Loan Shark's Obsession Read online

  I look down at her, wishing I could tell her everything she makes me feel. But if I try it, will I wind up between her thighs when I know I should wait? “Precious, if you haven’t noticed, your wish is my command. Anything you want, I’ll get it for you. As long as you don’t ask—”

  “To leave.” She finishes for me, then jumps up on her tiptoes and drops a warm kiss on my cheek. “Okay, we have a deal. Movie night is a go.” She drops back to her feet and twirls. “I can’t wait! You’re going to love it. And I’ll try not to talk too much, but sometimes I get excited and I can’t seem to just, you know, put a zipper on it, but that doesn’t mean—”

  I swoop her into my arms and kiss her again. Already breaking my rules, already giving in to the caveman that lives in my deepest heart. But she’s too much to bear, her bubbly happiness going to my brain and intoxicating every bit of me.

  I kiss her until she’s breathless, then I put her back on her feet. “It’s a date.” I back out of the room as she stares after me, her eyes glazed, her fingers going to her lips.

  Taking the stairs quickly, I pull out my phone and call Cain. After all, he’s the one who should clean up the Henley mess. The asshole was his recruit, not mine. But when he tried to move on Laura, he signed his death warrant. And when he came back to my house to try and take me out? I became judge, jury, and executioner all at once. Cain will understand, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences. After all, Henley’s uncle is in the Brotherhood if the rumors are to be believed.

  Even so, if he comes for me, he won’t be the first assassin I’ve had on my tail. I’ll take the hits as they come. But tonight, I intend to relax with Laura, learn more about her, and keep my goddamn hands to myself for once.

  17

  Laura

  “Stockholm syndrome,” I repeat the words as my finger runs down the page in the dictionary until I find it.

  Feelings of trust or affection felt in many cases of kidnapping or hostage-taking by a victim toward a captor.

  Yep. That’s what I’ve got. I shut the book and put it back on the shelf in the small library. This isn't my fault. It was bound to happen that I would fall for him. Has that been his plan the whole time? To get me here and then make me fall in love with him? What else could it be? Furthermore… Why me? That’s the one thing I really keep getting stuck on.

  I tap my finger on my lips when it hits me. He’s succeeded. I may not want to admit it, but his plan worked. He knew exactly what he was doing with those orgasms. Luring me in with pleasure until I fell for him completely. Before this, I’d been able to resist him.

  Barely, but I had. How many times had he asked me out? I’d lost count. Again and again I’d turned him down. Now here I am, excited for my date tonight. A date that will be my first ever. The one thing I’ve always tried to avoid, and he practically had me begging for one today.

  That sneaky bastard. I roam out of the library and toward the bedroom to change into something more comfortable. Even with his trickery, I’m not inclined to cancel our date. What he did was underhanded and also a tad bit sweet, if I’m being honest. The thought that someone would go to such lengths to get a date with me is crazy. But also kind of hot in a way.

  Okay, now I’m really sure I have this whole Stockholm syndrome thing. Why am I fighting this? I keep asking myself that question. The only thing that Xavier has done to upset me is avoid me. If it wasn't for him and his attraction to me, where might my brother or even I be right now?

  A chill runs down my spine thinking about it. He paid off my brother's debt and is holding me as collateral. Okay, yes, I might not be able to leave, but I want for nothing besides his attention. Is that really so horrible? I mean, this place is freaking wonderful. I haven't been this relaxed and well fed in my whole life. He even tries not to push me when I can tell he wants so much more. He could have long ago taken what he wanted, but he hasn't. And I know he more than wants it.

  I see it in his eyes. I’ve figured him out. He’s holding back for me. That’s the real reason he’s staying away. I think this last week has been as hard for him as it has been for me. When I enter the bedroom, Sue sits up from where she was lying but remains on my side of the bed.

  “Where have you been?”

  She jumps down and rubs herself against my legs.

  I scratch behind her ears. “You think Xavier is a good man, too, don’t you?” She purrs louder. “Come on. We need pjs for this movie date.” She follows me into the massive closet. I head over to the drawers that contain all different types of pjs. I mean, who needs this many to choose from?

  “What about this one?” I hold up a lace nightie to show Sue. My face warms when I think about Xavier picking this out for me. “Too fancy. I agree.” I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. I have to play it cool.

  Next, I pick up a cami and short set. “This is cute.” I don’t get a big reaction from Sue, but her ears perk up a bit, so I’m taking that as a good sign. I decide to just wear the shorts from the set. I grab one of Xavier’s shirts from his side of the closet and pull it over my head. The smell of him makes my nipples go hard.

  What has this man done to my body? I only have to smell him, and I’m already getting turned on. Would it really hurt to have some fun with Xavier? Yes. Because all good things must come to an end. That’s the moral to my life story. Nothing lasts.

  Xavier will get what he wants, and then what? What if I was the one who didn't want it to end? Then what would I do?

  “I guess it would be my turn to kidnap Xavier.” I snort, telling the joke to Sue.

  She blinks as if she knows it’s not really a joke or something.

  “It's a joke.”

  “What’s a joke?” Xavier strolls into the closet.

  “Nothing,” I say quickly. “You’re late. A few hours implies three hours. It’s now been three hours and nine minutes.”

  As always, he looks handsome. His suit is a little worn from the day. I don’t miss the spot of blood on his collar. I fight back a small laugh. I guess being with a man like Xavier, it’s not other women’s lipstick you’ll be finding on his clothes but blood.

  “Did you miss me?”

  I open my mouth to say yes, but close it quickly before I give away the farm.

  He smirks. “My apologies. I wanted to get you something.” He holds up the brown bag in his hand.

  “What is it?” I step closer to him, immediately forgiving him for being late. I mean what’s a few minutes when he came bearing a gift?

  “Open it.” I take the bag from him and pull the handles apart to look inside.

  “How did you know?” I pull out the Harry Potter Hufflepuff slippers.

  “I did my homework and read up on it. As soon as I read the description, I knew you had to be this puff thing.”

  I drop the bag and throw myself at him. He catches me, and I pepper kisses all over his face. When I pull back, his face is blank. I swallow realizing what I’d done. I wet my bottom lip. His hold on me tightens as the look in his eyes changes.

  He’s never going to let me go. And if he keeps looking at me the way he currently is, I’m not sure if he’ll ever be able to get me to leave.

  “Did you get yourself any Slytherin slippers?” I settle into the recliner beside Xavier as he fiddles with an enormous remote that seems to control the windows, seats, and the projector.

  “Slytherin?” he asks as the lights go dark and the WB symbol flashes on screen with my favorite theme music.

  “Oh, you’re definitely a Slytherin.” I drop some popcorn in my mouth and chomp as he hits another button. My seat starts to massage me. I moan and crunch, utterly contented as I slip Sue a few kernels. She’s reclining beside me, her eyes on the big screen.

  “Those are the snake ones?” He opens a box of milk duds. “I saw their description and knew that was your opposite.”

  “Deffo.” I grin, loving the theater, the sugary and buttery feast, and the company.

  “So
that’s me then?”

  “Mm-hmm.” I slurp down some Dr. Pepper as Harry gets delivered to Privet Drive.

  “So the kid’s an orphan.” He eats a few Milk Duds.

  “You don’t know the story at all?” I can’t believe he hasn’t at least heard of the series.

  “No.” He shrugs. “I suppose I’ve been focused on other things.” His gaze slides to me.

  I reach over and sacrifice my Dr. Pepper hand to hold his. “Well I’m glad you’re getting your priorities straightened out now.”

  He snorts a laugh and laces our fingers together. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

  I nod, then settle back in my seat. We watch in silence for a while.

  “That’s the villain.” He points at the screen when a certain professor is introduced.

  “What? How did you know that?”

  “Takes one to know one, I guess.”

  “Wait…” I sputter a little. “But what about Snape? He’s the obvious—”

  “Exactly.” He rubs his thumb along the back of my hand. “Far too obvious.”

  I harrumph a little and look over at Sue, but she’s snoozing quietly. I steal a glance at Xavier. Definitely a Slytherin. When he turns his head and catches me looking, I quickly glance back at the screen. He squeezes my fingers.

  We watch the rest of the movie, and then the second one. When the credits roll, he stands and stretches. “I guess we’re done?”

  “Not by half.” I peer at my now-empty popcorn bucket. “But we need supplies.”

  I stand and stretch, too.

  Xavier’s eyes travel down my body. When my nipples harden, I put my arms down and try to play it off.

  It doesn’t work, because before I can say anything flippant, Xavier’s arms are around me, his mouth claiming mine.

  18

  Xavier

  Why is she so utterly irresistible? Wearing my shirt, being so excited about watching movies with me, and stirring every bit of passion that still lives inside me--I can’t stop myself from touching her, from wanting her.

  She kisses me back, her arms twining around my neck. Soft, warm, smelling a little of her and a little of me. She’s perfect.

  Reaching down, I grip her ass and lift her. She straddles me, her legs locking around my waist as I deepen the kiss, taking too much, but also not enough.

  Sitting next to her without touching more than her hand has been maddening. But she’s worth the wait. Her tongue caresses mine, her breasts pressed tightly against my chest. I want to throw her down right here in the aisle and fuck her, make her moan my name as I come deep inside her.

  Pulling back, I shake my head a little. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Just don’t stop.” She leans forward and kisses me, urging me onward.

  That’s what I needed, what I’ve been waiting for, and I don’t take it for granted. I carry her from the movie room and down the stairs, kissing her all the while. Her words ricochet through my mind--don’t stop. Just don’t stop.

  I won’t. I reach our bedroom and lay her down. Her mouth is intoxicating, and I keep kissing her until I have to come up for air. But I don’t waste that time, not when she’s hot and needy. So I stand and pull her to a sitting position, then strip my shirt off her.

  Her tits are a siren song, and I drop to my knees and bury my face between them, then suck one tight bud into my mouth. She moans, her fingers racing through my hair as I suck and lick. Moving one hand down her stomach, I hook my fingers into her shorts and panties, then feel how wet she already is for me. My cock goes to war with my zipper, and I don’t know how I’m going to last any amount of time inside her.

  I kiss the valley between her tits, then slowly pull her panties and shorts away. Her pussy glistens, the folds pink and promising.

  I don’t wait; I dive low and push her back. She hits the mattress with a sultry sigh as I spread her legs and lick all along her sweet cunt. I could eat her for hours, could stay right here and pleasure her until she begged me to stop. So I do; I lick and taste, use my tongue to fuck her, and then tease her clit.

  Before long, her thighs are shaking, her body on the edge.

  When I pull back, she groans. And when I strip out of my clothes, her eyes go to my cock.

  “Xavier,” she breathes as I climb on top of her and nestle between her warm thighs.

  “Are you ready?” My back muscles quiver with the need to get to work, to make this woman mine. But I wait. For once in my life, I want permission instead of forgiveness.

  “Don’t stop.” She leans up and kisses me.

  That’s all I need. With a quick thrust, I enter her hot cunt.

  She yelps, but I kiss away the sting and remain still, letting her adjust.

  Then she uses her heels to dig into the backs of my thighs. “Please,” she whispers against my lips. “Please.”

  I pull back and slide home again, groaning at the perfection she’s giving me. “You feel so good, Laura. So fucking perfect.” I start a slow rhythm despite my need to fuck her wild and rough. I won’t hurt her. Never.

  “More.” She arches, her tits begging for my mouth.

  I bend down to them, sucking and nibbling as I move inside her, her pussy squeezing me until I’m nothing but deep, damning need. Until I realize I’d make a deal with any devil in heaven or on earth if it meant I got to come inside Laura, to coat her with my seed, to worship her body by giving her everything I have.

  My hips move faster, pistoning into her as I grunt and groan, not giving a damn about the wet sounds or the slap of skin on skin. It’s a symphony of sex, one that I want to hear over and over as she moans beneath me.

  Licking my thumb, I press it to her clit.

  She jolts, her eyes flying open as I stare down at her.

  “Watch me when you come, precious Laura. I want to see it.” I stroke her fast, back and forth, my thumb matching the pace of my hips.

  My balls draw up tight, my shaft thickening with seed, but I won’t let go, not until I see it in her eyes.

  Her hips lock, her mouth opening, and then she lets out the sexiest moan, her body clenching me tightly as I stare deeply into her lust-hazed eyes. It’s my name on her lips. Mine. And it always will be.

  I give her two more hard thrusts, then release, my cock sending an explosion of pleasure through my body as I keep my gaze locked with hers. My pleasure lives here with Laura, and she needs to know I treasure every second she gives me. I spend every bit of seed into her, marking her as mine, staking my claim.

  And when we’re done, and we both lie in a panting heap of sweat, I throw my arms around her and pull her to my chest.

  “This doesn’t mean you get out of watching the rest of the movies,” she chides breathlessly.

  I laugh, hard and deep, then kiss her again until she forgets all about the movies.

  19

  Laura

  I feel Xavier slowly try to slip from bed. I scoot over on top of him more and wrap myself around him. His body shakes with laughter.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” I kiss his neck and cuddle closer to him. I love the smell of him. I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed in my life. When I’m next to Xavier, I feel like I’m invincible. I’m not sure if I’ve ever truly felt this safe before.

  “I have a few things to handle. I thought maybe I could get them done before you woke up. You’ve only slept a few hours.”

  I yawn. That was his fault. Him and that mouth of his. I lost count of how many times we made love. After the first time he carried me into the tub. He said I needed to rest, but I just climbed into his lap again. It didn't take much to get him to crack and take me again. I love that I can do that to him. Right now, I have no intention of getting up. Xavier runs his hand up and down my back.

  “I like cuddling you.”

  His hand stops moving for a moment.

  I bite the inside of my cheek. I’m being too much. I knew this would happen. That I would get needy for him. Now I�
��m addicted to him and don’t want to let him ever leave the room. “Sorry. I know you have stuff to do.” I try and slip off him but don’t get anywhere. He rolls, pinning me under him.

  I wrap my legs around him. His hard cock rests against my sex. “You’re wet.” He smirks. “I can’t leave you like that.”

  I shake my head. “You can’t.” I lift my hips, trying to rub against him.

  He keeps making me this way, so he needs to take care of it each and every time.

  “Xavier.” I moan his name. He closes his eyes like he’s savoring the sounds I’m making.

  “You have no idea what you’ve done to me.” Before I can ask him what he means, his mouth is on mine and he’s thrusting deep inside of me. I forget about everything else as he makes love to me. After the second orgasm, sleep takes me.

  When I wake back up, the sun is shining in the windows and Xavier is gone. I pick up the note he left on his pillow.

  I’ll be back soon. Miss you already.

  Yours, Xavier

  I flop back down on the bed and hold the note to my chest. My Xavier. It’s crazy to think of him belonging to only me. It doesn't help those possessive thoughts I’ve been having.

  I bet no one knows this side of Xavier. The one where he leaves cute letters and watches Harry Potter. It makes me feel special. That he only gives me this part of himself. That’s something I’ve never felt before. I roll out of bed to go in search of clothes and food. Maybe I can make him dinner tonight. I almost trip over Sue, who’s snoozing at the side of the bed.

  “How long have you been there?”

  She gets up, stretching her two long front legs as she arches her back. I give her a long pet as she rubs herself against my leg. She walks over toward the door, and I let her out before I go put some clothes on. I wonder if Xavier is in the house.

  No, I’m going to leave him alone. I will not be needy. My insecurities from my mother start to creep in again. She always said I was too much. That I needed too much attention and didn't know when to stop. She called me a clinger. My eyes sting at the memories. I don’t want Xavier to think those things about me. I couldn’t bear it if he did.