Secrets (17 page)

“I need you.” His raspy voice filled her
with hope.

“Inside me.” She leaned back and gazed at
his lust-filled face. “I want you inside me.”

She absorbed the shudder that went through
him. He pulled her to the bed, stripping off her dress and panties.
His tongue flicked her pebbled nipple.

“You too, take off your clothes. I want to
see you.” Her hands pushed up his shirt, careful of his arm before
helping him with his pants. “My lord,” she whispered in awe as his
large member sprang free from its entrapment. It stood magnificent
during her inspection. Pale, long and thick, with a wide mushroomed
cap, his cock bounced against his stomach as he maneuvered them on
the bed. Trailing his tongue from her jaw to ear, he nipped the
lobe, gaining her attention.

“You okay?” He rubbed his nose against her
neck.

“Yeah, it’s just, I don’t remember it being
so big.” She swallowed her rising panic.

His hand stroked down her arm, and then
taking her hand slid both hands to his cock. “Feel him. He’s warm
and hard for you,” he whispered. “You do this to me. I want you so
bad, I hurt.” His hand rolled hers over the head, spreading the
pre-cum over the mushroomed tip before guiding her down the wide
column to the base.

“It’s hard and soft,” she said in wonder,
not realizing he’d removed his hand and she stroked his erection
alone. More fluid escaped from the slit. Intrigued, she bent
forward to taste it. Spicy and sweet.

“Umm, tastes so good.”

Encouraged by his moans, she licked the head
again. But this time, she took the cap into her mouth and sucked,
hard. Kenton jackknifed up from the bed, almost gagging her.
Shaking, he pulled her close.

“I…I can’t handle that right now...too close
to the edge…love it, but can’t…” His lips took hers as they fell
backward onto the bed. Her hands touched him everywhere, loving the
hard feel of his chest, stomach and thighs. His hand parted her
folds and played with her clit. Vibrations of pleasure radiated
from her core. Kenton worked her body like a master craftsman. The
sounds of her panting and his fingers' slippery thrusts resonated
in the otherwise silent room.

“Please,” she moaned.

“You sure?”

She hit his chest with her fist and then
grabbed his cock. “Is this for me?”

His breath hitched. “Yeah.”

“Then give it to me, I want it.” Her hand
slowly stroked the thick pulsing rod . His thighs trembled as his
hand grabbed hers.

“Stop before you end it now.” Removing her
sticky palm, he placed a kiss in the center and licked away his
fluid.

“Now,” she whispered, turned on by his
touch. Her legs fell open in invitation. His eyes stared at her
lower wet lips. She stopped his downward descent. “No. Cock only.”
His brow rose, but he remained silent. Reaching over to his
nightstand, he retrieved the foil packet. Tearing it open, he
rolled the condom over his hard erection.

She licked her lips. Hungry. “Please,” she
whimpered.

Rising, he thrust forward and slid inside
her tight sheath. Her back arched at the pain of his invasion.
“Umpf.”

He stopped and looked at her. “You
okay?”

The pain lightened. Her curious need
returned and she rolled her hips.

“Shit, you’re so hot, so tight. Give me a
minute. I need—”

Ignoring his plea, she rolled her hips
again, enjoying the friction. “You feel so good.” He remained
motionless above her, teeth gritted as she fucked him from beneath.
Panting and grunting as pleasure twirled in her belly, she sensed
it building. Her movements became frantic as she tried to reach the
pinnacle. Frustrated, she slapped his ass.

“I’m close, what’s wrong?”

Leaning forward, he kissed her sweaty brow.
“You need me.” With that proclamation, he slammed forward into her,
his balls slapping between her thighs. Her body caught fire. The
muscles on his lower abdomen flexed and bunched, contracting hard
with every plunge.

“Ohmigod, ohmigod…” she screamed. Her head
thrashed from side to side as his thrusts lit a fuse inside.
Explosion was imminent. Mouth open, incoherent words competed with
grunts and moans flying from her mouth. Colors flew across her
lids. A tightening in her belly burst free, hard enough that her
vision blurred and her ears felt as though they were going to
explode. Her toes curled as she panted for breath. Slowly her eyes
opened to see Kenton leaning over her, sweat dropping from his face
onto hers, their fast breaths filled the room.

“You okay?” He whispered with a cheeky
grin.

She nodded. Damn if he hadn’t earned that
grin.

Kenton groaned as he moved slowly within her
again. Her pussy had been made for him, it fit tight, greeting him
on every thrust in homecoming. He wanted to replace their previous
two joinings with new memories. This was his woman and he loved the
look of shocked bliss on her face as she came. His ego demanded he
put it there again and again. He wanted her to equate him with her
pleasure.

Stoking the embers of her release, he bit
down lightly on her ear, just hard enough to hurt a little. Her
moan of contentment pushed him over the edge, he groaned while
pumping furiously into her tightness. Intoxicated by the cries
filling the room, he intensified their rhythm. God, he was so lucky
having her. Her passion fueled his. It felt like they passed their
unquenchable need for one another back and forth between them. Her
cries for more humbled and spurred him on. His heart expanded as he
received her most treasured gift, her trust. Words failed him.
Every part of him merged with her during this taking. His arms
tightened as he filled her, giving her his heart. He prayed she
understood his feelings, he’d never let her go. His body spasmed
through the last of his release. Her lips brushed against his
cheek, clearing away the wetness he hadn’t been aware of until that
moment.

“That was…I had no idea,” she whispered
holding him tight. “Why’d you keep this from me?” Her teasing tone
was meant to lighten the mood.

He couldn’t follow her lead, not when his
heart was so full. “I was scared, I guess.” He moved to the side
bringing her with him. Removing the condom he tossed it into the
wastebasket. Feeling her hands on his chest, he covered them with
his own.

“Scared?” She leaned up and stared at him.
“Why?”

Quietly, he gave her the words to his
actions. “I knew after we made love, I’d never be able to let you
go. I wasn’t sure how you’d handle that.” Her hand rubbed his
chest. He wondered if she felt the fast beat of his heart. “I’ve
wanted to make love with you for so long, I didn’t want to blow
it.”

“You didn’t blow anything.” She sat forward
and hoisted her leg across his thighs. Straddling him, she smiled,
brightening his bleak thoughts.

During the past three months, his world
shrunk to this woman and three children. He needed them like he
needed water. Chastity held his heart in her hand. Her past made
her wary of commitments and overtures of affection. Mentally, he
got that. But his heart and body didn’t give a damn. He’d tried to
be patient and understanding. When she demanded he fuck her, every
cell in his body screamed
hell yeah
, immediately overriding
his common sense. Now, his emotions were out there, he was exposed,
and vulnerable. Taking a chance, he placed his hand on her waist
and pulled her forward. The only sound was their breathing, deep
and steady.

“I love you.” He kissed her. Her tongue
tangled with his as he tasted and captured her flavor, engraving it
in his mind. Forever, he’d recall this moment when he’d spoke from
his heart and she didn’t knock him down.

Breaking apart, she stared into his eyes,
searching for who knew what. His hand trembled on her waist as she
gazed into his face. Could she see his impending sadness from her
rejection? Or how lost he’d been without her all these years. Did
she feel the wild thump of his heart, which beat for her?
Desolation warred with desperation as he dropped all pretenses and
let her really see him.

She gasped. Without releasing him from her
gaze, her fingertips traced his lips. “I love you too.”

Too shocked to do anything more, he pulled
her head to his chest and stroked her back. He’d dreamed, hoped,
but never thought he’d hear those words from her lips. Like a dying
man, he closed his eyes and thanked the powers above for this
chance with her. “Say it again,” he said hoarsely.

He felt her lips curl against his chest. “I
love you.”

“You can’t take it back. You can’t leave me,
Chas. I mean it.”

Her muffled chuckle vibrated through him.
“Same here, big guy. You can’t take it back or leave me either.”
The woman had no idea how wrapped up tight she had him. There was
no other place he’d rather be than right here. His hand dipped low
between her legs, testing the waters.

“Mmmm.” She rubbed against his rising
erection. “What’s on your mind?”

“I haven’t had my lunch, and you’re on the
menu.” He rolled her over, slid down, and tasted their combined
flavors.

Chapter
14

Sven stormed into the office, red faced and
tight jawed. Dread crawled down Chastity’s spine.
Not again.
When will all of this be over?
“What’s up now?” She asked as
Kenton followed behind Sven. His face equally grim.

“Bradley’s not in the country right now. His
manager’s running things.”

She gave him her best, 'okay, so what?'
look.

“Someone took a shot at a guest from
Bradley’s spread, near the western tier of our property. It winged
her shoulder and knocked her off her horse. She called Bradley,
they called me, and I signaled the okay for the ambulance to pick
her up.”

Confused, Chastity looked at each man. “This
was an accident right?” She plowed ahead without their agreement.
“Soooo, what’s the problem?” Her eyes widened when Kent wrapped his
arm around her waist and sat her on the loveseat. Dark eyes pierced
hers.

“Why was she on your property? Did you give
her permission to hunt or ride across the obvious fences and no
trespassing signs?”

Wheels turned in her sluggish mind. “No, I
didn’t.” She glanced at a silent Sven and then returned to Kent.
Something told her that in a few minutes, she’d be unhappy.

“Since when did black females start visiting
Bradley’s ranch?” Kenton asked. It was a rhetorical question since
everyone knew Bradley was a big time bigot. He and Mr. Baxter had
come to blows a few times over the years. “One that decides to ride
your property for the first time, and someone takes a shot at her.”
He leaned back, his eyes roved over her body. “The two of you are
similar in height, build, and she wore a hat. From a distance,
could someone mistake her as you?”

Flustered at his words, she swallowed hard.
“I don’t know. Is that what has you upset?”

Kenton pulled his good hand through his
longer hair. “Yes and no. Yes, I’m upset that she was on the
property and someone took a shot at her. We had to report it and
now the police have the right to access the ranch. It’ll be hard to
contain everyone coming in and out. Besides, a sniper could’ve come
in with the police or ambulance today. As diversionary tactics, it
was brilliant,” he growled, a deep frown marred his forehead.

“Why no?”

He stared at her.

She cleared her throat. “You said yes and
no.”

“I meant her being on the property wasn’t
all that has me upset.” He paused, glanced at Sven. “Another
attempt was made on the Congressman’s life. The Senator is in a
rage and wants to take alternate actions for the protection of his
son. He claims his son won’t make it to trial if the FBI can’t
protect him better. They’re giving him some type of special
team.”

Sven growled while pacing the room like a
cornered bear. “This is bullshit. Somebody’s fucking up our game. I
need to find out who’s trying to kill that bastard and put an end
to this.”

“Listen to yourself. We are not the law,”
Chastity stood, and marched to stand in front of Sven. “You don’t
put ends to anything. If somebody kills Rivers before the trial, he
dies. We should let it go. Mr. Baxter didn’t plan on us turning
into vigilantes, he just wanted justice.”

Sven stared at her for a moment. His mouth
opened and then shut. Squeezing his eyes shut, he rubbed them and
turned away. “Okay.”

Chastity spun to face him. “I know what that
meant. It was a pat on the head and a push to the side. You’ll keep
me out of the loop while executing your plan.” His face remained
stoic. “Don’t do this,” she cried out. “If anything you do will
affect me and the children, I want to know.”

“No, you don’t.” He turned from her and left
the room, leaving her alone with Kenton.

Moments after he strode out, she continued
staring at the door. “What did he mean?” Her eyes sought Kenton’s.
“How can he say I don’t want to know?”

Kenton sighed. Damn Sven for opening this
door without closing it. They all knew how she was, she wouldn’t
let it go. “You think you understand what Uncle David wanted, his
motives, his plans. But you’ve never seen his instructions to
anyone other than yourself. It’s as though you have him on this
pedestal and can’t see him for the type man he was.” Her nostrils
flared with each word he spoke.

Her lips thinned tight. “Mr. Baxter was a
good man.” He recognized her pissed off mantle. Shit, there was too
much happening to placate her right now.

“Yes, no one said he wasn’t. He was also
ruthless. A man not to be crossed. A man who wouldn’t hesitate to
protect the ones he loved, or rain down his wrath on those that
harmed his.” A myriad of emotions crossed her face.

“Sven is a retired Navy Seal. All of the men
he hired to protect you and the ranch were approved by Uncle David.
They’re mercenaries. Uncle David employed a small army of hired
killers to watch this family. If Sven had given the orders, no one
would’ve known Marie was on your land. Every trace of her would’ve
been erased.”