Hearing those words from him and knowing that he means it fills my chest with happiness. "So do we hug now?"
"Jesus Christ," he grumbles. "Seems like her sass is wearing the fuck off." He uncrosses his arms and tags the back of my neck, and shockingly, Maddox Locke gives me a hug. "Welcome to the family," he rumbles and lets go.
"Thank you," I tell him after pulling back. "Thank you for letting her go and trusting that I'm going to make sure you never regret that."
His throat moves, but he doesn't speak. With a look demanding I follow and a small smile on his face, he starts walking.
When we walk around the side of the house, I see Ember standing with our mothers and wringing her hands in front of her. The second she sees the looks on our faces, though, she drops her hands to her side and starts running. Maddox stops and I move to the side so she can go to him.
But to my utter shock, and everyone else watching, she passes him with a huge smile and leaps into my arms. I curl my arms around her back as her legs wrap tight around me and contentment like I've never known settles over me.
"I love you," she repeats over and over, not giving me a chance to say a word.
I look at her dad, expecting to see his fury, but instead, I once again find myself on the receiving end of his smile.
"I'M SO EXCITED TO GO to Dirty with you!" I exclaim, pulling one of my black heels on and jumping off the bench in front of Nate's bed.
He takes a long sweep of my body, spending a little time on my dress, before looking back up at me, the hunger in his eyes shining brightly.
"You can't wear that."
I look down and try to see what about my simple black lace dress is so offensive, but I come up blank, so I look back up at him.
"You really can't wear that."
"Why?"
"Because if you wear that, the only thing that is going to get done tonight will be you, and as much as it pains me to say this, I really have to get some work done."
I toss my head back and laugh loudly. When I look back at him, he's licking his lips and staring at my legs. "You're crazy."
"Baby," he groans, adjusting himself. "You can wear that any other night, but please not tonight. If I can get all my shit done, that means I don't work all weekend and I have plans to lock you in this room and not leave for forty-eight long, sweaty hours."
"Oh."
"Yeah," he gulps. "Please change?"
"All right, honey." I walk over and stand on my toes to give him a kiss before walking to the closet and looking through what clothes I have here. I settle on a pair of leather leggings and a black halter-style top. Surely, he can't complain about every inch of skin except for the top of my back being covered.
Hobbling on one foot, I pull on the other black heel I had discarded to change and step back into the bedroom. He groans again, and I snap my head up to see what his problem is now.
"Now you look like a sexy dominatrix."
"You going to let me tie you up later?" I joke.
"Not a fucking chance, but if you want some rope play, I'll make sure you get it. Come on, we need to leave."
"Take Bam out, please!" I call after him. "I just need to finish my hair."
He calls out to Bam, and I walk into the bathroom, pulling my hair into a high ponytail as I go. I add a little dark shadow to my eyes to give them more of a smoky look to what had been subtle before when I was wearing the dress. These leather pants have always made me feel like a different person. One who wears her self-assurance. Before now, I had worn that confidence and faked the hell out of it, but now, I don't need to fake a thing. And I have Nate to thank for that. The way he looks at me added with the way he worships my body--all of that has turned me into a whole new person.
I love it.
He is unsure, on a good day, if he's going to let me leave the house because of it. Something about not sharing what's his.
Again, I love it.
Ever since what our families refer to as our 'coming out dinner' a month ago, we've grown even closer. We've even had both of our families over for dinner a few times. Once again, I was nervous about that, but each time, we all ended the evening with loud laughter filling the house.
The only thing that we've disagreed on lately is if I'll be returning to my house in two weeks when it's done. Nate seems to think my moving in permanently is a done deal, but I'm not so sure. I figure we would address it when it became a reality; until then, there was no sense in fighting about it.
That being said, a big part of me doesn't want to leave, and I have a feeling when it comes down to it, I won't be able to. Not when I've come to think of his house as our home.
"Ember!"
Rolling my eyes, I give my red lips a pucker and smile at my reflection.
The crowd is thick and the music is loud.
Like every other time I've been to Dirty, things are` a flurry of activity. Each of the dance floors is crammed with bodies, no room between them, as they move with the music. With the view I have from Nate's office, I'm able to see just how crazy everyone gets each time there is a bar dance from the bartenders. It's like watching ants move, but the second one of the guys jumps on the glossy wood, they all move as one to try and get a front-row spot.
Dirty Dog is a beast.
"Things are crazy, honey," I call over my shoulder to Nate.
We got here a few hours ago, and he's been at his desk pretty much the whole time. I've been content watching the madness below because I know he's not only catching up on some paperwork but making sure all the orders and inventory is squared away for the next week to ensure we have more time together at home.
"Hmm?"
Turning, I look over at him as his brow pulls in. He looks at some of the papers beside his computer before punching a few more keys. He looks so hot right now. The glasses that he put on before starting to look over the paperwork have had me hot for him since he started.
I'm tired of waiting.
He doesn't notice as I kick off my shoes and kneel. His desk, a sleek black design with no back, puts his legs in view when I drop to my hands and crawl under. His scent is strong down here, and it just bumps my desire for him higher.
I crouch, keeping my back bent so I don't bump my head, and reach out to place both hands on the inside of his thighs.
He jolts. "What the hell?"
"Sit back and let me give you something to help you relax."
"Fuck me."
He shifts, coming down a little more, but just enough for me to be able to undo his belt and pants. I take his velvety smooth cock in my hands, licking my lips when the tip juts out toward my mouth.
I take him deep in my mouth and smile around his flesh when I hear something slam on the desk above me. Because of my position, I can't do more than fist the base of his cock and swallow a few inches of him, but I work him with my hand and mouth until he's cursing and tensing.
"Come up here and let me fuck your pussy."
I ignore the command, hitting my head on the top of his desk when I pick up my speed. My saliva runs down his shaft until my fist is slick. When I graze him softly with my teeth, he lets out a groan as his legs straighten and I feel him clench his ass.
If I were in a better position, I would push my hand down my pants, but I know he would be pissed if I took my 'sweetness' from him. Instead, I just shift a little and enjoy the way my pants rub against my swollen clit.
Humming my pleasure, I speed up and grip him tighter.
He starts making rough sounds above the desk, and I know he's close. Pulling back, I kiss the tip and blow against the skin. He hisses loudly, causing me to smile.
"Suck my cock, Ember."
Not one to disobey--much--I do as I'm told and take him back in my mouth.
It doesn't take long before my jaw relaxes as I sense him close to the edge before I take him as deep as I can and use my throat muscles to constrict against his cock.
He shouts out my name and then bathes the back of my throat with
his come. I pull back slightly when he keeps coming so I don't choke. I continue to slowly move my mouth up and down his shaft, waiting for the last twitch before licking the tip once more and pulling him from my mouth.
He doesn't move when I back up and crawl out from under his desk. When I stand, I look down at him and feel a rush of power from what I've done. He's slouched in his chair, his head resting against the back and his eyes closed.
I turn and walk to the bathroom in the corner to wash my hands and fix my hair and makeup before returning to his office, finding him standing and tucking his semi-hard cock back into his pants.
"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" he questions, color still high on his cheeks.
"No reason. You looked tense, and I couldn't have that."
He laughs, the sound like a low rumble of thunder, and walks toward me. "Next time you're in deep concentration on one of your paintings, I'm going to have a lot of fucking fun returning the favor, baby."
I sway in his arms and lick my lips, his eyes following the movement of my tongue.
"I just have to get payroll submitted and then we're out of here. I'm going to fuck you hard all night."
"Promises, promises."
He kisses my forehead, and after another moment of searching my eyes, he walks back to the desk.
"Do you mind if I head down to get a drink at the bar?"
He pauses, half down in his seat before nodding. "Let me text Shane and have him send someone up to escort you. I don't want you fighting through that crowd on your own."
I nod. "Thanks, love."
He presses a few buttons on his phone, and I wait for someone, who is security I'm assuming, to come up. It takes almost ten minutes, but finally a mountain of a man enters the office after a brief knock. His black shirt says SECURITY in bold white letters.
"Sir?"
Nate looks up and frowns slightly. "Are you new?"
"Yes, sir," he replies, his tone dark.
"Joe, right?"
The huge man gives a grunt in response.
"Right, well, Joe, this is my girl, and she wants to head down for a drink. Make sure she gets to the bar without any trouble. Shane knows you're coming and is waiting for her at the main bar."
Another noise from Joe.
"Love you, honey," I call to Nate and walk over to the scary-as-hell Joe.
"Love you too, Ember."
Joe doesn't speak. He gives me about two seconds of attention, his ice-blue eyes sweeping my whole body in about a second, before turning to open the door. I step out with one last wave to Nate and wait for Joe to close the door and lead the way. If I know Nate, he's now standing behind that wall of black windows, watching our every move.
The crowd might have looked crazy from his office, but being down here and trying to move around takes it to a whole new level. I keep my eyes trained on Joe as he seems to part the sea of people with no effort at all. It's as if they sense the danger coming toward them and want to get as far away as possible.
We make it to the bar with no issue, and after a nod to Shane, Joe walks away and over to the entrance to the holding room. His back goes to the wall as his massive arms cross over his chest. Whoever hired him did one hell of a job on making sure they had not only the muscle but the fear factor as well.
"Hey, Ember," Shane yells over the music.
"Hey!"
"What can I make you?"
With a smile, hoping Nate is still watching, I point up to the sign where my drink is still written above the bar. Shane laughs, shakes his head, and turns to get everything he needs.
Once the flames stop, I take the drink down quickly, and this time, ask Shane to just make me something fruity. He gets busy and I turn around to survey the crowd. I smile when I take in everything around me. I still think it's a beast, but this beast is just proof of how successful my man is and I couldn't be more proud of him.
The music changes and my eyes widen when the dance floor I just walked around seems to come alive and not in a good way. Bodies start colliding, and it isn't long before I hear someone screams something about a fight. I look around, seeing Joe start stalking into the fury, but I lose him the second he enters the tangling bodies.
I was just about to turn around and ask Shane to get me back up to Nate when I feel someone bump my side. I jump when something pokes me in the ribs and turn to look up at the man next to me.
What I see has my heart seizing in raw fear.
He bends, making it look like he's about to call over a bartender. The shift digs whatever is at my side deeper until I cry out slightly. Then he turns his head and looks at me sinisterly.
"Get up and walk to that back hallway. Don't even think of doing shit to make anyone get curious."
My blood runs cold, and I risk a glance toward Nate's black wall of windows, hoping that he still has his eyes on me, but I feel a palm shove between my bare shoulders and the movement pulls my eyes away when I almost fall to the ground.
With each step I take toward the hallway, my panic starts to take over until I feel like I'm going to pass out from the fear alone. I know nothing good can come of this, but when one bruising hard hand wraps around my bicep, I fear there is nothing I can do but follow.
I stumble down the hallway as he drags me with him. He moves me around like a ragdoll, my arm aching from his hold, until he slams open the back door and the cool night air hits my tear-streaked face.
Then with a rough shove, he pushes me until I tumble to my knees with a cry of pain.
"Levi, you don't want to do this," I weep, my words hitching as my sobs grow. I fall on my ass when he takes a step toward me and I start to crab crawl backward.
"Wrong move, bitch."
He reaches down and pulls me off the pavement with a rough hold of his hand at my throat. I claw at his arm when the air to my lungs cuts off instantly, but I'm no match for him. Before I know what's happening, he's holding me up off the ground with just his hand squeezing tightly around my throat. Tears fall and I kick my legs frantically as I fight to take a breath.
He grunts when my legs connect with his body and throws me back with all his strength. My back scrapes roughly against the pavement and my head hits the unforgiving surface with teeth-rattling force. My vision goes black for a second, but I struggle until I can see him again, fighting against the dizziness.
"All you had to do was listen, Emberlyn. I gave you plenty of chances to come running back. You just kept ignoring them. Cleaning up my presents instead of being scared and calling me for help! You called him, though. Spread your whore legs for him without a second glance at ME!"
Oh, my God. All those things that I thought were just weird accidents. It had been Levi the whole time.
"I should have killed that fucking mutt of yours the night you used a headache as an excuse to go home. I still have his teeth marks on my ass from when I brought you back. I couldn't even fuck you because he took that away from me."
"Levi," I moan in pain when I try to move from the pavement. Not wanting to have him this close now that I see he's holding a knife in his hand. "You don't want to do this. Let's talk?"
"You're fucking wrong. I'm going to fuck you right here under his nose, and by the time he finds you, he's not going to want you. You're going to be used up, and if you're lucky, you might be alive."
"Please," I beg, holding my hands up when he stands above me and bends over my body. I keep fighting with the blurred darkness that is trying to suck me under, blinking rapidly as my head swims.
"You were supposed to run into my arms after I made sure your old ass house had some wires cross. That was my chance to come to save you!" His spit hits my face and mixes with the tears running down my cheeks. "I had just enough time to start that fucking shit and rush over to the station so I could be in the right place at the right fucking time, but you still didn't listen, and I'm done waiting. If I can't have you, bitch, no one can!"
His hand comes up, the one with the knife, and I
sob louder knowing that this is how it's all going to end. I bring my hands and arms up to shield my face from the knife that is shining in the moonlight, and I pray.
"You motherfucker!" I hear roared. It takes me a second to realize that the blow I had been waiting for didn't come, and I try to blink back some of the darkness that had been edging in my vision.
But once I hear Nate, it's as if that was all my mind needed to give up, and with a rushed exhale of relief, I pass out.
I STAND IN THE DARK hospital room and keep my eyes on Ember. I haven't looked away since the doctor assured me that she was going to be okay. Other than the handprint to her throat and the few scrapes and redness on her back, she has no outward signs of what happened earlier.
But the blow to her head left her with one hell of a concussion.
She's been sleeping peacefully under my watchful eyes for the last three hours, and all I've been able to do is pass the time by planning.
When I saw him leading her away from the bar, I rushed after her. The fight had kept me from getting through the club floor quickly, and all I could do was pray as the dread consumed me and I worried I wouldn't make it in time.
I can still feel the jolts shooting up my legs as I ran as fast as I fucking could through the crowd and then down the hallway. When I finally got to her, seeing that motherfucker she used to date standing over her with a knife, I saw red. I was ready to kill him with my bare hands.
But when he took off running, I had to pick between him and my sweet girl and that had been an easy pick.
And now, I'm left with the need for vengeance that rivals the hunger of a starved man. Now that I know she's going to be okay, all I've been able to do is plan for that vengeance and thank God she wasn't taken from me.
"Son? Why don't you go get something to eat?"
I don't look at my mom.
"Nate, we won't leave her side."
I blink at my father's tone but keep my eyes on Ember's face.
"Leave him be."
That voice gets my attention, and I look up to see Ember's father standing on the other side of her bed. Emmy's in Maddox's arms as she cries silently, but what I see in his eyes lets me breathe for the first time since I picked her up and rushed her to the hospital. Some of the fear made tension easing off my chest when I realize he isn't trying to get me to leave or to calm down. He's accepting my need for blood, and if anything, giving me his silent support. I give him a nod but look back at Ember.