These Wicked Desires (Fates #3)

15. Ellis

Ellis

The porch door swings open and Cade and Sterling step out into the night.

“Hey, Allie? I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?” I hang up before she even responds. The nerves that disappeared while I was talking to her come back in full force. “Is everything alright?” I press my hands to my stomach in an attempt to quell the tumbling.

Cade sits next to me on the swing while Sterling leans against the railing, arms crossed over his chest.

“I was able to get the footage,” Cade says quietly. “I downloaded it to a thumb drive, and deleted the original footage from the server it was stored on. We now have the only copy of it.”

For now. If Thomas doesn’t agree to release Cade’s family, then who knows how many copies of that footage will be created and saved to various devices. The thought makes me double over, and I swallow back the bile that burns up my throat.

“Ellis, it’s not too late to change your mind.” Cade rubs my back, and as much as I want to shy away from his touch, I force myself to sit still. “Just say the word and I’ll destroy that thumb drive so no one will ever see it.”

It’s so fucking tempting. But Cade’s mom and sister’s lives are at stake, and I don’t know any other way to get them back. I will shred myself into millions of pieces to keep Cade happy. To keep all of my guys happy. They have done nothing but ensure my safety and happiness. It’s the least I can do.

I take a deep breath and sit up, squaring my shoulders. “I’m not changing my mind.”

Cade’s eyes dart back and forth as he takes in my expression. Finally, he sighs. “I didn’t think you would.”

“Cade and I are going to talk to my mom about letting his family stay with her. We’ll be back shortly.” Sterling pushes away from the railing and leans down, grabbing my chin and kissing me. “I love you, kitten.”

“Can I come?” I ask. I’d love to get another chance to talk to Shari.

Cade shakes his head. “You need to stay here. Kai is … on edge.” He glances behind me through the window, and it takes all my self control to not look over my shoulder. Cade leans in to whisper in my ear, his breath making me shiver. “Help our boy calm down.” After a quick kiss on the cheek, he leaves with Sterling, taking Kai’s Hummer.

I watch until the taillights disappear down the mountain, but before I can stand up to head inside, the front door opens, swinging so hard on its hinges it bangs into the wall and rebounds. I jump and slap my hand over my chest, my heart thumping madly under my palm.

“Geez, Kai. You scared me!” I narrow my gaze at him, and a thrill runs through me, tempering the shock.

His eyes glitter like rubies as he stares at me. He’s so still, his supernatural otherness blatantly obvious. And being the sole focus of that intense gaze makes me squirm.

“Get inside,” he growls.

I know I shouldn’t. I know he’s on edge and the monster is rearing its head, but I can’t help myself. Besides, giving the monster something to focus on, other than what we’re going to do tomorrow, will be good. “Why?” My lips quirk in a small, teasing smile.

I didn’t think it was possible, but he stiffens further, every muscle tensing to the point of vibration. A rumbling growl echoes in his chest and he curls his top lip, revealing those dangerously sexy fangs. My core tightens in response and I swallow, causing Kai’s gaze to drop to my neck.

“Inside. Now.” His words are guttural as he grounds them out, and his eyes flash dangerously.

I cock my head to the side and cross my arms. “I don’t want to.” The sass is strong tonight, and no wonder. After deciding to use that footage, I need to reclaim a sense of ownership over my life.

Kai growls and takes a step toward me. His steps are measured and steadied, each one thumping on the wooden porch. My heart beats in time with them, increasing until he stops in front of me.

"That wasn't a suggestion, little bird," he says, voice low and shivering over my skin. "You can play the brat all you want, I have all the time in the world. It will only increase your punishment."

I tilt my head up to meet his burning red gaze and raise one eyebrow. Daring. Challenging. Pissing off the monster even more.

Kai bares his fangs, running his tongue along one. "Get. Inside. Now."

I smile sweetly. "Make me."

I barely have time to blink before Kai sweeps me off my feet and throws me over his shoulder. I squeal as the world spins, and Kai turns to head for the door.

"You'll regret that, little bird."

A giggle climbs up my throat and Kai's back tenses. "I hope so."

He drops me just inside the cabin, making sure I slide down his body, rubbing against every inch of him. I bite my lip to keep a sigh from escaping.

On instinct, as soon as he lets me go, I turn and run. I have no direction in mind, and I know I won't get far, but the thrill of the chase is what it's all about.

A hand wraps around my ankle, and I scream as I fall face first toward the floor. Of course, with his vampire speed and strength, Kai manages to wrap his arms around me to prevent me from hitting the floor too hard.

Still, the breath is knocked from my lungs in shock. Kai digs his hand into my hair and tugs me to my knees, my scalp prickling with his motions. Keeping his hold on my hair, he walks around to face me and angles my head so I can look at him.

"On your knees," he mutters. "Exactly where I like you."

My gaze travels from his face, down his chest hidden by his shirt, to the prominent bulge in his pants. I lick my lips in anticipation.

"By the time I'm done with you, little bird, you'll know exactly who owns you."

Ah, so that's what this is about. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't tolerate someone saying they own me. But, in all reality, these guys do own me. They own my heart and my soul. Every breath I breathe is theirs. And I know, in return, they are mine.

And right now, Kai needs that reminder. He may not agree with me threatening to release the footage, but he'll do it because I want to. However, it causes the predator in him to come out. He needs to make sure I know no one will ever be able to claim me again.

I reach up and tuck my fingers under the waistband of his sweats, but he swats me away. With one hand on my chin, fingers digging in to force my mouth open, he pulls his pants down. His cock springs free and he wraps his free hand around it, tracing my lips with the head. The piercing at the tip is cool against my lips.

"Open up, little bird. Swallow me down like a good girl." His fingers tighten, almost to the point of pain.

Something dark inside of me enjoys it. Maybe all that time I spent in darkness, all the hurt and betrayal, have changed me. Maybe the claws of darkness have sunk deep and haven't let go. Or maybe it's just because I trust my guys without question. Whatever it is, I don't mind the pain and dark words. In fact, I find I'm enjoying it.

I open my mouth and let Kai slide his cock inside. He groans softly when I close my mouth around him and suck. The noises he makes send heat straight to my core, and I try to close my legs to ease the growing ache.

Kai tugs my hair, sending more pain coursing through my veins. "Eyes on me, little bird."

I look at Kai through my lowered lids and find his glowing red gaze burning straight into me. I can't take it anymore. I want to feel him touching me. I want him to kiss me, to lick me, to make me scream with pleasure.

"Kai, please," I say, pulling back as much as I can with his fist tangled in my hair.

That evil, crooked grin displays fangs I want buried in my neck. "I don't think so, little bird. Did you forget you're being punished?"

Damn. As much as I enjoy being a brat, I hate the punishment when he refuses to do what I want. But, I know exactly how to get around that.

"You say you own me." My hands slide up his thighs and over his hips, fingers trailing in the grooves of his abs. "Show me."

His eyes flash, and I know I have him. Kai steps out of his pants and grabs me by my waist. The world spins as he throws me over his shoulder and my breath whooshes out of me from it digging into my stomach.

He carries me upstairs and drops me onto the bed. "Take off your clothes, little bird. Let me see you."

He idly strokes himself as I shimmy out of the shirt and undies I threw on when I woke up. That dark look, eager and ready to devour me, makes my heart pound, and anticipation swirls in my gut. I lay back against the pillows and let my legs fall to the sides.

Kai pounces before I stop moving. His fingers bite into my thighs and spread my legs more. The first swipe of his tongue makes me gasp. The sheets bunch in my tightened fists and I lift my hips, silently begging for more.

He gives me more. He gives me everything I could ever ask for. This man knows how to use his tongue. I'm standing on the precipice, ready to fall over the edge when Kai drags one of his fangs over my clit.

My back arches and I scream his name as I come. Waves of pleasure wash through me like a fire consuming a forest. Kai brings me through every last wave, and when he finally lifts his head, his lips glisten with my release.

"That's right, little bird. Only I can make you come that hard."

It's on the tip of my tongue to tell him that's not entirely true, but before I can even think about saying it, he lifts himself over me. Surrounded by Kai, a sense of safety settles within me. He could do anything he wanted to me, and I'd let him. I know he'd never hurt me.

I slide my fingers into his dark hair and tug him down until our lips meet. I can taste myself on his tongue. "Own me, Kai," I say against his mouth. "Make me yours again."

"With pleasure, little bird."

Kai slams home in one thrust. My body accepts him like I was made for him. He sets a punishing rhythm, and I find myself lifting my hips to meet his. If he owns me, I also own him. I may not be able to bite him to mark him, but I have nails, and they work just as well. I claw down his back, loving the way he jerks and moans when I do it.

"Fuck, little bird. You drive me wild."

As much as I love when the monster comes out to play, I want Kai back. So I tip my head to the side, exposing my mark and giving him the nudge he needs.

Kai's fangs lengthen and he sinks them into my skin. The bite of pain quickly disappears, replaced by euphoric pleasure. Every nerve ending lights up. Each place our bodies touch becomes hypersensitive. One brush of his cock on that secret spot inside me is all it takes.

My orgasm overcomes me. I cry out and dig my nails into his back again as my body shakes and comes undone. Kai pulls away from my neck, licking the excess blood away and then kisses me. Copper blooms in my mouth as I taste my blood on his tongue, and I moan.

Kai thrusts one more time and his body shudders over mine, a soft groan climbing up his throat as he orgasms.

I could curl up and close my eyes, my body is worn out and used up. But Kai pulls away, gray eyes meeting mine.

"I'm sorry, baby girl," he whispers, rubbing his thumb along my lower lip.

I give him a sleepy smile and tug him down on top of me. "Don't apologize for great sex."

He chuckles, but rolls over so he can look at me. "I got worked up about the video thing. I couldn't help myself from trying to show you that I own you. And I don't think that I own you."

"It's okay, Kai." I kiss him gently and lay my head on his shoulder. "I think you kind of do own me. And I own you in return."

"Yeah?"

I can hear the hesitation and concern in his voice, and it breaks my heart. I never want him to think he's hurting me in any way. "Yeah," I say. "You're my Shield. I'm your beloved. It's not so much ownership as in owning an object. You're not an object to me. It's more like, I own a piece of you and you own a piece of me. A piece I have willingly given you."

He hums, the sound vibrating his chest under my ear. "I like that."

"I like you," I say with a smile.

He chuckles. "I like you more."

A groan from the doorway draws our attention. "Sorry to interrupt gag me hour," Sterling drawls. "But Allie and Connor are downstairs."