by Diana Duncan
His sexy laugh rumbled as he massaged her bottom through her gauzy skirt. “Good tactical plan.”
She slid his shirt over his broad shoulders and off his arms. His sculpted chest and ridged abs were more intoxicating than the wine. She skated her fingertips through the fine mat of crisp, dark hair, delighted at the way his heart jumped under her palms. “Do you recommend a dynamic entry, officer?”
Carnal chuckles spilled out of him. “Affirmative.” He eased her down to the plush carpet in front of the fire, his hard, hot body levering on top of hers.
She rolled her hips, reveling in the awesome feeling of his blatant arousal rubbing against her. “Light me up.”
“Eveready,” he groaned. And took her mouth in another breath-stealing kiss.
She tunneled her fingers into his thick, wavy hair, urging him closer. He kissed like a fallen angel. Dark passion and fiery sin, with the sweet taste of forbidden heaven on his tongue.
He pulled back, breaking the kiss. Shook his head. “Hold that thought.”
“You’re not getting all noble and backing off again, are you?” She scowled. “Do not make me get out the handcuffs.”
Amusement hummed in his throat. “Hell, I’m not even in the neighborhood of that noble.” His wicked grin flashed. “Though the cuffs idea has merit.” He shoved to his feet. “We need protection.”
“Argh! Right! Crap, Aidan, you keep ambushing my common sense.”
He smiled. “Even if I make you lose your mind, I’ll always protect you ... in every way.”
Just one of the many attributes she loved about her cop. Propped on her elbows, she looked up at him. “Please make me the happiest woman on the planet and tell me you have condoms.”
“An Eagle Scout is always prepared.” He strode toward the hallway.
She watched him walk away, the powerful muscles in his back rippling with his graceful predator’s stride, his taut, perfect butt hugged by snug denim. Desire streamed through her in a potent flood of liquid flame. “Hey, SWAT?”
He half turned. “Yeah?”
“Bring the whole box.”
He tossed back his head as laughter exploded out of him. “I love a woman with ambition.”
“Oh, Master, do I have plans for you. And I promise, you won’t hate any of ’em.”
His lightning reflexes during the firefight paled in comparison to how speedily he completed this errand. True to her request, he brought the entire—unopened—box of thirty-six.
“I love a man who takes direction well.”
He knelt at her side, magnificent body caressed by golden firelight. “Your wish is my command, sweetheart.”
She rose to her knees, facing him. “Will you take off your jeans?”
“This’ll be rather difficult if I leave them on.” Lips quirked in a naughty grin, he indicated the button at his waistband. “Do with me what you will.”
Her hands shook as she unfastened the button, making her fumble with the zipper covering the rigid, mind-boggling bulge.
“Don’t be nervous, honey.” Aidan’s big, warm hands covered hers and helped her ease down the zipper. “I won’t rush you this time.”
“I’m not nervous. I’m ... just... a bit overwhelmed.” She gulped as he stood and skimmed the denim—along with black briefs—down powerfully muscled thighs and stepped out of his pants. “I can’t believe this is actually happening. I’ve waited my whole life to find you.”
He tugged her to her feet. “And I you.” He slipped his hands inside the elastic waist of her skirt, eased it over her hips and off.
She stood before him in her turquoise bra and matching bikini. His smoldering glance roamed a meandering path down her body and snagged on the small silver ring in her navel. A sensual grin flirted over his mouth. “More monkey business?”
She looked at the little monkey charm before grinning back at him. “You know it.”
His fingers tunneled into her hair, drawing her close, then he bent his head and kissed her.
Embraced in his heat, immersed in his clean, masculine scent, Zoe swayed. Sighed. Nestling into him, she let him take her under. He pulled back slightly, whispered her name against her lips like a prayer. Then he again feasted on her mouth. The fervor and fire she’d felt from him in the cave raged beneath the surface, but remained leashed under tight control. His lips were soft and patient. His hands tender.
Savoring what before he’d devoured. Lingering where before he’d sped. Creating slow, erotic swells of pleasure.
His fingertips traced the turquoise lace covering her breasts, causing her nipples to tighten to hard, aching peaks. “Very pretty.” He released the catch and deftly removed her bra. Her panties quickly followed. Chocolate eyes flared hot in appreciation. “Even prettier.”
He drew her down to sit beside him, one strong arm supporting her back. Naked, talking and laughing together, they fed each other tasty morsels and sips of wine.
She conducted an intriguing exploration, learning what touches made her cop’s breath catch, which well-placed kisses made his eyes darken in arousal. His hands skimmed her body lightly, reverently, both soothing and inciting. He teased and tantalized, a leisurely seduction of body and mind.
The food contented her, the wine relaxed her, and Aidan’s lingering kisses and butterfly strokes simmered her blood. He served a heady cocktail of comfort and desire, and her thirsty spirit drank every drop. He offered unconditional love, and her hungry soul devoured its fill.
His need, his desire for her humbled her. Awed her. She didn’t have to earn his love. Or deserve it. It was simply hers for the asking.
Aidan reached over to the coffee table, dipped a strawberry in wine and offered her a bite. As she savored the succulent fruit, his eyes locked on hers, and he slipped the other half of the berry between his full lips. The sensual burn in those eyes glittered over her skin. “Juicy.” The fine roughness of his cheek gently rasped hers as he leaned close. “Sweet.” His velvet whisper tickled her ear. “But not as sweet as every inch of your body is going to taste.”
The simmer in her blood erupted into an inferno, and her pulse leapt. He didn’t even have to touch her. He could seduce her with only his husky voice, his sultry words.
He eased her onto her back on the carpet. Rain pattered the windows, sparkling diamonds dotting the panes. The fire snapped, red and gold light dancing on the walls. Aidan brushed a tousled curl off her forehead. “Starting right ...” He bent and pressed a tender kiss to her brow. “Here.”
He kissed her eyelids. Her cheeks. The tip of her nose. He loitered over her ears and neck until she was flushed and trembling, before moving to her breasts. His moist breath tingled over her nipple. A shivery scrape of teeth. A silky swipe of tongue, then ... ohhh ... long, lovely pulls into his hot mouth. Lava streamed along her nerve endings, delicious flutters in her belly curled her toes.
Her Dark Champion was thorough and dedicated in his quest, enticing her to purr with anticipation.
His lips curved in a smile against her sensitized skin. “That little purr makes me wild for you, sweetheart.”
“Everything you do makes me wild for you, Aidan.”
He rose up to look at her, cocked a mischievous brow. “Maybe later, you’ll beg for mercy.”
She glided her fingertips over his sculpted pecs and smiled when his nipples hardened and his muscles jumped under her touch. “Maybe you will.”
Aidan’s bad boy grin arrowed to her center. “Looking forward to it.” His talented mouth roved to her belly. His tongue toyed with her navel ring, and her smile dissolved in a moan. He kissed a sensual path down her thigh. A lazy detour to the back of her knee arced jolts of electric need through her system. Her right instep and each toe received lavish attention before he moved to the left foot and forged the trail of delight in reverse. “Oh,” she panted. “You are definitely thorough.”
He parted her legs and settled between them. “Every sweet inch, baby.” His mouth covered her in the most intim
ate kiss. Her body jerked in shocked response. Then quivered under the gentle, erotic caresses of teeth, the sensual glides of tongue.
Seeking an anchor, her hands found Aidan’s hair, clung as his finger slid inside her, stroking slow and deep. Intimately connected, there were no longer any secrets between them, no lies. She was fully open to him. Trusted him with her body. With her heart. She gave herself over to the sweet bliss and let him spin her up the long, slow climb.
Thousands of bright pinpoints of pleasure awoke under his seeking mouth and clever hands. Need thrummed in her blood, her pulse pounded in her ears. Her body bowed taut, poised and shaking. Then Aidan slid a second finger inside her and sent her winging skyward.
He drew out the rippling pleasure as she tumbled down again. Until her muscles went limp and her breaths sawed in ragged gasps. But instead of abating, need began to build again.
Gradually, his amazing mouth took her back up. But her body knew him now, craved what only he could give, and demanded more. When he again had her quaking on the edge, he crawled up her vibrating body, his expression an arousing mix of fierce tenderness and untamed hunger. Warm and solid on top of her, he cupped her face in his hands, and his dark eyes smoldered with promise. “My Zoe. God, I want you. So damn much.”
“You have me. All of me.”
She drew up her knees, cradling him between her thighs, then his thick heat pressed into her. She stared into his eyes in wonder as he slowly, patiently, filled her body. Filled her heart and her soul. Filled the aching, lonely emptiness with himself.
His eyes holding hers, he kept his weight on his elbows. “All good?”
No longer fearing the past, no longer dreading the future, for the first time in her life, she was safe. “So much better than good.” Quaking with awe, she slid her arms around his neck, swallowed the lump in her throat. She would never be alone again. “Now I’m finally complete.”
“Ah, Zoe.” Her name was a fervent plea. “Dammit, you’re gonna make me tear up again.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “Twice in one day would unman me.”
Her heartbeat tripped unsteadily. “That tender side of you touches me to the marrow.” He tilted his hips, and she moaned at the exquisite sensation of fullness. “And for the record, there’s no doubt whatsoever about your manhood.”
His chuckle snagged on a sharp inhale. “I love you, Zoe Zagretti.”
She feathered a kiss over his gorgeous mouth. “I love you, too, Aidan O’Rourke.”
As he rocked in a leisurely rhythm, sweet ribbons of blissful heat curled through her. His thumbs caressed her face, traced her bottom lip. He kissed her as if he could spend the rest of his life doing nothing else, and she drowned in the heady rush of love.
He glided above her in long, lush strokes and she rose to meet him. The protective, loving intensity in his eyes made her heart turn over.
Heartbeat thundered against heartbeat, warm skin sliding over warm skin. Breathy moans floated in air gone moist and hazy. Meeting one another in their unique rhythm that grew in urgency and intensity, she surrounded him, accepted him. He claimed her as his own.
And enveloping them both in a shimmering halo was the feeling of belonging.
This time when she trembled on the brink of infinity, her entire being straining toward fulfillment, Aidan trembled there with her.
Emotion stormed his eyes. “You’re mine, Zoe,” he growled fiercely against her mouth.
“You’re mine, Aidan,” she whispered, and soared off the edge of the world with him.
Joy. Her heart danced with it. Her soul gleamed with it. Fiery hot and exquisitely brilliant, her body sang with it.
Sunlight pulsed and exploded through her system. Above her, Aidan shook and shuddered, growled her name. Joined together, they hurtled into the jet-stream of pleasure—a shared moment of utter completion that transcended the merely physical.
* * *
Aidan startled awake, Zoe’s name a whisper on his lips. He hadn’t awakened from a nightmare this time, but a beautiful dream.
He glanced over at her, dozing beside him in his bed. Her pale, creamy skin was luminous against his navy sheets, her sleeping smile a sunbeam.
Not a dream. Awesome reality.
Their lovemaking in front of the fire had been followed by dessert. Lois Lane could now write a tutorial on a hundred-and-one creative uses for buttercream frosting.
He grinned. None of which would be featured on any of his favorite cooking shows. Dessert had necessitated a shower, which turned into a steamy interlude with his slippery shower gel and massaging showerhead. Oh, yeah, Zoe had begged for mercy. And called him Master ... and meant it.
His grin widened. After a sleep-of-the-dead nap to recharge, he’d woken—surprise!—to find his intrepid reporter had brought his handcuffs out to play. Cuffed to the headboard, it’d been his turn to beg for mercy.
He chuckled softly at the sight of the ravaged condom box on his nightstand. His initial assessment had hit the target dead-center. Life with Zoe would never be dull.
Careful not to disturb her, he eased out of bed and cat-footed to the living room. He stared out at the rainy afternoon, remembering DiMarco’s vicious attack on the woman he loved. His jaw clenched. His nightmare had come crashing back on him during those horrifying moments. He hadn’t been able to protect her ... but she hadn’t died, after all.
Thank heaven, Zoe had the guts and fortitude to rebound from DiMarco’s cruel blow to her heart. He rolled his shoulders and tension dissolved. His brave lady had not only survived every horrifying blow in her life, she triumphed.
She thrived.
He picked up the depleted platter of leftovers, grimacing in realization. Holy Balls. He’d underestimated every woman around him. Letty, Mom, Bailey, and Zoe had all been knocked to the mat by circumstances that might’ve crushed lesser people ... and bounded back up, swinging. They’d conquered life’s hardships with grit and spirit. Women weren’t weak, helpless females to be coddled and protected. And O’Rourke women? Damn, they stood side-by-side with their men and fought the good fight.
Zoe would be okay, no matter what life threw at the pair of them.
Hell, in the future, she’d probably haul his ass out of the fire multiple times.
He dumped the platter’s contents and set it in the sink. She gave him contentment he’d never thought he could have. Made him experience emotions he’d never thought he could feel. Making love to her was more intense, more heart-shaking, more amazing than he’d ever imagined.
He’d known her six months and had been able to maintain his distance all during that time. It took a run through the woods and life or death consequences to show him what he was so busy avoiding. Without DiMarco and the threats to both of them, he would’ve continued to avoid her. And missed out on everything she had to offer. Everything he needed. He shook his head. Fate had a fucking whacked sense of irony. The man who’d killed his father had also brought him to his soul-mate.
Whatever DNA Zoe had inherited didn’t matter—their future together would be what they made it. His woman was funny, mischievous, irreverent, warm-hearted, and generous to a fault.
Zoe was his heart. His light. His life.
He headed for the phone. He’d never forget what it was like to live without knowing a true partner’s unconditional love. Would always be grateful for her. After years of him sleepwalking through a cold, barren existence like a zombie, her dauntless resolution and unconquerable optimism had yanked him kicking and screaming back into the land of the living. He owed her a debt he could never repay.
But he was willing to spend the rest of his life trying. He picked up the receiver and dialed.
Starting right now.
* * *
Floating in a warm bubble of contentment, Zoe stretched languid limbs and let her eyelids drift open. She turned her head, and her heart stumbled. Aidan was gone. But on his pillow beside her rested a sock monkey. A small tag dangled from a red bow around its neck. With trembli
ng hands, she reached over and cradled the toy. Aidan’s bold scrawl on the tag read: George II. Her vision blurred. How sweet and thoughtful was her cop?
She sat up, but before she could climb out of bed, the door swung open. Aidan slipped inside, wearing only jeans unbuttoned at the waist, and carrying a tray. “Morning.” He crossed to the bed, where he set the tray on the foot. His eyes glowed with warm regard. “How you doing, sweetheart?”
“Mmm. Wonderful. You?”
“Pretty damn terrific.” He wiggled mischievous eyebrows. “Although, I might’ve sprained something I have a hunch I’ll need later.”
A grin sneaked out. “I bet I can kiss it all better for you.”
His eyes fired. “You know, I feel a sudden recovery coming.”
“Ha. Punny.” She held up the monkey, her throat tightening. “Thank you. Where did you find it?”
“You’re welcome. Letty knows a crafter who makes them.” He cocked his head. “Hungry?”
She looked longingly at his hard-muscled body clad only in snug denim. She now knew the unbelievable stamina that body possessed, and the staggering pleasure it gave her. She’d also learned—to her everlasting delight—the phenomenal power she possessed to make her stoic warrior lose all control. She flashed him another suggestive grin, then slid her tongue across her bottom lip. “Famished.”
His eyes smoldered, but he shook his head. “Sustenance first.” He glanced at the stuffed animal. “Cover your ears, George.” She propped the monkey on the pillow and covered his little sock ears, and Aidan’s lusty laugh tumbled out. “Wild monkey sex afterward.” He swung the tray around and rested it on her knees. “Room service, milady. Appropriate fare for the occasion.”
She giggled at the Cracker Jack and bottled water. “From now on, this’ll be our special celebration meal.”
“Yep.” The mattress dipped beneath his weight as he settled in beside her. “Liam called while you were asleep. He has a buddy in the FBI. So far, they’ve extracted enough evidence off those hard drives you found to convict DiMarco on racketeering charges—and they’re not done yet. Combined with the confession you finessed from him for Pop’s murder, Tony will die in prison a very old man.”