Checkmate

by Kris Norris

  “Dawson,” she whispered, when he finally broke the kiss.

  “Oh God, Kendall,” he moaned, kissing her again, feeling her give herself over to him, her fingers gripping his neck. He growled into her mouth, determined to hold on to his last ounce of control. If he’d thought her desire was strong before, he’d been mistaken. The sudden absence of her emotional barriers enflamed her passion beyond anything he’d imagined, and the fire in her touch seared his flesh as she moved her hands across his back, kneading his strong muscles in sync with his thrusting tongue. He was going to claim her, here and now. No more excuses, no more fear.

  He broke the kiss and reached down, grabbing her shirt by the cuff, but she pulled away, shaking her finger at him. He blinked, not quite sure of her intensions until she placed her hands on his chest, holding his gaze as she sank to her knees in front of him. Then she moved her fingers down to his waist, fisting the seam of his running tights as she eased them over his hips, exposing his bulging erection.

  “Kendall.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes heavy lidded, her face flushed and shadowed with desire. She reached up her hands, gently massaging his abdomen. “Please, Dawson. I need this.” She inched her way back down his torso, running her fingers in lazy circles along his thighs. “Just for a little while…please. I need to know I’m pleasing you. That I can make you dizzy with your desire, the way you make me.”

  “There’s no question about that, my love. I’m already so overwhelmed I’m finding it hard to stand up.”

  A joyous smile lit her face as she nuzzled into his touch. “Then let me please you, taste you.”

  “But I want our first time to be about you. To show you how much you mean to me,” he protested, groaning as she traced a solitary finger down the length of his cock, pinching the tip between her fingers. He couldn’t think when she did that, couldn’t speak.

  “I’ll make you a deal,” she crooned, blowing a heated breath across the flared head, smiling as it jerked up in response. “You allow me this one concession, and I promise I’ll give you free rein over my body once I’m done.”

  Dawson looked down at her. She was smiling up at him, her hand cupping his silken sac as her other started a slow rocking action. He had every intention of denying her request, of pushing her to the floor and eating his fill of the creamy arousal he knew coated her velvety lips, and he would have, if she hadn’t picked that exact moment to swipe her tongue across the crown, licking away the drop of pearly fluid beading from the tip.

  “Mmm,” she hummed. “Delicious. I can’t wait to taste all of you.”

  “Damnation!”

  His resolve vanished, his will held in the palm of her hands. He was helpless, held captive by her smoky gaze, her rasping tongue. She started off slow, bathing first the tip, then the more sensitive tissue underneath, making his breath hitch, his legs tremble, his stomach clench with anticipation. He could feel a series of soft nips as she moved down his length, pausing to suckle each testicle into her mouth. He clenched his jaw, trying not to growl as she licked at them, moving the sacs around with her tongue. She was teasing him, tempting him, hinting at what she was capable of. He stole a gasping breath, mesmerized by the mischievous glimmer in her eyes. “Are you hell bent on torturing me?”

  “I’m not torturing you. I’m pleasuring you. But if you’d like me to stop…” She dipped forward, slipping his swollen flesh between her lips, taking it into the hot depths of her mouth.

  He cried out, the pleasure so exquisite he had to fight from coming on the spot. Stop? He couldn’t breathe let alone speak. And he knew he’d go mad if she stopped. He set his teeth, feeling her tongue lave his skin, her mouth suckle his pulsing head, drinking every drop of pre-cum that slipped from the tip. Her cheeks were hollowed, her head bobbing back and forth as she moved faster over him, increasing the pressure, driving him higher.

  “You’re so thick and hard. I love feeling you in my mouth.”

  “Kendall. Darling…”

  The rest of what he’d wanted to say was lost in a heated moan, as she took him even deeper, pausing to let his cock flare against her throat, before moving back up. Damn, did she have any idea how incredible her teasing felt? He’d never had a woman consume him so completely before. As if pleasing him meant more to her than her own release.

  He fought not to jerk against her mouth, but his control was fading. He knew it wouldn’t be long before he started moving with her, fucking her mouth with steady strokes as the fire erupted in his body. This is what he’d dreamt of the past few days. Ever since she’d touched his cock in her bed, he’d fantasized about having her suckle him. Hearing her cry out in pleasure as he pumped his cum down her throat, knowing she’d enjoyed the act as much as he had. But he’d never believed she’d be so willing so soon. He’d been certain he’d need to show her his devotion first. But be damned if she hadn’t surprised him again.

  She tightened around him, and his sanity shattered. “Oh God, Kendall, you’re killing me, darling. I can’t fight it much longer.”

  Kendall moaned her reply, humming her approval as he felt another drop seep into her mouth. She pulled back, licking the tip, returning his gaze before easing the head back into her mouth, moving down the shaft so damn slowly he couldn’t help but clutch at her head this time, holding it firm, as he sank more of his length into her mouth. She took it, grabbing his buttocks, pressing him harder against her. He could feel the head thickening, pulsing harder with every slow plunge of her mouth. He closed his eyes, trying to stall the fiery embers tingling down his spine, but it was hopeless. Just when he thought he’d gained back some control, she quickened her pace, drawing him deeper, raking her teeth across the top.

  “Kendall!”

  It was a plea, a declaration of his impending release. He was moving with her now, rocking his hips, taking her mouth with short, strong thrusts. She tightened her grip, holding the base with one hand as the other joined her lips, stroking and squeezing, destroying his last foothold on reality.

  “Oh God. Now.” He strained against her hold, trying to free himself from her grasp. “Darling, if you don’t move…”

  She followed his brief retreat, clenching her fingers around his thighs, pulling him back toward her, refusing to release him from her heated prison. He groaned his surrender, fisting her hair in his hands, sealing her mouth to him as the first shot of his semen pulsed into her mouth, coating her tongue and sliding down her throat. She moaned in need, sucking harder, coaxing ever drop of fluid from his body. He cried out, his cock pulsing, shooting more of his seed into her greedy mouth. Giving her all she was willing to take.

  “Oh, Kendall…so good, darling…too good.” He braced his arm against the wall, his body shaking, his legs buckling under the strain.

  He stared down at her, humbled by the pleasure on her face, the look of love in her eyes. She was staring up at him, her hands stroking his legs, her body flushed and damp. He groaned as she drew her mouth along his fading erection, trembling beneath her touch, clenching his stomach when she finally released him, brushing a tender kiss across his thigh.

  He took her hand in his as she rose from the floor, pulling her into his arms, cradling her head against his chest. Her breathing was almost as labored as his, as if she’d experienced the same level of fulfillment from her carnal act. He closed his eyes, savoring the intimate closeness. She was his.

  Kendall drew a soft breath, sinking into his embrace. He could feel her heart beating with his, her hands warm against his skin. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Dawson chuckled. She’d been masterful, taken him to a place of rapture no woman had ever achieved. But there was something in her touch, the way she gave of herself, that told him she’d never pleasured a man that way before. God help him for he’d die if she got any better. “I died and went to heaven.”

  She grinned against his skin, kissing the twitching muscles beneath her face.

  He groaned. “Oh no, you don’t.” He
lifted her face with his hand, taking her mouth in his, thrusting his tongue with a force that had her melting against him. He could feel her need through her tights as he pressed his thigh between her legs. She was pulsing, quivering with her impending orgasm, shaking with need so primal she was mewing into the kiss. He pressed harder, encouraging her to ride his thigh, as he tasted the heat of her mouth. She rocked her hips, whimpering every time her clit brushed against his leg. He smiled, anxious to return the favor, to run his tongue between her silky lips, drowning in her arousal. He didn’t know how long she’d be able to hold out, but he knew he could eat her for hours if she’d let him.

  He growled, pinning her to his chest as he shuffled back toward the bed. She’d had her fun, now it was his turn. And he wouldn’t stop until she felt how much he loved her. Until she realized how tender and passionate it could be between them.

  “It’s my turn,” he moaned. “I hope you didn’t have plans for the rest of the night, darling, because I’m not going to stop until it’s too late to do anything but go to sleep.”

  Kendall’s eyes darkened at his words and he could feel her body heat. He smiled, pleased with her reaction as he brushed the edge of the bed. He kissed her again, reaching out for the mattress just as a knock sounded at the door.

  “Dawson!” Mitchell’s voice was anxious, almost panicked.

  Dawson broke the kiss, turning to the door. He felt Kendall reach for the band of his pants, pulling them up to his waist. He steadied his breath. “Mitchell.”

  Mitchell opened the door, his expression grim. Dawson could tell by the man’s sudden grimace he knew he’d interrupted them again. And Dawson had no intentions of hiding the frustration he felt inside.

  “I’m sorry, Dawson, but you need to come downstairs right away. Both of you.”

  Dawson clenched his jaw. “We’ll be right down.”

  Mitchell nodded and closed the door.

  “Dammit. This getting interrupted thing is getting old…fast.” He rested his head on hers. He needed to get back in control.

  “Maybe it’s better this way. There’s still a chance I can make Garrick think I don’t care for you.”

  “That’s not going to happen.” He released his arms, brushing his lips across her forehead. “I need to grab a shirt and some different pants. Wait here for me.”

  He darted to her closet, grabbing some of the clothes he’d placed there. His limbs felt weak and it took all his strength to pull on the clothing. He glanced back at Kendall. She’d changed and was sitting on the bed. Her body was still shaking with need, and it pained him having to make her wait. He walked back out.

  “You ready?”

  She nodded her reply.

  He stroked her cheek, kissing her lips as he took her hand, pulling her to her feet. She gasped as he palmed his hand on her stomach, inching it down her pants until he was cupping her mound. Her whimper feathered across his neck, her fingers tightened around his. She pressed against him as he slipped one finger between her lips, rubbing the material of her panties across her clit. She shook, and he knew she was close.

  “Come on,” he whispered, stepping back, their hands still joined. “The quicker we find out what Mitchell needs, the quicker we can come back here, and I can show you the extent of my gratitude.”

  Kendall blushed and followed him down the stairs. Logan was standing in the entrance, his back to them. “Hey Logan, what’s…” She stopped. Jody was huddled in his arms, a bloody towel on her forehead. “Jody!” She ran to her friend, only to be blocked by Logan’s arm.

  “This is all your doing!” Logan snapped. “He came after her. That sick monster tried to kill her!”

  Kendall felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. “What?”

  “You heard me. Garrick came after her. He followed her to her car and attacked her!”

  Kendall shook her head, stepping backward. “No. No, he wouldn’t. It’s me he wants.”

  “Logan don’t!” Jody’s voice was weak and frightened. “Kendall didn’t know he’d do this.”

  Trace stepped up behind his sister. “It’s not her fault, Logan. Garrick’s never done anything like this before.”

  “That’s because you were smart enough not to have any friends before!” Logan was angry and bitter. “You should’ve warned me, so I could’ve protected her!”

  Kendall lowered her gaze, swallowing the pain so tight in her chest she was finding it hard to breathe. “You’re right.”

  “Kendall.” Dawson touched her shoulder.

  She pulled away, wrapping her arms around her chest, trying to keep her stomach from heaving in protest. She could feel the walls rebuilding, thickening, sealing her away until there was no hope of escape. She looked up, meeting Logan’s enraged glare. “No, he’s right. We’ve never had friends because my father warned us this would happen. But we got selfish. We never should’ve let you race with us.” She stepped forward, her heart cold and hollow. “Bring Jody into the kitchen. She needs her head looked at. Mitchell will call the doctor that took care of Trace, won’t you Mitchell?”

  “I already did.”

  “You can spend the night in the guest room. Dawson will see that there’re agents guarding the windows and doors. I’ll talk to the Director myself and make sure you’re safe.”

  “I’ve seen what good the Bureau is,” Logan spat out.

  “If he’d wanted to kill her, Logan, he would have,” said Kendall. “He’s making a point. And I get it.” She stepped aside and motioned to Logan with her hand. “I won’t come in if it bothers you.”

  “Logan, be reasonable,” urged Jody. “Kendall’s like a sister to me.”

  Kendall clenched her jaw, but said nothing.

  “Fine.” Logan walked down the hall, Jody in his arms.

  Mitchell walked over to Dawson. “Garrick left these in Jody’s car.” He handed him a manila envelope. “They’re photos of Jody and Logan at work, and at the house. He wants us to know he could kill them if he wanted.” Mitchell paused. “There’re also pictures of Kendall’s room. She’s not safe here.”

  Dawson nodded, thumbing the edge. “Why don’t you go on ahead? I’ll be along in a minute.”

  Mitchell sighed, patting Dawson on the shoulder as he followed Trace toward the kitchen.

  Dawson took a deep breath and walked back over to Kendall. “Are you okay?”

  “No,” she said. “Not even a bit.” She turned and headed down the hall.

  * * * *

  Kendall sat at the bar, a glass of whiskey in her hand.

  “I thought you said you’d never drink whiskey again?” Dawson sat down beside her.

  Kendall thumbed the glass. “I haven’t had any. I just feel better knowing it’s there.”

  Dawson moved closer. “The doctor says Jody will be fine. She’s got a nasty gash, but nothing more.” He touched her fingers with his. “I know it won’t do any good to say this, but it wasn’t you fault. Logan was angry. He wanted to hurt someone, and you were the target.”

  “Angry or not, he’s still right.”

  “You can’t keep blaming yourself for everything Garrick does. He’s the sick monster, not you. You can’t stop him.”

  “Yes, I can. I can give him what he wants.”

  “I already told you, that’s not an option.” He tightened his grip. “Get that thought out of your head. It’s not going to happen.”

  “It wouldn’t be so bad. My mother loved him. It’s not like he’d kill me, at least not right away.”

  “Kendall!”

  “Well, what am I supposed to do? Sit around while he hunts anyone I’ve ever cared about? Trace was first and now Jody. Would you like to place a bet on who’s next?” She closed her eyes, clenching her teeth as a hushed sob caught in her throat. “I can’t live through that, Dawson. Please don’t ask me to.” She cursed and raised the glass to her mouth.

  Dawson put his hand over the rim. “The whiskey won’t help, darling.” He took it from her. “You need to r
est. I’ve already taken care of your friends. It’s your turn.”

  The phone rang.

  Her heart raced. “Oh God, it’s him.”

  Dawson reached for the phone. “I’ll talk to him.”

  “No. It’s okay. Let me.” She picked up the handset. “Garrick.”

  “What’s the matter, Kendall? You sound upset.”

  “Why? Why did you hurt her?”

  “You know why. I could’ve killed her if I’d wanted to. She’s nothing like you. She didn’t fight at all.”

  “Okay, I get your point. What do you want?”

  “As I told Dawson the other day, my desires haven’t changed.”

  “You want me.”

  “Yes.”

  “Where and when?”

  “Nice try, Kendall, but I won’t fall for your tricks again.”

  “It’s no trick. You want me, tell me where and when.”

  “And you’ll just show up? Of you own accord?”

  “Yes.”

  “Nice try, but Dawson wouldn’t allow it.”

  “I won’t give him a choice.”

  “And why would you do this?” asked Garrick, a smugness in his voice.

  “Because I don’t want anyone else to suffer because of me. Will you promise to leave the others alone after you get me?”

  “Of course. But you don’t trust me enough to believe that.”

  “No.”

  “But you’d come anyway?”

  “I already said I would. So, where and when?”

  “Oh, my dear Kendall. I would love to have you surrender to me, but there’s just no fun in that. I’ve been hunting you for a long time, and I don’t intend on stopping now.”

  “Dammit, Garrick. I’m giving you what you want! Why can’t you just accept it?”

  “Because your heart won’t be in it if you don’t think you have something to lose. And you’ll always pine for him, won’t you?”

  “If you hurt Dawson I’ll never be yours, do you hear me?”

  “So you do love him after all. Funny, I thought you knew better than that. Enjoy your time with him. It won’t last long.” He hung up.