Mustang by Piper Stone

Chapter 7

Danni

Oh, God. Oh… God.

There wasn’t an inch on my body that wasn’t shivering from Mustang’s strong touch, the way he held me. Everything about him was forceful, dominating and a part of me was terrified I wouldn’t be able to handle whatever brutal actions he was prepared to give.

Another part wanted to rip out his eyes with my fingers, feeding them to the wolves. I couldn’t believe I was so attracted or the way my body reacted, but there was no denying the electricity shared between us. I held my arm over my eyes, the rush of embarrassment cresting across the lower half of my face just as horrifying as the goosebumps erupting along every inch of my skin. When he swiped his tongue down the length of my pussy, I was almost instantly shattered to the core. At the same time, anxiety washed over me even as wetness pooled between my legs. I was lightheaded, struggling to hold onto my nerves as a tightness in my chest continued to build.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Mustang stated offhandedly. “You’re going to keep your legs wide open for me and you are not allowed to come unless I give you permission. Do I make myself clear?”

I lifted my arm long enough to glare at him, giving him the dirtiest look I could muster.

He tilted his head, lifting his eyebrows. “Do you know what it would feel like to have my thick leather strap slapping against your pretty pink pussy lips?”

There wasn’t a single part of me not shaking after he issued the words. “Fine. I get it.”

As if to add emphasis, he smacked my pussy lips with three fingers, bringing them down in rapid succession.

“Do you want to try that again, sunshine?”

I huffed, holding back my tongue, the sting more incredible than I wanted to admit. “Fine. Yes. Sir.”

“See. Isn’t that better?” As if a reward, he dipped his head once again, rolling his tongue around the area he’d just smacked, shaking his head from side to side as he drank from me.

Stars washed over me in vibrant colors, leaving every inch of my skin on fire and my heart ready to explode.

“Oh. Oh. Oh.” I hated the moans erupting from my throat, but I there was no way to stop them. The sensations in every cell were red-hot, leaving me panting like some freaking dog, only adding to the embarrassment I felt.

Growling, Mustang repeated the move, taking his time to swirl the tip of his tongue around my clit before languishing over lapping up the cream leaking from my tight channel. How long had it been since any man had pleasured me with such ferocity? Long enough I couldn’t even see an image of the man involved or think of the occurrence. Obviously, the experience hadn’t been very good.

I remained mortified, my energy almost sapped as he darted his tongue around my swollen bud several times before sucking on my clit. I tossed my head from side to side, trying desperately to catch my breath. Nothing had ever felt so good, the pleasure increasing rapidly. I tried to obey him, keeping my legs wide open, but I hadn’t realized they’d slipped until he issued a series of guttural sounds.

Then he smacked his fingers across my tender tissue again.

And again.

“You are so mean!” I yelped before I could stop the words.

“You ain’t seen nothing yet.” He gave me a stern look, waiting until I pressed my knees open, holding them with my hands, before blowing across my pussy.

“And so bad.”

“Hell, yeah. Isn’t that what all dirty cowboys are supposed to be?”

There was something about his wicked grin that drove me wild, the slight smile highlighting the dimple in his chin. He was disarming in his actions, but there was no doubt he was serious about his utter desire for possession.

When he buried his head once again, thrusting his tongue inside, I was unable to hold back a scream, the sound floating toward the ceiling. Panting, I dug my fingers into my knees, every part of my body shaking as he rubbed my clit between his index finger and thumb, creating a wave of friction. I was instantly thrown into a round of bliss, curling my toes the second he pinched and twisted. While pain blasted through me, almost instantly the most incredible feeling of exhilaration replaced the sting.

Mustang slipped several fingers beside his tongue, plunging in wild abandon. When he flexed them open, curling the tips, I jerked up from the bed, struggling to keep my position.

“Oh, God. Yes. Yes…” I gazed down at him with hazy eyes, trying to catch my breath. As he lifted his gaze, his gorgeous green eyes held more than just a hint of darkness. There was no doubt in my mind what he wanted to do to me.

Devour and dominate.

The thought was more exciting than it should be.

He moved his head, rubbing his lips across the inside of one thigh then the other as he gazed up at me, making certain I watched as he licked from the inside of my knee all the way up to my pussy, barely darting his tongue around my clit. He repeated the action with my other leg before driving his tongue inside. As he pumped savagely, he shook his head from side to side, slickening his entire face.

Every few seconds he brought me close to an orgasm then backed off, sucking on my pussy lips as he watched my reaction.

I couldn’t stop shaking, my whimpers and moans becoming strangled. “Please…”

He continued licking and sucking for a full minute before lifting his head. “Please what, sunshine?”

I wanted to hate him for calling me that name, but there were few rational thoughts in my head. “Let me… come.”

“I think you might have to ask a bit nicer than that.”

I couldn’t stop panting, my nerves on edge. Even my damn vision was cloudy. The man was driving me crazy on purpose. Damn him. “Please, oh, please, sir. Let. Me. Come.” The words were strangled, barely audible. I laughed nervously, barely able to hold back a raging climax.

“Hmmm… Have you been a good girl?” he asked in the sexy, husky voice that had already driven me crazy. Damn him. The blanket of fire enveloping all around me threatened to scald my body.

“Yes. Yes. Yes!”

“Let me think,” he growled them resumed feasting, driving his fingers in so hard and deep, the force drew me up from the bedding.

“Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh.” I knew he was watching my every move, his eyes beacons into his soul. I couldn’t keep mine open. As my body bucked, I wasn’t certain I could hold back any longer. “Please. Please. Please.”

“Well,” he murmured and the second he shoved two fingers into my dark hole, I jerked all the way up. “Come!” he commanded. “Come now.”

For a few seconds, I remained in a vacuum, unable to wrap my mind around the orgasm as it swept through me. Then it exploded with such ferocity that I could no longer breathe. “Yes. Yes!”

There was no way of holding back another scream, the sound reverberating into the room as the single climax began a beautiful, blissful wave. I was forced to clamp my hands around the bedding, jerking on the material, no longer caring if I disobeyed him. The pleasure was simply too amazing, shifting into raw ecstasy.

Mustang wrapped his arms around my legs, holding me in position as he continued to eat me, a famished man unable to stop feasting. When another orgasm ripped into me, the only sound I was able to make was strangled, my heart hammering hard against my chest. After a few seconds, I lay spent and gasping for air, a haze covering my entire head.

“Mmm… So damn sweet. Both little holes tight as drums. I can’t wait to stick my cock inside your mouth. Then your pussy. Then I’m going to fuck you in your ass.”

His words were deliciously filthy, further awakening the naughty girl inside. It was as if the cowboy had managed to peel away the layers of fear and anxiety, anger, and distrust, yanking on the wanton woman buried deep inside. When he lightly pressed his lips against my legs, brushing them up ever so slowly, I held my breath for fear of continuing to scream. My skin was on fire, my muscles relaxed yet every nerve ending seared from the white-hot coals licking at them like a predatory creature.

He continued his exploration, kissing and licking along the crevice between my thigh and hip, moving slowly up to my stomach. When he darted his tongue around my belly button, I became lightheaded once again, uncertain I could put two coherent words together.

A few seconds later, he crawled over me, his hulking mass of a body hovering barely inches above me. The low-slung growls pushing past his luscious lips sent vibrations dancing down my legs. His feathery kisses continued, drifting closer to my breasts. After he dragged the tip of his rough tongue between them, he lifted his head until he was able to look me in the eyes.

“Good things happen to obedient girls. But when they’re bad, they’re punished hard and often.” His voice was even more authoritative, the tone dipping into the deepest level of baritone.

The words were thrilling, another round of excitement surging through me. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he rolled his tongue around my nipple ever so slowly. When he nipped the tip, his eyes twinkled as if the devil inside of him had been released. As he took the tender flesh between his lips, he exaggerated his sounds of sucking.

I was mesmerized, my breath shallow and my pulse skipping. I’d never been so aroused in my life.

A dark chuckle slipped past his lips before he moved to my other nipple, biting down brutally.

“Oh…” I licked my dry lips, my arms floating down. I had to touch him, to feel his heated skin. With a single touch, I knew we were both going to burst into flames.

He studied my face, the intensity of his gaze magnifying. I knew he had every intent of keeping his promise to fuck me in every hole. There was no way I could handle his gigantic cock inside my asshole. None. I’d never been fucked in the ass. I almost laughed nervously as he eased his face closer to mine until our lips were almost touching.

“What’s so funny, little girl?” he mused.

“Na… Nothing.”

His grin returned seconds before he captured my mouth, keeping his lips pressed firmly against mine.

I eased my hands over his shoulders, squeezing his arms. He was built like no other man, a perfect combination of chiseled muscles and sculpted abs, a small waist leading to his hips and his butt riding the blue jeans he wore like a form-fitting glove. I should fight the attraction, but there was nothing I could do.

He pushed his tongue inside my mouth, but only for a few seconds. When he reared back, he stared down at me before taking my hand and yanking me into a sitting position.

After dragging off his boots, he took both my hands, placing them on his belt buckle. “Finish undressing me, Danni.”

I gave him a shy smile, the warmth of another round of embarrassment making my heart go pitter-patter as butterflies crisscrossed patterns in my tummy. Why my hands were shaking I wasn’t certain, but I fumbled as I tried to unbuckle the belt, imagining the strap being used against my bottom once again. The sting from the earlier spanking lingered, my bottom remaining crimson for some time.

The entire situation had been so damn embarrassing, but also freeing in the craziest way. Just being in the truck with him, seeing the incredible majesty of the ranch had left me aching inside for different reasons. I could certainly see living on such a gorgeous estate, watching the horses as they roamed the fields every day.

As if that was ever going to happen.

What amazed me was the respect he had for the land, the way he talked about the ranch and his friend. I’d been impressed, even feeling guilty for the way I’d treated him, yet when I’d laid eyes on him only hours before, I’d assumed the worst. Maybe I was a bad little girl after all.

When I was finally able to unbuckle, I gazed into his eyes. He lifted his eyebrows as he folded his arms, watching everything that I did.

“Remove the belt. You never know when I’ll need it,” he said in the same sexy drawl as before.

I wanted to grumble, to lash out as I usually did, but I did as I was told. The scent of the leather was overpowering, filling my nostrils much like the richness of his testosterone did. The man was utterly intoxicating, the combination of his testosterone and exotic spices from his aftershave irresistible. When the belt was finally freed, I folded it over, sliding a portion under my nose.

“The perfect belt to use.”

I heard the playful tone and knew he was testing me.

Two could play at that game. I took my time unbuttoning his jeans, unzipping an inch at a time. His breathing became ragged, his chest rising and falling. However, I could tell that he was losing his patience, every muscle tensing.

As I peeled away his jeans, the tough material fighting me, I realized my mouth was watering. The effort of tugging both sides past his carved hipbones was well worth it. His cock finally freed, I did my best to lower his jeans very slowly. He finally ran out of patience, jerking them the rest of the way and tossing them across the room.

I marveled at just how gorgeous he was, his long legs in perfect proportion to his muscular torso.

He slowly lowered his hands, entangling his fingers in my hair. “Suck me, baby. Suck my cock.”

He didn’t have to ask twice. I wrapped one hand around the base, stroking up and down, marveling at the way his shaft throbbed in my fingers. As I leaned over, blowing across his cockhead, he let out a long sigh. I couldn’t help myself, slipping my hand between his legs and cupping his balls. They were so swollen, full of his seed. Every part of me tingled as I rolled them between my fingers.

“Don’t tease me, sunshine, or I assure you that you will be punished.”

I had every intention of teasing him, taking my time and driving him wild. I twisted my hand, creating enough friction he let off a ragged moan. Within seconds, a few drops of pre-cum became my reward. Unable to resist, I dragged the tip of my tongue across the pearl beads, savoring the tangy flavor.

He issued another deep growl before placing his hands on my head, holding me in place as I wrapped my mouth around his cockhead, sucking and licking. I was surprised how incredible his shaft felt in my mouth, my muscles aching as I attempted to accept his wide girth. Closing my eyes, I swirled my tongue back and forth, as he inched closer, the grip from his hands firm.

“That’s it,” he muttered then jutted his hips forward. “Your mouth is so freaking hot.”

As I attempted to relax my throat, I took him down several inches, my jaw stretching to the point of aching. When the tip hit the back of my throat, my muscles constricted, doing everything to accept it.

The second he started to pump in and out, driving his cock deeper inside my mouth, my entire body began to shake. I continued to squeeze his testicles, his moans the perfect aphrodisiac. I managed to slip my mouth from around his bulbous head, able to drag my tongue down the underside, finally slipping one of his balls into my mouth.

His body froze for a few seconds as I performed the act, ragged moans slipping past his lips. I adored the way his body shuddered to my touch, his muscles tensing. I licked and sucked for several seconds before moving to his other swollen sac, taking my time to savor the flavor as well as the way his ball filled my mouth.

When he yanked on my hair several seconds later, dragging my head away from my prize, I issued a single purr.

He shook his head, a slight laugh permeating the air. “You are one bad girl.”

“And I think you like me that way.”

“Mmm… Maybe. Suck. Now.”

“Why, yes, sir.”

I obeyed his command, pulling almost the entire length of his cock into my mouth as I rose further onto my knees, gripping both his thighs. I was forced to hold onto his legs, digging my fingers in as he pumped my head, forcing me to take all of him. My breathing strangled, I tried to relax, my throat muscles already aching. There was something amazing about his power and prowess, the way he took absolute control and forced me to surrender.

Releasing a deep exhale, Mustang shoved his shaft in deep and hard, his guttural sounds a reminder of the true beast he’d become. I was shocked how much I adored the moment even as I struggled to accept his thickness.

I could tell he was close to coming, every muscle in his body straining to hold back, the man struggling to resume control. Even as I licked fervently, he fought me, finally pushing me away.

As I looked up, I could see the wild look in his eyes, the glistening in his pupils. He laughed raggedly then wiped his mouth. “You’re not in charge, sunshine, and you never will be.”

“Maybe I am.”

His laugh shifted into something even more barbaric, the harsh snarl he emitted just seconds before he tossed me onto all fours leaving me shaking. My desire continued to grow, yet the second he snagged the belt, I did everything I could to crawl away.

There was no hesitation on his part as he fisted my hair, yanking me back with enough force I was out of breath. “You’re not going anywhere,” he stated with utter defiance before shifting my legs further apart. “You’re one very bad girl. You deserve harsh discipline every day.”

“Not true and not fair,” I huffed, still trying to claw my way to the other side of the bed.

“That’s where you are wrong.”

There was no way to describe the second he slashed the leather strap over my already aching bottom, hitting me exactly on the sit spot. Yelping, I attempted to lunge forward, the burn on my backside indescribable. Nothing could have prepared me for the sting or the way my body reacted, my breath skipping. I was thrown into a surreal moment, lights flashing in front of my eyes as he brought the belt down again. My entire world was out of sorts, my body tingling as the pain washed through me.

How could I even want anything like this? Why was my body bursting from a heightened level of desire? And why was it that the excitement I felt was all about the man shoving his cock deep inside? I could no longer think about the questions as he brought the strap down several times. The heat exploded, my ass cheeks on fire. There was no sense of my emotions or my body’s betrayal, but as I curled my fingers around the comforter, I arched my back. Nothing made any sense, yet this felt so right, as if we were always meant to be.

Still, I attempted once again to fight my way to the other side of the bed, only to be dragged back, the belt coming down in even harsher slaps.

“You’re not getting away from me,” he growled as he caressed my bottom, his fingers massaging my already bruised skin. When he rolled his fingers into the crack of my ass, I sucked in my breath. He was going to fuck me in the ass, ensuring I knew that I belonged to him.

“Oh. Oh. Oh.” My moans filtered toward the ceiling, the sound causing him to lean over and rake his nails down my spine.

“I can’t wait to be inside of you.”

Even the sound of his voice was exhilarating, driving me to the point of losing the rest of my sanity. I jutted my hips backward as the spanking continued, no longer fighting him. The spanking went on for at least a full minute, one hard strike coming after the other. A part of me was ready to surrender, to do anything he demanded.

The other part was prepared to fight like a wild animal, yet when the ache turned into ravaging bliss, I was caught off guard.

When he finally let go of my hair, tossing the belt aside, I realized I couldn’t move. I was lost in whatever powerful aura surrounded him, ready to accept whatever else he had in mind.

The weight of the bed changed as he crawled onto the surface, rubbing his hands down my back in a sensuous manner. When he slipped his hand between my legs, cupping my mound, I was unable to hold back a strangled moan.

“So wet for me. So hot.” His words were even more enticing and all I could do was drop my head, waiting for him to thrust his cock into whatever hole he desired.

There was no hesitation, no additional conversation. He drove the entire length of his cock inside, his roar primitive and aggressive.

“Oh, fuck. Oh…” As my muscles attempted to accept his savage intrusion, my body bucked, my legs thumping against the bed.

Mustang gripped my hips, his fingers flexing wide open as he dug them into my skin, holding me in place as he pumped in even strokes. The sound of skin slapping against skin was the most beautiful music, perfectly orchestrated as our bodies combined. There was no holding back as he took me, every plunge harder than the one before.

I lolled my head, trying desperately to focus on anything. Even the lights had dimmed, the entire room nothing but a shadow. With every growl he made, every brutal sound, I realized I was surrendering. No man had ever been this dominating, doing everything he could to fulfill his needs.

Just when I thought he was ready to come, spewing his seed into my womb, he pulled out, smacking my bottom once again several times. He rolled onto the bed, dragging me over him until I was forced to straddle his hips.

The grin on his face was nothing but mischievous and the second he cupped my breasts, sliding me up and down on his slickened cock, a slight curl appearing in the corner of his mouth. “Are you ready to ride me?”

I gave him a heated look before easing my hand between us, shoving his cock inside once again. I’d suddenly become insatiable, no longer maintaining any level of rationality. “What do you think?” I shifted up and down twice, resting on his legs as I swished my long hair across his chest.

“I think you’re nothing but a tease.”

“Perhaps,” I mewed, repeating the move.

His expression carnal, he pinched my nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, delighting in the single moan escaping my mouth. “Oh, I know.”

Everything about the man was mesmerizing and as I rode him, his cock expanded, filling my tight hole completely. The pain rushing into my system invigorated me, pushing me into another level of pleasure that I’d never experienced before. I planted my hands on his chest, kneading his skin as I continued, his ragged heartbeat pulsing against my fingers. I couldn’t resist a smile crossing my face, the feeling of control electrifying almost as much as the jolts erupting between us.

He chuckled in his dark and demonic manner again, his eyes lighting up like pools of a gasoline-lit fire. Even the husky growls slipping past his lips were more pronounced, a true beast biding his time as I played.

There was no doubt I was right when he jerked up from the bed, whipping me around to face the other side. He laughed as he held me aloft, taunting me as he slipped the tip of his cock up and down the length of my pussy. He pushed me forward, tickling the skin on my back with the brush of his fingers as he slowly eased them down, finally rubbing them in the crack of my ass.

I held my breath as he pushed me forward, my hands firmly planted around his legs. The entire room seemed to be spinning as I waited while he toyed with me, finally pushing the tip of his cock into my dark hole. A whimper slipped past my lips, my heart racing as he pushed just inside.

“Relax, baby. It’ll hurt then I assure you, it’ll feel real good.”

A part of me was ready to retort something nasty, but I was forced to suck in my breath, clinging to the comforter as if it was my lifeline. Panting, I refused to issue additional moans as he pushed further inside. The pain was blinding, the heat building all throughout my body. Stars and comets and planets flashed in front of my eyes as he shifted his hips.

“Damn, you’re so tight,” he muttered, growling several times in the same dominating tone as I’d heard before.

Hanging my head, I could barely catch my breath and when he drove the last few inches inside, I was no longer able to hold back a scream. “Fuck. Oh. God!”

“Breathe. Just breathe.”

“You breathe,” I demanded, huffing and squirming. After chuckling, he began to pump in and out slowly, taking his time as my muscles expanded, trying desperately to accept his thickness. Every inch of my body was on fire, my entire world reduced to concentrating on the slice of anguish pulsing through me like a bottle rocket.

Exhaling, he drove in and out methodically, kneading my skin as if it would make the damn experience any better.

But within seconds, I realized I was wrong. The pain shifted, morphing into something magical, a burst of sensations crisscrossing over and through my body. I was shocked at the sheer euphoria, leaving me aching all over and in an entirely delicious manner. I threw back my head, stroking his legs as I began to rock him, moving up and down even as he continued to hold me. Everything shifted into a beautiful blur as he fucked me, driving into my tight hole with utter savagery.

“So good. So freaking good.”

I adored his husky whispers, the feel of his hot breath against my back. I was powerless to his hold on me, both physically and mentally, becoming lost in the moment. Moans continuously slipped past my lips as I bucked like a crazed beast, arching my back and struggling to remember anything other than what was occurring. The deliciousness of being thrown into such pleasure was a beautiful reminder that life was spectacular.

And that this cowboy had managed to touch every nerve, every emotion deep within me.

“Ride me, baby. Ride me hard.”

I laughed hearing his words, clamping down my muscles as I bobbed up and down on the bed. There was no doubt he was once again close to coming, his breathing ragged, his fingers digging into me roughly. When I squeezed again, I could only smile.

“Jesus. You are… Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!” The roar ripping from him, coming up from the depths of his being was sweeter than any orchestra. As he spilled his seed deep into me, I realized that this man wasn’t just trouble.

He’d already rocked my world.

But I remained terrified to fall for him. I couldn’t break my resolve. Not now. Not ever.

What the hell was I supposed to do?

* * *

Moonlight.

There was something so mesmerizing about the giant orb, especially as it drifted in through the window blinds, highlighting the big man sleeping next to me. To say I was shocked that he’d actually gotten under the covers, cradling me next to him was an understatement. He didn’t seem like the romantic type on any level.

Not that we’d had much pillow talk.

He’d simply held me close, rubbing his fingers up and down my arm, even inviting Zorro up onto the bed after a few minutes. While I didn’t want to envision or even think about how natural it felt to have him in my bed, with my beautiful pup already adoring him, it was difficult not to allow the thoughts to enter my mind.

Mustang was larger than life, his persona as big as his rough and tumble talk. He was a take no shit kind of man, yet there was a gentle side to him. However, I was clearly able to see just how haunted he was inside, even his expression relaying some kind of intense darkness gripping him. The heat of his body warmed mine, the slight rise and fall of his chest as he slept peacefully comforting.

I rubbed my fingers in an aimless pattern as I gazed up at the window overlooking the scraggly back yard. A smile remained on my face from the intensity of the incredible sex as well as the way Zorro was lying across both our legs. The way Zorro had taken to him left me tingling all over.

But I dared not say that to Mustang.

I almost laughed at the thought. The beefy cowboy would most likely use that against me. While I was exhausted, my body remained wired as I listened to the muffled but regular sounds of the injured pup on the monitor. While I’d turned off the screen, I knew I’d barely be able to fall into a fitful sleep, easily able to catch any signs of distress.

When I finally closed my eyes, visions of beautiful little cabin even deeper in the woods came into my mind. The small yet beautiful house was surrounded by a lush field of green, wildflowers dotting the edge of a rustic fence. Exhaling, I rubbed my hand along Mustang’s chest, trying to allow myself to fall asleep. The quietness of the moment lulled me into a higher state of relaxation.

“No!” Mustang hissed, his body shaking. “We can’t get to him, Jake. He’s gone. We have to get out of here.”

I shifted, lifting my head, easily able to notice the way his eyes rolled back and forth quickly underneath his eyelids. What the hell was he dreaming?

“You don’t understand. We go in. We die. Don’t be a martyr.”

Easing onto my elbow, I placed my hand against his face. Whatever nightmare he was having had left him in a cold sweat.

His body jerked, his arm flying out and the second he opened his eyes, his mouth twisted in agony.

“Mustang. Wake up. You were having a dream,” I whispered, shaking him gently.

“No. No!” he snarled, darting his terrified gaze back and forth.

“Come on. Wake up.” The words were barely out of my mouth when he rolled me over, jerking up onto both arms, the look on his face one of rage.

“We’re not doing this!” he snapped.

Zorro whimpered, trying his best to slide in between us.

Swallowing hard, I very gently placed one hand on his cheek, the other across his heart. Even in the dim shadows, I was able to see he was a million miles away. “Mustang. It’s okay. You’re safe. You’re with me.”

His eyes registered nothing but the cold, hard anger that had wrapped around his entire mind and body like a horrific clamp, squeezing to the point he had difficulty breathing.

“Wake up. Come on, baby. Look at me.” My words didn’t register at all. Then the blank look began to shift as he blinked twice.

When he slammed his fist into the pillow next to my head, I was unable to hold back a whimper. The sound I made dragged him all the way out of his trance. Zorro shifted all the way between us, his tail thumping as he crowded over my body.

Gasping for air, he glanced down at me, blinking several times.

I could feel my body shaking, a slight hint of fear creeping into my muscles, but I knew that if I’d been in any real danger, Zorro would have reacted differently. When the pup licked the cowboy’s face, Mustang reared back, glancing from one side of the room to the other, shifting his hand to his side as if searching for a weapon.

“Fuck. What… happened?” he managed.

“You were having a dream.”

He reared back, now gasping for air, finally returning his attention in my direction. As he tried to smile, he lifted his arm, flexing and fisting his fingers. “Are you okay?” He rubbed his hand down Zorro’s back, nuzzling against the dog for a few seconds.

Zorro finally huffed then shifted to the far side of the bed.

“I’m fine. The question is, are you?”

Rolling off, he eased his arms behind his head, glaring at the ceiling. “Yeah. Just fine.”

The man had closed himself off completely. Refusing to give in, I rolled over, staring him in the eyes. “What were you dreaming about?”

“Nothing important.”

“Since you almost punched me in the face, I’d say it was important.”

A look of horror crossed his face and he jerked away, shifting onto the side of the bed and planting his feet on the floor. “Fuck.”

I scooted closer, reaching out then pulling my hand away. “The war?”

“Something like that.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” I already knew the answer. Men like him didn’t talk about sadness or anger. They bottled up their emotions, pretending that whatever horrible experience they’d gone through they could get through all by themselves. He remained trembling, the heavy adrenaline flow obvious. Ten seconds passed. Fifteen. I was sick not knowing how to help him.

He snorted, darting his head over his shoulder. “Naw.” A quiet few seconds of tension settled in. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t. If you’d attempted to hurt me, Zorro would have eaten your arm off.”

Zorro whined his answer before crawling closer to Mustang. I wanted to call the fluff ball a traitor, but I was glad to see the two of them got along.

Huffing, Mustang placed his hand on Zorro’s head, rubbing behind the pup’s ears. “That’s good to know. You need protection.”

“I have a gun. Don’t worry.”

Cocking his head, he shot me a look before smiling as his breathing started to calm. “One bad woman.”

“Told ya.” I wasn’t going to push him, but now I knew the source of his sadness. Whatever had happened overseas was eating him alive.

Another ten seconds passed. Fifteen. I had no idea what to say to him.

Gggrrr…

Zorro’s sudden growl reeked of menace, every inch of his fur standing on end.

“What is it, buddy?” I asked, watching as my dog stared at the door to the bedroom.

After barking once, Zorro bolted off the bed, racing through the house. That had to mean that someone was outside the house. Damn it. If the assholes were attempting to do anything, I would…

I couldn’t even finish my thought.

Mustang jerked up, reaching for his jeans. “Listen to me. You stay right here. Do you understand me?”

I was already halfway out of the bed when he jerked me down, hovering over me, his lips dangerously close. “This is my house and it’s probably just cougars or something,” I managed, although I didn’t believe that for a second. I pressed my hand against his chest, still seeing the pain in his eyes from before.

“Uh-huh, well, that’s what I’m going to find out and you’re going to remain warm and safe inside. Obey me.” He continued dressing, yanking his boots into his hands before moving toward the window.

“Or what?”

He shook his head slightly. “Listen to me, Danni. I’m not fucking with you. I’ll be right back. I kinda don’t want anything to happen to you. I couldn’t handle that right now. You got it?”

Nodding, I gave in, remaining where I was, even as a series of horrible thoughts rushed into the back of my mind.

As he fought to throw on his boots, dragging his shirt from the floor seconds before he walked out of the bedroom, an ugly premonition slithered into my brain.

Something terrible was going to happen. Maybe not now, but it would in the future.

And it would destroy one or both of us.