Trisha shifted out of reach.
Zach grabbed Gordy’s wrist before he could touch her. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Tension stretched around the table, intensifying with each heartbeat. Trisha glanced between the two men, unsure of what either would do at this point. She’d seen the way Zach reacted earlier when a man grabbed her, but Gordy was equally dangerous. She had a few mental and physical scars to prove it.
Gordy jerked from Zach’s grasp, sat back glowering.
Zach merely tossed a cold smile across the table. Trish sucked in a breath. As if sensing her agitation, Zach gently kneaded the tight muscles in her neck.
Emboldened by Zach’s support, Trish met her ex-husband’s lecherous gaze. “You’re violating a restraining order.” She held up her phone. “I’ve already dialed.”
Surprise flickered through Gordy’s irises. “That bit of paper is the least of your worries, bunny.”
Zach raised a hand and signaled for someone. “I think the lady would like you to leave.”
Gordy stood and straightened his clothes. “You really have no idea, do you, Trisha?”
When he laughed a chill formed in the pit of her stomach.
He glanced at Zach. “I can’t wait until she finds out the truth, Zach. She won’t even see it coming.”
Trisha swallowed. She was not going to let her ex bait her with innuendo.
“You still believe in fairytales, bunny? I always liked that about you. You always see the good in everyone.” He leaned close and smiled when she shrank from him. “I may not be the particular villain in this story and Zach may not be the hero you want.”
She trembled, yet again thankful she wasn’t alone, but what did Gordy mean?
“Enough,” Zach said with a growl.
Gordy drifted his gaze over Trisha’s face. “I’d say you’re right. I’ll be in touch.”
“This way, sir.” A thick slab of a man stood behind Gordy. Security was emblazoned in white letters on the front of the black t-shirt.
“You never fail to surprise me, Zach. I wonder if I’ll tell her first.” He strolled away, the security guard trailing in his wake.
A long moment passed before either of them spoke. Trisha looked down at her hands and realized she still clutched Zach’s arm. Tiny indentations from her fingernails remained just above the cuff of his sleeve.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...”
He silenced her with a fingertip against her lips. “No worries. Are you okay?”
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
When he held her hands, she realized she was trembling. Zach stroked a caress against her skin.
“Did you want to leave?” He held her gaze.
“I think a little laughter may help.”
He nodded and continued his soothing touch.
She relaxed against him, relishing the safety of his arms. Seeing her ex had shaken her more than she cared to admit. If she’d had to face him alone—the last time that happened, he’d thrown her down a flight of concrete stairs—he wouldn’t have been so pleasant.
As if sensing her thoughts, Zach swept his lips to her ear. His warm breath reignited her earlier desire.
“You’re safe with me, beautiful.” He nuzzled her neck. “I promise I won’t let him hurt you.”
“But what if he’s the one who sent that picture?” She twisted her head and met his gaze. “Gordy always said he’d make my life miserable. And I know he’s planning something.” She shuddered. “I don’t understand why no one called me. Shauna should’ve at least given me a heads up.”
A decidedly drunk female from the audience on the far left heckled the comedian onstage. Laughter erupted from the crowd when the performer fired back.
“I don’t know why she didn’t warn you. Did she say anything when you called her the first time?”
“Only that he was still locked up.”
“You could always call her now and find out what happened.”
Trisha nodded. “Yeah.” She slid off his lap. “I’ll be back.”
Zach followed her progress up the aisle and toward the corridor announcing the restrooms. The last thing he expected was an appearance from Gordy. Zach made no attempts to disguise his dislike for the other man.
For a long time he knew Gordy was cheating on Trish and Zach tried to drop hints without being intrusive. Of course he had an ulterior motive for wanting Trisha to find out about her adulterous husband, but she didn’t need to know that. He needed to earn her trust and telling her that he knew about Gordy or that they were cousins would not help him do that.
He stared at the empty corridor, waiting for her to reappear. When the top of her curly auburn hair came into view he relaxed. He had plans to continue seeing her after this weekend. He needed to see her and he hoped she felt the same.
She stopped in front of the table and tilted her head to the side. Her hair flowed about her shoulders to curl just beneath her breasts.
“Miss me?”
He grinned. “More than you can imagine.” He stood and grasped her hand. “Did you get in touch with her?”
“Didn’t need to, she left like six messages on my voicemail and there were a few from the county prosecutor’s crime advocate person.” She shook her head. “They’ve been calling since yesterday afternoon. Not once did my phone ring. They probably left messages for me at my shop too.” She blew out a breath. A burst of laughter surrounded them. Life revolved around her while it seemed her weekend got worse and worse.
Zach cradled her cheek. “Hey. Don’t worry about him. I’m glad I’m with you and there’s nothing Gordy can do to scare me away from you, okay?” He held her gaze.
Trisha studied him a long moment. Sincerity shone in his eyes as well as a hint of an emotion she’d seen before, but hadn’t deciphered. Knowing he was willing to stick by her settled some of her anxiety. She nodded.
“Why don’t we get out of here? There are a couple of things I’d like to show you.”
Chapter Six
The ride to the hotel was subdued. Trisha stared out the window, watching the lights from oncoming cars brighten and then fade into the darkness. Zach squeezed her hand. When she turned he stared straight ahead, yet his fingers moved restlessly. She laid a palm against his cheek. He faced her.
“You seem worried,” she said.
He shook his head. “No. Well, maybe a little bit.”
Her heart thudded. “About?”
The car halted at a red light.
“I need some air,” Zach said. “You up for a walk?”
“I suppose.”
Zach reached up and pushed a button. The privacy shield whirred and lowered. “Jonas, make a stop at the beach please.”
“Yes, sir.”
A few moments later Trisha slipped from her shoes and ambled across the cement, still warm from the day. Zach kept pace beside her. They walked in silence. Cool air blew in from the water, bringing the scent of fried food and garlic to her nostrils. She shivered and he whisked off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
They continued a little farther.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
He stroked a lock of her hair before winding it around his finger. “The last couple of days have just been everything I imagined and so much more.”
Pleasure stole through her at his words. “Despite having to deal with my ex and his crazy friend?”
He chuckled. “We all have a past. I don’t want this to be the only time we’re together.”
She held her breath. Did she even dare to think he wanted more than a few stolen days?
“I care a lot about you, Trish.”
“Zach.” Oh no. Don’t let this be a proposal. While she wanted a happily ever after, she didn’t want to totally relinquish her single state. She was open to the notion of shacking up.
He faced her and the vivid desire in his eyes stole her breath. She stumbled a step
back, but he was fast and pulled her close.
“No. You need to know this. I do care. I have for a very long time and I believe you feel the same way, but however we decide to do this, I want a relationship with you.”
She stared up at him, her heart constricting at his admission. She moistened her dry lips and noted how he followed the flick of her tongue. “You take my breath away.”
He swept a curl from her cheek before stepping closer. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
****
Exactly how deeply did he care for her? She studied his profile, his strong jaw more relaxed than when they first exited the beach. She rested her head on his shoulder and he tightened his arm around her. A sigh whispered past her lips.
“Okay?”
“Yes.”
“Good. There’s a small matter we need to discuss,” he said. His voice was soft, yet held a hint of danger to which her body instantly responded.
She lifted her head. “What’s that?”
In one swift motion Zach pulled her across his lap and jerked up her skirt. Cool air skittered across her exposed cheeks, increasing the immediate ache between her legs. He caressed her buttocks, his large hand warm as he moved his palm over her skin in a circular motion. Trisha couldn’t stop a moan from escaping.
“You’re not wearing any panties.”
She squirmed, twisting her head and blowing her hair from her face to look at him. “I thought it would get your attention.”
He brought his hand down. The slap was loud enough to fill the silence of the limo but not hard enough to hurt, yet everything in her clamored for more. She pushed against the hand cupping her warming butt cheek.
“It most certainly did.” And he swatted her again, before rubbing his hand against her stinging flesh. He stroked her swollen slit, which earned him another moan. “Did I find something you like?”
“You know you did.” She wiggled and he placed his forearm across her shoulder blades.
“I like you just like this.”
“Well, someone is going to see.” Despite her protest, she didn’t want him to stop. There was something decadent and wickedly sinful about being laid across his lap waiting for him to spank her.
He wound a handful of her hair around his hand and gently tugged her head back until she met his hot stare. “He’ll keep driving until I tell him to stop or we run out of gas.” He claimed her mouth even as he plunged his fingers deep.
She whimpered while riding his hand. He withdrew and delivered three stinging swats to each cheek. The sensations he created alternated between sharp upward blows and soothing caresses. She craved more with each stroke of his hand. Once more he found her clit. He circled the hidden bud, teasing her, driving her wild, and just when she thought he would send her over the edge, he withdrew his fingers, lowered her skirt and returned her to a sitting position.
“No!” she practically wailed. She’d been so close to orgasm and he’d stopped.
He chuckled. “A few more minutes won’t kill you.”
She shifted on the seat, clenching her thighs together in an effort to relieve the ache. Facing him she pressed her body to his, her breasts tight against his chest as she straddled his lap. He held her hips, preventing her from grinding against his hard bulge.
“It might.”
He chuckled. “You can wait. I have such plans for you.”
“But I don’t want to wait.” How could he sit there so calmly when every cell in her body yearned for his touch?
He moved his hands to cup her breasts. “But waiting heightens the anticipation.”
She moaned when he swiped his thumbs over the taut peaks. “So not fair.”
“No?”
She stared into his eyes, which were alive with passion and excitement. He made her feel so good, and the insides of her thighs were slick with her heat. She ached to have him inside her.
“Then we’ll do this your way.”
A calculated gleam flickered beneath the passion in his eyes and Trisha swallowed. She’d seen that look before, last night in the club. What did Zach have planned this time? For one long, breathless moment his gaze stayed riveted on hers. He released her.
“Take off your clothes.”
She stiffened, glancing around the empty moving limo. He couldn’t be serious.
A cocky smirk creased his lips and he winged a brow. A silent challenge. Well, she’d show him.
Squaring her shoulders, she unzipped and wiggled out of her dress and was rewarded by a quick flash of his teeth. She struggled with the hook and eye on her bustier, before discarding the lingerie. Cool leather cradled her skin.
He reached in the ice bucket and held up a cube. With a smile, he rubbed the ice against her lips, before kissing her. The cold melted away as his hot mouth warmed her. She moaned when he dragged the ice across one nipple until the peak ached and throbbed, then did the same to the other. His mouth followed and she placed a hand on the back of his head. She hissed when his teeth nipped the sensitive tip. He slid off the seat, wrapping his arms around her waist, poising her on the edge of the cushion.
He knelt between her thighs, allowing his cold fingers to slide into her hot wet pussy. She closed her eyes. She never knew how much heat she produced until he wiggled his fingers inside her.
So good. “Zach.”
He pushed her thighs wider as he grabbed another ice cube and rubbed it against her clit. She arched against him as he moved the ice in and out of her, whimpering when he thrust it deep. The cold permeated every cell of her body. He moved up her body, his mouth sucking the hard peaks of her breasts as his fingers thrust another cube into the welcoming depths of her body. She moaned, his teeth grazing the underside of her soft globes.
“That’s it, baby.” He fumbled with his pants, jerking them off and rolling on a condom. He slid on the seat beside her and drew her into his lap. “Ride me, sweetheart. Show me how hot I make you.”
She straddled his thighs as his large hands went to her breasts and squeezed the amber globes. Slowly she lowered onto his length. The heat of him sent a shudder through her body as she slid down, settling him deeper.
He dipped his head to her breast, tugging the nipple with his teeth. She moaned as she lifted her hips and slid down again. He drifted a hand over the curve of her hip before landing a stinging slap on her bare ass cheek.
“You like that, don’t you?”
“Yes.” A shy smile creased her lips as her hair fell over her shoulder. He wound the tendrils around his fist.
He sucked hard on her nipple as her hips bucked. She dropped her head on his damp shoulder as a wave of pleasure so intense swamped her and dragged her under, tumbling her over and over before sending her floating on a choppy wave. He flipped her to the seat, drawing her legs over his arms, and thrust deep.
She tried to squirm away from his rough thrusts, but his fingers held her in place taking each shuddering stroke of his hips. She gripped his arms, arching her back as he moved in and out, scraping already oversensitive folds. A keening cry escaped her lips as she spasmed around him, and he climaxed pulsing deep inside her, chasing away the last of the cold. He collapsed beside her, panting.
“It can’t be like this all the time.” She stroked his back.
“Why not?”
He rolled to his side, pressing her against the seat cushions, tangling her legs with his. He spread her hair against his arm.
“Well, you either have the coveted handbook on how to please a woman or I’ve been doing something wrong.”
“You’ve done everything right, much to my enjoyment.” He rolled her nipple between his forefinger and thumb. She arched against him. “And as far as that handbook, I listen.” He swirled his tongue around her tit and she sighed. “When I do that or this…” He stroked her clit and a shudder whispered through her body. “You want more, but this…” He tickled the underside of her arm and she tried to wiggle away. “Totally turns you off.”
“Wow.”
> He pressed his lips to hers. “You drive me crazy.” He eased from the seat and discarded the spent condom.
She smirked and propped her head in her hand. “Likewise.”
He tossed her a grin over his shoulder. “You should get dressed. We’ll be at our destination soon.”
Trisha glanced out the window and realized they were nowhere near their hotel. “Where are we?”
“I thought my place would provide you with a little more peace of mind.” He motioned for her to turn around and he hooked the clasps on her bustier.
“Your place?”
“Yeah. I thought we’d finish the weekend there.” Vulnerability clung to his eyes. “I hope that’s okay?”
She leaned over and kissed him. “I’d love to see your place.” She wiggled into her dress.
“Would you now?” He zipped her dress.
“I’d like to see if you’re the proverbial bachelor.”
“Are you in for a surprise.” He smoothed a curl from her face. “You look like you’ve been ravaged in the backseat of a limo.”
She chuckled.
“I can’t wait to go inside and do it again.”
”Ready again?”
He grabbed her hand and placed her palm over the bulge in his pants.
“I...”
He placed a finger against her lips. “I want you and when I get you inside I promise you’ll beg for me to satisfy you.”
She parted her lips and sucked his finger in her mouth. His eyes widened when she swirled her tongue around the tip. She let the digit slide from her mouth and scooted closer to the door. Holding his gaze she tucked a curl behind her ear. “I’d love to see you try.”
He flashed her a wicked smile and she knew she was in trouble. Despite her bravado she wanted to see exactly what he would do to make her beg.
The car lurched over a speed bump as it entered the parking structure, made a wide circle around the pillars, then came to a smooth stop beside an elevator. She slipped her shoes on just as Jonas opened the door. He spared her a cursory glance. Heat touched her cheek, though if he realized what had transpired in the backseat he gave no indication.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“You’re very welcome.”
Lust and Bound Page 7
