by Zrinka Jelic
Yes, she should. She sighed. Of course he hadn’t believed her story. “The night you came to my life, I was here, in Vancouver, on Mr. Hiltorn’s firing mission. The last person I laid off gave me the creeps, which never happened before. I’m positive I saw her again today. I’ve got the same awful feeling under my skin.”
His eyebrows drew closer and he gazed into her eyes. “You think this person has something to do with our situation?”
She shrugged and shook her head. “I don’t know. I just want you to believe me.”
“I’d dismissed your theory as some farfetched nonsense and refused to believe it. But now you’ve convinced me there’s much more here.” His confession brought a sense of relief to her, and for the first time she trusted him with her heart. She leaned her head on his shoulder. Time seemed to slow down, the sounds grew distant. Lost in the peaceful oblivion washed in the rays of setting sun, she smiled at Milo racing up the ladder to slide once again, and Tadem clapping her hands.
Tom reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his cell, shattering her tranquil moment. He read a text from the screen. His eyebrow twitched and he scowled, but wrapped her in his arm all the same. She drew a long breath, taking in the fresh sea breeze scent he seemed to carry with him.
“Don’t tell me. More bad news.” Her gaze darted to the phone in his hand, hoping to catch a glimpse of the text message, but he was faster and shoved the mobile back to his pocket.
He brushed his lips against hers and she shuddered. His tongue teased and prodded her mouth to open, then met hers in a whirlwind. A moan of desire slipped her lips. Damn it, never before had she gone this long without satisfying her physical needs. Milo’s giggling brought her back to the moment and she pulled back. They shouldn’t get carried away in front of the boy.
A devilish smile tugged corners of Tom’s mouth, but faded fast as if he remembered something. “The case just took an unexpected turn. We’ll have to return sooner than I wanted.” That same smile he’d worn a minute ago returned, and two sparkles danced in his eyes. “But not before I fulfill my promise tonight.”
CHAPTER 13
The doorframe dug into Tom’s back. He uncrossed his arms and pushed away from the wooden trim. His heart liquefied as Olivia placed a soft kiss on Milo’s head. The boy drew in a deep breath and tightened his arms around the teddy bear. She turned to the playpen, pulled the fleece blanket, covering thumb-sucking Rosie up to her shoulder, and stroked her dark hair.
The warm, fuzzy feeling moved to Tom’s stomach. Whether the woman taking care of his children was his wife or her double from some other world, he loved her. And tonight he would show her just how much.
“I thought Milo would never go to sleep.” At Olivia’s husky whisper, Tom blinked fast. Anticipation surged through him, sending blood to his groin.
She stepped to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. His abs instantly flexed. He kissed her forehead, taking in her subtle floral scent. She shuddered against him, the unconscious reaction telling him she’d too waited for a night of passion. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, he led her out of the children’s room and into the main bedroom of their hotel’s suite. Vancouver’s lights twinkled in the frosty Christmas night and reflected on the ten-foot windows hidden behind sheer curtains.
She gasped and stared, wide-eyed, at the candles flickering and casting the dancing shadows on the walls and ceiling. Just the kind of reaction she’d had on their wedding night. Could the ambience he’d created have jogged her memory? No, it couldn’t, she was some other woman, and he must stop hoping her memories would return. Hands resting on her shoulders, he dismissed the thought and pulled her to him. Finally a time for them.
He nuzzled her neck and nibbled her earlobe.
A husky moan slipped from her lips while her head rolled to the side, allowing him better access. He trailed his lips to the hollow of her delicate throat.
“I need you, Tom.” The harshness in her breath rushed the blood to his already tight groin. “Dazzle me.”
“And you’ll have me.” Placing his hands over hers, he stopped her from taking off his shirt. “But patience, dear. It won’t hurt to take it slow.”
If his angel waited to take his soul to wherever it was destined to go, he’d enjoy this one night, make it last.
Her forehead creased and surprise zipped across her beautiful eyes. She parted her lips as if to say something, but he sealed them with his. While his tongue explored her mouth, he cupped her buttocks and raised her off the carpeted floor. Her graceful legs wrapped around his hips, while she hung to him by his shoulders. By now she was his playful kitten. Her hard, hungry kiss spurred him. His passion fused and merged with hers. He fueled her need by plunging in his tongue, nibbling her bottom lip, barely letting her come up for air.
He pressed her backside against the wall, rubbing his erection on her abdomen. Damn it, she was so hot he could explode before he had her naked. In the past, he’d always savored every second of their lovemaking by taking it slow and postponing the climax.
She broke the kiss and arched her back, jamming her breasts against his chest. Her fingers dug into his hair and pulled him to her bosom. “Take me, Tom. Make me scream your name.”
He smiled at the urgency in her voice. She was exactly where he wanted her. Hot and wanton. He lowered her feet to the floor then wiggled a remote from his jeans pocket. The cool leather of the chair caressed his skin. At the press of a button, soft music filled the room.
“Strip for me,” he demanded.
She stiffened. Her frown made her appear uncertain of his order. He questioned his method — after all this was a different woman. Nonetheless she must earn her orgasm.
A wicked grin appeared on her face. She stood in front of him, her hips swaying in beat with the sensual tune. She undid the row of buttons on her shirt. Then she flipped her hair from side to side, brushing his chest and face. She allowed her shirt to slide down her arms, and slid her bra straps off her shoulders. He stopped her when she was about to unclasp the hooks on the back and reveal her breasts.
“Leave your bra like this.” He reached for her swinging hips. She paused, scooping her hair on the top of her head, while he popped the button on her slacks and slid the zipper down. He tugged the jeans to her knees.
She turned and bent over, her legs straight, and stuck her taut ass in his face. He got on his feet, pulled her lacy panties just below her butt cheeks and rubbed his palm over the firm globes. He slapped one side then the other, coaxing a yelp from her. She threw him a stunned look over her shoulder, confirming his speculation that her cry came at his unexpected action.
“Not long ago you asked me to spank you.” With circular movements, he soothed the hot skin of her buttocks while she freed her legs. “Now turn around and undress me.”
She obeyed, raising his shirt up his torso. He scrambled out of his tee. The soft cotton dropped from her hand and brushed his bare back on its way down. Hands gliding on his chest, she kissed him slowly, working her way down his chest and abdomen. Her fingers brushed an old scar on his right flank. When her gaze met his, a question hovered in her black depths. Why did she feel uncomfortable asking him straight out?
With a long inhale, he placed his hand over hers to stop her from tickling him. “The mark of an emperor.”
Her eyebrows knitted, but she remained silent. Hmm, how to make a long story short and not break this enchanting moment? A quick explanation would be the best, just as the first time she, or her double, had seen his scar. “My brother always dared me and I tried hard to prove I wasn’t a snotty brat he took me for. So I climbed the statue of Emperor Augustus, slipped, and it took twelve stitches to close the nasty cut.” Tom frowned and shrugged. “Roman emperors still have powers to hurt you.”
“Looks good on you, though,” she whispered after a short chuckle, and traced her tongue over the hardened skin. He pulled his stomach in when her fingers darted to his waist. She worked fast, unbuckling his belt,
undoing the zipper and button. Once she freed him of his trousers and boxers, leaving them heaped around his ankles, she kneeled and reached for his hardness. Her fingers wrapped around the base of his stiff cock. She slid the tip between her succulent lips, suckling along his erection, causing tightness in his balls.
“Ah … yeah.” A gruff moan slipped out of him. He cupped her head and she took his full length in her mouth. His toes curled into the lush carpet, locking his stance while his pelvis thrust slightly. The urge to slam her on the mattress and plunge himself into her heat almost crushed him. Exercise self-control, man. And to do that, he must stop her before he exploded in her mouth.
He hissed, and despite raging fire in his soul, pulled back. “Easy, honey. We have the whole night.”
She stood and locked her lips with his. Her tongue tasted salty and mixed with her own sweet flavor. With one arm behind her back, he struggled to unhook her bra as he backed her against the bed. On his third yank the clasp came undone. “I must be out of practice.”
Her soft chuckle tickled his ear. “You’re quite skilled. The clasp is bent.”
He slid the lace down, and her breasts perked. “That’s better,” he murmured, and closed his mouth around her nipple while he pinched her other hard nub.
Her knees must’ve given in, for she lowered herself to the bed, pulling him along. She stroked his hair as he brushed his lips back and forth along her downy skin, from her sensitive area around her belly button, down to her flank and hip. He blew on her flesh, causing goose bumps to rise. Then he slid her panties to her knees and traced a “v” at the top of her legs, fluttering her pubic hair. He spread her legs and knelt between them, one finger exploring her swollen folds.
“Yes,” she cried, arching, and pressed her body to his. “That’s the spot.”
She kicked her feet, flicking her underwear off, then opened her legs wide, inviting him in, but he swallowed hard and pulled back. Damn it, it was difficult to exercise this much self-control. Her arousal was powerful tonight. It would be, after a month of romancing, tempting and not fulfilling her desires. How long would he be able to push her before she erupted in his arms? He’d have to slow down her pace.
“Not so fast.” The ice bucket cooling the bottle of champagne on the headboard came into his focus. Coldness seeped in his fingers when he reached in and extracted one ice cube. She closed her eyes while he slid the chilled rime from her lips, down her chin, neck, torso, between her breasts, leaving the cube to melt, pooling inside her belly button. He licked the racing drops and sucked the liquid from her hot skin.
“Ah, please, please.” She panted, clutching to the pillow under her head. Her back arched when he trailed his tongue down her inner thighs. “I’m ready.”
He coaxed her to suck in her breath with his teasing finger, brushing her mound. “Soon, love. I’ll have you scream my name.”
“I’ve been good.” Her legs wrapped around him, locking him in her magic. “I’ve waited long enough.”
Yes, she had been and had not attempted her pushy way since the night he’d refused her. He studied her rosy cheeks — her panting and writhing all told him her body and mind were taut. She needed him — hell, he needed her. He’d give her what she wanted, craved. She deserved their union.
With his fingers wrapped around the base of his shaft, he glided inside her wetness, filling her.
She arched higher and sucked in a breath. “Oh, god, I knew you’d be big.”
Her muscles closed around him, tightening, engulfing. He pumped inside her, her hips rising to meet his thrusts. Her cries grew louder as she climbed higher, her breaths quickened.
“Tom.” Her gasp indicated she was on the verge of climax.
“No pet, let’s come together,” he grunted, allowing his orgasm to mount. “Hold it for another second. You can do it, love.”
“I can’t.” Her fingers slipped off his sweaty shoulder, down his back and stopped on his butt.
“Yes, you can. Another second. Do it for me.” Plunging deeper into her, a guttural moan escaped him.
“Tom,” she cried, her voice nearing a scream.
“Go for it.” His body stiffened and he rose on his elbows. “Let me watch you.”
The tips of her disheveled hair stuck in the corner of her mouth and made her extra-sexy while her body rocked hard.
“Tom.” Another moan pushed out of her along with his name.
A rush of wetness flooded his cock and drove him over the brink. He slammed his hips against hers, his climax taking him on a roller coaster ride, his hands molding her buttocks, holding her locked in place while he thrust her body into the mattress again and again until finally collapsing.
Her eyes opened, she cupped his face and pulled him to her so his chest lay flush with hers. He uttered a satisfied groan and slid one arm under her, legs intertwined with hers. His face buried in the crook of her neck. He reveled in her quick breaths and soft moans. As his heart steadied, he placed a soft kiss on her temple. He’d planned to bring her favorite toy at some point, but decided to test her and wait for her to beg him to use it on her. Judging by her relaxed face, his performance had been better than gratifying.
A smile stretched her lips, lighting her face. She played with his hair then shuddered.
“Are you cold?” He reached for the covers.
“No, just experienced an unexpected ripple of passion.”
He pulled her closer to him and held her tight, taking in her softness and warmth.
Her palm pressed on his chest. “No pain?”
“None.” He sat up, reaching for the bottle in the ice bucket. “Are you up for a glass of bubbly?”
“Crack it open.” She reached for the flutes from the floor and turned to him, holding the glasses for him to fill once he popped the cork.
He took one long-stemmed glass from her and raised it. “To us.”
She cast him a dazzling smile. A sharp sound of their crystals clinking together filled the room. “Couldn’t ask for a better Christmas.”
“Neither could I.” Though sweet champagne wasn’t his stuff, he drained the glass, soft bubbles clinging to his dry throat.
She placed her empty glass on the nightstand and nestled in his arms. He brushed his knuckles over her shoulder while basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Soon, his fingers found her hardened nipple. Her soft moan filled the silence, and she pressed her arching back on his chest.
She slid down the pillow. “Not sure if I can go for another big one.”
“That is why I brought this.” He reached for the toy inside the drawer of the nightstand.
Her finger traced along the purple silicone and stopped at the curved tip. With her mouth dropped open, she shot him a lustful grin. “Oh.”
He pressed a wet kiss on her skin and nibbled her neck. “Oh indeed. It’s the name of this incredible device. Oh! Rabbit.”
“The shape alone promises some wicked arousal.” Her thumb tapped the soft ears of the clit stimulator. “Does it have multiple speeds?”
“Of course.” He flicked an eyebrow at her provocative tone. “Care to try it?”
“Oh yes, just looking at it makes me wet.” She spread her legs wide. He poised the toy at her entrance, denying her the pleasure of penetration. At the press of a tiny button, the dildo buzzed to life.
Her face reddened while he slid the “Rabbit” inside her. Once fully inserted and in place he kneeled between her legs. “You want it to go faster?”
“Yes,” she panted, crumpling bed sheets. “Faster.”
“Uh-uh, did you forget to say please?” His fingers brushed her tender mound.
“Oh, please, Tom.”
He indulged her, speeding up the stimulator. Her body tensed and she sucked in a breath. “Ah, sweet Jesus, this is good.”
Her immense pleasure and coarse voice hardened his cock to painful levels. “Describe what you’re feeling.”
“God, my pussy, all of me is … burning for your … ah
… ” Moans swallowed her words and nothing coherent came out of her mouth. Her knee under his hand shook. There’d be no way of controlling her orgasm when she seemed on the brink of climax.
He eased the toy out and she yelped at the loss of the contact, but squealed as he slammed inside her, and she closed her legs around him. In a few hard thrusts, he couldn’t stop from climaxing. She stiffened too, while her muscles closed on his shaft buried deep inside her. Her simultaneous orgasm took him on a wild ride, rolling and jerking his body like he was standing on a deck of a ship caught in a wild storm. Once again, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her to him, holding her there until his breathing calmed. Then he placed a kiss on her forehead, and another one on her lips.
“Sleep now,” he whispered.
He listened to her even breathing, but sleep failed to take him. Sheets rustled on his way out of bed. Heat from the vent below the window crawled up his bare legs, and he stared at the twinkling city. Olivia’s loud inhale and a soft moan made him turn to the bed. She flipped to her side, her naked back ending in firm buttocks set on top of the sexiest legs. He turned to the window, extinguishing his desire. His woman needed rest. Later perhaps. Waking her up to make love just as it dawned was always his favorite.
CHAPTER 14
Lack of sleep added to Tom’s displeasure. His fingers drumming on the metal table echoed in the empty visitation room of the women’s correctional facility. A glance over his shoulder at the square window at the top of the door confirmed no one stood on the other side. It had been over fifteen minutes since the prison guard had gone to fetch Maria from her cell. The metal cuffs on the burly woman’s belt had clanked with her slow gait, and told him the officer would take her time.
At the clunk of a heavy door opening, he turned his head just as Maria strutted in wearing her neon orange suit. With the bright sun and the neon his eyes hurt, or maybe he was tired from a night of passion and an early flight to Toronto. At least the kids and Olivia had gotten plenty of sleep on the plane.