Damaged Queen (Darkness Within Duet 2)

He didn’t need to know it was the name of the guys she once belonged to.

The same guys she’d turned her back on at the threat of one of their fathers. So many times, she wanted to get on a bus and go back to town. To call Draven and tell him what happened. To let him know she was still there, still wanted him. Each time she lifted the phone, the threats would ring around her head and scare the fuck out of her.

So, she never called back.

For a time, she had gone to Europe, traveling around there before finally coming back and getting a job at the florist shop. Alan had demanded her time in Europe. He wanted her out of the country and had paid her to do it. For a few years, he’d even forced her to contact one of his men, who would make her complete a series of tasks. She tried not to think about those tasks she’d been forced to do. Luring young women to these men to be put up for sale. Alan had been sure to hold a great deal of leverage over her head in order for her to do everything he wanted. No matter where she went, there was always someone watching. Someone who reminded her of home. Alan had stopped calling her personally years ago, but his memory always lived on. She hadn’t seen or heard from someone in a couple of years, and so, she’d tried to find a life for herself, and not to think about the women she’d hurt in the process. She’d been in Europe for nearly six years—five of those years with Alan calling her, making his demands. There came another year, where she didn’t hear from him, but someone was always there, making sure she followed through on the task. Then, after being free for a month, with no one there, then another, followed by another, she finally felt it was time to head back to the States, which was exactly what she’d done. Since then, she’d been trying to work hard to forget all the damage she’d done.

There was no way for her to call Draven. After ten years, she still didn’t want to risk killing him by disobeying Alan, and she also didn’t want to draw Alan’s attention to herself. He had so much dirt and evidence from all the work he’d forced her to do, that there was no one in the country who would believe she was being blackmailed.

She was over ten hours away from Stonewall, the closest she’d ever been to home. Part of her was tempted to drive on through, but still fear kept her back.

“What’s wrong?” Ethan asked.

“Nothing.” She kept working her hand up and down his cock, aware of his gaze on her. “You’re not liking what I’m doing?”

“I like it, a lot.”

She leaned forward, taking his cock into her mouth, staring up at him, distracting him as the taste of his pre-cum flooded her tongue. She swallowed him down, licking and flicking the tip for more. Ethan groaned. His hand gripped the back of her head, pulling her down to take more.

She stopped fighting and let herself go, taking his cock into her mouth, closing her eyes, and thinking about someone else.

Even as she sucked Ethan off, she couldn’t stop thinking about Draven.

Ten years was a long time to be without someone, and yet, she found herself thinking about him at the most inappropriate times.

His touch.

His mouth.

His eyes.

She missed them all. Wanted them all. Craved them all.

They’re not yours anymore.

“Oh, fuck, baby. I’m going to come.”

With her eyes squeezed shut, she swallowed down his cum without making a sound. When he was done, she pulled away, wiping at her eyes that were already watering. This was a weakness he couldn’t see.

“Babe, you blow my mind.”

“Good morning to you too.”

He chuckled, his hand going to her thigh, and she knew what he wanted to do.

“I’ve got to get ready for work.”

“What about you?” he asked.

She still hadn’t turned toward him. “I’m fine. You can make it up to me later.” She didn’t look back. Going into the bathroom, she closed the door. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she grabbed her toothbrush and worked the taste of him out of her mouth.

The tears fell down her cheeks, and she hated this, hated feeling so alone.

“You okay?” Ethan asked, calling through the door.

“I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.” She finished her teeth, washed her face, brushed her hair, and when she looked normal, she stepped out of the bathroom.

He caught her hips, trapping her against the door. “Have you been crying?”

“No, of course not.” She kissed his lips. “I hate to cut this short, but I’ve really got to go, babe.” She pulled away and quickly worked her pants on, followed by a large shirt. She tucked her raven hair into a bun at the base of her neck, and didn’t even bother with makeup. She rarely did.