by K. A Knight
Shit, shit, shit, did he see me staring?
I grab the tray and drop the glasses at the pot wash before turning. I freeze when I realise he’s staring straight at me, even though Hottie McHot face is talking in his ear. He completely ignores her, his eyes only for me, and it reassures me a bit, enough that I grab him a drink and saunter over. I bend over, purposely ignoring her, and place the drink in front of him with a wink. He flashes me a grin, grabbing the glass and holding it in his palms.
“Thanks, Scarlett,” he says warmly.
“You’re welcome.” I grin back. I turn to the woman then who’s glancing from Max to me. “Would you like a drink to go with that desperate?” I inquire politely.
Her eyes fly wide and then narrow on me. “Why don’t you get behind the bar and do your job before I get you fired?” she shoots back.
“You could try, but I’m betting you would get distracted by my manager’s cock and add him to your next conquest list,” I counter, smiling sweetly at the end. “Now, hands off the goods and for the second time, would you like a drink?” I ask respectfully. I hear Max cough under his breath, trying to hide a laugh, and I wink at him.
“Erm, sure, vodka cranberry.” Her eyes run down my body as I turn away and head back to the bar, knowing she’s wondering who I am to him. I make her drink, keeping my back to the customers, and when I turn around I spot her waiting between two men, leaning on the bar. She smiles at me, a peace offering, and I pass her the drink. “£5.90 please,” I tell her. She digs out a note, and I quickly move to the till and grab her change before passing it over and moving on to the next customer.
I could have gotten jealous...even more jealous, I could have become angry and made my point even further, but instead I showed her that to me she is nothing to worry about. Rather than being rude after my little dig, I was polite just like she’s any other customer, someone I don’t even notice.
“I’m sorry,” she yells to be heard over the music. I look at her with a confused expression.
“Sorry, miss, was there something else you needed?” I lean in to ask.
She grins then. “I didn’t know, can’t resist a bad boy, but message received. I won’t go near your man. Thanks for the drink.” She toasts me and saunters off in the opposite direction of Max.
Huh, well, that was easy, but did I just claim him in front of everyone? I think I did. Why doesn’t that bother me?
I keep my head down for the rest of the shift and it flies by. My back is aching, my arms are tired, and my feet are numb, but the tips make it worth it. I nod to Breena who comes to take over for me and I head over to Max. “I’m finished,” I tell him with a smile. He knocks his water back and grabs my bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he presses his palm to the base of my spine again.
“Let’s get you home then,” he rumbles and I shiver.
“Let’s,” I agree.
He leads me from the club, and I wave goodbye to the bouncers as we head to his car. Max opens the door for me, and I smile as I slip in. He drops my bag at my feet and shuts my door, heading around to the driver’s side. When he gets in, he cranks up the heat. I didn’t even notice I was shivering, but I’m betting he did. I’m used to being cold, but without even asking he made sure I wasn’t.
I smile softly. “Thank you for looking out for me and for driving me.”
“You’re welcome, Scarlett. Whatever you need, you just have to ask.” With that, he pulls away and I turn and stare out of the window as we head home.
Chapter Nine
Maximus
Keeping the ignition running, I turn to stare at her where she’s relaxed against the passenger seat. “We’re here,” I announce softly. She lifts her head and smiles lazily at me.
“Thanks again,” she says around a yawn, grabbing her bag and shutting the door after her, and then she hurries up her drive. I watch as she gets inside, and only then do I pull away and up onto my driveway. Killing the engine, I slip out and lock the car before stomping to my front door.
I head inside and lock up after myself, pissed at no one but me.
Fuck, I very nearly kissed her. It was the hardest thing I ever did, looking away from her with her watching me all needy like that. But she doesn’t deserve a man like me, one who will ruin her innocence. She had looked so beautiful, her eyes wide with lust, her lips slightly parted and pink. She had stared at me, her eyes focused on my lips. Yet I couldn’t. If I took that step, if I kissed her, I would never let her go. She would be mine. One taste and I would be gone.
Milo wags his tail at my feet, and I pet him before heading upstairs, stripping as I go, my movements rough and angry. Then, to make the night worse, that woman wouldn’t leave me alone, not taking no for an answer, and Scarlett, sweet Scarlett, had offered her a drink, not the least bit concerned. I had searched her eyes for signs of jealously, which was stupid, why would she be jealous? It’s not like I’m anything to her. Flicking on my bedroom light, I watch as Milo jumps on the bed and gets settled while I stand in the middle of my room.
I stop before the window, my lungs freezing and my cock turning rock-hard in my pants. I can’t move, I can’t look away, even though I should…but I’m not a good man, and maybe my girl isn’t as good as she seems. She knows I can see her, she knows it…yet she kept the curtains open anyway and is standing right in front of the window.
She wants me to watch.
She wants me to see her strip.
Her back is to me as she pulls off that ridiculous white t-shirt, revealing a white, lacy, cross back bra, the material pale against her tan skin. She drops her black shorts next, showing me matching lacy panties, which cup her plump arse. Fuck.
Lust roars through me and my hands clench at my sides. My eyes drag everywhere I can see, needing to remember every inch of skin. I want to taste her, to touch her, but I’ll have to settle for watching. She turns slightly, grabbing a top from the side, and I get a good look at her big, plump breasts almost spilling from the lacy cups, her toned stomach, and curves. Her thighs are shapely and toned, and I want to get my hands on them, to push them apart and dive into that sweet little pussy I bet she has. I’m almost panting, and when she slowly pulls that t-shirt down, hiding all those delicious curves from view, I stumble back to my bed, flicking the button of my jeans as I go and palming my cock.
I can’t help it, the need to come rushes through me and I close my eyes. The image of her body is burned into my mind as I tug myself, stroking my length, imagining it’s her hand, her mouth as she looks up at me through those fucking lashes and winks. Visualising slipping into her wet heat as she screams beneath me. She would be so sweet, so receptive, gripping my cock like a glove as I fucked her hard.
I explode onto my stomach, panting and opening my eyes to stare at the ceiling.
I’m so fucked.
I thought I was the devil, my claws sinking into my innocent angel, but I was wrong, so very wrong.
My angel isn’t so innocent, and she’s seducing me, playing me, toying with me.
My angel is fallen, sinful, and so fucking beautiful I ache for her.
She knows the hold she has over me and she taunts me with what I can never have…with heaven. One day, she’s going to push too far, and not even her wings will save her from me.
Rolling from the bed on weak legs, I wash myself before turning off the light and climbing between the sheets. Each moment with her is like a test, one I’m bound to fail. She could soften even the hardest warrior and make even the most honest man want to sin. Yet I can’t stop. I greedily eat up all her time, every look, touch, or word she speaks. I won’t stop, I can’t, not now, but I won’t go further. I’ll just stay this way, helping her, driving her, and watching over her.
Even that feels like a lie.
Closing my eyes, I picture her lying next to me, her golden hair spread over my pillow as she curls up into my chest and my heart aches. It’s not just her body I want, I wish it was, because it would be easier, but no, I wa
nt her all. I want her heart. I want her life. I fall asleep with her name on my lips and a prayer in my heart.
I barely sleep, as usual, and end up working out and eating breakfast before 7:00am. What to do while I wait for her? Milo barks and I side-eye him. “Want to go for a walk?”
He can’t go too far with three legs, but that has never stopped him. He yips and I get up, cracking my back as I stretch. “Come on then.” I don’t bother grabbing a lead, he hasn’t needed one since he was a puppy in training. I head out of the back door, locking up before we go onto the path into the woods at the back. He moves alongside me, sniffing at everything and wagging excitedly before taking off after something, and then coming back to check with me before doing it again.
I tuck my hands in my trousers and watch him play, a soft smile curling up my lips as he darts across the path, back and forth, chasing leaves blowing down from the trees. I hear footsteps behind me and turn, spreading my feet into a brace position out of habit, my hand clutching the gun at my back, but I let go when I spot Scarlett. I groan, looking at the heavens for help. Are you fucking serious?
She’s in a tiny crop top and shorts, with trainers on her feet and her hair in a ponytail that bounces behind her as she runs. I spot the earphones from here, and she doesn’t seem to have noticed us yet until she looks up and then blinks. She slows, stopping in front of me out of breath and covered in sweat. It glistens on her tanned skin and my eyes watch as a droplet trails down her cheek, dripping to her chest and following the curve of her breast.
Give me a break.
Milo barks excitedly, racing towards her as she pulls the earbud from her ear, totally oblivious to the fact she looks like a wet dream, all sweaty in tight lycra, and I can’t help but remember what she looked like last night in that lace. She grins at me like she knows my thoughts, and crouches down and kisses at Milo’s head as she talks to him.
“Hi, baby. Oh, are you playing? Don’t you look so handsome,” she coos, and once again I’m jealous of a fucking dog.
She glances up at me then, still stroking Milo who’s nudging her for more pets. “Morning, Max. Didn’t know you walked Milo this early. I never see you.”
Fuck, that means she runs here often enough. Why the fuck didn’t I know that? She’s out here in these woods alone at the crack of dawn? I narrow my eyes then. “You look tired,” I snap.
She lifts her hands to the bags under her eyes before dropping them. “I’m fine.”
She looks at Milo then, ignoring me, not that I blame her. “I just meant you mustn’t have got much sleep,” I say, trying again.
“And you did?” she asks, the little minx taunting me with a flirty grin like she knows exactly why I didn’t get any sleep.
“Touché,” I retort instead. “Want to walk with us?”
She gets to her feet, draping her headphones around her neck. “Sure, you don’t mind, do you, baby?” she coos down at Milo, who barks and races away, coming back a minute later with a stick for her. He drops it at her feet and races away again. We both watch as he comes back each time with another stick until there is a small pile at her feet. I can’t help it, I laugh and she joins in, the musical sound moving through the trees.
She grabs the sticks and throws one as she starts to walk. I fall in next to her and take some from her, holding them so she doesn’t cut herself. Milo chases the stick, then loses it so she has to throw another. She does this the whole time we’re walking. Scarlett doesn’t speak and I’m at a loss for what to say.
Thanks for the show? I came so hard I couldn’t walk? Fuck, I’m not good at this, so I keep my mouth shut and watch her out of the corner of my eye as she smiles and plays with Milo.
“I’ve seen you go out a lot, do you work?” she inquires, and I almost grin at her attempt to dig for information. She isn’t subtle.
“I do,” I offer while watching Milo. I see her staring at me before she goes back to playing with the dog.
“What do you do?” she asks, still digging.
“I provide services, what are you doing at the university?” I question, changing the subject, knowing she won’t drop it.
“My focus is design and media, specialising in design,” she answers.
“That’s what you want to do?” I query.
“I’m not sure. I enjoyed it, so I picked it, but the likelihood of me being able to work in that area is slim. You didn’t answer me, what do you do?”
I don’t reply and she huffs adorably. “Okay, what did you used to do? You were in the army, right?”
“I was, enlisted when I was seventeen, got into special forces at twenty, then I left when I was twenty-three, moved here after,” I tell her, wanting her to know a little bit about me and not think I don’t want to talk to her. I just don’t want to scare her away with my life now, and her knowing about my profession could put her in danger.
“Huh, so I bet you’re a good fighter?” she presses.
I shrug, tucking my hands in my pockets again.
“Would you teach me?” she requests, stopping and looking at me.
I stop too and turn to her, my eyebrow arching in shock. “You want me to teach you how to fight?”
“Yes,” she says, staring intently at me.
“Why?” I narrow my eyes, stepping closer so she has to crane her neck back to see me. “Someone threatening you? Are you in trouble?”
She glances away quickly before looking right in my eyes. “No, I just want to know how to protect myself.” And I know she’s lying.
I step closer, leaving no room between us, and press my finger under her chin, tilting her head back so she has no choice but to look at me. “Liar. Who are you worried about?” I demand, wanting to snarl. I’ll fucking kill them for even thinking about touching her, never mind making her worry like this.
She gulps, rolling her bottom lip into her mouth and drawing my eyes for a moment before I focus. “Is it that shit stick your mum’s dating?”
Her eyes widen, so no, but now she’s thinking about that. “Scarlett, tell me.”
“Yes, him.” And I know it’s a partial truth, but her flashing eyes and thinning lips tell me that’s the best I’m going to get, so I roll my shoulders and drop my touch from her face.
“Has he threatened you? Touched you?” I snarl, almost seeing red at the thought. I know he’s a drunk, but if I find out he’s been hurting her in any way, she is out of there. No matter what it takes. I always figured she wanted to leave because of her mother and wanting her own space, but if he’s the reason…
“No, but I want to know so if he ever does, I can take him. Please, Max?” She flutters her lashes and I know she isn’t doing it on purpose. She watches me, her face filled with pleading, and there is no way I can turn her down.
“Okay.”
She grins then, happiness lighting up her face. She glows and I find myself smiling back. “Thank you, Max! You won’t regret it. Can we start tonight? I’m not working.”
“Sure,” I agree, then instantly realise my issue. She’s going to be in my house, in my gym, probably in similar workout clothes, and I’m going to have to get up close and personal. Fucking hell. “I’ll grab us some food on the way back and we can eat before we train,” I offer. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Sounds great! I better get back and ready for uni! I’ll see you in a bit,” she chirps, before turning and jogging away, I watch her ass as she goes, wondering what it would look like with my hands spread across it, the cheeks pink from my attention.
Shit.
A whole night alone with Scarlett.
Where I’m going to have to try and keep my hands to myself as much as possible, or I might end up throwing her to the mat and fucking her.
Shit, shit, shit, good going, Max. Now I’m just thinking about her sweating beneath me on the mats.
“Come on, Milo, I need a cold shower,” I mutter, and head back home, the happy dog on my heels the whole way.
Chapter Ten
> Scarlett
I have a quick shower and dress before either the perv or my mum can barge into the bathroom. I rush back to my room, shutting the door behind me, and grab my bag. My run took more time than I thought, and I want to be ready when Max comes and picks me up. I’m just packing my bag for today when the door smashes open behind me and I realise I hadn’t locked it in my rush to get ready.
“In a rush, slut?” he sneers, running his eyes over my bent over body, so I straighten quickly and turn to face him fully, moving so my back is to the wall. He fills the doorway and I can smell his stench from here.
“Get out,” I order firmly.
“Why don’t you make me?” he taunts, laughing and flashing yellowing teeth. The scent of alcohol on his breath is so strong, it hits me from here. He blocks the doorway, with no other way out. I hide my fear well, tilting my head back and facing him down. “Come on then, let’s see if you have as much fight in you as your mum, she loves it rough, I bet like mother like daughter,” he jeers, running his heated eyes down my body and making me shiver in disgust.
“Get out!” I yell.
“Come fucking make me, you frigid bitch.” He laughs.
Max beeps outside, and when Perv looks over his shoulder, I grab my bag and rush him, ducking under his arm that’s holding the wood frame of the door. I gasp in pain when he grabs my hair and yanks me back, my bag falling to the floor. He pulls me towards him, his vile breath wafting against my ear as he keeps me in front of him. I start to struggle, my eyes watering in pain as hair is ripped from my head.
“Fucking cock tease. Didn’t think I noticed you sleeping with that freak next door?” He grabs my side then, squeezing hard. “Why don’t you give it up to me as well if you like older cock so much?” I jerk away, yanking my hair and grabbing my bag as I stumble down the stairs, his mocking laughter following me as I skate past my passed out mother and through the front door. I grab my keys with shaking hands and slam the door behind me. Rushing to the car, I hop into the passenger seat and tug the door closed, not looking at Max in case he sees something.
