as Vaughn shoved into me from behind. The only things keeping me up at this point were his hands since my legs had long grown weak.
“But I’ve already come twice,” I whined, even though I was eager to do it again. “Just come already.”
“What’s my favorite number?” he asked me as his hand left my hip and his fingers found my clit. “What’s my favorite fucking number?”
“Three.”
“That’s how many times you’re going to come for me before I even think about letting you go.” He slowed his pace just enough to thrust deep, and a choked cry ripped from my throat when I felt his piercing tease a spot deep inside of me. Pulling me up until my back was against his chest, he began strumming my clit until I finally came for him a third time. With one hand over my mouth to keep my cries muffled and the other gripping my neck, he pounded me with a savageness that made it hard to believe I was a virgin only five days ago.
His breathing turned ragged as he neared his release, and I swore there was no sweeter sound than the soft moan that slipped from his lips when he finally spilled inside the condom.
He held me captive for long moments after as we tried to catch our breath. I then stood still as he bent and pulled my uniform pants up. He took the time to zip and close me up before slipping his basketball shorts back over his hips. When he turned me around and pulled me close rather than let me go, I let him do that, too.
“Please forgive me,” he begged after he kissed my lips.
“For what?”
“You’re late,” he whispered as he squeezed me tighter, almost desperately. “But I still can’t seem to let you go.”
I couldn’t ignore the bags under his eyes, making me wonder about the last time he’d slept a full night—or the bleakness within them. Vaughn had always been broody, but this was different. Something had broken inside of him. He was clinging to the pieces, hoping to be put back together again, but whatever demons he’d been fighting had grown too strong.
“Then I’ll stay with you,” I promised him.
And I would.
I’d be whatever he needed—his angel of mercy, his light out of the darkness. I’d corrupt my soul to save his if I had to. Terry or anyone else who stood in my way would just have to be my victims.
BLACKWOOD KEEP WAS ONE OF the wealthiest towns in the country, attracting celebrities, socialites, and wealthy investment bankers looking to hide from the world in their summer homes and permanent residences. The coastal land had been purchased by Vaughn’s ancestor, Peter Blackwood, almost four centuries ago. Today, on the anniversary of that historic day, a parade had been ordered by the mayor to celebrate—the mayor who also happened to be Vaughn’s uncle.
I sipped my smoothie, aware of the soreness between my thighs, as I watched the last float pass by. There was already a crew following closely behind, cleaning up the confetti, so to speak. In no time, the affluent town would look good as new. The parade had been a real snooze fest. Not even the retired actress who’d appeared on one of the floats could liven it. They’d been smart to offer free food since not even the wealthy could turn the opportunity down.
“So, what do you want to do next, little sis?”
Selena and I were busy enjoying our last day of freedom before my father came home. So that he wasn’t blindsided as I’d been, I called him a couple of days ago to tell him about Selena. To say my father had been furious that I hadn’t called sooner was an understatement. He shouted for an hour until he exhausted himself, and I forgot my anger when I realized he was frazzled. Despite their relationship not being what he’d led me to believe, I knew my father loving my mother hadn’t been a lie.
“I thought we could get a massage and then maybe—”
My suggestion was abandoned, and our plans were forgotten when I caught sight of a man I recognized but had yet to meet formally. Tall and imposing, he had just stepped from the century-old building across the street that served as Blackwood Keep’s Town Hall. His gray hair was thin, his muscles nonexistent, and the scowl he wore looked too natural to be temporary—too deeply embedded to match his son’s panty-dropping smile. Although I