Through His Eyes (Mind's Eye Book 1)

by Deborah Camp

  “You’re busy. I’m bothering you.”

  “I’ve told you before, you’re never a bother to me.”

  “What woman did you see in Mallory Square?”

  “Not the blond,” he said, reading her thoughts. “Someone else.”

  “Who?”

  He shrugged and crossed over to the bed. “A woman I keep seeing around Key West and it makes me think she might be following me.”

  “An obsessed fan,” Trudy said.

  “Possibly.” He sat beside her and hooked an arm around her waist as his mouth swooped to the curve of her neck. “What else has made you frown?”

  “I didn’t know you had that much money to throw around.” She tipped her head to the side to give him better access to her neck. His lips felt like feathers on her skin.

  “I don’t throw it around. I invest it,” he corrected her, kissing her jaw as he brought his hand up to the back of her head. “I buy older office buildings and retrofit them so that they’re useful again for modern businesses. Then I sell them. It’s been profitable for me.”

  She smiled as he continued to nuzzle her. “I think I know what Ethel was really talking about.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Her pet name for her son is Jaybird. Mike told me. Now I have to figure out why she wants me to watch out for him.”

  “I can take a wild guess.”

  She leaned away from him to look at his face. His eyes were hooded and he wore that brooding, sexy expression that goaded her to ravage him. “Go ahead. What?”

  “He wants to get you horizontal. Just like I want to right now”

  “Oh, lord.” She rolled her eyes. “That’s your reasoning for everything.”

  “Why are you dismissing it so quickly?”

  “Because I’ve only talked to Jay a couple of times and he was nice, but he’s not interested in me.”

  “His mother begs to differ. And Mother knows best.”

  “Does she? You really believe that, do you?” She watched the shields snap into place, evident in his wary expression and the flexing of muscles in his jaw. “I’ve been wondering . . . were you always sent away to school?”

  He nodded. “Except for a few years, yes.”

  “And your mother was okay with that?”

  He let go of a humorless chuckle. “How the hell did we get on this subject? I don’t want to talk. I just want you. I need you.” He leaned into her, making her fall back onto the mattress. He kissed her over and over again, barely allowing her a second to breathe. She knew that he was giving her something else to think about besides his troubled upbringing – and it was working. Finally, he tore his mouth from hers and she stared into eyes that were dangerously dark and predatory. She ran her tongue across her throbbing lips and tasted him. He had such a determined look of lust on his face that she felt herself go from damp to sopping wet in a heartbeat.

  He grabbed the hem of her t-shirt and pulled it up. “Lift your arms,” he said, none to gently. She did and the t-shirt went up and over her head. He flung it aside and unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. He dipped down and his mouth grazed the side of her neck, gliding lower to suck and kiss the tops of her breasts above her bra. He reached beneath her and unclipped it, removed it, and gave it a toss. Before she could form a thought about being nude from the waist up while he was still fully clothed, his lips closed around her nipple and fired her blood. She arched her back, her hips moving, her thighs parting in an age-old appeal. She was so glad she’d decided to interrupt his work.

  “Yes,” he hissed. His fingers closed on her waistband and he tugged once, twice, three times until her jeans cleared her hips, all the while sucking greedily on her breast.

  “Oh, Levi . . .” She shook her head, enthralled with what he was doing to her.

  He removed her shoes and dispensed with her jeans and panties in record time and then he was flinging aside his t-shirt. He stood beside the bed and shucked his jeans and jockey briefs. Reaching into the bedside table’s drawer, he found a condom, his gaze traveling hungrily over her body.

  “I haven’t been able to get you out of my head today,” he murmured, his gaze never leaving her body as he rolled on the condom with practiced ease. “You are one beautiful distraction.” A smile tipped up the corners of his mouth and then he pressed a knee in the mattress and his warm body slid onto hers.

  He sucked her nipples, bringing them to straining attention again. Trudy groaned and writhed. She reached down between their bodies and grasped his erect penis. Her fingers explored him . . . he felt big and hot and hers.

  “Now,” she whispered.

  “You’re so wanton, Miss Tucker,” he breathed in her ear.

  “I want it hard and fast, Wolfe,” she whispered.

  “Jesus,” he groaned. Clutching her hips, he thrust into her. She cried out and clung to his shoulders. She whipped her head from side to side as he moved in and out, setting a blistering pace. Her feelings spun out of control as she was caught up in the wildfire of him. Before she knew it, she was coming and crying out his name as shudders racked her body. And still he kept slamming into her. She glimpsed his face above her, his eyes tightly closed, his teeth gritted, veins in his neck standing out in bas relief. Then he seemed to gather himself. He pulled out of her slowly, slowly, and then sank back into her . . . every inch of him. He touched her sweet spot and she trembled. It felt like the aftershocks of an earthquake. She felt him come inside her and her name whispered across his lips.

  “Trudy . . . my Tru.”

  Levi sprawled half on and half off of her. Trudy drew in a deep, mind-clearing breath, and stroked his shoulders and back. He rubbed his cheek against her breasts.

  “God, Trudy, you’re tearing me inside out,” he panted against her hot skin. He rolled over and removed the condom, tied it, and dropped it in to the waste basket. Then he planted a kiss between her breasts before taking a nipple into his mouth and biting down gently.

  Moaning, Trudy closed her eyes and tipped back her head in the pillow as he sucked and kissed. She writhed as the ache between her thighs moved from a simmer to a boil.

  “Be still, baby,” he said as the tip of his tongue flicked her straining, burning nipple as he massaged her other breast. “Be still and feel it.”

  “I do! And I can’t be still!”

  His hand skimmed down her body, into the nest of hair, and he slipped two fingers inside her. Her inner muscles grabbed hungrily at his fingers.

  “Yes,” he hissed. “You still want me inside you.”

  She nodded. Oh, yes. His fingers circled and pressed further into her. His thumb touched her tender, swollen clitoris. The man was a magician, pure and simple, she thought, her hips bucking as his thumb continued to rub her. Her orgasm gripped her ferociously and she came in a shudder of mindless, wordless bliss. What he could do to her . . . it was almost embarrassing!

  Feeling him stir slightly against her side, she smiled as his erection nudged her. She wrapped a tight hand around the base of it and he became a statue. Oh, he liked that! Fisting him, she moved up and down the silken, steely length of him. She felt him expand against her palm and he shuddered. Shifting onto his side, he groaned and shut his eyes. He rested one hand on her hip, caressing and then tightening as he watched her manipulate him.

  “Ahhh. Oh, Christ.” He slammed his eyes shut. “Give me another condom, damn it.”

  She laughed, bent to kiss the tip of his cock, then let go to get a condom out of the bedside table’s drawer. He held out his hand for it, but she kept it out of his reach. She kissed the crown of his cock again and then took it into her mouth. He grew still. Very, very still. She wasn’t even sure he was breathing.

  “Easy,” he rasped, thrusting up. “You’re killing me.”

  “Be still, baby,” she said, throwing his instructions back at him and then gave him a lick. “Be still and feel it.”

  “Smart-mouthed witch,” he groused, a smile tipping up one corner of his wicked, wicked mout
h. He grabbed the condom out of her hand and tore it open with his teeth. “Now you’re going to get it.”

  “I’ve already had it,” she said, tossing him a cocky grin. “Several times.”

  He rolled the condom on and his eyes glittered dangerously. “Oh yeah? Well, you haven’t had it like this.” Getting to his knees, he gripped her ankles and brought them up to his shoulders, lifting her butt off the mattress. He slid his hands down her legs, turned his face to press a kiss to her ankle, and then guided himself straight into her.

  Lights exploded behind her eyes and Trudy let out a little shriek as his swift invasion seared through her. He buried himself deep inside her and she was sure the head of his penis was knocking against her womb.

  “Oh, God!” she gasped, reaching out blindly to grab his forearms and hold on tight because she knew he was going to start moving and it was going to shatter every sexual experience that she’d had before.

  He pulled out and then drove right back in, his hands gripping her hips and holding her exactly where he wanted her, high off the mattress and completely at his mercy. He ground against her, making her tremble, and then began pumping fast and furiously into her as sweat beaded on his forehead and slicked his body and hers.

  “You like it hard and fast? Then, that’s how you’ll get it. Hard!” He rammed into her. “And fast!” Again, driving her hips up with his thrust.

  “Levi . . . oh, God!” The words tumbled from her, but she was hardly aware of anything except the erotic savagery of his movements and the rapid build up of tension coiling in her belly. She was close . . . so close.

  “Don’t come yet,” he ordered, the words falling from his lips along with his panting breaths.

  “I’m coming,” she moaned.

  “No!” He gripped her hips and suddenly stopped, pulling out and leaving her gasping and her body throbbing for release.

  “Don’t stop!” She gripped his arms harder, her nails biting into his skin.

  His eyes were molten blue and his chest rose and fell as if he’d just finished a marathon. “You’ll come when I want you to come,” he said, and then guided himself slowly, oh so slowly all the way into her.

  Trudy shook her head. What game was he playing? Did he really think he could control her orgasms? But then, in the next clear thought, she realized he was doing exactly that. He closed his eyes and swiveled his hips again, rubbing his shaft higher against her as he brought one hand to her mound. His thumb slicked over her clitoris. A burning spasm branded her and Trudy let out a cry.

  “Have you had it like this before, Trudy?” he asked, a cunning grin tipping up one corner of his mouth as one hand stroked her leg. He kissed her ankle again and shifted her legs higher onto his shoulders.

  She shook her head, silenced by his mastery over her body.

  “I didn’t think so.” He cupped her butt again, retreated, and rammed back into her. “Come, Trudy,” he said, and she did.

  Her body seemed to break apart with the longest orgasm she’d ever had. She trembled and quaked as Levi plunged into her again and again, prolonging the intense pleasure that had her gasping and crying out, unable to form any coherent words.

  With one final thrust, he let her legs slip down off his shoulders and his body covered hers. She felt him expand inside her and then he released, growling against the side of her neck as he grew rigid. Slowly, slowly he relaxed.

  She found his hands and laced her fingers tightly with his, bringing them up to either side of her head on the pillow as they both drifted down off the impossible high, their bodies still throbbing and pulsating.

  “You’re unbelievable,” she said when she could form words again.

  “I know,” he said with a puckish grin. He kissed her shoulder and unlaced their hands. Moving off of her, he broke their final connection.

  Trudy groaned a protest and he chuckled as he peeled off the condom and tossed it into the waste basket. He held out his arms and she snuggled into his embrace.

  “Conceited much?” she teased.

  “It’s only conceit when it’s not true.”

  She considered this and rubbed her cheek against his damp chest in a nod. He was right, damn him. She pitied any man who would come after him and then bit her lip because the thought of being with anyone but him was too painful to even contemplate.

  Chapter Fifteen

  They were among the first people to arrive at Mallory Square. Levi and Trudy sat on a bench, sipped lemonade, and watched gulls and pelicans swoop and dive into the Atlantic. Around the perimeter of the open area, musicians tuned their instruments and artists set up their tents. After about an hour, the space started filling up.

  “Look at all these people,” Levi said, scanning the faces. “We could miss her so easily.”

  “I don’t even know if I would recognize her,” Trudy said. “She will have on different clothes and she might even wear her hair differently.”

  “It won’t hurt to try.” He took her hand in his and stood, pulling her with him. “We won’t split up this time.”

  “Why not? We can cover more ground apart.”

  “I don’t want to let you out of my sight tonight.”

  “Levi, please,” she chided.

  He glanced around and worry pinched the skin between his eyes as he tightened his grip on her hand. “Humor me.”

  “What’s wrong? Why are you so edgy?”

  “Are you watching the crowd, Trudy? Pay attention.”

  She sighed at his diversionary tactic. She could argue with him, but from the stubborn set of his jaw, she decided it wasn’t worth it. “You’re cutting off the circulation in my fingers.”

  “Oh.” He glanced down at their clasped hands and eased his grip. “Sorry.”

  “Thanks. That’s better.”

  Trudy walked with him, scanning faces, watching, hoping, failing.

  “See anyone who marginally looks like her?” Levi asked after a while.

  “No. Have you?”

  He shook his head.

  “Crap.” Trudy sighed.

  Levi slipped an arm around her waist and guided her toward two men who were playing steel drums. The song they tapped out with their talented fingers and the heels of their hands was lazy, happy, and a little sultry – perfect for a Key West sunset.

  “Dance with me.”

  Trudy took a step back, glancing around. “Here?”

  “Why not?” He held out his arms and she stepped into them.

  She focused on his liquid, lithe movements. He spun her and she laughed up into his face. The music swirled around her and she realized that other couples were dancing near them, smiling and laughing. She caught sight of several young women standing nearby and watching them – or, rather him. Their avid gazes followed Levi and she saw one of them say to the girl beside her, “He’s hot!” Trudy admired his hip-rocking movements and the smile that overtook him when he looked at her and she couldn’t agree more. And he was all hers – at least for now. He whirled her and pressed his front to her back, one hand holding hers and the other splayed across her stomach as he rubbed sensuously against her rump. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder. Her gaze met his and something deeper than sexual attraction sparked between them. His hand came up to cradle her chin and his lips parted.

  “Trudy?”

  “Yes?” she asked, her heart stopping because something important – something vital was in his eyes, in his expression.

  “I don’t know what’s happening to me,” he whispered, his voice roughened by emotion. “I shouldn’t . . . but I want . . .”

  Suddenly, a light flashed and a dark-skinned man was beside them, a camera clicking away as he took photo after photo of them. Levi glared at the pushy photographer.

  “Hi, Levi,” the intruder said, lowering the camera. “Just wanted a few shots for all your fans.”

  Levi’s smile became brittle and cold. “You have them now and you’ve ruined the moment for us.” He pulled Trud
y to his side. “Let’s go.” He guided her away from the dancers and steel drum players.

  “Sorry, Levi,” the photographer called to him.

  “Fucker,” Levi growled under his breath.

  “Shhh,” Trudy cautioned as they walked past the clutch of girls who’d been watching them dance. “Do you know him?”

  “He’s taken my picture before – many times.”

  “You wanted attention . . . it’s the price of fame.”

  “I know that,” he snapped, his expressive eyes sparking with quick anger. “Believe me, I know!”

  He was upset and irritated and she didn’t want to rub salt into his wounds, so she slipped her arms around his waist and gave him a quick hug. His gaze softened almost instantly and surprise registered on his face. Trudy smiled at his reaction, finding it endearing that such a small gesture startled him . . . unbalanced him.

  “Shake it off, Wolfe,” she whispered as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She glanced away from him and saw a blond woman with large breasts and slim hips and her breath caught in her throat.

  “What?” Levi asked, then spotted the same woman. “Is that her?”

  But in the next second, the woman turned her face toward them and Trudy’s heart started beating again. “No,” she said. “No, it’s not her.”

  “Let’s keep looking for a few more minutes.”

  Something seemed to squeeze her brain and Trudy stopped in her tracks. She glanced suspiciously at Levi. “You didn’t just do that brain poke thing, did you?”

  He sent her a quizzical look. “No. Why?”

  She took a deep breath as the odd feeling persisted. It wasn’t as if someone was trying to take over her thoughts, but more like someone was thinking about her, concentrating solely on her.

  “He’s here,” she said as her instincts crystallized.

  “What?” Levi glanced around. “Who? Where?”