Lania's Pet [Soldiers of Passion 4] (Siren Publishing Allure) Read online

  Lania shook her head to argue, but the severe look in Cal’s eyes stopped her. He was serious. What had just befallen her life now? What was going on, and why the hell did this stupid shit land on her head?

  Cal crossed to her, planting his hands on her shoulders. “Let me remind you of the statistics, honey. One, it is the people you know and who know you that are most likely the suspects. Yes, we may suspect Frank, but as of yet, all he has done is stick his unruly pet in a small cage. We did not see him strike her or hurt her in any physical way.” He released a breath and eased his grip on her shoulders as her eyes darkened with knowledge. She was getting where he was going with this. “Ben was quick to accuse, and then to get you to go to a place he knows you would never want to step foot near was a little odd. He knows you and knows you well. His wife looked devastated, and not once did she lean toward her husband for comfort. That alone tells me something is up. He was very affectionate with her. I don’t know what he is like on a regular basis with her. But I’m sure if we got her alone and assured her she had protection her story would change right damn quick.” He stopped and looked directly in her eyes. “And as for you going into that hell again.” He shook his head. “We may have to come up with another strategy.” Everything seemed to be falling into a different pattern than he had originally thought. Ben had to be the bad guy.

  Lania shook her head. “Cal, what if what Ben says is true? What if Charlotte’s there and Lorena knows it and it was Ben who put her there to lure me?” Her mouth slammed shut. Why the hell would Ben want to harm her? She had never done anything to him.

  Cal caressed Lania’s cheek. “Relax, hon, Trig and I will walk through any possibilities and figure this out.” He glanced at the clock and nodded. “I need to take some more pics, you finish packing. Trig should be here shortly.” He looked around the room. “Any stash of cash?” he asked. Lania nodded. Cal nodded. “Good, we’ll need it. When we leave I’ll get Trig to stop at my room and grab my stash before he heads out.”

  Lania nodded. “How much will you need?” she asked, already working on the safe behind the picture above her bed.

  Cal raised a brow. “All of it,” he answered, snapping more pictures with his cell from every angle. He looked down at the floor, shaking his head. He removed his own shoe and placed it next to the imprint and snapped a picture. “I’m pretty sure I only paid fifty grand to get into that place. Are you sure you want me to clean this whole thing out?” she asked, rolling her eyes. Why was she even questioning him? It was her frickin’ money and she didn’t need anyone to tell her what to do with it.

  Cal whistled. “Hon, if you have more than fifty grand in there I am thoroughly impressed.”

  Lania snorted. “You wouldn’t be impressed with why I have this much with me at all times,” she mumbled, crossing to the closet and grabbing another bag. It was terrifying to know people were out there after her, chasing her. She shivered. Paranoia was not a good thing. She inhaled a deep breath and shoved the stupid thoughts aside. Being home was one thing, but being out here? She needed money to assure her safety. An escape plan until she could get to Jarden. Jarden would take care of her. He had always taken care of her.

  Cal watched as she dragged out another suitcase. This one looked like a really big makeup case on wheels. He chuckled when she opened it and saw all the eye shadows, blushes, and neatly placed lipsticks. She pulled them away and magically her secret compartment to hide her stash appeared. “Smart,” he replied in an approving voice.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Lania studied the tall, lanky fellow who stood next to Cal. Both men looked over the graffiti on her wall. “I really would like to go, Cal,” she sang from behind him. Trig looked at her before Cal did.

  “Lady, you need to chill. It’s better for us to gather the information we need right now, and it would be greatly appreciated if you would just go sit your pretty little bottom over there,” Trig ordered, pointing to the couch across the room.

  Lania narrowed her eyes at the man. She decided she did not like this Trig fellow at all. Bossy Mr. Know-it-all. “For your information, I was not talking to you.”

  Cal raised both his hands, silencing Lania and Trig at the same time. “Lania. Trig’s right. We need a few minutes here. Could you give us that, please?”

  Lania scrunched up her nose. “How about the two of you stay here and do your thing, and I’ll meet you at the cabin.” She was already grabbing up her duffle bag and makeup case, heading for the door.

  “If you step one foot out that door, Lania, I will tie you, gag you, and throw you on the bed. Go sit down and give us a minute,” Cal ordered, shoulders squared and seriousness etched in his eyes.

  Lania met his heated gaze and weighed her options. Cal would do it, she was sure of it. Her heart fluttered. He didn’t want her to be alone. She sighed. “If I’m drunk by the time we leave, it’s entirely your fault,” she grumbled, dropping everything on the spot and crossing to her bar.

  Trig released a low whistle. “Real winner you got yourself there,” he uttered under his breath. Cal smirked. Yes indeed he did, and he fucking loved her to bits.

  “I heard that, you tool,” Lania called from the bar, pouring herself a double scotch, swigging it back, and pouring another.

  Trig ignored her, crouching and motioning Cal to join him. “Fibres?” He pulled his forensic case closer, grabbed the needed equipment, and took any samples he could grab. “Could you determine if it was male or female?”

  “Male. Heavy breathing, heavy foot, and he reeked of pine with a touch of stale whiskey and piss,” Cal answered immediately. Trig nodded. Leave it to Cal to get that just from lying in bed and observing. “I’m not sure how he got in or out.”

  “The window,” Lania called from behind them on her third glass of scotch. “I heard a tapping. If you look, the lock has been tampered with. You should check for prints or whatever else you people should know to look for,” she offered in a sarcastic tone.

  Cal grinned. There was his Mistress, all command and sarcasm. He swore when they got to the cabin he was crawling to her and kissing her god damn feet just the way she liked. Hopefully she would allow him to have a taste of her sweetness, too!

  * * * *

  Lania tossed her bag on the bed and took her case to the closet. “I don’t think I like Laird’s taste in home décor,” she rambled, placing her case in the back of the closet and turning and coming to a halt at the sight before her. Pride filled her. Cal knelt before her, butt naked and head bowed, his hands clasped behind his back.

  “Permission to speak, Mistress?” he asked.

  Lania crouched and hooked a finger under his chin. “Yes, my pet, please speak and explain yourself,” she ordered.

  Cal met her gaze. “I love my Mistress and wish to serve her.”

  Lania’s breath caught in her throat. Never had he said “love” to her. Serve her, yes, but love her? Never. Lania cupped his cheek and opened her mouth to utter the words back but couldn’t.

  Cal stole a kiss from her palm and turned playful eyes on her. He’d seen the terror in her eyes that she couldn’t utter the words back to him. It wasn’t what he had wanted to accomplish. They would come all their own in due time. “May I serve my Mistress, please?” he begged. His heart yearned to serve her, to feel her tender touch, to hear her soft voice praise him for his good behavior as he kissed her feet, as he made his way up her leg.

  Lania caught herself and stood. “Yes, pet. You may start with my feet,” she ordered, voice cold and calculated. She watched as he unlaced her boots, his hands steady and gentle as he pulled the boot from her foot and placed it neatly aside, then bent and placed a kiss on the top of her foot, moving onto the next. When he had both boots neatly placed beside himself, she tapped the button on her jeans. “These are in need of removing. If you could, my precious pet. It would be greatly appreciated,” she cooed, waiting for his nimble fingers to do their magic. She held back the smile trying to burst from her lips
as he undid the button, unzipped her jeans, and fought not to just tug them down and touch her. His hands trembled as he eased them down her legs, and he confidently lifted her foot and removed one pant leg then the other. Then he folded them neatly. “You will kiss your way up my legs, pet. Then you will remove my panties with your teeth,” she ordered, looking at the tip of her nails and fluffing her hair back with the other hand.

  “Yes, Mistress,” Cal murmured. Gentle hot kisses extensively planned making their way up his Mistress’s legs. Her inner thighs quivered as his tongue betrayed him and tasted her thigh. The sharp slap to his naked back stopped him.

  “I’m pretty sure you were told kisses, not licks!” She growled, bringing up a foot and placing it on his shoulder. “Give me twenty now!” she ordered, pushing on his shoulder.

  Cal turned over and got into stance, waiting for her minor weight to come to rest on his back. Bad boy, twenty push-ups with his Mistress on him was minor to other punishments he had received. When her weight came to rest on his shoulders he held back the lustful growl. She was straddling his back! She never did that. Always she side-straddled him.

  “Go on.” She ordered, counting out every push-up, her fingers dragging along his muscled shoulders and running through his thick hair, distracting him beyond what he was used to. When he reached twenty, she rose from his back. “Lay flat and look toward the wall. Five minutes to think about your actions, little boy!” she ordered, crossing to the closet. She was sure she had seen something shiny and tantalizing in there. She smiled when she spotted outfits at the back of the large open space. Ah, little Layle, Laird’s pretty wife, had a pretty collection in here. She went through her options, settling for a schoolgirl outfit. A smirk curled her lips. He had just done push-ups. Perhaps next he needed to work on his abs. It didn’t hurt to have a spotter sitting on his feet. Of course he would have to give her twenty kisses as an apology for overstepping himself. She slipped into the miniskirt, pressing the pleats and making sure they all settled neatly. Next she pulled on the flimsy halter, chuckling as her tits barely fit the thing. She looked over the shoes, scrunching her nose in distaste. Damn, Layle had tiny god damn feet. Stockings would have to do.

  When her ensemble was complete, she returned to Cal and stood above him. “Over and on your ass. I think your abs are in need of work,” she ordered, settling on his feet and resting her well-manicured hands on his bent knees.

  Cal tried not to ogle her tits, just barely staying in the flimsy top. His dick stood to attention at the sight of her pebbled nipples straining against the white fabric. He placed his hands behind his head and waited for her to give the go-ahead. “You will kiss my knuckles and say sorry,” she ordered, giving him the nod to go ahead.

  Cal licked his lips, and his gaze darted to her hands, resting on his knees. He was pretty sure he couldn’t bend like that. He went for it, just barely touching her knuckles. “Sorry,” he said loud and clear, relieved when she moved her hands toward him. That distance he could handle.

  Lania watched the muscles in his arms ripple with every curl. Watched his features tense then ease as he laid a kiss on her knuckles. Even watched as his dick bobbed with every curl. Poor baby must be uncomfortable. “Five more, my handsome pet,” she praised, patiently waiting for him. When he finished he lay back, breathing easily, his chest just slightly glistening with sweat. She raised a brow. Surely that was nothing compared to what he’d done in the hotel room over the last week. “Are you feeling okay, Cal?” she asked, voice serious.

  “Yes, Mistress,” he answered, voice edged with a tense tone.

  Lania backed off his feet and lay out next to him. She laid a hand on his chest. His heart thumped rapidly beneath her hand. “What is bothering you, my pretty pet?” she asked.

  Cal looked at the ceiling, closing his eyes. “Your pet is tired,” he admitted.

  Lania looked at him, furrowing her eyebrows. It had been a long night, and who knew how long that man had been in their room. “You may get up and go to bed,” she ordered. She waited for him to make a move. He didn’t. He lay there, eyes closed, his breathing even, his body relaxed. She smiled. “Cal?” She caressed his stubble-covered jaw. No reaction. She giggled. “You seriously fell asleep?” she mumbled, easing up and crawling on him. She straddled his tummy and stared at him. Yup, he looked asleep to her. She dipped and pressed her lips to his. Nothing. Her lips hovered over his. “Cal, sweetie, I would really like for you to get up crawl into bed and get a good night’s sleep? And of course give me my kissy good night.” His lips curled, and she smacked his arm. “Faker!” she squealed as his hands gripped her hips and she was easily rolled over and beneath him in seconds.

  “This kissy?” he asked, mouth smashing against hers in a hungry kiss.

  Laughter bubbled from Lania as her hands came to rest on his shoulders. “Yes. Thank you. Now get your bad little ass to the bed. You’re not sleeping on the floor,” she ordered.

  Cal grinned, trying to stifle the yawn. “I’m sorry, Mistress. All I wanted was to serve you.”

  Lania’s heart softened. The regret in his eyes told her he was truly sorry for his fatigue. “You did. Thank you. Now off to bed. You need your rest to deal with that irritable one tomorrow.”

  Cal chuckled, rising and holding a hand out to her, helping her up. “He’s not irritable. He’s just Trig,” he supplied, pulling the blankets back for her.

  Lania shook her head. “Uh-uh, you get in, and I’ll take care of the rest. Your Trig has his ears open?” she asked, checking their bedroom door, relieved there was a lock. She turned it, looking back at Cal, who was already on his tummy and hugging a pillow under his head.

  “Yup, he put up surveillance. Nothing to worry about. If anything comes at us it will be blaring loud,” he droned, eyes closed, another yawn attacking him.

  Lania shut off the lights as she made her way to the bed. When she crawled in, she snuggled close, kissing his cheek. “I want you to make love to me, Cal. Not tonight but soon,” she whispered. Deep in the pit of her stomach she knew it was soon time. It was something she could handle with him, wanted from him.

  Cal smiled, releasing the pillow and pulling her into his arms. “I would love the honor, Lania.” He laid a kiss on her forehead and his heart eased as her body eased against his.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cal lay stone still, breathing easy, eyes wide and watching her as she slumbered, her features soft and trusting. His lips curled in a smile as her little nose scrunched up and the slight movement made a wisp of hair fall to her forehead. He reached up, brushing it back. The feel was pure silk against his rough fingers. He dragged a finger along her cheek, down along her jaw. Her lips parted and a soft breath left her.

  “Mmmm,” she hummed in sleep.

  “Lania,” he whispered, edging closer, his palm cupping her face.

  “Cal.” She whispered his name, her body molding to his.

  Cal growled, his lips brushing hers ever so softly. “Wake up, Lania,” he urged, lips whispering along her jaw. His hand lowered, caressing her neck, lower, over her shoulder, dragging her shirt away from her shoulder, baring it to him. His mouth followed his hand. “Lania.” He sang her name in a husky voice.

  Lania stirred, warm hands on her body. Soft lips caressing her shoulder. “Cal?” she murmured in confusion, her body overheated and her brain fuzzy from sleep. “Mmmm, what are you doing?” she asked ramblingly.

  “Worshipping you,” he replied, kissing the nape of her neck. “Waking you up.” He followed, his hand cupping her breast. “Mmmm, yeah, want to mash those beaut’s together and bury my face between them.” He groaned, moving swiftly, and straddled her in seconds. He mashed her breasts together and looked her in the eyes. “Fucking beautiful, Lania.” He growled.

  Lania stared in shock. Cal was naked and straddling her and her fucking pussy dripped with want of more! “Cal!” Her voice was a mere whisper.

  Cal shook his head. “Not stopping, Lania…Wanted this
since the moment I laid eyes on you.” He released her breasts and lay on her. His weight he was sure was crushing her, but he wanted her to feel him. To be aware that he was here and this was happening. “You want this and I want this.”

  Lania nodded. “I know, but—”

  Cal covered her lips with a single finger. “Trust me, Lania,” he urged.

  Lania shook her head. She may have said she wanted him to make love to her, but shit, that was mere hours ago and she was sure she said not tonight!

  “Please, Lania. Trust that I know what your body wants.”

  Lania snorted, removing his finger from her lips. “I know my body wants you. Should you not be concerned with me wanting you?”

  Cal chuckled, his lips smashing to hers. He coaxed her lips with his tongue, and when she parted them for him, he growled into her mouth, his tongue sweeping through with hunger. When her body eased against his, he eased back and looked at her full on. Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing heavy. “Trust me, Lania,” he begged again.

  Lania studied him for a minute. His tongue darted out and licked his lips, leaving them glistening. She bit her lower lip and furrowed her brow. “I’m scared,” she whispered.

  Cal shook his head. “Nothing to be afraid of.” He ground his hips against hers. “You have touched every inch of this body, Lania.” He whispered kisses down her throat, his hands easily lifting her nightie up. “You know every reaction this body has.”

  Lania shook her head, her hips lifting off the bed, rubbing against Cal’s thick erection. “Not like this,” she uttered breathlessly, a squeak escaping her as Cal pinched her nipple. Her hands trembled and unease rolled through her.