by Roxie Odell
None of my business? Ouch. The remark stung. How she let herself become so vulnerable around the guy, to the point where he could hurt her feelings, she had no idea. He was quick to help her during the robbery, and that had her thinking there was something extraordinary about him, but ultimately, he didn’t do anything beyond what almost any passerby would do. Of course, not every intervening stranger would have handcuffs, but still… Apart from the fact that he was super good-looking, with that rusty-golden hair, months of overgrowth that probably looked even better than when he first stepped out of the barbershop, she guessed, there was nothing special about this man.
Pissed at his arrogant, nonchalant attitude, she lurched across the two-top, put her hands on his rock-hard chest, and gave him a firm shove.
Thomas didn’t move much, but his eyes sparkled with alarm.
“Dinner’s over, and since you apparently have all the money you could ever need I’ll let you get the check. Thanks for the food.” She collected herself and waltzed out of the restaurant, feeling furious and emotional, as if her whole world had been turned upside down.
She exited and made her way onto the street, with no real plan. Thunder growled across the sky, and the asphalt was pooled with water here and there, as the rain was coming down faster than it could drain off the pavement. Her anxious mind immediately imagined the danger of wading into those puddles while a brutal electrical storm crackled and raged above.
As quickly as her drenched and sloshy feet would carry her, she hurried back to the metro station. The power was out there, thanks to the bloomin’ storm, so she made her way to a few cabs that had lined up along the curb. She was soaked to the bone by the time she reached the third cab, the first two already full and pulling away from the road. The next was occupied as well. Could she not catch a break, anywhere? The rain beat down harder and harder, pummeling her and making her feel even more pathetic, like an absolute loser.
A hand touched her shoulder.
She knew it was Thomas before she even turned around. If not for the sad, punished-puppy look in his eyes she would have ignored him. Instead, she stared at him for a moment, blinked a wayward raindrop out of her eye, and asked tiredly, “What do you want?”
“My place isn’t too far,” he said, his voice rumbling like the distant thunder. “Come on.”
She had no idea why on earth she followed him, but they trotted a block or two, hand in hand, through one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. While it was experiencing some resurgence, the place did have a reputation for violence.
Cheri was skittish when Thomas, still holding her hand, pushed through the wrought-iron gate to the fencing that guarded his lot. Conceivably, lightning could strike the gate and travel through his body and into hers. The gate itself made his house look ominous, like something right out of a horror movie. Her imagination, anxiety, and plethora of phobias worked overtime when she was on edge, and now she was about to walk into the home of a guy she didn’t know.
Sure, she wanted to know him, but she knew that didn’t mean she should.
Chapter 4
His house looked like a magnificent, old, gothic structure, as much as Cheri didn’t want to admit it. The bricks, vivid red, were awfully clean and crisp for such an ancient building, so she assumed they might have been blasted and painted over. Through the stormy gray light, she saw some of the windows were draped with tarps, while others boasted proper window dressings.
Apparently his house, like so many others in the area, was under restoration.
They stepped inside to a slate landing. Thomas flipped a switch to illuminate the gorgeous living room. It was painstakingly appointed with furnishings that suited the house, including a stunning sleigh-bed sofa, the centerpiece of the room.
“Wow,” remarked Cheri. “This is lovely.”
“Thank you,” he said. “Let me get you something dry to wear. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but stay put.”
She warmed with amusement, and let go of the sulking and fear for a moment. She might be annoyed with him, but if she was honest with herself she wasn’t truly scared of him. And there was something charming about the fact that he took pride in his home, that he didn’t want the rain dripping off her to ruin his precious work.
Thomas disappeared and returned shortly, holding a thick robe and an even thicker towel. Amazingly, in that short time he’d also managed to change. “Go on and change in there,” he said, pointing to a powder room off the entryway. “I’ll put your stuff in the dryer, assuming that’s safe,” he offered, looking down at her soaked clothes.
“Yeah, I try to avoid dry clean only. Too much work, and never enough time.”
He laughed. “Me, too.”
Cheri slipped into the powder room and locked the door. It was a beautiful little room, wallpapered in an ornate striped print. The rug was thick beneath her feet, and the space was perfect, like her own personal little spa. She stripped down to her panties and quickly slid her arms into the plush robe. She normally wouldn’t put her bra in the dryer, but she had no choice this time, so she wadded it into the other clothes. Silly as it was, she couldn’t bear the idea of him seeing it.
“Have a seat. I’ll just be a moment,” he said casually when she walked out and handed the bundle of wet clothing to him.
She felt slightly vulnerable in his robe, but the appreciative glance he gave her before turning to put her things in the dryer made her smile when his back was turned. He might want to try to avoid her, but it wasn’t going to work now. Not while she was in his house, her clothes in his possession.
She moved to the living room to try out the wonderful-looking sofa. Upholstered in velvet that was the same color as the brick of the house, with golden undertones, it was a sumptuous piece of furniture, designed to fit the human body perfectly, and it swallowed hers up in instant comfort. Damn, if I had this couch and that bathroom, I’d never leave the house, she thought, wearing a satisfied smile. She could have easily drifted off to sleep, it felt so cozy after being drenched in the rain.
While she relaxed on the luxurious sleigh couch, she studied the detailed construction of the room and realized it had been recently refinished. Wow. If he did this, he’s about as handy to have around as a plastic surgeon, she mused. She also realized he was something of an artist, for the craftsmanship was beautiful.
Cheri didn’t want to make herself too comfortable, though, so she tried very hard to remember she was at odds with this guy who refused to help her when she needed him most. She decided to stay only till the rain let up and her clothes were dry. Then she would order a cab and go.
“Would you like some coffee?” he asked. “Nothing goes better with a rainstorm than a fresh, hot cuppa joe.”
Despite her resolve to make a quick exit, she was weak at his first invitation. “Sure,” she said, albeit a bit reluctantly.
“Great,” he said with a grin.
Just as quickly as he blurted that word, Cheri changed her mind. She fished around in her backpack for the papers that had been served her, so she could show Thomas the complaint. She was being sued for wrongful damages, slander, and future earnings. The gunman claimed Cheri had injured his ability to look for work. If he prevailed, she stood to lose everything; in the end, if he won in court, he would rob her after all. “On second thought, I’ll pass on that coffee,” she said. “I would like to call a cab, though.”
“Not this again,” he said, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Can we please have a conversation? I mean, I’d at least like to tell you why I can’t help.”
“You had your chance to tell me before, and you just fed me calamari and bullshit.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just… The restaurant wasn’t the right place or time. Besides, you have to stick around a minute. Your clothes are still tumbling.”
I’d like to tumble you, mister! Cheri thought angrily, quickly losing patience with him. “I have a dryer at home,” she replied anxiously. “I can’t sit here and
drink java with the one person who could help me but—”
Thomas interrupted her by abruptly moving his face as close as possible to hers, but he didn’t kiss her as she thought he would. “I’m a convicted felon, out on parole,” he said quietly. “I pulled a gun on that bastard and took his. Double-jeopardy, honey.”
“Huh?”
“At one point during that little ordeal I was in the possession of two guns, when I’m not even supposed to carry one.”
That information both calmed and chilled her. While she now perfectly understood why he couldn’t speak up for her, she wanted to know what felony he had committed, and she couldn’t help worrying that she’d been lured into a criminal’s trap. It was a struggle to fight off her panic, and she pondered if she had to she could handle running out to the street in just a robe. She formulated an escape plan as her body shook with fear.
“You’re starting to squirm,” he said quite clinically, like a doctor examining her.
“Well, yes, I would; wouldn’t you in my position?” The devil part of her brain wondered what position she could have him in, and squirming. The mental picture was extremely pleasant, and hot.
“Yes, I suppose, but that was exactly why I didn’t tell you the first million times you pushed.” Thomas took her into his arms and held her tight, threatening to kiss her again for medicinal purposes, just like he’d claimed before. “Cheri,” he said assuredly, “you’re entirely safe with me. I’m not going to hurt you.”
His voice had softened from its normal booming baritone, and she knew she had insulted him and hurt his feelings with her obvious fear and paranoia. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” she said, sounding as understanding as she could, even though she was still a little afraid.
“Well, if you must know, I stole a check from a guy,” he said somberly. “I worked for a very wealthy man, a real cocky son-of-a-bitch. My crew and I busted our asses for him after he came to us with a sob story and a sweet deal. He said if we finished this project on time, he would make it more than worth our while.”
“And he didn’t hold up his end of the bargain?”
“Well, we came through for him in spades, did a beautiful job that basically saved his ass, but he gave us the shaft. I was pissed, so I broke into his office, stole a check, and used it to pay myself and my guys. We didn’t take one cent beyond what he owed us, not a damn cent.”
“Okay,” said Cheri, “but why not tell me before? Were you afraid I’d judge you for that?”
“That doesn’t matter. I judge me for it,” said Thomas. “That’s the long and the short of it, and I really don’t wanna talk about it anymore.”
“Got it,” said Cheri softly, quite relieved to hear she wasn’t wearing the bathrobe of a rapist or murderer. “I should still probably go.”
“I understand,” he said, with a smoky look in his eyes. “I really wish you wouldn’t, though.”
The sadness on his beautiful face tugged at her heart. He was there for her before when she needed him, during the robbery and when the train broke down. Now, it was clear that he needed her. The pull between them intensified tenfold, and Cheri was irresistibly drawn to him.
She lifted her chin just enough to signal to him that she was receptive. In a slow, steady motion, he leaned toward her, lowering his face to hers. When his lips touched hers, she knew it was the moment she had yearned for since the last time they’d kissed. This kiss was different, though. This time, she could practically taste his vulnerability. She felt him trembling as his large, strong hand brushed the side of her face with whisper softness.
Thomas crawled onto the sleigh couch beside her. He gripped her legs beneath her knees and pulled them over his thighs, never disconnecting from her lips. He pressed the cup of his hand against her buttocks and drew her up onto his lap. Her robe fell open, exposing her naked thighs. She was aware of their incredible softness as Thomas stroked them with his work-toughened hands. His fingers skated upward, beneath the plush terrycloth, until his hand found her derrière.
“I’m taking this way too fast, huh?” he asked, leaning his forehead against hers.
“If you’re uncomfortable…” she said, finding their uncanny physical chemistry irresistible.
“You’re not?” he asked in a low, sexy voice.
“I’m not,” she said. “I want this, Thomas.”
“I’m not saying I don’t,” he rasped.
Her robe gaped even more, revealing most of her breasts. His eyes riveted there, on her chest, and he couldn’t resist cradling her. He took one of her nipples to his lips and rimmed it gently with his hot, wet tongue.
“Damn, Cheri,” he muttered, his face pained with restraint.
Cheri pressed his shoulder, forcing him to lean back against the sleigh frame. She pushed the robe off her shoulders, and it fell to drape around her hips. She knew she was blessed with a great body, one she took good care of, and she reveled in sharing it with him. She liked the look in his eyes as he gazed at her hungrily.
“So sweet,” he muttered.
Cheri cupped her own breasts and kneaded them while she undulated on his magnificent form. He was completely clothed, but she needed to change that. She dipped her fingertips under the worn fabric of his t-shirt and pushed the soft cotton upward, revealing sun-bronzed skin stretched over an incredibly muscled, lean physique. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. She was a very fit person, but in contrast to his Greek god-like build, she felt doughy and soft.
Eager to touch her in every way, with every part of himself, Thomas helped her undress him. He lifted his body and pulled his shirt completely off. Cheri ran his fingers over the expanse of his chest, a bit surprised to find that she’d never felt skin so soft. She leaned down to kiss him and caught a whiff of whatever soap he used. It almost smelled like baby oil, and she instantly loved it.
While she toyed with his mouth, teasing his lips and tongue with hers, his fingers found her. They were hot beneath the firm curves of her buttocks, then quickly moved to the soft, wet folds hiding there. Thomas obviously knew his way around a woman’s body, but he took things more slowly than expected and did not penetrate her right away. Instead, he traced her, played with her. He moved his pressured touch, slowly and lazily, making her body flow with pleasure.
Cheri moaned against his lips. Her breath rose, and she was a little self-conscious that she was breathing so hard against his face, but he didn’t let up. He ran his fingernails lightly across her skin, sending electric curls throughout her. He took one pebbled nipple between his teeth and gave it a tug.
Cheri cried out as he flicked his tongue mercilessly at the imprisoned tip. She writhed beneath him, begging for him with every squirm, especially when she felt his powerful erection against her belly.
He fumbled with his belt, his fingers nicking her, teasing her petaled flesh. Soon, he was kicking off his jeans. She lifted to allow him to free himself entirely. As she did, she felt the smooth, naked skin against her soft flesh. She rocked, grinding against him hungrily.
He took hold of his own hardness and put himself inside her. She arched and looked to the ceiling as her body adjusted to his girth and length; he was quite well-endowed. Finally, she looked at him through passion-filled eyes. Thomas brushed her hair from her face is it fell forward.
Cheri planted one foot on the floor and took hold of the back of the couch. She pumped up and down on him, completely and without inhibition. Every so often, she swept her hair down on him, letting it brush across his chest and abdomen.
“Oh damn, woman,” he groaned and let out a gasp.
She lifted her head and saw a half-smile on his face. He took hold of her silken strands, occasionally tightening his grip. His face contorted; he was lost in a dimension of sweetness. She gave another short thrust, just to hear him moan again.
Blinded by passion and pleasure, he reached for her and took hold of her hips. He worked her back and forth, controlling her rhythm, then slowed her pace s
o their loving would last longer. “Look at me,” he commanded in husky voice.
Cheri locked her gaze on his, and they were entranced with one another as she rocked him. He pressed his thumb between her legs as he worked her body into a frenzy, till she was totally at his mercy. She felt herself shift to ecstasy beneath the body of her felonious cowboy. Her body was lit with the ultimate transformation. She, too, was falling into a sexual high.
“Not yet,” he said, letting up a bit.
She quivered with erotic impatience as he stopped touching her, leaving her tension to simmer. They laced their fingers together as she rode him, but she wasn’t sure she could hold off much longer.
Realizing how badly she needed release, Thomas touched her again. The blood rushed her ears, and the room warped and spun as she began to ascend to what promised to be a powerful orgasm. She took hold of his hand as his thumb worked her. She guided him with purpose, until ripples rolled from deep within her.
“That’s it,” he said in a deep, honeyed voice, a coaxing that seemed to come from someplace far away. “Cum for me.”
He pinched her nipple with just enough firmness to make her draw up more tightly around him, rocking with powerful tremors. Her belly and channel were consumed with spasms that gripped him sweetly, pulling moans and groans out of them both.
Cheri slumped slightly as she was immersed in rapture. That was his cue, and he hammered his powerful body into her, stoking her pleasure beyond her wildest imagination. She had never been so sensitive, so responsive. He pounded into her like the storm that raged outside his home. He held her while he swung his hips, tumbling into his own orgasm with everything he had.
When she regained herself somewhat, she pushed off the floor to pump powerfully against him while his cries filled the room. She was relentless, knowing that every little move she made was like sugar to him. She mixed her movements, rocking her hips this way and that, gyrating until his cries died down and their pleasure passed.
Cheri straddled him for a moment longer, with her hair strewn all over her face. He pushed it away so he could see her, but he said nothing and only offered a smirk.
