Finders Keepers (Syndicate Book 1) Page 7

  When I woke up again, I was back on the cot, lying face down and naked. Oh, no. God, no. My vision was hazy, and my head felt like it had gone all Wile E. Coyote and taken an anvil hit. I tried to lift my head to look around, but my neck was stiff, and the more I tried to move around, the more it hurt. I was pretty sure I was alone in the room, though I could hear voices on the other side of the door, but I couldn’t make out any of the words. I had no idea how long I’d been lying there, unconscious. Minutes? Hours?

  The door opened.

  “Good, you’re awake. Now the real fun can begin,” Keith sneered at me with pure malevolence oozing out of his every pore.

  “No,” I said, but it was no more than a pained whisper. Even speaking hurt.

  I watched helplessly as Keith unzipped his pants and stroked himself while he stared at my naked backside. He stepped closer, and I could hear his breath quicken. I tried to stop the fear from overtaking me. He moved to the end of the cot and positioned himself between my legs. Instead of reaching for my pussy, his hands went to my ass to spread my cheeks. I couldn’t stop the tears that welled in my eyes. This was far worse than what Jensen had done to me. Far, far worse. Just as I felt him prodding at my back entrance, I heard a commotion happening outside of the room we were in, but Keith wasn’t going to be deterred. I felt him begin to breach my tight hole, and I let out the wail of a banshee just as a shot rang out.

  Keith’s dead weight crashed down on me as his blood coated my skin. He was too heavy, and I began struggling to breathe. His weight was suddenly gone, and I gulped in as much air as my lungs could hold. Somewhere in my foggy brain, I registered the sound of popping buttons, and then I was being covered by a man’s dress shirt. I lifted my head to see my savior and realized he was also my captor. Jensen.

  “Hush, now, pixie. I’ve got you,” he cooed, and it was then I realized that the tears were flowing freely.

  As he lifted me into his arms to fit me against his chest, my own arms circled his neck, and I hung on for dear life as he carried me out of the dark basement of what turned out to be a rather dilapidated warehouse. Jensen tried to settle me in the back seat of a black SUV, but I refused to be let go, so he cradled me in his lap when I started to panic and tried to soothe me as best as he could. There, in his lap, with his arms around me and mine around him, I fell asleep.

  Chapter 12

  Charlotte

  The next time I woke up, I was in a warm, comfortable, king-sized bed. And it wasn’t mine. The confusion concerning my whereabouts triggered another panic attack, but before I could get too worked up, the door opened, and Jensen walked in.

  “Pixie,” he said gently. His expression was wounded.

  “Is this your room?” I croaked out.

  “Yes,” he nodded. “I didn’t want you to be away from me.”

  He approached the bed cautiously, like I was a skittish animal he feared might bolt. Right then, I was the opposite. There was no way in hell I was leaving that bed.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, remembering that one of the last times I saw him was slumped over the steering wheel of his car.

  He made a noise that sounded like a cross between a huff and a snort. “After what you’ve been through, you’re worried about me?”

  I grimaced and shrugged one shoulder. I looked him over and noted the bandage over one eye. That seemed to be the extent of his obvious injuries. Lucky bastard. I didn’t need a mirror to know that my body was fucked up.

  “Keith?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

  “He will never touch you again,” Jensen promised.

  “I know,” I said, weakly, and cleared my throat.

  “So, how bad am I messed up?” I asked, even though I really didn’t want to hear the answer.

  Jensen sat down on the edge of the bed. “My personal physician just left. I had him give you a thorough exam. He didn’t think you were…,” he trailed off. “But, I have to hear it for myself. Were you… Did he…?”

  He seemed to be struggling to find the words, and though I could appreciate the irony in that, I put him out of his misery. “No. At least, I don’t think so. I mean, he was going to. He tried, but…,” I struggled to finish my sentence. “But, then you came.”

  He nodded his head enthusiastically. “Right. Yes. Good,” he said, seeming relieved. Some of the tension seeped from his shoulders.

  “What about the rest of me?”

  His eyes met mine, and he looked furious. His jaw tightened, and his nostrils flared. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he started emitting steam. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he said, “Ah, you have a broken nose, a broken cheekbone, a black eye, and some various bumps and bruises.”

  “So. Could have been worse, right?” I tried to smile.

  My joke fell flat.

  “Would you like to see Sarah? She’s been asking about you. She’s as worried as a mother hen could be,” he smiled slightly.

  “Um. Could I maybe have a bath first? I feel gross.”

  He nodded and left to draw the bath water. I took the opportunity to lift the sheets and give my body a once over. He was right, various bumps and bruises. And I already knew my face was a wreck. Just because I couldn’t see it, didn’t mean I couldn’t feel it.

  Jensen came back in to scoop me up and deposit me in the tub. I reclined for a moment just to soak in the healing heat of the water.

  “Wait!” I said as Jensen turned to leave the room. “Could you wash my back for me? I’m afraid it hurts too much to reach,” I pleaded shyly.

  He didn’t say anything, he simply knelt beside the tub and with a generous helping of his herbal scented soap, began to lather me up. It was the gentlest he’d ever been with me, and it nearly caused the tears to make another appearance. There was something profound I was beginning to realize about experiencing such kindness and gentleness from someone right after a traumatic event at the hands of someone else. Despite the way we began, I suddenly felt very safe with Jensen.

  Once I started to feel clean, and the water began to cool, Jensen scooped me up out of the tub. Setting me on my feet, he wrapped one of his oversized, thick, fluffy bath towels around me, scooped me up again, and deposited me in the center of the bed. Thankfully, while I was in the bath, someone had snuck in to strip and remake the bed with fresh sheets. Jensen dropped his pants and climbed in next to me. We spooned as I slept again.

  I stirred sometime in the mid afternoon. I snuggled into Jensen’s weight at my back, but froze as I felt his erection prodding my backside.

  “Sorry, pixie. I can’t help myself around you,” he mumbled, just waking up himself.

  I swallowed roughly before replying, “Do you think I could get something to eat now?”

  He pulled me in as close as he could and whispered in my ear, “I’ll go see what Sarah has in the kitchen,” before stretching and climbing out from between the sheets.

  He came back a short while later with Sarah in tow.

  “Sarah would not be denied any longer,” he said, sounding amused. “She insisted on seeing you for herself.”

  I looked to Sarah as she entered the room with a tray overflowing with food.

  “Sarah, don’t you think you went a little overboard there?” I teased her.

  She started muttering in a language that definitely was not English when her gaze landed on my face. I’m fairly certain it was mostly Spanish swear words. She started fussing over me, making sure I had enough pillows and that I was warm enough.

  “Sarah, please. I’m fine,” I tried to comfort her.

  “Ha! You are not fine! Look at you! You were hurt!” she exclaimed, and I could see the tears in her eyes.

  She was worried for me, and her tears triggered my own.

  “No, no, no. No tears, chica,” she insisted as she swiped at her cheeks.

  Once she was satisfied with the state of affairs, she left Jensen and me to eat. The tray she had brought was heaped with soup, simple sandwiches, yog
urt with fruit on the side, and orange juice. We ate in silence, and when neither of us could eat another bite, Jensen set the tray out in the hall to be picked up.

  “How did you know where to find me?” I asked, my curiosity taking over.

  “I came to just as they were loading you into the back of their SUV. I couldn’t come after you myself with the car being totaled, so I called Raoul and told him to send whichever guard was closest to the gates and have them tail the vehicle. It happened to be Jason.”

  I’m thankful it was someone like Jason. Someone that I felt safe with and someone who was obviously still loyal to Jensen.

  “Raoul came to pick me up, and Jason led us to you,” he finished.

  I nodded because what could I say? I got up out of bed and made my way to the door just in time for Jensen to pluck me from my feet and place me back in the bed.

  “No,” he stated simply.

  I narrowed my eyes. “I’m going to my room,” I said as I rolled toward the edge of the bed.

  “No, you’re not. You’re staying here, in this room. With me,” he insisted.

  Knowing there was no way I was going to get past him in my current state, I relented. Pick your battles, and all that. “Fine. Then you go across the hall and find me some clothes to wear,” I said as I crossed my arms over my chest.

  A devilish smile spread across his face. “Well now, my little pixie, why would I want to cover you up? Bind those delicious tits? Hide that sweet pussy? Hm? Tell me.”

  I cursed my fair complexion as I felt my face flush. Then I remembered what my face looked like. “You cannot possibly be thinking about fucking me when I look like this,” I insisted.

  “On the contrary, Charlotte, I think about fucking you constantly.”

  I knew by the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice and the confidence in his stance, it was going to happen. I was no longer in a position to deny him. He was going to fuck me, and I was going to beg for it.

  Chapter 13

  Jensen

  I knew she was ready for me. We’ve spent the majority of the past three days in bed, only getting up to answer the call of nature, shower, and eat. We spent time watching movies or talking. Charlotte told me about some of the jobs she and her brother, Chace, did, and I told her the bare minimum about my various businesses. Notably, what we didn’t talk about was what happened to her in that basement. Part of me wanted to push her to get it out. To acknowledge it and deal with it. The other part of me wanted to hold her close and reassure her that nothing and no one would ever touch a hair on her precious head ever again.

  Something shifted in our relationship since the accident and her kidnapping. She no longer hated me, and I could barely contain my elation at that. I wanted to do one of those ridiculous fist pumps like a frat boy. I finally felt like I was about to get the only thing I truly needed. She was under the impression that she could leave when I was done with her and our agreement. She had no idea that I had absolutely no intention of ever letting her go.

  Finding her the way I did, seeing the bruises on her perfect flesh, it was enough to awaken a fiery rage in my soul. I wanted to bring Keith back to life just so I could kill him again. Never has a women evoked feelings of such possessiveness and protectiveness within me. I was self-aware enough to acknowledge that this was no longer a simple physical connection. I wanted her heart and soul as well. I was pretty sure she already possessed mine.

  Leaving the bathroom, I walked to the side of the bed and stop. She turned to look at me with a confused expression.

  “Are you coming to bed?” she asked softly.

  My hands to go the waistband of my pajama pants, and I slowly hook my thumbs inside, all the while watching her body language for any sign of panic. I see none. I slowly tug my pants and boxers down and let them drop to the floor. Stepping out of them, I begin to crawl across the bed, making my way straight to my pixie. When I got to her, I didn’t touch her. I simply slid in between the sheets next to her.

  “What are you doing?” she asked me, looking adorably confused.

  “Going to bed,” I replied, as though it was obvious.

  “You’re naked,” she pointed out. Breathlessly, I was pleased to notice.

  I shrugged nonchalantly. “Just trying to get comfortable.”

  “Bullshit, Jensen,” she accused me, gaze narrowed.

  “Go to sleep, pixie,” I said, as I reached out to shut the lights off.

  I wrapped myself around her, as I had been doing for the past few nights. As we spooned, I listened to her breathing. I could feel her heart racing under my hand, but still, I said nothing, and I made no moves to initiate anything sexual. It didn’t take long before she started to fidget. I smiled to myself. I knew exactly what I was doing to her. My cock was achingly, but perfectly, cradled by the crack of her ass.

  She managed to roll over in my arms, so she was facing me. The tips of our noses brushed, and her sweet breath fanned my face.

  “Having trouble sleeping, pixie?” I asked with feigned innocence.

  She shifted closer, and I groaned when my cock bumped her belly. Her arms hesitantly slid around my waist, and when I still didn’t take advantage, she gave a gentle tug.

  “Can’t get close enough, pixie?” I whispered to her.

  Her only response was to try to snuggle closer, and at that point I had to chuckle because if she were any closer, she’d practically be in my skin.

  “Jensen,” she huffed in frustration.

  “What’s the matter, pixie? Do you want something?” I goaded her.

  “Please don’t make me say it,” she whined.

  “You know what I want to hear, Charlotte,” I said sternly. She would know who’s in control.

  She let out a very unladylike grunt. “Please,” she said so softly, I almost didn’t catch it.

  “Please, what?” I stroked a hand up and down her back, from her shoulder blades to the curve of her ass. “Tell me what it is you want from me,” I coaxed.

  She swallowed roughly. “Please touch me.”

  “I am touching you, sweetheart.” I continued to stroke her back.

  She made another frustrated sound, and reached down to grasp my cock.

  I stilled her hand. “No, Charlotte. You have to say the words.”

  “The words?”

  I bent my neck so my lips could lightly graze over hers, and spoke directly over her mouth. “Tell me you want me to fuck you.”

  She squirmed. “I want you to fuck me,” she said quietly.

  “Good. Now tell me you want my huge cock in your tight pussy,” I continued.

  She whimpered again. “I want your huge cock in my tight pussy,” she whispered, but it didn’t matter, I was already on her before the last word was out.

  “I don’t want to hurt you, pixie, but I won’t treat you like glass, either,” I warned her as I slid my hands to her thighs and pulled them apart.

  Her pussy was dripping wet. I knew it. I lowered my mouth and licked her from her hole to her clit before pulling her clit into my mouth and sucking like I was ravenous. It didn’t take her long to come undone beneath me.

  “Again!” I demanded, as I went back to working her pussy with my mouth and bringing her to another orgasm.

  Before she could come down from her high, I spread her legs and wide as they would go, tilted her ass up, and slid home.

  “Fuck,” I hissed. “You feel so fucking good, pixie.”

  I stroked in and out, slowly at first, mindful of the fact that I hurt her last time. I felt her muscles contract around me, and it spurred me to pick up my pace. My strokes became hurried and my hips slammed into hers. The way my balls slapped against her ass felt like heaven.

  “Jensen!” she screamed as she came for me for a third time.

  The way she scratched her nails down my back triggered my own orgasm. At the last second, I pulled out and spent myself all over her belly, marking her.

  “Mine,” I grunted, as I collapsed next to he
r.

  Chapter 14

  Charlotte

  I woke up with Jensen’s mouth on one breast and his hand on the other. Last night, after we had sex the first time, he cleaned me up and spooned me as we fell asleep. Sometime in the middle of the night he woke me up with his cock poking me in the back, and we were suddenly all over each other again. I was sore in all the right ways in all the right places. It appeared, this morning, that he still wasn’t done with me.

  I threaded my fingers through his thick, dark hair and gave a little tug at the same time I pushed my breast further into his mouth.