Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Piper

I wake screaming, and when I jolt upright in bed, my cries of panic turn to pain. Agony grips me, the sudden movement of my bruised ribs stealing my breath.

Heavy footfalls precede the darkness of the room being broken. The door swings open and light from the bathroom silhouettes Sean racing toward the bed.

"You're all right, Piper. You're safe. I've got you. I won't let anyone hurt you."

His arms come around me, and I cling to him, the terror of my dream still suffocating me. "There's a contract…" I gasp, envisioning Vladmir waving those papers in my face. "My father gave me to them."

"Shh… Piper. Don't think about that. You're here with me and you're safe. There's no way I'll let your father, or those Russians take you back. You're safe."

I push the covers out of my way and crawl into his lap. My breathing is shallow and quick. There's not enough oxygen in the room. "I can't breathe. I'm dizzy. What's wrong with me?"

Warm hands clasp the sides of my face as he bends to meet my gaze. He presses our foreheads together, his emerald green eyes all that I can see before me. "You're in a bit of a panic, but it'll be fine. You just need to look into my eyes and trust me. Do you trust me?"

Do I? "Aye, I do."

"Good girl." He takes my hand and presses it on his bare chest, right over his heart.

In my mind's eye, I envision the elaborate Celtic cross he has inked there. It's bold and sexy and thinking about touching it steals my breath even more than my nightmare did.

"Piper, close your eyes and feel me taking deep breaths. When I breathe in, you do it too. When I breathe out, you'll do the same."

Another time, another place, or even with another man, I would feel stupid doing this. But this is Sean. He's become my haven over the past two days.

"Breathe with me."

I close my eyes and do as he says.

Matching his breathing isn't as easy as it sounds. My heart is racing, and my breathing is rapid and shallow.

"From here, Piper." He places his hand across my tummy, right above my navel. "Let your breath fill all the way down to my hand."

I try my best, and after a while, the room stops spinning. I'm not sure how long it takes for my heart rate to slow, but eventually, the world doesn't seem so scary.

It's still dark out, but the dim light from the hall silhouettes his frame enough for me to realize he's only wearing boxers. He's got an amazing body and even in the shadows, I see the cut of his abs and how those Celtic tattoos melt into the night, darker than dark.

"That's it." His voice is deep, and the calmness in it seems to hang in the air. "Now, just relax. We'll stay like this for as long as you need."

I focus on my breathing, on how the icy chill of panic is being chased away by warmth. It's radiating from Sean's hand, resting over my diaphragm, up into my chest and down to the crux of my legs.

The heat blooming low in my belly is delicious, and I keep my eyes closed. Between the darkness and the silence of the house, it feels like we're hiding away in a bubble where no one bad can get us.

I swallow and press my hand over his. It's still resting above my navel, and I fight the urge to guide it lower.

Neither of us move for a long time and after a while, I feel braver. "Sean, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Will you stay with me? Every time I fall asleep, I'm sucked into the violence of fighting off those men. Having you here makes me feel safe. Will you sleep with me?"

There's a moment of silence, and then he exhales an unsteady breath. "That's not a good idea, Piper. I've already crossed a lot of lines getting involved in McGuire family drama. You're young and feeling vulnerable right now. It would be too easy to?—"

I shake my head and climb off his lap. "Forget it. If you're telling me I'm too na?ve to understand why you're here, you're no different from my family. You can go."

He straightens. "Don't compare me to your family. I would never do what they did. I care about you. Keeping it simple is simply the wisest choice. You're young and?—"

"—We should have sex."

" What? " Even in the darkness, I see his eyes bulge wide. "Why would you want that? You were just assaulted."

"Because my father sold me off as a good girl virgin. If I sleep with you, I'll be damaged goods. That might kill the arranged marriage idea in the eyes of the Bratva."

Sean curses and moves to shift away.

I make a bold move and reach through the darkness, grabbing his stiff cock, boxers and all. "I'm not so young and inexperienced that I didn't notice how your body reacted to me sitting in your lap."

His hand grips mine, but I don't allow him to pull away. Instead, I squeeze harder, and he lets off a hiss. "Fucking hell, Piper. That's biology. You're hot and only wearing my t-shirt. You were sitting in my lap, and we shared a moment."

"So, let's share another moment. It's win-win. We'd both enjoy the sex, and my market value will suffer."

"Don't talk about yourself like that. It's fucked up." He grips my hand and tries again to remove my hold.

I use the friction to give his erection a couple of firm strokes. "If it's just biology, then fine. There's nothing wrong with having our biological needs met."

He grunts and moves to scooch back on the mattress. I grab his hand and press it against the crotch of my panties. The cotton is damp and warm because he's not the only one having a biological reaction.

He groans and I grind against his hand. "I'm not twenty for another month, so what? I know my mind and body. I also know you understand my world better than any guy from school I could call up to get the job done."

"You're not calling a random guy to come and fuck you."

"Why not? It's just biology, right?"

He runs a rough hand through his hair. "Your first time should be memorable."

I laugh and rub my thumb over the engorged head of his cock. Pre-cum has seeped through his Denver Hayes and my mouth waters just thinking about what he tastes like. "I have a feeling Sean Quinn is a memorable lay."

"You're killing me. You know that, right?" His voice is growing deep and husky, as his hand presses up against my clit. "Tag will fucking kill me."

"Your brother doesn't have to know. We'll do the deed, burn off the crazy attraction arcing between us, and go back to our lives. No one will be the wiser."

"Unless you get pregnant, because this is a safe house. Tag doesn't supply condoms in the bedside table."

I roll my eyes in the dark. "I won't get pregnant. My mom has taken me for birth control shots since I was fifteen. I've got that covered. You haven't got any gross STIs, do you?"

"What? No. I'm clean, but that's not the point."

With the two of us on our knees facing one another, I edge closer and slide my hand down the back of his boxers. His ass is toned and when I give his cheek a squeeze, I press my lips to his jaw. "Please, Sean. I want it to be you. I want you to be my first. I trust you."

He tilts his head back as I nip my way across the tender flesh of his throat. "This is such a bad idea."

"No, it's not. It's a fantastic idea."

"I'm almost ten years older than you, Piper. You'd be young for Finn and I'm five years older than him."

He's spinning his wheels now and we both know it.

I use both hands to shove the waistband of his boxers down his muscled thighs and his cock springs free. "If you tell me what you like, I've always wanted to suck cock."

His cock bobs forward in a pulse.

"Liked the sound of that, did you?"

Sean curses and then eases back. "You're not sucking me off on your first time. If we do this, it's all about you."

"Then help me get naked and treat me right, Mr. Quinn, because I have a long list of firsts that need to be crossed off."

Sean

She's gonna get me killed. There's no way this works out in my favor, but there's also no way it's not happening. I've always thought I'm a strong man who could handle any conflict that came my way.

I was so fucking wrong.

I'm weak. With Piper McGuire offering herself up to me—demanding I take her virginity, there's no way I can say no.

I don't want to say no.

"You're still really beaten up, so I'll be gentle." I ease the t-shirt she's wearing up her tender side and over her head. Her ebony hair falls free from the collar and rains down around her shoulders. It falls to cover the milky skin of her collarbone and brushes her naked breasts.

Damn, she's fucking perfect.

I tried my best not to look while I scooped her off the sidewalk and got her changed into the sweatsuit, but I may have noticed a few of her highlights.

Now, being able to look at her without guilt or self-loathing, she takes my breath away.

"You are so fucking beautiful."

She snorts. "Easy on the flattery, Quinn. I look like roadkill and I'm a sure thing. No need to sweet talk me."

I can't hold back the grumble that rumbles from my throat. "That's not false flattery, Piper. It's a fact. From the sleek ebony of your hair, to the soul-shattering ice blue of your eyes, to the little dimple that shows up in your right cheek when you smile, you're a stunner."

I stroke my hand over her hair as I kiss each of her eyelids and then move to press my mouth on her cheek. "And yes, you've got a mouth made for sucking my cock."

I claim her mouth and while I want to spend hours exploring her lips and tongue, I'll have to circle back around to that in a bit.

"And then there are your tits."

"Which are small and unimpressive," she says.

I frown, wishing it was light enough to show her how wrong she is. "They are not. Granted, they're not as round and heavy as some, but they're impressive in their own way. They're a happy handful and sit perfectly in the palm of my hand. Look. See how beautiful they are?"

She laughs. "A happy handful? You do remember you're a dangerous mafia killer, don't you?"

I lay her back on the mattress, kick off my boxers, and continue my inventory. "I'm a complex man. Sure, I can be brutal, but I can also be gentle. Especially when faced with nipples like these."

She giggles. "Are my nipples happy, too?"

"No. They are resplendent."

I stroke over the peaked tip on her right breast while I suck her left nipple into my mouth. Her body bucks and I smile as I flick my tongue. Taking my time is no hardship, but when I've tortured her enough, I release my suction with a wet pop and prop myself up on my elbow. "Tell me about your list of firsts. Am I getting close to ticking anything off?"

"No way. I'm not disclosing my schoolgirl fantasies. This is just biology, right?"

Not even close . That was the only thing I could think of to justify me getting what I want—what I've wanted since the first moment I held her in my arms.

I lave my tongue over the heated peak of her breast and then blow across the skin. It's too dark to see, but I feel when her skin blooms in goosebumps and I smile against her heated flesh.

As I move my kisses down her body, I pay careful attention not to hurt her ribs.

While rough play can be fun, pain isn't. And tonight already has a bit of pain awaiting us. But once I claim her virginity, it'll be nothing but pleasure.

I'll make sure of that.

I drag my tongue in a line from her belly button piercing down to her manicured mound. I'm not one to care about shaved, trimmed, or natural, but it's nice to get to know a little more about her.

"Has anyone ever gone down on you, kitten?"

She chuckles. "Never a man."

I lift my head, glad she can't see me because my eyebrows have likely arched up to my hairline. "You enjoy girls?"

"I enjoy orgasms, and my father and brothers wouldn't let a boy anywhere near me, so I experimented."

"Resourceful girl."

"I thought so."

"And? What did you think?"

"About being with a girl or having orgasms?"

"You've already stated you are pro-orgasm. How did the experiment turn out?"

"I have nothing against girl on girl, but it didn't do it for me. I learned that I'm all about the man parts."

"Good to know." I shift to settle between her thighs and lift her knees to make more room for my shoulders. I love that this is uncharted territory for her, but somehow, her experimentation eases my guilt a little.

She says she knows her mind and isn't as na?ve as people think she is. Maybe that's true.

I kiss the tender flesh at the crux of her body and nuzzle her moisture. When she pressed my hand to her underpants, she was already hot and wet.

Biology, right?

We both knew that was a lie. There's been a tangible sexual energy arcing between us since the beginning. I thought my protective wires had gotten crossed at first, but she felt it too.

She admitted as much when she said that us claiming this moment might work it out of our system.

I don't believe it will.

I'm afraid sinking inside her and having her heat welcome me will make me want her more.

Too late now .

I drop my mouth to her core and pull my tongue through the heat of her folds. She's soft and slick and cries out, arching her back off the mattress. I press a gentle hand on her mons to hold her in place and rub her clit with my thumb while I tongue her.

"Sweet mercy," she purrs, grinding against my mouth. "Don't stop. Don't ever stop doing that."

"Trust me, kitten. I'll be here a good long while. We need you languid and relaxed before I fuck you."

She tastes like sunshine and salty bliss, and I forget about all the reasons we shouldn't be doing this and lose myself in devouring her.

Her body is hyper-responsive, and she orgasms twice before I even consider coming up for air. Piper doesn't have to worry about me stopping because, given the option, I'll never let her get out of bed.

"Fuck, you taste good." I swallow and the taste of her coats my tongue and the back of my throat.

"Cock, Mr. Quinn. I want your cock."

I chuckle at the breathy plea and bring my fingers into play. "You've got one more in you."

"Who knew you were such a cock tease?"

I laugh. "I'm not sure you used that right, but it doesn't matter. I'm not teasing. Your first time will hurt, and I want you ready for me."

"I'm ready." She gasps as I ease my thumb into the first inch of her entrance and work to stretch her.

Damn, I feel like a sixteen-year-old kid again, but this time, I have way more respect for a woman's first time and way more stamina to do right by her.

I work her over with my mouth, and when her body shatters again, I climb up the mattress. She's still breathing hard when I prop myself up on my elbows. "You doing okay?"

"Amazing," she breathes.

My hips are cradled between her thighs, the head of my cock poised at her core. "Last chance to call it off," I say, my need for her building to dizzying heights. "Be sure, Piper. If you're not, we stop now. No hard feelings."

The moon has shifted in the night sky enough that I see her expression as she responds. "I'm sure, Sean. Take me, please. I want you inside me."

I slick the crown of my erection through the moisture we've made and then breach her entrance. "Hold onto my shoulders, Piper. Big breath in."

I thrust forward and lock my hips as she lets out a throaty gasp. Her eyes go wide and water, but she forces a smile. "I'm good. I'm fine."

I wait until she catches her breath and then I ease back and push forward again. "How are you doing?"

"It's a strange sensation. Invasive. I actually feel your cock sliding inside me."

"Aye, that's kinda the point."

She grins. "I'm not sure I can orgasm again when it's so tender, but you do your thing. I want to feel you moving inside me while I watch you lose it."

I said it before…this girl is going to kill me.

"It won't take long. Your body's been through a lot. I don't want to hurt you."

She bites her bottom lip. "You'd never hurt me, Sean. I trust you."