Dom Fever (Devlin Black #2) (10 page)

The bath water began to run and I grabbed all the plates, scrapping them clean and rinsing them off. As I
wiped down Ava’s tray, I still stayed in a daze. I could so clearly see Daniels eyes peering up at me from over Victoria’s shoulder. Fuck, I didn’t like him. Seeing his face just…dammit, I wanted to hurt him for whatever he’d done. For even being in her life to begin with.

What felt like forever went by and I sat at the table, staring ahead. How would I break the news about Justine? Tell her everything I’d done? How would she take it? Still, I didn’t want to confess. There were so many what-ifs. None of them looked good for me.

“I think she’s finally down.” She took a deep breath and headed for the room. I was so close behind, I had to force myself to slow. The door swung open at her push and she walked in, sitting on the edge of the bed. “It was shortly before he left. I came in here to go to the restroom and when I came out, he was standing at the door,” she said, pointing. “Just, leaning on it. I walked up and asked him what he was doing and he…” she glanced up, “he kissed me.”

“There’s more.” I held my arms across my chest, my fingers pushing into the
muscle on my forearms.

“He started walking me backward. Toward the bed. That’s when I pushed him back. He stopped after that. It was really awkward and he left not long after. I was surprised when he called this morning and said he wanted to go over the other papers. I’d thought I made it clear that I really wasn’t interested.”

My head shook. “No,
I
made it clear to him. He should have stopped then. That bullshit he pulled with you…” The way my fingers were raking into my arm, it was doing nothing to help with the flood of emotions that were barreling into me. That piece of shit had tried to get her to the bed. More than likely because he had every intention of fucking her. Fucking my
pregnant
Victoria. No. That shit didn’t fly. At all.

“Devlin, you’re scaring me.”

I looked back over, not realizing how long I’d been thinking. “What he pulled with you,” I continued, “is unacceptable. You’ll never have to worry about him coming near you again. Ever,” I growled. The order was there and her eyes narrowed at hearing them.

“I’ll cal
l him tomorrow and be blunt. There should be no more reason for contact after that.”

The need to keep pushing was there and I tried to figure out why he’d still want h
er to look at papers. “Didn’t you tell him we were together? Why would he still want to meet after that?”

She
stood from the bed and walked to the dresser, taking out her night clothes. “I told him we were trying to work things out. No, I did not tell him that we were…boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“And why not?” I followed her in the bathroom as she began taking off her clothes. “Are you embarrassed? Having second thoughts? Still keeping him waiting in the wings in case this doesn’t work out? What is it?”

She spun on me so fast, I had to blink past the shock.

“You’re making
it very hard for me to control my temper. Why would I keep him waiting in the wings? That’s absurd. I don’t know who you think I am, but I don’t need anyone if things don’t work out between me and you. I’m more than capable of taking care of me and my kids.”

The sound of the water
running filled the space and I tried my best not to look at her nude body. My cock was already getting hard knowing she was naked. If I saw it, I would be done for.

“That came out wrong. I
know how strong you are. I’m just not sure why you wouldn’t tell him.”

The curtain was pulled back and
she stepped in, yanking it closed. I stripped off my clothes, joining her. “No one fucking dismisses me, kitten. Especially not you. Now answer me.”

Water soaked
through her dark hair as she leaned back. “I’m a private person, Devlin. I haven’t even told my mother yet.”

I got quiet,
accepting, knowing she was telling the truth. I didn’t like it, but there was no point of arguing. It was my guilt. I had to stop. So where did this leave things? Right, with me. I opened my mouth, searching for the words. They got lost at the water running over her breasts. My hand reached out and I cupped one while I pinched her nipple between my thumb and index finger. The way she breathed out, pleasure causing her lids to lower…I pulled her body into mine, gripping her ass and thrusting my tongue in her mouth. My fear of losing everything shot things to a fevered pitch, fast.

My mouth ravaged hers. Exploring her tongue. Sucking
on her bottom lip. Before I knew it, Victoria was pinned between me and the shower wall and I was lifting her to straddle my hips.

“
If anyone asks or hints to you being available, you’re going to tell them who you belong to,” my voice demanded. “You may be a private person, but no one is going to get the impression that they stand a chance with you. They don’t. No one ever will again.” The underside of my cock slid along her slit as I grinded into her, desperate for entrance. “Do you hear me? You’re mine from this day on. No matter what.” Our eyes held. I wanted her to know I was serious. When, and if, she found out about Justine, I wasn’t going to let her go. I never would. And if any man thought they’d try to move in and take what was mine, they pay in more ways than they could imagine.

“Okay,” she said, breathing heavily from the arousal. All I could do was nod my head as I let the answer sink in.

Her pussy slid down as she brought her mouth hesitantly back to mine. I didn’t meet her lips, or kiss her back. My hand locked on her chin and I pushed her head to lean against the wall. “Oh, kitten. You never learn. Ask or don’t do. I’m the one in control.” I nipped at her lip and turned her face to the side as my teeth grazed against her jawline. With my other arm under her ass, I lifted, easing my cock into her wet pussy. With each inch, I felt her hug to my length. The tightness left me lightheaded against the steam. Or maybe it was just everything in the dark shadows of my mind that caused my me to feel off balance.

“Tell me who you belong to.” I moved in deeper, letting her adjust.

“You, Sir. I belong to you.”

“For how long?” Another torturous
tease. More waiting. I withdrew just enough to surge forward, burying myself all the way.

A cry filled the
small space as she reached around my neck. “For as long as this works, Sir.”

God dammit. That wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear. “
Forever,” I corrected, my voice deepening from the anger of not only her doubt, but now, my own.

I let go of her face, long enough to pull her arms
free from me. Until she learned, she didn’t have the privilege of holding on. I wanted her to see the difference. Experience what it was like to be left uncertain, only to have the security of what I could give.

“Say it,
Victoria. Tell me you know what we have is going to last.”

I stepped back, causing her to arch her back as she pushed against the shower wall for support. There was no way I would let her fall. But she didn’t know that.

My cock slammed into her and she outstretched the back of her arms against the surface, her palms flattening as she used them to support her weight. Wet strands of her long, dark hair stuck to the sides of her face and chest while she shook her head back and forth.

“I can’t say forever. It feels like a lie.”

Again, I pounded. And again. Savagely. Just like the beast I knew that lived within. He lurked in the distance. Tempted me to the darkness, giving me glimpses of what I craved. And in moments like this, I was no longer a hostage to my ways. He possessed me, body and mind. But I couldn’t unleash on Victoria completely. Had yet to. The first night I’d come close, but even then I’d held back. More from fear that she wouldn’t return. Now, she was pregnant. Sure, I’d read that there were still things we could do. Like with the brush. But, my real kinks. What got to me the most…those couldn’t come until after the baby. And even then, what if she didn’t want them? Didn’t want
me
?

No. She would. I would make her
fall in love so deeply that she’d never think of a life without both of us in it.

“Say it. Tell me you know.” It was too much. I could hear the pleading in my voice. The aching raw need to have her assure me that my fears were for nothing. That she’d
react to my fuck-up like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Sir…I want what you say to be true.
”

“Then let it.
Forget everything before last night. Before I got into your bed. None of that matters anymore. Just me and you.” I knew I was planting the words into her head. More from my guilt and so she would see I was focused on the here and now. If she could only believe that I was being genuine, maybe she could forgive me for Justine when I finally came clean.

There was
hesitation in her blue eyes, but she kept quiet as I push back into her, pulling up her arms to my neck. I gave her all of me with each thrust and every caress of my tongue against hers. And like before, her spasms around my cock nearly did me in on the spot. I pushed my fingertips into her ass, trying to get over the ecstasy of not having to wear protection. It was new. A first. She was the only woman I’d ever come in and I held on to my one innocence like it was priceless. 

“Sir,” she moaned.

“Say it, Victoria. Say forever.”

The sting as she gripped the hair at the crown of my head was like nothing I’d felt. Women were never allowed to touch me.
But I gave Victoria leave to do so. More than she knew. The unfamiliar closeness was only adding to my instability. Everything was so new. Her. Having a child. Another on the way. Leaving my home. All the while, maintaining my businesses. Now, my added guilt. I was in over my head and I knew it.

“Forever,” she whispered.

I moaned, holding her tighter. “Fuck. Kitten, open your eyes. Look at me when I make you mine.”

Her lids lifted, the blue connecting with mine just as I exploded inside of her.

Yes, she belonged to me. Forever.
Mine.

Chapter 8

Victoria 

At almost six weeks along, I was feeling every bit of it. The morning sickness had turned into a nightmare. I could barely eat, barely drink. Even water was hard to hold down. Devlin watched, concerned. Always hovering. His sincere efforts made me happy, but I kept my distance as much as I could, giving how we were almost always together. Work had turned into a challenge with constantly being ill, but I’d somehow managed.

As I walked through the main entrance, I breathed in heavily, trying to force away the plaguing nausea.
Nothing helped. Not even the crackers I had stuffed in my oversized purse. I was seriously considering putting in for my vacation. At least until this stage was over with. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. Working with infants wasn’t safe in my condition. Not when I was running to the nearest restroom or trashcan within distance.

The elevator opened and I jogged to get in the car. Now that I re
frained from coffee, the cafeteria was out. Considering the smells I knew I would be faced with, I was fine with that. Still, a boost of energy would have been nice. I knew that by ten, I’d be ready to take a nap.

The doors shut and I glanced over to a man wearing khakis and a white and blue plaid shirt. His blond hair was trimmed short and he had a goatee. The smile I flashed was returned. It was nothing more than pleasantry. A greeting to a stranger.

A notepad sat in his hand and he tapped it against his thigh as we waited.

“I’m sorry, but you wouldn’t happen to know which floor Victoria Farris is on,
would you?”

The nametag I wore was covered by my purse as I looked down. “Maybe. What’s it concerning?”

A big smile, a charming one, burst to his face. “I’m looking to ask her a few questions for a story I’m working on.”

“Oh.” I laughed. “Sorry, I’m really not sure. I’ve heard of her, but I think maybe she works on one of the top floors.”
Great. Another reporter. They usually found me outside the hospital. Never inside.

“Ah. Thanks.” The
elevator stopped on the second floor and I waited as Rita walked on and the doors shut behind her. I could have groaned.

“Morning,
Victoria. You’re looking better than yesterday.”

My eyes flashed over and the man tilted his head, smiling even more.

“How’s the baby today? Giving you hell with that dreaded morning sick—”

“Fine,” I rushed in. I’m doing great.”

The doors opened and I rushed out.

“Wait, Ms. Farris please. Just a few questions.”

“No,” I said, continuing on. He quickly made it to my side.

“
Can you tell me how you feel about being the one Devlin Black chose for his contract? Have you signed it yet?”

I glanced over wanting to scream. Everyone was on pin
s and needles wanting to know if I signed the damned contract. That’s what all the buzz was about. The big, bad, rich Dom and his forever sub and wife.

“No,” I answered, rounding the corner.

“But you’re pregnant by him, correct? There’s rumors the two of you already share a child. One he only recently found out about. Is that true?”

“No comment,” I snapped. “Next time I see you in here, I’m calling security.”

Bile burned the back of my throat and I knew I didn’t have long. I was going to be sick. Again. Fuck. I couldn’t do this.

My fingers shook as I pushed in the code, the dizziness growing worse by the second. It was always
bad in the early hours. By lunch, it would fade, but only by a little.

Rita caught up just as I swung the door open and rushed to the back. The small restroom was unoccupied and I barely shut myself in before the water I’d drank on the way here came right back up. Knocking had me lifting my head, but I felt so weak I could
barely call out.

“Be right there.”

I flushed, pulling out my extra toothbrush and travel sized toothpaste that had taken a permanent home in my purse. Even cleaning my mouth and tongue was a fight to not get sick.

Cold water s
plashed against my face and I patted it dry before walking out. Lorraine’s head shook as she stared over at me.

“You need to take a trip downstairs, honey. You look horrible.”

I laughed under my breath. “I’d like to skip the ER, thanks.”

“They make pills for what you
’ve got, you know. It’ll help with the vomiting.”

“My doctor’s appointment is scheduled for Friday. I’ll have them prescribe me some then. Just a few more days.” I tried to smile, but didn’t really feel up to it. All I wanted to do was go back to bed. Sleep until this part passed.

Lorraine picked up my purse from the table I was about to sit at and handed it to me. “Go home. You’re not fit to be here today. Come back on Monday when your pills have kicked in.”

Tears threatened, but she was right. It was too dangerous for the babies.

I threw my arms around her, trying not to breath in her sweet perfume. “Thank you. I’ll be better then.”

“You want me to call Devlin to pick you up?”

We broke away from each other and I wanted to roll my eyes. “No, that’s okay. I drove.”

“His car?”

“No,” I rushed in. “You couldn’t pay me to cruise that thing around. I’d be scared of someone hitting me or scratching it. I think I’d have a heart attack if that happened.”

She laug
hed. “No joke. That fancy sports car would always have me on edge.” She paused. “So, if you’re not in his, what are you driving? Your mom’s?”

My head
shook while my stomach turned again. Just the thought of how the last few days had played out shot my nerves through the roof. “Devlin doesn’t want me taking public transportation anymore. He says it’s too dangerous. I argued, but it was no use. He bought an SUV and calls it the family car. Anyway, he says it’s mine for work and
our
car for when we all go somewhere.”

“Well
, that’s good,” Lorraine said, sincerely. “You really do need something like that. It’ll be more convenient to travel with Ava. Does Devlin’s car even have a backseat?”

I laughed. “Yes, but I can’t imagine trying to get
one carseat back there, let alone two. But you’re right. It did have to happen. I just would’ve liked to have been the one to buy and pick out the damn thing.”

“Well, be careful driving. If you think you’re going to be sick, pull over. Don’t risk trying to make it home.”

“I will.” I smiled, waving as I headed for the door. “Call me if you’re shorthanded.”

“We both know I won’t. Now go home and take care of yourself.”

And, here I was, leaving work once again. It had been a few shifts since the last time, but I still felt guilty. For so long I’d depended on having to come in so I could pay the bills and support Ava. Now…everything was different. Devlin kept dropping hints about me not having to work and about how our daughter would be so happy if I was home a lot more. It wasn’t that I thought he didn’t want me to work. He just looked in a constant state of alarm any time we left the house. He was always so antsy that I was left wondering if it was from the women who flocked around him on a constant basis, or if there was something more.

The coast was clear from reporters as I made my way to the expensive SUV
. While I began to drive home, I couldn’t stop all the questions. Overall, I knew I was happier than I could ever remember being. But there were small moments where suspicions arose, putting a damper on what I knew we were capable of. And I didn’t like it. Surely with time things would get better? The women would find interest in something else and Devlin would relax. At least, that’s what I was hoping.

Cramping made the worries fade and I shifted in the seat. For the last two days
, I’d been hit with random pains. Some were shooting, others felt like I was about to start my cycle. I’d been told it was normal, but it still made me worry. Every little change in my body, I made note of. I’d tried to take it easy with resting as much as I could, but between working and getting sick nonstop, I felt more tired and worn out than ever.

The light was green and I turned, heading toward the house. I grimaced in pain as it increased. It had to be from getting sick. My muscles had definitely been put to use. Maybe I pulled one of them or…
hell, I didn’t know. The sooner I got into bed and rested, the better it would be.

As I round
ed the turn, I slowed, seeing Devlin in the front yard. Ava was on his hip and she was crying. My attention stopped on a woman. From the looks of it, she and Devlin were in a heated discussion and he kept stepping back toward the house. My pulse stopped, only to start hammering in my chest. He turned, glancing in my direction, only to do a double take. The pure horror that had his mouth parting left my chest feeling as thought it was being split open. Why was he so afraid? Who was she? Did I even have to ask? I’d seen that look before. At the hospital when he’d been faced with the blonde. But there was something different about this one...more fear involved.

A red sedan was parked in front of my house and I took it in as I pulled into the driveway. Dread, nausea, and pain left me moving slowly. I shut the door and came around the back to see them both staring at me. The shaking that
wracked my body as I approached was so intense, I was sure my legs were going to give out.

“You’re home early.” He bounced Ava as her crying quieted.

“Lorraine told me I wasn’t fit to work. Devlin?” I stared between them. The woman was beautiful. Skinnier than me, but curvy, just the same. Her long, dark hair was straightened and reached down past her breasts. The jeans hugged to her hips and she wore a white shirt. Although she appeared uncomfortable, the anger was still present.

“Justine was just leaving,” he bit out.

“But why is she here? You were both arguing when I pulled up.”

She shifted and I turned to her, hoping she’d at least clue me in since Devlin wasn’t talking.

“I only came to see you. I feel there’s something you deserve to know.” She glared at him. “I’ve been advised to keep my mouth shut and leave you alone, but I think it’s important.”

Devlin breathed out deeply. “You and I
weren’t together, Victoria.”

“By a few hours,” Justine snapped. She turned back to me and my hand came to my stomach, trying to calm the c
ramping and perhaps protect not only me, but the baby from what I feared was coming.

“You and her? When? The night you came to me?”

His arm tightened around Ava, but I couldn’t stop the anger that was creeping into my questions.

“I didn’t sleep with her. Didn’t even touch her.”

“I was naked with my legs spread open for you to see everything. He made me play with myself. Get off to moaning,
Sir
. That was after he marked my body up with bruises and welts from every fucking toy imaginable.” She turned to him. “Do you think I let just
anyone
hurt me? I trusted you.” She looked down at her phone and shoved it in my face, a picture of her back and ass on display from what was clearly her reflection. The red whelps had bruising blossoming beneath some of them and I could see the long lines from a flogger.

I stepped back,
the heel of my shoe catching the edge of the driveway as I landed hard on my ass just shy of Devlin’s car. My hands locked from the pain, but I somehow managed to get back to my feet.

“Give me that
!” Devlin yelled, lunging for it. But she jumped back and he didn’t try again as he adjusted Ava. “Are you okay?” He came rushing toward me, but I moved, glaring at him. It was enough to stop him in his path. The trees swayed and it wasn’t from the wind. I tried to slow my breathing. Tried to erase what I’d just seen. God, there were so many marks. Like I had had the first time. But hers were worse. So much more so that it made me jealous that he’d give more of himself to her than he had with me.

I blinked repeatedly, tears stinging my eyes. The image wouldn’t disappear
and I couldn’t stop the blade that pierced my heart or my stomach.

“Thank you for letting
me know,” I managed.

God, I was going to be sick.
True, he’d said he never slept with anyone since we’d discovered each other again, but I had also thought that meant anything sexual. How could I have been so stupid? He led me on intentionally. Made me believe that he wasn’t the man he had been before. But he was. Just one that kept his dick securely behind his zipper.

“
Let me have her.” I reached for Ava, but he stepped back. Pains almost brought me to my knees and I stopped. I wouldn’t make a scene in front of this woman. “Bring her inside for me so you can finish up out here. I have to go lie down.”

“I’m done. Now that Justine’s got this confession o
ff her chest, maybe she’ll leave us the hell alone.” He didn’t even look at her as he wheeled around and headed for the door. I followed, the woman already walking off. Each step was torture, but I managed to make it inside and to the sofa. Ava was on the floor, already going after her ball.