Slashes in the Snow : A Baum Squad novel Read online

  “And did you?”

  “I got a few good shots in. But he played dirty. Had a knife. He didn’t like the fact that I was holding my own, makin’ him look bad. So, he came after me. I dodged a few swipes by only the grace of God. But he got me good once.” Ky drags my fingertip along the puffy line. “My dad and a couple of the other guys heard the commotion and came to break it up just in time, but Slash was born that day.”

  I frown, sympathizing with his younger self. Picturing a young, scared Ky. The same scared picture I have of myself at that age.

  “Don’t feel sorry for me, Snow. I got lucky. I kept my eyesight and only walked away with a superficial wound.”

  “I don’t feel sorry for you.” I kiss his scar. “I was just thinking that you’re beautiful, too.”

  We get caught up in a moment, ensnared in a sensual silence.

  Ky takes my face firmly with both hands and stares at me as if he can see right through me. “What are you doin’ to me, Snow?”

  It’s a rhetorical question I hope, because I have no good answer.

  Am I doing something? Am I affecting him? The hard-nosed Ky Parish is actually penetrable?

  He kisses me then, a deep, passionate embrace that resonates all the way to my core. Whoa.

  “I think I’m ready for bath time to be over,” he licks his lips eagerly, and I wholeheartedly agree.

  I can barely open my eyes or stop my body from responding to him. I’m aching for him in every way.

  We abandon the tub, not even bothering to drain the water. There is only Ky and me and the need suffocating us like vining ivy.

  Ky sits me on the edge of my bed, and I know exactly what he wants. He doesn’t need words to communicate; all he needs is actions.

  I open my mouth as he guides the head of his erection to my lips. It passes over my tongue, and I suck gently once it’s halfway inside.

  Ky watches me the whole time, biting his lower lip in pure pleasure. I take him deeper, keeping with the slow, controlled motion.

  “Shit, Snow.” He lifts my damp hair by the root and tugs as his cock slides easily in and out of my mouth.

  “Enough.” He pulls away, leaving me licking my lips. “Lie down,” he orders, bossy as always, but I give in, knowing there will be a happy ending whichever direction this goes.

  Circling the bed, he climbs on the mattress with his knees near my head. “I want to feel it when you come.” He straddles my face and guides his shaft back between my lips. Then he leans over and puts his mouth on me, and my whole body spasms. He sucks monstrously on my clit before circling his tongue and sucking again. I fade beneath him, melting under the oppressive heat of the arousal he’s bringing forth. Demanding to emerge. I squirm and strain, trapped under the weight of his body, concentrating on all the sensations he’s conjuring around the girth of his erection.

  I suck with everything I have, muffled moans vibrating up and down my throat.

  I widen my thighs from the demand of his tongue, his mouth acting as my maestro. Marshaling the laws of my desire until I can’t take it another second longer, until my body gives in, shuddering from the massive quake his ministrations brings on. I claw at his back as he licks up the dew from my orgasm, moaning like it’s a delectable treat.

  My form is limp and my head is light when he finally shifts on top of me. Circling his body around so his pelvis is snug against mine.

  He isn't quick to move, or maybe that’s just my perception. Everything seems to be progressing at a crawl.

  “Kira, look at me.” Ky spreads my legs and lets his gaze linger on me.

  I lift my blurry eyes to his. The blue sharp, fierce, and entrapping. I’m the animal; he’s the hunter.

  Ky hovers himself over me right before going in for the kill. A split second of delay before he thrusts into me. Fully, powerfully, taking me completely. I cry out from the force, my head spinning from the same potent ecstasy again.

  Ky fucks me hard but slow, slamming into me each time with the same measured strikes.

  I spread my legs and bow on the bed while he overtakes every inch of my body. Using all his strength and all his power to dominate my pleasure, leaving me a helpless woman beneath him.

  That twinge of anguish scorches me again, warning of another earth-shattering climax.

  “Ky,” I whine, paralyzed by the unstoppable pangs of lust and warfare on my body.

  He groans in distress, his cock thickening inside me, his hips grinding in a maddening motion.

  Something inside me cracks, just crumbles right to pieces, and I fall, spiraling into a black abyss. No sound flows out of my mouth, just a silent gasp that seems to engulf me. That holds me hostage until Ky comes so deep and violent inside me, that for a flash I split right in two.

  Ky sinks down onto my trembling body, touching me in ways so foreign I question if it’s even real.

  He traps my head, brushing his lips against my temple, then my eyes, down to my lips. We kiss as if intoxicated, doped up on desire, inebriated on stripped inhibitions.

  I crack my eyes open to steal a peek at his face. He’s in his own state, celebrating in the feel of my lips and the call of my curves.

  I try not to read too much into the moment. We were both swept away. We have insane physical chemistry, and I wouldn't want to ruin that by getting icky emotions involved. By seeing something that isn’t truly there.

  Even if it is too late. Even if I am getting attached. Ky could be easy to fall in love with, and I’d be all too willing to fall.

  I see so much of Gerard in him. So many of the same characteristics my mother adores.

  Ky isn’t Gerard, though. He has his own life, his own agenda, and I don’t think either of those include a permanent me.

  14

  Ky

  I WAKE WITH A FRIGHT.

  Flying up from my pillow, I glance around the room frantically. For no good reason, my heart is pounding, and my senses are on high alert.

  Turning on the bedside lamp, I check on Kira. She’s sleeping peacefully beside me.

  Sliding out of bed, I creep around the room, inspecting every dark corner.

  A slight gust of air tickles my bare back, and I turn to see the slider cracked open.

  I think back to earlier tonight. Did we go out on the terrace? Did Kira wake up and get some air? A million scenarios run through my head as my skin prickles from the eerie awareness.

  I walk out into the dark night, standing watch over the backyard.

  There are no sounds besides the ripple of the ocean and only the sea breeze blowing against my naked skin.

  We’re alone, as far as I can tell.

  I gaze back at Kira as she sleeps, recalling her blatant fear the first time we met. She was convinced someone is watching her, still is. I’d think it, too, if I woke up every night with the creepy crawlies.

  There’s one thing I’m certain of. If there is someone out there watching her, who wants to hurt her, they’re going to have to get through me and a barrier of Baum Squad MCs.

  IT’S MONDAY MORNING, and Kira is cramming for her last exam, reading over notes as she shovels cereal into her mouth.

  “If you don’t got it by now, Snow,” I hint the obvious. She studies just about as much as we fuck.

  “I’ve been distracted this past week.” She cocks an accusatory eyebrow at me. “I just want to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

  “You’re gonna ace it, just like all your other ones.” I have full faith in her.

  “Thank you for the vote of confidence.”

  “You’re welcome, and I promise when we get home, I’ll have a surprise waiting for you.” I nibble her neck.

  “An erection does not count as a surprise,” she jokes dryly.

  “You are no fun.” I bite her, and she squeals.

  “Stop that. You can’t send me to Paris with love bites. I will never be able to explain them with a straight face.”

  A lump forms in my throat at the mention of Paris. We haven
’t exactly talked about what’s going to happen after this exam. I’ve felt extreme pressure as the minutes ticked away this past week but never dared voice my thoughts. And now, the hour of truth is speeding toward us like a rocket, and I have no idea what to do about it. My pride is a beast, and I don’t want to come off weak. I don’t want to be the one who caves first. Who confesses their true desire. That I don’t want this to end. But Kira hasn’t dropped a single hint about staying. No matter how many emotionally charged moments we’ve had or flaming-hot physical encounters. Doubt and insecurity spring. What could I possibly offer a girl like her anyway, besides my dick? Maybe she realizes it, too. She is nothing if not pragmatic.

  “We gotta go.” She turns her head and steals a kiss before hopping off the kitchen counter stool.

  “Go. Right,” I mutter.

  Kira barely takes notice in my change in attitude, and maybe that’s a good thing. Start the separation now so it’s easier in the end.

  I drop Kira off at school for the last time, and I’m tortured with pins and needles. Watching her bounce up the stairs in her short shorts and a pretty tank top eats away at me.

  She’s mine. I mean, I want her to be fucking mine.

  I take off, aimlessly driving back and forth up and down the coast. I have three hours to kill, but Kira’s absence on the back of my bike makes the ride seem empty. Seem lonely. I’ve gotten too used to her there.

  A depressing mood sinks like a stone in my stomach. I know this feeling. It’s a dark place plagued with sadness and gloom and dejection. It’s what I felt when my father left. It’s the place I had to drag myself out of in order to go on. A place I never ever want to go back to again, and I think Kira is the one other person on this Earth who can send me there.

  Racked with indecision, I notice the time. I’m going to be late getting back to Kira, so I open the throttle and step on the gas, hurrying back to my greatest weakness and my most frustrating obstacle.

  When I pull up to the school late, I find Kira talking to that button-up wearing douchebag.

  He’s standing way too close and smiling way too much like a scumbag for my liking. Kira also told me he doesn’t like to take no for an answer. Well, let me fix that right quick.

  I pull my bike up directly in front of them. I clutch the brake and remove my helmet in a deft move, then swing my leg over the seat. I go straight for the preppy four eyes coming on to my girl.

  “You’re standing too close.” I shove him.

  “Hey, what the fuck, man?” He steps forward, and I make a fist.

  “Ky.” Kira jumps between us, pressing her hands and chest to mine.

  “You defending this nerdy prick?” I lay disloyalty on her. It helps justify my actions in my mind.

  “Ky, what the fuck are you doing?” She pushes me as I press forward. I am going to rearrange this motherfucker’s face. He bobs and weaves, unsure whether to stay and fight, or flee. He looks like a crackhead cricket, if you ask me.

  “Ky, Jesus Christ, cut it out. You’re gonna get me kicked out of school. Is that what you want?”

  I stop. “What I want is creeps like him staying the fuck away from my girl.”

  Something in Kira’s eyes goes dark. An intensity I have never seen before springs like swords from her dark irises.

  “Sebastian, get the fuck out of here. Now.” The guy hesitates for a second but ultimately decides to listen to her. She just saved your fucking ass, buddy.

  “Take me home,” she orders.

  “Fine,” I spit. “We can talk there.”

  “We’re not talking.” She clips her helmet on.

  “Oh? Are we fucking?” I’m obstinate.

  “Definitely not that either.”

  “We’ll see.” I take off.

  Once back at the house, Kira all but jumps off the bike while it’s still moving and slams the front door in my face.

  I’m still ragey, but Kira has a surprisingly calming effect.

  “So, we’re not gonna talk, and we’re not gonna fuck, so what are we going to do?” I ask as she storms through the house.

  “We’re gonna say goodbye.”

  I stop dead in my tracks. “’Scuse me?”

  “Did you not hear me? Want me to spell it out? G-O-O-D-B-Y-E.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” My voice cracks a little as panic takes over.

  “I’m going to say this once, and I’m going to be crystal clear. I’m no one’s fucking property. No one is going to control me, or tell me how to live my life, or dictate who I can be friends with.” She points and yells. “I spent my entire childhood watching my father make my mom’s life a living hell, and I won’t go through that.” Angry tears start to well in her eyes. “I won’t make the same mistakes,” she screams, and huge crystal droplets run down her pink cheeks. “Now get out.”

  “I’m not leaving,” I argue.

  “Fine, stand there.” She stomps off toward the stairs.

  “Where are you going?” I demand, quickly unraveling.

  “To pack. I have a plane to catch in the morning.” That statement does it. I shatter into twenty different pieces. “Kira, don’t go!” I howl, nearly ripping my hair out. The thought of her leaving, leaving me, I can’t bear it. “Don’t leave.” The disparity in my voice shows all my cards. All my feelings. Shows my weakness for her.

  She stops dead in her tracks and turns to face me. We are only feet apart, but it feels like an ocean is between us. “Please don’t go.” I step forward, my heart on my sleeve. “Stay with me.”

  She shakes her head in resistance. “I need you, Kira. I don’t know when it happened or how it happened, but I need you. And the thought of you getting on that plane tomorrow is slowly destroying me. It has been all week,” I finally confess.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” She sounds small, and saddened, and full of hurt.

  I shrug. “I don’t like admitting I need anything or anyone.”

  “Is that why you went after Sebastian? You felt threatened?”

  “Partially. And partially because he really was standing way too close. I’m the only one who should ever be that close to you.”

  “He was apologizing.”

  “I don’t care what he was doing. He was too close.”

  Kira rolls her eyes. They’re still wet with tears. “I’m not an object, Ky. You can’t treat me like a possession. That will never work.”

  “I just want to protect you. Isn’t that what you came to me for? To protect you?”

  Kira doesn’t appreciate that line of defense, but I’ll use everything in my arsenal to get her to stay.

  I take a step closer. She doesn’t back away, and I interpret that as a good sign. “I will never hurt you like your father. I would never try and control you or stop you from living your life.” Those tactics would never work with Kira; it’s abundantly clear. Besides, I don’t want a robot. I want what Kira has to give. A pure soul, compassionate eyes, an emotion-fueled touch.

  “You proved otherwise ten minutes ago.”

  “I just protect what’s mine.”

  “I’m not yours. You’ve never said that until right now.”

  “You’re right, because I was a coward. I wanted to claim you as mine the second you walked into my bar.”

  She has a hard time believing that. It’s written all over her gorgeous face. We didn’t exactly get off to the best start.

  “Ky, I want to believe you.”

  “So stay, and I’ll show you I’m telling the truth. I’ll show you that you can trust me. One more chance, Kira.” I take a final step closer and grab her hand. Lifting it up, I tangle our fingers together. “Please, Kira,” I actually beseech her. “Don’t go. Stay here, with me.”

  Her eyes begin to water again as she fidgets right in front of me. “Don’t break my heart, Ky. There are a lot of issues you need to work out with your father. He’s going to come back. You’ll have to hash it out if you truly want to be with me.”

 
She’s fucking right. We are going to have to hash things out. But just like Kira is the only other person who can send me to that dark place, she’s also the only one who makes me want to reconcile my relationship with my father. For Kira, I would do it. For her, I would do anything.

  “Are you saying your heart is already involved in this?” I kiss her knuckles.

  “Too much,” she admits.

  “Mine, too,” I whisper. “How did that happen?”

  “I’ll never know.” She cries frustrated tears, and I pull her close, hugging her with all my might. “How is it you can be so nice one minute and such a dick the next?”

  “It’s a gift,” I laugh.

  “You should definitely return it.” Kira wipes her wet eyes on my shirt.

  “I’ll think about it.” I press warm kisses all over her face. Silently thanking God she’s still in my arms. “The one thing I’m definitely not returning is you, Snow. You’re mine. From this moment on.”

  “No more accosting my classmates,” she stipulates.

  “Only if they deserve it,” I make no promises. I’ll accost anyone who gets in our way.

  “You're impossible.”

  “Sometimes.” I hoist her up and throw her over my shoulder.

  “Ky!” she yelps. “Where are you taking me?”

  “To bed, where else? I’m going to show you all the ways you belong to me.”

  “Sounds intense.”

  “It will be, baby.” I march up the stairs to her bedroom. I toss her on the bed with a little bounce and stand over her, casting a shadow of authority. If Kira Kendrick wants a proclamation, I’ll give her one. She’s mine. I’ve declared it. And now the whole world is going to hear her scream it.

  “Take your clothes off.” I cross my arms dominantly above her.

  Kira doesn’t rush at my authoritative command, but she does obey.

  She may not want a man controlling her life, but her pleasure is a completely different story. That I own. That I’ll wield. That I’ll control.