Cole
Iwas flat on my back in my bed, and Lili was asleep on top of me.
I breathed her in.
Safe. Warm. And so damn sweet.
Her red brown hair was everywhere. I stroked between my fingers.
We’d gone to bed late last night, so I wasn’t surprised we’d slept in. She made a cute noise, and snuggled in close to my chest. She was wearing one of my T-shirts and a new pair of silky panties. The shirt had ridden up, leaving her legs and ass bare.
She’d spent time with Ava-Jane and the other women at Landon’s clinic last night while he’d checked them over.
I knew they’d need a truckload of therapy to recover from the abuse they’d suffered. They’d all come for modeling jobs, and ended up being trafficked into hell.
None had wanted the police involved, or their names splashed across the news. The way sexual assault victims were treated, I couldn’t blame them. None of them were fired up to relive every vile thing done to them in court.
Landon had promised to get them the help they needed. Bastian had promised to help them financially through one of his charities.
As midnight had neared, Lili had been exhausted and falling asleep. I’d forced her to leave Ava-Jane, and go to bed. The women were all staying the night at the Avernus.
When we’d gotten back to the villa, Lili had brushed her teeth and changed like a robot, then collapsed into bed.
I stared at the ceiling. She’d killed a man for me.
Despite my best efforts, she’d been dragged into the darkness.
She’d watched me kill.
She’d given me permission to end Goodyear.
With another cute sound, she stirred and lifted her head. Then she shot me a happy, sleepy smile. “Morning.”
“Good morning, sunshine.”
She nuzzled my cheek. “Your comfy bed. I have no idea how I got up here.”
“You like to snuggle.”
“I like to snuggle you. How’s your gunshot wound?” She tried to look at my arm.
“It’s just a graze and it’s fine.” I’d actually forgotten about it.
“I’m putting a clean bandage on it later.”
“We’ll see.”
“We will.” She kissed me.
She kept it light and sweet, but my hands clenched on her panty-clad ass. I didn’t want sweet right now. The events of yesterday were too close to the surface. The terror I’d felt knowing that Goodyear’s team were closing in, and that I had to protect her, would take a long time to fade.
I needed her.
“Lili—”
She kissed me again.
I kissed her back.
Things turned heated fast.
“Cole,” she breathed.
I rolled her, reared back, then tore her panties down her legs. Desperate need was riding me hard. I shoved my boxer briefs out of the way, then reached for a condom. Once the latex was on, I nudged her thighs apart.
I guided my cock in place and thrust home.
She moaned, her nails digging into my arms.
Mine. Fuck.
I’d never dreamed of having something as sweet as her, of her giving herself to me.
As I thrust inside her, her eyes almost undid me. I pulled out and flipped her onto her stomach. I tugged her back up on her knees and thrust back inside her.
As my hips hammered forward, I had the perfect view of her face. Her cheek was pressed to the sheets, her lips parted, and her face flushed.
I was hers.
I’d fight for her, keep her safe, be her protector. I’d be there to shoulder whatever crap life tossed at her.
She was done being alone and doing it tough.
I moved faster, listening to the noises she made. I slid my hand over her ass, around her hip and across her soft skin. Then I found her clit.
With a husky cry, she shoved back onto my cock.
“You’re my sunshine, Lili. I see you too, and you’re the only one I let see me.”
She cried out and her pussy rippled around my cock.
As she came, I thrust deep a few more times, then covered her body with mine. I groaned my release against the back of her neck and poured myself inside her.
Lili.
My sunshine.
I wanted every inch of her. Her sweet body, her beautiful hair, her shining smile, her vanilla scent, and her sweetness.
I rolled to the side. She spun and pressed a kiss to my chest, right over the snarling wolf.
“I’m starving,” she announced. “I’ll make us breakfast.”
I watched her bounce out of bed. After a quick visit to the bathroom, she pulled on clean panties and some tiny pajama shorts.
I got another smile before she bounced out of the room.
I lay back on the pillows.
She was it for me.
But I wouldn’t hold her here. Now that we’d dealt with Goodyear, she could have anyone, go anywhere, do anything.
I never wanted to hold her back. I wanted her happy and thriving.
Finally, I left the bed, dealt with the condom and dressed. I headed out to the kitchen. Lili was humming in front of the stove and flipping pancakes. She had the television on, two glasses of orange juice poured, and the coffee machine was gurgling.
“Sit,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She grinned at me.
God, she was so damn bright and perky. I sat on one of the stools and sipped my juice.
“Breaking news. The body of local businessman Chadwick Goodyear was found on his ranch today near Kyle Canyon.”
The reporter’s voice made my head swivel, and Lili paused, spatula in the air.
“The ranch building was badly burned, and there was evidence that Goodyear set the fire himself. Police are not releasing details, but sources say he died of a single gunshot wound to the head. There was also evidence that several women had been kept hostage at the ranch and that Goodyear had been involved in human trafficking and sexual abuse. More proof was also delivered this morning to the LVMPD implicating Goodyear in the murder of local boxer, Chuck ‘Bronco’ Jones and his girlfriend Gloria Reed. This is in addition to evidence of other corruption in Goodyear’s businesses. ”
Moments later the news changed. I looked back at Lili.
“Can the bullet be traced back to you?” she asked.
“No. And all DNA evidence of the women was removed as well. The police will find no evidence any of us were there.”
“You’re sure?”
“Nash and his team are good.”
“What about the men that were still alive from the attack at Darkwolf Tactical?”
“They’ve been dealt with.”
She held my gaze for a long beat, then nodded, and didn’t ask any more questions. “Good.” Then she started serving up the pancakes.
“That’s it?” I asked.
“Yes. Goodyear needed to be stopped, and I’m glad you stopped him.” Her voice changed. “I’m glad you avenged your friends.”
I stared at the pancakes she set in front of me. “You can do whatever you want now, Lili.”
She set the second plate down, her gaze on me.
“You can go anywhere and make your life exactly what you want it to be. You can find that beach town and start afresh. Whatever you want.” My hands gripped the counter, my knuckles turning white.
“All because of you,” she murmured. “Without you…” She shuddered. “I know what I want.”
I steeled myself.
Her lips twitched. “Will you let me walk away?”
I rose from the stool and dragged in a deep breath. “Fuck, no.” I grabbed her and held her against my chest. “You’re mine.”
With a blinding smile, she threw her arms around my neck. “Good, because what I want is you, Cole Black. And where I want to be is right here with you.”
I covered her mouth with mine. As we kissed, I gripped her waist and set her on the counter.
“I’m falling for you, Cole. Hard and fast.”
I groaned and kissed her again. I had no idea what I’d done to deserve her.
“Falling for you too, sunshine.”
There was a loud knock at the front door.
Cole groaned. “I’m thinking of getting rid of my friends.”
Lili gave a little giggle.
“Enough nookie, you two.” Lark’s amused voice.
I looked over. Lark stood with one hand on her hip. A subdued Ava-Jane was standing with her. The young woman was dressed in jeans and a sweater, her hair scraped back in a bun.
I kissed the tip of the Lili’s nose. “I’m going to shower, then check in with Nash. I’ll let you guys catch up.”
When I quietly entered the villa a few hours later, I heard low sobbing.
Hell.
I walked in. Lili and Ava-Jane were sitting on the couch, and my girl was holding her friend in a tight embrace as she cried. Lark was in the kitchen. She met my gaze, sympathy on her face.
I lifted my chin.
“Hi, Cole,” Lark said. “Want a cup of coffee? It’s fresh.”
I shook my head. “I’m good.”
Ava-Jane lifted her head, and swiped at her tear-stained face. Lili looked my way.
God, the look she gave me filled dark spaces inside.
Ava-Jane rose, smoothing down her T-shirt. “I’d better go. Let you guys have some time together.”
“Call your mom, Ava-Jane,” Lili implored. “She reported you missing. I have no doubt she’s been worried about you.”
Ava-Jane bit her lip. “She’ll be so angry and disappointed. God, I feel like an idiot for being such a fool.”
“She won’t,” Lili said “And you’re not a fool. None of what happened is your fault.”
“I’m…just not ready yet.”
“Lili’s right,” I said.
Ava-Jane’s gaze whipped my way.
“Everything that happened is on Goodyear, and on the men who hurt you. You’re a victim. Get mad, don’t drown in the guilt.”
From the couch, Lili shot me a grateful look.
Ava-Jane cleared her throat. “Thank you. For killing him.” She pulled a face. “There’s something I never thought I’d say.” She looked at Lark. “I’m ready.”
Lark walked forward. “Let’s hit the food court for something to eat.”
After the women had left, I sat on the couch and pulled Lili onto my lap.
She snuggled in.
“How is she?”
“It’s going to take time.” Lili sighed. “My heart is breaking for her. She’s shattered.”
“Over time, she’ll slowly put the pieces back together.”
“Like you did?” She cupped my jaw.
“Yeah, but I think you helped me with the last few pieces.”
Her eyes turned luminous. “So, I’m staying. Here with you.”
“Yes.” My hands tightened on her. “You’re staying.”
“I’m falling in love with you, Cole.” She watched me like she expected me to freak out about it.
“Good.”
She laughed. “You’re okay with that?”
“Hell, yes. This is your home now, and I’m never letting you go.” I rose and set her on her feet. Then I took her hand and led her down the hallway to the spare bedroom.
The room was empty, with just a few boxes stacked against the wall.
“I ordered a big corner table for in here today.”
Her brow creased.
“Somewhere for you to make your jewelry. You can decorate however you want. Get whatever you need. This room is yours.”
Her face warmed. “Cole.”
“You can make your jewelry and sell it.”
She jumped on me and laughed. “I’m really going to fall crazy in love with you.”
I held her tightly and never wanted to let her go. “Same, sunshine. Same.”