Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

K age

Yep. My brain had just been dumped into a quagmire of absolute stupidity.

I was a weak man, so much so I couldn't get enough of her.

Sins of the flesh.

My grandfather had told me more than once it could be the death of a man.

My presence alone was absolutely dangerous for her and for Max. It wouldn't be long until my old boss's henchmen began the hunt, which I needed to be ready for. The fact Saldono had been led astray was irritating as fuck but he hadn't been on scene. He hadn't been forced to witness such betrayal. I'd also managed to stop a psycho from killing the powerful Don, not that that had gotten me cred either. Even though I'd saved the Don's life, fingers had been pointed in my direction almost immediately, the private deal only known about by three people.

And two were blood related.

I'd always known blood was thicker than water, but what happened was far from believable even after all the shit I'd been through. It was almost funny the younger brother, Gio Rinaldi and I had been friends, enough we'd drank beers together, playing pool at our favorite watering hole. We'd laughed about idiots in the business and I'd had his back more than once. Yet on the day of reckoning, he'd turned his back on me completely, pointing fingers in horror that I'd dare destroy the sanctity of family, dishonoring the Rinaldi name.

The ruthless soldiers the Don employed had eyes and ears everywhere so this was a small respite, but there would be no more. I couldn't allow my emotions to get in the way. But for tonight, I could enjoy the moment, savoring the beautiful woman's body as the work of art it was.

Perfect soft lips meant for kissing, naturally rosy red.

Long hair easily cascading to her waist, wisps falling into her eyes.

An hourglass figure that would stop any breathing man in his tracks.

Legs that went on for days, perfect to wrap around my waist.

And breasts that fit into my hands perfectly. They should be for my hands only.

What a shame this was a blip in time and nothing more.

It could never happen again.

Yes, this was wrong, so very wrong but I couldn't have stopped if I'd wanted to.

And damn I didn't want to.

The scent of her had been more intoxicating than the couple of drinks.

The taste of her was sweet like ripe cherries, something I'd missed inside the joint.

And the way she looked at me could burn down an entire house.

My cock ached, so much so as I walked through the foyer to the living room, I couldn't take my eyes off her. I wasn't going to enter her bedroom. It wasn't my place. But everywhere else in her house was fair game as far as I was concerned. Max barely lifted his head, the good boy not needing to keep an eye on me. I only hoped she wouldn't question the fact he was obviously comfortable around me later. That wouldn't bode well for any of us.

And the last thing I wanted to do was to rip Max away from her. They'd already developed a bond.

She squealed once, moaning afterwards as she raked her nails down my scruffy face gently. There was something so enigmatic about the way she was staring into my eyes. It was almost as if she'd recognized me, even though that wasn't possible. As far as the program went, my records were locked down. There was no possibility she'd even learned my name. But I would remain cautious while I was here.

Giving her a mischievous grin, I tossed her over the back of the couch onto the plus cushions, issuing a primal growl just because it felt damn good to do so.

Her laugh was like the sweetest music in the world, her voice keeping my cock hard and my body full of fire.

"You better look out. The big, bad wolf is going to eat you," I said in my deepest voice. It was easy to be playful around her, to be an entirely different kind of man.

"I don't think so. You'll have to catch me first." She tossed her hair then managed to sprint off the couch, racing around me before I could catch her. But the feisty woman should have already learned she wasn't going to get far from me.

I snagged her wrist, jerking her around and she tried to slap me for fun. I cocked my head, snapping her hand together with mine, even curling our fingers together. "Not so fast, naughty girl."

In a surprising maneuver, she dragged her tongue across her bottom lip and used her other hand, smashing it against my chest and managing to shove me away. In truth, I allowed the connection to be broken, eager to see what she was going to do.

The game of cat and mouse as she ran through the house, the big, bad wolf chasing her, intrigued Max. He watched but didn't growl, simply keeping a watchful eye. The few moments as I chased her through the house felt oddly natural. I'd never done anything like this and I doubted she had either, at least for a long time. It felt damn good to be free from prying eyes and poking guns.

Being with her was nothing short of electrifying.

She shifted back and forth behind the couch, giving me a daring look. Her laughter continued to bubble to the surface, her eyes twinkling in the firelight. I could do this all damn night long and would had my cock not continued to ache.

So I decided to end it and teach her a rather painful lesson. I lunged toward her, catching her around the waist and lifting her into the air where I held her aloft as I crawled onto the couch.

"You should know better than to tease a hungry man." As I tossed her over the back, spreading her knees apart, she threw me a funny little look over her shoulder.

And when she spoke, her voice was slightly haughty, adding to the sweet tension of the moment. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Spanking you for trying to get away from me. What else?" Hell, I couldn't remember the last time I'd spanked a woman. Sure, I'd always been the dominating kind of man, more so after altering my personality, entering the dark side. By then, I'd hated the world, a sadistic asshole using women only when my body required some release.

This was… just different. I couldn't put it into words other than it felt right. It pried apart the darkness, allowing the sweetness of her light inside. While the feeling would be short lived, I didn't care. This was something special that would live in my memory for the rest of my life.

I didn't waste any time, bringing my hand down from one side of her bottom to the other.

She wiggled and moaned, but it certainly didn't seem like the pain was unbearable. I cracked my hand down a few more times, shocked how labored my breathing had become. The dazzling sensations were more from excitement than anything else. Or maybe my libido kicking into overdrive.

"Ouch. That just… Ouch!" She tried to find Max, even reaching out for him. "This bad man is spanking me, buddy. Come save me."

Amused, I studied the pup and he glanced at me, returning his heated gaze to his new master, his tail thumping. He simply lowered his head after that, satisfied everything was as it should be.

"He's not going to save you. He knows you deserve this."

"I most certainly do not." She bucked hard, undulating her hips back and forth in a blatant invitation.

Jesus Christ, my balls would soon be blue if I didn't get some relief. But the feel of her heated skin on the rough pads of my fingers was far too delicious. I continued the spanking, adding just enough to make her bottom match the shade of her full lips.

"There's more where these came from if you're not a good girl." I couldn't help myself, caressing her skin, running two fingers up and down her spine, longing to spend hours just touching her. Exploring every inch of her body.

If only things could be different.

If only I was a different man.

If only…

I brought my hand down twice more for good measure and couldn't take it any longer, positioning myself behind her. The only prelude she received was the fact I rubbed the tip of my cock up and down her slickened folds before returning my shaft to the warmth of her tight channel.

Fucking God, she felt like sin and shame rolled into one, but I really was a bad dude. I felt zero remorse for stealing a moment of her innocence. As if you could call her body or her actions innocent in any way.

She was a little temptress, batting her long eyelashes and plying me with delicious food and drink. Fuck. I could do this more often.

I gripped her hips, panting a few times before pulling out, driving into her again.

The woman met every brutal thrust as I picked up a rhythm, keeping her head slightly turned toward me. Her grip on the back of the couch was as firm as mine was on her hips. Together we rocked the room and the moment. She was so wet, so fucking hot I was certain I'd have blisters on my shaft. But it would be well worth the pleasure she'd offered me. I did what I could to keep control, pushing this to last as long as possible.

But I had to admit that filling her with my seed would be amazing. The incredible moment continued as I plunged my cock deep inside like the savage I was. Every muscle in my body was already tense but I ignored the sensations, refusing to succumb to my needs so soon.

The dark side of me returned almost as if by instinct and I wrapped my hand around her throat.

She trembled in my hold, fighting me initially. Her whimpers tore at my heart, the agony in them a reminder that she'd been through something horrific. "Relax, little girl. I promise that I will never hurt you."

There was a moment where she was the one tensing, so much so I rubbed my thumb underneath her chin for reassurance.

"I know," her tiny voice finally said. "I don't know why but I trust you."

Trust.

Hell, I'd broken it the moment I stepped foot inside the grocery store but right now, I couldn't avoid the feelings I had any more than I could the raging need that continued building. While I kept my hold, I made certain she didn't feel threatened in any way. The last thing I wanted to do was to remind her of her dark past.

Shit. I had no clue what I was talking about.

I longed to learn everything about her. Her nuances, her likes and dislikes, her resolve. And all about the fucker who'd obviously hurt her.

I would.

I'd make it my mission.

But for now, I'd do nothing but provide her with pleasure.

The feel of her pussy muscles clenching down on my cock was incredible, adding another jolt of current. We were both breathless, our bodies molding together as if they'd always been as one. How ridiculous of me to think that way. How amazing the feel of her beneath me was.

I crushed my full body weight against hers, holding her in place as I shifted the angle. As soon as I did, she threw her head back until it was hitting my shoulder, panting and writhing in my hold.

"Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh." The moment her body stiffened, I increased the brutal pounding, shoving us both into the contours of the couch.

As her body shook uncontrollably, a smile crossed my face. At least I'd provided her with another wave of intense pleasure. Every moan she made added fuel to the fire and I refused to stop, fucking her long and hard.

When her muscles constricted again only a few seconds later, I threw my head back with a sharp bellowing sound as her body rushed into another powerful climax. I could do this all fucking day long.

As she began to shift into moments of peace, I knew I couldn't hold back any longer. My body began to shake, enough so I was thrown into utter silence. The moment my balls swelled, I tightened my grip on her throat, pulling her upright and against my chest. Every sensation became more pronounced, every tingling sensation richer and more powerful.

With no warning, no sense of when I'd recover, my cock filled with seed and I couldn't stop from erupting deep inside.

My mind might have been a foggy blur of shit, but I couldn't remember the last time anything had felt his amazing.

I crushed my body entirely over hers, shifting both hands on top of hers. It was as if we were both trying to relearn how to breathe together.

Seconds ticked by and I had a feeling neither one of us wanted this to end.

"Some guard dog," she whispered, half laughing a few seconds later.

"Maybe he just knows good people."

"I have no doubt he does. That's why I knew I could trust you."

There was that damn word again, one I'd already grown to hate. Trust was something to be earned. At least that's what I'd been taught a long time ago. The moment I'd allowed my guard to fall even once, I'd learned never to take the concept of trust for granted ever again.

She pushed back against me, managing to slide us both to the couch. Just within her reach was a blanket, which she put over the two of us before grabbing the television remote. My gut told me I should leave right now, but the moment Max moved closer, jumping onto the couch beside me and placing his head on my lap, there was no doubt I was a goner.

Whatever she'd found on television didn't matter. The fact she placed her head on my chest did.

Fuck me.

This felt entirely natural, so damn good.

After a few seconds, I slouched further down, resting my head on the back of the couch. Yeah, I really could get used to this. Closing my eyes for a few minutes wouldn't be so bad. Besides, I was comfortable for a change.

She was content.

Max was breathing easy, happy in his own skin.

I stroked his head absently, very much missing the days when I'd been his trainer. He'd managed to find space on the tiny cot of a bed prisoners were allowed, acting as if it was the most comfortable place on earth.

He'd given me purpose, returning some aspects of my life and my dignity.

The furry boy had also reminded me that somewhere down inside, I had some decency left. Maybe that's why this moment was entirely too cathartic. As whatever television show droned on, I closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths. Yes, this was far too comfortable.

Struggling with the groceries in my hands, I raced through the rain toward the front door. When I noticed it was ajar, every muscle stiffened, slowly pushing it open with my foot. It was eerily quiet inside. Usually there was music blasting from the stereo or at a minimum some news report on the television in the kitchen. What the fuck was going on?

Taking careful steps, I headed toward the kitchen, not noticing anything out of the ordinary. I eased the bags to the counter, once again listening for any sounds. "Kelly. Are you here?" I shoved the milk into the refrigerator, my nerves suddenly on edge. She never left without calling me. It was just one of the habits we'd had from the beginning.

I rubbed my hands on my jeans, heading into the living room. That's when I noticed that the vase of flowers I'd bought her the day before lay smashed on the floor. Agony swept through me. We'd had a goddamn argument a little over an hour before. I'd left in a huff, slamming the front door behind me. But for her to do this? No, I couldn't believe it. It was a silly disagreement that somehow had managed to turn ugly.

We were both just under a lot of stress, money issues and the lack of sleep the main problems. We loved each other. I worshipped her, my special little family.

Was it possible she'd left me? No, I refused to buy it.

I was still heartsick at the thought as I walked down the hall to our bedroom. As I pushed open the door, I prepared myself to see drawers yanked open, items tossed onto the floor.

But everything shifted into something that I wasn't certain I'd ever be able to describe. All time had stopped, my breathing shallow. And even though my brain didn't want to register what I was seeing, the ache in my heart, uncontrollable rage nearly spiraled out of control immediately.

As I fell to my knees, a wild animalistic bellow erupted from my lungs.

And hatred was born, the need for revenge.

Which I would have. One way or the other.

"Fuck," I hissed as I jerked up from the horrible dream. What the fuck was wrong with me? I hadn't experienced that in years. Fucking years. Why now? Because I should feel guilty for allowing my guard to fall, for finding myself enjoying being with a woman?

What the hell was that noise?

I rubbed the back of my arm across my mouth, loathing how much I was shaking. My mind was frozen in place, my heart beating rapidly. I tried to focus, forced to blink several times. It took a few seconds to realize the sound was the television, some action show where several guys were firing off gunshots.

Damn it. I needed to get the hell out of here. Between the goddamn nightmare and the shitass television show that I'd awakened to, my gut told me it was an omen.

I rubbed my jaw, taking several deep breaths before lowering my head. Noel was sleeping peacefully, her breathing even. I eased her to the side, making sure her head was on a pillow before disengaging myself from Max. He lifted his head, staring at me wearily.

"It's okay, buddy. Take care of your mommy. She loves you already. I'm glad to see you got a good home. That's all I wanted for you." I rubbed his head before climbing off the couch, taking a few seconds to position the blanket over her. Max curled more tightly against her. I moved away from the couch, turning back only once.

Walking out the door was going to be one of the toughest things I'd ever done but was also very necessary. Sighing, I shook my head and walked away, the ache in my gut increasing. Maybe I wasn't as thick skinned as I'd originally thought.

As I gathered my clothes, sliding into them, I did what I could not to look back for fear if I did, I'd never leave. After struggling into my jacket, I had to search the kitchen to find the keys to my truck. I even left the groceries for her. I'd ensure my buddy helped her out with her vehicle, but I couldn't dare risk this occurring again.

No matter how much I wanted it to.

With one more hard look, I headed for the entrance. Within two feet, I heard pings of ice hitting the front porch.

The moment I opened the door, I hissed. I'd obviously been asleep longer than I'd realized. There were three or so inches of ice on top of at least four of snow with an icy layer underneath. There was no chance in hell I'd make it down the road, let alone to my cabin in the mountains.

Fuck. Fuck.

What the hell was I supposed to do now?

"Looks like you're forced to stay with me after all."

The moment I heard her voice coming from behind me, I cringed, suddenly incapable of saying anything. Staying was a bad option all the way around. Fuck. "I'll be fine."

"You're not Superman. You can't fly out of here."

No, I certainly wasn't that. I was so much worse.

"Close the door, Kage. It's cold out there," Noel whispered in a sleepy voice.

I found myself doing what she requested, but only after scanning the now nonexistent road and the thick forest behind it. There was no chance of seeing anything, even it was out there.

After closing and locking the door, I turned around.

Noel had her arm outstretched, waiting for me to grasp her hand.

"Come on," she said sleepily. "I don't bite. Things will look much better in the morning. Even monsters take a night off in this kind of weather."

Somehow, I sensed she knew better.

Monsters never let down their guards, never took a backseat, never relaxed, and certainly never allowed a little bad weather or darkness stop them from getting what they wanted.

One of the worst boogeymen of all wanted me.

And he would stop at nothing, including gutting an innocent woman to make that happen.