by Lynda Aicher
Deklan was here for her. That was all that mattered.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The ache in Deklan’s chest eased the instant Kendra was in his arms. It had almost fucking killed him, standing outside just waiting for her. The cold air hadn’t even registered when all of his focus was on the one small window where she’d appeared. Thoughts of charging the castle and damn the consequences had almost forced his hand. It was only Seth’s calm logic replaying in his mind that kept Deklan’s feet firmly planted under the streetlight.
He took his first deep breath in over twelve hours, the scent of lilacs seemingly enhanced by the crispness of the air. Or maybe it was just the relief of having her back in his arms. Of knowing she was safe. If he had anything to say about it, she would never doubt that again.
He pressed his lips against the small curl at her temple, the one that always drew him in with its teasing softness. Easing back, she cupped his face, her blue eyes shining in the dim light of the porch.
“Thank you, Deklan.” She didn’t need to say more. He got it. Thank fuck Seth was stubborn enough to make sure Deklan had gotten it too. He owed that man something big.
She lifted up to capture his lips in a kiss that was as possessive as he felt. The groan that left his chest was filled with every emotion that he’d locked down since she’d left. Her mouth was hot and sweet, filled with the lingering flavor of spearmint and her that he wanted to taste forever. Her nose rubbed over his cheek, warm against his chilled skin, smooth against his beard stubble. She pulled back to trail kisses down his jaw until she nuzzled her face into his neck. Her slow sigh caused an avalanche of goose bumps to chase down his neck and over his chest.
Holding her tight, he simply felt her, the length of her firm, lean body pressed as close as they could get without being inside each other.
“I love you, Kendra,” he whispered into her ear, the rough tightness of his voice making the words sound as raw as he felt. Exposed and bared to her in a way he’d never permitted with anyone else.
“Oh...” she breathed against his neck, her lips skimming over his skin. Her hands fisted on his back before they drew his head down for another consuming kiss. Her tongue searched out his, caressing and telling him silently how she felt. She nipped along his bottom lip, sucking the flesh into her mouth then soothing it with tender licks.
Pulling back, she searched his eyes, every ounce of vulnerability displayed in her own. “I love you,” she said. Her admission almost brought him to his knees. He’d hoped, been pretty damn certain she’d felt that way. But hearing it shattered the wall he’d long ago built around his heart.
“I’ll never harm you,” he insisted, brushing a stray piece of hair away from her face. He wanted her to understand how much he meant it. It wasn’t just words for him.
“I know.” She blinked a few times, her thumbs stroking along his jaw. “I know. You’re the one who taught me the difference between hurting and harming. Between play and abuse. Love and control. I trust you, Deklan. In all ways.”
He tugged her close, overwhelmed by her openness. “How?” he asked, his voice still rough with emotion. “After all that asshole did to you, how can you trust again so freely?” He laced his fingers in her hair, his lips pressed back to her temple.
“Because it’s you.” She kissed the sensitive spot right below his ear. “Only because it’s you.”
The deep rumble of a throat clearing had them stepping apart, but he kept his arm tightly around her shoulder. He wasn’t letting her go.
The stern expression from Kendra’s father met them, his broad frame filling the doorway as he assessed them both. Deklan recognized the man from the photos that had been included with Rock’s research. Thomas Morgan appeared every inch the formidable businessman he was. And right now, he was displaying the protectiveness of a papa bear over his cub.
“Father,” Kendra said. “This is Deklan Winters. He’s the man who helped me find my way back.”
“Mr. Morgan,” Deklan said, stepping forward to offer his hand in greeting. He sensed it was only well-ingrained manners that made Kendra’s father accept the handshake. The stony stare that reminded Deklan of Kendra confirmed the suspicion.
“Mr. Winters,” Thomas said, his hand still gripping Deklan’s. “If I ever find out that you’ve harmed my daughter, I will hunt you down and make you beg for a mercy that doesn’t exist.”
Deklan smiled. He understood the man perfectly. “I would expect no less, sir.”
They separated, a tenuous truce achieved. He knew, however, that it would take years of proof before Kendra’s father truly believed him. Just one more thing the bastard Eric stole from Kendra’s family.
Kendra led him down the long hallway of the grand house, his wet boots squeaking on the hardwood floor. Every step a reminder of just how far outside his realm he was.
The introduction to her mother didn’t go much better than her father. The woman was smaller than Kendra with a delicateness that would never apply to her daughter. Eleanor could have easily walked off the pages of a magazine, her clothes, hair and makeup making her appear years younger than what Deklan knew her to be.
Her parents displayed the full intimidation of a prominent power couple. The fact that they were still together in a time when divorce was the norm said something about the strength of their marriage. Maybe it was all about image as Kendra had said, but the one they projected was pure unquestionable authority.
Kendra squeezed his hand, their connection solid despite the overtures of distaste that emanated from her parents. “Mother, Father,” she said, her voice strong and sure. “Deklan helped me in more ways than I can explain. He doesn’t come with the pedigree that Eric had, but he has a strength of character that Eric will never come close to.”
Deklan was humbled by her conviction as much as her declaration. “I love your daughter,” he told her parents. “I would give my life to protect her, and you have my word that I will never harm her.” He held each of their gazes in turn, communicating with his eyes what he felt to his soul.
Her father inclined his head. “I’ll hold you to that.” Clearing his throat, he dove into the next topic. “Kendra tells us you may be able to help us get that...” He looked to Kendra, as if seeking confirmation that it was okay to proceed. She gave a nod, her lips thinned. “Video that bastard Eric has on her.”
“It’s already done, sir.” There was a small bubble of satisfaction that Deklan couldn’t deny as three faces stared at him in stunned surprise. There was always pride in a job well done. This was no different. Years of military efficiency and delivering reports came back as he recited the facts. “All copies of the file have been retrieved and destroyed, including the one locked in his penthouse safe and the one held by the bribed employee of the video company creating your anniversary video. Eric’s computer has been wiped, a nasty virus destroying the hard drive. Any possibility of remaining copies should not be a threat, considering the pictures and video we now have on him.”
“T-the what?” Kendra stammered, her eyes wide. “What did you do?”
“Personally, nothing,” he reassured her. “But trust me when I say he’ll never dare to harm you or your family again. He’s been treated to a taste of what he forced you to submit to.” He cupped the back of her neck, tugging her close, her parents forgotten. “Cowards like him run when faced with a stronger opponent. I made sure he knew who was stronger.”
“You did that for me?” The wonder was clear on her face.
“Don’t you understand?” He gave her a soft kiss. “I’d do anything for you.”
The hesitant, soft smile that filled her face flushed him with a peace he never wanted to lose.
“How can we thank you?” her father’s deep voice interrupted once again.
Deklan kept Kendra close, but turned his head to address Thomas. “None required, sir. I told you I’d take care of her. I mean that.” Every word. The only reason he hadn’t gone after Eric himself was becau
se he’d have been hard-pressed not to kill the bastard.
“Are you sure you’re all right now?” Eleanor asked her daughter.
Kendra looked to Declan, a wide smile on her face. “Yeah, Mother. I’m okay now.”
Deklan understood exactly what she meant. Okay was not even close to defining how right it felt to have Kendra by his side. In his life. But that simple word said it all.
They were okay.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The music wound in the background, a jazzy tune that blended with the low chatter and clink of silverware that fit the posh surroundings. All around them people decked out in designer gowns and name-brand tuxes laughed, smiled and posed to impress. Kendra didn’t bother to figure out who they were impressing. It wasn’t important to her.
“What’s that smile for?”
She looked up to meet the deep blue eyes of the man she loved. “Because I don’t care.” She ran her fingers down the smooth line of his jaw, marveling at how soft the clean-shaven skin could feel when it was usually a little abrasive. Resting her hand on his chest, she enjoyed the slow sway of their bodies as they moved together across the dance floor.
“About what?”
“Anything. Everything.” Kendra laughed, a deep, refreshing freedom consuming her. She tilted her head back and let Deklan spin her around before he tugged her in for a long, slow kiss that almost made her forget where they were.
It was the small giggle off to their side that finally forced her to ease away from the hypnotic kiss. A quick glance to her left revealed the source of the small laugh. Her four-year-old niece covered her mouth at having been caught and dashed away between the legs of the other dancers.
Kendra rested her head against Deklan’s strong shoulder, inhaling the sandalwood scent that was just so him. “Thank you for coming with me tonight.”
He hugged her closer, even though there was no room left between them. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
“Right,” she chided. “This doesn’t really seem like your kind of an event.”
“For you, it is.” He kissed her temple, that one spot that was now his.
Melt her heart. Her Dom was constantly surprising her with his tenderness. A girl could get spoiled. Something she was a hundred percent fine with. “Have I told you how handsome you look in your tux?”
“Yes,” he growled, nipping her earlobe. “Which is the only reason it’s still on.”
She chuckled, twisting her hand around his tie. “I can take it off you if you’d like.”
“Any time you’re ready.”
Kendra pressed her hips closer to slowly rub over his growing erection. His low groan made her bite her lip to keep her laughter hidden. Teasing him was fun. It was just one more thing she was remembering about having a real lover in an honest relationship.
Yeah, relationship. That’s what they had. And it didn’t even scare her to say that. Not with Deklan.
“Should we say goodbye to your parents before we leave?”
She leaned back to look at him then swung her hips one more time, his cock rising hard and firm within his pants.
His arms tensed, jerking her to his chest. He cursed into her ear, his warm breath sending chills down her neck straight to her nipples. “You asking for something, Kendra?”
Lifting up, she whispered into his ear. “Please, Deklan.”
“Fuck.”
The breathy growl made her laugh again. It felt so good to do that. To be here at her parents’ anniversary party with Deklan. To have the support of her family after all she’d been through. Telling her brother and sisters hadn’t been any easier, but it’d helped that her parents had agreed her siblings didn’t need to know all of the details. Chris had been just as angry and hurt by Eric’s actions. Eric’s poison had touched her entire family.
But no more. No one had heard from Eric since Deklan’s little intervention. Deklan had offered to show her the incriminating pictures of her ex submitting to Deklan’s dominant friends, but she’d declined. There was nothing of Eric she ever wanted to see again.
“Come on,” she said, leading him off the dance floor. She glanced back, scanning down before leaning back to whisper, “Don’t worry. No one can see your boner under your jacket.”
He covered his cough behind his hand and nailed her with a look that could only be classified as a promise of retribution. A pale shade of pink touched his cheeks. Yup, that was her big, bad Dom blushing.
She spun around, cupping his face. “I love you. So much.” She planted a fierce, hard kiss on his lips then quickly pulled away before he could respond. This whole love thing was so new it still made her feel vulnerable at times when she realized just how much she wanted Deklan in her life. How grateful she was that he was in it.
“Hey,” he said, tugging her back around. “I’ve got you. Remember that.” He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek in the softest of touches.
She closed her eyes and simply absorbed the feel of that light caress.
He leaned down to once again nuzzle her ear. “And later I’m going to have you bound to the headboard on that luxury bed in that ritzy hotel, spread eagle and begging for me to take you.”
She inhaled, her pulse fluttering with the image he created. She swallowed. “Yes, Deklan.”
His chuckle tickled her ear before he nipped her lobe and finally leaned back. A devilish grin covered his face, his dimple on full display. “Two can play at that game.”
“Come on,” she said, tugging his hand again. “Let’s find my parents and say our goodbyes. Then you can keep all of those promises you made to me.”
“Always.”
She smiled at the low reply that reached her even over the din and chatter of the room. That one word said it all. Deklan had taken the time to prove that he meant it. That despite how he looked and came across to most, he was the kindest, most giving man she knew. She had no doubt that he would be there for her.
And she vowed to be there for him too. Always.
* * *
Deklan shut the door behind them, the low click settling in the room. He leaned against the door, content to watch as Kendra moved into the large, overpriced hotel room her father had insisted on paying for. She was beautiful. The sleek, black dress hugged her body, showing off exactly how fit she was, and her heels made her legs look longer than sin. Her sandy blond hair was pulled into a fancy arrangement that let long curls hang down, tempting him with every move of her head.
Tonight she was all sophistication and elegance. She’d blended beautifully with the posh crowd at the party. Laughs, polite inquiries and appropriate replies, she’d managed them all with ease. And it had been so superficial.
He twisted his fingers around the chain in his pocket, wondering again if it was the right move. But damn it, he wanted to see it on her. He wanted it with an urgency that should’ve scared him, only it didn’t.
She looked back at him as she removed her dangly earrings and froze, her eyes going wary. “What?”
He went to her then; it was impossible not to. He cupped the back of her neck, urging her closer. Her body softened as she molded herself to him. The sigh that lifted her shoulders and flowed over his neck said it all.
This was so much more. More than he probably deserved. More than he imagined. “I love you.” After never saying that to anyone, he couldn’t stop telling her.
“Thank you.”
He should be thanking her, and he would for the rest of his life if he had his way. He eased down the zipper on the back of her dress, savoring the low purr of foreshadowing that came with the action. She wiggled against him, and he chuckled at her devilish play. Thank fuck that bastard Eric hadn’t stolen that from her. He’d tried, but Kendra had been stronger than that weasel ever hoped to be.
The prick had high-tailed it back to Boston as fast as Daddy’s private jet could take him. If he was smart—and that was questionable—the man would never return. Deklan didn’t care what he did as long as
he stayed away from Kendra.
The dress slid down her body to pool around her feet in a glossy pile of silk. He ran his hands around her trim waist, savoring the outline of muscles that rippled beneath his palms. He’d only returned from Minneapolis that morning. Kendra had stayed with her parents all week, using the time to repair old wounds. Seth had insisted The Den would be fine without him, but Deklan had plans he’d needed to put in motion.
Neither Seth nor Jake had objected to moving Marcus, one of their most trusted Doms, into the role of training submissives. Deklan would continue training new Doms, but the connection required to properly train a sub wasn’t in him to give anymore.
His only connection was with his only sub, Kendra.
He’d already terminated most of his client contracts, so there’d only been a few of those left to cancel. Kendra had ruined his desire to master anyone but her weeks ago. But she was so much more to him than just a sub.
“What are you thinking about?”
Did he tell her? Never one to doubt himself before, he was now full of indecision when faced with the possibility of losing her.
Her bright blue eyes were filled with curiosity and she tilted her head, studying him intently. “Hey, what’s wrong?” She ran her fingers over his brow, smoothing away the frown that had formed. “You’re starting to scare me.”
“What?” He snapped out of his thoughts, angry at himself for making her worry. “No. Nothing.” He kissed her lips to reassure her. But he should have known better. He couldn’t do with just one kiss from her. One turned into two then three before he had to yank himself way, panting.
Her lids where heavy, her smile silky with the same lust that pooled in him. The need to claim her completely pushed him forward, hurdling past his doubt and fears.
He lowered himself down, dropping to one knee to kneel before her. Her eyes went wide, the confusion forming. He kissed the soft skin of her abdomen, holding her hips firm as his tongue swirled around her navel. She hummed her appreciation, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders.
