Gage (Contract Killers Book 1) (9 page)

Chapter Twelve

“Take off the clothes, Neeka.” Gage spoke low, giving her plenty of time to change her mind. If she was going to do it, she needed to do it now because he knew once he started, he wouldn’t be able to stop. Her mouth opened slightly, and he thought she might call it off. It would be for the best, he didn’t dispute that, but he was rock hard for her, his feelings making everything seem intense.

She didn’t stop, though.

He tried to control his breathing as he watched her small hands move to the hem of her shirt, grabbing the material and lifting it up and over her head. Of course she wasn’t wearing a bra, and when he saw her small, high breasts, his mouth watered and his cock throbbed.

“The sweats, too.” He was barely reining in his control. All he wanted to do was go to her right now, tear the clothing off of her, have her sprawled out on the bed beneath him, and slide his shaft into her willing body.

He needed to keep his head in the game and his cock in his pants. Of course what he was supposed to do, and what he planned on doing, were two very different things. Being with her when he should be taking her back to her father was fucked.

But when she pushed down the sweats, showing him her sweet pussy, all common sense left him. He ran a hand over his mouth, felt the stubble, and didn’t hold back his groan.

And then there she stood, nothing on, her body on clear display for him. Neeka lifted her leg slightly to kick the sweats away, and he sucked in a breath through his teeth. Her movements caused him to get a glimpse of her pink pussy lips and the moisture that had started to coat them.

That was his breaking point. He was in front of her in the next instant, wrapping his hands around her waist and all but tossing her on the bed. Her body bounced twice on the mattress when she went down on the mattress, her legs slightly open and her pussy clearly visible to him.

He all but tore his clothes off, needing to feel her naked form against his. He loved the way her gaze roamed over his body, slightly widening when she saw his cock. He was a sick fuck, because he grabbed his dick and started slowly stroking it, loving that she watched the whole time. “Tell me you want this, Neeka.”

“I want this. I want you, Gage.” She rested her upper body on her elbows, and spread her legs even wider. “Do you think this is crazy?” she whispered.

It’s more than fucking crazy.

“It’s how it’s supposed to be, baby.”

Don’t say shit like that. Saying those things will make this real, irrevocable.

He clenched his hands at his sides.

You’re about to do the irrevocable.

He tightened his grip on his cock and stroked himself as he looked at her cunt. She was a soft pink color, her pussy so damn wet for him. He knelt on the bed, slowly moving toward her, his gaze trained on her face now. Gage wanted nothing more than to push into her, to stretch her tightness with his length, but he needed to go slow, needed to control himself.

When they started kissing again he couldn’t help the groan that spilled from him. She tasted like honey, so smooth and sweet, and he knew her pussy would be like that. Kissing a path down her throat, he stopped at her breasts and slid his tongue along the stiff nipple. Her areolas were small and a light peachy color. He sucked one of the buds into his mouth, pulling on it with his lips, nipping at it with his teeth. She made soft mewling noises, and he sneaked a glance at her. Neeka’s eyes were closed in pleasure, her hands gripping the sheets. He sucked harder, moving his hand to her other breast and tweaking her nipple with his thumb and forefinger until it stood as stiff and hard as the other.

He alternated between breasts, sucking and nipping, letting them come out of his mouth with a resounding pop that fueled his desire. He moved lower, kissing and licking over her ribs, down her flat belly, and dipping his tongue in her navel before running his teeth along her waist. She lifted her hips, thrusting her pussy toward him.

“Spread your legs for me, baby.”

She slowly spread them wide, the smell of her desire like a pheromone to him. Her cunt spread open like a blooming flower, her hard, little clit coming into view. Her pussy hole was small, tight. He knew he would have to get her primed and ready for when he pushed his cock into her. He knew it would be bliss, an exquisite pleasure that would not compare to anything else.

He kissed her clit, a gentle motion that had her body twitching in response. He moved a little lower, adjusting himself so he was lying between her spread legs, her swollen cleft right in front of him. He flattened his tongue and ran it from her pussy hole to the top of her mound, repeating the action when she moaned aloud. Gage groaned at her taste, so addictive and intoxicating.

“Oh yes, Gage, more, please more.”

He obliged, licking her until she was thrusting her hips up to meet his actions. He teased her pussy with one finger, her moisture making his finger slick and causing it to slip into her easily. He pushed it all the way in, her pleasure-filled gasp urging him to use another one. He sucked on her clit as he pushed the second digit in, scissoring his fingers and preparing her for when he pushed his cock into her tight little cunt.

“Oh yes. I’m so close.”

He looked up, her head thrown back in ecstasy, her neck straining as he pumped his fingers in and out of her and sucked on the little bud, faster, harder. He growled around her engorged flesh when he felt her juices coat his hand. Her groan of pleasure was low, her orgasm causing her whole body to tighten up. Her inner walls squeezed his fingers, milking them as he knew she would do to his cock when he was pushed deep inside of her body.

“Come again, Neeka.” He was panting now, thrusting his cock against the mattress, the pleasure almost too much to handle. Her pleasure was his, and when she climaxed for a second time, he pulled his fingers out and slanted his mouth over her clenching hole, lapping up and swallowing her fluid while grunting in delight. He stopped pumping his hips when he was about to come, taking several calming breaths and moving so that he was covering her body with his own. He kissed her slowly as she looked up at him with a pleasure-induced high.

“I want you inside of me so badly.”

That was all it took. He gripped his shaft and guided it to her pussy, running it over the length of her cleft and gently pressing it against her clit. She gasped and then moaned, lifting her hips and urging him without words as to what she really wanted. He pressed his cock head against her opening, gently pushing in and gritting his teeth as she stretched around him. She was so tight and hot, like an iron fist squeezing him. He pressed his hips into her, his dick dragging along her inner walls, the sensations so intense sweat started to break out over his skin.

“It feels so good to be inside of you, Neeka.
Fuck
. Does it feel good for you, baby?”

She was staring up at him with slightly wide eyes, her breathing quick and shallow. “It feels so good, Gage.” She whispered the words, her breath coasting over his face in sweet puffs of air. When his shaft was completely buried inside of her tight cunt, he stilled, letting her body adjust to his size. He could feel her pulse around his cock, her inner muscles clenching and unclenching. He closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath, willing himself to stay in control.

He slowly started to pull out, her pussy contracting along his shaft, her pussy cream making his penetration wet, juicy. They were both panting, their breath mingling as their bodies tensed. He slid almost all the way out, his cockhead resting right at the entrance of her body. He pushed inside, a little faster this time, both of them moaning in unison. He pulled out and pushed back in, over and over again until his hips were moving on their own, slamming into her as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

He brought his mouth to hers, their tongues thrusting in and out of each other’s mouths and mimicking what his cock was doing to her pussy. He pumped into her, sweat coating their bodies, her hips lifting up to meet his. He rolled onto his back, never breaking their contact as she now straddled his waist. She didn’t hesitate as she lifted her hips and pushed them back down, her mouth teasing his, the bed slamming into the wall from the motions. He gripped her waist, pumping his hips up, thrusting his cock into her every time she pressed her pussy down on him.

In and out. In and out.

He ripped his mouth away from her and cupped her cheek, her hair damp from sweat, the strands sticking to the sides of her face. “I want you to come all over my cock, Neeka.”

Her face took on a look of extreme pleasure.

“I want you to come right now. I want your sweet little pussy to milk my dick.”

She opened her mouth and cried out, tossing her head back, her breasts thrust out. A deep red flush started to spread over her skin, her impending orgasm obvious.

She leaned back and rested her hands behind her, on the tops of his thighs, digging her nails into his flesh as both of their bodies tensed with their climaxes. She picked up her motions and then stilled, her juices flowing out of her and covering his cock. That was all it took to send him over the edge.

He grabbed her waist and slammed into her once, twice, and on the third time he shouted out his release. Her pussy continued to contract around him, her gasp of pleasure an aphrodisiac all on its own. She sucked in one last lungful of air and collapsed on his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her, running his fingers up and down her back as they both breathed heavily. He moved to his side, Neeka making soft sounds as he pulled out of her, grimacing at how snug she was around his shaft. He looked down at her as she rolled onto her belly, her eyes closed and her mouth slightly open.

He slipped on his boxers and brought his gun to sit next to him on the bedside table. She could rest for a little while, but then they had to move, had to leave. She was his priority, her safety on the top of his list. But it wasn’t just because he’d been hired to get her back, but that he was feeling things for her, intense and emotional things that threatened to break down his wall.

Gage couldn’t help but pull her into his arms, her body fitting perfectly against his as he breathed out. How long had it been since he’d felt this way?

Never.

It was then that he finally let himself feel the emotions that she awoke in him. Never had he felt such strong feelings for another person. But even though he knew how much he cared about her, knew how much he wanted her, he also knew he couldn’t have her. His life, profession, was too violent and shady, and being with her was putting her in a hell of a lot of danger that was always around him.

He would have to leave her with Edward McCarthy and not look back. That was what was best for her.

Then why does it feel so fucking wrong?

Chapter Thirteen

“Neeka, wake up.”

Neeka slowly opened her eyes, the darkness like a cloak, but fear not assaulting her. She could smell Gage’s intoxicating aroma waft all around her, could feel his body heat surround her, and finally felt safe for the first time since her capture.

“Neeka, wake up.”

His hand was on her shoulder and he shook her gently.

“You need to get dressed.”

She felt him leave the bed, and she wrapped the blankets around her body, not ready to get up. The air conditioner was still blowing out arctic air, and the fact that she was nude wasn’t helping her stay warm now that she was alone in the bed. But as she finally woke up she realized she wasn’t safe, not as much as she’d like, and not even though Gage was here. Her life was still in danger.

She sat up, seeing Gage already dressed and by the window. A sliver of light speared into the room, the setting sun evident through the small crack in the curtain. She heard car doors slamming, which made her heart rate pick up.

“Get dressed now.” His voice was hard, unyielding.

Quickly putting on the clothes she’d had on before, she tried to calm herself, but it was no use. “Have they found us?” she whispered.

“I’m not sure. It’s two men in street clothes driving a beat-up pickup. It could be nothing, but I want you to be prepared to leave if I give the word.”

“How long have I been sleeping?”

“Just a few hours.” He looked down at her, the light from the setting sun painting his face in a muted gold hue. He leaned down and kissed her gently, his attention going back to the window. And then after a second he stepped away and started rifling through his duffle bag, his movements brisk yet coordinated. He strapped a gun to his waist, one to his ankle, a knife to his calf, and put another handgun at the small of his back. He moved back to the window and for a second was motionless, hard as stone.

In the next instant, Gage grabbed her arm and was pushing her into the bathroom.

“They’ve found us.”

“What? How do you know? How can you be sure?”

“The manager pointed our room, and I saw them get guns off the back of their truck.” He moved in front of her, popping open the window as if he had done it a million times.

She looked between him and the window, finally realizing he wanted her to go through it. “What? You want me to squeeze through that small hole?” He already had her hand and was dragging her toward the window. “I can’t fit through it.”

“We’ll make you fit through it, because the alternative is not an option.”

Her heart slammed hard against her chest, and she looked at him, fear surrounding her. “I’m scared, Gage.”

“I know, baby. I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you again, but you have to trust me and listen to everything I say, okay?” He cupped her cheek. “No matter what you see or hear, I want you to promise me you’ll leave if things get too fucked. Can you promise me that?” He shoved the keys to the SUV in her hand.

She shook her head, but he was already pushing her toward the window. “You’ll be out soon, right?” There was obvious fear in her voice.

“Yes, but I have to hold these men off if it comes down to that, which I’m sure it will. There will be more coming, no doubt about that.” He pressed his mouth against hers before lifting her up.

The fit was tight as hell, but she squeezed through the window. The wind blew dirt around, and she held her breath so she didn’t cough. She gripped onto the edge of the window and slowly let herself slide down the wall. As soon as her feet touched the ground, the bathroom window shut silently. She looked up at the dingy, frosted glass, gripping the keys so tightly they dug into her palm. The SUV was no more than five feet from her, but she didn’t get in, not right away, and not even though that was the smart thing to do. She couldn’t leave Gage.

I can’t leave him. I care about him, maybe more than I should.

She pressed herself against the wall, and only seconds later heard knocking on the front door. There was silence for what seemed like forever after those knocks, and the longer she held her breath, the more her heart pounded.

And then gunshots rang out along with the sound of breaking glass and loud swearing.

Get in the SUV where it’s safe.

She heard Gage’s voice in her head, that deep, husky timbre that didn’t take no for an answer. She made her way toward the SUV, not about to leave Gage, but knowing it was safer and smarter. She started the car, but sat there for a second, feeling sweat line her temples as she thought of what to do. And then she realized she had to help Gage. Maybe she was nothing compared to him, had no training or expertise when it came to these situations, but she was tired of being a victim and tired of being afraid.

Pulling out from behind the motel, she maneuvered the big vehicle to where their room’s door was and came to a stop, her breath stalling.

She could still hear the sound of a gun going off and worried about Gage’s safety, even if she knew he could handle himself.

“Come on, Gage,” she whispered to herself. And then a body flew through the window of the motel room she was just in, and a cry of surprise left her.

It’s not Gage.

The bloody body of the man that crashed through the window lay no more than five feet from her, shards of glass embedded in his face, blood starting to pool around him. She shivered at the sight as she pressed herself against the back of the seat.

Come on, Gage.

And as if he’d heard her, Gage and a huge looking man crashed through the partially open front door. They were wrestling on the ground, each of them holding a gun and trying to aim it at the other, trying to get the upper hand. One of the guns went off and the bullet slammed against the car door, having an involuntary scream leaving her.

God, what in the hell were you thinking? You should have stayed in the back.

Yes, but she’d been thinking she could be the getaway car if Gage needed it.

You’re a fool, a fucking fool. He is a trained killer. He can handle himself.

The man beneath Gage lifted his hand, the gun he held pointing straight toward Gage’s head. And as she was ready to jump out of the car, do something,
anything
, Gage twisted out from under him and started beating his face with his fist.

Neeka couldn’t tear her eyes away as she stared at Gage hitting this man over and over again, blood covering his knuckles. And when the man lay lifeless Gage grabbed his gun, aimed it at the center of his head, and pulled the trigger like it was nothing.

And as she sat there, stunned, not sure what to think, Gage was already off the man, grabbed his duffle bag, and was striding toward the SUV. She scrambled into the passenger seat, and when he was in his SUV and peeling out of the parking lot, dirt spraying up everywhere, she felt the chill in the air.

“We aren’t even going to fucking talk about why you were out front.” His jaw was clenched tightly, and his hands were gripping the steering wheel hard enough his knuckles were white.

He’s pissed at me, too.

Her gaze turned toward front office and she saw the woman who’d checked Gage in come running outside screaming. Gage slammed on the gas, and the force sent Neeka pressing into the cold leather seat. She was vaguely aware of him reaching over and buckling the seat belt across her body.

“You weren’t supposed to go back in the room, Neeka.” His voice was like steel. “You could have been hurt, or, fuck, killed, Neeka.”

She looked over at him, hearing what he was saying but not comprehending any of it. Was she in shock? Was this what it felt like to have her mind becoming unhinged?

He looked over at her and breathed out wearily, running his hand over his hair as he continuously checked the rearview mirror.

“Damn, I wish you hadn’t been put in this situation, or seen me take out those fuckers.”

“I could have gotten you killed, Gage. I missed, which distracted you and left you at a disadvantage.” She stared at the road in front of her, the reality of it all slamming into her with such excruciating force it sucked the air from her lungs. “I’m so glad you’re okay, though.”

“Oh, Neeka. You were so brave, baby.” That anger faded, and in its place was this sincerity, this emotion she’d never imagined seeing from him.

He sounded so genuine, his focus bouncing from the road to her. She let her tears fall, and Gage lifted his hand and brushed his fingers across her flesh, wiping the tears away. She took a big, steadying breath and looked out the window.

“How much longer until we reach my father’s home?” He dropped his hand from her face, and his voice went hard again, like the solider he truly was. “I’m going to drive straight through. It was never safe for us to stop, but doing it now would be out of the question.”

She knew he had stopped for her, knew that everything he had done was for her.

“What will happen when I see my father?” What she really wanted to know was what would happen between them, and what would happen with her. They might have shared a night of intense pleasure, but she couldn’t forget that her father had hired Gage to find her. She was a mission, a job, and she couldn’t let herself think a happily ever after would be a result of that.

She let her head fall back against the seat. Instantly, the memories she had of what Gage and she shared washed away, now only terror filling her every cell at what her future would hold.

****

Gage looked over at Neeka for the tenth time in the last twenty minutes. She was sleeping, the illumination of the lights from the dash casting an ethereal glow upon her pixie-like features. He had been driving for hours upon hours now, the sun starting to rise as they entered Hillcrest, a small, but wealthy country town on the outskirts of Shyloh. He was about an hour or so from Edward McCarthy’s home, and as much as he hated seeing Neeka go, he knew it was for the best.

He was a trained solider, a killer. If he were to start something with Neeka, it would give his enemies a target, and that was something he could never live with, could never risk.

Neeka made a small noise and shifted in her seat, the blanket he’d draped across her body sliding down slightly. He knew letting her go was for the best, but it didn’t make his heart ache any less. She slowly woke, blinking several times before turning a drowsy look his way.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” Her voice sounded sleepy, slightly hoarse.

“We’ll be at your father’s house in about an hour.” He watched her, gauging her reaction. “I’ve already contacted your father and his staff, and they’re expecting us.”

She blinked a few times and looked out the front windshield, nodding several times.

“Do you need to use the restroom? Are you hungry?”

“No, I’m fine. I just want to get home.”

He nodded more to himself than to her. It was better to just get her there and not drag this out.

“Gage?” she said his name softly.

“Yeah.” He looked over at her, her vision still trained on the road in front of them.

“What happens next?”

He knew what she was referring to. It was the same thing he had asked himself repeatedly the entire trip. “I drop you off with your father, make sure you’re safe, and then I go back to the compound.” His focus was straight ahead. He didn’t trust himself to look at her for fear he might say something that shouldn’t be said.

“It’s for the best.” Her voice was soft.

“Yeah.” His words were void, his emotions being pushed deep inside of him so that he would be able to say goodbye to her forever. They might have shared that one night together intimately, but she had awoken something in him that had never been touched, a feeling that warmed him and gave him strength, that broke down his wall, but only for
her
.

He drove for another ten minutes in silence until he couldn’t take it any longer. He pulled the car off the road and parked it behind an outcropping of flora. He turned the car off and checked his surroundings, making sure everything was all clear.

“What are you doing?” she asked, sounding confused.

He turned to look at her, knowing that he should just keep driving, but unable to stave off his emotions. He reached up and cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb across her bottom lip, back and forth. Her breaths became shallow, quick. They stayed silent, just looking at each other. He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers gently. It wasn’t supposed to be anything more, just a soft kiss goodbye, something to hold him for the rest of his life.

That soft and gentle kiss turned into something stronger, more passionate. Neeka tilted her head and moved closer. He speared his hands in her hair, caressing her scalp as their tongues stroked along each other. She made little mewling noises, the sound spearing straight to his cock. She started to shift, and soon she was straddling him. She ground her pussy on his erection while she pressed her breasts into his chest.

“I want you, Gage. I need you.”

She breathed against his mouth as her hands moved to the fly of his pants. He didn’t stop her. No, as much as he should have, he was a selfish bastard. He wanted her just as much, wanted to bury his cock deep inside of her until she was branded as his.