by Emily Bowie
I freeze. Thinking back, I don’t recall if Sloan locks her door. Typically, people don’t around here, but Sloan has a reason to. Stepping inside, nothing seems to have been moved since I was in here last.
Pincher rubs up against my legs, purring. Bending down, I pick him up, and he tries to smell my nose before nuzzling into my neck. If Sloan ran, she would have taken her cat. I take my time walking around her house looking for any signs of distress. Sloan needs a fucking dog, not a cat.
“Where did she go?” I say to no one but the cat, heading into the narrow hallway.
The sound of a car door closing catches my attention. Pincher jumps out of my hands onto Sloan’s bed and I head out.
Going out into the hall, I round the corner, prepared for anything. My adrenaline is in high gear, making my body tingle, ready to act. I feel like a bear on a hunt as I stomp through the house, only for my prey to run right into me.
Sloan’s small body collides with my hard torso. She screams while my hands catch her from falling backward. My dark eyes stare down at her and watch as goose bumps blossom on her skin.
I now understand how empires have fallen all because of love. A man in love is an unrecognizable being who makes unpredictable decisions, all to chase this high feeling. The world has tried to sugarcoat it with noble sayings like, All in the name of love, and so on. Right now, with Sloan’s delicate body in my grasp, I know she will be my undoing.
My eyes trail down from her fuckable lips, to her slender neck, to her heaving chest. Her nipples are straining through her shirt. My blood pumps harder, going straight to my cock, thinking that other people could have seen what’s mine, those puckered pink nipples that match her lips. The same nipples I suck and pinch, just the way she likes it.
“Where were you?” I ask, trying to be diplomatic. Instead, it comes out gruff and angry. I shouldn’t be upset with Sloan, but I am. All I can think about is smacking her ass then soothing it with my tongue. My body is on fire, needing a fresh bucket of cold water.
I arch myself into her, showing her what she does to me. She shivers in my arms, teasing my already hardened dick.
She clears her throat, and I watch as she visibly swallows. “I wanted to see if I could help you, so I went to Kiptyn.”
She looks so damn innocent and sweet. Because I’m a bit of an asshole, all I can think about is how she’s mine to ruin. As the words come to mind, I know it’s a lie.
I am hers to ruin.
Cupping the back of her head, I press my lips to hers, the kiss intensifying as soon as our tongues meet. To tease, I drag her lower lip along mine before I thrust back into her mouth, my hands cupping her ass as I bring her flush against me.
“I’m not your problem to fix,” I can’t help but bark at her between my kisses. Her skin is so responsive; I can see the pinkness from my hard kisses. The thought of me marking her heightens my need for her. I kiss down her neck, loving how she arches and moves for more—needing more of my touches, my kisses, more of me.
“Then don’t make it my problem to fix,” she fights back, her fingers pulling at my hair harder than necessary.
I slam our bodies into the wall, caging her hands above her head. She twists and turns, pressing herself harder into my jean-covered cock.
She laughs, smirking evilly at me, wiggling harder. All I want to do if fuck her. Despite my best efforts, I grin back at her.
“Don’t poke the bear, sweetheart,” I quip, thriving on what comeback she will have for me.
My hands slip under her shirt, pinching her nipples, distracting her thought process, before my head dips down and I latch onto the other one. I love feeling the way her chest heaves as she begins to lose herself in me.
“Where would the fun be in that?” Her voice flirts with desire and defiance. I nip at her nipple, and she releases the moan that sat in the back of her throat waiting for me.
I growl as I move our bodies away from the wall, needing to get closer to her. Why couldn’t she be wearing something that had easier access? Bumping into her walls and door, I finally toss her onto the bed.
Her cheeks are flushed as she looks right into me. I feel like she can see the real me, the one I hide from all others. I watch as she removes her shirt, leaving her bare up top for me to admire. Mimicking her actions, I do the same, and it takes all of my self-control not to pounce on her right now.
The way her eyes dance with mischief shows me that she’s noticed. Crooking her finger at me, she looks like a vixen. My vixen I get to toy with until we’re both sedated with orgasms.
Shaking my head, I flirt back, stepping forward and closing the limited space between us. Our eyes stay connected, and I love her questioning look that shows my unpredictability. Grabbing her legs, I bring her toward me before tearing her pants down.
“Fuck, Sloan.” She lies bare to me and watches for my reaction to her wearing no panties.
I flip her and bring her up onto all fours. She yelps in surprise at the roughness of my movements before her moan takes over her vocal cords.
My tongue licks her slit from behind. “You like that?” My lips ghost along her wet lower lips before I lick her again.
“Oh,” is all she’s able to voice.
Her hips grind back, seeking more. This is how I like her—exposed and greedy. All pleasantries and manners are thrown out the window for someone else to use.
I latch on to her pink bundle of nerves, and my two fingers slip in to find that perfect spot to massage. At this angle, I’m able to get deeper as I play with her, feeding off each buck and moan she gives me.
My cock is painfully hard, jumping at the chance to slam into her. I refuse to give in to my wants, loving her reaction too much to give it up.
As my name leaves her on a breathless whisper, I can feel her walls starting to butterfly around my fingers. I suck harder, my tongue trying to wrap around the little nub. As I flick it harder, she finally comes undone. Her hips buck into my face, and she screams out for mercy as I fuck her with my tongue and fingers as hard as I can, making her ride out the entire orgasm until she’s so weak she falls flat on the bed.
CHAPTER 31
I feel elated, my legs like jelly. I don’t think I can move, as I’m on the biggest high from that orgasm. I’ve been fucked stupid by that mouth of his.
“Wow,” is all I can manage into the sheets; my head can’t even lift up to look behind me. I can hear him chuckle, and the sound of his zipper rings through the room. Looking behind me, his goofy smile locks onto me, knowing he’s not finished yet.
That talented muscle in his mouth tsks at me. “Oh, darlin’, you’re not done yet.” His voice is smooth as silk, wanting me to wrap myself in it.
I don’t have time to react. I feel his hands on my ankles and I’m in the air being tossed around like I weigh nothing at all. And then I’m on my back.
His face is focused on me, his eyes looking like they’re twinkling with the desire of what he plans to do with my body. His holds a relaxed swagger I haven’t seen before.
I prop myself up on my elbows, watching how confident he is. I want to suck it all out of him for myself. He fists his cock, his eyes on me, as he puts the condom on. My body hums, coming alive again, needing his touches once more. My bed dips as he crawls over me until we are face-to-face.
Closing my eyes, I lean toward him, only to feel empty space until his lips touch my neck. “Let go.” His words dance across my earlobe, and I release the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I am holding back. I’m scared to tell him that I love him. Each second he plays with my heart strings, it makes me believe in things I never thought were possible.
I want to live in Three Rivers, having friends and a family—a notion so foreign to me that the thought still scares me. His fingers skim down the length of my side, his thumb circling along my skin. My body moves to his touches and arches into him.
I can feel his hard length pressing into my thigh, nudging closer to my apex. My hips rub against h
im, wanting what he’s offering. I can feel it at my core. Then he thrusts in, making me gasp, leaving zero time to acclimatize to him. His thrusts are hard and rough, but his eyes hold mine in a trance. I can feel myself building with each bump against my clit as his cock hits the perfect spot.
“I love you.” The words slip out as he holds my eyes, mind, and heart. He thrusts harder, chasing both our orgasms, his mouth claiming mine in one tantalizing kiss. It’s raw and desperate.
“Thank God.” He confesses, “I love you too.”
Hearing those words sends my nerves soaring, and a wave of emotions and sensations rush over me, releasing the strongest orgasm I have ever had.
Kellen grunts before pushing into me one final time as deep as he can go.
His hands move the hair away from my face before he bends down, giving me a kiss on the forehead before rolling off. We lay side by side looking up at the ceiling, our quick breaths taking over the room.
His hand squeezes mine before he speaks. “I mean it, Sloan.”
I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Turning my head, I squeeze his hand back.
I wish we could stay in this bubble we’ve created with each other, and I hate I might break the trance we both seem to be in.
“Kiptyn wants to move up the day.”
His features automatically harden, losing that relaxed stance he just had, from hearing my words.
“That’s where I went when you were arrested.” I wince. I feel like I have somehow betrayed Kellen. I was afraid when they took him, and the only person I can rely on is my cousin.
“Did Chance go with you?”
There is an edge of jealousy that cuts through the room. I can’t help but love its harshness. No one has ever been jealous because of me, especially not Ace. That’s how damaged I am; I love that he cares enough to be jealous. Maybe, because Kellen and I are both a little bit broken, we can work in our own fucked-up way.
He is my moonlight that shines down on me, making me see that there is more than darkness.
“Naw.” I shake my head. “I sent him packing.”
Kellen looks satisfied with my answer, responding, “Good,” in that tough, thick voice of his.
“When does he want us to move everything?” he questions.
“Saturday.”
I watch him think things over. I wish I knew what was running through his mind right now.
“That’s girls’ night,” he reminds me. “Don’t you think you should go to that?”
I take a breath. I was wondering how he would react to me being one of the crew. I think I just got my answer.
“I can do both.” I smile at him, seeing what his angle is.
“What if we get caught?” All playfulness is gone from his face.
My big protector. Once again, my heart soars for him.
“That won’t happen. I have you there,” I say matter-of-factly. I have no doubt in my mind he will keep me safe at all costs.
He grunts to my response before pulling me into his chest. I lay my head over his heart, and it thumps a beat faster. I feel complete.
CHAPTER 32
Her words of faith in me, like I’m her savior, dug into me all night. I masked my emotions as she laid on my chest, my arm wrapped around her like a barrier. I will be the one to cause her to fall if I don’t take my claws out of her. Her scent clings to me, and her soft, unsure touches dig deeper than I would like.
These thoughts swirl around my head as we stand in her front yard. Looking at her, my chest lightens. I can feel my lips twitching to smile—the same smile I lost all those years ago, because I learned the reality of the world. Before then, I was innocent and naïve.
The morning sun shining down on us, her light kiss reminds me I’m no longer innocent. My arm wraps tightly around her waist as I pull her in to devour her mouth, our lips crashing together, her hands coming to my shoulders and gripping them like she would enjoy an encore from last night.
The thought makes me grow hard, and I press my cock into her. Her mesmerizing giggle escapes, making me groan out loud.
“Soon as Shay is here, I’m off,” I whisper, pulling away before I throw her over my shoulder and claim what’s mine once again.
“I don’t need a babysitter.” She looks torn between wanting me to stay and being independent.
Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I see I’m already cutting it late. I know if I want Kiptyn to take what I’m about to say seriously, I have to be punctual.
Stretching my back out, I look down the street, finding it vacant. Right about now, I would love to unleash hell on Shay for being late.
“Seriously.” Her phone goes off with an old-fashioned ring, and she shows me Shay’s text message. “See? She’s on her way. Go.” Her tiny hands push me away, and I bite down on the inside of my cheek, hating that she’s being left unattended.
“Kellen, if you don’t get out of here, I will pull out my shotgun,” she teases, that smirk showing me she might do it anyway just to bug me.
“Fuck,” I mutter mostly to myself before I dip down to give her a small, chaste peck on her nose. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Go.” Her hands shoo me away as I hop into my truck. Her long, ombré locks flow perfectly down her shoulders, and her beautiful, happy face grins as she waves back at me.
I would have kept my eyes on the rearview mirror longer, but Rhett’s name flashes across my phone, my aftermarket Bluetooth picking up the phone call.
“Rhett?” I question. The last time I spoke to my oldest brother was a year after he left town, hoping to make it in Nashville.
“Who’s this?” His voice seems slurred, and I double-check the time. I roll my eyes, not needing the extra drama in my life right now.
“Rhett, you fucking called me. You know, the brother who you haven’t talked to in almost a decade?”
“Is this fucking Kellen?”
I stare into my radio at where his inebriated voice is coming from. “Nice to hear from you too, bro.” I can hear the sarcasm drip from my voice. I don’t need shit from anyone who thinks they’re better than me or my family, even if that person is blood-related. “You realize you’re drunk and it’s the morning, right?”
I can hear him shuffling and the sound of a woman’s voice nagging him. “Seems like you’re not the only person sour that I’m still up at this hour.” He chuckles.
“What can I help you with, Rhett?” I ask coolly as I drive through my small town, heading toward the mansion.
“Nothing, man. Just wanted to say hi. Catch you later.” The phone call is cut off, and I’m left scratching my head.
I make a mental note to ask Shay or Brax if they’ve heard from Rhett. Maybe this is a normal routine for him, but I was under the impression when he got to Nashville he gave everyone a “fuck you,” including his family. But maybe time changes everything.
The dirt lot in front of McGrath mansion is vacant. I know better than to think it’s closed. I park my truck front and center, slamming my door.
Just like I did when I was nineteen, I stroll through the doors cool and collected, my confidence blossoming.
Russ looks up from the paperwork in front of him at the bar. “Kellen Steele,” he greets me, sounding bored. “What can I do you for?” He makes no move to offer me a drink. His eyes leave me, going back to his paperwork.
Walking up to him, I sit on my usual stool. “Kip around?”
He glances up at me once again. “Why? You want to talk about getting your ass arrested at Sloan’s?” His eyes pierce me with a disapproving glare.
“Sloan shouldn’t come for the joyride.” My spine is straight as I hold my ground.
“Who do you think you are, to be calling the shots here?” Russ shuffles the papers, putting them in a neat pile before turning them over. “She’s the best in the field. Don’t let her pretty smile fool you. You’re lucky to have her on your job. It’s not the other way around.”
I can feel my hands tightening as I t
ry to mask my emotions. What I would really like to do is slam a beer bottle across his head. I can picture it happening in front of me.
Anger issues. They’re hard to overcome. Instead of going with my gut, I shrug him off.
“You too busy to pour me a drink?”
He raises an eyebrow, obviously not used to people disregarding him.
“I’ll let Kip pour it for you.” He gives me a wicked smile before picking up his folder of papers and heading toward the back.
I’m left sitting in the room by myself. I know this is an intimidation tactic, so I take my time getting up, waltzing behind the bar. Instead of pouring myself a beer, I grab a short glass. Bending down, I look for the good stuff and pour myself a whiskey. I sit down feeling satisfied, ready to wait it out.
“Look at you feeling all at home.” Kiptyn comes in with his fake smile.
I’ve always liked the guy. I even understand the hostility. Hell, I blocked my best friend out for years, all because he fell in love with my sister.
“What did you want to talk about?” His mouth is tight. I wonder what I’m interrupting back there.
I decide to play another angle, hoping to bring out his soft side for Sloan. “Listen, my sister is having a girls’ night and Sloan’s invited.” He tilts his head as if to tell me this is a waste of his time. “If Sloan is going to be staying in Three Rivers, I think it would help if she had friends other than the two of us. I can handle the run by myself.”
His hand goes to his lips before rubbing his chin. “No,” he says flatly. “I need you to keep an eye on her.” He makes a show of looking around the bar. “And you are already failing at that.”
“She’s safe.” I disregard his concern. The two of us are at a standstill. I know I should be doing everything he says to keep me in the loop and on the team, but I have a problem with putting my pride aside. Sloan is safe, and I plan to keep her that way somehow.
