Part 18 (2/2)

”Stroke it.”

Phoebe didn't open her eyes, but she followed his instruction. Rubbing her c.l.i.t had a direct effect on her hips, which started to rotate back and forth at a slow pace. Lach's abdomen tensed to prevent himself from moving. She was lost in her own pleasure, taking what she needed to feel alive. It was a lovely thing to witness.

The faster Phoebe ma.s.saged her c.l.i.toris, the more she started to lift herself off of him by her knees, only to slam herself back down. Her p.u.s.s.y was leaving her juices on his skin every time her inner thighs made contact with his. Lach wasn't inhuman, and after a day like today he knew he wouldn't last too long. Then again, neither would she. She elevated herself once more until only the tip of his c.o.c.k was left inside of her opening and when she slammed back down, her dark sapphire colored eyes popped open.

”Come for me,” Lach moaned, releasing his hands from behind his head and curling his fingers into the meat of her a.s.s. ”Eyes on me.”

Lach barely got those three words out as his teeth ground together, his b.a.l.l.s releasing his c.u.m and continuing to do so as her p.u.s.s.y repet.i.tively constricted its walls around his c.o.c.k. He reared up, the strength of his o.r.g.a.s.m overwhelming. His face was inches away from hers, her pretty pink lips parted in a silent scream, reacting to the force of her own release. He grabbed her wrists and held them against her lower back, placing his other hand on her shoulder and holding her tightly into place. He needed to savor this moment.

”I love you,” Lach whispered harshly. He searched her eyes, watching and absorbing the pleasure she received. It fueled his own. The future was ahead of them, and although there were numerous unknowns, they could handle anything thrown their way. They'd proved that today. ”You're mine...now and forever.”

Epilogue.

Crest walked through the dark offices of CSA and made his way toward his office with only the dim security lights shedding some illumination. It didn't matter, as he knew the layout like he knew the inner workings of his 1911A1 weapon. It was after midnight, but after everything that went down with the Dunaways and the debriefings afterward, he knew sleep would be evasive. If he wasn't mistaken by the contemplative look in Lach's eye, Crest had just lost himself an operative.

Walking into his private den, he crossed the floor and turned on his desk lamp. Ethan had finally headed out for Texas, although Taryn didn't know that he'd been sent ahead. Crest refused to put her into the crosshairs of a trap without first knowing something of the landmine that Ryland had undoubtedly set. She wouldn't be happy about it, but it was his call.

Taking off his jacket, knowing he'd be here for quite some time, he'd been about to walk over to the coat rack when he heard a noise out in the hallway. Laying his coat down gently on the desk, he used his right hand to unsnap his holster. The doors had automatically locked behind him when he'd entered, indicating whoever it might be was supposed to be here, but Crest wasn't taking that chance. He waited patiently for whomever it was to show his or her face. Jessie appeared in the doorframe, holding a white envelope in her hand.

”Jessie, what the h.e.l.l are you doing here this late at night?” Crest released his hold on the weapon and leaned against the edge of his desk. ”You're lucky I didn't shoot you.”

”That would mean you made a mistake, and I highly doubt that could happen.” Jessie closed the distance, her usual confidence in place. There were moments that Crest had witnessed the hurt in her eyes over the barriers he'd erected, but for the most part she'd conducted herself professionally like he'd asked. He couldn't have asked more from her. ”This could probably have waited for Monday morning, but after hearing from Ethan what took place today, I figured you'd be here.”

Crest studied her, not liking this foreboding feeling that had suddenly settled over his office. Jessie was strong-willed, and throughout the several years that she worked for CSA he'd watched her mature and grow into a beautiful woman. Unfortunately he'd aged as well and the differences between the two of them were too vast to overcome. She was still too innocent for his predilection and she always would be.

”Is there something you need?”

Crest looked her over, taking in the short black blazer that cinched at the waist and covered the white top that she wore underneath. She was wearing jeans, which didn't give away what she'd done with her Friday evening while he'd been involved in a life and death situation. Her black leather boots came up to her knees, the little heels not giving her much more height than what she naturally was. Nothing about her gave any indication of what she was about to say. She held up the white envelope.

”This is my resignation,” Jessie exclaimed as if they were having an ordinary conversation. ”I quit.”

Crest didn't reply right away for fear he might say something he'd regret, or worse, ask Jessie to stay. His muscles radiated the tension he was feeling but d.a.m.n if he'd show that to her. He forced himself into a standing position, slipping his hands into his pockets to give him time to form a response. When she saw that he wasn't going to take the envelope from her hand, she tossed it onto his desk.

”I'm sorry to see you go,” Crest countered, giving the standard line most supervisors said when placed in this situation. He looked for any regret on her part and whereas she was usually an open book, she was getting better and better at hiding her true feelings. The fierce urge to place her on her knees and in a position where she would never keep anything hidden from him was crus.h.i.+ng, but he kept it in check all the same. ”You've been a tremendous a.s.set to CSA, as well as me. I wish you nothing but the best, Jessie.”

”That's it?” Jessie tilted her head, a simmering of anger finally pooling in those green eyes of hers. ”You're going to stand there and wish me well? As if I was nothing more than an ordinary, everyday personal a.s.sistant? You are such a condescending a.s.s.”

”Jessie, I don't know what you want me to-”

”What I want you to do is tell me to stay.” Jessie stepped forward, her denim-clad legs touching his desk. Her long hair brushed the wood as she leaned over, making her point. It took everything in him not to drag her over the hard surface and take her the way he truly wanted. ”I want you to finally man up and put a stop to this cat and mouse s.h.i.+t that we've been playing. I'm done, Gavin. I thought I could stay here and be in your presence day in and day out, but I can't. I want more, and if you're not willing to give it to me then I'm walking.”

Crest's demon inside wanted to rage at her for the position she was putting him in. He felt the claws inside his chest trying to break free and give Jessie what she claimed she wanted, but she had no f.u.c.king idea who he truly was. He wasn't this knight that she dreamt of or fantasized about.

”It's for the best, Jessie.” Crest found it in himself to control his actions and finally walked around the desk. She took a step back when he got too close, which was very wise of her. He wasn't so sure what would happen if they touched. ”I wish circ.u.mstances had been different. I-”

”You are so full of s.h.i.+t.” Jessie spun on her heels and walked to the door, but she wasn't done having her say. Crest saw his vision go red at the sight of her coming out of her sh.e.l.l and being so f.u.c.king alive. The color invaded his senses and he took an involuntary step forward before he stopped himself. ”You have treated me as if I'm made of gla.s.s, like I'm some f.u.c.king china doll that you put on a shelf and admire from afar. I'm not some schoolgirl that you can lock away and protect like some vestal virgin. I'm strong, Gavin.”

”I don't treat you like gla.s.s,” Crest replied in a hard voice, denying her statement. He'd known all along this thing between them would erupt, but he didn't want it to be in this manner. ”I've been nothing but honest with you from the beginning.”

”Really? I don't think you've been honest with yourself.” Jessie tilted her head back, looking up at the ceiling as if she needed strength. Didn't she realize that he was hanging on by a f.u.c.king thread? She finally evened out her breathing and looked him square in the eye, her shoulders straight. She was a vision that would forever remain etched in his memory. ”I deserve to be treated with respect and I'm the only one who should be responsible for the decisions that I make. If you ever realize that, come find me...although I can't promise I'll be waiting. I hope you find solace in your one man relations.h.i.+p of solitude.”

Just like that, his office was empty. Crest waited where he was until he heard the door close behind Jessie before allowing himself to move. He sank into his desk chair, leaning his head back against the cold leather. He reflected back on the decisions he'd made, and uncharacteristically found himself wondering if he'd just allowed someone important walk out of his life because of some preconceived notion of what was right and wrong. How could he of all people be trapped by the constraints of puritanical thought considering all of his other dalliances on the dark side? He didn't like where his reflections were going. He'd made the right choice for both of them. Unfortunately, Jessie was mistaken in her last wish. There was no solace to be found.

~ THE END ~.

About the Author.

First and foremost, I love life. I love that I'm a wife, mother, daughter, sister...and a writer.

I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.

Thank you for having joined me on their journeys...

Books by Kennedy Layne.

Captured Innocence.

(CSA Case Files 1).

When former Marine, Connor Ortega, was ordered into the offices of Crest Security Agency on a Sat.u.r.day morning, he didn't expect the latest case to hit so close to home. A submissive has been murdered in a particularly vicious manner and to bring her killer to justice, he must go undercover. Not hard to do considering he's already part of the BDSM lifestyle.

Lauren Bailey, a local vendor of bejeweled erotic implements, lives vicariously through her clients due to her fear of bondage. When Connor's dominant side can't resist trying to ease her anxieties, she accepts his proposal and agrees to his one stipulation...keep things casual.

When the killer sets his sights on Lauren, Connor is forced to rethink their relations.h.i.+p. He has the training it takes to catch a murderer, but does he have the courage to escape his inner demons and capture Lauren's heart?

Buy Captured Innocence at Amazon.

Sinful Resurrection.

(CSA Case Files 2).

Sins of the past have been resurrected, predetermining their path to love. Can they overcome the treacherous obstacles set before them?

Jax Christensen likes his life just the way it is. He has his work, his club, and the occasional naked submissive to take his mind off everything else. He doesn't talk about the past, as there is no point in reminiscing about things that cannot be altered. His chest has an empty hole where his heart used to be, but he's grown accustomed to the constant pain. It's become the only thing that reminds Jax that he's alive.

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