to stroke. Where to bite. The places she loved his fingers. And the parts that went wild for his tongue.
Gradually, he felt the tension leave her body. Just as gradually, her arousal grew and her breathy sighs became moans of pleasure. He dropped his head and suckled a nipple, remembering her taste.
She clutched his hair in her hands. “Harder. Fuck, Jeff. So hard.”
He obliged, giving her exactly what she asked for. When she writhed against him, he slipped a hand between them and teased her wet entrance. “I’m going to take you now, Angel. I’m going to sink inside you so deep, I may never leave.”
She didn’t say anything, but he saw the need in her eyes, the longing and the desire. Even more, he saw want and acceptance. He nudged her knees farther apart and settled himself between them.
Her eyes remained on his as he gently pushed inside her. It took most of his self-control not to thrust in completely, all at once, but to take his time and to ensure they each felt every movement of his penetration.
“Oh my God, yes,” she said as he went deeper and deeper.
“Never again,” he whispered as he moved within her. “You’ll never be without me again.”
He kept his thrusts slow and purposeful, watching as her pleasure grew while keeping his own need in check. Even when he finally started moving faster, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She raked her nails down his back, and he groaned in his own pleasure.
It had been too long since he’d had her, and neither one of them was going to be able to delay their release. As he drove them both toward their climax, he knew no other woman would ever satisfy him. Just her.
His Angel.
He thrust harder and faster, dropping a hand between them to tease her in a way he knew would have her coming within seconds. She closed her eyes, and with the next pass of his hips, she gasped and stiffened as her climax rippled through her.
Jeff wasn’t far behind, his own release following on the heels of hers. He was panting when it was over, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever come so hard.
Afterward, she was soft and pliable in his arms. She nuzzled his chest with her head, and he wrapped his arms around her, more content than he’d been in years. He kissed her forehead and was interrupted by the phone.
“Damn it,” he mumbled, and whipped the handset off his nightstand. “What?” he nearly shouted.
“Mr. Jeff Parks, please.”
“You’ve got him. Make it fast.”
“Mr. Parks, this is Amy, the nurse caring for your father. I know you’re planning to come here, but I want you to know you should probably come as quickly as possible. He doesn’t have much longer.”
Chapter Eleven
Present day
The afternoon of the following day, everyone met at Daniel’s house for lunch. Nathaniel and Abby had planned to stay a few more days, but when they learned about Jeff’s father, they decided to head back to New York earlier. Jeff was surprised to see Sasha there, but Daniel caught his quizzical look and took him aside to explain after everyone had finished eating and they stood around chatting.
“Julie was shopping with Sasha this afternoon when I called her. I assumed she wanted to say good-bye to Dena, but Julie told me she thought Sasha was kicking around the idea of rejoining the group.”
“The way she ran out of the last meeting she attended, we need to think that one through.”
“Agreed,” Daniel said. “But I thought it’d be a good idea for her to be here for something not group related.”
It had been a casual lunch, just make-your-own sandwiches. They ate sitting in the kitchen, and Jeff thought Daniel’s idea to slowly integrate Sasha back into the group was a good one. But at the moment he wasn’t able to think about Sasha. He looked to his right to where Nathaniel was talking to Abby and met the Dominant’s eyes.
“When will you be leaving for New York?” he asked.
“I thought we’d head out later this evening,” Nathaniel said. “What time’s your flight?”
“Later this evening.”
“You know, by moving Dena to New York, you’re really going to mess with her stalker. I think we’ll either see an increase in activity or nothing at all while he plans what to do next.”
“If he makes any sort of move, I want you to call me. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is.”
Nathaniel nodded. “Will do. Any luck finding out who it is?”
“No, but I have a pretty good idea of who it isn’t.”
“That’s a start.”
“I had hoped to know a lot more by this time.”
“Going to dig into people who have it out for the senator?” Daniel asked.
“Yes,” Jeff confirmed. “And it’s a damn long list.”
“Come on, now. He’s not all that bad,” Dena said with a roll of her eyes, and Jeff again felt a momentary sense of guilt for not telling her about the details of his meeting with her father all those years ago.
“He’s not all that good, either,” he said.
She opened her mouth to protest, but just then someone new came into the room. “I parked at the guesthouse since your driveway’s already overflowing with cars.”
Everyone’s head spun to the doorway at the sound of the smooth British accent. Daniel’s close friend Cole Johnson stood with a backpack slung over one shoulder. He was smiling, but the smile quickly faded as he glanced around the room.
“Have I interrupted something? I apologize,” he said.
Daniel stood and walked over to Cole. “I didn’t expect you until next week.” He punched his arm. “Don’t you ever call?”
“I rang twice on the way here, but you didn’t pick up. I rang the doorbell, but no one answered. It was unlocked, so here I am.” He shrugged. “You always tell me to make myself at home.”
Cole was an award-winning journalist and had been on assignment in India for the past several months.
“You’re always welcome,” Daniel assured him. “Let me take your bag. I think you know everyone.”
Cole passed him the bag and walked over to Julie. “Julie.” He took her hands and kissed her cheek. “So good to see you again. You’ve made Daniel very happy.”
Julie stood up straighter and squared her shoulders. “Thank you, Sir. The feeling’s mutual.”
“Cole is fine when we’re not with the group.” He winked at her. “I’m only an arse in the playroom.”
Daniel snorted. “That’s debatable.”
Cole ignored him and moved to Sasha. He didn’t touch her, but simply stood before her with a kind smile. “Hi there, Sasha. Good to see you again. How are you?”
Jeff was glad Cole remembered Sasha’s trauma and brought up the incident indirectly. But then again, it had been Cole who’d held her after she’d nearly fallen.
At Cole’s greeting, Sasha stood. “I’m afraid I don’t remember much of our first meeting, but I’m doing well.” She held out her hand. “Sasha Blake. I understand I owe you thanks for your help a few months ago.”
Cole shook her hand. “Cole Johnson. And no thanks required. I’m glad I could assist.”
“The guesthouse is ready,” Daniel said. “I had it prepared for you after the last play party.”
“Excellent,” Cole said. “So tell me what I walked in on today.”
Daniel explained what had happened to Dena and where she was going.
“If you don’t want to go to New York,” he said when Daniel finished, “you’re more than welcome to stay at the guesthouse with me. Or I could find something else and you could stay by yourself.”
A jealousy like he’d never experienced rushed through Jeff, catching him off guard. “Frankly, I think it’s better that she go out of town. That way we throw him off her trail, at least for a while.”
“I’d like to do something to help,” Cole said. “You have dogs, right? I can take care of them.”
“I have a cat, too,” Dena said.
“I could bring them here to the guestho
use. I miss having a pet.” Something almost wistful-looking flashed in Cole’s eyes for a second, or at least it appeared that way to Jeff, and he quickly agreed for Cole to keep his dogs and Dena’s cat.
Nathaniel looked at his watch. “We need to be hitting the road soon.”
Dena nodded and made her way to Jeff. “Can I speak to you alone for a few minutes?”
Her expression showed resignation, and though he wondered what was on her mind, he had a strong feeling he didn’t want to know.
“Last night was wonderful,” Dena started, and something in his heart broke because he knew there was a “but” to follow. “But I don’t want what happened between us last night to distract from time with your father. Let’s put our relationship to the side, and we’ll deal with it when you get back.”
By the time she finished speaking, he wasn’t heartbroken anymore. He was angry. “Don’t you think we’ve put our relationship to the side long enough?”
“We can pick up where we left off when you get back.”
“Fuck that. I’m tired of putting us last.”
“Jeff, don’t—”
“Don’t what? Act like we’re important? I’ll tell you what. Forget Nathaniel and Abby. Come with me. Come to Colorado with me. Let’s face the coming days as a couple.” He wanted her to acknowledge that the night before meant something. That their relationship was still a priority to her.
“I can’t. There’s too much work and a court case and—”
He held his hand up. She didn’t even appear to have thought about going with him. That told him everything he needed to know. “I know. You’re busy. The thing is, Dena, you complained about me not wanting you, but let’s not forget who moved out. I think you like playing the part of the wounded party. The truth is, you’re the one who didn’t want me anymore.”
He’d hurt her with his words. There was pain in her eyes. “I can’t believe you think that.”
He shrugged.
“Don’t end it like this,” she begged.
“I’m not the one ending it.”
“Jeff,” she called, but he was already walking away.
“Good-bye, Dena,” he said without looking back.
Chapter Twelve
Present day
A week and a half into her stay with Nathaniel and Abby, Dena was ready to move back into her apartment. Nothing against the Wests as hosts—they were welcoming and accommodating—but she missed her own space. Besides, there had been no harassment or threats of any kind since she moved in. Her reasonable mind told her it was probably because whoever it was didn’t know how to find her, but she counted it as a positive anyway.
Childish giggles drifted down the hallway. Nathaniel must have just gotten home. She was fortunate her current caseload allowed her to work remotely, but part of her wished she could miss the daily homecoming chatter.
The giggles escalated into peals of laughter, and Nathaniel’s low voice added to the sounds of the family’s happy reunion. It wasn’t just that she missed her own space, Dena knew, but also that little Elizabeth and Henry were a constant reminder of what she’d lost. And the worst was when she’d spend the evenings with Nathaniel and Abby. Especially those nights when Abby would settle on the floor by Nathaniel and he’d look at his wife with such intensity and passion that it caused Dena’s heart to ache.
Her phone rang. Without looking at who it was, she snatched it off the nearby table. “Hello.”
“Think you can hide, bitch? I’ll always find you.”
Dena froze. Her entire body turned ice-cold, and she couldn’t remember if it was better to talk to him or to stay quiet. Whoever it was used a voice distorter and the gravelly sound was frightening. But at the same time, there was something to it … the cadence or the words …
The person on the other end laughed, and the sound sent shivers down her spine. Not caring if she should keep him on the line or not, she ended the call and sat for long seconds until her body stopped shaking.
When she felt steady enough to stand, she made her way down the stairs to where she knew the West family would be gathered in the kitchen, catching up on the day.
Abby’s back was to her, but Nathaniel saw her. She must have looked terrified, because he set Henry on his feet and rushed to her. “Dena? What’s wrong?” He took her gently by the elbow and guided her to a chair.
“He called again,” she said once she had sat down.
“Elizabeth,” Abby said. “You and Henry go play in the living room for a bit, okay? I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Nathaniel waited until the kids left before turning to her. “He called? Just now?”
Dena nodded and told him the details. “The strange thing is, I think I recognize the voice.” She squinted, trying to remember. “He used a distorter, but I recognized something about him.”
Nathaniel leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “That means it’s probably not connected to your father. Unless it’s someone you both know. That’s not much of a clue, but it’s the first one we’ve had.”
She needed to call Jeff. Her stomach sank just thinking his name. She hadn’t spoken to him since he left, and she knew he’d be upset to learn the calls hadn’t stopped. And she felt guilty for not calling to see how he was doing and if his father had gotten worse.
“Someone should call Jeff.” Abby put a glass of water in front of her on the table. “And the police.”
Dena agreed. There were children involved this time. She wouldn’t put them in danger.
“Anything else you remember about the call?” Nathaniel asked.
“No, but the phone number was listed as private.” She’d looked when she’d disconnected.
Nathaniel had his phone out, making notes. “I’m going to call the police, get them involved. And then I’ll call Jeff.” He looked up at her. “Do you want to talk to him?”
Dena shook her head, doing her best to not to acknowledge the disappointment in Nathaniel’s eyes. When he left the kitchen, she dropped her head to the table.
Abby patted her shoulder. “They’ll find him.”
“I know. I just wonder what my frame of mind will be like by the time they do.”
“Let me pour you a glass of wine. That’ll help it a little.”
“Thanks.” Dena rolled her shoulders. “What I really need is about two hours with a Dom who knows what he’s doing.” As soon as the sentence left her mouth, she remembered. “Fuck.”
Abby set the wineglass down in front of her. “What?”
“I have a damn training session with Daniel and Ron tomorrow. I swear when Ron’s finished with his training, I’m not doing any more mentor sessions for a while.”
“Do you play with anyone other than Ron?”
“Not lately. Jeff and I did, before he left….”
Abby nodded.
“I shouldn’t have let him leave like he did. I thought I was being helpful, but I hurt him.” It had been an amazing night. Even now, almost two weeks later, she still recalled every detail: his moan of pleasure when her nails raked down his back, the fullness of him inside her, the sharpness of his teeth as he nibbled her skin.
Then she compared that to the look of despair—no, it had been more than that. She remembered the look of betrayal on his face when she’d told him to go to Colorado without her.
Abby placed her hand on top of Dena’s. “You’ll work through it.”
“I wouldn’t count on it. Jeff and I don’t have a stellar record in the work-through-it department.”
“You’re both older now, with a lot more life behind you. And