He ripped open the foil packet and rolled on the condom. “Spread those legs again, sweetheart. Let me see that pretty pussy.”
She never hesitated and thanked the gods who’d whispered she should take extra care with personal grooming.
“Yep, pretty,” he said, his red gaze raking her sex. He crawled onto the bed and caged her within his arms and body. “Put me inside you, sweetheart. I want to feel you gripping my cock.”
Cassie chewed her bottom lip and didn’t move. “I’d rather touch.”
“Later,” he promised. “Guide me.”
Masculine determination. Smokin’ hot body. Freaky red stare.
She wanted him, needed him so much. Her hand trembled as she reached between them to grip his shaft. He lined up against her entrance and pushed until the flared head stretched her.
He cursed softly. “I knew this would be good. It’s also gonna be fast this first time. Okay?”
Her channel flexed around his cock head, wringing a tortured groan from him.
“Take me,” she whispered and it came out throaty and suggestive. “I’m all yours.”
He mumbled something—a bit like, I hope you mean that—then he was sliding into her wetness, stretching her inner muscles and firing her sex to red-alert. She hadn’t thought she could climax again. Two quick strokes as Hone seated himself disabused her of that supposition. She clutched his shoulders, falling into rhythm with him and reach, reach, reaching for her second greedy orgasm.
“That’s it,” he murmured against her ear. “Feels so good, so fuckin’ good being inside you. I could do this all day.” One hand reached up to thumb her nipple and the sharp tweak of pain jumped to her clit in a fast echo of pleasure.
“Hone. Please.”
“You do fuckin’ please me so much. You’re wet, so wet for me. Love your breasts and the way they overflow my hands.”
Her hands ran down his back, gripping him to her. Her thoughts, usually full of her to-do list by this stage because her ex’s lovemaking hadn’t been that inspiring, centered on getting closer, getting off. Yeah, getting off again would be really good.
“Your eyes are closed again.”
She spluttered out a laugh. “Maybe I’m afraid of seeing your demon-eyes. They might put me in a trance or do a tricky magical thing. Ohhh. Yes, right there. Do that again.”
“Would never hurt you, Cassie. You’re special.” And he punctuated this surprising confession with a twist of his hips that broke her. Detonation. Implosion. The climax to end all orgasms. She felt her pussy tighten around him, felt the pleasure surge along every sensitive nerve. Hone plunged into her now. Short, sharp digs of his cock that kept the spasms igniting. She half-sobbed, the pleasure overwhelming. He groaned, thrusting deep and stilling, fully impaled while his cock contracted with hard pulses.
Cassie did open her eyes this time to his smiling face and perfectly normal brown gaze. Well, heck. “I’m obviously reading too many fantasy romances.”
He rubbed his damp forehead against hers before kissing her lightly on the lips. “If I’d known how good the sex would be between us, I’d have pushed harder for this on day one.” He kissed her again and withdrew.
Cassie wanted to protest at the separation.
“Fuck.”
The harsh note had her bolting upright. “What?”
“Condom broke. I’m so sorry. That’s never happened before.”
“I’m on birth control. It’s okay.” Visions of Hone with other women, many other women with gorgeous figures, flooded her mind, but instead of acting in the responsible manner, asking pointed questions like an intelligent member of the Miller-Pope family, she remained silent.
“Stop what you’re thinking. I always use condoms, and if you’re worried, I can get tested. I’m clean, but you don’t know that.”
“I said it’s okay.”
“Okay.” His eyes did that weird red thing. By the time she’d blinked to clear her fuzzy sight, she saw nothing out of the ordinary.
“I might have a shower,” Hone said and held out his hand. “Want to share?”
That damn broken condom had spoiled the mood between them. He couldn’t exactly tell her the truth about taniwha and their immunity to human sexual diseases.
He was about to let his hand drop to his side when her fingers clasped his. He wanted to roar to show his relief, but instead, he tugged her off the bed and prowled toward the en suite bathroom.
Normally his dragon was like, hey, sex. Good, now I can sleep. Today, he’d created a disturbance. Hone had ended up seeing Cassie’s splendid curves through a red haze for most of their loving. She’d noticed, but her glasses dependency had given him an advantage.
In the en suite, he flipped on the shower, silently approving of the tiled wet room without the usual shower stall. She had to be sore after the way he’d hammered into her at the end. “Does it matter if you get your hair wet?”
“It will dry.” She shrugged, the movement of her shoulders making her breasts jump and shimmy.
Nice.
“Hey, you’re ogling me.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “I didn’t have enough time before to explore all of you. You sore?” He almost laughed when she squeezed her thighs together.
“A bit.”
But he was already reaching for a facecloth. He wet it under the warm water and wrung out the surplus. “Let me.” He knelt before her, gently widening her stance so he could tend to her.
“I can do that.”
She was like a skittish stray. “I know you can, but I want to make you feel better. After all, it’s for my benefit too.”
“You want to have sex again?” She sounded surprised—no bemused.
“I intend to make love with you and to you—as long as you’re agreeable.”
“I—okay. You said we were going to do a little sightseeing.”
“We will,” he promised. “But I can guard your sexy body easier if we’re confined to one room. One bed.” He grinned up at her, his taniwha humming at her answering smile.
“You make funny noises.”
“I’m happy and content. Why shouldn’t I purr?” Using the cloth, he cleaned her flesh then stood and gave in to his impulse to kiss her silly. The water poured over their heads, warm and relaxing. Normally, a rousing round of sex left him sated and relaxed. While happiness filled him and if he was any more relaxed, he’d be in a coma, he still wanted her, wanted to mark her inside and out with his taniwha. Taniwha didn’t mark their mates as such, but they did mate for life. Once a taniwha committed to another—either taniwha or human—they seldom strayed. Until today Hone hadn’t managed to fathom staying with one person for the rest of his life. His own taniwha had pushed him from the start, from the second he’d met Cassie. Resisting fate and his dragon had tied him in knots until his mind flip-flopped like a little girl. It was time to trust his beast in romance, as he believed and relied on him in other facets of his life.
Cassie required wooing to start her thoughts in the same direction as his…
“What will you do once you’ve finished your vineyard shows?”
“I’m not sure. I’m meant to be going to LA.” Cassie reached for the shower gel. She opened the complimentary tube and squirted a dollop on the facecloth he still held in his hand, but she didn’t add anything further to the conversation. “My manager wants me to put out another album and go out on tour to promote it. He’d like me to focus on a crossover to the pop genre. It’s something I’m considering.”
“Turn around. I’ll do your back.” She might leave. He hadn’t considered that because of her grandfather’s house. He’d assumed she intended to stay.
“Thanks.”
Hone rubbed the cloth down her spine and over her shoulders, but his mind drifted elsewhere. Wasn’t that damn ironic? He found one woman who did it for him, once that made him consider a future and there was a possibility that she mightn’t stay in New Zealand.
For most people, that wouldn
’t matter. They’d follow their woman, but for him there would be repercussions. Leaving his family support and the taniwha network would create problems. Hell, if it wasn’t such a worry, he’d laugh off his arse.
* * * * *
Herbert hated puzzles, and even more, he disliked failure. Losing the couple he’d been tailing irked him. He drove around the streets in the area where they’d shaken him and still came up empty.
Deciding he’d function better with a full stomach, he drove south and pulled into the parking lot of the first McDonald’s restaurant he saw. A burger, fries and a cold shake, all consumed inside the air-conditioned restaurant drove away his sluggishness. He pondered as he chewed. The motel. Yeah, he’d backtrack. He could book a room, say he was meeting his cousin and ask for her by name.
Nah, saying he was her cousin might raise suspicion, but he could check out the motel room. Learn if she’d checked out or he could, he thought with a flash of brilliance, watch the other girl—the friend who lived with the big, scary dude. Surly bastard, he was—the sort who’d act first and ask questions later. Worked for the private firm called George Taniwha & Son. He’d have to go under the radar to avoid detection.
He dabbed his mouth with a napkin and pushed away from the table. His chair scraped along the polished floor, and he strode out the door.
He did enjoy overcoming a challenge.
Chapter Fifteen
Wednesday, Papakura
Herbert strode into the motel office late afternoon, striking it lucky with the last room. It was the same unit the girl had occupied, which answered one question. She’d checked out after her clown scare.
But where had she gone?
An older Maori woman checked him in, her light eyes freaky with their intensity. Her nostrils flared and her gaze locked with his. He shook himself because it felt as if she were looking inside his mind. She slid the key over the desk. “Enjoy your stay.”
He blinked, instinctively going for polite. “Thank you.”
A young woman entered as he left. Bingo. This one was the other’s friend, and eventually she’d lead him in the right direction. She’d know Cassie Miller-Pope’s location, and once he found the woman, he’d keep her off-balance enough that she wouldn’t worry about anything happening on her land. She’d be frightened of her own shadow.
* * * * *
Hotel at Matakana
Sometimes Cassie made mistakes. Most people did, however picking up her phone without checking the caller identity—right up there amongst the big ones.
“Cassandra, I expected you to call me,” her mother said. “You’re twenty-six and should have outgrown this childish behavior.”
Cassie tapped her finger against her leg and awaited her mother’s next salvo. When it didn’t come, she said, “Mother, I’ve been busy, and it’s only been six days since I arrived.”
“I can’t believe you intend to live in your grandfather’s house. If it were me, I’d sell it to—”
“I own the farm, Mother. Granddad left it to me. Please, we’ve had this discussion. Let’s agree to disagree. How are you? How is Dad?”
“We’re fine. Thank you.”
“What do you want for breakfast, Cassie?” Hone called from the doorway. He’d gone for a run along the beach while she dallied with a coffee and the newspaper.
“Who is that?” Her mother’s sharp tone peeved Cassie.
“A friend.” Less said the better.
“A male friend?”
“Yes.”
There was a pause, a huff of air. “I hope you’re having safe sex.”
“Mother, I am not having this conversation. It’s good to hear from you, but I’ve been taking care of myself for a while.” Thank goodness her mother wasn’t in the same room because her cheeks had bloomed scarlet. Judging by Hone’s grin, he’d caught the conversation.
“I suppose you’re spending time with that girl?”
“If you mean Emma, then yes. She’s my best friend.”
“Who is the man?”
“Hone works with Emma.”
“I see.”
Cassie doubted it. “Mother, you might not approve of the way I live my life, but I’m healthy and content. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”
“With your educational qualifications, you could be doing much more than working as an assistant to a singer.”
Cassie grit her teeth until compulsion tell her mother exactly how much wealth she’d amassed had passed. “Mum, I’m going to say this for the last time. I love you, but since I am an adult, you can’t make my decisions for me. I am taking a break from my job for one month. Once that time has passed, I will make a decision as to what I’ll do next.”
“But how can you afford to take a month off work? Do you need any money? If you sold—”
“Did you get the Christmas present I sent you?”
“Yes, the gift box came, and it’s lovely. Your father loves the two CDs you included. I didn’t think I’d like this Katie-Jo person, but she’s quite good.”
Pride squeezed her chest. “I’m glad you’re enjoying them. I hoped you would.” She’d recorded her Dad’s favorites in a friend’s studio, knowing that her parents would never realize they were one-of-a-kind. “I’ll ring you soon, as long as you promise not to harangue me about the way I live my life.”
Her mother sucked in an audible breath. “I’m sorry, Cassandra. I didn’t realize I was lecturing you. I only want what is best for you, to see you succeed. Your father keeps telling me I’ll push you away, but you always listen to me. This is the first time you’ve told me to stop.”
“I should have put my foot down earlier then,” Cassie said lightly, wondering what had happened to her over-achieving parent.
“You remember Karen Ellingham?”
“One of your friends.”
“Yes, she had a heart attack and passed away. She’s two years younger than me. It’s made me think. I’ve decided to scale back and delegate more. Your father has suggested it before, but I’ve always pooh-poohed the idea. He’s taken up golf. Says it’s all mathematics and angles, and I’d enjoy the challenge.”
“Why don’t you travel for pleasure? Try golf?”
“You’re truly happy and you don’t need any money? We could send you some.”
“Mom! I’m going to go now before I lose my temper. Learn how to play golf. I’m hanging up now.” Cassie ended the call and inhaled to deal with her surge of confusion. Her mother had apologized, even though it had been half-hearted.
“Everything okay?” Hone refilled her coffee.
“My mother. All my life my mother has lectured me about my poor decision making. She didn’t approve of Emma, considered her a bad influence. She doesn’t support me being in New Zealand. She worries I’m not making the most of my opportunities. Today she didn’t make any digs about my weight, but she normally tells me I should have more self-restraint and diet. I love my parents, I do. They offered me opportunities while I was growing up. Because of Dad’s insistence, I learned to play the guitar and the piano. I have a business degree as well as one in music. Mum had several miscarriages after me, and I get that she’d want to push me to excel, but a job in the business world…that’s not me.”
“Why haven’t you told your parents you’re a singer?”
“When I was a teenager, they sent me to boarding school, but during the holidays…” Cassie shuddered. “The holidays were awful, and as soon as I finished my schooling, I applied for a job in Nashville. The distance helped me get perspective and embrace my independence. My first job really was as an assistant to a music star. I met Kevin, and I had incredible luck. My employer was generous with his help, and I became successful. Every time I talked to my mother, she lectured me about my perceived wrongs. It was easier to remain silent. I don’t deal with confrontations well. A flaw, I’m afraid.”
“You’re perfect the way you are.” Hone leaned against the back of the couch, his tattoos drawing her eye. “I can’t
say I understand your silence though. I would’ve bragged of my triumph.”
Cassie laughed. “Your family seems close. Because I attended boarding school, and my parents worked long hours, we didn’t spend time together.” Come to think of it, she hadn’t explored his tattoos yet. Fingers or tongue or both? “My mother lectured me, informed me I did everything wrong. It was easier to stick my head in the sand.”
Hone sipped his black coffee, his gaze on her. “Why the costume? The disguise? I’ve looked you up on the ’net. No one would recognize you if they didn’t know your secret already.”
“That started off as a joke. I had chronic stage fright, and Kevin suggested I dress up in a disguise. It sounds silly, but it helped, and I realized the anonymity would work in my favor too, so I developed my brand and stuck with it. As long as I’m careful, it means I can go shopping or out to dinner in the States and no one recognizes me.”
“Huh, I’m fucking a beautiful country star and I can’t tell anyone.” Hone’s grin and suggestive wink took away the sting of the harsh language. “Hey, don’t freeze up like that. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You haven’t,” Cassie said, striving for a light tone. She thought she managed quite well. “You mentioned breakfast. I could eat.”
“Want to go for a walk or order in?”
“Order in,” she said without hesitation. “I still haven’t had a chance to explore your tattoos. I could have fun with syrup.”
“Deal, but we’re both eating breakfast naked. If I’m getting sticky, so are you.”
Not long after their breakfast, Cassie straddled Hone’s hips as he lay facedown on the bed. She traced her fingers over the black-and-red dragon inked into his skin. A rumble came from him as she stroked down his spine. His entire body shivered beneath her touch. The man oozed sexual charm, and every single time he touched her, he rocked her world. She leaned down to press her lips against the head of the dragon.
“Your skin is warm.”
“Because you’re torturing me with your attention, your scent. You’re wet and it’s driving me crazy.” He moved, twisting his body so fast, she almost toppled off the bed. His fingers banded her biceps, helping her balance until she leaned against the heaped pillows at the head of the bed. “I’m going to get another condom. You sore?”
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