Once Bitten, Twice Dead

by Bianca D’Arc

  She should have known it before. She wouldn’t have given herself so completely to him without deep feelings on her side of the equation. She just wasn’t built that way. She’d never had a one-night stand in her life.

  Did Xavier feel the same way about her? She wasn’t certain, but she knew he cared, at least in some way. He’d come after her. He’d been angered by the sight of where she’d been held by Sellars. Of course, that could just be guilt over not sparing her from being abducted. He was a natural-born protector, a defender of the innocent. It wasn’t surprising he’d be disappointed that something had happened to her on his watch.

  It had seemed like more, though. When they’d stood in front of that operating room window, it had felt like something that ran much deeper.

  “Xavier…” She didn’t know how to say what was in her heart or if she should. A declaration might not be welcome. She didn’t want to ruin the moment or pressure him into saying something he didn’t feel.

  “Anything you want, baby. Tell me and it’s yours.”

  Now that was tempting. What she wanted most—well, that was a pie-in-the-sky dream. She wanted his love.

  She’d settle for his body.

  “I want you, Xavier.” She turned in his arms, dislodging his hand as she wrapped her fingers around his neck and dragged his head downward toward her lips. “Don’t make me wait.”

  Their kiss was tempestuous, filled with the roiling emotions of the past hours. Sarah nearly climbed up his body, wrapping her leg around his hip and rubbing against him like a cat in heat. Oh, boy, was she in heat. Xavier was burning her up.

  “Wait, chère.” He tried to slow her down, but she wanted none of it. “Let me take you to the bedroom.”

  “No. I can’t wait. Now, Xavier. Do me now. Here.”

  He didn’t question her again, merely pushed the loose waistband of the scrubs pants down over her hips. They fell to the floor with little resistance. Sarah kicked them out of the way while Xavier lifted the loose top off over her head. By the time she had her arms back around his neck, he’d already dealt with his belt and fly, pushing his camo pants down just far enough to free his hard cock.

  Then he paused.

  “Don’t stop,” she pleaded with him.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I have to. No condom.” Xavier spoke from between gritted teeth as he tried to visibly rein in his rampant desire.

  Sarah would not be denied. “You’re clean, right? They tested you for everything when you got bit. They had to.” She was breathless and her words came in panting gasps. “I’m clean and I’m on the pill. I want you, Xavier.”

  “Are you sure?” His gaze held hers. It felt like something momentous passed between them as she nodded agreement.

  He leaned forward and kissed her. This kiss was different from all the others. It was a kiss that spoke of care and…love?

  “Hang on, mon ange.” Xavier lifted her, his hands under her ass as he placed her back against the wall. He was so strong, she felt delicate, like a rag doll he could toss around as he pleased. No other man had ever made her feel so petite and feminine—or so wanted.

  Xavier aligned their bodies and rubbed. Just rubbed for a couple of minutes, staring into her eyes and letting her feel the hard length of his cock against her most sensitive places.

  “Are you ready, chère?”

  “Please, Xavier. I need you so much.”

  He slid into her in one long stroke as she gasped. He was thick and long, filling her completely. Perfectly.

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” he whispered into her ear, bracketing her against the wall with his entire body. She put her arms along his for support, using his broad shoulders to help hold herself up as he pressed into her from below.

  All she could do was moan as he began to move. It was a little awkward at first, trying to keep her back glued to the wall as he thrust into her, but they soon got the rhythm. He felt so incredibly good inside her. She wrapped her legs around him, anchoring herself to him as best she could while he thrust into her over and over.

  He grunted on each powerful thrust, the muscles in his shoulders and arms standing out as he strained to keep them both upright.

  “Xavier.” She moaned his name as his frenetic pace increased. All she could do was hold on for dear life as he pumped into her, sending her nearly into orbit with the mad rush of pleasure they produced every time they were together.

  Feeling him inside her, without the thin barrier of a condom, was new and exciting. She couldn’t wait for the rush of warmth, the flood of completion she knew was coming. Just the thought of it sent her over the edge.

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders with the force of her orgasm as Xavier moved in harsh, fast motions inside her. She screamed as she came and felt his body seize under her hands. He was coming, too. She felt the warm jets of his come inside her and with it a sense of belonging, of caring, of peace. Strange as it was, she felt the rightness of the moment and wanted to hold on to it forever.

  But time always slipped away. Xavier held her plastered to the wall for long moments. Both of them were breathing harshly as their shared euphoria began to recede. It had been glorious while it lasted.

  “You okay?” Xavier pulled out and let her legs down one at a time.

  “More than just okay.” She gave him what she hoped was a sultry smile.

  “That’s my girl.” He lifted her into his arms and strode down the hall. His shirt buttons were undone, the shirt mussed from her questing fingers. His pants hung below his waist, but it didn’t slow him down one bit. He shouldered his way into her bedroom, being careful not to bump her toes on the doorframe.

  When he reached the bed, he stood for a moment, just holding her. Xavier looked into her eyes and the emotion in his gaze made her heart clench.

  “We’ve been through a lot in just a few days, you and I.”

  Sarah wasn’t sure what he was getting at, but he was very serious all of a sudden.

  “We’ve seen more horror than most people see in a lifetime. It’s been hell, but it’s been worth it. It’s been worth it all just to be here with you, chère. I wanted you to know how…” He seemed to hesitate, then regrouped. “How special you are to me.”

  She cupped his cheek as he lowered her legs slowly to the floor. They stood at the side of her bed. She swayed toward him, unable to control her body and its need for his touch. There didn’t seem to be any answer to his words except the stark, honest truth.

  “I love you, Xavier.”

  He held her gaze for a long, tense, delicious moment, during which she thought she read something in the answering flame in his eyes. He cared. Maybe he wasn’t ready to use the L word straight out in the open yet, but he definitely cared.

  Xavier pulled her close and sealed his lips to hers, taking her down with him onto the soft mattress. His kiss was slow and filled with a sensual kind of heat that took her breath away. This was more than it had been before. This was…somehow…momentous.

  When he let her up for air, she freed him from his shirt and ran her fingers over his tanned, muscular torso. She pushed at his pants, but he still had his damn boots on.

  “You take care of those while I make a quick pit stop,” she said playfully as she jumped up from the bed. He caught one of her wrists as she headed for the attached bathroom.

  “Hurry back.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She leaned in and bussed his cheek. He let go of her wrist and she wiggled her ass, teasing him as she sought the bathroom. She hadn’t wanted to leave him but she was uncomfortably sticky.

  She washed up quickly while Xavier shucked his boots and the rest of his clothes. When she emerged from the bathroom moments later, he was gloriously naked, waiting for her in all his masculine perfection. Damn, he had a hot bod. And she knew that killer physique hadn’t been perfected in a cushy, air-conditioned gym. He worked hard in the field and it showed.

  “Come here, sweetheart.”

  She�
�d never actually received a come-hither look before, but if that wasn’t one, she didn’t know what was. Maybe it was more like a command than a request, she reflected as she sauntered toward him. But it was just fine with her. This particular hot, naked, gorgeous man could order her around any old time.

  He reclined on her bed, waiting for her as she stalked forward. She was feeling playful and inclined to tease. A little sensual play that would heighten both of their senses.

  “My, my. Look at that.” She shook her head at him, batting her eyelashes as she nibbled on one finger and glanced pointedly at his cock. She’d never played the vixen before but found she enjoyed it. “Do you want Nurse Sarah to make it feel better?” She stopped next to the bed, just out of reach as his eyelids drooped and his whiskey-colored eyes sparkled.

  “Chère, if I’d had a nurse like you back at the base hospital, I’d have never wanted to leave.”

  “We aim to please, soldier.” She winked at him. “Now tell me where it hurts and I’ll kiss it better.” She knelt on the side of the bed, crawling on all fours over him.

  He growled when she lowered her head so the loose ends of her hair stroked over his thighs and up over his reawakening cock. She liked the sound that issued from his throat, so she retraced her steps and did it again.

  “Vixen,” he accused with good humor.

  “Only for you, Xavier,” she promised, pausing by his side. She lowered herself over his abdomen and placed a kiss on every well-defined muscle in his six-pack, working her way lower. She held his gaze when she could, looking up at him between nibbles and licks over his sensitive skin. She liked the way his muscles rippled under her mouth. She could feel his excitement growing as she continued her downward path.

  When she finally reached her inevitable destination, he groaned as she took him in her mouth. Using her tongue and the suction of her mouth, she hollowed her cheeks and sucked, giving him everything she could. She wanted to return some of the incredible pleasure he’d given her. Judging by the faint tremor in his legs and the renewed hardness of his cock, she was succeeding.

  She looked up the length of his torso to meet his eyes and flames leapt between them. She felt his passion and it matched her own.

  Xavier reached down to grasp her arms, lifting her away from his needy cock and upward to meet his kiss. He sat up, meeting her in the middle, claiming her lips with his in a moment of silent communication. She felt his raw, earthy need for her and reveled in it. She also felt his desire to please her in return, and his care touched her heart.

  He kissed her, lying back, taking her with him. She was draped over his body like a blanket. Then he rolled.

  He held most of his weight off her, all the while kissing her breathless. She spread her legs eagerly for him and he found his place in the hollow of her thighs. There was no reason to wait any longer. She wanted to feel him, skin on skin, skin in skin. She wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him inward with her feet.

  Xavier complied with her wishes, pushing his way inward with a smooth stroke. His tongue continued to plunder her mouth as his cock plundered her pussy, laying claim to her body in the most basic way of all. He set up a primal rhythm as he claimed her with slow, deep strokes.

  It was a languorous sort of loving she hadn’t yet experienced with him. She could easily get addicted to this man and all his moods. This slow lover was intoxicating. The hard-and-fast lover had claimed her heart, but this slow hand claimed her soul.

  When he finally released her lips, it was only for a quick gasp of air before he quickened his pace. The long strokes gave way to more forceful digs into her body, each pulse of his cock hitting the spot deep inside that sent her senses into orbit. She came without warning while he was watching her expression. He held her gaze throughout the small climax, his lips widening into a grin.

  “One,” he counted. “That was only the first, mon ange. I intend to push your limits this time.”

  She couldn’t say anything to that. She was still dazed by the little climax, and her body was pushing harder, making her climb higher. Xavier sat up between her thighs, stroking his hands down her body. He paused at her breasts to play with her nipples and the soft mounds that yearned for his touch. Then he dipped lower, his fingers toying with her clit, rubbing expertly.

  Just like that, she came again.

  “Two.”

  The smug bastard grinned as she lay helpless beneath him, but she wasn’t complaining. Oh, no. Quite the contrary. Xavier didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath before he pulled out to flip her over, positioning her on all fours. He slid into her from behind, his strokes even deeper in this position, as well as slightly harder. He was going to kill her, but at this rate, she’d die a very happy woman.

  The angle made her whimper in need on every stroke as her body responded to his commanding presence. She hadn’t known she was capable of this kind of response before Xavier. It was all his fault. His superior technique. His hot body.

  Who was she kidding? It was all those things, but ultimately, it was love that made the difference. She’d never felt this way about anyone before. This was the real deal as far as she was concerned. She would die for him. She would give him anything. She had willingly given her heart to him without any strings attached. It was a small step to give him complete dominance over her pleasure. She realized now, she’d done that almost from the very first time they’d been together. That’s why each time with him was so amazingly special.

  She hit another peak as he pushed into her. He bent over her, pulling her hair back gently as his lips reached for the sensitive shell of her ear.

  “Three,” he whispered as she bit back a moan.

  He flipped her over and drove into her. Xavier hooked his arms under hers and cupped her shoulders in his big palms for leverage as he thrust home. His movements were more ragged now. He was closer to the edge. Thank goodness. She didn’t know how much more she could have taken of his sensuous experiment.

  “I meant to make this last longer, mon ange, but you’re too damn tempting,” he whispered as he held her gaze, his face tight with strain.

  “I don’t want to wait, Xavier.” She could barely speak above a gasping whisper as he powered into her. The desire was back and higher than ever before. She would splinter into a million pieces on this next climax, she was sure of it.

  “Then come with me, mon coeur. Come now.” He thrust sharply into her one final time as her body seized in the biggest completion yet. She felt his cock spurt within her, warming her from the inside out with his thick come. The feeling, so rare in her cautious life, made her climax draw out even longer.

  She was panting for breath and close to losing consciousness when Xavier withdrew. He flopped to the bed beside her, breathing hard for a moment before reaching out and dragging her back into his arms. She reached up to stroke his chest. Words were beyond her at the moment. Coherent ones, at least.

  He cuddled her close and they drifted to sleep wrapped in each other’s embrace.

  Sarah woke hungry and realized they hadn’t eaten anything in far too long. Xavier looked so relaxed in sleep, she couldn’t disturb him. She threw on a short nightgown and stepped into her favorite slippers, then headed for the kitchen. She had the vague idea of surprising Xavier with breakfast in bed. Of course, it was already a little past dinnertime. So it would be more like a picnic supper in her bedroom.

  She set to work, pulling ingredients from the fridge and cabinets. She’d barely begun setting up things to cook when warm arms surrounded her from behind.

  “What are you doing out of bed, chère? I woke and you weren’t there. Imagine my disappointment.” The teasing tone of his voice made her smile as she turned in his arms.

  “Poor baby. What does it look like I’m doing? I was going to cook something and serve you breakfast in bed.”

  “What if all I really want to eat is you?” He nibbled on her earlobe as he spoke, backing her up against the kitchen counter.

  �
�Oh, that sounds good as an appetizer.”

  She was breathless when he hoisted her up onto the counter, spreading her thighs and pushing up the short hem of her nightgown. His fingers zeroed in on her clit, which was already seeking his attention. Just a few short days and she was already thoroughly addicted to his touch.

  “You’re so responsive, mon ange. You spoil me. I barely have to work at all to get you ready for me.” His fingers slid in the slickness between her thighs.

  He was right. She was shamefully easy where Xavier was concerned.

  “I hope you’re not complaining.” She took a nibble out of his chin in gentle reprimand.

  “Bite your tongue. I love the way you cream for me.”

  The explicit language made her squirm. Everything about Xavier made her squirm. He was a masterful lover who knew what he wanted and how to go about bringing her the most exquisite pleasure. He made her want to be daring.

  “How about if I bite you instead?” Her lips rode over the rough, masculine skin of his lower jaw. She loved the way he felt against her tongue, the way he tasted. The salt of his skin made her thirst for more of him.

  “Anytime, chère. Just say the word.” His voice turned to a growl as he slid his finger inside her. “But how about for now, we just get right to it. It’s been hours since I was inside you.”

  “Mmm. You’re inside me now,” she teased, squirming on his hand as he added another finger to the first.

  “You know what I mean, temptress. I need you.”

  “I like the sound of that.” And she truly did. She liked the way his voice had dipped from light amusement to harsh need in the space of seconds. It echoed the way she felt. “I need you too, Xavier. Don’t make me wait.”

  He slipped his fingers out of her eager sheath and paused only a moment to lower the drawstring of the sweats he’d donned. Pushing them down just far enough to free his hard cock, he lined himself up to slide inside her waiting body. She helped by moving downward on the counter until her ass nearly hung off the edge. Xavier helped by supporting her legs, lifting them up and out, spreading her wide as he took aim and pushed inward.