The Darkest Hour (Running with the Devil Book 1)

by Jasmin Quinn

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Dean saw her walking toward him. Hurry, he silently urged her even though he knew she was following his orders to be cool, to be part of the environment. As she reached the SUV, he leaned across and opened her door. He pulled away from the curb before she had the door fully closed. “How’d it go?” he asked, voice steady, eyes on the road. He didn’t dare look at her or he might fall apart.

  But Kelsie missed the anger and fear in his voice. She was high from the adrenaline hit, her fear turned to mania. “Pull over and I’ll tell you how it went.” She laughed giddily. She pulled the gun from the back of jeans, and held it up to show him. “And the bullets and cash. No one’s been there.”

  “Put it on the floor.” Dean reached out and pushed her hand lower, so the gun wasn’t visible to passers-by. “We don’t want to be pulled over by a cop now.”

  Kelsie did as he asked, tossing the gun on the floor and then threw the cash and ammo down beside it. “Are you going to pull over?”

  “Yes,” he replied tersely. He did then, into an industrial area, down the road and then into the parking lot of a commercial storage facility. He kept driving through the parking lot and around the building, finding a shadowed area on the reserved parking backlot. He pulled in and shut the Mercedes off, dousing the lights. It was dead quiet. No street traffic, no foot traffic. Just the two of them.

  “Move your seat back,” Kelsie told him. “I want to sit on you.”

  Dean look over to her, his eyes surprised, “Not now. Kelsie.”

  “Now,” Kelsie demanded frantically, her breathing heavy, need dulling her good sense. “I want you now.” She yanked off the leather jacket and climbed over the console and onto his lap, straddling him with her legs. Her ass hit the steering wheel causing the horn to emit a short beep. She giggled and then grabbed his face with her hands and pressed her lips to his, hard and demanding. My turn, she thought as she shoved her tongue into his mouth, searching him out, savouring him.

  She could feel Dean’s cock harden as she attacked his mouth. He reached down and shifted the seat back with his left hand as his right hand grabbed her braid and drew her harder against him. She was lost in the haze of her adrenaline. She didn’t want foreplay, she didn’t want slow lazy kisses. She wanted him in her, now. She pulled back from him, then reached down and swept her shirt over her head, exposing her breasts to the cold air. They jutted out at him, nipples hard. Dean had no choice but to grab one in each hand, kneading and squeezing them. He brought his lips down to one of her full mounds and took as much as he could into his mouth, sucking on it, running his tongue over the nipple.

  Kelsie threw back her head and arched her back, pushing her breasts toward him. Her hands held his head and her pelvis gyrated against his. “Oh god, Dean,” she cried out as his teeth nipped her nipple hard, pinching the other with his fingers. She felt the dual hit of pain and pleasure course through her. Her mind was on fire, her body was out of control. All she wanted was his large throbbing cock, deep in her pussy, thrusting and pounding until she came.

  She pushed Dean back away from her breasts with her hands. “Help me get these off,” she ordered as she reached down and unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. Dean laughed roguishly as he tossed her back in her seat, her back against the passenger door. He picked up her legs and placed her feet in his lap, first pulling off her boots one by one and tossing them into the back seat. Then he grabbed the back of her jeans and wrenched them down over her beautiful ass, taking her underwear with them. He pulled them down her thighs and then fought each leg off until she was naked.

  His gaze raked over. She was leaning on the door, her chest heaving, completely naked except for the black toque on her head. She held her arms out to him. He didn’t hesitate. He pulled her up on her knees and then onto his lap, Kelsie straddling him again. He reached down with his fingers to run it across her clit, sliding it down and into her vagina. “Don’t!” Kelsie bucked at him. “I want your cock in me.”

  “I just want to make sure you’re ready.”

  “I’m so fucking ready!” Kelsie moaned slapping his hand away as she reached down to unbutton his jeans. Her fingers fumbled at the button, her passion making her clumsy.

  “Let me do it,” Dean breathed, this time slapping Kelsie’s hand away. She was so frenzied and he was so hard, he was worried she might catch him with the zipper.

  As soon as his cock was free, Kelsie wrapped a hand around it and pulled at it. Rubbing it, rubbing him. She could feel the little bit of come escape and she wanted desperately to lick it off, taste it, but she couldn’t get her face close enough in the cramped car. She ran her hand over the head, sweeping up the pre-cum with her thumb. She raised her thumb to her mouth and licked it off with her tongue, savouring the lust on his face as he watched her.

  “Fuck, Kelsie,” he groaned, his voice heavy with need. He lifted her by her hips, his hands gripping her ass, guiding his cock into her. She felt the head of his cock as it entered her pussy and she pushed herself down on him, hard, feeling him ram deep into her, feeling a little pain as her muscles contracted to take his width, but also feeling him fill her up, making her whole, completing her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, nestling her breasts into his face and started bucking against him, forgetting that he was still injured, forgetting that they were in a parking lot, forgetting everything but this moment.

  She heard him say, his voice hard with passion, “Slow down a little.” But she couldn’t. She needed him, craved him. He was like a drug to her, she thought. She felt on fire, her clit jolting hard against his pelvis as he thrust into her, that perfect spot in her vagina, sending waves of pleasure through her as his penis rubbed against it with every thrust. She cradled his head in her hands as she felt herself peaking, mashing her lips against his, seeking out his tongue, wanting to be filled from top to bottom.

  And then she came. The fire in her pussy, scorched up her torso, into her arms to the tips of her fingers and simultaneously down her legs, to her feet, and through to her toes. She cried out as sweet heat hammered at her and then her thrusts slowed little by little as the pulsing subsided. She could feel the little shudders ebbing away as numbness in her limbs set in. Dean had stopped moving when she orgasmed, let her take over completely, watching as she came, her head thrown back, her long beautiful neck exposed. As she came down, he could feel her go limp, relax, probably for the first time since they crossed paths.

  She opened her eyes and saw him, staring into her eyes. “Oh god,” she panted, her body still encasing his hard cock, her hands on his shoulders. “That was amazing. Thank you.”

  Dean laughed out loud. “That’s a first. I’ve never been thanked before.”

  Kelsie felt a surge of jealously. “Don’t talk about before.”

  “Okay,” he said simply as he leaned into her and kissed her neck. He brought her face down to his and kissed her lips. Then he started moving under her, thrusting into her, gently at first, then as he felt his orgasm rise, more urgently. Kelsie bucked under him, feeling the press of his cock inside her, her sensitive clit against him. As he thrust harder and harder, she forgot again about his needs, hurtling towards another orgasm. As she peaked, Dean felt himself losing what little control he had. He let go then, spewing his hot semen up into her, feeling that blissful moment of euphoria, as his world went blank and nothing and no one mattered but Kelsie.

  They sat there afterwards for a few minutes, her legs still straddling him, her head on his chest. He had his hands on the steering wheel, she had her hands tucked up against her chest. Neither moved, neither spoke. She could feel his chest rise and fall as his breathing evened out. If only this moment could last forever. If only they didn’t have to go back. She closed her eyes, feeling tears well up. She didn’t want him to see her cry. She pulled her head up and carefully slid off his lap, over to the passenger seat.

  Dean sorted himself out, buttoned his jeans and pulled his seat forward. He st
arted the car and was out of the parking lot before Kelsie was fully dressed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It was Monday. Kelsie lay in bed alone, listening to the steady beat of water as Dean showered. The bathroom door was open – he never bothered to close it. So different from her world, so much better. She crashed last night, after they got back to the motel. She’d walked into the room still talking animatedly and tossing back the shot of bourbon Dean poured for her. As soon as the alcohol hit her stomach, it snapped her back to the reality of what she had just done, both at Dean’s apartment and then later, in the parking lot.

  She grew silent then, as her emotions took her over again, this time the realization of the risks she was taking for him and for her. It became too much. Dean held her while she cried, then stripped her clothes off and put her to bed. She knew he stayed up a while. Drinking the bourbon and… what? Planning maybe.

  But she was okay now. Feeling a little stiff and bruised from their romp in the SUV. She grinned then, as she felt a wave of lust crash over her. She dropped her fingers down to her clitoris and touch it; it was sensitive, her vagina ready and willing. Maybe she should join Dean in the shower, she thought. But then the water stopped and she could hear the scrape of the shower curtain as Dean opened it.

  He came out, still wet, naked but for a towel in his hand, drying himself. He looked at her looking at him. His body immediately perked up. “Maybe you should come over here and finish that thought,” Kelsie said boldly. Dean grinned as he walked over to her side of the bed and sat down. He brought his mouth to hers, holding her chin gently, pressing with his lips. As Kelsie was wrapping her arms around him, her phone rang, making them both jump.

  “What the fuck?” Dean reached across her to his night table and picked up her phone. He looked at the caller ID then handed it to Kelsie. “It’s your papa. Answer it, but make him go away.”

  Kelsie took the phone from Dean, hesitated, then pushed the answer button. “Hi dad,” she said as casually as she could muster. Dean got up off the bed and started pulling his pants on. Playtime is over, Kelsie thought sadly.

  “Kelsie,” Randall Scott’s deep serious voice reached out to her across the line. “Malcolm called me last night. What’s going on?”

  “He shouldn’t have called you.” Kelsie felt her anger rise at Malcolm’s breach of trust.

  “He’s worried about you. And frankly, so am I.”

  “it’s nothing, Dad. Just a little procedure, female thing. I’ll be fine by Wednesday.”

  “Are you in the hospital now?”

  “No,” Kelsie lied. “I’m home”

  Randall grew quiet at his end of the line and then, “Where are you really, Kelsie? I’m standing in your living room as we speak. You’re not here.”

  Kelsie felt a tinge of the old familiar fear of her father. He was a tall man, seldom smiled, autocratic with his family. Ruled with an iron hand. But he couldn’t reach her here with Dean. She took a deep cleansing breath. “Dad. It’s not really any of your business.”

  She waited for the anger in his voice, the characteristic cold hard words, but they weren’t forthcoming. Instead he sighed. “Kelsie, I think you’re in trouble. Are you with someone?”

  Dean had drifted off to the bathroom to shave, but she knew he was listening to her side of the conversation.

  “Dad,” Kelsie started, but Randall interrupted.

  “Listen to me. I’ve made a lot of enemies, on both sides of the law. I’ve tried my best to protect you and your brother. I failed with him. You’re all I have left.”

  “Dad. I’m fine,” Kelsie hoped he was being melodramatic and that Owen was okay.

  “I don’t think you are. I think something’s happened and you’re afraid to tell me or maybe you can’t tell me, because he’s there and you can’t speak in front of him.”

  “Dad, what do you know?” Kelsie whispered, timing it with the splash of water in the bathroom sink.

  Her dad exhaled. “I know people aren’t always who they say they are. They’ll use you to get to me. I know that you’ve somehow gotten yourself in the middle of something very dangerous. You need to let me know where you are or find a way out, fast.”

  Dean came out of the bathroom, pants on, but shirtless, biceps straining as he towelled off his face. She looked up into his dark grey eyes as he stood over her and mouthed, “Get off the fucking phone.”

  “I’m fine dad. I have to go,” she said quickly.

  “Is he there with you?” Randall asked.

  “Yes.” She hung up, her gaze locked onto Dean’s.

  Dean reached out and took the phone from her. “Well?” he demanded.

  She dropped her eyes then and shrugged. “Same old, same old. He’s worried, wants to know what hospital I’ll be in. Wants to control me.” She tried to sound casual, but her insides were quivering. “I should shower,” she said, changing the subject as she jumped up from the bed and headed to the bathroom.

  “Kelsie,” Dean said, catching her by her arm as she brushed by him.

  “What?” Her startled blue eyes met his.

  “Don’t you want to finish what we started?”

  She grappled for an answer, she needed space from him so she could think. He messed with her head when he was near and she felt afraid again. “Sorry,” she pressed her hands against his chest and kissed his lips. “There’s nothing like a chat with the old man to completely kill the mood.”

  He let her arm drop as he laughed. “Go shower and get dressed then. I need coffee and a hearty breakfast.”

  Dean was gone when Kelsie finished showering. She felt a wave of relief as she slipped on a clean pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. It gave her time to think, time to process the phone call from her father. She sat on the loveseat, feet tucked under her, mulling over the conversation. Somehow, he knew she was in danger, was trying to send her a warning about Dean. How much could he really know, and how could he know? It felt like he was playing games. Her mind was having trouble sorting through her jumbled thoughts because her father’s warning caused her to mistrust Dean again. Is he really who he says he is? Is she just a convenient pawn? Did he seduce to keep her in hand?

  Kelsie looked around the room. He’d left, but he wasn’t gone. She knew that for sure. He had her cellphone, but he trusted her enough to leave her alone while he went out. Her purse was here, her credit cards. Was she being manipulated by him? If she was, he was a master manipulator. She got up off the couch and started pacing the floor. They’d known each other for three days. He barged into her home and her life. Was that random or planned? How could it be planned? How could he have anticipated that she would be standing on her deck at that time of night?

  And even if he was targeting her house, why would he do it in the middle of the night, bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound? So no, she couldn’t have been his target. But then how did her father know that she was in trouble, other than catching her in a big fat lie. But he also knew she was with someone. Knew that someone was dangerous and warning her to get out. If he knew she was with Dean, then how did he know that? How could he know that they were together? She went over in her head the number of people who had seen them together. The motel clerk, the cashiers at the mall, the waitress in the diner. All strangers. Oh, and the pawnshop owner. But he was a Chinese gang member. No connections to her father or for that matter, the Russians.

  This was crazy; she needed to talk to Dean, but she was afraid to talk to Dean. Not sure who she could trust. She sat on the end of the bed, elbows to her knees, hands covering her face. This was all getting to be too much. She could, should just walk away. She could have done that at any time. Dean gave her opportunities. She could feel her heart shredding at the thought of walking away. She wasn’t a brave soul, she obviously wasn’t a trusting soul. So why was she staying? She knew the answer was heartbreakingly simple – she was in love with Dean. Stupid girl! She was in love with a man she feared and mistrusted. How was that even pos
sible?

  And where did he go? What if he left? What if she was no longer of use to him? What if he saw through her little act after she hung up on her father? What if he knew she was suspicious of him? Would he just leave like that? She thought “no” but then could she really trust her instincts? They were out-of-practice if they ever existed at all. She could feel a tear roll down her cheek, then another one. Stop it Kelsie! Don’t cry now! It won’t help! You can fix this, you can figure this out.

  Dean walked in then, looking grim. He looked at her as she looked up with red eyes. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Where were you?” Kelsie’s voice quavered.

  He put down the coffee cups and a grocery bag he was holding and walked over to her, falling to his knees in front of her. He pushed his body in between her legs and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him, holding her tight. She could feel the sobs in her throat unlocking, spilling up out of her mouth as her tears started to flow. She couldn’t hold them back anymore.

  “I thought you left,” she wept.

  “Kelsie.” He pulled her off the bed and into his lap, cradling her while she cried. “I wouldn’t leave you without saying goodbye.”

  Which elicited a new wave of grief as Kelsie thought of an empty life without him. “I’m sorry,” she hiccupped trying to stem the flow of tears. “I’m sorry.”

  Dean held her, rocking her, trying to soothe her. He understood that talking was not going to help in this moment. He didn’t know the right words to say. He felt the lump in his throat grow as he thought this. He didn’t want to say goodbye to her. He wanted to be with her. But he couldn’t tell her this. He wasn’t going to lie to her, let her think that this was going to have a happy ending.