by Meghan March
“I like that. Now hold on, baby, because I’m not stopping until you come all over my mouth.”
“Good.”
Rix buried his face back where it belonged and didn’t waste a moment before delving between my pussy lips and finding my clit. My hips bucked against his mouth, and then bucked harder when one blunt, thick fingertip circled my entrance and teased.
Oh Jesus. Sometimes you forget the old the size of the hands and feet being good predictors of cock size, and for Rix, that would have been a dead giveaway. His hands were enormous, and if he tried to slide two fingers inside me, I wasn’t sure they’d fit.
But the one finger slipped inside effortlessly, made easier by the slickness he’d caused, and whatever he did with that finger in combination with what he was doing with his mouth on my clit caused near-immediate detonation.
I didn’t even realize I was making noises until the words “Please, now, oh God” echoed off the walls of his room. And then the scream ripped from my lungs with the orgasm that hit me in a wall of pleasure.
My hands dropped to his shoulders, gripping and clinging as his name fell from my lips over and over while the orgasm kept rolling through my body. My hips bucked of their own accord, seeking more and then backing away. It was almost too much, but I couldn’t help but want more and more and more.
Wherever this man had learned this particular skill, they needed to bestow some kind of honorary doctorate on him, because he was a master. A maestro even. My brain ran a million miles an hour, and all of those thoughts centered on—if he’s this good at oral, how good is he at everything else?
Rix lifted his head and stared down at me before taking a step to the side and pulling open a drawer on the nightstand, retrieving a condom packet. When he lifted it to his teeth, the enormity of what I was about to do hit me.
He’d told me he wanted this as payment for returning Trinity safe and sound, and she still wasn’t. I hadn’t even demanded an update yet. Not to mention I had a date with another man tonight. What the hell was I doing?
I couldn’t. Hands shaking, I pushed up to a sitting position on the bed and smoothed my skirt down. My movements clearly telegraphed my intentions, and Rix paused in his task.
“What the fuck?” His voice was deep and rough. “You get yours and then decide that’s all you want?”
His silver gaze drilled into mine, and I had to look away before I spoke. “I—I can’t do this.”
“This ain’t a matter of can’t. It’s a matter of don’t want to.”
I shoved a hand in my tangled hair and attempted to smooth it into place. “I’m sorry. I . . . I really can’t. This isn’t me. I don’t do this.”
Rix tossed the condom packet on the nightstand and reached for his pants. He pulled them on roughly before speaking. “I don’t think you have a clue who you are, but it’s your loss, duchess.”
I wasn’t going to make excuses. I was going to get the hell out of there and back home so I could shower and forget this had ever happened. Already, a small part of me—probably my lady bits—were screaming at me to lie back down and get this show back on track. But it wasn’t right. I couldn’t do this.
Rix stared at me for another beat before turning on his heel and striding out of the bedroom, shirtless.
My body screamed at me to rewind, but I shoved the thought down and hopped off the bed. Gathering my pride with both metaphorical hands, I held my spine straight and tall as I walked toward the door. It was closed and Rix leaned against it.
I paused a few feet away from him.
“You thought I’d make this easy for you?”
“What do you want me to say? I changed my mind. And I have a date tonight.”
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew they were a huge mistake. Rix pushed off the door and closed the gap between us. My chest touched his as he stared down at me. The muscle ticked in his jaw, and I read caged rage in his eyes.
“With the cop?” The question was gritted out from between clenched teeth.
I should have kept my mouth shut, but it was too late now. “Yes.”
“I can’t tell if you’re brave or stupid. I tell you you’re mine, tell you to stay away from the cop, tell you I’ll get your girl back, tell me you’re gonna pay with this hot little body, and you’re still goin’ with him.” He lifted his hand to my hair and brushed it over my shoulder. It was almost as if he couldn’t help touching me. “So, which is it?”
Brave or stupid? I didn’t have any idea. The only thing I was sure of down to my bones was that Rix wasn’t going to hurt me. I’d just inflicted some wicked blue balls on the man, and he was pissed, but he wasn’t going to hurt me. I didn’t think he would let Trinity suffer either. I didn’t know how to answer his question, though. When it came to Rix, I was probably a little of both.
“Most likely brave and stupid.”
He threaded his fingers through my hair and cupped the back of my head possessively.
“You’re right. So listen up, duchess. I’ll say this one more time. You’re mine. You let that cop have a taste of this sweetness and you’re gonna be tipping toward the stupid side of the scale. Nothing changes. You get that?”
“And because you decreed it, it must be so?”
“Damn right.”
“I guess we’ll see,” I whispered.
“Guess we will.”
Rix lowered his head and took my lips. No asking, no easy kiss. A kiss of possession, as if he were trying to imprint himself on me so I’d be remembering it all night. Which I would be. There was nothing about this afternoon I’d forget.
And that was the problem.
Rix pulled away just as abruptly and spun, yanking open the door. “I’ll be in touch.”
“And Trinity?”
“I’m working on it.”
“If you’re dragging this out to keep me coming back, I promise it’s going to backfire.”
Rix reached out and gripped my chin. “I gave my word. No one questions my word.” He must have read the frustration in my eyes at his response because he added, “Keep it together, duchess. Just a little longer.”
He released me, and I gave him a nod but said nothing as I walked out on legs that I refused to admit wobbled slightly. How could this man affect me so much?
He didn’t close the door until I was pulling away from the curb. Even three blocks away, I could still feel his eyes on me.
RHETT PICKED ME UP IN his Jeep and took me to a little place not far from my house. Dick & Jenny’s was a cute little cottage that had great creole and seafood. I’d driven by it a million times, but only eaten there once. It was funky and fun and completely perfect.
The entire time I was getting ready, I consciously ignored the languid ache in my body left by the orgasm Rix had given me and the promise of more to come. No matter how hard I scrubbed, all I could feel was his touch on my skin.
“So, what else do you do for fun besides sell art?” Rhett asked.
I realized I’d let the conversation fall into a semi-awkward lull after the server took our drink orders. I opened my mouth and shut it again immediately. I’d almost told him that my favorite thing to do was paint. But I didn’t tell anyone that. Apparently Rix’s insistence that my work was good, and Yve and Lucas’s purchase of my piece, was emboldening me.
Instead, I went with my canned answer. “I enjoy volunteering, improving my green thumb, and target shooting.”
Rhett’s smile was quick. “I suspected you were a hell of a woman, and now I’m sure of it.”
I laughed. “It’s the green thumb, right? Don’t get your hopes up, because when I say improving, I mean it’s a work in process. I can’t cook, I’m a terrible housekeeper, and I’m absentminded when I’m tied up in business stuff. So you should probably reassess your opinion until you land on something more realistic.”
“And you’re legitimately modest,” he added.
My cheeks heated with my blush. “I’m aware of my faults and shortcom
ings. I consider that one of my strengths. Although, I’d rather spend time improving my strengths than working on my weaknesses. It seems to be a better investment of my time.”
“I’m going to add unique to the list.”
The server returned with my glass of wine and Hennessy’s two fingers of bourbon before I could respond, and asked for our orders. I opted for the bouillabaisse and Rhett chose the duck.
After the server collected our menus, I turned the questions back on Rhett. “What do you like to do? Besides fight crime and keep the city safe?”
He smiled and sipped his bourbon. “Spend time with my folks, watch football, hunt, fish, and take out beautiful women.”
My eyebrows went up. “Women as in plural?”
“I try to keep them to one at a time. I don’t often find myself in my current predicament.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Being more interested in her than she is in me.”
Wow. He was just going to lay it all out like that, was he?
“Excuse me?”
Rhett leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. “There’s something going on with you, and I know you don’t want me to know what it is. But I am a detective, and that means I know when something’s not right. Why don’t you save us this song and dance and just tell me what’s happening? If I can help, I will. If you’re in trouble, I can get you out.”
I dropped my gaze to my wine and took a drink. A really, really big drink.
“Guess that’s all the answer I need then.” He set his glass down on the table. “So cut the shit, Valentina, and tell me what it is.”
I sucked back the rest of my wine, not meeting his eyes until I lowered my glass.
“I’m not in trouble. I’m fine.”
“I don’t believe you.”
I had to give him something. He wasn’t going to leave it alone. And I sucked at lying. “You said you’ve taken out multiple women. Well, I’m seeing someone else too. And no, I’m not telling you who he is.”
Hennessy reached for his bourbon and knocked back the rest. “Guess I was right, then. I’m definitely more into you than you’re into me.”
I smiled weakly. “I . . . This wasn’t exactly planned.” To myself I added, And “seeing” isn’t even accurate because I don’t have a clue what I’m really doing with him.
“Some of the best things aren’t planned.”
The server stopped by our table to deliver another round of drinks, and both Rhett and I reached for them immediately.
“So, I totally understand if you just want to take me home and forget I exist,” I said after another gulp of liquid courage.
Rhett shook his head. “Nah. I’m not out of this race yet. I’m sitting across from you, not him. That means I’ve still got a shot.”
I was an idiot. It took me until just that moment to recognize that I’d found myself caught between two men who were the rare and mystical alpha breed. And I’d just made this a competition. Neither Rix nor Rhett were the kind of guy to turn down a challenge.
“Well . . . um . . .” Come on, Valentina, think of something to say.
I was rescued once again by the server who asked if we were interested in dessert or needed boxes. I took that moment to excuse myself and headed to the ladies’ room.
Once inside, I locked the door and stared at my reflection in the mirror. “What the hell am I doing?”
I pulled my phone from my bag and saw I had missed a text message from Rix. It was a single word.
RIX: MINE.
Would he be inside my house waiting when I got home tonight? What if Rhett kissed me at the door? Would Rix come storming out and . . . God, what would he do? My anxiety jumped several notches.
What the hell was I going to do about this mess? Rhett was the better choice. The safer choice. I didn’t even know what to categorize Rix as other than not a realistic option. Did I want him to be an option? My ongoing fascination with him, not to mention me being flat on my back in his bed this afternoon, said I did.
After washing my hands in cold water and giving myself another pep talk, I ignored Rix’s text and walked back to the table. Rhett was gone.
I turned in a circle, surveying the restaurant. Had he changed his mind and left? Was I wrong about the competition? I had a hard time believing that, but there was no sign of him.
The server hurried over. “Your boyfriend had to step out to take a call. He’ll be right back. He ordered you a latte and the chocolate torte. I’ll have both out in a second.”
I opened my mouth to protest the boyfriend label, but decided the server didn’t care. At least the mystery was solved. I took my seat, and she came back with the most divine chocolate confection I’d ever seen. I was scraping the remnants from the plate and trying to talk myself out of licking it clean when Rhett came back inside.
“Sorry about that, Valentina. I need to cut this short and get you home.” He gave me a rueful smile. “Work. Never stops.”
Being a cop was ingrained in every aspect of Rhett’s life, and seemed to rule it too. I wondered if the other ladies in his life had found it to be trying, but I was more curious about what had come up. Thoughts of Trinity were never far from my mind.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Not usually. Let’s get you home, and I’ll get back to fighting crime and keeping the city safe.”
I stood, and as we left the restaurant, his hand rested on the small of my back. It was a clear sign that he wasn’t giving up on this yet, and I needed to figure out exactly what I thought about it.
My mind raced with the same thoughts I’d had in the bathroom as Rhett walked me up the sidewalk to my front door. Was Rix inside? Was Rhett going to kiss me? What did I want?
I was saved from having to answer that question when his phone rang again. He pulled it from his pocket and apologized.
“I gotta take this. I’ll make it up to you. I’ll stop by the gallery tomorrow.” He stepped toward me and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “And that’ll have to tide me over until I get another chance to make it a better one. Sleep well, Valentina.”
And then he was gone.
My hand was steady as I let myself in the house, but my heart pounded. I turned on the light as soon as I stepped inside. The foyer was empty. Wherever Rix was, it wasn’t here.
I closed and locked the door behind me and set the alarm. Pulling my phone from my purse, I read the single word of his text again.
MINE.
Where was he? I hadn’t realized I was expecting to see him again tonight until that moment. Walking through my empty house gave me far too much time to think. I’d always loved my space and my time alone, but now it didn’t seem to be enough.
Things were changing. I was changing. I needed to decide what I wanted, and then figure out if it was even realistic.
I wandered into my studio and selected a fresh canvas and set up a mirror. It was time for an introspective, and what better way to do that than a self-portrait?
“WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR problem, man? I told you I was coming,” I said as soon as I was back in my car. “This better be a fucking emergency.”
“Shit’s going down tonight. A big deal. My CI just called me, and we need to get there and see who’s doing the buying and selling,” Fortier replied.
“Where am I meeting you? I’m in my Jeep.”
He relayed an address, and a quick search of my mental map told me I was heading into the hood. Worked for me as long as it got us another step closer to bringing down the head of a drug ring. Cartels getting their claws into my city pissed me the fuck off.
“I’ll see you in ten. And you owe me a night without this bullshit because you hijacked my date,” I said, not waiting for a response before I ended the call.
My mind was on Valentina as I backed out of her driveway. She’d been acting strangely all day, both earlier at the gallery and then tonight.
The fact that she’d admitted she was seeing another
guy surprised me. That could be what was causing her off behavior, but I wasn’t entirely sure yet.
I’d find out, though. She was the first woman to grab my attention like this in a long time. Before she’d been off-limits, and now . . . now I’d decided that those limits weren’t relevant anymore. Life was short. You had to take chances to get what you wanted or you’d miss your shot.
I could handle a little healthy competition. Hell, I thrived on competition. I just had to find out who my competition was.
SHE DIDN’T RESPOND. I DIDN’T expect her to, but like a little bitch, I kept my phone close all night. Buying. Selling. Another day in my shadows.
How in the fuck had this woman become the shaft of light that showed me exactly how dark my world was? And now that I knew it, what was I supposed to do about it?
I wanted her in my bed, but I couldn’t take her out in this city like the cop she was with tonight—and that burned. I lived in the shadows and she was the light. We couldn’t coexist peacefully, and yet I couldn’t just leave her alone. Not yet. I wasn’t ready.
The image of her face as she rode out her orgasm rose in my memory. Hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen. Life-changing even.
And she was dating a cop.
That had to end. I would make it end. I didn’t share, and I wasn’t going to start now.
“Yo, Rix. You comin’ or what?”
Eight-Ball waited for me on the far side of the warehouse. Product was supposed to change hands tonight, but Eight had gotten a tip that the cops were on the move, and called it off before even talking to me. Healthy fear of going back to prison made him quick on the trigger with decisions like that, but also made him a good second-in-command.
“Right behind you.”
I surveyed the empty warehouse once again. The cops wouldn’t find a damn thing here thanks to Eight’s quick thinking. When I shut and locked the door behind me, I caught sight of a Jeep across the street, tucked between an abandoned building and a burned-out van. I would have missed it, but since the van was destroyed, I could see through it in sections.