Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

K enya

I'd had a visitor, which had prompted me to slap a bed sheet around me. It was insane that I was still being held inside a room with locks on the door. I wasn't some wayward criminal. I was just a girl trying to get by the best way I knew how.

Okay, so I did understand the life more than I wanted to admit even to myself, but the way Beckham was acting was as if my father was the Antichrist. The thought brought a snort to my system. I'd thought of him that way more than once.

At least Jeff hadn't gawked, even bringing me fresh bottles of water, doing his best to assure me that Beckham would be coming to see me shortly. I hadn't engaged in a further conversation with him because it was pretty awkward wearing nothing but a sheet and a smile.

I don't know why I was bothering but I wanted him more than I craved food, and I was starving. Maybe the reason was that I still smelled like him. Sandalwood and citrus, some other forest-type scent like moss or rainwater or something. Where it had been a powerful aphrodisiac before, I definitely didn't want to hold his stench on my skin any longer.

As I headed into the bathroom, dragging the goddamn sheet behind me, I was struck by how energized I felt. Maybe it was because of all the hatred that had filtered back into my mind and system. It certainly couldn't have been the… incredible sex we'd had.

I couldn't lie—it had been the best of my life.

After starting the water, I stared into the mirror, slowly dropping the sheet. I'd always hated my looks for as long as I could remember, so much so I hadn't been able to look a boy in the eyes in high school. It felt silly now since I'd conquered a high percentage male profession. I knew why it just hadn't occurred to me I was beautiful.

Because my father had told me otherwise.

"I can't even sell you off to the highest bidder and get something out of you. You're far too ugly and fat."

They were words I hadn't allowed myself to repeat in years. I'd proven I was worth something, if only to myself.

I dropped the sheet, turning around to glance at my still aching bottom. The red marks were faint, but they were still there. It was silly but they allowed me to smile. When I turned back toward the mirror, I dropped my head. The burden of my life had gotten to be too much, even for me. I took gulping breaths, trying to will myself to walk inside the shower, luxurious by anyone's standards.

I had no idea why it felt odd, tough to do. It was getting a shower and nothing more. But a strange sense of sadness swept through me I hadn't allowed for a long time. That wasn't like me in the least. I was a strong woman, more so than this shit.

An electric crackle pulsed through my system.

He was here.

"You're beautiful. Did you know that?"

Hearing Beckham's voice wasn't startling any longer. It was magical and comforting. It was a deep voice I wanted to hear, even if we shouldn't be together.

"Am I being granted parole?"

Beckham chuckled and brushed his hands lightly over my shoulders and down my arms. "Something like that. I brought you some clothes. When you're dressed, I want to take you somewhere."

I gave him a hard look in the mirror before smiling. "I need to get a shower first."

"I guess I'll allow you." He bit down on my shoulder. "But don't take too long. You know what I do to bad girls."

Before he had a chance to back away, I grabbed his arms, pulling him toward the shower.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked in a deep voice.

"Taking control."

"You know that's not allowed." He yanked me against his chest instead, holding the back of my head. The man was fully dressed in a suit, looking quite the dapper man, but I had to admit in our push and pull with each other, I liked him much better out of his clothes.

I wiggled in his arms, enjoying the friction created. Everything about the man was passionate, including the crazed look in his eyes. He reminded me of a beast in the wild more and more every day.

And I knew I liked it.

With him, everything was an adventure.

He crushed his mouth over mine as he'd done so many times I'd lost count, immediately sweeping his tongue inside. It was a little bit like heaven, especially since he was such a ruthless and unforgiving lover. I wrapped one leg around him, still partially hating myself for feeling so much emotion for the man. He'd imprisoned me, for God's sake, yet here I was enjoying the moment as if we were destined to be together.

Every part of him was dominating, so much so that I felt myself swooning, already lightheaded from the intensity of the shared moment of intimate pleasure. I wasn't used to being swept off my feet but that's exactly what he did, lifting me first onto my toes, even higher seconds later.

I felt so tiny in his arms, as if I weighed nothing. The feeling was exciting, my nipples already rock hard.

He growled into the kiss, matching my hard moan, which he captured as usual. As he ground his hips in between my legs, his cock hard as a thick piece of stone, I was no longer shocked by how my body responded. It simply did around him, as if my inner core had never been on fire before. I could seriously fall hard for this man, even if it wasn't a good idea for anyone, especially a fighter like me.

As the powerful moment continued, his mouth overtaking mine, his tongue tasting every tiny crevice inside, I cinched my eyes closed. The man could kiss like nobody's business.

He tugged on my head with enough force to break the kiss, breathing raggedly as he brushed his lips from one side of my jaw to the other, taking his time doing so. Every action he made was sensual yet possessive, refusing to let go of my hair until I was forced back into a deep arch. I remained lightheaded with the same dazzling stars I'd seen before. It was incredible and for a few seconds, I had the feeling I was flying free.

The way he caressed my skin was as if he'd known me for much longer, reflecting on every nuance, every sound I made by alternating from rough to soft. He bit down on one nipple, holding the tender bud in his mouth. I was thrown by how much I wanted this to continue. As usual, he was going to take what he wanted. There was no question about that.

After pinching and twisting my other hardened bud, he pulled his head back, allowing me to lift my head. His eyes were glassy, full of expression, his jaw more angular than normal.

"I not only want you," he whispered harshly. "I need you. There is no turning back. Do you hear me?"

"Yes. Yes."

"Good girl." He backed away a couple of steps, unbuttoning his shirt while he kicked off his shoes. When I tried to reach for him, he wagged his finger, lifting a single eyebrow in the process. "No touching until I allow it."

Why did I have a feeling he was going to add ‘or else' on the end? He didn't, still grinning as if his control could never be challenged, yanking off his shirt before it was completely unbuttoned, fumbling with his belt, but that didn't last long. As he stripped the rest of his clothing away, kicking it aside, I was curious as to why he left his tie on, barely loosening it.

When he noticed what had to be a curious look on my face, he grinned as any evil man would do. He shifted back and forth, alternating his weight from one foot to the other for a few seconds, perhaps allowing me to take a good look at him. As he pushed me backwards toward the shower, I couldn't help myself, reaching out and wrapping one hand around his tie.

As I pulled him into the shower, he allowed my actions, keeping an amused look on his face. Once we both stepped foot inside, he slammed me against the side of the shower wall. There was only a partial glass door, yet the water collected in the marble basin. The open feeling added to the hint of filth and sin we were getting ready to perform.

He planted both hands on either side of me, the look in his eyes becoming more intense than before. "You're still a bad girl who needs to be tamed. And you like to play seductress."

"So what? You love it."

"Mmm… Yes, I do. However…" He ripped off his already wet tie, slipping the knot free. When he grabbed one of my arms then the other, yanking both over my head, I bucked hard even though another wave of excitement tore through me.

"You can't tame me. Haven't you figured that out yet?"

All he did was issue the deep chuckle that always slayed me, wrapping the tie around my wrists before jerking me toward the showerhead. When he proceeded to tie me to the thick piece of steel, I gasped and glanced up. Water cascaded down both of us, splashing into my mouth and eyes. I was floored but every inch of my body was tingling.

He secured me tightly, grinning as he took a step back. "You look perfect. Maybe I should leave you like this."

"You wouldn't dare."

"It's funny how often you say that. Bad men do these kinds of things."

"Here's the problem," I cooed. "You just pretend you're a really bad dude, but I know better."

There was something slightly different about the way he cocked his head, his eyes as glassy as they'd been before. It wasn't from drugs or alcohol consumption, just old-fashioned lust.

He had me all hot and bothered, so much so that even though I wiggled, even testing the strength of the showerhead by kicking out with both legs, I was quivering all over from a heightened level of adrenaline.

"Careful, little girl. I do bite." As if to prove a point, he cupped both breasts, immediately dropping his head and biting hard on one nipple.

"Shit. Oh…" Pain and pleasure swam together in a tight combination, pushing me to feeling another wave of raw ecstasy.

I couldn't seem to hold my eyes open, almost instantly shoved into a dreamy state. How could one man do this kind of thing? Oh, yes. Because he was the fabulous Beckham Kennedy, a take no shit kind of man.

"And you're also very wrong. I'm bad to the bone." He captured my legs this time, jerking them around his waist before driving his cock deep into my pussy. The angle was completely different and the sensations were so intense I was breathless.

Panting while still fighting the tight hold, I was blown away with how good this felt. He kept his hands wrapped around my thighs, slamming into me hard and fast. Even his face was strained from the level of need I sensed had grown within him.

Still, I knew in my heart something else had occurred to push him to this point. That's what it had to be. The only sound was our deep and rattled breathing as heat and crackling electricity swept through both of us. I'd never felt helpless while fucking any man, the loss of control something I never would have believed I'd enjoy.

But with him, everything was fabulous.

Beckham rolled onto the balls of his feet, switching the angle again. Even more powerful than his actions was his intense stare, one so concentrated I thought he'd soon burn a hole in my retinas. Then again, I couldn't stop staring at him, watching to catch them reflecting on every salacious moment. As before, he seemed to have the stamina of a predatory beast. Beads of sweat rolled down his face from the exertion, the building steam only adding to the rush.

He was relentless, fucking me long and hard but it was beautiful, sweeping me away to a crazy fantasy. As an orgasm slipped up from my toes, I slowly eased my head back, dazzled by the way the water felt cascading down my face to my neck. I could hear the effects as it splashed across his heated body and all I could do was smile. My pussy clenched and released more times than I could count and within seconds, another incredible wave tickled every one of my senses.

He wasn't letting me go, still issuing guttural sounds. I tried to study him, hoping to understand what had him so on fire, but I was barely able to focus as every muscle tensed. Another hard thrust was so electrified that I squeezed my muscles once again.

As suspected, he couldn't hold it any longer, releasing his hot seed deep inside. His body continued to jerk for several seconds, his entire face pinched from the strenuous activity.

When he finally peered down at me, the same naughty grin crossing his face, I licked my lips in appreciation.

"Mmm… I could do this for hours but it's time to break you free from your prison. The man holding you is an asshole."

"I'll say."

He tweaked my nipple in response before untying me. His gentle side returned as I lowered my arms, the man cupping the side of my face. "You need to listen to me. You're my weakness now. That means they will come for you."

"And you'll protect me."

"Always. But you're going to need to trust me. Can you do that?" His eyes were so imploring I was floored.

The question wasn't supposed to be asked right now, but I did know the answer and it was the one last surprising thing left. "Yes." Why did this man have such a powerful hold over me? Why did it seem I craved him as much as he did me? I was right. Something was different. A threat? New information? Whatever it was troubled him more than ever.

He pulled me against his overheated body and there was nothing better than being held by someone so strong.

"Get dressed and meet me downstairs."

"Are we going somewhere fancy?" I asked.

"You might think so." He kept a firm grip on my arms, winking as he held a secret close to his chest.

I did so adore the playful side to him. "Give me twenty minutes."

"Perfect. Get ready for an adventure."

"More than what we just had?"

Another thing I adored about him was his laugh. It seemed around me it was genuine, as if he'd found a spark of light in his otherwise dark life. "We'll just call it different."

"Mmm… Wear something more casual. I like you in jeans."

"You don't like me in suits?" He rolled his finger down the bridge of my nose, his smile so damn mischievous I couldn't help but shiver all over again.

How could I not laugh? How could I not feel something special around the man? "You are handsome in anything, more so in nothing, but you appear stuffy when you wear a suit."

"O-kay. I'll keep that in mind." He kissed my forehead, almost in the way a father would. It was a strange feeling that washed through me, a connection that was even closer. As he backed away, he gave me another extreme onceover, his nostrils flaring as he issued another growl.

Goddamn, the man was primal.

After grabbing a towel and rubbing his hair and chest to start drying off, he headed for the door, stopping as he wrapped the thin towel around his svelte waist. "I need to be able to trust you completely, Kenya. As I said, it's vital, more so now than ever."

A trickle of fear presented itself, leaving my stomach churning.

"What's going on? Talk to me. Did you find out who attacked us?"

He took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. "Undoubtedly and it's going to become very… important that we work together."

"Aren't you going to do what you usually do in this case, hunt them down?" I was joking. Well, halfway. Yet I could tell there was something in his eyes that forced a cold shiver down my spine.

"In a manner of speaking but things will get ugly."

"Like how much so?"

"I'm not going to lie to you or sugarcoat this. And no, I'm not going into detail. However, there's likely to be a war, one everyone won't survive."

"In your family?"

He closed his eyes briefly. "In the world."

Jesus Christ. He was serious.

With that, he walked out leaving me aching and terrified. And worse, I had a feeling that he was right.