Break The Rules

by CC MacKenzie

  So wet.

  Her body pulsed around his as he rode her hard and fast.

  A voice in his head told him to slow the hell down, but he couldn't do it.

  And she was with him every single step of the way, her cries of pleasure drove his higher and higher. Sweat stung his eyes, and still he watched her as her hands clung to his shoulders and he bet those fingernails drew blood and didn't give a damn. At one point her eyes went wide and he recognized a fear of letting go, but he refused to release her, to let her turn her face away from what could be between them.

  Jesus, her body was gripping and pulsing around his and he could feel her resist and fight her orgasm all the way.

  "Look at me!"

  His tone brought her eyes, big and wide and frightened, to his. "Sean! I can't... I can't..."

  "You can. You will. Let go, Theresa. LET GO!"

  "I'll fall!" she screamed the words.

  Again his eyes held hers. "And I'll catch you."

  When she threw her head back and sobbed out his name, her epic release triggered his own as he emptied his seed into her.

  He lay, boneless, on top of her and knew he was too heavy.

  But he couldn't move.

  As sanity returned, Sean accepted they'd shared something other than body fluids.

  This wasn't just a lust for a hot body and mindless sex.

  It was more.

  Much more.

  And Sean knew for absolutely certain that he'd never ever be the same again.

  "Get off me," she said, and smartly slapped his ass.

  He had to laugh, because whatever he felt for her, it was clear Theresa Catliff felt nothing for him.

  "Sorry. I'm too big for you."

  He rolled to his side taking her with him.

  She muttered something beneath her breath, but closed her eyes and snuggled her face into his neck. "Shut up. I'm tired. Go to sleep."

  Sounded like a plan.

  Sean closed his eyes.

  They'd sort out whatever they had to sort out tomorrow.

  CHAPTER TEN

  "I don't do morning sex," T.C. said and turned to roll out of bed.

  Sean seriously wondered what it was going to take for the woman to lie still for five minutes and just cuddle. But no, as soon as she opened her eyes, she'd pushed him away.

  Again.

  Instead of letting her go, he hauled her back, abruptly, to bed.

  His big body pinned hers to the mattress and with a quick move, he was deep inside her.

  His gaze met one filled with fury, frustration and lust.

  He figured he could work with lust. "You do now."

  When she opened her mouth, his took hers, that way she couldn't speak at all.

  Later, as Sean rolled to his back, panting as if he'd run a sprint, T.C. lay on her back staring at the ceiling.

  Her heart raced so fast she pressed a fist to the spot.

  Plus, she was feeling weird and over... emotional.

  When her eyes stung, she took a shocked breath.

  What on earth was the matter with her?

  She refused to be cowed by these complex feelings for this man.

  They'd had sex, that was all.

  Okay, spectacular sex.

  But it wasn't as if she'd lost her virginity to him, and why the hell did that thought give her a pang? However, he was an incredibly demanding, very detail-driven lover, probably due to the fact he was a military man.

  Any woman would have trouble finding her equilibrium after a night of sex with Sean Kennedy.

  Seriously, it was time to show him who was the boss around here.

  She turned her head to find him all relaxed and limber with his eyes closed and a satisfied smile on his fabulous mouth.

  "We've only had sex. We didn't promise each other undying love. We didn't make any sort of unspoken commitment, so you can wipe that smile off your face. I'm busy. Please leave."

  She'd assumed a show of male temper in response, even braced herself for it.

  Sean looked astonished for a beat, but then, incredibly, he laughed. And it was that same wonderful, natural, full-bodied laugh of his that made her stupid heart sing.

  To ward him off, she scowled, determined to keep that laughter from sliding beneath her skin. But it didn't work. She was fast coming to realize that nothing she did or said, no matter how horribly bad her behavior, nothing stopped him taking what he wanted from her.

  "Come here, baby girl," he said when he had regained a semblance of control over himself. When he clicked his fingers in her face, something inside her snapped and she nearly took a bite out of him.

  He was too close, both physically and emotionally.

  Why the hell couldn't he give her space to breathe, to think?

  Her eyes narrowed. "What am I? A poodle? A pet?"

  "Woman, you would start a fight in an empty room," he said in that deep voice of his that made her knees weak. "Put that mouth on mine instead of using it in an attempt to push me away. You'll feel better. I'll feel better. A win-win."

  "No."

  "Yes," he argued. He shifted onto his side to stare at her with that intense glitter in his eyes she recognized was hunger. Along with the remains of that wonderful laughter that made him seem even more gorgeous. "Why do I scare you?"

  Her heart beat faster. "Don't flatter yourself," she snapped, but then she couldn't move as his gaze pinned her to the spot. It seemed as if he could see right into her brain. "I just need some me time."

  Then she remembered how he'd strolled into her house, crowded her personal space until he'd had her back against a wall. How the hell had he done that? She hadn't even noticed. And then they'd ended up naked in her bed.

  "You mean some time away from me, to gather your defences, to resist me. Not gonna happen, darlin'."

  Her jaw dropped.

  She wanted to tell him where to get off, along with a few other choice descriptives, but not a single word emerged.

  Sean grinned.

  "But... we can't just have sex all day," she insisted, not very hard it had to be said. Her voice sounded all breathy. Weak as water. None of which made any sense, because Theresa Catliff didn't do weak.

  This time his grin lingered in his eyes, making them gleam dark gold.

  The look in them, for her, shivered right through her. "Of course we can."

  "No. We can't," she said in all seriousness. "I have sex once with a man. That's it."

  He ran the back of his hand down her hot cheek. "Ah, but I'm not just any man and you know it. That's why you're trembling."

  She didn't know she was trembling, and the shock must have shown on her face because his eyes went all soft as he took her in his arms as if she was precious, a fragile woman.

  He smoothed her hair back from her forehead, something she'd come to understand he loved to do. And that look in his eyes for her, so bright and clear, made her tremble again.

  His eyes held hers, and her heart seemed to shift inside her, releasing things she didn't want released. Certainly things she didn't want to accept. Making her feel things she didn't want to feel for any man and certainly not a man like him.

  Dominant.

  Controlling.

  Powerful.

  Only a fool would tell a man like Sean Kennedy she had feelings for him.

  She lifted her chin. "You're too bossy. Go away and give me space. You're too sexy for your own good."

  He drew her right in, and she felt his chest move beneath her cheek as if he was laughing inside, although he didn't make a sound. He probably knew she'd give him a black eye if he did.

  "You're right," he said, and ran big strong hands down her back, over the swell of her ass, pulling her hard against a straining arousal that made her gasp. "But sex is good for us as a couple, it seems to help our communication."

  His erection was hot and hard against the soft flesh of her belly and she forced down all the feelings that threatened to overwhelm her deep inside. Especially the
ones that desperately wanted her to surrender to him.

  She shifted to stare up into his face, and by the knowing look in his eyes he knew exactly what he was doing to her.

  Sean smiled. "And we need to have a helluva lot more practice at communicating. Let me show you how that goes."

  But she didn't want him to show her how it went.

  She didn't want this sense of intimacy with him.

  Too many conflicting feelings now spun into her mind as if to tear it apart.

  And all the while another voice in her head yelled, Tell Him The Truth!

  Oh, the words burned on her tongue, words that would change both of their lives forever.

  But she couldn't do it.

  Not yet.

  Not until she'd found her balance.

  Not until she had her thoughts and emotions straight.

  And not until she'd told her friends who were like family to her.

  Friends who would never judge her.

  Would they?

  "You need to leave," she whispered.

  Good God, the woman was hard work, but worth it.

  So worth it.

  Sean took a gentle bite of her bottom lip. "You're easy."

  In his arms she went utterly still. "Thanks."

  He shook his head. "I meant you're incredibly responsive to my touch, my mouth, my tongue."

  But she didn't soften, if anything she tried to push him away. "Thanks."

  He grinned at her and then the grin faded as he studied her set face. "You're welcome."

  His eyes were on hers and that's when he saw them change, saw the light within dim and a darkness he'd never noticed before, return.

  "You can go now," she said in a toneless little voice.

  He blinked.

  It was as if he held a completely different person in his arms, as if she'd tripped a switch and the old T.C. was back and rejecting him.

  A rejection that hurt so much he had to take a deep breath against a pain that floored him.

  Not only that, he was confused.

  Why couldn't she see what they'd found together?

  They'd found something special.

  Something very rare.

  Something she obviously did not want.

  He tried to get his stunned brain to think back to the point in their conversation where he'd gone wrong with her.

  She pulled the duvet over her breasts, hiding her nudity from him.

  Too late.

  How she smelled, how she tasted, how she felt were forever indelibly tattooed on his brain.

  Now he felt used and abused.

  Furious with her and with himself, he rolled out of bed.

  Determined not to show her how badly she'd hurt him, Sean smiled, all teeth and narrow hard eyes, as he watched her lie there like a corpse, her blue eyes unblinking as she stared at the ceiling.

  She couldn't even look at him now?

  Well, to hell with her.

  As he pulled on his pants, tugged the zip up, he growled low in his throat.

  "You're something else, sweetheart."

  He grabbed his shirt, his boots and headed for the door.

  When she called his name, he turned to look at her and saw a complete stranger.

  "Don't come back."

  "Don't intend to."

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  "You look very serious, my friend. Are you in pain?" Nico Ferranti asked Sean.

  "Nah. I'm almost back to normal."

  To conform to the dress code on their invitation to Anastacia's engagement party to Olivier Conti, both wore black tux. They stood with their backs to the wall next to a huge potted fern in the grand ballroom at Ludlow Hall. Even though he wasn't on duty, old habits died hard, Sean nursed a glass of water, while Nico held a glass of Chianti from one of his many vineyards.

  The party was in full swing and the entire Ludlow Hall clan, including children, were out in force to show their love and support for the young couple.

  "They look happy," Sean said, referring to the guests of honor who were grooving on down to a dance hit.

  Nico nodded. "Si. She is good for him. And he is good for her. It is a good match."

  Sean grinned. "That's good. His mother seems happy, which is the main thing as far as Ana's concerned. I know she was nervous."

  Nico's grey eyes twinkled. "Si. Valentina Conti is a good woman and happy Ana cannot cook to save her life, which means she will continue to rule the kitchen, like all good Italian mamas."

  Sean couldn't help but laugh because Anastacia's lack of culinary skill was legendary.

  As he continued to scan the room, he caught sight of a man he didn't recognize talking to Ana's half-sister, the beautiful Chloe Rucker.

  Sean's eyes narrowed.

  "Next to the entrance to the hallway to the restrooms, who's the tall guy with the man-bun talking to Chloe?"

  Nico turned. "Ah, that is Serge Morretti, a friend of Olivier's. And much too old and experienced for young Chloe."

  "He looks rich."

  "He is rich. Very rich. He is Sardinian."

  The tone had Sean glance at the bland expression on Nico's face. "You say that as if it's a problem."

  "It may be a problem if Serge decided to have Chloe. Olivier would never permit it."

  "What's it got to do with Olivier?"

  "Because like Ana, Chloe and Tanith are now part of Olivier's famiglia. And he would never tolerate Serge anywhere near one of his sisters-in-law."

  "I take it the guy's bad news?"

  Nico made a face. "Let us say that he is not kind to women."

  "A Prince amongst men?"

  "He is damaged. As I said, he is not kind."

  When Serge put his hands on Chloe both men stiffened.

  But then little Sophia Ferranti, looking gorgeous in a pale pink party dress made from yards of tulle, skipped into the picture.

  The child tugged on Chloe's hand and said something.

  Looking displeased, Serge released Chloe and took a step back.

  Chloe walked towards the restrooms with Sophia.

  This was a Sophia who turned to toss a narrow-eyed look over her shoulder at Serge.

  She made a horrible face and poked out her tongue.

  The utter shock on the Sardinian's face was priceless.

  Sean and Nico's roar of laughter had heads turn in their direction.

  "Christ, that Sophia is something else."

  Nico wiped his eyes. "Si. She is special."

  "When she grows up, you're going to have your hands full with her."

  "Perhaps. But, she will never bring shame on la mia famiglia."

  Sean's gaze tracked across the room to another loved-up couple, Danni and Pascale.

  He pointed with his chin. "They'll be next."

  "Hmm. He is smitten with her."

  "Yeah. She's a sweetheart and a kind and gentle soul." Sean's gaze landed on T.C. sitting at a round table. She laughed as she batted her eyes and flirted outrageously with a young man. "Unlike some people." His eyes narrowed when he spotted her pour water into her glass instead of her usual white wine.

  Nico's black brow rose as he followed Sean's gaze. "Ah, yes. Theresa. That one marches to the beat of her own drum," he drawled, his Italian accent strong. "You sound angry, my friend."

  "She's like an earworm in my head." At Nico's bemused expression, he continued, "You know, a tune in your head, like an advertizing jingle that simply won't stop."

  "Sounds... irritating."

  "She is irritating."

  Nico laughed. "She is very beautiful."

  Sean glowered. "What's that got to do with anything? It's what lies beneath the skin that matters." Then he heaved a heavy sigh, feeling as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. "I will never understand that woman."

  "You are attracted to her. And she is attracted to you. When you are not looking at her, she is looking at you."

  Sean knew it.

  He'd felt her eyes drilling into
the back of his head all night, hadn't he?

  "We don't seem to be following any rules, at least none I can work out."

  Nico rubbed his chin. "Perhaps it is time to start breaking the rules."

  "Nope. I'm a big believer in rules. I live by rules," Sean said, happily forgetting that he'd broken T.C.'s one night only rule.

  "Hmm. How is that working out for you?"

  Sean turned to stare hard at Nico's shit-eating grin. "Point taken. She's a pain in my ass."

  "Ah, true love. It is a wonderful thing."

  His belly tremble at the thought of true love had Sean scowl horribly at his friend.

  "What's love got to do with it?” he demanded.

  The tone of sheer outrage had Nico throw back his head and roar with laughter.

  "Ask Tina Turner."

  "Get lost," Sean said.

  T.C. wondered why the hell she'd asked Freddy Beaumont to dance with her.

  The man had two left feet and even though they were down to a shuffle, he'd still managed to stomp on her toes, twice.

  "Ouch."

  Freddy's freckles stood out against his pale face. "Sorry, T.C. I hate dancing. You know I'm no good at it."

  Her attention fixed elsewhere, T.C. nodded.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Sean Kennedy sending her the stink eye.

  He'd been looking at her, just like that, all night.

  Bastard.

  She turned her attention back to Freddy.

  He'd known her since she was ten, so his response to her glittering smile was not one she might have hoped for.

  Instantly on guard, Freddy frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

  "Put your hand on my ass."

  His eyes, a pale grey, went like saucers. "What?"

  "Don't burst my eardrum. You heard me. Do it."

  "Uh huh. I don't know what you're up to, but, I'm not doing it."

  She stared up into his face and fluttered her lashes.

  "Freddy," she said in a low purr that would have had Danni and Ana look to heaven. "I'm trying to send the right message to a guy who's refusing to take the word no. Do it."

  Freddy kept a wary eye on her and clamped a big hand on her ass.

  Out of the corner of her eye, T.C. watched Sean's face.