Lost in Bliss

Chapter Eight

Cam slid into the back of the SUV beside Laura, his hips brushing against hers.

Rafe turned the engine on, though Cam could see plainly through the windshield mirror that he wasn’t thrilled with driving.

Cam didn’t care. He wasn’t about to let her sit by herself. She’d invited them back to her place. Cam wasn’t exactly sure what that meant relationship-wise, but the look in her eyes had dared him to try.

He wouldn’t turn down that challenge.

Rafe turned the key in the ignition, and the SUV purred to life.

“You need to take a left on the highway to get back to the valley.” Laura sat forward, her body bending over.

“I know how to get to your place.” Rafe’s voice was flat. His whole body betrayed his lack of enthusiasm for the current seating situation. Cam had been faster. He’d tossed Rafe the keys and climbed in the back with Laura. It was only fair. Rafe had gotten to dance with her first. “I can be there very quickly.” Cam didn’t need a long time. He had her to himself for the time it took to get from point A to point B. He wasn’t going to waste a minute.

Cam scooted over, unwilling to give her space. He slid his arm over the backboard of the seat, his palm covering her shoulder. She stiffened slightly, and Cam was just about to take his arm back when she finally snuggled against him. She turned her head up, her bright eyes finding his in the intimacy of the car. It was dark, but he could see her. He couldn’t miss the way her eyes widened and softened as she looked up at him.

“Laura, I want to tell you—” he started.

He wanted to tell her everything that had happened since she’d left. He wanted to know everything that had happened to her. He wanted to know what it was like to live in this town. He wanted to know why she had really walked away. The five years they had been apart felt like centuries, and he needed to fill in the history.

She held a hand up to his lips, the pads of her fingers sparking against his flesh. She might have kept the touch gentle, but Cam’s reaction was like a fire lighting his skin. His cock was at full mast, straining against the material of his pants.

“Not tonight. I don’t want to talk about it tonight.” Her voice was breathy with longing.

His heart rate skittered. That sounded like an invitation. “If we’re not going to talk, baby, then what exactly are we going to do?”

“You said you missed me.” Her fingers skimmed across his face.

“So fucking much.” She’d left a huge hole that had only started to shrink the minute he saw her.

“Show me how much you missed me.”

Cam felt like he’d been let off the leash. He grabbed her and hauled her into his lap. “Straddle me, baby.” She threw one of her long legs over his hips so she straddled him like a horse she was just about to ride. Her skirt bunched around her knees. There was absolutely nothing between them but her panties and his slacks and underwear. He could feel how hot her pussy was.

“Damn it,” Rafe cursed, hitting the steering wheel with the palm of his hand. “I should have made you drive.” Cam didn’t bother to reply. Rafe had made his bed, and Cam had no intention of lying in it with him. Laura had given him permission, and he was taking it. He thrust his hands into her hair. It was soft and silky, and he used it to pull her mouth toward his. He felt like a starving man who had just been put at the front of the line at an all-you-can-eat buffet. He wasn’t sure where to start. He wanted to inhale her.

Everything about her called to him. Her scent, the touch of her skin, the sight of her breasts threatening to overflow her shirt. He was on sensory overload.

Laura took the choice out of his hands. She leaned over and pressed her lips to his. It was a soft touch and not nearly enough for Cam. She seemed hesitant, brushing their mouths together as though trying to remember how to kiss.

Cam hadn’t forgotten. He dreamed about it every night. He let his hands tighten in her hair and ran his tongue over her plump bottom lip. Laura shivered and softened, giving him control of the kiss. Cam surged into her mouth, her taste filling him. So long. He had waited so long.

Cam took her mouth, slanting over her again and again. Their tongues met and mated, sliding against each other. Laura’s arms wound around his neck. He loosened his hold on her hair and trailed down, seeking her breasts. He cupped them. They were bigger, rounder. The weight she’d put on had gone to all the right places. She was a sexy handful.

“Show me your breasts, baby.” He pulled away from her mouth, needing to see them. He wanted her naked.

She leaned back just a little, and he could see the worry in her eyes. He brushed his thumbs across her nipples. They tightened to hard little nubs.

“Come on,” he cajoled. “You’re gorgeous, baby. I think you’re so gorgeous. Five years has only made you more beautiful to me. Let me see them.” He knew why she was hiding them. He’d read all the reports. She would have scars, but she needed to know that no amount of scars would make her less lovely.

“Please, bella. I want you naked by the time we get to your place.

Enjoy her now, Cam. I’ll be inside her as soon as I park the car.” Rafe’s voice had taken on a guttural tone. Cam could see his eyes through the rearview mirror. He wasn’t sure what Rafe could see, but Rafe was obviously trying to be a voyeur.

Cam chuckled. “I think he wants a show, baby. Let’s give him one.”

She bit into her bottom lip, tugging it into her mouth. “It’s been a long time for me, Cam. I haven’t actually been with a man since…” Cam forced himself to slow down. He wasn’t terribly surprised she hadn’t had sex. Laura had been very, very picky. She hadn’t dated anyone the whole time he’d worked with her, though many men had tried. But that hesitation in her voice could be more about de Sade than them. That worried the hell out of him.

He softened his hands on her body, touching her in long, slow strokes. He needed to be careful. He didn’t want to bring back any bad memories. “Baby, we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. We can take it as slow as you want. Hell, if you’re not ready, I can just hold you.”

“Do you really mean that?” Her face was close to his. He could feel the warmth of her breath on his skin.

“Yes. I do. Rafe and I can just take you to bed and cuddle you.” It would be hard, but utterly worth it if it brought her a moment’s peace.

He’d spent years wondering if she was alone and scared. He’d wanted to hold her so much. He could put his own needs aside if she needed it.

Her hands went to the bottom of her shirt, and she began to tug it over her head, revealing creamy white skin and a lovely white lace bra. Her breasts threatened to overflow the cups, and then they bounced free as she undid the front clasp. The scars from the night she’d been tortured had faded to white lines that did nothing to distract from her beauty. Those scars were a testament to her strength.

He looked past the scars to her breasts and nipples. They were so gorgeous and round. Cam’s cock ached at the sight. He wanted to lube up her chest, hold those tits together and fuck his cock in and out of their pillowy softness. Then maybe she’d understand how much he loved her breasts.

“I don’t want to just cuddle, though I might want a little of that, too,” she said.

“Anything you want.” He wasn’t looking at her face. He couldn’t take his eyes off her breasts.

“Describe them to me,” Rafe ordered.

“Fucking amazing,” Cam said, looking at the bounty offered up to him. He brought his hands up and cupped her breasts. Her nipples were hard little points. “They’re so soft.”

“I have scars, Cam.” Laura whimpered a little. The sound made his cock strain. She was grinding a little, her hips moving, forcing her pussy against his cock.

“I don’t care, Laura.” He pinched her nipples, loving the little moan that came out of her mouth. “Her nipples are hard. You remember how much she loves having her nipples sucked?”

“Oh, yes. Her breasts are so sensitive.” Rafe’s voice was tight as he turned onto the highway.

“Please.” The word came out on a little cry as Cam thrust his pelvis up, hitting her pussy with his cock. “Oh, please, Cam.”

“You tell me what you want, baby. You know I want to give it to you.” He pushed her hips down, grinding her pussy against his rigid erection. He wanted to impale her on it, but she had waited for him.

He owed her way more than a quick roll.

“Kiss me.” She balanced herself by putting her hands on his shoulders.

“Where?” He ran his fingers over her straining nipples. “You want me to kiss you here? You want me to suck your little nipples into my mouth?”

“Yes, Cam. Please. Lick them. Suck them.” He pulled her close. “Anything you want, baby.” He licked a nipple, a long, slow stroke of his tongue.

“Oh, god, that feels so good,” Laura moaned. Her hands found his hair. She thrust her chest out, pressing her breasts to his mouth.

He licked around the areola before sucking the little bead into his mouth. He sucked her deep, enjoying the little sounds she made as her hands wove into his hair and tugged. He whirled his tongue around, biting down lightly. While he sucked and bit at first one nipple and then the other, his hand made its way under her skirt to the edge of her panties. He teased his way under the cotton to find her pussy drenched in moisture. He inhaled, the scent of her arousal filling his senses.

“Baby, your little pussy is soaking wet.” He breathed the words across her breasts. His hand slid between her legs, brushing her clit.

“Fuck,” Rafe cursed as he made another turn. “You’re a lucky bastard, you know that.”

“I can smell and feel how hot you are,” Cam said, fingering her folds. “This greedy little cunt is begging for a cock, isn’t it?”

“Cam.” She wiggled against his fingers.

“Yeah, baby, you need a big, hard cock to fuck.” He shoved a single finger in, her heat nearly scorching him. She was so ready, but he wanted to play a little.

“Give it to me,” Laura said, her eyes closed. She bounced a little, trying to fuck that single finger.

Cam pulled out and let his soaking wet finger trace back to her asshole. Fuck, that got him harder, and he hadn’t thought that was possible. The thought of burying himself in her pretty little anus made him ready to come then and there. He teased her, rimming her hole with his wet finger.

“Still a virgin here. I have to do something about that, baby.” He licked her nipple one last time as he pressed into her just a little. The tight ring of muscles didn’t budge. He was going to have to go slow, to prepare her. “I’m going to have this ass, Laura. I’ve waited years to fuck you here, and I won’t stop until I know what it feels like to have my cock so deep up this ass that you forget a time I wasn’t there.” He pulled his hand away. “But not tonight.” He scooted back slightly, putting a tiny bit of necessary distance between them. He tore at his pants, freeing his dick. Laura leaned back, giving him access to his cock. It sprung free, bouncing in between them.

“You suit up before you shove that cock in her.” Rafe opened the glove box and tossed a condom to him. They had bought a box at the airport, telling themselves to think positive. Up until this moment, Cam had thought they would go unused.

“Nice to know you guys came prepared,” Laura said, taking the condom out of his hand. She held it up for his inspection. “Here, let me help with this.”

She opened the condom, and Cam prayed he wouldn’t come in her hands. His cock was weeping with pre-cum. With shaky fingers, she placed the condom on his dick. It took her a moment of pure torture to roll and tug it down to the base of his cock.

The minute he was sheathed, Cam pulled her forward and impaled her on his cock.

A low moan came out of her throat.

“Fuck, you feel good, baby.” Cam gripped her hips, pushing his cock further into her wet heat. She was tight around him, so fucking tight he felt like he would explode. Her cunt sucked and gripped him until his vision started to go. The backseat was small. He couldn’t move her around the way he wanted, couldn’t shift her to her back without losing her, and he wasn’t about to lose her.

“Ride me.” He shifted his pelvis up and slid in all the way to his balls.

Laura’s head fell forward as she started to fuck him. She ground down on him and then pulled back, every muscle in her pussy sliding in a silky, gloved grip.

He wasn’t going to last. He was already too close. Being close to her was making him crazy. It was everything he’d needed for five years. She was here, and she was safe. He could touch her, feel her, love her, and he wanted to mark her. He wanted to make her scream so she would never again forget who she belonged to. He wanted to drive into her so she never walked away again.

He shoved his hand between them, his finger finding her clit and pressing against it. He rubbed a little circle, never letting up on the pressure. Laura’s hips lost their rhythm, and she cried out as Cam drove hard into her one last time. She shook as she came, and Cam felt his balls tighten, pleasure suffusing his every nerve as he gave up his cum. The orgasm shot through him like a bullet. He twisted almost helplessly, trying to get it all out, trying to give her every drop.

Laura slumped forward, her weight a sweet burden. He couldn’t help himself. He toyed with her a little bit more. Her body spasmed every time he hit her clit. He finally put his arms around her and held her close, their breaths and heartbeats mingling. He kissed the side of her face and inhaled her scent.

The car came to a stop, and Rafe slammed out.

Cam brought his head up. They were parked in front of Laura’s small cabin, a lone light shining from what was probably her kitchen.

“Are we home?” Laura asked quietly.

He nodded, unable to speak. He was home. Finally home.

Rafe’s hands were shaking as he got out of the car. He raced around to the passenger side. He couldn’t breathe, could barely think about anything beyond getting inside her. He knew he should want to pound Cam into the ground, but all he could think was to be grateful to the man. Cam had made sure Laura was prepared. He’d given her a killer orgasm from the sound of her moans, and Rafe wasn’t sure he would be able to last long enough to give her one. He needed her.

Fuck. He needed her so damn bad.

He opened the door, and there they sat, like little puzzle pieces nestled together. Laura’s face was buried in Cam’s shoulder, her legs on either side of his hips. Cam’s arms clutched her in a tight embrace.

He looked up at Rafe. A solemn silence passed between the two men, and Rafe felt something powerful flow between him and Cam.

“Baby, we’re back at your place.” Cam’s voice was soft. Cam could be one intimidating dude, but he was always so soft and gentle around Laura.

Rafe let himself touch her. He smoothed a hand along her golden hair. In the moonlight, it looked almost silvery. She turned and opened her eyes. She looked like a sleepy princess to Rafe.

“Hi.” She said it, and Rafe took it for what he hoped it was. A second beginning.

His heart softened. “Hello, bella. Let me take you inside.” He reached out for her.

“I can walk.” She sat up and started to reach for her shirt. “I’m fine.”

He wasn’t about to let her walk. He wanted to hold her. He lifted her up and off Cam. He couldn’t miss the fact that Cam’s cock was covered in her juice. It should have disgusted him, but damn, it made his own cock harden. He wasn’t interested in Cam sexually, but watching him fuck Laura through the rearview mirror had gotten Rafe hot as hell.

“Rafe, don’t,” Laura protested. “I’m half-naked, and, well, I’m a little messy.”

“Not an excuse, bella.” Rafe hoisted her up. He loved the feel of her pressed close. “I like you half-naked, and I’m not going to bother cleaning you up. I’m going to make sure you get even messier.” She sighed. “I like the sound of that.” Rafe couldn’t help it. He leaned his head in and kissed her. “I’m glad because I think Cam and I can keep you busy for a few days.

You might regret those words.”

Her arms floated up and around his neck. “I don’t think so. I missed you. I missed you both. I tried not to think about you, but I couldn’t.”

“I thought about you every day,” Rafe admitted. “I even told my mother if I found you that I intended to marry you.”

“Really? And what did you tell your momma about Cam?” There was a mischievous smile on her lips.

That took the wind out of his sails. What would he tell his mother? His father was a bit more open. He would probably find an enormous amount of humor in it, but his mother was very Catholic.

Rafe doubted she would ever accept that he was sharing a woman with his friend. He wasn’t going to think about that now. He gave Laura a smile.

“I don’t think my mother can handle that news right now. But she will be thrilled to know that I found you.” Rafe moved toward the front door of her small but well-kept cabin. He had introduced Laura to his mother as a friend and colleague, but she hadn’t been fooled.

His mother had immediately known that Rafe was crazy about her.

He still was. Years hadn’t changed the fact that he loved this one woman. She had been the one for him when she was a big city, high-powered FBI agent, and she was the one for him as a sweet, small-town girl working in a gas station. It went far beyond her beautiful body or gorgeous face. He loved her soul. She was kind and smart.

She challenged him on every level. They could talk for hours, and he would never get bored.

He even loved the fact that she loved Cameron.

“I will tell her about all three of us, bella.” He made the declaration with all the solemnity the moment required. He loved his mother, but he loved Laura as well. Laura would never be happy without Cam, and Rafe was rapidly discovering that he felt the same way. They were connected, the three of them. It wasn’t optimal, but it was true.

He was going to ask Laura to sacrifice, to come home with him.

He had to be willing to sacrifice as well.

Cam suddenly hurried past them. He had managed to get his pants done up, and he turned when he got to the door. “Keys?”

“I didn’t lock it.” Laura said it as though it was an everyday, normal occurrence to leave the door unlocked.

Cam opened the door, but he managed to send her a very dirty look.

She shrugged, utterly unconcerned. “I don’t lock it because Holly lives next door, and she’s always out of something. How would she get in to borrow coffee if I locked it all the time?”

“You’re going to lock it from now on,” Rafe ordered, horrified at the thought that she was so unprotected. Anyone could walk in. “And we’ll get a security system as soon as possible.” She wouldn’t need it for long. His house in Virginia had an excellent system. If they moved in order to buy two homes close together, he would simply ensure that a system was installed. But for now, he wanted to feel secure.

“Nothing ever happens in Bliss. This is a very quiet town.” Rafe exchanged a look with Cam. They would deal with the problem. Holly would need a key if she wanted to steal some coffee.

Rafe walked through the front door. Laura’s cabin was tiny with one room serving as both living room and kitchen. He walked through it. It was neatly kept, but there wasn’t a bed in sight, so it wouldn’t do. There were two closed doors. Rafe picked the one on the right.

Laura’s bedroom was small but ultrafeminine. There was a queen-size bed that dominated the room. It filled up most of the space, and the rest seemed taken up by a dresser and small lounger. Rafe tossed Laura on the bed with its richly decorated quilts and stared down at her.

She was stunning. Her skin was rosy from the sex she’d had with Cam. She looked beautiful and well loved.

“I want you, bella.”

“I want you, too, Rafe.”

“Show me. Spread your legs and touch yourself.” He had watched her give to Cam. He needed to be in control now. Rafe needed her to give to him.

Cam walked into the room. He clung to the wall, his expression almost apologetic. He started to turn and walk back out.

“Where are you going?” He didn’t want Cam to leave. He wanted Cam to help him. He wanted a partner. “Get behind her. Spread her for me.”

“Are you sure?” Cam asked.

“Do I often say things I don’t mean?” Cam gave him a silly grin and jumped on the bed behind Laura.

He wrapped his arms across her chest, her back to his front. Laura relaxed back against him. They were happy together. They were relaxed and happy and willing to play.

“Spread your legs, baby. Rafe wants to see your pussy.” Cam’s fingers found the hem of her skirt and pulled the cotton fabric up. Her small black undies were bunched up and soaking wet. It looked like Cam had merely shoved them to the side in his haste to get inside.

Rafe corrected the problem. He knelt on the bed and let his hands slide up her long legs, reveling in every silky curve. He took a long, slow tour before he drew the small piece of cotton off her body, leaving her perfectly plump pussy in full sight. It was a vision. She was shaved and glistening, the lips of her pussy were slightly swollen from Cam’s use, and her juice made it look slick and inviting.

He couldn’t miss the long, thin scar that ran just above her pelvic bone. There were other scars from where de Sade had stabbed her repeatedly. Emotion choked him. He leaned over and kissed that scar.

“Rafe, I don’t want to think about that tonight. Can’t we just have fun?” Laura asked, her eyes pleading with him.

He nodded and forced himself to look away from the scars. He wanted her, and beyond that, he wanted to please her. He let his fingers slide across her clit. Rafe wanted to dive into that dessert, but he needed something from her first.

Rafe’s hands went to the front of his slacks. He carefully pulled the zipper down while he watched Cam turned Laura’s head toward his. His partner took their lover’s mouth in a long, slow kiss. Rafe shoved his slacks off along with his boxers. He toed out of his loafers, and then his shirt hit the floor, too. He felt better naked. God, he always wanted to be naked with her.

“I think Rafe needs some attention, baby.” Cam let go of her mouth. He palmed her breasts one last time. “You better give him some.”

Rafe knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted to feel her mouth on his cock before he took her pussy. “Come on, bella. Get on your hands and knees.”

Her eyes were languid, her movements lazy as she did what he asked. Cam pulled her skirt off her body so she was totally bare except for the sunny yellow heels she wore.

“Where do you keep the lube, baby?” Cam asked.

“In the nightstand.” She flushed. “I only use it when I…” Rafe petted her hair as he moved into position. “You use a vibrator?”

Cam pulled out her purple rabbit-head vibe and a small tube of lube. “It’s a bit small. I don’t suppose you have an anal plug?”

“No,” she said on a breathy huff. “I play around with a vibe from time to time. I do not anally plug myself to have fun on a Saturday night.”

“Well, bella, I think that sounds like a very fun Saturday night.

We’ll need to go shopping.” He widened his stance and took his cock in hand. It was pointing her way like it knew the way home. “We might have to go to Denver. I doubt this place has a well-stocked sex shop.”

“I think you would be surprised what you can find here.” Her tongue peeked out from her cherry red lips. Rafe’s cock jumped.

“Come on, bella. Lick me.” He didn’t want to argue Bliss’s many attributes. He wanted a blow job.

That little pink tongue swiped over the head of his cock, and he counted himself lucky he didn’t spew cum right then and there. He forced the need down. He wanted to make this last.

Laura whimpered a little.

“It’s all right, baby. It’s lube. I’m going to get your ass ready. I won’t take it tonight, but soon. It’s just my fingers tonight.” Cam was on his knees behind her, his hand hidden behind the luscious curves of her heart-shaped ass.

“What’s he doing to you?” Rafe asked. He wanted to hear her voice as she talked about getting her ass ready to take a pounding.

Fuck, he couldn’t wait for it. He wanted to watch as Cam pounded into her and know that it would be his turn to shove his hard dick up her rectum.

“He’s pushing his fingers in. I don’t know if I like it or not.” She wiggled a little as though trying to accommodate him.

“Let me play just a bit, and I’ll eat your pussy. You like that, don’t you? You like when I eat your sopping wet pussy like it’s a slice of pie I can’t get enough of.” Cam’s eyes were looking down. Rafe could imagine. He was looking down, watching his fingers disappear into her tight, puckered hole. “Let me play, and I’ll give you what you want. Now suck Rafe’s cock.”

She leaned forward and pulled his cockhead between her lips.

Rafe shoved his hands in her hair and gritted his teeth. Her tongue was lighting sparks all over his cock. She teased him with little licks that never stayed in the same place, but dashed and tantalized all over.

She licked a path from the tiny slit of his cockhead down to his balls, where she traced the line that separated them with her tongue. It felt so good. Rafe’s cock was pulsing in anticipation.

She sucked his balls, causing them to tighten with pleasure. She popped one and then the other into the heat of her mouth, lavishing them with affection.

She groaned suddenly, the sound reverberating across his taut flesh.

“Sorry,” Cam said with a grin that told Rafe he wasn’t at all sorry.

“I just added finger number two. She’s really tight.” Rafe eyed his partner. “Stop playing and give her what you promised. I’m not going to last forever.” Cam frowned, but he pulled his fingers out of her ass. “Fine, but we do have all night, you know. I don’t intend to sleep.”

“Says the man who already came inside her.” Rafe was on edge.

He needed to come. He needed to fill her up, but he didn’t want to do it if she didn’t come along for the ride. Cam could take care of her while she took care of him.

Laura looked up at him, her blue eyes half-closed and a little smile on her face. With a deliberate wink, she reached out with her tongue and delicately licked at the pre-cum pooling on the tip of his dick.

She was playing with him. He wasn’t having that. The caveman that was always lurking just under his very modern surface surged to the forefront.

“You take me deep,” he growled.

He shoved his hands in her hair and guided his cock to her mouth.

He wasn’t going to play. He was going to invade and conquer.

She groaned as he thrust in. Cam had disappeared. All Rafe could see of him now were his knees sticking up. He’d done exactly what he’d promised and buried his face in her pussy. Cam was making a meal out of her.

“You take care of me,” Rafe ordered. He would take his turn pleasuring her later. He would eat her pussy and suck her breasts. He would rock into her until he hit that special place that sent her soaring, but for now, he wanted to fuck her hard.

Laura’s mouth opened obediently, and he thrust in. He was immediately assaulted by how tight and hot she was. His balls drew up. He pushed in another inch and then two, all the while praying he could last. He wanted to do this forever. Her tongue laved the underside of his cock. Even the brush of her teeth against him was sensual.

He pulled back and thrust in.

Her tongue managed to whirl around him and sucked him deep.

Her mouth pulled on his cock. She moaned around him, and he found a soft place at the back of her throat. The orgasm shot from his balls outward. Cum poured from his cock into her mouth. He could feel her throat working around him as she swallowed everything he gave her.

He shook as she licked him clean. She groaned a little, and her face was tight with pleasure. Rafe’s cock popped out, and he could see that Cam was eating her pussy with great enthusiasm. Her whole body was flushed, and she ground her pelvis down. She was so beautiful as she took her pleasure.

Rafe got on his knees and kissed her. He could taste himself in her mouth, and he felt his cock start to twitch to life again.

When she came, he drank down her cries of pleasure.

The plane dipped slightly, turbulence making for a shaky flight, but he didn’t mind. The agent seated next to him had long since turned a faint shade of green, but it didn’t bother him a bit. He was meant for far greater things. He wouldn’t go down in a government-owned airplane.

It was late in the night, but luckily the higher-ups had decided this little errand couldn’t wait. It was a little while longer to Colorado, and then they still had a long drive ahead of them. He wouldn’t be able to see her until the morning. He couldn’t get off the plane and rush to her doorstep the way he wanted to.

He had to play it very carefully.

“Here are the portfolios I had made.” The unctuous little ass passed him one of the manila folders. “It has all the latest updates.” The Marquis de Sade smiled blandly as he took it. He had another name in this world, but secretly he preferred the one the press had given him. Oh, he preferred when they referred to him properly with his full name. That dumb bitch reporter had Americanized it by calling him “de Sade” as if it was simple slang. She obviously needed some remedial French to know she was calling him “of Sade.” He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He couldn’t do anything about it. The name had stuck, but one day he would make the reporter pay.

Still, mangled or not, it had a ring of authenticity. In the old days, society knew how to take care of its dregs. Men of power made the decisions, and they were carried out in the most brutal way imaginable. Justice was swift, and no one apologized for it.

They certainly didn’t spend hours pulling together files and worrying and hoping that they had their shit together. The FBI was a joke.

But it did pay the bills.

He let his fingers drum across the small tabletop in front of him before opening the file. It was everything the team had been able to pull together on Laura Rosen’s new friends.

Laura. He could still see her laid out on his table. He could still see the intoxicating mix of fear and outrage in her eyes. She had been a lovely woman, elegant and perfect. She’d cared for herself in a way so few of his victims ever had. He’d culled from the lowest of society.

Laura had been a bit of caviar among the hamburger meat.

She’d fought him like the others hadn’t. There had never been a plea to come from her lips. She’d cursed him the entire time. Even when he’d forced a knife through her womb.

She’d taught him he could be something more, something grander than he was. She’d moved him in such an elemental way that he’d stopped his work for years, only taking it up again when he thought she was gone forever.

His little rabbit had taught him so much.

It was almost time to take a final lesson from her. It was almost time to break free.

One of the many suited agents stood up. “We’ll be landing in Alamosa in a bit. Some of the agents from the Denver office will meet us there. They’ve been fully briefed on what’s happened and are ready to back us up if we require it. They say this town she’s in is known for being a trouble spot.”

He’d read up a little on Bliss. It seemed they liked to think of themselves as true, pure Westerners. They tried to take care of their own.

They hadn’t met anyone like him.

His rabbit thought she’d found someplace safe to hide away. She was about to find out how wrong she was.

He answered a question someone posed to him, carefully keeping on his outward mask. No one here had ever seen his real face. They never would because they would never catch him. He was smarter than all of them combined. These sad men around him couldn’t conceive of his greatness.

Only one woman had ever come close. The one who got away.

Killing her was going to be bittersweet. There was a part of him that wanted to force her by his side. She was a woman worthy of him, but her adherence to morals kept them apart.

He would kill her. He wouldn’t underestimate her this time. He would take her, let her see his real face, and he would put her down.

She was really too lovely for the world, anyway.

And when she was gone, he could finally continue his work.

Maybe he would start in Bliss.