“You left me.” She bit out. “You left me in a parking lot, and I almost got arrested for something I didn’t do.”
“I fucked up, darlin’.” He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “I fucked up bad. But you said you wanted me to drop you off, and at the time I thought it was a good idea. You need to get out of the state. I need to go back to Conundrum. We’re not seeing eye-to-eye on Viper meeting his maker. It wasn’t until that hooker was on her knees…”
Only a lifetime of sharp reflexes saved him from a world of pain when her knee jerked up, hitting his thigh instead of the family jewels.
“So that’s how you knew how much a hooker cost. And now you want to fuck me right after you’ve been with her? I am so done with you, Holt. I meant it when I said I was getting on that bus alone.”
He gritted his teeth, pulled himself up. “I left you once, and look what happened. You need me. That cop saw you in that beaver shirt. He knows what you look like. You’re on his radar now, and I’m sorry for it. But if you leave the state you’ll have the feds and Viper after you. I’m your only hope for keeping your name clear of this mess and keeping you safe. And now you showed me a side of you that makes it so I will not be leaving you again. You showed me your fire. Moth to a flame, darlin’. I’m sticking around even if I get burned.”
“Misogynistic, chauvinistic, patronizing,” she muttered. “That’s the side you showed me in there.”
“You insulted my manhood.” He pressed his hips against hers, his cock so damn hard it hurt. “A man’s gotta defend himself when the essence of his being is attacked.”
“Your cock is the essence of your being?” She glared, but her body arched against him, taut nipples brushing against his chest.
“It’s gonna be the essence of your being very soon if you don’t stop turning me on.”
She rocked her hips against him, grinding against his aching shaft. “You’re already turned on.”
“So are you.” He whispered kisses along her jaw. “You want me to do something about it?”
*
“Yes.” The word dropped from Naiya’s lips before she could catch it, and before she could even consider taking it back, Holt tugged open her jeans.
Naiya glanced quickly to the side to make sure they were alone, but there was nothing to see in the semi-darkness at the back of the building but trees, a few toppled garbage cans, and the hull of a burnt out car. The air was thick and moist, scented with pine and cedar and the faint odor of grease from the kitchen vent above them.
Holt slid his hand inside her panties, feeling his way over the soft down covering her mound, and then along her folds, slick and wet. A whimper escaped her lips. She hadn’t felt arousal like this since …
Shame flushed her cheeks at the memory. Viper had made her come. Before he took her to his office, he’d spiked her drink, sat her on his lap, and kissed her as the drug took effect. She remembered feeling semi-dazed, thrilled by his attention, lulled by the soft croon of his voice and the gentle stroke of his hands on her body, as he told her how pretty she was, how innocent, how he couldn’t resist her, how he wanted to make her feel good. It was only when she felt his hand under her skirt, fingers pushing aside her panties, that her mind shrieked a warning. But it was too late. Her body betrayed her under the touch of Viper’s skilled fingers. And after she’d come on his hand, Viper had laughed. Told her that her body clearly wanted what he intended to give her. That she was a slut. Just like her mother. And that was just the beginning.
She shuddered and Holt froze. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.”
“What’s wrong?”
Naiya bit her lip, considering. She’d never wanted a man like she wanted Holt and even that simple desire confused her. After the assault, she’d shut down, finally hitting rock bottom when her mother kicked her out, choosing the club over her. After Father Doyle saved her from pulling the trigger and damning her soul, he helped her relocate to Missoula, and she slowly began to heal. But sexual pleasure eluded her. She faked orgasms and gave blowjobs until she was tired of pretending. And then she met Maurice and he didn’t seem to mind having a relationship based solely on friendship and mutual respect, without the complications of intimacy.
“I’m not used to being on the receiving end.” She dropped her hand to his belt. “Maybe I should…”
Holt studied her, his head tilted to the side. She was beginning to hate that gesture because it usually meant he could see right through her, and there were things she didn’t want him to see.
“One day you’re gonna tell me what he did to you,” he said. “But only when you’re ready.”