by Piper Rayne
He walked back into the house, planning on sneaking out early. He’d hoped to see Amber and get a moment alone with her, but her friends were sticking to her like glue.
As if conjured by his thoughts, he nearly ran her over as he turned a corner in the unfamiliar house.
“Hi,” Amber spoke first.
He cleared his throat. “Hey. How are you?” His voice sounded rough even to his own ears.
“I’m good. Thanks.”
Polite conversation, dammit, he needed to do better, let her know she could lean on him.
“Um, thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful. And for all the texts. It was very sweet of you to check up on me.”
He hadn’t known what to do, so he’d sent flowers. He’d felt lame doing so, but it wasn’t like he could just show up at her house. He wasn’t that kind of guy. And he hadn’t trusted himself in being alone with Amber. Even now, as she stood before him, all he could think about was getting her naked.
“You’re welcome. I hope you haven’t been having any nightmares or...” Or what? Shit, he didn’t have much experience comforting a victim of a crime. And Amber was more to him than a victim. He wanted to help her in more direct ways, with his hands and certain other parts of his body. But, he’d held back during their text exchanges from outright telling her he wanted to bury himself inside her. That he wanted to give her pleasure instead of the pain and horror she’d experienced, but instead he’d done some light flirting hoping she’d see him as someone other than the man who saved her from a monster.
Damn, maybe he should have consulted with Caris, her boss was one of the best psychiatrists in the region, and she would know best how to approach Amber. He wanted to be someone Amber could go to if she needed someone to talk to. He needed to talk to her, really talk to her to make sure she was okay.
Hell, every night he woke up after a nightmare where he hadn’t been able to save her, and it was tearing him apart. Desperate to figure out how to get Amber to see him as more than the hero the newspaper made him out to be or the cop just doing his job, he’d stayed away.
He wanted her to see him as a man, a man who wanted to slowly peel off her clothes and lick every inch of her curves. He wanted to chase away any and all demons she had because of that scumbag. So, Royce decided to start where most men did, what he rarely did with any woman. He’d asked her out on a date.
“I, ah, I would have liked to do more. Maybe we could have dinner?” Dinner, come on, Kincaid, you can do better. Be honest with what you really want.
“I, uh, I’d liked that. But I was hoping we could talk. Is now a good time? In private?” Amber licked her lips.
In private? Her lips were wet. He couldn’t take his eyes off of them. And was she leaning in closer to him? Maybe his flirting had worked. Hell, yes, he’d speak with her in private and anything else she had in mind. “Sure. Wherever you’re comfortable.”
Amber wanted to do more than talk. She wanted him to know how thankful she was for rescuing her, but she also wanted him. Naked. She knew she’d be seeing him today, and she’d played out in her head exactly how she wanted to show him just how much she wanted him.
He’d texted her a couple times to make sure she was okay, and his tone had changed into what she thought was flirtatious, but each time she struggled with something witty or flirty to say in return. But not today. Today she was ready to go after what she’d imagined for weeks, what they’d tiptoed around. She wanted Royce Kincaid.
If there was anything good to come from being assaulted, it had made her realize if she wanted something or someone, you had to go after it and live in the moment. She was done wishing and fantasizing. She was going after exactly what she wanted.
“There are so many people here, and I know just the room where we could go and … be alone and—talk.”
She watched as awareness dawned on his face. Her gaze wandered down his body, her eyes widening, her belly heating as his erection strained against the fly of his jeans. Amber had never wanted a man as much as she did Royce. And she was grabbing the brass ring and ready for the ride of her life.
“Sure. Talk. I’d like that.” Royce cleared his throat.
She heard a promise in his husky response. Thrilled that she’d created the effect she’d been hoping for, she led him up a staircase at the back of the house.
“This is their guestroom. It’s private and has quite the reputation. Have you heard about it?” Lord, she hoped he had. She was ready to have sex with him. Hot, sweaty, soul-shattering sex. Her body needed the release, and she needed it with him. Yet, she wasn’t sure she could explain the history of the room being used for hook-ups by other Outlaw players, specifically Connor and his sister.
“I’m aware, but I hope you’re not bringing me up here to thank me for rescuing you because that’s not how I want this to happen.”
Neither did she.
“Amber, before we ‘talk,’ it’s important to me that you see me as Royce, not the guy that rescued you the other night. I don’t want this to be anything other than two people connecting.”
She was sure. Now she’d prove it to him. She moved another step closer to him. She could feel the heat emanating from his body; she was close enough to breathe in his unique scent. She licked her lips again and took one last step toward him.
“Royce, would it surprise you to find out that I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. That all I could think about was having you touch me, and that every time since I’ve been trying to get up the courage to ask you to fuck me?”
He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he ran his gaze over her achy body. He took his time when he reached her breasts. Her breathing became heavy, and her nipples hardened at the attention he was paying them.
His eyes darkened, and his gaze at half-mast, filled with a growing desire. She shuddered at the need she was witnessing, just for her. This is what she had been missing. This is what she craved, and she wanted more, so much more.
Her skin tightened in response as Royce lifted his hand and brushed a thumb back and forth over her rigid nipple. He held her gaze as she fought to stay still, not wanting the bone-melting sensation to end. She let out a whimper and sucked in a breath as warmth traveled from her belly to the top of her thighs.
“Surprised? No. Turned on beyond belief? Yes. God, Amber. I’ve wanted the same thing.” He stepped into her, lowered his head to her ear, and growled, “Tell me what you want.”
His breath against her ear, the vibration of his voice sent a sharp zap of electricity straight to her clit. A shiver ran through her as she let out a moan. She was done holding back her wants, her needs.
“I don’t want you to hold anything back. I’m not going to break. I want crazy. I want you to make me scream until I lose my voice. I want you to fuck me here in the hallway, up against the wall. On the floor. It doesn’t matter; I want you inside me. Now.”
He growled a “Fuck, yes,” captured her lips, and kissed her dizzy.
When they both ran out of air, he gathered her hair up in his hands and placed his forehead on hers. “You drive me fucking crazy, Amber. I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, but, dammit, you’re just what I need.”
He pressed his length into her and began to grind his cock against her. “I’m going to fuck you anyway you want, baby. That’s a promise.”
Amber felt high from the power he handed her. She was going to be greedy and very naughty. “Take off your clothes, Royce.”
Her demand was met with quick action as he whipped off his shirt. Her hands itched to explore all the sharp angles of his muscled chest.
“Not yet. You touch me, baby, and I’m going to go off. First, let’s take care of you. I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve spent hours wondering what you taste like.”
She closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall. “Yes, I want that too.”
“Say it, Amber. Say the words, baby, and I’ll do it.” Royce dropped to his knees and looked up at her.
>
She felt alive for... for the first time ever. This moment, this man was beyond perfect.
She smiled down at Royce’s handsome face. His eyelids were heavy with desire for her. “I need you, want you to lick me.” She pulled up her dress, revealing she wore no panties, spread her thighs, and placed her fingers on either side of her clit. “Lick me till I come.”
She watched, fascinated as he grabbed her ass and pulled her towards his mouth. He closed his eyes and tongued her. She jumped at the first and the second stroke. The anticipation of this moment almost had her coming. He lifted his head and caught her gaze. Oh my god, he was so perfect.
“Good girl, keep watching.” He leaned back in and increased his pressure on her now swollen flesh. She let out a cry as he went faster. He pressed a thumb on her clit, and she saw stars. Her orgasm crested as he continued.
Spasms rocked her. Royce’s right hand journeyed up her hip and along the curve of her waist. He covered her breast and pinched her nipple, and massaged her heated flesh prolonging the orgasm.
“Yes, on my god, yes.” Her plea was low and deep, her voice raspier than she’d ever heard, and she reveled in the newness of it.
She was dimly aware of her body banging into the wall as the thrill of someone discovering them heightened her pleasure. When she felt the crest of a second wave, she grasped Royce’s head and screamed his name.
The pulsing of her core continued as he placed his thumb on her tight bud—was this heaven? If so, she never wanted to leave. It dawned on her that she must have said the words out loud as she heard a soft chuckle erupt from Royce as he placed a feather-soft kiss on her mound that sent another rush of liquid flowing through her as she came down off the highest of highs.
She let out what felt like her hundredth moan as he stood then cupped her face and brushed a kiss against her lips, “God, you’re so beautiful.” Royce lifted her up and carried her into the guest room.
He tossed her on the bed and grinned, “don’t move.”
He went back out into the hall and retrieved his shirt, shut the door, and locked it. “I don’t want any interruptions.”
He took a condom out of his jean pocket, rolled it on, and stalked back toward her. She was still breathing hard from the best orgasms ever and didn’t protest when he lightly grasped her ankles and pulled her down the bed until her ass hit the edge.
“I want you too damn bad to go slow. I promise next time we’ll take hours. Right now, I need to be inside of you.”
She got hung up on the phrase “next time” and let out a squeak when he pulled her up, turned her around, reached under her body and caressed her breasts, then flicked her nipples. “Yes,” she cried out. She pushed her bottom into his cock and rotated her hips.
“Lay down on the bed, Amber. You can put your feet on the floor and hold that pretty ass up in the air for me or get on your hands and knees. Either way, I’m going to fuck you from behind, then I’m going to flip you over and watch you ride me till you come again.”
Yes, that. She wanted that. She looked back at him and licked her lips. “Promises, promises.”
“It’s more than a promise, baby. Now, move.” He growled the words.
She almost came again from his demand.
She got on her hands and knees. He grabbed her hips and pulled her into him. But instead of entering her, he reached around and touched her clit. He rubbed the sensitized bud until she screamed his name and came again.
“Inside me. Now.”
“I like it when you order me around.” He entered her slowly and teased her with his length. In and out until she thought she’d go mad. She began rocking back and forth, trying to get him to go faster.
He matched her rhythm, then took over, grasped her hips, and pounded into her until she again felt the tingling of another orgasm. It was too much. It wasn’t enough. His shout of completion sent her over the edge, and she tightened her inner walls and squeezed him.
He stayed inside her as they both took in gulps of air and drifted into the soul-shattering place where good sex and crazy connection met.
“That was…” She paused. She couldn’t think; all she could do was feel. And she felt fantastic. And scared. No, she didn’t want to think about it now. She’d walked into this knowing he only did hook-ups. But dammit, she wanted more. More of this and of him. The man who rescued her, yes. But she wanted to get to know Royce the man.
What if this was enough for him? Could she leave this bed, get dressed, and offer a simple, “thanks for the ride,” and walk away?
“Thank you, Royce.” The words sounded a bit lame, but she meant them.
“You’re welcome. And I agree that was… beyond fantastic. But you don’t have to thank me. It makes it sound like you’re ready to bolt when I have plans for you. For us.”
She looked at him, tried to read his thoughts. What did he mean?
“No, it’s just that… it, well you, this—us, was better than I could have ever imagined. And I knew the rules going in. And I’m okay with it, I am.”
Royce rolled to his side and lifted his head on his hand. He looked at her for a long time without saying anything. He brushed away a few strands of hair off her face as she soaked in his features. He had a small scar above his right eye, and his hair was a mess from her hands. She committed it all to memory.
The silence between them was easy and comforting, and she told herself she’d get up in a minute. She wanted to enjoy the last bit of time she had with him. Still, on her stomach, too relaxed to move, she closed her eyes.
“Hey, sleepyhead. You need to wake up.”
She heard Royce’s voice and felt his warm hand rubbing small circles on the small of her back. She didn’t remember dozing off. She was now on her side, snuggled up tight against Royce. She stretched and smiled as muscles not used in a long while protested. Her thigh brushed his and another body part that seemed to have also awoken when she did.
“Hmm, you looking for round two?”
Royce lightly slapped her bottom, “unfortunately not right now. We need to get dressed. I hear cars starting up in the driveway. Party’s over.”
“Oh, right. Right, right. Okay, where’d you put the clothes.” She jumped out of bed and raced around, looking for her bra and panties. Right, no panties. She quickly located the rest of her clothes and was buttoning up her blouse when Royce placed a hand over hers.
“Eager to leave me?”
What did she say? “Um, no, it’s just you said everyone’s leaving, and I thought that, well, we don’t want anyone to know about…” She looked over at the bed then back at him. “You know.”
“Yeah, about that. I thought it might not be such a weird thing if we did— that—again.” He pulled on his boxer-briefs and turned to find the rest of his clothes.
Amber didn’t know how what to say. She’d been all prepared to keep her real feelings hidden, act as if their time together wasn’t a big deal. Yet, he made it sound like he might want more. Maybe, she hadn’t heard him right.
“I thought we could have dinner tomorrow or if that doesn’t work another night. When you’re free, and I’m not on duty.”
Fully clothed, he looked like she felt. A bit rumpled and thoroughly satisfied, and ‘Hell yes,’ she wanted to see him again. First, however, she needed to make sure he was saying what she thought he was saying—that he wanted more than one time with her.
“But what about, ah, is that what you were referring to earlier?”
“Well, I’ve heard you don’t usually that you’re kind of a one and done type of guy.” She couldn’t believe she was having this conversation.
“Maybe. Yeah, I was. But people change. I’ve changed. And you, Ms. Wyatt, are worth changing for.” Royce took her hand and pulled her up against him.
He bent down and feathered his lips over hers back and forth before he captured her lips in a long, deep kiss.
Dizzy. He made her dizzy with his kisses. She smiled against his lips. “So, do I hav
e to wait until dinner tomorrow to have sex with you again, or will you come home with me tonight?” Go big or go home, right?
“Baby, I have a feeling we’ll be missing a lot of dinners from now on if you keep looking at me that way.” Royce grinned and caressed her face.
“So, we’re really doing this? We’re going to date or whatever and have incredible sex, and maybe once in a while, we’ll remember to have dinner?”
“Amber, would it surprise you to know that I haven’t been with anyone else in weeks, not since I first laid eyes on you.”
“What are you saying, Royce?”
He picked her up in his arms and let her slide down his body, slowly until she let out a moan.
Yeah, they were definitely not having dinner later.
“Whether you realize it or not, you rescued me, Amber. Rescued me from empty encounters with women whose names I forget before I even walk out the door. Because you came along, and each time I saw you, I wanted you more, and then I only wanted you. So, when you seduced me, you also rescued me. I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
Wow. Just holy moly, wow. She laughed, then she moaned again as he rubbed himself against her.
“You, Mr. Kincaid, are very welcome. I want more too.”
Epilogue
TWO MONTHS LATER
Amber set the last box on the kitchen counter. She looked through the window over the sink to see a group of babies and toddlers laughing and squealing as their parents played an impromptu game of hide and seek. The winner received a kiss and a tickle that sent everyone involved into a new round of laughter.
The move had gone quick since everyone showed up to help and celebrate the latest couple to officially cohabitate. Amber grinned at the memory of Reese’s toast before they all took the kids outside to play. She’d offered one bit of advice, which apparently Royce had given to Connor when they’d moved in together. “Never go to bed angry, but if you do, use it for angry sex. It’s the best.”
