Revenge

by Lexi Blake

  She hadn’t even thought about it. She’d thought about the fact that she was needed. She’d immediately gone to work, putting together all the evidence she’d managed to gather, showing it to Mia and strategizing how to use it against Iris. “I can help you. I thought I should try.”

  He walked back out of the closet wearing nothing but his slacks, his cut chest on display. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  Of course he didn’t. What else had she expected? In Drew’s mind she’d betrayed him by going after Hatch. Somewhere deep down he would always blame her for it. He wouldn’t be able to help himself. “Of course. I sent a copy of everything I have to Mia. I’ll let her handle it from here on out. You can certainly trust her.”

  He stopped, his eyes narrowing. “I trust you. This has nothing to do with trust, Shelby.”

  Sure he did.

  He stepped up, towering over her, but he was gentle this time when he’d been so tense this afternoon. “I understand if you want to leave, but do it because you want to protect yourself. Not because you think I don’t trust you. I realize I’ve been putting a lot of my baggage right on top of you. I also get that I should have sat you down and asked you what happened with Iris this afternoon instead of behaving like an asshole. I’m struggling because I’ve never felt like this about a woman. I know by my age most men have had a couple of serious relationships and gotten married, but I was practically born with a family to raise. I didn’t get to be a selfish prick about anything. I had to do what I needed to do to save my brothers and sister, and then I did what I had to do to raise us all up so no one could hurt us again. I’ve never had moments when I could think of only myself.”

  She practically purred when his hand found the side of her throat and stroked down to her shoulders. Without even thinking about it, her hands moved up, cupping the sides of his waist. She’d missed this, missed feeling so connected to him. “You have to think of them. And now you have Noah.”

  His hands moved over her shoulders, fingers sliding under the straps of her tank. “I wanted to ignore him, but I heard you talking in my head. You’re the reason I want to be better. You make me want to be more than I am.” He stared down at her. “I know I was hard on you this afternoon, but please don’t put more meaning behind everything I say. I’m not smart enough to not say what I mean.”

  “You’re the smartest man I know.”

  “I’m not when it comes to you. I wish I could get on my knees and beg you to stay with me, but I think I have to tell you to leave in the morning. I want you to hide until this is done.”

  The world went watery. She clutched him. “I thought you wanted me to stay with you for a week.”

  “I was being truly selfish. I want you. I want you with me always, but if you stay beside me, your career is over. You do undercover journalism. If you’re with me, your face will be everywhere, so tomorrow I’m not simply going to ask you to choose. I’m going to have you dragged out of here if you don’t choose correctly. I’m only going to hurt you, and I can’t stand the thought of it.” He leaned over and his lips brushed against hers. “But give me one more night.”

  One more night in his arms. Earlier in the day she’d been ready to walk out, and now her heart ached at the thought.

  “Touch me.” If this was the end, she wanted his hands on her. Maybe that made her weak, but she didn’t care. She needed his touch, his affection. She wouldn’t find anything like it for the rest of her life.

  He reached down and dragged the tank top up and over her head. Her nipples peaked, the cool air hitting them, but it was more about the fact that she was bared to his eyes. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  When he looked at her like that, she felt beautiful. They might not fit in the real world, but when they closed the door and it was simply the two of them, their bodies nestled together like they’d been made that way.

  She was going to miss him so much. Miss this. She let her hands drift up, and they stood there for a moment, stroking each other’s bodies as though trying to memorize the feeling.

  Her body was already warm, already preparing itself for the inevitable. No one made her feel like this. Perhaps that was the problem. Drew made her feel too much, want too much when she knew the world wasn’t kind enough to allow it. Happiness came in short bursts that were almost always followed by sorrow.

  His hands moved to her breasts again, cupping them. His thumbs flicked over her nipples. “Take off the rest of your clothes. I want to memorize the way you look. You’re so fucking gorgeous. Take them off for me.”

  She shoved the pj pants over her hips, dragging her undies with them so she was completely naked for Drew. She was sure with someone else she would feel vulnerable, but there was a sense of power that came over her when big bad Drew Lawless, the king of all he surveyed, couldn’t quite stop his jaw from dropping every time he saw her naked.

  “I like the way you look at me, like you could eat me up. Just the way your eyes move over my body, it feels like you’re touching me.”

  He stood back, his eyes taking her in. “Remember that when we’re apart. Remember that every second I don’t see you, I want to be touching you. I’ll think about it all the time. I’ll never stop.”

  She wouldn’t think about that now. She moved toward him, enjoying the feel of her body. Somehow when she was with him, she was so aware of her own skin, of how each muscle moved, her body becoming a fluid thing under his gaze. She found her grace, and it made it easy to do things that seemed so awkward before.

  He unbuckled his belt and kicked his slacks away. His muscled body came into view, and he looked like he was ready for anything. His cock was long and hard, reaching almost to his navel. “I want your mouth on me, but I need to taste you, too. Come here.”

  He strode to the bed, laying his big body down on the mattress. He held out his hand.

  He wanted her on top, laid out against his chest, his mouth trapped between her legs while she had access to that gorgeous cock of his. His big hands grabbed her thighs, spreading them wide. She was caught by him, and there was no place else she would rather be. She could feel the heat of his mouth hovering over her flesh, making her warm and soft and ready for everything he could give her.

  His hips thrust up, offering her his cock.

  She balanced against the bed as she licked his cock, her tongue moving over him. This was what she needed. She needed to feel the way his body reacted to her touch. Even as she sucked the head of his cock behind her lips, she felt the first seductive touch of his lips to her core.

  “You taste so good. I won’t ever forget the way you taste.” The words were growled against her, the sensation making her shudder. His hands came up, cupping the cheeks of her ass. His tongue moved all around her pussy, licking and sucking her like she was the sweetest peach he’d ever tasted.

  His cock was a thing of beauty. Thick and long. She gripped the stalk in one hand and squeezed, loving how his whole body went tight under hers. A pearly drop of cream covered the slit of his cock. She dragged her tongue over it and he moaned against her pussy, his hands clamping down. He speared up into her, his mouth covering her while his tongue fucked deep inside. She couldn’t contain the groan of pleasure and let the sound reverberate against his cock.

  Give and take. Pure connection. Pure pleasure. Shelby let go. Tomorrow would sort itself out. She sucked at the head of his cock, her tongue whirling around and lapping up the cream that pulsed there. She settled in, finding that perfect place between the feel of his tongue and the taste of his cock. She worked him over and over, opening herself more each time, taking him deeper.

  He suckled her clitoris, bringing her to the edge again and again. She felt the wave start low in her body and knew she couldn’t hold out. He was too good. She sucked him hard, taking him almost to the back of her throat and letting loose with her own pleasure. She moaned around
him and felt his body stiffen. As the wave crested over her body, she tasted him on her tongue. His body bucked as he came in her mouth.

  She sucked him down, enjoying the way he softened in her mouth as his body relaxed.

  He flipped her off him and he was up and over her before she could take her next breath.

  “If I only have one more night, don’t think you’ll get any sleep.” He dropped his mouth to her, and she could taste her own arousal.

  Shelby let go completely. One more night.

  • • •

  Drew covered her with his body, unwilling to spend a second away from her. He’d meant what he said. He had one last night and he intended to spend it inside her. Every second. He leaned over and kissed her, his tongue delving deep. His dick was already stirring again. No one could get him hard as fast as Shelby could. All he had to do was think about her and he would get aroused.

  What the hell was he going to do without her?

  Her tongue played against his, and her body was soft under him. He loved the way her nipples rubbed against his chest and how wet her pussy was as she pushed her pelvis up. Her legs moved, wrapping around him. This was where he’d needed to be all day, surrounded by her scent and touch and skin. She softened all around him, her body welcoming him home.

  She was his home, and he had to let her go.

  He would send her to Dallas and she would be safe. She wouldn’t have to see the ugly side of his world. He wouldn’t let his mother use her and tarnish her name and reputation. If he won this war, if he could make it safe for her again, he could claim his prize.

  His prize? She was his fucking salvation.

  He let himself revel in her, kissing her again and then letting his lips find her neck. He loved every curve and plane of her body. God, he loved her.

  He breathed her in and promised himself he would never forget how it felt to be so close to her.

  He could still feel her mouth pulling at his cock, drawing on him like she couldn’t stand the thought of letting him go. Her tongue had been soft and hot on his dick, and now he was getting hard again. He pumped himself against her, his cock easily sliding through the juice of her arousal. She gasped.

  Her clitoris was so sensitive. He brushed against her again, rewarded by her breathy moan.

  He moved down her body. He laid kisses across her skin, over her collarbone and her chest, making his way down to those breasts he’d grown to love.

  He licked at her nipple before diving in and sucking her deep. Her body stiffened under his, her nails biting into his back. He would love that tomorrow. He would love how his muscles ached from how hard she clawed at him. His Shelby didn’t play around. She wanted her pleasure, and he was the man who could give it to her.

  He switched to her other nipple. She loved to have them sucked on. She was sensitive, her breasts attuned to his touch. Her body shuddered every time he licked her, his normally proper girl turning into a sweet sex kitten when he pulled her clothes off.

  That was his real accomplishment. Some people would say it was creating a multibillion-dollar company, but he knew the truth. It was all about turning brilliant Shelby Gates into a shivering sexy thing, begging for his touch.

  Being the man who could bring that out in her—that was what made him feel powerful.

  “Please.” Her body bucked under his as he bit down on her nipple.

  He dipped his tongue into the valley of her breasts, tracing the line between them. Everywhere he touched was soft and sweet.

  His dick was hard again. Hard and aching. He needed her. He’d never needed anyone the way he needed her.

  His hips moved again, rolling over her. His cock was wet with her juice. All he would have to do was thrust up, and he could join them together.

  “Please, Drew.” The words were sweet and sultry.

  He kissed his way down her chest, and licked her belly button before kissing his way even lower.

  He couldn’t get enough of how good she tasted, of her spicy scent. That peach was juicy and ripe, and he needed another bite. He sucked at her, loving how she squirmed under him, but he held her legs down. He offered her no respite from the gentle lash of his tongue. He spread her wide and laved her with affection all over again.

  Her hands came out, tangling in his hair as she started to ride his tongue. She didn’t hold back on him. Her enthusiasm fed his own. He sucked on her clit and felt the moment her body tightened and released, heard her cries of pleasure.

  That was a sound he would never forget.

  He reared up. He would take her now. He reached out and grabbed a condom. He rolled it on, ready to fuck her hard, and then he looked at her.

  The breath flew out of him because she was so fucking gorgeous. Everything about this woman called to him, from her beautiful body to her strong soul. It struck him hard that he was never going to love another woman. Shelby was it. She was the only woman in the world for him.

  She looked up at him, her hands reaching. “What’s wrong?”

  Nothing. Everything. “Do you know what I thought the first time I saw you?”

  “Since you were irritated with me, I’m sure it wasn’t pretty.”

  She’d been his opponent in the beginning. She’d been a ghost he’d chased across the Internet as she’d delved into his past. At the time he’d been playing his revenge games with Patricia Cain, and Shelby had threatened his plans. He’d cursed her name.

  And then he’d seen her.

  “I thought you were the most gorgeous hacker I’d ever laid eyes on, and I would have given you all the information you wanted to get you into bed with me.” She’d been screwing up his plans at the time, but all he’d known was he wanted her.

  He couldn’t have known how important she would become.

  She tugged at his shoulders. “I’m here now, Drew. You should know I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

  He covered her with his body, his cock finding its way home. He’d been so desperate to fuck her, but now he simply wanted to make it last. To make love to her and to do it forever. They wouldn’t have to leave this room. They could stop time and spend the rest of their lives connected to each other.

  He moved slowly, letting himself mark every simple movement, every sensation. “You were wearing a green dress, and I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

  She wrapped her legs around him. “You could have fooled me. I thought you couldn’t stand me. I was in awe of you, and I thought you barely noticed I was alive.”

  “You’re all I’ve been able to think about since the moment I saw you.” He thrust in and dragged back out. She was so tight around him. She’d been made for him. “I started plotting and planning on how I would get you where I wanted you.”

  Right here. Underneath him. Around him.

  She tilted her hips up, taking him deeper.

  He rocked against her. He wouldn’t be able to keep it up forever. No matter how much he wanted to. She felt too perfect. He could already feel a shiver beginning at the base of his spine. He didn’t want her to leave. Not ever.

  But he would force her to. He would do what he had to do to ensure her happiness and safety.

  Because he loved her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Shelby came awake slowly, enjoying the warmth of the bed and the delicious ache in her limbs. The previous night had been damn near perfect.

  She reached out for him, her hand sliding along the sheets. They needed to talk this morning.

  She didn’t want to leave him. She didn’t want to leave this family. She knew it would be better if she did, but her heart ached at the thought of not waking up next to him.

  She opened her eyes and realized he wasn’t in bed with her.

  The clock beside the bed told her she’d slept in. With a groan she started to get up. Had he already left for work? Why hadn’t he woken
her? She looked around the room.

  He was standing at the window, his back to her. He was certainly dressed for work. He wore black slacks and a button-down. Though she couldn’t see it, she knew he wasn’t wearing a tie. He never did. He was the casual billionaire, more comfortable behind a computer than in front of investors.

  “Hey, it’s late. Are you not going into work? I thought Riley had sold you on the whole everything’s-normal plan.” She clutched the sheet around her as she slid to the edge of the bed. While he was at work, she would hide out here, maybe talk to Noah and convince him to let her have a go at figuring out who’d sent him that original card.

  “I wanted to let you sleep in.” His voice was low.

  “Come back to bed.” She didn’t like the tight set of his shoulders or the fact that he hadn’t turned around yet. “Forget about plans and plots for the day. Let’s stay here.”

  One more day.

  He turned and the grim set of his lips told her everything she needed to know. “The helicopter’s ready when you are. I don’t want the press to catch you leaving the house. The helicopter will take you to the airport where the plane is ready for you. Case is going with you. He’ll hand you off to the bodyguard in Dallas. He’ll shadow you when you’re not at the McKay-Taggart building, and he’s got a room set up at my place in Dallas. If you like it, I’ll sign the deed over to you. Otherwise, you should start thinking about where you want to live.”

  Her heart clenched at the cold words. “I want to talk about this. There might be another solution.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve already settled everything. You’ll have an office to work out of at McKay-Taggart. I’ve ensured you have everything you could need, and you’ll have access to all files concerning the case. I’ve also torn up our original contract. You’ll be free to take the book to any publisher you like.”