Bang (Black Lotus #1)(14)

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees with his head dropped. Walking over to him, I sit down on the couch and start rubbing his hardened shoulder, muscles tense out of frustration.

“I’m sorry,” he quietly says, and sits back, pulling me with him and holding me.

I need the contact, need his touch. I always have, so I linger in it for a moment with my arm slung around his waist. I hate being away from him, but I know he hates it more. I don’t blame him. This is the shittiest place he’s lived, but he’s paying the owner of this trailer under the table to keep himself off the grid. He’s still hustling to get by, and here I am, lying in his arms wearing a goddamn Hermés coat that probably costs more than this crap-hole he lives in.

“It’s okay,” I assure him. “I’m sorry you’re stuck here, but it won’t be forever.”

“I’m beginning to wonder if it will.”

I swing my legs across his lap so that he can cradle me to his chest, and when I get comfortable in this new position, I tell him, “I met someone.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I think he’s interested.”

“You said that about the others. What makes you think this one is different?” he questions.

“I don’t know that he is, but it’s worth a shot, right?”

He doesn’t respond, and when I tilt my head back to look up at him, he locks eyes with me.

“I’m not giving up,” I say. “I need you to know that. I’ll do whatever it takes to get us that new beginning.”

He kisses me, slipping his hand behind my head to hold me close. The familiar taste of his clove cigarettes comforts me the way a blanket would a child. He’s my comfort. I’ve depended on him ever since I was a little girl. He’s protected me as an eight-year-old child and continues to, even though I’m now a twenty-eight-year-old woman.

The rough warmth of his tongue slides along mine, slowly, as he pulls back, ending our kiss.

“So who’s the unfortunate bastard?”

“His name’s Declan McKinnon. Bennett and I were at an event of his when I first met him.”

“What kind of event?” he asks.

“It was the opening of his hotel. He had a showy party with all the right names in attendance,” I tell him. “I don’t know much about him, but I do know that his father is a developer and has a long string of high-end hotels behind his name. I’m not sure how many Declan has his hands in, but that one for sure.”

“He seems too high profile,” he says as he shifts me off his lap and heads to the kitchen. “Beer?”

“Yeah.”

He pops the caps then hands me a bottle when he sits back down next to me.

“I know he’s not the ideal choice, and I wasn’t even going to mess with him, but he’s working with me on an event and we’re spending a lot of time together. I dunno . . .” I take a sip of my beer, and then add, “Time will only tell, but I can already see the intrigue. But I just met him, so I’m still trying to figure him out.”

“And what do you think so far?”

“I think he’s the type of guy who likes to have control. But at the same time, he seems amused when I get snarky with him. I already planted the seed that I’m a person that might need to be saved.” I laugh at the memory of being in his car just a couple hours ago. “I’m pretty sure he bought right into it. Stupid fool.”

“Has he touched you yet?” he clips.

“No, Pike. I’ve known the guy for a week; you know I don’t work that way. Men like to chase, so I’m gonna make him chase until he can’t resist.”

“You think he could possibly fall for you?”

“I’m hoping he does,” I tell him.

“I do too. I’m sick of living like this, babe. You have no idea,” he says as he clutches my face in his hands and looks me over. “Knowing that f*ck has his hands on you . . .”

“I don’t feel it.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not,” I say, but I am. I try so hard to not feel Bennett’s hands on me. I work at staving off any orgasm with him, and I hate myself when my body isn’t strong enough to fight it and he makes me come. It happens every now and then and the bile that rises is a burning reminder of the weakness that still lives inside of me. A weakness I continue to try to kill off, but Pike would be pissed if he knew, so I lie, allowing him to believe that only he has that part of me. The part his eyes are telling me he wants right now.

“Tell me you hate him, Elizabeth,” he grits as he crawls on top of me, pushing my back down on the couch.

“I hate him.”

With a near growl, he crashes his mouth to mine, and the beer slips out of my hand, clanking against the floor. His tongue invades my mouth, hands grab locks of my hair, body pressing hard against mine. He takes over me, grinding his hard dick between my legs as I start fiddling with the buttons on his jeans. Once undone, I shove them down, past his hips, and he yanks mine down as well. We move quickly and carelessly. He sits back and jerks the pants off one of my legs.

“Show me your tits,” he demands, looking down at me.

I pull my top off and unclasp my bra, tossing it aside, and his rough hands are on them quick. He then takes his cock and pulls off a couple hard pumps while he twists one of my nipples between his fingers, sending a shockwave straight to my belly.