Page 94 of Reckless Devotion

His name is a fractured cry on my lips as he thrusts one final time into me, hitting my end and finding his own pleasure for a second time with long pulses and jerks of his cock, each one impossibly teasing more pleasure from my own.

I tug against my restraints, only to try and bring him closer, to allow myself some of the connection they denied me. He lets them go, unravelling them in one well-placed tug that tells me he knows exactly how to tie a knot. My shaking legs are freed, and wrapped around him instead as he slumps over me, his skin damp with sweat as he grazes my collarbone with butter-soft kisses.

“You’re incredible,” he breathes, whiskers scratching over my skin.

The words burrow into a part of myself I’ve long since forgotten existed, and I wipe them away in the only way I know how. “Eh, you’re not so bad, I guess.”

He drags his head away from me and stares with languid, gratification-filled eyes. “Not so bad?”

I smile as much as I can around my still labored breathing, cupping his scratchy jaw. “Yeah, you know. Aside from the big dick, and the model-like good looks, and the huge bank balance, you’re just a mediocre guy.”

He rolls those warm whiskey globes and gathers me up in his arms, gently sliding out of me as he walks us both to the large sofa on the other side of the room.

When we’re nestled in one corner, curled into his body with my head buried into his chest, and one of his thick arms around me while the other tucks behind his head, he speaks.

“Tell me one thing.”

“Hmm?” I trace a lazy circle in the hollow of his neck, feeling blissed out and slightly sex drunk.

“Why do you do it? The whole cyber vigilante thing.”

I balk, my finger frozen in its lazy path. I think for a while before I answer, wanting to be honest, but not feeling quite ready to let him into that part of me.

“Because I don’t want them to be able to hurt anyone else.”

Chapter 33

Emily:I really like her.

Chase:Me too, kid.

Emily:Don’t fuck this one up, will you?

Chase:Your confidence is heartwarming.

CHASE

“Why won’t you let Landau prep you?”

I use the edge of my fist to staple together the papers in my hand, moving them to one side and beginning to gather up the next set.

“I’m not testifying, I don’t need to be prepped.” Pepper rolls her eyes, leans back in the chair opposite my desk, and stares up at the ceiling.

“That’s not the only reason lawyers prep their clients, it’s so that you can understand what to expect from the proceedings.”

Her head drops down, irritation sweeping her features. “Fine, but can we drop it now?”

I fight back a smile. She’s so damn stubborn I want to shake her, but I find it endearing at the same time. If Pepper was an animal, she would be a bull. Nostrils flaring and hoof stomping the ground.

“Yes.” I turn in my seat, reaching over to slide open a low desk drawer and pulling out an embossed invitation. “If you agree to go with me to this.”

The glossy card slips across the desk and she leans over to read it. “As in, in front of cameras?”

“Is that a problem?” Something uneasy prickles in my gut. My life and family are intrinsically linked to the spotlight, and not everyone wants to be a part of that, which is understandable. I send out a Hail Mary prayer and wait, cataloguing the light scrunch to her nose.

“Can we skip the red-carpet part?” She blinks up at me and I try not to show the tidal wave of relief that whisks me underwater.

“Definitely.” I snap up whatever small morsel she’s willing to give like the sad little puppy I am.