Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1), page 11
They arrived and she climbed out acting as if nothing happened. Well, except she was having a hard time moving, but their story was believable. She walked into the penthouse and straight for the home gym with Leith on her heels. “Throw some sweats on so this is realistic.”
“Roger that.”
They met up in the training room. “Grab the staff and strike in the exact same spots.”
“What the fuck?! Keeley, no, I could end up breaking something.”
“The welts have to match.”
“This is crazy. Let’s just tell Tar the truth.”
She spun on him instantly, her jaw clenched tight. “Do that and I’ll make sure he knows you did this to fuck me.”
His eyes blinked several times fast. “I never…”
“It’s written all over your face. And this,” she grabbed his cock, “gives you away every time I’m around.”
He swallowed the lump in his throat. Sure he knew how to break her hold on his dick. Problem was, he didn’t want to. If he would ever have a chance with her, he had to change tactics. Be her friend. “I’ll take your secret to the grave.”
She nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”
*****
Tar stood there in shock. How could Leith do such a thing to Keeley? He’d sparred with her like she was a man, not a petite woman. Keeley was the only reason he didn’t take him out and discuss this man-to-man. She kept whimpering for him, and he was at a loss on what to do for her. Instinct told him to just sit there and hold her hand. He marveled at their size difference. She was so tiny and he was solid muscle, taller than most men. They were both in shape, although, Keeley needed to gain a few pounds. Still, to Tar she was absolutely perfect. “So beautiful,” he whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice. “You like black and blue together?”
He chuckled softly. “Not particularly. But somehow you pull it off.”
She shook her head then winced. Fuck that hurt! “For some reason, I think you’re lying.”
Tar was aware she was hurting, but respected she tried not to show it. Instead, he placed his hand over his heart and mocked, “Lady, you wound me.”
Keeley actually laughed until it shot pain through her stomach, stealing her breath. “Shhhhhhhiiiiitttt,” she hissed.
“Fucker went too far,” Tar growled out low and menacing.
She couldn’t endanger Leith. “It was my fault. I told him to treat me like one of the guys.”
“I don’t give a shit if you offered him a million dollars. What he did is unacceptable.” He pushed back from the bed to stand.
Keeley acted fast. She latched onto his hand and yanked with all her strength, knocking him off balance. He landed hard backwards, partially on top of her. Ah, hell! She breathed through the pain as his weight was on her bruised and tender ribs. There was no denying the euphoria that came from the deep inhale and exhale. She wrapped her arm around his big shoulders, pulling his head down so she could capture his mouth with hers. His attempted protest was smothered by her tongue exploring. She licked along his lips and dove in for more. He met her thrust for thrust as her fingers snaked down his shirt and skated across his delectable pecs. The man was a work of art, but she needed more, tweaking his nipple to convince him she was all right and wanted him.
Her soft groans into his mouth lit his fire in more ways than one. He laced his fingers into her hair, pulling her closer as he began to control the kiss. Tar fucked her thoroughly mouth to mouth before releasing her swollen lips and moving his down her throat, where he nipped and sucked.
Keeley was hungry for more. “Fuck me.”
Tar raised his head and locked his boiling gaze on hers. “Dirtier.”
Her breath hitched. “I want your cum all over me, marking me, claiming what belongs to you.”
In a maneuver so quick she found herself underneath him, his hot gaze still on hers. “Say you’re mine.”
“I so fucking am.”
His hand went down her panties, fingers probing until Keeley cried out, not in desire but fear. Tar withdrew instantly. “What’s wrong, baby?”
Terror danced in her eyes. No! She wouldn’t allow the flashback of Braxton fingering her. Keeley forced the monster back into the box, but not before Tar tuned into her reaction. She grabbed his hand and sucked on his fingertips, before taking his hand and placing it back to her sex. “Make me know only you.”
He hesitated. Was her reaction from the distant past or more recent? Tar knew she loved him, but was it enough? All thought left him when she used his finger to pleasure herself. He stared deep into her gaze wanting to watch as she broke apart. “Eyes on mine.”
She licked her lips and held his regard while fucking herself with his fingers. “I’m going to come.”
Tar caressed her tits with his free hand and just as she was about to go over, he pinched her nipple. She came undone, gaze still on his. He kissed her deeply and rode out her orgasm by plucking her clit. “Absolutely gorgeous,” he purred.
Keeley somewhat returned to earth and wanted from Tar exactly what she’d told him. She unfastened his jeans and helped him work them off, before he tugged his shirt one-handed over his head. With no interest in resisting the urge, she leaned forward and traced the beautiful script tattoo which ran across his upper chest below the collar bones. His cock nudged at her entrance. She opened for her visitor, welcoming him as she locked her legs around his hips. He slid his hands under her low back, raising her to him as he swiveled his hips, rubbing on that special spot. He fought hard not to come too soon and pulled out to the tip, then slammed back to the hilt. Her cries of pleasure pushed him harder, faster, before he eased back to enter slow and steady, working them both into a frenzy. On his next downward thrust, he commanded, “Come, Keeley.”
Holy hell. The orgasm was powerful as she screamed his name into his mouth. Both breathing so heavy kissing wasn’t possible. Tar held her tenderly as their heart rates began to lower, licking at her lips softly. She murmured, “I love you,” but doubted he heard her. Best that way, she thought.
But Tar had heard her loud and clear. “Say it again.”
She couldn’t deny him. “I love you, Tarius McNeil.”
“Fuck, Keeley. You’ve just made me the happiest man alive.”
He decided showing her how happy was necessary, taking her to new heights as they made love.
Chapter Seventeen
Leith lie sprawled on the mat out cold. Tar wiped blood off the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. “You deserved worse,” he grit out before spitting in the trash can. Leith had gotten in a few good hits and Tar’s lip reflected it.
E entered his gym and hissed, “Did you kill him?”
“Should’ve.”
“What’d the fucker do?”
When Keeley came in moving stiffly and wincing, E had his answer. He nodded his approval, kneeling down to check on Leith. Meanwhile, Keeley and Tar were having a rather heated discussion.
“You had no right!” she yelled.
“The hell I didn’t,” Tar retorted. “He beat the shit out of you. That’s not a man in my book.”
E didn’t bite back the, “Pussy,” that escaped, earning him one nasty glare from his sister-in-law. “Damn, girl, that’s one mean ass look you’ve got there.” He ran his hands over his torso. “Thank fuck, you didn’t singe me.”
Keeley couldn’t fight the raise of her lips. E was a smartass, but she did love him. Most of all, she loved how much he was in love with her sister. To watch the two of them together was beautiful, absolutely breathtaking. She simply associated it with being a Strand brother because they were all like that. Loyal and fiercely protective, family was everything to them. But the way they honored and cherished their wives was awe-inspiring. Keeley thought that kind of love just wasn’t real, only existed in fairytales. However, Even and his brothers, Nik and Alex, showed her there were still good men in this world. She sighed, sneaking a sidelong glance at Tarius. He was another one. She knew it, which was why she wished he’d come to his senses and leave her. She was a fuck-up waiting to happen, destroying all in her wake. Remembering she was supposed to be pissed at both of them, she huffed, “Are you boys done playing?”
“Yes, ma’am,” E replied.
Tar stepped in behind her and coiled his arm around her waist, pulling her tight. “I know you’re mad as hell at me, Viper, but put yourself in my shoes. What would you do if he’d done that to me?”
She leaned into him, looking up to hold his gaze. “Kick his motherfucking ass.”
Laughter boomed throughout the room.
Leith came to, still a little dizzy from having his clock cleaned. “Nice to know you all care,” he groaned, rubbing his jaw.
E leveled a nasty glare at him. “You deserved it. Man up and accept it.”
Leith nodded. “That I did.” He searched the gym until he spotted Tar and Keeley embracing and talking. Tar’s gaze met his. “Sorry, man,” Leith apologized.
“Don’t fucking do it again,” Tar warned.
“Copy that,” Leith affirmed, standing. He swayed a little and Keeley walked over to help. He shot her an are-you-out-of your-mind look.
She shook her head in response, glancing over to see E and Tar talking. Keeley took advantage of their distraction and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I got exactly what I deserved.” He walked away without glancing back. Fucking idiot. That woman has me wrapped around her finger and I’m not even banging her.
*****
Keeley paced nervously waiting for Lacey. She couldn’t tell her sister what she’d done the night before any more than she could tell Tar. Leith was the only one who knew, and she wasn’t sure he’d keep his damn mouth shut. Worst part, she wanted as far away from Ms. Jones and Braxton as she could be. What the hell was she going to do?
“Uh-oh, I recognize this.” Lacey eyed her sternly. “What have you done?”
Damn! “Why would you think that?” she asked defensively.
“Hello, you are my twin sister. And I’ve known something was up since the airport.”
Alrighy then, it was time to spin another web. Sooner or later she was going to get herself caught in one of them. Visuals of a big ass spider ready to pounce filled her mind. Ick! “I already shared what I’m dealing with. Don’t ya think that’s enough to cause a teensy amount of anxiety? Shit, Lace. Cut me some slack.”
Lacey gasped, “Oh, Kee,” and embraced her tightly.
For the most part that lie had some truth to it, so why did Keeley feel bad about telling it? She contemplated that for a moment and decided to change the subject. “So, you’re going to help out with this assignment? I’m surprised E would let you.”
“Let me?” Her indignation was written all over her face. “Even is my partner in life, the man I love with all my heart, we have mutual respect for one another, love and trust. I damn sure do not need his permission.”
Ha! Someone might want to let E in on that. She quirked her brow at Lacey. “He wouldn’t want you in any danger.”
“And I wouldn’t want him in any either,” she threw her hands up, “but sometimes in order to catch a demon you must go into Hell.”
No truer words had been spoken. Yet the image it conjured, gave Keeley chills. She could swear that the senator was standing right beside her ready to snatch her away. “Okay, so we’re going in this afternoon to work with the dancers on a new routine?”
“Well, I’ll be working. E is going to take you down to the dungeon and show you around.”
“Ah, so I have the lay of the land if I need a quick exit.”
“Ding-ding, give that a girl a prize.”
They both began to laugh, grabbing their purses and heading over to the night club.
*****
Tar raked his hair. “I’m trying to wrap my head around this shit, E, but I just can’t seem to grasp it.”
“In your defense, when we worked on the other investigation together, you never saw this side of BDSM.”
“True that. I actually like some of it. Don’t mind kinky.” He winked.
E chuckled, clapping Tar on the back. “I love kinky, however, you need to understand that our definition of consenting adults having a mind-blowing experience differs from others.”
“I feel ya. And my girl would be one who associates pain with some sort of pleasure.”
“You know, there are ways to give her what she needs without taking it to the extremes she seems hellbent on doing.” E shook his head. “It’s become another addiction for her. Dammit I wish that girl would see she doesn’t need any of that shit.”
“Welcome to my mission,” Tar pointed out. “I need her healthy mentally and emotionally before there’s ever an us.”
“I’m not gonna tell you how to deal with this situation. She does need help, I agree. Plenty of people love that girl and wanna help. But you know as well as I do, until she wants it, we’re all spinning our wheels.”
“Yup. And doing doughnuts makes me sick.”
“Hell yes. I know you’re sleeping with her. Also know you’ve fallen in love, my friend. I believe she wants what you’re offering, but she’s not sure how. Takes a very patient man to deal with this shit.”
“Damn good thing I have plenty of it.”
E motioned with his head toward the next room. “I pray you do, Tar. For her sake and yours.”
*****
Keeley left her sister’s side once they arrived at the club. She had the password tucked safely in the front pocket of her jeans and followed the corridor to the hidden-from-plain-view elevator. She pushed the correct numbers and waited until the doors opened. To her surprise, Tar was waiting on the other side. He locked his gaze on hers, intensity building between them. If they could just stay naked and in the throes of passion constantly, they’d never have any problems. The wayward thought made her smile. “‘Sup?”
“Are you sure about this?”
She paused trying to figure out what he was referring to. Light bulb went off. “Of course I am. If I can help in any way, I want to.” She bit her lip. “I need to do this, Tarius. Please understand.”
His hand snaked out, grabbing hers in a tight grip. “I don’t question you needing or wanting to go through with this.” He pulled her against him. “I worry it’s not only to take down the bad guys.”
His lips were against hers before she could argue. He had every right to be concerned. She wasn’t just doing this for honorable reasons. But if she came clean, he’d insist she didn’t participate. Not going to happen. In Keeley’s mind, this was the way to keep her addiction on a leash. She would deal with the consequences. His kiss was desperate, conveying his anxiety. She fisted his shirt and held on, letting him take whatever he needed from her. The doors slid apart as E whistled, breaking their impassioned lip lock.
“Damn, I need my wife after watching that!” E drawled.
Keeley was still a tad breathless but managed to grin at her brother-in-law. “She’s working.”
“Yeah, she’s still pissed I won’t let her dance when we’re open for business.”
“I understand, but maybe she could teach more?”
“Go on, I’m listening.”
“She has the dance studio but she misses actual performances. There’s an audition for a local dance company downtown. Let her try.”
E nodded, rubbing his jaw. “I had no idea. Think it’s time my wife and I sit down and simply talk about things.”
“She’d like that too.”
E gave her a big squeeze. “Thank you, sis.”
“Anytime.”
Tar nudged E with his shoulder. “Get your hands off my woman. You have your own.”
E wagged his brows salaciously. “Hell yes, I do.”
Laugher erupted on the ride back up.
Playful banter continued as they entered E’s office. Mitch and Nik were there waiting. The mood sobered as Mitch brought everyone up to speed on their assignment. Keeley accepted her role wondering how far they would let her go to gain the trust needed to bring down this particular branch of the ring. Mitch addressed her thoughts, “Tar, if you cannot handle watching another man’s hands on Keeley, we understand. But for the love of God, don’t blow her cover.”
Tar shot him an indignant glare. “I know how to wear a game face. Not my first rodeo, Captain.”
“True. But the woman you love will be in a vulnerable position. Takes a strong man to resist the urge to protect what is his.”
E ran both hands through his hair. “Gotta tell ya, no fucking way could I do it.”
Nik chimed in, “Ditto. Anyone laid a finger on my Aimee and I’d beat the ever-loving shit outta ‘em.”
Tar stood, fists at his side. Could he do this? His slammed down a chair, making Keeley jump. He locked gazes with her. “They’re right.”
She swallowed hard and went to his side. “They’ll make sure I’m safe. You have to know that.”
He nodded before turning to Mitch. “If she’s harmed beyond what is expected, I’ll knock your fuckin’ teeth out.”
“Affirmative,” Mitch answered.
Nik and E joined Tar while Keeley went back to learn exactly what she needed to do.
“Tar, she’s going to be just fine,” Nik reassured. “I’ll personally see to it.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely she is.” E nodded. “I’m not letting any slime ball manhandle my sister-in-law.”
“Appreciate that, man. But you both know there has to be touching and handling involved for this to work,” Tar pointed out.
“There does. However, it doesn’t need to go past the necessary,” E declared.
“E would know more than any other person on this case what is and is not acceptable,” Nik affirmed.
“That I do know,” Tar said as he clapped E’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
