by Lori Foster
When sexually primed, Brodie Crews was impossible to resist. She stepped up against his body, relishing the heat and solid strength—very aware of his erection between them. “I’m not that hurt,” she promised, rubbing against him. “Now, no more talk, okay? I’ve waited too long.”
Gathering her closer still, he kissed her throat, making her toes curl, then asked, “How long is too long, baby?”
She couldn’t think, so she definitely couldn’t do math. “I don’t know. Forever, maybe.” She grabbed his face so she could get to his mouth. “I’ve never really wanted anyone like I want you.”
His gaze heated even more. “Can’t say I have, either.” One big hand settled on her behind, cuddling her cheek, urging her into stark contact with his body.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Fuck,” he muttered, pained. “That’s some bad timing, but I guess it could have been worse.” He levered back to look at her. “Could’ve had your shorts off you.”
Mary struggled for breath. “Who?”
“Probably my laundry.” He drew in a long, bracing breath, then looked around. “Hide if you want while I take care of it.” He found his towel and quickly looped it around himself.
It was tented.
Her face went hot and she hissed, “You can’t answer the door like that.”
“Wanna bet?” He found his wallet on the dresser and drew out some bills.
The knock came again.
Unconcerned, Howler lifted his head and yawned. He seemed to instinctively know when there was or wasn’t trouble, and she wondered if he picked up those cues directly from Brodie.
“Just a sec,” Brodie called loudly.
Mary quickly ducked into the bathroom and closed the door, her heart hammering as she listened to the muted conversation. Dear God, he was shameless!
Shameless and sexy and big.
Half a minute later—meaning he’d rushed the poor person who’d returned his clothes—Brodie said, “Come put me out of my misery, Red.”
Jerking the door open, she found him standing there, still in the towel, his stack of laundry folded on the dresser.
Howler stood beside him but with one look at her, he strolled into the bathroom and sprawled out on the tile floor. Incredulous, she watched him fall back to sleep.
Brodie pulled her forward enough so that he could quietly close the door. “No more interruptions.”
Finally.
Launching herself against his body, Mary wrapped her arms around his neck, caught his mouth and kissed him as thoroughly as she knew how.
* * *
BRODIE KNEW WOMEN well enough to sense a sort of desperation in the way Mary attacked him, like maybe she thought she had to grab the opportunity or it might go away.
Not likely.
He appreciated her enthusiasm. She was a soft, warm weight in his arms, big breasts cushioned on his chest, full rump filling his palms as he held her.
After so many days of her figure-concealing outfits, perfect makeup and tightly contained hair, seeing her like this, loose, unkempt and real, was the equivalent of hours of foreplay. He especially loved her freckles. His cock throbbed in time with his racing heartbeat.
He maneuvered her to the bed, then released her long enough to fish out the condoms and toss them on the nightstand.
Eyes bright with sensual curiosity, she licked her bottom lip. “Do you always carry them?”
“Usually, yeah. Since meeting you, definitely.” He fit his hands to her waist, which nipped in from her full hips and impressive rack. “I’m an optimist and I knew from day one that I wanted you.”
“You didn’t like me when we first met.”
“You disliked me more.” He watched her as he eased his hands under her shirt, around to the small of her back, up to her rib cage...and to her breasts. “But liking and wanting are two very different things.”
Her eyes went heavy. “Do you like me now?”
“At this moment, I’m crazy nuts about you.”
A very sexy smile curved her lips. “Ditto.”
He bent to kiss her temple, the rim of her ear, and breathed, “Can’t believe you hide all this.”
She didn’t pretend to misunderstand, didn’t fish for more compliments. She simply said, “I don’t like to draw attention.”
That was why she tortured her hair and wore loose clothes? “Later,” he promised, “we’ll talk about that.” Before she could object to that plan—because Red seriously liked her privacy—he brought his thumbs up and over her stiffened nipples, back and forth, gently tormenting.
Head tipped back, her eyes closed and her long hair trailing to the mattress behind her, she looked to be an entirely different woman from her usual persona.
She wanted to enjoy this—and that was different from expecting enjoyment.
He’d make it so, even if it killed him.
“Let’s lose the shirt, baby, okay? I want to see you.”
Keeping her eyes closed, she nodded and moved as if she’d take care of it herself.
“Let me.” Since his hands were already under there, it was easy to bring the material up and over her head. Mary lifted her arms to help, and rather than strip it off her, he paused with the material tangled around her wrists. Keeping her arms held high, he looked at her, at those full breasts and tight pink nipples and he groaned.
“Damn, you’re perfect.”
“I’m really not.”
“Don’t argue with a man who has a raging boner.” He bent and tongued one nipple before drawing it into his mouth, sucking softly, then not so softly.
Mary struggled to get her arms free, but he switched to the other nipple, saying, “Hush.”
“Hush?”
Grinning against her velvety nipple, he suggested, “Maybe just this once?” He caught her in his teeth, lightly tugged until she subsided, then he straightened. He still had her arms trapped over her head, and the position put her gorgeous bod on display.
For him.
Heady stuff. Not that a nude lady was a novelty, but he’d bet the transport company that it was new and unusual for Mary Daniels and that made the moment special—for both of them.
The flush in her cheeks, the swollen lips and fast breaths all told him she was turned on.
A good start—but not good enough. He wanted her feeling as desperate as he did. He wanted to hear her crying with a hard climax, feel her clenching all over.
He wanted to taste her wetness.
Holding her gaze, he asked, “Will you trust me to make this good for you?”
That teasing tongue came out again, dampening her bottom lip. “Trust you to do what?”
“Anything and everything you’ll enjoy.”
She inhaled sharply, her eyes never wavering from his, and finally she nodded. “Please.”
Feeling triumphant, he ran a hand up her side, over her left breast and to her arms overhead. “I like you like this. Keep trusting me and you’ll like it, too.” He put one knee on the bed by her thigh, nudging her against the mattress until she abruptly sat.
“Lie back.” Helping, he held her shoulders until she was stretched out, her calves over the side.
“This is awkward.”
Looking down the length of her body, Brodie shook his head. “Keep your arms up,” he murmured, as he stretched out beside her and pinned her legs with one of his. “Let me enjoy you a bit until you catch up.”
“Catch up?” she gasped, because he was again toying with her nipple, rolling it between his fingertips, pinching carefully, pulling until her back arched.
“I’m on the ragged edge, and you can still ask questions.” He leaned over her to lick the other nipple, then drew her in, sucking leisurely while she squirmed under him. His cock was against her thigh and he moved against her, driving himself i
nsane.
Driving her a little insane, too, if her choppy breathing meant anything.
He glanced at her face. She’d pressed her head back, eyes closed, neck arched.
So fucking beautiful.
With his fingertips he worried the wet nipple he’d just left, while he sucked at the other. Her body grew taut under his and her hips rhythmically rolled against him until he couldn’t resist any longer.
He smoothed his hand down her body, over her hip, her stomach...and between her soft thighs.
Though she went very still, the muscles in her legs flexed with impatience. “You want me to touch you?”
“Yes.”
No hesitation, not for a take-charge woman like Mary. “Here?” He traced the seam in her shorts and felt her reaction as he coasted over her sex.
She gave a jerky little nod.
“Are you wet, Mary?”
It was damn near his undoing when she nodded again.
“Let’s get these shorts off so I can see for myself.” He sat up and caught the stretchy waistband, pausing only a moment for her to react.
She lifted her hips.
As he slid them down, he realized she wasn’t wearing panties. “Naughty girl,” he growled, taking in the curve of her belly, the jut of a hip bone. “I approve.”
Her pubic hair was darker, lacking the red highlights of the hair fanned out on the bed. He dragged the shorts down and off her knees, and she clumsily kicked them off her feet.
“Open your legs.”
Her expression almost defiant—and definitely aroused—she parted her thighs.
Brodie stroked her, oh-so-slowly, from her knee up. “Wider.”
A deep breath lifted her breasts...and she shifted her position.
It still wasn’t enough. He wanted to see her, all of her, so he cupped a hand behind her knee, bending it up and then pressing her leg to the side.
Now. Now he could enjoy her. His vision seemed to narrow to only Mary, to her lush body and that straightforward blue-eyed gaze.
He’d never felt it before, but he recognized the possessiveness searing into his brain.
Mine.
Rather than beat his chest and do a Tarzan call of the wild, he traced around her sex, his fingers barely grazing her. “Do you like this?” he asked.
She readjusted. “Brodie.”
His gaze lifted to hers in question.
Her eyes looked like blue flames, banked with arousal. Voice throbbing, she gasped, “I need you to touch me.”
God, he loved the way she stated things. Sitting beside her, he cupped his palm over her, the heel of his hand pressing on her clit, his fingers searching, parting her slick lips.
Very wet.
Stifling a low growl, he asked, “Better?”
She breathed harder. “Some.”
With his middle finger, he barely pressed into her, a mere tease as he relished her heat. Watching her closely, seeing her frustration and mounting lust, he asked, “Does that help?”
“Damn you.” In a sudden flurry of movement, she wrenched her arms from the shirt, tossed it over the side of the bed and grabbed his wrist, pulling his hand more tightly to her while she lifted her hips.
As his finger penetrated, she gave a vibrating sound of pleasure.
He felt her squeeze around him, and it pushed him right over the edge. Taking her mouth in a hard kiss, he fucked her with his finger until both of them were urgent with need. Forethought fled and he acted solely on instinct.
He’d told her he wouldn’t lose control, but her mouth was wet and hot, her legs sprawled, her heat bathing his hand. She was ready, and yet, it wasn’t enough.
Goddamn, he didn’t know what would be enough, not with her.
Almost angry with his need, he moved down to her breasts, sucking her pebbled nipples, biting softly, licking. She grabbed his head, trying to hold him there.
But he needed everything.
Mouth open, he trailed down her torso to her belly. He loved the feel of her skin, her incredible scent. He felt drunk with it.
“Brodie,” she whispered brokenly, her fingers tangled in his hair.
She twitched when he licked her hip bone. He stored away the knowledge of her ticklishness for another time, then, still between her legs, went to his knees over the side of the bed. His shoulders kept her legs wide-open.
The position gave him an awesome visual; he saw her slippery wet lips, swollen and so pink, and her little clit, waiting for attention. He stroked her inner thighs, relishing the sight of her, the scent of her excitement, her need—for him.
Groaning, he lifted her legs over his shoulders and pressed his face to her, breathing her in. His cock swelled even more, aching. He’d be lucky to last a minute once he got inside her. Hopefully, she’d be there with him.
He parted her with his fingertips, licked into her, up and over her. Feeling her tremble, he closed his mouth around her, holding her with a gentle suck while stroking her little bud with his tongue.
Because her breasts were too luscious to ignore, he stretched one long arm up and thumbed a nipple. He flattened the other hand on her stomach, trying—and failing—to hold her still.
Within minutes her movements grew more frantic, and her cries grew louder.
He loved it—and prayed it wouldn’t disturb the dog.
When he felt her clenching, when her soft thighs tensed, he worked two fingers into her, pressing deep.
She came apart with raw, guttural cries that she tried unsuccessfully to muffle. Brodie stayed with her, making it last as long as he could, then eased gradually until she rested flat on the bed again, her legs sprawled, her breathing labored.
He placed one more soft kiss to her and stood. His hands shook as he opened the condom and rolled it on. Never in his life had he been this turned on. “You still with me, Red?”
“Mmm.”
Aware of her watching him through lowered eyelids, her expression relaxed and maybe a little awed, he crawled up and over her body. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Gazing at his mouth, she let out a soft sigh.
Nice. He’d left the lady speechless.
Positioning himself between her legs, braced on his forearms, he said, “Look at me, Red.”
Her lashes lifted and he stared down into those blue, blue eyes, feeling utterly lost. It unnerved him.
She touched his face, down the bridge of his nose to trace his mouth.
Brodie nudged his cock against her, getting the head good and wet, then he pressed in. After having his fingers in her, he already knew she was tight—especially for a man of his size. But she wanted him, he could tell, and she didn’t flinch as he began to fill her.
He felt the natural resistance of her body for an instant, then the slick glide as he relentlessly wedged into her.
Her lips parted.
His heart hammered.
For a few seconds, which was all he could handle, he just rested against her, in her, giving her a chance to get used to his size. When she finally unclenched, he shifted. “Okay?”
She nodded and whispered, “You are a gorgeous man, Brodie.”
Despite the lust, he felt a crooked smile creep up on him. “Yeah?”
She didn’t smile back, but she curved one small, soft hand around his neck and drew him down.
As gently as he could, he kissed her parted lips—and withdrew.
She squeezed him as he did so, making him breathe harder—and he pushed in again.
Mary put her hands on his shoulders, her nails a slight sting.
“Easy,” he murmured, retreating again, thrusting back.
“I didn’t expect this.”
“This?” he asked, driving into her again. Up to now he’d managed to keep things metered, slow...but he’d about reached his bre
aking point.
“That it could feel so good.”
Yeah, that did it. He took her mouth in a deep, tonguing kiss as he rode fast against her. She matched his rhythm, her legs locking around him.
Faster, harder, the bed rocking, both of them rough, both of them urgent...
He freed his mouth and put his face in her neck. He felt his balls tightening, felt himself straining—and then he heard her low moan, felt the grip of her body and the rush of wet heat as she came again. He gritted his teeth, waiting as the orgasm gripped her, and then he let himself go.
God, it was good. He locked himself to her, as deep as he could get, and came with a harsh groan.
As tension drained out of him, he sank down to rest on her, suddenly aware that her mouth was on his shoulder, her fingers sliding over his back in subtle, lazy caresses.
She hadn’t expected it, didn’t think it could feel so good.
A million questions suddenly crowded into his brain. Someone had disappointed his Mary. Or worse, someone had hurt her.
He swallowed heavily, fighting off a surge of protective rage.
“What is it?” she asked, her voice lazy but also curious. She kissed his chest. “Is something wrong?”
With an effort, Brodie rose to his forearms. With her cheeks flushed, the freckles showed more and he wanted to kiss each and every one. Instead, he touched his mouth to hers. “You have the most amazing eyes.”
She blinked in surprise, then grinned. “Do I?”
“Yeah, especially when you look at me like that.”
“How am I looking at you?”
“Like a woman satisfied.”
Smoothing her fingers through his hair, she sighed. “Very, very satisfied.”
He wanted to devour her all over again. “How would you feel about staying the night here?”
Her mouth curled in a slow smile and she looked around, as far as she could with his shoulders in the way. “In this room?”
Nudging against her, his cock no longer quite as impressive, he said, “Here, with me.”
“And Howler.”
“I’ll take him out. And I’ll figure out something for dinner, too. You,” he said, punctuating that with a kiss, “should stay right here, naked, in bed.”