Chapter 8 - Benedikt
She’s like a baby bird in my hands. I can see why Kaz calls her that. Delicate and trembling. I hold her closer, keep her tighter against me as Kazimir drives toward the safe house.
“Are we being followed?” he asks, glancing in the rearview mirror.
“I don’t think so, but it’s impossible to say for certain.”
Maria snuggles closer to me.
It makes my heart ache to see her so vulnerable.
So beautiful.
“Why were you out there alone?” I whisper as I stroke my fingers through her silky hair.
I don’t expect an answer, and she doesn’t give one. I imagine I know why she was out there alone.
Kazimir pulls the car into an underground parking area and shuts the engine off.
“We’re here,” he says, pushing the door open and climbing out.
He tugs my door open. “Is she okay?” he asks tensely.
I nod. “She’s in shock,” I reply.
Kaz goes ahead to unlock the safe house door and hold it open for me as I carry her inside. He locks up behind us.
“I’m going to get hold of Joseph. Are you okay with her?” his eyes lock onto her with concern.
“I’ll take her up to the room. She just needs a moment, I think,” I say.
He nods and leaves, and I carry Maria upstairs to a small, neat, minimalist bedroom.
I sit on the bed with her still cradled in my arms and her legs wrapped around my hips. Her body is curved against me, her fingers clutching at my shirt, holding on as though she’s scared I might let her go.
“You’re safe now, baby bird. I’ve got you,” I speak gently.
She shivers in response. It’s a good sign. It’s better than nothing at all.
“Maria, are you hurt anywhere?” I ask.
She sniffs and half lifts her head. She’s shaking.
“I need to know if you were shot, or if you’re hurt in any way?” I ask again, gently touching the faint blue bruises fading into color over her jaw. Anger rumbles through me like thunder, but I bite down hard to push it back. The guy is dead. He hurt her…and he’s dead. It’s done.
“I… I don’t think so….” she whispers shakily.
Her breathing is still off. She’s taking quick, sharp breaths like she’s close to a panic attack.
“Look at me, Maria,” I ask gently.
Her eyes dart left and right, then lock with mine. They are shining with fear and shock. I softly cup my hand over her cheek and hold her face. “Breathe with me,” I say, then take in a slow, deep breath, encouraging her to do the same.
“In…”
I let it out.
“Out…”
Her first few attempts aren’t successful, but on the fourth try, she manages to slow down and take a proper breath. Her lungs stretch, and her chest rises against me.
“Good girl, that’s good,” I encourage her.
Her fingers are still knotted in my shirt, tugging at me. I pry one hand lose. “Relax, sweet little thing, you’re okay,” I tell her.
“I’ve…I’ve never seen anything like…like that,” she mutters. “There was…his head…there was so much blood….”
“Maria, look at me, keep looking at me.” I press my finger beneath her chin and tilt her head so she’s forced to look up at me. Her eyes are a little clearer, less dazed than they were before.
“I promise you, you’re safe now,” I tell her. She nods ever so slightly. Her eyes drift to my lips, and her fingers dig into the muscles of my biceps.
I sense the shift in her instantly. The small thrust of her hips as she moves in my lap.
My jaw clenches instantly.
I’m already struggling with her beautiful softness in my hands and her curves against my body.
Her lips part and she slowly sucks in her lower lip, letting her teeth graze over it. My heart beats faster, and I clear my throat, unsure what to do, but struggling to remain composed as my cock stirs to life.
“Maria,” I whisper.
In the blink of an eye, she leans forward, and her lips are locked with mine.
There is a moment’s hesitation from me before I cup my hand around the back of her head and deepen the kiss.
She moans against my mouth, the most desirable sound I’ve ever heard.
My cock grows harder beneath her spread legs, and she rocks against me.
I shouldn’t do this. I’m taking advantage of her in a weakened state.
But from the sounds of it, she loves it and needs it.
She needs this release of tension as adrenaline courses through her body after the attack.
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her harder against my cock. She moans agai,n and my cock throbs with need as I push my tongue into her mouth. She threads her fingers up my neck and into my hair, tightening her grip to tug gently as she moves against me.
I’m ready to tear her clothes off and lift her off my lap onto the bed. I’m ready to take her, right here, right now. But I have to force myself to stay in control.
What if she regrets this afterward?
What if she’s angry that I didn’t stop her?
But fuck, it’s so hard.
“I can’t get hold of Joseph,” the sound comes from the open doorway, and we both jump.
She pulls away from me, still on my lap.
I turn to see Kazimir staring at us. “I, uh, couldn’t get hold of Joseph or Artur, and I don’t think it’s safe to leave yet,” he says.
“Um, yes, I agree. We shouldn’t go out there until we’re certain it’s clear.”
I swallow hard. Maria is fiddling with my shirt collar, not looking at Kazimir.
My eyes trace over him and notice the bulge of his hard-on against the front of his pants. So, he was watching us.
“I’ll keep trying to get hold of Joseph,” he says, stepping back, tugging at his pants to adjust them.
“Thanks,” I mutter, feeling awkward with her still straddling my lap.
He leaves, and Maria lets out a soft giggle, a beautiful sound that makes me grin.
“Sorry,” she whispers, her cheeks flushed and bright.
“Are you kidding? Why would you be sorry? That was incredible,” I say quietly.
She wiggles off my lap, sitting next to me on the bed.
“Are you feeling better?” I ask, wrapping my arm around her waist.
She nods. “I’m still a bit shaky, though.”
“Let’s get you something to eat. I think it’ll help.
Something sugary,” I say, standing up and offering her my hand.
“They should have chocolates somewhere in this place. Usually, the pantries are stocked nicely. Come on, baby bird.” I take her hand and lead her out of the room.
I’m happy she’s managed to work past the shock of what happened.
I’ll keep my eye on her, though, just to make sure she’s really okay.