Little One Page 2

  The noise of traffic outside mingles with the occasional shout or indistinct chatter. Occasionally a cat screeches. How he lives like this, I don’t know. I’m sure he could afford something better.

  The loud cackle of a woman outside—probably a prostitute—makes me jolt. I sigh and sit, pushing a hand through my tangled hair. Standing, I go to the window and peer out into the alleyway. Sure enough, several prostitutes are milling around. It’s so different to where I live—a big house in a gated community, far from the center of the city.

  The wooden flooring is cool on my feet and I’m too aware of my bare legs underneath the t-shirt V leant me. It’s big enough to hang down to my knees but it makes me feel vulnerable suddenly. I shut the curtains and walk through the kitchen into the living area. Maybe if I just look at him, know he’s there, I’ll be able to sleep again.

  The lights from outside casts the room in a garish orange tone. V sleeps on the couch, lying on his back, his hands behind his head. Deep breaths echo through the room. He looks so relaxed, so at peace. The lines around his eyes and the ones that mar his forehead are softened. I’ve never seen him like this.

  His chest rises and falls. I watch each breath, feeling more relaxed by the moment. If he can sleep at a time like this, surely I can? A thin blanket is thrown over his legs but it’s slipping off. I glance at his face one more time. He’s like a different man. Gone is the intensity, the seriousness. Right now, he looks, well, human. Approachable.

  I grab the corner of the blanket thinking to tuck him in. A scream escapes me as a hard hand latches onto my wrist. V is awake in less time than it took to draw in a breath. He drags me down onto him. Our bodies collide, knocking the wind from me.

  He blinks at me. “Gray?”

  I nod. “I was just tucking you in,” I manage to squeak out.

  Our faces are so close I can smell the mint of his breath and feel the heat of it on my lips. I’m not even sure if I’m breathing.

  His body is hard beneath mine. Those breaths that I watched moving his body bring his chest closer, crushing my breasts. My legs are tangled with his and the t-shirt is up over my hips, revealing my panties.

  I gulp. His gaze lingers on my face, sweeping over me. I tingle all over as though he’s doing more than just look. My panties grows damp.

  He shifts forward. Just a tiny bit. Enough so that all I would need to do is move one millimeter and our lips would be touching. My heart pounds so hard in my chest that I fear I might pass out at any moment.

  His gaze drops to my lips. Is it possible he’s thinking the same? I can feel his heartbeat against my chest and it feels quicker than it was before.

  V releases my wrist abruptly, puts his hands to my waist and lifts me off him as though I weigh practically nothing. He stands and pushes a hand through his hair. His gaze falls to my hips, where the t-shirt is all tucked up, revealing my simple cotton panties.

  He turns quickly, as though burned by the sight and I hasten to tug the top down.

  “It’s okay,” I say softly.

  He turns back. “Is it?”

  I’m not sure what he means by that. There’s a tortured look in his eyes and those lines are back on his forehead, as though simply living pains him.

  I wrap my arms around myself. “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “You didn’t have any problems.”

  “I’ve witnessed worse, Little One.”

  Little One. He’s been calling me that forever. I should hate it. After all, I don’t want him thinking of me that way but I can’t help it. Every time he says the words, I melt. It makes me feel small and delicate, and treasured.

  “Like what?”

  He shakes his head. “I’m not talking about this with you, Gray. You don’t need horrible stories in your head.”

  I let out a breath. Everyone is always trying to protect me. My brother didn’t want me to really understand what he did. Unfortunately, I found out yesterday just how dangerous it was. I’ve been so wrapped up and isolated from the grim world he lives in. One that V lives in too. I should probably remember that.

  Not that it makes a difference. I still want to feel his lips on mine. And elsewhere. I still want to know what carved that pain on his face and what makes him sleep like the dead but wake in mere seconds at the slightest sound.

  “Just go get some rest, Little One. You can sleep properly on the drive up tomorrow.”

  I’ve been dismissed. It makes my heart hurt. He doesn’t want me around. I’m probably a big inconvenience. What man in his right mind would want to babysit a high school girl?

  “Leave the door open a little,” he tells me before I turn around. “So I can make sure you’re safe.”

  I nod and head back to the bedroom. I leave the door ajar, just enough so that he can see into the bedroom but he can’t seem me climb into bed. And he can’t see me slip my hands into my panties and recall how close he was to me, how his hard body felt against mine. He can’t see me rub my clit and close my eyes as the pleasure washes over me.

  I can’t see him either. But I hear a grunt and then a groan. It’s probably my imagination but I can’t help thinking that he might be doing the same. That maybe, just maybe, he needs me as much as I need him.

  Chapter Three

  Valentine

  Gray sleeps most of the way to the safehouse. Buried deep in the woods, it’s got water on one side and trees on the other. Perfect for hiding away and easy to protect. There’s one road to it and cameras are hidden in the trees at the entrance. I didn’t need to ask Danny if it would be fully stocked.

  I park the car to the side of the wooden house. A porch lines the front, looking out over the lake. Mountains stretch out on the opposite side, reminding me of our isolation. If anything happens to Gray, it will be my fault and no one else’s. All she has is me and I must protect her.

  “Little One.”

  She’s wearing the same strappy top from yesterday. The weather is warm enough for it at least but I hate how vulnerable she looks in it. I can see her collarbone and the slight rise of her breasts. Her nipples are two little nubs, pressing against the yellow cotton. She’s not wearing a bra. All it would take would be for me to slip down one strap and I could free her breast and take it in my mouth.

  Christ, what the fuck does she do to me? I can practically taste her sweet skin and hear her little mewls as I nibble and suck on her. I’m going to have to get her to wear more clothes around me. How am I meant to stay focused when all I can think of is taking her hard and fast and making sure she knows how it feels to have my cock in her?

  “Gray,” I try this time.

  She stirs, her lips forming this little pout before she yawns and peers around. “We’re here?”

  “Yes, we’re here.”

  I climb out of the car and open her door for her. She slips out, revealing a flash of tanned thigh. I bite back a groan. If I’m going to spend every fucking moment hard around her, it’s going to get tiring. I already masturbated over her last night. Not exactly appropriate but I had no choice. Thinking of her in those innocent white panties had me coming so hard I nearly cracked my teeth from trying to stay quiet.

  Grabbing my bag from the car, I unlock the door and lead her in. The house is furnished better than mine. I don’t need to look around to know that the fridge and cupboards will be stocked with enough food to last us several weeks. There’ll be toiletries and clothes for both of us in the bedrooms. Danny was always prepared for the day someone came after him and Gray. Poor kid had no idea this was probably always going to happen one day.

  But if I have anything to do with it, it’ll be over soon, and she’ll be back to planning her future as an A+ student and living some perfect little life, far from all this shit.

  That was always Danny’s plan for her and I don’t object to it. The only problem is, it doesn’t involve me. Which is great for her but not for me. I dread the day I no longer get to see her.

&nbs
p; Gray does a loop around the room, looking perfect against the wooden walls and luxury furnishings. The log burner has been made ready for us in case the weather cools. Whoever maintains the place knew we were coming.

  I chuck my bag down on the floor. “Stay here,” I tell her and begin to check out the house. Danny won’t leave anything to chance but nor will I. I have to make sure it’s totally secure. I check the locks on all the windows, open each closet, and search the bedrooms. All is clear so I go back into the living area to find Gray standing in the same spot I left her, those skinny little arms wrapped around herself again. I wish she’d stop doing it, it makes me think she doesn’t trust me to protect her.

  “How long will we have to stay here?”

  “I don’t know. But Danny will get this sorted, don’t worry.”

  “So in the meantime, we just have to stay here and—what?—wait?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’re going to stay the whole time too?”

  “Yes.”

  She puts her thumb to her mouth and nibble on the end of it. “Won’t you get bored?”

  Bored of lusting after her and not being able to do anything about it? Perhaps. But bored of her company? Never.

  “I’m good at waiting,” I say.

  She tilts her head. “What exactly do you do for my brother?”

  “Anything he needs.”

  “Including babysitting?”

  “Including keeping you safe. At all costs.”

  She shakes her head. “Do you really think I’m in danger? Will someone really come for me?”

  “Not if I can help it.” I motion around. “You’re safe here, Little One. Only a handful of people know about this place, and none of them would dare betray Danny.”

  “Because he’d hurt them?”

  I’m not sure I’m ready for the questions Gray has about her brother. She knew he was not exactly an honest business man but I don’t think she had any idea quite how things were run until yesterday. Danny’s business includes working with the scum of the earth. And when those sorts of people are involved, things can get nasty.

  “Why don’t you take a shower and I’ll sort out some food? You haven’t eaten all day.”

  Her lips form a pout. I ignore it purposefully and stride into the kitchen area. If I look at her for too long I’ll tell her all. I’ll give in and talk about how I’ve hurt people for her brother. I’ll tell her of all the underhanded deals I’ve brokered for him. Of the cops and judges I’ve bribed. I’ll tell her how I went from a man serving his country to a man serving her brother.

  I don’t want to tell her those things. I know I’m a monster but I can’t bear for her to see it too.

  With an audible sigh, she stomps off into the bathroom. Even if I didn’t have to be fighting my desire for her every second, she would be a handful. Danny thinks of her as sweet and innocent, and she is—Christ, she is—but she’s willful when she wants to be, and far too smart. Really, it was only a matter of time before she began to understand everything her brother has done to provide her with her lifestyle.

  The shower flicks on and I let myself relax for the first time since yesterday. I riffle through the fridge and the cupboards to find them fully stocked. I pull out some pasta and set it to boil, finding my way around the new kitchen with ease. I set to work on a carbonara sauce. It won’t be the haute cuisine Gray is used to but it will do.

  While the pasta is cooking, I dig out one of many burner phones and turn it on. I step outside and stab in a number.

  “Yeah.” Danny answers within two rings.

  “We’re here.”

  “Good.”

  “Any news?”

  “Nothing. No one is fucking talking. Whoever has done this, they mean business.”

  “The triads?” I suggest.

  “No.” I can hear the anger in Danny’s voice. “No. This is new. Someone trying to muscle in on my turf. But if they’re fucking new, how the fuck have they already scared everyone fucking silent?”

  “They can’t remain silent forever.”

  “No,” Danny says, determination in his voice. “No, they fucking can’t.” He sighs. “Gray okay?”

  “She’s fine. A little shaken but she’s fine.”

  “She’s going to have some questions for me when she comes home.”

  “Worry about that after you’ve taken care of business.”

  “Yeah,” he agrees. “Don’t let anything happen to her, V. I mean it. There’s no one else I’d trust with her.”

  “I’ll protect her,” I vow, though Danny talking of trust eats deep into my gut. I might be able to protect her from whoever is trying to hurt her but can I protect her from me?

  “Make contact again in one week. Same time.”

  “Got it.” I hang up and toss the phone into the lake. With any luck, in one week’s time, Danny will have gotten some people to talk and we can be on our way home.

  I stare out at the calm surface of the lake, the ripples from the phone having vanished. One week alone with Gray. Hell, I’ve done worse. I visited every hellhole on earth with the military. I’ve been beaten, I’ve been shot, I’ve been stranded in the desert, eating sand and caked in blood. If I can survive that, I can survive this.

  I take in a breath of Gray-free air and turn to find Gray standing on the porch. For a moment, I forget my place, forget my job. The wind riffles gently through her hair, sending the damp strands across her face. She’s barefoot, wearing nothing but a strappy top and checked shorts. It’s my imagination probably, but I could swear I can see her nipples peaked against the cotton top. She’s fucking braless again.

  Reality smacks me around the face. I thrust a finger at her. “Get inside, Gray, damn it.”

  Her head snaps away from the view and I can see a flash of anger in those eyes, even from where I am. I march inside to meet her there and she puts her hands to her hips.

  “There’s no need to shout at me,” she protests.

  “What part of being shot at did you not understand yesterday?”

  “The part where I can’t even stand outside for two seconds? Did you think someone was going to shoot me from a mountain?”

  I take a step closer, shrinking the gap between us to a mere foot or two. “This will only work if you do everything I say. Everything.”

  “Everything?” The anger from her eyes seems to dissolve. I don’t know why.

  “I want you completely obedient, understand. You will not leave my side. I’m your fucking shadow now, Little One. You’d better get used to that.”

  Her tongue darts briefly over her bottom lips, leaving it wet and succulent. I want to pull it in between my teeth and suck it until it’s swollen and she’s moaning. I glance down the neckline of her camisole top, unable to resist the shadows there. I’m instantly hard.

  Fuck.

  That top is like fucking torture to me. Revealing just enough but hiding those perky nipples of hers. I have to bunch my hands at my sides to keep from ripping it off her.

  There’s a sizzle and we both snap our heads around to the pasta that’s boiling over. I stride over and turn the heat down then set back to work on the sauce.

  She comes and sits on a stool in front of the kitchen counter. Propping her elbow on the side, she rests her chin on her hand and eyes me.

  “I didn’t know you could cook.”

  “Little One, I’m thirty-eight. How else do you think I survived this long?”

  She lifts a golden shoulder, making one of the straps shift a little. If I lean forward, I’m certain I’ll get an even better view. I grit my teeth and pretend that the pasta is more interesting than she is.

  We eat at the counter, both of us probably hungrier than we realized. There’s something strange and companionable about it. I normally eat in the car or on the couch. Rarely with anyone. Never really thought I was missing out on anything either.

  But I can’t help watching her. The way she sucks the pasta in between her lips and
her tongue darts out to lick away the sauce. She makes little appreciative noises too. The realization that I fucking like feeding her strikes. More than anything, I just want to take care of her. Wrap her up, keep her from the world and make her mine.

  Chapter Four

  Gray

  I never expected to be curled up on a couch watching a chick flick with V. It’s just something I never imagined. God, my life is crazy suddenly. He doesn’t exactly seem comfortable but he was the one who suggested I turn on the TV and choose something. He sits rigidly, like he’s still on guard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him relax. Maybe he’s not capable of it. When he’s at my brother’s side he has the same look…sort of pensive and ready to take someone out if need be.

  Sitting next to him is the worst, though. I feel itchy. I can’t relax. I’m aware of each breath and I keep recalling the feel of his hands on my body from last night. All I know is that I want to feel that again. And more.

  I try to focus on the TV but in the periphery of my vision, he’s there. So strong and sexy. Just sitting there, unaware of what he’s doing to me.

  I curl up my legs and lean into him slightly. I can’t help myself. His body is warm and solid and everything I crave. He adjusts his arm and puts it over the back of the couch. A thrill buzzes through me as I lean farther into the cocoon of his body.

  His body stiffens. I feel his muscles tighten. I look up at him and lick my lips. Sometimes I think if he just kissed me once, that would be enough. If I could find out what it was like to be kissed by a man like V—a proper man—then I wouldn’t keep lusting after him. I lean in a little more but he keeps his gaze on the movie.

  I snuggle closer and he darts a look at me. “I’m cold,” I say with a shaky giggle.

  I’m an idiot. I don’t know how to flirt. I’ve never had a boyfriend and all the boys at school avoid me. They’re too scared of my brother.