An instant after closing his bedroom door, he hauled her against him. Their lips met in a fiery kiss and she ground against him.
Clothing, gone in seconds. He wanted to fuck her hard and fast. He wanted to forget reality and get lost in her beautiful essence, in all things Providence.
But this latest lie had nothing to do with her. She was his protector, his partner. He believed her when she told him she loved him. He could see it in her eyes, feel it in her touch. Even now, she was willing to take his anger from him.
But she was not the problem. She was the solution. Her relentless pursuit of the truth had forced Luther’s hand.
“I fucking adore you so much,” he rasped out. “I should be worshipping you instead of taking my anger out on you. It’s because of you that I learned my dad was an operative.”
“Even so, I think a good, strong fuck would do you good.”
That made him smile.
“Get on the bed, Dakota. I’m going to screw your brains out.”
* * *
Together, they tumbled into bed, their raw, gritty passion taking them higher and higher. When he reached for the drawer, she stopped him.
“No condom,” she whispered.
“That’s a big step.”
“I’m on the pill, and I’m healthy.”
“I always wore condoms and I’m clean, too.” He kissed her shoulder, her chest, her mouth. “I love you and I want you to know that in your heart.”
She stroked her necklace. “I do know that.”
Moving slowly, he slid inside her. She couldn’t tear her gaze from his. But not because he was a beautiful man. Because he was loving her with his entire soul.
As she loved him back, the happiness she had denied herself blossomed from the deepest part of her, the part she’d walled off from everyone.
They began moving faster, the euphoria spiraling through her. She accepted that there would always be a hole in her heart that she could never fill. A loss that would never leave her. A child that she loved, and lost, but would never, ever stop loving. No matter how many children she might be lucky enough to have, her Annabel would always be her first.
And there was nothing she could have done to save her.
As she went over the edge, tears streamed down her temples. He was there for her, comforting her and holding her while waves of pure, sweet ecstasy washed over her, shattering her into a thousand pieces.
“I love you, Providence,” he murmured. “With everything I am.”
Sobbing quietly, she floated back to earth, fortified by his strength and set free by his love.
24
The Poison
Late afternoon, and club employees were filtering in to begin their shift. Providence had insisted Dakota join her, but she wouldn’t tell him why. As he stared at the bundles of bondage rope in the supply closet, he flicked his gaze to her.
“What?” he asked.
“Look at all that rope,” she said.
“Yup,” he replied.
Her eyes shone brightly as she clasped his hand and took off toward her office. As he slid into the guest chair, she logged in to the computer. While waiting, he glanced around. A clean ashtray sat on the desk and a small stack of newspapers had accumulated in the corner. Mavis had definitely returned.
After several minutes of scrolling, she said, “I found it.”
