He groaned, his hands gripping her head. “Please. Do it faster. My control isn’t too good with you.”
Laura wanted to take this slow. She wanted to watch his every reaction and search out places to touch that gave him the greatest pleasure. She felt the impatience in his tense muscles and knew he was right. They needed to hurry. Laura pulled back a fraction to glance at his cock. Large and rigid with a deep red head. With a light touch she ran her fingers along his length. He jerked and a purr sounded, bringing a smirk to her lips.
“You’re easy. I always know your mood because of the sounds you make.”
“You make me purr,” he said, totally serious. “No one else.”
“Never? You haven’t purred before?” That was hard to believe. When a man was so tactile like him his story seemed hard to believe. Nothing special with her—Mike had proved that.
“Never.”
The thing about not lying—did that apply to this as well? Aware of passing time, she decided to debate it later. “All right. Let’s see if I can push the purrs up to groans.” Holding on to his muscular thighs for balance, she licked across the mushroom-shaped head of his cock. He stilled, a rough growl vibrating in his chest.
She glanced up at him in amusement. “Not quite a purr. You’re easy, Jonno.”
“Yeah.” His hands laced in her hair, dragging strands out of her ponytail, directing her mouth back to his cock.
Laughing, she took him inside and loved him in earnest. With one hand, she massaged his balls and the skin behind while she licked, probing the tiny slit at the top with her tongue. His fingers opened and closed on her head in silent encouragement. His loud purrs made her smile. She gripped his thighs harder and used pressure on them to encourage him to move.
Jonno massaged her scalp and pushed his hips forward, feeding her his cock. “Damn, that is good. Can you take more?”
Laura flicked her tongue over the head and relaxed her jaw, taking more. She licked the sensitive underside, forcing a groan from him. His musky flavor and scent filled her mouth and every inhalation, fire running through her body to come to rest at the apex of her thighs. The velvet flare of his cock grew damper, freely oozing pre-cum while she worked him. Moisture pooled between her own thighs, surprising her. Damn, his purrs and groans were hot. Jonno’s soft, appreciative sounds grew louder. He flexed his hips and the muscles of his ass, his groan coming from deep in his chest. His cock pulsed and thickened, then after one final lick, he trembled, a harsh sound of animal enjoyment ripping from him.
“Laura,” he groaned with a convulsive heave of his muscles. His cock pushed deep into her mouth and semen shot to the back of her throat. Gradually the spurts ended, and he seemed to come back to himself. He smiled at her, alight with approval and pride. “Thank you, Laura. That was incredible.”
Laura eased back, unable to resist one final swipe of his softened cock before releasing him. Gripping his legs, she stood to kiss him. Their lips moved together in a lazy kiss of mutual pleasure.
“Tonight,” he said, pulling away to grab his jeans. His eyes glowed with heat, sending silent messages to her with ease. Her body softened and tensed as she thought about what another night spent with Jonno might entail. Sex—yes, and it’d be hot. She already knew that. It was the underlying other that concerned her, the inherent promises that came along with repeat sex with the same male. Every instinct told her to run now, before it became too late, yet all she did was nod her head in agreement. What was with that? Why couldn’t she say no to this man, even though she knew walking away might keep her out of trouble?
“We’d better head back to the house,” Laura said. “I need to check out the owner of the driver’s license. I’ll say goodbye to Mr. Miller before I leave.” She turned to pick up her bag. Jonno stayed her with fingers curling around her upper arm.
“Wait.”
When she looked askance at him, he grinned. “There’s evidence at the corner of your mouth.”
Laura gave a horrified groan, hot color staining her cheeks. Damn, would she ever learn? Work and sex didn’t mix—not at all. She stuck two fingers in her mouth to wet them and scrubbed at her face.
“Don’t panic. Let me. I’d never embarrass you in company, which is why I told you.” His humor faded, replaced by a maturity she hadn’t seen in most men she dated. Jonno might be young, but he did care and act with great responsibility. “Shush. Tilt your head for me.”
Silently, she complied, sexual awareness thudding to life again at his first touch. His damp fingers swept across the corner of her mouth, pressing firmly. Back and forth three or four times. Laura lost count, drifting in the pleasure of his fresh scent and his nearness. The pulse at her throat hammered when the strokes of his fingers slowed. The rapidness of her breathing eased as well until she seemed to inhale in time with his strokes.
Magic. There must be magic involved, she thought. Damn, if she didn’t want to purr.
His hand dropped away from her face and dazed, she stared up at him, his tawny hair and strong, determined face. Hot hazel eyes, full of passion and need. Her stomach turned in a slow somersault while they stared at each other, neither hiding their emotions in this unguarded moment.
Right then and there, Laura knew she’d been fooling herself. This man had burrowed into her heart, her soul, and there was no way on earth she’d stand him up tonight.
“One kiss before we go,” he said, already dipping his head to claim her lips.
Laura stretched up on tiptoes to meet him. Soft pressure met with her lips before he drew her close, flattening her breasts against his hard chest. Laura clung, opening her mouth to let him explore while enjoying his attentions. Her fingers speared into his thick hair and their tongues tangled and twined together, tasting each other, the contrasting sensations of soft and smooth. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, and when they pulled apart, both were breathing fast. Jonno’s cock thrust into her stomach and his smile appeared rueful when he grinned.
“I meant to keep it casual and friendly, but something about you pushes me hard.” He kissed the tip of her nose before putting several feet between them. “You’d better head back to the house first while I sort out my control issues.”
“Okay,” Laura said, picking up her evidence bag.
“Laura?”
“Yeah?”
“You’d better remember to refasten your buttons. You’re mine, and I don’t want other men to see your breasts.”
Laura muttered a succinct curse and buttoned her shirt. “Am I presentable now?” She was not his.
Amusement danced across Jonno’s face and, after an intense inspection, he agreed. “Perfect.”
With a curt nod, Laura set off toward the house, passing the vegetable gardens and closer to the house, the rose beds. Once she was out of sight of Jonno, she slowed to take a deep breath. Crazy. Away from him her mind functioned like a rational human being, yet one touch or look at him and she became a yes-girl, pliable and agreeing to everything he suggested.
Everything.
Hell, sucking him off here of all places. The big brass in Dunedin were right to ship her off to the country where she couldn’t do any damage. Their words. Not hers.
Shaking her head, she forced her mind back to work, robberies and discovering more info on Max Abraham. Jonno Campbell was a very perplexing man—a distraction she didn’t need.
* * * * *
Dinner with Emily and Saber Mitchell turned out much better than she’d expected. They made her welcome, and she enjoyed meeting the other Mitchell brothers and their wives. Jonno made no secret of the fact he was with her. She’d thought it would place pressure on her. Instead, for the first time in her life she felt part of the group. They accepted that she and Jonno were mates.
“How long have you been with the police force?” Isabella asked.
Laura glanced across the table at the blonde-haired woman. “I went to the police college in Wellington at twenty. They prefer the recruits to have work experi
ence under their belts before they join the force.”
“You’re not joining the police force,” Leo, Isabella’s husband, said.
“Can I help it if I like to kick butt?” Isabella asked. “A few months ago I might have asked to help Laura at the police station and get work experience. Luckily, I now have stuff to do, but if I could aid you in any way, I’ll fit it into my busy schedule.” She winked at Leo. “I have a schedule.”
Leo patted her hand. “You do.”
Everyone turned to scrutinize Laura. “I’d love help with the burglaries taking place, except I doubt the top brass in Dunedin would agree to pay more wages,” she said. “Or approve of civilian help.”
“I’d work for free,” Isabella said.
“Do you have experience?” Laura asked, trying not to let her doubt show.
Tomasine and Felix both sniggered, and even Leo couldn’t contain his smirk.
Their amusement did nothing to ease the sinking sensation in Laura’s stomach “Is something funny? Have I said something wrong?”
Saber glanced at Jonno, and Laura caught Jonno’s imperceptible nod. Saber scanned her face before speaking. “Isabella is…was a trained assassin. I’d say she’s very qualified to help you track our robbers.”
“An assassin?” Laura asked in a faint voice, taking in Isabella and measuring her in light of the new knowledge. “You shoot people for money?” She had to be joking. Of course she was.
“Used to,” Isabella said with a toss of her head. “I’m retired, but it took time to find something to fill my day. One can only have sex so much of the time.”
“Tell that to Jonno,” Laura muttered. How did Isabella manage to keep such a straight face?
The moment of stunned silence made her realize what she’d said. Laura didn’t know where to look and settled for concentrating on her clasped hands.
Emily laughed and leaned over to pat her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. Isabella, Tomasine and I know what you’re going through. Feline males can be very inconsiderate while in the grips of mating. They think they know everything.”
“Not me,” Saber said.
Emily coughed, unconsciously scrunching her brows together. “Think what you like, Saber. We females know what we know.”
“One-track minds,” Tomasine agreed.
“So,” Isabella said, pinning her gaze on Laura. “Can I help with your investigation in an unofficial basis? I like a busy schedule.”
“You won’t shoot anyone?” Laura asked, deciding to play with the joke. Isabella couldn’t go around taking the law into her own hands and butting into their investigation. Jonno was bad enough.
“Not unless they shoot at me first,” Isabella promised. The twinkle in her eyes sort of counteracted the promise.
“You might as well give in and say yes,” Leo said.
“Okay,” Laura said, thinking that the Mitchell brothers were similar in appearance. According to Jonno, they were all shifters apart from her and Emily. She’d thought the fact would scare her. In reality having dinner with this group was like dining with friends. They laughed, they debated and argued, and the males and females ganged up on each other. For a few seconds she felt like an outsider peering through a window into a forbidden room, then Jonno took possession of her hand underneath the table. The warmth and security he communicated went a long way to easing her discomfit.
“Would anyone like coffee?” Emily asked.
“Not for us, thanks, Emily,” Jonno said. “Laura and I need to get going.”
Emily’s brows rose. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Jonno said without the slightest bit of embarrassment.
Laura glanced around the circle of Mitchell faces and saw that not one of them smirked. Interesting. It seemed they took this mating thing as seriously as Jonno.
Chapter Seven
The trip from the Mitchells’ house to Jonno’s didn’t take long. By the time they arrived, Laura’s gut danced with knots of alarm and excitement. The longer she spent with him, the more her emotions seesawed.
The sharp rings of her satellite cell phone were a relief since it meant she could concentrate on something else. “Hello, Police Officer Adams speaking.”
“Laura, why haven’t you returned my messages?” Mike’s husky voice rumbled down the line. Once she’d have thrilled to the sound of his voice. Now he irked her.
“I’ve been busy. How did you get this number?”
“I have contacts.”
Huh! The very contacts who had torpedoed her career and left her taking the blame for Mike’s indiscretions. She hadn’t realized he was married. “I’ll lose my job if our bosses discover we’re in contact. Leave me alone.” Laura hung up, her shoulders tense while she sent a wary glance at Jonno. She could see the glint of his eyes and the outline of his face, the rest of his expression shrouded in the darkness.
“Problem?” he asked, pulling up outside his house.
“Nothing I can’t handle.” Uneasiness crept through her again. Was she trading one man for another? One problem for another? Feline shifters were a mystery to her. Other than they seemed to mate for life, or so Jonno told her.
“Okay then. Are you having second thoughts about this?” His intense gaze seared her, even in the dimly lit vehicle.
“Yes.” Uncertainty throbbed between them.
“Do you want me to take you home?” He stared at her, waiting for her decision.
Laura’s heart pounded while she tried to think. She had to decide, and she had to stop with her indecisiveness regarding Jonno. It wasn’t fair on either of them. Her next breath exited on a whoosh, and she admitted what she wanted to herself.
Jonno.
Despite every reason to the contrary, every bit of experience she’d garnered from her past relationship with Mike, she still wanted Jonno.
“I’m coming inside with you,” she said on a rush. And later she’d second-guess the decision. Too bad. It was the one she intended to go with right now.
Jonno didn’t reply. The glow from his eyes winked out and reappeared. She presumed he’d shut them briefly, although he didn’t say a word, merely climbed from the car and walked around to her door.
Damn, he was such a gentleman. If he’d been an arrogant ass, she could have said no. She found the small things he did unconsciously so incredibly sexy, and they made her feel cherished. Dangerous, she thought as she stepped from Jonno’s vehicle. Very treacherous and seductive.
Taking her arm, he led her to the front door, opened it and ushered her inside. The door slammed shut and Jonno prowled into her space, forcing her against the wall. Her hands slid behind his neck and their lips met in an urgent kiss. Hands struggled frantically with buttons and zippers as they tried to get to skin. A button pinged to the floor.
“Fuck, sorry.”
Laura giggled and yanked up Jonno’s shirt, burrowing her hands beneath. She aimed for his mouth, wanting another kiss and missed. Her lips brushed his jaw as he released the clasp of her bra. He lifted her shirt and grinned at her before lowering his head and taking one nipple into his mouth.
“Jonno.” She gripped his head, enjoying the hard suction, the hint of pain. “Jeans off. Now.” She kicked off her shoes as she issued the order.
He lifted his head and made short work of her jeans, shoving them down her legs while Laura attempted to remove his jeans. She managed the button and to slide down the zipper. Difficult to concentrate with him stroking along the leg of her panties. A gasp escaped as he slipped his fingers beneath into her damp core.
“Damn, you’re so wet.”
“Only for you,” she murmured, and it was true. No one else made her this hot so fast. “Jonno.”
His fingers slid across her clit, telegraphing pleasure throughout her body. She shuddered, trying to get closer. Their lips met.
“The hell with this.” Jonno dragged off her panties, tossed them and her jeans aside and stripped off his jeans. His cock sprang free and seconds later he was
inside her. They both groaned. Laura wound her legs around his waist and held on tight while he pumped into her with deliberate, long strokes.
“Jonno.” She gasped, arching back and trusting him to hold her. Spasms took her despite her wanting to prolong the encounter.
“Damn. Laura.” He buried his face into the crook of her neck, thrusting once before he climaxed with a hoarse groan. A fierce kiss seared her mouth. They both panted, trying to regain their breaths. She opened her mouth to him, stroking his tongue with hers and tasting him. Warmth drifted through her body as his hands caressed her hair and back. One masculine hand swept along her spine and came to rest on her butt, pressing her to his lower body again. His scent, a combination of his natural musk and soap, filled every breath. When Jonno lifted his head, his eyes did the same glowing thing she’d noticed previously.
“Should we take this to the bedroom?”
A bolt of lust hit her then, and she bit her bottom lip in consternation. “That was almost too quick.”
He stroked the tangle of hair from her face. “Sorry.”
“I wasn’t complaining, although slow is good.”
“Slow we can do.” Jonno stripped off his footwear and removed the jeans pooled around his ankles along with his shirt.
Without turning on lights, Jonno led her to the bedroom and bent to switch on a bedside lamp. This time she paid more attention to the contents of the room. Like the rest of the house, the furniture appeared scarred and battered from constant use. A large chocolate-brown carpet square covered most of the wooden floor and the curtains were a suitable masculine green and brown, albeit faded. Whoever had chosen the bed linen had continued the color theme, using a chocolate-brown duvet cover and a lighter browny-beige color for the sheets.
“You’re tidy,” she observed.
“No one else to pick up after me. I like to know where to find things. Sly and Joe Mitchell keep things neat as well, so it was easy to share a place with them. Evidently Saber used to be a tyrant and made sure they kept their rooms tidy. They said he’s more laid-back since meeting Emily.”
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