Page 51 of Steal a King (Five Kings 2)

Ella

He’s out of control. I should be scared, but how can I be? Lucas Emiliano is a man who feels nothing but feels too much. He can’t cope with losing control and is doing the only thing he can. He’s a dominant, a man who likes to conquer, manipulate and call the shots. I saw the panic in his eyes when I asked to leave. He doesn’t want to keep me, but he can’t bear the thought of me walking away. That sparked a tiny flame of hope inside me. We could make this work; I know we can but not on his terms. It has to be on mine, and the only way to save Lucas is to leave him.

The fact he’s just fucked me raw excited me way more than it should. He came so hard inside me and I don’t give a fuck. It felt good feeling his seed coating me inside. Running down my legs and marking me with his scent. I now own a part of him he has never given another because he is the condom King, I know that at least, but not now, not with me and it’s just lucky I’m on birth control because that’s a complication I am unwilling to face.

He collapses on top of me and holds on tight, and I feel his heart beating against mine as he faces the consequences of what just happened. Stroking his back lightly, I kiss his shoulder and he whispers, “I’m sorry, Ella.”

“For what?”

“For acting like a fucking caveman.”

I giggle and whisper, “I kind of love a caveman.”

Pulling back, he smirks into my eyes and I love seeing his wicked look.

He’s back.

The scared, lost look has gone and the cocky bastard has returned.

“Sorry about the mess.”

He grins as we feel the sticky results of what just happened cementing us together and I shake my head. “I kind of like that too.”

His eyes shine as he kisses my lips lightly and then whispers, “About your business.”

“What about it?”

My heart beats wildly as I wait for his words and he smiles. “I’m being an asshole. Of course, you need to tend to it. We’ll move it here instead.”

“No.” I stare at him with a hard look and he looks surprised.

“I have a shop. I need people to be able to come in off the street. How will I get customers if they have to wander through layers of security just to make an enquiry? You’re not thinking this through.”

He looks angry and rolls off me and I say gently, “I’ll be fine. Trust me.”

“I do, Ella, but unless you’ve forgotten, you’re not safe. This hasn’t just ended you know, the threat is still there.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Sighing, he leans on his side and looks me in the eye.

“Compromise. You go back and sort out your shit. Complete any orders you have and make arrangements to deliver. Then close up for as long as this takes and I will make up the revenue lost. If you go, you take security with you. My men will make sure it’s safe and watch over you. Non-negotiable, it’s that or nothing.”

For some reason this feels like a victory and I nod. “We have a deal.”

He seems to breathe a little easier and looks as if he’s just weathered a storm.

“Good, I’ll make the arrangements and have a car available to you. You can work while I work and then you’re mine in the evenings.”

I smile, but I feel a sadness inside that just won’t go away. This may be a temporary fix, but there’s still the realization this is a ship that’s waiting to sail. All we’re doing is postponing the inevitable and yet that suits me because I can’t bear the thought of leaving him even for a minute and if this is gradual removing of the sticking plaster, then I’ll take it because I’m in no hurry to leave him, anyway.

* * *

Two hourslater and I’m on my way. It feels strange leaving the casino. Wearing my usual clothes and walking outside into the daylight. Lucas insisted I hand over my keys to his guards, who left almost immediately to check it was safe. Now I am being accompanied by Charlie to work, in a bullet-proof car. It feels so strange, nothing like an ordinary girl like me would ever normally experience, and yet I’ll take it if it means I get back to work.

As soon as we pull up outside Copycat, I feel the tears burn. It feels as if I’ve been away for months, years, even instead of a few weeks. It looks smaller somehow, a little shabby even, and yet it’s home and my heart bursts as I regain a little control of my life.

I wait for Charlie to check it’s clear and resist the urge to roll my eyes. I know Lucas is being overprotective, and I kind of understand why. How can I judge him when I don’t walk in his shoes? It must be hard for him and makes me understand a little of his life and why he is so protective of it.

---