The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros.: Box Set

by MJ Nightingale

  “How old are you and your brothers?” she asked continuing to rock slowly in the chair, but she was giving him her full attention. He noticed the panicked expression she wore earlier had faded somewhat. The conversation was going well.

  “Let’s see. Andreas is the oldest and he’s 34. Then comes Gio, he’s 31. Then there’s me I’m 28, I’m gonna be 29 next month. And then the baby of the family, that’s Niko. He’s 27, and the one who just got engaged.”

  “Wow! And none of your other brothers are married?”

  “Nope. But we’ve all gotten close,” he admitted.

  This time Bella looked up at him and made eye contact. He didn’t waiver.

  “I was going to ask a girl to marry me when I was in my last year of law school, but it just never happened,” he explained before she could ask. “You?” It was about time he steered the conversation to her.

  “Oh no. Me? No.” Bella shook her head.

  It looked like she was going to clam up, so he had to prod her a little bit. “You’re too beautiful to never have been involved in a serious relationship. Sorry if I’m being nosy,” he added.

  Bella considered his comment. They’d be spending one more day and night together and who knew, possibly a few more. He’d already shared about his past. She figured she could share a little bit too.

  “I never got involved seriously with anyone while I was in high school or college. And then I just dated casually, really. There was one guy I saw for over a year, but I knew our relationship wasn’t ever going to become anything serious.”

  “No?” Blaze prodded.

  “No. And we actually broke up a year ago. We do travel around in the same circles, so we’ve run into one another, but I never considered getting back together with him. He was too much into partying, and I just didn’t see him growing up. And then my mom got sick and she died. Cancer.”

  “Oh I’m sorry to hear that, Izzy.” Blaze gave her his condolences. He understood losing a parent young and he sympathized with her.

  “That’s how I ended up here,” she finished. “I had nothing going for me and so I wanted a fresh start, a new place, new friends, new people.”

  “Well, it sure looks like you’ve done a lot with the place. In just three weeks you say?” It sounded like she wanted to end the conversation, but he was just getting started. “And again sorry if I’m being too nosy. I’m just curious. I like you.” He was trying to put her at ease, but couldn’t help adding, “And I’d like to get to know you better.” It had slipped out.

  The look he gave her was level and sincere. Bella couldn’t help but blush again. “I like you to, Blaze.”

  His smile was dazzling. “So what did you go to college for? You mentioned that earlier.”

  “Secretarial school. Business school, administrative assistant to be exact. I like working with people and solving problems.” Bella shrugged nonchalantly.

  “Did you work in that area?”

  “Yes. I worked in a doctor’s office until I moved here. I used to work in a psychiatrist’s office, but then got offered a promotion and the chance to run an office of my own. I like it.”

  “No plans on returning to work since you moved.”

  “No, not yet. I inherited a bit of money, and I just want to fix up this place and I’ll think about that down the road.”

  Her saying she had some funds surprised him. It was something he’d like to ask her about, but that would definitely not be appropriate. It was his cop instinct; he wanted to delve, but resisted. “Sounds like a plan,” he murmured and leaned back more comfortably against the post on the porch.

  It was nearing midday and the sun was really beginning to shine down on them. It was getting hot, but he knew it would be hotter inside the cabin. With both of them injured, it was out of the question for him to suggest they take a walk. Their conversation had lagged and he was trying to think of something they could do together to pass the time. But Bella beat him to the punch.

  “Would you like to play cards or chess? Graham left his chess set up here and I have a deck of cards?”

  “Sure. Why not? Let me go get them. Where are they?” he offered wanting to get up anyway to stretch his legs. He’d been sitting for some time.

  She told him where they were, and he quickly went inside to fetch them. He got both the chessboard and playing cards. He enjoyed both, although he didn’t play often. Playing chess was something he and his brothers had all learned from their father. He loved to challenge them and he never let them win. That’s why all four of them had become very competitive.

  Returning outside, he noticed right away Bella had moved. She was now sitting on the top step of her porch across from where he had sat so they were on a level playing field. Sitting so close and right across from her might not be such a good idea, he thought as he sat down and got a great view down her tank top.

  They played chess first and she was good. He beat her, but it came down to the last few pieces.

  “How about cards next?” he asked.

  “Hm, what’s your poison?” she teased picking up the cards and shuffling them like a pro.

  “Oh, do you have alcohol? A drink sounds really good?”

  “I was asking about the card game,” she laughed. “But I do. I have two bottles of red wine.”

  “I knew that. I was joking, but yeah, I’m not one to turn down a glass of wine. Let me go get it? You keep shuffling, and I’ll let you pick the game since I beat you at chess.” He couldn’t help teasing her. Bella told him where she kept the wine and he went to go get it as well as two glasses. He took one bottle from her top shelf and was happy to feel the bottle wasn’t too warm. It definitely was something they’d be able to sip and enjoy.

  “Okay, what have you decided?” he asked setting the bottle and glasses down beside her.

  “How about gin rummy? First one to 500 wins.”

  “What does the winner get?” His voice dropped a mischievous octave. He knew what he would like to win. Again there was that blush. Her skin was like peaches and cream, and every time she blushed two pink blooms appeared on her cheeks. She lowered her lashes and once again he found her innocence so appealing. God, what he wouldn’t give to see those eyes go wide when he made her come.

  “How about loser has to fix dinner?” she suggested.

  “Oh, that’s no fun,” he laughed. He couldn’t help himself. Bella looked up into his eyes. They were smoldering. She felt a familiar tell-tale ache begin again.

  “Well, what do you suggest?” she said nonchalantly, trying to play down the sexual tension she was feeling. But this time she didn’t look away.

  Blaze caught the hitch on her intake of breath. It did something to him. With a glint in his eye he made his proposal. “If I win, I get to kiss you.”

  He saw Bella visibly swallow. She didn’t respond right away. “Okay,” she suddenly answered. “But what if I win?”

  “Well then . . . You get to decide what you want.”

  “Fair enough,” she answered and began to deal the cards.

  Three games later, and both bottles of wine gone, the sun was beginning to set. Blaze had won all three games. He won a kiss on the first game. And she had to make dinner for losing the second. And he was going to bring her a surprise tomorrow for winning the third.

  Bella was feeling a little giddy. She tried to win her kiss back, but lost the second game. She hadn’t tried very hard either. She threw out several cards she’d needed. But she didn’t want to make it look like she was giving in. The only game she tried to win was the third one. She didn’t expect Blaze to buy her anything, but he beat her soundly once more.

  It was approaching dark, and Blaze suggested they go inside while she prepared their evening meal.

  “It’s going to be a simple one,” she announced. Her supplies were running low. Dinner was crackers, the last of her cheese and two apples.

  * * *

  The sun was setting and Blaze had yet to collect his first prize. He w
as looking forward to it. And he definitely planned to collect.

  Bella was tidying up and doing the dishes. She looked so beautiful with the last rays of sunlight shining in through the window surrounding her image. Blaze approached her from behind.

  Bella felt him come up behind her. Heat emanated off of his body. “I think I’d like to collect that kiss now.”

  She turned and was flush up against him. “You would, would you?” she asked tremulously, her voice wavering with uncertainty. She’d been anticipating this all afternoon and on into the evening, wondering just when he would collect, or if he would.

  His voice was a mere whisper, a breath away when he answered. “It’s only fair,” he breathed huskily, dipping his head down closer. He watched as her pink lips parted. She was ready.

  When their lips made contact, Blaze literally saw fireworks. He’d never experienced anything like this before. He didn’t think it was the alcohol either. He was a man who could hold his liquor. She tasted of the wine, sweet and robust. When her lips opened more, he slipped his tongue inside. Again the fireworks exploded all around him. Her tongue reached out to tentatively touch his. And again it was another explosion of brilliant color.

  For Bella the kiss was earth shattering. She felt his arms go all the way around her as he pulled her closer to him. His heart thundered in his chest, visible through the thin material of his clothes. She never wanted this to end. Time stood still.

  Blaze couldn’t stop himself if he tried. After crushing her body to his, and feeling her erect nipples, his manhood responded. He ground himself into her and heard her moan her pleasure. He swallowed that sound and continued to kiss her for all he was worth. He explored her mouth with his tongue, meanwhile thinking of other parts of her he’d like to explore. But for now, he had to be satisfied with this. He didn’t want to push her too far or too fast.

  To his surprise, her hands began to explore him first. She tentatively ran her fingers down his back. On the way back up her hand slipped underneath his T-shirt. She raked her fingers nails along his back which made his cock even harder. It was the last straw and the only invitation he needed.

  “Mmm,” came out his frustrated moan of desire. This was pure madness. Pure pleasure. Everywhere she touched, his body tingled, and his cock strained against his trousers.

  Needing to be closer to him, Bella jumped up and his instinct was to catch her. He placed her firmly on top of the counter and she wrapped her legs around him. He was about to explode when he felt the heat emanating from between her thighs. What he wouldn’t do to bury himself inside of her.

  The kiss grew more passionate and her boldness encouraged him to do a little exploring of his own. He ran his hands along the outside of her legs up to her hips and then he slipped his hands underneath her T-shirt. He felt her muscles shiver beneath her silky skin as he caressed her back and rib cage. She felt like velvet. He never wanted to stop touching her. Ever.

  He broke the kiss in order to taste more of her. He knew it was madness as he trailed kisses down her cheek and then continued the path down along her neck. He paused briefly to pay attention to that exquisite spot where her pulse beat in her throat, but he had a clear destination in mind when he started.

  All the while Bella was scratching his back and murmuring her sounds of pleasure that just urged him on.

  Her shirt was in the way of where he wanted to put his lips next. He broke the kiss and looked deeply into her eyes. Green fire burst there under heavy lidded lashes.

  Bella knew what he wanted without asking. And she wanted it too. She didn’t want him to stop. Her answer was to release her hold of his back and pull off her own shirt.

  Blaze wasted no time. He dipped his head down, eased one breast out of the cup of her bra and took one rosy nipple into his mouth. He suckled her like a man who hadn’t had a drink in days.

  The moment his lips were on her breast Bella knew this was lunacy. Reckless. Crazy. It just felt too good to stop. She wasn’t going to put on the brakes. Whatever she could get from this man in the next two or three days she was going to take. There’d be time to be sorry about it later.

  Bella’s next words shocked Blaze to the core. “I need you.”

  He looked into those incredible eyes, and he knew he couldn’t deny her. Not this.

  Chapter 14

  It Started with a Kiss

  “Where?” was his guttural response.

  She indicated the bed roll she’d dumped over the side of the loft for him, giving up her own comfort for him last night. It was still in the corner of the room. Sweeping Bella into his arms he carried her across the expanse of the cabin and made it there in seconds. He released her sliding her down his body so she could feel every inch of him. The pleasure it evoked in him was torturous. He knew he was heading down a road from which he couldn’t return, but there was no way he could deny her. His body was on fire everywhere she touched.

  Her shirt already removed, he was able to make quick work of the rest. He unsnapped the clasp behind her back as she shrugged out of the shoulder straps. They both just allowed it to fall to the floor.

  He feasted his eyes on her and enjoyed the unobstructed view. She allowed him to gaze at her body while she began to unclasp the button on her jean shorts. Blaze shook with urgency as he watched her undress for him. It was more than he could take. He had to have her. Be inside her. Possess her.

  Without words he began to quickly undress, his clothes falling atop hers. She lay down upon the bed roll and watched as he finished. His body was truly magnificent. What a fine specimen of a man, she thought. His chest was fully sculpted, his pectoral muscles flexing with each slight movement. His abs rippled as he shook off his shirt. Next came the cargo pants he wore. He unsnapped the fastener and pulled them down along with his boxers exposing himself to her sight. Her mouth went round at the sight of his massively sprung cock.

  “Oh my,” escaped from her lips as he quickly settled in beside her on the bed roll.

  Not wasting one second longer, Blaze reached for Bella. He claimed her mouth again and began to explore her once more. She, too, began to explore all of him.

  She touched his chest, his abs and her small hand slipped down to grasp his cock. Air hissed out from between his clenched teeth. His hands snaked up the inside of her thigh stopping at her pussy. He softly parted her folds and slipped one finger inside of her. She was already gloriously wet. He began to stroke her, preparing her for his massive cock. She was tight and he knew she needed some preparation. On his withdrawal, he quickly flicked her clit which was already excited and she groaned her pleasure, her head whipping to the side on the small pillow she’d loaned him.

  He wanted to be inside her when she came so once again he returned his fingers to her sweet sheath. But this time he used two fingers. He stroked her repeatedly, in and out, and circled inside working her up into a frenzy of need. Her short nails were clawing at his back.

  She was ready. Blaze rolled her over onto her back. He, too, couldn’t wait much longer. Bella bent her knees and spread them wide as Blaze crawled in between them.

  “I don’t have a condom,” he grunted and paused. “I’m clean. I’ve always been careful, but if you don’t . . .” He let the rest of the words remain unspoken. It would be her choice. If she asked him to stop now he’d die a thousand deaths. But he’d never force her.

  “It’s okay. I’m still on the pill, and I was always careful too,” she urged and returned his assurances, digging her fingernails into his back and pushing her pelvis up to meet his throbbing cock. He nodded.

  Bearing his weight on one hand, Blaze took hold of his massive dick in his other. He rubbed the head of it on her swollen clitoris further preparing her for what was to come. She moaned and thrashed about beneath him. She was close, he could tell, so he stopped.

  He wanted to see those eyes when he claimed her. His cock hardened as her head turned to face him, green eyes turned into emeralds sparkling with desire. “Please,” she
begged even though she didn’t have to.

  He nodded once more and lost nearly all of his restraint. With what little of it he had left, he positioned the head of his cock at her entrance. He pushed slightly inserting just the tip inside. Her eyes began to close. “Don’t,” he grunted in desperation.

  Her eyes opened.

  “I want to see your eyes,” he begged.

  She wouldn’t look away if a gun was being pointed at her. His blue eyes were molten quick-silver, and she wanted to watch them burn. Burn for her.

  He went in another inch at a time. It was slow torture for them both. He took his time with this penetration although he wanted nothing more than to slam his cock inside of her and claim her for his own.

  Somehow Bella knew he wanted it to last, this first time for them both. He was trying to make it last, make it perfect. And it was.

  He gave her another inch even though he wanted to take a mile. Her pussy was slick, wet, and tight. His cock, hard, and pulsing below the skin, wanted more.

  He slid in a bit more, and her pussy trembled around his shaft, grasping it, clenching it, and when he was half way home, he took the plunge. He pounded into her, scraping along her swollen clit until she shuddered, but she still kept that eye contact he asked for.

  He withdrew, and then plunged again. He fucked her harder with each thrust, but kept sliding along her clit to bring her to the highest pinnacle of desire. She met him stroke for stroke, and when she was close again she urged him on with her words. “Oh yes, yes, yes, Blaze.” He saw the desperation in her eyes. She needed this release, and he did too. But he didn’t want it to end. Never to end. He changed his rhythm just so it could last a little longer. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from those brilliant eyes, and soon she was close again. “Oh, Blaze. Yes,” she screamed as her explosion came. She shook around him, the walls of her pussy tightening with orgasm increasing his own pleasure.

  He too wanted to scream her name, but he didn’t want to say Izzy. He wanted to scream Bella. “Oh, baby,” was what came out of his mouth. His guttural cry was made as he slammed into her unleashing his load. He came in her, spilled his seed into her, and knew he was lost. This woman was his. She was who he was always meant to be with.