Warning-very strong sexual content!
CHAPTER NINE
Karinna stared at him with dread. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she whispered, lamely.
Todd laughed. “No? Well let’s take a look.” He held the paper in front of her nose. “It says here that you worked for Lucas…as his accountant. Funny how you failed to mention that to me….”
“Wait, Todd…I can explain…” She interrupted.
“Shut the fuck up,” he snapped. “Since there’s no Lucas Forsythe on record anywhere, that means one thing. He’s a Goddamn criminal, hasn’t paid a dime in taxes, and has plenty of dirty little secrets. The first one being his real name, and his real occupation, and I’d be willing to bet you know the answers to both.”
Karinna laughed in his face. “Well isn’t this ironic? A criminal putting down another criminal…because that’s all you are. A hired gun,” she said with contempt.
He laughed quietly, “I’m immune to insults, baby. There like Teflon…they just roll right off me. Besides, I think that’s the pot calling the kettle…don’t ya think?”
“We are nothing alike,” she said bitterly. “You hunted me down like a dog. What kind of person does that?”
Todd braced both hands on the wall, on either side of her head. His face was carved into stone. “The kind who catch’s other criminals…like you,” he rapped out. Her comment cut, and the fact that it did, sent him out of his head.
“Because lets face facts here…you are one. I’m sure the IRS would agree with me.”
Karinna glared at him. “You bastard…how could you threaten that?
“You juggled his books for him, and now he wants you dead. You know too much. You’re only chance is to tell me everything you know.”
Karinna shook her. “No, it’s you’re only chance. Do you think I’m a fool? I don’t trust you at all. I’m not telling you a thing.”
Todd laughed softly. “You see…that’s where you’re wrong, Karinna.” He lightly ground his hips into hers. “You’ll tell,” he whispered. He pressed his forehead against hers. “You’ll tell me everything.”
“No I won’t, Todd,” she said shakily. When he was like this, he was at his most dangerous. She had absolutely no willpower where he was concerned, and he knew it, and exploited it fully. She was ashamed that he had this much control over her. He ran his open mouth down the bridge of her nose, pausing to graze her lips, and on down her jaw line. She turned her head away, and made to go underneath his arms.
Todd pinned her to the wall and brought his hands to her head and threaded his fingers through her thick hair. “No,” he breathed. He rubbed his lips against hers. “You’re not going anywhere. We’re unfinished business.”
He kissed her fully. It was a long, deep, soul kiss. “You know it, and I know it,” he whispered roughly.
He flipped her so she was facing the wall. He folded her arms above head and placed the palms of his own, on top of hers. He sank his teeth softly into the side of her neck while his hands slid down her arms.
Karinna was breathing rapidly. She pressed her forehead hard against the wall. He felt so good. She was sinking, and was powerless to stop it. She bit her lip and tried to keep herself from moaning out loud.
Todd snaked his hands up the front of her and one by one, unbuttoned her shirt. He grazed his fingers in between her ribcage, causing her to reflexively draw in her breath. He unclasped the front of her bra.
“Please…” She whispered huskily. “Leave me alone.” She felt him smile against her neck. “All you have to do is say no,” he murmured. He cupped her breasts in his hands and ran his thumb hypnotically over nipple. “Just tell me no… and I’ll stop.”
Karinna lost the power of speech the second that he placed his hands on her. He pulled her arms down and slid the garments off her shoulders. Her smooth, brown back was lovely, and felt like satin.
Todd tipped his head to the side. Christ, his heart was racing in his chest.
He turned her around and looked his fill. He traced her collarbone with the very tips of his fingers. The hollow of her throat and in between the swell of her breasts were next. His eyes never left hers as he watched every minuet reaction on her face. He untied the drawstring on her slacks, the smooth linen slid down her long legs.
He bent down and lifted her bare foot out of the leg of her pants, and then repeated with the other.
Karinna closed her eyes and tried to control her breathing. It was rapid and harsh. Jesus, what is this feeling? I’ve never known it before,. Todd knelt in front of her. He traced small circles at the backs of her knees and on upwards to the tops of her thighs. He slid them down and up the front. He smoothly hooked his thumbs into the sides of her silk panties and ripped the delicate fabric off of her.
Karinna snapped her yes open and looked down at him. “You are so beautiful, Karinna,” he whispered. He lightly brushed the flame-colored curls between her legs with his knuckles. He looked up at her. “That feel good, baby? You want me to stop?” His eyes shimmered with desire and he smiled, he knew what her answer would be. “You tell me what you like,” he paused to blow gently on her; his breath was soft and warm. “And I’ll do it.” He laughed quietly. “There’s nothing I won’t do.”
Karinna blushed from the roots of her hair to tips of her toes. The sexual way he was staring at her took her breath away. She ran her tongue over her lips and said nothing.
“Shy?” He whispered erotically. “You won’t be, not when I’m done.” He leaned in and kissed her navel swirling his tongue in and around it. He lightly bit and nibbled on the sensitive skin above her hairline. He glanced up and her.
She had her head tipped up so the arch of her throat was beautifully exposed. Her mouth was half opened. She looked…wild. And so very, very lovely. He smiled a secret, male smile. Thrilled that she was aroused, that he was the one making her feel this way.
He parted her with his thumbs and lightly flicked the tip of his tongue, against the small little bead of flesh that was distended. Rewarded when she sighed, long and slow. He took his sweet time, enjoying her taste and scent…like crushed rose petals. He dipped his tongue into her lightly at first, then deeply…thrusting his tongue into her, making love to her. He kissed her erotically. He bit down gently on the small seed and circled it wetly.
“Todd,” she whispered with raw longing.
“Yes, baby?” He breathed against her. “Tell me what you want…”
“I want…ohhh…please…” she sighed. “Don’t stop….”
He slowly rose to his feet, dragging his tongue all the way up her body. He kissed her lips. “I have no intention of stopping,” he whispered against her mouth. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, and crossed the room. He set her down by the bed.
“I want you to undress me, Karinna. I want you to do it slow…I want you’re hands all over me,” he said, his voice rough with passion. He stared at her intensely.
Karinna was trembling. She had never meet a man so vocal about sex and intimacy before. It was erotic and exciting. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the rain was violently pelting against the roof. It only added to the sexual tension between them.
She stepped behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She glided the tips of her fingers over the muscled ridges of his belly and began to unbutton his shirt. She slid it off smoothly and tossed it. She stepped in front of him and brushed her breasts against his chest.
Todd was unsmiling and breathing heavy. The feel of her against his naked chest was exquisite. He stared at her with half closed eyes. “Put your mouth on me,” he commanded softly.
Karinna leaned forward and opened her mouth, she closed it over his nipple and began a gently suck and bite. “Yes,” he breathed. She felt a thrill race down her spine at the rough burr of his voice.
She kissed him on his heart and brought her hands down past his belly. She unzipped his jeans and tugged them down. He kicked them off and stood naked in front of her. “Oh my God,” she sighed.
He was…beautiful. He was deeply muscled and perfectly proportioned. She ran her tongue over her lips. His erect sex was full and large. She reached out and lightly gloved the velvety shaft in her hand. She ran her thumb over the head when a crystal drop of moisture beaded at the tip.
Karinna glanced up at Todd. She slowly brought her thumb to her mouth and licked the salty fluid off. Todd briefly closed his eyes. She gracefully sank to her knees. She wrapped her arms around his thighs. Karinna daintily licked around the tip of his cock and the sensitive underside. Todd tipped his head forward and watched her. “Ohhh yes…just like that…just like that…”
She kissed its length and worshipped it with her tongue. She leaned into him, taking it all in her mouth.
Todd pulled his lip through his teeth and fought for control. “Not yet, baby. I want to be inside you when I come…I want to look in you’re eyes and watch you watch me,” he whispered. He lifted her to her feet and laid her on his bed.
He kissed her passionately. Karinna was on fire; she threaded her hands through his silky hair and kissed him back deeply. She knew now… she was falling in love. She couldn’t help it and she couldn’t fight it. She was going to go with it and follow her heart, not her head.
Todd kissed her neck and bent down to her perfect breasts. He closed his mouth over her hard nipple and made love to it. He reached down and parted her thighs. She was satiny and wet. He circled on her and sucked hard on her breast.
Karinna need no more than that passionately spoken command. The feeling spilled over until she was moaning at the back of her throat. Todd watched quietly. His breathing was harsh and rapid. He laid on top of her and separated her legs with his knee and poised above her. “Say the words to me,” he whispered huskily.
Karinna was shaking. “Please…I want you…I want you inside me,” she trembled.
He entered her slowly, savoring the feel of her soft, wet heat. He was trembling and pressed his forehead into hers. He began to move inside her, deep, hard thrusts. “You feel so good, Karinna. So good….” He kissed her almost roughly.
Karinna was caught up in him; she breathed his air, his whole being. She was lost in him. She wrapped her legs around him tightly and matched him thrust for thrust…kiss for kiss.
Todd braced her head with his hands, he was close…so close. “Say my name,” he breathed.
“Todd,” she sighed, as her orgasm bubbled over.
He moaned and came violently in long, shuddering spasms. They lay, heartbeat to heartbeat, embracing tightly. Karinna kissed his lips softly. And lightly scratched his back, smiling when goose bumps broke out on his arms. Still deep inside her, he flipped over so she was on top. She gazed at him, tracing her finger along his scar. The secrets between them suddenly didn’t seem as important to her. She had to trust him. There was no one else. He was watching her face closely; he knew she was getting ready to disclose everything to him. So why did he feel like shit about it? His goal was to seduce it out of her and he succeeded brilliantly. But, now…it wasn’t right. He wanted her badly…for her, not for anything he could get out of her. She needed to be able to trust someone and he knew he was the one. He’d never let Forsythe touch her; he’d kill him before that happened.
“Todd,” she began.
“Shhh…” he put a finger to her mouth. “ You’ll tell me later. I want to make love with you all night long. I don’t feel like talking.”
A warm, salty tear landed on his chest. Karinna bit her lip and smiled shyly. “Okay…we’ll talk later.”
The both of them were wrapped up each other and had no idea that this was the last peaceful night they’d spend. Lucas Forsythe was coming with a vengeance and he wanted them dead.
CHAPTER TEN
Todd watched her sleep. Her red hair was spread out on the snowy pillow like a flame. He twined a long gold-red strand around his finger, the springy hair coiled around it as if it had a life of it’s own. He grinned. Her face was peaceful and smooth. He gazed at her. The sheet was covering only half of her body. Her breasts and smooth belly were exposed. He lightly ran his index finger around her nipple. It was relaxed and innocent. She looked untouched and almost virginal…perfect in sleep.
He felt desire curl around him. She was worming her way into his heart and it disturbed him. He liked the way his life was. He and Starr were happy; they needed no one but each other. You know Starr misses her Mother…she needs a mother. You need her…you know you do.
He sighed deeply. Where did that thought come from? He was allergic to any kind of commitment, and certainly wasn’t considering it now. You are so full of shit, you’ve been thinking of it…all night long.
Karinna slowly opened her eyes. Todd was staring at her; his face was serious and unsmiling. “Todd?” She whispered.
“Hey…” he said softly. He lightly ran his knuckle down her face. Karinna stared at him, “You look so serious, is everything okay?”
“Yeah…everything’s fine,” he smiled a little. “Better then fine,” he whispered. He leaned over her and kissed her softly on her mouth. He’d forgotten what it was like to reassure a woman. It wasn’t something he’d done or worried about in a long time.
He made sure that the women he slept with had no interest in a relationship. Most of them had high-powered careers, and were basically to busy to get tied down in commitment…they wanted sex with no strings. That’s exactly what Todd wanted.
Karinna smiled and cupped the side of his face. She sighed and her smiled slowly faded. “We have to talk,” she said quietly.
Todd nodded slightly. He knew it was coming. He eased himself up into a sitting position. He wrapped forearms around his knees. He was falling into the same trap, distancing himself before he’d wind up getting hurt. He’d been burned too many times by women, and old habits die-hard. “I’m listening,” he said remotely.
Karinna wrapped the sheet around her, and sat up. She nervously clasped her hands and laid them on her lap. He looked like a stranger. His face was closed and distant. “I just want to tell you…that what I said to you before, about Lucas…that was true. I never lied to you, Todd,” she stammered.
Todd raised an eyebrow and said nothing.
She licked her lips and continued. “I just didn’t tell you everything. You have to believe me, Lucas is a ruthless man, Todd. I took what I did because I knew that was the only way I stood a chance…”
“Whoa, whoa,” Todd interrupted. “What else did you take from this guy besides fifty thousand dollars?” His eyes narrowed. “Well? I’m waiting.”
Karinna’s eyes filled with tears. “I took a book…a record book.”
“What’s in it?” He asked sharply.
Karinna’s anger flared. “Why are you behaving this way? I’m trying to tell you only you keep interrupting me, and accusing me, before you know the whole story.”
“I thought I heard the whole story before,” he snapped. “Why is so easy for women to lie, huh? Oh…excuse me,” he held his hands up in mock surrender. “Just not tell you everything?”
Karinna jumped out of bed. “I hate you.” She reached down and snatched up his shirt from the floor. She jerked her arms in and buttoned the three buttons that held it together.
“You can just go to hell!” She shouted. “I’m not going to waste my time telling you. Why should I? You have it all figured out. You have me all figured out.” Tears were threatening to fall at any second. She was hurt that after last night, he could still believe the worst of her. She stalked around the bed and headed for the shower.
Todd was off the bed in an instant. “You’re not goin anywhere!” He yelled. He bodily picked her up and threw her on the bed. He quickly lay on top of her and held her down as she struggled.
“Stop squirming,” he snapped, as he held her head steady. “I don’t care if we have to stay here all day like this. You’re gonna tell me what the hell’s goin on, and I mean right now, Karinna.” His face was tight and angry.
Karinna stopped struggling, she was just too tired to fight anymore. “Lucas Forsythe is the biggest heroin and cocaine dealer on the west coast,” she said dully. And his name is Christian Gaines.” Tears slipped down her face.
Todd shook his head. He had known it; he knew that slimy snake was dirty. He hated drugs, and the dealers who pushed them. In his younger days he’d smoked weed like all the rest of his friends did, but he’d been into football, and just didn’t see the point in experimenting any further. And now that he was a parent…Jesus, if anyone tried to hook Starr on drugs, he’d rip their throats out.
“How did you two meet?” He leaned up a little and glanced down at her arms for tracks.
“I’m not a drug addict, Todd. I have never tried them and I don’t want to,” she said offended.
He chewed on his lip. “I believe you,” he said contritely. And he did.
“I worked for him as his accountant; I took care of his books. He was paying me three times what anyone in my profession would get.” Todd smiled cynically. “He bought you’re loyalty and you’re silence.” Karinna sighed. “Yes he did.” There was no point in denying it. It was the shameful truth.
“But at that point I didn’t know he was dealing drugs. I had no idea what he did, Todd. I worked for him for about a month, and then out of the clear blue, he asked me out to dinner. One thing led to another, and we became lovers,” she whispered.
Todd bunched his jaw. The thought of her with another man was not a pleasant one. Jealously ran through him like a current. His hatred for Christian Gaines escalated another couple of notches.
“When did you find out he was dirty?” He asked.
“About four months ago. We’d been seeing each other regularly. I’d stay at his place three or four times a week. The relationship had already started going downhill.
He was possessive and violent. I…I was afraid of him. It was like… he just couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer, you know? And he was showing me his real, true self. I’d walk in on phone calls, meetings with strange people at all hours of the night. There were always men around, and they had guns.
I’m not a fool. It didn’t take me long to figure it out, but by that time I was in it up to my neck and couldn’t get out. Christian knew that, and he exploited it. He came clean and admitted that he was a dealer, told me his real name…everything.”
Karinna paused to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “He knew that there was no way I’d go anywhere, not with everything he’d told me. He’d kill me if I left. He knew it and I knew it. That’s when he started…forcing himself on me,” she trembled.
Todd closed his eyes. He breathed in deeply and tried to will the fury that was engulfing him, away. He opened his eyes and ran his hand down his beard. “What happened?” He asked evenly.
“I was afraid of him, Todd. He…he’s evil. At first I went along with it. But…then…I just couldn’t do it anymore. I was repulsed, I…it was sickening. He… he’d hit me first. It…aroused him. It had nothing to do with sex… or even liking, it was all about control. The fact he could control me was the turn on for him.
The last straw was when he wanted me to…to be with that prostitute.
When he left the bedroom I went into his safe, I knew that’s where he kept his book. Every aspect of his organization is in there. Every drug deal, the amounts, the names of suppliers, cops who were dirty, everything. I took it along with the cash in his safe. I figured if I ran as far away as the cash would take me, I’d stand a chance. So I hid behind the door and I hit him with the wood statue.”
She ran her hands through her hair. “That’s it. I’ve told you everything,” she said dully. She smiled sadly. “He won’t stop until I’m dead.” Tears trickled down the sides of her face.
Todd bent his head and kissed her mouth. “He won’t get the chance,” he whispered. He lightly kissed the soft hollow of her throat, rubbing his face back and forth. “Do you think I’d let him touch you now?” He breathed.
He lifted his head and looked at her with those amber eyes of his. “Christian Gaines is a dead man walking, Karinna. You don’t have to be afraid. Not while I’m on this planet.”
Karinna wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the new- found love she had inside her. She leaned up and laid him on his back. She sat up on her knees and removed his shirt from her body. She gracefully lifted her arms above her head, and lifted her hair from the back of her neck. The long, rippled stands fell away from fingers like gossamer; she smiled a little and arched her balk slightly.
Todd breathing increased. He reached up and cupped her breast, glancing her nipple with his thumb. She was lovely and desirable. He let himself fall, not that he had any choice in the matter. She was in his blood. He felt a flutter of panic run through him, every time he got close to a woman it never turned out right. They lied, cheated and betrayed him. It never changed.
To say that he was apprehensive was putting it mildly.
He pushed aside all the negative thoughts, and concentrated on the present. The way she was looking at him took his breath away. He let his hand slowly slid down over her breast, to rest against the downy hair in between her legs. He threaded his fingers through the soft curls.
Karinna glided her fingers along his chest, tracing her fingertips over his long, muscled arms. She traced his heart tattoo. “Starr? That’s such a pretty name…kinda dreamy, you know?” She glanced up at him through her lashes, waiting for him to tell her what she’d already guessed.
Todd’s heart skipped a beat. She was exotic looking and unbelievably sexy. “Yeah…she is,” he said softly. He never discussed his child with anyone other than Vickie and Rosa. He didn’t show that part of himself. He didn’t even want to analyze his reasons for telling her about Starr, now. “She’s my daughter.”
Karinna nodded. “Yeah…I kind of thought she might be,” she said softly. Will you tell me about her?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “What do you want to know?” He tried not to sound as edgy as he felt.
Karinna smiled. “What ever you want to tell me,” she teased lightly. “I’m not trying to pry, I just would like to hear about her.” She opened her mouth and softly kissed his navel, swirling her tongue low on his stomach. “Pretty please?” She breathed against his skin.
Todd felt an electric charge run through him. She was dangerous in her own way, all she had to do was touch him and he could feel himself weakening. “Uh…she’s five. And she’s kinda got all this… long golden, wavy hair,” he said, almost shyly. “My color eyes and her mother’s mouth. She lost her mother, Blair… six months ago. Starr is the most incredible person I know. She’s smart, funny and beautiful. Her soul is clean and completely innocent, ya know? I love her. I would die for her in a heartbeat,” he said softly.
Karinna smoothed the hair back from his face. She had tears in her eyes. She could picture him with his little girl. She’d give anything to see the two of them together. “Yes, I know you would,” she whispered.
The rain, which had abated, now beat at the window pains violently. The thunder sounded like a living thing. The room was artificially darkened and shadowed. She kissed Todd on his lips softly. She kissed each eyelid in turn. “Tell me what you want and I’ll do it,” she breathed against his mouth erotically.
Todd shut his eyes briefly. “I want you to make love to me,” he said soulfully. I want you to touch every part of me.”
Karinna smiled. She kissed him moistly all the way down his flat belly. She had every intention of doing just that.
***************************
The tan HumVee rumbled it’s way through the dense forest. The rain was coming down in buckets and the mud was like quicksand. Christian Gaines squinted through the windshield. “I can’t see a goddamn thing,” he said in disgust.
“The roads are probably washed out,” remarked his driver. Christian glanced at him in annoyance. “We’re not stopping until I find them,” he said grimly. He turned to the other man next to him. “Even if we have to go on foot, I won’t quit until I find Karinna and that prick, Manning.” His jaw tightened in anger. He had been so close to killing them both. That motherfucker, Manning was unafraid, cunning and dangerous. He wouldn’t underestimate him again.
Christian narrowed his eyes. “We will press on until I find the two of them, and when I do, I’m gonna kill em…slowly.”
To be continued….
