by Flesa Black
She shrugged out of her coat as she flipped the light switch. With a swift flick of her wrist, she tossed her coat over the back of her couch, an efficient move he appreciated.
“Let me grab the first-aid kit.”
He stood, carefully unhooking his gun belt as he took in his surroundings. The flat was a sort of strange organized chaos. The walls were lined with bookshelves, all the way around the living room, to his left into the dining room, past the small kitchen and down the hallway. Books were crammed against each other with very little breathing space, their spines blending into one long, jagged line of various colors. Even the coffee table was strewn with open tomes and scrawled-in notebooks. The furniture was well used but clean. At one time, the set would have been expensive. The leather sofa and loveseat almost took up the entire living room, with a small television propped on a short wooden filing cabinet completing the decor. He was sure that if he looked inside that cabinet it would be stuffed with paperwork.
Shaking his head, he locked the door as he watched Diana make her way past the kitchen, the fluorescent light spilling through the open archway illuminating her path. He turned and his eyes landed on the scratched-up dining room set, a light wooden number that had seen years of constant use. The large window on the far wall behind the table was covered with mesh burglar bars, as was the smaller window in the kitchen and the four that ringed the living room. He shouldn’t have been surprised she’d created such a secure bolt-hole, considering the way she’d defended herself in the alley.
“Come back here and let me take care of that wound.”
He didn’t need to reply to her demand—after all, this was the only reason he’d agreed to come into her flat. He followed behind her down a short hallway, going into a surprisingly large loo on the right-hand side. She closed the white toilet lid and patted it with her hand.
“Have a seat,” she said with a slow smile.
Heat raced to mix and swell in his loins. He felt moisture gather behind his teeth and fought the urge to lap at her upturned mouth. Tightening his mouth, he grabbed at his control and sat, shifting as best he could to accommodate his stiff crotch. He watched while she popped open the large white box, methodically laying out bottles, tubes, tape and gauze. Her efficiency shone here, too. He studied her small hands, staring when they moved to pour alcohol on a diminutive white square of cotton.
She moved her eyes to assess his injury, heating his skin underneath her perusal. “This is going to hurt.”
She gave him the cursory warning just before she dabbed at the bite mark. He felt the slight sting, knew that if he’d been normal it would have burned like hell, and he would have bellowed and hissed and cursed. At least she hadn’t lied about the pain.
He stayed silent as she cleaned him up, sterilizing the wound before wiping away the dried blood. She had experience with this, he realized with sudden clarity, then had to wonder exactly how and where she’d learned…and who she’d patched up. A feral curl of jealousy sprang up to claw at his belly and he worked to shove it down. There was no place for passion here.
“Sorry, I don’t have any superhero bandages.” She tilted her head, her lips lifting into another half smile.
He had to do something to ease the tension. Even if she couldn’t feel the air vibrating, he bloody well could. Whether it was the adrenaline from the fight or the waves of her arousing scent, the fact was his entire body was in sudden dire need of the woman beside him. A woman he didn’t know. A woman who didn’t know him.
“What, you aren’t going to kiss it and make it better?” His voice came out more strained than he’d hoped.
His sarcastic comment only gained him a raised eyebrow. He waited for her to move back, or to make a snarky comment in return, or even to slap him. Anything but stay this close—close enough that all he had to do was lower his head for his mouth to be against her bare arm.
“Do you think it would help?”
Her voice was thick, wavering with a slight tremble, two small signals another man wouldn’t have noticed. But he did. And his entire body went onto high, painful alert. It was insane—he was insane. Attraction was one thing, but this quickening was something completely different. He couldn’t stay. He had to leave. Staying wouldn’t just be wrong, it would be dangerous.
Then he opened his mouth to respond. “I don’t know. No one’s ever tried.”
Her head swiveled around, her blue eyes filled with an odd look of sympathy and desire, and Harm knew there was no going back. He watched as she lowered her head and was helpless as her mouth came closer and her arm pressed against him. She hesitated for a split second, long enough to let him know she was considering, long enough to torture him beyond thought. Then her lips were brushing his, the soft texture teasing as she tasted him. He responded in kind, just a small nip, just a little sample of the plump flesh.
Mine. The word exploded in his head the same instant his blood combusted. He couldn’t stop his reaction, couldn’t stop standing and lunging for her, bringing her completely into his arms. He cradled her against his chest, anchoring her between his legs. His tongue reached out to lap against her lips, craving more of her taste. She complied with a moan, her mouth opening as she met him thrust for thrust. He felt her arms tangle around his neck, felt her hips rock against his hard cock.
He needed her. The thought should have shocked him, but it didn’t. He fisted his hand in her hair, holding her while they attacked each other’s mouths. It wasn’t enough, could never be enough. His fingers itched to feel her smooth, naked skin underneath them. Harm turned, taking her with him as he aimed their bodies for the bathroom door.
She pulled away long enough to say, “Across the hall.”
He didn’t need any further prompting. He turned and walked them into the gathering darkness of a small room, his eyes easily adjusting to the dimness. The bed wasn’t hard to find. It was a messy cacophony of covers and pillows that stood in the center of the room. He maneuvered them closer, stopping just as her legs bumped the mattress.
His throat was raw, his body scorching from the inside out. “I have to…Diana…”
“Yes…oh, please…”
The breathy words sent licks of desire up from his groin to singe any control he might have had. He pushed her backward, smiling with satisfaction as she bounced on the bed with a startled gasp. He didn’t linger long—his boiling blood wouldn’t let him. His hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they worked, tossing off her boots, ripping away soft cotton and smooth denim from her body. Moments later, she was naked, her beautiful flesh glowing in the muted light from the hallway.
Mine. Again the word ricocheted through him, heating his lust to a near fever pitch. Then she was holding out her arms for him, silently asking for what he was desperate to give her. He pulled at his own clothing as he watched her, tearing the seams of his shirt in his hurry.
Slowly, he laid his body on top of hers, pressing himself against her and absorbing her trembling. She was a perfect fit, her curves molding into him, her heated skin yielding in a way that made his entire system stutter.
“Ah, Harm, this feels…”
“I know.” His voice was a low growl, his need a sharp blade that sliced into his belly and loins.
He devoured her mouth again, his tongue mating with hers as his hands skimmed over her bare flesh. He cupped her breasts, squeezed and kneaded them, moaning when the velvety mounds spilled over his fingertips. Her nipples were hard peaks pressing into his palms, begging for his attention. He wasn’t about to ignore them.
He tore his lips from hers, laying kisses along her jaw and down her throat. He paused to inhale her scent, absorbing the thickening fragrance that had been tempting him from the minute she’d come close to him. Then he was nuzzling across her collarbone, his lips grazing along her slick flesh. She writhed underneath him, sending hot jolts along his nerves that painfully thickened his shaft.
“God, you feel incredibly good,” he murmured.
&n
bsp; She groaned and dug her fingers into his shoulders, holding onto him so tightly that he wasn’t sure where he started and she began. He pulled one hard nipple between his lips and sucked gently while his hands continued to squeeze her breasts. She gasped and her body bowed, her thighs widening in invitation. He moved his lips up her breasts, over her throat, finally landing on her delicious mouth. Cradling her face in his palms, he kissed her savagely, holding her still for his attack. She didn’t fight his assault, instead tangling with his tongue with just as much determination. Without thought, he thrust forwards, the tip of his cock grazing her soft thatch of hair. Her heat was incredible. The feel of it snaked through that one brief contact to tangle in his racing blood. He had to have her. There was no question, no hesitation. He just knew he had to claim her.
“Taste you…have to taste you…” His words were harsh and muffled against her flesh.
“Yours, I’m all yours.”
Her voice was barely audible, but he heard her and his heart stumbled and sped. Yes, she was his…his…
He nipped and licked his way down her neck, her chest, her ribs, then finally across her stomach, all the way to the juncture of her thighs. Her aroma was incredible, hot and sweet and too enticing to move away from. He slipped his tongue along her swollen folds, reveling in her sudden, strangled scream, savoring her unique flavor.
He tasted her again and again, soft licks that had her sobbing and twisting in desire. He needed it, needed her response, needed her body’s longing, needed everything she was doing. He darted in, drew out her flavor, then delved deep once more. She rocked her hips, keeping time with his tongue’s rhythm as her gasps of pleasure poured through the darkening room.
Her reaction was beautiful, filling him with quicksilver passion, pushing him to give her even more. His tongue reached up, finding the hardened flesh of her clit. He teased it, flicking it with light licks as she yelled and panted. She was close, he could feel it, and he was desperate to take her over the edge.
Continuing the fevered assault with his tongue, he brought his fingers to her wet opening, sliding one inside of her with quick ease. That was all it took for her body to let go. Her scream echoed off the walls, her wild cries cinching his loins tighter. She squeezed his finger rhythmically as she pressed against his mouth. His tongue stayed on her even as her muscles began to relax, going from teasing darts to soothing swipes, pulling her essence into his mouth. The taste of her was driving him mad as it added more layers of heat to his need.
But she wasn’t quiet beneath him. Her hands pulled at him, urging him up and over her, and he didn’t deny her. He was heavy, his shaft fuller than he could ever remember it being, and the heady pain mixed with his lust. His found her eyes with his, saw the glazed desire there and knew that she was feeling exactly what he was.
She lifted her legs, encircling his waist with care, her creamy thighs and nimble calves hooking behind his back. He butted against her core and drew in a sharp breath as he watched her, mesmerized when she bit her bottom lip. He entered her with a slow thrust, growling as her slick walls engulfed his shaft with intense heat. He stretched her inch by inch, gritting his teeth while she gave a throaty, protracted moan.
She took his entire length, arching into him as he gave a final push and seated himself inside of her. He felt her quaking, the gentle ripples clutching him, forcing him to hold still or loose himself altogether. He wasn’t sure how long he stayed still, his eyes closed, his body hard as he swayed on the brink. He was acutely aware of her, and so he knew the instant her hips gave a slight dip. He didn’t need any further cues.
He pulled away, his cock slipping through her engorged lips, then plunged back inside, groaning at the welcoming warmth and slight friction. He drew out, thrust in, setting a pace that was wild and mindless. He kept his hands curled firmly around her hipbones as she moved with him, holding onto her to ensure she wouldn’t disappear. It was too surreal, too fiery, his need too obsessive for any of it to be real. And yet, he could feel her driving against him, smell her aroused scent, taste her sweetness on his lips.
“Say my name.” He hadn’t known he needed it until he’d made the demand. “Say my name.”
Her eyes fluttered open and the passion he saw there captivated him. “Harm…Harm…”
That was all it took for his climax to tighten his body. Quickly, he angled her hips, bringing her swollen core down, stroking her completely. He held on, determined to feel her orgasm take over.
“Let me see you come, Diana.”
His order was met immediately. Her body arched and her muscles tightened around him. Her screams ricocheted around the small room, the crescendo rising as Harm’s climax slammed into him. His voice mingled with hers as his head jerked back and he yelled his satisfaction. For endless seconds, he was suspended in complete pleasure, the harsh world forgotten, his own identity obliterated as he let himself go.
It wasn’t until he’d finally collapsed beside Diana and pulled her sweat-covered body into his own that realization dawned. He was in trouble. Deep, deep trouble. And he didn’t see any way out of it.
***
Diana was floating in a vivid dream, all warm colors and liquid sensations. A small part of her mind tugged her towards reality, but her body was relaxed and felt almost boneless. She had the most amazing sensation of a warm body cupping her protectively. It felt complete and right and perfect to be lying where she was. She gave a small wiggle of her hips and felt a contented purr rumble in her throat.
A heated craving began to curl in her stomach, a muted, distant desire that was nameless in her hazy sleep state. The small niggling that had been whispering in the back of her head eased its way to the forefront; and still she pushed it away, too at ease to examine anything that might disturb her.
She felt the body behind her shift, the soft rustling of the sheets a gentle sound in the quiet room. The hard body against her back moved, a subtle alteration in the planes of muscles against her sensitized skin. His warm, gentle lips brushed against her cheek, once, twice, before he slid them across to her ear. She heard him inhale and snuggled deeper into her pillow, reveling in the ticklish sensation his breath created.
A moment later, his wet, hot tongue licked just behind her lobe, sending a hot spear of lust skittering along her veins to twist between her legs. Her body was instantly alive, the thin cobwebs of thoughts shredding like wet tissue in her mind.
“I want you, Diana.” The raw whisper was a hot flame that twined along her bones and pulled a strangled moan from her throat.
He nipped her neck, his sharp teeth surprising and erotic. She gasped when a hard shaft pushed against her bottom, the pulsing flesh insistent. She wiggled against it as desire rolled through her, need rising up so quickly she didn’t have time to analyze or wonder about it.
The man behind her ran his calloused palm along her hip, slowly moving across her thigh before slipping his fingers along her throbbing slit. She rocked against his fingers, riding them as she bit back a groan.
He moved his warm mouth, slowly working his way along her neck, nuzzling, licking and taking delicate nips of her flesh. She felt her skin prickle with bumps and her nipples harden painfully. As the tingling in her breasts traveled to blend with the sensual waves at the juncture of her thighs, he reached his hand around the side of her body to cup her breast. He kneaded it with seductive care, compressing with his calloused palm while he spread his fingers enough to allow her nipple to poke through. He squeezed her breast then closed his fingers, pinching the peaked tip. Scorching heat spiraled in out-of-control currents, setting her body on fire with achingly pleasurable sensations. He trailed his hot lips down from her neck and nipped her soft shoulder. Her body shuttered and a deep moan escaped her throat as her body bowed in pleasure. She was hot, her entire system on fire from his touch.
Her mind tugged her up again, but she stubbornly refused awareness. If it was a dream, she was happy to stay here. But it was too incredible, too intense, fo
r it to be only a fantasy. Her eyes fluttered, opening a fraction of an inch for a quick moment. Then one thick finger slid inside of her and she slammed her lids shut, squeezing them closed as she absorbed the waves of desire. She rode his hand with jerky hips, her breath coming in short, hard spurts as he continued to kiss her shoulders and back. The peak felt close, yet not close enough, and she sped the pace to meet it. But too soon, he was pulling away, leaving her teetering on the edge. She made a sound of protest as he moved his hand from her wet lips.
“Shh, I won’t let you suffer for long,” the dark voice promised.
Gently, he pressed his strong hand between her shoulder blades, easing her slightly forwards so that she was still on her side, but bent at the waist. Diana’s passion-drugged mind swirled with colors and sensations, sensations that blazed and seared like a tangled firestorm.
He slid the rounded tip of his shaft between her legs and pressed it against her sodden opening. She clawed at the sheets, biting her lip as she pushed into him. She needed him inside her, needed to be filled with his heavy shaft. He began slipping into her, his fingers plucking at her nipples while he slid between her swollen walls. He eased inside, inch by heavy inch, satisfying one need while ratcheting up her yearning, causing her to sob with writhing desire.
He seated himself slowly, pausing when she gasped. He waited until she began moving, then complied with the easy rhythm she set. He pumped in and out, in and out, one hand pulling at her nipple, the other digging into her hipbone. She burned everywhere his skin touched hers, hot patches that shimmered and curled into tight, blazing knots.
She felt her orgasm contracting inside, stretching her with a vicious need she’d never experienced. It was just out of her reach, the glow of it erupting every time he slid into her. Then suddenly he was gone, his downstroke pulling him out. She cried out in protest, her bottom wriggling backward in silent demand.
