Torpedo (Bones MC 7)

by Marteeka Karland

  “OK, I’ll give you that.” He laughed. “How about if I swear not to disturb you tonight? We can start there.”

  Rose thought about it a moment before answering. “I suppose it’s the best thing to do. Will you be here in the morning? I really like the others, but I’m not as comfortable around them as I seem to be with you.” She gave him a shy smile. “I like you, too.” She tilted her head and frowned. “Should I call you Torpedo or Gavin?”

  “I’m not sure anyone ever calls me Gavin anymore. But you can call me whatever you like.”

  “I don’t want to embarrass you, so I’ll call you Torpedo.”

  “I’m considering calling you Ambrosia. Would you mind?”

  “Not sure I’d remember to answer. I’ve not been called Ambrosia since high school, and only until my teachers figured out I liked to be called Rose.”

  “You were serious with Tyler Foley. Did he ever kiss you?”

  She blinked several times, the question obviously catching her off guard. “I… Yes. We were engaged.”

  “Did he ever tell you if your kisses were as delicious as your name implied?”

  The flush over her face spread like a warm glow, but she frowned a little. Torpedo could see she was both embarrassed and, quite possibly, aroused by his question. “No. I don’t think Tyler particularly enjoyed kissing me. In fact, I’m not really sure why he wanted to marry me at all.”

  Torpedo stood. “So you didn’t have sex with him?”

  “No. He wanted to. At least, he said he did. I’m beginning to think I represented a conquest to him. Maybe he thought if he asked me to marry him, he could convince me to have sex with him that way. You know. A commitment from him to prove he was serious about me. Nothing else had convinced me. Certainly not his kisses.”

  Just like that, Torpedo’s pulse quickened, and he couldn’t get enough air. “Why? Why wouldn’t you want to be intimate with the man you were going to marry?” He had to know. Had to know what mistakes the little fucker had made before he’d gone all psycho and shit. He also had to know if, God help him, she was a virgin.

  She shrugged. “It just never seemed right. I’m not a prude or anything. I just hadn’t gone all the way before I met Tyler and had decided I wouldn’t unless I really wanted to. I didn’t want my first time to be because the guy I was with expected it. With Tyler, there was never that passion I needed to convince me I really wanted to.”

  “Fuck… me…” he whispered.

  “Mr. Ferguson --”

  “Don’t start that, Rose.” He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “I’m not going to pounce on you, and I can make you a promise right this second that I will never force myself on you. I will never expect you’ll just lie down and let me take something from you. In fact, I’ll never make a move on you other than to kiss you unless you expressly tell me what you want.”

  She got an adorable confused expression as she shook her head at him. “I don’t understand.”

  “If what you need to decide to have sex with a man is passion, an intense physical desire to complete the act, then I’ll make it my personal mission to give you that. If I can’t, then I don’t deserve you, anyway.”

  With one hand, he reached down to cup her cheek and tilt her head where he wanted it. Then Torpedo took gentle possession of her mouth.

  Chapter Five

  Had Rose wanted passion before she gave herself to a man? She was getting it in spades now. Torpedo’s mouth moved over hers in a languid caress. He didn’t hurry her, didn’t overpower her or dominate her. He coaxed. Cajoled. He seduced her into letting him have what he wanted. Even then, he didn’t take anything she didn’t willingly surrender. Before she knew it, Rose was clinging to Torpedo, kissing him back and whimpering as his tongue sought and found hers.

  Strong arms wrapped around her, caging her in and holding her to him, but making her feel more protected than trapped. He held her body tightly against his, so tight Rose felt his cock mashed between them, throbbing and pulsing into her belly.

  Everything Rose had ever wanted was packed into that kiss. She felt… important. Wanted. No one she’d ever been with had ever made her feel this way. Maybe it was just that Torpedo was vastly more experienced than she was, but she didn’t think that was the main issue. There was something about the man that just did it for her. His rock-hard body. His rock-hard cock. The way his lips slid over hers and his teeth nipped her gently. All of it was intoxicating to her. Had he not been holding her so tight, Rose was certain she’d have ended up in on the floor of the balcony in a little heap.

  He was right, too. Torpedo could definitely make her want him like she’d always craved wanting a man. Even now, she was on the very edge of begging him to take her to bed. One night. Intense passion. She wanted it with every fiber of her being, but had no idea how to express that wish. At least, not now. Maybe the next time he kissed her so passionately. Assuming he cared to do it again.

  When Torpedo ended the kiss, nuzzling her chin until she tilted her head back to let him graze his lips over her neck, a long, whimpering sigh escaped her. Her body was trembling almost violently, and she felt like she was wound tighter than a rubber band.

  “Well, my little Ambrosia? How do you like my kisses?”

  “Torpedo…” His name was a sigh on her lips. Even to herself, she sounded needy and wanton.

  “Tell me, my little virgin. I need to know.”

  “I do,” she breathed, unable to do much more when he sucked the delicate skin at her neck and shoulder. “I’ve never -- I’ve never been kissed like that.”

  “Kissed how? It’s just a sliding of lips against each other. Right?” He sounded slightly amused, but his voice was husky. Not the smooth, rich baritone she’d grown used to over the evening.

  “Not when you do it,” she confessed.

  “Tell me what you like about it, baby.”

  “Love your taste. The feel of your tongue against mine.” She shivered, recalling the sensations. “Why’d you kiss me?”

  “To show you what a real kiss is supposed to feel like.” He nipped her earlobe. “And because I’ve been wanting to taste you since I first laid eyes on you.” He was sin and sex. Rose could believe him. Wanted to believe him. Tyler had never wanted her like that, or maybe he just wasn’t as good at this as Torpedo. Scratch that. Tyler was nowhere near as good. Whether he really wanted her or not, Torpedo had thoroughly convinced her he meant every word he’d just said. Maybe he just wanted an easy lay with a virgin, or maybe it was something more. All Rose knew was, in that moment, she’d willingly give him whatever he wanted from her. Without reservation. She’d deal with the aftermath in the morning, but she wouldn’t regret a second.

  Just as she was about to surrender to him, Torpedo pulled her close and just hugged her to him. Was she imagining things or was his body shuddering around hers?

  “Fuck, Rose,” he breathed. “Just… fuck.”

  With one more hard squeeze, he scooped her up and took her back inside the suite to a bedroom. It was spacious and tastefully decorated. The big bed looked inviting, but too lonely after the kiss they’d just shared.

  “My room is next to yours,” he said as he set her back on her feet, next to the bed. “If you need anything, just peck on the wall. I’ll hear and come to you.”

  Rose looked around, debating her next move. Did she really want to do this? And what exactly was she contemplating? She wanted him in that bed with her, but if he stayed with her, no way they weren’t having sex. “Will you stay with me?”

  His eyes flashed, a deep lust showing through when the last word left her mouth. His nostrils flared, and he actually took a step closer to her, gripping her shoulders with his hands. “There is nothing more I want than that, baby. I’m just not sure you’re ready.”

  “Oh, I’m ready. If you need to touch me to see for yourself, you’re welcome to.”

  The growl seemed ripped from his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her again, one hand slidi
ng up from her waist to her ribcage to cup her breast and squeeze. “You have no idea how much I want to do just that. In fact, I’d love to undress you and bury my tongue inside your little cunt. I’d make you ready for me even if you weren’t already.”

  A little cry escaped her at his words. Her knees did give out then, and she sagged against him.

  Torpedo’s grip tightened on her breast, and his fingers pinched the nipple through the material of her shirt. “I bet you’d be sweet and addictive. Ambrosia…”

  “Please,” she whimpered, not really sure where the little plea came from but meaning it all the same.

  “I’m not takin’ you tonight, baby. Soon, though. But if you want me to stay with you, I will. I can’t promise I won’t fuck you tomorrow though. Especially if I wake up with you in my arms. So be sure that’s what you want.”

  Was it? Rose wanted to answer an overwhelming yes, but did she really? This was the equivalent of a one-night stand. He might profess to want more, but didn’t most men do that? And even if he was lying to her, was she willing to risk the awkwardness afterward to get the experience?

  If sex with Torpedo was anything like his kisses, then there was no question she wanted it. “I want you with me. If you still want me in the morning, I’ll be more than willing.”

  “So, I met your passion criteria for sex?”

  “Are you teasing me?”

  He grinned before kissing her forehead. “Maybe just a little. But not maliciously. I like that you have standards and that they’re not bullshit standards. Holding out just to be married isn’t a reason. Holding out until you meet someone who makes you really want it is one of the best reasons I’ve ever heard. You should have passion. Lust. Sex is as much about you as it is your man.”

  “Then let’s go to bed. The quicker I get to sleep, the quicker you can wake me with sex.”

  He barked a laugh then kissed her again. There was hunger there, a restrained need she wanted to unleash like he’d done with her.

  “I’ll only stay if we’re both naked,” he said. “I want to feel your skin against mine all fuckin’ night.”

  He stared into her eyes, not moving until she gave a slight nod. Butterflies seemed to take wing in her stomach, and her body shook with nerves. Even though she’d been engaged to Tyler, he’d never seen her completely naked. No man had. As aroused as she was, Rose wasn’t certain she could bring herself to strip in front of Torpedo.

  “Will you turn out the light?” The second she said it, Rose wished she could take back the question. Instantly, Torpedo’s humor changed. He looked at her with those intense hazel eyes, and they flashed an intense golden green as he held her gaze. She had no choice but to look away.

  “No. I won’t.” There was a short silence. “I want to see that sexy little body of yours.”

  She took a breath, nerves nearly overwhelming her. Something inside her seemed to know this was the point of no return. As much as she wanted the experience, she was terrified. Not of Torpedo. Had he frightened her on that level she’d never have agreed to this insanity. It wasn’t him so much as it was herself.

  “I’ll be completely honest with you,” she said, lifting her chin to look at him once more. “I’ve never been naked in front of a man before. While I’ve definitely seen naked men, you’re the first man I’ve seen in the flesh, so to speak.” When he opened his mouth, she plowed on. “I’m not entirely sure I can be as confident as you’re probably expecting. Not because I don’t want to be. I just…”

  “Relax, Rose.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I won’t force you. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Just don’t let your fear of the unknown take something away from you. Not because you think I’ll be disappointed.” He shook his head. “I’ve got you here with me. I can kiss you to my heart’s content. Might even coax your clothes off you by seducing you to do whatever I want. I’m good. You’ll be disappointed. This is an experience you only get once. Do you want it to be with me? If you want me enough to gift me with your virginity, I can’t imagine you don’t want to undress in front of me.”

  “I know,” she said, trying to laugh at herself to make light of the situation. “I panicked.” Taking a deep breath, Rose lifted her shirt over her head. Her hands didn’t seem to want to work the way they should, and she had trouble hanging on to the material. A graceful striptease this was not. Torpedo stepped closer to her, reaching out to rest his hands on her hips. When he nodded at her, she reached behind her to unhook her bra, letting the thing slip to the floor.

  She stood there, bare-breasted before him. His nostrils flared as his eyes focused on her chest. Rose could almost feel his gaze on her like a caress.

  “Keep going, baby.” It was the look in his eyes that gave her the courage to continue. Torpedo looked at her like he wanted to eat her up. The lust shining in those golden-green depths wasn’t something she was used to, and Rose found it a heady thing. He was looking like that at her. No other woman. She didn’t try to fool herself into thinking he’d never looked at another woman this way, but he was looking at her now. Maybe that made her naive, but he was right. She’d regret it for the rest of her life if she didn’t have this experience with him.

  With trembling fingers, she undid the button of her jeans. Torpedo’s hands stayed at her waist, not shoving at her clothes or restraining her in any way, simply holding her steady. Whether he knew it or not, Torpedo was her anchor.

  Rose let her jeans and panties slide down her hips to pool at her feet on the floor. Torpedo’s fingers dug deeper into her hips, but eased up as if he were only just aware he might have hurt her. “So fuckin’ beautiful…” He sounded in awe as his hands slid from her hips to her waist to her breasts. He didn’t cover them with his palms. Instead, he just skimmed over the sides, up and down in a gentle stroke. “When I finally take you, my little Ambrosia, I’m gonna make you scream.”

  Rose gasped. She wanted to touch him like he was touching her but didn’t dare. If he rebuffed her, she’d never get her confidence back. Her gaze strayed to his wide, muscled chest, hugged so lovingly by the immaculate shirt he wore.

  Torpedo must have seen her gaze drop and read her expression because he grasped her wrist gently and brought her hands to his chest. “Unbutton my shirt, Ambrosia.”

  Rose’s fingers trembled as she did what he asked. She brushed his hair-roughened chest as she parted the edges of his shirt. When she looked up at him, Torpedo nodded, encouraging her to go on. With slow movements, Rose slid her hands up his chest to hook under the material of his shirt at the shoulders. The muscles were firm, his skin scarred in a few places, but she savored every touch of her palms over every inch.

  Keeping her eyes on his face was impossible. There was so much to take in! A firm chest and ripped abs, shoulders that were wide and thick, arms roped with muscle that felt so good when they wrapped tightly around her that they were like a beacon to her. She had to see as well as touch every inch she unwrapped.

  She stopped when his shirt dropped to the floor in an elegant slide, but Torpedo nodded at her, silently encouraging her to continue. With a deep breath and trembling fingers, Rose unbuttoned his pants. Her fingers brushed his cock, and she nearly jerked her hand back. His breath caught, but he didn’t react in any other way, just nodded at her again.

  Knowing she’d never have the nerve she needed to do this if she waited much longer, Rose hooked the waist of his pants in her thumbs and shoved. The fine material pooled at his feet, leaving him standing before her in boxer briefs. His cock stood out proudly in the confining material. Rose couldn’t seem to lift her gaze, wanting to see more but not daring to finish this.

  “Go on, baby,” he urged her. “You’ve come this far.”

  Rose wasn’t certain she wouldn’t pass out. She squeezed her eyes shut and took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself. When she opened them, she found her fingers curling into the waistband, lying against his skin just in front of his hips.

&nbs
p; Slowly, she tugged until his cock sprang free, bobbing before her riveted gaze. He was long and thick, the flared head an angry purple. Veins roped all around it as he pulsed in time with his heartbeat.

  Her gaze ran the length of him, from his feet up to his face. Not only was he muscled, but scarred and tattooed. To Rose, he looked magnificent. What woman wouldn’t want him? What man wouldn’t want to capitalize on looks like his? Was she just fooling herself that she could do this? Granted, it was a little late in the current situation to be second-guessing herself, but there it was. It all came down to what she wanted. Was the cake worth the bake, so to speak. She thought it might be. If for nothing else, it would be worth it for the personal experience. She wanted this with Torpedo. Not because she expected him to keep her, but because he was a man she would never forget.

  Summoning every ounce of courage she possessed, Rose stepped back, bumping into the bed. Torpedo’s gaze was locked on her, trapping her with its intensity. A flush swept over her, and sweat erupted over every inch of her skin.

  “Get in the bed, Ambrosia.” The command was soft but undeniable. She couldn’t disobey if she’d wanted to. She didn’t want to disobey him.

  Turning slowly, Rose climbed in and crawled under the covers. Torpedo was right behind her. He pulled her to him before he was even fully settled, wrapping his arms around her and urging her to lay her head on his chest. He pulled her arm across his chest, so she lay with her palm over his heart. Rose didn’t know what to do, was almost afraid to move. She loved his warmth around her, the way his scent surrounded her. Her leg was over one of his thighs so that her mound was just scant inches from his hip. It was the most intimate feeling she’d ever experienced. There was a vulnerability for her in this position. She was in his arms, naked. He could do what he wanted, but he’d promised he wouldn’t do anything until the morning.

  “Nervous?” His voice was soft, but rough. Had his heart not been pounding beneath her hand, Rose might have thought he was making fun of her.