Caged

by Diana DeRicci

  Clawing at her front with a lighter touch, he sank lower, tracing her spine with his tongue, giving her sensations on both sides of her body at once. Her moans were growing louder, sharper.

  Kneeling behind her, he bit at the firm shape of her ass, massaging both globes within his hands. “Are you turned on, baby?” She whimpered her reply. Rhys grinned, sliding a hand toward her pussy from behind. His heart jumped, beating against his ribs with a pounding pace when he found her to be soaked and trembling. All he wanted to do was dive between those two milky thighs and feast. Sliding back and forth with an open palm, moisture coated his skin. “God, that’s…perfect.” He had to swallow through the roughness as his own needs hit a new spike.

  He stood, circled, and stopped to face her. Mira’s eyes were half closed, glittering with hunger and need. A red flush colored her entire body. Standing before her, he repeated the sensual attack on her front that he’d delivered to her back, wrapping his hands around her arms to stroke her. Sensation to keep her wanting. Caresses to make her hungry.

  Her lips opened for his instantly when he leaned closer. Her kisses were hungry, seeking. Mira whimpered when he pulled away. “Patience.”

  Then he dipped and suckled. Sweet as candy, she pushed her breasts into him, demanding. Her little moans were growing in volume. Cupping her other breast, he tweaked taut flesh, eliciting more shivers and breathy moans of pleasure.

  He knew his eyes crossed when he slipped his hand between her thighs and she rubbed into his palm with her own desire. He’d never seen her this turned on. Tremors and shivers rocked her body as he glided up and down her inner thighs, sucking and tugging at her nipples at the same pace. Her cream coated her plumped labia and she bucked when he absently stroked her slit with a finger.

  She moaned his name, gasping. She thrust her pelvis toward him. He stopped everything.

  “Rhys!”

  A fire of need blazed in her eyes now, staring right at him.

  “What?”

  “More!”

  “More what?” he asked her. “More tongue on your hot skin?” He leaned forward and licked just above the flesh of her breast. Her moan was breathless. “More of my fingers caressing you?” Sliding between her thighs again, he languorously moved his fingers up and down her inner thigh, teasing, bringing her right back to the edge. She shook from her shoulders down, like ice water was dripping down her back, one drop at a time.

  Bringing his fingers to his mouth, he purposely sucked each one. Making her watch his enjoyment.

  “Tell me,” he whispered, brushing his lips to hers. “I love it when you talk a little dirty.” He twirled a fake moustache and she coughed a giggle.

  She began to let a palm unwrap from the bar and he whipped up and pinched her nipple. “Nu uh. I said not until I said so.”

  She squealed, then resumed her stance with a pout.

  “I need to come, Rhys.”

  “Really? How badly?” he challenged her. She twisted in place, offering herself. He met her blue gaze. “Maybe I should see how close you are.”

  “Yes!” Still damp, her hair swayed over her shoulders with her adamancy.

  Running his hand down her stomach, he splayed his fingers, delving into the fine hair covering her. “I need to see if you’ve overheated,” he purred seductively. “I always fine tune an engine.”

  Very tantalizingly, he snaked his fingers downward, then curled them as he reached his goal. His eyes never lost hers, watching as sensation turned to pleasure, which turned to bliss as he breached the slicked folds of her pussy.

  “Mm, very hot.”

  Her lips parted with increased pants the deeper he pressed his fingers, swirling them within her hot sheath. She bucked and ground into his invasion, climbing the cliff.

  “I think you’ve waited long enough.” She growled in growing frustration when he removed his touch, her eyes snapping wide with more than desire. A promise of retribution.

  Stepping away, he dragged his press bench near until it rested between her splayed legs. “I have to get under you to check everything.”

  “Rhys!”

  He shook his head, taunting her further. “That does sound like a lot of pressure.”

  On his back, he let his legs relax and felt cool air hit his sac. Until that moment, he’d been able to ignore his own state of arousal for the fun and pleasure he was sharing with Mira. Apparently, he’d been ignoring that part of himself for too long now.

  His cock jumped, pulsing as air swirled over his groin, creating a tightening that jolted a fire of need up his spine. Focusing upward, he pushed it out of his mind. Not just yet.

  At a perfect angle, he latched onto the swollen edges of her cunt and sucked. Hard.

  She screamed, then buried her mouth against an arm to stifle the sound. Time for talking was over.

  Hot cream filled his mouth. He licked and sucked as her body vibrated, her orgasm rushing toward him. Using her juice as lubricant, he circled the tight rosebud of her ass with a thumb. Teasing her, he thrust into her pussy with two fingers, licking at flushed skin to nip at her clit between his lips. Her gasps deepened and filled the room as he sucked on the hard pearl of nerves.

  Rhys didn’t slow down, wanting her to come hard, craving her taste. He wanted her to feel that bone-melting rush. The pure explosion of ecstasy when she hit her orgasm and soared over the edge of the cliff.

  It didn’t take her long, already pushed twice to the limit. Her entire body whipped tight and her pussy convulsed around his thrusting fingers. Quakes of pleasure faded into light spasms as her body fell slack, her grip the only thing keeping her standing.

  Lapping at her juice made her cry, her hungry mewls filling the room. Carefully sliding down the bench, he hopped off and with his hands on her waist, told her to let go.

  She almost stumbled into him, she was so weak.

  Rhys brought her to the end of the bench. “Kneel.” She sank down, still gasping for air. With commanding gentleness and a hand on her shoulder, he bent her forward, letting her support herself on the padded leather seat.

  Fitting behind her, he gripped her ass. A hard rushed gasp was her answer to his strength. Holding her steady, he pulled her toward him, the sweet curve of her ass and the dripping heat of her pussy exposed for him. He licked his lips. Lust and desire burned through his veins. Little tremors still moved over her body, like fading wakes on a lake.

  Aching and tight, his cock filled her, his blood surging with the tempo of his thudding heart. A groan erupted from him at the same time a mewl of desire slipped from her. He knew he was going to combust into a ball of flame. She felt so good, so hot, tight and grasping around his flesh. Stroking in, he pulled out with the same slow pace.

  “Rhys,” she whimpered. Her fingers dug into the leather, her need so close to the surface, he felt it on every inch of his skin. Then, without warning, her sheath tightened down on him, capturing him at the same time she let out a growled groan, something like a roar, but in her voice, and he lost his one thread of control.

  Digging his fingers into her hips, he reared back and slammed into her body. Over and over, he pounded into her pussy. Muscles in his neck and shoulders stood out as he strained, wanting to be deep inside her, wanting to touch her soul. His own orgasm poised, only seconds from tearing through him.

  Then a shudder, and another rocked her frame, driving her back into him. Heated dampness covered him. With her head tossed back, her body undulating in release, Rhys let go, grinding into her softness as the lava flow poured free.

  Lights and dots hit his vision as the throb of his orgasm filled his penis. Bursting through him, everything stopped except for the sheer bliss of her wrapped like a fist around him, milking him on the last gasps of her own release.

  Managing to not collapse over her, sucking in air, he pressed a cheek to her warmed back, her harsh breathing rasping beneath him as feverishly as his own. Slowly, the world righted. Sunlight bled through his closed eyelids. The feel of the
carpet beneath him and the angle they rested at registered.

  With tender motions, he slipped away from her, urging her to straighten and lean into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, in no hurry to break the contact between them.

  Several minutes later, he was able to convince himself to limply make their way to the bed across the hall, where they both tumbled, tucked in each other’s arms, falling instantly into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Six

  “Two double patty burgers, both with bacon, one with no salad, one with no onions.” The waitress plopped the plates on the table. “One side of fries for you.” Those landed in front of Rhys with a small flourish. “And a side of ribs for the spaces in between.” She smiled now that her hands were empty. “Anything else for you two?”

  “Nope. We’re good.”

  “Great! Let me know if you need anything.” Then their waitress vanished into the kitchen for her next order. Mira eyed her burger, the sounds of the busy family restaurant rolling around her, ignored.

  “Go ahead,” he told her, gentle laughter in his voice. “You don’t have to wait to pounce on it.”

  “I was trying to be polite,” she snapped, then blushed. “Sorry. Hungry.”

  He just smiled and palmed his burger to take a huge bite. “Me too,” he mumbled a few moments later.

  She had inhaled half of hers before she looked up again. Heat suffused her cheeks. “I didn’t eat lunch.”

  He shook his head, an expression of ‘not me’ peering back at her. “Not saying anything.” She finished the burger then began on the ribs as he munched on the heaping plate of French fries.

  “Cheese next time,” Rhys murmured, popping another one between his lips to chew. “Definitely needs cheese.”

  Wiping her fingers on the provided wet-nap, she pushed her plates away. “I think I know how we can catch him.”

  Rhys’s hand paused halfway between his plate and his goal. A frown cut into his eyebrows. “Why do I feel like I’m not going to like this idea?”

  She picked at the table, pushing her silverware around, not wanting to look at him. “Because you’re not.”

  “I knew I shouldn’t have told you what Robbie found out,” he muttered, scowling at her.

  “Look, Rhys. You said it yourself. You don’t want this guy to control what we do. The only way to make sure that doesn’t happen is to bust him in the act.”

  “No!” Sparks rose in his brown eyes. “I will not risk you like that. Not again.” He leaned close and lowered his voice. “I died when I thought I’d lost you. Seeing you in that cage…” He swallowed and glanced away.

  “Rhys,” she whispered gently, placing a hand over his clenched fist. She could lose herself in his swirling eyes, felt the flow and ebb of his pain of that memory in the tension beneath her palm. “I know.”

  “Rhys. Hey buddy.”

  Mira jerked up, her gaze ripped from one set of brown eyes to a pair of pale green.

  “Robbie. Speak of the devil.”

  Robbie held up his hands. “Whoa! I haven’t applied for that job in Hell yet.” He grinned at Rhys. “I saw your pick-up outside, and since I’m not on the clock…” He let it trail off with a mischievous smile.

  “The law decided to harass me.”

  “Yep.”

  Though Mira could tell there was no animosity in the by-play, his presence still made her nervous. She wasn’t sure why either. He wasn’t there in uniform, but he still set her on edge.

  “Introductions, man. You’re losing your touch.” Robbie winked, nodding toward Mira.

  “Sorry. Robert Haskell, Mira Vickers. And she’s totally spoken for,” he warned, with a slight edge.

  Robbie held up a flat, conciliatory palm. “Noted.” Offering his hand, he said, “Nice to meet you.”

  She cleared her throat, letting him take her hand. “Thank you. You too.”

  “Here. Sit a minute.”

  “I have a couple.” Rhys slid over and let Robbie join him.

  With a lowered voice, he spoke to Robbie. “Tell her she is out of her mind.”

  Robbie’s eyes shot wide. “You’re kidding, right? Why would I want her to hate me?” Then Robbie chuckled and grinned. “Oh, so she never wants to date me. Dude, this is not high school.”

  “No.” Rhys dragged a hand down his face. In quiet murmurs, he spoke to Robbie. A hand flicked in her direction at some point, making her frown at the both of them. Mira tried to listen but the packed restaurant was louder than they were.

  Robbie’s eyes widened and he blew a breath through his teeth. “Okay. Yes, you are out of your mind.”

  “Thank you.” Rhys gave her a smug grin.

  “But…”

  “But?” Rhys pivoted, appearing ready to strangle his friend.

  Robbie hunched in and lowered his voice. “Look, the guy you called me about? When all that information came back bogus, I did another search. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this.” Robbie seemed ready to shut up indefinitely, glancing around to see who was close.

  “What?” Rhys asked, though Mira was as ready to know. She leaned in on her elbows.

  “I had to turn it in to the Chief. There’s a possibility he’s the same man wanted in New England and Canada for large animal poaching.”

  “That guy, Seth?” Mira asked, speaking to Robbie.

  He nodded. “His name isn’t Seth. That much I know for sure. The lumber yard came back under another name, confirmed. The property in the Catskills hasn’t changed hands in twelve years.” He glanced between herself and Rhys.

  “Then why is he acting all chummy with my mom, lying to her about the cabin?”

  “Because if it is him, he’s likely camping up there, bagging mountain lion and whatever else happens to fall across his path.” Motioning toward Rhys, he added, “You’re the only one he seems to be concerned with, and is probably wanting to know when you’ll be around to avoid you.”

  Or to know exactly when we’ll be there to catch a tiger. Mira forced a calmness she had to dig deep to find.

  Rhys lifted his face to search her. She knew that look, but it didn’t make her want to change her mind.

  “That’s just it. He does want to know when we’re around,” he muttered.

  Robbie swiveled, casting a look at them both. “What’s going on? You two know you can’t go up there and try to catch him yourselves if he is poaching.” His eyes locked on Mira. “I do agree with him. You can’t put yourself in danger like that Mira.” His warning seemed a little stronger than a just met acquaintance might have offered, but Rhys cut him off.

  “Who said anything about it being her?” Rhys asked, bristling at the tone. She hadn’t imagined Robbie’s warning.

  “Well, you said it was her idea,” Robbie interjected.

  “It is my idea.” Mira narrowed her eyes at the both of them. “I also know it will work.”

  “Mira.” She heard the caution in Rhys’s voice. She glared back. It wasn’t as though she were about to go into detail. There. In a room full of people.

  “Hey,” Robbie said, cutting through the tension cleanly, his attention on her. He softened his voice. “It’s okay. I know what you are.”

  “What?” Mira squeaked, blanching.

  “Shut up, Robert.” Rhys leaned close. “Not here.”

  Green eyes sparked then calmed. “Fine. Let’s go to your place.”

  Rhys paid the check, and Robbie followed behind the truck in his own personal car. Mira kept glancing at the mirror on the door, hoping the black muscle car behind theirs would turn or disappear. Her luck wasn’t going in that direction.

  “What did he mean?” She had to swallow to hide the tremor of fear. Had she been discovered? How had he known? Was he one, a Felid? Could it be possible? She had her doubts. There just weren’t enough of them left to find another one so randomly.

  “I don’t know baby, but whatever it is, we’ll take care of it.” He reached across the seat and scooped up her hand, covering i
t on his thigh. Twisting the key to shut off the motor, he ran a hand through his hair. Robbie parked at the curb.

  They waited for him, then all three entered the townhouse. Rhys turned and locked the door.

  A deep breath rocked his shoulders. “Robbie, I’ve known you forever, but you can’t fuck with me like this.” Stress became buried under a frisson of fear, his eyes locked on the other man in the room. “Do you know?”

  “That she’s a Felid? Yep.”

  Rhys stood with his jaw swinging loose, stunned into silence.