Mercenary Desires (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Quinn, Jane Leopold

  “Oh, I think I can do both,” he promised.

  She wriggled against him, the soapy water making it an easy tease. That hard rod pressing into her soft butt cheeks was so erotic. She didn’t think she’d ever get enough of him.

  One of his big hands slid down to her mound, the other captured both of her breasts, cupping them together. He made her feel delicate and tiny compared to his immense masculinity. Slippery fingers encased her clit between them, and he smoothed along the short little sides. He worked her rhythmically, matching with the grind of his hips. Slow and steady.

  She wanted more. “Harder. Faster,” she moaned, her head thrown back, her own hips pumping. If the son of a bitch didn’t vary his movements, she’d never get off this way. Her clit needed to be rubbed harder, faster. It would never happen like this. “Please,” she begged, in a whimpering voice. She reached for it, panted, wept, it wasn’t going to—.

  “Ahh,” she cried out, her face burning, hot with the orgasm that hit her swiftly and sharply. Before she could get her head on straight again, he dipped his knees and thrust his cock into her sheath from behind. She barely got a breath in before he started pumping, filling her body, and stroking her ultra-sensitive clit again.

  He peeled her hands off his arms and splayed them on the tile wall to steady her. Holding her hips in a near bruising grip, he thrust, again rhythmically, but this time he gasped and groaned, his breath loud in her ear.

  “Take it, baby.”

  She whimpered, “Yeah, yeah.”

  Abruptly pulling out, he spun her around, lifted her, and impaled her again on his cock.

  Thighs wrapped around his waist, she rode him, slipping off and on, clutching his head, yanking on his hair. Her body welcomed the fullness and stretch of his shaft. “Oh, God,” she cried.

  He lowered his head, took a nipple in his mouth, and suckled hard.

  The two pressure points spiraled deliriously up and up, her hips meeting his in hard, driving thrusts.

  He shouted, and she felt his thick cum flooding deep in her core, the power and heat throwing her over the edge to join him. Limp as the proverbial spaghetti noodle, she clung to him, her face nestled at his neck. They were wet, and hot water still spilled over them. She didn’t think she’d ever move again. Didn’t think she really wanted to. Being with him, in his arms, on his cock made her feel safe.

  She began weeping. It started slowly with sniffles she was sure he couldn’t hear above the pounding water, but it escalated into wracking sobs. He held her tighter, rocked them together soothingly. He seemed to take it in stride.

  “Shh, baby, it’s okay. You’re okay now. Safe. I’ve got you.” His lips brushed her neck and shoulders, the side of her face.

  Digging her fingernails into his back, she said, “I was so scared.”

  “I know, baby.”

  “I knew what they’d do to me. I didn’t know if I could survive it.” She sobbed convulsively, her body shaking. His arms, like steel bands around her helped, but the memories of the fear and not knowing, the memories she’d tried to keep at bay since it all happened, picked this moment to erupt out of her.

  He didn’t speak useless words, he just held her like he was using his warm body to surround her, to shelter her.

  “When you broke through the door, I didn’t know…”

  “Um hm,” he crooned.

  Hiccupping her sniffles, she went on, “You were scary too. Your beard and bruised eyes. Then I saw your eyes were green, and I knew I was safe.” She pushed away from him a bit to meet his gaze. “I never even really thanked you for saving my life.”

  His body vibrated. His eyes, those golden green eyes, sparked with humor. He cupped her head and responded, “Somehow, I feel thanked right now.”

  “Oh, Rowdy.” She buried her face on his shoulder. “I don’t mean this.”

  “I know,” he murmured.

  “When you put me on that helicopter, what I really wanted to do was scramble off and stay with you.”

  “It was the hardest thing I’d ever done to let you go. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  He nudged her off his still thickened cock and lowered her to her feet. Slicking his fingers through her hair, making sure the shampoo was out, he rinsed them both of lingering soap. Lifting her out of the shower, he wrapped a towel around her and enthusiastically rubbed her hair, then, more gently, the rest of her. She was limp at this point, and he didn’t take advantage of the access he had to her nakedness.

  “Come to bed with me, sweetheart.” He steered her out of the bathroom.

  “Rowdy,” she began quietly. “Officially, let me thank you for saving my life. There’s nothing more I can say about the profound service you did for me.” She held up her hand when he opened his mouth to speak. His look of embarrassment and humility didn’t change what he’d done. “Let me finish. I know it’s your job and that you were paid to do it, but I love you for it.”

  His eyes widened.

  “I’m not trying to tie you down. I don’t need anything from you. You rescued me, and you deserve to know exactly how grateful I am, and how I feel about you.” Her voice faded, emotional fatigue overwhelmed her. If she didn’t sit down soon… She sat on the edge of the bed, still wrapped in the damp towel. It was almost humorous, yes, well, it was really humorous to see him vulnerable and naked, standing in her bedroom, looking so gorgeously flummoxed.

  “Rowdy, I don’t know anything about you.” Scooting to the head of the bed, she got under the covers and patted them. “Let’s talk.”

  He hesitated a moment, a wild expression in his eyes, looking like he was trying to make a decision.

  “It’s all right. We’re just talking. No deep promises or dark secrets. I just want to know who you are, where you grew up. You know, stuff like that.” She gave him a lighthearted smile wanting to change the dynamic from heavy emotional to light conversation.

  Chapter 7

  Rowdy watched her settle back on plump pillows. She’d dropped the wet towel but had pulled the comforter up over her breasts. The L-word. He’d panicked when he’d first heard it. Of course, she didn’t mean it any other way than gratitude. His fear kept his feet planted firmly on the floor. Every thing they’d been through wasn’t anything he hadn’t done in dozens of other rescues. Except for one thing. He had fallen for her. Beautiful and brave, she was both of those even though she’d broken down a few minutes ago.

  Now, she wanted to know about his life. And he wanted to know about hers. That surprised him. He’d always been quite happy to set his rescuees on their way and enjoy the bank deposits their families provided. He’d never, not even once before, followed anyone back to their home.

  “Rowdy,” she said. “Come on. This won’t hurt. Would you like some wine or a beer?”

  “Yeah,” he answered, clearing his voice of the rough cracking sound. She moved to get out of bed. He stopped her. “I’ll get it. What do you want?”

  “Whatever you’re having is fine. Thank you.”

  He plodded out to her kitchen. A beer was exactly what he needed right now, unless she had something stronger. Nevertheless, he brought back two German Hirschbrau Doppels. The woman had good taste, but then she was obviously rich. Her father had paid a nice sum to rescue her, and her high-rise condo was the height of luxury.

  She’d put on a large man’s T-shirt, the hem coming to mid-thigh. He smiled and handed her the beer. If she thought to look unsexy, then she thought wrong. Nothing she could wear or not wear would keep her from being one of the hottest women he’d ever met.

  “So, Peter Pierce, where did you grow up?”

  He snuggled in next to her, feeling the sense of importance in the moment. But, he wanted to be here with her more than he’d ever wanted to be with another woman. “Ah, yes, have you ever heard of Kingsdown, Kansas?”

  “No, can’t say that I have.”

  “Well, it’s a few miles south of Dodge City. You’ve heard of that, I suppose.”

 
“Sure. TV shows. Movies.”

  “It’s dusty, dry land,” he said, not wanting to go back to some of those memories. He paused, let the shudder go through him and continued, “We were fairly poor even though both my folks worked.”

  “Are they still there?”

  “Nope. My dad died in a factory accident when I was a sophomore in college. My mom lives in a nursing home now.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It was a long time ago. Almost twenty years.”

  “Did you have to quit college?”

  “No, I was on scholarship.”

  “Football?”

  “No. Academic. I didn’t play football in college.”

  “Why not? You’re a big guy.”

  “Yeah, but I had to keep my grades up or lose my scholarship.” He took a swig of beer to wet his throat.

  “What did you do after graduation?”

  “Well, I joined the Army, became a Green Beret, and the rest is classified.” His lips tipped in a seductive smile. “So, I’m tired of talking,” he murmured, putting his beer on the bedside table and leaning over her, his fingers sliding along her thigh under the hem of the T-shirt. He dragged his tongue across her lower lip, the taste and smell of her, the yeasty hops combined with her fresh scent from the shower, drew him in more deeply. Until he felt the firm but gentle push on his chest.

  “Um…wait a minute,” she said, her voice erotically husky.

  “Mm um.”

  She persisted. “I’ve never asked you…”

  He kissed her, sipped from her.

  “Rowdy, I need to know. I didn’t ask you before because things were too fast and too intense, but…”

  “No, I’m not.” He brushed his lips over her cheek to her ear.

  “Huh?”

  “Married.”

  “How’d you?”

  “Know?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Reasonable question.” He bit at her earlobe.

  “Kids?”

  “No.” He nudged at her neck so he could nip the tender skin. “Are you through?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “Good.” He pulled the T-shirt off over her head baring her sweet body. All long, smooth legs, soft skin, it stretched out before him. He brushed his palm down the center to skim over her belly and land just above her springy bush of blonde hair. “Well, lookee here, darlin’. Your little hairs are all wet.” He stroked a finger across the moist tendrils, pinching a few, pulling at them.

  She moaned, her hips arching.

  He climbed over her, straddled her thighs to keep them together, and slid his forefinger down her crease. She tried to open her legs, but he wanted to play with her a while. He stroked up and down on the outside of her slick lips using her seeping cream as lubrication. Jesus, and he wasn’t even inside her cunt. He couldn’t take his eyes off her pussy.

  Slowly, he deepened his skimming and petting, pushing his way inside her cleft, the moist, plump folds luring him in.

  Crooning his name, she tried to guide his hand closer to her clit.

  “Not yet, sweetheart.” He dragged his fingers over her lips, separating them for a peek, using his thumbs to hold her open, blowing gently on her. The more she groaned and squirmed, the more her musky, sexy, aroused scent, sharp and earthy, carried to his nose. His heart thundered, eyes focusing intently on that sweet, swollen nub. He licked his lips and didn’t intend to wait one more second.

  “I’m going to kill you,” she whimpered.

  “No, you won’t.” He lowered his head to swipe a wet tongue through her cleft. Settling on her clit, he pursed his lips around her and suckled gently.

  She let out a long, low, guttural growl of appreciation.

  Huffing a laugh, he continued tormenting and flicking her swollen bud until she screamed and very definitely tried to push his head away, yanking the strands of his hair in an erotic frenzy.

  “No, no, I can’t take any more,” she cried.

  Slithering up her body, dragging and swirling his tongue all the way, he covered her with his torso and kissed her. Balanced on his elbows, he held her face in both palms and ravaged her mouth. Her hips surged against his, and he was ready for her. With a deft tilt of his body, he rocked home to bury his dick to the balls inside her heated cunt.

  They groaned at the same time, their kissing paused. Her tight channel pulsed around him, grasping him, the tissues slick and milking him until it was too late to stop or think. No condom—again—flitted through his brain, but he couldn’t stop pistoning into her.

  “Come on, baby.” Come on, come on, I can’t hold on… All he knew was his cock and her sweet cunt. Damn, his release came fast, scalding, almost painfully forceful. His eyes squeezed so tightly shut, stars and sparks exploded inside his lids. Now he whimpered, the sound mortifyingly clear as he regained his senses in time to feel the excruciatingly pleasurable fluttering spasms in her velvet heat. He collapsed, his nose buried at her neck.

  * * * *

  She turned her head, kissed the side of his face, and dragged her fingernails over his back, scratching in pleasure. He was still inside, thick and stretching. Her hips ached a little, but it was a wonderful ache. Where were they going with this? Damn, she didn’t want that question to intrude on the bliss of this time together.

  The moment after he slid out of her, she missed him. They lay side by side, puffing like racehorses. She groaned and glanced at him, his arm draped over his eyes. Now his face didn’t look so tough. He looked boyish. It was the same muscular neck, strong chin, and beautiful carved lips, but his mouth softened, vulnerable and tender. Relaxed. He breathed heavily, though. His eyes still shut, he rolled toward her, pushed her onto her side, and cuddled up behind her. His heat and firm arm around her waist protected her and lulled her into sleep.

  Chapter 8

  What the hell? The ringing phone jolted Sara awake, and even though she lunged out of bed, she was still disoriented. Her heart started to slow down when the phone stopped. Rowdy looked none too happy to be awakened either. He sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, hands scrubbing his face awake.

  “Honey.” It was her dad’s voice on the answering machine. “We went by your shop around three, and it was closed. Are you all right? We were just worried to see the door locked so early. Okay? Call us back when you have a chance. I hope you can make dinner tonight.”

  “Oh, Lord, I forgot about that,” she murmured. “You probably recognized that voice.”

  He canted his face toward her. “Your dad.”

  “Yeah. How many times did you talk to him?”

  “Three. The last time was when I called to let him know you were safe and on your way home.”

  “He and my mom will want to thank you. I know it’s an imposition, but would you want to have dinner with them tonight?” she asked. “As you heard, it was already set up, with me anyway. No one knew you’d be here.”

  He didn’t answer right away.

  She paused, then said, “If you’re not comfortable, that’s okay. You don’t have to feel obligated. They don’t know you’re in town.” She told herself not to feel hurt if he said no. Maybe he didn’t like to meet his clients in person.

  “Well, sure, that’d be fine,” he finally responded. “Unless it’s a special occasion.”

  “We get together every week or so.”

  “You don’t have a date?” He kept his head lowered as he gazed at her.

  She returned the look, their eyes held, a supercharged connection passed between them, heating her skin. His cheekbones flushed too. At his glimmering expression, she realized she was still naked. A quick glance at his middle showed his cock rising. She opened her mouth to tell him to forget it. They didn’t have time for monkey business.

  “Come here,” he commanded huskily.

  * * * *

  Rowdy watched her lashes drift closed, her breasts rise and fall with quickening breath.

  “Rowdy, I have to call my folks bac
k to confirm, then we have to get dressed.”

  “Come here first, darlin’.” He gave her a sexy come-on smile.

  She bit her lower lip.

  He could tell she wanted to. Her body was responding to him. He held out his arms, and she walked right into them. Pulling her down to straddle his hips, he nestled his cock between their bellies. He growled when she grasped it, her thumb tracing the length of the vein on the underside. Their lips met. She nipped at his, first the upper, then the lower one. His hands rested at her waist. He didn’t make any overt moves, letting her take the lead now that he had her where he wanted her.

  Her thumbs caressed him and spread the moisture seeping from his tip all over the hard, aroused head of his cock. She kissed his chest, his nipples. “We really don’t have time for this,” she repeated.

  “You’re going to leave me like this?” His groan was part humor, part agony.

  She chuckled.

  “How come you don’t have a boyfriend?”

  Kissing his neck, nipping at it, she replied, “There’s no one I find interesting enough.”

  “What about me?” He thought she’d gotten the message in the shower that he wanted to stick around.

  “I find you very interesting.” Sitting back on his thighs, she gazed at him, her blue eyes sparkling with humor.

  Big, tough Rowdy Pierce felt very vulnerable right now. He’d never wanted to stay with a woman before. Sure, a weekend, maybe a week if the sex was extremely inventive, but never long term. That’s when he realized, yet again, that he was in a mountain of trouble with this woman.

  She brushed her fingers along his jaw, scratching at the whiskery surface of his cheeks. He needed a shave.

  “I’d love to have you stay as long as you’d like,” she said with a flirtatious smile. “What about your company?”

  “I can run it long distance,” he answered distractedly, his mind whirling with probabilities and possibilities.