Another sharp sting of his hand on her ass smacked her back to the present. But he caressed her skin to soothe the sting. With firm hands on her hips, he thrust hard. Again and again. “Fuck,” hegrowled.
Even though he was taking her for his own pleasure, the strength in which he gripped her hips and controlled her movement aroused the hell out of her. Between moans, she inhaled the thick aroma of sex. She craved his hard fucking, his commands, and his punishments. Her erotic stranger doled out so much glorious pain. But his relentless fucking didn’t feel like ascolding.
“Yeah,” he said and went ballsdeep.
Moaning through his orgasm, he shuddered as her core clenched around him and she came again, relishing in the ecstasy that replaced her never-endingloneliness.
7
The Shocking Truth
No one would guessCrockett was running on two hours of sleep, having returned home after three in the morning. Normally he’d be dragging, especially after a full day at work. But he was energized, thanks to Electra—hisveryseductive and addictive kinkpartner.
But his workday wasn’t without its frustration. He’d spent the last two hours trying to get Moth to replicate her failed flight, but like she’d done with Decker, she’d responded to his every command with flawlessprecision.
As he wound his way up Colton’s long driveway, his thoughts turned to Alexandra. Though Kimberly had showed him every demo tape she’d sent home over the years, he hadn’t seen her in over a decade. Not because he hadn’t tried. Alexandra was a Mitus and they were a stubbornlot.
He parked in the driveway, cut the engine. Carrying a bottle of champagne and a vibrant holiday bouquet, he admired the lit wreaths hanging from the windows of Colton’s beautiful Great Falls mansion as he headed toward the front door. Time to celebrate his best friend’s engagement.Smile. Showtime.
The therapist who had counseled his family after his sister’s abduction had explained that there would be times when they’d have to actas if. As if they were happy, as if they gave a damn, as if life mattered. She taught them constructive ways to release their anger so they wouldn’t take it out on some numbskull who cut them off in traffic, or a spouse during a disagreement, or a coworker who needed mentoring and not a harsh reprimand. He and his parents had stuck with therapy for a year, but when it became apparent Sophia wouldn’t be found anytime soon, they stopped going. Managing their anger and frustration became their new norm while they limped forward a broken family. In the end, martial arts had saved Crockett. No one got hurt when he beat the hell out of a punchingbag.
On occasion, something would make him happy. Fleeting, yes, but real. Those moments were not without conflict. How could he feel joy when his little sister’s whereabouts were still unknown? How dare he have fun when she could be buried in some shallow grave after meeting a horrific death, or in some third-world country serving some drug lord? And even though he could hear her sweet voice telling him that she’d want him to be happy for her sake, the frustration that lived in the pit of his stomach never left. He’d feeljoythe day Sophia returned safely home and not one daysooner.
Tonight, however, he’d get to see Alexandra.My Goth Girl. Eleven years ago, he’d ended their relationship with a heavy heart. For her sake. Hoping they could start anew, he rang the doorbell, then let himself into the foyer, thick with people. “MerryChristmas!”
Colton slapped him on the back. “Glad you could make it.” With a smile, he added, “You look good, bro. Showeringhelps.”
Best friends since their freshman year at Harvard, the two men couldn’t be more different. Colton had long, wild hair while Crockett kept his short. Colton had found his way to kink years ago and that seemed to quiet his raging soul. Crockett released his aggression in the dojo. The one commonality they shared was their intense passion for business and for success. If Crockett could have chosen a brother, Colton would be thatman.
Chuckling, Crockett extended the bottle of Dom Perignon. “For toasting or to share with the fiancée. Congratulations on the bignews.”
“Thanks. Great vintage.” Colton grasped the bottle. “I never thought about marriage until I met Brigit. It’s all about finding therightwoman. Younext?”
“Hell,no.”
“For me?” Colton asked, pointing to thebouquet.
“You’re a smart ass, you know that? Where’sBrigit?”
“Consoling mysister.”
The knot between Crockett’s brows deepened. “Did something happen with yourmom?”
“All things considered, Kimberly’s doing well. She’s reviewing her will.” Colton’s voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “That upsetAlexandra.”
“Totally understandable. I’msorry.”
“Thanks.” Colton threw an arm around Crockett and the two men headed toward the kitchen. “So, how often do you talk to mymom?”
“Everyweek.”
“No wonder she calls you herfavorite.”
“Not me.” Crockett glanced around for Alexandra. “That baby sister of yours has always been her goldenchild.”
As Colton set the champagne on the island, Crockett said hello to the kitchen staff. Movement on the screened porch caught his eye. Alexandra and Colton’s fiancée rose from the sofa and hugged. Though the women had been sitting in the dark, he recognized Alex rightaway.
And he couldn’t lookaway.
