“So that’s what love does to a man,” she murmured. “It mellows them.”
“Not all men,” Jonno said with a lopsided grin. He smoothed her shirt and sagging bra off her shoulders, leaving her naked. The intense concentration on his face brought a new surge of awareness. It was almost as if he touched her physically.
Laura shivered at the idea of his hands running over her bare skin. Instantly her nipples tightened, and she gave a soft laugh of embarrassment once she saw Jonno noticed. “You make me hot.”
“You make me lose control. All I can think about is getting inside you, touching every part of you.” He cupped her cheek and smoothed his thumb back and forth, warming her tender skin. A look of concentration in place, he outlined her mouth with one finger. They stared at each other, the atmosphere turning sultry and full of expectation, their lust a living, breathing thing.
Laura’s heart gave three hard thumps before starting to race. She swallowed in a small show of nerves. This felt like a step away from casual, a step into serious. Glancing away, she shifted her body weight, still unsure if she was doing the right thing.
“Love touching you, the way you respond to me.” Jonno moved his hands through her hair. It slid over her shoulders and he let out a sound of approval, smoothing the reddish-brown locks from her face and tucking them behind her ears. Then Jonno slid his hands over her shoulders and cupped her breasts.
Too intense. She moaned at the touch of his lips, lost in the pleasure of his mouth, the way his erection ground against her hip. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip as she struggled for control. They were casual lovers. Nothing more. “We worked on the case.”
“How did you go with the background check on Max Abrahams?”
Laura coughed to clear her throat, glad of the topic change since it gave her something to concentrate on instead of how he made her feel. The acute temptation. “I meant to tell you earlier. Max Abrahams is twenty years old and his last known address was in Christchurch. His family hasn’t seen him for four months and, according to them, they have no idea of his location.”
Jonno traced the curves of her collarbone, dragging her attention back to him, to sex and the pleasure his touch engendered. “So he’s homeless?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. They gave Charlie a list of his known friends, and he’s working his way through them. So far nothing unusual has jumped out.”
“The license might be unconnected.”
Laura considered and disregarded the thought. “Millers live on a quiet road. There’s no need for tourists to travel down there since it’s nowhere near the bike trail.”
Jonno ran his finger along the upper curve of her breasts, eliciting a shiver, and her nipples drew hard. Her stomach clenched tight while she waited for his next move.
“Lift your arms for me.”
She obeyed, and he blew a stream of warm air over her nipples.
“Beautiful,” he said, and she could tell he meant it. In his eyes, she was beautiful. Mike had always complained her breasts were too small. Sometimes, she’d bought into his criticism while at other times she’d ignored him. Some of the tension inside her lessened and Laura determined to relax and enjoy the seduction. Because that was what it was—seduction, pure and simple.
His hands skimmed her body, lingering at her hips, and when he cupped her breasts, each breath came quicker and dampness bloomed between her legs.
When he continued to stare, she shifted her weight in a giveaway of her discomfit. “Stop staring at me.”
“But you’re gorgeous. I’m fond of your sleek curves and muscles. You must exercise.”
“I used to run. I haven’t had time since I’ve arrived in Middlemarch.”
His hazel eyes gleamed with sudden mischief. “Ah, a frustrated feline at heart. That’s good because I love to run. On your days off we can go to a secluded spot and run to our hearts’ content.”
Something told her he wasn’t speaking of exercise. “I’ll consider it,” she said, not wanting to think about anything beyond the present. Besides, once she’d served here for a couple of years, she’d have a chance to return to Dunedin. If she kept her head down, she might even work toward detective.
“Turn around for me,” Jonno instructed in a low voice, standing back to put several feet between them.
Without haste she turned, feeling the weight of his attention the entire time. Her skin heated and tingled, her breasts becoming tender and heavy. Prowling toward her, he dipped his head and licked across one creamy mound, pausing at her cleavage to inhale deeply. His tongue darted out to lick the light sweat on her skin and her fingers dived into his thick hair, holding him closer while he made sweet, agonizing circles with his tongue. Heat spread from each part his mouth touched and the heavy pressure of arousal sank to her pussy.
“You taste good,” he said, trailing tiny kisses up to her collarbone. He licked the fleshy part where neck and shoulder met, in the same way he had the previous night, seeming to enjoy teasing her in this way. Her head tilted to allow him better access, and he purred. The bite of teeth tormented her, in a good way. She seemed to float through the air before the cotton at her back made Laura realize Jonno had lifted and placed her on the bed.
“Jonno, no more teasing,” she murmured.
“What should I do?” He bit one nipple and she felt the rough, sensual play of his teeth. Instinctively, she arched her body, wanting more. Instead, he teased her with fingers and mouth, driving her crazy with need.
Finally she gasped. “I want you to fuck me.” Blunt words.
On hearing them, he halted and lifted his head to stare at her. “You don’t want me to make love to you?”
“Is there a difference?” A trace of bitterness came through in the unguarded moment.
Jonno frowned. “Fucking is something casual, something hard and fast for physical gratification. Making love is giving and receiving. It’s an expression of feelings between a man and woman who care for each other. There is nothing casual about what I feel for you.”
She’d disappointed him. It was easy to discern in his chiding words, his definition of making love. Laura half expected him to send her away, to tell her he didn’t want her anymore because she’d disappointed him.
He didn’t.
Instead, Jonno pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and smiled. “You look confused. I guess I’ll have to show you.”
Jonno fought to keep his emotions level, fought his feline and the change. Someone had done a number on Laura. Although she projected confidence with her job, in her personal life she was anything but self-assured. Gradually he’d learn the details of her past. He badly needed to show her how much he loved her. Yes, it was quick. They didn’t know each other well. This was right though. He hoped he’d control the cat and not scare her because she didn’t realize how deeply he cared for her. Not that he blamed her. As a human, she didn’t understand the concept of fated mates.
It was up to him to show her.
Moving closer, he traced the faint blue veins visible on her breasts, watching her for each little reaction. Her body radiated tension. A challenge and one he’d win. He cupped a breast, noting the contrast in colors in her creamy skin and his tanned hand. His heart thundered, a low snarl building at the back of his throat. Jonno fought the instincts his feline bombarded him with, determined to show her the difference between mere sex and love.
“Do you like it when I touch and kiss your breasts?”
“Yes.” Her blue eyes were wide with apprehension.
“And if I pinch your nipples? Do you enjoy that?”
“Very much.”
At least she’d decided on honesty with her responses. Ignoring the heaviness and throbbing at his groin, he set out to seduce her to his way of thinking. He measured her breasts in his hands, stroking and kissing as he learned their shape and what she liked best. At first he ignored her taut nipples, since he already knew how sensitive they were and how much she enjoyed the slight bite of pain. Wi
th delicate precision, he teased and explored, stoking the sensations one on top of the other until she cried out, murmuring her enjoyment and gripping his arms in a quiet show of urgency. Her responsive body wanted him, her musky arousal driving him to action.
“Jonno,” she pleaded. “Please suck my nipples again. Please. You’re driving me crazy.”
Smiling, he licked one finger and circled her nipple, repeating the same move on the other one. He followed this with the glide of his tongue, duplicating the journey, making the pleasurable trail damp enough that she’d feel the contrast between warm and moist. “Do you like that?”
“Yes,” she hissed, arching eagerly against his body to hurry things along.
“Patience.”
“But I want you right now.”
Pleased with her open and eager responses, he decided it was time to ramp up the action since the slow exploration demanded a price from him too. Moving his head a fraction, he took one nipple into his mouth, sucking hard while he pinched the other. She cried out, a dark sound of pleasure and gripped his head tight.
“Yes, perfect,” she said in encouragement. “The one thing that might feel better is if your cock filled my pussy and you stroked my clit.” Her words brought a shiver, and his cock gave an involuntary jerk.
Urgent hunger fueled the feline’s demands, molten fire ripping through him. Jonno lifted his head to study her while he continued to pluck and pinch her nipple. It turned a deep rose color. Beautiful. Jonno moved down her body, stroking her calves and feet, silently encouraging her to spread her legs. With his mouth he teased the insides of her knees. Sliding higher, he kissed the tender skin of her inner thighs.
“Please don’t tease me anymore.”
“Ah, but you don’t need me enough yet. You’re not desperate.”
Laura’s hands fisted in his hair and her breath whooshed out in frustration. “I am ready, so ready you wouldn’t believe it. Touch me. Touch me and tell me I’m not ready.”
Amusement filled him at her impatience. “Soon. Very soon,” he promised, allowing his fingers to wander close to her moist folds, smiling when she shivered. “You’re right. You want me. So wet.”
“Touch me.”
He contemplated making her wait, stringing out the pleasure for even longer before deciding he’d never last the distance. With that in mind, he stroked her cleft, skillfully teasing her swollen flesh. When his finger grazed her clit, her entire body jerked. Jonno repeated the move in reverse, trailing his finger over her swollen nub and down to her entrance. This time he pushed a finger inside. Instantly her warmth and tight flesh surrounded his finger, making him think of the pleasure to come and the snug feel of her sheath pulsing around his cock.
“Does that feel good?” As he spoke, he pushed a second finger inside her, pumping in and out while a thumb teased her clit.
“You know it feels good.” Laura fingered one nipple and teased herself. Her body arced as she strove for climax, her eyes fluttering closed.
“Turn over for me.” He pulled his fingers from her body.
“Why?” Her blue eyes flew open to stare at him in puzzlement.
“I want to give all parts of you equal attention.”
“You don’t need to.”
“Turn over.” This time his voice held a tinge of insistence.
Laura frowned at him but obeyed, rolling over and arranging her head on her hands.
Jonno’s breath exited on an appreciative sigh. Her hair hid one shoulder, leaving the marking spot visible. A shiver racked his body, longing thumping him in the gut.
Soon, he told himself. Soon.
Determinedly, he concentrated on her back. Slim and feminine. Her buttocks, smooth and sexy tempted him next. The tiny quiver that shimmied through her body made him smile. She sensed his close attention, and it pleased her. He leaned over and placed a kiss in the middle of one creamy cheek. Laura jumped, and when he licked then nipped her, she turned with a reproachful glare.
“What? You didn’t enjoy that?”
“Remind me to bite your butt, and we’ll see how you like it.”
“Bite me?” He chuckled in real amusement, the rich sound increasing as she rolled her expressive eyes at him. “You can bite me any time you want.”
“Huh.” Ignoring him, she turned her face away.
Still smirking, Jonno parted her legs, revealing the swollen pink folds of her sex. Glossy juices coated her, and the sudden stillness of her body told of her investment. He’d bet if he listened he’d hear an elevated pulse, and when he touched her she’d cream for him even more. To test his theory, he leaned closer and blew, directing the stream of air along her slit.
After repeating the move twice, Jonno gave in to the need to pet. He ran his hand down her back in a firm sweep, enjoying the warm, smooth flesh beneath his palm. His hand came to rest on her buttocks.
Laura wriggled, reminding him of a kitten or a puppy eager for affection. A wave of satisfaction filled him. She wanted love and tenderness, instinctively sought it from him even though she denied it. He stroked the firm globes, parting them to tease her perineum and the sensitive nerves at her puckered entrance.
“Jonno, what are you doing?” She sounded curious rather than alarmed.
“I promise I won’t do anything to hurt you.” Back and forth his finger stroked until Laura relaxed again. “If I do, it will be unintentional and all you need to do is tell me. I’ll stop. Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered, and he continued with his furtive seduction.
He grabbed a couple of pillows and placed them beneath her so her body was raised and more accessible. Her soft sigh brought pleasure for him. She might have difficulty trusting his words, yet she enjoyed his care and attentions. He made himself a promise never to abuse her trust because he realized how much it meant to him. Not that he would anyway. He believed in truth between a couple.
Leaning closer, Jonno lapped delicately at her juices, smoothing them upward toward her anus.
“Jonno.”
“Shush, relax. Let me make you feel good.”
With a finger, he smoothed the juices over her rosette. Usually, he’d use lube, but since he intended only a little play and the merest introduction of his finger, he thought this would be enough today. He lapped downward toward her clit, giving her the merest pressure while he continued to stroke and finger the nerve endings of her rosette. Soon she parted her legs farther, straining upward and giving him easier access to her clit. He lapped around it, loving the taste of her and her fragrant scent, so feminine and decadent. Gradually he pushed the tip of his finger past the puckered ring. She gasped, tensing.
“You okay, Laura?”
“Yes.” She didn’t sound too certain, so he let his finger rest where it was and lapped at her swollen nub, letting the pleasure build. Gradually she relaxed, and he gave her more of his finger while continuing to rasp his tongue over and around her clit.
“Jonno,” she wailed. “More. You’re driving me crazy. I’ve never…I need…more.”
He gave her more, pushing her harder, feasting on her flesh while moving the tip of his finger in and out of her rear entrance. She shuddered and shook, her body straining for release. It was thrilling, both watching and being the one to give her pleasure. She thrashed a little, groaning and muttering his name. His name. That pleased him.
Jonno moved fast then, deciding he’d rather fill her with his cock than his fingers. He pulled free of her trembling body to yank open a drawer and grab a condom. With shaky fingers he rolled the latex onto his weeping cock and moved behind her. One seamless stroke was all it took. Balls-deep in her, he savored the silken heat surrounding him.
“Laura, you feel so damn good, so hot and tight.”
“Please move.”
“I need that too, before my cock bursts,” he muttered, rueful at the thought of how his teasing had backfired to net him. He pulled back, pressing her spine against his chest and stroking as smoothly as he could given the
urgency throbbing through his veins. His thrusts grew harder. Faster. Soon they both gasped. Jonno’s feline rose to the surface, urging him to lean over, to bite the smooth skin of Laura’s shoulder. Giving in to temptation, he slid his lips across the creamy flesh, deepening the caress by giving her the sting of teeth. Her entire body jerked.
“Jonno,” she screeched, surprising him with the shout.
Her pussy clenched and squeezed his cock sweetly. He slammed into her. Once. Twice. His semen seemed to bubble inside his tight balls, the prickle of pleasure growing intense and painful. His loud shout filled the room. Then, one final hard, deep stroke pushed him over the edge and he jumped into climax with Laura’s pussy still compressing around his hard length.
Once his heartbeat slowed, Jonno pressed a kiss to her shoulder and separated their bodies. He removed the condom and wandered from the bedroom to the bathroom to wash his hands before grabbing a warm cloth for Laura. Part of lovemaking involved taking care of his mate, and he intended to show her he was capable of both pleasure and nurturing.
When he returned to his bedroom, Laura had turned away and lay on her side. He knelt beside her, chucking the pillows they’d used back to the head of the bed.
“Part your legs for me, Laura.”
Without lifting her lashes, she obeyed, rolling to her back. He stroked the warm cloth over her sex while he studied her face. It was an oval shape, bearing a soft flush at the moment. Her dark lashes swept across her cheekbones while her straight nose turned up a fraction at the end. He loved her mouth with its full lips and the determined chin. It looked so pretty as she glared at him, her eyes flashing and color high, her straight hair spread out in a red-tinged halo.
Oh yeah. His lover. His mate.
Jonno returned the cloth to the bathroom and went to join his mate in bed. He tugged back the sheets and lifted her underneath before covering her and joining her in the bed. He fell asleep with a smile on his face and Laura tucked securely in his arms.
My Cat Burglar Page 9