Chasing Wicked (The Mitchell Brothers - Wicked Series Book 1) Read online

  Holy hell.

  My nipples throbbed and peaked, pleading for the delicious assault. I’d grown used to the intermittent nips, tugs, and bitter cold that left me burning on my own stake of fire. Relentless, he inserted a tiny frozen cube into my inner core and I bucked wildly, straight into his mouth.

  His tongue pushed the tiny melting piece farther inside and licked the remnants of water away.

  “Oh, God.”

  “You’re so wet. Tell me what you want.”

  “You.” I gasped. “I want you.”

  “No. Tell me what this wants.” He thrust two fingers deep inside me.

  “You, Stone. You,” I begged.

  Removing his fingers, he shoved another small piece of ice inside, working his tongue along the walls, down the crevice, and circling my swollen bud.

  “You must only want me to lick you.”

  “Yes. No…I want you.” I thrashed my head back and forth on the pillow.

  “Not what I want to hear. Say what you want to me to fill you with.”

  Your cock! The words screamed in my scrambled brain. Fuck me with your cock!

  I’d never said the word aloud before, but right then, I would have said any word he wanted me to just to have him bury himself deep inside me.

  “Please, Stone. Please, I want your cock!”

  Somehow amid the frenzy, I heard a package tear, escalating my excitement even more. I arched toward him, hoping he’d give me what I longed for.

  He plunged deep, filling me to the hilt. As he pulled out slow and drove in fast, I lifted my hips, meeting him thrust for thrust. Pelvis to pelvis, he ground and slammed into me. I surrendered everything I had for the scorching moment. Never in my wildest fantasies had I ever felt so free and uninhibited.

  His hands clutched the sides of my face, and he kissed me as hard as he fucked. Deep in my core, I began quivering and clenched tighter around him.

  “Do it. Come! Now!” His hoarse voice breathed against my mouth.

  Like he’d promised I would, I screamed his name inside the kiss muffling my cries. His shoulders shuddered as he pumped his own release, his moves slowing until he went completely still.

  We lay intertwined, him still buried between my legs for several minutes. He slid the blindfold from my eyes and to my surprise, several candles sat flickering on the dresser across the room.

  “You okay?”

  “Mmmmm, yes. Candles?”

  “I had to see you come.”

  “I guess I figured you for a lamp or full-blown lights kind of guy.”

  He rolled next to me, shifting me next to his side. My head rested in the nook of his arm and shoulder and I breathed him in, his scent intoxicating.

  “Why the blindfold?”

  “Did you like it?”

  “Yes.” I paused for a moment. “But why do you like it?”

  “It heightened your experience, not knowing what was going happen. Watching you in the thrill of suspense and anticipation of what’s coming next turns me on. I want to push you to your limits, and maybe even past them.”

  I swallowed hard. “What do you mean by that?”

  He kissed the top of my forehead. “Enjoy the ride, Avery. I won’t hurt you. I’m not into that.”

  “What do you mean limits? And pushing me past them?”

  “When you think you can’t take any more, you can and will, and you’ll come hard—harder than you ever have. Every part of your body will be mine and you’ll beg me to take it, but it’ll never be anything but pleasure.”

  “Good to know. I was beginning to think I needed a safe word.” I let out a soft laugh.

  “The only safe word you need is stop, but you’ll never have to say it.”

  I rolled to my side, propping up on one elbow and resting my head in the palm of my hand. “Do you do that often? Blindfold women?”

  His chest stopped moving, like he’d paused his breath because he was taken aback by my simple question. “I’m not going to talk about other women with you.”

  The thought of him being with another affected me more than I wanted to admit, like a jabbing spike through my beating heart. I didn’t have the right to feel the stinging jealousy, yet I couldn’t stop the force of it. As much as I didn’t have the right to ask, I needed to know if Stone had ever stopped caring about me.

  “Have you…been in love since me?”

  “Love is nothing but a cruel joke. Some people get lucky enough to find it, like both our parents, but after all that bullshit with me and you, it’s not worth it.”

  His words slayed me.

  He had enslaved me all those years ago, and I had fallen deeply in love with him. Even through the hellish nightmare, so many times, I hated myself for loving him, told myself a million times I despised him, knowing that was a complete lie.

  Now that he was back in my life full force, I was undeniably scared shitless but savored every minute I had with him.

  Because through it all, I still loved him.

  Chapter 15

  The next morning I sat outside on the deck, enjoying the view with a cup of coffee. Stone’s shoes were missing from the corner by the door, so I knew he had gone jogging. Savannah was still fast asleep, and I remembered every detail of the night before.

  The giant empty hole that had been in the cavity of my chest had overfilled again, like when everything had been perfect and whole. He completed me. I wanted to cry out in happiness with how much I loved him. I lifted my eyes to the sky and whispered gratitude for the possibility of having a second chance.

  He had made it clear there wasn’t an ‘us’, but when he cast his eyes on me, kissed my lips in the gentlest way, stroked my body in the softest caress, it felt like there was, like time had never been stolen from us and we loved as fiercely as we had all along.

  After we were together, Stone had walked me to the bedroom on the first floor. Remembering us tiptoeing like sneaky teens hiding from our parents made me smile over the rim of the cup. My lips tingled thinking about him kissing me goodnight, and my stomach fluttered as I reread the text he’d sent after several minutes of trying to relax enough to fall asleep.

  Stone: I already miss you next to me.

  Me: I’m lonely down here all by myself…the bed is cold.

  Stone: Tell me to stay upstairs. Tell me to stay far away.

  Me: I can’t.

  Stone: Damn…what are you doing to me?

  Me: I hope the same that you’re doing to me.

  I sat the phone beside me and closed my eyes. A shiver spread down my spine, and I knew he was near. How I sensed him, I had no clue, but I did. Glancing down the beach, I saw him getting closer and I took in his powerful strides. My mouth went dry and I swallowed hard. I could get used to watching him run shirtless.

  Mercy.

  Fit and perfected, he looked as if he belonged in an episode of Baywatch. I swooned, my heart tripping over its own beats, and each pace nearer drew my body out of the chair. I set the mug down and stood in front of the railing, palms flat against the wooden surface. Taking in every piece of his sinfully sexy body, I finally exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

  When he reached the crosswalk, he looked straight at me. Even across the way, I recognized the look—the one where desire met lust, the same one that caused a coiled heat at the center of my being.

  My heart thudded with each sound of his feet climbing the stairs. As soon as he came into view, a wide smile broke across his face. He strode over to me and pressed his lips to mine. “After last night, I’m surprised you’re up this early. It was three AM when I walked you to your room.”

  “I didn’t think you’d have the energy to run this morning.”

  He tilted his head to the side with a cocked eyebrow and eyes that went dark. “I have the stamina to do a lot more than run, Ave.”

  “Too bad we’ll have to wait for you to prove it. Just so you know, I’m wet and ready for anything you can give, but since we have a curly-hea
ded girl that’s going to wake up any time now, we’ll have to wait.”

  “Don’t play with fire.”

  “Or what, you’ll spank me?” I playfully challenged.

  “That can be arranged.” Raw desire fired in his eyes and a smirk toyed with the corners of his mouth.

  Holy hell…that mouth.

  Stone picked up a small hand towel that was draped over the side of the glider and a clear insulated glass filled with water. He wiped his face and the back of his neck before clasping my hand and leading me to the pair of wooden chaise loungers facing the ocean.

  “We have to leave in two days for Savannah’s neurologist appointment.”

  “I know.”

  “She loves it here, must be in her DNA.”

  He glanced my way. “I was thinking she and I would spend a few weeks here each summer, after you and I come up with a visitation agreement.”

  Bam!

  There it was. He had just drawn the line between us, spelling out what he’d already warned me of. Quicksand swallowed me up whole, sucking the air from my very soul. There was never going to be anything more than this, nothing more than sex.

  A small gust of balmy wind blew a strand of hair into my face, hiding the mist forming in my eyes. I had to put space between us before I screamed in frustration.

  “Yeah, we probably need to get that taken care of pretty soon.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Hey, I saw pancake mix in the pantry. I’ll whip some up while you’re in the shower.”

  “That sounds good,” he said, reaching over and placing his hand firmly on my thigh. His thumb rubbed small tender circles against my skin. “I’m glad we’re able to be friends, Ave. It feels good to talk to you again.”

  Friends.

  I’d been a damned fool, ignoring all the warnings he’d given. He’d never lied, and I had jumped into his bed knowing the consequences. If anyone were to blame, it was me. I’d summoned him that night, calling his name, subconsciously hoping he would come. He’d been honest from the get-go, and I had jumped feet first into the pits of hell.

  Friends? Maybe, but I wasn’t a casual sex girl—not jumping in the sack with another for six years backed that up. He’d ruined me a long time ago, and sleeping with him again had only screwed me up a little bit more.

  “Oh, and I got a call from the private investigator this morning. He said he found a big lead yesterday. If it pans out, he’s hoping to either identify the person responsible or at least get another step closer.”

  “I want to know, you know I do, but I don’t want to stir up a lot of drama and relive that time in our lives. I just want them to own up to it and tell us why.” Tears prickled my eyes.

  “I want them to pay.” His jaw pulled tight and the air between us tensed. “If that shit hadn’t happened, everything would have been different.”

  “Between us,” I simply stated.

  “Between us,” he confirmed, and his eyes went dark and broody. “As well as other things. I made some fucked-up decisions that I can’t undo.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. You may have done things you’re not proud of, but you’re a great guy who’s going to be a great dad for our daughter.” My heart screamed, You just can’t commit to me. I slid off the chair before the last thread of strength I clutched dissipated. “I need to check on Savannah and get those pancakes going.”

  Tears blinded me as I hurried inside the bedroom and fled into the adjoining bathroom. After I secured the locks on both doors, all the emotions I’d kept at bay surged at combustive levels. I crammed my face into a beach towel folded on the countertop, silently cursing. What a stupid, stupid girl I was, falling all over again for a man that was never destined to be mine.

  Sleeping with him—no, having the best sex of the century with him was the biggest mistake of my life. He had waltzed into my life and I’d opened my legs like a desperate fool. He said all the right things, looked at me in all the right ways, and I let him.

  This. Stops. Now.

  Anger bashed away the hurt. I was done. We were old lovers, we were parents, and we would not ever have sex again—not in this lifetime.

  Checking on Savannah, I found her curled up with her bunny, taking slow and easy sleeping breaths. So peaceful. So perfect. She didn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of the insanity. I stormed across the living area.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, I reached his door but stopped before twisting the knob. His voice startled me. It didn’t roar, but was more like a rough bark.

  “We met three days ago. Is there any way this can wait until next week?” Silence. “I already told you, I need to be there!” Silence. “I’ve never asked for anything. I’ve been there every single time I was supposed to.” Silence. “I understand it’s my duty.” Silence. “Look, put her on the phone. Let me talk to her.” Silence. “I understand. I’ll be there in the morning.”

  What the hell was that about?

  Behind the door, several thuds like things being thrown around filtered through the wooden surface with a domino effect. One after another, things banged against the floor, and an animalistic growl coming from his lips made me clutch the banister for dear life.

  In my own soul-penetrating anguish, my sense bolted out of me. I told myself to go back downstairs. Instead, I stood in place for what seemed like hours, expecting to be caught eavesdropping outside the door.

  When I heard water splashing against the marble of the shower, I gently pushed open the door. Framed family pictures lay behind shattered glass, and the candles from last night, a table runner, and pieces of dismembered coral lay in shambles about the floor.

  “Mama?” Savannah called out from below.I fled down the steps, slowing to a casual pace before I reached the bottom. Her traipsing upstairs and finding this mess was the last thing I wanted. Swallowing hard, I plastered on my best poker face before finding her searching for me in my bedroom.

  “Hey sunshine. I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up. Stone’s already been down on the beach for a morning run and I sat out on the deck waiting for you to get out of bed.”

  “Are we going back to the beach?”

  “Maybe after pancakes.” I wanted to tell her we were leaving, but the excitement dancing like twinkling stars in her eyes stopped me.

  She pitter-patted to the bar and climbed up onto the stool. “Can I help make them?”

  “You bet.” I set a whisk from the utensil jar on the counter in front of her and retrieved a mixing bowl from the cabinet.

  Who the hell are you mixed up with, Stone? Who is she?

  Weighing all my options, I decided going home was the best option for everyone. Going to the beach house had been the best option for ensuring Savannah adapted well, and since she had adjusted better than expected, it was time to go home.

  I made each of us a short stack on the griddle while Savannah set the syrup, butter, and forks on the table. I set the plates on top of the grey placemats and poured three small glasses of orange juice.

  “Smells good.” His voice resonated through the air as if nothing had happened.

  I kept my back to him, too afraid of my own reaction. I wanted to curse, scream, and call him every name in the book. I wanted to know who he was meeting. I wanted to believe there wasn’t another woman, but he’d clearly made an agreement to meet with one.

  I wanted to run, to save myself if possible, and yet part of me wanted to throw myself in his arms, hoping he’d realize what he was throwing away.

  Chapter 16

  “I have some business in Houston I can’t get out of, so Hank is going to fly you and Savannah back in the morning,” he said matter-of-factly.

  Business, my ass.

  Savannah was in the bathroom getting dressed for the beach. I assessed Stone, contemplating my response. The smartest thing to do would be to let it go, but I couldn’t. I’d never been worth a damn at keeping my mouth shut.

  “Are you still going to the doctor’s appointment?” I bait
ed, choosing my words wisely.

  “Not this time.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is something I can’t control.”

  “What’s going on, Stone? Are you already promising things you won’t follow through with?” I planted my hands on my hips, not pulling any punches. Every single pissed fiber inside me pushed me straight for his jugular.

  “It’s not like that.” He tensed, his body rigid and his breath ragged. “She’ll always come first.”

  A force of fury expelled from his eyes, driving me to attack harder. I drew my arms upward, making air quotes. “‘Business’? ‘Something I can’t control’? Those were your words, not mine. That puts her in second place after the hotel empire you’ve made for yourself—if it really is business you have to take care of.”

  His body flinched as if I’d slapped him. I’d unleashed, making him understand that broken promises would never be tolerated. Hurting me was one thing, but hurting our daughter was another entirely.

  Shaking, I marched away, escaping to the quiet of my bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I slipped my hand behind my back, rotating the lock on the knob. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye with my index finger, cursing the wetness. Sinking to the floor, I let the hurt spill out.

  Like a heavy fog lifting, I knew what needed to be done. There would never be trips including the three of us. He and Savannah would spend time together, but not me. No more being alone with him, and no more touching or kissing. No more ridiculous ideas of having casual, amazing sex that didn’t come with strings attached.

  When I’d finally cried my tears dry, I stood with the same strength I’d found the day the doctor confirmed my pregnancy. I’d learned to pretend I didn’t hurt. I’d learned to pretend Stone didn’t matter. I’d learned I had something to live for, and I still had that very same reason.

  Through the bathroom door leading to her room, I called, “Honey, I’m going to slip into my swimsuit.”

  “Okay Mama. I’m putting on my flip-flops.”

  Slipping a sheer white cover-up over my black and white one-piece swimsuit, I stewed. Who was the woman he had to drop everything to meet? I highly doubted it was business, and internally, I fumed. How dare he make me feel all the things he’d made me feel the night before only to draw a line between us this morning.