Page 26 of Darkness Tempt Me (Bloody Desires #7)

Smack. The loud crack of his palm hitting my flesh, followed by that sexy tingling pain, has me sticking my ass out further. Smack . Smack . Smack .

“Fuck. How did—” My words trail off. How did he know I’m into spanking? Did I say so on our wedding night? I’m afraid to say the words out loud, though, because he might stop. Smack . Smack .

My cock is poking out of my thong and leaking all over his desk. “Oh, fuck, Daddy.”

Something about my saying Daddy causes Mavik to snap. He loses all control as he spins me around and brings me back down on his lap. I grind against his erection as he tugs my cock out of my panties.

My cell phone rings, and I freeze when I see it’s my brother. My gaze collides with Mavik’s.

“Go on,” he rumbles. “Answer it.”

“T-Tyler?” It’s embarrassing how labored my breathing is, but my brother doesn’t seem to notice.

“Are you free to meet up?”

“Yes, when?”

“Fifteen minutes.” He sounds fine, but I don’t want to chance missing my opportunity to meet with him. Especially if he’s in trouble.

“Okay. Fifteen minutes. I can meet you at the café near my office.”

Tyler pauses. “I already had coffee. Why don’t I meet you at the benches outside? Across the street from the café, by the fountain.”

“Sure. See you soon.”

I peer down at my still-hard cock as I realize I’m still sitting in Mavik’s lap. “Oh god, how am I going to meet him like this?”

Mavik gives me a wicked smile and resumes stroking me. The movements are rough and almost punishing. It’s hot as fuck, and riles me up so quickly, I know I won’t need ten minutes, let alone fifteen.

“Tell Daddy how badly you need to come.” His strokes become faster.

“Daddy, I mean sir, I mean—I don’t know what I mean,” I whine. “Please, please, sir. Can I come?”

He groans. “Sir, Daddy, Husband. You can call me any one of those. As long as you let me take care of you.”

I whimper, my head spinning.

“It’s okay, let Daddy show you he knows what you want,” he whispers into my ear. Then, he wraps his fingers around my neck and tightens. I hold my breath, the sensation enough to make my impending orgasm that much more intense.

The combination of his hand on my throat and his punishing strokes causes me to shatter apart. I come so hard I almost black out. I go completely limp on his lap, and he chuckles, reaching for some tissues. I gasp when I see the mess I made all over his chest.

“Next time you think anything between us is fake, I want you to remember the way you came apart in my hands and marked me with your seed.”

As soon as my brother comes into view, I sprint to his side and throw my arms around him. “Oh my gosh. You’re okay.”

He nods, tears spilling from his eyes. “I’m okay. I’m so sorry, Pey. I didn’t mean to ghost you. He took my phone away from me. I found it today when he left for work.”

“Oh, Ty.”

His head drops with shame. “I thought I had it all under control,” he whispers.

My blood boils with red-hot rage. Connor was just like Jimmy. He’d taken my phone from me, too. I study my brother’s face. Most of the bruises that I saw before have faded, but I notice a few others. “Did your boyfriend do this?” I ask, wanting to be sure.

More tears spill over, and he nods. “I’m breaking up with him. Most of my things are back at his place, but I can get them when he’s at work sometime.”

I shake my head frantically. “You aren’t going alone. Promise me! You’ll take me or Mavik with you.”

“Mavik?”

I nod. “My boss.” My husband. “He’ll help us. Just promise me.”

“Yes, I promise.”

I pull him into another hug. “Good. Now, let’s catch up. I have so much to tell you.”

Over the next thirty minutes, I give Tyler a quick update on recent events from the last few weeks.

To my surprise, he isn’t very shocked to hear that I married Mavik, explaining that it’s just like me to try to help someone I care about.

He even has this theory that Mavik moved me in so quickly to help me feel safe.

It’s only after he says it that I realize how well-rested I’ve been.

After listening to me open up, Tyler’s finally comfortable enough to allow me to ask him some questions.

He reveals that Connor gets violent when drunk, and the first time he hit Ty was supposedly an accident.

As he speaks, he keeps looking around, startled by sounds, and even eyes the people walking in and out of the café across the street.

I can tell he isn’t telling me the whole story, but all I can do is be here for him until he’s ready to fully open up to me. I’m just glad he’s talking to me now.

Connor’s second violent outburst led to Tyler fighting back. The night I saw him covered in bruises, they had just had a fight. Connor threw some punches, causing Tyler to retaliate before storming off. The whole thing was so messed up, but I’m proud of Ty for defending himself.

In the beginning, when he’d come to my apartment looking for comfort, I was heartbroken to discover Ty was in the same situation.

I didn’t want to believe my brother was experiencing everything Mom and I had both gone through.

But I was wrong. His experience was way different.

Tyler is so much stronger than me. Tyler fought back.

When I was with Jimmy, I was too frightened to do anything. Scared that stepping out of line or talking back would just make things worse. I didn’t know how to protect myself, and I was too scared of the consequences.

After taking self-defense classes and becoming independent, I sometimes fantasize about hurting Jimmy.

Getting revenge and making him suffer the way he hurt me.

I imagine my past catching up with me, only this time, I would shove him off me, kicking and screaming, using anything I had at my disposal as a weapon.

Other times, I hoped karma would get him, hurting Jimmy like he hurt me and many others.

However, the truth was probably worse. Jimmy Melton is likely in hiding or searching for his next victim.

“I should have told you about Connor, but I was ashamed. I’m so sorry, Peyton.” Tyler glances down and whispers. “I didn’t want you to be right, not after everything you sacrificed to protect us.”

I reach over and squeeze his arm.

“You did so much to keep us safe, then you found this great job, and started building this great life. I guess I just didn’t want to be another burden.”

“You’re never a burden, Ty.” I squeeze his arm again, a little harder, just to emphasize my point. “You’re my family. We couldn’t protect Mom before she passed. It’s up to us to protect each other. It’s what she would have wanted.”

Tyler stands before pulling me into a tight hug. When I hug him back, he melts against me. “Thank you for helping me,” he whispers. “Are you sure Mavik will be okay with me staying at his friend’s place?”

I nod, giving him a small reassuring smile. “He already cleared it with Hunter. Apparently, Hunter will be in Italy for a while. Hunter’s assistant will meet you at the location I just texted to you. Just remember your promise. Don’t go to Connor’s without me. Okay?”

“I promise. No seeing the evil ex without my big brother,” he teases, but I can tell he isn’t lying. He means every word.

As soon as Tyler is in his car and waving goodbye, I make my way down the busy street toward the crosswalk. I’m in desperate need of some caffeine and could really go for a white mocha. Plus, I think my husband deserves an Americano after taking such good care of me in his office.

Holy shit. His freaking office . That was so hot.

I can’t believe we did that at work.

But in all honesty, I would be lying if I didn’t admit I wanted to do it again. Maybe even take things further.

I shiver.

That memory will be burned into my brain for a really long time.

But it’s not just the hand job or the way he made me light up inside; it was the tenderness after.

The quick kiss to my temple as he cleaned me up and helped me dress.

It was the way his pants were tented, but he set aside his own needs because he knew how important it was for me to meet with my brother.

I chuckle to myself. It was the way his lips parted slightly when I leaned in and whispered my parting words. “My safe word is giraffe. And next time I leave you hard and wanting, you have every right to take what you need from me. My mouth. My hole. It’s all yours, dear hubby.”

I’m so lost in my sexual fantasies; it takes me a while to realize that creepy sensation of being followed is happening again.

I freeze in place before slowly turning.

Of course I don’t see anyone. Mavik explained to me that it’s better safe than sorry.

He told me that if I feel like I’m being followed, to remember my self-defense lessons and stay out in the open near lots of people.

Then, I see him.

Drake Sinclair is on his phone, walking my way.

The blood rushes to my ears as my heart races. Going with my gut, I pull out my phone and pick up my pace. I rush inside the café, thankful for the busy chatter and the comforting scent of coffee beans. I walk further inside and pause by a table to send Mavik a text.

Peyton: I just spotted Drake. I’m inside the café, and there are lots of people here. He hasn’t walked inside yet, but I swear it felt like he was following me.

Mavik: Good boy. I’m happy you followed my advice. I’m on my way. Don’t leave the café until I’m with you.

Despite the adrenaline still pumping through my system, I smile. He’s on his way. Whether I’m paranoid or not, Mavik believes me, and he’ll be by my side.

Peyton: Yes, sir, Daddy. *wink emoji*

A barely there touch slides against my spine. “Who was that you were waving to?” A rough voice suddenly fills my ear. Yelping, I jerk back, startled.

Billy is standing right next to me. As soon as I register it’s him, some of the tension leaves my body. A few people glance over at us from their tables.

I clutch my chest. “Fuck, Billy. You startled me.”

His eyes narrow. “Sorry, Pey. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

I bristle. I still don’t like it when he calls me Pey. We aren’t that close.

He reaches out his hand, letting it slide against my arm. “Who were you waving to outside?”

I glance over my shoulder suspiciously and peer at the café door. Was he behind me the whole time? “Did you just get here?” I ask wearily.

He nods, waiting for me to reply.

“My brother. He’s dealing with an abusive ex.”

Billy stiffens. “Another abusive asshole? You’d think that with the number of pricks out there, one of us would have good luck finding a decent guy.”

A few guys in suits catch my eye as they walk past the café window. I’m still on edge, waiting for Drake to walk inside.

Billy points at the long line. “You’d better hurry if you want some coffee. The lunch rush has already started. I’ll be at the cash register as soon as I clock in.”

Since Mavik isn’t here yet, and I don’t plan on leaving without him, I might as well get in line.

While waiting, I scroll through my phone and social media.

That was a dumb mistake. A link to an online article mentions the Adam Costa case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Just like my case with Jimmy. It’s obvious he’s guilty.

But then something else catches my eye. Another headline.

Concern and speculation about Adam’s whereabouts.

Since the case’s dismissal, Adam Costa has vanished, with rumors swirling about his escape or foul play.

Some comments from readers even state that it sounds like someone took justice into their own hands.

I continue reading, unable to look away.

That uncomfortable feeling swirls in my stomach, only now I can’t tell if it’s because I still feel like someone is watching me, that there is some politician who looks and acts like my ex is out in the world, or that the dark part of me hopes someone really did take justice into their own hands.

“Hey there, little light.” Mavik’s voice is deep and smooth.

His scent of citrus, pine, and a splash of vanilla is so comforting, I feel tears prick the back of my eyes.

When we get to the front of the line together, and Mavik orders for us, I don’t know whether I’m more embarrassed that I’m too shaken to speak, or that Mavik knew to order me the tea that smells like him.

Billy studies the two of us, his eyes widening when he sees Mavik lace his fingers with mine.

We wait for our order together in reassuring silence.

Mavik is giving me time to feel like myself again.

I can’t figure out how he always knows what I need or how he’s always there, but I don’t care.

I like that he makes me feel cherished, respected, and cared for.

I like knowing I can trust my husband to care for me at home, just as he knows he can trust me at work as his assistant.

When our order is finally ready and we make our way toward the exit, I don’t even flinch when the bell chimes, and the café door opens to reveal Drake.

Mavik just wraps a possessive arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side.

Neither of us acknowledges Drake or the smirk he gives us as we walk outside.

Instead, I lean against the man I’m falling for, happy that I found someone who is willing to protect me.