Chapter 19 #2
The bell rings, a loud clanging in my ears, but I don’t move, don’t rush Roger, not when I know he’ll come to me.
He has no patience, no control, and as he steps forward, fist cocked back to swing, I flash him an evil grin, making him falter as air rushes past my face from the force of his punch, missing the mark.
It’s then he realizes he’s out of his depth.
Side-stepping his body, my fist plows into his kidney, causing him to grunt, and his footing falters as he spins towards me, but I’m two steps ahead and on his other side, nailing him in the ribs.
His shaky laugh is pathetic as he tries to distract me. “What’s she going to think, seeing you become a monster?”
My amusement disarms him as I move swiftly, securing him in a headlock and pounding his gut. “She already knows.” My gaze lifts quickly to see her watching me, a multitude of emotions swirling in her pretty blue eyes, but none of them show that she’s disgusted with what she’s witnessing.
Roger tries scrambling out of my hold, but I tighten my grip until he’s out of breath, and the crowd grows louder, wilder. Just when he’s about to pass out, I release him, and he drops, cracking his face off the floor and groaning.
Stepping away, I give him the space to get to his feet as everyone watches on. Some wonder why I’ve backed off, others silently plead with me to end him. I’m not here to kill, not tonight anyway.
As he stands, the crowd gets rowdy again, calling for more violence as Roger stumbles forward, mouth shut, and outrage lining his eyes.
Good, he’s learned his lesson. Words don’t affect me, not like he had hoped.
However, he’s stupid and allows his anger to carry him forward as he tries to rush me again.
I’m prepared, and when he’s close enough, I slide to the side and send my meaty fist into his chest, cracking ribs and sending vibrations up my arm from the power of the jab.
When he falls this time, he doesn’t get back up. I stroll towards him, and his eyes are pinned on the fan spinning in the roof’s AC unit as he tries to take in a breath. He’s not dead, this won’t kill him, but he’s learned his lesson. Bigger doesn’t mean better.
Chuckling, I shake my head when his hand reaches out to grab my ankle weakly. The crowd has backed off, like they’re ready for me to stomp his face, but I’m no cold killer, I’m a calculated one, and right now, he doesn’t deserve death, just to be taught his place in the pecking order.
The announcer declares me the winner as a couple of guys enter the cage to carry Roger out. The crowd chants my name; they always manage to, no matter how brutal I am.
Glancing into the audience, my eyes scour the people and notice Lake being guided into the ring. She’s a bundle of nerves until I’ve got my hands on her, then she melts into my side, staring up at me with pride in her eyes, closely followed by need.
“How about we get out of here?” I whisper against her ear, and she quickly nods.
“Nice work.” Easton flashes a massive wad of cash that’ll go into Sparrow House’s fund.
Since Lake and I drove down here alone, I tell the others, “We’re spending the night.” I’ve already booked a room at a nice hotel to treat Lake.
Nolan grimaces but nods. I don’t blame him; it’s his little sister, but I also know he’s happy she’s coming out of her shell.
It’s never been a secret to anyone in the family how I’ve felt about Lake; this was always how we were supposed to end up.
I think the real surprise is how long it fucking took.
It’s about thirty minutes before the warehouse clears out, but with Lake glued to my side, I didn’t mind as much as I usually do. After a check-in with Luther to let him know his daughter was okay, we’re finally able to get to The Grand Sandestin Resort.
Lake’s eyes widen as she takes it in. She’s been to resorts before, having travelled with her family, but this is the first time she’s gone as an adult and with me. I wanted to give her everything.
“This place is so expensive.” Her eyes flick down to her casual clothes. “Way too fancy.” Tilting her chin as the valet driver takes my truck away, I wait until she looks at me.
“Nothing is too fancy for you, Lake. You deserve everything.”
Dropping a quick kiss on her lips before leading her inside, people keep a wide berth around me. Despite the late hour, it’s busy. Blood stains my hands, I’m sweaty, and there’s no doubt I still appear feral from my fight.
None of that matters as we check in, however. The clerk is professional and has us on our way to the top-floor penthouse with a private elevator and a promise that the kitchen is still open for room service.
Considering all this from Lake’s perspective, who has never wanted for anything but also never asked for much, I can see why she’s so enamored. Everything is crisp, clean, and gleaming. Vases of flowers adorn most surfaces, sitting perfectly below artwork that probably cost thousands of dollars.
“Is this what you want at home?” I ask as we step onto the waiting elevator.
“I don’t know. I like the flowers and the artwork, but I don’t want to disrupt what you’ve done.” Her lips nervously twitch from side to side as I remain silent until we reach the top floor.
Gripping her hand in mine, I drag her inside to the chaise set against the windows facing the Emerald Coast. Dropping down, my legs spread for her to stand between them.
With my face level to her chin, I study the emotions playing out across her face.
Excitement at the stunning view, nerves over our conversation, and eagerness because we’re alone, and I can already smell her desire.
“Will you unwrap my hands?” I ask.
Startled, she looks down to see the dirty tape but doesn’t hesitate to reach for one hand and slowly remove it, exploring my bruised flesh with her fingertips. “Does it hurt, Saint?”
My head shakes as she moves to the next one.
“When we get home, I want you to do anything to the house you’d like. Tear down walls if you want. I don’t care as long as you’re there. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, sweet haven.”
She releases my hand, and I bury my face in her throat, inhaling her scent until she’s invaded all my senses, and I feel like I can take a deep breath.
“Saint?” Her soft voice quivers, and I look at her. “Can we…?” Her cheeks bloom with embarrassment.
“Baby, we can do it anywhere, anytime you want.”
Getting to my feet, I shed my shirt and shorts, having already removed my shoes, before getting to work on stripping her bare.
She glows in the moonlight.
Nobody can see us up here, so I don’t worry about that and just enjoy how Lake squirms in front of me. Mostly from desire, yet still fighting off her insecurities.
“I was thinking,” she starts, pushing me to sit again before crawling into my lap. My dick immediately finds her soaked pussy, ready to plow its way inside of her.
“About what?” As her bra drops, my mouth waters, and her peaked nipples stab at my chest, rousing a groan from me as she rubs against my chest hair.
Her fingers scratch my beard, tugging what she can grasp before leaning in to whisper kisses across my face. Christ, she’s fucking perfect.
“I want to get a tattoo to cover the scars.” Her words are faint, but her hope is prevalent.
“Anything you want.” Literally, there’s not much I wouldn’t make happen for her.
“You’ll go with me?” she asks, her question hesitant, as if I’d say no.
“I’ll get one with you, Lake.”
I catch her eyes, and she offers a stunning smile, showing me just how far she’s come since I followed her to Indiana. Reinforcing that I made the right choice.
“I want black birds, flowers, and vines, and bumble bees with lady bugs, and fireflies. Maybe dragonflies, too.” She doesn’t realize how endearing she is when she gets excited about something she’s passionate about.
“I’ll get a consultation set up with my guy.”
She nods enthusiastically until my dick reminds us both we’re nude by tapping harshly against her pussy, making us both groan.
“Thank you, Saint.” She leans in for a kiss as her body takes me inside her tight heat, strangling my cock until I can’t breathe or focus on anything but making her feel good.
Lake gets herself going on her own, so I sit back and watch as she uses me for her pleasure while giving me everything I want. For years, I wondered if we’d ever get here, and now that we have, I know for a fact that I wouldn’t survive life without her in it.
Groaning when she tightens up on me, a thought hits. “We haven’t used protection.” I know she’s still undecided about children, and even though she’s on the pill, nothing is foolproof.
Her hips falter, then stop as her brain catches up to my words. It’s an incredible sight to see how she works through her feelings until she figures out a response.
“If the pill fails, we’ll call it meant to be.”
My dick throbs wildly inside of her, making her moan and pant.
“Fate,” I mutter, drawing her in with a hand on the back of her head to fuck her mouth with my tongue in a matching rhythm with my dick as she begins to move again.
My fingers grow tense on her body. I want to flip her over and take the reins, but until she asks for it, she’s in charge. “Saint, Saint, will you… Could you…?” There it is.
“You want me to take control?” Holding my breath, I wait for her nod.
Without hesitation, I put Lake on her back, wrap her feet around my waist, and maintain eye contact as my hips start to move, a little rougher than before, but the bliss on her face tells me she loves it.
“You need me to stop, just say it.” Even if it breaks me, I’d do anything for her.
“Faster, harder,” she pants into my mouth as I breathe her in, filling my lungs with her taste. Savoring the way she begs.
My balls draw up tight to my body. I’m not far from losing it and coming deep inside my own sweet haven, but I need to get her there with me. Reaching a hand between us, my thumb brushes her swollen clit. She jumps but tightens around me, and I know she’s about to follow behind.
“Come with me, Lake, squeeze my dick until I can’t see straight.” She whimpers and cries out just as I explode into her depths. Shoving as hard into her as I can, her walls ripple and squeeze around me.
To enhance our pleasure, I continue playing with her clit. My mouth seeks out a nipple and sucks the turgid peak until she claws at my scalp and begs me to stop while also crying out for more.
Out of breath and wilting against Lake, I’m careful not to crush her before rolling us to the side. She sighs and rests against my chest, unconcerned that we’re both covered in a sheen of sweat.
“I love you,” she says. Her satisfied tone is like a balm to the demons within my soul.
Tilting her head so I can see her, I don’t hesitate. “I love you, too, Lake. I couldn’t imagine a life where you’re not mine forever.”
Smiling, she sits up, for once not bothering to cover herself. “I’m hungry.” Not surprising.
Sweeping her into my arms, I carry her to the bedroom, where another amazing view awaits, and plop her in bed before hunting down the room service menu.
“Order anything you like, then double it, because I’m not done with you tonight.
” Her shy smile makes my heart do funny things as she picks up the phone and orders nearly everything on the menu, from breakfast foods to dessert.
As we wait on the food, I flick on the TV, and Gordon Ramsey immediately greets us on Hell’s Kitchen from what I think must be the first season. It’s a show that Lake and I always watch together.
After slipping on shorts to answer the door when our order arrives, I climb into bed with Lake.
She immediately cuddles into my arms, and within minutes, she’s fast asleep.
The time is 1:18 in the morning, and I know what that means to her, what it means to her recovery, and I realize this is a huge step because she’s always been so attuned to this time that she’s finally ignoring it.
I couldn’t be prouder of this woman of mine because she’s healing healthily for the first time. She’s no longer trying to force herself to be better for the sake of those around her. This feels like the first step into our future, and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.