Page 29 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

I’m not sure what to think right now and maybe I should be scared, fearful of what’s about to happen, but something in his eyes tells me I’m ok.

He nods. “Finish your story.”

“They took me in. The Reapers gave me a home, and it was the safest place I could be. Ryder made it known I was to be left untouched and to heal. The old ladies and whores took me under their wings and helped me put it behind me. They built me back stronger and showed me what love really means. They are nothing like Dragons, Sawyer. They don’t treat their women like they are treated here. Free will is written in their code and they allow a broken angel, as they call them, to live without fear, or a sense of owing them anything.”

I hate the look in Sawyer’s eyes when I mentioned Ryder and remember that’s why I’m here. They told me it was Slade asking about Ryder, but now I’m not so sure. At the mention of his name, Sawyer’s eyes flashed, and I saw revenge in them.

It unnerves me and I say sadly, “The Reapers are my family now, Sawyer. I would do anything to repay their trust in me but I let them down, which proves that I don’t deserve to bear their name.”

“You came here for a reason that I’m still not sure of. How have you let them down?” He seems angry and I say sadly, “Because Axel told me it was to find out why Slade was asking about Ryder. He told me he was worried that Slade thinks Ryder had something to do with your father’s death, but why would he? It doesn’t make sense. I came here to help and at the first opportunity, I chose to walk away.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Marina told me the only way to get information from a Dragon was though pillow talk. Axel arranged the auction, knowing that Slade wanted to step forward. He told me it was my duty and the reason I was here. To go with him and report back anything I heard, both to Ryder and him. I failed them both, which is why Axel is so angry with me.”

Sawyer stands and starts pacing the room, and I’m suddenly fearful I’ve said the wrong thing. Maybe I’ve folded under pressure and played right into their hands. Perhaps it was Sawyer all along, and now I’ve told him everything.

As he turns to face me, my blood runs cold because there’s a madness in his eyes I recognize first hand. I see it in the Reaper’s eyes when they head out on a mission. They have heard something so bad they have blood lust driving their revenge. I see that look in Sawyer’s eyes now and fear for my life because the full force of that anger appears to be directed solely at me.

Chapter 24

Sawyer

Iknew I wasn’t going to like what I heard, but I went there anyway. Now, as the full horror of Millie’s story hits me, I wish I was anywhere but here right now. I want to take off, ride off into the hills and never return because I can’t deal with what she’s told me. But I can’t leave her now. She needs me and god help me, I need her too. Nothing has changed about how I feel for this woman; this strong, brave, beautiful woman, who has done nothing wrong but be a victim of heartless men who have used her over and over again.

Struggling to remain calm, I see the hurt and pain in her eyes. She thinks I’m disgusted at her. She thinks I’m angry—at her. I’m not. The pain I feel in my heart is directed at my family. The anger, the hurt, the betrayal, is a powerful force right now and if anything, it’s them I feel ashamed of. I know Millie is innocent and hasn’t a clue why she’s even here. She’s just determined to help her family and feels a failure. She won’t fail. I won’t fail and together, we will bring an end to this.

Struggling to maintain control, I drop to my knees before her and take her hands in mine. Staring deep into her eyes, I say gruffly, “I meant what I said. I claim you, Millie. Your problem is my problem and I’m not going away and together we will make it right. You’re not on your own anymore and neither am I. If that’s what you want, of course.”

From somewhere a smile makes its way out of the darkness and I love the light that shines in her eyes as her breath hitches and I see how much my words mean to her.

“You still want me?”

Her voice shakes as if she can’t believe it and I nod. “If you’ll have me.”

She nods shyly, and an understanding passes between us. No declaration of love and no promises outside of the most important one. We belong together and will work out the details later.

Somehow, we move at the same time and our lips connect. Softly, with a hesitation that makes it feel like a dream. As I feel those lips tremble against mine, it’s like the most powerful drug.

She gasps and moans against my lips as I deepen the kiss and fist her hair, pulling her closer, so close, it feels as if I want to swallow her whole just to keep her with me forever.

Reaching down, I lift her top and dispose of it quickly before she does the same to me. Kneeling before her, I push her back on the bed and slowly remove her jeans until she trembles before me in nothing but a silk pair of panties. I remove my own jeans and pull her toward me and dip my head to taste the honey I see staining her panties and as I rip them down, she gasps as I taste the woman I am so desperate to make mine. Millie tastes like home and I’m in no hurry to rush things. She runs her fingers through my hair as she writhes under my tongue and I love hearing her soft, sweet moans of arousal.

Crawling up her body, I lick and kiss every part of her and as she moans my name, I love the way she opens up to me like a flower. By the time I reach those magnificent breasts, I’m not sure how much longer I can last. Just thinking of how sweet it will feel sliding inside her slick walls, makes me pant with a need that’s been building ever since I first saw her.

Now she’s here under my hand, open to me, and as I reach for a condom from my jacket nearby, I know I have to be inside her in a matter of seconds. It’s all I can think of and as she groans, “Sawyer, I need you closer,” I make quick work of the protection and as I slide inside pure fucking heaven, I roar her name as her slick walls grip me hard and guide me home. Feeling my shaft drag against her walls, clenching, pumping and claiming me as hers, I swear I see stars as I experience the feeling of so much lust mixed with love that makes this an experience like none I’ve ever had before. I try so hard to make this last because it’s the sweetest pleasure, but just hearing her moan my name, feeling her orgasm build, is enough to send me delirious. She wraps her legs around my waist and pulls me in deeper, and I work her body with a possessiveness I can’t control. I want to mark her inside with me, my DNA, my cock and my soul. I want to ruin her for any other man and push aside any memories she has of anyone who’s been there before. From now on she’s all mine and I grip her face hard and remind her of that by growling, “You’re mine. Only mine.”

I am so crazy with jealously that others have been here before and I want to wipe them from her memory by filling it with love. My love. My burning love for this strong broken woman and I will make it my life’s work making her happy.

She screams my name as her orgasm hits and I can’t control the roar of the beast inside me as I claim my woman. I don’t care if the whole fucking world hears because she has unleashed the beast inside me and it’s about time they felt my bite.

Chapter 25

Millie

What just happened? I was so desperate one minute and in ecstasy the next. Men don’t want me—Millie, the woman. They want what I can give them. But Sawyer… he saw past my body and crawled into my mind. How did he do that? Cut my heart open and let my secrets bleed out before him. How did he take charge in an instant and break down my defenses so easily? I like to think I’m a strong independent woman, now, anyway. But him—he pushed everything I’ve worked so hard to create aside in a sweeping movement that took me right back to square one. I was stripped naked before him, both mentally and physically, and he has taken my heart and soul and made it his. Now I’m not alone, but at what cost? Have I just betrayed my family for one moment with him?

I lie with my face pressed to his chest as he strokes my hair and trace the tattoos on his chest. Intricate ink that gives nothing away but tells of a battle worn soldier. They all have them, small reminders of fallen brothers, or events that need marking somehow, and I wonder what Sawyer’s story is; there’s got to be one.

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