Joshua
Caustic beauty.
Possible mistake.
Uncontrollable need.
All three thoughts had entered my mind more than once, but nothing mattered any longer but being with her. I sensed Selena remained concerned yet the draw to one another was inescapable. As she dropped to her knees, I threw back another gulp of scotch, but it wasn’t alcohol that could soothe the savage beast inside of me at this point. Only her. Tasting. Fucking. Using.
Taming.
The crazed need was surprising for a man who never lost control, whose entire world had been laid out since birth. I continued playing, something I hadn’t done in a long time. The release was entirely different than alcohol or sex, or even winning over anopponent. It felt free in an entirely different manner, capturing peace that I didn’t deserve.
She’d reminded me of that, giving me the gift of her verve and fight for control.
When she was close to the bench, I stopped playing altogether, shifting on the seat then fisting her hair, taking gasping breaths. She had a way of increasing the adrenaline running through my body to the point of near pain. The thirty minutes spent with her in the restaurant had been as close to being cathartic as anything I’d experienced in a long time, but I’d had the sense that we were being watched.
The danger was real, her life already changed forever. Should I feel guilty for doing that to her? Possibly. Did I? I wasn’t the kind of man to feel remorse for any of my actions. Besides, we’d become each other’s drug, one incapable of surviving without the other. When the fuck had I ever felt something so powerful and damning? The answer was easy. Never. For the few women I’d been with for longer than a single night, none of them had caused the kind of reckless reaction as Selena already had.
I yanked her forward, ignoring the cries of discomfort. She’d awakened the darkest part of me, providing fuel to an entirely different fire burning within.
And I had to have her at all costs.
Selena rose onto her knees, keeping her eyes on mine as she finished unbuttoned my shirt. There was a sly smile on her face as she eased the material over my shoulders, tugging until I allowed her to drag it from my body. The mere touch of her fingers kept me in my carnivorous state, the longing to be inside of her relentless.
When she reached for my belt, I sucked in my breath. I was a sadistic beast, longing to see parts of her body marked from my discipline, but tonight was about passion instead, increasing my hold on her. Soon she’d realize that it was too late. She’d become my possession.
I brushed my fingers through her hair as she fumbled with the thick buckle, even laughing at herself for a few seconds. Yet the moment she freed my cock, her focus increased, the look on her face as primal as mine had been. Without being told, she lowered her lovely head, wrapping her hot lips around my cockhead.
“Fuck.” I threw my head back, trying to control my ragged breathing. Her lips were on fire, the way her tongue swept back and forth already driving me crazy. I continued stroking her head, doing what I could to keep control of the sadistic side of me.
She knew exactly what she was doing to me, her eyes flickEricag with the same fire I’d been privileged to see so many times. She wrapped one hand around the base of my cock, the other sliding underneath to my balls. She also had a way of rolling my testicles between her fingers, adding just the right amount of pressure to bring me close to an orgasm almost immediately. No woman had ever done that.
“Such a good girl. Aren’t you?” I’d sensed the praise was powerful, something she’d never heard before. I widened my legs as much as my trousers would allow, savoring the moment of being able to drink a fine scotch while the most beautiful woman on earth gave me a blowjob. There was something ridiculously decadent about the activity, but I didn’t give a shit.
Chuckling to myself, I closed my eyes, still stroking her head, tangling my fingers in her long strands of hair. She lifted her head, dragging her tongue along the side of my shaft, releasing her hold long enough to jerk my pants further down my legs. When she resumed her task, every sound she made exaggerated, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to tolerate her seductive actions but for so long. While I planned on fucking her multiple times as I’d done before, I wanted this time to last.
She issued a loud purr as she licked in zigzag motions up the length of my cock, taking inches into her mouth. I lowered my head, forced to blink several times, pressing my hand on the top of her head. The beautiful girl’s actions became more aggressive and the way she rubbed her hands down my legs more stimulating than I would have believed possible.
As she yanked one shoe off then the other, I jutted my hips up from the bench, impaling her mouth with my brutal action. She gagged yet didn’t stop what she was doing, tugging off my socks then jerking my legs free from the tight confines of the trousers.
I opened my legs even wider, using both hands to control her actions. “That’s it,cherie. Take all of me.” Was it possible her mouth was getting hotter? I laughed to myself, shocked that the sensations continued to increase. When I’d filled her mouth completely, the tip hitting the back of her throat, it still wasn’t enough. My cock was aching to the point of pain. Instead of releasing, I pushed her away, fighting to catch my breath.
She licked her lips in an exaggerated way, her eyes sparkling when she laughed. Seeing how comfortable she’d become when she’d almost risked running away from me at the restaurant was interesting. She rose to her feet, brushing the tips of her fingers along the side of the Steinway, leaning over the back edge as she reached for her wine.
I jerked up, grabbing the vase of flowers, taking it to the coffee table. She was watching everything I did, her soft murmurs constantly filtEricag into my ears. When I returned, thumping down on the stool, I ran my fingers up and down the keys. As I began to play a Broadway tune, one of the few I knew, I was surprised when she jumped up onto the piano, crossing her legs. As she began to sing, I shook my head. The girl had many talents, more than I’d initially thought.
While I’d chosen a somewhat melancholy piece, something my mother had taught me eons before, I watched her reflection in the glass. Her voice was truly beautiful, but the tone drifted into sadness.
When I finished it, I clapped in appreciation. “That was incredible.”
She said nothing, taking another sip of her wine before swinging around on the top of the piano, placing her wine beside her. “What I find interesting, Joshua, is that no one has heard me sing before. Why you? Why is it that you make me want to do things I’ve hidden away my entire life?”As I got up from the bench, I thought about her question. “Because I’m not from your world, requiring you to be a certain way. With me, you can be yourself. Who am I to judge?”
She allowed her fingers to swirl circles on the piano’s surface, darting provocative looks in my direction. “You are definitely not like anyone I’ve ever met before. That’s why this is so unnerving. I feel uncomfortable around you yet it’s as if I’ve known you all my life.”
“Unnerving,” I repeated as I slowly walked to the back of the piano, planting my hands on either side of her legs. “Why is that?”
“Because I like it,” she breathed, slowly turning her head. “Maybe too much.”
“Tell me what you like. I need to know.”
Selena took a deep breath. “Feeling as if I’m standing on the edge of a cliff peEricag down into the great unknown, but knowing that if I should fall, you’d catch me. That’s not something I’d ever experienced before. Isn’t that strange?”
“Not at all. Often strangers can allow us to become who we really want to be, free of the tight confines that society and those around us place on us.”
“Yes. Maybe I like it too much. That’s what scares me.”
I spun her around, keeping her knees bent as I placed her feet on the surface. Then I took my time using only my index fingers, sliding the rough pads along the insides of her legs. “Fear isn’t something to shy away from. It’s actually a formidable release of emotions, allowing you to feel alive when all else fails to do so. It’s also a powerful tool.” I studied her reaction, smiling as she opened her legs, exposing her pretty pink pussy for me.
“How so?”
“Please don’t tell me that you don’t use fear tactics inside your courtroom, prosecutor. I know better. You’re just like me, relentless in your business, learning that all men and women have something that scares them to death.” My gaze was following the actions of my fingers but as I swirled the tip of onearound her clit, I lifted it once again to her pursed lips and half-closed eyes, her skin shimmEricag from excitement.
“What scares you to death?” she murmured, her chest rising and falling as the electricity between us increased, crackling from our heightened need.
“Take a guess.”
“Death.”
“Try again,cherie.”
She opened her eyes wide. “Life.”
“Very good. Life is toxic and draining, dangerous yet exciting. What do you find most men are terrified of?”
“Incarceration. The inability to make their own decisions.”
“Yes, being unable to control what’s happening in powerful men’s life is damning.”
“Yet you have no fear of prison,” she said, almost as if she was surprised. “Why?”
“Because I would still be in control.” I drove the single finger into her tight channel, inhaling her increasing desire as she threw back her head. “What is your greatest fear, Selena? What is the one thing that keeps you awake at night?” I added a second then third finger inside, plunging more roughly than before. When she opened her legs even wider, my cock was stretched full, so aroused that my balls were tight.
She continued to pant for a few seconds before lifting her head, her eyes glassy. “That’s easy. Not living life to its fullest, remaining in the drudgery of who and what I am.” She seemedembarrassed that she’d admitted it to a stranger, a man she knew very little about.
Except for all the bad things that she’d been led to believe. That excited her and in turn, ignited everything inside of me, a firestorm now brewing. I split her legs open, pressing down on her inner thighs, kissing one then the other before burying my head into her sweetness.
“You’re so wet,” I muttered.
“Oh. God, yes.” Her moans were as animalistic as every sound I’d made while being with her. The way she continued panting became even more exaggerated as her body shook uncontrollably. She fisted both hands, gently pounding them onto the piano, licking her lips every few seconds as if they were parched.
I held her wide open for several minutes, feasting on her sweet honey. Was it possible she tasted even more delectable than she had before? I wasn’t gentle as I’d been before, preferring to ravage her with my tongue and mouth, pushing her harder. If she wanted outside of her comfort zone, that’s exactly what she was going to get.
She pushed up from the piano, half laughing and half gasping as I continued my savage actions. I never took my eyes off her, amazed when her eyes became dilated. She’d never appeared more beautiful than she did to me at that moment, so much so I was torn between wanting to continue and satisfying the need that had my cock throbbing painfully.
When her body began to shake even more, goosebumps prickling her lovely skin, I drove several fingers into her tightchannel, pumping like a crazed man. Yet she resisted coming until I plunged my thumb into her tight asshole.
“Oh. My. God.” There was no need to command her to release, her muscles clamping around my tongue as she erupted, her juice filling my mouth.
Her climax was powerful, and almost as enjoyable for me being as I enjoyed the taste, yet I was losing patience, my needs bridging the surface more than usual. Once she’d stopped shaking, I jerked her halfway off the edge of the piano, positioning my cockhead against her pussy lips then yanking her down.
“Jesus. Oh, God. Oh…” She issued a sharp yelp, grabbing my shoulder with one hand, using her other to pound on the top of the piano.
“Don’t worry,cherie. I’m not letting you go. Not now. Not ever.” I rolled onto the balls of my feet, pounding into her as if my life depended on it. The way she was pressing her knees against my hips was delicious in every way, the heat from our bodies white hot and electrified. I dragged her away from the piano, easily pumping my cock into her as I spun her around.
She wrapped one hand around the back of my neck, holding on for dear life as I continued fucking her. Then she was able to relax, realizing that I’d made a promise I intended on keeping, my hold on her firm. She lifted her head, arching her back as far as possible, every sound she made breathless.
There was something about her act of freedom that was so enticing, as if in awakening the bad girl inside of her she’d become even more of a force to be reckoned with. I took longstrides, heading for the bedroom, still fucking her like a crazed maniac.
Once inside, I didn’t bother turning on a light, the shimmer of buildings surrounding us the only thing I needed as I dumped us both onto the bed. Her laugh was boisterous and she raked her nails down my back as soon as I pressed the full weight of my body against hers.
I jerked one leg around me then the other before doing the same thing to her arms, pulling them up and over her head.
“What are you doing?” she dared to ask.
“Reminding you of your place.”“What’s that?” she purred as I wrapped one hand around both her wrists.“My sweet submissive.”“Never.”“I guess we’ll see about that.”She shuddered visibly. “Not a chance.”“You will do as I say,” I teased, but it was truthful.She seemed full of surprises, not bothEricag to try to get out of my hold. I continued fucking her in earnest, the force driving her into the bed, the headboard hitting the wall several times. She continued wiggling under me, now starting to try to free her hands.“Escaping is not going to happen, sweet girl.”That’s the moment I released my hold, backing off onto my knees, watching as she brushed her hand down her face, her breathing heavier than before. When she rolled over, I slipped my arm underneath, lifting and plopping her down onto her hands and knees.Anticipation tightened my gut, my reaction to her involuntary, as if I’d known her all my life. There was nothing pure and innocent about my intentions. I’d never tell any
SelenaDeadly allure.That’s exactly what Joshua had in spades. The danger surrounding him was real and it was terribly exciting. While he was afraid of being alive, I reveled in the electricity, hungry for more. That terrified me as well.The man had been smiled on by the gods, so perfectly created with his chiseled jaw and hard muscles that even now my stomach was in knots thinking about him. What troubled me wasn’t only how my body had betrayed me but also that I felt myself slipping further into the dark abyss of his dangerous world. Meaning I could do even more inappropriate things to keep him from prison.The fact his body had intricate ink in the most delicious places was equally as attractive, a bad boy personified. I had to wonder whether he owned and rode a Harley. I laughed softly, brushing the back of my hand down my neck, tingling from the filthy thoughts that lingered. Even though he was polished, riddledwith understated elegance, there was a rough edge about him, his in
“That women couldn’t be president of the United States given our weakness. When I asked him what that was, he said it was our sex. That we used our beauty to lure men in instead of our brains to beat them in anything worthwhile, including all aspects of business. Then he told me that I would make a pretty good beauty queen and could likely find a decent enough husband. But that if I worked on myself, including spending more time in the gym, I could improve my odds.”“Your father was an asshole.” What the hell was she trying to tell me?She laughed. “Yes, he was. But what that heart to heart did for me was put a fire in my belly. I went on to get a full scholarship to Columbia where I excelled. On the day I had to bury my father, I stood over his coffin and told him that I would be president one day. Then I laughed. I haven’t been back to the gravesite since. But I thank him every day for being such an abominable man. And do you want to know a little secret?”“Sure.”There was somethin
Liam.Mikey leaned forward, scanning the perimeter while he shook his head. “Are you sure about that, boss?”“Do not…” Hissing, I had to tamp down the rage so as to not make a scene. “Do not ever question my authority again. Is that clear?” What I also couldn’t erase from my mind was that my arrival in Louisville had been used against me and against the Voltairs. Was it possible Liam had broken protocol, used the meeting to take out his own brother? Selena’s idea had been well thought out. Enough so a meeting with Liam would flush out his intentions, or so I hoped.“Never again, sir,” Mikey said quietly. “Just a slight reminder that you have two soldiers with you. He has dozens, many of who are chomping at the bit to spill the blood of their enemy.”The girl approached, the arm holding the tray shaking so badly the drink glasses were clicking together as she walked. She could no longer look me in the eyes as she placed the drinks in front of me. Then she slipped the bill down as well,
SelenaDo you remember me? I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.The words lingered in my mind, the second note I’d found on the windshield of my car haunting, pulling me into an entirely different kind of darkness. Was it possible my past was coming back to haunt me?The terror was real and ripe, pushing me to the very edge of rationality. And I hated it.I’d stood staring at the blood-red script, taking me back to the single time in my life when I’d failed completely. I’d failed myself. My profession. And the victims of heinous crimes. The loss had humbled me, shaken me, and provided proof that I could never be cocky. What was I doing lately? I’d laughed even as a few tears had slipped past my lashes, refusing to believe the monster had returned after these years. But the MO was very similar, the same calling card that I’d heard about from the various cops who’d investigated the scene.The pictures reminded me of the ones depicting the murders of the Voltairs, but there was
Yet the last thing I wanted to do was to call attention to the fact I was standing outside watching whoever it was casing my house. Things like this didn’t end well. Could it be that Joshua had found me? That wasn’t possible. My address was unlisted on purpose, only my boss… Fuck.I held my breath as a truck rolled by, where I was standing lit by the single streetlight on the entire block. This was getting ridiculous. When it finally drove by a few seconds later, I didn’t waste any time, still fumbling but finally getting the key into the small slot. When I threw open the door, I still expected someone would jump from the shadows, but the warmth of my cozy home, including the light over the stove I had left on allowed me to feel a little better.Still, I closed and locked the door, almost dropping the wet bags. I hurried into the kitchen, barely able to get them onto the counter before one of the bags split. Thank God, I caught the bottle of wine before it smashed to the floor.At lea
PrologueSelena“Put down the knife, my love.”His deep voice used to excite me, igniting a fire within my soul. Just yesterday, I could lose myself in his eyes, surrendering to the darkness he brought with him.But not anymore.He was nothing but a cold-blooded killer, a monster dressed in designer clothes and expensive shoes. “Not a chance.”“Then you will die, and it won’t be by my hand. Do you understand?”“I’ll take my chances.”“I can’t let you do that, dear. It would haunt me.”I let out a bitter laugh, tears welling in my eyes. I knew he didn’t care—just like he had no soul.As he stepped closer, I brandished the knife, the blade glinting in the dim light. I could see the fear in his eyes as he jumped back, his anger clear on his handsome face.He looked down at his shirt, noticing the red mark from where the blade had grazed him. I chuckled softly at his surprise.“Then so be it.” I took a step forward, feeling the weight of the ancient knife in my hand. My grandfather had gi
A couple days earlier…JoshuaFear was more than just an emotion; it was a powerful tool I wielded with finesse. It had a way of spiraling out of control, turning dark and all-consuming. But when used skillfully, that paralyzing grip could achieve more than any act of violence before or after a confrontation. I had become a maestro of dread, a force so formidable that with a mere glance or the flash of my eyes, I could freeze a man in his tracks.At least, that’s what I had been told. If only I truly possessed such a gift—perhaps it would save me the trouble of replacing shirts stained with blood. I chuckled softly at the thought as I maneuvered through the rain-slicked streets of Montreal, my destination set for a reckoning.Some might label me a bloodthirsty villain, a thrill-seeker with an insatiable hunger for chaos. But to me, it was just another day at the office, a necessary step to maintain the fragile balance of power in the streets I loved.I never wavered from my mission, n