by India Kells
Mac blinked, at first unsure she had heard well, but at the intensity on Sebastian’s face, she had her confirmation. Being tied up when Calvi was on a rampage to kill her? So not going to happen.
“Thanks, but no thanks.” At her words, the fire in Sebastian’s eyes didn’t dim.
Smiling, Margot replaced Sebastian on the throne-like chair. “I told you, Sebastian. There’s some hidden strength inside of her. She wouldn’t be as malleable as you think.”
“Not at first, but I can assure you, Mac, that I would take great care of you.” Sebastian came even closer.
She decided to go on with this charade; it was the most fun she’d had since she came here in hiding. “I wouldn’t go down without a fight, Sebastian. You would regret taking me as a submissive.”
“Oh, but I would find the part of you that would love to bend to my will. That weak spot that would make you surrender to me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I’m sure of it.” He licked his lips in anticipation.
Mac frowned at the challenge. Looking around, she noticed by the door a wall with some of the toys used in this room. She selected one pair of standard issue metal cuffs and twirled them in her hands before coming back to Sebastian, who was standing in the middle of the room. Margot leaned forward on her seat, clearly entertained.
“Here is my proposition. The first one to handcuff the other becomes his, or her, master for a day. What do you think?”
Sebastian’s eyes glittered with anticipated possibilities. “A full twenty-four hours. And we can do anything?”
Mac winked at him. “Anything.”
Sebastian nodded and extended his hand. “You have a deal, mi corazon.”
Smiling, Mac shook his hand. “Margot, once I drop the cuffs to the floor, give the signal.”
Mac let the cuffs fall to the floor in a metal clink and each of them took a step back. At that exact moment, Mac realized how much she needed a fight. How much her pent-up frustration was accumulating day after day, forcing to get out. She almost felt sorry for Sebastian who would be the unknowing victim of it.
Margot stood up and whistled.
Sebastian leapt at her, but she easily evaded. Instead, she used his momentum to swing him to the floor. In the back of her mind, she made sure to soften the fall a little. As he dropped, Sebastian grabbed the cuffs and pivoted to catch her. Again, she avoided his hand and instead rolled him onto his stomach. His head twisted, surprise showing on his face when the cuffs clicked into place, unable to comprehend how it’d happened. Both wrists secured in his back, Mac straddled his buttocks, whooping in triumph.
“What the hell is going on?”
The deep voice coming from the open door made her wince. When she turned, Wesley Sorenson what standing on the threshold, arms crossed. And the expression on his face was a step further than angry.
“I’m closing.” Margot nodded.
Mac got back on her feet, helping the still bound Sebastian to his feet. The man wasn’t happy about it, but not completely angry either.
“So, I think I can call you Mistress for the next twenty-four hours.”
Mac couldn’t help but to giggle and looked around for the key. Margot quickly produced one to free Sebastian. “I tricked you somehow, Sebastian. The many self-defense classes made me more dangerous than you thought. We can let the bet go.”
Sebastian shook his head, lips quirking a little as he rubbed his wrists. “No way. I look forward to be at your mercy.”
Mac felt a slight discomfort setting in. “I’ll take a blank check. I can’t be your mistress right now, I’ll let you know when I can arrange it for a full day. Okay with you?”
Sebastian bowed regally and took her hand before kissing it. “Your wish is my command.”
Margot gave her a conspiratorial wink before exiting the room with Sebastian on tow. Mac could hear their laughter from down the hall. All of a sudden, the room turned quiet. Wesley stepped in and closed the door behind him. The room they now both stood in became warmer and the energy vibrating between them didn’t help to steady her.
“After what I just saw, after what you did in the alley, do you still deny who you really are?”
Mac didn’t like the turn of the conversation. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I went upstairs, but you weren’t there.”
“No, I had finished all I needed to do and decided to visit. Lilianne had to go, but Margot and Sebastian were kind enough to show me around.”
“So this is what thrills you?” Wesley looked at the room. “The reason why you made that bet with Sebastian?”
Mac smiled defiantly. “Not really. I made that bet because Sebastian was so full of himself, he had to be deflated a little.”
“Yeah, I understand how deflated he was when he went out. He’s convinced you will have sex with him. That really turns off any man.”
“Margot and Lilianne told me that not everything about BDSM is around sex. So he might be disappointed if I ever decide to accept that date. He might end up scrubbing my kitchen floor.”
Wesley took another step toward her and Mac inhaled deeply; his woodsy scent caught her off guard, making her heart beat faster.
“Is it what turns you on, beating the shit out of men? Is that why you didn’t break a sweat in that alley, why you became an agent?”
The tone made her frown. “You’re a stubborn man, pursuing the same idea, over and over again. And by the way, how did you suddenly appear in the alley?”
“I was going to the club when I saw you. I was about to call out when they grabbed you. Or you let yourself be grabbed by them.”
“You see lies and deceit everywhere, when it’s only coincidences and simple explanations. How very sad.”
“What’s really sad is you think I’m stupid or that I can’t help you. My brother wouldn’t rent that apartment to anyone. And you don’t fit the typical girl he fucks in his pad. What is left is logic: he’s assisting someone from the trade. I wouldn’t be surprised you already knew who I am and what I do.”
Mac licked her lips. She’d never met Owen Sorenson. It was Lance who proposed this hiding spot to Gabrielle as his brother was away. Could she trust him? Why would Lance not tell his older brother about her and why she was here?
“I’m a patient man, Mac, or whatever your name is. I will learn the truth.”
“Why is it so important to you? Why are you set at knowing the reason I’m here?”
Wesley took another step, now so close to her. “Come with me, and I’ll tell you.”
Her instincts were all she had left, and he blurred them somehow. She nodded. Wesley exhaled in relief and caught her hand in his before pulling her out of the room.
Soon, she realized he was bringing her in his apartment. As they climbed the stairs, his limp worsened and she told herself she may have overestimated his recovery.
He opened the door to Owen’s apartment. The decor was more masculine with dark woods and sturdy furniture. A fire was burning in a stony hearth. An addition from Owen, as she didn’t have this luxury on her side of the building.
Wesley let go of her hand and came close, so close she could feel the intense heat emanating from him.
“You wish to know why I want the truth of you? Because I desperately want to trust you.”
“Why do you want to trust me?” Her voice sounded so hoarse all of a sudden, she barely recognized it.
Wesley looked at her, his face a mask of intensity. “I want to trust you when I lose myself inside of you.”
Chapter 10
Wesley came behind her and traced her spine with the tips of his fingers, feather light and arousing. Mac shivered, feeling naked even though she was still fully dressed. She wasn’t sure if she should trust him, yet, but her body did. She let him touch her, first on the naked skin of her nape and then over her sweater. His fingers hitched over her jeans. He circled her hips to draw her closer, enveloping her body in his heat
as he curled down over her.
“Do you sense it? The fire deep in your belly, spreading under your skin in the last weeks? My fingers are unable to stop touching you. I missed your contact, even the pain of it.” His hands caressed her belly before sliding up and cupping her breasts. At that exact moment, she should have pushed him way. Why she didn’t, she knew all too well. Sometimes, desire was more sensible than reason, sharper than any compass. She may need to keep secrets from him, even lie to him, but at this very moment, she didn’t remember why.
Mac pushed herself into his hands in a silent assent, and he squeezed her breasts harder. She tried to turn and face him, but he held her in place. His breath in her ear made her shiver. “No, I’m not done with you. Not nearly. If I let you touch me now, I won’t last.”
She gasped when he pulled her sweater up, trapping her arms for a moment. In the back of her mind, she knew for a fact that she could defend herself, even bring him to his knees if needed, but being at his mercy made her want him more. Give him more. In tone with his order, she remained where she was and waited.
Wesley unhooked her bra and discarded it quickly and did the same with her jeans. She was now naked, except for her black lace panties. He stayed behind her and his fingers resumed their path down her back. A shiver revealed her ragged nerves.
“I wish to spend the night memorizing every inch of your skin. But, right now, I’m not sure I have the patience.”
Mac thought he would keep touching her, but she yelped as he scooped her up in his arms like a bride. She circled his shoulders and kissed him. Wesley groaned before breaking the connection.
“You’re a threat, woman. Now behave.” He let her slide along his body into an upright position, facing him. She couldn’t wait to see all the defined muscles she felt underneath his shirt. Mac looked up and leaned forward to touch him when he made her back up until her backside hit something soft. Wesley turned her again, his hard front plastered against her back, and she realized she had bumped against the sofa.
Without a word, Wesley untied her hair and let the red strands fall around her face, twirling the silky fire around his fingers. Then, he put his palms on her shoulders, and slowly caressed her skin, inching to her arms, enveloping her until his hands were on hers, flat on the velvet back.
“Stay still.” His rasping voice making her jump. His hands glided up, but detoured to her breasts again. This time, the stroke was almost ticklish, circling her nipples hardening under his fingers. She was helpless when he touched her. Her body reacted instantly, impossible to control, even if she tried.
Mac moaned and pushed forward, but this time his touch evaded her. “So eager.” Wesley kissed that sensitive spot just below her ear. “But you provoked me so often, you took pleasure in making me mad, in even risking your life to prove me wrong. You thought I wouldn’t retaliate. What should I do about it now?”
Before she was able to utter a word, he pinched her nipples and pulled lightly. Mac arched her back, pleasure and pain mingling. When she moaned in despair, he lessened the pull to finally release her, gently rubbing again. His caress expanded to her side, constantly lowering to her stomach before stopping at the lace barrier.
“Do you really want it? I won’t force you, but if you do say yes to me, I won’t be able to stop. Do you understand?”
There was more to his words, she realized. He had hinted about his past, how he couldn’t trust again. There was darkness in him. She had seen it so many times. It had tainted him, as it must have darkened other parts of his soul. The way he had kept to himself.
“Please.” And what did she really mean by that? Please stop? Please lower your hand, touch me?
The tone of her voice must have revealed her need. Mac held her breath when he grabbed her panties and tore at the flimsy material. His hand cupped her sex as he kissed the back of her neck. She arched in response, her ass rubbing his bulge as if to provoke him, wanting him to catch fire, as she was burning for him. A feral groan escaped his lips but he didn’t move away. She didn’t need more incentive to keep a slow rhythm against him, trying to make him as needy as she was. Wesley raked his teeth over her skin and she was about to push away from the back of the sofa when his hand started moving again, trailing over her hips, making its way to her stomach, inching even lower in a tantalizing caress. One finger spread her sensitive folds and slid over her clitoris. Mac was glad to have the support of the sofa when her legs shook at the sensation, her shivers amplifying the movement. He added a second finger and then another. They were not yet coated with her fluids, mixing pure pleasure with an edge of pain. It was always there, the desire. He wasn’t able to help it, she realized. And she couldn’t either. How strange that she could give herself to a virtual stranger. But was he really? Everything in her wanted him and everything in her wanted to trust him.
“You’re wet, hot. I wonder if you taste like I imagined.” He released her only to take her hands and push her forward, positioning each palm lower on the seat, forcing her ass high in the air.
Mac was panting now, her heartbeat sounding like a crashing wave. From a distance, she heard rustling and when he touched her again, plastering his hardened body and feverish skin all over hers, she realized he was naked, too.
Wesley placed his knees between her own, pushing them apart until she was on tiptoe. He bent over, his bare flesh pressing harder against her.
“You’re a vision, Mac. And now, it’s time for my retaliation.”
Mac swallowed as he slid himself off, trailing kisses over her back. She realized she was rocking her hips uncontrollably. He had ignited something in her and she wanted more.
“Stop moving, Mac.” His voice sounded gruff through his clenched teeth, but she was aware it was almost impossible to stay completely still under his hands. She was about to press herself against him again when he grabbed her hips. “Don’t move, or face the consequences. And may I remind you that you’re already piling up debts.”
Mac smiled and took a deep breath before exhaling. It didn’t dim the flame, but at least she complied, for the next five seconds.
Then, he distracted her by circling her wet entrance, over and over with his rough fingers. He plunged ever lower and made enticing swirls around her clit, not quite touching it. Her hips rocked again, but he made sure never to skim the sensitive bundle of nerve.
“Wes!”
Pleasure rose and fell inside of her so many times, she lost all sense of reality. Threading the edge of orgasm so often made her too sensitive, she couldn’t stand it anymore. Mac scrambled up, pushing Wesley away in a desperate attempt to cling to whatever remained of her sanity. He wouldn’t allow it and caught her, making them tumble onto the carpet.
Wesley stretched her under him, slick skin gliding, both heaving. The mingled smell of sex and musk was impossible to ignore. It permeated the room and made her head spin.
The Wesley’s blue eyes had turned stormy, tinted with the shade of lust and madness.
“Now, you realize how I felt during the last few weeks.” His voice was hoarse, bordering on a snarl. “It was like my skin was too tight when I saw you, when you touched me. I couldn’t breathe when you were close. Desire was my master and never allowed reprieve. Night after night, I took myself in hand, masturbating until agony and yet it wasn’t enough.”
“So you decided to punish me, for something I didn’t do.”
“No.” When he released her hands, cupping her cheeks with surprising tenderness, her throat tightened. “So you could be as desperate for me as I am for you.” He placed both arms beside her head. “I don’t want you to hate me, Mac. I want you to want me. I want you to trust me.”
She didn’t know how he actually achieved it, but it softened something in her. All her irritation slipped away, and she finally saw a glimpse of him through the cracks in his shield. Yearning. A revelation he may not comprehend just yet. So she opened her thighs and hooked her legs around his lean waist, while grabbing his head to bring him clo
ser.
Wesley kissed her but he hesitated for a moment before taking a sharp breath. Reaching between them, he guided himself inside of her. Mac arched back at the sensation of inexorable fullness entering her. Wesley bit her neck as he started to move. Slowly, very slowly. Too slowly. She was beyond waiting, tired of being tightly wound like a spring. Enough. Taking him by surprise, she hooked her foot behind his knee and rolled them both around. Now on top, she didn’t allow him to think and started moving at an increasingly frantic pace. Pleasure coursed through her, but it was the face on the handsome warrior beneath her that took her breath away. His features, so serious, were solely fixed on her, nostrils flaring, delectable muscle bunched and straining. His hands first on her knees inched up to her ass, kneading and caressing her, spurring her on.
