by Elle James
He switched sides and tongued and flicked the other breast, before sucking hard on the nipple.
Eager to taste all of her, he shifted his weight and moved down her body, tonguing a path across her ribs to her bellybutton, and lower, to the fluff of hair at the apex of her thighs.
She stopped writhing, her breath catching and holding, her body tensing.
Mad Dog blew a stream of air over her mons, stirring the curls. Then he dropped over the side of the bed, pressed her knees wide and parted her folds with his thumbs. “I want to taste your desire,” he murmured.
Her entrance glistened with her juices, evidence she was as turned on as he was.
He tongued her there, tasting her essence.
She gasped and ran her hand down to her clit, touching the nubbin that was Mad Dog’s next goal.
He kissed her hand and moved it to the mound of hair, clearing his path. With a light, flick, he touched his tongue to her clit.
Jolie’s body jerked. Her knees rose, spreading wider. “Oh, dear, sweet heaven,” she muttered her voice heavy with desire.
Mad Dog swept his tongue the length of that nerve-packed bundle of flesh and sucked it into his mouth.
Fingers threaded into his hair, and Jolie’s nails dug into his scalp, pulling him closer.
He licked her again, loving the way her body writhed and twitched, as if she had no control. He smiled and flicked her again.
Jolie was a woman who enjoyed controlling every part of her life.
Mad Dog liked that he made her lose control. With that goal in mind, he slipped his finger into her wet channel and swirled in the warmth and dampness. At the same time, he launched his campaign on her clit, tonguing, flicking and teasing it until she cried out his name.
“Mad Dog! Geez, what you’re doing to me?”
He paused long enough to ask, “Want me to stop?”
“Hell, no!” She moaned and raised her hips, urging him to continue.
He did, plying his skills again and again.
Finally, Jolie slapped her hands on the bed beside her, raised her hips and held them high, her body pulsing with her release. “Yeesss!”
Then she sank to the mattress, trembling, a thin sheen of perspiration making her face glow in the light from the nightstand. “That was…I’ve never…holy hell.” She laughed and tossed her head back and forth.
Mad Dog scooted her more fully onto the mattress and climbed up to lie beside her. “You’ve never what?”
She cupped his cheek in her palm. “Never felt that good in my entire life.”
“Then I did it right.” He winked and kissed her lips.
“Mmm. I love that you taste like me.” Jolie kissed him, thrust her tongue between his teeth and swept across his tongue in a long, warm caress. Then she rolled over on top of him and planted her hands on either side of his face. “Now, it’s my turn.”
“Hmm. I like it when the woman takes command.”
“Then you’re going to like this.” She pressed her lips to his forehead, the tip of his nose, each cheek and, finally, his lips. After a long, slow kiss, she slid her mouth along the stubble of his chin.
“Sorry,” he apologized. “I’ll shave next time.”
“No, don’t,” she said, her voice throaty. “I like how abrasive it is against my skin. It drives me wild.”
Note to self, don’t shave for her. She likes it rough.
This woman was perfect in every way.
Taking her time, she worked her way down his sinewy neck and along the muscular planes of his shoulders and chest. She paused long enough to roll the little brown nipples between her teeth, one at a time, nipping and flicking them until he grabbed her ass and moved her further down his body.
She complied. He suspected because that was her ultimate intention.
Jolie kissed, tongued or nipped each rib on her way south, culminating at that part of him ready to explode at her touch.
Straddling his legs, she wrapped her warm hands around him and slid them down to the base and back up again.
Mad Dog sucked in a long, steadying breath, counted to ten and prayed he didn’t lose it too soon. He wanted this to last. Hell, he wanted to be inside her, fucking her until she came with him.
She stroked him, circling and running her hands up his length and back down, and then curling them around his balls and rolling them between her fingers.
“You keep that up, and I won’t last long,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Oh, then I’ll stop.” She pulled her hands away.
He leaned up on his elbows. “Good God, woman, don’t stop!”
She laughed and resumed her massage. Jolie leaned over and kissed the tip of his dick.
Mad Dog dropped to his back and closed his eyes, praying she’d do more, but unwilling to ask for it. If she wanted to give him a blow job, it had to be up to—
Warm, wet lips wrapped around his cock and sucked.
He opened his eyes and stared down at the top of Jolie’s bright, strawberry-blond head.
She took all of him, until the tip bumped the back of her throat.
When she came back up, he groaned and followed her, thrusting up into her mouth.
Her chuckle warmed his cock. Her teeth skimmed the sides, hard, but careful, creating an even more erotic sensation than just her soft lips.
Mad Dog grabbed her hair and held her, twisting his fingers in the soft strands. “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered.
She came off him and replied, “I want to.” Then she was back on him, fucking him with her mouth. Up and down, rolling his balls in her hands, faster and faster, until Mad Dog could contain himself no longer.
He tightened his grip on her hair and pulled her off, just as he came, his seed spilling out over his belly.
Jolie sat back on his legs, a smile spreading across her face. “Next time, bring a condom so we can finish this.”
10
Jolie lay in bed for a long time, staring up at the ceiling, barely visible in the starlight edging through the curtains over her window.
How had a mission to catch a terrorist ended up in her bedroom with her assigned partner? Throughout her career, she’d been very careful to maintain her distance and keep it professional between herself and any partner she was assigned.
But Mad Dog was different. He wasn’t an agent in the CIA. Hell, Jolie wasn’t even sure what agency he belonged to.
At that moment, past midnight, satiated, warm and feeling pretty damned safe in his arms, she didn’t care if he was the enemy. She’d switch sides just to do what they did again.
But definitely with a condom next time. Though she’d come on a screaming orgasm, their lovemaking wasn’t quite complete. She wanted to feel that thick, hot cock buried deep inside her, filling a place that had been empty for far too long.
She must have drifted off, because when she opened her eyes, sunlight streamed through the open curtains and warmed the foot of her bed.
As the memory of the night before washed over her, she turned toward…an empty pillow.
What the hell?
Jolie sat up straight, the quilt falling down to her waist, exposing her naked skin to the chill morning air.
Had she imagined making love with Mad Dog?
Her clit tingled, and parts of her body burned from where his light beard had scraped her skin. And there was a dent in the pillow beside her.
She threw herself onto it and inhaled the scent of Mad Dog—the clean, soapy, man-smell that was unique to the former SEAL.
“Feel like having some eggs without bacon?” His rich, deep voice warmed the room and made her shiver at the same time.
Jolie grabbed the quilt and pulled it over her naked breasts before sitting to greet him. “You’re up early,” she said.
The warm, rich aroma of coffee wafted in her direction from the tray the man carried.
She smiled. “You made coffee?”
“Figured you could use some. I know I’m not
much good before my first jolt of caffeine.” He set the tray on top of the dresser and carried her cup to her. “Start with this. I have scrambled eggs and toast for your second course.”
Jolie, tucked the quilt under her arms, wrapped her hands around the mug and drew in a deep breath, absorbing the caffeinated drink through her other senses before taking her first sip. The hot brew burned her tongue and all the way down the back of her throat. But it was heaven. “You’re an angel of mercy.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know about that. I made coffee and eggs out of purely selfish reasons. I needed fuel for my body.”
“I don’t care what your reasons were, you brought me a cup of Joe.” She took another sip, smaller this time to keep from scorching every last taste bud. “All that matters is that I have coffee.”
“Save room for eggs.” He retrieved the tray from the dresser and laid it across her lap.
Jolie struggled to hold the mug in her hands, the quilt beneath her arms and balance the tray across her lap. When the quilt slipped to her waist, she nearly spilled her coffee, and she rocked the tray.
“Sweetheart, it’s not like I haven’t seen them already.” Mad Dog winked and retrieved the coffee mug from her hands, set it on the tray and carried the tray to the dresser.
“I don’t normally flash a man this early in the morning,” she muttered.
His chuckle filled the air as he pulled an oversized T-shirt from his duffel bag and tossed it to her. “Wear that, if it makes you more comfortable.”
She shrugged into the shirt, inhaling the scent she associated with Mad Dog. With her upper half covered, she felt a little less exposed and vulnerable in front of the SEAL. “I can finish breakfast in the kitchen,” she said and flung back the quilt and tangled sheets.
The hem of the T-shirt fell to her knees, covering everything that mattered. But knowing he’d worn the shirt made the fabric brushing against her set her skin on fire and her core tighten. What would it be like to wake up and make love with this man, first thing every day?
Strangely shy after sleeping with him, Jolie couldn’t quite meet his gaze. Instead, she tried to reach around him for the tray, only to be captured in his embrace and pulled tightly against his solid, muscular body.
Oh, yeah, it would be heaven to wake up in this man’s arms every day.
He tipped up her chin. “No regrets?”
She shook her head, her cheeks heating at the memory of how he’d gone down on her and made her scream out his name. “You?”
He grunted. “No way. My plan is to stop at whatever store there is in town and stock up on condoms this morning—after we visit the sheriff’s office.”
Jolie liked the sound of stocking up on condoms, but mention of the sheriff made her frown. “You’re right. They need to know what happened out here yesterday. I would have called, if we’d a phone line.”
“Exactly. The sheriff needs to know the gang has been meeting in the caves on your property, and that they attacked you and your home.”
“I suppose so,” she said, sighing. “They’ll be all over the place investigating.”
“We can give our deposition, stop at the store for bacon and other items, and then head out to Hank’s. I want to know what’s happening on the internet.”
“If I stay here much longer, I’ll need to get connected,” Jolie noted.
Mad Dog released her and lifted the tray. “Come on, let’s get you fed and dressed. We have a long day ahead. And we still don’t know where our terrorist is hiding.”
“Do you suppose it was a long shot, thinking he’d follow me out here?”
“We won’t know until we do some digging. That’s where I hope Hank or his contacts will be of use.”
In the kitchen, Jolie sat at the table, aware of the fact she was naked beneath the T-shirt, while Mad Dog was fully clothed. She tried to concentrate on the eggs, toast and coffee but gave up halfway through breakfast and carried her plate and mug to the sink.
Mad Dog stepped up behind her. “I can wash those.”
Having him so close was driving her crazy. Jolie wanted to lean back against his body and…
Jolie washed her dish in the soapy water in the sink, rinsed and set the plate in the drainer. When she turned, he was standing there, his gaze burning into hers.
“Do you realize what a turn-on it is to see you in one of my T-shirts, knowing you’re naked beneath it?”
She laughed, the sound coming out breathy. “So, it’s not just me?”
He pulled her into his arms and reached beneath the hem of the shirt. Mad Dog splayed his warm hands across her buttocks, then slid them up her sides to cup her breasts. “You’re derailing every one of my brain cells.”
“I’m finding it…very…difficult to focus on anything when you hold me like this.” She leaned her breasts into his open palms. Jolie closed her eyes and tilted back her head, loving the way his hands massaged her nipples. “When did you say we’re stopping by the store?”
Mad Dog laughed out loud and bent to capture her lips in a soul-defining kiss. When he released her, he smacked his palm to her ass. “Get dressed. We have work to do.”
Right. Work. As she hurried back through the house, Jolie glanced out the windows. Where was Nadir? Had he found her yet? Would he come to her house and try to kill her, or would he send his minions to do his dirty work?
Dressed in jeans, a white blouse, boots and a black leather jacket, Jolie pulled her hair back into a ponytail and secured it with a rubber band. She released the magazine in the handle of her pistol, checked to see it was full, and slammed it home. Safety on, she shoved it into the shoulder holster beneath her jacket.
A glance in the mirror showed a determined woman, with a strange glow in her cheeks. Is that what it looked like to be thoroughly satisfied in bed? A smile spread across her face as she left her bedroom and joined Mad Dog on the porch.
“Ready?” he asked.
To go back to bed and finish what they’d started the night before? Hell, yeah!
“Ready,” she said and walked out to his truck. “Want me to drive?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I’ve got this.”
He held the door for her and helped her up into the passenger seat. Then he rounded the front hood and slid behind the wheel.
When he put his key in the ignition and turned it, nothing happened.
Something triggered in Jolie’s gut. Blood shot through her veins, and her heart slammed into her ribs.
Before Mad Dog could turn the key again, Jolie put a hand over his.
“Get out of the truck,” she said, her voice low, tense.
“What?”
“Get out of the truck, now!” She flung her door open and threw herself out of the truck.
Mad Dog did the same, only a split second behind her.
“Run!” she shouted and raced for the corner of the house.
The world behind her exploded, the force blasting her forward into the bushes surrounding the porch.
For a long moment, she lay with her face to the ground, waiting for any secondary explosions. Stay down, Caleb. Stay down, she thought, unable to scream out the warning, because she had yet to catch her breath.
A moment later, the second explosion, rocked the ground beneath her and spewed smoke and flames into the air.
Glass shattered, and the acrid scent of burning fuel filled the air.
Jolie pushed to her knees and sucked in air, coughed and sucked in more. When she could finally stand, she glanced toward the truck, searching for Mad Dog.
“Jolie?” his voice came to her over the crackle of the fire. “Jolie?”
Mad Dog rounded the side of the house, spotted her and ran toward her, swinging wide of the flaming heap that had been his truck.
She met him halfway and flung herself into his arms. “I thought you didn’t make it out fast enough.”
“I thought the same about you. I couldn’t get to you.” He held her at arm’s length. “Were you hu
rt?”
Jolie shook her head and smoothed her hands over his chest. “Were you?”
“No. Thanks to you.” He turned toward his ruined truck. “How did you know?”
“When the truck didn’t start, something inside told me to get out.” She leaned into him. “I’m sorry about your truck.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t figure it out first. You could have died in that explosion.” His arm tightened around her.
“The important thing is that we’re both alive.” Her ears still rang, but neither one of them had wounds from flying shrapnel.
“We can take my SUV to town,” Jolie offered.
Mad Dog frowned. “After we inspect it thoroughly.”
Jolie laughed, the sound dull and flat, even to her own ears. “Damn right.”
“The question is, who set the explosives? Nadir or our industrious gang? They could well have done it, given that they booby-trapped the cave in the hills.”
“We need to bring the sheriff in on this,” Jolie said. “And we probably need to let him know about Nadir. That way they can be on the lookout for strangers fitting his description.”
After a thorough inspection of her SUV that she’d parked out by the barn, they didn’t find any sign of tampering or explosives.
Jolie tried to insist on starting the engine with Mad Dog standing far enough away he wouldn’t be injured in the blast. “Nadir is my bad guy. If he’s aiming for me, let it be me.”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass if Nadir is after you or me. I’m starting that engine. Not you.” He held his hand out for the key, blocking her from getting into the vehicle.
After a stubborn second or two, Jolie handed him the key. “Fine. Blow yourself up.”
He waved her to a safe distance and slipped behind the wheel.
Jolie held her breath, her heart stopping as she waited.
A moment later, the engine roared to life. Nothing exploded excerpt for the air from Jolie’s lungs.
“Thank God,” she said and climbed into the passenger seat.
Mad Dog grinned, and then laughed. “You should have seen your face when it actually started.”
She slapped his shoulder, the weight of the moment lifting from her shoulders. “It’s not funny.” But she laughed, too. Tension made her do strange things. Jolie was glad the morning hadn’t turned out worse than it had. So, the truck was destroyed.