by Anny Cook
“Coward!” Zip hollered.
“You bet!” He slammed the door shut and put his window down. “I may be younger than you but I’m no fool!”
Quill just shook his head and turned the vehicle around to head back down the narrow lane. “If she finds out about Louella, your life won’t be worth a plugged nickel, brother.”
Tate frowned in the dim light from the dash. “What makes you think it’s worth anything now? Without Louella, life’s pretty grim.”
“Maybe she’ll change her mind.”
“I doubt it. Her ideas were pretty firm about shifters. And she was pretty upset when those guys locked us in that burning shed and then I still didn’t find her cousin Andrea. Nah, she won’t change her mind.”
“But what if she suddenly shows up here?” Quill persisted as they bumped up the lane to Jericho Hollow.
Tate was silent for a few minutes before finally answering, “From Oklahoma? I’ll marry her quickly before she has time for another about-face.”
“That’s what I thought.” Satisfaction oozed in Quill’s voice. “That’s the way I feel too. If I ever get my hands on Unity again, I’m not letting go.”
“You reckon Seb is serious?”
“As a heart attack. That boy’s been panting after Zipporah for over a year. I wouldn’t let him within fifty miles of her otherwise.” Quill flashed a stern glance at Tate. “Just because she’s grown up doesn’t mean that we don’t keep an eye on her. She’s our sister no matter how old she is.”
“I know that, Quill.”
“Well then. You know that Seb will no doubt be your brother-in-law as soon as he can get her to the preacher.”
Chapter Five
Seb and Zipporah were eating dinner when Seb’s temporary cell phone rang. He hotfooted across the room to the hook where his coat was hanging and dug the phone from the pocket, flipping it open to see who was calling. “Harry. Huh. Hello?”
“Seb!” Harry’s voice boomed so loudly Seb had to hold the phone away from his ear.
“What’s going on?”
“We had a break on Georgie’s case. He recognized an agent from Nashville and asked Mike about him. Turns out, Georgie saw him playing with Carmine Giannola’s boys in a place he shouldn’t have been. Once Georgie fingered him for Mike, we ran the rest of the case down pretty quickly.”
Seb stifled a curse. “My mom? My family?”
“They’re all fine. We have a few more things to clear up but the agent is on ice and Georgie is safe. Since you’re already down there in Jericho territory, I want you to help Quill with a little assignment I gave him. He’ll fill you in on the background.” Harry coughed harshly several times. “Damn cold. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Abruptly, he disconnected, leaving Seb with a dead phone and a lot of unanswered questions.
Zip watched him from the table, her fork halfway to her mouth. “What happened?”
He returned to the table and sat down, hiding a smile as the salad piled on her fork slid from the tines, landing on her sweatshirt-covered breasts. “Oh suck a duck!” Zip picked the slippery pieces of lettuce from her shirt and dabbed at the fabric with her napkin. “What did Harry say?”
“A lot of nonsense. First there was some bullshit about how Georgie’s case is all solved. Then he babbled about some agent from Nashville who is a dirty cop. And then he told me to help Quill with his case since I’m already down here in Jericho territory. And he acted like I wouldn’t know anything about Quill’s assignment or Georgie’s case. I wish Mercedes MacLeish had a chance to talk to Greg before she was murdered. We could use a clue about this white slavery ring.” Seb gulped milk from his glass while he considered. “It’s all bullshit. What I wonder is what the hell is going on? Or was it for someone else’s benefit?”
“Maybe he’s trying to fool someone else? He swapped out your phone so maybe his is bugged. Could he be trying to set someone else up with this information?”
“Well, hell! Why not draw them a map? Add an X marks the spot, Sebastian Spade is here. If he’s trying to kill me, that’s a good way to do it.”
“Forewarned is forearmed,” she said calmly. “Eat your dinner.”
He stabbed his fork in a piece of pot roast. “Aren’t you worried? If he was setting up Carmine Giannola for a sting, it could backfire, leaving us hip deep in organized crime thugs.”
“True. However, it’s been snowing all afternoon. You saw how difficult driving was. I imagine that we’ll have plenty of warning before they get here—if they come. In the meantime, you need to finish your dinner so you have enough energy to fight crime.”
Seb chewed on that for a while before pointing his fork at Zip. “You have eating on the brain. I bet if I hollered fire, you would make sure you had a snack before you ran outside.” He paused to consider that picture before adding, “Barefoot. You would no doubt leave your shoes behind because your mind was on food.”
She grinned in silent acknowledgement. “That’s why I have you.”
“I knew it! I knew I would spend my life keeping track of your shoes!” He groaned when his phone rang again. “Now what?”
“Maybe it’s Quill.”
Peering at the screen, he was relieved to see that she was correct. “Hello,” he grumbled.
“We finally reached Momma’s.”
“What took you so long?” If Seb had had any hair, it would have been standing on end in alarm. “I thought you just forgot to call. You should have been there hours ago.”
“Nope. We were occupied.”
“Well? Don’t stop now,” Seb urged irritably. “What happened?”
“We were towing Giannola’s boys out of a snow bank.” Seb could almost see Quill savoring the moment before he added, “There were illegal weapons clearly visible in the backseat.”
“Damn.” Seb leaned back in his chair while he pictured the scene. “Probable cause. Search and seizure.”
“Yep. They’re all cozily locked up at the state police barracks. And Tate and I are about to put on some dry clothes and have dinner.”
“You lucky dog!”
Quill snorted. “Yeah, right. You’re warm, dry and likely have a full stomach while I’m dripping all over Pa’s kitchen. I’ll talk to you in the morning!”
“All right.” Seb folded the phone and attacked his dinner with renewed enthusiasm. “Giannola’s thugs are in jail. We should be safe enough for tonight.”
“So… Ice cream?” Zip offered with a sly smile. “Apple pie?”
“You. Naked in bed. All night.”
She cleared her dishes from the table while he finished eating. After rinsing them, she disappeared into the bathroom, leaving him to contemplate his plans for the evening. There were so many things he wanted to do, so many things he wanted to try with her that he wasn’t sure where to begin. She said she was willing to try whatever he desired but he was still uncertain about how far that would take them. Zip was awfully independent when it came down to it. Control was a big issue with her. Seb didn’t need to be in charge of their life outside the bedroom but he knew himself well enough to admit that he wouldn’t be happy if he wasn’t calling the shots in the bedroom.
When he cleared his plate, he carried his dishes to the sink and rinsed them, wiped the table down and flicked off the light over the sink. He heard water running in the bathroom so he decided to occupy himself by lighting a fire in the fireplace. He checked the wood box for sufficient fuel, pleased to find that someone had made sure it was filled.
After he had the logs arranged, he set the fire with the scratch of a hearth match before making sure the door was locked and the curtains were drawn. Next he turned down the bed, folding the bedding neatly across the foot of the bed. Finally, he undressed and stretched out on the bed to wait for his woman.
In the bathroom, as Zip brushed and flossed, she debated her options. She was very well aware of Seb’s need for control in the bedroom. Quill had discussed it with typical male bluntness the first time he saw them
together. With a brotherly lack of tact, he’d taken her for coffee and launched into a specific explanation with graphic details that Zip had found arousing and exciting instead of off-putting. So now, her only question was how to convey that to Seb.
She washed her face, brushed her hair and took a deep breath before she opened the door and went out to join him. Her eyes slid lovingly from his head to his feet as she appreciated the wonderful bounty spread out on her bed. Yum. Sleek chocolate curves and planes flowed from the pillows to the folded bedding at the foot.
Zip sat down on the side of the bed with her back to Seb. “Do you remember the day we met?” she asked.
“Like it was yesterday. Quill and I were talking in the hall. It was pouring down outside and you came running in, soaking wet in your pretty spring dress. It was clinging to you like a second skin. Your nipples were as hard as little pebbles. I wanted to strip you bare and lick you dry.”
“I know. Your cock was hard. I could see it pressing against the zipper of those sexy suit pants you were wearing. I could barely keep my hands off you.” She twisted so she could see his face. “Quill took me out for coffee when we left. He didn’t even allow me time to go home and change into dry clothes.”
“Why?” Seb frowned at the thought of her walking around in public in the thin wet dress with her nipples poking against the damp fabric.
Zip chuckled. “The dress dried pretty quickly, you know. And he had something important to say. He saw how we caught fire just from a glance.”
“Don’t tell me he warned you off.”
She shook her head as she turned away so that he couldn’t see her smile. “He wanted to tell me what you like in the bedroom.”
“Quill? How the hell would he know?” Seb rolled from the bed, stalking around so he could squat down in front of her. “Zipporah? What did he tell you?”
She cleared her throat. “Um, he went out with Taliniesha Jones after you broke up with her. I guess that when she explained why you weren’t dating any more she was very specific about what you wanted.”
“That woman needs a zipper on her mouth! Not only does she not understand the meaning of discretion, she probably can’t spell it either!”
A startled laugh burst from Zip. “According to Quill, you likely weren’t dating her for her intelligent conversation.”
Seb stood up and moved so that he was standing close enough for his engorged cock to brush her lips. “Suck me, Zip. I’ve been waiting all day for the touch of your mouth on me.”
Willingly, she cradled his cock in her hand as she nibbled lightly at the broad tip. He growled deep in his chest. Flicking him a challenging glance from under her lowered lashes, she opened her mouth and took him inside. She slithered her tongue along the ridge while she gently stroked his staff, enjoying the sensual way the soft skin moved over the firm muscle. With her other hand she cupped his plump balls, playfully massaging them with her fingers.
“Zipporah! Quit screwing around! I need you!”
His admission was all that she’d been waiting for. Immediately, she sucked harder, taking him deeper as her touch firmed on his cock. His fingers brushed through her soft dark hair as they curled around her head, holding her, guiding her as he rocked his hips, thrusting in her wet silken mouth. She tilted her head back, taking him deeper until the head lodged in her throat. Then she hummed.
Seb shouted her name when the vibrations shot up the length of his cock. He tried to pull away but her grip tightened just enough to get her message across. She wasn’t through with him yet. After a brief internal struggle, he surrendered to her wishes, allowing her to love him the way she needed to. In her tender care, he discovered something vitally different. Her mouth and hands, her lips and sly tongue weren’t about control. The way she touched him and explored every part of his genitals told him they were precious to her. It was arousing and heart shattering in a way that he’d never experienced before.
Then she took him deeper in her throat, fluttered her tongue along the heavy vein running up the underside of his cock—and hummed again. Seb came apart. Hot semen pulsed in her throat as tears trickled down his cheeks. His legs trembled. Chills raced up his spine. With a last gentle caress, she released him and he crumpled to his knees in front of her, wrapping his arms around her, holding her as though he would never let her go.
“Seb? What’s wrong?” she asked hesitantly. “Didn’t I do it right?”
“Hell yeah.” He sat back on his heels, tracing one finger along her jaw before brushing her swollen lower lip. “I’ve never had it more right than that,” he said firmly. “Never.”
“Why the tears?”
“Because it was perfect. Absolutely perfect.” Cupping her head with gentle fingers, he leaned into her, covering her lips with his in a kiss that told her all the things he couldn’t find words to convey. He tasted himself as he slicked his tongue over her lips before thrusting inside. Their tongues met in a twisty dance of question and answer. He pulled back, his breathing labored and short.
“Lie down. I want to taste your pussy.”
She flopped back on the bed while he lifted her legs so that they were draped over his shoulders. “Do guys really like to do this?” she asked curiously.
“Oh yeah.” Seb spread her soaked folds, absorbed in the pink delight revealed. “I could spend days with my face buried in your pussy.” He inhaled, savoring her scent. “Your pussy smells incredible.” He nibbled on the flushed swollen outer lips before searching out her perky clit and lightly sucking it.
Zip writhed mindlessly as he feasted, alternately plunging his tongue in her pussy and slithering it through the delicate outer petals with occasional forays down to the tempting rosette at her anus.
“I wish we had some toys,” he muttered as he slid two fingers inside her pussy.
She grabbed his smooth head, pressing his face back against her clit. “Make me come and I’ll give you a whole chest full of toys!” she babbled.
He tilted his head so he could peek up at her face. “Oh yeah? I was thinking about playing with them tonight. You have a naughty toy store within walking distance?”
Zip waved an arm aimlessly in the general direction of the corner. “Over there. Big box. Now put your mouth back where it belongs!”
He covered her clit with his full lips and sucked with just enough pressure to bring her to a small climax. She thrashed in frustration. “Sebastian Spade, I’m going to—”
“Love me,” he promised as he slid her up on the bed so that her legs weren’t hanging down. He stood up and went in search of the big box. When he found it, he contemplated it in silence for a few moments before removing the lid. It was definitely a big box. And it was stuffed to the top with every toy imaginable—all of them still in their original packages. As he picked through the different items, it was clear that she had spent considerable time and money on acquiring her collection.
He held up two packages of brightly colored ropes. “Bondage?”
Zip rolled over on her stomach and buried her face in the pillows. “Quill said you liked something called Shibari. I looked it up on the internet and then I asked Ernald at the Pussy Cat Toys store to help me pick out what we needed.”
Seb could barely believe the muffled explanation. “You bought me ropes because Quill told you I wanted to tie you up? I’m gonna kill him.”
She lifted her head from her nest of pillows and stared at him. “Why? Isn’t that what you want?”
“Hell no. Oh, I don’t mind experimenting a little but I’m not that kinky! A vibrator, a butt plug and some lube and I’m good to go.”
“Well, shoot. I was kinda looking forward to trying it. Just toss the ropes back in the box. I’ll return them.” She rolled on her back and sprawled across the bed. “So did you find enough toys so we can get back to the fun?”
Seb joined her on the bed. “I can’t believe you were willing to let me use those ropes and toys on you. What if I hurt you?”
She folded her
arms behind her head and studied the ceiling. “It’s like I told you in the hotel. Either I trust you or I don’t. If I trust you, then that includes a bone-deep belief that you won’t hurt me. Or insist on doing something really distasteful. I’ve known you over a year now. We’ve had a few dates but we’ve also spent some time together with my family and yours. Sometimes how a man acts around family can show a woman more about the kind of person he is than all the dates in the world. Are you kind? Are you respectful? Do you volunteer to help? Are you comfortable with children and animals? Those are the things I was looking for and the answers were all a resounding yes.”
“Men think more linearly,” Seb observed dryly.
“I know. Do I get a hard-on? Will she let me stick it in her pussy?”
“You have a wicked tongue.”
“You love it—especially when it’s licking your fat cock.”
“I do,” he admitted. “I also love your sharp wit.” He turned his head and stared into her dark brown eyes. “Since I’m such a linear guy, have I completely ruined the mood?”
She took his hand and placed it between her damp thighs. “Does that feel like the mood is ruined? All you have to do is look at me and I’m ready.”
“What about all that stuff about women taking longer to be aroused?”
Zip frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe they’re tired or stressed or maybe their men don’t cuddle them as much as you do. You’re always touching me. The last year has been like one long year of foreplay. And when you look at me you smolder.”
“Smolder?” he said incredulously. “What the hell does that mean?”
She squeezed her thighs together, trapping his hand between them. “You’re doing it now. You’re looking at me like you can’t wait to put your cock inside me. If I had panties on, you’d barely restrain yourself from tearing them off. Oh yeah,” she moaned at the flare of heat in his eyes. “You definitely smolder.”
He shifted so that he was stretched out between her legs, his upper body supported on his elbows. She shuddered as his rigid cock slid across her clit. He bent his head and nibbled and sucked the tender skin from her jaw to her shoulder before nipping her a little harder on her shoulder. “I want to return the favor. Are you going to let me light your fire?”