Avenge Me

He tugged back on her hip and thrust hard, driving himself in to the hilt. He cursed again and started moving inside of her, the pain gradually decreasing, pleasure slowly blooming in her stomach and spreading outward.

All of the fire, the need, from every touch, every tease, every glance since she’d first seen him came roaring through her, the heat threatening to consume her completely.

He moved his hand between her legs, his fingers teasing her in time with his thrusts. “Come for me,” he said. “Come for me now.”

His words hit just as his fingertip brushed against her clit, just as he filled her with another hard thrust, and pushed her over the edge.

Her release was hard. Bursting inside of her, leaving shock waves of heat behind. Leaving her shaking, her shoulders aching.

He let out a harsh growl, both of his hands tight on her hips, fingertips digging into her skin, his hold so hard she thought it might leave a bruise. And in the wake of her orgasm, she prayed it did.

That there would be a physical brand of what he’d done to her. How he’d changed her.

There was no sound in the room beyond their splintered breathing. Until his voice broke the silence.

“Damn,” he said, his forehead resting on her shoulder blade, his breath hot on her skin. “You should have said something.”

“I wasn’t allowed to talk,” she said.

He swore again, reaching over and tugging her hand from around the bedpost. He moved away from her and started to untie her hands. “You should have told me.”

“What exactly?”

“You have blood on your legs,” he said, his tone grim.

“Oh. That.”

“The fact that you were a virgin should have come up,” he growled. “How the hell were you a virgin?”

“You’re so sure I was?” she asked, feeling shaken. Unsure of what to do with herself.

“Yes,” he said, though he didn’t sound sure now.

“You an expert?”

“I’m not. That’s the thing. Never done that before, but then, that’s why it seemed different.” He turned away from her and discarded the condom in a wastebasket by the bed.

“Or maybe I just feel different. Maybe I’m just different,” she said, only realizing after that the statement sounded just a little needy.

“Are you going to tell me you weren’t a virgin?”

“I don’t get why you’re angry,” she said.

“Because!” he shouted, turning back around, his chest pitching sharply. “You let that be your first time? What the hell is wrong with you? Didn’t I warn you?”

She bit the inside of her cheek and rubbed her wrist, where the tie had left red marks on her skin. “You don’t even know my name. Why would I tell you how many men I’ve been with?”

“Or haven’t been with.”

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “I got what I wanted.”

He curled his lip. “How could that have given you anything you wanted?”

“It just did. Also not something I need to share with you. My reasons are mine. And I’m sure your reasons for getting off on telling a woman to get on her knees and suck your dick are yours. But you know what? It’s none of my business.”

“You should go,” he said.

“Actually,” she said, getting off the bed, her ankle rolling thanks to her damn four-inch heels, “I should. I... Thanks for the sex, or whatever it is you people of sophistication say in situations like this. I am just a poor, hapless virgin, so I’m at a loss.”

“Get your clothes.”

“I’m not taking orders from you right now,” she spat, bending down to get her dress. “If you’re in the mood to give orders, though, order me a car. How about that?”

“No problem.” He bent down and picked his pants up, tugging his phone out of his pocket. “Send the car up front. You’re just picking up my friend for now.”

He hung up and she stood there, her dress crushed against her breasts. He was still naked. Still beautiful beyond reason.

And still bleeding emotion. It was hemorrhaging between them. Their needs mixing, mingling into one giant pool of regret.

“I have a feeling we’re both a bit too many levels of screwed up to be able to deal with each other,” she said, looking down at the ground. At her feet, still clad in those patent-leather black high heels.

“I imagine you’re right.”

She stepped into her dress and zipped it up. And they stood there. Like two strangers. Like he hadn’t been inside of her only a few moments ago.

Like he hadn’t left marks on her. Inside and out.

His phone buzzed. “That would be your car.”

“Spiffy.” She turned, and the moment she couldn’t see him anymore, her heart squeezed so tight she thought she would suffocate. “Hey, before I go,” she said, turning partially, “did you want my name?”

He shook his head. “I don’t need it.”

More than that, he didn’t want it. She could see it. That he was almost afraid of it. Afraid to put a name to the virgin he’d just violated, or whatever the hell issue he was having. Afraid to have a name for the woman he was throwing out only minutes after having sex with her.

“Katy,” she said, her hand on the doorknob. “My name is Katy Michaels. It was nice to have met you.”

Chapter Three (#ulink_56d42c0b-209b-5fe9-b4f2-0c0945060e79)

My name is Katy Michaels.

Those words kept echoing in his ears. They had been for three days.

Because he knew that name.

Sarah had talked about Katy. Her younger sister. One of her inspirations for working so hard. One of the reasons, in the end, why she’d put up with Jason’s abuse instead of leaving the firm.

Because there weren’t a lot of ways out of the pit of poverty. Not easy ways. Many needed a hand-up, that was for sure. But there were very few people willing to give one without strings attached.