“It’s been a long, exhausting day. I’m going to try to get some sleep,” I announce, breaking the silence.
“Good night,” he says.
I walk away, escaping to the bathroom before I make a fool of myself. After brushing my teeth, I remove my yoga pants and toss them into the laundry hamper. Entering the bedroom, my heart breaks discovering I’m alone again. I crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. The barrier does little to muffle my sobbing. I hug Lucian’s pillow tight, but it’s useless as his scent is not there to comfort me. And I wonder if he has slept in our bed since I left. Most of all, I wonder if he will sleep here tonight.
I don’t know how much time has passed since I cried myself to sleep. And it doesn’t matter when strong arms cradle me and soft lips brush against my eyelids with whispers of, “Don’t cry Sweetness.” I don’t know if I’m dreaming or not. And I’m too afraid to open my eyes, because he might disappear. “I’m here.” His scent, his touch, and his voice acts as a cure for my battered heart.
I press my body against his, eager to be as close to him as I can. His hand slips under my T-shirt and I moan, needing his touch. His lips are so close to mine now, I risk taking what I need. Lifting my chin, I don’t wait for him to accept my offer. My mouth finds his slightly open, and ceasing the opportunity I slide my tongue in. His groans slip easily down my throat and I take that as a sign of encouragement. He needs this as much as I do. I nip, suck, and bite his lips, wanting to turn the embers of passion into a blazing inferno. My clothes seem to melt away as his body responds to mine. I welcome the heat of his naked body, igniting the fire between us.
“I love you, Rose Petal.”
Tear of joy slide down my cheeks, triggering an avalanche of emotions. He hasn’t told me he loves me in weeks. I want to beg him to say it again. I want to say, “I love you too,” but I can’t force the words from my closed throat. Suddenly, the air feels toxic, constricting my lungs and I can’t breathe.
“Wake up, Avery.” Lucian’s words smack me with reality. “You’ve been crying in your sleep.”
I open my eyes and Lucian’s beautiful face is hidden under a cloud of tears. But they won’t stop flowing. My heart pounds in my chest and I begin to hyperventilate, as pain tightens its grip.
Avery!” Lucian shouts. “Please stop crying.”
Once again, I try to push away the tears to see him.
“You’re having another panic attack. I want you to listen to my breathing and do what I do.”
My head spins, but Lucian’s voice keeps my focus. I try to control my breathing by imitating his. It’s difficult at first, but slowly I match his rhythm, my heartbeat in tune with his. My breath in sync with his until I’m breathing normally again.
“I love you.”
“I know.”
The declaration was meant to ease the pain in my chest. But when Lucian doesn’t say it back the ache becomes unbearable. Moments later, he pulls me close and whispers, “forever yours” and my heart sings. With my back to his chest, I find solace in his embrace. The last thing I hear Lucian utter before sleep pulls me under is always mine.
I’M AS NERVOUS AS A cat on a hot tin roof, entering the police station with Lucian and Jake by my side.
“Miss West, thank you for coming,” Detective Turner greets us.
Lucian is the first to speak. “Did she have a choice?”
“No. She didn’t.” Detective Dodd, Turner’s partner, joins us.
“Shall we get down to business.?” Jake interjects.
“This way.” Detective Turner leads us down the hall.
Outside interrogation room two, Detective Dodd stops at the door. “This is as far as you go, Thorne. We’re conducting an ongoing investigation and you’re too close to the suspect to be involved in the questioning.”
Lucian’s hold tightens around my hand, before lifting it to his lips. “I’ll be waiting for you right here.”
I give his hand a squeeze before letting go. Jake and I follow the detectives into the interrogation room. The door is barely closed when Detective Dodd says,
“Your gun wasn’t the weapon that killed Sullivan.”
I know I didn’t hear him correctly. My ability to speak has somehow left me and my brain has followed.
“Are you sure?” Jake questions unbelievably.
“We found a slug in the wall matching Miss West’s caliber handgun. There was also the matter of the video tape which exonerates her.”
“Video tape?” I echo.
“The crime’s scene investigators found photos and a video with you as the subject in each. The time stamp indicates he’s been stalking you for at least two months.”
“What kind of photos and what’s on the video tape?” My voice cracks under the pressure of shame.
“Some of the photos are very candid, but nothing that will cause you shame.” Detective Turner’s words do little to reassure me. “The majority of the video contains footage of Sullivan ranting. He was obsessed with you. It’s only at the end that you’re in the video.”
“I want all of it destroyed.”
“I’m afraid we can’t do that, Miss West,” Detective Dodd speaks.
“It’s all evidence in an open investigation,” Detective Turner clarifies.
I turn to Jake, pleading with him to find a way to help me. Even in death the demon has a hold of me. Tangible proof that I will never be free of him.
“I’ll see what can be done,” Jake tries to assure me.
“Do you have the shooter in custody?” Jake asks the question that concerns Lucian most. “Should Miss West be worried that the shot was meant for her?”
“It’s highly unlikely given the trajectory of the bullet. Sullivan was directly in the line of fire. The shot is what caused Miss West to miss,” Detective Turner explains. “Sullivan was definitely the target.”
“If I wasn’t the target, who grazed me?”
“Sullivan fired the shot. The angle suggests that he was falling when his bullet grazed you.”
I shake my head, processing all the information I just received. Sullivan is dead. I didn’t kill him. He had photos and a video evidence of his stalking. My mind reels when I think of the content and anyone else looking upon the videos. I know Jake will do his best to help me but I feel it’s a hopeless undertaking.
“Am I free to go?” My feet move of their own volition, racing to the door.
“Yes. But...”
Detective Dodd’s voice fades in the distance. Opening the door, I walk straight into Lucian’s arms.
“I didn’t kill him,” I whisper against his chest.
Lucian lifts me up, spinning me around until I’m giggling like a child.
“Let’s get out of the city for a few days,” Lucian suggests, planting me firmly on my feet.
“Now?”
“Yes. Right now.”
“Okay.” I would have agreed to anything, but time away to regroup is exactly what we need.
A road trip to The Hamptons in a convertible is just what I need to clear my head. Lucian hums Robin Thicke’s Lost Without You. It’s been awhile since I last heard him sing. He has such an amazing voice I could listen to him sing for hours. When he starts to singalong, I get lost in the lyrics.
I'm lost without you. Can't help myself. How does it feel, to know that I love you, baby? Tell me how you love me more. And how you think I'm sexy, babe. That you don't want nobody else. You don't want this guy, you don't want that guy. You wanna touch yourself when you see me. Tell me how you love my body. And how I make you feel, babe. You wanna roll with me, you wanna hold with me. You wanna stay warm and get out of the cold with me. I just love to hear you say it. It makes a man feel good, baby. Tell me you depend on me. I need to hear it.
Lucian hums until the song is finished. I know he was singing to me. He wanted me to hear the words. It’s been a hard few weeks and we are still not quite ourselves. That’s what this trip is for. We need to reconnect, to strengthen our
bond.
It’s been two days since Lucian and I arrived at the beach house. Reconnecting hasn’t been as easy as I hoped. There’s still some shadow of doubt in his eyes. We were both hurt deeply by my actions. And we are both still dealing with the pain of me leaving him and my decision to confront the demon that tormented me.
Breaking Tate Sullivan’s last hold on me. I have named him, taking away the power he held over my life. For now, I have decided to take Detective Turner at his word and believe that there’s nothing in the photos or the video that could hurt me. We still don’t know who killed Sullivan. The police speculate that it may have been a contract killing, believing that his brother, Hugh Sullivan, finally got tired of cleaning up after him.
These days the Sullivan family are all over the news because they are being investigated by the FBI, for sex trafficking. It wasn’t exactly smart when Sullivan confessed that he intended to sell me. Can you believe the demented fucker actually recorded the confrontation leading up to his death? So far Hugh Sullivan is claiming that his dead brother was the criminal. He insists that all his business dealings are legitimate. He also insists that he didn’t have his brother killed. And I think I believe him.
Chapter 20
Lucian
Avery and I escaped to my beach house two days ago. The weather is perfect for early September. We’re relaxing on the deck watching the sunset. And the breeze coming off the Atlantic gives me an excuse to hold her close.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away. I should have trusted that you could keep us safe. I should have trusted the bond that makes us inseparable and stronger together.”
Avery’s apology catches me off guard.
“I could’ve handled losing my freedom. I can’t handle losing you.”
“I feel the same way. I’ll never stop loving you, Lucian.”
Tentatively, she raises her hand, stroking my cheek. Her touch miraculously heals my wounded heart. With the same hesitation she offers me her mouth. I take it in a devouring mouth-fucking kiss. Our teeth clash as we try to consume each other. Every glide of her tongue over mine draws me in until I’m willing to sacrifice my last breath just to taste her lips a little longer.
Avery pulls away, breaking the kiss, giving us much needed air. I mourn the loss nonetheless.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she whispers breathlessly.
“And I’ve missed you, Rose Petal.” My voice is husky with need.
As if my words have physically affected her, Avery’s body trembles betraying her own need. She lets out a soft gasp when I lift her up so she’s straddling me. I take advantage and my mouth seals over hers, caressing her tongue. The kiss deepens as I demand more. My hand slides under her skirt, gripping her hips, urging her forward. Moving slowly, Avery grinds her hips and the heat of her cunt presses against the bulge of my hard cock. It’s exquisite torture and I’m not sure how much more I can take.
“I’m desperate to be inside you, Rose Petal.” My erection grows larger, aching for her. “I need to claim your sweet cunt. I need to hear you scream my name. Fuck, I need to hear you begging for more.”
Avery meets my gaze with equals parts heat and determination. She presses her lips against my ear and whispers, “Take what your need.”
“I promise you, there’ll be no going back. This is it. You and me until the fucking wheels fall off.”
Yes,” she says simply, pulling her shirt over her head.
When Avery stands to remove her skirt and the sexiest white cotton panties I’ve ever seen, I make quick work of removing my clothes. She stands before me naked, hot and ready. I reach for her, lifting her up into my arms. Avery circles her legs around my waist and the sensual heat of her flesh surrounds me. I carry her to the lounge chair built for two. Lying on her back she spreads her legs for me. The evidence of her arousal glistens her folds and slicks her thighs. I hover above her, taking in the beauty that is Avery, my lover, my love, and my always and forever. Avery pulls me down, holding me tight against her body.
“Now,” she says.
The head of my cock obeys her command, sinking deep. She cries out as I fill her with one powerful thrust. My movements are controlled and rhythmic. Pounding into her over and over. My body aches for release, racing toward the eye of the storm. Our bodies crash against each other’s with the force of a tidal wave, breaking into a million pieces as we come apart together.
“Lucian!” Avery screams.
My body trembles violently filling Avery with my seed. Spurt after spurt of uncontrollable spasms until I collapse exhausted against her warm body.
We are both breathing hard and I feel more alive than I have in weeks. My cock has softened inside Avery, but I’m not ready to pull out. Avery hooks her feet around my legs, holding me against her body, keeping us bonded.
“How do you feel, Sweetness?”
“I have a blissful ache,” she says, smiling like a Cheshire cat.
“I love you so fucking much.”
Tears slide down her cheek, and I wipe them away with the pad of my thumb.
“I love you too,” she whispers.
The kiss starts out sweet and tender when my mouth slants over hers. But that didn’t last long. I’m at her mercy when her warm cunt clenches around my cock, swelling it.
God help me, I love this woman.
Celebrating our reunion last night, I had a hard time keeping my hands-off Avery. Even now as I climb out of bed I crave the touch of her skin against mine. But her soft snores tells me she’s sleeping peacefully, and my needs can wait.
After a quick shower I make my way to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. Although these few days away was intended as a getaway for me and Avery to reconnect, I still have work to do. The most pressing of which is staff restructuring. Carter has informed me of his plans to start his own private security firm. That will leave his position as Chief of Security open. I plan to have Franklin fill it, once he’s fully recovered. As for my driver and bodyguard, Delgado was happy to accept the job offer. He has proven he’s loyal and like Franklin he has no qualms about calling me on my bullshit. The man has earned my respect and trust.
Avery will need a new bodyguard as well. Mathers has partnered with Carter, so he will be leaving soon. I guess the most unexpected bit of news came from Reagan, Avery’s newly found half-sister. Reagan has resigned from Thorne Security and plans to return to England in a few days. She offered no explanation and insists that she be the one to tell Avery. To say Avery will be heartbroken is an understatement.
With all that going on the most disturbing discovery is the disappearance of Declan Pierce. The security officer assigned to the penthouse the day Avery confronted Sullivan. Carter vetted Pierce thoroughly before hiring him, so he feels responsible. This, however, has nothing to do with Carter’s decision to strike out on his own, since he has vowed to find out what happened to Pierce.
Although Sullivan is dead, his killer is still out there, and that person may or may not be a threat to Avery. I’m not taking any chances either way.
I try to take my mind off business for now by concentrating on more pleasurable pursuits instead. The surprise I’m planning for Avery today is at the top of the list. My mother and my co-conspirator is taking Avery out for brunch, giving me some alone time.
It’s hard to imagine that my life would have taken such a momentous turn four months ago. The night I met Avery for the second time, I knew even then there was something special about her. Something that I wanted to possess. Now it’s so much more than that. I can’t envision a day without her. I don’t ever want to wake up and find her gone. Trying to live without Avery is not living, it’s merely existing under adverse conditions with no real substance.
Deciding I’ve been without her touch long enough, I pour a cup of coffee, adding hazelnut creamer especially for Avery. Climbing the stairs two at a time, I’m careful not to spill the coffee.
Entering our bedroom, I’m pleasantly surprised when Avery walks in from
the bathroom wearing a short silk kimono robe. Her light brown hair is a mass of curls hanging down to her shoulders. I remember how her tresses felt last night gliding through my fingers and wrapped around my fist. My body responds to the sight of her and she notices. Her beautiful hazel eyes fill with an undeniable heat. A heat that burns an eternal flame.
“Is that for me?” she asks, closing the distance between us.
And I don’t know if she means the hot coffee or my hard cock. Either way it’s all hers.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I say, offering her the coffee.
Avery takes a sip of the coffee and places the cup on her nightstand.
“And this?” I groan when her fingers wrap around my cock. “Is this mine, too,” she teases.
My cock throbbing in her hand is my response. Avery dropping to her knees is my reward. She takes her time bringing me to the brink only to pull me back. She has become skilled at prolonging my release. But my true pleasure lies in her release. I’m addicted to the way her body responds to me. The way my body crave hers.
My hand cups the back of her head, urging her to take more of my cock. I growl when the head of my cock hits the back of Avery’s throat.
“Take all of me.”
I stare down, watching my cock disappear as Avery tries to take me down. When she gags, I tug her hair, and pull out.
“Do you need to use your safe word?”
“No,” she frowns. “I don’t need it anymore.”
My heart swells with the trust she’s given me.
“I know your limits, Rose Petal. Let me please us both.”
Avery bites her lower lip and nods her submission. “Yes Sir.”
My hands tighten around her head, and Avery opens her mouth, inviting me in. Pushing forward, my cock slides down her throat, deep enough to make her gag a little. I pull out, just enough to let her swallow. Avery blinks away the tears filling her eyes and they slide down her cheek.
My hips move slowly at first, fucking her face, using her mouth for my own pleasure. She has given me this right to take what I need from her.
Inseparable Bond Page 14
