“Do we have to leave right now? Can’t we have one or two more nights? Maybe the nightmares will go away.”
Skepticism weighed heavily in his features as he stared at me. I knew he was battling with what was right and what we both wanted.
Knocking on the door caused me to jump. I clutched him as we both looked to where the sound had come from. Fuck, I hadn’t meant to show fear, but I’d been caught off guard by whoever decided to interrupt us. As Zain stood, placing me on the cushion, I could see he was unnerved.
“If you have a nightmare tonight, we leave first thing in the morning.”
His back turned and he headed for the door. The tray of food that was wheeled in had me calming. I knew there wasn’t anything to be afraid of anymore, but the jittery feeling just wouldn’t pass. Is this what I had to look forward to now? Paranoia, dependency on guards and my Master? I’d come so fucking far from the first time. To the point where I was ready to drop my protection and live on my own. Now, this?
I had to get my strength back. Not only to deal with the life I had accomplished with my career, but for myself. I would be going back into my routine soon enough and I’d be damned if anyone saw me any differently. Saw me as…weak. I was Lilian Roberts, CEO of Slade Industries. It was time I started acting like it.
Chapter 30
Zain
How do you fix something that may be broken? By first impressions, one wouldn’t see Lily as damaged goods. Even now, I didn’t view her as such. But my slave wasn’t okay. Not even close. She classified them as just
nightmares
, but she didn’t see what I did. Didn’t hear the blood curdling screams that broke the silence in the dead of night. Her pleas and the complete agony in her tone left my skin clammy. She didn’t realize what hearing her most feared state did to me,. It was as if she was undergoing torture and there was no one for me to kill, to save her from. It fucking destroyed me. How in the hell was I supposed to fight off the demons in her mind? By being here? Supporting her? Fuck, that wasn’t enough.
“You’re not eating.”
My slave’s voice pulled me from my thoughts and I looked up from the full plate of food, dazed. I couldn’t get over the desperation I heard as she thrashed in my arms. To know how bad off her mind was…how truly afraid she was. God dammit. I felt helpless.
“Sorry, I was thinking.”
“About going home.” It wasn’t a question. She knew what was on my mind. Although, there was something she didn’t know. I didn’t have a home anymore. Not the one that she assumed I’d be going back to. It wasn’t safe. Not after everything that went down with my father. He had contacts, people who could possibly come looking for me. They’d have that address if my uncles had anything to do with it. Besides, I may have had a lot of money tucked away, but I wasn’t naïve to the fact that I couldn’t afford to live that life for long without having a job. Especially if I wanted to buy a home and still have a good amount in savings. Yes, Slade was going to provide one, but I didn’t take handouts. I didn’t want my salary to be any different than what everyone else in my department got paid.
I pushed the fork under the mashed potatoes and took a bite, nodding. When I swallowed, I looked back up. “Has to happen.”
She remained quiet as we finished off our meal. The sun was beginning set and I dreaded the late hours. So far, she’d had these dreams every night. I had no doubt one would haunt her again.
I stood, walking over to help her up. The disappointment was there and I felt it within myself, too. It wasn’t about feeling upset because I wasn’t enough to help her. Lilian was a victim of two tragic kidnappings. One would have sent anyone over the edge to where they might never truly recover. But, two abductions? I was scared for the woman I loved.
“Go jump in the shower. We can cuddle in bed when you get out. Maybe we’ll find a movie on.”
“I like the sound of that.” The grin that came to her face was forced. She walked to the drawer and pulled out clothes before shutting herself in the restroom. I immediately reached for my phone. The moment the water turned on, I hit Slade’s number. Two rings sounded before he answered.
“Hello?”
My pulse thumped hard in my chest as I began to pace. “I think we’re going to head back in the morning.”
He hesitated and the sound of humming could be heard in the background, no doubt from Mary. “What’s happened?”
“Nothing you need to be overly worried about. It’s just…Lily’s nightmares. They’re getting out of control. I want her looked at.”
“Shit.” Slade breathed out deeply. “I was wondering how she was doing.”
“During the day, she seems okay. I see little things that show me she’s thinking not so pleasant thoughts. She’s jumpy. Gets agitated rather quickly at times. Other than that, she holds herself together well. It’s the night that worries me.” I stopped. “No, it’s when she sleeps that I know she’s not okay. She fell asleep earlier and had a really bad one. Full blown fighting while she was out.”
Footsteps sounded over the connection, and then clicking.
“I’m going to email her doctor now. I’ll let her know that Lily will be coming to see her in the next day or so. They’re probably going to want to put her back on meds. My sister isn’t going to be too happy about that.”
Subconsciously, I shook my head. “There’s nothing she can do. If they help, she needs to take them.”
“Agreed.” Slade’s typing filtered through, but he didn’t stop talking. “Thank you for letting me know. And for doing what’s best for her. I know you had plans to get reacquainted up there and you could have done the fucked up thing and kept her until your time ran out, but you didn’t. That means a lot to me. It shows me that you’re looking out for what’s best for my sister. I respect that.”
I headed for the balcony, pushing the door open to overlook the garden. The cold evening air cut right through the long-sleeved button up shirt I wore, but it was the least of my worries as I let the dilemma play out in my mind. “I love her. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure she’s at her best. Mentally, physically…whatever it is.”
“I can see that. I’m glad I wasn’t wrong about you.” The clicking stopped and more footsteps returned. “Take care of Lily. I’ll see the two of you tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
Just as I went to pull the phone back to disconnect, my name came back through.
“Zain?”
“Yes, Slade?”
“When are you planning to deal with your other family?”
The question turned my stomach. The reminder wasn’t something I wanted to think about. “The sooner, the better. I want my focus to be solely on Lily. I think I’ll stay until after her appointment so I know where she stands and then I’ll leave her in your care until I return. I shouldn’t be gone more than two to three days.”
“You’re taking Blake, correct?”
My hand rubbed against my rough cheek as I contemplated. It would be easier for me to get in and out without worrying about someone else. He had a wife. I’d feel responsible if something happened to him. He didn’t know the layout of the house like I did. But I wasn’t stupid to think I could do it alone either.
“Zain?”
“Yeah,” I breathed out. “I’ll take him. Only him, though. It’s going to be dangerous. I can’t risk putting anyone else’s life in jeopardy.”
“Understood. Blake’s good. I’ve been looking over the information Gaige provided for me. Together, you’re both in good hands. I know you’ll look out for each other.”
If only I was as confident as he was. What lay beneath that roof was a handful of killers who were almost as good as me. They’d be waiting. Ready for my attack. The odds weren’t in our favor.
“Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”
As I disconnected, I hoped what Slade said was true. I knew Blake’s reputation, I just prayed it lived up to the hype when shit really hit the fan.
I headed inside, shutting the door behind me. The shower was still running and I felt myself heading in that direction. My fingers were already working the buttons of my shirt as I got to the door. Steamed billowed out around me and Lily spun in my direction. Her hand shot up to her chest, startled. “You scared me,” she rushed out, laughing. “I didn’t think you’d be coming in here.”
“We’ve never gotten to take a shower together.” I didn’t say anymore. She knew all too well the reasons behind that. It was too dangerous at my father’s. I always kept a close eye on her. Always stayed ready to protect, if it came down to it. Here, we were safe. I could risk letting my guard down.
My shirt dropped to the floor and my pants followed. I kept my focus on her the entire time I undressed. Her eyes lowered to my hard cock and her feet shifted as I pulled open the door and stepped inside. The moment my hands came up, she threw herself into me, wrapping hers around my neck.
“You want me? Is that why you came in here?” Her arms tightened, trying to pull my mouth to hers. Instinct had my hand burying in her hair. I stopped myself from applying too much pressure or pulling back. I kept it there, steady. A warning for the slave I’d spent the last few days training. Immediately, her grip loosened and she stopped.
“I always want you. What about you?” Smooth skin met my fingertips as I made a path up her thigh and caressed down her pussy. “Are you wet for me?” The slickness from her arousal met my touch as I separated her folds, teasing her opening. “Oh yeah. You want my cock.”
Lily held on tighter, but didn’t pull. One of my digits slid in and I lowered my head, nuzzling my cheek against hers. Deep pants increased as I added another finger.
“I do want you,” she moaned. “I’ve wanted you all day. But you never touch me when the sun is out.”
A gasp met my mouth as I spun her back into the marble and surged in deep with my fingers.
“Training is for the day, slave. Making love is for the night. You can have both when you earn it.”
Our tongues met and I removed my fingers. I couldn’t stop myself from pulling up one of her legs from behind the knee and lowering enough to slide the underside of my cock over her slit. The heat she threw off burned so good, I didn’t hesitate to push into her harder and deepen the kiss. Knowing her pussy was so ready for me left my brain sputtering to keep it together.
“I want you to fuck me with my toy.” Lily’s cheeks were slightly tinted pink as she pulled back and glanced over to the shower seat. Resting on top was her dildo and the lube, right where I made her keep it. It was part of the routine she was supposed to follow. “I was about to start before you came in.”
Fuck. My hand slid higher up her thigh and I lifted her enough to move against me. Pre-cum oozed from my tip. Just imagining fucking her with it was going to do me in. How many times had I fantasized about just that?
Every fucking night.
It was the main reason I bought the damn thing. Sure, I wanted her to be desperate for me by the time she finished with her routine, but it was also because I liked to imagine her in here playing with herself while she was thinking about me. Why the hell hadn’t I watched her before? I’d been in protective mode for so long, all I knew was to stand guard to make sure she was okay when she was at her most vulnerable. I didn’t have to do that anymore. Not under Slade’s roof.
“Sit on the seat.”
I scooted the toy and lube to stand further down the bench-style slab, allowing her to get into position. Before she could even finish spreading her legs all the way, I was lowering my mouth to her pussy. My hands gripped her hips, tugging her closer to me while I sucked against one side of her folds, swirling my tongue up to brush against her clit. Her taste swept over me and I moaned at the same moment she did.
“I wanted you to come in here. I’d hoped…” The top of her back rested against the wall while she pressed her hands into the marble she was sitting on. I reached for one, positioning it at the top of her slit.
“And now I’m here. Play with your pussy. Show me what makes you feel good.”
I returned, pushing my tongue into her entrance. A cry filled the space and her fingers worked over the sensitive bud, moving around her folds and pulling up to apply pressure. Continuously, she teased her clit, even spreading herself so I’d have a better view. I couldn’t stop myself from watching in awe.
“I have to move. Please, Master.” She rotated her hips at my nod and my tongue slid into her entrance deeper. The speed of her fingers increased while I held her hips tighter, allowing her the rocking motion she felt she needed.
“Fuck.” Hair stuck to the side of her face as she turned toward the wall, moaning. I lifted, grabbing the toy. I didn’t need lube for as wet as she was. I rubbed the tip around her opening and eased it in, watching her hand pause. Slightly, her lips separated and she bit the bottom one while she watched me inch the fake cock inside of her.
“Ah.” Lily’s fingers stretched straight out only to start working over the top of her pussy again.
“Holy shit,” I mumbled. “Wider.” The command had her legs spreading and her shifting on her bottom to allow me full access to both her pussy and her ass. The pulsing in my cock increased while I withdrew the toy, only to plunge it in deeper. “You like that, baby. Is this what you’ve been wanting?”
Lily nodded, but the only reply was more deep breaths and short sounds.
“Answer. Did you think of me doing this to you when you fucked yourself?”
“Yes. God, I did.”
The edge of my mouth pulled back into a half smile and I increased the thrust until her legs were trembling. Only then did I grab the lube. A stream of liquid ran over the toy and I let it slide down until it was covering the entrance of her ass. With my index finger, I traced it around, pushing past the tight muscles until my finger was halfway in.
“Master.” The uneasiness shook her voice and I knew it wasn’t from pain or discomfort. I’d built her up so much that she was having a hard time controlling the urge to release.
“You’re not allowed to come so soon. Fight it and enjoy what I want to give you.”
In slow thrusts, I matched the rhythm of my finger with the cock, watching as Lily’s heavy-lidded eyes stared at what I was doing. Her face was flushed and I knew the steam was getting to her. Fuck, I was burning up, too.
“Hold the toy steady but
do not
move it.”
Her hand reached forward and the moment she took hold, I turned, moving the knob to cold. I never broke my finger from her back entrance. When I turned back, I thrust in all the way, grabbing the toy and fucking her hard with it until she was screaming.
“Now?” Her hand lifted from her clit, only hovering an inch above…waiting. Such a good slave. My teeth begged to sink into her skin, to show her the proof of my proud ownership.