“Marlena,” Mike shouted. “Are you okay?” 

She delivered a low confirmation, her voice too faint. But she was talking. She was coherent. She could be in shock. 

The important thing was she was alive. The voices around them shouted, “Turn around and don’t. Fucking. Move, you piece of shit.” 

He looked at her again. “Put your arm around me,” he told Marlena. She did, clinging to his shoulders as he lifted her out of the back. 

“Where’s John?” she asked against his chest. His mouth turned down into a hard frown.

“We’re all here for you.” 

He locked his arms around her and shuffled them into the ambulance driver's seat. He maneuvered her off his lap with forced effort, desperate to keep her there—just feel her close and safe a minute longer. Then he climbed out of the van and looked up into her face. “You pulled off that hero thing pretty good.” She smiled, but it was off. 

Her eyes glazed and pupils dilated. “If I was any kind of hero,” he said, “then you wouldn’t be here in the first place. I was supposed to be at the lab tonight. I had to rush back to the ER.” 

He gripped her arm once—one reassuring squeeze of his hand—before helping her up to walk to his car.

 

“I’m glad you’re safe,” he said. 

“Mike…thanks,” she said, her tongue feeling coated and heavy in her mouth. As he helped her get her bearings, his eyebrows pulled together. His gaze dragged over her, slow and curious. “What did they do to you? Marlena, are you okay?” 

She looked into his face and smiled. 

He was so handsome. 

She didn’t think she’d ever told him how lovely he was. She reached out and let her fingers skim his face, feeling his tantalizing features grace the pads of her fingers. “Everything is fine,” she assured him, and she meant it. Right now, she could either fall blissfully asleep or stay awake forever. Both options sounded equally appealing. 

He cursed under his breath, which made her smile stretch hearing a foul word from him.

Placing his hands on either side of her face, he tugged the sensitive skin down below her eyes, hers squinting as he performed an inspection. “You’ve been drugged. Do you know what they gave you?” 

She nodded. “Something that’s going to make me crawl out of my skin here in about ten minutes,” she answered honestly. She was lucid—rational enough to understand the effects taking place—but it was as if she could make herself care. 

“Where’s John?” He asked, somewhat concerned. 

“Basic Black business in LA. It’s complicated.”

“Were you…hurt?” he asked, a hesitant tone breaking through his concern. She shook her head, wobbling a little as the ground rocked. “No, I wasn’t. But that’s complicated, too.” 

He stopped abruptly and faced her. His hands cupped her cheeks, lifting her gaze to his, and her breath stuttered. He angled her head back as he gave her his own, personal examination, his thumbs tracing the contours of her skin. A shiver raced through her body. 

She moved into him, desiring his touch to brand her—to travel lower, exploring every inch of her. 

Slowly and meticulously. 

The way she knew John would, if he was there. 

 

John....

What is wrong with me?

 

She trembled as his rough fingers inspected her neck, the warmth of those hands that just saved her life. A moan slipped past her lips, and his hands fell away. 

“Don’t stop,” she whispered. 

With a low growl, he scooped her into his arms and shouted an order at Abe.

“Keys. Now.”

She glimpsed the confusion on Abe’s face as we passed, but he did as instructed. He dug out his keys from his pocket and tossed them at Mike. Marlena snaked them out of the air with a wicked smile. 

“Taking me somewhere private, doctor?” She asked.

His mouth pressed into a hard line. “Yes. Your very own private hospital room.” He opened the car door with her still in his arms, then sat her in the passenger seat. 

 

“We really need to stop this routine of you carrying me to cars, Mike.” She was surprised when a small smile lighted his stern features. He rounded the car and slipped into the driver seat. 

As he buckled himself in, he said, “Are you hurt? In pain? Anything happen at all that—?” He stared at the wheel, a severe furrow creasing his forehead. She leaned toward him. “Nothing happened that you need to worry about. Maybe if this was the first time I was abducted…” she said with a shrug. 

He didn’t seem to like her answer, and turned the key with more strength than necessary. Like he wanted to tear the damn ignition off. 

“Relax, Mike.” She rested her hand on his shoulder. The feel of hard muscle beneath her palm has her fingers working to ease his tension. His hand seized hers, and he moved it to the console between them. “Marlena, if they hurt you…you can tell me.” 

His eyes found hers then. “I’m fine. I promise,” she said, which was true. Any pain she might be in was dulled by the numbing effect of the drug. 

“In fact, all I need is my bed to sleep it off.” 

 

Pulling onto the road, he took off in the direction that was the exact opposite of her penthouse. “I’m not taking any chances,” he said resolutely. Then, against all logic, trying to seep past the drug rushing her system. She actually heard herself whine. 

 

Her body struggled against the seatbelt strap, the restraint intolerable. She crossed her legs, tightened her thighs, applying enough pressure to sate the sudden onset of need. Here it comes. 

Panic laced her mind, and any rational thought evaporated. As the drug began to crescendo, all inhibitions flew right out the window. 

“Stop the car,” she said, a frantic hitch in her voice. “Marlena…I can’t.” 

“Mike. Stop. The. Car,” she demanded. Mike uttered some words as he pulled onto the side of the highway. He didn’t bother putting the car in Park as he gave her his full attention. “What’s wrong?” 

She licked her lips, her mouth desperate for liquid. “You can’t take me to a hospital,” she said, latching onto his hand. She squeezed as the pressure built into a painful ache, and he let her. She closed her eyes for a few seconds until it ebbed. 

Then she released a slow breath. “Please, Mike. I’m begging you. The thought of my fellow doctor running tests…it’s so out of place.” 

Confusion marred his face. “Then tell me, Marlena. Make me understand.” 

She wanted to die.

She wanted to curl into herself and just die. The realization of what she’d created for those monstrous devils hit her with a sickening force as a wave of ecstasy crashed over her.

 

“Oh, God…” she breathed through a sharp spasm. Then she looked into his eyes, anticipating judgment in his blue gaze. But they only saw her, reflecting none of the revulsion she felt. 

“I’m not sick, and I’m not overdosing. The cocktail the lab made? The aphrodisiac?” 

He nodded his understanding. “Multiply that by a thousand, and that is what’s coursing through my system right now.”

A fierce gleam lighted his eyes. A range of emotions—from sympathy to rage—wars within their depths. But she didn’t wait for the questions to come. She knew he wanted answers, but right now, she was desperate to get somewhere safe and secluded. 

“So please,” she said, evoking as much commiseration in her voice as possible. “The last place I need to be is a hospital bed.” 

“Dammit,” he bit out. He glanced in the rearview mirror, then steered the car back onto the road. After he made a U-turn in a strictly no U-turn lane, he said, “You’re going to give me answers.” 

“I will,” she said, pressing down into the seat to ease the mounting throb. 

 

**********

​

 

“Where are the kids?” Her muscles ached as her eyes scanned the penthouse. 

“Won’t be here tonight. I asked Caroline to have them for the night.”

Another wave assaulted her, and he came to a stop. “Is there anything I can do?” His eyes snapped to hers. “You shouldn’t ask that.”

He forced down the knot in his throat as her hungry gaze devoured him. A lesser man would wilt under that gaze—would surrender to the temptation. And god, but Marlena was tempting. 

He cleared her throat, averting her eyes to the floor. “What I mean is, if you explain how the drug works, maybe I can—” She laughs. 

“Help me? You want to know just what is being unleashed out there? What these basterds made me create…a drug that, as we speak—” she shifted to get more comfortable “—could be spreading out there right now?” 

He huffed his aggravation. “Yeah. Something like that. I have a responsibility to report it and for the police department to take action to get it off the streets. Especially to keep it out of the hands of rapists.” 

She nodded weakly. 

“That’s the only logical conclusion, isn’t it?” Her eyes speared his. “That I’ve altered a drug which will be used by men so wretched…so vile…they want to cause physical pain to a woman until she succumbs to her desires.” 

She choked back a cough, then pulled air into her heaving lungs. He was moving toward her, but she held up a hand. “Please don’t. The last thing I deserve is sympathy. I’ve created the ultimate date rape drug, Mike. And what’s more terrifying…? I can’t even fathom the full evil this drug can achieve.” 

 

It took all his strength not to go to her. She was not just suffering the effects of the drug; she was punishing herself. And when she buckled over from the pain, it was more than he could stand. Mike tossed his notepad aside and yanked off his coat as he rushed toward her kitchen. Rolling up his sleeves, he located a washcloth and ran it under the tap. He wrapped a few ice cubes in the cloth, his focus clear. 

 

As he entered the living room, he didn't give Marlena a second to argue. He sat down beside her and pulled her against her chest. “Lay your head back,” he said, taking note of the fierce tremble in her body. 

She was on fire. 

Her skin flushed, her clothes damp from sweat. Even as she did what he asked, laying her back against his chest, he could feel her hesitancy. He stretched out her legs on either side of her and smoothed her hair away from her face, then layed the cool cloth along her forehead.

“Just try to relax,” he said. “You don’t deserve this punishment, Marlena. You didn’t set out with this outcome in mind. Some very fucked up people used you.” 

 

Her chest raised as she sucked in a sharp breath, struggling to suppress a ripple of pain. “They knew they could, Mike. They knew they could use me.” 

He brushed her hair away from her neck, trying to alleviate the heat blanketing her. “I don’t even know who I am lately...did you get a hold on John?” She changed the subject. “Did you find him?” she asked, and he could hear the throaty pleading in her voice. 

She was building again. 

His jaw clenched as she wriggled to get some relief. “Yeah, I did,” he said, “he’s on his way back. Might take him a few hours, though.”

 

“Mike…” Marlena’s desperate tone broke through his heavy thoughts. He tugged her more securely against his chest. “Honestly, Marlena. What will make this better? There has to be something—” 

“I don’t know how to ask this….but, God, please touch me.”

His eyes closed against the onslaught of arousing thoughts her breathy words elicited. 

He bit out a curse. “Not happening, Marlena...John will-” he wrapped his arms around her, offering her as much comfort as he could, but his hands stayed locked in tight fists. 

Not even a pinky allowed to roam. 

Her body racked with shivers. “Mike, I know… but It’s the only way. I have to relieve the pressure. Every time it mounts, the pain gets worse. If I don’t…” she trailed off, but her unuttered words rang clear. If she didn’t come—if she didn’t grant her body the release it needed—this torture will continue, becoming unbearable. 

He sucked in a deep breath past the blazing ache in her chest. “Will once even be enough?” 

“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully. “And god, this is so humiliating.” 

“It’s just me, Marlena. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’re two grown adults. We can handle this. Here—” he removed the cloth from her forehead and set it on the back of the couch. 

Enforcing his own speech, he kept his hands steady as he unbuttoned the top of her blouse, letting her body breathe. “Do whatever you need to get through this. I’m here. Moral support.” 

This made her laugh, and he loved the sound of it. Relief cut through the tension. “Mike, you’re the epitome of moral.” 

She took her lead, undoing the rest of the buttons. 

 

He bit back a groan as her lacy black bra made an appearance, the sexy swell of her breasts capturing his attention. He should look away. That was the moral thing to do, but he was obviously a glutton for punishment himself. His eyes traced the beautiful curves of her tits as she ran her hands over them. Then, because he was not in enough torment, she arched up and unfastened the clasp, setting herself completely free. 

 

His cock took this opportune moment to go fully erect, and when she pushed back against him, the greedy shit indulged in the feel of her ass. 

Control. 

He was in control. 

He mentally recited this mantra as he forcefully tore his gaze away from her breasts, which were now on full display—seeing her peaked nipples, pink and soft—Jesus Christ. He’d never envisioned Marlena naked before—and he was glad. It would’ve been a disservice. 

She was fucking breathtaking. 

Her hands moved lower only to halt at her belly button, and he stopped breathing. 

“Undo my skirt,” she said, her breathy request about sending him over the edge. 

Hell no. 

 

He locked his hands at his sides. “Marlena…don’t ask me—” “Please,” she breathed out. “I just need the stimulation. I’ll do all the work.” 

Fucking hell. 

He cricked his neck, working out the gathering tension. But there was nothing to be done for the poor bastard in his pants. He was already engorged and throbbing, and every subtle move Marlena made on top of him was a torturous tease to the sad fucker. 

But this wasn’t about him. 

This was about the woman in his arms, getting her through the pain, and he was man enough to do that. At least, he damned well hoped he was. 

 

With a resigned groan, he flexed his fingers, accepting his duty. He gripped the button and gave it a firm tug. It came undone easily, and Marlena bucked against him, arching her back and digging her ass into his groin. His fingers nearly tore through the edges of the cushions as a jolt traveled the length of his shaft. 

Only allowing himself a small thrust of the hips, he lifted up; just enough to offset the overpowering need to bury himself inside her. 

There was just not enough time to recover. 

 

As she assured, Marlena did the rest. He watched, paralyzed, as she pushed her skirt down, wriggling it all the way off her legs and kicking it to the floor. Her hands wandered over her thighs as she brought her knees up and parted her legs. 

Punching himself out—that was his only option. 

 

Because there was no damn way, he was going to survive this. She was going to fucking wreck him. And as she tentatively roamed her fingers over her lacy underwear, he all but lost his shit. She started to push those down, too—and he grabbed her wrist.

 

“Those stay on,” he said, his tone gruff, commanding. She must hear the desperation breaking into his voice, because her movements halted. The elastic band snapped her hip as she released it, then she gracefully slipped her fingers under the lace. Her sensual moan nearly unraveled the last of his control. As her hand expertly worked beneath her underwear, he swore it was the most erotic thing he’d ever experienced. 

She thrust her hips as she sped her pace, meeting her need with timed perfection. He became entranced by some kind of morbid fixation, where watching her getting herself off became as necessary as taking his next breath. He was a needy, greedy fuck, and he was surely going to hell for this. 

 

“More stimulation,” she begged. “I can’t…get there. It’s too much.” She lifted her hips, over and over, each time coming down harder on his cock. He knew she felt the thick ridge of it digging into her backside, but hell, he couldn’t help himself. 

He speared his fingers into his hair, losing all sense of control. “Marlena, don’t ask me this. I won’t do anything that either of us will regret tomorrow. You can do this. Just relax.” 

 

Her whine pierced his chest, and he was right there with her. His damn cock ached so badly…if she continued to grind against him, He’d fucking blow in his pants. “Just a little more,” she said, her voice a sexy rasp. “Play with my tits.” Holy fuck. 

That dirty talk coming from Marlena’s sweet mouth was his undoing. His cock jumped, and he had to push back in order to keep from clutching her hips to his. 

 

Jesus Christ, he knew he’d pay for this—but he reached for the ice-wrapped cloth and unraveled it just the same, letting the cubes fall into his hand. 

As she arched her back, working her fingers deeper inside, he rested the tip of a cube to her nipple. She gasped, undulating her hips hard and effectively bouncing her tits, getting the friction she craved from the ice. With measured breaths, he slowly swirled the cube around her nipple. 

He was so fucking hard he was going to have blue balls for a week. 

“More,” she demanded. He switched hands, bringing the ice to her other nipple and applying more pressure, rubbing the perfectly peaked bud until she cried out. 

He dropped the ice. “Shit.” 

“Mike,” she panted his name. “Stop fucking around and give me what I need, or this is going to take all night.” 

“You’re not making this easy,” he said, then bit his tongue. “Sorry. Not your fault. I’m just trying to respect you through this.” 

She released an anxious laugh. “Oh, God, Mike... I’m so sorry… about...all of...this.” She breathed. 

 

Later, when she came down, she’d probably hate his fucking guts for this. Then, sending the last of his inhibitions to hell, he took her tits in his hands. She arced into him as he caressed her, and he hated himself but god—her breasts felt so damn good. 

They were damn perfect. 

Heavy and full, with her silky nipples pebbling against the skin of his palm. 

Right under his touch. 

She relaxed again, her hand working eagerly beneath her underwear to get her there, while he rubbed his thumbs over her nipples, offering her as much stimulation as he could without losing his mind.

Only it was too damn late for that. 

Right here, right this second, everything changed. 

 

That wall that kept him safely guarded came crashing down, and he’d never be able to desire another woman the way he desired Marlena right now. 

The want will kill him. 

Just as he began to crack, his sanity past the brink, Marlena released a sexy moan, her body trembling. Her thighs spread wide as she rolled her hips higher, her pussy thrusting eagerly as she broke against her hand. 

 

The sight of her was pinching her nipples, just as desperate to feel her relief crash into him. 

He was too close. 

His balls tightened, his cock ramrod straight and pulsing, but he reined it in. A growl ripped loose as he clutched her tits, watching her milk the rest of her orgasm. 

 

She fell limp against him, her hand sliding free of her underwear, and all Mike could think about was tasting those slick fingers. 

Shit. 

Not letting her get too comfortable, he said, “Marlena, roll over.” 

Her body was spent. 

She groaned but allowed him to roll her onto her side. He jumped off the couch with a harsh curse at his aching balls. He pushed at his rock-hard erection as he located her bathroom. 

Then he locked himself the fuck inside. 

Bracing his hands on the marble counter, he heaved deep breaths. He couldn’t look at himself in the mirror. 

Fucking saint. 

She had no idea. 

John would kill him. 

Kill him. 

 

He flipped the tap on and splashed his face with cold water, thinking about grabbing some more ice to pack against his throbbing dick. Just the thought of lowering his zipper was too tempting, though. If he unleashed himself now, he’d wear his cock out. 

And there won’t be any forgiving himself for jerking off to Marlena’s pain. 

Hot as hell…but he won’t be that sick fuck. 

Inhaling deeply, he could still smell her scent all over him. He tore his shirt off and pressed his back against the cool paneling of the door, praying like hell she’d sat when he left this room. 

 

As much as he wanted to help her, he won’t be able to endure that torture again. He did the only thing he could: He envisioned the bastards who did this to her, mentally putting his fist through their faces, and that swift bit of anger checked him. 

When he was composed enough to enter the living room, he almost collapsed from relief. Marlena’s eyes were closed, and though she was suffering a fitful sleep, she was out. 

He settled on the floor near her, so he could listen to her shallow breathing. Making sure she stayed safe through the night.