Sunk (6 page)

Chapter Ten

RAINE

The morning sun breaks through the curtains, and I stretch out my body and feel Sly next to me, still sleeping. Propping my head up on one hand, I lightly brush my fingertips over his naked skin and he stirs awake.

His gorgeous, caramel eyes greet mine. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning, Mr. Wilkes,” I tease.

He leans over me. “Mmm, I like when you call me that, especially while we’re in bed.”

“Do you now?”

He shakes his head and bends down to kiss me. “I want to take you somewhere today.”

“Okay,” I bravely say without questioning him.

“Well, first, I need to take George outside and feed him, then I’m taking you out for breakfast.” Sly gets out of bed and pulls on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt that hugs his muscled torso. I do the same, sliding on a pair of skinny jeans and a tee shirt. I let my hair hang loose, then put my feet in a pair of flats for comfort.

“I know a great little pastry shop,” he says as we enter his car.

Inside the car, he rests his hand on my thigh while he drives with the other. Right now my world is serene and almost perfect. The season is changing as I watch the blur of colors out the window. We drive a little ways and then Sly pulls up to a cute, little bakery. The outside reads Sweet Treats by Fannie Wilkes.

Wait, what? Wilkes?
I give Sly a worried look, and he just smiles and gives my hand a squeeze. I’m not dressed properly to meet family, especially his family.

“Oh, there’s my handsome grandson.” The little woman comes around the corner and gushes over him, and he eats it up. He looks so boyish right now, and I can’t help but smile. “Where have you been hiding this beautiful girl?” she questions, looking at me.

“Gram, this is Raine,” he introduces us.

“Such a pretty name for a pretty girl.” She hugs me, taking me by surprise.

“Thanks,” is all I can manage to say.

“Pick anything you like dear, on the house,” she insists.

“Oh no, I couldn’t,” I plead.

“Do what she says,” Sly orders. So bossy.

I look inside the case and scan the assortment of goodies. “Okay,” I point. “I’ll take one of those chocolate éclairs.”

“That’s my favorite too,” Gram says, rushing back to the other side of the counter.

She gives Sly a look and they share some secret only they know, leaving me feeling clueless. Sly orders two coffees as I carry our sweet treats to the small wrought iron table and chairs. He’s happy and in his element. I can tell his grandmother adores him, as he does her.

“Did you bring me here just for the free food?” I joke.

“Actually, I wanted you to meet my grams. She and I are close, and always have been. She’s been running this place for thirty years. She loves you, you know.”

“How do you know?” I ask, biting into the éclair.

“I just know, I can tell right off if she likes someone,” he says.

“Oh, so have you introduced all your girlfriends to her?”

“Just you.” He smirks, biting into his muffin.

His comment almost makes me choke on my food. “Are you saying I’m the only one of your girlfriends you’ve introduced her to?”

“I didn’t stutter. And you’re meeting the rest of the clan in a little bit,” he retorts.

“I can’t believe this. I’m not dressed properly to meet your family,” I say anxiously.

Why has he introduced only me to them? What’s so special about me? I’m a broken and sorrowful girl with nothing to offer someone. What does he see?
So many questions and absolutely no answers.

“Raine, you’re freaking gorgeous, even in jeans and a tee shirt. It didn’t even faze my grams, so relax.”

I can’t help but be nervous. What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t meet their standards for their precious son? This is too much pressure.

“So where’d you two meet?” His grandma comes over and stands at our table.

Sly dots the corners of his mouth with a napkin. “At a wedding, actually,” he says.

“My sister’s wedding,” I tell her.

“Oh, that is so lovely,” she gushes, clapping her hands together. “Sly’s never brought any girls around, so you must be real special.”

Me, special? I doubt that.
I give her a smile.

“Well, I’m going to clean up around here. Holler if you need anything!”

I sigh. “She’s lovely, and obviously adores you,” I tell Sly.

“Like I said, we’re close. I try to come every Sunday and then hit up my parents for lunch. It’s really the only day I have a clear schedule,” he tells me.

So he’s family oriented.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks.

I nod.

“Grams, we’re gonna go, but I’ll see you next Sunday.” He kisses her cheek.

“Make sure you bring this lovely girl with you.” She reaches up and hugs me tight.

We bid goodbye, and Sly wraps his arm across my shoulders, holding a box of goodies for his parents in his other hand.

He releases me and opens my car door. “Don’t be nervous. We won’t stay long.” He flashes me a wink and hands over the box for me to hold.

Again, his hand rests on my thigh as he drives to his parents’ house. “I think someone needs to be taken to the coat closet for a spanking, for not telling me in advance,” I tease, and blush at the thought of him spanking me. Now I’m all hot and bothered. I shift in my seat.

He shows off his devilish grin. After an hour long drive, we drive through the country-side, and the colors are breathtaking. Moments later, Sly veers up a long, curving driveway as a sign reading Wilkes Manor greets us. Soon, a huge plantation-like home comes into view; it’s stunning and takes my breath away.

“You grew up here?” I’m in awe.

He grins. “I did. Wait until you see the grounds. I’ll take you around before lunch,” he says. “Let me get your door.”

He parks the car beside a few others. I assume the whole family is here and he’s springing me on them, causing my anxiety to kick up again. Exiting the car, he rushes over to my side and opens the door for me. I hold the box of goodies in one hand while he takes my other. He squeezes my hand. “Don’t be stressed, they are going to love you.” He smiles brightly, and as we step onto the porch, the door swings open.

“Sly, it’s so good to see you, dear.” His mother kisses both of his cheeks, and I shift uncomfortably.

“Mom, this is Raine. Raine, this is my mom, Anne,” he says, watching his mother come over to me.

She sweetly embraces me, and I giggle nervously. Sly takes the box from my hands so I can hug her back. “It’s so nice to meet you,” I say.

“Well, where have you been hiding this lovely girl?” She holds me at arm’s length and gazes at me.

“Mom,” Sly scolds. “Here,” he hands her the box of goodies, “from Grams.”

She motions for us to walk through the door. “Come on in and meet everyone else.”

Sly takes my hand again, swirls his thumb over mine and winks at me, causing my heart to flutter. He holds a power over me, and I gladly submit to it. We enter the living room where everyone is sitting. Everyone stands when they see a “new” guest is here, and I feel awkward in their presence. The ladies are conservatively dressed, making me feel self-conscious about my own casual attire. By their mannerisms, I can tell they are very sophisticated and I’m way out of my league.

“Raine, this is my dad, James, my little brother, Asher, my older sister, Carina and her husband, Carter.” I shake everyone’s hand and tell them each it’s nice to meet them. “I’m going to show her around the grounds before lunch,” he mentions.

“You’re already pulling her away?” his mom asks.

“You’ll have plenty of time to get to know her over lunch.” He smiles and leads me back outside.

Continuing to hold my hand, we walk on the edge of the property while he points out various things to me, even the lake that he and his siblings swam in when they were little. Rose and other flowering bushes line the house, and one huge willow tree hangs out back with a handmade swing on one of the branches.

“I hope this isn’t too overwhelming for you. I wanted to get you out of there before they started grilling you.” He chuckles and it makes me smile.

“It’s fine. Your family seems really close, and that’s really nice to see,” I tell him.

“Well, we might as well make our way back, so we can get this over with.” He kisses the side of my head.

“Have you ever brought a girl home before?”

“No,” he says.

This moment is surreal. I’m meeting a guy’s parents already, and I sense things changing between us. Just a slight shift. He hasn’t treated me as a submissive much in the bedroom, and I’m wondering about that conversation we had. Is he having second thoughts? What does this mean for us?

Back in the house, Sly shows me around, and all the rooms are massive, grand, and elegantly decorated. He shows me his old bedroom; he shuts the door behind us and presses me against it. My body flushes against him, and he kisses me, hard and passionately, making my lips feel bruised. His hands grope my ass, and I whimper against his mouth.

Jesus, what is this guy doing to me?
The desire is burning between my thighs. “I can’t wait to get home later. The things I’m going to do you,” he whispers. I swallow hard. My mouth is suddenly dry. Filled with heat, his eyes burn into mine as he studies my face.

“We better get back before they come looking for us,” I tell him.

“Yes, we better.” He smirks. I hastily lift my body from being attached to the door, and we head downstairs hand in hand.

In the dining room, everyone is gathered around the table. “You have a lovely home,” I tell them as we sit. Anne is seated directly across from me; Mr. Wilkes sits at the head of the table. Sly is to my right, and his brother on my left.

“Thank you, Raine. I decorated it myself. So tell me how you met Sly.” Her eyes crinkle as her lips turn up into a smile. The food is being passed around—scallops, roasted asparagus with mushrooms, as well as rice pilaf.

Passing a dish to Sly, I tell Anne how we met. “We met at my sister’s wedding. He was the best man and I was the matron of honor. He’s a real charmer,” I state matter of factly.

“He’s always been such a charmer. What is it that you do, darling?”

“I’m a teacher’s assistant, just part-time right now.”

“Have you ever been married, any children?” She continues to quiz me.

“Mom,” Sly scolds her, giving her a look. “Why don’t we let Raine eat?”

I look at her nervously, then cut into a scallop. “It’s okay,” I stammer.

“Eat,” Sly commands.

I do as he says. The rest of the table gets into a conversation about their jobs, and the latest news as well as sports. When dessert is served, Sly’s phone buzzes and he excuses himself.

Asher gives me a coy look. “If you were mine, I’d never leave your side.”

“Oh, you are just as charming as your brother.” I laugh. With his looks, I’m sure he has no issues getting a girl. He reminds me of Ed Sheeran, with his boyish charm, colorful sleeve tattoos, and his ginger-colored hair.

“Cut it out, Asher,” Anne tells him sternly.

Sly comes back to the table and continues with his dessert.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes, everything’s fine,” he says curtly.

Chapter Eleven

RAINE

“Will you gentlemen join me out on the patio with a cigar?” Mr. Wilkes asks.

Asher and Sly stand to join him. Before he leaves, Sly bends down and kisses the top of my head. “We’ll leave in a little bit,” he states softly.

He leaves the room, out to the back porch that is conveniently situated outside the dining room’s sliding glass doors. I can see him, and he’s watching me. He lights up a cigar and winks at me as he exhales the smoke.
God, is he hot or what? I’d really like for him to rip my clothes off and take me.
My seductive thoughts cause me to shift in my chair.

“So, now that you’ve eaten can you answer my question?” Anne asks, snapping me out of my Sly filled daze.

“Yes, I can. I’m recently divorced. It wasn’t by choice, but my husband cheated on me, and that is unforgivable to me. And I had a daughter. Ava died almost seven months ago now. She was playing tag, slipped and hit her head on the concrete, and she never recovered.” I swallow a hard lump.

Anne and Carina both gasp in shock. “You are one strong woman, Raine. I see why Sly is drawn to you. I know losing someone is the worst possible thing that can happen. But you have shown your strength, and that’s amazing.” Anne reaches over and places her hand on mine, comforting me.

I inhale a deep breath. “Trust me, some days I didn’t get out of bed.”

“I’m really sorry you went through that. Losing a child is a mother’s or a father’s worst fear,” Anne says.

“I think time is helping. I’m just afraid I’ll forget the little things about her, you know?”

“And now you have Sly occupying your time,” Anne coos.

I giggle.

“Sly can be…what’s the word?” Carina says, thinking.

“Intense?” I say.

She snaps her fingers. “Yes, he can be intense. But he means well. It’s been a long time, and I mean a
long
time, since he brought a woman here. You must be doing something right for him to want you to meet us.”

Oh, so Sly
has
brought a girl home. Interesting. Very interesting. Unfortunately, Sly interrupts us. “Ready to go?”

No, the conversation was just getting interesting.
“Sure,” I say, smiling up at him.

He holds his hand out, and I take it as I stand. He pulls a little hard, enough to pull me flush against him, our faces inches from each other.

“Hi,” he says, smirking.

“Hi,” I say, inhaling the cigar fumes emanating from him. He smells divine.

Anne clears her throat, which in turn causes me to blush crimson. I forget we’re standing in the family dining room. I forget we aren’t alone. Sly has one hell of an effect on me.

“Mom, we’ll be going now,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Geez, get a room, you two,” Carina fans herself.

My insides twist and I break the trance between us. “Well, it was lovely meeting you, and I’m sorry if he just sprung me on you,” I tell Anne as she stands from the table. “Lunch was wonderful, thank you.”

She squeezes me into an embrace. “Don’t be a stranger,” she tells me. “Sly, stop being so secretive,” she retorts.

He hugs her while I hug Carina, and wave to Asher, Carter, and James. The day is passing faster than I hoped. I’ll be going home later; my heart sinks a little. Anne has shoved the box of goodies we brought back into Sly’s hand. Maybe she thinks we’ll need them more than they do. Outside, Sly opens my car door as I slide in and buckle the seatbelt across my chest. I hold the box of goodies in my lap.

He reaches over and holds my hand. My skin is aflame from his touch. I’m thankful to be wearing jeans. Sly’s words from earlier in his room ring in my head, and I shift in my seat.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I say abruptly. “That was all overwhelming,” I say, making a quick recovery.

“I’m sorry I just forced it on you. If I told you beforehand, would you have gone?”

“Probably not, but I don’t know. I can see you are all close, and it’s clear they are a little protective over you.”

I’m trying to get Sly to tell me the truth about his past. So far, he hasn’t budged. I’m not sure if I should bring it up now or not. Since I’m going back home and don’t want to leave on a bad note, I’m going to let it slide. For now. Trying to put my mind at ease, I look over at Sly and smile. He winks in response and my worries fall to the floor.

“I want you to promise me something.” His tone turns serious.

“What’s that?”

“Promise me you won’t go running at night, not without me. Please, Raine, it’s too dangerous. I don’t know if you are tempting the dark night or what. Can you promise me? I got you a membership at my gym, so if you’re tempted, at least go someplace I know you’re safe. If something happened to you, I don’t know what I would do.”

Thankful he’s concerned for my safety, I agree. “Okay, I promise.”

“Thank you.” He sighs and seems relieved.

“Thank you, for the membership.”

“I just can’t have you risking your safety, Raine.”

“I promise you, Sly. I’ll use the gym.”

He pulls into his parking spot. Outside of the car, he immediately takes my hand and leads us into the house. Inside, he pulls me into him and kisses me until I’m breathless. I can feel the hunger in his touch and in the way he kisses me. Sly’s dark side peeks out at every corner, and I see it every time I’m with him. It doesn’t scare me, though. Maybe it should, but it doesn’t. I surrender to his darkness. It surrounds him and he’s beautiful. He knows how to make me feel alive, and that maybe this life is worth living.

His tongue tangles with mine. “Come on.” He tugs my hand as we head upstairs to the bedroom. “Put that on.” Sly motions to a white gift box resting on the bed. “I want you on the bed, on your knees, with your hands resting behind your back. Wait for me,” he orders before leaving the room.

Carefully opening the box, I push the tissue paper away from the garment and find a beautiful red satin and black lace corset and matching panties. I swallow hard, thinking about what Sly has planned. I slip out of my clothes and pull the corset on, followed by the panties. In the bathroom, I scrunch up my dark locks and let them fall down my shoulders. Climbing on the bed, I sit on my knees and wait.

***

SLY

With a bucket of ice in my hand, I stop just inside the doorway and see Raine—my breath catches and I am transfixed by her. She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on. I fling my shirt off and leave it wherever it lands. Setting the ice bucket down, I walk over to her.

“You said you trust me. Do you still?”

She nods.

“I can’t hear you,” I growl from behind her.

“I trust you.”

Opening the drawer, I pull out a blindfold along with rope. I place the blindfold over her eyes. Fucking beautiful. Then, I secure her wrists behind her back with the rope.

“Don’t squirm, so the rope doesn’t leave a mark.”

“Okay,” she says, inhaling a deep breath.

I pull the bucket over to me and position myself behind her. Flicking her locks to the side, I lick her neck up and down. I run an ice cube along her neck and lick the water as it drips down. Her breathing quickens, and it excites me. I can already feel the bulging in my pants, struggling to get free.

She tilts her head back and surrenders to me. My darkness is trying to claw its way out, but I submerge it back down. I don’t want to hurt her, but I’m very capable of doing so; maybe that’s what scares me the most.

“Mmm, I know your body, and it’s so responsive to my touch,” I breathe into her ear.

Positioning myself in front of her, she’s still on the back of her heels. I take another ice cube and run it along her chest, letting it trickle down to her breasts. With one hand, I undo the ties of the corset and let it fall on the bed. Her breasts are now fully exposed and I waste no time licking and sucking the water off her hardened nipple. I repeat the process on her other breast.

“Oh god, Sly, please,” Raine pleads.

“Shhh, in due time.”

“I just want to touch you,” she begs.

I lean over her and untie her hands. “You can lie back and let me claim your body.”

Hooking my fingers on both sides of her panties, I slide them down as she shuffles her body. “Take your blindfold off. I don’t want your eyes leaving mine,” I demand.

Flinging the panties to the side, I position myself in between her thighs. I place a finger in her wetness, and her breath hitches as she arches her back. I circle my tongue over her clit while my finger pushes inside her. Raine reaches down and rakes her hands through my hair.

“Fuck,” she moans.

Once I’m done torturing her, I crawl up her body, licking her from bottom to top until I reach her mouth. She parts her lips, inviting my tongue inside as she grips the sheets into her fists.

“Do you want me inside you?” I ask in a low whisper.

“Yes, Sly, I need you inside me.”

I thrust inside her, hard, and she moans loudly.

“I need you, Raine,” I confess.

“Then take me,” she breathes out.

Her hips match the rhythm of mine. She reaches the brink that takes her over the edge of ecstasy and I soon follow her. Satiated, I rest my head on her chest as we try to come down from our high.

“What am I going to do without you for the next three to four days?” I ask, but don’t expect an answer.

“I guess you’ll just have to show me how much you missed me when you see me again.” She giggles.

“I can’t wait. Remember what I said, no running outside after dark. I mean it.” I stand to grab the membership card. “Here’s the card to use.” I hand it to her.

She moves off the bed to put the card in her purse, then comes back to where I’m standing. She leans up, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, and I kiss her nose.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“For what?”

“For giving me a chance. I know I can be overbearing sometimes. But that’s just who I am.”

“I’m glad you are that way. I know you care,” she says.

If only she knew how much I do care for her, how much I’m falling for her, and how much I want her to be happy. She deserves to be happy, especially after everything she’s been through. A lot in life isn’t fair, but I want to show her that when the darkness clears, there is light waiting to shine over her.