by Lori Foster
Head cocked in challenge, she asked, “Trust you how?”
“I have...resources.”
Her mouth twisted. “That you can’t discuss.”
A reality he couldn’t get around. “Let me have the area checked. We’ll be discreet. I can get you the alternate car, too. No need to use a dealer.”
“Huh.” Sounding impressed, she said, “No kidding? Just like that?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
For several seconds, Star considered it. “The thing is...” She moistened her lips while carefully selecting her words. “I do trust you, because I know you. These other obscure peeps you talk about—they’re big unknowns, and I just don’t go there. So how about you trust me to get this job done without your interference?”
He didn’t like having his assistance labeled as interference, but he got where she was coming from. He wouldn’t trust the unknown, either. Still, he couldn’t let her do this alone.
Looking past her, he checked the clock on the wall. He had only a few hours left if he wanted to accomplish all that needed to be done—with or without her approval.
He needed to accelerate their relationship—but would she see that as underhanded? Find it difficult to forgive—or insanely satisfying? Hard to say, and unfortunately, it was the only thing he could think of. His time to slowly win her over had abruptly run out.
“Is your leg healed enough?”
“I won’t be running any races yet, but yeah, it’s fine. Hardly sore anymore.”
Yet she still limped—and he couldn’t let that matter. Not now. “Good to know,” he whispered as he bent to her mouth, kissing her softly at first, just moving his lips over hers until she leaned into him—which he took as a sign of agreement.
One hand at the back of her head, the other sliding down to her backside, he aligned her body with his. Hell if he wasn’t already hard, but he’d wanted her for so long that giving himself permission was like flipping a switch. He was now on and only hoped he could get her there, too.
With all she’d suffered in her past, he planned to take it slow, to make use of the entire two hours he had. He could scramble last-minute with plans, but he wouldn’t rush this.
He wouldn’t rush her.
Her lips opened to the touch of his tongue, and the kiss quickly became hot. He turned his head for a better fit. She did the same. Her fingertips curled against his chest. Her hips nudged his.
Open mouths, lots of tongue play, heavy breathing. Now petting, too... Christ, she’d escalated things fast, but then, she was like that, a lit fuse waiting to explode.
He’d take a sexual explosion over her temper any day.
Urging her head back, he trailed his lips to the velvet skin of her neck, her warm throat, that sensitive spot beneath her ear. Tilting to give him better access, she gave a soft groan.
“Wow, I like that.”
Had no one ever...? No, he didn’t want to think about her healing brand of sex, meant only to help her over an emotional hurdle, with no thought for pleasure.
He’d drown her in pleasure, and she’d never forget him.
The comfortable clothes she wore made touching her oh so easy. Liking the feel of her beneath the stretchy yoga pants, he opened his hand wide to enclose an entire cheek, then trailed his fingers down the cleft—then under, to touch her more intimately.
Gasping, she went to her tiptoes but didn’t pull away.
Her tightened nipples, covered only by the soft cotton of her loose T-shirt, pressed against his chest. With a love bite, Cade encouraged another gasp...one that faded into a vibrating groan.
“Mmm,” she whispered. “Do that again.”
“Which part?”
“All of it?”
Even now, when he’d launched to the ragged edge, she made him smile. Star had substance, both emotionally and intellectually.
And in her curves. God yes, those curves.
She was as soft as a woman should be, but with core strength. She was bold enough to speak her mind, as she’d just done, and brave enough to travel to a remote area alone, without backup, to save a woman in need.
How the hell was he supposed to resist that enticing mix of attributes?
He couldn’t.
With her active participation so obvious, he stroked her waist, then slipped his hand under her shirt and up to one heavy breast. He held back his own groan, but the warmth of her, the silkiness of her bare breast, made him forget his resolve.
“Cade?”
He came back to her mouth for another deep kiss. She tangled the fingers of her left hand into his hair, and with the right, she cupped his face. He felt the roughness of the bandage on her fingers and turned to gently kiss those, too. “Hmm?”
“Is this your way of coercing me?”
Stark reality crashed onto his head. Had his motives been that base? That cold? Not with the way he’d always wanted her. Hell, he’d been looking for an excuse to rush his own self-imposed timeline.
Since he hadn’t heard anger or accusation in her tone, just curiosity, he straightened to look into her eyes.
She gave him a smug, knowing smile.
Nothing got by her. He wouldn’t have lied anyway, but now he knew she wouldn’t have fallen for it no matter his reasons.
Before he could say anything, she grinned and cuddled close again. “Understand, I’m not complaining.” Her uninjured hand traveled to his ass. “And if you live up to your promise, I might even be swayed to take you along.”
Now, why that outrageous comment fired his lust, he couldn’t say, but he crushed his mouth down on hers again. Full participation, that’s what he got from her.
No reserve. No remnants of bad memories.
Such a remarkable woman in every way.
“So much enthusiasm.”
God, she pushed his buttons. And humbled him. “Thank you for understanding.”
“That you’re not a user? No problem.”
Her faith meant more than she knew, prompting him to another kiss, this one full of tenderness. And yeah, lust.
No way to dodge the lust.
“Bedroom?” she suggested, when he came up for air.
Cade smoothed her hair and cupped her cheek. Unique in so many ways. “No argument from me.”
Smiling in satisfaction, she took his hand and led him through the kitchen-dining area, past the bathroom and into her room with the still-rumpled bed.
His conscience decided he needed one more confirmation, so he started to say, “Are you sure—”
But she pulled the T-shirt up and off, and he forgot he had a conscience. Shoulders back, spine straight, chin elevated. Her breasts were a handful, yet somehow she’d always downplayed that asset with her wardrobe choices. Her rib cage tapered into a smaller waist, then flared out for her shapely hips. His gaze lingered on the slight curve of her belly, exposed by the low-fitting yoga pants. Every inch of her fascinated him and made him want more.
“You’re staring.”
Without lifting his gaze from her body, Cade shrugged. “How could I not? You’re perfect.”
“Ha. I’m still bruised some, you know. It’s all these hideous shades of green and yellow now. Really nasty.”
Insecurity, from Star? That, more than anything, helped him gain a measure of control even though she stood there half-naked, tempting every basic instinct known to man. “I’ve seen bruises before, and I saw part of yours today before you dressed.”
Wrinkling her nose, she tugged the band out of her hair so that it fell free. “Then you know what I mean.”
Reyes was right. She did have incredible hair. Having it loose and tousled around her naked breasts added to the sensuality of the moment. “They’re just bruises, babe, and they don’t keep me from wanting you.”
“Good thing, I guess, since I
want you, too.” She nodded at him. “Shirt off.”
All too happy to oblige, Cade reached back for a handful of material and stripped it over his head.
“You still haven’t told me about these tats.” She moved closer, first trailing her fingers through his chest hair, then tracing the edges of one tattoo, a waving American flag that twined from his right shoulder to his elbow. Eyes dark with interest, she teased that soft touch to the eagle on his right pec.
He had another on the back of his left shoulder of a soldier drifting from a battlefield into heaven. All in all, pretty self-explanatory. “How about after?”
“After we do the nasty?”
She wanted to make it less than it was—but he wouldn’t let her. “Nothing nasty about it. Not between us.” He gathered a thick hank of hair in his fist, resisting her breasts for the moment. It felt cool in comparison to her hot skin. “Okay?”
“Another promise. You’ve got a lot to live up to.”
“I’ll do my best.” And with that he cupped a breast, kneaded gently, then bent to circle the nipple with his tongue.
“Okay.” Shakily, she drew in a breath. “Let me just get my pants off.”
“Soon.” He drew her in, sucking softly—then not so softly—while she moved her hands all over him. “Easy. Don’t hurt your fingers.”
“Worry about what you’re doing.”
The order amused him, especially since he understood it. “All right.” He shifted his attention to her other breast, but at the same time he worked his hand inside the loose waistband of her pants, his hand cupping over her heat.
“You’re a tease,” she complained, her head tipped back, eyes closed. “Men aren’t supposed to tease.”
“Me and you, Star. I told you, we’re different.” He kissed her slightly parted lips. “Quit trying to put us in a category.”
Her heavy eyes opened. “Fine. But I’ve been waiting for this for too long, maybe even before I admitted I wanted you. So now is not the time for teasing.”
God, he loved her forthright way of speaking. “You need to come?”
Her eyes flared, and a wash of color tinged her cheeks. “Well... I need something, okay? So stop playing around.”
“All right.” He went to his knees and reached for the waistband of her pants. “But one of these days you’re going to like the way I play.”
“One of these days—meaning you plan to stick around?”
Digging for future plans? What could he say? He wouldn’t make promises until he knew he could keep them, so without answering, he tugged the pants and her panties down to her ankles. “Step out.”
At first the only thing she did was breathe deeply.
He took his time looking at her body. And a hell of a body it was. Gorgeous legs, despite the bruising that drew his lips. He skimmed them over her skin as if he could heal the last remnants of her injury. The cut had closed nicely, but she’d have a small scar. He pressed a soft kiss to that, too.
The rest of her...so beautiful. He’d admired the length of her legs plenty of times, but seeing her like this, totally bared, ramped up the churning need. Sliding his hands to her hips, he leaned in—
“Wait.” Sleek with muscle, her long thighs flexed as she balanced with a hand to his shoulder. Hastily, awkwardly, given the lingering stiffness of her injured leg, she kicked away her pants. Free of clothes, she straightened, nodded down at him and said, “Go ahead.”
Cade actually laughed. Physical need consumed him, yet he’d never known anyone quite like her. In every way imaginable, she was incredibly special.
She was his.
She might not know that yet, but somehow he’d make it so, starting right now. “Anything you don’t like—”
“Yeah, you’ll hear about it.” Again she threaded her fingers through his hair. “You curl my toes, Cade. I never knew that was a real thing.”
He smiled again. “Let’s see what else I can curl.”
* * *
OH. MY. GOD. Over and over again, Sterling repeated that in her mind. She had Cade McKenzie, all six feet, five gorgeous inches of him, kneeling in front of her, touching her in incendiary ways while kissing her belly and thighs.
Now that she could play with it—and basically use it as an anchor—she found that his hair was thick and soft on top and in front, and she liked the way the shorter sides and back felt against her fingertips, like velvet almost.
Soon as he finished what he was doing—because she wasn’t about to interrupt again—she planned to glut herself on his bod.
With his lips nibbling at her hip bone, he stroked over her sex. Yeah, she had to lock her knees for that—and then he pressed a finger into her, growling at finding her so wet. What did he expect? From the moment he started seducing her, she’d wanted to melt.
Didn’t matter that he might have started this to get his way. It was as good a reason as any, right? Especially when it got her what she wanted most.
Him. Naked. With her naked. Full-body contact—and a big payoff in the way of pleasure.
Besides, he’d find she wasn’t easily manipulated, awesome sex or not. If she invited Cade along, it’d be on her own terms, for her own reasons.
She had a feeling he’d meet her halfway, and until then, why not enjoy herself?
As he slowly fingered her, she not only heard but felt his groan. The pleasure built, coiling, heating... She wanted it bad. This, now, and more.
So much more.
She whispered that, “More,” aloud and got a second finger because of it. Much as she enjoyed watching the flex and roll of his broad shoulders, sensation compelled her eyes to close. Her head tipped back of its own accord, as if her neck offered no support.
Her knees were getting to the same point, especially when he used his other fingers to open her...and she felt his mouth.
Biting her lip to hold back the groan, she tightened. His tongue...yeah, that velvet tongue performed some magic, touching her just right, exactly there, over and over again, leisurely at first while he made sounds of enjoyment, then with more deliberate purpose.
She couldn’t stay quiet any longer. Her nipples throbbed, needing him, but not enough to ask him to stop. The sweetest, almost painful ache curled in her lower belly. Despite the way she’d been pampering her leg, her thigh muscles tensed, a necessary adjustment to keep her upright so he could continue.
Shifting, he opened his hand on her behind and pressed her closer—then drew in her clit for a soft suckle and, good God, she cried out. Without restraint.
Who cared?
An incredibly powerful orgasm raged through her, leaving her one giant pulsing beat of sizzling sensation. Panting, a little sweaty, she realized she’d curled over him when he finally let up. Yup, that had pretty much wiped out her backbone. Maybe all her bones.
He shifted her so he could stand.
“Don’t let go,” she warned, unwilling to open her eyes. “I’ll fall flat on my face.”
Against her ear, he whispered, “Never,” in a way that sounded like he meant more than this single moment. Her heart seized at the thought, but then in some crazy, gallant, straight-out-of-a-film move, he lifted her into his arms and placed her on the bed.
“Oh,” she mumbled, stretching a little, snuggling into the bedding. “Well done. Very romantic.”
Grinning, he opened his jeans. “You think so?”
“Yup.” No way was she going to miss this. She managed to keep her eyes wide-open, didn’t even blink. “Promises made, promises kept. I’m now a believer.”
“And just think,” he said, shoving down his jeans to stand there buck-ass and incredibly stunning, “we’re not done, yet.”
Wow, he was put together fine. Better than fine. It was as if someone had taken all things she considered masculine and expertly pieced them together. Dark chest hair, roped m
uscles over arms and legs, long bones and obvious power.
A big cock.
Sterling cleared her throat. “Looks like I won the lottery.”
His smile went crooked. Pulling his wallet from his jeans, he dug out a condom. While she watched in fascination, he rolled it over a very rigid, pulsing erection.
Her mouth went dry. “What if I’d wanted to touch that?” When he glanced at her, she nodded at his crotch. Honestly, every inch of him fascinated her. She wanted to explore him—without a rubber in the way. In fact, she wouldn’t mind stroking that firm butt, too, and those muscular, hair-dusted thighs, his flat abdomen with that sexy happy trail.
“It’d be over too quick,” he said, stretching out atop her and pecking her mouth. “Next time, I promise, you can touch all you want.”
“Hardly seems fair, considering.”
Using his knee, he opened her legs and settled between her tingling thighs. “Complaining?”
On principle alone, she considered it, but he was already stroking her breasts, thumbing her nipples, and she felt that hard cock against her... “Nope. No complaints from me.”
“Good.” He sealed his mouth over hers—and thrust into her.
Holy cow. In sheer reaction, her hips lifted off the bed. He filled her up, the fit snug, the glide smooth, wet, pure pleasure, but it was so much more than that, too.
It was Cade’s scent making her light-headed, the sleek feel of his taut skin under her hands, the provoking sound he made deep in his throat—a sound of pure, unadulterated lust.
Yes, she’d gotten used to sex.
Yes, there’d been times when she’d somewhat enjoyed it.
None of those times had anything in common with this.
She wrapped one leg around him, keeping him close, and lifted her other along his hip.
“Easy,” Cade whispered against her throat. “I don’t want to hurt you. Your leg—”
“Shut up, Cade.” She grasped his butt in her uninjured hand and urged him to move, at the same time she was moving, rocking against him, twisting...exciting herself on the hard length of him.
He laughed roughly and took over.