by Meghan March
I’d take it.
I reached out to steady her. “Whoa, Red.”
“No whoa. Whoa means slow and we’re done with that. Moving on now.”
Her lips pressed against my neck, my shoulder, my chest . . . and trailed down to the promised land.
If I’d thought I was going to find a shy, uncertain girl on the bed before me, I would have been dead wrong. Ari was ravenous. Before she could wrap her lips around my dick, I gripped her shoulders and stopped her from dropping to her knees.
“What?”
“You gonna admit it?”
Her eyes smoldered, and I knew she was aware of what I was asking.
“Yes. I pictured you taking the head of your cock.” She gripped the shaft, tearing a groan from me. “And dragging it—” My fingers faltered as she leaned forward, her mouth an inch away. “Across my lips.”
She tried to close the distance, but I had other plans. With a tug, I plucked her up and tossed her on the bed.
“What—”
I pressed a knee on either side of her hips and worked my way up her body until my dick bobbed over her mouth. Ari’s tongue swiped out to wet her lips, just missing me. I gripped my shaft as pre-cum beaded on the head.
With one hand bracing me on the bed, I leaned down and painted her lips with it. “Like this?”
Her moan vibrated up my shaft, and then her tongue darted out again, swiping along her lower lip. “Mmm.”
I groaned, wishing she was laving the head of my cock.
“You want my mouth on you, Rhett? Have you ever pictured that?”
Somehow she turned the tables on me, and hearing the dirty questions on her lips kicked the intensity of the situation up another notch. Filterless Ari was perfect in the bedroom.
My dick jerked, giving away the answer.
Her eyes lit with heat. “You did, didn’t you? You wanted to push your cock between my lips?”
“Fuck yes, I did.” I stroked my cock as it bumped against her. “I’d come in my hand, wishing it was your mouth.”
The blush on her cheeks deepened. I knew we were both pushing her boundaries, despite her bold words, but damned if I didn’t like it.
“Then do it.” Her voice came out on a husky whisper as she lifted herself to suck my dick between her lips.
It took every ounce of restraint I had to keep it slow and steady as I pressed further inside the wet heat. “Fuck, Ari. Fuck.”
Her gaze was on mine, and I read the triumph in it. She was getting off on this, and that made it infinitely hotter.
Stroke after stroke, she sucked me down and I regulated the depth, not wanting to bottom out in her throat, even though it would feel amazing. No, we’d work up to that.
When my balls tightened, I had to stop or I’d come before I was ready. I pulled free and her lips turned into an instant pout.
“Where—”
“I’m not coming anywhere but inside you the first time.” I pushed off the bed and snagged my pants to find a condom. Within moments, I had my dick sheathed and my hips between her thighs, the head lined up at her entrance.
Her nipples puckered against the sheer lace of her bra. That had to go. I wanted every inch of her naked, and swore to myself that I’d take the time to learn every freckle later tonight.
“Take it off.”
Ari twisted to unclasp her bra, and as soon as her tits spilled free, I planted a hand on either side of her head and thrust home.
Holy fuck, so tight.
A hoarse cry spilled from her lips, and a gruff sound tore from my throat.
Ari’s hands flew out to grip my shoulders. Her eyes met mine, and she said exactly what I was thinking. “More.”
“I’ll give you everything you can take.”
I pulled back and buried myself balls deep, stroke after stroke, until her body clenched around mine. I reached between us and found her clit, pressing hard until she screamed and grasped at the covers beneath us, arching her hips and gripping my dick with an orgasm like nothing else I’d ever felt.
I powered through, pumping over and over until I couldn’t hold back any longer. I threw back my head and my climax tore through me.
Absolute and complete perfection. Better than anything I could have imagined.
33
Ariel
I might have blacked out. I definitely saw stars. Possibly fireworks. Maybe even the Madonna. Sex with Rhett Hennessy was an almost religious experience, and it left me in a state of semi-shock.
Sweat beaded on my forehead, and Rhett’s chest heaved as he sucked in breath after breath. Where was that wheezing sound coming from? Oh, wait, that was me.
“You okay, Red?”
I nodded. Or maybe my head just lolled to the side.
“You sure?”
This time I managed a nod. I wasn’t sure words were possible at this point. Besides, what could I say? I’d imagined this moment so many times, and not a single variation had come remotely close to being as awe-inspiring as the reality. My fantasies had been shattered, and I wasn’t sure how to deal with the aftermath. Need to process.
Rhett lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine when I didn’t answer.
I found my voice after a few more centering breaths. “I’m good. Really good.”
“Glad to hear it.”
His deep voice did something to me, sent shock waves through my body, and my inner muscles clenched, turning the chuckle into a groan.
“Damn, Red.”
I bit my lip as I realized how I affected him. “Sorry. Kinda. Okay, not really at all.”
His lips quirked into a grin. “Don’t ever apologize for having a perfectly tight pussy.”
I slapped a hand over my eyes. “I’m not sure I’m ready for you to say things like that when we’re not . . . you know, in the heat of the moment.”
One of his eyebrows went up, clearly taking my statement as a challenge. “Guess you’re going to have to use that genius brain of yours to adapt and deal.”
My brain was the problem. It was having a hard time catching up to this new reality. “I may never be able to look you in the eye again,” I mumbled, finding the ceiling very appealing.
Rhett’s fingers gripped my jaw and he forced my gaze to meet his. “Never be embarrassed about anything that happens when we’re together. This is as raw and honest as two people can get, and there’s nothing to be worried about. I love that you let go, that you don’t think too much and stop yourself from doing and saying what you want. It’s sexy as hell, Ari. Be you, because you’re amazing.”
I just barely kept in the awww that wanted to escape. I had to change the subject. “Thank you for that.”
“It’s the truth.”
Then he rolled off the bed and lifted me into his arms. “Come on, Red. Time for a shower.”
Wet and naked?
My mind flipped back into dirty mode. “What else is happening in that shower?”
Rhett looked down at me, his eyes flashing in the early signs of sunrise cutting through the high windows. “Whatever I want.”
Annnnd, I’m a goner.
34
Ariel
My eyes flew open as I rolled over and a hand slipped off my hip. The morning sun blazed through the blinds, but it wasn’t the sun that was new today. No, it was the large source of body heat to my right.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t imagine waking up next to Rhett Hennessy. I actually woke up next to him. Which meant the vivid scenes playing through my head were memories, not fantasies.
I lay there, my eyes darting back and forth as though they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Rhett’s dark blond hair was truly on the pillow next to mine.
Even though last night I’d convinced myself he was no longer some figure of mythical proportions staring down from me on his pedestal, it was still overwhelming to comprehend.
My body ached in places I wasn’t sure it had ever ached before. I bit down on my lip to keep the hysteric
al giggle trapped inside.
Real Rhett beat the dream Rhett every day of the week, and apparently three times on Sunday. Even in the shower.
My gaze stroked over his thick biceps as I recalled the way he’d held me pinned against the wall. He was just as strong as he looked.
But if last night with Rhett actually happened, that means . . . My thoughts took a dark turn as I recalled standing in the emergency room as my father was wheeled in and out for a CT scan.
Last night was both a dream and a nightmare. My hopes and fears collided all at once. I’d felt helpless, but Rhett had given me his strength.
And his dick.
I choked on a breath. My brain apparently didn’t understand the solemnity of certain thoughts right now. In fact, as the synapses started firing, chaos reigned and there was only one way to corral it back into order. Coffee.
Even though I loathed the thought of leaving the bed, I had to move. Had to push forward, or I’d find myself curled up next to Rhett, covers over my head, refusing to ever get up because I didn’t want to face the day, and that wasn’t how I operated. I took things, good and bad, head on.
When I slipped out from under the covers, he didn’t move. Halfway around the bed, I found his dress shirt from last night and shrugged it on, buttoning it as I walked toward the door.
The scent of coffee was absent as I hit the hallway leading to the kitchen because I hadn’t set the coffeemaker timer. Every day I’d been in New Orleans, Carver had woken up before me and had it brewed and waiting. Given last night, I doubted Carver would set foot inside the house unless there was some kind of crisis.
I got the coffee going and stared out the window over the lake, watching as the sun rose higher in the sky. Dad’s waking up in a hospital bed this morning because we couldn’t keep him safe.
Last night had scared the hell out of me. I wasn’t used to worrying about my father this way. He’d always been the most capable, larger-than-life man I knew.
I can’t lose him too. My shoulders drooped as I wrapped my arms around my body and squeezed tight.
Lost in my depressed thoughts, I missed the sound of footsteps coming toward me, and didn’t feel his presence until Rhett closed his arms over mine.
“It kills me to see you like this, Ari. I promise we’re going to make everything right again. As right as I can possibly make it.”
His chest pressed against my back and warmed my entire body. I wished I could soak up his strength and confidence as easily as I soaked up his body heat.
“We have to make sure this never happens again with Dad . . . and I have no idea how to protect him if he won’t let me.”
“We’ll figure it out together. Your brother too. We’ve got this. Everyone wants to make sure your dad stays safe.”
The certainty in Rhett’s voice helped me center myself and focus on the right attitude. We will figure this out. Dad is going to be fine. I won’t let anyone or anything steal the remaining time I have left with my father. Once I find out who did this, I’m going to ruin their lives.
Seemed like a fair and logical solution to me.
I turned in Rhett’s arms to find him staring down at me, sincerity radiating in his gaze. He meant every word he said. He might have been the one person, other than my brother, who cared about my family as much as I did.
“Thank you for staying.”
He cupped my cheek, stroking with his thumb. “That’s not something you need to thank me for, Ari. I should be thanking you.”
The cheek he touched heated. “Um, nope. If there’s anyone deserving thanks, praise, accolades, and possibly Olympic medals, it would be you.” My gaze darted up to his before focusing on his chin again.
One corner of his mouth tugged upward, and I could picture the devastating smile in my head without seeing it.
“Olympic medals? Then I guess it means I didn’t disappoint.”
My eyes cut to his. “You thought I was disappointed? Are you deluded?”
Rhett’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he laughed. “I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself deluded, but I had some pretty big expectations to exceed, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t fall short.”
“Again, the scientific answer to that question would be a solid no way in hell.”
Rhett chuckled again. “Good. I mean, apparently it wasn’t groundbreaking or life-changing, but that gives me things to work up to. I’ve still got room to impress you.”
I pressed a hand to his chest. “If you impressed me any more, I might find out what cardiac arrest is like.”
He leaned down and slid his lips along my temple. “We can’t have that. I liked waking up beside you too much. It was almost like I could hear your brain flip on and the gears start turning.”
I froze. “You were awake?”
“While you were watching me sleep? Yeah, I was.”
My face heated. “I swear I’m not a creepy stalker. I left that in high school.”
Silently, I amended, Okay, maybe it was really college after I first hacked into his life to see what was going on. And maybe there was that alert I set up to see if he ever applied for a marriage license . . . But Rhett didn’t need to know about any of that. Clearly.
He shook his head. “I watched you after you fell asleep, so I consider it fair.”
My chin jerked. “You did?”
“I finally had you where I’d wanted you for a long time, and I didn’t want to miss a minute of it.”
35
Rhett
Ari melted against me, and I knew in that moment that I would do whatever it took to find who hurt her father and make sure they paid. Anyone who would beat up a confused old man deserved the same ass-kicking they’d handed out. Even my black-and-white sense of justice would have agreed with that.
I looked down at her face and had no qualms about being the man to deliver that ass-kicking. Whatever she needed, I’d find a way to be that.
“You want to break out one of your fancy computers and see if your dad was able to give them anything helpful last night?”
Ari straightened in my arms. “Do you think they would’ve filed a report already?”
I considered her question. “Not normally, but given that your dad is who he is and with your brother being on the force, I bet they filed it right away.”
“On it.” With a practiced hand, she poured herself a mug of coffee and scooped a laptop off the counter before making her way to the table with it under her arm.
Her fingers flew as soon as she laid them on the keyboard. A tiny concentration line appeared between her brows as she worked, her attention focused on the screen.
Once I had my own cup of coffee in hand, I walked around the table to watch. Lines of gibberish appeared on a black screen as her hands worked some kind of magic spell I would never understand.
Until . . . I did.
The police department’s internal search screen popped up in a window.
“Wait a minute. You just hacked into the system in less than five minutes?”
A huff escaped her lips. “Less than two. Five would be sad. It didn’t even take me that long the first time.”
I blinked twice, and my gaze darted between her still-flying fingers and the screen. When she said she was good, she was telling the truth.
“Shouldn’t it be harder? Do they have any idea that people can do that? It seems wrong.”
Ari shrugged. “What’s wrong is the fact that the government won’t spend the money to secure its own sites, even though it knows about the vulnerabilities. A baby hacker could get in, although they might not be as good at covering their tracks as I am.”
The implications of what she was doing settled like lead in my gut. “You’re sure no one can trace this back to you?”
“It all leads back to an IP address in Bangladesh this time. I never use the same one twice,” she replied absently as she scanned the screen.
Her body was sexy. Her face was beautiful. But her brain blew me away
.
“You’re incredible.”
She shrugged off the compliment. “We’ll see. I haven’t found anything useful yet.” She returned her attention to the keyboard. “But I will.”
Within moments, she had a police report on the screen that was filed in the early hours of the morning by the detective in charge of her father’s case, and I read over her shoulder.
“Your father reported that there were two assailants. Hispanic. In their twenties. Both speaking Spanish. Distinctive tattoos that have surfaced as being associated with a certain Mexican drug cartel in the last several years.” They’d also stolen his Saint Michael medallion, and I remembered Ari saying he’d never taken it off for as long as she remembered. Her mom had given it to him the day he’d graduated from the academy.
I could tell when she got to that part of the report by the tensing of her body. Silence hung between us as we both processed the details.
“I don’t get it. Was it random? Or are they trying to say there’s a connection to a prior case?”
I reread it. The report was incomplete, which wasn’t surprising given the time it was filed. “He was homicide and retired before the cartel became the issue it is today.”
“So it was random,” she concluded.
“It could’ve been.”
I didn’t tell her the rest of what I was thinking because I didn’t understand how all the pieces fit together yet, but my gut said this wasn’t random. These guys didn’t just go around beating up retired cops. They might have been arrogant, but they weren’t stupid.
My brother was killed in a cartel drug raid gone wrong, and my dad died while the cops were on their way to arrest him for being on the cartel payroll. This connection hit way too close to home, even if it didn’t make sense yet.
I read through the description Mr. Sampson had given again and committed everything to memory.
Ari finally lifted her hands from the keyboard. “This doesn’t make any sense, does it? Maybe they were just out and saw him as an easy target?”