I lie curled in his arms, feeling overwhelmed. My head rests on his chest, his heart beating against my ear. Our legs entwined, we’re as close to each other as possible. His fingers pluck at my hair, pulling the curls gently before releasing them.
Peace. The silence surrounds us, the room dark except for the moonlight shining through the slats of the blinds. Neither of us need to speak; we’re content with simply touching each other, our skin communicating what we can’t or won’t say.
I need you.
I want you.
Don’t let me go.
Make me stay.
“Echo,” I whisper, my voice shattering the stillness.
He sighs. “What’s the matter, sugar?”
Tilting my head, I kiss his tattooed chest, nuzzling deeper into his embrace. “I don’t understand this.”
His hand rests against my head, holding me to him. “What’s to understand?”
I spread my fingers wide, comforted by the thump, thump, thump of his heartbeat against my skin. “This isn’t normal, Echo; it’s never been like this before.”
“Exactly, Livvy. It’s never been like this before ’cause this is it. Me and you are it, sugar. I fucking refuse to believe you’re not meant to be mine. I saw you and claimed you, like it was destined. You’ve always been mine, always. We just hadn’t met yet. Don’t matter if it’s seconds or hours or fucking years since we found each other.” His determination and certainty are so clear in his voice.
I stop breathing and tears flood my eyes. “How can you be so sure? What if this isn’t real? What if it’s too perfect? What if it’s too easy, and instead, we hurt each other or burn up like a star that was too bright to last for more than a second?”
“No,” he growls. I’m lifted, and he sits up, placing me so I’m straddling his lap, our eyes locked together. “No. You’re looking for reasons why this won’t work, but it’s already decided, Livvy. I never wanted this life, never felt like this about a woman before. Till you. I know I’m supposed to make you mine, take care of you, protect you. It’s fucking built in to me.”
I stare at him and try to respond, but words won’t come. Desperation overwhelms me and need consumes me, daring me to make the most of every moment, because if feels like time’s running out. I lean into him, our lips connecting, and for once I’m in control. I slide my tongue into his mouth and provoke him, desperate for him to take over and dominate me.
“Please. I need you,” I beg.
“Sugar, calm the fuck down. I know this is fucking with your head, so talk to me. I’d love to sink back into that tight pussy again, but I don’t want to hurt you, so sit your ass in my lap and don’t fucking wiggle,” he orders.
Embarrassed and unsure, I fall forward and bury my face into his neck. His arms wrap around my back, holding me against him. I pull my arms free and lock them around his neck, pushing myself as close to him as I can get.
Echo pry’s me from his neck and encourages me to sit up in his lap, his fingers stay around my hips, circling patterns across my skin. “Talk to me.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I murmur.
He chuckles lightly, and I watch his lips curl into a slight smile. “Tell me about home, or tell me what you had for lunch. Hell, tell me what you wanted to be when you grew up. I don’t care, sugar, just talk.”
“I wanted to be a lion tamer,” I confess.
A laugh bursts from him, and he bites his lip before his mouth spreads into a wide smile. “A lion tamer, huh?”
Nodding, I smile. “Yep, my mom and dad took me to the circus when I was about five, and there was a lion in the show. The lady in the ring with it had the most amazing outfit, with a top hat and everything. So I decided then and there that I wanted to be just like her.”
He leans forward and grasps my chin, holding it tightly and kissing me deeply. “I wanted to be Indiana Jones,” Echo says. “He had the hat and went on cool adventures. He was awesome, and at seven, he was my fucking hero.”
“Indiana Jones, wow. Harrison Ford was hot as hell in that hat,” I say, laughing.
Echo’s hand squeezes my hip, and I flinch, giggling at his teasing touch. “Do you like it over here in the US? Or are you homesick?”
I pause for a second, then say, “I miss home, but I love it here. I’ve been on holiday for three months, what’s not to love? But that’s why this doesn’t feel real, Echo, because it isn’t. Life’s easy when the only thing you have to worry about is where you’re going to wander next.”
“Move in with me, sugar.”
I sigh wearily. “Echo—”
He interrupts me. “Listen to me, Livvy. You say this doesn’t feel real, so let’s make this real. Move in with me, stop wandering and set down some roots. Here with me.”
“I need some time, Echo.”
He grips my chin with his fingers and our eyes lock. “I just need you,” he growls.
I slide down his body and settle against his chest. Our words are between us, but we fight to be as close as possible, wrapped tightly in each other’s arms. My eyes close, and I slowly drift into unconsciousness to the sound of his whispered words. “I didn’t know my heart wasn’t beating till I met you and it started again.”
Time seems to stand still; days pass, but nothing changes. My mornings, afternoons, and nights are filled with Echo. We don’t talk about the future; we live in the now. Stern orders, caressing touches, and mind-blowing orgasms keep me tied to him, unwilling to withdraw from my new addiction.
“Sugar, come here,” he orders.
I leave Brandi and the group of women I’m chatting with and make my way across the clubhouse. Echo’s eyes drop to take in the tall heels and tight jeans I’m wearing. Slowly, his eyes track a path up to my chest, pausing at my boobs perfectly displayed by my vest top. Heat flares in his gaze, and a wicked smile spreads across his face.
He pulls me into his lap, wraps his hand around my throat, and tips my chin up. He kisses me, his tongue demanding entrance. My lips part and he invades my mouth.
We don’t talk, but every touch, every kiss reminds me that I belong to him. He brands me again and again, his claim so natural now it’s second nature. His lips release mine, and breathlessly I stare up at him, desperately willing him to lift me up and take me to bed.
A voice shatters the sexual intensity the binds us together. “So this is your old lady then, Echo. Fuck, I never thought I’d see the day.” We turn towards the voice, and I lean back to see the man it belongs to. Silver hair frames a masculine face that’s weathered but incredibly handsome. His trimmed beard reveals full lips and neck tattoos disappearing below his shirt.
“Livvy, this is Blade,” Echo says.
I stand and reach out, offering him my hand to shake. Blade’s firm grip holds me while he assesses me from head to toe. Uncomfortable with his touch and his blatant perusal of me, I try to pull my hand back, but he refuses to release me. Still holding me, his other hand reaches out and strokes my cheek, slowly moving lower as he speaks. “Such a pretty thing, we like to share here in the Sinners, so how ’bout I get you next.”
I cringe at Blade’s words and tug at my hand. I start to speak, to demand he fuck off and stop fucking touching me, but Echo speaks first. “She’s mine,” he snarls. Echo’s voice is hard and full of authority. He moves purposefully, stepping between me and Blade, forcing him to release me. Echo pushes me behind him and pulls himself to his full height, towering over Blade menacingly. “Mine, Blade, you understand that? You might be the VP, but I’ll fucking slit your throat if you ever put your hands on my woman again. We clear?”
I huge smile splits Blade’s face, changing his appearance completely. “Echo, I’m playing with you, brother. I heard you threatened to kill Puck the other night. I needed to see how deep you are for her. Old lady isn’t a title we give out on a whim,” Blade says seriously.
Echo nods, his shoulders still tense. He moves back, curling his arm around my neck protectively. I peer at Blade; his smile’s gentle and focused on me. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, that was a fucking shitty thing for me to do. But you understand, I had to know if you were just a fuck. I’ve known Echo for a long time, and he’s never hinted at wanting an old lady. I needed to know if this was real. Now I do. Welcome to the Sinners,” Blade says.
Blade’s behaviour sets me on edge, and I wonder who else is going to question my sudden promotion to old lady. I don’t know if Blade was being a dick as a test for Echo, or for me, but I feel antsy and worked up. Blade’s words and actions have provoked Echo as well, and he’s more possessive than ever. We lounge on a sofa, and I sit in his lap. His hands touch me constantly; holding me tight, he reinforces his ownership of me to everyone in the room.
Before I met Echo, I would have punched a guy for saying he owned me. But here in Archer’s Creek in the Sinners’ world, it’s different. Being Echo’s makes me feel safe and cherished. In this world, his claim isn’t derogatory. It’s an honour.
Blade’s presence changes the dynamic of the room. The senior officers all gravitate towards him, and soon we’re sitting with Blade, the vice president, Marley, the road captain, and Sleaze, the sergeant-at-arms.
“Echo, I’ve got to get to work,” I say. He pulls me in for a quick kiss and nods.
“Okay, sugar, go get your shit, and I’ll take you.”
Reluctantly moving from the warmth of his arms, I shake my head. “No need. You stay here, and I’ll call a cab,” I say.
Echo stands quickly and steps closer, crowding me. “I said I’ll take you.”
A wave of frustration consumes me, and I snap at my overprotective man. “Echo, I’m more than capable of taking a fucking cab. I did it for years before I met you.”
A dark scowl crosses his face. I back away slowly, but he stalks me, grabbing my hand and hauling me in to his hard chest. “I don’t give a flying fuck what you did before we met. If I say I’ll take you to fucking work, then I’ll take you to fucking work. Do you understand?”
Anger clouds my judgement, and I shove at him. “No, I don’t fucking understand. You’re being a stubborn idiot. I don’t need a bloody babysitter.”
Strong arms wrap around my waist and haul me into the air, leaving me hanging upside down over his shoulder. “Echo, what the fuck!” I scream.
He strides a few yards then drops me to the floor before quickly spinning me around and forcing me to bend over with my chest pinned to a table. His body cages me in, his weight holding me down. “Echo, get off me,” I demand.
“Fuck no, sugar, you’re gonna stay right here while we sort this out. Who do you belong to, Livvy?” he questions, his voice dominant and full of annoyance.
I groan in frustration and push back against him, but he’s in complete control and I can’t move. “Who. Do. You. Belong. To?” His angry voice growls next to my ear, his hard cock rubbing against my arse. “Livvy, you need me to fuck the answer out of you again?”
I refuse to speak, trying to find purchase with my hands. “Livvy, last chance before I pull down your jeans and fuck you till you remember who owns you,” he threatens.
“Argggh, you do.”
His sharp teeth sink into my neck and bite me. I feel a stab of pain then his tongue licking the marks, soothing my skin. “That’s right, I own you. You’re my fucking woman, mine to care for, mine to worship, mine to protect. I take that fucking seriously. So when I say I’m gonna take you to fucking work, it’s ’cause I’m gonna take you to fucking work. You get me?”
Reluctantly, I nod. “Thank fuck for that. Now go get your shit, you’re gonna be late,” he says.
His weight moves from my back, freeing me, and I push my hands against the table and start to rise when his hand smacks against my arse in a punishing thwack. “Owwwww,” I shout and rub my sore arse cheek.
His amused voice whispers in my ear. “I think you might need a good spanking, sugar, remind you who’s in control here. Fuck, I can’t wait to take you across my knee and turn your ass red.” I shudder, my eyes widening in excitement at his erotic threat. “Later.” He smirks. “Now go get your stuff.”