23. Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ophelia

S eptember temperatures aren't much different from June, but the humidity index does vary, which means a day on the boat—yacht—is nothing surprising. Hell, except for maybe a couple times in the year, going boating is always a fun idea.

"Ophelia."

I twist my head over my shoulder at the sound of Jarrett's voice, turning away from the South Miami skyline.

"Hmmm?" My margarita is still half-full and I don't know why I'm not enjoying it.

"Is there a reason you're over here being antisocial?" His arm snakes around my waist, pulling my back flush against his front. And his apparent boner.

"We're not fucking on this boat." We probably will fuck on this boat but I like making him work for it.

"I beg to differ." Interesting choice of words.

"Really? Didn't realize begging, on your part, was on the table." Fully turning to face him, I rest my elbows on the railing of the boat as he boxes me in. We're so close that his breath is mixing with the saltiness of the sea. It's a deadly combination.

Ever since our little mishap at the restaurant back in June, our relationship hasn't been the same. Something clicked between us. According to Jarrett, he clicked almost immediately and was just waiting on my stubborn ass to get on board. There's no denying that him choosing me over his father unlocked the code to my armor, and since then, he's only shown me that he can be trusted.

Sex is only intimate in the carnal sense, whereas trust hits me straight in the heart, and that night, Jarrett earned it in spades.

"Don't be a sassy kitten, or else your pussy is getting a pounding." I smirk because we both know it's getting fucked regardless.

"Did you interrupt my musings for something important or were you just in the mood to get me all worked up?" It's his turn to get cocky with a wolfish grin that says so many things, none of them respectable. And I'm okay with that.

"I make it my life's goal to get you hot and bothered for me, Kitten. You should know this." I do, but I also love hearing him say it.

"Whatever." My words are in complete contradiction with the heat that crawls up my cheeks, and by the glint in his eyes, hit perfectly by the sun's rays, I know he notices.

"But I do have some juicy news." Ignoring the not-so-subtle innuendo, I cock my head to the side and wait for him to continue. "Opie's team located that sadist trainer in Arizona we've been hearing so much about. She wants your green light to send in the DOGs."

That familiar rush of adrenaline that follows each time a mission is about to begin fills my veins. My back straightens and my eyes widen with anticipation. I may actually be shaking from the need to exact vengeance.

Then I remember I'm on a fucking boat and can't actually do anything.

"Hey, we'll go out next time. Let's enjoy this weekend. Congratulate the happy couple on their nuptials, then fuck like bunnies." I frown at his metaphor.

"Bunnies fuck fast then go their separate ways. Is that what you want?"

Jarrett's mood goes from playful and caring to cruel and dominating in less time than it takes me to blink.

Where just seconds ago I was boxed in, with his arms on either side of me and his fingers curled around the railing, I'm now pressed firmly between a banister and hard cock. Jarrett is none too happy with me.

"If I were to tell you exactly what I want, you'd probably run for the fucking hills." Lowering his head, he brings his lips to the shell of my ear and whispers. "But since you're stuck here, my little kitten, I'm about to let loose." He bites my lobe before rocking his hips back and forth like he's fucking me.

"Oh, so these past three months was what? You holding back?" Fucking hell, if that's him on the down low, I don't know if I want to meet full-on Jarrett. Then again, I think I might.

One of his hands slides from my belly, up between my tits and torso, before he stops at my neck. There isn't any pressure, yet, he's only collaring me with his fingers. With his other hand, he hooks my ring finger with his and brings it to his mouth.

"In a perfect world, you'd have a tattoo around this finger." He kisses the knuckle to emphasize his meaning. "And a diamond collar around your neck." This time, his hand tightens around my throat until the passage of air becomes more and more difficult. Pulling me close, he crashes his lips to mine and devours my mouth like I'm his last meal before a long journey. "Most of all, you'd have a baby in your belly. My baby."

I smirk. "Who else's would it be?"

The growl that escapes from between his lips is, at the very least, animalistic, teetering on this side of otherworldly. Oops, I guess that wasn't the retort he was expecting.

"No-fucking-body, that's who." In a quick move only he could manage, I'm now facing the beautiful Miami skyline with him at my back and his cock pressing against my ass.

We're not exactly hidden here, but that doesn't deter him from flipping my sundress up over my ass and pulling my panties to the side. I barely hear the zipper sliding down before his cock is at my entrance and my moans are mixing with the sound of circling seagulls ahead.

It's quick but it's so fucking good.

"You don't ever mention, even the slightest hint, that this pussy is touched by anyone else. Not fucking ever." Every word is met with a hard thrust until I'm secured by the throat and his free hand is at my clit, flicking it. Teasing it. Rubbing precise circles until I'm grunting and pushing back against him every time he slams into me.

It only takes minutes but it's enough. It's everything I didn't realize I needed.

Soon, I explode all over his dick and he's filling me with his cum, his mouth at my ear.

"The next time I talk to you about filling you with my babies, you say yes, Sir. How many, Sir. And when, Sir." Mentally, I scoff, because we all know that's never going to happen. Physically, though, my body shudders from the intense orgasm that just overtook my nervous system. "Good girl."

Pulling his dick out of my pussy, he cleans himself off on my skirt like some kind of neanderthal marking his territory then puts my panties back in place. The zipper is the last thing I hear before I'm turned back around, legs like cooked noodles and my brain in slow motion.

"Now. Should we call in the DOGs?"

"Yes." Why not? It's not like I can go.

"Good answer." With one last kiss on my suddenly dry lips, he bites the already plump flesh and winks. "I'll let Opie know."

It takes me a while to get rid of the cum high after Jarrett leaves so he can use the secured line, but once I do, my thoughts go right back to my job.

Since the incident with Jarrett's father, we've been traveling the whole of the US, Mexico, and Canada. We even went to Greece and Italy at some point because our intel placed a couple of Firm leaders in their summer homes on the Adriatic Sea. Mostly, we've been going back and forth to Dallas and Arizona since, it would seem, the core members lived around those parts.

When the job became too much and we realized that we just couldn't do it on our own, we called in favors. Until Jarrett remembered the DOGs—Delta Ops Guardians—working for The Firm, mostly on recoup missions. The ex-military mercenaries work for the money, not the boss.

It was pretty easy to convince them to come over to our side once we showed them the paychecks, and one of them, Zain—code name Blade—actually nodded and winked at us saying this gig was much better for his soul.

Yeah, dude, it's more satisfying when you work for the good guys.

The team members are ruthless but once you dig into their hard exteriors, you can have a peek at the gooey centers, which tells me they're perfect for the job.

"Penny for your thoughts." At the sound of Tabby's voice, an automatic smile graces my lips.

"Hey, pretty lady." Having her here is special. She and Logan have been seeing more and more of each other and although she's reluctant to let her heart open completely, you can't hide the glow of falling in love.

The last three months haven't been the easiest, knowing Logan had his sights set on me since we were kids, but I think things are starting to work out.

"I heard Jarrett give the okay to Opie. I wish she were here, but her stubbornness is what caught wind of that Gary guy in Tucson."

I nod, taking her hand in mine, thankful she's one of the survivors of this awful organization.

"Have I told you lately how much I love you and how fucking proud I am of you?"

Her fair complexion makes the blush that races up her neck and cheeks impossible to miss.

"I didn't do anything, Ophelia. You and Opie saved me ." Pulling her in for a hug, I squeeze her harder than I ever have.

"Yes, we saved your physical body, but the hardest part was after. The hardest part of living is convincing yourself that it's worth the effort. And that, baby girl, is all you." She sniffles at my words. I'm being sincere and she knows it, but hearing compliments is a rarity for her, has been for over two decades. Maybe even more. Who knows how long she was abused? I pull away just enough to put my hands on her cheeks and bring our foreheads together. "So happy we found you." She smiles and it's glorious.

"And all the girls since. So many rescued, it's amazing. I love that we're working to get them all back home. Or away from their abusive homes, too. Like Penelope. My goodness, I really hope she makes it." We both turn to the skyline and stay quiet for a moment.

"I think it's time for a drink." The more I think about it the more my words ring true. Soon we'll be saving more girls. Maybe some will go home, maybe others will work for us. In any case, they won't be kneeling at the feet of sadists any longer.

Tabby takes my hand and we make our way to the lower deck where Logan's friends are celebrating their engagement. It's a private affair with only about sixty people on board, which makes us not being caught fucking up there a damn miracle.

The music grows louder as we go down, couples dancing and everyone drinking. Except for Jarrett, who apparently isn't the most comfortable on boats and wants to stay alert.

Our eyes meet and everything fades away. There's this thing about him, the way he makes me feel like I'm the only person in any room, that empowers me. It's one thing to know your worth, it's a whole different story when your significant other sees it too. Embraces it, even. When you've spent the better half of your life being treated like a trophy that fits well on a shelf, it's refreshing to be acknowledged as a contender, an ally of equal power.

When he begins to walk my way, it's like the masses part for him to reach me. Besides, it's either that or he'd probably throw them overboard.

"I saw you two were having a moment, didn't want to disturb." I roll my eyes.

"Since when do you give me space?" I'm being a brat, he's constantly giving me time to work through my shit, and when I'm ready, he's right there for me.

"Hmm." Stepping behind me, he lowers his head so he can speak in my ear. "I think your mouth is begging for a fucking." This man's stamina is frightening. "Or maybe I'll just spank your cunt. Who knows? Both could happen."

"I'm onboard for both."

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he brings my back impossibly closer to his front. And that's when I feel it. No, not his cock—although, yes, his cock—but his entire body relaxing, the pressure and stress dissolving just from my presence.

It's the little things, the seemingly insignificant moments of our lives, that stand out the most in our hearts and souls.

Turning in his arms, I reach up, sliding my hands up his neck and resting my fingers against his pulse point. His beating heart is strong and steady, just like him.

"Jarrett?"

"Yes, Kitten?"

"I know I don't say it but…" I pause, seeing the excitement building in the center of his eyes. He knows and he's been waiting patiently for me to get here. "I'm pretty sure I love you."

Raising one brow at me, he brings his head back so he can see me better.

"Pretty sure? Fucking hell, woman."

"All right, fine. I'm sure. I love you. There. Are you satisfied?" Oh my God, this man is infuriating.

"No. No, I'm not. That's the shittiest declaration I've ever heard. Christ all fucking mighty." I grin, then pat one cheek before walking away without a look behind me.

"Ophelia." His dom voice is in full effect and I wouldn't be surprised if it got half the women's attention down here.

When I reach the DJ, I crook my finger at him so he can bend down and hear me speak.

"Give me the mic, please." At first, he's confused, then he looks over at the guests of honor, who are completely oblivious. I'm not sure what convinces him to hand over the microphone but I'm thankful for his lack of professionalism.

"Can I have your attention please?" Slowly, the entire crowd hushes to a silence as I put my shoulders back and grin. "I'd like to congratulate the happy couple, Carla and Jeff. May everlasting love be your destiny." Everyone applauds so I smile and nod then bring the mic back to my mouth. "Also, I'd like say…Jarrett Vale, I fucking love you with every bit of my heart and soul. Is this better?"

Jarrett grins, nods, and mouths, "Good girl."

My panties melt away at the sight of him so calm and collected.

"Guess this is our happily ever after. Until I have to kill you, of course."

Shaking his head, he stands to his full height, one finger tapping his throat before tapping his ring finger, echoing what he told me earlier tonight.

"For now, Kitten. Happy for now."