And I was still in prison when I got out, living like a machine, so I wouldn’t make any mistakes, and I wanted to fucking feel something. I wanted to push and pull and fight and fuck and own this whole goddamn world again.

I wanted to take.

I squeezed my eyes shut, reveling in how beautiful she felt. Releasing her hair, I ran my hands over her ass, wishing there was enough light to see if it was still red from the spanking.

I grabbed her hips and just held on as she took over, pushing back into me, sliding up and down my cock.

“Hey, Kai!” someone shouted. “Yo, where are you?”

Will.

Fuck.

Banks gasped, and I clamped a hand over her mouth, standing us both up with my dick still inside her.

“Shhhh,” I warned in her ear. Pinning her against the wall, I spread her legs wider, pulled off my shirt, and held her tight, continuing my thrusts.

But then Alex’s voice came, too. “Banks!”

What the hell? I clamped my hand tighter the more Banks started to moan.

“Is he here? Did she find him?” I heard Alex ask.

“I don’t know. His car is still out front,” Will added. “Kai!”

Banks pulled away from my hand. “They dropped me off,” she whispered. “They’re probably checking to make sure I found you. We should stop.”

“No.” I kissed her neck, feeling my orgasm coming as I groped her breast.

“Ah,” she whimpered. “Go harder. Please.”

I kissed her lips and cheek, her ear and neck, everywhere I could reach as I held her hard against me.

“Yeah, yeah…oh, God.”

I put my hand over her mouth again, but we were so close, I didn’t really give a shit if Will and Alex heard us. Only that Banks would be embarrassed when she came to her senses.

“You weren’t built for them,” I said in her ear as I reached around and rubbed her clit. “Not Damon or Gabriel or anyone else. You were made for me, and I want you in my bed tonight.”

“I’m not sleeping in that shithole.”

I smacked her on the ass, and her breath caught before she reached around and grabbed the back of my neck, kissing me with a laugh.

I didn’t know if Alex and Will had left or not, but I didn’t hear anything anymore, so they either split or heard the noises pouring out of the confessional and then split of their own accord.

I rubbed her faster and faster, thrusting as deep as I could. “Come on, baby. Come on.”

“Kai,” she whimpered.

And then her body tightened up, freezing in place, and just holding on as I pounded, bringing her ass back into me harder and harder.

She cried out, coming and breathing hard as she went limp, letting it wrack through her body.

God, I wished I knew what was in her head at that moment.

A few more seconds, I reach my climax and thrust, spilling inside of her and my fingers clenching the sweat-soaked skin of her hips.

She held fast to the little counter, desperate for air in the now stuffy confessional as little moans escaped her.

Pleasure swept through my entire body, and I felt dizzy as I rested my forehead into her back.

She was incredible.

But holy shit, my mom would kill me if she knew what I’d just done and where. I didn’t really care, though. This was me, and this is what we do.

A buzzing sound came from somewhere, and I paused, wondering if it was my phone or hers and if we should just let it go.

But slowly, she pulled away and dipped down to retrieve her jeans.

She dug the phone out, and I saw a green light flash, knowing it was hers that had been buzzing.

She swiped the screen and tapped a few times, then read.

“What is it?” I asked, seeing her just stand there frozen.

She dropped her hand to her side, not looking at me.

“Vanessa arrived early,” she said quietly. “She’s here in Thunder Bay.”

Banks

Present

The faint ding-dong of the doorbell carried up to Damon’s room, and I closed the lid to Kore’s tank, walking to the window. The limo my father sent for Kai sat out front.

My stomach knotted. It was time to meet Vanessa, and I didn’t want him in this house with her. I didn’t want her anywhere near him. Why did he come?

I swung open the bedroom door and descended the stairs, hearing my heart beat in my ears. I could tell him I wanted to stay with him, and this would be over. I could tell him I wanted to be with him, and he would take me, and we could both leave here.

But I couldn’t guarantee him my loyalty. I knew I couldn’t.

Closing the door at the bottom of the stairs, I rounded the bannister and headed down the next set of stairs, already hearing Hanson open the door and greet the guests.

“Good evening, Mr. Mori,” he said. “Mr. Grayson. Miss Fane. Please…”

Will and Rika, too? I was kind of grateful, actually. They didn’t want to see Kai do something stupid, so if they stepped in, I wouldn’t have to. I wouldn’t have to choose.

Kai came into view, and my steps slowed, locking eyes with him. It took everything not to smile.

I loved how he looked up at me and just stared. I loved how his right eye pierced a little more than the left. And I loved how just the sight of him made my stomach flip.

His gaze fell down my body, softening as he took in my new clothes. Nothing over the top, but the new jeans fit at least, and I really liked the white, V-neck T-shirt and cute military jacket. I’d even donned a tiny bit of the mascara Alex forced down my throat last night at McGivern & Bourne.

“Kai, how are you?” Gabriel approached, holding out his hand.

But his tone was false, and Kai’s body was tight. They weren’t fooling each other.

I descended the rest of the stairs and stepped up next to my father, not really sure if that was where I was supposed to be. If it wasn’t, I might be in for another confession later.

My ass was still a little raw from last night.

Gabriel cast me a quick look and then turned back to Kai. “You got her out of those rags,” he said. “Well done. We kind of miss her around here, actually.”

My father nudged my chin with his fingers, and Kai’s eyes narrowed on him.

“Will,” Gabriel greeted, shaking Will’s hand. “Good to see you again.”

Will nodded, probably the one who knew my father the best out of the three of them, since he and Damon had been pretty close.

“And Erika Fane.” Gabriel stepped forward, invading her space and holding out his hand. “Gabriel Torrance. I believe you know my son.”

Her eyes shifted, looking uneasy, but she took his hand, shook it, and pulled away quickly. I couldn’t believe Michael let her come without him. He was kind of blind, but I hadn’t pegged him for ignorant.

“Crist is a lucky man,” he told her. And then he moved aside, gesturing for them to enter. “Let’s step into the den.”

Gabriel turned, leading the way down the hall, and I followed, walking at his side. But a grip caught the back of my jacket, and I sucked in a sudden breath as Kai hauled me backward.

To his side.

We kept walking, and he didn’t look or speak to me further.

“Where is she?” Kai asked Gabriel. “Vanessa.”

The quivering in my stomach from having him close changed to another fucking knot at the mention of her, and I fisted my fingers.

“Around,” Gabriel taunted and walked into the study.

He stepped over to his desk, and everyone filed in, leaving Hanson to close the door. Will immediately found the leather sofa and planted his ass down, while Rika moved to the side of the room.

Kai took the seat opposite Gabriel on the other side of the desk.

Gabriel tipped his chin at me. “Go check on dinner.”

“She doesn’t work for you anymore,” Kai interjected.

“Actually, she does. Technically speaking, of course.”

No contract. No agreement.

But Kai didn’t take the bait, relaxing in his seat. “I’ll meet the bride first, thanks.”

My father laughed under his breath. “Hanson.” He picked up the cigar sitting in his ashtray. “Fetch my niece.”

The man nodded, quietly slipping out of the room.