I make sure the girls get back home and quickly change, ready for my meeting with Carter. That cocksucker has some questions to answer. Betrayal isn’t something I can ever look past. I’ve been nothing but loyal to him and the business we have spent years working for and building. If it wasn’t for me, Carter wouldn’t be anywhere near as successful or notorious. He has a lot to thank me for. I will never forget what he’s done for me either, but this has definitely been a winning partnership, for both of us.
“I don’t mind staying here with Izzy,” Tara says in an upbeat tone as I enter the living room.
“Good, I was counting on it,” I reply stiffly.
“How long will you be?” Izzy asks, taking my hand and leading me into the kitchen. I press my hands against her waist, lifting her onto the countertop. A small squeal escapes her, her eyes flutter as she looks up at me. Jesus, everything about this girl is so fucking cute. The way she tilts her head, the way her lashes flutter when she’s looking me deep in the fucking eyes. A few days of eating has really done wonders for her face. It looks less sunken, and her cheekbones are as prominent as they always have been.
“Well?” she asks again, taking in the corner of her mouth, snapping me from my thoughts.
“Baby, I don’t know,” I say allowing my eyes to fall shut. “But,” I say lowering my voice, “I’ll make it up to you when I’m back.”
“Oh, is that a promise?” she asks with a lift of her brow. “I was starting to think you didn’t want me anymore.” “What?” I exclaim. “Of course I fucking want you, but, baby, rushing you isn’t good for either of us. You’ve been through something so fucking traumatic that I wanted to give you time to heal, to tell me when you’re ready.” Her head whips to the side, checking the coast is clear before she grabs my hand, guiding it inside her panties, toward her sex.
“Does it feel like I’m ready?” she says a little breathlessly.
“Fuck, Izzy,” I groan. “You’re gonna fucking kill me.”
“Just showing you what is waiting for you when you get home,” she says cupping my face and pulling me down toward her. Our lips meet as she kisses me slowly. I sink into her hold, parting my lips, welcoming her tongue as it works against mine. I feel her tremble beneath me, and I’d give anything to rip every inch of material from her fucking body, and devour the rest of her, here and now. She tastes so fucking good, I can barely tear myself away. Using the pad of my thumb I work deeper inside her panties, circling her clit so slightly, making sure I flick it with every round. Her deep breathing turns into moans and I know I have to stop. I withdraw my hand and slow the kiss until we part. A small groan escapes her at the loss of contact.
“Shit,” she whispers, her eyes fixed on mine. “I didn’t want you to stop,” she says playfully.
“Me either, but we have company, remember?” She drops her head forward, resting it on my shoulder.
“Shit,” she laughs nervously. “You should totally go.” She lifts her head, giving me a little nudge on the shoulder. “But make sure you come back. I mean it, Brax,” she says with a serious tone. “I won’t lose you now.”
“Never,” I say, wrapping my arm around her slight waist, pulling her down from the countertop and kissing her. “I’ll be back real soon, okay?”
Nodding, she follows me over to the door, kissing me deeply before allowing me to leave.
“I’ll wait up for you.”
“There’s no need, really. You girls just have fun.”
“You think I can sleep when God knows what could be going on over at Carter’s?”
“Okay,” I say with a stifled laugh and a lift of my hand. “You wait for me.”
“Always,” she says with a tremble. My gaze on her is hard. Isabelle never fails to take my breath away. She doesn’t understand how perfect she is, that the beauty I see goes further under the surface.
“What?” she asks coyly, stopping me from staring at her.
“Uh, nothing,” I quickly dismiss, leaning in and kissing her swiftly on the lips and heading out of the door. I know she’ll be waiting for me when I come home. That’s the best fucking feeling I’ve felt in a long time.
I drive the same way I drive every time I go to Carter’s. I never take the alternate route because that way I’d have to pass the place where I lost Travis. I don’t want to pass that place. Not ever.
I reach the gates to his place, pressing the buzzer and wait for someone to answer. It’s not often the gates are locked, but today they are.
“Braxton,” the female voice of the chipper housekeeper booms over the intercom. “Mr. Mellano is expecting you.” She buzzes me in. I watch as they open slowly. Reaching in my pocket, I pull out a cigarette. I flick the lid on my lighter, holding the cigarette to the flame. Everything about smoking is a comfort to me. The smell, the habit, the feeling of having it between my lips. Taking a huge drag, I rest the cigarette in my fingers while I rev the engine just enough to get me through the gates and park outside the entrance to Carter’s. It’s strange being back here. Carter’s is the last place I want to be. Part of me almost feels like I fucking left him and the lifestyle behind the minute Isabelle came back into my life. I dismount my bike, making my way over to the guys standing outside the main door to the house. Giving them a nod, I walk toward them, only to be stopped by their hands on my chest.
“The fuck,” I grumble, looking between the two guys whose heavy hands are on me.
“Carter wants us to check that you have no weapons.”
I laugh hard. Are these guys fucking serious right now? “Of course I got weapons, you pair of fucking pricks. As if I’d walk into a meeting with Carter without protecting myself.”
“No guns allowed.” The guy on the left pushes against my shoulder. Catching me off guard, I stumble back a little, anger building inside me. These guys know better than this. I’ve known Mattias and Darius for years. They’ve been doing this work for Carter long enough to know they don’t push me. I drop my hand to find the handle of my gun. Grabbing it, I pull it out, pointing it at Mattias. “I go inside with my gun, or I blow out his motherfucking brains. What will it be?”
Darius’ eyes widen, his head lashes back and forth as he looks between me pointing the gun and a worried-looking Mattias.
“I ain’t fucking around,” I roar, intensifying my threat. “Three… two…”
“Okay, okay,” Darius yells over. “Let me call Carter.” The guy fumbles for his phone but I decide I’ve waited long enough. Pulling the trigger, I aim for the floor. Both men yell inaudible words, stumbling back through the door.
“Didn’t think you’d come quietly, Brax.”
Carter stands in front of me, arms crossed and chin raised. I sneer at the sheer sight of the smug bastard. “You need new doormen. When challenged, those pussies did jack shit.”
“You confuse their mixed loyalties with their ability to deal with an intruder. Two different things entirely, Brax. These guys would never pull a gun out on you.”
“Well, the motherfuckers are lucky I didn’t blow out their goddamn brains.”
I storm inside, straight past Carter. “I don’t have time for bullshit…”
Carter cuts me off mid-sentence. “Oh, so what is it you’re so busy doing now? I mean, now that you aren’t running things with me? What exactly is it that is keeping you so busy?”
“Did you want to talk, Carter, or did you just bring me here to have sly digs?”
“Let’s talk,” he says calmly, walking toward me. “My office,” he says holding out his hand. I nod, stalking toward his beloved office. Stepping inside, I drop down on the leather chair that practically has my ass print embedded into it I’ve sat here so many times. I watch as he closes the door, resuming his normal position in the seat opposite me. All that is between us is the dark oak table. Internally, I’m raging. I want to tear this motherfucker into tiny pieces for what he’s done to me. He betrayed me.
“So, Carter. Tell me why I shouldn’t put a bullet, right there.” I use my index finger to point between his eyes.
“You wouldn’t do that.” He throws his comment back at me so loosely, like he doesn’t believe that I’m capable.
“You doubt me, Carter? Really?” I say, narrowing my eyes until I’m squinting at him. Holding my glare, I never once break the connection. Carter steps up from the desk. Walking over to the liquor cabinet, he pours two glasses of bourbon, setting one down in front of me. “For old times.” He raises his glass at me, tilting his head offering me a wink. I barrel out of my chair, swiping my arm across the desk, sending the glass and its contents flying across the room.
“Old times,” I roar, my face only inches from his. “You snitched, you rat fuck. Even when what happened was to protect one of you, the holier-than-thou fucking Mellanos,” I seethe, spit flying from my mouth. “Why did you really call me, Carter? Were you checking to see if your plan worked? To see if the Savages had finished me off?”
“How’s it working out for you now? You know, the whole threesome scenario? Is Izzy happy to share you with Tara since my beloved cousin jumped ship?” He holds his hands together in front of him, his tone oozing sarcasm. “I don’t know why Tara is bothered about you since you used her and dropped her like a lead balloon as soon as Izzy came back on the scene.”
“It was you,” I yell back. “You wanted me to move on. You set the whole Tara thing up.”
“Hmmm, you’re right.” He drops back down in his seat, pulling one leg over the other as he glares up at me with a smug look on his face.
“Listen, I’m walking away from you, Carter. You and the business. I’m going my own way. I suggest you do the same!”
“It’s not really that easy, is it?”
“It’s that fucking simple,” I reply, dropping back into the seat and pulling my leg up, whipping out the knife I have hidden. Reaching over, I grab Carter’s hand, holding it steady on the table, my knife hovering over it. He fights it, but he’s simply not strong enough to fight the hold I have on him. “One. Wrong. Move.” My words are a warning, and I can’t help the satisfaction that seeps through me at the fear I see in his eyes.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he replies, his voice wavering, but his eyes never leaving the knife I have gripped tightly in my hand.
“Oh really.” I use my thumb to spin the knife in my hand before plowing it down toward his shaking hand, planting it between his index and middle finger, nicking his skin, causing him to bleed a little. Letting out a yelp, he tugs harder to try to break my hold, but it’s no use. “I want my life back, Carter. No more threats. No causing trouble. You do you, and I’ll do me. This is your only warning.”
“You don’t get to call the shots. You’re not irreplaceable, Brax. You think I can’t find some other weak, fucked-up scumbag needing a brother figure?” I pull the knife from the table, holding my arm at full stretch as I point it toward his neck.
“All this time it was a pretense, huh?”
“Get out.” His voice wavers.
“I think I’ll leave when I’m good and ready. See, one on one, you’re nothing but a fucking pussy. Anyone can hide behind paid lunatics, but you, Carter, you’re weak. You hide behind people who are paid to protect you, but when the money runs out, who will protect you then?”
“I’ll always make money. That’s what I’m good at. But you forget one simple little detail, don’t you? Don’t you remember who killed those three guys torturing you and your friend? It was me, Brax. I fucking did that. Me,” he roars, slamming his thumb against his chest, but I don’t flinch. I hold the point of the knife at his neck, my hand calm and steady.
“Yeah, I remember,” I say nodding my head a little, my lips pressed together as I agree with him somewhat. “But you used that against me, every damn day. Even now! After all this time. You screwed me over when I needed your help the most, Carter. I can’t even begin to understand why. Why someone I considered family would drop all support and refuse to help me. Then, not only do you refuse help, but you put pressure on the men I had lined up to help me. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, you purposely contact the Savages, telling them what happened with their man the night Tara was raped.”
“You just couldn’t do things my way…”
“Stop,” I yell, cutting him off. “So, you’re telling me this is all a big power trip? Because that seriously doesn’t fly with me. And let’s be clear on one point, shall we?” I thrust my arm forward a little, applying more pressure to the knife in my hand, watching as he winces away from the tip of my blade. “The only reason I haven’t already killed you is because of our history. But it all stops here. Now.”
“Fine,” he says, tilting his head back, trying to relieve the pressure.
“I mean it,” I say through gritted teeth. “No more games.”
“Leave the money and get out,” he instructs.
I can’t help the laugh that blurts out. “Really? The money?”
“You owe me that money, Brax.”
“I don’t owe you a fucking dime, man. But you know what? You have your three million because I have plenty more where that came from.”
“So I heard,” he grumbles. “Drop the knife, man.” His eyes focus on my hand, then flick back toward my eyes. “Please.”
I can’t help the smile that creeps across my face. Carter fucking Mellano said please. Can’t quite remember the last time he said please for anything. Slowly, I lower the knife, nodding before I slide the knife back in the holder. I don’t say anything to him, I just head out of the office, down the hall and out of the door. Walking over to the bike, I open the saddle bag, pulling out the case with the money in it. I take the few steps back over to the entrance, thrusting the case toward Mattias and Darius.
They both scramble for the case, fumbling to pick it up from the ground. A sense of relief washes through me as I make my way back to my bike. Hoping he heeds my warning, my mind swims with thoughts of Carter. I slide my leg over the bike, mounting it and pushing the key in the ignition. I start the engine and rev it noisily. My heart pounds and I don’t know whether it’s knowing that this is the end of our relationship, business or otherwise, but it feels weird. Years of working with him has come to an end.
Total finality.
Finally getting the text I’d been waiting for, I watch as Tara leaves on the back of Nate’s motorcycle before locking the door and racing upstairs. Listening to how she is clearly falling for the guy reminds me why I love Brax so much. Why I’ve always loved him. He’s my best friend. My soulmate. The one who fought for me when no one else did. The one who never gave up on me.
I enter the bedroom, pulling out the bag full of treats I have lined up for tonight. I’m not the most confident person, but tonight, I want to give my all to Brax. Every broken piece of me is his to own. I line the windowsill with the scented tea lights, placing the larger ones either side of our bed. I flick my thumb over and over the wheel of the lighter, praying the damn thing will start. Brax will be here any minute and I want this place to look perfect.
“Dammit,” I growl, shaking the damn thing in my hand, before trying it again. Finally, the flame lights and I race to light each and every one I have set out. I feel the metal wheel getting hotter the longer I hold onto it and drop it down, sucking my thumb the second I have it all done. I grab the bag of clothes, racing into the bathroom to change. Glancing up at myself I see something that resembles the old me staring back. Tara did a great job with my hair and makeup. It's natural, yet accentuates my best features. My strong cheekbones, my bright blue eyes. But behind the mask of beauty is something messed up. The thoughts that race through my mind, the memories I so desperately fight to block out. When I look hard at myself, at my body, all I see is ugly. I’m the devil’s plaything, how could anyone possibly find that attractive? But somehow, Brax looks past the scars, past the fact that I lost my virginity to a man desperate to ruin me.
Tonight, I’m determined to not be that girl. Just for tonight I want to lose myself in Brax. Allow him to break down the mental wall I’ve built around myself. I scowl at the ugly-looking skin on my shoulder, the one where he scribed his initials into my skin. I hate it. I hate looking at it. Sometimes I forget it’s there until I catch a glimpse and my stomach rolls. I shake my head, pushing all the bad thoughts out and try to concentrate on the good. I’m alive, more than can be said for Alvrez’s other victims.
Slipping out of my clothes, I reach in the bag, sliding on the lacy cream chemise we got from this boutique underwear store. As I secure the straps, my hands tremble and I look at myself, almost dying a little inside. Who am I kidding? I can’t do this. The sound of buzzing catches my attention. I head out of the bathroom and across to the table where I left the cell phone that Brax bought for me a few days ago. Swiping the button across I hold the phone to my ear.
“Hey,” I answer, sighing noisily.
“Girl, what’s wrong?” Tara asks.
“I can’t do this. I feel so stupid. I look like some kind of desperate whore… I just can’t,” I say, heading back over to the bed and falling flat on my back. “This was such a bad idea. Stupid.”
“Don’t you dare,” she warns, her voice higher than I’ve heard before. “You are gorgeous, girl. Just don’t let what happened get into your head. He loves you. You’re stunning, you just gotta own it.”
“I’m just me,” I say, fighting back the tears. “I don’t do sexy.”
“You don’t have to ‘do’ anything. You’re sexy without even trying.”
“Oh, God, don’t,” I groan, my hand covering my eyes as I fight the fire I feel flaming my cheeks.
“Girl, believe me, you got this. Now go enjoy. I know I will.” She giggles before blowing a kiss down the receiver and ending the call. I drop the phone on the bed beside me.
“Wow.” His words rumble from his chest and I sit bolt upright, startled by his presence.
“Shit, Brax. You scared me to death,” I say, my hand placed firmly against my chest as I try to steady my racing heartbeat. He leans against the frame of the door, his eyes never leaving mine. His eyes are on me. Hard. I can barely cope with the intensity as he glares at me. But I savor the moment. The self-doubt had eaten away at my core so much that him standing and admiring me is almost the reassurance I needed.
“So, you, um, wanna join me?” I ask, already embarrassed by the words that I struggle to force out of my mouth.
“You did all this for me?” he asks with a smirk.
“Of course,” I said, sitting up a little and tapping the bed beside me. Just looking at him and the hooded look in his eyes tells me he wants this as much as I do. Slowly he walks towards me, removing his clothes until the only thing he’s wearing are boxers. He climbs on all fours slowly making his way over me. Dropping backwards, I look up at the only man who has ever meant anything to me, and right now, I need to make love to him, feel him inside me. Before I know it, his hands have my arms secured above my head and his erection presses deep into my core.
“I love you so much,” I choke out as my eyes connect with his; my heart hammering so hard it’s all I can hear. He sighs, one that is mixed with lust and pure desire. My body is desperate to feel him touch me. For the first time in days I feel alive. Like every nerve ending I have is on high alert and there is only one man that makes me feel that way. Dipping his head, his eyes flutter shut as he presses his lips against mine. My body ignites as a throaty groan escapes Brax, his hands work up my thigh and beneath the material of the thin lacy chemise.
“Baby, I want to fucking devour you. But I’m scared…” He speaks against my lips and I hear a vulnerability in his voice.
“Why?” I ask, sinking inside, thinking more than ever that this was a bad idea.
“Because I want you so bad, baby. I’m scared that I will hurt you, because I know once I’ve had a taste I won’t be able to stop. I need to know you really want this.” He thrusts into me a little, the pressure building painfully between my legs.
“More than anything,” I whisper, the need in my voice is clear.
And that was all it took. Brax dips his head, kissing me—an all-encompassing kiss. And with his kiss he owns me. Mind, body, and soul. He isn’t just kissing my mouth, he’s claiming me as his, and I’m letting him. Because that’s exactly how it should be between us. His kisses move to my neck, his hands find my breasts as he cups them and kneads them, flicking his thumb over and over my erect nipples. I gasp out in pure pleasure, lifting my hips as I’m desperate to feel more of him. All of him.
His hand snakes down to the place where I need to feel him the most. Cupping me, I know he feels how wet I am, how ready for this my body is.
“Fuck,” he growls. Working his hand back and forth, his fingers slowly flick over and over my engorged clit. His mouth moves down to my breast, freeing it from the lacy chemise. He sucks and nips at the sensitive bud. The combination is almost too much to take. As he teases my clit and my nipple, I squirm against his touch; savoring it, yet feeling the intensity as it works through my body. He thrusts two fingers inside of me and I clench around him, the satisfaction washes through me as he pumps over and over and I feel the build deep inside my stomach. I can’t help but rock against his fingers, each movement feels like it’s sending me closer to the edge. Right now, I feel like I’m in another world. One where all that exists is Brax and the bliss he brings to my body. I feel like his touch is the drug that I need right now. The one that can make me forget every other touch before his.
“I need to feel you,” I breathe out.
“You want me inside you, baby?” His voice is low and gravelly, and I shudder at the sheer sound.
“Brax…” I whimper, my voice sounding completely intoxicated.
He drops his hand from my breast, pushing down his boxers and I can’t help but look down as his erection springs free. As I do, I catch a glimpse of the raw lust in his eyes, one that is unfamiliar, yet mesmerizing. So much so that I can’t tear my eyes away. He nudges my inner thigh, widening the access before dragging me down the bed unexpectedly. I shriek excitedly as he steps off the bed, positioning my legs around his waist and lining up at my soaking entrance. I glance at his body. Brax has such a gentle heart, but standing at the end of the bed, glaring down at me, he is anything but. He is raw, strong, and heart-stoppingly handsome. Everything about him makes me want him more than I ever have before. I squeeze my legs tighter, my finger working gently up his forearm. Leaning forward, he thrusts once, his breathing heavy, but his body is controlled. His mouth crashes down against mine but it does nothing to stifle the moans that escape me. My stomach tightens and shakes as the butterflies grow. Everything about him inside me has my body on fire. The slow, gentle strokes work me into a frenzy, even if the pleasure is borderline pain. Each thrust becomes a little harder, a little deeper and a little faster. I rock my body against him, digging my nails into his neck while he sucks my nipple into his mouth hard. Letting out a groan, I arch my back, my sex throbbing as I feel myself getting closer to the orgasm that is coming. Rolling my hips, I feel the sensation building. I’m so close, so damn close.
“Oh God,” I gasp feeling everything inside me tighten. Losing the contact on my breast, he lifts his head, a subtle smile dancing on his lips. His eyes burn into me, and I allow my eyes to flutter shut, taking in and enjoying every last nerve ending feeling alive. The pressure intensifies until I feel like I can no longer control it.
“Ah,” I cry out loud as the ripple of my orgasm washes through me. I jerk up involuntarily as my body stiffens, every muscle in my sex spasms wildly. My arms fall out beside me, my body feeling momentarily weakened, but something tells me we aren’t finished just yet. Brax stills inside of me, leaning over until our hot, sweaty bodies mold together.
“Baby…” He pauses like he’s asking me a question.
“Yes,” I gasp a little breathlessly as I try to control my rapid, post-orgasm breathing. His warm clammy hand finds the side of my face, bringing it back in line with his. “You’re good, right?” he asks with a hint of concern. A chuckle rattles my chest, my eyes meeting his as a smile spreads across his face. I stare back at him, my heart drums harder in my chest.
“I think I love you a little more than I already did,” I sigh dreamily.
“Baby, I know I’m good but…” I cut him off, pressing my hand over his mouth.
“No! Not that,” I laugh out. “The fact that you stopped and asked if I was okay. You know, it’s kinda sweet.”
“Baby, I’m the sweetest devil you’ll ever meet.”
“Angel, Brax. You ain’t no devil.”
“Hmmm… I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” He smirks before pulling out of me and somehow flipping me onto my front. As he slaps my ass, hard, I cry out, “Argggh…” in a mixture of excitement and pain. The slap stings like a bitch.
“I can’t promise to be gentle, but I can promise you’ll enjoy every fucking minute of it,” he informs me, his voice low and gravelly. I fist the bedsheets, dipping my head as he drives into me from behind. Over and over he plows into me with force he had obviously held back previously. He’s taking charge. Doing this exactly the way he wants and needs, and I’m more than happy to fulfill his every need. I like the softer side of Brax when he makes love to me, but the harder, rougher side is the real Brax. Every movement is powerful, dominant and passionate. I can’t move. I still as his every movement consumes me. I trust him completely and I know without a shadow of a doubt he would never hurt me.
Furiously he works, guttural moans escape him as he picks up speed and I drop my head, biting down a little on my hand, not wanting to come yet. I want to enjoy this for as long as possible. With every movement my core tightens. With every thrust I hold on to the wave that threatens to work through me. But this time, I want us to come together.
“Fuck, Izzy,” he breathes out and I know he’s close. Rocking into me slower but deeper, is the catalyst to me losing control. My orgasm grips me suddenly, but this time my muscles tighten slowly, almost agonizingly slow. I feel Brax jerk, groans fill the room as his warmth fills me. I pulsate around his cock still buried deep inside me.
“Fuck, baby.” He almost collapses on top of me. Neither of us say anything, we just breathe for what feels like a long time. Our bodies heave, our hearts race, but everything about it feels so right. It isn’t painful or messy or a way to punish me. This is real love. Two bodies and hearts joining together as one. This moment feels like a little piece of heaven. A moment I want to relive over and over.
* * *
Face to face, we lie in each other’s arms for the longest time. “I never want to move,” I whisper. “Let’s just stay here forever. Okay?”
His chest rumbles against mine as he laughs quietly. “Sure,” he says with a yawn.
“We should totally sleep. Spoon me,” I say flipping over and pressing my ass against his groin.
“Fuck, Isabelle. Baby, don’t do that.”
“Why?” I ask, wiggling a little at the erection I feel growing against me.
“No, baby. I’m being serious. There will be no sleep if you keep moving like that.”
“Okay, okay,” I giggle putting a little space between us, but still enjoying the comfort of being wrapped tightly in his arms. “Anyway,” I say, looking at him over my shoulder, “we have to make a reservation for four of us at that fancy bar, uh, what’s it called again…” I say, tapping my lip and drawing down my brows.
“Four?” he asks in surprise, his head lifting from the pillow, his eyes focusing on me.
“Oh, Teardrop Lounge, that’s the one,” I say, impressed that I managed to remember it.
“Er, no,” he replies sharply. “Not happening.” His normally bright green eyes are now dark, his brow completely drawn together.
“Okay, stop with the face.” I touch his cheek lightly. “I really want to do this, Brax.”
“You know Carter has control of that fucking place, don’t you?”
“Oh yeah, Tara said something about that, but we are going in to drink. Carter won’t be there.”
“Who is we, Izzy?” he asks again, this time he sounds a little annoyed.
“You, me, Tara and Nate. You know, I really like Tara, you were right.”
Laughter rumbles in his chest. “Did you mention this to her? You know she won’t go for it. Nate and Tara won’t risk being seen together. Too many people will have too much to say about it.”
“Yes,” I say slowly nodding my head, “she did voice her concerns, but I said that they were invited to drink with us as thanks for all they have done. I think it’s the least we can do.”
“The millions they pocketed from Alvrez is the only thanks they need, Izzy.”
“Okay, listen,” I say softly, my hand working from his cheek and into his hair. “I bought a new dress and some very expensive shoes, and honestly, I just want to see you dressed in your suit looking all smart and sexy.” I dart out my tongue, tugging on his hair a little, but his harsh expression doesn’t lighten. “Please?” I whisper.
“You’re not going to shut up about it, are you?”
“I’ll make the reservation in the morning. Saturday works, right?” With a groan, he rolls onto his back, and I giggle a little. “I’ll text Tara, she’ll be super excited.”
“Babe, it’s three a.m. What you should do is chill out and get some sleep.”
“We don’t have anything to get up for so we can sleep as long as we want.”
“What gives you that idea?” He turns back on his side facing me. “We most definitely have plans tomorrow. You and me. Just the two of us.”
“What? What plans?” I ask with a gasp.
Tapping the side of his nose, he shakes his head a little. “Sleep, Izzy. All will be revealed.”
* * *
And he was right. All was revealed, and it was amazing. We spent the day down at the beach, something I’d wanted to do since I was a kid. But it didn’t stop there. Every day this week has been filled with making memories. We’ve been bowling, skating, watched a movie, spent time down at the creek and every second has been perfection. They were all simple things that most women my age will have done a million times over, but for me, each experience was special. Because I did them all with Brax. My whole list of first experiences and I can’t think of a single person I’d rather make those memories with.
“What time will they be here?” Brax grumbles his question, sliding down beside me on the couch.
“You could at least sound happy about it,” I say with a tilt of my head and a slight lift of my brow.
“I’m doing this for you, not because I’m happy about it. I’d rather not be anywhere near that place.”
“And I love you for that,” I say, leaning in and pecking him on the cheek. “And for all the other things we’ve done this week. It’s been amazing, thank you.” I pull my legs up, leaning into his chest; his arm wraps around, holding me there. “But what happens now, Brax?”
“We relax for a while until it’s time to get ready.”
“No, I don’t mean that,” I reply, pulling away from his chest and looking up at him. “I mean with life in general. You no longer have your business with Carter, and I, well, I have nothing.”
“Just because I don’t work with Carter doesn’t mean I no longer have business.”
“I’m not even sure I know what that means, Brax.”
“Those fancy bars you saw downtown. All of them were owned by us. By me and Carter. It’s how we launder the drug money. They were our front businesses. I got us into those places, but now I lost out. I walked away.” I watch as his jaw tightens and I can sense that I’ve hit a nerve.
“I had no idea.”
“I was always so happy to take a back seat. I didn’t need the hassle. As long as we had a way of laundering our money, the front business wasn’t really my priority.”
“So take them back,” I say, placing my hand on the side of his masculine face, directing him until he’s looking at me.
“It’s not that simple. I’ve made calls. I have people I can trust lined up and money in my pocket. I don’t need to take it back when I can start my own empire.”
I look at his beautiful face and somehow wish that this wasn’t his life. The one full of drugs, murder, and illegal shit. But this is all he knows. I can’t expect him to change for me. And then it hits me. I don’t have anything that I’m good at, any strength or hobby or talent that I can make my own. Dad schooled me during my years of isolation, but I didn’t graduate like the rest of my peers.
“I’d like to go back to school. I want to graduate,” I say with an unsure smile.
“Why?” he asks with his brows drawn.
“Because I was good at school, Brax. You know that, but without that piece of paper I have no prospects, no future.”
“Your future is with me, running things, working by my side.”
“Doing what, Brax?” I ask, letting out an exasperated breath.
“Being my lady boss.” He winks at me and I feel my stomach flutter as he looks at me adoringly.
“I need a purpose.” I let out a heavy breath.
“Listen, you wanna do all that school bullshit, then I’ll support you. But my plans are for us and for our future. You don’t need to worry about any of this.”
“But I do worry,” I say reaching for his hand. “When we were kids, you were always the one getting into trouble. You wavered between the line of wrong and right constantly, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this would be your life. I thought about you and Travis and what you’d be doing with your lives. I imagined you going off to college together. He was always going to be something scientific, oh, I don’t know, maybe a doctor or working in a lab somewhere. But you, I imagined you as the ultimate sports jock. You were always so good at football, Brax.”
“Yeah, well after Travis died, I never did go back to school, and I don’t regret it. For as much as I hate the path my life took, I don’t regret the man I am today. If I’d been the sports jock you speak of, then I would never have found you. Our paths would never have crossed. Some would call it fate, even if it’s a little fucked up. We are here for a reason, Izzy.”
“I get it. I do. But I need this for me. I need to prove to myself that I can achieve something. Even if it’s an online course. Something. Anything. That, had I been given the chance, I would’ve made it through school, coming out the other end with a high GPA. Being in high school, having those experiences isn’t something I can ever get back, but achieving something, well I want that, Brax.”
“You’re a smart cookie; you can do anything you set your mind to. Maybe you could be my accountant? After all, I’ll be looking for one. Or better still, my sexy secretary.” He wiggles his eyebrows and I can’t help but laugh at the goofy expression on his face.
“I bet you’d like that, huh?”
“You betcha.” With a hand on each side of my waist, he pulls me up, positioning me on his lap. His hands work up my back, and without warning, he grabs the back of my neck, pulling me forward, kissing me deeply. I reciprocate the kiss, pressing against his soft lips and melting into his embrace. His large body holds me in place while my heart beats like crazy. There is no denying what this powerful man does to me, and there’s no denying he’s just as excited as I am. His raging hard-on presses against my core, causing my excitement to flutter in my stomach. I sink into him, loving the feel of him between my legs, the warmth spreading through me like hot coals. Leaning into him, I part my mouth allowing him access, welcoming the way his tongue strokes against mine. I tremble at the feeling of him, the taste of his mouth on mine is so good. Taking charge, he grabs my ass, a low growl is audible through our kisses. My sex aches painfully, my whole body is on fire as the need for him to touch me grows. Snaking his hand under my skirt, he grabs the thin strap of material that stands between us. In one sharp movement, he tugs on it, snapping the panties straight off.
Gasping, I pull back from the kiss. “Hey,” I grumble, thinking back to how I had only just bought the sexy little pair he decided to ruin.
“I’ll get you all the panties you want, as long as I’m always the one that gets to tear them from this sexy body of yours.” His voice is low and hoarse and wanting. His chest heaves a little as he takes huge breaths.
“You know I’m yours. Always.”
He pushes upward, grinding his erection against my now naked sex. My eyes flutter shut as a jolt of pleasure pulses through me. My sex clenches and I can feel how wet I am for him. I feel like I’m about to completely overheat, my body feels insanely hot. I know it’s my reaction to him. Grinding into me harder, I allow my eyes to flutter shut briefly, all the while another surge of pleasure shoots up my body.
“Make love to me, Brax,” I breathe out, inwardly cringing at the words that fall from my mouth. His lustful eyes burn into me as he steps up from the couch, taking me with him. Nuzzling his neck, I kiss, suck, and tease the sensitive skin as he takes me into the bedroom. Before I know it, I’m falling back onto the bed. His hands work rapidly to remove every piece of clothing that stands between him and my body.
“Izzy,” he groans, his hands working up my legs, his eyes raking over my vulnerable naked body. I bring my arm over, covering the one thing I hate, the one thing that makes me more self-conscious than anything else. My scar. But he never once takes his eyes off me, burning my skin with his intense stare.
“Baby.” He lets out a huge breath. “You don’t need to cover that,” he says nodding toward my chest.
“I hate it, Brax. I don’t want it to be all you see when we are together.”
“Get it covered,” he says flippantly. “Why don’t you ask Nate? That boy has some mad talent.”
I nod, giving him a gentle smile. I had thought about getting a tattoo to cover it, but I didn’t have any and wouldn’t have a clue what to cover it with.
“Where were we?” he asks, placing his hand over mine gently, removing it from my chest and slowly guiding it between my legs. I put up a little resistance, unsure what he’s expecting.
“Touch yourself, Izzy.” Lifting my hand to his mouth, he takes my index and middle finger, placing them inside his mouth, sucking on them before guiding them back down between my legs. Spreading my legs with his free hand, he positions himself between them, watching as I put pressure on my already swollen clit. I drop my head back, tilting my chin as I writhe at the feel of my own fingers on my clit. Brax blows his warm breath on my sex causing the sensation to heighten.
“So fucking hot,” Brax remarks, his hand caressing my inner thigh. Dipping my hand further down, I press a finger inside. My excitement soaks my fingers, before I find my clit again, working in a circular motion.
Hastily, Brax takes off his clothes, throwing them to the floor, dropping to his knees. “I need to taste you,” he whispers. Grabbing my legs, he drags me closer, slinging my legs over his shoulders. Without time to react, his hot mouth is suddenly on my sex, licking and flicking my clit. I tense up as does every muscle in my stomach. I press my heel against his broad muscular back as uncontrollable moans escape me, and I reach up, grabbing handfuls of his hair. The pleasure of feeling him down there is so damn intense that I instinctively arch my back. Sucking my clit into his mouth, a louder moan escapes me and I dig my nails into his scalp.
“Oh, God.”
Gripping my ass tighter, he doesn’t ease up. Working me over and over he sends my body and mind into a frenzy. He lets out small grunts and groans, letting me know he’s enjoying this just as much as I am. When I feel like I can no longer take anymore, Brax suddenly stops. Hastily, he stands up, taking his cock in his hand, working up and down, all the while, staring at me with a sexy smile. The light from the window highlights the glistening I left around his mouth. “I want us to come together, baby.”
His large hands land on my small hips and he somehow manages to flip me over in one smooth movement. Positioning me on my knees, he uses his hands to widen my stance, my ass and sex in the air. I bury my head into the bed, the feel of his needy cock rubbing up and down inside my folds. I push back, desperate to feel him fill me completely.
“Your pussy is greedy for my cock,” he teases, continuing to rub it up and down. I let out a growl of frustration, fisting the bedsheets with anticipation. I shiver as I feel him graze my clit with the tip of his cock. Breathing hard, I begin to rock back and forth, nudging the tip of his cock against my entrance. His hand roams up my back, grabbing my shoulder as he moves back before driving into me, stretching me completely to accommodate him. I bite down on my own lip hard as the pleasurable sensation borderlines pain. I clench my eyes shut as he continues to rock into me, filling me, making me feel everything.
“Fuck, Izzy,” he rasps from behind me.
Pumping into me it feels so good. But almost too good. I can barely hold on. Leaning forward, I try to break the contact to slow the speed of my impending orgasm, but Brax pulls me back into him. His large hands on my hips keeps me steady and I fear that I won’t be able to hold on for much longer. Something sparks inside me and I can’t stop the shake that overcomes me. I clamp my eyes shut, preparing myself for the most explosive orgasm as I feel the pressure build and build relentlessly. Punishing me, Brax continues his rough yet pleasurable rhythm. Shutting my eyes, I cry out loud. Like a wave crashing against me, I move my body back and forth, working through the spasm of my eye-blurring orgasm.
Bliss explodes through my body, and damn, it feels so good. Every inch of me is alive, the tingle works through every nerve ending. Continuing to pump into me, it isn’t long before he stills inside me, his cock jerking and pulsing. Dropping his head against my back, he groans as he rides out the wave of his own orgasm.
“Holy fuck,” he curses out, his hand reaching forward and pulling back the loose strands of hair that have fallen onto my face. Falling onto my front, Brax joins me, appearing right beside me. Taking hold of my hand, he intertwines our fingers, pulling our connected hands to his chest. His whole body is covered in a shimmer of sweat, his chest heaves and the strands that always fall onto his forehead are damp. I smile widely, the kind that reaches the corners of my eyes. The true representation of how I feel in this moment. Whole. Happy. Content. I’d wondered for so many years what it would be like being intimate with Brax. I always kind of knew it would be explosive and full of feeling, and I wasn’t wrong. Piece by piece, he’s managed to mend the broken within me. Making me feel loved, wanted, and cared for.
“Hey,” he whispers with a soothing tone to his voice, but lust is still heavy in his eyes. “You okay?”
“Of course.” I pull his hands to my mouth, kissing the back of his masculine hands.
“You just looked a little distant for a moment there.”
“Just thinking about you,” I say a little coyly.
“Well, of course.” His voice is cocky and a smirk forms on his lips.
“Being with you is something I’d dreamed about so many times that I have to pinch myself now. I can’t quite believe I’m here in your arms, feeling the way I feel. I was sure I wouldn’t get to feel this with you. And well,” I swipe the loose tear falling over my flushed skin, “it’s better than I could ever have imagined.”
“Don’t cry, baby. Please.”
“These are happy tears. Tears of joy not sorrow.” I give him a flash of a smile to show him I mean it. “I’m not sad, Brax. Not when I’m with you. You make me feel complete.”
And I mean every word. From complete isolation to pain, rape, and violence. Everything about those years were messed up. But this here is my version of perfection. Just the two of us. Nothing will ever change that.