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The cooling water of the shower finally woke Evan. Struggling to his feet, he stepped out of the stall and slowly walked into the hotel bedroom. With relief, he found no trace of Veelee. He was alone and free to go home, but he’d have to keep his distance from Coda until the marks on his back and shoulders healed. Long after his physical wounds vanished, the damage to his psyche would require more time to heal.
And there would still be the problem of Veelee and her threat to Coda and their baby. Despite what the bitch said, he knew the baby was his. As he left the hotel room, his thoughts turned to Forester again.
It galled him that he had to consider his hated rival to help him protect his wife, but he’d swallow his pride and appeal to him—unless he could come up with another solution. But who besides Forester would be as interested as he in keeping Coda safe regardless of the cost?
His cell phone rang—Coda’s ring. In no shape to talk to her, he ignored it. When it stopped ringing, he checked his messages. She’d called him countless times during the night he’d spent with Veelee. How the hell could he explain another night away from her?
Ask her how she can explain fucking Forester every time your back is turned.
While part of him feared Veelee was right about Coda and Forester, he loved her too much to risk confronting her and possibly losing her. If it was true and she had been with Forester at the reception, it had probably just been to get him out of her system. Once that happened, he and Coda would be fine. He could hardly call her on sleeping around when he was doing the same thing.
Feeling depressed and dejected, he left the hotel room. Inside his car, he sat with his head back and his eyes closed. Coda called again. Again he let the call go to voice mail. He would have to bite the bullet and tell her the truth.
Tell no one about us, or you’ll return to a corpse instead of a live wife.
He shuddered and bolted up in his seat, staring into the early morning. There was no sign of Veelee in the hotel parking lot, but after several weeks of her invasion of his mind and body, he knew she didn’t need to be there to force her will on him.
God help him. He was scared shitless. Still, he had to find a way to protect Coda. He had to—even if it meant losing her to Forester. He waited for Veelee to warn him against asking Forester for help. When she didn’t, he took a deep breath. If he couldn’t find a way out of this mess, he’d enlist the other male’s help.
* * *
DACODA BOLTED OUT OF bed when she heard the entry door open and close just after dawn. She rushed through the apartment but came to an abrupt stop.
Evan, looking pale and listless, leaned against the closed door. He took slow, seemingly tortured breaths.
For a moment, she feared Andrei had hurt him, but she could see no visible signs of a confrontation on him. “Evan! Are you all right?”
He nodded and then slid down the door to slump on the floor.
Oh, God. What had Andrei done? She rushed to kneel in front of him, placing a hand against his face. “What’s wrong? Did you...see...Andrei?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Thank God. “What’s wrong? Where have you been?”
“I need a moment,” he said.
“Tell me what happened.”
“Someone attacked me and knocked me out.”
Her temper burning, she closed her eyes and screamed in her mind. Andrei! Damn you! I told you not to hurt him! I won’t forgive you for this!
She felt no response from him, but she knew he’d heard her. She helped Evan to his feet and into the living room. “Can you make it to the bedroom?”
He shook his head. “Just let me sit here for a while.”
Angry tears burned her eyes. “He did this to you. Didn’t he?”
“Who?”
“Andrei!”
“No.”
“Why are you trying to protect him, Evan? I know he did this.”
“He didn’t. Please. Just leave me alone for a few hours.”
“I should drive you to the hospital.”
“I need a few hours. Please leave me alone.”
“How can I leave you alone when you’re clearly hurt?”
“I’m bruised, but I’ve survived worse.”
Yes. From Andrei. Damn him. She inhaled slowly and rose. “If you’re okay, I think I need to clear my head. Right now, I’m so angry. Will you be okay if I go out for a little while?”
“Do whatever you need to do. Just leave me alone.”
“Fine, but I’ll help you undress and get you some ice and—”
“No! Can you please just do what I ask and leave me the hell alone long enough to catch my damn breath?”
His level of anger surprised her. She compressed her lips before she stalked to their bedroom. She took a quick shower and dressed before she returned to the living room.
Evan stretched out on the sofa, asleep.
She quietly left the apartment, determined to find Andrei and warn him off hurting Evan again. If he cared for her, he’d know how much Evan meant to her and leave him alone.
Coda made her way through the city’s early morning, determined to find Andrei and make him pay for what he had done to Evan. She had felt his presence in her mind when she had screamed at him earlier, which meant he was near. He wasn’t at any of his clubs, so she drove to his Center City condo and let herself in.
He stood in his darkened living room, with his eyes glowing. And said nothing.
She stormed across the room to glare at him. “You! What have you done to Evan?”
“Since I haven’t seen him, nothing.”
“Enough of your lies, Andrei!” Coda yelled as she slammed her fist against his shoulder. “I warned you not to hurt him. Now that you have, you’re going to pay!”
“I told you I haven’t seen or touched him. You don’t need a pretend reason to seek me out,” he told her.
“Pretend? You think I was looking for an excuse to see you?”
“Clearly,” he said, and before she could deny it, his strong hands gripped her hips and urged her close to his hard body. Seconds later, his warm tongue invaded her mouth, tasting her deeply.
After that first wild rush of delight, she lost her ability to do anything but respond. Their bodies moved with furious intensity as a blend of love and hate swirled within them. His longing for her was palpable. It fueled the burning passion between them as desire reignited like a wildfire.
She relished the sensation of his hardening arousal, pressing up tantalizingly against her. A wave of desire broke over her, and memories of the pleasure they could bring each other filled her mind. She trembled, longing to feel him buried deep inside her again, as waves of anticipation coursed through her.
He whispered soft words in her ear, asking if she wanted it as much as he did. She nodded and moaned in response, needing the sensual connection with him that she couldn’t stop craving.
He pressed his lips to hers, his tongue intertwining with hers in passionate desire. His hand slowly trailed down her curves, exploring every part of her body. Her gasp of pleasure echoed through the room as he found her sweet spot and lightly stroked it with his thumb. She shivered in delight as his hand worked its magic between her legs.
Coda’s heart raced as Evan’s face suddenly materialized in her mind. An electrifying reminder of the unfaithfulness she was about to commit. She could not do this to him again. Her moral compass was calling out to her, and she knew she had to answer this time. She resolutely shoved Andrei away and drew a deep, pained breath. “No,” she said firmly, backing away from him. “This has to stop.”
“No. It doesn’t.”
“I can’t do this again, Andrei,” she moaned, still fighting against her desires. “I love him and can’t keep betraying him with you.”
“You are mine, woman. Mine!” He drew her back into his arms, rubbing his now fully erect shaft against her. And lord, the length and thickness were too much to resist. Her resistance vanished.
When he reached into her panties and touched her core again, she gripped his shoulders, exposing her neck to his lips. He freed his thick shaft and pushed inside her, making her stretch to accommodate him. She gasped with pleasure and pain as he entered and withdrew, filling her with hot lust and love. No one made her feel as alive and desired as he did.
Her body trembled with anticipation as his hands found their way to her breasts and she felt his hot breath on her face. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of him caressing her curves, his fingers slowly exploring the length of her. His tongue trailed along her neck, sending shivers down her spine. He grabbed onto her hips and pulled her in closer, as if sensing that she was ready for him.
His shaft was pressing against her entrance and she gasped as he entered her, slowly thrusting in and out of her. His hips moved powerfully, with each thrust an almost sacred motion, charged with an ever-growing pleasure that only they could share. She willingly surrendered to the ecstatic trance, their bodies becoming one in a captivating and entrancing rhythm.
She had never experienced anything like it—even with him. It was as if her body had been waiting for this moment with him for years, craving it with endless hunger.
He continued to move faster, his hips working their magic. She wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning with pleasure as his warm, wet mouth explored her. He kissed her neck, her shoulders, then took her full breast into his mouth.
“Oh, my god,” she breathed. “Andrei....”
As she spoke his name, he reached between their bodies to rub her clit. And she exploded with bliss, clinging to him, feeling him come inside her.
The aftermath was a blissful calm, as their beating hearts synchronized in elation. Although still connected, he eventually eased out of her and left an emptiness she could not ignore. Her voice quivered with yearning as she spoke the words she had grown ashamed to admit. “I feel so lost without you inside me.”
“I know the feeling too damn well,” he said, stroking his big hands over her ass.
“But we can’t keep doing this.”
“Yes. We can.”
“She sighed in resignation, acknowledging her inability to deny him her body. “Okay, but only if you promised to never hurt Evan again.”
Andrei nodded and kissed her forehead. “I didn’t hurt him this time,” he pointed out.
And she believed him. “Then who did?”
He didn’t reply, just reached for her, running his hands over her curves and exploring her body with an intimate touch. His hand made its way between her legs, stroking her still-throbbing pussy. She felt him smile as she trembled at his touch, and then he dragged his fingers up and down her folds, eliciting a gasp from her as he circled her clit. She moaned his name as she felt the rush of dampness between her legs, and she was ready to take him again.
He explored her body, enjoying the feel of her soft skin as he kissed her everywhere. He licked and kissed his way down to her wetness, and she moaned as he worshiped her body. His tongue found her clit, teasing it gently as his fingers entered her tightness. She gasped as he thrust his fingers deeper, fucking her pussy enthusiastically.
Then he entered her in one smooth motion. She gasped and clung to him as he thrust his hips against hers. Their bodies melded together in perfect harmony. He drove himself deeper and harder into her creamy, delicious pussy.
He felt her shudder with pleasure as she felt him pushing against her with each powerful thrust. Her back arched in response, and his hands held her close as he plunged deeper and faster. Sweat beaded on her skin as she felt every inch of him inside her. She relished the feeling of being so full of him.
She clung to him, gripping his shoulders tightly as he pumped himself into her again and again. His muscular chest brushed against hers, his breath heavy on her neck as he increased his tempo. She could feel herself reaching the brink of ecstasy and soon found herself screaming out in pleasure as wave after wave of blissful sensations overtook her body.
Andrei followed shortly afterward, moaning out his own pleasure as they both reached a climax together. They lay there later, panting and sweaty, both too exhausted to move for a few moments.
“I should go,” she said.
“No. You’re staying with me.”
“How can I explain that to Evan? What will I tell him?”
“How about telling him the truth?” He suggested.
“I can’t hurt him like that. I want to, but I can not stay, Andrei—”
“You’re staying, Dacoda! End of damn story!”
She told herself she’d stayed because he’d ordered her to. But when he woke her later and slipped his big hot cock deep into her pussy, she moaned with delight and admitted she’d stayed because she wanted to.
Closing her eyes, she parted her legs and lifted her hips off the mattress, urging him to plunge deeper into her pussy with each thrust of his powerful hips. “Take me, honey boy.”
As he moved faster and harder, his panting breaths growing faster, she felt her own body reaching the point of no return. Gripping his hands tightly, she threw back her head and screamed his name, pleasure washing over her in powerful waves as her orgasm swept through her body.
He rocked his hips and dug his fingers into her back. Moaning, she dug her nails into his taut skin and sweaty hair. Their bodies moved in concert, a rapid pulse of skin and muscle. She felt the waves of pleasure build inside him, like a pressure that had to be released. He stepped back, shaking with desire and want. When he tensed and shuddered, she knew he felt the fire inside him igniting in a flash of euphoria. It was a sensation that she fully shared and embraced.
Breathing heavily, they lay there afterward, both too satisfied to move. She felt Andrei press a gentle kiss against her forehead. Then he eased out of her before gathering her in his arms and settling her against his chest.
She smiled, contented, feeling more loved than she’d ever felt. She knew that no matter what happened between them or how things ended, she would forever love him. And in that moment, that no longer shamed her.
* * *
EVAN STRUGGLED UP FROM the sofa to find himself alone in his living room. It was morning, and the apartment was quiet. He went into the bedroom to find their bed unmade. He was alone in the apartment.
Dacoda must have left for work already. Then he remembered it was Saturday. He checked his phone to see if she’d left him a message, but she hadn’t. He frowned. Where was she? And was she upset at how short he’d been with her the night before?
If you want to know where she is, come downstairs, and I’ll tell you, my handsome, unappreciated lover.
Evan shook his head, trying to ignore the hated voice. But, as usual, she would not be denied.
Come to me, my handsome one, or incur my wrath, which I will visit upon her. You are too precious for me to harm.
Knowing he could not resist her, he went to the lobby, where she waited. The sight of Veelee made him nauseous. He longed for the strength to reach out, grab her by her throat, and viciously strangle her.
She gave him a cool look. “You can think that, after all, we’ve meant to each other?”
“You must know that you mean nothing to me,” he said. “Less than nothing. I’m here because you compel me.”
She laughed and slipped her arm through his. “Let’s take a drive, and I’ll show you where your whoring wife is.”
Evan met her gaze, shaking his head slowly. “I don’t care where she is.”
“Of course you do.” She walked him out to her SUV and drove to Rittenhouse Square. In the parking garage of an exclusive building, she gave him codes and instructions on how to enter the penthouse apartment.
“No. I’m not going up there.”
“And why not?” She demanded. “You wish to pretend she isn’t still whoring around on you?”
He glared at her. “The only whore here is you!”
She slapped him so hard that his whole face burned. “You go up there and see for yourself who she’s with and what she’s doing. That is not a request. Go!”
Evan fought a sense of dread on the elevator ride to the penthouse. Outside the entrance door, he closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against the panel. Dacoda. Baby. Please don’t be inside with him. But he knew she was, which is why the hateful Veelee had insisted he come.
Steeling himself to find them lying in bed sleeping, he quietly entered, closing the door behind him. As he made his way down the hall, he could hear the unmistakable sounds of sex coming from an open door.
Evan stood in the doorway, completely stunned. He had heard sexy sounds but didn’t expect the full-on passionate sex that greeted him. He watched Andrei thrusting his big cock in and out of Dacoda’s wet pussy. She had never dripped like that for him.
Coda had her head thrown back. Her face contorted with pleasure as she let out small cries whenever Andrei hit just the right spot. Every time they moved together, their bodies slapped against one another.
He felt himself growing aroused, his cock beginning to swell in his pants as he watched them come undone together. Finally, he eased his hands into his pants and stroked himself as Andrei pounded into Coda’s tightness. At the sight of her greedily accepting Andrei’s big, thick dick deep into her pussy, Evan’s heart ached. He could see their passion and love and knew she’d never been as uninhibited with him. Nor had she ever wanted him as much as she clearly wanted the other male.
But he couldn’t walk away as he felt himself getting closer and closer to the edge until finally, he let himself go, massaging and pumping his shaft until he felt the pleasure building. Imagining he was fucking Coda instead of Andrei, he pumped himself to a delicious climax.
When he opened his eyes and looked up, Andrei groaned and eased his big cock out of Coda. As the head of his shaft cleared her body, Evan saw his wife’s pussy gaping open and dripping with what looked like a river of cum that flowed down her thigh. The sight of her lying there in post-coital bliss kept him rooted to the spot. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she was so beautifully exposed and vulnerable. More satisfied than she’d ever been with him.
Andrei held Coda close, their bodies still slick with sweat. Evan pulled his hand away from his pants and quietly backed away. Before he cleared the door, Andrei abruptly lifted his head and glared at him with no hint of surprise in his gaze. His eyes glowed and his incisors were sharpened. For the first time, Evan understood why Coda had always been so desperate to keep him from confronting Andrei.
Conversely, knowing that Andrei had been aware of his presence but had continued to fuck his wife infuriated Evan. He stepped back into the room. “Bastard! Get away from my wife, you godless creature!”
Dacoda gasped and jerked the sheet against her body.
Andrei bolted off the bed and backhanded him. Evan flew across the room, crashing into the wall with enough force to knock the wind out of him. Before he could scramble to his feet, Andrei charged across the room, grabbed him by his neck, and lifted him off his feet.
“Andrei! No! Put him down!” Dacoda screamed. “Now, Andrei! Do not harm him!”
Andrei tightened his fingers around his neck.
“So be it, Andrei!” Without warning, Dacoda clenched her right hand and started a low chant. “I am the wind. I am the fury. Winds of power, come to me!” Strong gusts of wind shot from her fingers when she opened her hand.
Although the blast shook Evan, it didn’t have a similar effect on Andrei. It did, however, catch his attention. That allowed Evan to drop to his feet. Both men stared at her.
“What the hell was that?” Andrei demanded as Evan sucked in several deep breaths.
She shook her head, looking confused. “I...I don’t know.”
“How long have you been able to do that?” Andrei asked.
“Never.”
“That seems unlikely, Dacoda.”
“I mean when I was younger, I used to dream I could do it, but when I woke, I never could. I couldn’t let you hurt Evan.”
“Why do you care if he does?” Evan asked, staring at her thighs.
Suddenly seeming to remember that she was nude, with Andrei’s seed trickling from her body, she gasped and rushed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Left alone with Andrei, Evan gave his rival a wary look. “So, is this where you kill me?”
“How did you get in here?” Andrei demanded.
“Veelee gave me your codes.”
Andrei stiffened. “She’s here? Now?”
“She’s waiting in the parking garage.”
The words had barely left his lips before Andrei flashed around and, seconds later, rushed from the room fully dressed. Moments later, Evan heard the entrance door open and close.
Relieved to have escaped the encounter with his life, Evan walked towards the bathroom, realizing it was time he and Dacoda talked.