TORMENTED_ Jani Kay - Jani Kay

Chapter 1 — Eva

Harrison. Dark. Broody.

Definitely tormented.

A beast?

Maybe he was, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to be with him.

On some profound level we had connected—I saw past the damaged layers into his very soul. Something about him touched a deep chord inside me and even though I was aware that I could get burned, hurt and disillusioned, I couldn’t help myself wanting the wickedly dark and intense man.

“Why so quiet? You haven’t said a word since we left Ryder and Jade’s place.” We stopped at a traffic light, and he twisted his body in the seat to look at me. I turned my head to gaze at him from under my lashes. With Harrison, I never knew what to expect, so I stayed guarded until I’d fathomed his mood.

“Oh . . . um, just thinking, that’s all.”

Drumming his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the song on the radio—one of the new bands I’d just signed to our recording label recently—he gave me a lazy smile. “About?”

Lowering my lashes so that he couldn’t see into my eyes, I lied. “Jade and Ryder’s wedding. How I can help her.”

“Hmmm . . . the wedding. I don’t know what my old man was thinking to agree to that. Guess I don’t have much choice in the matter, do I?” Harrison sighed, a deep frown marring his brow.

“No. It's time you accept that they are in love and want to be together. And you seem to forget that Ryder is my brother.”

The light turned green and the SUV’s engine roared as he slammed his foot down and propelled the car forward.

“Half-brother—and only technically so.” He smirked as he ground the vehicle’s gears.

Harrison drove a car the same way he fucked. Hard. Fast. A touch aggressive. And always, always in control.

“He’s still my brother.” I folded my arms across my chest and raised my chin.

“You didn’t grow up together, and you’re nothing like him. You’re educated and smart—”

His tone and attitude toward Ryder pissed me off. How dare he speak like that about my blood?

“The only reason Ryder isn’t educated is because he didn’t have the opportunities you and I had. He was battling for survival. In fact, I believe it made him a stronger person. One with compassion. You could actually learn a lot from my brother.” I glared at him, my neck growing hot as my annoyance escalated. “And he’s smart, so don’t underestimate him.”

Was there truly salvation for Harrison? Sure, he was my lover, but would our relationship—if one could call the sex between us that—go anywhere other than the bedroom?

I wanted what most women wanted. A man of my own, but not just for sex. I wanted his heart and soul—someone to love, and who would love me equally in return.

Harrison wanted my submission. But did he want my heart? I didn’t know the answer. Truth be told, I doubted Harrison was capable of more—the way he needed to dominate in the bedroom was proof that he was trying to control not only me, but also his own mind and heart.

“That may be true. I heard Ryder talk to Dad about opening steakhouses around Cali and then in other states, too. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure how he’ll make it work. I mean, who would want to support outlaws?” He smirked, as if he’d already made up his mind that it wouldn’t succeed.

I narrowed my eyes at him and huffed. “God, you’re a self-righteous prick. For your information . . . as a businesswoman, I think it's a damn smart venture. In fact, if Bill and Max help to get it up and running, Ryder can hardly fail.”

“Jesus, Eva, you’re fucking sexy when you talk like that—all business-like. It makes me want to stop the car and fuck you right here.” His hand slipped to his crotch and he pressed his palm against his hardness. “Fuck, my jeans are so tight I can hardly move.”

“Ha ha.” I laughed sarcastically. “Is that because you’re a supersized prick?”

He caught my hand and brought it to his erection. “You’re going to pay for that, woman. My prick seeks revenge.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “You have no idea what I have planned for you tonight, and now I’m upping the ante, since you insulted my dick. You’re going to have to kiss him to make it better.”

“Hmph,” I snorted, trying to stay mad, but playful Harrison was sexy beyond words. I rubbed his cock and it hardened even