Cade

As a kid, my favorite thing to do was play with guns. I had every kind of fake one we could find. Drew and I used to play army. Our parents bought us all the cool gear, black combat boots. Fatigues. Helmets. Night vision goggles. We had it all. Then my obsession with knives took hold. Had every size and color in both pretend weapons by the time I was ten. I’ll never forget the year I turned eight. Our parents stuffed our Christmas stockings with camouflage face paint. Drew and I couldn’t wait to use it. We painted ourselves up that day and played outside in the snow.

It seemed every weekend we gathered up the neighbor kids, split into teams and tossed a coin in the air to see what team would be the United States. Drew’s taunting and teasing used to piss me off when he would win the toss. It wasn’t until I got a little older, I figured out why he would tease me. He was trying to throw me off my game. It never worked. I was faster, and so much quicker to find them. I was quiet when I snuck up and drew my gun. It didn’t matter what team I was on; I always targeted my brother first.

I always beat him.

And I’ll beat him again. This time with a real weapon.

As a teen, I still had my obsession with guns. There was nothing like holding a real one in my hands. Nothing better than the sharp, pungent, metallic flavor after firing that sat on the roof of my mouth.

When I met Ivy, the smell, the taste, the addiction came second to the taste of her pussy, her mouth, her skin.

“I can’t believe I’m going to shoot a gun. I haven’t held one since…” Ivy casts her head down, walks ahead of Nick and me to the table where at least fifty handguns wait for her to choose.

After I tasted her a week ago, I put this off so we could spend time together. The first few days all we did was talk. Then boredom set in. I took her out late at night driving around the city. Hitting a few of my hangouts where I knew no one knew her. We’ve driven by the cemetery. I wouldn’t let her get out. Even though she told me Drew’s never been, I didn’t want to take my chances of him having someone stalk her dad’s or my parents’ graves.

“Since when?” I slide my gaze to hers, so fiery and tempting, edged by curly hair stuffed underneath a beanie and hanging down her back. She’s a gorgeous distraction. One I need to get out of my head and focus on the task ahead. Too damn beautiful for my own good is what she is.

I haven’t fucked her yet. Not from lack of her trying. Definitely not from me wanting to. I keep telling her she isn’t ready. It’s me. After the night I caved and ate her pussy I told myself I’d never lie to her again. I can’t take her, or claim her before I tell her what I do. It’s too big of a thing to keep between us.

Nick hands me a beer, lifts his chin and smirks. Smart ass knows something powerful occurred between Ivy and me. I also think he could tell I had a lot on my mind since he spent the entire ride to this warehouse keeping Ivy occupied by making up a bullshit story about his life. Fucker was all happy and shit while I sat there with a cyclone destroying my goddamn brain.

“Since the time I went with you and your dad.” Motherfucker. That was one of the best days. About two weeks before they died. Dad was teasing her about the way she stood when she held a gun. Her stance didn’t bother me any. I was hard as steel over it. I’ve jacked off many times to visions of the way she always stood with her legs spread a little wider than normal. Her back straight, shoulders rolled back enough to thrust out her tits.

I can’t seem to move from my spot by the door as I watch her fingers lightly touch my guns. Well, honestly, they aren’t mine. They belong to Roan. Before he left my apartment, I asked him if we could use his indoor gun range and if he’d drop off a supply of handguns fit for a woman Ivy’s size.

I had every intention of making sure she could take care of herself once she got settled. Not that Drew or whoever is after her would be a problem. Not much they can do when their remains are underground.

But after she let out her rage, and begged me with words that dug deep, eyes pleading and so full of me I couldn’t resist her. My body lit up like a match that went straight to my dick. The decision not to fuck her roared inside my head, cluttering my plans around until I couldn’t think straight. I’m not equipped to fuck her slow and gentle like she needs. I don’t even know if I should keep her with me. After seeing the way she opened the door, demanding me to tell her my secret, I’ve no doubt anymore she can’t handle it. It’s me who is all fucked up in the head. I can’t fathom her despising me over what I do.

Her demeanor has done a complete one-eighty. Like me, she’ll always have demons striking her at any moment. Now though as my finger twitches when she shucks off her jacket, runs her palms across her ass I know I have to tell her.

Because I can’t let her go. I can’t be the same man either. But I can put her wants and needs before my own. As long as she doesn’t hate my guts once I tell her there will be times I’ll be slipping out of my bed to go kill someone without a word to her.

I haven’t wanted to get out of my bed all week. It’s been hell and heaven having her body up against me without taking her. A few hours earlier was the hardest. I had just gotten done feasting on her cunt when I hopped out, my dick straining against my jeans. I gave her a swift glance, mumbled she had a half hour to clean up and meet me by the door. I wanted to fuck her until she came so many times she blacked out. The way she squirmed, moaned and said my name when she coated my beard with her release about had me blowing before I flipped her over and marked her gorgeous skin. I’ve no doubt she hasn’t gotten off like she has this past week in years. Pisses me off and places a wicked grin on my face at the same damn time.

I might not be the same man but I sure as fuck would never leave her unsatisfied. Then again, after the things he did to her, it doesn’t surprise me. Makes me want to keep her in bed for days, pleasing her in every way instead of making sure she’s prepared to kill on instinct.

On the ride to the warehouse, I called for burgers from a joint I frequent whenever I hit this side of town. Even after eating, I can still taste her sweet cunt on my tongue. There isn’t a thing I’ll put in my mouth that tastes as divine as her.

“I’m not going to ask what you did to convince her to do this. I am going to ask if you think her body is healed enough to shoot.”

“She’s healed. When it comes to saving herself, she needs to be prepared at all times. Hurt or healthy.”

A wave of concern collides with my skull as I grit my teeth. I took her bruises into consideration before setting this up. I see them changing colors every day. Ivy is tougher than I give her credit for. I knew that from the start. She needs to toughen up a hell of a lot more if she’s going to stand by my side. I just hope she can remain upright because the devil in me is corroded with corruption.

“I agree. I’m heading out. I have a date.” I glance his way, wondering if Nick has gone and lost his common sense. The man doesn’t date. None of us do.

“With who?”

He grins. Bastard.

“Her friend Casey. Don’t know why but my intuition tells me something is off with her. I followed her into a coffee shop the other day. Kind of bumped into her so she’d spill the coffee she just bought. Played like I felt bad, bought another one, and the next thing I know, I’m asking her out. Chaz is going to check out her place while she’s gone.”

I shift my stare to Ivy who is still looking at the guns as if they’ve suddenly amused her. A smile tugs at my mouth when she lifts her head, tugs off the beanie, smiles wide and picks up a pair of head muffs.

Her soft, excited expression causes me physical pain. A part of me hates to be the one that’ll break the news to her if Casey is involved. It’ll crush her.

“Don’t fuck her, man. If she isn’t the one it’ll complicate things.”

“I won’t. Might have her blow me though. The woman has the perfect fuckable mouth.” He laughs as he tosses me a set of keys.

“Don’t touch her, Nick. Get gone. I have work to do here.” Appreciate everything he’s doing for me. Just don’t want him around while I try and control my cock from talking me into laying Ivy in the middle of the table and fucking us both out of our misery. Shit, the thought of her legs spread wide, guns ready to go off all around her has me hard. Fairly certain we’d explode with a louder bang than the bullets.

“That the one you choose?” Knew she’d pick that one. I saddle up behind her, nuzzling her hair out of my way and lick up the side of her neck. “Choose wisely, Ivy. This gun and my dick are the only two things your hands will be wrapped around for a long time.”

She gasps.

I nibble.

“Stainless Steel with an Amethyst coating. It’s lightweight, cute, but it’s deadly. You should have no problem hitting the bullseyes singled handed. Be careful. It’s loaded, Ivy.”

Fuck me; I love saying her name. Love it more she likes hearing it.

Tracing my hand along the delicate slope of her neck, I pause before I bite down. Her pulse picks up, her breathing labors but she doesn’t move away.

Tilting her head back to look at me, those eyes wide with desire and not terror, I open the door to our unknown future a little wider “Tell me you want me.” My question slides out in a bumpy tone. Still having a hard time believing she isn’t flinching when I touch her. From both her past and knowledge of my soiled hands.

Her bright eyes flash with so much bravery I could drop to my knees and weep. Something about her change challenges me to keep pushing her, and I will, as soon as she answers.

“I want you, Cade. The good and the bad.”

Nearly laugh. There isn’t an ounce of good in me. If she can find it, it’s all hers.

“Yeah. Remember that when I decide it’s time to tell you everything. Got another question. You on birth control? I know the doctor did blood work. You’re clean. I’m clean. Which means when I fuck you, Ivy, I’m not putting another layer between us. Not when we’ve peeled so many away.”

Her face falls, eyes fill with tears. “I’m not on anything. I’ve never been on anything. Drew wanted a baby. A son. He was just as obsessed with having one as he was with me. The only way I know I can get pregnant is because he forced me to be tested.”

Good thing she isn’t tied to the man any more than she is. “Need to remedy that quickly. You good with seeing the doctor again?”

“Yes.”

Fuck that simple answer had my dick throbbing.

I need a taste.

“Do you remember how to shoot? If you do, flip the safety and aim when I tell you.” This time I don’t wait for an answer before slamming my mouth down hard on hers. At the same time, I drive my hands into her hair and tug. I twist her hair tight in my hands, yanking her head back to grant better access to her mouth. Talk about a fuckable one. This woman has it. Lips plump. Mouth wet and inviting. Fuck, I’m caving. Not sure I have it in me to wait. I’m drowning in her exotic beauty. I never want to come back up for air.

A needy sigh escapes her mouth. Tiny pinholes pricking full of hunger wind me tight.

I groan when she sucks my tongue into her mouth. Toying and teasing until I damn near lose control.

Hot as hell.

“Flick the safety and concentrate, Ivy. No matter what I do stay focused,” I coax at the side of her mouth. “Show me if you still have it. The recoil on this isn’t much. Stop if it is.” She isn’t going to stop. I saw the determination in her eyes when I told her where we were and what she was doing.

Ivy is much more than a survivor. She’s a goddamn fighter.

I shift to sit on the table, settle her between my legs, and position her juicy ass against my dick.

“It’s hard to concentrate like this.”

“Sure is, you can do it. Think of someone you hate and pull the trigger.” The gun goes off just as I extend my hands and let them skim down her sides. My own target in mind.

“I missed.” Yeah, she did.

I didn’t.

“Keep shooting, Ivy. Don’t talk. Pull the trigger and kill the fucker.”

I press into her ass. Ivy’s snug little body discharges more heat than the gun she keeps shooting off.

Scorching flesh.

Beautiful and healing.

Mine. Always will be.

“See, my gift still has it. Aim a little more to the left.” That nickname hung out to dry for years. Now it swirls through the air like an aphrodisiac.

A sweet and tangy scent that I want to inhale. Let it curl into my lungs.

Hooking my thumbs underneath the waistband of her leggings, I slide my hand inside. Her stomach tightens, breathing picks up, but she keeps her aim nice and steady.

“I want you, Ivy. Need to get you off. You good with that?”

“Everything I have is yours, Cade.”

Fuck that blows right through my veins. It should have only been mine all along. All of her should have belonged to me, the same way I should have belonged to her.

The ten-year war I’ve been planning to end screams at me to finish it. My stomach coils, my black heart clenches in its cage. Biting the silky flesh on her neck to hold my tongue, I close my eyes as she continues to shoot.

“Good. When I shove my finger inside you, I want you to scream my name.” My twitchy finger that’s been dying to get inside of her pussy all day flicks her clit before slipping inside.

She wobbles.

“Cade,” she screams. It’s music to my ears.

“Stay still.” If she wasn’t hurting, I’d spank her ass for that little wobble. Instead, I finger fuck her hard. My finger curling until her body shakes, her ass grinding into my pulsing erection. Teasing her this way is a bastard move on my part. She’ll appreciate the outcome on both ends.

This beautiful woman, the most valuable gift I’ve ever held in my hands hit her target several times.

Wonder how beautiful she’s going to be once she finds out how many times I’ve hit mine.

Dead center between their eyes.