Nolan (Dangerous Doms 3)

When he turns to face me, his gaze is heated, a look I’m growing to both dread and crave.

“I want a shower,” he says. “And I want you with me.”

Downstairs, he was every bit the second in line to the throne of the McCarthy Clan, the man who cracks skulls and rules the country. In here, I’m the one he rules.

I fucking love it.

He’s grabbing the hem of his shirt and lifting it over his head. I’m still not sure how I’m supposed to feel about him, how I can let go of what I’ve held onto for so long. A glimmer of excitement pools in my belly when he tugs his shirt up, revealing the hard planes of his stomach sprinkled with a smattering of dark hair.

“I could use a shower, too,” I agree.

“Aye, strip.”

I yank at my clothes and tug them off, tossing them with his into a pile by the bathroom door. His eyes roam hungrily over me as he reaches for his belt. He unfastens it, folds it over, and gives it a good snap.

My pussy clenches. I’ve felt that belt before. He knows how to use it. His jeans come next, and soon we’re both stripped naked. He snaps his fingers and points to the bathroom.

“Shower,” he says. I start walking toward him, but he shakes his head. I freeze. He points to the floor. “Crawl to me, Sheena.”

I fall to my knees, excitement lacing through me at his command. I hold his gaze with mine as I move toward him, the carpet soft beneath my knees and hands. I feel graceful as I crawl, moving with ease as he stands and waits. His body’s magnificent, muscled and lean, fewer tats than the rest, in sharp contrast against his skin. His eyes follow my every move until I reach him.

I’ve submitted at the club. I’ve been with men who commanded and dominated, who’ve used me for their purposes. I’ve used my body to get what I want, to get what I need. But I’ve never been with a man who’s delved beneath my tough exterior. I’ve never been with a man who knows me, the real me, the girl who came from a broken and shameful past, who’s done wrong in the name of justice.

I’ve never been with a man who’s seen me cry.

And it fills me with excitement while it terrifies me. Deep down inside, I ache to please him. He’s taking care of my family, and there’s nothing in the world that matters more to me. He’s defended me in front of his brothers. I’ve been awful to him, and yet he’s still here.

When I reach him, he cups the back of my head, drawing me to him. “Good lass. Come here.” He reaches for my hands and draws me to my feet, frames my face with his hand, and kisses me. His hard length presses against my naked skin, and I moan when his mouth meets mine.

“Tell me, Sheena,” he says. “Why’d you think us responsible for your father’s death?”

Is he doing this on purpose? Questioning me when I’m aroused and naked? He’s damn clever.

I won’t hold the truth back from him. I can’t. We have to join together or we’ll never do what we need to. So I give it to him, the bald, ugly, shameful truth. “I slept with the Captain of the O’Gregor Clan,” I tell him. My voice shakes, but I don’t let it deter me. “I wanted answers. He was the one that told me if I gave him what he wanted, he’d tell me what I needed to hear.”

Nolan’s body tightens, his green eyes narrowing. “And you believed him?”

“At the time, it was the only thing that made sense. My father was dead. I knew it was mafia that killed him, and all signs pointed to the McCarthys.”

“All signs or all accusations?”

I sigh. “Accusations. I wanted someone to blame. My mother mentioned names, men that my father interacted with. She mentioned Carson, and Father Finn, and I assumed because he’s related to you…” my voice trails off. It sounds so foolish now, so flimsy. “And once I started digging up the truth about all of you, it seemed to make sense. I knew my father had business at the harbor. He went there every night. And once I found out you were the ones that deal with arms, I just… concluded.”

“Right,” he says. “You know you’ve been granted an exemption literally no one has ever had before, don’t you?’

I nod. “I do. And I’m sorry. I’ll help make this better, I will.”

He nods. “You will. I’ll see to it you do.” He slams his palm on my backside, and I squeal and trot to the bathroom. “Now get to the shower.”

While he turns the shower on, he holds me to him, fondling my breasts almost distractedly while he checks the temperature. My body’s on fire, his earlier ministrations making my need flare at his touch.