Page 45 of Ruthless Desires, Vol. One (Ruthless Desires Series Extended Editions #1)

Wren

“Harder.”

“I don’t know if I can,” I pant.

“You can, and you will. Harder, Wren.”

I steady myself. Then I pull one of the first jab-punch combinations Rhett taught me. I throw as much force as I possibly can into the punching bag.

“Better,” Rhett says. Then he hands me my water bottle. “Drink up.”

Grabbing it with gloves on is awkward as hell, but I manage. Thankfully Rhett had the sense to pop the lid open for me.

We’re in the home gym at the guys’ mansion. It’s been over a week since I was dragged into the Williams job, and from what I can tell, all three guys are pretty worried they exposed me to their world so quickly.

Rhett seems the most agitated. After what happened last Tuesday, he’s been adamant about me learning how to protect myself. We had our first training session earlier this week, and now we’re back at it again today.

I took a series of self-defense classes in college, but I’m pretty rusty on most of the moves I learned. Still, the knowledge is helping me grasp what Rhett throws at me without too much trouble.

“How did you guys learn all of this?” I ask after taking a couple sips of water.

“Learn what? How to throw a punch?” There’s a hint of amusement in his tone.

“I guess, yeah.” There’s a lot I’m curious about, like how they got into their profession in the first place. But this is a start.

“I started taking martial arts classes when I was young for… reasons.” A shadow crosses over Rhett’s face, and he looks past me, almost like he’s staring directly into his childhood. “Ell and O joined me later on.”

His unspoken words hang in the air between us. After Sammy was killed.

“Everything else followed,” Rhett continues, almost like he can sense that I want to know more. “As we kept looking more and more into who killed Sammy, we made a decent amount of connections. Sometimes we had to do favors for people in exchange for information. It taught us a lot, and it all led us to where we are now.”

“Which is where, exactly?”

“Not close enough.” His voice is clipped as he takes my water bottle, nodding to the punching bag. “Go again.”

“Close enough to what?” To killing Ludo?

“Enough talking, Wren. You need to focus.”

I’m not sure what exactly caused Rhett’s mood to sour, other than the mention of Sammy. I have no desire to make it worse, so I turn back to the punching bag.

For the next twenty minutes, Rhett coaches me on my form, teaching me a new combination when he thinks I’m ready. As time passes, he seems to cool off. Or maybe he’s just hiding whatever’s going on in his head better.

After a while, he has me take my gloves off. Then he leads me to a large black mat on the floor. I stop at the edge, watching him. On Monday, he started teaching me some self-defense moves. They’re helpful, but they usually require me hitting or kicking him in some sort of way.

When Rhett sees the uneasiness on my face, he says, “Why does this part make you uncomfortable?”

“I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.” I look down. I know it’s stupid—I should be more worried about Rhett hurting me than the other way around. But the last thing I want to do is cause him more pain.

Rhett lets out a half-laugh. “You really think I’d let you inflict that much damage on me, sweetheart?”

“I…”

“Come here.”

Grudgingly, I step onto the mat.

He grabs my hand and pulls me toward him. “I can handle a couple punches and kicks, Wren. But you know what I won’t be able to handle?”

“What?”

“Someone hurting you. And if I have to deal with a little pain to make sure you know how to adequately keep yourself safe, then so be it.”

“But I don’t—”

“Wren.”

I sigh. “Okay.”

He lets my hand go with a little squeeze. “Fists up.”

We spar for a while. There’s a lot of stopping and starting as he corrects my form and gives me tips to help me remember things. Then after a while we switch to takedowns. Well, one takedown, because it’s really damn hard to grasp.

“Like… like this?” I say on the fifth try.

Rhett chuckles. And then he somehow flips me around and throws me onto my back with absolutely no effort. “No. Not like that. You leave yourself open to some pretty nasty attacks.”

“How… ugh,” I groan. Then I laugh, rolling my eyes. “And I thought I had you for a second.”

Rhett gets onto his hands and knees and crawls over me, not bothering to affirm what I said. He presses a chaste kiss to my lips as a barely-there smile flickers across his features.

I let out a huff. “You only let me think I was gonna do it, didn’t you?”

He shrugs. “Was just waiting to see what you’d do. Doesn’t change the fact that you’re doing better than the other day.”

“Hmmph.” I cross my arms, trying to glare up at him, but it turns into a grin pretty fast.

With another kiss, he says, “You’re going to need to be more vigilant now, Wren. I’m teaching you how to fight in case you ever find yourself caught off guard. But the key here is to not let that happen.”

I nod. “Should I start carrying a weapon or something?”

He frowns. “Like what?”

“A knife?”

“God no. Absolutely not. You don’t know how to fight with one. And until you do, you’re more likely to end up with it stuck in your body than your opponent’s.”

Grimacing, I say, “Oh.”

“We’ll be here to watch your back, sweetheart. And when we’re not, we have friends who will help look out for you.”

My stomach sinks. “You’re talking about tomorrow.”

He nods. “You can still come with us if you’ve changed your mind.”

I shake my head.

Tomorrow—Friday—the guys are leaving town for a job. They haven’t told me where exactly they’re going, just that it’s still within the States. When they told me I could come, all I could think of was how close Tyler got to me and Oliver when we were in the hunter’s stand. It still sends a shiver through me even now.

“We’d keep you safe,” Rhett says. “You wouldn’t come with us for the kill—you’d stay at the cabin we’ll be spending a couple nights at. No one would even know where you are.”

Staying silent, I run my hands over his chest. There’s something comforting about him hovering over me like this. It’s a similar feeling to being close to the guys in general. They brought a sense of safety into my life that I haven’t had in a long time.

Still, I’m not ready to go with them on another job—even if I won’t be with them during the times they’re actually working. I can’t help but worry that somehow I will end up with them, just like with the Williams job. And that’s not something I can handle again. Not right now, at least.

“I don’t want to be away from the three of you,” I say eventually. “But going with you scares me. Because of last time.”

Rhett nods. “I understand.”

I press my lips together. I can tell that he doesn’t like the idea of leaving me behind. I don’t like it either, but staying home sounds safer, even if it means being alone.

“We’ll make sure you’re protected,” he says. “Finn will ensure you get to work and back home safe. And anywhere else you need to go.”

“Okay,” I whisper. “Thank you.”

“We’d do anything to keep you safe, sweetheart.” Again, Rhett leans down, capturing my mouth with his. This kiss is far from chaste, but it’s not sexual or hungry either. It’s more of a silent reassurance, like he doesn’t know how else to affirm what he said.

My hands move from Rhett’s chest to his shoulders. I pull him down so his body is pressed against mine, wrapping my arms around his neck. And just like that, our kiss turns heated.

Rhett groans. “We should keep training.” But as he says it, he snakes his arms around my body and rolls us so he’s on his back and I’m lying on top of him.

“We should,” I say, my voice completely lacking conviction. I adjust myself so I’m sitting up, straddling Rhett. Slowly, I roll my hips into his, smiling at how hard he is.

He smirks. “But I’m not one to pass up an opportunity to have you all to myself.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” I give him a mischievous grin. My fingers travel down his chest to his sides, where I tickle him lightly.

Rhett grunts, grabbing my wrists. “You really want to start something you can’t win, Wren?”

Twisting my arms from his grasp, I move for his armpits. But before I’m even halfway there, he starts tickling my stomach. With a squeal, I try to pull his hands away from my body, but he’s too strong.

“I’ll ask you again, sweetheart. Do you really want to start this?” His eyes are darkened with an unspoken challenge: Keep going, and I’ll make you pay.

I pause. “What happens if I say yes?”

“Same as last time. Except it won’t be your pretty little ass that gets spanked. And don’t think I won’t tickle you until you can’t breathe. Because I will.”

With a delighted gasp, I look down at him, gauging the emotions on his face. I’m pretty sure he wants this, but I don’t want to make him feel like he has to do something if he doesn’t want to. They’ve been so good about making sure I’m always comfortable, and I want to do the same for them.

“Do you like giving out punishments?” I ask.

“Only certain ones. And only with the right people.”

I hesitate. “Is this…”

He nods. “This is fine. I’ll tell you if it’s not.”

“So I can tickle you?” I whisper.

He chuckles. “You can try.”

And with that, he flips me onto my back. I laugh, tickling his sides again. But it only takes him a few seconds before he has both of my wrists in a tight hold with one hand. With the other, he yanks my shirt up, lightly brushing his fingers over the sensitive skin of my stomach.

I squirm, trying to free my hands, but it’s no use. Rhett tickles me until I’m a panting, giggling mess. When he finally lets me go, I gasp in a breath, grinning up at him.

“Kiss me,” I say.

He lowers himself, propping himself on his elbows. For a split second, he stares down at me, his gaze traveling over my face. Something passes over his features. Discomfort? Worry? Unease? Maybe all three?

“I love your smile,” he murmurs.

He kisses me before I can respond. I’m so thrown off by the compliment—and the wave of emotions he obviously felt before saying the words—that it takes me a second to remember why I asked him to kiss me.

I’ve got him now.

Moaning into Rhett’s mouth, I flatten my palms against his sides. Slowly, I move my hands down his body until my fingers find the sensitive skin by his hipbones.

“Shit,” he grunts, his body jerking away from my touch. “You sneaky little devil.”

I giggle, tickling him again before he grabs my hands.

“I was thinking of letting you off easy,” he says. “Not anymore.”

Standing, Rhett pulls me with him. Once I’m steady on my feet, he lets me go, crossing his arms and giving me a chilling look.

“Clothes. Off.”

I scramble to obey his command, throwing everything onto the mat.

He steps toward me until we’re so close we’re almost touching. “So eager to be punished,” he muses, tilting my chin up with a single finger.

I whimper, staring into his eyes. The first thing I ever noticed about Rhett was how strong his gaze was—like he could see right into my mind with a simple glance. I still feel the same way now.

Keeping his gaze locked with mine, Rhett nods to a piece of workout equipment. I saw Elliot doing bench presses on it the other day.

“Lie on your back,” Rhett says, pushing me toward the bench. “That’s it. Now spread your legs for me.”

Doing so makes me feel overexposed, but I still obey, holding my legs steady with my hands. Rhett smirks, taking me in, and I can’t help but let out an impatient whine. I want him touching me, even if it’s his hand spanking my clit until I scream.

“Take a deep breath,” he says, stroking one of my calves.

I inhale, my eyes falling shut. And just as I start to exhale, I feel the sharp sting of Rhett’s palm slapping against my clit. My eyes fly open as I yelp, all tension returning to my body. Instinctively, I start to close my legs, but the scolding look Rhett gives me has me opening them again.

He tsks. “Such a bad slut. Do you really want to make this harder on yourself?”

I whimper, shaking my head.

“Then keep your legs open and your eyes on me.” He smacks my clit again, and this time I let out a half-moan, half-scream. Before I can recover, he delivers another blow. “Can’t let you enjoy it too much.”

“Holy shit,” I pant.

“I’d ask if you’ve learned your lesson, but I think I know the answer.”

I can’t help but grin.

Rhett smacks my clit one more time. It stings, but it feels good, too. With another smirk, he circles my entrance with a single finger before holding it up to the light. “Look how wet you are from taking your punishment. Such a naughty girl.”

“More,” I moan.

“More pain? Or more pleasure?”

“Both,” I whisper.

He brings his palm against my clit again, and I arch my back with a scream. Then he uses a finger to gently stroke my clit, his gaze still locked with mine.

“You want to come, sweetheart?”

I nod.

“You’re going to have to work for it.”

“Anything,” I pant.

He sheds his clothes before pulling me off the bench. It only takes us a second to settle with him lying on his back on the mat and me straddling him. I slide down onto his cock with a moan.

“Fuck,” Rhett groans, thrusting up into me. He does it again, and again.

I grin. “I thought I was going to work for it.”

With an annoyed smirk, he smacks my ass. “Then get moving.”

I start off slowly, letting myself adjust. As I pick up my pace, I lean forward and place my hands on his chest for balance.

“Fuck, just like that, sweetheart.” Rhett grabs my shoulders. “Touch yourself for me. I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”

My clit is sensitive, so I stroke it gently, adding just the right amount of friction. Just as I’m finding a good rhythm, I hear the garage door opening. Elliot and Oliver must be home.

“Just in time,” Rhett says. He starts pumping his hips to match my movements. It makes everything feel ten times better, and he must be able to tell, because he grins. “Are you going to come for them, Wren?”

“Yes, fuck—yes. Rhett. Rhett, I’m so close.”

“Not yet,” he says tightly. “I know you want them to hear.”

I groan. He’s right, but I can’t take this for much longer.

The door leading to the garage opens and closes, which means Elliot and Oliver are in the small hallway that leads to here and the kitchen.

“Rhett,” I sob. I can’t help it. My orgasm is barreling toward me, and unless he slows down, I’m not going to be able to hold back.

“Scream for them, sweetheart.”

I do—not because he told me to, but because I can’t help myself when he finally lets me come. My orgasm is explosive—mind-numbing—and everything goes black for a minute as I lose myself in the sensations.

“Fuck,” I hear Oliver say from somewhere behind me. “As if I wasn’t horny enough already.”

“Good thing we have our own personal fuckdoll, isn’t it?” Rhett says.

Oliver chuckles.

“You want all three of us to fill you with our cum, Wren?”

“Yes,” I moan.

Rhett rests his hands on my hips, guiding me as I start moving again. I ride him harder, bouncing up and down on his cock. He’s watching me with a satisfied smirk, like he loves how desperate I am for the three of them.

“So needy.” The words come from Elliot. His fingers brush across my upper back before he comes to stand in my line of sight. “You fuck him so well, love.”

I stretch upward with a little whine, reaching out for him. Elliot leans down, running a hand over my hair before kissing me gently.

“I could watch you two like this all day,” Oliver says. He kneels next to Rhett, kissing him before turning to watch me. “So goddamned hot.”

“Shit,” Rhett groans. “Don’t stop, Wren.”

My legs are getting tired, but the look on Rhett’s face pushes me to keep going. The pride I feel knowing I’m the reason behind his groans is indescribable. And when Rhett comes, I smile to myself at the way he throws his head back with a grunt.

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve come to revel in the rare moments in which I see Rhett completely uninhibited. I don’t catch it often. But those times—right after he’s woken up, or when he thinks no one is watching him, or when he comes—are ones I’ll always pay special attention to. Seeing Rhett let down his walls, even if it’s only for a millisecond, is a beautiful thing.

There are a lot of things I have yet to learn about him—why he seems averse to vulnerability, the reasons behind his insomnia, what exactly happened with Sammy, et cetera. I have a feeling it’s all connected and that it’ll be a long and painful conversation for him. Maybe that’s why I haven’t asked yet. The look in his eyes whenever Sammy gets brought up is one of excruciating pain.

Once Rhett has come down from his high, Elliot loops his arms under mine and pulls me up. He turns me around and kisses me again, except this time his movements are hungrier.

When he releases me, he’s smiling. “I’d say it looks like O and I got back just in time.”