by Kim Loraine
Nodding, he laid her on his bed and pulled an unopened box of condoms from his nightstand. “I’m never going to be unprepared for you again.”
Her eyes widened as he ripped the box open and pulled two foil packets free. “Two?”
“At least.” He wasn’t about to let her out of his arms for the rest of the day.
Watching her slide her hands down her taut belly and to the top of her pants brought on a fresh rush of blood to his cock. If he didn’t get inside her soon he was sure he would die.
“Let me do that,” he growled.
His fingers shook momentarily as he pulled at the material. Trying to disguise his nerves, he pressed soft kisses to her ribs, stomach, and hips until she was completely bared to him.
“God, you’re torturing me.”
She moaned as he slipped a finger between her legs and pressed deep inside.
“Just want to make sure you’re ready for me.”
His thumb circled her most sensitive spot, making her cry out.
“I’m ready. I’ve been ready to have you inside me again for a very long time, Michael.”
Her words sent a shockwave through him, reminding him of how much he needed to show her he’d changed.
“I’m going to make you scream before we even get started.”
She sucked in a harsh breath at his statement, only to cry out again when his lips replaced his hand. Her legs trembled and hips bucked as he brought her to her peak and backed away, over and over. He was sure he heard a whisper of, “Please, Michael,” fall from her lips. His restraint obliterated the moment she convulsed and screamed her pleasure.
Backing away, he tore off his boxer briefs and rolled on a condom. He filled her in one strong movement, an unimaginable tightness enveloping him.
“Lena, God you feel so good.”
Her eyes were darkened by lust as he moved inside of her. The feel of her around him, combined with the look of ecstasy on her face almost sent him careening over the edge all too soon. He forced himself to slow his pace, to savor her.
She moaned and bit her lip as he pulled himself completely free of her and slid back inside, sheathing himself to the hilt.
“Faster, please.” Her words were breathy pleas.
Taking a steadying breath, he began to move in deep, measured thrusts. His skin was slick with a sheen of sweat as he tried so desperately to harness his raging desire. When she reached up to pull him to her lips he lost hold of his control. He began to roll his hips hard and fast, not caring that his orgasm was hurtling toward him like a freight train. He only hoped she would find her release with him. The moment she came around him, he fell off the edge, exploding in sensations that made him gasp for breath and shudder in euphoria.
She clutched him to her as they came down from their high together. Her fingers traced the line of his back, sending tingles down his spine.
“Is there a special school where they taught you how to do that?” Her breathless voice brought him an overwhelming sense of pride.
He laughed. “It’s a gift.”
“I guess so. I don’t think any sane woman would let you go. Unless there’s something wrong with you.”
He tensed at the turn their playful conversation had taken. Rolling off her, he stood and made his way to the bathroom.
They always let him go.
Chapter 8
Lena sighed contentedly as she watched the waves roll and crest on the horizon as she stood, ankle deep in the water. The weather had finally warmed enough for her to enjoy a day on her board and the ocean called to her. She’d spent the better part of March and April tangled up with Michael, avoiding the real world. Today she was taking time for herself before diving back into work.
“If it isn’t the tire slasher.” Tommy Klipper’s cocky, over-confident voice broke through her moment of happiness as he jogged up to her.
Turning to look at him, she was thankful she’d chosen to wear a wetsuit rather than her bikini. He eyed her up and down, smirking as if he’d seen her naked before.
“If it isn’t the asshole,” she shot back.
He clutched at his chest, squeezing his eyes shut and feigning injury. “Oh, I’m wounded.”
Holding her board upright with one hand, she placed her free hand on her hip. “Did you need something?”
“Nah. Just wanted to say ‘Hi’ to the woman who has Mike’s balls in a vise. You must have beer flavored nipples or something. I haven’t seen him like this since Kate, and that was a long ass time ago.”
Before she could respond, he started running down the beach.
Kate? Who was that?
She was pretty sure Klipper had just complemented her—in his own, special, douchebag way. That was a step up from his usual vicious antagonizing. She hadn’t told anyone about Michael, but clearly, he had shared their relationship with at least one person. Either that, or Klipper was more perceptive than she’d given him credit for. A thrill ran through her at the idea of Michael wanting to tell people about them.
Rolling her shoulders, she cleared her mind and paddled out into the welcoming silence of the sea. The rhythmic motion of the water helped her find herself in the jumble of feelings her brief conversation with Klipper had stirred up.
By the time she called it a day, the beach was still dotted with sunbathers and families enjoying the warm weather even though the sun hung low in the sky. A pleasant ache had taken hold in her shoulders, the sign of time well spent on the water. Making her way through the sand, she stopped at the locker she rented regularly and gathered her belongings. The sound of sirens pulled her attention to the road in front of the boardwalk. She searched for Michael reflexively, even though she knew he was home.
She needed to go home herself. Her shoulders ached with the thought of how many photos she had on her computer, waiting for edits. Hours of work that she should’ve taken care of in small spurts over the last few days. Instead, she couldn’t pull herself out of the Michael Oliver sex vortex she’d willingly walked into.
With a sigh, she loaded her board on her bicycle and headed back to her apartment.
“Your phone has been ringing off the damn hook!” Valerie didn’t even give her a chance to drop her bag on the side table as she opened the front door.
“Wow. Someone’s on her period.”
“No. Shitty day at work.”
“I think it’s more like, shitty boss.” She hated the way that man treated her friend. She was special. The kind of sweet that made you smile even when all you wanted to do was punch someone. Now that job was sucking all of the life from her. Lena couldn’t stand it.
Shrugging, Valerie poured herself a glass of wine. “I ordered Chinese. Want some?”
“Absolutely. I’ve got to shower, but then I’m in.”
Her friend’s face brightened. “Good. I need something to distract me. Donovan has duty and Angie’s working on new songs with Garrett.”
“I’m so glad I can be there in your time of need. As your last choice.” She couldn’t help but feign indignation.
Valerie’s eyes widened. “No. I didn’t mean it like that. I just . . . You’ve been busy. I figured you wouldn’t be home tonight.”
“I’m just kidding. I’ve been . . . occupied lately.”
Her roommate arched one blond eyebrow. “Anyone I know?”
Lena swiped a hand over her mouth and mimed locking her lips before turning and heading into the bathroom. She wasn’t ready to tell Valerie about Michael—even if he was telling people. That would mean he was important. She wasn’t ready to admit that yet.
As they ate, the conversation dwindled and eased into a comfortable silence. Before Valerie had finished her second glass of wine she was snoring softly on the couch. Lena cleared the cartons of half-eaten fried rice
and broccoli beef as quietly as she could. After tucking a blanket around her friend, she headed to her room and her waiting laptop. Settling into her chair, she began the tedious task of editing and polishing the three engagement sessions she’d done over the last two weeks. Guilt wormed its way into her mind, leaving her brows furrowed as she stared at the smiling faces. She should have had this done already. Working around Michael’s schedule of twenty-four hours on shift followed by a full two days off really messed with her flow.
Her phone rang almost as soon as she got started on the first couple’s session. Annoyance coiled in her chest at the interruption. No matter who it was, she didn’t have the time. Letting the call roll to voicemail, she settled in again, and before long, two hours had passed. She stretched and blinked rapidly. A deep ache had settled in her shoulders and lower back from the position she’d been sitting in, and her vision had gone blurry. It was time to call it a night.
A faint knocking sounded at the front door, pulling her from the last few photos of the session. Glancing at the clock, unease ran through her when she saw it was after midnight. Something must be wrong. She padded slowly to the front door and peered through the peep hole, worried about who she’d find on the other side. Her heart stopped as Michael came into view. A bolt of pure lust hit her like lighting. She sucked in her breath and opened the door, ready to give him hell for disturbing her. His eyes burned with an intensity she hadn’t seen before and they held some other emotion she couldn’t place.
“What are you doing here? It’s after midnight,” she snapped.
A slight smirk turned up his lips as he stood at her threshold, hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans. “You didn’t answer any of my calls. That’s not like you. I got worried.”
A thrill ran through her, but she pushed it aside. She should be mad at him. “So you come to my house in the middle of the night?”
His cheeks flushed. “No, I drove by and saw your light on. Then I came up.”
“That’s a little stalker-ish.”
Shrugging, he licked his bottom lip and stepped forward. “Concerned boyfriend.” Her heart jumped into her throat at the word boyfriend, but she let him continue, making a mental note to come back to that later. “I’ve talked to you every day for the last two months. It felt weird to go so long without any contact.”
He had a point. Even when he was on duty they talked, via text or phone. Unless he was in the middle of a rescue, he answered every time she called him.
Feeling a little sheepish, she offered him a smile. “Sorry. I was in the middle of some work I’d been putting off.” She motioned for him to come inside, and with a glance at the empty couch, heaved a sigh of relief that Valerie had ended up putting herself to bed. “I tend to go into ostrich mode when I’m overwhelmed.”
Nodding, he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her roughly against him. “And now? Are you still overwhelmed?”
Yes, she wanted to answer. She was overwhelmed by him, by the feelings that swirled in her, pulling her in every direction. He tipped her chin up toward his face and lowered those delectable lips to hers. Her knees buckled for a moment, but he held her so tightly she barely needed to stand on her own. With a groan against her mouth, he scooped her into his arms and carried her toward the bedroom. The wrong bedroom.
“Michael, stop. That’s Val’s room,” she warned, pointing to the correct door. “That’s me.”
He chuckled and took them into her room.
“It’s about time I slept over at your place. Does Valerie wear earplugs?”
Shaking her head, she laughed. “Not that I know of.”
“Too bad for her. I don’t plan on either of us being quiet.”
A tingle started in her belly as he lifted her thin camisole while kicking the door closed.
“I’ll bake her some cookies as an apology.”
When Lena woke the next morning she was deliciously sore, a little hoarse, and starving. Michael had kept her up until the sky turned from inky dark to a soft dove gray. Only then had they slept. The sound of her door opening and closing had her smiling as she stretched in bed.
“Uh, I may have just given Val a Full Monty show on accident.” Michael’s gravelly voice was tinged with embarrassment.
“You what?” Sitting bolt upright, she stared at him, wide-eyed.
“I took a shower. When I was done, I couldn’t find any towels. Heard someone moving around, and assumed it was you. And, I might have stepped out into the living room butt ass naked.”
All she could do was laugh, picturing Valerie’s already large eyes widening to saucer-like proportions. “Oh, my God.”
His eyes darkened as he sat on the edge of her bed. “She didn’t know about us.”
A cold chill covered her. This was not a conversation she was ready to have. As he looked at her, she saw a wall of protection go up around him. His shoulders straightened, lips pressed into a hard line, jaw clenched.
Pulling the sheet around her naked body, she crawled over the bed so she could be next to him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what we were telling people.”
Eyes trained on the floor, he spoke in a measured tone. “We’ve been together nearly every day for the last two months. In my book, that means we’re dating.”
“Well, we’ve never talked about it. I didn’t want to label what we have until I was sure we were exclusive.”
His gaze snapped to hers. “Aren’t we? I waited months for you to come back. As far as I’m concerned, you’re it for me. Ever since the calendar shoot, you’ve been it.” His brows pulled together and he took a deep breath before continuing. “Unless . . . you’re seeing other guys.”
The hurt look on his face made her heart ache. Sure, she was hesitant to get attached, but she couldn’t stand the idea of him feeling anything but wanted.
“No. No. Only you.”
A hint of a smile crossed his lips. “So, why aren’t we putting a label on this?”
Why weren’t they? She could think of a million selfish reasons not to, but the one thing that held true was, despite all of her reasons, she wanted to be his more than anything.
“I don’t know.”
His smile turned to a wide grin and the walls came down again, showing her the man she was falling for. Vulnerable. Open. And best of all, hers.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s never going to be anyone else,” he murmured, leaning into her, effectively pressing her body back down onto the bed.
“I’m okay with that.” It came out as a whisper, but it didn’t make it any less true.
She was his. One hundred percent.
Chapter 9
Lena stared at the bowl of Soba in front of her, pushing the cold noodles around with her chopsticks rather than eating. She could feel her mother’s sharp gaze, but refused to make eye contact. Tension had her on edge and until she got the e-mail Rhett had hinted would be coming, she couldn’t handle her mom’s scrutiny.
“Why aren’t you eating?” her mother asked.
Lena shrugged, pulling her phone free of her pocket and placing it on the table so she could keep an eye on it. “Just have a lot going on right now.”
“Ah, what has Michael-san done to upset you?”
Annoyance clawed at Lena’s chest at her mom’s immediate assumption that Michael had done something wrong. “Nothing, Mama. It’s not about him. We’re good. Great, actually.” She couldn’t help the flutter in her belly at the thought of seeing him tomorrow morning. Suddenly missing him more than usual, she toyed with the idea of stopping by the firehouse later to bring him dinner.
“You’re in love.”
That sent a shockwave through her. Was she? Was that the feeling she couldn’t put a label on? Unable to answer, Lena felt a hot blush creep up her cheeks as she cleared her thr
oat, fidgeting with her phone.
“It’s not a bad thing. Even better when the man loves you back. And how could he not love my beautiful Lena?” A proud smile spread over her mother’s face, making the woman look deceptively sweet. In truth, she could be a tiger mother when she wanted to be.
Lena’s phone lit up with an incoming e-mail and her heart hammered in her chest. Rhett had sent her a cryptic message in the early hours of the morning, telling her to be waiting for big news. Her mind had gone from one extreme to the next—some kind of major award or a lawsuit. Either way, she’d been keyed up and obviously, her mother noticed.
Desperate to read the email in private, she wolfed down the rest of her lunch and said a quick goodbye to her mama. Hands shaking as she sat in her car, she gasped when she read the e-mail. A three-month assignment touring Japan. Holy shit! Excitement raced through her, chasing away all the nervous energy in her body. She couldn’t believe it. This was the exact opportunity she’d been hoping for. Been needing. As she put aside her phone and shifted her car into gear, she began formulating an acceptance email in her mind.
As she drove the short distance home, doubts began to set in. What would Michael think? She hadn’t been gone for longer than a few days since they’d gotten together. Could she handle not seeing him for three whole months? He was like a drug, she needed an almost daily fix from him at this point. Pushing her worries to the back of her mind, she turned up the music and let herself be happy.
A few hours later, take-out bag in hand, Lena walked into the firehouse with her heart in her throat. She wasn’t going to tell Michael about Japan yet. No, that would have to wait for a better time.
He was sitting in the kitchen, staring intently at the deep grooves in the oak tabletop and running one finger back and forth over a jagged scratch. Her chest tightened as she watched him, so absorbed in that one thing.
