“I’m not entirely helpless, you know. I mean in case you haven’t figured that out yet. I’m thinking of retiring anyway.”

  It was my turn to laugh. “And go where and do what?”

  Jerry shrugged. “I got my eye out on this little place at Smith Mountain Lake. Nothing fancy but I can boat and fish and just enjoy living.”

  “Would you really do that?”

  “In a dead ass heartbeat, my friend. That’s why I’m telling you that you can’t let her go. She has awakened your heart and if I had to guess given everything she’s said to me, you opened hers. Never forget that if you love someone, you can get through anything.”

  “If you sound any more like a fucking Hallmark card, I swear to God I’m going to punch you.”

  Jerry’s laugh was boisterous, a reminder that I hadn’t laughed in one hell of a long time.

  “I’m serious though, Dominik. It’s time to move on and close up shop.”

  I thought about what he’d said and sighed. “Ivanov was responsible for Jake’s death.”

  His exhale was exaggerated. “The bastard.”

  “He got what was coming to him.”

  “What about his son. What’s his name? Damien?”

  “They jury is still out on the kid. I’m not certain what I want to do.”

  “Then you let me handle it,” Jerry insisted.

  “You? Back in the game?”

  He took a long pull of his beer before answering, “One last job then I disappear. It would make me feel damn good. You have to remember that I loved that kid too.”

  “I know you did. I know.”

  “You need to go to her. You need to tell her how you feel.”

  I knew my friend was right, but I didn’t want to pressure her.

  “I do have a question for you before you get your ass inside. How did they know about the farm and about your sister?”

  I exhaled and rubbed my jaw. “I don’t know for certain.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  The question wasn’t as out of the blue as I would have thought. “Completely. I know you’re not responsible and that you didn’t betray me.”

  “Jesus. You’re an asshole. Of course I didn’t betray you. That’s not what I’m talking about. Give me your phone.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I have a skill you never let me play with. Electronics. There are certain surveillance devices that can be used without physically touching a phone. I want to check it.”

  I shook my head then yanked out my phone, handing it to him. “You should have left the game, my friend.”

  “We all have our reasons for doing so. I’ll let you know if I find anything. Meantime, get your fucking ass in there.”

  There was a genuine happy yet commanding tone to his voice that made me smile. “I think you’re right. You’ll keep watch?”

  “The way you have this place wired, ain’t nobody getting in here without the alarms going off. Enjoy yourself for a damn change.”

  I took a deep breath before standing then polishing off the beer. “You’re right. After all, Hope belongs to me.” My hunger had already increased, my cock aching to be inside of her. She’d touched me with her tenderness earlier in the day, her words of encouragement that had allowed me to feel as if someone cared about what I’d been through. Her lack of judgment had also been something I’d needed.

  After tossing the bottle into the trash, I walked toward the series of bedrooms, already knowing exactly the one she was sleeping in. When I opened the door, the fact she’d left on the lamp by the bed told me she was still anxious about what might occur. The sight of her long hair sweeping across the pillows was breathtaking. As I approached, I was able to sense that she wasn’t asleep.

  When Hope rolled over, her eyes already open, my balls tightened. I wanted the woman more than I had a way of expressing, but not just to satisfy my carnal needs. She’d managed to dig her way past all my defenses, finding the part of me that had only existed for a few years. And she’d brought that portion to the forefront.

  We studied each other in silence for a period of time before she pulled the sheets and comforter away. The tee shirt she was wearing suited her, the crimson color accentuating the blush that had already filed her luscious cheeks. My mouth watered at the thought of all the nasty things I wanted to do to her.

  And I would.

  Time after time.

  There was something special about the ability to remain silent, our bodies already accustomed to each other, our desires rushing to the surface. She’d become the one thing in my life that I couldn’t do without. While it was difficult to admit to myself, I’d been forced to come to the understanding that I wanted the new life that Jerry had mentioned. Was it possible? I wasn’t certain, but I wanted more than anything to explore the idea.

  After placing my weapon on the dresser, I moved closer to the bed, keeping my eyes locked on her beautiful face as I started to undress. Her expression was one of trepidation as well as an intense longing. When she dragged her tongue across her lips, I issued a single growl. Her naughty girl smile was my reward.

  After I got onto the bed, she took her time yanking the covers over both of us. The feel of her warm body against mine sizzled every nerve ending, pushing my pulse into overdrive. I eased a strand of hair from her eyes then trailed my fingers down the side of her face. Just touching her dazzling skin with the rough pads of my fingers created the kind of raging hunger that was difficult to control. She slipped one arm around my neck, tangling her fingers in my hair, using her other hand to caress my upper chest.

  Her breathing was shallow, a nervous tic appearing in the corner of her mouth. At that moment, she’d become the most beautiful creature on the entire planet.

  “I should punish you,” I whispered before brushing my lips across hers.

  “Why?”

  “For running away. For not trusting me.”

  “I do trust you. It’s just that I needed the same kind of control that you do. I had to protect my son.” Her eyes opened wide as if she’d said something wrong.

  I pressed my lips against her cheek, rubbing them close to her ear then nipping her earlobe. “Perhaps but you still disobeyed me.”

  She wiggled underneath me, sliding one leg over mine. “I think you like it when I’m a bad girl.”

  “Mmm… Usually, but not in this case. However, I’ll give you a reprieve for now.”

  “Does that mean there’s going to be more hot sex?” While her tone was playful, she pushed her head further into the soft pillows in an effort to see my reaction.

  I lifted my head, taking several deep breaths. “I’m not going to lie to you, Hope. Spending time with me isn’t in your best interest.”

  After pressing her index finger against my lips, she lifted a single eyebrow. “Haven’t you figured out by now that I’m a strong woman?”

  I licked down the length of her finger, enjoying the way she shuddered. “What I know is that you’re one very naughty woman who needs a controlling man in her life.”

  “One who will protect me?”

  Her question was meant to be light, but a sick sense of dread floated in. “With my life.”

  “Make love to me, Dominik.”

  As always, I adored the tone of her voice, but there was an imploring sense that pulled at my heartstrings. I rubbed my lips across hers, taking my time to open her mouth. The sensations rushing through me were incredible, keeping me on the very edge of the kind of desire that would erupt at any moment into a desperate need. I wanted this moment to last, fearful that there wouldn’t be any others.

  The intimate moment was tender and loving at first, our tongues swishing back and forth together, the sound of our combined heartbeats somehow managing to echo in my ears. She dug her knee into my side, undulating her hips until the wafting scent of her sweet juice floated into my nostrils. The woman’s fragrance would always be intoxicating, forcing me to clamp down on my urges.

  And she knew exactly what she was doing to me.

  As the kiss erupted into an explosive passion, she raked her nails down my back, clinging to me as if fearful I would walk away. That would be the most difficult thing in my life. I sucked on her tongue, enjoying every taste and feel, my balls aching to the point of intense pain.

  She continued to wiggle, the little vixen attempting to gain control. I yanked first one arm over her head then the other, easily wrapping my hand around both her wrists. When I eased back, I made a tsking noise. “You are a very bad girl.”

  “And what are you going to do about it?”

  Another eruption of heat powered through me like a set of fireworks, every move she made enticing the hell out of me. Even the slight purrs slipping past her delicious lips were enough to drive me insane. I shifted my hips back and forth several times until she panted, the look in her eyes becoming glassy and unfocused.

  “Teasing me isn’t in your best interest,” she murmured.

  “Oh, really?” I ground my hips again as I breathed across her face, my entire body already on fire from the friction as well as the closeness. I slid my hand between us, pushing my cockhead between her swollen folds.

  She bucked hard, her breath skipping. “You are so mean.”

  “I thought you already knew that.” Seconds later, I threw back the covers, yanking her into a sitting position. The look on her face was one of surprise, her soft whimpers floating all around us.

  “What are you going to do?”

  I laughed in a dark and dangerous manner as I shook my head. “I should tie you to this bed so I can have my way with you. All. Night. Long.”

  “What about Grady?”

  “He’s fast asleep. Maybe I will. I know I have some rope around here.”

  “You wouldn’t dare,” she challenged.

  When I sat back, forcing her to straddle my legs, I gave her a stern look. “You should know better than to say something like that to me.”

  “I’ll make your life miserable if you do.”

  “Promises. Promises.” I yanked her aloft, easily sliding my cock into the entrance of her pussy. With a series of husky growls, I pulled her down with enough force she bit back a slight scream. “I’ll have to gag you if you can’t stay quiet.”

  Hope tossed her hair back and forth in a sign of defiance, but a sly smile remained on her face. The way her muscles stretched then clamped down over my shaft was incredible. She was so hot to the touch, her lower lip quivering. Everything about her aroused me to the point of sheer madness.

  I fisted the back of her neck while I rubbed the fingers of my other hand down her spine, tapping them against her buttocks. “You will get a spanking when the time is right, and I assure you that the discipline will be harsh.”

  “Promises. Promises.”

  The dirty little vixen was pulling out all the stops to get under my skin. “Ride me, sweet Hope. Ride me hard and fast.”

  She licked her lips then did as I commanded, bucking against me slowly at first as she fingered several strands of hair. The ache in my cock increased, my pulse now skipping. Having her cradled so closely felt natural and comforting. I was already experiencing a sense of nirvana by just being with her, but as she continued to rock back and forth, I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to hold back my eruption for long.

  I dug my fingers into her skin, holding her in place as she pressed her palm against my chest. She was doing everything in her power to maintain some level of control. I was having none of it. I pushed one hand against the bedding, meeting every hard thrust. Within seconds, her breathing became ragged, her mouth twisting.

  I could do nothing else for hours but kiss her soft lips, enjoying the closeness of our bodies. But tonight was just another layer of need, the kind that refused to be denied. As we developed a rhythm, rocking together, I could tell she was close to orgasming. I used the power of my thigh muscles to drive deep inside of her pussy as her muscles clamped and released several times.

  “Oh… So good. So big,” she muttered.

  Her words were nothing more than rocket fuel nearly spinning me out of control. “That’s it, baby. Come for me. Come on my big, fat cock.”

  A slight laugh pushed past her lips as she lolled her head, her panting becoming irregular. When her body tensed, I cupped her breasts, pinching her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.

  “Obey me. Come!”

  Hope responded to my command almost instantly, her body pitching and convulsing as an orgasm swept through her system. Every inch of her skin was covered in goosebumps, her chest heaving as she moaned before clawing my shoulder. I refused to stop, pushing her harder until I was able to tell another climax slammed into her sweet pussy.

  “Yes. Yes. Yes!” While her screams were muffled, I captured her mouth, forcing my tongue inside as I rocked with her.

  When she finally stopped shaking, she gave me a slight smile before lowering her head to my shoulder.

  “I love you,” she mumbled.

  Her whispered words brought out the savage in me. They also sent a wave of sensations throughout every inch of my body. As I held her against me, I closed my eyes.

  Maybe, just maybe things would be all right.

  If I failed, one or both of us would end up dead.

  Chapter 16

  Hope

  A rush of horror swept through me, clawing at my insides. I’d decided that saying the three little words to a man like Dominik was needed. When he didn’t flinch, I pulled away, studying his eyes. Just having his throbbing cock inside of me was electrifying, but the look on his face sent an explosion of fire into every cell and muscle.

  It was carnal.

  It was hungry.

  And it was possessive.

  Everything about the man was so intense, but on this night, something had changed, his desire turning into a level of obsession. I was breathless, my heart racing as he inched closer to the edge of the bed, keeping me in his arms as he moved to a standing position. I clung to him, wrapping my legs around his hips, uncertain of what he had in mind.

  When he walked toward the dresser, easing me down in front of it, another drifting of shivers trickled down the backs of my legs.

  Where he’d been so gentle before, his touch tender and loving, his beast had risen to the surface demanding satisfaction.

  He turned me around to face the mirror, fisting and twisting my hair as he pushed me against the edge. Just seeing our combined reflection was a powerful aphrodisiac, keeping my pulse high and my pussy aching.

  “What do you see, my sweet ray of sunshine?” he asked in a hushed voice.

  “Darkness.”

  “Interesting. Does that darkness scare you?”

  “Never.”

  “And why is that?” His voice was little more than a barbaric growl.

  “Because I share the same needs, the burning desire that keeps me awake at night. Because I hunger for more. Because I feel safe in your arms.”

  He kicked my legs apart, dragging his fingers down my spine. When he slipped his fingers into my pussy, thrusting hard and fast, it was all I could do to hold back a scream. I closed my eyes, allowing the sensations to take over, a moment of euphoria ready to erupt.

  The second he smacked me on the bottom several times, my eyes flew open. His expression was now one of admonishment.

  “Watch me, Hope. Don’t take your eyes away. I want you to watch as I take you.”

  There was even more ferocity in the timbre of his voice, his demand speaking to the very darkness I’d mentioned earlier. I wanted nothing more than to surrender to him, to submit to his every need. I bit back another cry as he continued plunging his fingers deep inside, pushing me onto my toes, but I was ready to beg him to thrust his cock back inside.

  Dominik seemed to sense my urgency, pushing his hand against the small of my back as he slid his cock back into my wet heat. Within seconds my pussy muscles clamped around the thick invasion, keeping him in place as he continued to throb. He did nothing more than keep his shaft inside, teasing me relentlessly.

  When I pushed my bottom against him, arching my back, a wry smile crossed his face.

  “My baby is very hungry.”

  “Yes. Yes, sir.”

  “Then you will have what you desire.”

  His words alone sent another spark of electricity and as he thrust in and out, I could barely keep from screaming. Every part of me was sensitive, my skin on fire. Panting, I bit my lower lip to keep from crying as he plunged harder and deeper.

  He rolled his fingers down my back, sliding his thumb up and down the crack of my ass. All the while he kept his eyes locked onto the mirror, studying my reaction. I found it more and more difficult to remain obedient, my eyes closing from the extreme pleasure.

  When he cracked his hand against my bottom again, I couldn’t seem to stop shaking. His actions became rougher, his needs increasing. Then without hesitation, he shoved his thumb into my asshole. The action pushed me almost instantly into another raging orgasm, my legs threatening to buckle under me.

  I continued to push against him, but another climax roared into my system. My focus was all but gone, my mind a blurry mess of thoughts and emotions as the desire continued to build. I could barely control my breathing, my blood pressure rising as my body shook uncontrollably.

  He issued a long growl before pulling out, immediately slipping his cockhead into my dark hole.

  Tensing, I clawed the dresser, unable to stop the whimpers from escaping my mouth. As he pushed his shaft inside inch by inch, I held my breath, a wash of pain shooting down my legs. But almost instantly, the anguish turned into sheer pleasure, the tingling sensations so entirely different.

  “So tight. God, I love how tight you are,” he half whispered as he pulled almost all the way out, sliding in again in a slow and easy manner as my muscles expanded.

  He ground his hips against me after he was fully seated inside, allowing me to get used to the feeling. Then he proceeded to fuck me like a wild man, thrusting in and out brutally. I was pitched against the dresser, enjoying the expression on his face. He was a true savage.