High Passion

by Vivian Arend

  Alisha glanced around the parking lot. She slid beside him on the driver’s side and pulled her dress over her head.

  Thong. Bra. Heels. All hot red. Devon blinked hard.

  “Jesus, what are you doing?” Devon stepped forward, plenty distracted from his earlier anger.

  She cupped herself briefly before reaching around and pulling off her bra. “Getting changed.”

  His tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. “This is a public parking lot,” he noted.

  “I’ll be quick.” She stripped off her panties and stood naked except for the heels she wore.

  He caught his cock and squeezed it in warning. “I am so making you wear that when we get home.”

  She dimpled a smile, then dressed quickly, covering her goose bumps, but not doing a damn thing to help ease his erection.

  Sadly, Alisha also switched her footwear for more practical runners. Then she held out a hand and he accepted it, the idea of storming down the trail to rid himself of the rest of his frustrations vanishing as she slipped into a more thoughtful mood.

  The trail was wide enough that walking hand in hand was easy, and her fingers were warm in his. They strolled without saying anything for the longest time, the cool October air sweeping around them as the sun rushed too quickly toward the western mountains.

  They passed a couple of groups out hiking, all headed to the parking lot. “That’s the last of the cars accounted for,” Alisha pointed out. “We’re officially alone in the wilderness.”

  He nodded, the leaves underfoot crackling loudly in the quiet of the bush. “It suits, right? Last one off the trail, last one to retreat.”

  They reached the railing that guarded the overlook, and he stared into the swirling waters, mind twisting with snippets of conversation from the past hours. His brothers’ suggestions, his sisters’ well-meaning but dismissive attitudes. His parents’ determined noninterference that could far too easily be construed as agreement with his siblings’ opinions.

  Facing them all hadn’t been as bad with Alisha there, although now that they’d experienced it, he realized that bringing her along to dinner hadn’t been fair. He’d used her as a diversion, but what she’d had to endure had been uncalled for.

  He twisted toward her, grateful when she curled up against him, a bundle of warmth with arms.

  “I shouldn’t have hauled you into that,” he apologized. “You’ve got your own family drama, although mine is nothing as bad as yours.”

  Alisha dug her fingers into his sides. “Stop making everything into a contest. Besides, that’s one I really would prefer not to win.”

  He stroked her hair, dragging his fingers through it again and again as if he were rubbing worry beads. “The good part is I know what we’re doing is valuable. Their lack of regard doesn’t change facts. I don’t need their approval to keep myself focused and sharp, because Lifeline makes a difference, and I want to be a part of it.”

  “You’re preaching to the choir.” Alisha slid her hands forward and jerked his T-shirt free from his jeans. She abandoned her gloves, dropping them to the ground so she could skim her soft fingers up his abdomen.

  He laughed and braced himself to stop from twitching away. “Glad I could help warm your hands.”

  She rubbed lightly, the chill vanishing as his body heat transferred to her palms. “You’ll be doubly glad in a minute,” she promised.

  When she put her nails to his skin and dragged lightly, he hummed in approval. When the button of his fly snapped open, he glanced down. “What are you up to?”

  Alisha tugged his zipper down, her innocent smile taunting him. “Giving you something to be thankful for.”

  Oh hell, yeah. Like he was going to argue. He rested his hips on the railing and widened his stance. Alisha reached in and drew out his cock, the length thickening in her palm. She pumped slowly, rubbing her thumb over the crest on each pull, and his brain partially shut down. All the areas dealing with troubles and family judgment, at least. Those were shunted away behind a DO NOT DISTURB sign as pleasure rocked the main sections of his mind.

  Alisha leaned over and licked him, the contrast of the cool air and her hot mouth making his vision blur. He pulled her hair out of the way to watch those perfect lips wrap around his dick as she sucked him in.

  * * *

  His involuntary hiss of pleasure was enough reward, at least to begin with. Alisha twirled her tongue over the crest again and again. Getting him wet enough that her lips slipped easily over his length. Her fist held tight to the root of his shaft allowed her to bob over him without going deep enough to choke. Deep enough to drive him wild, though, if the steady stream of words he muttered were an indication.

  “Yes. Fuck, right there. So fucking good.”

  He stroked his knuckles over her cheek and Alisha smiled, pausing her motion to apply more suction.

  “Don’t stop, baby. It feels incredible. Looks fantastic, too.” He slipped his finger along the seam between her lips and his thick shaft. She darted her tongue out and licked before going back to tormenting him. “So beautiful and hot.”

  She’d been waiting for this moment. Wanting it. Alisha found a comfortable position on her knees, lifted her eyes to his, and let herself relax. Devon stroked her cheek again, then added his other hand to her head, firmly positioning her. He tilted his pelvis and stroked in, setting the pace. The depth. The speed.

  Slow. So slow, his cock sliding almost all the way out of her mouth, the heavy head resting on her lower lip.

  “Lick it,” he growled.

  She closed her eyes and snuck out her tongue, tasting the salty seed on the crest, playing gently with the slit. A slow circle around the head made him groan and added to her pleasure.

  He hadn’t touched her and she was wet, an aching need in her core. Giving to him turned her on immensely, and while she wanted to slip a hand into her pants and get herself off, this was more important. This was what she wanted most.

  Devon pushed deep, all the way to the back of her throat. Alisha remained still, the thick length filling her mouth. He pulled away and pumped slowly, shorter strokes now, even, measured. Nearly popping free before pressing forward with determined consistency.

  The restraint was there, the determined, iron-fisted control he used during rescues and obviously when dealing with his family.

  She wanted him to lose control. Wanted him to let go of the restraint and use her as he needed, but even as he took his pleasure, there was never a moment when she didn’t feel he was aware of her. Of what she was giving.

  Alisha looked into his face, and the tight pleasure there made her happy and sad at the same time. What she wanted so much was to be in charge of her life. Of her situations. Why right now did it feel wrong to have Devon treating her so cautiously?

  She lifted her hands to his wrists and he withdrew instantly, the hard length of his cock glistening in the fading sunlight.

  “You okay?” The concern in his voice was so apparent. The focused attention. Miles away from him being an out-of-control, sexually boggled male.

  It wasn’t okay. It wasn’t what she wanted, or what he needed. Alisha took a deep breath and let her concerns out, not caring if they sounded stupid. “I’m not breakable,” she whispered. “Fuck my mouth. Be rough if you need to. I’m here for you. I’m willing . . .”

  He took a moment, staring seriously into her face. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  She shook her head. “You won’t. I trust you.”

  God. His expression changed. The fear and sadness. The tension and discomfort. All of it faded away, and he nodded.

  His gaze darted over her face as he adjusted his stance. Slipped his hand into her hair and tightened his fingers slightly.

  The movement pulled her hair, and she couldn’t stop her moan of satisfaction. This. This was what she wanted.

  “Jesus. You’re going to fucking kill me.” Devon swallowed hard, his fingers wrapped around his cock as he stroked a couple of tim
es. “You want me to stop, tap out.”

  “I will, but I’m not going to stop. I want this, Devon. Now, shut up, and stick your fucking dick in my mouth before I go crazy.”

  His lips twisted into a smile. “Potty mouth.”

  “What you going to do about it? You don’t have any soap,” Alisha taunted.

  His eyes darkened as his pupils widened. “I have something better on hand.”

  All hesitation vanished. Devon used her hair as an anchor to tilt her head. It wasn’t a violent motion, but this time there was no doubt Alisha was no longer in control. He pressed the fat head of his cock against her closed lips.

  “Open.”

  He didn’t wait for her to obey but pressed forward, the crown slipping between her lips as he thrust to the root, his groin meeting her nose. He pulled back instantly, but the difference in his touch was there. Every motion bolder, more aggressive. Full strokes that left Alisha dizzy and tingling. A network of excitement spread over her as if he had found a way to share the tension building in his body as his climax rushed forward.

  Devon closed his eyes and shuddered, and the first spurt hit her tongue. He pulled her head forward as he thrust deep, and she swallowed around the head, dragging a cry from his lips as he shook, fingers tugging her hair.

  He held so tightly she couldn’t have moved if she’d tried, and his slow withdrawal was perfect, tension in his hands, his body, all carrying to her and showing she’d made an impact.

  He gentled then, stroking the hair from her face. Smoothing his knuckles over her cheek. Lifting her to her feet and draping her against him.

  They stood silently as his breathing evened out and he regained his balance. The rush of mixed emotions flooding her was confusing, and strange.

  She wanted to be in control. To be appreciated for being capable and strong. She wanted Devon to take her in the most primitive and forceful ways possible.

  Two sides of a coin that she had no idea how to balance.

  CHAPTER 19

  “Call from the Kootenays.” Lana interrupted them on the training field, papers in her hand shaking in the wind. Devon thought her dark brown eyes were sparkling far too much to be sharing an emergency call. “They have a couple of missing climbers in the Valhallas, and their last known position is in an avalanche area. The local SAR are requesting backup.”

  Marcus nodded, pointing to the team. “Anders, since Tripp’s still out of commission, you’re on lead. Alisha, when you grab those new harnesses you guys cleared the other day, make sure they’re the right ones, I don’t think Lana’s had time to go through all the rest yet.”

  They were all in motion, picking up the training gear and heading toward HQ at top speed.

  “I called Erin. She’ll be in ASAP,” Lana reported. “She said thirty minutes tops.”

  “Thanks.” Marcus stepped around her. “Once the team is en route I’ll give you a few more jobs, but for now, help them load gear. I’ll take over the call desk.”

  Devon had to dodge around the woman as she kept pace with the team then got in the way. They were barely through the doors, and Devon had his jacket off, ready to switch to warmer gear for the high mountains.

  Lana spoke eagerly. “If you want, I could join the team. Since they’re one short today, with Tripp gone.”

  There was dead silence in the change room as the team hurried to grab their stuff. Devon glanced at Marcus, wishing there were a way to force his thoughts into the man’s head, to repeat Oh hell, no again and again.

  Lana on a rescue with them? Not fucking likely.

  It seemed he wasn’t the only one whose immediate opinion raced down that same line. Anders tossed a bag on the floor and stepped behind it. “As lead, I vote no. This isn’t the time to have a newbie on the ropes. Sorry, Lana, we appreciate your help here in the office, but I’m not taking responsibly for an untested partner in uncertain conditions.”

  Marcus settled behind the desk, slipping on the headset and adjusting the mouthpiece. “There’s your answer, although mine would be the same. Thank you for the offer, but we’ll let the team deal with running one man short. They’ve done it before, and it’s safer than introducing an unknown into the equation.”

  Alisha scooted into the change room and pulled her T-shirt off, reaching for a thicker long-sleeve shirt. Devon peeled his eyes off her, focusing on the task. “Harnesses good?”

  “Got them. You want to load ropes, I’ll join you in a minute and help with the rest.”

  She tossed him a wink and he smiled, the well-oiled gears of teamwork slipping into place in spite of the elevated voices rising from by the desk.

  Lana wasn’t taking no for answer.

  “I’m not untried,” she insisted. “I trained with them the other day. With Becki, on the wall. I’m excellent in mixed climbing conditions if they hit any ice, and—”

  “No, Lana. The leader has confirmed his team, and you weren’t on it.” Marcus spoke firmly. He didn’t attempt to hide his rising annoyance. “And I said no. One session on the stationary wall with the team doesn’t make you ready to work with them.”

  “But I—”

  “Enough,” he snapped. “The answer is no, so get out of the way. We’ll discuss your inappropriate behavior when there isn’t a call in progress.”

  Devon escaped into the storage room relieved that Marcus was in charge, and perplexed that Lana had pushed so hard, so soon.

  The rescue went well, if overly long. They finally found the climbers in a cave where they’d been trapped following an equipment failure. Everyone on the team was thoroughly soaked and chilled to the bone by the time they were ferried back to HQ.

  Even after Alisha showered, her lips were blue during debrief. Marcus examined her often, and Devon was sure she would get called up before they left.

  Only Marcus tapped him on the shoulder after they were dismissed. “I want to talk to you.”

  Devon nodded. “One minute.” He slipped into the back and caught Alisha by the arm. “Wait for me? I shouldn’t be long. Grab something hot to drink.”

  “I’m drinking, I’m drinking.” She jerked on her winter coat as another shiver took her. “I hate being cold.”

  Marcus looked up from his desk as Devon slipped into the tidy office space. “Close the door.”

  Devon obeyed, his concern rising. “Am I in trouble?”

  Marcus shook his head. “Do you deserve to be?”

  “Not lately,” Devon answered honestly.

  That pulled a snort from Marcus. “How are things going with you and Alisha?”

  Shit. “Are you asking as my boss or my friend?” Devon met Marcus’s gaze straight on. “Because if it’s as my boss I’ll tell you to butt out.”

  Marcus’s steely gaze remained fixed firmly in position. “How does your relationship with her affect the efficiency of the team?”

  “Makes us stronger, as far as I can tell,” Devon stated plainly. “We used to fight all the time. Now we’re not putting out negative energy. I would think that’s a move forward.”

  “So this is for the good of the team, you and her fucking each other?”

  Devon had no idea what the hell was up. “Marcus, if you have concerns, tell me, but otherwise, I’d respectfully ask you to mind your own goddamn business and let me go so I can take her home and we can recover from today.”

  The stern, almost foreboding expression Marcus wore lightened. “Good for you. I expected you to tell me to fuck off, but that was about as close as you could get without saying it. No, I don’t have any issues with you and Alisha. My trouble is elsewhere, and this is more of a warning.”

  Devon sat gingerly in the chair opposite his boss. “What’s really the concern?”

  Marcus tapped his fingers on the desk. “I had to rake Lana over the coals today for stepping over the boundaries.”

  Devon nodded. “She was out of line.”

  Marcus’s gaze snapped up. “She said you’d encouraged her to try for the team. Full tea
m, not desk work.”

  “What?” Of all the stupid, idiotic . . . “Encouraged her, how?”

  “Climbed with her, invited her to join in during social activities.” Marcus waved aside the rude noise Devon made. “I know, you were probably being friendly, but she’s taken it the wrong way.”

  “She’s trouble.” Devon shook his head. “I gave the woman a ride home once. She showed up at the Rose and Crown, once. I buddied with her on the wall. Once. Right in front of Becki, I might add, and that was only to make sure no one else had to climb with her.”

  “I figured that was the case, but damn, the woman is good. If Becki hadn’t given me a heads-up regarding her, I might have fallen for the wide-eyed innocent ploy Lana tossed at me.”

  Devon picked at the arm of his chair. “I need to get Alisha home. I’ll be careful around Lana, but I hope you’ll seriously consider getting rid of her.”

  “She’s on probation. I have to follow rules as an employer, but I’m not pleased, and I will cut her if she doesn’t smarten up fast.” Marcus looked him over once more. “You’re a valued member of this team, Devon. I like the maturity and confidence you bring. I don’t care that you’re young—you’re good. I want you to know that.”

  Devon left the office warmer than he’d entered it. Pissed off at Lana, but thrilled by Marcus’s compliments.

  Alisha was curled up on the couch, blankets piled high around her. The only things sticking out were her hands and her face peeking from under her hoodie. She wore fingerless gloves, her hands wrapped around her coffee mug.

  The sight of her made something flip inside. Devon pushed away the urge to scoop her up and carry her to the car. To protect her and do for her. All the urges to take control and take over—too much like what Vincent had offered, but damn if he could stop some of the impulses from rising.

  She smiled as he sat beside her. “Done?”

  He nodded, taking the cup and placing it on the table. “We can go.”

  She shrugged off the layers. “I can’t believe how tired I am.”

  “It’s the cold on top of the long day,” he said. “Come on, we can crash and deal with the rest of it tomorrow.”