by Selena Kitt
This apartment was larger than his buddy's, but the layout was similar. Unlike his buddy's, it was filled with furniture and various belongings, most of which seemed to be tossed on the floor. In the corner was a female in her late twenties, rather tall, with curly red hair. She froze the moment he entered, which was good since she had a PlayStation suspended over her head.
It was the second female who really caught his attention. Also in her late twenties, she was petite with wavy, honey-brown hair cut a few inches above her shoulders. It seemed to twirl and bounce every time she moved her head. The early afternoon sunlight played off what he was certain were faint pink highlights, showing she had a bit of a wild streak about her. Despite her small stature, she had nice tits, which were gloriously on display in a tight, baby-doll t-shirt—which also showed off her small waist and curvy hips. Conner would need to think of a reason to make her bend over so he could check out her ass.
It was a good thing he didn't become too distracted by those amazing tits and finally looked up to see her face, otherwise he would have missed those gorgeous, big, brown eyes checking out his cock. He felt his shaft stir to life. Down, boy. He still needed to assess the situation. The last thing he needed was a raging hard-on while possibly confronting two thieves, regardless of how beautiful one of them may be.
The redhead moved, raising her arms higher, preparing to drop the PlayStation.
Conner pointed a menacing finger in her direction and said in his most authoritative voice, "Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to put that down, right now."
Melissa lowered her arms and looked to Sage for guidance.
"You can't tell her what to do!" cried Sage. "Smash it, Melissa!"
Melissa raised her arms again.
"Ma'am, I'm warning you."
Melissa lowered her arms.
"Don't call her Ma'am!" ordered a frustrated Sage, arms akimbo. "Melissa, if you don't smash that, I will."
The little one was quite the spitfire when she was angry, thought Conner. That kind of energy was usually equally as fun in bed. He really did enjoy a woman with spirit. He had to admire her loyalty to her friend as well, not many woman would face larceny charges in the service of a friend. Not to mention face down a complete stranger who was as intimidating as himself.
Melissa raised her arms again.
"Ma'am is a sign of respect, which I am trying to show you despite the fact you are probably both thieves," said Conner as he took a step further into the room, his eyes still on Sage. Without turning his head or losing focus, he warned Melissa again, "Put that damn thing down before I lose my patience."
"Sage, I can't hold it any longer. It's heavier than it looks," whined Melissa.
Sage? Conner laughed. "What the hell kind of name is Sage?"
Sage drew her shoulders back, affronted. The offended movement was lost on Conner since it only served to push her breasts out more prominently. Sage had been teased about her odd name her whole life. She was damned if she was going to explain to this arrogant ass about her unorthodox upbringing with her two chef parents. Besides, Sage was the lucky one, just ask her sister, Damiana—named after a Mexican aphrodisiac herb her parents had 'enjoyed' before Damiana was conceived.
"Forget it. Just grab your stuff and let's get out of here," directed Sage to Melissa. "We have already wasted enough time." The last part was uttered with a disgusted look directed at Conner.
She didn't care if he was one of the sexiest men she had ever laid eyes on. He was distracting them from their purpose, which was to grab Melissa's stuff, destroy a little of Ricardo's crap, and get the hell out of there.
"What exactly is going on here?" he asked again, trying to keep his attention on the matter at hand and not on her beautiful pink lips and all the possibilities with them that came to mind.
Clearly they were not going to make a clean getaway until this man got his explanation, thought Sage. Sensing he had a very low tolerance for bullshit, she decided that an abridged version of the truth was her best bet. She also needed to get as far away from him as possible—as soon as possible—before she truly embarrassed herself by staring too long, or saying something really bad, like blurting out; 'please fuck me'! Besides, they had already done enough damage to the Lying Latin Lover's apartment.
"Not that it is any of your business," responded an exasperated Sage, "but my friend just broke up with one of your asshole kind and we are here to retrieve her stuff."
Conner raised an eyebrow, taking in the completely trashed apartment behind her.
Without missing a beat, Sage said archly, "We were in a hurry," by way of a completely unapologetic explanation.
"Uh… huh," said Conner, trying to look serious and failing. The fact was that he was a Marine, not a cop. He didn't even know the poor bastard these woman had targeted. As long as they weren't leaving with the T.V. or anything really expensive, he didn't see why it was his business to get more involved. Turning to Melissa, he stated, "Well, Ma'am, on behalf of my 'asshole kind', please accept my apologies. Carry on." He turned to leave.
Just as he was crossing the hall, he could hear the Spitfire's friend loudly whisper, "Why didn't you ask for his number?"
"Are you serious?" asked Sage.
"Why not?" said Melissa. "He's hot."
"Um… maybe because he caught us in the middle of committing a felony and we're lucky he didn't call the cops!" rejoined Sage. "Now grab this stupid Hello Kitty suitcase of yours and let's get the fuck out of here."
Melissa was right. The guy was incredibly hot but it wasn't just the circumstances that were all wrong. Sage could tell he was one of those arrogant, take charge types. She was far too independent to ever even consider dating a guy like that. Plus, the whole felony larceny thing would probably be a deal breaker anyway.
Conner closed the door on the rest of their conversation. Making his way back to the bedroom, careful to avoid the pile of boxes this time, he collapsed on the bed. The moment he closed his eyes, a vision of almond-shaped, doe brown eyes and large pink lips assailed him. Grabbing a pillow, he smashed it against his face and groaned. He was only in town for a few weeks before he left for training, and then, more than likely, another deployment. He needed a chick who was game for a few laughs and a quick fuck with no strings. Any idiot could see Sage was not that kind of woman. Despite being grouped together with his temporary unknown neighbor, Conner was not the 'asshole kind'. As a Marine, he was a man of honor. He took that seriously. It was why, despite their obvious attraction, he didn't pursue it. Didn't try to ask for her number like he wanted to. A woman like that deserved some steady nine-to-fiver, like an accountant. Someone who would wine and dine her. Not fuck her and leave her.
"Fuck, he's back early. Quick, get in the car, Melissa," called out Sage.
Conner was on his feet in an instant. He could hear Sage through the open bedroom balcony door. She was out front, in the apartment parking lot. Dammit. The 'asshole kind' bastard boyfriend must have returned. Throwing on a pair of jeans, he started for the front door.
"Get your hands off her, asshole!" screamed Sage.
No time for doors, thought Conner as he turned and headed straight for the balcony. Bracing his hands, he vaulted over the railing, thankful it was a first floor apartment with only a short, ten foot drop. Landing in the soft, slightly wet grass with his bare feet, he ran the quick distance to the parking lot.
There he found a stocky, Hispanic male wrestling with his Spitfire and her friend. The guy had her friend by the upper arm, trying to force her to drop that ludicrous pink suitcase.
"Let go, bitch!" the guy growled. "It's mine!"
"You owe me, bastard!" yelled Melissa. "I'm taking the Hello Kitty suitcase!"
"Seriously, people?" blurted out Sage. "You are both adults! Are you seriously arguing over a little girl's suitcase in the middle of fucking parking lot right now?"
Melissa was so ashamed at her friend's chastisement, she suddenly let go of the handle. Unfortunately, t
he Lying Latin Lover Ricardo was not expecting it. The suitcase swung in a wide arc, hitting Sage squarely in the chest, knocking her onto the asphalt.
Sage launched to her feet, spitting mad. Just as she sprung at Ricardo, claws bared, there was a crushing weight against her stomach and a powerful force hauling her backwards. From the top of her head to the curve of her bottom, all she felt was solid, muscled heat.
"Easy, Spitfire. I got this," whispered an amused voice warmly against her ear.
Shocked, Sage looked down to see a large toned arm wrapped securely around her waist. Tilting her head back… way back, since the top of her head barely reached his shoulder… she stared into the presumptuous blue eyes of the stranger from across the hall.
"You again," she sputtered.
Conner's lips quirked up in the right corner in a half-smile. Thoroughly enjoying how his arm had pushed the top of her full breasts up above the neckline of her tiny tee, he chuckled. "Me again."
Shifting her slight weight to his right side, Conner once again leaned down to whisper suggestively in her left ear, "You can think of a way to thank me properly later."
Ignoring Sage's indignant retort, Conner turned his attention back to the unknown male and her friend, Melissa, who had resumed their struggle over the suitcase. He assessed the guy. Taking in the scuffed combat boots, the hint of a beaded chain around his neck and the faded regiment tattoo on his forearm, he would say Army. The guy was also out of shape, needed a haircut, and obviously lacked discipline. Ex-Army. Definitely not a former officer—more than likely a grunt.
"Heel, little doggie," Conner barked out, knowing the derogatory term the Marines used for Army soldiers would get his attention. He wasn't wrong. Ricardo immediately snapped to attention.
"What the fuck did you just say?" His eyes were glowing with anger.
Sage, who had been heretofore struggling to no avail to get out of Conner's grasp, stilled. Sensing how the tension was ratcheting up to a scary degree, she shot glances between the two men.
"It figures a soldier would need a command repeated," Conner said with a smirk. The animosity between the Marines and Army was well documented. Even if this guy hadn't been Army, Conner would have had an issue with him. The hit to Sage was enough, but he also noticed the faint bruise under her friend's eye that make-up failed to cover in the bright daylight.
"Get the fuck out of here, Jarhead," Ricardo sneered. "This is none of your business."
"I'm afraid that's where you and I disagree. Now you are either going to clear out and give these ladies a chance to load up, or I'm going to beat you to a pulp with my bare hands… and then you're still going to clear out and give these ladies a chance to load up. This should be a decision so easy even an ex-Army can make it," snarled Conner, his verbal warning and stance both radiating danger.
Conner would have liked nothing better than to just skip the options and beat the man bloody for hitting a woman alone, but it was strictly against military code to engage in a fight with someone who was now a civilian. Unless, of course, the piece of shit is dumb enough to throw the first punch, thought Conner with a derisive smile.
Sage was not fooled. Plastered against his side, she could feel the coiled tension radiating from his body. He was poised for a fight. It was almost as if he was eager for one!
Slinking away from the threat of a fight with Conner, Ricardo turned to the easier target of Melissa. Pointing in her direction, he warned, "This isn't over, bitch."
"Oh, it had better be, dude. I literally know where you live," threatened Conner.
Ricardo turned on his heel and ran to his car, with Melissa shouting curses in his wake.
The threat of a fight gone, Conner turned his attention back to the squirming little package in his arms, settling her more firmly against his chest.
"You can release me now," she stated through clenched teeth. Sage was alarmed at her body's reaction to him. He was too… too male. It was almost primal. She was a modern woman, for Christ's sake! Not some cavewoman swooning at the thought of her man swinging his big club around. Speaking of big clubs, she could feel his pressing against her stomach; it both frightened and aroused her.
"What if I don't want to?" he teased.
Sage refused to take the bait. She tried shifting her hips and shoulders to dislodge Conner's grip, the move only seemed to arouse him more. She raised shocked eyes to his amused ones.
"Don't look at me," he laughed. "You're the one rubbing up against me."
"I-I…" Sage was at a complete loss for words for the first time in her life. Her cheeks flamed a bright pink as she became even more aware of their situation. The heat from his naked chest caused her nipples to grow erect. Judging by his knowing smirk, he could feel their hard outline pushing across his skin.
Conner rubbed her bottom lip with the tip of his finger. "Any thoughts on how you want to thank me for saving you?"
All his earlier good intentions fled the moment he felt the warmth of her body against his own. The moment he smelled the sugared orange scent of her skin as he whispered into her ear. The moment he felt her pulse rise, heard her breath catch, and watched her pupils dilate at his closeness. She could protest all she wanted. Her body told him all he needed to know.
"Saving me?" she asked, incredulous. "I had the situation perfectly in hand before you barged in. Thank you very much, Mr… Mr…"
"It's Conner," he offered.
"Mr. Conner," she stated primly, despite her lascivious pose draped across his front.
"Just Conner. Sage."
She didn't like how her name sounded more like a promise than a name coming from his lips.
"Please release me, Just Conner." She smirked knowingly.
"No," he stated bluntly.
"No?" she spurted. "You can't say no!"
Conner shrugged his shoulders. The movement caressed her already aroused nipples, sending a frisson of awareness crashing up her spine. "I just did," he challenged.
Sage pushed against his chest, trying to create a space between her skin and his own as she desperately looked around for assistance. Spying Melissa across the parking lot, deliberately trying to look busy packing the car, she knew she would get no help from that quarter.
"See here. You can't just keep me… trapped here," she reasoned.
"What are you offering?"
"Offering?"
"For your freedom."
"This really is too much!"
"I have all day."
"What do you want?" Sage asked, exasperated. Conner raised his eyebrow suggestively as he swiveled his hips forward, brushing her stomach with his painfully aroused shaft. "Not that!" She blushed.
"How about a kiss?"
"A kiss?"
"I believe that is the customary tribute for a knight in shining armor when he rescues a damsel in distress."
"I was not in distress, you—"
Her argument was cut off by his finger across her lips. "Do you want me to release you, or not?"
Sage sighed. "Fine." She tilted her head back and screwed her lips up tightly in a rather uninviting purse.
Conner laughed. She really was an adorably, feisty little thing...
Without warning, he reached into the low neckline of the t-shirt that had been teasing him all afternoon. Grasping a warm handful of soft breast, feeling the graze of her nipple along the center of his roughened palm, he squeezed… hard.
Shocked, Sage opened her mouth in a gasp.
Conner attacked.
His other hand, which had been securing her waist, swept up Sage's back to cradle her head, gripping her hair. As he pulled down, her head fell back, giving him access to her vulnerable mouth. His full lips descended on her small pink ones, overwhelming her. His tongue swept in, taking possession of her mouth. As he playfully swirled his tongue around her own, she discovered that he tasted like mint with a hint of whiskey.
Taking her lower lip between his teeth, he gently bit before moving to lick down her neck, wanti
ng to see if she tasted like sweet oranges. Pressing his lips to her skin, he murmured, "Kiss me back, Spitfire."
"I-I can't," she whimpered. Christ! It was too much. Digging her nails into his strong chest muscles, Sage barely clung to her sanity. His hand guiding her head. His mouth on hers. His other hand gripping her breast. It was all too much. He didn't just take control of her. He took complete possession of her every sense. Suddenly frightened of her response, she tried to push away, but he only tightened his grip.
Conner could feel her body quake and stiffen. She was fighting him. Fighting her response to him. He wouldn't let her. Releasing his hold on her breast and head, he moved both hands to her ass. Gripping her by the underside curve, he lifted her feet off the ground, crushing her hips to his own. Pushing his tongue into her mouth in a punishing rhythm, he made sure she felt every inch of the rigid length of his cock as it pressed between them. After several minutes that felt like an eternity, he set her back on her feet, but kept her plastered to his front.
Forcing the fingers of his right hand between her clenched thighs from behind, while his left hand still squeezed her bottom cheek, he whispered harshly against her cheek, slightly out of breath, "Just because I can't feel your wetness through these jeans doesn't mean I don't know it's there, Spitfire."
Sage felt her knees buckle as his fingers pressed up against her swollen clit, using the harsh fabric of the denim to his advantage. She closed her eyes, trying to get her equilibrium back. When she came back to her senses, she was standing in the middle of the parking lot, with Conner lightly stroking her upper arms. She took a step back, relieved when he let her go.
Conner watched her intently, as if he expected her to flee at any moment. Smart man.
He took a step forward. Sage took another step back. He took another step, but this time, with a warning look. Sage hated herself for heeding it. When he was once again directly in front of her, he took her by the chin and forced her to meet his gaze.
"Give me your number," he demanded.
"Why?"
"Do you really need to ask?"