Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Violet

It's late into the night. Darkness settles over the house on the hill, as the sun set hours ago. Skylar's soundly sleeping in one of the guest rooms on the main floor, sedated by the doctor. She needs rest now more than anything.

Cain has her heavily guarded. I didn't think I liked Cain's straightlaced bodyguard the day I came here. Now I've never been so happy to see him.

Today, we brought down the men responsible for the abductions and rapes. Under Cain's… questioning, one might call it… we got full confessions. And I was right about them working in tandem. We have much to unpack, and will, but the greatest threat is over.

Cain takes on the task of telling his team all that happened, and instructs me to call Candi."Then go to your room. Relax and get some rest. I'll come see you when I'm through down here." I know without him telling me that he'll be "through down there" when his men lay twin bodies in shallow graves. I'm not upset by this. I'd be disappointed with anything less.

I'm not surprised there are two armed men on either side of my door when I arrive at the guest room. We have to make sure neither Dossier was in league with anyone. We don't know for sure yet that this was the end of the attacks.

So when I'm finally settled in, I call Candi and alert her that we've found the men responsible for Cain's sister's abduction, but they were killed.

Candi's voice is weary when she asks, "Do I want to know the rest of this story, babe?"

"No, Candi. You don't."

"Are you safe?"

My answer's no more certain now than it was the last time she asked me. Once again, I lie to my best friend. "Yeah. I'm safe."

"Violet… be careful. Cain Master is a dangerous, dangerous man. I don't like that you're involved with him. I don't like it at all. "

I don't know how to tell her the fact that he's a dangerous man might be what draws me to him the most.

She takes my statement and tells me she'll come for a full report in the morning. I look forward to it. Somehow, seeing my best friend here might make this all seem real. My two worlds will collide… but it's time.

I don't want to see anyone else right now and definitely don't feel like talking to anyone, so I settle into my room for the night. I've showered and put on pajamas. I played mindless games on my phone. I'm too wired to settle down.

I get up and go to the walk-in closet. I finger the clothes, stroke the fine fabrics, and marvel at the sheer volume of luxury. They're gorgeous, every single one of them, and he says they're all for me. I'm too tired to try anything on just now, but when I dressed earlier, everything I tried fit me perfectly.

And the shoes… good God, the shoes alone could buy me a townhouse right here by the ocean. Heels and flats, sandals and boots, an array of colors and fabrics that would be the envy of any shoe aficionado.

Why?

How long does he think I'll stay?

It's a little unsettling, if I'm honest.

What's the catch?

And does it matter? I'm here for a reason, and I won't leave until I've done what I came for.

But now I make myself face the truth I've been avoiding.

I want to see Cain. I want to touch him, feel him.

And I want much, much more than the kiss I got last night.

After what we've been through…

I hear heavy footsteps outside my door, and the low rumble of a voice that can only be him. I sit up in bed, my heart racing, as he knocks just before the door opens. He stands in the doorway, the light from the hall casting him in shadow, but I know it's him.

"No one fills a doorframe like that. "

He turns his head as if just realizing there's a doorframe there.

I can hear the humor in his voice when he responds, "No one fills a bed like that. "

I look around me at the cavernous bed. "I'm hardly filling it." I give him a little pout. "There's plenty of room still here."

The door shuts with an audible bang.

I jump. Liquid heat pools between my legs. I forget to breathe.

"Are the guards still there?" My whole being is filled with wanting.

He prowls closer to me, the shadows falling behind him. "Of course not. I told them to go because I'm here now."

I briefly close my eyes to quell the rise of emotion. He told the guards to go because I'm safe with him.

I open my eyes. As he draws nearer, he never takes his eyes from mine. The shadow's behind him now, and the pale yellow light from the bedside table illuminates his features.

His ruggedly masculine face, lined with weariness, is speckled with blood, his jaw covered in thick black stubble, but I've never seen anyone so beautiful in my life. His strong features hold inherent masculinity, underscored by the harsh slash of his mouth softened by full lips. When I first met him, I wondered if he could pull a sword out of a stone or bare his teeth and show me his fangs. I almost laughed at myself, at my imagination.

Now, I know he could do that and more. So much more.

He locks me in the power of his gaze. His eyes show the same raging fury and power they did when I first saw him. Only now, I see that the simmering anger only boils at the surface. It will take me years to unearth what lies beneath.

I can wait.

He sighs wearily when he reaches the bed. Bending to grasp the edge of his T-shirt, he lifts it up over his body, the fabric bunching and swaying before he tosses it to the side. I briefly wonder if his broad shoulders ever bow under the weight of what he carries.

I wonder if he'll ever share that burden.

I let my gaze rove lazily over his chest, the smattering of dark, coarse hair, defined abs, and a thin chain with dog tags. When he sees me looking at them, he lifts them off and places them gently on the bed. That's a story for another day then.

"You alright?" he asks, his voice a low rumble that sets my nerves on fire.

I shake my head. "No. You?"

"No." He gives me a slow, lazy smile. "I need a shower, baby. So fucking bad. Think you can help me?"

I love it when he calls me baby.

I'm on my feet before I realize what I'm doing. My hands shake when I reach for his belt. I unfasten the clasp and slide it through the loops, then lay it on the side of the bed. He watches me, his hands on his hips, as I reach for the button of his jeans and slide to my knees in front of him. With slow precision, I remove his pants, my breath catching as I tug them down his legs. He steps first one foot out, then the other, and his pants join his tee on the floor.

I can see the outline of his erection through his boxers. Like everything about him, it's larger than life. I lick my lips and swallow. I imagine what it would be like to take him in my mouth, to please him. I've never done that for anyone before, but I want to for him.

I don't know why, but I'm overcome with emotion. Maybe it's because I've been through so much in such a short time. Maybe because I know now that we've found his sister and she's safe, it's time to move on to the job I know I have to do.

Or maybe it's because I know I want him and can't bear the thought he doesn't want me the way I do him. Does he? I close my eyes and lay my cheek against his thigh. The dark, prickly hair scratches my cheek, as his hand comes to the back of my head and holds me there.

We don't speak. I kneel between his legs, my arms wrapped around him. I need a moment, and somehow, he knows that. He gives it to me before he bends, then kneels in front of me. Holds me. Right there on the floor, nearly naked, he tugs me onto his lap so my legs wrap around him to straddle his waist.

My body kindles with my need for him, his length pressed up against my panties. He wraps his fingers around the back of my neck and tugs me closer to him. My eyes meet his, and I know he's going to kiss me.

He rises with me in his arms, my legs still tucked around him, then lays me on the bed. His hands tangle in my hair and he holds my mouth to his but I need no persuasion. His huge, muscular frame pins me to the bed. I release a breath he swallows and makes his own. My breasts heave, pressed tight against his unyielding chest, and liquid heat cascades between my legs. His tongue licks mine, drawing an inhuman moan from me.

"I want you, Violet. All of you."

I nod dumbly, ready to give him anything and everything he wants. Right now, I want his hands and mouth and cock and body joined with mine in every possible combination. I want to kiss and lick and worship his body.

I want to bring him pleasure and surrender to bliss.

I want everything.

His hand cups my breast, and I whimper with the sudden flare of need that makes me tremble. His thumb flicks over my nipple. I nearly come.

"Cain," I whisper on a choked breath, so desperate to be closer to him I can't speak.

Silently, he lowers his mouth to my breast and licks the hardened nipple. A spasm of pleasure ripples through me so hard my hips jerk upward. He suckles again. My clit throbs on the edge of release. " Fuuuccck, baby," he growls in my ear. "I need to taste you."

I'm a ragdoll to his touch, pliable and boneless, as he arranges me on the bed and drops to his knees. When he looks at me, my heart turns over in my chest. I hold my breath as he parts my knees like he's worshipping me, the sexiest damn thing I've ever seen. He kisses the inside of my thigh, as he slides his thumb along my panty-clad slit. My hips buck. My pulse races. He kisses my right thigh. I'm still gasping for breath when he tugs my panties down and releases a deep, masculine groan I feel straight between my legs.

Holding my thighs in his big, very capable hands, he spreads them further apart. Exposing me. His eyes meet mine with a burning insolence, as if daring me to turn away now. I couldn't if I tried. My choice was made when he stepped through that door.

No. My choice was made the day I came here.

His eyes burning into me, he slowly lowers his mouth. He lazily drags his tongue along my swollen, throbbing clit, again and again. I cry out, my hips jerk. A moan of ecstasy slips through my lips, my palms flat on the bed on either side of me to keep me from flying away. My body quivers on the edge of ecstasy, the first spasm of orgasm echoing through me. He pumps his fingers in me. I shatter.

I can't breathe, I can't think, as my body bucks under the pressure of my climax. I come so hard, so many times, his heavy body atop mine, his length pressed between my legs. I scream his name until I'm hoarse.

Still riding the waves of ecstasy, I feel his breath in my ear before he says in a ragged voice, "I want to be in you when you come again. I want to feel you climax with me."

"Again? I'll die." I grab the back of his neck, pull him to me, and slam my mouth on his. "Bring it."

His low, masculine chuckle sends a spasm of pleasure straight through me. "I promise you, baby. I'll make it worth it. Over. And over. And over again." He kisses my cheek while he holds me, his length throbbing along with my pulse. A deep sense of peace invades my senses. I feel like I belong here. I know I can trust him.

Hypnotized by his touch, I surrender to him. I've never surrendered to anyone in my life.

This feels so right.

I study his face unhurriedly, each perfect, harsh, beautifully masculine detail. I love the way he looks at me hungrily, the way his muscles tighten, as if he's holding himself back.

"Make love to me, Cain."

His weight flush against me, he moves with determination, braces himself over me, and lines himself up between my legs. Then my wrists are trapped in his big, unyielding hands, as he puts his lips on mine.

He thrusts. I scream out loud. He stills.

"Don't," I pant. "Don't stop. Please. "

He skims a hand down my side as he thrusts again and again, gliding in and out of my slick heat in a perfect rhythm. Every thrust undoes me, every bolt of blissful pleasure makes me whole again. He swells inside me, but I take him. Each thrust sends sparks of pleasure rolling through me until I can't hold myself back any longer.

He releases a deep, masculine moan so ragged and raw, I lose myself to bliss and join him in ecstasy.

Seconds, moments, hours later, I'm still tangled in his taut limbs. He rolls over and tucks me to his chest. I can't move. I can't even open my eyes. It's a wonder to me he even has the strength to lace his fingers through my hair, and yet he does.

"I'm on birth control," I say on a sigh, half dead.

"Your timing's impeccable," he says with another one of those manly chuckles I wish I could record and play in an endless loop. I'd pay money to hear that again.

"I'm good like that. You still need to shower?"

"No, baby. I don't need anything now."