach, and pale lavender. It may sound unusual but it would be lovely with this shade of ivory.”

  I guess she would know. I certainly don’t. I was never that girl who sat around studying bridal magazines while dreaming of a magical wedding to a white knight. It’s a good thing since I’m marrying a charming villain instead of Prince Charming.

  I make my final purchases and find Sin sitting on a sofa in the shop’s front parlor. He doesn’t see me so I stop to watch him as he looks through a bridal magazine. I guess there’s not much choice of reading material in a place like this but it’s still not something one would expect out of a Fellowship leader.