Banishing Shadows Read online

  “Any more ready and I’ll explode.”

  There was him. Only him.

  “If at any time you feel frightened, you have to tell me. I want to fuck you until you scream. But the last thing I want to do is scare you. You get to call all the shots. Okay?”

  She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her.

  His mouth claimed hers again. Throbs of delight battered her clit. He moved his hand slowly down to clasp her breast, his thumb flicking her nipple. Kayla thrust her body up, seeking more.

  Damn man had her on edge. She was being eaten alive by arousal.

  She watched through heavy-lidded eyes as he stripped. He was breathtaking. Hard muscle, wide shoulders, lightly tanned skin. She let her gaze roam over his firm, muscular chest, a light smattering of hair at the base of his stomach leading her to his groin. His shaft was thick and stiff.

  “You sure?”

  “God, yes.” As if to prove it, she stripped off her clothes until she was wearing just panties and a bra. Cord stared, his gaze sharp, hungry. Kayla’s breath caught in her throat, wanton need making her whimper.

  Cord undid the front clasp of her bra and drew it off. His palm brushed a nipple and she startled, gasping.

  “Ohh,” she moaned. “More please.”

  “You got it, angel,” he promised huskily. “You’re so beautiful.” He sucked her nipple into his mouth. “So sweet.” Swiftly, he stripped off her panties and pushed her thighs apart to stare at her pussy. He brushed his fingers through her folds. Bringing his fingers to his mouth, he licked them slowly. “You make me so hungry. You know that?”

  Her breath came in short, quick pants as she watched him, enthralled by the intense passion etched on his face.

  “Cord—”

  “I know, baby. Believe me, I know.” Suddenly he tugged her up and settled himself behind her, with her back cradled against his chest.

  Kayla’s bottom nestled in sweetly against his groin. His cock strained, sensing release and he had to take a deep breath to calm himself. He was close to shooting off like a rocket. Cord ran his fingers through her hair, rubbing her scalp. Touching her like this was something he needed, craved.

  “Cord, what—”

  “Shh, angel, relax and enjoy. Let me touch you like I’ve been longing to do.”

  She let out little mewls of delight as he massaged her shoulders. Muscles that had been tense and stiff gradually relaxed. She rested her head back against his chest, purring in obvious contentment.

  He trailed his fingers across the top of her breasts. Goose bumps rose on her skin in the wake of his touch. Cord swirled his palms over the tips of her nipples.

  “You planning on torturing me or fucking me?”

  He chuckled. “Both.”

  He slipped two fingers over her clit. Kayla spread her legs, allowing him greater access.

  “Cord,” she panted.

  “Legs over mine.” As soon as she’d resettled herself, he returned his fingers to her clit, delighting in the warm, slick feel of her. He circled the swollen bundle of nerves with his fingers until she was whimpering, hips thrusting against his hand.

  “I love it when you whimper,” he whispered against her ear.

  Rolling her over, he stared down at her.

  She appeared so fragile and young lying there. Moving slowly, Cord nudged her legs apart until he was kneeling between her open thighs. His breath caught at the glistening lips that were revealed. A steady thump filled his ears—his heart beating fast and loud, quickening with arousal.

  “Are you sure, Kayla? Remember you can say no at any time.”

  Her eyes stared back up at him, her face serious. “Stop talking and fuck me,” she commanded.

  “Yes ma’am.” A grin tugged at his lips. Kayla moved restlessly, trying to reach him, to touch him, but he kept himself out of her reach.

  “I want to touch you.” She attempted to sit up. Pushing her back down, Cord placed both of her hands above her head.

  “Keep your hands there.” He wanted to take her soft and gentle, but at the same time he wanted to fuck her, to prove to them both whom she belonged to.

  “How the hell do you expect me to do that?” she fired back at him.

  The grin pulled harder. “Just lie back and feel. Let me do all the work.”

  “Doesn’t seem fair,” she murmured as he moved his hands toward her luscious pussy.

  “Angel, you touch me right now and I’m going to embarrass myself.” She grinned, clearly disbelieving, but her hands stayed where he’d placed them.

  He pulled the lips of her pussy apart and, using his thumbs, rubbed along the warm, plump lips. Kayla’s back rose up from the bed, her hands scrabbling, searching for something to hold on to as she cried out—hot, breathless whimpers that drove him on, made him push her harder.

  “So beautiful, Kayla. Do you know how gorgeous you are when aroused? You’re so sexy I could stare at you all day if it wasn’t more enjoyable to taste, to lick, to drink.” His mouth fell on her clit, sucking it lightly while he slipped two fingers into her tight passage.

  “Please, please, please, please, oh, please.”

  Chuckling, he used the tip of his tongue to flick her clit.

  Thighs quivering, her breathing quickened and he knew she was close.

  “Oh god, Cord, please.” Her hot, breathy voice washed over him as he continued his slow assault.

  When he knew she was about to come, he pulled back, ignoring her outraged cry.

  “That’s right, angel, beg me. Beg me to fill you. Is that what you want, Kayla, me inside you?”

  “Stop talking and do it!” she cried out, causing him to bark out a shocked laugh.

  “As my lady commands,” he murmured.

  “You’re gorgeous.” The approval in her voice washed through his body leaving warmth in its wake.

  “I want to touch you.” Reaching out with one delicate, elegant finger, she lightly touched his cock. Growing bold, her hand surrounded him, pumping. White-hot, sharp pleasure lit his balls, electrifying his blood. When he could stand it no longer, he grabbed her hand, placing it back above her head.

  “Are you protected?” he asked.

  “Huh?” she asked, licking her lips, her eyes glazed.

  “Baby.” He grabbed her chin, forcing her gaze away from his stiff dick. “Much as I enjoy you looking at me like that, I need you to pay attention now. Are you protected? Do I need to use something?”

  “Oh.” She blushed prettily and he nearly came then and there. “I-I’m on the Pill, it helps with period pain…except you probably didn’t want to know that.”

  “Shh.” He smiled and brushed his thumb over her lower lip. “You can tell me anything.” Kneeling between her legs, he stared down at the luscious treat before him. “I’m clean, baby, I’ve just had a physical, but if you want me to wear something, I will.”

  “That’s okay. I mean, you don’t have to use anything. I mean, I’m clean too. Oh god, I’m such a moron.”

  He chuckled, shaking his head.

  “I think you’re adorable, and there is nothing I would love more than to take you without anything between us.” It was true, taking his woman bareback, pumping his seed into her, claiming her, was a gnawing need chewing at his gut. He rubbed her clit with his thumb, watching her carefully, still worried this was too soon for her. But she remained enraptured, aroused.

  His returned his mouth to her clit, flicking sensually with his tongue, working her into a frenzy before he pulled back and thrust inside her. Heat enveloped him. The pulsing of her pelvic muscles sucked him in.

  Slow, easy movements. Nothing on earth was like this, like taking his woman.

  Two small legs surrounded him, feet digging into his back.

  “Cord!” Her voice was thick, urgent, pure feminine want. A sound colored by so much need that it cracked his control.

  There was no holding back. The dominance he’d been smothering so as not to frighten her rose to
the surface, urging him to take her, leave her begging him for more.

  Frenzied, wild, he grabbed her hips, moving hard and fast, deep and long.

  “Baby, you’re killing me. I can’t last.”

  Her only reply was a whimper, and then a moan as his drove himself deeper.

  “Get ready to come again, Kayla. I want you to come with me.”

  “I can’t,” she wailed, her eyes tightly closed, her hands pulling at the sheets beneath her. “It’s too much.”

  “No, it’s not. Come, baby, come now.”

  Orgasm tightened his balls, searing through his dick as he came in a deafening surge. He barely felt her explosion, he was so swept up in his own pleasure.

  At last he returned to earth and, spent, barely managed to roll from her body. He summoned enough strength to lean up on one elbow so he could check on her, worried he may have frightened her.

  He needn’t have been concerned. Sprawled on her back, her eyes remained closed, a large grin adorning her face.

  “Satisfied, baby?”

  “Oh yeah. When can we do it again?”

  * * * * *

  Reed walked into Kayla’s office as she hung up the phone.

  “Hey, what are you still doing here?” he asked. “I thought you’d be long gone by now. How are you getting home?”

  “I’m supposed to be getting a ride with Joe. He just rang to say he’s been held up. Luke’s still tied up with a client and Quinn’s phone keeps going to his answering machine. Guess I’ll just wait here for Joe.”

  Except everyone had left and it was growing dark. She really didn’t relish waiting here alone and Cord wouldn’t be back for a few more hours. She hated relying on others to chauffeur her around.

  “That’s silly. Why don’t I give you a ride home?”

  “Umm…I was actually going home to Joe’s place.” Cord was going to pick her up from Joe’s in a few hours.

  She wondered how to let Reed down easy. He’d asked her out to dinner a couple of weeks ago. He’d been nervous, stammering a little. She’d felt so bad having to turn him down. He was cute, polite, a nice guy.

  She’d told him she was seeing someone. She could tell he’d been disappointed. Yet he’d remained friendly, popping into her office to say hello each morning, largely ignoring a scowling Cord. Luke had explained Cord’s presence by saying he was doing some consulting work, offering clients security advice for their properties. But Reed had to have noticed that they arrived and left together. He had to think Cord was her boyfriend.

  And still she caught him watching her at times. Poor guy, she knew what it was like to want someone who didn’t return those feelings.

  “He lives over on Montreal, right? That’s not too far out of my way and it means we can go now, no waiting around on your own.”

  Well, that made sense. She didn’t relish waiting by herself until Joe got here. Mind made up, she grabbed her jacket.

  “I’ll just ring Joe.”

  “Ring him in the car. Hey, do you know where to get some decent Chinese food? It’s my favorite.”

  “Mine too.” She followed him out, locking the door and digging out her cell. “Drat, it’s going flat.” She smiled her thanks when he held open the door to his truck for her and then quickly called Joe.

  “Hey, it’s me. I’m getting a ride home with Reed. Hmm? What? Don’t be silly. I’ve got to go or my phone’s going to,” she pulled her phone from her ear, “die.”

  “Want to call him back on mine?” Reed offered generously.

  “No, that’s okay,” she replied. “Hey, about two blocks up there’s a great Chinese takeaway. I might grab some as well, if you’re going to stop.”

  “Great. I’m starving.”

  Five minutes later Reed’s phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, frowning briefly before handing her the phone with a wry smile.

  “It’s Joe. I’m guessing he wants to speak to you.”

  She sighed and took the phone. “Joe,” she greeted her brother.

  “Where are you? I told you to call Quinn.”

  “I did. He didn’t answer. Reed and I will grab some takeout and go to your place. I’ll meet you there. Okay? Want some chow mein?”

  He sighed. “Get home now. Cord won’t be pleased.”

  “Cord won’t know.” She hung up and turned to Reed. “Take the next right.”

  * * * * *

  Kayla stepped tiredly into Joe and Quinn’s place, visions of sitting with her feet up and sipping some New Zealand pinot gris foremost on her mind. She’d been going to get the Chinese to go. But when Reed said he’d eaten alone every night since he’d moved here, she’d felt sorry for him. So they’d eaten in the restaurant.

  She closed the door, slipping the spare key back into her handbag. A smile of delight crossed her face when she saw Cord standing in the living room facing her. Kayla dropped her bag and raced toward him, throwing her arms around him.

  “Cord!”

  He stood statue still, arms crossed in front of him, his face stony.

  “What’s wrong?” Kayla stepped back from him, confused by his cool reception. Storms of fury raged down at her from his eyes. “What’s happened?”

  “What’s wrong?” His voice would have done a grizzly bear proud. “What’s happened? I’ll tell you what’s happened.” He took a step toward her, predator approaching prey.

  Cord glared down at her with those impossibly sexy eyes—slate gray surrounded by long, sooty lashes. Kayla found herself caught up in his mesmerizing stare.

  Gulping, she forced herself not to take a step back.

  “What happened is that you disappeared!”

  She frowned. “I didn’t disappear. I told Joe I was getting a ride home with Reed.”

  “That was over an hour ago. Where have you been? You should never have gotten in that car with Reed. Anything could have happened to you!” He roared the last few words, and Kayla winced as he effectively caged her against the wall, his hard body not touching hers, but intimidating nevertheless.

  She drew in a shaky breath. “You could have rung Reed.”

  “I tried. He didn’t answer.”

  She hadn’t heard his phone ring. But it had been kind of noisy in the restaurant.

  “Oh,” Kayla said.

  “That’s all you have to say, ‘Oh’? What the hell were you thinking?”

  “You know, there’s no need to be such a jerk.” The best defense was a good offense. “He’s a friend. I was perfectly safe. You’re being too controlling.”

  Breathing heavily, she glared at him as he stared coldly back at her.

  “I will keep you safe, Kayla, even if that means I offend your independent, woman’s lib beliefs. Do you know how worried I was? Shit, I have to call Joe.” He broke off, giving her a reprieve as he made a phone call.

  “Come on, let’s get back to the motel. I’m sure you don’t want to be here when Joe or Quinn get back.”

  She gulped, imagining the way Quinn would explode.

  The drive to the motel was quick and silent. Once they were inside, Kayla kicked off her shoes and turned to Cord.

  “We just went out for dinner, it wasn’t planned and I’m sorry you were concerned. But it was dinner with a friend. That’s all.” He was acting like a jealous boyfriend.

  “If something had happened, if he had hurt you, we’d have no idea where to find you. Is that smart?”

  He had a point. “You’re right, you’re right. But I’m fine. Reed’s lonely, I felt sorry for him. And I wanted to do something normal like going out to dinner.”

  “He’s not lonely. He has a crush on you. And next time you want to go to dinner, you’ll go with me.”

  “Is that an invite or a command?”

  “I don’t want you having dinner with another man. You’re my woman.”

  She stared at him, her stomach dropping with fear and excitement. “We’ve made no commitment to each other, Cord. I’m not yours.”

  He stalked tow
ard her. “No commitment? You’ve come with my tongue in your pussy. You’ve screamed my name as you’ve pulsed around my cock. You live with me, you sleep with me. You are my woman and you do not have dinner with another man.”

  “That’s not a commitment. It’s sex. And I told you, he’s just a friend.”

  “And is that all Reed wants to be? Friends?”

  She lowered her eyes.

  “Just as I thought.”

  She raised her gaze again, angry at the guilt he’d invoked. Why should she feel guilty? “It’s not like we’re dating, Cord. This is sex and I’m okay with that. I went into this with my eyes open. I know how you feel about me—”

  “Do you? Do you really?”

  A little frightened, she backed away from his intense gaze.

  “How do I feel about you?”

  “You-you care about me,” she replied. “You’re attracted to me. We’re friends.”

  “How can you have it so wrong? You mean everything to me. We are way past friendship. Caring has been left in the dust. You are my world. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I love you.”

  Chapter Five

  She gaped at him, her ability to speak having temporarily fled.

  “You-you love me?”

  “I came back for you, Kayla. You’ve haunted me since the night I took your virginity. I only stayed away from you for these last two years because I thought you deserved better than me. Yet you have a hold over me I can’t shake free of. I had to return to you, to see whether you still wanted me. My need has escalated with every day I’ve spent with you. I’ve been holding myself back, going slowly, because I was worried about frightening you.

  “You’re the one for me, Kayla. I’ve never loved anyone else. I never will. Everything I do is focused on you. Your happiness, your safety. Because I love you. What do I have to do to show that to you, hmm?” He loomed over her and she met his gaze with her own.

  “You are mine. You belong to me. Just like I belong to you. You will not go out to dinner or coffee or anything date-like with another man again. Understood?”