Blackstone's Heart (Blackout Security Inc. Book 1) Page 16

  For several long moments the two sat there holding one another. Tessa finally collected herself and the two walked arm-in-arm back to the table. When Tessa sat next to Carl, he leaned over and kissed her gently. Ethan slipped his arm around Krista’s waist and squeezed her to him. Krista gave him a small smile.

  Ethan cleared his throat before asking the question he knew Krista really didn't want to ask. "What will you be doing with Jerry after he's released?"

  Carl took a long swallow of his tea. "Tess and I talked about it. We're going to take Jerry home to New York. He said he always wanted to be buried next to Jilly."

  "Jilly?" Ethan questioned.

  "Jillian. She was Jerry's older sister. When we were freshmen in college she died. She was on the diving team at NYU. While doing a dive from the high dive, she struck her head on the platform. By the time they got her out of the water and to the hospital, the swelling in her brain had gotten so bad. She died an hour later." Krista explained.

  "Damn." Ethan breathed.

  "Jilly thought the world of Jerry and he her. She would have been so proud of what he accomplished. So we're going to honor his wishes and bury him next to her. We've already started making the arrangements." Tessa said, wiping a tear from her eye.

  "Stacey said once I know the details to pass it on. She says the publishing house would like to do something for him." Krista added.

  "I'll call her in the morning then. Will you be coming to the funeral?" Carl asked her.

  "Yes, but as Krista Jameson, Kris James has no place there." Krista stated.

  ***

  Ethan slipped from bed as Krista slept soundly. He quietly walked downstairs, rethinking the events of the day. It had been tiring for Krista, but after spending the afternoon and evening with Tessa and Carl Summerland, she seemed much better. He slipped into Krista’s office and called up Gage.

  "Yeah?"

  "Hey. Well, Jerry's parents are taking him to New York. Krista wants to go."

  "I would imagine she would. What do you want to do boss?"

  "I'm going with her."

  "Alright. What about her book release? She still going through with it?"

  Ethan laughed. "Yep. In fact, she's going make it a small celebration in Jerry's honor. I heard her, Debbie and Tessa going over ideas for it. I want all five of us there for it. If this fucker doesn't make his move before then..."

  "You think he'll try either at the event or after?"

  "Yes I do."

  "Alright. Once she's got all the plans finalized have her pass them to me. Tony and I will take care of the surveillance. I'll put Lance and Grant on the security. I'm guessing you're going to be tattooed to her ass?" Gage chuckled.

  "You're damn right I will be. Well, I'm going to try and get some more sleep. The next week's gonna be hell on her and I probably..."

  "You just take care of Krista. We'll handle things here at the office and you just stay with Krista. If we need you, we'll call. Just let us know when the funeral will be and stuff alright? We can get the jet ready for Jerry's folk and send him home in style."

  "Thanks man. I'll let his parents know that in the morning. Night brother." Ethan said.

  Ethan ended the call and headed back upstairs. When he slipped back into bed, Krista sighed and curled into him, her arms slithering around his chest. Ethan wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. He hated seeing her in pain like this, but knew the only way to help her was to catch this asshole and make him pay for what he had done.

  Chapter 15

  The week leading up to Jerry's funeral was hard for Krista. She sighed tiredly as she packed her bag for New York. Despite the pain she was feeling, her muse had never been more creative. Due to her being unable to sleep more than a few hours each night, she had spent more time at her computer pouring out her pain onto the screen.

  Midnight Passion was taking on a life of its own because of the nightmare that was her reality. Including losing Jerry. Tangling her fingers in her hair she sank onto the bed and bowed her head. In about twelve hours she, her parents and Jerry's parents were boarding Blackout's private jet to take Jerry home and put him to rest. Would she be able to stand it? Watching her best friend being put in the ground.

  "Krista?"

  "I don't think I can do this Ethan. I don't."

  She felt Ethan sit beside her. When one of his arms came around her, she turned into him and laid her head over his heart. Neither spoke, but then again they didn't need to. He knew what she was going through. Just him holding her gave her strength. She felt him kiss the top of her head as he stroked her back soothingly.

  "You're not alone baby. Your family, Jerry's family, Blackout, me, we're all with you and there for you."

  "Thank you. I think I needed to hear that right now." She lifted her head. "And thanks for offering your jet."

  "It's my pleasure. You know, I may not have known Jerry as long as you, but I think with time he and I would have gotten along fine." He grinned.

  "He thought the world of you. You and the others. A couple of days before the bomb, he said that..."

  "What?"

  "He said that you and the guys of Blackout were great. He really looked up to you and Grant most I think. He said that you were a born leader and someone that he'd love to make part of his family."

  "Part of his family?"

  "I think he meant through me." She giggled.

  Ethan chuckled and kissed her gently. "Who knows what the future holds for us."

  ***

  Ethan worked on dinner while in the living room he heard Krista typing furiously at her laptop. He knew she hadn't been sleeping much and would feel her slip from the bed in the middle of the night and hear her make her way to the next room where her writing studio was housed. He guessed her writer’s block was over now.

  He wanted to ask why she wasn’t letting in, but wasn't sure if it was his place. Yet a part of him argued that he had every right to ask. Hell in the last week he had all but moved in with her. Every night he fell asleep with her wrapped in his arm and got to wake up to her beautiful face.

  He had just pulled the eggplant parmesan from the oven when he felt her presence behind him. Turning he smiled, then carried the casserole dish to the table. "Figured you'd be hungry."

  "Famished. Mmmm, smells delicious." She grinned.

  "Thanks, it’s mom’s recipe." He said as he placed the bread and salad on the table as well.

  Krista giggled as she pulled out a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass. "Well, I think I've gained ten pounds just smelling you cook this."

  "Guess we'll just have to work it off somehow then won't we." He winked.

  Krista gave him a soft smile. Since Jerry's murder they hadn't made love. Yet he wasn't going to push her on that. She had just lost someone she considered family and though he knew guys who would force the subject. He thought men like that needed to be strung up by their balls. A woman wasn't just a hole for a man to stick his dick into. He would never treat or make Krista feel that way. The gift of her body was one he would cherish.

  "Krista, there's something I want to talk to you about. If I'm overstepping by all means tell me."

  "Okay. What is it?"

  "Well, I can't help but notice you haven't been sleeping much lately."

  Krista sighed and reached for her wine glass. After taking a sip she looked up him. "Yeah. I seem to only be able to sleep a few hours now. But I will say, my muse has been hard at work. I think I might just make my deadline on Midnight Passion early. I guess this is my mind's way of dealing with what happened to Jerry."

  Ethan reached over and laid his hand atop hers. "Everyone deals with pain and grief differently. After my squad was killed and I got released from the VA in Richmond, I dove into work until my enlistment was up. I helped plan future missions and ways to keep our Marines safe."

  "Ethan, what happened exactly? I mean if you don't want to talk about it, I understand."

  "No, it's okay.
We were out on a mission. Gathering intel with orders to stop the insurgents if we could. On our way to the location we were ambushed. Seems the man who was selling us information tipped off the guys we were going after that we were coming. I lost four men that day."

  "Oh Ethan. I'm so sorry."

  "Thanks. They were good men. Two of them had families. I don't blame myself but I do feel the weight of their deaths. I was the senior man and their leader that day. So, in a way I guess I am responsible. Comes with the rank I guess."

  "I suppose so, but at least you know you're not to blame for their deaths."

  "That's what my dad said, yours too." He smiled a little.

  Krista returned the smile. "I always knew those two were smart."

  "I just don't want you blaming yourself for what happened with Jerry. You hear me."

  She sighed. "I know that, but like you, I do feel partially responsible. I mean, I'm not going to be all 'Oh look what I did to my friend. I got him killed.' It's more like, why did he have to go after Jerry if I'm the one he wants? Jerry was an innocent bystander."

  "When we catch him I'll make sure you get the answer to that question."

  "Thanks. Course I would just love five minutes alone with this fucker and kick his ass before helping slam that cell door in his face. Or better yet, watch the switch be flipped and him frying in the chair."

  "A woman after my own heart there." He nodded in agreement. "If I could promise that I would."

  ***

  Krista finished drying the dishes while Ethan wiped down the table. Dinner had been very relaxing and she felt more like herself tonight. It was all thanks to the wonderful man who was walking toward the sink. She sat the plate she was drying aside and moved to him.

  Without a word, she grabbed the front of his shirt, pulled him to her and kissed him. She moaned when his arms banded around her, pressing her tightly to him. Her hands slid up his chest and around his neck as she deepened the kiss. He cupped her ass and lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist.

  "What do you want baby?" He mumbled against her lips.

  "You inside me Ethan. Please. I need you." She breathed.

  With those words, he turned and made a beeline for the stairs. Without stumbling he took the stairs two at a time and headed for her large California king. If his woman wanted him, that's what she was going to get. He kicked open the door and moved to the bed. An idea suddenly popped into his head.

  "Do you trust me Krista?"

  "Yes. Why?"

  "There's something I want to do. I want to play."

  "Tell me." She breathed, shivering in delight

  "I want to tie you to the bed. Tease you till you can barely stand it anymore."

  She smiled. "Yes."

  "Strip and get on the bed."

  As she began stripping, Ethan moved to the closet and opened the duffle he had brought there. Inside was the soft velvet rope he had bought last week. He pulled out a few other toys he had bought just for her. He turned to face the bed and froze at what he saw. His beautiful Krista lay naked and spread eagle on her bed. Her arms bent and the wrists near the two posts at the head of the bed.

  He walked with purpose to the foot of the bed, placed the objects on the bed, and just stared at her. Keeping his eyes on hers, he tugged his t-shirt over his head and tossed it behind him. He smirked when she licked her lips and shifted on the bed. Those beautiful ocean blue eyes watching him hungrily.

  "You look so delicious Krista. I bet you're going to taste so good. Mmmm, that sweet pussy on my lips, my tongue. You want that baby?"

  "Yes. Oh please Ethan. I want it."

  "Such a good girl." He smiled dropping his boxers and jeans.

  Now naked, he walked to the left side of the bed first. Taking her left wrist, he lifted it and softly kissed her over her pulse point. She whimpered when his tongue traced that point. Smiling, he slipped the rope around her. Efficiently he tied it to the bedpost yet making sure it wasn't too tight and that she was comfortable. He then repeated the motion with her right wrist.

  His task complete, he sat on the bed beside her. "You comfortable Krista?"

  "Yes." She nodded. Ethan lifted a brow. Krista nibbled her lip then spoke again. “Yes Sir.”

  "Good girl. If you start feeling uncomfortable at any time tell me right away. I want this to be pleasurable for you. I don't want you in pain or uncomfortable."

  "I'll tell you."

  Nodding once, he leaned down and sucked one of her hardened nipples between his lips. She cried his name and arched off the bed. Ethan chuckled as he continued sucking at the hardening bud and reached down and picked up one of the jeweled butterfly nipple clamps. He heard her gasp as the clamp closed around her nipple. Ethan wasted no time in repeating the motion with the other nipple. When both nipples were clamped, he sat up and looked down at her.

  “I knew these would be perfect for you Krista.” He smiled, the light twinkling back at him from the jewels of the clamps.

  “It hurts but feels good.” She panted, her body wiggling. She gasped suddenly when her back arched. “Holy fuck.”

  Ethan chuckled and leaned over her. “They are weighted baby. You feel it don’t you? Mmm, the pain shooting through you as your tits move.”

  “Yes I feel it. It feels weird but good.” She moaned.

  Smiling, he gave one of the clamps a light flick causing her to cry out and her wrists pulling against the ropes. He slipped from the bed and returned to the closet. Reaching into his bag once more he pulled out the new crop he had told her about a week ago when he took her to his house the first time. He turned and found Krista watching him, those blue eyes wide and alight with lust as she saw what he held.

  “I told you I had a new riding crop I wanted to try on you. Have you ever had a crop used on you before Krista?”

  “No Sir.” She breathed.

  Ethan smiled broadly. “Good. I like knowing I’m the first man who has ever marked you this way.”

  Krista felt like her body was on fire as she watched Ethan stalking back toward her. The weighted butterflies on her nipples were sending shock waves of pleasure and pain down her body and right to her clit. Licking her lips, she stared up at Ethan when he reached the side and looked down at her.

  “You look so fucking gorgeous like this Krista. Bound, those jeweled butterflies sparkling at me,” He pause and slid a hand between her spread legs. Krista cried out bowing off the bed. “Christ woman you’re soaked already. I like that.”

  “Please…please Ethan…Sir. Please.” She whimpered as one of his fingers slid inside her.

  “That’s a good girl.” Ethan smiled.

  Ethan lifted the crop and laid the leather tip on the top of her head. Slowly he began to lower it. The leather caressing her face. Those expressive eyes fluttering closed as he traced the leather over her eyes, her nose, her lips. He growled when he watched as her mouth opened and she sucked the leather tip in.

  “Fuck baby. That will be my cock soon. I promise you.”

  Krista’s eyes opened and nodded as she released the leather. He continued moving the toy down. When he reached her left breast he quickly lifted the crop and brought it down. Krista cried out and then let out a long moan. Ethan repeated the move again and then a third time. Krista lay there panting as she watched the leather mover across to her right breast. She barely had time to suck in a breath before Ethan showed her right breast the same treatment.

  “What a beautiful sight. Your tits marked and red, you bound and trembling. I bet you’re soaked now aren’t you Krista.” He growled, moving the crop across her stomach now.

  “Yes…yes Sir. Please Ethan.” She moaned.

  “Please what Krista?”

  “More.”

  Ethan smiled and gave her bare pussy a swift pop with the crop. He felt his dick throb when she screamed his name. He could see her wetness beginning to glisten on her nether lips and couldn’t wait to get inside her again. Keeping his eyes on her face, watching for
any sign she didn’t like it, he slapped her clit and pussy again. His steel gaze locked with her blue orbs. All he saw in them was passion and a need for more. After a third pop, he dropped the crop to the floor. He climbed onto the bed between her legs and without a word lowered his mouth to her opening.

  “Fuck! Ethan yes.” She screamed as his mouth devoured her.

  Krista struggled against her restraints looking for some kind of anchor in the lust storm that Ethan had created but she was helpless. Bound to the bed and vulnerable to him and yet she loved it. Wanted his mouth everywhere, wanted him hard and deep inside her. She could feel her orgasm rushing a lightning speed. Ethan pulled away.