Truth Page 4

  I could barely fucking breathe.

  The living room was dark because the TV was off, the windows were open to the view of the city, the lit-up cathedral in the distance, and it was so quiet that I could hear every sound, from her slow breathing to the stretch of the fabric of the couch once her knees landed on the cushion.

  It’d been so goddamn long.

  My cock hadn’t been anywhere else, not even in my hand. My body wanted sex, but my heart wanted this spiritual connection, to feel her in a way no one else ever had, to feel our breaths sync, our heartbeats race even though we hardly moved.

  Her hands went to the back of the couch as she guided herself down, careful not to grab me or cause my injuries to flare up. She planted her feet on either side of me on the couch, holding herself up like the fit athlete she was.

  My hands went to her strong cheeks, and I gripped them hard, feeling the muscles that turned me on.

  She brought her face close to mine, holding herself without even touching me, her lips ready to consume mine.

  My fingers kneaded her flesh, touching that sexy ass in my hands. I pulled her a little closer, wanting to feel her tits rest against my chest, feel those hard nipples drag against me. I breathed against her mouth, excited like a boy rather than prepared like a man.

  Her lips landed against mine, her mouth softer than her silky legs, softer than her rose-petal cheeks. It started off so gentle, like she was getting used to my kiss all over again.

  I closed my eyes and fell hard, fell more in love with her at the simple touch.

  I’d wondered if she’d been with anyone else, late at night when my thoughts haunted me. It wasn’t just jealousy that drove me crazy, but possessiveness, because she was still mine according to my heart. I didn’t care where she’d been, how many guys had had the honor to fuck her, but now that she was mine, I wanted to be her one and only…and her last.

  One hand spanned across her ass, while the other moved into her hair, stroking the silky curtain that trailed down her back. My fingers cupped her face, my thumb brushing over the corner of her mouth as I kissed her. My dick oozed from the tip and dripped down my length to my balls just from her kiss.

  She grabbed my base and guided me straight before she lowered herself, her lips wrapping around me in the sexiest embrace, coating me with her wetness, squeezing me with her tightness.

  I looked her in the eye as I watched her take me, watched her handle that big dick like a pro.

  She lowered herself farther, sliding down my length, going slow because her body wasn’t used to me anymore. Her breathing became more labored the farther she went, like the discomfort was brand-new.

  I struggled at just the contact, struggled at the feeling of our combined bodies, of the way she loved me and I loved her. My hands went back to her ass so I could support her a bit, my arms aching with the exertion.

  She grabbed both of my wrists, her shoulders back and her tits pushed forward. She pulled my arms away, showing me that she didn’t need my help at all, that she didn’t want me to hurt myself by trying to lift her body. She placed my hands on her narrow waist, my thumbs stretching across her stomach to her belly button—where her skull diamond still was.

  I wondered if she’d ever removed it.

  She started to move up and down, holding on to the couch for balance, her body so fit that she could do all the work and not even struggle.

  Every time she pushed her tight pussy down to my base, I released a moan, getting louder and louder with each movement. My fingers gripped her stomach, digging into her flesh and feeling her abs underneath.

  I closed my eyes because I couldn’t fight it, couldn’t fight the urge to fill that pussy because it was mine. “Baby, I’m sorry…” I came loudly, falling apart within the first few strokes, letting go like I’d never fucked a woman before. My cock twitched hard inside her, and I pumped so much of my seed into her that it instantly started to drip, like there simply wasn’t enough room to hold it all. My feet pushed against the floor, and I felt the heat spread through my skin, making me hot and sweaty even though I’d barely lifted a finger.

  She watched me with intent eyes, like it was a turn-on rather than a disappointment.

  I whispered through my heavy breathing. “My last time…was you.” I had been too depressed to jerk off when she left me. I didn’t even feel aroused because the liquor watered down all my desire. The last time was the way I’d come just now.

  She started to move again, sliding through the white come that dripped down my dick. It was added lubricant, not that we needed it. “I like feeling your come inside me…” She continued to ride my semi-hard dick, bringing it back to stiff hardness with a few strokes. She moved up and down, her ass and thighs tight as she lowered and raised herself nice and slow, her fingers sliding into the back of my hair as she breathed in my face, enjoyed the potent desire between our bodies.

  I got lost in those green eyes, got lost in the spiritual connection between our bodies, traveled through the clouds and the stars as she took me somewhere out of this world. I understood exactly what Balto felt, why it was so easy for him to give up his entire way of life for a single person.

  Because she was his new way of life.

  Catalina continued to rise to the top of my dick, her wetness kissing the crown of my head, and then push down, my shaft stretching her again before she rose and started over.

  I already wanted to come again. “Baby…I love you.” I’d never before said how I felt when I felt it because our feelings had been classified from our own minds. But now I felt it, and I wanted to say it every time I felt it, unafraid to feel the most powerful emotion created. It was stronger than hate, stronger than jealousy, stronger than greed…stronger than all known forces combined. Power always remained in the person who cared less, who had nothing to lose, and I had forsaken all that control because it didn’t matter anymore.

  She continued to rise and fall, her back arched, her tits dragging against me, her lips slightly parted, so perfect. “I love you…”

  I was dead asleep when the phone started to ring on my nightstand.

  Catalina groaned and turned over, pulling the sheets over her head like that would block out the sound.

  I grabbed the device, saw Balto’s name on the screen with squinted eyes, and took the call because it was important. He wouldn’t call me at this time of night unless it was urgent. In fact, he hardly ever called me unless it was urgent. “Yeah?” I sat up then rose from the bed, leaving the bedroom so I wouldn’t wake Catalina.

  He got right to the point. “Cassini needs you to take her to the hospital.” Despite the words he spoke, his voice was controlled. “She’s having pain with the baby.”

  My heart started to pound. “Of course. But—”

  “I’m too far away, Heath. I’m in the middle of collections in the north. I can’t get to her. And it would take too long for us to swap.”

  I felt like shit. Felt worse than I had at the bottom of that cage. “I’ll take care of it…and I’m sorry.”

  Click.

  I went back into the bedroom and got dressed.

  Catalina woke up at the sound of my movements. “What are you doing…? Are you leaving?”

  I quickly pulled a long-sleeved shirt over my head and got my jeans on, invincible to the pain it caused me. “I can’t explain right now. I have to go.”

  She got out of bed, wearing nothing but her panties. “What’s wrong?”

  “I have to help Cassini.” I grabbed all the stuff off my nightstand and headed down the hallway.

  She followed me. “I don’t understand. What’s wrong? Let me come with you—”

  “I don’t have time to wait.” I took the stairs to the garage. “She needs me to get her to the hospital. Something is wrong with the baby. And Balto is working—in my fucking place—so he can’t do it.” I despised myself for doing this to him, for taking care of his wife when it should be him.

  “Oh no…”


  I hit the button on the wall so the garage door opened. “I have to go.”

  “Alright.”

  I grabbed Cassini and got her to the hospital. I did exactly what Balto would do, bossing people around and making threats until she saw a doctor right away—cutting through everyone in line because I didn’t give a shit about anyone else.

  When she was in the room, the doctor did a few tests, including watching the baby on the ultrasound machine.

  She was scared—and in pain.

  I held her hand and whispered to her. “Everything is going to be alright, Cassini. I’m sure he’s fine.” I interlocked our fingers, looking into her tear-stained face as I felt my self-loathing grow. I shouldn’t be the one comforting her right now.

  “I’m scared,” she whispered. “He’s my baby…”

  “I know.” I squeezed her hand. “But he’ll be alright.” I lied to her, lied to her to calm her down.

  When the doctor was finally done, he delivered the news. “Your son is fine. You’re just experiencing some early contractions, but they’re temporary and will pass. Most women don’t even feel them.”

  “He’s going to be okay?” she asked, squeezing my hand hard. “He’s fine?”

  “Yes. Everything looks normal.” He shut down the ultrasound. “I’ll give you two a minute.”

  When the doctor left, she broke down in sobs. “Oh my god…” Both of her hands went to her stomach as she faced the ceiling, her eyes closed, tears dripping from the corners of her eyes to her ears.

  My hand rested on her arm. “He’s alright, Cassini.”

  “I know… I was just so scared.”

  I rubbed her gently. “I know. But this is Balto’s son. You know he’s a beast.”

  She smiled slightly, still crying.

  “The doctor said he’ll give you something to stop the pain for the next few days. How about I drop you off at home then wait at the pharmacy until it’s ready?”

  She wiped her tears away and ignored what I said. “Can you call him?”

  I knew he was in the middle of something, so a phone call probably wasn’t practical. I pulled out my phone and texted him. Cassini is okay, so is the baby. Everything is fine. I’m going to take her home now.

  He didn’t text back, but he’d probably look at that message as soon as possible and feel relieved.

  “I texted him, probably shouldn’t call him right now.”

  She nodded, still lying on the bed. “I wish he were here…”

  I bowed my head in shame, closing my eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

  She grabbed my hand again. “It’s okay, Heath. Thank you for taking care of me.”

  “Of course. I’m always here for you.” I would die for her, because that was the kind of loyalty that was shared between Balto and me. He would do the same for me if I had a wife. I squeezed her hand. “And I’ll go back to work so Balto can be home with you.”

  She didn’t argue with that, not hiding the fact that she hated Balto impersonating me.

  “I’m sorry I even allowed him to.”

  She still didn’t say anything.

  I felt terrible.

  “I don’t want it to happen again, Heath,” she whispered. “You’re the one who chose to be the Skull King. Balto chose to leave. Don’t put us in that situation ever again.”

  Balto had offered, and I never would have asked. But I didn’t tell her that. “I promise.”

  “Then take me home.”

  I got to my feet and helped her off the bed and to the floor.

  “Could you do something else for me?”

  I tucked her arm through mine so I could support her as I walked her out of the hospital. “Anything.”

  “Maybe some ice cream? Balto never has sweets in the house—”

  “I’ll get you anything you want.” I smiled at her. “Let’s get you home, and I’ll grab the medication and everything else.”

  “Okay, thank you.”

  I got her into the house before I returned to my truck and drove to the pharmacy. I was about to open the door when Balto called.

  I answered right away. “I just dropped her off at home. I’m grabbing her medication at the pharmacy.”

  He must have been alone because he was candid. “What did the doctor say?”

  “Something about early contractions—but they are normal. I guess all women have them, but most don’t feel them. I’m grabbing the medication the doctor prescribed to make her more comfortable until they pass. She also asked me to get her some ice cream.”

  He didn’t chuckle at the last thing I said. “My son is fine?”

  “Yes.”

  “And my wife?”

  “A little shaken up, but she’s okay.”

  He sighed into the phone, showing all of his emotion in just that simple pause.

  “I’ll return tomorrow. You’ve done enough.”

  He was quiet for a long time. “I want to help you, Heath. But my wife and son come first—”

  “You don’t need to explain yourself, Balto. I understand. I shouldn’t have let you take my place to begin with.”

  “Are you sure you’re strong enough?”

  It didn’t matter if I was in a wheelchair. “Yes. Finish up what you’re doing, and go home to your wife.”

  He sighed again. “I should have been there…”

  I closed my eyes. “I know…but you’ll be there for everything else.”

  “Yeah.”

  We sat in silence for a long time, like Balto just wanted the comfort of my presence.

  “What kind of ice cream does she like—”

  “Chocolate. But she’ll eat anything.”

  I smiled slightly. “Alright. Let me get that to her. When you get home, she’ll be pain-free and fed—and really happy to see you.”

  When I got home, it was sunrise.

  Catalina sat in the living room, like she’d been waiting for me for the last few hours. The second I reached the top of the stairs, she jumped to her feet and came to me, wearing one of my shirts. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. Cassini and the baby are fine. She was having pregnancy pain, but it was normal.”

  “Oh, that’s a relief. And Balto?”

  “He’ll be home any minute.”

  She nodded. “Good thing you could take her to the hospital and everything.”

  That wasn’t something to celebrate. “It should have been Balto. If it weren’t for me, it would have been him.” I sighed quietly. “I’m going back to work tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “I’m much better than I used to be. No one will know.”

  “But…I’m still worried.”

  “I can’t let Balto keep working.” I walked past her and headed to the bedroom. “I shouldn’t have allowed it in the first place. I’ll lie low for a while. In a few weeks, I’ll be as good as new anyway.” I walked into the bedroom and stripped off my clothes.

  She stood there and watched me, her eyes scanning over my bruises. “Couldn’t you take a vacation or something?”

  I chuckled. “No such thing as vacation time, baby.”

  “Well, could you quit?”

  When I was in my boxers, I moved to the bed. “Yes. But I don’t want to.” I sat on the edge.

  She looked at me with her arms crossed over her chest. She’d never expressed any dislike for my career choice, but our relationship had always been a fling. Now that we talked about the future we wanted to have, she probably felt differently about it. But she didn’t say that now. “Why not?”

  “I worked hard for the position. I’m not going to hand it over to someone else.”

  “So, you enjoy it, then?”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  She dropped her arms and moved to the other side of the bed.

  With my back to her, I addressed the thoughts I assumed she had. “But if you ever asked me to leave…I would.”

  Her body made the mattress dip, but then she
went still, like those words affected her.

  Balto made a hard decision when he picked domesticated life over the blood-pumping excitement of the Underground. But he knew he couldn’t have both, couldn’t keep his family safe if he continued to be the king. So, he made his decision—and didn’t regret it. I hadn’t thought that far down the line, but I knew I would do anything to keep this woman, so if it came down to it, I would do it…in a heartbeat.

  Four

  Catalina

  Even though she’d just gotten engaged a week ago, Anna was eager to get a wedding dress.

  I met her in the dining room at Damien’s house so we could have lunch before we left.

  “What do you think about this?” She pushed an open magazine toward me.

  I didn’t look at the picture. “I don’t think it matters what I think.” I pressed my fingers to the paper and pushed it back. “You don’t need my opinion.”

  She pushed it back again. “But I need you to tell me how gorgeous I would look in it.”

  I smiled then looked down at the gown she wanted me to see. “Wow, it’s beautiful. Very elegant. I think it’d look great on you.”

  “Would you wear it?”

  I pushed the magazine back before I drank my coffee. “I’m not the one getting married. You are.”

  “I know, but I’m curious.”

  “Personally?” I asked. “I’d probably go for something sluttier. That’s just how I am. Probably low cut in the front to highlight my cleavage, you know, barely appropriate for a church. Something really tight, like a mermaid dress.”

  She smiled. “I can totally see it.”

  My father came into the room and joined us. “What are you ladies up to?”

  “Picking out a wedding dress,” I answered.

  “Ooh, let me see.” He pulled the open magazine toward him. “Very nice.”

  Anna smiled, finding my father adorable.

  He was a bit adorable.