Saving Their Princess

by Tl Reeve

  “You know, as a detective, I’ve seen some shoddy shit in my life, but this case takes the fucking cake.” Stuart stood up and paced. What the hell was wrong with her father? “What did you find out at the bar?” He needed to change the subject before he blew a gasket.

  “That’s a whole other can of worms,” Kyle said before taking another hearty pull from his beer. “Once I was there, I was thankful she’ll never go back.”

  “What do you mean ‘thankful she’ll never go back’? It’s her job.” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing from his best friend. It wasn’t like him to ever dictate what a woman should or shouldn’t do even when they liked her.

  “That place is overrun with thugs,” he snapped. “The fucking owner’s name is Steffen Rutherford.”

  Stuart’s attention snapped to Kyle. “The Steffen Rutherford?”

  “The one and only.”

  Steffen Rutherford was on the FBI’s most wanted list for murder, embezzlement, money laundering, tax fraud, and other nefarious activities not limited to drug trafficking and prostitution. The guy had been a slippery eel for the last fifteen years. NYPD had had a bead on him back then and went in straight away to take the guy down. After the smoke had settled, the devastation was clear. Five officers and ten of Rutherford’s men had died that day, but the bastard had gotten away. Stuart and Kyle had heard about it while pulling duty as beat cops.

  “And he’s just walking around New Orleans, putting his name out there? What am I missing, Kyle?”

  “The bartender was a little loose in the mouth region. After I got the security footage, I asked about the owner. I wasn’t expecting Rutherford’s name to be dropped. I don’t think the kid knows who he works for, either, because, even after he said it, his expression was neutral. It was as though we were talking about the damn weather.”

  What the hell? Stuart couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How did no one know a wanted fugitive was in their midst? “So we have a wanted man running loose in town? Great.” Any moment, he was going to wake up, and everything would be back to normal. Knowing his luck, however, that wasn’t going to happen. “So—” The sound of the door opening down the hall had both men pausing. Sabine’s soft footfalls grew closer until she was standing before them.

  She looked disheveled and homesick. He couldn’t blame her. Her eyes were red rimmed and puffy as though she had been crying. Shit, did she hear us?

  “Sweetheart?” Kyle stood up and stepped over to her, wrapping his arms around her.

  “Is it true? Did my dad not want to see me?” Fuck. Instinct told him to lie. His gut told him to tell the truth. Shit.

  “Well, you know, he’s a busy man,” Kyle hedged, walking back over to the couch.

  “Yeah, he’s always been too busy.” There was an edge of disdain in her voice. “You guys can tell me the truth. I think, after all I’ve been through, I deserve as much.”

  Yes, she deserved the truth, and she deserved their honesty. “Yes, Kyle went to the chief to get you some face time with your dad. It didn’t go well.”

  Sabine snorted. “It never does. Did you know after my mother died, he brought in a passel of nannies to raise me? I didn’t think anything of it. I thought he was just mourning my mother, and everything would be okay. A year turned into five and then ten. By the time I left home and went to college, we hardly ever said two words.”

  Her tone was even, devoid of any emotion. Stuart didn’t like how her words affected him. It twisted his insides. Every daughter should be able to freely love her father. And in her time of need, when she hadn’t had her mother, Mayor Babineaux was gone. “There’s more.”

  “Perfect,” she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “What do you know about Steffen Rutherford?”

  “Nothing?” She quirked a brow at him and glanced over at Kyle, who’d been extremely quiet since his proclamation about her father. “Look, don’t spare any of my delicate sensibilities here, guys.”

  Stuart snorted. Below the vulnerability was a backbone made of steel. There wasn’t a thing about her that was delicate, except maybe her lush body. Sabine was strong. She was smart and, damn it, he was falling for her. Hard.

  Stuart pulled her into his arms and hugged her. She melted against him, nuzzling his chest. Her soft sigh was his undoing. He tipped her chin up, stared down into her dazzling blue eyes, and bent his head. His lips brushed across hers, nudging them apart, before delving deeper. She was sweet. The taste of innocent femininity combined with her natural heat made his head spin and his dick harden. His fingers threaded through her hair, angling her head slightly, so he could take even more from her.

  When he finally pulled back, he turned her to Kyle. “Did you know we like to share,” he whispered, nipping at her neck, trying desperately to distract her from the ugliness that suddenly surrounded her.

  “No,” she panted, trembling. The delicate scent of her arousal wrapped around him.

  “We share everything, including our women, Sabine. It’s who we are and what we are.” His lips caressed the column of her neck. “Why don’t you go over there and give Kyle a kiss. He’s had a really bad day.”

  “O-okay.” She took a tentative step forward and held out a shaky hand to his best friend. Kyle was the gentler lover of the pair. He gave and received maximum pleasure, and, in turn, Stuart got to watch him play. There wasn’t anything sexual between him and Kyle, but they fell into a natural rhythm together. Each man knew what the other was going to do before he did it.

  Sabine sat down on Kyle’s lap, and he pushed her hair away from her face while cupping the nape of her neck. “You’re amazing,” he murmured, lightly rubbing his nose against hers. Sabine wrapped her hand around his forearm, steadying herself. His friend’s heavy-lidded gaze matched his own. “So sweet and giving.” Kyle pressed his lips to hers. “So soft.” He kissed her once more, and his tongue laved her bottom lip. Over and over, he teased and nipped at her lips, drawing out the anticipation.

  “Kyle,” she moaned, swaying toward him.

  “Say it again. Say my name, sweetheart.” Stuart was mesmerized, completely rooted in his spot as he watched the hypnotic play between his friend and their woman. Her eyes fluttered closed, and a small gasp left her lips before she simply uttered his name one more time. “Don’t forget who wants you, no matter what. We are yours as you are ours.” Kyle didn’t hesitate. His mouth descended on hers, and a startled cry fell from Sabine’s lips.

  Kyle deepened his kiss. His tongue swiped against hers, and his hungry growl filled the room. Just watching them made Stuart ache to touch her. To feel her pressed to him. In determined strides, he crossed the room and sat down on the couch. His hands reached out to her, cupping her breasts.

  Heaven.

  Her soft full mounds fit into his palms like they were made especially for him. He massaged her breasts, and a thumb swiped across her beaded nipple. Sabine whined and arched into his touch. She was so responsive, softening for Kyle and himself. Stuart leaned in and pressed kisses to her neck, groaning at the succulent taste of her skin. He flicked his tongue along the sensitive flesh of her collarbone then nibbled on the lobe of her ear.

  “How much do you want to experience, baby?” he whispered against her ear. “Both of us at one time?” She moaned and shivered. “Mmm, I think you like that.” Stuart chuckled, placing a kiss to her pulse point. “I can’t wait to slip deep into your pussy.”

  “Stuart,” Sabine cried out, wrapping her arm around the back of his neck.

  “Fuck, man. She’s burning up in my arms.” Kyle reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it off. Her tanned flesh glowed in the low light of the room and made Stuart’s mouth water. “Perfect.”

  “No,” she whispered. “Not anymore.”

  Stuart knew what she meant, and his heart broke for her. “Baby, you’re beautiful.” His finger traced the angry red scar. “This is a battle scar. It is a reminder that you made it, Sabine. Fuck.” He picked her up,
turned her to him, and kissed her, pouring every emotion he could into it just so she knew how much she mattered to him.

  “I don’t feel—” Kyle’s phone rang, cutting her off.

  “Hold that thought, sweetheart,” Kyle said, fishing his phone out of his pocket. “Hello?” he answered. “Hey, man. Yeah. Whatcha got?” He walked away from them, stepping outside for a moment.”

  “Look at me, Sabine,” Stuart said, tipping her chin up. “Don’t ever worry about your scars. You’re still the same Sabine.”

  “I’ll never be the same, Stuart.” The first tear he’d actually seen her cry rolled down her cheek.

  “Ah, baby. Come here.” He cuddled her close and rocked her shuddering form. “Let it all out. You’re safe here. No one will ever take you again. I promise.” Stuart rubbed her back and shushed her as she worked through the sobs that hitched in her chest.

  “How can you be so nice to me? How could you want me when my own father doesn’t want me?” she yelled. Anger and sorrow flashed in her wide gaze.

  “Why wouldn’t I want you, Sabine? You not only survived, but you saved all of those girls’ lives. You got them out. You set them free. Do you hear me?” His voice was stern. “God, baby, you’re a miracle!”

  Stuart hugged her tight. Whoever the hell the Master was, he couldn’t wait to get his fucking hands on him. Then he wanted to slap the shit out of her father for not being a dad; for letting his daughter suffer all these years without ever knowing his love. He could understand the man’s mourning for a wife he loved, but never helping his daughter? No, there was no forgiveness for that. Not in Stuart’s book.

  “Still—”

  “No,” he cut her off. “Now I want you to go get cleaned up and ready. We have a date tonight, and there is no way I’m letting you back out on me.”

  “You still want to go out with me?” Astonishment filled her voice.

  “Damn straight. You owe me a night of dancing and fun. It’s about time you get back to living your life.” She needed this; he knew it deep down. So he would give her one night free of worry and regrets. Tomorrow morning, they could worry about her father and Steffen Rutherford. Tonight was hers.

  “Okay.” Her face lit up, and she kissed him again before standing up and skipping off to her room.

  Chapter Seven

  Kyle had been called back to work, leaving Stuart and Sabine on their own. The idea of making her happy made him feel lighter, even if it did scare the shit out of him. If this was going to work, he had to keep on point, which meant she couldn’t go anywhere alone. Stuart left his bedroom and walked down the hall to her room. When she skipped out of the living room, he knew she would take her time getting ready, and he hoped she would enjoy herself while doing so. A smirk crossed his lips as he knocked on the door and heard her singing one of Iggy Azalea’s songs.

  “Just a minute,” Sabine called out, turning down the music. Her light footfalls signaled she was coming toward him. “Close your eyes,” she said, not opening the door to him.

  “Why?”

  “Because I said so,” she laughed. “Come on, Stuart, please.” The sweet sound of her voice made his dick harden and his gut clench. Damn, she was addictive.

  “Alright.” He closed his eyes and stepped back. “They’re closed.”

  “Don’t laugh,” she said. He heard the knob turn and the creak of the door opening. “Okay, you can look.”

  Fucking hell. She was a vision. Her shimmering strawberry blonde hair lay in soft curls, framing her face. His gaze lowered to her cherry red lips, and he bit back a groan. Sinfully delicious ideas rolled through his mind, most of them included seeing her pretty mouth wrapped around his cock. He pushed them aside, though, and concentrated on her. She wore a short summer dress that brushed against her thighs and red wedge sandals. The scent of rose water and something sweet made his mouth water. “Wow,” he whispered. “You look amazing.”

  Sabine smiled. “Really?” She swiped her hands down her dress in a gesture he was coming to learn was a nervous habit. “I wasn’t sure you’d like it.” Biting the corner of her lip, she glanced back up at him. Her brilliant blue eyes danced with desire and a little uncertainty.

  “Yeah, really.” He gave her a genuine smile. “I’m not sure I look good enough to be seen with you, though.” He paused. “Maybe I should change.” He was wearing a fitted shirt and distressed jeans, knowing the bar he was taking her to was a little grungy.

  “No,” she blurted out. “You look hot.” A nice pink blush bloomed on her cheeks and he wondered if he could make it spread across her tits, too. “Should we go?”

  “Sure.” Stuart stepped back and followed behind her, adjusting himself as he went. He eyed the sway of her hips and shook his head. She would be the death of him. “So I found this little dive off the quarter. I think you’ll like it.”

  “Uh-huh,” she answered, walking out of the house and over to his car. Was she flirting with him? “Do you dance, Detective?”

  “I guess you’ll just have to find out.” He winked at her and opened the passenger side door for her. Once she was settled, he made his way around the front of the car and got in beside her.

  The drive was relatively quiet, and when he pulled up to the hole-in-the-wall bar, she turned her attention to him. The place was a little rough, but full of life. He had happened upon the place one day after work. It was Kyle’s fault, actually, but damned if he didn’t like the place once he got inside. He lifted his chin to the brick building with the flashing neon signs and a line of bikes at the front curb. “Come on,” he said, getting out. “You’re going to have fun.”

  “If you say so,” she said skeptically. “How did a lawman like you find a place like this?” she took his hand when she stepped onto the sidewalk next to him.

  “I have my ways.” He strolled down the walkway past the gathering crowd. Catcalls and wolf whistles had him chuckling as he pulled her closer to his side. He stopped at the door and glanced down at Sabine. She was a little wide eyed, and though there was some worry banked in those pretty blue eyes of hers, he knew once he got her relaxed she’d enjoy herself. “Easy, baby. They won’t bite.”

  “Well, now I feel completely safe, Mr. Renwick.” She was cute with that faux pout playing across her lips.

  “Well, let me put you at ease, Miss Babineaux.” He bent to her and whispered, “No one will bite you tonight except for me. Tonight I promise to bite, nibble, and suck on every inch of your pretty little body.” Sabine gasped, and he brought his lips down on hers, devouring her with the simple act. She clung to him as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush to his body. He moaned into the kiss, feasting on her before pulling back and smiling.

  “You’re pretty damn sure of yourself,” she quipped, pushing her way into the bar. “You can buy me a beer first before you try any of that biting, nibbling stuff.”

  “Oh, really?” he said, catching up to her.

  “Really. I can’t have you getting too cocky yet.”

  He laughed. “Baby, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. But I will buy you a beer because I want to.”

  When it was his turn, he made his order and waited as the bartender put the beers up on the counter. The place was rocking for a Thursday night. The jukebox was playing some loud classic rock song while men and women danced in time with the beat or stood to the side and talked. Across the room from where he leaned against the bar, a group of men gathered around one of the three pool tables, laying bets to see who was better. His money was on the guy who didn’t have a bottle of beer in his hand. When their drinks were ready, he thanked the guy and strolled over to the table his date had picked out for them.

  “I was asked three times to dance,” she said the minute he sat down across from her.

  “Were you now?” He cocked a brow. “How did I miss these exchanges?”

  A small smile played at the corners of her lips. “You see, when you put in our order, the man on our right asked first, then the two men
behind us. You were busy watching the pool table. And even though my hand was in yours, they still asked.” She was teasing him. He knew no one had talked to her. He would have seen or heard them. The little minx. “Do you know what I told them?”

  Fuck, she was flirting with him. The crotch of his pants grew painfully tight. The banter between them had been intensifying since the moment she’d stepped out of her bedroom. “What did you tell them, baby?” Lust and desire pounded through his veins.

  “I said my dance card was full,” she grinned.

  “Damn straight it is.”

  The music in the club changed from a deep soulful ballad to a country two-step, and Stuart smiled. There wasn’t a lot he could dance to, but this—this beat—this song—was meant for him. He held his hand out to her, patiently waiting for her to take it, and when her dainty palm touched his, he jolted. A blush stole across her cheeks, and he knew she had experienced it, too.

  His palm engulfed her hand as he led her out to the dance floor and found his rhythm. Soon they started moving. Two quick steps to the side, then back two more, and they were dancing. One of his arms slid around her waist, holding her snug to his body. She melted, pressing her torso to his, allowing him to lead her around the floor. Bending his head, Stuart nuzzled her neck and pressed a kiss to the sensitive flesh right below her ear. He heard her breath hitch and knew she could feel the press of his erection brushing across her belly.

  Each step they took brought them closer together. It was as though the whole bar disappeared. Her breathing picked up, and she relaxed into his grip. Spinning her, Stuart dipped her low and placed a kiss between her breasts. Her gaze was glassy with desire, and her chest was flushed. For a second, he wanted to run his finger through her slit to see just how wet he was making her. Slowly, he brought her back up and kissed her. He nibbled on her bottom lip, sucking it between his teeth before lowering his hand to her ass, squeezing the firm round globe. She whimpered and arched into the kiss, allowing him better access to her. Their tongue tangled in an erotic dance as he continued to move, making sure their bodies stayed connected.