Too Dear for Deer

Chapter 11

11

SCOTT

The drive over to the Justina was quiet. Deer fidgeted the entire way, and I focused on getting there as quickly as I could. I’d seen what violent men could do to young women. People like that knew how much bigger they were and used that size difference to feel powerful. I’d be happy to bring him down a few pegs, remind him of what real strength could do.

By the time we reached the hotel, I was vibrating with anger. My fingers itched and an uneasy sensation crawled under my skin, eliciting goose bumps along my arms and legs. It’d been a long time since I felt this kind of fury, and while the boiling rage should’ve scared me, it didn’t. I was going to work out my issues on a weak piece of shit who needed a few lessons. The only thing that worried me was Deer’s reaction.

I didn’t want to scare him.

Inside, the Justina looked nicer than what it really was. They had recessed lighting, bamboo wall features, and wooden furniture with green cushioning. The hotel staff was dressed in beige uniforms. To new guests, it appeared quaint and quiet, but it was anything but that. This was the place men took their hookups or paid workers.

Zombie was waiting by the lifts, his back leaning against a brown-paneled wall. Beside him was Ryan Killough, and they were deep in conversation, Ryan laughing at something Zombie said. I frowned. While Ryan and I had met on more than a few occasions, I had no idea why he was here.

I paused in front of Zombie. “Ryan.” I nodded toward him. His hair hung around his shoulders in waves of sandy blond. “What are you doing here?”

Zombie straightened and shoved his hands into his dark jeans. He cocked a scarred eyebrow at me and gave me a crooked grin. “Ryan and I were out for a drink when you called, so he wanted to come along.”

Ryan made a sound in agreement and grinned. “I like doling out justice.” He turned his attention on Deer and his smile widened. Holding out a hand, he winked. “Ryan Killough at yer service. Ye are? Ye look a bit familiar.”

I shook my head. Now wasn’t the time for Ryan to flirt and feed my Deer pickup lines. Deer’s friend needed us. I sliced my hand through the air. “Enough. Let’s go. There’s a young woman who’s in trouble.”

“Killough?” Deer asked, but I grabbed his hand and tugged him into one of the lifts.

Ryan and Zombie followed, and while Zombie leaned his shoulder against the side, Ryan rocked on his feet as if dancing to a tune.

I grunted and jabbed the third-floor button. It wouldn’t take long to get up there and handle business, and then I could ask questions, such as why Zombie was hanging out with Sloan’s cousin.

“You’re a Killough? Like the Killough Company?” Deer shifted closer to Ryan.

I wasn’t overly surprised he’d heard of the Company. Most had, especially after Sloan went to jail last year. That was all over the news for a bit. The Killough Company had two sides to it—the legal and illegal portions. Everyone knew about the lawful businesses Sloan ran, which included the importing and exporting firm that started it all. The Killoughs were infamous, and while rumors circulated that they were a mob, none ever stayed in jail. So, I really fucking hoped Deer didn’t ask too many questions.

“Aye.” Ryan’s grin widened. “I’m one of those.”

“You’re related to Sloan Killough?” Deer pushed on.

I wrapped my arm around his waist and squeezed his hip as the lift came to an abrupt stop at the third floor and the doors jumped open. “Come on.” I dragged Deer out, not eager to leave him around to ask things that couldn’t be answered. Despite the Killough Company being a legitimate business, I didn’t want it to seem as if he was plumbing the subject in search of more...secretive answers.

Ryan was right behind us, though, a hop in his step. The guy didn’t know a bad mood if he read about it in a dictionary. He was a killer like nearly everyone else in his family, but he added a sunshine element to it. “Sure am. Sloan’s me... feck . Guess he’s me cousin. We see each other as cousins anyway.”

“But you’re not cousins?” Deer frowned and let me drag him toward room thirty-eight.

Ryan laughed. “Nah, we are. Just distant cousins. Me grandfather and his grandfather were brothers.” He shrugged. “Makes me his blood.”

Deer stared at him curiously before his attention turned to me as I manhandled him out of the way once we’d reached the door. The thought of him getting hurt had a stab of panic slicing through me. I needed him to be safe. He was too sweet for this world. A shooting pain vibrated from my shoulder that nearly got a hiss out of me, but it was about to get a whole lot worse if I had to hurt someone inside.

“Step back. Let us handle this.” I brushed my thumb over his cheek and gave him a sweet smile. “We’ll get your friend out of there safely, all right?”

He stared at me with big brown eyes, searching my gaze with the kind of concern that made me worried he’d ask if I was all right, before he nodded. “Okay.”

“I’ll call you when it’s done so you can let her know it’s safe.” I pressed a kiss to his forehead before I returned to the door. Zombie and Ryan waited on each side, backs pressed against the wall so when the guy opened the door, he wouldn’t see them unless he was looking outside.

I pounded my fist on the wood.

“What?” an angry male voice yelled through the door.

“Open the fuck up. Now.” I banged my clenched hand down on the wood even harder.

The door swung open, and the man on the other side glared at me. He wasn’t as tall as me, but he was bulky with muscles that didn’t come naturally. He had a fade haircut and a bent nose, and I suspected he’d been in more than a few fights.

“What do you fucking want?” he growled out, crossing his arms over his massive chest.

“You got my girl.” I matched his stance and raised my chin. “I never agreed to this visit.”

He frowned. “You her pimp?”

“What do you fucking think, mate?” I gave him a slow, disgusted once-over. “Now you better fucking let me in before I force my way in. Trust me, you won’t like it if I have to do that.”

He grunted, baring his teeth at me. “She hasn’t given me what she owes me.”

Inside, I heard shuffling and deep chuckles. I didn’t want to think about what this arsehole and his mates were trying to do to Deer’s friend.

“You have guests?” I shoved his chest, and he went stumbling backward a few steps. “You think you can use my girl and invite your fucking mates?”

Two men appeared behind him, and like the first guy, they were probably steroid junkies. One had a red mohawk, while the other was completely bald.

“It’s three against one, mate . How about you take your pimp ass away and we’ll let you go?” The first guy grinned, clearly proud of himself. “Or better yet, go back where you came from. Fucking Brit.”

I laughed loudly and glanced toward Zombie. “You hear this dog cunt? He thinks I’m British.” I spun back toward the dickwit. “Do I sound fucking British to you?”

Ryan snickered.

Zombie rolled his eyes before drawling, “He told you to go back where you came from, and you’re more insulted that he called you British. Typical of you, Boss.”

The guy’s eyes widened, and he went to step out of the door, but I lunged forward, aiming my fist at his jaw. My knuckles connected, and despite the width of him, he went down like a sack of potatoes, making the credenza near him shake.

The other two startled and rushed toward me, but Zombie and Ryan had already swept past me, each choosing a guy to attack.

Ryan went in with violence, which might have surprised someone who didn’t know him. He was short and slender, but he thirsted after blood. He didn’t give mohawk guy a chance to retaliate, using the guy’s face as a punching bag. The laughter that came out of him could only be described as manic—he was having way too much fucking fun.

Zombie, on the other hand, was more tactical. His hits were efficient, and he moved with the grace and deadliness of a professional.

While they dealt with their guys, I stalked toward mine. A familiar rage boiled beneath my skin, tendrils of cold anger snaking through me and tightening my limbs, reminding me of a feeling I only used in times like these. This was my monster—the beast beneath the carefully put together facade, the same one I’d accidentally let out on a sub who’d pushed me too far. I never wanted Deer to see me this way. This rescue should’ve played out simple and easy, but none of the men wanted that, so I unleashed the fury I kept hidden so well under my mask.

My strategy shared traits with both Ryan’s and Zombie’s. I moved with both precision and rage, and when I crashed down on the idiot as he struggled to rise, he yelled out as my knuckles connected with his neck. He gasped, eyes bulging, and a wheeze spluttered from his mouth every time he tried to breathe. The bastard wouldn’t die, but he’d certainly find it more difficult to talk for a while.

I slammed his head against the carpeted floor three times, and the pained wails that left his mouth were music to my ears and food for my beast. It wanted more; I needed more. The thread of rationality that kept me levelheaded was quickly becoming frayed. The punches I aimed at his face weren’t to neutralize him—they became more vicious.

“Scott?” Deer’s concerned voice drove a knife straight through my monster, slaying the demon that threatened to overpower my rationality.

I froze, fist hanging in the air, and stared down at the mess below me. My victim—if you could call him that—groaned and coughed, blood splattering across his already messy chin and cheeks. My hands were drenched in his blood, and I was glad I was wearing a dark suit.

I pushed to my feet and glanced at Deer, who’d closed the door. His eyes were wide and his gaze shifted from the guy I’d dealt with to Ryan’s Mr. Mohawk and Zombie’s Baldy, who were both unconscious on the floor.

“Oh my God.” His mouth parted.

Panic sliced through me and I went to step toward him before remembering I was covered in blood. I winced and gestured toward the door I assumed led to the bathroom. “Go get your friend. Tell her it’s okay to come out.”

“Is she trustworthy?” Zombie’s eyes narrowed.

“You helped her, she won’t go to the cops.” Deer ate up the distance to the bathroom with his long legs and knocked. “Bryn, it’s Deer. Are you okay?”

The door flung open, and a young woman threw herself at Deer. He managed to catch her as she buried her face against his neck, sobbing and shaking so violently that I worried she’d vibrate out of her skin.

“Shh, we’re here now. You’re safe.” Deer kissed her cheek and rubbed a hand down her back while I took a moment to study her. She had to be around Deer’s age and was a beautiful young woman with long blond hair. The black minidress she wore hugged a curvaceous body, but the cut down the back showed off her flawless pale skin.

“I was so scared,” she cried into Deer’s neck, barely loud enough for me to hear.

“I know. They won’t hurt you. Not anymore.” Deer glanced over his shoulder at the men all lying on the floor, and Ryan flashed him a wide grin with his pearly white teeth. Zombie was more standoffish, and he shifted uncomfortably, moving closer to me. For a man who liked to dish out pain, he wasn’t one for the attention.

The last thing I wanted was to scare Bryn, so I snuck around them to go into the bathroom and turn on the taps. I washed my hands as thoroughly as I could, listening to the faint conversation between Deer, Bryn, and Ryan. Nerves swelled in my gut as I stared in the mirror. The man looking back was me...for the most part. My monster was still there, lingering beneath the surface. The blood splattered across my face was vibrant against my skin, a reminder of what my demon craved, and my pupils were blown, hungry for more. My hair sat as a mess on my head, and I brushed my hands through the strands to try and smooth it down, then washed my face. Once I was cleaned up, I went back through the doorway.

Zombie and Ryan were crouched near the mohawk guy, and they were going through his pockets.

Bryn and Deer had their heads together. Bryn nodded at whatever Deer said to her, but the moment I came back into the room, she straightened and offered me a sweet smile.

“Thank you so much for your help. I....” She pressed her palms to her cheeks. “I’m so embarrassed that I needed rescuing like this. I’m not normally a damsel in distress.”

I winked. “I believe you, but everyone needs help now and again. And you’re important to Deer, so I’m happy to give my assistance.”

She flushed and tucked a strand of her blond hair behind her ear. “Thank you. Um, you can keep talking if you want.”

“Hey, stop flirting with him.” Deer nudged her with his elbow and flashed a teasing grin, and she laughed.

“I can’t help it. He has a nice accent.”

Behind them, Zombie grunted as he yanked out a wallet from Mr. Mohawk’s pants pocket. “That’s going straight to his head. His ego’s big enough.” He tugged out wads of bills and tossed the wallet aside before he rose and walked to Bryn, holding out the money. “You earned this for wear and tear.”

Bryn hesitated, fear clouding her eyes as she stared at Zombie. Most people were a little scared of him.

“I earned my big head.” I pointed at him before I smiled at Bryn again. “Don’t let this lug frighten you. He has a poodle named Princess Leia. She has goth dresses and a black tiara and everything. Ain’t nothing to be scared of.”

Zombie shot me a glare. “Princess is adorable.”

I held up my palms to him and smirked. “Never said she wasn’t, mate. Don’t get all protective daddy on me.”

Both Bryn and Deer chuckled, and she took the money from Zombie with a small “thank you.”

Zombie winked, and it was the first time I’d ever seen him show anyone compassion like that. He was the quiet type and enjoyed terrifying people.

The guy I’d beaten whimpered and attempted to sit up, but Ryan walked over to him and slammed the heel of his boot against the arsehole’s head, effectively knocking him out.

“Nighty night, motherfucker.” He added another kick to the stomach, but I suspected it was more for him than anything else.

Bryn watched, clutching her arms to her chest with the money tightly gripped between shaking fingers. She peered around at us with big eyes. “Thank you. All of you. I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

I studied her again, taking in the finger-shaped bruises on her arms and her trembling shoulders, and a protective instinct kicked in. She reminded me of my cousin Maureen, back at home in Australia. “Why do you do something so dangerous? You’re in college, right?” My gaze slid to Deer, and his tongue darted out to lick his lips nervously. “Selling yourself will only get you into a lot of trouble.”

Fuck. I came across as a privileged, rich arsehole. I’d never had to work a day in my life if I didn’t want to, and here Deer and Bryn were, selling their bodies while trying to get by. I was judging them when I had no right, but the worry for two people I barely knew had me speaking before I could stop myself. By the sharp look Zombie gave me, he agreed I was being a prick.

“It isn’t like we’re billionaires,” Deer pointed out, but the response wasn’t as irritated as I’d expected. Perhaps he thought I’d break our deal if he spoke out too loudly against me.

“You’re right and I’m an idiot.” I closed the distance between us and brought him into my arms. I laid a kiss on his forehead. Now that the adrenaline was fading, the throb in my shoulder returned, and I inhaled deeply through my nose to manage the feeling.

“My family was never rich and college is expensive.” Bryn rubbed her bare arms nervously. “This is the quickest way to get money. Deer’s never done this, though. You’re his first.”

“Bryn.” Deer’s cheeks flooded red and he groaned.

“I never want him to be in danger. I’m guessing you’re not the one who hurt him?” she asked.

Deer shook his head and touched his bruised jaw. “Random New York City bullshit.”

She smiled sadly at him. “I’m not a prostitute. Not really. I’m a professional sugar baby. My last sugar daddy left the city, so I was searching for a new one. This guy, he said he had a lot of money and could take care of me. This was the first time we’d met. Deer heard about what I did and needed money, too. So he?—”

“Bryn.” Deer left my arms to pull her into a hug. “It’s okay. You don’t need to explain.”

“He’s right, you don’t.” I resisted the urge to reach out and touch her shoulder in comfort. I’d spent my entire life in a very good situation. My family had more money than ninety percent of the world, and I had a top-tier education most people dreamed about. I was only working because I was bored. Who else could say that? Not many. “Let me help you, though. How much do you need for a year of expenses?”

Deer shot around to look at me with wide eyes.

“What?” Bryn’s mouth parted in surprise.

“A hundred grand. Is that enough?”

“Why? Do you want to have sex with me, too?” She smoothed her hands down the front of her body and shifted her weight between her feet, obviously nervous. She gave Deer an alarmed glance.

Behind me, Zombie coughed and Ryan snickered. Arseholes. I shot them a glare over my shoulder before I focused back on Deer and Bryn. Deer frowned at me, his eyebrows furrowed in concern. Was he worried that she’d take his spot?

“No.” I sighed. “I have Deer, and I don’t like women. But you’re Deer’s friend, and he’s worried for you, which makes your safety a priority to me. So, a hundred grand?”

She wrung her hands together. “But that’s more than you’re paying Deer, right?”

“Ye’re paying him?” Ryan’s amused tone grated on my nerves, but I couldn’t lash out at him. I glared, though.

Zombie nudged him and shook his head.

Deer shot Ryan his own narrowed stare, but there was a vitriol that surprised me. “Not all of us live off our family name.”

Ryan’s smile fell slightly. “I don’t. I work hard for the Company.”

This conversation was quickly deteriorating, and I needed to divert their attention. I couldn’t let Deer piss Ryan off, because as happy go lucky as Ryan was, he wasn’t the type of person you messed with.

“We need to leave before hotel security gets here, because they will eventually, especially after all the yelling.” I pointed at Ryan and Zombie. “You two take Bryn home. Make sure she’s safe. I’ll send some cash over to you tomorrow, Zombie. You can deliver it to her. Understood?”

Zombie gave me a sharp nod. He was loyal, and if I said jump, he always asked how high. He’d been with me longer than Hashtag and I trusted him with my life.

Bryn offered me a smile of gratitude, then gave Deer another tight hug. She touched his bruised jaw and whispered to him, and he shook his head. My gut flipped because I was assuming she was asking again if I’d done it. But how could I blame her? After laying a kiss on his cheek, she left the room with Zombie and Ryan. I didn’t miss the suspicious glance Ryan gave Deer before he left.

When we were alone, I focused my attention on Deer. I didn’t say anything, but when I reached out a hand to him, he took it. I led him out of the hotel room and down the lift. He kept quiet, his grip tight on my fingers, and I wanted to know what was going through his head. His silence was eerie and I didn’t like it, but I needed to get him back to my place before I questioned him.

The drive took fifteen minutes and not a word was shared between us. The entire situation was strange, but his eyebrows furrowed as if he was deep in thought. We got through the foyer, up the lift, and into my apartment before I turned to him when we reached the lounge room.

“I’m clearly an arsehole.”

He startled and stared up at me with his big brown eyes. “What?”

I shrugged. “The thoughtless comment about money and how to make it. I’m a privileged fuckwit who had no right to offer advice.”

He chuckled. “I’m not mad at you.” He moved in closer, and I opened my arms, dragging him against my chest. This was nice. He tilted his chin up and grinned at me. “What you did tonight was hot, by the way. You helped Bryn. Even offered her cash.”

“I’ll give you more than her.” I brushed my nose against his and smirked. “You’re my little fawn.”

He snorted and shook his head. “As long as you don’t want to fuck her. That’d be weird. She’s my friend.”

“I don’t.” I cupped his cheek, wincing as my shoulder throbbed and reminded me of all the stupid shit I’d been doing. Would probably keep doing. When Deer was around, any kind of pain was worth it. I kissed him gently, tasting his sweetness. “I’m not into women, plus I got you, don’t I? My cute Deer. How about we finish what we started earlier?”

He moaned and sucked his bottom lip into his mouth. “Yes, please.”

I slid my fingers between his and dragged him toward his bedroom. He came, fluttering those long eyelashes at me and giving me a soft gaze that had my insides squirming. I was going to give him so much pleasure tonight that he’d be seeing stars for weeks.

I guided him through the door and gently pushed him backward. “Get naked, little fawn. Your owner wants to see your bare skin again.”

His tongue darted out to lick his lips as he did what I’d instructed, shucking off his clothes. They landed in a mess around him, littering the floor until he was naked in front of me, the pink tip of his cock gleaming with precum and standing proudly. Ah, I forgot how good it was to be young. Hard within seconds and always eagerly ready to go.

I took a moment to appreciate the lean lines of his body, all compact muscles and unblemished skin. His pink nipples were peaked, begging for attention, while a flush spread across his chest and up his neck. He wrung his hands and offered me a nervous smile.

I grinned and moved over to his bed. I sat on the edge and gestured for him to come closer. “Get the tail. I’ll help you put it in. It hasn’t been sitting long. Should be fine.”

He nodded sharply, determination hardening his expression as he marched to where he’d left the tail. He grabbed the butt plug from the towel where it rested on the dresser, snatched up the bottle of lube, and brought them back to me. He took a position on the bed between my knees with his cock bobbing and lust flooding his eyes.

“Good boy.” I stroked my thumb over his hip bone, tracing the groove and dip, before I took the tail off him and set it on the bed beside me. “Now, turn around and bend over.”

He shivered and did as I’d instructed, pointing his arse toward me and leaning over to flash me his tight little hole. I grasped his thighs and dipped in for a long lick. He inhaled and jolted forward, but I tightened my grip and dragged him back. I buried my face between his cheeks, kissing and sucking on his hole like the meal it was. The sounds that spilled from him were fucking gorgeous.

His legs trembled and he reached around to slap his palm against the back of my head. “Oh God.”

I groaned, digging my tongue past the tight ring and jabbing him with it.

“Oh my fucking God.”

I chuckled as I pulled away and licked my lips. “You’re so delicious, Fawn. I want to eat you right up.”

He huffed out a strangled laugh, and I gave his arsecheek a light slap before I grabbed the tail and bottle of lube. I slicked up the plug, then laid my hand on the base of his spine, keeping him bent over as I lined up the bulb with his hole. I pushed the butt plug in, and his entrance strained around the width before it slipped inside, eliciting a moan from him. The sight sent a wave of heat through me and it settled in my balls when he shook his arse, making the tail swing.

Fuck. I squeezed my hardness through my pants. It was much too early to come.

I patted him on the upper thigh. “On your belly.”

He rushed to do as I’d ordered, wriggling his arse as he went. I bit my lip to hold in a groan as I swept across the room and grabbed the headband with his antlers. When I returned to the bed, I slipped the band onto his head and stepped back to take in his appearance. He was beautiful like this, his deer tail fluffed up and sticking out of his arse and the ears to top it off. Then there was him —slender lines, creamy skin, supple mouth, and those bloody big brown eyes I’d quickly fallen trap to.

He was a natural, bowing his back so his chest was planted on the mattress while his arse was in the air. He flicked me a sultry glance, and desire swirled low in my stomach. There were so many things I wanted to do to him—make him feel pleasure in different ways—but there was a need that pounded inside me, too. I wanted to fuck him.

I got naked as fast as I could, nearly tripping on my socks as I yanked them off, and Deer chuckled as he rested his cheek on his crossed arms and stared at me.

“So, what happens? Do I...only make deer noises?”

I kicked off my last piece of clothing—my underwear—and smoothed a hand over his right arsecheek gently. “It depends on how deep you want to go into the kink. Everyone has different ideas of what they’re interested in, little fawn, and you need to be comfortable. We can explore together if you want?”

He nodded timidly. “Okay.”

I slid my hand up over the swell of his arse and down the length of his spine, stroking his skin as I went. “What a pretty deer you are. Your fur is so soft.”

A flush rose on his cheeks as he glanced at me over his shoulder, and a long squeak came out of him, making me pause. The red deepened and he ducked his head. “I think that’s what sound a deer makes.”

I laughed. “It’s perfect. Do you want to immerse yourself as a deer or should we take it slow?”

“Maybe slow?” He sounded uncertain. “I should research more about deer first.”

He was so fucking lovely. I was mesmerized by the blush that stole the paleness from his cheeks and neck.

“That’s a good idea. The only thing I know about them is that they’re shy and eat leaves.”

He chuckled and wriggled his arse again, causing the tail to swing. “Yeah, I don’t know much about them, but it feels...destined, if that makes sense.”

“Yeah, I get it.” I swooped down to kiss a line up the bumps of his spine. “What do you need from me right now, Fawn?” I brushed my fingers over the tail, making it tug on his hole.

He whined. “Please fuck me. I’ve been waiting for it since last night.”

I nuzzled the dip between his shoulder blades and swiped my tongue over a faint beauty mark there. “With pleasure.”

With a final kiss on his upper back, I grabbed the bottle of lube and flicked open the lid. I coated my fingers and leaned down to plop a kiss on his left arsecheek before I gently pulled out the butt plug tail. He hissed as the thickest part slid free before I threw it onto the bed. His hole glimmered with lube. My cock jerked at the sight of him ready for me.

I eased two fingers into him carefully. Even though he’d had the plug in, I preferred to be safe. His hole was tight around my digits, pressing down on me with the warmth my cock craved. He was beautiful, arse up in the air in such a submissive pose with his ears and antlers still on.

He made another sound that I thought was meant to be like a deer, and as strange as it was, it shot pleasure straight to my balls. He turned his head to look at me, eyes dark with lust and mouth opened pleadingly. He didn’t have to say the words, I knew what he needed.

I pulled out my fingers and lined up my cock. “Ready, my sweet deer?”

He keened, a low-pitched cry, then nodded.

With one hand on his hip, I steadied him while I used the other around the base of my cock to guide myself into him. His heat consumed me, welcoming me in as he squeezed around my rigid length. He reached back to grasp my thigh, a drawn-out moan spilling from his pretty lips.

“You like that? Does that make you feel good, little fawn?” I ducked to kiss him in the middle of the back as my balls slapped against his skin.

He made that sound again and grabbed a pillow to bury his face into. He rocked back against me, his cheeks meeting my hips.

I stilled and stroked my finger down his spine. “Are you okay, sweetheart? I need you to use your words. This is the first time we’re having sex and I have to make sure you’re okay.”

He moaned and kicked his feet against the bed, then lifted his head enough to mutter, “Perfect. Please hurry up.”

I chuckled and shifted my knees into a better position before I gently began to rock my hips. He clenched around me, then loosened, as he moaned deeply. His fingers curled into the sheets, gripping them until the edges came out from the corners.

I hated that I couldn’t see his face and the expressions he was making, because I wanted to see the satisfaction and ecstasy there, but I would make do. This time. There were going to be plenty of other chances. I was going to have my fill of him and his desire by the end of December.

I moved in a slow yet steady rhythm, my hips snapping as my cock drove into his warmth. He whimpered and moaned. His deer ears flopped every time I thrust into him, and it was a pretty, sexy sight. My little deer being taken by his owner. I was depraved, but then, that wasn’t anything new.

My shoulder ached in a constant thrum that only added to the madness.

I tickled my fingers along his back, tracing imaginary lines on his flesh, and the audible reactions from him were perfect. The needy whine that left him traveled down my body and landed in my balls with the rest of the pleasure that was taking over.

I shifted forward and wrapped my arm around his neck so I could drag his back against my chest, making sure to move my sore shoulder out of the way. The change in position brought us closer together and my pace quickened. The echoes of our slapping skin filled the room, and it was so hot that I expected the windows to fog from our exhaling breaths.

I nipped Deer’s earlobe. “You’re so pretty, little fawn. Do you feel how hard you make me? You keep pulling me in.”

He whined—a deep, desperate sob that came right from his chest. Sweat gleamed on his temples and he threw his head back against my shoulder.

I hammered into him harder and faster until my cock ached in all the best ways. I was so close to the edge, but I wanted him to go first. I spat in my hand and wrapped it around his dick, stroking him in time with my thrusts.

“Oh God,” he shouted.

Cum splattered across my fist and over the bed beneath him, and he whimpered loudly before collapsing on top of the wet spot.

“Fuck.” I stared down at his wrecked body and pressed my fists into the mattress on either side of his hips. A sharp shooting pain spiked through me from my bullet wound, but I added it to all the other overwhelming emotions stirring inside. I pounded into him another three times before my pleasure reached the breaking point and my orgasm crashed through me. I trembled my way through the waves of ecstasy as I came.

Pulling out immediately so I didn’t crush him, I fell onto the bed beside him, panting. “Fuck.”

He laughed as he pushed himself to his elbows. He nodded and the antlers and ears swung with the movement. “Yeah.”

“Made a mess. We should shower, and then.... Well, you can sleep in my bed with me if you want.”

His eyes widened. “For real?”

“It’s a fucking awesome room. Big enough for ten people.” I winked and leaned over for a kiss, which he happily gave me.

“Eh. Ten people seems like too many bodies. Who do you even choose to fuck?”

I laughed loudly. “True.” I stroked my knuckle down his side and must’ve hit a ticklish spot because he whined and flinched away. I’d have to explore more of his body later. “So, you coming?”

“I already did.” He poked the tip of his tongue out between his teeth and chuckled when I shook my head at him. “Yeah, let’s go.”

* * *

Deer was sleeping—a rarity, he’d told me before we went to bed, as he didn’t rest much—when I got a message on my phone from Hashtag, who’d done some sleuthing for me.

Hashtag

Got the info. Italian was Dan LaMalfa. Frank’s cousin. Meet in our usual spot.

I growled low in my throat as I responded to him before glancing at Deer, who was buried against my side. He was deep in slumber, distracted by whatever dreams had his nose twitching adorably. Untangling myself, I laid a gentle kiss on his forehead as I slipped from the bed. I put on some clothes—a pair of jeans, a polo shirt, a wool jacket, and boots—then scribbled a note, which I left beside Deer on the bed, just in case he woke up.

I left the tower, nodding at one of the new doormen who’d been hired. I didn’t know his name yet, but he was a nice older bloke with wind-flushed cheeks and balding gray hair.

“Morning, sir,” he greeted.

“How ya goin’?”

I checked the time on my phone.

1:00 a.m. Fuck. It was late. Hashtag had said he’d meet me out the front. Being New York City, especially on a weekend, everyone was still on the go, and there was no such thing as a slow night. Cars honked and laughter filled the streets. The lights blazed brightly.

Hashtag pulled over in his Bentley, and I yanked open the door, sliding inside.

“Let’s go pay Dan a visit.”

Hashtag grinned and ran a hand through his messy dark hair. “What about your dear ?”

I peeked back toward the entrance of Sky High Tower and took a deep breath. I’d be home before Deer knew it, and he would never have to know what I was about to do. He’d already seen what I was capable of at the Justina, and I didn’t want him to know I was about to torture and kill a man for daring to lay a hand on him.

“He’ll be fine. He won’t even know I was gone.” I looked back at Hashtag, my fingers curling into a fist as hunger for revenge fed the monster. “You tell the Italians what we’re about to do?”

Hashtag gave me a sharp nod. “Yeah. Folliero’s second-in-command. We’ve been given permission. He attacked your partner without asking his bosses. And you know how it is. You technically belong to Killough, and they don’t want to piss him off. If you go to him, it’ll cause even more issues. Plus, Dan LaMalfa isn’t important to them.”

I gnashed my teeth together, toes curling in my boots in excitement. “Then, let’s do some damage.”

Deer could sleep peacefully, unaware of where I’d gone. What he didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.