Stolen Hearts

by Marci Bolden

  Gasping, she clamped her teeth into her lip and listened to the sound of the little foil packet being torn open. Her anticipation built as the distinct sound of latex unrolling hit her ears. She jolted at the feel of Dean’s hand between her legs, fingering her, testing her readiness. She was ready. Sweet freaking hell, she was ready. He rubbed his finger over her clit, and she mewed.

  Leaning up just enough to look over her shoulder at him, she smirked. “I don’t do submissive often, big boy. You’d better take this while you can.”

  That was all the invitation he needed. The next moment, he lunged forward, and she grunted at the feel of him filling her. He pulled back, slammed forward, until he found a hard and fast rhythm. Oh. Hell. Yes. She loved a man who wasn’t afraid to be a little rough with her.

  Rotating her hips, she angled her body so he went as deep as nature would allow. He grunted and started moving faster. Reaching between her legs, Alexa found the little magic button he’d spent the last few minutes licking and nipping. Already alert, the bundle of nerves instantly responded to her touch, causing her entire body to tighten.

  “Alexa,” Dean moaned. “Holy shit.”

  Between her fondling and his thrusting, her body was ready to explode again. The feel of his hand gripping her hair, gently but firmly tugging the strands, was the last bit of sensation she could handle. Her body had barely stopped quivering when Dean gently shoved her away from him. Falling onto her back, she panted as he stood over her.

  He let out a heavy breath as well. “I need like five seconds to calm down, or you’re going to be very disappointed in me.”

  Giggling, she scooted up on the bed until her head rested on one of the pillows. She took advantage of his break to catch her breath and finally see what he had to offer. Little patches of dark hair circled his flat nipples, and a patch started just at his belly button before traveling lower. A band was tattooed around his right bicep, some tribal thing that he probably had no idea of the meaning—if it actually had one—but looked sexy as hell.

  Licking her lips, she moaned her appreciation of his body as he huffed out one more breath. Crooking her finger, she silently ordered him to join her. As he moved up the bed, she parted her legs, and he honored her silent request. He didn’t taste her with as much gusto as he had a few minutes before, but she didn’t mind. In fact, she liked that he was taking his time now, being more attentive and less starved. But she wouldn’t complain about either approach.

  Dropping her head back, she muttered how good it felt having him there, and he muttered how good it felt to be there. Even so, he moved up her body, kissing her belly, her breasts, and then her neck. He slid into her body much easier this time, with a gentle progression as he moved over her. She let him love her sweetly for a few minutes—that definitely wasn’t her style, and when she’d tolerated all the cordial sex she could handle, she rolled him over and straddled his hips. “Making love is great in theory…”

  “In theory?”

  “This”—she braced her hands on his shoulders for leverage—“is so much better.”

  Dean gripped her hips and helped her as she started grinding. Together, they found a fast pace that suited them both. She rotated as he lifted, joining their bodies in a way that made her breath catch with each thrust. They fit together perfectly, and not just physically; there was a connection between them, and when she opened her eyes and looked into his, she knew he felt it as well. Leaning down, she brushed his hair from his forehead and kissed him hard as he kept their rhythm without missing a thrust.

  “You’re right,” he said, shoving his body into hers. “This is so much better.”

  She smiled as she raked her fingers over his strands again. “I’m glad you agree.” She licked his lips before leaning back up. Taking his hands from her hips, she put them to her breasts and encouraged him to squeeze. As he did, she moved over him, stroking him with her inner walls, building up the heat between them until it once again threatened to consume her.

  “Are you ready?” she asked as the friction built and his grunting increased.

  “Ready.”

  “Brace yourself,” she said with a grin and leaned back, resting her hands on his legs. Moving in a fast circle, she gasped at the feel of his hand on her clit as they moved. Yeah, that was the last bit she needed. Slamming her body against his, she once again cried out. This time, he joined her.

  Falling forward, breathless and limp, Alexa rested her head next to Dean’s. His arms wrapped around her, hugging her tight against his chest. Running his fingers through her hair, he let a long breath leave him.

  “Sorry,” he whispered.

  “For what?”

  “Pulling your hair.”

  She grinned. “Did I complain?”

  “I should have asked first.”

  “Such a gentleman,” she said teasingly as she slid off him. “Wash my back, and we’ll call it even.”

  Dean ran his fingertip down the dip in Alexa’s back, tracing her spine. Her skin was as soft as satin and had him mesmerized. He couldn’t stop touching her. When they’d showered, he washed her back three times and her legs twice. He lost count of how many times he’d washed her breasts. Enough that she’d laughed and told him they were cleaner than they’d ever been. Then he’d covered her in the lemon-scented, hotel-provided lotion.

  He couldn’t stop touching her now that she’d given him permission. Brushing his lips over her shoulder, he was careful not to press too hard. Despite her insistence that she didn’t mind his whiskers, her skin said different. She’d been bright red in all the places he’d kissed, her flesh irritated from his whiskers.

  He thought she was asleep until she sighed and muttered into the pillow. He soothed his palm over her back and hushed her. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” he whispered.

  “You didn’t.”

  She rolled over lazily, one sluggish motion at a time, and he smiled. He’d never seen her move so clumsily. Brushing her hair from her face, he leaned over her, watching as she licked her lips and blinked several times, as if her mind was slowly rebooting. Her hand fell to his arm as she attempted her normal soothing strokes. Now they were more like heavy pets. Even half asleep, she was trying to comfort him.

  Jesus, she was perfect.

  Kissing her lightly, he tucked her closer to him. “Close your eyes.”

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  He didn’t answer. He didn’t want to lie and say that he was, but he didn’t want to disturb her sleep more than he had. Having her warmth seeping into his body was the best thing she could do for him right now, and she didn’t have to lose sleep to do that.

  Rolling onto her side, clearly more aware, she snuggled into his chest and wrapped her arm around him. Placing a light kiss on his chest, she burrowed deeper. “Talk to me,” she whispered.

  “There’s nothing new to say. My sister is still missing. She’s still out there. She’s still being sold.” He closed his eyes as she stroked his skin, her touch more like her normal comforting strokes than her tired petting. He hadn’t realized how much he’d come to rely on those little brushes of her hand. Wrapping her more tightly in his arms, he kissed her head. “I’m scared for her, Lex.”

  “I know.” She stroked her soothing hand over his arm. “I wish I could do more.”

  “You’ve done so much.” Kissing her head, he hugged her even closer. “It’s in the hands of the police now. You made that happen. They wouldn’t listen to me. I just wish this was over. For her and me. And, yes, I know that sounds selfish when she’s the one really suffering.”

  “Hey, you’ve suffered, too. Believe me, I know how hard it is. No, it’s not the same hell she’s going through, but it’s still hell, and you are allowed to hope for it to end for your sake, too.”

  She stroked his cheek, and he had to smile. He definitely would be keeping the facial hair that seemed to have her so enthralled. Taking her hand in his, he kissed her fingertips, silently thanking whatever fo
rce had brought her to him.

  He’d been slowly losing his mind since he’d realized Mandy had disappeared. He’d foolishly thought that he’d survived raising his sister and had patted himself on the back for a job well done. He now understood what his mother had meant all those times she’d insisted that just because he was grown didn’t mean her job was done. He’d never be done helping Mandy find her way through life. He just hoped to God he’d get the chance to see her through this. Alexa’s warning that Mandy might reject his help hadn’t stopped bouncing through his mind.

  “Dean?” Alexa whispered, pulling his mind back to her.

  “Sorry. My mind keeps wandering. Did Detective Wilson give any indication when he might call back?”

  “No. Try to sleep, hmm?”

  “Not much chance of that.” Untangling himself from her arms, he sat up and put his feet to the floor. Running his hands through his hair, he was reminded yet again that he was due for a haircut. Digging his fingers into his eyes, he exhaled loudly. “You should rest, though. It’s getting late.”

  The crisp sheets rustled as she moved. A moment later, her warmth surrounded him. Her chest pressed against his back, skin on skin, and she slithered her arms around him. She rested her cheek against his shoulder. “I can’t rest when you’re so upset.”

  “Then you may never rest again.” Closing his eyes, he focused on the feel of her lips pressing against him, once more confused by her ability to ease his stress with a simple touch. But as her hand lowered, her touch was anything but simple. Enchanting. Seductive. Molten. Inhaling as she wrapped her long fingers around his erection, Dean rolled his head back and moaned.

  His body heated instantly, his ability to breathe halted, and his troubles faded. Nothing in the world existed except the steady up-and-down movement of her hand. She seemed to be able to read his mind for exactly how fast to move, how hard to squeeze, how far to take him before slowing and easing her hold. Then she’d start again, masterfully enticing his soul to follow her wherever she led him.

  Like the mystical creature he was beginning to think she was, she effortlessly moved around to straddle his legs. Gripping her waist, helping her balance, he inhaled as much as his lungs would hold. He was lost. He was helplessly lost in everything about this woman. And that was a blessing.

  More than a blessing, he realized, when her other hand reached down and caressed his balls as she rhythmically stroked. And her mouth. Fuck, he was falling in love with her mouth. She sank her teeth into his lip, just hard enough to remind him there was more to his body than his crotch. He moved his hand higher and rubbed the ball of his thumb over her nipple until the nub pebbled. Once it was hard against his touch, he pinched and tugged. His reward was a sharp breath hissing from between her teeth. He licked her mouth before covering his lips with his, kissing her until he was breathless.

  “Hey,” she whispered. “I’m taking care of you.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  A sultry laugh left her throat and rolled through him like a wildfire through dry timber. Grabbing a condom off the nightstand beside him, he handed it to her, holding his breath as she unrolled it over his erection. Slipping his arms under her knees, Dean held her as he rolled their bodies. He had her back against the mattress and her knees pressed to her shoulders before she could agree or protest. She did neither. She simply grinned, clearly pleased by his bold move.

  She hadn’t told him that she liked rough sex, but the cues she was putting off seemed to indicate she didn’t mind it. Even so, after kissing her, he whispered, “Tell me if I get too out of hand.”

  Her grin widened. “You tell me if I get too out of hand.”

  With her pinned between the bed and his body, Dean thrust into her. She exhaled with a pant and closed her eyes as he found that same hard, fast rhythm they’d used before. Only now she gripped his hair, tugging hard enough to add to his overall sensations. No wonder she hadn’t complained when he’d tugged hers. The touch of pain increased his pleasure tenfold.

  “You feel so fucking good,” he grunted out, grinding into her.

  “Mmm,” she moaned out. “Harder.”

  Digging his toes into the mattress, he used the leverage to drive himself into her hot body. She shifted as well, rolling her hips up to meet him in a motion that nearly drove him insane with pleasure. Some strange noise—a cross between a scream and a grunt and a prayer of thanks—erupted from him as she dug her nails in his back and dragged them over his flesh. Her nails weren’t long, he’d noticed that from all the times he’d stared at her hand on his arm as she comforted him, but long enough that he was confident she’d just left long welts down his back.

  The image that formed in his mind of the mark she’d left on him spoke to that primal part that she seemed to awaken deep inside him. He wanted to howl at the moon when he was inside her. He wanted to smell every inch of her, memorizing the woman that his soul had claimed as his. He’d never felt such a strong connection to another person. Not just another lover, but another human being. There was something here that reached him on the most basic level; it seemed too simple, too right, to make sense. But it made perfect sense.

  Latching his mouth to hers, Dean dipped his tongue into her mouth as she clutched his head between her palms and met his kiss with as much heat and passion as their bodies created while moving together. Her muscles tensed around him and a deep grunt rose from inside her, sending him over the edge with her. He pulled her to him, plunged one more time into her depths, and joined her as she let the sensations take complete control of her mind and body.

  9

  Alexa drew her lungs full of air, and the scent of coffee dragged her from the fog of sleep. Taking another deep breath, she confirmed that someone was brewing a pot of life’s sweetest gift. Stretching, she lifted her eyelids and instantly smiled at the bare-assed man watching the individual-serving pot drain into a paper cup. He muttered and put his hands on his hips, clearly frustrated at the little machine.

  Rolling onto her side, she propped her head on her hand and took her time skimming over his naked figure. Toned calves and thighs led to a tight ass that flexed as he leaned forward a bit, watching the coffee brew. The muscles in his back weren’t defined until he moved, and they bulged under his lightly freckled skin. What drew her attention, though, were the bright red scratches that went from his shoulders to about halfway down to his hips.

  Whoops.

  She grinned, not really sorry at all. He’d liked the feel of her nails dragging down his back. He’d liked that a lot. Her cheeks warmed at the memory of how he’d become even more alive at the bit of pain she’d inflicted. She hadn’t meant to, especially to the point of leaving marks, but he’d felt so fucking good moving inside her. She could probably spend the rest of her life in bed with this man and never regret it.

  “Fucking thing,” he whispered under his breath.

  She nibbled her lip as she soaked in how adorable he looked cursing at a single-pot coffee machine while standing there naked as the day he was born. Even so, she didn’t see any point in prolonging the obvious. “There’s a coffee shop right across the street. Not only is the coffee better, but the servings are much larger. That cup doesn’t hold enough to keep a flea awake.”

  Dean glanced over his shoulder and pressed his lips into a scowl. “Going across the street certainly would have been faster.” He glared at the cup one more time before giving up and returning to bed. Cupping her head, he tasted her mouth before hopping off the bed and snagging the bag that held his clothes. “You take it black, right?”

  “Give me a minute and I’ll go with you.”

  He dropped his bag on the bed and started sorting through the contents. “I really need to up my game if you have the ability to walk across the street after last night.”

  Alexa fell onto her back as she laughed. “Oh, honey. You’re good. But I’m stronger than the average female.”

  Something reminiscent of admiration found his lips. “I see the bar
is high. Don’t fret. I’m dedicated to reaching it.”

  “I have no doubt,” she said sincerely. He’d more than proven he was an attentive lover. Even so, she was excited by his commitment to try harder. She pushed herself up and watched him staring at her breasts as she moved to him. Stopping in front of him, she slid her palms up his arms and around his shoulders. “I’m looking forward to your efforts.”

  He hugged her tight as he tasted her lips. “Not nearly as much as I am. Get dressed. I need coffee, and then I want to go back to the police station. I want an update on where they are with looking for Mandy.”

  She instantly felt a bit deflated. Not because he wanted to go look for his sister but because Alexa knew he would be disappointed by whatever news he received. Had the police found Mandy, Detective Wilson would have called. Dean’s sister was still out there, likely sleeping off a night of selling her body in exchange for food and drugs from some pimp who treated her like property instead of a person. Mandy’s situation hadn’t changed overnight. And might not change for a very long time.

  Brushing her hand over Dean’s stubble, she held his gaze. “We’re going to find her. We will. But it might not be as easy as you’re hoping.”

  His eyes saddened. “I know that. But you’ve brought us this close to her. I believe we’ll find her. I have to believe it will be sooner rather than later. For her sake.”

  “I hope so. I just don’t want you counting on something that might not happen. You know, when we find her—”

  He cut her off with a quick kiss. “I woke up feeling hopeful for the first time in as long as I can remember. Maybe it’s foolish to cling to that, but I’m going to. For a while anyway. Okay?”