WindSwept Narrows: #13 Charity, Faith & Hope

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “You alright, Faith? I saw Charity here…” He gestured to the sandwich, lifting the remaining half and biting down hungrily when she pushed the plate at him.

  “She’s moved in with Nico,” Faith said with a smile that turned a little crooked when she reached over and lifted several pieces of something off his shirt sleeve. “They’re so cute together. There’s such an amazing aura around them. What in the world have you been doing?”

  She’d never seen him out of a fancy, well pressed suit and tie. But here he was. Sleeves rolled up and a few buttons open down the front. And looking sexy as hell, she decided.

  They had a nice weekend. Only problem is, he never made another foray into anything remotely resembling their make-out session on her sofa. Both sides of her were arguing whether that was a good thing or not. He’d kissed her. And the man had some seriously good kisses, she recalled, sighing deeply.

  “Moving stuff in the office…” Dominic shook his head, one palm up and raking his hair haphazardly into place. “The movers dropped off boxes this morning so I brought the office things in and have been trying to organize books and get the computer online. How’s your day going?” He glanced at the buckles on her shoulders. Today she wore one of those typical tees she liked but over it was a form hugging pair of jean coveralls rolled to her knees and a pair of dark brown leather boots.

  “Pretty good. Managed to corral some idiot trying to hack our game computers,” she shook her head. “Always gotta try those back door cheats. I want tech to get to the point when I can send something back along my trail and fry his system,” she told him with a little growl.

  “Fierce little thing,” he said with a chuckle, biting down on a slice of apple and standing up. “I’m after a tall ice something before more work,” he watched her stand up and leaned in to kiss her before she could move away. “How about coming over and helping me unpack?”

  “Alright…I can bring pizza,” she promised with a grin, though there was a little frown in her eyes when she noticed a couple women checking him out. She moved closer, her arms around his neck and mouth on his for a long, slow minute. “Just incase anyone thinks you’re available,” she told him with a nod, taking her tray and striding from the cafeteria with a jaunty sway of her hips. She didn’t see the women’s reaction nor did she hear the low, deep chuckle from Dominic as he went in search of something very cold to drink.

  Faith had the two medium pizzas in her hands as she pressed the button to the elevator. He’d sent her the address along with easy directions and she parked outside the bright new apartments, the wild smell of the ocean and low tide sweeping through her as she rode the glass elevator to the top floor. She tapped her boot on the door, smiling at him as he held it wide for her, the scent of hot melty pizza filling the room.

  “This is beautiful, Dominic,” she left the boxes on the table and went to the patio doors, hands up to shield her eyes as she peered out into the Sound. Couldn’t see much at all, but she knew it was there somewhere. “And it’s very large…I love skylights…I bet in the summer you can see hundreds of stars and planets twinkling all above you,” she stood in the middle of the room, head back peering up into the dark skylight.

  Dominic shook his head, the smile on his face relaxed. She was back to her normal self. It had only taken a few days before she relaxed around him again. She always had something to talk about, whether she was cursing someone for messing with her code or they discussed how so much was crooked with every government out there. Nothing was off limits and nothing was boring, he realized after three days.

  Faith had finished some pizza and walked around reading labels on boxes. She lifted one and carried it along the hall, finding the master bedroom. She stuck her head around the corner, her grin teasing and voice meant to provoke.

  “You stopped making your bed.”

  Dominic stood up and walked slowly toward her. “Some girl asked me once who I was trying to impress with a good housekeeping bed,” he watched her backing carefully out of his reach.

  “Some girl, huh?” Faith pondered just how dangerous it could be to bait a wolf, keenly aware of the predatory gleam in his eyes as he moved lithely around the room.

  He seemed to sense a change in the air around them. There was a sparkle in those blue eyes teasing him, baiting him to play. He was big enough to shove boxes out of the way with his foot, his body shifting when she made a move to cross over the bed to the door.

  “Are you afraid of me, Faith?” He asked, sounding casual even as he checked her move in the opposite direction. He watched her narrowed gaze, one hand up and a finger raised as she considered his question.

  “I…well…I think not for me…” she saw the follow up question when he raised one brow slowly. He licked his lips. She definitely felt like the bunny. “When you came to the arcade…I was afraid for Ryan…he’s a friend…and he’s male…but that doesn’t mean he’s…he’s not competition…”

  “But you aren’t afraid of me,” he pressed, again countering her move and grinning at her mounting frustration.

  “No…no, I don’t think so…although there are times…like now…when I worry about being dinner…” She mumbled, ignoring the deep sexy laughter.

  “For what it’s worth…I don’t see you as food…and I never did,” he assured her, his voice low and soothing. “However, tasting you is really close to the top of my list of things to do with you…or to you.”

  “Oh, good…” she dragged her tongue around her lips, biting down on the corner of her mouth. “You know my friends…I have friends that are guys, Dominic…”

  “I know…and I know you, Faith,” he told her honestly. “I trust you. I wouldn’t ask you to give up your friends, regardless of their gender. I think we both have the same meaning to the word relationship and it means exclusive to one another,” he saw her eyes darting around the small space he was leaving her.

  “You’re boxing me in,” she whispered, eyes narrowed.

  “I certainly am,” he agreed, showing her that feral grin that sent a tremor though her. “Can’t let my prey escape after taunting me like you’ve been doing the last few days…”

  “Taunting you?” Faith knew the instant she let him divert her attention she lost the little breathing room she had. All or nothing she decided with an irrational attempt to sprint over the large surface of the bed, a loud girly scream filing the apartment when he snagged her around the waist and they rolled toward the foot of the bed.

  Faith closed her eyes, willing her head to stop spinning. Her arms were pinned at her sides and his knees were holding them tightly in place.

  “I have not been taunting you, Dominic,” she said, her tone a low growl as she wiggled beneath him. “And using your…your wolf skills and…and size…”

  “All’s fair in…” he began, meeting the narrowed blue eyes, dark gleaming circles refusing to release her. He reached up with both hands, opening a buckle on each of her shoulders. “I don’t believe you’re even aware of how much you taunt me, Faith.”

  She was about to speak when he crossed his arms over his chest, pulling the tee shirt he was wearing up and dropping it to the floor. Faith knew there had been words in her head but now they all seemed to be involved in mentally cataloguing his broad shoulders and olive tinted skin. She was working real hard to avoid letting her gaze sweep lower than his shoulders, drawing her tongue around her lips.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Putting us on a level footing, clothing wise,” he answered casually, perching above her and watching her work through his comment.

  “We aren’t…”

  “Not yet,” he agreed, sliding carefully back to rest atop her thighs, freeing her hands. Before she could react, his hands had the buttons on her side open and the tee shirt she wore pulled free, up and over her head. He dropped it to join his on the floor. They’d both taken off their shoes before having their pizza.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Dominic took her hands in his
, raising them above her head and stretching out at her side. He liked the wild look of anticipation in her eyes and knew she was remembering the evening on her sofa. He held both her hands in one of his, while the other one worked the open coveralls over her hips, pulling both legs until they were below her knees. His foot rose to send them the rest of the way with a rustle of heavy fabric to the floor.

  “Now we’re on an even footing,” he murmured, drawing his finger over the lacy edge of her bra. “Want to wager for another piece of clothing?”

  Faith saw the hungry gleam in his eyes. “Either way you come out pleased with the ending.” She felt a molten hot spot begin forming when he flashed that feral grin at her. “And it’s hardly fair at all…why shouldn’t I get to touch?”

  “Hmm…a very good point,” he said gruffly, definitely liking the idea. He stifled a groan when he felt his body tighten, her knee rising limberly and pressing against his erection. So much for having the control.

  He lowered his head, dragging his tongue hotly and moistly around the scalloped edge of her bra, inhaling all the scents she’d collected through her day, including the one that was keenly Faith.

  He released her hands, allowing her to turn on her side and face him, her arm bending behind her to open the clasp. He followed her movements, an easy and limber set of slim fingers took the narrow strap down her arm, rising up just enough to remove the other side, the flimsy piece of nylon and lace dropped over the side of the bed.

  He allowed himself to stare for a minute, taking in the rounded feminine shape of her breasts and small pink nipples. He lifted his hand, one finger out to trace a very slow pattern where the connection was, watching her gasp slightly when his finger went over the delicate looking wrinkles.

  “We appear to be on uneven footing, Dominic…” She whispered when she was sure her voice would work against his jaw, trailing her kiss over his throat to his ear. “Your move,” she challenged, nipping his ear lobe with a pinch of her teeth.

  It was then Dominic realized how much he was coming to thoroughly enjoy their play. That’s what she had told him was missing in his life. He accused her of not growing up. The play was what kept that special part of your world alive and rich with flavor and color. Faith held all those magical colors in her hands and had become that part of his world.

  The taut muscles of his stomach went rigid when her palm slid down his chest. Slender, agile fingers helped the button free on his jeans. Part of him yelled that it was about time! They had become barely tolerable the instant she began playing in the bedroom.

  “Dominic…” Faith stopped her hand from moving, letting it rest on the waistband of his jeans. She laughed softly, her hand moving to stroke over his face when she glimpsed a brief streak of male panic in his eyes. “I’m not stopping this…unless we have a problem…” She brought her tongue to her lips when he didn’t seem to get her meaning. “I’m not on birth control,” she breathed a sigh of relief at the same time relief filled his gaze. She followed the direction his eyes indicated.

  “I promised I wouldn’t hurt you, Faith,” he said hungrily, taking her hand and returning it to his jeans. He gave up trying to hold onto a groan when she pushed gently on his shoulders, rising up just enough to let her palm stroke over his chest, onto his stomach and letting her fingers trail around the band at his waist.

  He pushed his elbows behind him, dark eyes following her as she moved to perch on her knees. She drew one finger down the solid evidence, fascinated with his reaction and her own power. She met the half shielded eyes.

  “You like to watch?”

  “Will that bother you?” He returned, his voice husky with need.

  “I don’t know,” she told him, her lips curling slightly in thought. “I guess we’ll find out…” She traced one finger around his naval and then slid it over the zipper, tugging it down in one swift movement. “I think it’s amazingly erotic,” she whispered seductively.

  Dominic was positive there was something in her answer he should address but right now, his higher functions were seriously abandoning him. Faith slid off the bed, her hands on the legs of his jeans and pulling them slowly off until they fell to the floor. He stared at the curving package that was Faith, the high riding, firm breasts, narrow waist and hips with deep blue lace hugging the high curve of them. He’d never seen her like this and only just realized how small she was.

  Faith decided she seriously liked the power he was letting her play with. There was a heat inside her building as she stood between his feet, her hands caressing heavily along the long, muscled legs, covered with coarse, dark hair. She could see the heavy male outline and swallowed hard, each of her hands on the edge of his boxers with a gentle tug, pulling them down his legs and stepping aside to let him kick them free. She didn’t look up at him, her knees sliding onto the bed as her hand reached out to trail a very light touch over the pulsing erection.

  She liked the shape of him. Strong and much bigger than her imagination had drawn for her, she bent forward, drawing her tongue up and over the clear drop lingering in the center of the velvety cap. She only met his eyes when the deep, masculine groan broke the silence in the room.

  “Dominic? I…I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Faith swallowed the yelp when his hand came up to grip the back of her neck, pulling her over him, his mouth hungrily initiating a series of invasive, hot kisses that removed all thoughts that she’d done something harmful.

  Faith lay over him, her elbows at the sides of his head and hands tangling in his hair. He let her control the kissing department for the moment, his hands desperate to feel and learn each and every curve of her. She groaned softly into his mouth when his fingers gripped her behind, pressing her hard against him, letting her have just enough movement to rotate and tip her pelvis for the angle she wanted. She could feel the hot moisture building between her thighs, felt it dampen her panties and groaned again, the nylon fabric helping her slide over his hardness.

  “Faith…Jesus…I want you,” he breathed against her throat, his hand gripping her hips and moving them along his shaft.

  She pushed against the bed, going to her knees at his side and leaning back to open the drawer of the nightstand, her hand inside and feeling around. She came out with a foil packet in her palm. She knelt at his side, opening it carefully and studying it for a second before moving her hands over him, stroking one palm down his length before using both hands to sheath him. She liked the deep sounds he made when she was preparing him and moved to lay over him again, the center of her panties moved to the side.

  “Faith…I’m not sure…”

  “Shhh…let me play, Dominic,” she asked softly, rotating her hips and feeling the tip of him gliding down between their bodies. She watched his head fall to the bed, his hands clenched on her thighs as she rotated her hips in another direction, sliding over him several times before she felt the hardness find the hot, slick entrance.

  A shudder raced through her, a fullness she’d never felt before began building as her body lowered itself onto him. She raised and lowered her hips slowly, letting her moisture guide him. She could feel her insides adjusting, taking him deeper, holding him tightly.

  “Faith…” Dominic gripped her waist, stopping her. She was too tight, too taut. The sight of her atop him dragged another groan from inside him, her chest rising too quickly as she tried to breathe and adjust. “Slow, honey…slow…”

  “Touch me, Dominic…like…like you did the other night,” she asked plaintively, her hands on his to steady herself. “It’s okay…it’s doesn’t hurt…it’s so…strong…hard…I’ve never…”

  “I’m figuring that part out, Faith,” he said, his teeth grinding against one another with a moan, working to keep his body from surging upward in demand.

  He moistened his fingers, using the pads and stroking, pressing and making her shiver in anticipation, her body arched forward, demanding more. He couldn’t stop watching her, eyes mostly closed and her lower lip held between her teet
h. He’d have to ask her why, but not right now.

  A flush of color and warmth was spreading along the lean, runners body. He wanted to touch her breasts but didn’t want to release his hold on her hip. He wasn’t sure she wouldn’t hurt herself by going for too much too quickly before her body was ready for him.

  A fleeting thought of the best laid plans went through his mind right before he’d evidently struck the breaking point. Her head went back, eyes squeezed very tightly closed and her body sent itself out of his grasp, her knees split a little further, sending her down against him. He felt all of those feminine muscles in her walls contracting, squeezing and rippling over each hard inch of him.

  Dominic lost track of everything but Faith drowning him in sensual pleasure. His body surged at her invitation several times before a low, guttural groan filled the room, his hands denting her hips to hold them in place for the explosion.

  Faith had no idea orgasms could feel so fantastic. Her hands fell hard against his chest, her breathing ragged as her body moved against Dominic. It was most definitely a unique sensation having a man inside you. His hands were on her hips the instant after her body sunk itself fully over him, gripping him and pulling him along for the ride.

  She swore she heard him growl but didn’t want to look. It would take too much energy right now. Her body seemed to melt against him, laying her head on his chest and listening to the hard pounding of his heart, her breathing slowly steadying out.

  The always moving part of her mixed with rampant curiosity when her brain began to perk again. Faith very slowly, very carefully, straightened her legs out over top of him, without releasing him from the hot, tight prison trapped in the center.

  Her feet nudged his slightly apart and a tiny giggle broke free when she felt his hand move to the back of her neck to cup her head in his larger palm. He groaned in protest once and once more when she flexed those internal muscles. She quickly found herself blinking up at the ceiling, elbows shoved behind her to see his large body striding into the bathroom, a low growl following him. Man had some serious muscles and she swore he moved like a large, graceful wolf.