He sensed her weakening, and rose up, lifting her easily into his arms.
She struggled, almost panicked. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Being masterful. You said you go for that.”
“Put me down this second, goddamnit!”
He went still, then gently set her on her feet and stepped back. “Sorry,” he said carefully. “I thought it would turn you on.”
She straightened her robe. Tossed her hair back, straightened her shoulders.
She looked him in the eye. His cautious expression made her relent. A little.
“Stay out of my head,” she told him. “It was just too much. And I don’t like being pushed around.”
“It won’t happen again.” He paused. “So. Still want to take a bath with me?”
She ran her eyes over his tall, ripped, oh-so-fine body. That hot amber flash in his eyes. Those sensual lips. “Oh yeah,” she said, unsteadily.
His grin hung on a little longer than usual this time. “Good. Follow me.”
Chapter 13
Noah nudged the bathroom door open with his foot, and went in first. The dim room was humid, and perfumed with lavender bath salts. Wisps of steam rose from a deep tub in the middle of a large, slate-tiled room.
There was a glass shower for two in the corner. Double showerheads, a double marble sink. A tower of fluffy silver gray towels sat on a stand, along with a tray with soaps, shampoos, lotions. Lots of fancy bath stuff for a single guy, she couldn’t help but notice. But his love life was none of her business. She only got one stolen night.
“Like everything,” she said. “Completely over the top. Awesome bathroom.”
“Yes.”
Their eyes met. Her head lifted, and her spine straightened with that mysterious rush that only he could give. That smolder in his eyes just did it to her. Magic.
She let the robe open, and then slip off her shoulders. She shook back her hair and stood there proudly. Enjoying the caressing weight of his gaze on her.
The effect upon his body was obvious, and immediate.
Scented steam drifted. The froth of bubbles had cleared. The huge tub awaited.
Noah peeled off his shirt and sweatpants. His naked body was so powerful and sexual, his heavy phallus jutting high, flushed and ready.
Oh, boy. Play it cool. She twisted her hair up into a loose, tousled knot, and Noah took her hand to help her into the high-walled tub.
Her descent into the steaming water felt like a cleansing ceremony. She sank down with a sigh of bliss. Hot baths were another thing she missed.
He followed her in, bringing the water level higher. Her eyes flicked to the old injury on his collarbone, the only scar visible above the water. It hurt her heart, to think of him alone and terrified as he watched his father being murdered.
She had to look away for a second. Close her eyes.
“Don’t dwell on it,” he said quietly. “It was a long time ago.”
God, how did he do that? She’d looked at his scar for only a split second.
“Stop reading my mind,” she said sharply. “It’s rude. I’ll feel sad for the boy that you were if I damn well feel like it. Do not tell me what to think or feel.”
“I’ll try distraction, then.”
He surged forward across the tub and seized her.
* * *
They floated and spun, weightless in the water, as Noah plundered her sweet, willing mouth. He slid his hand down to stroke her juicy pussy, coaxing her legs apart. She murmured against his mouth, opening up to let his finger slide in and writhed sensuously around his exploring hand, squeezing it between her thighs. There was too much water between him and that sweet thing. He wanted to taste her again.
He lifted her up out of the water, which rushed and trickled down over her graceful curves and hollows. “Your turn,” he said. “Sit on the top step. I can’t wait for another taste of you.”
“Ah . . . that’s the thing,” she said hesitantly. “It felt wonderful the last time, but it was hard enough for me to relax when it was dark. In a tub, with the lights on. I’d freeze up.”
He stroked her upper arms. “So I’ll stop, if it doesn’t work for you. Just try it,” he coaxed. “Please. You’re a goddess like this. All rosy and wet.”
She still hesitated. He waited patiently, sliding his hands down the deep curve of her waist, then downward to grip the luscious swell of her ass. “Strange, that you’re self-conscious,” he commented. “You’re not at all when you dance.”
“Performing’s different,” she said.
“Hmm. But you do it for a living.”
“Because I’m broke,” she said. “Besides, when I dance, I’m Shamira. All spangles and veils, doing the shimmy-shimmy-shake. When I’m with you, I’m just me.”
“Cool,” he said. “That’s exactly who I want.”
“The answer’s still no.”
He leaned down to press a hot kiss on her shoulder and then the curve of her neck. “Sit down on that step,” he coaxed. “Let me worship you with my tongue.”
“You slick bastard.” She was trying not to smile.
“I can’t help it. Everything about you is interesting to me. It’s torture that you won’t give me more info.”
She rolled her eyes. “Suffer.”
“I am, I am.” He cupped her breasts, tracing faint, stimulating circles with his thumbs. “I’m wondering what kind of artist you are. Not a painter. Maybe a sculptor?” He ran his hand appreciatively over her curves. “At least a sculptor’s model.”
“Wrong,” she said. “I’m not an artist. Or a sculptor. Or a real dancer. I told you.”
“I get it. Being a fugitive is a full time job.”
She glared at him. “Don’t push me.”
“So shut me up,” he replied. “Keep my mouth too busy to get into trouble.”
She pushed off, floating a little farther from him. Too far. “Do you always get what you want?” she asked.
He thought about it. “No. But that was only because I didn’t know what I wanted. Now I know, and I’m going after it.” He reached out, dragged her back toward him and cupped her ass. Feeling up those beautiful round ass cheeks kept his hands away from her succulent pussy. For the moment at least.
“You’re so confident,” she commented.
“And you’re stalling,” he replied. “Give it up to me, or I’ll do the X-ray eyes thing. I’ll tell you your social security number and your mother’s maiden name.”
She smiled, but let herself be tugged toward him. He seated her on the top step that led into the tub and knelt before her clamped thighs, trailing his fingertips over her breasts. Her skin was flushed and rosy from the heat. He loved to see her face hot pink instead of pale. Her beautiful soft tits, gleaming and wet. Tight puckered nipples. The fire inside him crackled and surged. Hotter. Fiercer.
He surged forward, kissing her belly as he gently coaxed her legs apart.
It was hard for her to let go. He had to be so careful. Patient and persistent.
She finally opened to him, but he couldn’t say she’d surrendered. He still felt her wariness as he kissed slowly up the inside of her thigh and the tender hollow at her groin. Caro vibrated, gasping, and slid her fingers through his hair, but it was too short for her to grab onto. Maybe he should grow the hair an inch or so longer. Just for this.
Concentrate. He scattered a few more kisses to distract her. It was good to have more light, to see a fuller range of those rosy pink shades of her slit. He spread her folds out wide, and let the taut little bud of her clit pop out.
She drew in a sharp breath. Noah stopped, and slowly sank two of his fingers between her labia to stimulate that sweet spot deeper inside. Never forgetting her clit. Circling that with his tongue, around . . . and around . . . ahhh. Big reaction. Yes.
Hang on, girl. More coming.
He loved the taste and feel of her. So sweet and slick and responsive, reacting so intensely to every caress. Opening more
and more as she slowly relaxed.
He held her hips in place, licking up her juice. Suckling that taut bud with tender care. He drew back whenever she got too close to finishing, then started again. Over and over, until she lost her patience and just grabbed his head and kept him exactly where she wanted him. Insisting that he finish what he started. Exactly when she said so.
He did, delighted. She gasped with shocked pleasure as her orgasm racked her.
Noah caught her quickly in his arms and held her very tight so that she wouldn’t bruise herself on the rim of the tub.
Afterwards, he settled her on his lap, her head cradled against his chest. Her loose knot of hair had unraveled. It trailed out in the water, clinging to him. He loved it. He wanted to make her come again. Take her away from the violence in her past. Make her fears for the future disappear. Just float here together untroubled. So close.
The minute she opened her eyes, he knew he hadn’t entirely succeeded.
“Don’t panic,” he urged. “Everything’s the same as before.”
“No, not the same. That wasn’t normal. Not my normal.”
“Give it time,” he said. “You’ll get used to it.”
Mistake. She went instantly tense in his arms.
Time for a fresh distraction. He stood up. “Let’s get you warmed up.”
He helped her out of the tub and toweled her gorgeous body off slowly and lovingly before drying himself. Then he took her hand, pulling her back to the bedroom.
The room was chilly in contrast to the steamy bathroom. Caro stretched herself out on the bed, displaying himself, arching and stretching with a sensual smile as she scooped up her wet hair and arrayed it behind herself, spread over the pillow. He flipped on the bedside light and rolled on another condom. In case she wanted to watch.
Apparently not.
“Hey,” she said. “The light?”
He forced himself to subdue a flash of anger. “Really? You still can’t bear to look at me?”
“That’s not it.”
“No? Then what’s the problem?” He slid under the sheets, and slowly rolled on top of her slender body. “Do you need to pretend that I’m someone else to get off?”
She pushed him up with both hands. He went along with it, lifting his upper body and stayed like that, poised over her. “Is this better?”
She gave him a slap that wasn’t playful. “No.”
He went still. “Do you want me to stop?”
“No,” she whispered. “I’ve never wanted anyone like I want—” She stopped herself. “Never mind.”
He’d have to be satisfied with that. “Doing it from behind is great,” he said. “Doing in the dark is fine. But I want more. I want you to know who’s inside you. Who’s making you come. I want you to see me. And know me.”
“I don’t know you,” she said wildly.
“Yes you do. You know me better than anyone ever has.” The words tumbled out without a second thought.
“Noah,” she said nervously. “That’s a scary statement. We met today.”
“Can’t argue with that. ” He shrugged. “But so what? We’re doing fine. Why stop now?”
She closed her eyes. “All right. Face to face,” she conceded. “But lights off.”
He twisted around promptly to snap the light off. Good thing she didn’t know about his night vision. But this game they were playing was more about her perceptions than his. Besides. The dark brought out the colors of her sig that much more strongly.
He pushed her legs wider, settling between them. Her hands lifted to brace against his chest. Her nails dug in, a little more than he would have thought necessary to keep him at bay. He liked it. A lot.
“You’re angry,” she said.
Damn. There was no masking anything from her. “I guess I am,” he admitted. “Happens. But not often.”
“I’m angry too. And I’m not sorry.” Her nails sank in more. Then she relented . . . but not really. They dug in again. Scratching him even harder.
He didn’t flinch. It excited him. She felt it, and was faintly annoyed by it.
“Guess I had that coming,” he said. “Do it again.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Would be nice if it actually hurt,” she said tartly.
She rested her hands on his shoulders, pulling on him. He took that as an invitation to lower himself. Slowly and carefully. Bad kitty took no prisoners.
“Oh, it did hurt,” he assured her. “Hurt just right.” He caressed her slick folds with his stiff, aching dick. Slow, voluptuous up-and-down strokes.
She could see nothing besides the outline of his body looming over her, whereas he saw every detail of her. Lithe and luminous, offering herself at last. Caressing his chest.
She cried out as he sank his thick, throbbing shaft into her tight slickness.
“Close your eyes,” he muttered. “If you can’t stand me looking at you.”
She shook her head. “It’s like you can see in the dark. I can feel your eyes.”
“Keep feeling it,” he said roughly, thrusting again. Balls deep in her hot, quivering clasp. “Feel all of me.”
“I do.” Her hands slid down his sides to his butt. Holding his hips. Digging her nails into the driving muscle, taking him deeper and deeper.
He struggled to master himself. The pleasure was so intense, he wanted to throw himself into it headlong. No. He couldn’t lose control completely.
He preferred to think about Caro. Experience Caro. She lifted her hips eagerly to meet each stroke. He let his own energy break loose when she was right at the brink.
They both went for it, full force . . . and exploded together.
They stayed like that for a long time afterwards. Twined and motionless, their hearts still thundering. Wet with sweat. He kept his hand on her ass, to keep them joined . . . until she stretched and shrugged him off.
OK. He had to take care of the condom anyway. He got rid of it fast, as if she’d vanish like smoke if he turned his back. But she was there when he returned, sitting up.
“Your smartphone’s doing the strangest thing,” she said. “It’s glittering.”
He glanced at it where it sat on the chest of drawers, startled. He’d programmed it to give him a visual signal when Sisko messaged him using their private code. But he’d set it to light frequencies that unmods shouldn’t be able to see.
He grabbed the phone and tapped in the password. “This is a work thing. Mind if I deal with it now?”
“No,” she murmured.
Sisko’s message was brief.
Asa Stone. Specializes in darknet datamining. Auctions illicit information in secret to highest bidders. Big enemies.
The message was followed by several links.
So his brother was active on the darknet in some sort of criminal way. Not that Noah would expect anything else with their background and training. Or from a kid thrown out on the streets at fifteen.
“Are you OK?” Caro asked.
He had a swift, red-tinged data scroll going now. Damn. He exited from the message and quickly put the phone down. “Fine. Why?”
“Your vibe. Seems like you got some bad news.”
He shook his head. “Just some old stuff.” He slid back under the covers, pulling her jealously into his arms again. She felt so good.
“I should go now,” she said.
His whole body contracted. His heart thumped hard and the combat program data flickered and scrolled in blurred stripes of light.
“No way,” he said. “You said you’d spend the night. We’re not even at the half-way point. You’re safe here. You can sleep.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “That’s not why I came here, Noah.”
“I’ll fuck you as many more times as you want,” he said. “I stand ready to serve. Until then, get some rest.” He was working the masterful, steely-alpha vibe again.
Successfully, this time. She was too exhausted to object. Her colors shifted along with her brain waves, colors
muting as she sank into a deep, heavy sleep.
He didn’t follow her there. Couldn’t anymore, not really. He never slept, just rested one brain hemisphere while the other stayed razor sharp. Sentinel sleep, they’d called it. After the their escape, he’d never seen any good reason to unlearn it.
Sentinel sleep was perfect for lying around for hours in bed, looking at a beautiful sleeping woman. Soaking it all in. Not missing a single goddamn second.
He could look at her forever. Time was racing by. He listened to the slow thud of her heart, wishing he could slow time down. Make their night last forever. He liked it, that he could always stay sharp and vigilant for her. Her shelter and her shield.
But dawn kept getting closer. The nearer it got, the more intense his feelings became. His AVP started revving in random, intermittent spurts. The damn data scroll was bugging him, making him restless and distracted. He didn’t want to share the screen of his vision with the fucking processor display when Caro was on it.
Sometimes kung fu workouts helped chill the AVP. Worth a try. He reluctantly disentangled himself from her slender limbs. She murmured, rolling onto her side, but didn’t wake. He pulled on his sweat pants and padded noiselessly to the practice room.
It was a big glassed-in veranda with tatami mats and a floor to ceiling view of the lake. Cold. He stood in the middle of the room. Observed his body. Stilled his mind.
Time to begin.
He usually spent two or three hours a night in here. The night was so fucking long when you didn’t sleep. Not tonight. He’d do just enough to take the edge off his AVP buzz and then it was back to bed to wrap himself around that amazing, mysterious woman. Be ready to serve her when she woke up. In any capacity she wanted.
Though a guy could hope for his favorites.
* * *
Caro snapped awake out of a nasty dream. A standard nightmare mix of dread, violence, pursuit. For a moment she looked wildly around the room, disoriented.
It rushed back. Noah. That incredible night.
She was alone in the rumpled bed. She slid out from between the sheets and retrieved Noah’s fleece robe from where it had been tossed on the bathroom floor.
Right Through Me (The Obsidian Files #1) Page 14
