Shephard: A Rough Romance, page 23
The goddamn images were appearing when I wasn’t asleep. I’d almost lost my life that day, barely limping away. By that point, the authorities had arrived, their shrill sirens echoing in the night. I’d barely escaped.
“Are you okay?”
Denise.
“He’s a real monster.” I hadn’t expected to hear her voice until morning. The soft lilt swept through me and I sucked in my breath briefly. I did my best not to make a single sound while blowing it out. “You’re supposed to be asleep.” I rubbed my face, my breathing still labored. I was sweating like a goddamn pig.
“I woke up in a strange bed. I don’t sleep well when I don’t know exactly where I am.”
She wasn’t moving any closer and I’d yet to turn around. It didn’t matter we were oil and water. We were drawn to each other in an inexplicable way. “You’re safe. That’s all you need to know.”
“Nowhere is totally safe, Shephard. You of all people should know that.”
“I guess you’re right. Try and get some rest at least.”
Why did her scent need to float into my nostrils? And why was the bulge between my legs extremely painful?
She remained quiet, but I sensed she was moving closer. “How many men did you kill in your previous life?” The woman not only had the nerve to sit on the edge of my desk, she also had found a tee shirt of mine from my things, now wearing that and nothing else. While oversized on her, the thin material couldn’t hide her voluptuous body or the way her nipples were pressed against the front from the way she was sitting.
“Enough I won’t be going to heaven at the end of my life.”
“You can always be redeemed.”
“Not possible.”
She folded her arms. “Talk to me, Shephard. You know exactly what’s going on. Don’t you? This has something to do with your previous clandestine missions. Why come after you here and now? Why did this start before you arrived?”
When I said nothing, she twisted and picked up my laptop, shoving the screen in front of me. “This man is the killer. Yes? But he’s after you.”
“Yes. His name is Boris Ivanoff. I was handed the mission to stop the butcher. He was attempting to takeover a small country, torturing and killing all those loyal to the current president of the country.”
“He’s alive?”
“The powers that be decided it was best he land in a Russian prison, which is what happened.”
“Now, he wants revenge.”
“Exactly.”
“When did you know?”
I took the laptop from her hands, shoving it further away on the desk. “The paralyzing drug was one of his favorite tools. I didn’t know for certain until I read the report provided by the coroner.”
Her nod wasn’t subtle, but full of anger. She tried to get up, her attempt to walk away unacceptable. I grabbed her arm.
“Don’t do this, Denise.”
“Why did you keep this from me? Why? You knew something wasn’t right when you saved my freaking life twice. Twice? The sheriff certainly didn’t seem to care I was almost killed. You knew something horrible was happening, but you kept it to yourself. Just… let me alone. You won’t tell me the truth about anything.”
“Because I can’t. Because it’s classified. Because people I care about like you could die if my past life or my identity as the Killer is discovered. I refuse to allow that to happen to you. Don’t you get it?”
Her mouth twisted and my cock was aching all over again. “Killer?”
“Yeah, I had solid numbers.”
“You care about me?”
The cat was out of the bag now. There was no turning back. “I do. That’s why we can’t do this.”
“What can’t we do?” She placed her hand on my chest, giving me a hard look.
“This. Us. Everything. I will protect you and yes, I’ll find a way to eliminate the enemy, but I won’t allow you to become a victim of my past.”
“You seem to forget that I’m a big girl. I really can take care of myself.”
She honestly either had no idea what she was doing to me, or she was trying to use her feminine wiles. I wasn’t certain which, but my mind was instantly stripped of anything decent. I allowed my gaze to fall down her long legs to her toes, which were just touching the floor. Her lighter laugh was unexpected.
Pepper appeared as if on command, finding herself a little corner to curl into after she yawned. The two of them had made themselves right at home. Naturally.
“What are we going to do now?” she asked.
“We’re doing nothing. I’ll handle it.”
“Nope.”
“What?” I asked as I returned my attention to the screen. She was sitting way too close, uncomfortably so. “You little thief, you.” I was trying to change the subject.
“Fascinating. You have a look of horror on your face. I’m sorry I took something from your room. It was rude of me, but sleeping in the jean skirt was confining. Did I frighten you?”
“Nothing about you could ever do that. I just… You should know sneaking up on people isn’t in your best interest.”
“You mean because they could learn truths that people are hiding.” Her smile was full of irony.
I felt my nostrils flare. “Be careful, sweetheart.”
“You are so grumpy. I bet you’re tense.”
“I’m fine.”
“Nope. Let me see.” She hopped off the desk, moving behind me. Before I could object, she was squeezing my shoulders with her long fingers. “I know you’re one muscular man, but your shoulders are like boulders. You never relax, do you?”
“I don’t have a reason to.”
“Jesus. You need a hobby. Learning to hike or kayak or even whitewater rafting would be good for you. Maybe you’ll lose some of the grumpiness you have going on.”
Her touch was both comforting and quickly becoming an aphrodisiac. I still had my fingers on the keyboard, but couldn’t move them. She had strong fingers herself, working the knots in my muscles like a pro. “I work out.”
“I’m not talking about hanging up that boxing bag and using it to take out your aggressions, although that’s probably good for you. I’m talking about fun. You know, outdoor fun? Have you ever had it?”
I made a plethora of noises around her from snorts to grunts. Right now, I was snorting like some pig in heat. “Highly overrated.”
“Uh-huh. Maybe I’ll make you come rafting with me. I’ll be gentle. Promise.” She continued kneading my shoulders, seconds later moving down my arms.
She managed to send a series of chills down my spine. No woman had ever done that before. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that one day.”
“Sure you will. You’ll find an excuse.” Her voice was breathless, but I knew it had nothing to do with limited exertion. “Just close your eyes and relax. You might think you’re the big man in charge, but sometimes it’s okay to have a woman’s intervention.”
Intervention. Is that what she was calling this?
She was also shoving away the inevitable. In truth, that was fine by me. At least we had tonight.
She didn’t stop nor did her fingers seem to get tired. Slowly, she was starting to help me relax.
“You’ve never had anyone care about you this way. Have you?” She whispered the question in my ear as she was forced to lean over to work on my forearms.
“I wasn’t interested before.”
“And now?” She dared brush both index fingers down the top of my hands, running the tip down my middle fingers. “Does this bother you? Being close? Letting go?”
Her question wasn’t one that needed to be answered with words. I turned my hands over, allowing her to slide her fingers down my lifeline. When I curled mine around hers, her breath skipped a beat. It didn’t take much to drag her into my lap, the swift move pushing the tee shirt up past her hips.
She giggled nervously and the desk lamp allowed me to see the blushing pink forming on both cheeks. While the color looked good on her, it was far too pastel for her strong personality or the filthy desire that I knew continued to tickle her fabulous mind. She didn’t allow the hint of embarrassment to stop her, slowly sliding her palms up my chest and over my shoulders.
Even the way she toyed with my shaggy hair was sexy.
“Very little bothers me,” I explained.
“Except assholes and monsters?”
“Always.” I rubbed my fingers down her arm, instantly creating goosebumps.
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” She leaned her head down beseechingly slowly until our lips were almost touching. Her eyelids were half closed, her long lashes able to skim across her shimmering cheeks.
She was sitting directly on my cock, my shaft throbbing to the point I could feel it in my pulse in my neck.
“I’m sure you will,” I breathed.
“Oh, I will. And my, what a big boy you are.”
She had no idea what kind of fire she was playing with. It could easily consume both of us. The little vixen continued toying with me, lightly brushing her lips back and forth across mine. When I tried to bite down on her lower lip, she pulled back.
“Such a naughty boy.”
“You think you know me, huh?” I didn’t recognize my voice any longer.
“Uh-huh. I know what makes you tick.” She proved her point by shifting back and forth across my lap.
“You are a very bad girl.”
“Yep. That’s the girl you met. And you’re a very cocky son of a bitch.”
“Maybe you do know me.”
“What if I can’t get enough?” she whispered, her voice a husky whisper.
I’d had enough, cupping the back of her head and crushing my lips around hers. She had the most luscious lips of any woman I’d ever kissed. Plus, the way she felt in my arms was everything I craved.
And nothing I should need.
The thought was nothing but an irritation. I swept my tongue inside, tasting peppermint from toothpaste. It was strangely attractive, especially mixing with the whiskey still on my breath. I pressed my other hand down her back, not only keeping her right where I wanted, but also forcing her heated body even closer.
As she managed to suck on my tongue, I tangled my fingers in her hair. The strands were silky, smooth to the touch. I’d never been much of a kisser, but this was perfect. Too perfect.
She was lightly scratching my neck, shifting her fingernails up and down the back. The way she continued wiggling her hips almost drove me crazy. I hadn’t felt such a tightness in my chest in a long time. There was absolutely nothing like the taste or feel of her. But I was going to go insane if I didn’t shove my dick into her sweet pussy soon.
I allowed her to pull our lips apart, enjoying every second of the way she continued breathing heavily. When she tenderly touched my cheek, I almost pushed her all the way off. She was searching for answers that I couldn’t give her.
A barrage of additional questions would be next. My body tensed just thinking about it. Only they didn’t come. She slowly pulled away, standing in the tiny space in front of me. With a strange look on her face, she grabbed the hem of the tee shirt, pulling it all the way off. There was no rush this time, no toss of the material in her effort to lunge onto my lap.
She was quiet, reserved, and allowing me to know that at least for this moment in time, she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Her lips were quivering, which was almost entirely different. The small fraction of a decent man left inside of me knew I should stop this right here. Right now. But the darkest part of me, the very entity that had managed to keep me alive and mostly sane wouldn’t tolerate the thought of allowing her to walk away.
Certainly not tonight.
Perhaps never.
I ran my hands along the outside of her thighs, every muscle tensing all over again from the feel of her soft skin. She was heavenly in every regard. Her breasts fit perfectly in my hands. The sadist wanted to squeeze them, to cause her just enough pain I would be inundated with her soft cries.
Nothing was stopping me. Not my mind. Not my soul.
I jerked her closer until she was forced to straddle my legs. “You’re wet,” I commented and dipped a single finger on the outside of her swollen folds.
“Very.”
Her scent was all encompassing. I couldn’t control my breathing or the guttural sounds that left my throat. With my roughness returning, I rubbed my palms up her stomach, toying with her breasts.
Just the way her breath skipped was inviting. Even her half-closed eyelids were seductive. Everything about her was.
I did as I wanted, fingering her already taut nipples as she watched my every move.
“Do you want something?” she cooed. Why was she even daring to ask?
“Yes. Everything.”
The corners of her mouth were upturned and she dragged her tongue across her lips. “Then take it.”
Her approval wasn’t what I’d needed, at least in my warped mind. But I did admit it added credence to what I hungered to do to her. Ruin her in every way, defile her as no man had ever done before. Yes, I truly was a sadist.
I pinched and twisted her nipples, waiting for her sharp cries, which didn’t come at first. She was holding onto me, placing her hands on my shoulders and swaying. Not screaming. I pulled and plucked, my breathing skipping.
She finally threw back her head, allowing a single, short moan to escape her luscious lips. It wasn’t enough. Nothing would be enough with her. I needed more. Much more. And I would take it.
After that, I doubted there would be any going back.
CHAPTER 24
Denise
A sleeping giant.
A beast.
A damaged and starving man who hadn’t eaten in a full year.
Whatever was the case, I’d awakened his darkness inside. I could feel it. The room vibrated from it. I was shocked at how much I craved seeing the change in him. I don’t know what I was expecting, but his desire was entirely different.
The agony tearing through my system was beautiful. Was that the kind of word I could or should use? I didn’t know and didn’t care. There was such a kinetic energy surrounding us that my senses crackled from it. I adored his roughness, but his need to take control was exactly everything I’d told myself I never wanted. Maybe he was the sole reason I was able to let go.
He wasn’t giving me any options, pulling me down so he could lick and suck away the pain in my nipples. They ached, but the roughness of his tongue and his heated breath were instantly soothing. I wasn’t used to letting go in this way, enjoying being manhandled. But I didn’t want it any other way.
I had a feeling I’d be lost without him. My mind was still processing the strange thought as he shifted to my other breast, biting down this time. He liked to hear me cry out whether in pleasure or pain. I’d seen it in his eyes. The sharpness was in direct contrast to before, which made it easy to offer him what he craved.
Shephard’s hunger was increasing and he moved quickly to my stomach. He pressed his lips against my skin and I was certain his actions would scald me in spots. Panting, I ran my fingers through his hair, tugging at the thick strands. Maybe it was a form of retaliation for making me feel so damn good.
I was already floating on cloud nine when he moved lower. He was completely focused on what he was doing, concentrating on pleasuring my body. Maybe the man couldn’t get enough of me, but the feeling was mutual. I was standing naked in front of him while he was fully clothed, a filthy and sinful thing. I was also nervous, my body quivering as if this was my first time with a man.
Now the nervous laugh bubbled to the surface, but only for a few seconds. He jutted my hips forward, widening my legs as far as I could possibly tolerate it. When he dragged his tongue all the way down the length of my pussy, I slapped my hand across my face.
If any of the people I knew could see me now, I had a feeling I’d never live it down. But I loved this. So much.
He didn’t miss a beat, using both his fingers and his tongue to drive me crazy.
“So fucking wet.” His voice was possessive. A man taking what he wanted.
Just like I’d given him permission to do.
With every swipe of his tongue, I was pushed higher and higher into a plateau I never wanted to come down from. He drove his fingers deep inside, curling the tips until my mind was blown from the rapturous sensations.
“Lick me or I might die,” I told him.
“You want me to lick your sweet pussy?”
“Yes.”
“Ask nicely.” His dark chuckle only added to the intense atmosphere. “Please lick me. Lick my wet pussy.” He needed nothing else, licking me as a thirsty man would do in the middle of extreme heat.
I wasn’t used to experiencing so much pleasure. Not from a man and certainly not this way. Even his breathing was ragged as if he was trying to inhale me, keeping my scent frozen in time. The thought was silly, but delicious. With his face buried in my wetness, I gripped the back of his head. Now I was trying to take control. The thought was wicked indeed.
He gripped my hips, forcing me into a slight arch. I was already on my toes, still shaking from the intensity of the moment. I wasn’t prepared for the shudders that challenged both of us for control. The wave was powerful, sweeping over me in seconds. He held on as I panted and writhed.
“Shephard. Yes. Yes.”
The roughness added to the swiftly moving orgasm. The ripples were more like flames ignited by gasoline. My entire body was electrified. When I slowly came down, dropping my head, I expected him to stop.
He didn’t.
His tongue was rougher than before, two fingers turning into four. There was no pulling away from this man. He wanted me to come again.
I did. It only took seconds, this one as deep in my core as the first. I couldn’t see anything in front of me, but there was no need.
The damaged man with the blackened soul would never let me fall.
Shephard proved to me again that he was a man with no patience, pulling me down on top of him without hesitation. His cock was throbbing as usual, but it was thicker this time, filling me completely. I couldn’t breathe at first, pushing at him as if wanting him to move away. It wouldn’t have mattered.
