“Look, damn it. I know you love her. But we all care about her, too. We don’t want to see her hurt, either. If there was more we could do, we would. You know that!” Andrew snapped back.
Cullen interjected. “I think what Andrew is trying to express is our frustration that, officially, our hands are tied. But you know we’ll do whatever we can to help you keep her safe,” he explained in a much calmer manner. This earned him an appreciative smile from Shelby.
“Shit! I know, and I’m sorry. It just makes me so damn angry. I don’t know who he is, so I can’t go beat the crap out of him and be done with it. I do know that you’ll do what you can. I just can’t stand not being able to do anything at all. The thought that anyone –” Rex was trying to apologize, regardless of his frustration with the situation.
After going over every detail she could remember for the hundredth time, Cullen and Andrew left. Shelby locked the door after they had gone and turned to Rex. She was so tired. Until she had gone over everything with them in detail, she hadn’t realized just how much it appeared that he had been stalking her. She hated the fact that she had been so naïve she hadn’t realized it sooner.
“Hey, penny for your thoughts.” Rex gave her a reassuring grin.
“I’m just frustrated and maybe a little tired. You know, I can’t seem to remember why, but I don’t think I’ve been getting nearly enough sleep lately,” she teased.
“Really? You don’t remember why, huh? I thought I was just a bit more memorable than that. Perhaps I should remind you, hmm?” He was kissing her neck and sliding his tongue up to her ear.
“Stop that. If you do that much longer, I won’t be able to resist you.” She smacked at his chest and tried to pull away.
“Good, that means my powers of persuasion are in full force. Maybe I should tell you exactly what I intend to do to you.” He held on to her tighter, refusing to let her go.
“Rex.” She sighed. “I really am tired. Maybe I would feel better after a nap.”
“You’re that tired? Okay, come on.” He walked her down the hall to the bedroom. Once she started to lie down, he stopped her. “Uh-uh, let me take care of you.” He slowly started unbuttoning her blouse as his gaze stayed fixated on hers. After he unhooked the last button, he slowly swept the shirt away from her shoulders.
Moving down to her skirt, he undid the clasp and zipper and allowed the skirt to pool at her feet. “Step out of it, honey.” She did as he asked, and he continued to seduce her with nothing more than his eyes. He reached behind her and expertly unhooked the clasp of her bra in one graceful movement. He pulled it forward and let the straps slide down her arms.
Once she was free of everything but her panties, he slid down to his knees. With his eyes still locked on hers, he took his hands and gently rubbed them from the sides of her ankles up to her rib cage and then back again. He watched as her head fell backward and she moaned.
“Rex.”
“Shh, it’s okay, honey. You’re going to get your nap. Let me just make sure that you’ll rest well.” He reached for the sides of her satin panties as he gently pulled them down her thighs. “God, you’re beautiful. I love your body. It is so perfect,” he murmured as he placed a gentle kiss to the tiny curls which covered her pussy.
“Rex, I need you.” Her plea was barely heard. Her head was thrown back, and she had grabbed on to the sides of his head. She secretly wished that he had more hair and that he didn’t shave it so close. She wanted to grab on to it and hold him to her like this forever.
“Lie down, honey,” Rex whispered to her as he continued to place gentle kisses to her aching sex.
She didn’t remember moving, but the next thing she knew, she was lying back on the bed and she could feel Rex pushing her thighs apart. She moaned in anticipation. She had been utterly exhausted just moments ago, and now, she was entranced with an overwhelming need to have him inside of her. Filling her with his large cock, which fit inside her so snugly.
“God, look at how sweet you are, honey. I love you so much. I’m going to let you rest. I just need to get a taste of you first. I’m starving for just one taste.” He slid his tongue into her glistening folds and tasted what he was dying for. “Sweetheart, you taste like the most exotic honey.” Greedily, he took her with his mouth as he continued to consume everything she had.
“Rex, please,” Shelby begged him.
“It’s okay, honey. Just take it. Let me love you. Feel me show you how much I love you with my tongue. I want to make you feel so good, baby.” His words were vibrating against her sensitive, swollen flesh. He could sense her body becoming impatient. She was already close. She was beginning to writhe under the coaxing of his mouth.
“Ah, yeah, honey. Your pussy is so delicious. Just let go.” He continued to lick and suck every inch of her. “Do you know what I would love to see, baby?”
“What?” She whimpered, barely able to speak.
“You don’t know? Oh, honey, I would love to see you smooth down here. I would love to be able to see every inch of that sweet skin as I brush my tongue across every part of you.”
He slid his fingers inside her. He could feel her muscles clench against the sensual invasion. She was just one stroke away. He knew all he had to do was give her one more touch and she would be free. But he looked up at her, transfixed by what he saw.
She had grabbed on to her breasts and was squeezing her nipples. The little nubs were rigid and swollen. He smiled. She probably didn’t even realize she was doing it. He could see the flush of arousal on her body. She was actually beyond arousal. She was on fire, and he was the only one who could give her the pleasure she was aching for.
“Rex, please, I’m so close.”
“Tell me you love me, baby. Tell me you’re mine,” he commanded her before he claimed her sweet, wet center with his mouth once more. That was all it took, she flew over the edge into ecstasy. He had left his fingers inside her and could feel her muscles spasm around him. He lapped up all that she gave him as her climax poured out of her. Sloshing wet sounds echoed in the room as he drank her and consumed her essence.
Moments later, he was placing gentle kisses up her body while he brought himself to hover over her as he watched her. Her eyes were still closed, and her breathing was hitched. She still hadn’t completely come down from her orgasm. Rex looked at her and waited for her to open her eyes. When she finally did, he spoke. “You’re in serious trouble, young lady.”
She looked at him, confused. “Why? Oh, Rex, you didn’t –”
He silenced her with a kiss. “No, not that. I gave you an order, and you didn’t follow it.”
“Rex, I don’t know what you mean?”
“I told you to tell me that you love me, to tell me that you’re mine.” He swiped his tongue over her lips.
She smiled. “Oh, that. I’m sorry. I was definitely thinking it, though. I could barely breathe, let alone form any words.”
“Oh, yeah, that good, huh?” he asked as he continued to lick her lips.
“Oh, yeah, that good. I love you, Rex, and I am definitely yours.” She kissed him back. “I seem to remember something else you said. A request, I guess you could call it.”
“Oh, you remember that, huh? Yeah, well, a guy has to have his fantasies.” He got up and lifted her gently to reposition her on the bed. “Now, you have that nap. I’m going to run to the store and get something for dinner. Any requests?”
She pulled the cover over herself and smiled at him. “No, whatever you want is okay with me. Rex?” She called to him to grab his attention before he left the room.
“Yeah?”
“Come here.” Shelby held out her arms to him.
He walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. He leaned over her and kissed her. “What is it, honey?”
She placed her hands on the sides of his face. “I love you so much, Rex. Did you know there was a time when a woman’s only priority was to make her man happy?”
He smiled at
her flirtation. “Sounds like the way it was meant to be. Ouch!” He flinched when she smacked his shoulder. “I’m just kidding. You make me happy, honey.”
“Yeah, but,” she reached up to nibble on his ear and then whispered, “what kind of woman would I be if I didn’t do everything in my power to make all of your fantasies come true?”
He pulled back from her and saw the seriousness in her expression. He crushed her mouth against his and found himself being devoured by her. She was ravenous and claiming him as hers.
Shelby began to feverishly rip at his shirt, trying to get the buttons free. When she was met with Rex’s help, she quickly moved on to his jeans. Before he even had his shirt off, she was sliding his jeans and underwear down his hips. He had never seen this side to her before. But he liked it. God, how he liked it! He was startled from his thoughts as he felt Shelby gently bite his neck.
“Rex, now! Take me now!” Her urgent demand came out in a screeching cry.
With his jeans still around his knees and his shirt hanging half off of him, he plunged into her with all the vigor he could muster. He had taken her in many ways over the past several days, but this was different. It was a primal meeting of two entities who had to mate out of sheer survival.
“Yes, just like that, Rex!”
He looked down at her, transfixed by what he was seeing. Something had changed in her. It was like someone had broken the dam on her untapped passions. She was meeting his thrusts and taking him just as he was taking her. They weren’t making love. They were fucking each other with an urgency of horny teenagers who couldn’t get enough. He couldn’t stand it. She was driving him insane with her voracity.
“Babe, I can’t hold it any longer. Jesus, you’re driving me crazy.” Rex shuddered as the words came out.
“Yes, Rex, let go. Just like I did. I love you so much!” She screamed as she reached her own peak.
He felt it when she did. He could feel her inner muscles contracting around his cock, and he lost all control. He came in a rush of what could only be described as euphoric bliss.
He collapsed on top of her. They were both breathing heavy, trying to suck as much air back into their lungs as possible. He felt her shudder underneath him. She was shaking. Was she crying? He levered himself up on his elbows to look down at her.
She was laughing?
“What’s so funny? That’s not usually the reaction I would expect.” He couldn’t help himself, but he started laughing, too. He wasn’t even sure why.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s so funny. I just got so wild. I’ve never felt like that before. It was okay, wasn’t it?”.
“Babe, it blew my mind. You drove me crazy. I love you any way I can get you, but knowing that you were that turned on, well, it’s quite an ego boost and incredibly sexy,” he teased her.
“Oh, yeah? Well, if you liked it so much, maybe I should tell you what sent me over the edge,” she taunted him.
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “You’d better tell me.” He nipped at her lower lip. “So I know what to do again.”
Enjoying the feeling of his gentle attack on her mouth, she waited a moment before continuing. “The things you were saying to me. And the way you were talking to me. It was like the most intense aphrodisiac.”
“So, my sweet little Shelby likes it when I talk a little dirty, huh?” He smiled.
“Maybe I do?”
She started to tickle him and he vaulted from the bed, stumbling when his jeans constricted his legs. “Oh, what’s the matter? Is the big bad Navy SEAL afraid of being tickled?”
He pointed a finger at her and chuckled. “You are naughty. Listen, babe, I’m going to get dressed and go to the store. Why don’t you take a shower and take a nap?” He finished fastening his jeans and leaned over her, kissing her on the cheek. “I’ll be back in a little while.” He walked from the room and turned back to watch her stretch. Her body was arched, and her arms were raised above her head. She looked like a goddess. “I love you,” he said to her.
She smiled and opened her eyes. “I love you, too, Rex.”
Fifteen minutes later, Shelby nestled into bed, wearing one of Rex’s T-shirts. She felt so content and relaxed, not remembering a time that she had ever felt this peaceful in her life. Only moments passed before she was able to drift off into a deep sleep.
Chapter Fifteen
Rex walked up and down the aisles of the grocery store. He had the makings of a salad and some shrimp for an appetizer, but he hadn’t decided on what he should make for dinner yet. Then it hit him. He was shopping. He was planning on making dinner. He was becoming domesticated.
He had to laugh at the thought, catching a curious look from an elderly lady passing him by. Until the other day, he only set foot in the grocery store out of sheer emergency. He always had his groceries delivered to the condo, not wanting to deal with the hassle of shopping. Now, it seemed so natural, like a simple pleasure in life that other people took for granted.
It was amazing to him to think how much being with Shelby had changed his life. They were going to buy a house. No, it was not just a house, but a home. He was putting down roots and eager to start a family. It seemed so unlike him, but at the same time, it seemed like what he had been waiting for his whole life.
He rounded the corner of one of the aisles and came upon a display of roses. He remembered for an instant what it felt like when he had walked in on Mitch kissing Shelby the other day. To say he was jealous was to say Shelby was pretty. It was a major understatement. He was furious with rage when he saw Mitch’s mouth on hers.
When Shelby had first told Rex about the stalker earlier today, he thought maybe it could have been Mitch. Until he heard that Mitch had been with her one of the times she had seen him. He was tempted to buy her a dozen red roses when he saw a bouquet of red and white roses mixed together. They struck him for a moment when he saw them. They looked so appropriate for Shelby. They were mesmerizing, just as she was. He went to reach for them when he heard a voice.
“Those are beautiful, lad. I assume they are for our Shelby?” Colleen Bristow asked.
“Colleen, what a surprise.” He kissed her on the cheek. “You know that they are.”
“Hmmm, interesting if I do say so myself.” She continued to grin at him.
“Why’s that?” Sometimes talking to the Bristows was like deciphering a riddle.
“What makes you choose that bouquet, my dear Rex?”
“I’m not sure. I saw the red ones over there, but these caught my eye. I just remember thinking they suited Shelby. Why?” He had to admit she had him curious.
“Oh, it’s just that many different colors of roses have their own meaning. Did you know that?” she asked.
“No, I–no, wait. Yeah, I did. Is it yellow for friendship and red for love? Should I just get her the red ones?” he asked her, surprised that he was suddenly worried whether or not he would get her the wrong color of roses.
“No, not at all. Actually, red roses signify not just love but passion and respect, while white roses signify spiritual love and purity. But when you put them together, that’s what makes them special. It is said that when you mix red and white roses together, they signify unity. So, needless to say, I found it quite sweet that you chose those for our young lass. That’s all.”
She shrugged and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Yes, Rex. You buy the roses that you think your Shelby should have. I must be off now. I’m having my Cullen over for dinner tonight, and I’ve invited the sweetest young lady from church. Now don’t you go calling him and warn him away. It’s his turn now.” She walked away with a smile of mischief on her face without saying another word.
Unity, huh? That did seem appropriate. He hadn’t felt truly whole until he had been, well, united with Shelby. It was almost like coming home without ever truly knowing where home had been. Yeah, unity described their love perfectly. He picked up the bouquet and headed toward the produce section. Feeling inspired by flo
wers, he picked up a container of strawberries before asking a clerk where he could find the chocolate you could use for melting.
She was curled in a ball in the corner of the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Her head snapped up at the sound of the door, and her tears stopped. She saw him, the monster. She was going to kill him this time. She had outsmarted them. They didn’t realize that she hadn’t returned her fork with last night’s dinner. She was going to stab him with the fork over and over again until he bled to death.
There was no other way to escape. Her mother would never help her, and she knew now that she was slowly dying. If the drugs they were giving her didn’t kill her, the constant physical and emotional abuse was sure to do the job. So she waited for her chance as he came toward her.
He stopped several feet in front of her and held out the syringe. She jerked her head up at the sight of it. She hated that she needed it so badly. But every time she didn’t get it, she began to shake and feel so nauseous she thought she would die from the need. It was horrible. She knew it was withdrawal that she was suffering from, but it didn’t seem to matter to her mind. She couldn’t survive without it. The pain was always less when she was under the influence of the soothing liquid they would shoot into her veins. She hated that she loved it so much.
“You want this, don’t you?” he asked as he taunted her by holding it just out of her reach.
She nodded yes. As badly as she wanted to kill him, she also wanted the drug so badly.
“Yeah, I thought you would. It’s been nearly a day since your last fix. You must really be itching for me to give it to you. I wonder what lengths you would go to, though.” He stopped talking and looked around the room for a bit. “You know what I want, don’t you?”
She stared at him with disgust on her face and murder in her eyes.
He laughed at her reaction. “Ah, you are quite the little firecracker, aren’t you? Well, no need to worry this time. I only want what you are hiding behind your back. Ah, don’t look so surprised. Did you think I wouldn’t notice? Sure, your junkie mother hadn’t, but I did. Where is the fork, Shelby?”
Morgan, Nicole - Sweet Salvation [Sweet Awakenings 2] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 19
