Love's Taming (The Love's Series)

by Maryann Jordan

  Annie totally forgot that Suzanne and Leon were still in the room. Wanting to jump in Shane’s arms, she stood dumbly staring at the wall of masculinity in front of her. His blue eyes moving over her body stood out starkly in his tanned face. His strong jaw, that had just a hint of sexy stubble, had her thinking of burying her face in his neck as he took her. He was dressed in a blue button-up shirt with rolled sleeves, straining to contain his muscles. Wearing khaki pants, she realized that she had never seen him in anything other than t-shirts and jeans. Looking good in both, she couldn’t decide which she liked better.

  The silent perusing was interrupted by Leon clearing his throat.

  Startled, Annie blushed and Shane just grinned, holding out his hand toward her. “Ready to go, baby?”

  “We’ll lock up after you, doc,” Leon announced. “Now don’t be late kids,” he joked.

  Suzanne gave Annie a quick hug, whispering, “You look beautiful, doc. I do want you to be happy.”

  With that, Annie took Shane’s hand and headed out for their first real date.

  * * *

  Shane lifted her up into his truck that looked almost new. As he swung himself into the driver’s seat, she couldn’t help but ask.

  Smiling, he looked over as he answered. “Not new, but definitely not very used.” Seeing the questioning look on her face along with the cute crinkle above her brow, he explained. “Bought it a couple of months before going undercover. Friend of mine has been keeping it safe for me.”

  “That must have been so hard,” she said softly. Her words hung gently in the cab of the truck as they headed toward the restaurant. The silence made her nervous. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything about it.”

  Looking back over quickly he just shook his head. “Nah, baby. Don’t apologize. I’m just trying to get used to being back out. That’s almost as hard as havin’ gone in.”

  Curious, she prodded, “What do you mean?”

  Struggling with sharing too much and frightening her, he sat silent for a moment gathering his thoughts. “It was hard givin’ up my life here to go in. But I was convinced it was needed and I was the man to do it. Just never realized how much I would give up to do it and I’m not just talkin’ about my truck.”

  Annie twisted in the seat so that she could focus on him, wanting to know more.

  He continued, “Baby, let’s just leave it at this. To survive that world, I did shit I’m not proud of, not happy with. But it became my way of life. A man pissed me off, he got hit. I needed information from someone reluctant to give it to me, I got physical to make sure I got it. I kept my mouth shut and my emotions shut down. The women in the gang were there for a purpose and I had a cover to maintain.”

  At this, Annie winced and it did not go unnoticed by him. Fuck. He reached his hand across the seat and linked his fingers with her.

  “Is that hard to give up?” she asked, pain laced her words.

  Pulling into the restaurant parking lot he brought the truck to a stop. He also twisted his body to face hers. “Baby, that’s not what I meant. I wasn’t talkin’ about the women when I said it was hard to get used to being out. That’s got nothin’ to do with us.” Using his fingers to lift her head so that he could peer into her eyes, he asked, “You understand that, right?”

  Nodding, she looking into his blue eyes, feeling as though she were the only woman in the world to him and hoping what she was reading was right.

  “I just meant it’s hard for me to make small talk or hold conversations.”

  Laughing, Annie reminded him of their lack of conversation when she was operating on Sarge. “You wouldn’t talk so I just jabbered enough for both of us.”

  “Darlin’, you were pure, fuckin’ sunshine. Brightest light I had seen in a long time.”

  Looking down at their clasped hands, she said, “You don’t seem to have too much trouble talking to me now.”

  “You’re easy to talk to,” was the simply reply. “But others…even Leon and Suzanne, well…I find myself not wanting to explain anything because for several years, I never explained my actions to anyone.”

  She just nodded, then her stomach growled loudly, protesting the meal of a protein bar that she had earlier in the day.

  Laughing, Shane swung out of the truck, walked over to her side, and plucked her out of the cab. “Let’s get you fed, baby. And then let’s get you back to your place where I can peel this fuckin’ gorgeous dress off your fuckin’ gorgeous body!”

  * * *

  The restaurant was right on the river and their table overlooked the water. The lighting was soft, the food was delicious, and the wine was delectable. Annie looked over the candlelight to Shane and realized it was the nicest date she had ever been on. Then thinking of the night ahead, she clenched her thighs to ease the dull ache that had begun.

  Shane, noticing everything, smiled at the small movement she had made then realized that the tightness in his pants was a result of the same line of thinking.

  “You ready to get out of here?” he asked, his low voice flowing over her.

  Smiling while nodding was the only answer he needed. Grabbing her hand, he escorted her back to his truck.

  Entering the apartment, he rounded on her as he pressed her against the door, dying to taste her lips.

  She flung her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her waiting mouth. She latched her lips onto his, immediately tangling her tongue with his.

  His mouth captured her moans, and he felt his resolve to take things slowly crumble. Picking her up, he strode into the bedroom letting her slide back down his front.

  Annie immediately leaned down to remove her heels, but he stopped her.

  “Leave ‘em on. Everything else off but I want to fuck you with those shoes on.”

  Instantly wet, she knew that he wanted to be in charge, but she had a few tricks of her own. Turning him around so that his back was to the bed, she placed her hands on his chest and gave a little push. He went backwards, a surprised look on his face that quickly changed to lust as he realized what she was doing.

  She slowly unzipped the dress, letting each the sound of the zipper echo through the room. Sliding one strap off and then the other, she allowed the dress material to just hang on her breasts, tantalizing close to her nipples. She saw his pupils dilate as he feasted upon the strip tease in front of him. With a small movement she allowed the material to fall over her breasts and past her hips to puddle on the floor, leaving her in a strapless black, lacy bra and matching panties.

  Shane started to sit up on the bed with his arms reaching out, but she held up a finger waving it back and forth. “Oh no, big boy. This part of the show is all mine.”

  Reaching behind her, she undid the clasp to the bra letting it join the dress on the floor. Hooking her thumbs in her black, silky panties, she slowly began to peel them down her legs, using her heels to kick them off to the side.

  Finally standing in nothing but her heels, she leaned forward and began to crawl on the bed toward him.

  She had only gotten both legs on the bed before she was grabbed and whirled around so that she was under him.

  Jesus, fuck. She’s killin’ me. Knowing he would come in his pants if he didn’t take over the show, he grabbed her and pulled her under him. He latched his mouth over one of her engorged nipples, sucking deeply. Immediately he felt her writhe under him, instinctively trying to ease the pressure in her pussy by rubbing it on his swollen cock.

  Pushing himself off the bed, he stood and quickly divested himself of his shirt and pants. Shoving his boxers over his impressive cock, he noticed her staring at him, her green eyes shining with lust and…something he couldn’t define.

  Leaning over, he kissed her as though she were the last breath to be had. Their tongues tangled in an age-old dance as he explored every crevice of her mouth.

  Annie loved the taste of him. She craved him, angling her head so he could take the kiss deeper. Wetter. Harder. She latched onto his to
ngue, sucking it into her mouth as she swallowed his groan. For a man as wild as Shane, she loved taking him over the edge.

  Shane left her lips only to slide down her body until his mouth came to the prize between her legs. Using his hands to push her knees apart, he then used his fingers to mimic the action with her pussy folds. Licking her fully before circling his tongue on her clit had her hips jerking off of the mattress.

  Smiling to himself as he relished the taste of her, he pushed his tongue inside over and over until she was screaming his name as she came.

  Annie felt boneless as she lay panting on the bed. What that man can do with his tongue! She was aware of him moving back up over her body, but it was his talented tongue that was bringing her back to consciousness. She felt him latch onto one nipple while his hand fondled the other breast. The tingling sensation from her nipple went straight to her pussy that was still recovering from the last assault. Spreading her legs wider for him, she welcomed his hard cock into her willing body, feeling it stretching to accommodate his girth.

  Plunging in to the hilt, Shane felt connected to her in more ways than just sex. Realizing he had been drowning in his former life, she was the lifeline that pulled him in, rescued him. Looking down at her flushed face, eyes closed, smile playing on her kiss swollen lips, her copper hair flowing on the pillow below – My pure, fuckin’ sunshine.

  His strokes increased in pace as he worshiped her body. He slid his hand down to her clit, fingering the swollen nub as he continued to plunge in and out of her tight pussy. Feeling her inner walls beginning to clench he knew her second orgasm was near. “Come on, baby. Come for me.”

  Annie felt the flames grow higher and higher until she gave over to the blaze of her release. Screaming his name once again as her pussy grabbed onto his cock, she raked her fingernails down his back, trying to pull him closer to her. Her breasts rising and falling rapidly as her heartbeat pounded, she could feel him as his breathing changed.

  Opening her eyes, wanting to see him come, she watched as he plunged over and over until he threw his head back and roared out his release. His eyes were closed, his neck strained as the veins bulged and she leaned up to lick the spot where she saw his heart pulse.

  His eyes opened as he crashed down on her, floored by the force of his orgasm. Never, Jesus, never have I felt like that. Knowing that he must be crushing her, he moved to the side, taking her with him so that she was partially on top.

  They lay in silence, allowing their pounding hearts to slow and their breathing to even out. She continued to kiss his neck gently, loving the feel and taste of him just like she knew she would. With his arms wrapped around her, she felt cocooned in warmth and safety.

  When he could finally think again, he opened his eyes and stared at the beauty in front of him. Tiny. Delicate. She fit perfectly tucked into his embrace. He raised up just long enough to lean over, grabbing the covers to pull on top of them. He saw his semen on her thigh.

  “Fuck!” he shouted, looking down at her.

  “What?” she screamed, scrambling to get out of his arms and out of the bed. Eyes wide with fright, she stood looking over at him, fear on her face. “What is it?”

  “Jesus Annie, I am so sorry!”

  Her fear was replaced by confusion as she wondered what was wrong.

  Shane looked at her, standing naked next to the bed, her flight response strong. “I didn’t use a condom, baby. I am so fuckin’ sorry. But I swear, I have always used one. I have never, never gone without one. And I’m checked. I’m clean.”

  “Shane, you scared the piss out of me! I thought there was a spider or something in the bed!”

  Looking at the expression on his face, she felt the giggle rising up out of her and was unable to stop. The more she giggled, the more ferocious he looked. She watched him stalk around the bed until he was standing right in front of her and she tilted her head back so that she could peer into his eyes.

  “Baby, this isn’t funny. You gotta know I would never put you in harm’s way. If anything happens…”

  His voice was stopped by her fingers on his lips. “Shane, it’s okay. I’m on the pill to regulate my periods. And…I trust you. I’m clean too so we’re good.”

  He pulled her into his embrace, wrapping his arms around her small frame. I’m supposed to protect her and here I fuck up at the first opportunity. Tightening his grip, he held her close, feeling her naked breasts press up against him. His cock began to stir which only seem to make her giggle more.

  “Baby, giggling at a man’s cock is not cool,” he tried to admonish but found his own voice crack with laughter. “You seriously thought there was a bug in the bed?”

  “Well, this place is old and it wouldn’t be the first time there had been a bug here.” Her giggles finally subsided. “I don’t know. Somehow when you yelled out, it was the first thing I thought of.”

  Placing a kiss on her coppery head, he led her into the bathroom. “Let’s get you cleaned up, baby.”

  Several minutes later they were back in bed, the covers pulled up, and she found herself pulled against his hard body. He had slung one of his legs over hers as though afraid that she would disappear in the night.

  “Goodnight baby,” he whispered.

  “Welcome home, Shane,” came the response.

  Both smiling, they fell asleep.

  Chapter 18

  “Meow,” came the cry in her ear along with a wet nose. Annie slowly opened her eyes feeling weighted down. Boo must be getting really heavy. She then realized that the cat was off to the side of her head and not on her chest. Awakening more, she smiled as she realized that during the night Shane had thrown his arm over her chest, pinning her to him in sleep.

  “Meow.”

  Knowing that the cats would not leave them alone, she slid out from the bed and quickly fed the cats in the kitchen. Hurrying back to the bathroom, she quietly took care of her business, brushed her teeth, and brushed her hair before pulling it up on her head.

  Opening the door she looked over to the bed and her heart skipped a beat. Leaning back on the headboard was Shane, looking incredibly sexy, petting all three cats.

  “Hi,” she said, suddenly shy, not knowing what to do.

  He lifted his arm in a silent invitation and she scrambled into the bed, snuggling up close.

  “You okay, baby?” he asked in his gravely sleepy voice.

  “Perfect,” she answered, leaning up to kiss him.

  He took advantage and deepened the kiss, just starting to turn it into a deep, wet kiss when Boo’s head moved between theirs, wanting attention.

  “I had no idea cats were so demanding,” he grunted.

  Laughing, she moved out of the bed and went to the closet to pull out her clothes. Shyly looking over, she said, “I made some room for you.” Pushing the door of the closet open wide, she showed him the space.

  Shane looked in the tiny closet and could see where she made room for his belongings by pushing her things to the side. It did not escape his notice that the only clothes in the closet were clothes for work and the one evening dress that was still crumpled on the floor.

  “You don’t have a lot of clothes for a woman,” he noted out loud.

  Shrugging, she replied, “I don’t need them. I need clothes for work and clothes for running and a few things just for comfort. Other than that, my needs are simple.”

  “Well, get dressed for comfortable ‘cause we’ve got to hit the road.”

  “Shane, about that. I really think you should meet your family by yourself today. We’re so new and I just can’t imagine they would want me intruding.”

  Stalking over to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, leaned down, and held her eyes as he spoke. “Baby, we went over this. We may be new, but we’re not fuck-buddies. You mean somethin’ to me, that means you mean somethin’ to my family. I’m not spending the day without you. Annie, your sunshine got me out of my hell and my family knows that. I’ve already told them about you
and they’re expecting you. So get your sweet ass dressed ‘cause if you keep standing there in your underwear, I’m gonna throw you back on the bed, fuck you silly, and then tell my mom why we were late.”

  “You would not!” she exclaimed, eyes going wide.

  “Well, I’d probably not tell mom, but everything else would happen.” Turning her to face the closet, he gave her a tiny push as he entered the bathroom.

  Smiling to herself, she realized that the roller coaster had started.

  * * *

  The drive to the suburbs outside of Richland was relaxing. Leaving the city behind, it was nice to see trees and neatly maintained neighborhoods.

  “I miss this,” she said wistfully.

  Shane looked over to her. “Didn’t you grow up in Richland?”

  “No,” she replied. “I grew up in Jefferstown. It’s between here and Fairfield, where you said you had some friends.”

  “You never told me that,” Shane said, realizing how little he knew about her background.

  “You never asked.”

  She’s right. The only thing I was ever thinkin’ about was gettin’ that sunshine on me and then fuckin’.

  “Sunshine, you’re right. I never did, but we can rectify that right now while driving.”

  “Well, my dad works in construction. He loves to build with his hands. He started out just building houses, but then found that his passion was woodwork, so he has his own business where he designs and makes specialty wood finishes for houses. You know, things like the spindles on old porches, curved wooden window arches, things like that. He’s really good at it and travels around the state working on projects like reconstruction of old homes.”

  Shane spared a glance over as she was talking. Her face was lit as she waved her hands around animatedly while talking. It was obvious that her family was important to her. Now I know where that sunshine comes from.