"I didn't mean to sound like I was telling you what to do. I just...I can't stand for a woman to be put in a situation like that."
She looked up at him. "Just so you know, you can't order me around. I gave that up the day I signed my divorce papers."
He frowned. "Now I understand that you might not like me telling you what to do in your life." He slid his hand down to her full ass. "But I take exception to certain areas of your life."
She smiled, her lips curving into a sultry invitation.
"And just where do you think you should be able to boss me around?"
He lifted his hand and slapped her ass. She gasped, the sound filled with excitement and surprise had his blood churning, cock hardening.
"I think you need a lesson in submission."
* * * *
Horror and arousal shot through India's blood. She didn't like dominant men, didn’t like being told what to do and when to do it. What she told Wade was true. She didn't want any person telling her what to do in her personal or professional life. But somewhere deep inside her, she was thrilled at the hot, dark look in his eyes as she untangled herself from his arms.
She took a step back, her heart jerking when he followed. She almost tripped over her chair, then rounded it holding it in front of herself. His lips curved.
"Are you going to make me chase you?"
Her first thought was no way. She didn't get into parlor games when it came to sex. Apparently, since she didn't answer, Wade took that as a yes and lunged for her. With a squeal, she shot off, running around the table and into her living room. There wasn't much room in her small house, but she knew how to get around more readily than Wade. She ran around her coffee table, and he had her cornered by the easy chair. She faked a move to the right. Wade was too fast when she moved to her left. He tackled her, causing both of them to fall over onto the couch.
She laughed as he stretched his length out on top of her. "Woman, you make me chase you even after I've had you."
She frowned. "You didn't chase me."
He laughed, his chest vibrating against her breasts. "You have led me on a merry chase. All those lunches, those long looks. I'm damn proud of myself for behaving as long as I did."
"Why did you?"
He laughed again. "I couldn't seduce someone we just hired. Plus, this was more fun. Now put her hands over your head."
She didn't respond.
"Don't make me take you over my knee. I'll make that ass of yours red."
A hot thrill shot through her, a gush of arousal wetting her sex. Oh, this was bad. He was threatening to punish her, and she was getting off on it. He had really turned her into a nympho. She slowly lifted her arms. With easy movements, he slid the tie from her robe and wrapped it loosely around her wrists.
He offered her one of his naughty smiles as he pulled the robe open. The moment his mouth touched the sensitive skin between her breasts, she melted. The man had one of the most talented mouths.
“I’m definitely going to enjoy this lesson,” he said, his voice rough with desire. She knew it would probably be better for her if she stopped him. India knew there was no chance for the two of them, but as he slipped down her body, using that talented mouth on her flesh, she pushed aside the worry.
His tongue moved over her nipple, first circling the tip, then pulling the entire nipple into his mouth. As he teased one with his mouth, he rolled the other between two of his fingers, then pinched. The bite of pleasure-pain moved through her swiftly, sending a jolt of heat to her blood. She wanted to touch, needed to, but could not get her hands free.
She growled in frustration. Wade shot her a knowing smile but said nothing as he blew on her wet nipple. She shivered. He did not break eye contact as he moved to her other breast and took the turgid tip into his mouth. The air backed up in her lungs as he teased her, his tongue lapping over the nipple, his teeth grazing the very tip.
“Wade.”
He pulled away and frowned up at her. “I think I told you I was in charge.”
She opened her mouth to argue with him, but he placed his hand over her lips.
“Uh, uh, uh.” He tweaked her nipple and she moaned. "I said I was in charge. If you're bad, there will be spanking involved."
A flush of heat warmed her chest, then crawled up into her face.
He laughed. "I think I just found something else you might like, but that will have to wait."
Before she could say anything, he pressed his mouth between her breasts, then moved down her torso. Nips, the flash of tongue, all of it sent her senses into overdrive. He wasn't rushing, he wasn't even being pushy. He methodically moved down her body, teasing, caressing her with his mouth. When he reached her mound, he placed a kiss at the very top of it, then nipped. Desire sparked then shivered over her nerve endings. The next instant, his mouth was on her, his tongue slipping between her dripping folds. Not enough to push her over, just enough to make her tense, edgy, and ready to beg for relief. He pushed one finger into her as he continued his delicious assault, but even that was a tease. He did everything he could to avoid her clit.
She was ready to scream when he slowly pulled her finger out of her pussy, gathering her juices, and then slipped it down to her ass. She instantly tensed, but he ignored her, first teasing the hole, then slowly pushing inside. Instantly, she felt full, the strange feeling a strange mixture of pleasure and pain that had her craving for more.
"Easy, darlin'." His voice was smooth, comforting. "You have to get used to this."
She wanted to ask why, but she couldn't seem to find the words. He placed his mouth on her clit, licking, nipping at it, edging her closer to climax. The exquisite torture drove her out of her mind. If she thought about it, she would be ashamed, enjoying something so forbidden, but at the moment, the amazing sensual haze he was creating didn't allow for that. Excitement had her body racing to the finish, begging for the relief she knew only he could give her. When she thought it wouldn't happen, that she would be tortured forever, he rolled her clit into his mouth, his teeth grazing over it. In the next instant, she fell into a morass of pleasure. All the tension he built exploded.
"Wade!" She thrashed, her body shaking violently from her climax. She wasn't even done before he pulled his finger out then plunged in again, his tongue thrusting between her folds, and she was coming again.
She was still recovering when he moved away from her. She heard him cuss and lazily opened her eyes. He had undone his pants and fumbled with a condom. When she saw his desperate need etched on his facial features, she could only stare in wonder. She caused this. Before she could revel in that, he pulled her up and off the couch, sitting down and then placing her on his lap. She slipped her still tied hands over his head. With little finesse, he lifted her up and plunged into her core.
Her swollen sex gripped him, pulled him deep within in her. Instead of the frenzied movements she expected, he moved slowly. She looked down at him and found him watching her, heat burning in his eyes, his expression so intense, so passionate, tears filled her eyes. Everything she had felt for her ex slipped away, and she lost herself in this man, the one who made her feel special, sexy…needed.
His fingers dug into her flesh as she started to increase the rhythm. When she paid him no heed, he smacked her ass. The sting of his palm sent a shockwave of thrilling heat from that point. She smiled at him, knowing she was pushing him closer, reveling in the power she felt over him.
“India.”
She ignored the warning in his voice and leaned down to brush her mouth over his. The moment she slipped her tongue between his lips, she closed her eyes. The pungent taste of her own arousal danced over her tongue. Arousal built, but this time, it was more acute…almost brutal. Everything he had given her, from friendship to the night before, came rushing back to her. No man had ever made her feel so wanted, so sexy, so craved. Her chest tightened with an emotion she couldn’t seem to interpret…probably would never be able to. But she knew that wasn’t impo
rtant. What was important was his pleasure. She needed to do this more than she needed to breathe.
She pulled away, her vision now blurry with the tears, but she watched him. Her own arousal spiked as she watched his eyes darken. His shout as he came pushed her over the edge, ripping another orgasm from her soul. Waves of ecstasy pummeled her, washed over her, drained her. She collapsed against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
Warmth filled her, surrounded her even when she felt a little crack in her heart. For Wade, this would be enough, but she knew now that she would never get over him. He never promised more, and she would not fault him when he left.
She would just try her best to enjoy the ride. It was the only thing that would make the heartbreak worth it.
Chapter Six
The moment Marc heard the door open, he took a deep breath and released it. Frustration had been his companion the last few hours of a long night, and he didn’t need to take it out on Wade—even if he was the reason for it. Or rather, where Wade had been.
“About time you got home.”
Marc winced at the irritation he heard in his voice. When he looked up, Marc knew from the lazy satisfaction on Wade’s face where his friend had been and with whom. Of course, there had been little doubt he would succeed.
“I told you what I was doing last night. Did you think I was lying?”
Marc shook his head knowing that Wade never changed his mind once it was set. Unfortunately, he worried that Wade would get his heart ripped out in the process. He’d been there with Michelle.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked.
“Right now, I’m going to take a quick shower and get dressed for a wedding.”
Marc’s heart jerked, and he felt his face drain of blood.
Wade chuckled. “Oh, man, you should see your face.”
Anger and frustration had Marc on his feet and moving toward Wade. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Calm down. I’m not making a trip to Vegas, yet.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “India’s catering a wedding reception. I’m tagging along.”
“So you’re going through with this?”
“We are, as soon as you pull your head out of your ass. And besides, I don’t want to leave her alone. Her ex showed up this morning. She apparently has a restraining order against him.”
Everything in Marc stilled, the cold fury whipped through him. “What did he do?”
“Nothing, except break into her house before. That’s why she had the restraining order. She stood up to him and man, oh man, don’t ever make her mad. She lit into him pretty bad.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Pretty damned sexy when she’s mad—especially since she was only wearing a red silk robe.”
Wade closed his eyes and hummed. Marc curled his fingers into the palms of his hands to keep from strangling him.
“Focus, Wade. What happened with the ex?”
Wade opened his eyes, and now they were dark with rage. “Bastard was trying to get her back with roses. Do you know that he cheated on her…with her cousin?”
Marc suspected it from a few things she said. “Did he threaten her?”
Wade shook his head. “But I could read it. I felt it down to my bones he wanted to hurt her.”
Marc didn’t question that. Wade had seen the worst part of life in the foster homes he’d grown up in. Before being tossed into the system, Wade’s home life had been just as bad. His own father had been an angry, bitter man who took all of his frustrations out on his wife. Wade had suffered at that bastard’s hands. His friend knew exactly what it felt like to be abused by a person who should be there to love and protect him.
“Did you set him straight?”
Wade sneered. “Yeah. Bastard probably pissed in his pants.”
“How did India take it?”
Wade’s expression softened. “At first, she was a bit upset. The man actually had the nerve to say she was a dead fish in bed. Like she could be. That woman is a firecracker, let me tell you.”
Just hearing the satisfaction in Wade’s voice had Marc’s blood humming. Jesus, he needed to get laid. He had a few ladies toss out some signals at their party, but he hadn’t been tempted, even just to release his pent up need. None of them had been India.
“Do you have the guy’s name?”
Wade nodded. “Johnny Anderson.”
“I’ll look him up. I’m sure I can bend a few arms and get the police report.”
“Police reports. India keeps reporting every interaction.”
Impotent rage flashed through his blood. “Those are useless.”
“That’s why I plan on staying as close as possible.”
He headed off to his room leaving Marc alone with his thoughts. Goddamn him. If Wade hadn’t touched her, Marc would be okay. Oh, he’d still lust after her, but he could keep it at bay. Now that Wade had been with her…
Marc closed his eyes. He could just imagine how she responded. The few times they talked in the last few weeks told Marc that she was sweet and sensual. The type of woman who had no idea she was sexy as hell. Being the person who showed her just how sensual she was would be a dream come true. He opened his eyes and looked out over the Riverwalk. He turned the idea over in his mind.
Since Michelle, he hadn’t wanted to even think about trying another serious relationship. When she made him choose between her and Wade, Marc walked away. Definitely not with his heart whole. But he had known that if Michelle understood him and truly loved him, she would have never asked for that. He’d been shattered.
With India…she had such a giving nature, a personality that told him she would be more than happy to nurture a man. That was one of the reasons he knew Wade was attracted to her. Hell, it was one the reasons he was attracted, also. Who wouldn’t want a woman who was like that? Wade and Marc hadn’t lived a cushy life while in the Marines, and having someone there to comfort he could count on was more than he had hoped for.
Marc shook his head. He wanted India, knew that it would be damned near impossible not to get involved with her. But he had to at least try. He couldn’t go through the pain again. Michelle might have been a grade-A bitch, but she had also done him a favor. There could be no forever in a relationship with three people.
* * * *
India sighed as she parked in front of her house. It had been one long day. From Johnny showing up, to dealing with a bride from hell—who also had the mother from hell—it hadn’t been easy. Her feet and back ached. She just wanted to collapse in bed and not wake up for a week.
A bright light filled her car. She glanced up in her mirror and couldn’t help but smile. Wade followed her home again, worried Johnny would show up. No matter how many times she told him not to bother, Wade refused to listen. It went against her feminist side, the one that wanted to stand on her own, but she had to admit she felt a little safer with Wade around.
She gathered her purse and stepped out of her car. Before she could straighten and shut the door, Wade was there beside her.
“Who was that scary lady you were talking to?” Wade asked, taking her key and locking her car door for her.
She laughed because that described Marilyn Graves to a T. “Mother of the bride. I’ll screen my calls for them again. The money just isn’t worth it.”
“What was she so mad about?”
India opened her mouth to explain but stopped when she noticed her front window had been shattered. Her lace curtains blew through the jagged, broken glass. An icy shiver slipped down her spine.
“What’s the matter?”
She nodded to her porch. “The window.”
Wade frowned and moved closer to the house. When he cursed, she knew he’d finally seen it. He wrapped his hand around her upper arm and walked her to his pickup.
“Get in.”
The low, deep growl sent a quiver to her tummy. It was so unlike the Wade she knew. Easygoing Wade, even seductive Wade, never used that tone.
Once she was seated, he said, “Call 911. Then call Marc on his cell.”
“I don’t have Marc’s cell number,” she said as she called the police.
“Never mind, I’ll call him. Just get the police here, now.”
He opened the glove box and pulled out a gun. Another slice of fear shifted through her. Before she could say anything, he slammed the door shut. As she gave operator details, Wade stalked up to her house, his every move controlled. He stepped up onto the porch, and even from a distance, she knew if anyone were in the house, they did not hear him.
Wade slipped into through the front door. Her breath caught in her throat as time suspended. Her pulse hammered out of control until Wade came out and strode down the walk toward her. He pulled out his phone, and she assumed he was calling Marc.
He turned his back to her. With the window up, she could only hear a few words. From the rigid set of his shoulders, she could tell he was still on alert. When he turned back around, his grim features told her she hadn't seen the worst of it.
She opened the door, but he stepped forward and refused to let her out of the pickup. Even as she felt anger pouring off him in waves, his touch was gentle.
"No, it's best that we wait here."
She frowned. "But you went in."
"I wanted to make sure the bastard had left. Better we don't touch anything inside." His voice held no warmth and she shivered.
"Did they take anything?" She had renters insurance, but she truly didn't want to replace things. It would take her forever to deal with insurance.
"Not that I can tell."
His cold manner was as it should be. She understood security was his profession, but she didn’t care. She didn’t want half answers and cold behavior. Dammit, she needed reassurances and hugs.
Lord, now she sounded like some little girl. She couldn’t help it. The idea that someone had broken into her house and messed with her things sent a shard of ice threading through her blood. Johnny hadn’t broken in last time. He just had the landlord let him in. Her new landlord wouldn’t allow for it.
Conquering India Page 7