Page 16 of With this Ring (Mastered #7)

Hawkeye only kept the best agents. With ruthless efficiency, he got rid of the rest.

“Started a new company. Hoping to compete with us.” He gave a low laugh. As if that was possible. “But he took Sasha with him. Hated to lose her. You were right to suggest we bring her aboard. She made an excellent addition to the firm. I would have liked to have kept her long term.”

“Sasha’s the reason I’m calling.”

Hawkeye was quiet for a moment. “I’m listening.”

Gregorio outlined the details Sasha had provided earlier, ending with, “I want to know where he is, what he’s up to.”

“Surveillance?”

“Yeah.” He’d pay any price to keep her safe.

“While I’ve got you, need to know what you have on Felix and Brenda Santos.

” He gave a list of the other missing files.

“Along with whatever you can find on everyone who works for Pathways.” Though she had a company website, there was no information on any employees.

“Where’s Sasha now?”

He hesitated. “With me,” he reluctantly admitted.

“I see.”

Before ending the call, Gregorio added, “When are you planning to increase security at Pathways?”

In the background, a keyboard clacked. “Monday.”

“Make it tomorrow. Noon. I’ll meet the crew there.”

“Consider it done.”

“While you’re at it, I want a system installed at her house.”

“Address?”

Gregorio gave a half-laugh. He had no idea. “I’m sure you can figure it out.”

“Anything else?”

“Yeah. I won’t be available for assignments anytime in the near future.”

The line was silent for a few moments, then Hawkeye hung up.

Still needing to burn off the angst churning in him, Gregorio headed downstairs to wash their mugs.

Then, telling himself he was just doing his job, he checked on her.

His Sasha looked perfect, innocent, with her hair spread across on his pillow. Faint shadows from the stress she’d been under were painted beneath her eyes.

Everything in him tightened.

This was where she belonged.

“No one will hurt you, Petal.” Not even me.

Restless energy churning in him, he set the alarm then headed to the garage gym.

Once inside, he tipped his wrist and opened the security app on his watch. If anything—anyone—came near her, he’d instantly know.

Then he stripped off his shirt and once more positioned himself in front of the heavy punching bag.

With a deep breath, he began striking it with precision and force, the dull thuds echoing in the otherwise quiet room.

Faint sounds from the Den reached him—people laughing on the patio, vehicles leaving.

Each of his punches was fueled by his anger at whoever had dared to threaten her. Intentionally, he shoved aside his own complicated emotions and instead channeled that tension into his precise movements. Within minutes, his face dripped with sweat and exertion made his muscles burn.

Time vanished as he lost himself in the physical sensations.

Finally, with one last powerful strike, he stepped back, breathing hard.

But his mind was clearer, his emotions under control—the way they should be.

After snatching up a towel, he made a halfhearted attempt to dry himself off before pulling on his shirt and jogging back to the cottage.

His beautiful Petal was still asleep, her hair fanned out on the pillow. So fucking right. She belonged here. With him.

But the fact she was in danger filled him with seething rage.

On the other hand, that’s what had finally brought her to him.

Careful not to wake her, he moved silently past the bed and into the bathroom.

He turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the small space as he undressed.

After removing his bandage, he stood beneath the hot spray, he closed his eyes and let the water soothe his aching muscles.

Moments later, the temperature in the room dropped, and he instantly tensed.

“Gregorio?”

He exhaled. Petal.

With his hand, he cleared steam from the glass door. She was gloriously naked and walking toward him.

“Room for one more?”

“Yeah.”

Moments later, she stepped into the shower, pressing her body against his as the water cascaded over them both.

“Insomnia?” she asked.

“A few things on my mind. So I worked out.”

“I fell asleep right after we had sex.”

Fucked. Made love. Sex was far too tame a word for what they’d shared.

Eyes wide, fastened on his, she picked up the soap. “May I?”

“Pleasure will be mine, Petal.” Sub. Acts of service. She might think she didn’t want to perform them, but the way she’d removed his clothes, then masturbated him nearly to completion, proved otherwise. This sealed the deal.

Slowly, she lathered his arms with gentle strokes. When she moved to his chest, she took great care to avoid his wound.

Her touch was both soothing and arousing, and he gritted his teeth against the rush of desire that almost dropped him to his knees.

Taking her time, she glided over his wet skin, following the contours of his muscles.

His cock arrowed toward her, and she paused for a moment, looking to him for guidance. With a nod, he said, “Do it.”

She stroked, and his dick jumped in response.

Casting her gaze downward, she tightened her grip.

Then, as she continued, his balls drew up. He ensnared her wrist. “Petal.” His voice was raw with need and warning, but she paid no attention to him. “You’re playing with fire.”

Through her fringe of lashes, dotted with drops of water, she looked up at him.

Desire, equal to his own, radiated from the emerald depths.

Slowly, taking charge, she dropped the soap back into its dish then leaned in, her lips just inches from his. “I’ll take the risk.”

He sucked in a breath.

Then, surprising him, she lowered herself to her knees.

She licked pre-cum from his tip and made a soft, approving sound before taking his cockhead into her mouth.

As she sucked, she stroked his length, then she used her free hand to cup his balls.

He groaned.

Hell’s pleasure.

How many times had he imagined this?

Looking up at him, water sluicing down her face, she sucked him deeper into her mouth.

Desperate to remain at least somewhat in control, he placed one palm on the tiles and held onto her shoulder with the other.

“That’s it.” So damn good. So fucking perfect. “Just like that.”

The sensation of her lips and tongue shot electric shocks up his spine.

As she took more of him, his hips bucked involuntarily. “You don’t need to—”

“Need to, Sir?” she prompted.

The fuck had I been going to say?

His knuckles went white as he fought to keep from thrusting into her mouth. He watched, transfixed, as she began to increase the pace of her movements.

Tension thumped through him. “Petal…” It was the last warning he was capable of.

Continuing to ignore him, she persisted.

Suddenly, his control snapped, and he went rigid.

With a long, deep moan, he came, ejaculating down her throat.

Choking, she still refused to stop, using her mouth and hands to drain every drop from him.

“Jesus.” He shuddered.

Eventually, she stopped.

She looked up at him, eyes filled with adoration and trust.

He vowed to deserve both.

When he could breathe, he helped her up, then he drew her against him. “Petal, you’re…” He had no words.

Her lips curled in a private smile. “Wanted to return the favor from earlier.”

“We’re more than even.”

“I’m not finished washing you,” she protested.

“Yeah. You are.” He soaped her up, then he took down the handheld wand and moved it over her body, rinsing her properly. “Spread your legs.”

Wide-eyed, she did what he said.

“Such an obedient Petal.” His voice was gruff with approval. “Now part your labia for me.”

“Gregorio—”

“Do as you’re told, Sasha.”

At his sharp tone, she followed his order.

“Keep holding yourself wide for me.” He directed the shower spray between her thighs and adjusted the pressure to a gentle pulse as he sent the warm water cascading over her pussy.

“Oh my God.” With a small jerk, she gasped.

“That’s it.” He kept his gaze locked on hers. “Let the water tease that beautiful pussy of yours.”

As her legs trembled, he slid a finger inside her, and her tight heat clenched around him.

“Gregorio.” She moved her hips in rhythm with his hand.

“Do you like that, Petal?” He brushed a soft kiss against her ear. “Do you like me fingering you while you’re getting all that pleasure?”

She nodded, and her breath came in tiny gasps.

“Tell me.” Her voice, so soft, trembling with need, fed an unholy place deep inside him. He had to have her words, her confession.

“Yes,” she whispered, giving him life. “I love the way you’re fingering me, Sir. And—” She cried out as he increased the pressure against her clit. “This is too much!”

Not nearly enough.

He added another finger, stretching her, filling her. Her moans grew louder, echoing off the shower walls.

“God!” She arched, surrendering totally to him.

“And what about this, Petal? Did you like it earlier?” He made sure his finger was wet, then pressed it against her anus. Nice girls didn’t always admit to liking this kind of thing. But with the way she’d responded earlier, he was betting she loved it.

He hoped so because he wanted to claim her—own her—in every way possible. Getting her to the point she’d beg him to bury his cock in her sweet ass would require patience. As well as persistence.

“I…”

“You’ll want to tell me the truth so I don’t have to punish you.”

Her breathing changed, becoming ragged. Oh, yes. Sasha—his Sasha—was made for him.

“Punish?” she squeaked out.

“Absolutely. Trust is essential. And you can’t have that without being totally revealing.” For a moment, he moved the spray a little farther away from her slightly swollen pussy. He wasn’t letting her come until she gave up all of her secrets.

“Yes.” She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. Then she opened them wide and looked at him. Embarrassment stained her cheeks. “Yes. I liked it.”

He smiled, letting her know how much he appreciated her. “Are you saying you want me to finger your ass?”

She swallowed deeply and nodded.

“Bear down a little for me.” The angle was slightly different than it had been earlier.

“Makes it easier. Let me in.” Murmuring praise, he eased forward.

“That’s it, Petal. Such a perfect girl.” The tight ring of muscle gave way, and he slipped in up to his first knuckle.

If he had lube, he’d insert a second finger, but for now, he was satisfied with letting her get accustomed to the intrusion. “Let yourself go.”

He pressed a gentle kiss along the column of her throat as he began to thrust in and out of her ass, working himself deeper with each stroke.

He brought the shower spray closer to her clit again, and she moaned, her body beginning to move with the rhythm of the pulsing water.

“Does that feel good, Petal? Having my finger all the way up in your ass?”

Frantically, she nodded, and her breaths came in passionate, short bursts. “Yes…yes, it feels amazing, Gregorio.”

“Tell me what you want.” While he loved her being so perfectly obedient, he wanted her to unleash her hidden naughty girl. “Tell me,” he urged again. “Or we can stop this right here.”

She gyrated her hips, and he took the opportunity to push his finger deeper into her rear.

“Fuck me, Sir. Take me. Make me yours.”

His cock leaped in response. Hell and high water. How could he have walked away from her that night at the wedding?

“Make me come apart for you.”

She had no idea all the things he wanted to give her.

He curled the fingers inside her pussy, seeking that sweet spot that would send her over the edge. “That’s it, Petal. Let me hear you scream my name.”

Once more, he increased the intensity of the water on her clit. Her body trembling, she bucked against his hand.

All of her muscles tensed, and her breaths came in desperate bursts.

“Gregorio…”

“You’ve earned it. Take it.”

He gently nipped her shoulder, sending her over the edge.

The scream he wanted echoed through the shower as her body convulsed around his fingers.

Relentlessly, he kept the water where it was, drawing out her orgasm, until she sagged against him, her knees buckling.

While supporting her weight, he carefully removed his fingers from her and turned off the water. Then he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she shook with the aftermath of her release.

“You’re so perfect, Petal. So beautiful. So responsive to me.”

Looking at him with her bright green eyes, she whispered, “Only for you.”

Possessiveness rocked him. Yes . Only for him.

“That was…” She let out a shaky exhalation. “I don’t have words for what just happened.”

Good . “It’s a promise of what else is to come.”

“You scare me a little.”

He should frighten her a lot. “I’m going to know you in ways no one else ever has.” Or ever would. He intended to lay her bare before him, emotionally as well as physically.

Starting now…