Page 57 of Wicked Lies

The tough part he could handle, but the vulnerability scared the shit out of him. Nick’s life was being blown to hell, everything boiling up and spilling over in what he feared would be a messy ending. But here she was, in his arms, giving it up to him, accepting him and his past.

“I guess Frank’s been holding this over you all this time?”

“And lately, he’s been bringing it up more often. It’s his way of keeping me in line, reminding me of favors owed.” Nick pushed off the bed. “But I’ve paid my debt ten times over. Taking over the Oasis and not only turning a profit, but making it one of the highest earning strip clubs in Brooklyn. Then there were all the other less legal jobs that could’ve gotten me killed or thrown in the joint. Frank messed with Samson’s head so bad, he gave up the only good woman in his life to keep her safe.”

Nick paced the carpet as his mind spun with more ways Frank fucked with him, then stopped abruptly when he saw the expression on Cheryl’s face.

“Sorry, I just get—”

“You don’t ever have to apologize to me. I get what it’s like having to do things you don’t want to just to survive.”

“How’d I get so lucky.” He eased next to her on the bed and nuzzled the curve below her jaw.

* * *

Nick’s revelation rocked her,and the pain in his voice made Cheryl tighten her grip around his waist and hold on tight. Being strong for so long had taken its toll on him, and she wanted to be the person who relieved his pain.

“I don’t know what you did to me,” he mumbled against the sensitive flesh of her breast. “But this thing simmering between us is real.”

“I know but . . .” She peeked up at him and prayed he would understand. “I have a hard time trusting.”

“I get it, but from now on, no more secrets. Even if it’s bad, real bad, I wanna know.”

She nudged him back against the bed as her hands tugged down his pants. The strong roped muscles of his thighs clenched when his dick twitched under her soft caress.

“How about I take care of you for a change?”

A groan rumbled from the back of Nick’s throat. “You’re killing me, baby.”

“No, I’m going to make it all better.”

She brushed her lips against his abs, inching closer to the prize. She kept her movements careful and deliberate, licking her way down and around Nick’s thick shaft. She played there a few minutes before taking him whole, sucking him hard and deep. She pumped him with her mouth, and when she cupped his balls, he drew a sharp breath. Cheryl pulled off slightly and made a show of her tongue taking him from bottom to tip.

His eyes hazy slits, his face a sexy mix of desire and absolute submission. With him sprawled out beneath her, she braced her hands against his rock-hard thighs and sucked him in a little deeper each time. He swelled in her mouth, and his breathing quickened to raspy gasps.

He gently pushed at her shoulder. “I’m gonna blow, baby.”

The warning encouraged her. Cheryl craved all of him. And when he quenched her thirst, she drank him in, happy to give him pleasure after all he’d done for her.

He caught her under the arms and hauled her over his taut abs. She placed gentle butterfly kisses over his swollen jaw, then nestled into his shoulder and drank in the scent of their sex.

“How would you like to go down to Miami with me?” Nick said against her neck.

“Miami?”

“We have another club in South Beach, and there’re some people I need to see down there. People who can help me and Samson break away from Frank.”

When she didn’t answer, he added, “Lying on the beach all day.” His mouth moved lower, past her collarbone. “You and me in my beachfront condo?”

“Sounds nice but—”

“Ever been to South Beach?” Nick pulled at the hem of her tank top.

“No.”

“It’s beautiful.” He snuck his hand over her abs, then cupped her breast. “You’re gonna love it.”

18

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