The Accidental Assassin (Assassins #1)

by Nichole Chase

  “You have a valid point.” I ignored the heat that was suffusing my cheeks and igniting in much lower places.

  “I really enjoy the way your cheeks turn pink when I mention sex.” He dragged out that last word and moved so close that I had to look up to meet his gaze. “Like just now. Just the word makes you blush.”

  “You’re making fun of me.” I tried to control my breathing, but my lungs refused to behave.

  “No. No, I’m not.” He cupped the back of my head, forcing me to look up even higher. “I like the way you blush when I say sex because I know you’re thinking about having sex with me. Isn’t that right, love?”

  I wanted to be coy, to rattle off some sort of sophisticated answer, but my mouth betrayed my brain.

  “Yes.” I licked my lips.

  “And if I said I wanted you right now, here, against this dresser, moaning my name, what would you say?” He backed me against the wooden furniture so that my rear was pressed against the top ledge.

  “I would say that there are people downstairs who would hear us.” My body was screaming something else entirely, though. I bit my lip and managed to not squeak when he lifted me so I was sitting on the dresser.

  “Do you find it hard to be quiet with me?” He leaned down and nuzzled my neck.

  “Hm.” I tilted my head back so he had better access to my neck.

  “What if I do this?” He dragged his teeth across the skin at the base of my neck.

  The moan that fell from my lips couldn’t be helped. Having his mouth and teeth against my skin was an aphrodisiac that set my body on fire.

  “That’s it.” He ran his lips back up my neck and nip my earlobe between his teeth and tugged. “That sound. I love when you make that sound for me.”

  I ran my hands up his arms and fisted them in his hair, tugging gently so that he pulled back and met my gaze. His eyes were swirling with desire, half lidded, and looking at me as if I was the most delicious thing in the world.

  “I love making those sounds for you.”

  His eyes flashed brightly before his lips came crashing down on mine. His tongue wasn’t soft when he demanded entrance; his mouth wasn’t tender as it moved over mine. Raw, ragged need pulsed off him in waves that made my head spin and set my body alight.

  I grappled to get closer to him, desperate to press the hot ache between my legs against him, to feel him move there. I needed him like I needed air. Now.

  “Ava, I’m not in the mood to be gentle.” He breathed raggedly in my ear and began pulling at the button on the top of my jeans. “I need you.”

  “Thank God.” I clawed at his shirt, desperate to have my hands on his skin.

  We were in a mad race to get each other naked. He pulled me off the dresser and yanked my jeans down to my knees. Wasting no time he stood back up and peeled my shirt off, throwing it to the floor. I kicked at my shoes and jeans until I was free, working his pants undone so I could reach in and grasp him. As I slid my fingers down his length he hissed in my ear. Squeezing, I slowly jacked my hand up and down until I could feel his excitement run down over my fingers.

  He ripped my bra off, throwing it across the room and knocking something off a shelf before dipping his head to catch my breast in his mouth.

  “Owen.” My head fell back and I groaned loudly as he teasingly bit me before tracing my nipple with his tongue. My panties disappeared with the sound of popping seams and torn cloth. They were replaced with his hand, his fingers playing in the slickness between my legs.

  His deep growl filled my ears and I bucked against his hand. He worked me with talented fingers, his mouth ravaging my breast as my cries grew louder. When I neared my peak he didn’t stop. Instead, he pulled back to watch my face as pleasure exploded in my body. I bit my lip to try and control my groans of pleasure.

  Slowly he pulled his hand away and brought his fingers to his mouth. Deliberately he ran his tongue over them, tasting my orgasm for himself.

  “You taste so good, love.” Slowly he trailed his tongue down one of his fingers. “I could eat you every day and never get hungry for anything else.”

  “I like that plan.” I panted, trying to catch my breath, my head still spinning from the pleasure.

  “Good, love, because it wasn’t up for discussion. I need you.” His green eyes were dark with desire and something else. Something much more serious.

  I ran my hand over his shaft, enjoying the way his breath whistled out between his teeth. Carefully I let my nails drag along the tender skin, cupping his balls, and enjoying the way his eyes drifted shut.

  “Are you ready, love? Or do you want to keep touching me?” He braced a hand on either side of me against the dresser. “I love the way your hands feel on me.”

  “Ready for what?” My breathing hitched and moisture began to gather between my legs once more.

  “It’s my turn.” He looked at me with hooded eyes. His hands slipped down to cup my ass and lifted me to the top of the dresser. “I want you hard and fast, screaming my name.”

  I wrapped my legs around him and pulled his mouth to mine. “Then take me, Owen. Now.”

  He wasted no time. Sliding home in one hard thrust he groaned loudly and dropped his head to my shoulder, breathing heavily.

  “God, you feel like heaven,” he whispered against my neck. His hips began to move, pulling back so that only his swollen head rubbed along my clitoris, before filling me again with a powerful thrust.

  He wasn’t gentle. His movements were greedy, hungry for me and what I could give him. One of his hands grasped my hip while the other massaged my breast. I met him thrust for thrust, leaning back to brace against the wall behind the dresser, and watched him as he moved.

  The muscles along his chest and abdomen constricted tightly with effort, his biceps rigid as he held me, sweat gathering on his brow. His green eyes watched me, drinking in my details as I did his. Despite my earlier orgasm, my body responded to him willingly, as if I had been waiting for this moment—the moment he took me without hesitation. Reaching between us I massaged my fingers against the spot that would push me over the edge. His eyes widened and his jaw clenched firmly.

  Arching my back I groaned loudly, nearing my peak. I had never been pushed over the edge just watching a man enjoy my body, but that’s what Owen did to me. The way he looked at me, as if I was a goddess, made me feel sexy and powerful.

  His movements came faster, his hand on my breast tightening as the dresser slammed against the wall, again and again. I met him thrust for thrust, wanting to give him all that he needed. Knowing that this was more than physical need and desire. It was so much more.

  “Owen, please… there. There. Owen.” I gasped the words.

  I climaxed the moment he stiffened, my body grabbing at his hungrily, milking him dry. He half grunted, half groaned before leaning forward and pressing his head between my breasts.

  I’d never felt so satisfied.

  BREATHE. I HAD to remind myself to breathe. With my face pressed between Ava’s delicate breasts it seemed more like a suggestion than a necessity.

  “Ah, fuck, love. That was perfect.” I took a ragged breath and looked up at her. “You’re perfect.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.” She brushed the hair out of her eyes and smiled at me. She wiggled a little and I stood up, removing my weight from her. “But I think there is a model airplane stabbing my back.”

  “Can’t have that.” I scooped her off the dresser and deposited her perfect bottom on the bed before climbing in to wrap her in my arms.

  She wasted no time curling into me, her hand on my chest, her leg thrown over mine, her sweet face looking up at me with smiling eyes. She looked sated, satisfied, and pride welled in my chest. I’d put that smile on her face, that dazed, groggy look in her eyes. She sighed, content.

  “I love those sexy little sounds you make.” I leaned in so I could nip at her ear. “Especially when you’re loud and telling me what you want.”

  “I
think we may have been more than a little loud.” She whispered, her cheeks darkening.

  “Good.” I shifted so I could pull her even closer. “Teach that boy not to look at what’s not his.”

  She snorted. “You’ve got to be kidding. Jealous of a pimply teenager?”

  “Not jealous. Just asserting my claim.”

  “Your claim?” She arched an eyebrow.

  “Damn right.” I kissed the creases on her nose. God help anyone that tried to get between me and this woman.

  “And what about the geriatric woman on oxygen? I’m supposed to just be okay with that?” Her eyebrows drew together.

  “What’s that?” Had she hit her head on the wall while we made love?

  “You said you’d seduce some woman if we needed her to get into the casino.” Hurt flashed in her eyes before she tucked it away. “You’re not the only one with a claim, Mr. Assassin. I don’t fuck random people on dressers. You’re mine, too.”

  MINE, my mind screamed. Yes, she was mine. The thought of her with someone else sent a surge of rage through my system and I took a deep breath. I had no right to claim this beautiful woman, but it was too late. She had found a place in my heart and I would kill anyone that tried to take her away.

  She propped herself up on her elbow and looked down at me.

  “Look, I know you’re used to working in this underground world by yourself, but you said we were in this together.” She touched my chest above my heart. “Together. And you aren’t the only one with anger issues. I punched Julie Sage in eighth grade for kissing Tommy Bend. She knew I liked him, but kissed him anyway. I’m not sure what I would do if you took someone else to bed.” Her fingers clenched on my chest and I was shocked to see the fierceness in her gaze.

  She constantly surprised me with these darker little bits of herself and I had to admit it turned me on that she would want to inflict violence on someone over me. I tried to get her to meet my eyes, but she jerked her chin up so I couldn’t see her expression.

  “I don’t want to seduce anyone, Ava.” I tilted her face so I could see her better. “But I will if it means getting us into the casino. I’d do it so I could keep you safe.”

  She looked down at me with hard eyes. “I knew you were going to say that.” She sat up and pulled the sheet over her breasts. “That’s fucked up, Owen.”

  I shrugged. I was fucked up. What did she expect?

  “So, I’d possibly be safe, but my heart would be ruined. Is that what you want?” Her expressive eyes made my stomach clench. “How do I just pretend like I’m okay with that?”

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” I whispered.

  “Then don’t seduce anyone. Seduce me instead and we’ll figure something else out for the casino.” She looked at me and I could see her fighting to keep her composure. “I’ll play hard to get so you’ll have to really work for it. Make it more exciting.”

  “I like you willing, love. You get me more than excited.” I brushed the hair from her eyes. “It probably won’t come to me seducing anyone. We’ll most likely need Mavis’s talents.”

  “I don’t really feel any better about Mavis seducing people to get us information.” She fell back on the bed with a huff.

  “Should I be jealous of the short blonde woman downstairs?” I rolled over on my good side and looked down at her. Her lips quirked and I found myself memorizing the planes of her face.

  “I think I have a better case for being jealous of Mavis.” She narrowed her eyes.

  Shit. I’d walked right into that. Look at me, being an emotional dumbass, blundering around like a teenage boy.

  “You don’t need to worry about Mavis.” I cleared my throat. “That was a long time ago and it wasn’t what we have. It was one time and we just used each other to scratch an itch.”

  “I don’t want details.” She shook her head vigorously. “Don’t want to know about the scratching. I like Mavis. Mostly. I think and I don’t want to picture the two of you—”

  I captured her chin with my finger and thumb so she’d stop shaking her head and look me in the eyes. She had turned pale and it made my chest hurt. Perhaps seeing her jealous wasn’t as amusing as I had originally thought. “Don’t.”

  “I know I don’t fit in your world.” Doubt clouded her eyes and that was the last thing I wanted to see. She was right: she didn’t fit in my world. I should be keeping her as far away from me as I could, and yet here I was, my naked skin pressed against hers. I couldn’t seem to help myself. And I didn’t want this dream to end.

  “Don’t say that,” I said.

  “It’s true—”

  I shifted my weight, rolling on top of her delicious body. Her breath caught in a gasp, but at least she had stopped talking. I wasn’t good at the talking part. I sounded daft every time I tried to explain myself to her. I’d stick to showing her.

  Her legs spread for me, accepting me without question. I nestled against her warmth, letting her feel just how much I liked being tucked against her skin.

  “Seems to me that you fit. Here.” I ground against her, enjoying the way her body responded. Taking her hand I placed it against my chest, just under the bandage on my shoulder. “And here.”

  “Owen.” Her eyes sparkled brightly and she trailed her fingertips over my skin to the bandage on my shoulder. So much emotion rolled across her face I didn’t know where to start to decipher it.

  “Shh.” I leaned down and kissed her softly. “Don’t try to make sense of what’s happening with us. I don’t want to think about it, I just want to experience it.”

  She let me kiss her again, her hands tracing my jaw, before twisting in my hair. When she tilted her hips upward in invitation, I slid inside. Just like before she took my breath away. Her warm body held me, moving with me, as I took us toward the end.

  Earlier I’d needed her fast and hard, but right now I needed to treasure every inch of her body, taste every breath that escaped her, and commit her soft sounds to memory. I needed this just as much as I had needed to make her groan and claw at my skin. And she gave to me no matter what I needed, no matter what I demanded. I had no idea why she did, but I couldn’t turn away from it—from her.

  She was heaven and I was headed for the darkest pits of hell. If this was my only chance for bliss I was going to savor it before the angels kicked me out.

  The fall was going to hurt and I was going to make sure it was worth it.

  As her movements increased I let myself drown in her. I had been drowning in her blue eyes, in the way she moved, in the way she thought, from the moment I’d first laid eyes on her. Now I’d drown in the way she made me feel.

  “Owen.” Her harsh whisper drew my gaze. I watched her face as she fell over the edge, her blue eyes almost electric as she came under me. It was one of the most intimate moments I’d ever experienced and it sent me crashing after her.

  I pressed a kiss to the crook of her neck, resting my head next to hers as we caught our breath. Something powerful stirred in my chest, wrapping my heart in hot bands. I didn’t want to ever let her go.

  I was a selfish bastard. I’d fight the angels to keep her, because Ava was worth all that hell could throw at me.

  “Let’s shower.” I lifted her in my arms, glad that my hurt shoulder barely gave a tug of pain.

  “We’re naked.” She whispered and wriggled against me.

  “Makes showering much easier.” I let her down before twisting the door knob.

  She threw herself at the door. “There are people downstairs. We can’t just waltz out there naked.”

  Turning around I snatched the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Better?”

  “What about you?”

  Rolling my eyes I lifted part of the blanket that trailed on the floor and wrapped it around my waist.

  By the time I’d coaxed her into the shower her face was pinched in thought. I would have paid to know what she was thinking about, but I didn’t feel that I had the right to as
k. We were all entitled to our meditations. Instead I focused on getting us clean, taking my time to enjoy the way the water ran over her breasts and down the planes of her stomach.

  “I’m not sure how I can go downstairs and look them in the eyes.” She had one foot propped on the tub and was drying her leg with a towel I’d found. “They have to know what we were doing.”

  My dick jumped as I watched her bend further over to dry her foot. You’d think three times in one day would be enough to keep him satisfied, but I was quickly learning it wasn’t possible to get enough of Ava.

  And she had a killer ass.

  “Earth to Owen.” She straightened and pushed her wet hair behind her ears. “Are you listening to me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Really? Because it looked like you were busy staring at my ass, not listening to me.”

  “Your ass is worth appreciating.” I smiled at her wide eyes. “But I did hear what you said. Who cares if they know what we were doing?”

  “I’m serious, Owen.” Her scowl would have worked better if she hadn’t been fighting so hard to keep from smiling. “It’s embarrassing.”

  “Mavis could care less and the kid will be jealous. No judging. Put on your old man clothes and let’s go get some food.” I pulled her against me, kissing her quickly. “I’m starving and we need to start planning.”

  She grumbled but pulled her jeans up over her naked rear. “I can’t believe you tore my panties. I don’t have anything to wear now.”

  “You didn’t seem to mind when I did it.” I pulled my own pants up before grabbing the clean shirt from the sink ledge. I grabbed her bra and held it up. “At least this doesn’t seem any worse for the wear.”

  “I really need to get some new things. Or at least a washing machine.” She snatched the lacy black thing from my hands and slid it on before grabbing a white tank top.

  “I don’t think we’ll be here much longer.” I hung our towels on the rack and picked up the discarded blanket. “We need to move on. We’ve been here too long as it is.”