by Diane Saxon
“I am?” Conscious of the slight warble in her voice, she tugged at her hand again, but there was still no give. She swallowed and waited.
“Like you didn’t know it.” He smiled, wide and wolfish as he moved in closer, blocking her body with his. He released her hand and raised his to cup the side of her head, his fingers threading through her hair. “You’re my problem…” he repeated, his voice husky and low. “Because I can’t get you out of my mind. Since yesterday, my body doesn’t seem to be able to forget you, either.”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. He lowered his head and placed tender kisses across her cheek until he reached the shell of her ear. The tip of his hot tongue followed the line of it, gently dipped in and sent her pulse skittering, and a pool of warmth gathered in the pit of her stomach.
“You gave me such a hard-on…” Shocked, her head snapped back, but his hand, covering it, stopped her from moving far. She pulled a deep breath in, but there was nowhere else to go as he slid his hand to the back of her neck and massaged her muscles, making them weak and malleable. Shivers of anticipation danced down her spine. “I walked real strange for the rest of the day.” He brushed his warm lips down her throat and back up to her ear again as though he couldn’t get enough of that particular morsel, his low murmurs designed to tempt. “I had to tell everyone I’d caught myself in the harness when I dropped off the tower.”
He ran his tongue along the outer rim of her ear, down to the lobe, and nipped gently. Her stomach spasmed in response, liquid heat spreading rapidly. Her hands automatically reached out and held onto the sides of his waist to steady herself. “’Course no one believed me…” he whispered, his voice a slow seduction, “’cos my dick was poking out the front of my pants half the day.” She gulped at his crudity, knew she should pull back, but as his teeth nibbled their way delicately along her jawline, her will deserted her.
Her head told her he was deliberately trying to shock her and she should push him away, but her knees had turned to water and she thought it was probably a good idea she was pressed against the car so she didn’t simply slide to the ground at his feet.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Brain still struggling for control, she felt the need to protest.
“Nor me. Let’s have sex.”
She raised her hand to push against his chest, but he caught it in his own larger one, pulled her tight so her body was plastered against his; every curve, every dip fit against him. A low moan rumbled through his chest.
He touched a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth.
“You know, I realized yesterday we still have it. The attraction. The passion.” He adjusted her fit, pressed his heat against her stomach, and skimmed his mouth over hers. He captured her lips with his own gentle, persuasive ones. Her heart skipped a beat and then thundered in hot pursuit of her pulse. “We used to be good together.” He dipped and teased, making her mouth chase his, and then just as she thought he was about to retreat again, he dived back in and took her lips with a passion that sucked the breath out of her leaving her weak and limp.
In the blink of an eye, he went from slow and persuasive to red-hot. His arms encircled her, molding her curves to fit tight against him, lifting her up so her feet dangled above the ground, and his hard length nestled against her softness. In self-defense, she raised her own arms and wrapped them around his wide neck, her fingers stroking the warm skin there, feeling every muscle, every sinew.
Lost in him, she allowed him free rein, and as he pinned her body against the vehicle with his, he freed his hands and let them roam. She tipped her head back, vaguely aware the purring sound she could hear had come from her own throat. She gave up on any idea of control as he slipped his warm hand down her bra, held her breast in his palm, and squeezed.
White-hot lust shot through her veins straight to her womb, making her sob with desperation as she returned his kisses tenfold, squirming in his arms to get closer, writhing her hips sinuously against his so she could feel his hot, hard erection as it pushed into her welcoming flesh. Desperate, she tangled her hands in his short, raven hair and hauled him in tight, moaning his name as his mouth left hers to blaze a trail down her throat. His warm breath heated her skin, and his fingers worked magic on her breast.
“Let me fuck you, baby.”
And just like that, reality slapped her in the face and returned her to normal. For the second time in two days she’d almost given in. To her love and his lust.
It took him a moment longer to catch up and realize she held herself stiff and unresponsive, but when she said his name, cold and clear, he raised his head. His confused gaze met hers, and he gently lowered her to the ground.
She stared into the black depths of his eyes and clenched her jaw to stop herself from screaming with anger and frustration.
“What happened?”
She stepped past him, smoothed her clothes down, and tugged her bra back into place.
“You called me baby.”
“I call everyone baby.”
Her head snapped up, and she allowed herself a tight smile. Just as she’d thought.
“Precisely. Next time you want to fuck someone, Mac, at least have the decency to remember their name.”
Chapter 5
Jesus Christ, the woman was impossible. She wanted him. She definitely wanted him. Almost as much as he wanted her.
Irritated, Mac stomped around. The redhead was driving him insane. Every time he caught sight of her, he wanted to throw her over his shoulder or drag her by her thick, lush red hair into a darkened room and fuck her brains out until she couldn’t think past pleasing him. And her. He desperately wanted to please her. It wouldn’t take much, either; she was as ready to explode as he was. She just kept slamming on those brakes, though.
He scrubbed his hands over his face and groaned with frustration as he slumped into his deck chair. He’d almost had her twice now, and twice she’d turned cold and frigid on him within an instant, but just before she had, she’d nearly fried him with her response.
He was between a rock and a hard place. She drove him crazy. He didn’t want to want her, but he did.
Worse than wanting her, he was starting to really like her kid. The three times he’d been over recently, Zoe had deliberately made herself scarce. He knew it was deliberate because Emory was also a vet; he could just have easily gone out on an emergency or worked her shift. But no, each time he’d arrived, Emory had been there and she’d been absent. He knew the ultimatum had been his, but now he needed things to change. He needed Zoe there.
He had no objection to her father; the guy was great. Quiet, intelligent, and unassuming. He let the kid get on with things without interfering too much.
They’d been out in the boat with the dogs, although the weight of them all together had almost sunk it.
He chuckled as he distracted himself with the thought of his agent and insurers. They’d have had a heart attack if they thought he was floating around in a tiny little rowboat with a kid, a granddad, and their two mutts, Coke and Ice. Mind, Emory had insisted they wear life vests. His hadn’t fit, so Emory had used a dog’s lead to extend the straps. Now that would make a fine insurance claim.
He glanced up at the sky. It was going to be another warm day. Nothing like an English summer’s day. He didn’t mind having to get up at six in the morning when the dewy mists snaked low over the land, following the line of the River Severn. By midmorning the mist would have burned off.
They had a long day ahead of them. Another complex stunt.
Makeup would be with him soon. They’d want to plaster oil on his chest again. He hated the sticky feel of it and couldn’t wait to wash it off.
He smiled to himself, admitted to the egotistical thrill of knowing it made his skin look good as it glowed bronze in the golden English sunlight. And Zoe hadn’t been able to keep her hot green eyes off him when she watched them slick it all over him. Her voice might be saying no, but her eyes couldn’t lie.
The pleasure he’d had smearing it all over her when he’d grabbed her had made him think it wasn’t such a bad thing. It smelled real good, but he bet his sweet life she hadn’t been able to get it out of the crisp white cotton shirt she’d had pressed against him.
Diverted, he leaned back and thought of the patches of soot she’d had splattered across her breasts after he’d rubbed against her and wondered how she’d explained it to her dad.
Makeup needed to try to get the dirt in the same place as they had when he did the cooling tower stunt for the sake of continuity. It always took longer. Perhaps he should ask Zoe for her shirt to use as a mapping tool.
He narrowed his eyes as he watched a heron fly overhead, lazy and elegant. He’d noticed it flying in the opposite direction the last two evenings as the sun started to lower. His gaze followed it now as it made its way across the pale, clear blue sky, skimming low over the fields, dipping through the mists and down toward the River Severn.
Distracted by the sight of two kids and a couple of dogs running across the same field headed for the compound, Mac glanced at his watch. It was barely six thirty now, and somebody’s kids had sneaked out in the chill of the dawn without them noticing. He smiled wryly as he watched them get closer to the ground the nearer they came.
Amused, he watched as the dogs automatically followed suit and all four of them lay low, crawling along on their bellies. It was like the kids had been watching too many commando movies. Or too many of his movies. He straightened to take a closer look as the boys took to their feet again, weaving their way toward the fence line. One tall, gangly, dark-haired boy; the other short, blond.
Mac shot out of his chair, slapping his bare feet to the ground as he recognized the kid. He squinted as his breath caught in the back of his throat. Well, shit. The boy was going to be in trouble when Zoe found he’d sneaked out of the house before she was even out of bed. As he watched them shimmy under the strands of barbed wire, he rolled his eyes and wondered if anyone would spot them.
A movement to his left caught his attention. He smiled and relaxed as Flynn casually stepped from behind one of the trailers, straight into the path of the four culprits. Who the hell needed security? They hadn’t even noticed the two boys before Flynn was already on them. The guy had built-in radar.
Mac strained to hear what was being said, but they were too far away. Even in the quiet of the morning, he could only hear the murmur of Flynn’s deep voice, but he saw him glance up at his trailer as Ryan’s arms gesticulated. Reluctant to encourage the boys, Mac hesitated for a moment.
What the hell. The kid had brought a friend to visit. Unexpectedly pleased, he grinned stupidly and waved them over. It wasn’t his fault after all if they’d disappeared. He was going to make Zoe suffer. She’d have to come out and fetch them both, face him and admit to being a bad mother. It was going to burn her ass—again.
Thinking of her ass, his heart stuttered a little as he wondered if he’d get the chance to put his hands on it anytime soon. After all, she had an ass well worth putting his hands on. In fact, her entire body deserved the best attention he could give it.
Both times he’d managed to get hold of her, he’d realized there was nothing false about Zoe, unlike most of the women he spent his time with. They had breast implants, butt implants, ribs removed, false eyelashes, and Botox injections. The list went on and he was getting tired of it.
But…Zoe. Everything about Zoe was natural. From her wild red hair to her short, neat fingernails and her full, firm breasts.
Disgusted, he blew out a breath and tried to think of something else, but his mind kept circling around to the comparisons. The main reason most of the starlets wanted to be with him was because of his reputation. They wanted a foothold on the ladder to fame. Most of them didn’t even care about his great body. He worked real hard to get it, and harder to keep it, but most of the little cuties didn’t even want him to squeeze their breasts in case he damaged them with his oversize hands.
He shifted uncomfortably. He wanted to have sex. Real sex. With a real woman. Down and dirty, with someone who could take it, someone who would want it as much as he did. And once again his thoughts circled around to her. A good, robust workout with Zoe the vet would do him a world of good.
“Wipe that look off your face; I have two minors here who do not need to be corrupted any further. I just caught them breaking in.” Flynn tugged the two wide-eyed boys closer and then stepped back to give an evil, lopsided grin.
“I hope you’re going to give them what they deserve, Mr. Blunt.”
Mac sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the boys as they stared back at him. The little blond looked terrified; round, blue eyes wide. Ryan stood, hip shot forward, fists clenched down by his sides, chin up. Yeah, he recognized the look; it was definitely hereditary.
Narrowing his eyes, angling his head, Mac gave them his renowned long, hard, Cormack Blunt stare, held it long enough for the blond to look as though he was going to pee himself and for Ryan to fidget uncertainly. Yeah, that should do it.
“I guess you’re hungry. It must have taken you some time to get here. Take a load off and pull up a chair.” His mouth twitched as the two boys glanced at each other furtively and then grabbed a deck chair each and sat, backs straight, hands on knees.
Flynn pulled out his phone and ordered food. He waggled the phone at Mac. “You might want to call Ryan’s mother and let her know where they are.”
Mac pulled out his own phone with a heavy sigh and dialed Zoe’s number. They were all going to be in the shit, whichever way you looked at it.
“I was staying with Jason. He’s my best friend.” Ryan nodded at the little blond. “We were camping out in the garden. His mum won’t know yet, we could just sneak back in. It’s not far, not as far as my place.” His voice wheedled. “Mum doesn’t need to know.”
“Mac? What don’t I need to know?”
“Too late, bud. Mama’s on the line. You want to talk to her?” Mac offered the phone to the kid and watched his eyes almost bug out of his head; his mouth went slack and his head shook from side to side. Laughter rumbled up inside Mac’s chest. Not so brave once he was faced with the wrath of his mother.
“Zoe, the kid’s here with his best friend.”
“What? Why are they there? You have no right—”
“Zoe.” No way was he taking the blame. “They walked here, by themselves. Well, they’ve got Coke and Ice with them too.”
“You’re kidding. They’re ten years old! It’s probably a good mile. Oh my God, anything could have happened—I’m on my way. Just wait till I get there!”
The phone went dead.
“You’re in a shitload of trouble, kid.”
The boys stared at him, and he couldn’t stop his lips from twitching.
“Bollocks,” Ryan said, and made him laugh.
*
She held the steering wheel a little tighter to disguise the tremor in her hands. Anything could have happened to the boys. Six thirty on a Saturday morning, she could picture them both running across the fields. At least they’d had the dogs with them, but she shuddered to think.
Jason’s mother had been mortified. Not so mortified she hadn’t offered to go and get them. Zoe had to smile to herself. No, Jason’s mother had offered to race to the boys’ rescue. She was the only one, so far, to believe Ryan about his father, and she was more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if it meant meeting Cormack Blunt. Zoe had declined, said she was already dressed and on her way. Then she’d thrown on some clothes, smoothed her rampant hair, and slipped out the door without waking her father.
Security waved her through the compound gates, and as she approached Mac’s trailer toward the far end of the compound, she spotted them all and had the overwhelming urge to run at least two of them over. The fully grown two—she hesitated to class them as adults—who stood next to a table laden with sugar-filled doughnuts, pastries and cans of cola.
“Mum, Mum, Flynn said he’ll teach me how to rappel down the side of a building.” Ryan’s mouth was filled to overflowing so he could hardly get the words out past the food.
Lifting one eyebrow, she turned her head slowly in Flynn’s direction and pinned him with a mother’s eye.
“Oh, did he?”
She almost spoiled it by laughing as the fully grown stuntman rubbed his hands nervously on the backside of his jeans and stepped away from her at the same time as he sucked air in through his teeth.
“Only if your mother says so, kid.”
“So.” Casting her eyes around to include all four males, she crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. The dogs hit the floor instantly and lay with their heads on their paws. “We think it’s a good idea to reward our children for breaking rules and running away from home, do we?”
Flynn took another couple of steps back until she turned her gaze upon him once more.
“Oh, you stay right where you are, young man.” He jerked upright and stared back at her as she pointed in his direction. She wasn’t quite sure of his age, but he did look young, with his bright blue eyes and damaged face.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Mac.”
“Ma’am.” His mouth twitched and his black eyes glittered dangerously. She realized she might have a little more trouble with this one. Flynn seemed unwilling to take her on, but she thought Mac would have no such hesitation. Perhaps a change of tactics was called for.
“As Ryan’s father.” She watched Mac gulp as he narrowed his eyes at her. Burgeoning warmth spread through her chest. “What kind of punishment do you think befits the crime?” His eyes went wide and darted wildly between the two boys, Flynn, and then back to her. His huge shoulders shrugged. Not so brave when tasked with taking on the role of an adult.
“I dunno.”
She closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and prayed for strength as irritation chased away the warmth, and she reminded herself never to leave her son alone with his father because she wasn’t sure which one was the bigger kid.