Slam

by Holly S. Roberts

  My anger disappeared and I managed to tap down the desire racing through my body. I wondered if he thought he could redeem some fucked up mess in his brain that made him feel responsible for Stacy Conway’s death.

  “Come on,” he said as he released me and walked to the mats. “Let’s go over everything again. If you do well, I’ll teach you a new move.”

  Putting my disturbing thoughts aside was far easier than disregarding my wet panties. With a small grumble caused by unfulfilled desire, I helped position the mats. Then we went through a series of defensive moves Brack started teaching me the day before.

  “Always follow up with your most lethal attack,” he yelled at me a few minutes later. “Three goddammed seconds and you’re toast. You need to take him by surprise.”

  “Stop yelling at me, asshole. I’m trying. And what if I hurt you?”

  “I’ll fuck your little brains out until you can’t walk,” he said with an evil leer.

  “Promises, promises.” I kicked out aiming for his balls. He expected it of course, but that was my plan. I followed through with a strike to his Adam’s apple. He blocked that one too, which infuriated me. I landed on my back with a heavy thump.

  Brack peered down. “Try again, little girl, and stop fighting like a sissy.”

  I swear I hated him.

  ***

  Two days later, I was back on the mat staring up at him. His phone rang and without helping me stand, he walked over and retrieved it. He looked at the screen before answering.

  “Whatcha got for me?”

  Within three seconds, Brack’s body language changed when whoever was on the other end answered his question. Brack’s gaze went to mine before jerking away. Something was up and I knew I wouldn’t like it. He listened for several more minutes before speaking again. “Okay, keep me apprised. Let me know if you feel the slightest doubt on our security measures.” Brack hung up and still didn’t look my way.

  Fear tightened around my heart. “Obviously this is something I need to know.”

  His gaze landed on me before looking away again. “It’s another assignment I’m not at liberty to talk about it. You’ve had enough for the day. Let’s get back home.”

  The douche was lying; I could feel it and see it in every inch of him. I let it go, for now—not because I wanted to, because I needed to think about how to force his hand. Brack wasn’t a pushover.

  We put away the mats and jogged back to the hut. It was far from the home he claimed it to be. It had the bare minimum for comfort, though I could at least think of it as cozy now. I took the first shower. When I got out, I began preparing our evening meal while Brack took his turn in the bathroom. He was unusually quiet while we ate. Our tentative friendship had grown over the past two days. During meals, he spoke about his time as a Marine or his years on the police force. Some of the stories were funnier than hell. I talked about the competitive circuit and the different personalities that made up the tennis world. I even spoke of my father a few times.

  Not tonight. Something bad had happened and Brack needed to open up and talk to me about it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  We cleaned up the kitchen together, which was another nightly routine we’d fallen into. When finished, Brack had me sit back in a chair while he removed my stitches. The wound itched, but didn’t hurt at all. I skimmed my fingers over the short stubble of hair and sighed. I had survived with a small scar when another man gave his life.

  “You make a good doctor. Maybe we can role play a doctor-nurse fantasy someday,” I said to take me out of my morose thoughts. I expected a flip retort from Brack. Instead, he quietly placed his supplies back in the med kit and carried it into the bathroom.

  In complete exasperation, I waited for him to come out. “Can we go for a walk?” I asked as I headed to the door expecting Brack to follow.

  “Not tonight.”

  I turned. Putting my hands on my hips, I tried reining in my building temper. “Suppose you tell me why not.”

  He looked away for a minute before removing his aviators and setting them on the table. At the removal of his glasses, dread filled me. I no longer wanted him to speak. I didn’t get my wish.

  “The police found Bethany Mitchell dead in her apartment yesterday. She was strangled sometime the previous evening.”

  The cocoon I’d placed around myself disintegrated. “Was it him?” Please no, please no, please no.

  Pity glazed Brack’s expression. “Yes, there’s no doubt. He left a message for you.”

  I grabbed large chunks of hair and pulled while obscuring my face with my forearms. I’d known Bethany since I moved into my apartment. My life didn’t allow us to hang out on a regular basis. Competition life didn’t leave room for close friendships outside of tennis. She made it easy, though. She took the time I could give her. We managed an occasional glass of wine that included late-night bitch sessions about men. And once a month we went to clubs. Now, she was dead because of me.

  I didn’t realize Brack had come closer until he grabbed me and held my hands in one of his. I had large clumps of blonde hair between my fingers.

  My hair.

  No pain.

  Splotches of color appeared before my eyes.

  Red.

  White.

  Black.

  I came to on the floor with my head in Brack’s lap. I rolled off placing my palms against the cool wood of the floor pulling my knees in close. Tears filled my eyes and then my throat. I couldn’t breathe and that was okay. I wanted to die. Bethany didn’t deserve this. She should be alive and I should be dead. She had dreams. Dreams of a good man loving her—marriage, babies. Dreams of going back to school and obtaining her master’s degree. Dreams of flying halfway across the world and watching me win a grand slam. I. Killed. Her.

  Brack turned me, half lifting me off the floor until he cradled me against his chest. “We’ll get him. I promise.”

  I heard the words. It made no difference. Two people died because of me. Spoiled rotten, rich girl me. The monster killed Bethany while I dreamed about fucking Brack. I sucked in a non-existent breath. On some level I knew air was entering my lungs. On another, I didn’t want it to. If I were dead, no one else would suffer.

  “If it wasn’t you he obsessed over, it would be someone else. This guy is a sick fuck and that is not your fault.” Brack’s fingers entwined in the hair at my nape and he moved my head away so I was looking into his eyes. “This is not your fault, Olivia.”

  Through my tears, I saw his blurred face inches from mine. His voice came through a tunnel. A harsh grasp to my upper arm, shifting me, and another pull to my hair had me on my knees facing him. His lips slammed down on mine. The lips I craved for so long now. Nothing. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. My body was a rag doll—lifeless—emotionless. The kiss didn’t stop. Brack’s tongue entered my mouth, seeking the inner recesses. A harsh kiss that turned even more brutal when I still didn’t respond.

  He pulled back an inch. “Kiss me, dammit, and I’ll fuck you.”

  I blinked. I no longer wanted to fuck him.

  “Don’t touch me,” I managed to get out as his mouth drew half an inch closer.

  “Then breathe, Olly, breathe.”

  I sucked in a short breath.

  “Again,” he said. His lips touched mine, but this was no longer a kiss.

  I took another breath. “You need to kill him.”

  “I will.”

  I shook my head. “There are too many people he can hurt.”

  “We’ll find him first. I…”

  I cut him off. “He wants me. Let him have me.”

  “That won’t happen,” he growled.

  I took a shuddering breath and buried my head against his warmth as heavy sobs escaped my chest and throat. Brack’s hand circled my back providing comfort. I needed it. I needed him.

  “I’m sorry I lied to you. I had to figure out a way to tell you the truth and I needed some time.”

  I gave
a loud sniff and gained enough control to talk. “There is no way to hear about something like this. I’m the reason she’s dead. The other man, too. They died because of me.”

  Brack’s arms tightened around me. “No, a mentally unstable man killed them.”

  “Because of me.”

  Brack stood and lifted me to my feet. My body felt a hundred pounds heavier.

  “Please,” I tried twisting away. “I need to run.” If I didn’t do something, I would start screaming and never stop.

  “You need to call your father,” he said gently.

  Oh God, my father. He had to be sick with worry and I’d stubbornly ignored him. I’d been pissed that he hadn’t asked my opinion on hiring a bodyguard. So, I remained silent when I knew he needed to hear from me.

  Brack walked me to the bed. I sat down as soon as my trembling knees hit the edge. He touched a few buttons on the cell phone he’d given me that first day and placed it in my hand. I brought the phone up while staring into Brack’s eyes.

  “Talk to your father and I’ll wait outside.” He grabbed his own phone and walked to the door.

  “Olivia, I’ve been so worried,” my father’s gruff voice sounded in my ear.

  “Daddy,” was the only word I could get out as loud sobs took over again.

  “Oh, sweetie. This isn’t your fault. Brack and his team will get this creep. I promise. And if they don’t, I’ll hire someone to take him out. He needs to die so you’ll be safe. I’ll see him dead if it’s the last thing I do.”

  I’d never heard my father say anything that would get him into political trouble. That’s how I knew he was way past the point of being upset. He was scared just like me. I know he was trying to reassure me. Hearing his worry sent terror streaking through my veins. “He’ll come after you, Daddy. You’re not safe,” I said through quivering lips.

  “Let him try. My security team has taken additional measures and I’m not a defenseless woman. This man is a coward.”

  I was too upset to laugh. I might be the reigning world tennis champion, but I was still female, and in my father’s eyes that meant I needed protection. I didn’t let the statement bother me like it normally would. For once, I was completely honest with my father about my feelings. “I’m scared, Daddy, really scared.”

  “I love you, sugar. You need to trust Brack. He knows what he’s doing. I wouldn’t have put you in his hands if I didn’t believe he could keep you safe.”

  No, he wouldn’t. And, I also knew Brack would keep me safe or die trying. “I love you, Daddy.”

  “Love you too, sugar. How about I read you a story?”

  I couldn’t help the slight grin that formed on my lips. “Please.”

  It took a few moments for him to find a book. Then, his soothing drawl warmed the cold that had settled into my body. I swayed slightly to the sound of his voice as tears sluiced down my cheeks. My father used books to speak from his heart. The story could be about any subject in the world, but the message was always love.

  My eyes grew heavy and I jumped slightly when he cleared his throat.

  “You get some rest now and call me soon.”

  “I will. I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  I clicked end and placed the phone on the nightstand. I stood and walked to the front door. Opening it slightly, I heard Brack’s angry voice.

  “I don’t give a fuck. Do whatever it takes. Call in every favor owed me. Get the guys here ASAP and Mack… bury this psychopath.”

  Maybe this was why Brack and my father got along.

  I walked out onto the raised porch.

  Brack hung up and came over, putting his arms around me. “You okay?”

  “No, but thanks. I needed to speak with my dad. Now I just need to run.”

  His arms squeezed a little. “I’ve got extra security heading this way. They should be here tomorrow. Until then, we’re hunkering down. There are laws against having weapons here, but I don’t give a fuck. Our guns will come with my men tomorrow.” Brack moved so one arm was across my shoulder as he guided me back inside. “You need to try to sleep.”

  I walked past the door and watched as Brack placed the wood into the slots, securing us inside. Something Brack said earlier popped into my head. “What was the message Ty left for me?”

  Brack pulled me close, his palm smoothing across my back. “A bouquet of lilies.”

  I dreaded the answer, but had to ask. “What did the card say?” I knew there had to be one.

  His breath warmed my ear. “Just two words.”

  “What was it?”

  “Lilies die.”

  I could feel the tears build again. Warm fingers cupped my chin and Brack’s lips met mine. “Don’t think,” he whispered before deepening the kiss.

  Chapter Twenty

  I placed my hands against Brack’s chest and gripped his shirt tightly in desperation. He surprised me by unsnapping my bra through the back of my t-shirt. He pulled on my lower lip with his teeth before his lips left mine long enough to tear my shirt over my head. My bra went with it. His mouth came back home. I needed this and I needed his skin against mine. I wrenched his shirt upward. There was nothing graceful about our sexual dance. Hot skin met hot skin. My nipples went hard. My breath came in short pants. His mouth ate them. Within seconds, our skin dampened with sweat from sliding against each other. The kiss was tongue, lips, and teeth. Nothing gentle. I unsnapped his jeans. Before I could work the zipper, he picked me up and carried me to the bed.

  My back hit the comforter and he whipped my shorts and panties off in one quick move. He didn’t take time to look at my body, his eyes stayed on mine. The eyes that burned me from the inside out. He lowered his zipper and stepped out of his jeans. I had little chance to breathe before his body covered me. His thick erection ground against my belly as his lips found mine again. I wiggled beneath him, needing his cock inside me.

  His fingers found my center first. They pumped twice and came out slick. I was ready and bit his bottom lip slightly in frustration. “Fuck me, Brack. Fuck me now.”

  He pulled back and stood up. I almost screamed. Taking a firm grip on my legs, he dragged me forward until my feet were flat on the floor, my ass half off the bed, and my back still against the comforter. I spread my legs wider. He leaned into me, the tip of his cock nudging my center. I arched my pelvis upward as Brack grabbed my ass and slammed into me. It hurt. It felt incredible. He tried to give me time to adjust, but I raked my fingernails down his back and locked my powerful legs around his waist. “Fuck me,” I urged.

  He bit my ear and growled as he thrust into me again. Our rhythm became frantic. I cared about nothing but tightening my inner muscles around him. He pulled back slightly and now I growled. He stood, and with my legs around his waist my ass came up higher. At the same time he thrust forward, impaling me again and again. My hands went over my head fisting the comforter as the sounds of our bodies pounding together blended with our heaving breaths.

  I was so close to orgasm, but like most of my sexual encounters, it was hard for me to take that final leap. That’s why I had to turn to my vibrator even after a night of sex. Brack’s incredible eyes watched me. His fingers moved across my ass finding the crevice. One finger pressed inside my asshole, bringing an entirely different thrill through me. Fuck me but it hurt so good. I screamed out as the orgasm I chased spilled over. Wave after wave shattered my pussy, moving through my belly, and up to my tits. Brack stopped moving for several seconds as my pussy clenched around him. Then, thrust harder than he had before.

  “Fuck,” he said before a warm spurt of semen shot into me and I dug my heels into his ass trying to lock him in forever. He wasn’t having it. His rough grip unlocked my legs and he slid out of me. At the same time, he lowered me to the bed and grabbed his cock. One bulging arm came down beside my head as he finished on my lower belly.

  It was so fucking sexy. I watched him pump the head of his cock until every drop of remaining cum landed on
my fevered skin. My fingers trembled as I reached down and pulled them through the sticky warmth. Our eyes held as I lifted my fingers to my lips and sucked.

  God, he devoured me with his eyes.

  His body came down on mine again and he kissed me. I couldn’t fucking believe my uptight bodyguard liked dirty sex. I’d never come so quickly in my life. I placed my hands on his ass cheeks searching for the same hold he’d found on me earlier. He stopped kissing me and growled in my ear.

  “Watch it, baby.”

  I didn’t stop. “Are you man enough for a finger in the ass?” My whisper ended on a small laugh.

  “After I get around to fucking your ass, we’ll talk about it.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  His smile went clear to his eyes and my pussy tightened.

  I squealed as Brack flipped us over, dislodging my hands, and changed our direction on the bed. He was hard again. Or maybe his erection never left. I untangled my legs and sat back on his thighs admiring his cock. Placing my fingers around the head, I squeezed gently.

  “Harder,” he said with lust in his voice.

  “Mmm, I want to suck.” I growled and licked the tip of my tongue slowly around my lips.

  “What’s stopping you?” he asked gruffly.

  I gripped harder like he asked. “I want you shooting it all off in my pussy this time.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment. “Suck me first and that can be arranged.”

  I didn’t care that I was a sticky mess. I wiggled off him until my knees hit the floor. He turned and moved down a bit so I could comfortably reach him with my mouth. He propped himself on his arms and watched. I stuck my tongue out and licked just the tip. I didn’t always like the taste of men, but Brack was yummy. I’d ached to taste him for days now. It was something in his pheromones that attracted this side of me. It had to be. When I’d sucked his cum from my fingers, I’d wanted to go back for seconds. I flicked my tongue against him watching his reaction. It wasn’t much. I knew he liked it hard. I wrapped my lips around the head and sucked a little as I circled his balls with one hand and his cock with the other.