Page 18

SIXTEEN

ARDEN

“If you’re not calling to tell me you fucked that tattooed sculpture of a man, I’m hanging up,” Stella says, her not-so-warm greeting filling the cab of my car as soon as she answers the phone. I called her on my way home from the pharmacy because we haven’t spoken since the day after Hawk pulled me into the pantry, and even then, our conversation wasn’t long. We’ve texted—mainly her expecting details of my nonexistent sexcapades—but I haven’t had much time to chat beyond that.

“I regret to inform you that he’s still holding out, but hanging up on me wouldn’t be fair. It’s not my fault,” I reply, flicking on my blinker and pulling out of the parking lot. It’s about a fifteen-minute drive to our building, so I figured I’d try to catch her before she had to be at the hospital for her shift tonight. Stella is an emergency room nurse, and she’s one of the hardest-working people I know. She’s married to her job, so she lives vicariously through me when it comes to sex—which is pretty sad for us both, considering I haven’t been laid since I was in Argentina. The other night with Hawk was the closest I’ve come in over a year. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to. The opportunity just hasn’t presented itself in far too long. At this point, I’m ready to climb him like a fucking tree and let him do unspeakable things to me until I can’t possibly take it anymore.

“That sounds suspicious. Why would he choose not to bang your brains out when you’re super slutty and willing?” she asks.

I huff a frustrated breath. “He wants to talk to Jacks first. To get his blessing or whatever. Although I have no idea why he’d care. It’s not like I’m his real sister, and prior to me coming to Daytona, he had all but cut me out of his life. It feels like we’re finally getting back to normal now, but I can’t imagine he’d give a shit if Hawk and I were sleeping together.”

“Arden, are you really that blind?” she replies, and I can practically hear her eyes rolling as she says it. “Jackson has been obsessed with you for years. The fact that you can’t see it is ridiculous. The way he used to stare at you almost made me spontaneously orgasm a few times, to be honest.”

My brows bunch tightly in confusion. “Stell, I thought you got drug tested regularly for work. You’re obviously on something strong if you think Jacks has ever seen me as anything more than a friend. If he had, he’d have said something by now.”

“Whatever you want to tell yourself,” she says with a laugh. “I just got to the hospital and I’m about to be late, so I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”

“Love you too,” I reply. We end the call just as I enter the parking garage, rounding the corner and pulling into my spot. I laugh as I think about her words because, as always, she went above and beyond with the dramatics. I’ve learned to take them with a grain of salt over the years, and this time is no different. My stepbrother isn’t obsessed with me.

I look out my window, noticing that Jackson’s car is gone, which is strange because I figured we’d hang out tonight like we normally do when we’re all off at the same time. Maybe he just ran to get food or something. Technically, it would be his turn, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case.

I shove the pharmacy bag into my purse, get out, and lock up before I head up to our floor. My heart leaps in my chest at the idea of having a few minutes alone with Hawk, so I can kiss him out in the open. It’s as far as we’ve gotten since the pantry, but it’s fine because it’s been building the most delicious tension between the two of us. I swear, just passing him in the hallways sends a jolt of electricity right between my legs, and I haven’t felt this way in a long, long time.

Stepping into the condo, I make my way up the stairs toward my room, knowing that if I don’t put my birth control pills next to the sink in the bathroom, I’ll forget to take them. But I don’t even make it to my doorway before a thick, muscular arm bands around my waist. “Took you long enough,” Hawk says quietly, his minty breath fanning across my cheek. The dark mischief in his voice makes my core clench, and I let out a quiet moan when he nips at the sensitive spot below my ear. “We’re all alone.”

My eyes roll back as he continues teasing me with his teeth and tongue. “Oh yeah?” I ask. “And what does that mean?” I don’t want to assume anything, but I’m hopeful he had the conversation with Jackson that he wanted to, so we can finally go further than the kissing we’ve been torturing each other with all week.

“Why don’t you come to my room and find out, Hellcat?”

I turn, shooting him a devious grin over my shoulder as he walks us backward until we’re in his room. The entire space is blanketed in grays and blacks, with red accents scattered throughout. The first time I came in here, other than thinking it was very Hawk , it gave me total kink dungeon vibes. Maybe it is—or it could just be because the man who sleeps here drips with a silent sexual energy. Either way, I can’t help but wonder what he hides inside these four walls. Hopefully, I’m about to find out.

He closes the door, spinning me around so we’re face to face before dropping his lips to mine in a passionate kiss. He wastes no time pushing his tongue into my mouth, swallowing every needy whine that tumbles out of me while he does. His hands—that can’t seem to settle on one part of my body at first—finally slide down to my ass, where he grips tightly, pulling my cheeks apart under the fabric of my cotton shorts and panties. He lifts me into his arms, urging me to wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to the bed and breaks our connection by dropping me down onto the mattress.

“Look at you,” he growls as I stare up at him, my lips swollen and tingling from his kisses. “You have no idea how many times I’ve wondered what you’d look like in my bed. How many times I’ve stroked my cock to the thought of you splayed out for me like you are right now. It’s been years, Arden. I felt like such a fucking creep for fantasizing about you that way, but I couldn’t help myself.”

I try to hide my surprise at his admission, but it’s not easy. I thought he hated me. Every time we were around each other prior to me moving here, he barely talked. I tried, but I never got more than a few words out of him before I took the hint and left. I would’ve never guessed he even gave me a second thought. But now that I know, I want to give him everything he’s wanted.

“So have me,” I whisper, squeezing my thighs together for relief because the intensity of his gaze as it roams over me is making me wetter by the second.

A cocky grin slowly spreads across his face. He’s so fucking hot, I’m barely holding myself together with how desperate I am to feel him all over me. He pulls my shirt over my head, then reaches around and unfastens the clasp between my shoulder blades. I wiggle my bra down my arms, tossing it aside and watching his eyes burn as he takes in my bare tits. Without even blinking, he wraps his long, thick fingers around the fabric at my hips, yanking my shorts and panties down in one go. I squirm under his stare, his hungry eyes roving down my body at an agonizingly slow pace before locking onto my bare pussy.

“ Have you?” he says, as if it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard. “Baby, I’m going to destroy you.” I whimper loudly when he steps between my legs, planting his hands behind my knees and shoving them toward my ears so I’m spread completely wide below him.

I look away, suddenly embarrassed by the fact that I’m literally dripping for him. I’ve never been this turned on in my entire life, and my body is reacting whether I want it to or not.

“Eyes on me, Arden,” he demands, and I obey immediately, surprised at my willingness to do whatever he tells me to. Normally, I’d take pause at someone ordering me around, but with Hawk—I want it. I want to please him.

“There you go,” he praises as he slides his thumb through my slit from bottom to top, gathering my arousal and pressing it to my clit. My body jolts at the contact, but relaxes again when he begins rubbing in teasing barely-there circles over the sensitive bundle of nerves. A shaky breath tumbles from my lips, and he chuckles darkly, adding even more pressure as he speeds up.

“What pretty, pathetic sounds you make,” he says. “Does this desperate cunt need to come?” I nod my head frantically, shocked at how his words are bringing me to the edge so quickly. When I’m by myself, it takes a while—sometimes less if I’m using a toy—but it’s barely been two minutes and I’m already nearing the summit. My orgasm barrels toward me as he expertly works my clit, using his free hand to hold me open so he can watch as he works me over. All the bashfulness I was feeling when we started is long gone, only to be replaced by my need to release.

“Do you want to unravel for me?” he taunts, pushing his bottom lip into a patronizing pout. It only makes me wetter as I submit, my eyes pleading for him to give me what I need. I don’t care how pitiful I look. I just want him to get me there.

“Aww, I bet,” he says darkly as I teeter on the edge. White light takes over my vision and my muscles wind tight. But before I can fully fall, he pulls away, landing a tight slap directly to my aching clit. I cry out, and he ghosts a finger around my pussy as I whimper and buck my hips in search of more contact.

“I have one rule, Hellcat,” he says, never removing his gaze from where he’s tracing my wet, swollen skin. I shake as my orgasm fades, squeezing my eyes shut tightly. “You do nothing without my permission. If I want you to come, I’ll let you know when. And if you break this rule, I’ll punish you. Do you understand?”

His gaze slides up to mine, and he must be able to see the worry written across my face, because he stops what he’s doing and places a gentle hand on my cheek. “I want you to let go for me, Arden—to give up full control of your body and mind, and let me see how far I can get you out of your own head. I promise I’ll take care of you, but you have to trust me, always. Can you do that?”

I exhale a shaky breath, letting his words fully register. I want this, but it isn’t easy to submit in the way he’s asking me to. He’s already shown that he won’t let anything bad happen to me, and I really do trust him. But can I be the girl he needs?

I know I want to try.

“Yes,” I reply quietly. He leans down, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that’s much softer than a moment ago. But that’s Hawk. Whatever you think you’ll get, he’ll surprise you.

“If you want me to stop at any time, say the word muffins , okay? I want to hurt you, but I want to bring you pleasure when I do it. You have to tell me if I’m crossing the line. Promise?”

I nod, this time more confidently than before. I understand what he’s saying. It’s just like when I went down on him in the pantry. It was rough, and the way he gripped my hair and fucked my throat was painful, but in the most erotic, mind-bending way. So much so that I had to rub myself just to ease the ache it caused. I want to test the boundaries of that sort of thing, and knowing I can end it all with a single word makes me feel safe—like I can give him everything, and he’ll take care of me.

“That’s my good girl,” he says proudly, pulling back before lowering his face between my legs and hovering right above where I’m throbbing for him. “I’ve been dying to lick this sweet pussy. You smell incredible.” I suck in a breath as his tongue laps at my sensitive pearl, the pleasure from my stolen orgasm blooming back to life as he adds more pressure with each pass.

“Hawk,” I moan as his lips wrap around me, sucking gently at my desperate core. The feeling is indescribable, and it’s mere seconds before I’m right back where I was before he pulled away the first time.

“You’re mine,” he growls, the vibration of his words intensifying the euphoria as he sinks a finger into me. As soon as he turns his palm upward, curling toward a spot deep inside that has me seeing stars, I know I won’t be able to hold back for long.

“Please!” I beg, clenching involuntarily around him as he pumps in and out, his tongue expertly working in tandem to bring me dangerously close to the edge. “Hawk. I need to— please !”

“Come for me,” he relents, the words barely out of his mouth before I detonate, surrendering to the pleasure as it pulls me under. My vision goes blurry, and I scream into the empty room, not giving a fuck if anyone can hear me because I’m unable to control it anyway. I’m weightless as he continues licking and fucking me with his finger, only slowing when my body eventually begins to sink back into the mattress. I’ve never had an orgasm that intense before, and we’ve barely even started.

He wasn’t lying. He is going to destroy me. And I’ll fucking welcome it.

“I’m so hard just from tasting your cum, baby,” he says, reaching behind himself and peeling his t-shirt over his head with one hand. He immediately follows the action by sliding down his shorts and briefs, his mouthwatering erection slapping against his stomach as soon as it’s free from the material that was restraining it. I can’t stop my eyes from bouncing around his naked body, because this is the first time I’ve seen his tattoos without feeling like I should look away. They cover the entirety of his arms, spreading from the backs of his hands and meeting behind him. I knew his back was fully covered in art, but I didn’t realize until now that it was all one big scene. On his left, a silhouette stands in the middle of a serene river, the entire thing calm and peaceful. His right side is covered in darkness, starting with the demon on his hand ascending up a dark stone staircase. It leads into a cloud of thick smoke over his bicep, the entire piece the exact opposite of its lighter counterpart. I want to ask him what it all means, but I don’t get a chance as he rubs his bare cock between my still-drenched pussy lips. I gasp when the piercing under his head grazes my overstimulated clit, clenching my hands into the sheets beside me as he repeats the motion. It’s too much and not enough all at once, and I wonder for a second if I’ll be able to handle whatever he’s about to dish out. I know I can stop it if I want to, but the anticipation makes blood run through my veins like hot lava.

I’ve never wanted to be owned more than I do right now.

“Let me grab a condom,” he says, leaning down for a quick kiss before he begins to back away. But I don’t allow it, darting my hand out and grabbing his wrist to pull him back. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I just can’t stop the reckless words from bursting out of my mouth.

“I want you bare,” I say. “I just picked up my birth control refill from the pharmacy. I’ve never missed one, and I’ve tested negative twice since the last time I had sex. If you’re clean—and okay with it—we can go without a condom.”

A sexy smirk lifts the corners of his lips, his eyes hooding with desire. “You want me to fuck you raw, Hellcat? Blow my thick, hot load into your begging cunt?”

“Oh my God,” I say on a forced exhale. “Yes. I want you to fill me up.” I have no idea where all of this is coming from. I’m normally not a dirty talker, but it’s easy to match his energy when he’s towering over me like this.

“Sit up on your elbows,” he says, stepping in and yanking me closer to the edge of the bed. “Watch it go in.” I oblige, pushing up so his gorgeous cock is in clear view as he thrusts forward, breaching my entrance. The stretch immediately makes me hiss a breath through my teeth, and he resumes rubbing my clit to help me relax.

“You’re doing great, Arden,” he praises, and I feel my muscles unclench, letting him sink in further. The barbell on the underside of his length rubs against my walls, and suddenly, I need it deeper. Wrapping my ankles around his ass, I pull him to me, gasping from the fullness when he’s buried to the hilt. He leans forward so his hands are pressed to the mattress on either side of me and drops his lips to the heated skin of my neck. I lie back, reveling in the way he’s making me feel worshiped and possessed at the same time.

“Fuck. You’re tight,” he grunts. His entire body is shaking, clearly holding back as he carefully withdraws and surges forward again. His heart pounds against mine in a fast but steady rhythm, every single part of him wound taut as he attempts to control himself. But I don’t want that. I want him unleashed.

“Hawk, fuck me,” I whine. “You’re not giving me everything.”

“Next time, baby. I promise,” he replies, setting an even tempo as he moves his hips. It feels amazing, especially when he grinds his other piercing against my clit. “Just let me make you feel good. Come whenever you want. I’ve got you.” He bands an arm around my waist, hoisting me up the bed and following until he’s settled on top of me. The feel of his weight pressed tightly to my body has every nerve ending on high alert, and I know another orgasm is getting ready to take me away any second. He said I could, so I allow myself to succumb to the sensations, focusing on the metal bars as they work me to the edge.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he coaxes. “Let me feel it on my cock.” As if my pussy answers to him and him only, it clamps down, flooding his shaft as he steadily fucks me through it. I cry out, my clit pulsing against the metal barbell that’s clearly prolonging my climax. It’s complete euphoria, and I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like when he gives me everything.

“Holy fucking shit. I’m going to make you mine, Arden. Open your eyes.” His words are a mix of demand and desperation, and I don’t waste another second before following his order. As soon as the haze from my orgasm dissipates, I focus on his beautiful face just in time to watch it twist in pleasure. He stares into my soul, and I feel him throb inside me, thrusting one last time before filling me with rope after rope of cum. He buries his face into my neck, groaning between heaving gulps of air while violent shivers rack his entire body. I’ve never had unprotected sex before, and the sensation of overflowing with this part of him is unlike anything I could’ve ever imagined. It’s intense in the most primal way, and before he’s even completely empty, I want more.

“Are you okay?” he asks, clearly exhausted and reeling from his release. Even though I had absolutely no physical control over anything we just did, I feel powerful knowing my body affected him this way.

“I’m perfect,” I reply. “It’s never been like that before.”

He pushes up, lazily kissing me for a moment before dropping his forehead to mine. “I wanted it to just be about us tonight. I promise we’ll try some new things and test your limits next time, if you’re into it. I think it might help you let go in other aspects of your life, too. It does for me, at least.”

“I’d like that,” I say with a smile, wrapping my arms around his neck before he rolls to the side, bringing me with him so we’re face to face. The motion separates us enough for his dick to slip out, and I feel warmth drip from my body, slowly running down my thigh. It’s foreign, but knowing it’s our cum mixed together makes me want to stay put for another minute or two before I clean up.

“You messy?” he says with a raised brow, and I laugh because, obviously, my face is telling him everything I’m feeling.

“A little, but I like it,” I reply sheepishly, not sure if I should be embarrassed by the admission.

He chuckles darkly. “I bet you do, Hellcat. How about we hop in the shower? Get you nice and clean, just to dirty you up again later. I’ll empty into you as many times as you want.”

Sounds like the perfect evening to me.