Chapter 11
I feel dirty.
After they’d gotten back to HQ, Annie headed straight for the showers. She’d rinsed off earlier, but she needed to scrub herself off. Annie had a sneaking suspicion—no matter how much soap she used, she’d never get clean.
And the silence was deafening.
It was late at night, and everyone else was asleep. They’d all been pushing themselves to solve this case, and they were exhausted.
She stood underneath the hot spray, letting the water carry the evidence away, just like it had never happened, but it had happened, and Annie would never let herself forget it.
Whenever she closed her eyes, Annie could see the woman’s body, floating in the darkness, forgotten, discarded. No, not the woman. Michelle. The image was engraved in her mind’s eye. And even if she lived to be ninety years old, Annie would remember every single second of it.
Think about something else, dammit. Annie smacked a palm against the wall.
West.
She’d heard the slight tremble in his voice, glimpsed the anguish in his eyes, when he spoke about his son. They were both wounded people, carrying a heavy burden of guilt. Annie was haunted by his words. Like her, West was struggling to make amends, searching for a second chance. They were both black and blue, struggling to deal with their wounds.
As soon as they’d pulled into the driveway, West had jumped out of the car and headed upstairs to the gym. He hadn’t said two words to her since he’d refused her offer. West had been so patient with her, so comforting, and she didn’t deserve his kindness, but she’d take it anyway.
And yet she wondered why he’d turned her down.
What if he didn’t want her anymore? Now that he’d seen with his own two eyes what she’d actually done? Or maybe his refusal had been an act of chivalry? A kindness?
I can’t think straight right now.
After she finished washing herself, Annie grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body. She suddenly realized she hadn’t brought any clothing with her to the bathroom. Annie had been in too much of a hurry to clean herself. The towel would have to do until she reached her bedroom.
More than anything, she wanted the oblivion of sleep, and escape from what she’d seen and done. And yet she doubted her spinning thoughts would give her any rest.
When she walked out the door, West stood there in the hallway, like an answer to a prayer. He was sweaty, breathing hard, and half-naked. He’d stripped off his shirt and jeans, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts.
They stood there for the longest time. Annie knew they’d reached a tipping point. She could walk to her room, and he’d stay away from her. Or she could extend another invitation, and everything could change.
Instead of words, Annie let her actions speak.
Shamelessly, Annie dropped the towel, and stood there before him, dripping, arms at her sides. Slowly, he looked her up and down, taking in every inch of her naked flesh, missing nothing.
The hunger was palpable.
“I told you not to ask.” His nostrils flared, and West licked his lips.
Surely, he wouldn’t turn her down.
And she was right.
***
West was on fire.
His erection roared to life, puckering his boxer shorts, a beast that needed to be satisfied. He’d pushed himself in the gym, trying to exhaust his body. It hadn’t helped.
He’d been ringing with sweat, so he’d stripped off.
And now Annie stood before him, naked and ready for the taking. And they didn’t have enough clothing, enough barriers between them.
Before he knew what he was doing, he was on her, pressing Annie’s hands against the wall.
I can’t control myself.
West didn’t know what the fuck was wrong with him. At the moment, he could give Nox a run for his money when it came to being kinky.
All sorts of wicked images filled his head.
West felt savage, possessive, completely unleashed. His hunger swelled within, a gale force that wouldn’t be denied. Her skin was hot to the touch, reddish, still damp. Those magnificent breasts of hers were on the wall. Her lush, rounded ass was his for the taking.
He closed his eyes as the ache inside him intensified. And it wasn’t just centered in his groin.
Annie was unlike any other woman he’d ever known. Tonight, he’d bared his soul to her, and she’d allowed him to see her vulnerability, too. Is it any wonder he wanted to get even closer?
West kissed the back of her neck.
She gasped but didn’t turn around. Instead, Annie shivered, and he bent over to kiss his way down her spine.
Annie moaned in response.
“Shh, we have to be quiet.” He was mindful of the closed doors all around him and his team who was fast asleep.
She huffed a laugh. “Yeah, we’ve got a rule about this.”
And yet, he couldn’t be discreet. Not right now.
“Oh who am I kiddin’? Fuck the rules.”
With trembling fingers, he traced the length of her body, starting between her shoulder blades to the small of her back and then over her hips. West groaned as he squeezed her cheeks, needing them, plumping them.
“You have a magnificent ass.”
“Thank you for noticing.”
And then he gave it a hard smack, cracking his palm against the soft wet flesh, marking it, owning it. Before this night was through, Annie would know she belonged to him, sexually speaking, and she’d better get used to it.
There would be no going back.
No, he couldn’t go back, even if he wanted to.
West had been lusting after her since he’d clapped eyes on Annie, and he wasn’t about to chase her again. He wanted her to acknowledge things were different now.
And West was frustrated he couldn’t have everything he wanted from Annie. He needed to romance her, court her, but it wasn’t possible.
I’m gettin’ way ahead of myself.
“You’re mine,” he growled into her ear.
As he said the words, he pushed a hand between her thighs, cupped her silky wet pussy in his palm. He could feel her dampened curls on his fingertips.
This is so much better than feeling her through the slick cotton.
West pushed his cock against her thigh. It was trying to escape his shorts, the head pushing through the gap, as though reaching for Annie.
When she didn’t acknowledge his claim on her, he paddled her ass again, turning it a rosy red. The next time, he’d take her over his lap.
“Tell me who you belong to, Rook.”
“You don’t own me,” she gasped.
West chuckled. “Damn, you never give up.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “You either.”
“Are you on the pill?”
“Yeah, I take it to manage my cycles.”
“Good, but just so we’re clear, you and I are exclusive while we’re together.”
“Understood.”
“Damn, I love it when you are all agreeable. Now, call me Chief.”
She hmphed. “As if.”
He smacked her ass again. “One day, I’m gonna make you say it.” And he had a feeling his cock would be inside her when she did. Or at least he hoped. “I don’t have a condom.” And if he did, West didn’t want to use it, not with her.
“Me either.”
“I’m gonna fuck you bareback. Any objections?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so.” They were both breathless, nearly panting.
“Bed?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder.
“No time.” He’d die if he didn’t get inside her. West meant to take her to his bedroom, but he couldn’t wait, couldn’t hold back—a pulse beat in his erection, like a drum, relentless.
To get her ready, West knelt behind her, kissing his way down her spine, tasting her. He kissed each cheek, soothing the pinkened skin. She shivered.
Annie squirmed in his hold, but let him do whatever he wanted with her. He didn’t give a flying fuck if anyone heard them. West couldn’t stop. And then he kissed her ass, squeezing the fleshy globes, molding them in his hands.
“Turn around. Slowly.”
She did until he saw every inch of her—the curvy hips, the big breasts. They were large but still perky. Annie wasn’t a stick figure, but she wasn’t a large girl either. And he loved the contrasts—the dark curls at the apex of her thighs and her smooth white skin.
Her breasts rose and fell with her labored breathing. The nipples had already pebbled for him. He couldn’t resist tweaking one, tugging on it.
And then West flattened her against the wall. “I can’t take this teasin’ anymore, I’ve gotta have you.”
All she did was a nod.
Her nipples really were incredible, standing out, all tall and proud. He sucked one and then the other. He was loud, noisy as he sucked and she mewled, clutching at his head.
He grabbed her, bending her backward so he could suck to his heart’s content.
And then West paused to kiss her mouth. West threaded his fingers through her hair, and pulled her back to receive his kiss, on West’s terms.
And then he went back to those magnificent tits.
While he suckled one, he held the other breast, squeezing it. And then he went to town on them, tasting first one and then the other.
West buried his face in her breasts.
She ran a hand through his hair and then held him close. West leaned back so he could look her in the eye. He locked his gaze with her, as he teased Annie’s nipples with the edge of his teeth.
“I can’t tell which one I like best,” West said, popping one from his mouth. “I might never be able to decide.
She moaned.
“Mmm, want me to fuck that pussy?”
She nodded, pressing her lips together.
Annie shuddered, shivering, but there was something empty in her eyes. This was about attraction, yes, but she was trying to distract herself, play through the pain.
One day soon, you’ll look at me and really see me, Annie.
For now, this was enough.
“Tell me. Say the words.”
“God, my clit is so swollen, throbbing.” Annie rubbed her thighs together, seeking relief. “I might come from the friction alone.”
“And?” he prodded, forcing her legs apart with one hand.
“I need you.”
“That’s a start. And…?”
Her face went a delightful shade of red. “I need you to fuck my pussy.”
West chuckled. “Too bad. I’m in charge, and I’m not done with you yet.” He placed a hand between her splayed thighs once more. She rubbed against him, pussy all over his palm, as he toyed with her.
“Oh, you’re gonna make me come.” She made these breathy sounds, with the edge of a sob as she wriggled in his hold.
Fuck me. No, fuck her.
He slowly peeled his underwear off. And West fit a gentle hand over her mouth, to muffle her cries. West didn’t want anyone to overhear, but at the moment, he had bigger concerns.
Namely, the monstrous erection in his hand. He pumped it, getting his dick ready for her, letting her see how aroused he was.
West took Annie into his arms, wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed her back into the wall. His cock slid inside her, and it was utter bliss—a hot liquid center, holding his prick, taking it in, loving it.
He rocked his hips up to meet hers, bouncing her on his dick. Her breasts jiggled, and he buried his face against them as he fucked her. West grabbed her ass, holding her in place.
Damn, I’m gonna come. Gonna come.
Groaning, he stopped to suckle her tits again. West couldn’t help himself, they were so damn delicious. And she moaned at the delay, trying to ride his cock, but he held her still. Annie was so wet, her moisture dripped down on his balls, coated them both in her need.
“I think you should consider goin’ topless, all the time.” On second thought, better not. He’d never get any work done.
“West? Please fuck me. I can’t stand it any longer.”
West kissed her mouth softly, reverently.
And she kissed him back, cupping his face.
“What am I gonna do with you, Rook?” He threaded his hand through her hair.
Goddamn she’s beautiful—kiss swollen lips, flushed cheeks, and her pupils were blown wide.
“I don’t know. At the moment, anything you want.”
Undone, he couldn’t hold back anymore.
And then he slammed into her, claiming Annie as his. With a wild cry, she quivered around him, and he shot his come deep inside her again and again. With a wail, she came for him, shuddering in his arms, falling into them, limp as a rag doll.
West clutched her to him, and he might never let go.
***
Afterward, they were both dazed.
Annie was wrecked—her ass was sore from his spanking, his semen stained her thighs. Her legs were shaking, and Annie had to lean against the wall for support.
What the hell happened to me?
And yet she felt better, more relaxed. Annie hadn’t felt so good in months.
Or maybe ever.
Although, she didn’t know what to say, or do. They’d screwed each other like two animals in heat against the wall. She’d never been so out of control, and yet she’d loved every minute of it.
And I wanna do it again.
Judging by the way he was staring at her, West was thinking the same thing.
“Come on, let’s go to bed.” He stalked over to his bedroom and flung the door open.
Annie hesitated, looking inside with longing. His big bed looked comfortable. The linens were white, large plump pillows were waiting for her.
She could spend the night with West by her side. They’d make love again—or fuck, or whatever they’d just done. Annie didn’t have a name for it. It was the best sex she’d ever had. It had been raw, greedy, possessive and yet tender at the same time.
But it was way too much to handle.
Annie didn’t know what to do or what to say. She’d never been like this with any other man, and she didn’t know what it meant about her or him.
And right now, her world was in shambles.
What if she got attached to West only to walk away from him?
Annie had dealt with enough loss. If she walked in there, would this thing between her and West grow? Annie had a feeling it would. And it would get out of control. Fast.
He locked eyes with her, and for a split second, Annie thought she glimpsed hurt in them. Somehow, he’d intuited her answer.
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
And then he slammed his bedroom door shut.
***
At four in the morning, Annie woke up with a groan.
Erotic images tumbled through her mind. Annie could feel his hands all over her, hear West’s rough, sexy words in her ears.
And her body warmed in response.
And I gave him the brush off because I’m what…? Scared.
She’d seriously messed up.
Her suspicions were confirmed, when Annie walked downstairs. West glanced up from his breakfast and then turned his attention back to King, without acknowledging her presence.
Dammit. She wanted to talk this out, but this wasn’t an opportune moment.
Stupid early birds. Does anyone sleep in around here?
Instead, Annie poured herself a cup of coffee and sat next to Mack at the end of the table.
“Morning,” Mack said, frowning at her.
“Hi.” Annie took a big gulp of coffee.
“So, how was your evenin’?” Nox asked slyly.
Oh, God. They know. Of course, they know, it wasn’t like we were quiet.
“Fine.” She didn’t elaborate and glared at Nox, telling him to drop the subject.
Instead, he snickered. “It sounded better than fine to me. And you guys had the nerve to give me shit for being loud the other day.”
“Shut it, Nox,” West growled.
“Yeah, a good time was had by all, if my ears haven’t deceived me.” King grinned, joining in on the fun.
“How do you rate his performance, Annie?” Zane asked, as he gave Bomber a bite of bacon. The pooch wolfed it down and licked his muzzle.
Nox pondered the question, too. “Judgin’ by sound alone. I only give it a seven out of ten.”
Annie wished she could just disappear. The entire team had heard them, and it was so freaking embarrassing, she might die on the spot.
“Enough.” West slammed a hand on the table and everyone went quiet.
***
West was kicking himself.
He’d been all kinds of butthurt because she’d refused to sleep beside him. Now, he’d gone and yelled at the team, too.
West shouldn’t have screwed Annie in the hallway. He should’ve taken Annie to bed and made love to her, but he’d been so damn hungry for her.
The women he’d fooled around with since Paige were fun. He enjoyed screwing them, but they hadn’t sparked a fire. They didn’t linger in his thoughts and drive him insane with lust. More or less, they were forgettable, interchangeable.
Not Annie.
Because he hadn’t kept himself in check, everyone knew about them, and he hadn’t meant to expose her to their teasing.
King, Zane, and apparently, Nox, enjoyed busting balls, especially his. It came with the territory. Men loved to jockey for position and see who ended up on top.
And now things were awkward once more at HQ.
Just then, the phone rang and West picked it up. It was Huck. West thanked his lucky stars for another distraction.
“What’s up?”
Huck hesitated. “I got a call from an, er, friend of mine.”
“About the fugitives?” West asked, for clarification. He had a feeling there was a lot Huck wasn’t saying.
“Yes, I’m gonna text you an address. You need to get over here pronto.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I ain’t never seen anythin’ like it.”
“Tell me.” West clenched the phone.
“You’ve gotta see it with your own two eyes, but I think Turner was here. And he might still be in the building. This call was discrete, so I didn’t use lights and sirens. And I haven’t cleared the scene because we didn’t make it past the lobby.”
Discrete? As in, off the books? “So we’ve got the element of surprise?”
“Yeah, nobody saw us. We’ll guard the exits, while you head inside.” Huck sounded shaky, distracted on the phone. “You’ll need assault rifles for this one.”
What the fuck had happened? “Will do. And where exactly am I headed?”
“An escort agency. I’ll text you the address, and we’ve gotta keep this hush hush.”
“Understood. We’re on our way.” With any luck, they’d bag Turner.
At least something might go right today.