by Kris Norris
“Wouldn’t you rather just snuggle in bed?”
Love sparkled in her eyes, followed closely by desire. “Why limit myself to only one option when you’ve already promised me both?”
“You’re dangerous, you know that?”
“It’s been mentioned before.” She tugged him in the direction of the bathroom, holding his hand as they walked through the doorway and over to the shower. Her eyes never left his as she opened the door and swivelled the knobs, the patter of water echoing through the room. Her gaze drifted the length of his body, the lust in them impossible to miss, before locking on his again. She finally released his hand and smoothed her fingers down his shirt, pausing when they were fisted around the hem. The tentative smile spread into a stunning curl of her lips as she lifted his shirt over his head, allowing it to fall to the floor. Her hands skimmed over his abdomen and ribs until she palmed his chest. “And for the record, we never technically stopped being husband and wife.”
Then her lips found his, the kiss equal parts desperation and need. He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her against his chest. Her nipples poked his ribs, the hard points begging to be consumed. He tried to reach for her shirt, but she ended the kiss, shaking her head as she went to her knees. Her gaze was dark, intense, and he knew he’d give her anything just to ease the burden she insisted on carrying.
Shaking fingers thumbed the band of his pants, circling his hips until they met in the middle, the smooth feel of her nails caressing his skin. She didn’t rush, taking her time to slowly pop his button free and ease the edges of the material apart. A hushed hum of approval drifted across the short distance and she paused to draw small patterns on the inch of skin she’d revealed.
Sawyer set his jaw, willing his dick to stand down. The last thing she needed was him coming all over her hand before she’d even taken the damn thing out of his pants. But God, just thinking about her placing her soft lips around his shaft before sucking him deep made his balls tingle.
He took a deep breath, concentrating on anything but the hiss of the zipper as she lowered it, nipping at his cock through his briefs. The head pulsed, and he knew there’d be a wet mark to accentuate his condition.
Mallory moved up and down his length as she tugged on his pants, finally pulling them and his shorts over his hips. She released him just long enough to spring his cock free before licking a long line up to the tip, the breadth of her tongue lapping at the drop of pre-cum gleaming on the head. His pants dropped to the floor, and she paused to push one foot free. The remaining fabric hit the floor, the sound dulled by the throbbing of his pulse in his head. He reached for her just as she slipped her lips around his cock and took his length deep to the back of her throat.
“Fuck. Darling.” He gathered her hair in his hands, keeping it back from her face as she moved along him, the sight of her mouth wrapped around his dick just as hot as the act itself. His gaze fell to her groin and he wished he’d taken the time to strip her down.
“You know, this would be even better if I could see how wet you were.”
She glanced up at him, the edges of her mouth tightening into what he knew was a smile. She kept her gaze locked on his as she drew back until just the head was sealed inside her mouth, then she shrugged and surged towards him, sucking on him until he thought his eyes would bulge out.
“Tease. You’re not going to show me anything, are you?”
She eased him free. “Patience.”
He cursed as she nipped her way down his cock to nuzzle his balls, gently sucking each one into her mouth. Fire tingled along his spine, threatening to end her seduction before it’d truly begun. He closed his eyes, willing for some semblance of control as her tongue returned to his shaft, flicking up and down it with lazy strokes. Heat flared along his skin with every touch and he had to fight to keep from fisting her hair.
Mallory hummed again, adding another layer of sensation. The tiny vibrations skittered along his shaft, mixing with the warm feel of her mouth. He groaned and dropped his head, finally opening his eyes to gaze at her. Bright blue stared back at him, her long lashes veiling part of her eyes in shadows.
“God, you’re beautiful.” He tugged on her hair. “Come on. My turn.”
She chuckled around his cock, shaking her head as she increased her rhythm, plunging deep then quickly retreating. The increased pressure tensed the muscles in his thighs and gut, and he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. She was too good, too right.
A scratch of her nails along his stomach unhinged him, and he started thrusting, trusting her to meter his movements. She raised one hand to cup his cock, holding it perfectly for him to move freely. She didn’t try to take control, allowing him to set the pace as her other hand teased his sac.
“Damn, darling. I can’t hold back. If you don’t want it in your mouth…”
His voice degraded into a husky moan as the tingling sensation built along the small of his back, pulsing into his groin and up his shaft. Every pass of her lips brought him closer to the edge, but he held on, not wanting the moment to be over. God, he never wanted it to end. Mallory must have sensed his impending finish, and applied more pressure, hollowing her cheeks as her teeth lightly scraped the bottom length of his shaft. The slightly rough rasp was all he needed.
“Fuck, yes.”
Sawyer let his head fall back as his body tensed, his cock pulsing once before he released, his hips flexing as he emptied down her throat, each contraction sending more fire through his veins. Mallory took everything he offered, pumping his shaft when he was sure he was empty. A shudder raced through him, and he bowed over her, spent.
She purred in apparent satisfaction, still holding him in her mouth and hand until the last of his spasms subsided. Her tongue drew along his length as she slowly retreated, dropping a kiss beside the base of his cock. He managed a haggard breath as she rose from the floor, willingly moving into his embrace. Her rough panting matched his, the feel of her breath across his damp skin like pinpoints of electricity inflaming his need again.
“Wench.”
She smiled against his chest. “Talk about being long overdue.” She eased back, the tension finally gone from the fine creases across her forehead. “I’m betting the shower is more than hot by now.”
He kicked off the other leg of his pants and stared at her. “I’m ready, but you…” He tsked at her. “If you’d been a good girl, you’d be naked, too.”
“If I’d been a good girl, you wouldn’t have finished in my mouth.”
“Talk like that won’t help you get any sleep tonight.”
She shrugged. “Sleep’s highly overrated.” She lifted her shirt over her head, exposing her white cotton bra. “Now, I believe you promised me a shower.”
Sawyer growled and lunged forward, pinning her to his chest as he ravaged her mouth. She fought just enough to make him work for his prize, delving deep inside when she finally opened her lips. Heat burned between them, and he raised his hand to flick her bra open. The tiny metal clasp separated beneath his fingers as the fabric fell apart. Warm skin met his hand as he palmed her back, kneading the firm muscles.
He pulled away, watching the thin garment slip off her shoulders and fall to the floor. “So damn pretty.” He ran his fingers across the slope of her breast, his breath hitching as the nipple hardened at the gentle caress. “I could touch you all night.”
She moaned as he leant forward and took the taut peak into his mouth. He flicked his tongue across the tip, pressing it against the back of his teeth. Her hand speared through his hair, burying in the length as she held him tight to her chest. He suckled her nipple, fighting against her hold enough to repeat his action on the other side. Rough breaths marked each draw on her bud, until she whispered his name, the husky need more than apparent.
Sawyer smiled and eased away, straightening up. “I love how you react to me.” He thumbed her pants. “I suggest you get rid of these before I rip the fucking seams apart.”
She s
ighed, feigning annoyance as she popped the button free and pushed the denim over her hips. He didn’t miss the way her ass swayed back and forth a bit more than necessary as she inched them down, finally allowing them to pool at her feet.
He nodded at the pathetic strip of cotton covering a triangle of skin at her crotch. “Really, darling. If you’re going to wear panties, shouldn’t they at least look like they might cover more than a mere inch of your body?”
She shimmied her hips. “I could go without them again if you think that would be easier for you to cope with.”
“How about I just tie you to the bed so I can keep you naked all the time?”
She grinned at him as she stepped towards him and pressed her body flush to his. “Oh, I can just imagine Cole’s reaction when he walks in on us like that.”
Sawyer growled and slipped his fingers down each side of her panties, ripping the seams before allowing the meagre scraps to fall to the floor. “Are you determined to test me tonight?” He gave her butt a light slap as he pulled them towards the shower door. “You’re begging for a spanking.”
“Is that a promise, baby?”
He clenched his jaw, moving them into the shower. She knew just how to push him to the point he lost control and took her against any handy surface, despite his best intentions to love her slowly. Softly. She didn’t hide the smile gracing her lips as she stepped beneath the spray of water, the misty steam curling around her body. Water sluiced over her skin, making it glisten in the bright light. He pulled her close, attacking her mouth again before slowly turning her in his arms.
“Rest against the wall, darling.”
She looked at him over her shoulder, nothing but love reflected in her eyes. God, if he’d questioned her trust in him, she’d all but showed him he’d earned it back. Tears gathered again as she did as he asked, leaning into the white tiles as the water sprayed lightly across her back.
He grabbed the soap, working the bar into a thick lather before rubbing it along her shoulders, massaging the tense muscles as he worked his way downward. A contented hum followed every swirl of his hands, her body pressing harder into the wall. He moved with her, rediscovering every inch of her body, from the lush curve of her buttocks to the delicate line of her spine. He placed his hands around her waist, palming her ribs as he snugged his chest against her back, his lips trailing along the sleek column of her neck. The small hairs prickled at the gentle contact and he couldn’t stop the sudden urge to kiss the side of her jaw.
She turned towards him, her head lolling backwards against his shoulder and granting him access to the sensual hollow where her muscles threaded together. He bit the soft flesh, the primitive side of him determined to leave a mark staking his claim.
“Sawyer.”
The raspy hiss of his name ignited a deeper need, and he closed his eyes as he rested his head on hers.
“God, I love you.”
She stiffened slightly at his words, her sharp intake of breath revealing her thoughts before she’d even spoken them. He kissed her when she looked as if she was going to speak, loving the way she moaned into his mouth.
Their gazes locked as he finally eased back, one hand dipping down to rest on her thigh as the other angled the showerhead to rinse them off. “I don’t know why you gave me a second chance, but I’m certain I don’t deserve it…deserve you.”
He pushed her thigh off to one side, probing her entrance with his cock. Warm moisture coated his skin and he couldn’t stop from thrusting inside her, burying himself in her vise-like grip.
Mallory cried out his name, allowing him to bend her knee and wrap her heel around his back. He could tell she was off-balance, but he wouldn’t let her fall. He whispered soothing words as he drew back, pausing with just the head squeezed inside her before surging back in.
“You know damn well why I gave you a second chance, and I beg to differ on your last statement.” She moaned again at another pass, this one harder than before. “God, Sawyer. I need more.”
“Greedy little minx, aren’t you?”
He chuckled at her disgruntled huff, obliging her request. Her body shuddered with every stroke, and he knew she was already close to climaxing. He slipped his hand along her leg, cupping her mound. His fingers traced the line where they joined, and he groaned as he felt her soft flesh give to accept him.
“Damn, darling. You’re so fucking hot.” He slammed into her, pushing her against the tiles. “I wanted to go slow. To show you how much you mean to me, but, shit…”
He lowered his head, resting it against the base of her neck as he held her hips and pounded into her. Water splashed across her back, running in rivulets along her skin, but all he felt was her grasping channel and the hold she had over him. Her voice echoed through the small space, mixing with the steam as he worked her higher, feeling her pussy contract around him. He waited until the walls started to spasm before releasing his grasp on his control and emptying inside her.
Mallory’s body went rigid, her hands fisting against the tiles. He held her close, listening to her grunt through her release before she relaxed into him, seemingly content to let him bear their weight. He smiled and wrapped one arm around her chest as the other found her waist. Her chest hit his hand with every rough inhalation, the rapid breaths mirroring his. How he’d survived two years without her was a mystery, but he knew he wouldn’t last two days now. He wasn’t sure if he believed in soul mates, or fate, but he knew his life meant nothing without her in it.
Mallory sighed and leaned against him. He didn’t need to see her face to know she was smiling. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, rinsing off any remaining soap before easing his weakening erection out of her. She huffed in what sounded like disappointment and turned, watching him with that slight tilt of her head that made her seem innocent and wicked all at the same time.
He cupped her chin, moving in for a soft kiss. “You’re amazing. But don’t think I’ve forgotten about that spanking.”
Her smile was pure sin. “I’m counting on it.” She drew her hand across his chest, lightly squeezing his flat nipples. “Now I believe you promised to be my pillow.”
“I suppose I can’t break a promise.” He tugged her towards the door. “But remember. No snoring.”
Chapter Ten
Mallory bolted awake, the soft patter of feet across the wood floors outside the bedroom jolting her from sleep. She’d heard the noise a thousand times before—had learned to recognise the tread of her father when he was on one of his benders. For a drunk, the man had been as quiet as a damn cat, and she’d become an extremely light sleeper in order to stay one step ahead of him.
Memories of those nights tumbled through her head as she stared at the door, momentarily frozen until a creak sounded from the living room. Her muscles tensed as she shuffled to the edge of the bed and quietly opened the side table drawer. Her gun felt cold and heavy in her hand as she wrapped her fingers around the handle, removing it before sliding back over. She curled her other hand around Sawyer’s shoulder.
“Sawyer.”
The man hummed, blinking several times as he turned to look at her. His sexy half-smile brightened the room as he reached out and caressed her arm. “In the mood again already, darling? Damn, don’t you ever sleep?”
“There’s someone in the house.”
The lines around his mouth tightened as his gaze swung to the door, then dropped to her gun. He met her stare. “Are you sure?”
She tried not to sound too bitter. “Trust me when I tell you I’d recognise the sound of feet on a wood floor anywhere.”
Sawyer’s eyes narrowed and he muttered something under his breath as he rolled out of the bed, picking his jeans off the floor before tossing her his shirt. He gave her a nod as he retrieved his gun, pulled on his pants and headed for the door. Mallory followed behind him, slipping on his shirt before stopping at the closed door. Sawyer had his ear pressed against the damn thing while one hand palmed the handle. He glanced
over at her and nodded.
She took a deep breath, counting with him as he reached three and opened the door, clearing up the hallway towards the living room as she slipped out behind him and cleared the path back to the spare bedroom. Eerie silence greeted them and Sawyer tapped her on the shoulder, motioning towards the spare room. She acknowledged his plan and moved down the hallway with him. While she was anxious to catch the bastard invading their home, they couldn’t chance something might come at them from behind.
She stopped when they reached the room Sawyer had spent all of two hours in that first night. He pushed ahead of her, opening the door and ducking inside without a word. She cursed, but kept watch, not sure whether to be touched by his protectiveness or pissed by it. She choose the first, remembering how hurt he’d looked when he hadn’t backed her up quicker in the alley.
Sawyer reappeared a few moments later, shaking his head as he nodded up the corridor. She took off, clearing the bathroom before continuing towards the living room. Sawyer took point, keeping his back to the wall as he stared into the darkness. Mallory took the other side, her gun nestled beside her shoulder. They counted to three then shifted out, each taking a side. A cool breeze coasted along the floor, swirling around her feet. They moved as one, clearing the living room then moving to the kitchen. Sawyer searched every closet, every possible hiding spot before finally addressing the open front door. Though she was certain he’d locked it after they’d arrived home, it stood wedged against the wall, nothing but darkness beyond the entryway.
He cursed and kicked the thing shut, obviously not wanting to risk touching it without gloves. She relaxed slightly when he flicked on the lights, bathing the room in a harsh light.
He ran a clenched hand through his hair. “What the fuck? I know I locked the damn door, and not just the handle. I used the deadbolt.”
“No lock is impenetrable. Hell, I picked harder doors than that in foster care.”