Burning Up

by Marie Coulson

  I nodded in agreement. “Well right now, she needs you to pack your cases and get on a plane.”

  Dragging him behind me, I made my way to the bedroom and pulled out his case. Slowly, he began to come back to Earth, and throwing his things into his case, he mumbled to himself. This was going to be a long trip home.

  Chapter 16

  Green, Green, Grass Of Home

  Gazing out of the small window, I smiled as the plane touched down on American soil once again. It felt as though I hadn’t been there for years rather than months. Beside me, Jared shifted anxiously and reached for his safety belt. Placing my hand on his, I shook my head. Seeing him so worked up and worried was still foreign to me. Jared liked control. He needed it. I had my own suspicions as to why, but felt it was best to keep them to myself.

  “What time is it? Where’s my cell? Daniel, call Lorraine.”

  Daniel began fumbling in the inside pocket of his jacket as he sat opposite us. I rolled my eyes.

  “Will you both calm down?”

  We were in the air for over ten hours. Due to my own superstitions about having cell phones switched on when flying, I’d made both Daniel and Jared go tech-free for the entire flight. It earned me a hard stare from them both, and we all spent the hours looking out of the window and mindlessly flicking through the magazines on board. I was glad I remembered my e-reader. Drowning myself in a series about a sweet paramedic who gets caught in a love triangle, I thought about my own triangle. I knew her pain all too well.

  Pulling out my own cell phone, I dialed Lorraine. Both men were watching me like a hawk.

  “Hi, Lorraine?”

  “Layla! Have you landed? All safe and sound?”

  I smiled. “We just touched down in L.A. What’s happening?”

  She let out a long sigh. “Not much. Poor girl isn’t even half way there. She’s got pain relief, but I think this is all coming as quite a shock to her.”

  I bit my lip anxiously and looked at Jared. His eyes widened and he immediately took the phone from my hand. I protested, but it fell on deaf ears.

  “Lorraine, it’s Jared. Which hospital are you at? I see. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  Hanging up, he unclipped his seatbelt before reaching over and doing the same to mine. Taking my hand, he pulled me from my seat and strode fast to the exit door where Daniel was already waiting. Walking down the stairs, I panted as I tried to keep up with Jared. He was frantic.

  “Will you please calm down? She’s fine!”

  Turning sharply on his heel, Jared gripped my arms tightly.

  “Anything can happen, Layla.”

  I shook my head and tried to reassure him. “Jared, she’s at the hospital. The doctors know what they’re doing.”

  “It’s not the doctors I’m worried about! Have you forgotten whose baby that is!?”

  The realization suddenly dawned on me. Jared wasn’t worried about her medical care; he was worried about her security.

  “Why would Felix suddenly turn up now? How would he even know?”

  Jared let go of my arms and raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know, but I can’t take that risk.”

  Daniel hurried past us and ran over to the Mercedes waiting just a few feet away. Opening the passenger door, he gestured for us both to get in. I didn’t hesitate. Knowing what I did about Felix, Jared had every reason to be anxious.

  * * * *

  Elliot Jared Garrett weighed in at an impressive seven pounds and six ounces a little after eleven at night. He was all red, screaming, and had the slightest wisp of blonde hair. Lucy was a champion. Her brother, however, was almost in pieces the entire time we had been at the hospital, pacing back and forth, up and down the hallway. They made me dizzy. When we finally heard the beautiful sound of the baby crying, I swear I saw Jared’s heart finally swallow back down into his chest. As he held the tiny little boy in his arms, it was hard not to stare. Even Lorraine was beaming as two generations of Garrett men stood before us all. Lucy was crying softly and sliding my arm around her shoulder, I kissed her forehead gently.

  “You did great, Lucy.”

  She smiled and rested her head against mine. “He has no idea of the life he is about to start. Always looking over our shoulder, waiting for that knock on the door from the man who will hold a damn sword over my head forever.”

  I frowned slightly. She wasn’t wrong. Felix was exactly the type of man to come back and haunt us all, especially if he ever discovered that Lucy was Jared’s sister. Tapping gently on the door behind us, Daniel coughed lightly. Lucy jumped a little, but seeing his face, her own lit up like a child at Christmas. Looking from one to the other quickly, one thing suddenly became very obvious … Daniel and Lucy had it bad! Of course, it was no surprise. He’d been spending most of his time taking care of her and ensuring her safety. I knew they’d been spending a lot of time together, and I’d truly hoped something of a spark might ignite. I was unsure how deep into the fire they had gotten yet, but I was fairly confident that they were both ready to be scorched. I glanced over at Jared and was relieved to see he hadn’t noticed them. That’s all they needed, the big brother getting in their way.

  Taking her grandson from Jared, Lorraine grinned and spoke to the tiny baby in her arms. “I can’t wait to get the two of you home to grandma’s house. It’s going to be wonderful having a baby around again.”

  Lucy gave Jared a pleading look, but he ignored her. Her attention fell on me, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the girl. “Actually, Jared, I was thinking Lucy and the baby could move into the house.”

  All eyes darted to me. Swallowing hard, I continued. “I mean, we’re not there and the security system could rival the Pentagon.”

  Jared shook his head. “No. The security system is one thing, but Lucy needs someone who can be there to help her and make sure everything is taken care of. Who will take her grocery shopping etcetera?”

  I smiled and taking him by the arm, I pulled Daniel from the door into the center of the room. “Daniel will.”

  “I will!?” he spluttered.

  “You will,” I repeated.

  Jared eyed me suspiciously. “And what about your security?”

  I shrugged. “I already have a man watching my every move. I don’t need his friend doing it, too. Besides, I can take care of myself.”

  Lorraine shot me a wink from behind Jared. “I think it’s a wonderful idea, Jared. Lucy gets her independence and you get to stop worrying about everyone’s safety.”

  Holding his palms over his face, Jared sighed heavily before crossing his arms over his chest.

  “I’m not going to win at this, am I?”

  Lucy and I shook our heads. “No,” we said in unison.

  Holding his hands in the air, Jared conceded.

  “Fine. If that’s what you want, but I’m having the security system updated before we leave for New York. And, Daniel, I want both cars to have a complete overhaul to check for any damage or possible problems. Understood?”

  Daniel nodded as Lucy gazed up at him. “Absolutely. I swear you have my total devotion in this.”

  I bet he does! In fact, I’d bet he’d walk across hot coals for Lucy!

  “Great, it’s settled then.”

  Walking over to Jared, I took his hand in mine and smiled. “We should go and leave Lucy and the baby to get to know each other a little better. Besides, I’m sure Daniel would love to meet the little guy that he’s going to be babysitting for the next few months.”

  Not to mention, he could have some alone time with the two most important people in his life now. Kissing Lucy and Lorraine goodbye, Jared and I left them and headed out to the parking lot and hailed a cab. As we pulled up outside the Garrett mansion, my heart leapt. But that was nothing compared to how I felt as I stepped inside the house. I hadn’t been back since that night with Felix. Walking through the enormous entrance hallway, a thousand memories came flooding back. My eye caught the glass dining tab
le in the room across from where I was standing and I smiled. Standing behind me, Jared wound his arms around my waist and breathed into my ear.

  “You have a look on your face that suggests you’re thinking about something very naughty. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

  I leaned my head back on his shoulder and kissed him deeply.

  “I’m sure you don’t need reminding, Mr. Garrett. After all, you were there.”

  The corner of his mouth curved upward and the tip of his nose brushed mine. “Oh, Layla. We have three days before I have to be in New York, and I count at least seven places that I have yet to fuck you on, against, and under. I think I’ll start with right here in the hallway.”

  Spinning me around, he urged me backward till my back pressed against the rail of the staircase. Grasping my wrists, he lifted them swiftly above my head and held them firmly in one hand. The other dove into his jacket pocket and quickly produced a red silk restraint. How long had he had that in there? Grinning, he slid it playfully over the rounded curves of my cleavage before trailing it up my neck, arms and tying it gently around my wrists. I was bound and tied to the railing of the staircase. Pulling and wriggling, I gasped as Jared’s hand plunged into the front of my jeans.

  “Why are you trying to get yourself loose? We both know that you are exactly where you want to be, my lady.”

  The sound of those words, my lady, sent a shiver down my spine. It felt like a lifetime had passed since I’d last heard him whisper those words to me.

  “You want this, Layla. Don’t fight. Let me do this. I’m going to make you moan, cry, and scream with pleasure in a way you have never experienced before.”

  I closed my eyes and bit my lip as his hand slipped between the fold of my sex, rubbing and teasing my throbbing clit.

  “Do you trust me?” he whispered.

  I couldn’t form words. His fingers pressed gently on my clit, and his thumb was moving temptingly in and out of my sex.

  Halting his movements, he repeated himself. “I asked you a question. Do you trust me?”

  I writhed and pulled on my restraints, trying desperately to get some friction from his hand, but he simply withdrew his hand enough so that I was left wanting and desperate.

  “Yes!” I cried in frustration.

  Smiling, he kissed me. He thrust his tongue into my mouth searching for mine. He tasted like coffee and vanilla, and I was immediately taken back to the first time we had sex. Gripping the back of the couch, grinding my hips on his, it was intoxicating.

  “You’re thinking naughty thoughts.”

  I opened my eyes and stared at him. He thrust his finger inside me and then quickly withdrew it and swept it across his bottom lip. I could see the slick wetness as his tongue licked up every last drop. “You taste wonderful. It makes leaving you here even harder.”

  What!? I gave him a confused and worried look. “You’re leaving me here?”

  He shook his head and placed a gentle peck on my cheek. “Only for a moment. I promise.”

  Rounding the staircase, he ran up taking two steps at a time. He had a spring in his step, and I could only imagine what it was that he had planned for me that was giving him such enjoyment. I soon got my answer. Walking back down slowly, I could hear a swooshing sound and an odd clanking. Standing in front of me, Jared smiled wickedly. In one hand, he grasped a black leather paddle with a heart on the rounded end. In the other hand was a long silver pole with straps attached. Holding it up, he raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Do you know what this is?”

  I shook my head.

  “It’s a spreader bar, Layla. It’s designed to keep you in place and still. I’m going to strap it to your ankles. It won’t hurt.”

  I swallowed hard. “Okay” I said, my voice a little horse.

  “And I don’t need to explain what this is for, surely,” he practically purred as he swatted the paddle in the air.

  I shook my head. “I know what it is. What I want to know is how good you are at using it.”

  My mouth was running away with me. Where did that come from? I was provoking him, and I had no idea why. I had never been so bold when it came to our sex toys. Jared’s eyes widened, and dropping to his knees, he quickly ripped off my jeans and strapped the spreader bar to my ankles. Standing up, he grabbed me by the hips and forcefully spun me around to face the stairs. His fingertips traced the hem of my black lace panties. I bit my lip to stop myself from teasing him further. His shirt fell to the floor beside me, followed by his pants. I wanted to see him. Knowing he was naked and I was completely unable to touch him was punishment enough. His hand slid from my ass and underneath the front of my shirt. He palmed my breast while the other hand tore the fabric and my buttons pinged off in different directions. He continued to tear and rip my shirt until it fell from my body into a heap on the floor.

  “You’re quite the vandal, Mr. Garrett. So rough.”

  Jared chuckled behind me. “I’m about to show you just how rough I can be.”

  Standing behind me, he held my chin gently in his hand and spoke into my ear. “Look straight ahead. You see that mirror?”

  I stared through the railings, and across the hall, there hung a stunning full length, golden-framed mirror. I nodded slowly.

  “Good. I don’t want you to take your eyes off of it. I want you to watch yourself enjoy this. I want you to see yourself ache and need me. I want you to look into your own eyes as you come, calling my name. Understand?”

  I didn’t answer. I was too focused on the Adonis reflected in the mirror. I couldn’t take my eyes off his glistening caramel skin. His delicious golden hair and the way his hands were gliding up and down the curves of my hips. It was making me crazy. A sudden sharp and painful stinging brought me back to earth as the paddle struck me spitefully on the behind.

  “I said, do you understand?”

  I panted through the pain and nodded. A loud crack echoed around the hall as the paddle slapped against my flesh again.

  “I need to hear you say it, Layla.”

  “Yes,” I whispered breathlessly. Leaning forward, he stared at me in the mirror.

  “Good girl.”

  Hearing those two words made my insides clench deliciously. My tongue licked across my lips as the heaving of my chest grew heavier. The tips of Jared’s fingers traced the curves of my breast before delving inside my black lace bra. Catching my nipple between his thumb and finger, he gently flicked and toyed with it. It sent a direct message rippling through my body to my sex. I wanted to press my thighs together; I needed to feel the pressure against my clit, but the spreader bar kept me firmly in place. I whimpered as Jared’s hand cupped my breast and massaged firmly.

  “Oh, this house has missed that sound. It remembers those moans, groans, and desperate calls of pleasure you so freely give. It remembers the panting, begging, and deep sensual calls of your orgasms.”

  The unforgiving slam of the paddle hit my sore, sensitive skin, and I yelped. It was painful yet incredibly erotic. I enjoyed the pain just as much as I did the pleasure that followed. My head dropped and Jared’s hand instantly reached around to lift my chin, forcing me to look in the mirror. His eyes were burning with desire, passion, and the heady combination of control and lust.

  “You’re beautiful. You’re the most stunning creature to ever walk this Earth, and I want you to watch as I make every last inch of you mine.”

  His thumb pulled on my bottom lip, and I quickly took it into my mouth, biting gently. He chuckled into my ear.

  “You and your fetish for sinking your teeth into me.”

  I bit down a little harder, and he hissed out a breath, pulling his thumb from my mouth.

  “You bad girl. You realize I’m going to have to punish you for that.”

  I stared at him in the mirror but said nothing. My eyes dared, begged, and encouraged him. Not that he needed it. Tossing the paddle aside, he held his hands over mine, above my head. Gliding them down my back slowly, he followed t
hem with tiny kisses until he reached the base of my spine. I could feel him smile against my skin as his hands stilled and clutched my hips.

  I held my breath, totally frozen, anticipating his next move.

  “Do you want me to make you come, Layla?”

  I exhaled sharply as his tongue licked the folds of my sex.

  “Y … yes,” I stuttered.

  The tip of his tongue slipped between the lips of my sex and gently grazed my throbbing clit.

  “Oh, God! Please, Jared!” I begged.

  Flicking, tickling, and teasing my clit with his tongue, he slipped two of his skilled fingers inside me and quickly located my sweet spot. Jared’s hands came with a built-in homing device locked onto every single one of my hot spots, and he knew exactly how to use it.

  I ground my hips against his hand and mouth, rocking and riding back and forth. My orgasm built rapidly, faster and harder with every touch, tease, and movement of his fingers. I moaned, groaned, and cried out his name over and over again, as my climax grew closer and closer. My grip on the railing tightened, and I gazed at myself in the mirror as I came, loudly. My hair was swept around and hanging to the right side of my face and my mouth was open as I panted.

  “Oh, fuck!”

  Getting to his feet, Jared wasted no time in seeking his own happy ending. Plunging into me, he thrust roughly, forcefully, and quickly in and out. My body shook and my chest pressed against the staircase railing. It wasn’t painful; it was intense. My orgasm was still pulsing through me as each strong and solid thrust of his cock brought me closer to yet another explosive climax. I cried out, almost screaming, as his body slammed against mine.

  “Come with me, Layla.”

  “I can’t hold on,” I whimpered.

  His hand slapped me harshly on the behind and I jumped. My ankles ached from the tight leather strapped around them, and my knees were weak. If Jared’s hands hadn’t been clutching my waist, I would have been crumpled on the floor.

  Staring at me in the mirror, Jared bit his bottom lip and his brow furrowed. He was close; I could tell. His head fell back, and his mouth formed the perfect O.