by Missy Jane
“Um, actually I think I’ll just drive myself home.”
That brought his head up immediately. “Can I pick you up later?”
Before I could answer, the glass doors swung open violently as if the jerk entering had tried to rip them off their hinges. I looked around Sean to see the bald biker guy who had been looking for Elle before. He stalked up to the counter, stopping beside Sean as if he wasn’t there, and placed both hands flat on the counter.
“Elle.”
I decided to play dumb. “No sir, I’m Megan. Can I help you?”
The wraparound sunglasses didn’t hide his scowl. “I’m looking for Elle.”
“I’m sorry. She still isn’t here. I believe she’s on vacation right now.”
His already tight shoulders bunched and for a heartbeat I thought he meant to jump over the counter. My pulse leapt into overdrive and Sean dropped his gym bag to the floor.
“When. Will. She. Be. Back?” he asked through gritted teeth.
I kept my smile in place even though I was shaking. “I. Don’t. Know.”
Sean cleared his throat and straightened to his full height but Angry Bald Guy didn’t even bother to glance at him.
“Fine. I’ll be back.”
He abruptly turned and stalked out, pushing through the doors as violently as he’d entered.
I plopped down in my chair and buried my face in my hands.
“What the fuck, Megan?”
I looked up to find Sean scowling at me. “Huh?”
“Who the hell was that?”
I just shrugged and shook my head. “Elle’s new fan club president? Fuck if I know, but this is his second visit while I’ve been at the counter.”
Sean looked out the window as a motorcycle revved and sped by.
“I’ve never seen him around before but he looks like trouble.”
I took a deep, calming breath. “Yeah. He looks like one of Declan’s friends.”
Sean looked back at me, still scowling. “That’s not good. Why would Declan send someone after Elle? Has he ever done that before?”
“Ummm, no…”
“What?”
I blew out another breath. “For one thing she’s usually crawling back by now.” Sean raised a brow in surprise and motioned for me to go on. “This is the first time she took all of her stuff. Plus she’s staying over at Hank’s place.”
He whistled and shook his head. “That’s not good.”
My face heated as immediate anger surged through me and I shot out of my chair. “That bastard beat the shit out of her. What the fuck did you want her to do?”
He studied me for a moment before picking his bag back up and slipping the strap over his shoulder.
“I didn’t mean she shouldn’t have left him, Megan. I meant staying with Hank will only piss Declan off more.”
Deflated, I slumped back into my chair. “Oh.”
“You gonna be okay the next few minutes? Or do you think that asshole will be back before then?”
I glanced at the door as if expecting him to come right back.
“I should be fine. I’m off in less than an hour and there are plenty of other guys here to watch my back.”
He looked as if he wanted to argue but just nodded his agreement instead.
“All right. Will you come over for dinner again?”
I smiled, all thoughts of Angry Bald Guy evaporating. “Sure.”
He smiled back and gave a single nod before walking out the door. Then I remembered he didn’t say what time to be there.
* * * * *
I was stepping out of my shower just after six o’clock when my doorbell rang. I hastily wrapped a towel around my body, leaving my wet hair dripping down my back as I ran to the door. A glance through the peephole showed Sean standing with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown on his face. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach and I took a deep breath before opening the door.
“Hey Se—”
His mouth was on mine before he was completely through the door. I melted against his hard body, vaguely aware of him kicking the door shut and reaching back to lock it.
He abandoned my mouth to nibble on my jaw. “I couldn’t wait anymore.”
“Oh,” I sighed as he walked me back into the living room.
“Mmmm, you smell like cinnamon.”
“M-my body wash…”
“I like it.”
He ran the tip of his tongue along the side of my neck. A shiver coursed down my spine and the towel slipped from one hand. Before I could snatch it back, he grabbed both my wrists and pinned my arms behind me.
“Sean!”
The look he gave me was all innocence. “What?”
I giggled as he sucked water droplets from my shoulders, slowly working his way to my hardened nipples.
“I’m getting your shirt wet.”
He paused long enough to whip his shirt off before again taking both my wrists in one large hand. My breath caught in my throat the moment his chest was revealed.
“Damn. I’ll never get tired of that sight,” I sighed.
He chuckled and blatantly ogled my breasts. “Me either.”
I rubbed my nipples against him and moaned at the contact. His breathing grew heavy but he made no move to stop me.
“Now what? You’ve got me where you want me,” I said.
He grinned and shook his head. “Not quite.”
Before I knew what was happening he had me turned around and bent over the back of my sofa. My yelp of surprise turned into a moan when he ran his palm over my ass.
“Fucking perfect,” he whispered.
I fought to catch my breath as he continued to tease me with slow caresses and explicit language.
“I’m going to slide my cock so deep inside your beautiful pussy, baby. You’re not going to know where I end and you begin.”
His crude words left me breathless. “Y-yes…please.”
“Are you wet inside and out?”
“God yes!”
He chuckled and slid a finger in to check. I groaned loudly and clutched the sofa cushions in both hands.
“Fuck yeah, you are.”
I could only pant in response.
His palms warmed my ass again, one on each cheek, before he slid them up my spine. He reached around to fill both hands with my breasts and pressed his hard body against me. Denim rubbed my oversensitized skin, sending chills up my spine.
“Sean…”
My passion-fogged brain couldn’t think past his name. So I whimpered instead and he seemed to understand.
“I’ve got you, baby. Yeah. Right where I want you.”
He squeezed my breasts, gently pinching my nipples between thumb and forefinger, giving just enough of a tug to make me gasp.
“Sean!”
His deep chuckle sent another shaft of lust through me that was enhanced when he rocked his hips forward to pin my lower body to the sofa.
“Off…take your clothes…off.”
He chuckled again. “All in good time. We’ve got all night.”
I groaned. “Noooo.”
His rough jeans pressed against my ass before he began rubbing up and down. The hard ridge of his erection teased my most sensitive spot and I pressed back.
“You like that?”
“Y-yesssss.”
He pressed hard.
“God yes,” I moaned.
He continued to rock his hips against mine, keeping my lower body pinned beneath his. I couldn’t do anything but fight for each breath as my excitement grew with each thrust.
After an eternity his zipper hissed and the warmth of his softest skin rubbed between my ass cheeks.
“Oh now. Please, Sean. Now.”
“Yeah. I think you’re ready.”
He seemed to be talking more to himself than me and I couldn’t form a coherent sentence to reply with anyway. After another short delay I heard foil rip and knew he would be in me in seconds.
He groaned as he
slid his hard cock through my moisture, teasing both of us. I wanted to yell at him but couldn’t catch my breath to do so. I pushed my ass back against him and felt the tip of his erection probing between my legs, and then he was there. I wanted to cry in relief when he finally slid inside in one smooth thrust. He was in to the hilt and stayed pressed firmly against me for a few seconds, adjusting to the glorious sensation.
“Fucking perfect. Like the first time,” he whispered.
I opened my mouth but all that came out was a moan as he began to move.
He leaned over my back, balancing one palm on the sofa cushion while his other hand teased my breast. I tried to move against him but he had me pinned too securely. I was putty in his hands as he completely controlled our passion. There was no room for complaint. My orgasm sparked quickly and I knew it wouldn’t take much for me. His free hand left my breast and snuck between the sofa and me to find my clit.
“Yeah, there it is.”
His sexy whisper in my ear was almost enough to make me come on the spot. I gasped as he moved his finger in slow circles right where I needed it.
“Come for me, baby doll. Come on my cock.”
“Sean!”
As if his command was all I needed, I suddenly climaxed hard enough to see stars. He groaned through it as my walls clamped down on him. Then he was gripping my hips in both hands and pounding toward his own release.
“Fuck!”
His bruising grip tightened further as he climaxed. I hung limply across the back of the sofa, face buried in the cushions, and tried to catch my breath.
“Damn, babe… You okay?” he asked.
“Mmhm.”
He chuckled and slowly pulled free of my body. I whimpered at the loss then yelped when he suddenly lifted me into his arms.
“Now a shower and then we’ll eat.”
I just smiled and gave a lazy nod, content to let him do as he pleased.
* * * * *
Dinner consisted of leftover chicken salad on toasted wheat bread. Sean acted as if it was a gourmet meal which helped my embarrassment at not having anything better. I hadn’t been to the grocery store after he had upset me in his office and I was running low on supplies.
“If you want to sleep in tomorrow, I’ll run out for breakfast when I wake up,” he offered.
We were sitting at my kitchen table. He was in jeans and I had on nothing but his shirt.
“So, I guess you’re staying the night?”
I tried not to sound needy or unsure but must’ve failed miserably. He reached across the table and took my hands between his large palms.
“I’d like to. Can I…please?”
The sincerity in his plea was a surprise. Maybe I wasn’t the only one falling on my face here. I prayed not because I was total putty in his hands whether he knew it or not.
“Yes. I’d like that too.”
His warm grin sped my pulse and I had to pull one hand from his to take a sip of my water.
“Great. In the morning I’ll need to pick up the beer for tomorrow night.”
I frowned in confusion before my memory activated. “Shit, the barbecue.”
I dropped my head into my hands with a groan. Sean’s hands were suddenly on my shoulders, which he kneaded in a soothing massage.
”What’s wrong? Second thoughts on having company?”
“No. It’s been so crazy the past couple of days I just completely forgot about it. I haven’t even bought the steaks.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist and placed a kiss against the side of my neck. I dropped my hands to give him a weak smile.
“Don’t worry. We’ll hit the grocery store tomorrow and get everything we need,” he said.
I really liked his use of “we” and relaxed into his hold, nodding my agreement. He nipped at my earlobe and sent a shiver down my spine. Just that easy I was ready for him again. My thighs were a little sore from our earlier workout against the sofa, but there was no way I’d let that stop me. I stood to lean against him, pushing the chair from between us, and ran my hands down his bare chest.
“It’s still pretty early. I’m off tomorrow, you’re off tomorrow…”
He chuckled and I loved how it softened his face.
“Hmm, that means we can sleep in so…what should we do to stay busy tonight?”
I smiled as his deep, sexy voice washed over me. I was perfectly happy just standing in his arms.
“Well, we could watch a movie…”
“Or?”
“Or…play a board game…”
He chuckled again. “Or?”
“Or?”
He pressed his lips against mine for a heartbeat before slowly inserting his tongue between them. I tasted him and played a bit before letting him consume me. By the time I came up for air I was panting and needy. He lifted me as if I weighed nothing and took me back to bed.
The next hour was the most sensual and emotional of my life. It was the first time I’d felt as if a man was making love to me, not just having sex with me. As Sean brought me to climax I stared into his eyes and felt a connection I’d never felt before. Did he feel it too? As he slipped away from the bed to clean up, I considered a dozen different ways to ask him but was no closer to choosing one when he got back into bed. He held me securely all through the night, and when I woke he made love to me again.
* * * * *
Our grocery shopping trip was enlightening. Sean dragged me into the competition for recon on their prices and merchandising. He purposely mixed a few regularly priced items into the sales shelves and turned most of the bread sideways. I never laughed so damn hard while in a grocery store before.
“Look at this,” he muttered. “How in the hell can they expect anyone to find the marinade on this aisle?”
I tilted my head and tried to understand the confusing organization of the condiments aisle. Sean was right. The marinades were hidden on the bottom two shelves between gravy and salad dressing.
“Wanna reorganize while I shop the meat department?” I asked with a perfectly straight face.
He whipped his head around to give me an incredulous look. I bit my bottom lip hard to keep from laughing.
“Babe, if you hurt your lip I’m going to have to kiss it better and I don’t know if kissing you in a public place is such a good idea.”
I released my lip as heat rushed to my cheeks. He chuckled at my obvious embarrassment and glanced back down at the marinades.
“Which one do you want for the steaks?”
“Um…mesquite.”
“All right.”
He bent to pick one up and a middle-aged woman walking past glanced at his ass. I just smiled since I sure as hell couldn’t blame her.
“How’s this?”
I quickly turned my attention to the bottle he held up to me. He was still bent over inspecting the choices as I took it from his hand.
“This one is fine. But you better get more than one.”
He grabbed two more and tossed them into the basket. “Okay. Next?”
Twenty minutes later we had checked out and were walking to his pickup truck. He kept one hand on my waist in a show of possession that sped my pulse the entire journey across the parking lot. Anyone could see us. We were three blocks away from our neighborhood in a busy, popular shopping strip. The chances of seeing a neighbor were pretty damn good.
All of that ran through my mind as I walked beside him in silence. He whistled and seemed happier than I’d ever seen him. It was turning out to be a very fine day.
“Are Hank and Elle coming tonight?” he asked as he started the truck.
“Well, I originally invited her and Declan. Actually, I haven’t talked to her in a couple of days. I’ll call her real quick to see what’s going on.”
Sean nodded as I dialed Elle’s number. By the time her voicemail activated we were pulling into my driveway.
“Hmm, she didn’t answer.”
I was starting to get worried. It wasn’t rare to
go a week without talking to her when she took time off work, but usually that was when she was on vacation. I trusted Hank with her…for the most part.
“Well, we’ve got plenty of food if they decide to show up,” Sean said.
I just nodded and helped him take the groceries inside. Once everything was put away I dialed Hank’s number. I got his voicemail too and this time left a message.
“Hey, it’s Megan. I’m getting worried. Please tell Elle to call me or call me yourself so I’ll know everything’s okay.”
I rattled off my number even though I knew he had it and hung up, frowning at the phone. Strong hands landed gently on my shoulders, massaging in the most delicious way.
“Don’t worry, babe. Elle’s a smart girl. If there is a problem she knows how to get away from it long enough to call for help.”
I nodded even though I didn’t fully agree. Elle was a smart girl but often let her emotions get in the way of common sense. I just hoped my initial assessment of Hank was correct. I knew where he lived now. If he hurt her I’d kick his ass…somehow.
Sean released me and set to the task of marinating the steaks. There wasn’t much else to do so early in the day so I just watched him. He finished quickly and placed them in the refrigerator.
“All right. Now, what shall we do for the next few hours?” he asked with a gleam in his eye.
“Hmmm…” I pretended to think it over before whipping off my shirt and throwing it at his head. “If you can catch me, you can have me,” I called over my shoulder as I ran from the room.
I didn’t even make it five feet.
Chapter Six
At five minutes past six o’clock my doorbell rang. I straightened the hem of my dress, pushing Sean’s roaming hands away for the umpteenth time, and sprinted to the door. Relief filled me when I opened it to find Elle and Hank on my front step.
“Elle!”
I threw my arms around her and dragged her into my house, glaring at Hank over her shoulder. I was holding him responsible for not hearing from her, but had to admit she looked a hell of a lot better.
“Oh Meg, I’m so sorry. I know I haven’t called for days—”
“No you haven’t. And I’ve been really worried about you.”