“Then how did you get in? Did you call Booker?”
“Look, Dash, I have skills too, ya know. I don’t need Booker.”
“You totally called Booker, huh?” I challenged.
“I called Booker. But check this out,” he said excitedly, switching gears. “Once Booker got me in, I noticed something odd about the file’s properties.”
“What about them?”
“Here, take a look at the file size. This is just a standard jpeg image file. It should only be around a couple megs right?”
“Sure okay.”
“So why is this one 750 gigs?” Before I could retort, he said, “I’ll tell you why, because there’s information encoded within the image file.”
“Badger, remember that thing I said about you being a fuckin’ idiot?” I asked.
“I sure do.”
“I take it back... you’re only half an idiot.”
Badger grinned and threw an empty Mountain Dew can at me.
Willow
Two a.m. rolled around and I was exhausted, but wired. Dash still wasn’t back, and even though he’d responded to every text I sent, the responses were short and I just wanted to put my arms around him and make sure he was okay.
“Baby girl, go to bed,” Gator ordered.
The man was currently reclined on my sofa, his third beer in his hand, and he was watching some MMA fight while I paced the floor. I wasn’t exactly sure what MMA stood for, but I had to assume one of the Ms was for Macho.
“No. I couldn’t sleep right now, even if I tried. Plus, now I’m kind of interested to see if the fighting man in the blue chokes the other guy with his ponytail.”
Gator laughed, beer spitting out of his mouth, but then he froze.
I heard movement from the front of the house and Gator was off the couch and pushing me toward the powder room faster than I could turn my head.
“Stay there,” he ordered, sliding his gun out of his holster.
I stood in the bathroom as quiet as I could until I saw Dash in the doorway. Then it was full steam ahead and I was in his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist so he couldn’t get away from me again. “You’re back,” I breathed out, looping my arms around his neck.
He chuckled, holding me steady. “You gonna greet me like this every time I come home?”
“Maybe.”
“I’ll need to leave and come back more often then.”
“You better not.” I met his eyes. “Did you get everything done?”
“Nope, but we were at a good stopping place, so thought I’d come back and get you naked.”
I blushed. “Dash.”
“What? Gator won’t be shocked.”
I wrinkled my nose and climbed off him. “But I am.”
He grinned, leaning down to kiss me quickly. “Come on. Gator’s leaving.”
I followed him to the foyer and hugged Gator. “Thanks for watching out for me.”
“Anytime, sweetness.” He kissed my cheek. “You need me, I’m there.”
He left, Dash locked up and set the alarm, and then we headed to my bedroom. We made out a little, but this time he stopped the frustration and insisted we try to sleep. I nodded and he kissed my temple... and I kicked my blankets off, trying to escape the heat.
This one action started a domino effect that ended with both of us off the bed and readjusting the sheets.
“Just wanted to sleep,” Dash grumbled. “But, no. My woman decides she’s developed restless leg syndrome.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m sensitive to the heat.”
“I think you’re sensitive to all the hotness lying next to you.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s probably it,” I deadpanned. “But just in case it’s not, explain to me why it has to be surface of the sun hot?”
“We could always sleep at the compound for a few nights.”
“Or I could move.”
Dash studied me. “You wanna move?”
I sighed. “Not really, but what am I going to do with a house full of ghosts?”
“Let’s get all your dad’s stuff dealt with, then make a few decisions... it’s almost four in the morning, and now is probably a bad time to be thinking about what to do.”
“Probably.”
“Come on, baby, let’s get some sleep. We have more shit to go through tomorrow.”
“Fine,” I breathed out dramatically. “But all that movement’s made me even hotter.”
“You should sleep on top of the covers, then.”
“Good idea.”
I waited for him to climb in, then I flopped on the bed and got as close to him as the covers would allow.
It wasn’t ideal, and I knew I’d need to figure out something else since the ceiling fan just wasn’t doing it for me anymore.
* * *
One week later, we were back in the compound and getting ready for bed. The temperature had skyrocketed over a hundred, and I just couldn’t deal anymore, so we were going to hide here until things cooled off a bit. It worked out well, since there was a club get-together the next day, so we planned to sleep in.
He removed his shirt and I reached out and touched his stomach, his abs contracting as I did. “This is just too much.”
“Yeah?”
“Oh, my word, ‘yeah.’”
Dash lifted me off my feet and dropped me gently onto the bed as he stretched out beside me and kissed me. His hand slid under my T-shirt and cupped my breast over my bra. I whimpered as he pulled the cup down and rolled my nipple between his fingers.
“Oh!” I squeaked.
His mouth went to my neck. “You okay?”
I arched into his touch. “Yes.”
“Want me to keep goin’?”
“Yes,” I panted out.
He pushed my shirt off and threw it in the corner, then unclasped my bra and slid it down my arms. I immediately covered myself with my hands. I’d never been this naked in front of anyone and as much as I was enjoying this, it was alien to me.
“Trust me?” he asked, tugging my arms away from my breasts.
I closed my eyes and nodded.
“Look at me, baby.”
“I can’t,” I rasped.
“You keep your eyes closed, Willow, and I’m gonna stop.”
It took me a second to find my courage, but I opened them and Dash kissed me quickly. “We stop whenever you want to, yeah?”
I nodded.
“You just say the word.”
“Okay.”
“You need to keep your eyes open, though. I want to know what you’re thinking.”
“You know what I’m thinking when my eyes are open?” I challenged.
“Most of the time,” he said.
“I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“All your secrets are safe with me,” he promised, cupping my breast and gently squeezing it. Leaning down, he drew a nipple into his mouth, and then the other. I sighed as he kissed between my breasts and then focused on my mouth again.
He shifted so he was hovering over me, between my legs and I ran my hand down his bare chest, tracing one of his tattoos with my finger.
He kissed me again as he tugged down my sweats, dropping them on the ground. His hand slid under the waistband of my panties and between my legs. I squirmed at his touch, his hand cupping me. “Open, baby.”
I shifted so he could slide his hand further between my legs and then he slipped a finger inside of me and I whimpered.
He pulled back. “Does that hurt?”
“Not at all.” I grabbed his arm. “Don’t stop.”
Dash grinned and slid off the bed.
“Where are you going?” I demanded.
“Nowhere, baby,” he promised patting my bottom. “Lift.”
I lifted my hips and he pulled my panties off and then kissed his way up my legs. Gripping my thighs gently, he settled his face between them and kissed the top of each. “Gorgeous.”
“I want to see you,” I whispered,
and reached up to stroke his cheek. “All of you.”
“You sure?”
I nodded. We’d been dancing around this for weeks and I was done listening to the guilt. I was in love with him, and I wanted more.
He smiled and stood, pushing his boxer briefs off.
I swallowed. “Oh, my word.”
His expression became one of concern. “What?”
“You’re... um... really big.”
Dash chuckled and crawled over me, kissing between my breasts. “Trust me?”
I cupped his face as he hovered over me. “Yes.”
“I’m gonna take care of you, baby, but you ever want to stop, tell me.”
“What if—”
“Doesn’t matter what reason, Willow. You want to stop, we stop.” I nodded and he leaned closer. “Doesn’t matter when or why, yeah?” I nodded again. “I need to hear the words, baby.”
“If I want to stop, we stop.”
“Exactly,” he whispered, and kissed me. He rolled us onto our sides and cupped my bottom, guiding my thigh over his hip. It brought me closer to his body and his cock rubbed against my clit giving me the most incredible sensation. He slid his hand between us and slipped a finger inside. “Soaked, baby.”
I nodded. “Is that bad?”
“Not at all. It’s perfect, honey. Better than perfect.”
“Are you sure?”
“Baby, do you like what I’m doin’?”
I let out a quick breath. “Yes,” I panted as he slipped another finger inside of me.
“Then it’s perfect.”
Before I could say anymore, he kissed me, sliding his tongue into my mouth as I sighed. I heard the tear of foil and then he rolled on a condom and positioned me so I was straddling him, but we were on our sides.
“We’re gonna go slow. It’ll take your body a little bit to get used to this, but you can pull back if it’s too much. It’s why we’re like this. You have more control.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Are you scared?”
“A little.”
“Do you want to stop?”
“Not even a little bit.” I bit my lip. “Can I tell you something because I really don’t want to be a slut.”
“What the fuck? You. Are. Not. A. Slut,” he ground out.
“Let me do this.” I squeezed my eyes shut again. “I love you. You don’t have to say it back, but this wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t true and I just wanted you to know that.” I met his eyes again. “I think I fell in love with you the second you stood up to Brad, maybe before, but even if it’s dumb, it’s true. I love you.”
He stroked my cheek. “Love you too, Willow.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Not sayin’ it because I feel obligated to. I knew you were special when I saw you in your sundress and boots, but when you stood in the police station wearin’ my patch, I knew I was a goner.”
I smiled. “I thought you were mad at me.”
“No. I was pissed Hatch dragged you to the station, but I also realized my jacket was right where it was supposed to be and that rocked me a little.”
I ran my thumb over his mouth. “I like that.”
“Me too.”
He tilted his hips forward, his cock slipping partially inside of me. “Okay?”
“Yes,” I breathed out. “More.”
Rolling my nipple between his fingers, I arched, naturally drawing him further into my body. It felt incredible. “Oh!” His head dipped to cover that same nipple with his mouth and he bit down gently as he thrust deeper. “Yes!” I cried.
“Okay?”
“Yes, more.”
I shifted and he slid a little deeper, then a little more. All the while, he worked my nipples, my clit, my mouth. I had to give it to him, he waited until I was no longer fully coherent before he gave one swift push and I felt the sting of my virginity leaving my body. He caught my cry with his mouth and stilled, but held me close.
Dash kissed my cheek and whispered, “It’s done. Are you okay?”
I smiled, shifting so I could stroke his cheek. “I’m sore, but I don’t want to stop yet, okay?”
“You sure?”
I shifted so I could draw him deeper. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“You sure you don’t want to stop?”
“I need you to stop talking now,” I said. “I want more of what we just did.”
Dash kissed me and then drew my nipple into his mouth again, then the other. Sliding his hand between us, he fingered my clit and I couldn’t help but rock my hips against him, which pulled him further inside of me.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Harder.”
He thrust into me and I raised my legs, wrapping my ankles around his hips. He continued to surge into me, until my climax overtook me. I screamed his name as I came undone, then he gave one final thrust and grunted, “Mine,” and rolled us onto our sides again.
“Yours,” I agreed.
“Brace Willow, I’m gonna slide out and it may sting a bit.”
“’K.” I gripped his shoulders as he moved his hips away from me. He was right, I was a little sore, but it didn’t take away from the fact that he’d made my first time incredibly sweet. I hadn’t expected I’d hate it, but I certainly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, especially before marriage.
“Don’t move,” he said, and kissed me gently. “I’ll be right back.”
I nodded with a smile and he climbed off the bed and headed into the bathroom. I bit my lip in an effort not to squeak at the sight of him walking away. Goodness, he was pretty. I heard the toilet flush and then Dash returned to me with a warm washcloth.
“Spread, baby.” I did and he settled the soft cloth against me, soothing the sting. “Feel good?”
“Very,” I whispered on a yawn.
He smiled and leaned down to kiss me. “I’m gonna get you a shirt, then we’ll sleep.”
“Give me a second,” I said, and headed to the bathroom. Admittedly, I moved a little slower than normal. I cleaned up a little more and then walked back out to the bedroom and grabbed my panties, shimmying them back on.
Dash wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against his hard, naked chest. He’d pulled on his boxer briefs again, which showed every ridge. “How sore are you?”
I stroked the corded muscle on his neck. “A bit.”
“I grabbed a couple of Tylenol for you.” He ran his hands over my bottom. “And a T-shirt.”
“Thanks.”
“Let’s get some sleep,” Dash said, and pulled the covers down. I slid in and he pulled me against him. I was on my back, my side against him and he settled his head in his palm, hovering above me slightly. “You understand what I meant when I said ‘mine’?”
“This is going to happen again?”
Dash. “A lot.”
I giggled. “Promises, promises.”
“But more than this happenin’ a lot, you’re mine, Willow. You need to make it permanent, we’ll make it permanent.”
“It’s only been a month or so.”
“So?”
“I know how I feel, but I’d still like to get to know you better... figure out how to live in your world.”
“Fair enough.”
“I do love you, honey.”
“Love how you call me honey, Willow.”
“You do?”
He kissed me gently. “Yeah.”
I smiled, biting back another yawn.
Dash pulled the covers over us and kissed the top of my head. “Sleep, baby.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
He pulled me close and shut off the light. “Try.”
Dash
I woke to an empty bed, and then heard crying coming from my bathroom. I jumped off the mattress and rushed inside to find Willow sitting on the toilet, her head in her hands.
I kneeled in front of her and lifted her head. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“I’m going to hell.”
/> I forced myself not to give any indication that I found this slightly funny. “You’re not goin’ to hell, Willow.”
“I can’t get the blood out of my underwear.”
“We’ll throw them away, honey, it’s no big deal.”
She shook her head. “We need to burn them or someone might think someone was murdered.”
I couldn’t stop a chuckle at this. “Baby, it can’t possibly be that bad.”
“Oh, it’s bad.”
“Okay, we’ll burn them. We have a couple burn barrels out back.”
She gasped. “No one can see us, Dash!”
I sat up, wrapping my arms around her and sliding my hands into her hair. “No one will see anything, baby. You’re safe here. I won’t tell anyone your secrets.”
“I can’t believe I’m hugging you while I’m on the toilet,” she said. “I’m pretty sure this would have never happened with Brad.”
“You seriously thinkin’ about Brad right now?”
“Only in so much to say that he’s a big fat jerk and I love you, but realize now I never really loved him.”
“No?”
“No... mostly because there’d be no way I’d hug him on a toilet.”
“Fuck me, you’re gorgeous.”
“I’m glad you think that, this not being my finest hour and all.”
I smiled and met her eyes. “You still bleeding?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“You wanna take a shower with me and work out some of that Protestant guilt?”
“Will that work?”
“I don’t know. Let’s figure it out together.”
She sighed and nodded, and I started the shower.
* * *
Willow
Dash pulled my T-shirt over my head and gently kissed me before holding my hand while I stepped into the shower. He joined me, guiding me under the spray and gently washing my hair with all the care one would have with a child.
After he rinsed my hair, he kissed me, pressing me against the wall and lifting me so I could wrap my legs around him. Holding me, he managed to grab a condom and put it on before slipping into me and I sighed as his girth filled me.
“Dash,” I whispered. My connection to him seemed to ease all of my worries.
Saving the Preacher's Daughter (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter #1) Page 10
