Page 20

“Tell me, did that bastard lay a hand on ye?” Dad asked me, his Irish accent strong in his voice.

I gripped the phone tightly against my ear, my hand trembling as images of Daniel doing more than laying a hand on me flooded my mind. Dad demanded the truth, believing that his rival had mistreated me or physically assaulted me.

How could I bring myself to tell him that Daniel never exhibited any form of violence toward me? How did I tell him that I slept with Daniel Tarasov, and I wasn’t even under duress or the influence of any substance?

My heart was racing in my chest, anxiety washing over me as I struggled to get my shit together. Dad was a very observant and highly cynical person, and it wouldn’t take him long to put the pieces together if I continued to shy away from him.

“Scarlett,” he called softly, his head tilting to the side, trying to catch my eyes. “Talk to me, honey. Don’t be afraid.”

I stole a glance over my shoulder, my gaze meeting with Daniel’s for a fleeting moment. The cocky bastard had a smirk on his lips, arms across his chest. He stared at me in wonder, patiently waiting for my response.

My brows furrowed, forming deep lines on my forehead as I glared at him, cursing him in my mind. I hated Daniel so much that I would drive a stake through his fucking heart if I had the chance. But the cold-hearted son of a bitch clearly didn’t have one. He was heartless, evil, and he should be the one behind that partition, not my Dad.

I turned to my father, my lips twitching, quivering as I struggled to muster a smile. A plastic one. “I’m…I’m okay, Dada.”

“‘tis not what I asked ye,” he said, his brogue cutting deep, accentuating the solemnity of his tone. “Did he lay a hand on ye?” Dad repeated, his eyes narrowing in concern.

I shook my head, managing to meet his gaze as he stared at me in anticipation. “He didn’t hurt me,” I said, my voice a little above a whisper.

“Ye sure?” he asked, eyes boring into mine.

I swallowed hard, nodding my head.

In all honesty, that wasn’t exactly a lie. Daniel hadn’t hurt me—well, not physically, anyway. At least not the way Dad must have envisioned. Thinking about it now, I realized that my captor wasn’t half as wicked to me as he should have been, considering the kind of man he was.

“I’m mighty sorry, sweetheart. I never meant fer things to take this turn,” Dad apologized, his tone tinged with genuine remorse.

Change of subject. Thank God!

“It wasn’t your fault, Dada,” I said, my expression softening as I stared at him, taking in the bruises on his face.

“Yes, it was,” he replied, his voice cracking under the weight of his pain. “Did he tell ye why he took ye?”

I glanced up at Daniel for a second before returning my gaze to my father, nodding. “Yes.”

Dad shut his eyes, drawing in a deep breath, his palm on the glass. “Just hang in there, honey. We’ll get ye out of that place. I don’t know how, but we will,” he said, his words laced with promise and a glint of determination.

“I should be telling you that,” I said, placing my palm over his from my side of the glass. “You’re the one in prison.”

My heart shattered into a million tiny pieces as the realization hit hard.

Dad looked rough around the edges, a clear indication that he’d been in more than a few fights. He had enemies everywhere, and I wondered how he even shut his eyes to sleep at night.

I’d heard of men like my father dying mysteriously in prison cells, murdered in cold blood by someone with a grudge against them. This place was swarming with dangerous men—some of whom were here because of my dad. A lot of these inmates had an ax to grind with the O’Sullivans, and from the look of things, they hadn’t wasted any time in attacking Dad.

However, there was a consolation for his fear and anxiety. Dad was a powerful man, strong and well-connected. I was certain that he had formed some sort of mini gang with some of the inmates in here. He wasn’t alone in this battle—at least, I was sure of that.

My lips curled into an encouraging smile, eyes blinking back my tears.

“Stay strong,” Dad said, his voice low and even. “Yer a fighter, Scarlett. Keep fighting.”

“Alright, time’s up,” one of the guards said, stepping toward him.

He reached out, politely taking the phone from Dad’s hand. He pressed a button on the phone’s console, ending the call, and then hung it back on its hook on the glass partition.

I swiped a palm across my face, watching them take him away.

***

I lay curled up on the couch in our bedroom, unable to sleep, my mind occupied with the unplanned encounter with my father. Prison was a horrible place, and the scent of pain alone almost made me throw up in my mouth.

My fingers combed through my hair, my heart racing as I wondered what Dad was going through at this moment. Was he okay? Did he get in another fight? I felt my heart breaking by the second, and my breath was difficult to catch.

I needed a distraction from these thoughts that wouldn’t let me rest or think straight—something to help ease my stress. That was when I heard the front door creak open, drawing my attention. I sat upright, my feet on the marble as I stared at him, a mix of emotions flooding my system.

Daniel waltzed into the room, his movements fluid and his presence commanding my attention. His tie was undone, and the top three buttons of his shirt were as well, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his alluring chest. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his hair was styled to perfection as his deep-set brown eyes bore into mine. His gaze was intense, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away. He was so hot, so attractive.

The nearer he drew to me, the more my heart raced in my chest, my anticipation growing by the minute as I wondered what he was up to.

He halted, towering over me, his eyes down in my direction. Daniel lowered himself on one knee, his hand reaching out to caress my hair, fingers rubbing my scalp in a gentle massaging motion.

Fuck, it was so relaxing. This technique always had me craving him whether I wanted to or not. It was like his superpower, and he was so damn good at it.

He massaged the back of my head, through to the back of my neck, before both his hands landed on my shoulders. His fingers expertly digging into my flesh eased the tension in my muscles, helping me relax against my will. I wanted to call him out on the stunt he pulled back at the prison, but I was too weak to even have a proper thought.

I rolled my neck, basking in the euphoria of his hands on my shoulders, relieving me of stress.

“You’re thinking too much again, printsessa ,” he said, his tone smooth and soothing.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I asked, finally finding my voice. “You took everything from me, Daniel. Everything. You stole my life—my happiness, my future—and all I can do now is think.”

His hands fell to my arms, fingers gliding over my skin, sending shivers down my spine. “Is that the reason for the hatred I see in your eyes?” he asked, his hands resting on my lap.

I wore a loose, flowery, modal pajama dress with a V-neckline, but its casual comfort couldn’t prepare me for the jolt of Daniel’s hand slipping underneath the hem. My body stiffened at his touch, my breath hitching in my throat as heat waves spread through my body.

“You claim you hate me, yet you can’t resist me,” he whispered under his breath, eyes locked on mine. “You let me touch you because you like it…don’t you?” A slight pause came when his hand slid up my thigh, fingers caressing my skin. “You love how I make you feel, how I toil with your emotions.”

I steeled myself, my heart pounding like a drum as my body stiffened and trembled. A flutter rose within me, jolts of electricity surging through my veins as I struggled to remain calm. Why couldn’t I just shove him away? How did we get to this point where he had so much control over me?

Daniel drew nearer, his eyes holding my gaze, lips dangerously close to mine. I sat there, watching him close the distance between us, unable to move or speak. A part of me wanted to push him back to refuse and say no, but I was too weak to do so—too vulnerable to resist. My breath ceased when his fingers grazed the fabric of my underpants.

His audacity, though!

My body betrayed my composure, trembling in his response to his touch. His breath was warm against my face, lips brushing over mine in a rather teasing manner. I craved him, my desire brewing with each passing second. The rich scent of his cologne was so intoxicating that it quickened my pulse, leaving me hungry.

I gripped the edge of the couch, my chest rising and falling in anticipation, waiting for the moment his lips would lock with mine. Daniel’s fingers slid beneath my underpants, caressing my entrance, now wet and slippery. A slight moan escaped my mouth, prompting my head to lean forward, and before I could even process what was happening, his lips crashed against mine.

Daniel’s kiss was hot, intense, and fiery, stealing not just my breath but my sense as well. His free hand cradled the back of my neck while simultaneously fingering my cunt with the other. I gasped for air, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins as our kiss intensified. Tongues twirled in our mouths, our heads tilting to the rhythm of the fierce passion threatening to consume us both.

I felt his finger traveling inside me, his thumb stimulating my throbbing clit with a gentle rub. Driven by ecstasy, I reached out to undo the buttons of his shirts, my manicured hands moving deftly as my legs spread apart.

A few of his buttons appeared to be stuck, but unfortunately, I was fresh out of patience—horny as fuck! My fingers gripped his shirt and ripped the damned thing apart, the buttons splattering over the marble floor.

Daniel broke the kiss, withdrawing to watch my face with wonder flickering in his gaze. He could not believe his eyes. Neither could I.

I was just as shocked as he was that I had impatiently ripped his buttons off. But he’d turned me on, leaving me with no choice but to act like the wild animal he’d just set loose—a hungry lioness, ready to devour her prey.

All I wanted was him—all of him—and I wasn’t going to hold back. No, not this time.

My hands roamed his rigid frame, caressing his broad, chiseled torso as I reclaimed his lips. I loosened the tie around his neck and shed his shirt while his hand massaged the back of my neck. My legs spread wider apart, allowing him better access to my cunt.

Daniel’s fingers delved into my warmth, sending tremors through my body. I moaned in his mouth, his touch igniting a spark that left me melting into his caress. As the fervor of our kiss deepened, I felt our connection building, our hearts almost beating as one. It was scary but fascinating at the same time.

My hands slid down to his groin, feeling the print of his erection over the fabric of his pants. The next thing I knew, I felt light as a feather as Daniel whisked me into the air. He led us to the bed and gently lowered my back onto the mattress.

I framed his face with my palms, my lips devouring his with an intense fervor. His hand caressed my thighs, sending jolts of electricity through my body. Daniel’s lips left mine, his head lowering to kiss the nape of my neck. I arched my back, soft purrs escaping my mouth as I felt the shape of his hardness beneath my palms.

His hands flew to my chest, slipping underneath the loose fabric of my pajamas. He grabbed and squeezed my gentle swells, fingers tuning my nipples. His head traveled lower, his mouth resting on my breasts, sucking them one at a time.

I unbuttoned his pants, unzipped them, and dug my hand inside. Daniel’s erection was hard as a rock, heavy yet delicate in my grasp. I tugged down his waistband, withdrawing the veiny organ. His tongue was chilly on my breasts, his teeth gently grazing my nipples. I stroked his length, enamored by the size and weight.

Daniel rose off me, positioned on his knees, his shaft sticking out in front of me. The sight was tempting, drawing me in, and I couldn’t stop staring at it.

“Go on,” he said, his voice deep and husky.

I raised my eyes, meeting his gaze with a seductive stare, my teeth reflexively grazing over my lower lip.

“Go ahead and take it. I know you want to,” he added, stroking his length without breaking eye contact with me.

With a slow movement, I went on my knees, inclining my head toward his groin, my eyes still locked on his face.

“Don’t be shy,” he whispered, his hand pulling my head closer. “You know you want to.”

My breath came slow, steady, my lips tingling with anticipation as I reached for his sack, toiling with his delicate balls. He was clean and properly shaved with a scent so intoxicating it made me feel naughty—wild. I stuck my tongue out, licking his cap, my eyes catching the way his face contorted in pleasure.

My lips grazed his skin, teasing, savoring the way his body responded to my touch. His heat was undeniable, the faint scent of his salt lingering on my tongue. I leaned in, taking his sack in my mouth, delicately sucking on his clean skin while stroking his cock.

Daniel groaned, a sound low and rough, sending a pulse of satisfaction through me. I smiled against him, licking his organ all the way up to his cap. Every move, in and out of his groin—every shift—was deliberate as I basked in the way he responded, the way he unraveled at my pace.

The rhythm of our breaths merged, a slow, intoxicating dance that seemed to fuel my desire. I buried my face in his groin, his cock deep in my throat. I gagged, choking, my eyes darting up to savor the look on his face. Daniel’s groan and his hands in my hair were all a testament to the pleasure coursing through his blood.

The moment he pulled my head out, a loud gasp came forth as I struggled to catch my breath. A thin thread of drool hung from my lips, linking my mouth to his cap.

“Fuck,” he muttered, watching me with amusement flickering in his eyes.

I stroked his shaft, both hands gliding over his skin with a fluid motion. His body jerked in response to my actions, his groans deepening. The weight of his gaze was heavy on me, a mix of want and need dancing in his eyes.

My own body burned with a consuming hunger as I went down on him, throwing what little shame I had left out the window. My fingers caressed his sack, my mouth sliding over his length with an intense fervor.

The mattress was soft beneath my knees as I straightened, reaching up to claim his lips. Our kiss was fierce, fueled by pure, undiluted passion. Heads tilted to the side, tongues twirled in our mouths as I stroked his cock. Daniel yanked off my dress with a single move, revealing my naked body.

A wicked smile tugged at my lips as I pulled back, watching the hunger in his eyes. Before he could reach for me, I pulled him to myself, wrestling him down until his back was on the mattress. A glint of shock flickered in his eyes as a sharp breath left him half surprised, half something dark.

With a fluid, precise motion, I swung a leg over his waist and straddled him. A soft exhale escaped my lips as his cock penetrated my wet entrance, stretching me out. The tension between us was palpable, fucking electrifying.

His hands grabbed my hips, guiding my movements, yet I was in control—twisting, grinding, and twirling on that hard cock. With every single roll of my hips, I took him in, a series of soft purrs breaking from my lips at the delicious stretch. Daniel groaned beneath me, eyes locked on mine and fingers still guiding my waist.

My hands traversed his broad torso, my pace relentless, fast, and desperate—a rhythm that had him cursing beneath his breath. Pleasure coiled tight in my belly as every downward thrust sent shockwaves through my body. I shut my eyes, reveling in the sensation that fueled my desire, quickening my pace.

My hips ground against his groin, and my face contorted in pleasure. The headboard tapped against the wall in time with our movements, the sound blending with our heavy breaths—the ragged moans escaping both of us.

His hands reached for my bouncing breasts, his fingers fondling and caressing them. I bowed my head, my hair falling over my face as I quickened my pace, seeking more and more. He bucked his hips, thrusting into my pussy from underneath, each relentless stroke sending tremors down my spine. A needy whimper spilled from my lips as I cried out, unable to hold back.

“Fuck, yes!” A low groan rumbled from his throat, his palm smacking my ass.

My breath hitched at the sharp, sweet pain that jolted across my body. “Again,” I said, my trembling voice laced with authority.

Daniel obeyed, spanking my ass a little harder this time. The sound that left me was raw and unrestrained, my hips grinding faster and faster by the second. I rode him harder, chasing that peak, that fire building inside me. Sweat slicked my skin, his chest rising to meet mine, our bodies colliding, moving in frenzied sync.

I tossed my head back, lost in a sea of ecstasy and power. He sat with his legs apart, hands all over my body as he sucked my breasts. My arms flew around his neck, my hips grinding hard against his groin. Our sweaty bodies collided, accentuating the passion that burned inside us.

My breath shuddered as I released blissful sighs. Every move, every thrust, pushed me closer, my body tightening around him. “Oh, my God, I’m cumming!” I announced, my voice a soft whisper in his ear.

His response was a groan so primal that it sent cold shivers down my spine.

The pleasure coiled tighter, my body moving instinctively, chasing the breaking point that hovered just out of reach. Fuck! I was almost there—just a little more. “Anytime now,” I whimpered, my lips quivering.

And then, like a dam bursting, the heat surged through me. The tension snapped, and I shattered, a sharp cry tearing from my lips as sheer pleasure rushed through me like wildfire. I gasped, my legs trembling as I shook. The world around me blurred, my body seizing, pulsing, lost in the white-hot rush of release.

Daniel’s hands combed through my hair, dampened with sweat, as he tried to catch my eyes. Eventually, he did, and he stared at me like I was something to be worshipped.

The silence was peaceful, our bodies locked as one, heavy breaths harmonizing. Arms around each other, Daniel’s back crashed on the mattress, and I lay on top of him, my head on his heaving chest. I could hear the sound of his heartbeat steadying by the second. Exhausted, I just lay there with a heavy sigh, reveling in the safety and comfort his protective hands provided.

I couldn’t believe that I had lost control of myself and had, dare I say, the best ride of my life. I should feel bad, guilty, and ashamed of what I’d done. But I didn’t. If anything, I felt satisfied, maybe even…happy.