“It’s not a one-night stand,” he returned, his gaze no less intense. “You know that. Even if it’s just one night, it’s you and me. It’s more than that, and I don’t understand it any more than you do, but you feel it. I know you feel it, too.”
She drank in her fill of him, trying to memorize his features. Never in her life had she met a person like Angus Force, anyone so darkly male. Anybody so pursued by demons and yet so strong and stubborn.
Also, it figured he’d finally make his move when they were both sober and raw after the terrible scene in the park. There was no handy excuse for her to grab onto in desperation. She hadn’t been drinking and they hadn’t spent a fun day goofing off together. If she agreed, it was all on her—no excuses to comfort herself with after he left. And he was leaving. She could see acceptance of the end in his eyes and the settled stance of his shoulders. “You don’t even like me.” Was she protesting too much?
“Yes or no, Nari.” He didn’t disagree with her statement.
She didn’t like him sometimes either. But he drew her in a way she couldn’t pin down. If she left right now, she’d do so with her head held high. But she’d always wonder. Always. “Yes,” she whispered.
Chapter Eight
He had lost his mind. Angus waited until Nari had locked her car before taking her hand for the first and only time in the year they’d known each other. Her skin was soft and her hand fit inside his perfectly. Figured. The rain drilled them, springing up from the asphalt, so he ducked his head and loped into a jog as Roscoe took care of business in the weeds off the parking lot.
The need for her had nearly driven him insane. Every time he smelled her cinnamon scent, every time her brown eyes softened, every time he heard the clip-clop of her sexy shoes, it was all he could do not to grab her shoulders and press her up against a wall and let his body have free reign.
Now she’d said yes.
For miles he’d scrutinized every vehicle behind them, knew they hadn’t been followed. He tuned in his instincts. The area was vacant. Right now, at least, nobody was watching him.
Nari kept to his side, having abandoned her umbrella in the car.
Now wasn’t the time for caution. They were way past that point. Roscoe ran up, shaking his fur wildly by the door. Angus swiped his card across the reader at the main door and drew her inside to the elevator, which was already open.
Roscoe padded inside behind them, his ears perked as if something was happening but he didn’t know what. Angus pressed the button for the third floor, keeping her hand. What if she changed her mind? He’d say goodbye and wish her well.
“I’ve never been to your apartment.” She kept her focus straight ahead at the closed door and her voice trembled slightly.
The woman should be wary. “It’s not much.” He’d slept at the office as often as he had the apartment, and he kept dog food at both places. They ascended to the third floor, and Roscoe bounded out, running to the right. Angus led Nari in the same direction, quickly unlocking his door and pulling her inside, then locking it behind her. “Stay here, please.” Finally he released her hand, and his felt empty. Bereft. He switched on lights in the spartan living room and kitchen, briefly dodging into the bedroom and one bathroom to make sure all was clear. Then he returned. “We’re good.”
She leaned against his door, her eyes a soft topaz and her shoulders back. “You always search your apartment when you get home?”
“Yeah. Don’t you?” he asked, not stopping until he reached her.
“No,” she whispered, her gaze running over his face. “I’m not that paranoid.”
He brushed wet hair from the shoulder of her leather jacket, finally giving himself permission to touch her. “It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.” He knew the line was a joke, but in his case it was true. Slowly, keeping her attention, he drew down her jacket zipper.
Her breath whooshed out, and the sound barreled through him to land in his groin. He’d wanted her from the first second she’d walked into the office and demanded a space of her own. She was always so put together and sure of herself, the temptation to muss her up had made his hands ache on more than one occasion. More than that, he wanted her safe. “I won’t hurt you, Nari.” The words came from someplace inside him he’d long forgotten.
She didn’t answer, no doubt understanding a hell of a lot more about pretty much everything than he did. Instead, she reached up and tunneled both hands through his hair, sending water droplets scattering to the fake wood floor. Pleasure bloomed a light peach across her face, as if she’d been granted a treat she hadn’t expected.
Lightning ripped through the darkness outside, flashing behind the blinds covering each small window. The faintest scent of ozone permeated the air.
“That was close,” she whispered, her alluring mouth opening slightly.
He ducked his head and took that mouth. Sweetness exploded on his tongue, through his body. She was sweet and soft and everything he didn’t deserve in this world. He groaned into her mouth and slid his hand through the wet strands of her thick hair. It was even silkier than he’d imagined, and the idea of the mass drying later and spreading over his chest propelled him to kiss her harder.
She stretched up on her toes and kissed him back, the scent of cinnamon spurring his desire higher. Her fingers dug into his scalp, adding even more pleasure to every sensation attacking him.
He shoved her jacket to the ground and pushed her against the door, his body trying to get as flush with her as possible. She was small and delicate, so he plastered both hands on the smooth metal to keep from grabbing her and taking her down to the floor. If she was giving him one night, he was going to take care of her. She deserved no less. Hell, she deserved a lot better than him, but for now she was his. That mattered.
She jerked her head free and panted, sucking in air. “Fast. I want fast, Angus.”
He heard the words, but his body revolted. Ah. He tugged his phone from his pocket and turned it off, tossing it over his shoulder to land where he knew the lone sofa sat. “We’re not going to be interrupted.”
Her lips formed a perfect O.
Yeah, he knew what she’d been thinking. They’d skirted each other for a year like cautious animals, and now that they’d finally made a decision, Murphy’s Law dictated they’d be interrupted. Not a chance in hell. “I may not control much in this world, little shrink, but I promised you one night.” And she’d said yes. Shockingly. “Nothing is going to keep me from you tonight.” His words came out with an edge and, by the widening of her eyes, she caught it.
Good.
* * *
Nari couldn’t breathe. Her knees weakened and her clothes were suddenly too confining. She’d never felt like this, and that was insane. Her body was foreign for a moment.
Angus shrugged out of his jacket, dropping the heavy leather to the floor. His smell washed over her. Minty and whiskey and man. A scent she’d wanted to dive into for almost a year now. She reached for the hem of his T-shirt, and he grasped her hand, drawing it to his mouth.
Gently, with an intensity that rendered her speechless, he kissed each knuckle. He moved to her then, settling her hand on the door and covering it with his own. His other hand went to her silk shirt, deftly releasing each button and tugging the remainder out of her slacks.
She’d known he’d be like this. Naturally trying to control the moment, even when he was visibly struggling to stay gentle. The pads of his fingertips brushed her bare abdomen, and she sucked in air at the jolt of fire that spread through her torso. Gently, he drew his hands up her ribs to her shoulders and slid the shirt down her arms. He had to release her hand to discard the material, and once he had, he took both of her hands and flattened them to the door.
“Now you’re right where I want you,” he rumbled, dipping his head to lick and nip her neck.
She knew at least ten ways to knock him on his butt, but her body took over and she tilted her head to give him better acce
ss. “Maybe you’re right where I want you,” she murmured.
“Maybe.” He gently bit the shell of her ear and then kissed her again, going deep and holding nothing back.
She returned his kiss, having to stretch up to meet his mouth. When he released her to let them both breathe, she pulled one of her hands loose. “My turn. Mmm.” She reached for his hem and pulled the thin material up and over his head to reveal his chest. “Angus.” She gentled, her hand flattening over the two healed bullet wounds right beneath his heart, disturbed by how close he’d come to death.
“I was the better shot,” he said, flicking open her front bra clasp with one finger.
This must’ve been when Lassiter shot him, but she wouldn’t say that killer’s name right now. Not when the muscled expanse of Angus’s chest was finally hers to touch. Firm and broad, scarred and strong. Yeah. She leaned in and kissed his pec, a sense of urgency catching her by surprise.
Angus grasped her hips and lifted her against him. She gasped and then grabbed on to his neck, her breasts bare against his skin. His very warm skin. He turned and started walking—she didn’t care where. She pulled him closer, wrapping her legs around his waist and capturing him in her hold.
His stride didn’t alter.
He took over the kiss, a low growl rumbling from his chest into her mouth to zing around her body. He laid her down on a soft down comforter, nimbly releasing the clasp of her pants and sliding them partway down her legs.
He crouched and pulled off her boots, running strong thumbs along the arches of her feet.
When had her feet become erogenous zones?
He stood then, looking down at her, taking his fill. The lights from the living room softly lit the room from behind him, leaving his handsome face in shadow.
A place Angus Force was accustomed to inhabiting.
“I wondered.” The green of his eyes glowed as he hooked his thumbs in the sides of her black lace panties. “This is what I hoped.”
She swallowed, almost bare to him. He pulled them all the way off and caressed her legs from the ankles up to her thighs, touching her everywhere. It was as if there wasn’t an inch of her he didn’t want to touch at least once this night.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, his hands going to the clasp of his belt.
So was he. How hard did he work out to have a rippled six-pack of an abdomen even though he drank so much? She reached for him.
He hurriedly kicked off his boots and the rest of his clothes, kissing his way across her ribs and over her breasts, finally taking one nipple into his heated mouth.
She gasped and arched against him, surprised by the warmth of his skin. Heat spiraled off him. He played, kissing and licking, while she explored the hard planes of his shoulders and back, finding more wounds and healed scars. And muscle. Tight, dangerous, raw muscle.
He nipped her breast while finally reaching down between her legs, where she was more than ready for him.
He groaned. “I definitely want a taste.”
“Later.” She dug her nails into his arms to pull him up. “Definitely later. We have all night.” For now, she needed him.
“Foreplay,” he muttered, scarlet flashing across his rugged cheekbones.
“We’ve been foreplaying for a year,” she gasped. “I’m ready. You’re more than ready.” And he was. Against her, he felt hard and long. Very. There was a lot to Angus, and it didn’t surprise her in the least. She’d been peeking at his jeans for months.
He flattened his hand over her abdomen. “You’re not in charge here, sweetheart.” Keeping her flat against the bed, he moved down her and sucked her clit into his mouth. Full on, hot, with a slight scrape of his teeth.
She bowed, crying out, orgasming instantly. He didn’t stop—maybe didn’t even notice. He went at her, tongue and lips and teeth as if he couldn’t get enough. She writhed against him, wild and crazy, unable to halt the second orgasm from rolling through her, stealing her breath.
He still didn’t stop.
She pulled his thick hair. “Angus. Please, you have to quit.”
He paused and looked up, his eyes burning. “I’ve waited a year for this.”
Oh, God. She swallowed. “I can’t again.”
Wrong thing to say. Definitely the wrong thing. His chin lowered, and his facial scruff stretched across her clit.
The sound she made should’ve embarrassed her, but she was too far gone. Keeping her gaze, he lowered his mouth and nipped with enough power that she spiraled away again, shutting her eyes and riding out the waves.
“All night,” he said to himself. “That’s a start.” With that, moved up her, flattened himself over her and reached for the nightstand.
She grabbed his tight butt. “You’re crushing me.”
“Never.” He levered himself up on an elbow and ripped open a condom wrapper with his teeth. “You sure about this?”
“Yes.” She didn’t care what he was asking about. “I’m sure. About everything. The whole night, waiting for more foreplay, doing this now. Finally.” Being coy or pretending wasn’t her style, and she wanted him. Plus, it was obvious he was in the same state.
Hunger, raw and real, sizzled in his eyes.
She took the condom, reached down, and rolled it onto him. He jerked against her palm, feeling bigger even than she’d expected.
He licked her nipple, and fire arced to her still firing clit. She gasped and settled back on the pillow, her gaze trapped once again by his.
A lock of his hair fell toward his forehead and a droplet of rain landed on her temple.
Slowly, he pushed inside her, big and full. She held her breath, opening her thighs wider, trying to adjust to his size. Not once did he release her gaze as he controlled his body . . . and hers.
Finally he paused, deep inside her.
“Now,” she whispered.
His grin was too predatory to be boyish. “Yeah. Now. At last.” Even so, he started slow, driving into her with hard thrusts and brushing a spot inside her that had her seeing stars.
“More, Angus. More.” She lifted her thighs and clasped her feet at his back, pressing in with her heels as hard as she could. How was this possible? She wanted more of him. All of him.
He let go then, pounding into her, fast and hard and full. Deeper, wilder, keeping her on an edge so sharp she had to shut her eyes.
She reached higher, holding on, her body opening to take all of him. The pressure finally exploded and she cried out, arching into him as another orgasm roared through her and shattered everything she knew. Pleasure swamped her, followed by a feeling of vulnerability she’d never experienced.
He kissed her hard, his powerful body shuddering violently with his own climax. He ground into her again, his kiss gentling as he finally released her mouth. His grin was wicked when he leaned up. “That was a good start for the night.”
Chapter Nine
Angus remained on his side, his eyes shut as Nari quietly found her clothing and escaped to the other room to get dressed. Morning light streamed into the room beneath the cheap blinds, while her cinnamon scent hovered all around. His body began to awaken again. He’d learned every inch of her the night before, and now he only wanted her more. A part of him, one he didn’t much like, wanted to let her sneak away quietly.
Instead, he rolled from the bed and yanked on a pair of jeans from the floor. He padded barefoot to the doorway and stopped as he heard her speaking softly.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” Her voice was muffled.
He sighed and walked into his barren living room to see her somewhat dressed, sitting on the floor with her face buried in Roscoe’s furry neck.
The dog looked up at him, his ears perked and his eyes intelligent.
Was he judging Angus? Angus frowned at the mutt and Roscoe’s tongue rolled out.
Nari leaned back and scratched his neck with both hands. “It’s okay, boy.” Then she stiffened and looked over her shoulder. “Oh. Um, hi.”
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It wasn’t fair that she should look so damn appealing in wrinkled clothes with no makeup on her face. She looked edible, despite the obvious whisker burn down her neck and over part of her jaw. “Hi,” he rumbled.
Her gaze ran down his bare chest to his unbuttoned jeans and she blushed a light peach. “I was just leaving.”
“I can see that.” He held out a hand to help her up, fighting every instinct he had to keep from tossing her over his shoulder and returning to the bed.
The dog whined.
“Knock it off,” Angus muttered. It looked like Nari was already having a tough time saying goodbye to the mutt. She turned and edged away from him, plastering a fake smile on her face. He sighed. “I’d offer to make you breakfast, but I don’t have anything but dog food here. Should we talk about last night?”
She lifted her chin. “What is there to talk about?”
Good question. They’d set the perimeters the night before, and he had to let her go. This was the last time she could be seen with him, because he was going after whoever had killed those two women, Lassiter or not. “I guess this is goodbye.” The idea hurt more than he would’ve expected. Even if the circumstances were different, he wasn’t relationship material. Not even close. “I’m sorry.”
She ducked for her jacket on the floor, quickly donning it and covering her wrinkled silk shirt. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. Last night was our one night.” Her smile came more naturally this time. “I enjoyed myself and so did you.”
Yeah, he had. “You deserve more.” The words were out before he could stop himself.
“I know.” She patted Roscoe’s head again. “So do you, even though you don’t believe that. I hope you find peace back at your cabin with your dog.”
There would be no peace. “Thanks.” He kept his expression neutral.
With her hair all mussed, she looked adorable—and sexy as hell. “Are you really heading out of here?”
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