by Tee O'Fallon
Getting a grip on her nervousness, she tugged his shirt from his waistband. He lifted his arms, so she could peel it up his chest and over his head. She sucked in a tight breath. His body was beyond beautiful. It was a work of art that she couldn’t wait to explore. Dropping the shirt to the floor, she ran her hands down his bare chest, reveling in the warmth of his thick pectorals and undulating abdominal muscles.
When his body quivered at her touch, she froze. “You don’t like that?”
He laughed, a deep, throaty sound that reminded her of what an amazing voice he had. “Are you kidding? I love it. Don’t stop.”
She didn’t.
His skin beneath her fingers was warm and taut. His shoulders and arms were as thickly muscled as his chest. As she sifted her fingers through the thin coating of hair arrowing down his torso and disappearing beneath his beltline, her hands trembled again. This was all happening so fast. They hardly knew each other.
Then why does it feel so damned right? She didn’t know, but could only hope Nick felt the same.
Wanting him this much was both exciting…and terrifying.
She unbuckled the belt, then unbuttoned his jeans before tugging down the zipper. Snug, black undershorts covered the bulge of his massive erection, and she couldn’t resist dragging her fingers over him.
A deep, guttural groan emanated from his throat, sending chills to her belly. “Do you like it when I touch you like that?” She did, and the only thing that could top it was to feel his hardened length without the encumbrance of his undershorts.
He laughed. “You can touch me anywhere you like.”
“Promise?” When he nodded and gave her that lopsided grin, an excited shiver shot through her. She clasped the waistband of his jeans, intending to push them down his legs when her hand contacted his gun.
“I’ve got this.” He pulled the holster and badge off the belt and set it on the bedside table. Next, he sat on the edge of the bed, untied his boots, and kicked them to the side before standing again. A grin quirked his lips. “Carry on.”
“Yes, Sergeant.” She gave him a coy smile, then slid her hands around his waist, shoving them beneath the waistbands of his jeans and undershorts to cup his bare muscled ass.
As she shoved his clothing farther down, her hands contacted more and more of his bare flesh, and he groaned again, louder this time. She loved having this effect on him.
His legs were long and strong, with a thin coating of dark hair. His eyes were closed, his jaw clenched. When she’d gotten his undershorts low enough, his erection sprang forth, and her eyes widened at how big he was. Could she really take him all in? For the past few years, her sex life had been all but nonexistent.
Unable to stop herself, she took him in her hands, gently stroking his hard length.
“Baby,” he growled, removing her hand. “Keep that up, and we won’t make it to the bed.” The look he gave her was tight with tension.
For a man with such big hands and fingers, he deftly unbuttoned her blouse and slipped it from her shoulders, running his hands down her arms. Tingles raced up and down her body, hardening her nipples.
This is really happening. Part of her couldn’t believe it, yet she’d sensed their relationship was coming to this. Despite her resistance, she’d known it deep in her heart.
He reached behind her and unzipped her skirt, letting it fall to the floor. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she stepped out of the skirt and kicked it aside. Her breaths came quicker, and her skin grew hot. With a flick of his thumb, he unhooked her bra, then tugged it off. His low rumble of appreciation made her hunger for him pulse hotter, faster, until she could barely breathe.
He cupped her breasts and rubbed her nipples with his thumbs until they were pert and erect. Watching his large, calloused hands caressing the smoothness of her bare breasts was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. Shockwaves of heat, lust, and desire ignited in her core. Now it was her turn to groan, and she pushed her breasts into his hands, wanting to experience all that he could give her.
When she met his gaze again, his eyes smoldered like molten metal. His lips closed around one of the hardened peaks, and she moaned louder, arching into his mouth. Energy hummed in her veins, and the hot, burning craving between her legs intensified until she wanted to scream.
“More.” She held his head tighter to her breast. “More. Please.”
He urged her backward to the bed, laying her down then slowly stripping off her panties. The tips of his fingers were rough against her skin, the motion gentle as he slid the silky material down her thighs. He was big and heavy as he lowered on top of her. “Am I crushing you?”
In answer, she wrapped her arms around his back, tugging him tighter against her and digging her fingers into his corded flesh. “No.” Then she pulled his head down for a kiss she hoped would drive him out of his mind because that was exactly what he was doing to her. The taste of him in her mouth, on her tongue, was nectar she could sip on for a long, long time.
While they kissed, his hand massaged her breast, his fingers fondling her nipple until she couldn’t take it any longer and twisted in his grasp, urging him to take the hardened nub in his mouth again. The moment his lips closed around her nipple, a sharp bolt of lightning shot to her core, and she gasped.
He continued plucking and teasing her with his tongue and teeth, scalding her body from the outside in, and still, it wasn’t enough. She moaned louder, cradling his head until he shifted position and teased her other nipple with the same enthusiasm.
Moments later, he kissed her again, deeper this time. So deeply it was as if he were touching her soul. She undulated her hips, rubbing herself against his hard length.
His tongue stroked hers as his hand skimmed down her hip to hike her leg over the back of his thigh. When he settled between her legs, his erection was hot and hard, making her writhe against him until she was wet with need. Regretfully, she ended the kiss, gasping for air and feeling stupidly naive.
“Nick, I’m sorry, I-I don’t have any—”
He cut her off. “I do.” Then he rose and retrieved his wallet from the back of his pants and pulled out several packets. He shoved two into his jeans’ pocket, then sheathed himself with the remaining condom.
Her heart squeezed. What is he doing with all those condoms in his back pocket? Please tell me he hasn’t been having sex with the Napkin Girls.
When he lowered himself on top of her again, he must have seen the distress on her face. “Hey.” He stroked her cheek. “I haven’t been with anyone in months, and that was just for sex. Since I met you, I haven’t wanted anyone but you.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “Not even any of the Napkin Girls?”
His rumbling laughter reverberated against her chest. “Not even the Napkin Girls.”
“Stop laughing at me.” She punched his shoulder, turning her head away when he tried to kiss her.
He stopped laughing and clasped her chin gently, forcing her to look at him. She was too embarrassed at her confession and shut her eyes.
“Look at me.” She shook her head, feeling like a jealous teenager. “Open your eyes.”
Reluctantly she did, and was surprised at the seriousness on his face. “Those condoms have been collecting dust in my wallet for a long time. If it makes you feel any better, seeing that photo of you and Myer on the wall in the café every day made me want to smash it into a thousand pieces. Knowing your ex had it in his bedroom makes me crazy just thinking about it.”
“You always know what to say.” She lifted a finger to his stubbled jaw. “Don’t you?”
“I do have my moments. So, relax.” His voice had turned husky. “And let me love you.”
He nudged her thighs apart and guided himself inside her. She heard the growl of desire deep in her throat as she arched against him. Her nipples grazed his chest, tingling from the abrasion. It had been a long time since she’d had sex, and she dug her nails into his back as he stretched her tight walls.
She moaned at the delicious sensations as he rocked in and out. He cupped her face, kissing her while he hiked her leg higher over his buttocks. He drove deeper, sending her closer and closer to the edge.
“Baby, you’re so tight and wet. Like hot silk sliding all around me.”
“Don’t stop. Whatever you do, don’t stop.” She dug her fingers into his buttocks then dragged her nails up his back. Thick muscles rippled and bunched as he pumped faster.
Her breath came in short little gasps. Her inner muscles clenched again and again. When the orgasm hit, it was hard and fast, and she cried out. A feeling so intense and wonderful surrounded her that she wished the moment would never end.
He pushed inside her once more then groaned, letting his head fall back. She pressed her mouth to his neck, sucking at his hot skin, loving the salty taste of him. His body stilled, yet she felt the spurt of his semen against the protective condom.
Incredible. Mind-blowing. Earth-shattering. All words flitting through her head, and those she’d never used to describe making love with any other man. Not that there’d been that many, but none before Nick had ever left her body so sated. Her mind so at peace.
Her heart so frightfully open.
Another second passed, and he rolled to his side, taking her with him. They remained that way, with him still buried inside her. He kissed the top of her head, clasping her hand to his chest. Within minutes, his breathing evened out, and she realized he’d dozed off. No wonder, given that he’d been without sleep for nearly forty-eight hours.
Snuggling against him, she closed her eyes, but her mind was spinning. Moving carefully, so she didn’t wake Nick, she shifted to watch him sleep. He was out cold, and yet in his arms, she felt more protected than if there’d been an army battalion parked outside. She’d also experienced more fulfillment of her body and soul’s desires than at any other time in her life. The realization was overwhelming.
His words came back in a rush. Let me love you. She wasn’t foolish enough to be misled into thinking that had been a confession of love. She’d understood it for precisely what it was—a romanticized description of sex. It had been a sweet gesture on his part to ease her concerns that he slept around a lot.
She pressed her head to his chest, inhaling the remnants of his masculine aftershave and the musky scent of their lovemaking into her lungs.
There was no denying that she could easily fall for him. But would he ever feel the same? More specifically, could he ever feel that way about her? No matter what had just happened between them, there was something holding him in check—a barrier still in place. Whether it was the memory of his wife, or that she was still officially a suspect, or something else, she didn’t know.
Regardless, she was determined not to have any regrets. If this turned out to be a one-time thing with no strings attached, she would always remember this as a spectacularly beautiful moment during a time of chaos in her life.
Liar.
She took a deep breath, choking down the truth.
It would always be more. Much more.
Chapter Fourteen
Nick woke slowly, inhaling the smell of freesia. Earlier, when he’d woken to ditch the condom, Andi had been curled on her side, fast asleep.
Moonlight no longer bathed the bedroom in ethereal light, and the room was dark. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but after being up for two days straight and then having the most amazing sex with the woman he—
The woman I what?
He wasn’t sure how to answer his own question. He did know it hadn’t been just sex.
After getting over the numbness Tanya’s death had left in his heart, he’d had plenty of sex, but this was different. It went far beyond a casual hookup.
No matter how hard he’d been fighting it, he had to face facts. He might be falling for her, and it scared the hell out of him.
If the woman he loved died…if he couldn’t protect her…he’d never be able to handle it again. There was still a mission to complete, and he wouldn’t stop until it was done. But that didn’t keep him from wanting Andi or worrying for her safety every waking moment.
She probably hadn’t gotten much sleep, either, but the need to touch her again was overwhelming. Turning on his side, he reached for her. Her side of the bed was empty. And cold.
He bolted upright, searching the darkness.
“Andi?” He heard the caged panic in his voice. “Andi.”
He flung back the sheet and leaped from the bed. His heart pounded as he shoved his legs into his jeans and grabbed his gun and his phone, clipping the phone to his belt. If anything had happened to her because he’d let himself fall asleep…
“Fuck,” he growled, then quietly padded down the stairs, gun extended. “Andi?” he called softly. No answer.
Leading with the gun, he did a quick search of the living room and the small office. Through a window, he glimpsed the patrol car outside on the street and two shadows in the front seats. Next, he cleared the kitchen. That’s when he saw her through the window, standing on the porch and peering through the telescope. Saxon and Stray snuggled together in a corner by the back steps. Stray’s eyes were closed while Saxon maintained a watchful eye on Andi. The only thing out of place was the air mattress he’d used for Saxon’s training, which he’d propped against the side of the house. It now lay on the porch in front of the door.
He exhaled a shaky breath, then waited a moment for his heart to slow before setting his gun and cell phone on the counter and opening the screen door. It creaked, and when she turned to him, his heart began thudding again, but not from panic or fear. Something else was wreaking total havoc with that muscle in his chest. He wasn’t prepared to acknowledge what it was, but his brain began flashing with images of his future. One filled with love and companionship. The other with darkness and solitude. Which way it would go was anybody’s guess.
Crickets chirped in the distance, and the air was still warm.
“Good morning,” she said, smiling.
He couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Standing there in her bare feet, wearing his black T-shirt, she was the most beautiful, desirable woman he’d ever seen. And she’d scared the piss out of him.
“What are you doing out here?” His words came out unintentionally harsh.
“I didn’t want to wake you.” She turned back to the telescope and adjusted its position. “I’m looking for the Perseids.”
“The what?”
“Meteor showers,” she answered without turning around. “The Perseids are the most prolific meteor showers to hit the earth. The best time to view them is in mid-August, between midnight and dawn.”
“Do tell.” He sidestepped the air mattress and wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his chest to her back and his lips to her ear. It took another few seconds for his racing heart to slow. “I didn’t think you needed a telescope to see meteors.”
“You don’t. They’re visible to the naked eye, but if you’re lucky enough to catch one through the scope, it’s even more exciting.” She angled the long metal tube in a different direction. “During peak activity, sixty or more come down every hour.”
He nipped at her earlobe, grazing it with his teeth. “Aren’t you afraid of getting hit in the head?”
“Um, no.” She lifted her head from the ocular, tilting it to give him better access to the soft curve of her neck. “Most burn up in the atmosphere…” He ran his tongue along the creases of her ear, loving how she shivered in response. “Long before they get close,” she continued in a breathy voice as he trailed his tongue farther down her neck.
He slipped his hands beneath the T-shirt, hiking it higher and stroking the flat planes of her belly, confirming what he suspected. Other than the shirt, she was totally naked.
Stroking higher, he cupped her breasts, rubbing his thumbs across her nipples until they hardened to tight little peaks. “It turns me on when you go all astronomical.” The erection straining at his zipper was proof o
f that, along with the blood racing at light speed through his veins.
“It does?” She released the telescope and leaned back against him.
He continued his ministrations, getting crazy turned on as she wriggled her buttocks against his erection.
“Yeah, it does,” he whispered against her ear, then stroked down her belly, moving his hands to cup the perfect, rounded globes of her ass and squeezing them lightly. “Keep talking.”
“I…can’t think straight,” she murmured, beginning to shiver, “when you…do that.”
“That’s the idea.” He pressed his lips to her ear again, loving that she found his touch so distracting. “Is Andromeda really the name on your birth certificate?”
“Yeesss,” she said on a breathy sigh. “I was thinking about having it tattooed on my ass.”
“Don’t. Your ass is perfect the way it is.” He gave her buttocks another gentle squeeze. “Raise your arms.” When she did as he ordered, he yanked the shirt over her head, then tossed it aside and began stroking her breasts. “Tell me more.”
“Well, uh…” She gave a deep sigh of pleasure that drove him crazy with the need to get inside her again. “Did you know that Andromeda is one of the largest constellations?”
“A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” He gently pinched her nipples, and she groaned.
“You think I’m beautiful?” She covered his hands with hers, urging him on.
“I thought you were beautiful the first time I saw you. In the shower. Washing your dog and wearing about five square inches of bathing suit.” He chuckled. That vision was permanently seared into his memory. “Now, I think you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.”
Before she could respond, he clasped her hands, drawing them upward to link her arms around the back of his neck while he continued stroking her quivering body, pushing his erection against her backside. “Keep talking, sweetheart.” His fingers delved lower, seeking out the warm, moist folds between her thighs.
“In Greek mythology, Andromeda was the daughter of Cassiopeia.” As he pushed one finger inside her, she sucked in a breath. “Andromeda was…chained to a rock to be eaten by the sea monster, Cetus, to…pacify the monster’s craving for human flesh.”