Love's Liability Read online

  “You are so exhausted,” he whispered as he carried me out of the gym. “I thought you were sleeping when I put you to bed.”

  “You didn’t stay again. Why would I be okay if you didn’t want to join me?”

  “I did,” he murmured quietly. “You were distracted, and I thought I’d pushed too much. I wanted to wait until Danek was out of your view.”

  “You’re stupid,” I grumbled.

  “Clearly and undisputedly,” he drawled. “You also didn’t invite me to stay. I thought that meant—”

  “You rocked my world and didn’t act like I did,” I said under my breath so the twins wouldn’t hear. “I thought I didn’t, um, satisfy you.”

  “No, you absolutely did, and I was so damn hooked even more that I was desperate not to fall any further until Danek was gone.”

  “Stupid,” I grumbled again.

  “Yes, I am, but I will fix it and help you if you let me,” he murmured in my ear as he brushed his lips against my skin. “Let me do my penance after I show you how much I want you.”

  Right, because any stupid man would say no? I didn’t. I was a lot of things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.

  We arrived at Proximo’s, and I had calmed enough by then to handle the twins and their lunch when Falcon arrived. We ate, and then it was time to get them to take a nap, which I was wanting myself.

  “Hey, is there something we can do to help?” Wally asked when I went to say goodbye. “You showed us a bunch of stuff to do so we could, right?”

  “You sure?” I checked, grateful when the three of them nodded. We headed out to the garage, and I showed them the mountains of chocolate bars and taffy I’d done late last night and early this morning before we’d had to go to the fight. “None of it needs to be bagged individually, and the smaller boxes of bars are going into a bigger one, as this is all one order for a wedding my system dropped.”

  “Wow, just wow,” Falcon whispered as he bobbed his head. “Yeah, we got this. Just load up the wrappers and papers and we’re all over it.”

  “Thanks, really.”

  I quickly handled it, and they waved me off when I thanked them again, promising they would come to me for gifts for their partners. Fine by me. I could totally handle that, especially since Falcon had mentioned he was thinking of having a mating ceremony in the summer… Which apparently Wally never had, so that was a discussion I wasn’t about to get in the middle of.

  The twins went right down, Evan first apologizing for worrying me. I wasn’t mad and forgave him. Verge said that really he hadn’t gotten as close to the fight as I’d thought in my panic, as he’d moved to get him too when he’d seen Evan heading that way. It helped me ease off the panic a bit since I’d been choking on it.

  “Leave everything to me,” Linden murmured as I headed to my room. I didn’t know what that meant when I thought we were going to nap.

  We didn’t. He ate me for an after lunch treat, touching me gently and with so much love my heart healed some from all the loneliness I’d had over the past few years.

  “I love you, Zeke. Be mine for real. Date me, love me, be with me like I’ve wanted for so long,” he whispered as he got undressed.

  I about swallowed my tongue as he revealed his perfect body, the hard muscles standing out with his definition and yummy lines. I nodded as he moved over me. “You’re the only person I’ve ever loved that way, Linden. It’s always been you.”

  “Thank you,” he whispered as he turned me on my side. “You’re tired, and I don’t want your hips to hurt.”

  I bit back a smile. “I’m not some newb virgin, Linden.”

  He growled as he pushed his fat cock in me. “Yes, you are. You haven’t touched any other men or I might lose my fucking mind. Only me, and you only want me.” He kissed me quiet when I went to argue. “I’m not judging that you were, only trying to get my jealousy under control. I’m taking care because of your dry spell.”

  “How many men have you been with?” I muttered, not wanting to pick a fight in that moment but not about to become a pushover. It wasn’t in me to be one, and Linden was one of the people who always accepted that of me. “When was the last time you were with someone?”

  “About a month before I saw you that time you were bratty with me and ignored me,” he admitted quietly. “You grew into such a gorgeous man no one else could compare and you were all I wanted.”

  I blinked up at him, floored he hadn’t had sex in almost thirteen years because of me. I found myself nodding. “Be gentle, I’m a virgin.”

  “Thank you,” he whispered against my lips, both of us knowing it was a lie. But like damn, that was a man who deserved the lie if it helped him after all he’d been through too.

  I moaned as he pushed in me deeper, loving that he surrounded me totally, one arm wrapped around me as the other played my body. He pinched my nipples and then stroked me a bit before massaging my sac. He did it so well and rotated so fast it almost felt like he was doing all three together. It was amazing. He was amazing.

  “More,” I whimpered when I got close, feeling like I was just lying there and taking it, but unsure of what to do and really not sure my body could do much under the onslaught of his attention. He swallowed my cries as I came, lost in nothing but us and not even thinking about the twins or what they could hear.

  He’d locked the door, right?

  “Can you keep going?” he checked when my orgasm was over.

  “Yes, fuck yes, and fuck me more,” I begged, reaching up and pulling his head back to my lips. “I’m stretched enough for harder. Please, please, please take me, and don’t be gentle about it.”

  He swore under his breath in a few interesting combinations. “You always know how to push every fucking button.”

  “It’s a gift I only use for you,” I teased him. I bit back a yelp as he flipped me under him, folding me in a tight ball and giving me a pillow to scream in before fucking me senseless. I mean, he did it so hard and fast that I couldn’t even catch my breath and I had a feeling that wasn’t nearly all he could give me.

  By the time he finished, every inch of me hurt in an amazing way, and I’d lost count of how many orgasms I’d had. I shook and twitched when it was over, his heart racing against my back as his fangs ran along my neck.

  He chuckled deeply when I flinched. “I would never bite you so soon, but I wanted you to know they came out.”

  I swallowed loudly. “Bite if you want in promise but don’t drink yet.”

  “You are so perfect.” He fisted my curls and bit me deeply, not taking blood but letting me feel what he wanted. I had a dry orgasm and twitched in his arms before spots filled my vision, my body hitting its limit. I passed out with his cock and fangs still buried in me.

  Well, that was a goober move. I hoped he still wanted me after that. Crap.

  7 ~ Linden

  I was such a selfish bastard. Here he was exhausted and upset after Evan had tried to run and break up the sparring, and I take the first chance to finally taste his sweet body. Maybe that was why I enjoyed his bratty side, adored when he got saucy with me? I knew he really was a sweetie that would give everything to the people he cared for.

  Give everything to me because he loved me. He was the only person I could ever be selfish with, and he did anything to help me. I would always do the same for him, but I needed him. I needed to not dance around or wait any longer, and it had been perfect. He was perfect.

  “I love you,” I whispered as I kissed my bite on his neck. He was out for the count, but as much as I wanted to stay wrapped around him, he needed help more than snuggles. I gently moved off of him and cleaned him up before tucking him in. Then I found some paper and wrote him a note that I would take care of dinner and was helping the others.

  After I was dressed, I hurried to do just that.

  “Hey, do you guys know who this Gilroy is that helped him with his server or whatever? I need to know what these other lost orders are that he mentioned.”
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br />   “Yeah, I work with him all the time in ops,” Wally told me. “But I have a feeling those orders are the stack of paper in the corner on the shelves of equipment. I know his office is in his suite, but he seems to use those shelves to lay out stuff.”

  “Thanks.” I went over there, and sure enough there were pages and pages and pages of orders. “Fuck.” I’d be stressed out too. Damn.

  I found the taffy paper and brought over a box of it to the machine they were using so they had enough. Next, I found the smaller boxes for the chocolate bars and quickly put together a dozen of them before filling them with the mountain of wrapped bars on the table at the end of the wrapping machine. That left Falcon to keep loading them without losing time.

  I didn’t know how to make anything, but there had to be something I could do. Looking over the orders he had out in front, I found a massive order of several different truffles. He had a sticky on there saying they were in the fridge. I went to check it out and found six containers filled and chilled. That I could help him with since I’d seen him do it the other night.

  I quickly grabbed the little scooper, a stack of metal trays, a wheeled rack, and some gloves before sitting down at one of the tables and getting to work. I made sure the scooper was full when I used it and then rolled it into a perfect ball before setting it on one of the paper lined trays. Minutes later I had two trays done thanks to my speed.

  A few more minutes and I had one huge container completely done.

  Ten minutes later two more containers were done.

  This was a job that would seriously be of help to him because he couldn’t move this fast. I had a moment to worry that I was messing up or touching something I wasn’t supposed to, but it wasn’t like they couldn’t be remixed or smashed back into the container if I’d done this wrong. Right?

  Oh, I really hoped I was right.

  When I was done, I wheeled the rack into the smaller walk in fridge and washed the containers before packing more chocolate bars. I helped with the taffy, sealing up boxes along with stacking them near the doors to signal they were finished. I looked over the other orders, but I really didn’t have a clue how else to help without risking I did it wrong.

  Instead, I found several pallets of ingredients that must have been delivered that morning. I put them where they went after checking everything was on the inventory that came with the pallets.

  Zeke came stumbling into the garage just as we finished, wiping his eyes just as he had when he was a munchkin. Then it had been cute, but now it was sexy as hell, and I figured that had more to do with what I’d done to tucker him out and make him sleep. Just thinking of that had my feet moving on their own. I hugged him to me and kissed him with all I had, wanting him to know how much what we’d shared meant to me.

  “Well, clearly you’re not mad I passed out on you,” he muttered, blushing deeply.

  “No, I’m a selfish bastard for being so pushy when you were so tired,” I replied, giving him another kiss. “But you should totally be a brat with me and punish me.”

  “Only when the twins aren’t around. That would be a bad example for them,” he agreed, snuggling up in my arms. “I appreciate the help, but when I’m not behind, you will still be in the bed after sex, right?”

  “Most times,” I hedged, worried this might be an issue. “I don’t need as much sleep as you do being ancient.”

  He nodded. “You might miss out on morning sex and blow jobs if you ditch me but, you know, whatever.”

  I growled. “How about I get up in the middle of the night to be your elf helper so I’m sleeping when morning comes?”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I want to. I don’t know how to help you with the twins yet, but I want to help you, Zeke. Besides, I move so fast that you should take advantage of it.” I led him over to the fridge and showed him the rack of what I’d done. “This was what you wanted with them, right?”

  His mouth fell open as he bobbed his head. “That would have taken me hours.”

  “It took me under half an hour. Give me those jobs because I would much rather have a glass of wine with you in the bath and relax than let you wear yourself out.”

  “Okay, thank you,” he accepted, beaming up at me. “I guess I can’t even complain that my ass is tender if I don’t have to sit on it to roll all those out.” His grin changed to a smirk as he batted those long eyelashes at me. “Maybe I should let you screw me silly every time I have truffles to make so I can’t sit on my ass.”

  I growled as he ducked under my arm and went to see what else was done. He was elated at the dent we’d made and then seemed relieved when Jayme came over with a delivery. I didn’t get it at first, but then he explained that he had a huge order of strawberry shortcake chocolate bars and there was actual shortcake in them, so he’d needed the cakes.

  “I remember how to do the depositor and trays, but I don’t know the recipe,” I told him. “Can you show me the first one and I’ll get to work while you handle the twins? They should wake up soon, right?”

  “Yes, but what about dinner?”

  “They’re still giving the cafeteria the day off, so it’s frozen pizzas for everyone,” Wally told us. “Then tomorrow they’re doing a deep clean from top to bottom, so it’s more cereal, sandwiches, and frozen whatever.”

  “Fine by me,” Verge muttered with a shrug. “Manny never gets a day off, and he’s in charge of way more food than before even with the helpers. I’d rather do every Sunday off than worry we’re going to break him.”

  “I can help when I get more settled,” Zeke worried. I knew Zeke already liked Manny since he was super sweet to the twins.

  “Nero was saying they’re going to offer you a contract like I have for the baked goods,” Jayme told Zeke. “I’m not sure for what since most of the desserts is cakes, pies, and cookies, but the more variety they get, the less likely everyone will want to make field trips all the time.”

  Zeke shrugged. “They can take chocolate bars or taffy for snacks later. I’m fine with that if I don’t have to always have a whole selection but just one batch people can have or whatever.”

  “Manny’s pretty easygoing like that,” Jayme promised. “And someone was going to come around with the frozen pizzas they picked up on a supply run, so it might not be the healthiest option for the twins, but can they have an apple with it?”

  Zeke smirked. “Yeah, they’ve had pizza before. Not everything can be avocado this or overkill that. Honestly, we have avocado so often because they love them. I have three-year-old twins that will pout if they go too many days without eating avocados. Good thing my products sell because otherwise they’d be too expensive to feed.”

  The twins woke, and he went to go get them while we kept working. I was up near the front of the garage to get more boxes when I saw movement out the window and froze. No, it couldn’t be.

  Except it was him.

  I darted outside and moved in front of my brother. “What are you doing here, Tristan?”

  His angry eyes landed on me. “Dragging your stupid ass back home. Mother and Father are furious for whatever shit you’ve pulled and sent me to come get you.”

  “‘Whatever shit I’ve pulled?’” I repeated, my brain unable to catch up with this. “They didn’t even tell you, huh? Did you even bother to ask or just go fetch like a good boy?”

  His lip curled in a sneer. “What the fuck has gotten into you? Pack your shit and let’s go. Deal with our parents on your own.”

  “Oh no, because you let yourself get involved, so don’t you dare act like this is all petty crap.” I smirked at him. “Have fun telling them I refused to come. You got involved, and now you’ll fail them. Maybe you should have asked what was going on, huh?”

  “What are you talking about?” he sighed, sounding annoyed and tired. “I don’t care what you’re doing here or think—”

  “I live here. I’m stationed here.” I moved closer and got in his face. “And I cut ties
with the Henning family. I broke away from Mother and Father’s control. That’s the shit I’ve pulled.”

  “Are you insane? One, you can’t do that. You’re a Henning, and you are their child just like the rest of us.”

  “They own us like slaves, and even slaves can get their freedom. I got mine.” His anger got deeper, and I knew why. “Jealous?”

  “Two, there is no breaking away from their control. It’s how they got this address so I can come find you.”

  “Mahala didn’t give it, and I have orders to be here.” I shrugged. “So they got the address. The place wasn’t secret. What I can’t believe is they sent you knowing who helped me get free.” His frown went deeper. “Alastair MacPaden and his friends. Seneca to be specific. I made a deal with him to free myself.” I got in his face. “And I’m not one of you. I’m learning that more and more, and you all disgust me.”

  “What the fuck does that—”

  “Linden?” Zeke called out before coming around the corner with Evan and Ethan. He froze when he saw Tristan and gave me a shocked look that held traces of accusation.

  “He came to drag me home,” I explained before he could say something that couldn’t be taken back. “My parents sent him. Go on ahead.”

  “Wait, I know you,” Tristan said, stepping towards Zeke. I moved in front of him to block him. “That’s Zara’s brother. Where is she?”

  “She died,” I answered, knowing I was a much, much better liar than Zeke.

  He narrowed his eyes at me. “How? Her parents haven’t said anything about it.”

  Zeke snorted. “Like you cared enough to really inquire given she was one of many.”

  Tristan’s eyes flashed shock. “That’s why she left without a word.” Then he shook his head. “No, I don’t buy it. She was completely in love with me.”

  “She was until she saw you weren’t worthy of that love, and then she was out of there as fast as she could pack,” Zeke replied easily, clearly having practiced this moment in case an altercation ever happened. “It wasn’t a pleasure seeing you again, Tristan, but the twins can’t be out in this cold for so long.”