CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Karinna sat in a state of shock, she couldn’t believe that he actually caught her. She spread her hands. “Are you going to shoot me, Todd? Is that how ruthless and violent you really are?” Her voice trembled. He was everywhere; she couldn’t make a move without him knowing about it. It was eerie; it was like he had a sixth sense.
“Get off the horse,” he said harshly. “Do it!” He shouted.
“No!” She yelled back. “You’re going to have to shoot me I guess, cause I’m not moving.”
Todd smiled nastily. “Don’t tempt me. But it’s not you who I’d shoot.” He pointed the barrel at the horse’s head. His eyes glittered dangerously, and Karinna had no doubt that he’d murder the beautiful, innocent animal.
She hung her head defeated, and slid off the mount. Todd yanked the rains from her hands and led the horse back into the barn.
She followed him in. He was taking the saddle of the horse and whispering to it softly. He hung it back on the hook and faced Karinna. Todd pointed the .357 at her and pulled the trigger.
She gasped in fright. The barrel wasn’t loaded; all that she heard was the empty clicking of the chamber. “What the hell’s the matter with you!” She cried in fright. “How could you point that thing at me?”
He stared at her furious. “You’re lucky that I saw you sneak out of Darcy’s house like a thief, cause if I hadn’t this would have been loaded, and I might have shot you in the head, you damn fool,” he rapped out.
“And you let me think you would have shot that innocent animal?” She breathed incredulously.
“That right… I did,” he said with no trace of remorse. “And I would have if I thought I needed to, and it would have been you’re fault.” His face was unsmiling and harsh. “You seem to think this is some sort of game we’re playing. Do you not understand that Gaines wants us both dead? Where did you think you were gonna run to anyway. Huh? There’s no place that you can hide…not from me. I would have tracked you down and dragged you back here by you’re hair.”
Karinna shook her head. “I can sure believe that,” she snapped. “You are every bit as violent and ruthless as Christian…”
He crossed the space between them with astonishing speed. He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against the side of the horse’s pen. He was breathing harshly. He squeezed the soft skin lightly. “Are you comparing me to that lowlife drug dealer?” He asked softly. “Hmm…?” His thumb brushed across the pulse in her neck.
“Because if you are, then you get the hell off this property and out of my life,” he whispered. He stepped away from her, disgusted. “I’ve had it with you.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You want out so bad… then go. I really don’t give a shit.” He turned on his heel and walked out of the barn slamming the door behind him.
********************************
It was late when Karinna let herself in the bedroom. The room was pitch black, but she knew Todd was in there. She could smell his cologne. She padded to her clothes that were still thrown on the floor, and felt around for a nightgown. She went into the bathroom and shut the door silently behind her. She was soaked to the bone and shivering violently. Her long red hair hung in squiggly ropes around her face. She had a stripe of dirt on her cheek and generally looked a mess.
She sighed and turned away from the mirror, it was too depressing. She turned on the shower and stepped under the hot spray. She stood there limply and let the water beat down on her body.
Tears ran unchecked down her face. Her life was in a pile at her feet and she saw no way to rectify that. The man she used to love, was a violent criminal who wanted her dead. The man she loved now was ruthless, cold, and distrusting. It must be her. She brought out the worst in men, it seemed. She was incapable of sustaining a loving relationship.
Karinna washed her hair with Todd’s shampoo, loving the smell because it made her feel closer to him. She finished soaping and shut the taps off. She tiredly dried herself, wishing for things that just weren’t going to happen. She wrapped her hair in a towel and threw on a white cotton nightgown. It was ancient, soft, and covered her cold body from her throat to her toes. Karinna sank down on the seat of the commode and buried her head in her arms. Her body shook with sobs. She didn’t know how much longer she could continue on like this. She felt alone and scared. Todd was nowhere near loving her…he didn’t even like her.
She drew in a shaky breath. Sniffing loudly, she raised her head and froze. Todd was leaning against the doorframe watching her. His face was closed and expressionless. He stood only in a pair of black silk boxers. He walked over to her silently. His eyes never broke contact with hers. He stood behind her.
Karinna sat still and clasped her hands together on her lap. Her heart was racing in her chest.
Todd slowly removed the towel from her hair. The damp, sweet-smelling tresses rolled down her back in a tangled mess.
He reached across her and picked up a wide comb. He lightly grasped her arm and drew her to her feet. He smiled a little at her demure nightgown. She looked soft, clean, and as innocent as Starr did.
He led her into the bedroom where a fire was blazing in the hearth. “I thought you might be cold,” he murmured.
Karinna nodded slightly and said nothing. He sat her down in front of the fire and proceeded to comb out the tangles in her hair. He was gentle and thorough, untangling the snarls and smoothing out the russet hair until it fell in satiny ribbons down her back.
“That better?” He whispered in her ear. He softly kissed the tender spot behind her lobe.
“Yes,” she answered huskily. He wasn’t playing fair. But then he never did. His sexuality was a dangerous weapon and he wasn’t afraid of using it. She took a deep breath. “When I found out that I had become pregnant, I was stunned. We had always used protection because Christian hates children. I took it as a sign from God that this child was meant to be,” she whispered. Tears trickled down her face and landed on her hands.
Todd had stopped combing her hair and sat silently. He was listening. Her head was bowed and her back looked vulnerable. He gripped the comb tightly and fought a war within himself, a part of him wanted to gather her up in his arms and hold her. He remained where he was and said nothing. Karinna continued. “After the shock wore off, I was ecstatic. This was my child, not Christians. I didn’t want him to have a thing to do with the pregnancy. I was more determined than ever to leave him. I knew once he found out, I’d be bound to him forever. I feared for my baby’s life with him as a father. But my baby never got the chance to live,” she trembled.
“Christian found out I was pregnant and was furious. He… he called me every name you can think of. I was stupid, irresponsible, and a golddigger,” she laughed a little hysterically. “Can you believe that? I would have done anything to escape him. To once and for all be rid off him.” She ran a shaking hand through her hair.
“We argued and he began hitting me, and I blacked out for a couple of minutes. When I regained consciousness he was already on top of me…and…forcing himself in me,” she said breathlessly. “He liked it when that happened, it… it was like the closest he could come to having sex with a…a…dead person,” she breathed, sickened.
She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to tamp down the rising panic that was engulfing her. She was trembling uncontrollably as she relived the whole nightmare again.
“He kept… ramming himself in me until…” she covered her face in her hands, the tears were coming and she couldn’t stop them. “Until I began to hemorrhage…I lost my baby on the floor of his bedroom…” She couldn’t continue, she pulled her knees up to her chest and choked back her tears. Todd lifted her arms and placed them around his neck. He carried her to the bed and held her while she wept. “Shh… it’s okay. Please don’t cry…don’t cry,” he whispered softly. He felt like an animal for accusing her of doing away with her child. He should have known better.
He leaned his head back, squeezing his eyes shut. Gaines was a dead man. And he was going to be the one to kill him. He didn’t shy away from doing unpleasant things; he knew that about himself. He faced it a long time ago and he now embraced it. Murdering Gaines was going to be extremely pleasurable; he began to think it out.
Karinna released a ragged sigh. She sat up and looked at him. “Do you believe me, Todd?
“About the pregnancy? Yeah…I do,” he said quietly. “I don’t think you’d make up something like that. But I’ve been lied to a lot in my life, Karinna. I hate it and I despise liars,” he couldn’t keep the anger out of his tone.
Karinna tensed. “I’m not a liar, Todd. You always think the absolute worst of me…why? What did I do to deserve that?
Then tonight, you tried everything you could to humiliate me in front of Darcy. You were all over her and she didn’t seem to mind one little bit. You’re a game player, Todd. I don’t play games with people… or their feelings, you seem to thrive on it.”
Todd stared hard at her. “You don’t know a damn thing about me, so please…shut up. And what are you talking about? You lied to me from the beginning about everything. You didn’t tell me a thing, and when you did, it was because I forced your hand… or you got caught.
Nothing, except what you told me about the baby tonight was of your own free will. You’re the one who’s the game player, Karinna. Not me. And as for Darcy…I meant everything I did and said to her, you should know me well enough to know that I don’t bullshit.” Bullshit, you did it to piss her off and you know it.
Karinna shook her head in disgust. “Yeah…you’re right. I should know better.”
She was a stupid fool to believe that he attached any kind of tender feelings towards her. He obviously had none. Any he had were directed towards Darcy.
She lay down on the bed and turned her back to him. “I’ve had a long miserable day and I just want it to end,” she said in a remote voice. “Goodnight.”
He grasped her by the shoulders and flipped her so that she faced him. “Don’t you turn you’re back on me, “ he snapped. He irrationally turned his back to her. “Because I’m turning my back on you.”
“Fine…Good!” She yelled. She burrowed her head into the pillow and fought back a fresh batch of tears.
They lay with their backs to each other. Silent, angry, hurt and confused, with an ocean of misunderstanding between them.
*****************************
Todd woke slowly and found himself draped over Karinna. His leg was thrown over the both of hers and his hand was cupping the soft delta between her thighs. “Jesus,” he muttered. His cock was painfully erect. He slid his hand over her stomach and lightly glanced her breast with his fingertips. Karinna didn’t stir, she was asleep looking beautiful and at peace. Todd sighed deeply and eased himself off of her. She whispered his name and snuggled deeper into the pillow.
He felt his heart leap in his chest. It was all he could do to keep from getting back into bed with her and kiss her awake. He closed his eyes, remembering how it felt to be inside her. He looked down at her and chewed his lip. He sighed again and ran his fingers through his hair. He turned to take a shower, wishing he were instead making love to Karinna.
*********************************
Darcy and Gabriel Escobar were seated in the living room when Todd walked down stairs. They both turned when saw him and Gabriel rose to his feet.
“Hi Todd, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.” Darcy got up and introduced the two men. “This is Gabriel Escobar, he’s an undercover agent with the DEA. Gabriel, this is my friend Todd Manning.”
Todd nodded his head slightly. “Hey.” He stood and sized the other man up.
Gabriel Escobar was of Spanish decent. He was tall, athletic, and extremely handsome. Jet black hair was perfectly cut and styled. He had a movie star face and dimples on either side of his full mouth. He smiled whitely and offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.” His voice had just enough of an accent to make him irresistible to women.
Todd slowly took his hand and squeezed. “Same here,” he said coolly. Something about the man rubbed him the wrong way. “So,” he cut his eyes to Darcy. “Was you’re friend here able to help us with Gaines?”
Before Darcy could even answer Gabriel’s face broke into a dazzling smile. “Karinna? Hey…what are you doing here?” He strode over to the foot of the stairs and swung her up in his arms.
“Gabriel!” She exclaimed happily. She hugged him and kissed him on his lean cheek. “I though you were in South America. When did you get back?” She held the both of his hands in hers. Her face was radiant and excited.
Gabriel laughed attractively. “I only just got back one week ago. I am still feeling the time change.”
Darcy was amazed. “How do you two know each other?”
Todd walked over to the two of them. The look on his face was murderous. He rudely cut in front of Gabriel and stood toe to toe with Karinna. His eyes were glittering like a cobra’s. “Yeah…I’d like to know the answer to that question myself.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Todd narrowed his eyes. Gone were the blue jeans and sweater of yesterday. Today she was elegant and sexy. The wine colored silk shirt and slacks set off her exotic looks. Her hair was a shinning, rippled mane around her perfectly made up face. She was beautiful and wild.
It irritated Todd to no end. She looked like every man’s fantasy and the fact that this Gabriel asshole knew her so well, sent him out of his head with jealousy. “Where do you two know each other from?” He rapped out. Karinna licked her full lips. “Were friends, Todd. Kinda like you and Darcy,” she said silkily. Her eyes shone slyly, like a cat. “We go back a long way. Excuse me won’t you?” She stepped around Todd and put her arm through Gabriel’s.
Todd bunched his jaw and watched them stroll arm and arm to the couch. He walked straight to the bar and poured himself a shot of Scotch. It didn’t matter that it was ten o’clock in the morning. It was either do that or hit the son of a bitch in his handsome, stupid face.
Darcy hid a smile. “You two go way back, huh?”
Gabriel put an affectionate arm around Karinna’s shoulders. “Yes. We grew up in the same neighborhood. Our parent’s went to the same church, heck…we even took bathes together.”
Karinna laughed. “Well, that was a really long time ago. If I remember correctly you kept trying to dunk my head under the water and drown me…”
“I hate to break up this touching little reunion,” Todd interrupted snidely.
“But I really don’t think Gabe here came to catch up on old times, now didja?”
The moment was uncomfortable and strained. Gabriel pulled Karinna a little closer. “Hey…I’m just trying to get reacquainted with an old friend,” he said easily. His black eyes were hard and staring.
Todd smiled nastily. “Hey…I’m just trying to keep the lady from getting a bullet in her head, and me right along with her. So why don’t you get the hell up, and tell us what the fuck you know.” He had moved to the middle of the room and was standing with his legs spread apart arrogantly.
If that bastard thought he was gonna put his hands all over his woman he had a big surprise coming. You’re woman? Where did that come from?
He ignored his stupid conscious, and glared at Escobar.
Gabriel rose smoothly and squared off in front of Todd. He grinned, displaying his perfect white teeth in a perfect white smile. “I’m right here,” he said mildly. He flexed his shoulders slightly.
Todd took a threatening step towards him, when Darcy crossed the room and took Gabriel by his arm. “He just got here Todd and I don’t even know what’s up yet. So why don’t we all just have some coffee and chill out…okay?” She turned to Gabriel. “Come on,” she smiled. “I want to hear all about the action in Columbia…” Their voices trailed off as they walked into the dining room.
Karinna pushed herself off from the couch and went to join them. In a heartbeat Todd was across the room. He pushed Karinna back down and straddled her. He lifted her chin with his thumb. “This isn’t over,” he threatened. “Later you and I are gonna talk, and you’re gonna tell me just how well you know this Spanish asshole.”
Karinna set her jaw. “You are not the boss of me,’ she breathed.
Todd smiled silkily. “We’ll see about that.” He laced his fingers through her hair and slanted his open mouth over hers in a scorching kiss. He licked the inside of her mouth and drew her bottom lip between his teeth.
Karinna moaned and reached up to cup his face. Her love for him was at this moment, as equal as her anger. She slid her hands down the front of him and unbuttoned his shirt. Karinna lightly scratched his nipples until they hardened.
He pulled apart the collar of her shirt and sank his teeth into the soft flesh of her throat. He sucked in the skin hard and moaned deeply. With a shuddering sigh he dragged his mouth from the warm hollow of her throat. His chest was rising and falling rapidly. His long hair was framing his face like a mane. He ran his thumb over her lip and then licked it. He rose and stared down at her. “I own you, Karinna,” he said breathlessly. Who the hell are you trying to kid? It’s YOU she owns.
He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. He pulled her up and stood nose to nose with her. “Like I said…this isn’t over. Let’s go…I wanna hear what this moron has to say.”
Karinna went to straighten herself, when Todd put a restraining hand on her. He raised a glossy eyebrow. He spread the collar of her shirt a little wider. He tipped his head. “There, that’s just perfect,” he remarked. He offered his arm, and Karinna slid her hand through it. She would never in her life begin to know what made him tick. They walked into the dining room and Todd pulled her chair out for her.
Karinna slid in and smiled shakily at Darcy and Gabriel. “Have I missed anything?” She asked.
Darcy glanced at Karinna and smiled. “No. Gabriel and I were just catching up on old times.”
Todd sat next to Karinna and poured himself a cup of coffee. He blew gently on the fragrant brew and said nothing.
Gabriel stared at Karinna’s throat and his eyes narrowed a fraction. He locked eyes with Todd who was leaning back with a gloating, satisfied expression on his face. He casually put an arm behind Karinna’s chair and sipped his coffee.
Karinna frowned and wondered why Gabriel was staring at her so strangely. Darcy had a large mirror on the wall behind her and Karinna peered in it. She gasped softly. She had a large hickey on the side of her throat. She shot Todd a look. He smiled at her innocently. Karinna knew better, he wasn’t innocent a day in his life. No wonder why he wanted her collar opened… the rat! She slunk down in her chair a little and stared at the woven place mat, mortified.
Todd set his coffee cup down decisively. “So,” he began. “Do you know anything about Christian Gaines or not?”
Gabriel nodded. “Not much, but I’ll tell you what I do know. His is under investigation with both the DEA and the FBI. They know he’s a dealer but they just don’t have enough hard evidence to take him to court.”
“So basically you’re telling us nothing that we don’t already know,” said Todd, disgusted. He turned to Darcy. “This is your big contact?” He asked snidely.
Gabriel face was a tight, angry mask. “You know, I am getting really sick of you’re attitude. Who the hell do you think you are anyway?” Todd grinned coldly. “Someone who could buy and sell you a thousand times over. Why the hell don’t you leave, huh? You are absolutely useless.” Gabriel stood up so quickly that his chair knocked backwards. “Hey man, why don’t you come on over and make me,” he threatened.
Todd threw back his head and laughed. He got up slowly and flexed his shoulders. “I’m right here, asshole,” he said, all traces of humor gone from his face.
Karinna and Darcy stood at the same time. Darcy threw an angry look at Todd. “This is ridiculous,” she said. “Gabriel is a friend who did me a favor by even coming here. I won’t have you treat him this way Todd.” Todd stared at Darcy amazed. “What was the big favor? Telling us a bunch of second hand information that we already know?” He laughed harshly. “Some favor.”
Karinna spoke up. “Darcy is right. Besides, you haven’t even let Gabriel finish what he was saying.” She glanced at Gabriel. “Is there anything else that we should know?” She asked softly.
Gabriel smiled at her. “He’s been spotted in the bay area and most likely is holed up somewhere in San Francisco.”
Todd rolled his eyes. “Tell us something we don’t know,” he muttered.
“Yeah…well do you have any suggestions on how to get to Gaines?” Gabriel sneered. “You have any information you’d like to share?”
Karinna began to speak, but Todd placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed hard. “I’ve been too busy keeping her alive to go searching for any evidence against Gaines.”
“Todd,” began Karinna. Todd glared at her and she immediately fell silent. Why didn’t he just say that he had Christian’s record pages?
Darcy sighed in frustration. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. Gabriel, come with me into my office. Maybe we can dig something up.” Gabriel nodded. He and put a hand on Karinna’s arm. “We’ll catch up later, okay?” He shot Todd a glare and followed Darcy out of the room.
Karinna was furious. “Well I hope you’re happy. You behaved like a…a big jerk!”
Todd looked bored. “What’s the matter? Jealous that he went with Darcy?”
Karinna laughed harshly. “You’re incredible you know that? What’s you’re problem? And how come you didn’t tell Gabriel about the pages you ripped out of Christian’s book?”
Todd bunched his jaw. “Keep you’re voice down,” he snapped. “If I find out you breathed a word of that to him, Karinna…” He loomed over her and placed his hand behind her neck. “I swear it, I’ll let you fend Christian off yourself.”
He let her go. “I have to go out for awhile. Can I trust you to stay put or do I have to treat you like a child and lock you in our room?”
Karinna clenched her fists. “That’s not necessary,” she said stiffly. Where are you going anyway?”
Todd stared coolly at her. “That’s none of your business,” he said remotely.
He turned and walked out of the room.
Karinna sank down in her chair and wondered how such an offhand comment could hurt so much.
*******************************
Karinna sat curled on Darcy’s sofa flipping through a magazine. She sighed and put it down. She glanced at her watch. Nine o’clock. Todd had been gone for hours. Where was he? Who was he with? Pushing aside that unwanted thought, Karinna rose and wandered aimlessly though the living room. The thought of him with another woman made her physically sick to her stomach. She looked up and saw Gabriel approaching her. She smiled wanly. “Hi.”
Gabriel stood in front of her. “Boy, you looked a thousand miles away.” He smiled bitterly. “I guess I don’t have to ask who you were thinking about, huh? God, Karinna…what do you see in that guy? He’s an arrogant jerk.” Karinna sighed. “Please don’t talk about him that way, Gabe. He’s not really. He saved my life. He’s just…difficult at times.”
“Uh…yeah. That’s an understatement. You’re wasting you’re time with him. You deserve a lot better.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she whispered. Tears filled her eyes and ran down her face. What if Todd just got sick of this whole mess and decided to leave her here? What if she never saw him again? She had no idea where he lived. She really didn’t know a thing about him. Except how his lips felt on hers. And how he made her feel alive and whole whenever he was around.
Gabriel shook his head. “Come here,” he said softly. He pulled her into his arms and patted her back. “It’s okay, Karinna,” he murmured. “I’m sorry if I said anything to hurt you.”
The loud slamming of a door startled the both of them. They jumped apart guiltily.
Todd stood silently and glared at the two of them. He took a long pull on the cigar he was smoking and blew it out slowly through his nostrils. The effect was sinister. He smiled whitely. “Well…looks like I interrupted something.”
Karinna nervously ran her hands through her hair. “Uh…Todd what you saw…”
“What you saw was me comforting her,” said Gabriel with a smug look on his face. “She looked like she needed a hug, comprende?”
Todd casually threw the cigar in the fireplace. He walked over to Gabriel. “Si, I comprende very well,” he remarked. As quick as lightening Todd punched Gabriel in the face.
Gabriel never saw it coming and dropped like a stone. Todd stood over him. “Did ya comprende that, asshole?”
“Todd!” Karinna yelled. “What on earth is the matter with you!” She hunched over Gabriel. “Are you okay?” Gabriel rolled to his feet and pushed Karinna aside.
His hands were up around his face. He stepped in and quickly jabbed Todd in the face. Todd dodged the punch and kicked him sharply behind his kneecap. Gabriel grunted but stayed on his feet.
Karinna put herself between the two men. “Stop it! Just stop it!” She screamed. “Todd leave him alone, this is insane!” She grasped his arm and shook him slightly.
He narrowed his eyes and glared at her. “How touching…taking up for your lover? Is that where you spent the day? In bed?”
Karinna slapped him hard across his face. “How dare you say that to me you son of a bitch,” her eyes were molten in her pale face.
Todd jerked her to him roughly. “Get out of my sight.” His lips barely moved when he spoke. He looked like he might actually strike her.
Karinna spun on her heel and raced up the stairs. She ran into their room and shut the door behind her, locking it.
She was breathing heavily. She heard raised voices downstairs and then a door being slammed. She heard the heavy pounding of the stairs being taken two at a time.
The knob to her door was turned. She jumped when she felt the vibration of violent banging against her back. “Karinna!” Todd shouted. “Open this Goddamn door!”
“No!” She yelled.
“If you don’t open this door by the time I count to three, I’m kicking it in.”
“Todd, just…”
“ONE!”
“Please, Todd…”
“TWO!”
Karinna ran across the room and clasped her hands together staring at the door with apprehension.
The wood splintered as the door flew open. Todd strode in and kicked it shut behind him. He stood breathing harshly. He advanced towards her deliberately. “You’re gonna pay for hitting me, Karinna. I promise you,” he whispered.
Her heart was banging in her chest. He looked furious and for the first time she felt real fear curl around her. It was like Christian all over again, and the thought of it sent her anger out of control. “I’m getting sick of your threats, Todd. Your nothing but a bully and I’m fed up. How dare you be angry with me anyway? I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of.”
Todd stopped a foot in front of her. “You and your lover looked pretty tight to me, baby,” he said insultingly.
“Well, if he were my lover he’d be a damn sight better than you!” She shouted. She bit the words off and immediately wished she could have taken them back. They reverberated around the room like a gunshot blast.
Todd took a slight step back. His eyes darkened and a look of icy calm stole across his face.
Karinna licked her dry lips. Why did she always let her mouth get her into trouble? She just insulted his male ego. The one thing she knew about Todd was that he didn’t take to kindly to comparisons.
“Todd…I didn’t…”
“Shut up.” He ripped her blouse in two. The buttons landed on the hardwood floor like marbles. He put the palm of his hand on her chest and pushed her against the wall. “Your Spanish lover is better than me, huh?” Inside he was insecure and reeling. He knew that Gabriel was handsome. And he felt lacking because of it. It was a new and horrible experience; he was pretty grounded when it came to his physical appearance. He never worried about his looks before, but he did now. Ever since that Goddamn Escobar came on the scene. It’s this fucking scar, puts some women off. Why the hell would she want me, when she could have the Latino pretty boy?
He unbuttoned her slacks and yanked them down. Karinna put her hands on his wrists. “I’m sorry I said that, Todd. We were never lovers, ever. I just said that because I was angry.”
“You lie,” he said in a gruff voice. “You ALL lie.” He roughly unhooked her bra and let it drop to the ground. “But, I’m gonna prove you wrong, Karinna. It’s gonna be my name on you’re lips when I make you come,” he whispered.
He bent his head and slanted his open mouth across hers. He rubbed and teased until she was trembling. Todd’s heart was pounding like a jackhammer in his chest. She felt so soft…so good. He’d missed her today, and it’d been a long time since he felt that way about a woman. “Goddamn you,” he groaned against her neck. Passion and anger were warring inside him.
He ran his hands up her ribcage and glanced his thumbs over her nipples. She sighed softly. “Feel good, Karinna? Better than Gabriel?” He looked hard at her. He had a finger hold on his composure. He wanted more than anything to lay her down and love her gently, but the dark side of him overtook his sensibility. He couldn’t help it and he couldn’t stop it. “I told you…there is nothing between us but friendship,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Shut up, I don’t want to hear it,” he breathed. He licked her nipples and bit gently, drawing the hard bud in his mouth. He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her breasts and glided his tongue in between the sensitive hollow.
She moaned and ran her fingers through his silky hair and drew his head closer to her. She kissed the side of his face and turned his head so she could capture his sensual mouth. He drew back and dropped her lightly to her feet. He wouldn’t allow it. He was the one who was in control.
Her breathing was light and shallow.
He kissed the side of her neck. “Do you want me?’
“Yes,” she moaned.
“How much do you want me?” He looked into her eyes and tiptoed his fingers down her stomach. They toyed with the elastic waistband of her panties before he plunged them inside to the soft core of her.
“I asked you a question,” he said in a low, sexy voice. “How much?” Karinna whimpered and bit her lip. She was incapable of speech; the only thing she knew was that his hands upon her was the most divine feeling she ever experienced.
“Cat got your tongue?” He separated her with his fingers. “Well…I guess I’ll just have to find out won’t I?” He dipped his finger into her and smiled. She was satiny and wet. He shut his eyes briefly as desire ran through him like a flame. “Yes, you want me,” he whispered. “Don’t you?” He found the little bead and began circling it slowly. He stopped and drew his hand up to his mouth and licked his finger erotically.
Karinna stared at him through dilated eyes. He sank to his knees and pressed his face into her. He delved his tongue deeply into her and drank her in. He blew on her softly and flicked his tongue lightly back and forth over her distended clitoris.
Karinna flexed her hips and shuddered. “Todd…please…oh…please,” she whispered.
He knew she was close and he stopped. He rose slowly and looked at her.
“Please what?” He kissed her deeply. “Please what?” He rasped. Karinna was drowning with passion for him. “I…god… I want you so bad, baby. Please…I want to feel you inside me…”
Todd turned her so that she was facing the wall. She heard the metallic zip of his pants being undone. She moaned in anticipation of what was to come. He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her. He slowly lowered her so that she impaled herself on his velvety shaft.
They both sighed and began moving. Karinna braced her hands on the wall and was gasping as though she ran a marathon. “Yes,” she whispered. “Oh sweetheart, you feel so good.”
Todd kept up the deliciously slow tempo. He raised her up until he was almost out of her then slowly brought her down on him until he filled her completely.
He glided his hand in front of her and began circling her clitoris as Karinna increased the rhythm. She began to shudder and make sexy little noises at the back of her throat.
Todd nipped her earlobe. “Who’s inside you?” He asked roughly.
“Who’s making you come?”
“You,” she moaned.
“Say my name,” he said breathlessly. “Say my name…”
Her orgasm was violent. “Todd,” she sighed. “I love you. I love you so much, baby. There is no one else but you,” she chanted erotically.
Todd crossed his arms in front of her and came. He bit her neck and moaned deeply. Goosebumps broke out on his arms. He had never had this intense of an orgasm before, and it shook him to his soul. It frightened him. He briefly laid his head on her shoulder and kissed it softly. They stayed in that position for a while until their heartbeats slowed.
He was still rock hard, but he lifted her off him and zipped up. There was still so much between them. And he was angry, and confused. He didn’t trust her. He turned her around and stared at her. He bent and picked up her shirt and wordlessly handed it to her.
She wrapped the shirt protectively around her body. Karinna swallowed hard. She opened her heart to him and told him she loved him, and he hadn’t uttered a word. Her heart began pounding in her chest. How could he have made such erotic and passionate love to her and look so distant and remote now?
“I’m gonna sleep in the other bedroom, okay?”
“Why,” she asked faintly. Her eyes filled with tears. She forced them back; she refused to cry in front of him.
“Because I don’t want to share a room with you right now,” he said quietly.
Karinna nodded. “I see, and what are your reasons?” She knew she was close to sounding pathetic but she just couldn’t stop herself.
Todd sighed. “I don’t want to get into it right now. I’ve had a long day, most of it driving, and I’m tired. All I want to do is go to sleep.”
“Where were you? “ She asked lightly. Please, don’t tell me it’s none of my business.
His eyes flickered slightly. “I saw my daughter,” he said gruffly. He ran his fingers through his hair agitatedly. “I don’t like to be separated from her for this long.”
Karinna felt terrible. She was the reason he and his child were separated. “Oh. I’m glad you were able to spend some time with her,” she whispered. He looked at her expressionlessly. “I’ll…uh…just say goodnight then.”
“Goodnight, Todd,” she said faintly.
He turned and walked out of the room without looking back. He leaned against the door outside her room. His eyes filled with tears and he took a shuddering breath before walking slowly to the spare bedroom.
Karinna lay on the bed and drew her knees to her chest. She had never in her life felt as alone as she did right at that moment. She took a painful breath as the tears ran unchecked down her face.
*****************************
“Are you sure their both there?” The voice asked sharply.
“Yes, I’m positive. He’s staying there and the girl is with him.” The evil laughter vibrated in the caller’s ear.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Find what I’m looking for and then kill them all.”
To be continued…
