Still, she wasn’t prepared when he pushed a thick finger inside her. Her breath left in a rush, her back bowing as she rocked to meet his thrusts. Water jets teased her sensitive nipples, before splashing against his forehead, but he was relentless, his finger sliding in and out as his tongue circled her clit, sensation building on sensation, until there was nothing but the incessant demand of her body for more.
Zane added a second finger, stretching her, his fingertips pulsing against her sensitive inner tissue. Pressure built within her, not the usual rush to the peak, but a slow, steady roll, deep in her core. Her back arched away from the cold wall. Her leg locked on his shoulder. Her hands gripped the showerhead so hard she feared it would tear away from the wall. And when he flicked his tongue over her clit then nipped it gently, timing it to the deepest thrust of his fingers, she let go, her climax tearing a low, guttural groan from her throat, her body shuddering over and over as he drew out her orgasm with slow, shallow pulses of his fingers.
“So beautiful,” he said softly. “I’ve wanted to see you restrained since the moment we met again, even if you were doing it yourself.”
Yeah, she’d always figured her Zane had a kinky side. But she never thought she did, too.
His gaze dropped to the curls at the juncture of her thighs and her body trembled with need. Just that look, the heat of his gaze, was enough to send a tremor of excitement through her. And when he stood, curved his hands under her breasts, the rough calluses scraping over her sensitive skin, she thought she might come again just from the erotic burn.
He pushed her breasts together and sucked one nipple, then the other, his tongue unrelenting as it lashed back and forth. Her head fell back, and she went up on her toes, pain and pleasure mixing until she couldn’t tell where one finished and the other began.
“I could spend all day worshiping your beautiful breasts,” he murmured. “I could spend a lifetime worshiping you.”
Overwhelmed by sensation and the loss of control, she strained toward him until his erection pressed against her stomach.
“I need you.”
“Then spread your legs for me, sweetheart. Let me in.” He moved one hand down her body and teased around her folds, circling her entrance. A tremor ran through her and she angled her hips trying to urge him inside her. The constant stream of water over her clit sent a buzz through her head and she moaned her desperate need for release.
“Gotta get a condom.” He moved to leave and she grabbed his hand.
“It’s okay. I’m on the pill.” She looked away, not wanting to see his expression. She trusted him that much, and yet she was still walking away. God, what was she doing?
Zane’s hands slid down her slick body and he cupped her ass, lifting her easily to his hips. And then he slid inside her with one hard thrust, startling her with the fullness and the sense of complete possession.
He let out a low groan. “Ah, Evie. So good to be with you this way. Like the first time we were together.”
No, it was better. More. She had never felt this close to him before. Not in the forest when they’d made love, nor in the bedroom when she’d locked away that part of her that might get too involved. But now, with the water washing away all her barriers, his body hot and hard against hers, his cock throbbing inside her, with nothing between them, she felt the last of her control slip away.
“Zane.” His name on her lips was more a plea than a request, but he was already moving, lifting her hips in time to his thrusts. She tightened her arms around his neck and held on for the ride, her back slick and wet against the cold tile wall.
Her inner walls tightened around his cock as he hammered into her, sliding her up and down his hard, wet body, giving her the friction she needed to hit her peak. He stroked his finger over her clit and her climax came in a rush, pleasure flooding through her veins in a molten wave. Zane grunted and pounded into her, coming hard and fast just as her pleasure began to fade.
He held her against him as the water beat down, washing away their sweat and tears. Then they washed each other all over again, and rubbed each other dry.
* * *
Evie slipped out from under Zane’s arm and texted Connie to meet her downstairs. She had applied salve to all his wounds and bandaged the worst cuts. Exhausted and clearly in pain, Zane had fallen asleep holding her cradled against him. She didn’t want to leave, but she needed time to think. How could she be with a man who led a life that scared her?
Connie met her downstairs with Ty, still wired after hours of gaming.
“Sparky’s bringing the SUV. He’ll be here in a couple of minutes.” Connie gave a quick glance down the hallway, then lowered her voice. “I got downstairs and played some pool, checked the place out. It’s a game room. Pool table, dartboard, foosball table, bar in the corner, but there were three steel locked doors with cameras above them, and they wouldn’t let Ty come down, so I figure there’s something there. I asked but no one would tell me.”
“I don’t think I want to know what’s down there.”
“You looked wrecked,” Connie said softly.
“I am wrecked.” Evie’s shoulders slumped. “I told Zane I couldn’t do this, that I needed some time. I couldn’t handle seeing him hurt like that. It made me angry and ill at the same time. If Arianne hadn’t been in the way I might have done some serious damage to Jagger, and yet I’ve never hit anyone in my life. It’s how I would feel if someone hurt Ty. I wanted to protect him and care for him, but I also wanted to get him out of here. But he’s a man, not a boy. And this is the life he loves. I love him, Connie, but not this world—not for me, and not for Ty. I don’t know what to do.”
Connie’s face crumpled. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry. I guess you probably don’t want to go back to the safe house.”
“I’ll get a hotel until I figure things out. And we’ll have to find somewhere else to set up shop.”
“You can stay with me.” Connie picked up Ty’s electronics bag and put an arm around him. “I’ve been trying to rent out my spare room forever. And before you start worrying about putting me in danger, Jagger already arranged to have two guys watching you wherever you go. He says it won’t be for long. They’re already waiting outside.”
Sparky honked the horn and Evie reached for the door.
“We’re leaving?” Ty shook himself, his eyes wide. “What about Zane? I didn’t see him yet. I haven’t seen him for a long time!”
“He’s sleeping,” Evie said gently. “And he’s not feeling well so we don’t want to disturb him.”
“But he didn’t say hello. And he was going to show me all the bikes.” His bottom lip quivered. “And I was supposed to teach him how to play World of Tanks.”
Guilt curdled her stomach. “You can do those things with him another time. Maybe Connie can bring you back here tomorrow.”
A tear rolled down Ty’s cheek. “Doesn’t he want to see me?”
“Hey, bud.” Wincing, Zane eased himself down on the stairs leading to the second floor. He wore a long-sleeved shirt under his cut that hid all the bruises, save for the one on his cheek and the fresh cuts on his hands.
Ty ran into his arms. “Mom said you were sleeping and you weren’t feeling well.”
“Yeah, well, we can’t be Batman all the time.” He ruffled Ty’s hair and his eyes flicked to Evie. “We got time to check out the bikes?”
“Of course.”
Zane clasped Ty’s hand and led him outside. Eyes tearing, Connie watched them go and shook her head.
“They’re so good together. You can’t…”
“I won’t.” A sad smile tugged the corner of her lips as she watched them go, walking with the same gait, Ty’s small hand clasped tight in Zane’s palm. “I don’t think I could even if I tried. I was so worried that Zane wouldn’t want to be involved in his life, but I have a feeling he would follow Ty no matter where we went. He said he would hand in his cut to be with us … leave the life…”