by Lauren Dane
“Tell me what you want.” Her tongue swirled over the head, spreading the liquid pearled at the tip. The sensation of it nearly brought him off the bed. The words, given permission, loosed from him in a hot rush.
“Hold me like that. Yeah. Keep me wet and swallow my cock as far as you can.”
She shivered, her pretty, round ass up high in the air, swaying a bit as she kept him juicy and slowly took all she could into her mouth.
“So good, Abbie. Your mouth on my cock is so good. If I could, I’d keep you in bed, naked and ready for me at any time. Maybe in my office. Mmm. Yes, that’s the way. In my office to drop to your knees and suck me off any time I needed it.”
She hummed her amusement around him and he smiled. Sexy and a sense of humor, too. If she was Ranked, he’d have staked a very public claim by this point. Damn it all. It didn’t bear thought just then. All he wanted to think about was her and being with her for whatever stolen moments they had.
She pulled off with a soft pop and licked down the length of him, her tongue leaving warm trails along the ultrasensitive skin of his balls. He hissed when she pressed the pads of her fingers into the space behind his sac, making his cock jump with pleasure.
“I’m not ready to come yet,” he murmured, sifting her hair through his fingertips. “Keep it slow.”
She worshiped him with her mouth, made him feel totally desired. Totally masculine. He relished it—just being Roman and Abbie. A man and a woman, finding some refuge with each other in the quiet spaces in daily life.
His balls drew close as orgasm hinted at the edges of his consciousness. “Abbie, enough. Come up here and ride my cock.”
No one needed to tell her twice. Abbie let go of his cock with a parting kiss and moved up his body, positioning herself over his groin. Pleased to look down at such a beautiful man in her bed, she ran her nails down his sides, just shy of hard.
“I like that. I like that you take what pleases you.”
She reached around, grabbed his cock to position it and sank down on him in one hard movement. Insanely intense pleasure coursed through her from the point where they were joined.
“Gods that’s good.” She rolled her neck, loosening her muscles as she set a pace, undulating her hips more than riding him in and out of her body. “And Roman, life is far too short to not enjoy something like this. You’re handsome, clever, sexy, you’re good with your equipment. Why shouldn’t I give in and run my nails down your sides? Or”—she scraped her nails this time over his nipples, liking the way he groaned—“over your nipples?”
He remained quiet for some time as she rocked over him, keeping him deep. After a while he said, “You’re right. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t give in and enjoy each other.”
Did he mean more than just then?
“Spread your pussy for me. I want access to your clit.”
She smiled slowly. “I love your mouth. I love how the moment the door is closed, the most delightfully naughty things come from you. It’s so. . . ” She paused, trying to think on just exactly the right word. “Unexpected. Deliciously unexpected. Like a secret.”
He grinned as his fingertip began to dance, ever so lightly, over her clit. “I’m glad you enjoy it. I . . . well, it’s not something I’ve done often.”
She lost track of what she’d planned to say in response as he squeezed her clit between slippery fingers, just so.
She began to teeter on the edge of climax. Abbie sped up her pace, rising up and coming back down on him with a little swivel of her hips. She tightened herself around him, liking how he grunted in response.
“Inside you’re so soft and wet as you hug me. Gods, there’s nothing like your cunt, Abbie. So juicy. And look at your thighs. I never would have imagined such fine thighs hiding under your skirts. I do like stockings. Very much.”
Words flittered away from her as orgasm settled into her cells. Filled her physically, and deeper. Her eyes closed so she could revel in the feeling, in the way it felt to come with his cock lodged inside her, of his scent, their scent, hanging in the air.
“That’s the way. I love to watch you come nearly as much as I love to feel you coming around my cock. Now it’s my turn,” he managed to gasp out before strong hands moved to her hips to hold her down as he pressed up and came.
She fell to the side and couldn’t resist a lick over his left nipple. He tasted good. She said so.
He laughed, drawing his fingertips up her spine. “I happen to think you taste pretty good yourself. In fact,” he said as he eased up on his side, head on his hand, “I think after I regain feeling in my legs, I’m going to taste you nice and thoroughly.”
“Do you need feeling in your legs for that?” she asked, tossing an arm over her head and laughing. He snuggled up to her side and pulled her close, kissing the side of her breast.
“For someone so small, you pack a lot of punch. I was impressed by you today.”
“Well, the brain isn’t hindered by my size. I’m a powerhouse when I can fight with my wits.” She snorted, wishing she didn’t know the difference.
“There’s a story there.” He toyed with her hair.
“Everyone has stories. What’s yours?”
“Ah, evasion. I raised two boys to manhood. I do know about evasion.”
A surge of tenderness rocketed through her. “It must have been hard. Being on your own like that with them. Tell me about her.”
He drew circles on her breast, around the nipple, which perked up at the attention, and then upward until he reached the top of her shoulder. He tapped it and looked into her eyes.
“I’ll tell you about Lindy if you tell me about the scars.”
Something cold washed through her. She didn’t want to talk about the attack. Not then with their scent heavy in the air. “They’re scars. Do they horrify you?”
Anger darkened his features. “Do you think so little of me? They’re scars. A small imperfection on so much beauty is of no consequence to the whole. In fact, it makes the whole more appealing for the flaw. But what is of consequence is how they got there.”
“It’s also not something I want to talk about.” When was the appropriate time to share such a horrible story? She didn’t know him well enough to rip her past open that way.
Her face closed off and he knew well enough to back away from the topic. For then. “All right. Lindy and I were seventeen standard when we were married. So young.” He laughed at the memory. “She got pregnant with Dem right away, and a year later, Corrin came along. Having the boys so close together was hard on her. I don’t think she was ever the same. She died twelve years ago now.”
Abbie moved to face him, leaning in to kiss the space above his heart. “I’m sorry. It must be hard without her. How did she die? If you don’t mind my asking.”
“Okay, at least tell me about the spectacles if I tell you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
“She’d been sick for years after Corrin. She was so gentle, but always sort of melancholy. She got an infection, in her blood. We don’t know how. But it just slowly ate away at her. We tried everything but she just slipped away.”
She’d faded like a ghost. Had given up and left them. He wasn’t sure if he blamed himself for wanting heirs or her for not wanting them enough to fight to stay with them to be their mother.
“That’s terrible. You must have loved her so very much to have married so young.”
He laughed ruefully. “My father was very ill. I needed to step in to run the Family, and they felt if I was married and had heirs, I’d be able to hold the position with more authority. My father has no brothers but he does have a cousin, and his sisters are married. It was imperative I take over and show a healthy, strong face for the Lyons. Lindy’s Family, the Kerrigans, needed the alliance, and we cemented power here on Ravena. I got her out of her house, Saul Kerrigan’s house, and she gave me the facade of adulthood so I could take over.”
“That evil bastard is your father-in-law?”
He laughed but it was without humor. “Yes. He shows little to no interest in the boys, other than as his key to power, and I’m grateful. Lindy was nothing like him. You know, she used to talk about her governess. I looked into it and Gretel Mortan . . . well I want to help with funds if they’re needed. I’m putting pressure on Saul to drop it, even if I pay her retirement.”
“You’d do that?”
“Not all the Ranked are Saul Kerrigan, Abbie. Just like not all unranked are like whoever gave you those scars.”
Her smile disappeared. “Those scars were not from an unranked person. And I know you’re not all the same. I have spectacles because the problem that causes my bad vision can be fixed with surgery but if it’s not addressed by the age of five, it’s permanent. My father . . . we lived in the outback for many years. He’s a teacher and he taught at a rural school. There were no surgical med centers out there, and by the time we came back here, it was too late. But I’m not that bad off. I just need them when I’m working and reading.”
“Your father didn’t come to the city to get his child’s vision repaired?”
“I’m not blind. I can see with spectacles. It’s not like I would have died or anything. The children in the school needed him more than I needed surgery. This conversation is going in a direction far away from your mouth on my pussy.”
She flopped on her back and he loomed over her. “I’m sorry if I offended you.” Still, he was a father, too, and he’d never dream of not doing what it took to get medical help for his children. The surgeries were free for those who couldn’t pay. There was no reason for her to have suffered.
Not that he’d let that stop him from tasting her again. They’d argue later as they learned more about each other. He hesitated . . . However that happened. Their situation was beyond complicated but for the moment, he had a task.
Abbie sighed as he settled between her thighs and spread her labia, exposing her to his mouth. Long, slow licks, nuzzles, quick flicks of his tongue—he played her cunt like a beautiful symphony and she closed her eyes and let him.
Having had a few orgasms already, her clit was incredibly sensitive and he knew it, taking great care to not overstimulate her. He worked slowly but thoroughly until she began to writhe, needing more from him.
Two fingers slid into her, stretching her just a bit, while his pinky stroked over her back passage in an unexpected and rather pleasant way. She’d let him fuck her in the ass. A man like him would totally work the taboo of it to its fullest extent.
She’d be at his mercy, stuffed full of him, fingers digging in the blankets, and he’d be over her, talking in her ear.
She huffed out an aroused sound and he sucked her clit between his teeth just lightly, but it was enough to rocket her into orgasm. A great, rolling, deep-to-her-bones orgasm that left her utterly spent after it held her for long moments.
The kiss he gave her tasted of her and of him as well and she moaned at how delicious it was. How delicious he was.
“Can I sleep here?” he asked softly.
It would be so nice not to wake up alone. But inadvisable, and he had to know that. “Are you sure that’s okay with you? If you’re seen leaving here in the morning, you’ll have a lot of explaining to do.”
He sighed. “You’re right. I don’t have a change of clothes so I’d be very conspicuous.” He got up and she followed.
“Would you like to shower first? I’m sure you need to be scrubbed all clean. You’re very dirty.” And how she loved that.
“How could I resist such a fine offer?”
Even after the shower he smelled her on his skin.
“Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat before you leave?” She bustled around her apartment while he watched, strangely content.
“I’m sated.” He looked her up and down and knew that was a lie. “But a mug of something warm, perhaps?” Just a little while longer with her.
She laughed and put a pot on to boil. “I have some tea one of my father’s old students makes. It’s very nice.”
They sat companionably together for some time, sipping the tea. At last he knew he had to get going or risk being seen. He didn’t want gossip swirling around her and he didn’t need the problem himself. He didn’t want to leave. The moment he did, he’d miss her.
He stood to go.
“Thank you. For, well, for tonight and also for what you did for Jaron and Marcus.” Because he couldn’t resist, he touched her hair. His reward was a smile he was fairly certain she didn’t show many.
She saw him to the door. “You don’t have to thank me for the sex part. You showed your appreciation. Four times, as a matter of fact. As for Jaron, he’s got several hearings over the next few days. I’m hoping to get him out prior to trial. Marcus knows to comm me any time if he needs me.”
He nodded, his hand on the door but not opening it. “So, yes. Well. I looked over your proposal. I’m meeting with Dem tomorrow to talk about it. He’ll be taking over for me. I think he’s going to be bringing some other Family in with him. He’ll contact you.”
Understanding lit her eyes and she took a step back. “Okay then. Thank you. I guess I’ll be seeing you on the vids.”
He left, but it ripped part of him away to do so.
Chapter 10
“I’d like you to get in touch with Comandante Ellis and have him do a check of Abigail Haws’s background.”
Marcus looked up at him as Roman left his office to head for a General Council meeting. Surprise etched his forehead. “Why?”
“Because, she’s very involved in our lives at this point, don’t you think? Shouldn’t I know what her background is? I’m sending Deimos in with his group to examine this whole adjunct governance structure. What if I back her and she has something bad in her history?”
Marcus took a deep breath. “Roman, really. You think that’s the case? After spending any amount of time with Abbie, you think she’s hiding something horrible? Like what? Do you think she’s a weapons runner in her three breaths’ worth of free time every day?”
“Marcus, be real. Everyone has something to hide. Anyway, Saul and my brother are trying to harm her. Perhaps I can help.” He shrugged. “What is it going to hurt?”
“Fine, but if she finds out, she’s not going to be happy. I’d suggest you just ask her, but the two of you seem to be going out of your way to pretend you don’t want to see each other and yet, you’re always talking about each other.” Marcus waved his hand, annoyed. “Never mind. You’re both as stubborn as the other. I won’t be here when you get back, by the way. I’m going down to the justice administration building. Jaron has a hearing and I want to be there. I’ve arranged coverage for you for the time I’ll be out.”
Roman squeezed his friend’s shoulder. “It’s going to be all right.”
“I know . . . I do. I trust Abbie. She’s been so good to me. She’s been to my house three times now. She brings the paperwork, goes over it with me step by step. Explains all the complicated stuff. She’s so good before the adjudicator. She made sure I could get in to see Jaron and got him moved to a cell by himself. She’s gentle with him, patient and kind. He’s so frightened. Hells, I’m frightened, but she just makes me feel better. I’ll never be able to repay her for all she’s done.”
A stab of something hit Roman. Jealousy, perhaps? Not that Abbie would sleep with Marcus. Or maybe she would, but he doubted it. But that Marcus had seen her. Multiple times. He’d been with her and Roman hadn’t, no matter how much he’d wanted to. He hadn’t seen her in nearly two weeks, and each day that passed without her made him even more miserable.
“Do you need credits? I’ve been meaning to give you a rise in your pay.”
Marcus sniffed. “I’ll always take more credits but I’m fine. I have credits saved and her agency only charges a percentage of the actual defense costs. What means so much to me is your support. You’ve been . . . I don’t know if I’d have been able to keep my head when I first got t
he news if you hadn’t been there for me.”
“You know I’m here for you. You’re my friend, and I know Jaron is innocent. We’ll get him out of there soon. I know Abbie will do it.” If not, Roman would use his power to get the boy out of lockup, no matter what. There were places Jaron could go where no one would ask a single question. It lay unspoken between himself and Marcus, but it comforted nonetheless.
There wasn’t much evidence, but Jaron had been in the wrong place when a fight broke out. Two men were killed and several injured severely. The crowd in the bar, a low establishment, hadn’t been able to pin anyone specifically. The evidence against Jaron was vague but he’d given them a target for their grief.
“You should give things with Abbie a chance,” Marcus murmured as Roman began to leave to attend a Council meeting.
He paused, wanting to reply, but instead, he kept walking.
“How long are we supposed to wait? Abbie, he’s stringing you along. The Council is running scared with this attack on you and your license. You weren’t raised to run from a fight. The time to move is now. On the streets!” Abbie’s father spoke from his seat at the table. The assembled members of the MRD had been bickering for the better part of Abbie’s break from work.
“She’s not running from anything,” Georges argued back. “It’s so easy for you to say. She’s doing her job. You know, the one she’s paid to do? The one she makes a difference with every day? And then she’s doing the work of the MRD on top of that.”
“You either care about democracy or you don’t! You’re too comfortable and the minute you get threatened, you want to back off,” another one of the members, one not so supportive of peaceful means, shot back.
Abbie gripped the edge of the table as the furor rose. “This is getting us nowhere, and I have a hearing to get to. We have some people at very high levels willing to listen to us. We’ve never had that before. It’s absurd to be patient all this time and suddenly get so impatient that we lose everything we’ve gained. I’m not advising we run.” She shot a look at her father. “I’m advising we let this process play out before we jump to conclusions about whether it’s working or not. Georges and I have met with Deimos Lyons and one of Proctor Feist’s grandsons. They are open to us, it would be disastrous to not be patient here.”