Page 81 of Screwged for Christmas

It didn’t matter what my birth certificate said. The media and old cronies of Savage Ink’s board members would do everything in their power to ruin Mason. I couldn’t have that.

“You have nothing to hide from, do you hear me? Not when you’re with me. And, Allison, I’m not going anywhere.”

I hesitate for a moment before nodding slowly. I want this man, this stranger. For the first time in my life I wonder if by some odd chance I just might have a chance at a happy future.

“I want to hear every cry of pleasure you want to give me, and some I force, from those beautiful, sweet lips. And remember, Allison. I get what I want.”

Just the tease of his words sends a warmth spilling from my center to wet the thin strip of my thong.

He studies me for a moment, standing over me protectively. His massive shoulders blocking out everything but the view of him looking down at me. I suck in my lower lip despite trying to break the habit for months now, peering up at him. With nothing but the couch behind me, he’s supporting my weight and I have to admit, I feel safe. Maybe for the first time in my life.

“As long as I’m here you’ll never have to fear anyone or anything again.”

I can’t help the blush that fills my cheeks. I don’t know why but his words touch a part of my heart I feared no one would. Out of self-preservation or the thought of no one ever wanting a drug addict’s bastard daughter, I don’t know for sure. Maybe both, but it’s my truth.

I clutch the thick material of my shawl that somehow made it past all his ambitious pleasuring of my nipples, making sure it’s still firmly wrapped around my arms. “No one has ever said those words to me before.”

Caught off guard by the gentle yet sudden jerk and yank of his other hand, I gasp and clutch my now bare arms. My shawl lay at my feet in a pool of white.

Scared he would see the truly ugly side of my life, I pull my long hair forward to cover my arms so he can’t see what lay hidden beneath all that material.

I stood before him, my heavy breasts quivering with the need to feel his mouth back on me, yet scared of the renewed fire in his eyes.

I feel the moment his gaze touches the colored marks on my arms. Like an uncontained wildfire the heat in his eyes morphs into a rage as I look on.

He was furious on my behalf. Never in my life have I ever thought I would need someone as much as I did at that moment. Like I wasn’t alone in the dark, cold world and for once could release some of my burdens.

I try to tell myself how crazy it sounds. I mean, I just met the man, basically broke into his library and fondled his rare book collection, but there’s no denying how he makes me feel.

Safe.

Protected.

And cared for, I add to my mental checklist of crazy emotions he’s pulling from me.

He strokes his hands down my arms and I can feel his gaze on the dark, fresh bruises from my uncle.

Until now I didn’t notice the warm fire in the hearth or the Christmas tree. He’d been my one hundred percent focus.

Their combined light bathe the room in a soft glow and I know he can see every single fingerprint my uncle left on me. The light gleams in his eyes and highlights the murder written all over his face.

“Who did this to you, angel? Who dared touch you with such violence?”

His expression said he already knew the answer. But that didn’t change how hard it was to voice the name.

Unlike with my uncle, I’m not scared of the anger I see in Mason’s eyes. He’s beautiful, enormous and for the moment I know he’s all mine. I can’t explain why I feel safe with someone I met no more than an hour ago, but if fate is to be believed, I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

With gentle fingers he pulls back the long blonde locks of my hair to reveal my bare shoulders and neck. Deep rumbling growls climb up his chest.

“Did your uncle do this to you?” he asks me so softly I tremble with the amount of anger I feel pouring off of him.

I hesitate to answer, looking over his shoulder instead. I try to control my racing heart but it’s no use.

He slides a finger under my chin and tilts my gaze to him with a gentle touch. “You will not fear me. Erase that from your face right now. Hear me one more time, Allison. I will never hurt you. Lay a finger on you outside of giving you only the deepest pleasure I can. You will trust me in everything I do and everything I say because while you refuse to be like your uncle, I am not the lies you hear passed around. You’ll only get the truth from me. And one thing the gossip rounds have left out about me is that I keep my word. Always.”

I nod, anchoring myself to the here and now from the power of his words and the truth I see staring back at me is all I need to know. Life on the streets made me a quick study of people. There wasn’t any other option when men rotated in and out of my life at the whim of my mother’s addiction. It was either learn the hard way or be faster than the pieces of crap that thought having a little fun with the junkie’s daughter was a suitable pastime.

I was fast and smart.

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