As that sweet little ass sashays away from me, it takes all my restraint not to go after her. But if Ryker sees me, he’d have my balls. Slipping onto the bar stool, I order a beer and take another look around, sweeping the floor area for cameras. The place is packed, but I pick out the security like they’re fucking glow sticks in the dark. Ten in total. Easy pickings.
“I’m leaving.” I spin in my stool to find Ryker looking like he’d just had a heart attack.
“What? We’ve only just got here.”
He shrugs on his jacket and gives me a smirk. “You can have her.” With that, he pivots and leaves me frowning at his disappearing form.
“Is the cheating fucker gone?” The scent of her engulfs me and I turn to find my little vixen sidling up to me. Her hand trembles as she strokes the lapel of my leather jacket.
“He did, but tell me what happened?” She falters at the question which intrigues me further.
“He’s an asshole. We’re over.” Something about her cavalier attitude has alarm bells going off around me, but I ignore them and down my beer.
“Let’s have a drink?” I offer, signaling the bartender for another beer. She nods and I lift two fingers. “So, Vixen, tell me what Ryk did?” I meet her sapphire orbs that look like they hold too many secrets.
“He was fucking some blonde bitch.” Her words drip venom, and I can’t help but feel more intrigued by this beauty than ever before.
“Mhm, what’s new?”
She ignores me, grabbing her drink and downing almost half the cold beer. “Brax,” she murmurs, her hand tracing circles on the bar, “would you fuck me?”
The innocence in her tone, and the filthy words are a contradiction, but when I glance at her again, I notice there’s no purity in her. She’s far from innocent and I’m already growing hard just thinking about the filthy things I want to do to those plump lips.
“I can, but I’ll promise you that you’ll never forget me.” Winking, I finish my beer and rise to my feet, tugging her along with me. I wait for her to quickly swallow the last of her alcohol. “Where’s your friend?” I question, and we both turn in time to find the blonde kitten being swirled around by two men.
“She’s busy.”
“Don’t you want—”
“She’s fine,” Tia bites back and stalks to the door, leaving me to follow in the wake of her trail.
In the cab, I sit beside her, fighting the urge to touch her. The ride back to her apartment is silent and the tension between us is palpable, a living breathing entity. I’m afraid it’s about to strangle us both.
“Here we are.” The taxi driver glances in the rear-view mirror and I hand him a twenty.
“Thanks.” Tia is out of the car in a flash, and when I exit, I find her at an entrance to an immaculate apartment building. “You live here?” My brows crease in confusion. For a bartender, she must earn a shit load to live in one of the city’s most expensive blocks.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Mr. Carter,” she quirks playfully and steps inside. The security guard glances up and smiles, nodding in a friendly greeting, but he doesn’t actually say anything. I realize in that instant, I should have looked into the dark haired vixen. I don’t know anything about her, and for some reason, I feel uneasy about that. My instinct kicks in, and when we step into a private elevator, I wonder if this is a good idea.
“Are you going to tell me how a low paid barmaid lives in one of the most prominent pieces of real estate in the city?”
She shrugs before answering. “Daddy can afford it, so I take advantage.” Her response is rehearsed, which further sets my bullshit radar on full alert.
“And I’m meant to believe that?”
“No, I didn’t ask you to, you asked a question and I gave the general response everyone expects.”
Anger burns through me like a forest fire and I turn to her, pushing her against the wall. I press my body against hers and lean in, our mouths inches apart.
This is the closest I’ve ever been to her, and my God, she’s incredible. “Do. Not. Fucking. Lie. To. Me.” I don’t miss the full body shudder that wracks her at my growl. Smirking down, I watch her face morph into a sultry smile. “This what you wanted, Vixen?” Reaching one hand down, I slip it between her slim thighs and stroke the soft silk that cups her cunt.
“Yes,” she responds with conviction.
“Good, because you’re going to be fucked. You’re going to soak my cock in that sweet honey that I know you’ve been aching to give me, and then you’re going to suck me clean. Do you understand me?” Again, she nods with confidence that has me bulging in my jeans. Perfect.
Stepping away from her, I watch as the doors slide open on the top floor, which I know only leads to the penthouse suite. She’s hiding something and I’ll find out what it is.
Without a word from her sassy mouth, she opens the front door and allows me to enter an apartment that looks like it’s ready for a photoshoot.
The click of the lock has me spinning to find the tanned goddess stalking toward me like I’m her prey. “So, Brax, I know you’ve wanted me for a long time.” She trails a French manicured nail down the zipper of my leather jacket. The movement is slow, erotic, and taunts me, slowly ebbing away at my restraint.
“I have, Vixen, but you know what I want more.” I grip her wrist, tugging her against me. Her body is small, pliable under my touch. She lifts her gaze up to mine, meeting my eyes with an indignant stare. “You on your fucking knees, sucking me off.”
Without a smart remark, she drops to her knees as I brace myself against the kitchen counter, gripping the edge with a white knuckle grip. The goddess peeking up at me through her thick dark lashes looks like a fucking porn star.
Her fingers tug at the belt buckle while I shrug out of my jacket, watching her make quick work of tugging down my jeans. As soon as her soft hand fists me, I let out a low groan. A smile spreads on her lips, and her tongue flicks out, licking at my arousal. Plump lips engulf the crown of my dick as she lowers her mouth on my length. It’s slow, torturous, but I love every fucking minute of it.
She takes my entire shaft into her mouth, the tip hitting the back of her throat as she bobs her head back and forth, all the while maintaining eye contact with me. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, those blue eyes peeking up at me. She has the face of innocence, but she swallows my dick like a pro.
I’ve been dreaming of this day for far too long. When she hums, the vibrations send me into overdrive. I reach for her, pulling her off my cock until she’s standing flush with me. Her lips are swollen and begging for mine, which I graciously gift her.
Crashing my mouth on hers, my tongue darts out, tasting the sweetness that is Tia, that dark-haired beauty I know nothing about. Trailing my hands down her arms, I grip her hips, pulling her closer against me. My body is on fire with need as I lower my hands to her ass, lifting her to wrap her legs around my waist. “Bedroom,” I growl against her lips and she points behind her.
Following the hallway, I find the master bedroom, which is vast with a king size bed and cream colored sheets. We tumble onto the mattress together and I hover over her.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard, Vixen,” I vow, because I’m going to make her remember me, remember this night forever. Kneeling between her thighs, I tug her tiny top to find the most incredible set of tits I’ve ever seen. Her nipples are dark and pebbled, and I can’t help salivating at the sight of them.
Chapter 4
Tia
He tastes like sin—every inch of him—but he also tastes like salvation. Like light. Calmness. I devour it, like a demon feeding off his soul, as I lick into his mouth. His tongue swirls with mine and I become addicted. My veins burn, spark, lighting up with need.
Addiction comes in many forms, but this is pure. As if he’s going to save me from the darkness that clouds my mind. His body is heavy over mine, pressing me into the mattress, while he murmurs dirty words, filt
hy promises and I want them.
He reaches for his jeans, pulls out a foil wrapper which I know we don’t need. I place a hand on his before he rips the condom open. “It’s okay, I’m safe, just take me.” He nods, but doesn’t respond, instead he drops it on the floor. I’ve never asked for it, never wanted to beg a man to fuck me, but when those caramel pools regard me, I know what I want.
My mind is awash with nothing but him. For the first time in a long while, all I see is the man before me, not images that haunt me. His body—chiseled, taut, and warm—hovers over me for a long moment, as if he’s waiting for something. For me.
All my life men have used me. In more ways than I care to talk about, or think about for that matter. When I take someone home, I’m the one in control because men hurt and maim. But this man is something else entirely.
He doesn’t fuck me yet, instead, he taunts me. Rolling his hips, he teases my entrance while his mouth devours my breasts and nipples. They’re peaked and painfully hard. His tongue taunts them, and his teeth bare down on them, biting to give me just enough pain that shoots to my core.
In turn, my body is alight with need and desire. My fingers grip his shoulders, and my nails dig into the skin, as if I’m about to draw blood. I’ve never felt a craving like this before. Such a fierce need to have someone, to feel someone.
When he finally puts me out of my misery to slowly slide into me, connecting us, I cry out. My body is open for him, accepting him inside my madness and I crave everything he’s giving. He plunges into me, driving deep into my core. I feel everything below my bellybutton tighten, causing a whimper to fall from my lips.
His mouth lowers to my hardened nipples, biting down on them, sending shockwaves of desire coursing through me. He’s a drug, it feels as if I’ve shot him into my bloodstream. My head falls back as my eyes flutter closed. The images and memories choke me in their grasp causing me to spiral, down, down, down. No, please, no. “Tia!”
A deep rumble breaks through my darkness and I glance up to find caramel eyes staring down with concern. Our bodies are still connected. He’s inside me. “I—”
“Look into my eyes,” he orders quietly. I obey, watching his orbs swirl with honey and gold. “Feel me,” he commands again, and I do. Every inch of him slides into me, hitting a spot inside of me that has my toes curling into the sheets.
My hands on his shoulders hold on as if he’s my lifeline. As if he’s going to save me. “Brax!” His name falls from my lips. It’s not a moan, or a cry of ecstasy, it’s something else altogether; my body clings to his.
“That’s it. Feel me. That’s me fucking you. My dick owning your pussy.” With every word, he slides in deeper than the time before. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but he does. “Come for me. Give me your pleasure, I want every drop.”
My body convulses at his words, and my nails dig into his shoulders. Ripping skin. Tearing at him. It’s then that I see it.
Red. Blood. Crimson.
The life force of him seeping from his smooth creamy skin. I revel in it.
I want to bathe in it.
He slips out of me and I glance down to look at this body. To really take him in.
Chiseled. Toned. Beautiful.
“Come here.” He reaches for me with a smile. Circling me in his arms, I place my head on his chest, listening to his heart pump life into him, through him. The beat in my heart calms my erratic breathing and my own heartbeat seems to match his, to want that same rhythm.
I’ve had sex before, I’ve fucked, but this felt… real. Different.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head?” His fingers reach for my chin, lifting my head until my eyes meet his. I knew he’d fuck me up because when I look into those shimmering orbs I see it, he doesn’t want to say it, or act like it, but I see it.
Emotion.
Not love. But concern, affection.
“Nothing. Why?” He doesn’t answer me, instead shakes his head and lies back, tugging me into his side where I fit easily. I mold to the grooves and dents as if I was a part of him once and now I’m back where I started.
The thought scares me. But as fear lingers in the back of my mind, I have it to myself.
She’s not here. And as my eyes flutter closed, she doesn’t come.
I have peace.
Rousing from a dreamless sleep, I roll over and find the sheets cold, my bed empty.
You’re stained now. He’s marked you.
No. No. No.
Did you think he wanted you? That he’d fuck you and fall in love?
I swing my feet over the edge of the bed. Rising to my feet, I pad into the bathroom and freshen up. My reflection doesn’t taunt me and I notice a soft pink in my cheeks.
Stained. Tainted.
One night with him and I was free.
“I didn’t know how long you’d sleep.” A deep raspy voice startles me, and I yelp in surprise. Pivoting, I find Brax leaning against the doorjamb wearing only a pair of jeans. He’s barefoot and shirtless with his arms crossed in front of him.
“What—”
“You’d think I’d leave after last night?” He tips his head to the side, regarding me with those captivating golden pools I seem to get lost in too quickly.
“No, I mean, yes. You weren’t in bed,” I state matter-of-factly.
“I wasn’t because I was making you breakfast.” My gaze snaps to his in shock. “I do know how to cook, so I figured you wouldn’t mind waking up to something to eat, and perhaps coffee?” His lips quirk as his eyes narrow, his shoulder resting on the door jamb.
“I suppose, yes.” Dropping my gaze, I focus on the tiles, counting them one by one. Slow. Focus. Breathe.
“Hey.” His hand reaches for me. They’re warm and he smells like food, like sustenance, and I realize that this man may be the end of my pain.
Maybe he’s my peace.
My salvation.
No, I can’t focus on someone else.
I need me, only me.
I’ll hurt him, I always hurt them. She’ll make me, she’ll tell me I must. There’s no one else who can get me out of this. I’ve been alone for too long to falter now. I’ve been tasked to do a job, so that’s what I’ll do.
“Vixen, look at me,” he implores me quietly with a gentle touch. When I drag my gaze up to his, I find warmth, so fucking addictive, I’m already losing all restraint. “Where do you go? What’s inside here?” He taps my forehead lightly, just the touch alone sends a shiver of delight through me.
“I protect others,” my response falls from my lips before I can think, earning me a frown from him. The look of confusion on his handsome face instills fear in my heart because I can’t tell him why. His gaze is transfixed on me. “I can’t talk about it. Can we eat?” I change the subject, hoping he doesn’t press further. Thankfully, he doesn’t. Instead, he pushes his body against mine which has heat surging down my spine, over my skin, into every nerve in my body.
“I’d love to. How about I get reacquainted with that beautiful pussy?” The side of his mouth lifts in that sexy side grin that has a flurry of butterflies wakening in my belly.
“What makes you think last night wasn’t a one-time thing?” I quirk.
He leans in, whispering in my ear. “The fact that you’re standing here all wet and needy for me to make you come again. Also, you’ve not yet asked me to leave, which means you’re aching again. Something about me makes you want it, I make you want it.”
His words reveal everything that’s running through my mind because I do, I want it, I want him.
But I can’t. I should push him away, tell him to leave. He shouldn’t be here.
And when he steps back, I have all intention of telling him so, but you know what? I don’t. Why? Because I’m a fucking masochist, I want to feel, and even though I know there’ll be blood, I don’t let him go. I let him eat my pussy until I can’t walk.
Tia
“Close your eyes, Tia.” I do. “Relax and bre
athe.” My lungs fill with much needed air. As if I’m floating. Her stillness calms me, giving me a reprieve from the storm raging in my mind.
I’m on a cloud and she’s the angel watching over me.
So quiet, so serene, giving me what only he gives me. Peace.
My eyes flutter as memories start appearing, and as much as I want to open my eyes to clear them, I don’t. I allow myself to feel, to drift into the hypnotic dream she’s telling me to find. My mind drifts back, back, back… to that day… it’s cold, so cold. My head hurts. It’s a violent pounding in my brain, as if it’s about to shatter my skull. “I want you to remember the day it happened. When your life changed for the first time.” I nod. I must have because she is quiet for a while.
“Momma, what are you doing?” She’s there, I see her. She’s coming toward me. Her dark curls are pinched tight. Her chocolate skin glistens with sweat as if she’s exerted herself. I don’t remember why. Or where she’s been. She looks different, no longer the smiling face I remember. This time, it’s a distorted expression, filled with something… anger? No, she doesn’t look it. What is it? I reach for her, but she’s too far. Yet, so damn close.
She’s mouthing something, but the words are silent. No sounds. Just an image.
“Are you with her, Tia?”
“Yes, she’s tired. Sweaty. She’s running to my bedroom. Screaming.”
“Why? What is she saying?” Another question, but everything blurs, and my head throbs in agony. Then suddenly, piercing sounds. Something screeches. What? I don’t know.
My body trembles.
My heart races.
Nothing makes sense.
It’s spinning, everything is twirling, making me dizzy.
I can’t hear her. Why can’t I hear her?
“Tia, breathe, listen to my voice.” She’s trying to calm me, but there’s too much happening. How do I fix it? Momma. My mind is in turmoil and my eyes hurt. Tears. I’m crying. Why am I crying? “Tia, come back… Listen to me. I’m going to countdown…”
The Shattered Girl Page 3
