“Carrie, I care about you more than you know.”

“And I care about you, but that doesn’t change anything. What happened is wrong, very wrong. What you did was… horrifying.”

“But I did it for you…” His eyes were imploring, his face pinched. “I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted this to go so far.”

Carrie folded her arms, chills racing down her spine. “David, you are dead to me. Do you understand me? Dead. To. Me.”

“Don’t say that. Please.”

“Get out!”

Moaning, Trinity blinked several times as she breathed in and out. The moment she tried to move, pain tore through her head, creating a wave of nausea in the pit of her stomach. What in the hell had happened? She held her breath as she lifted her head, squinting as she tried to understand what she was seeing. The phone call. The road. A blur.

“Shit.” She strained to see over the front of the truck and was able to make out a motorcycle lying on its side. “Oh, no.”

She struggled with the seatbelt, just releasing it when a dark flash popped into her peripheral vision. The second the driver’s door was flung open, she yelped.

“It’s you.” The voice was gruff, accusatory.

Trinity lashed out, catching the man in the chest with the palm of her hand. “No!”

“That’s what I said. Goddamn, woman. Ah, shit. Are you all right?”

“Riker?”

“Ms. Hargrove?”

Sagging, she bit her lower lip as she noticed the gash on his forehead. “Oh my God. Did I hurt you? I didn’t see you at all. Shit. Shit!” His expression was full of anger. Could she blame him? A quick glance back to his bike allowed reality to set in. She’d almost killed the man. A flood of emotions rolled into her mind. The email. The threats. Her life. Killing the most gorgeous man on the face of the earth.

“Evidently not. What the hell were you doing? Not paying any attention? Jesus Christ, lady. You could have gotten us both killed. You shouldn’t be driving,” Riker hissed, the words laced with a hard edge.

“You’re right. I wasn’t paying any attention. I was just… stupid. I was stupid.” Unable to clamp down on her thoughts, the ugliness racing through her mind, she burst into tears, her entire body shaking. “I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry.”

“Whoa. Hold on here. Accidents happen. Come on. Let’s get you out of the truck. Can you move? I can’t see any cuts but that doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. I’m going to lift you down. Hold onto me. Okay? Just hold on.” Riker gathered her into his arms, easing her down onto the pavement.

Crumpling, she clung to him as her thoughts shifted back and forth from so many years ago to her life, the movies, her beautiful house in California. Everything was a lie. “I’m just…”

“Okay, Trinity. Right? I think you might have a concussion. Let’s get you away from the truck just in case. I’ll call for an ambulance.”

“No! I’m fine. I’m just…” She held her breath as the visions and thoughts faded. Blinking again, she was finally able to focus. “What have I done?”

“Well, the truck doesn’t seem to be in too bad of shape, but I think my Harley is totaled.”

“Riker. I’m just so sorry.” Reaching up, she brushed her fingers across his forehead. “We need to put something on that.”

Riker wrapped his hand around hers, his eyes darting back and forth.

The moment seemed stuck in time, a quiet realization that there was more to life than tragedies and horrors. His touch was gentle, almost unlike the rugged man standing in front of her. Every cell in her body tingled, creating another and more profound wave of heat. She could feel his thumb rubbing her hand, the caress loving and from a complete stranger. “You’re bleeding.”

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he eased her to the guardrail, helping her down onto the hard steel. “Let me call this in. Okay?”

She nodded and as he tugged his phone from the pocket of his jeans, she surveyed the damage to both vehicles. While the rental company wasn’t going to be thrilled with her aggressive driving skills, the front grill seemed to have received the full brunt of the crash. The motorcycle was in pieces scattered across the road. How had everything gotten so damn out of hand?

Riker walked toward her, the phone still in his hand. “No, we’ll definitely be here. Thanks, Randy. I appreciate your help.” Sighing, he glanced back at the Harley before closing the distance. “I called it in. The ambulance and a deputy should be here in just a few minutes. The majority of the sheriff’s office is still on the scene of the electrical issue.”

“I’m fine. I don’t need an ambulance.” The moment she tried to stand, her body swayed back and forth. “And you mean the bomb scare.”

“Don’t do that.” Riker gripped her arm and rolled his eyes. “You’re one pigheaded lady.”

“I know a bomb scare when I see one.” She took another step forward, pulling her arm out of his grasp. “What really happened? I heard the explosion.”

He looked toward the sky and exhaled. “I don’t know. A bomb threat was called in but that was no active bomb, or my guess is the entire block would have been in flames. Some asshole sending a message.”

“I understand those kinds of assholes.”

His gaze settled on her face. “Do you want to call your boyfriend or husband?”

“I’m here alone. Very much alone.” Why had she told a complete stranger anything about her life? Maybe because she had no one to trust, no sense of friendship at this point.

Nodding, he rubbed his temple before walking toward his bike, shaking his head.

She followed him, watching the way he crouched down, lovingly rubbing his fingers across the twisted metal bars, the once pristine engine. “Your baby?”

“Yeah. I’ve had her for years. Brought her with me when I moved out here. She’s been my peace, my salvation during some difficult times. I know, it’s just a thing but in my eyes, she was beauty.”

“Riker, I don’t know what to say. I’ll buy you a new one. We can do that today if you want.” She realized as soon as she’d said the words that she’d pissed him off. “I didn’t mean that… I just was trying to…” Sure, she could whip out her checkbook and solve this. She sensed Riker wasn’t that kind of man. He was simple, honest and she could already tell hard working. Who was she to try and buy her way out of this mess? She’d lived in fake town far too long. That had never been her. She’d never cared about things or money. She was absolutely disgusted with herself. “That was shitty of me. Shitty.” When he didn’t say a thing, she clenched her eyes shut.

“You can’t buy happiness or fix everything with money. There is no amount of expensive toys able to soothe the concept of loss, no matter in what circumstance.” Riker stood. “You may be able to repair the damage or provide a moment of solace, but sometimes there’s no real peace. That has to come from within and sometimes that never occurs.”

His words were full of such pain, such intense heartache that she was left unable to find any words of comfort. She’d destroyed what seemed most precious to him. She remained silent as he circled the bike, his breath sounds ragged. She’d been so centered around her life, her woes that she’d interfered with someone else.

Riker planted his hands on his hips and sauntered away from her as the sound of crunching gravel was heard coming from down the road.

She grabbed her license and the truck’s registration, leaning against the truck when the deputy’s car pulled up, the ambulance only seconds later.

The deputy exited the vehicle and lifted his sunglasses. “Riker. You know how to get into some shit. What happened?”

“An accident. Just an accident.” Riker tipped his head. “I think Miss Hargrove might need some medical attention.”

“I’m okay. I don’t need anything.” Except a new life.

“Miss Hargrove, I’m Deputy O’Brien. Let’s go through what happened.”

Trinity listened as Riker told his side of the story then gave her perfunctory version, accepting the ticket as a matter of course. She’d ceremoniously taken away what happiness Riker seemed to have. She certainly wasn’t going to fight a ticket. When the wrecker came, the attendant picking up most of the pieces by hand, she winced every time a broken and mangled part was positioned on the flatbed.

“Are you certain you don’t want to be checked out at the hospital, either of you?” the deputy asked as he shook Riker’s hand.

“I’m fine. Really.” Riker placed his hand on the bandage covering the cut. “Nothing a tall bourbon won’t fix.”

“Miss?” Deputy O’Brien asked.

“No. Thank you.” Shivering, she moved closer to the truck.

“Okay. Hey, buddy. You’re going to have to get Landen or another jumper to give you a ride. I need to get over to the Best Buy. I hear the crowd of people is getting unruly.” The deputy grinned. “Crazy week.”

“Was this really called in?” Riker asked in a hushed tone, darting a glance in her direction.

The deputy lifted his eyebrows. “Second one. No idea who is doing this or why. You know how the sheriff gets. He’s driving all of us nuts to gather evidence.”

“Well, guess we’re lucky at this point. I’ll catch a ride. Go do what you have to do. Thanks for coming down.”

“I’ll have the report for your insurance company by tomorrow.” Deputy O’Brien turned in her direction. “Take care of yourself, Miss and please watch where you’re going. We have a lot of winding roads out here and some lead to drop offs of several hundred feet.”

“I’ll pay more attention,” Trinity said and gave him a smile. “Thank you.”

When the officer pulled away, Riker started to make a call.

“I’ll take you home.” She could tell the words surprised him.

“You don’t have to do that. I have plenty of friends who owe me a favor or five.”

She walked closer. “Please. Allow me to do something to make up for this. Just a ride.”

He gazed at her, his eyes never blinking. “Sure. Just a ride.”

* * *

Riker remained stiff as she drove, directing her and saying little else. She wasn’t chatty like normal women nor did she try and apologize again. He was thankful for the silence as well as the ride. The Harley. Damn it. The one thing he cared about in his life gone. Yeah, he knew the bike was just a thing, nothing that he should lose any sleep over, but he felt as if another portion of his sanity had been ripped away. “The next right turn.”

“Okay,” Trinity whispered, concentrating on her driving.

He turned his head, gazing down the length of her. She was one damn beautiful woman and the sobbing had tempered his fury, but for how long? He wasn’t into comforting women or getting into their psyche like Stoker or half the other guys. He didn’t give a shit about her past or her ex-boyfriend. He didn’t care about anything or anyone.

What a crock of bull. He studied the way her hand gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white as if terrified she’d cause another wreck. Whatever had distracted her had altered her personality for just long enough. Her actions had been stilted, even horrified but he didn’t think the accident had anything to do with her losing her cool.

Someone had frightened her.

He inhaled, fighting the attraction given her fragrance and the lilt of her voice, yet his cock was aching, stiff enough the jeans were pinching his swollen balls. Perfect. As if he needed this crap.

She slowed down and put on her blinker, moving at a snail’s pace before turning onto the gravel driveway. “The area is beautiful.”

“Works for me.”

“Yeah. I can tell.” A single look in his direction was followed by a hard frown.

“Just keep going. I live at the top of a hill.”

Nodding, Trinity continued to crawl, her eyes sweeping the road. “Do you have a lot of wild animals here?”

The question made him chuckle. “Tigers and bears?”

This time, she shot him a nasty look. “Coyotes and wolves maybe?”

“Some.” He shook his head as she pulled up to the house, parking next to his beaten-up truck. The truck was like the rest of his life, disheveled. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone was here. Even Landen had only been around a couple of times. He preferred his privacy and just about everyone knew that.

She eased the truck to a stop and shifted the gear into park, allowing the engine to idle. “Nice place.”

“It’s a shit hole. I haven’t taken the time to fix it up.”

It was her turn to laugh, the sound much lighter than before. “This is your home. You should take the time.”

He placed his hand on the door handle. “No real reason. Just me. I work a lot of hours and we’re gone several weeks out of the year fighting fires. When I come home I tend to sleep then shower. Nothing more.”

“Oh.”

For some reason, he hesitated, his index finger tapping on the handle. “Look. Don’t blame yourself for the accident. Shit happens. I’ll get another bike and the insurance will pay for it.”

She huffed then nodded. “Okay. Things can be replaced. Right?”

“Yeah.” Riker continued to stall. What the hell was wrong with him? “Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it.”

“Sure. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Maybe.” He opened the door then sighed. “Look, I don’t like to drink alone, and I plan on having a few. Would you like to join me? I mean just for one or two.” He could hear a catch in her breath as she debated. He allowed himself to turn his head, offering a single smile. “If you’d like.”

“Yeah. That sounds nice.”

“Okay.” He climbed out and shut the door, yanking his keys from his pocket. The way she jumped out of the cab gave him a smile, one he refused to allow her to see. She was certainly out of her element. When she walked around the truck, he moved toward the front door. “Nothing special inside. I haven’t cleaned up in a while either.”

“That’s okay. I don’t mind.”

The words were so stilted between them, difficult, as if they had no idea what to say to each other. Riker opened the door, allowing her to walk inside. For the first time since his arrival in Missoula, he was embarrassed at the state of his house, the emptiness and lack of care. He’d purchased only a few things, preferring to live in sparse conditions.

She exhaled as she glanced around the living room. “Good bones.”

Riker grinned, the comment unexpected. “Yeah. When I bought the house, I just wanted a place to land but the mountains and the area drew me in. The place is almost fifty years old. Needs a new roof, but I’ll get to it. Make yourself at home. I have bourbon and well, bourbon.”

Lifting her head, she gave him a bright smile. “Bourbon sounds great.”

Why his footsteps were heavy was beyond him. He was nervous, as if he’d never been around a woman before. She was different, unlike the few women he’d spent time with. More eloquent, polished but he had a sense that she was also fractured, pained from some experience. No, he couldn’t care or get involved. That wasn’t what this was about. He simply wanted some company.

No. That was a lie. He wanted more. Gripping the edge of the counter, he had to face the fact he craved this woman. Why? What was so different, so enthralling that all he could think about was commanding her every move, requiring her to submit to his every need. This was ridiculous, but there was no denying the insatiable desire, a deep and intense burn cascading through his system. Fisting his mouth, he counted to five then ten, merely trying to get control. The women he’d been with had breached a barrier, allowing him moments of pleasure. This was more. He resisted laughing and shook away the thoughts. There was no way she could care for him. None.

Leave it alone. Breathe. She will never want you.

Hissing, he managed to find two matching glasses that were clean and filled them with ice. After grabbing the bottle of bourbon, he hung back, able to catch a view of her as she walked from one end of the room to the other, her eyes settling on the single picture he had over the mantle. He realized his hand was shaking as she studied the framed photograph.

“They’re from my old fire department in Maryland. A good bunch of guys.”

“A fireman. So, a smokejumper doesn’t use water?” she asked, her face still concentrated on the picture.

“That’s right. We use dirt and cut down trees. We also start fires in order to burn others out. Hard work.”

“I can imagine. Very dangerous.” She tipped her head in his direction, her smile genuine.

Riker set the glasses down and poured, leaving the bottle on the coffee table. As he walked closer, he remembered so many good times with the guys, memories he never let himself fall into. “Yeah, it’s dangerous, but when you know what you’re doing, and you follow your training, working as a team, everyone gets out alive. We work hard.”

“You also live hard.” She accepted the glass and took a step away. “And you play hard.”

He snorted. “Some of us do.” The fact she was studying him, trying to look into his soul would normally be disturbing, but he could sense she was intrigued, her mind wandering. “Some of us want nothing more than to get away from the daily grind, if only for a little while.”

“You’re a tough man, refusing to let anyone inside. I understand that concept more than you know. Like you’re playing a part, until you get into your work. Then you come alive. But you miss, hunger in a way few could ever tolerate.” She rolled her eyes and glanced back at the picture. “But you’re lying to yourself every day, pretending to be something you’re not.”

“Maybe you do understand.”

“More than you know, Riker. I just wish I hadn’t fallen prey to my job, a career that has left me hollow. What I want, I’ll never be able to have.” She had a faraway look.

“Wanting means letting go.”

“Yes. Wanting also means fear.”

Fear. An emotion he knew far too well. “What do you do?” As soon as he asked the question, he could tell she wanted to run away from it, as if telling him was the last thing she wanted to do. “I don’t mean to pry. I don’t care what you do. That’s not important.”

“You’re the only person I’ve ever met who says that. You see, I’m an actress on the big screen. I don’t save lives or race into danger. I don’t develop cures for terrible diseases or even care for those who can longer care of themselves. I’m fluffed and cajoled, handled and pampered because I make films. I’m a commodity.” Her laugh was bitter. She took a sip of her drink and closed her eyes.

Riker inched closer, eyeing the picture one last time. The hair stood up on the back of his neck. “We’re all hiding from something in our lives. I’m no exception, but every job, every career has meaning and a purpose. You entertain people, allowing them to get away from their dull or difficult lives. That has special meaning for so many. Then again, what you do with that life is up to you. You always have a choice even if making a change means opening yourself up to pain and anger.”

“What if I don’t? What if I’m forced into a way of life that I can’t escape from?”

The words hit him in a manner he didn’t expect. “Then you find something else you love. There’s always an out. Always. You have to find the way and sometimes, only you can do that. You can’t rely on those around you or find yourself on the advice of others. Only you know what’s best for you.”

She sighed and opened her eyes, nodding several times. “You’re right. You know what’s funny? I have supposed friends, those who honestly want something from me, and they’ve never spoken to me that way. They don’t care. So many rely on my acting abilities to fund their concept of entertainment. Isn’t that sad?”

He hadn’t realized he’d reached out, sliding a stray strand of hair from her face until the tips of his fingers touched her skin. Electrified, he sucked in his breath but instead of pulling away, what he would normally do, he eased the hair behind her shoulder then allowed his fingers to trail down the length of her arm.

Visibly shuddering, she took a sip of her drink, the ice clinking in the glass.

She was nervous, an emotion that would normally not matter. On this evening, at this very moment, he had a sense of protection, a need to draw her in. He swallowed and forced himself to take a step away. “Why are you in Missoula?”

“Do you want to know the truth? It’s pretty ugly.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not into games.” Riker grimaced hearing his words, even though they were the truth.

“I appreciate that more than you know. I’m here because a nasty reporter has it in for me. He’s selling pictures on the internet that are false, but blasphemous and could damage my career. My cousin suggested I come here. Heal myself. That’s what she told me. I’m just not certain I have it in me any longer. I’m tired, drained from the day to day bullshit. I hate the life, the people I work with and the concept of everyone thinking I live happily ever after when there’s no such thing in Hollywood. There are only liars and cheats, people who will stab you in the back for the next available part, all in the hopes that they make it to the top.” After taking another sip, she laughed. “Aren’t you happy you asked?”

Riker contemplated his answer. She wasn’t a fragile woman, even though she’d broken down in front of him. He could tell she had the strength of a lion, forced to fight for her dreams in a sea of misery. “You’ve come to the right place. That much I can tell you.”

“Yeah? How so?” A smile lit up her face, pushing away the darkness.

He took a step back, giving them both space. “I came here a broken man. I had no place and no heart, but I knew that I loved what I did. I wanted the job of becoming a smokejumper and I fought for it. When I came, nothing mattered but landing the job. What I found was a level of friendship I hadn’t anticipated, men who were willing to die for me with no questions asked. What I don’t honestly think I realized is how much I’ve come to depend on their friendship. I just…” He shook his head. “My soul is too battered to make much sense.”

She inched toward him, her hand resting on his shoulder. “You’re doing just fine. I don’t know why, but I really like being around you. You’re not like any other man I know. You’re real. That’s important to me.” As if sensing his discord, she pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to suggest anything.”

“You didn’t. I… I like your touch.” Hearing the angst in his voice, he had to fight to stand in the same spot. Did he honestly think he could open up to this woman, a girl who’d given him nothing but shit since they met? The truth was something he hadn’t expected and hated to admit. He was drawn to her, much more so than any other woman with the exception of his wife. There were no reasons why, no telling event. Just an understanding, a connection that he wasn’t certain he could or wanted to fight.

Trinity studied him and took another sip of her drink before reaching up, brushing her fingers across his bandage then continuing to caress, moving down the side of his face. “Thank you for letting me in, if only on the surface. I know how difficult that is for you.”

When her touch lingered, he could feel the beads of sweat trickling down the back of his neck. His cock was throbbing, aching to the point he was in real pain. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to give a shit about anyone. “I’m no good for anyone. I don’t know if I can be ever again.”

“You have your reasons. If you want to tell me, I’ll listen. If you don’t, that’s fine too. Besides, I’m nothing special.”

He allowed a slow breath to escape as he listened to the sound of his heart beating, thumping in his chest. “That’s where you’re wrong.” Sliding his arm around her waist, he yanked her forward, crushing her mouth with his. The taste of her was unlike any other woman, sweet and sultry. The kiss became a passionate roar as he held her against his chest, their tongues entwining.

She wrapped her hand around his neck, clinging to him, her body undulating against his.

The friction, the heated electricity was intense, creating an urgent need, a desire that sent a rush of longing through every muscle, every cell. He was mad with hunger, the sensations off the charts.

Moaning into the kiss, Trinity dug her nails into his skin, her breasts crushed against him as she stood on her toes.

As the kiss continued, he became lost in the dazzling moment, no longer afraid of sharing or allowing this woman, this vibrant woman into his life. He wanted this desperately. When he broke the kiss, he rubbed his thumb back and forth across her mouth, panting as the adrenaline kicked in. He could feel the old angst, hovering, threatening to bite him, take back the raging need.

Her eyes never leaving his, she took his drink, setting both down on the hearth. “Riker.”

“Don’t talk. Don’t say anything. I just want you. I want this. Just for tonight.” He heard what he was saying, knew the meaning and expected her to push away.

But she didn’t.

She cupped both sides of his face, leaning into him as she pressed her lips against his then his chin, her hot breath skipping along his skin.

Her simple touch, the way she was open and so gentle was breathtaking. His heart continued to race as she licked across the seam of his mouth. He was so used to being in control, taking what he wanted without reservation or any question. This was amazing, scintillating in such an unexpected manner.

As she licked down the side of his neck, she began to unbutton his shirt, peeling back the edges until she placed the flats of her hands on his chest. She continued to kiss and lick, her lips moving back and forth until she reached his nipple.

Riker tilted his head back, savoring the way she bit down, creating a hint of pain until his cock was pinching in his zipper. Fisting her hair, he kept her head in place as she dragged her mouth to his other nipple, licking in lazy circles. His breathing ragged, he rubbed his other hand down her arm and back until he could take no more. Pulling her head away, he growled then yanked at her shirt, tugging the edges from her jeans.

“Oh…” The sound almost inaudible, she slid her hands down to his waist then moved them to her shirt, pulling the material up and over her head.

Cupping both breasts, he rubbed his fingers back and forth across her already hardened nipples, enjoying the way they felt through her lace bra. Grunting, he lowered his head as he slid his arm around her waist, dipping her into a deep arch. He mouthed her neck, sucking on her skin as he dipped his fingers past the thin edge, fingering her nipple. He could tell she was wet, the scent of her feminine wiles wafting between them.

She clung to him, her fingers tight as she gripped his arms, her body swaying forward and backward. “God.”

He moved his mouth down to the cleft of her breasts, licking up and down before using his teeth to pull away the unwanted material and exposing her nipple. He dragged his tongue around several times before taking the tender flesh into his mouth, sucking, nipping.

“Oh… my…” Easing her hand down the length of his chest, she rubbed her fingers across his groin, moving back and forth in slow and even motions.

Yanking the material, he heard a ripping sound and issued another low-slung growl then pulled her up as he reached for the clasp on her bra. As he eased the straps down, he shook his head, admiring every inch of her exquisite beauty. She was perfect.

Biting her lower lip, she fumbled to unbuckle his belt, fingering the leather as she gave him a heated look. “Mmm… A thick strap.”

“You enjoy discipline?”

“Yes.”

The single word sent another rush of raw desire, a different and very commanding longing. When she unzipped his jeans, freeing his dick, he sucked in his breath. “Be careful what you ask for.”

She slid her hand underneath his cock, rubbing his already swollen balls between her fingers. Then she wrapped her hand around his shaft, pumping the base as she pushed his shirt off one shoulder. “I’m asking.”

He hissed as he yanked at his shirt, dragging it off and tossing it. There was no turning back, no way he could stop what was about to happen. As she squeezed the tip of his cock, using just enough pressure he moaned, he pushed her away, the dark and demanding side taking over. “I want to see all of you. Every inch.” After removing his boots, he stood with his arms crossed, the expression commanding.

Her eyelids fluttering, she shuddered then unfastened her jeans before reaching down, tugging at her boots. She took her time, darting glances, her face glistening in the shadowed light. Shimmying, she pushed the jeans down her hips, struggling to pull them off. When she stood in only a thong, she covered her breasts, a flush creeping up from her neck to her cheeks.

“Don’t ever cover yourself. You’re beautiful. So very beautiful, but you will do as I say.” He could hear the raggedness in his voice, the strangled sound because of his tightened throat. This was different. This was… A flash of the past washed across his mind, creating a terrible pain in his gut. Swallowing hard, he refused to deny what he’d needed, a different kind of tethering, a powerful connection. My God, he wanted all of her. He wanted her body and soul, her submission in a way he’d ignored before. He was so alive, blood bumping to the point he had trouble focusing.

“Yes, I will.” Her lower lip quivering, she eased her hands down to her side, clenching her fists. “Through all the years, every photographer, every movie, I’ve never felt beautiful, merely an object.” A nervous laugh escaped her mouth. Hissing, she closed her eyes.

Riker exhaled as he moved closer. She was covered in goosebumps, her arms and legs quivering. Cupping both sides of her face, he rubbed his thumbs in gentle strokes, relishing in the way her skin felt against his fingertips. Lowering his head, he pressed his lips against first one then her other eyelid. “Hear me. I will take what I want.”

“Yes. You can have everything. Anything.”

Reaching down, he slid his fingers under the string of her thong. With a single twist of his wrist, he jerked away the thin covering, pitching her panties onto the floor.

A single moan escaped her lips, yet her expression remained full of determination. Curling her fingers, she used the tips of her nails, scratching down the front of his chest. As she began to tug on his belt, pulling an inch at a time, she panted, her fingers gripping the strap.

“With pleasure comes pain.”

“Yes. What I need.” Her words were mere whispers, a soft admittance of the woman inside.

The thought of disciplining her, using his belt to create welts on her flawless skin was a powerful aphrodisiac. He was lost to the beast inside, the one that would mark her body, require her to belong to him.

When the belt was free, she brought the strap to her face, drinking in the smell, the essence. Darting out her tongue, she licked across the grain before pressing the tip against her neck, sliding it down to her breasts.

The moment was cathartic, the beginning of a story of their creation. His body remained tense, his mind full of rapture.

Trinity allowed the end of the strap to dangle between her legs, swinging the belt back and forth as she opened her legs wide.

Riker eased his hand between her legs, pressing the leather against her pussy, sliding both up and down. He studied her face, the way her moans became whimpers, her mouth pursed with raging desire. “One day I will spank every inch of you, whipping your ass, your breasts and your pussy.”

“Oh, yes. Yes!” As he continued, her body undulated, shifting back and forth.

He dug the strap into her cunt, rubbing harder and faster, his breath skipping as she fell into the moment of pleasure. “Pinch your nipples for me.”

Obeying instantly, she cupped and squeezed her breasts before taking both hardened nipples between her fingers, plucking and twisting, her mouth going slack. “Oh…”

The belt moved easily, slickened from her pussy juice, and he continued to rub, his hand moving faster, harder. He had difficulty focusing as she pinched, her own moves forceful.

Her body began to sway forward and backward and she opened her mouth in a perfect ‘O’ as her chest heaved.

Harder. Faster. He loved the feel of the leather sliding along her tender tissue. He could tell she was close to coming, her legs trembling to the point she was having difficulty standing. As she writhed, her eyes fluttering open and closed, he issued a single command and one he knew she would follow. “Come. Now!”

Her eyes shot open, her mouth going slack, the sound coming from her throat more of a growl. “Aaahhh!”

Riker continued, pushing her into a blissful zone until her body went slack, falling toward him. He held her against him as he folded the strap then he wrapped his arm around the front of her, pulling her over at the waist.

She moaned but didn’t resist, merely lolled down her head, her long hair draping over her shoulders.

He rubbed the belt down the length of her spine then tapped on her buttocks, remaining breathless.

Crack!

“Oh!” Jerking up, she flashed him a look.

“Pain and pleasure.”

“Yes. Yes, sir.”

Smack! Crack!

He remained holding his breath as he issued a series of hard strikes, one after the other.

Pop! Crack!

Holding her tightly, he had never felt in more control in his life.

Smack! Crack!

Riker rubbed the belt down to her upper thighs, smacking both with quick, hard snaps.

Slap! Pop!

With every strike, every controlled spank, she seemed to fall into a state of peace, her moans becoming whimpers, her body relaxing.

Crack! Slap!

Stars floated in front of his eyes, a tingling feeling rushing into every muscle.

Whap! Smack!

The sensations were incredible, creating an almost desperate need for more.

Crack! Pop!

Seconds later, he dropped the belt and eased her into a standing position, capturing her mouth and thrusting his tongue past her lips.

She remained shivering, but her kiss was a passionate roar and she flung her arms around his neck, clinging to him as the kiss became more intense, heated until they were both grunting.

When he broke the hold, he exhaled and pushed her down onto her knees then took a step back, removing his jeans and underwear.

Seeing him naked, she licked her lips and reached out, dropping her arms seconds later. She knew how to obey, how to follow directions and wanted nothing more than for him to control her every move.

Inching closer and using a single finger, he trailed a line from her arm to her shoulder as he moved behind her. Crouching down, he rolled down onto his back and tugged her with him until she was straddling his face. He held her hips and kept her aloft as he inhaled her luscious scent. Darting out his tongue, he dragged the tip around her clit until she moaned.

“Oh, my…” Her arms at her sides, she wiggled as he licked her, her body rocking ever so slowly.

Sliding his tongue inside her cunt, he pulled her down until she was sitting on his face. As he began to feast, licking her with wild motions, she leaned forward.

He could feel her hands on his cock, her fingers stroking the underside. His cock was hard, throbbing, his balls already full of cum. When she slid her hot, wet mouth around his cockhead, he grunted and began to lick her in fevered moves.

Trinity grunted as she sucked, one hand pumping and twisting the base, the other rolling his testicles between her fingers.

Riker slid one hand around her hip, his finger finding her dark hole. He wiggled the tip between her ass cheeks, dipping his finger just inside.

Bristling, she moaned as she took him down an inch at a time, her hand creating friction, her fingers squeezing his balls.

Every cell on fire, he pushed further into her asshole as he continued to lick, the taste of her damn sweet. She was so wet, her juice oozed onto his face, his chin.

She used her strong jaw muscles to suck as she raked her fingers up and down the underside of his shaft. Moving up and down, she allowed the sound to become exaggerated as she sucked, her throat now relaxed.

This was a feast, a moment of release for his soul and he wanted her to swallow every drop, but he wanted more. So damn much more.

Bobbing her head up and down, she developed a rhythm, her mouth and tongue working in unison.

He was almost lost to the passion, to the way her mouth was driving him into raw ecstasy but on this night, he would own her. Pushing her up, her grabbed and wrapped his hand around her hair, pulling her away from his cock. “Get on all fours.”

She crawled off him and moved into position, her head held high, her legs spread wide open. She was offering him every inch, every hole to take and use, to fuck and fondle.

His legs tense and quivering from excitement, he rose to his knees, inching closer. Sliding two fingers into her pussy, he pumped, the move hard and fast. He added a third then fourth, flexing them open as he thrust, the move almost savage.

Her body rocked yet she maintained position.

The look of her welts was so sublime, such a magnanimous draw that he grunted, the sound guttural. Unable to hold back any longer, he lifted his cock and shoved the entire length into her cunt as he fisted her long strands, tugging back. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, his neck, the drops cascading off and hitting her on the small of the back. He watched as they fell, sliding down the crack of her ass.

“Oh! Yes!” She panted, meeting every hard thrust, arching her back as he tugged on her hair.

Riker loved the sound of flesh hitting flesh as he plunged into her, the force almost pushing her face down, hitting the rug. And still he continued, harder. Faster. His breath was caught in his throat, his breathing ragged. Sweat rolled into his eyes, clouding his vision but nothing had ever felt so damn good. Pressing his hand on the small of her back, he allowed his thumb to wiggle between the crack of her ass, finding her asshole. One day he would claim her dark hole.

“Riker…”

“I can’t hold it.” Harder. The thrusts becoming deeper.

She squeezed her cunt muscles and pushed back.

The climax raced up his legs, curling his toes and creating severe pain in his balls from the pressure. When he could hold back no longer, he exploded, throwing his head back and howling. “Yes!” When he stopped shaking he curled his arms around her and pressed his chest against her back, savoring the warmth. As he closed his eyes, more content than he had been in months, he heard something that stripped him of the joy.

She was crying.