25. Rook
Summer fumedwhile I gently removed the nipple clamps, a flush of arousal staining her cheeks as the pressure released. Then, tenderly kissing each nipple, I tugged her bra back up, and slipped the dress back over her head.
Shame filled me at the sight of her watery gaze, staring off at the picture of Tatiana and I on our last trip to the Galapagos. Firmly gripping her chin, I pulled her face back to me. “This has nothing to with her.”
Her eyes narrowed and, bending over, she grabbed her heels, not bothering to put them on before she rushed from the room, leaving her perfumed smell in her wake.
I didn’t try to stop her.
If somehow I had given in to the temptation, had fucked her right here on the desk…well, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. Not with Douglass’ promise echoing through my mind.
And the Magnolia, they would own me.
And that was never happening.
“Mr. Craven?”
My eyes snapped back to reality, and I saw Mrs. Pearl standing in the doorway. How long had I been staring off? I cleared my throat. “Do you need something?”
“If I may?” She adjusted her glasses.
“Of course,” I gestured towards the chair across my desk. I didn’t sit myself, not wanting her to feel too welcome.
She sat, her legs pressed tight together, slanted sideways. It took her a moment to speak, her throat working, and I refrained an impatient growl for her to speak. Finally, “I saw that girl leave your office.”
“Don’t you have work to do?” Summer was none of her business.
“The library closed ten minutes ago.”
I rounded my desk. “Well, it’s time for you to return home then. I’m sure your husband will be waiting?—“
“Wait!” In a flash, she leapt to her feet, gripping my wrist. I stilled. My eyes went to it.
She was touching me.
Without my permission.
She didn’t let go. “Mr. Craven. You know. I appreciate the donations you’ve given to the library. They’re very…” she tried to think of a word, “generous. Some say too generous. But, despite what others may say, I have always seen you as an honorable man.” I didn’t answer her and, after an awkward pause, she continued, “You’ve always behaved appropriately in the library?—“
”Mrs. Pearl,” I cut her off, disliking her implication. ”I won”t allow anyone, including you, to dictate my life choices. If you, or the board,” I stressed, highlighting her lack of authority in the library”s management, ”disapprove of anything concerning me, I’m more than willing to leave.”
“If that is your wish,” she replied curtly, “It’s your money, you can do as you please. But that’s not the issue here.”
“Then what is?” I replied coolly. My wrist was burning where she was still holding it, but I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of forcibly removing it.
“That girl. She’s—well—is she even eighteen?”
“And how is that your business?”
“I heard—“ she cut off, lowering her voice, “we all heard what was going on here. The children.”
My lips tilted at the corner in a barely hidden smile. I raised an eyebrow. “And? What the children heard, or understood, is none of my business.”
“You!—” She cut off, her mouth dropping open. “Mr. Craven, if you hold any respect for me at all, then I would ask that you—that you be careful. Young girls, they’re naive.” She straightened her back. “Innocent.”
She had me there.
Of course, she was right. Summer was such a sweet, innocent girl. And I would only ruin her.
But this still was none of Mrs. Pearl’s concern.
“Thank you for your opinion, but this conversation is over.”
“Living in this town isn”t easy,” she continued with a knowing look, shaking her head. “Everyone knows everyone here, and that girl…”
Though she didn’t directly say it, I knew exactly what she meant. If you knew, then you knew. The Magnolia had ties everywhere.
“And I…I know how hard it can be.” She glanced away, her cheeks blushing from embarrassment. “I can help you.”
“With…?”
“If you’re….” She faltered, losing her words. But, taking a deep breath and meeting my gaze, she raised my wrist…and placed my hand on her breast, “…lonely.”
It was only now that I realized she’d taken down her hair. It lay in relaxed waves down her shoulders and back. The top three buttons of her shirt were undone. She’d definitely removed her bra.
“And your husband?” I asked curiously, not removing my hand.
“Well, he…” she quickly glanced away, but her thumb stroked my skin, “he’s always busy and I…” her teeth sunk into her lips, “I understand loneliness, too.”
When I said nothing, she stepped in closer, “I wouldn’t need any kind of attachment, and you and I… You’re here late. Alone. And so am I. It would be convenient.”
“Convenient?” I asked drolly. “Is that what you’re interested in, Mrs. Pearl? Because a man like me is anything but convenient.”
“More than that,” she rushed. “I’ve always been attracted to strong men. Dangerous.”
The woman didn’t know dangerous.
“And your husband isn’t filling those needs?” I leaned in close, pressing my lips to her ear, “Let me ask you, what kind of things are you into, Mrs. Pearl?” She inhaled a deep breath, her chest rising with the motion.
“I-I don’t know, but I’m willing to…try. Things.”
“Are you?” I squeezed her breast hard.
She squealed, then stumbled backwards, her eyes wide. “Mr. Cra—! What are you doing?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think that you can handle my kind of kink, Mrs. Pearl.” I gave her a cool look. “I like pain with my pleasure, something you’re likely to be uncomfortable with.”
Her cheeks now blazed red in embarrassment. “And that—that girl can?”
I didn’t answer her, only continued to glare at her.
“And you know this for sure? She’s okay with the—the—the pain?”
Stepping forward, I yanked her to me by her arm. “If you ever confront me like that again, I will make sure the board fires you so quickly, you won’t have time to pack your office. And if you ever approach that girl, I will kill you. Is that understood?”
Her eyes were wide, her lips trembling, her eyes watering.
“Say you understand.”
“Y-yes—“ she stammered. “I under—stand.”
“Good.” I released my hold and stepped away. “I”m telling you this because your kindness towards the children is proven. And, so, I’m confident that your concern for the woman in my office is genuine, and not just because you want something from me. I assure you, she can handle my needs. Everything she and I do together is completely consensual. Now, I think it”s time for you to leave.”
She stared at me mutely, clearly confused by my words and the sudden dismissal. Finally, lips clamping shut in a firm line, she turned to go.
“Mrs. Pearl?”
“Yes?” She edged towards the door.
“Can I assume that we can continue our friendly association and pretend this never happened? Or do I need to transfer you to another library? I wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable in the work place.”
“No,” she gave me a weak smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“Good.”
“Can I go now?”
“Please do.” I waited until she’d disappeared into the darkness of the night before I sat back at my desk, running my hands through my hair.
The truth was, she’d been right. I’d been careless today—something I never was.
I had to be careful from here on out—I could never be alone with Summer, again.
Despite Mrs. Pearl’s meddling, I could still smell Summer”s cunt. It had infiltrated my nose, making the drive home long and torturous. I warred with myself the whole way, reciting all the ways I shouldn’t be involved with her.
And yet…
And yet, I’d never wanted a woman as I wanted Summer.
She’d infiltrated my mind until I couldn’t breathe without thought of her.
My senses were on high alert as soon as I pulled up the driveway. My front door was open, with one light on upstairs—the one to my room.
I jerked the car in park and, pulling out my gun, I scanned the driveway.
If the Magnolia meant to kill me, they wouldn’t be so obvious.
Still, it didn’t hurt to be cautious.
I entered the house silently, quickly scanning each room. Starting at the bottom floor, I made my way through each room. Then up the stairs.
The hallway was dark. Every room was silent. Still.
I approached my room last.
It was dimly lit—the side table lamp emitting a warm glow.
A quick assessment that the lump on my bed wasn’t a threat, I searched the rest of the room. Then the bathroom. The walk-in closet was last.
Then I stilled, listening closely.
My bedroom window was open—you could hear the creatures of the night.
The low bellow of an alligator—the sound making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Then there was a slap on the water, and it grew silent, except for the small sounds of breathing.
Not my own.
When I was sure I wasn’t in danger, I moved to the bed.
It was Summer.
Lying face down into the mattress. Her knees tucked inward, with her ass in the air, like she was praying. She appeared to be asleep—probably drugged.
She was also completely naked, except for a red ribbon placed delicately over her ass.
A present.
For me.
From the Magnolia.
She was beautiful. Stunning. Tempting.
My hands moved of their own volition—I touched her. Ran my fingers down her graceful spine. Across her back and thighs. Brushing away the ribbon, then, softly caressing her ass. My fingers burning at the touch of her skin against mine. My dick growing hard. My insides quaking at the sight of her—vulnerable—in my bed.
I could do anything I wanted.
I slowly knelt and, leaning in, inhaled a deep breath. Groaning, I closed my eyes.
I could still smell her cream.
And, God I was an evil man but I couldn’t resist the temptation.
I parted the beautiful lips of her pussy and tasted.
Clasping her hips tight, I let out a guttural moan. Delicious. Addictive.
Spearing her with my tongue, I ate her pussy. Licking and suckling, parting the globes of her ass, her pussy lips, stroking her clit, suckling her dew drops of sin.
She stirred, a soft exhale of breath. A mumbled whisper, “Rook.”
“Yes, baby girl. I’m here. You’re safe.” I gently moved her to her back. “You’re safe with me.” A lie.
“Please,” she whimpered.
“Yes,” I lay on top of her, pinning her arms over her head, kissing down her neck, her side, across the butterfly tattoo on her hip. Lips burning, heat unfurling. I was hard as fucking granite.
Pulling back, I maneuvered her, spreading her legs wide and tasted again.
Holding her thighs apart. Tenderly suckling her pussy lips, kissing her clit.
Her hips tilted, though her eyes were still closed. Sensual lips parting with a breath.
I suckled her again, tasting her, scissoring my fingers up inside her.
Goddamn, she was so tight.
“Yes,” she whimpered, “Please.”
I stroked her inner walls, kissing and suckling. Fucking her with my knuckle.
Eating her until her body shuddered, her stomach fluttering, her thighs clenching. Coming undone under me.
A soft smile. A low hum from her throat.
I started over again, because once I’d tasted my bunny, I wouldn’t stop.
I ate her. Making her come again.
Twice, three times. Taking my time to enjoy her. Making her come over and over. She whimpered each time, toes curling, fingers digging into her palms.
I was addicted.
The woman had no idea the danger she was in.
I was insatiable.An animal.
A wolf, eating my little, innocent bunny.
Until finally, I couldn’t hold back any more.
I stood and, pulling my hard cock from my pants, stroked it. Staring at her pussy, imagining thrusting inside her, first her cunt, then her ass, taking her again and again. My hand pumped harder, flying over my dick as I imagined all the things I would do to her.
I was going to possess this woman.
Own every inch of her.
Make her scream my name until her throat was raw and damaged.
The thought made me choke, and I came, ropes of sticky cum spraying. I aimed for her pussy, imagining her pregnant with my baby.
Suddenly, something feral washed over me. Possessing me. The wild animal inside me rearing its head.
I scooped it with my fingers, shoving it up inside her, fucking her with it.
This woman would be fucking mine.
I would fill every one of her holes until it was leaking from her eyes.
Fuck her until her belly was filled with my child. We would have a house full of kids.
I would chain her to me forever.
This was all her fault.
I’d tried to scare her away, did everything in my power to make her leave. To stop her from getting involved with the Magnolia. With me.
And yet, she defied me at every turn.
Turned her back on my warnings.
And now, it was time for the consequences.
Fucking her harshly with my fingers, I wished she was awake right now so she could see me claim her.
See the fearlessness in my eyes, the possession in my touch.
See how she belonged to me and no one else.
Because now, Summer was in more danger than ever before.
Not from the Magnolia, but from me.
Now that I’d had a taste of her, I was never letting her go.
The Magnolia would live to regret this day—I would kill any other man who tried to touch her.