Criminal Promises

by Nikki Duncan

  He hadn’t even seemed to think she was crazy for the way she attacked the bushes in the yard. And he hadn’t tried to take over the job. He understood her.

  She hadn’t known him long, but did it really matter? Wasn’t it more important to treasure the good things he gave her and enjoy whatever time she could have with him?

  What she had with Mike had been good, but she wanted to spend the rest of her life with someone different. A man who gave her everything she’d ever wanted. A man who could rescue her heart, as well as her life.

  Chapter 14

  Maggie fisted her hand at her side until her nails dug into her palm. Get it together. He isn’t going to bite.

  “Can I help you?”

  She turned and smiled at the young nurse, Beth Sanders according to her name badge. Pointing at the door to Burke’s room, she realized how idiotic she must look. “I’m his ride.”

  “I can promise in his current state, you have the advantage.”

  Doubtful. “Is he okay to be leaving today? Should he stay longer?”

  The nurse shook her head and held up the papers in her hand. “The doctor signed the release papers.”

  Maggie held her hand out and smiled. “Do you mind if I give those to him?”

  Nurse Sanders handed her the papers, but didn’t release them instantly. “Take care of him.”

  Maggie looked in the other woman’s eyes and saw her interest in Burke went deeper than concern for a patient. Poor girl would be toast if he’d even hinted at a return interest. He’d better not have.

  “Promise.” She took the papers and pushed the door to Burke’s room open.

  Pacing the floor, he spun and stared at her. Silence charged the room as their eyes locked.

  The silence bellowed.

  “Hi,” she finally managed. She wanted to rush across the room and throw herself at him, but needed to take this slow. Unsure of herself, she leaned against the door.

  His mouth slowly raised into a smile. His steady gaze seared her soul, filling her with the warmth she’d been missing the last three days.

  “Mags,” his sex-dipped voice rasped.

  She could do this.

  He held out his right hand and raised a brow in challenge. When she got close enough, he took her hand in his, and linked their fingers. Tugging her closer, he pulled her hand to his lips. The kiss he brushed across her knuckles sent shivers of excitement coursing over her. His lids drooped. How had she stayed away?

  “I’ve missed you, Mags.”

  She closed her eyes as the lingering tension drained from her shoulders. He did care. With a deep breath, she opened her eyes and smiled. “Are you okay?”

  He tugged her until she was pressed against his right side. “Better now that you’re here.”

  “I mean your wound.” She tried not to move too much as she curled into him. She didn’t want to jar him, but staying away wasn’t possible.

  “I know what you meant.” He ran his thumb in small circles over her knuckles. “I’m fine as long as I don’t breathe wrong or move too fast, but I’m not going to break if you touch me.”

  She rested her free hand on his chest and felt the steady beat of his heart. Strength and warmth radiated off him. She grew more certain by the second he would in fact be okay, but it didn’t stop her worrying.

  Pulling away from him, she picked up his bag. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”

  “Where’s home?”

  “You’re stuff is still in your room at my place.”

  They didn’t talk much during the ride home. She wasn’t sure where to start and she didn’t want to be trapped in the car if it didn’t go the way she hoped. She carried his bag into the kitchen and sat it on the table. “Would you like something to eat? You’ve got to be tired of hospital food?”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “I could cook.” She went to the fridge and pulled open the double doors. The cool air soothed her heated cheeks some. She wasn’t handling this well. “There’s ice cream.”

  He stayed silent until she turned. His blue gaze arrested her. “You have chocolate sauce?”

  “Yeah.” Her heart pounded, her blood thrummed and her body shook with each breath. “Sit down and I’ll get the stuff.”

  “I can help.” He went to the cabinets and got bowls and spoons. As he passed behind her, he rubbed his hand along her lower back.

  She sighed.

  The man fit her. He enjoyed her family, her kids. He gave her screaming passion that singed her skin hours later. He might be abrasive at times, but he’d offered her the security she needed to break down and face the fact she couldn’t handle everything on her own all the time. He’d given her the security to know she didn’t have to be strong every minute of every day.

  Turning to place the ice cream and toppings on the island, she slammed into his chest. “Sorry.”

  His hands rested on her shoulders, his fingers rubbing the line of her collar bone. “Don’t be. I like the feel of you.”

  What’s a woman supposed to say to that? “Thank you, I think.”

  He narrowed his eyes and studied her face. “You’re smiling.”

  “You’ve seen me smile.”

  “It’s in your eyes this time. The shadows of fear and sadness are gone.” He leaned back and looked her up and down. “You’re wearing jeans and a T-shirt. You’re hair is in a ponytail. Hot pink flip-flops.”

  “So?”

  “You were dressed like this with hot pink cleaning gloves the first day I came here. Casual. Comfortable.”

  “And?” What was he getting at? And how did he remember what she’d worn a year ago?

  “You’re happy and relaxed instead of feeling like you have to be in complete control. It suits you.”

  “You and Craig killed my problems.” She stepped back and moved around him. He was entirely too perceptive.

  “Right.” His voice dropped an octave.

  He slanted a glance her way that slid over her skin as gentle as a touch. Her stomach jumped. Calm down, Maggie. Popping the top of the whipped cream, she shook the can, and lifted it to her mouth.

  Grinning, a wicked glint in his gaze, he leaned against the counter. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “What?”

  “You dug pretty far back for that. How long’s it been in there?”

  “It’s canned air. It doesn’t go bad.”

  “It has a date on it.” He took the can from her and shook it slowly. “I think it should be tested.”

  “Tested?” Had he lost his mind?

  His cobalt stare was captivating as he shifted away from the counter. She turned to stay facing him. Like a slow dance, he maneuvered her so her back was against the island. Was he flirting with her?

  Her pulse drummed in her ears. Lighting quick flashes of heat struck her body, leaving a tingle of awareness behind. “Harte.”

  “I think I need to make sure it’s still…edible.”

  Daaaang. He looked as hungry as when he’d stood before her holding a condom. Like he could, would, devour her in an instant.

  “It was good last time.” The flare of arousal in his eyes broadcast her mistake.

  He stepped closer, effectively pinning her to the counter without touching her. “I remember.”

  And I want more! She pressed the mute button on the voice in her head, but it didn’t help to suppress the arousal begging her to take anything he offered. “Harte.”

  “I thought you wanted some.”

  “Umm.” Distance. Must have distance. She slid along the counter. They needed to talk. She couldn’t even think.

  He edged along in front of her. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Allowing her no argument, not that she had a good one, he yanked her against his good side and locked an arm around her waist, imprisoning her against his hard, extremely aroused body.

  “You know…”

  “How good you’re going to taste? Yes.” His sexy I-know-how-to-ma
ke-you-shiver rumble rippled across her nerves.

  He aimed the whipped cream can at her face. His huge body, pressed against hers, radiated heat. He was after sex, and as dangerous as the idea was, she couldn’t make herself try to step away.

  She wanted whatever he wanted to give her. For however long she could have it.

  “I suggest you open up, Mags. This could get messy.”

  Her eyes locked with his. The breath backed up in her lungs, her body hummed. The body bliss he’d brushed over her earlier wouldn’t be the same. His earlier patience was snapping to get free.

  She wanted to know how his unleashed desire tasted. Without blinking, she licked her lips and opened her mouth.

  “You’re going to melt faster than the ice cream.” His smile was wickedly sexy, as he filled her mouth with cream. A heartbeat later, he dipped his head and covered her open mouth with his.

  His tongue curved into her mouth and drew some of the cream into his own. He drew back a few inches and licked his lips as if to savor the taste. His hands gripped her hips and held her tight against his arousal.

  Her stomach clenched. She swelled and ached for his touch. To feel his mouth on her like before. To feel him lap at her the way he was lapping at the cream in her mouth.

  Melt? No, she was evaporating.

  He lowered his head a second time. His unwavering gaze promised explosive pleasures. She trembled beneath him. His breath teased her lips as he traced her lower one with his fingers and smiled.

  He dipped a fingertip in the quickly dissolving pile of cream in her mouth. Licking it clean, he sighed. “So creamy.”

  Certain he was going to repeat the embellished torment until he’d emptied her, she was surprised when he slid his tongue in her mouth and finished off the cream in one lick. Then, he took her mouth in a hard, hot, fast kiss.

  His hips ground into hers. She slid a leg up his, trying to get closer. Her heart slammed against her ribs, pumping boiling blood through her veins. The lace of her bra scraped across her sensitized nipples like coarse sandpaper. Her knee buckled. She grabbed Burke for support.

  With a smile, he grabbed her hips and lifted her to the island. She helped by jumping so he didn’t hurt himself. His fingers dug into her scalp and pulled her head back. His teeth nipped at her bared throat. She moaned, locked her ankles behind him, and pushed into his erection.

  “I want you naked.”

  She nodded.

  “Here. On the counter.” He slid his tongue over the edge of her ear. “So I can eat these toppings off you instead of the ice cream.”

  Reaching for his back, she found the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, careful of his injury. He could eat all he wanted later. She wanted him. Now.

  “In a hurry, Mags?”

  “Yes.” She brushed her hand along the edge of the bandage. He stiffened against her, but relaxed when she smiled.

  His thumb brushed a path along her hairline. “You…”

  She buried her fingers in his thick hair and yanked his mouth to hers. What was with him? He was all over the fast and furious moves until it came to doing the deed. Then he turned all soft and tender.

  Well, forget it. She’d had years of soft and tender. Boring! She wanted flames and dynamite. She wanted them from him.

  He pulled back and stared into her eyes as his chest heaved. “You’re still dressed.”

  “Then quit wasting time.” Because if he didn’t finish her off pretty quick she was going to knock him on his butt and take over.

  “Mags, I—”

  “Need to shut up and keep your promises.” She popped her hips off the counter and bumped his erection.

  He sucked a breath through his teeth.

  Pulling back a bit, she reached for the snap of his jeans and shoved them past his bulging erection. Looking at him the first time she’d thought he would be too big, but he filled her perfectly. She wanted him buried deep. Now.

  He finally pulled her up enough to yank her shirt off. Her bra disappeared with it. His mouth closed over her breast while his busy fingers pulled at her pants.

  “You taste like warm vanilla. And cream.”

  She buried a hand in his hair and held him close. The flames surging through her thrilled her more than a free fall from an airplane. The room spun when he yanked her hips to the edge and buried himself in her.

  “Burke!”

  “That’s right.” He thrust into her again and again, grinding himself against her clit each time. “Scream it all you want. No one can hear you, and no one is going to stop you.”

  Completely out of control and loving it, she writhed. Feeling completely wanton, she reveled in the experience of being taken on the kitchen counter.

  Her heart stumbled in her chest as he collapsed onto her. His head rested between her breasts. His heart slammed against her stomach. Next time they’d go to her room, because she planned to enjoy him as long as possible.

  “Crap.” He lurched away from her and grabbed his pants.

  Stunned, and brain fogged, she pushed up on her elbows. He yanked up his pants and grabbed for his shirt. “Burke?”

  “Stupid. Sorry.” He muttered and mumbled as he picked up her clothes and tossed them to her.

  “What’s wrong?” Other than the orgasmic hit-and-run? She’d wanted to see him out of control and she had, but his reaction was way stronger than necessary.

  He smacked his hand against his forehead and backed away. “We shouldn’t have done this. This was wrong on so many levels.”

  His words lashed out and cooled her roaring emotions more effectively than a bucket of ice water in the face. Jumping off the counter, she grabbed the waist of his pants before he retreated. “Hold it. What is wrong with what we just did?”

  He looked toward the ceiling. “Put some clothes on.”

  “No.” She took his chin in her hand and forced him to look at her. “Tell me what your problem is. You can’t take something beautiful and fulfilling and turn it into a mistake that fast.”

  He’d granted another fantasy. He’d treated her like a woman he couldn’t do without. Like a desirable woman capable and worthy of fiery passion. The kind she didn’t want to be without.

  “We didn’t use a condom. We aren’t in—”

  “A relationship?” She indicated her naked body and locked her eyes with his. “I disagree, and for what it’s worth I’m on the pill to regulate my cycles.”

  “Oh, um…”

  Now it was his turn to be speechless. That was new for him, but would work for her. She wanted some answers. “How often does this happen? You getting shot or hurt on the job?”

  “This is the second time in over ten years. Craig and I are good at our jobs, and we’re careful. Why? Don’t you want to put some clothes on?”

  “No. It wouldn’t change my vulnerability.” Life had no guarantees. “And, I like to know what I’m getting into.”

  “Getting into?”

  “I don’t know how to do this, Burke.” She yanked her ponytail out and fisted her hair. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”

  “Do what?” He angled his head. Slowly, a smile spread across his mouth and lit his eyes. “Forget that. Do you trust me?”

  “I do. I also worry about you.”

  “Then we’re on the same wavelength.” He tugged her hand to his lips like he had in the hospital. “I’m sorry. Sorry for any lies or hurt feelings. Sorry for scaring you, though I can’t say it’ll be the last time.”

  Sighing, she moved into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. His combination of tenderness and strength amazed her. His size alone made her feel feminine. Protected. His tenderness made her feel cherished. “Why does it seem you understand me better than anyone ever has?”

  “I get everything about you, Mags.” He pulled back and kissed her softly on the lips. Then at the corner of each eye and on the tip of her nose. “You slipped under my skin from the beginning. And when you worked that punching bag…” He sighed
with a goofy smile. “That’s when I think you first stole a piece of my heart. You make me happy. You’re in my pores.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  “Not as much as I thought it should. You rescued me from a darkness I hadn’t realized I was living in.”

  Her heart sighed. As cliché as it sounded, she’d swear it was a sigh.

  “Burke.” He had his moods, but she’d stopped thinking of him as the arrogant Harte. He would forever be Burke to her. “I want to see where we can take this.”

  “Do you mean that?”

  Wincing when he moved his left shoulder the wrong way, BD blew out a breath and linked their fingers. She couldn’t make a statement like that and not answer him, but she wasn’t talking. “Mags, I’m sorry you were scared. I care about you more than you can imagine.”

  “I’m glad.” Her eyes widened. Her tongue swept across her lips.

  “I’d like to see how far we can take this.” He leaned forward until his face was close to hers. “Maybe try it out for say the next fifty or sixty years.”

  “I…you…”

  He grinned as his always confident Maggie stammered. “You what?”

  “Most men don’t deal well with long-term commitments. Especially with single moms.”

  “You’re right.” He narrowed his eyes. “Let me try again.”

  “Harte.”

  “I thought you’d started calling me Burke, which I really like by the way.” He locked his gaze with hers and saw everything he could ever hope to have. Love, fiery passion, a few great kids were only the beginning. “That’s okay. I can do better.”

  “Don’t…”

  “No. Too late.” He walked to the bag she’d put on the table and grabbed a small box from a side pocket. He went back to her, where she still stood completely and gloriously naked.

  Maybe one day he’d tell her how her serious don’t-you-think-about-doing-that tone turned him on. Much later. A man needed some secrets. “Listen close, Mags. I’m only saying this once, and I hope you’re not in an arguing mood.”