With his tongue, he spread the quivering folds, and she cried out in delight. “Phoenix…” His name floated from her lips. Although he wanted to see her expression, he didn’t take his gaze from his target.
“Yes?”
“I-I want you.”
“I want you too, baby, and that means I need to know all of you, taste all of you.”
Her fingers dug into his hair as if she prepared to be taken on the ride of her life. He’d give her exactly what she wanted. He rolled his tongue over her clit, sliding along the slippery bead of nerves. Her hips came up again, gyrating against his lips.
CHAPTER 18
RIA CLUTCHED THE folds of the sheet as she moaned in delight. Phoenix had his mouth on her and her body turned into a puddle of skin and bones. Not that she’d doubted it would be, his tongue was amazing. He moved his tongue along her folds as if he truly enjoyed his job to drive her mad with need. She’d never been cradled and fondled in such an amazing way before.
Her grip was on his head and she controlled herself so she didn’t rip any of his hair out. She mesmerized in every feeling on all parts of her body. From her bottom that he squeezed tightly to the rasp of his layer of whiskers against her inner thighs, and mainly how his tongue wreaked carnal havoc on her senses. He slipped his finger inside her and she trembled, concentrating on the sound of her juices as he thrust in and out, stroking her body with such expertise. She imagined what he looked like as he licked her mons. His hair would be a dark contrast against her skin. She assumed his eyes were closed as he relished her taste. Did he have beads of sweat on his forehead as he restrained his need to drive deep inside her? Were his lips a shade darker, or matching the color of her slick lips?
If the world started tumbling down, Phoenix wouldn’t have been able to drag himself away from devouring Ria’s treasure. Her taste could only be described as an aphrodisiac. His hard body demanded release, but he refused himself for now. He used one finger to glide in and out of her, then joined it with another, plundering her moist sheath while using his tongue to attend to her clit. Changes took place. Her juices turned thicker and her tremors became more obvious. He realized she wouldn’t mind if he abandoned his current position between her thighs and took one inside her, and he would, but he couldn’t leave his duty of pleasuring her until she coated his lips and tongue with her release.
“Phoenix,” she cried out. The signature wail told him she was slowly climbing the plateau.
“Yes, sweetheart. Let it go. Give it all to me,” he urged in a raspy voice.
As he continued his pleasurable assault on her mons she thrashed against him and he had to hold her steady to keep her from breaking his nose or cutting her tender flesh with his tooth. He followed her bucks with his tongue, enjoying her scent and taste, and then she went still. Her muscles tightened. She clenched around his fingers in her throes of passion and he continued to stroke the orgasm to the fullest.
She removed her hands from his hair and he lifted his head to look up her body. As she shimmied and quaked, she clutched the sheet, her nails clawing at the cotton. He’d relished in seeing other women come apart at the seams, but never quite this much. She was no longer moaning or crying out, but her lips were tight and her chest heaved—up and down, up and down. He enjoyed watching her breasts bounce with each shudder that rolled through her body as the orgasm took over her muscles. He’d never forget how good she looked…or tasted.
Pulling his fingers from her body, he brought them to his nose and inhaled her scent one last time before he took his position above her. She trembled and quivered under him as he used his knee to spread her legs wider to accommodate his body. Her hands unleashed from the sheet and her arms slightly relaxed as she started to descend the crashing orgasmic waves. My God, she looked amazingly beautiful with wild hair about her flushed cheeks and mouth parted. Her pants had calmed some.
“I hope that was as amazing as it appeared on your body,” he said.
“Please tell me you’re finished driving me insane and finally ready give me what I crave.”
He smiled. He kissed her lightly on the lips, cheeks, her neck, and sampled one perky nipple before he came back up to kiss her fully, glad she didn’t mind that her juices were lingering on his lips.
She moaned in protest, but her body belied her resistance by the arching of her back. Her hands clutched his shoulders and just as she’d been doing with the sheet, her claws now dug into his skin. He didn’t mind it, not one bit. A little pain elicited pleasure in his body. His laughter rumbled low in his chest.
“I’m glad you find this funny.” There wasn’t an ounce of anger or displeasure in her tone.
“I don’t find you funny. I find you entertaining. Big difference.”
“Is there?” Her eyes came open and she focused over his shoulder.
Many times before he’d have been done with a woman, finding excuses to slip out of bed at the same time he was slipping off his condom, but he had both the desire to make love to her and hold her.
Her hand released from his shoulder and slipped between their bodies where she grasped his cock in her demanding hold. She wasn’t waiting any longer. Ria guided him to the center of her body and lifted her hips, sinking his head inside her. He pulled back. “Don’t move, you hear?” He gritted his teeth and, with every ounce of control he had in his body, he reached over to his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He could barely see straight as he fumbled for the foil packet, ripped it open with his teeth and with all nervous thumbs, he rolled the protection into place. He’d never been more grateful that he had a condom.
“Warning, sweetheart. I know I won’t last long. I’m too revved up, but I can promise that I’ve never been a two-pump-chump and will prove my longevity in round two.”
“Stop talking and take me,” she demanded.
“With pleasure.”
Grabbing the base of his cock, he guided himself to her warm body and she lifted her legs high in invitation. He used the tip of him to make sure she was primed before easing himself slowly inside of her hot folds.
“Fuck!”
“Is that all you can say?” she said through a grin.
He pushed deeper and her grin was quickly lost. “Fuck yeah.”
He moved both hands to her bottom and lifted her higher, giving him better access as he thrust inch by inch, spreading her to meet the needs of his cock until she took him fully. Her legs came up and wrapped around his hips and her heels dug into the backs of his thighs as their bodies connected. He swore he touched her soul, he was so deep inside her.
When he had himself under control, he moved, pulling himself out to the very tip then plunged in, over and over, claiming her weeping body. Soon, they were both moving their hips in unison. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He pounded inside her and he was stripped of the last thread of control.
Once the spasms stopped, he rolled over to Ria’s side, but kept their bodies connected. Both were gathering their breath and she was cuddled close to his chest.
“Wow! Just wow!” he said.
She made a sound that reminded him of a kitten purring and he felt her relax against him. He didn’t want to move from her or detach their bodies, but he had no choice. “Sorry, sweetheart. I have to take care of the condom. You wouldn’t want me to have to fish for the sucker.”
She pulled her bottom back and he slipped out from under her leg, grasped the used condom and stood up. He looked down at her body, causally stretched across the cover, flushed from his touch. Every rose-colored nip and bend was a delicacy for his eyes. With a disappointed groan, he made his way down the hall and into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. He splashed his face with cold water.
Reaching for a washcloth from the shelf, he wet it with warm water, squeezing out the excess.
When he came back Ria’s eyes were closed and he watched her from the doorway. She looked so beautiful with her head nestled on the pillow, her hand tucked under her chin, and her knees draw
n up to her chest.
Damn, how could he make sure this woman was always his? Although he’d known before making love to her how he felt, he knew now without any doubt he needed her in his life.
“Are you going to stand there forever staring, or are you going to come back and keep me warm?”
He laughed. “I thought you were asleep. You looked so sweet and content.” He laid back down beside her and kissed her temple. “Hold on, sweetheart. I brought a damp washcloth to clean you.” Using the rag, he gently washed between her legs and then tossed it onto the floor. He’d worry about it later, but for now he wasn’t leaving her side. “I’m pulling the blanket out from underneath you so we can cover up. It’s a little chilly in here.” Once he had the cover in place, he wrapped an arm around her waist and dragged her close to snuggle in the curve of his body.
“I guess I should ask. Is it okay if I stay here with you all night?”
“Yes, I’d be disappointed otherwise. So that means you’re not leaving to go back to the office?”
“I’m staying. I deserve some time.”
“True. Did Deputy Holloway go home?”
“I told her she could go when I got here. I need to get up bright and early. I’ll try not to disturb you.”
“You never could. I like you, Sheriff. A lot,” she said in a sleepy voice.
He kissed the top of her head. And I’m falling in love with you.
~~~**~~~
Ria lifted her head off the pillow, listening. She heard faint noises coming from outside of the bedroom. She had no clue what time it was and the bed was empty. Phoenix had said he had to go back into the office in the morning. Her heart hammered her chest, still listening.
Sliding from bed, she grabbed the first thing she came to which was his shirt. Dragging it on, she slowly made her way out of the room and down the hall, coming to stop at where the floor changed. She used it as a landmark of sorts, telling her where the hall ended and the living room began.
“Phoenix?”
“Hey, lovely. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
Relief scrambled over her. “You not in bed woke me. What time is it?” She made her way further into the room, her toes cold on the floor.
“It’s a little after three. Still early, but I’m having my first cup of coffee. Want me to grab you a cup too?”
“Sure.” That meant they couldn’t crawl back into bed. Darn. She’d hoped to have a repeat of last night. Sitting on the couch, he brought her a cup and sat down next to her. “You couldn’t sleep?”
He shifted and she automatically slipped closer to him under his weight, brushing his bicep. “This case. I haven’t been able to sleep much with my thoughts going in all different directions. How are you feeling?”
“A little sore. Well, a lot actually.” She smiled. “It’s a delicious ache though.”
“Then I guess I should say great. Maybe a hot shower will help.”
“Maybe.” Taking a sip of her coffee, she swallowed, then placed it on the coffee table, knocking over something with her hand. “Oops.”
“I got it. You knocked over an envelope from the stack of your mail that we haven’t gone through yet.” He put great emphasis on haven’t.
“I forgot.”
“How about we do it now? We’re both here.”
“If you don’t mind.” She felt him move.
“Let’s see…we have a flyer for laptops, one for a department store and another for Viagra. I can read them if you’d like.”
“I always find it entertaining when I get junk mail that has nothing to do with me. Throw away all three.”
“Something from the electric company.”
“Probably telling me about an increase in energy costs. They’re paid directly out of my account. So, toss it too.”
“Hmm…maybe we’ve finally come upon something that isn’t junk. It’s a medium-sized yellow envelope and looks legal.”
“Okay.”
“Should I open it then?”
“Yes. I think we should.” She heard the envelope ripping and a rustling of paper, and then a hiss of his breath. “Phoenix? What is it?”
“Inside is a letter and another smaller envelope. Oh shit! It’s signed Leandra.”
“Leandra? Why? What is it?”
“I’ll read it.
“Ria,
If you’re reading this letter I must be gone. I’m sorry to involve you in this, but I gave special instructions to a friend that if I meet my demise she should send this to you. I know I can trust you to see these get into the right hands.”
“What am I supposed to get into the right hands?”
“Shit!”
“What? What is it?” Ria grabbed his knee.
“Pictures. The missing evidence, Ria.”
“What are they of?”
“Enough to put Chief Brody behind bars.”
CHAPTER 19
RIA HAD JUST stepped out of the shower and dried off when she heard her phone ring. “Sheriff Cade calling.” The Australian voice on her phone alerted her. Hurrying down the hall, she grabbed it on the fifth ring, glad she had it set for voicemail not to pick up until the seventh ring.
“Hi, Phoenix,” she said as she answered.
“You sound breathless. Everything okay?”
“Yes. I just climbed out of the shower and scooted down the hall to get the phone in time.”
“I wish I was there.”
“Me too. How are things at work? Have you arrested Brody yet?”
“That’s why I’m calling. It didn’t go as planned.”
There was a graveness in his tone that made the hair on her nape stand. “What’s wrong?”
“He was found dead in his house early this morning.”
She squeezed the phone until her fingers ached. “Dead?
“I can’t get into details over the phone, but he was murdered. Deputy Holloway will be sticking close to you until I get there.”
She swallowed against the constriction in her throat. “Do you think I’m in danger…more than I have been?”
“Like I said, I don’t want to get into details over the phone, but I’m on the way to the cabin now. I’m about a half hour out.”
“Okay.”
They clicked off and Ria nervously put the phone back on the nightstand where she kept it. Quickly dressing, she stepped down the hall. “Deputy Holloway?”
“Yes. I’m here.”
“Did Phoenix call you?”
“Yes, I just hung up with him. No worries, Ria. All is okay. He’ll tell us more when he gets here.”
Hearing the reassurance from the Deputy, Ria felt a sense of relief. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“You don’t have to go to any trouble for me. I brought a thermos.”
“No trouble. I was going to have a cup too.”
“Okay then. Sure.”
After making two cups, Ria offered the Deputy one and sat down on the couch.
“Thank you for staying with me here, Deputy.”
“Please, call me Lauren. I’ve been a little sick these past few days and glad to have gotten the rest while hanging out here.”
“Are you okay?”
“I haven’t told anyone at the station yet. I’m pregnant. I just found out several weeks ago.”
“Congratulations. How wonderful.”
The woman’s sigh didn’t sound so convincing. “I didn’t plan this. The news caught me off guard and I’m still processing it, but each day it sinks in deeper. Unfortunately, the father wasn’t who I thought he was. If he hadn’t up and disappeared on his own I would have thrown him to the curb.”
“Sometimes the things we don’t plan turn out to be the best things that ever happen to us. I am sorry though that he didn’t turn out to be someone great for you.”
“I’m just starting my career in law enforcement and I had wanted to wait until I was established, and in a committed relationship, but being a single mom isn’t my biggest concern. I’ve
known lots of women who have raised children on their own and it turned out okay. If I meet someone down the road, great.”
“You’ll do wonderful, and you do have an understanding boss.”
“Sheriff Cade is always helpful. Do you mind if I ask a question? I know you probably get tired of answering questions about your eyesight…”
“No, ask away. I’m willing to answer anything,” Ria encouraged.
“Your eyes aren’t…well…”
“Milky? Prosthetics?”
“Yeah. I had no clue when I first met you that you’re blind.”
“I was in a car accident and didn’t suffer any damage to my eyes. The injury is to a part of my brain that sends the messages to my eyes.”
“Is there a chance you’ll get your sight back?”
Lifting a shoulder, she let it drop. “The longer I go the less likely I’ll gain sight back. I don’t think about it anymore. I’ve learned to live with what I’ve been given. Although at first it was hard to accept, and all the challenges I’d face, but I’m alive.”
“I’m sure it must piss you off then when you’re told you’re not a good witness because of being blind. Especially thinking killers could go free just because you didn’t see their faces.”
Lauren’s words struck Ria in such a way that the coffee splashed over the rim of the cup and splattered on her wrists. She carefully placed the cup on the table. “I’m not a credible witness?”
“I-I’m sorry. I thought Sheriff Cade had told you…I have such a big mouth.”
“No, Lauren, he didn’t speak to me, but I’m sure it wasn’t said in private. I’d like to know what he did say though.” Her heart skipped a beat.
After a second’s hesitation and a shift on the sofa, she sighed. “The only thing the Sheriff said was the truth. The prosecutor told him they couldn’t try a case without proof and with only your testimony. Sheriff Cade believes in you though. He’s a good guy, I just hope Katy doesn’t attempt to sink her fangs into him again.”
Protected by the Lawman Page 17
