Broken Promises, page 13
“Find out for yourself.” Her voice is breathy as she stares at me with lust-filled eyes.
I don’t need to be told twice. Licking my way from her entrance to her clit, I moan at her taste on my tongue. “You taste even sweeter.”
“Dec,” Willa whines.
“I’ve got you, Princess.”
I descend on her in earnest, sucking her clit and teasing it with my teeth. She grinds against me, trying to get more friction.
“I want you. Baby, please,” she moans. I practically growl when she calls me baby. I didn’t think I liked that, but from her lips, it’s fucking everything.
I slip two fingers inside her, curling them towards me. I know I find the right spot when the noise she makes gets louder and deeper.
“Right there, Dec. Fuck. Right there,” she mumbles with her eyes shut and head thrown back. I suck on her clit hard and then she’s coming, screaming my name and pulsing around my fingers. I lick her through it until she’s sensitive and pushing me away.
Willa runs her hands through my hair and pulls me towards her, kisses my mouth that’s slick with her arousal and moans at the taste.
“Princess,” I murmur as I pull away. My knees are throbbing so badly, they killed my hard on. “Can you get two bags of ice and the athletic tape?”
Willa’s eyes go wide as she jumps off the couch. “Shit, baby. Your knees.” She throws my jersey on and runs upstairs.
“Willa? The ice is down here!” I yell to her, gingerly pulling myself onto the couch and arranging my body so that my back is leaning on the arm and my legs are elevated.
Willa is running back down the stairs and into the kitchen. I hear her curse while rummaging in the freezer. She reappears a few minutes later with two bags of ice, two cloth bandages and a pair of my basketball shorts. That at least explains what she went upstairs for.
“I couldn’t find the tape. Will these work?” she asks, holding up the bandages.
I stand slowly and take my suit off. Willa helps me get my shoes off and my shorts on before making me sit back down on the couch and wrapping the ice in the bandages around my knees.
“I could’ve ridden you and this wouldn’t have happened,” Willa says, crawling between my legs and settling her head on my chest.
I laugh. “I told you, Princess. You’re not ready yet.” My dick, however, is taking notice of my wife wearing my jersey. Only my jersey. I know she feels me harden underneath her when she snorts. “Ignore that.”
She wiggles, causing me to groan. Willa slides down my body and pulls at the waistband of my shorts.
“Princess,” I warn.
“Let me take care of you.” She looks at me and bites her bottom lip. I lift my hips, letting her pull my shorts down.
“Holy shit, baby,” she says when she sees the size of me. My dick twitches. Willa smiles when she looks up at me. “You like when I call you baby?” she asks. My dick twitches again. Her smile turns sultry as she lowers her mouth to my cock.
Willa licks from my balls all the way to the tip without breaking eye contact. I almost come from that alone. “Take me in your mouth, Princess.”
She does as I ask, sucking gently on the head before taking me to the back of her throat. “Fucking Christ!” I yell, my hips thrusting up of their accord. “Willa, holy fuck.” She pulls all the way off and then takes me to the back of her throat again, but this time she swallows. I moan louder than I ever have in my life. I can feel how wide my eyes are from shock or pleasure, I’m not sure which. She does the same thing two more times, and I’m done for. I never stood a fucking chance.
Willa swallows everything I give her and then licks her lips like she just had a tasty snack. I’m panting like I just ran a marathon. My jaw is hanging open, and I’m staring at my wife like she’s the perfect surprise. Willa gently pushes my jaw shut with her finger and kisses my cheek. Then she helps me get my shorts back up. I haven’t been able to utter a single word.
“I don’t have a gag reflex,” she says as she pulls the blanket off the back of the couch and throws it over us.
“Yeah, I’ll say,” I manage, my voice hoarse. She leans in and kisses me. It’s slow and sweet, but dirty as fuck with the taste of me on her tongue. She snuggles into me, and I wrap her tightly in my arms. I fall asleep with a smile on my face.
I’m so fucking in love with this woman.
TWENTY-SEVEN
willa
I forced Declan to make an appointment with his physical therapist before his morning practice. I watched him try to walk around the house this morning looking like the tin man searching for his oil can. I’m glad I did too. The physical therapist wouldn’t let him practice, which he would’ve pushed through and hurt himself more. She said he just needs to rest today, and he can be back on the ice tomorrow.
“Driving isn’t going to bother my knees, Princess,” Declan says, trying to take the keys from my hand. I snatch them away and glare at him.
“Yes, it will. You can stretch out in the back while I drive.” I hop in the driver’s seat of Cal’s massive SUV and adjust the seat so I can reach the pedals. The man has one child and now he drives a car with a third row and every added safety feature that exists. Maverick’s and Declan’s cars only have two seats and mine is too small to comfortably fit two large men, so we’re borrowing Cal’s.
Declan climbs in the back as I adjust my seat. Maverick is already in the passenger seat. I see the two of them exchange a look while I adjust my mirrors.
“What? What was that look?” They both glance at each other again, which just makes me mad. “I will sing the entire three-hour drive. Don’t test me.” They both look alarmed, which is satisfying, but I keep my face in a scowl.
“I just thought Declan would be driving,” Mav says, but he’s tapping his fingers on his thigh. It’s a nervous tick of his. I’m sure he’s nervous about having to see his dad, but I’m getting the feeling that’s not the current problem.
“He has old man knees,” I say. Mav turns a pleading look on Declan.
“It’s just that your driving is a little scary, Princess,” Dec offers, trying to lighten the blow.
“Scary?” My voice rises in pitch. I can see Mav flinch out of the corner of my eye.
“It’s not scary, exactly,” Mav says nervously. “Just. . . aggressive.”
I curb my shock and smile. Declan and Maverick both look scared at the change, which just makes me smile wider.
“Buckle up, baby,” I say, catching Declan’s wide eyes in the mirror. “You too, Mav.” I turn to him just in time to see him scramble for his seat belt.
This is going to be fun.
“We’re here,” I singsong. I spent the last three hours singing show tunes and driving like I usually do. Judging from the gasps and a few worried yelps from Mav, I might need to adjust how I drive. You’d think if I was that bad, I would at least have been pulled over or even been in an accident. But I haven’t. Squeaky clean driving record over here, so I don’t know what they’re being so dramatic about.
After handing over our IDs to the guards at the gate and parking in the small visitor lot, Mav and I are led through a metal detector and into a bland room. The walls are eggshell white with a black linoleum floor that’s old and cracked. The small white tables with their matching benches are bolted to the floor. Harrison told us what to expect, but it’s depressing seeing it in person. Since the senator is being held on non-violent charges, he’s allowed visits like this. I was expecting the kind behind glass where you have to talk into a phone. Drug trafficking doesn’t seem non-violent to me either, but what do I know?
Maverick’s fingers are tapping his bouncing legs. I put my hand over his and it stops the bouncing, but his shaking becomes more evident. “It’ll be fine, Mav,” I lie. He knows it’s a lie, but he forces a smile, anyway. My heart aches for my friend.
Soon, a guard enters with James Wolfe in tow. He takes the senator’s handcuffs off and takes his post by the door.
“No cuffs?” I mutter under my breath in shock.
“Non-violent, remember?” Mav whispers back.
“Maverick, Ms. Prince,” Wolfe greets, taking the seat on the bench across from us. He folds his hands in front of him like he’s conducting a meeting. His salt and pepper hair is immaculately styled. He’s wearing beige pants and a shirt that resembles hospital scrubs. “Or is it Mrs. Monroe now?” The jerk smiles at me.
“You saw last night’s breaking celebrity news?” I ask sarcastically. “I didn’t take you for a fan of gossip.”
“You’d be correct. I keep abreast of any and all news surrounding my son and the people he’s allowed in his circle.” Wolfe smiles using that politician smile that was plastered all over the state of Maine during his many campaigns over the years.
“Dad, what did you do?” Maverick asks, losing all pretense that this is a friendly visit.
Wolfe clears his throat and shifts in his seat, almost like he’s uncomfortable, before looking at his son. “I did what I thought was best for my family. That’s all I’ve ever done.”
“I don’t think insider trading, kidnapping, or murder are good for any family,” I mutter.
Wolfe’s eyes flair in surprise.
“What? No insider trading?” I ask with a casual shrug. I should probably be playing nicer with this man, but there’s no way I was going to sit here and watch the way Maverick reacts to him without opening my mouth.
Wolfe leans forward, keeping his voice low. “While there may be some truth to the charges against me, I have never harmed or arranged harm of another person.” Maverick scoffs, but Wolfe doesn’t let up. “I know what you think I did, Maverick, and I can assure you that you’re wrong.”
“Which thing? Knocking Mom around or killing my boyfriend?” Maverick asks with so much venom in his tone that I have to double check it’s actually him sitting next to me.
“I,” Wolfe starts, “have never laid a hand on your mother or anyone else.”
“You don’t need to lie. I’ve seen your handy work,” Mav says, shrugging casually, though his fingers are still tapping out a soundless beat on his leg.
“You’re not listening, son. I have never caused physical harm to another.”
“Then who?” I ask, but Wolfe’s eyes immediately flicker to the guard and then to all the cameras in the room. He shakes his head when he meets my stare. I quickly glance at Maverick, who looks just as confused as I feel.
“So you didn’t physically hurt anyone, but you still tried to force me into a career I didn’t want and into a marriage I’d be miserable in.”
Wolfe sighs and looks at his hands. “Believe it or not, that was to protect you.” Maverick and I both scoff at the same time.
“You need to give me more than that.” Maverick’s tone is bordering on a plea, but he’s still too angry to go there.
Wolfe’s lips press into a firm line. “I can’t,” he says, looking at the cameras again.
“Give me something, Dad. Please.” This time, the desperation bleeds through in Maverick’s voice and expression. I grab his hand and grip it tightly in mine.
“He’s here,” Wolfe whispers and immediately stands.
“Who’s here? In the prison?” Mav asks. Wolfe shakes his head almost imperceptibly. He’s holding his hands out for the cuffs before we can ask him anything else.
“I love you, Maverick. I’m sorry.” With those parting words, he’s being led through the door and back into the bowels of the prison.
“Who was he talking about?” Harlow asks after we finish recounting our day to everyone from our usual seats around Cal’s table. Well, everyone else is in a seat. I’m in Declan’s lap, tracing the lines of his tattoos on the arms he has wrapped around me. The one on his left arm is of the mountain range near the campground we grew up going to. It’s the one I find my fingers tracing almost unconsciously all the time. He didn’t enjoy letting me go into the prison alone and has been clinging to me ever since.
“His partner?” I suggest. “He kept glancing at the guard and the cameras like he was worried about saying too much.”
“It’s Ezra. It has to be,” Declan says. “I had three hours in the car to think about this, and it’s the only thing that makes sense. There’s no point telling us his partner is here. That’s a conclusion we would’ve jumped to, anyway.”
Harrison looks at Maverick for a moment before speaking, like he’s trying to weigh his words carefully. “Maverick, did you ever see your father hurt your mother?”
Mav blinks slowly. “You believe him?”
“It’s not a matter of belief. I just want facts,” Harrison says gently.
“No. I never witnessed it, but she would always call me to help her with her injuries after,” he admits sadly, gaze turning down to his lap.
“I’m sticking with the Senator Wolfe theory. It’s all we have right now and even if he’s not guilty of some crimes, he isn’t innocent.” Harlow says, sharing a glance with Jo. “Our platform for the podcast is open and taking submissions as of this morning. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and someone will have a lead on Ezra.”
“I’ll start digging into associates,” Harrison says. “Are there any old classmates or childhood friends your dad ever spoke about?” he asks Maverick.
Mav’s face scrunches up in thought before he nods. “I don’t know his name,” Mav sighs and places his head in his hands. “There was one guy he just called an ‘old buddy’ that he would meet for drinks once or twice a year. I never asked because we weren’t close, and I didn’t care.”
“Harlow, can you start pulling yearbooks? Look for any pictures of Wolfe with someone else. I’m in the middle of looking into his current known associates, but they’re all corrupt and it’s a lot of shit to dig through.” Harlow nods to her dad.
The conversation switches to Harrison, Harlow, and Jo talking research strategy. I stifle a yawn, but Declan notices.
“Come on, Princess. It’s been a long day.”
I leap off his lap before he can stand with me in his arms. “No carrying me until your knees are feeling better.”
His eyes narrow, but he listens and holds out his hand to me instead. I take it, enjoying the way his rough, warm hand feels against mine.
“Are you staying here or at my house?” I ask Jo. She’s supposed to be moving into her own apartment in a few days, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Harlow insists she stay here until we figure out who is working with Wolfe. Someone tried to silence Harlow. Trying to silence Jo next makes sense.
“Can you stay with me? Please?” Mav asks sounding so broken it breaks my heart.
They stare at each other for a moment before Jo nods.
“We’re going to find Ezra,” Kai says to Maverick. “Whether he’s here or in the jungles of Brazil, we’ll find him. He’s alive, Mav. Hold on to that.”
“I’m trying. I’m trying so damn hard, Kai,” Mav admits.
I glance up at Declan, but he looks just as helpless as I feel.
“Hey, Dec. Did your friend get pictures of me at your game last night?” Cal asks, changing the subject and causing Harlow to roll her eyes.
“I hope he did, and with your Chickadees hat on. I’ll post it everywhere,” I tease. The mood needs lightening, and no one is better at that than Cal.
“Not a single person tried to fight me in the parking lot for wearing it,” he says, and crosses his arms smugly.
“Let’s see if that still holds when I tag every Boston sports team in it.”
Cal’s eyes go wide. “You wouldn’t.”
“Your wore the rival team’s merch to a home game? I don’t like sports and even I know that’s bad, Callahan.” Belle glances at me and gives me a small smile before turning back to her brother.
“It’s not even the same sport! Hockey and baseball aren’t related!”
“I don’t even know if Ben took a picture of you, Cal,” Declan says.
“Why wouldn’t he? Look at me.” Cal stands and turns with his arms out like we need to get a good look at him to understand.
“On that note, I’m going home to get some sleep.” I pull Declan behind me. Cal catcalls as we leave, but I ignore him.
Sleep never finds me. I spend the night wrapped in Declan’s arms, replaying the meeting with the senator, trying to find anything I may have missed.
TWENTY-EIGHT
declan
I have a string of away games that’s keeping me from Willa for eight days. I’m not happy about it, and I wanted to ask her to come to at least one of them, but she’s using this time to try to repair her relationship with Belle. I couldn’t argue with that. Or the blowjob she gave me to hold me over as I was about to leave the house. I was almost late getting on the bus.
“Ben!” I yell, taking my seat next to him. He raises an eyebrow at me. Probably because it’s barely seven in the morning and everyone else is still half asleep. Or in Slava’s case, back asleep. “Just the guy I was looking for!”
“Why?” he asks, suspicious of me.
“I was wondering if you got any good shots from Friday’s game,” I explain. Usually he just texts me, but the game was the day after Thanksgiving, and I didn’t know if he had some family stuff happening. I didn’t want to bother him.
“Oh! Yeah, I did, actually. I forgot to send them to you. My dad flew in for the weekend, so I was occupied.” He quickly pulls out his tablet. I get comfortable while he navigates to what he’s looking for. “I did some editing to remove the reflections of the surrounding people.”
“Holy shit, Benny boy.” I snag the tablet and swipe through the pictures. “These are amazing.” There are a few shots from where he must have been standing somewhere behind Willa. But there’s one that stands out. I’m standing in front of my wife, my hand on the glass to meet hers on the other side. The awe on my face is front and center while you can see her smiling in the reflection on the glass.
