Page 35 of Wicked Rush

Lars double checked the locks on her doors before venturing up the steps. As he ascended, he noted several lone nails on the tan-colored walls, where he assumed pictures had once hung. As he passed a guest room, he noted the vacant space, dust scattered across the dark cherry hardwood floor. It was as if she’d never fully moved into the house.

As he glanced down the darkened hallway, he detected movement in the distance. The scent of lilacs filled his senses, and he didn’t try to keep quiet as his knuckles tapped on the smooth white wood of the door. Its salt-air rusted hinge creaked as it opened, and he caught sight of Braelynn staring at herself in front of a floor length mirror. Her wide reddened eyes caught his in the reflection.

“Whatcha doing, sweetheart?” he asked, coming up behind her.

“I love California,” she replied.

“I do too. You don’t have to go,” he told her, his voice soft. He glanced to the emptied dresser drawers and back to her. She brought her hand to her face, wincing as she touched it. “Let me get you some ice.”

“No. This is a reminder of what I deserve,” she sighed, running her fingers through her wet hair. “This is my fault. I’m a mess. My life is a mess. I’m leaving.”

“Stay. I’ll keep you safe,” Lars answered. “I’ll hire a security team to protect you twenty-four seven. We’ll get whatever you need. I have friends.”

“I’ll never be safe.”

“You need to let go, Brae. Let me in. I can’t help you if you don’t.”

“Today at the pool,” Braelynn turned to Lars, her towel wrapped tightly around her chest, “I didn’t want you to stop. I just wanted to feel. I know it’s all going to end, but I don’t want it to. Did you ever feel that way? Like at the end of a vacation. You know it’s coming but you can’t stop it.”

“There’s certain things in life you can’t stop.”

“I want to trust you. I want to think that maybe there’s a one percent chance something is going to fucking change. That I can fix this.”

“You don’t need to fix it alone.”

“I can’t ask you to get involved in this. Even if I did, I’m not allowed to tell you.” Braelynn scanned the room and shrugged. “When I first came here, I was so happy. I loved watching the ocean from my balcony. Everything I’d worked so hard for? It’s all packed away now. My clothes. My things. My life.”

“You need to let me in. Forget whatever shit someone told you. Because whoever they are…let me tell you, they aren’t helping.” Lars took a step forward, closing the distance, his palm brushed her cheek. His heart melted, looking into her eyes. Someone had hurt her, and it wasn’t just Giordano.

“Oh God,” she breathed, her eyes slowly blinking. “Please don’t…”

“Brae.” Lars’ chest tightened as she leaned into his touch. Her smooth skin on his palm spiked his lust for the mysterious brunette. Don’t be a fucking asshole, he told himself. This isn’t right. She was vulnerable, not willing to share her secrets. But if they had sex, he might be able to get her out of his system. He’d call Dean and he’d help her. Lars might never see her again, but she’d be safe and he could move on with his own life.

“Let me in.” Just a taste…make her feel good. It was all he could manage. She drove him mad. He needed her capitulation.

“I want this…” she began, but didn’t say the words he needed to hear. “But today at the pool…I don’t want to play games.”

“Lessons, my sweet fox. Perhaps we begin there.” Her heavy eyelids fluttered up to his as he trailed his fingers over her collarbone. They flittered down her chest, edging the fabric. She went to reach for his wrist and he quickly corrected her. “Don’t touch. If you can’t trust me. If you can’t let me in, I’m going to show you how to do it.”

“But Lars, I already told you…”

“I heard you. Now I’m telling you. We’re at a crossroads.” Braelynn dropped her hands to her sides, allowing him to glide his fingers over the swell of her breast. A beginning. “Sometimes we have to learn lessons to build trust. It appears that is the direction you and I are going. Because I’m going to tell you this.” He flicked his finger over the tucked flap, enjoying the gasp that escaped from her lips as the material fell away to the floor. “You and I are going to learn how to trust each other. I’m not letting you go off on your own. I told you that I wouldn’t call the police. So as long as you’re with me…” His energy surged at the sight of her gorgeous form. She released a breathy sigh and closed her eyes as he brushed the back of his hand over her taut tip.

“Look at me,” he demanded. Her eyes snapped to his, and he delighted in the fire dancing in her expression. “You want to control what you tell me? This big secret you’ve got going? I’ll give you that for now but here,” he looked to the bed, and back to her, “when you’re with me, this is mine.”

“Lars,” she sighed as he caressed her breast.

He rounded behind her, warning her not to move. “Stay where you are, little one.” His cock hardened to concrete, and he rocked his erection into her ass. “You want this?”

“You said no games.” Braelynn tilted her head to the side as his lips grazed her neck. She startled as he dug his fingertips into a fleshy globe, his other hand caressing her breast.

“This is a lesson, not a game,” Lars growled. The taste of the skin on her neck tempted him further. Jesus, he could lose control with her. He knew she was leaving, but couldn’t resist the temptation. At least they could have tonight. He’d push her as far as she was willing to go.

“Ah…” Braelynn cried as he teased his fingers through her slick folds.

“That’s right, baby. You’re wet. But you know what I want to see.”

“I don’t…” her words faded as he drove another digit inside her.

“I want you spread wide open for me.” Lars withdrew his hand and she groaned in protest. As she attempted to turn around, he slid his hand over her stomach, holding her firmly against him.

“Lars, what are you doing?” Her hips tilted backwards seeking friction. “I want…”

“Oh I know you want it, sweetheart. But sometimes,” he ran his fingers along her bottom lip, teasing them open. His cock thickened as she sucked them into her mouth, “you have to work for it.”

Fucking hell, this woman would drive him mad. As he spun her around, his fingers withdrew with a pop, and he tossed her on the bed. She went to lie back but he crooked his finger. In silent understanding, she inched forward and sat on the edge. Opening to him, she parted her knees and trailed her fingertips slowly down her stomach.

He sucked a breath at the spectacular sight of her hand hovering above her pelvis. Although he sensed her desire to go further, her hesitation told him she sought permission. How far would she go? he wondered. Taking her to Altura, he’d be free to experiment, to push her further publicly.

“Show me. Touch yourself.” Braelynn’s head fell back as her fingers grazed through her labia. Lars dropped to his knees, drinking in the sight of her doing as he asked. “That’s it. You’re so beautiful, sweetheart.”

She relaxed into a rhythm, and he crouched to the floor, settling between her knees. Lars unzipped his jeans, freeing his steel-hard dick, stroking it as he watched her. A wild beautiful creature lurked beneath the scared woman he’d met; one who appeared desperate to escape her bindings. As he knelt before her, he promised to discover her secrets, hoping she’d learn to trust him.