Chapter 8
The next morning, King woke up aching and swollen.
Morning wood was nothing new. He’d rubbed one out every sunrise since he was a teenager, but this was ridiculous. His cock throbbed, laying against his stomach. His dick pulsed with a ravenous hunger.
King wasn’t just erect. He ached.
And the cause of this erection was plastered against one side of his body. He and Savvy were crammed into a full-sized bed. King took up a lot of room, so they were sandwiched together. He wouldn’t mind the close quarters if he could roll her over and plunge his…
Don’t even think about it. Professionalism, right?
King reminded himself for the hundredth time they were building a business, and he couldn’t tarnish the firm’s reputation right out of the gate.
Christ. Every time she shifted, he moaned.
King was hyperaware of every little movement and his hips bucked in protest.
Savvy had wrapped herself around him, and he’d had a devil of a time getting to sleep last night. Savvy hadn’t though. She drifted off in his arms, utterly peaceful.
And now he was in hell.
Her soft golden hair was against his cheek. She smelled like peaches and sunshine. He buried his nose in her tresses, savoring the scent of her.
And more than anything, he wanted another taste, but he refused to take advantage of her. She’d been through enough already.
To make matters worse, this was a dream come true. Literally.
He’d fantasized about her countless times, but the reality was so much better. Although, when he’d imagined waking up next to her, things had gone very differently.
The erotic daydreams had gotten him through many cold and lonely nights.
But the attraction wasn’t just physical. The more he got to know her, the real Savvy, the more he liked her. Savvy was becoming a reality to him. She was no longer a fantasy he had on a pedestal, she was a flesh and blood woman in his arms and in his bed.
He’d had the chance to sing with her yesterday, and King still couldn’t believe it.
Nicole would’ve been so jealous.
In many ways, she reminded him of Nicole. Like his wife, she was creative, unusual. When Savvy wasn’t worried about being killed, she took the same pleasure in simple things. Before Nicole died, she enjoyed every day to the fullest, treating it as an adventure. Yes, there were many similarities, but it wasn’t the only attraction.
Wincing, he put Nicole from his mind deliberately. He couldn’t think about his wife at a time like this. King had never really moved on from her death. Sure, he found the occasional woman to warm his bed, but it was meaningless. Savvy wasn’t a one-night stand. She meant something to him, and King didn’t know how to handle it. He’d do anything for her.
Although King didn’t just want Savvy to survive this, he wanted her to thrive.
She shouldn’t have to worry about sales and money. Nor should she be forced to make inferior music. Savvy should be singing her own songs, on her own terms.
Zane poked his head in the door.
“What the fuck are you doin’? Get out of here.” King spoke in a hushed whisper.
Zane smirked, turning his head this way and that, trying to get a better view of Savvy.
She was fully clothed, but King fluffed the covers around Savvy anyway. He didn’t want to risk waking her up, but he needed to punch Zane right in the throat.
“I need your help.”
“Get somebody else.” King pointed to the door. “Leave.”
Instead of exiting the room, he walked in the door and stood at the foot of the bed.
“I can’t. Nox is God only knows where and West took everybody else to Cincinnati, brother. There’s nobody here but you, me, and Savvy.”
Fuck it all.
“If you think I’m gettin’ out of this bed, you’re outta your mind.” King could stay here for the rest of his days, thank you very much.
“Even to solve a mystery?”
“Who are you? Scooby Doo?” Savvy shifted, and he glared daggers at Zane.
“No, but I keep hearin’ a strange noise coming from Nox’s room.”
Awww, hell. It could be anything. Chances are, it was something sexual. Despite himself, his curiosity was piqued.
“See? You’re intrigued.” He cast a speculative look in Savvy’s direction. “Anyway, how are things goin’ with your country star?”
“She’s not my country star.” Savvy’s not my anything.
She could be if you’d get off your ass and do somethin’ about it.
Savvy had kissed him the other night, not the other way around. Clearly, she was attracted to him.
King pushed a hand through his hair, trying not to think about it.
“Could’ve fooled me.” He nodded to the bed. “Come on, tell me.”
“It’s none of your damn business.”
He whistled. “That good, huh?”
“I don’t want to discuss it.”
Zane watched him with narrowed eyes, and King grew more and more uncomfortable. He had a feeling his brother wasn’t buying King’s bullshit.
“Oh, Jesus, you’re fallin’ for her, aren’t you?”
“No.”
“Well argued.” His lips curled. There was something puckish about Zane, and it was pissing King off.
“I just like her music.” Lord knows he was already halfway in love with her before she’d even shown up.
“Yeah, you suck at this. King, you practically worshipped her for years, and you look as cranky as an old grizzly bear because I walked into your den.”
“Yeah, I like her, but it ain’t goin’ anywhere. It can’t.”
“Who says?”
“Says anyone who’s sane. So, drop it.”
In a few weeks, she’d be touring European countries and singing on the stage. She’d forget all about him. That’s the way it should be. They came from two very different worlds.
“I think you’re wrong. And what’s more, she’s got a thing for you too.”
Hold on a second. “You think so?” King couldn’t believe it.
“I know so.”
“Because I have eyes, and she can’t take hers off you. You should ask her out.”
“West told me—”
“Tell West to fuck off. In case you haven’t noticed, he’s datin’ Annie, and he’s her boss.”
This conversation was going nowhere. It was time to shut it down.
“Tell you what, let’s investigate, Scooby.”
“Are you givin’ in to get rid of me?”
“Yeah. Got a problem?” King carefully extricated himself from Savvy’s arms, placing a pillow against her side as a substitute. It just about broke his heart to leave her.
“No, as long as I get my way.”
Grumbling, King followed him out the door. Thank God, his erection had gone down.
"Did you hear that?" Zane asked once they were in the hall.
"Hear what?" King got real quiet, listening close. He was on high alert already, waiting for the gunman to make his next move at any moment. Although he hadn’t noticed anything unusual.
Zane closed his eyes, concentrating on the sound, and King did the same. Sure enough, he heard a mumbled "mmphf" coming from somewhere close. Together, they shuffled quietly down the hallway, until they stood in front of Nox's room.
Once again, they heard the noise.
King frowned. " Think we should go in?" There's no telling what they would find on the other side of the door.
"We gotta. It's the responsible thing to do." Although, Zane didn't look too happy about it, either.
"We might be scarred for life."
“It’s a possibility, but this could give us really juicy blackmail.”
“Be realistic. You can’t blackmail Nox, the man has no shame.”
“True, but I am mighty curious, are you?”
"Yeah, I gotta know.”
King seized the handle, and the door slowly creaked open to reveal a pretty brunette tethered to the bed with an intricate series of ropes. Her wrists and ankles were protected by scarves, so her delicate skin didn't chafe. She wore a black teddy, which left little to the imagination.
Zane openly stared.
King averted his eyes, like a gentleman and he smacked Zane upside the head until he turned around.
“Are you okay, ma’am?” King asked. “Do you need any help?”
He didn’t know quite how to handle the situation. King had no experience with any kinky activities. Was there a protocol to follow?
She replied, but it was muffled by the gag.
King turned to Zane. “Was that a yes?”
Zane shrugged. "Sorry, I don’t speak Muffle. You know, I suppose we should be relieved. All things considered, we got off light. It could've been much worse.”
“True. We could’ve walked in on an orgy.” With Nox, all bets were clearly off the table.
"Let’s check and make sure." King pulled the ball gag out of her mouth and frowned. Spittle clung to it, and more saliva ringed her ruby red mouth. She flexed her jaw, working the kinks out.
Wrong choice of words.
At least Nox had silenced this one. The last time he'd gone all Fifty Shades with a girl, he'd kept the entire team up all night long as she screamed with pleasure. King was all for a woman climaxing again and again, but he wanted a decent night’s sleep. Besides, if he wasn’t the one doing the fucking, it wasn’t nearly as much fun.
"We're sorry to interrupt, but we heard you making noise. Do you need anything?” He sincerely hoped the answer was “no.”
" I'm fine. Thanks for asking. I’m waiting for Nox." She nodded to the laptop at the end of the bed. It was turned toward her, and the webcam was recording. King could tell because the little red light was blinking.
Jesus Christ.
Zane chuckled. "Lord help me, he's makin' a porno."
"No, he's just keeping an eye on me. Anticipation makes everything sweeter." Her sultry smile was feline.
“All, I’m gonna say is, boundaries, Nox, get some.” Zane addressed the camera and then beat a hasty retreat, leaving King standing in the middle of the room.
Aww hell.
He cleared his throat. "Nice meetin’ you, ma’am.” King backed to the door.
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
“Put my gag back in, please.”
Yuck. Obligingly, King slipped it back into her mouth, and then glowered at the camera.
There’d be an ass-kicking later.
***
“I’ve got an idea.” King poured Savvy a cup of coffee. “Nox and Zane are goin’ out tonight, and everybody else is stayin’ in Cincinnati, so we’ll have the place to ourselves this evening. I was thinkin’ you and me could have dinner.”
“Sounds fun. Are we goin’ out? Or stayin’ in?” Savvy took a bite of her biscuit.
The two of them were seated in the kitchen. He’d gotten her up a few minutes ago, telling her he made biscuits and bacon for breakfast. They weren’t as good as her mother’s, but they were pretty tasty.
A man had never made her breakfast before, which was strange considering she hadn’t slept with King, in the sexual sense of the term anyway. Waking up in King’s bed had felt right somehow. The man put her at ease. Savvy felt almost as if she’d known him for years. If it weren’t for the overwhelming sexual tension, she would be completely relaxed around him.
He’d been a perfect gentleman, and she was disappointed. Savvy couldn’t even deny it. Unfortunately, it only made her want him more.
“It’s up to you, which do you prefer.”
“Let’s stay in.” Savvy was embarrassed to realize she wanted his full attention on her.
“Really?”
“Absolutely, restaurants aren’t so great. For one thing, they don’t cook food anymore. I ordered a steak once, and it came out so bloody, I swear they hacked it right off the cow and put it on my plate.”
Her father, when he was alive, had cooked well-done steaks on the grill. She’d gotten used to eating them that way, even though most people preferred rare. In her view, it was just bloody. She didn’t eat blood sausage, and she refused to eat crimson steak, too.
King chuckled. “I know what you mean. Although, instead of five-star cuisine, I had to eat MREs.” He blew out a breath. “Truthfully, I’m glad you wanna stay around here. It would be difficult managing a crowd by myself.”
“Actually, this is perfect. I haven’t gotten a chance to cook yet.” She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “Can I give you a grocery list?”
“Absolutely, and all help you fix supper.”
“Are you any good with the grill?”
“I’m the grill master.”
“I see. We’re gonna have a little kitchen challenge. I like it.”
A home-cooked meal sounded amazing, especially one made with her own two hands. She didn’t even have to use a disguise. This time, Savvy could wear something cute, and she didn’t have to worry about a line of people asking for selfies with her while she tried to eat.
“Right.”
Savvy was on her second cup of coffee when a familiar car pulled into the driveway. She had a sinking feeling as it came to a halt.
King withdrew his gun. “Stay here, I’ll investigate.”
“Put away the weapon. It’s only Adam.”
King scowled. “Why is he here?” He acted as though she were to blame.
“I have no idea. I didn’t tell him to come.” She headed for the door, but he snagged her elbow.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To talk to him, and then send Adam on his way.” If she didn’t know better, Savvy would think he was jealous.
“Fine, we’ll do it together.” He opened the door and motion for her to go first.
“But—”
King raised a brow. “What did I say…?”
She gritted her teeth. “You’re in charge when it comes to my safety.”
“And if you think I’m gonna let you stand out in the open, without any backup, you’re insane.”
She supposed he had a point. “Fine, let’s get this over with.”
“Hey, is something wrong?” Savvy asked as Adam got out of his Ford truck.
“Nope. Can’t a manager visit his favorite client?” Once again, he was dressed in an expensive suit. He looked out of place in the country. Adam might have the aww shucks routine down, but he was a city boy at heart.
King answered for her. “Not when she’s being hunted by a professional killer. We don’t need anyone drawin’ attention to our location.” He scanned the road. “Did anyone tail you here?”
Adam flushed. “I wasn’t followed.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
Savvy crossed her arms over her chest.
“And you know this from your extensive escape and evasion experience?” King stood straighter. And was it her imagination or did he grow another foot? King glared down his nose at Adam, as though her manager was a bug he wouldn’t mind squashing.
Adam didn’t respond.
“Enough.” She turned to Adam. “What are you doing here?
“What kind of greetin’ is that?”
She sighed. “No offense, Adam, but I’m fightin’ for my life, and I don’t have time for manners.” Although, her momma would be appalled. Being rude was the eighth deadly sin in her opinion.
He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I wanted to check on you.”
King snorted.
“I’m fine.” She didn’t buy his excuse, Adam could’ve called to check in on her at any time.
“Besides, your fan club is missing you.”
“My fan club?”
“Yeah, Nathan. Nathan has been worried about you. He’s called me three times in the past 24 hours, asking if I’ve heard from you.”
Woah. He’d always been intense about her. Truthfully, she could’ve handled things better. They’d gone out for coffee once, and then she’d ghosted him. Savvy hadn’t given him her personal number, so he’d been forced to go through her assistant. Eventually, he’d left her alone.
“And did you tell him where I was?”
“No, of course not.”
“I’ve been thinkin’ about you.” There was a spark in his eyes she hadn’t seen in a long time. Not since they’d slept together.
Uh oh.
If he’d come up here to rekindle the old flame, Adam was nuts.
King didn’t comment, but from the way he bristled, he’d picked up on it too.
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
“Does he have to be here?” Adam glanced over her shoulder. “Can’t we go somewhere else? Just the two of us, darlin’?”
“Either talk to her right here or leave. Those are your choices.” King balled up a fist and took a step toward Adam, but she put herself in between them.
Savvy needed to end this situation before it got out of hand.
“I’m sorry, Adam, but maybe you should leave…”
“Savvy…”
“Was there somethin’ you needed?” she asked, in a gentler tone.
His lips thinned. “You got an invitation from Bloom.”
“I see.” Adam was a master at manipulation.
“Their headliner was hospitalized with exhaustion and canceled. They knew you had come back to the States, so they offered you the top spot if you want it.”
Bloom was a very popular outdoor country music festival. She’d never headlined a show there, so this was an excellent opportunity. She’d always wanted to perform there, and she hadn’t sung for anyone but King in days.
The temptation was overwhelming. But she couldn’t give into it.
“Are you out of your mind?” King threw his hands up in the air. “This ain’t no joke. Someone is gunnin’ for her.”
“I seem to recall you sayin’ that you could keep Savvy safe. Wasn’t that the whole point of hirin’ you? Is she going to hide out here forever?”
“At least I’m keepin’ her out of harm’s way. She’d be a sittin’ duck on stage.”
“Enough. I got the message, Adam, and I’ll consider it.”
“Savvy, you can’t seriously be—”
“I said I would consider it, King. I haven’t agreed to anything yet.” She felt like a referee standing between two boxers.
“Savvy, this would give your album a big boost. Bloom gets a lot of press.”
“Adam, we’ll talk later, but you need to go. King, let’s go inside.”
She turned on her heel and walked toward the house, expecting him to follow her. And King did, although he kept glancing over his shoulder to sneer at Adam.
Adam screeched out of the driveway and took off.
When they got back inside, King slammed the door behind him.
Savvy flinched.
King was furious, and he wasn’t bothering to hide it.
“Is that asshat your boyfriend? Do you to have somethin’ going on. On the side?”
“No, absolutely not.”
“Is he your ex?”
“Yes, and no.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“I don’t know how you’d classify our relationship, it fell somewhere in between casual sex and dating. When you work with someone and sleep with them, it becomes a very blurry line.”
“He doesn’t seem to think it’s in the past.”
“Yeah? Well, it’s his problem. Not mine. We haven’t been together in years. And newsflash, he’s engaged. I don’t date men who are taken.”
He sat down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be such an ass but he doesn’t give a damn about you.”
“I don’t pay him to care. He handles the business. I don’t always agree with his methods, but I can’t argue with the results.” At least until this last record. “As for our relationship, it was a huge mistake, one I regret.”
Thank God they’d left their personal relationship on good terms, and she hadn’t screwed up her singing career in the process. If she could go back and kick her twenty-year-old self in the rear end, Savvy would. It had been a stupid, selfish move. Luckily, it hadn’t blown up in her face. Things could’ve ended very differently.
“Yeah, I’ve made a few of those myself. I said it before, but I hate the guy. And I swear this isn’t personal. Something’s off about him.”
Savvy didn’t agree. They’d had their differences, but she ultimately trusted Adam.
“Adam is many things, shallow at times, more concerned with profit than people, but he’d never hurt me. Not under any circumstances.”
“Are you sure? Because he seems willing to risk your life.”
Savvy didn’t know how to respond.
“What do you mean?”
“The way I read him…? He’s a little obsessed with you.”
“He’s engaged to Emerald.”
“Then why did he show up here? If Adam just wanted to tell you about the music festival, he could have given you a call.”
“I think you’re jealous.” It slipped out before she could pull the words back.
He stood, and his nostrils flared. “You’re right. I’m jealous. I want you so damn bad, I can’t think straight, and you know it.”
All of a sudden, her knees went to jelly.
“I think about you, I dream about you.” His voice dipped lower. “I fantasize about you. You’re in my head all day long. And last night, you were in my bed, but I managed to control myself because I care about you, and I don’t want to take advantage of you, Savvy.”
Somehow his anger and envy was an aphrodisiac. She wanted him to push her down on the table and fuck her senseless. Maybe he’d be a bit rough, pounding her.
Get a hold of yourself, girl.
“And I’m not wrong about your boy. I’ve got a gut feeling and it ain’t goin’ away. As a matter of fact, I’m gonna have Storm dig around and see what he can find out about Adam.”
“King, no, you—”
“This isn’t up for discussion. I can’t let anything compromise this mission. I couldn’t live with myself if anythin’ happened to you.”
“It won’t.”
“You don’t know that. I failed Nicole, and I refuse to let you down, too. I won’t spend the next thirty years haunted by your face.”
And then he stalked off.
***
There was a knock on Savvy’s door. “Are we still on for tonight?”
Hours had passed since their confrontation. King had taken off in his Jeep, and Zane had kept an eye on her instead. Savvy was in her room, setting up her new phone. King was turning the old one into Storm, as soon as he got back from Cincinnati. And then he would be running a background check on Adam, too.
King had to be wrong about this. He just had to be.
Now, he lurked in her doorway with a sheepish expression on his handsome face. And suddenly, she had trouble remembering she was angry with him.
“Depends. Are you gonna go all Neanderthal on me again?”
“Look, I’m sorry about earlier.” He spread his hands. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“What about Adam?”
“Nothin’ has changed.” A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Storm will poke around and see what he can find. I’m sorry for upsetting you, but I won’t compromise when it comes to protecting you.” His tone indicated, she could either take it or leave it.
And I’m gonna take it.
“Then sure, we’re still on.” Savvy lifted her chin. “Just so you know, I think you’re wrong.”
“We’ll see.” He flashed a grin. “I just got back from the grocery store. You were too angry to give me a grocery list, but I found your Pinterest boards, and some of them were public, so I got the ingredients anyway. Tonight, we’re havin’ chicken for the grill, along with bacon wrapped asparagus, Parker House rolls, and chocolate mousse.”
“It sounds fantastic.”
“Yeah?” He seemed doubtful. “Even though it won’t be fancy?” King obviously wanted to impress her, but he already had.
“I ain’t really a fancy kind of girl.”
“Then I’ll grill the chicken, while you make the side dishes. Deal?” He smiled. “And I’ll make sure they’re fully cooked.”
“Thank you.”
They spent the next hour making a meal together, side by side. It was so domestic, and she enjoyed every second of it. It reminded her of all those Sunday evenings she’d spent at home with her family.
***
King watched nervously as Savvy took a bite of chicken and closed her eyes.
Earlier, he’d gone to Red’s Smokehouse and picked up a rub for the meat, along with barbecue sauce. Red made them both in-house, and the ingredients list was a secret. He’d wanted to make this evening extra special for her.
“What do you think?”
“It’s delicious.”
He beamed. “Thank you, and the asparagus is great, too, but I love the rolls.” King couldn’t remember the last time he had so much fun on a date.
Who are you kidding? You haven’t been on a real date since you were courting Nicole. Sweaty sex with strangers doesn’t count.
“Yeah?” Her eyes danced. And she looked so pretty, King wanted to steal a kiss.
“My wife used to make homemade bread. It’s my favorite.” Every time he’d gotten back from deployment, she had a fresh loaf waiting for him. It was a tradition.
For once, thinking about Nicole didn’t make him sad. He appreciated thinking about a joyful memory, instead of how it ended one awful night on their patio.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Savvy shook her head, as though reconsidering. King was grateful. He didn’t want to spoil the moment.
She cleared her throat. “Well, you haven’t even tasted dessert yet.”
After they finished the meal, they cleared the table and did the dishes together, laughing and talking the entire time. They never ran out of topics and conversation flowed naturally.
And then Savvy brought him a chilled wine glass full of chocolate mousse.
“It isn’t quite pie, but I think you’ll like it anyway.” Before he could lift his spoon, she dabbed her finger in the chocolate and raised it to his mouth.
“Here, taste.” Savvy was standing next to him, her leg, pressed against his own.
Closing his eyes, King took her finger into his mouth, sucking slightly.
When he opened them again, King noted her nipples were hard, pressing against the thin fabric of her white shirt. King wanted to anoint them with chocolate, too, and then spread her out on the table, make a feast of Savvy, instead.
Her lips were parted, begging to be kissed.
A man can only stand so much torture.
“Delicious,” he croaked. His voice had gone rough and hard, like other parts of him.
I’ve gotta get the hell out of here before I do something stupid.
“It’s late, and I’m full. I’ll finish the rest tomorrow.” He pushed the dish away and with a knowing smile, she put it back in the fridge.
Unfortunately, Savvy followed him upstairs. Once again, they did their hallway dance, lingering by their doors.
“Well, goodnight.”
King stayed rooted to the spot, afraid he’d reach for her. His control would snap, and this would all be over.
She licked her lips, and he groaned under his breath.
“I’m not sleepin’ with you tonight?” Savvy laid a hand on his chest.
He swallowed. “Don’t tease me.”
“Why not? We both want this.”
“If you knew how badly I need you…” King trailed off. “Don’t do this…”
“Don’t what? Tell you how much I need to kiss you. How wet I am for you.”
Christ Almighty.
His dick was so hard, King swore it might break in half.
A fire crackled in her eyes, a promise of unladylike behavior, a wild night spent in his bed, instead of a warm, comfortable one.
His body had gone haywire.
The girl of your dream’s standing in front of you. Take her.
Think about her sweet little pussy wrapped around your dick. She could take all of you as you rode her hard. You could fuck her all night long.
“I read somewhere willpower is a finite resource and over the course of a day, it gets used up.” When he gripped the door handle, his hand shook.
“And?”
“Mine’s gone. Completely exhausted.”
King wanted it, wanted her, with a blistering intensity.
And then he slammed the door shut.