One to Protect (One to Hold 3)

“That’s the spot. She knows where to go.”

We hang out a few minutes, and I’m about ready to ask if he came up too soon when we hear shuffling outside below us. A scuff of heels followed by the slamming of a door.

The acoustics are bad, and the sound echoes up to where we are louder than I expected—or wanted. The click of heels on pavement is clear as a bell, and shortly after, we’re bathed in a soundtrack of female moans and gasps. Shit.

“This is great,” I grumble, but Patrick shoves his elbow in my torso.

He communicates in gestures. “If we can hear them, they might hear us.”

Shaking my head, I turn away from the window, but listening is going to be unavoidable, it seems.

Pulling out my phone, I stare at the face again. Patrick stays by the window watching.

Just kissing. He texts.

I’m not really interested in the play-by-play, but I suppose we do need to keep tabs on whether the events are consensual or not.

More gasping punctuated by little moans. “Touch me,” Star whispers in an urgent tone. “Touch me.”

So far it sounds about as consensual as this setup was intended to be.

A loud moan.

Fingering. My partner texts again.

Great. Just fucking great. My eyes roam up to the ceiling, and I try to think of a million other things.

“Oh, god, yes!” Star’s voice breaks the silence. “Oh, god! Don’t stop!”

Looking at my hand, I think about how much easier it would be if I just beat him to death.

“Don’t stop… oh please… pleeease…” Her voice is high. I’m going to need a workout after this. “Ohh…”

Cries of what I can only assume are an orgasm continue to fill the small space where we’re hiding. I can’t tell if it’s real or fake, and I deny the tightness across my fly. Even Patrick drops his gaze to his shoes, but what comes next snaps us both back to attention.

“On your knees.” Sloan’s voice is sharp as he gives the order. It’s the sound we’ve been waiting for. “My turn.”

“But… I…” She pretends to be confused. Patrick and I both frown at each other… Is she taunting him so soon?

Sloan’s undeterred. “You came all over my hand, now I intend to fuck your mouth.”

The tone in his voice sparks a burn of rage in my stomach. He starts that shit on the first night, it seems. I’m ready to go down and kick his ass, but I feel Patrick’s hand grip my arm. His thumb is moving over his phone.

Mine lights up. She’s prepared for this. Let her lay the groundwork.

Adrenaline is spiking my heartbeat. All I can think of is Melissa being subjected to this fucker’s shit, but I hold it together. Shuffling noises meet our ears, and I step forward to see what’s happening.

The asshole has his back to the brick wall, and he leans back as Star’s head bobs up and down at his crotch. Shit. She’s going at it.

Stepping back to the wall again, I rub my neck and revisit the plan. It’s only the first night. We prepared for this to happen. As many times as I remind myself, this is what she signed on for, I still don’t feel any better about it.

Low groans fill the air now. A male hiss, and I’m glad I haven’t eaten. Patrick’s still watching the whole thing, his hand held out in a “Wait” motion.

Muffled sounds come from Star. A popping noise, and she gasps, laughs a little.

“Good girl,” Sloan murmurs to her. “Now all the way… All the way.”

More muffled hums. It’s quiet a few moments then loud gagging. Patrick straightens up like he’s ready to go through the window, and I touch his arm. His thumb flies over his phone face.