CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Karinna rolled over and sat up abruptly. Disorientated she groped for her wristwatch. Nine forty-five pm. “Jesus,” she muttered. She had slept the entire day away!
Her door opened and Todd walked in. He was dressed in black jeans and a turtleneck. He smiled slightly. “I just put Starr to bed and I was worried. You slept so solidly.”
Karinna laughed a little shakily. “I’m just as surprised as you are,” she said softly. “I never do that.”
They stared at each other for a beat. “Todd…”
“Karinna…”
They both laughed slightly.
“You go first,” said Karinna. She nervously looped a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I was just gonna say that I could bring a tray in to you. You hardly touched your breakfast this morning.”
“Oh. Yes, okay.” She lost her nerve. She chewed the side of her lip and stared at her hands.
Todd cleared his throat. “Uh…what were you going to say?” He tensed up and stared at her.
Karinna looked up at him. “I was just going to say…thank you. You know… for this morning…” she trailed off. Her breathing was light. She never knew what he was going to say, or react to.
He drew a slow breath. “You don’t need to thank me Karinna,” he said quietly. “I wanted too.” He caught and held her gaze. The electricity crackled between them like a live currant.
“Todd,” she whispered faintly.
“Yes.” He said so quietly it was a breeze between them.
He walked to her bedside and drew her to her feet. “Yes… I will,” he breathed. He cupped her face between his hands. He ran his thumbs lightly over her mouth. He stared into her eyes and leaned in, kissing her lips lightly and drawing them into his mouth. He bit her bottom lip gently and pulled it through his teeth. He kept his eyes open and locked on hers the entire time. He kept up the gentle friction. No part of him was touching her. They were joined together only by his hands on her face. They shared their breath and simultaneously moved closer to each other.
The feel of him against her was exquisite. She ran her hands lightly up his ribcage; brushing past his nipples coming to rest against either side of his jaw.
Todd rubbed the side of his face into her palm. He glided his hands down her and slid them underneath the pajama top. He circled the sides of her waist with his fingertips and watched in wonder as her breathing increased. She was vibrating from within, and he could feel it.
He slid his hands out from under the black fabric and began to unbutton the shirt. He paused each time to kiss the flesh he exposed with each button being undone.
Karinna was almost light-headed with desire for him. She watched him watch her.
Todd slowly pulled the top off of her shoulders until it pooled at her feet. He drew in a harsh breath. He never tired of looking at her. “Oh God, you are so beautiful, Karinna.” He stepped in and kissed the hollow of her throat. He dipped his tongue into the small valley and smiled when he felt her moan at the back of her throat.
“Do you like that, baby?” He asked in a low voice.
“Yes…oh… yes,” she whispered back. Her voice hitched a little in her chest. He groaned passionately. “Your voice is so soft and sexy, Karinna. Do you know how exciting and desirable you are?” He chanted erotically.
She pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him deeply. She slanted her open mouth over his until she felt his heart pound violently in his chest. She stepped back slightly and pulled his shirt up and over his head.
She leaned in and kissed him on his heart and then at the base of his throat. Her nipples were almost painfully hard. She brushed them against his chest over and over again until he half-closed his eyes and moaned softly. She felt a rush of feminine power surge through her blood.
She unbuckled his belt and tugged on the zipper. She smoothed the jeans and boxers down past his hips until he stood naked before her.
“Karinna,” he breathed roughly. His chest rose and fell as if he’d run a mile, white-hot passion streaked through him like mercury.
She smiled a thousand year old smile. “Yes,” she whispered. “I will…” Todd bit his lip and waited for the feel of her on him.
She knelt before him and kissed each pelvic bone in turn. She traced small circles at the back of his muscled thighs until she heard him groan softly. She swung her head slightly until her silky long hair was brushing up against his legs.
“God Karinna,” he trembled. The cool, soft hair felt like gossamer. He fought for control and tried to keep his legs from buckling under him. She looked up at him and smiled sensually. “It’s okay…you’ll get there…I promise you, Todd…” Her voice was like liquid smoke.
She leaned in and kissed his velvety shaft. Up one side and down the other, letting her open mouth glide over his length. Her breath was soft, warm and moist.
Todd tipped his head back and closed his eyes. He wished this moment would last forever. His breath barley escaped his lungs. He pulled his lip through his teeth and let the pleasure wash over him like a wave. She kissed the tip, licking the salty bead that formed and teased him by taking it in her mouth for a brief instant. She lightly grazed her teeth over the head, and then enfolded him entirely in her mouth. She slowly pulled out only to repeat the same excruciatingly erotic tempo once more.
“Ohhh…” Todd sighed pleasurably. He looked down and threaded his hands in her hair. The sight of her lush mouth on him was his undoing. Karinna felt his passion increasing. She smiled to herself and wrapped her arms around his buttocks and took him deeply in her mouth. She dragged her tongue underneath his shaft and pulled out. She drew him in again…wetly and with gentle suction. She continued the delicious process until he was trembling and aching.
“Karinna,” Todd begged in a low voice. “I…oh…God, please…can I baby?” She knew what he was asking. She gripped him tighter and took him in as deep as she could.
Todd moaned as release came in long spasms. He caressed her hair thrilled that she would do this most intimate of things.
Karinna drank in his exotic essence. Never had she felt like more of a woman then she did at that moment. She slowly rose and glided her tongue up over his body until she reached his mouth.
“Taste how wonderful you are,” she whispered softly. Karinna kissed him on his mouth.
Todd was on fire. He held her head steady and kissed her. An erotic, deep, soul kiss that was consuming and passionate. He was shaking and desperate to taste and kiss every part of her. He swung her up in his arms and laid her on the soft bed.
They embraced and kissed again. Karinna gently pushed Todd on his back. He smiled slowly. Understanding what she wanted. He felt desire lick through his veins. He was rock hard and ready for her.
Karinna placed herself on either side of his waist and locked eyes with him. “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” She asked huskily. “Or how much I desire you? Or what an incredible lover you are… and how you make me feel alive and free?” She gazed at him with her jade eyes until his heart skipped a beat. “No?” She asked erotically. “Then let me show you.” She gently gripped his cock with her sex until it was standing straight. She slowly sank down on him bit by bit until she impaled herself fully on him. Todd gasped and held her hips steady. He glided one hand down and felt for her swollen clitoris and circled it lightly with his thumb.
Karinna sighed softly and made kittenish sounds at the back of her throat. She rose up and descended on him, riding him perfectly. Her head was thrown back and Todd swore that he never saw such a lovely sight as she. He lifted her hips up and off of him until she was poised over his mouth. He lowered her on him and thrust his tongue inside her. He kissed and licked her softly until she moaned his name.
He gently bit her and swirled his tongue in small circles. “Todd,” she gasped. She felt herself spiral out of control.
“I want you to come Karinna,” he chanted. He lightly flicked his tongue against her until she began to shake.
Karinna felt her orgasm spill over. She moaned softly and almost blacked out from the sheer pleasure of it. “Please, Todd…” she begged urgently. “I want you inside me.”
Todd lifted her hips and flipped her over so he was on top. “Taste…taste how exquisite you are,” he whispered erotically. He kissed her passionately, driving his tongue deep in her mouth.
He separated her with his knee and entered her in one thrust. She was so wet and tight he closed his eyes and gasped harshly. “Oh God, Karinna,” he breathed. “You feel so good, so right…”
Karinna wrapped her legs around him closed in on him tightly. This time something had changed. Their lovemaking had taken on an incredible intensity. It was love for him, she was sure of it.
She felt her climax building swiftly. “Todd, oh my God…” He held her head steady. “Yes...ohhh… yes…please baby…come with me,” he begged. Together they came violently, eyes wide open and heart to heart. They hugged tightly. Neither one spoke. There was no need too. Both were feeling incredibly lucky to have found one another. Both knew that this was real and true. There was no reason to speak what they already knew was inside their souls.
So they embraced and said nothing. Each of them treasuring the feel of one another’s heartbeat.
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Gabriel Escobar was seated in a his black Corvette across the street from the darkened cabin. He glanced at his watch. Midnight. In a few hours he’d have the pleasure of seeing Manning beg for his life.
He laughed darkly. He couldn’t wait. That cocksucker was going to pay in spades for getting over on him. He knew what his Achilles heel was. His pretty little girl and his new found lover.
Christian was going to make certain that Todd died a slow painful death. But not before his kid and was killed in front of him. Just a few more hours he mused. Manning was gonna wish he was never born, and that was a fact.
To be continued…
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Karinna awoke with a smile. She stretched languorously and ruffled her hair. She placed her hand on the pillow that still bore the imprint of Todd’s head on it, and laughed softly. He had crept out of her room on cat feet so as not to awaken Starr.
She peered at her wristwatch astounded that it was past nine o’clock in the morning. She swung her legs out of bed and rose. She spotted two large shopping bags by the door. “Well now,” she murmured softly. “What have we here?”
She rummaged through the bags relieved to find jeans, slacks, sweaters, and under garments in them. She blushed at the dainty bra and panties and for the life of her, could not imagine Todd picking them out. She tipped her head to the side. Come to think of it…she could!
With newfound energy she quickly showered and dressed in a warm pair of slacks, sweater and boots. She hummed softly to herself as she made her way into the kitchen. The rich aroma of coffee and home baked muffins made her mouth water.
Todd and Starr were seated at the table while Rosalie dished up fluffy scrambled eggs. She looked up and smiled warmly. “Good morning, Karinna. I hope you are well rested?”
“Yes,” Karinna laughed. “You must think I’m the laziest creature on earth. I can’t remember when I slept so much.”
“Nonsense,” Rosalie scoffed. “I thought no such thing. You needed the rest. Come…sit down and have a cup of coffee. Those blueberry muffins are still nice and hot.”
Karinna sank into her chair and poured herself a cup. She glanced up to find twin sets of amber eyes gazing at her. “Good morning, Starr.” She cut her eyes over to Todd. “Good morning,” she said shyly.
“Hi,” said Starr around a mouthful of muffin. “Boy, you sure did sleep a long time. Daddy said I had to be real quiet so I wouldn’t disturb you.” Karinna laughed. “He did, did he? Well, you were quiet as a mouse and I didn’t hear a peep.”
“Did you sleep well?” Todd asked silkily. He took a sip of coffee and his eyes glittered over the rim.
Karinna bit her lip. “Yes, extremely well.” Her heart did a flip-flop. He was gazing at her with such longing that she felt herself start to tremble. He smiled. “Funny…so did I. Unbelievably well.” His heart began to thump inside his chest. She was so incredibly lovely and he felt closer to her than ever before. Last night was a turning point for him.
He loved her…plain and simple.
He loved who she was and what was in her soul. She was blushing shyly and it touched his heart.
“Hey, I got a little surprise for you both.” Todd set the coffee cup down and waited for the inevitable.
Starr’s eyes brightened. “A surprise! What Daddy, what? What is it? Is it something good?” She was practically bouncing up and down in her chair. Karinna was more than a little curious herself. “What, Todd?”
Todd smiled. “I arranged for you and Starr to go ice-skating. I know how much Starr wanted you to teach her and frankly, the thought of you in a pair of skates and the little skirt thing is well…interesting.”
“Yippee!” Starr yelled. She jumped off her seat. “Do I get an ice-skating outfit too, Daddy?”
Todd pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. “Nope!”
Starr dissolved into giggles. “Are you pulling my leg?” She asked archly.
Todd threw back his head and laughed loudly. His kid was amazing. “Yep!” He tickled her side. Go in your room and you’ll find a surprise.” Starr squealed and took off at a dead run. Karinna was giggling herself. She was completely besotted with the child.
Rosalie shook her head and chuckled. “I will help her get into her skating outfit.”
Todd yawned lazily. “Thanks, Rosie,” he called. He suddenly stood from the table and pulled Karinna from her chair and into his arms. “I don’t think I greeted you properly yet,” he whispered in a sexy voice.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly on her mouth. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
Karinna’s eyes filled with tears. He had never spoken to her this tenderly before. His expression was gentle and filled with love. She smiled a little wobbly. “Good morning.” She blinked back tears. “Todd…I just want you to know how much it means to me to be able to spend this time with your daughter. The fact that you trust me with her is just…you have no idea how good I feel…”
He smiled down at her. “There was never any issue with me trusting you with Starr. I have eyes, Karinna. And I can see how much you like her…and how much she likes you.” He touched his forehead to hers. The emotions were simmering to the top, and they suddenly became shy with each other.
She stepped back and laughed nervously. “Well…I guess I’d better go change myself.”
Todd gazed at her enigmatically. “You’ll find what you need in my bedroom. You can change in there,” he added softly.
“Okay,” she whispered.
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Gabriel watched the trio climb into the Range Rover. The kid was dressed in a tiny skating outfit. Karinna looked sexy as hell in hers. Todd cut his eyes in all directions, his hand unconsciously going inside his coat to rest against his P7.
Gabriel smiled nastily. This was gonna be a piece of cake. Manning made a fatal mistake and he didn’t even realize it. His kid made him vulnerable, a fact that Gabriel intended on exploiting fully. He watched as the SUV started, and backed out of the driveway.
He waited a beat of ten, and pulled away from the curb. He began to smoothly track them.
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“Daddy!” Starr yelled. “Look…I’m ice-skating!”
Todd leaned against a pine tree and laughed. “Way ta go, Shorty!”
He brought them to Miller’s Pond. The locals had used it as an ice-rink for years. It was secluded and out of the way. That’s precisely why he chose it. They were the only ones there.
Todd was on guard and tense with it. He glanced for the umpteenth time around the woods for any sign of movement, but so far everything was cool. He grinned at his two girls. Karinna was breathtaking in her white skating outfit. She executed a graceful figure eight and took hold of Starr’s hand. Starr was a little wobbly, but managed to stay on her feet. Both their faces were lit with happiness. Karinna was infinitely patient with Starr, teaching her how to glide on the ice without losing her balance. She was a natural mother.
Todd felt a stab of rage. That bastard, Gaines murdered her child. Karinna would have been a wonderful mother; only her baby never had a chance to live. And it was because of Christian. He narrowed his eyes.
“Where are you, you animal? I’m waiting…” he whispered.
Gaines was out there, somewhere, waiting to make his move. Now he had Darcy to contend with as well. He felt a wellspring of sadness hit him like a ton of bricks. The betrayal he felt was indescribable. He loved her…she was his one true friend. He would never have believed that Darcy could have turned on him, but she did. And he knew full well how dangerous she was. The fact that she was a woman had no bearing on it either. She was a killer, had killed before, and wouldn’t hesitate to kill again. Todd sighed deeply. He’d have to take her out if she forced his hand, and the very thought of it made him physically ill.
He glanced at his watch. He didn’t want to spoil their fun, but they’d been out in the open too long and he was beginning to feel antsy. “Five more minutes, Starr,” he called.
“Awww…do we have to go, Daddy?” Starr turned to him and gave him a look.
“Sorry, baby, but yes…we do,” Todd said firmly, but lovingly. “You have five more minutes. Okay, Starr?”
Karinna hunched down. “Maybe we can talk him into a hot chocolate,” she whispered with a grin.
Starr giggled. “Okay Daddy, five more minutes,” she said sweetly.
Todd raised an eyebrow. He was prepared for more of a fight from Starr. Whatever Karinna whispered, it worked. He smiled and shook his head. If those two joined forces, he’d never stand a chance.
He heard a loud snap in the woods to his right. Immediately on guard, he glanced at Starr and Karinna. They were occupied skating.
He cautiously crossed over to the right side of the rink and peered into the dense forest. He heard it again. “Fuck,” he whispered. It was most likely a deer looking for food. He ventured into the woods and pulled his P7 from out of his coat. He felt the hairs rise up on the back of his neck. Something was wrong.
He turned quickly, realizing too late that he’d been snookered into leaving Karinna and Starr out of his sight. He never had a chance to defend himself. Gabriel stepped out from the brush and hit him with a Taser up high in his solar plexus.
Todd grunted as the electricity shot through his body. He staggered as Gabriel hit him again, this time on the side of his neck. Todd fell to the ground and lay unconscious. Gabriel dropped a note by Todd’s head. The stupid motherfucker’s worse nightmare was just beginning. Gabriel walked away. It was time to get acquainted with Manning’s sweet little girl.
To be continued…
