Chapter 17
Cori
That sorry fucking asshole. I wonder how long he’s been having me followed. Was it before he kidnapped me or after? Whenever it was, I dropped the ball. I thought I was in control when he was leading me the entire time.
I assumed he had no idea, but I should have known better. The man built an entire empire while living in plain sight. That didn’t happen by chance. It was work, determination, skill, and brainpower.
I left my car on Main Street. Once I parked, I saw the woman about one hundred feet away. It’s a different woman from yesterday, driving a different color car, but I ran the plates. The same company leases both vehicles.
I chatted with a few random people along the way to the local drug store.
This is one of the two jobs I worked before my mother got injured, and I’m still on good terms with the manager.
She’s managed this store for about two decades, and all I had to do was ask, and she let me exit through the employee-only entrance in the back.
From there, I ran into the woods and walked to Selene’s townhouse.
“What do you think?” I ask my cousin, and she nods in approval. It’s a cool fall day, and I’m in a black, body-hugging jumpsuit. I have a long burgundy duster over it.
“Gorgeous. You and that doctor are going to have a great time.” Dr. Elliot Logan, neurologist. He’s tall, handsome, smart, and sexy.
Most importantly, what he does is legal.
When I started this thing with Dax, it was for my own knowledge, but I met Dr. Logan when he was treating Eden. He’s the type of man I want to be with.
“What do you think of this?” Selene shows off a short red leather skirt and a matching vest. The top is low cut, and her breasts are pushed forward. “I wish Eden and Rip could come.”
“Girl, you think Rip is going to let Eden out of his sight now that she’s out of the hospital? And do you think he would agree to go on a group date?” I roll my eyes at my cousin.
“That would be kind of funny, but you’re right.” Selene picks up her phone, and moments later, I hear Eden’s voice. She sounds good, if a little tired. “What do you think of our fits?” Selene asks. She puts her phone in the holder, and we spin for Eden.
“Better than this robe I’m in,” she says, but she claps for us. “Where are you going?”
“Paulene’s,” we both say at once. Eden huffs.
“That sounds fun. Babe, do you think we can go and—”
Right on cue, Rip cuts Eden off. “No. I’m making dinner. Afterward, we can go to the couch or our bed. Lady’s choice.”
Eden flares her nostrils but doesn’t argue. She makes a face and rolls her eyes, but she’s happy.
“Let me see that rock,” Selene orders. Eden holds up her hand and shows off her five-carat diamond engagement ring. We both whistle.
“I want texts and pictures during the date. I want all the details. Love you guys,” Eden says before we end the call.
Unlike Selene’s date, mine has been amazing. Despite driving to Paulene’s in my cousin’s car, Elliot is driving me home, and he’s accepted my invitation to come in for a drink.
His hand rests on my lap, but it doesn’t feel like Dax’s hand. Dax’s hand is heavy and rough. Elliot’s is soft and light. I shove thoughts of Dax away. I haven’t seen him in two days, and I’m relieved. I don’t know if he’s texted because I’ve blocked his number.
“I can’t stay too long.” Elliot stops for a red light, and he looks at my profile.
He’s handsome with light brown skin, a straight nose, and plump lips, but it’s Dax’s darker skin that I see.
It’s his lips and scent that I crave, but I shove that thought away, too.
Dr. Logan is a safer choice. “I’m working tomorrow morning. Unless you ask me to stay.”
The statement hangs between us in the car. There’s no reason why I can’t ask him to stay. We’re attracted to each other, and we’re both single. This should be an easy decision.
“Well, you have to play your cards right, Dr. Logan.” His mouth curls into a smile, and I sigh.
We don’t speak for the remainder of the short ride to my apartment complex. When we arrive, I instruct him to park in my assigned spot since my car is still on Main Street.
He touches the small of my back while we cross the parking lot. We reach the stairs; he takes my hand and leads me to the second floor. His hand feels nice. It feels safe, but it doesn’t feel right.
“I’m down the hall,” I announce when we get to my floor. I get to my door and insert my key, but it's unlocked. I push it open and step inside. I’m positive I locked my door when I left today. I always lock it and leave the light in the entryway on. That light is never off, but it is tonight.
“Oh my God!” I scream when I see Dax after turning on the light switch. He’s sitting a few feet away in my recliner with that monster next to him. “What the fuck?”
“Do you know this man?” Elliot, like a real man, stands in front of me as a shield.
“Yeah. She knows me. She knows me real well.” Dax stands to his full height, which is two to three inches above Logan’s. He slowly walks to us. His monstrosity of a dog follows. “She’s my woman.”
My eyes widen at his declaration and his audacity. Elliot’s head whips around to look at me.
“I am not,” I challenge.
“We were together here two nights ago. She fucked me in there.” He points at the bedroom. “And there.” He gestures at the couch.
Dax stands in front of Elliot and looks down at him. Elliot doesn’t shrink.
“That never happened.” The lie slips easily from my lips. We also fucked in the bathroom, but I’m grateful Dax didn’t mention that.
“We also fucked in the bathroom.” He speaks as if he’s talking about the weather, and not my private, intimate moments.
“Even if you did, that doesn’t make her yours.” Dr. Logan’s words are a challenge. He moves from in front of me and slides a hand around my waist.
Dax rubs the bridge of his nose. He looks exhausted. He lowers his head and reaches around to his back. He pulls something out.
“Oh my God!” I hide behind Elliot when I see the gun in his hands. Dax goes around us and lays it on the table.
“You have three options,” Dax says while looking at Elliot. “I can break both your little pussy doctor hands. I can shoot you and make sure your body is never found, or you can leave this place and never look at Corine Lamb again. She’s mine.”
“Are you out of your damn mind?” I yell inside my apartment. Dax doesn’t flinch. “I don’t belong to you. I’m not your anything, and I’ve never slept with you.” I tell that lie again to try and still salvage my night with Elliot, whose hand is now holding mine.
Dax notices that too and yanks us apart.
“Get the fuck out of here.” Dax picks up the gun. He doesn’t point it at Elliot, but he gets the point. He raises both hands and backs away.
“Whatever, man. She’s not worth it.” My date walks out without another glance and slams the door so hard, my apartment rattles.
We stand there, me glaring at him, while he looks down at the gun.
“He’s wrong. You are worth it.” His eyes roam my body, and he licks his lips. “So worth it.” He looks away, puts the gun back on the table, and goes to my fridge.
“Why don’t you ever have food here? I’m starving.” He slams the fridge door shut and pulls out his phone. “I’ll order something. I assume you’ve already eaten?” He purses his lips in disapproval.
“Get the hell out of here.” I walk to the door, yank it open, and gesture for him to go. He approaches, but instead of leaving, he closes the door and walks back inside.
I run behind him and rain punches on his back. He doesn’t flinch, so I pick up the gun and point it at him. I’ve had gun training. I’m no expert, but I know the basics.
“I took the bullets out before I came up here.” He sounds bored as he sips a bottle of water. “I didn’t want to take the chance of you hurting yourself.” He shakes his head. “You always try to play the hero.”
“I want you to go. This has gone far enough. It’s over.”
“Sweetheart, it’s only just begun.” He puts the water down and walks to me like I’m his prey. I stand frozen while I take in the scent of his cologne. He pulls open my long sweater. My breath hitches while I wait and see what he does next.
In a flash, he grabs my leotard and rips it open. My naked breasts spill out.
“Dax!” He doesn’t stop there. He pulls until the tear reaches the crotch.
“You look beautiful, but I can’t stand the thought of you dressing up for another man.
” He pulls my half-naked body flushed against his.
“Because all of this.” His large, rough hands slide down my back until he cups my ass.
“All of this is mine, Bella.” He nips my earlobe, and I flinch.
“Mine. You gave it to me, and no one else can have you.”
He cups my pussy over my panties. “Mine,” he whispers again.
“No.”
“Yes.” His mouth lands on mine. My body catches fire, and I forget every single objection I had. The kiss is rougher and more possessive than any we’ve shared in the past.
He backs away until he hits the back of my couch. He turns and pins me to the furniture. We never break our kiss as he rips my leotard in half. He tears my panties next.
“Mmhmm,” I moan in his mouth. The kiss becomes more possessive. He wraps one arm around my waist while he fumbles with his belt with his free hand.
His pants and underwear fall to his feet, and he kicks them away. He lifts one of my legs around his waist. Once it’s secure, his hand ravages my breast.
“I’m going to fuck you right here. Afterward, there will be no doubt as to who you belong to,” he whispers above my mouth.
“I don’t—” my words get swallowed by another rough kiss. “Mmhmm,” is all I can say.
He lifts me off my feet and throws me on the couch. He dives on top of me and enters me in one hard thrust.
“Dax.” His name comes out as a moan. My hand lands on the back of his neck, and I marvel at his smooth skin.
“Cori,” he says back. “Whose is this?” He fucks me so hard and deep that my eyes roll to the back of my head. I know he asked me a question, and I should have a smart answer on the tip of my tongue, but my mind has gone blank. He stops thrusting and locks eyes with me. “Whose?”
My brain fog clears, and I get my wits about me. “It’s my pussy, Hunt. It’s mine.”
“Wrong.” He holds my wrists above my head with one hand. With his other hand, he lifts my leg higher, pushing him further inside of me. He fills me completely. “This is mine, sweetheart, and no one else will have it.”
“That’s what—” He shuts me up with a kiss as rough and commanding as his lovemaking.
He takes me faster and rougher than I’ve ever been in my life.
He fucks me until I nearly go blind. All I can do is surrender to the kiss and let him have his way.
I sigh. It’s euphoria. He will never know it, but in this moment, I surrender to this man. I let him have me.
A hand finds its way between our slick bodies. He rubs my clit, and I cave. I moan in his mouth and shudder against him. He finally ends the kiss, and I mutter nonsense while my orgasm takes me to another orbit.
He shudders too. He throws his head back and moans. His thrusts slow until they come to a stop, but he stays on top of me while our breath becomes even.