by Fiona Archer
“No, I don’t think so.” He grabbed the keys to the cuffs and unlocked the second pair of handcuffs from the wooden slat before pulling her into a sitting position, her hands still cuffed in front of her. “I want you on your knees. Lean on your forearms.”
A fluttery feeling filled her belly. She did his bidding, her bottom up in the air to keep her balance, but then froze as another possibility entered her head. “Er, you’re not going to…” How did she say this politely? “…I mean, I’m not into anal.”
Understanding flickered in Heath’s gaze as he remained beside the bed. “Babe, that won’t happen until after a long talk and much preparation.” He climbed behind her, his thighs brushing against her legs and backside.
Her face burned. “Right. Sure.” She faced the sheets, holding herself stiff in her pose. God, what an idiot. “Of course.”
Her hair was pulled, forcing her to look over her shoulder. Heath’s face didn’t hold anger, or frustration. He seemed more…determined. “Never be embarrassed about asking questions, especially when you’re nervous.”
“Okay.” What could she say? He was right, of course. After all, it was her body.
She turned to face the pillow, and felt another delicious frisson of excitement as Heath’s hands ran from her bottom up over the arch of her spine and to her shoulders. The action forced him to lean over her, pressing his erection against her lower back. Back and forth he stroked his wide hands over her skin, warming her for more of his touch. She closed her eyes and leaned onto her forearms. Gradually, her muscles loosened, and she leaned back a little of her weight against his thighs.
“That’s it, Red.” His hands moved from her back to her chest, cupping her breasts and rolling her nipples.
She groaned, dropping her head and watching his tanned hands against her fair skin. The full weight of her breasts hanging down added to the pressure as he pinched her now pebbled and tingling nipples. A path of arousal traveled through her veins, inflaming her once more for his touch—and his dominance.
Without thinking, she went to move her arms and the hard steel restraints held her in check, the metal clinking in protest. Her clit pulsed at the reminder of her captivity.
“Easy to forget when there’s distractions, hey, Red?” Heath traced a finger down the curve of her hip. “Cuffs are convenient, but I’d like to see you in rope.” His hand moved to her belly, and lower, way lower, to her pussy. “Coils of dark rope on your skin, tying you down and open so I can take you anytime I’d like.” He teased her clit with his finger in short fast strokes, building the sensation until the muscles in her thighs started quaking.
“Oooooh.” Her head hung down, her hair blinding her as her heart beat wildly. She drew ever nearer to the point of release. Another minute. No more.
Heath wrapped his arm around her waist. “How’d you like that? I’d eat you out, have you come into my mouth.”
“Oh, fuck, yes,” she wailed.
Heath entered her in one driving thrust and didn’t stop.
She gasped, but had no time to adjust to his abrupt invasion. The forceful way he claimed her was a flame to her powder keg of need as he ground his cock over heightened nerve endings. Ripples grew to shudders. Muscles tightened. Breathing became harder.
“Yes,” she screamed, pressing her bottom frantically against him and shifting her knees wider, taking him deeper inside her. Desperate for more, she clawed at the bedcovers.
Heath chuckled. “Such a hungry girl.”
She wanted to growl, to bite, but he angled his cock to scrape over her g-spot. That was her undoing. She cried out with unabashed abandon as hot waves of bliss rolled through her with wickedly sensual devastation.
The muscles of her core gripped Heath’s cock, making his every stroke a firestorm of delight for her tender flesh.
But Heath was far from done. His rhythmic pushes grew shorter, more frantic. “Jesus, Red,” he ground out, “You test a man’s control.” The last words were a tortured groan as his body shook against her. His hardness pulsed with his release as the sound of his harsh groan of masculine satisfaction filled her ears.
Heath pulled out of her and rolled to his side, gently taking her with him, her back pressed to his front. He wrapped his arms around her, and together, their ragged breathing slowly returned to normal.
She turned at the feel of his stubble-covered chin rubbing her shoulder. Meeting his watchful study, she leaned in and pressed her mouth to his. Their kiss seemed to last forever, until Heath pulled away, reluctance clear in his gaze.
“I need to clean up.”
She gave him a lopsided grin. “We both do.”
“Then let’s do our bit for the environment and share a shower.” He reached over her for the key on the nightstand and undid her cuffs.
“I like your thinking.”
Heath raised his brows. “So you agree with me that order and method are superior over chaos and anarchy?”
“Pffft.” She rolled off the bed and headed to the open door of his master bathroom. “You know exactly what I meant, Detective.” She’d just cleared the doorway when Heath lightly spanked her bottom.
She whirled around, her hands clasping her backside. “What?”
“Thought I’d try acting on impulse for once.” His devilish smile did little to add credibility to his explanation.
Shaking her head, she went about getting herself cleaned up under the shower, which necessitated Heath using his fingers and tongue to get her somewhat…dirty all over again.
Fifteen fully satisfying minutes later, they were both lying on Heath’s blue patterned bedding. As he pulled the sheets and blankets over them, London snuggled against him.
Held loosely in his embrace, her head resting on his chest, she gave a contended sigh.
“Thank you.”
There was a pause before Heath spoke. “What for?”
“You held true to your word. You made everything okay.” She rubbed her check against the fine dusting of springy hair on his chest.
“Anytime, Red.” He tightened his arms around her and gave her a squeeze. “For you, anytime.”
And she believed him.
In just over a week, this man had swept into her life, challenged her opinions, made her laugh, and gave her the best sex of her life. And today, when her world had turned upside down, Heath was her rock. Even though she loved her family and knew she was loved in return, it was Heath’s company she craved, his safe embrace and protection.
Did they have a future together? How could she say just yet? But today’s catastrophes had moved her feelings for Heath well beyond curiosity and attraction into something bordering a far deeper connection.
Tomorrow would bring what it might, but tonight she was with Heath, and everything was okay.
CHAPTER NINE
London heard distant laughter and a child’s high pitched squeak. She groused to herself and snuggled into the pillow. And what was that smell? A rich aroma…
Coffee. Her vice of choice.
Forcing her eyes open, she uttered a sleepy moan. A blue and white cotton pillow case filled her view.
Heath’s room.
A quick check of the clock on his nightstand read 8 a.m.
She blinked. Had she really slept in that late?
Glancing down, she saw the maroon and white Manly SeaEagles t-shirt Heath had loaned her. But she wore no panties. Apparently for Heath, her wearing underwear is his bed was a bridge too far.
She huffed a laugh, remembering the way he’d stood there, arms crossed over his broad chest and denied her access to her duffel bag on the floor behind him.
Such a bossy man. And the fact he’d chosen a t-shirt showcasing his Manly team? No way was that a coincidence. Maybe she could prank him in return. She glanced around her, not seeing anything out of place in the tidy room. Maybe hide his toothbrush? Nah, that was too easy. There had to be something…Then her gaze landed on his tall dresser.
She sprang out of bed.
<
br /> A man who loves structure and order as much as Heath would have all his clothes organized into tidy sections.
The first drawer she pulled out revealed folded piles of underwear—all briefs. Next drawer down held pairs of rolled socks, a few handkerchiefs, and ties curled into circles so they resembled colored, silky swirls, and the two drawers under them housed t-shirts and sweatpants.
She rubbed her hands together and grinned. Operation Chaos Kicks Order’s Ass begins.
First up she widened a gap in the center of each rolled tie and used the handkerchiefs to make roses. Then she unrolled a few pairs of socks and planted them in between each layer of t-shirts. Lastly, she swapped half of his briefs with some of his sweatpants.
After closing the last drawer, she mentally high-fived herself for her awesome havoc-making skills.
Two photo frames on the top of the dresser caught her attention. Huh, she hadn’t noticed them before. One photo looked recent, taken at a party from the looks of the streamers and balloons in the background. Heath, Seth, and Adam appeared the same. The fourth man, with the same height and strong build as Heath and Seth—only Adam was taller—had long brown hair caught in a ponytail and his face partly hidden with a short, neatly trimmed beard. His short-sleeved black t-shirt only partially hid tattoos that started from his forearms and continued upward. The men were standing together, bottles of beer in their hands and looked relaxed in each other’s company.
The second photo was from long ago. Five teenagers crowded around a petite blonde-haired woman sitting in a wing backed chair. All were smiling. It wasn’t hard to guess four of the boys’ identities. The makings of their strong builds and handsome features were evident even as teens, with Adam and Zach, and to lesser degree Heath and Seth filled out. Another boy, smaller in build and height, and possessing the same coloring as the woman, sat on one arm of the chair, his hand resting on her thigh.
He had to be Dillon.
The brother who’d turned against them.
All because he refused to share his mom.
But the photo mattered. Heath kept it on his dresser. Maybe because it included Aurora, a woman she knew, from what he’d shared, he admired and loved. And lost.
London studied Aurora. With her hair swept up into a stylish bun, her silky cream top and trousers, and her understated gold jewelry, the overall image stated ‘class’. Joy lit up her face, her smile wide and her eyes bright. She was happy in this moment, with her sons. Her boys.
Sadness leaked into London’s heart like a lengthening shadow. How tragic for a woman with such a generous nature to be stolen by cancer.
She lifted a hand to pick up the photo.
“Hi, Miss London,” a child’s voice said from behind her.
London whirled around. A little girl, maybe four…no, five, held the bedroom door open enough for her small body to fit in the gap. Hazel eyes bright with interest scrutinized London.
“Uh, hi.” London managed to get out, thankful beyond belief Heath’s t-shirt reached mid-thigh on her. Soon, her shock gave way to a smile as she spied the kiddo’s yellow t-shirt with Girl Power on the front and matching yellow shorts. A ponytail held up her dark brown hair and was decorated with a ribbon the same light green as her sock-covered feet. “I like your t-shirt.”
Dimples appeared in the little girl’s cheeks. “Thanks. Auntie Harper gave it to me.” She advanced into the room, clearly not at all daunted conversing with strangers. “She’s Uncle Seth’s girlfriend.”
London turned to keep sight of the child as the little one climbed up on the bed.
“I’m Milly,” she shared. “Uncle Heath said you were sleeping. But I went to the bathroom and I heard a sound. Sleeping people don’t make sounds.” Her gaze flicked to London’s clothing. “That’s Uncle Heath’s footy shirt. He got that from Austrayleah.”
London smiled at the distinct Aussie way of pronouncing her Uncle’s homeland, although that was the only time she’d heard Milly stray into an Australian accent.
“My dad’s Zach. Me and him are having a sleepover at Uncle Seth’s new place. I’m going to play with Malcolm. He’s Auntie Harper’s kitty.” She glanced at the bed and back to London. “Uncle Heath said you had a sleepover last night.”
“Ahhh, yes. Yes, I did.” London knew from her four short years as a kindergarten teacher kids could pick up a lie from an adult in under a second. And they could also gain control of a situation just as fast.
She needed to reclaim the upper hand just like she had when teaching. Admittedly, she had been wearing underwear all those times and not standing in a man’s bedroom, but, hey, a girl has to work with what she’s given.
“I need to brush my teeth and get ready. You need to scamper, and when I join everyone, you can tell me about Malcolm.”
“That guy has all the females wrapped around his paw.” Heath lounged in the doorway of the bedroom looking sexy in black pants and a shirt the color of rich red wine, his black boots freshly polished. With his face clean-shaven, he looked about to head out to work.
And if she remembered rightly, hadn’t the guys scheduled some kind of meeting?
“Morning, Red.” He stepped close and tucked her to his side and dropped a kiss on her forehead, before turning his gaze on Milly. “Hey, squirt, Uncle Seth’s arrived, and he was carrying one of those pink boxes from Seven Dishes. My guess is muffins. But a warning…” His face turned somber. “Your dad and Uncle Adam were opening the box as I left the kitchen.”
“Yikes.” Milly slid off the bed. She made a dash for the doorway but pulled up next to London and gazed up at her. “I’ll try to save you some. If there isn’t enough, we can share.”
A burst of warmth filled London’s chest. How many adults, let alone a child, would think to share with a stranger? What an awesome kid. Normally, she’d refuse; not wanting to deny anyone a treat, but something told her Milly would be just as happy either way.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
With a grin, Milly ran off to seek out the spoils from Seven Dishes.
“Heath, she’s a fabulous kid.” She turned in his arms, smiling at the glow of pride in Heath’s face. “But, the guys will leave something for her, won’t they?”
He chuckled. “Her dad and Adam will tease her, but you can bet Milly will have her fair share of treats.” His arms circled her waist, pulling her close against him. “Zach’s worked hard to raise Milly right, especially as a single dad trying to cover all the bases. It would be easy for the rest of us to spoil her rotten, but that won’t help her in life.”
So Milly was adored but not overindulged. A perfect balance.
She wound her arms around his neck. “I didn’t get a chance to say this earlier, but”—with a finger, she traced the line of his jaw, catching the fresh, sporty scent of his aftershave—“good morning.”
“Let’s make the greeting official.” He dipped his head and took her mouth in a long, wet kiss that woke up her body in more ways than one. She felt warm and alive and open to his sensual caress as she pressed herself against him.
With a groan, he broke free. “Woman, keep that up and we won’t make it out of the room.”
True. And they did have Heath’s family in his kitchen. “I slept in. It’s now”—she glanced once more at the clock on the nightstand—“eight fifteen. You should have woken me.”
“Not a chance. You obviously needed to sleep, and I spent some time on the treadmill and then met with the guys.”
“You’ve had the meeting already?” Damn, she wanted to listen in.
“At seven. Derek’s on his way to Headquarters. Aidan and I will soon follow. Adam and Seth have a couple of things to cover here, then they’ll shoot off.”
“Will you get into trouble for being late?” So many people had already put themselves out for her. She hated the idea of Heath getting heat from his sergeant.
“No. I rang Avery last night, warned him I’d be a couple of hours later. After that bullshit with the news crew,
he understood.” Heath brushed a wave of hair from her shoulder and slid his hand behind her neck, his thumb stroking the skin below her ear.
She stretched her neck a tad, loving the heightened sensations of his work-roughened thumb on her sensitive skin.
Heath kept talking. “The house has four bedrooms. I use one. There are two spare bedrooms for family to crash in, and one’s converted to a gym / office space. Plus the living room. Set up wherever you want to write.” He lowered his hand and moved to the doorway. “I’ll give you the grand tour later. For now, get dressed and be prepared for a crowd.”
“Wait.” She stepped forward. “What crowd.”
“Zach and Milly are here for the morning. Your mum and Estelle are sure to turn up.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Last night, shit happened, luv. Your family and friends want to make sure you’re okay.”
People cared. Well, hey, she knew she was loved, but when a girl’s already feeling a little tender in the coping skills department, hearing that she mattered was like a fresh bouquet of kindness being delivered to her soul.
She blinked away a sudden moisture in her eyes. Ignoring the way the lines around Heath’s mouth deepened with his grin, she waved her hand in a dismissive motion. “Right. Go. Let me get ready.”
He shut the door behind him, but she heard the sound of his soft laughter from down the hallway.
London’s gaze landed on her tote, which held her phone. Pastries, coffee and visiting with family sounded fabulous, but first she needed to check her messages.
A few minutes later, she’d listened to voicemails from Harper, Jinx, Cleo, and her Gran, the last one containing various scenarios on how Estelle Shaw and her fellow seniors’ darts team members could protest at the local TV station for their ‘home invasion’.
London made a mental note to keep her Gran away from Adam, lest she get any ideas.
After clearing her messages, she purposely avoided checking her social media accounts until after coffee.
Because, hey, everyone knows coffee makes even the most complicated of situations a little better.
