Boxed Set: Steel: Blacthorne MC Romance (16 page)

M
y voice was
hoarse and my face was stained with tears when a while later I heard the lock slide across my door.

I had been sitting on the floor, resting my head on my knees, but I quickly scrambled to my feet.

I backed away from the door, terrified of who it might be.

When the door opened, my heart was pounding.

It was Nick. My hands flew to my mouth, and I started crying again. I couldn’t help it.

I had really started to think I would never see him again. I thought Victor would kill him.

He stood before me bloody and beaten, but alive.

After hesitating for a moment, I ran up to him and flung my arms around his body, but he flinched at my touch.

I backed away. “I’m sorry, it must hurt so much.”

Despite his obvious pain, Nick pulled me back into his arms and held me tightly. I felt his lips graze the top of my hair.

“I’m so sorry you had to see that,” he murmured.

“It wasn’t your fault. If I hadn’t tried to run away…”

Nick’s whole body tensed, and he jerked back, staring down at me. “You have to know that it’s not your fault, Ella. This was something that had been brewing for a long time.”

I nodded, but I didn’t really believe him. By trying to escape tonight, I definitely triggered something.

“So,” I said softly. “Is there really an undercover cop?”

“It looks that way,” Nick said, allowing me to lead him over to the bed.

He sat down on the edge of the mattress.

I did my best to wipe away my tears and take control of myself.

“So are you?” I asked.

“Am I what?” Nick gave me a twisted smile. “You think I’m the cop?”

I nodded and bit down on my lower lip. It would make some sense.

He looked down at the ground. “I know that you want me to be a good man, Ella, but I’m bad for you in every sense. I’m sorry I can’t be the man you wish I was, but I can promise I’ll never let anyone hurt you while I’m around.”

The look he gave me was so tender, it caused fresh tears to sting my eyes.

I moved in front of him, so that I was standing between his legs and then lowered my head to gently kiss his lips.

It was soft, so soft and tentative at first, but then the kiss grew deeper and hungrier as Nick’s hands trailed behind my back, reaching to clutch my ass and press me against him.

N
ick

She stood in front of me with such pity in her eyes it made me feel like a complete bastard for coming here. I shouldn’t have come to her like this. But I wanted to see her. I
needed
to see her.

She surprised me by not asking any more questions. Instead, her hands gently moved up to intertwine behind my neck, pulling me down towards her.

She kissed my mouth slowly, gently nipping my bottom lip with her sharp, small teeth. And the pleasurable sensation shot straight to my groin.

I was hard in an instant. Her mouth worked over mine as her hot tongue teased and intertwined with my own.

It felt so good to forget everything except how her mouth felt on mine.

I felt myself tighten when she slipped her small hand beneath the waistband of my jeans and tightly grasped me.

I groaned against her mouth as she started pumping me up and down. I wrapped my arms around her, running my hands down her back towards that sweet ass. I gripped her flesh, pulling her towards me as her hand continued to move up and down.

I worked my hands back around to her front and undid the buttons on her jeans quickly so I could bury my hand between her legs.

She felt so hot and slick already.

I gently rubbed her as she moaned against my mouth. I moved a finger down to her entrance, dipping into her wet juices and then bringing my finger back up to slip over the spot that made her gasp.

She ground herself against my hand, and I pushed my index finger inside her slowly, enjoying her sharp intake of breath as I worked it back and forth at the same speed she was using to rub her hand over me.

I wanted to bury myself inside of her.

Ella pulled away from me, breaking the kiss.

My fingers stilled between her legs as I looked at her questioningly. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t say anything, but instead fell to her knees in front of me.

She licked her lips and then looked up at me through her lashes with a shy smile.

She pulled my jeans down, completely releasing me, so there was no hiding the fact I was rock hard and lined up with her lips.

Christ.

She moved forward, and her tongue flicked out, running along the tip.

“Holy shit,” the words escaped from my mouth as my head fell back in pleasure.

I was so hard I felt like I was going to burst.

When I looked back down, I saw her mouth open as she was moving towards me. Her tongue circled me again gently, flickering on the underside in a way that made my whole body tense.

My hands moved to the side of her head, gently encouraging her to take me further into her mouth.

I seem to swell even bigger as her pretty lips moved over me.

“That feels so good, Ella,” I whispered.

She sucked lightly and swirled her tongue around me, and I swear I almost came there and then.

My fingers fisted in her hair as she moaned, and I felt the pleasurable vibrations all along my length and down to the base of my spine.

She tightened her lips as I moved back and forth inside her mouth. Her tongue worked me at the same time, sending me over the edge.

“Christ, Ella, I’m going to come.”

It felt like I swelled even more, and my body tightened. She didn’t pull away even though I’d given her the chance.

And as I came, she sucked me, making me roll my head back on my shoulders and groan with pleasure. When she was done, she moved her mouth back, releasing me from her mouth with a pop.

I stared down at her in adoration as she licked her lips and smiled shyly up at me.

“Was that good?”

I looked down at her on her knees in front of me, and I knew I was in
serious
trouble.

I wanted to be with her
all
the time.

But I couldn’t think like that. What I wanted could never happen. I just needed to make the most of the time we had together now.

I reached down to pull her to her feet. “That was amazing. But now it’s your turn.”

Her eyes widened and then she smiled, that sweet smile that made my heart contract.

I moved forward and kissed those sweet lips that had just been wrapped around me.

I quickly stripped her of her T-shirt and jeans, hungry to see her lush curves.

Just one glimpse of the dark pink of her nipples beneath the lace, and I was ready to go again in an instant.

I reached behind her to release the clasp on her bra. I licked my lips as the lace fell down to the floor, revealing her breasts. I lowered my mouth to kiss and suck her, and felt her nipple harden in my mouth.

I quickly moved over to the nightstand and grabbed a condom. Then I laid her back on the bed and spread her thighs wide.

Her cheeks were flushed and pink as she tried to close her legs.

“I want to see you,” I whispered, and her resistance melted.

She allowed me to spread her thighs wider. I could already see how wet she was. Her body was in desperate need of attention, which I was more than happy to give.

I used my finger to trace her, carefully working my way around the edge of her most sensitive spot, building anticipation. Her body arched impatiently, and I knew she wanted more.

But I couldn’t tease her for long. I wanted to taste her. I moved my mouth down and used my tongue to slowly and sensuously lick her.

She gasped and her hips thrust upwards. I pushed my finger inside of her, and used my tongue to taste her at the same time.

I felt myself grow in size, desperate to get in on the action as she writhed in pleasure.

I carried on working her with my tongue, taking my time, bringing her right to the edge of orgasm before slowing down.

“Nick, please,” she begged. “I need to feel you inside me,
now
.”

Her hands pulled at me, encouraging me to take her.

I moved up between her legs, probing her entrance as I grabbed the condom from beside us on the bed and ripped the wrapping with my teeth.

I smoothed it on, and shook my head, amazed at how quickly I was ready to come again.

My eyes locked with hers as I pushed into her.

Her eyes widened at the invasion, and her breathing grew faster.

I slid my hand down between her legs and used my fingers to caress her as I pushed myself inside her. As her internal walls relaxed around me, I pushed harder and harder until finally I was buried to the hilt, deep inside her.

I dipped my head down to kiss her deeply as I slowly moved in and out of her.

It felt so good, so perfect. I wanted to go faster, but I held back, wanting to give her pleasure first.

Ella closed her eyes and moaned as I buried myself in her, before pulling out again. I knew she was close, and I quickly picked up speed, stroking her at the same time.

She cried out and then wrapped her legs around my waist, forcing me deeper inside her.

I wouldn’t last much longer at this rate. Her nails clawed my back, pulling me closer and closer.

I felt her internal walls clench around me, milking me as she cried out my name.

As her orgasm overtook her body, she called out my name again, and I took that as my cue to drive into her faster and faster. She gripped me tightly. My whole body tensed as I came hard.

I collapsed beside her, struggling to catch my breath, only now aware of the pain of my bruises. I hadn’t given them much thought as the pleasure had overwhelmed me.

Ella lay beside me. Her eyes were closed but she had a smile on her face.

I leaned forward to trace a kiss along her lips, and then went to the bathroom to dispose of the condom.

When I got back to the bedroom, Ella had curled up on her side and was fast asleep. I took a moment to gaze down at her before slipping into bed beside her and wrapping my arms around her warm body.

Whatever happened in the future, at least I would have this memory.

E
lla

The next day, I reluctantly went to breakfast with Nick.

“I’m not sure I can face Victor,” I said as he practically pulled me along down the corridor.

“It’s better to get it over with,” Nick said. “Things are never as bad as they seem.”

“But how can you eat breakfast in the same room as him after everything he did to you? He could have killed you, Nick.”

Nick shrugged. “I’ve had worse beatings.”

“Don’t be flippant,” I snapped.

“This is part of the life.
My life
.” Nick reached for my other hand and interlocked his fingers with mine. “I have to make the best of it.”

I sighed. He was wrong. This was no kind of life. He deserved so much better than this. My anger was still simmering away inside of me. If I thought I hated Victor before, it was nothing compared to how I felt now. I swore to myself that one day I would make sure Victor Blackthorne paid for this.

As we entered the main bar area where Nancy set up the tables for breakfast, the conversation died down to a low murmur. People were gathered at different tables, but all of them lifted their heads from their breakfast to stare at us as we walked in.

My eyes zeroed in on Victor’s table.

As usual, Victor sat next to Jackson. His empty plate was in front of him, and he raised his coffee cup to us in a mocking gesture.

“Good morning,” Victor said. “Why don’t you two join us?”

That was the last thing I wanted to do, and Nick had to practically tug me towards the table.

He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down stiffly. I didn’t even look at Victor. My whole body was trembling with a mixture of fear and anger.

Nick, on the other hand, was cool and relaxed. I didn’t know how he did it.

“Morning,” he said, smiling at Victor and Jackson, and then he reached for the coffee pot to pour us both coffee.

I stared down at the table.

“Breakfast always tastes better after you’ve cleared the air the night before, right, Nick?” Victor was determined to rub it in, but it was like water off a duck’s back to Nick.

“Best meal of the day,” Nick said.

I dared to raise my eyes from the table to look at Victor, but quickly looked down again and shuddered when I saw he was staring at me.

He smiled and looked like he was about to speak, but before he could, there was a movement at my side. When I looked up, I saw Victor’s brother, Damien Blackthorne.

He looked at us all suspiciously, and for the first time, it occurred to me that I hadn’t seen him last night. Had he been there?

“Good morning, Damien,” Jackson said.

He received a grunt from Damien in reply. It was pretty clear that Damien was jealous of Jackson’s closeness to his brother and resented him for it.

As much as I hated Damien when I first met him, I couldn’t help thinking that the Blackthorne crew might be better off if it had Damien at its helm.

Nancy bustled up to the table. “I’ve cooked more bacon. Would you like some more, Victor?” she asked, giving him a sweet smile.

Victor patted his washboard stomach. “No, thanks, sweetheart. I’m full to the brim, but it was delicious.” He gave her a charming smile.

Damien scowled.

Nancy put a fresh supply of toast in the centre of the table. “What can I get you?” she asked, looking at Nick and I in turn.

“I’ll just have some toast, thanks,” I said, reaching for a slice.

Nancy turned her attention to Nick. “The usual, Nick?”

Nick gave Nancy a smile that left Victor’s in the shade. He was so gorgeous it hurt to look at him sometimes.

“That would be lovely, thank you.”

Nancy flushed with pleasure and bustled away from the table again.

Jackson passed me the butter by sliding it across the table. I looked up at him and our gazes clashed. I wasn’t about to thank him, though.
Screw being polite
. I was quite able to reach for the butter on my own.

I scowled at Jackson and then looked down at my toast as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

“I’ve got a new job for you, Nick,” Victor said.

My eyes flickered up and rested on Victor. A job? Did that mean he was sending Nick away? I didn’t think I could stand it here without him.

“What’s the job?” Nick asked casually and took a sip of his coffee.

“Collecting the donations.”

I’d heard enough over the past few days to realize that when Victor referred to donations he was actually talking about the protection money they took from various establishments in the area.

“I’d like you to go with Chad and Tom like usual, but this time, Jackson’s going to go with you, too.” Victor gave a cold smile and enjoyed Nick’s reaction.

Nick visibly tensed as his eyes flickered over to Jackson. The two men stared at each other for a moment before Nick shrugged. I could tell it was an effort for him not to protest.

“Fine,” Nick said bluntly. “Whatever you think works.”

Victor nodded slowly. “Good. It’s nice to see we’re on the same page.”

Jackson and Victor exchanged a look that made me nervous. Were they planning something?

With Nick gone, along with Chad, Tom and Jackson, I would feel lost here.

But what Victor said next surprised me, “You can take Ella with you.”

He looked at me and scowled. “I don’t want to see her miserable face moping about without you. It seems as if this thing between you two isn’t about to end, so it looks like I’m going to have to get used to it.”

Victor shifted his gaze back to Nick. “I still expect total commitment from you, though. I don’t want you getting distracted on the job. Understand?”

Nick nodded. “Of course.”

Nancy returned and set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of Nick. He thanked her and then started digging in as I picked at my toast. I didn’t understand how he could have such a healthy appetite after everything that had happened.

Damien Blackthorne cleared his throat. “I couldn’t help noticing that my name was not on the list.” He glared at his brother.

“And do you have a problem with that?” Victor snarled.

It was quite obvious that Damien did have a problem with that, a
big
problem. But instead of saying so, he just shrugged.

“Nothing to do with me,” Damien said. “You’re the one in charge, after all.”

I couldn’t be the only one to have picked up on the contempt in Damien’s voice.

I held my breath as I waited for Victor’s response. I expected him to explode.

He looked at his brother coldly before picking up his coffee and taking a sip.

When he set the cup back down on the table, he said, “That’s right. I’m the one in charge. And nobody should forget that, including you, Damien.”

Damien’s skin flushed hot red, and I saw a muscle jump in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. He pushed his plate away from him in disgust and stood up, scraping the chair against the floor loudly.

“I’ve lost my appetite,” he growled and then stalked out of the bar.

After everyone had gone, leaving us alone at the table, I turned to Nick. “Is this a bad thing?”

“A bad thing?”

“The fact that Victor is sending us off somewhere to collect the donations, does that mean he’s getting us out of the way for some ulterior motive?”

Nick shook his head slowly. “No, this is back to normal for Victor. That’s how he is. One moment he’s exploding in anger, and in the next moment, everything is right as rain and business as usual. It normally takes us a couple of days to go around to all the properties. We’ll stay overnight in a couple of places. It’s not really a risky job. The guys we visit are pretty loyal to Victor and don’t put up much of a fuss.”

He smiled at me and then reached out and covered my hand with his. “I’m glad you’re coming with me, though. I would have worried if I’d had to leave you here.”

I tried to match Nick’s smile and feel positive about this. Any chance to get away from the Blackthorne club and Victor, even for a short time, had to be a good thing.