Live Past The Edge (Dark Eagle Book 2) Read online

  Live Past the Edge

  Julia Bright

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  About the Author

  Also by Julia Bright

  Live Past The Edge Copyright © 2018 Julia Bright

  Cover Copyright © 2018 Sara York

  Electronic Edition

  Disclaimer

  Live Past The Edge is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of Julia Bright.

  If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Created with Vellum

  1

  Jackson didn’t hide his interest as he stared at the woman on the dance floor. Her dark blond hair bounced as she wiggled and writhed. At first, he didn’t think she noticed him, then her gaze shifted to him and her cheeks turned a little darker shade of pink. He heated and swallowed over the lust making his throat thick.

  She was dressed too conservatively for a one-night stand. He should look for a woman who be satisfied with a hundred-dollar bill on the dresser, and no numbers exchanged. This woman in her cute blue dress that hit her above the knee and covered her breasts would want more.

  She glanced his way again, this time her eyes raked down his body. That invitation was his go signal. Jackson drank the last of her beer and stepped out on the dance floor. He made a beeline straight to her. People moved out of his way, separating from their partners as he approached.

  He spoke no words as he stepped in front of her and wrapped his arm around her waist. He pulled her close, and she didn’t resist. Heat filled him as she plastered her body against his. More heat shot through him, making him even harder.

  No doubt she felt his cock pressed up against her belly. He watched her face as she ground against him. Oh yeah, she felt him. This woman knew what she was doing if the glint in her beautiful blue eyes was any indication.

  He leaned in, not willing to waste any more time in here when he could take her across the street to his hotel.

  “If you want to play it safe, stay here, but if you want a wild night of sex no strings attached, come with me.”

  She leaned back, her eyes narrowed a little. Jackson saw the conflict in her gaze. He was big, possibly scary with the beard he hadn’t shaved and his too long of hair, but she’d be safe with him. Well, if you call wild sex safe.

  She lifted on her toes, and he lowered his head so he could hear her speak. “What if I decide I don’t want to be with you and want to leave once I get to your room?”

  “You walk out. You won’t be chained up unless you’re into that kind of thing. You’re free to go when you want.”

  She pulled back and bit her lower lip. Her gaze flitted to someone behind him, and he turned to see who she had looked at. He caught a woman giving two thumbs up. The chuckle rose and rumbled in his chest, but he squelched it fast.

  He turned back to the woman in his arms and lifted a brow. She rolled her eyes, and he saw the decision on her face before she spoke. She leaned in close again, and he dipped lower, making it where she didn’t have to stand on her toes.

  “Give me a second.”

  She moved to her friend, and they had a very animated conversation. A minute later she was on his arm. They walked across the street to his hotel which he’d chosen for this purpose. He needed to get laid tonight, and he wanted it to be a memory he could store for later when he was alone on the ranch. She stood a foot away from him in the elevator which was probably a good idea since there were other people in the small box with them.

  His room was at the end of the hall, and he contemplated slinging her over his shoulder and making a run for it. She probably wouldn’t like that though.

  A slow seduction was a possibility with her. She didn’t seem like the type who had her motor running all the time. Jackson didn’t need much, just a word, and he was ready. As he used the card to unlock his door, he glanced at her and saw a second of worry flash across her face. Yeah, he’d have to take it slow and steady with this one, make sure she knew what she was doing before he took her.

  The door closed, and he reached for the light, but the wildcat came out, and she was on him, her leg lifted and hooked behind his knee. The kiss was scorching, taking his breath and raising his heart rate. He grunted and pressed her up against the wall before picking her up. Her legs wound up wrapped around his waist, her center sat over his cock, tempting him to just shove in and forget any consequences of not using a condom.

  Her dress inched up, teasing him. He shoved it up more, revealing her bare ass. She wasn’t wearing any panties. Desire pumped through him, sending tingles over his nerves.

  Her fingers toyed with his hair before she ran them down his chest and tugged up his shirt. He held her tight, not about to let her drop. She found his nipple and pinched. Electricity shot through him as more heat filled him.

  He groaned and threw his head back as he pumped his hips. When she chuckled, he figured it was game on and reached around, sliding his fingers closer to her pussy. He felt the thin strip of material that was her thong. Okay, she was wearing panties, but this was even sexier. He tugged at the strip of cloth, and she rolled her hips. He took that as an invitation.

  He slid two fingers into her, and she growled, her body shaking as he fingered her. She bit down on his neck, the sensation shooting straight to his cock.

  She rocked her hips, fucking herself on his fingers. Her tight heat had him wanting more. He needed to be inside her, balls deep, his cock bathed in her juices.

  He slid his fingers out and searched out her clit. Her muscles tightened, and she gasped before she fell apart in his arms.

  His brain blanked as she pulsed against his fingers. He needed her, now. This woman was hotter than anyone he’d ever experienced.

  He carried her to the bed and dropped her on the mattress. There was enough light shining in he could make out her open mouth, her half-hooded eyes bright with lust. He opened his pants and pushed them out of the way before he bent and buried his face between her legs. His tongue licked her slit, and she cried out. This time he let his chuckle come out.

  She tasted perfect, and he wanted to bury his face in her and stay, but his cock wanted to feel her too. He was about to move into position to shove in when he remembered the condom. His stomach rolled at that near misstep. He always remembered condoms, even when the heat of the moment was boiling over, but with this woman, he’d really alm
ost forgotten.

  He took a second to dig one out of his pocket and roll it on before he lifted her legs and slid into the most perfect woman he’d ever found. She fit against him just right. He closed his eyes as he stilled and just drank in the bliss.

  Over the years, he’d had his share of women on almost every continent, but there was something different about this woman. No question, he’d only wanted sex, no names, no numbers, but with her, he wanted a second and possibly third round. He’d have to get her number and name which was stupid. He wasn’t ready for a girlfriend, and he sure as hell wasn’t prepared for any type of commitment.

  Staying still wasn’t an option, but he wouldn’t last if he moved. Her sweet fingers tugged up his shirt more, and he lifted, pulling it off without sliding from her.

  Her touch pushed him even higher. She had a kind of magic he’d only ever dreamt of. Her touches were like fire across his flesh, her moans music to his ears. When he looked into her eyes, he saw something more profound than just the lust and sex.

  The sounds of their grunts and moans rose as he shoved in harder. She gasped, and he pushed in deeper. His tongue was almost down her throat when she adjusted, and he hit even deeper. It was enough for him to come.

  He had no clue how long they stayed with him inside her, but he was limp when he pulled out. She rolled to her side as he tossed the condom on the floor. Usually, he called it a night, telling the woman to leave, but he didn’t want this beautiful woman to go.

  He pushed off the rest of his clothes and helped her undress. Her curves made him want to run his tongue all over her body.

  “You fuck like a god.”

  Her words made him laugh. “I’m not a god. I’m not good enough.”

  “So are you the opposite then, maybe a bit of a devil.”

  His past came to mind, and he nodded as he reached for her and drew her closer. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.

  “I have my own moral code, so I’m not terrible, but I’m not a saint.” He’d fucked up in the past, multiple times at some things. His brother hated him, his dad had told him to never come back, and he didn’t have much money, but he had a great friendship with Adam and Kelsey.

  “So what does your moral code entail?”

  Her question spun through his mind, twisting across his past, the lives he’d taken and the ones he’d saved. The code was complicated, but if he said that, she’d think he was just playing around. He grunted and pushed away thoughts of the agency he and Adam had started.

  “Basically, don’t hurt women, children, or animals, like dogs and cats. People who hurt women and children, they are fair game.”

  “Sounds like you are a bit of a saint.”

  The scoff that escaped his lips revealed how uncomfortable he was with her train of thought. No one who really knew him would make that mistake. His list of fuck ups was too long to talk about.

  She lifted to rest her chin on his hands resting on his chest. “So, now that we’ve had sex, maybe we should exchange names?”

  He moved fast, flipping her so quickly she yelped. His lips found hers, and she opened for him. The kiss revealed the truth he feared. This connection was real. The twist of her tongue around his was magic. He swore he heard music as she held him close. This was how it should be with someone he could give forever to, not with some woman he fucked minutes after meeting her at a bar. He ended the kiss and lifted, staring into her blue eyes that narrowed as he stayed silent.

  After a moment he relented. “I’m Jackson.”

  “Is that your first name?”

  “No, but I don’t give my first name to anyone.”

  “I’m Marissa, I use my first name.”

  He swallowed, knowing this was going down a path he didn’t want to take. “I like it. Marisa, it’s nice to meet you.”

  “Let me guess, you don’t do relationships?”

  He shook his head. “Usually, no.”

  “But?” Her brows lifted expectantly.

  This stomach turned at the thought of revealing how much of a scumbag he really was. And he didn’t live in the area. It was a pipedream to think this sweet woman would want him.

  “I’m not from around here.”

  “Neither am I.” Marissa’s words made his heart stutter.

  He slid his gaze down her neck to her breasts and up to her face again. The feelings inside were more than lust. “I can’t imagine never seeing you again.”

  She shrugged. “We’re both adults. I think we both know the sex was molten. I’d hate to never have that again. There’s no reason we can’t hookup if we’re in the same area again.”

  He flopped back to the bed, and she moved, snuggling close, her hair getting caught in his beard.

  “So we’re going to just have a casual relationship? Maybe we’ll be in the same city and get together again?”

  She sighed, and he figured it was too good to be true. He held on to her, not ready to let her go yet. They would have sex again, maybe twice more before she left. Sadness hit. He’d never thought he’d be this unhappy over losing someone he didn’t even know.

  “I live in Europe. I’m here for a girls’ weekend. We were all bridesmaids for one of our girlfriends.”

  Even the mention of a wedding made him flinch. Marissa laughed and sat up, her eyes full of mirth.

  “She found him cheating. I guess this is the anti-bridal party.”

  “Anti-bridal? So what did she do when she found him?”

  “Sliced up a few of his favorite suits and threw a fit. Then she kicked him out and filed for divorce. It was final last month. This is the first time we could all get together.”

  He shook his head, sad to hear of her friend’s troubles. “Damn, that’s a shame.”

  “What?”

  “Cheating. If I ever committed myself to someone that would be it. You aren’t the type to cheat, are you? Like you don’t have a man at home who thinks you’re a pure as the driven snow?”

  “Nope. I tried, but I travel a lot. He tired of me having to fly off to another city when all he wanted was to settle down. I never would have cheated if I’d stayed with him. Not worth it when you have something great at home.”

  She relaxed, and he did too. They must have drifted off because he woke to her kissing her way down his body. When she sucked his cock into her mouth, he gasped. Skilled with her tongue, she brought him to the edge. He halfheartedly tried to push her off, but she had her arms wrapped around his thighs and wasn’t budging.

  When he came, he thought he saw stars. She kissed a lazy path up his chest before she sat up and stared down at him. She studied him for a moment before jumping off the bed and going to the bathroom.

  He blew out a breath, thinking he was getting in way over his head. After a few seconds, he stood and followed her. She was using his toothbrush when he pushed the door open. She shrugged and continued brushing.

  If life were different, he’d want to know this woman. She wasn’t like others he’d dated or slept with. Dating didn’t often happen for him since most women annoyed the heck out of him. Maybe it was because he chose poorly when he went out. Hell, he usually picked the sluttiest woman on the dance floor, someone he knew would be a sure thing. With Marissa, he’d been caught up in more than her beauty. There was something about her he couldn’t put his finger on.

  He got that his size intrigued women. They liked touching his muscles and liked how he could pick them up and sling them around like they weighed nothing. A few admitted that he made them feel safe, but he wanted to be more than a piece of safety equipment.

  The longing for more hit him in the chest. Sure, his parents had provided food and clothes, but no question, Randy, his little brother, was the favorite. It had always been that way, and he never begrudged his brother their parents’ love, but he’d grown bitter when they showed Randy affection and him disdain. When he’d quit the Army, his dad had attacked. The man may not have hit him, but he’d come close.

  Marissa
rinsed her mouth, and he reached for the toothbrush, using it on himself before rinsing his mouth.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Marissa said.

  “Not at all. It was nice waking to you sucking me. I think me having my tongue down your throat meant we’ve already shared spit too.”

  She chuckled and reached out, putting her hand on his chest. “It’s the middle of the night, what do you suggest we do?”

  He tugged her close and watched her expression. She met his stare straight on. “We shouldn’t waste it with sleep. I want to rub that soap bar all over you.”

  The corner of her lips tilted up. “Let me pull my hair up, or it will be a mess.”

  “So you won’t let me wash your hair.”

  Her nose wrinkled as she reached for the tube of all in one shampoo and conditioner. “This shit would seriously kill my hair. Let me braid it and put it up. Once it’s up, you can wash my body all you want.”

  Though he’d just come, his dick twitched. “I’m all for touching every inch of you.”

  “Okay, Sparky, give me a minute.”

  He chuckled as she left the bathroom. She was back in seconds, and he watched as she pulled her hair up and braided it. She gave it a twist and tucked it in some band that made it stay in place. It was magic, and he had no clue what she’d done to make it stay, but she looked sexy as hell.

  Their gazes met in the mirror, her smile widening. “I’m all yours now.”

  They spent the next few hours in bliss as they went from the shower to the bed, then up against the wall. She was incredible, and though they’d spent hours having sex, he still didn’t think he’d had his fill.

  Exhaustion pulled them both under when they dropped to the mattress after he’d fucked her into the wall. An annoying beep woke him from a dead sleep. It was his phone. Only three people could ring through his privacy filter on his phone at night. He reached for his device, knowing none of them would call unless it was an emergency.