by Radclyffe
“Doesn’t feel too bad.”
“You may have a bruised kidney.”
“Don’t think so. Had one before. Flipped the Jeep after an IED went off just in front of me. Peed blood for a week.”
Sky’s stomach tightened further. Loren was a soldier, then and now. She knew that, but thinking of Loren hurt, seeing her hurt, tore at her. She rested her fingers lightly on the center of Loren’s abdomen. “I’m going to find you some Tylenol, and then you should try to get some sleep.”
Loren shook her head. “A shot of Jim Beam will do just as well, and you can get that right in the minibar. I’m sorry.”
Sky narrowed her eyes. “Sorry about what, exactly?”
Loren grinned as much as she was able. “Sorry I didn’t get in a follow-up shot before that bastard clocked me.”
“That’s what I thought.” Sky braced her arm on the opposite side of Loren’s chest to keep her weight off Loren’s body and leaned down until their faces were very close. “We’re here to do a job. You need to be well enough to go on that gun run. You need to stop with the macho routine. If it hadn’t been this guy, it would’ve been Ramsey. You’ve been challenging everyone with a dick for days.”
Loren’s eyes flared. “Maybe because everyone with a dick has been trying to get over on you.”
“You have to expect that.”
“And you have to expect me to stop them.”
“I’m not interested. They know it. You ought to know it.”
“Can’t help it. Makes me crazy.”
“You make me crazy too.” Sky skimmed her mouth over Loren’s. “I don’t want you to be hurt. So stop.”
“I thought of something I need besides the Jim Beam.”
“What?”
“You. Lie down with me.”
Sky laughed softly. “Loren, baby. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t think you’re capable of moving anything, so whatever you’re thinking—”
“I’m thinking I want my mouth and my hands all over you.”
Sky flamed inside, and for a second, she couldn’t think. She took a breath and reason came flaring back along with her temper. “You’re crazy. You’re in no shape to be propositioning me, and even if you were, this is the wrong time and the wrong place and the wrong—”
“It’s not wrong and you know it.” Loren coughed slightly and winced. “Okay, possibly the wrong time. So that’s why I’m only suggesting you lie down with me. The rest of it we can wait on a little bit.”
“Oh, can we?”
Loren hooked a finger in the neck of Sky’s tank and tugged until Sky was forced to lean down. Loren’s mouth skated over hers, surprisingly sweet and incredibly soft.
“I’m done waiting,” Loren whispered. “Soon as I can move more than this finger, I’m taking you.”
“Maybe I’ll have something to say about that.”
“Say it now, Sky,” Loren murmured. “What do you say?”
Sky stretched out on the bed as slowly and carefully as she could. She rested her arm across Loren’s hips below the bruised area. She ought to know how to handle this, but she had to admit she didn’t. She couldn’t handle Loren any more than she could handle what she felt. All she was left with was the truth. “Yes.”
Chapter Twenty-six
Loren opened her eyes at midday on New Year’s with Sky still asleep beside her. She lay still, breathing slowly, wanting to savor the weight of Sky’s hand resting on her chest. The possessive spread of Sky’s fingers on her skin sent sweet tendrils of pleasure coiling inside her, precious tethers she feared to break. A few details of the last part of the previous night were a bit fuzzy, but she remembered enough to work out that, all things considered, she was feeling better than she deserved. When she took a deep breath, a muscle twinged in her rib cage, but that was nothing she hadn’t lived through before. Pushing up to a sitting position took a bit of effort, and her lower right side burned. Torn muscles, probably an inflamed nerve or two. But she was moving all fours, her head was clear, and she was hungry. All positive signs. She’d live. And a little pain was a small price to pay for putting that asshole in his place. She didn’t regret punching his face in for a second.
All she’d been able to see had been his grasping fingers digging into Sky’s arm as if she were a piece of meat to be passed around to whoever wanted a bite. Men had been looking at Sky with greedy eyes since they’d walked into the casino. At least back in Silver Lake, the Renegades accepted Sky was with Loren and had kept their distance, but here, just about any woman who wasn’t glued to the side of a biker was fair game. And, of course, most of the men from other chapters thought Loren didn’t have the right to claim a woman, being one herself. She should’ve known better than to let their attitude get to her. She should’ve been used to it, been cooler, kept a low profile. But where Sky was concerned, all bets were off. Sky elicited something primal from her deepest recesses, roused some instinctual possessiveness from a place where reason had no rule. Sky could take care of herself, she knew that, but she couldn’t stop the soul-deep need to protect her, to claim her.
Loren brushed her fingers lightly over the crimson strands that clung to Sky’s cheek and admitted she had a problem. She’d told herself she didn’t need to be known for so long, didn’t need to be touched by anyone who truly saw her, that she’d come to believe it. She’d believed her mission, her objective, her duty, was enough to satisfy. She’d never lied to herself and wasn’t starting now. Sky had changed all that. Others only saw what she allowed them to see—the soldier, the biker, the outlaw. Sky had insisted on seeing past the façade, being on the inside, touching Loren with no pretense between them. And without truly believing she was capable of it, Loren had fallen in love.
Loren eased from the bed and made her way into the bathroom. A hot shower would help smooth out the cramps in her muscles and give her time to figure out what to do about this new revelation. Falling in love wasn’t in the cards. Not part of her game plan, and certainly not now. Sky would leave, needed to leave, and the sooner the better. In fact, Loren had to do everything she could to get Sky to leave. Now more than ever. For the first time in her life, something mattered more than the mission.
Loren tilted her head back and let the hot water beat against the bruises on her face, ignoring the pain, welcoming the sharp clarity. The night before, she’d been ready to take Sky—had been consumed with the need to claim her. She hadn’t been thinking, she’d only been driven by urges so deeply ingrained she couldn’t have contained them had she wanted to. Now she was thinking. And she was done being selfish. Every day Sky remained exposed, the danger grew.
When the shower door opened and Sky stepped inside, Loren knew she had only seconds of restraint remaining before her body took control. She turned her back, braced her arms against the wall, let her head drop forward. Water cascaded around her like a screen, and she tried to pretend she welcomed the barrier. “I’ll get out of here in a second and give you a little more room.”
“I didn’t get in here so you could leave.” Sky pressed against Loren’s back, her firm wet breasts a teasing torment. Her hands came around Loren’s waist as she stroked Loren’s abdomen in slow circles. “How are you feeling?”
Loren opened her eyes and watched Sky’s hands move up and down her torso through the veil of water. Her thighs clenched and her nipples tightened. Usually when she was in bed with a woman, her goal was to pleasure, gaining her satisfaction from that of her bedmate. Not so with Sky. Never had she ached for a woman’s touch the way she craved Sky’s. She shuddered. “You make me feel so good. I love your hands on me.”
“I love touching you.” Sky kissed the back of Loren’s shoulder and pressed tight against her ass. “And I don’t plan on stopping—but you still need to answer the question, McElroy. How do you feel?”
Loren turned and her breasts glided over Sky’s. She moaned, her thighs trembling, and sagged against the shower wall. “Like I never want you to stop touch
ing me.”
“Oh yeah. You are so gorgeous.” Sky’s eyes widened and she caressed Loren’s face. “You make me so crazy hot just looking at you. I want to touch you so bad—wanted to since the first second I saw you.”
A flash of heat rolled through Loren’s pelvis. “I’ve never felt better in my life. And I’ve wanted you since the first second I saw you sitting at the bar like you owned the place.”
Sky braced her hands on the shower wall and carefully let her body rest gently against Loren’s. She had to feel her, had to be connected more than she’d ever needed anything. “Not too sore?”
“For what?”
Sky smiled and caressed the dragon that curled around Loren’s torso and invited her with every one of Loren’s quickening breaths. “For what I have in mind.”
Loren’s lids lowered and she arched under Sky’s hands. “I guess you have to show me and we’ll find out.”
Sky sucked in a breath, cupped Loren’s jaw. She kissed her, tasting crystal water and liquid heat, sliding her mouth over Loren’s, drinking her passion and reveling in the power to pleasure she’d hungered for all her life. She wanted Loren weak with satisfaction under her. “I want to make you come. I won’t be able to stop.”
Loren gripped her shoulders, pressed her down. “Then don’t. Please, don’t.”
Sky dropped to her knees and rested her cheek against Loren’s belly, gathering her fractured control. She didn’t want to rush, feared she wouldn’t be able to contain her need. She kissed Loren’s navel and muscles tightened beneath her cheek. A tremulous shudder coursed through Loren’s body and she moaned. Piercing desire eclipsed Sky’s reason, suffusing her with blinding need. Her hands, her mouth moved by primitive direction, seeking and giving, reveling in the incredible touch and taste of Loren’s body. She pressed her palms to the inside of Loren’s thighs, opening her, easing her shoulders between Loren’s legs, supporting her as she made way for what she wanted. Loren was hot and wet and swollen and ready for her. When she took her into her mouth, Loren bucked against her face. Sky grasped her ass in both hands, held her steady, and took her slowly. Time halted, every sensation coalesced into pure pleasure. She tasted and teased and stroked and sucked until Loren groaned and fisted a hand in her hair.
“Going to come, Sky.”
Sky closed her eyes and waited for the moment she’d wanted since the first moment she’d seen Loren. When Loren came in her mouth, she knew a completion sweeter than she had ever dreamed.
*
Cam lay on the sofa in the loft with her head in Blair’s lap, enjoying Blair’s look of relaxed pleasure. They’d spent the morning perusing the newspapers, discussing the latest movies and books and current events. Neither of them had mentioned Cam’s imminent trip to the West Coast.
Blair set the book review section aside and ran her fingers through Cam’s hair. “You’re staring.”
“Mmm. Awesome view.” Cam rubbed her cheek against Blair’s middle. “You look great.”
Blair laughed. “Despite my advancing years?”
“Feeling your age?” Cam frowned. “Maybe I shouldn’t have kept you up so late last night.”
“Please.” Blair snorted. “Who fell asleep first?”
Cam grinned. “I was going easy on you. Thought I’d give you a break.”
Blair leaned down, kissed her. “Is that what you call it.”
“I like you happy.”
“I am. Really.” Blair sighed, coiled a lock of Cam’s hair around a finger. “But I keep expecting a call from Lucinda at any moment with an update on my father’s itinerary and instructions as to when I should report for duty.”
Cam smiled wryly. “You’re probably right. It is the new year, after all, and the campaign year is upon us.”
“I really should call her. Wish her a happy new year. I should call him—since I only talked to him a second last night.” Blair shook her head. “I’m such a coward. I know if I do, I’ll get her too.”
Cam raised a brow. “You think?”
Blair laughed. “Don’t you?”
“I try not to think about other people’s personal lives, especially not the president of the United States.”
“Even when he’s your father-in-law?”
“Especially then.” Cam reached over for the last of her coffee and took a sip. “It can’t be easy for either of them, if what you think is true.”
“Not when the public believes it has a right to know everything about you.” Blair grimaced. “I understand it. I understand the imperative of elected officials being accountable, but the boundaries between what should be private and what is rightfully public knowledge don’t seem to apply to him. Or anyone close to him.”
“You don’t have to campaign with him,” Cam said. “I don’t care if you drop out of sight and neither will he. No one knows me, except in relationship to you. We could disappear.”
“Are you complaining about being a celebrity spouse?”
“Not at all,” Cam said seriously. “But if you want to get out, we can move, find someplace where you can paint and keep a low profile.”
“Believe me, I’ve thought of it more than once. But I’m proud of my father and I think what he’s doing is important. If he believes I can help him, then I’m going to.” Blair leaned over, kissed Cam hard. “And despite my occasional complaining, I’m proud of you too. What you do is important, and you’re not replaceable. I’m sticking.”
Cam sat up and slid an arm around Blair’s shoulders, tugging her close. “Thanks. Just remember, no matter what you decide now, in the future, if you need to back off, make space for yourself, we’ll find a way.”
Blair rested her cheek against Cam’s shoulder. “I know you mean that, and that’s all I need. To know that you’ll be there no matter what.” She kissed the side of Cam’s neck. “You will, won’t you?”
Cam kissed her. “Always.”
Blair played with the button on Cam’s shirt. “When are you leaving?”
“First thing in the morning.”
“Then let’s not talk about politics or duty or anything else for the rest of the day.”
“All right. What would you like to do?”
Blair grinned.
“Besides that.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
“With luck, we can get out of here later tonight,” Loren said. “If we hit the road by midnight, we can be home tomorrow night.”
Sky focused on her in the misty mirror above the vanity in the small bathroom. The air still undulated with heat, and her skin steamed, inside and out. The surface of her brain burned, her thoughts scattered embers of sensation and desire. She couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything other than the way Loren had felt against her mouth, under her hands, so pliant and open and incredibly hers. She watched as Loren pulled a towel off a shelf, rubbed her hair, and tossed the towel aside. Muscles rippled in Loren’s shoulders, her dark hair feathered in sensuous strands along the taut column of her throat. Swallowing the sudden lump of desire that threatened to choke her, Sky said, “What?”
Loren’s gaze grew heavy and she stepped closer, reaching around Sky’s body to loosen the towel she’d knotted above her breasts. Pressing against Sky’s back, her arms wending around Sky’s waist, Loren whispered against Sky’s neck, “We can beat the crowd home. I want you alone for a while.”
Sky reached back and threaded her fingers into Loren’s hair. She couldn’t get enough of her. She wanted to be touching her everywhere. She wanted Loren touching her everywhere. “Ramsey won’t care?”
“By tonight, he’ll be too into the party to care who goes where.” Loren breathed in the scent of vanilla shampoo and the lotion Sky had just rubbed on her arms, the kind they always stocked in hotels, but on Sky the aroma was as erotic as expensive perfume. Moisture beaded between their bodies, and when she cupped Sky’s breasts, the nipples hardened in her palms. “Then again, we’re alone right now.”
“Loren,” Sky whispered, a desper
ate sound that might have meant stop or more.
“Right here.” Loren edged back, turned Sky with her hands on her hips, and kissed her. Sky arched into her and Loren filled her hands with smooth, hot flesh. Sky’s fingers dove into her hair again, tightening, tugging, telegraphing urgency and desire. Loren kissed down Sky’s throat, lifted her breast into her hand, and slipped Sky’s nipple into her mouth.
“Oh God,” Sky groaned.
Sky’s head fell back and her thighs parted. Loren pressed a leg between Sky’s, a welcoming heat flooding over her skin. “Right now.”
“So good,” Sky breathed, her eyes barely open, hazy and heavy-lidded.
Loren held her breasts in both hands and kissed between them, licking and sucking, edging her teeth over oh-so-sensitive flesh until Sky cried out.
When Sky slid a hand behind Loren’s neck and pressed Loren’s face harder to her breast, Loren slipped a hand between them, found Sky open and wet, and filled her.
“Yes,” Sky hissed between clenched teeth, pressing down against Loren’s hand, drawing her deeper. “Yes. Right now.”
Loren surged within her, desperate to hear her sobs of pleasure, wild with the tight, slick invitation to take, to own. Her mind blanked, her heart beat furiously, she gave herself to the blinding need to claim. “I want you. I want you.”
“Oh God,” Sky cried, surprise and pleasure ringing in her voice. “You’re making me come.”
Loren drove her through her orgasm, and while Sky still pulsed and thrust against her hand, she dropped to her knees and took her into her mouth. Sky’s startled gasp brought the blood pounding furiously in Loren’s head, and she took her with her mouth and her hands, over and over in one long swell of desire, until Sky pushed weakly at her face. “Stop, please, no more, I can’t.”
Loren closed her eyes and rested her cheek against Sky’s thigh, drinking in Sky’s soft sobs of satisfaction. Finally, she rose on trembling legs, pulled her close, and kissed her. “You’re amazing.”
