ShaylaBlackDecadent1
ShaylaBlackDecadentDecadent
Twomenarebetterthanone…
Howcanavirginseekinghappily-ever-afterwithahotpopstarwhohasapenchantfor
threesomeswinherfantasyman?KimberEdgingtondesperatelyneedsaplantoconvinceJesseMcCall,who’sbeenherfriendandsecretcrushsincetheyspentasummertogetherasteenagers,thattheyaremeantforeachother.Butallthetabloidstoriesabouthissexualescapadesmakeherfeeloh-soinadequate.
Determinedtoproveshe’swomanenoughforJesse,KimberturnstobodyguardDekeTrentonforsexualeducation.Boldandbrash,DekewarnsKimberthatplaying2
withhimisplayingwithfire.Buthecan’tbeartoimaginetheinnocentbeautyinsomeoneelse’sarms.SoDekeandhissuper-sexyfriend,Luc,takeKimberundertheirwingsanddangerouslyclosetotheedgeofecstasy.Thoughshe’ssavedherselfforJesse,Kimbersoonlearns,he’snotthemanadeptatstokingheraching,endlessneed.
That’sDeke,andhecan’tresistwhenKimberbegsformore–andmore…
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER1
Normally,KimberEdgingtondidn’thaveproblemsaskingforafavor.Ifherfatherhappenedtobein
town,askinghimtopickupdrycleaningdidn’tdisturbher.Orbuggingoneofherbrotherstostopformilk,noproblem.
Today,shewasn’taskingherfamilyfortheirhelp.Andthisfavorsheplannedtorequestwasanythingbutaverage.Deepbreath.Shecoulddothis.No,shehadtodothisifshewantedtofulfillaseven-yearfantasy.
Easingoutofhercarandintothehumidafternoon,Kimberstudiedtheredbrickhouse.Fromthe
outside,itlookedwellgroomedwithariotofcolorfulazaleasandawell-manicuredlawn.
Elegantwithitspartialstonefa?ade,pristinewhitetrim,sweepingbalcony,andDoriccolumns.AndwithoutasinglenoisedisturbingthegreenEastTexas3
countryside,theplaceappearedsedate.Noonewouldguessexactlywhatdepravitieswentonhere.
Infact,Kimberhadcometodiscoverthemforherself.
Andseeifshecouldembracethem.
Curlinghershakinghandinafistaroundthestrapofherpurse,shegatheredhernerveand
approachedtheheavyoakdoor.Sparingapassingthoughtforthebeautyoftheinlaidstainedglass
windowofaseascape,sheknocked.
Perversely,shehopedDekeTrentonwouldn’tanswer.Ugh!Shehadn’tseenthemanin…what?Fiveyears?Maybemore.Kimberwishedlikehellshecouldgoforanotherfive—atleast—withouthaving
contactwithhim.Hiscrass,in-your-facewayofdoingeverythingmadeherwanttogrindherteeth
andtakehimdownapegortwo—orten.Whenshe’dbeenseventeen,he’drousedacuriositythat
scaredher,yetshe’dbeenunabletoignore.Theonetimeshe’dtriedtoactonitbyShaylaBlack
Decadentstartingasimpleconversation,he’drudelyrebuffedher.Foralongwhile,she’dhatedhimforit.
Now,insteadofavoidinghim,shewasgoingtohavetoaskhimforthefavorofalifetime.Andshe’ddowhateverittooktomakehimsayyes.
Tossingastrayauburncurlbehindhershoulder,Kimberresistedtheurgetocheckherlipglossagain.
Hermascarawasn’tsmudged;she’dglancedjustminutesago.Theolivecargopantshadbeena
stupidchoice,butonethatbroughthercomfort.She’doffsetthelookwithaprissy,breast-huggingwhiteeyelettop.Thelow,roundedneckoughttosnaghisattention.She’dpolishedoffthelookwithstrappywhiteheelssheknewmenloved,butdamnit,theymadetheballsofherfeetache.
Therewasn’tanyreasontoputthistaskoffforanotherminute.Withahardswallow,Kimber
knocked.
4
“Coming…”Amuffledmalevoiceannounced.
Deke?Ithadbeensolong,andshe’dblockedoutasmuchofthegratingmanasshecould.Butshe’dneverquiteforgottenhisrough,gravellyvoice.
Abattalionofbutterfliesjostledinherstomachassheheardthesoundofpaddingfootsteps
approachingthedoor.She’drehearsedthisspeech.Multipletimes.Dekewascutfromthesame
militaryclothasherfatherandbrothers.Theydidn’twantstallingorsugarcoating.Soshe’djust
throwitoutthere,hopefullywithoutscrewingitup.Abruptly,amanjerkedthedooropen.
Hewasn’tDeke.Notevenclose.
Inkyhairhangingloosearoundleanshoulders.Soulfuldarkeyes.Astrongjawdustedwithafive
o’clockshadow.AtightcharcoalgrayT-shirtandscrumptiouslyShaylaBlackDecadentfadedjeans
huggedatall,swimmer’ssortofbody.Themancouldmodelandmakeafortune.Helookedoddly
familiar,somaybehedid.
“CanIhelpyou?I’dbegladto.”Hisamusedsmilesaidhewasawareshe’dbeencheckinghimout
anddidn’tmindintheleast.He’ddonesomereciprocalscoping.
Kimberlaughed.Clearly,shehadn’tbeensubtleorgoodwithherdirections.
“I’msorry.IthinkI’matthewronghouse.I’mlookingforDekeTrenton.AndIguessI’vetakena
wrongturn…”
“Nope.You’reattherighthouse.CousinDekewillbebacksoon.”
“Dekeisyourcousin?”Thatpossibilitynearlymadeherjawdrop.
Intermsoflooks,thetwomenwerenightandday—literally.Theonebeforeherwasasultry,sexy
midnight,alldarkandwantonlooking.Dekewastawnyhairand5
skin,alldisciplineandhustleandhardnoon.
Heshrugged.“Secondcousins.TherearetimesI’dlikenottoclaimhim,buthedoespayhalfthebillssohehasaplacetocrashinbetweenassignments.I’m—”
“LucTraverson.Ohmigod!Irecognizeyoufromyourpictures.Ihaveseveralofyourcookbooks.”
“I’mflattered.”
Shesenthimaself-deprecatingsmile.“Oh,wow!Ilovethem…eventhoughI’mstilladisasterinthekitchen.”
Luc’sheartymalelaughresonatedinawarmechoinherbelly.Shelikedhimrightaway.Hewas
goodpeople,downtoearth,despitehissuccess.“What’syourname,sweetheart?”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“KimberEdgington.”Sheheldoutherhand.“You’rereallyDeke’scousin?”
“WhetherIlikeitornot.”Luctookit,caressingherhandmorethanshakingit.“Idon’tmeantokeepyououtontheporch.Doyouwanttocomeinandwaitforhim?
I’dloveyourbeautifulcompanywhileIfinishtonight’sroast.”Themanwasfullofsoutherncharm.
Kimberfeltimmediatelyatease.“Thanks.
Doyouexpecthimsoon?”
“Yes.Hecalledalittlebitagotosayhewasontheroad.”Lucsteppedbackandopenedthedoortoadmither.Kimberwanderedintothehouse,eyeswideopen
EverywhereshelookedclassicalandItalianinfluencesreigned…butwithaninterestingmixofrusticcabinandmoderntechnology.Distressedhardwoodfloorswithwarm-shadedplasterwalls.Cognac
leatherchairswithwroughtirontables—
andafiftyinchplasmaTV.Tastefulandplush…butstillverymasculine.
6
“Isuspecthe’llbehereintenminutesorso.”Lucsentheraslygrin.“Justenoughtimetobribeyouwithraspberryicedteaandfreshpeachscones,soyou’lltellmewhatonearththatassholehasdonetoearnasurprisevisitfromabeautylikeyou.”
Hersmilefell.Themission.Howquicklyapairofmagneticdarkeyesandafewsuavewordsnearly
madeherforget…Apartofhercouldhardlybelieveherreasonforcominghere.Itwaswild.Crazy.
Gutsy.Imperativetoherfuture.AndLucwasn’twormingthetruthoutofher,nomatterhowdelicioushissconeswere.
DekewouldprobablytellLuctheminutehelaughedheroutthedoor,anyway.
“I’mjustteasing.Noneedtobegrim.Youdon’thavetotellmeathing,”heassured,hisvoicesmokyandintimate.Theteasingexpressionhadbeenreplacedbythecomfortofhisdark,solemneyes.
“Sorry.”Kimberdidherbesttosmile.“I’malittle…”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Nervous?”heprompted,leadingherintoabrightkitchen.
“Thehouseisgorgeous,especiallythekitchen,”shebreathed,happyforareasontochangethe
subject.
Richcherrycabinetswithfurnituredetailing,aEuropeanfeel,andstainlesshardware,backsplashes,andappliances.Agorgeousmixoftheoldandnew.Thesix-burnergasstove,granitecountertops,
anddoubleovensmadethisachef’sdream.Luclookedperfectlyathomehere.
“Thanks.Dekedidn’thelpmedecorate,incaseyouwerewondering.”Hewinked
Dekedecorating?Theveryideamadeherlaugh.Dekewouldhanggunracksandlitterthefloorwith
shellcasings.Inhiseyes,infraredbinocularswouldbetheperfectcoffeetableconversationpiece.
TVtrays,anyoldcouch,andabankofsecuritycameras,period.He’dneverneedanythingelsefor
entertainment.
7
“That,I’dbelieve.Youdidthis?”
“Withalittlehelpfromafriendwho’saninteriordecorator.”
“It’sreallylovely.”
Hesentheraconsideringsmile.“Gladyoulikeit.Raspberrytea?”Whattheheckwasthatexpressionabout?“Sure.Thanks.”Lucplacedhishandatthesmallofherbackandguidedhertoawroughtironchairwithplush,mossy-shadedcushions.Histouchwarmedher.Kimberhadnodoubtthatplentyof
womenfoundthewell-knownchefsexy.Hewas.Butsomethingabouthimalsosetheratease.He
cookedanddecoratedandmadeherfeelimmediatelycomfortable.Maybehewasgay.Another
glanceathim,andsheShaylaBlackDecadentrevisedthatthought.Doubtful.Hewasjustnaturallypoliteandeasygoing.Totallyunlikehiscousin.Dekehadalwayssetheronedge,evenbeforehello.
“SoyouknowDeke?”Lucasked,handingheratallglass.
“Oh,yeah.”Shegavehimatightsmile.“Heandmyfatherareinthesamelineofwork.Infact,he
usedtoworkformydad.”
Kimbertookasipoftheteaandmoaned.“Wow.Thisisgreat!”Lucfrowned,thenrecognition
dawned.“Ah,you’reColonelEdgington’sdaughter?”
Shenodded.“Deke’smentionedme?”
“Notbyname.Mostlyhe’stalkedaboutyourfather.I’llhavetokickhisassforthatoversight.You’readoll.”Hesatinthechairbesidehersandsmiled,dripping8
charm.“Ifhewashoardingyoualltohimself,I’mgoingtobeveryunhappywithhim.”
Aheatedfeelingcreptupherneck,tohercheeks.Ablush?Sheneverblushed.
Ever!ButLucandhissmoothtongueweren’tsomethingshe’deverencounteredinheryearsof
dealingwithnothingbutmilitarymen.
“I’llbetyouflatteralotofladiesrightoutoftheirpanties.”Aghostofasmilehoveredaroundhislushmouth.Buthedidn’tanswer.“DidDekeknowyouwerecomingtoday?”
“Hedidn’t.Andhehasn’tbeenhoardingme.Trustme,Ihaven’tseenhiminyears.IthinkIwasstillinhighschoolthelasttimewemet.”ShaylaBlackDecadentSurpriseflashedacrossLuc’sdark,
sensualfeatures.“Sooutoftheblue,youdecidetosurpriseamanwho,unlessI’mtotallyoffbasehere,youaren’treallyfondof.Anythingwrong?”
Kimberpaled.Damn,he’dfiguredthatoutquick.“I—IjustneedtotalktoDeke.
It’s…urgent.”
#
Dekehoveredjustoutsidethekitchen,jawclenched.Damn,he’dknowthatsweet,little-girlvoice
anywhere.High-pitched,lilting,usuallydeliveredwithahintofmischief.KimberEdgington.Shemadehisdickitchforaction.Alwayshad.Everydayhe’dworkedfortheColonel,he’dseenher.Justthesoundofhervoicehadbeenenoughtosendamadrushofbloodstraighttohiscock.Oneglance
fromthosesweethazeleyesmadehimasreadyasajackhammer.
9
Adjustinghimself,Dekegrimaced.Damnit,shestillhadthatpower.Atleastshewasn’tseventeen
anymore,temptingamanwhowasoldenoughtoknowbetterandnearlytoohornytocare.Fiveyears
ago,he’dquitworkingforherfatherbeforehe’ddonesomethingstupid.Somethinghewassurehe’d
regreteverybitasmuchasshewould.Butwhythefuckwassheherenow?Hell,onlyonewayto
findout…
Shegaspedashesteppedintothekitchen.Dekeleanedagainstthekitchenislandtohidehisraginghardon.ByLuc’samusedsmile,heknewhewasn’tfoolinghiscousin.ButitwasKimber’sfacehe
focusedon.Morematurelines.Fullerlips.Thefreckleshadfaded.Sheworeahintofmakeup.The
airofinnocenceremained,stillbeggingcorruption.
Dekewouldbeteverylastmedalhe’deverearnedthatshewasstillavirgin.
Crazy.Thegirlhadtobetwenty-two,twenty-three.Inhisgut,though,DekeknewShaylaBlackDecadenthewasright.Shit!Hehadtogetherthefuckoutofhere.Fast.Head-spinningdesireandvirginitywereabadcombination.
“Kimber.”Hisvoicesoundedlikeground-upgravel.Heresistedtheurgetowince.
“Deke.”
Hisnamefellfromherglossy,rosylips.Thehuskysoundonlymadehimharder.
Thenshebithercushylowerlip,andallhecouldthinkaboutwaswatchinghisdickslideoverthatlip,thendeepinsidethewetsilkofhermouthwhileshelookedupathimwiththoseinnocenteyes.
Ifhedidn’tstopthinkinglikethis,hewasgoingtohavetogointothebathroomandjackoffbeforehecouldhaveadecentconversationwiththegirlsohecouldsendheronherway.
10
“Hi,”shebreathedintotheawkwardsilence.
“It’sbeenawhile.”
Shenodded.Itwasjerky,nervous.Hehadn’theardmuchofLuc’sconversationwithKimber,just
enoughtoknowhiscousinhadsomewhacked-outimaginingthathe’dbeenkeepingthebeautyto
himself.AndthatKimberthoughtshehadanurgentreasontobehere.Sincetheyonlyhadone
acquaintanceincommon,thishadtobeabouttheColonel.
“Iseverythingallrightwithyourdad?”
“He—he’sfine.Thanks.”Shepastedonasmile.“Hesayssomepsychoex-convicthehelpedbringin
foraclientisoutnowandthreateninghim,butthat’snothingnew.”
Intheirlineofwork?“No,it’snot.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentFinally,hiserectionabatedenoughforhimtocrosstheroomandplant
himselfatthefussyItaliantable.Asmilestilltuggedatthecornerofhiscousin’smouth,andDekesenthimawarningglare.
“IheardyoutellLucyouhadsomethingurgenttotalktomeabout.It’snotabouttheColonel?”
“No.It’s…”Kimber’slashesswepttowardhercheeksasshelookeddown,bitherlipagain.
Damnit,herunconscious,innocentflirtationsweremakinghimhardallover.
Hergazebouncedbackup,andhesawfortitudethere.
Interesting…
“It’spersonal.”
11
Personal?Dekehadnoideawhattosay.She’dcometohimforsomethingpersonal?He’ddonehisbesttobeanasstoherwhenhe’dworkedforherfather.
Nottoodifficultwhenhe’dbeenknottedupbysexualfrustrationonadailybasis.
Amomentpassedinsilence.Apause.
LucroseandapproachedKimber.“I’llgiveyoukidsafewminutesalone.Ihavetomakeaphone
call,anyway.There’smoreraspberryteainthefridge.Don’tletMr.
Glowerscareyouoff.”Hegrabbedherhandandkissedit.“Anddon’tleavewithoutsayinggood-
bye.”
Dekewatchedtheexchange,andrealizedthathewasgrindinghisteeth.Bastard.
Kimberwaseverythinghiscousinpursuedwithsingle-mindedvigor:thepromiseofsweetness,white
lace,andinnocentsighs.Thefactshehadahealthyhintofredinherhairwasjustabonus.
ShaylaBlackDecadentNotthiswoman.Notthistime.IfKimberwasofflimitstohim,Lucwasn’tgettingapieceofherass,either.
ThemutedslamofadoordownthehallletDekeknowhiscousinwassafelyensconcedinhisoffice.
HeturnedhisattentionbacktoKimber.“Goahead.I’mlistening.”
“Icametoaskyouforafavor.Irealizethisisoddbut…”Shedrewinashakysigh,thenraisedherchin,seemingtotakehernervesinhand.Amomentlater,shesenthimadirectstare.“Wouldyou
teachmeaboutsex,thewayyoulikeit?”Generally,Deke’sexpressionconveyednoneofhis
thoughts.Hislineofworkmadeapokerfaceessential.ButKimberhadhisjawdroppingonthisone.
Hecouldn’thavebeenmorestunnedifshe’daskedhimtodigaholethesizeoftheGrandCanyon
withhisbarehands.
12
“What?”
“Iwanttolearnaboutthewayyouliketohavesex.”Thewayhelikedtohavesex?Likeitwassomeforeignfuckingplanet?
Somethingherewaswrong.Verywrong.VirginalKimbercouldn’tpossiblywantwhathewanted.It
shouldn’tevenbeinhervocabulary.Hell,maybeitwasn’t.Sheprobablydidn’thavethefaintestideawhatshewasaskingfor.
Withthatsoberingthought,irritationdousedhismanners,andheshookhishead.“Whythefuckwouldyouwantthat?”
Kimberdidn’tbataneyelashathislanguage.Dekegavehercreditforthat—andhavingthegutsto
comehereinthefirstplace.GrowingupwiththeColonelandtwoolderbrothers,likelyshe’dheardeveryfour-letterwordknowntoman,andafewthey’dprobablymadeupontheirown.Hewondered
whereshe’dcomeupShaylaBlackDecadentwiththefortitudetoaskhimto…what?Behersexual
tutor?Hedamnnearsnortedatthethoughtofallthethingshe’dliketoshowher.
“Ithinkit’stimeIexpandmyhorizons,”sheexplainedinabreezy,practicedmanner.“Andforall
yourbrashattitude,you’reanhonorableguy.You’dneverhurtme—”
“WhichisexactlywhyI’mgoingtosaynotoyoubeforeyougetanyfartherinthatlittlespeech.”
“Ihaven’tfinished.”
“Youshouldn’thavestarted.”
“Ineedyourknowledge.Ihavetoknowhowtopleaseamanwithyourwants.”Hiswants.Asifit
waseasy.Asifhecouldjustdrawherapicture.Heheldina13
bitterlaugh.“Letmegetthisstraight:Youwanttolearnhowtofuckme,butyouhavenocluewhatthatmeans,doyou?”
Shebristled.“Ido.You’reintoménage.”Howthehellhadshelearnedthat?Surprising.Perplexing.
Disturbing.Sodamnarousing.
Butthewayshesaidthewordménage,likeitscaredthehelloutofher.Dekelaughed.Longandhearty,outloudandtotallyatherexpense.“Kitten,you’reinwayoveryourhead.”
“Pleasedon’ttreatmelikeachild.I’mnotthemostexperiencedwoman.Sowhat?
Everyonestartsfromscratch.I’mtryingtolearn.I’mnotaskingyouforacommitmentoralotofyourtime.I’mtalkinganeveningortwo.What’syourhang-up?”
ShaylaBlackDecadentSothelittlekittenstillhadclaws.Hefoundthatwildlyexciting.She’dlookmightyfinespreadoutonthisgleamingroundtable,partedlegsdangling,swollenpussyopentohim,whileshemewled,apantawayfromorgasm…
Heclearedhisthroatandforcedhimselftofocus.“Forgetforaminutethatyouonlyhaveavague
ideawhatyou’reaskingfor.Let’sgettothebiggerquestion:Why?Whydoyouwanttolearnabout
ménage?”Kimberfoldedherhandsinfrontofherandhesitated.Shewastryingtodecidehowmuchtotellhim,formulatinganddiscardingplans.Hegaveheraminutetogetherheadtogether.Hecouldwait.Itwouldn’ttakelongforhimtogettothebottomofallthisshit.
“Youmaybeawarethat,shortlybeforeyoucametoworkformyfather,hehadbeenguardingJesse
McCall.”
14
“Yeah.”Heshrugged.
“JesseandI…becameveryclosethatsummer.Wesharedaspecialconnection.
Youcouldsayourromanceblossomed.We’vebothdatedotherpeople,butit’sjustnotthesame.And
ourrelationshiphasonlygrownstrongerovertheyears.We’vekeptinconstanttouchviae-mailandphonecalls.Weshareourhopesandwishesanddreams.I’vehadalotofyearstothinkabouthim,
aboutus,andIbelievehe’stheoneforme.”
Someonehandhimabarfbag.Shehonestlybelievedthat,whileJessewaschurningouthitsand
bangingadifferentwomanoneverystopofhisconcerttour,theirfriendshiphadsomespecial
significanceinhislife?Hesupposeditwaspossible—onthetwelfthofneverfollowingabluemoon
rightafterhellfrozeover.
“Isee,”hedrawled.“SowhatdoIhavetodowithallthis?”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Well,aboutsixmonthsago,wetalkedaboutourrelationshipatlength.ItoldhimIthoughthewastheone.”Shebitherlip,hesitated.“Hetoldmethathecaresformeverymuch,butthathis…lifestylewouldshockme.”Basedonwhatthetabloidsprinted?“Itwould.”
“I’veseenthepicturesofhimwithdifferentwomen.I’veheardtherumorsthathe’sbeenintothis
wholeménagescene.IknowwhatIneedtodotohaveafuturewithhim.Hesayshedoesn’twanttotaintmeandthinksIcouldn’tcope.IneedtoprovetohimthatIcanbeeverythingheneeds.”Holyshit.Wasshecompletelyoutofhermind?Shewantedhimtotutorherinpleasuringthepretty-boycroonerandsomeunknownasshole.Didshereallystillhaveateenagecrushonthecelebrity,thekindthatmadehersquealeachtimesheheardhisname?Animmediatedenialbitintohisgut.
15
“SoyouthinkI’llteachyou,you’llsnarehim,andwe’llalllivehappilyeverafter?”Kimberbristled.
“Ithinkit’swisetogotoJessepreparedtopleasehimandproveIcanbethatspecialpersoninhislife.”
“Howisthisurgent?”
“He’sbeeninEuropeforthelastfewyears.I’vemissedhimterribly.Buthe’sfinallycomingbacktotheStates.BacktoTexas,butjustforafewmonths.We’vemadeplanstoseeeachother,findout
whereourrelationshipisgoing.It’smychancetoprovetohimwestillhavethatspecialconnection.”
Specialconnection?Whatthefuckwasthatsupposedtomean?
“Firstofall,theguyisaninternationalpopstar.He’shadsomethinglikethreenumber-onealbumsinthelasttwoyears.He’sgotwomenfallingalloverhim.Andyouknowit.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentSheraisedherchin.Pride.Shehaditinspades.Justanotherthingthatmadehimhardforher.
“WhichisexactlywhyIcan’taffordtogounprepared.I’mawareofthecompetitionforhistimeandattention.I’mawarethatI’mnotasworldlyasthegroupieswhohangaroundhim.Butthereisaconnectionbetweenus.Iwanttotakeittothenextlevel.Ithinkhedoestoo,butisafraidofhurtingme.”
“Secondofall,you’rewaytooinnocentforthis.”
“That’swhyI’maskingforyourhelp.Irefusetogotohimandruntheriskofseeminglikeachild.
Whytheinterrogation?Howdifficultcanthisbe?”
“YouthinkIcandrawyouafuckingpicture,andthat’sgoingtotellyouallyouneedtoknowaboutménages?”
16
“Iwaspreparedforanexplanation,maybeademonstration…depending.”Un-frigging-believable.
“Anexplanationwoulddojacksquatforyou,kitten.Itwouldn’thelpyoupreparethewayyou’dneedto.Ademonstrationwouldblowyouaway.”
Shefrowned,herfrustrationclearlyrisingasfastashisarousal.“Ifthat’sthecase,Ineedtoknowitnow,beforeIcommittoJesse.Asmalldemonstration—”
“Wouldmakeyourunscreamingoutofheresofast,itwouldsetrecords.Youcouldn’thandlethis.”
“Why?Doesitincludebondageorwhipping?”
Deke’seyeswidenedinsurprise.Kimberevenknewaboutsuchthings?
“Don’tlooksodamnshocked.I’mnotachildanymore.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Maybenot.Butyou’reavirgin.I’dbetmylifeonit.”
“Yes.Sowhat?I’vesavedthatforJesse.”Shetossedaglossycurlbehindhershoulderandactedasifatwenty-somethingwomanannouncingshe’savirginwasthemostnormalthingintheworld.
“Deke,Iknowyoudon’towemeanything,butI’maskingasnicelyasIknowhowforyourhelp.”
“Fuckhowyouasked.Yeah,itwasnice.Whatever.It’sadamnstupidrequest.”
“Ifyou’reworriedaboutmyfatherbeingangry—”
“Hell,yes,he’llbeangry.ButthathasnothingtodowithwhyI’msayingno
Kimber,thisisn’tthesortofsexavirginhas.”Shepaused,pondering.Thenshestood.“Okay,Igetit.
Idon’t…lightyourfireorwhatever.Fine.I’llfiguresomethingelseout.”17
Heshouldletherbelievethatandlethergo,butDekecouldn’t.Shehadtounderstandthatshelithisfire—andwasnowplayingwithit.
Dekestoodandblockedherpath.“Youthinkyoudon’tlightmyfire?”Helookeddowntowardhis
cock,thickandhardandstrainingthefrontofhisjeans.Amomentlater,hergazefollowedsuit.Herlittlegasponlymadehimharder.“Kitten,youhavenoideathethoughtsthathavebeenrunning
throughmymindsinceyourrequestthatIteachyouallaboutsexfelloutofthatpretty,fuckable
mouth.Idoubtyouwanttoknow.”
Freshcolorstoleuphercheeks.Sheglancedathiscrotchagain.Bitherlip.Shedidthatwhenshewasnervousandthinking.
“Yes,Ido,ifithasanythingtodowithsexthewayyoulikeit.ThewayJesselikesit.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentAnnoyancespikedinDeke.IfheevertouchedKimber,bigif,shewouldn’tbethinkingaboutthatpansy-asspopstar.She’dbetoodamnbusycoming.
Butsayingnotoherfeltlikehewasturninghisballsinsideout.Hell,shewasservingherselfuponaplatterforhislust.Thelusthe’dbeenharboringforoverfiveyears.Lustthatcreatedanaggingacheinhiscockandclawedathisguttobequenched.
Innocent.Virgin.Danger!
Timetoputastoptothisnow.Shethoughtshewasadultenoughtohandleménage?Yeah…Hecould
scareheroffinabouttwoseconds.Andhe’dbetter,beforehedidsomethingcrazylikegrabher,
touchher,drivehertothebrink,thenstuffherfullofcock.
“ThesexIlikeisn’tsweetorprettyorromantic,kitten.It’sraw,sometimesalittle18
painfulforawoman.Itcanrequireaspineofsteelandalotofstamina.”Kimbertensed,swallowedagain.Shewasnervous—butintrigued.Curiosityswirledinthoseprettyhazeleyes.Finally,she
nodded.“Goon.”Dekesteppedcloser.Hecouldn’tresist.Nowhecouldsmellher.Peachesand
brownsugarandahintoffemalearousal.Werehiswordsmakingherhot—orwasitknowingshe
couldturnhimonthatgotherwet?
Anotherfootforward,andheleanedintoherpersonalspace,puttinghislipsnearherear.“Inmy
bedroom,ménagemeanstwomensimultaneouslypoundingawomantoorgasmanddrivingherso
insane,sheforgetshernameandscreamstheroofdown.”
Dekeleanedawaytogaugeherreaction.Hermouthopenedonasilentgasp,butnosoundcameout.
Hereyeswidened,pupildilatingjustasquickly.Oh,shit.OnShaylaBlackDecadentsomegutlevel,theideaappealedtoher?Hiscockwasreadytodothetango,despitehisbraindoingitsbesttoshutoffthemusic.
“Helpmeunderstand.Foryou,whyménage?”shebarelymanagedtowhisper.
“Whynotmakelovetoawoman,youknow…justthetwoofyou.”
“Twomencanmakeawomancomesoutterlyundone,she’swillingtodoanythingforherlovers’
pleasure.AndIgetoffhavingafront-rowseat.”Morecolorbloomedinherface.Thescentoffemalearousalnowhungheavyintheair.Hernipplespeaked,evenashertonguedancednervouslyacross
herlips.
“Iunderstand.”
Hisgutclenchedatthesightofthatlittlepinktongue.“Doyou?”
“I’veheardaboutsuchthings.Readthem.Physically,Iunderstandhowthat19
works.Um…what—whataboutemotionalbonds?”
“Emotionalbonds?”
HemustbefromMars,becausethatquestionwasdefinitelyfromVenus.Whataboutthecuriosity
he’dexpected?Stufflike:Wheredidthecocksgo?Howdidawomanhandletwomenatonce?
Thosehecouldanswer.Indetail.He’dloveclueingherinabouttheduelingslideofdicks,oneinhertightpussy,theotherinheruntriedass.
Damn,hehadtostopthinkinglikethisbeforehisjeansstrangledhiserection.
“Howdoyoumakerelationshipsworkwithoutpettyjealousyinterfering?”
“There’snorelationship.Justsex…anywayitcanbeaccomplishedinthrees.”ShaylaBlack
Decadent
“Oh.”Sheblinked,thenlookedaway.“Ishouldhaverealized…you’renottherelationshiptype.”
“Lustworksjustfineforme.”Anythingmorehadcatastrophicpotential.Beenthere,donethat—and
hedidn’twanttothinkaboutthenightmarethathadhappenednext.
“Well,withyou,lustworksfineforme,too.I—Ijustwanttolearnwhateveryoucanteachme.”
Still?“Areyouserious?”
Kimberclutchedatherpurseandsquaredherfemininelittleshoulders.“Idroveoverahundredmilestodaytotalktoyou,amanIhaven’tseeninfiveyears.Onewho’sneverlikedmemuch.IswallowedmypridetoadmittoyouwhyIwantthisandthefactI’mstillavirgin.WouldIhavebotheredifIwasn’tveryseriousabout20
learningtopleaseJesseanddecidingifthisissomethingIwantinmylife?”Jesse.Therewastheprick’snameagain,rightfromhermouth.StupidBackstreetBoyscopycatsonofabitch.Heandhis
melodiousfalsettoconstantlytoppedthecharts.Dekecouldn’timaginewhyanymanwantedtosound
likeafemalewiththewholeworldlistening.
“I’mnotthemanforthejob,Kimber.I’mnotdoingit.”Herlipstensed.Herfingerstightenedaroundherpursestrap.“Whynot?”
“Amillionreasons.Idon’tdovirgins.Period.”
“Ididn’taskyoutodome.Infact,IwanttosavemyvirginityforJesse.Idon’tknowwhyyou’dsaynotoatleastsomeexplanationsofthe…actsinvolved.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Becauseexplanationsaren’tgoingtocutit,kitten.Youwon’tknowwhatyou’vegottenyourselfintountilyou’regettingpoundedbyapairofhardcocks.”
“Tellmewhatyoumean.Poundedwhereexactly?Inwhatway?Withtheintenttocreatepain?”
Hisassertionhadn’tshockedherintheleast.Herquestionsstunnedthehelloutofhim.Wasn’tshefreaked?Hesurethehellwas.
“I’mnothavingthisconversationwithyou.Youwanttolearnaboutménages,keepreading.”
“Asyoupointedout,wordsaren’tasubstituteforrealexperience.”
“Thenletthegirl-voicedprettyboygiveyoutheexperience.Itwon’tbeme.”
“Fine.”Shemaneuveredaroundhim.“Ifyoudon’twanttohelpme,letmethink…
21
Whodidyouhangoutwithwhenyouworkedformydad?Oh,AdamCatrell.Irememberhearing
whispersabouthim.Helivesnearhere,doesn’the?I’lljustgolookhimup.Andifhe’snot
interested,wasn’tJustinWheelerafriendofyours,too?
Hemightbewillingtohelpme.Seeyoulater.”Sheboltedtowardthedoor.
Dekebristled.Oh,yeah.BothAdamandJustinwouldbemorethanhappytohelpher—rightoutof
herclothesandrightontoherback.Butneitherwasknownforbeinggentle.Virginitywouldn’tmeanadamnthingtoeitherofthem.They’dseefresh,sweetmeatanddivein,teethbared,likehungry
dogs.
It’sherchoice…herproblem.Deketriedtotellhimselfthat.Yeah,butifhejustletherwalkoutthedoornow,she’dgetmauledbythatpairofravenousrottweilers.
Thethoughtreallypissedhimoff.She’dbeoverwhelmedinminutes…andforsomedamnreason,he
justcouldn’tletthathappen.ResidualloyaltytotheColonelorsomething.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDamn.Hewasgoingtohavetodissuadeherfrompursuingthispathbeforehesentheronherway.Grindinghisteethtogether,hementallysortedthroughthewaysinwhichhecoulddothat.Theywere,unfortunately,limited.Andsofar,talkinghadn’tdonejackshit.
Timeforaction.
Dekegrabbedherarmandpulledheragainsthim.Herbreasts,sweetandfirm,burnedhisskinasif
hisshirtdidn’texist.Hehissedatthecontact.Fuck!Thegirlhadalwaysgottentohim.Fiveyearslater,heraffectwasonlymorepronounced.
Kimbergaspedastheirbodiesbrushed.Hergazeskittereduptohis.Awarenessburnedacrossher
face,glowedinthosedilatedhazeleyes.Fromherexpression,Dekewonderedifthiswasthefirst
timeshe’dfeltsomethingforhimbeyondannoyance.Thepossibilitywasn’tcomforting.
Thisplanbettertakethreeminutesorless…
22
“Wait.”Hisfingerstightenedonherarmbeforeheforcedhimselftorelaxhisgrip.“Igetthatyou’reserious.I’mreconsideringyourrequest.Butithastobeallhands-ondemonstration.”
Sheswallowed.Herpulsejumped.God,shehadnoideahowperilouslycloseshewastobeinglaid
outonthekitchentableforhisafternoonsnack.
“Okay.Whowould,um…joinus?”
Luctookthatcuetosaunterintothekitchen,withasultrysmileandahard-onthatwasimpossibletomiss.Sohisgoodol’cousinhadbeenlistening?DeketurnedKimbertofacehim.
“Hi,sweetheart,”Lucdrawled.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekefeltKimbertrembleinhisarmsasshemethiscousin’sstare.Hefought
aninstincttosootheher.Thepointwastoshowherexactlywhatshewasgettinginto,makeitsofastandfurious,she’ddismisstheplanonherown.Comfortingthegirlwasthelastfuckingthinghe
shoulddo.
“YouandDekeshare…?”Hervoiceshook.
“Wedo.”
Evenherexhalationtrembled.Shewasnervous.Good.
Finally,somethinghadgottentoher.Nowitwastimetorampupherhesitationintoafull-blownno
DekeglancedupatLuc,senthimawarningexpressionandanod.Hiscousinrespondedwithaghost
ofasmile,thenstrolledtowardthem.
23
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER2
Kimbershook,despiteDeke’shugehandsonhershoulders,steadyingher.
Burningher.
Theideaoftwomenseemedwild,daring—somethingoutofasexynovel.Nowabouttobecomeher
reality.Couldshehandleit?Couldsheacceptitasapermanentpartofherlife?
Lucstrodeslowlyinherdirection,wearingashark’ssmileandahungrystare.
Excitementanderoticfearsuckedtheairoutofherlungs.Dekewasright:Wordscouldn’tpossibly
prepareherfortherealityofthesetwomen.Hehadbarelytouchedher;Lucwasstilltwofeetaway.
Thetestosteroneoozingintheroomwasalreadyoverloadinghersenses,makingherbrainbuzz.Her
nervessizzledsohot,shetrembled.
24
Beingavirgin,Kimberwasabitintimidated.Butnotscared.Nervous…yes,butitwasn’tgoingto
stopher.ShehadtoknowifshecouldbethewomanJesseneeded,ifshecoulddealwiththetouchoftwomenatonce.Hercalmwasprobablytheresultofbeingraisedbymission-mindedmen.Fear
wasn’tanoption.Justdoit.
Butcuriosity…yes.Suddenly.WhatwoulditbeliketohaveDeke’srawpowerandLuc’splayful
finessedevotedtoherpleasureatthesametime?Sheburnedtoknowthatanswer.Wantchurnedin
herbelly,alongwithcuriosityandfascination,tocreateapotentbrew.
Stop.Sheswallowed,rememberingwhyshewashere.Theanswertoherquestionwasirrelevant.Itdidn’tmatterhowDekeandLucmadeherfeel.ShewasheretolearnforJesse,sohewouldseeher
asawoman.Someonehecouldmakehiswomanwhenheheldherandsharedherwith…Whodidhesharewith?BandShaylaBlackDecadentmembers?Otherfans?Jessehadrefusedtogiveherdetails
aboutthesexlifethetabloidsallcalledluridandbeyondshocking.
ThenLuctouchedher,hishandsslidingontoherhips.ThequestiondissipatedundertheslowburnofhisfingersashegrippedhergentlyandturnedherbacktoDeke.Overhershoulder,hergazecollidedwithLuc’s.Withhisholdonher,heeasedheragainsthim,herbacktohischest—hisveryhealthy
erectionnudgingher.
ShebarelyhadtimetoreactwithhotshockandablisteringcurlofdesireinherbellybeforeDeke’sfingerstangledinherhairandhedraggedhergazebacktohisblueeyes,themesmerizingcolorof
barelywasheddenim.
“Kimber,”Dekegrowled.“You’replayingwithfire,littlegirl.Getreadytoburn.”Hisfists
tightened.Withoutfurtherwarning,hedescended.Withonetouchofhis25
mouth,hebreachedandinvadedherlips,dazzlinghersensesasheslidhistongueinsideand
dominatedeverythinghetouched.Alanguoroussweep,alingeringslide.
She’dexpectedDeke’skisstobeharsh,tothepoint,withnoconcessiontoherinexperience.Notso.
Hungryanddemanding,yes.Butgood.Sogood.Awildtangleoflipsandbreathsandhunger.
Kimberhadbeenkissed,butneverlikethis.Neverwithouthesitationoraninvitation.Dekedidn’t
botherwitheither.Suddenly,heretreated,leavingbehindanacheshealreadycouldn’tfight.Oh,God.Andhistaste.Spicyandmale.Addicting.
Kimbercravedmore.Inasinglekiss,hestrippedherdefenses,turnedherbodyinsideout,stolehercontrol.
Hislipsbrushedhersagain,andKimberopenedtohimalittlemore.Hesankin,deeperthanbefore.
Hetasted,teased,withdrew.No!Sheneededmore,andShaylaBlackDecadentpressedherpalmsupthesolidslabsofhischest,whereshefelthisheartbeatingwildlyunderherpalm.
Dekerewardedherwithanotherflirtycaressofhislips,whichmeltedoverhersintoafirmtaking,awildpossession.Thoughshe’dbeenexpectinghim,thespicedslideofhistonguestillblindsidedherdefenses.Herhandsrosefromhischesttohishair.Shetriedtograbtheveryshortstrandswithherfistsandpullhimcloser,buthishair,likethemanhimself,waselusive.Shecraved.Sheclawed.
Barelybreathing,dizzy,shereveledasheatcurledinherbelly.Hernipplestightened.
Wild.Sogood…
Ahotpalmcurledaroundherarmandslidupwardinanunhurriedcaress.Luc.
She’dalmostforgotten…Butwhenhemovedcloser,theheatofhischestblanketingherback,his
hardnessstillpressedagainstherbackside,hebecameimpossibletoignore.
26
Withasweepofhishand,hebrushedthehairoffherneck.Thegentlepressofhiswarmmouthand
hotbreathfelltherenext,likesoftrainonsensitiveskin.
Sensationsexploded,tinglesskittered.Sheshivered,butLuccontinued.Herferociousresponse
stimulatedhersensesrightinconcertwiththesoft,raggeddemandsofDeke’skiss.
Stronghandsslidupherribs.Lucagain.Teasingfingersbrushedthesidesofherbreasts.Unexpectedsensationsboltedstraighttohernipples,makingthembeyondhard.Shemoaned—rightintoDeke’s
nextkiss.Hetookthesoundintohisgreedymouth,tiltinghishead,positioninghislipsoverhersperfectlyanddelvingdeepforalong,lingeringstay.
Kimbermelted,mewled.Sheburned,justlikeDekewarned.Asdesireswampedher,herblood
heatedtoblisteringtemperatures.Andsheached.More.More!
ShaylaBlackDecadentClutchingherhips,Dekearchedintoher,pressinghisimpressiveerection
intoherinamovedeliciouslysuggestiveofsex.Itdidn’tsootheher—onlyinflamed.Shemoaned.
Bendingattheknees,hegrabbedherthighsandliftedherofftheground.KimberbarelyhadtimetogaspbeforehepushedherbackintoLuc,whosedicknowpressedeventighteragainsther.Buthe
wasn’tdone…
Deketoreoffherpantsandherthong,thenspreadherlegs,holdingthemwidewithhishugehands.
Luchelpedhimbysupportingherkneesinthecrooksofhisarms,whichheldheropentohiscousin.
Heartpoundingsofastshecouldn’thearanythingbutitsfranticbeating,KimberwatchedasDeke
lookedather,allspreadoutlikealiving,breathinginvitationbeforehim,thosedarkblueeyes
shimmeringwithscorchingheat.
Hepaused,waited.Stared.Drovehercrazywithanticipationandbroilingwant.
27
“Deke…”
“Keepheropen,”hetoldLuc.
Thenheslippedbetweenherspreadthighsandnotchedhisdenimcoveredcockrightagainstherwet
folds.Intimately.Atthecontact,herclitjumped,thenpulsedgreedily.Dekegrabbedherhips,takingherfromLuc’sgrip.Hewrappedherlegsaroundhishipsandherockedagainstheragain.Kimber
criedout.Masturbationwasneverthissharporintense.Decadent.Overwhelming.
Beforeshecouldassimilateorthinkbeyondtheirnexttouch,Luc’shandsslidfromherribcagetoherabdomen,thenup.Straightup.Heenvelopedherbreastsinhishotpalms.Kimbermeltedonalong
moan.Histhumbsandforefingerspinchedhergently,butthejoltofdesirejumpedallthewaytoherclit.Hernipplessprangtopainfultightnessathistouch,andheraspedatthemwithhisthumbs.
ShaylaBlackDecadentIttookKimberamomenttorealizethatDekewaswatchingLucfondleher,
hisstarenearlyblackwithhunger.Aquickglanceup,andthoseburningeyespromisedtodevourher.
Thickneedslidthroughherbelly,punchinghergutwithasharpspearofarousal.
“It’sgottocomeoff.”Hereachedforthebottombuttonofhershirtwithonehand.
“Now,”Lucagreed,andtogether,theysetheronthecounter.Amomentlater,Lucgraspedthetop
buttonandtoreintoit.
Malehandsworkedatherlittlebuttons,cursing,exposinghertotheirdevouringgazessorapidly,shecouldbarelyassimilate.Shewatched,dazed,herskintootightonherachingbodyuntilallthebuttonscamefreeoftheirmoorings.AsLucpulledtheshirtoffoneshoulder,Dekepeeleditofftheotherandraisedhisgazetohers.
28
Intense.Ferocious.Determined.Afistofdesireclenchedinherbelly,closingoffair,rational
thought…
Withhishotbreathonherneckmakinghershiver,Dekereachedbehindherandunclaspedherbrain
asinglepinchofhisfingers.Ohmy!Oh,damn.Starknaked.
Thiswasgettingserious.
Andoverwhelming…felttoowonderful.Shecouldn’tstop.Notyet.Soon…
“Oh!”shecriedasDeke’smouthcoveredonebreast,teethlightlyscrapinghernippleuntiltingles
screamedalongthenerveendingsbetweenherbreasts…allthewaytoherbeggingclit.Thesensation
doubledwhenLucpinchedtheothersensitivenubatthesametimehenudgedherlipsapartand
leanedinforakiss.
Hemorethankissed;heseducedwithoutwords.Lucwasanartist,amaster.Hedidn’trushor
demand.Hecajoled,toyed,promisedwithahotsweepofhistongue,onlytobackawayandleaveher
needing.HiskissalonewouldbeenoughtomakeShaylaBlackDecadentherloseherheadandmelt
likehotwax.Coupledwiththeerectionagainstherthigh,thesensationsweredownrightcombustive.
Dekecontinuedtolavehernipple,switchingtotheother,pushingLuc’sfingersawaytotakethe
sensitivebudinsidewithahardsuck,agentlebite,aflat-tonguedlick,atthesamemomenthepressedthatiron-hardridgeoffleshrightagainstthrobbingclit.
Thistime,Luc’smouthabsorbedhercries.Thehotteaseofhiskisstookthesoundandaskedfor
more.AndshegladlysurrenderedanothergaspwhenDekenudgedherinjusttherightspotagain
whilesucklinghernipplewithahardferocity.ThenLucmovedinforthekill,akissofsoftdemandthatinfusedherwithasublimejoltofpleasure.Herlipstingledwhentheybackedawaytotakeharshbreaths.Alineofelectricpleasuredartedbetweenherbreastsandhervagina,lightingupherentirebody.
29
“You’relikesugaronmytongue,”Lucpraised,nuzzlingherneck,onethumbscrapingthedistended
nipplestillwetfromDeke’ssucking.“Sweetasyoudissolve.”
Thattalentedmouthsweptacrossherjaw,overhercheek,pausingtoseizeherlipsagainandsink
deep.Heinflamedwithhiskiss,sendingherhotter,higher,silentlypromisingeachtimehetouchedherthathe’ddeliversatisfaction—inhistime.Inhisway.
Toaddtothemountingsensations,Dekecontinuedtorideherclitinsteady,friction-furiousstrokes,ignitingeverythingfromthewaistdown.Hepinchedhernipples,twisted,turned,engorgingthem
further,liftinghersenseshigh.WhenshepantedandclutchedatDeke’sarmsandsworeshemight
come,hebackedaway.
Lucdidthesame.
Kimbercriedoutinfrustration.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekeflashedheramercilesssmileandscrapedhersensitivenipple.“You
wantmore,kitten?”
Hewastoyingwithher.Theywere.Butatthemoment,Kimberdidn’tcare.She’dneverfeltanythinglikethepleasureLucandDekeweresaturatingherwith.
Sensationswerelikequicksand,drowningher.Themoreshewrithed,thefastershewentunder.And
shelovedit.
“Please.”Thewordslippedoutofhermouthonapant.
Lucslantedoneofhisdevastatingkissesacrosshermouthinhisnextbreath.
Dekecontinuedhisrhythmicfrictionofhiscockagainstherclit,themercilessnipsofhismouthathernipples.
Everytimetheytouchedher,freshsensationspouredoverherlikewarmhoney—thatquicklybecame
liquid-hotlightning.Shewasfloating,sinking,30
begging…
“More.”Thewordslippedout,breathyandurgent.
Dekekissedhiswayupfromherbreasts,breathingoverherneck.Sheshivered,andLucpinnedher
withanotherhauntingkiss.Theman’smouthseemedtosaywitheveryswipeofhistonguethathe
wantedsomethingonlyshecouldgivehim.
Deceptive,butohsoeffective.Oncehegothismouthonawoman,Kimberbettheyneversaidno.
Aswonderfulasitwas,whenDekenibbledonherearlobeandwrappedhisarmsaroundher,the
sensationwasevenmoreintense.Shearchedintohishard-hewnchest,suddenlyhatinghisshirt—any
shirt—thatstoodbetweenhisskinandhers.
Kimberhadneverimaginedthatshecouldsobadlywantamanshethoughtannoyedhersomuch.But
shedid.Why?
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Whatmoredoyouwant?”Deke’ssilkywhispersliddownherspine,thenseemedtocaressthevery
wetspotthatachedmostforhim.
Howdidhedothat?Withjustawhisper,howdidthesoundseemtogostraighttoherclit?Lucliftedhisheadtohearheranswer.
“Itfeelssogood…”wasallshecouldwhisperinreturn.Shedoubtedshecouldgiveeitherofthem
anydetailstheydidn’tknowforthemselves.
“Itcanbebetter,”Lucwhisperedintoherotherear.
Better?Godhelpme…Usually,Kimberwasmadeofstrongerstuff.Theonlysortofcontestshe’dneverwonatleastonceagainstherbrotherswasapissingcontest.
Pain,drinking,speed,endurance—she’dbeatthematleastonce.Yetthispleasurewascrushingher
will.
31
“Ifyouwantmore,we’llgiveittoyou.IwanttolayyoufacedownonthekitchentableandwatchLuceatyourpussywhileyousuckmeoff.”Throughpleasure-hazedeyes,Kimberglancedatthekitchen
table.Shecouldpicturethescene.Tooeasily.She’dnevergivenamanablowjob,butshe’dtry.Infact,she’dlovetomakeMr.Toughweakattheknees.AndifLuc’skisswasheaven,shecouldonly
imaginehowfabuloushewouldbewithoralsex.ButthechallengingtoneofDeke’swordsbothered
her.Didhestillthinkshewasafraid?
“Okay,”shebreathed.
“You’dbetterwaittohearallyou’reagreeingto.”
“Deke,”Luccutin,frowning.
Thehunkandahalfofblondmusclestoppedhimwitharaisedhand.“Sheshouldheareverything.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentZeroinginonheragain,Dekegrabbedhercheeksandforcedhergazetohis.
“ThenIwanttotakeyoutobedandwatchLucsinkballsdeepintoyourpussywhileyougaspand
screamandcome.Whilehe’satit,I’llworkintoyoursweetlittleasssowecanbothfuckyou.
Together.Hard.Allnight.Untilyou’resoreandwrungoutandexhausted.”
Heatandalarmtorethroughheratonce.Theideaappealedinaforbiddenway.
She’dneverreallyfantasizedabouttwomen…butshejustmightnow.Thesetwocouldgivepleasure,
nodoubt.Butshewantedtopreservehervirginity—nomatterhowbadlyherbodyachedotherwise.
Andstill,somethingaboutDeke’swordsbotheredher.Hesoundedlikehewantedtojust…useher.
Likeshecouldbeanywomanhepickedupinabarandbroughthomeforaquickie
“Thenwe’llfuckyouagain,”Dekewentoninhissmokyvoice.“Sleepanhourandfuckyouonce
more,sohardanddeepyouwon’twalkorsitforaweek.Howabout32
it,kitten?Wannasayyesnow?”
Thelookonhisfacewaspurepredator.Hewanted.Tofuck.Nothingmore.Hecouldgiveashit
abouthelpingher.
Sheswallowed,tryingtoprocessthroughdesireandangerandconfusion.
Separatefactfromemotion.Dadhadtaughtherthat.Fromwhereshestood,Dekelookedlikeanasshole,provingthatmaybefirstimpressionswereright.
“Icametoyouwithagenuinerequestforafavor,andyouactlikeyou’rejustlookingforaneasylayyoucanabuse.”
Dekeshrugged.“Favor…fuck.It’sthesamethinginthissituation.IfyoucankeepupwithLucandmeforanight,youmightbereadyforwhateveryourprettysingercandishout.Yougame?”
“First,IplantokeepmyvirginityforJesse.Itoldyouthat.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Fine.Guessyourassandyourjawwillbeextrasore,butIcanlivewithoutpussy.How‘boutyou,
Luc?”
Kimberflippedhergazetothetall,dark,seductiveone.Hepausedalongmoment.“I’dnevertake
anythingKimberdidn’twanttogive.”
“See?”Dekesentheratightsmile.“Soit’sallsettled.Hopuponthetable.”Shewatchedhimsettlehisfingersaroundthetopbuttonofhisjeansand,withaflickofhiswrist,openit,revealingahintofthebaregoldenskinofhisripplingabdomen.
Nervessetin.Bullshit.Theybitherlikeapackofhalfstarvedwolves,nippingmercilesslyather
bravado.Hejust…expectedhertohopuponthetablelikeshewasofferingherselfupforan
afternoonsnack?Hethoughtshe’djustspreadherlegsandshovehisdickinhermouthand—no.
33
Shehadn’tcomehereforhappilyeverafter.Butshe’dthoughttheywouldexplainhowthissortofsexworked.Iftherewastouchinginvolved,thatthey’dgoslow,makesureshewascomfortable.That
pleasurewouldbesomethingshe’dgiveandreceive.Notbecrude,rudeandtrytoscareheroff.
KimberunderstoodDeke’spointaboutwordsnotsufficing.
Butnowthatherbodywascooling—morewitheverywordhespoke—logicwasreassertingitself.
“Second,”shewenton,“Idon’tlikeyourattitude.YouactlikeIcouldbeanyone.
Like,aslongasIhavea…wetholeofsomevarietythatyoucangetinto,you’regoingtobehappy.”
Dekepaused,seemingtothinkitover.“That’sprettyaccurate.Yougettolearn.
Wegettocome.It’sawin-win.Getonthetable.”ShaylaBlackDecadentNowhethoughthewas
goingtoorderheraround?KimberwatchedasDekereachedforhiszipper.Lucrippedhisshirtoff
overhisheadandthrewitonthefloor,exposingswirlsofdarkchesthairandmilesoffirmolive-
skinnedmuscle.
Herfranticheartbeatandwildbreathingsignaledsomethingdeeper.Fear.Yeah,thereitwasnow.
Viciousandunrelenting.Nomatterwhatherfatherhadtaughther,thiswasn’tgoingtosimplybe
pushedaside.Shecouldn’tkeepgoingforwardinthefaceofit.Ifsheletthem,they’dlayherout,useeverypartofherdamnneartoexhaustion,thensendheronherwaywithoutabackwardglance.
They’doverwhelmherandexpecthertokeepup.They’dbefastandfurious.Strike,pound,fuck.Lucmightcarethatshewasinexperienced,maybe;shedidn’tknowhimwellenoughtosayforsure.Deke
hadmadeitperfectlyclearthatheonlysawitasthelossofpussy,andhe’dworkaroundit.
Bastard!
34
Shegrabbedherclothesfromthecounter,hoppedintoherpants,andslunghershirtoverherbreasts.
Sheclutchedherundergarmentslikealifeline.“Icametoyouforafavor.”Damn,shehatedthe
tremblinginhervoice.
“Andwe’vegottwohardcocksreadytograntyourfavor,”Dekeassured.“Youscratchourbacks,
we’llscratchyours.Getonthetable.”
“No.IcametoyoubecauseIthought”—sheshookherhead—“Youwerealwaysabastardtome
whenyouworkedforDad,alwaysaloof.Butyouneverseemedheartlessandmercenary.WasIever
wrong.”
Lucsteppedforward.“Kimber—”
“Staythere!”Sheretreated.“Hetreatedmelikeaworthlesswhore,andyouweregoingtolethim.”
“I—”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Youofferedyourselflikeone,”Dekebrokein.“Whatdidyouexpect?”
“Gotohell!”Sheturnedherbackonthemandthrustherbraandthonginherpocket.
“I’mthere,kitten.I’msohard,I’mlosingbloodintherestofmybody.Yousureyoudon’twanttostayandhelpmeout?”
Thenerveoftheunbelievableasshole!“You’vegotapalmandfivefingers.Figureitout.”
Shemarchedtothefrontdoor.ThesoundofthedoorslammingreverberatedintothepeacefulEast
Texasafternoonuntilshelaidrubberontheroadandspedaway.
#
35
“Didyoufindher?”Lucasked,hisannoyancecomingthroughloudandclear.
Damntheperfectdigitalcellphonesignal.
Intheoldanalogdays,hecouldhavepretendedhehadn’theard.“Yeah.”DekehadfoundKimber,all
right.Andjustlikeshehadatseventeen,she’dtiedhisgutupinknotssocrazyanEagleScoutwithHoudiniancestrycouldn’tgetthemundone.
“You’regoingtoapologizeforscaringheroffandmakesureshedoesn’tgetintotrouble,”Luc
reminded.
Dekedidn’twantto.Hedidn’t.ButasLuchadrationallypointedout,scaringthecrapoutofKimberwasonlyatemporarysolutiontoaproblemthatwasn’tgoingtojustgoawaybecausehewanteditto.
Kimberwastootenacioustosimplygiveup.She’dtracksomeoneelsedowntohelpherinherquest
tocatchJesseMcCall—
ShaylaBlackDecadentsomeonewho,atbest,wouldcauseherdiscomfortbecausetheydidn’tknow
whatthehelltheyweredoing.Atworst,theywouldtaketotaladvantageofherandhurther.
TheColonelwouldkillDekeifanythinghappenedtoherbecausehe’dhadhisdickinaknot.Heroldmanwasscary,too.ToughSOB.Meanwhenheneededtobe.
Notthathe’dcondoneDekeandLucintroducinghisbabytothejoysofanalsex…butsomehowhe
figuredtheColonelwouldpickthatoverKimberpickingupaveryminoracquaintanceinabarand
doing—hecouldn’tthinkaboutwhatshemightdowithtwootherguys.Hegrippedthethinwooden
tableinfrontofhimanddidn’tletgountilhehearditcrack.
Butitwasn’thisoldbosswhomotivatedhimnow.ItwasKimberherself.He’dhadvividfantasies
aboutheronceuponatime,greatforjackingoffto.Butrealitywasfarstronger,likecomparingagusttoacategory-fivehurricane.She’dtasted36
likesugaryinnocence.Sweetinhismouth.Sodamnperfect.Brightinhisarms,likeasummerday.
Shewaswhiteheatandsoftskinand…
God,listentohim.Fuckingpathetic,goingonaboutthegirllikehewasKeatsorsomething.Hell.
Onefacthecouldn’tescape,however:Kimberwasthesoletemptationthat,asmuchashehatedto
admitit,mightbestrongerthanhisself-control.Heshouldbepushingherawayasfastashecould,beforeheswallowedherwhole,likeasnakedoesitsprey.
Beforehedestroyedher.Butshewasn’tgoingtogiveupherquest,andhewasn’tgoingtoletanyoneelsetutorher.Blowingoutabreathwithashort,uglycurse,Dekeliftedthelongnecktohismouthandswallowed.Andhestared.
KimberwascurrentlyonthedanceflooratAdamCatrell’sbar,TheHangOut,swayinghersweet
hipstoaShakirasongaboutthatverypartofheranatomy.WithShaylaBlackDecadentthighsbared
byaskirtsoshortitnearedindecency,astripofpalebellybared,shedanced—sandwichedbetween
Adamandhisbrother,Burke.Theclubwassmokyandcrowdedandjustgettingloud.Anddespiteall
that,Dekecouldn’tmistakethelustoneitherbrother’sface.
“Areyoulisteningtome?”Lucranted.
Hegrippedthephonetighter.“Youmadeyourselfrealclearlastnight,cuz.I’mgoingtoplaySir
Galahadandrideintosavetheday.”
“Don’tforgettheapologizingpart.”
“Backoff.”
Lucsighed.“Tellherwe’llhelp.Nicely.Nomentionofusingherasssoharshlythatshewon’tsitforaweek.”
37
Dekewinced.He’dtreatedherbadly,hopingtodissuadeherfromthisfoolish,recklessidea.Luc
knewthat,butadmittingitoutloudwouldonlygivehimmoreammunition.Healreadyhadrightonhisside…
“You’repushingit.”
“You’retheonepushing.You’reshovingKimberawaywhenshe’sdonenothingbutaskforafavor.
Andit’safavorwe’rebothdyingtogrant.”
“Hell,yes,Ipushedheraway.She’savirgin.”
“Sheisn’tHeather.”
Thatwasjustdirtypool.Dekegrippedthephone,pissedathowlowthisconversationhadbecomein
thespaceofaheartbeat.“Shehasnothingtodowiththis.Kimberjustisn’tmytype.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentLuclaughedinhisear.“Really?Whoisyourtype?”Dekepaused.Hell,he
couldbarelyrememberanotherwoman’snameforthinkingaboutgettinginsideKimber.“Alyssa
Devereaux.”
“ThatblondestripclubownerwiththeTupperwarebreasts?”
“She’snotawhore,”Dekeprotested,knowingfrompreviousdiscussionthat’sexactlywhatLuc
thought.
“Maybe,butyoudon’treallywantAlyssa.Shedoesn’twantyou.”
“Shewantsyou.”AfactthathadpissedDekeoffwhenhe’dlastseenAlyssaafewmonthsago.
“AndI’mnotinterested.Besides,you’reonlytellingyourselfthatyouwantherbecauseyouthink
she’s‘safe.’”
38
“Iwantherbecauseshe’shotandIhearshegivesakillerblowjob.”Lucsnorted.“YouwantAlyssasobadthatyoujackedofflastnightandmoanedKimber’sname.Iheardyouthroughthewall.”
Dekefeltaflushcrawluphisface.“Investinsomefuckingearplugs.Yeah,Kimbergotmehot.So
what?She’savirgin.Man,I’mtellingyou,they’rebadnews.”
“I’vebeenwithavirgin.Itwasabeautifulexperience.They’renotbadnews;Heatherwas.”
“Leaveheroutofthis.”
“No!YoupushedKimberoutthedoorwithaslewofuglywordsyesterdaybecauseofHeather.
Deke,youweren’tresponsible—”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“WeallknowIwas.Ilivewiththatfacteveryfuckingday.Dropit,”hegrowled.
“Now.”
“Ithinkyou’rewrong.”Lucsighed.“ButI’lldropitifyou’llgotalktoKimber.
Apologize.Tellherwe’llhelp.”
HetookanotherlongswallowofhisbeerandstaredasBurkeCatrellgrabbedKimber’shipsand
gyratedhiscockagainstherass.Thebastardapparentlywantedtowearhisnosesomewhereinthe
middleofhisforehead.DekewouldbehappytomakeithappenifCatrelldidn’tgethisfuckinghandsoffher.Hisbloodwasbeginningtoboil,andthefuryrisinginhimwasaboutuptohiseyeballs,
readytoovertakehisbrain.
“Shelooksotherwiseoccupied,”Dekesnarledintothephone.
“Butshecametoyoufirst.”
39
Yeah,shehad.DamnLucandhislogic.AndKimberwasputtingonthisshowforhisbenefit,he’d
guess,giventhewayshekeptsneakingglancesinhisdirection.
“Getoverwhateversnityou’rein,”Lucsaid,“anddotherightthing.”
“IfIbringherhome,I’mgoingtoendupfuckingher.Webothare.”Hesighedheavily.“Youknow
it.”
Dekewantedinsideher.Bad.Damnbad.Notjustherass,thoughhe’denjoyit.
Notjusthermouth,thoughhewassureablowjobfromKimberandherlushpinkmouthwouldbe
mindblowing.Hewantedher—allofher—andsuspectedthatbypassingherpussyjustwasn’tgoing
tobeanoption.
“We’llrespectwhateverherwishesare.Ifshechangeshermind,great.Ifnot,we’lllivewithit.Andyou’remakingexcuses.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentInaway,hesupposedthatwastrue.Theyweretruths,inhisbook.Hedidn’t
haveanybusinessteachingKimberanythingaboutsex.Hewouldwantinherpussyifshecameback
totheirhouse.Shedrovehimoutofhisever-lovin’mindwithdesire,andhisself-controlwouldbeshattered.Andshescaredthehelloutofhim.
Whatifthepastrepeateditself?Shewasn’tHeather…butcloseenough.
Givenallthat,hestillcouldn’tstayaway.Refusingtodwellonthatreality,Dekeliftedhisbottleandemptiedit.Thenslammeditdownonthetable.“Allright,I’monit.”
“Bringherhome.”
Home.Asifshebelongedtothem.Asiftheycouldjustclaimherlikesomestraykitten.Lucwantedto.Hiscousinwashearingweddingbellsandbabiescrying,whichmadeanicelittlesoundtrackfor
hispicketfencefantasywhereheandLucandthegirloftheirdreamslivedhappilyeverafter.Dekesnorted.Still,hepushed40
hischairback,stood,staringasKimberdidanX-ratedrumbawiththeCatrellbrothers.Witha
glower,andhopingforafight,hecrossedtheroom.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER3
Onthedancefloor,theelderCatrellbrotherreachedforheragain.Kimbergyrated,turned,hips
swinging,assheedgedawayfromhim.She’dforgottenhisname.Oh,hewashandsome.Damngood-
looking,infact.Blueeyes,sandyhair,rippedbody.Onceuponatime,shemighthavebeenattractedtohim,butnowlearninghowtopleaseJessesotheycouldlivehappilyeverafterwashermission.
Determiningifménagewassomethingshecouldhandlewaskey.
Butanotherman,onewithmilitaryhair,hungryeyes,andafuriousstride,hadseizedherattentioninsomedarklyfascinatingway,muchlikehehadfiveyearsago.
Uh-oh.Dekewasdefinitelyheadedherway.Whatthehelldidhewant?Athishouseyesterday,he’dgoneoutofhiswaytohumiliateher.Washehereforround41
two?
Suddenly,AdamCatrellwrappedhisarmaroundheranddraggedherclose,loweringhishead
towardher.Kimber’sfirstinstinctwastopanic.Didheintendtokissherinthemiddleofthedancefloor?Shedidn’tknowhim.Asshediscoveredaboutthirtysecondsintothisdance,shedidn’twant
him.Especiallynotwitheveryone—withDeke—staring.
“YougotsomethinggoingonwithDeke?”heshoutedinherearoverthemusic.
“N—no.”
Notthatshecouldmanagetoforgetherafternooninhiskitchen,whenheandLuchadkissedher
and…Bettertoforgetit.Ortryto.Lordknew,shehadn’thadmuchluckwiththatsofar.
ShaylaBlackDecadentInaway,itwasherownfault.Inretrospect,sherealizedthatmilitarymen
weren’tbuiltforeloquence,butbruteforce.He’dtriedtosaynotoherrequest.
Whenshe’dpushed,Dekehadstoppedtalkingandsimplyacted,intentionallyscaringheroffwithhiscrudewords.Damnifithadn’tworked.
Thenshe’dcompoundedhermistakebycominghereandassumingthatifbeingwithDekeandLuc
hadarousedherwhilebeing“educational,”thenbeingwithAdamand…Brad-Brian-Brock-whatever
hisnamewas—wouldbeequallyenjoyable.Nope.Almostsincethisdancestartedshe’dwantedout.
ButrunningawaylikeacowardwithDekelookingonjustwasn’tanoption.Withherthoughts
whirlinglikeasalsadanceronspeed,Kimbertriedtodecidehernextmove.ThenDekehadrisen
fromhischairandmarchedherway,lookingmorethanreadytotakethedecisionoutofherhands.
Sheriskedanotherglanceinhisdirection.God,hewasclosenow.Closeenough42
thatshecouldseeamuscleticcinginhisjawashissharpgazezeroedinonAdam’shand,nowridinglowonherback,almostononecheek.
“You’renotinvolvedwithDeke?I’mguessinghedoesn’tseeitthatway.”Adamliftedhishead—but
didn’tmovehishand—andturnedtogreettheirmutualfriend.
“Hey,Trenton.WhatbringsyoutoTheHangOut,man?”
“AnunfinishedmatterwithKimber.”Hedirectedthatdisconcertingdenim-bluestareather.“Canwe
talkoutside?”
Dekehadphrasedhiswordsintoaquestion,buthisglaresaidhewasn’taskingatall.Kimber
swallowed.Wearingapairoffine-fittingjeans,blackboots,akhakiT-shirtwiththewordARMY
stretchedinblackabovehissolidleftpectoral,andademandingglare,Dekelookedlikeamanonaseriouspersonalmission.
Everythingabouthisdemeanorsecondedthat.Hehadn’tgreetedhisbuddyandShaylaBlack
DecadenthadbarelyansweredAdam’squestion.Hehadn’tsaidhellotoeitherofthem.No
pleasantries;justdowntobusiness.
Whatmoredidhehavetosaythathehadn’tsaidtoherinhiskitchenyesterday?
Inafewwords,he’dbothannoyedandspookedher,andshe’drunlikeagirlinoverherhead.Just
likeheclaimedshewas.Sincenothinginhisexpressionlookedremotelyapologetic,shecouldn’t
imaginewhathehadinmind,otherthanmorehumiliation.Nothanks.
“Yousaidplentyyesterday.Wedon’thaveanythinglefttotalkabout.”
“Yes,wedo.”
“I’mbusydancing.”SheturnedawaytoengageAdam’sbrotheragain—Brett?
Buck?Somethinglikethat.
43
Sheflashedtheblondclubownerasmileandswiveledherhips—alltooconsciousofDeke’sgaze
drillingintoherback.
AssoonasthenamelessCatrellbrothersmiledback,thesongended.TheDJ
announcedaJell-Oshotspecialandhisintenttotakeabreak.
Dekegrabbedherwristandwhirledheraroundtofacehim,goldenbrowarched.
“You’renotdancingnow.”
Damnit!Kimberfistedherhandsonherhips.“Saywhateveryoucametosay,then.”
“Outside.”
Thecommandinhistoneraisedherhackles.“Isthisgoingtotakelong?”
“No.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Thenjustsayitandbegone.”
Hehesitated.“Idon’tthinkyouwantanaudience.”Orhedidn’t.Forreasonsshecouldonlyguessat,hedidn’twanttheCatrellbrothers,eachnowstaringatDekeintentlyoverhershoulders,tohearwhathewasabouttosay.Ifhesaidmoreofthefilthhe’dspoutedtoherameretwenty-fourhoursago,thenhe’dcomeoffsmellinglikeshit.Heshouldknowthat…butmaybehedidn’t.Dekewashardlya
masterofthesocialgraces.Thechancetogivehimenoughropetohanghimselfmadehersmile.
“Idon’tmind.Shoot.”
“Okay”—Heshrugged—“Yesterday,whenLucandIhadyounakedandspreadacrossourkitchen
counterwithourmouthsonyour—”44
“Stop!”shegasped,feelingfuriousheatdashuphercheeks.
Thebrotherwhosenameshecouldn’trememberchuckledinherear.Dekesmiledsmugly.Bastard!
He’dcometofightdirtyandhadgonestraightforthejugular.Whyhadn’tsheseenthatcoming?
“ShebelongtoyouandLuc?”AdamaskedDeke.
“Yes.”
“Hellno!”sheblurtedatthesametime.
ThatmuscleinDeke’sjawbeganworkingagain.“Comeoutsidewithmesowecandiscussthis.”
Didthemanjustnotknowwhentoquit?“Idon’tbelongtoyouandyourcousin,I’mnotcomingnear
yourkitchencounteragain,andI’mcertainlynotgoingoutsidewithyou.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“IcameheretosaysomethingIthinkyouwanttohear.”
“I’mnotinterestedinbeingjustanotherwetholetoyou,andI’mtoopissedtocare.”
Onesecond,Dekestoodtwofeetaway,nottouchinganypartofher.Ablinklater,hecrowdedinandhoveredtoe-to-toewithher,onearmaroundherwaist,theothertangledinthehairhanginghalfwaydownherback.
“I’mnotgoingtoaskagain.ComeoutsideandtalkwithmeorI’mgoingtofindthenearestchair,pullthatlittleskirtupoveryourass,andspankyourprettycheeksredwiththeentirecrowdwatching.”
Kimberdidn’twastethebreathnecessarytosay,“Youwouldn’t.”Sheknewbetter.
45
Irritationpoisonedherthoughts.Hewasahigh-handedSOB.Evenasshethoughtit,though,herbellyflutteredwithsomething…No,thatcouldnotbearousal.
“Youhavenoright.”
Heshrugged.“I’llsureenjoyit.”
Adamshovedhiswaybetweenthem.“AsmuchasI’dliketheview,there’snoviolenceornudityin
theclub,y’all.You’llhavetotakeitoutside.”Shewhirledonhim,jawdropping.Thejerkwas
lettinghergoandfeedinghertothewolvesallinonesentence?Figuresthemenwouldsticktogether.
“Youknowwhat?Goscrewyourselves—allofyou.I’mgoinghome.”TheCatrellbrotherslaughed.
Bloodragingwithfury,shestormedtowardtheexit.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAssholes,thelotofthem!Andshewasn’tstupidenoughtobelievethatDekewouldleaveitatthat.Hewasfollowingher;shefelthimabouttwostepsbehind.
Damntheman.
Asshereachedtheclub’sdoor,themusicstartedupagain.Kimberfoundthebiggest,meanest
bouncerofthetrioclusteredaroundthedoorandsmiledhisway.
“Canyouescortmetomycar?I’mbeingfollowed.”ShesentanastyglareoverhershoulderatDeke.
“Aw,honey,”Dekecroonedandwrappedanarmaroundher.“Don’tbemad.”Beforeshecouldtell
himwheretoshovehiscommentandinformthebouncerthathewasanannoyingstranger,deranged
stalker—something—Dekehauledheragainsthim,droppedhishead,andtrappedeveryfuriousword
onthetipofhertonguewithablisteringkiss.
46
Shestruggled,butwithinmoments,allsheknewwasDeke.Warmmale,ripewithpersuasion,soaked
insin,invadedhersenses.Hismouthcoaxedher.Kimberresisted.Shereallytried.Despitethefuryswirlingthroughher,Dekeincitedafamiliarleapofpulse,asurgeofwant,thatdousedherprotests.
Withabrushofhislips,aslowcaressoftongue,thesoftslideofhispalmdownherback,he
envelopedherindesire—andnotjusthers.Hisownwassotangible,shetastedthetangofhisarousalonhertongue.
Hiskissmeltedherwiththerestrainedurgencyofhisownneed,softenedintoatangleoflips,
breaths,andtonguesshewouldneverhaveimaginedDekeTrentoncapableof.Timeless,weightless,
thoughtless,Kimberletherselffloatawayintotheheart-racing,heat-poolingpowerofhiskiss.
ShaylaBlackDecadentUntilhenippedatherlip,sootheditwithatenderlick,thenslidasoftbrushofhismouthoverhers.Withoutthinking,sheleanedintohim,seekingmorekisses,morecontact,
morehim.
Dekegrabbedhershoulders.“I’msorryaboutyesterday.Comehomewithme,kitten.”
“Haveagoodnight,y’all,”saidthebouncerwithateasingsmile.
Whileshetriedtothinkofagoodcomeback,Deketookherhandandledheroutside,intothehumid
summernight.Acarspilledintotheparkinglot,headlightsbobbingupanddownonthedirtroad,andcruisedtothefarend.Somewherenear,apairoffrogscroakedtooneanother.Cricketssangand
mosquitoesbuzzedastheparkinglot’shalogenscombinedwiththefullmoontorainsilverylight
downonthem.
47
NowthatDeke’spersuasivemouthwasn’tobliteratingrationalthought,Kimberrolledhereyesatherstupidity.Damnit,shehadn’tintendedtoheelafterDekekissedandstrokedher.Shemayaswell
havebeendoingherownimitationofabitchinheat.Well,she’dwantedtoleave,anyway.Nowwas
herchance.
Shefishedintothehiddenpocketofherskirtforhercarkeys.“Okay,I’mnotstayingwiththeCatrellbrothers.Yougotyourlittleway.Happy?”Aslysmilequirkedupthesideofhismouth.Beforeshe
couldwonderwhatmischiefhewasupto,Dekesnakedoutahandandsnatchedthekeysfromher
fingers.Theydisappeareddeepintothepocketofhisjeans.Theonlywaytogetthembackwasto
slideherhandintohispants.Lovely.Consideringtheerectionbulgingthefrontofhisjeans,she
didn’tthinkhe’dbeatallopposedtohavingherhandsfishingaroundinhispockets—oranywhere
elsedownthere.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“No,nowI’mgettingmyway,”hesaid,pattingherdenimcoveredkeys.“Nowyou’renotgoing
anywhereuntilwefinishthischat.”Kimbersighedwithfrustration.“Look,youhigh-handedsonofa
—”
“Hangonbeforeyoustartname-calling.I’vecomeheretoofferyoumyhelp.Ifyoustillwantit.”
Shepaused.Didhemeanwhatshethoughthemeant?“Youcameheretosaythatyou’llteachme
aboutsex?YouandLuc?”
Hepaused,notlookingterriblyhappy.“Yeah.”
Relieforirritation—theyranacloseraceforherreaction.Reliefeventuallywon,sinceshewasn’tgoingtowinJesse’sheartwithoutaneducation.LettingtheCatrellbrothersteachher,despitehowwillingthey’dseemed,wasn’tsomethingshe48
wanted.
Butshewasn’tabouttoletDekeknowthat.“Maybeit’stoolittle,toolate.”
“Youdidn’tlooktoocomfortablewithAdamandBurke.”Souncomfortablethatshe’dblockedout
theolderbrother’snameapparently.
“Whocares?Notme,sinceyoupurposelytriedtoscaremeofftheotherday.”Dekechuckled.
“Figuredthatout,huh?”
“I’dhavetobeamoronnotto.Youwouldneverhavetalkedtomelikethatwhenyouworkedformy
dad.”
“No.”
Kimbersnorted.“YouwouldneverevenhavethoughtaboutmeinasexualcontextifIhadn’tcome
knockingonyourdoor.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHestilled.“You’rena?veifyoubelievethat.”
Whowashekidding?Kimberfrowned.Big,badspecialopsmanturnedbodyguardcouldn’thave
thoughtabouthersexuallybeforeLuchadinvitedherintohiskitchen.
“Oh,c’mon,”shescoffed.“Beforeyesterday,youneverimagineddoingthewildthingwithme.Iwas
what,eighteen?Nineteen?”
“Seventeen.”Hislipstwistedinagrimsmile.“Andahalf.Andeverythingthatranthroughmyhead
backthenwasillegalineverystate,Kimber.Mythoughtshaven’tchanged.I’mjustdamngladIwon’tgotojailforactingonthemnow.”Dekelookedserious.Deadserious,withthosedarkblueeyes
burningher.
“Allthoseyearsago,youwantedto…”
49
“Fuckyou?Oh,yeah.Andanythingelseyouwouldhaveletmedo.Iwantedyou.
Bad.”
Kimbersuckedinashockedbreath.OhmyGod…Shesentalongstaretowardtheobviouserectionabouttoburstouthiszipper.“Soyoustillwantme?”
“Haven’tIalreadysaidthat?”
Shelickedherbottomlip.Ashishotgazezeroedinontheaction,herbellyclenched,hernipples
tightened.Fantasyflashedheravision:Dekeleaningoverher,slidingintoherwithhardinsistence.
She’dcomeunderherownfingerslastnighttothatmentalpicture.Heatfloodedhercheeks.Itmadenosense,beingarousedbyaguywhowasnothingmorethanatutortoher.Temporaryinsanity,she
supposed.Stressafterahecticschoolyearorlingeringadolescentcuriosity.Itwouldpass.But
suddenly,afewthingsmadesense.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Soyouwantingme,that’swhyyoubarelytalkedtomewhenyouworkedforDad.”
“Yeah.”
“Andthereasonyou’vechangedyourmindaboutmy…favor.”
“Inpart.TheotherpartwasLuc.Henearlytoretheskinoffmybackwithhissharptongue.”
“Becausehedidn’twantyoutalkingtomelikethat?”Henodded.“Andbecausehewantsyouas
badlyasIdo.”
“AndyoutriedtoscaremeoffbecauseyouthinkI’minovermyhead.”Dekenodded.“Istilldo.ButasLucremindedme,you’reanadult.”50
“Ihavebeenforsometimenow.Ihavemyownplace.I’veputmyselfthroughnursingschool.I’mnotunderage,andI’mnotanidiot.”
“I’mnotconvincedyoureallyunderstandwhatyou’regettingyourselfinto,butit’syourlife.”
Kimbergnawedonherbottomlip,suspectingthathewasright.Sheunderstood—inanabstractway
—whatbeinginvolvedinaménageatroiswouldmean.She’dreadaneroticbookthismorningandfoundherselfarousedbythestoryofonewomanlovedbytwomentotallydevotedtoherpleasure.
Whatredbloodedwomanwouldn’tbe?
But,despitewhatDekehadsaidaboutemotioneasilynotbeingafactorinaménage,Kimberknew
better.AlreadyshefeltatugtowardDekethatmadenosense.Probablybecauseshe’dalwaysbeen
curiousabouthim.He’drepelledherasmuchashe’dcompelledherbackinthosedays.Thebigger
factorwasJesse.SheShaylaBlackDecadentreallymissedhimafterhisnearlyfour-yearabsence.
Eventhoughtheydidn’tlookalike,shewasprobablyusingDekeasasubconscioussubstitute.That,
andDekehadalreadydonemoretohersexuallyinfifteenminutesthanJessehadinyears.
Kimbersighed.
“I’malsonotconvincedthatJesseMcCallistherightguyforyou.”Dekewouldthinkthat.ToMr.
Practicalhere,shewouldlooklikeagroupiechasingastar,likeateenybopperwithsomesilly
adolescent,happily-ever-afterfantasy.Hecouldn’tpossiblyunderstandhowherrelationshipwith
Jessehadgrownandevolvedinthelastfewyearsthroughfaithfule-mailandtelephone
conversations.
Kimbershrugged,tryingnottobeannoyed.“You’reentitledtothinkthat.Butlikeyousaid,it’smylife.”
51
“Itis,andyouwanttolearnaboutménage.Sohere’sthedeal,”hewenton.“Comebacktothehouse.
Staywithusfortwoweeks.We’llshowyouwhatyouneedtoknow.”
Reliefslidthroughher.She’dwon.ItwastemptingtotellDeketoshoveit,butherpridewasn’tgoingtosolveherissuewithJesse.He’dinsistedshecouldn’tbewhatheneeded,wastooinnocentforhislifestyle.Shewasgoingtoprovehimwrongbylearningeverything.Itwastheonlywaytosecurea
futurewiththemansheadored.
AnddespitethecrappywayDekehadactedyesterday,sheknewhewasamanofhisword.He
wouldteachhereverythingnecessary.Still,shehadquestionsabouthisplan…
“Staywithyou?Asinmoveinfortwoweeks?”
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekenodded.“Partoflearningtodealwithaménageissatisfyingtwohorny
men.Sexwithtwomenatonceisn’teasy.Somemenalsohaveindividualdemandsthey’llwantyou
tofulfill.Someguysarepartialtomorningsex.Otherstomidnightsexoranythinginbetween.You’llhavetolearntodealwithtwosetsofdemands.”Hisexplanationmadesense.Twomenwould
definitelybemoretaxingthanone.
Oddtobethinkingabouthavingsexmultipletimesadaywhenshe’dneverhadsexatall,butthiswasJesse’sreality.
“Letmeguess,Lucisamidnightman.Yourfavoritetimeforsexisinthemorning.”
Dekeshookhishead.“Lucisamorningman.MyfavoritetimeforsexiseverytimeLucisinthe
moodandyou’rewilling.Iwon’tfuckyoualone.Ever.”Likebefore,hewastotallyserious.He
wouldn’thavesexwithherifLucwasn’t52
thereandparticipating.Whatwasthatabout?Hisfacegaveawaynothing,buthisexpressionwastooempty,almostpainfullyblank.Washetryingtohidesomething?WithDeke,whoknew?
“AnytimeIsayyes,you’llwantto…?”
Lustglowedbrightandbluefromhiseyes.“IfLucisreadyandyousayyestousboth,I’llbethere.”
Thesuggestionofhiswordscreatedaheady,meltyfeelingthatswirleddeliciousheatthroughherandsettledadangerousacherightbetweenherlegs.
“SoI’mnotjustanotherwethole?
Hegrimaced.“No.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Okay,um…Ijustfinishednursingschool,soI’mfree.I’llneedtostudyformyexams,butIcandothatanywhere.Letmegrababagtonight.IcanleaveanoteformydadthatI’mvisitinga…friend.
He’soutoftownrightnow,anyway.Icanbebacktomorrowand—”
“Wait.Wehaveonerule.”
Arule?Therewererulesaboutathree-way?“Like…?”
“Idon’tdovirgins,sotherewon’tbeanyfuckingyourpussy.”Kimberbristled.Shedidn’tlikehisbluntlanguage,butwasusedtothat.Whatbotheredhermorewashistone,asifvirginitymadeheralowerlife-form.
“IthinkImadeitclearearlierthatIwantedtosavemyvirginityforJesse.Sothatwon’tbea
problem.”
53
“Ijustwantyoutorememberthatwhenthingsgethot.”Hegrabbedherfaceinhishandsandleaned
histautbodycloser.Theintentglowofhiseyessaidthathewasdesperatelyresistingtheurgetokissher.“AndKimber,theywillgethot.”Asizzlingshiverstolethroughher.“Iwon’tforgetorchangemymind.”
“Iwon’tgiveinwhenyoubeg.”
Kimbertoreawayfromhisgrasp.“WhenIbeg?”
My,someonethinksalotofhisprowess.
Deke’sgrimsmilewentstraighttohernerves.“Oneofthejoysofaménage.Wecanmakeyouwillingtodoanything.Butsincewe’reagreednowthattherewon’tbeanystraightsex,thenthere
won’tbeanyrisks.”ShaylaBlackDecadentWhatsortofsexwouldtherebe,then?Oral.Anal.She
hadn’tdoneeither.Intwoweeks,she’dbecomeaproatboth.Thethoughtmadehersuckinasharp
breathatthedangerousjoltof
“Risksofwhat?Pregnancy?”
Deke’smouthtightened.“Thatandentanglement.Takingvirginityisacceptingaresponsibilityinmymind.Amanshouldn’tfuckavirginhedoesn’tintendtoclaimandkeep.AndI’mnotinthemarkettoclaimanywoman,notintheforeversense.”Amazing.Theold-fashionedandcommitment-avoidant
allinonebreath.
“Somehow,I’mnotsurprised,”sheremarked,hearingherownsarcasm.
Dekemerelycrossedhisarmsoverhischestandstared,hisexpressionclosed.
Unreadable.Tautjaw,unapproachablebodylanguage.Hismouthflattenedintoa54
grimline.Andthosedeepblueeyesofhis,theylookedflat,matter-of-fact…atfirstglance.
Kimberlookedagain.
Bleak.Everythingabouthimscreamedit.Astiffnessinhisposture,coupledwithsomeyearningsheglimpsedthelongershelooked.Dekeblinked,shiftedhisweight,tookastepback.Whatevershe’d
seenwasgone.
Kimberfrowned.Lord,shewaslosingit.Itwasn’tpossibletoseethatmuchfromasingleglance.
AndDekewasthelastmansheshouldattributeanyrealemotionto.Thatlook…she’dprobablyjust
mistakenhisannoyancethathehadtowaituntiltomorrowforhertoeasehishard-onorthathe
wouldn’tbegettinganyvaginalsexfromher.Thesubjectofvirginsandclaimingdidn’tactuallyupsethim.Shedoubtedmuchruffledhim,infact.He’dprobablythoughtnexttonothingaboutthe
“risks”ofvaginalsex,excepttodecidethatdeclaring“novirgins”gavehimabettershotatno
commitment.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“ShouldItellLucyou’llbebacktothehouseintimefordinner?”Hisdeadexpressionwasback,andthistime,Kimberdidn’tlookanycloser.ShedoubtedDekewassensitiveenoughtohaveany
demons,butifhedid,shedidn’twanttoknowthem.
“Andpassuphiscooking?I’llbethere.”
Dekedidn’tsmile.Infact,helookedascheerfulasamanfacingdeathrow.“We’llbeready.”
#
DekenursedabeerjustinsidethekitchenashewatchedLucopenthefrontdoor
Kimberstoodontheotherside,lookingsodamninnocentinawhitelaceshirtandflirtyflowered
skirt,hegnashedhisteeth.Havingherherehad“badnews”written55
alloverit.Damn.
Thehintofmischiefinhereyesdidn’tmakehimhard—justthethoughtofherhadmanagedthat
twentyminutesago.ButtheexcitementflushinghercheeksslammedafreshrushofbloodtohiscockasLucinvitedherintothehouse.Sheacceptedwithasmileandsteppedherstrappy-sandaledfeet
intothehall.
Hisgoodol’cuzhadbeenlikeapantingpuppywiththepromiseofanewtoyallafternoon.He’d
sweet-talkedWiletta,theiroldhousekeeper,intoamidweeksprucingup.LuchadalsospentthelastfourhourspreparingsomegourmetchickendishDekecouldn’tpronounce.Anddessert—some
complicatedchocolatetortethingwithstrawberries.Dekeshookhishead.Luchadboughtfour
cartonsoftheberriesandhandpickedamerefewfortheconfection.
Dekedoubtedthey’dmakeittodessert.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHedidn’thavetoaskwhyalltheeffortonLuc’spart.Hiscousinwantedto
believethey’dfinallyfoundthewomanwhocouldcompletethem,discountingthefactthatnosane
womanwouldwanttoplayhousepermanentlywithaformerArmyRangerandatemperamentalchef.
Apparently,LuchadalsoforgottenthethousandsoftimesDekehadinsistedhedidn’twanta
permanentrelationship.
Still,hiscousinpersistedinhopingKimberwastheirs.
Whoknewwhy?Dekehadpointedoutrepeatedlytheywouldn’tbesinkingtheircocksintoKimber’s
sweetpussy.Thatshewas,infact,comingheremerelytoexperienceaménagesoshecouldbe
preparedtopleaseanotherman.Noneofthatmattered.LucwasstillconvincedKimbercouldbeThe
One.Sweetlycurious,softontheoutsidewithatoughinnercore,KimberwaseverythingLucinsistedwasperfectforalifewithtwodifficultmen.
Dekesnorted.Yeah,thissurewasheadedforafairy-taleending.Not.ButLuc56
wouldhavetofigurethatoutforhimself.Dekewastiredofpointingouttheobvious.Still,he
admittedprivatelytherewassomethingaboutKimberthatutterlyflippedhisswitch.
Grimacingatthehard-onstrainingthefuckingslacksLuchadinsistedhewear,heliftedhisbeerforalongswallow.Hell,hewasashardashecouldeverrememberbeingandhe’ddonenothingmore
thanwatchKimberwalkthroughhisdoorwithahesitantsmile.
“Hi.”
Hervoicewasbreathy,soft,alittleshaky.Good.Shehadeveryreasontobenervous.Hewas.His
insideswerelikealitpowderkegonashortfuse.Whatwouldhappentohisrestraintandself-
controlafterheandLuclaidheroutonthebed?
Kaboom
ShaylaBlackDecadentHewasalljackeduponadrenaline,justashewasafteramission.Heneeded
tofuck,andhecouldonlydenyitforsolong.Worse,theneedseemedfixatedonher.
Itwasn’tamatterofifshebeggedtobefucked,butwhen.Andwhenshebeggedforahardcockinherpussy…couldhekeeptohisvowtoleaveheravirgin?
Despitehistoughtalk,hewasn’tsure.
Couldhefuckher,claimher,andrisktheconsequences?
Hellno!Nomoreriskswherevirginswereconcerned.Abso-fucking-lutelynot.
Neveragain.She’dlearnwhattheycouldteachintwoweeksandbegone.He’dresist…somehow.
“Comein,”Lucsaid,takingthedufflebagthatweigheddownherslenderarmandsettingitinthe
hall.“We’regladyou’rehere.I’mthrilledyou’veagreedtostaywithus.”
57
AndifLuchadhisway,Kimberwouldneverleave.
“Thanksforchangingyourmind.”
Shelookedself-conscious,tuckinghersilkyreddishhairbehindoneear,herhazeleyesdarting
aroundthelivingroomandintothekitchen.
Hergazefoundhis,andtheirstaresconnected.Atthevisualjoltofelectricity,shesuckedinabreath.
Hefelthergazelikeasuckerpunchtothegutandahardtugonhiscock.
Oh,hell.Hewasinmajorshithere.
LuctuckedKimber’shandinhisandledhertothekitchen.
“Mymindneverneededchanging.AsfarasI’mconcerned,you’vealwaysbeenwelcome.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentThanksforthepublichanging,cuz
“Deke.”Hisnametrembledfromherlips.Thesoundwentstraighttohisdick.Nottrustinghimselftokeepquieteverydirtythoughtscreaminginsidehishead,hejustnodded.
“Wine?”Lucaskedher,leadingherdeeperintothehouse,intothemiddleofthekitchen.
“Sure.Thankyou.Doyouhaveanywhite?”
“Ihaveagreatchardonnay.”
“Perfect.”
Lucslantedachastisingglancehisway.Whatthefuckdidhiscousinwanthimtodo?Dekedidn’t
likewine.Lucwastheslickonewithalltheverbalskills,soDeke58
waslettinghimdothetalking.Itwassmart,sinceDekeonlyspokecaveman.
Besides,hehadnothingtosay.IfhetouchedKimberatallrightnow,Lucwouldonlyheartwo
sounds:himrippingherclothesawayfromherbodyandherscreamashecoveredherclitwithhis
mouthuntilshecame.
“Everythingsmellsdelicious,”shemurmuredandslantedashyglanceinDeke’sdirection.
Smilingwithallthecharmofadamntalkshowhost,Luchandedheraglassofwine.“Ihopeyou’ll
enjoyit.Makeyourselfcomfortable.Or,ifyouprefer,hitDekeupforatourofthehouse.”
Kimbertookasipofthechardonnay,thencutanotheranxiousglanceinhisdirection.Hertongue
draggedalongherplumplowerlip—nearlysendinghimtohisknees.“I’dloveatour.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentWhathe’dreallylovewastoseethattongueslidingacrosstheheadofhis
cock.
Heswallowedattheimagegnawingacrosshismindandrightthroughmostofhisself-control.
“Sure,”hesaid,tryingnottogrimaceathisscratchyvoice.
Hemadehiswayacrossthekitchenand,becausehecouldn’tstandnottouchingherforanother
minute,hemoldedhispalmtothesmallofherback.Warm,firmlycurved.Responsive.Dekeglanced
herwayandcouldn’tmissthefacthernippleshardenedtheinstanthetouchedher.Andhersmell…
heinhaledpeaches,brownsugar,andcinnamon.Homey,spicy,comforting,andarousing.Another
sniff.Holyshit,ifhegotanyharder,hiszipperwasgoingtoleavepermanentindentionsonhisdick.
Withagentlepush,hetookhishandsoffherandurgedheroutofthekitchen,backintothelivingroom,thendownthehall,grabbingherbrightbluedufflebag.
59
Hoistingitonhisshoulder,helookedbackather.“Therearetwobedroomsandanofficeattheendofthehall.Luc’sisthelarger,sincehelivesherefull-time.I’monlyherewhenI’mbetween
assignmentsor,likenow,recoveringfromaninjury.”
“Whathappened?”
Dekecouldn’tmistaketheconcerninhervoiceorthewayitmadehimwanttopinhertoawalland
kissher.Notjustfuckher.Hestillwantedto—bad.Butherlittleshowofcareluredhiminawayhewasn’tfamiliarwith,butwasstilleverybitaseffectiveasatop-of-the-linerodandreel.
Ifhewasn’tcareful,hewouldfallforherhook,line,andsinker,toquoteacliché.
He’dbeenthere,donethatwithHeather,andhe’dlovetoburnhissouvenirT-shirt,buthismemorieswouldn’tlethim.Instead,hehungitinhismentalcloset,determinednottofuckupagain.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“SomeassholewithaknifewantedtodemonstratehisZorroimpressionusingmyribs.Twelve
stitchesandatetanusshotlater,I’mgoodasnew.”
“YouandDadareinadangerousbusiness.”
“Beatsthehelloutofsittingbehindadesk.”
“Dependsonyourperspective,butIknowyoumenofactionalwaysneedsomeasstokick.”
Dekecouldn’thelpthesmiletuggingacrosshismouth.“Damnstraight.”Afewstepslater,heshovedadooropentorevealasmallishbedroomwithwhitewalls.Itheldadoublebed,achair,areading
lamp,andadeskwithalaptop.Itwouldneverwininteriordesignawards,butitworkedforhim.
“Thisisyourroom.”Itwasn’taguess;sheknewit.
60
“Yep.”
“Itlookslikeyou.”
“Dull?”hebaited.
“Hardly.”Shelaughed.“Icouldcallyoualotofthings,butneverdull.”Theslightlybreathypitchofhervoicewasstillgoingstraighttohiscock.He’dneverbeenmuchforpeaches,butrightnowthe
smellofherwasrushingallhisbloodsouth.Damn,Lucalwaysmadedinnerwithcompanyagrand
affair.HowthehellwouldhemakeitthroughthewholemealwithoutthrowingKimberuponthe
tableandeatingherinstead?
“It’sfunctional,clean,uncomplicated.You’dappreciatethosequalities.”ShaylaBlackDecadentOh,shit.She’dguessedalotabouthimwhenhewasn’tlooking.Thatdangerousfeelingofwantingtokissherreturned,alongwithanurgetoholdherclosejustforthepleasureoffeelingheragainsthim.Bad.
Stupid.Wrong.Nothappening.He’dtastehersweetkissbeforehefuckedherass,butaffection—outofthequestion.
Kimberwouldtakeitthewrongway.Hell,hemight,too.
“Exactly,”hemurmuredandshutthedoor.Acrossthehall,heeasedopenthedoortoLuc’soffice.
Withitsdeepburgundywallsanddarkwoods,etchedglassandbrassaccents,itresembledanelegantgentleman’sestablishmentofold—butwithacutting-edgedesktop,speakerphone,anda
printer/scanner/faxmachine.Atobacco-coloreddeskchairinleatherpresidedoveramasculine
walnutdeskandbookshelves,inlaidwithlighterwoodsonthetopandsideswithsomethingLuchad
calledamedallion.
61
“Wow,”Kimberbreathed.“Thisisgorgeous.Luchaswonderfultaste.”Whydidwomenalwayssay
that?Normally,menwith“wonderfultaste”weregay,butheknewfirsthandthatLucwasasstraight
ashewas.
Forthefirsttimeinages—no,ever—DekeregrettedLuc’sheterosexuality.Ifnotforthatandhis
interestinKimber,Dekemightfindawaytohaveheralltohimself,legsspreadfromoneendofthebedtotheotherwhilehealoneclimbedbetweenthemandfuckedher.
No!Inallthewaysthatmattered,shewashisworstmemorycomebacktolife.
NotthatsheactuallywasHeather,but…closeenough.Likehehadforthepasttwelveyears,since
thatterriblesummer,hewasgoingtosharethewomanandjustbehappyforthegreatsex.
“Lucenjoysdecoratingandcookingandshit.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“He’swonderful.”Herhazeleyeslitupastheytraveledtheroom.
Dekeshovedasideaprickleofirritation.Lucwasdamngoodwithcookinganddecorating,soof
course,shewasgoingtobeimpressed.Butshe’dcomehereforsex,andhevowedthatwhenitcame
tothat,he’dimpressthehelloutofher.
Pivoting,heexitedtheofficeandmadehiswaytotheendofthehall.Heshovedthedooropenand
tossedherdufflebagin.
“ThisisLuc’sroom.”
Spacious,aneclecticblendofmodernandTuscan,technologyandOldWorld.
Taupes,olives,andgoldwithasplashofred,alongwithacozyking-sizedbed,invitedwomento
comeinandget…comfortable.ItbotheredhimlikehellthatKimberwouldn’tbetheexception.
SheglancedatherbagonthefloorofLuc’sroom,thenathisbed.“I’llbestaying62
here?”
DekeswallowedandtriednottopictureKimbernakedonLuc’sbed,triednottopicturethetwoof
themalonesleeping,touching,fucking,whileafewwallsseparatedhim.Thethoughtchargeda
violentsurgeoffuryallthewaytohisfists.
Heclenchedthemtokeepstill.
KimbersleepingwithLuc…itwasbetterthisway.Lesstemptation.Lucsleptlikethedeadmost
nights.Dekedidn’thavethatluxury.Andifhewasn’tlyingrightnexttothewomanwho’dmost
revvedhislibidointhelastdecadewhenthenextsleeplessmidnightrolledaround,hecouldn’t
caresshersilkenskin,whispernaughtysuggestionstoher,andsweet-talkhiswayintoherpussy.Andhe’dwantto.Hell,hewantedtonow.
Bad,badsign.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Yeah.Luchasthebiggerbed.Isometimeshavetroublesleeping.Iwouldn’twanttokeepyou
awake.”
Kimberturnedslowlyandshothimaconsideringstare.“IknowyouthinkI’mmakingamistake,and
thatyou’renotthrilledabouthelpingme…”Shewasbothrightandwrong.Herbeinghere,learning
fromhimandLuc,itwasadouble-edgedsword.Dekedidthinkshewasmakingamistake.Kimber
justdidn’tstrikehimasthekindofwomanwhocouldmakeménageawayoflife.Buttoindulgehispurelyselfishneedtotouchher,he’dgiveherathorougheducation.
Still,hehatedlikehellthatshewantedtolearnallaboutménagesoshecouldpleasepretty-boyJesseMcCall—arockstarwholikelyhadawillinghoardofgroupiesineverycityaroundtheglobeand
wouldeventuallybreakherheart.Hell,aslongashewasbeinghonest,hedidn’tevenwanttoshareherwithLuc.
Whoa!Theyweremorelikebrothersthancousins,andsincethatdisastrous63
summerwithHeather,heandLuchadshareddamnneareverything,damnneareverywoman.And
herehewasadmittingthathewantedKimberalltohimself.
Confessioncouldn’tbegoodforhissoul,Dekedecided,sincehefeltlikeshit
Kimberreachedout,touchedhisarm,makinghimwanttocrawloutofhisclothesandputherflatonLuc’sbed.Fuckdinner.Somecrazedpartofhimwasnearlyreadytoditchhisresolutionneveragaintotakeawomantobedalone.
“But,”shemurmured,“I’mnottryingtomakeyourlifedifficult.Ipromise.Iknowyoudon’treallywantmehere.”
No,hereallydidwantherhere,waymorethanheshould.AndKimberwasasmartgirl;she’dfigure
thatoutbeforetoolong.“It’sfine.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHeshutthedoortoLuc’sbedroom—and
thedisturbingimagesofhiscousinandKimberentwinedalonetogether—thenstompedbackdown
thehall.Theypassedthroughthelivingroomagain,thendownanotherhall.
“Gameroom.”Hepointedtothespaciousroomwithaminibarandapooltablethat,thankstoLuc,
managedtohaveenoughclasstoavoidlookinglikeitbelongedinabachelorpad
“Den.”Dekepointedtoanotherroomthatheldabig-screenTV,apairofleathersofas,acoupleof
gamingconsoles—andperfectlymasculinewindowtreatments.
LeaveittoLuctothinkthataman’sdomainneededfreakin’drapes.
“Wechillhere.There’salibraryofbothbooksandmoviesontheshelvesalongthebackwall.Soifyou’reeverbored…”
“Thanks.Rightnow,I’mstudyingformynursingexamssoIimaginealotofmy64
timewillbedevotedtothat,atleastwhenwe’renot…busy.”Colorflushedhercheeksagain.Her
perfectlypaleskindidn’tallowhertohidefrommuch.Thethoughtthrilledhim.Themorearoused
shegottherosierherskinwouldturn.Damn,whatafuckingturn-on.
Dekeduckedbehindoneofthesofastohidehiserectionandgrimaced.Howthehellwashegoingto
holdittogetherthroughthetwo-houraffairLuclikedtomakeoutofdinner?Atthemoment,he’dgiveanythingforfast-foodburgers—aslongaseveryonewaswillingtoeatthemnaked.
“Duringmostdays,it’squietinhere,soitwillbeagoodplacetostudy.Nowyou’veseenpretty
muchthewholehouse.There’sahottuboutside.”Shefrowned.“Dangit,Ididn’tbringasuit.”
“Evenifyouhad,youwouldn’tbewearingit.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Oh.Well—”sexualawarenessdawned,brighteningherhazeleyes—“Isee.”Shesippedherwine,
thenbitherlipagain,andDekewasdamnnearreadytoleapoverthecouch,pinhertoawall,andgetheroutofherclothes.
“Thatmakessense.”Shesenthimaflusteredsmile.“You’regoingtoseeeverything,anyway.”
Yeah.Hewasgoingtodoalotmorethanseeit.Thatmomentcouldn’tcomesoonenoughforhim.
“Dinner!”Lucyelledfromthekitchen.
Thankfultocommencethenexttwohoursofrazor-sharpanticipationsotheycouldgetontothebig
show,DekewalkedKimberbacktothecenterofthehouse.
Lucwaitedthereforthem,withafullspreadwaiting.HiscousinseatedKimber,65
pushinginherchairlikeagentleman.Damn,whyhadn’thethoughtofthat?
Tryingnottosulk,Dekedroppeddownintohisseat,watchingasLucdishedupherfood,refilledherwine,smiled,flirted,casuallytouched—andmadehimmadashell.Kimberblushedandsmiledand
hungonhiseveryword,whichonlypissedhimoffmore.Heneededtogetagripandgetoverher.
Shewashereforsex.
Period.Whocaredthathewasn’tSirGalahad?
Butlater,whentheygotnakedandinbed,DekeintendedtoprovethatwhileLuc’snicerqualities
wereallwellandgood,theyweren’tgoingtoflipherswitch.
Dekewastunedintoher.Hecoulddamnnearseehereagernessescalating,clawingthroughherbody.
He’duseherdesirestomakehercomesomanytimesshe’dlosecount.Andhevowedthathisname
wouldbethelastwordonherlips.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER4
Dinnerwasscrumptious—andentirelytoolong.
Luccouldcook,nodoubtaboutthat.He’dmasteredanartthatamazedKimber,sinceshecouldbarelyboilwater.Mostofthe“femininearts”hadescapedher.Theby-productofgrowingupwithmen
alwaysontop-secretmissionsandparanoidaboutsafety.
Honestly,shewasshockedthatthelacetopandskirtshe’dworntonighthadn’tgivenherhives.Buttherealitywas,sheknewmoreaboutfirearmsthancouture.
Moreaboutmartialartsthanmakeup.
Thathadmaderomanceeverythingfromchallengingtoabigjokeinthepast.Sheonlyhopedthat,
sinceDekeandLucweretutoringher,notdatingher,thattheywouldn’tmindthesamewayJesse
didn’tmind.
66
“Didyoulikedinner?”Lucasked.
Likeit?ShewastotallyimpressedbyLuc’sculinaryexpertise.He’dearnedhisinternational
reputation.Butafternearlytwohoursofrichfood,smalltalk,andeveryoneavoidingtheunspoken
topichangingheavyintheroom,thecomingnightandwhatitwouldbring,Kimber’snerveswere
sharperthananyofLuc’sfancykitchenknives.Shecouldn’ttakethebuildinganticipationinsideher,thebubblingtestosteroneallaround,thethickheatslidingbetweenherlegs.
BasedonthemonosyllablesDekehadrepliedwithforthepasthour,sheguessedhewasmorethan
readytoadjourntothebedroom.Eitherthatorhestillwasn’thappytohaveherthere.
Kimbershruggedofftheunpleasantthought.“Dinnerwaswonderful.Thanksforalovelymeal,Luc.
Everythingwastrulyspectacular.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Morewine?”Thewordsformedapolitequestion,buthiseyes…theydancedwithmischief,asif
he’daskedthequestionmerelytotoywithher.
“Nothanks.TwoglassesismylimitorIfallasleep.”
“Sherry,then?”
Aghostofasmilecurvedthatfull,sinfulredmouthofhis.Lucwasbeautiful,sensual,playful,easytotalkto,cultured,curious.Shockingthatsomebrightwomanhadn’tsnappedhimupagesago.
Butrightnow,shewantedtostranglethemanforprolongingheragony.
“Nomoreforme.”
Lucstoodandclearedhisplate,settingitonthecounterandreachingforsomedecadentchocolate
confection.“Dessert?Icanmakecoffee,ifyouwant.Ihave67
cinnamonhazelnut,Frenchroastedvanilla—”
“Iappreciateyoureffort,butI’djustlikethetwoofyouinbed.”Lucstoppedinthemiddleofthekitchen,dishesinhand.Dekesuckedinasharpbreath.Neithermoved.
Oh,no.Hadshemisreadthevibes?They’dseemedinterested.Dekehadbarelymanagedcivil
conversation,andthoseburningeyesofhishaddamnnearcharredherappetite.Luchadflirted,
touchingherhands,bumpingherknee,feedingherfromhisfork.
Kimberglancedacrossthekitchen.Luchadhardened,damnnearburstingthefrontofhisslacks.To
herleft,achairscrapedacrossthefloor,disturbingthedeadsilence.Dekestood,andshediscoveredhewasinthesamestateashiscousin—
tense,erect,ready.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThatmeantshehadn’tmisreadthesituation,right?Ormaybenot…Maybe
Deke’sdesirehadn’ttotallytackledhisreluctance.MaybeLucwashavingsecondthoughts.
Damnit,shedidn’tknow.Inexperiencewasn’thelpfuljustnow.
“I-I’msorryifthat’stooblunt,”sheapologized.“I’mnotusedtotemperingwhatIsay,sincemy
familyneverdoes,soI—”
“Let’sgo.”Dekegrabbedherhandandtuggedonherarm,nearlydraggingheroutofthekitcheninhishaste.
“Tobed?”
“Hell,yeah!”
Dekedidwanther.Excitementjoltedher,screamingthroughherblood.Now.The68
timehadcome.Shewasgoingtolearnaboutmenandsexandsomethingbeyondself-pleasure—and
shewasgoingtolearnitatthehandsoftwoofthemostgorgeousmenshe’deverseen.Withthe
arousalbubblinginherbodynow,shedidn’tthinkacceptingaménagewoulddisturbherintheleast.
She’dlearnallaboutitsothatwhenJessereturnedtoTexasinafewweeks,shewouldknowexactlywhatheneededandhowtogiveittohim.He’dracetopursuedeepeningtheirspecialconnection
becauseshe’dnolongerbetooinnocenttodealwithhislifestyle.
Luctriedtolookputout.“Ispentalotoftimemakingthistorte.”Kimbertossedateasingglanceoverhershoulder.“It’llmakeagreatmidnightsnack.”
“Itwillifyouletmeeatitoffyourbreasts,”Lucmurmured,stalkingcloser
ShaylaBlackDecadentShesenthimagiddylaugh.“Onlyifyoupromisetolickoffeverycrumb.”
Lucsaidsomethingandstartedafterher,butshecouldn’thear,sinceDekewasalreadypullingher
downthehall,towardLuc’swidebed.Inlessthanthirtyseconds,shewasflatonherback,with
Deke’sbigbodycoveringhers,hiskneesspreadingherlegswide.
Hismouthswoopedoverhersbeforethebedstoppedbouncing.Henudgedherlipsapartandplunged
deepintothekiss,engagingher,ignitingher.Kimberthrewherarmsaroundhisneckandlostherselfinhisspicedflavorandhistouch.
Demandtingedwithdesperation;shetastedit.Hisimpatientlustflowedwitheveryhotswipeofhistongueagainsthers,everybunchingofhishardshouldersunderherfingers.
Heurgedherlegsapartevenmoreandsettledhiscockdirectlyagainsther.Oh,hefeltgood.No,
morethangood.Wildlyarousing.Hefitasifhe’dbeenmadeto69
occupythecradleofherthighs.Andwhenhepushedagainsther,bumpingherclit,shegaspedintothekiss,stunnedthathecouldraisesuchsexualhavocinahandfulofheartbeats.Heswallowedher
response,andwithanothergrindagainsther,demandedmore.
Toherright,thebeddippedagain.Heatblastedher,comingcloserwitheachsecond,untilanother
hardmalebodyplastereditselfagainstherside.Luc.
Shirtless,shediscoveredasshereachedouttotouchhim.
Herfingersencounteredskinassoftassuedeoversteelhonedmuscles.Thenhismidnighthair,
gloriouslylooseandhangingaroundhiswide,bronzedshoulders.
Lucplantedaseriesofsoftkissesonhercheekanddownherneckasheworkedahandinbetween
herandDeke,untilhefoundthehardpointofhernipplethroughhershirtandcaressedher.Asweetachepooledthere,tingling,lingering.
Moisturegushedbetweenherlegs.Ohwow!
ShaylaBlackDecadentDeketoreawayfromhispossessionofhermouthlongenoughtotastetheskin
ofherneck,nibbleonhercollarbone.
Ashakysighescapedherlips.Hereyesflutteredopen,settlingonLucandhisboilingchocolateeyesmeltingher,watchingher,invitinghertosin.Shethreadedherfingersthroughtheloose,inkyhair.
Luclookedlikeagentlemanpirate—barelytamed,sensual,promisingpleasure—willingtotake
whateverhewanted.Kimber’sbreathcaughtashemovedcloser.
ThenDekedistractedherasheplowedintothebuttonsofherlacyblouse,sweptbothhalvesofthe
flimsygarmentaside,thenshovedherbraup,exposinghertohisravenousgaze.Hecoveredher
breastwithonehugepalm.Kimbersuckedinasharpbreathatthelightningcontact.Dekedidn’t
pausetolethercatchup.Hesimplyliftedherbreast,testingitsweight,thenbrushedhisthumboverthetauttip.Tingleseruptedagain.
70
KimberhadalmostnotimetobeoverwhelmedbyDeke’sfondlingbeforeLuc’smouthsettledover
herown.Likeamaestro,heplayedherwithhiskisses.Softstrainsatfirst—agentlebrushoflips,ateasinglickofherbottomlip,asexysighashepressedhermouthopen,tauntingherwiththenotionthathemighttaketheaddictingkissdeeper.Buthedidn’t.
Moaningrestlessly,sheliftedhermouthtoLuc.Hemerelysmiled,thennippedatherbottomlipwithaplayfulbite.Hewasgentle,teasingbuildingtheanticipation,fillingherwithatenderswellofwant.
Stillatherbreasts,Dekedidn’tbuildagentleanything—andmadeitclearhedidn’tintendtobe
overlookedorovershadowed.Instead,hesuckedhernippleintohismouthwithahardpull,drawing
desiredirectlyfromtheachingpoint,whichhardenedlikearockagainsthistongue.Thenhebit
down,enoughtosting.EnoughShaylaBlackDecadenttosendafireballofwantthroughherbreast,
jettingdownherbelly,tocrashrightbetweenherlegs.Shewhimperedandarcheduptohimin
offering.
“She’sbeautiful,Deke,”Lucwhisperedagainsthermouth.“Betterthanfantasy.”Kimberwarmed
underthepraise,butfoundherselfholdingherbreath,waitingforDeke’sresponse.Wouldheagree?
Itdidn’tmatter,really.LearningforJessewasthegoal.Butsomehow,itdidmatter.ThoughitwashardtodecipherwhywhenDekeliftedhismouth,transferredittoherotherbreast,andcreated
anotherfireballofneed,whichhadhergaspingandwet.
“Isn’tshe,Deke?”Lucprodded.
AmI?Whydidhisopinionmatter,damnit?Maybebecausethethoughtofthemanteachingheraboutsexnotfindingherattractivewasdistasteful.Shewantedhimtoseepastthetomboy.Thathadtobeit.
71
“Yes,”hegroanedacrossherbreast,hisbreathstrikingherwetnipple,coolingit,hardeningitmore.
“Likeafuckingwetdream.”
Hiswordsvibrateddeepinsideher,straighttoherswollenfolds.God,shewanted.Shethrobbed…
ThenDeke’shandswereatherskirt,pushing,lifting,slidingthesoftmaterialacrossherskin.Thesensationsdidn’tarousehalfasmuchasthesheerknowledgethatDeke’sroughpalmsfollowed.
Fromhercalves,toknees,tothighs,upherhips.
Thetouchofhiscallousedskinoverhersensitivefleshlitherupevenmore.Thefireballmultipliedandsettledbetweenherlegs,rightunderherclit.Lucunhookedthefrontclaspofherbraandlavedatonenipple,whileDeketoreoffhisshirt,satbackonhisheels,andstared.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Thesehavetocomeoff.”Heglaredattheflesh-coloredthongunderwearshe’dboughtthismorning
soshe’dhavesomethingsexytowear.
Beforeshecouldtakeholdofthewaistbandandpeelthemoff,Dekegrabbedoneside.Withhotmale
eyesinafaceshoutingthathewasstrungoutonlust,hewrappedthewispoffabricaroundhisfistandpulled.Asurprisedgaspandasoftriplater,andKimberwasbasicallynaked.Lucmade
basicallyafactbypullingtheblouseandbradownhershoulders,thenslidingtheskirtdownherhips,tothefloor.
Dekehissedinaharshbreathashelookeddownather,hisstareunabashedlyfocusedbetweenher
legs,onthesparsedarkreddishcurls.AglancetotherightshowedherthatLucwastakingthescenicroutetothesameview,ashisgazetraveledoverherdipsandswells,startingwithherbreasts,downtoherwaist,overtheflatofherbelly.Thenlower.
72
Luclookedreadytosavoreverymoment.Deke…thoseglowingblueeyesofhistoldherthathewas
readytodiveintothefeast.Now.
Kimber’sbreathhitched.Herheartpounded,pulsingthroughherbody,makingherclitthrobmadly.
“Deke?”Lucaskedsoftlybesidehim.
ThispauseofDeke’s,itmustbeunusual.KimbercouldseeLuc’sconfusionunderhislust.Shedidn’thavetimetoponderorfrownbeforeDeke’sgravelvoicevibratedinsideher,strokingherdesirea
notchhigher.
“Damn,she’swet.”
“Very,”Lucmurmured.“Whydon’tyoufindoutjusthowwet?”ShaylaBlackDecadentYes,please!
IfKimberhadn’talreadyknownshedamnneardrippedwithdesire,Dekeproveditbyslidinghis
thumbsupherswollenlabiaandpartingthemwide,thepadsslidingoverherslickskin.Histouch
waselectricasheforcedherfleshapartforhisandLuc’sgazes.
KnowingthetwoofthemwatchedandwantedhersentKimber’sdesiresoaring,almosthurtlingher
beyondherabilitytobreathe.
OneofDeke’sthumbsslidclosertoherweepingopening,andKimberfeltheremptinessacutely.She
achedforhimtofillheremptysexwiththestifflengthofhiscock—badly.Dangerous,yes.And
wrong.Butwitheverytouch,herbodyfellunderhisspelluntilitwashistocontrol,nothers.Ofitsownaccord,herbodyraiseditshipstohiminsilentpleading.
“Don’t,”hewarnedher.“Donottemptmetofuckyou.”73
Deniedbutmorefeverishbecauseofit,herthoughtswhirled.Washeannoyedbyherattemptsto
experiencemoreofwhathecouldgiveher?Orthathisunravelingself-controlwasalreadyhanging
byathread?
Lovelythoughtthatshe,inexperiencedKimber,agirlwhosepigtailsandkarateclassesheusedto
ridicule,couldtesthimsothoroughly.AglanceatLucprovedhewasinnobettershape.
Eyelidshalfclosed,shesentthemenaslumberousstare,thenfocusedonDeke’spenis.Ittentedhisslacks.Hard,thick—andgrowing,evenasshelookedathim.
Kimbersentthemakittenishsmile,andbeforeshethoughtbetterofit,sheliftedherhipstoDekeagain.
Hesnarledatherandreachedforhiszipper.“You’rebeggingforwhatyoudon’twantmetogive
you.Stopnow.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Justmakehercome,”Lucwhispered,thevoiceofsanity.“She’sneedyanddoesn’tknowwhatshe’s
askingfor.”
Shefrowned.Shedidknowwhatshewasaskingfor—relief!Dekewantedher;hisunflagging
erectionmadethatclear.
Buthewassayingno,justlikehe’dsaidnotovaginalintercourseduringtheirconversations.Why?
Helikedwomen,sheknew.Jesse.Shecouldn’tforgetJesse.
Sheneededtoexperiencesexhisway,butstillcometohimavirgin,asshe’dsaidshewould.
Dekehadvowedthathewouldn’ttakeavirgin.Hedidn’twanttoclaimanyone.
Nowsherecalled…Somehow,hisstancedisturbedher.
Deke’sfingerscurledintofists.Heswallowed.Theefforttoresistherwascostinghimdearly.
74
“Right,”hesaidfinally,hisvoicelikegravelinablender.“I’llmakehercome.”
“Wetalkedaboutthisearlier,”Lucassuredher,leaningclosertolayasoftkissacrosshermouth,thenthesideofherbreast.“Fortonight,you’lljusttakepleasurefromus,getusedtothesensationsoftwomenpleasuringyouatonce.Whenyou’reready,we’llteachyouaboutpleasingusinreturn.No
rush.Nopressure.
Okay?”
Shesenthimashakynod,barelyabletofocusherthoughtsawayfromDekeandhispromise.Hewas
goingtomakehercome.Kimberhadnodoubthecould.Inaboutthirtyseconds.Orless.Wouldit
erasetheachingemptinessinsideher?
SwinginghergazebackovertoDeke,shetookinhisflushedcheeks,theharshriseandfallofhis
heavilymuscledchest,thesinewandveinsropinghisthickforearms.Sleek,powerful,allmale.
Freshwantpulsedinherbelly,inhersex.
ShaylaBlackDecadentNo.ThinkaboutJesse.WhateverpleasureDekegaveherwasfor
instructionalpurposes.Itwouldhavetobeenough.Nobig,pulsing,more-than-ready-to-do-the-job
cocksinsideher.
“Justtouchme.”Thewordsfellfromherlips,soft,imploring.
“Iwill,inanywayIcan.I’mgoingtofindouteverywaytomakeyoucomeandgetyouoffuntilyoubegmetostop.”
Oh,God.Didhemeanthat?Herbodyhopedhedid,everyword.
Sheswallowedaburninglumpoflust.“Please.”Unabletostopherself,sheliftedherhipstohimonemoretime.
Dekedidn’tturndowntheinvitationtotouchher.Heslippedathickfingerintoherwetdepths,
swipinghisthumboverherclitwiththeother.Electricsparks75
blendedwithpuremagictobrushherskinwithwant,fireherbloodwithpureneed.Shemewled.
Whenherepeatedtheprocess,andLucbenttotakehermouthinakissripewithsensualdemand,hermewlsbecamelowmoans.
Lucswallowedthesoundsandliftedhishandtocoverherbreast,fingerstoyingwithhernipple,
gentlypinching,turning,awakening.Hesentmoreboltsoflustsouth,downlow,tojointheheavy
pulseofdemandherbodypumpedoutateachbrushofDeke’sthumboverherclit
Legstaut,backbowed,Kimberfelttheedgeofclimaxdrawingnear.Andthey’dwhat,touchedher
forlessthantwominutes?Shewasdrowning,flying,achingdesperately—anddidn’twantitany
otherway.
Dekepushedasecondfingerinsideher,fightingtoslidehisthickdigitsin.Astingbecameanacheashemuscledhiswaydeeperinsideher.Finally,herfleshswallowedhimupandclampeddownon
him.Heswore.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“She’sburningmealive.”
Lucnodded,breathingagainstherneckashetookherearlobebetweenhisteeth.
“Tellmehowshefeels.”
HedonisticLucwasencouragingDeke,tryingtodriveherovertheedgewithwickedwords,flirting
dangerouslywithDeke’sraggedcontrol.
“She’ssodamntightandhot.Herpussyisgrippingme.Clinging.Rippling.Fuck!”
“Pumpherwithyourfingers.”
Dekegaspedandbegantoslidehisfingersinandoutofhertightpassage.“Can’tstop.Toofuckinggoodtostop.”
“Comeforus,sweetheart.”Lucwhisperedinherear,brushinghisthumbsacrossso-sensitive
nipples.
76
Kimberfeltswolleneverywhere.Strungtight.Achedinsideherownskin.Dampwithperspiration,
wetwithneed,bloodracedthroughherbody.Herheartpumped.Herskintingled.AndstillDekekeptthatincessant,mercilessthumbstrummingherclit.Hisfingersslidinandout,plyingsomesensitivespotinsidehersexshe’dneverfoundonherown.
Lucwhisperedagainsthermouth,“Youlookbeautiful.Ican’twaittowatchyouscreaminclimax.”
Then,withinsistentfingers,hepluckedatherachingnipple.
Toomuch.Itwasalltoomuchtoresist.Holdingoutwasn’tanoption.
Heatbuilt.Bloodroared.Kimberheldherbreath,whimpered,moaned—beforethepleasure
condensedbetweenherlegsintoaconcentratedburstofenergythatexplodedlikeasupernova,
sendingherhurtlingdeepintoarealmofecstasyshe’dneverimagined.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Yes!”Deke’sfingersstayedlodgedinher,andshecouldfeelhersexclutchhim,squeezing,
releasing,caressinghimagain.
“Yes.Again,”hedemanded.“Comeagain.”
Shemoaned.“Idon’tthinkIcan.”
Luclaughed,lowandamusedandthrummingwithsensualpromise.“We’lltakecareofyou.”
“Butusuallyafteronce,I’m…spent.”
Dekeshookhisheadwithsharpmilitaryprecisionoranger—orabitofboth.
“Notwithtwomen.Youcomerepeatedly,untilyou’resoexhaustedyou’renearlyunconscious.”
Unconscious?Kimberopenedhermouthtoargue,thoughshereallydidn’thave77
theenergy.Andcouldn’tquitefocuswithhisthumbcontinuingtoplayoverherclit,makinghertwitchandpulse,prolongingherpleasureuntilherheadspun.
Untilitslowlybuilttomore.Untilsheachedagain.
“That’sright,”Dekemurmured.
Thenhebentdowntoher.Nopreliminaries.Nowaiting.Nowarning.Histonguelashedherclit,
assumingthesameteasingmovementsashisthumb.
Thesensationsmatchedthosehe’dincitedbefore,butfeltmoreintense.Kimberfilledwithneed,asifshe’dnevercomeatall.Onlythistime,thepleasurewasstronger.Herbodywasprimed,hismouth
determined,andhiswilliron.Shewouldcomeforhimagain.Hewouldnottakenoforananswer.
Andshewatched,thevisualofhimfeastingonherarousedhernearlyasmuchashisactualtouch.
Withinmoments,thequestionofwhethershe’dcomeagainShaylaBlackDecadentceasedtobe,
morphingintoaquestionofwhen.Kimberknewfromhertensingbody,thethickeningpleasure,the
wayherlegsspreadwiderallonherown,invitingDekeindeeper,thatthewhenwouldbesoon.
“Hertaste?”Lucaskedhiscousinagainsttheundersideofherbreastbeforehedraggedhernipple
intohismouthforalong,sensualsuckle.
Kimber’sbreathingclimbed,hitched.
“Fuckingsweet,”Dekemuttered,lappingatheragainlikeatreat.“Christ!”Elationsoaredathis
words.Heapproved.No,heenjoyed.Hisroughvoiceanduninhibiteddevouringtoldherthat.He
wasn’tgoingtostopuntilhe’dwrungeverydropofpleasurefromherthathecould.
Lucroseaboveherthen,hisgazepenetratingher.Desirehardenedhisfeatures.
78
Dangerous.Predatory.Hewasn’tcontenttojustwatch.Heexpectedhisturn.
Herpleasureclimbed,ratchetingup,everylickrampinghereuphoriahigherthanbeforeuntilitstrunghersotight,shefeltherclitfillwithblood,pulse,momentsawayfromincredibleorgasm…
“Lookatmewhenyoucome,”Lucdemanded.
Kimberdid,hergazehelplesslyfixedonhisblackstare.Grabbingthesheet,Kimberarchedupasthepleasurebegantooverwhelmher.“Luc…”
“Soon,I’lllickyou.Suckyou.Makeyoucome.”
“Yes,”shepanted.
ThenDeke’stongueflickedherclit,devastatinghercontrol.“Oh,God.Oh…Deke!”ShaylaBlackDecadentEcstasyrippedthesoundfromherthroataslight,color,sensation,andheatallrushed
insideher,detonatingthrougheverynerveinherbody.Shejoltedwiththeforce,shook,perspirationmakingherbodydamp,hermusclesturnasliquidaswater
Asshelayback,tryingtocatchherbreath,strugglingtorecover,Dekelookedupfrombetweenher
legs,hismouthredandwetandsetinadeterminedline.“Oncemore,kitten.”
Thenhelickedheragain.
Shedidn’twanttosayno.Couldshe,even?Kimberdoubtedit.Butshewassotired,turnedinside
out,andspentaftertwomonsterorgasms.AndLucstillhadn’thadaturntosendherflyinginto
pleasure.Andhewantedhischance.Thewayhestaredatherevennowtoldherhewasdone
waiting.
79
“Myturn,”Lucinsisted.“BeforesweetKimberpassesout.Andyouhaveotherthingstoprepareher
for.”
Otherthings?Kimbercouldn’tmakeherexhaustedbodysupportherlethargicthoughtssoshecouldponderwhatthoseotherthingsmightbe.
ButDekeapparentlyagreed—reluctantly—asheslidoffthebedanddisappearedtotheothersideof
theroom.Shebegantotipherheadbackandfollowhimwithhergaze,butLucsnaggedherattentionbycaressingapairofelegantfingertipsthroughhersteamy,swollenslit,thenslowly,soslowly,
slidingthemdeepinsideher.
“Liebackandenjoy,”Lucmurmured.
Tingleserupted,shockingherwiththeirinsistence,flamingtobrightnewlife.
She’dneverbelievedthatshewasverysexual.Shemasturbated,yes,butrarelyShaylaBlack
Decadentcamemorethanonce.Whoknewshehadtwohardorgasmsinarowinher?Andtheway
shefeltnow,athirdwasn’toutofthequestion.
Kimber’seyesslidshut,andsheletoutashudderingbreathoftorturedpleasure.
Liebackandenjoy.Lucwasn’ttakingnoforananswer.Andshewasn’tinclinedtosayit,anyway.
HeproddedthatsensitivespotinsideherthatDekehadquicklyfoundaswellandpliedit—softly,
yes,butwithoutmercy.Theneedspiraledagain,faster,hotter.
Thewallsofhersextightened,tingled,ached.
“Yourvulvaswellsandturnsrosywhenyou’rearoused.It’sfascinatingtowatch,”Lucmurmured.
Hiswordsmadeherclenchwithhelplessarousal.Thenhestimulatedherclitwithalong,lagging
dragofhistongue.
80
Kimbercriedoutandclutchedthesheetsagain.
“Yousmell…”hebreatheddeeply,takingherinthroughhisnose,“amazing.Spicyandhotand
addicting.Whichonlymakesmewanttotasteyoumore.”
“Luc…”Kimberdidn’tknowifshewassayingyesornototheman.SheonlyknewthatheandDeke
hadmanagedtotakehertoaplacewhererationalthoughtceased,sensationruled—anddroveher
completelyoutofherhead.
“StaywhereIcantasteyou,”Lucsaid.“TakethepleasureIgiveyou.”Kimberbracedherselffor
anothercrash,forsomethingevenbigger,morepowerful.Theundertowofthisonemightknockher
unconscious,butsuddenlyshewassureitwouldbeworthit.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThenDekemutteredsomethinglowandunintelligiblenearLuc’sear.Her
lashesflutteredopenintimetoseeLucnod.ThenDeke’shandsdisappearedbetweenherlegs.
Hergazeconnectedwithhis.Heburned,broilingherwiththedemandinhisexpression.Hewanted
toseehercomeagain,underLuc’stongue.Itwasallthereinhisharshstare.Andhewasgoingto
helppushherovertheedge.
NotthatLucneededhelp,shethought,ashesuckedherswollenclitintohismouth.Kimberclenchedherteethagainsttherushofsensations,butonepiledontopoftheother.Thecomingorgasmpackedpower,gnawedintohercomposurewithsharpteeth,andbegantounravelher.Then…oh,Luc’s
tongueflirtedwiththeultrasensitivetipofherclit,nowpeekingoutfromitsprotectivefolds.Shescreamedatthesensations,nearlyclimbingoutofherskin.
Theyweren’tdone.
81
Sensingthatherclimaxhoveredmomentsaway,Lucreleasedherclitandbackedoff.“Notyet,
sweetheart.Soon.There’smore.AndIwanttosavoryou.”
“No,”shepanted,soclosenowthatsweatburstacrossherbrow,betweenherbreasts.“No.Now.”
Lucchuckled.“Havealittlepatience.”
“No,”sherepeated,lookingbetweenthetwomen.
“Yes,”Dekeinsisted.
Shefocusedonhimasheleanedcloser.
“Doit,”hecommandedLuc.
ShaylaBlackDecadentWithaslownod,thedark-hairedhedonistreachedforherlegs,caressinghis
wayup,up.“Withpleasure.”
Dowhat?Theyweren’tgoingtomakehercomeagain.Yet.Nomatterhowbadlyherbodyachedandneeded,archedandyearnedandturnedtofire.
Lucansweredherquestionwhenhecurledhispalmsunderherkneesandliftedherlegs,spreading
themhighandwideuntilherlegswerefoldedagainstherbody,restingaboveeitherhip.Leavingherwideopen.Foranything.
Shebreathedharderatthethought.
“Holdyourselfhere,”Lucsaid,bringingherhandsunderherknees.
Theybothstaredatherexposedsex,eyeshot,determined.Nodoubt,theywereuptosomething.
Somethingnew.Wonderingwhatthatsomethingwastiedher82
stomachintoknotsofapprehensionandneed.
“Luc…”
“Don’tbeghimformercy.Hedoesn’thaveany.Ihaveevenless.Youwantedtolearnaboutménage,
kitten.Youwantyourvirginityintact.Thatmeanswe’regoingtoinvadethatdelectableass.”
Analpenetration.Now.Shecouldseethatfactintheireyesastheirstarestumbledacrossherbody,lingeringontheswollenfleshbetweenherwidespreadlegs.Secretly,she’dwonderedafter
overhearingoneofherbrotherswaxpracticallypoeticaboutanalsex.Yes,ofcourseDekeandLuc
weregoingtopenetrateherthere.Howelsecouldshetaketwomenatonce?
“Willithurt?”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Todaywillbesimple,”Lucassured.“Enoughtogiveyouthesensationswithoutopeningyoutoo
much.”
Dekecuttothechase.“Wewon’tfuckyouhere.Yet.”Butsoon,theywould.
Kimberfeltfaintattheverythoughtoftakingthemintoherbodyinthemostprimitivewaypossibleandgivingherselfcompletelytothem,lettingthepleasure—andlikely,thepain—drownher.
Shesentthemashakynod.“Okay.”
“Iwasn’twaitingforyourconsent.Yougavethattouswhenyouwalkedthroughourfrontdoor,
suitcaseinhand.”
Deke,again.Andhesoundedangrysomehow.Ormaybehewasjustontheedge.
83
Theenormouserectionstilltentinghisslackshadtorequireattention…Andhewasstillstaringathersexhungrily,savageneedlightinghisdeepblueeyes.Apartofherwantedtoprotesthisarrogant
speech.Thepresumption.Kimberbitherlip,logictellingherthathewasright.Andthathissexualfrustrationwasdoingthetalking.
“Iknow.”
Someofthetensionlefthisbody,thenhelookeddownatLucwithanod.“Finishit.”
“Shewon’tlastlong,”Luccommented.
“Kimbermaynotrespondtoit.”AshrugofDeke’smassiveshoulderswasmeanttogiveherthe
impressionthathedidn’tcare.Butshesensedthathedidcare.Verymuch.Theydidn’tleaveher
wonderingforlongifshewouldrespond.MomentsShaylaBlackDecadentlater,shefeltsomething
coolandslipperynudgingherbackentrance.Shetensed,havingsecondthoughts.
No,makethatthirdandfourththoughts.Whatweretheyinvadingherwith?
Whatifshedidn’tlikeit?
“Don’ttense,”Lucurged.“Pushdownjustabit.Itisn’tbig…”Bitingherlip,Kimbertriedtorelaxandpushdownontheinvadingobject,clearlycoatedinlubricant.Shewasonlyhalfcommittedtoit,hedgingheractions.
UntilthefireinDeke’seyesskyrocketed.Untilhewasforcedtoripoffhispants,takehiscockinhand,hisstareallthewhilegluedtoLuc’sgentleprobing.
Thatshecouldgettohim,forcehimtostrokehisownfleshbecauseshearousedhimsomuch,made
Kimberwanttogivehimmoreofashow.She’dimaginedshe’d84
behesitantandshyaroundLucandDeke,butthefemininepowerofknowingshedrovethemto
undeniablearousalburnedawayanytimidity.Shewantedtoteasethem.
ConcentratingonLuc’sinstruction,shedidashesuggested,andsuddenly,somethingslenderslidup,up,upintoherass.Agentleclicklater,andthatsomethingbegantovibrate.
OhmyGod!
Pleasurewoundupagaininseconds,tearingthroughher,soaring,shovingherhardtowardecstasy.
Lucslidthevibeinandoutofhergently,lettingheradjusttothefeelofthelittlewandrapidlydestroyinghersanityasshewatchedDekestrokehisowncockinaharshfist.WhenLucbenthisheadagaintotakeherclitbackintohismouth,theblazebetweenherthighsroaredintoaninferno,
streamingfireintoherbelly,downherlegs.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHerbackarchedasshepanted.Thisclimaxwasbig.Huge.
Whenitswelledoverher,shefearedthelossofconsciousnessthey’dforewarnedheraboutwould
comeandsuckherunderandleaveherthereforhours.Days.
She’dneverimaginedpleasuresoconsumingshecouldn’ttakeabreath,couldn’tstoptheblackedgesfromclosinginonhervision.
“Sheresponds,”Lucsaidwithahintofamusementasheslidhisfingersintoherwaitingsex.“You
readytocome?”
Kimbercouldn’tanswer,couldn’tdoanythingbutwhimperastheclimaxbegantosteamrollher.
“Fuck!”Dekecursed.
Throughhalf-openedeyes,shewatchedhimleanoverher.Hefusedhismouthto85
hers,plunginghistongueinside,deep,thendeeper,asiftryingtogetcloser.
Momentslater,hesteppedbacktogaspinadesperatebreathandcontinuedtopumphiscock.The
sightwasunbearablyerotic.Totallyarousing.ThenDekeleanedinandkissedheragainlikea
starvingman,withsavageryanddemand,lickingherdeeperintotheflames.Knowinghecouldn’t
standnottostrokehimselfwhilehetouchedherfilledherwitheroticfascinationandaheavypangofneed.
Allthewhile,Lucwasdrivinghermadwiththevibeinherass,hisfingersinsideher,andhismouthonherclit.AlongwiththatkissofDeke’s…Hepossessedher,urgingheron,silentlybeggingtogivehimhercriesofpassion—allwhiledrivinghimselftowardruthlessorgasm.
Anditwassomuch,toomuch.Shecouldn’tstopit,couldn’tfightit,anddidn’twantto.
Shescreamedintohismouthastheworldblastedintotinypiecesallaround,detonatingherbody,
blowinghermind.ThehardslamofcontractionsclenchedtheShaylaBlackDecadentwallsofher
channelagainandagain,andsheclampeddownonLuc’squestingfingers,makinghermoaninto
Deke’smouthalloveragain.
Suddenly,Dekebrokethekiss,panting,franticallyfistinghiserectionwithatightjawandtaut
abdomen.Thenhethrewbackhisheadandroaredsoloud,thesoundbouncedoffthewalls.Then
warmjetsofsemensplashedonherbelly,andanotherwaveofsensationslammedheratthethought
thatshecouldmakehimcomesopowerfully.
“Deke!”shescreamed.
#
Kimber’scryofpleasurewasstillringinginLuc’searswhensheclosedhereyesandherbodygave
waytoanexhaustedsleep.Grimacingathispainfulerection,hegentlyextractedthevibeand
withdrewhisfingersfromherswollen,ripplingsex.
86
Shefeltexquisiteandtastedbetter.Butshe’dhadalltheexcitementshecouldhandleforoneevening.
Andshe’dcalledDeke’snameoutinherpassion.Nothis.Deke’s.
Swallowingaboulder-sizedlumpofenvy,Lucremindedhimselfitwasallforagoodcauseand
turnedtogazeupathiscousin.
DekestoodfrozenoverKimber’spronebody,half-hardcockinhisfist,satisfactionrelaxinghis
features.Heletgoofhimselfonalongsigh,hisshouldersfalling,hisbreathingreturningtonormal,hiseyesdamnnearrollingintothebackofhishead.Still,hestaredather.
He’dcome—hard—holdingnothingback,whichwasunusualinitself.ButifKimbercoulddothatto
Dekewithouthisdickactuallybeingsomewhereinsideher,LuccouldonlyimaginethefireworksthatwouldensueifDekeallowedhimselftomakelovetoher.ToadmitthatKimberwasmorethanaplay
toy.ToconfessShaylaBlackDecadentthatthiswomanmatteredtohim.Andshedid.Luccouldsee
thatalloverhiscousin’sface.
“Whatthefuckareyoustaringat?”Dekesnapped.
“Nothing.”
Luclookedaway,turninghisattentionbacktoKimber’ssleep-softform.Sweet,beautifulwoman.
Kimberwasit.TheOne.ThewomanheandDekehadbeenwantingforyears.Luchidasmileofsheerjoy.HeknewKimberwaseverythingtheyneeded:softandyieldinginbed,takenoshitwhenshewasangry,smart,warm-hearted.Sherespondedtotheirtouchbeyondhiswildestfantasies.The
factshewasavirginwouldbecatharticforDeke.
87
Asfortherestoftheissuesthatcouldtripuptheirfuture…she’dunderstand—
eventually.
Buthe’ddealwiththoselater.First,hehadtoconvincehiscousinthathappily-ever-afterwasn’tacrossbetweentoxicwasteandbullshit.Slowly.Lucknewthatifhestartedhiscampaigntonight,itwouldbetooobvious.Dekewasn’tstupid.HeknewthatLucwantedthemtoshareawifeand
childrensomeday.IfhefocusedtoomuchonKimbernow,Dekewouldrunscreamingintheother
direction.BesttomoveslowlyandgiveDekeagentlenudgehereandasharpnipthere…thenlet
naturetakecareoftherest.
“Iwascheckingtoseeifyou’reinanyshapetocleanherup,”Luclied.“Mylegsareasstiffas
meringue,andmydickisn’tmuchbetter.”Dekegrunted,glancedatLuc’stentedslacks,thenKimber’ssilvery-wetabdomen.
“Ifit’saproblem,I’lltakecareofherinafewminutes,”Lucadded.
ShaylaBlackDecadentJawtight,Dekecursed.“I’lltakecareofher.”Ithoughtyoumight.“Whenyou’refinished,tuckherin,willyou?I’mgoingtoshower.”
Dekehesitated,thenfinallynodded.
“Oh,andstaywithheruntilIcomeback.Shemightwakeupdisorientedandbeafraid.”
“She’sagrownwoman.”
“Who’shadaverybignight.I’monlyaskingforfifteenminutes,okay?”Dekegrowled,“Makeitten.
Unlessthere’ssexinvolved,Idon’twanttobenearher.”
88
Nobigsurprisethere.Luchadhisworkcutoutforhimifhewantedtocreateabig,happyfamily.
“Sure,tenminutes.”
Lucturnedandlefttheroom.Hedidn’tlookback,buthadnodoubtthatDekewasalreadyreaching
outahandtowardtheforbiddenfruitofKimber’spaleskin—
justforthepleasureoftouchingher.Toremindhimselfhecouldtouchher.Tofantasizeabout
touchingheragain.
Smiling,Luceasedthedoortothebathroomshut,knowingdeepinhisgutthatDekewouldn’tbeabletoresistdoingfarmorethantouchingherforlong.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER5
SweatfilmedDekeasherolledoutofbed,grayfingersofdawnpushingtheirwaybeneathhis
shutters,mockinghim.Anightgonewithoutsleep,spentalone,knowingthatjustdownthehall,LucandKimberhadsharedbodyheat—andprobablyalotmore—withouthim.
Somethinguglyandhotsurgedinsidehim,crampinghisgut.Dekedidn’twanttoidentifyit.Then
again,hedidn’tneedto.Jealousywasdamnnearimpossibletomistake.
Rollingfromhisbed,hecreptdownthehall,towardLuc’sroom.Stupid.Torture,self-inflictedno
less.Buthehadtosee.Hadtoknow…
Andnowhedid.Fuck.HegrimacedatthesightofKimbercurleduponherside,herbackcuddledtoLuc’sfront,theirlegsentwined.Thepairofthemweretangled89
insoftwhitesheets,andLuc’ssleep-slackpalmrestedjustunderherbreast.
Theylookedpeaceful.Domestic.Content.
Threethingshewouldneverbe.Notthathedeservedit.He’ddestroyedHeather,soinnocent—
Breakingoffthethoughtwithacurse,Dekestalkedbackdownthehalltohisroom.Exercise.This
daywaslikeanyother,despiteKimber’spresencehereandhiscrappymood.
Push-upsfirst.Hedroppeddownandstartedhisfirstfifty.Sweatcoatedhimashecountedouteachone,thenherolledtohisbackforahundredcrunches.Allthewhile,hecouldheareveryrustleofsheetsdownthehall,everymurmuredgoodmorning,everylazystretchKimberandLucmade.Every
forbiddenintimacythatDekedidn’tdarepartakein.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDon’twhine.It’sdoneandpast,hetoldhimself.
True,except…Lucalwayswokeuphorny,soDekeknewwhatwouldhappennext.Whythehell
hadn’theeverboughtaniPodorputevenasimpleradioinhisroom,sohewouldn’thavetohearit?
Dekegrabbedfreeweightsandquicklyworkedthroughbiceps,triceps,latsandpecs,reminding
himselfthatLucdeservedanyhappinesshefoundwithawoman.
Lucalwayssawthegoodinpeople,alwaystriedtohelp,tooktimetolaugh,puthisheartonthelinetolovetimeandagain.AndDeke…Well,heknewbetter.
Suddenly,Kimberlaughed.ThesoftliltingfloatingdownthehallasDekedroppeddownforanother
setofabcrunches.Hegrittedhisteeth.ThenKimber’ssighsreachedhisears.Firstone.Then
another,deeper,longer—onethatwentstraighttohiscockandfeltlikeastabinthegutatonce.
90
Thetwistedsurgeofjealousystabbedhimagain,doingabsolutelynothingtoimprovehismoodand
everythingtomultiplyhisdesiretohitsomethinganddodamage.
Focus.Squatsandhamstringsinalternatingreps.Theusualdrill.Butconcentratingontheusualfeltimpossible,whenheimaginedLuc’shandscaressingtheirwayupthesleeklinesofKimber’storsototoywithherflushedrosynipples,whileheinhaledthepeach-spicedfragranceofherskinandwaitedwithhissignaturepatience,whisperingafewwell-placedwordsthatwouldmakeherbeyondwet.
Then,withtongueswirlingaroundthehardbudsofherbreasts,he’dsmoothhiswaybackdownher
abdomen,urgehertospreadhersweetthighsforhim,thenslidehisfingersintotheslickhavenofherpussytofeelhertightwallsclosearoundhimlikeparadise.
Deke’sgutclenched.Doingsquatswhilehiscockwashardenoughtopoundnailswasn’thappening.
EspeciallywhenKimber’ssighssuddenlybecamecries.
ShaylaBlackDecadentFuckthis.Hestrippedoffhissweat-drenchedclothesandheadedforacoldshower.TenminutesaloneintheItalian-tiledboxwithwaterjustshyoffreezingandahealthylatherperfumedwithLuc’sfussyscentedsoaponlypissedhimoffmore.
Growling,Dekesteppedout,prayingtheybedoneintheirquestforamorningorgasmbynow.He
hadn’tevenfinishedtowelingoffthebeadedmoistureonhischestandabswhenheheardKimbercry
outinasoundlush,sensual,tortured.
Pleading.
Well,hell.Therewentallthebenefitsofacoldshower.Dekefinisheddryingoff,concentratingonthepatternoftheVenetianplasterwall.Buthecouldn’tblockoutthesexualsoundsofthepleasureLucwasgivingKimber.
ThedoorbetweenthebathroomandLuc’sadjoiningbedroomwasajar,andKimber’sneedymoans
invadedmercilessly.Firstbreathy,thenkeening.Shewas91
gettingclose.
“Please,Luc…”
Fuck.Andthat’sexactlywhathewantedtodotoher,settlerightbetweenhersweetthighsandbethefirstonetosinkdeepinsideher.Thatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Shedidn’twantthat;hecouldn’tletithappen.
Butyoucanjointhem.Damnifhewasn’tsorelytempted.Hehadeveryright.Fullandequalsharing;heandLuchadagreedtoitoveradecadeago,andthey’dneverwavered.Sowhywashebegrudging
Luchisoneon-onepleasurewithKimber?
He’dnevermindedthisbefore.Andwhyturndownthechancetojoininthismorning?
KimberEdgingtonwastootempting,toosweetandresponsive.Tooinnocentandvulnerable.Too
dangerousforhispeaceofmind.Too…everythinghe’dwantedforShaylaBlackDecadentyears.If
hemarchedinLuc’sroom,allnakedanddemanding,he’dgetsuckedintoherallureandstart
drowning.Lastnight,theurgetospreadherlegs,settlebetweenthem,andclaimherhadbeatathimrelentlessly.Ifanything,thaturgehadgrown,likesomefreakingweedinaperfectlymanicured
garden.Hehadtogetcontrolofitbeforeittookover.Beforehetouchedheragainandlostcontrolanddidsomethingcrazyandirrevocable.Fatal.
Snarling,DekereachedforsweatshortsandaT-shirt,thentossedthemonoverhisunrelenting
morningerection.Coffee.Heneededitnow.
Hestarteddownthehall,thenfalteredashepassedLuc’sroom.Thesightofthempunchedhimlikeabatteringramtothegut.Lucwithhisdarkheadbentinthecrookofherneck,hislonghairtrailingoverherporcelainpaleshouldersandbreasts.Hisartisticfingerstoyedbetweenherspreadthighs.
FromDeke’sviewpoint,Kimber’sarousalwasobvious,consideringherslick,swollen,nearlyred
92
folds.
“I’mdyingtomakeyouscream,”Lucmurmured.“Onceyouachesobadlyyou’rereadytobeg.”
“Luc,now.Please.”Shegroanedandclutchedherfingersinhishair.“Please!”
“Soon,sweetheart.Letitbuild.”
Herheadthrashedfromsidetoside.“Can’ttakemore.”Kimber’spleadingclawedatDeke’sgut.
“Youcan.Alittlemore…”
Lucwithdrewhisfingersfromherwet,swollenpussytocaressherthighs,herabdomen—and
ignoringherhipswhenshethrustthemhisway.Dekecouldn’tShaylaBlackDecadentignoreit.
Wouldn’t.Hetookastepintotheroom,handpushingathissweatshorts,shovingthemdowntohis
hips,intent,savagewithhunger.
Fuckher.Heneededto—hadtogetinsideherandsinkdeep.Bethefirstone.
Now.
“Luc…touchme.”
HerthroatycrysearedDeke,bringinghimoutofhisdazeofdesire.She’daskedforhiscousinto
touchher,notforhimtofuckher.Holyshit.Whatwashethinking?
Nothingheshouldbethinking.Infact,heshouldn’tbehere,wantingtobeinsideher.Claimingher.
Worse,hoardingherandtakingherfromthemanwhosenameshecalled.Onlybadthingswould
happenifhehadsexwithKimber.He’dtakenavirginbeforeandknewthatforafact.
93
Dekeyankeduphisshorts,turned,andstalkeddownthehall,barelyholdinginanuglycurse.Two
weekswithKimberhere…He’dneverlastwithoutfuckingher,withoutdestroyingher.
Thekitchentileslappedcoolagainsthisbarefeetasheenteredtheroomandgrabbedthecoffee
beansfromthepantry.Heglancedatthebag.Chocolatecarameltruffle.Pansy-assflavoredcoffee.
Whateverhappenedtojustcoffee?Heslammedthepantrydoor.
Tossingthebagonthecounternexttothecoffeemaker,Dekepaused.
“Luc!”
AnotherpleafromKimber.Hell.Hesqueezedhiseyesshutandletoutaraggedbreath.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAmomentlater,heflippedopenthecoffeemaker’slid;itcrackedandpopped
off,makingaplasticcrunchsoundthatcouldn’tbegood.Thenthedamnthingtumbledtothefloor.
Cursingagain,Dekegrabbedtheedgeofthecounter.Everymuscleinhisbodywastense,allthewayfromhisbrowsslashingdownovernarrowedeyestohistoescurledintotheItalianslatebeneath
them.
Getyourshittogether,hecastigatedhimselfandfitthelidbackonthecoffeemaker,filleditwithgroundsandwater,thenflippedtheonswitch.
Atthesametime,LucapparentlyflippedKimber’sswitch.
“Oh,Luc!”shecriedout,followedbyalong,torturedgroan.Soshe’dcomefinally—underLuc’s
hands,fueledbyLuc’stouch.WhythehelldidthatmakeDekewanttohitsomething?Orsomeone?
He’dbebetteroffnotexaminingittoohard.
94
Instead,hewatchedthecoffeedrip,doinghisbesttokeephismindperfectlyblankandfocusedonthetaskathand—nicelittleSpecialOpstrickhecouldthankthearmyfor.
Afewminuteslater,Lucemergedfromhisroomincrispjeans,shirtinhand,andwandereddownthe
hall,hisposturerelaxed.Andnovisibleravinghard-on.
“Morning.”
“Didshegetyouoffwithherhandsormouth?”ThequestionwasoutofDeke’smouthbeforehe
couldstopit.Itwasn’tanyofhisbusiness.Knowingwouldn’tchangeKimber’smoansofpleasure
stillringinginhisearsorthevisiblesatiationsofteninghiscousin’sface.
Lucproppedhishipagainstthekitchencounter,crossedhisarmsoverhischest,andquirkedadarkbrow.BeforeLuccouldanswer,Dekesaid,“Nevermind.Itdoesn’tmatter.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentHebusiedhimselfgrabbingcupsinthecupboardabove,thenretrievingthe
sugarandcreamforLuc.Allthewhile,hefelthiscousin’sgazeonhim,sizingupthesituation,
decidinghowbesttoreply.Craftybastard.
“Neither.”
Somethingofanonanswer.Anddamnit,Luc’sfacegaveawaynothing.AllofKimber’spleading…
Luchadn’tbeenworkinghiswayinsideofKimberwhenhe’dpeekedinonthem—buthealsohadn’t
stayedforthegrandfinale.Hadhe…?
“Youdidn’tfuckher.”Dekestatedhisquestionasfact,hopingthatcouldsomehowmakeittrue.
“What’seatingyou?”Lucasked.“Ifyouwantherthismorning,she’sallsoftandrumpledandwet.
Andshe’sstillinbed.Go.I’llbabysitthecoffee.”95
Dekehesitated.Showthathecouldresistormarchdownthehall—byhimself—
andgetasmuchofKimberasLuchad?Ifhecould,he’dtakeevenmore.
He’dtakeeverything.
Thecoffeemakerbeeped,andLucextractedthefreshpotofftheburnerandpouredacup,wearinga
faintsmile,asheknewexactlytheoptionsDekewasweighing.
Thisgameplayingwasbullshit,andhedidn’twanttobeoneitherteam.
“Fuck!Thisisn’tgoingtowork.Kimberhastogo.”
“Keepyourvoicedownorshe’llhearyou,”Lucgrated.
Thatwouldbeforthebest.Hedidn’twanttohurtherfeelings,justmakehergoaway.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Whydoyouthinkshehastogo?”Lucaskedinlowtones.“Youcan’tthinkshe’sunabletolearn
whatwehavetoteachher.”
Dekerolledhiseyes.“Don’tplaystupid.Shecanlearn.Obviously.Iknowshe’snotscared.She
shouldbe,butforsomecrazyreason,sheisn’t.Butthatisn’ttheissue.”
“Hmm.IthinkIknowwhattheissueis,butwhydon’tyouexplainittomeinyourwords.”
“Remember?She’savirgin.”
“Whosenameisn’tHeather.”
“ShehasnothingtodowithKimber.We’renotrehashingthepastagain.”Luccockedhisheadand
slidhimaconsideringstare.“Weneverhasheditinthe96
firstplace,whichispartoftheproblem.Butfine,youdon’twanttodiscussHeather.TellmewhatotherreasonyouhaveforavoidingKimber?”Dekehesitated,thenrealizedhewouldn’tbetelling
anythingLucdidn’talreadyknow.“NothingIdidn’twarnyouaboutbefore.She’sblowingpastmy
self-control.
Ifshestays,I’mgoingtodisrespectherwishes.Soonerorlater,she’llbeg,andIwon’thavethewilltosayno.Iwillfuckher.”
“IfKimberbegs,we’llreevaluatethesituation.Maybeitwouldbeineveryone’sinterestifwegaveherexactlywhatsheasksfor.”TheideaofLucbeingtheonetotakeKimber’svirginitymadehim
feelasifhisgutshadbeenchurnedinablenderthenspitbackout.Buthecouldnevertakeher,
especiallynotalone.Ever.
“Youthinkshe’sours.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentLucrespondedslowly.“Anythingispossible.I’mhardpressedtobelievethat
awomanwouldrespondsoperfectlytheveryfirsttimeif,inherheart,shebelongedtosomeone
else.”
“Hasitescapedyourmemorythatshe’sheretohaveustrainhertoacceptthetouchoftwoothermen,oneofwhomshethinksshe’sinlovewith?”
“No.Imerelythinkshe’stryingtofindherfutureandhopingthatJesseMcCallistherightpath.Ialsodon’tthinkitwilltakeherlongtosortitalloutforherself.”
“WhichisLuc-speakforyouthinkthatKimberbelongswithusandshe’llcometothatconclusion
quickly.”Freakin’amazing.Dekeshookhishead.“You’redelusional,youknowthat?Atbest,Kimberisreallyapplyingherselftolearningallaboutménagesoshecanliveitwithsomeoneelse.
Atworst,she’sjusthorny.Butyou’vegottogetridofthisideathatthere’ssomeperfectwomanouttherewhowantstoplayhousewithusuntildeathdouspart.”97
“She’soutthere.”Hesoundedconfident.“Butthatsomewheremaybemilesawayorjustdownthe
hall.Wedon’tknowyet.”
Dekeshookhishead,pouredhimselfacupofcoffee,andcountedtoten.Whichdidabsolutelyno
good.Thefrustrationstillboiledupinsidehim,rising,drowninggoodsenseandrestraint.
“Idon’twantawife.Idon’twantanythingbutagoodfuck,andsheisn’tit.”Lucsaidnothingforafulltenseconds.“Thenyouhavenothingtoworryaboutexceptkeepingyourword.She’sovercome
heranxietyaboutbeinghereandforgivenyoufortheterriblewayyoutreatedherwhenshefirst
arrived.”Shit.Lucdidn’tjuststatethattheycouldn’tgobackontheirpromisetoteachherallaboutménage.Butheimplieditineverysyllable.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Besides,”Lucadded.“It’snotasifwe’reheronlyoptions.HaveyouforgottentheCatrell
brothers?”
No.ThesightofAdamandBurkewiththeirhandsonherwasburnedintohisbrain.
“Idon’tthinkshewantsthem.”
“Butshemaybedeterminedenoughtolearntogowiththem,anyway.”True.Dekesighed.Kimber
hadhimbytheballs—inmorewaysthanone.
“ThinkofitaskeepingheroccupiedsowecanprotectherfromtheCatrellbrothers,whomweknow
fartoomuchabouttokidourselves,”Lucsaid.
Yeah.Theywerehardontheirwomen.Thetagteamthatneverquit.They’duseher,grindherinto
littlepieces,andspitheroutwhenshecouldn’tkeepup.
98
Basically,hewasscrewedifheletherstayandscrewedifhelethergo.
“Fine.She’shereforthenextthirteendays.Notaminutemore.”Lucsmiledasheshruggedonhis
shirt,tookanotherswigofhiscoffee,andshuffledovertothesandalshekeptbythebackdoor.“Ihavetoruntoalocalradiointerview.We’llhavethischatagaininthirteendays.Inthemeantime…
Kimberisallsleep-softandverysweetthismorning”—helickedhislips—“helpyourself.”AsDeke
watchedhiscousingrabhiscarkeysandheadoutthedoor,herestrainedtheurgetohitwalls,blocksofwood—Luc’shead—andcursed.
Helphimself?Dekewouldloveto.Butitwasn’tgoingtohappen.Therewaswaymoreatstakethan
Kimber’svirginityandsophomoriccrushonJesseMcCall.Waymorethanpettyjealousy.Anddamn
ifLucdidn’tknowitandplottedtotempthim.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHemightaswellstartcountingthedays,probablyononehand,beforehe
woundupbreakingthroughKimber’sbarriers—mentalandphysical.Itwasinevitable.
Andwhenithappened,everyonewasgoingtosuffer,Kimbermostofall.
#
ShewokeforthesecondtimethatmorningaloneinLuc’scozy,downybed,tossedonsomeone’s
discardedshirt—Luc’s?—andpaddeddownthehall.Heavy-limbedandflushed,Kimbermadeher
waytowardthesmelloffreshcoffee.Butshecouldn’tpretendanxietydidn’tclawher.
Whenshereachedthekitchen,thesightofDekehunchedoveracupofcoffee,lostinhisthoughts,
broughthertoastop.Especiallysincetheydidn’tlooklikehappythoughts.Ofcoursetheyweren’t.
Shewasunderfoot,andhedidn’twantherhere.Shehadn’theardanyotherpartofhisargumentwithLuc,butthatsentiment99
hadcomethroughloudandcrystalclear.
Whichexplainedwhyshe’dfallenasleeplastnightwithDekebyherside,onlytoawakentwenty
minuteslatertofindhimgone.Andwhyeachtimeshe’dawakenedduringtherestlessnight,she’d
foundonlyLucbesideher.NotonlyhadDekechosentosleepelsewhere,buthe’drefusedtocome
withinfivefeetofherthismorningwhenLuchaddevouredher.Thewhybehindthatpressedsadness
andshamedownintoherchestwithcrushingintensity.
DespiteDeke’sseemingeagernesslastnight,aftertheorgasm,he’dapparentlylostinterestinher.
Becausehestillsawherasateenager?Becausehelikedandrespectedherdadtoomuch?Maybe.
Butthosehang-upswouldbeeasy.Alittlenudgefromherwouldgethimpasteither.Hewouldn’tbe
staringmoroselyintohiscoffeeaboutthoseissues.Therealproblemwouldbehardertogetpast,
especiallyifitwastheoneshe’dhadherentiredatinglife.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Hi,”shemurmured.
Hisheadsnappedup,andhedrilledherwithastarethatseemedatoncehotandaccusing.Hedrewinadeepbreath.Bracinghimself?
“Coffee?”heaskedfinally.
“Sure.I’llgetit.”
“Cupsareinthecupboardabovethecoffeemaker.”Kimbernoddedandretrievedhercup…and
wonderedwhattosaynext.Whatwastheretosay?Shouldsheapologizeforthefacthertomboy
waysseemedtoturnhimoff?Oncetheskirtandlacyunderthingshadcomeoffandhe’dseentherealher,maybeithadbeentoo…masculine.Hewouldn’tbethefirstguyinherlifetothinkthat—justaskherpromdate.
100
Cursingrealitywouldn’tdoabitofgood.Shecouldn’tescapethefactthatafterbeingraised
motherlessbymilitarymen,theColonelandhertwoNavySEAL
brothershadbeenherrolemodels.Shelikedfatigues,enjoyedagoodfivemilerunato-fivehundred,hatedpantyhose,lace,andmakeup.Mostguyssworeshehadtestosteronerunningthroughherveins.
Butthefunofflippingoneoverhershoulderandstraightontohisbackordrinkinghimunderthetablehadlostappeallongago.Shewantedmentoseeherasarealfemale,notoneoftheguyswho
happenedtohavebreasts.WithDekeandLuc,she’dbeenasgirlyassheknewhow.
Byallappearancesithadn’tbeenenough.AllthatwantDekesaidhehe’dbeenharboringforherforyears…Morethanlikely,she’dcuredhimofitlastnight.
Changingwasn’tanoption.Shelikedherself.Screwanyonewhodidn’t,Dekeincluded.Yes,he
turnedheron.Alot.Ahellofalot.Evenwhenshe’dbeenseventeen,he’dfueledsomedarkfantasiesinheradolescentbrain.Butintwoweeks,she’dbewithJesse.Heacceptedhertomboyways,even
toldherhefounditShaylaBlackDecadentadorable.This…feareatingatherhardlymattered.So
whycouldn’tsheshakeitnow?
“Sleepgood?”sheaskedintothethicksilence.
“No.”
Shenoticedhedidn’taskherinturn.Probablydidn’tcare.
“Me,either.”
Dekegruntedandsippedhiscoffee.Heavoidedlookingather.
Damn,shehadtogetthisoffherchest.Stewinginselfdoubtwasn’therstyle.
Takingafortifyingsipofherowncoffee,shesankintothechairacrossfromhim.
“Youdidn’tsleepwithuslastnight.”
101
“So?”
“Why?”
“Wecoveredwhylastnight.”Amuscleinhisjawticced.
“Andyourinsomniaistheonlyreason?”
Hepaused,andthosedeepblueeyesflashedwithsomething—anger?—buthedroppedhisgazetohis
half-fullcoffeecupbeforeshecouldbesure.
“Kitten,don’tdigintomypsycheonthis.Youwon’tliketheanswer.”That,shedidn’tdoubt.Ifshedug,she’dprobablyfindoutthathe’doncewantedherbutrealizedlastnightthatshewasnothinglikewhateverfemininefantasywomanhe’dconjuredupinhishead.Andnowhewantedhergonebecause
heShaylaBlackDecadentdidn’twanttorepeatlastnight.Hishonor,alongwithLuc,hadbulliedhimintolettingherstay.
Fine.Justfine.Shecouldlivewiththat.Revelinit,infact.Allshecaredaboutwaswhatheandhiscousincouldteachher.Dekedidn’thavetoactuallydesireher.Itwasprobablybetterifhedidn’t,sinceshewasrespondingtohimmorethanphysically.
Butshecouldn’tjustleaveit.Notherstyle.“Iprobablywon’tliketheanswer,butifit’sgoingtoeffectyourabilitytoliveuptoyourendofthebargaintoteachme—
”
“I’llkeepupmyend.You’lllearneverythingyouneedandprobablymorethanyouwant.”
“Good.”
102
ButKimber’sreliefwasbothuneasyandshort-lived.
“Don’tbetoohappy.”Dekepickeduphiscoffeecupandstaredatherovertherim.“Luchasthis
fucked-upnotionthatyou’regoingtofallinlovewithusandwanttoditchyourpopstarboyfriendtomarryusandhaveourbabies.”Marriage?Babies?Kimbergasped.Shedidwantthosethings
someday,butshewassetonJesse.He’dknowntherealherforyears,acceptedherasis.Thatwasn’ttrueofDekeorLuc.
“Seriously?”
Dekenoddedsharply.“Idon’twanttoencouragethatnotion.Youshouldn’twantto,either.Sothat
means,unlessthere’ssomethingsexualgoingonatthemoment,staythefuckawayfromme.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentNoonewouldeverfaultDekeforbeatingaroundthebush.
Kimberhadknownfromthestartthathewasanti-relationship.Notthatshewantedonewithhim,butifshewasgoingtoallowhimincredibleintimacieswithherbody,touchhimskintoskinandlive
underhisroof,shouldn’ttheyatleastbeabletotalk?
“IsLucherenow?”
“No.”
Kimberfrowned.“Hecan’tgetthewrongideaifwetalkwhilehe’sgone.”
“Idon’twanttotalk.Youcametolearnallaboutménage.We’regoingtoteachyou.Butwe’renot
bestfriends,Idon’tgiveashitwhatyouthinkabout,andI’vegotnothingtosay.”
103
Defensiveandclosed.ThosewerethebestwordstodescribeDeke.Oh,theoffensecamethrough,butthatwashisdefense.Hewasn’tjustmorningcrabby;sheknewhimwellenoughtoknowthatheliked
mornings.Hehadn’tbeentroubledbyanythinglastnight.Hehadn’tbeentroubleduntilhe’dgottenafirsthandtasteofhowfeminineshewasn’t.
Hisinstincthadbeentorefuseherrequest.NowhewasprobablykickinghimselfforlettingherandLucmanipulatehimintothisarrangement.Hewasprobablythinkingitwasgoingtobethelongest
twoweeksofhislife.Herbrothersoftencongratulatedheronbeingoneofthefewfemalestheyknewwhocouldcontaintheiremotions,buttheunrulythingssnappedupandbithernow.Andshefelt
wretched.Hurt.Shehatedit.
“Fine.I’vegotnothingtosay,either.Beanasshole.Aslongasyou’reagoodtutor,Idon’tcare.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberstoodandwaltzedpastDeke,towardtheexit.
Hegrabbedherarmandpulledherdowndamnnearintohislap.“Kitten,I’mgoingtobethebest
tutoryoucouldpossiblyimagine.Don’tyoudoubtthat.”
“Gladtohearit.”Sheyankedfreeofhisgrip.“I’llrespectthefactyoudon’twantmetotalktoyouwhenwe’renotinbed,aslongasyoudon’ttouchmeunlessyou’reteachingme.Sountiltonight,youleavemethefuckalone.”Dekehesitated,abittersmileliftingthecornersofhismouth.“Kitten,that’sthebestideayou’vehadsinceyouwalkedthroughthatdoor.”
#
Dinnerpassedinsilence,despitethefactLuchadgrilleddamnfineporkchopsandbrushedthem
withadelectablemaplecranberryglaze.Lucshruggedoffthe104
chilledsilence.ThearmyhadtaughtDeketoeatanything—messhallgrease,MREs,thesideofaraw
goat—aslongasitkepthimalive.Luc’spalettewasabitfussier.
AndKimber…ThewayshedartedvenomousglaresatDekethroughthemealtoldLucthatsheand
hiscousinhadexchangedunpleasantwordsearlierthatday.
AndthewayDekewatchedhertoldLucthathiscousin’shungerwasn’tgoingtobesatedby
scrumptiousporkortheblackberry-peachcrisphe’dbakedearlier.
Behindhisnapkin,Lucsmiled.Crosswordsaside,everythingwasfallingintoplaceperfectly.Time
toaddalittlefueltothefire…
LucreachedacrossthespaceseparatinghimfromKimberandcaressedhiswayupherarm,which
wasbaredbyasmallspaghetti-strappedtanktop.Thenhebrushedthebackofhisknucklesoverher
cheek.Hmm,soft.Sosweet.AndsopissingDekeoff,aslantedglanceinthatdirectiontoldhim.
“Moresalad,sweetheart?”Lucasked.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“No.”Sherelaxedenoughtosmileathim.“I’mstuffed.Withallyourwonderfulcooking,Iwon’tfitintomypantssoon.”
Heleanedintostealaslow,gentlekissrightonherlips,stilltastingfaintlyofthetangyglazehe’dpreparedwiththemeal.Acrossthetable,Deketensed.Hisforkclatteredtohisplate.Lucignored
him.
“Withthetwoofusaround,youreallydon’tneedpants.Isn’tthatright,Deke?”LuccurledhishandaroundKimber’snakedshoulderandsoftlystrokedher,allthewhilewatchinghernipplespeakunderthelittlewhiteshirtandhiscousin’sgazeheatdangerously.
“Iseveryonedoneeating?”Dekebarked,standing,hoveringoverthetable.
KimberpushedbackandshotLucanuncertainglance.Worry;hesawthatinher105
gaze.Uhoh,whatthehellhadDekesaidordonetoputheronedge?
“That’suptoKimber.Wecansitforabitlonger,ifyou’dlike,sweetheart.”Deketosseddownhis
napkin.“Ifyouwantyourtutoringtonight,kitten,it’snowornever.I’vegotbetterthingstodothansithereandchat.”LucregisteredKimbertensingunderhishand.Oh,thefireworksareabouttobegin.
“You’vemadethatclear.Idon’twanttobeabothertoyou.MaybeIshouldjustfollowLucdownthehalltohisroom.Youcan…runalong.”Chinheldhigh,Kimberstoodand,despitewearingafatigue-printminiskirtandatanktopsansbra,breezedpasthimasregallyasaqueen.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThestunnedlookonDeke’sfacewaspriceless.Hiscousinspunaroundand
followedKimberdownthehall.Lucscrambledtofollowthem.Hewantedthemriled,butnotso
furiousthey’dfight,ratherthanfuck.
KimbernearlymadeittoLuc’sbedroomdoorbeforeDekegrabbedher,shovedherbacktothewall,
andcoveredherbodywithhis.“Ipromisedwe’dteachyouallaboutménage,kitten.Thatmeans
three.I’mnotgoinganywhereexcepttobedwithyou.”
Sheopenedhermouthtoprotest—no,morelikelytoissueascathingretort—butDekepreemptedher
withascorchingkiss,coveringhermouthwithhis,invadinganddevouring.Hell,justthesightof
themturnedLucon,especiallysincehecouldseeKimber’stenserejectionchangingandsoftening
witheverylashofDeke’stongueagainsthers.Shemoanedwhenoneofhiscousin’shandssailed
downherback,curledaroundherass,andliftedherhipsrightuptohis.
106
Nodoubt,Dekewantedinsideher—bad.Perfect.
Hetorehismouthaway,buthisbodystillcoveredhers,drillingherintothewall.
Andhestared,pantingasifhe’druntwentymiles.Hedidn’tlookaway.
Lucforcedhiswaybetweenthemandputanarmaroundeach,filingthemthroughhisbedroomdoor.
“Let’sgoinsideandgetcomfortableandnakedsowecanenjoyourselves,shallwe?”
Aroundhim,DekeshotKimberatensestare.Whatthehellwasgoingon?
“Sweetheart,isthatokay?”Lucasked.
Hergazeskitteredtohimbeforegoingtobacktohiscousin.Atthatpoint,herskinwasflushed,hernippleslikeenticinghardcandies.Lucdidhisbesttofocusonthelong-termgoal,ratherthanrushingKimberoutofherclothesnow.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShevisuallyclungtoDeke,eyeinghimwithreluctanthunger.Withevery
momentthatpassedinthicksilence,Dekegrewmoretense.Veryinteresting…
“Okay,”Kimberfinallywhispered.
ThatonewordwasallittooktosendDekeintoaction.HesnakedahandacrossLuc’sbodyand
reachedforKimber.Onearmhewrappedaroundherwaistandbroughtheragainsthim.Theotherhe
usedtopushthespaghettistrapsoffhershouldersandshovethegarmentdownhertorso.Leavingherbreastsandrosy,swollennipplesbaretotheirgazes.Luchadbeenhardbefore,almostuncomfortablyso.Thispushedhimfirmlyintounbearableterritory.
Dekelookedbackathimwitheyessoburningwithsexualneedandfrustration,theyweredamnnear
glowing.“Now.”
Hiscousincouldn’twaittotouchherandwouldn’twastehistimestatingthe107
obvious.AndasmuchasLucenjoyedsavoringawoman,somethingaboutKimberandthewayDeke
respondedtohersimplydidn’tallowforthesortofcooldistancethatmadepatiencepossible.
Instead,Lucsenthiscousinatersenod.
Asheapproached,Kimbergasped,hereyeswideanddilated.Hesitationstampedherface,butneed
followed,asifsensingitwastoolatetostopthehungryseductionherbodywasabouttoendure.
Tonight,they’dtakeherfurther,pushherharder.Eagernesssangthroughhisbloodstreamlikegood
wine.
WhenhereachedKimber’sside,Dekehadpositionedhimselfatherright.Hesettledonherleft.
“Luc?”shewhispered,lookingforreassurance.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDidshefeelthebarelyleashedviolenceoftheirneedhoveringintheair?Hebetshedid.Andthatitfrightenedandthrilledheratonce.Shehadgoodreasonforherfear.InthedecadeplusthatheandDekehadbeensharingwomen,Luchadneverseenhiscousinmoreintense,
moredriven.Hewouldtakeeverythingshewaswillingtogive.Rightnow.Andpushformore.
Deke’sneedfedhisown,untilLucfeltprimalanddeliciouslyaroused.
“Buckleup,sweetheart,”Lucwhispered.“Thisisgoingtobeoneamazingride.”He’dbarely
finishedthesentencebeforeDekebentdown,cuppingherbreastinonehandandliftingittohis
descendingmouth.Lucfollowedsuit,slidingherothernippleagainsthistongue.Heglidedgentle
fingersoverthecurveofherhiptocounteractthetingleofhardpullsandnippingteethheknewtheywerebothunleashingonherturgidnipples.
108
Kimbergasped,backarching.Shestoodontiptoesasifshewastryingtoabsorbthesensationorgetclosertotheirsucklingmouths—orboth.Shereachedafistintohishair,grasping,holdinghim
againstherbreast.Lucreveledinthelittlestingonhisscalp,herfingersclutchingathim,helplessagainsttheonslaughtofpleasure.
Thesoundsofconstantlaving,voracioussucking—herhardbreathing—
punctuatedthestillair.Shewasperfect,hernippleshardeningagainsthistonguewitheveryfreshlick…
Suddenly,athisside,Dekesnarled,“Let’sgetonwiththis.”Ah,theplan,theonethey’dworkedoutwhileKimberhadbeenholedupinthedenstudyingandDekehadbeenpacingthekitchen,actingas
ifhewereabouttocrawloutofhisskinwithimpatience,whileLuccooked.
ShaylaBlackDecadentReluctantly,heliftedhisheadfromthesugaredperfectionofKimber’sbreast.
Therewouldbetimelater.Ifthingsworkedout,alifetimeofit.Assoonasheappeasedthehungrybeastbesidehim.Truthbetold,thethoughtofwhatcouldhappentonightrousedthebeastinhim,too.
Knowingitwaswaytoosoonforthat,hepusheditbackdown.
Atthelossoftheirtouch,Kimbermoaned,thesoundsmallandpleading.Lucriskedaglanceather
breasts.Heswallowed.Alreadyhernipplesweredeepred,visiblyswollen,andsodamnhard.The
sightmadehimwanttoforgethisplansandinsteadspendhisnightgivingherbeautifulbreasts
constantattention.
“Now.”ImpatienceresonatedinDeke’sdemand.
Down,boy,down.LucsenthiscousinawarningstarebeforeturningbacktoKimber.Gently,heeasedoffherminiskirtandremovedherthong.God,shewasgorgeous.Slender,butwithcurves.
Leanandathleticwithoutlookingmasculine.
109
Tallenoughtobegraceful,butnotsotallthatshelookedawkward.
Just…perfect.
Lucsmiledatthethoughtandtookhershouldersinhishand.“Sweetheart,lastnightwasallabout
gettingyouaccustomedtoacceptingthetouchoftwomen.”Despitedazed,slightlydilatedeyes,shenodded.“Iknow.”
“Youdidwell.Reallywell.Tonightisaboutseeinghowmuchpleasureyoucandishout.Thiswill
bemorechallengingsinceyouwantustoleaveyourvirginityintactandyou’renotyetreadytoacceptoneofusinthatsweetbackside.”Kimberpaused,clearlypuzzlinghiswordsout.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutoralsex.”
Hesmoothedahandoverhershoulder,soothingher.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“We’llworkthroughittogether.”
Bitingherlip,shesenthimashakynod.Thenshesmoothedhertongueacrossherbruisedlip,andthesightpunchedLucwithafreshboutofpurelust.
Besidehim,Dekeappearedtoloseallpatience—andselfcontrol.Heputhishandonhershoulderand
urgedhertoherkneesbeforehim.Kimberfellslowly,anuncertaininchatatime,hergazenever
leavingDeke’s.Ittraveledupasshewentdown,andthesightkickedLucwithajoltoflust.
Thenhesighed.GuessthatsettledthequestionofwhowouldpartakeofKimber’ssilkenmouthfirst.
Kneelingbehindher,Luctoreoffhisshirt,watchingasDekerippedoffhisownandtosseditacrosstheroom,thenbegantounbuttonhisold-school,button-flyjeans,onebuttonatatime.LucsettledinbehindKimber,easinghishandsonher110
shoulders,observingherasshewatchedDekerevealawedgeofmuscledabdomen,astripoflight
brownpubichair,then,asheshovedhisjeansoff,theentirelengthofhiscock.
Dekestrokedhiserection,asifhecouldn’tstandanotherminutewithoutstimulation.Lucrelatedtothat.Hegrimacedasheadjustedhimself,satbehindKimber,andtouchedhishandstoherbarehips,thenroamedhersoftflesh.
“Touchhim,”Lucmurmured.
“What?”
Luccouldn’tkeephishandsfromwandering,acrossherhip,aroundtoherbelly,uptoherbreast.Heflickedhisthumbsacrossherpebblednipples.Stillhard.He’dlovetoknowexactlyhowwetshe
was.Soon…Patience,damnit.Rightnow,hecouldn’tdistracther.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“TakeDekeinyourhandandstrokehim,justlikehe’sdoingtohimself.”SoslowlyLuccouldfeel
hissweatdrip,KimberreachedoutandgrabbedDeke’shardfleshinherhand.Up,up…untilshe
claspedthetip,ranherthumbacrossthehead.Dekegroanedsoloud,hisentirechestrumbledwith
sound.
“Goodinstincts,”Lucpraised.“Downandupagain.”Kimberrepeatedtheprocessonce,twice,
faster,coordinatinghermovementsabitmore.
“Icanhardlygetmyhandaroundhim.”ShefrownedinconcentrationandbroughtherotherhanduptoDeke’scocktojointhefirst,wrappingherslenderfingersaroundhisgirth.Nowshetotally
encompassedhim,strokinghimwithmorevigor,watchingDeke’sfaceasthoseblueeyeswomen
drooledoverslidshutandhethrewhisheadbackinbrilliantpleasure.
111
“Good,”Lucmuttered.“Nowlickyourlips.Yes,likethat.”Hecouldn’tresistkissingthesideofherneck,nibblingonherearlobe.“Leanin,openwide,andtakehiminyourmouth.”
Thelooksheshothimoverhershoulder,ofhotcuriosity,ofnaughtyanticipation,justaboutunraveledLuc.Damn,simmeringunderthatseeminglystraightforwardsurfacelurkedatease.Avixen.He’dbet
iftheygaveheralittlecontrolinthebedroom,she’dcomeoutandplay.
“Now!”Dekedemanded.
“Sayplease,”shetaunted.
Luccouldn’tquiteholdinalaugh.Apparently,shealreadygottheideathatwhensheheldamaninherpalm,thepromiseofhermouthripeinhisfeveredmind,shehadallthepower.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Fuck!”
“Wrongword…”Kimbershothimakittenishsmile.
Dekeswallowed.Hisfiststightenedathissidesashedrewinabracingbreath.
“Please.”
Thewordsoundedgrittyandunused.ButitworkedforKimber.Slantingonelastchallengingglance
upatDeke,sheputherhandsonhishipsandleanedin.
Tiltingaroundher,LucwatchedwithbothragingneedandenvyasDeke’scockenteredhermouth,
cushionedbyherslicktongue.Heslidin,moreandmoreofhislengthdisappearingintothedepthsofhervirginmouth.
God,thesightalonewaskillinghim.Deke’slongmoanvibratedpleasureinhisgut.Hisdesire
multiplied.HecouldonlyimaginehowfabulousKimberfelt.
112
Whenshe’dtakenasmuchofDekeasshecould,shedrewbackandrepeatedtheprocess,taking
anotherinch.Dekeloosedanothergroan,clutchingatherhandsastheyheldhimsteady.
“Yes,”Lucbreathed.“Nowsuckhim.Hard.Helikesithard.”Hercheekshollowedonthenext
upwardstroke.Andtheoneafter.Dekegrittedhisteeth.
“Fightingtheurgealready?”Lucaskedhim.
“Fuckoff.”
Dekehadbarelymanagedtochokeoutthewords.Kimberwasgettingtohim—
fast.Luchadneverseenanythinglikeit.Usually,hisdearcuzcouldbebathedinawoman’smouth
fortwentyminutesandlookunmoved.Everythingwassobeenthere,donethatwithDeke.
ShaylaBlackDecadentExceptwhenKimbertouchedhim.ThetelltaletighteningofDeke’sabsand
theflushcrawlinguphischeekstoldLucjusthowclosehiscousinwastolosingcontrol.
Timetofinishhimoff.
“You’redoinggreat,”LucwhisperedtoKimber.Henoticedthecadenceofherbobbingheadand
instructed,“Nowalittleslower.Makehimsuffer.Good.Cuphisballsinonehand.”
Kimberdidexactlyashesaid,fondlingDeke’stesticles,whichweredrawinguptowardhisbody
witheverysweetsuckofhermouth.Evenwatchingthemmadebreathingdamnhard—tosaynothing
ofhisdick.
Reachingoutwithablindfist,DekegrabbedKimberbythehair.Lucnearlystoppedhiscousinand
brokethehold,butshemoaned—andnotinpain.
113
Ah,soshelikedalittleedgetoherpleasure.Lucsmiled.He’ddefinitelybeabletoprovidesomeforher,butDekewasespeciallywellequippedtogiveherastinghereandthere.AssoonasKimbergotDeketocome.
“That’sit,sweetheart.Suckhim.Hardandslow.You’regettingtohim,”Lucwhispered.“Hecan’t
lastagainstthesweettemptationofyourmouth.Licktheheadwithyourtongue.Perfect.Yes.”
Dekegroaned,asiflendingcredencetoLuc’sassertion.Histhighstensed.Hisfisttightenedin
Kimber’shair.“Holy…Ican’tstopit.”Lucsmiled.“Goodgirl.Now,dragyouteethlightlyacross
thehead.”
“No,”Dekegroanedinprotest.
“Doit,”heurged.“Thensuckhimhardagain.He’llcomeforyou.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
SupportingthethickstalkbetweenDeke’slegswithonehand,Kimbereaseduponhimanddragged
herteethacrossthehead.ThesightevenhadLuchissing.
“Shit…Kimber!”
“Nowsuckhimdeepandhard,andyou’vegothim,”Lucwhispered.
Shedid,andDekeroared,tossingbackhisheadandshoutingouthisecstasy,thesoundrumbling
aroundtheroom,echoingofftheceilings.
Kimberfroze,eyeswideningwithuncertaintyandpanic.
“Swallow,sweetheart.It’sokay.”
Shedid,andLucwatchedherswollenmouthandthroatwork.Needandenvyshotthroughhim.God,
shewasbeautifulandamazing.And,thankGod,he’dfeelhermouthnext.
114
Slowly,Dekepulledaway.Shemoanedasshecontinuedtolickhim,asifnotquitereadytoletgo.
Atthispoint,Dekeusuallyglovedup,wentstraightforawoman’sassandleftLuctoeitherpartakeofhermouthorpussy.Heoftenleftarousingandtoyingwithawomanuptohim,whichwasfinewithLuc.Tohim,womenweresweet,soft,perfumedcreaturesmeanttobeexplored,chartedwithfingers
andtongues,everysecretcreviceandsensitivespotlearnedbysightandfeel.
SoDekekneelinginfrontofKimbertostareather,likeshewassomethingaspreciousashope,as
confoundingasanancientriddle,surprisedLucenough.Himeasingtohisback,grabbingKimber’s
hipsandnudgingherup,upandoverhisfaceshockedLuc.
“Havetotasteyou,”hemuttered.“Knowhowwet…”ShaylaBlackDecadentThemomentherthighs
bracketedDeke’shead,heliftedhismouthtoherwetcunt,anddeliveredanopen-mouthedassault.
Heclaspedherhipsandthrewhisentiretorsointheintimatekiss.Astartledmoanrippedfrom
Kimber’schest,andshereachedoutforsomething,someonetosteadyher.
Onwobblylegs,Lucroseandmadehiswaytothebedtowatchthem.He’djointheshowsoon,but
watchingKimbercomeapartalittlemorewitheverylashofhiscousin’stongueand,nowhecould
see,everydemandingswishofhisfingersinsideher,madeLucbeyondhot.
DeketurnedhisheadtonipatKimber’sthigh.“Thevibe.”IttookLucamomentafterhearingthe
snarledwordstorealizewhatDekewassaying.Yes.Theyneededtostartthat.They’denjoy
watchingKimbersquirmandflushandcomewhiletheyusedit,knowingitservedagreaterpurpose
they’dallenjoy.
115
Afteraquickjogtothenightstand,Lucgrabbedeverythingthey’dneed,preppedit,thenheadedbacktowardthem.Kimber,eyesclosed,fairskinallrosyandcoveredwithathinsheenofmoisture,
nipplesbeckoning,lookedlikeagoddessasshemoanedandacceptedeverystrokeofDeke’stongue.
Luc’sbloodboiled.HehadtohaverelieffromKimbersoon.Verysoon.Masturbatingintheshower
wasn’tgoingtoeasehisneedtonight.
Settlingbehindheragain,hetouchedapalmtoherback,rightbetweenhershoulderblades.Damn,
shewassofteverywhere…“Sweetheart,leanforward.
Handsandknees.”
Shedid,andDekedidn’tmissabeat.Lucwouldguess,infact,thenewpositionbroughtnew
sensation,giventhewayKimbermoaned.Luccaressedherhip,pepperedkissesupherbackto
whisperinherear,“Justrelax.I’lltrytomakethisgoodforyou.Tellmeifithurts.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentShemerelygrabbedatthecomforterinfrontofherandpantedasifshe
couldn’tgetenoughair.Andhewasabouttodriveherevenclosertothebrink
Partinghercheeks,heslowly—soslowly—begantoinsertanewvibratorinherass,alargerone
thanlasttime.Aboutsixinches,aninchindiameter.Closertotherealthing.Luchopedwithallthefeveroftheknotoflustinhisgutthatshelikedthis.Hewasdyingtogetinsidehersoon.
Thevibewashalfwayinwhenhebegantosweat.Justwatchingitdisappearintoherbodywas
settinghimablaze.Hekeptinserting,watchingitslidedeep,deeper.
Almosttothehilt.
Suddenly,shearched,tensed,andwhimpered.
“Hurt?”heasked.
116
“Alittle.”Shecouldbarelygetthewordsout.
“Takeitforus.Canyou?”
Shenodded,hershoulderstensing.Lucgentlyslidinthevibetherestoftheway.
Asshecriedout,heflippediton.Almostinstantly,shegasped.Momentslater,shebeganthrashing,grabbingforthecomforteragain.
“Yes!”Kimbercriedout.“Ineed—Oh,God…”
“Weknow.”Luckissedhershoulder,thenstood,shuckedhispants,androundedthepairofthemon
thefloor.Settlingontheedgeofthebedinfrontofher,heeasedtheauburncurlsawayfromherrosy-cheekedface.Herdilatedhazeleyessettledrightonhiscock.
Cuppinghernapeinhishands,heurgedherforward.“Suckme.”ShaylaBlackDecadentThankfully,
shedidn’thavetobetoldtwice.Shelungedforwardanddamnnearswallowedhimwhole.Luc
suckedinasharpbreath.Therushofsensationsizzleduphiscock,dartingdownhislegs,shootingthickdesireallthroughhisbody.Herheadbobbedupanddownasshetookhimnearlytothebackofherthroat,hereagertongueslidingovereverysensitivespothehadanddiscoveringafewhehadn’tknownabout.Shedidn’tbringteeth,asifshesomehowknewthatwasDeke’sthingandnothis
Instead,shegrippedhisthighsandsetamonster-fastpacethatensuredhewasn’tgoingtolastlong.
ButgiventhewayshewasmoaningaroundhiscockandthesoundsofDekedevouringherpussy,
neitherwasshe.
KimberlavedLuc,lovedhim,hermouthenvelopinghimlikeheaven,hertongueprovidingaconstant
caressthaturgedhimonandup.Desireswelledinsidehim,grewfasterthanhecouldassimilate.
Breathingshort-circuited.Hefistedhishands117
inherhair,tryingtoslowherdown.Lucwantedtosavoreachslickflareofsensation,everysearingtingle.WatchingherwithDeke,thenfeelingthesilkensuctionofhermouthforhimself,knowingthiswasthefirsttimehewouldcomewiththewomanwhocouldcompletehimandDeke…
Ecstasyburnedinhisgutandclaweduphiscock,overwhelmingandundeniable.
Luctriedtostaveitoff—recitingrecipesinhishead,thinkingaboutthemasterchefhe’dhatedinculinaryschool—butonlytheshimmeringheatofhisskyrocketingneedcamethrough.The
backgroundmusicofKimberwailingwithbuildingpleasuretoldhimshewasabouttoorgasmina
bigway.
Lucjustcouldn’tholdthepleasureinanymore.Thebaseofhisspinetingled.Hisballsdrewup.Oh,God.Theheatwasburninghim,inchbyinchuphiscock,takingliquidfirewithit.Thenheeruptedonashout,longandagonizingandgritty.Andallthewhile,Kimber’smouthworkedonhim,herfrantic,unevensuckingdrawingeveryounceofpleasureoutofhim.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDrawinginaraggedbreath,hepulledoutofhermouthandfoundhergaze,
unfocused,freneticneedtighteningherface.Herbodywastaut,likeabowstring.
Herheartbeatwildlyatthebaseofherneck.Hereachedaroundherandpumpedthevibeinandout
ofherassonce,twice.
“Come,sweetheart.Forus.”
Shedidn’tneedanotherwordofurging.Hugginghisthighs,sheclungandmewledoutherpleasure,
bodythrashing,convulsingwitheveryrippleofpleasuredominatingher.Hercryechoed,andunder
her,hecouldhearthefaintwhispersofDekepraisingherreaction,herflavor.
Asshecamedown,Lucextractedthevibeslowly.Kimbermoanedandcrumpledtothegroundat
Deke’sside.Shelookedathim,eyessoftwithsomethingsowomanlyandprofound.Hecouldn’t
placeit,buttheimpactofthatexpressionhithimsquareinthechest.ThensheturnedthatexpressiononDeke.Itamplified,118
untilitwaslikeasound,acall,aplea.
Thensheburstintotears.
Deketensed.
“Oh.Ohmy—What…?Ican’t…”Kimberdrewinahuge,heavingsob.
Lucdroppedtohiskneesnexttoher.“Sweetheart?”Shelaidacomfortinghandonhisarm,butshe
openedhazeleyesdrenchedwithtears,stillripewithawoman’sknowledge.ThatgazeclungtoDeke
asshereachedouttohim,too.
“Youmakemef—feel.It’s…I’veneverfeltmoreturnedinsideoutormorealivethanwhenI’mwith
you.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentLucrejoiced.Kimberknewthiswasright,too.Shefeltit,somewheredeep
down.
Hesmiledandreachedforher.ButoneglanceatDekehadLuc’sstomachplummetingtohistoes.His
cousinlookedbothelatedandsick.Hehadatightreinonsomeemotion,notfury,butsomethingdamnclose.
“Noemotion,”Dekegrowledather,asherosetohisfeetandgrabbedhisclothes.
“Justsex.Nothingbutsex,damnyou.”
Thenhestalkedtothedoorandslammedit,thefinalityofthesoundechoingallthroughouttheroom.
119
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER6
“Iwanttotalktoyou,”KimbersaidthefollowingmorningassheseatedherselfatthekitchentablewhereDekesatnursinghiscoffee.
Shelookedgoodinredcottonshortsandatanktop.Herglower,however,wasn’tasappealing.
“Lucisasleep,”shewenton,“sohecan’tgetthe‘wrongidea.’ButIhavetosaythis.”
Deketensed.Shehadconfrontationonhermind,pureandsimple.“Idon’twanttotalk.”
“Okay,thenlisten.”
120
Wheneventhesoundofhervoicegavehimahard-on,thatwasn’tgood.Butthismorning,hehearda
tremblingqualitytoherwords.Notasurprise,sincehe’dbeenanutterbastardtoheryesterday
morningandagainlastnight.
Butitwaseitherkeepdistancebetweenthemorfuckher.Claimher.Heknewshewantedhimat
arm’slength—notbetweenherthighs.Smartgirl.He’djustfuckupherlife.
“Yougotthreeminutes.”
“Thiswilltakelessthantwo.”Nowshesoundedpissed,whichwasbetter.Pissedhecouldhandle.Ifshewasmad,she’dbeallright.Itwashervulnerabilitythatshreddedhisguts.
Hertearslastnight…God,listeningtohercryinLuc’sarmshadnearlydonehimin.Luchadsoothedher,whisperedtoher.ThosesoftsobsandtornbreathshadeatenatDeke,gnawingonhisresolve.Hewantedtobetheonetocomforther.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDangerouswant.Ifhe’dheldher,caressedherlastnight,hewouldhave
endedupmakinglovetoher.Notfuckingher.Thekindofsweet,softlovingmeanttoreassure.The
kindthatwouldbondthemtogether.Forhersakeandhissanity,he’dresisted.
Firstjealousy,nowthis.Whatthehellwaswrongwithhim?
Kimberdrewinabracingbreath.“Afteryesterdaymorningandlastnight,Ican’tstay.Youdon’t
wantmehere,andIknowwhy.Thanksforthehelpyou’vegivenme.I’llgetmythingsandbegonebyten.”
Whatthe…?Gonebyten.Herwordsshouldhavebeenarelief,butKimberwasafighter.Why
wouldshesuddenlyconcedeandretreat?Andwhydidthethoughtofherleavingtakeagashoutof
somethinginsidehimthatfeltsuspiciouslylikehisheart?
121
Sheturnedawayfromhim.Evenso,hecouldn’tmissthevulnerableexpressiontighteningherfaceassheroseandcrossedthekitchenandexitedtheroom.Hecouldjustlethergo,shouldletherwalkoutnow…Woulda,coulda,shoulda.
Dekestoodandscrambledtoblockherpath.“YouknowwhyIdon’twantyouhere,huh?Whatdo
youthinkyouknow?”
Afrownofincredulitywrinkledherbrow.“Iknowwhatmenhavebeensayingaboutmesince
pubertyhit.IrarelywearmakeupandIdon’townadress.IhatelaceandIthinkfatiguepantsareagreatfashiondo,despitewhatmagazinessay.Inevermasteredthefineartsofgigglingandeyelashbatting.Ilikefishing,loathecooking,andcandrinkasix-packofbeerinunderfourminutes,if
challenged.”Shetossedbackherhead,fightingtears,andherfacesaidthatshewasannoyedbecauseofit.“I’matomboy.AndIknowforalotofguys—foryou—it’saturnoff.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
Hercommentwassowrong,Dekealmostcouldn’tprocessit.“YouthinkI’mturnedoffbyyou?”
Theduh!expressionwouldhavemadehimlaughifthiswasn’tsoserious.“WhenIfirstcamehereinlaceandheels,youwantedme.Butthenyousawthroughit,andlikeinhighschool,youcametoviewmeasoneoftheguys.Itturnedyouoff,soyoutoldmetoleaveyoualoneunlesswewereinbed.
There,youintendedtoliveuptoyourpromise.Thatprovesmypoint.”
Wassheserious?“Thatprovesyouknowjackshit,kitten.”Sheplantedahandonherhipandsent
himachallengingstare.“I’vebeendownthisroad.Morethanonce.Youdon’thavetoshieldmefromthetruth.Icantakeit.”Suddenly,Dekewantedtopoundthefaceofeveryhighschoolcreepwho’d
madeherfeellessthanfemale.Butitwasanout,aneasyone.Lettingherbelievethelie122
wouldgethimoffthehook.Butitwouldbechickenshit.Andhecouldn’thurtheronpurpose.
Hesighed,defeated.“HaveIdoneanythingyettobabyyourfeelings?”Kimberhesitated.“No.”
“Exactly.Iwouldn’tpretendyouturnedmeonifyoudidn’t.Andthisshitaboutyounotbeing…
feminineenough.It’scrap.Itisn’tmakeupandgigglingthatmakesawoman.It’shersmarts,her
moxie,thewayhersexualityflowsthroughher.”
“Whatareyousaying?”
Reachingforherhand,hesqueezedit.“You’vegotitall,kitten.Ilikethatyou’restraightforward.
Youdon’tgetfreakedoutbymyprofession.You’vegotakillersenseofhumorwhenyou’renot
tense.IfI’mgrouchy,it’sbecauseyouturnmeontoomuch.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Toomuch?”Skepticismshotfromherhazeleyes.“Youwantmetoomuch?
Tuggingonherhand,hedrapeditacrosshisfly,coveringtheunflaggingerectionhehadwhenever
shecamewithintenfeetofhim.“DoesitfeellikeI’mlying?”Throughhissweatshorts,shegrippedhim,strokedhernimblefingersupanddownhisrigidlength.“No.”
Dekegrabbedherwristtostopher.Betweenhiscrazyurgetoholdherandthelustshewasincitingwithhereverytouch,shewastreadingdangerouswater.
“Don’tstartsomethingyoucan’tfinish.”
Withherfreehand,shegrabbedathisshortsandbegantopushthemdown.“Icanfinishyou.Didn’tIdoitlastnight?”
Hermouth.Oh,hell.Yes,she’dtotallyfinishedhim.Thewet,silkyheavenhad123
beenparadise.Luchadtoldherexactlyhowtounravelhim,andshehad.Slow,hard,alittlebite—
andhe’dbeenagoner.Thethoughtthatshemightdoitagain,hereandnow,madehiscockpulse
underherhand.Shegrippedhimevenharderinanswer.
Hegrabbedherfingers,whichwerepushingathisshorts,withhisfreehandandhislastbitofwits.
“Don’t.”
Kimberdidn’tpause.Shestoppedandjerkedherhandsaway.“Youwantmebutyoudon’twantme
totouchyou?Andsincewhendoesamanwhowantsawomantoomuchturndownablowjob?”
“Ifyoupushmerightnow,I’llwantmore.”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”shesnapped.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Yourvirginityisofflimits.Don’ttestme,oryou’llfindyourselfnakedandimpaledonmycock.It’sallIcanfuckingthinkabout.IfIgetinsideyou,I’llstayinsideyou—alldamndayifyouletme.AndI’llcomebackformoretonight.AndLucwillwanttobenextinline.”
Asharpintakeofbreath.Asuddenflushstaininghercheeks.Asofteningofhercombativeposture.
“Oh.”
“I’monashortleash,soI’dgetthehellawayfrommeifIwereyou.”ButKimberdidn’tmove.Foralongmoment,shejuststaredathim.Dekeresistedtheurgetosquirmuncomfortably.Therewas
somethinggoingoninthatprettyheadofhers.Godhelpthembothifshegaveanyindicationthatshewantedtohavesexwithhim.Hedidn’thavemuchself-controlleft.He’ddragherbacktoLuc’sbed,wakehiscousinupand…dosomethinghe’dregret.
124
Alongsilencelater,shesteppedcloser,placingherhandsonhisshouldersandsteppingonher
tiptoestoreachhim.Shesettledherlipsoverhisandgavehimasoft,almostchastekiss.
“Youdidn’twanttoadmitanyofthat,butyoudidittosparemyfeelings.”Perceptive.He’dgiveherthat.
“That’sreally…decentofyou.YoucouldhaveletmebelieveIwasn’tfeminineenoughforyou,but
youdidn’ttaketheeasywayout.”Arelievedgrinbrokeoutacrossherface.“Thankyou.Ireally
respectthat.”Dekeshrugged.Hewasstupidlypleasedtohaveputasmileonherface.“Justbeing
fair.”
“Ishouldbefair,too,andadmitthatI’moffbalance.YouandLucareapotentpair.Bothofyouturnmeon,but”—shereleasedashakybreath—“IrespondtoyouShaylaBlackDecadentalotmorethanI
thoughtIwould.Whenyoutouchme,Imeltandache.I’veneverfeltthisway.”
Hegottoher,morethanLuc?MorethanJesse?Euphoriaandlustblastedhiminapotent
combination,racedthroughhisveinslikeadrug.Inthesnapofafinger,hewashighonKimber.
Shit.Heshouldn’t.Heknewheshouldn’t—Toolate.
Dekewasalreadygrabbingher,thrustinghisfingersintoherhair,cuppingherjaw,thendroppinghisheadtoravagehermouth.Withalittlegasp,sheopenedtohim,methispossessivekiss.
Curlinghistonguearoundhers,hebreathedinherheat,swallowedhermoan.Heheldhertight.And
hisbrainbegantoshutdown.
125
Now.Soonerthannow.Hehadtotasteher,beascloseaspossible.Deep,deepintohermouth.Herflavorknockedhimonhisass.Likeheaven.
Thenshemoldedherbodyagainsthis,archedintohimandpressedthosesweetbreastsrightagainst
him.Touchthem.Hehadto.Getthembare.
Withonehand,heswepthertankstrapdownoneshoulder,thentheother.Hepusheditlowenoughtofreeherbreastsandrunhispalmsoverthefirmmounds.
Notlarge,notsmall.Justright.Andthosenipples,hard.Alwaysreadyforhismouth.HisSoon…
Focusingontheremainingbarriers,Dekeyankedthetankdownherwaist,thengrabbingthe
waistbandofhershortsandpanties,draggeditalldownherhipsandlegs.Naked.Perfect.Boilinghimwithwant.
ShaylaBlackDecadentRakingapairoffingersthroughherslit,Dekeconfirmedhissuspicion.She
waswet.Verywet.Hardbreathing,eyesdilatedandbegging,shegrippedhisshirtindesperatefists.
ThankGodshewasaroused.Sowashe.
Dekeliftedherbythewaist,ignoringhergasp,andsetheronthekitchentable.
He’dfantasizedmanytimesabouthavingherspreadacrossitlikehisnextmeal,hissustenance.Therealityratcheteduphisneed.Hisheartbeatsoared.Hiscockthrobbed.
Pullinghisshirtoverhishead,hetosseditaway.Then,chestheaving,hepushedhisshortsdownhislegsuntilKimbercouldseenothingofhimbutbareskinandnakedwant.Withrapteyes,shetookhimin,unblinking,unwavering.
Unbelievable
Grippingherthighs,hedraggedherhipstotheedgeofthetableandleanedover126
her,blanketinghisbodywithhers.Searingheat.Peachy,sugarysmell.Shedrovehiminsane.His
gazesoughthers.Foundit.Wide,aroused,trusting.Wantsearedhim,sizzlinghisblood.Onfire.
Touchher.Hehadto.Hekissedherflatbelly,dippedhistongueinhernavel.Shesuckedinabreath.
Hesteppedcloser,sonearherheat.
Shespreadherlegswider,gazestillclingingtohim.Silent,open,drowninginwant.
Hernippleswerehard.Standingup,thickandswollen.
Irresistible.Heswoopeddownandtookoneinhismouth.Devouringit.Likecandy.Better,actually.
Heswipedhistongueoverit,nippingthetenderfleshwhenithardenedevenmore.Hmm.Perfect
Kimberpanted,littlewhimperingsoundspepperingtheairasshecurledherhandsaroundhishead,
tryingtogetherfingersinhismilitary-shorthairandtughimcloser.
“Deke…”
ShaylaBlackDecadentThatnoteinhervoice,pleading.Itforcedhimtolookupagain.Herstare
singedhim.
Claimhermouth.Hersweetkiss,allacceptingandimpassioned,kickedhimwithanotherjoltoflust.
Fuck.Her.Now.Heenvelopedherhipsinhishands,lovingthewayhispalmsnearlyswallowedher,thewayshewasopentohim,andhecouldseethewet,welcomingcreamofherpussy,herswollen
folds.Takinghimselfinhand,hepositionedhiscockagainstherentrance.
Steamy.Hot.Shescaldedtheheadofhiscockashesavoredthemomentbeforehe’dpushintoher,
makeherhis.Jesus,hewasshaking.Desirepiledontopofdesperateneed,wrappedintheharsh
demandsofhisbody.Andsomethingelse…
Takeher.Claimher
127
“Deke,”shepleaded,bothforhimtopushforward—andtostop.
Stop?No.Hellno!Whyshouldhestop?
Becauseheshouldn’tdothis.Toher.Tohimself.Thereasonescapedhim.Shewasopen,wet,laid
outonhistablelikeafreakin’banquetofdelight,eyesshining.
Withtears.
Tears?Thesight,thequestion,snappedhimoutofhislustinducedhaze.
Helookedaround.Clothesstrewnacrossthefloor.Sunlightfilteringinthroughwide-openwindows,
slantingacrossherbreasts.Shewasspreadoutacrossthesamedamntablethey’deatendinneron.
Shewasavirgin.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHeswallowed,knowingheshouldbackoff,leaveherthehellalone.Right
now,hewasonethrustfromchangingtheirlivesforever.
Maybe…maybeitwouldbedifferentthistime.Kimberwasn’tateenager.Shewasn’tfromatroubled
family.Shewasn’tHeather.Ifhethrustintoher,she’dbehis.His.Completely.Histoholdonbaddays,histosharesmileswith,histosurprise,totease,toplease,tofuck…
Histocareforifsomethingwenthorriblywrong.Thelustjackinguphissystemicedoveratthat
thought.Hetookahalfstepback.
“Weren’tyougoingtostopme?”Hisvoicecreaked.Forchrissake,hesoundedlikehewasa
hundred.
Kimberhesitated.“Yes.”
128
Buthewasn’tconvinced.“When?”
“Well,I—Imeantto.Itried.”
Dekepulleduphisshorts,tuckinghiserectionbackinsidewithagrimace.“Doyouactuallylovethispopstaryou’rechasing?”Ablink.Aglanceaway.Aboulderofuneasesettledinhisgut.Wasshe
skittishbecauseshedidn’tloveMcCallorbecauseshewastryingnottothrowherfeelingsforthe
popstarupinDeke’sface?Shesatup,coveredherselfwithherarms,drawingherlegsuptoher
chest.“WouldIbeheretryingtolearnallthisifIdidn’t?”
“Onlyyouknowwhyyou’rereallyhere.ButIknowyoudon’tcomprehendthefireyou’replaying
with,littlegirl.Nexttime,sayno.IfLuchadbeenhere,Imightnothavestopped.Nexttime,Imightfuckyou—andfucktheconsequences.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
#
Latethatnight,KimberdozedonLuc’sshoulderwhiletheysnuggledtoanoldblack-and-white
classic.Hiswarmthcurledaroundher.Safe.Comforting.Byunspokenagreement,theydidn’tdiscuss
Deke,butherthoughtskeptdriftingbacktohim.Wherewashe?
Somewhereinthehouse,adoorslammed.Thesoundjerkedherfullyawake.
Sittingupwithayawnandastretch,shelookedaroundinconfusion.StilljustLucandtheoldmovie.
“Kimber!”Avoicebellowed.Thensheheardstompingintherestofthehouse.
Aboltofgladnessandreliefstruckher.“Deke?”Shehadonlytosayhisnameonceandheappeared
inthedoorframe,fillingthe129
spacewithhismassiveshouldersandhugepresence.Hisbreathroseandfellinheavy,angrypants.
Heswayedonhisfeet.ThoseblueeyesofhiszeroedinonherwrappedinLuc’sarms.Theystripped
herclothesoffwithaglance.Immediately,hernipplesbeaded.Sheswallowed.
“You’redrunk,”Lucbitoutindisapprovalbesideher.
“Iwish.Butnotforlackoftrying.IfIwas,Icouldhavedrownedoutalldesiretotouchher.”DekepinnedKimbertothesofawithahotstare.“ThenIcouldhavepassedoutintooblivionwithout
needingtofeelheraroundmycock.”Kimber’sstomachclenchedathiswords.Sodidhersex.Why
didthismangettoher,despitebeingsodangerousanddifficult,soangry?Lucwasgentleand
understanding,charming,seductive,talented.Thedesireherousedwasgentleandbeautiful.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAndnothinglikethehotblastofneedthatscaldedhereverytimeshe
experiencedDeke’sdemandingcaress.
“Notwhenyou’reinthismood.”Lucstoodandcrossedhisarms,halfstandinginfrontofher
protectively.“Youknowwhatwehadplannednext,andyou’reinnoshapetocarryitout.You’llhurther.”
“Iwon’t.”Hestared,thensentherasmilethatglitteredwithdanger.“Lookather.
Thoseprettynipplesarehard.Herhothazeleyesareeatingmeup.Andherpussy…”
DekepushedpastLucinthesmalldenandfelltohisknees.BeforeKimberhadanyideawhathehad
planned,Dekehadpushedupherminiskirtandrippedoutthecrotchofherpanties.
“Damnthings,”hemuttered.“Naked.Youshouldalwaysbenaked.”130
“But—”
Hespreadherlegswide,slammedtwofingersinsideherwetsex,andbenthisheadtoherclit,
consumingherinadevouringsweepofhistongueMoaning,shecalledout,“Deke!”
Immediately,firesizzleddownherlegs,roaringintoaninfernolowinherbelly.
Tightandaching,hotandoutofcontrol,thesensationsslammedintoher.Shecouldn’tbreathe.
Definitelycouldn’tstophim.
Didn’twantto.
Kimbercurledherfingersaroundhisheadandgasped.Hisgreedylickswereshockingtohersystem.
Hewaseatingheralive—allherpassionandyearning,allherdoubts,hopes.Herindecision.
ShaylaBlackDecadentWhydidDekereachheronsuchadeeplevel?Becauseshesensedhewas
woundedandwantedtohealhim,asanynursewould?Whydidheruleherbodymorethananyother
man?Whyhadsomepartofherfantasizedabouthim,evenbeforesheunderstoodsexualfantasies?
Thequestiondissipatedinhermind,dissolvinglikesugarinwine,asDeke’sfingertipsstrokedthesensitivebundleofnervesinsideher.Lucsankontothecouchathersideandwatched,arousalfierceacrosshisface.
“Iwon’tlethimhurtyou.”
“Hewon’t,”shegasped.
“He’sarousingyou?”
“Yes.”Shethrewbackherheadandclosedhereyes.“Yes.”131
Luc’sthumbsuddenlyswipedacrossonenippleashepulledhersummertopdown,anchoringit
beneathherbreasts.“I’mgoingtoarouseyou,too,sweetheart.”Histongueflickedacrossthebeadsofhertightnipples,followedbyanipofhisteeth.Dekemirroredtheaction,clampingdownonherclit,thenmanipulatingitwiththetipofhistongue.Relentless,oneswipeaftertheother,hemadeherburn.
Thefirespread,injectingitswaythroughherbody,shootinguptohernipples,downherlegs,sizzlingacrossherskin.Building,building…Herheartcareenedoutofcontrol,thesoundofitsbeatsroaringinherears,blockingouteverythingelseexceptthehungrysoundsofDeke’smouthandLuc’smoans.
Inseconds,theneedgrewandtoweredaboveheruntilshehoveredrightontheedgeofwildfire
pleasure.Totallybeyondhercontrol,herbodyjerkedwitheveryhardflickofDeke’stongue.Thefiregathered,coalesced,peaked.Theniterupted,ShaylaBlackDecadentburstingbehindhereyesuntil
blackspotsclungtotheedgeofhervision.Herbackarched,andshescreamed,grippingDeke’s
head,hisshoulders.
Enormous.Huge.Hadsheeverorgasmedsohard?
Shestruggledtocatchherbreath,torighthercrazy,tiltingworld.Dekemerelypushedherthighs
wider,stabbedhistongueintohercore,anddemanded,“Again.”Sensationsassailedherfasterthan
herbodycouldprocessthemashistonguestrokedacrossherclitagain.Toomuch,allatonce.“Oh…
Wait.Slowdown.”
“No,”Dekebarked,liftinghisheadfrombetweenherthighs,hislipswetwithherjuice.“You’reheretolearnhowtoaccommodatetwomen.Itoldyouthingswouldgethot.Sometimes,they’refastand
furious.Adjust.”Continuingtocaressherbreasts,Lucsenthimasternstare.“She’sinexperienced.
132
Wecanmoderate—”
“Why?She’sabiggirl.Anadult,shekeepssaying.Inthenextfiveminutes,shecanbegrippingyourcockinherass.Anddon’tlie;Iknowhowbadyouwantit.”
“I’msureitwouldbeveryenjoyable,ifthat’swhatKimberwants.”Dekeflashedhimabitterstare.
“Yousmugbastard,alwayshidingbehindthegoodimage,thechevaliertomycaveman.Don’tforget,
IwastherewhenyouhadsexwiththatflightattendantinMemphislastyear.Youwentatherforoverthreehours.DoyouthinkKimbercouldkeeppaceinoneofyourmarathonsessions?”Kimberstared
atLucinawholenewlight.Sweettempered,gentleLuc?Heflushedguiltily,lendingcredenceto
Deke’sassertion.
“Shewasn’tcomplaining.Besides,youparticipated,too.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Once.Therestwasallyou,buddyboy.Andshe’snotthefirstonetogetthattreatment.Don’t
pretendyoudon’thaveadarkside.YouwanttowinKimberover?
You’dbettershowhertherealyou.”
Lucswallowed.“Sheknowstherealme.I’llalwaysbeasgentleaspossiblewithKimber.”
Dekesnorted.“Soonerorlater,you’regoingtohavetogiveheratasteofthatkillerstaminaoryou’llbedoingnothingbutlyingtoher.”
“Shutup.”
Kimberwatchedthebyplaywithastonishment.Theanger.
Thesecretsthey’dbothbeenkeepingfromher.Didtheykeepthingsfromoneanother,too?Stunned
didn’tbegintodescribehowshefelt.
133
Clearingherthroat,Kimbercutin.“Luc,really,I’m—”
“Here’sthedeal,”Dekesaidtoher,asifLuchadn’tgrowledathim,asifshehadn’tspoken.“We
workwelltogetherbecauseLuchaspatienceandlikestogetawomanallhot.Istrikefast,makesureshegetsoffafewtimes.Somewhereinthemiddleofitall,Lucmovesin.”DekeslantedanotheruglystareatLuc.
“Shutup,cousin.”
“Whenhisdarksidetakesover,he’llfuckawomanforagoodthreehours.More,ifhe’sonareal
tear.Neversaydie.Isn’tthatyourmotto?”Thebitterwordshungintheair.
Mouthopen,KimberwatchedasLucdraggedDeketohisfeetandcurledafistinhisT-shirt.“You’rescaringher.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“I’mtellingthetruth.Andsheshouldbescared.She’salittlevirginplayingwithgrownmen.Idamnnearfuckedhersweetpussythismorningonyourkitchentablewhileyouslept.”
ItwasLuc’sturntosendherasharpstare.“Areyouokay?”Whatcouldshesay?Kimbernodded.
Embarrassmentdidn’tcountasharm.She’dbeenstupid,allowinghergoodsensetobeoverwhelmed.
Itwouldn’thappenagain.Shehoped.
Dekescoffed.“What,youthinkIwouldhaveforcedher?Rapedher?”
“Normally,Iwouldn’tthinkso,butyou’reawfullypushytoday,”Lucgrowled
“IfIhadfuckedher,itwouldhavebeenbecauseshearousedmeanddidn’thaveenoughcontrolofherfacultiestosayno.Iputastoptoit.”134
Luchardlylookedimpressed.“Youdon’twanttheresponsibilityoftakingavirgin.”
“Idon’twanttohurtKimber,andIhaveverylittlecontrolwithher.Weallknowit.”Hepaused.“Isyourdarksidewailingatyoutonight,cuz?”KimberwatchedasLucreleasedDeke’sshirtandshut
hiseyes,refusingtolookatanyone.Shehadthedistinctimpressionthathewasembarrassedbyhisoccasionallyextremebehavior.
Oddly,shewasn’tafraidofLuc’sanswer;shejustwonderedwhatcausedhimtoneedtofucka
womanso…thoroughly.
“No,”hemurmuredfinally.
“Good.Sinceyouhaveallthepatienceandnowhiskeyinyoursystem…”Dekereachedintohis
pocketandpulledoutacondomandatubeoflubricant.HetossedShaylaBlackDecadentthemonthe
tablerightinfrontofher.“Youknowwhatwehadplannedtonight.
Youdoit,allgentleandshit,soitwillgodownsmooth.OrIwill.Andheavenhelpusall,then.”
Lucletoutashakybreath.
Mr.Calm?Mr.Never-Ruffled?Wow…Therewasfarmoregoingonherethanshe’deversuspected.
Whatthehellwasbrewinginthisplace?Shedidn’twanttoanswerherownquestionthehardway,
notwhensheknewwhatthecondomandthelubemeantforher.
“Guys,ifneitherofyouissure—”
“I’msure,”Luccutinquietly.“AsindelicatelyasDekemighthavesaidit,he’srighttopushtheissue.
Thisispartofyourtraining,andoneofushastodothis.
Dekeisinnoshape.Youknowwhatwe’rediscussing,right?”135
Aglanceagainattheitemsonthetabledidn’tleadKimbertoanyotherconclusions.Thethoughtofithappeningtoher—rightnow—bothalarmedandarousedher.Wouldithurt?Getheroff?Itdidn’t
matter.ThiswaspartofJesse’sworld,abigpartofwhatJessewouldprobablywant.Shewashere
tolearnifshecouldacceptit,takeit,likeit.
“Analsex,”shefinallyanswered.
“Yes.”Luc’svoice,usuallysmoothasbrandy,waslikearoughdragovergravel.
“Areyougoingtobeokaywiththat?”
“It’snecessarytotaketwomenatonce.It’spartofwhatIsignedupfor.”
“Buttonight?It’slateandwe’veargued—”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Youtwoargued.I’mfine.Areyou…upforit?”KimberglanceddownatthecrotchofLuc’sshorts.
Evenasshespoke,hiserectionrose.“I’malwaysupforbeingwithyou.”
“It’ssettled,then,”Dekesaidasheploppeddownonthesofaarrangedperpendiculartotheonesheoccupied.
Kimberfrownedashereclinedandlookedatherwithacoolsmile.IfDekewantedhertoomuch,
whydidn’thewanttobethefirsttodothis?He’dsaidhehadverylittlecontrolwithher.
Didhethinkhe’dgowildandhurther?Orpushhiswayintothewrongorifice?
“Apparently.”Lucshothiscousinapuzzledglare.“Andwhatareyougoingtodo?”
136
ThestareDekesentKimberdamnnearsizzledthefleshoffherbones.“Watch.”ThatonewordsetoffadetonationofhotlonginginsideKimber.HewantedtowatchLuctakeheranally,plannedtoenjoy
everymomentofwatchingherwritheinecstasy.Aquickglancedownprovedthemerethoughtofit
madehimhard.Thethoughtofhisarousalmadeherache.Hersexclenched,andfreshmoisture
drenchedheralready-wetfolds.
“Eventually,youhavetoparticipate,”Lucpointedouttohiscousin.
“Eventually.”Heleanedback,crossedhisankles,andclaspedhishandsbehindhishead.Noone
couldmistaketheenormouserectionjuttingagainstthefrontofhisjeans.“Getstarted.I’mready.”
Arrogantbastard.Butasexyone.Kimbertriedtoformsomepithycomeback,butthenLuctouchedherarm.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Sweetheart?”
Hewasaskingherifshewasreadyforthis,forhim.No.Yes.Shesighed.Maybe
Shewascurious,butafraid.Sheneededtobeabletoacceptamananally,butworrieditwouldhurt.
AndifDekewasn’tgoingtotouchher,shewantedtodrivehimcrazy,makehimsoinsaneforherthathecouldn’tstayaway.
Stupidandreckless,Kimberknew.Butafterthismorningonthekitchentablewhenhe’drefusedher
becauseshehadn’thadthewillpowertosayno…He’dmusteredtheself-controltoputastopto
disasterandleft.Clearly,hehadn’twantedherhalfasbadlyasshe’dachedforhim.He’ddonetherightthing,shesupposed,andpartofherthankedhimforit.Butitstillhurt.
Whydidhisopinionmatter?ShewashereforJesse.Jesse,damnit.NotDeke.
Buthe’dsaidnothismorning,andnowhe’dgivenuptheopportunitytobethe137
firstonetotakeheranally.Instead,he’ddeferredtoLuc.Thedevilofdoubtrodeherhard.KimberwasdeterminedtomakeDekeregretwhathe’dpassedup.He’dhadbettergetreadyforahellofa
floorshow.
“I’mready,”shewhisperedtoLuc,sendinghimwhatcouldonlybecalledasaucy,fuck-mesmile.
Foramoment,Lucjuststared,asifhewasn’tsurewhattomakeofhersmileorwhattodofirst.Shetookthedecisionoutofhishands.Anoddbravery,feminineresolution—pureneedtotemptDeke—
flowedthroughherasshereachedforthehemofhertopandpulleditoverherhead,completely
baringherselftoLuc.Dekegotagreatsideview.Thenshepinchedhernipples,ensuringtheywere
hard.
“I’mmorethanready.”ShehopedthosehuskywordswentstraighttoDeke’scock.
ShaylaBlackDecadentTheysurewenttoLuc’s.Staggeredbythem,hesanktohisknees.“Stayonthesofa.”
CastingachallengingglanceDeke’sway,Kimberwriggled,rollingherhipsandmakingagreatshow
ofgettingcomfortable.Thensheprimlycrossedherlegs,imitatingherbestladylikeposture,and
wasn’titluckyforherthattheposethrustherbreastsrightintoLuc’sface?
Yankingouttheelasticbandrestraininghismidnighthair,Luctosseditonthetable.Wavesofinkyhairfellaroundhisstrongface.Hisshirtcamenext.Offandontothefloor,exposingthetautlinesofwideshoulders,theropesofmusclesstrainingupanddownhisarms.Absripplingwitheverybreath.
Heworkedout,noquestion.Andhelookeddamngood.Sheshivered.
“Whatcanyoutakeoffnext?”shetaunted,glancingathisshorts.“Ihavesomethingyoucantouchifyoustripdownforme.”138
KimberpartedherlegsenoughforLuc—andonlyLuc—toseeherallwetandswollen.Lucmoaned,
hisgazefixedonherdampcurls.
Outofthecornerofhereye,shesawDekeunziphispantsandtakehismeatycockinhishand.He
begantoslowlystrokeeverylonginch,graspingthewidthofitinaharshfist,hiseyesgluedtoher.
ShelovedhavingthepowertodrivethetaciturnDeketosuchdesire.Andshewasn’tclosetodone.
Wheretheinnervixenhadcomefrom,shehadnoidea.Butshewasn’tabouttoputastoptoherrightnow.
“Youdowanttotouchme,don’tyou?”sheaskedLuc,toyingwithherownclitandgaspingforeffect.
“Yes,”hepanted.“Dothatagain.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Getnaked,andIwill.”
Lucshuckedoffhisshortsinlessthantwosecondstorevealhislongstaffwithitsthickveinsandvividpurplehead,andKimbertriednottolaugh.Thepowershehadoverthemwasheady.Shewas
drunkonit.Intheend,LucorDeke—orboth—
wouldtakeitfromher.Butinthismoment,sheownedthem.
“Verynice,”shemurmured.
Theinnervixengoadedherintoslippingherfingerintohermouthandmakingquiteaproductionof
wettingthetip.Withafelinesmile,shedroppedthewetdigittoLuc’scockandrubbedthemoisturealloverthehead,addingtotheleakageseepingfromthetip.Hehissed,thetendonsstandingoutinhisneckashefoughtforcontrol.
“You’rebeingnaughty,”Lucscolded.
139
“Me?”Kimberwasallinnocence.
“Verynaughty.Liftyourskirtandtouchyourselfagain.Iwanttoseeyoudoit.”AsurprisingrequestcomingfromtheusuallygentlemanlyLuc,butaftertonight,Kimberguessedtherewerehiddendepths
totheman.Ademandthatshemasturbateforhim—forthem—definitelyshockedher.Andthrilled
her.
Pushingself-consciousnessaside,sheleanedbackandliftedherskirthigherwithslowhands,very
slow.Sheendedatthetopofherthighs,andwithDekesittingonthesofatoherright,sheknewhecouldseejustenoughtotease.Hismutteredcursesbespokefrustration.
Toaddalittlefueltothefire,Kimberwiggledherassandmoaned,closinghereyesandlickingherlips.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Now,Kimber.”
Sheopenedhereyes.Blinked.ThatcommandingtonecamefromLuc?Theusuallygentle
encouragementonhisfacehadbeenreplacedwithsomethingsevereandimpatient.
Hisfingerswrappedaroundherthighs—notlightly.
“Now!”
Whenhisentiredemeanormadeherwetandtheedgeoffearzippedthroughhertocreateathrillshedidn’tquiteunderstand,whatchoicedidshehave?Cantingherhipsforward,sheloweredherhandtohersexandrubbedherclit.
Usually,whenshewasalone,shestartedinleisurelycircles,spinningsomefantasyinhermind.
Tonight,shehadnoneedtodreamupanysexual140
circumstance.Shewaslivingit.Andthoseslowcircles?Noway.Withtwosetsofburningeyes
roamingeveryinchofherflesh,caressinghardnipples,smoothingoverherabdomen,probingher
pussy,slowcircleswerenotpossible.
SensationmountedhardandfastasKimbermanipulatedherclit.Theburningpressurebecamean
acheasshewatchedLuc’scockbobwitheveryharshbreathhetook.Dekeleanedin.
Hetriedtopeercloser,thensniffed.“Oh,hell,Icansmellhowclosesheis.”Lucgaveashakynod.
“Stop.”
Pleasurebubbledinsideher,thickandroiling.KimberheardLucspeak.Hesaidsomethingshedidn’twanttohear,sosheignoredhim.
“Isaidstop.”Hegrabbedherwrist.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShewhimperedatthelossofstimulationbutceasedbecauseheforcedherto.
Sheblinkedonce,twice.Twinflagsofcolorflushedhisface.Hislong,artisticfingersgrippedherwristwithstartlingforce.
“Don’tpushme,”hewarned,lookingunrelenting.“I’mclosetomyedge.”Inotherwords,ifshe
didn’twanttobesatinghimwithherassforthenextthreehours,she’dbetterbackoff.
“Okay,”shewhispered.
Hereleasedherandnodded,hisexpressionlookinggrateful.“Slideoffthesofa,kneesonthefloorinfrontofme.”
Kimberdidn’teventhinkofteasinghim.Shesimplycomplied.
“Good,”hepraisedashegrippedherhipsandturnedherawayfromhim.Then141
shefelthispalmbetweenhershoulderbladesgivingheragentlepush.“Leanforwardandbraceyourelbowsonthesofa.”
Oh,God.Thiswashappening.Reallyhappening
Shecouldsayno.Kimberknewshecould.Butitwouldn’tserveherpurpose.Andsheachedforwhat
Luccouldgivehernow,forwhatDekewouldseeandbearousedby.Therewasnostoppingtonight.
Swallowinghard,shedidasLucdemanded.Thescentsofleatherandherowncreamwaftedaround
her.Luchandledher,caressingherhips,liftingherskirt,strokingherass.
“You’rebeautifulhere.”Hesmoothedhispalmoveroneofhercheeks.“Round,firm,pale.Andright
now,allmine.”
Shemoaned.Hiswords,histouch,arousedherevenmore.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Thiswillworklikethevibes,onlyI’mfleshandblood.Andlargerthanthelastvibeyoutook.”
Yes,hewaslarger,andnotbyjustatad.“Willithurt?”
“I’lleasein,minimizethepain.”
“It’sbestthisway.Luc’sgotthepatience,kitten.I’mgoingtolovehearingyouscream.”
Deke
Frowning,Kimberturnedtohim.Thosedenimeyesflaredwithpassion,yes,butnowtendernessalso
lurked.Hisfacesaidthathefearedhewouldhurtherifhetriedtobethefirsttotakeheranally,buthewasrighttherewithher,hadn’tabandonedher.Andshesawlonging.HewantedtobeinLuc’s
place.
142
HermindracedassheheardLucrippingfoilbehindher.
Dekehadgivenupthisopportunitybecausehewantedittobegoodforher?HadhegoadedLucinto
thisonpurpose?
“Thiswillbealittlecoldandslippery,”Lucwarned.
Asecondlater,Kimberfelthisfingersprobingherbackentrance,spreadingthecoollubeinand
aroundherpuckeredopening.Sheshivered.
Doubtassailedhersuddenly.Luc,whilealwaysgentlewithher,wasnotasmallman.Maybeshe
wouldn’tbeabletohandlehim.Maybeitwouldhurttoomuch.
Maybe—
Luccaressedhercheeksgently,thenpartedthem.“Relax.RemembertopushdownasIpushin.
You’llbefine.I’llmakeitgood.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHeplacedatenderkissatthesmallofherback,andKimberknewhe’ddoeverythinginhispowertogiveherpleasure,minimizethepain.She
exhaled.
Thenshefelthim,slickandhardagainstherbackentrance.Hepushedinafraction,andhishead
enteredher.Pressurebutnotpain.Good.
Grippingherhips,Lucwhispered,“Now,pushdown.”Kimberdid,grittingherteeth.Hethrustonce,
twice,blockedbytheringofmusclethere.
Hecursed,hisfingersdiggingintoherhips.Shewhimperedatthesharpedgeofpainslicingintoher.
Instantly,Dekewasthereinfrontofher,onthesofa.“Shh.It’sokay,kitten.”
“Damn.Ineedtopushharder,”Lucsaid.
143
Shegavethembothashakynod.Dekegrippedherhands.Aslightwithdrawal,afreshgriponher
hips,andLucsurgedforward,theheadofhiscockpoppingpasttheresistantringofmuscle.She
gaspedaspainburst,thenslowlydissipated.
Fullnesstookitsplace.Jumpingnerveendingsawokewithnewpossibilities.
“Isitdone?”shewhispered.
“Abouthalfway,”Luccroaked.“Thehardpartisover.Areyouokay?”Wasshe?Experiencing
somethingnew,notsureifshewasfeelingpleasureorpainorsomethinginthemiddle,opening
herselftoanactshe’dscarcelythoughtof,wassheokay?
OnceglanceatDeke’sfacetoldheryes.Tautwithpleasureandexpectation,helovedit.Watching?
Orjustknowingthatwhenitwashisturn,theslideinwouldbeShaylaBlackDecadenteasier?Eitherway,thefactthatshewassubmittingtoLucnowbothpleasedandarousedDekeandsomehowmade
itokay.Morethanokay.
“I’mgood.”Shenodded.“Go.”
“Damnyou’retight,sweetheart,”Lucgroundout.“Iwon’tlastlong.”Therewasnoopportunityto
reply,andKimbersupposedhedidn’tneedone,notwhenheshovedforwardagain,easinginanother
fewinches.Thepressureincreased,andshemewled,archingherback.Heslidinanotherinch.She
gasped.
“Almostthere…”Withalast,franticgrabofherhipsandagrowl,Lucthrustinsideherasstothehilt.
Kimbercriedoutatthesudden,sharpsensations.Notpleasure,notpain;somewhereinthemiddle.
Anoddfeelingofsuspension,evenasherkneesbecame144
numb.Andatotalfeelingofbeingmastered.
Dekebrushedherhairawayfromherface.“God,youlooksexy.”ThenheglancedupatLuc,andshe
couldseethattheireyesmetoverherback.“Fuckher.”Lucdidn’tanswer,hesimplydrewback,allthewaytotheringofmuscle,thenslidhome.Thefrictionmadehergasp.Again,thepleasure/pain,thefullnessandpressure,theymadeherwrithe,tossbackherhead,andstruggletotakeit.Evenassheknewshe’dtakeitagaingladly.Everythingaboutherfelt…alive.
“Touchyourclit.”Luc’svoicesoundedstrained.“Iwanttofeelyoucome.”Nochanceofhernot
coming,really.Thenewnessofitall,andtheraptureonDeke’sfaceashewatchedherreactionto
beingallpumpedfullofpleasure.AndLuc’scock,strongbutgentle,slowlypickingupthepace.
Slowlydrivinghertowardoblivion.
ShaylaBlackDecadentBeingobedientappealedatthemoment,andshetouchedherfingerstoher
clit.
Notjustwetbutsoaking.Infact,creamdrippeddownherthighs.Hadsheeverbeenthisaroused?
DekeandLucwereapowerfulone-twosuckerpunchtoherself-control.
Amazing,shethought,feeingthesexychefthrustintoheragain.Herclitpulsedunderherfingers,andsherubbed.Tendrilsofpleasurespreadlikethepartsofaspiderweb,delicateandfarreaching.
Shocking.Kimberheardmoaning,andrealizedthesoundhadcomefromher.
ThesweetacheofLuc’sinvasionandthesharpedgeofpleasureshegaveherselfwasabouttosend
herintothestratosphere.
“Oh,hell.She’sripplingaroundme.”
“Yougonnacome,kitten?”Dekewhisperedinherear.
145
Kimbercouldonlycryoutandarchherbackabitmore.Lucsliddeeperandhissed,digginghis
fingersintoherhips.Hefuckedherharder.Hernerveendingsjumpedinapproval.God,she’dnever
imaginedthiswouldbesoconsuming.
“Suckhiscock,”Lucordered.
Deke’sgazebounceduptomeetLuc’s.Whateverhesawtherecalmedhim.Whenheloweredhis
gazetoher,thoseblueeyespleadedwithher.Hetookhiscockinhishandandeasedhimselfclosertohermouth.
Yes!Fullatfrontandback.Itwas…perfect.Luc’srhythmwasnowdeep,slow,andhard.Kimbersethertempothesame.SheknewDekelikedit.
“Oh,fuckyes!”hecriedouthisapproval.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHerfingersfalteredonherclit,andLuccametotherescue,battingherhandoutofthewayandtakingover.
Oh,muchbetter.Hewassodamneffective.Therampuptoecstasymultiplied.
Spinning,tumbling,flying.Almost…
“Come,sweetheart.”
ShemoanedaroundDeke’scock,andanexplosionrentherbody,tearingthroughhersoul,
rearrangingher.Shaken,brokenandremade,stunnedandamazed,sheconvulsed,herbackrounding
asriversofwhite-hotpleasurestreamedthroughherbody.Behindher,Lucstiffened,grippedherhipsagain,andletlooseagutturalcry.
Kimberfeltjoyous,triumphant.She’ddoneit!Andshe’dgladlydoitagain.Butshewasn’tfinished,Dekeremindedherbythrustingintohermouth.Determinedtoshareherbliss,shetookhimdeepand
slow,suckedhard,tongueswirling,teeth146
scraping.Hishandsmadetheirwayontoherfaceandcradledher.“Yeah,kitten
Suckme.Sofuckinggood.”
Knowingshecoulddothistohim,yes.Itwasgood.Andshewantedhimtocome,neededtoknowhefelttheecstasy,too.Lucwithdrewfromherbacksideslowly,carefully.Kimbermoanedattheodd
sensationofhiswithdrawal,oftheacheofsuddenemptiness.
Heleanedoverherbodyandplantedakissonhershoulder.“Youkeepamazingme.Thatfelt
incredible.”
Behindher,shefeltLucrise.Vaguely,sheheardhimpeeloffthecondom.Thenhispaddedfootstepslefttheroom.AndshefocusedherattentiononDeke,onthemuscledthighsbeneathherfingers,thethickstalkhertonguecradled.
Instantly,Deketensed.“Getthefuckbackhere!”ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberliftedherhead,
puzzled.“I’mhere.”
“ImeantLuc,”hegrowled.
DekeneededLuc…why?CertainlyDekecouldcomewithouthim.
“Backinaminute,”Luccalledfromacrossthehouse.
“Iwantyourassbackherenow.”
Lucdidn’tanswer.Deke’shandsbecamefists,andhejumpedtohisfeetandcursed,somethingmean
anduglythatshockedevenher.
Curiouserandcuriouser
“Wedon’tneedhim,”shewhispered.“I’mmorethanhappytofinishwhatwestartedallby
ourselves.”
147
Deke’sgazelefttheemptyportalandherakedahotstareoverherbody.Atthesightofherwearingnothingbutalittleskirt,hiscockflared,swelled.Anotherfranticgazearoundtheroom.
“Oh,shit.No!Nomorecondoms…”
Tryingtosmooththepuzzlementfromherface,Kimbertookhishand.“It’sallright.Sitdown.We
don’tneedacondom.I’llfinishyou—”
“No.NotwithoutLuchere.Iwon’tdothiswithoutLucintheroom.”
“What?”Shockreverberatedthroughherbody.Whathewassaying…didhereallymeanit?Every
muscleinhisbodytaut,thedenialofhispleasure,thescreamingobscenitiesatLucatthetopofhislungs?Yeah,hemeantit.
“YoucancomewithoutLucintheroom,I’msure.He’snotgoingtohelpyou.”ShaylaBlack
Decadent
“No,buthe’ssupposedtohelpyou,keepyousafe.Andifhedoesn’tgetbackhere,IsweartoGod,
I’mlessthantwosecondsfromthrowingyoutothefloorandfuckingyou.”
148
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER7
Tempting.Itwasthefirstwordthatpoppedintoherhead.Kimberhadneverthoughtofherselfasbeingsexuallydriven,butafewdayswithDekeandLuc…andshecouldthinkoflittleelse,
especiallywithDeke’spantshanginglowaroundhisthighsandhisthick,readycockrightinfrontofher.
Stupid.Itwasthesecondwordtoburstintoherhead.Shehadn’tcomeheretobewithhim,buttolearnhowtobewithJesse.Butthatwasn’twhatmadeherpause.
Forsomereason,DekewouldnotengagehersexuallywithoutLucintheroom.
AndjudgingfromLuc’slackofsurprise,shedidn’tthinkthiswasanewdevelopment.Whichimplied
thathehadhang-upsunrelatedtovirgins,buttosexingeneral.
KimberheardtheclinkofpipesthatsignaledtheshowerrunninginLuc’s149
bathroom,andsheknewhewasn’tcomingback,notquicklyenoughtointercede.
ShewasflyingblindinasituationthatwasclearlytouchyforDeke.Andshewasgoingtohaveto
wingit.
“Takeadeepbreath,”shesuggested.“Wecanwaitforhimtocomebackorcontinueaswewere.
Yourcall.”
“Don’ttouchmerightnow.You’llbesorryifyoudo.”Betweenhistightjawandground-outwords,
Kimberbelievedhim.Hewasridingarazor-thinedgeofcontrol.Onemovethewrongwayandhe’d
snap.
Justthismorningshe’dbelievedshewastootomboyishtoseriouslyarouseDeke
He’dquicklyprovedherwrongandmadeherfeelbothaliveandfeminineintheprocess.Amazing
theperspectiveafewhoursandalittleconversationcouldgiveaperson.
ShaylaBlackDecadentUnfortunately,noneofthathelpedhernow.
“I’minbettercontrolofmyselfthanthismorning.Wecanworkthisout.I’llsaynoifthingsgettoohot.”
Hishandsslidintoherhair,hisfistsgrippingher.Indecisionandcravingwarredonhistightface.
Hisharshbreathsfellacrosshercheek.“Kitten,youjustdon’tknowallthereasonsthat’sabad
idea.”
“Thentellmethereasons.MaybeIcanhelp.”
Hisfiststightenedinherhair.Histawnybrowsslasheddownovereyessoblue,theynearlylooked
black.Torture.Theemotionalkind.Itwasalloverhisexpression.
“DespitethefactI’vebeenatotalassholetoyou,youstilloffertohelpme.IfIwas150
abetterman—”Hestopped,apparentlynotwantingtofinishthattrainofthought.
“Youcan’thelp,kitten.Idugmyowngravetwelveyearsago.”Andhe’dburiedhimselfemotionally
eversince.Hedidn’tsaythat,butKimberknewit.Hewouldn’tcomewithoutLucintheroomforthesamereasonheengagedinménages,she’dbet.Somethinghadhappenedtohimasateenagerthathad
changedeverything.
“Tellmewhathappened.”
Hescoffedandlookedatherasifshe’dlosthalfherbrain.“Aregurgitationofthepastisnotgoingtochangeathing.”
“Maybeitwill.I’vehadtimealonewithLuc.Iwantsomewithyou,justyou.Butthis…thingisbetweenus.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Italwayswillbe.Ifasmallarmyoftherapistscouldn’terasetheproblem,yousittingtherein
nothingbutafuck-meskirtandlisteningtometalkaboutmypastisn’tgoingto‘fix’me.You’llonlybetemptingmetotakewhatIknowIshouldn’t,andasheavenlyassinkingdowndeepintoyouwould
be,itwon’traisethedead.”Shedidn’tunderstandhisreferenceatall,butquicklygraspedthat
somehow,somewherealongtheway,sexanddeathhadtangledtogether,andhefeltresponsible,like
someGreektragedy.Luchadbeenhiswatchdogandcrutchsince.
Withacurse,Dekeshovedhiscockbackinhisjeans,yankeduphiszipper,andmadeforthedoor.
“Stop!”Kimbercried,withoutevenknowingwhatshewouldsay,whatsheevencouldsay.
Foramoment,shesworehewouldkeepgoing.Butheturnedback.
151
“What?”Hewhisperedtheword,almostasifalltheshoutingofthelastfewminuteshadneverbeen.
Kimberstaredstraightupintohistormentedgaze.Griefandguiltswirledtogetheronhisfaceto
createapictureoftotalmisery.Heneededsomeonetocare,someonetohold.
Someonetogivehimasecondchance.
Sheswallowedhardbutneverlookedawayasshepinnedhimwithasolemngazeandlayflatonher
back.Sheliftedherskirtandpartedherlegsslightly,thenletherhanddriftupherabdomentorestonherbreast.
Thoseblueeyesflaredtolife,andshesmiled.
“Makelovetome.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
#
Fourwords.That’sallittookforKimbertowraparoundhiscockandsqueeze.
Shedidthesamethingtothemurkyfeelingsinsidehischesthe’dbeenbattlingallevening.
“Youdon’twantthis.”Hedidn’thaveabetterargumentfornottakingheruponheroffer.Withherspreadoutathisfeet,naked,lush,lovely,Lordknewhewasreadytogiveupbreathingtohaveher.
“Yes,Ido,”shemurmured
“I’mnotgentle.”
Hersmilesaidsheunderstood.“I’mnotmadeofglass.”Dekeshookhishead.“Youwantedtosave
yourselfforJesse.”152
“IwantedtogivemyvirginitytosomeonewhowouldcarethatIgaveittohim.”
“WhatmakesyouthinkI’dcare?”Hetriedforsnideanddismissive.
“Thingsyou’vesaidtome.”Shereachedupforhishandandstartedtopullhimtowardher.“The
lookonyourfacerightnow.”
Closinghiseyes,Deketriedtoblockouthisexpression,shutouthisviewofeverybareinchofherskin.Butshetuggedonhishand,pullinghimclose,andthevisionreplayeditselfoverandoverinhismind,asifburnedonhisbrain.Damn,itwasn’tjustherbodythatmadehimhard.Rightnow,itwasthathonest,givingnatureofhersreachingintohispants—intohischest—andmakinghimwild.
“You’rehallucinating.”
“You’relying,”shewhispered.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHeglaredather.“Whythehellwouldyouofferyourselftome?”
“Iwanttohelpyou.”
“Idon’twantapityfuck,”hegrowled.
Hergazesearedhimasitdrifteduphisbody,settlingrightintohiseyes.“Idon’tpityyou.Iwanttocomfortyou,butI’mnotbeingtotallyaltruistic.Youmakemefeelfemale,likeawoman.WhenI’m
withyou,Idon’tfeeltomboyishorawkwardorinexperienced.Ifeel…desired.Icare.Iwantmore.IthinkI’vealwayswantedmoreofyou.”
Oh,hell.Hecouldhaveeasilyturnedherdownwhenhe’dbelievedshewasjusttossinghervirginityathimassomesortofBand-Aidforhisemotionalboo-boos.
Butrefusinghernowwouldmeanhurtingher,scrapingrawherinsecuritiestoshieldhisown.
153
Betterherfeelingswoundedthanpermanentphysicalharm—orworse.
Woulditreallybearisk?KimberwassomuchstrongerthanHeather…
“Deke,honey,don’ttrysohardtoprotectme.I’mabiggirl,andIknowwhatIwant.That’syou.”Shesqueezedhishand.“Justgivemeyou.”Shemightthinkthat,butshedidn’tknow.Damnit,he
shouldn’tgivein.
Still,hedroppedtohiskneesbetweenherspreadlegs.Frantically,hesearchedhispockets,his
wallet,praying…Yes!Acondom.One.Lubricated.Lettingoutaraggedbreath,hedroppeditonthetablebesidethem.
“Youareprepared.”Shesmiled.“ThankGod.”Hegaveherashakynod,thentoreathisshirt.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHerfingerswanderedinhungrystrokesacrosshisabdomen.Tingles,huge
jetsofthem,joltedhisgut,hisspine,hiscock.Hegroaned,hiserectionnowsodamnharditcoulddrillholesinmetal.Couldheactuallygetanybloodtohisbrain?Feltlikeithadallrushedsouth.
Atugonhiszipperandhiscocksprangfree,relievedofpressure.Hefellintotheparadiseof
Kimber’swaitinghands.Shestrokedhim,softly,encouraging.Hedidn’tneedmorepersuasion—or
arousal.Heneededtostopthissomehow…someway.
Butwithhisbloodchurninganddesiredousingcommonsense,firinghissenses,Dekehadnoidea
howhewasgoingtoresistsomethinghewantedsobadly.
Hishandshookasheshovedhispantsdowntohiships.Hecoveredherwithhisbodyandcaptured
hermouthinakissofcrushedlips,harshbreaths,andmoans.
Kimberwelcomedhim,throwingherarmsaroundhisneck,strokinghisback,hisshoulders.Lifting
herhipsuptohim.
154
Thecondomlaymereinchesaway.Atear,aroll,athrust—andhecouldbetotallysurroundedinher
heat,andhecouldhaveapartofherthatnoothermanwouldeverhave.Justthethoughtmadea
vicioushungerflareinhisgut.
Stop.Stopnow!
Hebrokeofftheirkiss,thengroanedatthefeelofhereagerlittlemouthkissingitswayuphis
shoulder,tothesideofhisneck.
Somehow,hishandsdrifteddownandhesettledhiscockagainstthesteamy,forbiddenfleshofher
cunt.Damn,shewaswet.Andsohot.Shedamnnearburnedhimalive.Whenshewriggledagainst
him…Jesus!
“Stopme.”Hesoundedlikehe’dbeenonasteadydietofgravelandsandpaper
Allshedidwassmileandraiseherlegsuparoundhiships.
ShaylaBlackDecadentSweatbrokeoutacrosshisskin—forehead,back,chest.Kimberwaskilling
himhere,tauntinghimwitheverythinghewantedandshouldnottake.
Unabletostophimself,hegroundagainsther,nudgingherclitwithhislength.
Herlittlegaspwentstraighttohisdick.Itdidn’ttakemuchimaginationtopictureherlegstotallywrappedaroundhim,hernailsinhisback,asheplungeddeepinsideherandsurroundedhimselfwithherheat.
Dekeswallowedagainstthevision.Whythehellwasthishappening?Intwelveyears,he’dnever
beenseriouslytemptedtofuckawomanbyhimself,inherpussy.
He’dneverhadsexunprotected.Yeah,thecondomwasinchesaway,andrightnow,hethoughtit
mighttakeaHerculeanefforttograbitandputiton.
He’dneedatleastthatmucheffortanddoublethewillpowertosimplygetupandwalkaway.
155
WherethehellwasLuc?Proppinghisupperbodyuponhisarms,hestareddownintoKimber’s
flushed,welcomingface.Hewasindeepshithere.AndhesuspectedthatifLucwashere,he’donly
encourageDeketodothestupid.Theunthinkable.
Grittinghisteeth,hebackedawayandgrabbedthecondom.Hewassogoingtohell.Hedidn’tdeserveKimberandherinnocence.Buthereshewas,laidoutinfrontofhim,andhehadtogetinsideher—somewhere,somehow—now.
Butifhetookhervirginity,madelovetohernow…whatifheruinedherlife?
Herolledthecondomonandstareddownintohersweetfaceagain.Shewasn’tafraid,andshe
shouldbe.Hiscontrolwashangingonbylessthanathreadashegrabbedherbentkneesfrom
underneathandpushedonthebacksofherthighs,tiltingherhipsup.
Hisgreedygazewanderedoverherbreastsandtheirswollennipples,thesoftskinofherbelly,theneedyredfleshofherpussy,ahintofthepuckeredfleshofShaylaBlackDecadentherstill-slick
backentrancecoatedinlube,increasinglyvisibleashetiltedherabitmore.
“Deke?”Luccalledfromthedoor.
Hiscousinwasaskingwhatheplannedtodo.DekewhippedhisheadaroundtomeetLuc’sdark,
inquiringgaze.Whatthefuckcouldhesay?Thetemptationtobreakhiseveryrulegnawedathim.
Kimberwasn’tsomeoneelse’swoman.Ifhefuckedhernow,shewouldn’tbelongtoanotherman
whowouldtakeresponsibilityifsomethingwentbad.
Atleastinthismoment,shebelongedtohim.Onlyhim.
“Ioffered,”Kimberexplainedsoftly.“Iaskedhimtomakelovetome.Tobethefirst.”
156
Luc’ssmilewasdamnnearblindingasheenteredtheroom,satonthesofa,andgrabbedKimber’s
hand.“It’salovelygift.IfDekehasn’tsaidityet,he’stouchedandhonored.”
Dekeshothiscousinadirtyglare.“Ididn’taccept.”Browraised,Luctookintheirposition,thewayKimberwasallspreadoutandwelcoming,Deke’scockglovedupandready.
Dekeletoutashakybreath.Thefactwas,hehadn’tturnedherdown,either.
Hehadtodosomething.Now.Theneedbubblinginhisgutwasabouttospillover.Aferaldesirepumpedthroughhissystem,likeapureshotofadrenalinetohiscock.Hischestwassotightwith
need,everyfuckingbreathwasastruggle.
Tryingtoblockoutallthevoices,thedoubt,thefearinhishead,Deketookhiscockinhishandandleanedcloser,closinghiseyes.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHis.Shecouldbehis.Inthenexttenseconds.
Hehesitated.Swallowed.Hismindraced.Andthen,oncehe’dtakenher,claimedher,whatwould
happen?Whatif…No,hecouldn’teventhinkit.
“Fuck!”hesnarled.
Hetiltedherupagain,herlegsnowrestingonhisshoulders,andpositionedhimselfandbeganto
push.
Intoherbackentrance.
Kimberdrewinagreat,shockedgasp,herhazeleyeswide.
“Deke?”
“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”Lucbarked.
157
TensingalittlemorewitheveryinchhepushedinsideKimber’stightpassage,thetendonsinhisneckstandingout,themusclesinhisarmsshaking,assailedbytheamazingsensationsofbeingslowly
envelopedbyhertight,readyflesh,Dekecouldbarelyformaword.“Fuckingherass.Savingher
life.”Luclookedlikehereallywantedtochastisehim,buthedidn’t.Gooddamnthing,too.ThemorehetunneledintoKimber,themorehisbrainshort-circuited.Wouldheevenhearoverthegong
ofhisrampantheartbeat?Shewaslikeahotfistaroundhiscock,clampingdownmorewithevery
nudgeintoher.
“Deke!”shecriedout.
“Almostin.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentSweatrolledoffhimnow.Theurgetopoundintoherwithlong,punishing
strokesassailedDeke.Herefrained,determinedtoslowdownandenjoytheheavenofbeinginside
Kimber.
Shortpantspunctuatedherbreathing.“Stop.Ican’ttakemore.”
“Please.Please,kitten.Oh,God!”Hewasgoingtodieifhecouldn’tburyhimselfintoher,tothehilt.
Butalookathergrimace,herclosedeyes,hadhimbackingaway.Beforehecouldwithdraw,she
reachedoutandgrabbedhisshoulders.Loweringherlegstohissides,shetiltedupandwriggled.
Unabletoresistthehotpromiseofher,Dekethrusthard.
Heslidinallthewayonalong,darkgroan.
158
“Kitten,yes.That’sit.Takeme.TakeeverythingIhavetogiveyou.”Kimber’sheadfellbackona
whimper,herauburnhairspreadingoutallaroundher.Damn,shelookedlikesomefierygoddessof
temptation,asirenluringhimtodoom,andhejustdidn’tcare.Atleasthe’ddiehappy,becauseashethrustinonce,twice,Dekerealizedthatfuckingherwasoneoflife’sbestexperiences.
Thenshereacheduptotoywithhisnipplesandwhispered,“Ifeelyouinsideme,sohard.Yes.Oh…
It’slikeyou’regoingtosplitmeintwo.Butthepainisso…wow.”Shegaspedashecrashedintoheragain.“Youmakemefeelsoalive.”That’saboutallittookforhimtolosecontrol.Hestarted
poundingintoherlikeawildman,revelingintheexertionofhisbody,theyieldingofhers,thelittlemoansshemadeeverytimehesankin,sankdeeper.Theurgetocomestartedbroilinginhisballs.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDearGod…Heneverfoughtofftheneedtoclimaxthisquickly.Hepridedhimselfonstayingagoodtwentyminutesormore,butwithKimber,afterthreeminutes,heknewhe
couldn’tstaveofftheinevitable.Morebloodrushedsouth,engorginghiscock,increasinghis
sensitivity.
“Deke,”shepleaded.“Onyourknees.Ineedyoutotouchme…”
What?Hecouldn’tprocessherwordsforthetinglesracingupanddownhisspine,theroaringinhisears.Theeminentlossofcontrolwouldbesweet—withanedgeofintensitythatwouldblowthetop
offhishead.
“Please…”shepleaded.
“Backawayandbalanceonyourknees,”Lucsnapped.“Kneelandpullherhipsup159
toyou.”
Theirwordsfinallyregistered.Hechangedpositions,refusingtobreakstride.
“Luc…”Kimberturnedtohim,herfingersclosingaroundhernipplestopluckatthem.
Oh,fuck.Thevisionofherfondlingherownbreastspushedhimcloser,totheplacewhereneedruledeverythrust.
HiscousinslidtothegroundbesidethemandpalmedKimber’sbreasts,pinchingthehardnipplesthatlookedsored,soedible.Dekewantedtoleaninandsuckthem,buthecouldn’t,notifhewantedtokeepfuckingher.Andheneededthat.
Kimberwasaddicting.Knowinghowheavenlyitfelttobeinsideherass,ifsheeverofferedher
pussyagain,he’dtakeit.Noquestionsasked.Nohesitation.He’dplowrightintohersweet,graspingfoldsandclaimher.
ShaylaBlackDecadentLucleanedinandsuckedone,thentheotherofKimber’snipplesintohis
mouth.
Evenashishanddriftedsouthtothumbthehardknobofherclitandplungedtwofingersintohersex.
“Yes!”shecriedout.
Instantly,Dekefelthertightenonhim,begintoripple.Oh,hell,hecouldn’tlastthroughthat,notfortwoseconds.
“Now,Deke.Now!Fuckmehard!”
Thewildmaninsidehimbrokefreeofhislastbitofrestraint.Hisfingersdugintoherhipsashelungedintoher,onepunishingstrokeaftertheother.Hiscockleapt.
Shemoaned.Heabsorbedtheflutteringpulsesofherbody,thehardsqueezeofherwalls.
160
Kimberscreamed,herbodyspasming.Then,witharoar,Dekeshovedintoheronelasttimeand
cameapart,explodingintoamillionpiecesuntilhebegansoaring,light-headed.Hesawwhite…and
Kimber’sflushedface,mouthopenasshecriedoutinsatisfaction.
Theejaculationwentonandon,thepleasuremultiplied,magnified.Ithadneverbeenlikethis.Dekefeltsuspended,likethesetimelessmomentsofecstasywouldlastaslongashecouldstayinsideher.
Keepherclose.
Butrealityquicklyintruded.
Hewithdrewslowly,andthemomenthedid,emptinessbeatathim,urginghimtogethardagain,get
rightbackinsideher,andneverleave.Kimberwaswhatheneeded.
Takeher.Claimher.Keepher.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAndthenwhat?He’dseenwhathappenednext.Livedit.
Stillhadnightmaresaboutit.
Shuddering,Dekebackedawayandremovedthecondom.Hemadethemistakeoflookingat
Kimber’sface.Heruncertainsmiletuggedathim.Bullshit.Ittoreahugeholeinhischest.Shewantedtoknowifhewasokay.Shewantedtoknowifshe’drockedhisworld.Noandhellyes,in
thatorder.Andifshestayedanotherhour,shewouldn’tbesmilinganymore.She’dbefucked—
literally.Nowthathe’dbeeninsideher,stayingoutofherpussyreallywasn’tanoption.Ifshewasstillhereinanhour,she’dbeflatonherback.He’dbeburiedballsdeep.Anditwouldbeahuge
mistake.
Sexwithavirgin,evenoneaspracticalasKimber,usuallyledtovisionsofromanceandwhitelaceandmatchingmonogrammedtowels.Itbroughtheartache,pain,andtragedy.Shehadnowayof
knowingthat.She’dofferedherselftohim161
spontaneously,andaterriblethoughtoccurredtohim:shehadfeelingsforhim,maybeevenbelievedshelovedhim.Sheprobablythoughtshecould“fix”him.
Impossible.Hewasn’tequippedtogiveherthesortofhappilyeveraftershedeserved.
Dekesighed.God,hefeltlikehewasathousandyearsoldashestood,snappedhispants,andputonhisshitheadhat.Itwastheonlyweaponhehadtomakesurehedidn’truinherlife.
Heturnedtohiscousin.“Youknow,she’sahellofafuck,givesakillerblowjob,canhandlethe
needsoftwoguys,andbarelybreakasweat.Whoknewthatunderthatvirginalfa?adeandthose
fatiguepantsthere’dbeared-bloodedwoman?”Kimberstiffenedandstaredathimasifhe’d
transformedintoathree-headedalien.
ShaylaBlackDecadentLucfrowned.“Watchyourwords.”
Oh,he’dwatchthem,allright—andmakethemasvileashecouldstandto.
Kimbercouldnotstayhere.Oratleastshecouldn’tstayhereandstayavirgin.
“Oh,nooffense,kitten.Iappreciatetheofferofyourvirginity,butyoushouldreallysaveitforsomeonewhowantsit.You’rejustnotmytype,youknow.”Sheblinked,strugglingtounderstand.
“Yousaidyouwantedme.Toomuch.”Dekeshrugged.“Ihadyou.Yourmouth,yourass.Iateyour
pussy,fingeredit.Icanlivewithoutfuckingit.”God,hadheevertoldabiggerlie?
Hurtseepedintohereyesasshereachedforherclothesandcoveredherselffromhiscrudegaze.
Thatexpressiongougedaholeinhischest.Damn!Butshewasn’tpackingherbagsyet,andsheneededtobe.
162
“Iknowwetoldyoutostaywithusfortwoweeks,butIthinkyou’rereadyforwhateverJessethrowsatyou.Imean,ifyouwanttostaytoperfectyourblowjob,I’llneverturndownthechancetocomeinawoman’smouth.Orifyouwantyourassopenedwidersoyoucantakemorecock,I’mgametohelp
withthat.
Otherwise…I’mnotsurewhyyou’dstay.”
“Becauseshe’sbeautifulandspecialandwedon’tjustseeherasanotherwarmbody,”Lucgrowled.
Deketossedthemaflippantgaze.“Sure.Yeah.Ijustfigured…Ifeltdoneandassumeditwas
mutual.”
“Mutual?”Hermouthgapedopen.“Ijustofferedyoumyvirginity!Yousaidsinkingintomewouldbe
heavenly.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Thatjustshowsyourinnocence.Aguywillsayanythingtogetlaidwhenhe’shard.”Heshrugged.“Igetthatyourvirginityissomesortofprizetoyou,andI’msureitwillbetoJesse.Ijustdon’tlikebeingtheonetobreakawomanin.It’smessy,there’salwayspain—notthegoodkind.They’re
alwaystoosoreforroundtwoanytimesoon,andyouspendtherestofthetimeintheirmouthortheirass,thentheycomplainaboutbeingsoreallover—”
“Shutyourfilthymouth!”Lucgrabbedhisarmandsqueezed.Helookedreadytothrowpunches,and
Dekewelcomedthethoughtofpain.
Hetossedoffhiscousin’sholdandwatchedasKimberputonherclotheslikesomeonedressingto
escapeafire.Shecouldn’tgetdressedfastenough.“Andthat’sallIamtoyou?Whenyoulookatme,allyouseeisavirgin?”
“Now?Yeah.I’vehadeveryotherpartofyou.Whatelseisthere?”163
Kimberfistedherhandsathersides,herfaceflushedandincredulous.“Whathappenedtoawoman
beingabouthersmartsandhermoxieandhersexuality?”Hereachedouttotesther,totouchher,andwasnotsurprisedwhenshejumpedaway.“You’resmartandyou’vegotbackbone.Youarouseme.
Deepdown,you’reasweetgirl.”
“Yousaythatlikeit’sabadthing.”
“Ilikeraunchy,”hesaidapologetically.“I’vebeenchasingthisstripper.AskLuc,heknowsher.
She’sgotenormoustits.Ah,andshewearsgarterbelts.That’ssofuckingsexy—”
“Andyou’renotinterestedintutoringmeanymore?”
“Whatdoyouthinkyoudon’tknow?Whatelsedoyouwantustoteachyou?”ShaylaBlackDecadent
Dekewatchedherthoughtsraceacrossherface,likeshewassearchingforsomethingtosay,
somethingthatwouldmakehimtakeitbackandeathiswords.
Finally,shesighed.“You’retryingtorunmeoffbecauseyou’reafraidofmyvirginity.”
“WhywouldIbe?It’snotgoingtoreachoutandbiteme.”
“Imeantemotionally,”shebitout.“I’mgettingtooclosetoyourdefenses,aren’tI?”
Lucsidleduptoherandputhisarmaroundhershoulder.“You’reright,sweetheart.He’sbeingan
ass,andhe’dbetterstopnow.”
“Lookyoutwo,I’mbeinghonest.”HeturnedtoLuc.“Didn’tItellyoubeforeshecamethatIwashotandheavyafterAlyssa?”
164
“Ofthetwoofus,Alyssadoesnotpreferyou.AndIhavenodesireforher.”
“Withyououtofthepicture,she’llhavetolookatme.”Hetriedtosmilebrightly.
DamnhardwhenKimberlookedcrushed.
“I’veheardshehasawaxedpussy.Sweet!”
Sheflinched,thentearsglossedhereyes,gatheringatthecorners,threateningtospill.Yeah,he’dcausedit,buthecouldn’tbeartolookanymore.
Makingagreatshowofstraighteningthepillowsonthesofa,hewasunpreparedwhenKimbertapped
himontheshoulder.Heturnedtoher,andshesmackedhimacrosstheface.Hard
“Ifallthisvileshityou’resayingisthetruth,thenyou’reafirst-classassholeandIwishIhadn’tcomehereinthefirstplace.Ifyou’resayingitsoyoucanleaveyourpreciousscarredheartwrappedinice,thennotonlyareyouanasshole,you’reaShaylaBlackDecadentcoward.Unlessyougetoverthepast,you’llbealonefortherestofyourlife,becauseLucwillsomedaymeetagreatgirl,getmarried,andleaveyoutorotalone.
Enjoyyourmisery;it’swelldeserved.”
Shespunandstormedaway.Victory.Andyethe’dneverfeltmorewretched.
“Kimber…”Luccalledafterherdepartingfigure,auburnhaircurlingaroundherback.“Sweetheart!”
Shedidn’thesitate,muchlessstop.Instead,Kimberjustmarchedoutoftheroom,acrossthehousetoLuc’sroom,thenslammedthedoor.
Dekeflinchedattheangrysoundofthedoorreverberating,shatteringthetensequiet.
“Youstupidsonofabitch,”Lucsnarled.“Ihopeyou’rehappy.”165
“No,”hesaidheavily.“Butit’sforthebest.”
“Forwho?Notme!”Hepointedathischest.“Shewasthebestthingthathappenedtous,andyou
fuckeditup.Why?Becauseyouwantedher,andyouwouldn’ttakeachancethatshewasn’tlike
Heather.She’sright;you’reacoward.”Luctoreoutoftheroom,hisheavyfootstepstrackingtowardhisroomandKimber.
Dekehunghishead.Hewasacoward.Andhehatedit.
He’dtakenmissionsallovertheworld,assassinatingpowerhungrygeneralsinthird-worldshit
holes,extractinghostagesfromfanaticalterrorists,diffusingbombstickingawaytheirlastten
seconds.
Kimberfrightenedhimmuchmore.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“No,sweetheart.Please.Unpackandstay.”HeheardLuc’spleadingwords.
“Deke’sjustbeinganass.Staywithme.Iwantyou.I’ll—”
“Luc,itwon’twork.I—Ineedtogo…”
ThetearsinhervoicewereshreddingDeke’sgutswhenheheardherlifthercarkeysoutofthedishinthefoyerandopenthefrontdoor.Hewalkedtothecornerandpeekedaround.
“Don’tleave.”Luctriedtosootheherwithasofttouch.
“Tellmewhyhedoesthis.”Sheswipedatthetearsonhercheek.“Whyhetriessohardtopushme
away?What’seatingathim?”
Deketensed.Goddamnit,hewouldn’tputitpastLuctospillallhissecretstosootheKimberand
makeherstay.Andthenshe’dseehimforthemonsterhewas…
166
“That’sDeke’ssecrettotell,”Lucsaidreluctantly.
“ThenIcan’tstay.”Shemarchedforthedoor.
Lucgrabbedherarm.“Don’tgo.Please.Ignorehim.Staywithme.”
“Dekedoesn’twantmehere.Hemadethatobviousfromthestart,andIshouldn’thavebargedin.
Lessonlearned.”Kimbercaressedhisarm,stoodonhertiptoestokisshischeek.“Thankyouforallyou’vedone.IthinkIknowenoughtopleaseJesse,andthatwasthepoint.”
“He’sapopstarwithatransientlifeandawildreputation.You’reasettle-downkindofgirlwho
deservesastablehomeandlove.IcareaboutyouandIwantto—”Kimberkissedhiswordsaway,
softly.Dekecouldalmosttasteherregretandpainashewatched.Thenshedrewinateary,shakingbreath.“Luc,I’vegottogo.Icareaboutyou,too,butIcan’tbeherewithhim.Ithurtstoomuch.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentOh,shit
Sheopenedthedoorandturnedback.Deke’sgazeconnectedwithhers,anditfeltlikeabatteringramcrushinghischest.Hischeekburnedwhereshe’dslappedhim,andheknewthatwouldbethelast
placesheevertouchedhim.Hell,hewasgoingtoimplodefromthepain.Hehurtsofuckingbad.
Kimberdidn’tsayaword.Shejustshookherhead,steppedout,andslammedthedoorbehindher.
Hiskneesnearlycrumpled.Deketurnedandbracedhimselfagainstthewall,closinghiseyesagainstthishell.
Luccursedsoftly,anuglystringofwordsDekedoubtedhiscousinhadeverutteredinhislife.He
wasinmajortrouble,nodoubt.Luchadeveryrighttobepissed.Kimberhadeveryrighttohatehim.
Shecouldn’thatehimanymorethanhehatedhimselfrightnow.
167
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER8
Kimbersmootheddownarippleinherjeans,flippedherhairoverhershoulder,thenknockedonthe
door.
Nearlyfiveyears.That’showlongithadbeensinceshe’dactuallyseenJesseMcCallintheflesh.
She’dseendozensofpictures.They’dtalkedonthephone,writtencountlesse-mails.They’dshared
partsofthemselvesovertheyears—whatithadbeenlikeforhertogrowupwithoutfeminine
influenceafterhermother’sdeath,whatithadbeenlikeforhimtobethrustintosuddenstardom.Herdifficultclasses.Hisdemandingschedule.Herwishes.Hisdreams.
She’dplannedformonthstobewithhimsotheycouldshareallthattogetherinpersonfinally,maybefortherestoftheirlives.
Now,she’dcomeherewithmixedfeelings,nolongercertainwhatherfuture168
held.She’dwantedtobewithhimforsolong.ButDeke,hisanguishandneed,hishungeranddenial,hauntedher.Kimber’sstomachtwistedwithpain.Shepusheditdown,hopingtoachievethe
numbnessthathadblanketedherforthepastforty-eighthours.
Clearthemind.Deepbreath.Alittlecalm,butwilliteverbeenough?
Fordaysaftershe’dleftEastTexas,KimberhadhopedthatDekewouldcallandapologize,begher
tocomeback,tellherhewassorryforhumiliatingher.God,thehoursoftearsshe’dcried…
Jessehadbeenthelastthingonhermind.
FromDeke,there’dbeensilence.Utter,hellishsilence.Luchadcalledtocheckonher,andattempttocajoleherintoreturning.He’devenpleaded.ButDekewasn’tgoingtobeghertocomeback.
Accordingtohim,hehadastiffdickforher,nothingShaylaBlackDecadentmore.Kimberdidn’t
believeit.She’dgottentooclosetohimemotionally;Dekehadshedherinanattempttoprotectherfromsomethingshedidn’tunderstand.Buthewasalsoprotectinghimself.
Afterhe’dthrowntheofferofhervirginitybackinherfaceandallbutannouncedhewastossingheroverforastripperwasahellofatimetorealizethatshelovedhim.
Sheshovedthethoughtandthechest-crushingpainasideasfootstepsapproachedthedoor.Shetookadeepbreath.Theblessednumbnessbegantoreturn.
Dekeexpectedhertomoveon.SohereKimberwas,atJesse’sdoor,determinedtofollowthrough
withherplan.ShestilladoredLuc,butshehadtogetoverDekeandcarveoutafuture.
169
Whatelsecouldshedo?
Thehotelroomdooropened.Astrangerwithaboyishsmilestoodinthedoorway.Wavybrownhair.
Blueeyes.Hewouldhavebeenwhitebreadandapplepie—exceptforthebigtattooofaskulland
crossbonesonhisbiceps,hisblackeyeliner,andthebullringthroughhisnose.
“Hi,I’mheretoseeJesse.”
Hestuckouthishand,paleandartistic.“YoumustbeKimber.I’mRyan.Idobackupvocalsand
writesongs.”
Shetookhishand,shookit.“Oh,yes.He’smentionedyoumanytimes.Nicetomeetyou.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentRyan’sgazeroamedoverherwithsubtleappreciation.“You,too.Hesaid
youwereagorgeousgirl,buthewaswrong.You’reagorgeouswoman,andhe’sgoingtobe
surprised.”
Sendinghimanervoussmile,Kimberlookedaroundtheroom.Asuite.Averyniceoneintasteful
taupesandcreams—andaviewofHouston’sskylinethatwentonforever.
“Thankyou.IsJessehere?”
“Justgettingoutoftheshower.Heaskedmetogreetyousincehegotoutofrehearsalsabitlateandhadtotakeanunexpectedradiointerview.”Ryanshruggednarrowshoulders.“Goeswiththe
territory.”
“I’msure.”
170
Kimbertriednottobeletdown,triednottofidget.Surely,Jessewouldhavegreetedherpersonallyifhecould.Still,she’dwaitedfiveyearsandshereally,reallyneededafriend.Couldn’tthosepeoplewaittenminutes?
“Haveaseat,”Ryaninvited.“Drink?”
Hepointedtothehalf-emptyminibar.Lotsoflittlebottlesmissing.Thesodashelfwasmostlyfull.
Sheshookherheadasshesankontotheemptychocolatebrownsofa.Foramoment,shewastempted
toloseherselftowhiskeyoblivion,butshe’dtriedlastweekandenduredthehangoverfromhell.
“Nothanks.”Ryansatbesideher.“Jessehastalkedsomuchaboutyou,IfeellikeIknowyou.
Healwaysbragsabouthowkindyouare.Howsweet.”ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberfrowned.She
wasn’tasaint.Lookatthethingsshe’ddonewithLucandDeke.Andinretrospect,shehadn’tdone
themstrictlytolearnforJesse.Ortoseeifshecouldhandleaménage.Onceshe’didentifiedherlack-of-experienceproblemandrealizedDekewasasolution,she’djumped—hell,leaped,hopped,
andskipped—atthechancetoseehim.Tosatisfyadarkfascinationshe’dhadforthehardsoldier
sinceshewasoldenoughtounderstandandtooyoungtoindulge.
“Jessemayhaveexaggeratedmygoodness.”
“Him?Nah.He’sasjadedastheycome.Henevergivespraiseunlessit’sdue.
Trustme.”
“Isee.”Butshedidn’t.Notreally.
TheJesseshe’dconnectedwiththatspecialsummerhadbeenoptimisticandeagerforthefuture.
True,inthelastfewyears,he’dseemed…alittlemoreskeptical171
aboutpeople.Lesstrusting.Butdidn’tthatcomewithstardom?Havingtoprotectyouridentityand
privacy?Allthatcrapwouldaffectanyone’soutlook,shesupposed.
“It’sgreattomeetoneofJesse’sfriends.Iknowyoutwoareprettyclose,”sheoffered,fishingforinformationtodiscoverexactlywhatroleRyanplayedinJesse’slife.
“Heprobablytoldyou;I’vebeenamemberofthebandforthelastthreeyears.”Heleanedin,gave
heradirectstare.“Wedoeverythingtogether.”Includinghavesex.SohewasthethirdinJesse’sménages.Ryan’spaleblueeyescommunicatedthegravityoftheinformationwithoutsayingaword.
AsfarasheandJesseknew,Kimberhadnonotionabouttheirkink,butsheunderstoodtheother
man’smessage.Andhisstaremadeitclearthatheexpectedtojumpinontheaction.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThethoughtwasunsettling.WouldJessewanthertohavesexwiththisperson
shebarelyknewandwasn’tsuresheliked?
Thethoughtmadehergrimace.Wasn’tshedifferenttoJessethanotherwomen?
Morespecial?He’dalwayssaidso…
Butthatwasn’therproblem.DekeandLuc—theyweretheissue.Theyhauntedher.Yes,spendingtimewiththemhadshownherfirsthandhowarousingménagecouldbe.KimberwassurethatJessecravedtheexcitement,theforbiddenthrill
Lordknew,afterthosefewdayswiththecousins,shemorethanunderstood.Butnow,thethoughtof
anyoneelsetouchinghermadeherqueasy.
WhenRyanlookedherover,sherecoiledandnearlylostherlunch.Run!apartofherscreamed.
Everpractical,hermindpointedoutthatshehadnofuturewithLucandDeke.
172
Shehadtomoveforward,andshe’dplannedforyearstobewithJesse.Shehadtofollowthrough,toseewheretheiryears-longrapportmightlead.Maybeherfirstlovecouldhelpherrecoverfromher
lastmistake.
“Iunderstandwhatyou’resaying,”shemurmured.
Ryan’ssmilefaded,removingtheboyishquality.Onebrownbrowquirkedup.
“Doyou?”
“Jessemayhavelastseenmeasaseventeen-year-oldgirl,butwhileI’veretainedacertainamountofinnocence,IcanassureyouI’vegrownup.”
“Beautifullyso,I’dsay,”boomedavoicefrombehindher.
Kimberwhippedhergazearound.Jesse?
ShaylaBlackDecadentHelookedsomuchthesamefromadistance.Tall,shaggybrownhair
liberallylacedwithsun-streakedgold,olivecomplexion,darkeyes,andasmokinghotbod,as
evidencedbyhistightblackT-shirtandjeans.Jesse.
Shejumpedupfromthesofaatthesametimehemovedtowardher.Whenhegrabbedherinabig
hug,wrappinglean,strongarmsaroundher,shesankagainsthim—justlikeshehadthatsummerthey
spenttogether.Herheaddidn’tfitexactlyunderhischinanymore,buthekissedherlipstenderly,ashealwayshad.
Kimberwaited,but…Wherewasthatshiverhiskisshadalwaysgivenher?Thesmileheflashedher
didn’tlookcomplete.
Maybehewasjusttired.Anddistracted.Lordknew,she’dbeencompletelypreoccupiedafter
leavingDekeandLuc.Andithadbeenfiveyearssinceshe’dseenJesse.Thingschanged.People
changed.She’dlearnhisnewways.SheandJessewouldreconnect.
173
HoldingouthopethatDekewouldcallandapologizeandaskhertocomebackwasplainstupid.
“Wow!”Hestoodback,holdingheratarm’slength,andstared.“Youlookgreat.”
“You,too.”
Hewavedhercomplimentaway.“It’seasywhenyouhaveahairdresser,apersonaltrainer,achef,
blah,blah,blah.Sitdown.It’sgreattoseeyou!”Hetuggedhertothesofaandshesatbesidehim.
“Sincewehaven’thadthechancetocatchupinacoupleofweeks,tellmehowyourdadhasbeen?”
“YouknowtheColonel.Alwaysbusy.Alwaysrunningatightunit.He’sbeenallovertheworld
lately.He’llbeheadinghomenextweekforamini-vacation.Hehasn’thadoneinoverayear.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentJessenodded.“Thatmanwasalwaysdriven.Rememberthatweekatthelake
weallspentthesummerheguardedme?”
Remember?That’swheresheandJessehadfallenforeachother,andthey’dstartedtalkingaboutthepossibilitiesofafuturetogether.
Nothinghadchangedsincethen.Yeteverythinghad.Jessehaddriftedintoawildlifestyle,accordingtothetabloids.Now,
DekekeptintrudinginKimber’sthoughts.Herstomachwasinaconstantknotofpain.Standingin
frontofJessewithRyanlookingon,onebigquestionhither:EvenifshemanagedtopushDekeand
Lucoutofherheartandstartedanewfuture,howcouldshefitintoJesse’slife?
ThedetailsofhowJessehadbecomeattractedtoménages—andwherehegotthewomen—should
probablytroubleher.Ithadseveralweeksago.Butsinceher174
involvementwithDekeandLuc,shehadn’tthoughtmuchaboutit.Certainly,shecouldn’texpect
celibacywhenshehadn’tseenJesseforsolong.Andshehadproblemsofherown.
Besides,thelasttimesheandJessehadtalked,he’dsaidhewasreadytogiveuphispartyingways.
Morethanready.Shewasn’texactlysurewhatthatmeant.
Givingupménages?Nomatterwhat,she’dhavetoforgetDekeandLucenoughtohandlebeingwith
Jesseiftheyweregoingtohaveanysortoffuture.
“Sure,Iremember,”shemurmured.“Ihavefondmemoriesofthatweek.”
“Youknowthatwasmyattempttoforceyourdadtotakeavacation.”Hehadthegoodgracetolook
sheepish.
Really?She’dthought—hopedatthetime—ithadbeenhisploytogetsomeextraalonetimewithher.
ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberremindedhimtartly,“Allhedidwascomplainforaweekthatthe
cabinwastoohardtodefendandthatanypsychofancouldgetoutonthelakewithasailboatandahigh-poweredrifleandpickyouoff.”Jesserolledhiseyes.“Yeah,henevermasteredthefineartofkickingback.”
“Nothinghaschanged.”
“Soyou’restillworkingonyournursingexams?”Sheshookherhead.“Ijustfinishedmystateexam
yesterday.Oncetheresultsarein,IhavetofigureoutwhereI’mgoingtowork.I’vegotacoupleofoffersI’mconsidering,ofcoursecontingentonpassingtheexams.”
“You’llpass.”Hefrowned.“You’regoingtogetajob?Howsoon?”
“Sixweeks.”Sheshrugged.“Iwon’tgetmytestresultsuntilthen.”175
Somethingpensivecrossedhisface.“Thatgivesusalittletime—”Asuddenhardraponthedoor
startledKimber.SheandJessebothturnedtowardthesoundasRyanopenedthesuite’sdoor.An
oldermandressedinacamel-coloredsportcoatandanoverstarchedwhiteshirtstoodontheother
sideandenteredtheroom.Ashemovedunderthelight,Kimbersawhishairwasdominatedbysalt
morethanpepper.Saggingjowlspuffedupanotherwisethinman.
Hescowled.“Jesse,you’vegotpresscominginanhour.Don’tforget.”Heturnedasharpstaretothehalf-emptyminibar.“Anddamnit,don’tgetdrunk.Theyspotthatshitamileaway,andyour
reputationisn’texactlysqueakyclean.”
“Cal,”Jessesupplied.“Mymanager.Thesoulofkindness.”ShaylaBlackDecadentAdeafman
wouldn’tmissthesarcasminJesse’stone.Allgruffandrumble,Callblusteredout,“Ikeepyoufromself-destructing.Withoutme,you’reonepartyawayfromhasbeen.”
“Thanksforthepeptalk,Dad.”
Hismanagerturnedhiswaterybluegazeonher.“Wehaven’tmet.”Thegreetingwasn’twarm,butit
wasn’tunfriendly,either.
Shewasn’tsurewhattomakeofhim,sinceshedidn’tdisagreethatJesseneededtotonedownthe
partying.Butifshewasdeliveringthemessage,shewouldhavedoneitwithalittlemorefinesse.
Shestoodandheldoutherhand.“No,wehaven’t.I’mKimberEdgington.”Cal’sblankexpressionas
heshookherhandsaidhe’dneverheardofher.Odd.
176
Thenagain,Jessehadonlyhiredtheseasonedveteranabouteighteenmonthsago.
JesseandCallweren’tclose,andtheirrelationshipwasstrictlybusiness.
“I’veknownJesseforyears.We’reoldfriends.”
“Andsincewe’vegotalittlebreak,KimberandIaregoingtocatchup,”Jessechimedin,now
standingbesideherandwrappinghisarmaroundhershoulder.
“Justrememberyourpriorities,Romeo.We’vegotalotridingonthisnextalbumandupcomingtour.”
Callfrowned.
“Gotit.”JesseshovedCalltowardthedoor.“I’llbedowninanhour.Thanksfortheheads-up.Goodtoseeyou.Buhbye.”
Kimberfrowned.“You’regoingbackoutontour?”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Mostlywe’refinishingstudiowork.There’saminiU.S.tour,butit’sonlytencities,”heassured,stillpushingCal.“You’llcomewithme,won’tyou?Yousaidyou’dspendatleastafewweekswith
me.Doesitmatterwhereweare?”
“She’sadistractionyoudon’tneed,”Callwarned,digginginhisheelsjustshortofthedoor.“It’snottheimagewe’vebeenpushingtothepress.Singlebadboywithavoicelikeanangel.Chicksdigit,anditsellsrecords.Wordgetsoutthatyouhaveagirlfriendontourwithyou,andyouwatch.The
albumwon’tdoaswell.”
“Ifyouleaveinthenexttenseconds,I’lldoanextrapressjunketinthefirstthreecities.”
Withascowl,Calldashedout,slammingthedoorbehindhim.Jesseleanedagainstitwithagroan.
“He’sgotgreatbusinesssmarts,buthe’ssosingle-minded,hedrivesmecrazy.So,you’llcomewithmeontour,right?”177
Kimberhadclearedherschedulesoshecouldbewithhim.Butatour?
Everythingbetweenthemrightnowfeltalittleawkward.HavingCallandRyanhangingaround
wasn’thelping.
Ormaybethis…weirdfeelingwasallinherheadbecauseshecouldn’tgetDekeoutofherthoughts.
Didheregretrejectingandinsultingher?Didhemissheratall?Evennow,sheitchedtopickuphercellphoneandcallLuc,askhimforsomewordaboutthehard-headedsoldier.Butwhy?
EvenifDekewantedher,he’dneveraccepthisdesire.Forsomereason,shemadehimvulnerable
andherefusedtotolerateit.
Anddamn,ithurtlikehell.
Kimberclearedherthroat,triedtoclearhermind.“I’llhavetomakesurethere’snothinggoingon,butI’mprettysureIcango.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Great.”Heshruggedandtuggedherbacktothecouch,ploppingdownonitandpullingherintohis
lap.“Ireallywantyoutogo.I’vebeenreallylookingforwardtohavingyouaround.You’rejustwhatIneed,babe.Withoutyouhere,Icanbeareallybadboy.”Jesseflashedherathousand-megawatt
smile.
Yeah,that’swhatallthepressabouthimsaid.Withlooks,money,andstardom,hewasallaboutthesex,drugs,androck‘n’roll—prettymuchinthatorder.Sittingonhislapfeltweird,sinceshecouldonlywonderhowmanyotherwomenhe’dperchedonhisthighsandwhathadhappenednext.Andhe
didn’trevheruplikeDekeorcomfortherlikeLuc.
“Howwillhavingmeherechangeyourbadways?”
Hepickedupherhand,rubbedhisthumbalongtheback.
“You’reacalminginfluence.Mygoodluckcharm.Myconscience.”178
What?Thelasttimethey’dtalkedshewasn’twildenoughtolivehislife,andnowshewashisconscience?
“Don’tfrown,”hesaid.“That’sagoodthing.”
Ryanglancedathiswatch.“TimetogofaceJimmyfortheday,tossoutthenewcropofsongsforhimtobutcherandbitchaboutforthealbum.”
“Jimmyismyproducer,”JesseexplainedasaquickasidetoKimber.“Dodgeafewbulletsforme,
wouldyou?IwanttospendalittletimewithKimber.”Ryan’sgazeslidovertoher,movedoverher
breasts.Shefeltsomehowtouchedwithoutpermission.Almostviolated.Sheshivered.Ifhewasthe
thirdinJesse’sménages,andifshestuckthisoutwithJesse,she’dhavetotalktohimaboutfindingsomeonewhosemerestaredidn’tmakeherfeeltheneedtoshower.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Sure,”Ryansaid.“IneedsomeliquidfortificationbeforeIgo.”Hepeereddownintotheminibar
andextractedacoupleofthelittleliquorbottles.Heopenedoneandchuggeditstraight,inseconds.
“Wantsomething?”JesselookedatthebottlesinRyan’shands,thenatKimber.Discreetly,she
checkedherwatch.Twointheafternoon,andhewasstartingonhardliquor?Anddrinkingitstraight?
KimberfeltJesse’sgazeonher,andwhenshelookedup,heshotRyanalookoffaintregret.“Nah.
It’searly.”
“Dude,it’sfiveo’clocksomewhere.Youalwayssaythat.”Withashrug,Jessepursedhislips,
lookedaway.Thenheturnedtoherwithabrightsmile.“See,it’sKimber.She’salreadyhavinga
positiveeffectonmylife.
Becauseyou’resogood,huh,babe?”
179
Jessesqueezedherhand.Kimbersqueezedbackalmostasareflex,buthiswordsrattledaroundin
herbrain.BecauseI’msogood?Whenhadherlifeintheslowlanebecomeaplus?
“ThenI’mlookingforwardtogettingtoknowherbetter.”Ryanshotherasmokylookandapproached
Jessewithaheartypatontheshoulder,thenwhispered,
“Savesomeassforme.”
DespiteRyan’slowtone,Kimbercouldn’thelpbutoverhearit.Anditpissedheroff.Theflaming
jerkwasmakingalotofassumptionsaboutwhatandwhoshe’dsayyesto.DekeandLuchadcome
asapair,yes.ButLuchadbeenimpossiblenottoadore.Alleasy,sophisticatedcharm.Molasses
seduction,slow,sweet,andpotent.AndDeke…She’dknownhimandtrustedhimrightfromthe
beginning,evenifhecouldbeabastardandsayterrible,hurtfulthingsforthepurposeofpushingawaythepeoplewholovedhim.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Getlost.”JessepointedRyantowardthedoor.
Thebandmember,fourlittlebottlesofbooze,andhisskullwithcrossbonestattooleftamoment
later.Kimberbreathedasighofrelief.
“Don’tmindhim.Hecanbeanass.”
Kimberdidn’tdisagree.“Hetellsmeyoudoeverythingtogether.He’sthethirdinyourménages,isn’the?”
Jessesquirmeduncomfortablyunderherwaitingstare.“Soyouknowaboutthat?”
“Whenyousaidyouhadakinkandyoudidn’tthinkIcouldhandleit,Ireadafewtabloids,asked
around.Igotanswers.”
“Ah,babe.”Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherandplacedagentlekissonherlips.
180
“It’slonelywithoutyou.Thosegirlsaremeaningless.RyanandCallmakesureeverythingthat
happensontheroadismeaningless.Andnailingsomeonebymyselfjustgottoo…common.Atwice-
dailything,likebrushingyourteeth.”Twicedaily?Withastranger?Andregularsexhadbecometooboring?
“Don’tlookatmelikethat.Idon’tsayittohurtyou.I’mbeinghonest.Butyou…
you’retheonewhomatterstome.Iwon’tbeboredwithyou.I’vethoughtaboutit,andIwon’tshareyou.You’retoosweet.Toogood.Ineedyoutostaythatway.”Lovelysentiment.Butshewasn’tupforsainthoodoranything.Andwhatwouldhappenifhedidgetbored?Whatwouldhappenifshe
couldn’tgetoverDeke?
Frowning,Kimberslidontothesofacushionbesidehim.“I’mnottoosweet.I’mnottotallyinnocent.
AfterIfoundoutaboutyourménages,IlookedupsomeoneIknewwho’sintothesamething.Heandhiscousin…trainedme.”ShaylaBlackDecadentJesse’sfacefell.“Trainedyou?Youletthemfuck
—”
“No,”shecutin.“ItoldyouIplannedtocometoyouavirgin.Ihave.”OnlybecauseDekehadturnedherdown.Damn,therewentthatpaininherstomachagain,makingtightknotsintotighterones.Shesleptwithit,breatheditwithit,achedwithit.Timewassupposedtohealall,butthepainwasn’teasingorgoingaway.
KimberhadofferedherselftoDekenotbecauseshe’dfeltsorryforhim.Asifshe’dgivehervirginityforapityfuck.Theonlythingonhermindandinherheartthatnighthadbeenherdesiretohealhim,tobondwithhim,bemeaningfultohim.
Tolovehim.Somehow,despitehisawfulwordstoherafterward,apartofher—abigpart—wished
thatDekehadacceptedherofferandtakenher.Shesuspectedthathimbreakinghervirginbarrier
wouldhelphimbreakthroughhisemotionalone.
181
Butnowshe’dneverknow.
Jessebreathedasighofrelief.“Sotheyjusttalkedtoyou?”
“Theytouchedme.Ilearnedtotouchthem.”Shewasn’tgoingtolie.Shejustwasn’tgoingtotellhimshewasinlovewithsomeoneelse.
ThunderboomedacrossJesse’sdarkface.“Touch,how?”
“EnoughthatIunderstandtheappealoftheménageandwhatdrawsyoutodoit.
Ineverexpectedyoutochangeyoursexualityforme.SoItriedtoadaptforyou.”Itriedtofindoutwhatfascinationacrass,difficultsoldierhadformeandIgotburned.
ShaylaBlackDecadentTheanswerseemedtomollifyhim.“That’s…Wow,you’reanamazing
woman.
ButYou’renotlikethewhoresandbimbosaroundallthetime.Ihadnointentionofsharingyou.NotwithRyan.Notwithanyone.IfImakeyoubad,howcanyourgoodruboffonme?”
Histonewashalf-joking.Kimberwasn’tlaughing.TheyreallyneededtogetpastthisVirginMary
imagehehadofher.
“ThanksfornotwantingtosharemewithRyan.”
Jesseleanedover,pulledherclose.“You’remine,babe.We’vespenttoomanyyearsapartformeto
onlygethalfofyou.You’retheonlyonewhoreallyknowsme.You’retheonlyoneIcareenough
abouttochangefor.”
“Ididn’taskyoutochange.”
182
“Butforyou,Iwantto.Foryou,Iwanttobeabetterman.Justbeingnearyoumakesmeone.”
Hiswordsweretouching…butconfusing.Whydidhethinkheneededtochangesobadly?Whenhad
thisallcomeabout?Andwhyhadhepinneditallonher?
“Maybewecancompromise.Youbealittlebetter,I’llbealittlebadder.It’llallworkoutthen.”
Hehesitated.“Badder,how?”
“Ihadn’tplannedonbeingavirginforever.”
WhynotgiveherinnocencetoJesse?She’dsaveditforhimforyears,andDekewouldn’ttakeit,nomatterhowbadlyhewantedto.
Jessedidn’trespondtothatrightaway.“Thatmakessense.Ihavethisplan.Justgivemealittletime.
It’llallworkout,babe.You’llsee.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHefinishedwiththatsmilehefrequentlyflashedforthecameras.Itwasn’thisrealsmile.Hisrealsmile,sherememberedfromtheirsummer
together,waskindofgoofyandlopsided.Mischieflurkedinonecorner,happinessintheother.Thissmilewassymmetricalandphony.Kimberfrowned.
“Cutthecrap,Jesse.Whatsortofplan?”
“Nope,youcan’truinitforme.I’vehadthisworkedoutforawhile.Comeonthetourandallwillberevealed.”
“Whendoweleave?”Afterfiveyearsofwaitingandabrokenheart,whyputtheirrelationshipon
holdanylonger?Shewantedtogetonwithherlife,tofindsomesemblanceofahappilyeverafter.
AndforgetDeke.Hewaspast.He’ddrivenheraway,soshewasmovingforward.
Soon,shehopedsheandJessewouldfindtherightfooting.
183
“Aweekfromtomorrow.”Hegrabbedherhands.“It’llbegreattohaveyouwithme,keepmeinline.
Everythingisgoingtobedifferent.I’llmakethesurpriseworthyourwait.”
#
“You’rewhere?”herfatherboomedoverthephonelaterthatnight.
CurleduponthecouchinJesse’ssuitewhilethebandrehearsed,sheclutchedhercellphone.“I’minHouston.WithJesse.He’sintheStatesforthenextfewmonths,andwe’respendingsometime
together.”
Herfatherpaused.“Youknowwhatthepresssaysabouthim?Abouthissexlife?”Themanwasstill
aparent,eventhoughshewasfarfrombeingachild.“Yes,Daddy.We’veworkeditout.”Timefora
changeofsubject,beforeheaskedwhatShaylaBlackDecadentthatmeant,beforeheaskedwhere
she’dbeen—andwhoshe’dbeenwith—beforegoingtoHouston.“Whereareyou?”
“Watchyourself,”hesaidinstead.
Somuchforthesubjectchange.“Iwill.I’mabiggirlnow.”
“Youare.”Hebarkedthewords,asifhehatedtoadmitthem.“WhenIlookback,Iwonderif,after
yourmotherdied,yourbrothersandIshelteredyoutoomuch.
WhatdoyouknowaboutaguywithalifestylelikeJesse’s?”Oh,she’dlearnedplentyfromDekeand
Luc,includingheartache.
“Please,don’tworry.Youdidagreatjobbeingbothamomanddad.LoganandHunterweretypical
overprotectivebrotherswhoranoffallmydatesandmadefunofmeeverytimeIputonashredof
makeup,butI’mnottoomentallyscarred.
184
I’llmanage.”
Herdad’shuskylaughwarmedherheart.
“I’veknownJessealongtime,”shecontinued.“We’vewaitedyearsforthisopportunity.Wejust
needtofigureitouttogether.”
“Idon’tseeyoubeingasuperstar’sgroupie.”Thefrowninhisvoicecouldn’tbeanymoreobvious.
Kimberhadtroublewiththatpicture,too,intruth.Shecouldn’tliveontheroadthewayJessedid,butcouldshejustleavehimtorunoffwiththebandandlivethewayhealwayshad?Evenifhewanted
to“change,”thatwouldtaketime.Andwhatwouldhappenif,someday,theyfollowedthroughonthe
possibilitiesthey’ddiscussedovertheyearsandgotmarried?
ShaylaBlackDecadentCouldshestoplovingDeke,wantinghim,enoughtosay“Ido”tosomeone
else?
Howhadthatmanturnedallherplansupsidedowninahandfulofdays?
“I’mnotgoingtobeagroupie.Andrightnowisourtimetofigureoutwhatwe’llbetoeachother.
Justletmehandleit.”
“Idon’tlikeit.Heusedtobeagoodenoughkid,butwhatIhearnow…Ithinkit’samistake.”
Hergutclenched.Dadsaiditwithsuchconviction.Still,hehadn’tseenJesseinyears,justheardabouthim.Notthesamething.
“It’smymistaketomake.”
Herfathersighed.“Yeah,itis.Just…becareful,inmorewaysthanone.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
185
“I’monmywayhomefromThailandrightnow.WhenIgetthere,Iwanttocheckonyou,checkyour
brothers,thehouse.”
“Issomeonestillthreateningyou?”
“Yes.Sendingcreepye-mailsandleavingmenacingmessages.Idon’tknowwhoI’vepissedoff,or
howseriousheis.Youknowcrackpots,andsomenevergetpastthethreateningstage.Butthisone
hasmentionedyouandsaidhe’llhurtyoutohurtme.”
“Thisisn’tnew,andnothinghaseverhappenedtome.”
“There’salwaysafirst.Thisoneseemstenacious,soI’dfeelbetterifyoudidn’tgoanywherealonerightnow.Rememberyourself-defense.Ican’tpersuadeyoutocarry,canI?”
ShaylaBlackDecadentUneaseslicedthroughher,razor-thinbutimpossibletogetcomplacentandlettheirguarddown.Whoknewifthisguyfitthatprofile?
“I’mnotgettingapermittocarryahandgun.I’llbefine.I’msurroundedbypeoplehere.”
Herdadgrowledintothephone,likehewantedtosaysomethingmore,butknewitwasafutile
argument.“So,you’regoingtocomevisityouroldmanwhileI’mhome,aren’tyou?”
“Jesse’stourstopsinDallasonthesecondnight.I’lldriveoutwhilewe’rethere.
I’mlookingforwardtoseeingyou.”
“Me,too.Takecare,littlegirl.I’vemissedyou.”Hehadn’tcalledherthatinyears.Hadn’tsaid
anythingremotelyemotionalin186
evenlonger.
“Istheresomethingyou’renottellingme?”
Hehesitated.“No.Ijustwantyoutobecareful.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER9
“Howwasrehearsal?”KimberaskedasJesseenteredthehotelsuitelateintheafternoonnearlya
weeklater.
Hewasshirtless,hislongishhairwetfromarecentshower.Withatowelinonehand,abottleof
waterintheother,hestrodeintotheroom,alllazy-hippedgrace.
Thesleekbulgeofhisshouldermovedsinuouslyeverytimeheswipedathishairwiththetowel.Hismasculinethroatworkedwitheachswallowofwater.Hisperfectlysymmetricalfeaturespulledinto
abalancedsmile.
Inthelastfiveyears,he’ddefinitelygrown.Nolongeracuteboy,quitesimply,he’dbecomea
gorgeousman.Nowonderhewasonposters,billboards,andmagazinecoversallovertheworld.
Afteryearsofsightlesscommunicationwithhim,Kimberwasalmoststunnedanewbyhisbeauty.
187
Sheenjoyedlookingathim.Justlooking.Shewasn’tmovedtotouchhim.Instead,sheachedtosee
denim-darkblueeyes,razor-shorthair,squarejawtensed,andahardfacefilledwithlustforher.
Damnit,shehadtostopthinkingaboutDeke.Itwasn’thelpingherhere.Focus!
WhatwouldbehelpfulwasahotacheinherbellythaturgedhertogetnakedwithJesse,thewaya
singleglancefromDekehadinspiredher.ThewayatenderkissfromLuccould.ButthaturgetogetdownanddirtywithJessewasn’tcoming.Inthelastfewdays,she’dfeltoccasionalburstsoffeelingforhim,likeacamera’sflash,brilliantandbrief,thengone.
Nothingmore.
Itseemedtheurgehadn’thitJesse,either.He’dkissedhersweetlyeverymorningandtenderlyeverynight,thenretiredtohisownbed,leavingheraloneinhers.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThankGod.Butshedidwonder,wastheresomethingwrongwithherthatnomanseemedtowanthervirginity?
Confusedbyitall,Kimbershookherhead.
Butthemysterywasdeeper.Inahandfulofdays,Deke,amanshe’dtoldherselfshecouldn’tfallfor,hadbargedhiswayintoherheartandburrowedindeep.Andshefeltsostupid.
Missingandlovingamanwhowouldneverreturnherfeelingsmadenosense.
Jessehadbeeninherdreams,inherplans,foralongtime.Hewassupposedtobeherfuture.True,hewasn’tthesamecarefreeteenagersherecalled,nolongerquicktolaugh.
Butshewasn’tthesamewoman.AndshenolongersawJessethroughrose-coloredglasses.Whatshe
needed,shefearedJessedidn’thave.
188
“Rehearsalwasaregularfuckin”—hegrimaced,asifrememberingherpresence—“Itwasn’tsmooth.
Wegotsomelazypeoplenotdoingtheirjobs.Hungover,theassholes.”Herolledhiseyes.“Andthepresscrawlingaround.LiketheywanttoreportitasnewseverytimeIspit.Iwishtohelltheydidn’tfollowmeeverywhere,butCallencouragesthem.Allformy‘image.’”
“I’msurehemeanswell.Tonight’sshowwillbegreat.”Kimberdidherbesttosoundsupportive,
likeafriendshouldbe.Butshewasn’tfamiliarwiththesnarlingsideofJesse.
“Callisallforwhateverlineshispockets.Greedysonofabitch.Ifhewasn’toneofthebestinthebusiness,I’dshitcanhiswrinkledassandthrowhimoffthegravytrain.HeactslikeIneedadamndaddytokeepmeinline.”Kimberhadn’tseenmuchoftheolderman,butenoughtoknowthatCall
feltthatpartofhisrolewastokeepJessefromselfdestructing.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“He’stryingtohelpyou.”
“He’spissingmeoff.”
“Youronlychoicesaretofirehim,putupwithhim,oraskhimtobenicer.”Thatstoppedhistirade.
“Damn,you’resmart.You’relikeyourdad;youtellpeoplehowitis.IknewtherewasareasonI
invitedyouontourwithme.”Jessesmiled,relievingsomeoftheseverityonhisface,thenhehuggedher,kissedherforehead.Kimberdidherbesttosettleintohiswarmthandbask.Buthissnarling
wordswerestillringinginherhead,distractingher.Andthoughhewasgorgeous,everythingwith
himfeltwrong.Kimberknewwhy.
DamnDekeandhisstubbornhide.Shesteppedoutofhisembrace.“So,youreadyfortheshow?”
189
“Yeah,wefinallygotittogether.Thevenueiscool.I’vereallybeenlookingforwardtothis.”
ThelookJessesenthermadenosense.Secretive.Nervous.Eager.Tender.
Interesting…
“Becauseit’sthestartofthetour?”
“No.Thisshowinparticular.I’malittlenervous.”Shesmiledandgrabbedhishand,reminding
herselfthatheneededafriend.Hell,sodidshe.Fromwhatshe’dseen,neitherRyannorCallreallyfitthatbill.Nowonderhewascranky.Andofcoursehewasanxiousaboutthisshow.Ashisfriend,shecouldprovidealittlecomfort.
“I’msurethefirstshowofanewtourisexciting.It’ssoldout.Fanswillbethere.
Theyloveyou.Nothingtobeworriedabout.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Oh,I’mnotworriedaboutthat.Sometimes,IthinkIcouldsing‘MaryHadaLittleLamb’andthey’dcheertheirassesoff.”Helaughed,acynicalsnort.“It’scrazy.”
“Thenwhat’sup?”
“You’llsee…”Thesingsongtauntwasaccompaniedbythatoddlook.Jessedefinitelyhadasecret.
Hewasuptosomething.
“Whatareyouplanning?”
“You’llhavetowaituntiltonighttofindout.”
“I’mlookingforwardtoit.”Butshelied.Adreadshedidn’tunderstandsettledlikeapileofrocksintoherstomach.Surprisesweren’talwaysgood.
“That’sit?”
190
“Um,I’msureit’llbegreat.”Washeputoutbecauseshewasn’tjumpingupanddowntofindout
aboutthesecret?
“Ihopeyouthinkso.”Hestared,thosepiercingdarkeyeslookinganxiousandconfused.
Shesighed.“What’swrong?”
“Nothing.”
Adenial,pureandsimple.Damn,themanwassomoody.Fromhighstolows,frommischiefto
pensive,allinasnap.Everyonealwaysjustadapted,Kimbernoticed.Jessewassousedtotheworldrevolvingaroundhim.Itwassounlikeherfatherandbrothers,whoonlyhadthreemodes:work,
laughter,andanger—inthatorder.Jessewasallovertheemotionalmap.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“WhathappenedtotheyouIusedtoknow?”Thequestionwasoutbeforeshecouldstopit.
Jesse’sgazesnappedbacktoher.“Whatdoyoumean?”Kimberfoughttheurgetofidgetandlooked
away.Buttheyhadn’thadanhonestconversationinthelastweek.Passingandsuperficial,yes.He’daskedaboutherfamily,herschooling,scrapedabitofthesurfaceaboutherwishesforthefuture.
Granted,shehadn’texactlybeenforthcoming.Shecouldn’tblurtouttothemanshe’dcometoexploreafuturewiththatherheartwassomeplaceelse.Besides,hewastotallyabsorbedwiththistourandhadn’topeneduptoher.Somedays,hehardlytalkedatall.
UnlikeDeke,who’dalwaysconnectedwithher,evenwithjustaglance.He’dtoldherwhereshe
stood,evenwhenhewastryingtolie,whethershewantedtohearit191
ornot.
“IthinkyouknowwhatImean,”shewhispered,forcingherthoughtsawayfromtheiron-hearted
bodyguard.“You’ve…changed.”
“Youhave,too.You’remoreconfidentandmatureandsexyashell.”Heleanedinandplaceda
gentlekissonhermouth.“WhenI’mwithyou,Ifeelclearer,morecentered.Iguessit’stakingmeawhiletoadjusttonotpartyingallthetime.”Maybethatwastrue.Whoknew?Insomeways,Kimber
feltlikeshewastalkingtoastranger.“I’mnotheretochangeyourlife.”
“Ineedtochangemylife,andIknowyou’rethekey.IthinkbacktothatsummerIspentwithyouandyourdadallthetimeandrememberstuffwetalkedabout,thingswedid.Wefoundplentyofgood,
cleanwaystohavefun.”Hepaused,aglintmakinghisdarkeyessparkle.“Hey,youknowwhatI
haveonDVD?”ShaylaBlackDecadentMischieflurkedinthatsmile.Andahintofhappiness.Arealsmile.Thefirstshe’dseeninaweek.
Kimberrelaxedandreturnedhisgrin.“AmericanPie?”
“Yep.We’vegotafewhoursbeforewehavetobeatthearena.Wanna?”Watchthemoviethathad
madethemlaughsohardthey’dcriedtogetherthatsummer?“Sure.”
“Hangon.”
Heclamberedoverthebackofthesofaandgrabbedthephone.Inseconds,hewasdemanding
popcornfromroomservice.BythetimehefoundtheDVD,figuredouthowtoworktheequipment
connectedtothesuite’splasmaTV,andhadthemenuonthescreen,thepopcornhadarrived.
192
Foroveranhour,theylaughedattheanticsoffourhighschoolboysalltryingtolosetheirvirginitybypromnight.
“Watchthis,”Jessedemanded,tossingpopcornintheairandtryingtocatchitwithhisopenmouth.
Hemissed.Thepiecehithimonthecheek,andKimberlaughed.“Smooth.”
“Okay,soI’moutofpractice.AnditworksbetterwithM&M’s.”Shemock-punchedhiminthe
shoulder.“Excuses,excuses.”
“Let’sseeyoudobetter.”
Archingabrow,shepluckedupapieceofthefluffypopcornandtossedit.Aperfectlandingonhertongue.Shetossedhimasmugsmile.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Show-off,”hegrumbled,buttossedanarmaroundhershouldersastheysettledinfortherestofthemovie.Anditwascomfortable.Friendly.
Whenitwasover,heturnedtheTVandDVDplayeroff,wearingahugesmile.
“Thatmoviealwaysremindsmeofthesummerwespenttogether.Idon’tthinkI’veeverhadabetter
time.Nopressure.Nogroupies.Noparties.Just…fun.”
“Ienjoyedthatsummer,too.”
Theairhadbeenripewiththehopeoffirstlove.They’dbeeninnocentenough—
nothingbeyondkisses—buteveryoneofthosehadseemedsohotandforbidden.
Andsosweet.Thefacthe’dboughttheveryDVDthatremindedhimofherandcarrieditwithhim
touchedher.Watchingittogetheragainhadbeenablast.
ButhadwatchingithelpedJessetotuneintotheemotionalconnectionthey’doncesharedorjust
remindhimofahappierpast?Washeactuallyinterestedin193
her,orwassheliketheDVD,justanotherreminderofabettertime?
Andwhywasshestayinghere,givingJessefalsehope,whenDekewassoobviouslydominatingher
heart?WhensheachedwithmissingquiettimeswithLuc?
Someoneknockedonthesuite’sdoor.Withoutwaitingforananswer,heshovedinthekey,and
strolledintotheroom.Ryan.
Hesentthembothalong-sufferinggrimace.“Dang,allclothedagain.Youtwoaredull.”
Oh,themanmiffedKimber.Annoying,grating,he’dsaywhateverwasonhismindandclearlydidn’t
carealickifitoffendedanyoneornot.
“Wewerewatchingamovie.”Kimberdidherbesttosoundcivil.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“I’dratheryougetbusyandmakeamovieI’dwannawatch.”Heleered.
Okay,thatmadehimzoomtothetopofherickchart.
Herannoyancemusthaveshown,sinceJesseleveledhimahardwarningstare.
“Despitehowmuchyoulikehomemovies,wewon’tbemakingany.Whatdoyouwant?”
“Showtimeisinanhour,kids.I’mjustyourreminder.”Jesseglancedathiswatch,thensighed.“Backtoreality.”Hesentalonginglookattheminibar.“Drinkbeforetheshow?”Drinkingbeforework?
“No,andit’sjustmyopinion,butIdon’tthinkyoushouldeither.”194
“Itloosensmeup.”Histonewaspuredefense.
“Yourchoice,butI’llbetitmakesyoulesssharp.”Ryanstrolledtotheminibarandwithdrewan
armfulofthelittlebottles.“Looksliketheoldladystillhasyouonthewagon.Youreallyoughttofuckherandloosenherup.I’llbehappytohelp.”
BeforeKimbercouldflaythemanalivewithhertongueorJessecouldretort,Ryanlefttheroom.
Bastard.
“Sorry,”Jessemuttered.
“Youmissyouroldlife,”shesaid,realizingitwasthetruth.
“Ineedtostoplivinglikethat.Ican’tkeepwakingupeverymorninghungovernexttoRyananda
womanwhosenameIdon’tknow.Ineedyoutohelpme.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHisdarkeyes
pleaded,filledwithhopeandshameandanger.
Morealarmbellswentoffinherhead,evenasshefelt…sorryforhim.Hewantedhertohelphim
savehimself.Hedidn’tactuallywanther.Andshecouldn’trescuesomeonewhowasn’twillingtorescuehimself.
God,shewassoconfused.Jessehadbeeneverythingtoher—orshethoughthehadbeen—untilDeke
andLuc.Untilshe’dlostherheart.She’dpinnedhopesanddreamsonJesse.Now…itwasclearshe
justdidn’tfithere.
“Pleasehelpme.”Hegrabbedherhandsandpulledhercloser.
Kimbersmelledhisfreshcitrus-scentedsoapandcleanskinashegrabbedhersuddenlyandlayered
hismouthoverhers.Soft.Likethestrokesofapaintbrushorthetouchofabutterfly’swings.Sweet,likehe’dlightlydustedthekisswithsugar.
Butwhenheurgedhermouthopenandslidinside,shetastedtheacrid195
desperationonhistongueandrecoiled.
Insteadoflettinghergo,Jessepulledhercloser.Hisfingersdriftedintoherhair,fistedaroundthelongstrandsashedeepenedthekiss.Kimberdiscreetlypushedathim.Heresisted,plungingdeeper
inside.Hewas…takingsomethingfromherandbeggingformore.Therewasnogivingonhispart.
Hethoughtshehadsomethingheneeded.
Shedidn’t.Nordidshewanthim.Thekissdidn’tmakehermeltorburnorneed.
Herheart…itwasn’there.Hewasafriend,butnothingmore.Andaftertheshow,she’dtellhimthat.
Quickly,shebrokeoffthekiss.Hepulledawaywithasighofregret.
“I’dbettergetdressed.”Hisvoicecracked.“You,too.Wearsomethingspecial.”ShaylaBlack
DecadentWithanotherflashofasmile,partexcitement,partanxiety,hewalkedpasther,downthe
hall,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.
Whatthehellwasthatmanupto?
#
TheroarofthestadiumandthedecibellevelofthemusicgaveKimberaheadache.Forovertwo
hours,she’dbeensittingbackstage,firstwatchingtheopeningactandtryingtoignorethebimbo
groupiesfawningoverJesse.Now,shewatchedJesseandhisbandwindingtheirshowtoaclose,
playingtheireclecticmixtureofalternativeanger,andsoulfulemotion,withahintofsomething
classical.Andhewastheperfectsinger,withexpressiveeyes,notjustbelievingeverywordhesang,butfeelingthem—whetherthatwasasongaboutgettingdownanddirtyorembracingeternallove.
196
Funny,butshewasmoremovedbylisteningtoJessethankissinghim.Shehatedtoadmitwhy,didn’twanttoconsiderthereasonsherbodyhadbeguntoachedesperately.Orwhyshehaddreams—
amazing,eroticdreams—allrevolvingaroundDekeandLuc.
Kimbermissedthemboth,wishedshecouldthrowherarmsaroundDekeandhealhim.Ifshewas
reallyhonest,shewishedshecouldmakehimseeherassomethingotherthanjustavirgin,buta
womanhecouldlaughwith,smilewith,livewith…
Theyearningtotellhimthatshelovedhimbeatstrong.Everybitasstrongasherneedtohearhimsayhelovedher,too.
Itisn’tgoingtohappen.
Kimberacceptedtherealitywithasigh.Herfuture,theoneshe’dmappedout,wasgone.Sighing,shewatchedabsentlyasJessethrewhissweattowelintotheShaylaBlackDecadentcheeringcrowdof
mostlyyounggirls.Severalweretopless,theirbreastsbobbingastheydancedundertheartificial
bluelight.Hesmiledandsalutedthem.
God,shedidn’tfitinhere.Shewasgoingtohavetotellhim.Andleave.
“Kimber.”
Hername.Someonewascallinghername.Loudly.Sheblinked.Jessewaslookingrightather,
motioninghertowardhim.Hewantedhertocomeonstage?Infrontofeveryone?Animatednow,
evenalittleadamant,Jessewavedhertowardhimoncemore.
Whatthehell?Withashrug,shegotoffherstoolandstartedoutontothestage.
Flashbulbswentoff.Thecrowdquieted.
Microphoneinhand,Jessesmiledandsaid,“It’sgreattobebackinHouston,my197
hometown!”Thecrowdcheeredashecurledanarmaroundhershouldersandpulledheragainsthim,
plantingakissonhertemple.
Mindracing,Kimberlookedoutatthecrowd,nearlywobblingonherheels.Eventhoughthebright
stagelightsblindedherfromseeingtheaudience,she’dseenthevastsize,thethousandsoutthere,justbeforeJessehadtakenthestage.Whyhadhepulledherouthereinfrontofallthesepeople?She
couldn’tsing.
“It’stheperfectplace,”Jessemurmuredtothecrowd,thetonelikeawhisperhetoldjustonesecretfriend,“toannouncethatmylongtimegirlfriend,Kimber,andIaregettingmarried.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER10
Dekeunrolledthemorningpaperonthekitchentable,acupofcoffeeinhand.
“Anynews?”Lucaskedtightly.
Thosewerethefirstcivilwordshiscousinhadspokeninoveraweek.
Standingashesiftedthroughthenewspaper,Dekesetthefrontpageasideandrifledtofindtheothersectionsheenjoyed,sohecouldthrowouttherest.Sohecouldfocusonsomethingotherthan
Kimber’sabsenceeatingawayathissanity.
Notthathewashavinganyluck.
EspeciallynotwhentheheadlineontheEntertainmentpagescreamedoutathim.
198
JesseMcCallEngaged!
Beneathitwasablack-and-whitepictureofKimbernexttoMcCall,hisarmaroundher,alongwitha
captionthatstatedJessehadinformedthecrowdatlastnight’sconcertthatheandlongtimegirlfriendKimberEdgingtonwereengagedtobemarried.
Sonofafuckingbitch!
ThecoffeeslippedfromDeke’snumbfingersandcrashedtothekitchenfloor.
Lucspunaround.“Whatthehellisthematterwithyou?Cleanthedamncoffee—
”
“Idon’tgiveashitaboutthefuckingcoffee.”HethrustthepaperinLuc’sdirection.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAfteraquickscan,Lucsankintoachairatthekitchentableandswore.
“Damnit.
Shit!Youlethergo.Hell,youpushedheroutthedoor.”Lucthrewthepaperbackontothetablewithaglareinhisdirection.DekefoundhisgazegluedtothepictureofMcCallwithKimber.The
wonderingwaskillinghim.Hadshesleptwiththepretty-boysinger?Mostlikely.Andjustaslikely,McCallhadsharedherwithsomeone,watchedsomestrangerfuckhertoorgasm.
WhathurtevenmorewaswonderingifsheactuallylovedJesse.ButDekeknewKimber.Shehadto
believeshewasinlovewiththebastardpopstartoagreetomarryhim.Atthethought,hisknees
meltedunderneathhimandhestumbledintoachair.Kimbermarriedtosomeoneelse.Inlovewith
someoneelse.
Hellno!
Butthatwasreality,anditshreddedhisgutslikeathousanddullrazors.McCall199
hadproposed,andshe’dsaidyes.Jessewashappy,ifhissmileinthepicturewasanythingtogoby.
Kimber’spicturewasinprofile,butshehadtobehappy.Thiswastherealizationofherlittlewhitelace,virgin-girldream.Whilehe…Hell,he’dbeenafuckingpissed-offwreckeversinceshe’dleft,wrenchinghisheartoutwithhertears.
“Shewasn’tours,”hemanagedtocroakout.“Thisjustprovesit.”
“Kimbermighthavestayedifyou’dbeendecenttoher.Sheofferedyouher—”
“Iwasn’ttakinghervirginity.Itdidn’tbelongtome,justlikeshedidn’t!”Thefactthatthegirlandhervirginitybelongedtothesmilingcroonerinthepicturedidn’texactlythrillhim.Correction:itmadehimwanttotearMcCallapartslowly,withhisbarehands,andinflictmaximumpain.
Lordknewthearmyhadtrainedhimtodoit.
ShaylaBlackDecadentLucpointedanaccusingfingerinhisface.“Youmadeherbelieveshedidn’tbelongwithus.Ifyouhadadmittedyourfeelingsandjustmadelovetothegirl—”
“Yeah,thenwhat?HowlongbeforeshewounduplikeHeather?”
“She’snotHeather,”Lucinsisted.“Kimberisstrongerandshewouldhavesurvived.Ithinkshe
lovedyou.”
Bittersweet.Thatpossibilitymadejoyburstthroughhischest,evenasfeargrippedhisbellyand
yankedhard.Damn,hewasonefucked-upbastard.Hewantedher,butcouldn’thaveher.Ifshe’d
stayed,itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforehewouldhavetakenhervirginity.Toomanyrisks.Toomuchatstake.He’dmadetherightchoice.
Itjusthurtlikehell.
200
“Andthenwhat?”Dekebarkedback.“Wouldshehavemarriedoneofus?Whythefuckdoyou
persistinthisstupidfantasy?”Dekegrilledhiscousin.“Andwhatabout…later?Iknowyouwanthertohaveourbabiessowecouldalllivehappilyeverafter.AndyouknowhowIfeelaboutthat.
Besides,nowomanwantstoliebetweentwomeneverynightandwonderwhichisthefatherofher
children.Wecanleavepettyjealousyoutofasimplescrew,butoutofacommittedrelationship?
Luc,it’sagoddamnedfantasy.”
“It’snomorefantasythanimaginingyoucanfuckyourwaythroughtherestofyourlifewithabunchofnamelesswhoresandnotcareaboutanyone.Iwantmore.”Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper.“With
Kimber,Iknowyouwantedmore.”Shit,Lucknewhimtoowell.“She’sgone.Andthat’sit.”
“Youdon’tthinkweshouldfightforher?”Luclookedincredulous.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“How?She’sgoingtomarryasuperstarshe’swantedforfiveyears.Idon’tseeherdroppingallthatjustbecausewecomeknockingonherdoor.Weneedtogetonwithlife.”
ThewordsseemedtoknockLuconhisass.“Getonwithit,justlikethat?”Hesnapped.“Pretendshewasneverhereandthatwenevercaredabouther?”
“Wetutoredher.Period.”
“Iadoreher.Youdo,too.Infact,Ithinkyouloveher.”Hehesitated.“Idon’t.”
“Liar.That’swhyyouweresoviletoher.Anythingthatmightmakeyouvulnerableandforceyouto
facethepasthastobedestroyed.”
“Fuckoff!”
201
“That’sgoingtosolveitall,right?Whenallelsefails,yellatLuc.Youknowwhat,you’reright.
Let’sgetonwithlife.”Lucstormedacrossthekitchen,liftedthecordlessphone,andwalkedoutoftheroom.
WhatthehellwasLucdoing?Dekealmostdidn’tcare,giventhefurybubblinginhisbelly.Andthe
pain,itsearedlikeacidonbareskinatthethoughtofKimberinMcCall’sbed,inhislife.Buthe’dgetoverit.
Hehadto.Whatotherchoicedidhehave?
Fiveminuteslater,Lucstompedbackintothekitchenwearingasmuggrin.“Ihopeyoudon’thave
planstodayotherthantogetonwithyourlife.”
“No,it’sSunday.Whathaveyoudone?”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“IcalledAlyssaDevereauxandcharmedher.Iconvincedhertofuckus.She’sexpectingusatthree.
Getdressed.”
Withasharppivot,Lucleftthekitchenandmarcheddownthehall.Amomentlater,pipesclinking
toldDekethathisdearcousinwasintheshower.
AndDekewasstunnedspeechless.
Holyshit.AlyssaDevereaux.Blondebombshell,stripclubowner,withlegsencasedinsexy
stockingsandnaughtygartersthatmadegrownmensalivateandbeg.Shewasgoingtofuckthem.
Afterenduringhercuttingtongueandapparentdisdain,she’dagreed.ForLuc,ofcourse.She’d
alwayswantedhim.Butasaperk,he’dgettosinkintothattight,goldenbody,too.Immerseevery
inchofhiscockintoherwarm,suddenlywillingpussy.
Dekelookeddown,staringathissurprisinglyunresponsivepenisthroughhis202
pajamabottoms.
Shock.Ithadtobeshock.Alyssawasawalkingwetdream.
Oncehegotnearher,gothertoplessandthoseluscioustitsinhisface,he’dbeready.Morethan
ready.
Right?
#
Fourhourslater,LucpulledupinfrontofalittlewhitehousewithclimbingrosesandsoutherncharminaresidentialsideofLafayette,Louisiana.
Dekefrownedathiscousin.“We’renotmeetingatSexySirens?”
“Shesaidtocomehere.”Lucgotout,refusingtosayanotherword.
ShaylaBlackDecadentPalmssweating,Dekefollowed.
HowlonghadhehadfantasiesaboutnailingAlyssaDevereaux?Acoupleofyears,atleast,sincehisbusinesspartnerandfriend,JackCole,hadintroducedhertohim.
He’dtriedtoenticeher.Thealpharoutinehadgottenhimnowhere.Hisnonexistentcharmgothim
knockedonhisassevenbeforehello.
Sparringwithhergothimshutdowneverytime.Usuallyjustthesoundofhernamegothimhard.
Today…Well,itwasn’tshowtimeyet.Hisslowresponsemustbebecausehestillhadbig,
unansweredquestionsfloatingaroundinhisbrain.Like,whatthehellhadLucsaidtogethertoagreetothis?AndforasmanytimesasLuchadmaintainedthathehadnointerestinAlyssa,hewas
suddenlyreallyeagertobehere.
Why?
203
Dekehadnoanswers—toanyofhisquestions—ashefiledupthelittlebrickwalkway,pastrowsof
colorfulflowersbloominglikecrazy.
“Gorgeousazaleas,”Lucmurmuredasherangthebell.
Whatthefuckisanazalea?Whywerehispalmssweating?
Alyssaopenedthedoorwearingaclassicblackskirtwithaslittothethighandalace-edged,off-the-shouldertopthatshowedjustahintofcleavage.
“Hi,guys.Comeinside.”
Dekehesitated,butsteppedinafterLucandglancedattheplace.Soothingshadesofgreenswith
splashesofyellow.Earthtoneseverywhere.EvenoneofthoseZengardenwaterfallthings.Black-
and-whitephotosofnaturescenes.Itallsaidpeace
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Thanksforhavingus,”Lucsaid.“Lovelyplace.”Alyssasmiled.Swallowed.“Thanks.Ijustbought
itafewmonthsago.Itwasgutted.I’vebeenfixingit.”
“It’sgreat.”Lucapproved.Itwasinhisvoice.Dekecouldn’tfindhis.Sonowwhat?Wouldtheysitandsipicedteaandactallcivil,orjustgetdowntofucking?
“Doyouwantsomethingtodrink?Ihavetea,soda,coffee?”Alyssasenthiscousinacome-hither
look,herhandrestingaboveherbreast,fingerstoyingwiththesoftskinathercleavage.
“No,thanks.”NoonecouldmissthesuddenstraininLuc’svoiceorthewayhiseyesfollowedher
movementsacrosstheswellsofherbreasts.
Lucwastenseandsportingahard-onthatlookedmorethanreadyforaction.
204
GluinghisgazetoAlyssa,Dekesearchedforsomereaction,astirring,remoteinterest.Anything.
Kimber’sfaceswaminhismind,flushedinpleasure,mottledwithtears,sweetwiththeofferofherinnocence.
Andhe’dturneditdown.Likeadumb,stupidprick,he’dletherwalkout.No,he’dpushedherout.
AllbutgivenhertoMcCall,whomshe’dsoonmarry.Andwherewouldhebe?Fuckingalone.But
Kimberwasbetteroff.Hehadtofocusonthat.
“Deke?”Alyssasenthimacuriousglance.
Thatwasthenicestexpressionshe’deversenthim.Usually,hegotcompletedisdain.
“Drink?”sheprompted.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHehadtochoose.Drinkorsex?“You’renotgoingtocallmeHe-Manor
steroidboy?”
Shewinced.“Nottoday.”
Interesting…“Um,adrinksoundsgood.Whateveryouhave.”Shesenthimanod.Orrather,herheadbobbednervously,thenshetookadeepbreathandseemedtocollectherselfasshewalkedinto
thekitchenwithaslow-hippedgaitthatwasaninvitationinitself,pouredhimatallglassofsweeticedtea,andhandedittohim.
Herhandsshookasshegesturedeveryonetothelivingroomsofa.
Dekesat.Alyssasataboutthreefeetfromhim,theslitinherskirtrevealingverynaughtyblacksilkgartersandsheerstockings.Lucsatrightbesideherand205
droppedacasualhandonherexposedthigh.Thepulseatherneckjumped.
Whatthehellisgoingonhere?“You’vebeensayingnotomeforaboutthreeyears.Whyyesallofthesudden?”
Alyssablinked,hergorgeousblueeyesrimmedinsmokygrayliner,herwarmgoldencomplexion
lightingwithalittleflush.Forastripperwho’dseentheseamiersideoflifeforyears,shewas
awfullygoodatthesweetgirlroutine.
“Haveyouchangedyourmind?”
Herhuskyvoicejoltedhim.Incrediblysexy.Thewomanstunned.Softeyes,glossylipsthatpoutedastheytempted,breastshesuspectedadoctorhadprovided,ratherthanGod,butenticingallthesame.
Thatwedgeofthighbaredtohisgazedrewhiseye.
Somethingsouthofhisbeltbucklebegantostir.“Ihaven’tchangedmymind.”ShaylaBlackDecadentSheturnedtoLucwithasoftquestion.
“I’mnotgoingtochangemymind.”Hishandonherthightightened,traveledup,takingtheskirtwithit,untilitrestedjustshyofdampblackpanties.
“Good.”Shebreathedtheword.
“Deke,”Luccalledtohim.“Kissher.Getthattopoff.”Alyssastarted.“Yo—youdon’twanttogotothebedroomfirst?”Lucstoodanddrewtheblinds,toedoffhisshoes,andrippedoffhisshirt.“We’llgetthere.Eventually.”
“Oh.”Shelookeddazed,andtheyhadn’teventouchedheryet.
ThenLucshothimanexpectantlook.Right.Kissher.Undressher.
206
Lettinglooseadeepbreath,DekereachedoutanddoveintothebuttonsdownthefrontofAlyssa’s
blouse.Jesus,hishandswereshakingashepartedthematerial,revealingthebountifultitsbarelyrestrainedbyasheer,straplessbra.
Gorgeous,goldenbreasts.He’dbetshesunbathedtopless.
Heremovedherblouse,pausingamomenttosetitonthesofabesidehim.Didn’twanttowrinkleit.
Itlookeddelicate.
“Deke,”Lucsnapped.“Kissher.”
Alyssagazedathim,herblueeyesuncertainbutfevered.Lucturnedherawayfromhimself,toward
Deke,thenhiscousinkissedthesideofherneckandlaidahandontheundersideofherbreast.Hernipplespebbledtheinstanthetouchedher.
UnderLuc’slips,Alyssa’sposturelostitsstarch.Sheclosedhereyes,moaned.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Yousmellgood,”Lucwhisperedasoneflickofhiswristmadeherbrameltaway.
“Amixtureofsunshineandsin.”
Herbaretitsweregorgeous.Ripe,juicy,firm.Iftheywerefake,theywereadamnfineimitation.
ShelaidherheadbackonLuc’sshoulder,gaspingashisthumbflickedoveroneofherhard,blushingnipples.
Damn,thetwoofthemweresexytowatch.Lucsodark,inkyhair,bronzeskin,caressinghisway
acrossAlyssa’spalerflesh,liftingherplatinumhairawayfromhersoftnapesohecouldbreatheinherscent.Seeinghershudderinhiscousin’sarmsmadehimhard.Finally.
OneofLuc’shandsslidundertheslitofherskirt,liftedithigher,andbrushedagainsttheblacksilkcoveringhermound.
207
Alyssagasped.Trembled.Moaned.
“Kissher.”
Luc’sreneweddemandhitDekelikeicywater.Whichmadenosense.Alyssawasthepersonification
ofsex.He’dwantedtonailherforyears.Shewastopless,willing,andgettingarouseddamnfast.
Sheisn’tKimber
Pushingasidetheinsidiousvoiceprotestinginhishead,Dekedidn’tjustleanin,hecharged,coveringhermouthandurginghertoopenwideforhim.Desperate.
Hertonguedidasensuousdancearoundhis,slowandlazyandpromisingthatshecouldgivea
legendaryblowjob.Shetastedspicyandfresh.
Buthewashungryforthetasteofsugaryinnocence.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHesitancy.Puredesiretoplease.
Alyssawasallenticement.Beautiful.Experiencedandabletolureamanintowildsin.Butforsomedamnreason,hedidn’twanthertoleadhimastray.
Touchingherfelt…weird.Wrong.
Likehewasbetrayingsomething.Someone.
Kimber’shazeleyes,brimmingwithtears,splashedacrossthebacksofhiseyes
Frustrationburned.Thesenseofwrongnessweighedathousandtonsinhisgut.
Shit!HeyankedawayfromAlyssa.
Lucbarelynoticed.Instead,hepulledherontohislap.
Withonehand,hethreadedhisfingersintoherhair,angledhermouthunderhis,andsankintoher.
Deep.Likehedidn’tcareifhecameupforairanytimethis208
century.
Whatthehell?
AlyssacurledherarmsaroundLuc’sneckandwriggledonhislap.Clearly,shehitsomething
sensitivebecauseLucgrowled,liftedheruntilshestraddledhim,thengroundheragainsthiscock.
Asshethrewbackherhead,acascadeofpaleblondehairlandedinDeke’slap.
Luc’smouthdescended,closingaroundoneofhernipples.Hewasn’tteasing.
Therewasnotoyinginthistouch.Itwasallfierceintent.
“Luc!Yes!”
Hiscousin’sresponse?Hemerelytransferredhisattentiontoherotherbreast,curledapassionatefistintoherhair,andgrabbedasifheplannedtobendhertohiswill.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Arethesenippleshardforme?”Lucdemanded.Hestaredatherasifshewastheonlyotherperson
intheroom.Asifshewastheonlyotherpersonontheplanet.
“Yes,they’resohardforyou,”shewhisperedassherubbedthemagainsthischest,thenrotatedherhips,wrigglingonhiscockagain.“I’msowetforyou,too.
Feel…”
Alyssamadeagreatshowofuntyingthelittlebowsatthesidesofherhips.Withagyrationanda
wiggle,thelittleblackpantiesdriftedtothefloor.
Alightdustingofneatlyshapedpalepubichairmadealandingstripacrosshermound.Therest,fromwhatDekecouldsee,wasbare.
LustfiredLuc’sdarkeyes.Hisgazedfixedonherpussyashelaidherdownoverhislap,untilherheadrestedinDeke’s.
209
Alyssa’sgazedriftedup,hazybutuncertainblueeyesmeetinghis.Aroused.
Totally.Luchaddonethattoher.Bothofthemhadforgottenhewashere,andnowshesilentlyaskedDekeifhewasgoingtojumpintotheparty.
Shewasdamnsexyandwaswillinglyofferingherpussy.
Hell,yes!Buthereachedoutandcouldn’tmakehimselftouchher.
Hishandsdroppedtohissides.
Whatthefuckwaswrongwithhim?He’dwantedAlyssa.Foryears.Aglancedownherbodytold
himshemorethanliveduptothehype.Dimensionslikeacenterfold,felinemovementsintriguingtowatch.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAndhedidn’tfeelmuchofanything.Dekemethergazeandshookhishead.
No
Asdesirableasshewas,hewasn’tinterestedanymore.Physically,hewasaroused.
Ofcourse.WatchingLucdevourherandherlovingeveryminuteofitwashot.
Butitwasauburnhairhewantedtoplanthisfistsin.Itwaspale,virginskinhewantedtotouch.Itwashazeleyeshewantedtodrowninashesankintoherbodyandclaimedit.
Dekeclosedhiseyes,wishinglikehellhecouldblockKimberandthefactshewasmarryingMcCall
outofhishead.
Impossible.
Asharp,femininegaspcaughtDeke’sattention.Luc’shandssurroundedAlyssa’smound,partingthe
foldsofherpussy,histhumbbrushingacrossherclitinalight,irregularrhythm.
210
“Youarewet,”hecroonedinapproval.“ButnotwetenoughforwhatI’mgoingtodotoyou.”
“What’sthat,bigman?”Alyssapantedthequestion,baitingLuc.“Whatdoyouwant?MaybeIwon’t
giveittoyou.”
DarkdeterminationstompedacrossLuc’sdarkface.
“You’llgivemeeverything,thengivememore.Foryou,I’mgoingtobehardallafternoon.All
evening.Allnight.Iwon’tstayoutofyou.Iwon’tleaveanypartofyouuntouched.”
“Iwon’tletyouleaveanypartofmeuntouched,”shemurmured,spreadingherlegswiderandliftingherhipstoLuc.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHisthumbrakedacrossherclitslowly,repeatedly.Hernipplesstoodup,
blushed,beggedasshetensed,thrashingherheadfromsidetoside.
“Luc!”Shescreamedhisname.Herbackarched,andshecriedoutinalong,wrenchingclimax.
Atthesightofher,hiscousinlostit—allsemblanceofnormalcy,civility,restraint.
Dekeknewexactlywherethiswasheaded.AlyssawasabouttobecomerealfamiliarwithLuc’sdark
side,thankstooneofhismarathonsexsessions.Shelookedmorethanuptothechallenge.
“Takeeverything,”Alyssaofferedwithasultrybluegaze.“I’llstaywet,keepyouhard,giveyou
morethanyouimaginedpossible.”211
Withagrowl,LuctoreawayAlyssa’sskirt,leavinghertotallybareexceptforthosesexystockingsandlacygarters.Luc’schestheavedashelookeddownather.
Hiscocktentedhisjeans,andhedivedintothezipper,yankingonitviciously,clearlywantingthebindinggarmentoff.Hepushedthedenimdowntohisthighs,alongwithhisunderwear.Ashiscock
sprangfree,hegrabbedherhips,andpreparedtothrustinsideher.
Dekereachedintohispocketandextractedacondom.
“Luc.”
Hisheadsnappedup.Wilddarkeyes.Feral.Unfocused.Indomitable.Quickly,Dekehandedthelittle
foilsquaretohiscousin.Helaidanotherhandfulonthetable.Lucgaveashakynodandrippedintoit,racingtogetitapplied.AlyssatiltedherheadbackandsentDekeasmokylook.
Maybeitwasaninvitation.Maybenot.Hedidn’tcare.
ShaylaBlackDecadentInstead,Dekestoodandwanderedtothefrontdoor.Hepausedlongenoughto
seeLucpositionhimselfoverAlyssa,thebulgeofhisstrongarmspinninghertothebutterysofaasshecurledherlegsaroundhishipsinwelcomeandsmiled.Heshutthedoorbehindhim,insearchofthenearestbar,asthefirstfemalemoansrenttheair.
#
“What’llyouhave?”AsaucysmileinatightpairofshortshortsgreetedDeke.
“Whiskeydouble.Norocks.Bringmetwoofthem.”Thebarkinhisordermusthavecommunicated
toher.Sheclickedherheelstogetherandhustledoff.Heprayedshecamebackquicklysohecould
getonwithgettingdrunkanddissectinghisfucked-uplife.
Thelittlewaitresswasn’tgonelongbeforeshereturnedwithhisorderanda212
bowlofpretzels.Heshovedthoseasideandgulpeddownhisfirstdrink.Theburningpathofthe
alcoholblazeddownhisthroat,tohisstomach.Fireexploded,heavywarmthseepedthroughhis
veins,andhewelcomedit.Howelsecouldhereconcilethefacthe’djustturneddownthechanceto
fuckAlyssaDevereauxbecauseheonlywantedawomanwhowasnevercomingbacktohim?
Fromthepocketofhisjeans,hewithdrewthescrapfromthismorning’spaper.
McCall’ssmugsmiletauntedhimfromtheblack-and-whiteimage.Kimberstoodunderthesinger’s
arm,lookingupathim.Whatwasthatexpression?Adoration?
Excitement?Diditmatter?
No.ButDekewonderedhowthehellshecouldlookathimwithsuchtendernessinhereyesandofferherselfsosweetly,thenagreetomarrysomeoneelsethreeweekslater.
ShaylaBlackDecadentTheonlyavailableanswerstabbedhimintheheart.Shehadn’tlovedhim.
She’dofferedherselfoutofpity,nothingmore.
Unfortunately,nomatterhowmuchhedeniedittoLuc,Dekeknewhe’dfallenhardforKimber.He’d
alwayswantedher,evenwhenshe’dbeenseventeen,andhe’dknownbetter.Eventhreeweeksago,
whenshe’dbeennakedandgivingunderhim,he’dknownbetter.Andhealmosthadn’tcared.But
he’dlistenedtohisfearanddonethesanething.Therightthing.
Now,shewasgone.
Atthemoment,Dekewishedverymuchthathe’dbeenrecklessandgivenintothehotlavaofneed
thunderinginhisveins,urginghimtotakeherandmakeherhis.Thenshe’dbeinbedwithhimand
Lucrightnow,wrappedaroundhim,takingtheharddriveofhiscockandansweringwithhercries.
Andhewouldn’tbeinabarinLafayette,hornyandhurtingandwonderinghowshecouldmarrya
jackoff213
likeMcCall.Wonderingwhattodowithouther.
WhatifKimberhadstayed?Whatiftheworsthadhappened?No,notif;when.Ifshehadstayed,itwouldhavehappened.Lucwouldhaveinsisted.Howwouldshehavehandledit?
Dekegrabbedhisseconddrinkandtosseditback.Onlywhenhismindwasslightlyfuzzydidhe
allowhimselftothinkaboutHeather.Complicated.Barelysixteen.Sparklingwhenlifemadeherhighandbeyondconsolationwhenlifekickedher.Often,she’dshownbothemotionsinthesameday.
Dekehadtriedtokeepup.
Buttosomeonewhoselifewasonegiantbundleoffeelings,whobelievedthatallofthemshouldbe
experiencedandexpressed,nonefiltered—he’djustbaskedinherbrightpersona.Intheend,that
volatilityhadbeenherundoing.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHeslammedhisdrinkbacktothetableandsignaledforhischeck.Saucy
Smilebroughtit,tookhismoney,andsashayedaway.
Feelinglikeanoldmanattwenty-nine,Dekestoodandsteppedoutintotheeveningair.Humid.
Breezy.Summerenvelopedhiminitscloyingfragrance.Paincrushedhisinsides.
Kimberwasn’tHeather.Shehadbettercontroloverheremotions,true,andwasfarmoremature.But
shecouldbehurt.Shecouldemotionallybleed.Dekehadseenthatthenighthe’dshovedheroutthedoorwithallthosevilewords.Kimberhadbeensheltered,unlikeHeather.Shehadn’tseentheworstoflife,thankstotheColonelandherbrothers.Whatwouldshedoifshesuddenlyfoundherselfin
Heather’ssituation?
Dekedidn’tknow.Andevenifhefeltlikeatwo-tonweightsatonhischestfortherestofhislife,heshouldbegladhehadn’ttakenachancetofindoutthatanswer214
thehardway.
#
Atnearlyninethatnight,DekeclimbedbehindthewheelofLuc’sJeep.Hiscousineasedinbeside
him,grimandexhausted.
“Yousureyoudon’twanttostaythenight?”Dekeasked.
Lucturned,gazingbacktowardthedark,sleepinghouse.“No.”
“Youokay?”
Nodding,Lucgrippedhisthighs.Luclookedcompletelyspentphysicallyandemotionally.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekeunderstoodthepleasureoffuckingabeautifulwoman.Hesenseda
certaindriveinLucthough,asifhislongsexmarathonswereattemptstobanishsomeinnerdemons,notmerelyfindtheextremeedgeofphysicalpleasure.
“Fine.”Luchesitated.“Didyouwaitlong?”
“Awhile.”Heshrugged.“Nobigdeal.”
“Howlong?”
“Idon’tknow.”Dekefocusedontheroadtoavoidthequestion.TheanswerwouldonlysendLucinto
someguiltspiralhedidn’tneedtoputonhimself.
“Howlong?”ThebleakdemandinhisvoicelashedthroughtheJeep.
Sighing,Dekecavedin.Lucwouldfigureitoutsoonerorlater.“Abouttwohours.”215
“Andyouweregonefor…what?Threeorfourhourspriortothat?Damnittohell.”Evenunderthe
streetlights,Dekecouldseetheshamecontrotinghiscousin’sfluidfeatures.
“Stopbeatingyourselfup,cuz.Shesoundedlikeaveryhappywoman.”Luchadmadehermindless,
driventhewomantoorgasmuntilhercriesnearlyshookthewalls.
Lucsenthimasharpstare.“DidAlyssasaysomethingtoyou?”
“No.Shefellasleepafteryoubathedher.WhatIoverheardbeforethenmademethinkshefellasleepwithasmile.Whathappenedbetweenyoutwo?”
“Youknowdamnwell.It’shappenedbefore.”Lucwhippedashakinghandthroughthetangledmess
ofhisdarkhair.“Ilostmyhead.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Whybeatyourselfup?Thisdoesn’thappeneverytimeyouhavesex.Itdoesn’tevenhappenoften.
AndAlyssasoundedlikeshewashavingagreattime.”Lucnoddedhalf-heartedly,reluctantly
concedingthepoint.“Becausethistimetheneedwasstronger.Alyssawasamazing.Ifelt…Idon’t
know.Connected…orsomething.Ican’texplainit.”
Hesighed,thengrimaced.“IreallywishI’dhadmorecontrol.Alyssawassotight.
Shesaidshehadn’thadsexinnearlytwoyears.”
“Really?Thenwhydidsheagreetofuckusinthefirstplace?”Afterhesitating,Lucshookhishead.
“Idoesn’tmatter.I’llsendherflowerstomorrowandthatwillbeit.”
“You’renotgoingtoseeheragain?”Somehowthatdidn’tsurpriseDeke.Luc216
neverlikedtoberemindedofhislossesofcontrol.
“Whydoyouask?Stillhotforher?”LucslantedDekeaslystare.“Ifwecomebackhere,areyou
planningtofuckher?”
“No.”Dekefrownedaslightbulbswentoffinhishead.“That’swhyyoubroughtmehere,isn’tit?
YouknewIwouldn’tfuckher.”
“Isuspected.Itwasagamble.Ifyou’dtouchedher,Iwouldhaveknownthatyouweren’tinlovewithKimber.”
Shit,nowhe’ddughisowngrave.Luchadtheproofheneededtokeepneedlinghimtotryandwin
Kimberback.Andhewouldberelentless.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER11
Aftertheconcert,thesuitewaspacked.Bandmembers,pressmembers,roadies,groupies—allkinds
ofpeoplecrammedthehotelroomthatonlyhoursagohadfeltenormous.Alcoholflowed
everywhere.White,powderylineswerelaidoutontheglass-topcoffeetableafewfeetaway.A
youngwoman,maybelegal,kneltandsniffed.Aroundher,ahandfulofpartygoersgathered,waiting
theirturn.Inthecorner,Ryanhadaninebriated,bralessblondeonhislap.HernipplesstabbedhertightturquoiseshirtasRyanfondledthemusingonehand.Hisotherhandsnakedupherskirt,pulledherthongfree,andtoyedwithhersex—inplainview.Kimberlookedawaywhenheunsnappedhis
leatherpants.
Jesselivedlikethis?
Herheadthrobbed.Peopleshedidn’tknowweregrabbinghertocongratulate217
heronherengagement.Theengagementthathadcompletelyblindsidedhermerehoursagoandshe
hadn’tagreedto.HurtingJesse’sfeelingswasn’tsomethingshewantedtodo,buttherewasnowayinhellshecouldlivethissortoflife.
Thedoortothesuiteopened,andJessesaunteredin,bright,perfectlysymmetricalsmileinplace.Thelittlecrowdcheered.Ryanpausedinbanginghisblondetowave.AtJesse’sback,Callscowledand
tookinthescene,grousingsomethinginJesse’sear.
ItcausedJesse’ssmiletoturntothunder,andhewhirled,fistsclenched.Hmm,whateverCallsaid,Jessedidn’tlikeit.
Thepairexchangedwords.Uglywords,Kimberguessedfromtheirbodylanguage.ThenJesse
stormedoff.Andstompedinherdirection.
“Hey,babe.”Heforcedanewsmileandgrabbedher,haulingheroffthesofaandintohisarms.
“Let’sstepoutsideandgetawayfromallthis.”ShaylaBlackDecadentMorethaneagerforthe
opportunitytotalktoJesse,shedidn’tresistwhenhegrabbedherhandandledheracrosstheroom.
Theyheadedtowardtheslidingglassdoorandthebalconyoutside,practicallysteppingoverthe
latestline-snifferandtrippingoveranenergeticallythrustingRyan.
“Whereyougoing,man?”Ryanasked,thenthrustupintotheblondestraddlinghimagain.“Don’tgo
far.She’shot.”
Jesse’sgazedriftedoverher.Inthelastfewmoments,Ryanhadremovedthegirl’stopandherbarebreastsbouncedwitheveryupwardsurgehemadeintoherpliantbody.Shewasflushed,eyeshazy
andhalfopen.Andshelookedwastedoutofhermind.
“Yeah…Whydon’ty’allfindabedroom?Callwillchewmyassoutifyoukeepfuckingherinfront
ofeveryone.”
218
“Allright,butjoinus,man.Herpussyistight,andshewantsacockuphervirginass,whichshe
savedforyou.”
Kimberrecoiled.Shewasprettysurethattheblondewasn’tinherrightmindatthemomentand
couldn’tpossiblyknowwhatsheactuallywanted.
Afterasurreptitiousglanceinherdirection,Jesseshookhishead.“I’mgoingoutsidewithKimber,bro.Findabedroom.”
Ryanrolledhiseyesandgrumbled,buthestoodandliftedtheblondeup,keepingherimpaledonhisdickandurginghertowrapherlegsaroundhim.
God,shereallycouldn’tstayhere.Kimbershookherhead.
Asthedoortothesuiteslidshutbehindthem,humidsummerairwrappedaroundthem,hotand
restless.ShaylaBlackDecadentJessecurledhisarmoverhershoulderandsighed.“I’msogladyou’rehere.”
“Weneedtotalk.”Kimberturnedtohimwithaseriousstare.“Thatengagementannouncementtotally
tookmeoffguard.I—Ithoughtyou’daskfirst.”Withashrug,hesaid,“We’dtalkedaboutitbefore.Ijustassumedit’dbecool.”Somethingonherfacemusthaveshownhershockanddenial,because
Jessegrabbedherhandsandpulledheragainsthim.“We’llmakeitwork.Ineedyou,babe.You
knowIdo.Idon’twanttogobacktothat”—hemadeasweepinggesturetothepartyintheroom
behindthem.
Kimber’sgazefollowedthemotion.Someoneopenedanotherchampagnebottle.
Thelinesofcocaineweregone,replacedbythreeroadiesallclusteredaroundthebarelylegalgirl,whowasnowpositionedonherhandsandknees,ahardpenisinhermouth,amanunderher
devouringhernipples,andanotherbehindher,plowingintohersexwithpunishingstrokes.Kimber
flinched,wonderinghow219
muchofthisthegirlwouldremembertomorrow.
“See,I’dbeoneofthoseguysrightnowifitwasn’tforyou.”Kimberblanched.“Why?Walkby.Say
no.Youdon’tneedmyhelptodothat.”
“Ido!Withoutyou,I’mweak.ButIwanttobebetterforyou.Idon’twanttodisappointyou.Idon’twanttoruinyou.”
Ruin?BeforeKimbercouldrespond,Jessejerkedheragainsthimandswampedherwithadesperate,open-mouthedkiss.Histonguelashedathers,tangling,dominating.Beggingbyforce.Notarousing
herintheleast.
Shetoreherselfaway.“Stop!”
Hegrippedherarmsinatighthold,hisfrowndissolvingintosomethingdamnneartearful.“Don’t
pushmeaway.Please.Sinceyou’vebeenhere,there’sbeenShaylaBlackDecadentsomethingon
yourmind.Somethingholdingyouback,actingasawallbetweenus.
What’sgoingon?I’vetriedtowaitandbepatient…”DekeDamnhim.EvenJesse,asabsentandself-involvedashe’dbeen,couldseewhereherheartwas.Andherbody.
“Jesse.It’snotsimple.BeforeIcamehere,thingshappened.ThemenIlearnedménagefrom,they
affectedme.Oneofthem”—shepaused,frowned—“Ihaven’tbeenabletostopthinkingabouthim.”
“Thenthismarriagewillbegoodforbothofus.Butyou’vegottogivemeachance.Icanhelpyou,andyouknowIneedyou.”Kimbershookherhead.“I’vebeenrealizingoverthelastfewdaysthatI
don’tloveyoulikethat.You’reafriend—”
220
“Fuckbeingfriends!Doyouknowhowmanywomenwouldkilltobemywife?
Hell,Ihavethemliningupafteraconcertjusttogetfucked.Ortoletmewatchthemgetfuckedbysomeoneelse.Orboth.Iwanttogivethatupforyou,andyouwanttobefriends?”
She’dhurthisfeelings,saideverythingthewrongway.“Ididn’tmeantoupsetyou.Youmeanalottome.It’sme.Idon’tthinkI’mcutoutforthislife.Anddon’tyouwantawifewholovesyouandyoualone?”
Heblewoutaharshbreath.“Somedayyoumight.Ijustwantyoutogivemeachance.Ireallycan
helpyougetoveryour…tutor.Asgoodasyouthinkheis,Icanbebetter.Babe,Iknowsomuchaboutpleasingawoman.Icanturnyoutobutter,makeyoumeltatmyfeet,thenlickyourightintoa
screamingpuddle.Letmetry.
Please.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentHesneakedaglanceatthetableauinside.Thebarelylegalgirlstillhadamanpummelinghersex,butnowthemanatherbreastshadeasedunderherandmovedhismouthtoher
clit,devouringherasifitwashislastmeal.
Kimberriskedaquickglancedown,andnoticedthatthemorethemenworkedtheyoungwomaninto
afrenzy,theharderJessegot.Hisheadmightwanttogiveupthislife,buthisdickwasn’tonthebandwagonyet.
Suddenly,ascowlingCallsteppedinfrontoftheglass,blockingtheirview.Jessecursedandwhirledaway,allowinghismanagertoopenthedoorandstepoutside.
“ThatjournalistfromPeoplemagazineiswaitinginthesuite.Gethimthehelloutofherebeforethefoursomefuckingonthefloortakescenterstage.Asitis,they’regatheringacrowd.Areyousober?”
“Haven’thadadrop.”Jessesoundedbitter.
221
“Youhaven’tbeensmoking,snorting,sniffing—”
“No.”
“Thengetoutthere,findthejournalist,andgrabtheopportunitieswhiletheylast.Fameisfickleandfleeting.”
“Icanthinkofanotherf-wordforitatthemoment.”
“Youhiredmetohelpyoubeamegastar.I’mdoingmyjob.Godoyours.”Jesse’sjawclenched,and
heshovedhisshaggydarkhairfromhisface.“C’mon,Kimber.”Hereachedforherhand.
Callstoppedhim,hismouthtightwithbarelyrestrainedfury.“Justyou.Makethemagazinefocusonyou,notyourromance.That’snottheanglewe’vebeenplayingtothepress.Trytoavoidmentioningthis…engagementifyoucan.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHesentKimberaregretfulglance.“You’rea
first-classbastard,Cal.”Theolderman’ssmilefilledwithsharp,artificiallywhiteteeth.AllsheneededwasthethememusictoJaws.“That’swhyyoupayme.”Grumblingtohimself,Jessegrabbedthedoor,yankeditopenagain,anddisappearedinside.
Anawkwardsilencepassedoverthebalcony.Callstared,andKimbermetit,wonderingwhythehell
heseemedtobeaccusingherofsomethingwithoutsayingasingleword.
“ThankyoufortryingtohelpJesse,”shesaidfinally.“Iknowhedoesn’tappreciateyoulikehe
shouldbut—”
“You’reanicegirl,andyoushouldn’tbehere.He’sgoingtoscrewupyourlife,222
andyou’redefinitelygoingtoruinhisimage.Tellmehowmuchyouwantandwhereyouwanttogo.
I’lltakecareofeverything.”
“What?”Washe…buyingheroff?
“Don’tplaystupid.”Hisvoiceturnedangry.“Youdon’tbelonghere.Youdon’tbelongwithJesse.
Howmuchtoendthisengagementandgoaway?”Kimberhadplannedonleaving,butnotlikethis.
ShesentCallanincredulousstare.“You’rebribingme?”
Callglaredwithcoolblueeyes.“I’mpayingyoutogobackwhereyoubelong,whilesparingyoua
lotofheartacheandpublichumiliation.”
“Idon’twantmoney,”sheinsisted.WhileshehadnointentionofmarryingJesse,shewasn’tabouttogiveCallthesatisfaction.“Youareafirst-classbastard,justlikeShaylaBlackDecadentJessesaid.
Thisdecisionisbetweenhimandme,andwhateverwechooseforourlivesisourbusiness.”
“Thisengagementisgoingtokillhismomentum.Hisnewalbumisduetoreleasesoon.Wewant
peoplefocusedonthemusicandthemysterybehindthemanwholivesinthefastlane.Wedon’twantpeoplewonderingifyou’regoingtowearVeraWangforthebigdayandhowskilledyouareinbed
tohaveluredhimtothealtar.
Don’truinhiscareer.”
“Don’trunhislife.He’sagrownman—”
“Withhisbrainsinhisdick.Ifyoudon’twantmoney,thenforyourownsake,getsmartandgetoutbeforeyougethurt,”Callgrowledashereturnedinside
Shakingwithanger,Kimberwaiteduntilshewassurehe’dgonebeforeslidingtheheavyglassdoor
open.Sheclimbedbackintotheair-conditionedchaos.A223
glancearoundthesuiteshowedthepeoplestillpartyingenforce.Thequartetonthefloorhadfinallyfinishedtheirgroupshagandlayinapantingheap.Thegirllookedasifshe’dpassedout,infact.AprettyfanwithsilkydarkcurlsdousedthefrontofherwhiteshirtinchampagnelikeawetT-shirtcontestant.Thecloyingsmellofmarijuanahungallaroundtheroom,makinghercough.Anobject
cameflyingthroughtheroommomentslaterandlandedsixinchesfromherfeet.
Someone’sbong.Great.
Sighing,shelookedaroundforJesse.Ifhe’dfinishedwiththejournalist,theyneededtotalk.Abouttheirfutures,thismarriagethatcouldn’thappen.AndsheneededtowarnhimaboutCal.Heprobablyalreadyknewthathismanagerwasamanipulatingsonofabitch,butjustincase…
ButwherethehellhadJessegone?
ShaylaBlackDecadentMaybeitwasbetterifshedidn’tfindhimrightaway.Thisway,she’dhave
timetopack.Thenshecouldtalktohim,layherfeelingsoutonthetable,andgo.Cleanandeasy.Sheonlyhopedhewouldn’tseeitasdesertionatatimewhenhedesperatelyneededher.Ifpossible,shewantedtoremainfriends.Butshecouldn’tlietoJesseandtellhimshewantedtobehiswife.
Difficult,closed-offDekehadsomehowsqueezedherheartbetweenhismassivehandsandrefusedto
letgo.
Sheletherselfintoherbedroom.Surprisingly,itwasempty.She’dexpectedtoseecomplete
strangersinheredoingthenasty.Beingalonewasanice,pleasantbonus.
Shovingclothingandpersonalitemsinhersuitcase,Kimbermentallypreparedaspeech.She’dtell
Jessethatshecaredabouthim,224
recommendthathefindagoodcounselor.She’dstronglysuggesthewatchhisbackwithCallandfireRyan,whowasonlyencouragingJessetobehisworst.Andshe’dvolunteertobeapartofhis
supportsystemwhilehecleaneduphislife,absolutely.
Withalastlookaround,Kimberrealizedshehadeverythingpackedaway.
Grabbinghertoothbrushfromtheadjacentbathroomtookcareofthelasttask.
Whensheunpackednext,shesupposeditwouldbeatherdad’splace,andshe’dhavetoexplainthis
mess.Afterspendingthenextweekortwowithherdadbeforehejettedofftowhateverassignment
wasnextonhislist,she’dreturntoherownapartmentandfigureoutwhattodowiththerestofherlife.
Sighing,sheshookherhead.Nothinghadturnedoutasexpected.AquicktutoringfromDekeandhis
cousinonlyrevealedherdeepfascinationforthesoldierandopenedherheartupwidetotheman,
evenasheslammedhisownShaylaBlackDecadentclosedagainsther.AndhertimewithJesse…
yes,ithadendedwiththedesiredmarriageproposal—butshenolongerdesiredit.
Rollinghersuitcasebehindher,Kimberscannedthesuite’smainlivingarea.Lotsofpartying,no
Jesse.
Travelingbackdownthehall,sheopenedthedoortothemainbedroom.
Andstoppedshortwithagasp.
Ryanwasthrustingintohisblonde’smouthwithslow,lazymovements.Shewriggledherhipsfrom
sidetoside,thengrabbedRyan’scockinherhandsoshecouldstareoverhershoulderwithwide,
wildeyes…
AtJesse,whokneltbehindher,chuggingafifthofJackDaniel’s—andshuttlinghiscockdeepinandoutofherpreviouslyvirginasswithferocitythatstunned.
225
Oh,God.Shockwashedoverher.Icy.Sickening.Shehadtoleave.Now.
Beforeshecouldturnandgetthehellout,Jessecaughtsightofher,pulledfreeoftheblonde’sass,andshovedthebottleasidewithacreativestringofcurses.
Kimberdidn’twaittoseeifhewasgoingtodressfirstorchaseherdownthehallwearingnothingbutacondom.
Shemadeittothehallbeforehecameather,whitebathtowelaroundhiswaist,andpushedherbackintoheremptybedroom.
“Shit,babe.Oh,hell.I—”
“Don’tsayanything.”Sheclosedhereyes,butstillkeptseeingthesceneinhermind.
“I’msorry.Thisdoesn’tmeananything.Shedoesn’tmeananything!”ShaylaBlackDecadentKimber
flashedaheadtoherfuture.IfsheactuallymarriedJesse,shehadafeelingshe’dbehearingthosewordsalot.Andhe’dactuallymeanthem…inhisway.Butshecouldn’tchangeamanwho,deep
down,didn’twanttogiveuphiswild-childways.
He’dseethatwhenhewasready,andshecouldonlyhopethathewouldn’thateherinthemeantime.
“Itdoesmeansomething.”Kimberwheeledhersuitcaseoutthebedroomdoor.
“Itmeansweweren’tmeanttobeandI’mleaving.”
“No.Idon’tloveher.Idon’tevenknowhername!IwashornyandshewasavailableandIdidn’t
wanttoruinyou.Becauseyou—youIneed.”
“Youdon’t,”shecountered.“Whatyouneedistolookatyourselfanddecidewhatyouwantyourlifetobe.It’sbestifyoudothatalone.Callmeifyou’reserious226
aboutchangingyourself,andI’llbeyourfriend.ButIwon’tbeyourcrutch,andIwon’tbeyour
wife.”Sheleanedintokisshischeek.“I’mnotangry,butIhavetogo.
Good-bye.”
#
Threedayslater,hercellphonerang.Again.Kimberliftedherheadfromthecouchinthefamily
roomatherdad’shouseafterdozing.Fouro’clockintheafternoon.Wow,awholeeightminutes
sincethelasttimethephonerang.AquickpeekatthecallerIDrevealedthenameofsomeoneshe’dneverheardof.
Damnit.
Shakingherhead,sheflippeditopen.“Nocomment.”
“Reporters?”herdadaskedassheslammedthephoneshutagain.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Iassumeso.Idon’ttalklongenoughtofindout.”
“Noonethreateninghascalled,havethey?”
Sheshookherhead.“Howaboutyou?”
Dadrubbedthebackofhisneck,wherehekeptallhistension.“Avoicemailandafaxinthelast
threedays.Thisassholeisaloon.Ijustdon’tknowhowseriousaloon.”
“Areyouworried?”
Hehesitated,grimaced,shrugged…thenfinallyconfessed,“Yeah.Myguttellsmehe’srealserious.Ireallywantyoutobecarefulwhenyouleavethehouse.”Kimbersatup.Herdadwashardlyever
worried.Cautious,yes.Butworried…
Thiswasabadsign.Verybad.“Whatdoeshesayinhismessages?”227
“Oh,theusual.Paybackforbustinghimandtestifyingsothathedidtime.Hemissedoutonhislittlegirlgrowingup,blah,blah,blah.”
“Doesthattellyouwhoyou’redealingwith?”
Herdadshookhishead.“Itcouldstillbeoneofadozenloons.Remember,I’vebeeninbusinessfornearlyfifteenyears.Ifyougetathreateningcall,youtellme.
ButI’dfeelbetterifyoujustturnedyourphoneoff.”Beforeshecouldrespond,itrangagain.Anotherunfamiliarnumber.
“Nocomment.”Kimbersighedandshookherhead.Whenwouldthesereportersgetaclue?
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“You’dprobablyfeelbetterifyouturnedthephoneoff,too.Hell,girl.Thosepeoplearegoingto
keepcallingalldayandallnightaslongastheyknowyou’llanswer.”Herdadsoundedeverybitasirritatedasshewas.
“Iknow.”
“Thenturnitoff.OrareyoukeepingitonsothatyoucantakeanothercallfromJesse?”
Kimbergrimaced.Shereallydidn’twanttodiscussthiswithhim.“Dad…”
“Iknowhecalledagainlastnight.Soundedlikehebeggedyoutocomeback.”Ithadbeenthreedayssincetheengagementannouncementandherdeparture.
Sincethen,he’dcalleddayandnight,nearlyasoftenasthereporterstryingtogetthescoopontheirrelationshipandwhyshewasnolongerontourwithhim.Just228
lastnighthe’dcalleddrunkandconfessedthathewassleepingnexttoanothergirlwhosenamehe
didn’tknow.Andhewasmiserable.
“He’llstopeventually.”
“Kimber,honey,underneaththattoughexteriorthatLoganandHunterbeatintoyouasakid,youhaveasoftheart,”hesaidwarmly—asideofhimhedidn’tshowtoanyonebuther,anditneverfailedtomakeherfeelloved.“Youneedtotellthatboytomoveonwithhislife.Befirm.”
“Iam,butit’snotthatsimple.Heneedsafriendrightnow.I’mit.”
“Youcan’tsavehimfromhimself.”
“Itoldhimthat.”
“Sowhyareyoukeepingthatphoneon?”
ShaylaBlackDecadentBecauseshe’dmadeadecision.BeingwithJessehadshownherthe
differencebetweenacrushandreallove,betweenagirl’shopesandawoman’swants.Shewasn’ta
girlanymore,andshewantedDeke.Lucwasabigpartofhislife,andshecaredaboutthemboth.
That’swhereshebelonged.EveryoneknewitbutDeke.
She’dlethimrunheroff.TimeandperspectivehadhelpedhertounderstandthatDekehadn’tmeant
anuglywordhe’dhurledatherthatnight.Butshe’dletherselffeelthehurtanddashedoff.
Stupid,emotionaldecision.
Despitehermentalbravado,Kimbercouldn’tbringherselftocalltheirhouse.IfDekeansweredand
rejectedher…No,shewasn’tvoluntarilysigningupforpain.
He’dgiveherplentyofhelllater,whenshetriedtoingrainherselfbackinhislife.
ButLucwouldcall.Soon.Andthat’swhysheleftherphoneon.He’dwanttoknowthescoop
betweenherandJesse.Whenshetoldhimitwasover,maybehe’dtell229
Deke.Maybeitwouldmakeadifference…
Shegrimaced.God,thatsoundedsohighschool.Ifshewantedsomething,itwasuptohertomakeithappen.Kimberknewthat.She’dknownitwhenshe’dseenherdoctorandstartedtakingthepilltwo
daysago.She’dknownityesterdaywhensheleftamessageonLuc’scellphoneandindicatedthat
shewantedtotalktohim.
“Bytheway,whothehellisLuc?”herdadasked.
Kimber’sheadsnappedup.“Howdoyouknowabouthim?”
“Whenyouturnedoffyourphonelatelastnight,hecalledmetoaskifyou’reokay.Whydoeshecareandhowdoyouknowhim?”
“LucTraverson,thechef.”
“Theonewiththecookbooks?Howdidyoumeethim?”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“He’sDekeTrenton’scousin.”Shedidn’toffermoreinformation.Shedidn’tdare.
Herdadwouldfigureitoutanyway.
Hiseyesnarrowed.“Youdidn’ttellmehowyoumethim.”
“Dad,it’sreallynotimportant.”
“Bullshit.Thereasonyoudon’tturnoffyourphonewhenthesereportersarehoundingyouhas
somethingtodowiththisguy.Why?Youcouldn’thavemetLucwhileyouwereawayatschool.”
KimberpretendedraptinterestintheTV.Itwouldn’tbelongnow,andshewisheddesperatelythat
somethingfascinatingwouldflashonthescreenanddistractherdad.Abeercommercial,despitethebig-breastedblonde,wasn’tgoingtodoit.
230
“YoucouldonlyhavemethimthroughDeke.WhywouldyouseeDeke?Healwayshadahard-onfor
youandtreatedyoulikehellforit.Yearsago,Itoldhimifhetouchedyou,I’dcuthisballsoff.”
Whydidn’tthatsurpriseher?ShewishedthatwasthereasonDekehadrefusedtomakelovetoher…
butsheknewbetter.
“YouknowwhatsortofsexDekeisinto,right?”Kimberwinced.Hereitcomes…
“Ofcourseyouknow.BeforeyouwenttoJesse,you…talkedtoDekeaboutit?Ordidyoumorethan
talk?”
“Dad,I’mnotseventeenanymore.”
“Shit!”TheColonelsighed,rakingfingersthroughhissalt-and-pepperhair.Evenatforty-eight,hehadthelookofawarrior.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHeprowledthefamilyroomlikeacagedanimal.Dadwasamanofaction,
andallthistalkinghadtobegratingforhim.Kimbertriedtohidehersmile.
“Thisisn’tfunny,”hewarned.
Clearly,hewasnotamusedbytheknowledgethatshe’dseenDekeandpossiblypartakenina
ménage.“Ididn’timplyitwas.”Jesse’sfaceflashedacrosstheTVscreenaspartofamontagepreviewingapopularentertainmentshow.
Thenherface.
“Ohmygosh.”Kimberstaredattheimageofthemattheconcert,shortlyafterJesse’sengagement
announcement.Shegrabbedtheremoteandturnedupthevolume.Whatthehellwasgoingonnow?
231
Then,itgotworse.Thescreenflashedthefaceofanotherwoman.Young.
Artificialblondehair.Artificialtears.Somethingaboutherfacewasfamiliar…Thegirlwas
claimingtobeJesse’slongtimeloverandpregnantbyhim.
Suddenly,Kimberplacedher.
“She’slying,”Kimbermurmured.“JessemetherthenightIleft.Ifoundhimandoneofhisband
membershavingsexwithher.Hedidn’tevenknowhername.”
“Hehadsexwithherafterannouncingtotheworldheintendedtomarryyou?”Herdadallbut
growledthewords.
Shenodded,hopingtoheartheannouncer’snextwords.
“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”
“Whybother?”sheasked.“Youcan’tfixitforme.Ihavetodothat.”ShaylaBlackDecadentThe
Coloneljustsighed.
TheannouncervoicedoveraseriesofpicturesofJesse,thencutagaintotheartificialblonde.“JesseMcCallisthefatherofmyunbornbaby,”shecried.“TheannouncementofhisengagementtoKimber
Edgingtonwasashocktome…”Moretears.Kimber’sstomachlurched.Thencameavideo,grainy,
jumpy,abitdark,ofJesseandthegirl.Despitethepixilatedblurofvariouspartsoftheirbodies,itwasclearthattheywerenaked.KimberknewitwasJessebecausethebedroomhadbeenhisatthe
Houstonhotelsuiteandhehadthatexactbirthmarkonhisshoulder.Apparently,Ryan,whoenjoyed
homemovies,hadshotthisfootage.Inthevideo,thegirllayonthebed,onherback,legsspread.
Jesse,withhisbacktothecamera,climbedbetweenthem.
Kimberquicklyrealizedthatmusthavehappeneddirectlyaftershe’dcaughthimwiththeothertwo
andleft.Sheshookherhead.
232
Cutbacktotheartificialblonde.“Hisproposaltothisotherwomanisbothunexpectedand
heartbreaking.Mybabyneedsafather…”Couldthisgetanyworse?
TheshowcutagaintoaclipofJesseonalate-nighttalkshowhost’ssofa.TheTV
personalitysenthimawryglance.
“Sotellusaboutyourfiancée.Andifsheknowsanythingaboutyourpregnantgirlfriend.”
“Thatgirlinthevideoisnotmygirlfriend.Whenyou’reacelebrity,peoplemakeclaims”—Jesse
wavedawaytherestofthehost’squestion—“Rightnow,I’mfocusedandeagertobeafulltime
fiancétoKimber.”ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberflinched.Damnit,she’dmadeitclearthatshe
wasn’tgoingtomarryhim.
Whydidn’thegetit?
Jessejustwenton.“Youknowhowitiswhenyoumeettheultimatewomanforyou,man.That’sit.”
Thetalkshowhost,who’dbeenhappilymarriedformanyyears,nodded.“Whatdoyousayaboutthe
rumorsthatyourfiancéeleftthetourthenightyouproposed?”
“Shelefttospendtimewithherfamilybeforethewedding.Thepresshasblownitoutofproportion.
Therestisjustamisunderstanding.”Jesse’smouthwobbledsoslightly,probablynoonenoticedbuther.
“Idon’tcallsleepingwithanotherwomanamisunderstanding,”herdadsnarled,lookingreadyto
lungeattheTV.
233
Rakinghishandthroughhissignatureshaggyhair,Jesserecoveredhissmile.
“She’llbeback.Areyouwatching,honey?Imissyou.”Thenhebrokeintoafewbarsofsong,
somethinghe’dwrittenhimself,sheguessed,withasappymelodyandlyricsaboutneedingher.It
endedwithapleatocomeback.
Sheflinchedagain.
Theentertainmentshowcuttothe“pregnantgirlfriend”again,holdingyetanotherpressconference,nowsurprisinglydryeyed.
“JesseMcCallisnotthefatherofmybaby.I’magreatadmirerofhis,butIhavenevermethim.I
deeplyregretifmydesiretogethisattentioncausedanyharm.”What?“She’slyingagain.ShedidmeetJesse.That’sthemonthevideo.”ShaylaBlackDecadentCal,Jesse’smanager,appearednext.
GrimwouldhavebeenapleasantdescriptionofhisexpressionwhenaskedtocommentaboutJesse’sappearanceonthetalkshow.
IthitKimberthenthatifCallhadtriedtopayherofftomakehergoaway,he’dlikelydonethesamethingtothisgirl,who’dapparentlytriedtoblackmailhimwithRyan’shomevideofootage.
OnTV,Callclearedhisthroat.“JesseMcCall’sprivatelifeisprivate.Rightnow,we’refocusedontheupcomingalbumandhiscurrenttour—”
“DidMs.Edgingtonleavehim?Didsheendtheengagement?”
“Nocomment.We’readdingasecondshowinAtlanta.TicketswillgoonsalethisSaturday.These
arethekindsofthingsfansshouldbefocusedon.”234
“Jesseindicatedaweddingthisfall.Willthatstillhappen?”
“Nothinghasbeendecidedyetexceptthatthenewalbumwillbeoutthenandhe’llbeinfullsupportofit,”Callsnapped.
Oh,hewaspissed.AnythingthatfocusedmediaattentionawayfromJesse’smusicandtoomuchon
hispersonallifewouldnotpleaseCal.
Thentheannouncerreturned,askinginthemostluridvoicepossiblewhatthetruthwasandasking
viewerstostaytunedwhiletheygottothebottomofit.
Kimbersatback.Howhadshemissedallthis?Becauseshe’dbeenbusymakingdecisionsand
startingherplans,notwatchingTVforthelasttwodays.
Sheshookherhead.Whatamess!God,sheneededsomefreshair.Andforallofthistodiedown.
ShaylaBlackDecadentFlippingtheTVoff,Kimbergotupoffthesofa,grabbedherphone,and
headedtowardherdad’soffice.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
“I’mputtingastoptothiscrapwithJesse.”
Shemarcheddownthehallandploppedherselfinherdad’sofficechair,bootedupthecomputer,andwaited.Atthelog-inprompt,shetypedthepassword.Atthedesktop,sheopenedawebbrowserand
signedintoheremailaccount.
Thenshebegantyping.Afewminutesandafewquizzicalstaresfromherdadlater,sheasked,“Whatdoyouthinkofthis:
“Mr.McCallandIhavechosentoendourengagement,aswe’rebothfocusedonour235
respectivecareersandothermatters.I’mstillagreatfanandagreatfriend,andIwishhimallthebestinfutureendeavors.Atthistime,I’maskingforprivacywhileIpursuethisnextphaseofmylife.”
“Thatsoundsgood,”herfatherpraised.“Whoareyousendingitto?”Kimberhesitated.Good
question.WhatwasthefastestwayforthisnewstobothreachDekeandLuc,whilegivingthereportersenoughsothey’deventuallygoaway?
Suddenly,shesmiled.“Theworld.”
Ittooknearlyanhour,butshedrudgedupe-mailstoeverymajornewsoutletshecouldthinkof.ThenpressedSend.
#
ShaylaBlackDecadentTwohourslater,Kimbersatoutonthebackpatio,enjoyingthesunset,
despitethesummerheat,whenherphonerangfortheumpteenthtime,finallydisplayingthenameandnumbershe’dbeenhopingtosee.
“Luc?”
“Sweetheart,isthatreallyyourstatementonthenews,theoneabouttheengagementbeingover?”
Sohehadseenit.Andhesoundeddamnhopeful,too.Shesmiled.“Yeah.”Thequestionwas,hadDekeseenit?
“Whendidyoudecidetobreakitoff?”
Shesenthimanironiclaugh.“Thenightheannouncedtotheworldweweregettingmarriedwithout
askingmefirst.”
236
“Heneveraskedyou?”
“We’dtalkedaboutitinthepast,soheassumed…Icalledyouyesterdaytotellyoumyplans.”
“IhatethatImissedyourcall.Ihadtotakeaquicktrip.”Atthementionofhistrip,hesounded…
distracted.No,upset.Hmm,something.
“Everythingallright?”
“Yes,”Lucfinallysaidafterhesitating.“JustsomethinginLouisiana…I—It’snobig…It’snot
important.What’smoreimportantisyoubreakingtheengagement.
Tellme,didyoucallmebecauseyouwanttocomebackhere,tobewithus?”Kimberbitherlipand
steeledherselftoheartheworst.Lucwouldwelcomeher,butDeke…
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Yeah.Iwashopingtotellyoufirst.”Herstomachjumped,coiledintounrelentingknots.Sittinghereworryingwasn’tgoingtosolveanything.“Andthatyou’dtellDekeandgethisreaction.”
“DekeheardthenewsaboutyourengagementwhenIdid.”Luchesitatedagain,thistimeforlonger.
“Hewasfurious.Hethoughtyou’dsaidyestoJesse.Sleptwithhim.Wereinlovewithhim.”Ifhe
wasfurious,thatmeanthestillcared,right?“Whatdoyouthinkhisreactionwillbewhenhefindsoutnoneofthatistrue?”
“Noneofit?Youweren’tinlovewithJesse?”
“IthoughtIwas,beforeyoutwo.IrealizenowitwaseverybittheschoolgirlcrushthatDekeaccusedmeofhaving.”
237
“Youdidn’thavesexwithJesse?”
“No.Norealinterestoneitherpart,tobehonest.Himbecausehewantedtokeepmea‘goodgirl’soIcouldsavehimfromhisdepravedlife,andmebecause…hewasn’tthemanonmymind.Ididn’t
wanthim.”
“Oh,sweetheart.”Luc’shappinessvibratedacrossthephone.“Youdon’tknowwhatareliefthatis.
WhatareliefthatwillbetoDeke.”
“Doyouthinkso?”
“Yes.Notthathe’lladmitit.”KimberheardtheironyinLuc’svoice.
“Doyouthinkhe’llwelcomemeback?”Kimberstoodandpacedacrossthefrontporch.Shecouldn’t
justsitandwaitforthisanswer.Toomuchofherfuturewasridingonit.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Hewon’tbeabletosayno.Ithinkhe’sregrettedforcingyououtthedoorathousandtimes”—Luc
paused—“He’safraid.”
“Thathe’llbeemotionallyvulnerabletome?”Kimberheldherbreath,waitingforananswer.She
didn’twantDeketofeelthreatened.Butuntilshefiguredoutexactlywhatwasstoppinghimfrom
exploringtheirrelationship,shewasgoingtohavetogoontheoffense.
“That’spartofit.”Lucsighed.“Look,Deke’sshuttingofftheshowernow,soIcan’ttalklong.Butheknowsthatifyoucomeback,he’sgoingtowanttomakelovetoyou—ineveryway.”
“Ihopeso.”
“Yes,butit’scomplicated.Dekeisn’tgoingtobewholeuntilhetellsyouhisstory.
Ithastocomefromhim.”
238
“Iunderstand.”Kimberhatedit,butshewouldrespectit.
“Willyoubebackwithustomorrow?”Luc’svoicetoldherthathewantedhertherethatquickly.
AsshesatunderthesettingTexassun,itwasstunningtothinkthatshortlyafterthesunrose
tomorrow,shecouldbebackwithDekeandLuc,intheirarmsandintheirlives…ifDekewould
haveher.
“I’dlovethat.Ihopethat—”
Kimberneverfinishedthesentence.Amassiveexplosionboomedlikethunderdirectlybehindher.
Theforceofitthrewherdownontotheplanksoftheoldwraparoundporch,scrapingherpalmsand
knees.Thephoneskitteredoutofherhand.Heat,asstrongasathousandsuns,lashedherback.Thegroundshookbeneathher.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShewhirledaroundintimetoseethehouseburstintoafireball.
“Dad!”
239
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER12
Justundertwohourslater,Kimberpacedthecoldhospitalwaitingroom,chewingonaragged
fingernail.God,herinsidesjumpedandshiveredsobadly,shewasabouttocomeoutofherskin.Sheshotanotherworriedglancetowardtheoperatingroom,wherethey’dtakenherdad.
Noonehademergedyettotellherwhetherherfatherwasgoingtoliveor…No,shewouldn’tthink
that.Deepbreath.Hangtough.Pray.
Goodadvice,butshekeptrelivingthatterriblemoment.Oneminuteshe’dbeensittingontheporch
talkingtoLuc,thenext,herfather’shousehadexplodedwithhiminside.Thefirehadbeen
everywhere,sherealizedinretrospect.Thatfacthadn’treallyoccurredtoherwhenshe’druninandfoundhimunconscious,abouttobeconsumedbyencroachingflames.Uponfindingthedoorknobtoo
hotto240
handle,she’dsavedtimebysimplyknockinghischairthroughtheglassdoortothebackyardand
dragginghimout.
Thefiremenwho’drespondedtotheemergencyhadtoldherthatherdadwouldneverhavesurvived
ifshehadn’tthoughtfastandsavedhimfromthegrowinginferno.Buthewasinjuredprettybadly.
Whatifshehadn’tdoneenoughtosavehim?
Kimberglancedatalongrowofemptychairsinthewaitingroomperchedonbrownish
indoor/outdoorcarpetandsurroundedbydustysilkplants.No,shecouldn’tsit,couldn’tstopmoving.
Couldn’tstopworrying.
Damn,whathadcausedthatexplosion?
Behindher,theautomaticdoorswhooshedopen.Absently,sheturned.
ShaylaBlackDecadentLucchargedin.Lookingharriedandworried,hescannedtheroomandsighed
withreliefwhenhisfranticgazelandedonher.Crushinglygladtoseehim,tearsstunghereyesashedartedtowardher,thenenvelopedherinwarm,strongarms.
Withherchintuckedagainsthisshoulder,sheinhaled,breathingincomfort,feelingablessedmomentofjoy.Thensheopenedhereyes.
Deke!
HestoodbehindLuc,blueeyessodarkwithconcern,theirexpressiondamnnearresembledpanic.
Hisstaredelvedintoher,needingreassurancethatshewasaliveyetofferingsupportallatonce.Herstarecollidedwithhis,andKimberfelttheimpactreverberateinsideher,tighteningaroundher
stomachandsqueezinguntilshecouldhardlybreathe.
He’dcome.He’dputeverythingbetweenthemasideandcometoher.Tearsspilledover,ontosooty
cheeks.Watchingher,Dekegrimacedasthetearsfell,asif241
seeingherupsetwasphysicallypainful.Shereachedoutahandtohim.Hegrabbeditinafiercegrip,thenheusedittopullheroutofLuc’sembraceandintohis.
Shecrashedagainsthisiron-solidchest,andhehookedastrongarmaroundherwaist.Theystood
close,bodytobody.Thecomfortingbeatsofhisheartmeltedher,andshethrewherarmsaroundhim,untilnoteventhetiniestbitofaircamebetweenthem.Hissolidstrengthenvelopedher,justlikehisscent,earthandrainandallmale.
“Kitten,”hemutteredintoherhairinaconcern-roughvoicethatraspedacrosshersenses.
Liftingherchin,Luccaughthergazeanddivertedherattentionfromhiscousin
“Areyouokay?”
Dekesteppedbackandwatchedherfacewithundividedattention.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShenodded.“I’mfine.Mydad—”
Kimbercouldn’tfinishthesentencewithoutfallingapart.Afreshbatchoftearssplashedontoher
cheeks,scaldingandpainful.Asobwrenchedupfromhergut.
Shetriedtobestrong.Triedhard.Buttherealityofthissituationmadeherdissolveintotears.Dekeenvelopedheragainstthewarmbreadthofhischestagain.Lucstrokedherhairandwhispered
assurances.
“Shh.”Bothmensoothedher,andshedidn’tknowexactlywhospoke.Butitdidn’tmatter.Withthem
here,shefinallybegantobelievethingsmightbeallright.
“I’msogladyoucame.Thankyou.”
“Wewouldn’tbeanywhereelse,”Lucmurmured,thenkissedthetopofherhead
Dekedraggedhertoachairandsatheronhislap.Lucsatbesidehim.Theyboth242
lookedatherwithsuchtenderness.Joylightenedherburdenforamoment,andherhearttwistedwithsomethingbittersweet.Moretearstrackeddownherface,andLucwipedthemawaywithhisthumb.
Deke’sarmstightenedaroundher.
“Whathappened?”heprompted.
Theinterrogation.Sheknewhowthesemilitarymenoperated.Theywantedanswers,neededto
assessthesituation.Thenthey’dactaccordingly.Shewouldn’tgetanymoreemotionalresponsesoutofhimuntilheknewwhathewasdealingwithandifeveryonewassafe.Shehadtogetherhead
togetherandanswerhim.
Kimberdrewinashakybreath.“Idon’tknow.A-anexplosionofsomesort…”Shehedged,butshe
wantedanswers,damnit!Whathadhappened?Andwherethehellwerethedoctorswiththenews
aboutherfather’scondition?
ShaylaBlackDecadentWithasoftpalmrubbingupanddownherback,Dekesoothedher.“AfterLuc
heardtheexplosiononthephoneandyoudidn’tansweranymore,wehauledasstoyourdad’shouse.
Oneofthefirefightersonthescenewasanoldarmybuddyofmine.Hesaidyouwentintothehouse
andgotyourdadout?”Shenodded.
“OhmyGod,”Lucmuttered.“Theplacehadtohavebeenengulfedinflames.”
“Ihadtodoit.”
“Iknow.”Deke’sgravelvoicesoftened,caressedher.“We’rejustgladyoumadeitoutinonepiece.
How’syourdad?”
“He-he’sinsurgery.Theyhaven’tsaidanythingyet.Idon’tknow…”
“Whendidyoulasteat?”Lucasked.
243
Whocouldrecall?God,thethoughtoffoodrevoltedher.
“I’mnothungry.”
Lucfrowned.“Soda?Coffee?”
Kimberjustshookherhead.Notnow.Shecouldn’ttakeanythingonhertumbling,topsy-turvy
stomach.
Dekegrabbedherfaceinhishands,snaggingherattentionagain.“Whereareyourbrothers?”
Frowning,sheswallowed.Damn,herthroathurt.Inhalingsmokehadturnedherinsidesraw,like
she’dbeendrinkingturpentine.Herlungsached,butherpainwasminorcomparedtowhatherdad
wassuffering.Thedoctorshadalreadytreatedandreleasedher.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Idon’tknow.IthinkHunterisoutofthecountryonsomeassignment.Logan…
Hecalledtoaskquestionsaboutmyengagementafewdaysago,butneversaidwherehewas.”
Armstensing,Deke’sgriparoundhertightened.“HaveyoucalledLogansincetheexplosion?”
No.She’dthoughtaboutit.Butherfather’slifehaddependedoneverytickoftheclock.Thenonceshe’dgottenhimtosafety,thefiredepartmentarrived.Thenthepolice.Questions—lotsofthem—astheystabilizedherdadfortheambulanceride.
She’dgonealong,holdinghishand,hopingheknewthat,eventhoughtheyweren’tgeographically
close,hewasstillherparent,heronlyparent,andshelovedhimdearly.Thenatthehospital,formsandquestions,thenthewaitingbegan,tensemomentsofbrittlefearsplinteringhercomposure…
244
“Kitten?”Dekeprompted.
“Idon’tknowwheremyphoneis.Destroyed,Iguess.Idon’tknow…”
“Okay.I’llcallLogan.Justrelaxforme.”Hekissedherforehead,thenstoodandsetherinLuc’slapasifshewasmorevaluablethanhundred-year-oldchina.
KimberwatchedasDekeflippedopenhisphoneandspunaway.Foralongmoment,Lucdidnothing
butholdher,andshebaskedinhiswarmthandcaring,evenasanxietytoreatherinsides.Howmuchlongerwouldthedoctorsbe?Sheneedednewsaboutherfathernow.Soonerthannow,orshe’dgo
insane.God,whatif…No.Shewouldn’tthinktheworst.Refusedtothinkit.
“We’resorelievedyou’reallright,”Lucmurmuredagainsthercheek,interruptingherinnerturmoil.
“Myheartstoppedwhenthatexplosionoccurred.Iknewyouhadtoberightinthemiddleofit.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Idon’tunderstand…Ihavenoideawhathappened.”Dekereturnedthenandsatinthechairbeside
themagain.
“Loganwillbehereinfifteenminutes.He’llalsogetintouchwithHunter.”Shebreathedasighofrelief.“Oh,good.ThankGod.Logananddadaresoclose…”Withgentlefingers,Lucwipedaway
newtearsshewasn’tevenawarehadfallen.
“Iknow,sweetheart.”
“Kimber.”Largehandsenvelopedhers,warmandstrong.Deke.
Sheblinked,stared,drinkinginthesightofhim,thesolidsafetyhebrought.
“Ineedyoutofocus,”hedemanded.“Thefiredepartmenttoldusthatexplosionwasnoaccident.It
wasn’tagasleakoranythingnatural.”245
Notnatural?“Whatareyousaying?Itwasdeliberate?”
“Verydeliberate.Itwasabomb.”
Kimber’sjawdropped.Athousandthoughtsscreamedthroughherhead,butshecouldn’tsettleonone
longenoughtospeakthewords.Abomb?Itmadenosense?
Who?Why?When?Whatdidtheassholewhosetitwant?
Youmeanbesideseveryoneinthehousetodie?anacerbicvoiceinherheadwhispered.
“Whenyoufirstvisitedourplace,youmentionedthatsomeonehadbeenafteryourdad,”Deke
prompted.
Stunnedmute,shenodded.
“Knowwhy?”
ShaylaBlackDecadentShefrowned,tryingtorecall.“Notexactly.Justthatsomepsychomydad
helpedthwartandputawaywasbitteraboutmissinghisdaughtergrowingup.”
“Hadhethreatenedyou?”
Hesitating,shepausedtothink.“Dadtoldmethatthiswackomentionedme.Dadthoughttheguy
wouldhurtmetohurthim.”
LucandDekeexchangedaglancefullofgravityandinstantagreement.
“OnceLogangetshere,”Dekebegan,“youhavetogowithus.”
“G-go?
“Awayfromhere.Someplacethistwistedassholewhoprobablyblewupyourdad’splacewon’t
suspect.Someplaceremoteandsafe.”246
Kimberheardhislogic,but…“Mydad.Heneedsmehere.Ican’tjustleave.”
“Loganwillstayhere,keepuspostedonhisprogress,butuntilweknowwhoandwhatwe’redealing
with—”
“He’smydad.Ihavetoknowifhe’sgoingtomakeit.Ihavetotalktothedoctors.
Ican’t…justleave.Loganhasallthesensitivityofadoorknob,andDadwillneedme.”
Deke’sfacetwistedintogrimlines.“Hemightwantyouhere,buthe’dwantyousafeandalivemore.
You’redistraughtandnotthinkingstraight.Thatmakesyoueasypreyifthissickbastardwantstokillyou.I’mnotlettingthathappen.”ShesaggedagainstLuc.Wasitpossibleshewasasmuchatargetofthiswacko’sterribleplotasherdad?Itmadesolittlesense.Inalltheyearsherfatherhadbeeninthisbusiness,they’dneverhadaseriousbrushwithavengefulcriminal.Lotsofthreats,afewminorincidents.Butnothinglikethis.
ShaylaBlackDecadentButasDadfrequentlysaid,therewasalwaysafirst.
Ifherfather,whoknewhowtoprotecthimselfandothersagainstnutjobsandstalkers,wasonan
operatingroomtablefightingtosurvive,didshestandachanceifthisguycameafterher?No,butcouldshejustleaveherdadinwhatmightbethelastmomentsofhislife?
“But—”
“Nobuts.”Dekelookedasifhe’dreachedtheendofhispatience.Hethrusthisfingersintoherhairandusedhisleveragetomakehermeethisstare.“I’mtakingyouawayfromhere.Period.It’snotafuckingnegotiation.Youwon’targue,wheedle,orsweettalkyourwayoutofthis.”
Rebellionroseupinsideherhotandeager,jumpytogetawordin.Logictampeditdown.The
explosionhadbeenabomb.Someonehadbeenthreateningher247
father.Ifthispsychoplantedthebomb,hewassophisticatedandhe’ddoneitwhenpeoplewere
home.Whichmeanthewaslikelywatchingthehouse.Andhe’dknownshewasthere.
Hell,he’dprobablyconsiderkillingherabonus.Ormaybeitwashisgoal.Andherdadwouldnever
wanthertoputherselfindanger.
Kimbersighed,longandragged.“Okay.”
Lucwrappedhisarmsaroundherandlaidhischeekagainstherback.Deketensed,fingerspullingatherhair,thenhecursedandlaidaharsh,possessivekissonhermouth.
Atthatmoment,thehospital’sdoubledoorsopened.KimbersawLoganprowlinside,scantheroom.
Whenhespottedthem,hestopped.ShebrokeawayfromDeke’sembraceandjumpedupfromLuc’s
lap.ButLoganhadseen.Furydidn’tcomeclosetodescribingtheexpressionthatflashedinhiseyes.
ShaylaBlackDecadentSwallowing,heapproachedherandgrabbedherarm,draggingherawayfrom
DekeandLuc.“AnywordaboutDad?”Everywordwastightandclipped.Damn.Hewasrestraining
himselfandhiswildtemper.Big-time.Buthewouldn’tforlong.
Kimberrefusedtoflinch.Shewasn’tachild,andhewouldn’ttreatherlikeoneanymore.“Nothing.
We’restillwaiting.”
“Howlonghashebeeninsurgery?”
Sheshrugged.Timehadbeenmeaninglesssincetheexplosion.“Overanhour,Iguess.”
“Deketellsmeabombexplodedatthehouse?”
“Accordingtothefiredepartment,yes.”
“AndyoupulledDadout?”
248
Woulditpleasehimorpisshimoff?Thisanswercouldgoeitherway,andLoganwasunpredictable
atbest.
“Idid.”Herstarechallengedhimtogivehercrapaboutit.
“Brave.Stupid,”Loganpointedoutashedraggedherintoabrotherlyembrace,
“butdamnbrave.Goodgoing,littlesister.”
“Ihadto.Youwouldhavedonethesame.”
Loganknewhecouldn’targuethatpoint,sohedidn’ttry.
“Hasadoctorlookedatyouyet?”
“I’mfine.Ihadtwostitchesinmyarmandthreeinmyleg.Justscratches…”
“I’mgladyouweren’tseriouslyhurt.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentHeglancedatDekeandLucsittingafewfeetawayandnodded.Controlled.
Restrained.Deceptive.Logancouldbeabadsonofabitchwhenhewanted.
“So,”hewenton.“Necessitiesaside…Whatthefuckareyoudoingwiththesetwo?”
AsLogan’stoneexplodedwithanger,Dekeroseandcametostandbehindher.
Kimberfelthisbigbodyenvelopherbackandgiveoffheat.Withaglanceoverhershoulder,she
sawhimmeetherbrother’senragedgaze.Insilentreply,Dekewrappedanarmaroundherwaist.
Hell,hemightaswellhavebrandedherashislikeacalf.Logan’seyesflaredagain.
Apairofnursespassedinthenearbyhall,obviouslyinthemidstofashiftchange,andpausedto
stareatthetableautakingplace.
Great.Anaudience.Beforethingscoulderupt,sheheldupherhandstowardoff249
Logan.“Thisisn’tthetimeorplacetodothis.”
“Theyweren’tjustcomfortingyou,littlesister.”HeglancedupatDeke.“Youwanttotellheraboutthewayyoufuckwomen,orshouldI?”Iftheyhadn’thadthenurses’undividedattentionbefore,theysurelyhaditnow.
Deketensedbehindher,andKimberknewsheneededtodiffusethesituationnow.
“Logan,keepyourdamnvoicedown.Iknow.”
Herbrotherlookedatherasifshe’dlosthermind.“Thenwhythehellareyoulettingthemtouch
you?”
“Goddamnit,”Dekesnarledbehindher.“Don’tyou—”
“Letmehandlethis.Please.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekehesitated,thenbackedoff—reluctantly.Kimbersighed.Shedidn’twant
todothisnow.Dad’sverysurvivalwasupintheair,andshewassodamntired.ButsheknewbetterthantothinkthatLoganwouldbeputoff.
“Iknowfromexperiencethewaytheyhavesex,”shesnappedinlowtones.“Notthatit’sanyofyourbusiness.I’magrownwoman,andImakemyownchoices.Youcaneitherlivewiththatorshutup.
ButI’mnotgoingtohearanotherwordaboutthis.”
Loganlookedreadytodrophisjaw.“Youand…bothofthem?”Hisattitudewasgratingonherlast
nerve.“Don’tpretendyou’vebeenanangelyourwholelife.I’veheardplentyaboutyouoverthe
years,solet’sconsideritevenanddropit.”
Foralongmoment,hedidn’tspeak.Whatcouldhepossiblysay?She’dheard250
rumorsforyearsthathewasonehellofadom,particularlygiftedingivingthekissofthewhipandmakingawomanloveit.He’dbetternotsayadamnword.
Logan’sjawtensed.“Youwereengagedthreedamndaysagotosomeoneelse.”
“Now,I’mnot.”
Theansweragitatedhim,buthestoppedarguing.Instead,heshotLuc,thenDeke,avenom-filled
glare.“Ifyouhurtmysister,IswearI’llpeelthefleshoffyourfuckingbonesslowlyandletyoubleedtodeath.”
“Wehavenointentionofhurtingyoursister,”Lucsoothedasheroseandpulledherfrombetween
LoganandDeke,wrappingherinaprotectiveembrace.“Ever.”
“Andeveryminuteyoustandhereyakkingoffyourjawsisanotherminuteshe’sindanger,”Deke
snarled.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Whatthehelldoesthatmean?”Logandemanded.
“There’sabigchancetheassholewhoblewuptheColonel’shouseistryingtohurtyoursister.
We’retakingheraway,gettingherunderwraps.”Loganlookedreadytoprotest.Dekedidn’tlethim.
“YouknowIcanprotecther.
It’smygoddamnjob.”
Herbrothertookadeepbreath,thenregardedherwithaflatexpression.“Isthatyourchoice?”
“CanyoustaywithDadandtakecareofhim,keepmeposted,untilthisisover?”Helookedlikehe
wantedtosayno.Buthedidn’trunfromthetruth.“Yes.”
“Then,yes.Ishouldgowiththem.ThispsychoblewupDad’shouse.IthinkheknewIwasthere.
Giventhewayhe’sbeenthreatening,he’snotgoingtoquit,not251
untilhe’scaught.”
Afteralongmoment,Logangaveherajerkynod,thenturnedtoDeke.“You’llkeepmeapprised?”
“Yes.”
“MissEdgington?”
ThesoundofhernamefromacrosstheroomstartledKimber.Shewhirledaround.Ayoungishdoctor
stoodthere,shouldersheavy.Helookedexhausted.HerbellyknottedandflippedOhGod,ohGod,ohGod.
Sheracedacrosstheroom.Thetestosteronepossefollowed.
“Myfather…Ishegoingtomakeit?”
ShaylaBlackDecadentThedoctorlookedatLuc,Deke,andLogan,thenagainather,silentlyasking
ifhecouldspeakfreelyinfrontofthemen.
“Yes,”shesaidimpatiently.“Mybrotherandmy…boyfriends.”Frankly,shedidn’tcarewhatthe
doctor
thought.“Tellus.”
Thedoctorwasmomentarilystartled,butquicklysmoothedhisexpression.“He’ssufferedalotof
headtrauma.Westemmedsomeinternalbleeding.Wehopethatwastheextentoftheinternaldamage.
He’sstrong,andthat’stheonlyreasonhecamethroughsuchasurgery.Hehasn’tgoneintoshockorslippedintoacoma,sothosearegoodsigns.We’retryingtokeephimstable,butthenexttwenty-fourhourswillbecritical.We’llknowmorethen.”
#
252
“Deke!”
Startledoutofhismisery,hesteppedoutofthelittleboatatsundownthenextday,ontothedimlylitdock,andturnedtofindMorganColestanding,allfieryredhairandahugesmile.
Hemusteredupasmileassheneared,thenkissedhercheek.“Hiya,doll.”
“Goodtoseeyou.Jacktoldmeyouhavesomeonetoprotect?Afriend.”Kimberwaswaymorethan
that.RacingacrossahundredmilesofTexas,wonderingifshewasdeadoralive,hadslammedthat
factintohimlikeafastballtothestomach.
ForMorgan’sbenefit,heshrugged.“Somethinglikethat.Jackhere?”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Insideturningonthegeneratorsandsecurityequipment.”Shelaidacomfortinghandonhisarm.
“YouknowJack’scabinisoneofthesafestpossibleplaces,right?”Dekeagreedwithaslightnod.
“Yeah.Nooneintheirrightmindtravelsthisdeepintotheswampunlesstheyknowtheirway
around.”
“Orthegatorsswallowthemup,”Morganagreed,easingherarmsaroundhisneckandgivinghimher
sweetbrandofcomfortinagentlesqueeze.“It’llbefine.”Damnit,hehopedso.Dekedidn’twanttothinkaboutthealternative,didn’twanttorelivethepurecold-sweatterrorofwonderingifsomesickbastardhadendedKimber’slife.Sufferingthepainful,gapingholeinhischestatthethoughtshe
mightbegoneforever.
Thethoughtofputtinganametotheemotionsthosesymptomspointedtomadehimsweat.
253
“Hey,youpervert,”Jackcalled,steppingouttherusticcabin’sdoor.“Getyourhandsoffmywife.
You’renotgettingtheopportunitytofuckheragain.”Behindhim,DekeheardLuchelpKimberupon
thedockatthatmoment.Andhecouldn’tmissKimber’slittleindrawnbreathofshock.
Shit!Dekeclosedhiseyes.Somethingcoldandsludgyanddreadfulwashedoverhim.Shame.Herecognizeditforthefirsttimeinyears.Inthatmoment,knowingthatKimbercouldseefirsthand
exactlywhathislifehadbecome…Suddenly,hehatedthechoiceshe’dmade.
“Jack!”Morganscoldedherhusbandandflushedtwentyshadesofangryred.
“Oh,hell.I’msorry.”Jackslappedhimontheshoulder,hisfacecontrite.“Ifeellikesuchanass.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Youare,”hegrowled.Whatelsecouldhedo?Jackhadn’tknownhissomeonetoprotectwasa
female.Hehadn’tknownKimberwaswithinearshotwhenhe’dopenedhismouth.Attheendofthe
day,noneofthisshitwasJack’sfault,Dekeacknowledged.Itwashisown.
JackreachedoutahandtoKimber,steadyingherasshesteppedontothelittlewoodendock.
“Welcome,miss.Iknowyou’regoingthroughatoughtime,butDekeisoneofthebestinthepersonalsecuritybusiness.Here,inthemiddleofnowhere,withhim…there’snowheresafer.”
Withareluctant,wide-eyednod,KimbershookJack’shand.Hereachedaroundtoherelbowtoguide
herupthelittleplatform,illuminatedinthehumid,hazyeveningbyasinglesixty-wattbulb.
“Thankyou,”shesaidfinally.
254
JackshookLuc’shandbriefly,thenhelpedKimberinside.Dekewatchedthelittlepartyheadindoorsandwonderedwhatthehellwouldhappennext.NowthathehadKimberawayfromthisbomb-buildingasshole,hehadtofacereality.One,hecaredaboutherfarmorethanheshould.Two,she’dapparentlybrokenoffherengagement,whichhishungrycocktoldhiseasilydupedbrainmadeher
fairgame.
Three,heandLucweregoingtobeconfinedtothisfour-roomcottagewithherfordays,perhaps
weeks.Four,hewantedKimbermorethanhehadeverwantedanythingoranyoneinhislife.
Thishasdisasterwrittenalloverit.
Wipingahandacrosshiswearyface,Dekereluctantlymovedtowardthecabin.Asofthandonhis
forearmheldhimback.Morgan.
Atonetime,Dekehadwonderedifhewasn’thalfinlovewiththevivacious,submissiveredhead,
eventhoughshewasstrictlyJack’sandthey’dbeenmarriedShaylaBlackDecadentnearlythree
months.Inthepast,anytimeheenteredaroomMorganoccupied,she’dgetariseoutofhim,andhe’dfeelthebiteofdesireinthirtysecondsorless.
Threeminutesago,watchingKimber,despiteherwarinessandshock,he’dforgottenMorganwas
eveninthesamestate.Again,itspokevolumes—andheabsolutelydidn’twanttoknowwhatthose
tomessaid.
“God,I’msosorryJackopenedhisbigmouth.Thatgirl,she’smorethanafriend.”Helookedaway
fromMorgan’ssearchingbluegaze.“Itdoesn’tmatter.”
“Thehellitdoesn’t.Doyoulovethisgirl?”
“Ican’t.”
“Youdon’twantto.Butdoyou?”
Dekecursed,refusingtoeventhinkoftheanswer.Damn,whydidMorganinsist255
ondredgingthisup?He’d
ratherstringhimselfupbytheballswithbarbedwire.
“You’returningslightlygreen,soI’lltakethatasayes,”shesaiddryly.“DoessheknowaboutyouandLucand…?”
“Yeah,sheknows.”Heswallowed.“AndI’vegottostopthinkingaboutKimber
It’sjustwrongformetowanther.”
“Ifyourecall,IthoughtthesameaboutJacknottoolongago.Asitturnedout,hewasexactlywhatIneeded.”
True,buthappyendingsweren’tgoingtohappenforhim.He’dbeenaroundtheblockenoughtoknow
thatfairytalescouldturntonightmaresintheblinkofaneye.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“I’mnotwhatsheneeds.”Farfromit.Hesighed.“Itmightbehours,orifI’mreallystrong,daysbeforeIcan’tresistanymore.Butthisbastardthreateningherhasputmeinacornertoo,andit’snotlikelyshe’llbeavirginmuchlonger.Oncethathappens…I’lldestroyher.”
SurprisefilteredacrossMorgan’ssweetlyfreckledface.“Oryoumightmakeeachotherwhole.If
yourheartisdrawingyoutoher,there’sareason.Maybeyoushouldjustseewhereitleads.”
#
Kimberwokeafterafewhoursofsleepinthecabin’slonebed,cuddledagainstLuc’ssolidwarmth.
Dekewasnowhereinsight.Lastnight,likethedaysshe’dstayedwiththeguysinEastTexas,he’d
sleptelsewhere.
Hewasn’tdetached;hewasscared.Something,feminineinstinctmaybe,toldher256
that.Hewasn’tavoidingherasmuchashewastryingtoholdhimselfatarm’sdistance.Shewished
tohellsheknewwhyandwhattodo.
Butnowthattheguyshadbroughtherouttothemiddleofnowhere,shehadlotsoftimetofigureitout,shesupposed.Assoonasshecouldfindsomepeaceofmind.Assoonasshehadsomenews
aboutherdad.
JackCole,thecabin’sowner,hadexplainedlastnightthatgettingacellphonesignalinthemiddleoftheswampwasnearlyimpossible,soshewaswelcometousethecabin’sphone.
RollingawayfromLuc,whogruntedinprotestinhissleep,Kimberroseandpaddedintothekitchen.
Predawnfiltereddingygraylightthroughthecabin’shugepicturewindows.Dekewasn’tonthe
couchhe’dinsistedsleepingonlastnight.Butshespiedhimoutonthepatio,lookingoutovertheswamp,coffeeinonehand.
Afrowndominatedthesharpanglesofhisface.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShesighed.Later.She’dhavetodealwithhim—herheartwasn’tgoingtoletherturnherbackontheproblem,butfirstthingsfirst.
Liftingthereceiver,shecalledLogan’scellphone.Heansweredonthefirstring.
“Kimber?”
“Hi,Logan.”
“Youokay?”
“Fine.How’sDad?”
“Stablesofar,thankGod.Hisinjurieswouldhavekilledalesserman,buthe’sprovenveryhardy
thesefirstcriticalhours.They’recautiouslyoptimistic.”Kimberletoutahugesighofrelief.“Oh,that’sfabulousnews.Wonderful.I257
worriedallnight.”
“Noneed.Dekecalledmeafewhoursagotocheckstatus.Hedidn’ttellyou?”
“I…”Shewasn’tabouttoadmittoherbrotherthatDekedideverythinghumanlypossibletoavoid
her.“Iwasasleep.”
“Soyou’rewhere?I’mgettingnodisplayonmycallerID.”
“SomewhereinLouisiana.Inthemiddleofaswamp.That’sallIknow.”
“DekesaidsomethingsimilarwhenItalkedtohim.Honey,Iknowit’snoneofmybusiness,andIhadnorighttotreatyoulikeateenager,butIhavetoknow…areyougoingtobeokaywiththetwoof
them?”
Whoknew?ItalldependedonhowbadlyDekebrokeherheart.Tearsstunghereyes,squeezingout
thecorners.Shewastiredandoverwroughtandachedsobadlyforamanwhorefusedtowanther
andwouldn’tsaywhy.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Fine.IfanythingchangeswithDad’scondition,callhere.”
“Ten-four.Likewise,callmeifyouneedanything.Anything.”Hisofferofcounselwasimplicit,butimpossible.Withamurmuredthanks,shehungupthephone.Evenhersighshook,shenotedwryly.
Thisweekhadbeenakiller…anditwasn’toveryet.
“Everythingokaybackhome?”
Luc.Kimberwhirledtofacehim.Helookedsexyandsleep-tousled,andherheartmeltedlike
chocolateinsunshinewhenshesawhim.Moretearsfilledhergrittyeyes.
“Fine,”shemanagedtogetoutbetweensniffles.
“Comebacktobed,sweetheart.Youneedmoresleep.”258
Maybe.Butshedidn’tthinkitwasthatsimple.“Wouldyoujustholdme?”Hisfacesoftened.
“Anytime.”
Tuckingherhandinhis,heledherbacktothedarkenedbedroom,easedherontothesoft,creamy
sheets,andcuddledheragainsthisbody.Thisclose,chesttochest,legstangled,shecouldn’tmisshiserection.
Shetensed.
“I’mnotgoingtotouchyou,”hepromised.“Notifyoudon’twanttobetouched.”Relaxingagainst
himagain,Kimbercouldn’tdenythatshewasoddlyrelieved.Itwasn’tLuc.Hewassexy,sweet.In
bed,compelling.Hehadthis…intensityshesawflashesof—sofarremovedfromtheniceguyhe
seemedtobeonthesurface.Therewerelayershere.Hiddenbutsoobvious.Lordknewhecould
makeherdissolve,ShaylaBlackDecadentsetheronfire,makeherfeelasifshe’dcrawloutofherskinforsatisfaction…rightbeforehedelivered.Butatthemoment,Kimberhadanothermanonher
mind.
“You’rethinkingtoohardandnotsleeping.”Hekissedhertemple.“Whatisit?”Shehesitated.
WouldtalkingtoomuchaboutDekeandherconfusionhurtLuc’sfeelings?
“Okay,I’llfillintheblanks,”hesaidintohersilence.“Yourdadisgoingtobeokay,basedonyourphonecall.Right?”
“Ithinkso.It’sabigrelief.”
“Good.SothenextthingscrewedupinyourlifeisallthiscrapwithJesse.Butyoulefthim;hedidn’tleaveyou.Ifyouendedtheengagement,it’sbecauseyoudon’tlovehim.Itdoesn’tseemlikeyouhadahardtimegivingupJesseasapotentiallife259
partner.”
“Ididn’t.Hislife…Icouldn’tlivelikethat.Iquicklyrealizedthathedidn’tloveme;helovedtheideaofme.Mypurityandinnocencewassomehowsupposedtosavehimfromhisout-of-control,rock-starexistence.”
“Andyouknewbetter.Smartgirl.”Hekissedhermouthgently,almostinpraise.
“Sooncethepresslatchesontothenextbitofcelebritygossip,thereportershoundingyouwon’tbeanissueanymore.”
“Probablytrue.”
“You’renotupsetaboutLogan’sreactiontoDekeandIbeingwithyouatthehospital.Youtoldhim
thatyourpersonallifeisnoneofhisbusiness.You’retoosmarttotakeanyguilthemightgiveyou.”
“He’sfinewithitnow.Hemoreorlessapologizedthismorning.”ShaylaBlackDecadentLuc
noddedsagely,softfingersbrushingherhairawayfromherface.“Idoubtthestatusofyournursingexamswouldhaveyouneartears.”
“No,”sheadmitted,tryingtoholdbackevenmoretears.
“So,you’renottellingmethatyouloveDekebecauseyou’reafraiditwouldhurtmyfeelings.”
KimberbouncedashockedgazeuptoLuc’sindulgentsmile.Damn,themanwassmart.
“It’sfine.You’veknownhimlonger.Itstoodtoreasonthatyou’dfallforhimfirst.
Intime,Ithinkyou’llcometoloveme,too.Fornow,ItakeyourfeelingsforDekeasagoodsign.”
“It’sbad!”shecriedagainsthischest.“Myfeelingsdon’tmatter.Oncethe260
immediatecrisisoftheexplosionwasover,Dekewentbacktobusinessasusual.
Herefusestobeinthesameroomwithme,sowhatdoesitmatterifthemanhasmyheart?”
“Youknowhewantsyou.I’mprettydamnsurehelovesyou,too.”God,howshewishedthatwas
true.Butwishingwouldn’tmakeitreality,andshehadtocometogripswiththechasmhepurposelykeptbetweenthem.“Ithinkhecares.Buthe’snotgoingtoactonit.Something…somefear,itstandsinhisway.”Lucnodded.“Yes,butyoucanmakehimfaceitandgetoverit.”Hadhesuddenlyturnedstupid?“How?Idon’tknowwhatitis.”
“Youdon’thavetoknow,”hesoothed.“He’lltellyou.Gethimtomakelovetoyou,andbeforetoo
long,he’lltellyoueverything.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“ButIcan’tgethimtomakelovetome.”Moretearscame,andKimbershookherhead.Damn,she
hatedthiscrybabystuff.Itwasn’therstyle.Butshe’dneverhadsuchanemotionalweek.“Ilaidundertheman,nearlynaked,andoffered—
begged—himtomakelovetome.Andhedidn’t.Hiswillisstrongerthanhisdesire.”
Lucdroppedanothersoft,soothingkissonhermouth.“Nottrue.He’sjust…hungup.”
“Yeah,onmyvirginity!”Shesighedandwipedhottearsoffhercheeks.
“Maybe…ifheknewIdidn’thaveitanymore—Maybeifyoutookit…”Hegroaned.“Oh,you’re
killingme,sweetheart.Killingme.”Asiftoprovehispoint,Lucrolledhertoherbackandnudgedhishardcockagainsther.“Iwouldlovetobeyourfirstandbehonored…Youdon’tknowhowmuch.
ButIthinkDekeneedsthis.”
261
KimberopenedhermouthtoquestionLuc,butheplacedafingeroverherlipstosilenceher.“Again,hisstorytotell.”
“Thenwe’redoomed,”shesnapped.“Becausethatmanisnotgoingtogivein.”
“Hewill.Ithinkhe’sontheedgerightnow.”
Lucpausedandproppedhimselfuponhiselbowsandlookeddownatherwithasolemnexpression.
“TheminuteItoldDekewhathadhappened,hegrabbedhiscarkeysandranoutthedoor.IhadtorunafootracetomakeittohisHummerbeforehepeeledoutofthegarage.Theentiretriptoyourdad’splacehemadephonecalls,cursed,prayed.Hedroveahundredmilesanhour,atleast,andgripped
thesteeringwheelsotightly,Iwassurprisedhehadanybloodflowleftinhisfingers.Ithoughthewasgoingtocomeundonebeforewereachedyouandfoundoutyouweren’tseriouslyhurt.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentWhatdidthatmean?KimberlookedupatLuc,lashesfluttering,mindracing.
Inherbook,thatindicatedthathecared.
Morethancared.Buthowmuchmore?
“I’veneverseenhimlikethat,”headded.
LucwastryingtotellherthatDekelovedher.Why?Everythingseemedhopeless,sinceDekehimself
wouldnevertellherthat.
“Let’spretendforaminutethathe…”
“Lovesyou,”Lucsupplied,cuttingintoherhesitation.
“Okay.”
“Itseemsliketimeandpatienceistheonlywayoutofthisdilemma.”262
“Maybenot.”Lucshifted,rubbingherlowerlipwithhisthumb.“Ihaveanidea,butit’sagamble.Abigone,”headmitted.“Toagreetoit,you’dhavetotrustmecompletely.”
“Ido.Butwouldn’titjustbeeasierforyoutotellmehissecret,andIcouldpretendIdidn’tknow.”
“Youcouldn’tpretendyourwayaroundthis.Besides,thatwouldn’thelpDekedealwithit,andhe
needsto.”
Kimberwascuriousashell,butpointtaken.“Allright.IfItookyourgamble,I’dhavetotrustyou.
Whatelse?”
Asmallsmile.Anothersoftkiss.“You’dhavetobetotallycommitted.Andwillingtodealwiththe
consequencesifhedoesn’ttakethebait.”ShaylaBlackDecadentThegravityofLuc’swordsgrabbed
atKimber’sstomachandpulledhard.Hewasdeadlyserious.
Sheletlooseashakybreath.“Coulditbackfire?”Hisexpressionsaidthathedidn’twanttoadmitthetruth,buthewasn’tgoingtolie.“Yes.”
“Butyouthinkitwillconvincehimtoovercomehisfearofbeingwithme?”Foralongmoment,he
fellsilent.“Noguarantees,butIthinkit’sourbestchance.”Lucwasn’tpushing,butKimbercouldtellhewasdefinitelyhopingshe’dagreetohisgrandplan.“IfIdothis,what’sinitforyou?DekesaidonceyouwerehopingI’dstickaroundformarriageandbabies.”
“Guilty.”Hehadthegoodgracetoflashherasheepishsmile.“I’dlovethose263
things,andIthinkyou’dbeperfectinourlives.Butultimately,ifyoudisagree,IthinkyoucanatleasthelpmakeDekewhole.Besidesbeingmycousin,he’salsomybestfriend.”
Andhedidn’thavetosaythathelovedDekeasbothafamilymemberandafriend.Concernand
caringsoftenedhisdarkgaze.Kimberdidn’tneedtothinktwice.“Thenfillmeinonthedetails.Let’sgoforit.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER13
ThesummerafternoonbakedinsideJack’sswamphideaway.Deke’sshirtclungtohisskin.Itwas
humid,hot.Veryhot.Andnotjusttheweather.
Indeferencetotheheat—orjusttodrivehiminsane—Kimberdriftedaroundthekitchendressedina
littlewhiterobe,sothinitwasdamnnearsee-through.
Auburnhairstreameddownherbackinsoftwavesthatbeggedhisfingerstoteasethem.Theairof
no-nonsense,afraid-of-nothingchallengethatsheworelikecomfortableclothesturnedDekeon.Thatsamequalityinfusedhergazenow.Halfofhimrespectedthehelloutofherforit;theotherhalf
wantedtoshowherexactlywhysheshouldlosethebravadoandbeveryafraid.
Unfortunately,Kimberwasn’tjustunique,daring,orsmart.Shewasdownrightmouthwatering,too.
Herpeachesandcinnamonscentlingeredeverytimehegot264
nearher.Itmadehimhungry,hard.
Andhewasgettingdamnweak.Blowingoutashakybreath,hewalkedintotheattacheddento
escapeKimber’scome-hitherstareandthetemptationsherepresented.Itwasgoingtobealongfew
daysorweeksuntilJackandLogancouldgettothebottomoftheColonel’sbomb-settingfreak.And
untilthen,forherprotection,Dekeknewthathe,Kimber,andLucweren’tleavingthisplace.
Hersudden,sweetlaughcarriedacrosstheroomandsnaggedhisattentionagain,latchedontohis
cock.Resistingtheurgetowatchherwasimpossible.
Withacurse,Deketurnedback.ShetalkedtoLuc,who,shirtlessandsmiling,choppedsomething
Dekeassumedwouldbepartofdinnereventually.AndKimberwaslappinguphiseveryword,
flirting,hergazelickingatthebulgeofhisshoulders,thesolidslabsofhispecs.Inreturn,Lucnuzzledherneck,whisperedsomethinginherear.Kimbershiveredandcurledagainsthiscousin.
ShaylaBlackDecadentGoddamnit,hedidn’tneedthis!
Buthewaslying.Hedidneedthis—sex—her.Therealitywas,shedidn’tneedit.
Itwasuptohimtobethegrownupandexercisecontrol.Saveherfromherselfandwhatsheonlyhalfunderstood.
DeketurnedawayandflippedontheTV,determinedtodistracthimselfandtheerectionscreaming
forher.WhateverKimberandLucdid,theycoulddoalone.Itwasnobigdealtohim.Iftheywantedtomakegoogleeyesateachother,fine.
Bravewords.ButallthroughSeinfeld,Dekekeptglancingoverhisshoulder.LucandKimber
together…itwasn’tfine.Itwastwistinghisstomach,whippingupfury.
Thesameoldlieshe’dbeentellinghimselfweren’tworkinganymore.
Lucfinishedchoppingwhatevergreenstuffhe’dbeenmakingintoediblepiecesandsetitinabowl.
Hestoreditinthefridge,thenclosedthedoorwithaswayof265
hishipsandasalacioussmileforKimber.
Ifthatwasn’tenoughtomakeDekewanttobreaksomething,Lucdrewherintohisarms,hisfingers
makingtheirwaydownhernarrowbacktothesoftcurveofherhips.Thenhekissedher,asexy
lingeroflipsonherneck,aslowlayeringofhismouthoverhers.Kimbermelted,moldingagainst
him,archingherheadbackintohiswaitinghandandbaringmoreofhergracefulneck.Luctookfulladvantageofhertemptingskinunderhislipsandnibbledather.Shemoanedinhisarms.Deke’s
ballshurt.Hischesthurt.Evenhisfingershurt.Helookeddowntoseethathewaspractically
crushingtheremotecontrol.Inthefewminutessincethey’ddistractedhim,Seinfeldhadended,replacedbyFriends.Whenthehellhadthathappened?
Damnit,hecouldn’ttakethis.Withacurse,DekeflippedofftheTVandbouncedtohisfeet.He
openedhismouthtosay…what?
Notsay,do.
ShaylaBlackDecadentMarchacrossthefloor,dragKimberintohisarms,andcarryherofftothe
bedroom.Hismindspunwiththatfantasy.Dekewantedtogiveherpleasure,watchhertakeit.All
that…butevenmore.Hewanted,morethananything,togetdeepinsideher,takeapartofhershe’d
nevergiventoanyotherman,andstaythere.
Hewantedtoclaimher.
Atthatthought,allthebloodrushedoutofhisbrain,tohiscock.Damn,lusthithiminthechestwithsuchforce,healmostcouldn’tbreathe.Betweenonegaspedbreathandthenext,hisdickbecamehardenoughtobustconcrete,andhisresolveweakenoughtoallowX-ratedimagesofhimselfthrusting
intoKimber’stightbodytobombardhimwithoutmercy.
Bad,bad,bad!
266
Desirewasn’tawantanymore.Ithadgrowntoneed.Heneededtotouchher.
Neededtoknowthat,nomatterwhat,hewassomehowimprintedonher,thewayshewasonhim.
Whenhadthathappened?Why?
Torn,hestoodtherestaringatLucandKimbersharingtheintimacyofwetkissesinthekitchen,
hungry,gaping—goingoutofhisfuckingmind.ThenLucaddedfueltothefire,trailingahandfrom
herjaw,overhercollarbone,thendowninsidethatlittlewhiterobe.Withasmoothslideofskinonskin,Lucedgedthecottonasideandoffhershoulder,baringthesideofherbreasttoDeke’sgaze.
Andherhard,blushingnipple.
Whatlittlebloodhadbeeninhisbrainjettedsouthtojointherest,likeafloodrunningdowna
mountain.
Withavelvetyglideofhisthumb,Lucstrokedherplumpnipple,proddingit,soothingit.Shegasped,shiftingclosertohimsoherthighsbrushedhis.God,whatShaylaBlackDecadenthewouldn’tgivetobetherenexttoher,turninghertofacehim,delvingdownintohermouth,possessinghersweetpinktongueashetorethatnonexistentrobefromherbody.Hetookastepforward.
Neitheroneseemedtonotice.Instead,LucskatedhisfingertipsdownthesideofKimber’sbared
breast,thenanchoreditontoherhip.Hesenthisfreehandintoaction,sweepingtherobeoffherothershoulder.Completelybarebreasts.ApairoflushnipplesbeggingforattentionDekewasdyingto
give.Lucignoredthem.
Instead,hetuggedgentlyonthebeltstilltiedatherwaist.
Hedidn’tunknotit…justdraggedhercloser.Withagracefulsway,shecurledherbodyaroundLuc’s
andliftedherrosylipsforakiss.Eveninprofile,thedesiresofteningherfacepunchedhimlikeanuppercutinthegutfromaprizefighter.
SweatdrizzledbetweenDeke’specs,downhisback.
Damn,justlookingatthatwomandidhimin.Watchingherasarousaldawned267
acrossherfaceandflushedherbodywasimplodinghissanity.
Lucsteppedbackandsankintooneofthelittlechairsaroundthekitchentable,thenwrappedhis
handsaroundKimber’ships,engulfingthem.Damn,sometimesheforgotwhatalittlethingshewas.
Fragile.Breakable.Heshouldthinkofherasuntouchable.
Hedidn’t.
Overherbareshoulder,Kimbershothimacoquette’sgaze.
Zing!Thatoneglancetuggedonhiscockbeforeherlashesfluttered,driftedbackopen.Butitwasn’tjustsexshemadehimcrave.He’dbeenhornyplentyoftimesinhislife.Thiswasdifferent.Totallynew.Itscaredthehelloutofhim.
Theirgazesremainedfused,andtheelectricpowerofitkeptslamminghimandshimmyingthrough
hisbody.HefeltthejoltofherstareallthewaydowntohisShaylaBlackDecadentballs.The
sensationbouncedupagaintothemiddleofhischestandsqueezedwhenshebitherplumplowerlip,lookingshy,uncertain.Aroused.ThenLucpulledherontohislap,gaveheralong,lingeringkiss,andwhisperedagainsthermouth,makingDekeedgy,angry,needy.
Tohellwiththis!Hetookahandfulofstepscloser.Ashedid,LucturnedKimbertoperchonhisthighs,plasteringherbacktohischest,sotheybothfacedhimnow.
SoLucdidknowhe’dbeenwatchingthem?Thechallengeinhiscousin’sgazetodomorethanbea
spectatorwasadeadgiveaway.Kimber’sstareheldpureinvitation.
Dekestoppedshort.
Thiswasbad.Reallybad.They’dluredhimin,sethimup.Eventhoughheknewheshouldturnaway,
walkoutside,getthefuckout,theirgazesstillsethisballsonfire.Hedidn’tmoveamuscle.
ThespeedatwhichLucundidthelacylittlebeltcirclingKimber’sleanwaist268
couldonlybecalledprolongedtorture.Inabsolutelynohurry,heunknottedthetophalfofthebeltinaslowunwinding.HetrailedthesilkentieagainstKimber’sknee,edgingitupbeneaththehemoftherobeuntilshegaspedandhernipplespeaked.Herareolasweredarkandridgedandenticing.
“ShouldI?”Lucaskedhim,handspoisedonthelastfoldofthetieatherwaist.
Dekeswallowed.IfLucdidthat,Kimberwouldbenaked,completely.Herbodywouldbeexposed
tohisravenousgaze,availabletoLuc’sthoroughtouch.Noonespoke,breathed,moved…exceptone
ofLuc’sfingersincheddownbetweenKimber’slegstobrushoverwhathadtobethesensitivearea
justaboveherclit.
Dekeshothiscousinaquestioningglance.Whatthehellwashedoing?Whatwouldhedo?Lucmerelyansweredwithasmile,araisedbrow…whilethatdamnfingerworkedlittlecirclesright
aboveKimber’spussy.
ShaylaBlackDecadentSilencestretched,punctuatedbyKimber’soccasionaljaggedbreath.Slowly,
Lucwithdrewhisfingerandwrappedbothhandsaroundthetieagain.
ItwasimpossibletomissthelittlewetspotontheroberightwhereLuc’sfingerhadbeen.ThatlittledotofmoisturetoldhimhowcompletelywetKimberhadtobe.Thesightnearlybroughthimtohis
knees.
“ShouldI?”Luc’shandstightenedabitmoreonthebeltofKimber’srobe.
Dekeknewhewasgoingtohellforthis.“Yes.”
Withaglitteringsmileoftriumphandaneroticsweepofhishands,Lucbrushedthefabricawayfromherbodytohangoneithersideofhisthighs.AndKimberwastotally,stunninglynaked.
Dekewasbarelyabletodomorethangapeandfeeltheimpactofhernude269
beautyallthroughhistight-strungbodybeforeLucwrappedhishandsaroundherthighsandgently
pulled,spreadingherlegswide.KimberdrewinanotherraggedbreathasDeketookintheviewof
herpussy.
Juicy,swollen,ripe.Perfect.
ShelookedeveryinchawantongoddessasLucskimmedafingertipuptheinsideofherlegand
pausedtorubthesoft,muskyskinwhereherthighandtorsojoined.IfLucmovedhalfaninch,he’dbetouchingwetfleshandsoftreddishhairwithnothingbutwantonintentionsbetweenthem.
OhGod…
Luc’sotherhandmeandereditswayuptheflatofherbelly,up,up—slowly—
untilhecuppedonebreastandflickedthetautnippleoncemore.Dekeclenchedhisfistsandtriedtolookawayfromtheunfoldingscene.MaybeifheturnedawayShaylaBlackDecadenttheirin-his-facefondlingwouldend.Lordknew,ifhewatchedtoomuchmore,he’djoinin.
Oncehedid…
No,hecouldn’tthinkaboutthefacthe’dgetKimberflatonherback,makesureshewasseriously
wet,and—
“Lookather,”Lucinvited,hisvoicechallenging.Dekeswallowed.God,howcouldhedoanything
butstare
andachetohaveher?Howcouldhepossiblylookatanythingexceptthewomanhedesiredaboveall
else.Hewantedtoshuthiseyestoshutoutthethought,butrunningfromthetruthwasn’tworth
missinganinstantofher,soabandonedandsensual.Sofuckingbeautifulandbrave.Ifsheonlyknewthetruth,she’dbeterrified.
270
Tellher,thescaredpartofhimprompted.Shedeservestoknowwhyyoucan’tbewithherthisway.
“Areyoulooking?”Kimberteased,low,sultry.
Whyweretheytauntinghim,baitingthewildanimalinsidehim?Temptingfate?
“YouknowIam.”Heclearedhisthroat,butknewhe’dstillsoundlikehehadahundredrocksrattlingaroundinhislarynx.
Whycan’tyouhaveher?anotherpartofhimasked.Whathappenedinthepast,withHeather,wouldn’thappenagain,right?
Likelynot.NotfortheworldwouldDekehurtKimberintentionally.Butwhatifhewascautious?Lucwouldbehere,beresponsible—hell,he’dinsistonit…justincase.
ShaylaBlackDecadentNicerationalization.
“Feelher,”Lucinvited.
“Please,”Kimberbreathed,spreadingherthighsjustalittlewider.Sheglistened,wetandrosyandneedy.Dekewasinsuchagivingmood.Still,hecouldn’tjustpounceonher.Hehadadecisionto
makefirst:pushheraway…orcrashintoherlifepermanently.Thethoughtofhurtingher,fuckingupeverythinginherworld,torefearthroughhim.
Thesituationwaslikesittingonacaseoflivegrenades.Hehadtodosomething,andhedidn’thavemuchtimetodecide.Pushingherawayagainwithhatefulwords,tearingathertenderfeelingsand
spittingonthem—itwasn’tanoption.
Watchinghiswordscrushheroncebeforehaddamnnearkilledhim.
Claspinghertohimwithallthelustrushinginside,fueledbyallhiselectrically271
chargedfeelings—Dekewantednothingmore.Hefeltthatcombinationjackinguphissystem,like
rocketfuelwitha180proofchaser.Potent.Undeniable.Heshouldn’teventhinkaboutherandthe
sizzlingurgesheincited.Ifhetouchedher—atall—hisrestraintwouldn’tjustcrumble,itwould
combustintoamillionlittlepieces.
Buthischestliftedinharsh,arousedbreaths.HispalmsitchedwiththeurgetotakeLucuponhisinvitation,despiteknowingthatoncehetouchedher,he’dtakeher.Itwouldbeirrevocable.
“Ifyoudon’ttouchher,you’llmissout…”
Andtoremindhimofexactlywhathewasmissingouton,LucinchedthehandonKimber’sthigh
inward,tracinglazypatternsthroughherpussybeforeheslowlydippedinside.Dekewatchedher
hungrybodyswallowhisfinger,andhecouldn’tShaylaBlackDecadenthelpbutthinkthatfinger
plungingdeep,deeperintoherwetheatcouldbehisown.
Withamoan,sherestedthebackofherheadonLuc’sshoulderandarched.Dekewatchedhiscousin
penetrateherwithonefinger,slowlyfuckingher,beforeaddinganotherandresumingtheleisurely
rhythm.
Onhislap,Kimberwrithedandthrustdown.Lucansweredbyslidingthehandatherbreastsouthto
herhip,thentodelveintoherslickcurls.Heteasedthetangleofnervesbetweenthosepretty,spreadthighswithoutpause.Withoutmercy.
Lightpressure,afewswirlingcircleswiththoselong,sensitivefingers,andKimbergasped,
thrashed,flushed,mewled.DesireratchetedinsideDeke,coilingtight.Hefeltreadytolaunch,to
explode.
God,she’dbefabuloustofuck.Thethoughtofdirectingallthatenergytowardhis272
cock,towardsatisfaction,wassodamnerotic.Butitwasn’tjustaboutgettingoff.
Givingpleasuretothewomanheneededasmuchashisnextbreath,hellyes.Thatway,hecould
expressalltheforeignfeelingscoursingthroughhimwithoutaword…
Deketookanothersteptowardthem,edgingintothekitchen.
Kimber,onthevergeoforgasm,whimpered,gyratingherhipstowardLuc’scaress.Hekeptherthere
likeamaestro,expertlytakinghertotheprecipice,thenbackingawaywheneverherbodyrevvedandfluttered.Afterashortrespite,he’dreturntoinflameheranew.
Spellbound,hewatchedasLucusedhishandstobringherclose,thendenyher,oncemore…again
andagainandagain.Tenminuteslater,herwholebodywastense,flushed.Evenafterabriefrest,themereslideofafingerinsideherdepths,abrushofskinoverherclit,andKimberteeteredagain
betweenheavenandhell.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDamn,thiswaskillinghim.Dekeadjustedthehypersensitivelengthofhis
steel-hardcockinhisjeans.Eventhatlittletouchmadehimgroan.
Kimber’seyesflashedopen,dilated,hazeldominatedbygreen,pleading.“Deke,touchme…”
Herwordswereamachetetothegut.Heclosedhiseyes,tryingtoblockthesceneout,butherscent,cinnamonandfreshpeaches,allsugaryandripe,enticedhim.Herhitchingbreathsandthewayshe
calledhisnameandstared,asLucbroughthertotheedgeoncemore…almosttoomuchtotake.He
clenchedhisfistsandrealizedhewasshaking.Tremblinglikeafuckingteenageboy.
“Deke.”Lucagain,withthatdamntaunting,challengingvoice.
Slowly,heopenedhiseyes.HishotgazetraveledfromtherosypatchesstainingKimber’sfair-
skinnedcheeksandsplashingacrossherchest,downherrapidly273
risingandfallingchest.Hisvisualthrillridecontinuedoverhernarrowwaist,thesoftcurvesofherhips…thentotheslickfleshthatswelledandpoutedforattention.ThefleshLucpointedinhis
directionsohecouldn’tmissaneyeful.Thebastardhadplannedthis…butthatfactdidn’tmake
Kimberlesspotentoreasiertoresist.
“Luc,stop,”Dekegrowled.
Hiscousincontinuedonasifhehadn’theard.“Tasteher.”Shit!Deke’skneesnearlybuckledatthesuggestion.Allthatsweetneed,justforhim,hotonhistongue…Theknowledgethathecouldgiveherpleasure,thatwithafewhungrylicks,shewouldsurrenderalltohim,offertherichcreamofher
essencetohim,madehiscockthrob,hisballstighten.Hisheartswell.
Howthehelldidamanfightthat?
ShaylaBlackDecadentHe’dnearlylosthertwiceinthelastfewweeks,firsttoJesseMcCall,thentoapsycho-bomber.Theevidenceofthelatterstillshowedinscatteredstitchesandbruises.Ifhe
walkedawaynow,wouldheeverhaveanotherchanceorwouldthisseparationbeforever?Eventhe
possibilitywastoopainful.
“Please,tasteme,”shebeggedsoftly,easingLuc’sfingersawayandtrailingherownthroughher
glisteningcunt.Theshehelduponewetfingertohimlikeatemptingtreat.Beforehecouldbreathe,think,Deketookanotherstepcloser,felltohisknees.Hegrabbedherwristinhisfiercegripandbroughtthatfingertohismouth,suckingitlikeamanpossessed.
Hegroanedatthatcomplex,muskytastehehadn’tforgotten.Fresh,salty-sweet,delicate—evenaftertheflavorofhermuskwaslonggone,herskinlingeredonhistongue.Itwasso…her.Soperfect.
Dekegrippedherhips,eagertoslideherasstotheendofthechairanddiveinto274
herlikeadessertbuffet.
“No.”Luc’sfingersbrushedoverherclitagain,thencoveredhermound,denyingDekeafulltasteofKimber’scream.
Hegrittedhisteeth,watchingashiscousinpresseddownonherrhythmicallyuntilsheclawedthe
armsofthekitchenchairandwhimperedforthereleaseheagaindeniedher.
“Fuckher.”AnotherchallengefromLuc.
Theultimateone.
Deke’sheadsnappedup.Lucwasserious.Completely.Hegazedathiscousinforaheartbeat.Luc
wasn’tsayinganythingthatDekehadn’tbeenthinking—andwantingmorethanhislimitedcaveman
vocabularycouldexpressrightnow.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Please…Oh,please!”Kimberbrokeintohisthoughts,hervoicehighandtight.“Ineedyou.”
Blowingoutabreath,Dekestaredasshepleaded.Hismindraced.Hell,hewantedtogiveherwhat
sheneeded.Everythingsheneeded.Godknewhedid.
But…
“Now.”Lucclarified,demanded.
Dekegrabbedthechairindesperatefists.“Luc—”
“Fuckher,”Luccuthimoff.“OrIwill.”
Oh,shit.Shocklashedhim.Suckinginaharshbreath,Dekeshiftedhisglancebackto
Kimber.Hecouldn’tignorethewrithing,pleading,rosy-flushedwomanwatching275
himwithhungry,half-focusedeyes.“Shedidn’tsayyestothis.”
“Doyouthinkshewouldn’tinthisstate?Sheneedstocome.Imadesureofit.”
“Sheshouldbethinkingclearlybeforesheagreestosex.Rampingheruptowrenchayesoutofher
—”
“Kimbersaidyesbeforewecameintothekitchen.BeforeIlaidafingeronher
Shewantsustomakelovetoher.Theonlyquestionis,whowillbefirst?”Luchadbackedhimintoacorner,forchrissake.Why?Forthesakeofhispreciousfuckingpicketfencefantasy,nodoubt.
Damnhim!ButDekehadnoillusions.Ifhedidn’ttakeKimber,Lucwould.
“What’sitgoingtobe?”Hiscousindemanded.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“I’mthinking.”Buthowmuchwastheretoponder?IfKimberhadalreadysaidyes,andLucwould
fuckherifherefused,howcouldhesaynowhenhewantedtobeherfirstloverandclaimherso
badly?
“You’vegotthirtyseconds.”
“Donotbackmeinacorner,asshole.”
“Toolate.”
“Whythefuckareyoudoingthis?Whynotjustletthingsride?Letmegetheroffwithmymouth.Thatwouldeaseher.”
Lucscoffed.“Today.Butwhatabouttomorrow?Orthedayafter?She’safull-grownwomanwho
deservesarich,happysexlife.We’vediscussedit.She’sonthepillandshe’sready.Morethan
ready.God,she’sdrippingallovermyfingers.She276
caresaboutus.Webothadoreher.”
Dekefelthimselfsweating.“Whatyou’resuggesting…It’spermanent.”
“Whichisexactlywhatyouwant.WhatIwant.Don’tletfearholdusallback.”Dekesqueezedhis
eyesshutforamoment,butitdidn’tblockoutthetruth.“Youplannedthis,yousonofabitch,toforcemyhand.”
“Iwasbeginningtowonderifwe’dbeoldandgraybeforeyoufoundtheballstomakelovetoher.”
Lucglancedathiswatch.“SonowI’mgoingtofindout.Yourthirtysecondsisup.”
DekesaidnothingasLuc’sargumentschasedoneanotherinhishead.Kimberdiddeserveasexlife
thatincluded…well,sex.
Shewantedthis.Shewasn’tunderageormentallyunstable.Andhecaredabouther—morethanhe
wantedtoadmit.Ifshegotawayagain,herdeparturewouldShaylaBlackDecadentcrushhim.But
whatcouldhegiveherbesidesascarredpast,aparanoidpresent,andafuturemostpeoplewould
seeasdepraved?
Impatientnow,LucliftedKimberontotheoldroundsurfaceofthekitchentable,thenshuckedhis
jeans,kickingthemacrossthefloor.HesteppedbetweentheVofherspreadlegs,grippedherhips,andtookhiscockinhand.
“Whatthefuck?”HepushedatLuc,shovinghimawayfromKimber.“It’sherfirsttimeandyou’re
goingtobangheronakitchentable?”Lucshrugged.“Okay,I’lltakehertothebedandfuckher
there.”Dumbfounded,DekewatchedLucholdoutahandtoKimber.Shehesitated,liftingawide,
questioninggazeinhisowndirection.Wouldhebeherfirst?thatgazeaskedhim.Didhecareabouther?Didheneedtobeinsidehernow?Bethefirstmantosinkintoherandtakeapartofhernootherwouldeverhave?
277
Yes,yes,yes,andyes.
“Thehellyouwill,”Dekesnarled.ThenheliftedKimberfromthetable,upagainsthisbody.Her
legsautomaticallywrappedaroundhiswaistashismouthcrasheddownonhers,everysweepofhis
tonguedesperate.Hewantedtocrawlinsideherandstayashewrappedhisarmsaroundher,
supportingherwithahandunderherbareass.Thesweetjuiceofhercuntseepedontohiswristandthroughhisjeans.
Gooddamnthingshewaswet.Shewasgoingtoneedallthatlubrication.
Insidethedarkenedbedroom,Dekeshiftedasidethemosquitonettingandlaidheracrosstheantiquetester.Shelookedperfecthere.Beautifulandgleaming,likethebeditself,withlean,cleanlines.
“Yousure,kitten?”herasped,hisvoicethickintheair.
ShaylaBlackDecadentKimbernodded,writhed.“Yes.Please.Now.”
“Isthatyoutalkingorarousal?Lucjackedyouup—”
“Iwantedthis,wantedyou,beforehelaidahandonme.Please,”shewhispered,inchingaslowhandbetweenherlegstoteaseherclit—anddrivinghimclosertoinsanity.
Deke’skneesbuckledevenashiscockleaptinapproval,buthegrabbedherwristandpulledit
away.Hewantedtogiveherthisorgasm.Himandhisachingcock.Heswallowed.Fuckit.Hewasgoingtodoit.ForgeteverythingbutnowandmakelovetoKimber.Fuckher.Beherfirstlover.
Claimher.Hecouldn’tstopit,didn’twantto.
“Ipushedyouawaybefore,saidterriblethingsIdidn’tmean…”
“Iknow.Iforgiveyou.”
278
Thebreathwhooshedoutofhim.Howwonderfulwasshe,tounderstandhehadn’tmeantthatcrap?
Hedidn’tdeserveher,andhopedlikehellhedidn’tfuckupherlife.Buthecouldn’tfightwhattheyallwantedanymore.Andthatwasn’tjustherbody,butcloseness.Heneededtofeelasjoinedtoherastwopeoplecouldbe.
“Thankyou.”HeturnedtoLuc,hisheartfiringfasterthananM60.“Condom?”
“No.”Thesmall,femininewordpingedshockallaroundtheroom,allthroughhisbody.
“She’sonthepill,”Lucreminded.
Dekelookedbacktoher,stared,couldn’tresistplacingahungry,wetkissacrosshermouth,thumbingherstiffnipple.“Isthattrue?”Kimberarchedintohistouch.“IsawadoctorafterIleftJesse.Ihopedthiswouldhappen.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentTheinformationsankintohischurningbloodandmadeitsing.Safe.Shewassafe.Blessher!Herewardedherwithanibbletoherotherbreast.Shehissedinresponse.Notonlycouldhebedeepinsideher,buthecouldbebareanddeepinsideher.
Notsmart,anotherpartofhimshouted.Thepillwasn’ttotallyeffective…
“Givemeacondom,”hetoldLuc.“Justtobesure.”ThenhebrushedasofthandoverKimber’shair.
“Idon’twantanythingtohappentoyou.”
“Idon’twantanythingbetweenus.Please…”
Oh,hell.Stupid,crazy,impulsive.Butsomethingprimitiveinsidehimerupted,shoutedhellyeah,atthethoughtofbeinginsideherwithnothingbetweenthem.
HewantedtohaveKimberinawayhe’dneverhadanyotherwoman.Thepillwassaferthan
condoms,andheknewfromexperiencethatcondomsweren’tfoolproof.
279
Dekecouldn’tkeephiseyesoffofher.Thistime,though,hisgazelatchedontoherhealingstitchesandfadingbruises.Theyremindedhimthathecouldhavelostherbeforehe’deverclaimedher.Thatwouldhavebeenagoddamntravesty.Heneededher.Inthemostelementalwaypossible,hehadto
haveher.
“Kitten,”herasped.“IpromiseI’mclean.Ihaveregularphysicals.I’vealwaysbeencareful.I’vene
—never…”Heswallowed.“Besure.”
“Iam.”Smiling,shecaressedlightfingersdownthelengthofhisback.Heshiveredandsuckedinabreathatthesuddenrushofsensation.“ThenIcanbeyourfirstinaway,too.”
Likeshecouldbeclaiminghim.Needraisedanothernotch.Hedownshiftedhisbrainandturnedit
off.Everythinghedidwithhertonightwouldbepureinstinct…allheart.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Iwantthat.”Heshovedhisjeansdownhishipsandcrawledupontopofthebed,loweringhimself
besideher.
DivingintothesweetheavenofKimber’smouth,Dekelosthimselfinhertaste,uniqueandclean.Herkisswasstrong,demanding.Withoutwords,shetoldhimthatsheexpectedhimtogivehereverything,holdnothingback.
Foraslongashe’dwantedher,asmuchashecaredforher,couldheevenbegintowithholdasingle,scintillatingthinghewantedtodotoher?She’dalreadyprovenheartyenoughtomeethisneedswithothervarietiesofsex.They’dbeperfecttogether.
Asheclaspedthebackofherheadtobringherdeeperintothekiss,DekefeltLucclimbuponthe
bedandtakeuppositiononKimber’sotherside.
Hebrokethekiss,thenstaredatLuc.Openedhismouth,thensnappeditshut.
280
Howhadheforgottenabouthiscousin?He,whohadn’thadsexalonewithawomanintwelveyears?
Buthehadforgotten.NowhehadtofacethefactthatKimberwouldbenotjusthislover,butLuc’s.
Thethoughtstabbedhimwithimmediatedenial,completerejection.Dekeshovedtheinstinctaway,
forcinglogicintohislust-hazedbrain.HeneededLuchere.
HemightbewillingtoslideintoKimberwithoutalatexbarrierbetweenthem.
Oh,fuckit—hewasdyingtofeelherbarefleshgrippinghim.Buthewasn’twillingtoforegoall
precautions.Hecouldn’tbethelonemanresponsible…justincase.
Givingintothatfearmeantthathehadtoshare.Andnomatterhowmuchsomethinginsidehimrailed,hecouldn’tbetheonlymanshemadeloveto.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShovingthethoughtfromhismind,hewatchedasLuc’stongueswirled
aroundoneofKimber’sstiffnipples.Hetooktheother,laving,nipping—thrilledatherquick
response,theautomaticpartingofherthighs.
Dekeslidareverenthanddownthesoftskinofherabdomen,thencontinueddownintoherpussy.A
wethaven,drenched,swollen.Shegaspedathisveryfirsttouch.Underhisfingers,thehardknobofherclitpulsed.Damn,shewasbeyondprimed.Knowingthat,Dekewas,too.Heslidlower,sliding
onefingerinsideher.
Tight.Oh,hell…sodamntight.Gasping.Herbodyclosedaroundhisfinger,silentlybegging.Addingasecondfinger,heplungeddeeper.Gooddamnthinghe’djackedofftwicealreadytoday,orthe
momenthegotinsidethisvacuumofsultryheat,he’dexplode.
Butgettinghiscockinsideher,itwasgoingtohurther.Dekehatedthatfact.Withhisfingers,hescissored,tryingtospreadheropen,minimizethepain.
281
“More,”shedemanded.
Snappinghisgazeup,hestaredatKimber.Shewasn’ttalkingtoLuc,whowastreatinghernipples
likeacrossbetweenalollipopandsomethinghisHooverwouldattack.Shewastalkingtohim.
“Deeper?”Deke’svoicecrackedasheaskedthequestion,whilehethrusthisfingersinsideheruptothehilt.
Herbreathhitchedassheshookherheadandnodded—virtuallyatthesametime.“Deeper.More.I
wanttobefullofyou.”
Dekenearlystaggeredathergasping,starklyhonestanswer.“Iwanttofillyou,kitten.Idon’tthinkI’vewantedanythingmoreinmywholelife.”
“You’remakingtherightchoice,”Lucwhispered,dustinglittlekissesupherjawline.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThenippleshe’dleftbehindwerered.Nootherwaytodescribethem.
Swollen,wellworked,beyondhard.They’dbetendertomorrow,butgiventhewayKimberarchedto
Lucandledhisheadbacktoherbreasts,shewasn’tfeelingitnow.Theonlythingshefeltwasready.
Easingoffthebed,Dekestoodatthesideand,caressinghiswayupherthighs,toherhips,hepulledhertotheedgeofthebed,curvingherthighsaroundhiships.
“Deke?”
Heleaneddownandplacedasoftkissontheflatofhertummy.“I’mnotleaving.
Inthisposition,Icanbettercontroltheangleandthepressure.Ifithurtstoomuch,Icanbackoff.”
Atleasthehopedhecould.Whathereallywantedwastochargeintoherlikeariled-upbullwitharedcapeinitsface.Dekeforcedafulllungfulofairin,heldit,282
centered.
“Alittlepainwon’tbreakme.”
“I’mleavingLucalittleroomtoworkhere,too.”Hishandswanderedupthesleeklinesofhertorso,thenbackdown,pausingtoswirlaroundthatcandy-buttonclit.
“Buttrustme,bytheendofthenight,you’llfeelwellfucked.”Kimberwrappedherlegsaroundhiswaist,trappinghimin.“Promise?”Thatonetauntingwordarchedthroughhimandwentstraighttohisdick.Dekeglancedattheceiling,lookingforsomeself-control.HewantedKimbertofeelwell
loved,too.
“Yeah,”hecroaked.“Oh,yeah.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentSheansweredwithastunningsmilethatonlyratcheteduphisanticipation.
Hiscontrolsnapped.
Takinghisstiffcockinhand,heguidedhimselftothesmall,swollenopening.
Verysmall.Andhewasn’tasmallguy.Hewasgoingtohavetofighthiswayin.Thethoughthadhimbreakingoutinafreshsweat.
Dekeleanedforwardafractionandeasedtheheadofhiscockinsideher.Oh,damn.Alreadysohotandtight.Underhim,Kimberthrashed,lifting,forcinghiminanadditionalinch.
Grippingherhips,heforcedhiswayinanother.Rightupagainstherbarrier.
“Don’tstop,”shepleaded.
Hecouldn’thavestoppedifhewantedto.Butamillionthoughtsslammed283
throughhim.Whatif…hehurthertoomuch,orshedidn’tlikethefeelofhimdeep,orshewasn’tasreadyasshethought?
Orworse,whatifhistoryrepeateditself?
“You’reoverthinkingthis,”Lucmurmured.“Youwanteachother.UnlessImissmyguess,youlove
eachother.She’sprotected,andI’mhere.Itdoesn’tgetmoreperfectthanthis.”
Allhisargumentswerehang-ups,hisproblems.Lucwasrightaboutthat.
Worryingaboutherpainorreadiness—eventhefuture—werejustexcuses.Aftertwelveyears,itwas
timeforhimtotakeachanceagain.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER14
Withhislefthand,DekegrippedKimber’ship.Withhisright,heskatedhiswaytoherpussyand
rubbedinsoft,slowcircles,hisfingertipsprovidingfrictiononthelittlebeadofherclit.Hestrokedheruntilshegasped.Untilshegrippedthesheets,andafreshflushwashedoverherfairskin.
Afterbeingdeniedclimaxsomanytimes,shepleaded,“Please,Deke.Now.God,now…”
Shewasrightontheedge.Hewasn’tgoingtorefuseheragain.Dekerearedbacktoheropening,
gatheredpowerand,teethbared,hepushedinsideherwithonehardthrust.
Herfleshyieldedtohimslowly.Thoughhisheartbeatdrummedinhisears,herscreamroseaboveit,clutchingathim.Therewasnostopping.Heslidintoher.
284
Thenheliftedherhips,tiltedhertowardhim,leanedoverher,andmovedinanotherhalfinch.
Finally,hewasin.Completely.Shakingsodamnhard,Dekerealizedhe’dneverhadawomanfeelso
perfect,like…home.UntilKimber,hehadn’tmissedit.Now,insomeelementalway,Dekeknewshe
washis.
Underhim,shetwistedonthepalesheetsandwatchedhimwithhazeleyesnowsogreenandglossy
withunshedtears.Maybethe“Band-Aid”approach,dealingwithitquicklytoputthehurtbehindher,hadn’tworked.Guiltforherpainrakedhim.
“I’msorry,”hechoked.
“There’sagoodparttothis,right?”Shepanted.“Ifthereis,don’tyoudarestop.”ShaylaBlack
DecadentShewascertifiableifshethoughthecouldwalkawaynow.Buthewasdeterminedtovoid
thepainwithpleasure.Forcinghimselftoremainstill,despitethesweatandgroundteethitcosthim,Dekerotatedhisfingersoverherclitagain,soothing,cajoling.Ittookamomenttocoaxher,asifherbodyhadrecoiledfromtheshockofhisfleshtearingthroughher.
Hisballsboiledashersheathenvelopedhiscock,buthedidn’tmoveaninch.Lucseemedto
understandhisgoalandhelpedhimoutwithagentlecaressofhernipples,soft,deepkissesacrosshermouth.
Soon,Dekefeltherswellaroundhimeventighter.Flutter.Gasp.Explosionwasimminent.Damn,she
wasamazing.Hewantedhertohavethisone…justincasetherestwastoopainfulthisfirsttime.
Underhisfingers,hercriesbecamemewls.Themewlsturnedtopleas,thenthepleastoashoutof
spectacularreleaseasherentirebodybuckedunderhimand285
herpussygrippedhimlikeadesperatefist,nearlymilkinghimofself-controlandseed.
God,shelookedbeautiful,joinedwithhim,surrenderingallcontroltothepleasure…
Deketensedagainstthepromiseofecstasyteasinghiscock.Hebarelymanagedtoholdoff.Buthe’dwaitedtoolongtobeinsideKimbertotreatitlikeaten-yarddash.She’dwaitedtoolongforherfirsttimeforarushtotheend.Somehow,hehadtomakeitspecial.Memorable.Evenifshelefthimafterthedangertoherhadpassed,hewantedhertorememberhim.Hewantedtobeinherhearttheway
shewasinhis.
Onceherpeakofpleasuresubsidedandthewallsofhersexcaressedhimwithaslowpulse,thenhe
drewback,allthewaytothetipofhiscock,andeasedin.HeShaylaBlackDecadentsetapacelikemolasses—sweet,slow,designedtodazzle.Fromtheveryfirststroke,sheresponded,gasping,
tightening,staringathiminwonder.
“Deke.You…This…Ohmigod!”shepanted.“Thefriction…”
“That’sright,kitten.”Hefeltit,too.Withoutthelatexbetweenthem,skinslickedacrossskin,
providingthemostheavenlysensations.Butitwasn’tjustphysical;itwasknowinghecouldfeelhereverywhere,ineverywaythatturnedhiminsideout.Hewantedtoturnherinsideout,too.
Itwashardtoimaginethathewasgoingtomanagetomakehercomeagain.
Virginsoftendidn’torgasmfromintercoursethefirsttimetheyexperiencedsex.
Kimberhadjustdetonatedinakillerclimax.Andhewasworkingonashortfuse—
andgettingshortereverytimethebareheadofhiscockglideditswayupherwallsandsettled
againsthercervixasshegrippedhiminwelcome.Butdamnifhewasn’tgoingtotrytogiveheronelastburstofpleasure.
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Bendinghisknees,Dekemadesurehescrapedthetipofhisdickagainstthatupperwallofhers,
coastinginuntilherbreathcaught,untilshetightened.HerG-spot.Gotcha!hethoughtwithasmile.
“Wanttocomeagain?”heasked,proddingthatbundleofnerves.
Shegavehimashakynodandtightenedonhimagain.“Whataboutyou?”Whenheplungedinagain,
thefrictionnearlyhadhimcross-eyed.“Oh,I’llgetthere.”
Luccaressedherdampcheek,brushedsweat-slickhairfromhertemple.Hesettlednexttoher,
buryinghisfaceinherneckandstartedcrawlinginsidehermind.“Youlookamazing,”hewhispered
inherear.“Soopen.Yousurrenderedtoeveryinchhegaveyousoperfectly.Iwanttoseeyoucomeagain.CanyoudothatShaylaBlackDecadentforme?Please…Justthesightofitunravelsme.IcanonlyimaginewhatitdoestoDeke.”
Damn,hiscousinwasgoodatincitingawoman’sbrain.Amentalfrenzyofdesirealwaysledtoa
bodilyexpressionofecstasy.Andjustincase…LucshovedDeke’sfingersawayfromherclitand
replacedthemwithhisown.
“Aaahhhh.”Kimberdidn’tsaymuch,butthefranticnodofherheadsaidtheywereoverwhelmingher
again.Hell,Luc’slittlespeechwasevengettingtohim.
Thatandwatchingthethickspanofhisowncocktunnelinginsideher,seeingherunfurlforhim,takehimcompletely.Ashedelveddeepintoherstareasheplumbedherbody,Dekeknewthatshe
welcomedhiminsidehersofreelybecauseshecared.Thethoughtnearlymadehimburst.
“Doyoulikethefeelofhiminsideyou,sweetheart?Likebeingfull?”287
Anotherfranticnodofherheadashenudgedthehotspotinsideheragainwithhiscock,whileLuc
strokedthelittlebeadofherclit.Shegrabbedathisarm,atLuc’shair,andcriedout.
“Ilovetowatchyoulikethis,soacceptingandaroused,”Lucmuttered.
DekeswallowedagainsthisrisingneedtocomeandfocusedonKimber,herbody,anditssignals.
Shecouldn’tbefaraway.Pleaseletherbeclose.Please…
“Whenyou’reontheedge,yournipplesaresobeautifullyflushedandhard.”Lucbenttolapatthem,nibble,suck.Slow,leisurely,asifhehadnothingelsetodoalldaylong.AroundDeke,Kimber
tightened,rippled.Shereachedouttohimwithherstare,thosebrighthazeleyespleading,panicked.
Dekeencouragedher.“Yes,kitten.That’sit.Comeforme.Igottafeelyou…”
“Kissme,”sheentreated.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAfteraquickglanceatLuc,whonodded,Dekeleanedoverandloweredhis
bellyontohers.Thenchestsconnectednext.Atthesizzlingcontact,Dekesuckedinabreathatthevicious,breathstealingsensations.Thenheravagedherlips,fusingtheirmouthstogether.Oh,damn…
Theheatbothinsideandout.Sweatslickedboththeirbodies,providingfrictionateverypointof
contact.
Thosehardlittlenipplesslidacrosshischest,andshesuckedinaloud,staccatogasp.Dekedroveasdeepintoherbodyashedidhermouth,bracinghishandsagainstherhipsforeachpossessivethrust.
Shewrappedherlegsaroundhimandacceptedhimevendeeper.Heslammedintoheragain…again.
Writhing,Kimbermoanedlouder.
Bloodroared.Heartsdrummed.Accelerated.Pounding.Desperate.Kimberscreamedintothekiss.
Herbodybuckledbeneathhim,andDekeheldonwithallhismight,pumpinghiswayintothetight
claspofherbodyasitrhythmically288
squeezedhimwithoutmercy.
Then,white-hotlightandheatengulfedhim,sizzlinghiswholebody.Thesweetburnrevvedfromthebaseofhisspine,tingled.Hisballsweresodamntight,andheheldhisbreath.Inthenextinstant,sublimepleasureexplodedthroughhiscock,pryingsomethinginhischestwideopen,asheerupted
insideher,floodingherwithpassion,semen.Somethingthatfeltsuspiciouslylikelove.
#
Earlygraymorningslantedthroughthelittlewindowtoherleft.Kimberblinked,lookedaroundthe
unfamiliarroom.Anantiquebed,anequallyold,lovinglycaredfordresser,alarge,emptyrockerinthecorner.
Theneverythingrushedbackather.Louisiana.Thebomb.Herfather.JackCole’shideaway.Andlast
night…Dekedeepinsideher.Lucwatchingeverymoment,urgingheron.Afterthat,shedidn’t
rememberadamnthing.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Morning,”Lucmurmuredinherear.
Hecuddledcloser,heatpouringoffhiminasearingrush.Somethingaboutthewayhegreetedher,orthewayhecurledhisarmsaroundhertodragherclose,toldKimberthatLuchadawakenedeager
andreadyformorethanacasualgreeting.
“Hi.”Shedippedherheadshyly.
Crazytofeelanyreticenceaftereverythingshe’ddonewithandaroundhim.
“Sleepgood?”Heplantedsoftbutterflykissesonherneck,acrossthecurveofhershoulder,the
swellofherbreast.
“Hmm.Icrashed.You?”
Lucinchedcloser,sothefrontofhisbodywasplasteredagainstherside.Sothe289
steellengthofhiserectionproddedherhipinasilentquestion.
“Notsogood.”
Really?Lucusuallysleptgood,especiallyafter…Oh,buthehadn’tcomelastnight.She’dmadelovewithDekeandfallenasleep.
“Iconkedoutonyou,didn’tI?Ileftyou…”
“Withblueballs?”Hesmiled,lettingherknowitwasokay.
“I’msorry.”
Withanothersultrysmileandaflickofhisthumboverherslightlysorenipples,hequipped,“Wanttomakeituptome?Thatis,ifyou’reupforit.”Shehesitated,knowingthatLucwantedtomakelovetoher.Howdidshefeelaboutthat?HowwouldDekefeel?
ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberhadknownfromthebeginningthatthey’dshareher.DekeandLuc
hadneverstatedotherwise.Iftheirintenthadchanged,Dekewouldhavethrownhiscousinoutofthebedroomlastnight.Right?
Butshehesitated.Lastnighthadn’tbeenjustsex.Evensheknewthat.Dekehadtakenherwithsuchfeelingandpassion…andhehadn’tdeniedlovingher.Didthatmakeherexclusivelyhis?Ifso,why
wouldLucbethemanlyingnexttohernow,especiallywhenDekeknewthathiscousinalwayswoke
upinthemood?Givenallthat,Kimberdoubtedthethree-waypartoftheirrelationshiphadchanged.
Besides,Dekeseemedtowanthimhere,almostlikeasecurityblanket.IfshewantedtolullDekeandencouragehimtoopenuptoher,spillhissecret,sayingnotoLucwasn’tawiseoption.
Notthathewasahardship.ShemightloveDekewitheverythinginherheart,mighthaveevenfallenforhimwhenshewasseventeenandbarelyabletoprocess290
theunrulydemandshepushedherbodyintofeeling.ButifkeepingLucheresomehowenabledDeke
tostaywithher,itwasasmallpricetopay.Besides,sheadoredthesexy,sultrychef.Hiswaywithwords—andhishands—werealwayssublime.
Kimberwiggled,shifting,testing.“I’msore,butnottoosore.Ifyou’regentle…”
“Foryou,sweetheart,yes.”
“Um,Ineedaquickbathroomtripfirst.”Shedefinitelyfelteveryoneofthosetenhoursofsleepinherveryfullbladder.
“Ofcourse.I’llwait.Impatiently,”heteased.“ButI’llwait.”Shedroppedakissofthanksonhischeekandrolledtoherotherside,intendingtocrawloutofbedandacrossthehalltothelittle
bathroom.
ShaylaBlackDecadentInstead,sheencounteredDeke.Hewasawakenow,buthelookedsleep-
rumpledandtangledinthesheets.
Herhearttripped.“Youslepthere?”
Deketensed.“Yes.”
Shecouldn’thelpthesmilebreakingacrossherface.“Nexttome?”
“Yes.”Becausehehadn’twantedtobepartedfromher,hisgazesaid.Afirst
Somethingnew.Like…he’dgivenabitmoreofhimself.Kimberdidn’tstop,didn’tquestionherurge,
shesimplyhuggedhimandplantedasoftkissonhismouth.Theconnectionthathadforgedthemintointimacylastnightleaptbetweenthemagain,immediate,strong.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherand
rolledherontopofhim,rightontohisheartyerection.Whenhepressedrightagainsther,everythingbetweenherlegsthathadsleptallnightawokewithavengeance.
291
“Youallright?”heasked.
“Areyou?”
Thoseblueeyesofhislookedstormy,troubledbyherquestion.
Shetriedtorephrase.“IfLucandI…?”
Hecastaquickgazeoverathiscousin,nowstrokingherback.Inthatflash,shecaughthesitation,thenresignation.“Yeah.Weshare.That’snosecret.”Itmaynothavebeenasecret,buthis
acceptanceofherdoingthewildthingwithLucseemedquestionable.ShewantedtopressDeke
further,butnaturecalled—
insistently.
Whileshetossedonherwhiterobeanddashedacrossthehalltotakecareofnecessitiesandbrush
herteeth,sheponderedDeke’sreaction.ItseemedlikeheShaylaBlackDecadentwasn’tsurehe
wantedtoshareher,butfeltcompelledtoforsomereasonshedidn’tquitegrasp.
Shewantedtotalktohim.Luchadbeenconvincedthatifshecouldpersuadehimtomakelovetoherthathe’dtellherabouthispast.Butherfeminineintuition—
andlivingmanyyearswithmilitarymen—toldheritwasn’tgoingtobethateasy.
SpecialOpstypesweretrainednottodivulgeclassifiedinformationunderduressortorture.Evenatherteasingbest,shedidn’tthinkshecouldgethimtobreakhissilence.
Nowwhat?Kimbershookherhead.Itseemedshehadnothingtodobutgowiththeflowandseehoweverythingplayedout.Notherfavoritestrategy.TheColonelalwayspreferredacarefulplan,but
toughtimescalledfortoughmeasures…
Storinghertoothbrushinthenearlyemptydraweragain,shedashedacrossthehall.Luclayinthe
middleofthebedlikeapasha,waitingforawomantocome292
pleasurehim.Itwouldbeeasytoimaginehimassomesortofdesertprincewithhislong,darkhair,thosewickedchocolateeyeswiththeirintriguingtilt.Andmilesofripplinggoldenskin.
“Comehere,sweetheart,”hemurmured,openinghisarmstoher.
Alittleachetookupresidenceinherbody—partaffection,partstirringofdesire.
Poignant.ShecaredaboutLuc,utterlyadoredhim.Wouldsheevercometolovehimwiththatsame
wildfire,all-consumingwhirlofemotionthatseizedherwhenDekewasnear?
Hesitantly,shesteppedintotheroom.ShefeltDekeinthecorner,thenturnedandsawhimstandingthere,watchful,silent.Shereachedforhishand.Heclaspeditinhisgripandswallowed.
“Deke,ifyoudon’twant—”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Lucwaitedallnightforthis,foryou.Heneedsyou.GodknowsI’mnottouchinghim.”
Kimbersmiledathisattemptedhumor,butshecouldtellhewastornbythis.
Whyshareher?Duty?Loyalty?Shedidn’tquiteunderstand.Butshealsoknewthatifsheaskedhim
point-blank,he’dneveranswer.
“Guessit’suptome,then.”
ReleasingDeke’shand,sheclimbeduponthebedandgiftedLucwithasoftkissofgreeting.Withthemostgentletouch,hepalmedthecrownofherhead,pettinghiswaydowntoherneck,hershoulder.
“You’resosoft,sweetheart.I’mgoingtobesocarefulwithyou.”Sweet.ThatdescribedLucthroughandthrough.Shecaressedhisface.“That293
soundswonderful.”
Hebroughtherdownforanotherkiss,thisonelonger,amoreinvolvedexchangeofbreath,asoft
brushoflips,asoftslideoftongues.Minuteslater,Kimberliftedherheadandrealizedthat,justfromhiskiss,herheartpoundedlikeaplatoonofcadetsmarchingupanddownafield.Andpartssouth
werealready…moist.
Butsomethingwasmissing.
SheturnedtoDeke.“Areyoujoiningus?”
Barelyaninstantpassedbeforehetooktwohuge,groundeatingstepsforwardandboundedontothe
bedbesideher.
“I’lltakethatasayes.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekepushedhertoherbackandcoveredhermouthinaravagingkisslikea
starburst—fiery,intense,quick.ThenheturnedhertofaceLuc,torethesheetaway,andurgedher
towardhiscousin’scock.
“Suckhim.Gently.It’satease.Don’tlethimcome.”Expressionless,hisfacelikegranite,Deke
barkedtheorder.
Kimberreallywantedtopursuethereasonsforhisinsistenceandreticence,buthewouldn’ttalknow,andsheknewit.Besides,shewantedtokeepLuconherside,whichmeantkeepinghimhappy.And
okay,beinghonest…Dekehadherheartcompletely,butshe’dbetmoneythatLucwasstunninginthe
sack.Still,shewasn’tabouttoletDekedothisreluctantly.Shewantedhimfullycommittedto
touchingher.
“Andwhatareyougoingtodo?”shechallenged,swipinghertongueacrossherlip.
294
“Lastnight,LucbroughtyouwithinaninchofyoursanitybeforeIfuckedyou.
You’regoingtorepaythefavor.”
BeforeKimbercouldreply,Dekegaveheranudgeontheback.Lucslidhishandintoherhairand
luredherdown,loweringhertohiswaitingcock.AfteroverhearingRyanandJessediscussingthe
meritsofagreatblowjob,KimberhadalittlemoreammunitiontoaddtothefirewithLuc.
Smiling,sheskimmedherfingersuptheinsidesofhisthighs,slowlycreepingherwaytowardhis
balls.Hemoanedasshefittedahandunderhistesticles,liftedandcuppedthem.Gentlyrubbingherthumbacrossthesoftsurface,sheturnedherattentiontothestifflengthofhiserection.Large.Nodenyingthemanhadsize.Inthat,itwasclearthatDekeandLucwererelated.Andwow,washeeverhard.Theheadwassoengorgeditlookedlikeaplum,allpurpleanddelicious.
ShaylaBlackDecadentUsingjustthetip,Kimberranhertongueuphislength,frombasetocrown,
lavingherwayaroundtheglans,findingasensitivespotontheundersidethatmadehimgasp.
Meanwhile,shefoundthesensitive,baby-smoothskinjustbeneathhisballsandpress-rubbed.
Lucgaspedandnearlycameoutofhisskin.“Holy…”Ashetriedtoholdback,shesensedDeke
watchingtheshowoverhershoulder.
Totesthertheory,sheflickedhertonguealongthelengthofLuc’scock,andDeke’shandsonher
tightened.
Finally,hesetheronherknees,rippedofftherobeandblanketedherbackwithhisbody.Naked
body.Impossibletomisstheiron-slabbedchestonherbackandthebareerectionpressingagainstherass.
“Kimber,sweetheart…”Beneathher,Lucliftedhishipstoherteasingtongue.
295
“Putyourmouthonme.”
“Soon,”shetaunted,pressingkissestohisbelly,drizzlingherfingertipsalonghisthighs,acrosshiships.Onhisabdomen,shetracedtheoutlineofhiscockwithhertongue.
Hesuckedinasharpbreath.“Youreallyaregoingtotrytopaymebackforlastnight.”Itwasn’taquestion;heknewtheanswer.KimbergaveLuccreditforlotsofsmarts.
Still,sheplayeddumb.“What?Dekesaidtoteaseyou.”Sheskimmedherfingertipupthelengthof
hisshaftwithallthepressureofawhisper.Hegnashedhisteethandtriedtoholdback.
“Damnit,nottothepointofinsanity.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Oh,youneedtocome?”sheasked,backingaway.
“Itwouldbenice,”hegrittedout.
“I’msure.Butsinceyounearlybroughtmetoclimaxeighttimesbeforedenyingme,thatmakesmecrankyandyoufairgame.Andyou’vegotsevenmorefrustratingcooldownscomingyourway.”
Withthosewords,Luccameoutofhissensualhazeandopenedhiseyes.Dark,hungry,endless,his
starefocusedonherandpromisedpaybackifshecontinueddownthispath.
Hadn’thealreadytreatedhertohistorturousworst?Thatwickedstaresaidno
Kimbershivered.
Lucthreadedhishandsinherhairandgrabbedafistful.“Youdon’twanttotaunt296
me,sweetheart.Ican’tbegentleifyoudothat.”Behindhim,Dekeconcurred,guidingherdown
again.“Justsuckhimdeep.I’lltellyouwhentostop.Ifyouquittoosoon,you’llfindoutLucisapussycatcomparedtomewhenitcomestodenyingyourorgasm.”
Kimberdidn’tdoubtforamomentthatDekecouldmakegoodonthatthreat.
Lickingherlips,shesentasultrystareLuc’swayandsuckedhiscockinsidehermouth,allthewaytoherthroat.Stucksomewherebetweenplacatedandaroused,Lucsettledinwithgroansandwhispered
encouragement.Shewasgratifiedwhenafilmofperspirationbrokeoutacrosshischest,andhe
begantofuckhermouthwithmeasuredlungesofhiships.Damn,themanwassimplydelicious.
ButDekewasn’tcontenttowatch.Atall.
ShaylaBlackDecadentStillbehindher,hecoveredherbackwithhischestandfondledherbreasts,
squeezinghersensitivenipplesbetweenhisthumbandforefingersandgentlytwisting.Hishotbreathonherneckmadehershiver.
Thenhestartedtospeak.“Keepsuckinghimandfeelme…here.”Hereturnedouttobeawidepalmcoveringhersex,theheelofhispalmpressingrightontoherclit.Hersexcrampedwithdesire.
Immediatelyshewentfrommoisttodripping.
Withinsistenthands,hespreadherkneeswider,andhisfingerswenttowork.
“Icanpressyouhardandnearlygetyouoff,”Dekegrowledinherear,“butthetrickwithyouisavariedtouch.Afirmcirclearoundyourclit,thenasoftswipeofmyfingerjustbarelyoverthetop,solightyouwonderifyouimaginedit.Right?”Hedemonstratedashespoke.Atherwhimper,he
continuedon.“Thenbetween297
twofingers,I’mgoingtotrapthissweetlittlethingandrubthesides.”Andhedid.Kimbergasped.Atotallynewsensationconvergedashetrappedherclitbetweenhisindexandmiddlefingersand
strokedthesidesinafriction-filledslidethatignitedherallover.
“NowI’llstartatthebeginningagainandthrowinlotsofcontactwiththerestofthathot,drippingpussy…butnotenoughtogetyouoff.”Inthenextthreeminutes,heprovedhowdeadlyeffectivehis
techniquewas.
Withacry,shesquirmedeachtimehechangedthetouch.Everytimesheknewshewasastrokeor
twoshyofcoming,he’dchangehisapproach,lethisfingerswanderelsewhere—driveherinsane.
ThemorearousedKimberfelt,themorevoraciousshewaswithLuc’scock.Shemoanedaroundhis
thickerection,swipinghertongueacrossthefathead,curlingShaylaBlackDecadentherfingers
aroundthebaseandsqueezingup.Thensheteasedtheundersideofhisballs,tracedherfingeraroundthecrown,rubbedhernipplesacrossthesurface.
“Damn,sweetheart…”Luclookedbothsweatingandspeechless.“Wherethehelldidyoulearnall
that?”
Kimberdidn’tanswerthat.Nopoint.Besides,shedidn’twanttostoplickingeverydeliciousinchofLuc.
Thesexychefdrewinabracingbreath.“Nomoreteasing.Ican’ttakeit.”Itwasuptohertoshowhimdifferently.ButDekemovedhishandsagain,changedthepressureofhistouch,thistimeright
acrosstheultrasensitiveknotofherclit.Aslowskimoffleshonfleshbroughtherclosertotheedgethanever.Apassoverthetop,thenanother,thenathird.Oh…Thepleasuregrewsointense,itdamnnearbrokeherapart.Nowclosetoathunderousorgasm,shegaspedand298
jerked—andlosthergriponLuc’scock.
Asshedid,Dekeeasedoffhiselectrifyingtouches,andtearsoffrustration—ofneed—seepedfrom
thecornerofhereyes.
“No!”shewailed.
“Yes,”Luccountered,thrustingagentlebutinsistentfistintoherhairandforcinghertomeetthehungerinhisstare.“Ican’twaittofeelyouaroundmewhenyoucome.”
Hegrippedherhipsandpulledhertowardhim,yankingherfromDeke’sgrip,andstraddledherrightoverhiswaitingerection.AsLucpulledherdown,hearchedhiships.Inheslid,up,up,up.And
suddenly,Kimberwasfilledtothebrimwithhisincrediblyhardflesh.
ShaylaBlackDecadentLongandloud,hegroaned.Andstillhekepttunnelingintoher,steadyand
deepuntilshesworeshecouldfeelhimathertonsils.Sexthiswaydefinitelymaximizedthe
penetration,nearlytothepointofpain.Abovehim,shewhimpered,tensed,herthighstighteningtostophimfromsinkinginsideanymore.Theybothcametoherrescue.
Easingherbackuphisshaft,Lucmurmured,“Painful?”Shegavehimashakynod.“Alittle.”
Behindher,DekeurgedherbackdownontoLuc’scockwithalineofteasingkissesacrossher
shoulder.“Justalittle.Justatfirst.Youcantakehim,kitten.Takeallofhim.Iwanttowatchyoucome.”
Beforeshecouldevenanswer,hisfingersdelvedbackintoherwetfolds,honinginonherbegging
clit.Lucpressedhome.Dekepressedherhotbutton.Kimber’s299
crybecameamoanasLucgroundagainstasensitivespotdeepinsideher.Deketeasedwithaflickofhisfingers.Theyshovedherclosertoheaven…beforetheybothwithdrewlikesomeperfectly
synchronizedstuntshow.
“Harder.Now.More!”
Grittinghisteeth,Lucenteredheragain,slowlyfillingher,atorturousdragoftheheadofhiscockoverherG-spot.Deketookhistimestrokingslowcirclesovertheonespotguaranteedtosendher
reeling,soaring.Sizzlebecameburn.Pressurebecameanunrelentingache.Itallgathered,centered,concentrated.Kimbergasped,clutchingLuc’sshouldersforsupportandsothankfulforDeke’s
anchoringarmaroundherwaistasthesensationstookherbreathlesslyupward.
Thensherocketedintoecstasy,soaring,weightlessandbreathless.High,higher,sheclimbeduntiltheredheatburst.Kimbershuddered,herbodyclutchingatLucShaylaBlackDecadentstillburiedhard
andtenseinsideherwhilepleasurepulsed,spreadthroughherbodylikeapotentshotofpure
alcohol.
Indegreesandslowmoments,shereturnedtoearth.Eyesclosed,Kimberstruggledtodrawina
breath.Perspirationfilmedher.
God,shewastired.Limp.Shedidn’tthinkshecouldtakeanymore.Anotherorgasmlikethatand
she’dloseconsciousness.Butthedriveofhardmalecockinsidehersexallthewayagainsther
cervixbroughtherbacktothemomentwithagasp.
Lucgrittedhisteethandgrippedherhips.Hewasn’tdone.Withadesperateedge,Dekepushedat
Kimber’sback.ShefellontoLuc’schest,andhegrabbedherandurgedherlipsaparttotangleher
tonguewithhis,dominatinghermouthwitharavenouskiss.
300
BeforeshecouldevenassimilateLuc’sassault,Dekemadehismove,probingherbackentrancewith
apairoflubricatedfingers.Theforbiddenthrillofitsentfreshtinglesshootingtoalltherightplaces.
Nerveendingsshewouldhavethoughtdormantforthedayawoke.Shefeltsofull,bothfrontand
back,stretchedtaut.
Clearly,Dekewasn’tdonewithher,either.
TossingherheadbackandbaringherthroattoLuc,hetookadvantage,nippinghiswayuphernecktotugonherlobewithhisteethandbreatheshiversoverhershoulder.
Arip,atear.Oh,God,sheknewthesoundofacondomwrapper.Surely,Dekedidn’tplanto…
ThesinfulsmileonLuc’sfacetoldherthatDekedid.
“Holdstill,sweetheart.”Lucgrippedherhipstoensureshedid.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“ButDeke…He’sgoingto—”
“FuckyouwhileLucfucksyou,”Dekegrowledintoherear,thearousedgravelinhistonemakingherhotandshivery.“Welcometoménage,kitten.Getreadytoknowthemeaningofmultipleorgasms.”
Thehotpromiseinhistonedive-bombedherwithanotherburstofdesire.Thosedetonatedinher
belly,inhersex,spreadinglikeamoltenriverdownherlegs,uptohernipples.Butthatwasn’tall.
Desiremixedwithanxiety.Takingthembothatonce—hugepotentialforecstasy…andpain.
“Don’ttense,”Lucwhispered,soothingher.
Easyforhimtosay.Hewasn’tabouttobepenetratedtwice—simultaneously.
“Thecondomislubricatedtoeasehisway.He’llmakeitniceandsmooth.Just301
relax.”
SweatbrokeoutonKimber’sback.Dekebegantoprobeherbackentrance,slidingtheheadjust
inside.
“Pushbackonme.”Hisvoicewasbarelymorethanaroughpant.
Shedidashereachedupherbody,grabbedhershoulders,andusedtheleveragetopushhiswaypasttheringofmuscle—andbeyond.
Afteraninitialtwingeofpain,Kimbergasped.ThenDekebegantofillherup,zapforbiddennerve
endingswithsudden,scorchinglife.Thenhewascompletelyinsideandshovingthatlastfraction
deepinherrectum.
Oh,damn,didshefeelfull.Stuffedfullofhardmaleflesh.Sopackedevendrawinginadeepbreathexacerbatedthatoverflowingfeeling.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAthinbitoffleshseparatedthetwococks.Whentheystartedmoving,she
couldonlyimaginewhatthatwouldfeellike.Friction?Forsure.Pleasure?Damnstraight.
“Canyoutakeit?”NomistakingthetightcontrolinDeke’ssandpaper-on-asphaltvoice.
Beforeshecouldevenanswer,theybothdidtheirbesttoseduceherintoayes,Dekebynippinga
lineofsweetkissesfromhernecktoshoulderwhileheskimmedateasingfingeracrossherclit,Lucbykissingthesideofherneckandtoyingwithhertendernipples.
Therewasn’tanywheretheyweren’ttouching,weren’tignitingwiththick,syrupypleasurethat
drizzledthroughherbody,drowningherfears.
Buttheydidn’tmove.
302
Kimberfrowned,wondering.Thensherealizedtheywerewaitingforheranswer.Theyhadtobein
hell—notthatbothdidn’tdeserveitforteasingherwithinabreathoflosinghersanity—butneithermoveduntilshegavethemthegreenlight.Considerationslikethis—andlikethepairofthemracingacrossTexaswhentheythoughtshemightbeinjuredorinneedaftertheexplosion—toldherthattheycared.Shewriggledherhips.Nerveendingsjumped,practicallybegantocha-cha.Ahintoftheblisstocomeslidacrosshersenses,andKimberknewshecouldn’twaitanothersecondforthis
experience.
“Icantakeit.Canyoudishitout,boys?”
“Idon’trecommendtauntingus.”Luc’svoicesoundedstrained.
Shewriggledagain,andflashedhimacome-hithersmile.Hehissedinabreath.
“I’llstoptauntingifyou’llstartfucking.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Deal,”Dekegrowled,evenasheeasedback—thenplungedforwardinakillerstroke,punctuatedby
alittlepinchofherclit.
Kimberyelped,butitdidnogoodwhenLuc’smouthcoveredhersandheteasedherwithaslow,
friction-fantasticwithdrawaljustasDekesurgedallthewayinsideherass.Thentheyreversed,Dekedrawingback,Lucarchinghishipsandshovingintoherswollensexwitheveryinchhehad.They
repeatedtheprocessagainandagain,theirmouths,fingers,andcocksrelentless.
Likeawell-oiledmachine,theyworkedher.Clearly,theyhaddonethisbefore—
lots.Theyknewexactlyhowtoworkwithandaroundeachothertomaximizeeverythingshewas
experiencing.Shenomorethanhadaninklingthatsomethingwouldfeelgoodbeforeoneofthemwas
alloverit,makingithappen…makingitblindinglysublime.
Inminutes,sensationoverwhelmedher.Herwholebodyshookastheache303
swelledbetweenherlegs,grew,expanded,multipliedfasterthanshecoulddealwith.Breathing
nearlycametoastopassheusedallherenergytomovewiththemandhandletheonslaughtof
pleasuretheykeptthrowingherway.
“You’reabouttocome,”Lucwhisperedagainsthermouth.“I’mdyingtofeelyouagain.”
Shewasdying,period.Overwhelmed,overpowered.Thesensationswerehuge,almostfrightful.
Everythinginsideherfixatedonthehotrhythmofthetwococksworkinginandoutofherbody,
insistentfingerspluckingandtwisting,twomouthsbreathing,laving,biting…demanding.
“You’renotgoingtooutlastus,kitten,”Dekevowed.Lucstrokeddeepinsideher,untilshefelthimnudgingherwomb,shootingoffanewbarrageofsparksthatbatteredherselfcontrol.Dekeincludedagentlepinchofhisthumbandforefingerstoherclit,thenablindsidinglittlerubthatspelledthedemiseofherrestraint.
ShaylaBlackDecadentSensationshotherstraightupintothestars.Herbodyshivered,bucked,asherwombconvulsed,hersexcontracted,andpleasuretorchedherbody.Shespunintoarealmbeyond
herimagination.Herthroatstung,andsherealizedsuddenlyitwasbecauseshecouldn’tstop
screaming.Orgasmwasalwaysafabulousexperience,butthiswasn’tjustabigO,itwasginormous,
threateningtoconsumeherasthepleasurepouredalloverher.
“Oh,damn..Hell!I—”
Lucdidn’thavetofinishhissentenceforKimbertoknowthathewasabouttofollowherinorgasm.
“No!Suckitup,”Dekegrowledtohiscousin.“We’vewaitedtoolongtoloseitliketeenagers.”
Afterasharppeak,climaxletKimberdowngently.Thewarmhoneyoflanguor304
spreadsweetly.
Lucwasn’tsolucky.Assheregainedherwits,shewatchedhiminfascinationashetensed,shook,
suckedinaharshbreath,andfoughtwithsquintedeyesandclenchedfists.Tendonsstripedhisneck.
Hiscockhadneverfeltsohardinsideher.
Finally,heletoutashakybreath.“Bastard.”
“Aslongasyouholditinandfuckheruntilshecomesagain,youcancallmewhateverthehellyouwant.”
#
“Again?”Kimbergasped.“Deke,Idon’tthinkIcan—”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Youcan.Iknowyourbody.You’relikeatemperamentalcar.Onceyou’reengineiswarmedup,it’s
easytorevyourepeatedly.It’sgettingyourmotortopurrthefirsttimethat’sabitch.”
Andhewasdamneddeterminedtomakehermotorpurrlikeitneverhad.Shemighthaveregretslater
aboutthechoicetogivehimhervirginityandengageinfullménagewiththem,butuntilthen,he
intendedtotakehereverychancehehadtogivehersomuchpleasurethatanyregretswouldbeall
tangledinit.
Maybethenhe’dhaveachanceofkeepingherwhenthetruthcameout.Maybe.
KnowingthatLuc’sself-controlwasn’tonhissideandthathisownwasfrayingtoofastforcomfort,DekestartedthedanceintoKimber’sbodyagain.Lucfollowedhislead.Witheachstroke,hegrittedhisteeth,fightingthecrushingsensitivity.
He’dneverfeltsorigidandengorged.Histhrustsgrewrough.AndLuc…hekeptrhythm,butnow
wrackedbytorturedneed,hewasn’tnearlyasgentleashehad305
been.Dekehopedthatworkedintheirfavor.
Astheybegantheireffortsagain,Kimberrespondedwithpleasantmoansandsweetahs,likeshewasinthemidstofalovelyafternoon,bathedinspringsunshine.Likeshethoughtthesexwaswarmandenjoyable.Nothingearth-shattering.Totallyunacceptable.Timetoturnuptheheat.
Dekeleanedoverherbackanddelvedhisfingersbackintotheslickfleshofherclit.Ashehad
earlier,heusedthatalternatingpressure—lightonthetop,frictiononthesides,hardcirclesabove.
Inthespanofaheartbeat,herbodydrewtaut.Herclitswelled,hardened.Shegavethemathroaty
growlbetweenpants.Ah,yes.God,yes.
Shewrithed,tryingtoaccommodatehimandLucdeeperintothesilkenperfectionofherbody.She
movedwiththemasDekeslideveryhardinchacrossShaylaBlackDecadenttheelectrichotzone
insideherthatbeggedtobestroked.AnddespiteLuchangingonbyhisfingernails,hewas,nodoubt,doingthesame.
Kimberstruggledagainstthequicksilverchangeinherbody,Dekewasn’thavinganyofthat.He
wantedherdrowninginpleasure.
“Youdon’tknowhowmanytimesIimaginedyoubetweenthetwoofuswhilewefuckedyoufrom
anxietytoarousal,fromarousaltoorgasm,”Dekewhisperedinherear.“Oncewasn’tenough.Giveittousagain.Takeuswithyou.”Kimberglancedoverhershoulderathim.Aflushspreadacrossher
faircomplexion.Herhazeleyeslookedunfocused,dilated.Needy.Beautiful.Sweattrickledfromhistemples,filmedhischest.Hisinsidesburnedwithdetermination.
Shewasgoingtocomeagain,damnit.Hewasn’tgivingupuntilshedid.
“Damn,”Lucpanted.“Themoremycockswells,themorefrictionIfeelfromyou.
306
Andshekeepsclosinginonme.It’smindblowing.”
“Andit’sonlygoingtogetbetter.Givehereverythingyou’vegotnow.”ThelookofreliefonLuc’sfacewouldhavebeencomicalifDekehadbeenintheframeofmindtodoanythingbuttunnelinto
Kimberoverandover,tocompelherintoperfectsurrender.Lucgrabbedherhips,Dekeherwaist.
Theyunleashedthewell-practicedrhythmheknewwouldbringthemalltoclimax.
Butthiswasmore.Lastnight,insideherpussy,thesensationshadbeendifferent.
He’dbeenswamped,likeasoldieronamissionwithtangosalloverhim.
Overtaken.Thesensationshadn’tallbeeninhisdick.
Kimberhithimsquareinthechest,andeverythinghefelttheresplinteredthroughhisbody,meldingwiththephysicalgratificationthatbeinginsidehergavehim.
ShaylaBlackDecadentTodaywasnodifferent…exceptitwasmoreintense.Holyhell.Beingburiedinsideher,exposinghishearttomoreofher,wassodamndangerous,likewalkingatightropeaboveaswampfullofhungrygators.Hewasonlygoingtofallmoreeverytimehetouchedher.And
someday…
Shetightenedaroundhim,killinghistrainofthought,asshedemanded,“Harder.
Please.Hurry!”
Thelastbitofhisrestraintsnapped.WithLuc’snextwildthrust,Dekeknewthesamehadhappened
tohiscousin.Hefilledheronce,thenagain,hoping,imaginingthatwitheachlungeinsideher,eachhardpressofhisbody,shecouldfeelhowmuchmorewasbehindtheactthanlust.Thatshecould
feelhowmuchhecared.
Sayingthewordsscaredtheshitoutofhim.
Herbreathingbegantoshutdownuntilitresembledlittlepants.Shetrembledhardandbraced
herself,fingersclutchingLuc’sshoulders.
307
Dekefeltherbegintoflutter,squeezehiscock,amomentbeforeshecriedout.
Clawingatthebottomsheet,shethrustbackathim,evenasherbodywrappedaroundhimsotight,hehadtofighttomoveatall.
Withatossofhisheadandashout,Luctumbledoffthecliff,losinghisgriponcontrol.
Hearinghiscousinloseitandthehoarsegroanthatblastedthroughtheroomrippedanewholein
Deke’srestraint.Insidehisballs,theneedtocomebuiltuplikeafaultyvalvewitheveryraspofhisfleshoverKimber’s.Damn,hewasn’tgoingtolast…
Finally,Kimbercriedout,alongmoanofsurrender.Dekebaskedinit,drownedinhertotal
acceptanceoftheecstasytheygaveher.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAndheletgo,releasingeverythinghewasandhaddeepinsideheras
pleasureknifedhim,carvingstraightintohisheart.IfhisinabilitytofuckAlyssahadn’tbeenabigclue,thisfeelingrightnowsealedthedeal.
Forbetterorworse,forever,helovedKimber.AndDekeknewthatifshewalkedawaynow—orhis
nightmarecametolife—eitherwouldkillhim.
308
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER15
Dekenursedacupofcoffeeinsilence,listeningtothesoundoftheshowerrunninginthebathroom,thesplashofwaterhittingKimber’snakedskin,thendrippingontoporcelain.Acrossthetable,Lucstaredoutthepicturewindowattheearlymorningsunshiningovertheswamp.
Oncethenightwasgoneandthedesiretemporarilyspent…that’swhenthesecond-guessingstarted.
Theregrets.
Thisonewasakiller.He’dfuckedup.Noifs,ands,orbutsaboutit.Buthehadn’tbeenabletokeepKimberatarm’slengthanymore.Twenty-nine,andhe’dfinallyfallen.Hard.Shewashisnow.
Godhelpher.
309
Heglancedathiscousinandsighed.Well,KimberwashisandLuc’s.AndgivenLuc’sgoalof
gettingherpregnantandhisownofpreventingit,thetruth,hispast—
itwasallgoingtocomeup,likelyinonebigchunky-pukepool.
Whatthen?
“Youdidtherightthing,”Lucsaidsuddenly.
“MakinglovetoKimber?”Heshrugged.“Timewilltell.Idoubtit,butI’dsureliketobewrong.”
“Shelovesyou.”
“That’snotgoingtohelpmuchwhenshefindsoutthetruth.”
“Heatherwasn’tyourfault.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentOfcourseshewas,atleastinlargepart.Everyoneknewit.Herfatherhad
certainlylaidtheblameathisfeet.He’dhadDekebeaten,arrested,harassed.Dekehadtakenit
numbly.He’ddeservedit.OnlyLucinsisteddifferently.
Yeah,ittooktwototango,butHeather…hadn’tbeenabletothinkpastheremotions.Kimberdidn’t
seemoff-kilterlikethat,butunderthosecircumstances…
Whoknew?Overtheyears,he’drealizedthatcombatshowedhowunpredictablesoldierscouldbe.
Life’sbattlesrevealedthesameaboutcivilians.
“We’vebeenoverthis.Let’snotrehashitagain.”Lucgrittedhisteeth.“You’regoingtohavetogetoverthisbeforeyouholdbacksomuchyoudestroyeverythingwithKimber.She’sanall-or-nothing
girl.You’renotgivingyourall.”
“WhatthefuckamIsupposedtodo?Getdownononekneeandproposeinthe310
nexttenminutes?”
“Soon.”
ItwasonthetipofDeke’stonguetotellLuctopropose.Butafterlastnight,heknewbetter.Lucwoulddoit,andifhedidn’twantKimbertobelongtohiscousinintheeyesofthelaw,he’dbettershutupnow.Sharingherwashardenough.
Necessaryfornormalcy,butabitch.WatchingherbecomeLuc’swife…Dekeswallowedagainstthe
unwelcomepaincrushinghischest.
“Tostartwith,”Lucwenton,“Ithinkyoushouldtellhereverything.”
“Areyououtofyourfuckingmind?It’llallcomeoutsoonenough,andshe’llprobablyrunscreaming.
Callmestupid,butI’dratherdelaytheinevitable.”
“Untilyoudo,you’llkeepholdingyourselfbackfromher,andit’shurtingher.”ShaylaBlack
Decadent
“Ididn’tholdbacklastnight.”
“Idon’tmeanjustsexually.Youwon’ttellheryouloveher.She’sgivenupsomuchtobewithyou:yearsofbelievingthatshebelongedwithJesse,herpride,hervirginity.Youwon’ttellheronelittlesecret.”Dekestood,hischairscrapingacrossthewoodenfloorasheshoveditback.
“Backthefuckoff.”
Holdinguphishands,Lucsignaledsurrender.“Yourfuneral.ButI’lltellyounow,ifshe’sgoingtobealienatedaboutanything,itwon’tbethepast.Itwillbethefactyoudidn’ttrustherenoughtotellheranddidn’tbelieveinherstrengthenoughtoseethatshewouldn’tsufferHeather’sfate.”
Fistsclenched,Deketookasteptowardhismeddlingcousin.Lucstood,meetinghischallenge.Deke
hadn’tswungapunchathiscousinintwelveyears.Atthe311
moment,hewasn’tsureifhecouldstophimselffromdeckingthesonofabitch.Inthebackground,
theshowerturnedoff,andwaterstoppedflowingthroughthepipes.Themenstoodinsilence,staringinangrystandoff.
“Youdon’twanttokeeppissingmeoff,”Dekewarned.
“Yes,Mr.SpecialOps,Irealizeyouknowtwentywaystokillmewithyourbarehands.Butifyou
wanttotrytobeatmyassforforce-feedingyousomehonestyandcommonsense—”
“Youwanttotrycommonsenseandhonesty?Okay.Tellmewhyyoudidn’treturnAlyssa
Devereaux’sphonecall.Sheclearlywantstotalktoyou,andyouavoidedhersoyoudidn’thaveto
facethefactyoulostyourpreciousself-control.”
“Alyssaisn’tthesubjectofthisconversation,”Lucbitout.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“It’sacomparison.Workwithme.Whywon’tyouexplaintoAlyssathereasonyouwentallcaveman
onherforsixhours?”
“I’llbehonestwithAlyssaassoonasyou’rehonestwithKimber.”
“Stayoutofmybusiness.”
“Stayoutofmine.”Lucreturned.“YouwanttomakelovetoKimberallbyyourself?”
Thatwasalowblow.Bastard.
“Icangetinthelittleboatoutsiderightnowandgohome,leaveyouherealonewithherforhours.
Days…”
AndleaveDekefullyresponsible.
312
“Stop.”RestraininganewurgetopoundLuc’sface,Dekeswallowed.“Juststop.
I’mnotreadytosayanythingtoher.”
“Don’texpecthertohaveunlimitedpatience.She’sgiventoyou,strippedherselfbareforyou.Ifyoudon’treciprocate,she’llbegone.”Deepdown,Dekefeared—knew—Lucwasright.Downthehall,
heheardthesoundofthebathroomdoorswingingopen.Kimbersteppedout.
“DidIhearshouting?”
DekeglancedatLuc,whostoodandcrossedtheroomtoher.
“TV,”hiscousinmuttered,thenkissedKimber’sfreshlywashedcheekbeforeexitingtheroomand
steppingoutonthewraparoundporch.
LeavingDekealonewithKimber.
ShaylaBlackDecadentForlongmoments,neithersaidanything.Silenceripened,stretched.Shecast
suspiciousglancesatthetelevision,clearlytoosmarttofallforLuc’sBS.Butshedidn’tpursueit.
“Isthereanymorecoffee?”
Withanod,Deketurnedandpoured.Headdedtwosugarsandadashofmilk.
“Youremembered?”Shesmiled,looking…touched.
God,whatwoulditbeliketobaskinthatsmileeveryday?Toknowshereservedsuchbeautyforhimandnooneelse?Itwouldbenothingbuttrouble.
Heshruggedinanswer.“YouknowweSpecialOpstypespayattentiontodetails.
Sometimes,theysaveyourlife.”
Hersmilewilted.“Ofcourse.”
313
Damn,hesureknewhowtoputhisfootinhismouth.He’dlikenedhertoaterrorist,ratherthana
girlfriend.Smooth…
Shetookthecup,sipped,satintheseatLuchadvacated,andretreatedintoherownworld.AndDekecouldn’tstandit.Thesilence,asifeverythinglastnightandthismorninghadbeennothing.Fromherperspective,shewasprobablyhopingforaffectionandcloseness.Attheveryleast,kindness.
Sofar,hehadn’treallygivenheranyoftheabove.Andhedoubtedhewascapableofthoseinany
long-termsense,andhatedhimselfforit.Butforher,he’dtry.Therealitywas,learningtodo
somethingbesidesfuckandleavewasgoingtotaketime.
Hesighedandapproachedher,notatallsurewhathewasgoingtosayordo.
ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberlookedupasheapproached,surpriseandwarinessdawningacross
herfaceashecrossedintoherpersonalspace.
“What?”
Dekedidn’tsayaword.Instead,hebentandpickedherup,satinthenearestchairandcradledheronhislap.Hesmoothedherdamphairawayfromherface,andsheliftedhergazetohim.
“I’mnotverygoodattalk.I…”Howdidhesumupthejumbleofeverythinghewantedtosayintotherightwords?“Ilovedbeingwithyoulastnight.”Hepressedasoftkisstohermouth,insanelyproudofhimself.Thatsoundedperfect.
Kimberbrokeaway.“Ifyouloveditsomuch,whydidyoufightitsohard?”314
Howdidwomendothat?Intwo-point-twoseconds,cutrightpastthepostcoitaltalkandsweetwords
andgetknee-deepinshit?
“Kitten,notnow.”
“Yes,now.Despitemylimitedexperience,Iunderstandthattwelvehoursinthesackdoesn’tentitlemetomakedemands,butthere’ssomethinggoingonwithyou.
I—Iwanttoknowwhat.”
“It’sinthepast.It’snotimportant—”
Shepushedoffhislap.“Ifyouhadtobebulliedintosleepingwithme,thenit’sobviouslyimportantandnotinthepast.”
Hell,hadn’thejusthadthisconversation,moreorless,withLuc?
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“BecauseI’manidiotwithnobleideaswhodidn’twanttojustsnatchyourvirginitywithoutyou
beingreallysure.Canwejustenjoybeingwitheachothernow,ratherthangettingintoallthis?”
Dekereachedforheragain.Shebackedaway.
“No.Whateveritisyou’renottellingmeisthereasonyoudidn’twanttohavesexwithme.It’sthereasonyoufuckedJackCole’sprettywife.”Bloodrusheduphischeeks.“Actually,thatwasatJack’srequest.Ididn’t—”
“ButJackthoughtofyoubecauseyouonlydoménages.Andthismysteryreasonisthecause.It’sstandingbetweenus,andIdon’tknowwhatitis.”Damn,shewasright.Soright.Whenhadshe
piecedallthattogether?Shemightbeyoungerandlessexperienced,butsheexcelledatpeople.
315
“Onedayatatime,huh?”Hesighed.“I’mherewithyounow.I’mnotgoinganywhere.What’sthat
cheesymovieline;youhadmeat‘hello?’That’sprettyaccuratehere.Partofmeisstubbornand
didn’twanttofallinline,butIhave.
We’retogether.Let’sjustacceptthatfornow.”Kimbercrossedherarmsoverherchestandpressed
herlipstogether.Thatwasn’ttheendofthisconversation,notbyalongshot,butshewastacticallyretreatingforthemoment.Heletoutabigsighofrelief.
“Fine.”
Itwasn’tfine,buthehopedhecould…distractherfromthesubject.Ifhetoldhertheentiretyofhisscrewup,she’drunscreaming.
Treadingsoftly,heclosedthedistancebetweenthemandwrappedhisarmsaroundher.Shestood
stiff,thosearmsstillcrossed.Clearly,she’dlearnedhowtoShaylaBlackDecadentbattleonher
terms.Shecouldn’tfighthimphysically,butherstubbornwillwasamorethanworthyadversary,
he’dbet.Heignoredherresistanceandsimplyfelther.Withasofthandcaressingherback,he
droppedakissonherforehead,brushedoneacrosshermouth,lingeredatherneck.Heaven.Hecouldn’trememberthelasttimehe’dkissedawomanwithoutanyintenttofuckherinthenextten
minutes.Juststandinghereandbreathinginherscent,herpresence,wasatreat.
“Youfightdirty,”shegrumbled,tiltingherheadtogivehimbetteraccesstoherneck.
“Thisisn’tfighting.It’sgivingyouaffection.Yougotaproblemwiththat?”Heslidhisthumboverherbottomlip.
Beforeshecouldanswer,thephonerang.Dekejumped.
316
Onlyoneoftwopeoplecouldbeontheline,andbothrepresentednewsabouttheexplosionandits
aftermath.
“Yeah,”hebarkedintotheline.
“Deke.”ItwasLogan.Hisvoicesoundedheavy.
Turningaway,Dekeheldinacurse.“I’mhere.”
“Itain’tgood.”Hesighed.“Kimber…”
“Tellme.”
Logandid,andDekecouldn’tholdinarushoffourletters.
“Whatisit?”Kimberasked.
“I’llletherknow,”Dekepromised.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAfteralongpause,Loganreplied.“Thanks.AnynewsfromJack?”
“Notyet.Thepolice?”
“Whatisit?”Kimberdemanded.
Dekeshookhisheadather.HewantedtogiveKimberhisundividedattentionwhenhegaveherthis
news.
“Nothingconcrete,”Logananswered.“Lotsofquestions.Noanswers.Butit’sweird,man.Nooneat
thehospitalhaseventwitchedthewrongdirection.Nothingsuspicioushereatall.Lotsofphonecallsfromsomeguy,though,wantingtoknowwhereKimberis.Itriedtofigureoutwhoheis,tracethe
call,keephimtalking.Toosmart.Hedisconnected.”
FearstruckacoldboltdowninDeke’schest.Thepsychobomberhadn’tmovedin317
ontheColonel’shospitalroom.ThatsoundedlikehewasfixatedonKimberinstead.Itcouldbethe
press,lookingforaslantonJesse’sexandthelatestdrama.
Butthesamepersoncallingoverandover?
“Shit,”Dekemuttered.“Callusifanythingchanges.”
“Willdo.GiveKimbermylove.”
“Yeah.”Thenhehungup.
“Whatthehellisit?”Shelookedpissedanddesperate.Shewasn’tgoingtobebrushedofforletthisbeglossedover.
Deketookherbythehandandledhertoachair,thensatherdown.Hedrewinadeepbreath.What
thehelltosay?
“Tellmenow.OhmyGod…”Hervoiceshook.“Mydad.Tellmehedidn’t…”ShaylaBlack
Decadent
“No.No,kitten.He’salive.”Hekissedherpalm,tryingtosoothetheblowtocome.
“Buttheydidsomeextratestsyesterdayandrealizedhehadsomethingforeignlodgedinthebackofhishead.Itwascausingswelling.Theyhadtooperatethismorning,andhewentintoshock.He
slippedintoacoma.”Kimberdissolved.Nootherwaytoputit.Tearsfilledthosehazeleyes,and
Dekefoundhimselfwishinghehadsomewaytotakehersufferingaway.He’dgladlyputitonhis
shoulderssoshewouldn’thavetobearit.Butlifedidn’tworkthatway.
Ashereachedtodrawherintohisembrace,lethercryonhischest,shesurprisedhimbystanding
anddryinghertears.“Wehavetogotohim.Rightnow.”Dekefroze.“Kitten,Iknowyou’reupset,
butwecan’tdothatwithoutcarefulplanning.There’sstillapsychoontheloosewhomaybeafter
you—”
“Idon’tcare!Myfathermightdie,andImightnotgettosaygood-bye.”318
“Noonesaidanythingabouthimdying.”
“He’sinagoddamncoma!NowI’mnotadoctor,butinnursingschool,Ilearnedthat’sbadandthat
somepeoplegofromcomatodeath.”Hersarcasmwasunderstandable,butnothelpful.
Softly,hesaid,“Andsomepeoplecomestraightoutofit.”
“I’mnottakingachancethatI’llneverseehimaliveagain.”Sherippedoffherrobeinthemiddleofthekitchenandmarchedforthebedroom.
Dekewatchedtheswayofherbareassassheretreatedintotheshadowedroomandstarted
rummagingaroundthesheetsforherclothes.Hemarchedintheroomandgrabbedhershirtand
underwearoutofherhands.
“You’renotgoingnow,especiallynotbyyourself.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“ThehellI’mnot.Youcan’tstopme.”
“IfIhavetowrestleyoutothatbedmyselfandtieyoutoittokeepyoufrompresentingapublictargettothismaniac,don’tthinkIwon’t.”Kimbermarchedtowardthedoor.“I’manadultandImakemy
owndecisions.
Youdon’townme.”
Hegrabbedherarmandpulledheragainsthim.“Lastnight,Iclaimedyou,remember?Itookwhat
you’dgivennooneelse.Inmybook,thatmakesyoumine.
I’mnotlettingyoubeusedfortargetpractice.You’resafeandhidden.You’regoingtostaythatway.”
“Yousonofa—Whatareyoudoing?”
Dekedraggedheracrosstheroom,towardthebed.Shewasn’tlistening,wasn’t319
goingtohearlogic.
Hetossedherontothebedandheldherdownasgentlyaspossible—keepingallhisforcebehindthe
grip.“Keepingyousafe.”
Aquickglancearoundtheroomprovedfutile.Damn!
“Whatisgoingoninhere?”Lucdemanded,takinginthescenewithahorrifiedexpression.
Dekeexplainedthephonecall.“AndnowFlorenceNightingaleherethinksshe’sgoingtothehospitalonamercyvisitinthenexttenminutes.”
“Youcanbesuchanasshole,”Kimbergroused,strugglingtobreakhishold.
“Luc…”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Sweetheart,he’sright.Call,talktoLogan,havehimputthephonetoyourfather’searsoyoucanspeaktohimfornow.Butyoucan’tjustleaveandriskthedangerofexposure.”
“SonowI’mbeingheldcaptive?”
“That’snotmyintention,butifthat’sthewayyouwanttolookatit…”DenyinghertroubledDeke,
buthewasn’tbackingdown.“Eitherway,you’restaying.”
“I’msorry,sweetheart,butIagree.”Luccrossedhisarmsoverhischest,andDekewasdamnglad
forthebackup.“Promiseusyou’llstayputuntilwecanworkoutaplan,andwe’llletyouup.”
Kimberpressedherlipstogethermutinouslyandsaidnothing.
“Youknowtheminuteweturnourbackonher,she’sgoingtotrytosneakaway.”320
Luchesitated,glancedatKimber,andnodded.“Itseems.”ButDekehadanidea.MasterJack’scabin
camefullyequipped.
“Holdherdown.”
Lucshothimacuriousglance,butcrossedtheroomtotakeKimber’swristsinhisgrip.HestraddledherasDekemadeforthedooranddisappearedaroundthecorner.
“ImaynothavebeenanArmyRanger,butthatdoesn’tmeanIhaven’tlearnedafewtricksoverthe
years,”Lucwarnedher.“You’renotgettingaway.”Satisfiedshewasingoodhands,Dekefisheda
setofkeysoutofhispocketandunlockedthedoortoJack’ssecretroomattheendofthehall.Hewoundhiswaypastthecomputeranddesk,tothedooratthebackoftheroom,andflungitopen.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAdominant’sparadisewitheverymanneroftoy,paddle,dildo—and,of
course,restraint—knowntoman.
HegrabbedapairofvelvetcuffsandsomesilkentiestowraparoundKimber’sdaintyankles.He
pausedtocontemplateapairofnippleclamps.
Focus,hetoldhimself.Keephersafe.Rightnow,she’sgoingtobetoopissedtofuckyou.
Puttingthetoysinhispocketandinthelatercategory,herushedbackdownthehalltoseethatlittlehadchanged.KimberwasquestioningLuc’sparentageandmasculinitywithinsultsshe’dprobably
heardfromherbrothersovertheyears.
Luclookedunfazed.
“I’msorryyoufeelthatway,sweetheart.HowmuchworsewouldIbeifIcaredmoreaboutyour
name-callingthanyoursafety?”
321
Rushingbackintotheroom,DekereachedKimber’sside,tookherwristsfromhiscousinandcuffed
herintwosecondsflat.Hequicklydiscoveredthatthesilkentieswereplentylongtoreachfromheranklestothethickpostersontheantiquebed.OnlywhenshewasfullyrestrainedandspreadoutonthebeddidDekerealizeshewasalsototallynaked.
Andattheirmercy.
Dekehadneverbeenahugefanofbondage;hecouldtakeitorleaveit.Atthemoment,theideaheldappeal.Hestifledtheimpulse.
“Okay,”hesaid,dragginghisgazeawayfromherbreasts.
Theyreallywerebeautiful,andthememoryoftheirtendernipples…Damn,hehadtofocus!“Idon’t
likelettingyououtofhidingyet,butIunderstandit.Iwillfindasafewayforyoutovisityourfather.
Givemeadayortwo.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Whatifhedoesn’tmakeitthatlong?Please.”Hereyestearedup,andittoreathim.“Can’twegonow?”
Dekewishedhecouldsayyes.Buthecouldn’tgiveintohiswishtobethegoodguy.Hisjob—his
responsibility—wastokeephersafe.“No,butassoonaspossible.
Ipromise.”
“But—”
“Ifyourfatherwasawaketoputinhistwocents,kitten,youknowhewouldagreewithme.”
Shesighedwithresignation.“Pleasehurry.”
Dekesteppedoutoftheroom.Damnit,hedidn’twanttodothis,butshewasclosetotheColonel.
Denyingherwashurtingher,andhecouldn’tdothat.Witha322
sigh,hepickedupthephoneandcalledJackColeandLogan,alongwithanotherbuddy.Hewasgone
fiveminutes,tops.
Whenhereturnedtothebedroom,Kimberwasnolongertiedup.ShelayinLuc’sarms,listeningto
hiswhisperedreassurances.Dekecouldn’thelpbutlookather,andhewassurehiseyesglazedoverwithlust.Damn,hehadtogethismindoffsexandonprotectingher.
“JackandLoganwillcontactussoon.You’llseeyourfather.We’llhaveaplanquickly,Ipromise.”
Hekissedhermouthgently.
Withacry,sheopenedtohim,archedtohim.Dekehesitated,surprised.Thenhedoveintoallthekissofferedandtastedherthanks,aswellasherdesperationforreassurance.
Heliftedhishead.“Kimber?”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Holdme.Please.”
ThepoolsoftearsgatheringinhereyestoreatDeke’sheart.Hewasn’treallygoodwithcuddling,buthowcouldhesaynotohernow?Whywouldhe,whenhetakeanyexcusejusttobenearher?
Herelaxedhisbodyathersideagain,nuzzlinghisfaceinherneck,hisarmacrosshermiddle.“I’mhere.”
“Touchme.”
Ifhetouchedheranymore,he’dbegropingher,andhismind—alongwithallthebloodinhisbody—
wouldgosouth.Butsheneededcomfort,sohestrokedhersideinasoothingcaress.Ortried.Hejustwasn’tgoodatbeingacrossbetweenateddybearandjustafriend.Hegotlostinhereyes,herscent,thatsexysoftskin.Hecouldn’tbearoundherandnotgethard.Feelinglikeapervertedshit,heclosedhis323
eyes.
“Deke,”shemurmured.
“Yeah,kitten?”
“Maketheworrygoawayforawhile.Please.”Shearchedherhipstowardhim.
“Loveme.”
God,temptation.Theofferoffuckingparadise.Dekeswallowed.“Kimber,honey…”
“IknowwhatI’maskingfor.Touchme.Iknowyoucan.Makeitbetter.”Ontheothersideofthebed,heglancedatLuc.Hiscousindidn’tsayaword,buthewenthardinaninstant.
Kimbernoticed,too.“See.Youwantme.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentAlways.Butshewasupsetnow,andonlyaclass-Aprickwouldtake
advantageofhernow,right?Ontheotherhand…distractinghermighttaketheedgeoffherworry.
Yeah,hewasprobablyrationalizingbecauseshewasnakedandwheneverhegazedather,hewas
horny.Butitwaseithersexorwatchhercry,agonize,andpanicoversomethingshecouldn’tchange.
Dekevotedforsex.Inwordlessseconds,hestripped.Hedidn’thavetolookup
JusttherustleofclothingtoldhimLucwasdoingthesame.
“Kitten,ifthisiswhatyouwant,I’llgetinsideyouandtouchyoudeepuntilyoucan’trememberyourname.”
Dekestretchedoutonthebed,raisedhimselfaboveher,andstared.Shewassofuckingbeautiful,shehurthiseyes.Theacheinhischesttorquedup.
Luccrawledontothebed,stoppingwhenhereachedherotherside,andhispalm324
tookupresidenceatherbreast.
“Ineedthis,needyou…”
“Weknow.Youneedtofeelalive,sweetheart.We’lltakecareofyou,inallways.”Withthat,Luc
skimmedhisthumbsacrosshernipples,theyhardened,flushed.
Prettyandalluring,asightDekecouldn’tresist.Itwasaracetoseewhichofthemcouldgethis
moutharoundatemptingbudfirst.Dekewasprettysurehe’dwon.Itsurefeltthatwaywhenshedrewinasharpbreathandarchedtowardthem.
Herpoorlittlenippleshadtobesore.Andhetriedtobegentle.Difficultwhenthesweettipsjustkeptgettingharderagainsthistongue.Everytimehelaved,sucked,ornippedather,theyhardenedmore.
“Youguysaresogood,”shemoaned.
ShaylaBlackDecadentYeah,hervoicewaslosingitsstarch.Itsoundedlow,alittlescratchy.
Perfect.
Asmuchasheenjoyedthehardberriestippingherbreasts,hewasdyingforarealtasteofher.
Glancinghiswaydownherbody,hewasstartledtoseeLuc’shandbetweenherthighs,herhips
surginginsearchofhiscousin’steasingtouch.Withahard-onthatwouldn’tquit,hewatchedasherbreathgrewharsh.Herpantingfilledtheroom.
Luccontinuedtotauntherwithhisfingers,brushingoverherclit,sinkingintoherchannel,caressingthepoutinglipsaroundhersex,delvingdeepinsidehersextorubherG-spotwithoutmercy.
Dekesmelledher,peaches,brownsugar,musk.Itdrovehiminsane.Impatiencestrangledhim.
“Hurrythefuckupandgetheroff.”
325
Withoutbreakingstride,Lucraisedabrow.“I’mhavingfun.”
“Thisisn’taboutyou.”
“Itisn’taboutyou,either.It’saboutkeepinghermindelsewhere.”
“Oh,trustme.Iwill.”
Lucpaused.Kimberwhimpered,writhed.
“Youwanttobeinsideheragain?”
Noshit.“Amongotherthings,”Dekeanswered.
“Stoptalkinganddoit!”shedemandedbetweenroughbreaths.
Hiscousinrespondedtohercommandbyreapplyinghimselftohistask.Dekewatched,aroused
beyondbelief.God,shewasgorgeous.Thoserosycheeks,partedShaylaBlackDecadentlips,eyes
drowsywithneed.Menhadwrittensonnetsaboutwomenlikeher,andnowheknewwhy.Butshe
wasn’tjustbeautiful.Shewasballsy,too.Shewalkedherownroad.Dekerespectedthat.Understoodit.Shedidn’tcringefromhisprofession—orgetturnedonbyit.He’dhadbothsortsofwomenbeforeandcouldn’tgetintoeither.
Kimber…shewasjusther,andshetookeverythinginstride.Sure,shehademotionalmoments,but
shedidn’tfallapart.Silkwithasteelbackbone—thatwashiswoman.
His
Dekeswoopeddownandplunderedhermouthwithadesperatekiss.Sheopenedtohim,mewling.
Hislipsvibratedwiththesound.Hiscockthrobbedinresponse.
Theimpatiencetohavehertasteonhistongueagainbombardedhimagain.He326
brokeoffthekissandwhisperedinherear,“ComeforLuc,kitten.”Shegavehimashakynodand
raisedherhips,notquitethere…butclose.
Hepushedherclosertothecliff.“Thatachebuilding?Burning?Yeah,”heansweredforher.“And
theminuteyouletgo,I’mgoingtogetdownthereandlapyouup.He’sjustmakingyouniceandjuicyforme.”Henippedatherlobe.“OnceIgetdownthere,you’llgivememorecream,right?”
“Yes.Yes!”sheshoutedasherbodybowedinclimax.Shethrustherheadback,archingherneck,
pushingtheredpeaksofherbreastsintotheairasshewailedoutsatisfaction
Lucwasonhernipplesinaninstant,sucking,squeezing…
ShaylaBlackDecadentJusttomakesureKimberdidn’tthinkabouthertroublesanytimesoon,Deke
reachedintohispocketanddangledtheclampsinLuc’sface.“Knowwhattheseare?”
Luc’shungrygazefastenedonthem,andhegrabbedthemfromDeke’shandexcitedly,likeakidwith
anewtoy.
“Ithoughtyoumight.”Dekegrinnedathiscousin.ThenhekissedhiswaydownKimber’sbody.
Dekedidn’tteaseherormakeherwait.Hesparedherthat.Ormaybehesparedhimself,sodamn
eagerforhertasteagainandthosesweetlittlehitchingbreathsshemadewhenarousalbegantotakeher.
Bendingherknees,Dekepartedherwithhisthumbsanddoveintoherrichcream.Hmm.Andhetookherwithhismouth,holdingherthighswide,throwing327
hisshouldersintoitwitheverylashofhistongue.Lifedidn’tgetmuchbetterthanthismoment.
Suddenly,shestiffenedandgasped—notallfrompleasure.Withapissedglower,heliftedhisheadtowatchheradjustingtotheclampsbitingintohernipples
“Theylookmoreviciousthantheyare,”Lucassured.“Givehertwominutes.”Helookedathis
cousinreluctantly,thenturnedhisattentiontoKimber.“Thishurtingyoutoomuch,kitten?”
Hereyesdriftedopen,edgy…butheavywitharousal.Shebitherlip,holdinginacry.
“Kitten?”
“Insideme,”shegasped.“Getinsidemenow.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentHefrowned,thenlickedhiswayfromslittoclit.“ButIwasn’tfinished—”
“Now!”
Kimberwasdemandingwhenshewashorny.Dekelovedit.
Crawlingupthebed,upherbody,heslidinsideherinonesmoothstrokethathadhergroaningso
longandloud,thesoundwenttohisballsandsqueezed.
Apparently,itdidthesametoLuc.
Hecursed.
“Yeesss.”Kimberwatchedhimwithaseriousfuck-mestare.
Dekewastotallyhappytooblige.
Beforehecouldgetdowntobusiness,sheshotLucademandingstare.“Over328
here.”Shegazedatthespotonthemattressbesideher.
Lucquicklycomplied—andsherewardedhimbyturningherhead,partingherlips,andtakinghis
cocktothebackofherthroat.
ThesighttorturedDeke—withbothresentmentandarousal.Thesublimelookofecstasyonhis
cousin’sfacewasn’tsomethinghecouldpretenddidn’texist.
Dekeknewexactlywhyheengagedinménage.Butnotforthefirsttime,hewonderedwhatLucgotoutofthearrangement.Hewould—anddid—fuckwomenonhisown.Buthe’dinsistedforyearsthat
hewouldn’tmarryone,wouldn’tbejustacouplewithawoman.Hewantedacommittedtriad,had
longsoughtawomanbothheandDekecouldhappilyshare.Why?
Kimberwhimpered.
“Takeher,”Lucinstructed.“Fillher.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentGod,hisvoicewassosolemn,asif…itmeantsomethingtohimbeyondgreat
sex.
WasheinlovewithKimber,too?
Likely,yes.ButDekecouldn’tpursuethatnow,notwhensheliftedherhipstohim,tightened,and
needshotuphiscockintheformofpure,liquidneed.Herearedback,plungedin,crankeduponthefeelofheraroundhim.Damn,shewassilkyperfect.He’dneverknownanythinglikethis,likeher.
Andhe’dbethissoulheneverwouldagain.Dekegavetoher,everythinghehad—pumping,filling,sweating,stroking.Theurgetocomesnuckup
onhim,tighteninghisballs.Hegrittedhisteeth.Shewasgoingfirst,damnit.Ifhehadtobitehiswaythroughhistonguetokeephimselffromcoming,he’dmakesureshefoundsatisfactionbeforehedid.
Lucfistedherhairinhishands.Theanglehadtohurtherneck,andyetshejust329
keptdeep-throatinghim.
“Yes.Yes.God,yes!”Lucstartedtochant.
Dekerelatedperfectly.
Kimbermoanedinreturn,liftedtohim,swelled,tightened,rippled.
Oh,holymotherof—therewasnofightingthetidalwaveofsensationthatrippedacrosshissenses,strippinghimofdefenses.Hethrustintoher,strokeaftersingle-mindedstroke.Andshemethim.
Despiteteeteringontheedgeofmadnesshimself,Lucwatchedherholdherbreath,tremble.Justas
shestartedtoshudder,heunclampedhernipples.
Shescreamed.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThenherpussyundulatedaroundhimlikenothinghe’deverfelt,notjust
encouraginghimtocome,butdemandingit.Dekesurrendered—sweat,need,love.
Somewhereinthemiddle,heheardLuc’sshoutofsatisfaction,andDekefoundhimselfdesperate,
determinedtogetdeeperinsideher.Hethrustupagainstherwombasthelastofhisseedspilled.
Andhegavehisverysoultoher.
#
Twohourslater,Kimberwassulkinginthebedroom.Notthemostmaturebehaviorsherealized.
Screwmaturitythough;shewasworriedaboutherdadandpissedthatLucandDekeweren’tdriving
hertothehospital.
Okay,sothosemake-her-panties-meltmenwereright—rushingofftothe330
hospitalmightbedangerous.Butnowthatthey’dfinisheddistractingher,realityrushedback,andshewasscared;thiswasherdad.AftertalkingtoLogan,shewasscaredalloveragain.Terrifiedshe’dloseheronlyremainingparentandamanshelovedsomuch,afraidshe’dexperiencemoreofthe
nightmaresshe’dhadeachnightsincetheexplosion,anxiousthattherewasactuallysomeoneafter
her.
Noneofthatchangedherwants,however.Shewantedtogotothehospitalandvisitherfather.See
him.Touchhim.Saygood-bye…justincase.
DekeandLucwerehardlylettinghergotothebathroomwithoutescort.
Tomakemattersworse,shecouldn’thatethemforit.Theyhadhersafetyinmind,sheknew.Andtheyknewhowtogiveagirlmind-bendingpleasure.Andafter…Dekehadwrappedhertightinhisarms
andheldherwhileshecriedoutofrelease,anger,frustration,fear.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHowcouldshebepissedabouthiscautiousapproachtoahospitalvisitwhen
heactedlikehecaredsomuch?
“Wantsomelunch?”Lucsaidsoftlyfromthebedroomdoorway.
“No.”
Heshuffledintotheroomandplacedsofthandsonhershoulders.“Sweetheart,youhavetoeat.You
skippedbreakfast.”
“Itslippedmymind.”
Lucclearedhisthroat.“You’vebeenupsetforawhile.You’retearingmeup.Can’tyoucutanold
mansomeslack.”
Oldman.Shesnorted.Yeah,hemightbepushingthirty-five,butLucwasprime.
331
“I’llthrowinanapplecrispwithbrandybutterfordessert.”Oh,themanknewhowtoplaydirty.Butshewasgoingtostaystrong.Besides,everytimeshethoughtbacktoherdadlyinginahospitalbed,connectedtoIVs,tubes,andmonitors,heremptystomachnearlyheaved.Shecouldonlyimaginethe
resultsifshefilledherstomachwithLuc’srichcooking.
Stubbornly,sheshookherhead.
Morefootsteps.SheturnedtofindDekeshoulderinghiscousinasideandsteppingintotheroom.He
bracedhishandsonhiships.“Here’sthedeal.Youeatsomelunch,atleastsomethinglightthatwillhelpyoukeepyourenergyup,thenwe’lltalk.”
“Aboutwhat?We’vealreadyconversedtoday—twice—inthelanguageyou’remostfluentin:
Fuckese.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekefoughtasmile.“Youprobablymeantthatasaslur,butsomehowI’m
complimented.”
“Youwouldbe,”shemuttered.
“See,Morgan,Itoldyou,she’sterriblecompany.”Kimberturnedherheadaroundsoquickly,she
nearlygotdizzy.Yep,therestoodMorganCole,thewifeofoneofDeke’sbestfriends,awomanshe
knewhehadtakentobed.AndDekeimaginedthatshewantedMorgan’scompany?Evenwithout
knowingthathermanandthegorgeousredheadhadplayedhidethesalami,shewouldhaveresented
Morgan.Pretty,daintilycurved,feminine,nottomentionacelebrity,andagreatdresser.Probablysmartandwittyandadmiredbyeverymanshemet.
Sometimes,lifejustsucked.
332
“Biteme,”shemurmured.
“Okay,where?”Dekeasked,thenwenton.“Nevermind.I’vegotsomeenticingideasofmyown.”
Kimbergroaned.“Goaway.”
Outofthecornerofhereye,KimbersawDekeleantowardMorgan.Inastagewhisper,hesaid,“She
probablydoesn’twanttoplaydressupwithyouandgotothehospital.”
Thehospital?
Shechargedtoherfeetandrantohim.“Didyousay—”ShaylaBlackDecadentDekegrabbedher
andlaidahardkissonhermouth.“Thehospital.Yes.We’rereadytotakeyou,buttherearerules,”
hestressed.
Kimbernoddedeagerly.Shedidn’tcarewhattheywere.She’dgettoseeherdad.
Gettosqueezehishand,talktohim,kisshischeek,andhopethatherbeingtherewouldhelphim.
“Anything.”
“Oh,that’sinteresting.I’llsavethatforlater.”Hewinked.“Morganwillhelpyoudisguiseyourself.
Shebroughtwigsandmakeupandclothes.Youwon’tarrivethereuntilaftersundown.Ifanyoneasks,you’llsayyou’revisitingafriendinmaternity.You’llhavefifteenminutes,nomore.I’llbethere.
LoganandJackwillbethere.Huntermayevenbethere,recentlyarrivedfromanundisclosed
locationsosecret,he’dhavetokillyouifhetoldyou.We’renotdeviatingfromplan.We’renot
takingchances.We’renotlettinganythinghappentoyou.Agreed?”333
“Yes.”Moretearsburnedhereyes,evenasaboltofpurelovepiercedherchest.
Hewaswillingtoletherhaveherway,eventhoughlettinghergotothehospitalclearlyworriedhim.
God,shewascrazyinlovewiththeman.Wouldheeveropenupandsharehissoul—hispast—with
her?Everloveherback?Kimberdidn’tconsiderherselfacoward,butthatwasonequestionshe
wasn’tsureshewantedtheanswerto.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER16
Kimber,wearingawigofdarkbrownhairinaswingingbobandcasual,conservativeclothesthat
madeherlookasifshe’djuststeppedoutofaLands’Endcatalog,wendedherwayintothehospitalwithMorganbesideher.JackandDeketrailed,low-keyinshades,butstilllookingmeanenoughto
removethelimbsofanyonewhoscrewedwithher.
Shewasprettysuretheywerebeingmorethanalittleoverthetop.No,makethatparanoid.Who
wouldwanttohurther?Why?Yes,itwasweirdthatsomeonehadbeencallingforherfroman
untraceablephoneandrefusingtoleavemessages,butdidthatnecessarilyhavetobesinister?Truthwas,Dadhadwaymoreenemiesthanshedid.Andifsomeonereallywantedtodoherin,whyblow
upherdad’shouse?Thosecallswereprobablyjustsomepain-in-the-assreporterwantingmoredirt
onJesse.
334
ButforthesakeofDeke’speaceofmindandtoseeherfather,sheplayedthegame.NothingescapedJackandDeke.Nothing.Kimberwasusedtomenawareoftheirsurroundings,butthis…She
wouldn’thavebeensurprisedifthey’dmadenoteoftheorderly’sshoesizeorthebrandofthe
fluorescentlightsintheceiling.
Apparently,they’dconsultedblueprintsofthehospitalinadvanceorsomething
Afterenteringthebuilding,theywentstraighttothematernityward,woundthroughsomebackstairs,hijackedanemployee-onlyelevator.Aguardstoodoutsidetheauthorized-personnel-onlyhallway
theyemergedfromafewmomentslaterandquicklyshookDeke’shand.Thentheyweredownashort
hallandinsideherfather’sroom.Kimbernearlycrumbledatfirstsight.
Helookedso…fragile.Stillsportingmuscleandtheremnantsofhissummertan.
Butallthemonitors,tubes,andmachinerysurroundinghiminthatsterilebed…
Thebeepingdrowningouthislightbreathing.Hissalt-and-pepperhairhadbeenShaylaBlack
Decadentshavedcompletely.Andsounlikeherdad,hehadn’tmovedamuscleinthetwominutes
she’dbeenstaring.
“It’sokay,kitten,”Dekewhispered,slidingaprotectivearmaroundhershoulders.“We’lldothis
together.”
Heledhertotheroom’slonechair.KimberhadasenseofJackdriftingoutthedoor,whethertostandguardorgivethemprivacy,shewasn’tsure.Morganfellintostepbesideherhusband,leaving
KimberandDekealonewiththeColonel.
Dekesatandpulledherintohislap.Shewouldnotcry.ItwouldonlypisstheColoneloffifhewasconscious.Anditwouldn’tdohimadamnbitofgood,nomatterhowtemptinghercompulsionwas.
Instead,shereachedoutandtookhislaxhandinhersandsqueezed.
“Hi,Daddy.Ihopeyoucanhearme.Getbettersoon,please.Lifeisn’tthesamewithoutyoubarkingorders.”Shetriedtosmile.Kimberfalteredwhentherewas335
noresponse.Notthatsheexpectedone.Well,inonetinycornerofherheartshe’dhopedthathe’d
magicallysnapoutofthecomauponhearinghervoice,butthatwasthestuffoffairytales.Lately,herlifewasanythingbut.
Still,itwasgoodtoseehim.Areliefjusttowatchhischestmoveupanddown
“Sir,”Dekeaddressedhimwithrespect.“I’mwatchingoveryourdaughter.”
“Whatelseareyoudoingwithher?”cameasharpvoicefromthedoorway.
Hunter.
HeroldestbrotherwaseverythingKimberwasn’t.Coollycontrolled.Extremelyserious.Apparently
lackingasenseofhumor.Hunteralwaysknewexactlywhathewantedoutoflife,whathedidn’t,andhowhewasgoingtoconqueranyobstaclesinhispath.Hedidn’tmakemanyfriends,butpeople
alwaysfearedandrespectedhim.
ShaylaBlackDecadentNormally,Kimberherselffitintothatcategory.Atthemoment,hissharp
questionjustpissedheroff.“Well,hellotoyoutoo,bigbrother.Nicetoseeyou.It’sbeenwhat…
fourmonths?Andthefirstwordsoutofyourmoutharen’teventome.”
Anormalpersonwouldhavescowled.Hunterlookedcompletelyunruffled.
Secretly,KimberhaddubbedherbrothersFireandIce.Loganragedoutofcontrol,blowinghot,his
temperlikeaninferno.Hunter…hewasalwaystooglossyandcool.Noonecouldseeunderthethick
surface.
“Hello,littlesister.I’dbemorewelcomingifIcouldfigureoutexactlywhyyou’rewearingawig
andsittingonadepravedsonofabitch’slap.”Underneathher,Deketensed.
336
Kimberstood.“Stop.I’mnotdoingthishereandnow.Infact,I’mnotdoingthisever.I’veexplainedmyselftoLogan,notthatmysexlifeisanyone’sbusiness.Ifyouhaven’ttalkedtoourdearbrother—”
“Ijustflewinthisafternoon.”
“WhenI’mgone,hecanfillyouin.Untilthen,shutit.I’veonlygotafewminutestobewithDad,andI’llbedamnedifI’mgoingtospendthemarguingwithyou.”
“Afewminutes?”Hunterleanedagainstthewall,crossingbicepsthesizeofherthighsacrosshis
chest.“ThataslongasTrentonandhiscousincanletyououtofbed?”
Dekedidn’tgivehimaverbalwhipping,shewassure,toavoidstartingafighthereinthehospital.
ThankGodonemaninherlifehadsomebrainsatthemoment.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Look,Edgington.Ithinkshe’sindanger.Logancanfillyouin.Heagreedthathavingherwithme,wellhidden,isthebestcourseofaction.”Hunterdidn’tmissabeat.“NowthatI’mback,I’llseetomysister.Itakecareofmyown.”
Dekeslippedanarmaroundherwaist.“Howdoyouknowshe’snotminenow?”Amuscleticced—
once—inHunter’scheek.“Kimber?”
“Dekeisprotectingme.I’mheretoseeDad.I’mnotdiscussinganythingelsewithyourightnow.”
“Doyouknowwhatyou’regettinginto?”
Kimbershothimaglarethatwasmuchmoreself-assuredthanshefelt.“Perfectlywell,thankyou.”
337
“Wanttotellmewhy,ifI’veseenJesseMcCallmakinganassofhimselfalloverthemediaabout
youbeinghisbrideandfuturepopqueen,you’recozyinguptoMr.
Ménage?”
WasJessestillgoingonaboutmarryingher?Havingbeentuckedawayinthemiddleofaswampandvery…busy,shehadn’tpaidthatmuchattentiontothenews.God,Jessemustbedesperatetochange
hislife,buthadn’tyetrealizedthatshecouldn’tdoitforhim.
“Yousawthatoverseas?”
“It’severywhere.”
Shakingherhead,sheexplained,“Ibrokeitoff.Apparently,hehasn’tacceptedityet.Hedoesn’t
needawife;heneedsaspine.AndIdon’twanttodiscussitanymore.Now,whatdoyouknowabout
Dad’scondition?”ShaylaBlackDecadentHunterhesitatedbriefly.Knowinghim,hewaswagingan
internaldebateoverwhethertoletthesubjectofherlovelifedropornot.Finally,hesaid,“LoganphonedmebrieflythismorningwhenIwasheadedbackStateside.Istoppedtotalkwiththedoctor
onmywayhere.There’sbeennochangesincethismorning.”Yeah,thatwasn’tastretchofthe
imagination.Acomawasstillacoma.
Shesighedandmovedcloser,sittingontheedgeofthebedbesidehim.“Daddy,getbettersoon.I
couldn’tstanditif…”
No,shecouldn’tsaythat,asifsayingitmightsomehowmakeittrue.Instead,shekissedhischeek,thenwhispered“Iloveyou”inhisear.
Jackpokedhisheadinthedoor.“Kimber,time’sup.Newshiftiscoming.Darkhascompletely
fallen.Weneedtoslideoutwhilewecan.”Nowthatthetimetoleavewashere,Kimberwas
reluctanttogo.“Isallthis338
precautionreallynecessary?”
“Yes,”JackandDekesaidinunisoninvoicesthatindicatedtheyweren’tbackingdown.
Kimbersighed.Shehatedbeingcoddledandhiddenaway,butdoingitkeptLogan,andnowHunter,
freetowatchoverDad,ratherthanstandingguardoverher…justincase.
“Fine.Youwin.”
Afterdroppinganotherkissonherdad’scheekandgettingastiffhalfhugfromHunter,Kimber
allowedDeketoescortheroutthedoor.
Onthewayout,theycreptthroughthehospital,takingadifferentroute.Itwhippedthempastthe
hotel’sgiftshop,completewithcurrentmagazinesandnewspapers.Andthereonthefrontwasa
pictureofherandJessethenighthe’dShaylaBlackDecadentannouncedtheirengagementonstagein
Houston.Theheadlinescreamed“IstheWeddingOff?”
BeforeDekecoulddragheraway,sheslippedintothestoreandgrabbedthemagazineandstarted
skimming.Thepicturesthemselvesshowedhimsmiling—
almostfranticallyso—anddenyingthebreakup,insistingshewas“theone.”Therewasabriefnews
itemabouttheexplosion,almostasathrowaway.Themagazinewasfarmoreconcernedabout
whetherJessehadreallyreinedhispartywaysandwhetherhisupcomingalbumwoulddopoorly
nowthatheappearedtobebothtakenandunstable.ApictureofhimscramblingacrossJayLeno’s
desk,lookingfreneticandoff-kilter,confirmedthatthemerry-go-roundofJesse’sbehaviorwenton.
Hell,helookedlikehe’dlosttouchwithreality.
Dekesnatchedthemagazineoutofherhandandputitbackontherack.“Don’treadthatshit.You,ofallpeople,knowit’snottrue.”339
“Whatthehellhashebeendoing?Icalledofftheengagement.IcopiedeverypressorganizationI
couldthinkof.”
Dekegrittedhisteethasheledheroutofthegiftshopandtowardthecar.Jackflankedher,holdingMorgan’shand.“Someofthepressdisregardedyoure-mailasahoax.”
“Damnit!IcopiedJessehimself.Ibrokethingsoffwithhim.HeknowsIsentthate-mail.”
“Yeah.Well,heain’ttelling.”
KimberbittheinsideofhercheekasDekeurgedherintothecar,hisever-observanteyesscouring
everyinchoftheparkinglot,probablyseeingeveryantthatlivedinthecracksoftheconcrete.JackclappedDekeontheshoulderandtookoffwithhisbeautifulwife.
ShaylaBlackDecadentWhatthehellwasshegoingtodo?Shecouldn’tdoanythingaboutJesse’s
massacreinthepress…Whenshelefttheswamp,shedidn’twantthevultureswithcamerasather
doornightandday.Andthiscouldn’tbehealthyforJesse.
“Whateveryou’rethinking,”Dekewarnedashesatinthedriver’sseatandbackedout,“theanswerisno.”
“Ihavetodosomethingtostopallthis.”
“No.”
“But—”
“No.”
“Damnyou.Whynot?”
340
“We’veworkedlongandhardtoprotectyou.Jesse’smadehisownfuckingbed.Istoodthereand
watchedwhileyouwenttohim.Hecouldn’tmakeitwork.You’renotgoingtoriskyourlifetodrag
hisstupidassoutofthismessbecausehe’saheadcase.”
“But—”
“Youwanttogobacktohim?”
Damn.Waytobackherintoacornerwithjustafewwords.
“No.”
Dekeflashedheralookwiththosewildblueeyesshecouldn’tquitedecipher.
“YouokaywithmeandLuc?”
“Idon’tlikehidingoutinthemiddleofnowhereandhavingtobeawayfromDad.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Answerthequestion.”
Wasbig,seeminglyinvincibleDekeaskingifshewashappyandwantedtostaywithhimandhis
cousin?Itseemedtomattertohim.Sherepressedasmile.Thequestionseemedalmost…sweet.It
spunasugaryhopeinsideher.
ShereachedacrosstheSUVandputahandonhisthigh.“YouknowIam.”Henoddedasifthatended
theconversation.“Thennomoreaboutthatprick.
Ever.”
#
Thenextweekpassedbyslowly,amixtureofeuphorichighsinDeke’sandLuc’sarmsand
wrenchinglowshearingaboutherfather’sunchangedcondition.
Hunter’schillydisapprovalblaredthroughthephoneeverytimeshetalkedtohim,341
addingtohertumult.
Asifsensingherconfusionandsadnessthismorning,Dekehadawakenedherwithsoftkissesonher
neck—anddemandingfingersinsidehersex.Luchadaddedthetalentofhistongueonhernipplesandthoseclampshewassofondof.Withinminutes,they’ddrivenallthoughtsfromherheadexceptthe
needfortheminsideher.Naturally,they’dobliged,takingheragaintoheightsshecouldbarely
comprehend.
Now,intheearlymorningglow,Lucpressedasoftkisstoherforeheadandrolledfromthebed,
towardtheshower,leavingheralonewithDeke.Thebigblondwarriorheldheragainsthim,their
dampskinpressingtogether,breathinginunison.
Kimberfoughttears.Shedidn’tknowifherfatherwasgoingtomakeit,ifherchoicesweregoingtoestrangeherfromheroldestbrother.IfanythingwouldevercomeofherloveforDeke.Hereinthe
swamp,lifewaslikeabubble.Notreal.NoShaylaBlackDecadentgoingbackorforwarduntil
somethinghappenedandtheyachievedsomeclosurewithherfather’shealthandthebomb-wielding
asshole.
“Kimber?”Dekestrokedawidepalmupanddownherback.Hiswayofaskingifshewasokay.
Doyouloveme?Shewasdyingtoask.Kimberknewbetter.Andmaybeshedidn’twanttheanswer.
Dekewantedher.Thatwouldhavetobeenoughfornow.Themenwerealwaystouchingher,sitting
herintheirlaps,kissingher…gettingherbetweenthemtwo,three,fourtimesaday.Itwasamiracleshewasn’tlivinginanorgasm-inducedstupor.Andshewasn’tcomplaining…exceptshehadnoidea
howDekefeltabouther.He’dneversaidaword,andshestillknewnothingaboutthepastthat
hauntedhim.
“I’mfine,”shelied.Whatelsewastheretosay?
342
Heshifted,rolledtohissideandlookeddownintoherface.God,themanwasgorgeous.Notperfect.
Notpretty.Aslightbendinhisnosetoldherithadbeenbrokensomewherealongtheway.Butthoseblueeyesofhisjumpedoutofthatgoldenface.Militaryshorthaironlyaccentuatedthehard,
Germanicfeaturesthatallshoutedmale!Whatwasshegoingtodoifthiswasnothingmorethanahugefuckfesttohim?
“You’retootensetobefine.”Hesmoothedahanddownherbelly,towardhersex.
“Youneedmore,kitten?”
Shegrabbedhiswristtostophisdownwardprogress.Godknewhecouldsweepheraway.Buthe
wouldn’tmakelovetoherbyhimself.Andhewouldn’ttellheranythingabouthisfeelings.Ifheevenhadany.LucinsistedthatDekelovedher,butwhoknew?
“Nomore.”Sherolledoutfromunderhimandstartedtorise.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekecurledabeefyarmaroundherwaistandbroughtherbackdown.“You
needtocallLoganagain,hearaboutyourdad?”
“It’sbarelysixinthemorning.Theywon’tbeatthehospitalyet.IworryaboutDad,butthere’s
nothingIcandoatthismoment.”
“Thentellmewhythehellyoulooklikeyou’reabouttoburstintotears.”Hecantell?Kimberbuckedunderhim,tryingtobreakhishold.Buthewaslikeiron.
Damn,shewasn’tdoingagreatjobofhidingherfeelings.Andifshedidn’tgetaway,shewasgoingtoloseitaltogetheranddosomethingstupid,liketellthemanshelovedhim.
“Gee,I’munderalittlestress,don’tyouthink?”343
“Yeah.Butsomethingmorethantheusualiseatingatyou.What?”Desperately,shetriedagainto
wigglefreeofhishold.HehadherpinnedbetterthanaWWEchampion.Ascreamoffrustrationrose
upinsideher,andshebarelyclampeditdown.
“Whatthehelldoyouwant?Youwantmetobleedandpourmyheartout?Idon’tseeyoueagertodo
thatforme.”
“Onethingatatime,kitten.Talktome.”
“Fine.Hereitis:Ihavenoideaifthismeansanythingtoyou.”Shegesturedtothebed.“Everyday,Ipourmyheartintomybody,hopingyou’llgetthemessage.Iloveyou!”
ShaylaBlackDecadentAssoonasthewordswereout,sheputherhandsoverhermouth,wishingshe
couldtakethemback.Aboveher,hestiffened.Hiseyesnarrowed.“Afewweeksago,youloved
JesseMcCall.”
“Afewweeksago,Iwasagirlwhodidn’tknowthedifference.Butdon’tworry,Iknowyouhave
somebig,badpastthatkeepsyoufromreallygivingashitaboutme.You’llprotectmeand—”
“Iloveyou,too.”
Shockpingedthroughherbody,likepurevoltagefromalivewire.Athickrushofjoyfollowed.Hadsheheardthatright?
“What?”
Hesighed,smoothedherhairfromherface,thenleanedinandkissedherso344
gently,Kimberdamnnearwept.
“Iloveyou.IwishIwas…betterforyou.Mypersonallifeandmyhead,they’refuckedup.
Sometimes”—hepaused,swallowed—“Ihatesharingyou.”Wow,thatwasafirst—andasurprising
one.Kimberblinked.Thenstared.He’dwishedLucwasabsentfromtheirbed.Secretly,she’dhad
thesamewish.ShehadatonofaffectionforLuc…butitwasn’tlove.
“Thendon’t.Iwouldlovetobealonewithyou,justus.Please.”Alongsigh.Shaky.“Ican’t.ThisistheonlywayIcanbewithyou.”Butwhy?Kimberbittheinsideofhercheek.
Maybe…maybeifshetreadcarefullyhere,hewouldtellherhissecret.Maybeshe’dfinally
understandwhatwasholdinghimbackfromsimplybeingwithher.“Ifyoucouldtellmewhy—”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Itwouldn’tmatter.”
“Maybeyou’rewrong.We’rebothacceptingasituationwedon’treallywantforareasonIdon’t
understand.It’spossiblethatifwejusttalked—”
“It’scomplicated,andyouplayingshrinkisn’tgoingtochangeadamnthing.I’mjust…wiredthiswaynow.”Heshruggedlikeitdidn’tmatter,buttheanguishinhisfrowntoldherthatitmatteredverymuch.“Takeitorleaveit.Yourchoice.”Thatwasit.Hiswayorthehighway.Hewasn’topeningup.
Thepastwouldnotbeatopicofdiscussion.Dekewasshuttingherout.
Kimberturnedherbackonhim,rollingtoherside.Sheresistedtheurgetocurlupinaballandcry.
Highhighs,followedbylowlows.Dekelovedher,butwouldn’tconfideinher.Hecouldn’t—or
wouldn’t—stopsharingherwithhiscousin.
345
Neithermoved,andshecouldfeelhimstaringatherback.Themomentached.
Kimberhadnoideawhattosay.Todo.Theshrillringofthephoneinthebackgroundburstintothetenseairbetweenthem.Still,theydidn’tmoveaninch.
“Someonegoingtogetthat?”Lucsoundedannoyedashepaddedintothekitchenwithdampfeetanda
towelaroundhiswaist.“Hello?”Hepaused,listened,nodded.AsKimberwatched,thewetstrands
ofhisinkyhairclungtothestrongwidthofhisshoulders.Finally,Lucturned.Kimbersatupand
lookedrightpastDeke,overatLuc.
“It’sforyou,sweetheart.Logan.”
Nodding,shemadeashowofrisingfromthebedcompletelynakedwithbothofthemlookingon.If
Dekeintendedtocontinuesharingher,thenshehadnothingtohidefromeitherman.They’dseenit
all,touchedandtasteditall.OutofthecornerShaylaBlackDecadentofhereye,shesawDekebendandretrieveherlittlewhiterobe.Hetosseditinherdirection.Withapointedglance,sheletitfalltotheground.
“Whybother?”Hisfacetightened.Kimberdidn’tfeelanyhollowtriumph.Shedidn’tfeelanything
butdespairasshegrabbedthephone.
“Hi,Logan.”
“Hi.Goodnews,littlesister.Dad’sconscious!Andhe’sperfect.”Anotherjolttothesystem.This
onethebest.Fromlowtohighagain.
SomethingmusthaveshownonherfacebecauseLucwasrightbesideher,holdingherhand.Deke
wanderedcloser,hovered.
“When?”sheasked.
346
“Abouttwentyminutesago.They’regoingtorunmoretestsonhimtoday.Butifallgoeswell,he
couldbeoutinafewdays.”
“Ohmy…Oh,wow.”Shecouldn’tholdthetearsback.
“That’samazing!I’mso…God,thanksforcallingme.CanItalktohim?”
“TheyjusttookhimawaytodoanMRI.Heshouldbefreeinafewhours.We’llcallbackthen.”
“Ican’twait.I’msothrilled…”Shesobbedintothephone.
“Wait,sis.Nocrying.There’smore.”
“More?”God,couldshetakeit?Shefeltsplinteredbytheemotionaldivergence.
Howwouldsheholdherselftogether?
“We’reprettysurewenailedtheassholewiththebomb.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“What?!Youcaughthim?”
“Yep.”Logan’scheerpeppeduphisvoiceinawaysherarelyheard.“We’dseenthisassholecasing
thehospitalafewtimesinthepasttendays.Thismorning,hewassniffingaroundthehalls.HesnuckintoDad’sroomdrippingweapons.Hunterwasinthecornerandsurprisedhimbeforehecould
emptyhisthirty-eightintoDad’shead.”
Kimber’sheartallbutstopped.“Ohmigod.Isheincustodynow?”
“Absolutely.Hunterisdownwiththepolice.Atthemoment,he’sdenyingthebomb,buthe’sbeen
made.Ithinkit’sjustamatteroftimebeforehe‘fessesup.
Whatelsecanhedo?”
“Yeah,”shemurmured.Andallsortsofimplicationsracedthroughherbrain.
347
Someonehadtriedtokillherdad.Hewasnotonlyalive,butconsciousandoutofdanger.Shewasoutofdanger.Theycouldleavetheswamp.Today!Nomorehidingorworryingor…Stayingunder
oneroofwithDeke24/7.Helovedher,heclaimed,buthewasn’treadytobewithher.Justher.Sheeitherhadtodecidetoleavehimorstayandhopethatthingsbetweenthem—thethreeofthem—
changed.Butshecouldn’tthinkaboutthatnow.TodayhadtobeaboutDad.
“Thisisgreatnews,allofit!It’slikesomeonepouredmiraclejuiceonus.”Hervoicecracked;shecouldn’tkeepittogether.
“Youokay,sis?”ShecouldhearthefrowninLogan’svoice.“It’snotlikeyoutocry.”
“Justreally…happy.”Andmiserableatthesametime.Shesqueezedhereyesshut,butdamn,theystillleaked.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Okay.”Hedidn’tsoundconvinced.“We’llcallyoulaterandletyouknowforsureaboutDad’s
discharge.Cool?”
“Absolutely.Thanks.”
“Takecare,sis.”Thenhehungup.
Kimberfollowedsuit,saggingagainstthekitchencounter,barelynoticinghowcoldthewoodwas
againstherskin.
“YourDadisawake?”Lucprompted.
“Theycaughtthepsychothreateningyou?”Dekedemanded.
“Yes.”Hervoiceshookasshelookedatbothofthem.
“Yes.”
348
Lucwrappedhisarmaroundherwaistandbroughtheragainsttheclean,steelyfleshofhistorso.Hecoveredhermouthsoftlywithhisown,lingering,thenwhispered,“That’sgreat,sweetheart.I’mso
thrilled.”Dekestood.Watched.Unblinking.UnmovingasLuckissedheragainandleanedheragainst
thecabinet,thencoveredherbodywithhis.Theerectionatherbellywasimpossibletomiss.
Thewayhislipsbrushed,teased,aidedbyhistongue—itwaslikeart.Shefeltthestirringsofdesire.
Lucwasamazing,andhecouldmakeherwant.Butnotlove.
Why,damnit?Whycouldn’tshelovethemanwhowaspreparedtobewithherandonlyher?Kimber
brokeoffthekiss,tryingnottocry.Lucinterpreteditasemotionaloverflow.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Hey,notears.Thisisallgood.Wecanleavethisswampyparadise,gohome,andgetbackto
normal.You,me,Deke.”Heframedherfaceinhishandsandofferedheragentlesmile.“Ican’t
wait.”
Thenhekissedheragain,deeper,withahintofdemand.Ashedid,Kimberopenedhereyes.Deke’s
starewasgluedtothem,harsh,vivid,angry,butstillaroused.
Backingaway,Luctookherhandandheadedforthebedroom.“Comewithme.Iwanttocelebrateby
lovingyou.”
God,didshehaveitinher?IfDeketaggedalong,couldsheshareherself,knowingthatheconsideredthisastatusquothatwouldneverchange?Ortakethechancehe’dsimplysitthereandwatch,sothatsharingdidn’tbecomeanissue?Eitherway,shehadtomakehimseethisthreesomewasn’ta
workable,long-termsolution.
349
KimberstoodonhertiptoesandplantedalongdruggingkissonLuc’smouth,untilthemangrabbed
herhipsandbroughtherrightagainstthehardstaffofhiscock.Whenhegroanedandrippedawayhisbathtowel,baringhimselfcompletelyinthekitchen,shebackedawaywithavixen’ssmile.“Come
withme…”Dekedidn’tsayaword;hewatchedherwithburningeyes,hisfistsclenchedathissides.
Sohedidn’tlikeit.Good.NowitwastimetofuckLucsothoroughly,Dekecouldnolongerstandtowatch.He’dbettergetreadyforonehellofashow.
#
KimberhadyettolookDeke’sway—notoncesinceLuchadsuggestedtheycelebratehorizontally
andshehadagreed.Damnit,heshouldbegladthatshewaswillingtoacceptsomethinghecouldn’t
change.ButlookingatLucrunbig,bronzehandsalloverherbody,slidingoverstiffnipples,glidingintodampcrevices…ThatShaylaBlackDecadentjustwasn’tacceptable.Notwhenthenewsabout
theColonelbeingconsciousandthewhacked-outfreakresponsibleforthebombbehindbarsmadea
hellofareasonforallofthemtocelebratetogether.
Inthemiddleofswampcentral,whatbetterwaythansexandlotsofit?Itwasahellofawayto
climbdownthisthree-weekadrenalinerushhe’dbeenon.Exceptitwentdeeperthanthat.Dekehadtotouchherbeforetheyreturnedtocivilizationandherfamily.Andnotjusttouchherbody.He’d
donethatplenty.Thistime,hismissionwastotouchherheart.Infiltrateandcapture,ifpossible.Hehadtobondwithher.Hehadtomakeherunderstandthat,evenifLuctouchedher,shewashis
Sure,shesaidshelovedhim.Heprayedlikehellthatwastrue.He’devenstrippedhisowndefensesandadmittedoutloudthathelovedher.ButawomanlikeKimberdeservedawholeman.
Hewasn’tit.Buthewastoofuckingselfishtojustgiveherup.
350
“Iwanttoholdyou,sweetheart,”Lucsaid.“I’m—”
“We,”Dekecutin.“Wewanttoholdyou.”
“Absolutely.”Luccaressedhercheek.“Weareeverybitasrelievedasyouare.
Thrilled.Wecan’twaittoexpressourgladnesswithyou.”Itwaspartlytrue.Mostly,Dekejust
wantedtogetKimberunderhimsoshecouldfeelhim,seeandtasteandsmellhim.Hewantedto
seepintoherporessothatifshereallywasrethinkingherpartinthisménage,shewouldn’tjustturnherbackandsimplywalkaway.Howbigwouldtheholeinhischestbeifsheleftandneverlooked
back?Sohuge,itwouldmaketheGrandCanyonlooklikeatinypinprick.
Hisbestbetwastoremindher—vividly—aboutallthepositivesofbeingwithhim.Andeventhough
she’dratherbeanexclusivecouple,DekeknewforafactthatheandLucmanagedahellofaone-
twopunchonherlibido.
ShaylaBlackDecadentLucbeathimtothebedandsprawledacrossit,armsopen.Kimberhesitated,
forjustamoment.Dekeputahandatthesmallofherback,andeventhoughthethoughtoflettinghiscousinaroundher—insideher—waslikescrapinghisballsonarustyblade,heurgedherforward.
Withafuriousglareoverhershoulderathim,shedoveontothebed,ontohiscousin.Theneon
temptressinsideherburstout,fullofsizzleandcome-hither,andshinedherbrightlightalloverLuc.
ShecurledherbodyaroundLuc’s,anddidn’twasteasecondbeforeplasteringherlipsoverhis,
seeking,hungry,desperate.
KimberpushedherwayintoLuc’smouthwithhertongue,purringwithfemininemoansthatboth
strokedDeke’scockandrippedathisheart.
Shestraddledhim,fistingLuc’sdarkhairasshesankevendeeperintotheirrough,frenziedkiss.
Holyshit!
SurprisepassedacrossLuc’sface,butitdidn’tlastlong.Desirehithiscousinlike351
atornado,whirlinghimupinthepromiseofmind-blowingsexthatdrippedfromherkiss.Lucmet
thatkisswitheveryounceoffinesseinhisarsenalandclutchedthecurvesofherbody—breasts,
waist,hips—ashepouredhimselfintoansweringtherawdemandradiatingfromKimber.
Moaning,sheplacedherselfrightoverthelengthofhiscousin’scock,whichwasalreadymorethan
hardforher.Andwithfemalehipsswaying,sheundulated,rubbinghersoft,wetpussyalloverLuc’scockandlettingoutahigh,pleadinggroanthataskedhimtomakeitbetter.Tomakehercome.
Thesounds,theview,hiswomangyratingherclitovertheheadofanotherman’scock…He
swallowed.Itwashardtowatch.Bullshit!Hegroundhisjaw.SeeingKimberturnherbackonhimandflashLuctheraw,ragingneedburninginhereyes,seeingherkiss,whichdemandedhesatisfyherhunger…thatwasatearingShaylaBlackDecadentpain,likerippinghismotherfuckingentrailsout
withhisbarehands.God,hecouldn’twatch.ButDekeforcedhimself.
WatchingtheslideofKimber’spussyagainstLuc’scockquicklybecameawet,silkentorment.She
brokethekissonagaspandtossedherheadback.
“That’sit.Rubyourselfalloverme,”Lucgrowledasshegrounddownonhim.
“YoufeelhowhardIamforyou?”
Kimberwhimpered,andthesoundstabbedatDekelikeahotbladeintheballs.
“Yes,”shemewled,aviolentflushspreadingacrossherskin.“I’mwet.Sowet.
Luc…”
“Youwanttocome?”
Awildnodsentherauburnwavestumblingacrossthepaleskinofherback,her352
breastsarching.Damn,shewassofuckingbeautiful—andsofuckingarousedbyanotherman.They
lookedperfecttogether.Andhe’dencouragedherrightintoLuc’sarms.Dekesuddenlywantedto
breakthosearms.
Notforthefirsttime,DekewonderedwhyLucstayedinthisménagerelationshipwhenhewasawholemanwhocouldeasilytakeawomantobedallbyhimself.ButseeingKimberandhiscousin
together,Dekefearedheknewtheanswer.Hestoodfrozen.Itwaslikerubberneckingatraffic
accident;heknewheshouldn’twatch,andyethecouldn’ttearhisgazeaway.
PerchedonherhandsandkneesoverLuc’sbody,sherubbedherclitovertheheadofLuc’sshaft.
Sweating,trembling,shelookedbackdownintoLuc’seyes.
“Tellmeyouwanttocome,”Lucwhispered,clutchingatherhipstoholdherstilluntilsheanswered.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHercryofprotestandneedpoundeddownonDeke.Hetookastepforward
togiveKimberwhatsheneeded,tomakethatbuildingorgasmhis,totearheroutofLuc’sarmsso
that—
“Yes,”sheshouted.“Yes.Makemecome!”
ThenshewentwildonLuc,arching,wriggling,cryingout,untilherwholebodytrembledforrelease.
Kimberclutchedhim,dragginghersweetpussy—theonethatbelongedtoDeke—alloverLuc’sdick,
doingherbesttofindthewildreleaseDekeknewheshouldbegivingher.
Nomore.Dekecouldn’ttakeit.Shewashis.Thisorgasmwashistogive.HereachedouttodragKimberoffofLuc,throwheronthebed,andmounther.Heneededtogiveherthespinning,explosivesensationsofawhirlwindclimax.BeforehetouchedKimber,herbodyjolted,asifshe’dbeen
shocked.Sheletoutalong,harshcryofgutturalsatisfaction.Andshescreamedsomethingguaranteedto353
destroyhim:“Luc!”
Deke’sgutsimplodedasshecameinafierytiradeofneed.
Foranotherman.
Hisinsidesbubbled,likehe’dbeenfilledupwithacid.AneedtofuckKimberandclaimheralloveragainwarredwithaviolenturgetobeatthelivingshitoutofhiscousin.He’dgonevolatile.Feltunstable.Onthefuckingedgeofsomethinghecouldn’tpredict.He’dneverexperiencedthiswildanduncertainviolence.Deketriedtodeep-breathethroughitasKimbercollapsedagainsthiscousin’s
chest,apantingmassofsweat-slickarmsandlegs.SheheldLuctight,buriedherfaceinhisneck.
Suddenly,sheletoutawailoftearsthatsplittheairwithanguish.Shelookedsodamnsad.Defeated.
ItsnappedDekeoutofhistrance.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAsshedraggedinajaggedsob,hottearsfloweddownscaldingcheeksthat
burnedrageandhelplessnessthroughhim.HewrenchedherfromLuc’sembraceandagainsthisown
body.
“Youdon’tfuckingtouchherwithoutme,”hesnarledtoLuc.“She’smine.Mine!”Immediately,shestartedfightinghim,strugglingandwrithingtobreakfree.Sobsovertookher,butDekeunderstood
whatshedidn’task.Howcouldheallowanothermantotouchherbody?
OhGod,whathadhedonetoher?
ShamecrashedinonDeke,crushingandbleak.Fury—mostlyathimself—
followed.Dekesuddenlyknewthemeaningofthephrase“seeingred.”Thewholebright,blood-
sharpcolorfilledhisgaze,saturatinglogic.Rationalthought—gone.
InstinctruledasheloweredKimbertothebed,tookherthighsinhishands,and354
spreadherwide.Glistening,sticky-sweet,andoh-so-wet,shewasspreadoutbeforehim.Thepink
petalsofherfleshhadgonered,swellingwitharousal.Thosefoldsstilllookedfullandachingformore.Andshemadehimsogoddamnedhungryjustlyingthere.
“I’mnotjustyours.I’mhis,too,”sheflungathim.
Heraisedhisheadfrombetweenherthighsanddrilledhisstaredeepdownintohertear-drenched
eyes.Bravado.Anger.Asilentfuckyou.Oh,he’dfuckher,allright.He’dmakesuresheunderstoodthat,nomatterwhotouchedher,shebelongedtohim.
Inoneleap,Dekecoveredherbody,gatheredherlegsabovehiships,andslidtheaching-hardlengthofhiscockdeepintoherpussy.Tothehilt.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShegasped.Outofsurprise,pleasure,orpain,hedidn’tknow.Probablyall
three.
Thefeelofherclosingaroundhimlikeahungrylittlemouthburnedawayanythingthatmighthave
resembledaconscience.
Hebaredhisteethinasemblanceofasmile.“You’regoingtolearndifferently,kitten.Rightnow.”
355
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER17
Withlong,harshstrokes,DekegroanedoutaroughbreathasheplungeddeepintoKimber,stretchingheraroundhiscock,movingagainsthercervix.Underhim,shebucked,gasped,softened.
Hewasn’tcloseenough,deepenough.Hehadtoenvelopher,fillher.Easinghisarmsoverher
shoulders,betweenherbackandthemattress,heliftedherchestagainsthisandpressedin.Panting,frantic,fuckingonfire,hefusedtheirmouthstogetherandsurgeddeepintoheroncemore.She
respondedagainwithajerkandagroan.Andstill,itwasn’tenough.Itneverwouldbe.
Hard,fast,theslickslideofhisfleshover—into—herswasbothheavenandhell.
Exquisitetorture.Everyraspofherclaspingcuntsenthimcareeningclosertooblivion.Shewas
everythinghe’deverwanted,neverbelievedexistedorthathe356
deserved.Andhewasn’tleavingthisbeduntilsheexplodedinorgasmandshoutedahoarsecryin
hisname.
“Deke,”Luc’svoicebrokeintothewildrhythmofhisshuttlinginandoutofher.
“Deke!”
“What?”hesnarled.
“Begentle.”
Gentle?Shit!
DekethunderedaheavystaredownatKimber.Hisgazemetherdilatedhazeleyesandanarcof
electricityzingedrightuphiscock,punctuatedbyherneedy,restlessmoan.“AmIhurtingyou?”
Yeah,hesoundedlikehegargledwithsandpaper.Sofuckingwhat?Beforeshecouldanswer,hehadtolevelanotherlongstroketotheendofherchannel.TheShaylaBlackDecadentmotionlitupnervesandsetoffablazeofsensation,basedonthewayshescratchedhernailsintohisback,archedtohim,andhersensitivewallsclaspedhimtighter.
“AmI?”hedemanded.
“No.More.God,more!”
Herwordspeeledtheveneeroffwhatlittlecivilityhepossessed.Hammeringintoherlikealust-
crazedmaniac,Dekeheldheragainsthim,immobile,forcinghertoacceptthebrutalneedofhiseverythrustashetookpossessionofhermouthinadesperatekiss.
“Itappearsyoudon’tneedmehereafterall.I’lljust…go,”heheardLucsayovertheroarofhis
heart.Hiscousinroseandmadehiswayacrosstheroom,tothedoor.
357
TheimpactofLucleavinghimherealonewithKimber…Dekestopped.Froze.
Likesomeonehadputachokeholdonhispleasureandsqueezedthelifeoutofhisarousal.Blood
rushedawayfromhiserection.Itdwindled,dreadreplacingarousal.
Whatthe…?Thishadneverhappened.Panicstoleintohisveinslikesharp,stingingneedlesNo,no,no!Thiswasn’tsupposedtohappen.HewantedtomakelovetoKimber,haveheralltohimself.Hisbodyhadotherplans.
Holyshit!Hiserection…gone.How?Whywasthishappeningsuddenly?Hesqueezedhiseyesshut,tryingtofocusoneverythingsexual,anythingthatwouldbringhiscockbacktolife.
Nothing.
Inthatinstant,Dekeknewhewouldn’tbeabletofinishthisifLucleft.
ShaylaBlackDecadentGoddamnmotherfuckingsonofabitch!Whatwaswrongwithhim?Maybe
heshouldjustaskHeather.Oh,wait.Shewasdead.
Mortificationslammedashewonderedwithasickfrustrationhowhisbodycouldlethimdown.All
thistimehe’dbeenafraidandpsychinghimselfoutaboutit,thinkinghewasjustscrewedupintheheadinhisrefusaltofuckawomanalone.
Butitwasphysical,too.Hecouldn’tevenstayhardwithouthiscousinheretoholdhishand.Hefeltlikehalfaman.Likeafreak.
“Stay!”Dekedemanded,chokingthewordout.“Forchrissakes,comeoverhereandbegentle.I
can’t.”
Luchesitated.“Please.”Itphysicallyhurttospitthewordout,butDekeknew,knew,hewasn’tgoingtobeabletofinishstakinghisclaimonKimberifLuclefttheroom.
358
Anddidn’tthatspeakvolumesabouthowfucked-upintheheadhewas?
Withadefeatedsigh,Lucpaddedbacktohissideofthebedandcrawledon.
Bitingtheinsideofhischeeksohardhetastedblood,DekerolledtohissidesothatKimber’sbacknestledtoLuc’schest.
Hiscousinplacedhishandsonhershouldersandkissedthedampcrookofherneck.“Youlook
beautifulinpleasure.”
Allwasnormalagain—orhisdefinitionofit.SeeingKimberrelaxagainstLuc,andhiscousin’s
mouthtraveloverherflushedskin,hiscocksprangbacktovitallife.
Takingholdofherhips,DekepressedasdeepinsideKimberashecould.“Youarebeautiful,kitten.
I’veneverwantedanyonethewayIwantyou.”ShaylaBlackDecadentFreshtearsclawedoutof
Kimber’seyesasshethrewherarmsaroundDeke’sneck.Herpussyflutteredaroundhim.With
anotherhardstrokeintoher,hepushedagainstherG-spot,groundupagainstherclit.AndKimber
cameapart,roaringoutatorturedcryofsatisfactionsowild,unlikeanyDekehadeverheardfrom
her.
“Deke!”
Heruntamedpulsingalloverhiscock,hercriesofwhimperingpleasureringingoffthewalls,sent
himstraightintoacrashofecstasythatclenchedaroundhisheart.Sobbingoutamasculinegrowl,
sensationsgatheredupinsidehimlikeafireball,dangerousandconsuming.Inafewpowerful
spasms,hepoureditalloutintoher.Everything—hislove,hisneed,hishopes,hissoul.Kimber
accepteditallinsideherwithalongcry.Theirgazesconnected,andtheconnectionlatched,lockedintoplace.Hecouldn’thavelookedawaytosavehisfuckinglife.
359
Timelessmomentslater,thetumultended.Kimberstilled,thenbroketheirconnectionasherbody
sankintothemattressandsheclamberedawayfromhim,rollingaway—rightintoLuc’sarmswitha
sharpcryandjaggedtears.Lucclosedhisarmsaroundher,buthisgazemetDeke’s.Confusion.
Therewasnootherwordtodescribeit.AboutDeke’sphysicalreaction.AboutKimber’semotional
one.FromDeke’scompleteinabilitytoperform,thenstraighttoorgasm.Fromherimmersionin
ecstasytorazor-sharpdespair.Now,Dekewasspent.
Kimbersobbed.Luchadnoideawhatwasgoingonwitheitherofthem.Dekewasn’ttotallysure
himself.ButhewasfocusingonKimberfornow.
“Kitten?”herolledcloser,leaningoverher.“What?”Forendlessminutes,sherefusedtotalk.He
asked.Lucasked.Noanswers.Justmoreofthosehystericaltearsthatrippedaswordofexcruciatingpainrightthroughthemiddleofhisheart.Hedidtheonlythinghecoulddo.AndLucjoinedShaylaBlackDecadenthim.Theysimplyrubbedher,soothedher,tellinghereverythingwouldbeokay.
Dekeknewforafactthateverywordoutofhismouthwasbullshit.
“Nomore,”shesobbed.Thensheclosedhereyesagainsthim.Momentslater,shewentstill,asifthepeaksofbodyandemotionweretoooverwhelming.Shesankintoslumber,curledinafetalposition.
Dekelookeddownasherealizedthathe’dslippedhishandintohersatsomepointandshestill
clutchedit.
TheroaringclimaxesthathadwrackedherbodythrilledDeke,butallthetears.
Itwasn’tacoincidencethey’dcomeafterKimberhadtoldhimthatshelovedhimandhe’dconfessed
inkind.Andaftershe’dtoldhimthatshedidn’twanttobesharedagain,thenitbecameobviousthathecouldn’tloveherbyhimself.
“Nomorewhat?”Lucasked,lookingtense.“IsshetalkingaboutwhatIthinkshe’stalkingabout?”
360
Shit.HerecamethepartwherehehadtobehonestwithLucaboutatruthhecouldhardlyprocesshimself.
Atruththatwouldchangeeverything.
Dekesighed.“YouknowIthinkofyoulikeabrother.”SomethingguardedandangryenteredLuc’s
darkeyes.“Yeah?”
“Keepingitreal,mybrother?Wecan’tkeepdoingthistoher.Shedoesn’twanttobeshared
anymore.”
“What?You’regoingtofuckherbyyourself?”Lucchallenged.“Youdidn’tseemexactlyableafew
minutesago.”
Observantbastard.Dekehadnoideahowsexwasgoingtowork.Todayhadprovenbeyondall
doubtsthathewashalfaman,thathecouldn’tmakelovetoaShaylaBlackDecadentwomanwithout
anothermanbeingnear.Evenif,likethismorning,Lucdidn’tfuckher,too.Simplyknowingthat
someoneelsehadhisback,justincase…
Luckepton.“Youtoldheryouweregoingtoclaimherforyourself.Howareyougoingtomakethat
happen?”
“They’rebigwordsyouknowIcan’tbackupalone,”Dekechoked,soundingasrippedapartabout
thatasLuclooked.“Evenso,this,thethreeofus…ithastostop.”
“Goddamnit!”
“C’mon.She’snotbuiltforthis.Can’tyouseethat?”
“Ineedthis!Youneedthis.Whatthehellarewesupposedtodo?”Withafrown,Dekestudiedhis
cousin.“Whydoyouneedthis?Whatdoyouget361
outofitbesidesgettingoff?”
“Plenty.I’mnotgivinguponyoutwo.Untiltoday,Kimberdidfinewithus.
Perfectly.Thisisjustsomeanomaly—”
“It’snot.Yousawhersobbingherfuckingheartout!”Insomeways,hewishedLucwasright.Buttherealitywas,Kimberprobablyfeltunloved,maybeabused,whenhesaidhelovedherandstilllethiscousintouchher.AndhecouldbarelystandtoseeLuc’shandsonheranymore.
“Whatthehellchanged?”
Oh,anotherhardtruth.Dekeresistedtheurgetowince.“Shesaysshelovesme.”
“She’stoldmeasmuchbefore.”AndLucdidn’tsoundjealousintheleast.
WhichconfusedtheshitoutofDeke.“ItoldherIloveher,too.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Andnowshewantstobeexclusive?”Thetight,bittersmiletoldDekethiscouldgetuglyfast.
Heshrugged.“WebothknowI’mnotbuiltlikethat.Ican’t”—Dekelookedawayandburiedhisface
inhishands—“Ifeelsofuckingbroken.Whatthehellkindofmanneedsabuddytoholdhishand
whenhe’smakinglovetohiswoman?”
“Doyouthinksheunderstandsthat?Knowswhy?”
“No.”Lucstartedtoopenhismouth,butDekeshuthimdown.“Tellingherwon’tchangefacts.”
“That’sbullshityoutellyourselfsoyoudon’thavetospillthetruthtoher.”Maybe.Buthewasn’twillingtotestthetheory.Ohhell,shewasprobablygoingtorunscreamingfromhimnomatterwhathedid.Sowhyvomithispastalloverher?
362
“Dropit.”
Lucshrugged,clearlypissed.“Sowhat’snext?”
Withasigh,DekelookeddownatKimber.Goodfreakin’question.“Wespendtherestofthe
morningdrivingbacktoourplaceandtellherthere,afterdinner,thattherearenomorethreesomes.
Then…Iguess,we’llletherdecidewhatshewants.”
“Youmeanwho?”
Halfamanorthemanshedidn’tlove.Hellofachoice.
Dekerakedatensehandthroughhishair.“Yeah.”Funny,whenKimberhadfirstcometotheirplace
toaskhimtoteachherallaboutménage,she’daskedhowtheyhandledjealousy.Hisanswerhad
beenbullshitandignorantlies.Thetruthwas,he’dneverdealtwithitbefore.NoneofthewomenheandLuchadfuckedtogetherhadevermattered.Nowthathe’dfeltShaylaBlackDecadentthebiteof
covetousness,hehadn’thandleditwell.Andhe’dprobablyloseherinlargepartbecauseofit.
#
Theguyswereeerilysilenttherestoftheday,whichsuitedKimberjustfine.
Sheawokethatafternoontofindherselfaloneandexhaustedintheswampcabin’sbigbed.Luc
broughtherlunch,butshecouldn’tbringherselftoeatit.DekeannouncedtheywereheadedbacktoTexas.Shesupposedsheshouldbehappy.
Buthappyjustwouldn’tcome.WhetherLuc’sbrownorDeke’sdazzlingblue,theireyesseemedto
seethroughher,andtheywereheavyandworried.Shehadafeelingthatsomesortofreckoningwas
coming…
Listlessandqueasyfromcryingoverload,shequietlypackedhersuitcase.Inthekitchen,sheheardLucloadinguptheappliancesandsupplieshe’dbrought.
363
Deke…whoknewwherehewas?
Kimberhadtheoddesturgetofindhim—now—askifhestilllovedher.AskifexcludingLucfrom
theirbedwasgoingtoendtheirrelationship.Shehadabadfeelingabouttheanswer,especiallyafterexperiencinghisreactiontoLuc’sattempttoleavethebedroomearlierthatmorning.Itseemedwild,nearlyunbelievable,thatamanasvirileasDekecouldn’tmakelovewithoutanothermanintheroom,butwhatifitwastrue?
Thefactthatherefusedtotellherwhywasshreddingherinsides,andfrankly,pissingheroff.
Andnowshehadoneothercomplicationshejusthadn’texpected…
SilencefilledthetripbacktoEastTexas.Sheconsoledherselfwiththethoughtthatshewasonestepclosertoseeingherdad—andfiguringoutwhereherlifewouldgofromhere.
ShaylaBlackDecadentThey’dbarelysteppedfootinLuc’shousebeforeDekeannouncedthathehad
toleavetotakecareofbusiness.God,hewasdistancinghimselffromheralready.Hemightlove
her…butitsurefeltlikehewasn’tgoingtotrytoovercomewhateverwasbotheringhim.Washis
suddenexitsupposedtobehercuetoleave?
TheminuteDekeleft,Lucapproachedherlookinglikehehadsomethingonhismind.“Youneed
something,sweetheart?Coffee?Food?I’llmakeyouanything.”Atthemoment,shejustwantedtobe
alone,especiallyifhehadanyideasaboutactingontheheatinthatdarkchocolategazeofhis,
currentlymeltingalloverher.
“Ineedtograbafewthingsatthestore.CanIborrowyourcarkeys?”Withafrown,heagreed.
“Couldyoubebackbysix?Ineedtoputinanappearanceatarestaurantdowntowntonight.”
Withanodandagutfulofrelief,Kimberescapedthequiethouse—toopacked364
withmemoriesforcomfort—anddrove.
Itdidn’ttakeherlongtopickupsomesupplies.Pickingoutthegetwell/Imissyoucardforherdadwaseasy.Securinganewcellphonedidn’ttakelong,either.
ShecalledLoganandHuntertocheckin,andtheysaidDadwouldbereleaseddayaftertomorrow.
Sheevenhadtheopportunitytotalktohimforafewshortminutes.
Ecstaticabouthisquicklyrecoveringhealth,Kimberpickeduptherestoftheitemsonhermentallist,tryingtopushawaytherealityofitall.
KimberreturnedtoLuc’shousealittleafterfive.
Lookingsinfullysexywithhislonghairloose,charcoalslacks,andalongwhitelinenshirt,he
pressedalingeringkisstohercheek.“Iwon’tbegonelong.Canyouwaitup?Ithinkweshould
talk…”
ShaylaBlackDecadentShedidn’tlovethemanthewayshelovedDeke,butthefeelofLuc’shand
cuppinghercheekwassomehowsuchacomfort.“He’sdonewithme,isn’the?”
“Whathappensnextisreallyuptoyou.”Hekissedheragain,thistimeasweetpressofhislipsoverhers,asoftslideoftongue—thenhewasgone.
Withahugesob,shesatonthesofaandunloadedagain.Tearaftertearstreameddownherface,hotandannoyingandcreatingthemotherofallheadaches.Whenhadsheeverbeenthisemotional?All
thecryingwasexhaustingher.Andthesex.
Thetwohappeningmultipletimesaday,itseemed,wasmakingsleephernewhobby.
Atleastshehopedthat’sallitwas…
Damn,shehadtoleavethispityparty.Getsomeanswers,getherheadstraight,talktotheguys,figureitout.Thingsjustcouldn’tgoonlikethis.Shecouldn’tgoon365
likethis.
Pickingherselfup,shemadeherselfabowlofsoupandflippedafewchannels,tryingtothinkaboutnothing.Stagedlaughtracksdidn’twork.Shedriftedofftosleep.
Acarpullingupintothedrivewayawokeher.Dekehadreturned.Darkhadfallen.Kimberdidn’t
thinkshewasreadytohandleconversation,ultimatums,orhardchoices.Shegrabbedhershopping
bagsandhernewlychargedcellphoneandheadedtothebathroom.
#
Whatafuckingnightmare,Dekethought,slidingintothehouse.AnafternoonconferringwithJack
aboutbusiness—andpersonal—matters.Businesswasfine.
Healthy,infact.Jackhaddoneagreatjobatkeepingeverythingrunningwhilehe’dShaylaBlack
DecadentbeenprotectingKimberfromthepsycho-bomber.Itwasthepersonalstuffhecouldn’tseem
tountangle.
NowhehadtowaitforLuctocomehome,sotheycouldhashitout.Andhopetheydidn’tcometo
blowsoverit.Luccalledtosayhewasonhiswayhome.He’dbetherebynine.Stillplentyearlytogetallthisshitoutintheopen.Great.
Hewaslookingforwardtoit—aboutasmuchashewouldcastrationwiththejaggedlidofatincan.
Suckinguphisjanglednerves,DekewentinsearchofKimber.BeforeLuccame,heneededtosaya
fewthings.Shewassmart,sohedidn’tdoubtshe’dalreadyfiguredoutthatheneededacrowdtogetdown.Inordertomakechoicesforherfuture,sheneededtoknowthatmightneverchange…along
withtheotherthinghecouldn’tgiveher.Andwhy.Timetoripopenthescarofhispast.Oh,goodie.
366
Trekkingdownthehall,Dekeheardhertalkingandfollowedthesoundofhervoice.Whothehell
wasshetalkingto?Oneofherbrothers?Herfather?Agirlfriend?
“It’sgoodtotalktoyou,too.”Pause.“Iagreewehavesomethingstotalkabout.”Frowning,he
leanedagainstthewalloutsidethebathroomandlistenedasshesighed,crossedtheroom.Deke
supposedheshouldhavesomecompunctionabouteavesdroppingonher.Hedidn’t.
“Iknow.I’vehadtoprotectmyself,whichisonereasonIwashidingandnotavailable.ButtheguywhosetthebombatDad’shouse”—shebrokeoff,onlytostartagain—“He’sfine.I’mfine.Just
reallytired.Maybewecouldtalktomorrow.”Dekescrubbedahandacrosshisface,asneaking
suspicionsinkingintohisgut.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“No,I’mnottryingtoblowyouoff.I’vejusthadahellofaday.”Apause.Thenagiantsob.“Please,letmego.Youdon’tloveme,Jesse.Youwantredemptionorsavingorsomething,andIcan’tdothatforyou.Ican’tevenmanagetohelpmyself.”
Sohissuspicionwasright.Jesse.Thefuckingpopstarprettyboywasstillcallingher?Andwantingwhat?Hegroundhisteeth.Theprickwasmakinghercry.
Dekepreparedtochargeintothebedroom,grabthephonefromherhand,andtellMr.“MMMBop”to
getfucked.
Beforehecould,Kimberscreamed.“Damnit,notnow!Stop!”He’dneverheardhersooutof
control.Neverheardhersoclosetohystericalashehadtoday.He’dalsoheardenough.
367
Chargingintothebathroom,hesawredagainashegrabbedthephoneandgrowledintoit,“Youkeep
callingandupsettingmywoman,andI’mgoingtobreakeveryfuckingboneinyourbody,youpansy-
assfalsettosonofabitch.”Resistingtheurgetothrowthephoneagainstthewall,hestabbedabuttonwithhisthumbtoendthecall.Thenhepowereditdownandtossedthephoneonthecounter.Ina
lunge,hegrabbed
Kimberandpulledherintohisarms.Shit,shewasshaking.Notagentletremble,butanall-overbodyshake,shouldersrattling,breathhitching,bodyjolting.
“Kitten.Baby…”
Hestrokedherhairasgentlyasheknewhow.ToughwhenhewantedtogofindJesseMcCalland
poundonhimuntilhisfacewasasflatasaslabofconcrete.Dekewasmuchbetteratfightingthansoothing.ButKimberneededgentlerightnow.
ShaylaBlackDecadentInthedistance,heheardLucpullintothedriveway.Forthefirsttimetoday,hethankedGodforhiscousin’spresence.Lucwouldknowhowtodealwithheremotions.His
cousincouldcalmher.
“LetmegetLuc…”
“No.”Sheclutchedhimtighter.“Deke,I’mscared.”Hewasbothrelievedandanxiousthatshe
wantedhim.Ifshewantedhim,ratherthanLuc,shehadtostillcareabouthim,despitethehardtruththeystillhadn’tfaced.
“Don’tbeafraidofJesse.IfIneedtopersonallytalksenseintothebastard—”
“That’snotit.”
Shestartedsobbing,againsouncontrollable,hefreaked.Ifshedidn’tstop,she368
wasgoingtopassoutorthrowuporsomething.Hesatontheedgeofthetubandpulledherintohislap,histhoughtsracing.
“Thenwhat?Ifit’saboutthismorning,I’msorry,kitten.Reallysorry.Takeadeepbreathand—”
Sheliftedtear-drenched,frightenedhazeleyestohim.Thatlookstoppedhimcold.
“I’mpregnant.”
Herwordswerelikeabatteringramtothegut.Hejerkedoutfromunderherandbouncedtohisfeet.
Andhestared.Thebloodlefthisheadinasickrush.Hadheheard…?
God,please.No!
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Pregnant?”
Slowly,Kimberstoodandreachedintothepocketofhershorts,withdrawingaplasticwhitetest
stick.Withtwobluelinesrunningrightdownthemiddle.
Swallowing,Dekebackedaway.Thiscouldn’tbehappening.Itcouldn’t.Hewasgoingtopuke
everywhere.
“Howthefuck…?Thepill.You—How?”
“Thedoctorsatthehospitalgavemeantibioticsincasemystitchesgotinfected.Iforgotthey
weakenedthepill’seffectiveness…Oh,God.Youlookgreen.”Hefeltgreen.Sosick.Hisworst
fuckingnightmarecometolife.
Hispastalloveragain.
369
“Ican’tdothis.”Heshookhishead.“Ishouldneverhavetakenyourvirginity.Iknewbetter…”
Deketurnedawayanddartedoutoftheroom.HeheardKimber’scriesbehindhim,fadinginthe
distance.Beforehecouldgetoutthefrontdoor,hesawLucstandingthere.
Onelookathiscousin,andDekeknewLuchadheardeveryword.
Lucgrabbedhimbytheshoulders.“Takeadeepbreath.”
“Youfuckingheardher.She’sgoddamnpregnant!”Ofallpeople,Lucshouldgetit.Whydidhelook
sofreakin’calm?
TheurgetohurlroseupinsideDekeagain.Pregnant.Whythefuckhadn’thewornacondom?
Becauseheknewfrompastexperience,theydidn’twork.WhatShaylaBlackDecadentwashegoing
todonow?Keepwatchingherdayandnight?Howcouldhebeassuredeverythingwasokaywhenhe
wasn’tevensurehimself?
“Iknow.”Lucspokeinhismostsoothingvoice.“Deke,Iknowyou’reupset.Butit’sablessing—”
“Yeah,itwassuchafuckingblessingforHeather.”
“Who’sHeather?”Kimberaskedfromthethreshold,wrappingherarmsaroundherselflikeshewas
clutchingherstomach.
Dekewhirledtoher.Hereyesweresoredinherghostlypaleface.Herhauntedexpressionateathisgut.Forchrissakes,thatlook…itwasasifhe’dstruckher.
Lucsighed.“Heather—”
“She’sthereasonI’mnogoodforyou—oranyotherwoman,”Dekecutin.“The370
reasonIcan’tfuckawomanwithoutanothermanintheroom.AndI’mthereasonshe’sdead.”
Withunseeingeyes,Dekegropedaroundandfoundthecouch.Shaking,hesankdownintotheleather
andcradledhisheadinhishands.“Andnowhistoryisgoingtorepeatitself,andit’sgoingtobeallmyfaultagain…”
“Whatdoyoumean?”shewhispered.
Hisheadsnappedupandhestabbedherwithasharpstare.
“Iwasgoingtotellyoutheuglytruthtonight,anyway.Butnotlikethis.”Kimberbackedawaytositinachairacrosstheroom,herfacehesitant.Nowshewasunsureofhim.Toobadshehadn’tbeen
beforethedamagewasdone.
ShaylaBlackDecadentDeketookadeepbreath,sinkingdownintothepast,drudginguphispain.
“Heatherwasmygirlfriendinhighschool.Westarteddatingwhenshewasafreshman.Iwasa
sophomore.We’dbeendatingalittleoverayearwhen”—Damn,thiswashard.Reallyhard—“When
westartedhavingsex.Shewasbarelysixteen.
Avirgin.”
“Shegotpregnant.”Kimberdidn’thavetoguess.
“Yeah.Iwasscaredshitless.Noteveneighteen.Herfatherwasthelocalsheriff.
He’dneverlikedme.”
“Soshedied.Givingbirth?”Kimber’shorrifiedwhisperbarelycrossedtheroom.
“No.”Hefoldedhishands.Unfoldedthem.Forcedhimselftolookather.“Shecommittedsuicide.”
371
Withahorrifiedgasp,Kimbercoveredhermouth.Buthecouldstillseetheshockinherhazeleyes.
Wasshecondemninghim?Probably.Hedeserveditforknockingherup,thennotknowingwhatto
say.Fornotbeingawholeman.
“Sleepingpills,awholebottlefullofthem.Inhersuicidenote,shesaidthatherfamilyhatedmeandshe’dbeenstupidtoletmetouchher.SaidI’dbeaterriblefather.”Hechokedonthewords.Fuckingchoked.
“Deke,no.Youwerebothsoyoung—”
“Butshewasright.MeandmystupidEnergizerBunnydickmightaswellhavepouredthewhole
bottleofshitdownherthroat.”
“Shemadeachoice,”Kimberinsisted.
“Yeah,afterIgotherpregnant.Isworetomyselfthiswouldneverhappenagain.
Andnowlook.”Hetossedhishandsupintheair.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHell,hislifewasgoingtoshitfasterthanheimaginedpossible.Andhehad
noideawhattodo.
“Never?Youwerenevergoingtohavechildren?”Shelookedappalled.“Deke,youcan’timaginethateveryadultwomanwasgoingtoreactthesameasHeather.Icertainly…Areyoufreakedout
becauseyouthoughtImightenditallnowthatI’mhavingababy?”
Yeah.Thethoughthadcrossedhismind.Morelikestompedin,campedout,andtookapickaxintohissoul.
“Kimber,youonlyjustfoundout.Howareyougoingtofeelinafewweekswhenyou’reretchingup
yourtoenails?Orinafewmonths,whenyourshapechangesandyourbodyisn’tyourownanymore?”
Shelooked…betrayed.Therewasnootherwordforit.AndDekewastotally372
confused.
“Pregnancyisn’ttheendoftheworld.I’lldeal.IfyouthinkforaninstantthatI’ddoadamnthingtoendangermyselforthisbabyinsomefitforattention,thenyoudon’tknowmeverywell.Atall.”
Tearssqueezedfromhereyes,downhercheeks.
“Yousaythatnow—”
“I’llsaythatuntilthedayIdeliver,”shevowed.God,hewantedtobelieveher.
Butafterthehysteriainthebathroom,allthedramaoftonight…Whatifitcaughtuptoher?Whatifshedecidedshedidn’twantthebaby,him,orlife?Heather’sdeathandtheguilthadcrushedhim.
He’dbeenawalkingzombieforatleasttwoyears.Barelyfinishedhighschool.Ifithadn’tbeenforLucandthearmyandhisintroductiontoménage…there’dbeentimeshewastemptedtojoinHeatherinherfate.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Atleastthismakessomanythingsclear.YoutookupménagesafterHeather’sdeath,didn’tyou?
Thenifanywomangotpregnant,youalwayshadanothermantoblame.”
She’dfiguredhimoutfast.Exactly.Shewasexactly—Wait!
HisgazesnappedovertoLuc.“Maybeyou’rethebaby’sfather.Maybe—”
“I’dlovetotakeresponsibilityforthis.”LucdroppedtohiskneesinfrontofKimber,liftedherT-shirt,andplacedagossamerkissonherstill-flatbelly.Dekewaitedfortherelief.Andwaited.ButwatchingLuc’sreverenceashestrokedasofthandoverKimber’sstomach,hecouldonlyfeelsickatthethoughtofhiscousincreatinglifeinsidehiswoman.Thepossibilitymadehimwanttoretchandbreaksomethingatthesametime.
ThenLucstoodandlookedathimwithnotjustsadness,buttragedyinhisdark373
eyes.“ButIcan’ttakeresponsibility,Deke.Thebabycan’tbemine.”
“Youfuckedher,too.Bothofusdid.”
“True.”Luccrossedtheroomandsatbesidehim,clappedahandacrosshisback.
“ButIcan’thavechildren.I’msterile.”
Kimbergasped.Dekebarelyheard.Instead,hestaredathiscousin,barelyabletoprocessthose
words.Asecondbombtonight—thefirst,Kimber’snews,likeHiroshima,thesecond,Luc’s
confession,Nagasaki.Nuclear.Devastating.
“Youcan’t…”
“No.”Lucgazedaway,staredoutthewindow.“WhenIwasaboutfourteenIgotsomevirus.Really
highfeversfordays.”Heshrugged.“Apparently,itkillednearlyalltheswimmers.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentWashehearingthisright?Dekecouldn’tcomprehend.“What?!”
“You’resure,Luc?”Kimberasked.
“Thefirstfewyears,Iwastestedandretestedandtestedagain.Isawspecialists.
Theysaidmyspermcountwassolow,it’sprettymuchstatisticallyimpossiblethatIcouldgetanyonepregnant.”
“Andyounevertoldme?Me?”Ofallpeople.
Lucshrugged.“Ibeggedmyparentsnottotellthefamily.”
“Butyoudidn’ttellme.Whythefucknot?”
“Youknowhowpeopleare,alwayswantingtheonethingtheycan’thave.”Hissmilewastightwith
self-deprecation.“Iwantedababywhosharedatleastsomeofmyownblood.Ababythatmight
haveachanceofbeingalittlelikeme.Iwantedto374
knowitsmother.Beapartofitsfamily.Feelconnectedtotheconceptionandpregnancy,thebirth,theraising.Iwouldhaveaskedyoutosimply…donate,butIknewyouwoudn’twanttoacceptthe
responsibilityofachild.”Luc’swholeMOcameintofocuswithstartling,sickeningclarity.“You’vebeenwaitingaroundfortwelveyearsformetogetsomeonepregnant?”Dekecouldhardlyclosehis
gapingmouth.
“That’swhyyouwerealwayspushingforthewifeandthepicketfence?That’swhyyoucorneredme
intotakingKimber’svirginity?”DekehadthoughtofLuclikeabrother,abestfriend,theclosest
family.Allthistime,Luchadthoughtofhimasaspermdonor?
“Youwouldhavetakenher,anyway.Behonestaboutthat.”ShaylaBlackDecadentGrindinghis
teeth,DekesilentlyadmittedLucwasprobablyright.Buthewasn’tabouttogivehismanipulative
cousinthesatisfactionnow.
Lucsighed.“Deke,therearealotofreasonsI’vehungwithyouforyears.ButIhavetoadmit,hopingwecouldeventuallyfindawomanandhavechildrenwasabigone.Ineverhidthat.”
“YouknewthelastthingIeverwantedwastogetanyoneelsepregnant!”
“ButIalsoknewthatsomeday,you’dbewholeagainandwantkids.Youbelievedit,too,somewhere
deepdown.Ifyouhadn’t,youwouldhavehadavasectomy.Iknowyou.”
Dekedidn’twanttothinktoohardaboutthat.He’dconsideredavasectomy.He’devenhadan
appointmentonce.Then…somethinghadstoppedhim.He’dneverknownwhat.Neverlookedatittoo
hard,figuringcondomsandménageswould375
coverhisbases.
“Butsinceyounevergotsnipped,Iwassureyou’dfindtherightwoman—”
“Knockherup,takeoff,andleavetheready-madefamilytoyou?”
“No.Ineverintendedtocutyouout.Ifiguredyou—”
“Icanimaginewhatyoufigured,”hesnarled.“Congratulations,yougotyourfuckingwish.Now
you’vegotapregnantwomanlivingunderyourroofwhowillpopyououtababy.Andyou,”he
pinnedastareonKimber,“yougotawholemanwho’seagertomarryyouandhavetheperfectlittle
family.Considereachothermyweddinggifttoyou.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER18
Onhiswayout,Dekeslammedthefrontdoor.Aminutelater,hisHummerleftthedrivewayina
squealoftires.Likehecouldn’tleavefastenough.Kimberclosedhereyesandtriedtostopshaking.
InthewakeofDeke’sdeparture,aterribledreadsmotheredher.Shehadn’texpectedhimtobehappyaboutthepregnancy,butinherworstnightmare,shecouldn’thaveimaginedthescenethatfollowed.
Lucsatbesideherandwrappedasupportivearmaroundherwaist,offeringashouldertoleanon.
“Areyouokay?”
Well,shewaspregnantbyamanwhowasscaredshitlessshewasgoingtodoherselfinandhad
handedherovertoanotherman.Allinall,notherideaofagreatday.“IthinkIwouldhavepreferredbeinghitbyaMacktruck.Fasterandless376
painless.”
Hebroughtheragainsthischestandstrokedherback.“I’msorry.Thewayheactedmusthavehurt.Idon’tknowwhattosaytohelpexplainhisreaction.”
“Idon’texpectyoutoexplainhim.”Dekewasabigboy,responsibleforhisownactions.Andshe’d
bepissedashellathimifhisfearhadn’tbeensorealandtangible.Soobviouslypainful.Instead,shejustfelthopeless.
“Dekeisjust…heneverhealed.”
“Gotthat,loudandclear.”
“AfterHeather’sdeath,hetookonsomuchguilt.Andherfamilydidn’thelp.HertwinsisterspreadarumoraroundtheschoolthatDekehadencouragedHeathertokillherself.Hermotherworkedasa
teacheratthehighschoolandmadesurethatmostadultsoncampusbelievedhe’dbeenresponsible
forthedeathofasixteen-ShaylaBlackDecadentyear-oldgirl—andtreatedhimlikeastone-cold
killer.Theylivedinareallysmalltown,sotherewerenootherschoolstotransferto.Hecould
barelyleavethehousewithoutoneofhisparents.Onetimewhenhedid,Heather’sdadpickedhimupforsupposedlyspeeding,hauledhisasstojail,andthrewhiminacellwithaviolentadultoffender,eventhoughDekewasajuvenile.Thebastarddeniedhimaphonecallforsixhours.IfDeke’sdad
hadn’tfiguredoutquicklywherehissonwasandshowedupatthejailwithhislawyer,I’mpretty
sureDekewouldhavebeenraped.”
Kimber’sheartstutteredandweptallatonce.“Ohmy—That’sterrible.”
“What’sworseis,IthinkDekebelievedhewassolelyresponsibleandheapedtheguiltonhimself.Ithinkhestilldoes.AndIthinkhe’sbeenterrifiedforyearsthathemightberesponsibleforanotherwoman’sdeath.”Thestorywasawful.Beyondtragic.Awasteofayounggirl’spromise,her377
grieving,vindictivefamily,thefracturingofayoungman’ssenseofselfandworth.
Noonehealed.Andnowshewasbringingababyintothepicture.
“Thankyoufortellingme.”
“You’renotangrywithme?”
“ForbeinghonestaboutDeke’spast?”
Hewinced.“Fornotbeinghonestaboutmy…issuesooner.”Mad?No.Shehadnorealcausetofeelbetrayed.Hisinabilitytohavechildrenwassomethingthatshamedhim.EveninthemidstofallthedramaofDekeandLuc’sargument,she’dseenthehumiliationonhisfaceandfeltmorethanapangofhishurtandlossforsomethinghewantedsodesperately.
“Youdidn’towemeanyexplanations.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentHehunghisheadasifheheardherimpliedwords.“IowedDekeone.”No
wayshecouldrefutethat.“Whydidyoukeepthetruthfromhim?You’rehisbestfriend,hisrock.Hecaresaboutyou,reliesonyou—”
“I—Ithoughtwe’dbothwinwiththisarrangement.I’vealwaysbelievedthat,someday,we’dmeet
thewomanwhocouldhelpmakehimwholeagain.Thenhe’dbeokaywithherbecomingpregnant.
Oneofuswouldmarryher,we’dallbehappy…Ithoughtgoingthroughallthatwouldhelphealhim
andgivemethefamilyIwantsobadly.”
Luchadguessedwrong.“IguessthefactIwasavirginwasanaddedbonus.”
“ForDeke,yes.Ithoughttakingyouwouldbeacatharsisforhim,gethimpastoneofhismental
barriers.Andwhenhedid,Ireallythoughthe’dgrown.Itwasmoreaboutyou,though.Thewayhe
respondedtoyouwas,fromthebeginning,378
totallydifferent.Ithinkhewashalfinlovewithyouwhenyouwalkedthroughthedoor.Youlookedhalfinlovewithhimyourself.AndIthoughtyouweresweetandwonderfulthefirsttimeImetyou.”
Hesmiledsadly.“Ididn’tseehowanyofuscouldlose.”
“Iguessonthesurfaceitwouldhavelookedgood.”Buteverythinghadgonetohell,andKimberhad
noideawheretogofromhere.
Withafingerunderherchin,Lucturnedhertowardhim.“Oh,sweetheart.I’msodamnsorry.You
looksolost,likeyou’rewonderingwhatthehelltodo.”Heplacedasoft,lingeringkissonhermouth.
“SometimesIswearyou’repsychic.”
Hetappedhernosewithafingertip.“Sometimesyou’reeasytoread.”Sherolledeyes,rawfrom
crying,andtriedtolaugh.“Goodpoint.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Ilikethataboutyou.Ilikealotofthingsaboutyou.”Hetookadeepbreath,thencradledherfaceinhishands.“Marryme.”
What?Thathadcomeoutofleftfield.Yetitshouldn’thave.LucwantedababyofDeke’sseed,sincehecouldn’thaveoneofhisown.Shehadthepowertogranthimthatrequest.But…
“It’salogicaloffer.You’dhaveababy.I’dhaveahusband…exceptwe’djustbesaying‘Ido’for
thewrongreasons.Youdon’tloveme.”
“That’snottrue.”
Kimberlookedinhiseyesandsawlovereflectedinthosedarkdepths—butthesamekindofloveshe
hadforhim.“Luc,Iwon’tdenythatwehavehotsex—”
“Veryhotsex.”Hesmiled.
379
“Butyoudon’tloveloveme.YoulovemelikeIloveyou,asafriend.Overtime,thehotsexwouldwearoff.”
“Maybenot.Andalotofpeoplestartwithless,andwecouldgrowmoreinlovetogether.We’dbea
family.Pleasethinkaboutitbeforeyouanswer.”Hewasdamnnearpleading.
Damn,shedidn’twanttohurthim,butifshesaidyes,she’donlyhurthimmorelaterwhenitdidn’tworkout.“We’dalwayshaveDekebetweenus.He’llalwaysbethefatherofthisbaby,andI’ll
alwayslovelovehim.Asyearspass…Idon’tthinkyoucouldlivewiththat.”
“I’dbefine—”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Iseehowmuchyouwantthisbabyandafamilyofyourown.Ihavenodoubtyou’llbeoneofthe
proudestunclesevertomybaby,butIdon’tthinkmarriageisagoodidea.”
“Please…Thisismylasthope.I’llbethirty-fivethisfall.Dekeisnevergoingtosharewithmeagainaftertonight—notyouoranyone.FatheringababyistheonethingIcan’tdoformyself.I’veachievedsuccessinmycareer.Imanagedtobuyahouse,makeclosefriends.I’vegotmoremoneythanI’ll
everspend.But…thisistheoneholeinmylifeIcan’tfill.”
Andherheartachedforhim.“Haveyouconsideredadopting?”Hegrabbedherhands.“Iwantapart
ofme,evenifit’sasmallpart.You’recarryingasmallpartofmewithyou.Dekeisnotgoingto
comeplaydaddy.Thisbabyneedsafather.I’llbeagoodhusband.”
380
“Ihavenodoubtyouwould.”Tothewomanhereallyloved,hewouldbegolden.
Butthatwasn’ther.“AndIknowDekeisn’tgoingtochangehismind.Ijustdon’tthinkitwouldbeagoodideatoaddanothermistakeontopofalltheothers.”
“Thinkitthroughbeforeyousayno.”
“Ihave.You’llbeabigpartofthebaby’slife.Butifyoumarryme,rationalornot,yourrelationshipwithDekewillbedestroyed.Idon’tthinkyouwantthat.IknowIdon’twantitonmyconscience.”
Luc’sshouldersfellashepulledawayfromherwithaheavysigh.“Iknowyouwon’t,butifyou
changeyourmind…”
“Iknowwheretofindyou.”
KimberleanedforwardandkissedLuc.Softly.Abrushoflipsandanexchangeofsighs.Awhisper
ofgood-bye.DesperatefingerslatchedintoherhairashenudgedShaylaBlackDecadentherlips
apartandstrokedinside,hiskissbegging.Asifhe’ddecidedthatifwordsdidn’tconvinceher,
maybesexwould.
Damn,themancouldflatoutkiss.Thefinesse…wow.Thewayherakedhistongueacrosstheroofof
hermouthsentashiverthroughher.Thenhenibblederoticallyonherlip.Atiltofhisheadlater,andthekisschanged,deepened,ashesweptthrough.Hehadfullcommandofhermouthnow,andshe
tingled,felt…taken.Itwouldbeeasytomeltagainsthim.Butitwouldgivehimfalsehope.
Shepulledaway.“I’llbeleavinginthemorning.”Luc’sfingerstightenedinherhair,andhelookedlikehewantedtoargue.
Instead,hegrittedhisteethandreleasedher.“Wherewillyougo?”
“Ineedtocheckinwithmybrothers.Mydadshouldbecominghomefromthehospitalsoon,and
they’llbringhimtoLogan’splacewhenhe’sreleased.They’ll381
needmyhelp.Myplaceisn’ttoofarfromhis,andmypoorneglectedapartment…
Betallmyhouseplantsaredead.”
“Willyouleavemeanumber?Iwanttobewithyou.Iwanttobeasinvolvedasyou’llletme.”
Shesmiled.“Sure.IhavenodoubtI’llneedahandtoholdalongtheway,andneitherLogannor
Huntercanbeclassifiedaswarmguys.It’llbefittingifyou’reinvolved.Evenifwe’renotmarried,there’sstillalittlebitofyouinsideme,andI’dnevertakethatfromyou.Ever.”
#
Threea.m.Shit.
Afterfivehoursawayandahalf-dozenwhiskeyshotschasedbyahandfulofbeers,Dekestill
couldn’toutrunthebarrageofemotionsshreddinghisguts.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHequietlylethimselfintothehouse,bracinghimselfforthesightofKimberinLuc’sarms,inhisbed.Bettergetusedtothat.Oncetheygotmarried,he’dbeconfrontedwithit—
andknowexactlywhathewasmissing—fortherestofhisfuckinglife.Unlesseverythingthathad
happenedwiththebaby,thearguments,therevelation,haddrivenKimberovertheedgeofsanity.
Panicflashedlikethestabofacoldbladeintohisheart.
No,Lucwouldn’tletthathappen.Lucwouldsaveher.Eventhoughhecouldn’tfatherchildren,ofthetwoofthem,hewasthewholeman.Evenso,knowingthattheywereacouple,thatLuchadtheright
totouchher,strokeher,fuckher…God,itwasgoingtoeathimup.
It’sforthebest.Suckitupandgetoverit.
Swallowing,Dekesethiscarkeysinthefoyer,lockedthefrontdoorbehindhim,andstartedthelongwalkdownthehalltowardthebedrooms.Everystepfeltlike382
oneclosertohisexecution.Hisguttwistedintightknots,stranglinghisstomachintosomething
painful.Hispalmsbegantosweat.
Oh,hell.Thehouseseemedstill,butwhatiftheywerehavingsex?Orwerenakedandentangledandhadobviouslyhadsextonight?You’dbettergetusedtoit…
HereachedtheopendoortoLuc’sroom,drewinadeepbreath,andbracedhimselffortheworst.
Instead,hefoundhiscousinsprawledoutacrosshisking-sizedbedinanobviouslyrestlesssleep.
Alone.
Reliefandfearbothsuckerpunchedhimatthesametime.Wherewasshe?Hiskneesbuckled,andhe
toredownthehalltowardhisroom.
Pleasebethere.Pleasebeokay.
Dekeroundedthecornerandchargedintohisroom.Andcametoadeadstop.
ShaylaBlackDecadentWearingsomepale-coloredtanktopthatshowedthegracefulslopeofher
shoulders,Kimbersleptinhisbed,withherheadonhispillow,clutchingoneofhisT-shirtsinherhands.
Hebracedhimselfagainstthedoorframeandstaredatthegentleriseandfallofherchest,visiblebythestreetlamp’sglowslantingthroughhisbedroomwindow.
Amillionthoughtsassailedhimatonce.
HadsheturnedLuc’smarriageproposaldown?Dekehadnodoubtthathiscousinhadissuedone.
Maybeshehadn’tanswered.OrmaybeLuchadgivenherlastnighttodealandwouldaskhertoday.
Yeah,thatseemedlikely.AndmaybeKimberhadstuckaroundjusttogivehimtheasschewinghe
deservedforgettingherpregnantinthefirstplace,thenhandlingitsobadly.Whateverthereason,hedidn’tdeserveherandheknewit.
Howhadlifegottensofuckedup?No,lifewasn’t;hewas.Andthatwasn’tgoing383
tochange.Itwaswhatitwas,andKimberwasbetteroffwithLuc.Evenifseeingthetwoofthem
togetherwasgoingtokillhim.Shewhimperedinhersleep.
PushingasideallthereasonsheshouldleaveheraloneandletLuctakecareofhernow,Deke
stumbledacrosstheroom,totheedgeofthebed.
Aglanceatherrednoseandthesilverypathsdownhercheekstoldhimshe’dbeencrying.Damn,
he’dratherbepunchedinthestomachforaweekbytheheavyweightchampthanseethat.And
despiteeverything,hewantednothingmorethantocrawlupinhisbedbesideher,tuckheragainst
him,andsleep.Thenwakeslowlywithher,stretchingtogether,kissing,maybe…
No.Itwasn’tgoingtohappen.UnlessLucparticipated,therewasnowayDekecouldmakelovetoKimber.Woulditmakeadifferenceifshewasalreadypregnant?Maybe…buthewasn’tsure.Maybe
thementalcrutchoftheménagewasShaylaBlackDecadentjusttooembeddedintohispsyche.EvenifhecouldmakelovetoKimberalonewhileshewaspregnant,whataboutafterthebabywasborn?
Shedidn’twanttobesharedanymore,andDekecouldn’tpicturecallingLucagaintojointheparty.
Afterlastnight…therewouldn’tbeanymorepartieswithhimandLucandthislusciouswoman—or
anyother.WithKimber,they’dsharedtheirlast.He’dcometothatconclusionafterabouthisfourthbeer.He’dhavetofindsomeoneelsetosharewithandmakesureeverywomanbetweenthemwas
utterlymeaningless.ButafterKimber,hedidn’tthinkthelastpartwouldbeaproblem.Eventually.
Theutterdisinterestinsexhe’dexperiencedwithAlyssawouldn’thappenforever,right?
Hewasalsogoingtostopbeingachickenshitandgetavasectomy.Ensurethere’dbenomoreissues.
Ensureheneverfuckedupanotherwoman’slifeagain.
Andhewasgoingtohavetomove.LeaveTyler,Texas.Hecouldn’tseeLucand384
Kimbertogetherdayafterday,yearafteryear.Afterheensuredthatshedidn’ttakethepill-bottlewayoutoflife,leavingwastheonlywayhecoulddeal.Andtherewasnofuckingwayhecouldwatch
thembuildalifetogether.
Evennow,whenheknewallwaswellandthatheshouldleavethem,hecouldn’tmakehimselfwalk
awayfromher.Instead,hekneltbythebed.Kimber’ssleep-laxhandwasrightinfrontofhim,andhetookitgentlysohedidn’twakeher.Butevenhefeltthedesperationinhistouchashebroughtherfingersclosertohislipsandpressedabittersweetkisstothebackofherhand,tryingnottocrushher.
God,helovedher.Somehow,evenwhenhe’dworkedfortheColonelandshe’dbeenseventeen,
somepartofhimhadsuspectedeventhenthatshe’dbehisweakness.Now,notonlywashegoingto
havetodowithouther,butknowshebelongedtoamanheregardedasabrother.Andthesadfact
was,Kimberwasbetteroffwithouthim.
ShaylaBlackDecadentWiththatharshrealization,emotionrattledinhischest,explodedinsidehim.
Damn,hehatedthisshit,buthecouldn’tstopit.Thestingoftearsattackedhiseyeswiththesubtletyofanicepick.Thentheywerefallingandwouldn’tstop.Dekedrewingreatbiglungfulsofair,tryingtogetontopofthetearsandshovethembackinside.Buthisbreathstutteredashetriedtoinhale.HeclosedhiseyesasliquidheatpoureddownhisfaceandhegrippedKimber’shandinhis.
Whatwashegoingtodowithouther?Lookingback,she’dgivenhimhercompletetrust,hertartsenseofhumor,herabilitytobetoughwhennecessaryandsoftwhenhe’dneededit.Helovedthatfemininewaysheassertedherself,thewayshecouldmakehimhardwithjustasmile.
Dekeburiedhisfaceintheblanketsnexttoherthighandletthesobshappen.
Quietly.Hedidn’twanttowakeher.Didn’twantanyonetoknow.But,ohfuck,hewasbawlinglikeagoddamnedbaby,andhecouldn’tstop.Hislifehadbeenone385
giantscrewup.Foryears,Heatherhadbeentoponhislistofregrets.NowhecouldaddKimber.She
wasgoingtohurtlikehellforyearstocome,andhehadnoideahowtomakethesituationanybetter.
Excepthavethemostrationaldiscussiontheycouldaboutthechildgrowinginherbelly,thenleaveherinpeace.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER19
InLuc’scar,KimberflooredherwayintoDallasbyeightthatmorning,thesametinysuitcaseinhandthatshe’dleftwith.Onlynow,shehadabrokenheart.
Whenshe’dawakenedshortlybeforefivea.m.alonetofindDekecrashedonthesofaintheir“man
den,”Kimbercouldn’thelpbutgetthepicture.Afterall,she’dbeensleepinginhisbed,whichwasbigenoughforthetwoofthemiftheycuddled.
Instead,he’dchosentheleathercouchattheotherendofthehouse.Kimberdidn’tneedhimtodrawherapicture;sheunderstoodtheimplicationperfectly.
Snifflingassheeasedthecarfromonehighway,acrosstheinterchange,toanother,Kimberturnedontheradioanddeterminedtothinkofthefuture—
withoutdissolvingintotears.
Shewasgoingtohaveababy.Shewasgoingtobeagoodmother,anurse,live386
nearherfamily.Herhe-menfatherandbrotherswouldnodoubthittheceilingwhensheeventually
announcedthatshewashavingababyandnotgettingmarried.Theywerehorriblyold-fashioned.But
they’dgetoverit.Iftheyinsistedonbeatingthecrapoutofsomeoneforknockingherupandnot
“doingrightbyher,”she’dsimplypointoutthatLuchadproposedandshe’drefused.They’dhave
plentytosayaboutthat.ThefactDekewasactuallythebaby’sfatherwasnoneoftheirbusiness.
Assheapproachedhome,shecalledLogan.Shedidn’treallywanttodealwithhim,buthewasthe
informationsourceaboutherdadandhisreleasefromthehospital,especiallysince
Hunterwasstillbehavingwithallthewarmthofaglacier.Heansweredonthefirstringandbarkedout,“Kimber?”
Lord,sparehercallerID.“Morning.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Whereareyou?”
“Nearlybacktomyapartment.”
“Really?YoufinallyfoundyourbrainandleftthetagteamingtwosomeinTyler?”No,she’dfinally
gotteninoverherheadandruinedthelivesoftwoperfectlywonderfulmen,oneofwhomshe’dnevergetover.“It’sover.Bymychoice.Let’sleaveitthere.”
She’dtellhimaboutthebabylater.Whenshewasstronger.WhenDadwasbetter.Whentheyweren’t
onthephone.Andnotuntilshewasabsolutelyreadytofacethemall.
“Gladtohearit.”
Histoneintimatedthatshe’dfinallydonetherightthingandhadn’titbeen387
obvious.No.Shefeltwretched,andLogan’sattitudestompedalloverherlastnerve.
“Why?Whatdidyouhaveagainstthem?”
“You’rekiddingme,right?You,ofallpeople,shouldknowexactlywhyIwouldn’twantthosekinky
bastardsanywherenearmysister.IwanttothrowupeverytimeIthinkaboutthethingstheyprobablydidtoyou—simultaneously,nodoubt.Thesamethingsthey’vedonetodozensofother—”
“Kinky?”Oh,Loganalwaysknewtheperfectwaytohopuphertemper,andsheshouldn’ttakethe
baitbut…“That’srichcomingfromyou.Doyouhavetowhipawomanandcauseherpaintofeel
manenoughtohavesexwithher?”
“Fuck,”hesnarled.“No.That’slow,damnit!Andithasnothingtodowith”—hetookadeepbreath
—“We’reofftopic.Youleftthemandyouaren’tgoingback?”ShaylaBlackDecadentKimberfelt
morelikearguing,butfiguredthathittinghissexlifewaseverybitaslowashimhittinghers.Inbothcases,itwasuncalledfor.Therealizationdeflatedher.Inthewakeofheranger,shedidn’tfeel
anythingbutcrushedanddamntired.
“Right.”
Sheparkedthecarandcollectedhermailfromitsoverstuffedbox.
“Sorry,”Loganfinallymuttered.“Iknowyou’reanadult.DekeandLucwereyourmistakestomake.
I’lltrytostopbeingaprick.”
“Thanks.I’msorry,too.How’sDad?Whenishecominghomefromthehospital?”sheaskedasshe
letherselfintoherapartment.Itwasstuffyandhadthatclosed-insmell.Thoughthemorningwas
muggy,sheopenedafewwindowsforair.
“It’slookingliketomorrow.We’llgetsomemoretestresultsbacktoday,which388
willgivethedoctorsaclearerpictureofhiscondition.”Hepaused.“Dadwouldappreciateavisit.”
“Nowthattheassbitewhosetthebombislockedupandoffthestreets,I’mfreetoseehim.”
“Idon’tknowhowmuchlongerthey’regoingtobeabletoholdRonaldFuscoJr.
That’shisname.Dadhelpedsendhimtothebighouseabouttenyearsago.Ronnykeepssayinghe
didn’tsetthebomb.There’snophysicalevidencetyinghimtoit.
ThereisashitloadofevidencetosupportthefacthewasharassingDad,butnothingmoreconcrete.”
AlarmjumpedunderKimber’sskin.“Dothepolicestillthinkhesetthebomb?”
“Dependsonwhoyoutalkto.Besides,doesn’tmatterwhattheythink,onlywhattheDAcanprove.
Rightnow,theydon’tevenhaveenoughevidencetogetanindictment,muchlessgototrial.Theguymightwalk.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Damnit…Whatdoyouthink?Isheguilty?”
“Couldgoeitherway.Butmygut…hedidn’tsetthebomb.”
“SowecouldstillhaveapsychooutthereafterDad?”
“Orafteryou.Whileyouwereintheswamp,wegotacoupleofphonecallsonDad’scell,someguy
askingwhereyouwereandhowtofindyou.Healwaysusedprivate,untraceablenumbersandnever
talkedlong.Ineverknewifhewasareporteroracriminal.”
Shefrowned.Surely,hewasoverreacting.IthadtobethepresstryingtogetaholdofherandbiteintothebigjuicystoryofherandJesse’sbustedrelationship,whichseemedlikealifetimeago
now….She’dassumedaboutalltheunavailablecallsandmutevoicemailsonhercellphonewere
allmembersofthepress,too.
389
“Ihaven’tmadeanyenemies.”
“Thatyouknowof.”
True.Kimbersighed.Butunlikely.Hadtobethepeskypressnotknowingwhentoleaveastory
alone.“Gowithmetothehospitallatertoday,justincase?”
“Yeah.Letmeknowwhattime.CouldI…”Hehesitated.“Igottaask,areyouokay?
Yousoundlikeshit.”
Shefeltlikeit,too.
“I’mtired.Thelasttwodayshavebeenreallytough.Ineedalittlespaceandrest.
I’llbefine.”Shehoped.
“Okay.”Logandidn’tsoundlikehebelievedherintheleast,andshedidn’tcare.
“Callmelater.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Willdo.”
Aftershedisconnectedthecall,Kimbersortedthroughhermail.Alotofjunk.Afewbillssheneededtopay.Latertoday,she’dcallthemanageroftherestaurantwhereshe’dbeenwaitressingduring
nursingschoolandsweet-talkherwaybackintoherjobsoshecouldpaysaidbills.Rightnow,she
couldn’tfacethefuture.
Anotherenvelopecaughtherattention.FromtheStateofTexas.HerNCLEX
results.God,couldshetakeanothershockifshehadn’tpassedhernursingexams?
Trembling,shetoreintotheenvelopeandscannedthepage.Reliefhither.She’dpassedeasily.
Kimberexhaled.Whew!
Allherhardworkhadpaidoff,andshehadonelessthingtoworryabout.Now,sheandherbaby
wouldbeassuredasecurefinancialfuture.NodoubtherfamilyandLucwouldallwanttohelp.
She’drathernotbebeholdentoanyofthemifshe390
didn’thaveto.AndafterDeke’sreaction…sheassumedhe’dratherpretendshedidn’texist.
Theverythoughtmadetearsthreatenagain,butsherefusedtoletthemflow.
Onedayatatime.Todaywasaboutrightingherapartmentandherfamilyinteraction—andputtingthepastbehindher.
Kimberexitedherapartmentagain,intothehumidJulymorning.Asshewaspullinghersuitcaseout
ofLuc’scarandtryingtodecidehowbesttoreturnthevehicletohim,herphonerang.
ShelookedatthecallerIDandgroaned.Butiftodaywasaboutputtingherpastbehindher,thatmeantshehadtotakecareofthis,too.
“Hi,Jesse,”shegreetedasshedraggedhersuitcaseacrossthehotasphalt.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Justhi?I’vebeenworriedoutofmymind!Whowasthecavemanthatthreatenedmeandcalledyou
hiswoman?Andwhatdidhemean?”Nevermindthatshe’dbeencryinghystericallylastnightand
wasobviouslyupsetaboutsomething.Hadsheeverreallybelievedherselfinlovewithhim?Such
stupid,girlishfantasies,borneofpaintinghermemoriesofhimwithrosybrushstrokesandher
completeinexperiencewiththeoppositesex.Dekehadbeenrightaboutthat.
“Just…noonewho’sgoingtobotheryouagain.”
“Hesoundedlikeafuckingbarbarian.Iwasjusttryingtotalktoyou,andtheguysoundedlikehe
wouldhavereachedthroughthephonetostranglemeifhecouldhave.”
Thatwasprobablyaccurate,butnoneedtofreakJesseoutmore.
391
“Didyouneedsomething?”
“IwentuptoOklahomaCityandSt.Louis,putonshows,gaveinterviews—”
“Inwhichyousaidwe’restillgettingmarried.Whatthehellareyouthinking?”
“Don’tbeangry,babe.I’mbackintownforafewdays.Can—canwemeetsomewhereforlunch?
Quietly.Ineedtotalktoyou.Please.You’relikethelonevoiceofsanityinmycrazedlife.”
“Jesse,you’retheonlyonewhohascontroloveryourcrazedlife,notme.”
“See,I’mnotsurethat’strue.Ijust…Please.”Kimberwantedtorefusehimandknewsheshould.
Butgivenlastnight’scallandthisearlymorningconversation,shedidn’tthinkhewasgoingtogetthepictureoverthephone.
ShaylaBlackDecadentShesighed.“Oneo’clock.”
“Great.Thanks!”
Sherattledoffthenameofahole-in-the-walldeliwithagreatlittlepatio.Itwouldbehotoutthere,butthey’dbealone.Andshecouldfinallyendthis
chapterofherlife.
#
DekenursedacupofcoffeeandahangoverwhenLuccamebarrelingintothekitchen.
“Whereisshe?”
Hetookasipfromhiscup,ingestingthebitterbrew.“Gone.Shetookyourcar.”392
“Damn!Shesaidshewasleaving,butIthoughtshe’datleastsaygood-bye.”
“Youwanttotellmewhysheleft?Whyshespentlastnightinmybed,insteadofyours?”
Lucshothimanincredulousstare.“Youreallyareonescrewed-upbastard.
WouldyouratherthatI’dspentallnightbesideandinsidethewomanyoulove?”Godno.HewasfightingbetweentherationalpartofhimthatknewpairingherwithLucwouldbebestforthembothandtheemotionalbeastlurkingwithinhimthatwantedtokillanymanwholaidafingeronhereveragain.
“Imayaswellgetusedtoitnow.”Hesmiledcynically.
“Don’tbother.Kimberwon’tmarryme.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekeflinched.Clearly,Luchadproposed.Andthepainoflosingtherightto
beherbaby’sfatherwasalloverhisface.Whatahorriblefuckingmess.ButDekecouldn’tbring
himselftotellLucthathewassorryKimberhadrefusedhim.Hewassurprised,though.Sheseemed
toopracticaltoturndownacatchlikeLucandraiseababyalone.Godknewhewastoomuchofa
headcasetohelp.
“Shelovesyou,man.She’dratherbealonethanbewithanyoneelse,”Lucsaid.
Howdamntragicwasthat?Dekeshookhishead.
“Soit’salluptoyou.”
Dekeblinkedandlookedathiscousinasifhe’dlosthismind.“Uptometodowhat?IthinkI’ve
doneplentyhere,andnoneofitgood.IfIdoanymore,thingsarelikelytogofromfuckedupto
catastrophic.”
393
LucsethiscupofcoffeeasideandyankedDekefromhischair,tohisfeet.
“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”Dekedemanded.
“Resistingtheurgetobeatthehelloutofyou.Barely.”
“Bringiton,”Dekesnarled,itchingforafight.Anythingtotakehismindoffthisshit.
“Andgiveyouwhatyouwant?No.I’mgoingtoscrewyourheadbackonstraight
YouarenotgoingtoleaveKimberaloneandpregnantwhenyoucouldmake—”
“Couldmakewhat?Lovetoher?Notwithoutyouorsomeotherchumpthere.Iknowmyboundaries,
andshedeservesmorethanIcangiveher.She’llgetsmartandeventuallyacceptyouroffer.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“YoubetterhopetoGodshedoesn’tbecauseI’llbreakland-speedrecordstorunhertothenearest
JusticeofthePeace.”Hefrowned.“Ifyoudon’twantthattohappen,fixit.”
Fromthat,DekewonderedifLucwouldkeeppursuingKimberuntilheworeherdown.Hecouldbe
damnpersistent.
“Whatthehellareyousaying?”
Lucgrabbedhimbytheshirt.“Getoveryourshit.Isthatplainenoughforyou?”
“Myshit?”Hejerkedaway.“I’mjustsupposedtoforgetthatIcausedthedeathofasixteen-year-oldgirl?Poof.Justputtheguiltoutofmymindandeverythingishunky-doryagain?Let’sthrowafuckingparty.”
“Aftertwelveyears—”
394
“Aftertwelveyears,Heatherisstilldeadandit’sstillmyfault.”
“Goddamnit,itisn’t!”Lucgrowled.“I’mnotgoingtowinKimber,butyoustillcan.Andyoubelongwithher.Shecanhealyou.YoujusthavetofacesomerealitiesaboutHeatherandyourinvolvement
inherdeath.”
“Iknowtherealities,”hesaidthroughclenchedteeth.
“Youknowthecrapherfamilyfedyou.Youswalloweditwhole.Butthinkaboutit.Abouther.She
wasmessedup.Gettingpregnantwasjustoneofherissues.”Heshrugged.“Soshehadproblems.
Whodoesn’t?Butbeingpregnantwasthebiggestproblem.”
“Wiseup.Whataboutherdruguse?Orthefactherparentsweredivorcing?
Wasn’tshefailingschool?Twodaysbeforesheswallowedthatbottleofpills,she’dfailedher
driver’stest,right?”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Shewasn’tadrugaddict.Herparentsdidn’tendupsplitting.Shecouldhaveturnedschoolaround,andretakenherdriver’stest.”
“Shecouldhaveendedthepregnancy,too.Itwasn’tlikeshehadn’talreadytoldherparents.They’dofferedtopayforanabortion.Shedidn’tkillherselfbecauseshedidn’twantherparentstoknow
you’dhadsex.Andshedidn’tdoitbecauseshefeltshehadnootheroptions.”
“Youdon’tunderstandhowHeatherwas.”
“Yeah,Ido,”Lucshouted.“Thegirlcravedattention.I’msorryshe’sdead.It’sterribleandtragic.
Butshedidn’twanttountangleherlife.Shewasdeterminedtopunisheveryonefornotlovingherthewayshewantedtobeloved.Hersisterwasabitchtoher.Herdadneverhadtimeforher.Hermom
tooksomanyantidepressants,IwonderifsheevenknewHeather’snameanymore.Ifyoulookinthe
dictionaryunderdysfunctionalfamily,theirpictureshouldappear.”395
“Yeah…”Dekesighed.“Butbeingpregnantsentherovertheedge.”
“No.Whatputherovertheedgeisanyone’sguess.She’dknownaboutthepregnancylongerthanher
parents’divorce,school,orthedriver’stest.Anyofthosethings—ornoneofthem—couldbethe
finalreasonshecommittedsuicide.
Shewasavolatile,immaturegirl.Youcan’tkeepbeinghermartyr.Youdidn’tforcethebottleof
pillsdownherthroat.”
Thatwastrue.Ifhe’dbeenthere,hewouldhavestoppedher.Somehow.Butfromallaccounts,she’d
beendistraughtaboutthepregnancyanddeterminedtoenditall.
“Yourbiggestpartinthiswasanunfortunatecondomandthewayyoubehavedaftershetoldyouthe
news.Itwasn’tasbadasthewayyoutreatedKimber…butclose.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekefroze.“Whatareyousaying?”
“Youreactedwithfearandfury.Yourejectedher.Notthewayawomanwantsamantobehavewhen
shesaysshe’sgoingtohavehischild.Ifyou’reworriedaboutKimber…leavinghertoanotherman
ortofacethisaloneisn’tthewaytoensureheremotionalhealth.”
Putlikethat…noshit.Therewasabig,heapingpileofreality.
“Butmorethanthat,”Lucwenton,“areyoureallygoingtowalkawayfromthewomanyouloveand
yourbabybecauseofadeathyoudidn’treallycauseoveradecadeago?”
God,Lucmadeitallsoundsosimple,likehe’djustbeenonetinypartofHeather’smessed-uplife,butnotthewholereason.Dekesatatthetableagain,grabbedhiscoffee,andstaredintotheblackliquidswirlinginhiscup.Wasitthatsimple?Years396
hadgoneby.Whoknew?Nothim;he’dresistedthinkingaboutittoomuch.
He’dneverseenhersuicidenote,justbelievedthecraphe’dheard.Heather’smomhadbeenthekindofwomanwhowouldhaveshiftedblametosomeoneelsesoshedidn’thavetolooktoohardinthe
mirror.Heather’stwin,Haley,hadbeenacarboncopyofhermother.Maybe…whatLucwassaying
hadsomemerit.
Attheveryleast,thelasttwelvehourshadprovenhowmuchKimberwasunlikeHeather.After
discoveringshewaspregnantandhe’dhandledthenewsbadly,Heatherhadgonetoanall-night
bender,gottenshit-faceddrunk,andsleptwithoneofhisbestfriendstospitehim—thenmadesurehefoundouttopunishhim.
KimberhadrefusedLuc’smarriageproposal,criedherselftosleepinhisbed,thenquietlypacked
herbagandleft.Shewasalotmore…togetherandpractical.Shesimplywentonwiththebusinessoflivingandrolledwiththepunches.
ShaylaBlackDecadentButknowingthatstilldidn’tsolvehisproblem.Evenifhecouldjustswallowalltheguilt,thatwasn’tgoingtomakehimnormal.Whatifhecouldn’tmakelovetoKimber,one-on-one,likeatypicalman?Butheowedherconversation,assurancesthathe’dbeafatherandafriendandprovideanythingsheneededfinancially.Intime,she’dfindagreatguy.Dekewincedatthe
thoughtandshoveditaway.Okay,onedayatatimeforhim,too.Untilshemadehimfacetherealityofanothermaninherlife,he’dprobablypineforher,thinkofherashis.Andwishhewasabettermanwhodeservedher.
“WhyareyoutryingtomakeeverythingbetterbetweenKimberandme?”Deketurnedhisattention
backtohiscousin.“Tomakeupformanipulatingus?Togetclosertothebaby?”
Lucclosedhiseyes.“Ideservedthat.I…influencedyoubothtogetwhatIwant.Ithoughtitwasineveryone’sbestinterest,notjustmine.Now,I’mtryingtotalk397
somesenseintoyoupurelyforyourowngood.Likeyousaidafewdaysago,Iregardyouasa
brother.Youshouldbehappy.Youdeserveitafterallthistimeandshit.”
Dekeswallowed.ThatwasprobablythenicestthingLuccouldhavesaidtohiminthatmoment.He
wantedtobelieveit.Healmostdid…“Thanks.”
#
Atoneo’clock,Kimbersatonthepatioofherfavoritedeli.Theareawasshadedbyliveoaktrees
andborderedaquietsidestreet,whichwouldhelpwithprivacy.
Shepluckedatthetanktopwiltingagainstherskin,hopingthattheheatwouldensurethatiftheyweregawkedat,itwouldbepurelythroughwindowsinthedeli’scoolinterior.
ShaylaBlackDecadentTenminuteslater,Jessepushedhiswayoutthedoorandontothepatio.He
turnedandwaved.Kimberfrowned,untilshesawascowlingCallthroughoneofthewindows.
“Heinsistedonbeingaround,incaseacrowdfollows.He’llstayinside,though.
Thislunchisjustforus.Damn,it’shot!”
Jessestrippedoffhischeckedcollaredshirt,whichhe’dwornoverawife-beaterteethatshouted
“LifeSucks”inbrightbluelettersandenoughblingtoblindher.
Hedidn’tremovehissunglasses.
Kimbersighed,thenspottedthewaitresscomingtheirwaywithtwoglassesofwater.“Everything
hereisgood.”
Theyoungwomaninlow-riseshortspretendednottorecognizeJessewhileshetooktheirorder,but
thewayherbodytensedwithexcitementandhereyeskept398
cuttinginhisdirection…itwasobvious.
“Aturkeysandwichwithsproutsanddoublecheddaronabaguetteandacola.
Sure,Mr.McCall.”Hervoicewashighandthinwiththrill.
Tryingnottorollhereyes,Kimberorderedeggsaladonwheatandasideoffruit.
Thenreluctantly,thewaitresslefttheminpeace.Afteralongpause,Jessetookasipofwater,thenfingeredthecondensationontheexterioroftheglass.“Thanksforagreeingtoseeme.”
“Thisisthelasttimeuntilyouacceptthefactwe’renotgettingmarried.Whatpossessedyoutomakethatannouncementwithoutaskingmefirst?”
“Ijustthought…we’dtalkedaboutitbefore.You’reagoodinfluence,andIdon’tlikewheremylifeisgoing.”
“Thenyouchangeit,”Kimbersuggested.“Ican’tdoitforyou.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHelookedatheroverthetopsofhissunglasses.Wounded,bloodshoteyespleadedashetookherhandsinhis.
“Youcanhelpme.I’mstrongerwithyou.Youmakemewanttobeabetterperson.”
“Youhavetowanttobeabetterpersonforyourself.Nothavingmearoundisjustanexcusenotto
changeyourlife.Ifyoureallywanttocleanupyouract,fireRyan.
He’stryinghardtomakesureyourlifeiseverybitasscrewedupashis.Stoptheparties.Start
listeningtoCal.Hemightbegruffanddour,buthe’stryingtopreventyoufromself-destructing.”
WhileperpetuatingJesse’sbad-boyreputation,whichwouldselllotsofCDsandiTunesdownloads,
butthatwasanotherstory…
“I’lldoit,”hevowed.“See,you’resmart.Withyou,Icanhandlethings.”
“Youcanalsohandlethemalone.Youhaveto.”
Hetoreoffhissunglassestorevealatired,crestfallenface.“Idon’tblameyoufor399
notwantingtohelpme.Ibehavedlikeashitwhenyoutouredwithme.Ishouldn’thavefuckedthe
blondewithRyan.Andthevideo…God,Ifeltsostupid.I’msorry.
Really.It’sjust…beingnearyoumademecrazy,butIdidn’twanttotouchyou.
EverytimeIthoughtaboutitortried,Ifeltlike…achildmolesterorsomething.
LikeIwasgoingtoruinyou,andyou’retooinnocent—”
“I’mnot.Notanymore.”
Jessefroze.“Theassholeonthephone,yougavehimyourvirginity?”
“Ifellinlovewithhim,Jesse.IwasinlovewithhimbeforeIcameontourwithyou.Hedidhisbesttopushmeaway—”
“Soundstomelikehepushedhiswaybetweenyourlegs,”hegrowled.“Andwhereishenow?”
Kimbersighed.“Sometimes,thingsjustdon’tworkout.Likewithus.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Don’tsaythat.Comewithme.We’lltakecareofeachother.”
“No.You’llbefinewithoutme.Justthinksmart.Dowhatyouknowinyourheartisright.Yougot
suckedintotoomuchfameandmoneytooyoung.Whatwouldyourparentshavewantedyoutodo?
Whatdoyouwanttobeabletotellyourchildrenaboutthispartofyourlife?Certainlynotthatyousawpeoplesnortingcokeandhavinggroupsexinyourhotelroom.Orthatyouandoneofyour
bandmateshadanalsexwithatotalstranger.Dothingsyou’dbeproudof.”
“You’rereallynotgoingtochangeyourmind,areyou?”Sheshookherhead.“I’malwaysavailable
byphoneoremail.Whenyoucomethroughtown,we’llmeetlikeoldfriends.I’llalwayscare.”
Lookingsad,likesomeonehadshothisdog,Jessestoodandmadehiswayaroundthetable,plucked
herfromherseat,anddrewherintohisarms.“You’reaspecialwoman.”
400
Kimbersmiled.Jessecovereditsoftlywithhismouth.Akissoffriendship.Ofgood-bye.
Suddenly,anelectronicwhirrcrashedintothequiet.
Footsteps—lotsofthem.Anotherelectronicwhirr.Aflashbulb.Squealinggirls.
Pullingaway,Kimberblinked,stunnedtofindsheandJessesurrounded.Ahandfulofphotographers
franticallysnappedpictures.Youngwomenlookingbarelylegaljumpedupanddown,several
provingthemselvesbraless,astheystaredatJesseinworship.
“CanIhaveyourautograph?”oneasked.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”thewaitressasked,horrified.“It’ssupposedtobeasecret!”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Ihadtoseehim!”protestedthefanwiththeautographbook.
“Areyoureallygoingtomarryher?”AnotherfemalefanlookedatKimberwithdisdain.
Neitheroneanswered.
ThephotographerskepttakingshotsofJesseasheautographedthegirl’sbookandhandeditbacktoherwithasmileasphonyasthehugegoldloopsdanglingfromherears.
“Couldyouleaveusalone?”Jessesaidtothepress.“We’retryingtohavelunchhere.”
“Answerthegirl’squestion,”shoutedonereporter.“AreyoumarryingMs.
Edgington?”
401
“I’msosorry,”thewaitressbabbled.
Jesseignoredherandscowledatthephotographers.
“You’vehadyourpictures.There’snostory.Getthehellawayfromus.”
“Publicproperty,”onequipped,thencapturedtheshotofangermutatingJesse’sface.
Asiftounderscorethepoint,morepeoplewandereddownthesidestreettoinvestigatethegrowing
crowd.Thenumberofpassersbyswelled.Thesoundbecameacacophonyofvoicesandcameras.A
vanstoppedafewfeetaway.Oneofthelocalnewsstations.Great.Howhadtheyreceivedwordsoquickly?
SomeonereachedouttograbtheshirtJessehaddrapedacrossthebackofhischair.Sheyelpedwithexcitementandsniffedit.Actuallyheldittohernoseandinhaled.KimbercouldbarelypickherjawoffthefloorasJessereachedouttograbShaylaBlackDecadentitback,butshedartedthroughthecrowd.Othergirlschasedher,grabbingattheshirt,too.
Holycow,howdoesheputupwiththiseverywherehegoes?
CallappearedbesideJesseandmurmured,“Thecrowdisonlygettingbigger.Ithinkyoushouldgo.”
“HowdidtheyfindoutIwashere?”
Callshrugged.“Probablythewaitress.Doesn’tmatter.Thisisgoingtogetoutofhandifyoudon’tleavenow.Youtakethecarbacktothehotel.I’llmakesureKimbergetshomesafely.”
Jesselookedpissed,asifhewasbeingforcedintoapositionhedidn’twantandimpotenttodo
anythingelse.
402
“It’sfine.It’sforthebest.”Shetouchedhisarminreassurance.
Morecamerasclicked,capturingthemoment.
“AreyougoingtomarryMs.Edgington?”Thepushyreporteraskedagain.“Andwhatdoyousay
abouttheentertainmentindustry’spredictionthatmarriagewouldruinyourcareer?”
“Ifhegetsmarried,I’mnotbuyinganymoreCDs,”onebitchyfansnapped.
“Knowinghe’stiedhimselftosomeotherwomankillsthefantasy,”Kimberoverheardanothergirl
tellingthereporter.HeignoredeveryoneandlookedatKimberwithregret.
“Yougoingtobeokay?”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“YouheardCal.He’llfollowmetomakesureIreachhomesafely.Yougetoutofherebeforethis
turnsintoabiggercircus.Callmewhenyou’refreeandwe’lltalk.”Hesighedwithacceptance,thenwhisperedintoherear,“Ireallydoloveyou.”Inhisone-sidedway,shebelievedhedid.Butnowitwastimeforhimtostandonhisowntwofeet,justlikeshe’dhavetodo.“Takecare.”Jessekissedhercheek,andKimberdidherbesttoignoretheclickingofcameras.
Yikes,thiswaslikelytobealloverthefrontpage.Ifitwas…coulditreallyhurthisimage,his
career?Ifso,thatwasyetanotherreasonhe’dbebetteroffwithoutawiferightnow.
Asheturnedaway,Kimberwatched.Hejumpedthelittlefenceanddartedforhiscar.Thehorde
followedhim,camerasbobbing,girlsscreaming.
403
AneeriequietsettledoverherandCallinhiswake.
“That’scrazy,”shesaidasthelastofthemassdisappeareddownthestreet.
“That’sshowbiz.”
“Wouldpeoplereallystopbeinghisfansifwemarried?”Thewholeideaseemedinconceivableto
her.Theyeitherlikedhismusicortheydidn’t,atleastinhermind.
“Youheardityourself.MostofhisfansarewomenwhoseeJesseastheultimatecatch.Ifyou’ve
alreadycaughthim,they’reoutinthecold.Youreadytogohome?”Callasked
“Sure.”
“I’llfollowyou,justtomakesurenooneelsedoes.”ShaylaBlackDecadentEmotionless.
Expressionless.Callwasallbusiness,allthetime.RightnowJesseneededthat.Kimberjusthoped
thathe’dlisten.
Astheyturnedtowardtheparkinglot,asleek,blackMaseratiSpyderconvertiblezoomedpastthem,
tiresscreechingasitturnedoutontothemaindrag.ThenJessewasgone.Probablyforever,andshecouldlivewiththat.Theyeachhadtheirownlivesaheadofthem.Andhiswouldbewhathechosetomakeofit.
404
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER20
Kimbercurleduponherbedinthefetalposition,herpillowbunchedbeneathherhead,andtriedtodriftbacktosleep.Noluck—andnowonder.Herlifecouldmakeasoapoperalooktamethesedays.
Lovetriangle,check.Surprisepregnancy,check.Possiblepsycho-stalker,check.Gosh,throwinagoodcatfightoraliensfromouterspaceandshecouldrivalanydaytimediva’sdilemmas.
Lackofsleep,nosurprisethere.True,she’dbeentiredmostoftheday,asymptomofpregnancy,
she’dheard.Shesighed.Inafewdays,she’dseethedoctor,havethemconfirmeverything,giveheraduedate,explainwhatwouldhappenoverthenextninemonths.Thenshe’dhavetotellherfamily.
KimbercringedatthethoughtofLogan’sandHunter’sreactions.
Turningover,shepunchedherpillow,wrestleditunderherabitmore.Why405
wasn’tthispositionanymorecomfortablethan—Tap,tap,tap.Pause.Whoosh.
Whatthehellwasthat?Thosenoisesweretotallyforeign,andseemedtobecomingfromherlivingroom.Yes,itwasherfirstnightbackatherapartment,butKimberhadlivedherelongenoughto
recognizetheusualsounds.Noneofthosefitthatcategory.
Thepeopleaboveherhadkidswhousuallyranarounduntilclosetoeleven.Thenewlywedsnextto
herhadsexeverynight—atleastonce—andshecouldheartheirbedbangingagainstthewallevery
time.Butthissound…Itwassubtle.Likesomeonetryingtobequiet.
Infact,itsoundedawholelotlikesomeoneforcingoneofherwindowsopen.
Easingoutofbed,Kimbergottoherfeet,nervouslygrabbinghercellphoneoffhernightstandwithadamppalmandsmoothinghertanktopoverherjumpystomachwiththeother.Sheapproachedthe
hall,intendingtoinvestigatetheoddShaylaBlackDecadentnoisewhensheheardfootstepsonher
hardwoodfloors.Softfootsteps,likesomeonecreepingslowly.Therewasnomistakingthesound.
Onbarefeet,shewhirledanddartedintoherclosetandeasedthedoorshut.
Thenshedialed911andwhisperedheraddressquickly.Theoperatorwantedhertostayontheline
andwaitforthepolice.
Theever-closerfootstepsletherknowthatwaitingaroundforthecavalrywasn’tanoption.Shewasgoingtohavetodefendherself.
Suddenly,shewasdamngladforeveryself-defenseskillherbrothershadinsistedshemaster,everytimethey’dropedherintobeingtheirmartialartssparringpartner,andeverymale
endurance/fighting/generaltoughnesscontesttheyhadputherthrough.
Thefootstepsenteredherbedroom,paused,wanderedaround,thenheadedto406
thecloset.
AsKimberbracedherselfagainstthewallbehindherwalkincloset’sdoor,herhandcameinto
contactwithsomethingsolid,wooden.Shesmiled.Andshewasdamngladthatshe’dbeenonthe
apartmentcomplex’sco-edsoftballteam.
Wasn’tthisshitheadinforasurprise?
#
Deke’spalmshadsweatedfortheentireonehundredmilesintoDallas.Nearlytwenty-fourhours
afterKimberhaddroppedherbombshell,hewasreadytotalktoher.No,hehadtotalktoher.Sohe’ddrivenwest,intothethick,inkynight,withhisinsidesjoltinglikehewashookeduptojumpercables.
Luchadspokenalotoftruths.Adozenyearsago,Dekehadbeenguiltyofmanythings.Havingsex
withanemotionallyunstablegirl.ThinkingwiththewrongShaylaBlackDecadenthead.Lettingthe
abundanceofHeather’semotions—andherfamily’s—drownouthislogic.
Whathehadn’tdone,ashiscousinandKimberhadpointedout,wasforcedHeathertoswallowthe
pills.Ahardfacttoaccept,butthetruth.She’dchosenthatpathherself…forreasonshe’dprobablyneverunderstand,butweren’tallrelatedtothepregnancy.
FacinghisgriefagainhadbroughtDekerighttothesourceofhisguilt—andhewasfinallyseasonedenoughtounderstandwherehe’dmostfuckedupwithHeather.He’dlethergobeforeheknewwhat
couldhavebeenbetweenthem.He’dbeenseventeenandterrifiedbyherpregnancy,thenfuriousthat
she’dfuckedsomeoneelsetospitehim.Theyhadn’tspokenfornearlythreeweeks…thenshe’d
endedeverythingpermanently,leavinghimwithnothingbutquestionsandgut-wrenchingremorse.
407
HadhelovedHeather?Maybehe’dbeentooyoungtoknowwhatlovewas,buthehadn’tbeenready
fortheirbondtobebroken,especiallybyHeather’ssuicide.Inretrospect,whathe’dbeenmostguiltyofwasbeingtoostupidandscaredtofightforwhatmighthavebeen.
HewasnotmakingthatmistakewithKimber,especiallysinceheknewhelovedher.Ifshewantedtoendtheirrelationship,thechoicewouldbehers.
Unfortunately,Dekehadnoillusions;he’dbehavedlikeaderangedmoronafterKimberhad
announcedherpregnancy.LikeLuchadsaid…he’dtreatedherworsethanhe’dtreatedHeather.
Therevelationofhiscousin’ssecrethadn’tcontributedtohisoverallgoodmoodormentalhealth,
either.Butnowthathe’dhadtimetoprocessalltheshocksandtalkhimselfofftheemotionalledge,itwastimetomakethingsdifferent.Oratleasttryinhisway.
ShaylaBlackDecadentLookingupKimber’saddressontheInternethadbeentooeasy.He’dhaveto
talktoheraboutprotectingherpersonalinformationalittlebetter.Later.
Hecruisedtheapartmentcomplex’sparkinglot,tryingtofindherbuildinginthedark.Itwasn’twellmarked,damnit.Dekefrownedasheglancedaround.Theunitswerefarapart,withapark-likearea
inthemiddle.Alotoftreesallaround.
Lotsofdark,shadowedcorners.Noguardgatesaroundtheplace.
Whywasitthatwomen,themorevulnerablesextoattack,neverthoughtaboutsecuritybeforethey
settledintoaplacetolive?
Maybeaftertonight,she’dleavehereandgowithhim,sothelackofsafetymeasuresherewouldn’t
beanissue.Yeah,hecouldhandlethat.Hell,hecravedit.
First,hehadtofindoutifshe’dhaveanythingtodowithhim.
408
HespottedKimber’sbuildingtowardthebackofthecomplex,buttingupagainstanemptyfieldand
surroundedbybigtreescastingshadowsunderthemoonlight.
Shehadaground-floorunit.Andonhisfirstpassbyherapartment,hecouldseethatherwindowwaswideopen.
Witharipecurse,heparkedhisHummer,wonderingwhythefuckshehadn’tjustlockeduptightand
turnedontheairconditioning.WhyhadLoganandHunterlethermoveintosuchahard-to-defend
place?Whyhadn’therbrotherslecturedherwithinaninchofherlifeaboutthefactasinglewomanleavingdoorsunlockedandwindowswideopenwasafuckingengravedinvitationtoviolentsickos
wholookedatrapeandtortureasentertainment?
Lockingthevehiclebehindhim,Dekejoggedtoherdoorandknocked.Andwaitedinthestillnight
barelybrokenbycricketschirping.
Nothing.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHefrowned.Maybeshewasfastasleep.Ormaybeshewasn’there.Ever
thinkaboutthat,asshole?
He’dheardontheradiotodaythatshe’dbeenspottedatacozylittledelihavinglunchwiththeprickwiththefalsettopipes.WasKimberhavingfeelingsforJesseagain?Dekecouldhardlyblameher
afterthewayhe’dtreatedher,butGod,thethoughtmadehimwanttothrowup.
Hewhippedouthiscellphoneandcalledher.Noanswer.ShehadcallerID,soshewasavoiding
him.Hadtobe.Dekewantedtobeatthefuckingphoneagainstherdoor.Frustrationboiledinside
him,shootingupwardlikesomescienceexperimentcoilingupatesttubeandabouttoblow.Buthe
wasn’tgivingup.Itwashotterthanhelltonight,lookedlikeitmightrain.Butthatmeantshit.He’dcamponherfrontdoorstepallnight—days,ifnecessary—untilshecamehome.
Deke’sshoulderssagged.Hecouldn’tpretendthatknowingshedidn’twantto409
talktohimdidn’thurt.Andifhedidn’tstopwalkingthismentalterritoryagain,he’dstartbawlinglikeababy.Again.Hewantedtobeamanwhenhefacedher,sohecouldlookherintheeyeand
promisehe’ddoeverythinghecouldtobethemanforher.Butcouldhebethemansheneeded?Self-
doubtlashedhimlikeaviciouswhip.
Pressinghisforeheadtoherdoor,Dekeresistedwrestlingwithhisinnerdemons,butthefuckersjustkeptcomingafterhishope.Fistinghishandsagainstthedoor,hewishedshewashere,thathecouldholdher.Helovedhersomuch…Herno-nonsenseapproach.Herquickwit.Thatsurprisingnaughty
streak.Thewaysherolledwiththepunchesandhandledlifewithaplomb.Hereasewithher
emotions,thetimesshe’dsharedthemsototallywhenhe’dbeenwithher…insideher.God,lether
comebacktohim.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAsound—agrunt?—rippedthroughhisthoughts.Faint,but…outofplace.A
man’sgruntcomingfromKimber’splace.Hefrownedanddriftedovertothewindow.Anothersound
hecouldn’tplace.Acrash,likesomethinghittingthewall.
Whatthefuck?Anxietyclawedathisgut.Wasshe…spreadoutundersomeotherman,maybeJesse,inherbed?No.Hewouldnotbelieve—No,notKimber.Shewasn’tHeather.ButDekestilldidn’t
knowwhatthenoiseswere.Heonlyknewtheywereoutofplace.
Crawlinginsidethewindow,DekewithdrewhisSIGSauerfromhisshoulderholster,justincase.
Hecreptaroundthesofa,pastthegalleykitchen,thendownthehall,guninthelead.Hefoughttheurgetochargelikeabull.Slowly,carefully,untilheknewwhatthefuckwasgoingon.
Ahigh-pitchedscreamrippedthroughthenight,stabbinguphisspine.Kimber!
Fuckcareful.
410
Chargingdownthehalltothesourceofthesound,hereachedherbedroom.
Dark,empty.Bedmussed.Shit.Thesoundsofastrugglethroughthebathroommadehimwhiphisheadaround.Itwascomingfrombehindthecloseddoorinsidethebathroom.Thecloset?
IfthesonofabitchhadharmedahaironKimber’shead,he’dbeeatingfortherestofhislifethroughastraw—afterjustthefirstpunch.IfDekegotinasecondone…thefuckerwouldhavenoneedfora
straw—orfood—period.
Creepingtowardthecloseddoor,Deketriedtolisten.Hedidn’twanttoendangerKimberbyjumping
inlikeanidiot.
“Putthebaseballbatdown,”growledtheman.“Idon’twanttocauseyoupain.”Whoosh.Thud.
Grunt.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Bitch!Thathurt.”
Kimberhadnailedhim.Good.Thebastardwasn’tathisbest,andshewasstillalive.Allgoodnews.
Dekeknewhemightnotultimatelywinher,buthecouldgoddamnsaveher.
Suddenly,Kimbercriedout.
“Damnyou,dielikeagoodgirl.”
“No!”HerterrordrippeddownthewallsandslashedatDeke’sgut.
Dekeuncorkedthebottleofhisemotions—thefear,guilt,frustration,rage—andletthemflyashe
blastedthedoortotheclosetasideandrocketedintotheroom.Itwasdamndarkinthelittlecloset,buthesawtheoutlineofKimber’sbodygoingdown,thesickthudofherheadstrikingthewall.
Bloodgusheddownherfront.
411
Oh,no.Hellno!God…Pushingpanicawayforfury,Dekewhirled,grabbedtheintruderbytheneck,andpushedhimagainstthewall.Theglintofmetalarcinginhisdirectioncaughthisattention.Heswervedhistorsooutofthewayandtightenedhisfingersaroundtheman’sthroat.Withtheother
hand,hepointedhisgunrightintheasshole’sforehead.
“Tosstheknifetomyfeet.”
Theintruderhesitated.Dekecouldhearhisharshgasps,smellhisfear,feelhistrembling.Itwasn’tenough.Hewantedtoseethebastardbleed,writheinpain,twistunderhisfingersashebeggedformercy.
Welcometoyourinnercaveman.
Shovingthethoughtaway,Dekesentthemanalethalglare.“Idon’tneedmuchofareasontoblow
yourheadopen,motherfucker.Droptheknife.”ShaylaBlackDecadentHesitation,indecision.Deke
inchedthegunforward,pressedhispalmintotheasshole’swindpipe.Still,hedidn’tcooperate.
AndDekehadnoideaifKimber’slifewasbleedingoutontotheclosetflooratthisverymoment.
“I’mdonejackingwithyou.”Deke’sfingertightenedonthetrigger.
TheintruderfinallysensedthatDekemeantbusinessandtossedtheknifedown.
ItlandedatthetoeofDeke’sleftboot.Steppingonitsoitcouldn’tcomebackintoplay,Deketriedtocomedownoffhisaggressionhigh.Kimberneededhimnow.
Dekepointedtothefarthestcornerofthecloset.“Sithereonyourhands.Don’tmove.Ifyoueven
twitch,youandmyfriendSIGSaueraregoingtogettoknoweachotherrealwell,yougotme?”
412
UnderDeke’spalm,themanswallowed.Thennodded.Resistingtheurgetocrushhiswindpipefor
thehellofit,Dekebackedaway,aimedhisgunattheassailant,andwatchedashisshadowwentto
thewallandsanktothefloor.Withoutlookingaway,Deketuckedtheknifeawayandflippedona
light.Mr.Intruderwaswearingaskimask.HowTVshowofhim.
ButthatwastheonlythoughthecouldspareashesanktohiskneesinfrontofKimber,searchingforthesourceofherbloodwithonehand,trainingthegunontheassholewiththeother.
Oh,damn.Oh,God…Letherlive.Thepanicroseinhimagain.Heslammedthelidonitbrutally.
Logic.Think.Suckitupandbesmart.
Dekelookedheroverquickly.Kimberwasoutcold,butherheartwasbeatingatasteadypace.She
breathed.Therewasacutinherforearm.Deep.WouldneedstitchesASAP.Hepulledashirtoffa
nearbyhangerandappliedpressuretothewound.Ithadlikelycomefromtheintruder’sknife.
ProbablyfromputtingherarmShaylaBlackDecadentinfrontofhertodefendherself.Andhecould
onlyimaginetheterrorshemusthavebeenfeelingwatchingthatknifecomeather…
Hespearedtheintruderwithastareofcoldfury.“Ifshedies,youdie.Yougotme?”
Theheadundertheskimaskgaveashakybob.
Hecouldn’tfindanyotherstabwoundsonher.Butpanicrose.Whythehellwassheunconscious?
She’dhitherheadonthewaydown.Howbadly?
Dekeflippedopenhisphoneandcalled911.HegavethemKimber’saddress.
“Policeunitsarealreadyinprogresstothatlocation,sir.Abouttwominutesaway.”
Kimberhadcalled.Smartgirl,hiskitten.Hangon,baby.
413
“Ineedanambulance,too.She’sunconscious.”Thenhehungup.
“Didyoudrugher?”
“No,”thevoicecracked.
“Rapeher?”
“No.”
“Butyouwantedtokillher,yousickfuck,”hegrowled.“Takeoffthemask.”Theguyhesitated,andDekeraisedtheSIG.“Now!”Offitcame…andDekecouldonlystare.“Whatthe…?You’reatleast
fifty-five.”Wasn’thealittleoldforthethrillofhomeintrusions?
ShaylaBlackDecadentHeclearedhisthroat.“Sixty-two.”
“Yougetoffonhurtingwomen,Gramps?”Thethoughtmadehimwanttowretch,thenstranglethe
vilesonofabitch.
“No.Nothingpersonal.Ididn’twanttocauseherpain.Ijustwantedheroutoftheway.”
Hishandontheguntightened.“Outofthewayofwhat?”Silence.
“Youbetterfuckinganswer!”Dekeshouted.“I’mattheendofmypatience—”
“OfJesseMcCall’scareer.She’dtriedtoenditafewtimes,andhewasn’ttakingnoforananswer.
He’sbeenalloverthepress…He’sself-destructing.Imploding.
He’sgoingtodestroyhiscareerandeveryonewho’sinvestedinhimforthis414
woman.”
AnoldguyfocusedonJesse.GiveneverythingKimberhadtoldhimandLucaboutJesse’ssituation,
thishadtobethemanager.Whatwashisname…Cal?
“I’mtoooldtostartoveragain.”Theman’svoicetrembled.
Theoldguywaswhacked.StupidtothinkthatkillingKimberwasgoingtosolvehisproblems.If
Dekedidn’tgetthecopsoverheresoon,hedidn’tknowifhecouldholdhisfuryanditchfor
vengeancelongenoughforthepolicetoneedanythingbutabodybagforthescum.Evenifhe
managed,theoldguywouldbestartinglifeoverinsideacell.
“Keeptalking,”hetoldtheoldman.“Cal,isn’tit?”
“Yes,”theoldmansaidcautiously.
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Whatdoyoumean,startoveragain?”
Hehesitated.“I’dbetternotsayanymorewithoutmylawyers.”
#
Withinthreeminutes,pandemoniumeruptedintheapartment.Policeunitsstormedtheplace.Dekeledthesuspectoutbyhisnapeandproddedhimforwardwiththebarrelofhisgun.
AfterthepoliceverifiedDeke’scredentials,theywerecool.AndheturnedallhisattentiontotheEMTsworkingonKimber.
Hedetailedthecutonherarmcalmly.“Whythehellisshestillunconscious?”
“Youfamily?”
415
Oh,thisshit.“I’mher…”Boyfriend?Fiancé?Fatherofherchild?“She’smine.”
“Yourwife?”
“Not…yet.”
“Sorry.Noinformationgivenouttononfamilymembers,”saidoneastheycarriedheroutona
stretcher.
Dekecouldn’tresisttouchingherface,hershoulder,astheypassed.Hefollowedthemouttothe
ambulance.“Letmeridewithher.”
“I’msorry,sir.Familyonly.”
Fuckfamilyonly!“Whereareyoutakingher?Anddon’ttellmefamilyonly.Icangetherfamilythere.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentTheEMTrattledoffthenameofahospital.Dekedidn’tknowwhereitwas,
buthe’dfindit.
“I’mfollowingyou.”
“Ifyoucankeepup.”
Dekeresistedtheurgetosnort.He’dcrawlnakedacrossbrokenglasstomakesureKimberwas
okay.Drivingfastwasnothing.HewatchedastheyshutKimberawayintheambulance.
Throughthesmallwindowsinthebackdoors,hecouldseetheywereworkingonher,stabilizingher.
She’dlostalotofblood.Shestillhadn’tcometo.
Someonefireduptheengineontheambulance,andDekescrambledtotheHummer,leapingintothe
driver’sseatandhaulingassacrosstheparkinglotto416
trackwiththeambulancedownthelonelystreet,tothehospital…andanuncertainprognosisfor
Kimber.Shehadn’tpulledherowntriggerthewayHeatherhad,butifKimberwaslosttohim,too…
Grippingthesteeringwheel,Dekewilledthethoughtaway.
No.Fuckno!HelovedKimber.Wantedher.Always.Evenwiththebaby.Lotsofthemifshewantedthem.He’dtryhisbest.Anything.Everything.Justaslongasshelived…
ShaylaBlackDecadent
CHAPTER21
DekeslunghisHummerintoaparkingspaceatthehospitalandhauledassacrosstheparkinglotto
theemergencyroom.Damn,hispalmsweresweating.
WhenwouldKimberwakeup?Howextensivewereherinjuries?Havingnoanswersballeda
roaringfrustrationinhischest.Andfear.Couldn’tforgetthat.
Evenatthisdistance,hecouldseetheEMTsunloadingKimberoutofthebackoftheambulance…
andherbrothersstandingtherewatching.
He’dcalledthemonthewaytoadvise.Loganlivedjustafewblocksaway,sothey’dbeathimtothehospital.Hunter’sgrimeyestrackedKimber’sprogressoutofthevehicle,throughtheautomatic
doubledoors,andintothehospital’scoolinterior.Loganlookedreadytocrawloutofhisskinastheyfollowedthegurney.
Dekecaughtuptotheguys,andtheynoddedabsentlyingreeting.
417
“Areyouthefamily?”afiftyishnurseaskedthem.
HunterpointedtoLoganandhimself.“We’reherbrothers.”ShecastapointedglanceatDeke.Ohshit.Thewholefamilythingagain.Hunterhadthepowertocuthimoffattheballsonthisone…
“Hesavedherlife.Hestays.”
Dekebreathedasighofrelief.
“AnythingIshouldknowabouthermedicalhistory?”
“No.”
“Sheallergictoanything?”
“Sulfa-basedantibiotics.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentThenursejottedthatdown,thenregardedHunteragainwithkindblueeyes.
“Isshetakinganyothermedicationsrightnow?”
Huntershruggedstiffly,seeminglyannoyedwithhimself.
“Idon’tknow.”
Dekeclearedhisthroat.“No.”
Thebrothersturnedtolookathim.They’dalwaysgivenhimawideberthbeforebutnow…they
lookeddownrightgrateful.Yeah,theywerethankfulhe’dsavedtheirsisterfromCallthekillerrightnow,buthedoubtedtheirappreciationwasgoingtolast
“Thanks,”Huntermurmured.
“Historyofheadtraumaorconcussions?Seizures?Passingout?”418
“No.”
“Anythingelse?”
Dekeswallowed,waiting.Bothbrothersshooktheirhead.Theydidn’tknow.Oh,shit…Motherhumpingsonofabitch.Thenursestartedtoturnaway.Dekereachedouttograbherarm.“Oneotherthing.”Hedrewinadeepbreath.“She’spregnant.”
“Youlowlifesnake!”Loganlungedathim.“I’mgoingtoripyoureyesoutofyourskullandforce-
feedthemtoyou,youbas—”
“Nothere.Notnow.”Huntergrabbedhisbrotherandrestrainedhim—barely.
“Nofightinginthehospital.Youtakethatoutside,”saidthesaltynurse.
Apparently,she’dseenitallinhertime.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAfteranotherefficientnotationonthechart,thereed-thinwomaninblue
scrubsturnedaway.
Withahuff,Loganbackedoff.Buthestillhadbroilingmurderinhiseyes.Greenandalivewithfury,theypromisedpain.Hunter’s,ontheotherhand,wereaglacialblueandvowedrevenge—inhistime,
inhisway,tohissatisfaction.
Great.
“Isthebabyyoursoryourcousin’s?”Hunteraskedquietly.
“Ordoyouevenknow?”Logansneered.
“Mine.I’mnotgoingtoapologize.Iloveyoursister.Iwenttoherapartmenttonighttotalktoher.
Whathappensnextisuptoher,andbetweenus.Butyoudareupsetherwhileshe’srecovering…”Ifsherecovered.Deketurnedtoaddress419
Logan.“I’llcutoffyourballsandforce-feedthemtoyou.Yougotthat?”Theyoungerbrotherbristledandlookedreadytokeeptheverbalwargoing.AgrudgingrespectenteredHunter’sicystareashe
intercededagain.“Thankstoyou,she’smorelikelytolivelongenoughtohavethatconversation.Therestwe’llsortoutlater,onceKimberisuptoitandDadisoutofthehospital.”Withatersenod,Deketurnedawayandsatinaslightlypadded,circa-1977
orangechairwithchromearms.Thebrotherssattwochairsaway.Noonespokeforhours.Logan
paced.Huntersatstock-still,lookingeerilyplacid,butthewayhisgazecasedtheroomandlingeredontheclockhintedathisinnerturmoil.Dekerelated.MaybeheandKimber’sbrotherswouldnever
haveanysortoflovefest,butherespectedthem.Intheirshoes,he’dbepissedaboutapregnantsisterwho’dbeeninthemiddleofaménage.Hunterinparticular…onecoolcustomer.Faringmuchbetter
thanDekehimselfwas,infact.Dekeglancedathiscellphoneagain,checkingthetime.
ShaylaBlackDecadentOverthreedamnhours.Whyhadn’tthedoctorcomeouttoreport?Whatthehellwasgoingon?EnoughtimehadpassedforLuctoscroungeupacarandhaulasstoDallasfrom
Tyler,henotedashiscousinsweptintothewaitingroom,lookingstiffandanxious.Andstillno
word.Whatthefuckistakingsolong?
#
Atfiveminutesuntilninethenextmorning,Dekefeltreadytoclimbwalls,bashheadsin—anythingtomakeallthefolksinwhitelethimintoseeKimber.
Nearfivethatmorning,thedoctorshadcomeouttoreportthatshehadawakened.They’dstitchedherarm,runafewtests,andwereawaitingresults.Sofar,allfunctionslookednormal,anditappearedasifshe’dsufferedaconcussion,bruising,andamildcaseofshock.
LoganandHunterhadgoneintovisitherabouttwohoursago,thenleftto420
retrievetheirfather,whowasduetobedischargedafterrecoveringfromhisinjuriesfollowingthebombing.Vaguely,hewonderedwhattheEdgingtonboyshadsaidtotheirsisteraboutthefactthey
weregoingtobeuncles.Iftheyweresmart…nothing.
Nonfamilymembersweren’tallowedinuntilnine.Shittyassrule.Heglaredattheclock.Hadthe
fuckingthingmovedinhours?
“Takeadeepbreath,”Lucmurmured.“Calmdown.”
“What?”Dekeshrugged,annoyed.He’dhardlymoved.Heknewbecausehe’dbeenusingallhisself-
controltositstill.
“Icanfeelwavesofworryandimpatiencecomingoffyou.She’sfine.Huntersaidsoonhiswayout.
They’regoingtoreleasehertoday.”ShaylaBlackDecadentButhehadn’tseenherforhimself.He
didn’tknowwithhisowntwoeyesthatshewasallright.Untilthen,hecouldn’tstoptheworry.Withtwominutestospare,anurseapproachedthem.Young,cute,blondewithapinkbowmouth,bigtits,
andawelcomingsmile.Hewasn’tinterested.Lucglanced,lingered,thenletitgo.
“She’suptheelevator.Thirdfloor.Room321.Ifanyoneasks,justtellthemMissysaiditwasokay.”
Shepointedtothenametagjustaboveherleftbreast.
Subtle.Dekerefrainedfromrollinghiseyes,butonlybecausehewasalreadyjoggingtowardtheelevator.Lucfollowed.Therideupseemedlong.Ifhe’dhaveknowntheelevatormovedslowerthan
aherdofgeriatricelephants,he’dhavetakenthestairs.Heclappedhishandsinfrontofhim,noticingthatLucdidn’tlooknervous.Buthedidlooktroubled.
“Coughitup.”Dekedidn’twanttodothisnow,butfigured—hoped—he’dbetoobusywithKimber
later.
421
Lucmethisstare.“Thisisdamnawkward.IguessIshouldjust…Haveyoudecidedtohateme?”
Hatehim?“Forkeepingyour…um,issueasecret?”
“Mysterility,”Lucsupplied.
“Iwasshockedthatnight.SaidsomethingsIshouldn’thave.You’relikemybrother.Toomuch
betweenusforhate.”
Lookingrelieved,Lucreachedoutforabrotherlyhandshake,arapofknuckles.
Hepasseditoffascasual,butDekeknewitmeantalottohim.Hell,hefeltthesame.
“Thanks.Forwhatit’sworth,I’msorry.Ineverintendedtodeceiveormanipulateanyone.Iloveyou,andI’msorryIscrewedup.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Apologyaccepted.Andthat’saboutasmushyasitneedstogetbetweenus.”Lucdidacrappyjobofrepressinghissmile.“Bigsurprisethere.Sowhat’snextforyou?You‘regoingtogetwithKimber,aren’tyou?”Dekeshrugged,buttheuncertaintyaroundthatanswergnawedathisgutlikeahungry
chainsaw.Hewishedtohellheknewtheanswer.Damn,rightnow,hejustneededtoholdher,know
thatshewasallright.“We’llsee.Whataboutyou?Whatareyougoingtodonow?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Iknowyourroadisn’teasy,wantingababyofyourownandbeingunable…
Straightup?You’reagoodguy.You’dmakeagreatfather.I’msorryforyou.”Lucletloosealong
sigh.“Itsuckstobeabletofuckforhours,untilyou’re422
coveredinsweatandeverymuscleinyourbodyscreamsinprotest,untilthewomanisdamnnear
incoherent…andknowshe’llneverbepregnantbyyou.”Yeah,hecouldseewherethatwouldsuck
forLuc.“Justmyadvice,man,butIthinkyoushouldforgetaboutbabiesforawhileandcallAlyssaDevereaux.Isuspectyoufeelmoreforherthanyou’vewantedtoadmit.Evenifyoutwowillnever
havelittleonestogether,it’llbeahellofagoodtimepracticing.”
“I’llthinkaboutit.Ioweherafavorforagreeingtohookupwithusinthefirstplace.”
Finally,theelevatordoorsopened.DekeracewalkedtoKimber’sroom.Hewouldhaveflatoutrunif
hewassuretheywouldn’tthrowhimout.Impatienceattheslowerpace,thewindinghallways,
chafedhim.
Dekefoundherdoor.Hehitthethresholdandstopped.Fromherbed,Kimberstaredoutthewide
hospitalwindow,throughsterilewhiteminiblinds,attheShaylaBlackDecadentparkinglotand
sunnysummerdaybeyond.Asifsuddenlyawareshewasn’talone,sheturnedtofacehim.Them,herealizedasLucstoppedjustbehindhim.
Abluishbruiseflaredacrosshercheek.Ascraperakedherjaw.ButwhatjumpedoutatDekemost
wereherswolleneyesandrednose.Theyshoutedthefactshe’dbeencrying.
“Kitten…”Dekedartedacrosstheroom.“Areyouinpain?DoIneedtofindanursetogetyou
something?”
Wrappingherarmsaroundhermiddle,sheshookherheadandlookedathimwitheyessopain-filled
andempty.Hesatontheedgeofthebed,workedaroundherIV,anddraggedheragainsthim.“Hey,
it’sfine.Allfine.Callisbehindbars.He’snotgoingtohurtyouagain.Iwon’tlethim.”
“Iknow.Thanksforcomingtomyrescue,”shewhispered.
423
“Jessehasalreadycalledthreetimestoapologize.”Oh,thegoddamnedpopstar.Therewasasubjectguaranteedtosendhistemperintothestratosphere.
“Ihopeyoutoldthebastardtoleaveyoualone,”hegrowled.
“HejustcalledtoexplainwhyCalltriedtokillme.”
“TheLanceBassinleatherhadtocallyoutoexplainthatCallwaswhacked?”
“HetoldmethatCallhadlostanotherstaraboutadecadeagotomarriage.Hecouldn’tnamenames,
buthesaidtheguyletapromisingcareerfadeawaysohecouldplayhousewithhisnewbride.”
“Thepansy-asspopstarwasmakingexcusesforhismanager?”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“No,justfillinginthegaps.”
Dekerelaxed.Ortriedto.“So…what?CallwasgoingtooffyousothatJessewouldn’tbedistracted
byyouanymore,couldkeepmakinghissilly-assCDs,andtheoldguycouldrakeinallthatmoney?”
“Cal’sgettingoldandapparentlyfeltlikehecouldn’tlosehisnestegg.”Sheshrugged.“EventhoughI’dturnedJessedown,CallwasworriedbyJesse’spressroomanticsandconvincedhewasn’tletting
goofme,soIguessCallfigureditwouldbebettertoeliminatemebeforeJesseself-destructed.”
“That’stwisted.”Lucshookhisheadashewalkedtotheothersideofthebedandtookherhand.“Hi,sweetheart.”
KimberlookedatLucandfreshtearstrackeddownherface.Sheturnedherwaterygazetohimand
startedsobbingagain.
424
“Hey,Callisgoingtobetheseniorcitizenoftheswingingsingles’prisonscene,”Dekejoked.
“You’renotgoingtocryforhim,areyou?”Sheshookherhead.“It’snotthat.Ihavetotellyou…I—
I’mnot…There’snobaby.”
ShockblindsidedDeke.Nobaby?Whataboutalltheunprotectedsexwhenthepillwasn’tatfullstrength?Whataboutthosedamndoublebluelines?Lucsuckedinabreathandlookedlikehe’dbeen
punched.Suddenly,Dekeknewexactlyhowhefelt.
“I’msorry…Ithought—I’dneverdoneapregnancytestbefore.Iguessitwasafalsepositive.Thereneverwasanybaby.Thedoctorstoldmethismorning.”Moretears.Endlessdropsofthehot,salty
thingsmakingtheirwaydownherface.IttoreDeke’sheartout.“Shh.Don’tbesorry.It’sfine.Allfine.”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“No,it’snot!I’dgrownattachedtotheideaofhavingyourbaby.Iwantedthatbaby.Ididn’tknowhowmuchuntil—untilIwasn’thavingit.”ShelookedatLucagain.“I’msosorry.Youw—wanted
this…”
Understatementofthecentury.
KimberwithdrewfromDekeandcurledherkneesuptoherchest,wrappingherbandagedand
stitchedarmsaroundherself.Shuttinghimout.Shockwasstillricochetingthroughhisbody.Nobaby.
No…nothing.HefrownedandglancedatLuc.
Damn,hiscousinwasfightingtearssohard,helookedreadytoshatterwithasingletouch.
“It’sokay,sweetheart.It’snotyourfault.This…curseisminetobear,andIhaven’tdoneitverywell.
IpushedbothyouandDeke,hoping…Well,youknow425
whatIhoped.Ifanyoneshouldbesorry,it’sme.Putmeandmyproblemoutofyourmind.Focuson
beingwellandhappy.”LuckissedthetopofKimber’sbowedhead.
“Youbehappy,too.”Shelookedathimwithapologyswimminginhereyes.
TheexpressiononLuc’sfacesaidthatwasn’tpossible.AnddamnifDekedidn’tfeelsorryforhis
cousinalloveragain.Whatwouldittakeforhimtomakepeacewithhimself?WithareluctantglanceatKimber,Lucslappedhimontheshoulder.
Thenhewasgone.Dekehadnoideawhattosayintothesilence.Nobaby.
Wow.Thebreathwhooshedoutofhim.Hewaitedfortherelieftocome.Andwaited.
Nothing.
ShaylaBlackDecadentAndKimberwasn’ttalking.Infact,shewassobbingquietly,giventheway
hershouldersshook.Thattorethebloodpumpinggutsoutofhischestandmadehimwanttobeat
somethingandweephimselfallatonce.Herealizedshewasmourning.
Damnit,somethinghollowandpainfulhadtakenupresidenceinsidehim.Yeah,sadness.Regret.
Sorrow.Inaway,hewasgrieving,too.
Hestrokedahanddownherback.“Kitten,don’tbesoupset.”
“Don’tbeupset?”Herincredulitywaslikeaslap.“I’llleavethehappystufftoyou.
Hey,nobabymeansyouhavenomoreworriesnow.Gooutandhaveaparty.”Fuckthat,hestartedtosay,thenbititback.Gentle.Easy.Shewashurting.
“Stop.Kitten…I’dcometoyourplacelastnighttotellyouIloveyou.Stillloveyou.
426
Iwanttobewithyou.Baby,nobaby,thathasn’tchanged.Myheadhasbeenscrewedupforalong
time,andIletHeather’sdeathdragmeintoamessofshit.Idraggedyouintoit,too.Ican’ttellyouhowdamnsorryIam.Istillthinkyoucandobetter,butI’mnotgoingtoletthepaststandinourway.
Ifyoustillwantme,Iwanttomakeitwork.”
Herheadsnappedup,andtheneedinhereyeswaslikeajaggedbladesawingathisheart.God,she
wasgoingtotearhimupwiththatstareallstuffedwithpainandhopeandyearning.
Hershouldersdroppedindefeat.“What’sthepoint?Iloveyou,butwedon’twantthesamethings.”
“Whatthings?”
“Iwantbabiessomeday.”
ShaylaBlackDecadentDekewaitedforthepanicatthatthoughttoarrive.Instead,hesawamental
imageofKimberroundandsmiling,glowing,happy.Withher,hecouldhandlebabies.Withher,he
wouldloveit.
“I’mupforthem.Ican’tpromisethatI’llbeperfect.Hell,Idon’tevenknowifIcan…”Heblewoutabreath.Hadtobehonest.Hadto.“Idon’tknowifIcanmakelovetoyoubymyself.ButI’lltry.Andkeeptryinguntilitworks.Youdon’twanttobeshared.Idon’twanttoshareyou.Ijustwanttoloveyouforaslongasyou’llletme.”
Kimberopenedhermouth,andthedoctorwalkedintheroom,chartinhand.Hepaused,asifhe
realizedhewasinterruptingsomething.Butwithaprofessionalmaskinplace,heflippedthrough
Kimber’schart,thenflashedoneofthosepracticedsmiles.“Everythinglooksinorder.Allyourtestscameoutjustfine.Yourconcussionwasmild.I’mwritingyouaprescriptiontohelpwithany
headaches427
youmighthave.Followupwithmeinaweek.Otherthanthat,you’refreetogo
Anyquestions?”
Kimbershookherhead.
“Whowillbetakingyouhome?”heasked.
Shegulpedasfreshtearsglassedhereyes.Thelookonherface…God,she’dneverbeenmore
beautiful.SendingDekearadiantsmile,Kimbermurmuredtothedoctor,“Heis.”
#
Threedayslater,afterherfatherhadcomehomefromthehospitalandsettledintoLogan’splace,
aftersomeofthemediafervoroverCal’smurderattempthaddieddown,DekeknockedonKimber’s
dooratexactlyseveno’clock,justasshe’dasked.Heheldtissue-wrappedflowersinonehandand
triedtokeephisShaylaBlackDecadentgoddamnedtiefromstranglinghimwiththeother.Buthe
wantedtolookgoodforher,treatherright.Dohisbest.Tonightwasgoingtomakeorbreakthem.
Sheopenedthedoorwearingafilmyredtopdesignedtomakehiseyesbulge.Halter,lowcutinthe
front.Ablackskirtflirtedwithherthighs.Oh,hell.Ifhehadtolookatheroverthedinnertablewearingthat,themealwasgoingtobesheertorture.
“Hi.”Kimbertooktheflowersfromhim,steppedback,andinvitedhimin.
Doinghisbestnottoshakelikeapansy,Dekesteppedinsideandshutthedoorbehindhim.Thetablewassetwithcandles,theroompipedwithsubtlysexymusic.
Somethingsmelledreallygood.Italian.ButwhenKimberturnedawaytofindavasefortheflowers,
hegotaloadofthenonexistentbackofherblouse—andhisneedtotouchherkickedintooverdrive.
Evenso,nervesrakeduphisspine.Whatif…hecouldn’tdothisalone?Hewantedto,Godknew,
but…
BeforeDekecouldcontinuethedestructivetrailofthought,hegrabbedKimber’s428
armsandpulledherbackagainsthischest,caressinghiswaydownherhip.Nodoubt,she’dfeel
instantlyexactlyhowhardshemadehim.
“Didyouwearthatlittlenumbertodrivemeinsane?It’sworking.”Shesenthimasaucyglanceoverhernearlybareshoulder.Dekedidn’tthinkhecouldgetanyharder.Kimberprovedhimwrong.
“Hmm.Ihaveafavortoaskyou.”
“Favor?”Likewhat?Herexpressiongavenothingaway.Shesettheflowersonthecounter,then
turnedinhisarms,cozyingupveryclosetohim—andraisinghistemperatureanothertwentydegrees.
Ohyeah,thedesiretomakelovetoherwasthere.Thatwasneveraquestion.Justthe…follow-
through.
“Iwanttolearnaboutthewayyouliketohavesex.”Shestrokedherhanduphisabs,overhischest,thenhisshoulder.“Withjustme.”ShaylaBlackDecadentDekeswallowed.Afewweeksago,when
she’dfirstcometoLuc’splaceseekingassistance,she’dspokenverysimilarwords.He’dthought
thenitwasaninsanerequest,andshe’dspokenasifhissexlifehadcomefromaforeignplanet.
Now…itdid.Atleastforhim.Hehadn’tmadelovetoawomanbyhimselfsinceHeather.
Tonight,hehadtotry.Forhersake.Fortheirsake.
“I’mnotsurewhatthatis.”Thehonestyhurt,buthehadtosayit.
“We’llfigureitouttogether.Dinnerfirstor…”Sheglanceddowntheshadowedhall.
Candlelightglowedgoldenintheroom.Anddamn,Kimbersmelleddownrightedible.Still,he
hesitated.Hewasn’tinahurrytohavehisfailuresexposed,ifthat’sthewaythenightwent.Buteatingdinnerfirstisn’tgoingtohelpyoukeepyourdickstiffifyoufreakout,either.
429
Dekeexhaled,searchingforcalm.“Or.Definitelyor.”
“Goodcall.Letmeturntheovendown…”
Kimberdisappearedforafewmoments.Heheardherinthekitchen,adjustingdials,openingthe
oven,closingitagain.Whensheemergedagain,shehandedhimacoldbeerandheldaglassofwine
inherhand.Takingthebottlefromher,hedownedhalfofit.Kimbergnawedonherbottomlipasshewatched.
“Wecouldtalkfirst.”
“Nothingtosaythat’sgoingtochangetheoutcomeoftonight.”Hejustneededtowraphishead
aroundthefactKimberwasexclusivelyhisandactaccordingly.
Determinedtomaketheirfirsttimealonetogetherasrightashecould,Dekesetthebeerdown,
pluckedthewineglassfromherhandandsetitnexttohisbottle.
ThenpickedKimberupandstalkeddownthehalltoherbedroom.
ShaylaBlackDecadentMorecandleseverywherereflectedofftheshadesofcream,sage,and
cinnamononthebedspreadandwalls.Reallynice.Reallyher.Andtheywerereallyalone.
HepushedthoughtsofeverythingbutKimberasideasheeasedherdowntothemattress.Herhands
flutterednervously,onelandingacrossherstomach,bringingintofocustherowofneatstitches
acrossherforearm.Thesightsoberedhim.
Kimberhadbeenthroughsomuch:aménagethatwasn’therheart’sdesire,attemptsonherlife,a
pregnancyscare,hissubsequentblowupandrevelationsaboutHeather—andshewasstillstrong,so
amazing.WhatcouldhavehappenedwithCallservedasastarkreminderthatlifewastooshortnottoreachoutandgrabthewomanhewantedandloved.Allhehadtodonowwastouchher,takeher,and
neverletgo.
Inabouttwoseconds,hehadheroutofeverythingbutthigh-highstockingsandasmile.Hisown
clotheswerecasualtiesoftheacheinsidehiminthenextheartbeat.
430
Butoncehelaidhishandsonherbareskin,hebegantoshakeagain.Whatifhewasanutterfuckingfailure?Lettingoutatroubledbreath,Dekecoveredherbodyandkissedherfeverishly,sinkingdeepintohermouth,brandingher.Failurewasn’tanoption.Truthwas,heneverwantedtobeanywhere
else.Neverwantedanyoneelsewiththemornearher.
Hewasgoingtohavetomakethiswork.Shewashis.Theenticingcreamyskin,his.Theprettyberrynipples,his.Theaddictingtasteofhercreamonhistongue,his.Thecriesofdelightwhenshegrippedthesheetswhilehelickedherintobliss,his.Allhis.Justhis.
Workinghiswaybackupherbody,Dekesighedoverherdelicatefemalecurves,thengroanedasher
handsuddenlyenvelopedandstrokedhiserection.Hell,shedidn’tneedtoprimehim.Hefelthard
enoughtodrillthroughconcrete.Buthewantedtocaressher,celebratethefactshewasinhisarms,protecther,shelterher.Loveher.Healsowantedtofuckher—ineverywayhecould.
ShaylaBlackDecadentHetookthatasagoodsign.Fearedgedthearousal…butnottheusualfear.Itwasn’tthepanicofworryingaboutanunexpectedpregnancy.Thiswasthefearoflettingherdown.
Buteveryothercellinhisbodywasfocusedonthescaldingneedtobeinsideherandtheburning
determinationtomakethatareality.
Easingintothecradleofherthighs,hebrushedhislipsoverhers,thensankin,samplingthedesireandhopeonhertongue.Heseizedhermouthagain.Andagain.
Damnit,onemoretimebecausehecouldn’ttasteherenough.Couldn’tbelievehisgoodfortuneafteradecadeofbelievinghimselfunworthyofawomanofhisown,muchlessonethiswonderful.Allhe
hadtodonowwasclaimher…
“I—Iwanttomakelovetoyoutonight.Everynight,kitten.I’mgladyou’remine.Ifeelsodamn
lucky.”
“I’mtheluckyone.Whenyoulookatmelikethat,Ifeelloved.”431
“Youare.”Dekegentlyworshippedhermouth.“Youare.”
“Feellikedemonstratingthat?”Sheliftedherhipstohiminblatantinvitation.
“God,yes.”
Kimbernippedathisshoulder,kissedherwayuphisneck.
“I’mstillonthepill,butifyou’drather…condomsareinthenightstand.”Theywerereallygoingtodothis,justthetwoofthem.Hehesitated,fearingthenastysideswipeofpanic.Butitdidn’tcome.
“Whateverhappenswe’llhandleittogether,right?”
“Yes.”
Thereassuranceinhervoicewentstraighttohischest,wherehefeltalldamnmushy.Therestof
him…taut,tense,everybitrigid.EverythingfromhisshouldersShaylaBlackDecadenttohistoes
wasjuicedwithadrenaline.Nerves.Anticipation.He’dneverneededandfearedsomethingsomuch
atonce.
“Forthreedays,I’vebeenthinkingaboutnothingexcepthowyou’dfeelinsideme.”
Thensheliftedherlegshighonhiships.Damn,herpussypressedrightagainsthiscock.Andshewaswet.Oh,hell.Dekestartedtosweat.Hishearttookofflikeajettryingtoreachnewspeeds.He’dthoughtabouther,too.Obsessively.Whatwoulditbeliketofinallytakeheralone?Claimherashisveryown?
Kimbernippedathislobe,sendinganewshiveracrosshisskin.“You’regoingtofeelsogood.I’vemissedyou.IlookatyouandIache.”Yeah,heknewexactlyhowthatwent.Hereactedtoherthe
sameway.Hewasreactingthatwaynow,sodamnhardhecouldswearmostofthebloodinhisbody
432
hadfloodedthesamenineinchesofflesh.Hegrimaced,thenprobeduntiltheheadofhiscockheld
rightagainstherentrance.
Shit.Sweatpouredoffofhimnow.Dekeswallowed.Kimberhadtofeeltheheavypoundofhisheartagainstherchest,couldn’tmisstheharshgripofhisfingersonherhips.Hemeanttoeaseoff,begentle…buteverymuscleinhisbodywaswired.
“Ican’twaittohaveyourhardlengthinsideme,stretching,drivingmeinsane.”Didn’tsheknowherwordswereonlyrampinghimupmore?Hewasgoingtolosethelastthreadsofhissanityifshewentonlikethat.
“Thefeelofyoudeepinsideme…”Shegroaned.“Ineedit.”Itwasallhecoulddonottogroanwithher.Yeah,heremembered.Howthehellcouldheforgethowperfectshefeltallaroundhim?Notinthislifetime.
ShaylaBlackDecadentSheliftedtohimagain,andtheheadofhiscockeasedinsideher.Oh,damn.
Oh,wow!
“Thenyounudgethatonespot,andIscreamforyou.Everytime,youmakemecomeapart.”
Justlikethosehotwordsofhersweredoingtohim—dismantlinghisreserve,hishesitation,arousinghimpastthought.Hisheadswamwithherscent,herwhisperedcome-ons,andthefeelofherpussy
tryingtolatchontohisdick.Hecouldn’tstandit.God,hecouldn’tholdout.Couldn’twait…
Dekegrippedherhipsandslidhomeinonedelicious,endlessthrust,sealingtheirbond.Allthewaytotheend,astightagainsthercervixashecould.
Hedrewinashudderingbreathatthewildsensationthatpoundedathim.Tight,wet,hot,silken,
perfect;Kimberwaseverything.Whathedidn’tfeelwaspanicor433
worryaboutbeingresponsibleforwhateverhappened.Asshecriedoutunderneathhim,Deke
realizedthathewantedtotakecareofher.Morethananything.Theverythoughtofdoingthatfeltalmostasgoodasmakinglovetoher.
Asheretreatedthensankdeepagain,Kimbermoanedoncemore.Aroundhim,shetightened.
Home.His.
“Hush,andI’llmakeyoucomenow,”hemurmured,fittinghishandsunderneaththefirmcheeksofherassandliftinghertighteragainsthim.
Thenhetookhermouth,fillingitwithhiskissatthesametimehefilledhersexwithhiscock.
Slowly.Even,measuredstrokes.Oh,hellyes!Frictionwasdefinitelyhisfriend.Hisbestdamnbuddy,infact.Everyraspofhisfleshagainstherswaslikeanelectricchargerunningthroughhisbody.Allthesensationsburstthroughhim,short-circuitinganythoughtshemighthavehad.Itwasallbody,baby.TheShaylaBlackDecadentever-tighteningclaspofhersheath,hernailsinhisback,herbuckinghipsunderhim,herbreathlessbegginginhisear.Thewayhisheartwrenchedateachone.
Thethrillofknowinghewaspleasingher.
Momentslater,shecriedout…Hisname.Thatwasit,andinthesamesentencewithGod.Herwords
werealitany,aplea.Andhefeltherpulsedownonhim,milkinghim,meltinghim.Hecareenedout
ofcontrol,racingtowardthefinishlinetoorapidlytostop.Dekegrabbedher,hisarmstighteningaroundher,likealifeline.Shewashislifeline.
Damn,hefeltlikeavolcano.Thepressurebrewinginhisballsstoppedhisbreath.
Theamazingpleasurestunnedhim.Afteryearsofsharedsex,havingKimbertohimselfcompletely
waslikearevelation.Anamazement.Healmostexpectedtheheavenstopartandstartsingingor
someshit.
Instead,ecstasyrippedthroughhimwithsuchforce,hethoughthisbodywould434
explodeintoabillionpieces.Heclutchedher,criedoutforher,emptiedhimselfinsideherinaseriesofjoltingspasmsthatdevastatedhim.Changedhim.Forever.
#
UnderthehardprotectionofDeke’sbody,Kimberclaspedhimtighter.He’dalreadyownedherbody
tonight.Therewasnoquestionheownedherheart.Tearsseepedfromthecornersofhereyes.
Stillpanting,heraisedhishead.Sweatclungtohistemples,rolleddownhisneck.
Veinsbulged,musclesbunched.Helookedsobigandinvincible.Exceptwhenheopenedhiseyes
andlookeddownather.Everyvulnerabilitylaybareinthosedarkblueeyes,andherheartopened
forhimevenwider.
“Hi,”shemurmured.
“Hi.”
ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Thatwas…beautiful.Youmovedme.”
Hegrunted.“Yeah,I’mreallytryingnottocrylikeababyhere.”Kimbercouldn’thelpbutlaughasherheartlitup.Hadsheeverbeenhappier?
“Justthetwoofus,wasitdifficult?”
“NotasmuchasIthoughtitwouldbe.OnceIconvincedmyminditwasyouandIfocusedonhowI
feltaboutyou…everythingwasallright.”
“Itwasperfect,”shecorrectedwithacaressofherfingersuphischeek.
“Itwas.”
“Youknow,whenIcametoyouforhelp,Iwasagirlstupidlychasingaboyforsomesillydaydream
thatdidn’texist.Yougavemesomethingreal.Youtreatedmelikeawoman,taughtmeaboutsex,
showedmelove.Thankyou.”435
“Thankyou.Iputyouthroughhell,andIhatethat.Butyoustillhealedmeandcaredaboutme.Youdidn’tgiveuponme.Iloveyousodamnmuch,kitten.Ialwayswill.Yougoingtomarryme
someday?”
Clearly,thequestionsurprisedher—pleasantly.“Yougoingtoasksomeday?”
“Yeah.”Hebrushedauburncurlsawayfromflushedcheeks.
Shepressedasoftkissonhislipsandteased,“Idon’tknow.WhenIfirstaskedyoutoteachmeaboutsex,yousaidtherewouldbenoemotionalbonds.”Dekesnorted.“Iwasanidiot.Ineedthebond
betweenus.It’sessentiallikeair,baby.I’vegottohaveit.”Hepressedasoftkisstoherlips.“I—
I’mhopingyoustillwanttohavebabieswithmesomeday.”
Shenodded.“I’mgladwecan,thatyounever,um…”ShaylaBlackDecadent
“Hadavasectomy?Ireallythoughtaboutit.Hard.ButLucwasright;Ididn’tbecauseIcouldn’tgiveuponthehopeofsomedaybeingafather.Somewhereinthebackofmymind,Ididn’twantthepasttohavethatkindofpowerovermefortherestofmylife.”
“Youtookahugesteptonightinlettinggoofthepast.WoulditbetooweirdifItoldyouIwasproudofyou?”
Aflashoftearsglossedacrossthosedenimblueeyes.Hedidhisbesttoblinkthemaway.“Nah.
Hell,I’mproudofme,too,”hejoked.“Andnowyou’remine.Allmine.Justmine.”
Underhim,Kimbersmiled.“Yours.Always.”
436
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