Missing Link (The Finders Book 1) (14 page)

"How's it going, Sammy?" Rome’s carefree and jovial mood always helped to settle me. While Link calmed my nerves in a caring and soft manner, Rome was always doing whatever he could to make me laugh. It reminded me of how I was when I was with Teddy and the other guards, a part of my personality I actually got to show. I spotted Devon, sitting across the lawn with 3 or 4 of his friends. He lifted his chin in my direction, as a hello as our eyes met. I couldn't help but smile, just that simple gesture had meant the world to me. It might not have been words, but he acknowledged me, and that was a huge step in the right direction towards repairing our relationship.

"Bit nervous, but I'm okay." I told Rome as I noticed a small group of women sitting around a large wooden table that sat higher on a large deck. I wasn't oblivious to the subtle glares and looks of judgement as Rome led me forward, Link close on my other side. I was actually used to this kind of behaviour, woman glared at me all the time when I was on Charlie's arm. Sometimes I played up to it, smirking or giving them an evil smile just to stir. But right now I felt a lot more selfconscious. Suddenly I felt as though my dark wash skinny jeans were a little too tight and my deep red halter was a little too revealing. I tugged at several seams, feeling completely on show.

A couple of them got up and strolled towards us as we stood next to the barbeque. Rome flipped burger patties and steaks as he groaned on about Devon and his friends.

"I mean, how hard is it to pick up after yourself?" He groaned, "You take something out of the fridge, you put it back in."

I giggled, Link doing the same. I felt sorry for Rome. But at the same time I was appreciative of the fact that he had taken in a teenage boy and wasn't afraid of being responsible for him. I was glad Devon had such a great role model.

"Roman, Lincoln! Hi!" A perky voice came from a young brunette walking towards me, a much shorter blonde scuttling next to her. I almost rolled my eyes at the over enthusiasm. I wasn't sure if it was purposely but Link seemed to slide in behind me, a hand resting on my hip while his other tipped back the last half of his beer. I watched Rome do the same, his face screwed up.

"Oh hey, Kara." Rome said, seemingly uninterested in her sudden appearance. She was all big boobs, big hair and from what I could already gather, big mouth. She rested her over manicured hand on Rome’s arm.

"How have you been? I haven't heard from you for a while."

"Busy." He said, barely taking any notice of her as he cut off a piece of steak from the barbeque and threw it in his mouth. She obviously took the hint and turned her attentions toward Link and I.

"Hey, Lincoln. Who's your friend?" The way her eyes roved over me showed her obvious distant, but she kept that fake smile plastered to her lips.

"This is Sam. Sam, this is Kara and Kennedy." He answered reluctantly.

"Hi, Sam. Is that short for Samantha? I prefer to call people by their full names." I cringed. Instantly feeling sick to my stomach.

"No," Link answered, his grip tightening on my hip as he pulled me gently back against his body, most likely afraid I was going to run. "It's just Sam."

"Right..." Kara said, rolling her eyes.

"Who invited the boob bitches?" My eyes widened and I felt Link chuckle silently behind me. A girl swooped in, effectively elbowing an angry Kara out of the way and launching herself onto Rome’s back.

Rome was solid, barely moving as the small girl wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a huge kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, squirt." He said, continuing to flip away, like this was a regular occurrence. Kara and Kennedy stood there a moment longer, as though they were expecting one of the boys to make her apologize before sending one final glare towards her and storming off back to their small group.

The girl slid off Rome’s back and turned towards me, a huge smile plastered to her face. It didn't even take me a second to realise the two must be related.

"Sam this is Rome’s sister, Paige." Paige was gorgeous in a no makeup, no fuss, and natural way. She had blonde hair that hung dead straight and rested just on her shoulders. Her eyes sparkled with the same laughter I often saw in Rome’s, like the world was one large playground.

"It's nice to finally meet you Sam." I smiled, she was a bit younger than me, maybe closer to Devon's age but I was grateful for another pleasant face.

"It's nice to meet you too." I replied, my body relaxing finally.

"You wanna come get a drink?" I nodded and she pulled me away from Link, dragging me toward the door into the house. I looked quickly over my shoulder, seeing both Link and Rome smiling as she led me away. I wasn't a big drinker and at 18, even though she was legal to drink, Paige said Rome refused to let her drink in his house. So we found some orange juice and plonked ourselves at the dining room table.

Paige was kindhearted and extremely funny. I often found myself trying not to snort my juice out my nose as she told me stories about when Devon had just moved in and walking in on him in the shower and other awkward situations. I saw her eyes twinkle every time she said his name; it was obvious there was some sort of crush going on, but I didn't mention it.

"You and Link looked cosy out there." She said casually as she got up to find us some chips to snack on. I smiled, it had felt good to have Link touching me, almost like we were a couple of some sort.

"Link is amazing." I said simply. She nodded, pouring a bag of chips into a large bowl before sitting back at the table.

"Link and the boys have always been great to me. Even though I'm Rome’s little sister and they can be a bit over protective, they don't treat me like a child." I smiled, that sounded exactly like him, kind and never one to look down on someone. "They don't tell me a lot, but Rome said you'd been through some rough stuff."

I shuffled uncomfortably, "yeah, things have been hard the last couple of years. But they are looking up."

Paige didn't pry, just nodded in an understanding way and changed the conversation. I liked her already. At 5pm it was already starting to get dark as we headed back outside. A table had been set up with dinner so that everyone could grab a plate and help themselves.

I put a large piece of steak on my place, with a couple of different salads. I smiled as I felt Link moved up behind me and peer over my shoulder.

"A girl who eats steak. My heart is all aflutter." Even with his joking tone it sent butterflies straight to my stomach.

I rolled my eyes, turning my body towards him. “Yes, because steak is only a man’s food.” I said sarcastically.

His face transformed into a huge grin as he took a fork, and reached past me, his eyes glued to mine as his chest brushed up against my breasts. I frowned at him, trying to control my bodies reaction. He pulled back, his fork stabbed through a massive piece of steak. He held it to his mouth and bit off a large chunk, his eyes still not leaving mine. It looked so ridiculous I couldn’t hold a straight face any further.

“Neanderthal.” I laughed. “Go back to your cave.”

He chuckled and threw the steak onto his plate. “Eat first. Cave later.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me and continued down the table.

I watched him pile his plate full of food before he headed me towards a group of deck chairs. He sat down but as I moved past him to sit in one he grabbed the back of my top and pulled me back between his legs. I raised an eyebrow at him over my shoulder, but he pulled a soft cushion from behind him and placed it on the ground between his legs.

"Sit."

"I'm not a dog." I said, narrowing my eyes.

"Please?"

I sighed and sat down, nestling in between his legs. The circle of chairs filled up with Paige taking a seat next to us, followed by Rome and a few other people. I sat quietly as they all laughed and ate, Paige occasionally slapping his brother and telling him not to talk with his mouth full. I was comfortable and content. When I had finished I placed my plate beside me and curled up against Link, resting my head on his knee. He twirled a piece of my hair around his finger as he chatted with an older man who had sat beside us, the comforting gesture causing my eyes to lull shut.  I was happy. I was relaxed.

Charlie had always tried to treat me like a Princess, buying me things, having staff do everything for me, showing me how he lived such a high life. But Link showed me it was the simple things that made a difference. He treated me like a person. He supported me. He helped me through my struggles. He made my heart climb to places it had never been, he showed me how to be myself and reminded me that there are some things worth fighting for. I knew it was going to be hard, but maybe it was time for me to put on my big girl panties, pick up my gloves and fight.

Chapter Sixteen

Charlie's eyes glared at me as he stood beside the bed. He reached out to grab me and I noticed the scarlet colour that stained and dripped from his fingertips. A scream burst from my mouth as I felt him brush at my cheek, surprising me with his gentle touch.

"You are MINE, Samantha. You can't run." Charlie’s voice echoed in my head. "You're mine!" I swung my arms wildly. Fight Sam, fight.

"You can't take me!" I screamed, now using my legs to try and force him off me. "Sam!" Link's voice brought relief to my senses.

"Link help! Please help me." I pleaded, my screams now replaced by sobs.

"Sam, it's me, stop!" Strong arms were wrapped around me and I was pulled to a chest that was warm and inviting. I inhaled deeply, finally recognising that it wasn't Charlie. Charlie was all aftershave and expensive colognes. This was a natural smell. One I had cuddled up and drifted asleep to last night whilst wearing his shirt. It was Link. I gripped on to him tightly, trying to bury myself in the feeling of safety and prying my eyes open so I could confirm he was there.

"Shhhh." He whispered softly, dragging his fingers through my now matted hair. "Shhh pretty girl. It's me."

My eyes tried to adjust to the darkness, but all I could see were outlines due to a full moon beaming through the small space in the curtains. My back was on the bed and Link was leaning over me, straddling my waist, his arms wrapped underneath me, pushing his body flush against mine. My breathing calmed as I gripped him tighter and nuzzled my face into neck. I could feel cold wet streaks staining my face, they tickled as his hot breath hit them.

After a few moments he started to disentangle his arms from behind me and I lay back flat on the bed, sighing in disappointment as I pulled my face from its hiding place and lay back onto the pillow. He didn’t make to move off me but instead reached over and switched on the lamp that sat on the night stand. My eyes narrowed and I blinked several times through the brightness, which was even more difficult than usual as I could feel my eyes were large and puffy. I had obviously been crying for a while.

Link moved back over me, his hands placed on either side of the bed, pinning me in. As my focus returned I stared up into his eyes. They once again portrayed every emotion he was feeling, namely worry and maybe even a touch of anger.

"Are you okay?" His voice was soft and soothing. I nodded once. "You freaked the shit outta me, I thought Charlie was in here trying to kill you by the way you were screaming about him."

"I'm sorry." I croaked, he sat back but reached out tucking a damp strand of hair back from my face. It was then I noticed his bare chest and torso. A scripture of some kind decorated his right side, a strong shield with intricate designs placed over his heart and a gorgeous Maori design that covered his left peck and disappeared over his shoulder with swirls and korus. His barely there boxer briefs that covered his lower half left nothing to the imagination, and even though I knew he wasn't hard, a prominent bulge pressed tightly against the front. He had situated himself directly over my hips, and the need my body had to grind my hips upward almost took over from my brain. I had never felt this way before about a man. Even before I was taken by Charlie I was too busy trying to look after Devon and my Father and grieving for the loss of my Mother to even take much notice of boys. Link was all man, and more.

Being with Charlie I had to act the way I thought I should when he touched me. Thinking I was showing him that I wanted his advances, that I needed him. But being around Link for just over a week, I'm surprised Charlie bought my poor acting skills because the way my body reacted when Link touched me or even just looked at me was extremely different. I mentally slapped myself; I no longer wanted to think about Charlie touching me. I wanted to forget how he used my body, how he abused it for his own pleasure, how hard I had to try pretending that I enjoyed the way he manipulated it. I wanted to forget it all and feel real passion and need and pleasure.

"Sam," Links voice was gruff, strained. "Don't look at me like that."

I pushed myself up, my arms propped behind me and my face level with his chest. My eyes flicked down, his hands were tightly fisted at his sides, the bulge in his pants seeming to grow a little bigger.

"Link, I need to forget. Please help me forget him." I whispered as I pressed my lips softly to his chest and gripped his sides tightly only to feel his skin instantly break out in Goosebumps followed by a small shudder. "Please." I pleaded again, my lips leaving a light trail across his chest to find his nipple. I licked a circle around the small bud then drew back and blew on it lightly. He gripped hard onto my shoulders and I raised my eyes, connecting with his through my long eyelashes.

"Sam." He breathed, running his hands down my arms, stopping at my chest. He angled his thumbs out, and brushed them across the front of the shirt, finding my now tight, aching nipples. The rough shirt caused an intense but delicious feeling to shoot straight from my chest to my core and I instantly knew I was wet. His thumbs circled then flicked up and down, teasing my sensitive tips. A satisfied whimper escaped my mouth and Link's impressive, now completely hard erection pushed against my stomach. He shuffled backwards until he was situated over my shins, then swiftly pulled my knees up so my legs slipped from underneath him. He was quickly upon me, forcing my back once again to the mattress. His length was pressed securely against my now soaked panties and I was consumed with need. I wrapped my legs tightly around him, hooking my ankles together.