Make Me Sweat

Evernight Publishing

www.evernightpublishing.com

ISBN:

978-1-926950-56-3

Cover Artist: LF Designs

Editor: Kimberly Bowman

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of

this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or
reproduced electronically or in print without written permission,
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are

fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or
persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATIO&

I’m lucky to have someone in my corner who encourages me,

challenges me, and loves me despite my way-too-many flaws. All
writers should have that. To the Spousal Equivalent and the offspring,
Thank You and I Love you.

To the siblings on the Isle 0f Spice/Greenz…Love, always.

A shout-out to the very aughty Romance Writers. Helluva

group of talented folks. Crazy…but talented.

MAKE ME SWEAT

Avril Ashton

Chapter One

Strobe lights glinted off the slender arch of her bare back. A

tiny black dress barely covered her taut ass. He couldn’t decide which
to stare at first. Or longest. The ass begging to be squeezed, bit, or the
blue-green stars floating from her right shoulder to the curve of her
left hip.

Dak palmed his cock and stared at the surveillance cameras.

The mysterious woman was back. Two nights a week, for the last
three weeks, she’d come in to his club, Dakota House. Always by
herself. Other, more beautiful women lingered at the bar, but Dak
paid them no attention. She took it all.

His fantasy lady strolled over to the bar, her sure steps and

swaying hips screaming, “fuck me”. Taking a seat on a high stool, she
crossed her long, caramel-colored legs. The obscenely high heels on
her feet gave them the illusion of never-ending. His balls tightened,
cock swelling harder. This morning he’d jacked off to her face in his
head. As he watched his cum mix with the water, he promised he’d
make a move the next time she came in.

Here she was, putting him to the test. As if she felt his perusal,

she lifted her face slightly, gaze searching and finding the camera
directly above the bar. Dak pressed some buttons and zoomed in. She
lifted her chin as her wide eyes mocked him, lips curved into a smirk.
A bad girl. He knew it from the way she walked, the way she sat
expectantly. Waiting.

His move.
Dak snatched up the phone on his desk with unsteady hands

and punched the number to his head of security who patrolling the
floor. Jayce answered immediately.

“Yeah.”
“Bring her to me,” Dak spoke into Jayce’s earpiece.
“About time.” Loud hip-hop drowned out Jayce’s laugh.
“Just do it.” Dak hung up and took a breath. He moved to

stand then thought better of it when Jayce approached the woman. His
friend bent and whispered in her ear. Dak growled, the sound
surprising him. He didn’t like Jayce being that close to her.

Jayce straightened, but the woman didn’t move. In fact she

picked up the glass of clear pink liquid in front of her and drank
slowly. Jayce crossed his arms, frowning at her. His friend wasn’t
used to waiting on anyone. Dak wasn’t either.

She licked her lips and Dak could almost taste the salt from

the rim of her glass. His mystery woman traced the circular rim with a
gloved finger, then brought it to her mouth where she wiped it clean
with a dart of her tongue.

Fuck.
Dak grabbed the phone and spoke into Jayce’s earpiece. “If

she’d not up here in five minutes, you’re so fucking fired.”

On the screen, Jayce grinned. Dak grunted. Maybe it was time

to start looking for a new best friend.

She stood smoothly, following Jayce as he led her to Dak’s

private elevator.

Dak checked his appearance in the mirror in his bathroom,

then stood at his window looking down at the line of people waiting
to get into his club. He smiled, anticipation a tight coil in his gut.
He’d never looked forward to anything more than he did to meeting
his mystery woman face to face. He’d fucked his share of beautiful
women, but this one, something had grabbed him and held on the
instant he saw her.

She occupied his dreams, and it was nothing a good session of

raunchy sex couldn’t cure.

A muted knock sounded on his office door. He cleared his

throat before bidding, “Come in.”

The door opened, and he turned as she stepped over the

threshold. Their eyes met, held, and his heart pounded in his chest.

“You called?” A thin, dark brow lifted as she closed the door

quietly behind her.

Dak nodded. “I did. I want to know who you are, what name

to call the woman whose face I’ve been seeing in my sleep.” He knew
her name, her shoes size, her address, but she didn’t know that.

She approached him slowly, heels making no sound on the

Berber carpet. “You dream about me?”

“You sound surprised.” Dak walked to his private bar and

poured a shot of whiskey. A chuckle reached his ear and he turned to
face her. She sat behind his desk, staring at the security monitors.

“You’ve been a bad boy, I see.” She looked at him. “Watching

me this whole time.”

Dak shrugged. “You captured my interest, I had to watch

you.” He held out a glass of whiskey to her and she shook her head.
He placed it back on the bar and took a gulp of his.

“What do you want from me, Mr. Dakota?”
“You know who I am?” Dak removed his jacket and flung it

on to the couch at the far side of the room.

Her eyes followed the movement. “Everyone knows who Ian

Dakota is, but you haven’t answered my question.” She tilted her
head, staring at him with green eyes. “What do you want?”

“You.”
She laughed. The low, husky sound hardened his cock and

moistened the tip. Dak bit back a groan. Shit.

“Do you think I’m for sale, Mr. Dakota?” She asked the

question like one would ask the time of day.

“Not at all,” he rushed to assure her. “I just think you want me

as much as I want you.”

She blinked, a low sweep of long lashes, and got to her feet.

“You think so, huh?” At the window, she stared down at the street.
Dak caressed her smooth back with his gaze. He salivated for a taste
of her creamy skin and those gorgeous tattoos.

Eyes glued to the activity on the street below, she asked, “If I

told you to make me come right now using only your fingers, what
would you say?”

His cock jerked. “Take off your dress.”
The black, backless number pooled at her ankles, circling the

gold heels. Dak watched, mouth dry, cock aching, as she pushed her
front onto the window. Palms flat against the glass, she widened her
stance.

A step forward brought him to her, his front inches from her

back. He smoothed a trembling hand from the nape of her neck to the
twin dimples above her ass, then traced the flight of the stars etched
there.

She sighed and leaned into his touch. Dak wanted to kiss her

skin, lick those stars with his tongue, he wanted to taste her. Hell he
wanted. Period. Instead, he forced his galloping pulse to calm, forced
his breath to steady. Forced his need to wait.

Something he’d never done.
He circled the curve of her ass with one hand, the other he

brought around to cup a heavy breast, thumbing the nipple. A moan
rose from her. She bowed her head.

“Tell me your name.” He pulled a nipple and slid a finger

down the crack of her ass. She panted. “Tell me.”

“Ever. My name’s Ever.”
Ever Marcille, to be precise. He put his lips to her ear and

trailed his hand from her breast to her flat stomach. “Ever, I want to
hear you scream.”

“Yeah?” Her body trembled. “You and me both.”
Dak grinned and dipped a finger between her legs. Moisture

coated it. “Hmm. So wet, Ever. So slick. Pity I can’t sample a taste,
but you did say fingers only.” He brushed a knuckle over her clit then
pressed a digit inside the creamy entrance.

She bucked. “Fucker.”
“Who me?” He pushed two fingers all the way into her cunt

then stopped. Her walls fluttered around him, every pull going
straight to his cock. Damn. Pre-cum leaked from him, but Dak
ignored it. He pulled his fingers almost all the way out of her then
plunged back in.

“Ah, God.” Her head fell back onto his shoulder, limbs

quivering as her fingers curled on the smooth glass window. “Again.”

He did it again, ramming three then four fingers into her

pussy. She stood on tiptoe, legs apart, cream sliding down her thighs
and coating his fingers, and rode his hand. Dak ground his cock into
her ass, cursing the clothes separating them.

He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to stave off his hunger,

his need to come deep inside her cunt. Ever reached behind him,
cupped his cock, and he almost shot off right then.

“Fuck.” He pressed his thumb to her erect clit and hooked the

fingers inside. She cried out.

“Yes, like that.”
Dak rubbed back and forth, finding that bump full of nerve

endings, and massaged. A wail left Ever’s throat, her body shook
violently and fresh moisture poured. Her vaginal walls clamped down
and around his fingers, holding him hostage in a painful grip as she
came. He didn’t stop rubbing her clit, didn’t stop massaging her G-
spot, until her body went limp.

Wrapping his arms around her midsection, Dak lifted her in

his arms and took two strides before placing her on his desk. Ever’s
head lolled back and her eyes drooped. Dak brushed a lock of hair
away from her cheek. She spread her legs wider in response. He
swept his gaze down her lithe body splayed out for him. Sweat shone
on her smooth skin while slick moisture glistened on her smooth
pussy and the inside of her thighs.

Dak dropped to his knees, mouth watering, cock dripping.

Blood pounded in his head, echoing the same in his groin. Leaning
forward, he swiped his tongue on first one then the other of her pussy
lips. Ever arched. Salt and sweet exploded on his taste buds. This was
why he turned down everyone else in his bed, why he saw her face
when he came. This, her taste. He knew she’d be this hot, this
responsive. This addictive.

Harsh gasps escaped from Ever as she hooked her ankles

around his neck and lifted her hips in an attempt to ride his face. Dak
shook away from her trembling legs and flattened his palms on the
insides of her thighs, spreading her open to his eyes. Ever’s pussy was
all pale pink perfection. Her clit engorged and quivering, begging for
his mouth. He used his fingers to pull apart those darker lips to reveal
that tiny hole contracting, waiting for him to fill. Dragging a ragged
breath into his lungs, Dak inhaled arousal riding on the verge of need.
The fragrance fired his blood, tightened his skin, and snapped his
control.

Stiffening his tongue, he plunged it into her.
Ever screamed. Her legs lifted and once again wrapped around

his neck, squeezing him tight, holding him in place as Dak buried his
face in her soft cunt. He grabbed hold of her ass, pressing his
fingertips into her skin while his tongue flicked in and out her pussy.

Her body heaved, hoarse expletives left her throat, and he didn’t stop
eating her.

Sharp nails scraped his scalp as she tugged on his hair.

“Dakota, please.” Her voice shook. “Fuck me, come inside me.”

Tongue buried deep inside her cunt, Dak groaned. He needed

to fuck her, but he didn’t want to stop tasting and licking her either.
Ever tugged on his hair again, and he pulled away after a final swipe
of his tongue. Staggering to his feet, he fumbled with his belt buckle.
His cock was painfully hard and his fingers refused to cooperate. Ever
sat up and edged closer to the end of the desk, replacing his useless
hands with hers.

“Condom, Dakota.” She glanced up at him with wide eyes.

Dak could get drunk staring into them.

He cleared his throat and pulled his wallet from his back

pocket. “Here.”

She smiled and licked her lips. With a tug, she released his

belt, unbuttoned his fly, and tugged his pants off his hips. Dak kicked
them and his shoes away then stifled a girlish scream when Ever
circled his throbbing cock.

“Motherfuck. Ever…” His hips canted forward, thrusting him

firmly into her hold.

Their eyes met and she offered him a shit-eating grin as she

swiped a gloved thumb over his cock head. “You know, Dakota, I like
the way you say my name.” Bringing the thumb to her mouth, she
flicked her nimble tongue out and licked off his pre-cum. She
hummed. “And I like the way you taste. Like salted honey.”

Dak swallowed, struggling to breath, to think. Her touch

enflamed him. Her words disarmed him. And here he thought he was
the one in charge. With a wink, Ever took the condom from his limp
fingers and tore it open with her teeth. When she smoothed the rubber
onto his cock, Dak fisted his hands, shut his eyes, and prayed for even
an ounce of his legendary control.

Ever placed a feather light kiss on his neck then laid back on

her elbows, long legs spread, it seemed, over continents. Her gloved
fingers dipped between her legs and two disappeared inside her pussy.

Jeezus fuck. Dak fisted his cock and stroked as the slick

sounds of Ever fucking herself filled the room. “Ever…”

Her back arched, fingers sped up as whimpers left her throat.

“I need you here, Dakota. Filling me. Fucking me.”

“Yes.” Dak grabbed her legs, dragging her toward him.

Automatically they wound around his waist, and he brushed her hands
away from her core. “Ever, let me in.”

She removed her hands with a groan and he plunged inside her

tight cunt. Ever yelped. Dak bit his cheek until blood flooded his
mouth. His eyelids fluttered on a sigh. So good. So tight. So wet.

He moved. Slowly at first, then faster as she urged him on.

Dak opened his eyes and almost came right then. The fingers Ever
used to fuck herself were now in her mouth, and she sucked them,
eyes closed. He growled. Her lashes flew open, revealing eyes dilated
and darkened with arousal. She held his gaze as she sucked her
fingers, saliva dripping down her chin. He imagined those lips
wrapped around his cock and his hips sped up.

Dak gripped her hips and pistoned into her. He caught a dark

nipple between his thumb and forefinger and squeezed. Ever’s head
twisted from side to side. Her cunt contracted around him as moisture
flowed.

Dak ground his teeth at the overwhelming need to come. He

didn’t want it to end, didn’t want to move away from the slick heat
grabbing him so tightly. Stilling his movements, he cleared his lust-
fogged throat. “Come here.” He opened his arms and after a
moment’s hesitation, she sat up and wrapped her arms around his
neck.

Sinking his teeth into the tender flesh of her neck, he began

moving again. She went with him, meeting his thrusts and riding him.
Dak palmed her ass and lifted her off the desk, encouraging her to set
her own pace.

She did. Tiny mewls left her throat as she buried her face in

his shoulder and rocked her hips. Her hard nipples grazed his chest,
sending pricks of fire shooting through his veins. He threw his head
back and groaned. Their hips sped up as one. His legs threatened to
give out. Ever’s cunt tightened painfully.

“Fuck.”
“Dakota.” His name left her mouth on a breathy sigh. Her

nails burned into his shoulder as she lifted herself off him and
slammed down. Stars burst out behind Dak’s eyelids even though his
eyes were open. Ever screamed and clutched at him, her orgasm
setting off his own. Dak held her ass cheeks tightly, spreading them

wide as he tried to still Ever’s frantic hips. She kept riding him, and
he kept thrusting until he emptied all he had into the rubber.

For one split second, he wished they had no barrier between

them. He wished he could flood her pussy with his cum, watch her
take it all.

His knees buckled. Dak turned them until he sat on the edge of

the desk and she sat in his lap, still joined. Ever lifted her head off his
chest and flashed him an unsteady smile. “Not bad, Dakota.”

Dak grinned, his cock twitching inside her. He liked his

mystery woman. Teeth marks marred her bottom lip, and he ran a
thumb across it. Her tongue snaked out, licking the pad of his finger
and arousing him in an instant.

His breath hitched. Her eyes flew to his, need and fear burning

bright in their green depths. Dak didn’t know what she was afraid of,
but he knew the source of the trepidation crawling down his spine. He
didn’t want this to be a one-night, one time thing. Ironic really, when
he couldn’t remember the last time he slept with the same woman
twice.

Cupping her cheek, he brushed his lips over hers. Ever inhaled

sharply. Her body froze, but she didn’t pull away. Dak traced the
outline of her full lips with his tongue. The fingers in his hair
tightened, pulled. Her lips parted in silent invitation, and he slid his
tongue inside.

She sighed into his mouth. Dak flicked his tongue across the

roof of her mouth, until finally tangling with hers. The kiss took on a
life of its own then. Ever pressed closer to him, pussy fluttering. Fresh
moisture soaked his cock and eased on to his thighs. Her hold on his
hair turned painful. Dak squeezed her ass, rocking her onto him as
their tongues wrestled.

Something swelled in his chest, clogged his throat. Regret that

he couldn’t be someone who did relationships. Sorrow that this
woman would be the only one, among dozens, who he’d contemplate
leaving it behind for.

He broke the kiss and nibbled the corner of her mouth. “Spend

the night with me.”

Chapter Two

Ever Marcille blinked up at the last man she should be

swapping bodily fluids with. Did Ian Dakota just ask her to spend the
night with him? And was she seriously contemplating it?

The job she came here to do was done. She’d planted the tiny

listening device on the underside of his huge oak desk—the one he’d
fucked her on—so it was back to Wes. There was no space on her
calendar for a second round of bump and grind with the club owner
known for his many varied criminal activities.

Never mind she was a criminal, too.
“Ever.”
Damn it, she blinked again. Ever parted her lips to tell him no,

but he kissed her. Fucking man and his kisses. He tasted of her pussy
and whiskey. A heady mixture she could get drunk on. She opened
wider under his insistent probe and got swept away by that damn
tongue of his. Still lodged deep inside her, his cock twitched and she
tightened around him.

He bucked, her hips swiveled, and someone knocked on the

door. Ever cursed and rejoiced quietly. Saved from compounding her
mistake, now to make a quick exit.

Dak flipped his heavy dark hair over his shoulder and yelled.

“What?”

The voice of the security guard who’d escorted Ever upstairs

came through the door. “That call you’ve been expecting? On line
two.”

Dak signed. “Thanks, Jayce.” Regret shadowed his eyes as he

held Ever’s gaze. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to take this.”

She shrugged. “Do your thing.” With infinite slowness, hoping

to prolong the feeling, she eased off his cock, lifting up until they
were separated. Fucking torture that. His rough fingers fluttered on
her hip as she slid down his body and stood on wobbly feet.

Blowing her sweaty bangs out of her eyes, Ever offered him a

smile. “Point me in the direction of your bathroom and I’m good.”

Dak jerked his chin, indicating a closed door to her left. She

pivoted and he grabbed her arm. “You didn’t answer me earlier.”

Ever met his eyes over her shoulder. Dark and brooding, they

mesmerized her.

“Spend the night with me.”
To keep from shouting yes to the rooftops and having Wes

declare her more crazy than normal, Ever pursed her lips. “Where do
you live?” It wasn’t that she didn’t know where Ian Dakota lived. She
and Wes made it a point to know everything about the people they did
business with, but some time needed to be bought.

He named a very affluent neighborhood, and she nodded,

shrugging off his hand. “Take your call, I’ll think about it.” She
snatched her dress from the floor and hurried to the bathroom.

Inside the huge, luxurious bathroom, she bolted the door and

sagged against it. Stupid. A very stupid move bumping uglies with a
potential client. Her sole mission had been to get the bug planted.
That way if he needed anything to use against Mr. Dakota, they’d
have it at the ready. He didn’t get to be a profitable weapons broker
without issuing a few threats and blackmailing a couple people. In
fact, she knew first hand how much worse things could get.

Ian Dakota wanted weapons, and he’d contacted Ever for

them, only he didn’t know who she was. He didn’t know the woman
he’d fucked was the only person standing between him and the
mysterious arms dealer named Ghost.

Splashing water on her face, Ever fixed her hair back into its

original upsweep and stepped into her dress. One last, deep breath
then she opened the door and stepped outside. The dimly lit office
was quiet, with Dak nowhere in sight, but the gorgeous security guy
from earlier stood by the windows.

“He wants you to wait for him.” He didn’t look in her

direction.

Ever smiled and eyed the well-muscled man in a black t-shirt

and faded jeans. He had one of the best asses she’d seen on anyone,
not that she’d tell him that. “Jayce, right?”

Jayce nodded and turned to her, dark glasses covering his

eyes. The sharp crew cut gave him a severe appearance, one she
suspected he cultivated.

“Jayce, it’s been a pleasure.” She pulled open the door leading

outside and glanced at him over her shoulder. “Kindly tell your boss I
wait for no one.” Ever closed the door behind her, drowning out his
chuckle. Now to face Wes.

****

Wes was in his office when she let herself into the house they

shared. Ever paused by the front door and slipped off her heels. She
crept down the cold-tiled basement stairs and into her partner and best
friend’s domain. Wes took care of anything computer and electronic
related. Ever did the people part. Most days she was good at it. Today
she sucked.

Or rather, Ian Dakota did. Heh.
She found Wes where he always was, sitting in front a bank of

computer monitors, fingers flying over a keyboard, speaking a foreign
language rapidly into headphones askew on his head. Walking up to
him, she dropped a kiss on his mop of sandy blond hair and flopped
down in a chair next to him. Quietly she watched as he finalized terms
with an overseas buyer and ended the call.

When he pulled the headphones off his head, she cocked an

eyebrow. “The German?”

He nodded, his way-too-long hair falling into his eyes. “Slimy

fuck didn’t think I knew he was playing me and the Russian dealer off
each other.” Rubbing his temples, he narrowed his blue eyes and
squinted up at the clock on the wall. “Damn, is it that time already?”

Ever sighed and got to her feet. “Did you forget to eat again?”
He flushed. “I was too busy listening to you and Ian Dakota

humping.”

Ouch. She grimaced. “Okay. I know how it looks, but I—”
Wes jumped to his feet. “What the fuck were you thinking, E?

We don’t fuck the clients, especially someone he specifically ordered
us to spy on.” Disgust was evident in his voice as he turned away
from her and headed back upstairs. But under the disgust, she made
out the sharp notes of fear. She knew all too well how he felt. And
coming down off her arousing high, she fully admitted sleeping with
Dakota had been a shitty idea

“I know that.” Ever hurried after him. “I’m sorry,

Wes…would you please stop?”

He braked in the middle of the kitchen and shoved his fingers

through his hair. His eyes blazed. “You could’ve jeopardized us, put
us back on his shit list. Not that we’re ever really off. Was it worth
it?”

She’d never seen Wes so riled up. And he was right, of course.

Touching his shirtsleeve, she assured him, “It shouldn’t have

happened. I’m sorry. He wanted me to spend the night with him, but I
said no. I couldn’t—”

Her friend snorted. “Should I give you a medal then? Reward

you for turning down a second go round?”

Ever’s mouth hung open. “What? No. I’m just telling you I

turned him down.”

Wes stared at her. She broke their gaze, looking over his

shoulder. Those crystal clear eyes always saw way too much. Wes
knew her better than anyone. If he saw what she was feeling—

“You like him,” Wes whispered.
Her gaze flew to his face. Shock widened his eyes. “I enjoyed

myself with him,” she corrected in an even tone. “Like had nothing to
do with it.”

“My ass.” Wes pulled a bottle of orange juice from the fridge

and swallowed half of it. “You want him. I can see it in your face.”
He placed the juice back in the fridge and met her stare. “You know
your eyes can’t lie to me.”

Ever gulped and walked into the living room, Wes on her

heels. She plopped down on the couch and flung an arm over her
eyes. Wes sat beside her, rubbing her knee.

“You know what I think?”
She groaned. “Do I dare ask?”
He chuckled. “I think it’s been way too long since we both had

some fun. We should go out tomorrow night.”

“What are you talking about?” She lowered her arm. “You had

fun with Luke, didn’t you?”

Wes waved her words away. “Luke had his moments, but he

couldn’t deal with having a lover who got calls at all times of the day
and night.” His lips twisted. “And of course I couldn’t tell him what’s
really going on.”

“Well, of course not.” Ever cupped his cheek. “The last time I

got laid was on that trip we took to the Caribbean almost a year ago.
We’re two lost causes, aren’t we?”

Wes kissed her palm. “Not quite. Something about Dakota

called to you.” He curled up next to her. “What was it?”

Ever laid her head on his shoulder and thought over Wes’s

words. What was it about Dakota that called to her?

“His confidence,” she said. “He wore it like a custom-made

suit. He’s gorgeous with that Native-American flavor.” Her voice

lowered. “Black on black, Wes. His hair, all long and flowing, and
those eyes. Black as sin.”

A laugh rumbled in Wes’s chest. “I’d say you’ve got it pretty

bad for our prospective new client.”

“Why did he have to be our client? He can buy guns from

anyone, why does he need the Ghost? And speaking of which.” She
sat up. “When do you make the call to tell him you’ll take him on as a
client?”

Wes shrugged. “I was instructed to wait a couple days. At

least until that handy little bug picks up anything useful.”

She grunted. They were all pawns in a sick game played by a

man thousands of miles away. And with no way out from under his
thumb in the foreseeable future. Her and Wes’s future, their lives,
depended on how quick they jumped when commanded.

Puppets. All because she fell in love with an animal.
Ever hated having to use the bug to blackmail Dakota. She

regretted the deceit. What she couldn’t call a mistake was getting to
taste him. Feel him.

An elbow poked her in the ribs. She looked up to find Wes

grinning at her. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”

She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “I—

Wes, I can still feel him on my skin. I can still taste him.” Ever licked
quivering lips.

“Why did you turn him down when he asked you to stay?”

Wes cocked an eyebrow. “I hope it wasn’t because of me.”

“It was partly because of you.” She smiled. “I knew you’d

chew me a new one, but mostly I was afraid of what he made me
feel.” Ever rubbed her chest slowly. “He made me feel soft and safe,
which is nuts considering he was fucking me six ways to
motherfucking Sunday.”

Wes guffawed. “Oh, honey. I feel your pain. I know how

much you hate soft.”

She smacked him on the arm. “This isn’t funny.”
He sobered. “You still have time. Why don’t you go to him?

You deserve at least one night to indulge.”

Her heart stuttered. “Going to him now…” She shook her

head. “I don’t know if I can handle it, Wes. He’s going to be hard to
shake.”

Chapter Three

“Any updates on Ghost?”
Lying in his bed, still fully dressed, Simon Dakin crossed his

ankles and shook his head, even though his boss on the other end of
the phone couldn’t see. “No, not yet. I’m still waiting for some kind
of confirmation that he’ll agree to produce the weapons I asked for.”

He’d been undercover for a year hunting the weapons dealer.

Only in the past few months had he come close to having something
remotely substantial to bring to his superiors at the FBI.

“Find something soon, Dakin. Ghost is the sole reason we’ve

set up this particular identity for you.”

Dak rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir. I know that, sir.”
“If nothing comes of this lead you’ve got, Ian Dakota will be

disappearing. Permanently.” Dial tone buzzed.

“I’m well aware of the consequences, asshole.” Dak threw the

phone down beside him on the bed and thought back to all the
information they had on the slippery little fucker nicknamed Ghost.
The dealer had appeared on the scene five years ago, quickly
becoming the go-to-guy for the big names in weapons trade. They’d
had suspects back then, but nothing came of it. Then all activities
ceased. Until a year and a half ago.

Ian Dakota was invented, his identity and criminal activities

carefully constructed to attract Ghost. But no matter the amount of
feelers Dak put out in the street about needing a good weapons
connect, no one bit large enough to connect him to Ghost.

More than once, the validity of the case had been questioned,

and he’d petitioned for more time. Now that time was rapidly coming
to an end, and he had no more re-ups. A phone call was imminent
letting him know if he’d finally snagged the big fish or if time had
come to pack up and head home.

Dak had mixed feeling about leaving Ian Dakota behind. He’d

made good friends, learned valuable lessons. As part of his cover, he
had a finger in nearly all the illegal happenings in town, and he’d had
his share of women.

He regretted only one.
She told Jayce she didn’t wait for anyone. His friend was in

stitches seeing how those words stunned Dak. He thought she’d stay.

He hoped she would. He wanted her to. A revelation that stunned the
shit out of him. He didn’t have women spend the night, and it had
nothing to do with his cover. He hadn’t slept beside a woman since he
was in his twenties, young, fresh, and full of bright ideas. Like getting
married. That notion went away pretty quickly, aided by a cheating
fiancée.

Would he ever see her again? Or was it like the way he usually

did it, no coming back for seconds? He still felt her touch, still heard
the sounds she made when he ate her out. He closed his eyes, calling
up the picture of her spread wide on his desk. Pink, wet, and inviting.

The beep of the intercom roused him from his fantasies.

Leaning over the side of the bed with a grunt, he pressed the red
button on the phone. “Yeah.”

Jayce cleared his throat. “Uh, you have a visitor at the gate.”
Dak frowned. A visitor at—he glanced at his watch—three-

thirty am? “Who is it?” Someone spoke in the background, but Dak
couldn’t make out the words.

A scuffle sounded then a familiar drawl came over the

intercom. “Dakota darling, what say we take this inside?”

Dak’s heart hammered in his chest. He gripped the sheets.

“Ever?”

Her husky chuckle hardened his cock instantly. “Tell the sexy

Jayce to let me in.”

“Let her in, Jayce.”
“You heard the man, sexy Jayce. Let me in.”
****
She’d changed out of the dress into a black tank top with

glittering red lips on the front, black motorcycle jacket and dark, skin
tight jeans. Black leather boots came up to just over her knees.

Dak stood a few feet from her in the foyer and drank her in.

Ever watched him with a tiny smile hovering on her lips. “You think
Jayce is sexy?”

She grinned. “He is a delicious morsel, but he’s not who I

desire.”

He laughed and walked to her. “You’re who I desire.”
“Good to know.”
He grazed his knuckles down her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered.

“Why didn’t you stay?”

Green eyes opened, centered on him. “I—I had business to

take care of.”

Dak asked the question he knew he should’ve asked way

earlier. “Are you taken, Ever?”

A shadow crossed her eyes and she shook her head. “I’m not

seeing anyone, but I—this has to be the last time we, uh, do this.”

Biting his tongue to stifle the need to ask why, Dak forced a

grinned. “Then I guess we should really make this time count, hmm?”

Ever grabbed hold of the front of his shirt and pulled. Buttons

scattered and she smiled. “Show me your bed.”

****
Ever stared at the ginormous bed covered in black sheets and

fought back a smile. Dakota’s bedroom looked exactly like she
pictured it, and trust she pictured that shit. Low lighting and the faint
smell of sandalwood set the mood perfectly.

Dak stepped out of his gray sweats, cock bobbing, the red

mushroomed head shining. Her mouth watered for a taste. She held
out a hand to him. “Undress me, Dakota.”

Something flickered in his eyes for a quick second, then he sat

at the edge of his bed and tugged her between his parted knees. Her
hands went to his hair, pulling as he kissed her stomach through her
clothes. He pushed her jacket off her shoulder then lifted her t-shirt,
exposing her stomach, and nipped at her.

Ever groaned and raked her nails across his shoulders. Dak

growled against her skin. Twisting her fingers in his hair, she jerked
his head back. He came willingly, dark eyes open, watching.

“I want your marks on my skin.” Her voice trembled, but he

had to know what she wanted, what he’d get in return. “Mark me,
Dakota, because I’ll be leaving mine on you.” Memories, physical and
otherwise, she wanted them. She wanted to be able to look at her skin
and see the evidence of his possession. Make sure she wasn’t
dreaming all this.

His Adam’s apple moved hypnotically as he swallowed. Ever

yanked her t-shirt over her head and dropped it at his feet. Taking a
step back, she placed first one then the other foot on his thigh and
watched as he tugged her boots off. Before the last boot hit the floor,
his fingers were at the snap of her jeans, unzipping and easing them
down her hips.

“Commando,” he breathed.

“Yeah. Me and underwear had a sudden falling out.” She

winked.

Brushing his lips to her left hip bone, he said, “You won’t hear

me complaining.” He palmed her ass, kneading, squeezing as his
tongue traced a line from her belly button to just above her pussy.
Ever scraped his scalp with her nails, allowing him a couple minutes
of exploration before stepping back.

Their eyes met and the need and desperation in his made the

breath shudder in her lungs. Damn man could turn her into a wet pile
of goo with his eyes alone. Kicking off the jeans tangled around her
ankles, Ever graced him with a wobbly smile.

“I’m thinking it’s my turn to do the fucking.”
Dak blinked, but not before she caught the surprise and delight

in his dark peepers. Inwardly, she grinned. Seems Mr. Dakota had no
problem giving up control every now and then.

Who knew?
“On your back.” Hands on her hips, she commanded, “Let me

see you play with that gorgeous cock.”

Maintaining eye contact, he crawled backward until he lay in

the center of the bed. His cock lay across his hard stomach, the tip
leaking pre-cum. Ever licked her lips. She’d definitely be getting
more of that pearly liquid later. Dak wrapped a large palm around his
cock, and she almost choked.

Much later.
She watched, unblinking, as he dragged a thumb over the slit

in the mushroomed head then pulled at the skin. A raw groan echoed
in the room. His. Ever cupped her breasts, pinching the nipples. Her
hips bucked. Dak mimicked her movements as he jerked himself off.
Slick sounds filled the room, coupled with her whimpers and his
ragged breathing. Unsteady legs brought her to the bed.

Lying between his widened legs, Ever brought her face to his

crotch and nuzzled. The musk of man and arousal went straight to her
head, making her dizzy with want. Pre-cum poured from his cock and
she flicked her tongue out, licking it off. Dak groaned. His cock
bobbed and her clit pulsed a needy rhythm. The juncture of her thighs
was slick with her juices.

As Dak worked the length of his cock, Ever took one of his

balls into her mouth. His hips rose off the bed. She cupped the other
heavy sack and traced the seam with her fingernail.

“Fuck. Ever, please…” His palm fluttered, stilled. Releasing

his ball with a plop, she licked the fingers wrapped around his cock
then worked her way upward to take the head of him into her mouth.

He shuddered as she sucked. Salted honey filled her mouth,

leaving behind a slightly bitter taste Ever savored. Nails raking his
stomach, she ground her hips into the mattress as she bobbed her head
and took him deep. To the back of her throat.

Above her, Dak’s head thrashed back and forth, tense muscles

bunched as he fought for control, but he should’ve realized by now
she had it all. She smiled around the thickly veined cock in her mouth
then grimaced when pain pinched her scalp. Dak gripped her hair,
anchoring her to him as he lifted his hips and fucked her mouth. Hard,
rough. She stayed in place, mouth open, as he plunged in and out.
Ever felt his control fraying in the thick tension in the air. She saw it
in the frenzied, almost staccato movement of his hips.

Digging her fingers into the flesh of his buttocks, she

hollowed her cheeks and tightened her lips around him. She slid a
finger down the underside of his balls, skating over the sensitive flesh.
His body grew taut. Ever pressed a finger over his anus, teasing the
tight hole. One last throw of his hips and his low cry bounced off the
walls. He froze and frothy cream flooded her mouth. Ever drank him
down greedily, moaning as his cum slid down her throat. She slurped
all of him down, sucking his cock dry.

“Ev—” Dak’s hoarse voice broke. He cleared his throat and

tried again. “Ever.”

Wonder and something else was present in that one word.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and damn it, she didn’t know why. It was
only a skin thing, a scratching of the itch Dak created. Nothing more.
Couldn’t be anything. She came here for a farewell fuck and that’s
what she’d get.

Rising to her knees, she crawled up Dak’s body and stood.

Legs on either side of his body, Ever grabbed the headboard and
lowered herself on his face. Without hesitation, he plunge his tongue
deep inside her.

“God.” Her body shook, legs trembled, and white heat sparked

in her spine. His teeth nipped her clit and she fell forward, smashing
her face into the padded headboard. Dak grabbed her ass and held her
upright as he licked from her clit to her entrance and back.

“Yes. Fuck.” Her head fell back and she pinched her nipples.

“Dakota,” she whispered brokenly. “Dakota.”

“Hmm.” He hummed against her wet flesh. Her body bowed

and she grabbed his hair. Dak lifted her ass off his face and inserted
two fingers into her cunt. Ever cried out, but her hips were already at
work riding his fingers. He finger-fucked her while circling her clit
with his tongue. Slurping sounds told how wet she was, how needy.
Lifting even higher off his fingers, she sank back down on them, now
three. The slight burn didn’t make her pause, but her walls fluttered
and contracted wildly.

“Motherfuck, Dakota.” The groan sounded from far away.

“You’re killing me.”

Pressure on her clit turned her legs to liquid as heat blossomed

in her center and spread. Violent tremors raced through her body.
“God. God.” Screams tore from her throat, the orgasm tearing her
body apart. The force off it threw her backward. She ended up lying
on Dak’s chest, ass on his chin, shaking legs around his neck.

Dak smoothed a hand over her quivering midsection as she

blinked the stars from her eyes and fought to breathe.

When Ever was finally able to move, she turned around on the

bed, laying her head on Dak’s sweaty chest. He wrapped an arm
around her and kissed the top of her head. Her eyelids drooped as she
reminded herself she needed to be gone from Dak’s bed, and his life,
by morning. The steady thumping of his heart lured her into a
dreamless sleep.

Chapter Four

A soft, wet sensation at the base of her spine woke her.

Disoriented, she lifted her head and blinked sunlight out of her eyes.
It took a moment for the room to become familiar, and then the racing
of her pulse drowned out any other sound.

She was in Dakota’s bed. Ever groaned silently. This was

going to be a bitch.

Firm lips pressed into her spine, then Dakota used his tongue

to trace the curve of her left hip and moved upward. He was kissing
and licking her tattoos.

“Wake up, sleepy,” he murmured. “Breakfast is served.”
She narrowed her eyes even though he couldn’t see. “Am I

breakfast?”

His low chuckle vibrated on her skin. “Do you want to be?

Cause I’ve got no problems with that.” Sliding a palm down the
expanse of her back, he caressed her ass. “Spend the day with me.”

The fuck? Ever scrambled to a sitting position, facing him.

God, such a mistake. Those dark eyes were heavy-lidded, aroused.
His mess of hair framed his face and hung to his shoulders. Naked
shoulders. Bronzed, smooth, and well-muscled. Damn, the man was
full on naked. She felt her defenses flying away on the morning
breeze.

Food sat on a tray at the foot of the bed, but she ignored it.

What kind of shit was that? Is this was how he treated his one night
stands?

Ever swallowed and met his eyes forcefully. “Let’s not make

this bigger than it was, hmm? I have to leave.”

His jaw worked. Though he tried to keep his expression

passive. Ever caught the surprise and brief flash of hurt before he
smoothed it away. “You can certainly eat before you leave, Ever. Or
is that making this bigger, too?”

The words were hard, emotionless, sparking regret she fought

to suppress. Spending time with Ian Dakota spelt trouble for her and
Wes. And she’d die before she allowed anyone to hurt Wes.

Choosing her words carefully, Ever said, “Sorry, I don’t eat

breakfast.” She hopped off the bed, naked ass and tits jiggling. The

heat of his stare felt like a brand on her skin as she grabbed her
clothes off the floor.

“Ever.”
She ignored the low rumble and made a mad dash to what she

hoped was the bathroom. Saved for the moment, she slammed the
door and pulled at her hair. Damn, why had she come here last night?
And why the hell was it so hard to walk away from this man? No one
made her feel like he did. Could be the amazing sex talking. Lord
knows she’d never been fucked this good.

Deciding she needed to wash away his touch, Ever turned on

the water and stepped into the shower, closing the sliding glass doors
behind her. As the warm water saturated her skin, she thought back to
the day her life had changed so dramatically three years ago. The day
he called. She and Wes thought they were finally rid of him, but that
proved to be false.

After all the pain visited on her in Ireland, he still held her

prisoner, and they weren’t even on the same continent. He was the
man behind the scenes, the Ghost, while she and Wes were up front.
The faces of the operation.

In return for not killing Wes, or maybe for not turning him

over to the cops, they had to operate his business while he raked in the
money. Though he started the business to make money, it was no
longer all about that.

This arrangement was her prison. Her punishment for crimes

she’d never even thought to commit against him. More confining than
the room he’d locked her in for a week.

Still, she’d do it for Wes. He’d saved her life on more than one

occasion, holding her hand through the darkest times.

Ever choked up, soaping her body roughly. She cursed herself

for allowing Dakota inside her defenses. Now she couldn’t get him
out of her head or the imprint of his touch off her skin. After rinsing
off, she held up a hand in front of her face. It trembled.

“Goddamn it.” Tears streamed down her face as she pulled

aside the shower door. A gasp fell from frozen lips. Dak stood with a
hip against the doorway, staring unblinking at her. Ever didn’t move,
she couldn’t. Instead, she covered her eyes with a shaky hand and
words poured from her.

“I can’t wash you away, you’re under my skin.” Tears clogged

her throat. “I need to not be near you, but I can’t—”

“Then don’t.” His voice sounded closer, like he stood mere

inches away. The heat swirling around her told her the same need
rode him equally as hard.

Ever’s entire body shook, but she refused to open her eyes,

afraid she’d crumble at his feet. Rough fingers grasped her chin and a
finger brushed her bottom lip. She forgot to breathe. Molten heat
slicked the juncture of her thighs and her nipples beaded.

“Ever, look at me.”
The pleading command lifted her eyelids. Dark eyes clashed

with hers, need and desire present and so beautiful. Her lips parted
and he was on her, sliding his tongue into her mouth, sipping from
her, branding her with his lips. Ever sobbed into the kiss. She put her
hands on his to push him off, but the instant her fingers touched the
smooth skin, they curled, nails digging, marking. Staking claim.

The kiss turned frenzied, each trying to devour the other. Dak

grabbed her ass, and Ever lifted one leg then the other, wrapping them
around his narrow waist. He staggered back toward the open door as
she wiggled on the rigid cock rubbing her pussy. In the bathroom
doorway, he stopped and braced against the frame. Bending his head,
he took a nipple in his mouth, biting, punishing. Ever clawed at his
shoulders, back arched, soaked pussy sliding over the hard length of
him.

Sinking her nails into his back for purchase, she lifted her

lower half off and positioned herself over his hardness. The smooth
tip slid into her inch by torturous inch. All Dak’s movement ceased.
Ever opened her eyes to find his stare on her face, his eyes glowing,
almost feral. The look on his face said she was his. She opened her
mouth to deny it, call him a liar, but he kissed her. Tongues mating,
she eased the rest of the way down his cock and rocked into him.

One of his hard arms locked her tightly against him, the other

pinched her nipple, rolled it between his fingers. Mewling cries left
her throat as she rode the cock hitting all her sweet spots. Dakota’s
grunts echoed in the room. Ever would never tire of hearing him voice
his pleasure. The pleasure she gave him.

He broke away from her lips, dropping hurried kisses across

her cheek and down her neck, all the while murmuring the words she
longed to hear, didn’t want to hear. “You’re mine, Ever. I’m keeping
you.”

Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. It was only the heat

of the moment talking. She wasn’t free, and besides, Ian Dakota
would never settle down with someone like her.

His teeth sank into her neck. Screams tore from her throat as

her orgasm crashed over her.

“Motherfuck.” Dak groaned as his hips sped up. A warm gush

flooded her insides, an unwelcome reminder of all the mistakes she’d
made lately. She practically jumped out of his arms.

Fighting to stand on wobbly knees, Ever held up a hand when

he moved to hold her. “No.” She grabbed her clothes and pulled them
on with jerky movements. Fully dressed, she turned to find him in the
same spot, arms folded across his chest, semi-hard cock still
glistening with a mixture of his cum and her juices.

Ever licked her lips. “I’m leaving now.” A sharp pain seared

her chest and she inhaled sharply, clasping a hand over her heart. “I
won’t be coming back.” His gaze darkened and he opened his mouth,
but she cut him off. “Please, Dakota,” she whispered brokenly.

Walking past him, she entered the bedroom and sat on the

edge of the bed, tugging on her shoes. Dak watched, the air
simmering with violence. She ignored him and walked out his
bedroom door, and hopefully out of his life.

Chapter Five

“You just left?” Wes’s incredulous words matched his

narrowed eyes as he stared Ever down.

Why the hell was he so surprised? Wasn’t he the one who said

to purge Dakota? She was purging, damn it. “Was I supposed to break
my fast with him, Wes?” She shoveled cereal into her mouth and
chewed. “The fucking man doesn’t take no for an answer. And who
feeds their one night stands anyway?”

Wes’s lips twitched, but mercifully he remained silent. She

squinted up at him. “I can hear you thinking. You need to stop living
out your evil fantasies through me.”

Color rode his cheekbones. “Dakota isn’t my fantasy, he’s

yours.”

Ever grunted. She wasn’t going to dignify that with a

response. “Tonight I’ll take you out on the town, get you some cock
so you can forget about me and uh…whatshisname.”

“We’re going out because we need distractions. Any cock

getting on my part will be my doing, not yours.” Getting to his feet,
Wes picked up a titanium briefcase from the floor and placed it on the
dining table. “Contrary to your meal of choice, it’s after seven pm and
you have an appointment.”

She grimaced. “Cruz can wait.” Cruz Doriaye was a buyer

she’d made the mistake of smiling at once. The green-eyed fool
hadn’t stopped trying to get in her pants since. She’d always held him
off with the whole don’t shit where you eat mantra, but she’d well and
truly fucked that one out the window.

“I’d rather he didn’t have to.” Wes kissed her cheek. “Don’t

forget the vest.” He insisted she wear a bulletproof vest whenever
doing face-to-face transactions. Like her head wouldn’t be an
acceptable target. She jerked her chin in a nod.

Ever made sure to finish her cereal before taking a shower and

heading out, flanked in the tinted SUV by the two bodyguards Wes
had hired. She didn’t think she needed bodyguards, but Wes was a
stickler for protection. It didn’t matter where she was, his people were
everywhere. They could lash out at any time.

The scent of salt water drifted to her on a breeze as they

neared the abandoned docks. Giant carrier containers lined the dark

entryway, all empty. The driver pulled the SUV to a stop between a
dilapidated boathouse and one of the carriers. Ever unbuckled her
seatbelt and leaned forward, searching out the flash of blue light Cruz
used as his signal.

Nothing came.
She frowned then checked her watch and the time on the

vehicle’s dashboard just to be sure. It was the time they’d agreed to
meet, yet Cruz was nowhere around. Unease prickled her spine. In the
three years they’d been doing this, Cruz had never been late.

Bodyguard One—the driver—looked at her. “What do you

want me to do, ma’am?”

“Give it another five minutes.” She buckled her seat belt and

crossed her arms over her chest. “And for fuck’s sake, don’t call me
ma’am.”

When they left the docks eight minutes later, Cruz still hadn’t

put in an appearance, and the bad feeling Ever couldn’t shake grew
progressively worse.

****
“Why do you think he didn’t show?” Wes asked her.
Ever shrugged with feigned nonchalance. “Who knows? The

bastard better have a good reason, else I’m cutting him off.” She
downed the remaining drops of the Margarita in her glass and
signaled the bartender for another. They sat in a booth at one of the
newly opened clubs in downtown Chicago. Practically empty when
they first showed up, the place was now bursting at the seams with
weekend partygoers. A few feet away, sweaty bodies writhed on the
dance floor to the latest head banging music. She kept a wary eye on
the room and people around her. Though she didn’t want to admit it,
something was definitely off about Cruz’s no-show.

“Hopefully it’s nothing major.” Wes swigged his beer. “You

know he uses his boat to move around, maybe something happened.”

“Then he should’ve called or send up a freaking flare or

something.” She shifted in her seat. “He knows better than to not
show.” Damn it, a bunch of scenarios for Cruz’s absence played out
in her head, none of them good.

“Okay. You’ll ream him a new one at a later date.” Wes

leaned over the table and covered her hand with his. “We came to get
me laid, remember?” His wiggled his eyebrows.

“Fine.” She smiled reluctantly and waved a hand at the room.

“See anything you like?” Wes was right, she’d deal with Cruz another
day.

“Well…” Wes pursed his lips as his eyes roamed the crowd.

“There’s a hot piece of Italian ass staring at me over your shoulder.”

Ever grinned. “So, what’s the hold-up?”
“Not a damn thing.” Wes drained his beer and slid out of the

booth.

“Are you safe?” she asked. “And I’m not talking just rubbers.”
On his feet, he smoothed a hand over his chest and nodded. “I

am.”

“Go get him then. I’ll be here when you get back.”
Wes smiled and disappeared into the crowd. Ever watched

him leave as she sipped her second margarita. Wes deserved a few
minutes of reprieve, a quiet moment or two of pleasure. They’d
refused themselves the chance for a long time, too caught up in the
life they now led. A life neither of them had chosen. Until they found
a way to get out from under his thumb, they had no choice but to
continue.

Didn’t mean she had to like it, and she sure as hell wasn’t

going to stop until she found a way out. Wes deserved it. She
deserved it.

Fuck, as things stood now, they had no kind of life whatsoever

outside of the business. She needed out. How else could she explain
her behavior with Ian Dakota? Her heart lurched at the thought of
Dakota. Man, if only. If only she wasn’t who she was, and he wasn’t
the criminal he was.

“Are you drinking all alone, pretty lady?”
She jerked her gaze to the greased-up, smooth-faced idiot

sliding into her booth. “Yes and I prefer it that way, so fuck off.”

Light reflected off the heavy gold chain around his neck. He

ignored her words. “Come now, no need for that.” His eyes glinted.
“Tommy can make you feel so good.”

“Yeah?” She leaned toward him as she dropped one of her

hands under the table.

Tommy’s features perked up. “Yeah. Why don’t I—”
“I’ve got a .38 on little Tommy. Why don’t you leave before I

shoot him off, hmm?” She cocked the gun.

Tommy’s eyes widened, but he didn’t budge. “I don’t believe

you.”

“I never bluff about my guns, Tommy.” She gestured. “Now

fuck off before I make you bleed.” She didn’t spare him another
glance as he beat a hasty retreat. Her lap vibrated. She opened her
purse and fished out her phone.

Unknown number. Those were never a good sign. “Hello?”
“Ever.”
“Cruz?” She exited the booth and walked to the club’s rear

door. “Cruz, is that you?”

“Yes.” The deep voice hesitated. “Sorry I stood you up

tonight, but I’m in a bit of a bind.”

Ever pushed open the heavy door and stepped out into the cool

night. A couple was making out at one end of the dark alley, so she
turned in the other direction. “What kind of bind are you in, and how
does it involve me?”

His chuckle sounded dry. “Everything I do involves you,

darling.”

“Sweet talker. Where are you?”
He rattled off an address. Her heart rate sped up.
Shit. “What the fuck is this about?” She headed back into the

club.

“I’m afraid I’m in need of my lawyer.”
Her stomach bottomed out.
****
Dak sat in his office, staring at the monitors, hoping for a sight

of that familiar face. All through the night, he’d searched, but she
never turned up. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around what
happened. When he woke up that morning, he had Ever in his bed, her
luscious body spread so perfectly for him, and the next his arms were
empty and he was watching her run away.

The fucked up thing was he had no idea what he did wrong.

Make her breakfast?

He shook his head to clear it. For the time being, he had to

relegate Ever to the back burner, he needed to concentrate on finding
Ghost. Still no word yet on if he’d be getting his weapons from the
dealer, or even if he’d take Ian Dakota on as a client. They did get a
tip from a CI about someone moving weapons tonight. Dak doubted it

was Ghost, but right now, anyone carrying a gun without a permit was
fair game, if it had a possibility of leading them to Ghost.

Dak grew more and more impatient with the person who gave

them the slip so easily. Every time he thought they finally had their
man, he managed to slink away into the shadows.

Not this time. If it’s the last thing he did, he’d bring the fucker

down.

His door opened and Jayce walked in without knocking.

“We’ve got word from the local PD. That tip paid off. They have
someone in custody.”

“Who?” Dak jumped to his feet, grabbing his jacket from the

back of his chair.

“I don’t have anymore info.” Jayce wrinkled his brow. “Where

are you going? You know we can’t risk blowing our cover.”

“I have to at least be in the building. I don’t want anything

falling through the cracks if we’re to have a chance of finding this
fucking Ghost.”

“I think it’s stupid. We’ve worked too hard to have this case

be compromised because you’re not thinking clearly.”

Dak stilled in the process of shrugging on his jacket. “What

are you saying, Jayce?”

“I’m saying this chick has your nose wide open, you’re not

acting like Ian Dakota.” Jayce moved closer. “And if you’re not acing
like Ian Dakota, people starts questioning it. Ian Dakota doesn’t pine
away for women. Neither does he fuck the same woman twice. Or
have you forgotten?”

Dak sank onto his desk and ran a hand over his face. “Damn it.

I haven’t forgotten, Jayce, but—”

“But you want her.”
“Yes.” So bad, so much. And she didn’t even know his real

name. How messed up was that?

“Ian Dakota can’t have her, but what about when this case is

over?” Jayce laid a hand on his arm. “You can be yourself again.”

He grunted. “Yeah, until I go back under cover again. Assume

another identity.” He signed. “You’re right. My head hasn’t been in
the game lately, but all that changes now.” He stood. “We’re going
down to the precinct to find out what we can, discreetly, about the
person they brought in. Then we’ll move from there. Deal?” He held
out his hand.

Chapter Six

Ever strutted into the police precinct downtown, ignoring the

stares. Her stilettos pinched the back of her heel as she headed to the
front desk. She hid a wince. Fucking shoes were made for looking
cute, not walking in.

“Excuse me.”
The uniformed officer behind the desk ignored her, choosing,

instead, to continue scribbling in some kind of log.

“Excuse me, and I won’t say it a third time.”
“Can I help you, ma’am?” He still didn’t look at her.
“Yes. You can look at me and never call me ma’am again.”
That caught his attention. He met her gaze with a raised

eyebrow.

Ever slid her card over to him. “I’m Ever Marcille and I want

to see my client.”

“Who’s your client?” He glanced at the card and back at her.
“Cruz Doriaye. He was brought in earlier from the weapons

sting.”

The officer nodded and waved a colleague over. “Stine, escort

Ms. Marcille here to interrogation room five.”

Ever followed Officer Stine as he led her to Cruz, and once

she stepped into the interrogation room, she locked and bolted the
door. Cruz sat shackled to a metal table, head lowered. His dark hair
hung loose, but she made out the purple bruise covering half of his
face.

“Oh, my God! They beat you up?” She rushed over to him and

tilted his head back. His forest-green eyes smiled up at her.

“You know I never go down without a fight.” He winked the

lesser swollen eye.

“Yeah, but I also know how much you love that pretty face of

yours.” She pulled up a chair and sat close to him. “Why in the hell
would you resist arrest?”

Cruz shrugged. “Let’s talk about why I’m here.” He leaned

toward her, pressing his forehead to hers. “Did you know the Feds are
on your ass?”

“What?” Stomach churning, Ever resisted the urge to jerk

away. “Where’d you hear that?”

“From them.” He pulled away, staring her dead in the face.

“They’re hunting Ghost, and they got a tip I may know something.”

“Jesus.” Ever shot to her feet. She paced the length of the

small room as Cruz looked on. “Who knows about Ghost besides you,
me, and Wes?”

“Aren’t you forgetting someone else?”
She waved his words away. “No, he still needs us. He

wouldn’t sabotage his own operation just to—”

“To bring his wife to heel?”
“No!” She swung around. “I’m no longer that man’s wife.”

She swallowed, fighting to bring her breathing back to normal. “I’m
not his wife.”

Pity flashed in Cruz’s eyes for a second. “I hear you. But,

Ever, he’s not backing down.”

“Why?” She rubbed her eyes. “Why would he send the Feds

sniffing around? They could find out, they could ruin everything.”

“And nothing ties him to any of it. All you’ll have is your

flapping gums. He’s made himself untouchable, do you see that?”
Cruz straightened in his chair. “What have you done to protect you
and Wes, Ever?”

She stared at him. Always an immaculate dresser, his white

shirt and dark slacks were torn and painted with dirt. His bruises
matched the long, dark hair caressing wide shoulders he held high.
She could’ve had the chance to be with him when her life fell apart
and she confided in him. He offered his help, but she turned him
down, intent on doing it all herself. She’d been so sure she could
handle Angus and his threats.

“Ever?”
She blinked. “What?”
Cruz’s swollen face didn’t hide his concerned eyes. “How are

you protecting yourself and Wes? You do have a plan, right?”

She shook herself and sat back down. “Let’s get you out of

here, hmm?” She pulled a notepad and pen from her purse.

Cruz chuckled. “You always walk around with that in your

purse?”

“Yep, you never know.” She smiled up at him. “Now, tell me

what happened from the top. Leave nothing out.”

****

Dak stood next to Jayce behind a one-way mirror, both of their

arms folded as they stared at the empty room, waiting for the
detectives and the man they’d arrested to enter. He and Jayce entered
the precinct through the back entrance and came straight to this room.
They planned to observe the interview to see if they could glean
anything from the suspect’s body-language, or from what he didn’t
say.

More often than not, those two things spoke loudest.
The door opened and he perked up, shifting closer to the glass.

A man with muddied clothes and a wicked bruise on his face entered
first, his wrist cuffed in front of him. He took a seat as a woman
stepped in behind the two detectives.

Fuck! Ever sashayed into the interrogation room wearing a

tight, short, yellow jumper, exposing her cleavage and her legs. Her
purple heels click-clacked on the floor as she walked over and sat
next to—

“Dude, what’s she doing here?”
“Shut up, Jayce.” Dak stared at her through the mirror. Her

hair was swept away from her face and piled high on her head. Gold
earrings twinkled in her ears. Confidence and determination shone on
her face. Dak knew then any hope he had of learning anything about
Ghost was gone.

“So, guys,” Ever addressed the detectives. “You have my

client under arrest, care to tell me why?”

Detective Wayne, a short, balding man, spoke up. “We got a

tip your client was transporting weapons.”

Ever pursed her lips and nodded. “Uh-huh. And did this tip

name my client specifically?”

“We had a general description,” Wayne hedged.
“No! Really?” Ever burst out laughing. “And after you found

my client and roughed him up, did you find those weapons? You
know, other than his registered handgun.”

Jayce grunted. “She’s killing them.”
And Dak couldn’t tear his eyes away from her mouth. His

cock stirred and he licked his lips.

The second detective—Peterson, Peterford—spoke up then.

“We have reason to believe Mr. Doriaye here knows who the Ghost
is. At the very least, we think he’s had some business dealings with
the man.”

“And I have reason to believe I’m getting laid tonight,” Ever

scoffed. “Doesn’t make it so. Who is this Ghost?”

“He’s an arms dealer we’ve been after for a while and we

think—”

“And you think my client is somehow linked to him?” Ever

pushed back her chair and got to her feet. “I happen to have the
Mayor and Governor on speed dial. I can’t wait to hear what they
have to say about this.” She picked up her cell phone and punched in
some numbers. “Charge him or let him go. Now!” she barked.

The two detectives exited the room with slumped shoulders.
Jayce spun around. “What the fuck just happened?”
“She’s good.” Dak shook his head. “She worked them like a

pro.”

“What do we really know about her?” Jayce asked.
Dak shrugged. “You did the background check, remember?”
“We know her name and what she does for a living.” Jayce

paced. “We know she has no record, but we need deeper.”

Dak pulled out his phone and dialed as the two detectives

walked into the room.

Det. Wayne pulled a business card from his jacket pocket and

handed it over to Jayce. “You know her?”

Dak snatched the card with Ever’s contact information printed

on it.

“I want a deep background run like yesterday,” Dak said into

his phone. He gave them Ever’s info. “I want everything. Like what
she had for breakfast last week, everything.”

Chapter Seven

Ever crept into the house two hours after she left the police

precinct with Cruz. She’d dropped him off at his boat and drove
around until she found a park where she sat thinking of her next
move. Did she have the courage to get away from this business? And
what would the repercussions be from Angus Brennan? Whatever it
was, it would be swift, horrific, and geared to hit her in her most
vulnerable place.

That much she knew.
“Wes?” She dropped her purse on the couch, and walked to

the top of the basement stairs. After she got the call from Cruz at the
club, she’d had their driver and security detail escort Wes back home
despite his pouts. He didn’t answer her call and she frowned. Was he
still mad at her? Wes held a grudge like no one’s business, but even
he had to see she wanted only to protect him like he tried to protect
her.

“Wes?” She bounded down the stairs and stopped when she

found him sitting at his computers. “Wes, didn’t you hear me calling
you? Are you still mad at me from earlier? I told you—”

He lifted his head. Fear shone bold and bright in his eyes
“What’s wrong?” She stepped forward slowly, hand at her

throat. The only time she’d seen that look in his eyes was on tape
when Angus’s men held a knife to his throat, forcing him to read out
their demands for her. “Wes, tell me what’s wrong.”

“He’s a cop.”
“Huh?” She blinked. “Who’s a cop?”
“Ian Dakota is a cop!” Red-faced, sweating, he jumped from

his chair and kicked it aside. “Ian Dakota is a fucking cop hunting
Ghost. He’s on to us.”

“What? N-no. That’s-that’s impossible.” Words froze on her

tongue.

“I heard him and his friend talking through the bug. They’re

undercover, hunting us.” He focused accusing eyes on her. “A cop,
Ever.”

Body trembling, heart banging out of her chest, Ever pushed

him away and leaned over the computers. “Where? Where is it?” she
demanded. “Play it back, I want to hear everything.”

Wes brushed her fumbling hands away and punched some

knobs. Dakota’s deep timbre poured from the speakers, his words
crushing her via surround sound.

“…until I go back under cover again. Assume another

identity.”

She gasped. One hand covered her mouth as tears slid down

her cheeks. Ian Dakota was cop. A cop she’d slept with, jeopardizing
everything.

“We’re going down to the precinct to find out what we can,

discreetly, about this person they brought in—”

“Turn it off, turn it off.” She spun away with a cry. “Son of a

fucking bitch.” How could this happen now, with everything else on
her plate? Ian Dakota, a cop. But— “Who does he work for?”

“What?” Wes brushed a lock of hair from his eyes and stared.
“Who is he with? Feds?”
He shrugged. “Dunno. They didn’t say anything about that,

and I haven’t checked him out. I mean, really checked him out.”

“Why not?”
“Obviously, Dakota isn’t his name. Who am I looking for? I’ll

need his prints, DNA, to run.”

“Shit.” Ever tugged on her ear, searching her brain for

answers. “What about from me, I should have his DNA on me, right?’

“Ugh, gross.” Wes grimaced. “You’ve showered since you’ve

been with him, his saliva and handprint will be long gone. And let’s
not discuss anything else.”

Her lips twitched. “What else is there? How can we know who

he really is and why he’s here?” She muttered and paced the floor.
This finally put Dakota out of her life forever. She had to let him go.

“I can hack the major operations and run his face through the

databases.” Wes retook his seat and tapped away on one of the three
keyboards in front of him. “If he’s in one of them, I’ll find him.”

She nodded. “Send one to Cruz, too. He knows everybody.”
“Where is he, by the way?”
“Who, Cruz?”
Wes nodded with his eyes on his monitor.
“I dropped him at his boat, the second one, on the other side of

town.”

“Is he leaving or staying around?”

“Can’t say for sure. He didn’t give me any clues either way.”

But she hoped he stuck around. Right now, he and Wes were the only
people she trusted.

“All righty. Sent.” Wes pushed away from the desk. “The face

of the man known as Ian Dakota is scanning through all the different
agencies. We should know something soon enough.” He grabbed her
hand and pulled her onto his lap. His warm arms wrapped around her
midsection. “How are you holding up?”

Head on his shoulder, she chuckled dryly. “You mean since I

found out I’ve fucked us over yet again?” This had to be some kind of
record. From Angus to Dakota, or whatever his name was. Both had
the power to destroy her life, in two completely different ways. Both
she’d trusted with her body. My taste in men sucks!

“You cared about him. You still do.”
“It doesn’t matter, Wes. In the long run it’s always going to be

you and me against the world.” Her mistake was thinking she could
have anything else. Not after all she’d done in the name of love, and
was now doing in the name of hate.

Wes laughed softly. “Always, but you love him.”
“No!” She burrowed deeper into his chest, tears burning her

eyes. “I can’t love him, Wes. It was only a skin thing, a scratch-my-
itch thing. It was supposed to be nothing.”

“But it turned into everything,” he whispered in her ear. “Your

reaction to finding out about him says it all. Otherwise you’d be
angry, but not so obviously devastated.”

“I’m not devastated.” Heart-broken maybe, but not devastated.
Wes grunted but didn’t reply. He simply squeezed her tighter

and dropped kisses on her head.

She sniffed. “We’re so perfect for each other. Why do you

have to love cock?”

He burst out laughing. “Why couldn’t you be a gay man?”
“Hey.” She punched his shoulder. “There’s a gay man inside

me.”

He raised an eyebrow and both giggled as her phone rang. She

picked it up off the table.

“What’s up?”
“How do you know the man in the picture Wes sent me?”

Cruz asked.

“Uh. He’s the one hunting Ghost.” Cruz inhaled sharply and

she rushed on. “But I don’t now his real name or the agency he works
for. Do you?”

“Jesus, Ever. When you do your shit, you do it big.”
“What?” She scrambled off Wes’s lap. “Who is he?”
“He’s the man who questioned your husband five years ago,

sending him running back to Ireland.”

“What are you talking about?” Shocked by his words, she let

the ‘husband’ thing slide.

“His name’s Simon Dakin.”
She repeated the name and Wes’s fingers flew over the

keyboard.

“Angus put a hit out on him when Dakin hauled him in for

questioning about five years ago,” Cruz said.

“Christ. Christ.” What kind of shit was this?
“Yep. Dakin questioned Angus about some illegal guns he

sold an undercover. He probably hoped to leverage that in order to
have Angus give up what he knew about Ghost. Angus called his
bluff.”

“And high-tailed it back to the security of his homeland.”
“Yes. Angus wanted me to kill him, but I put him off by

telling him it was too soon. Surprisingly, he didn’t press too hard.
Maybe he agreed with me.”

Or maybe he’d been distracted by the American tourist he’d

bedded and wedded, all within a week. God, she’d been so stupid.

“So, Simon Dakin let Angus get away without knowing who

he really was. And after all this time he’s still hunting Ghost?”

“This was a big case back then, still is. They want Ghost,

Ever. Bad.”

“Yeah, well. Too bad. Thanks for the info.” She hung up on

Cruz and turned to Wes where he sat clicking away at the keyboard.
“Find anything yet?’

“Yep.” Wes turned the computer monitor so she could see.
There he was on the screen. Simon Dakin. FB-freaking-I.
“I really fucked up this time, Wes.”
“We’ll figure something out.”
She grunted. Yeah. “All right. I’m going to take a bath,

brainstorm on some things, and maybe try to get some shut eye.” She

leaned in and pecked him on the lips. “I’d recommend you do the
same, but I know you won’t budge ‘til you’re good and ready.”

He grinned and stuck out his tongue. Ever started up the stairs

then looked over her shoulder. “Hey, did you have fun tonight with
that Italian? Got what you needed?”

“I got what I needed.” He winked.
She giggled all the way to the shower. Despite all the dark

clouds hovering, she could always count on Wes. The only man
who’d never broken her heart or fucked her over in some way. She
had to keep him safe from Angus. No matter the cost.

Her cell phone rang as she stepped out the shower, water

dripping from her body and onto the floor mat. She fumbled with the
phone before bringing it to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hello, wife.”
Chills froze the water on her skin. The phone in her hand

trembled, yet she kept her voice steady, betraying no trace of fear
when she asked, “What the fuck do you want?”

He chuckled in her ear. “Now is that the way to treat your dear

husband?’ His thick Irish brogue, once so endearing to her, grated on
her every nerve.

She closed her eyes and prayed for calm, prayed for strength.

“I’m not your wife, Angus. I never was. Now kindly tell me what the
hell you want.”

“You’ve been a bad girl, Ever Mine. And this is your final

warning. Feds are sniffing around you, get rid of them or your fag
suffers the consequences.”

Tears stung her eyes at the pet name he’d given her when

they’d first started dating. A lifetime of lies, pain, and betrayal ago.

“You can’t push me around like that girl you first met, Angus.

You don’t scare me, not anymore. If you touch Wes, I’ll find you and
slit your throat with a rusty fucking knife. Got me?”

He waited a beat then spoke softly. “Maybe you’re right, Ever

Mine. Maybe it’s not the fag I want, he’s the techie anyway. I’ll need
him alive for a bit. But what about you? Like you said, you’re not my
wife, so why are you still around?”

Click.
Ever slid to the floor and curled on her side, teeth chattering.

This animal was the man she’d promised to love, honor, and obey. He

was the same person she’d loved with all her naïve heart. The one and
the same who’d killed her baby.

The phone rang again, startling her into a gasp. She

swallowed, trying to ease her shaking. “Yes?”

“Ever?”
Her heart lurched. “Dakota?” Fuck, how many more surprises

can my heart take tonight? “How’d you get my number?”

“I have my ways, woman.” Humor laced his voice. “I want

you, Ever. In my bed. In my arms. Come to me.”

“I can’t.” Her throat clogged, and she pressed her suddenly hot

forehead to the cool wall. “I can’t, Dakota. Please, leave me alone.”

“Don’t. Don’t say no.” His voice deepened. “There’s

something there, between us, Ever. Let’s explore it, see where it
leads.”

“Nowhere. It leads nowhere.” Except straight to more pain and

anguish.

“Why?”
“What the fuck is this, twenty questions?” She pulled herself

to her feet and walked into her bedroom. “Feds are sniffing around
you, get rid of them…” Angus’s words, his threats, echoed in her
head. “Shit!”

“What’s wrong?”
Fucking man. She grabbed some clothes from a drawer and

hurried out the room. “I’ll be there in an hour.” She hung up and
called for Wes. If she had any hope of stopping Dakota, or whatever
the hell he was calling himself, she needed some extra back-up.

Chapter Eight

To work off the nervous energy running through his body,

Dak ran on his treadmill for a few minutes while waiting for Ever to
arrive. He still couldn’t believe she said yes. She’d sounded different.
Subdued, defeated. Nothing like the fiery woman he’d come to know.

Ever Marcille. The woman who heated his blood and doubled

his heart beat. Tonight he’d find out much more. Later though. After
he’d fucked her every which way. Punishment for leaving him
wanting for so long.

Jayce wanted his head back in the game, and it would be, once

he’d had Ever.

Five minutes after he stepped in the shower, Jayce announced

her arrival. Dak took his time, let her wait for once. He finally
decided to have mercy on her and entered the bedroom to find her
standing at his window looking out into the night. She wore a tight t-
shirt and short denim skirt that barely covering her ass. He recognized
the thigh highs from her last visit.

A bottle of Moscato sat on his bedside table. Dak grinned and

tightened the towel on his hips.

“I love the view from here,” she spoke without turning around.
He pressed himself to her back and nuzzled her neck. “So do

I.” She shivered in his arms, her scent of peaches and cream filling his
nose. “I’ve missed this,” he murmured. “Holding you, touching you.”

She turned around and lifted her chin, staring into his eyes.

“So do it, but later.” She yanked away his towel and flung it aside.
His cock bobbed between them, hard and ready. “Right now I want
you, Dakota.”

In answer, he grabbed her hair and kissed her, pushing his

tongue between her parted lips. She opened wider for him, tongue
parrying with his, lips and teeth grinding against each other. Dak
pushed his hips into her, rubbing his cock on her stomach. He
maneuvered them forward until she was backed into the window.
Using one hand, he reached down, groping, seeking her ass under the
skirt.

She wrapped her legs around him, hands on his shoulders, and

rocked on the tip of his cock. Dak grunted, fingers trailing the crack
of her naked ass.

Ever moaned and shuddered. No time for ass play though, not

yet anyways. Later he’d fuck her there. He slid two fingers into her
slick pussy from behind.

“Ung, yes,” she hissed into his mouth. “More, Dakota. Give

me more.”

“Your wish.” He pressed three in and she bucked, head thrown

back. Soft muscles caressed his fingers, contracting wildly. “More,
Ever?”

“Fuck.” Her nails bit into his shoulders, the heels of her boots

dug into his ass. “More.”

“Then we need the bed.” He backed to the bed and fell in,

Ever on top with her eyes closed, riding his fingers. He rolled them,
pressing her into the mattress, and removed his fingers from her. She
murmured her disapproval and clutched his arm.

“Easy, easy.” He chuckled at her eagerness. “I’ve got you.”

He leaned over her, pulled open the top drawer of his night table, and
lifted out the bottle of lube. She kept her shadowed gaze on him as he
poured a generous amount over her shaved pussy and rubbed it in.
Eyes at half-mast, she widened her legs and lifted her hips.

He slid first one then two fingers into her, thrusting slow and

shallow. When her movements sped up, he added the third and fourth.

“Dakota.” Her body arched. She gripped the sheets, pulling

them with her.

“Look at me,” he commanded, need roughening his voice. Her

dark, green gaze snapped to him. “I’m coming inside you with my
fist, Ever. You’re going to feel me, do you understand?”

Her eyes widened, but she nodded.
“Keep your eyes on me.” He poured the lube all over her and

his hand then set it aside. Curling his thumb into his palm, he pushed
forward slowly.

She cried out, body clamping down around him. Sweat popped

out on Dak’s forehead. “Look into my eyes, Ever.”

She did, heavy-lidded gaze tinged with pain and pleasure.
“Trust me,” he whispered as he slid his wrist forward. “Trust

me.” He didn’t deserve it, but fuck he wanted it all the same.

Nostrils flared, pupils dilated, she nodded. Her acceptance

humbled him, a reminder of his deception.

He graced her with a wobbly smile and pressed forward until

he’d entered her to the narrow of his wrist. Incredible heat surrounded

him. “I’m inside you, Ever. Can you feel me touching you?” He
wriggled his wrist a little, dragging along her spongy walls. “Feel me
touching you heart?”

“Oh, God. So-so…” Ever’s head thrashed on the pillows.
“No, don’t move.” He smoothed his free hand down her thigh

and licked her stomach. “Tell me how you feel.”

“Full,” she gasped. Sweat beaded on her forehead and upper

lip. “Stuffed.” He rotated his wrist and she arched, thighs trembling.
“Ah gad. Dakota, do it. Move.”

He did, slowly. Using his knuckles to scrape her walls again

and again. Her entire body shook and her boot heels sank into his
back. He winced at the pain, but kept rotating his wrist, left to right
and around. Moisture gushed from her cunt, soaking him.

He increased the force of his thrust a bit while dropping open-

mouthed kisses on her hard clit. He flicked his tongue over it.

“Fuck, Dakota. So good,” Ever babbled. “So good.”
“Yes.” He pressed his free thumb on her clit. “I’m reaching for

your heart, Ever. I want it.” Voice husky, he murmured, “Give it to
me.”

“God.” Her jerks increased. “You have it, damn you. Shit.

Make me come, make me come.”

He pressed his knuckles against the soft bump and she yelled

out, her head thrashing back and forth, body arching off the bed. Her
contractions squeezed him, drenching him in even more of her sticky
juices. Dak worked her clit all through the orgasm, licking, rubbing,
suckling.

When she stilled, he eased his hand out by slow degrees and

licked off her juices. She stared at him, lips parted, chest heaving. Her
eyes glistened.

“I’ll never get enough, Ever.” He sat back on his haunches.

“You make me want things I haven’t in a long time. When I see you,
when I touch you, I forget everything, my responsibilities, my job. I
lose myself in your taste. You’re my favorite flavor.”

Her bottom lips trembled. “You say the sexiest shit.”
Dak crawled up to her and cupped her jaw. He stared into her

emerald green eyes, trying to convey his feelings. “I’m not feeding
you bull, Ever. I’m telling you how I feel, what I want.”

“Dakota.” She looked away.

“No. Damn it, look at me.” He turned her to face him. “Don’t

hide from me. I’ll never hurt you, Ever. I want you to know that. I
want to know you.”

Her brow creased, confusion in her eyes. “Why?’
“Why what?”
“Why me? There are thousands of women out there Ian

Dakota can have. You’ve surely had at least half that, and you want
me?” She poked her chest. “Why?”

Dak shrugged. “I don’t know why you and not someone else.

I’m not questioning it. I’ve never felt for anyone else what I feel for
you.”

“Which is what?”
“Love.”

Chapter &ine

Tears burned Ever’s eyelid as she stared up at the man who’d

stolen her heart. “Love. I’ve been burned by love, Dakota.” She
fumbled at his name. “I want no part of it.”

“You don’t feel the same?” Disbelief dripped from his words.

He bent forward, teeth scraping the side of her neck. Ever shivered. “I
see what you try so hard to disguise. Deny.”

“I like you,” she murmured. “I like the way you make me feel,

the way you fuck me. That’s all.” She palmed the cock poking her
thigh. “That’s all it can ever be.”

Thrusting into her grasp, cock twitching, Dak grunted. “Yeah.

Really?”

She glanced up at the set determination in his dark gaze and

narrowed her eyes at his tone. “Wha—”

He pulled away from her touch. “Get on your fucking hands

and knees.”

What the fuck? She stared at him, mouth open.
“Now!” He barked, yanking at her ankles. “If it means

nothing, prove it. Tell me after I’m done with you.”

Ever crawled to her knees, a frown on her face. “Have you lost

your mind, Dakota?” She looked over her shoulder at him. “You can’t
fucking order me—”

A stinging slap landed on her right butt cheek. She cried out.
“Quiet, Ever. Or there’ll be more.”
Heat pooled in her center, the pain rapidly turning to pleasure.

What the hell was he playing at? Over her shoulder she watched him
pull on a condom with jerky movements, then squirt lube onto his
fingers. Her pussy clenched. Despite the rough treatment, or maybe
because of it, she’d never been more turned on. Her body vibrated,
her cunt pulsed. Waiting, needing.

She wouldn’t let him know that, though. She bit her lip,

stifling a moan.

“Arch your back, ass in the air.”
Moving her knees further apart, she did as commanded. Soft

lips kissed the base of her spine as a finger trailed down her ass crack
and feathered over her hole.

She inhaled a shaky breath. “Dakota.”

The fingers pushed into her ass slowly, making her body burn.

She gripped the sheets, limbs trembling.

“I’m going to fuck you here, Ever.” Another slippery finger

crowded her tight back entrance.

“No.” She cried the words as more cream spilled from her

pussy, betraying her need to him, scenting the air with her fiery
arousal. “God, Dakota. No.”

“Yes.” A separate finger dipped into her pussy then spread her

cream over her clit. Her body clenched. “Yes, Ever. Because though
you deny it, you want me as much as I want you.” More lube, this
time applied directly on her ass, and another finger stretched her.

She bucked, chest heaving, lungs burning. “I don’t want you. I

don’t—”

“Liar.” He snarled the word as the mattress dipped and he

removed his fingers. One hand dug into her hip as he pulled her
backward. “Tell me the same thing after this.” The blunt, wet head of
his cock pushed into her.

“No!” She struggled against him, fighting him and her body’s

reaction. Hunger burned in her contracting core. He pushed in by
infinitesimal degrees, dragging his thick cock against her tight
passage. Ever clawed at his hands gripping her waist. “Fuck you,
Dakota.”

“Yes.” He eased all the way in until his hard stomach touched

her ass. “I’m fucking you, Ever. I’m inside where no one else has ever
been.”

Moisture clouded her eye, blinding her. He put an arm around

her neck and brought her up against his body. Ever went willingly,
rising on her knees. His breath burned across her skin as he kissed and
scraped her neck with his teeth.

Her hips jerked and he moaned. “Ever.” His arm trembled.
Frozen in place inside her body, his cock throbbed in time to

their synchronized heartbeats. She rolled her hips, testing out the feel
of him. He inhaled, the arm around her neck tightened.

“Feel me, Ever,” he rasped. “I’m inside you so deep. We fit,

so perfectly. Don’t deny it. Don’t deny us.”

Fat tears rolled down her cheeks. How had she ended up here?

In love with the man bent on destroying her life? He didn’t know, but
he will eventually, and all this would’ve been a memory.

She reached behind her, placing a palm on his hard thigh.

“Dakota, please. Please, just…move.” She whimpered. “Move.”

He brought his hand to the front and rubbed her clit.
“Argh.” Her pussy and ass clenched and he hissed.
“I’m not moving, Ever. Not until you acknowledge this thing

between us. Tell me you feel it.” He rotated his hips slowly. “Tell me
you want it,” he begged.

“I feel it.” She sobbed. “I want it so bad.” But she couldn’t

have it.

“Then take it.” He reared back and thrust in, hard.
She shuddered.
Deep.
“Take me.” He pounded into her with deep growls. Ever’s

tears ran freely as her hand replaced his, massaging her clit. He held
on to her waist with both hands as he fucked her ass.

“Ever. God. Ever, baby.” He bit her ear then sucked on the

lobe. “You’re so tight, so hot. You’re burning me up.”

“Yes. God, yes.” She slid two fingers into her pussy, fucking

herself as he fucked her. “Ung. So good, Dakota.”

He snaked a hand to the front of her and pinched a nipple.
“Fuck.” Her head fell back onto his shoulder.
“I want you to come.” He rolled her nipple between thumb

and forefinger. “Come all over those fingers of yours. Come all over
my cock in your tight ass.” He drove deeper into her, again and again,
wringing hoarse cries from her throat.

Ever pinched her clit, hips rocking. Orgasmic heat simmered

in her lower belly and spread, crashing over her and graying her
vision.

“Dakota.”
He grabbed her chin, turned her face to the side, and caught

her mouth with his, swallowing the rest of her cries. Her body writhed
and shuddered. His cock speared her ass. Hard. Punishing. He stabbed
into her one last time then groaned into her mouth, cock jerking inside
her.

She collapsed onto the bed, face first, taking him with her. He

rolled them onto their backs. The movement dislodged him from her
ass. He grunted and sat up. Eyes on her, he ripped off the condom and
dropped it on the floor.

“Ever.” He lifted her leg, removing one boot then the other.

Sliding his hand up her legs to her thighs, Dakota shifted between her
legs. “Spread for me.”

Beyond caring, she lowered her lashes and obeyed. He bent

and took a deep breath, inhaling her. A whimper left her throat.

“You’re so pretty down here, Ever.” He parted her wet folds

with both hands. “Pink perfection, slick with your cream.” His breath
whispered across her clit as he leaned in and licked from clit to hole.

“Argh.” She arched off the bed.
“Sssh.” He peeked up at her from below dark lashes, eyes

glinting. “Let me taste you right. I’ve missed your taste, Ever, and I
haven’t missed anything in a long while.” Dipping his head, he
pressed his nose to her clit and stabbed his tongue into her.

“Dakota, please. Don’t do this, don’t—” She pulled at the

sheets, heart heavy.

“Don’t what, Ever?” His mouth glistened with her juices, and

as she watched, his tongue flicked out, licking his lips. Her eyelids
fluttered, pussy clenching and unclenching. “Don’t love you? Don’t
show you what we could be, what we can have?”

“Yes.” She yelled the word, head thrashing on the pillows.

“Yes, damn it.”

“You want to know how you affect me, Ever?” He crawled up

her body, face and eyes hard, and straddled her midsection. His cock
jutted out in front of him, stiff like they hadn’t just finished fucking.
The round, purple tip dripped pearlescent liquid in the valley between
her breasts. “I can’t think about anyone but you. It’s difficult to
concentrate on my job, this past few days especially. You ran away
from me, and yet I don’t want anyone else.”

He palmed his cock, stroking the length leisurely. “I can have

anyone, Ever. I’ve fucked them all, and none make me as hard as you.
None made me sweat and need and want so bad that I could taste it.
Taste you.”

She snapped her eyes shut. Sincerity rang in his words, hurting

her heart even more. He loved her, but he didn’t know the real Ever
Marcille. He could never know that woman.

“Look at me, Ever. Look at what you do to me.’
She opened her eyes, gaze widening as he stroked himself. His

breath turned to pants as he pulled at his cock not too gently. “This is
what you do, Ever.”

She brought her attention to his dilated pupils. The darks of

his eyes appeared to be bleeding out into the whites. Nose flared, he
stared her down, jerking himself off all the while.

“Dakota.” She covered the hand on his cock with her own,

squeezing and stroking as he did.

“Ugh, God!” He threw his head back, the veins in his neck

bulging.

“Do it,” she coaxed. “Cum for me. Cum on me.”
He cried out, head snapping forward. Hips pumping, he came,

spraying hot seed on her chest.

“Shit!” Ever bucked, arching into the liquid burn.
“So fucking pretty.” Dakota climbed off her and spread out on

the mattress. Leaning over, he swiped his tongue through the thick
fluid and groaned.

Jeezus, will this guy ever stop making her hot? Ever grabbed

his hair and he turned to her. “Fucking do that again,” she
commanded. He did and she yanked him up, mashing their lips
together. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, transferring his cum to
her. “Umm.” She flicked her tongue over his, dancing around him.

His fingers sank into her hair holding her still as he turned the

kiss from soft, to hard and desperate. He devoured her mouth, biting
and sucking her tongue. Ever clutched his shoulders, fighting to
remember her plans. As it was, she danced perilously close to losing
herself in Simon Dakin, succumbing to his campaign to own her,
body and soul.

She broke the kiss finally. “Umm, we need a shower.”
“Damn.” He stared at her, lips swollen and wet, eyes at half-

mast. She winked and swirled a finger in the cum cooling on her chest
then presented it to him. He sucked the finger into his warm mouth,
hungry gaze on her. Those eyes, like the man himself, could destroy
her. She couldn’t let it happen. Bigger things were at stake than just
her broken heart.

She’d had one of those before and lived to tell the tale.
This one was different. The pain would be different. A million

times more than what Angus could ever dream of dishing out.

“Hey.” He bumped her nose with his. “Where’d you go?” His

gaze searched hers.

She smiled and rose on her elbows. “Just dreaming of a hot

shower.”

“Go on then.” He pointed to the bathroom. “I have some calls

to make, so I’ll shower after you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips then
walked into an adjacent room. Ever hurried to the bathroom,
showering in record time. When she came back out, he was still in the
other room, so she hurriedly opened the bottle of Moscato and
retrieved the tiny zip locked package she’d gotten from an ex of
Wes’s.

She poured herself a drink and sat at the edge of the bed,

waiting for him to return. Sipping her drink, she did her best to
convince herself there was no other way around what she was about
to do. If this were only about her, she’d confess and let the chips fall
where they may. Especially if Angus got his in the bargain. But Wes’s
freedom was also in the mix, and hell if she’d allow him to get locked
up for her cowardice and lousy choice in men.

He’d killed for her. The least she could do was drug a fucking

undercover Fed. Didn’t matter that she loved said Fed. Love didn’t
count, not in this instance.

“Are you okay?’ Dakin walked into the room. Naked as a

freaking jaybird, heavy cock swinging this way and that. She forced
her gaze away and met his eyes.

“Yeah, I’m good.” She picked up his drink, handed it to him.

“I poured you a drink.”

Those sinful eyes smiled at her as he brought the glass to his

lips. “Thanks.” He drank about half then paused. “Hmm, good shit.”

She giggled, on the verge of hysteria.
“Hey, stay the night with me.” He cupped her chin. “I want

you in my arms when I wake up.”

“Drink your good shit.” She sipped hers, entire body

trembling.

He blinked slowly. “Stay with me, Ever.”
“I will if you drink up.” She attempted a grin. “In case you

missed it, I’m trying to get you drunk here.” He had to drink the entire
thing.

“Hm.” He downed the last of the liquor. “You want to have

your wicked way with me?”

“I do.” She grabbed his hand, pulling him to sit beside her on

the bed. He sat heavily, a frown playing on his brow. The glass
slipped from his fingers to the floor, the sound muffled by the thick

carpet. He tipped forward and would’ve fallen on his face if she
hadn’t grabbed his shoulder.

“Wha-wha’s happ’n?” He turned glazed and confused eyes to

her.

Tears pooled in her eyes. “Lie down.” She pushed on his

shoulders until he fell back on the bed.

“Ev-Ever, wha’s...” He lifted a hand to grab her, maybe, but it

fell weakly back to his side. “Ever.”

“Simon.” She spoke his real name for the first time. “Simon,

look at me.”

He did, hurt now clearly outlined in his eyes along with anger

and pain. “You-you know.” He fought her hold, struggling instead to
rise on his elbow. “Drug. You drug—why?” His lashes dropped,
mercifully hiding his eyes from her.

She leaned over him and whispered in his ear. “Yes, Simon, I

know who you are. But you don’t know me, not yet anyway.” That
could change once he got back on his feet. “I have to choose between
the two men I love, and you—” She swiped at the tears crawling
down her face. “And you, Simon, I’m not sure of. I can’t chance
Wes’s freedom on your feelings for me.”

“Love.” His lashes fluttered. “I love—love…” He passed out.
Sobbing, she took his limp hand and pressed it to her cheek.

“And I love you, Simon Dakin, or Ian Dakota. Whatever you call
yourself, I love you, too. But it’s not enough.” Ever pressed a kiss to
his lips and hopped off the bed.

Time to search. Find whatever he had on the Ghost so far and

destroy it. Maybe whatever he’d found hadn’t been presented to his
superiors yet, maybe he was waiting until he had everything he
needed to bring to them. It was a big leap but a chance she had to
take. Yes, she’d be protecting Angus’s ass again, but she chose to
focus on Wes. He wouldn’t go to jail.

Slipping on her clothes and shoes, she began her search, going

through drawers, cupboards, and cabinets. She even flipped up the
ends of the mattress before heading downstairs to search the lower
half of his house. It was a long shot he’d even have evidence here, but
Simon Dakin had hunted Ghost for too long. Surely he’d have some
reading material on the case around here somewhere.

All she had to do was find the damn thing. She went around

knocking walls, listening for a telltale hollow sound, but none came.

Ever wandered around the huge-ass house until she came to the
playroom—pool tables, arcade games, even a theater section.

Hmm, show off much?
Perched on the edge of the pool table, Ever surveyed the room.

Nothing stood out or was out of place. Fuck, I’m screwed. She hopped
off the table and stood in the middle of the room, hands on her hips.
She had to leave quickly before someone came knocking, someone
like that nosy, gorgeous piece of man flesh, Jayce.

She dropped to her hands and knees, dragging her palms over

the tiled floor. Gross, but she had to do what she had to. Her mind
kept replaying the damn scene upstairs, the hurt in Simon’s eyes.

God, she’d put it there. After all he’d done to make her see

how much he cared. He’d hate her after this, and she didn’t blame
him. In fact, she wished he’d hate her. Make losing him hurt less.
Maybe, not so much.

Her forehead banged on the side of the pool table. “Ouch.”

She rubbed the spot and shifted away, but her hair caught on a latch
and pulled. “Ow! Shit.” She ran her fingers over the latch, looking for
a way to unhook her hair. A depression in the smooth surface caught
her eye and she pressed down on it. The pool table siding slid away,
freeing her hair, and revealing a nice hidey hole complete with about
half a dozen folders marked ‘Official’.

“Jack-fucking-pot.” She scooped up everything, and after

rolling them up, stuck them inside her thigh-high boots. Damn boots
had to serve some kind of purpose besides killing her feet. Satisfied
her stash was safely hidden, she cast one last, mournful look toward
the stairs and Simon Dakin then rushed out the door.

Seated behind the wheel of her car, she heaved a sigh when

the guard waved her through the huge security gate surrounding the
estate. She drove out and away from the man she loved, tears
streaming down her face.

Five minutes of crying later, she straightened her spine and

wiped her tears. What’s done is done. Resigned to her fate, her fingers
tightened on the steering wheel. Simon Dakin was in her past, now to
focus on the future. A future without him. She sniffed and shook her
head. o more tears.

A force slammed into her car from behind, jerking the steering

wheel away from her control. Her head snapped back, everything
spun. Belatedly, she realized the car was the one spinning. Shattered

glass rained like sharp confetti on her skin, though she barely felt
anything.

The car kept spinning. Staring out into nothingness, Ever had

to smile at the irony. She’d die here, minutes after betraying the love
of her life. She welcomed it. Life without her love couldn’t really be
worth living. But Wes—

“I’ve got her, boss.”
She opened her eyes. A pair of huge, black boots was planted

inches from her face where she lay on the ground. She’d been thrown
from the car then. She sighed mentally while attempting to move her
feet. Well, her limbs worked despite the fucking pain in her face and
chest.

Make that her entire body. “Umm.”
“She’s awake.”
And who in the hell was—
A pair of mocking eyes bore into hers. Bright lights nearby

illuminated the pale, gorgeous face framed by wavy, red hair. “Hello,
wife.”

Chapter Ten

Dak sat at his desk in his office at the club and stared unseeing

at the papers in front of him. His body still felt the effects of the drug
in his system. The doctor wanted him to stay in bed and rest. How the
fuck could he? The woman he’d trusted, given his heart to, had
betrayed him.

Betrayed him after he told her how he felt. Jeezus. He pushed

back his chair and paced. He loved her, and she’d fucked him,
drugged him, and robbed him. Ever Marcille, wife of Angus Brennan.

He’d messed up royally, and he had to fix it before the higher

ups got wind of it. At the moment, only he and Jayce knew. Only they
knew how he’d been led by his cock and his heart, allowing himself
to be distracted by a pretty face and tight pussy.

“She played me, Jayce.” He shoved his fingers through his

hair and met Jayce’s gaze. His friend stood by the windows, arms
folded, watching him lose it. “She played me like a fucking board
game, and I let her,” he spoke through clenched teeth. “Am I really
losing my touch that I couldn’t see I was being played for a fool? Am
I that jaded?” His chest hurt, the pain weakening his knees. He
grasped the edge of his desk for support. He couldn’t blame the drugs
she’d given him for this pain, it was his heart. He’d given her his
heart, and she’d stomped all over it.

“You gotta stop beating yourself up.” Jayce shifted, his voice

calm and composed. Always the voice of reason. “We need to find
her. She took copies of the files, but we still have to find out what she
knows.” He met Dak’s gaze. “You realize she might be involved in
this Ghost business, right?’

“I know.” And he couldn’t reconcile it with the woman he’d

held in his arms, the woman he’d made love to last night. But then
again, he didn’t know her at all. He rubbed his chest.

“You love her.”
He shook his head. “I love someone who doesn’t exist. And

besides, it doesn’t matter what I feel. When I catch her, she’s going to
jail.” He couldn’t suppress the regret and feeling of profound loss the
statement brought. He retook his seat and picked up the information
faxed over that morning. Ever Marcille was born here in Chicago and
went to school here, until college when she travelled a bit. Europe,

Australia, and Ireland. She spent months in the first two places then
settled in Ireland, married to Angus Brennan.

The same Brennan he’d arrested five years ago and questioned

about the Ghost. Having nothing concrete to hold the man on, he’d
had to release him after forty-eight hours, and Brennan promptly left
the country. Never to be seen or heard from again. Dak hadn’t given
the man another thought, until this morning.

“Did she know I was Simon Dakin from the get-go?” He

leafed through the papers, musing out loud. “I’ve been after the Ghost
for five years. This says Brennan hasn’t travelled back into the
country, but his wife returned six months before I went under. It’s
been almost two years since. Why act now?”

“Because we bugged you.”
Dak jumped to his feet, he and Jayce aiming their guns at the

stranger in the open doorway. The blond man held up his hands,
powder-blue gaze clear but watchful. He looked from Dak to Jayce
and back, lips curved.

“I’m unarmed.”
Dak didn’t relax his hold on his weapon.
“Who the fuck are you?” Jayce growled, taking a step

forward.

“My name’s Westin Dumont,” he spoke directly to Dak. “We

have a woman in common.”

“What woman would that be?” Dak eyed the man up and

down. Dressed in a tight, white shirt with rolled up sleeves and gray
jeans with matching high-tops, he looked like a college kid. His eyes
gave him away. They were older, jaded. He held a brown binder.

“The woman you love.”
Jayce growled and moved closer to Westin. Dak aimed his gun

at the man’s forehead. “Are you two working together? What do you
know about this?”

“I love her.” Hands in front of him, Westin walked toward

them slowly, his eyes on Dak. “I know she bugged you, because I
gave her the bug to plant.” His lips twitched. “I know she drugged
you, because she got the drugs from me. I also know she stole from
you.”

Jayce lunged , grabbing Westin by the throat and yanking him

forward.

Westin didn’t struggle. In fact, he didn’t do anything except

close his eyes and take deep breaths.

“Do you have a death wish?” Jayce pressed his gun to the

man’s head. “Is that why you came here? She sent you to finish her
dirty work?”

Westin lifted his over-long lashes slowly, focusing his gaze on

Jayce’s face. Dak watched his friend’s jaw clench, sweat glistening on
his brow.

“Jayce Santana,” Westin murmured.
Jayce shuddered.
“I’ve heard your voice a million times. Your photographs

don’t do you justice.”

Eyebrow raised, Dak watched as Jayce’s gun hand shook. It

wasn’t overly noticeable, but he knew his best friend, and something
was off.

He touched Jayce’s shoulder. “Why don’t you tell me

something I don’t know, Mr. Dumont?” He nudged Jayce and his
friend’s gaze clashed with Dak’s, confusion and bewilderment in their
gray depths. Dak frowned, but Jayce turned away abruptly, giving
him his back.

“I know she loves you.” Westin drew Dak’s attention back to

him. “She’s not the Ghost, neither am I, but she’s doing all this for
me.”

“Fuck. I need a drink if I have to listen to this bullshit.” Jayce

strode over to the bar and poured himself whiskey, downing the liquor
in one swallow.

Westin eyed him. “None for me thanks.”
Dak’s lips twitched. “Okay, start talking. Who are you to

Ever?”

“I’m the man she’s putting before you. She’s choosing her

love for me over her love for you.’

Dak ached to punch him in the fucking throat.
“Explain,” Jayce barked from his stance in the corner.
Westin shrugged. “There’s nothing to explain. Didn’t that say

it all right there?”

“Listen, you little shit, don’t play with me.” Jayce leaned into

his face, nose to nose. “Are you fucking her?”

Dak wanted an answer to that question, but apparently not as

bad as Jayce.

His friend stared into Westin’s eyes, looking angry, horny, and

lost all at once. The two men appeared on the verge of tonguing each
other down in a hot second. Westin’s gazed dropped to Jayce’s lips
then climbed back to his eyes.

“Would it upset you if I’ve been fucking her, Santana?”

Westin’s voice dropped lower, but Dak caught his whispered, “Would
you rather I be fucking you?” Jayce jerked away, Westin chuckled.

“Enough already.” Dak grabbed Westin by his collar. Jayce

stepped forward and Dak growled at him. “Stay the fuck back, Jayce.”
He shook the man in his hands. “I want answers. Where’s Ever?”

“That’s why I’m here.” Westin shrugged away from his hold

and handed him the binder. “These were taken from an accident about
five minutes away from your estate. Happened last night.”

Dak flipped through the gruesome pictures with a puzzled

frown. A black Mercedes had been totaled. Blood and glass littered
the ground. Didn’t look like the driver of the Mercedes survived,
but—“What does this have to do with Ever?”

“The Mercedes is hers.”
Dak dropped into his chair. “She-she was in this accident?”

God, he couldn’t breathe. “She’s not—she’s—”

Westin sat down next to him and placed a hand on Dak’s knee.

Jayce shifted over in his corner. “First responders said no one was in
the car or surrounding areas when they got there.”

“What?” What the hell was he saying?
“The cops saw drag marks and followed them, thinking maybe

the victim got out and managed to get away, but nothing.” Westin’s
eyes filled and he swallowed. “The marks ended at the road, they
think maybe the victim flagged someone down.” He looked away.

“But you think differently.” Dak clutched his hand.
“I think—I think the man she feared most, the person who

blackmailed us into doing this, has her.” A neglected tear rolled
down Westin’s cheek. “He’s taken her, and this time, Simon, she
won’t survive.”

“Who has her?”
Westin bit his lip, gaze sliding away.
“God damn it.” Dak jumped to his feet. “Westin, tell me.”
“Angus Brennan. You know him as the Ghost.”
“Her husband?” Jayce piped up.

“He’s not her fucking husband.” Westin swung around to snarl

at him. “The marriage, like everything else about our life in Ireland,
wasn’t real.”

“Wait, hold up,” Dak said. “You were with her in Ireland?”
“We’ve been together since we were sixteen years old. Never

been separated.”

“Together how?”
“Damn it, Jayce. Not now.” Dak turned back to Westin. “You

say she’s doing this to protect you?”

The man nodded.
“Then tell me the story so we can get her back.”
Westin cleared his throat. “We met Angus at a bookstore in

Ireland. She fell in love with his angelic looks and the brogue. A week
later, they were married by his brother, a priest.” He used quotations
for priest. “I knew it was too good to be true, but she loved him. So I
stayed quiet when he raised his voice a little or drank too much and
slapped her around.”

Dak growled low in his throat, fists clenched.
“Angus didn’t like our closeness. He was jealous of us

laughing and being ourselves. He threatened to send me back to the
States more than once, but she’d beg and plead and he’d relent. He
hated that I was gay, called me fag a lot.”

Jayce growled.
“Six months after the wedding, she told me she was pregnant.”
A breath shuddered in Dak’s lungs, but he kept quiet.
“She hadn’t told Angus yet, but she just knew he’d be thrilled

to be a father.” He shook his head. “She hadn’t told him because they
got into a fight. He thought she was sleeping with his twin.”

“He’s a twin?”
“His brother coveted what he had, even if Angus didn’t

appreciate Ever. She’s beautiful. Men looked at her. His brother
wasn’t immune. Ever ignored him, thinking he’d stop, but Andy
didn’t. In fact, he decided to force himself on her.”

Oh God, Dak couldn’t listen. He jumped up and paced the

floor.

“I walked into the house to her screams. She was begging and

pleading, but he wasn’t listening, so I grabbed a rake from the front
lawn and stabbed him in the back.” A far away look came into
Westin’s eyes. “Plunged straight through to his heart, killing him. I’d

stopped him in time.” His watery gaze locked on Dak’s. “He didn’t
get to do any real damage, but his brother came in and didn’t believe
our story.”

“Jesus,” Jayce swore.
“I don’t remember what he did to me. I only remember

waking up days later, my entire body in pain. Ever was next to me,
locked in a tiny room, black and blue. Swollen all over.” His voice
shook. “Bleeding. I-I held her hand as she lost the baby.”

Tears burned Dak’s eyes. His heart breaking for what Ever

had gone through.

“She promised we’d leave, she promised to protect me from

him. She owed me, she said.” Westin wiped his eyes. “I never cared
about that. I cared that she was hurting, in pain, and I couldn’t help.”
He got to his feet. “He let us out about a week later, said he was
sending us back to the States, and oh, they weren’t really married. His
brother hadn’t really been a priest.”

Fuck.
“I’d never been so relieved to arrive home, but we should’ve

known it wouldn’t be that easy. Two months after we came back, he
called. No idea how he found us, but he has friends in high places.”

“What did he want?’ Dak asked.
“He wanted Ever to meet with some business associates, take

money from one and give it to the other in exchange for a package.”

“Christ,” Jayce swore.
“Yep.” Westin chuckled humorlessly. “She said no, and no,

and no. Then I was grabbed while jogging one morning. I didn’t know
who had me until they removed my blindfold and forced me to tape a
message to her at knifepoint. Do what her husband asks, or the fag
dies. She agreed and here we are.”

“But why bug me and all this?”
“He sent us a message—he stopped calling our phone, started

sending ‘friends’ with messages. A man named Ian Dakota wants in,
get information on him we can use.” He shrugged. “I have the
schematics to your buildings, including this one. Ever had properly
cased you by the time you invited her into your office. She had many
ways to plant the bug without sleeping with you. She did because she
wanted you as bad as you wanted her. Nothing about what you shared
was false or made up. She wanted you and agonized over it.”

Dak rubbed a hand over his face. This was way too much to

process.

“You heard them having sex?” Jayce growled.
“I did and I chewed her out for jeopardizing us. When she

listened to the bug and realized you were a Fed, she was devastated.
You suddenly stood between me and my freedom. If Angus is
arrested, he’ll turn me over to Irish authorities for murdering Andy,
and she wasn’t letting that happen. She owed me or so she thinks. I
only want her happy.” He stared at Dak. “You make her happy.”

“We need to get her back.” Dak’s voice shook. “Do you know

where Brennan might take her?”

“When she didn’t show up I checked the GPS on her phone.”

Westin pulled his phone from his jeans pocket. “I tracked it until it
went dark. Guess Angus finally realized he could be tracked that
way.”

“So where is she?’ Dak demanded. He clenched his wrist

against the itch to grab the talkative fuck by his throat.

“‘The abandoned wharf downtown.”
“Let’s go.” Dak grabbed his jacket and checked the clips in his

SIG.

“Wait.” Westin stared at him wide-eyed. “Just like that?

What’s the plan?”

Jayce laughed. “Kill Brennan, what else?”
“Okay, you two need to slow the fuck down.” Tiny lines

creased Westins fair features. “You can’t just run up in there blasting.
You’ll get Ever killed, then I’ll have to kill you.”

“Are you kidding me?” Dak glared at him. “How much longer

can she hang on with Brennan? We need to get her out. She’s been in
an accident, she’ll need help.” He shrugged on his jacket. “I’m going
with or without you.”

Jayce walked over to the door and held it open with an

eyebrow raised in Westin’s direction.

“Do I get a gun?”
“Fuck no.” Dak and Jayce spoke in unison.
“If anything happens to me, Ever will be very upset.” Westin

grinned. “That’s why I’m looking out for you when I say ta-da!” He
pulled a .38 from his waistband and waved it at them. “Carry on,
gentlemen. Let’s go save my best friend.”

****

Loud voices pulled Ever from a dark, painful void. She shifted

her body, a deep moan shuddering past her burning lips. Pain sliced
through her body, stealing her breath and reminding her of the car
accident and—

Angus.
She opened her eyelids slowly. Bright light blinded her.

“Umm.” She snapped them shut and tried calming her breathing. She
lay on her back on some kind of bench, the hard wood poked into her
shoulder blade. She couldn’t move her left hand and foot; the two
were shackled to something. All those things registered, along with
the knowledge that Angus had tried to kill her last night…or
whenever. How long had he been back in the States?

Wes! God, did he hurt Wes?
Tears burned her eyes, the hot liquid sliding out from under

her lashes. She should’ve confided in Dakota—Simon. If she’d
confessed, maybe he would’ve been able to help. Done something,
anything, to keep Angus as far away from her as possible.

“I know you’re awake, wife.” A cold boot nudged her leg and

she jumped. “Go on, open those pretty green eyes for me. Look at
your husband.”

She did, gritting her teeth when the left side of her face

throbbed. The face of the man she’d once called husband came into
view. Same eyes, skin, and hair. He was, as always, impeccably
dressed in an expensive looking suit and tie.

He snapped his fingers in front of her face. Ever flinched and

shot a glare at him. “Yes, that’s it. Did you miss me, Ever Mine?”

“Don’t call me that.” Her dry lips burned when she spoke.

“You’re not my husband.”

“No?” He grabbed her hair and yanked her upright.
She cried out as her body protested. The pain in her head and

back blurred her vision.

“I was your husband in Ireland,” he snarled. Spittle flew into

her face and eyes. Ever grimaced. “You called me husband then,
shared a bed with me.”

“And you pissed on it.” She coughed, chest aching. Her vision

cleared and she made out the nasty cuts and bruises on her arms. She
remained clothed, but her boots were gone, and with them, the
information she’d stolen from Simon. Tugging at the shackles on her

hand, she spat, “You were a monster then and you remain a monster
today. I pity you.”

Angus backhanded her. The force sent her neck jerking. Ever

cried out, water filling her eyes.

“You pity me, bitch? I own you, and I hold the freedom of

your little fag in my hands.” He grinned evilly. “You really should’ve
thought of that when you were spreading them for the Fed.”

She blinked. He knew about her and Simon? How? She pulled

harder at the chains holding her.

Angus’s laugh sent chills down her spine. “Yes, I’ve had eyes

on you from the start. And if you’d continued like you had been, I
doubt we’d be here. But you had to fuck Simon Dakin, of all people.”
His voice rose. “I saw the pictures of you two together, inside his
club. Disgusting, Ever. You were someone else with him. Someone I
didn’t recognize. He turned you into a wanton whore.”

“He loves me!” she screamed. “He loves me. Something you

know nothing about, you crazy bastard.”

“Love?” He lowered is face to hers, his nose bumping hers.

“Love, Ever Mine?” Voice overly soft, he said, “I loved you. My
evidence of that is I didn’t kill you for seducing my brother. I didn’t
kill your pet fag for sticking a garden tool through my brother’s
heart.” He brushed her hair from her nape. Soft fingers dug into her
flesh. “I showed you my love by sending you back here to run my
operation.”

“You blackmailed me, you bastard. I didn’t have a choice after

you kidnapped Wes.”

His cold fingers sank deeper into the back of her neck. “Wes.”

He spoke the name as if it tasted foul. “I think Wes’s usefulness to the
Ghost has run its course. He’ll be made to pay for killing Andy.”

“No.” Ever struggled against his hold. “Don’t hurt him.

Please. You have me.”

“And I intend on keeping you, but I have to avenge Andy.”

Angus walked away. Ever remained tense and on alert until his heavy
footfalls faded away.

Her heart raced a mile a minute as she imagined the horrors

Angus would visit on Wes, all because of her. All because she’d let a
smooth talking, pretty-boy use and abuse her. Simon would never
know she loved him, only that she’d betrayed and drugged him. She
kicked herself for not taking the leap and trusting him enough to tell

him the truth. Angus had severely skewed her perspective on trust.
After him, she’d adopted the mantra her and Wes against the world,
but Simon crept in under the radar.

She couldn’t sit back and have Angus ruin Wes and Simon.

She’d do whatever she had to. Ever closed her eyes and drifted back
to the last time Simon touched her. The look in his eyes spoke way
louder than his words. His love shone through clearly; and fool her,
she chose to deny it, deny him.

“Okay, wife.” He appeared as if out of nowhere. “Let’s get

you up; we’re moving.” Grasping her elbow, he pulled her to a sitting
position and produced a knife that he pressed to her throat. Ever
gasped. “If you even twitch, I’ll cut your fucking throat. Nod if you
understand.”

Ever licked her dry lips and jerked her head. One hand at her

throat, he pulled a set of keys from his pants pocket with the other and
unlocked the chain from around her wrist. “There, isn’t that better?”
He stared, waiting for a response.

“Ye-yes, thank you.”
“You’re my wife. It’s my job to take care of you.” He held up

the keys. “Use the silver one to unlock your foot. I’ll supervise.”

She took it with shaky hands and quickly did away with the

chains on her foot.

“Good girl.” He held out a hand, palm up, and she dropped the

keys into it. “I always loved when you obeyed me, Ever Mine. I only
get mad when you don’t. You understand, don’t you?”

“I do.” The idiot had lost his freaking marbles. She did a quick

check of the large, spacious room they occupied, but no kind of
weapons stood out. The only thing was the bench she sat on.

“Good, good.” He leaned toward her and she scooted

backwards.

“Wha-what are you doing?”
“A kiss. I want a kiss, Ever Mine, for old time sake.” His wild

eyes bored into her, the huge pupils dilated.

“No, no.” She flattened her palms on his chest and pushed, but

he didn’t budge. He only drew closer, his hot breath fanning across
her face. “Get off me!”

He grabbed her by the throat, garbling her screams. “I

remember when you couldn’t get enough of my kisses. You couldn’t
get enough of me.” Something cold and sharp pricked her throat.

The knife.
“I want a kiss, Ever.” He snarled the words though clenched

teeth.

Cold horror made its way down Ever’s spine. Not again. She

wouldn’t go through it again. She leaned forward, eyes closed,
waiting. His lips met hers. Dry. Cold. So unlike Simon’s heat and
softness. Her body shook in revulsion and her face scrunched up as
she fought her fight or flight reflexes.

Angus stabbed his tongue inside her mouth and she bit down.

Hard. Until her jaw and head ached from the pressure and she tasted
blood. He yelped. His fingers twisted in her hair, yanking her head
back and away from him. She arched, spitting and clawing at his hold.

“Bitch, I’ll kill you.” He jabbed the knife’s blade into her

neck, sinking in. The warm gush of blood slid down her throat and
chest. She closed her eyes tight, surrendering to the inevitable.

“Simon.” Tears fell as she thought of him, darkness closing in.
“Federal Agents! Let her go, Brennan.”
Ever smiled, she’d die with his voice in her head. “Simon, I

love you.” The darkness claimed her as bullets rang out.

Chapter Eleven

Three weeks later

“Would you stop fidgeting, already?” Wes crossed his eyes at

Ever as she sat in his lap on their living room couch.

She chuckled at his putout tone. “I can’t help it, take them off

already.” Today she got to remove the last of the bandages that had
decorated her body for the better part of a month. The last bandage on
the most severe wound, her throat. All her other cuts and scrapes were
superficial. And while Angus hadn’t done major damage with his
blade, he’d still managed to cut her pretty deep.

“Okay, ready?” Wes met her gaze and slid two fingers under

the edges of the bandage.

She nodded. “Ready.”
He tore it away in one move.
“Ow.”
“Hurts?” He swiped at her throat with an alcohol pad.
“Only a little bit, itches more.”
“Here, take a look.” He handed her the mirror.
She stared at the red, puckered wound and traced it with a

finger. “He saved me.”

“Yes.”
When she awoke in the hospital, Wes told her the story of

Simon rushing to her side, gathering her in his arm, and applying
pressure to the wound. He didn’t let her go until Paramedics arrived.
And even then, he rode in the ambulance with her. He stayed by her
bedside as long as he could, Wes said, holding her hand until he had
to leave to deal with stuff.

Three weeks she’d been home and he hadn’t called, or shown

up. No word.

“Do you think he hates me for what I did to him?” She placed

the mirror in her lap and pursed her lips. “I should have confided in
him, Wes. But instead, I chose to go it alone and look what
happened.”

“Shush.” Wes pulled her into a hug. “You didn’t know if you

could trust him. You did what you had to do.” He kissed the top of her
head. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I lost a few years off my life when I
saw you all bloodied. God.” He shuddered.

“I’m sorry.”
He pulled back, gaze searching hers. “For what?”
“For getting sucked in by Angus, for putting you in a position

where you had to defend me. Kill for me.”

“I love you.” Wes squeezed her. “You didn’t owe me

anything, even though I know you thought you did. I only want you to
be happy.”

She brushed her lips over his then laid her head on his chest.

“He makes me happy.”

“I know.”
“What should I do? Wait for him to come to me or go to

him?” Because damn it, she needed to see him. To apologize. Beg his
forgiveness. Thank him for saving her. To tell him she loved him.

“What do you want to do?”
“Hmm. I want to hunt him down and demand to know why

he’s staying away.”

“So do it. Only do it tomorrow when you’re up to your full

strength.”

“What are you talking about? What full strength?” She pushed

away from him and sat up.

“I’m just saying—”
“What? What are you saying?” She jumped to her feet and

stared down at him with hands on her hips. “I should wait until he
disappears for good on his next undercover and I never see him
again?’

Wes threw his hands up in surrender. “Forget I said anything.”
“Already forgotten.” She grinned, belted her robe tighter, and

walked into the kitchen as the doorbell rang. “Get that, will you?”
She’d get herself something to eat and wait until Wes went up to bed
before she headed out. She couldn’t let Simon slip through her
fingers. He had to know she loved him. It had been a mistake to keep
her secrets from him, she knew that now. And if he gave her another
chance, she’d never make that mistake again.

She put a slice of pizza into the microwave to nuke and leaned

on the countertop with her chin in her palm. What if he didn’t want
her? After all she’d done, what if he’d decided she wasn’t worth it?
She shook her head. Plenty of time to deal with that if and when the
time came. Right now she preferred the scenario where he accepted

her apology. Another declaration of love from him wouldn’t be
unwelcome either.

Voices echoed out in the living room.
“Wes, who’s at the door?” One thing they didn’t have to

worry about was Angus and his people. Jayce or Simon had killed
Angus—they weren’t sure whose bullet hit where. The Feds had
rounded up all his associates, aided by the very careful logs she and
Wes kept, and every last one was ratting out the other.

“Hey.”
She jerked upright, heart lurching into her throat. Simon stood

in the kitchen doorway, Wes behind him.

She licked her lips and stared into his intense gaze. “Hey.”
Wes flashed a smile and a thumbs-up. “All righty, I’ll be

upstairs in my room if anyone…needs me.” He disappeared.

Simon’s gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips and down to

stop at her neck. His jaw tightened. She touched the scar with a
fingertip.

“It’s healing fast.” She moved toward him on unsteady feet.

“I-I wanted to thank you for helping me. For saving me.”

Dark eyes flashed. “Fuck, Ever, you don’t have to thank me.”

He met her in the middle of the room with two strides. “You’re the
woman I love. I’d do anything for you.” He hauled her into his arms,
and she went willingly, clawing at his belt as he undid her robe and
pushed it off her shoulders.

He kissed her, deep and wild, tongue thrusting against hers as

he lifted her and placed her onto the kitchen table. She shrugged away
the robe, freeing her hands to sink her fingers into his hair.

He pulled apart her thighs roughly, fingers dipping into her

pussy. She moaned into his mouth and reached for his cock.

“I need you,” she mumbled against his mouth. She massaged

his hardness through his pants then undid his zipper, freeing him.

“Hmm.” He groaned and thrust in her hand, blunt fingers

fucking her wet cunt as her juices poured. Then his cock replaced his
fingers, thrusting into her hard. Sliding deep. “I missed you.” He
nipped at her ear and neck and licked her throat.

“Ugn.” She lifted her hips and arched. “Why’d you stay away

so long?”

“Business.” He slid out and drove back in. “Had to clear up

some paperwork.”

Head thrown back, she smiled up at the ceiling. “I’m sorry for

all I did.”

He palmed the cheeks of her ass, angling her hips as he

pounded into her. “Forgiven,” he grunted.

Ever rolled her hips, riding him. Yanking on his hair, she

commanded, “Look at me, Simon.”

His gaze leaped to her face, dark eyes boring into her.
“I love you.”
He stilled his movements, eyes glistening. “Say it again.” His

fingers bit into her skin.

“I love you.” She smiled.
He slammed into her. Ever cried out, legs lifting higher.
“Again, Ever.”
“I love you, Simon.” She kissed his neck and chin as he

impaled himself on her again and again. “I love you, I love you.” She
caught his mouth and sucked on his bottom lip. Savage grunts
rumbled in Simon’s chest as he pounded into her. Telltale heat bathed
her spine, and Ever urged him on. “Yes, fuck me harder. Make me
come. I love you.”

Simon obeyed. Canting his hips upward, he drove in, hitting

her G-spot. She cried out, orgasm ripping through her, and he slid his
tongue into her mouth, drinking her sounds as her pussy contracted
around him.

He hissed into her mouth, body jerking. His cock throbbed

inside her, and she felt the warm gush as he poured his cum into her.

“Fuck.” She shuddered. “I can feel your cum filling me up,

flooding me. God, Simon.” She undulated, and he continued his
thrusts until he’d given her all he had.

He wrapped both arms around her, hugging her to him. “I’m

keeping you.”

The End

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