by K. C. Lynn
My dick twitches at her remark; it’s taking all my fucking control not to claim her now. She chuckles at my expression before walking her sassy ass out the door. In a few short hours that ass will be mine.
*
An hour later we’re sitting at Rosa’s kitchen table. Emily holds her trembling hand comfortingly, trying to ease the lady’s fear. She hasn’t stopped shaking since Emily told her everything. “Don’t be scared, Rosa. I won’t let my father hurt you.”
That causes tears to begin streaming down Rosa’s face. “Oh, Emily, honey, it’s not me I fear for, it never has been. It’s you I’m worried about. Do you have any idea what your father will do to you if he finds out just how badly you are betraying him?”
“Nothing, because I won’t let anyone fucking hurt her,” I state firmly, cutting in for the first time.
Emily glances over and gives me a small smile before turning back to Rosa. “Ryder’s right, he won’t let anything happen to me. This has been really hard to take in, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around this. But those girls need us, Rosa. Please, if you know anything… please tell us.”
Releasing a deep breath, she shakes her head in defeat. I see the moment she makes her decision to finally open up and tell us something. “I really don’t know much. I have suspected what you just told me for quite some time now, but as awful as it is I minded my own business.” Her expression turns remorseful. “Do you have any idea what happened to your nanny before me?”
Emily frowns in thought. “I’m pretty sure she ended up moving back to Puerto Rico. I really don’t remember much about her. Actually, I don’t remember much of anything before you.”
I can tell by Rosa’s expression that the previous nanny never moved anywhere. “About a year after I came to live with you, I walked in on your father in a meeting with someone in his office. I overheard them talking about something to do with payment and the price of a girl. When he realized I might have heard their conversation, he stopped me in the hallway and told me it was in my best interest to keep quiet about anything that happens around the house. He said he would hate for what happened to the last nanny to happen to me because I got too nosy, like she did. That’s when I realized just how ruthless your father is.” She visibly swallows and cups Emily’s face affectionately. “You are all I have ever cared about, Emily. There were so many times I thought about taking you and running. I hated that you had to live in that house with them, hated the way they treated you. But I didn’t have the resources, and I knew it would only be a matter of time before your father found us. So I stayed and minded my own business, because if I hadn’t he would have taken me from you, and I couldn’t let that happen. I had to protect you no matter what.”
“Oh, Rosa,” Emily chokes softly, trying to rein in her emotion. “I’m so sorry you had to live with them just for me.”
“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart. I’m not. You are my girl, in every way that matters, and I thank God every day for you. Putting up with them was a small price to pay.”
Emily drops to her knees in front of Rosa, and wraps her arms around her waist. “I love you so much, Rosa. Thank you for loving me and taking care of me. You made me who I am today and I could never picture my life without you.”
“Me too, honey.”
I have to admit I respect the hell out of this lady, and I am selfish enough to say I am so fucking glad she stayed to take care of Emily. I hate to even think about what would have happened to her if Rosa hadn’t been there for her. Emily stands to get back in her seat, but before she can sit I grab her hips and pull her down on my lap, needing to hold her. I fucking hate seeing her upset, but it’s all she’s been the last few days.
I kiss her bare shoulder. “You all right, baby?” She nods.
Rosa watches us, her expression softening. “Like I said, I really don’t know much, but I have heard some talk about a party after the functions. At first I just thought it was a party for your father and his friends to talk business. I caught on once I realized these parties only happened if the girls were in attendance.”
Hearing that has me asking one question I have been mulling over for the last few days. “Why are these girls at the function in the first place? If the charity is for the group home, wouldn’t the only representative be the director?”
Emily answers. “No, not usually. Most of the time you will raise more money when the contributors can meet who the donations are going to. It gives them knowledge on who they are helping, and gives them a chance to connect with them. I always assumed it was an image thing for my parents – getting pictures with the organization and the girls they are helping – but obviously that’s not the case.” She turns back to Rosa. “Do you think my mother is in on this?”
“I believe she knows, how could she not? But no, I don’t think she is a part of it. I think it’s one of the reasons your mother drinks as much as she does. She likes to be oblivious and live in her own world.”
“Do you know where the party takes place?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “It’s on the property somewhere, but not the main house, at least I don’t think so. There might be a way of finding out though.”
My interest piques at that. “How?”
“There’s a key Mr. Michaels keeps in his office, in the top drawer of his desk. It’s always there except for the night of the functions. I believe he keeps it with him, as I assume it unlocks wherever they have their after-party.”
Emily turns to me. “I could go home and sneak into his office to get it. If we have it we can search the property and see what it opens.”
“No!” Both Rosa and I say at the same time.
“What? Why?”
“Because I don’t want you going to that house, especially without me. Not with everything that has been going on.”
“He’s right, honey, it’s too dangerous.”
“I could go when my parents aren’t there. How else are you going to get it if I don’t?”
I’m just about to tell her we’ll think of another way when Rosa speaks up. “I can get it. I’m working a small dinner party your parents are having in a couple of days.”
“I don’t know, Rosa, what happens if my father catches you?”
“He won’t, honey. I’ll sneak in while they’re eating.”
I’m thinking it may be our best chance. If not, Nick and I may need to look at getting in on our own, which will be a lot more difficult.
“Why do you still help them out?” Emily asks quietly. “I’m gone now, you don’t have to still work for them, Rosa.”
“I worry your father will think I know more than I do and get suspicious. I also want to stay close so I know you’ll be okay. If I didn’t stay then maybe they would take you from me.”
Emily reaches over and grasps Rosa’s hand. “No one could keep me from you, not ever.”
Rosa smiles sadly at her. “Have you thought more about the hypnotherapy?”
She nods. “A little, but I haven’t thought much about it since everything went down. I want to do it, but I’m not sure now is the right time. I’m feeling really overwhelmed with everything as it is. Ryder thinks what I saw that night could have something to do with all of this.”
“I think he might be right. I always thought what you saw had something to do with your father. I figured that’s why he kept you so isolated and only let Dr. Shepard ever see you, but I think as years went on he was confident you wouldn’t remember.” She swings her attention to me now. “I will get you that key on one condition.”
I tense, not liking being given any conditions. “What’s that?”
“You keep my girl out of this, and don’t let anything happen to her.”
That was the easiest condition I’ve ever heard. “I promise, no one will fucking hurt her. I would die before I let anything happen to her.”
“Oh god, don’t say that,” Emily says, clearly upset at the thought.
“Nothing is going to happen to either
of us, baby.” I look back to Rosa. “Be careful getting that key. Don’t do it if something doesn’t feel right, or if it isn’t safe to do so. If you can’t get it I will find another way.”
She nods. “Well, young man, I may have underestimated you. I think if anyone is a match for him, it might just be you.”
We aren’t a match because I know I will win this time. I have no choice but to conquer – for all those girls and everything the motherfucker has done to Emily.
Chapter 18
Emily
Standing in front of my dresser with the massive mirror attached to it, I lean in and stare at my reflection. It’s something I do often, since getting my sight back. I check to see what I look like in the morning when I first wake up, then again after my shower, after I workout, eat, laugh and cry. Pretty much anytime I do something throughout the day I check to see what I look like after, for no reason in particular, mainly just because I’m curious. But right now, as I look myself over, my stomach twists painfully at my reflection, because, for the first time, I realize how much I look like my father. A man who has brought so much harm and has caused so many people pain. Our eyes are the same ice blue color, our hair the same light brown, even my heart-shaped face matches his. It makes me wonder how Ryder can even stand to be around me, considering how much he hates my father. Or how Rosa can love me as much as she does after the amount of grief he has caused her over the years. My heart is still heavy since leaving her house earlier, knowing she endured it all just for me.
As if I somehow summoned him with my thoughts, I sense Ryder’s eyes on me. I can tell he’s watching me from my bedroom doorway. “I look just like him,” I whisper, telling him my thoughts as I continue to stare at myself.
I hear him move from the door and my gaze meets his in the mirror as he comes to stand behind me. His green eyes are hard and intense. “You look nothing like him.”
“Yes, I do,” I argue quietly, hating that it’s the truth.
His strong arms come around me and he pulls me back against him. One arm stays wrapped around my waist while the other comes across my chest, his hand wrapping delicately around my throat while he keeps me faced to the mirror. His possessive hold has my heart rate accelerating and my body flooding with warmth; I have felt nothing but cold since leaving Rosa’s.
“Look, baby,” he whispers in my ear, his eyes staying locked on mine in the mirror. “Really look at yourself. Your eye color may be similar, but when you look into yours there’s warmth and beauty. Your hair may be similar in color, but yours is long, beautiful and it smells really fucking good.”
My lips twitch. “You don’t think his smells good?” I tease lightheartedly.
“I don’t give a fuck what his smells like. I’m telling you, Em, when I look at you I don’t see him.” His sincere words have relief flooding me, and my throat burning with emotion. “You are the polar opposite of him. He’s a sadistic son of a bitch, and you, baby, don’t have a calculated bone in this beautiful body of yours. You are absolute fucking perfection and I am going to show you right now.” He sweeps my hair to the side and rains soft kisses down my neck as his hands move to my shoulders, sliding down the straps of my sundress.
Anticipation hums though me because I know what’s about to happen and I’m ready for this. I’m ready for his touch. I’m ready to let go of the past, and look to the future. I want to feel only him in this moment, and let him take away all the bad, even if it’s just for a short time.
My dress slips easily from my body and pools at my feet, leaving me only in a pair of hot pink, lace panties. The cool air in the room hits my overheated flesh and my nipples instantly strain for his touch. A low animalistic growl erupts from his chest as I stand bared to him in the mirror. “Look how fucking pretty you are, Em.”
He steps back briefly only to rid himself of his shirt then he comes up flush against me again. The heat from his hard, bare body warms me from the inside out. His intense green eyes burn bright with lust as his arms come around me once again. My tummy quivers as his hands splay against my bare skin before moving up and cupping my swollen, achy breasts. I drop my head back on his chest with a moan while I raise my arms and link them around his neck. He presses a kiss to the corner of my eye before staring back at our reflection.
“I’m going to show you how perfect you are. It’s the only thing I ever regretted about your disability. I didn’t give a shit that you couldn’t see me, but I fucking hated that you weren’t able to see how beautiful you are.” His words embrace my soul, washing away some of the damage and insecurities my mother has left on me. It’s something he’s always been good at; he’s always made me feel beautiful.
“We look beautiful together,” I whisper truthfully, my gaze locking with his in the mirror.
“Yeah, baby, we’re fucking perfect together.”
I whimper as he begins tugging and rolling my sensitive nipples between his thumb and forefinger. I thrust back against him, my ass connecting with his erection as I try to seek relief for the burning ache igniting between my legs. I feel his growl vibrate against my back seconds before both of his hands move to my left hip and he tears my panties from my body.
I gasp, not expecting the aggressive act, but it quickly trails off to another loud moan as his fingers find my wet, aching flesh. My eyes train on his hand in the mirror as he spreads me open, baring my most intimate part. I should be embarrassed, but I’m so turned on that when the cool air from the room whispers across my throbbing clit, it almost makes me explode.
“Such a pretty pussy.” His rough voice is like sandpaper in my ear, and it sends shivers along every nerve ending in my body. “I fucking love that you’re bare here, baby, nothing hiding your perfection from me.” Keeping me open with one hand, he uses the middle finger from his other hand to slide down my wet center, skimming over my clit. A fiery whimper escapes past my lips, seconds before he slips it deep inside of me.
“Oh god!” My arms drop from around his neck and I fall forward, bracing my hands on the dresser in front of me.
His low groan fills the air around us. “So fucking tight.”
I thrust my back against him, needing more, feeling so close. “Ryder, please!” I beg, wanting to be put out of this sweet misery. Instead of giving me what I desperately plead for, he slips his finger out of me. “No, no, no,” I whimper in disappointment.
“Shhh. You aren’t coming on my finger, baby, not this time.” Our gazes meet in the mirror and he gives me a dirty grin. “This time you’re going to come on my tongue.”
Grasping my hips firmly, he kicks my feet apart to widen my stance then drops down on the floor behind me. I feel him turn before his head comes between my legs, and his mouth immediately latches on to me. I cry out at the sweet ecstasy and my knees almost give out from under me, but Ryder cups my ass to keep me upright. His groan vibrates against my clit and reverberates through my entire body. His tongue slowly gliding through me, exploring skillfully, bringing me to highs I’ve only ever experienced with him.
“God, you make me feel so good,” I moan breathlessly.
“You taste so fucking good, baby,” he growls, adding to the incredible sensations tearing through me.
I stare in the mirror, barely recognizing myself. My face is flushed pinked with arousal, my blue eyes glazed and sparkling with desire. I cry out when I suddenly feel a sharp sting across my ass, the exquisite pain rocking my body with the best sensations.
I meet his gaze between my legs and see him staring up at me. The sight is so intimate and erotic, my tummy pulls tight and I know I’m not going to be able to hold out much longer. Removing one hand from the dresser, I thread my fingers in his soft, silky hair and grip tightly as I thrust against his mouth. My body close to combustion.
“That’s it, Em, fuck my mouth.” He urges me on.
“Ryder, I’m going to come.”
His eyes darken just before he sends another slap against my ass. The sting shoots to my clit and he’s
already there, capturing the fluttering bud between his lips, causing me to shatter into a thousand pieces. I scream out the intensity of my orgasm as sensation after sensation slams into me. Ryder keeps his momentum, dragging out my ecstasy until every ounce of pleasure is wrung from my body. I fall over onto the dresser, my elbows bracing my weight as I try to keep from dropping to the ground.
Ryder kisses the inside of each thigh before placing one on my tummy. “You good, Em?”
“Ahhmmm,” I mumble incoherently, not being able to think straight, let alone talk.
With a chuckle, he rises a little higher and nips at one of my oversensitive nipples. I gasp and shiver, my clit igniting all over again from the light bite. I’m shocked my body is even capable of the reaction at the moment.
His arms come around my waist when he stands, picking me up as if I weigh nothing. My legs instinctively wrap around his lean waist while my arms encircle his neck. He takes my mouth in a searing kiss and I moan at the erotic taste of my arousal on his tongue.
“See how fucking good you taste, baby?” he mumbles against my lips as he walks us over to the bed. “I could eat your pussy for hours.” My clit swells from his dirty words. Lord, the man has a filthy mouth, and for some reason I really like it.
The cool mattress meets my back and Ryder follows down on top of me. I keep my arms locked tight around his neck as we devour one another. I lift my hips, my wet center grinding against his rough jean-clad erection.
Groaning, he pulls away and stands at the end of the bed. His gaze never wavers from mine as he begins to remove his belt, his eyes alight with fire and promise. My heart pounds in anticipation as my eyes take in his impressive body. Bronzed skin stretches over lean, cut muscle; his powerful arms are decorated with black intricate design. I can understand why Cece would think he’s dangerous and lethal. He looks the part, and his body is definitely capable of it, but anyone who takes the chance to know him would see what I see – a man of integrity. One who is honorable, courageous and who risks his life every day for what’s right.
