Page 47 of Retribution

Stephens’ lips turn upwards slightly. ‘I’ll have some refreshment sent directly, Master Jack.’

I give him a nod and go through the house, letting myself out the back and walking through the tiered gardens. Once I get to the wall hedge, I stay in its shadow where I can’t be seen from the house as I walk toward the lake. The freezing wind nips at my nose, and I pull my thick coat closer around me, keeping my eyes open for Daisy.

I see her running around the far side of the shore and smile, watching as she sprints. I pick up my pace, knowing she’ll get to the pagoda soon, and I want to meet her there.

The round stone building known as The Pagoda, is actually a small summer house complete with frosted glass, French doors, and a couple of chairs under a small overhang. I try the doors, and they open. I go inside and it’s a welcome break from the wind. The tiny fireplace is cold, of course, asno one really comes out here in the winter, but it’s still warmer than the outside with a couple of skylights catching the winter sun. I stand outside and watch as Daisy runs the trail, getting closer. She hasn’t noticed me yet, and, while I don’t want to scare her, I would enjoy seeing her surprise when she does.

Just then, her eyes rise, and she sees me, her steps faltering for a second before she smiles wide and runs faster. She doesn’t slow when she gets nearer, barreling into me. My arms circle her waist, and I swing her around. She laughs and I pull her close.

‘Hey,’ I say.

‘Hey.’

I want to talk to her first, but somehow my lips are already on hers and she’s pushing me backward into the pagoda. The quick interlude in the bathroom at Grinder the other day barely scratched my itch for her.

Still locked together, I close the door with my foot, my hands travelling up and down her body. Likewise, she’s caressing and pulling at me like I’m the very air she needs to live.

God, I feel the same.

I pull off my coat and throw it on the floor.

‘Fuck,’ I whisper as she pulls away and practically rips my sweater up over my head. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’

‘Me too,’ she says breathlessly. ‘I don’t know how much time we have befo?—’

‘Enough,’ I whisper, breaking away from her and pulling off my clothes as she does the same.

We come together, her mouth trailing kisses down my chest while I hold her skin to mine, basking in it, in how glad I am that she’s here and she’s okay.

I hoist her up, slamming her against the wall, pausing, afraid I’ve been too rough, but she lets out an animalist moan, her nails scraping through my sandy hair and pulling it hard asher lips find mine again. Not able to wait one more second, I line myself up and plunge into her, kissing her as I thrust deep.

Her back bows and she moans a long, drawn out ‘fuuuuuuck’ as I move fast and rough, my hand drifting between us to play with her clit. She comes quickly and hard, her body spasming, her hands clawing at my back, and I’m not far behind. I put my face to her shoulder and push into her tight wet heat as far as I can, groaning my release.

I hold her up for several seconds, our arms wrapped tightly around each other as we come down together slowly.

She pulls back a little, smiling into my face.

‘Hi,’ she says softly, caressing my cheek.

‘Hey,’ I whisper with a grin.

I slip out of her and let her down, not wanting to let her go, but also conscious that Stephens said he’d send refreshments. And also, it’s cold as hell out here.

We gather our clothes, Daisy wrinkling her nose a little and I wince.

‘Sorry,’ I say. ‘I didn’t think?—’

‘It’s okay,’ she says. ‘Worth it. And I’ll clean up when I’m done with my run.’

We hear a scratching at the door and she tenses, her scared eyes darting around like she’s looking to escape or for a place to hide.

‘Relax,’ I say, hugging her. ‘Stephens told me you were down here. He said he was sending drinks or something.’

I open the door carefully and find a small tray with a couple of mugs of hot chocolate and some cookies.

‘Good old Stephens,’ I say, bringing it in and putting it on the stone bench that I might just utilize if I catch Daisy in here again.

Now, fully dressed in her thick sweatshirt and running pants, she picks up a mug.