[Truyện Tiếng Anh] Blissful Surrender

Blissful Surrender
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His hard c**k probes my entrance, and I instinctively open my legs wider, inviting him inside me. It’s an invitation he doesn’t need. With my wrists bound above my head, his lips meshed with mine, he slowly inches his way inside me, my walls clinging to him tightly. “**** me, Sammy. You feel incredible. I need to move.” Totally speechless, all I can do is lift my hips to thrust against him, encouraging him to make love to me.

Our hips move rhythmically against each other as he sets a slow and torturous pace, stoking the raging inferno inside me that has been threatening to explode ever since I woke up.

“Grab the headboard, Sammy. Hold on and don’t let go,” he orders, his voice a low growl. His grip on my wrists loosen and I stretch out my fingers, wrapping them around the thick wooden slats of his headboard, bucking against him as he continues to pump inside me. The thrill I feel at making him lose control heightens my pleasure. Knowing that my submission is the same gift to him as his dominance is giving me lifts me higher than I’ve ever felt before. I groan as he sucks hard on the delicate skin at the base of my neck. I know I’ll have the hickey from hell there now, but all I want is Sean to lose control; I want him to go off the deep end and give me a sign that he is just as worked up as me right now because I’m seconds from detonating again.

“I’m close … ****, f**k, I’m close,” I pant in his ear. “Sean, I need to ...”

“Close your eyes. I want you to feel everything. My hard c**k stroking inside you, my wet mouth on your skin, my sweaty body rubbing against yours. Feel me, Sammy. Feel everything and give it back to me.”

And I do.

The minute I close my eyes, I can feel every warm inch of Sean as he worships my body. He’s not just making love to me, he’s consuming me, owning me, and I f**king love it.

“I want you to come, Sammy. I want you to come hard. I want to feel you squeeze my c**k as I fill you. I need to feel you, Sammy. **** … come. Come now!”

He thrusts two more times, pounding into me before planting himself to the hilt and taking my mouth vigorously, groaning his release as I crash over the cliff, my orgasm surging through me as I tighten my limbs around him and enjoy the ride.

“****, yes,” he affirms as he rests his weight against my now spent body. “God, I missed you Sam. I missed you so f**king much.”

When an intense, strong man, who usually keeps his feelings in check, expresses himself so clearly and so sure of himself, the woman who broke his heart and took her sweet ass time coming back to him listens. I let the words sink in as he rolls off me and tucks me into his side, running his hand up and down my skin soothingly. And for the first time in a long time, I know I’ve finally done the right thing.

I’m home.

Chapter 15: “Goodbye My Lover”

Sean

“So do I need to tie you to the bed while I go to the bathroom?”

Her eyes go wide, but I don’t miss the flash of heat my threat has evoked. “No … why would you?” Her brows furrow and the look of confusion is adorable on her.

I lean down and plant a soft kiss at the end of her button nose. “Well, I’m hoping you won’t want to run away from me now that I’ve given you two orgasms for breakfast, but I can never tell with you.” I wink and she hits my chest with her palm.

“Well, we could always shower together, you know. Then we’ll be saving the planet and you won’t have to worry about me doing a magic disappearing act on you.” She laughs before jumping up off the mattress and walking into my bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

I lay there stunned.

First at the return of the fun, carefree Samantha who I originally fell in love.

Second at the site of her pert naked backside as she sashays her way to the bathroom.

“You’ve got five minutes before I’m coming in after you!” I call out, feeling my c**k harden at the mere thought of having her again.

“Promises promises, Sir,” she goads. That’s all the motivation I need. I pull the covers back and leisurely make my way to the bathroom. I open the door, greeted with a waft of thick steam.

“You think you can hide in here?” I ask teasingly as I walk blindly to the shower room, holding out my hands at what would be her hip height and searching for her warm naked body in the makeshift fog.

“I thought you’d get off on the thrill of the chase.”

“I’d chase you anywhere, Samantha Richards.”

“I tried to resist and look how that turned out. I think I might just stay put and see how well your old body can keep up with me now that I’m in my ***ual prime,” she murmurs in my ear. Hooking my arm around her waist, I roll her in front of me, her back to my chest. Reaching up and tangling my hand in her hair, I tug her head to the side and bite the apex of her neck and collarbone. She releases a low, dick hardening whimper as I ease my teeth back and run the flat of my tongue over the bruised skin.

“You’re going to pay for that comment.”

“I’m counting on it,” she replies, her husky voice giving away just how much she enjoyed being chased.

An hour and no hot water later, she paid for it three times. Once with my fingers, once with my mouth, and lastly as I pumped my c**k into her from behind while her hands were pinned to the shower wall and she milked my orgasm from me.

After a quick trip back to her apartment to grab some clean clothes for Sam, we’re now on our way to breakfast. When she told me she wasn’t back on shift until tomorrow, I asked her to spend the day with me. We have a lot of time to catch up on, and a lot of miscommunications to clear up. In order to move forward, we need a clean slate. Oh, then there is the little issue of her mother’s meddling from ten years ago to deal with.

I remember the day we broke up, still so clear in my mind. She’d been avoiding me for a few days after I’d met her mom for the first time. Let me tell you, Debra Richards is one hard ass S.O.B. and the way she berated Sam grated me like you would not believe.

Both my parents and grandparents showered Ryan and me with love, supporting us as we strived to become our own person, follow our own paths and forge new ones where there weren’t any. But Sammy … she was given another perspective, one that her ball busting mother instilled in her, one which meant that under no circumstances should she let a man take care of her; that she should never rely on a man because heaven forbid she make the same mistakes Debra made.

After two days of Sam hiding away in her dorm room, I arranged for Helen to make herself scarce and knocked on their door with a bag of Chinese takeout, a bottle of vodka, and a smile. When Sam answered the door she looked a mess. Her hair was tied up on the top of her head in a messy bun, and she was wearing a loose fitting T-shirt two sizes too big with leggings. But she was still the most beautiful woman in the world.

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Nothing seemed off about that night, even when I pushed her back onto her bed and stripped her clothing off, taking my time, binding her legs to the bed so that she was spread wide open for me. I made her scream my name until her voice was hoarse and cracking. And when I finally released her straining legs, she immediately wrapped them around my back and arched into me, lifting her br**sts closer to my mouth as I rode out my climax.

We showered together and washed each other thoroughly before I fell asleep with her sleeping soundly in my arms like we had done so many times before. Had I known it would be the last time, I would have stayed awake, I would have made love to her one more time, made sure I left her with a lasting memory of us, one she couldn’t have escaped from.

When I woke up, the bed was empty beside me. I looked around and saw Sam sitting on Helen’s bed across the room from me.

“Beautiful, I like it better when I can feel you, not just see you.”

She smiled softly, but her eyes said something else, something different. There were pain and heartache there, I just didn’t understand it until she opened her mouth and said the words I never thought I’d hear from her. “I don’t think is going to work, Sean.” I watched in shock as she swallowed hard. “I think we’re too different. Your need for control is too much for me. It’s better to end it now before one of us gets hurt. I’m losing myself, my identity. College is such a short time in our lives, and I need to focus on graduating and immersing myself in the college experience. Being in a serious relationship doesn’t help me do that.”

I stared at her in shock. Standing up, I pulled my boxers and jeans up, then threw on my discarded shirt from the floor before stuffing my wallet in my pocket and walking toward her. “Sammy, I don’t know where the hell this is coming from, but maybe you need some time to think. Seeing your mom has made you see things that simply aren’t there …”

I reached out my hand to her, wanting to pull her up into my arms, but she looked up at me warily before standing of her own volition and walking around me, not even wanting to touch me. I can tell you, I felt that square in my chest.

“****, Sammy. What the hell do you think you’re trying to do? What happened between last night and this morning? I don’t remember you complaining when you were sleeping in my arms. So why have you woken up sounding like a Debra Richards replica with an axe to grind against the male race?” I knew I should not have gotten angry, but I was confused as f**k and she was not explaining where all of it was coming from. She was saying things that could’ve been read straight out of her mother’s hard ass playbook.

Sighing loudly, she walked to the door, pausing with her fist tightening around the handle. “It’s for the best, Sean. I’m weaker when I’m with you. You’re getting ready to graduate. I’ve got my final year to finish. I think this is what … we need.” The last few words were shaky at best. I knew that this was her mother’s doing, but there was no reasoning with Sammy when she was this resolute about something.

Walking to the now open door, I stopped right in front of her, cupping her cheeks in both of my hands and lifting her face to mine. “I’m not giving up, Sammy. I don’t understand this, but I know you. I know us. I know that there is more to us than just a college romance. You just need time. I love you, don’t ever forget that.” I brushed my lips gently against hers once, then again, and when I felt her body soften against mine, I slowly swept my tongue through her parted lips, making sure she felt my words deep inside, wanting her to feel everything I was trying to say in that one last kiss.

When I ended the kiss and walked away from her, I looked back once to see the door shutting quickly and my heart stuttered. But it wasn’t until I walked into my house to find Ryan crying on the floor next to my grandfather’s dead body that I knew what it was like to lose almost everything important in my life.

And when I went back to Samantha’s dorm room to find her, to fight for her, at the time I needed her the most, she was gone.

Sam

Helen: Samantha Grace Richards, where the hell did you disappear to last night? Word is Tanner is pissed off and you were last seen going upstairs at Throb.

Me: Don’t you full name me! I’m fine, more than fine. I’m with Sean …

Helen: OMG

A few minutes pass and then my phone vibrates again.

Rico: Be careful, minha amiga.

I chuckle to myself, earning a sideways glance from Sean as he squeezes my hand that is underneath his on the seat between us.

Me: So we’re back to the double team text attack?

Helen: What do you expect?!? Girl, you better call me tonight and give me a full run down. I know that the *** must have been out of this world!

Me: No comment.

Helen: Oh, come on. Give me something to get me through the day.

Rico: Please, for the love of God, give her something to shut her up

I think for a moment, do I really want to burst the Sean and Sam bubble just yet. I’d rather have an uninterrupted day to ourselves so that we can work out where we’re going. On that, I send one last text.

Me: Last night was for me in his office, for him in bed, then for both of us this morning …

Rico: I think I like this guy already.

Rico: And you’ve succeeded in shutting Hels up, you’re a legend. Have fun, talk tonight.

I turn my phone off and hand it to Sean, earning a quirked brow. “Don’t give that back to me until tonight when I go home. I don’t want any interruptions today.” I smile at him and his eyes go soft as he lifts his hand and rests his palm on my cheek, giving me a gentle, probing, lazy kiss that I feel right down in my toes.

The butterflies in my stomach flutter once more as we head to breakfast. I know he’s going to want to talk about our past, and to be honest, I’m prepared to go there if it means he can forgive me and move forward. I didn’t miss the guarded approach he took with me this morning when we woke up. He was braced for me to bolt, but the thought didn’t even cross my mind. I want him. I want everything he represents and offers. I want the man, the Dom, the lawyer, the whole damn package.

Whatever I need to deal with today to make him see that, bring it on.

Chapter 16: “Run”

Sam

We’ve been in this out of the way café for half an hour now. Sean chose to sit next to me instead of opposite me and has been very tactile … touching my leg with his, brushing his arm against mine as he reaches for his coffee, and looking at me like he still can’t believe that I’m here. But there is still a slight hesitancy in his eyes. I hate that I’m the reason it’s there and that, despite everything that happened between us last night and this morning, there is still a part of him expecting me to bolt.

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I’m done with sacrificing my happiness for the sake of appearances. Trying to appear strong and independent while hungering for more has not been easy, but I did it. “I’m sorry,” I blurt out, not wanting to wait another minute to get what is bound to be a difficult conversation out of the way. “I—”

He splutters into his coffee and looks at me. “Sammy, no …” I see shock, then resignation in his eyes and it cuts me to the core.

I quickly turn toward him, grabbing his hand and squeezing reassuringly. “Oh ****. No, Sean, I didn’t mean … ****. I’m f**king this up.” He furrows his brows and I know that I’ve totally confused him.

“I think you better spell it out for me because right now I’m thinking the worst. I’m expecting you to jump up and walk away from me … again.”

“No, Sean, I’m not walking away. I want this, I want you.” His lips curl up and his shoulders visibly relax. Thank God!

“About f**king time, Sammy,” he says with a grin as he reaches up, smoothing my hair with his hand. “Because it was driving me insane watching you with that dickhead.”

I snort loudly, then laugh. “Tanner is not a dickhead. He just wanted more than I wanted to give him, to give anyone who wasn’t you.”

He leans back, one arm resting on the back of my chair, the other cradling his coffee cup on the table. He’s wearing a slim fitting white tee and jeans that cling to his butt and thighs like a stripper hugs her pole during happy hour. “So why did you stay away then? I left your bed and got home to find my grandfather dead on our living room floor. I called you. I came to find you.”

I gasp. I didn’t know he’d come back. All this time I thought he’d stayed away, that he didn’t fight for me. “I … I didn’t know. I went straight to my mom’s hotel room, then went back to Kentucky with her for a week to lick my wounds and nurse a broken heart.”

His body goes rigid, and his fingers grip his cup tightly as his eyes go hard and cold. “Sorry and I hope you’ll forgive me for saying this but that doesn’t make it any less true. Your mother was a meddling, two-faced bitch who decided that I was no good for you after an hour of meeting me. Not knowing that I was so far gone for you I would’ve stayed strictly vanilla just to keep you in my bed and in my life. I loved you so damn much, Sammy. I had visions of our life together, of me practicing law and you being by my side as I built us an empire. You were it for me. Then the day I needed you most, I couldn’t find you. I knew that it was to do with your mother, but you wouldn’t talk to me. You shut me out and then cut me out of your life like I meant nothing. I may have been strong and confident, but you were my weak point. You were the one person that could obliterate me. And you did.”

My eyes fill with tears as this beautiful dominant man in front of me bears his heart and soul.

“Sweetheart, I didn’t want you to cry. I never tried to control you or dominate you … well, outside of the bedroom anyway.” The corner of my mouth curls up as I remember just how true that was, and still is now. “I loved that you were strong and independent. That you didn’t rely on me for anything even as much as I wanted you to. I just need you to understand where I was at. Why I have to know now whether you feel the same way?”

By the time I’d got back and found out about his grandfather’s death, it was too late to pay my respects. I did send a card and some flowers to the house, but never heard anything. Then I saw him with another girl at a frat party and my heart sunk. That was when I decided to focus on school and friends and move on with my life, even though I knew that a piece of my heart had been lost.

“So why didn’t you come back to me, Sammy? I got your card but you never called. I never saw you around campus, and then I graduated and our paths never crossed.”

The million dollar question. Even after I realized my mother was wrong and that Sean wasn’t my father, why didn’t I fight for him? Try to win him back? “Stubborn pride? Stupi***y? Jealously? Embarrassment? Take your pick.” I shrug my shoulders, looking down because I’m too scared to look at him and see whatever emotion is swirling in his eyes staring back at me.

He leans over and puts his thumb under my chin, lifting my head up until our eyes meet. His gaze is unwavering as he studies my face. “Beautiful, I was waiting. I needed you and you weren’t there. You disappeared and I couldn’t talk to you. I would’ve taken you back in a heartbeat. Hell, if you’d told me in the hospital corridor that you were ready I would’ve stolen you away then and there.”

My heart swells. Here I was thinking that Sean hated me, especially after I’d seen him with that other girl a few weeks after the break up. I thought I meant nothing to him and that my mother had been right all along. “Jennifer Murray. You were with her at that frat party.”

“She was Harry’s new girlfriend. I was watching her back whenever he was elsewhere.” He looks at me incredulously. “You thought I’d replace you just like that? We were together for a year, Sammy. Not once in that year had I even wanted to look at another woman.”

“Oh,” I mutter, feeling totally stupid. “You mean, I could’ve come to you, pleading, and we would’ve been together? If I hadn’t listened to my mother and gone home with her, if I’d just stayed in my dorm room I would’ve seen you again?”

He stands up, pulling me with him and runs his arm up my spine, gently gripping my neck with his hand. His other hand cups my cheek as I take a sharp intake of breath. “If you had walked up to me at any time in the last ten years, Samantha Richards, I would’ve done exactly this …” His mouth is on me, hard and fast, claiming me, leaving no doubt as to the meaning behind it. I wrap my arms around his neck and respond fervently, moaning into his mouth in supplication as he continues to kiss the **** out of me. He’s making sure that I get the message.

He wants me now, he wanted me back then, and by the feeling of his hard c**k digging into my stomach right now, he wishes as much as I do that we weren’t in the middle of a busy café right now.

Pulling away, I look at him, fully aware of the stupid, goofily happy grin on my face. “You finished breakfast?” I ask breathlessly, still recovering from that kiss of his that had me melting into a puddle on the floor.

“I’m suddenly hungry for something else. Should we take this party elsewhere?” he asks with that low, deep voice of his that calls to my insides, making my stomach flutter and my thighs clench.

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I feel his hands glide over the curve of my ass, rubbing the skin in a circular motion. “****, I love your ass. So firm, yet soft … perfect for my hands. He runs his hands down the outside of my thighs, then back up again, his feather light touch electrifying my body, awakening my senses once more. His fingers glide between my legs, feeling how ready I am for him, and I whimper at the grazing touch.

“Almost, Sammy. Just remember to hold on and don’t let go. Do you trust me, sweetheart?”

There is no waver in his voice. No uncertainty. There is nothing but confidence and self-assured certainty in his words.

He is my Dom.

“Yes! Yes, Sean. Please, I need you to touch me.”

“Where, Sammy?”

“Anywhere! Everywhere!”

“I am. I will.” He leans his naked body over mine, his c**k sliding between my legs, resting teasingly against my clit. “I know what you need, Sammy. Don’t. Let. Go,” he reiterates in my ear before gliding his hands from my shoulders down my back while peppering soft, wet kisses down my spine, the air cooling the skin in his wake. My body trembles as I wait for him to thrust his c**k into me, but instead, I groan as he resumes caressing the globes of my ass, around and around, over and over. Then without warning he lifts one of his hands and spanks me. He f**king spanks me. I lift my head to stand up and feel his other hand pushing me down. My skin burns with heat, the sound of the slap of his hand more shocking than any short lasting pain. I moan as desire shoots directly down between my legs and when I arch my back, raising my ass to him, he chuckles to himself.

“I knew you’d like it. You’re a f**king natural, Sammy. ****ing perfect for me.” He resumes caressing my ass, my skin alive under his touch as he spanks me again. I lose track of time, my brain switching off as I focus on the pleasure Sean is giving me. My ass feels like it is on fire but so does my yearning for him. “Pleaseeeee,” I whine. I know I’m begging but right now my pu**y needs his c**k like a desert needs the sun. Desperately.

“I know, sweetheart, I know. Believe me, I know,” he murmurs as he dips two fingers inside of me. My walls tighten around him and he groans as he f**ks me with them, easing the way for his ****. I smile knowing that he’s just as desperate as I am, my silence short lived as I cry out in relief and bliss when he removes his fingers, gripping my hips tightly before plunging his c**k deep inside me.

He pulls completely out before pounding into me again. “****, I love your tight pu**y. I’m not going to last long. I’ve been hard since the café.”

“Don’t stop!” I yell as he takes me, over and over until my legs start to shake and I feel lightheaded, another orgasm surging toward me as his grip tightens on my hips, his fingertips biting into my skin.

“Come, Sammy. I want you to come. Now, Sammy!” he roars as he f**ks me harder, faster, his c**k filling me over and over until he plants himself deep inside me and calls out my name as he climaxes the same time as I do.

I lower my forehead against the couch as I struggle to catch my breath. My legs feel like jelly, but Sean wraps an arm around my waist as he leans over my body from behind once more, his clammy forehead resting against my shoulder as he stays inside me, not wanting to end our connection too soon.

“Better than before,” he murmurs as he places a soft kiss against my skin.

“Better than ever,” I add.

Chapter 17: “Happy”

Sean

Since Sam and I got back together, we’ve focused on just enjoying each other’s company and getting to know each other again. There’s been no Ryan trouble, no work stress (well, no more than normal), and no unwanted distractions except each other, so between her shift schedule and my day and night jobs, we’ve been grabbing every chance we get to spend together.

Earlier tonight I gave her a key to the condo when she came around after work earlier tonight, a gift which she reluctantly accepted. This wasn’t because she didn’t want it. As she explained it, she didn’t want to rush things between us. When I replied that we didn’t need to waste any more time than we already had, her eyes softened and she accepted the key gracefully. I ended up pulling her hard against my body and kissing her in*****bmission until her body was soft and pliant against mine, then I proceeded to take her on the kitchen floor while dinner was cooking in the oven. What can I say? I’m a man who can multi-task.

Now it’s after dinner (and a shower) and we’re both lying on the couch, Sam in front of me, while she watches Criminal Minds (yes, ironic, I know) and I’m reading a deposition. Aren’t we just the picture of domesticity?

When the commercial break comes on, I feel Sam wriggle around to face me. “I had lunch with Helen and Rico today.” Then there is silence while she waits for a reaction.

I put my papers down in my lap. “Mmm hmm. How is Helen? Still bugging you for details on how good I am between your legs?”

“Sean! No! Well, yes … but no. She was saying how she hasn’t seen you since college and how they’d love to meet up for dinner one night.”

“Sounds like a great idea. It would be good to catch up.”

“You sure?” she asks, sounding skeptical.

“Of course. But why don’t we invite them here for dinner instead of going out? We could have it on the rooftop.” Her eyes go wide before she grabs my face and pulls me into a kiss, one of her soft, gentle ones that start with her tongue gently tracing my bottom lip before she tentatively moves it deeper. That’s all I can handle before I take over control, holding the back of her head as I slant my head and probe my tongue deeper, sliding over hers as I explore her mouth, each kiss a new adventure, another chance to taste her.

I ease out of the kiss, moving my hand down her back and cupping her ass, pulling her hips against my now very hard ****. One kiss and I’m raring to go with Sammy. It’s insane, but not unwelcome. “Why don’t you invite your partner and his fiancé? We can make it a dinner party.”

She looks at me and smiles, her expression one of confused awe. “Are you sure you’re real?” she squeezes my bicep, then cups my jaw. “You feel real.”

“I’m real … hard right now. Is this enough proof for you?” I roll my hips against hers again, groaning at the friction against my ****.

“You can prove that to me again in about thirty-four minutes once my program has finished.” She kisses me quickly before rolling back toward the TV as the program starts again.

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I chuckle as I pick up my papers again to continue reading. “You bet your ass I will.”

Sam

I shrug on my standard issue, blue CPD shirt over my black, lace, demi bra and panties, quickly checking my watch to make sure I’m still early for my shift. Our early morning shower ten minutes ago had been a vigorous one, starting with Sean lifting me up and wrapping my legs around his shoulders as he feasted between my legs, making me cry out his name—which echoed throughout the condo - before he dropped me back down onto my feet, hooking his arm under one knee and driving into me, making me come apart again before he took his fill. The problem was, I didn’t get to do what I wanted to do to him.

Walking into Sean’s bathroom, my breath catches as I see the man in question standing in front of the bathroom sink, leaning forward with a hand on the edge bracing himself as he runs his old school, double-edged razor along his rough jaw. Dressed in nothing but a white towel wrapped around his waist he looks every inch the ***y man I know he is. Rivulets of water reflect in the light, and I try to find the restraint to stay away from him.

But where Sean is concerned, restraint is not possible.

I catch his eye in the mirror as I slowly walk up behind him. His green eyes darken as he reads the lust-filled expression on my face. Raising a brow, he silently questions my intent before turning to face me.

“Sammy, what—”

I reach up and place a finger on his lips to silence him before leaning down and licking the irresistible drop of water off his pec. I look back up at him and gently drag my finger down his body, making a trail as I drop to my knees in front of him. “You’re killing me here …”

“Not yet, but give me a minute and I’m sure to come close.” I slowly pull the towel away from his waist, giving him a wry smile as I come face to face with my most favorite hard body part. My tongue darts out and licks the tip of his c**k before I roll the head in my mouth and move down to take his whole length in my mouth. The clean, sandalwood taste of his soap fills my senses as I lose myself in him, sucking and rolling my tongue up and down his satin skinned length.

“****!” he spits out as he drops the razor into the sink, but the loud clatter against the porcelain muted in my ears as he groans loudly the moment his c**k hits the back of my throat, just the way he likes. I feel his hands glide across my shoulders, one tangling in my hair as he tries to regain the control he craves, his other hand cupping my jaw gently as he rubs his thumb up and down my cheek reverently.

I continue to lick and suck his shaft, tracing the large vein running the length of him with the pointed tip of my tongue, earning a jerk of his c**k against my mouth as I encircle the tip.

Suddenly he steps back, his hands disappearing. I look up to see him bending sideways, trying to reach his black silk robe. Curious as to what he is up to, knowing that my man’s mind works in amazing and calculating ways, I see him pull the silk tie from the robe. The mischievous gleam in his eyes as he looks down at me sends a shiver straight through me. If ever I thought I was in control, I now know that it was all a ruse. Sean was also in control, always waiting to take the next step when he was ready.

He leans down over me, bending at his hips as he runs his hands down my arms until he reaches my hands, gently maneuvering them behind my back. When I feel the silk tie caress my wrists then firmly but comfortably bind them together. My heart starts racing at the realization that now Sean can do whatever he wants with me. And I trust him to do whatever he wants with me, to me … in me.

He runs his thumb gently under the silk to ensure it’s safe before running his hands back up my arms, over my collarbone, until he’s standing back up to his full height in front of me. His hands cup my jaw and I move forward as he guides his now pulsating c**k back into my eager mouth.

“Sammy,” he groans as he moves one hand to the back of my head, gently guiding the rhythm. My heart soars as I let him use me, increasing his thrusts until he takes over and f**ks my mouth in earnest.

“**** I’m going to come in your mouth and you’re gonna take it all, Sammy.”

“Mmm hmm,” I groan my response, my body humming with pleasure as I increase my speed, willing him to fulfill his promise.

He growls loudly and I swallow every last pulse into my mouth, savoring the unique taste that is all Sean.

When I pull back, he lifts me up to my feet, reaching behind my back to free my wrists. Without giving me a second to recover, he tips my head back with my ponytail and kisses me, hard and fast, thrusting his tongue into my mouth in an obvious show of appreciation. His own exceptional show.

Ending the kiss with a soft bite on my bottom lip, he moves me backward and stares deep into my eyes with a sated, satisfied expression. “A f**king fantastic goodbye.” His face lights up with a radiant grin, and I realize that ever since I went to his office and abandoned all the resistance I had when it came to him, I’ve felt happier, content. And as for Sean, I’ve never seen him so relaxed and carefree … well, as carefree as such an intense, passionate, and measured man like Sean can be.

He takes the time to look me up and down, his eyes blazing with heat when he meets my gaze once more. “Uniform policy change I don’t know about?” he asks mockingly with a delicious smirk on his face, bringing out his sole lickable dimple on the right hand side of his mouth.

“Maybe,” I say with a wink. “I do need to finish getting dressed and get going.” I lean up and place a gentle kiss on his lips before spinning on my heels and walking out of the bathroom, but not before I get a short sharp smack on my half exposed ass that almost makes me want to run back to him and call off my shift.

I said almost.

Chapter 18: “Drunk in Love”

Sam

A few weeks later, we’ve finally secured a night when we’re all available, so I’ve been busy in the kitchen most of the afternoon, making sure all of the food is ready for tonight’s dinner party. It’s the only thing I could do to keep my nerves in check. My best friends and my partner meeting Sean and spending a few hours with us has me anxious as hell.

First, there is Helen and Rico. Helen knows my history with Sean because she was there living it right along with me. From the first time I met him when he infuriated and intrigued me, to my swooning debrief after our amazing first date, through all the highs, and then the horrible low when I broke it off. She’s been my drinking buddy, my sounding board, my shoulder to cry on.

She’s been there through thick and thin.

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“Well,” Sam announces, “Sean has just realized that him and Zander were banging the same chick at the same time.”

“Hang on. At the same time? As in a drunken threesome story?”

I choke on my whisky as both Zander and I shake our heads. “**** no!” we both say loudly in unison.

Sam and Kate start giggling and Helen just looks confused. “Hang on, at the same time? As in she was seeing you both at the same time?”

Kate pipes up, her face beaming, “Yep. My best friend Mac was never one to limit herself to just one man. She actually had three friends with benefits at the same time.”

Helen slaps her hand down on the table. “Holy crap. I need to meet this girl. That is f**king awesome.”

“Women …” Rico growls under his breath which just makes Sam and Kate laugh even more. ****ing fantastic.

“Hang on, that would be like saying Zander and Sean have had *** through association. That’s hilarious,” she continues.

It’s the only time I can say that I wish the world would swallow me up whole.

“Oh my god!” Sam starts saying. She tries to pull her hand out of mine, but I tighten my grip.

“No, no running,” I say, my voice automatically slipping into Dom mode.

“I’m not going anywhere, Sean. I just want to get drunk now. The mere thought that you and Zander have f**ked the same girl is waaaaay too close for comfort.”

“It was almost two years ago, sweetheart. I would’ve told you had I known. You must know that.” I release her hand and run my palm up her arm, rubbing her skin reassuringly. My heart is racing; it’s the first time I’ve actually been afraid that she’d leave again.

“It’s okay, Sean. I know you weren’t a saint for the past ten years, but now I have an excuse to drink copious amounts of alcohol and have a laugh.” She leans toward me, giving me a gentle kiss on my lips before looking me dead straight in my eyes, her lips still touching mine. “And then you can screw my brains out to erase the thought of you and Zander.” She moves away and laughs out loud, her carefree attitude contagious as I just look at her and smile.

****, I love this woman.

I look over at Zander and he gives me a grimace before I lift my chin, making sure he knows that everything is okay. Kate sees us and loses it again, leaning into Zander’s side and laughing.

Rico speaks up, thankfully changing the topic. “Dinner was awesome, guys, but you know me and my sweet tooth, Sammy. I just know that your dessert is going to be epic.”

An epic dessert to conclude an epic dinner party.

Definitely one for the books.

Chapter 19: “Hey Brother”

Sam

I’m in a deep sleep when I’m woken up by a phone ringing. My body feels like a dead weight in the bed as I struggle in that wonderful no man’s land between being awake and being asleep. I roll over and look at Sean’s alarm clock beside the bed, grumbling at the fact it’s only 3 a.m. and someone is calling us.

Sean’s arm wraps around my waist and I snuggle deeper into his side. There is something about burrowing into a nice warm hard body that is comforting, and arousing. ****! How can I want to go again when he only just finished with me a few hours ago? I must be an addict. Addicted to Sean Miller. ****, if this keeps up we’ll end up screwing each other to death. On the bright side, what a way to go!

The phone starts ringing again and I hear a growl rumble in Sean’s chest. “This better be f**king good,” he mutters as he moves away, sitting up against the headboard and shifting to reach the phone.

He sighs before answering the call. “Ryan, this better not be what I think it is.”

My body goes tense as I think of all the possible reasons for Ryan calling his brother in the middle of the night.

It’s been four months since I came back into Sean’s life. Four fantastic months without drama, without Ryan f**king up, and without middle of the night phone calls. This can’t be good.

“Mmm,” Sean hums, listening to his brother. I sit up beside Sean, resting my head on his shoulder. I can only hear a jumble of sounds coming down the phone, but when Sean’s body goes deathly still, I know it can’t be good.

“You’re f**king ****ting me, Ryan. Ten thousand?” the room is suddenly quiet. Sean is breathing hard and I know he’s trying to control himself, but after the last time Ryan was beaten up in the club, Sean’s patience for his brother is all but run out.

“What the f**k do you expect me to do, Ry? It’s not like I have ten grand in cash just lying around my house …”

More silence, more noise down the phone.

“He said what? Oh, f**k this ****. Ryan, you made your bed and I told you that I was done with this crap, but that bastard has gone one step too far now.”

I sit up straight and watch Sean’s features, his jaw twitching as he grinds his teeth loudly. “Where am I going?”

I jump out of bed and chuck some yoga pants and a hoodie on, foregoing a bra and panties because there is never much of a need for them with Sean around. I turn the bathroom light on and go to the sink to wash my the sleep out of my eyes.

I look at Sean in the mirror, feeling his penetrating glare. Shaking his head, he breaks his gaze. “Okay. I got to get dressed and sort Sammy out. Then I’ll be there. Tell the bastard I’m on my way. And Ry … do what you have to do to stay safe, all right?” He nods his head and my breathing hitches.

Ryan is in trouble. Serious trouble.

“Yep, okay. See you soon.”

He slams his phone down onto the bed and stands up, stalking naked toward me. “Sweetheart, I know you got the gist of that conversation, but you need to get back to bed.”

“No, Sean. I’m a cop. This is what I do. I can help.”

He continues advancing on me until his naked chest is touching mine. “Sammy. It’s because you’re a cop that I’m telling you that you need to step down and get back into bed. This is my business. Ryan has been f**king up for as long as I can remember. It’s not the first time I’ve tried to get him help, and it’s definitely not the first time he’s relapsed. He’s got himself into a bad situation and I’m going in to get him out of it. They’ve threatened him, and they’ve threatened the club, then they got stupid and let him get ten thousand dollars in the hole. Without the money, he has nothing to play with. He’s run out of cards and run out of luck, ten f**king years too late. Now, they threatened me and my ‘cop’ girlfriend, and that’s one step too far.”

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“Sean!” I implore, resting my hands on his chest. “I have to call this in. It’s my duty. They’ve threatened us, and your brother is at risk. One call and I could have a team raiding the place in an hour.”

His eyes bore into me. “No, Sammy. No cops, no calling it in. You are NOT getting involved in this. I can’t allow that.”

I step back, banging my hip into the bathroom vanity. “You can’t allow that? Like I’m some errant teenager who needs to be put back in her place? **** you, Sean. You cannot control my job. Control me in the bedroom, yes, but NOT my ****ING JOB!” I yell at him. My job has always been a no go zone for anybody involved in my life. Not even my mother has been allowed to meddle in my professional life. Hell, I haven’t let my mother meddle in my life full stop since I realized she had cost me Sean.

He puts his hands on my shoulders and steps in close to me again, crowding me. “I’m not ordering you. I’m telling you that you can’t get involved. I don’t want to put your job at risk, and this situation, this backroom poker table that Ryan is sitting at, is not the place for an off duty police officer.”

He steps away and turns back toward the bedroom, dressing quickly before grabbing his wallet, keys and phone from beside the bed. “You’re taking your car?”

“Don’t have a choice. It’s the middle of the night and I’m not going to use a town car to pick up my brother from god knows where in the car service. I’m just going to grab him and get him out of there, then send him to f**king Timbuktu or Siberia until it blows over.”

I storm back into the bedroom, stopping on the opposite side of the bed. “Sean, it doesn’t work like that. I’ve dealt with **** like this before. They won’t stop coming after Ryan until the debt is paid, usually with interest. And when they can’t find him, they’ll target the club, they’ll come after you at the firm, and then they’ll come after me. It’s not a case of getting him out of there and this blowing over.” I wave my arms around dramatically, trying to explain the ignorance of Sean’s plan. He walks around the bed and puts his hands on my hips, pulling me in tight against him.

“I’m not going to argue with you about this. You’re staying here, I’m going to get Ryan and drop him off at a hotel for the night. You’ll wait for me here, naked in my bed …” He kisses my jaw, then my nose, then stops at my lips, slowly teasing me with his tongue until I relent and give up my resistance, moaning as he languidly explores my mouth.

“You don’t play fair,” I grumble when he pulls away. Another quick brush of his lips against mine and he is all business.

“Get back into bed. I won’t be long.”

“Where are you going? Someone should at least know where you’re going in case it goes to ****.”

“It’s a rundown bar off West North Ave in Austin. He said they’re in a room at the back. Sounds classy right?” He laughs sarcastically. “Sam, go back to bed. I’ll be back before you know it.”

Having already decided what I’m going to do, I nod my head at him. His eyes go soft as he looks at me one last time. “Good night, sweetheart.”

And with that, he turns and walks out of the bedroom. I listen as his footsteps get further and further away as he goes down the stairs to the second floor, then down the two flights of stairs to the basement parking garage.

Sitting down on the bed, I rest my head in my hands as I struggle to compose myself enough to do what I have to do. What I must do.

I grab my cell off the bedside cabinet and stare at it, cradling it in my hands as I contemplate the consequences of what I’m about to do. But I didn’t lie to Sean when I said my job was non-negotiable. If a crime is being committed it is my duty to call it in and protect people. Or in this case, the man I love and his brother who, despite being an idiot who doesn’t learn from his past mistakes, I also care about.

I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to either of them and I could have stopped it.

Scrolling through my contacts, I pull up my friend Jeremy’s number. He’s a detective at my precinct who has been investigating illegal gambling and was also involved in investigating the robbery at Throb until I told him discretely what really went down, then the case was wound up quickly. There was no need to keep it open when there was no robbery and no way of identifying the assailant. But I’ve since found out that Jeremy had been heading an investigation into a string of illegal gambling events reportedly being organized and held in the Chicago city area, so I know that he is the person to talk to about whatever Sean is heading into.

“Richards, what the hell? It’s 2 a.m. and you should be sleeping or f**king. Or a bit of both. What gives?”

“Jeremy, Sean just got a call from his brother. He’s in trouble at a backroom poker table in an Austin bar. Sean told me not to call it in, but I had to call you. If it’s that same bookie that roughed him up a few months ago, then who knows what might happen. What should I do?”

“****, Sam. I’m at my desk, but I can grab some officers and try and get there, but there are no promises that I can protect Sean in this. It’ll be a blanket arrest, then weed out the bad from the good after that. You okay with that?

“Anything, please Jeremy. I can’t sleep knowing him or Ryan could get hurt.”

“Okay. I’ll call you back in a while once we get the lay of the land. What bar?”

“I don’t know. He just said it was off West North.”

“Ah yes, I know exactly where. We’d been staking it out up until last week. Gotta go. Keep your phone on. You’ll hear from either me or your man.”

The call ends and I feel my stomach tighten. I feel sick. If I’ve overreacted … Why the f**k is it the middle of the night and why the hell isn’t Helen working a night shift.

I go downstairs and turn on Sean’s very expensive coffee machine, pacing the kitchen as I wait for the liquid gold to brew. With my now full cup in my hands, I walk over to the couch, bending my legs up close to my body as I stare out the window waiting for word from Sean or Jeremy.

The problem is that, as a seasoned cop, I know the city never sleeps. There is always a criminal element that comes out at night, making itself known … or not if they’re smart. Men and women are robbed or attacked, cars are stolen, houses are broken into, illegal poker games with high bets and even higher stakes are played. Kingpins preying on the addicted few, desperate to win their money back, adamant that their next hand will be the one that takes them back into black again. But it never happens. Lines of cre*** are offered and accepted, and soon enough, like Ryan is right now, they’re staring down the barrel of an even larger debt.

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My fingers tighten around the warm ceramic cup in my hands. Ten grand! Ten f**king grand! Who lets themselves get that far into a hole in one f**king game? Don’t get me wrong, ten years in the department and I’ve seen it all. Doesn’t mean I can’t be surprised when it happens to someone I thought knew better, or had at least learned their lesson from last time.

I wouldn’t want to be Ryan when Sean gets his hands on him. I had to intervene last time when Sean said he’d washed his hands of his brother. This might just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. If not that, then I might have just stepped over the line myself. I can only hope that Sean realizes the position I was in and can forgive me.

Chapter 20: “The Man”

Sean

I slide my black Maserati into a parking spot opposite the bar where Ryan said he was. From the outside, it looks like a standard upmarket Chicago ****tail bar. I shake my head and check the address again, looking for some dodgy warehouse or something more fitting for underground gambling. Surely this can’t be right. Illegal gambling should be held in rundown, hole-in-the-wall bars that look like the health department should be knocking on their door any day now, nothing like this scene in front of me.

Knowing that Ryan’s phone will be on silent, I have no option, but to find him myself. Getting out of the car, I set the alarm and stroll across the street, noticing with interest that the bar is closed, and a few staff are the only ones left inside as they pack away for the night. I check the neighboring premises and see that there is an alleyway around the side of the building. Knowing that Ryan is inside somewhere and in trouble, I waste no time in crossing the street and walking down the alley, checking constantly for anyone following me or coming out in front of me. I’m not worried about having to defend myself, it’s more the surprise factor. I’d rather be on guard than be caught unprepared, and since I came unarmed, I may be at a disadvantage.

I see an old wooden door at the end of the alleyway with a rather large black man guarding the door.

“You Sean?”

“Yep.”

“Got ID? Can never be too careful.”

“Right. I pull my wallet out of my back pocket, showing him my license. He hands it back to me and steps forward, pulling the door open. “You better be here to bail your bro out. He’s in trouble. So far in the hole he’s losing sight of the light, if you know what I mean.”

I swallow hard. ****! I lift my chin to the guy before stepping inside, the hazy, smoke-filled room stifling as I walk toward a large round table. Checking the table and not seeing Ryan, my eyes go to the guy leaning back in his chair at the head of the table.

“Where’s Ryan Miller?”

“You his banker?”

“What the f**k do you think?”

“You got his money? He said his brother was coming and would sort it all out for him. We put him somewhere safe until it was all taken care of.” The smarmy man smiles, his mouth full of big, overly white teeth. It’s almost creepy, and I’m a hard man to rattle.

“You think I could pull that kind of money out of my ass at 2.30 in the morning? You know as well as I do that most law abiding citizens don’t have that kind of dough lying around. So I give you my word that the money is paid into your account as soon as the bank opens.”

I just hope Ryan isn’t in so much trouble that I can’t save him. I may be pissed, but he’s my only family. Ryan and Sam are the only ones who matter to me. Why do you think I didn’t bring her along? It wasn’t because I didn’t think she could handle herself, but I refused to put her in a position where she would have to defend herself or put her job on the line. She loves her career too much for that.

The Cheshire cat starts laughing, slamming his palm on the table, seemingly finding the situation hilarious. “See, mister lawyer man, here’s the thing. I know you think you’ve got a leg to stand on, and I don’t doubt that you’re packing some big kahones down below, but I don’t give a f**k.” The smile on his face fades and he glares at me, his eyes almost venomous. “I’m trying to run a business here. I don’t operate cre*** without collateral or without knowing that I can get the money back from somewhere. Your brother has a big mouth when he’s desperate. He says you own that hot place in the club district and that you’ve got a hot piece of cop ass for a girlfriend. That was all the collateral I needed because I knew you wouldn’t put her in hot water, unless she’s just a piece of ass—”

“You shut your f**king mouth. Leave her out of this,” I spit out, clenching my fists at my side as I try to rein in my anger, knowing I just f**ked up and gave him what he was gunning for.

He smirks at me, knowing he has my back to the wall. “So we have an understanding. Fifteen grand tomorrow morning 10 a.m. or else I start causing trouble for you and your little girlfriend. I bet she’s hot too. What do you think, boys? You think a hot shot like this guy would have a tight piece?”

The three guys flanking him start murmuring to each other, agreeing with him if their nods are any indication.

“Ryan said ten grand.”

“It’s now fifteen.” For f**k’s sake! “Deal. Now bring Ryan out here and we’ll go.”

“Maybe I should keep him as insurance—”

His threats are cut off by a thud against the door and the splintering of wood behind me as suddenly the words “Chicago PD!” ring out and I’m pushed against the wall, face first, my hands held forcefully behind my back.

“Don’t say a word,” a stern male voice mutters in my ear. Not being stupid, I shut my mouth. I feel the cold metal of handcuffs wrap around first one wrist, then the other, as my hands are shackled behind my back.

I hear a scuffle behind me as more officers pour in. “There’s another room back here,” an officer calls out to the others. “****, there’s more of them.”

“My brother, he’s back there!” I shout, my voice muffled.

“We know what we’re doing, Mr. Miller, so I suggest you stay silent. I’m taking you back to the station where you’ll stay until we can ascertain your part in all of this.”

“You know I’m a lawyer right?”

“Don’t care. Right now you are a suspect in an illegal gambling racket that we’ve been investigating for a long time. Lawyer or not, I recommend you keep your mouth shut.”

I clamp my mouth shut as I’m pulled back by my arms and pushed out of the door and up the alley, like an everyday common criminal. Just as one of the cops undoes my handcuffs and stuffs me into the back of a waiting patrol car, I turn my head and see a worse for wear Ryan being led by another officer to the car behind me. His eyes meet mine and I can see the guilt residing there. His shoulders are drawn up and there’s none of his normal ****y swagger that Ryan’s known for. Just as he is about to disappear from sight, he looks back up at me and mouths ‘I’m sorry’ before the officer puts a hand on top of his head and ushers him into the back seat of the car.

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“Quit it before I cry. It’ll ruin the tough cop wake-up call I’m about to deliver in there.” I jerk my head toward the closed interrogation room door and he chuckles.

“Right. Be quick though. The Captain doesn’t know about it yet. Ryan will still need to give me a statement after you’ve gone, but anything he says to you is off the record and off camera. Comprende?”

“Got it. Thanks, Jer. I owe you one.”

“Hell yeah, you do. Just bring in some donuts or something. You know I struggle to maintain this figure.” He rubs his slightly rounded stomach and grins.

“Deal.”

He turns and walks away from me as I face the door and slowly take a deep breath. I reach out and turn the knob. Stepping inside, I swear I can see the wide eyed, messed up twenty year old from ten years ago. The one living in his big brother’s successful shadow. The one who lost his parents young, then lost his beloved grandparents just as he was getting his life back on track.

But now isn’t the time for excuses. Ryan needs help, and I’m going to be the one to give it to him.

“Sam,” he breathes out, his voice relieved. I barely have a minute to sit down before he speaks. “Have you see Sean? Is he okay? Please tell me he hasn’t been arrested?”

I close my eyes and struggle to compose myself. Ryan doesn’t care about himself right now; his only concern is Sean.

“Ryan, Sean was released without charge this morning. He didn’t come home, but he has his car, so I guess he’s gone somewhere to calm down.”

“Calm down? Is he that mad with me?”

“Probably,” I reply with a shrug. “But it’s more likely that he didn’t expect me to go against his wishes and call it in, which is probably more unforgivable in his eyes because he didn’t see it coming.”

“You … you called the cops?”

“I am a cop, Ryan. Something you might’ve forgotten but I never can. It’s my job, it’s my career, and if I know a crime is being committed and that two people I care about are in danger, I will do everything in my power to avoid that. You don’t think I would let you get hurt do you, Ryan?”

“Well … no, but I told you I was going to try and get help. I told both of you. And I have been, I’ve been going to Gamblers Anonymous and meeting with my therapist twice a week. It’s just that when I got wind of this table, I thought I could make the money back and start to pay Sean back. Do you know he paid off the bookie and paid my rent up to date last time? I didn’t even ask. He wrote me off, told me that he was cutting ties, but then he went and did that.”

My eyes soften as I listen to him. “He loves you, Ry, but right now he’s pissed the f**k off. But it’s more than that. You can’t worry about Sean because you’re in a hole that you can’t get yourself out of unless you make the right decision, and you need to make it quick because there’s an offer on the table that will give you a chance at a life. A legal, free life.”

His body stills as my words sink in. The room is quiet except for a lone clock on the stone wall ticking away the seconds. Ryan wrings his hands together. “You need me to testify, don’t you?”

“Immunity from prosecution in return for your testimony on the gambling, the assault at the club, the game last night, and anything you have seen or heard that would strengthen the DA’s case.”

“I’ll do it.” No hesitation, no wavering. He shocks the **** out of me when he looks me dead in the eye and answers immediately. “Where do I sign? What do I have to do? I can’t go to jail, Sam. I can’t do this again. I need help, major help, but I want to stay straight. I want to make you and Sean proud. I want to do it for Granddad and Grandma, for Mom and Dad. I need to do this to make everything right.”

I see the wet sheen of tears in his eyes and I know that he’s been scared straight. Something has sunk in this time and I release the breath I’ve inadvertently been holding in.

“Please help me, Sam. I need to do this. No more f**king up, I thought I was invincible and my stupi***y almost got Sean arrested. Now I need to make it right. If doing this, if testifying will help me do that, then bring in the detective, bring me the papers, I’ll sign whatever they want me to.”

I reach over the table and place my hand over the top of his hands. “Ry, Sean loves you. He wouldn’t have left his bed in the middle of the night and told me not to do anything if he didn’t love you. You’re doing the right thing. For you especially.”

I stand up and look at him one last time before opening the door and walking out. When I reach Jeremy’s desk, his eyes lift to meet mine and one chin lift is all it takes to answer him.

“I’ll take care of it, cupcake. You let me know when you find that man of yours.”

“Will do, Jer. Thank you. For everything.”

“Anytime. Now get out of here before the Captain sees you and starts asking questions. You’re a good cop and an even better woman. Everybody sees it.”

Unable to speak without losing it, I nod and walk away from him, though this time I feel like I’m walking toward something rather than running away.

When I call Sean’s phone later from home, I end up leaving a message on his voice mail, telling him everything he won’t let me say direct. I lay it all out, put my heart on the line and tell him I’ll wait to hear from him.

What else can I do?

Sean

I leave my phone on my desk, not willing to answer it just yet. My head is throbbing and my mouth feels like I’ve been sucking on a slimy dish rag. Not my finest moment, I’m sure. I go down the corridor and have a quick shower, throwing on some clothes I found in the gym bag in my office before I sit back behind my desk again, resting my head in my hands and willing the Advil to start working.

My phone beeps with another missed call. I pick it up, swiping the lock screen open and see the voice mail icon flash up at me. Gritting my teeth, I call my service and wait for the message to start replaying.

“Sean, it’s me. I know you were released this morning and I know you were dropped at your car. You obviously know that I called my friend Jeremy and asked him to do something to help you last night and I’m guessing that’s why you didn’t come home to our bed, to me …”

She called it home. She called it was our bed.

“… I know you’re angry at me, and part of that is warranted, but most of it is not. I did what I had to do as a cop who knew that something illegal was going down and as a woman who knew that the man she loves was going into an unknown, possibly dangerous situation.”

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She stops talking but continues to stare at the coffeemaker. I’m cemented in place, leaning against the back of her couch, facing the kitchen. I hear her take a deep breath, almost like she’s bracing herself for something, before turning around and walking over to me, holding out a hot cup of black coffee. Looking up, I offer her a gentle smile which she returns.

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

I watch as she walks around and curls into the chair in the corner. I follow her around the couch, sitting on the edge of the gray, suede three-seater so that I can stay close to her. I hate the emotional distance stretching between us right now, like she doesn’t know how to act around me all of a sudden, like we haven’t been virtually living together for the past few months. Touching each other, loving each other …

I look at her, taking her in. Her sandy blonde hair is pulled back off her face, her high ponytail accentuating her high cheekbones and soft jaw line. Those gorgeous green eyes that I lose myself in daily … those biteable pink lips that I can’t wait to taste again…

First things first.

“Did you mean what you said?” I ask, refusing to let her pull away from me again.

“What?” she asks, her voice emotionless.

“Your voicemail. You said you loved me. Did you mean it?”

Her eyes widen minutely before narrowing, like she can’t believe I’d ask such a thing. “Of course I meant it, Sean. I meant every word I said.”

She leans forward, putting her cup on the glass coffee table in front of her before standing up. I look up at her and tighten my fingers around my mug as I fight the urge to grab her hips and bring her closer to me.

Bringing her hands up, she rests them on my shoulders, running them along my collarbone and cradling my neck. All of the tension that has been steadily building throughout the day dissipates and suddenly my whole body relaxes. Her eyes soften as she feels my muscles loosen under her touch. I decide that now is the time to swallow my stubborn pride and accept that the beautiful woman standing in front of me was right in doing what she did. She stood her ground and stuck to her guns. How can I ever be mad at her for that? She literally saved my ass by calling the cops. Now I can’t hold back, I place my hands on her hips, looking up at her.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry.” She nods, her eyes softening as I see a spark of something in there. Something good. “I’m stubborn and I’m an idiot. I went to the club and got smashed on tequila instead of coming to you. I should’ve come straight home, but I was pissed off. I told you not to call it in and you did.”

I flex my fingers, inching them under her T-shirt so that I can feel her silky skin against mine. I stand up so that we’re on an even keel. “I love you too,” I say, leaning forward and brushing my lips against her mouth, my eyes locked with hers. I pull back slightly, “I’ve always loved you.”

I slide my hands under her top, cradling her back and pulling her chest hard up against mine. This time I run my tongue around her lips before slowly pushing inside her mouth when her lips part on a moan. Her hands snake through my hair, her grip tightening amongst my strands. I pour everything into the kiss. All the heat, the passion, the bedroom tricks I have … none of it means anything in this moment. It’s about Sammy, the woman I love, finally admitting what I suspect are long held feelings.

Pulling back, I rest my forehead against hers. “Am I forgiven?” I ask with a sly grin. She smiles, her lips twisting into a mocking smirk.

“I suppose I’ll keep you around.”

I laugh. “That’s good then. But I think we’ve still got a problem …” I stand up straight and rest my hands back on her hips again, pulling her away slightly so my c**k can come down from its seemingly permanent rock hard state.

“What?” she asks, her head jerking back in surprise.

I look around her living room, noticing how warm and homely it feels. “There are quite a few things in this room that would look awesome at the condo …” I wave one of my hands around, pointing at the couch, the chair, the old oak bookcase she has full of books. “That bookcase would look great in my office.” I stand up and turn toward the couch I was just leaning against. “This couch is much more comfortable than my leather one.”

She takes a step back from me so that my hand slips off her waist. “You want to take my stuff and put it in your condo?” Her hands are resting on her hips and her stance is definitely that of a pissed off woman.

“Well, yeah …” I joke. I fight back a grin as I watch warring emotions cross her face. Deciding to put her out of her misery, I step toward her, crowding her against the wall. “I’d hope you would want to bring your stuff to my condo since you’re moving in.” I give her a hard and fast kiss before walking toward the bookcase, perusing the books like it’s my god given right. There is a method to my madness, believe me.

“Oh, hell no.”

I school my face to look serious as I turn around to face her once more.

“You can just hold up right there, Sean Miller. You do not come into my house and declare that I’m moving in with you without asking me nicely. No f**king way. You can boss me around in bed, but you can never just decide what is happening in my life without asking me first. **** no!” Her eyes are breathing fire as she glares at me, and I know that this is the woman I want forever.

I stride over to her, pushing her with my body against the living room wall, holding her cheeks in my hand as I thrust my tongue in her mouth and kiss the **** out of her. I pull back just enough to wrap my hands under her firm, jean clad ass before lifting her up, her legs instinctively wrapping around my hips as I carry her through the doorway leading to her bedroom. Reaching her bed, I turn and drop back onto the bed, bouncing against her, causing an eager whimper to escape her mouth.

“Say yes,” I murmur against her neck as my lips lay wet kisses against her skin.

“**** yes,” she says, her voice breathy and uncontrolled.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Chapter 23: “Under Control”

Sam

It’s been a month since I’ve moved in with Sean. Thirty days of domestic bliss. Well, almost. He seems to love riling me up just to have the hot make up *** that follows. It’s almost predictable now. That’s not to say I don’t let him get away with it. It started off with little things—dirty dishes left in the sink, arguments over the need (or the lack of need) for a housekeeper now that I’m living with him, oh and Sean’s absolute refusal to let me pay rent. THAT was a good one. I ended up with my legs tied spread eagled to the bed, my hands still free to roam as Sean straddled me, first my face, then my hips, teasing and torturing me until I gave in and agreed to buy food, but not pay rent. Instead, he offered to accept payment in on call ***ual favors. That earned a slap against his chest and a scowl for him, and earned me orgasm denial for a full hour until I was screaming at him to make me come or let me do it myself.