Darius
Later that night, and after enduring the screaming match with Alex outside of Bennett, Inc., I’m itching for home and a large glass of scotch when I reach Taylor’s front door. She’s been on my mind and I need to see her. I raise my hand to knock, when I hear a loud masculine voice shouting on the other side. Without even thinking about it, I’m wrapping my hand around the handle and charging inside.
In an instant, I realize I’ve acted too quickly, as I’m not facing down Shawn Mason. I’m nearly nose-to-nose with Taylor’s father, Jason Erickson. “Forgive me,” I say quickly, stepping back, watching her father lower his fist, clearly ready to knock me out.
The redness in her father’s face begins to fade, and I note that he’s aged some since I’ve seen him last. Still the strong man I remember, only slightly more wrinkled and softer around the middle.
Silence cuts through the already very thick air before Allie shoots up from the couch, moves to me quickly. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she mouths, then rushes by me, shutting the front door.
I hide my long exhale, relishing the slowing of my heart rate, and observe Taylor. She’s sitting on the couch, hugging her legs, her face ashen. Next to her sits her mother, Pam. She was a sweet woman when I knew her, and her eyes are still gentle. And by the window stands a very annoyed-looking Micah. As I face Jason again, however, his hard eyes are pinning me where I stand. A look that’s well deserved. I hurt his daughter deeply. I don’t ever expect to be forgiven for that.
“I apologize for the brisk entrance,” I say, feeling the need to somehow soothe tension in the room. “I heard loud voices.”
“Oh, did you think my daughter was in danger?” Jason now directs that loud voice to me. When I don’t dignify that question with an answer, his eyes narrow to slits. “Did you know about this, Darius?” He points to the copy of Gotcha! on the coffee table.
I shove my hands in my pockets. “Yes, I knew.”
Jason’s face reddens again, his voice turns cold. “And you did nothing to stop it?”
His words stab me like a knife to my gut, slamming me into the past in a single breath.
“What’re your intentions with my daughter?”
I choke on my beer, coughing until my windpipe clears. “Sorry,” I say to Jason, shifting against my seat on the front patio of their family home. “That question was unexpected.”
His brows raise. “Do you plan on answering it?”
“I care deeply for your daughter, sir,” I tell him, knowing that’s likely not enough to appease her father. “I realize there’s a significant age difference between us, and that you’re less than thrilled about that, but I’ll give you my word that I’ll always do what’s best for her.”
Jason’s stare pins me to my seat. “What if what is best for her is not being with you?”
“Even then,” I confirm.
Jason finally turns his head, focusing on the quiet street and sipping his beer. “You promise to keep her safe?”
“You have my word.”
I blink out of the memory and inhale deeply, controlling the emotion tightening my throat. I made him a promise. I broke it. I’ve hurt Taylor so many times, too many times. And I’ve let someone else hurt her, too.
I can’t even look at Taylor now, feeling her eyes on me. There’re just so many things I would change if I could. So many fucking things. “No, I didn’t stop it before,” I tell him, calm and collected. “But I am doing something about it now.”
“What’s that?” Jason snaps, folding his arms.
“I’m having Shawn Mason followed,” I report.
Taylor gasps, “You’re what?”
“Yes,” her father interjects sternly. “Please explain what exactly that means.”
I sigh at the glare on Taylor’s face; my admission is a double-edged sword. “Shawn came into town on Friday.” I note the fear registering across Pam’s face, and the anger in Jason’s expression, so I add, “When I learned of this, I hired security detail to keep eyes on him.”
Jason practically growls, “He’s here for her?”
“Calm down, Jay,” Pam says calmly. “It sounds like Darius has this under control.” Always the levelheaded one, she grabs Taylor’s hand and says to her, “Honey, you should have told us about this, then we could have helped you.” To me, she adds, “These people you’ve hired won’t let Shawn get anywhere near her, right?”
I avoid looking at Taylor, feeling her glare burning into my skull. “He won’t get within a foot of her without my knowing and dealing with it.”
“Good, that’s good.” Pam pats Taylor’s hand and smiles at me. “Thank you for arranging security for her, Darius.”
I can’t accept her gratitude. I gave my word I would always protect Taylor. This all lands on my shoulders. The sense of betrayal burns wickedly in my body, leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
Jason, obviously more under control now, slowly relaxes his arms, leans against the edge of the chair closest to him. “Where is Shawn now?”
I stare at the man who is far more bound to protect Taylor than I am. Yet part of me wants to take that right from him. He might have raised her, but I can’t stop the voice from telling me: she’s mine to protect. “He’s been keeping his distance, staying in the Haight.”
Jason arches his brows over his stern eyes. “That’s all you’re going to tell me?”
“I’m afraid that’s all I know.” It’s a lie, but it’s a lie for Taylor. I imagine the last thing she wants is her father beating the living shit out of her ex-boyfriend, which by the wrath burning on Jason’s face is exactly what he wants to do.
While I sympathize, since I wouldn’t mind using Shawn as my personal punching bag, that’s not what Taylor wants.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see that she remains frozen in her seat. Angry at me and embarrassed by the situation, I’m sure. I stay focused on Jason, letting him process what I’ve told him.
He eventually does, and turns to Taylor and says, “You will not keep any more secrets like this. Promise me.”
“I promise,” she says softly.
“You will tell me if you see him at all?” he presses.
She nods. “Yeah.”
“I expect you to go to the police station and get a restraining order,” he finishes.
She nods again.
Jason sighs, obvious relief filling his face. “Good.”
He believes her. I don’t. I see the lie in her eyes. She has no intention of pressing charges against Shawn, and I don’t know why that is. Taylor is a smart and strong woman; there’s got to be a good reason for why she’s holding back. I intend to find out that reason.
Pam grabs Taylor and pulls her into her arms. “I’ll never understand why you didn’t feel like you could tell me this, honey.”
Taylor leans her head against her mom’s shoulder. “I didn’t want to worry you, and I’m really okay.”
I clench my fists, my muscles quivering. Taylor shouldn’t have had to deal with any of this. And if I could’ve just been the man she needed me to be…
My thoughts stutter when I notice Jason approaching me. I’m preparing myself for a verbal lashing, but all the tension invading me is worthless, I realize, when he asks, “You’ll be in touch if anything develops with Shawn?”
“Of course.”
Her father gives me a tight nod and squeezes my shoulder. “I appreciate what you’re doing for her, Darius. You’re a good man.” Then he moves toward the door.
My breath catches, and I feel like I’ve been sucker punched in the throat. Warmth seeps from his touch and it makes me dizzy. I feel as if I’m being watched and I notice then that Pam is approaching me and Taylor is studying me closely.
Too closely.
Even Allie’s head is cocked, watching my every move. I feel the walls close in slightly, so I turn and open the door for Jason and Pam, staying quiet as everyone says their goodbyes.
When I turn back and see Allie watching
me again, I gesture toward the door. “You too.”
“Wow. Getting kicked out of my own condo,” she grumbles, even if it has little strength. “You’re such a sweet big brother.”
I smirk at her. “I’m the only one you got.”
Allie rolls her eyes at me and then kisses Taylor on the cheek. “Call me if you need me. I’ll be over here in a flash.”
Taylor gives a small smile. “Thanks for coming to check in.”
“Never say thanks. You know I’d be here even if you didn’t want me,” Allie says, rising from the couch.
Micah moves away from the window, following Allie toward the doorway, as Taylor says to him, “I’m so sorry you had to be here for all of…that.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Micah says softly to her. “This situation is out of control for all of us.” I see the concern on his face as he approaches me and clasps my shoulder. “Good luck with all this.”
I nod, opening the door for them.
Micah exits first and just before Allie does, she mouths to me, “Take care of her.”
Always, I want to say. Instead, I shut the door behind Allie.
“Well, now that we’re alone…” Taylor rises from the couch, her glare fierce. “Anything you’d like to say to me?”
“Not particularly,” I admit, keeping my distance for now. “Especially considering the look on your face suggests you want to gut me.” She narrows her eyes, telling me that my answer isn’t the right one. “I won’t apologize for protecting you.”
She huffs and crosses her arms. “I told you—”
“Shawn is here, Taylor,” I interject softly. “He came here to find you. I respected you by not digging any deeper than I had to. I also respected you by not putting a tail on you. But if you think for a second I will allow the man who hit you to walk around this city without having eyes on him, you clearly do not know me well.”
In a single breath, the tension leaves her face, exhaustion replacing the hardness. She shakes her head, running her hands over her face. “God, this whole situation is so fucked up. I can’t believe I had to explain all this to my parents. I can’t believe the tabloids are printing all these stories about you, your friends, and about me.”
I hear the strain and worry in her voice. I hear the sound of a woman who has gone through way too much. And what bothers me the most is that when she lowers her hands, I see she wants to cry but can’t, having no more tears to shed.
Something breaks open inside me. I’m walking toward her without even thinking about it. That look, that strain, I can’t fucking stand it. Then I’m there, slamming her against the wall and kissing her until there’s no pain seeping from her mouth and all that’s left are her breathy moans.
Chapter 13
Taylor
I’m tingling from head to toe when I feel Darius’s warm mouth on mine. A small part of me is telling me this is wrong. I’m too emotional, too vulnerable, too raw. But the stronger part of me needs him so badly I can’t stop him as he begins stripping off my blouse and then my bra, leaving my skirt in place, never once taking his eyes off mine. Because in all the confusion, all the unknown, there’s him. Strong. Solid. Sexy as hell.
“You’re going to stop thinking about all this,” he tells me sternly. “No more worries, Taylor.” He leans in, pressing his strong body against mine and whispers in my ear, “I’m going to fuck them right out of you, until all that’s left is a smile on your gorgeous face.”
I’m trembling. I can’t help it. That’s what he does to me. All that power. All that confidence. His voice. His commanding eyes. The passion he exudes. I’m so wet for him and he hasn’t even touched me.
“You’re going to let go. Relax.” He steps back, keeping his eyes locked on mine, and begins removing his shirt. Button by button, he determinedly removes the white fabric from his body, until it flutters to the floor. “You’re thinking only of me, my touch, my body.” His voice lowers, becoming throatier and softer. “That’s what I want from you, Taylor. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” I breathe, hardly able to get the words out. God, my stomach clenches at the sight of his body. Ripple after ripple, I’m in awe of his body. I don’t think I won’t ever not be. From his strong, wide shoulders to his broad chest to the V of his waist to his tanned smooth skin, he’s so hot.
I watch his eyes flare as he sees how much I want him, and then I’m not looking at him anymore. His mouth is sealed on mine, and his hands are fisted in my hair, pulling on the strands tight. Heat pools low in my body, making my sex feel heavy with need, achy for his touch. He sweeps me away with his soft lips and skillful tongue, bringing me to a place beyond reality. A place I never want to come back from. A high so beautiful it can’t be real. But then, somehow, he’s taking me even higher. He kisses my neck, my puckered nipples, my stomach.
I’m so turned on, so hot for him when he backs away, roughly grabbing my wrists and pulling me toward the kitchen table. I don’t fear the rough hold; I relish the dominant grip. He’s both gentle and firm, and it’s exactly what I need. I don’t want to make decisions. I want him to make them. I don’t want to think. I want to feel.
Once we reach the glass table, he releases my wrists and pushes down on my back. My breasts squish against the cool glass, and I’m staring out the window at the view of Union Square as his breathing deepens in masculine need and urgency.
“Grab your forearms behind your back for me and keep them there,” he orders.
I awkwardly reach for my arms behind my back, when he boldly lifts my skirt over my hips and yanks my panties down. “Yes…stay right there like that,” he groans, rubbing my bottom, squeezing my butt cheeks in the harsh way he does. “Fuck, you’re so sexy…so damn gorgeous…”
I hear him unbuckle his belt and hear the swoosh of fabric brushing against skin as he lowers his pants. I hear the wrapper of the condom opening, but I cannot move. All I can do is wait there for him to choose when and how to take me. His hand is pinning my head to the table, when he kicks my legs open, and I can’t stop the gasp of surprise that shoots from my mouth when he enters me.
Clearly, today, Darius will not be denied what he wants.
He thrusts his hips quickly, in and out, until a breathy moan spills from my mouth, and I feel myself growing wet enough to accommodate him. His hard body is pressing against me. His fingers are tightening in my hair and I cringe against the pull, but the power of him over my body brings more and more pleasure, until I am soaking wet for him. He’s moving faster and harder now, giving me what I need, exactly how I want it. And I moan loudly for him to know how much I love his roughness, encouraging him to let himself go and use me in any way he needs.
Then I can’t stop moaning. It’s nothing I can control. It’s something I’ve never been able to control. He knows how to awaken me, how to make me feel so alive, and all I can ever do is surrender to his desires. I moan again, but it quickly turns into a gasp as I’m roughly turned in his arms.
Facing him now, I shiver at the darkness in his eyes, the intensity of his soul, when he thrusts both his hands into my hair and pulls us down to the floor. He lowers onto his knees, pulling me onto his lap. He places one hand behind him to support us, keeping the other tangled in my hair, locking my gaze on him, not allowing me to look anywhere else.
“Come on, baby, fuck me.” He waits until I slide down onto his cock before he speaks again. “That’s it. That’s perfect.”
God, his hand tightens in my hair, holding me exactly where he wants me, and I’m losing myself, grinding up and down over his shaft. He feels so good. I feel so good taking him, owning him, a powerful man like Darius, for this moment, taking what I want from him.
His jaw clenches, eyes darken even more. “Harder.” He rises a little on his knees, swats my ass and the stinging hit sizzles across my flesh. “Faster.” Another swat leaves me gasping.
Skin slaps against skin, and I ignore the tension in my muscles, knowing nothing but how perfect we fit togethe
r. How amazing we are like this, being reckless and raw and dirty.
A low growl escapes from his throat and the sound tightens my nipples, flooding me with heat. I’m thrusting faster, harder, and faster yet, until my muscles tense, building with a pleasure so intense tears leak from the corners of my eyes. I arch my back, hearing Darius shout, “Fuck,” but I’m lost to the waves of satisfaction rolling through my body as I feel man and muscle buck and jerk beneath me. as Darius loses himself in his release.
And I don’t stop, giving him my all, as I take his all too, until all that’s left is breathlessness and sweaty flesh.
—
Sometime later, he rises with me in his arms, my head buried in his neck. He takes us into the bedroom, placing me gently onto the bed. He removes the condom with a tissue, placing it in the wastebasket by the door before sliding his hard body next to mine.
I’m staring into his eyes, lost in that glowing warmth of orgasm. My thoughts are quiet, worries all gone, as promised.
For a long time, he stares back at me, silent. But slowly, I begin to see the intensity return to his eyes, the determination to get the answers to questions clearly on his mind. And I nearly laugh in amusement at just how right I am when he asks, “Will you tell me now?”
I slide my hand between my face and the pillow. “Tell you what?”
The soft lighting from the table lamp spills over Darius’s naked torso, detailing the peaks and valleys of his muscles. “Why you lied to your father about pressing charges against Shawn?”
I can tell by the softness in his eyes that he only wants to understand. This isn’t about going after Shawn or using the information to be my hero; he genuinely wants to know what happened. And I know now that I owe this to him. “Shawn has some pretty bad history.”
Darius’s brow arches. “A history that makes you feel bad for him?”
“Yes, extremely bad for him. He was sexually abused.” I shrug against the pillow. “Does my sympathy make me weak?”
Tied to His Betrayal Page 15
