Rogue

by Izzy Gomez

  As she struggled for control, snippets of the conversation replayed in her mind. One part stood out, planting fresh worry. "How much of that did you hear?"

  "Enough. They think you should have seen this coming and stopped Todd. But your dad won't take responsibility for not seeing what your stepmom was doing to Todd." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

  If she were smart, she would tease out whether he heard the part about Hank dealing back in college. But she didn't have it in her right now. It could lead to yet another confrontation. Right now, she needed Greg too much to take that risk.

  At his car, she started to pull away but he turned her and pressed her against the passenger door. As his face lowered to hers, the compassion and desire in his eyes almost undid her. But she didn't have a chance to fall apart. His mouth touched hers and it was all fire.

  He licked and nibbled and teased, but even that set her ablaze. For a moment she remained passive and let him kiss her. Absorbed the feel of his firm lips sliding over hers, his teeth biting into her flesh. His long, hard body pressed her against the car, his heat seeping through her clothes and warming her. Her ordeal with her family left her so cold, but he made that disappear. He healed her. He gave her strength.

  Finally, she forced herself out of the blissful lethargy of being kissed. She grabbed the front of his shirt and tugged him closer, meeting his tongue with her own as it explored her mouth.

  Groaning, he wrapped his arms so tightly around her, she lost her breath. He lifted until her toes skimmed the ground, and notched their hips intimately.

  His mouth moved along her jaw until he reached her ear. The nip of his teeth against the sensitive skin pulled a yelp from her throat. He repeated the move and her bones dissolved.

  "I think we need to go," she gasped as he went to work on her ear. Pleasure zipped through her and she squirmed against him.

  "You like that." He ran his tongue along the shell of her ear.

  "Yes." Way too much to let him keep doing it in front of her father's house. Especially considering the memorial gathering inside.

  Greg pulled back and looked down at her, eyes glittering in the twilight. A smug smile played over his lips. She should wipe it right off his face, but he was warranted. He did amazing things with those lips. So she half-heartedly pushed him away.

  "Take me home."

  "I'll take you to my home," he said as he rounded the car. "I'm not comfortable with you being at your house."

  She slid into the passenger seat. "You really think he can take two trained police officers?"

  The scorching look he sent her knocked the breath right out of her. "I plan on the two of us being very distracted for the quite some time."

  Greg gathered their various communication devices – a pager and cell phone apiece – and set them on his dresser. He and Amanda needed to be reachable, but he wanted the electronics far enough away so they wouldn't provide distraction. Tonight, she wasn't going to think about anything but pleasure.

  He combed his fingers through her hair and tried to read her expression. Lust shone in eyes rimmed with exhaustion. Her bruise had faded to an ugly mustard yellow.

  He planned to take care of the lust right away. Then he'd do his best to keep his hands to himself so she could make a dent in the exhaustion.

  "What?" Her brows dipped, creating an adorable crease between them.

  "You're gorgeous." The more he knew her, the more it was true.

  She grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him against her. "You can quit with the false flattery. I'm already a sure thing."

  Before he could protest that it wasn't false, she sealed her mouth to his. The hunger simmering between them erupted. Desire spiked through him like he hadn't touched her in years.

  Memories flashed through his mind and combined with the reality of holding her now. He couldn't get his hands under her shirt to touch bare skin fast enough. He had to have her now.

  After their feeding frenzy that morning, he'd intended to slow things down. Take time to explore. But the heat in the room was explosive. It felt like his life depended on having her now.

  Now.

  She pulled away. Before he could object, she dropped to her knees and went to work on his belt.

  Dear God in heaven. A beautiful woman kneeling before him. Dreams did come true.

  She pressed her face between his legs and rolled it back and forth. He had to steady himself with a hand on the dresser. He felt her caress to the tip of his nose.

  When she pushed his pants and boxer briefs to his knees and cupped him in her soft hand, he was in serious danger of falling on his ass. He shuffled as best he could so when he did collapse, it was onto the bed. As soon as his back hit the mattress she pushed his thighs apart and nuzzled his balls.

  He saw stars. Angels sang

  She stroked and teased with her fingers. Blew hot breath across his burning skin. Rubbed her cheek along his length. But she refused to use her mouth.

  He closed his eyes and tried to relax, but that proved nearly impossible. Finally, she pressed her tongue into his root and he arched off the bed. Sounds escaped his mouth but he didn't think they were actual words. Who could tell?

  Before he could beg her to suck him off, she climbed on top of him, naked. He wore nothing but his shirt. When had that happened?

  Damn, she was incredible. Sure, some of that was the lust talking. At that moment he was so hard, Margaret Thatcher would probably look like a centerfold. But a lot of it was Amanda. Whatever was growing between them–besides his very serious erection–was different than anything he'd had before. It went beyond the bedroom.

  It was real.

  And holy shit, so was the way her body lined up with his. Oh yeah, that was nice and real. Those breasts pressed to his chest? One hundred percent real.

  He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his. The kiss was wild, tongues and teeth battling for control. He flipped her to her back and pulled away only long enough to yank off his shirt.

  Then he took her mouth and her body in one quick move.

  "Greg!" Her nails dug into his shoulders.

  Holy God. So real. So damn good.

  His vision swam. After a few thrusts, a spark of sanity pushed through the haze. He wasn't wearing a condom. Which could explain why each sensation was a thousand times more intense than previous sex.

  After a deep breath for fortification, because it might kill him to pull out now, he forced himself to pry their hips apart and roll away.

  "What are you doing?" Her voice was as breathless as he felt.

  He spared her a glance and immediately cursed himself. She sprawled across his pillow, hair wild. Her lips and cheeks were flushed and her breasts heaved with each breath.

  Her breasts were gorgeous. He hadn't even touched them yet. He could spend hours kissing her nipples. His mouth watered. One of these times they had to get some control and take their time.

  She ran her toes up his thigh until she caught his balls.

  They'd take their time later. Why had he stopped?

  "Condom." Right. Condom. He dug through his nightstand drawer until he found what he wanted.

  That taken care of, he caught her waist and dragged her under him. Took his time sliding back in, pulling a moan from both of them.

  Buried as deep inside her as he could get, he forced himself to still. To enjoy the sensation of her body wrapped around his. His blood pounded and his hips nearly moved against his will. She felt so damn good. It hadn't been the prior lack of condom. It was Amanda.

  He closed his eyes and struggled to keep his hunger in check. If he went at her as hard as his body wanted, he'd end up injuring at least one of them. And Christ, what was he, fifteen?

  She caught his hand and threaded their fingers together. Her mouth pulled at his and he made the mistake of opening his eyes. She smiled, lips full of seduction, gaze heavy with desire.

  Oh hell. She was too damn sexy. And if the way she squirm
ed against him was any indicator, as lost as him.

  He squeezed her hand and began to thrust. Deepened the kiss, his mouth and body moving in sync.

  When she planted her feet on the backs of his thighs, he lost the last microthread of restraint. He let out a grunt that would have embarrassed him under other circumstances and let instinct take over.

  Her moans turned to cries, growing louder and faster as her body tightened around him. He tried to focus on her expression, but he couldn't resist the urge to hurl himself headlong into nirvana. He buried his face in her hair and prayed he could last.

  When she came, her nails dug into his shoulders hard enough to keep him hovering on the edge. He forced himself to keep moving, to draw out every second of her pleasure. She needed it.

  She deserved it.

  When she finally slackened beneath him, he let go. His head roared as he hit ultimate pleasure. He shook as every muscle went rigid. Bright colors burst behind his eyelids and he panted her name.

  Too soon, it was over. Sensation and oblivion trickled away, leaving them breathless in the middle of his twisted quilt.

  When Amanda stroked his cheek, he pried open his eyes. He should probably get his weight off her, but he couldn't find the strength.

  "Wow," she whispered.

  He wanted to agree but couldn't make his brain form the words.

  "That…wow." Her voice was a little stronger, but still breathless.

  He managed to press a kiss to the nearest patch of skin. He was pretty sure it was her neck.

  She chuckled and wriggled out from under him.

  That got him moving. Without prompting from his brain, his arm reached out and grabbed her around the waist. Dragged her to his side.

  This time she full on laughed. Such a beautiful sound and entirely too rare. He had to lift his head and see it.

  Her lips curled into a wide smile, moist and pink from his kisses. Purple circles still ringed her eyes, and her damn bruise lingered. But for the moment those beautiful eyes sparkled.

  Relaxed and smiling, she was the most stunningly gorgeous woman on the planet. And he was in love with her. No doubt about it, that was the warm, comfortable feeling filling him when he looked at her.

  Her smile froze, then drooped. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

  He made himself smile. "Sorry. Just a little knocked off my ass. You weren't kidding with the wow."

  Holy shit. Love. Wow didn't begin to cover it.

  Without letting her go, he tugged the quilt until he covered them both. He settled on the pillows and pulled her against him. "I don't know where you thought you were going, but I have no intention of letting you out of this bed for quite some time."

  She propped her chin on his chest and looked at him. "Really? Not even to get a glass of water?"

  "I suppose I can allow that."

  She rolled her eyes. "Allow. Gee, thanks."

  He moved his arm so she could escape. "But only if you agree not to put on any clothes so I can watch you walk around my house naked."

  She made a disgusted face as she slid off the bed. Shaking her head, she walked out of the room. Naked.

  Damn, she had a great ass. Watching her, he grew hard. Again. Already.

  Oh yeah, it was gonna be a good night.

  Chapter 24

  Amanda returned with two glasses of lemonade. She'd found a pitcher in the refrigerator–yes, she'd snooped around his kitchen a little–and it sounded better than water.

  A corner of his mouth quirked up as he watched her approach the bed. "Digging through my cabinets, huh?"

  She set his glass on the nightstand. On a coaster. What bachelor had coasters on his nightstand?

  "My mom's a stickler about coasters."

  He must have noticed her looking at it.

  "Habit instilled early. I've got about fifteen sets. I get one in my stocking every Christmas."

  She smiled at the mental image. "You still get a Christmas stocking?"

  He gave her a look of exaggerated shock. "You don't?"

  She slid under the quilt, a gorgeous blue windmill pattern that would look fantastic with her white wooden bedroom furniture.

  What the hell was she doing mentally combining their homes? A couple rolls in the hay were a long way from joining households. Even if it had been a couple phenomenal rolls in said hay.

  "You know Santa Claus isn't real, right? Easter Bunny too?"

  He grinned. "Tooth fairy's real, though. She hit on me at a party last Halloween."

  As she laughed, some of the lingering tension eased from her shoulders. That monster orgasm went a long way toward relaxing her too. Now, hanging out and joking was magic. Some kind of spiritual balm.

  She took another swallow of lemonade and put her glass on the other nightstand. Also on a coaster. Then she snuggled up to his side and rested her cheek on his chest. It felt so good to touch him, feel his skin against hers. She ran her foot up his leg, enjoying the tickle of his hairs on her toes.

  He grabbed her thigh and pulled her tighter against him. Her knee brushed his groin. He was already partially revived. An impressive feat considering she hadn't been sure she'd ever move again after such explosive sex.

  "So you're keeping me here all night, huh?"

  He made a noise that was probably agreement. He seemed much more concerned with stroking her thigh. Each caress lingered on her ass longer than the previous. Her skin tingled. Pleasure drifted all the way to her scalp. His hands were magic.

  “What if I disagree with your plan?” Not that she did in the least. But she enjoyed the teasing rapport they’d established.

  His hand stilled. His body tensed.

  Hers tensed in response. “What?” Caution prickled along her skin and she started to pull away. If he thought he got to tell her what to do, he had another thing coming.

  “I don’t like the idea of you going home right now. Not by yourself.” He caught the back of her head and tilted her face toward him. "Not until we find Todd."

  Oh. That. Now she was tense for an entirely different reason. She’d rather enjoyed not thinking about her completely fucked up family for a little while.

  The humor was gone from his face and she felt it drain from hers as well. She couldn’t meet his eyes. She didn’t want to talk about this. Not now. Not when they’d built this connection. The longer she held onto that, the longer she could forget how alone she was. “What, you don’t think I could take him? He’s a scrawny science geek. I’d kick his ass to the ground in two seconds.” Maybe it wasn’t too late to go back to teasing.

  But his serious expression didn’t budge. “I have no doubt you’d have the advantage in a physical confrontation. That’s not what I’m worried about.”

  Her muscles suddenly ached to move. Restless, uncomfortable, she tried to roll away.

  His arm tightened. “Just because he hasn’t used a gun so far doesn’t mean he won’t.” Greg’s voice was low and far too serious. “I’m not willing to take that chance.”

  Damn him. If he wasn’t going to let her out of bed, couldn’t he shut up and kiss her? Lying here, not moving was going to drive her as batty as her brother.

  “He wouldn’t shoot me." They both knew she was lying. She wasn't that naïve. He was completely changed from the Todd she'd known; he would kill her if she wouldn’t do what he asked.

  Had the Todd she thought she knew ever even existed?

  The enormity of what she’d lost hit her all at once, as if it had chosen that moment for every single piece to sink in. She vibrated from the intensity of her grief and rage.

  She tried to hold in the cry building in her chest, but couldn’t. Her hand fisted in the quilt and she buried her face in Greg’s neck.

  His arms wrapped around her as he pressed kisses in her hair. He stroked her shoulder and arm, murmuring unintelligible sounds.

  “Oh God.” The memory of her Dad’s outrage flashed in her mind. “I have no one. No family. No one.” She was on her
own. No matter how lonely she’d been in the past, there was always Todd.

  “I’m alone.”

  “You’re not.” Greg threaded his fingers through her hair and stroked her scalp. It felt like heaven and she wanted to close her eyes and sink to the thoughtless place where she could enjoy it. But she couldn’t escape the totality of her isolation.

  "Not alone?" She tried to laugh at the ridiculousness of his statement, but it came out a humorless bark. "My mom left years ago. My stepmom hated me and now is dead. My brother hated me and is dead. My sister blames me for everything that went wrong in Hank's life, up to and including his death. My father threw me out of his house because he blames me for everything that went wrong in both Hank and Todd's lives. And the one person I could always count on turns out to be a psychopath." There wasn't even extended family. Both her parents were only children and all her grandparents were dead. And Karen's sister was as bad as she was.

  "I'm sure you'll patch things up with your dad and sister." Greg's voice was muffled by her hair. "And you've got Gabby."

  "Who's going to need tons of therapy, thanks to my psycho brother. She doesn't need me and my problems hanging around."

  "You've got lots of friends at work."

  At the thought of having a heart-to-heart with Southall or O'Donnell, she did laugh. Somber and stiff, but it was a laugh. "Yeah, they've all got my back, or will buy me a beer. But I don't see O'Donnell becoming my bosom buddy."

  "Voegler would take a bullet for you. He'd probably kill for you."

  She nodded. She could concede that. Al would be there for her unfailingly. He was loyal past the point of reason.

  "Fine. I have Al. What a prize. It's like winning the lottery."

  Greg's chest rumbled under her cheek as he chuckled. He pressed his lips to her forehead. "For what it's worth, I'm not going anywhere."

  No. He wasn't going to say it. He couldn't. Not now. Yes, they were building something she'd never had and didn't totally understand. But he couldn't do this to her today. "Don't you dare."

  "Don’t I dare what?"

  "Don't say it."

  "Say what?"

  "That you love me. Not now. Not today. I can't deal with that." If he loved her, he would be one more person to disappoint. One more person to lose.