Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
THEA
Apparently if he has to suffer, then so do I.
I wake up to my face pressed into a hot chest and my hands curled between us; one gripping an upper thigh and the other over a very hard dick. At first I’m too tired to really comprehend what the hell is happening, but it becomes crystal clear when I hear a deep groan and a rasping, “Fucking hell.” My eyes pop open and I freeze. Though apparently that makes me squeeze a little harder and the dick in my hand jerks in reaction. “Baby girl,” he rasps, his hand on my ass tightening.
I should be pulling the hell away from him right now and getting the hell out of this bed before I embarrass myself more, but clearly the lack of sleep or smoke inhalation is affecting my brain because I stay still, trying to process what the hell is going on right now.
So instead of doing what I should, I flex my fingers, and then carefully and slowly allow them to move over him, feeling the hardness and heat through his boxers and sleep pants, and hearing the pounding of his heart under my ear. I don’t look at him while I explore, unable to face him just yet. He doesn’t tell me to stop or even push me away; instead, he arches his hips forward, pushing himself tighter into my hand.
God, how many times did I dream of being able to do something like this? How many times did I get myself off to the thought of what he was packing behind the zipper of his army greens? Fantasy is nothing compared to reality.
“Thea,” he grits out, making me still again. “Baby girl, if you don’t stop or put me out of my misery, I’m going to go crazy. Fuck .” The last is a mixture of a curse and plea.
I tilt my head so I can look up at him and see that his eyes are closed, his head back and the cords of his neck straining. But the moment he feels my gaze on him, he opens his eyes and tilts his head down to stare at me. His eyes are dark, heated, and edging on feral. My heart pounds in reaction, and my breathing quickens.
Every woman wants a man to look at them like that at one point in their life, and seeing it from this man makes something inside me cheer and want to run the other way all at once.
Any other time I would wonder what the hell I’m doing, but not today. Today, I don’t want to think, and I don’t want to talk. I’ve done enough of that. Right now, I want to see if any of my fantasies will fail in comparison to real life. So before I can lose my nerve, I release him and his thigh. I see a flash of disappointment in his eyes but he doesn’t say a word, just quiet acceptance. But then they flare with surprise and pure unadulterated lust, as I toss the covers back and slide down, yanking his pants and boxers down as I go. He lifts his hips up to help, falling to his back.
I toss both aside as I take him in. Damn, I know I like to make a lot of old jokes, but there is nothing old about this man. He’s pure muscle and ink, with a few scars that make sure he’s not too pretty. He clearly keeps himself in excellent shape, and later I’m going to enjoy exploring him in more detail. But right now, I have something far more interesting that is demanding my attention.
I reach out and wrap my hand around him, enjoying the heat of him in my palm, while cupping his balls with my other hand. He groans, and his eyes fall closed, his hands clenching on top of the blankets, like he’s trying to hold himself back from grabbing me. Slowly, gently, I work him with both hands; rolling his balls in my hand, watching him for every little reaction while I also use the other hand to stroke him, twisting just enough to have his jaw clenching and his stomach quiver slightly.
I lean closer and then I see the piercing. Oh, damn. Heat swirls in my gut as I rub my thumb gently over the frenum piercing. Sniper gives another soft groan, but doesn’t move to stop me, instead just letting me play and explore. “No Jacob’s Ladder?” I ask him curiously, my voice raspy.
“Thought about it but never had the time before I was called away on a mission,” he tells me through clenched teeth. “Then when I got out, just never thought much about it. But if you want me to get one, I’ll fucking make the appointment today.”
“Maybe let me get used to this one first before you starting adding more hardware,” I say absently as I lean closer, breathing in the musky scent of him. My mouth waters as I wonder what he’ll taste like. Guess I should find out.
I lower my head, releasing his balls from my hand and gripping his thigh to steady myself as I run my tongue from the bottom of his shaft up to where the piercing sits. I let my tongue trace it, surprisingly finding that I enjoy the sharp tang of the metal. I hear Sniper curse but I’m far too focused on what I’m doing to care. I take the head of his cock into my mouth, sucking and swirling my tongue around him, taking him deep enough that I can let my tongue slip back down to play with the piercing again.
Sniper’s hand comes up to clench into my hair, but he doesn’t force my head down like I’m sure he wants to, but instead, just helps to guide my mouth up and down on his cock at my own pace. His grip on my hair isn’t harsh, but it’s enough to send streaks of pleasure through my head and down to the rest of my body.
I play with the piercing just a little bit more before I take more of him into my mouth and get to work on tasting him and teasing myself. Because the longer I taste him, the more of him I let into my mouth with each suction, the more I want to feel him inside me, filling me up.
“Thea,” Sniper hisses, body curling toward me as I move a little faster, my suction increasing, careful to not let my lip get caught on the piercing as I do. It’s a bit of an adjustment, but I find my rhythm. “Fuck. Fuck. That mouth is so much better than I ever fantasized,” he tells me, his hips arching shallowly, careful not to push too deep.
I moan around him, and he jerks. I can feel him getting closer, and increase my efforts. I want him to lose control, to give me everything he has. Fair’s fair, right?
Of course, the man has never been one to just let go and succumb, because the next thing I know, I’m being pulled off him and go flying up the bed and land with a slight bounce next to him. “What the?—”
He cuts me off with his mouth on mine, rolling on top of me as his tongue thrusts into my mouth. I groan into his mouth, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him tight to me. My hands trace over his back, feeling the muscles flex and bunch under his skin, even as he yanks his mouth from mine and pulls back enough to pull at the shirt covering me. I release him so that he can pull it over my head, and lift my hips when he yanks down the boxers I was wearing. I’m bare in front of him, and if I was worried before about this, I’m certainly not now.
Sniper takes me in with such heat in his eyes, lingering on every part of me, that I just watch him, feeling surprisingly comfortable being so exposed to him. “You’re fucking beautiful, Athena,” he rasps, bringing up one hand to cup one of my breasts, rolling his thumb over the hardened peak and making me shiver as sensation rushes through me. “Every inch the goddess that your name portrays. And I think it’s time that I spent some time worshipping you, hm?”
Before I can reply to that, he lowers himself down and takes my other nipple into his mouth. The heat of his mouth, the suction, and the feel of his hand on the other one has my body quivering and fire roaring in my veins. My thighs are slick with arousal, and my clit is throbbing desperately. His body is in the way for me to do anything but to arch into him, trying to rub against him to get some kind of friction that will ease it, but it does nothing but fan the flames higher.
When he switches to the other side, the cool air has me shuddering, before the heat of his hand overtakes it again. By the time he finally pulls away from that one, I’m a quivering mess and desperate for more. When he slides down, I put my hand on top of his head, eager to guide him, as I weave my fingers into the thick waves. I hear him give a low chuckle, but thankfully he doesn’t fight me. Instead, he makes quick work of hitching my legs over his shoulders, and gripping me tight before pressing his face between my legs.
At first, he doesn’t do more than breathe me in, rubbing his nose along my folds, nuzzling me. I let out a frustrated sound, but he just ignores me, clearly content to drive me insane. Finally, finally , he decides to stop torturing me by latching on to my clit with a suction that has a strangled scream slipping from my mouth, and my hands gripping his hair in desperation.
Oh, my fantasies are nothing compared to reality. The man is wicked with his mouth, and it’s not long before my orgasm is building to frightening heights inside me, but I also reach for it with both hands.
My thighs squeeze both sides of Sniper’s head as I buck into his mouth, needing more. “Sniper,” I whimper, nails scoring the top of his head when he thrusts his tongue deep inside me.
He hums, making me shudder at the feel of the vibrations that move through me. “You taste so fucking good, baby girl,” he praises, moving one of his hands so that it’s now between my legs. “And I want more, so you need to give it to me.” Then he starts to work two fingers inside me, stretching me and making me moan and whimper at the pressure and delicious fullness. “Come on, Thea,” he croons. “Give it to me. Let me make you feel so good.” His mouth latches on to my clit and I’m lost.
The only thing I can focus on is him and the way he’s making me feel. The orgasm inside me is still building, rising, growing, until all I can do is let it overtake me. Let it sweep everything else away. When I come, it’s nothing like anything I’ve felt before. Not on my own or with another man. It’s a wave of pleasure that swamps me and has me arching my head back into the bed, my eyes closing, and my entire body shuddering with the force. But clearly Sniper isn’t done with his torment, riding it out and refusing to stop until another is following right behind it. This one even more intense than the last.
What the fuck? I’ve never come twice with anyone or myself. But clearly my body isn’t getting the memo, because that’s exactly what’s happening right now.
When Sniper finally pulls away, my entire body is trembling, and my heart is pounding in my ears. I stare at him with blurry eyes as he wipes his face on my lower belly and then eases up so he’s hovering over me. His gaze searches mine, and I give him a lazy smile. “Well, I guess age does really improve skills,” I manage to quip, my voice husky.
He stares down at me for a moment, but I can see the amusement starting to creep into his eyes. “Baby girl, you’re just asking for me to spank that pretty ass,” he warns me. Then he lowers his head down to take my mouth in a quick, hot kiss. “But first I want to fuck you, then I’ll make sure you pay for that later.”
“Do you?” I ask, lifting my hands to move along his sides lightly. His skin pebbles and I smile triumphantly knowing how much I affect him. “You sure you’re up for that? I mean, maybe we should wait to make sure that your heart settles a little.”
I yelp when he suddenly flips me over to my stomach and lands a hard slap to my ass. I groan at the sting, and then gasp when he lowers himself over me, grinding himself into the crack of my ass and purrs into my ear, “What did I say about that sassy mouth, baby girl? You’re just asking for me to make this ass red and tender enough that you don’t sit down for a week.”
“Might be worth it,” I gasp out, unable to keep from poking at the bear just a little bit more. He gives another low chuckle, but then groans when I arch my back and rub my ass against him again. “But right now, I think that I’d much rather you give me something else that will have me walking funny.”
He lifts off me and rolls me again so that I’m on my back, looking up at him. “Are you sure, Thea?” he asks me seriously, his eyes searching mine.
Some of my desire dims when I realize what he’s asking, but at the same time, a part of me is grateful. I lift my hand up to wrap around the base of his neck, my fingers sliding through the thin hairs there as I look up at him. “I’m fine, Grayson,” I say softly, using his legal name so he can feel it. “After I was discharged, I went to every therapist appointment and worked hard to be okay. I rarely have nightmares anymore, and I’m perfectly fine to have sex. I’ve had it a few times since with no issues. I refuse to let them take anymore of me or what I want out of life, and that includes being in bed with someone. Okay?”
He doesn’t answer, just watches me. I can see him working through the conflicting emotions and thoughts that are popping up in his head, and I try to remain calm and patient. Hearing that someone suffered through what I have for a man like Sniper isn’t going to be easy. Especially in this kind of situation.
Finally, he lowers himself down over me again, and he takes my mouth in a gentle kiss, but no less passionate. It’s just different, and makes my heart clench in my chest. “You’ll tell me if you have a problem,” he orders me. Because there is no mistaking that for what it is. “Any time, Thea. Not just right now.” I can only nod, my throat tight as I stare up at him.
Then his mouth is back on mine and any worries I have fly away. There’s only heat and passion. Only the desire to feel him inside me, filling me in the way I’ve dreamed of for years. Thankfully, he doesn’t make me wait too long. Next thing I know, he’s pulling his mouth from mine, and reaching quickly for the nightstand, yanking the drawer open, and pulling out a condom. I watch in excitement as he rolls it on quickly and then rolls back over me.
He takes my mouth again as he lines himself up to thrust inside of me. The feel of him entering me is so much better than a dream. And I can feel the pressure and scraping of his piercing on my inner walls, making me gasp. It feels so fucking good. We move together, his tongue thrusting in time, and I wrap my legs around his waist.
I’m still not sure how I managed to end up here, but damn, it’s been worth the wait. Especially when he pulls his mouth away and switches positions by lifting my leg straight up against his chest, scissoring into me with such force that has cries falling from my lips.
“Fuck, you feel so fucking good,” Sniper pants as he powers into me. “I’ve been dreaming about this for so long, baby girl. Nothing is better than reality.”
I can feel another orgasm rising inside me, and a small sob tears from my throat as it gains speed and intensity with every thrust. “Sniper, please,” I beg when it feels like I’m going to go crazy as I strain for it. Reaching for it with everything I have. Needing it.
“Touch yourself, baby girl,” he orders, changing the angle of his hips and sending sparks through me. “Show me what you need. How much you want this.”
I quickly do as he orders, my fingers circling my clit hard and fast and exactly the way I need it to fall over the edge. I yell his name as I come, my entire body burning with it. I vaguely hear him let out a loud groan thrusting desperately inside me, until he finally stills.
My body slumps against the mattress, my lungs burning as I try to get oxygen back into them. Holy shit, maybe I should be making some jokes about myself getting old, because after that, I need some time to recover.
Neither of us moves for a few minutes until Sniper finally eases out of me, and rolls from the bed, heading for the bathroom. I hear water running, even as I roll to put my head on the cool pillow and try to gain some kind of desire to move and get up back. But I’m not ready to face anything else just yet. I just want a few more moments of quiet.
I doze until I feel the bed dip beside me and I open my eyes to see Sniper sitting up against the wall, still perfectly comfortable being naked, and looking down at me. His hair is mussed, and there’s an easiness in his eyes that I haven’t seen there before. Huh, who knew the grumpy biker just needed some hot sex!
We just watch each other for a moment before he finally asks, “How much are you going to fight me on this?”
It’s a straightforward question, but nothing about it easy to answer. I fight the urge to roll away and refuse to reply. I’ve never been a coward and I’m not going to start being one now. “I still don’t understand what you want. If you’re just looking for sex, then I’m not going to fight you on that because clearly you know what you’re doing and I enjoyed every second of it.” His lips pull up into a smug smile at that, which I ignore. “But as for anything else, we’re not exactly known for getting along, and I don’t trust whatever the hell is going on with your MC. I get it, you guys have secrets and all that, but as of last night, it’s not a secret any longer, and keeping me out isn’t going to make me want to stick around. I already told you I was let down by one team, and I’m not going to go through it again. I know it’s not the same circumstances, but I’m still part of the team at the security company, and if I’m expected to look after the women, then I can’t be kept in the dark or it’s going to end up with someone hurt or killed. And by extension, that means you and I can never be anything but a casual hookup because I can’t trust you.”
The smug smile is gone and his gaze moves to stare straight ahead. I don’t say anything else, or push too hard, but I can see the indecision on his face.
Finally, after another long moment, he looks over at me, his gaze intense when it connects with mine. “It’s not that we don’t trust you, but we are a club and we try not to involve women in our business. Because when we have in the past, it ends up with one of them being targeted or hurt, and I don’t want to add you to that list.”
I wasn’t expecting that. Well, not the part of it involving women in the past. “I hate to tell you, but I’m already involved. The moment that whoever is beefing with you exploded the bar, and you ordered me to come here and guard the women did that. So that excuse isn’t going to fly.” I push up into a sitting position, ignoring the darkening of his eyes as he looks me over, gaze lingering on my chest before they come back up to mine. “And I really don’t like that something like this now involves my brother..”
“Your brother is a soldier and he’s the exact kind of person that we need,” Sniper tells me calmly. “Not because of this shit going on, but because we need strong men, and we need men we can count on. That is exactly what we need from someone like Theo or Crypt. Kaleb and Carson, they’re great and going to make amazing brothers, but they don’t have the experience or knowledge of Theo or Crypt.”
“And I know that Theo needs that too or I would probably convince him to walk away and find something else,” I admit. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m okay with whatever is happening here. If you want my help, I don’t do half-truths. I’ve been through too much of that already.”
He regards me intensely, until finally he sighs, scrubs a hand over his face and mumbles something under his mouth about stubborn women, but I just wait. “Give me until the end of the day and then we’ll talk about it, okay?”
I narrow my eyes at him, suspicious, but nod. “Fine. Now, I need to get showered and find some clothes.”
“I’ll see if any of the women have anything for you,” he offers. He trails his eyes over me again. “Though I certainly have no issue with you hanging out in my bed just like that for the rest of the day.”
I give him a smug smile when I glance down and see that he’s already hard again, his hand circling his shaft as he slowly strokes it. “Well, well, looks like your recovery time certainly doesn’t need too much improvement,” I purr as I crawl toward him, anticipation burning hot again in my core. I give him a saucy look when I add, “Popped one of those little blue pills in the bathroom, did you?”
His eyes blaze at that, and then he launches himself at me with a surprising speed, and I let out a shocked screech before I laugh. “I think it’s time we revisit what I said about you and that smart mouth, baby girl,” he growls as he rolls me under him, his front to my back and grinding his cock into my ass before he suddenly pulls away, slides down the bed, and yanks me down with him until my feet hit the floor.
When his hand comes down on my ass hard, I can only grip the sheets and moan before I manage to pant out, “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone needs a little help every now and then.”
The growl that comes out of him has a small frisson of apprehension traveling down my spine, but right behind it is anticipation. Another slap comes down harder on my ass, this time on the other cheek, and I jerk at the sting. “Keep it up with the old man jokes, baby girl,” Sniper offers, even as he spanks me a couple more times before rubbing at the sting with his hands, spreading my cheeks and making me feel ridiculously exposed, but also ridiculously hot. “And you’re not going to be able to sit comfortably for a week.”
I want to give a witty retort to that, but my entire body is slowly turning to fire.
A sharp knock on the door has us both freezing, and I turn my head quickly to look at the door, shock, horror, and then annoyance all rolling through me. “Sorry, brother, but we need you out here,” a deep voice on the other side says loudly.
“What is it?” Sniper barks, clearly unhappy, even as he releases me and pulls away.
“Arson and his crew arrived early. Bullet wants you down here,” the voice answers.
Sniper curses. “Fuck. Okay, I’ll be down in a minute.” We can hear the sound of footsteps retreating away, and I quickly crawl back up on the bed. Sniper groans, and I look over my shoulder at him in surprise, only to find him staring at my ass with such hunger in his eyes that I can’t stop the smug chuckle. I purposely widen my stance so he gets a great view, arching my back just enough to really make sure to give him a good show. His eyes slice up to mine and he warns, “Keep baiting me, Thea, and you won’t like the consequences. Now get your ass moving and we’ll find you something to wear.” But he punctuates that by reaching out and slapping my ass one more time, just hard enough for me to jolt but also to make me groan.
Apparently if he has to suffer, then so do I. Now to figure out who Arson is and why he’s here. Though something tells me that I’m about to find out just what is going on around here, no matter how much Sniper is trying to keep me out of it.