CHAPTER ONE
Ryanne
From the moment he walked in I became riveted, my attention anchored to his every move. The place is packed, everyone’s body heat crowds me but we may as well be the only two people in the bar. At least where my heart is concerned.
Despite my feelings, I sit in the corner alone and watch as a flock of hungry women surround him and his brothers, vying for their attention.
Typical.
“Happy birthday, Ryanne,” Jessica Bennett yells to be heard above the loud music, clinking her glass with mine as she shimmies past my table.
I nod my thanks, my lips lifting in a halfhearted smile.
There aren’t many places in town where I could celebrate my eighteenth birthday. Denim and Pearls is the only bar where they accept people under the age of twenty-one. We aren’t allowed to drink but that isn’t a big deal to me.
The place is rustic with a country flare. The tables are made of old barrels and there’s a rhinestone saddle hanging above the dance floor. Country music blares from the speakers, drawing a large crowd. I was having a good time, anywhere is better than my loveless house, but then they showed up—the three brothers who wreak havoc on every girl’s hormones.
The Creed boys are foster brothers who are closer than those bound by blood. They came to town years ago, living off the streets until Thatcher Creed, who most around here call Old Man Creed, took them in and raised them as his own.
Many didn’t approve when he did, but Thatcher has never cared what the people in this town thought about him. It’s something I’ve always admired. He raised the boys proudly and stood by their sides when they had no one.
Justice, Knox, and Braxten have made quite the names for themselves and their reputations precede them. They can be dangerous if they think for even one second their family is being threatened. They’ve stolen the hearts of many. I know this because I am one of them. Though all three of them are ridiculously good looking, I only want one.
Justice.
His bad boy appeal caught my attention from the moment he rolled into town. I was only twelve but my young heart fell hard. Many people were leery and even frightened of the boys. They got into a lot of trouble when they first moved here. I often heard my parents discussing their disapproval of Thatcher taking them in. It’s typical of their pretentious selves. My parents have never been kind or compassionate, not even to their only child.
I was warned to stay away from them. It wouldn’t look good for the family name, which is everything to my parents. My father is a descendant of one of the six founding families of Winchester, our small town located in the heart of The Mississippi Delta. Old money and bloodlines are everything here. I have a certain standard to uphold, one I fail miserably at according to my mother.
Staying away from the brothers wasn’t a hard rule to follow because they are older than me. We went to the same school but I was a freshman and they were seniors. They barely knew I existed. Braxten should have graduated after them but he’s smart, really smart, and worked hard to finish school with his brothers.
For two years I watched them from afar, mainly Justice, and swallowed up the rumors that surrounded them, especially one. A rumor that rocked the entire town and garnered every girl’s attention. It still does. Which is why every female in this place is hanging all over them at the moment.
You’d think I’d be used to it by now but I’m not, and the only reprieve my tortured heart gets is when he’s out of town for work. Contracted by the government, all three brothers are sharpshooters, and not just any marksmen but the best in the country. Shooting is just one of the many things Thatcher taught them.
As if feeling the weight of my stare, Justice’s eyes find mine over the crowd of women. My heart tumbles in my chest as I gaze back into his dark irises that are filled with so much intrigue and mystery.
His lips kick up in that sexy smirk of his, turning my insides to mush. He wears his usual worn jeans that hang enticingly off his lean hips. His dark hair is wild and mussed, looking like he just ran his fingers through it. With a black T-shirt, biker boots, and a leather jacket, he’s the very definition of a bad boy.
That familiar longing builds inside of me, the sight of him making my heart crave things I can’t have. Instead of returning his smile, I roll my eyes, hoping to hide the effect he has on me, and shift my gaze away.
I’m certain I can hear his amused chuckle all the way over here. The one that rumbles deep within his chest and is as arrogant as his smirk. It’s irritating yet infectious all at once. Most of the time I long to hear it. Just like I long for the brief moments I’ve spent with him.
It has become somewhat of a game between us. This push and pull. I pretend he annoys the hell out of me and he plays along, but deep down he knows my true feelings. He has to. I’ve always been terrible at hiding my emotions.
My teenage crush for Justice turned into so much more after my first encounter with him. It wasn’t just one of our usual run ins where I would see him in public, and keep my head cast down in fear I would stare at him like a lovesick fool.
This encounter was years later and just the two of us. I was fifteen at the time and had just gotten into a fight with my mother, which is not out of the ordinary but this one was bad. She was even more hateful than usual. I don’t remember what the fight was over but I’ll never forget it because she struck me across the face. It was the first time she ever hit me. The blow had hurt but not as much as her words: “I wish you had never been born!”
I fled the house that night with tears streaming down my face. I wandered aimlessly around town, trying to walk off my hurting heart. My arms were crossed over my chest, shoulders slumped when I walked through a cloud of smoke.
A gasp parted my lips and my head snapped up. That was when I came face-to-face with the guy I had been watching from afar. My tear-filled eyes met his dark ones and my heart stopped beating altogether.
Justice was seated on his motorcycle, parked out front one of the bars on main street. His face was expressionless while his eyes were anything but. They were watchful and filled with knowledge. The intensity of them kept me rooted to my spot.
“S-sorry,” I stammered like a fool.
“You all right?” The question flowed past his lips in a way that had me mesmerized as he drew in another long inhale of his cigarette.
Typically I hated smoking but not at that moment. He made the bad habit look so good.
His perfect lips suddenly lifted in the slightest smirk and it made me weak in the knees, a reaction I had never felt before. It was then I realized I was gawking at him like an idiot.
I shook myself of the spell he cast upon me and finally answered his question. “Fine.”
He quirked a brow at the lie.
Before he could call me out on it, I dropped my head and stepped forward to continue on my way, but he snagged my arm, stopping me mid stride. My skin burned beneath my hoodie from where he gripped me—firm, yet somehow gentle. I looked back up at him, my heart banging around inside my chest.
“You shouldn’t be walking around at night by yourself. Didn’t your parents ever warn you about the bad guys who walk these streets?” Amusement filled those dark eyes of his, the smoke from his cigarette dancing around his face.
Little did he know, my parents were the bad guys.
“I don’t drive,” I told him, my voice barely a whisper.
“Where are you headed?”
I was surprised by the question and wondered why he cared. I also had no answer for him because I wasn’t sure myself.
“I asked where you’re going, Ryanne.”
Every muscle in my body tensed, surprise coursing through me that he knew my name. I licked my dry lips, his hard tone demanding I answer. “I-I don’t know.”
His watchful eyes dropped to my mouth, face passive until he looked up at me again. “Get on.”
“What?” I asked, certain I misheard him.
He passed me his helmet. “I said get on.”
“I don’t want to go home,” I told him, proud of myself for the strength in my voice.
“Who said anything about going home?” He started up his bike, the loud roar vibrating the street beneath my feet. He stared at me, quirking that brow again rather impatiently.
In that split second I made a choice, one that I was equally excited and terrified about. With shaking hands, I put his helmet over my head and climbed on behind him, my arms curling around his hard body. Before I could even fathom the shock to my heart from the contact, the bike rolled forward, starting our journey to god knows where.
My arms tightened, heart jumping in my throat when he merged onto the interstate and hit the throttle. A smile stole my face and a laugh pushed past my lips. It was the most exhilarating moment of my life and I lived it with everything I had in me.
For a while we did nothing but ride, and it was exactly what I needed. Eventually, Justice pulled off into a clearing out in the middle of nowhere. He climbed off the bike, taking his warm body with him, and lit up another cigarette. I removed his helmet from my head, sweeping the hair out of my face. My cheeks ached from smiling so much.
“You look better,” he spoke past the smoke he exhaled.
“It was fun, thanks.”
Awkward silence fell amongst the humid air, his eyes assessing as he gazed at me over the top of his fiery cigarette that hung between his lips.
“Where are your brothers?” I asked.
“Back at the bar.”
“Aren’t they going to be mad you left them?”
“Why would they?”
I shrugged. “You didn’t even tell them you were leaving.”
“So? We don’t do everything together.”
That’s not what I heard.
I bit my tongue from voicing that out loud but he saw the question written all over my face.
His sexy lips pulled into that trademark smirk. “Got something on your mind, little girl, just ask.”
His “little girl” comment annoyed me. I wasn’t that much younger than him. “Is the rumor true?”
“Which one?”
He knew which one I wanted to know, he was just forcing me to ask it. I refused to. Not yet, maybe because I wasn’t ready to hear the answer.
“Are you as dangerous as everyone says you are?” I asked instead, something I probably should have gotten out of the way before he took me out in the middle of nowhere.
His easy demeanor dropped, a hardness entering his eyes. “Depends.”
“On?” I asked, my breath stalling in anticipation as I waited for his answer.
He drew in another long pull of his smoke and blew it out. “Whether or not you fuck with my family.”
I snap out of the memory when someone knocks into my table as they pass by.
“Sorry.” They toss the apology over their shoulder, stumbling to the bathroom. Clearly they’ve had one too many already.
Not many words were spoken between Justice and me after that. He ended up driving me home, making sure to drop me off down the street from my house. Something I felt bad asking him to do. I didn’t need to elaborate why. He knew but he didn’t seem to care. Probably because he was used to it. He and his brothers weren’t well liked, especially by the founding families who believe Winchester is their town.
People like my parents.
Over the years, Justice and I have had several more interactions. Usually running into each other by chance. We’d often end up going for a ride and talking, sometimes until the sun began to rise. As time passed, my infatuation for Justice grew and became so much more. I fell irrevocably in love with him yet he still keeps me at a distance. I’ve learned he keeps everyone at a distance except his brothers.
I haven’t seen them around in a few weeks and figured they were out on a mission; should have known he would show up here tonight. He always seems to come at the worst times. It’s not that I don’t want to see him; it’s the complete opposite. But how am I supposed to have fun now when every single girl in this place is falling all over him?
“Hey, Ryanne.” The masculine voice belongs to Derek Lancaster, son of Samuel and Donna Lancaster, another one of the founding families. Our parents are good friends. All the families stick together, almost like a creepy cult. Derek is a jerk to most people but is nice to me, a little too nice at times.
“Hey, Derek.”
“Happy birthday,” he says, taking the seat across from me.
“Thanks.”
“Why are you sitting by yourself? Shouldn’t you be the rowdiest one here?” he says, making a joke.
I tilt my glass toward him. “Just waiting for this Diet Coke to kick in.”
He chuckles, the charming sound barely making its way over the loud music.
“Who did you come with?” I ask.
“Dustin and Barry.”
I figured, the three of them usually hang out, the star football players and richest guys in school. Most of the time girls are falling all over them, except when the Creed brothers are in town…like now.
“How about a birthday dance?” he asks.
I’m not in the mood but I also don’t feel like sitting here all night. I open my mouth to oblige when a presence suddenly looms over me, casting a dark shadow. By the way my heart leaps I know who it is before I even look.
“Happy birthday, Ryanne.” Justice’s deep, gravelly voice triggers goose bumps across my skin. I look up; head craning all the way back as I meet his intense eyes, the dark irises rocking me to my very core.
“Thought you guys were out of town?” I say in greeting, not bothering to hide my annoyance.
“Just got back last night.”
Lucky me…
He remains where he is, his hard gaze making me shift in my seat. I swear he does it on purpose.
“If you don’t mind, we were having a conversation,” Derek says, his voice thick with arrogance.
Justice flicks him a hard glance that would have anyone pissing their pants.
No one fucks with Justice and everyone knows it, including Derek. However, his ego is bigger than his common sense.
Justice brings his attention back to me and leans forward, one hand braced on the table and the other on my chair as he cages me in. His scent and body heat surround me, penetrating all my senses.
“What are you going to do, Ryanne? You gonna stay here and dance with this asshole? Or are you going to come with me so I can give you your present?”
The fact that he even knows it’s my birthday is a shock in itself, but a present?
“Where?” I ask.
“My place.” That one answer whispers across my lips, the distance between us seeming to grow smaller.
Every fantasy I’ve ever had when it comes to him assaults my mind, fantasies I’ve dreamt about for so long.
“What’s it going to be?” he asks impatiently.
“You.”
I’d choose him a million times over.
He pushes away from the table and extends his hand. I place mine in his warm one and allow him to pull me from my seat.
“Ryanne!” Derek snaps, reminding me of his presence. I turn back to see him standing from his chair, his expression enraged as he eyes Justice and me. “What are you thinking going anywhere with him?”
“I suggest minding your own business, Lancaster, before you get yourself hurt.” The warning in Justice’s calm voice has a shiver of fear trickling down my spine.
“I’ll be fine, Derek,” I assure him. “We’ll have that dance another time, okay?”
Before I have a chance to hear his response, Justice tugs on my hand, pulling me through the crowded bar. My steps are quick as I fight to keep up with his long strides.
Many glares are tossed in my direction, mainly from the girls who realize their chance for the night is gone. I pay them no mind though, with the exception of one.
Knox.
His expression is hard and filled with something I can’t name, but it has me feeling like I’ve done something wrong.
Once Justice and I reach his bike, he passes me his helmet.
“What about your brothers?” I ask, Knox’s angry eyes still fresh in my mind.
He quirks a brow. “You want them to come?”
There’s so much meaning in that one question and we both know it. I shake my head, my pulse kick-starting at the thought.
A sexy chuckle leaves his lips. “That’s what I thought.” He climbs on his bike without another word, and with the swift drop of his boot he brings the machine to life beneath him.
Taking a deep breath, I put the helmet on, loving the familiar scent that invades my senses, then climb on behind him. He curls an arm under my bare knee, bringing me flush against his back. A sharp breath breaches my lips, the center of my satin panties colliding with his belt as my dress rides up my thighs.
Oh god.
I swallow back a moan, my body trembling in need. The bike rolls forward seconds before he picks up speed and we hit the main road. The cool air whips across my heated flesh but offers little reprieve. My mind reels with all the scenarios that are about to happen, fear and want colliding with one another.
My body is more than ready for him but my heart is another story, a page I’m terrified to turn.
It takes only minutes before we reach his complex, an apartment he shares with his brothers near the edge of town. I climb the metal stairs behind him that lead to the side door of his apartment and follow him inside, stepping into the living room. He closes the door behind me and flicks on the lights. I take in our surroundings, the simple yet clean apartment somehow suiting him.
“You want a drink?” he asks, his voice right behind me, whispering into my ear.
I shake my head, finding my throat too dry to speak.
“You sure? I’ll even let you have some alcohol.” Amusement coats his tone as he walks past me, removing his jacket then grabbing himself a beer.
My eyes narrow. “No one lets me have anything, Justice Creed. Goes to show how well you know me.”
Laughter dances in his expression, the corners of his lips lifting. “I know you better than you think, sweet Ryanne.” His tone drops at the endearment and dances along my skin.
He takes a swig of his beer then starts toward me, his gait relaxed and easy but his strides determined. It makes my heart beat faster. My head drops back to hold his stare as he comes to stand just in front of me. That’s when he passes me a small present I didn’t see he’s been holding. The blue wrapped package is not what I was expecting but my heart warms all the same.
“Happy birthday.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” I tell him, even though I’m touched by the gesture.
“Open it.”
I peel back the wrapping paper to find a small gold box. Lifting the lid, a large white pearl attached to a silver chain is revealed, its smooth, polished surface glowing with beauty and taking my breath away.
“I got it from a small village in Milan,” he says, taking the piece of jewelry out of the box. He slips the long chain over my head, the pearl resting just past my breasts. “It’s the gift of a saint, it represents purity. The myth says it protects the worthy and remains loyal to its wearer.”
The meaning and thought behind his generosity has warmth invading my chest. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you,” I whisper, fingering the dainty necklace.
“Not what you were expecting though.”
My eyes meet his, the truth passing between us. “No, not what I was expecting but still special.”
He steps closer, invading my personal space. “What is it you really want?”
We both know the answer to that but once again he wants me to say it, and this time, I’m going to. I square my shoulders and decide to lay it all out, knowing this might be the only chance I ever get.
“One night with you.” It’s a partial lie, I want more than one night, but I know how Justice works and if one night is all I can have then I’ll take it.
His eyes never leave mine as he takes another long pull of his beer, silence thickening the air. He places the bottle down and walks around behind me, his chest crowding my back. “Just me?” His breath tickles, lips brushing my ear.
“Y-yes.” My eyes close, teeth grinding at the way I stammer the response.
“You sure?” His arm wraps around my waist, palm flat against my stomach as he pulls me back against him.
My breathing kicks up, skin burning beneath my dress. “I know what I want. I know what I’m asking,” I tell him, surprised I can form a single word.
“I’m not so sure you do, Ryanne.” His free hand drops to my leg, fingers skimming up my bare thigh to slip under my dress and touch the center of my damp panties.
My senses reel, the fiery touch almost knocking me off my feet.
“Do you have any idea what my brothers would do to you right now if they were here with us?”
I tense at the thought, my heart thumping like a steel drum.
“Do you?” he asks again, a little firmer this time.
I shake my head, too scared to think of the erotic act let alone speak of it.
His hand on my stomach moves upward, covering my breast and kneading the achy flesh. “Brax would start by sucking on these pretty tits,” he says, giving my sensitive nipple a firm pinch through the thin fabric of my dress. “He’d feast on them until you were writhing and begging for more.”
A fiery whimper breaches my lips, my knees threatening to buckle.
His arm holds me tighter, stopping me from collapsing to the floor. “And Knox would eat this sweet little pussy.” He slips his fingers beneath my panties, delving into my wet heat. “His tongue would do things to your clit that’s beyond your imagination.” He strokes the bundle of nerves in question, making my eyes practically roll into the back of my head.
Fire spreads through my body at the erotic image he paints, the roaring flames threatening to burn me alive.
“While they both did that I would fuck you from behind, my cock pounding you hard and deep.” He follows the dirty words by inserting a finger inside of me.
“Oh god!” My head drops back on his shoulder, the beautiful invasion ravaging my body.
“What do you think, Ryanne? Is that what you want?”
I shake my head.
“Really? Because the way your pussy is dripping all over my finger right now tells me you’re lying.”
“No,” I cry, finally finding my words. “I don’t want anyone but you.”
It’s the god’s honest truth, as much as the rumors have intrigued me, I want no one but Justice. Only him.
He turns his face into mine, his lips brushing my damp cheek. “Good. Because this virgin pussy is mine, understand? No one gets it but me. Not even my fucking brothers.”
The fear I’ve had buried deep in my heart eases as he stakes his claim, even if it’s only for this night. His hand in my panties stops its beautiful assault and he lifts his fingers to my lips, smearing my arousal on them.
I gasp, shocked by the bold act yet incredibly turned on.
Spinning me around, he yanks me against his hard body and takes my mouth in a fiery kiss. Demanding—dominating—and I completely give into it, drowning in my own forbidden desire.
“Pure fucking innocence.” His hand fists my hair as he angles my head to thrust his tongue deeper, the taste of him completely intoxicating.
My breath comes out in short pants, exhaling into his mouth as I try to breathe through the wild passion we create. He unzips my dress, letting the straps fall down my shoulders until the material pools at my feet. It leaves me naked except for my tiny pink silk panties.
His hands cup my bottom, lifting me off my feet. I wrap my legs around his hips and arms around his neck, the fabric of his shirt scraping against my sensitive nipples. He carries me into his room and lays me across the bed, sprawling me out for his view.
His taking.
His arresting eyes sweep over my body, my skin tingling beneath his heated gaze. He removes his shirt, the material clearing his head and revealing a breathtaking sight. If he wasn’t intimidating enough, the lean muscles and black ink woven up his body seals the deal.
My mouth waters for a taste but I stay where I am, because the truth is, even though I want this more than anything, I am way out of my league here.
“I’ve waited a long fucking time for this, Ryanne.” His admission has my heart stalling in my chest. I’m not the only one who has felt this.
A connection I can’t explain, a need I can’t escape.
He feels it too, however, I am no fool. My heart is wrapped up in this but his is not. Attraction and feelings are two very different things and I know to expect nothing but this one night with him. I’m just praying my heart will survive it.
He drags me to the edge of the bed and kneels before me. I look at him between my slightly parted legs, my heart banging inside my chest as he slowly removes my panties. He spreads my knees wide, his gaze riveted on my most intimate part.
“Look how pretty you are.” His fingers part my lips and skim over my swollen clit, creating a raging inferno seconds before he enters a single finger into my snug entrance.
A gasp purges from my throat, body arching as I fist the sheets at my side.
“I’ll try to be careful with you, Ryanne, but this untouched pussy will belong to me by the time I’m done with you. Tonight, I fucking own it and your virgin blood is mine.”
“Justice,” I breathe his name, unsure if I want to beg for more or tell him to stop. He’s taking too much from me, stealing my carefully guarded heart, and I can’t let him, not when there is no future for us. As long as he shares his desires with his brothers he will never be mine, nor I his, but right now, this moment is ours.
The thought trails off when his face dips between my legs and tongue delves in, lapping at my hot flesh. My body jerks off the bed, a cry of pleasure ripping from my throat.
“So goddamn pure.” His words vibrate against me, sending shock waves to travel through my body. Every slow, fiery lick of his tongue takes me higher, delivering a pleasure I’ve only ever imagined.
My head thrashes from side to side, hips lifting, pussy bouncing against his skillful tongue. When his fingers speed their thrusts, harder—deeper, I propel to a forbidden world, a mind-numbing orgasm claiming me like never before.
By the time I float down, reality reeling me in, Justice is on his feet, standing over me. Lust dominates his expression as he starts on his belt. My pulse skips, eyes drifting as he shoves his pants down, freeing himself.
Strong, powerful—beautiful. That’s what he is.
Despite my lack of experience, I’m unable to hold back. Sitting up, I tentatively reach out to touch him, my fingers grasping his smooth, hard cock, stroking from base to tip.
He thrusts into my hand, a hiss escaping him. I lick my lips at the drop of pearly fluid that seeps from the tip, curious what it would taste like.
“Do it, baby,” he says, sensing my thoughts. “Wrap those pretty lips around my cock and suck it.”
The need in his rough voice gives me the courage to lean forward and do exactly that. My tongue darts out first, licking the fluid, the salty taste coating my tongue before I take him all the way in. Tentatively and slowly, unsure if I’m doing it correctly.
“That’s it, good girl.” His fingers tighten in my hair, coaxing and guiding me. “You look so pretty with my cock in your mouth, Ryanne.”
His words empower me, the need to please him like he did me taking over. I peek up at him from beneath my lashes as I suck back to the top, swirling my tongue around the tip.
A growl rumbles deep within him, his hips surging forward, driving himself until he hits the back of my throat. Whimpering, I relinquish all control over to him.
His thrusts are smooth and steady, making the spot between my legs throb to feel him there in the same manner. “Do you like it, Ryanne? Like it when I fuck this hungry little mouth of yours?”
I moan to convey just how much, my throat relaxing, cheeks hollowing.
Groaning, he pulls away. “No more.”
I look up at him, my breathing becoming heavier seeing the carnal hunger raging in his dark eyes. His hand presses on my chest, coaxing me to my back once again, then he spreads my legs, hooking his arms under my knees and lining himself up.
“Tell me you’re sure,” he rasps, peering down at me. “Tell me you want this, because once we go through with it there is no taking it back. No regrets, Ryanne.”
There’s no way I will ever regret this night with him, no matter what comes of it. “I want this. I want you,” I tell him, strong and sure.
The tip of his cock nudges my entrance seconds before he pushes all the way in, slowly but painfully breaching the barrier that’s never been broken.
My back bows off the bed, lips parting as all the air is stolen from my lungs in one fluent motion.
“Jesus.” The curse flees from Justice, his muscles straining beneath his skin as he stills deep inside of me. So many emotions reflect back at me, emotions I can’t name. Ones I have never seen on him before. “Okay?” the one word is gritted out between clenched teeth.
I nod, even though I’m far from okay. I’m worried what I’ve done to my heart. Feeling him like this, giving this part of myself to him, I fear I’ve just lost what little I had left.
He now owns every part of me.
His fingers grip my hips and he begins thrusting inside of me with slow, deep strokes, filling my body and my heart. It’s tender, a little painful, and sadly, also distant. The strong emotion in his eyes does not convey his actions right now and even though this is just sex, I want more of him.
My eyes never leave his as I reach out for him. “Come here. I want your skin on mine.”
His thrusts falter, a look of panic flashing across his face before that shield of armor slams down around him. Swallowing hard, he slowly, and with a good amount of uncertainty, lowers himself on top of me, his hard body colliding with my soft one.
It steals my breath and feeds my soul. My arms wrap around his tense back as I hug him close. He remains still, his warm breath fanning the side of my neck.
“Let me have a part of you that no one else has had,” I plead, knowing I’m pushing it but I can’t seem to help myself. I need something to hold onto when this is over.
“I already have.” The words are barely a whisper, so quiet I wonder if I misheard him. Before I have time to ponder it, he braces himself above me and begins moving.
The mattress shifts with our weight, headboard hammering against the wall as he drives into me hard and deep, taking what he wants and giving me more than my heart can handle.
Most girls get candlelight and roses for their first time, I get Justice Creed and I love every second of it.
“This what you want, Ryanne? To fuckin’ ruin me?” he asks, voice rough.
“Yes.” It’s only fair since he ruined me from the moment he came to town.
His expression softens and I’m rewarded with one of his sexy smirks. “Well, I guess that makes two of us.” He closes the remaining distance between us, his lips descending on mine. His thrusts never falter as he claims every inch of my body, hard and savage, with no apology.
I ingrain every long minute of this into my heart, loving the way his sweaty skin slides against mine. I absorb it all until I can hold off no longer.
He latches onto one of my nipples, teeth gripping the tender flesh in a painful bite. The sensation shoots straight to my clit, drowning me in fiery pleasure. My nails dig into his shoulders, clawing at his sweat-dampened skin as a cry pours from my lips.
“That’s my girl. Come, Ryanne. I want this tight little pussy soaking my cock.”
The orgasm is strong and he’s determined to drag it out with every angle of his hips against mine, pumping into me a few more times before he groans out his own pleasure and collapses on top of me.
I hug him close, relishing in the warm feel of his naked body. He lifts his face, his eyes penetrating mine in the shadows of his room. Silence remains between us but it speaks louder than words ever could.
He looks different in this moment. More soft than hard. More vulnerable than confident. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he’s scared, but nothing scares Justice Creed.
He drops his lips on my forehead, giving me a hard kiss before shifting his weight off me and reaching over for a cigarette on his nightstand.
Feeling cold without his body heat anymore, I grip the sheet and pull it up to cover my breasts. My eyes drift to the bedroom door that’s slightly ajar and every part of my body stills, including the air in my lungs. There, I find a shadow lingering in the doorway. The darkness hides his face but his presence is undeniable. Just as quickly as I spot him, he’s gone, making me wonder if I just imagined what I saw.
“Come here, Ryanne.”
I return my attention to Justice, annoyance coursing through me at the demand. “Has anyone ever told you you’re bossy?”
A beautiful smile tilts his lips as he takes a long pull of his cigarette. “A few people.” He exhales the cloud of smoke, obviously not caring.
I push up to lie next to him, unsure of how close to get until he bands an arm around my back, reeling me in flush against his side. Smiling, I rest my head on his chest, loving the sound of his strong heartbeat.
“So what happens now?” I ask, my fingertips dancing along the black tribal tattoo on his ribs.
He’s quiet for a moment, staring up at the ceiling while his smoke twists through the air. “We sleep.”
It’s a cop-out and we both know it but I can’t blame him. How do I expect him to answer something I don’t know either?
“I can leave now, if it’s easier,” I offer. It’s the last thing I want but maybe it’s best, the longer I stay here the harder it’s going to be to leave.
“You’re not going anywhere. We’re not done yet. Not by a long shot.”
Hope flares inside my chest, something I shouldn’t feel but I’m drawn to it. He shifts beneath my cheek as he puts his cigarette out before curling around me, his chin resting on top of my head. For the time being I just absorb this and forget about worrying what tomorrow will bring, my foolish heart praying for more.