Once Bitten, Twice Dead

by Bianca D’Arc

  “After the first few strokes, it’s going to be hard and fast, chère. Get ready.”

  She felt the tip of him at her entrance and wanted to scream when he took his time, despite the ominous warning he’d just issued. He slid into her an inch at a time, watching her as if waiting for her to object.

  But objections were the farthest thing from her mind at the moment. She wrapped her hands around his waist, holding on, urging him deeper as he slid forward another inch. Little by little, he claimed her body, filling her by slow degrees.

  Her body welcomed him, slicking the way as he began shallow thrusts to help his cause. He’d been right. She hadn’t had sex in a while. And she’d never had such a well-endowed partner. The consideration he showed in making sure she was ready was touching, and if she’d been in a more patient frame of mind, she would have appreciated it more. As it was, she was desperate for him and didn’t want to wait another second for the pleasure she was sure lay in store.

  Xavier was long and thick. The slowness of his entry made her gasp, and the final few inches had to be achieved by a combination of short thrusts and the application of his skilled fingers. One hand reached between them, coaxing her clitoris to increase her excitement even more. She was gasping for air by the time he achieved full penetration, ready and willing to take anything else he could dish out.

  He groaned, then stilled as if savoring the moment. Sarah was savoring it, too. She’d never been so filled. She felt conquered. Possessed utterly. It was a heady feeling.

  “Mon ange, you feel so good.”

  Xavier’s breath flowed over her senses in a warm wave as he drew closer. Everything about him felt right. From the width of his broad shoulders to the length of his massive cock, now claiming her in the most basic way. He was magnificent.

  “You too,” she whispered as he bent low for a quick kiss.

  He drew away, resting above her, propped up on his hands as he maintained his position inside her. Claiming her. Owning her body.

  “Now we begin,” he stated, holding her gaze as he began to move.

  He started out slow and steady, gauging her reactions by watching her face. Soon, though, the steady, measured pace increased to something wilder and more intense. Hard and fast, indeed.

  She was ready. More than ready, if truth be told, and met him stroke for stroke as he rocketed them both toward a climax that lay just out of reach. For now.

  Xavier was a force of nature, propelling them ever higher, ever closer to the pinnacle. His gaze grew hot and demanding as his lower body began harsh thrusts against her, into her, grinding them together in a way that lit her up like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

  “Come, Sarah. Come for me now,” he whispered, holding her gaze as she followed his orders, sliding right over the edge of the cliff and into oblivion as he pounded into her body below. She cried out, calling his name as she went straight into the most intense orgasm of her life.

  Her fingers racked down his back. She wrapped her leg around his waist, urging him on as her body convulsed under his. A few seconds later, she felt him join her. His body went rigid as his eyes shut against the strain. They savored the moment together as their bodies quaked with climax, fusing them as one.

  It was a long time before either of them moved. It was Xavier who came to his senses first. He’d dropped his weight mostly on top of her, though he’d tried to angle himself at the last moment so as not to smother her. She’d appreciated the effort. The man was huge and darn heavy, but she liked the feel of him too much to complain.

  He nuzzled her face and neck, placing little biting kisses on her skin before finally drawing away and pulling out of her protesting body. She’d no doubt be sore later, but it had been worth every second of discomfort for that blindingly bright climax. Never before had she reached so high.

  She watched indulgently as he removed the condom, holding it in one hand while he stood and tugged his pants up around his hips with his free hand. He’d never gotten around to untying those damn boots and stripping off those sexy camouflage pants. He tossed the condom into the trash, then came back over to the couch, looking down at her with an indulgent smile.

  “You okay?”

  “Never better.” She smiled at him, still hazy from the delightful orgasm he’d given her.

  “Never?” he teased, with an utterly male grin. “I like that.”

  She grabbed one of the small throw pillows that had fallen to the floor in front of the couch and halfheartedly threw it at him. He caught it with a laugh and set it aside. Then he turned to her and lifted her into his arms.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? I’m carrying you to bed.” He leaned in to steal a kiss as he walked down the hallway with her held tight against his chest.

  He paused only to shoulder-open the door to her bedroom, then stopped. She tried to read his expression as he saw her bedroom for the first time. She kept this place just for herself. It was her oasis of peace in an otherwise hectic life.

  The room was done in soft pastel blues, greens and purples with gauzy window treatments and a romantic flair. It was the one room in the house where she’d let her feminine side run wild. Yet the colors were peaceful. Tranquil.

  “What?” she prompted when he’d been silent a little too long.

  He refocused his attention on her, understanding in his eyes. “I like it, Sarah. The colors in here are very soothing and the swaths of silk all over the place are giving me ideas.” He waggled his eyebrows, making her laugh as he walked straight to the bed and deposited her in the middle of it.

  Good thing she’d opted for the king size. Xavier was too large to fit in most other beds, she was sure. Very deliberately, he reached into one of the many pockets on his fatigue pants and pulled out a handful of condoms, placing them on her night table beside the bed.

  “Ambitious, aren’t you?” She nodded toward the half dozen foil-wrapped packets.

  “I’m just getting started, darlin’. If we run out, I can always get more.”

  She almost giggled at his audacious wink. She loved the playfulness about him. He was both strong and funny—an incredibly hot combination she wouldn’t have expected.

  Xavier sat on the edge of the bed, making short work of the laces on his boots. He dropped the heavy footwear neatly next to the night table, then stood, meeting her gaze once more. His belt and the top button of his pants were still undone, his magnificent chest bare.

  “Allow me.” Sarah rose to her knees, facing him as his eyes smoldered.

  Reaching out, she lowered the zipper on his pants, unsurprised to find his cock already stirring. Xavier didn’t disappoint. He was already coming back to life, ready for more. She’d just give him a little incentive….

  Sarah pushed the pants and briefs down his muscular legs. Sitting back, she got her first real look at Xavier unclothed.

  Damn. It was enough to make a girl want to jump him on the spot. Good thing they were already in her bedroom.

  Xavier was solidly built, sexily muscular and devilishly handsome. He was also spectacularly well endowed, as she’d learned in their previous encounter. Seeing him stir under her avid gaze made her mouth water as she reached out for her prize.

  She took him in her hand, reveling in the way he hardened to full size under her fingertips. Leaning forward, she teased him with her tongue. She held his heated gaze as she licked the tip, sliding her tongue around the head.

  “Do it, chère. Take me in your mouth.” His low-voiced commands stirred her blood, daring her to follow his orders. Luckily, they were right in line with what she had planned.

  Leaning even closer, she closed her lips around him, taking him deep. She hadn’t done this often, but for Xavier, she’d pull out all the stops. He’d already given her more pleasure than she’d ever known. It was only right she do her best to rock his world, too.

  From the way he looked, she was doing a good job so far. She did her best to tease and tantalize. The
task that had started as a way to drive him wild soon had another effect. It made her want more.

  She liked everything about Xavier. His taste was surprisingly attractive and his scent deliciously masculine. His body was hard and fit in ways most men never achieved, and it was clear he took good care of himself. His body was another of the weapons in his arsenal. In this case, it was utterly devastating to the opposite sex, and Sarah felt good to be the woman causing the slight tremor in his limbs as she sucked him hard.

  His hands delved into her hair, holding her lightly, but she didn’t feel controlled or threatened as she had a few times before when she’d tried this with other men. No, Xavier made her feel safe. His touch brought excitement, not worry, and his responses made her squirm with her own arousal.

  When she drew away to admire her handiwork, Xavier surprised her by sinking down onto the bed and taking her in his arms. He kissed her deeply, as if he needed her like his next breath. He overwhelmed her, drowning her senses in the scent, taste and feel of him. When one of his hands roamed downward to slide between her legs, she knew he would find her wet and wanting, ready and willing.

  He ended the kiss, holding her gaze as his hand took possession of the area between her legs, cupping her, warming her, making her want him even more. She wanted to turn the tables. He’d overwhelmed her on the couch. This time, she wanted a chance to do something more than just lie there and take it—although that had been a glorious experience. This time, she wanted to give as good as she got.

  A little demon of mischief riding her shoulder, Sarah caught his attention with what she hoped was a sultry smile.

  “If I recall correctly, you said the silk hangings were giving you ideas. Did you mean…?” She licked her lips. “Were you thinking about tying me up?”

  She felt the flame leap in his pulse and knew she’d hit the nail on the head.

  “Would you like that?” His voice was gravely and pitched low, almost coaxing. Just the sound of it made her abdomen clench.

  “You know, they say turnabout is fair play.” She wondered if she could get him to agree to her daring plan. He looked willing to humor her.

  “You want to tie me up?” He sounded surprised.

  “I’m a cop, Xavier. I have a pair of shiny handcuffs on my belt that I’ve always wondered about.”

  “You’re kidding.” He didn’t sound appalled by the idea, much to her delight.

  She’d fantasized about using her cuffs on a lover since the day they’d been issued but had never found the right man to approach with her secret fantasy. Something told her Xavier was bold enough, and confident enough in himself, to let her explore some of the forbidden things that had crossed her mind from time to time.

  “I’ll even leave the key within reach, just in case. The question is, are you willing to put yourself at my mercy?”

  His answer was all-important. Did he trust her enough to let her do this? Was he willing to give over control to her? More than anything, the next moments would tell her if he was willing to be a true partner, willing to share control with her once in a while. That was the kind of relationship she’d searched for all her life and had never found.

  Until now? She’d know the answer soon enough.

  Instead of giving his answer in words, Xavier rolled to his back on the bed and held his arms out in front of him, hands fisted, wrists side by side.

  “Do your worst, Officer Petit.”

  His gaze held humor, adventure and something much more tender that touched her heart. She went to get the cuffs.

  He wasn’t sure why he was doing this. Never before had he been with a woman he was willing to make himself helpless for, but Sarah Petit was breaking all sorts of new ground with him. He saw deeper into her psyche. He knew her background and all about her family. He also knew the kind of person she was—driven to succeed in a family and a profession that had been dominated by men.

  She needed to know he was willing to let her drive more than just the car. He had to pass this little test of loyalty and trust or they’d go no further. It was clear to him, though she probably didn’t even realize what she was doing herself. He could see her need for his respect and trust.

  Maybe it was because he knew more about her, thanks to the mission and his need to read the investigative report on her background. The result was that he knew her better than any woman he’d ever had. Even the woman he’d thought had been the love of his life. In reality, he hadn’t understood what made Heather take the job in Manhattan that kept them so far apart so much of the time.

  He still didn’t understand it. No more than he understood why she’d had to die in such a senseless act of aggression.

  Sarah came back to him, a sexy little grin on her face. Damn, she was beautiful. Strong yet vulnerable, confident in her abilities, yet unsure of herself as a woman in so many ways. She was a fascinating dichotomy. A complex woman, a puzzle he wanted to figure out.

  Sarah Petit was definitely getting under his skin in a big way.

  “Are you okay with this?” She came up beside him, taking one of his wrists in her hands. She was so petite, the contrast of her small, feminine hands to his big paws brought home to him what she was asking. She wanted him to give over control. It was something she’d probably never be able to wrest from him by force. It was a gift he had to bestow.

  He drew her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. “I’m sure, mon ange. Be gentle with me. It’s my first time.”

  She laughed, as he’d hoped. “Your virginity is safe with me, sweet cheeks.” She expertly trapped one of his wrists in the mechanical silver cuff.

  “I sense you’ve done this before.”

  “Used the cuffs?” She paused to meet his gaze. “Plenty of times on criminals. Never on a lover. So you’re my first, too, in a sense.”

  “But you’ve been thinking about it.”

  “Once in a while. I mean, come on, they’re handcuffs. There are all kinds of jokes about handcuffs and sex.”

  “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a BDSM kind of girl.”

  She tilted her head as she stretched his arms over his head, taking hold of his other wrist before wrapping the smooth metal around it. She was thinking hard, which surprised him.

  “I never thought of it that way. I’m not into pain, but I will admit to a fascination with these darn silver cuffs.”

  “It’s the idea of power that turns you on.” She looked at him sharply. “That’s not a bad thing, chère. Being in control is something I can totally understand.”

  The look of relief on her face was enough to tell him he’d said the right thing. He was willing to give it a try if she wanted it and he could tell she did. When those locks had snicked home, they’d both gotten a little thrill, he’d felt it.

  “Keep your hands up there. Grab on to the poles in the headboard if you need to.”

  “Yes, mistress.” He winked at her, liking the way she jumped a little at the strange title. Then she smiled at him. Damn, she was gorgeous.

  “Be a good soldier and let me rock your world, Captain.” She straddled him, dragging her breasts over his chest, following with her lips.

  She teased him, taunted him, and made him hotter than hell in the process. Her lips were everywhere, sucking and placing little nibbles on his skin, his nipples, his belly button and, ultimately, his aching cock.

  He loved what she was doing. He’d never had a woman concentrate on him so completely. Usually, he was the one running the show when he made love to a woman. This was entirely new to him. Lying back like some sultan in a harem, being pleasured by his woman. Well, only if the sultan was tied up and the harem consisted of only one, very special female.

  It was enough. She was enough. Sarah was more woman than he’d thought. He’d underestimated her passion for life, her willingness to take risks. From reading her file he’d thought he’d known what made her tick, but those cold psychological analyses and performance reports hadn’t told him everything. No, there was a whole mys
terious side to Sarah that was proving delectably fascinating.

  If anyone had told him yesterday that today he’d be handcuffed and at Sarah’s mercy, he wouldn’t have believed it possible. At this point, with her lips wrapped around his cock again and her hands exploring every inch of his body, he was oh so glad life could still surprise him.

  “Watch out there, chère, or you’ll get more than you bargained for,” he warned as she sucked him. He was getting too excited. He needed to cool down a bit or there’d be nothing left for her.

  She took the warning, coming up for air with a devious smile. “Can’t have that,” she chastised him. “I’m having too much fun for this to be over so soon.”

  “Me, too, mon ange. Me, too.”

  “Good.”

  She covered him like a blanket, rubbing all over him with that luscious, curvy body of hers. Damn, she felt good.

  “I don’t want to be the only one having fun here.”

  “No chance of that, Sarah. You’re a born seductress.”

  “You think so?” She gave him a sideways look.

  “Oh, I know so.”

  “I’m not doing anything wrong? Anything you don’t like?” She was teasing him with her little questions, but he enjoyed the playful banter.

  “I like it all, sweetheart. You know I do.”

  “You know what? So do I.” She rubbed her pussy right over his straining cock and he nearly exploded right there. “Screw this. I can’t wait any longer.” She reached over to the supply of condoms he’d deposited on the nightstand and grabbed one. A quick trip downward on his body and she had him in her hands again as she sheathed his cock in the thin layer of latex.

  He grunted when she positioned herself over him and slid down, ramming his cock up inside her deep, fast and hard. He hadn’t expected that at all. It was really different letting her control the speed, depth and force of penetration. Sure, he’d had women ride him many times before, but he’d never been chained up while they did it. That took his indulgence to a whole new level. Always before, he’d been subtly guiding the woman, and he’d known he could flip her over in a second and be right back in charge again. Not so this time.