Coming Home (13 page)

“I want you inside me.”

“Beg me.”

She writhed, her hands remaining above her head like a good girl. “Please fuck me, Lucian. I miss your cock. I want it.”

He growled and kissed her, his hands yanking the robe wide. His mouth went to her breasts and he pulled one tight nipple into his mouth, sucking hard enough to bruise the delicate flesh.

He forced her legs apart and slid a finger deep into her wet slit. Her arousal coated his fingers as he fucked her with his hand. His mouth moved to the other breast and left it dark and wet from his saliva. Withdrawing his fingers, he flipped her to her stomach. “Up on your knees. Good girl.”

Her pert ass rose and he glided his palm over the soft flesh. He gripped her cheeks and spread her. Once his eyes spotted that tiny rosette, he couldn’t resist. He leaned forward and kissed the tiny pucker. Evelyn purred and rocked into him.

“Stay still,” he said, standing and swatting her ass. He went to the bathroom and found the oil. When he returned, she was exactly as he left her, his handprint leaving a delicate pink star on her cheek.

He climbed onto the bed and uncapped the oil. “Do you want me to fuck that tight ass of yours, Evelyn?”

She moaned her agreement. There was nothing more satisfying than knowing her desires matched his, equally dark and insatiable. He rubbed oil over his fingers and cupped her cheek, pulling it aside. Her little rosette clenched in anticipation and her folds glistened with arousal. He thumbed the little knot until she relaxed.

Once she was at ease he lined up his finger and sunk it deep into her back entrance.

Her spine stiffened and her shoulders shook as she tried to remain still. “That’s it, baby. You love my finger in your ass almost as much as my cock, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she moaned, her damp hair fanning down her back and shoulders.

He withdrew and drove the oiled digit back in. She rocked slightly, but he saw the effort she was making to control her movements and remain still. He slapped the inside of her thighs and she spread her knees wider. The fingers of his other hand cupped her pussy and her body trembled.

He pushed two fingers into her sex and she lurched forward, catching herself on her elbows. “Where are you?” Her fingers formed the signal that told him she was okay and didn’t want him to stop.

Twisting his finger in her ass, screwing her with each pump of his wrist while the fingers of his other hand pressed deep, searching for that soft spot deep inside her. He found her G-spot and applied pressure.

Her hips bucked. “Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!”

“I want you to come so hard my sheets are wet. I’m going to make you come that hard, do you understand?”

“Yes!”

He slid another slicked finger into her ass and began to fuck her harder with his hand. He pressed down on her G-spot. “Now, Evelyn. Come for me now. Scream my name.”

“Lucian!”
Her cry sunk into the mattress. Her body convulsed as her sex contracted in rapid pulses over his fingers and her snug little asshole tightened. She gushed over his fingertips and he withdrew both hands.

Flipping her on her back, he wrenched her trembling legs apart and licked up every drop of her release. Sweet ambrosia coated his tongue. Nothing had ever tasted so good, so right, as his Evelyn.

He loved making her come that way. He still remembered how sensitive she was the first time she realized a woman could come that way. She flinched and jerked under his gentle laving, her body overstimulated and vulnerable to the most delicate caress. Once he had licked her pussy clean, he sat up and extended the hand that had been in her sex.

“Open.” Her lips parted and he pressed his fingers into her mouth, slowly fucking them over her tongue. “Suck them clean. See how good you taste.”

She shut her eyes and moaned. His fingers withdrew with a pop. “Good girl. Now turn over. Cup your ass and spread yourself.”

He held her arm as she slowly adjusted her position. Her face pressed into the bedding, her shoulders catching her weight. She spread her cheeks wide and he leaned forward. She gasped as he licked her from the tip of her sex to the tip of her spine.

“Are you ready for my cock, baby?”

“Always.”

He uncapped the oil and coated his length. Dribbling a generous amount over her ass, he speared it inside her entrance with his finger. Easing up on his knees, he pulled close.

Withdrawing his fingers, the tip of his cock pressed into her tight muscle. She hissed and her back moved with the rapid way air filled her lungs. “Take me, Evelyn. Remember how I taught you.”

She exhaled slowly and the tension in her body eased. He pressed in, stretching her, careful not to go too fast or hurt her. A long sigh escaped both of them as he seated himself to the hilt. Blanketing her, he leaned forward and kissed her nape. “Beautiful. You can relax your arms.”

Her fingers released her cheeks, the soft weight folding around the base of his cock, cushioning him. Her arms curled under her head and he slowly pulled back, nearly exiting her completely. “Hard and fast or long and slow, Evelyn? I’ll give you the choice.”

“Whichever pleases you most,” she panted, sounding on the brink of madness.

Jesus Christ, he nearly came. Could there have been a more perfect answer? He slammed back into her and her head shot up. He thrust into her without relenting. He’d had her mouth, he’d had her pussy, and now he was reclaiming her ass. By the end of the week there wouldn’t be a single spot on her that didn’t wear his mark.

Sweat burned his eyes as his hips snapped forward. She mumbled and moaned curses and prayers of pleasure.

He pounded into her and his climax built so powerfully he felt it in the soft undersides of his feet. He withdrew and yanked on his cock. Hot jets of cum shot across her back and up her shoulder.

Collapsing beside her, he cupped the back of her head and dragged her mouth to his, kissing her with everything he had. “You are . . .” he said between kisses. “The sexiest . . . woman . . . I have ever seen in my entire life.” She smiled through dazed eyes. Her expression completely sated. “Don’t ever change,” he whispered.

“Only if you promise the same.”

***

After yet another shower, the boxes were delivered. Evelyn was in the bedroom, sorting through her old belongings, when Lucian noticed Dugan looked bothered. He walked him away from the bedroom door and toward the front of the condo.

“What is it?”

Dugan glanced back at the bedroom and lowered his voice. “Fucking paparazzi.” Lucian relaxed. That was nothing new. “We’ve had the cops here twice already. I don’t know what’s gotten into them. They’re like vultures today.”

Lucian sighed. He hated the press. There was little to no peace away from his homes, which was why he’d become quite the hermit in his adult years. “Some things never change.”

“Do you want me to pull the car around to the service entrance?”

Lucian considered it. “No. Let’s see what they want. I’ll throw them a comment about whatever they’re after and that should satisfy them for a while.”

Dugan nodded and took his leave.

When Lucian returned to the bedroom, Evelyn was pulling on the heel of a dainty sandal. Her hair was down and reached almost to her ass. She wore a slim little number, the color of jade, accentuating every fine curve she had. He came up behind her and smoothed his hands over her hips.

She chuckled. “You, settle down. I’ve already had two showers and a bath. I’m hungry and you need to feed me if you expect me to be up for anything else.”

He grinned into her soft hair. “I’m just touching.”

She swatted his hands away and turned. “Touching leads to fucking.”

“Can you blame me? You look incredible.”

She blushed. “Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself. Where are we going?”

“I made reservations at DeLuna.”

She grabbed her purse and followed him to the door. He shut out the lights and they settled on the elevator. She turned and caught him looking at her. “Stop looking at me like that. I need food.”

He grunted. “Feisty when you’re hungry.”

They rode in silence to the first floor and Lucian spent the entire time eyeing her legs. As they stepped off, he asked, “How’s your knee?”

“Ugly, but I’ll live.”

“You need to be more careful with how much you drink.”

“You need to not make me want to drink.”

His arm wrapped around her and guided her through the lobby. He understood he was partly responsible for her actions last night, but that didn’t excuse her carelessness. She’d been plastered and with a guy he knew nothing about. Sometimes her invincible attitude made him crazy.

He let his concerns go for the sake of their evening. He didn’t want any unnecessary stress. They’d have dinner, talk, laugh and enjoy themselves. The doorman held the door and she froze as a hundred flashes went off in their faces.

“Mr. Patras, can you tell us what happened with Nicole Nottingham?”

“Lucian, is it true you rescued Ms. Keats from a shelter?”

“Ms. Keats, did you threaten Nicole last night?”

“Where is your mother?”

“Ms. Keats, how old are you? Were you an adult when Mr. Patras seduced you?”

Jesus fucking Christ!
He grabbed Evelyn’s wrist and dragged her through the crowd of vultures. Dugan held the door to the limo wide as they fled inside.

The door slammed and the flashes of cameras beat against the glass. He was seeing spots. The car lurched, its wheels squealing as it pulled into traffic. He rubbed his eye sockets and faced Evelyn. Fuck. She was white as a sheet.

Chapter 10

Cheapo

Swindling a win or drawing from another’s position lost

Lucian pulled out his phone. “Dugan, drive to Isadora’s. Call her and tell her to have food ready.” His fingers flipped through his contacts and dialed when he found the number he was searching for. He reached his arm out to Evelyn. “Come here.”

She looked lost and small. Her eyes weren’t blinking and her mouth was flat, her lips vacant of color. She slid into the crook of his arm and he squeezed. “It’ll be okay.” The other line picked up. “DeLaCruz, please. Lucian Patras.”

As he waited for his attorney to pick up, he kissed her temple. He needed to reassure her, but first he needed to start the long line of damage control.

“Lucian, what can I do for you?” The lawyer’s voice, smooth and cultured, gave him some sense of ease. This would be taken care of, and soon.

“We have a situation. Nottingham found out some private information in Evelyn’s background and exploited it to the press. I want her dealt with. I also want to make sure no harm comes to Evelyn’s mother. She’s vulnerable and doesn’t need the goddamn media climbing her walls while she recovers.”

“You sure it was Nottingham?”

“I’m almost certain. Question Hughes as well. Anyone who caused this is going to pay.”

Sliding his thumb over the screen of his phone, he tossed it aside, turning Evelyn to face him. Her expression was so vacant it worried him. He kissed her and drew her close, hugging her. “Hey, this sort of thing happens. It’s all right. I have people straightening it out now.”

When she still didn’t say anything, he tipped up her face. “Evelyn, you know none of this is your fault. I’m not angry. Not with you anyway.”

Her lashes lowered. He was going to strangle Nicole next time he saw her. “Evelyn, talk to me. What’s going through your head?”

Her face tightened and she drew in a deep breath. “I’m so sorry.”

“Hey! I told you. There’s nothing to be sorry for. This isn’t your fault. I don’t give a shit about what people think. I care about the stress the attention puts you under.”

“This is all that bitch’s fault!” she snapped with more venom than he was used to from her. “I should have knocked her on her ass when I had the chance.” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“Hey, hey, she’s not even worth your aggravation. That’s exactly what she wants.”

“That’s not all she wants. She wants to expose me and humiliate you so you leave me and go to her.”

“And do you know why that is? Because she’s intimidated by you. You scare her. She can say you’re just a girl from the tracks and expose your family’s flaws, but that doesn’t change the fact you’re still a better person. Sinking this low and playing dirty isn’t wise when she, too, holds a position in the public eye. She’s a fool for throwing the first stone.”

Evelyn shook her head. “Calling her stupid doesn’t take away what she did. This won’t just get swept under the rug, Lucian. We have enough challenges on our own. All our crap is about to be thrown out on the lawn for everyone to see.”

He considered her words. She was right. This wouldn’t just get swept away. People would want to know. But he had nothing to hide. He merely wanted to shelter Evelyn. “What is it you are afraid of them finding out? Is it Pearl?”

She gaped at him. “It’s
all
of it, Lucian. I’m an embarrassment to you! I was homeless for Christ’s sake. I ate out of dumpsters and slept in the dirt. My mother fucked strangers for drugs. I was born addicted to heroin. I was illiterate until I was in my twenties and I can barely read now. You’re Lucian fucking Patras. Do you have any idea what this will do to your reputation?”

Rage seethed inside of him. His jaw clicked. Her voice had grown shriller with each proclamation. He gently shook her. “Listen to me. You are
not
worthless. All of those things, they may be true, but look at you now. Who fucking cares about the past? You’ve overcome more obstacles than almost anyone I know. I refuse—
refuse—
to sit here and listen to you degrade yourself. Do you understand me, Evelyn? You do that, and all those assholes who told you you’d never be anything more, they win. Do you want them to win?”

“No.” She was breaking, but he needed her to see herself the way she really was.

“You have pride in spades, Evelyn. Don’t let them shake it. You’re smart, determined, beautiful, and caring. Anyone who doesn’t see that is a fucking asshole. And as far as all those other accusations, I’ll come out with a statement and own up to every single one, just give me the word. I don’t give a shit about what conclusions they draw. I love you.
You,
Evelyn, all of you.”

His words seemed to sink in. She nodded. “Okay.”

“Good.” He hugged her. He didn’t let her go until they reached his sister’s. Climbing out of the limo, he reached for her hand.

“Will Isadora be upset we popped in?” Evelyn asked, adjusting her clothing.

“She’s used to it.” He led her to the door and Sophia, Isadora’s maid, greeted them.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Sophia.” He nodded. “This is Ms. Keats.”

“A pleasure,” the maid replied. “Isadora’s in the kitchen cursing you at this very moment.”

“Wonderful,” he commented, leading Evelyn to the kitchen. Escorting Evelyn through the grand entrance, he found his sister chopping peppers at her granite island, a scowl marring her otherwise pretty face. “Isa.”

“Do I look like one of your employees, Lucian?”

He walked over and kissed her cheek. “Stop. We had a situation and needed to get out of the city. Evelyn was starving and we couldn’t go to the restaurant where we had reservations.”

Evelyn smacked his arm. “You’re blaming me?”

His sister paused from chopping. “What situation?”

“Let’s eat first and I’ll explain over dinner.” He plucked a slice of bell pepper from the butcher block and popped it in his mouth.

She scooped the peppers and dropped them over a salad, which she proceeded to toss. “Evelyn, will you tell me what’s going on?”

She sighed. “Lucian got involved with a she-devil—”

“I told you to stay away from Nicole. That girl doesn’t do casual dating. She can misinterpret a wave as a marriage proposal.” She turned to Evelyn. “He never should have accepted her invitation to the Slavonia affair last week.”

“Not helping, Isadora,” he grumbled in a warning voice.

His sister arched a brow. “What? You’re completely in love with Evelyn. You should have worked your crap out before involving that spoiled little Pomeranian.” Turning to Evelyn once more, she added, “I never liked her.”

Evelyn’s dimple appeared as she allowed herself a conspirator’s smile. Wonderful. “Well, I don’t like her either. She ‘looked into’ me—whatever that means—and she got the paparazzi involved. We were nearly trampled leaving Patras.”

Isa poured a glass of wine and offered them each one. They sat at the table and she sighed. “Dinner’s in the oven. You’re lucky I have casseroles on hand. So, what kind of dirt did she find? You’re very lucky you come from an ordinary background. The press can be relentless once they sink their teeth in.”

Evelyn nearly choked taking a sip of wine. She wiped her mouth and blushed, then looked at him with panic in her eyes.
Here goes.
Lucian took a deep breath. “Evelyn’s past isn’t exactly ordinary.”

Isa stilled. “What do you mean?”

“She actually has quite an extraordinary story, but it’s hers to share.”

His sister looked at Evelyn. “Will you share it?”

“Don’t pressure her, Isa.”

“It’s okay,” Evelyn said quietly. “I’d rather her hear the truth from me than some distorted version of it from the tabloids.” She cleared her throat. “I was born in the wintertime, I think twenty-three years ago.”

His sister frowned. “You think?”

“I don’t know. Until a month ago, I didn’t exist.”

“What do you mean?”

Evelyn sighed. “My father died before I was born, shot during a drug deal. My mother has been an addict all my life. She gave birth to me in an alley and I never had a home until now.”

Isa’s face slowly fell. She glanced at Lucian. “Is this a joke?”

“It’s not a joke,” Lucian said softly.

His sister looked at them both, gauging their sincerity. “How on earth did you two hook up?”

“Evelyn was a maid at Patras. I caught her rummaging through my stuff.”

His arm was smacked again. “Lucian! Don’t tell her that. I was
not
rummaging.”

He laughed and kissed her temple. She pushed him away and rolled her eyes. “Your brother made a rather inappropriate proposition and rather than sue his ass off, I took him up on his offer. I figured it would help my mother in the long run. Which it did, but in no way close to what I imagined.”

“You were . . . homeless?” His sister said it like it was a word foreign to her vocabulary.

Evelyn nodded. “Lucian helped me.”

He needed to cut in. “She didn’t need my help. Don’t let her fool you. Evelyn has more determination than anyone I know, including myself. She would’ve gotten there with or without me, but I’m glad I was the one to help her.”

Isadora sat back, her arms crossing, one hand catching her glass of wine. “Wow. Does anyone else know this?”

“Dugan. Shamus. Slade.”

“Everyone will know now,” Evelyn commented hopelessly.

“Does Toni know?” Isa asked.

“Not unless Jamie told her, but I don’t think he would.”

Isa nodded. “Me neither. They aren’t there yet.”

Evelyn sat up straighter. “Jamie’s with your sister? Since when?”

He grumbled. “Apparently for some time now. I was the last to know.”

“Oh, stop bellyaching,” Isa snapped. “It’s only been for a couple weeks, and who knows where it’s going. Those two fight about the dumbest stuff. They don’t get along long enough for anything to be consummated.”

“Nobody’s consummating anything,” he snapped.

“Oh, I bet they’re consummating like bunnies right this moment,” his sister teased. She knew he couldn’t accept that his best friend was sleeping with his little sister. She turned back to Evelyn. “So, how did that little twit find all this out?”

Evelyn shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m more worried about what this could do to Lucian and your family.”

Isadora laughed. “Honey, the worst it could do is humble him. The paparazzi can’t hurt him with this petty crap. It’ll just add to the legend. Besides, that’s your past. You’ve come a long way. I never would’ve guessed you were homeless when I first met you. You own that!”

He smiled, loving his sister for affirming everything he tried to say on the ride over.

“But it will embarrass him. And he’ll lose business.” Evelyn was still protesting.

He tried not to, but knew he scowled at her. “I told you to stop that. You are not an embarrassment. I’m proud to have you beside me. I don’t give a furry rat’s ass what your past is.”

“And really, Evelyn,” Isa cut in. “If people aren’t doing business with the Patras name, who will they do business with? We’re everywhere.”

Lucian was surprised to hear his older sister make such a pretentious statement. It was true, but of all the Patras relatives, she was the most unimpressed with their wealth. Almost to the point of holding it in disdain because of what it did to their family.

Isadora turned back to him. “So what happens now?”

“Damage control. DeLaCruz will issue a statement when Evelyn’s ready. I find some homemade porno or some dirt on Nottingham and nail her to the wall. Our biggest concern is making sure this doesn’t affect Pearl.”

“Pearl?”

“Evelyn’s mother.”

“Oh. Where’s your mother, sweetie?”

“She’s in a rehab. Did that woman really make a sex tape?”

Isa snorted. “Probably. She’s a whore. And if she didn’t, we can at least start a rumor that she did. That’s always fun.”

“Isa!” Evelyn gasped and laughed. “We all know it was an affair with her cousin. It’s not nice to joke about.”

His sister and Evelyn cracked up, carrying on with Nicole Nottingham’s scandal, each time adding more fuel to the fire. He sat back and relaxed, glad to see the stress of the evening washing away. His sister was good for Evelyn in that manner. Good for him too.

The scandal would still be there when they returned to the hotel and likely in the papers tomorrow morning, but his greatest worry was protecting Evelyn. He’d grown up in the spotlight, but Evelyn’s privacy was something she cherished. He needed to make sure all this mudslinging didn’t hurt her.