Chapter Thirty-Three

Delany

The sun was setting as I watched the city come alive. It was a beautiful view. That was for sure. A million-dollar view that was worth every penny. Few people in this city could say they had the pleasure of standing in Stone House while looking out over Central Park. One of the oldest homes in the city, Stone House, wasn't just a home, it was a landmark.

The house had been in the Stone family for generations, and to some that would seem remarkable enough, it was the history of the house that told the tale.

"So, he stole the house?" I asked.

Tessa laughed, throwing her head back. "Not just stole it, he killed her father, then married her with her father's body bleeding out around them, then proceeded to raise a family here. They had five children. This house has seen some shit over the years. You know that saying, ‘if these walls could talk,' well, they would speak like daytime talk shows. There is even a room upstairs that I destroyed with my bare hands because Montana refused to let me go. I think I even set the room on fire once or twice. Virginia, Montana's mom, told me there was a Mexican standoff between her and George. I'm talking guns, knives, and a case of George's favorite whiskey. According to Virginia, it lasted three days and took six months for crews to fix what they destroyed."

"Why stay if you all felt so strongly against it?"

"Because deep down, we love the assholes. Look, Delany, I make no excuses for Montana. The man is stubborn, a hothead, and is prone to fits of childish behavior when he doesn't get his way. You'd think I was raising two toddlers here, but at the end of the day, I still love him. That man will walk through fire to protect me and York. There isn't anything he wouldn't do, and I literally mean anything. When the chips are down and you think all hope is lost, that's when men like Storm and Montana show you what they are really made of. You may not like how they go about everything, but at the end of the day, they will love you like no other."

Taking a seat in the soft chair, I looked around the beautiful sitting room and whispered, "That's just it, Tess. I don't know if he does love me. He's never said."

"Oh, he loves you. He just hasn't figured it out yet. Sometimes it takes the stubborn ones a bit longer to figure out what they've always wanted has been right before them the entire time. Trust me. Storm loves you. The question you should be asking yourself is, do you love him? Can you willingly spend the rest of your life with a man who will keep secrets from you, but do everything in his power to protect you, even kill for you?"

That was the million-dollar question.

My life was so different from Jason's. I preferred the quiet, peaceful side of life, where Jason thrived in the drama, the excitement of it all. From his business to his life with the club, everything Jason was, was wrapped up in intrigue, mergers, and death. I don't think he could stand one hour in my life.

We were so different.

I was an only child. He had a sibling.

I preferred the quiet serenity of life, while he preferred the crazy drama of it all. We hardly had anything in common and what we did have wasn't enough to base a long-term relationship on.

Well, at least I didn't think so.

But there was another side to him. One I saw when he was with Harlow. A softer, gentler side. Seeing him interact with our daughter, I would never have known about his other life if I hadn't seen it firsthand. He was patient with Harlow. When he was with her, she had his undivided attention. Nothing else mattered.

Only her.

From the moment he stormed back into our lives, nothing was the same again. One minute it was just me and Harlow, and the next, he was there, taking over everything.

And I let him.

Why did I let him?

I always considered myself an independent person. Someone capable of taking care of and protecting my own needs. Yet, the longer I thought about it, I wasn't. Not in the literal sense. While I was smart and knew my own mind, from the moment Jason returned, I found myself deferring to him. Going along with whatever he suggested. From moving Harlow out of the hospital, to marrying him out of the blue. Even letting him back into my bed. And when I saw him with Stephanie at the Fireman's Ball, I'd felt an unimaginable pain deep in my chest. Pain so severe it sucked the air from my lungs, making it impossible to breathe.

Through it all, he was patient with me. Explaining what he could and letting me come to my own decisions. He never forced my hand. He never lied to me. Well, not technically. Withholding information wasn't technically lying, but now I understood. There would always be something he could not tell me. Things he would never be able to talk to me about, and it was with those things that I would have to trust that he knew what was best.

It was all a hard pill to swallow, considering that since the age of seventeen, I had been on my own, making my own decisions.

I guess it all boiled down to whether I wanted to live the rest of my life alone and let the chips fall where they may or trust a man I barely knew. The messed-up part was I already knew what I was going to choose.

What the hell did that say about me?

"What's the smile for?"

"I don't have to think. I already know what I'm going to do. It was decided the first time we ever met and created Harlow. Since that night, it's like I've been living in a fog. I've been surviving but not living, you know? Then, he shows up and everything comes alive. While his world makes me very nervous and I still don't want to know anything, having Jason in my life makes everything better. Harlow adores him and I'm finding myself drawn to a man I barely know. I may not know what the future holds, but I know Jason would never steer us in the wrong direction."

"Sounds to me as if you love him. Maybe even a little more than you realize."

"Can two people who have absolutely nothing in common but a child, love and respect each other?"

"I've seen stranger things, Delany. All I can tell you is that Storm is smitten and not just with his daughter. It's like he just knows when you're overwhelmed. I've seen you two look at each other when something needs to be done. Neither of you speak. You just look at each other and just know what needs to be done. It was like that in the hospital and again in my kitchen downstairs. You two may have nothing in common, but you work."

"Yin and yang."

"What?"

"Yin and yang. The Chinese symbol that originated in Chinese Philosophy, describing opposite but interconnected forces. It represents the good and evil in the world. The light and the darkness. You can't have one without the other."

"You and Jason," Tess whispered understandingly.

I nodded. "Yes."

After tucking Harlow in and reading her a few books, I walked into the room Tessa showed me earlier and headed straight for the shower. I was bone tired, and all I wanted to do was sleep. Jason still hadn't returned, and I didn't know when or if he would tonight.

Emerging from the bathroom, I halted in my tracks upon seeing him by the window, his muscular frame highlighted by the gentle rays of moonlight. I couldn't help but notice his bare back, which displayed an expansive tattoo that spanned from shoulder to shoulder, each line and curve carefully etched.

I'd never seen anything like it before.

A Soulless Sinner.

A shrouded skeleton, holding a cross in its hands. The head bowed like it was praying, as it stood over mounds of skulls. Ghostly souls floated around the Sinner. It was a remarkable piece, with intricate details that captivated the eye. It was a masterpiece, beautifully executed. Whoever created the tattoo on his back was undoubtedly skilled and gifted.

Hugging the towel tighter to me, I walked over to him.

"Jason."

Watching him stand there without uttering a word, I couldn't help but feel a growing concern. This was a side of him I had never witnessed before.

Unsure of his desires, I wondered if he sought solitude, conversation, or the stillness of silence.

When I told Tessa we barely knew each other, I wasn't being dishonest. Our interactions were limited to occasional small talk. We were veritable strangers together in this messed-up world.

Connected, yet not.

"I apologize for dragging you into this chaotic situation," he whispered, so softly that his words barely reached my ears. "If we had never met, no one would ever know about you. You could have lived your life free and uninterrupted, and no one would be the wiser. Now, because of me, yours and Harlow's lives will always be in danger. For that alone, I am truly sorry."

"We are safe, Jason. You said nothing can hurt us here."

He stood there, slowly shaking his head. "It's more than that, Delany, and I think deep down you know it. I won't tell you why, because you asked me not to, but your life is about to become very different."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, as soon as the club can get everything set up, you and Harlow will move into Bane's house. He is selling it to me. You'll be safe there. We will make sure of it. But no matter where you go, you will have someone watching you."

"I understand."

Jason faced me, his brows furrowed in a deep frown.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I don't think you grasp the situation," he said gently. "We can give you the illusion of freedom, but you will never be free."

"What about you?"

"You are my wife. Harlow is my daughter. I will be with you. There will be times I'm needed in the city for business and club stuff, but I can work from anywhere. I called and talked to my mom. She has agreed to move onto the property as well. Robin will be staying in the city."

"What about the bar?"

"The club will take over the daily running of the bar."

With caution and precision, carefully selecting my words, I quietly muttered, "I want to know what's going on, but I don't. I don't think it will matter what you say, because I know for all of you to go out of your way like that, it must be bad. So, I won't ask. But are you sure this is the only way?"

He silently nodded.

I gazed out of the window. My eyes were drawn towards the mesmerizing view of Central Park, and I couldn't help but let out a sigh. "The park is so pretty at night. I've always loved Central Park. All the grass, trees, and flowers. I remember having a birthday there once, before Dad moved us to Arizona. I remember just lying in the grass with my mom as we pointed out cloud animals in the sky. It was a perfect day."

I wondered if I would ever have a perfect day like that again.

I knew what Jason was trying to tell me, and while the situation scared me, I trusted him to know what was best.

This was his world.

Not mine.

"Just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"If it gets really bad, don't lie to me and tell me everything will be okay. I'm good with the truth. Not lies."

"I can do that," he said, wrapping his arms around me, kissing my neck. Sighing, I welcomed the warm touch of his lips.

My husband had an unquenchable thirst for success. The man expected my utmost dedication, while he wholeheartedly devoted himself to every situation, including me.

With a sharp intake of breath, my startled reaction was evident as he forcefully yanked the towel away from my vulnerable frame, proceeding to guide me gently onto the inviting surface of the bed. Without hesitation, he swiftly removed his jeans, before laying on top of me, his bare skin molded against mine. Pinning my hands above my head, he pressed his mouth against my quivering flesh.

Reaching over to the nightstand, he grabbed a pair of handcuffs that hadn't been there earlier.

That's when I noticed an ice bucket along with some other nefarious looking items.

"Where did those come from?"

"I was a boy scout. I'm always prepared." He flashed me a wicked grin before skillfully restraining my wrists to the headboard using the cuffs. Jason never held back. The few times I had spent with him, he always went above and beyond, making sure to include every little thing. In matters of sex, he possessed a refined taste and a deep understanding of a woman's body. He was known for his devotion and singular focus, always giving his all to whatever he set his mind to. Driven. He wasn't a wham bam thank you ma'am kind of guy. He was the one who thoroughly enjoyed his meal, savored it, took his time until I melted into his mouth. Only then would he allow me to float off into a dreamscape of his making.

After securing my legs, he took a step back to admire my vulnerable position, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Leaning down, he pressed his lips against mine in a passionate kiss before pulling away.

"Damn, you're fucking hot like this. If I had half a brain, I'd keep you like this forever," he said before reaching for the ice bucket.

Curiosity crossed my features when I observed him with a bucket of ice, wondering what he had in mind. I answered my own question moments later when he slyly placed an ice cube in his mouth, sending a wink my way before lowering his mouth to my chest.

I felt a jolt of pleasure when his mouth latched onto one of my hard nipples, causing me to moan out loud. The extreme contrast between the heat and ice caused me to let out a deep, involuntary groan. He switched to my other breast, and I could feel a subtle shift in his touch, confirming my uncertainty. He made sure to give each of my nipples equal attention before flashing a seductive smile while he moved further down my body. When his head reached the same level as my spread legs, he lowered it, causing me to let out a cry.

I gasped breathlessly when the contrasting sensations of the icy touch and the warm wetness of his tongue assaulted my senses. A low, guttural groan escaped me when his tongue made its way up my inner thigh, igniting a fiery trail in its wake.

He wasn't going to merely push me to the brink of madness.

No, his satisfaction wouldn't be complete until he reduced me to begging.

My voice filled with desperation, and I whimpered, pleading for mercy as I futilely tugged at the restraints that held me captive.

"Soon," I heard him say, as my heart beat faster with each passing moment. With a gentle touch, he traced his fingers along my exposed flesh, his touch focusing on my stiffened nipples. My breath caught in my throat as waves of pleasure surged through me, electrifying my inner thighs.

When I finally mustered the courage to plead with him, he lifted his head, his expression unreadable.

"Please, Jason," I implored, my voice filled with desperation. "I'll do anything."

"Anything?" he said after giving the crease of my leg a slow lick.

"Yes."

"I'll remember that." He flashed a wicked grin before nuzzling his face between my legs.

Pleasure shot through me, causing me to let out a squeal of delight. The surge of my climax was imminent, causing me to groan even louder in anticipation.

Then he pulled his mouth away.

"Don't tease me," I pleaded.

"Who said I was teasing?" With a smirk on his face, he slowly inserted three of his rough fingers into my throbbing entrance. With a soft touch, he leaned down again, using his hand to separate my wet lips and skillfully flicking the tip of his tongue against my throbbing clit. Immediately, I jerked against my bonds. My heart raced with pleasure, and I couldn't help but pant as the sensation overwhelmed me. Jason could do anything he wanted with my body and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. I was helpless to stop him.

"You're almost there, aren't you, Precious?" he teased, pulling his fingers out while he ignored my wail of protest.

I struggled to catch my breath. My eyes fixed on him as he removed two ice cubes from the bucket. I couldn't believe my eyes when his free hand delicately spread apart my folds. The sensation of the ice cubes against my sensitive skin made me flinch involuntarily. I intensified my struggles against the ropes as I experienced the intrusion of his two fingers inside me.

"Oh my God," I exclaimed, my voice filled with shock. My breath caught in my throat when he exposed my sensitive lips and fervently pleasured my throbbing clitoris.

I screamed.

With his mouth tightly sealed to my clit, he softly hummed, sending waves of pleasure coursing through me. Using his other hand, he slowly inserted his fingers into my drenched core, carefully easing them in and out.

"Jason!" I cried as I felt the tingle of my release start in my outer thighs.

Jason growled deep in his throat before pulling his mouth away.

He blew softly on my throbbing clit and a mischievous smile played on his lips while my moans of frustration filled the air; my elusive climax teasingly slipping away. With a look of determination, he leaned in once more, his warm breath caressing my parted lips. My breath hitched as he engulfed my pulsating clit with his mouth, sending waves of ecstasy through my body.

I screamed as my orgasm rushed forward once again, hard and brutal.

Jason reached under and grabbed my ass with his free hand, maneuvering me so my exploding sex was pinned up against his face. I could do nothing but scream as an explosive release rolled over me.

Scrambling to his knees, Jason lifted my hips in his hands and slammed every inch of his rock-hard cock into my spasming depths.

"Christ, I'm never going to get enough of you." He groaned, while continuing to thrust into me.

My climax hit me harder than ever before, leaving me unable to do anything but cry out in pleasure. Helplessly, I thrashed against my bonds, feeling another peak burst through me.

Jason moaned as my pussy gripped his cock tightly.

Leaning down, he bit one of my nipples just hard enough to send me soaring again.

I panted, trying to catch my breath while my body slowly stopped orgasming. When I finally opened my eyes, I looked up at Jason's face.

It was impossible to miss his feverish desire. It radiated from him like palpable heat.

It was at that moment that I became aware of his persistent, unyielding erection inside of me.

A gasp escaped my lips, his low growl resonating in the air as he plunged into me with renewed intensity. I could only wither in my bindings as I felt my flesh respond once again.

His thrusts were unyielding, punctuated by moments of brief respite before he plunged back into me, his hands firmly gripping my trembling hips.

"Mine," he declared, his voice filled with equal amounts of possession and desire as he mercilessly pounded into me, leaving me breathless.

I could feel another climax coming and whined, "I can't."

"Yes, you can," he ordered while he pounded even deeper.

Protesting softly, I pleaded with him.

Ignoring my pleas, he increased the intensity of his thrusts, his hips moving at an incredible speed. My voice escaped in a cry, my body contorting against the bonds, yearning to intertwine with him as waves of pleasure surged through me.

"That's it, Precious. Cum all over my cock."

The sound of his roar filled the room as he shot load after load of searing semen into my trembling body. My screams filled the room while the pleasure whipped back and peaked once more, intensifying the experience. He emitted a contented groan as his body eagerly expelled his seed into the depths of my womb.

I lay under him, knowing that I would never get enough of him. Whenever we were together in bed, he exhibited a dominant side that was unmistakable and impossible to ignore.

Reaching over me, he unlocked the cuffs before collapsing next to me on the bed. Pulling me close to him, I looked up at him to see his eyes had closed. Laying my head on his chest, I tried to calm my body, to even out my breathing when I heard him whisper, "I love you."