One to Keep

Chapter Three

Six months before

Stef walked into the Bliss County Sheriff’s Office with blood on his hands. He gripped the shotgun he held like an old friend. Despite the fact that the threat seemed to be over, he couldn’t come down. He felt the adrenaline racing through his system. It made him ragged and jittery.

“Hey, Stef, you got the keys?” Max, one of his best friends, ran to catch up to him. They had driven back together, he, Max, and Max’s twin, Rye. Each had been silent in the car, as though they all had to take in what had just happened.

Stef reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys Nate had given to him before he’d been loaded into the ambulance to go to the hospital. Stef had replayed the whole scene in his head a hundred times. A pair of rogue DEA agents had taken Callie hostage and offered to trade her for Zane, who had information that would lead them to millions of dollars worth of drug money. No one had been willing to give up Zane except Zane. Nate had set up a plan to take out the agents. It had gone well until one of the bastards had captured Nate. Stef had thought he held the ace when he caught the man’s partner and offered an exchange. The bastard had simply shot his partner between the eyes and held on to Nate.

He’d had a hand on the man when he died. Leander. Stef thought that was his name. It was all a jumble, but the blood was clear. It clung to his hands. The image was burned in his brain. The DEA agents were dead. Mel and Nate had been shot. Callie was worse for the wear. His sweet, pacifist friend had been forced to kill a man to save her loves, Nate and Zane.

Everyone he loved was alive, but he was still shaking inside.

“Max! Where is Rye? Oh, god, where’s Rye?” Rachel’s shout broke through his dark thoughts. He could hear the panic in her voice.

Rye pushed him aside as he ran toward his brother and their wife.

“I’m fine, baby. I’m fine. We’re all fine.” Stef stood in the doorway, watching as Max opened the little cell he’d placed his pregnant wife in to ensure her safety. He’d shoved Jennifer in with Rachel. She had no place walking into an ambush with a shotgun, and he didn’t trust her not to follow him. She was as stubborn as the day was long, and she loved Callie.

Max and Rye surrounded their wife. They hugged her and kissed her, whispering words of comfort to her. Their hands found her belly and rested on the child growing there.

“Where are the sheriff and Zane and Callie?” Laura Niles was on her formidable heels as he stared at the cell. Jen stood inside, watching him with hooded eyes. He could still remember the way she’d cursed him as he locked her inside.

He spoke to Laura, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Jennifer.

“Hospital. Mel’s with them. No one is critical. Nate was shot, but it was in his shoulder. He doesn’t want anyone visiting until tomorrow.” Stella patted his back as she walked past. “I’ll head down anyway.

Someone will have to sit with Mel. And maybe translate for him. He has a theory about the aliens taking over pharmaceutical companies. It could go really poorly for those doctors.” Laura hurried after Stella. “I’ll keep you company, Stella.” Marie and Teeny had been left behind, too. They were one of Bliss’s oldest couples and ran the Trading Post together. Nate’s deputy, Logan, called them both Mom. After Max assured them Logan was all right and was simply handling the paperwork with the feds, they decided to stay on and man the station so the men could get some rest.

Rest. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to do that. A weird, angry energy was thrumming through his veins. He wanted to hit something—or fuck someone. Not someone. Jennifer. Sinking himself into Jennifer’s soft body would take away the pain.

He shook off the thought. He couldn’t use her like that. It would mean something to her. Hell, it would mean something to him, and neither one of them was ready for that. She was so damn young, so impetuous. Tonight had certainly proven that.

“Come on, Jennifer. I’ll take you home.” He owed her that, at least. She was so beautiful, even with mascara running down her cheeks. She took a hand wipe from Teeny and washed off her face.

He would have to stay away from her. He couldn’t ask Max or Rye to take her home. He had to do it himself, but he needed to keep his distance, or he would make a mistake they would both regret. He could feel it.

“Fuck you, Stef.” She shoved her way past him.

Volcanic rage threatened to overtake him. It wasn’t about her, but she was going to take the brunt unless she stopped pushing him. Hell, she’d been pushing him for a year and a half, ever since she waltzed into Bliss and declared she’d come to learn from him. She’d wanted him to teach her his techniques.

Stef didn’t teach. Not art at least. Now the finer points of Dominance and submission, that was another story. The Dom in him responded to her lack of respect. He followed her as she strode out of the building.

The early autumn air was already taking on a distinct chill at night, but it did nothing to cool Stef’s blood. Watching her walk away spurred his instincts to track her down. She walked quickly, as though she knew the danger she was in. Stef followed, blood pounding through his system. His thinking brain kept reasoning that he would just follow her and make sure she got home all right.

But that dark, dirty part of him knew what this was—a hunt that would end with him taking her down.

He quickly opened the door to his Land Rover, stashed the shotgun, and followed her. Her shoes clicked on the sidewalk as she passed the town hall and rushed across the street. He knew exactly where she was going. Her tiny apartment was over the diner. Stella had rented the little studio to her when she’d taken the waitressing job there. Jen turned the corner of the alley that led into the parking lot, and Stef jogged to catch up. He wouldn’t let her close the door on him.

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned. She fairly vibrated with rage. “What are you doing, Stef?” That was an awfully good question, and he didn’t have much of an answer. He came up with the safest one he could find. “Protecting you.”

She rolled those green eyes. In the moonlight her skin looked like fine porcelain. “From what? Max said all the bad guys are dead.” He groped for an answer to that. “But the bikers are still around.

Until they know the hit is off Zane, they’ll still look for him.” She walked straight up to him and shoved a finger into his chest.

“Then go protect Zane. I don’t need your protection, Stef. I don’t want it, and I don’t want you.”

“Liar.” She’d always wanted him. She’d thrown herself at him. He just hadn’t thought it was a good idea to catch her.

She shook her head. “Nope. After the stunt you pulled tonight, I have zero desire to have anything to do with you. As a matter of fact, I should thank your perverted ass. Thank you, Stef. Thank you for finally showing me what an asshole you are. It totally frees me up to find someone who can actually get it up around me.” He actually saw red. It swam in front of his eyes like a mist, clouding everything, making the world seem a little unreal.

She just kept talking. “I think that tomorrow I’m going to do what Callie didn’t manage to do. I’m going to find myself some hot tourist and fuck the hell out of him. I’ve wasted a year and a half hoping you would actually see me. That’s not going to happen because you can’t fuck a woman who doesn’t kiss your feet. Can you, King Stefan?” He tried to breathe deeply. “Stop. Jennifer, if you stop now, I might be able to walk away.”

“If there’s one thing I am sure of it’s your ability to walk away from me.” She turned on her heels. “Go back home, Stef. I’m done with you.”

He reached out and grabbed her, hauling her back by her wrist.

She stumbled, but he caught her.

“What are you doing?” She yelled the question as she tried to get her balance back.

Stef was done talking. Talking didn’t mean anything to her. He’d tried to explain. He’d tried to stay away. He’d tried to be her friend.

She wouldn’t stop pushing. He planted his shoulder in her midsection and had her in a fireman’s hold before she could move.

Her hands beat on his back. He welcomed the sensation.

“Put me down, you jackass!”

He climbed the stairs toward her apartment with no thought but getting her inside and showing her just how fast he could get it up around her. He could handle the accusation that he was an asshole.

That was a simple, documented fact. But he was always hard around her. Fuck, half the time he couldn’t breathe when she was around.

And he knew he couldn’t think. How could he be expected to when all the blood in his body shifted to his cock the minute she walked in a room?

He reached out and opened the door. It opened without the need of a key.

“Damn it, Jennifer. Anyone could walk in here.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that now.” She pounded on his back. She tried kicking her legs, but he had a good hold on those. “Let me down, Stef.”

He set her on her feet and shut the door. He had her in a neat little cage now. She wouldn’t be able to get away from him. She stumbled, trying to put some distance between them.

“Get out.”

He looked around and quickly found what he needed. She had a pile of folded laundry in a hamper on a table in the small kitchen area.

Delicates. He selected a tiny pink thong. It would look lovely between the cheeks of her ass. He had another use in mind.

“OMG, you are such a perv,” she ranted on. “You’re going to steal my panties? You ignore me for over a year, and then you steal my undies?”

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” He heard his Dom voice turn on. It was low and seemed to come from a place deep inside his chest. It felt good to lose control, like a drug running through his system, lighting up his every nerve.

She finally stopped, and her eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”

Good girl . She was finally getting it. That little hint of fear in her eyes hardened his already rock-hard cock to painful proportions. If he didn’t get out of his pants soon, they might split on him. “Give me your hands so I can tie you up.”

There it was, that little hitch in her breath that had nothing to do with fear. Despite it, she shook her head. “No. No, Stef. That’s a bad idea.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “But it’s going to happen. Easy way or hard way, Jennifer. It’s your choice.”

Her throat moved up and down as she swallowed. Her eyes darted around the room, and her chest heaved. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them the fear was gone, replaced with a glint of challenge. “Oh, I think it’s going to be very hard, Master Stefan.”

He’d always known she would be fun to play with, but he wasn’t playing now. This was serious. “Safe word. Pick one now.”

She didn’t prevaricate or pretend to misunderstand. She spat out her chosen word as though she’d always had it in her back pocket, just waiting to use. “Impressionist.”

“Excellent.” What he was about to do to her was so far away from gauzy and slightly surreal. It would be rough and hard. “You can run, if you like.”

“Fuck you, Stef.” She turned and ran for her bathroom.

He was on her before she’d gotten three steps. He grabbed her around the waist and eased her to the floor. Using his weight to pin her down, he bound her hands in the silky thong and flipped her over.

“God, you’re good at that.” There was no mistaking the admiration in her tone. It was another thing he loved about her. Her perversion seemed to match his own. If only he could trust her to know her own heart at such a young age.

He put a hand on her lips. “No. No talking.”

“That might be hard for me.”

“Then let me make it easy.” He got off her and quickly swung her up. He sat on her lumpy couch and had her over his lap in a second.

He pulled at the denim of her miniskirt. She wore a pair of cotton panties. They were easy to rip off her.

“Damn it, Stef. I just bought those.” He brought his hand down on the fleshy part of her ass. “No cussing.”

She gasped and went still under him. “You spanked me.” He brought his hand down again, loving the way her ass got pink.

“Yes, love, what did you expect?” Another slap, right on the pretty crease of her ass. Jen might be slender, but she had a perfectly plump ass. Made to take a spanking. Made to fuck. “And I’ll do this every time you disobey me.”

“Every time,” she agreed with a husky moan.

His hand came down again. “That’s one for cussing. And one for questioning me.”

“I didn’t question you.”

Smack . “And another for arguing. And ten for giving me hell all night long.”

He spanked her, sparing her not at all. His hand came down in short arcs, delivering his punishment all over her cheeks. He could feel her crying, but not once did she ask him to stop or scream out her safe word. She simply held on to his legs as though seeking more connection. They were partners in play and pleasure. When he was done he admired his work. Her ass was hot pink, and he could smell her arousal. He slipped a finger between her cheeks and let it slide toward her pussy. She was coated in cream.

He set her on her feet and unbound her hands. Her face was as red as her cheeks. “Clothes off, Jennifer. Then sit in my lap.” She was still for a moment. “You hurt me.”

“No. I tortured you a little. If I had really hurt you, you would have said your safe word. You would have fought me.” He held his hand up, showing her the juice glistening on his fingers. He brought them to his mouth and sucked them inside, tasting her for the first time. He sucked every ounce of her tangy cream off his fingers. “That pussy of yours is throbbing, isn’t it? Do you know how delicious you taste? Do you know what a meal I could make of you?”

“You’ll be the death of me, Stef.”

Her hands went to the hem of her shirt. She pulled it over her head and tossed it aside. They would go over proper procedure later, but for now he wanted her against him more than he wanted to follow protocol. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Stef stared at her perfectly formed breasts. They were small, but adorable. They would fit perfectly in the palm of his hand. Her nipples were brown and pink and tight with arousal. She shimmied out of her skirt and panties and placed herself on his lap. Her arms went around his neck.

“You’re beautiful, love.” He pushed her hair back. Why had he waited? It felt so right to have her in his arms. His anxiety had fled, leaving only a sense of joyous anticipation. Jennifer was naked, her breath warm against his neck. This was where he needed to be.

“I feel beautiful when you look at me like that.” She cuddled close, all of her previous worry seemingly gone.

“Give me your mouth.”

She turned her face up obediently. Stef brought his lips down on hers and kissed her the way he’d wanted to from the moment he’d met her. He devoured her. His mouth ate at hers hungrily, tongue invading the moment she opened her lips. He swept in and tangled their tongues together in a lustful dance. He wanted her like he hadn’t wanted anyone before. All the gorgeous submissives he’d claimed before couldn’t hold a candle to the way she moved him.

Before he knew it he was on top of her, spreading her legs and making a place for himself at her silky pussy. He didn’t hold his weight off her. He wanted to sink into her and lose himself.

He let his hands find her breasts, and his mouth followed close behind. He popped a pink nipple in his mouth and sucked, delighting in the way she groaned and moved beneath him. His hips pumped against hers.

“Stef.” She moaned his name again and again.

“Do you want me, love?” He needed to hear her say it.

“So much.” Her eyes pleaded with him.

His hands went to the fly of his pants. He knew he should get off her. He should take control—of her, of himself. He tore open his pants and shoved them and his boxers down. His cock sprang free.

“Wow,” Jen said in a breathy little voice that did amazing things for his ego. Her small hand came out and touched him. He stared at the sight. He had always been fascinated with her hands. He loved how they moved across a canvas as she stroked a painting to life.

Now they ran across his cock, making him feel more alive than he had in years.

“Stef, I’m on the pill. I’m clean.”

It was all he needed. He’d had a physical and hadn’t ever had sex without a condom before. He wanted her with nothing in between them. He pushed her hands away and lined his cock up with her soaked pussy. He pulled her legs around his hips to open her up and started to push his way in.

Tight. She was so tight around him. She was a vise on his cock.

He had to move carefully, advancing and retreating in a maddening dance. He wanted so badly to shove himself in balls deep, but he wouldn’t hurt her for the world.

“It feels so good, Stef.” Her nails had found the bare skin of his ass and sank in, urging him on.

“It feels right,” he heard himself say. He shoved against her and sighed as he finally was as deep as he could go. Every inch of his cock was surrounded by hot, delicious pussy. He held himself steady, allowing her to accept him. The muscles of her cunt quivered around his dick.

Jen’s throaty plea cut through the silence. “If you don’t move soon, I’m going to die.”

He was more than willing to give her what she wanted. Stef pulled out until just the head of his cock rested in her pussy and then slammed back in. And he was off. All thoughts besides fucking her were blasted from his brain. She was everything in that moment. He was surrounded with her. The touch of her skin. The smell of their fucking. The sound of her breath as she pushed against him, fighting for her orgasm. It was primal and out of control and perfect. She was everything he’d ever wanted. His perfect mate.

“Oh, Stef. Stef. It feels so…I…” She stopped trying to talk. Every muscle in her body seemed to tighten, and she cried out. Her legs clamped down on his hips, her pelvis thrust up.

Stef followed her. He let himself go. He pounded away at her until his balls drew up, and it was impossible to stave off the inevitable. He came in long, glorious jets of cum. He pumped into her, delivering every ounce he had in his body.

He fell forward, shocked at how his heart was still pounding. This was supposed to be his quiet time, but he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted something more, something he’d never had before.

“I love you.” Her words were whispered as her fingers sank into his hair. He felt her lips on his head.

Still, he wanted more. There was something else he was missing, something that would complete the scene they had just played out.

His heart stopped as he realized what he wanted. The words were right there on his lips, practically dripping from his tongue. Foreign words. I love you. He’d never said them before. He needed to say them to her.

He held back and let himself rest on her breasts. Eventually her breathing slowed and steadied into the rhythm of sleep. She rested, her arms wrapped around him.

Stef lay there, unwilling to wake her, but his mind raced all night.

What the hell had he done?

In the morning he was waiting for her. He’d untangled himself and gotten dressed again. He’d sat at her tiny table and scolded himself in every way imaginable. She wasn’t ready for a relationship.

She was too young for him. He wanted too much from her. He didn’t have the right to demand that she settle down, and he wouldn’t, couldn’t, settle for less from her.

He’d played out the scenarios in his head. He’d thought about simply starting a D/s relationship. That would be the easiest way to keep her close. They could have their own separate lives and come together for play. It was the way he’d handled his relationships for a very long time.

He’d watched her sleep, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep it there. He would have her moved into the estate and under his thumb before she knew what was happening. It was his nature.

He could see clearly the way it would go. They would be happy for a while, but then she would need more. She would grow and change and leave him behind. It would be just like…

He didn’t want to think about his father right now. This was about Stef and Jennifer. His own parents were simply an object lesson as to why an older man should not marry a much younger woman.

Jennifer stirred, twisting as though seeking something in her sleep.

She obviously didn’t find it, and she went up on one elbow to look around the room. There was slight panic in her eyes, and then she softened as she saw him.

“Hey, good morning,” she said in a sleepy voice that went straight to his cock.

He wanted to strip down and climb back on the couch with her.

He would push her legs apart again and be where he always wanted to be—inside her.

“We need to talk,” he forced himself to say. If he gave in now, it would be disastrous for both of them. She had a whole career ahead of her. She didn’t need a man in her life who would try to take over.

She sat up, clutching the quilt he’d pulled over her. “Do we have to? I liked it better when we didn’t talk.” He did, too, but this was morning, and they had to face reality.

“Jennifer, last night was a mistake.” Her eyes slid away from his. “You bastard.” He didn’t argue. He was a bastard. He’d taken her last night when he’d known it was wrong. “It was a mistake, and I take full responsibility. It wasn’t your fault. I took advantage of you.” Now she looked at him, tears shining in her eyes. “Because I wasn’t here at all, was I? Because I didn’t make a choice? What the hell am I to you, Stef?”

“You’re a friend,” he said gently.

“No, I am not. People trust their friends. You said once that I knew nothing of trust, but you’re the one who doesn’t trust me. You think I’m a child, but I’m not. I know what I want, Stef. I want you.” She leaned toward him, holding her hand out. “Last night wasn’t a mistake. This morning is, can’t you see that?”

“Jennifer, I remember being twenty-three. It’s not the easiest time in your life. There are lots of things that you think you want, but you simply don’t have the experience to know.”

Now she stood. “Fuck you, Stef. Get out of my house. I’m not some child, but you’re never going to see it. You’re never going to see me as anything but some airhead kid.”

“I’d prefer to talk about this reasonably.”

“Screw reason. I’m done reasoning with you. I’ve begged and pleaded and made a fool of myself. Well, I’m done with all of that, Stef. And I’m done with you, so feel free to leave.”

“Last night you loved me, and this morning you’re through.” Everything she said just made his point.

She shrugged. “Well, I guess you were right about me, then. Out!” He left, the door slamming behind him and the worst feeling in the pit of his stomach telling him that he’d fucked everything up. He’d intended to be gentle, to talk it out. As he walked away, he thought he heard her cry. He’d knocked on the door, but it was locked this time.

He’d stood there, hand on the door, and wished he could go back in and hold her.

He left a few moments later, but that afternoon he’d been back like a moth to the flame. He’d come with flowers he’d bought at the Trading Post and plans to, at least, talk this out. He couldn’t stand the thought of her feeling down. Maybe, he’d thought, maybe, they could try.

Her apartment had been empty of anything that was personal.

Only the furniture remained. She’d packed up and left in a matter of hours.

He’d walked out, tossing the flowers in the trash. It was better this way, he’d told himself. It was better that she left now, rather than later.