Taeja

4. Chapter 4

4

“If you want her, you have to show her that,” Damon said. “I know you take your time to open up, but you have to remember that not everyone is like Dad.”

Zain pondered his brother’s words before sighing. “I hear you,” he said, remembering Taeja’s look of disappointment when he didn’t accompany her home earlier today.

Damon smiled.

Zain scoffed as his brother held the punching bag steady for him. “You… really the best little brother,” Zain said after a few punches.

“I know,” Damon said with his usual cheeky grin.

Zain sent a forceful punch to the bag, making Damon stagger back. Damon glared at him, and Zain smirked.

“Are you coming to Mom’s dinner?” Damon asked.

Zain paused mid-punch. He loved his mom, but being back at his childhood home always laid a weight on his soul that was too heavy for even him to carry.

“I know you don’t like it there, but Mom says she misses you,” Damon baited.

Zain groaned. “Why would you say that?”

“Because you can’t say no to her.”

Zain glared at Damon before giving in. “I’ll go.”

Damon’s grin widened. “Invite Taeja.”

Zain furrowed his brows. “Taeja? Isn’t it too early?”

“It isn’t.” Damon shrugged. “We want her, so what’s the wait? Invite her.”

Zain’s brows creased more.

Sensing his brother’s uncertainty, Damon added, “You’re the one who wants to put out the effort…”

His jaw clenched at the thought of scaring her away. Since he got this scar, there were only two women who didn’t run away from him.

Taeja being one of them.

He didn’t admit this to anyone, but he liked that.

She wasn’t scared of him while he… he hated to admit that he was scared of her.

She was bold. Too bold. She wasn’t scared to demand what she wanted or beg for more. Taeja was the type to press his buttons for the fun of it. He had to admit that he loved that in their own way, they were playful with each other.

He hadn’t experienced that since he came off tour. She was showing him a light he thought he’d never find again.

It was scary that a woman he’d known for only a day and a half was making him feel this way.

“I’ll text her,” he said, preparing to punch the bag when Damon moved away.

“Good. Now I have to go.” Damon glanced at his watch. “It’s almost five. You know how Liza gets when I’m late.”

Zain snickered. “Yeah. Have fun.”

“Fun?” Damon scoffed. “She’d strangle me with her bare hands if I allowed it. I don’t know why I believe it when she tells me she loves me.”

“Maybe you should stop believing.”

“Never. I love her, too,” Damon said, a far-off expression coming into his eyes before he looked at his brother. “Later.”

Zain nodded and continued his workout. He wasn’t sure how long he stayed there, but it was long enough for the sky to darken and the members of the private gym to return to the comfort of their homes.

The click of heels could be heard from behind him now. Without looking, he knew who it was.

He dropped himself from the pull-up bar and turned to face the woman. Her name was Amoy, and she was a pretty, petite brunette. He hadn’t been in touch with her for a while now .

“Hey, Zain,” she greeted, flashing him a hesitant smile.

He lifted his head in acknowledgment.

“I’ve been texting and calling you.”

Zain grabbed his gym bag and walked off with her by his side. “I know.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry about what happened… I miss you guys.”

Zain paused to look down at Amoy. His hair was pulled back, so he had a clear view of her. She pouted while waiting for his answer. Back then, her cute pout would’ve worked on him. But not anymore. Especially not right now.

A new woman was in their lives.

Zain looked away from her, his eyes settling on the darkness outside while he released his hair from the tie. The locs bounced as they fell into place, some settling a few inches below his eyes and the others grazing his broad shoulders. He took a step toward the automatic doors. “We don’t miss you.”

Exiting the shower, Zain paused when he saw his reflection in the mirror. After two years, he should’ve been used to his new appearance, but unfortunately, this wasn’t something a person could easily get used to. He trailed a finger along the long slash that stretched from his sternum to below his seventh rib. Then, he used the same finger to trail the fading scars at his side.

Sometimes when he touched any of the many marks on his skin, he relived the moment they happened to him.

A hot blade tearing into his skin… Mocking laughs bouncing off the walls of the rancid torture chamber …

Zain balled his hand into a tight fist, forcing the memories away.

He met his eyes in the mirror and clenched his jaw before freeing his locs from the tie. The locs bounced as they framed his square face, and his body became more at ease.

He left the bathroom, dressed, then lay in bed. Now, his finger lingered above the call button of Taeja’s contact. He hated reaching out to people first, but he knew that if he wanted this to work, he needed to meet Taeja halfway. Her boldness made him know that she wasn’t the type to stick around. She knew what she wanted and if she couldn’t have it, she’d move on.

In a way, Taeja was like Amoy. She intrigued him. She wasn’t turned off by his scars. But what set her aside from Adelaide was that Taeja was a woman completely sure of herself. She wouldn’t stick around like a starving dog, waiting for him to offer a bone. She knew she was better than that.

He figured that was what kept him rooted in the room the first night his brother fucked her. The way her sultry eyes held his stare and coaxed him to come over made him understand that she wanted to be used by him.

Frankly, he’d wanted nothing more than to grant her wish. He’d wanted to be balls deep inside her, making her cry that she couldn’t take it all while begging him to fuck her more.

But he couldn’t make a move just yet.

He needed to know if she was worth it.

Looking back at his phone… he realized she was becoming worth it.

He dialed her.

“Zain?” came her angel-like voice through the line.

“Were you expecting my call?” he asked.

“Nope!”

“Don’t lie to me, Taeja.”

He heard her intake a shaky breath, and the corner of his lip twitched upward. “Taeja…” her name rolled off his tongue after a moment’s silence.

“Yes, Zain?”

“I have a family dinner,” he said. “You’re our date.”

“Dat nuh sound like a question,” she stated rather than asked.

“I’m aware.”

“Hmph. I think you should ask.”

“Why would I ask when you like being ordered around?”

“I… I don’t.”

“You don’t like it when I tell you to suck my dick until your pretty eyes water? You don’t like it when I tell you to spread your legs so I can feel how wet your pussy is for me?”

“Y-you haven’t told me the last one yet.”

“Soon, Taeja,” he said, then lowered his tone to whisper, “I just want you to close your eyes and imagine it now. Imagine me fucking you over a balcony, making you throw your head back, and screaming my name for all the neighbors to hear. Would you like that, Taeja?”

“Yes,” she answered breathlessly. “I’d love that.”

“Be our date.”

“Zain, mi cya stand yu!” she exclaimed, almost making him laugh.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yeah,” Taeja replied. “You didn’t give me the chance to say no.”

The following weekend, the dinner was going exactly how Zain imagined it would go — bad.

His brother and mother tried their best to keep a lively banter going, but the tension between Zain and Andrew was palpable. Taeja was seated between himself and Damon despite a part of him regretting inviting her here. They hadn’t known each other very long, but Taeja was one of the few untainted things in his life. Now, she was exposed to the nuisance that was Andrew Stark. Zain hoped she wouldn’t be ruined, too.

As if Andrew couldn’t go a second longer than the ten minutes he’d already spent not jesting Zain, he scowled from across the table. “What've you been up to besides being a disappointment since they discharged you from the military?”

“Stop it, Andrew,” Kacian chastised before fixing her eldest son with a comforting smile. “Ignore your father—”

“He is no son of mine.”

The chair scraped against the wooden floor as Zain pushed it back and stood, his fists clenched tightly. Rage bubbled inside him as he took himself out of the living room and found the furthest balcony to revel in the fresh air and stillness of the night.

He’d barely had a moment to himself when a hand lay on his shoulder. In a flash, he grabbed the person’s wrist. He bent it behind their back, then pushed them face first onto the wall.

Hearing a surprised yelp, his eyes widened when he realized it was Taeja. He quickly released her. “Fuck, Taeja,” he cursed, gently taking her off the wall and rubbing her wrist while assessing her for injury. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” she said with a small shake of her head.

He clenched his jaw. He’d been so caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t hear her approach him. His rage increased when he realized he almost harmed her.

She hesitantly reached out a hand, and Zain jerked away. Taeja’s brows furrowed, but she didn’t question his reaction. She brought her hand to her side. “Zain, you didn’t hurt me. See? I’m fine.”

He nodded, unsure what else to say. He wanted to be alone, but she was here now. She looked too good to be turned away.

Taeja nibbled on her lower lip while staring up at him. Her focus kept darting to the scar that almost made him lose his left eye.

People knew better than to ask, but not Taeja. He anticipated her question from the second time he saw her, but she’d never asked. Not even now when he could see the questions swirling in her eyes.

Remembering his brother’s words, he decided to put Taeja out of her misery. “Two years ago, I was abducted by mercenaries and tortured for six months,” he explained, watching as her mouth fell. “Don’t say it,” he insisted. “I’m thankful to be alive… I guess.”

“You guess?” she asked, her brows crinkling.

Sighing, Zain turned away from her. He walked to the railing and looked down into the backyard. He could see the fruit trees swaying and hear a low hum from nighttime insects.

“Zain…”

He glanced over his shoulder at her. She looked conflicted about whether she wanted to come closer or remain where she stood.

Finally, she decided. She walked to the railing and stood an arm’s length away from him.

She was still too close for comfort, but he kept quiet. He didn’t want her to feel shunned. She’d left the dinner to check on him. He could endure the proximity for a few moments. He’d been through worse.

Besides, she was trying her best to be mindful of his space. He was thankful that the touchy Taeja wasn’t forcing him to do more than he was capable of.

“I figure you’re not the type, but I’m here if you want to talk,” she said.

“You’re a listener now?” he asked.

Taeja’s mouth dropped before it broke out into a contagious grin. He smirked as he watched her, once again surprised at how close she brought him to being comfortable in someone else’s presence. It was something about her aura.

“I don’t mind reversing the roles once in a while,” she said, then winked.

Knowing what she alluded to, he licked his lips and gave her a head-to-toe that made her blush. “Not all our roles will change.”

“I never want them to change,” she said. “You’re my daddy. Well, one of.”

His dick stirred, and he looked away from her to focus on the plants. “I don’t know where to begin.”

“Anywhere,” Taeja said. “We have all night.”

“Another time,” he said before taking her hand and pulling her closer.

She was now between the small space of the railing and his body. She was here, and he needed a distraction. He looked down at her. She looked cute from above. He almost smiled.

She hesitantly reached a hand out toward his face. “Can I touch you?”

He nodded.

Taeja gave him a small smile before gently trailing a finger along his scar. “I wish I knew a way to help you stop beating yourself up.”

Zain didn’t answer. Instead, he dipped his head and captured her lips. He loved how her lips tasted of sweet, red wine. She threw her arms around his neck, and he moved them, placing them on the railing. Then, he laid his hands on her waist, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss until he had to break away for air.

He kissed on her neck and moved a hand down to the long slit of her dress that ran up her thigh. It was a dress that Damon picked out for her, and Zain loved how the silky material complimented her dark skin. Not feeling a waistband, he raised a brow at Taeja .

She smiled cheekily. “Damon told me not to wear any.”

“Do you only listen when you feel like it?”

“Sometimes.”

His eyes dragged from hers and down to her lips when she bit it. Zain liked her playful defiance. “Remember that scenario?” he asked, and she nodded. “Would you like it now?”

“Right here?” Her eyes widened as she looked around them.

Zain nodded, trailing a finger down from her waist. He ran his finger over the buff of her pussy until it dipped between her folds, parting them, and feeling how damp she was already. “You sound scared, but the thought of getting fucked outside excites you.” Zain eased his finger inside her. Her tight walls welcomed him, wrapping snugly around it.

His brother was right. Their girl felt amazing.

Zain promised himself he’d wait, but it was tempting to fuck her right here. Right now.

“Wrap your leg around my waist,” he ordered, and she complied. Having better access, he eased another finger inside her and fucked her slowly. Using his other hand to wrap around her throat, he felt her back arch when he attached his lips to her neck and sucked the skin teasingly.

“Can you take one more?” he asked, his voice gruff from his arousal.

Taeja nodded. “Yes… Yes.”

Zain thrust another thick finger inside her while using his thumb to rub her engorged clit. Taeja released a loud moan at the increase in pleasure, making his dick strain against the confines of his pants.

“Faster,” she begged.

Zain gave her what she desired. He worked his fingers faster inside her, stretching her walls expertly while she grinded on his fingers.

Taeja’s moans were loud and breathy into the night. Paired with how fucking delicious she smelled, Zain’s restraint was being pushed to its limit.

A fine line stood between the resistance and driving his dick into her wet pussy.

Leaving a mark on her neck, he kissed along her skin until he met her mouth. Her lips were slightly parted, and he forced his tongue inside her warm mouth.

Taeja’s tongue danced with his and he tightened his grip around her throat, warning her that he was in control. She surrendered to his dominance, and he smirked against her lips.

He loved her obedience.

“Fuck, Taeja,” Zain hissed into the kiss when she clenched around his fingers. “If you keep doing that, I won’t be able to hold back any longer.”

Her lips grazed his as she replied, “I don’t want you to hold back.”

Breaking away from the kiss completely, he looked down at her as she threw her head back and closed her eyes. Her naturally curly hair blew in the wind, joining her sweet moans and whimpers. Her beauty was mesmerizing.

“When I fuck you for the first time—” He paused to slide a thin dress strap off her shoulder, exposing her breast. “—it won’t be on the balcony of my parents’ house.” He captured her breast with his mouth, sucking and swirling his tongue around the hardened brown bud.

Taeja pushed her chest out, forcing more of her breast into his mouth. Zain glanced up at her, becoming taken aback by her features again.

He released her breast and stood upright to admire her. “If only you could see how good you look taking my fingers,” he said, then removed one finger to curl the two that remained, stimulating her G-spot and making her more feverish.

“I’m gonna…” Taeja’s words died off to the back of her throat. She rolled her hips, chasing her orgasm while matching his pace.

“Keep riding my fingers. Just like that.”

Her juices leaked all over his hand while her walls tightened around his fingers. This woman was maddening. A sex symbol on long, slender legs.

“Taeja…” he said, his voice raspy.

Her eyes peeked open to watch him in an ecstasy-filled haze. “Zain?”

“Scream my name so the neighbors can hear you.”

And she did.

“Zain!” Taeja screamed so loudly and unabashedly, that he would’ve thought they were in the privacy of their bedroom. Her walls squeezed him as her climax consumed her with powerful waves.

Zain was convinced her pussy would never let him go .

And it didn’t until she dismounted her high.

He licked his lips as his eyes raked over her face. “That’s my girl.”

Taeja smiled, her eyes shining at his words of affirmation. Zain carefully slipped his fingers out of her, then trailed her juices along her lips before he kissed her.

Sweet.

Just as he imagined.

Savoring her taste for another second, Zain pulled away, then took a step back. “Let’s head downstairs.”

“Okay…”

He heard a trace of sadness lingering in her tone, and it made him want to be hard on himself. Zain sighed and moved to the door to open it for her. Quietly, Taeja stepped into the house. They were in the hallway where old family pictures lined the walls.

“Taeja, wait,” Zain said. When Taeja paused and looked around at him, he motioned his head toward a nearby bathroom. “Come here.”

She followed him into the bathroom, and he closed the door behind her. A surprised yelp escaped her mouth when he lifted her onto the counter. Taeja quietly watched as he found a new washcloth, then rid all traces of her orgasm from between her legs and his fingers.

He didn’t look at her while he did it. If he had, they probably would’ve ended up doing other things. It was already bothering him that he’d be returning to dinner with a raging hard-on.

After he finished, he helped her off the counter. They exited the bathroom and walked side-by-side down the stairs. Zain was thankful that she didn’t press him to speak. His thoughts were a jumbled mess right now. He wouldn’t have the words to speak to her, despite how much he wanted to.

When they entered the living room where his family had moved to, his eyes met his brother’s first.

Damon moved a glass of something red to his lips, hiding a smirk. Without a doubt, Zain knew his brother heard how beautiful their girl sang.

Their mother didn’t comment, but Andrew always dared to be different.

Andrew scoffed loudly as he watched Taeja sit between Zain and Damon. “ Sweetie, do you know that you’re just another woman to him?”

“W-what?” Taeja asked, confusion lacing her tone.

“Andrew,” Kacian warned.

Andrew continued to speak. “Yes, Taeja. You’re better off with Damon. He’ll take care of you. Zain will only hurt you. That’s what he did to their last girlfriend.”

Damon tensed while Zain’s eyes narrowed on Andrew. In a flash, Zain had a fist tightened around the collar of Andrew’s shirt.

“Yes!” Andrew shrieked with a crazed look in his eyes. “Prove to me again why you’re no son of mine!”

Damon grabbed Zain’s arm, trying to pull him free, but Zain tightened his grip around the older man’s neck. The color was draining from Andrew’s face, but he still forced out insults while Kacian begged them to act like men.

The only thing that broke the commotion was the loud slam of the front door. It was almost comical how everyone froze mid-action as if someone clicked pause on a movie.

While Kacian and Andrew looked toward the door, the brothers looked at where Taeja should’ve been.

“Where’d she go?” Damon asked, releasing Zain’s arm.

Sneering, Zain punched Andrew flat, not sparing the man a glance as his body dropped to the floor. Storming toward the door with Damon in tow, Zain vaguely heard his mother sigh before sitting on the sofa before her unconscious husband.

And for the brothers?

When they reached outside, their girl was nowhere to be found.