Jake
I let out a relieved breath when Charlotte relaxed fully in my arms as sleep claimed her. The sweet bundle of woman had me hooked hard. When she’d questioned me about my feelings and loving her, I knew she’d freak if she heard my answer.
Yes, I loved her. And yes, I knew that was way too fast, but who the fuck was I to argue with what I knew to be true?
I’d had a buddy in the SEALs who told me that, as soon as he’d heard the woman behind him laugh, the guy knew he’d met his future wife.
At the time, I shook my head in disbelief, but the tables had sure as hell turned. Now I was the one determined to make a woman mine before she had a chance to question further.
Fuck, I wanted to tell her I loved her. Not sharing didn’t make me a pussy. Charlotte wasn’t ready to hear those words yet. I’d just taken her virginity. It would have been so easy to manipulate her with tales of love when she was vulnerable tonight, but I wanted her clear headed when I told her she had me heart and soul.
Jesus, listen to me. Heart and soul? I’d turned into a sissy, but…what the fuck could I say? I was a man who had been captured just as surely as when I’d cuffed Charlotte.
Lowering my head closer to hers, I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet fruity scent of her shampoo. Rubbing my chin on her hair, I smiled to myself as she snuggled closer.
The little waitress instinctively knew who she belonged to. Now it was just a matter of convincing her when her defenses were up. I let that thought stay with me as I drifted off to sleep.
Hours later, as the first rays of dawn crept over the grassy fields, I woke with Charlotte still snuggled next to me. After kissing her forehead, I eased myself out of bed, smiling at her grumbling at being moved. Christ, she was a treat in the mornings. Hair mussed from sleep—and some fucking hot sex—and with her curvy body relaxed, she was ready for taking.
My cock, already hard, throbbed in need. But last night had been her first time. She’d be tender at the very least. Besides, I had plans this morning for her.
Now that thought had me smiling.
Whether Charlotte would be pleased as she began her training was another matter.
Chuckling to myself, I made my way to the bathroom and took a shower, using the soap to relieve my hard-on as I imagined Charlotte tied spread eagle on the bed with my cock in her eager little mouth.
So content was she in my bed she didn’t stir as I got dressed, grabbed my laptop and made my way out to the kitchen. After starting a pot of coffee, I checked my phone and saw Eli had already messaged, saying he was on duty watching the cameras.
Since Eli would have seen me walk through the living room on my way to the kitchen, he’d know I was up.
Logging into my laptop, I scanned my emails just as my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I tapped the screen. “Ryder, how goes it?”
“Good, while I was guarding Reed, Deke installed cameras and bugging devices all over the man’s house and truck. In addition, we loaded some software onto his computers and phone. Wyatt Reed’s fucked. His every move is now on our radar.”
“Just remember the guy’s a computer geek. He’ll likely run a program on his devices to check if he’s being monitored.”
“This technology comes from government black ops. Wyatt Reed’s good, but he’s not that good.”
“Fair enough.” The aroma of fresh brewing coffee filled the kitchen. Getting up from the table, I went over and poured myself a cup. “What else you got for me?”
“Deke stayed the night at Reed’s house. The pussy lost his shit when we told him what we wanted him to do now we owned his ass. Reed honestly thought everything ended once he’d thrown Charlotte under the bus.”
My grip tightened on the handle of my mug. If only Reed’s throat was in my grasp right now. “Talk about a fucking coward.”
“Now he knows the fun’s just started and what we expect in return for allowing him to keep breathing. Unfortunately for him, dragging in that air will be painful.” Ryder chuckled. “Deke followed through on your suggestion to teach the guy some manners.”
I smiled to myself. My buddies and I could be total bastards, but women and children were something to be protected, cherished even. “I’m guessing you didn’t rush to save the prick’s ass.”
“I waited an appropriate length of time before I remembered to give a shit about our new asset.” Ryder’s dry tone hinted he’d not hurried at all. “Deke kept most of the bruising to areas other than Reed’s face. We don’t want our guy so damaged he couldn’t pull off the excuse of a bar fight to his criminal pals.”
“When’s he next scheduled to make contact with Garcia and his buddies?”
“Tomorrow evening. There’s another shipment due through town and Reed’s supposed to produce the records needed to facilitate the transfer.”
I hardened my jaw at the thought of what that shipment entailed.
Wyatt Reed was a weak piece of shit. His gambling problem and the debts he’d run up with Garcia were the reasons he’d been pressured into helping that bastard and his gang in the first place. Now my team and I were forcing him to follow our orders while not letting on to Garcia.
“He thinks we’re Garcia’s competition, right?”
“Yeah, as far as he knows, he’s traded one blackmailing group of criminal bastards for another, except we’ve told him to keep doing what Garcia wants but we manage him as he goes about his work.” Ryder sighed. “Reed fully accepted us moving in on Garcia’s turf. His only concern was for his own neck. He wasn’t even worried enough to ask what would happen to his cousin at the end of the seven days.”
I felt the muscle in my jaw tick as anger burned white hot inside me. Fisting my free hand, I imagined plowing a right hook into Reed’s jaw, smashing the bone into pieces.
Garcia and his gang were pure evil, men who had no compunction in carrying out a threat to hurt innocents. Charlotte was still in possible danger until that threat was eliminated.
“Good thing she’s now with me.”
“Yeah, good thing.” Ryder didn’t hide the amusement in his voice, which I chose to ignore.
Sooner or later, I’d have to share with Charlotte what Wyatt had gotten himself involved in. But not today. And thinking of the day ahead, I needed to make plans.
“I made an order yesterday afternoon. It’s due at our pick-up point this morning, special delivery. Can you get Deke to collect the box on his way back from Reed’s this morning?”
“A delivery?” Ryder was naturally curious, and since we were on a mission he had a right to ask.
“For Charlotte,” was my only explanation.
“Do I want to know?” Ryder asked in a dry tone.
“We’re all Doms. You can work it out.” At Ryder’s chuckle, I ended the call and sipped some of my coffee. Working with these guys was easy, especially since we shared many characteristics. Military trained, dedicated to the mission and our fellow brothers, we were hard men who had certain needs. Men who focused on a target.
If that happened to be a sweet little sub, all the better.
And speaking of little subs…
I headed back to the bedroom, walking in the room just as Charlotte was leaving the bathroom. Naked, with her hair now brushed and her face looking fresh, I was glad I had arrived before she attempted to dress.
Seeing me, she yelped in surprise and covered her breasts with her arms.
“Morning, sweetness.” Taking my time, I stalked over to her, letting my gaze rom over her body from her freshly brushed hair, to her bare mound and down her legs. “No point covering up what I’ve seen already.”
Her answering blush was cute as all hell. “I-I’m not.” She pressed her lips together and tried again. “I’m not used to someone seeing me like this.”
Thank fuck. “And nobody else but me will, unless I give them permission.” At the widening of her eyes, I chuckled. “Relax. I don’t share, Charlotte. But sometimes when I’m around other Doms, our subs are naked.”
She blinked, taking in my words. “A Dom? Like in that book that became a movie?”
“In a way, but we’ll get into that later.” In great detail and hands-on in a way she would be left with no questions. “Right now, I want a good morning kiss.” I leaned in, capturing her lips and tasted a hint of mint toothpaste as I pushed my tongue inside her mouth. She opened herself to me, leaning against me as I slanted my head and deepened our kiss.
When I lifted my head, she opened her eyes, her gaze slightly unfocused, her plump lips soft, and her mouth slightly open.
Christ, she was a temptation. Even without trying, Charlotte had ensnared me in a trap of my own making.
But right now, I needed to see to her needs. Gathering her in my arms, I held her close. “How are you feeling after last night?”
She shrugged. “Okay.” Seeing my frown, she rushed to explain. “I’m not sore, just… I can feel you’ve been inside me.”
I inhaled deep, my hold on her tightening. I wanted to roar in pure male satisfaction. The urge was primitive and totally fucking politically incorrect, but it was as real as anything I’d lived through in my life.
“Been where no other man has, Charlotte. The fact you still feel me there pleases me more than you know.”
“It does?” Her pretty blue gaze was full of wonder.
Christ, she really had no idea of her own value. I planned on changing that screwed up perception.
I pulled her back a little and moved a hand to glide over her hip and down to her pussy, skimming over the bare—and damp—skin. I smiled at her quick intake of breath.
Fucking adorable. “You’re wet. Seems your body likes my touch, Charlotte. What about all the thoughts crowding your mind? Is your head in sync with your body?”
“I don’t know.” She lifted a hand—her other arm still clamped to her side with my hold—and laid it on my chest. “After yesterday, I’m questioning everything. The fact I can see myself with you long term blows my mind. I mean, you virtually kidnapped me and yet I’ve fallen for you so damn hard.” Taking in a deep breath, she met my gaze, as if deciding what to say before letting out the breath in one loud exhale. “All I know is I’ve never felt so happy and protected like I do when I’m with you. It’s like—” She broke off, her laugh rueful. “It’s like you’re my Prince Charming and a dark knight combined. I’m never sure which one I’m with, but I know I’m safe either way.”
“I’m both.” I moved my arm from around her and gripped the back of her neck. “Protector. Lover. Dom.” I firmed my hold, catching the way her pupils dilated with arousal. Such a natural little sub. “I’m going to push your limits, teach you all the dirty, carnal things your body and mind want. But I’m also the man who’ll hold you when you watch a movie on the sofa with me, who’ll take out the garbage and mow the lawn, who’ll do the little everyday things with you, too. The man who loves you.”
She stared at me, her mouth open, gaze wide. I could practically hear the gears of her mind whirring at what my words meant for her.
How close was she to making the choice to be brave and take a step forward with me? I had to know.
“Do you want that, Charlotte?” I moved my thumb at her nape, massaging the skin underneath. “Of your own free will, do you want that?”
I swear to fucking God I could hear my heart beating as I waited for her answer.