Hero (16 page)

My sub.
A delighted shiver raced across my skin. Dex was my Dom. I’d told him I was scared, but in that moment, I didn’t feel even a shadow of fear. With Dex’s strong arms wrapped around me, nothing bad could possibly happen.

* * *

“
Y
ou seem happy
,” Beth commented with a smile. “Who’s the guy?”

I sipped my chocolate martini to hide my grin. When I’d texted my sister to tell her I was safely back in Chicago—which she’d made me promise to do before I left—she’d insisted we meet up for a drink. I hadn’t wanted to leave Dex after our intense afternoon, but I couldn’t blow Beth off. I knew from experience that she’d simply show up at my place to check on me. It was easier to acquiesce and meet her in public. Dex and I might have agreed to start a relationship, but it was far too soon for him to meet my family. I’d left him in my house after extracting a promise that he wouldn’t watch any more
Supernatural
without me.

I tried to face Beth with nonchalance. “Who says there’s a guy?”

She shot me a level look, her brown eyes businesslike. “Don’t pull that crap with me, Chloe. I’m your big sister. I can tell these things. I haven’t seen you this giddy since you met—” She stopped herself short. “I’m glad you’re happy,” she finished lamely.

My smile melted. I knew what she didn’t say:
“I haven’t seen you this giddy since you met Neil.”

“So,” she pressed on past the awkward moment. “What’s his name?”

“Dex,” I replied shortly.

“Sorry, sis,” she said, contrite. “I didn’t mean to bring
him
up.”

Him. Neil.

“It’s okay.” I didn’t entirely succeed in sounding unruffled.

She tucked her caramel hair behind her ear, a sure sign she was uncomfortable. “Neil wasn’t right for you,” she said abruptly. “I know you were happy with him, but I’m glad you’re divorced.”

I scowled.
Happy?
Beth had always been the one to tell me that Neil was no good for me, that he was holding me back in life. If only I’d listened to her when I was twenty, I could have avoided wasting four years of my life married to an abusive bastard.

He hadn’t always been like that. When I met him at eighteen, he’d doted on me, buying me presents and always telling me how beautiful I was. I’d only just been coming out of my awkward growth spurt phase, so I wasn’t used to men thinking I was pretty. I’d fallen fast and hard.

I wouldn’t make the same mistake with Dex. I might feel an intense connection, but that didn’t mean I was ready to let him into my heart and share my secrets. We were in a D/s relationship now, but it was new. There was plenty of time for us to get comfortable enough to open up. And I knew deep in my soul that Dex wouldn’t rush me or make me do anything I didn’t want to.

Dex is nothing like Neil,
I reasoned.
He’s kind and protective and puts my needs before his own.

“Well,” Beth said after a prolonged pause. “Anyway, I hope this new guy is good for you.”

“I think he is,” I said. Now that Beth had brought up both men in the same conversation, I began contemplating the differences between them.

Neil had always had a selfish streak. It was only after our divorce that I could look back objectively and see that the presents and compliments were all meant to make me feel indebted to him. I’d done everything I could to make him happy, because he made me feel like I owed it to him.

Dex didn’t ask me for anything. All he wanted was my trust, and even that he was willing to earn. He hadn’t pried into my life, hadn’t pressed me to give up my secrets. He made me feel safe, cherished. And he’d made it clear that my safety and happiness were his top priorities. He didn’t even demand sex in return.

“He is good for me,” I said with greater certainty. “Dex is a great guy. He’s really sweet and supportive of both my careers.”

Beth smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. You deserve to be happy.”

“Thanks, sis,” I said with genuine gratitude, relieved the tense moment had passed.

“So, tell me everything. How did you meet? What does he do? And, most importantly, is he hot?”

I sighed dreamily. “Definitely hot.”

The unpleasantness over, we spent the rest of the evening giggling about men and discussing my next book. But even though I was enjoying my time with my sister, I kept wishing I could get back to Dex. Dutifully, I put in two hours with Beth before excusing myself.

When I returned home, I opened the door to find that my house was spotless, my papers organized into neat stacks.

“Hi, princess.” Dex beamed at me and got up from the clutter-free couch, closing the distance between us and wrapping an arm around my waist to pull me in for a long kiss.

“You cleaned,” I said breathlessly when he finally released my lips. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He threaded his fingers through my hair. “I know I didn’t. But I like taking care of you. If that means keeping things in order for you so you can focus on your work, then that’s what I’ll do. I don’t mind cleaning.”

“Wow,” I said on a happy sigh. He was too good to be true. “Thank you.”

His fist tightened in my hair, tipping my head back so he could place his mouth close to mine. “That’s
thank you, Sir,
” he rumbled, his lips brushing over mine as he spoke.

“Thank you, Sir.” I went up on my tiptoes and kissed him hard, showing him just how grateful I was to have him as my Dom.

I
n the first
week of my D/s relationship with Chloe, Jason was gracious enough to let me shadow them, behind Parkinson’s back. Well, maybe not
gracious,
but he allowed it. It seemed Parkinson really was every bit as intimidating as Kennedy, and Jason wasn’t keen to risk her wrath. But I pulled the bro-we-had-a-threesome-together card on him, and he caved. It’s hard for a guy to pretend he doesn’t have your back when you’ve put enough trust in one another to share a woman. It bound us more tightly than we had been as agents in the same field office, even if we weren’t exactly buddies.

And I was damn grateful that he’d allowed me to keep an eye on Chloe. I’d kept her safely in the car with me on more than a few occasions when Jason went to assist in a violent altercation. The situation with the Latin Kings in Chicago was even worse than I’d thought. Someone was uniting the tribes, like Javier had done on New York. Only, Javi was our man, and it had worked to our advantage; we’d been able to take out all the ringleaders at once when he got them in one place.

But things were different in Chicago. The Kings were more organized than they’d ever been in New York. Over the last six months, they’d become aggressive in pushing into new territories. And worst of all, Jason had found a lower-level King dealing Bliss. We’d thought we had it contained in New York, but they were still spreading the product in Chicago.

I was relieved I’d chosen to come after Chloe to keep her safe.

But it was more than relief. I had fun when I was with her. In fact, I couldn’t remember having so much fun in years. She was quick-witted, keeping me on my toes during every conversation. And she’d gotten me hooked on
Supernatural.
I loved geeking out with her. I never would have imagined such a beautiful, unattainable woman would be content to sit around with me binge-watching a cult TV show.

Well, we didn’t spend all our time sitting around. After spending our days with the FBI, we mostly indulged in exploring each other’s bodies in the evenings. Chloe was proving to be a very sweet sub, and watching her attain release through submission was every bit as fulfilling as I’d imagined it would be. While I longed to bury my cock inside her pussy, taking care of her was enough to satisfy me. And it wasn’t like I didn’t get plenty of orgasms out of it. Chloe had a very hot mouth, and she was eager to please.

Right now, I wished we were back at her place, naked in her bed. If that were the case, I could tie her down and keep her from carrying out her plans for the day. She’d been adamant about interviewing Hernandez. After seeing his arm wrapped around her throat, I wasn’t at all sure I could be in a room with him and restrain myself from attacking the bastard.

This is her career,
I reminded myself.
It’s important to her.

Besides, Jason would be present as well. I was counting on him to keep me in check, if necessary.

I placed my hand on the small of Chloe’s back as we walked through the CPD precinct to the interrogation room where the cops had brought him to meet us.

She shot me a significant look and stepped away, breaking the contact. I recognized that she was in journalist-mode, and she didn’t want to be coddled.

My hand fisted at my side as I restrained myself from touching her again. I’d respect her boundaries. I had to admit to myself that my desire for physical contact with her was more to calm myself than to reassure her. Chloe held her head high, completely cool and confident. I was the one who needed the comfort of holding her, to know that she was safe from any threat in my arms.

I blew out a sigh, resigned. I wouldn’t get in the way of Chloe doing her job, no matter what my instincts were telling me.

We arrived at interrogation, and Jason opened the door for her. I followed her in, keeping my body close to hers.

Hernandez sat in a hard-backed chair, separated from Chloe’s personal space by a metal table. That was only somewhat comforting, as was the fact that he was cuffed to the table. His tanned face twisted into a fierce scowl as soon as he caught sight of Chloe, and his black eyes narrowed on her. He cursed in Spanish and spat on the floor.

Chloe remained utterly composed as she sat down on the chair across from him.

“Miss Martin is here to ask you questions about your involvement with the Latin Kings,” Jason announced, his voice hard. “You will cooperate.”

“I’m not saying nothing to this cunt,” Hernandez hissed.

“You can call me Chloe,” she said in a bland, polite tone. “I just want to get to know you, Manny. I want to hear your side of things.” Evidently, she thought a soft approach would put him at ease.

She was wrong.

“I didn’t talk to the cops,” he seethed. “Why the fuck would I talk to you, bitch? You’re working with the feds. You’re the reason I’m in this shithole.” He gestured around at the gray-walled room as best he could with his hands cuffed.

“I’m a journalist,” she continued, ignoring his hostility. “I can tell your story. How did you become involved with the Kings? I’m sure the sense of brotherhood is very important to you.”

He gave her a nasty grin. “You want to meet my brothers? I can arrange that. I might be in here, but my friends are on the outside. Do you know what they do to nosy cunts like you?”

A low growl slipped through my clenched teeth, and I took a step forward. Chloe held up her hand, stopping me.

“You live in a violent world,” she said calmly. “That can’t be easy for you.”

“My brothers will rape you,” Hernandez shot at her. “They will fuck you raw, so you know your place, whore. You’ll die screaming around their cocks. They—”

Whatever foul thing he was going to add ended when my fist crunched into his nose. His head snapped back, blood instantly streaming over his lips to drip down his chin. I pulled my fist back again.

Jason caught my arm, and he hauled me back. I snarled and shook him off.

“Calm down, Dex,” Jason said in an undertone. “She needs you right now.”

My attention immediately jerked to Chloe. She sat stiffly in the chair, her shoulders back in an attempt to maintain composure. But her cheeks had gone pale, and her eyes were slightly unfocused, as though she was seeing something I couldn’t.

Fuck.

I dropped my aggressive stance.

“I’m good,” I assured Jason roughly. “Come on, Chloe,” I said as gently as I could manage. “Let’s go.” I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she cringed away. I quickly withdrew my touch.

“Chloe,” I said in my deepest voice. “Come with me. Now,” I issued it as a command.

She blinked, and her dark eyes focused on me. She drew in a shuddering breath and gave me a curt nod as she got to her feet. I reached for her hand. She flinched. Grinding my teeth, I resolutely kept my distance.

“I’m taking you home,” I told her.

Hernandez let out a stream of muffled curses in Spanish as we turned away and I ushered her from the room. We left Jason behind to deal with the mess I’d made.

Turning my focus on Chloe, I kept my body protectively close to hers, but I didn’t touch her in any way. Within minutes, I had her safely in a cab, and soon after, we arrived at her place. She got out and walked into her house as though in a daze. She didn’t look at me; her eyes had clouded over again, and her hands trembled at her sides.

“Chloe,” I said her name firmly, grounding her to me. “I’m going to hold you now. I’m not going to hurt you. Do you understand?”

A single tear slid down her cheek. “I…” she swallowed. “Yes. I understand, Sir.”

She’d reached a vulnerable state, and she automatically said the honorific. That, more than anything, reassured me that she was ready to accept physical contact with me. She needed her Dom.

Moving slowly, I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her up so she was cradled against my chest. She stiffened for a moment, then took a deep breath and relaxed into me. I carried her to the couch and settled down with her across my lap. She tucked her face against my neck, and I began running my fingers through her hair in a soothing rhythm.

A rough sob was torn from her chest, and she began to cry against me. My heart twisted, but I kept my muscles relaxed around her as I continued to stroke her. She didn’t need any indication of masculine aggression.

She wept for a long time, and my chest ached as the minutes slowly passed. Finally, her sobs quieted, and she looked up at me.

“I’m sorry,” she said raggedly.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I should apologize. I shouldn’t have put you in the same room as Hernandez. I knew what kind of man he is. And I know you’ve been through…” I didn’t finish what I was going to say. I’d known for a long time that she’d been violated, but she’d never wanted to talk about it. She was fragile right now, and she didn’t need me to remind her of her past trauma when it had already been stirred up by Hernandez’s sickening words.

“No,” she countered weakly. “I wanted to interview him. You respected my wishes. Thank you for that. You didn’t try to hold back my career. You’re nothing like Neil.”

This time, I couldn’t help tensing at the sound of her ex-husband’s name. He was the one who had hurt her. I wished I could inflict the same damage on him that I’d done to Hernandez. I wanted to punish the man who had traumatized her.

She trailed her soft fingertips along my jaw, calling me away from my building rage. “It’s in the past,” she said. “I’m okay now.”

“You’re not,” I countered before I could stop myself. “He—” I cut myself off. She didn’t need me to say aloud how he’d damaged her. It was amazing that I’d been able to earn her trust after he’d hurt her. I didn’t know the details of what had happened, but I knew Chloe didn’t want to share them.

“He raped me,” she said quietly.

Surprise shot through me. I hadn’t expected her to open up, especially considering the dark memories Hernandez had just stirred up. Fury quickly followed surprise. Despite the fact that I’d known her ex had violated her, hearing her say it aloud caused white-hot rage to boil through my veins.

“That’s why I left him,” she continued, her voice soft. “We were together for six years, married for four. I didn’t realize how he’d slowly started to belittle me, to control me. He didn’t want me to have a career or a life outside our home. He wanted me to give him a baby. That’s when…” She swallowed. “I took the morning after pill the next day and filed for divorce as quickly as I could. Beth helped me get back on my feet, but it took me a year to rebuild my life, my self. By the time I left him, I didn’t know who I was if I wasn’t Neil’s wife. But after that night, I knew I didn’t want to be his wife anymore.”

I let her talk, allowing her to purge the pain of her secrets. Her lashes were wet with tears when her eyes focused on me again.

“I’ve never told anyone that before,” she marveled. “Not even Beth.”

I gently wiped the wetness from her cheeks. “I swear I will never hurt you. You can trust me.”

She drew in a shuddering breath. “I know I can. I do.”

She leaned up into me and pressed her mouth to mine. Her lips were salty with tears, but she kissed me with such desperation that I couldn’t help but respond.

Keeping my mouth on hers, I lifted her and carried her up the stairs and into the bathroom. I set her down on her feet, making sure to place her on the plush bathmat so she didn’t come into contact with the cold tiles. Her skin was still too cool to the touch after her shock. I fully intended to warm her up.

I began to undress her, moving slowly so I didn’t spook her. Now wasn’t the time to rip off her clothes in a fit of passion. She needed me to be calm, controlled. My sweet sub needed to be pampered and cherished.

Her small hands reached for the buttons on my shirt, but I stopped her.

“You don’t have to do anything for me,” I told her. “I don’t want you to. I’m going to take care of you.”

I brushed one more kiss across her lips before briefly pulling away to remove my jacket and gun, placing them on the counter. I rolled up my sleeves to keep my shirt from getting wet, then turned on the faucet on her enormous bathtub. When I was satisfied with the water temperature, I stoppered the tub and guided her into it.

Her nipples pebbled as the cool air on her skin contrasted with the slowly pooling warm water. I reached for the detachable showerhead and turned it on, directing the soft spray over her body. I placed a hand on her shoulder and gently urged her to rest back against the curved side of the tub. She sighed and got comfortable.

I filled one hand with body wash and began to run my palm across her tanned skin, working my way over her belly before rubbing her breasts. With my other hand, I kept the water sluicing over her, ensuring she was warm.

Her eyes slid closed, and a small smile played around her mouth as she settled into a contented headspace.

I continued to stimulate her breasts, cupping them and lightly pinching her peaked nipples. She moaned and arched into me. I worked my hand lower, rubbing the body wash against her pussy. She was wet with more than water, and she thrust her hips up into my touch.

We didn’t speak as I continued to caress her, giving her slow, steady pleasure until she shuddered and relaxed, all the tension easing from her muscles.

I dipped my fingers through her desire-slicked folds, teasing the small patch of skin between her opening and her asshole. At the same time, I brought the showerhead close to her, letting the spray hit her sensitized clit.

“Dex,” she whimpered my name.

“Master,” I corrected her. “I’m your Master now.”

Her chocolate eyes met mine, half-lidded with lust. “Master,” she said on a soft moan.

“Good girl.” I slipped my finger into her ass, pumping gently as the warm spray continued to stimulate her clit and fill her pussy. “Come for me.”

“Master!” she cried out, her dark gaze unwavering as she stared up at me, giving me everything: her pleasure, her body, her soul.

When she finished, I washed away all the slick evidence of her orgasm, making sure she was clean. I helped her out of the tub and wrapped her in a fluffy towel before carrying her into the bedroom. I placed her on the bed and quickly stripped out of my clothes so I could hold her close and feel her skin against mine.