Tightrope [Black Ops Brotherhood 6] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Juarez

  * * * *

  Holy fuck! Focus! Rio being this close and that growl in her voice made Dan forget his anger. His cock leaped and hardened in record time. Her commanding presence made his knees weak, and he wanted to stop all this groundwork he was laying and tell her exactly what he really wanted. How could she for one second believe he’d never been attracted to her? Even now, he was doing everything but spelling out exactly what kind of relationship he wanted with her.

  They had to talk, all right, but not about national security and weapons of mass destruction. They needed to discuss their future together as a man and woman. He backed up to get a grip on his rage and regain control of his runaway mouth. The idea of her questioning him had pissed him off. With the job she did, it would be natural that she’d investigate. He relaxed and remembered questions like this would be part of their lives from now on. He had to learn how to handle them and not be so confrontational.

  “What I want has nothing to do with our jobs,” he said.

  “Cut the crap, Danny, and tell me what I want to know.”

  “I can’t,” he said, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, babe.”

  Under his hands, she relaxed and nodded her head. She seemed to understand, and telling her he couldn’t say anything would’ve been much better than jumping in her shit right away. He fought a grin realizing maybe he’d done it to get a rise out of her. Pushing her buttons had become unconscious. Her swift response reminded him that she still had no idea how much it affected him. Seeing her in his face snapping right back was a bigger turn-on than talking dirty to him.

  “Okay,” she said, moving away.

  He caught her before she could move any farther and pulled her close.

  “I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.”

  Relaxing, he caught her scent for the first time and committed it to memory—apples. He closed his eyes when she wrapped her arms around his waist, and he let her comforting embrace ease him. He could stay like this with her for the rest of the night and not move an inch because it was exactly where he wanted to be. She pushed away and looked at him. Even though she’d defended herself pretty damn solid, he’d hurt her. The pain still lingered in her eyes, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight if he didn’t make it right.

  “Forgive me, babe, please. I promise it won’t happen again,” he said. She looked away as if she didn’t believe him. He cupped her face and redirected her focus on him. “Have I ever broken a promise to you?”

  “Yes, you have.”

  The answer took him by surprise. He couldn’t think of any promise he’d made to her and didn’t keep. She’d been the one person he’d gladly give his life for to make sure he came through. He gave her an intentional frown.

  “When?”

  “How many do you want me to list?” she asked.

  “What? No way!”

  “Way!”

  “Bullshit!” She squealed as he lifted her off her feet.

  Carrying her to the couch, he dumped her onto the soft leather and landed on top of her. Her big brown eyes got wider when he began attacking her ribs as he tickled her, and she screamed with laughter. She grabbed his hands, but it was no use. He flicked her fingers away. Her body writhing under him gave his cock an enjoyable sensation and conjured mental images of her screaming while he fucked her. He continued his torture without mercy, hoping to keep the stimulation of her underneath him going for the rest of the night.

  “Danny! Stop!”

  “Name one!”

  “I can’t breathe!”

  Resting his hands on her ribs under her breasts and bracing on his elbows, he waited for her to catch her breath. He closed his eyes to avoid staring at her heaving tits. To ease his torment, he massaged down her ribs. When she closed her eyes and arched into his hands, he had to take a deep breath at the swift and sudden swelling of his cock. He stopped himself from leaning forward to kiss her when she bit her lower lip. He watched her struggle for self-control as she grabbed his wrists to still his touch. He didn’t dare move his hands again. He knew he’d grab her breasts and attack another way this time.

  “C’mon, name one,” he prompted.

  “The first time you took me to eat Thai food you said you’d take me back when you came home in between semesters. You took Sylvia to the hunting shack instead.”

  Cringing as he sat back, he remembered the promise as if he’d just made it. She was right; he’d forgotten all about it and let Sylvia talk him into spending all of his time with her. He must’ve done that more often than he remembered. All the regret came rushing back. He’d wasted so much time fucking around with Sylvia when he should’ve been spending his time with the girl he really wanted, Rio.

  “You’re right. Will you forgive me for standing you up?” he asked.

  “I forgave you a long time ago.”

  Of course she had. He wouldn’t have gotten inside her house if she hadn’t. He stood and held out his hands to help her sit up. He took a seat next to her and picked up his container of food and dug in. He offered her a bite much like he’d done when he introduced her to Pad Thai. She smiled and shook her head.

  “Take it,” he said, moving the fork closer to her.

  “Are you flirting with me again?”

  “Do I need to be more obvious?”

  Excitement ran through him as he saw the dominant spark in her eyes return. She was up to something, but it didn’t quite register with him what she was thinking. She opened her mouth and took the bite he offered. When she wrapped her lips around the fork, he closed his eyes and groaned, wishing she’d wrap her lips around his cock that way.

  “Danny, when did you turn into such a freak?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Tilting her head and raising an eyebrow she gave him a sarcastic, silent really?

  “What?” he asked in his best whatever-do-you-mean tone.

  Giggling, she picked up the remote and started the movie. She picked up her own container of food and dug in.

  “You’re such a guy. You know what I mean,” she said, leaning back.

  “I didn’t turn anything; I’ve always been this way,” he responded, not looking at her.

  Leaning back, he thought carefully before he said anything else. There was so much he wanted to tell her, but she wasn’t ready. The kind of relationship he wanted could end in disaster if he didn’t take it slow and easy to give her time to embrace who she truly was.

  “We need to talk.” His attention was riveted on the television. From the corner of his eye, he could see her turn her head to look at him.

  “I’m listening,” she said.

  “You’re not ready.”

  They stared at each other for a long time as the movie played in the background.

  “What is it? Please tell me so I can understand what’s going on.” He could see he had her full attention.

  “I’ve missed you, and seeing you again made me realize what a mistake I made leaving you behind and never telling you how I really felt.”

  There it was, at least some of it. Everything he’d been feeling since the day he left home and came back. He was right about her not being ready. The fear had returned in her eyes again mixed with something he couldn’t identify. He looked back at the screen to let her absorb what he’d just said. He noticed she put down her food and wasn’t paying attention to the movie. He suddenly wanted to leave, thinking maybe what little bit he’d said had been overwhelming. Doubt settled in as the movie played. If telling her something as easy as his feelings overwhelmed her, what the hell would she do when he laid everything on her? The long, tense silence between them had become maddening. Maybe he’d been wrong, and he wanted something that wasn’t there. He thought about the ring he’d left in his bag at his sister’s house. He’d almost regretted buying it now. He tried not to stare at her and concentrated on the movie, now more than half-over. Schotzie walked to the couch with a rope toy, so he resorted to teasing the dog.
It would give him a chance to think about his next move without obsessing over it.

  * * * *

  Keeping her distance, she watched Danny and her dog wrestle on the floor with Schotzie’s favorite toy. She relaxed feeling more in control as she watched them romp. She didn’t know what to do with him and his confession about his feelings. What could he possibly expect from her while he was on leave? What happened once he left? It seemed as if she’d waited a lifetime to hear him say that he wanted to be with her, but he was hesitating, as if he was leaving something out, something she couldn’t put her finger on. At times, she felt like he would pull invisible strings to make her react, then back off. He was driving her insane with his on/off stimulation. Feeding her, groaning when she took a bite from his fork, and the glazed look he got left her pussy wet and her body aching in sexual frustration.

  “Is she yours?” he asked.

  “She’s my partner. She’s a K-9 officer who belongs to the CBP. I take care of her. Really, I spoil her because she should be living at the station. A few months ago, she got hurt, and I started bringing her home to help her recover. When she retires in a few years, I’ll ask to keep her.”

  “Officer?” he asked as he tugged the rope toy away from Schotzie.

  The big dog playfully growled and wagged her tail as she latched on to the rope and tugged.

  “Yes, she is. Complete with a badge,” she said.

  Danny chuckled as he wrestled Schotzie to the ground.

  “She even has a bulletproof vest, but she doesn’t like it. I make her wear it every now and then,” she said, pulling Schotzie’s tail.

  “So you’ve been doing this awhile? Training police dogs?”

  “When I was first assigned to my security police unit I seemed to be able to train dogs without thinking about it.”

  “So if you’re training dogs, why did Davey tell me you’re out in the desert all the time?”

  “We’re shorthanded right now, so I train the dogs a few times a week, but most of the time I need to be out, and the dogs need to be working. I love working with animals; we understand one another.” Schotzie dropped the toy at her feet. She rubbed the big dog’s neck and saw how happy she was. “Don’t we, girl?”

  Danny crawled to the chair where she’d moved and planted himself on the floor at her feet. He curled his arm around her leg and leaned his head against her knee. His touch made her tremble, and his need to touch her made her nervous, especially after what he’d told her. What had changed? She looked down at him and curled her fingers to avoid running them through his hair. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as he rubbed her calf. When a moan slipped, her eyes flew open, and she looked down and caught him staring at her. The hot glazed look had returned. What the hell did that look mean? The vision of making him kiss every inch of her legs made her squirm. While they stared at each other, he planted a kiss on her knee, and her pussy clenched making her breath catch. The aftershock of his kiss made every nerve in her body hum. She pushed him away and stood.

  “Danny, what’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Anxiously, she cleaned away the food from the coffee table because she had to put some distance between them.

  “Rio? What do you mean?” he asked as he followed her into the kitchen carrying the rest of the dishes.

  “I mean, why now? You’ve never noticed me before. Why now?” she insisted as she grabbed the dishes from his hands and shoved them into the sink.

  “What makes you say that?” he asked, taking her hands.

  “What the hell do you want from me? Just say it!” she demanded, pushing his hands away.

  He took a step backward. “I can’t make what I want any more obvious, what more can I do?”

  Asking that question rendered her speechless for a moment and told her he’d figured out what everyone had known for years. She’d been crazy in love with him when they were growing up. Every waking fantasy she had involved Danny. Stepping into her space, he cupped her face and mesmerized her with the heat in his coal-black eyes while her skin flushed and warmed. In her wildest dreams she never imagined a touch that could set her on fire the way his did. The heat radiating from her had to burn his hands when he held her. She grabbed his wrists to push him away because this was about to get beyond her control.

  “I need you to tell me what to do,” he murmured, pulling her close. Before she could answer, he took her mouth in a searing kiss.

  Something inside her snapped as she grabbed the nape of his neck and pulled him closer. She broke away and looked at him determined to take him over completely. If he wanted a kiss, she’d do this her way and give him a kiss he’d never forget. She understood what guys wanted. They talked about it all the time in front of her and with her. Bemoaning how they wished their wives or girlfriends would take over and show them what the hell to do. She knew it was crap. The minute some woman actually gave them what they claimed they wanted, it scared the hell out of them. But Danny was different, and she almost believed that was exactly what he asked from her.

  “Then quit fucking around, and kiss me like you mean it,” she said.

  “Show me,” he said.

  Grabbing his face, she locked her mouth onto his, asserting her control by sliding her tongue into his mouth and brushing it over his tongue. She gripped his arms and dug her nails into the skin over rock-hard muscles. He groaned at the sudden, aggressive turn of the tables. It surprised her when his body went slack, and he let her take control. Other men she’d known fought her and would bend only when it suited them. Danny seemed different and surrendered under her touch. Her body responded hungrily as he yielded to her, but she refused to get sucked in. It was her turn to devour him and make him a little crazy. At the thought of carrying through with some of the ideas he’d planted in her head, her nipples beaded and sent a fresh surge of arousal to her pussy. He grabbed her, pulled her close, and thrust his hips forward, letting her know his cock was hard and ready. Finding her control slipping at his onslaught, she broke and looked at him.

  “If you want me to show you and tell you what to do, you’ll do this my way, understood?”

  “Yes.”

  When Danny leaned in for another kiss, she put her hands on his chest and stopped him. She smiled knowingly and looked at him for a long time. His heartbeat increased, pounding against her hand. She rubbed his chest, soothing him. When his eyes closed and he took a deep breath, she cupped his face, and rubbed against his scruffy face. She didn’t want to stop but knew she had to. She couldn’t let him have his way…yet. She kissed his cheek tenderly.

  “It’s time for you to go.”

  “Did I do something wrong?” he asked, apparently puzzled at her dismissal.

  “No, I’ll see you tomorrow at the hunting shack.”

  “Do you want me to come get you, and we’ll go together?” He took her hands gently in his.

  “No, I have things to do tomorrow before I go.”

  When disappointment shone in his dark eyes, she almost gave in and let him stay. She wasn’t trying to be harsh. He’d asked for this because he felt he needed it, and she would oblige.

  “Program your number, and I’ll send you a text as soon as I’m on my way.”

  After doing what she’d asked, before he handed her the phone, he pulled it back and offered a compromise. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  Giggling, she gave him a quick peck on the lips. “No you won’t. You’ll wait for me to text you tomorrow.”

  * * * *

  “I don’t know what the hell to do with her,” Jax whined over his beer.

  “Maybe she really is a dyke. Move on, Jax,” Seth advised.

  “I’ve got an idea,” PJ piped up with a wicked grin.

  “What?” Jax asked.

  The bottles lining the table indicated the amount of alcohol that had been consumed. So far, the trio of men had consumed nearly an entire case of beer. PJ had been the target of some of Jax’s bullying while
they were growing up. When he joined the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, he decided if he couldn’t beat them he’d join them. He’d managed to become even more nasty and unpleasant than his running buddies.

  “Why don’t we scare the hell out of her? Make it so Jax has to be her hero,” PJ suggested.

  “What do you mean?” Seth asked, scowling at him.

  “Didn’t you see the way she reacted when Danny stepped in to save the day? I think we need to make it so Jax has to save her this time.”

  Jax gave both men his undivided attention.

  “How the hell do you plan on doing that?” Seth asked.

  “Make a bogus call out to her. Maybe kidnap her and take her out to the old bunkhouse at Jax’s dad’s place. When Jax comes in to save her she’ll be grateful, if you know what I mean. Just make her see the light.” PJ shrugged.

  “Are you out of your fucking mind, PJ?” Seth looked around to make sure no one had been listening and kept his voice at a low whisper. “We can’t kidnap anyone. In case you’ve forgotten, we’re peace officers, and kidnapping is against the law. You know, the law we’ve sworn to uphold? Besides cops don’t do so good in jail.”

  “Wait a minute. If it was just a joke, it wouldn’t be kidnapping,” Jax said.

  “You can’t be serious,” Seth said.

  “I’ve got to do something!” Jax roared. A couple of the patrons turned to glance in his direction, but the rest kept on with their conversations. Jax’s outburst wasn’t unusual.

  “And what the hell are you doing when she decides to press charges? She’s not stupid. Rio’s law enforcement, too, so you’d better think about this!” Seth cautioned.

  “She won’t press charges. Women love that shit. She ate it up when Danny did it,” PJ said.

  “Guys, I’m done.” Seth pushed away from the table. “I don’t want to listen to any more of this crap. Jax, I’m telling you right now this is a bad idea, and if I were you, I’d let Rio go, and find another woman who wants you.”