"Can you feel me, Crystal? You feel it, don't you? That I'm all inside you."
He whispered these words into her ear, burning her with his ever more jerky breath as he stood over her, holding her close with both of his steel arms and working hard on her delicate, willing body, flooding it with his sweat.
She lay on her stomach, the softness of the bed easily compensating for the roughness of her tormentor and lover, who made her his as if tomorrow didn't exist.
He kissed her skin, biting the nape of her neck as he quickened his pace.
"It's so fucking good inside you. So hot I feel like I'm melting away. Forgive me, but I can't take it anymore."
She didn't answer, but her body's response was eloquent enough.
He took one breast in his hand and kneaded it while he straightened on the other to better sink into her. She helped him by opening herself even more and placed her hand on the one that was rubbing her breast.
He grunted and moaned. They were so tightly knit that Crystal didn't know where her part ended and his began. The thought alone made her blood boil, that she bit her lips, she gesticulated beneath him to try to evacuate this overflow of pleasure and heat.
"I'll never have enough of you, babe," he panted above her.
He accelerated the movement to carry them far, far away, high up on the peak of pleasure where he arched his back to deliver himself into her with an animalistic cry while his lover muffled her scream in the covers.
He fell back on top of her, trying together to catch their breath. He weighed down on her, no doubt on purpose, flooding her with his hot, salty sweat. Salty like the sex she'd tasted a few minutes earlier.
As Crystal recovered her senses and her breathing, she remembered how it all began.
***
Judge James Kyle paced nervously behind his ornate oak desk, his brow creased with worry. The weight of his years as a respected member of the judicial system had never felt heavier than it did in this moment. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the tumbler of amber liquid, needing the steadying burn of whiskey to calm his nerves.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his troubled thoughts, and he took a deep breath before calling out, "Come in."
The door swung open, revealing the imposing figure of Jarrod Conor, a man whose reputation for ruthless business acumen was matched only by his renowned good looks. James gestured for him to take a seat, his mind racing as he contemplated the gravity of the request he was about to make.
"Thank you for coming, Jarrod," he began, his voice betraying a hint of strain. "I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't a matter of the utmost importance."
Jarrod nodded, his piercing gaze unwavering. "What's this about, James? Your message sounded urgent."
James took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. "It's about my daughter, Crystal. She's in grave danger, and I need your help to protect her."
Jarrod's brow furrowed with concern, his mind racing to connect the dots. "What kind of danger are we talking about?"
"Do you remember Brad Larson?" James asked, his jaw tightening at the mention of the name.
Jarrod's eyes narrowed, the pieces falling into place. "The criminal you sentenced to twenty years in prison a decade ago? The one who was just released on a technicality?"
James nodded, his expression grim. "The very same. Brad has been making threats, vowing to get his revenge on me. And I'm afraid he's going to try to use Crystal to get to me."
Jarrod leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling as he contemplated the gravity of the situation. "I see. And what do you need from me?"
"I need you to protect Crystal," James said, his voice thick with worry. "She's been living on her own since graduating college, and I can't always be there to ensure her safety. I need someone with the resources and expertise to keep her safe."
Jarrod's brow furrowed as he processed the request. "You want me to be Crystal's personal bodyguard?"
James nodded, his eyes pleading. "I know it's an unconventional request, but I trust you, Jarrod. You have the means and the skills to keep her safe, and I'm running out of options."
Jarrod was silent for a moment, his mind weighing the risks and rewards. On one hand, he had built a carefully guarded life, shielding himself from emotional entanglements. On the other, the thought of a young woman's life being in jeopardy stirred something deep within him. And this young woman was none other than the daughter of one of his best friends, a friend who had been his pillar during the darkest moment of his existence. He shuddered at this reminiscence.
"I understand the gravity of the situation, James," Jarrod said, his voice measured. "But you must understand, I'm not the kind of man who enjoys being in the spotlight or having his personal life scrutinized. Protecting your daughter would require a significant level of involvement in her life."
James nodded, his expression earnest. "I know, Jarrod, and I wouldn't ask if I didn't truly believe you're the only one who can keep her safe. Brad is a dangerous man, we both know that, and I'm afraid he won't hesitate to use Crystal to get to me."
Jarrod's jaw tightened as he considered the weight of the request. His own past tragedies had left him wary of emotional entanglements, but the thought of an innocent young woman being caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful criminal tore at his conscience. And his friend knew it. In his desperation, he renounced his principles and deliberately touched the most sensitive and painful chord of his being. And anyway, the time had finally come for him to pay his debt.
"I'll do it," he said finally, his voice resolute. "And you knew it. You knew exactly what you were doing. But I get it. However, I do have one condition – I need to have complete control over the situation. Crystal will need to cooperate fully with my security measures, no exceptions."
James let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging with the burden lifted. "Thank you, Jarrod. I know this isn't easy, but I promise, you have my full cooperation. Whatever it takes to keep Crystal safe."
Jarrod nodded, his mind already whirring with plans and contingencies. "Very well. I'll need to meet with Crystal as soon as possible to discuss the arrangements. This is a delicate situation, and we'll need to tread carefully."
James rose from his chair, a grateful smile on his lips. "I'll arrange for the two of you to meet tomorrow. Thank you, Jarrod. I can't tell you how much this means to me."
"To begin with;" he demanded, "give a photo of your dear daughter, the most recent one available."
"Why? You already knew what she's like, didn't you?"
"Yes, when she was fifteen. And I don't remember much about her. I'd probably recognize her, but you can't be too careful."
The judge couldn't help laughing despite the circumstances. Yes, it was one of the qualities he most appreciated in his young friend. His gift for lightening his heart, if only for a moment.
"'Careful' isn't in your vocabulary."