Echoes

by Angela Verdenius

  As he spoke, Ella rolled her eyes.

  “There’s to be no more contact between Rose and Ella until this case is closed,” Aaron stated. “It’s getting too dangerous.”

  “Definitely. I’ll drop the burner off on my way home.” Ryan didn’t take his gaze from Ella.

  “See you when you get here.”

  As he slid the phone back into his pocket, he stared her down. “Right now, Ella, you are a client, however unwilling, of Wells Security via AFP. In this you will follow directions. Understood?”

  “Ryan-”

  “There is to be no communication between you two until this case is over. Nothing that can link you.”

  Her eyes flashed.

  “This is for Rose’s safety as well as yours. After this case is over, you can talk. Until then, no. Do you understand?” When she didn’t reply, steel coiled through his tone. “Ella.”

  For several seconds she looked like she was going to argue, but then her shoulders slumped, her thick eyelashes sweeping down to cover the grey irises as she muttered, “Yes. Whatever.”

  Hmm, something definitely going on here. “And?”

  “There is no ‘and’.”

  He studied her.

  She eyed him back.

  The silence lengthened as he waited her out. Time and nature of his various jobs had taught him the skill and benefits of patience.

  Many people would have been spilling their guts within the first two minutes. It took Ella a whole five minutes, the clock ticking the seconds away loudly.

  Finally, she sighed. “Ryan, it’s nothing. Just something personal I’m dealing with at the moment.”

  “Share.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  He arched an eyebrow slightly.

  “No.” She shook her head. “This has nothing to do with the case. It’s something I’m personally grappling.”

  A sudden unwelcome thought hit him. “Is this about us?”

  She blinked. “What?”

  “Because I’m here in an official capacity?”

  “No.” Her expression was bewildered.

  Ryan took a step forward. “Ella, I am here to tell you what to do for your own good. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. You might not like some of what I do, may object, but be sure of two things.”

  “Ryan-”

  “Stop right there.” Another step that had him almost toe-to-toe with her, causing her head to tip back so she maintained eye contact. “One, as part of your security detail I will keep you safe at all costs even if I have to force you to do something to make it so.” He slid his hand around her nape, his thumb scraping gently up and down the side of her neck. “Two, I’m your lover, and as such I’m also your protector in general.” Pausing, he gauged her reaction to that statement.

  Ella’s cheeks were a little flushed. “I’m not sure if I should kiss you or smack you.”

  Good result. “Kiss me.”

  “Yeah, but-”

  “I’ll smack you.” Laughter laced his tone.

  “This is sick.” There was definite annoyance in her eyes, along with a little touch of heat. “You make me mad at the same time all that gung-ho big protector crap is a bit of a turn-on.”

  Her bold confession brought a bark of laughter from him.

  Ella’s eyes narrowed.

  “Oh, Ella mine.” Cupping her cheeks, he brushed her lips lightly with his. “You’re the only woman to make me laugh in so long.”

  “Glad I can entertain you,” was the tart reply.

  “Mmm. Speaking of entertain…”

  “I’m not that turned-on right now.”

  “Shame.” He brushed his lips across her smooth cheek to lick a hot path along the sensitive skin below her ear, rewarded by her breath catching. “I have the sudden urge to take you in hand.”

  “Does this hand have anything to do with my arse?”

  His shoulders shook with silent laughter even as desire started to coil deep inside him at the very definite response of her body in the form of her pressing against him.

  “Don’t laugh,” she warned. “You’re right on the edge.”

  “Am I?” He pressed an open-mouthed kiss on the side of her throat, laid his tongue flat on the silken skin.

  “Yeah.”

  “So what can I do to change your mind?”

  “You want me?”

  That wasn’t even in question. His hand tightened on her nape.

  Her sudden low, throaty laugh was unexpected. “Then maybe you should just take what you want.”

  That had him stilling. Had he heard correctly?

  “Unless, you know, you’ve changed your mind,” she taunted.

  Heat flared through him at the provocative words, swamped by a whole overload of carnal memories.

  They’d shared gentle loving in the past, the soul-touching tenderness of lovemaking where they gazed into each others eyes and lost themselves in shared bliss. But there were also times that were more passion. They’d indulged in both types the previous night.

  And then there had been times years ago when their lovemaking had been more volatile, erotic, when she’d teased and taunted him until his dominant side had flared to life so readily in response. The lovemaking then had been so bloody hot.

  Her tone, her words, made it clear what she wanted right now.

  He was more than ready to give it to her. Take it.

  Lifting his head, he looked down at her. God yes, she was looking up at him with hot challenge, daring him as she tossed her head and pertly asked, “Still got it in you, Ryan, or has that fizzled out with your mega self control taking over?”

  His eyes narrowed, the natural dominance so much a part of him rising immediately. Oh yes, she had always known exactly how to press his buttons.

  The provocation combined with the dark laughter in her eyes, the touch of annoyance that still lingered deep within them, the way she placed her hands on his shoulders and gave a dismissive shrug as she stepped to the side with an airy, “Ah well. Disappointing, but never mind. I’ll take myself in hand later,” had the dominance spilling out.

  It also had the danger in the room notching up, especially when she started to jauntily stride away. At the subtle shift of his body she glanced over her shoulder, desire and a spark of uncertainty crossing her expressive face. He zeroed in on the challenge, her body.

  His needs.

  Dark, hot, the predator in him flaring out as her eyes widened, pupils dilating as he lunged forward. Ella jumped to the side but not swift enough to evade his hand.

  Ryan’s fingers shackled her wrist, jerked her back against his chest, that plump little bottom hitting his groin so deliciously to nudge up against the bulge already burgeoning behind the zipper.

  One arm around her waist holding her fast, his hand cupped her chin so he could tip her head back to enable him to scrutinize her face. The combined heat, daring and little touch of uncertainty she revealed was a heady mix, especially with the tantalising rise and fall of that big bosom beneath the plain, long-sleeved t-shirt. The pebbling of her nipples was clear to see.

  “Oh, Ella mine,” Ryan purred darkly, a sinister note unknowingly lacing through his voice. “I’m the only one going to take you in hand.”

  Chapter 8

  “Is that right?” she threw back.

  “I can see you need some control in your life.”

  “Control?” She snorted. “No one controls me, Ryan. No one is man enough to.”

  “There’s me.”

  “Sure.” And then she lunged away.

  He could have tightened his hold, kept her securely in his arm, but the predator in him, the love of the chase, let her go just so he could go after her, catching her so easily before she’d even gone three steps.

  It was so easy to hook her elbow, use the momentum of her flight to swing her around to bring her tumbling against him, taking her mouth ruthlessly as he fisted her hair, mindful not to hurt her - never hurt her - but let he
r feel the command as he held her head still while plundering her mouth.

  She fought. If he didn’t know her, know that she enjoyed this fight to see who would win, loved knowing that he’d best her even though she wouldn’t ever acknowledge it, he’d have released her instantly. But he knew his Ella mine, and he loved this struggle between them just as much.

  Times like this he could unleash his darker side, give her the fight she wanted, her mood matching his, knowing that while he might make her uneasy just a smidgeon she still trusted him to watch over her, not hurt her with his greater strength.

  He’d sooner cut off his own arm than harm her deliberately.

  But he’d wrestle with her, subdue her enough to take her the way she wanted, the way he wanted, fulfilling their desires in another way.

  He loved their quiet, sweet lovemaking, loved the fiery passion, and equally he loved the rougher, more carnal lovemaking.

  Breath coming in rapid gasps, Ella fought him. Wrenching her mouth from his, she shoved him with both hands while at the same time hooking her foot behind his knee in a blatant attempt to knock him backwards off balance.

  Nice move, but he wasn’t born yesterday.

  Spinning her around, he shoved her forward against the table, ensuring at the last second that she didn’t slam into the wood but had time to brace her hands on the surface.

  Leaning over her, forcing her to bend over by simply resting his chest against her back, Ryan flattened his hands beside her own on the surface of the table, placed his mouth to her ear and growled, “Oh, Ella mine, you are a little fiery right now.”

  “Can’t handle the heat?” she panted. “Then get out of the-”

  “Honey, I can handle the heat, but can you handle me?”

  “Give me a chance and-”

  “No. No, you can’t. But I sure as hell can handle you.”

  “So you keep saying.” She tried to shove upwards, shove back. “But so far all I can hear is blah-blah-blah.”

  “God, you’re a little witch when you get like this.” He laughed darkly, shifted back enough to smack her smartly on one plump buttock.

  She gave a little yelp of genuine surprise before snarkily retorting, “Is that the best you can do?”

  “Oh, honey, do you really want to go there?”

  “I want to go somewhere, but you’re sadly lacking in that direction.” The sideways look she cast him held a mix of sinful mischief. “Need a map?”

  The wickedness in her eyes, the taunt of her words, played along his libido, the lust already boiling low in his loins. “Mouthy, honey.” Reaching down, he grabbed the hem of her skirt, yanked it up her thighs and over that deliciously curvy bottom and left it hooked around her waist. “Let’s see how mouthy you are when I’m finished with you.”

  “About time I saw some action - uh!” That last came out on a gasp as Ryan twisted his fingers in the side of her lace panties and ripped them right down the seam. “Hey, these are new!” That last was squeaked out on a definite aroused note of half laughed protest.

  “You should have thought of that before.” Keeping her bent over beneath him, he ripped the other side of her panties open and tore them off her, lifting his hand enough to toss them onto the table in clear view. “Pretty. But I much prefer this.” With that, he brought his palm up between her thighs to clap lightly onto her secrets, cupping the damp silken skin and soft curls in one smooth motion of confident claiming.

  That made her squirm, rise up on her tiptoes in an effort to avoid his touch, but he pressed down harder with his chest, causing her hips to arch up, pushing her bottom so decadently into his loins, opening her to him.

  “Dirty fighting!” The words were gasped out in unmistakeable sexual hunger.

  Sinful intent threaded his tone as he tsked. “Still mouthy. Later we’ll put that mouth to better use, but right now I’m going to ride that sass right out of you.”

  “Still only hearing that blah-blah-blah,” she managed to pant as she continued squirming.

  “Maybe I should gag you.” Amused but hotly turned on at the same time, Ryan eased his hips back enough to unsnap the button on his jeans and yank down the zipper.

  The pressure of his shaft against the ungiving material eased a fraction, but it was still painful until he shoved his jeans down around his thighs. The hard, thick length sprang free, giving momentary relief but not what he needed.

  “Putting you off?” she taunted.

  “Let’s see how much you can say in a second.” One hand braced down beside hers on the table, the other holding her hip, he flexed his hips, the tip of his shaft instinctively lodging at the entrance to her body.

  “You can’t shut me - uh!” This time the sound rushed out of her as he thrust inward.

  Hard.

  He didn’t give her time to recover, fingers digging into the lush curve of her hip as he thrust hard again, drawing out until he almost slipped free, shoving hard back in again, setting up a punishing pace.

  He could see every thought, every intention she had of smart-mouthing him vanish. Her head tipped back, a whimper escaping her at the force of his thrusts.

  Moving further over her, still gripping her hip with his hand, he moved his other from the table to fist firmly in her hair, pulling her head back and around so he could avail himself of her mouth, kiss her mercilessly as he held still deep inside her, his hips tight against her bottom, shaft in her up to the base.

  Releasing her lips, he looked down into her pleasure-dazed eyes, smiled enigmatically, voice harsh with a dark edge. “I’m in control of you, Ella mine. Your body belongs to me. I’m riding you, I’m taking you. And in turn you will take-” He shoved against her, the closeness of their bodies only succeeding in nudging her against the table, but he shifted his hips, ground into her, watched her start to fall apart as he found that little spot inside her “-every damned thing I give you.” Another shove as he changed angle again, twisted his hips, and with fierce, lustful hunger, he started nailing that spot, snapping his hips forward to mercilessly peg that erogenous zone until she literally almost screamed for mercy.

  For more.

  Sinful satisfaction curled through him as she begged and pleaded, losing track of her words, her thoughts, frantically reaching to form a coherent thought.

  No bloody way. His Ella was going to know he held all the power now.

  True to his word, he rode the sass right out of her.

  Lifting his chest from her, he straightened, spread his legs as much as the confines of his jeans would allow, bent his knees slightly to adjust the height his position required, and gripping her hips in both hands, he pounded into her.

  No longer worrying about the erogenous spot, knowing he’d pegged her enough to send every nerve ending into a threatened meltdown of pure insatiability, he rode her hard.

  Rode her for his enjoyment. Controlled her, controlled the pace, ruthlessly pushed her to her limit and beyond. The position was dominant, the way he took her almost predatory as he used her body.

  But he used her for both their enjoyment, both their needs that were now burning almost out of control.

  Heat seared through him, fire blazing through his veins, pure carnal eroticism driving him onwards, fuelled by the sight of her arching before him, her hands on the table, knuckles white as she sought to stay in one spot, to keep her palms from sliding across the table in response to the almost savageness of his thrusts. Her head was arched back, the golden hair long having fallen out of the loose bun to curl with wild abandon around her shoulders and back, messy and wanton from his fingers twisting in the silken strands.

  The sight of the deliciously plump globes against his pumping hips was decadently sinful, and he looked down, watching his shaft withdrawing from her sheath, the slickness of her desire coating him, the way he disappeared inside the shivering sheath as he invaded her body without mercy.

  Heart hammering, ardour clawing from his sac to his spine and back down, fiery pricks splintering up his sh
aft.

  Teeth gritted, jaw hard, he continued to pound into her, the resulting whimpers and moans carnal music to his ears.

  The swell of fire filled his shaft, hot seed burgeoning forth and he shoved hard into her, heard her scream his name, felt the muscles of her sheath clamp down on him as he pushed her out into an orgasm, and then he was following her, hips snapping forward, grinding into her as his passion burst from him, filling her, coating her inside, marking her internally with his scent, his life force.

  The roiling mass of sexual fire took him, burned him, dropping him so that he fell forward, one arm coming out instinctively to brace his hand on the table, hearing it hit with a bang, a loud slap, managing to keep himself upright, his chest to her back, curled over her even as his hips shoved hard against her, pushed, straining as that hot seed poured forth, but even as his ardour swamped him, he was aware of her, the need to protect her from his weight, to keep her safe making him support himself on one arm, the bulge of his bicep so very evident as he wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her into him as he gave her some of his weight, pressed her down, rode out the storm with her safe in his embrace.

  **

  It took awhile for his heart to stop thundering and settle to a more regular pattern. Once the delicious aftershocks stopped shivering through him, he lifted from her, brushing a kiss to her nape that lay exposed as she rested her forehead on her hands.

  Straightening, he found his hips still nestled hard against her, a wicked grin curling his lips as he slowly - so very slowly - withdrew from her.

  “Oh, God!” She shuddered, her sheath instinctively clamping around him at the stirring sensations the decadent movement elicited.

  Not going to lie about it, he felt an immense satisfaction knowing he’d brought her to this. Stepping back, slipping free from her luscious heat, Ryan ran his finger over the crease of her bottom, down further to slick around the opening he’d just left, sliding his finger in to quickly turn it and drag back, hooking at the entrance and bringing her to her tip toes. Then, with a low laugh, he smacked her smartly on her bare bum.