Tactical Maneuver

by J. C. Wilder

  “Not on your life, babe.” He tugged the sheet from her grasp. “To the victor, the spoils. I caught you, I can do with you what I want.”

  He stretched out beside her and she longed to purr when his warm body came in contact with hers. “I need to see you come for me.”

  Jay nuzzled the soft curve of her breast, licking and nipping while he slowly worked his way toward her nipple. She cupped his head in her hands, trying to direct him, but he maintained a slow, steady path. His short, soft hair tickled her palms as he concentrated on her needy flesh, making her heart pound.

  Teasing first one nipple, then the other, he blazed a path of sensation down her abdomen, pausing only to nuzzle her belly button, which made her giggle. Her laughter stopped when he slid off the bed to his knees.

  “Open for me,” he commanded. His palms covered her knees.

  She hesitated for a moment, then spread her legs ever so slightly.

  “More.”

  Emma gulped and spread wider. Her heart leapt into her throat when he braced her heels on the bed frame before lowering his head and running his tongue along her most intimate flesh.

  She moaned, her breath coming in audible gasps as he set to work, arousing her beyond her wildest imagination. She’d never known it could be like this. She stared at his dark head between her thighs. His eyes were closed while he concentrated on bringing her pleasure. His big hands held her open and vulnerable as he worked his magic.

  His tongue fluttered along the swollen kernel of her clitoris before journeying along the folds of her labia. He slid one long finger inside her and she arched against his invasion, her aroused flesh parting easily for him.

  “You’re so tight.” He opened his eyes; his pale blue gaze had gone smoky with arousal. He withdrew his finger, then thrust again, this time adding a second. His thumb caressed her clitoris. “I won’t last long inside you, babe.”

  Sparks ignited and raced across her skin as he moved his hand on her. Need rode low and hard in her belly and her entire being focused on his magic hands and hot tongue. His thrusts increased, then he spread his fingers slightly, stretching her. He lowered his head and suckled her clit as he splayed his fingers to stroke more of her aroused, swollen flesh. With a flick of his thumb, release stormed over her like a tidal wave.

  She tipped her head back and thrashed against the bed, her hands fisting in the sheets as wave after wave of ecstasy burned through her system. Heat flushed her body from the top of her head to the tips of her toes and she reveled in the sensations.

  After a few moments, she calmed and opened her eyes. Jay stood between her splayed legs, his impressive condom-covered cock jutting proudly from a thatch of black hair. The best part was, judging from what had already occurred so far, he knew exactly what to do with that beautiful cock.

  He leaned over and covered her with his big body. For a split second, his size disconcerted her. She wasn’t a petite woman by any stretch of the imagination, but, standing, he was only a few inches taller than she. Lying on top of her, he covered her from head to toe and it suddenly occurred to her that he could easily hurt her.

  He nuzzled her breast and her fears faded as he teased one nipple then the other. After rolling it against the roof of his mouth, he released her with a noisy pop.

  “You’re ready for me.” He nestled his hips against hers and she felt the head of his cock against her swollen entrance.

  She slid her arms around his neck. “I’ve been ready for you.” She knew with a certainty that she’d never been more ready for a man. She drew up her knees, edging the head of his cock just barely inside.

  “Mother of—” He bit off his words with a moan and threw his head back, his neck muscles corded with strain as he fought not to thrust inside of her.

  She cupped his buttocks, stroking his taut muscles before giving him a squeeze. He made a strangled sound and thrust, impaling her. Her breath left in a rush. He was huge, stretching her and filling her in a way she’d never been before. She gave an experimental wiggle, reveling in the feel of him.

  He gave a strangled moan and thrust again. He dropped his head and their gazes clashed. With each thrust, his eyes turned darker, stormier. Sweat formed on his brow as their limbs tangled and his movements grew more frantic. A soft wail escaped her when his cock ground against her sweet spot, tossing a rush of sensation through her.

  “Yeah, baby, come for me again.” He readjusted his angle and pulled back, drawing another cry from her.

  She gripped his hips, trying to prevent him from leaving her, not now, not like this. Her sex felt overheated, filled, invaded while he slowly took her. It was almost as if she couldn’t control herself. She twined her legs around his waist, urging him on. She’d become a greedy vessel for his possession and her hips jerked to meet his every thrust.

  “Jay,” she panted. “I can’t take any more.”

  “Sure you can, just for me.” He adjusted his angle again and, with a gentle side-to-side motion, sent her over the edge.

  Her body strained under his as release crashed inside her, more powerful than before. Caught in the grip of her own orgasm, she was vaguely aware of him still moving over her. Then his body stiffened as he took his pleasure, tossing her over the edge one more time.

  She closed her eyes, a smile playing about her mouth. It didn’t get much better than this.

  Chapter Five

  “I know you said your father was a cop. Did you ever want to be something else?” Emma stabbed at a chunk of savory almond chicken and popped it in her mouth. Chinese food was one of her favorites and she was pleased to see that Jay liked it as well. He was probably the first man she’d ever seen not pick out all the vegetables as he ate.

  This was getting dangerous—she could fall in love with a man who enjoyed vegetables. She pushed the thought away. There was no way she was going to get involved with a cop on an emotional level. Risking her heart on someone who courted danger was too uncertain.

  “Not really. In grade school, a house on our street caught fire. I remember sitting on the porch, watching the firemen work, and I thought that’s what I’d like to do. Rush into burning houses and save lives.” He stirred his Pad Thai noodles with chopsticks. “Then I saw a car accident a few years later. An elderly gentleman had suffered a heart attack and caused an accident on the square. School had just let out and, when I came running, I saw Captain Mills—he was a patrol cop then—had the victim on the ground and was giving him chest compressions. Mills was cursing under his breath, begging the man to respond. I saw how much he cared, how much he was fighting for him to live.” He shrugged. “It appealed to me more I guess.”

  “So you changed your mind?”

  “Yeah, well, Dad would’ve had a heart attack if I’d become a firefighter.” Jay shot her an amused grin. “I also didn’t want to sit on my butt all day with nothing better to do than cook chili and watch soap operas.”

  “Now wait a minute.” She poked him in the thigh with her toe. “They do more—”

  “Uh-huh. Do you know why they call firefighters ticks?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “No, why?”

  “They only move when they see fire.” He winked at her then turned his attention to his food.

  Emma prodded him with her foot. “You’re bad.”

  “Yeah, well, you’ve enjoyed it so far.” He gave her a heated look and Emma curled her toes against his jeans-clad thigh.

  “As have you,” she pointed out.

  “Indeed I have.” He stabbed his chopsticks into the carton before sliding his hand up her calf.

  “Don’t get too frisky there, stud. I’m more interested in food at the moment.” She hoisted her carton of chicken in his direction.

  “Spoilsport.” He released her and tucked back into his dinner. “So tell me something about yourself, Emma. Any brothers or sisters?”

  “Nope, just me. My parents live in Columbus where Mom is active on the Arts Council and Dad spends his summer days on the range hi
tting little white balls.”

  “Ah, a golfer. I’ve been known to hit a few from time to time.”

  Emma shook her head. “Not me. I like my sand on a beach, not in the middle of a fairway.”

  “Spent a lot of time there, did you?” He nodded as if he could relate.

  “You could say that.” She gave him a cheerful grin. “And you, any brothers or sisters?”

  “Oh yeah. I have enough for both of us.” He gave her a wide smile. “I’m the oldest of four. My brother Daniel is attending the fire academy, much to my father’s dismay. Since he’s the second-born, I think Dad will come around sooner or later.” He shook his head with a rueful smile. “Never did have grand ambitions, that one. My sister Evangeline just graduated from pastry school and she’s about to open a bakery here in town and my youngest sister Rachel is leaving for college this September.”

  “And your parents?”

  “Mom is a schoolteacher at the junior high and Dad just retired from the department after thirty years. He’s working part-time as a carpenter, making furniture and doing finish work.”

  “Sounds like you have a busy family.”

  “We are, but we manage to get together for dinner about once a week. If we dare to miss it, Mom gives us The Treatment.” He gave her a wide grin. “Trust me, even at our advanced ages, we’ll do anything to avoid that.”

  Emma laughed. “Sounds fearful.”

  “Oh yeah, Mom is a tyrant.” He twirled noodles with his chopsticks. “So, besides Chinese, what is your favorite food?”

  “Umm, chocolate, of course. Flourless chocolate cake is my absolute favorite dessert.”

  “Huh? How can cake not have flour in it?”

  “You’ve never had it? You’re really missing out. Your sister probably knows what it is. It’s a fudge-like cake similar to cheesecake, but it’s much richer. One piece and you won’t want chocolate for a month.”

  “Women.” He shook his head. “I should’ve guessed it would be chocolate.”

  “Chocolate is more than just a food, it’s a lifestyle.” She gave him a lofty smile. “What’s your favorite food?”

  “My sister says my favorite vegetable is bacon.”

  Emma rubbed his thigh with her toes. “I have a newsflash for you. Bacon is not a vegetable.”

  “It’s not far off. Have you ever talked to a pig lately? They’re not very bright.”

  She rolled her eyes. “And if you think bacon is a vegetable, then you’re not very bright either.”

  Jay shot her a look of mock outrage. “This from a woman who reads Love’s Tempestuous Embrace.” He nudged the paperback on the coffee table with his toe. “Why would an intelligent woman such as yourself want to read something like this?”

  “It’s all about the fantasy—”

  Jay snorted. “The man on the cover has bigger breasts than the woman.”

  Emma looked at the bright clinch cover. He had a point. The blond male model was definitely well-endowed, and with his long hair, he’d make a great drag queen. “Well, at least I read.”

  He gave her an affronted look. “I read.”

  “Yeah, like what?” Emma sat her almost-empty carton on the table next to the offending paperback. “Guns and Ammo? Soldier of Fortune?”

  “Oh, come on.” He laughed. “You have a very warped image of me.”

  “Am I right?”

  “No.”

  “Then what was the last book you read?”

  He set down his container of food and she curled beside him, snuggling into the crook of his arm.

  “Mmm.” He nuzzled her ear. “Let’s see. I think it might have been Edged Weapon Tactics.” He nipped her earlobe. “Maybe Street Survival.” He cupped her breast, his thumb moving directly to her nipple.

  “Sounds…titillating.” Emma sighed as his touch sent shivers of pleasure down her spine.

  “I have a good idea.” He licked a sensitive spot at the base of her throat. “How about you pick up that novel and read me one of the dirty parts?”

  She couldn’t prevent a snicker of laughter. Men, they were all the same, lucky for her. She ran her fingers over the straining denim covering his groin. “I don’t think you need any assistance in that area.”

  “I could always use a few new ideas—”

  “Well, if that’s the case I have one we can try.” She pushed out of his arms and moved into his lap. She splayed her hands across the muscled terrain of his chest, reveling in the warmth of his skin against her palms. “You have a great chest.” She dipped her head and teased a flat male nipple with her tongue.

  Air hissed between his teeth. “So do you.” His hands landed on her hips.

  “Uh uh uh.” She wiggled her finger at him and removed his hands from her waist. “I don’t remember asking you to touch me.” She slid off his lap.

  “Oh yeah?” He slouched on the couch, every inch of him an aroused male, enough to make her mouth water. “I don’t remember giving you the right to order me around. Remember? I’m in charge.”

  “In the bedroom.” She slid to her knees and moved between his legs. “We’re not in the bedroom. We’re in the living room and I’m in charge here.”

  His brow arched. “Is that so?”

  “Mmm. The living room is all mine. The couch is mine. The remote is mine, and you’re mine…” She ran her palms down his thighs, enjoying the feel of muscles bunching beneath his jeans. “Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy it.”

  She unzipped his jeans, then urged him to raise his hips so she could pull down the material. Due to his lack of underwear, his hardened cock sprang free. She slid her fingers around the thick base, luxuriating in the silk-over-steel feel of him. His breath hissed through his teeth and his hips jerked as she ran her thumb along the base of his shaft.

  “Take your shirt off.” His voice was heavy with arousal. “I want to see your breasts.”

  She hesitated before removing the garment and casting it aside. Her breasts swung free as she reclaimed his cock. With her gaze fixed on his, she lowered her mouth to lick the broad head.

  He tasted of the sea and warm, potent male. She dragged her tongue over the tip, relishing his unique flavor. His hips involuntarily twitched when she rubbed her thumb along the sensitive underside of his shaft near the head.

  “You have the most beautiful breasts I’ve ever seen.” His voice was strained. “You have no idea what the sight of you between my knees with my cock buried in your mouth does to me.”

  Oh, but she did.

  A rush of feminine power surged through her body. He might command her to do what he wished in the bedroom, but she could—no, would—bring him to his knees elsewhere.

  She wrapped her hand around his thick length and began moving up and down in long, bold strokes as she worked his hardened flesh with her mouth. With each movement, his hips thrust and his breathing grew more strained.

  “Emma, my god.”

  His fingers tangled in her hair, loosening the soft twist at the back of her head, and she closed her eyes, concentrating her entire being on taking more of him into her mouth. He tried to control her movements, but she resisted, wanting to keep him at her mercy. Against her ribs, she felt the tension in his thighs. He was close now, very close.

  She swirled her tongue around his sensitive head, tasting the salty-sweetness him. She increased her movements, her hand stroking his thick shaft as she took him deep into her throat.

  “Emma, please. I’m going to—”

  She resisted his attempt to warn her and continued her sensual assault. Within moments, his body tensed and his hips jerked as he climaxed into her mouth with an anguished groan.

  Emma continued stroking him for a few moments, feeling him relax before she released him. She let his cock slip from her lips and rested her cheek against his thigh, her gaze glued on his handsome face. His eyes were closed and his breathing was rough, as if he’d just run a marathon. For someone who liked to be in control, he’d certainly lost it willingly e
nough.

  It looked like her take-charge man had a few soft spots. She smiled.

  Who was the boss now?

  * * * * *

  With Jay safely installed in the shower, Emma took the chance to straighten up the bedroom. Usually she spent Saturday mornings cleaning the apartment but that plan had been kicked to the curb with Jay’s arrival.

  Not that she minded a hiccup in her schedule. She grinned to herself as she picked up their dirty clothes scattered across the floor. She reached over the back of a floral print chair in the corner of the room to get the few remaining garments. As she picked up a skirt, she froze when she saw what lay beneath.

  It was a large black bag with POLICE stenciled in tall white letters, the same bag he’d carried on the day of their training. Draped across the bag was his tactical belt complete with additional clips, handcuffs, and pepper spray. His gun was nowhere to be seen.

  Hesitant, she ran her fingertips over the white lettering. While intellectually she knew and understood that his job was dangerous, coming face to face with this bag had injected a dose of unwanted reality into her fantasy weekend.

  During their time in the smokehouse, she’d experienced a small taste of his training and she’d seen firsthand an example of the violence he faced in his job. She shivered. Just wearing the uniform would make him a target for any madman on the street. Then, with the additional duties of a S.W.A.T. officer, he knowingly put himself into even more danger time after time. In fact, he admitted he enjoyed it.

  She moved away from the black bag and everything it represented. She should thank her lucky stars that they were only physically involved rather than emotionally. She’d leave that heartbreak to another woman.

  Ignoring the small twinge of unease that sounded from her gut, she dropped the bundle of dirty clothing into the bin. When she closed the lid, she heard the shower turn off.

  Pasting a smile on her face, she entered the bathroom in time to see Jay push the curtain back.