Second Time Lucky (Club Decadence Book 5) (34 page)

“What did the fucker do that put you in the ER?”

Remembering how he’d used his fists that day, closing her eye with a single punch that left it bruised and grossly swollen and a backhanded slap that split her lip wide open; she didn’t elaborate; Sean didn’t need that to haunt him. Although by the way the steel bands around her tightened, she guessed his imagination was worse than reality.

“I needed a few stitches, babe. Do I really have to get into all the gory details? It won’t do anything except make you angrier and I really don’t want to relive it.”

His hands gently lifted her face. His thumbs stroked over her cheeks as he looked at her, his troubled eyes searching. At last, he nodded. “All right, baby, no gory details. Fast forward to how you got out.”

She exhaled in relief. “This is one of the few good parts. I saved Joanna’s card, stashed money every day, as much as Victor wouldn’t miss, and waited. An opportunity came right after I turned eighteen. I took it and ran straight to Joanna. She got me cleaned up, gave me a safe place to stay, fed me, clothed me, we dyed my hair blonde as part of a disguise, and she helped me with a new identity. Tamara Lewis officially became Mara Westbrook.”

“Why Westbrook?”

She shrugged. “It was a random choice, something easy. The street I grew up on.”

“It wasn’t easy though, was it? It turned into a constant reminder.”

She stared into his perceptive eyes, surprised he’d picked up on that. “How—?”

It was his turn to shrug. “You reacted oddly to it, once or twice. I should have pressed for answers.”

Sadly, she shook her head. “Back then, I was Fort Knox.”

Grimly, he nodded in understanding. “Go on.”

“There isn’t much more. I took GED classes. Once done, with Joanna’s recommendation, I got a job as a nurse’s aide at Walter Reed, then went on to get my LPN license. You know the rest.”

She stopped there, feeling raw. For all the shit people she’d come across in her messed up her life, there were good people like Joanna, Lexie and Sean who made it worth living.

“Joanna saved me, Sean. I owe her my life.”

“I owe her too, for helping you get away from the bastard, but it was your bravery that made it possible. I imagine many women never get out, turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with the life. At eighteen, you were stronger than women twice your age. I’m proud of you, Mara.”

Averting her eyes, she shook her head. “I’ve spent my whole life running and hiding, even from you. That’s a far cry from brave, Luck—” Stopping herself too late, she corrected. “I’m sorry. I meant to say, Sean.”

He frowned. “Baby, what the fuck?”

“You told me not to call you that. It slipped.”

“I did? When?”

“In Cap’s office.”

He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them and went on, his voice was gruff with regret. “Mara, I was an ass that day. One hundred percent of what I said was complete bullshit. I love when you call me Lucky and having you back, soft and warm in my arms, I’m starting to believe it.” His lips found hers in a soft touch. “Please, forgive me.”

“I have.”

“Say it then.”

“I forgive you, Lucky.”

“Thank god!” His lips pressed again in the sweetest of kisses. When he pulled away, she collapsed against his chest. She only thought she was done.

“Now tell me about that scene with the judge and Shelby. How did that come about?”

“Relentless,” she murmured under her breath. Feeling a need for space during the telling of this next part, she tried to move off his lap. His fingers flexed on her hips, keeping her still.

“Not relentless, baby, determined, so that neither of us has to go through this again. This is a one off, Mara. Once it’s told, we start fresh, and when we do, it’s with complete honesty. Understand?”

Her heart in her throat, unable to speak, she nodded.

“Tell me.”

“It’s hard. I made so many bad decisions because I was afraid. I acted out of desperation and the fear of losing you, but in the end, I did that anyway. I’m ashamed and so very sorry.”

“Give me all of it.”

“When I met you, I had hope. We were so happy. Then when we moved nearly two thousand miles away and I was free, or so I thought. But he found me again and threatened to tell— No, he promised to show you proof of what I’d been if I didn’t do it.” Her hands on his chest gripped his shirt and her image of him became watery. “My whole world was falling apart around me. I should have come to you and will regret every day of my life that I didn’t. I was too afraid, terrified to lose the most important thing in my life. So I did that awful, awful scene in exchange for those pictures.” Abruptly, she stopped, her throat gone dry and tight. Closing her eyes against the tears, she swallowed, tasting their bitterness.

She felt him beneath her, sitting stiff and motionless, his fingers digging into her hips. Remembering his reaction in Caps office as he stabbed at the horrible pictures, she found it nearly impossible to go on and risk a similar reaction. His words echoed in her head: trust, honesty, transparency. She owed him that.

Opening her eyes, she made herself continue while staring directly at him, as if she could will him to believe her.

“I didn’t touch him, I swear. The pictures are damning, but my skin never touched his. Shelby… I made her do it and she did so, willingly. She was paying for it, so I used her to get him off. That strap-on you saw me wearing, I was supposed to—” She faltered.

Her eyes dropped to the muscle jumping in his clenched jaw. That Sean wasn’t saying anything, while watching her intently made it more difficult. Though she couldn’t tell what he was thinking or feeling, she powered through. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “I was supposed to use it, but I couldn’t bring myself to. He licked it and…he put his mouth on it, but that was it, and he wasn’t supposed to do that. I used Shelby for the rest. Other than beating him as he requested and being there to boss him around, that was it. I swear.”

By the time she finished, she sat motionless, totally spent. Her eyes locked on the pulse visible in his neck. Watching the steady rhythm for several long difficult moments, she waited for his response. Still he said nothing, his hands not moving from her hips—although she saw that as a positive. Unable to wait any longer, she peeked up at him, seeing the pained look on his face, his eyes also closed tight.

Time stopped for her as she waited for his reaction. She was ready to explode with anticipation when his blue eyes opened. They blazed with emotion, but none of the ones she feared. She read pain, yes, and frustration, but also tenderness and love.

“I believe you, Mara, but seeing you that way almost broke me. It nearly broke us for good. We can’t ever go there again.”

“I know—I’d never—not ever again. From now on, if anything happens, good or bad, you’ll be the first one I turn to. Always.”

His hands slid up her back and curled around the sides of her neck. “I can’t imagine how you bore the weight of all of this on these narrow shoulders. Mine are broad, baby, let me help you carry your burdens. I’m strong and capable, and I don’t want you to have to go it alone. Do you understand?”

“I do. I love you so much, Lucky. I never stopped.”

They sat there for a long time, simply holding each other in silence. At length, he stirred beneath her.

“I’m too heavy. Your legs must be asleep.”

“My right arm weighs more than you, nightingale. I was actually thinking we should eat and get that coffee you’ve been craving.”

“I’m not very hungry. Besides, I assumed you were going to spank me after. I’d kind of like to get it over with.”

“I think we’ll wait for a bit. This was exhausting for you.”

“No,” she countered. “I think it could be therapeutic, like you said. Then maybe after, we can create good memories to push out the bad. I figure if we make love often enough, eventually they’ll all be replaced.”

“Baby, when you talk like that, you slay me, laying my heart bare.”

“I don’t mean to. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No, I don’t want you walking on eggshells around me, trying to protect my feelings. Transparency, remember? It’s just going to take time for me, okay?”

“Okay.” She was rewarded with a gentle kiss.

* * * * *

Two cups of coffee, hand holding, gentle whispers, and an entire pan of cinnamon rolls later had Mara feeling remarkably better.

“So,” she asked, carrying their dishes to the sink, “can we go for a walk on the beach?”

“Sorry. The beach is less secure than the parking lot.”

While disappointed, she still nodded in understanding. When she returned, she bypassed her chair and went to his side, sliding her arms around his neck. As she hoped he would, he pushed back his chair and pulled her into his lap.

“What should we do then?” She angled her head toward the end of the table full of their goodies. “Punishment, courtesy of Walmart?”

His eyes followed. “Hm, maybe, but I think you forgot the rule. It stands, as before.”

Her face fell. “No sexual rewards after punishment. I remember.”

“Such a sad face, baby, good thing I’m in charge. We’ll play first.”

Warmth flashed through her, from the tips of her toes to her curving lips. “I like how you think?”

He gave her a light swat on the behind before he lifted her off his lap. “Get naked. I want you on the table on all fours, ass in the air, legs spread so I can see every inch of you from clit to pink puckered ass.”

Excitement, hot and furious, swept through her, making her clit tingle and her asshole clench tight. He didn’t have to ask twice. Stripping off her t-shirt and jeans, her bra and panties quickly followed landing in a pile on the floor. Eagerly, she mounted the table. In position, she looked back at him and said in the most submissive tone she could muster, “I’m ready to play, Sir. Do your worst.”

His eyes twinkled with carnal delight. “My worst is the wickedest, kinkiest shit you can imagine. Sure you’re up to that challenge, little subbie?”

“Mm, yes.” She grinned. “I’m ready to get Lucky.”

Laughing outright, his hand slid up her leg, before he cupped a cheek and squeezed. His head bent to suck the plumped up flesh between his lips, adding teeth to bite firmly until a hiss passed her lips.

“Mm, you taste sweet. And that’s saying something after Cinnabon.” He released her, his hand returning to swat her ass firmly, four times from side to side. While she cried out, he drove two fingers into her pussy.

“You’re drenched,” he hummed with approval. “Nothing like having compatible kinks.”

He was right. His dominance, their kinky twisted games and the pain, only a touch of it, not hardcore masochistic pain, but sensual pain, the kind she knew he could bring—would bring—if she submitted fully to him, all got her off.

His hands spread her cheeks and he dove face first between her legs, hungrily eating her as voraciously as if she were his favorite cinnamon rolls. His tongue stabbed deep where his fingers had been, lapping and circling inside her. She curved her back, pressing against him until her clit rubbed against his scruffy chin while he feasted on her aching pussy. Mara bit her lip as she fought for control, much more of this and she’d come on his face.

In tune with her as always, he stopped, his lips caressing her taut cheeks until her body hummed with anticipation. “I’ve a mind to sample some of those kitchen gadgets. Pick a color, yellow or purple.”

“Purple!”

“You read my mind. Turn over.”

In eager anticipation, she flipped onto her back, spreading her legs wide for him. With a splat, he slammed the perverse paper towel holder on the table between her legs. When he released it, the suction cup held and the foot long plastic piece swayed obscenely. “Can you believe they sell a cock shaped paper towel holder in housewares?” he laughed. Grasping her hands, he pulled her to a seated position then urged her to stand on the table. “Mount up. I want to watch you fuck yourself on it.”

Not the least bit surprised, she straddled it as he took a seat. Pulling his chair close, his avid eyes zoned in on her pussy like a kid with a new toy.

Crouching, she lowered her hips.

“Slowly,” he growled. As she eased down, she felt his fingers spread her lips, improving the view, no doubt. Her lips parted and a moan slipped out as the little nubs on the surface abraded her insides deliciously.

“Damn that’s hot. Ride it.”

The upstroke showed a flaw in the design as it skidded against the table. She stopped, her eyes going wide while meeting his. He reached forward and grabbed the base. “I’ll be your anchor,” he said with a teasing wink. “Keep going.”

Soon she was bobbing up and down, breasts bouncing, springy curls falling around her shoulders and brushing across her back. Right when she was getting into it, he wrapped his arm around her waist and he lifted her, laying her back on the table.

“I want my hands on you.” He guided one of her hands between her legs. “Keep yourself busy while I play.”

As she worked the purple shaft in and out, taking all that she could which was barely half, he bent over her, his mouth opening over her breast, nibbling and sucking at the tip. Once it was a stiff achy peak, he applied one of the chip clips. It pinched just the right amount.

“I love the pink.” Sean grinned, giving it a flick. His smile deepened as she hissed and arched, thrusting her breasts up for more. He moved to the other nipple, blowing hotly across it before he asked, “Are you keeping that pussy busy?”

No. She’d gotten distracted. Obediently, she began working it again.

“That’s my girl.” His mouth engulfed the tip, sucking and biting gently until she whimpered. He then applied the remaining clip.

Rising over her, his admiring gaze swept over her breasts, roved down her belly to where the purple cock glided between her thighs. His eyes lifted to meet hers. “Damn, I missed this.”

She grinned. “As did I, Master.”

“Mm, I missed hearing you call me that too.”

“Will you take me now?”

“Patience. I’m not quite ready yet.”

His hand moved hers, taking over the thrusting. “Grab hold of the table and don’t let go.”