10

  Scar

  Hutch didn't tell me to pack my shit and get out of Hamiltown. He wasn’t even angry I kept my connection to the Petrovs a secret. He thinks it’s an advantage.

  Standing in his living room, waiting to have dinner with his family, I wish I could agree with him, but he hasn’t seen the depth of their cruelty or their complete lack of regard for human life.

  He thinks I can serve as bait. I can draw them out of hiding, and we can have them arrested for money laundering, blackmail, embezzlement, murder.

  I think he’s being very optimistic.

  The Petrovs live by the code of no family, no connections. They claim there is no Bratva, but I’ve waited in the next room as Victor paid off crooked doctors for doping horses. I watched grown men crying, sniveling like pigs as they begged for their lives. I had no mercy for these men, but I walked out when Victor signed the order to sell a child.

  Then I found out six months ago what he did to Hana.

  Standing in front of the fireplace, my fist tightens as I think of all the ways I’ve fucked this up. Letting her take those pictures today tops the list. If she puts my face in a gallery in New York, it’ll be as good as putting a target on her forehead.

  Still, after making her cry, I was willing to do anything to make her smile. She was so adorable climbing all over the trees, sliding her fingers in my hair, holding my hand and ordering me around.

  Then when she looked up at me with those big blue eyes and asked if she could sleep in my bed… My jaw clenches. I struggled with telling her no. She’s a temptation I’m not sure I can resist, but what better way to know she’s safe?

  Scrubbing my fingers against my eyes, I can’t help thinking she belongs at my side. If it puts her in danger, they’ll have to kill me first.

  “Don't look so worried.” Dirk claps my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I think Hutch is right. If they’re tracking you, we only have to lead them out of hiding, catch them in the act, and the district attorney can issue warrants for their arrest. It’s the best case scenario.”

  “If they don’t kill us first.” My voice is low, and I wish I hadn’t come here tonight for dinner. I’m a dark cloud over their family time.

  Pepper runs into the room, but instead of her usual jump on my back, she puts her hand in the crook of my arm. “Uncle Hutch said I can go to the show in New York. You’ll be there, won’t you? We’re both models. It’ll be so cool. I’m putting it on my TikTok.”

  Glancing up at Hutch, he only shrugs. “I held out as long as I could.”

  “Thirteen is the legal age for social media.”

  Pepper gives my arm a sharp pull, talking out the side of her mouth. “Don’t mess this up for me.”

  I shake my head, glancing up at my partner. “I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”

  It’s not true. Ever since he proposed to Blake, Hutch has been worried about Pepper’s reaction. They both have. I don’t think it’s a good time to ease their standards, but what do I know? I’m not a dad, and I’ve got bigger fish to fry.

  “I’d better take off.” I’d hoped Hana and Blake would be here for dinner tonight, but Hutch said they were having dinner with their uncle.

  I’d hoped I could talk her out of sleeping in my bed, not that I want to.

  I want to hold her in my arms. I want to kiss her sweet lips and smooth my hands over her wild curls. I want to possess every part of her body, shield her from all harm, make her mine, but I can’t promise her forever.

  When everything I’ve done is revealed, I don’t know what will happen, but I’ll have to pay for my crimes.

  Standing in my kitchen waiting for her to appear, I tell myself this is only for safety. It’s only so she can sleep, so those deep lines will ease around her tired eyes.

  Like either of us believes it.

  Like I can have her in my bed beside me all night in the dark, her sweet little body pressed against mine, and not touch her. Everything in me wants her, and I’m lying to myself saying it’s all about safety. She couldn’t be any less safe with me. My dick twitches at the thought.

  The golf cart glides silently into my driveway, and she’s here. I sense her presence like the moon stirring the tide. She’s in my blood, and I look up to meet her eyes through the screen.

  “Am I too early?” Her smile is confident and nervous, that tantalizing combination as she enters my home.

  “We’re not on a schedule. Does anyone know you’re here?”

  “I told Blake so she wouldn’t worry.” She closes the space between us, her head only reaching the center of my chest.

  I want to reach down and pull her into my arms. She smells like fresh flowers, and her presence awakens my soul. She lights up my heart in a way that’s impossible to overlook. I could see it in my face as I scrolled through the pictures she took today.

  I thought my ability to feel this type of emotion had died, but I was so wrong.

  She puts her hand in mine like she did earlier, and I pull her to my chest. She’s wearing light knit shorts and a beige top. A long sweater is over her shoulders, hanging down to her calves, and her long blonde hair hangs in spirals down her back.

  “Did you have a good dinner?” I speak against the top of her head.

  “Yes!” She nods, her cheek against my chest. “Norris had filets with baked potatoes and asparagus. I ate everything but the asparagus. But only because I don’t like the flavor… and it makes my pee smell weird.”

  Her voice is so proud, it makes me chuckle. “Good girl.”

  I give her a light squeeze and release her, still holding her hand, I lead her to my bedroom. It’s dark, lit only by lamps situated in the corners. The walls are dark wood, and the king size bed is made with gray sheets and a black duvet cover.

  She slides a hand over the soft cotton. “It’s very elegant.”

  My bank account is sizable, but I earned it protecting bad men. I didn’t steal it, but I can’t help feeling like it’s tainted, especially in view of her past with Victor. It’s a past she needs to know, and she needs to know what really happened to him, not what she believes.

  We’ll get there. Hesitating, I study her looking up at me from beside my bed. I want to kiss her. I want to slide the thin sweater off her shoulders and trace my lips from her forehead down her cheek, into her hair.

  Instead, I remember I’m going to control myself tonight. “Do you need to wash or brush your teeth?”

  Her cheeks flush a pretty pink, and she shakes her head. “I did all that before I left Uncle Hugh’s. Or I guess, before I left my house.” She glances at the headboard. “He’s really sweet, asking about my pictures…”

  An awkward silence falls in the room, and I gesture to the bed. “Hop in. I still need to do a few things.”

  She climbs onto the mattress, and I tear my eyes away from her cute little ass pointed up at me. Her butt is surprisingly round. It feels good in my hands, I want to grip it while she rides my cock, gasping my name. I remember wanting to mark it with my palm, and I clear my throat, sliding a hand over the front of my jeans to calm my raging hard-on.

  Without a word, I head for the bathroom to change into sweats and stop these thoughts of fucking her. I brush my teeth and press a cool washcloth to the back of my neck before returning to the bedroom to find her curled in a ball. Her eyes are closed, and her breath is soft. I think she’s already fallen asleep, and I decide it’s for the best.

  She really did come here to sleep, and I need to get my head straight. Yes, I kissed her, and she kissed me back. But there are a lot of steps between kissing and fucking, not that fucking is something we need to be doing.

  Sliding my hands through my hair, I tie it back and slide into the sheets beside her. Lying on my side facing her, I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight. The heat of her body and the degree of my longing make it difficult to relax.

  The almost-full moon shines through my window, and I lift a curl off her shoulder, threading it around my finger. What would it be like to have her with me always? Hana is beautiful, sophisticated, and talented. She’s fragile like a battered daisy.

  My anxieties, the risk and the danger, scroll in my mind, keeping me awake. Rolling onto my back, I wish for sleep. I’m tired and my body aches. I’m frustrated with fighting my desire for her.

  Reaching up, I slide my hand behind my head, and she exhales a soft sigh that lights my senses. I’m so aware of her presence.

  Her eyes are closed, but she moves closer to me, putting her arm around my waist and her head on my chest. She nestles closer to my side, and the scent of fresh lavender and sugar surrounds me.

  Lowering my arm, I wrap it around her back, holding her securely, and the fist in my chest unfurls. She feels so good in my arms. Her body fits at my side like she belongs there, like she’s the missing piece.

  I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. It’s a solemn promise from a man who can keep it.

  I will keep that promise.

  Closing my eyes, I think of the day she brought me sugar cookies. Who would bring me cookies besides Hana? Shifting slightly, I bring my other arm around her so I can hold her completely in my arms.

  Her chin lifts, but her eyes remain closed. The most peaceful smile softens her face, and I close my eyes, drifting into a gentle sleep.

  In my dreams, I kiss her. She sits up in my bed and lifts her shirt over her body. She’s not wearing a bra, and her tits are round and soft, dark nipples pointing at me. Taking my hands, she places them on her body, and I slide my palms over her breasts, lifting them to my mouth, kissing them and sliding my tongue around the tips as her head falls back with a moan.

  My cock is so hard. I’ll have to be gentle until she’s accustomed to my size, although she surprises me with her knowledge and her appetites.

  She’s feisty, pushing my shoulders, forcing me to lean against the headboard as she kisses her way down my bare chest. She’s not afraid of my scars. She’s not afraid of the black ink covering them.

  Slender hands clutch the waist of my pants, and I lift my hips, curious to see what she’ll do. Her eyes widen at the size of my erection, and a smug grin curls my lips. Don’t worry, angel, it’ll fit, and it’ll feel so good massaging your G-spot.

  Without hesitation she wraps her fingers around my shaft and starts to pump. Her lips pucker over my tip, and she sucks, making me moan and drop my head back.

  “Fuck, yeah,” I gasp.

  Her hot, wet mouth surrounding me electrifies my mind. She focuses on my tip, using her spit to smooth her hand working up and down my shaft. With expert technique, she squeezes as she nears the top, as her tongue flickers around the edges.

  She’s too fucking good at this, and I’ve wanted her for so long, I’m going to come hard and fast, and I want it to be inside her.

  “That feels so good, baby girl. ” My voice strains, and I thread my fingers in her hair. “So fucking good.”

  I want to hold her head and lift my hips, drive my cock down her throat, but I don’t. “I’m not a baby,” she argues, her lips grazing my shaft, and the dream starts to fade.

  The shadows dissolve, and my eyes blink open slowly as the ceiling of my bedroom comes into focus. Dawn is breaking outside my window, and this is not a dream. Hana is between my legs sucking on my cock, and a charge of pleasure shoots to my brain.

  “Fuck…” Desire lifts my hips, and my shoulders press against the headboard. I’m hard as an iron rod, and Hana’s sucking me off like a pro.

  Her breasts are bare, nipples taut, and looking down, I watch them graze my thighs. She’s my living fantasy, and she pulls me deeper into her mouth, sucking me all the way to the back of her throat.

  “Hana,” I groan, placing my hands on her head.

  I couldn’t stop her if I wanted to. Orgasm surges in my thighs, tightening my ass, and I want to pull her onto my lap. She tickles my sack lightly, and fuck me.

  “Feels too good, baby,” I groan. “I’m going to come.”

  “Okay,” she gasps, wrapping her full lips around my tip and sucking harder.

  “Fuck.” My eyes roll back, and I’m past control. “Fuck…”

  My hips jerk as I surrender to the primitive response. My cock throbs and pulses, and Hana holds me, sucking and swallowing.

  Sweat breaks out on my forehead, and my vision blurs. I’m pretty sure I levitate. She gives my tip a few more sucks, and the sensation almost knocks me out of the bed.

  “Hana,” I catch her hand. “It’s sensitive.”

  She slants her eyes up at me, and my stomach heats. Perhaps my girl enjoys a little kink?

  Sitting back on her feet, she crosses her arms like she’s satisfied at her accomplishment. “How many calories do you think are in semen?”

  “Come here,” I exhale a laugh as I reach down, catching her under the arms and pulling her to my chest. “What are you doing to me?”

  “Something we both want.” She’s sassy, and I like this change.

  Her arms are around me, and her breasts press against my chest. Her head is below my chin, and I spread my palms over her back as I hold her. Tilting my face, I kiss her forehead. Her lips are at my neck, and our bodies are aligned, chest to chest, hip to hip, all the way to our toes.

  She wiggles, and my arms relax. Her chin lifts, and she looks up at me with bright eyes. “I slept so good last night. Didn’t you?”

  “I did.” I feel better than I have in a while, relaxed, rested, sated. “Now I’m hungry for your sweet little cunt.”

  Her eyes flash, and she laughs as I flip her onto her back. Rising onto my elbow, I press my lips to hers briefly before working my way down to her perky nipples. I spend a few moments on them, circling my tongue over the hardened tips and pulling them with my lips. She moans, threading her fingers in my hair.

  I make my way lower, pausing at her navel to kiss and circle my tongue around it, and her back arches higher.

  “Mm, your beard tickles.” Her sultry tone has my dick tensing up again.

  “Get these out of the way.” Hooking my thumbs in the waist of her thin shorts, I pull them down, following a path down her hip to hover over her bare pussy. Beautiful.

  With a groan, I want to slide my tongue everywhere between her legs, suck her clit and make her come long and hard.

  My hands are on her thighs, and I’m ready to spread her open like a peach.

  In a low, throaty rumble, I exhale, “Just a little a taste…”

  With a flash her body goes rigid like she’s been shocked. My grip is loose, and she jumps out of the bed faster than I can stop her, scooping up her clothes and holding them over her naked body.

  “Hana?” I’m confused, but she seems equally confused, blinking fast as she pulls on her shorts.

  “It’s okay.” Her voice wavers, and she finishes dressing fast, her hands trembling. “I-I’d better get back to the house. If anyone wakes up and finds me gone, they’ll think something happened.”

  “But you told Blake–”

  “I didn’t tell Norris.” She’s blinking back tears, pulling her sweater over her shoulders.

  What just happened?

  “Wait.” I swing my legs off the bed, but she backs away from me.

  “I’m okay. Really.” She’s talking too fast, and she is clearly not okay. “Maybe you can come over later for breakfast. I’ll make lots and lots of breakfast for us, and we can eat it all.”

  She bolts through the door before I can find my boxer briefs. The screen door slams, and I’m left standing in my kitchen, completely nude, wondering what the fuck just happened.

  11

  Hana

  I don't know what just happened.

  Only, that’s not true, I do know what happened, and it makes my temples throb. Tears coat my cheeks as I drive through the misty dawn. I slept better last night than I have in years, and this morning was the icing on the cake–until it turned to acid.

  Fuck you, Victor.

  Inhaling with a jerk, a sob clutches my throat. I never saw it coming. I didn't know this would happen with a man I wanted, a man whose body I’ve craved for so long.

  It was all following the plan. Scar’s strong arms were around me, and not a single nightmare could break through his protection. When I woke up with his impressive morning wood in my stomach, I went for it, and I got him.

  I wanted to make him feel good. I wanted to make him come, and I wanted him to know it was me making it happen. It didn’t take long to have him groaning my name, and even better, he finally stopped fighting us.

  He came hard enough to smash the boundary he’d built between us. I was inside his walls, ready to go all the way for the first time ever.

  When he looked at me, his blue eyes were no longer guarded. They were full of heat and lust, and so much affection. Fire saturated my body. Then he kissed me.

  He kissed all of me. He worshiped me, and it felt so good. I was so ready for it to feel so much better.

  Just a taste…

  Those words coming from Scar should’ve fueled my desire. Instead, my body slammed me straight into the past. I was a child, in a black room with a large man taking what he wanted.

  “Oh, God.” Fresh tears coat my cheeks.

  I’m such a fucked-up, damaged person, and it’s so unfair–to both of us.

  I want to be with Scar. I want him to be obsessed with me. I want him to crave my body, my taste, my scent. Now when I hear those words, everything shuts down. Pain like a knife slices my heart into pieces, leaving me bleeding.

  Squeezing my eyes shut, I don’t want to be this way. I want to love him completely, but as the understanding grows clearer, the weight in my stomach grows heavier.

  Scar has suffered enough. He deserves a woman who is whole and can love him the way he deserves to be loved. He should have someone who will fulfill all his desires.

  Parking the golf cart in the garage, I walk slowly to my bedroom suite. The house is quiet and dark, and not even Norris is awake.