by K. C. Lynn
“I’ll have someone patrol around there, too,” Cooper says before looking at me. “I don’t have to work with you, fed, but I will, if you work with me. We both have the same goal here and we’re going to get the answers a lot faster if we work together.”
I nod. “Fair enough, but you need to trust me with Kolan. Katelyn’s right, he won’t trust anyone else right now, and your hands are tied when it comes to him. Mine are not. If he comes to us it will take time for me to get all the information, and my priority is making sure he’s proven innocent, since he is.”
“Yeah, all right.”
Katelyn leaves my arms and walks over into his, hugging him. “Thank you so much, Cooper,” she blubbers against his chest.
Kayla hugs him, too. “I love when you’re all logical, it makes me hot.”
The other girls join in on the hug.
Why the fuck is he getting all the praise?
As if sensing my thoughts Cooper looks at me with a cocky smirk, proving that he just one-upped me. I look around at all the other guys and see them wearing the same one.
Assholes.
“Where’s the bathroom,” I mutter.
“Past the kitchen and down the hall to your right,” Cade replies since Faith and all the girls are still cuddled up to dickhead like he’s just found world fucking peace for them.
Whatever, at least we’re on the same page and he’s agreed to back off for a bit as far as Kolan’s concerned. The last thing I wanted to do was fight with him when it’s clear Katelyn cares about him. About all of them. And as much as he rubbed me the wrong way, I’m grateful he’s helped Kolan watch over her.
When I’m finished in the bathroom I send a text to Ryder and check in. As I open the door to walk out I come to a halt when I see that Ruthie kid standing on the other side.
She stares up at me with a pen and paper in her hand. “Hello.”
“Hey,” I greet her awkwardly.
“Got a minute? I’d like to ask you a few questions.” Instead of waiting for a reply she heads into the TV room, expecting me to follow.
I glance down the hall, trying to think of a way to get out of this but come up with nothing. I’m not great with kids. The only one I’ve ever been around is Rosa and she doesn’t talk yet. Not wanting to be an asshole, I reluctantly follow.
“Have a seat,” she says, pointing to the couch.
“That’s all right, I’ll stand.”
She tilts her glasses down her nose, staring at me in disapproval over the top of the frames. It has me sitting on the couch like a fucking pussy.
“Can I have your last name, Nick?”
I scowl. “Why?”
“Because I need it.”
“Stone.”
“Nick Stone,” she repeats softly then nods. “Good name.”
“Thanks,” I reply, unsure of what else to say.
“And how old are you, Nick Stone?”
“Twenty-seven,” I answer slowly, wondering why it matters.
“Where do you live?”
“Florida.”
“Do you like Charleston?”
I shrug, having no fucking idea since I haven’t seen much of it.
She sighs tiredly, as if I’m being complicated. “Let me ask an easier question den. Do you like my auntie Katelyn?”
I quickly realize where this is all going but try to diffuse the direction as quickly as possible. “Yeah, we’re friends.”
“De kissing kind of friends?”
Shit.
I remain silent, not wanting to have this conversation with anyone, especially her.
“Let me cut to de chase, Nick Stone,” she replies, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Me and de big guy care a lot about my auntie and we need to make sure she’s taken care of properly or else…” She leaves the threat hanging in the air.
I decide to be honest with her and put an end to this now. “Look, kid. I like your auntie. We’re good friends, but my life is back in Florida. I’m only here to help her out right now. Nothing more.”
She stares back at me, her face expressionless. It makes me even more uneasy. Walking over, she sits next to me and puts her hand on my shoulder. “You’re scared, huh?”
I tense, immediately becoming defensive. “What? I’m not scared.”
“Sure you are. I can tell. Cade used to be scared, too.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Den what’s de problem? My auntie’s beautiful, sweet, funny, and you’ll get free haircuts for life. She can’t cook very well but dat’s okay. You could just order in.”
My lips curve at the last part. “Katelyn’s perfect, she’s not the problem. It’s me,” I blurt out before I even have a chance to think about it.
What the fuck did I just say?
Her face softens, looking sad. Before I can brace myself she scoots her scrawny little ass on my lap and wraps her arms around my neck tightly. “Faif says sometimes a simple hug can take all your problems away.”
I pat her back awkwardly, not knowing what else to do.
Katelyn chooses that moment to walk in. “Hey, there you are.”
I fly off the couch, sending the kid to sail through the air. I quickly catch her before she drops to the ground, making her giggle.
Katelyn stares at us, a smile teasing her lips. “What’re you guys doing?”
“Nothing,” I rush to say.
The kid makes a liar out of me though and puts an arm around my neck. “We were just bonding, getting to know each other. Isn’t dat right, Nick Stone?”
I clear my throat. “Uh, yeah.” Prying her from around my chest I hold her out to Katelyn. “Good talkin’ with you, kid,” I add, not wanting to be a complete dick.
As soon as Katelyn takes her I hightail it out of the room like my ass is on fire.
“You, too. Tink ’bout what I said,” she yells at my retreating back.
Other than a simple wave behind me, I don’t slow down, and get the fuck out of this place so I can breathe again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Katelyn
Unlocking my door, I flick on the entryway light as we walk into my apartment. Nick halts me with an arm across my chest, his hard body crowding my back. “Wait here while I check things out,” he whispers in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
Unable to speak, I nod and wait by the door as he walks around my place. When he comes back a moment later, giving me the all clear, I take inventory of my living room and kitchen. My heart warms seeing everything has been cleaned up and put back in place. Must have been Faith and the others. The thought of someone going through my personal things leaves me feeling violated.
I hate it.
As if sensing my thoughts Nick comes up behind me, his arms wrapping around my body. “You okay?”
I sink against him, his warmth bringing me comfort. “I will be when I see Kolan.”
He presses his lips to my bare shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll hear from him soon.”
I nod, praying he’s right. “Are you hungry?”
“Yeah¸” he growls, nipping my shoulder.
“I meant for food.” I elaborate with a giggle and turn to face him. “I could order in pizza?”
A smirk suddenly curves his lips.
“What?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing, just thinking about something that Ruthie kid said.”
My head tilts. “What did she say?”
“That you can’t cook,” he says, his grin spreading.
“What? She said that?”
“Yep.”
“What else did she say?” I ask, crossing my arms defensively over my chest.
He pulls me against him, looking rather amused. “That you’re beautiful, smart, and funny. Things I already knew.”
Ah ha! So the sweet little thing didn’t throw me under the bus.
“Well she really is a very truthful little girl.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet, especially about the cooking,” he replies with a
chuckle.
“I can cook, I just don’t very often because it’s only me.”
“Okay,” he concedes with a disbelieving smirk and drops a kiss on my lips.
I shove against his hard chest. “Whatever. I’m starving so I’m going to order a pizza, but only because I haven’t gone grocery shopping yet. If you’re lucky I may share it with you,” I add, walking to the kitchen to retrieve the stack of ordering menus I have on hand.
With a grunt he grabs his bag and begins walking toward my bedroom. As I’m looking over the menu he asks where the TV remote is, wanting to check the news.
“Check my nightstand,” I yell back, then stiffen, realizing my mistake. “Wait, no!” I run to my bedroom hoping to stop him but I’m too late.
Oh shit.
I feel my face flame as Nick sits on the edge of my bed, holding my vibrator in his hand. My eyes close in embarrassment and I wish for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
“Well what do we have here?” At the smug taunt I open my eyes to see him watching me with amusement and something else.
Something dark.
“Give me that.” I storm over to him and try to snatch it but he grabs my wrist and pulls me between his legs. “I mean it, Nick, I’m not playing around.”
He moves it out of my reach. “But the many ways we could play would be so much fun.”
I tense, his smooth voice washing over me with heated promise.
“Stop,” I whisper, with no real muster behind my words.
Lifting the bottom of my tank he leans in and presses his warm lips to my bare stomach, sending a shiver along my spine. “Come on, Kate, don’t be embarrassed. Play with me, baby,” he murmurs, trailing his lips along my skin.
I clutch his shoulders with a soft gasp when he makes his way to the apex of my thighs and presses a firm, lingering kiss, his warm breath penetrating the thin material of my yoga capris.
“Is that a yes?”
“What was the question again?” I ask, feeling short of breath.
With a chuckle he pulls me down to straddle him. I bite back a moan when I feel how hard he is between my legs.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He seals his mouth over mine, drawing more oxygen out of my lungs, and I savor every second of it. The way his tongue tangles with mine and how his taste floods my senses—it sends my head and body reeling in the best way.
“Lift up, baby.”
I raise my arms as he rids me of my tank top, thankful for the built-in bra. I reach for his shirt and do the same to him. Our warm skin collides, his hard to my soft, sending an explosion of sensations throughout my body. His mouth finds mine again, not missing a beat. With one hand on my hip he flips us over, coming over top of me. I whimper as he pumps his hips, his hard cock grinding where I want him most.
He trails his lips down past my collarbone. I wait to feel his warm, wet mouth on my sensitive nipple but instead he sits up to his knees, careful to keep his weight off me. I whimper in disappointment but am cut off when a slight buzzing noise fills the air. I freeze, my eyes snapping open to see Nick holding my vibrator in his hand. He stares down at me, his gaze like liquid fire before bringing the smooth, pulsating cylinder down on my chest.
I gasp at the contact, my back arching in pleasure as he drags it across my puckering flesh.
“Such pretty nipples,” he croons.
My teeth sink into my bottom lip, embarrassment forgotten as he brings it to my other aching bud. As he plays with one he leans down and captures the other in his mouth, grazing it sharply with his teeth.
I cry out, my hands spearing into his hair as a rush of heat settles between my legs.
“Nick,” I whimper softly, needing him to do something to put me out of this exquisite misery.
“What do you want, Kate?”
“More,” I say between pleading breaths.
He reaches down between us, bringing the toy between my legs. “Here?”
My response is an incoherent noise.
He chuckles, amused by my lack of speech. “Don’t worry, baby. You’re going to get more. A lot more.” He slips down my body until he’s kneeling on the floor between my legs. His thumbs hook in the waistband of my pants before sliding them down, bringing my panties along with them.
My legs automatically fall open, a strangled moan escaping me as the cool air whispers over my throbbing center.
“Jesus, you’re fucking perfect,” he growls.
Slowly, he starts dragging the toy up the inside of my thigh, the vibrations shooting to the bundle of nerves that scream for attention. Shivers of pleasure course through my body as I wait for the sweet friction I desperately need, only to have him stop.
“Show me.”
Huh? The order pulls me from my sexual haze. I rise to my elbows and see him hovering the vibrator over my most intimate part.
“Show me how you like it. I want to see you pleasure yourself.”
Oh god!
I feel my cheeks turn bright pink, the thought both arousing and terrifying.
Nick grabs the bottle of lubricant in the open drawer and coats the vibrator before placing it into my hand. Standing, he stares down at me, his eyes fierce. I drop my gaze to his hands as he works to undo his jeans and frees his smooth, hard cock. My breath stalls as he begins stroking himself, my eyes riveted to the erotic sight.
“Does it turn you on to watch me stroke my cock?”
“Yes,” I respond breathlessly.
“That’s why I want to watch you. Let me see, baby,” he demands, his voice rough with arousal.
Swallowing past my dry throat, I take the tip of the vibrator and slide it through my slick, bare folds. I drop down to my back when I pass over my clit, a fiery whimper escaping me.
“That a girl. It’s just you and me, Kate. Let the pleasure take over.”
I cup my breast, pinching my peaked nipple while keeping the vibration on my swollen nub, reveling in the most incredible sensations hurtling through me.
“Do you ever think of me when you do this to yourself?” he asks, a hint of hope hidden in his deep baritone.
“Yes, always.”
It’s the god’s honest truth. Nick is the only man that appears in my fantasies. He’s the only one I’ve ever wanted.
He strokes himself harder and faster. “Me too, baby. I’ve fucked my hand thinking about you more times than I can count.” My breathing speeds up as I edge closer to the cliff of destruction. “Not yet,” he barks, sensing my impending orgasm. “Take it inside that tight little pussy. I want to see it all. Don’t hold back.”
Moving the vibrator lower, I push the tip inside of me and cry out at the beautiful invasion. Pleasure whips through my senses as I begin raising my hips in rhythm to my hand.
“Good girl. Fuck yourself.”
Good god. I’ve never been more turned on in all my life.
“Feel good, baby?”
“Yes,” I respond with a harsh gasp.
“As good as I do?”
I shake my head. “Never. Nothing has ever felt as good as you.”
“Damn straight,” he growls. Before I can grasp his next move he rips the toy from me.
“What are you doing?” I moan, wanting to cry at the loss of contact.
I was so close.
“Giving you the real thing.” In one swift move he flips me over to my stomach, bringing me up to my knees, then enters me in one swift thrust.
My heated cry pierces the air, the delicious intrusion delivering powerful bursts of pleasure throughout my body.
“Fuck me, you’re goddamn perfect,” Nick groans, his voice guttural.
My fists curl in the sheets as he begins pumping inside of me with hard, fast strokes, stealing the breath from my lungs. “Oh god!”
“It’s good, Kate?” he rasps.
“So good.”
“That’s because it’s us, baby. Every time is always better than the last.”
Hope flares inside of me at his w
ords. That maybe he realizes what we have is unlike anything else. Every time he touches me, he destroys me for any other man. Nothing—no one—will ever compare to him. They never have and they never will.
His palm lands on my ass, the crack echoing through the room. The sharp sting has me crying out and pushing back for more.
“You like getting your tight ass slapped, Kate?”
“Yes,” I whimper in pleasure. “I love everything you do to me.”
He groans. “The things I want to do to this body of yours.”
“Show me,” I tell him between heated breaths, repeating the words he said to me earlier.
He slows his pace and his hand tangles in my long locks, tilting my head back with a delicious sting. He leans over me, bringing his mouth to my ear. “Be careful what you ask for. You have no idea what I’m capable of doing to you.”
His warning doesn’t scare me—it excites me. “I want you and everything you have to give me.”
Including your heart.
I keep that last part to myself but it lingers in the air all the same.
His lips gently brush my shoulder in a heated caress. “Be sure, because once you give me the okay I’m going to corrupt every fucking part of your body so no one will ever be able to erase me from it.”
If only he understood that no one could ever take his place, not in my body or my heart.
“I’m sure.”
He grips both hips and stands, his cock still buried deep inside of me. One hand moves to caress the supple flesh of my ass before his fingers seek that forbidden entrance.
My heart speeds up in both anticipation and unfamiliar territory.
“Has anyone ever taken you here, Katelyn?” he asks. I shake my head, his low growl rushes over me in a wave of heat. “That makes me so fucking happy.”
A gasp parts my lips when I suddenly feel a coolness being drizzled over my ass. I quickly register it’s lube as Nick’s finger spreads the substance between the crevice. “We’re going to take this slow, baby. Just relax and feel my cock filling your pussy.”
He starts pumping inside of me again. I match him thrust for every perfect thrust, as he brings my body to highs only he can give me. I suck in a sharp breath, my rhythm faltering when I feel his slick thumb breach me.
