by Jen Talty
“Oh, don’t I know it,” Harper said with an arched brow. “I’m sure half the people who gave her shit thought they were doing her a favor, toughening her up.”
His turn to laugh. “Madison sure as shit didn’t need that. If anything, she needs some refinement around the edges, but I suppose that comes from having to fight tooth and nail to be respected in her own profession. One, I might add, she’s damn fucking good at.”
“You sound like one proud brother.”
“I am, and I think you and Madison would really like each other.”
“I kind of like her brother.”
“Her brother sort of likes you back.” His stomach fluttered like a teenager about to see his first boob. He could sit here on this patio, just like this, all night, and be perfectly okay with that, even though his body desired something more.
Hell, he craved something real. Something honest. Something that would lead to something of the forever kind.
“We both must have had too much wine, because we sound like a bunch of saps,” she said.
“Well, this sap was promised some cookies.”
“You haven’t cleaned up yet.”
He tossed his hands wide. “Woman, you drive a hard bargain.”
“You clean, I’ll pour more wine and warm up those cookies.”
He groaned as he gathered up the plates, setting them on the tray. “You’re making it really hard for me to remain a gentleman.”
She waltzed across the patio, her fingers gliding on the side of the table. “I’m about to make it harder.” Her hands landed on his shoulders as he leaned into his body. Her chest pressed against his. “You’re a compelling man.”
“That’s not the compliment I was looking for,” he said, circling his arms around her petite waist. He lowered his head, tilting sideways, his gaze darting from her lust-filled eyes to her plump lips. His mouth brushed hers, slowly at first, tasting the sweetness of her femininity that blended nicely with the wilds of a woman who knew exactly who she was and what she wanted.
She pushed away, taking a step back, her killer smile sucker-punching his ability to breath. For the second time, the damn woman literally took his breath away.
“Don’t forget to scrub the grill,” she said as she slinked from his arms and strolled into the kitchen, glancing once over her shoulder as she kicked her leg up behind her.
“You’re killing me.”
“That’s the point.”
Chapter 4
Harper hadn’t had this much fun since—hell, since ever.
“You want a job as my cleaning lady?” she asked, sinking into her sofa in the family room. Besides doing all the dishes, Brodie had hung her two pictures and had just finished fixing her coffee table with the wobbly leg.
“You can’t afford me.” He smiled, still bent over in the center of the room.
She let out a long sigh which sounded more like a moaning dog in heat.
He arched a brow. “Was that from relaxing on the sofa, or something else?”
“Let’s just say I like the view.” She wished she could say she was loose with the lips because of too much wine, but they’d paced themselves over the last four hours, and she was barely buzzed. Besides, her mouth always acted like a fire hydrant on full blast.
“It’s dark outside, there is no view.” He eased onto the sofa, his thigh barely touching hers with his hand resting dangerously close to her bare skin.
“I wasn’t looking outside.” All evening, she’d felt as though she’d known Brodie for months. Years even. They had this comfortable rapport that only came with long friendships between two people who could finish the other’s sentence, something she barely had with her best friend.
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” He leaned closer, tilting his head. “I like hanging out with you, and I want to do it more often.”
“We’re neighbors, so I’m sure we’ll run into each other.”
He traced a finger along her jawline. “That we are.” His thumb tugged at her lower lip before he cupped the back of her head, letting his mouth take hers in a slow, intense kiss. He tasted like rich chocolate and a dry red wine that lingered long after you swallowed.
She blinked her eyes closed, pressing her hand on his powerful chest. Her heart hammered, and every cell in her body electrified. Her skin bristled with the need to have his hands—and lips—caressing her most intimate, erogenous zones. She couldn’t remember wanting a man in her bed more, and she had a feeling that once she had him, he’d become an obsession. This was not the kind of man you had a one-night stand with.
No.
Brodie was the type of man who seeped into your pores, devouring every molecule until your heart beat as one with his.
He curled his fingers around her hip, shifting their bodies, and she caved to her desires without reservation when she straddled him, cupping his face, diving her tongue deep into his mouth. He certainly didn’t seem to mind as he gripped her ass and his tongue intertwined with hers, coating the inside of her mouth with droplets of a promising storm.
She raised the bottom of her shirt, but he stopped her from lifting it over her head.
“As much as I want to see what is under this shirt, people walk around this neighborhood all the time at night and right now, anyone passing by has a perfect view of both of us.”
“Not an exhibitionist, huh?” She pushed herself off his lap, holding his hand.
“No, and I hope you’re not either.”
“Depends on who is looking,” she said, pulling him toward her bedroom. While she remained confident on the outside, her insides shook like a scared rabbit hiding in the bushes from a wild fox. She’d always been able to mask her nerves, a quality she’d learned when she was younger and constantly had to prove that girls could do anything. But this was different. It had nothing to do with asserting or establishing her abilities. With Brodie, right here and now, she was taking one of the biggest risks of her life because she believed without a doubt, this man could rip her heart out and leave her bleeding on the side of the road.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“My bedroom where I have shades.”
He let out a deep, throaty groan that tightened her throbbing nipples. “I’m really glad I made an ass out of myself this morning.” Grabbing her arm, he twisted her body, heaving it toward his chest. Reaching down, he gripped the back of her thighs, spreading her legs and lifting her off the ground.
“Whoa,” she managed before his tongue darted into her mouth. He continued to move effortlessly, kicking open the bedroom door. With her legs still wrapped tightly around his waist, he managed to close both blinds and turn on every light in her bedroom before laying her on the bed on her back, his strong body pressing against hers like a warm blanket.
“I guess you like the lights on.”
“I’m a guy. I’m kind of visual that way.” He nuzzled his face in her neck as he sucked on her earlobe.
“Then let me give you the optimum view.” She rolled him over so once again she was straddling his waist, feeling his hardness in exactly the right spot.
Must have been good for him too since he groaned, gripping her thighs.
She didn’t waste any time and ripped off her shirt, unhooking her bra, and releasing her average-size girls, suddenly feeling shy. Never had she worried about what anyone thought of her, or her body. Any lover she’d had, if they didn’t like what they saw, or criticized in any way, she easily said goodbye. Anyone who loved her would have to love all of her, or she hadn’t the time or inclination to press on.
Resisting the urge to cover up, she let her hands drop to her sides, her chest heaving up and down with every nervous breath.
Brodie rose up, pressing his hands on the mattress. His hot breath tickled her skin. His dark eyes smoldered as he gently kissed one of her nipples. While his tongue swirled around the hard nub, he never tore his gaze away, leaving her lungs burning, along with her body, as if she were sitting in front
of a crackling bonfire.
She moaned as he moved to the other breast. The only thing touching her was his mouth and that was somehow the most erotic thing anyone had ever done.
He cupped the back of her head and drew his lips to hers as he gently rolled her to her back, dotting kisses down her chest. He managed to undo her shorts, rolling the fabric over her hips.
“Shirt for a shirt,” she said, wanting to see his naked body in all its glory.
“Sure thing.” He yanked his T-shirt over his head then tugged her shorts and panties off in one swoop.
“Whoa, you’re fast,” she mused.
“Hopefully, not where it matters,” he said with a long, slow drawl. He dotted the inside of her thigh with delicate kisses.
Her chest heaved up and down in anticipation of what was to come. The closer his lips moved up her leg, the hotter her skin became.
He smiled before he buried his tongue inside her, swirling and lapping in controlled strokes.
“Oh my,” she whispered. Her body became desperate. She gripped the sheets, tossing her head from side to side, biting down on her lower lip to keep from screaming. She’d had lovers before who brought her pure pleasure, but every single one of them she had to tell them where and how.
Brodie needed no guidance.
“Oh God,” she said, raising her hips shamelessly, and he didn’t disappoint, finding the spot she needed him to caress the most.
His hands roamed her body like a fine, bold wine hugging the sides of a glass as a connoisseur masterfully swirled the liquid. The fan above her head cut through the air, sending a cool breeze across her perspired skin like the ocean breeze. Brodie’s touch was both temperate and tempestuous, leaving her utterly breathless.
Her orgasm built quickly, sending a shock wave from her nipples to her center. If she wasn’t mistaken, Brodie smiled against her as she clutched his head, digging her fingers into his scalp, and clasping her legs tight. Her body jerked as her climax continued like aftershocks of an earthquake. The moment she thought she could take a breath, Brodie would add a finger, or do something with his tongue, and it would send her over the edge.
“I need you to stop,” she said, pushing his head from between her legs.
“I was just getting started.” He pressed feather light kisses on the inside of her thighs, looking up at her with a twinkle of mischief in his russet eyes that had a fiery twinge of orange around the edges.
“Come here,” she said, waggling her finger. “Kiss me.”
She tasted herself on his lips as she fumbled hopelessly like a teenager with his zipper. She wanted to explore his hard curves and super soft skin in the hope of making his body tense and shudder. She wanted to hear him whisper her name as he stared down at her while she teased him endlessly.
Shit.
There was nothing worse than not being able to disrobe a lover.
Thankfully, without fanfare, he removed the article of clothing. She glided her fingers over the length of him, tracing a path over the tip. All she could think about was guiding him inside her while staring into his eyes.
He pushed from the bed, standing before her with her hands covering him, sliding up and down. His fingers tugged at the strands of her hair that fell over her shoulders.
She loved how he hissed when she rolled her tongue over the tip before taking him into her mouth. He stared at her, his hands tangling in her hair as he let her have her way with him. She’d never wanted to taste a man like she wanted to taste Brodie.
His thigh muscles tensed as she continued to lick and tease him. He moaned louder when her tongue circled the head while her lips were still on the tip. He groaned as she took all of him into her mouth. The desire to please him was stronger than any need she had for herself.
“Now I need you to stop,” he said with a throaty voice. He pushed her back onto the bed. “We have a problem since I wasn’t expecting this tonight.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t have a—”
“Condom? I have one around here…” she leaned over the side of the bed and rummaged through her make-up and toiletry bag until she came across a box of three. She laughed as she handed them to him.
“What’s so funny?”
“Never mind.” Her cheeks flushed.
“No. Tell me.”
“Just remembering when I bought those, knowing I had no one to use them with. It’s been a while.”
“What’s a while?” He took one of the foil packages, tossing the box on the nightstand as he climbed onto the bed, lying on his side, hand propping up his head.
“Oh, maybe six months or so.”
“I feel your pain.” He tore open the condom wrapper with his teeth.
She burst out laughing.
“If you were any other woman, I think I’d be terrified you were laughing at me.”
“I am laughing at you,” she said, cupping his face. “I’ve never seen anyone do that before.”
“Can’t say it was a stellar moment on my part.”
“I thought it was studly.” She didn’t give him a chance to laugh as she pulled the condom from his hand and quickly rolled it down over him as if he were a delicate, malleable piece of wet clay needing to be molded into something beautiful. She pushed him on his back while she slowly, and gloriously, guided him inside. “Oh…” she said with a long, breathy moan.
His hands squeezed her hips so tight, she figured he left his prints behind.
Leisurely, at first, she rolled her hips, rocking back and forth.
He went from gripping her hips to massaging her breasts. His legs tightened underneath her, and she could tell he was doing everything he could to maintain control.
But she wanted him to lose it. She leaned over, her breasts in his face. He took a nipple into his mouth, and she started grinding.
“Jesus,” he whispered. He gripped her, holding her, slowing her down, but she continued to grind.
He groaned, his fingers digging into her muscles. “Be careful, I might have to toss you on your back,” he said with a soft moan.
“Oh, promises, promises.”
The growl that came from his throat vibrated across her body. He flipped her over and rammed himself deep inside.
“Oh my God.” She moved against his rhythmic thrusts, digging her fingers into his shoulders. “Oh, yes,” she said with a long moan, her hips grinding wildly. An orgasm shot through her, seemingly coming from nowhere.
He groaned as he slammed into her one more time, holding himself steady, his release pouring into her.
Digging her heels into his back, she arched and rode out the pleasure as he collapsed his weight on top of her, kissing her neck, whispering how beautiful and sweet and wonderful she was, and she could listen to him say those things all night long.
She ran her fingers up and down his back as they both tried to catch their breath.
“We have two more, you know,” she whispered.
“You might be sorry you reminded me of that.”
“Sore, perhaps. Sorry? Doubtful.” And with those four words, she knew this would be the beginning of something wild and unexpected.
Chapter 5
If Brodie were a teenager, he'd want to go find his best friend and brag about going three times in one night. He rolled to his side and checked the clock.
Six in the morning.
Harper had mentioned she needed to be up by seven for work. That gave him just enough time to run out, get another box of condoms and something for breakfast, since she had almost nothing, so he could wake her up proper.
He slipped from the bed, doing his best not to disturb the sleeping beauty, and found his clothes. Once dressed, he stared at Harper. The sheet covered only one breast, and her leg peeked out from under the covers. Her hair pooled partially over her face.
The space in his pants just got a whole lot smaller.
Carefully, he closed the bedroom door and made his way across the street. He couldn’t decide if
he wanted to make her one of his famous breakfasts or buy something premade.
His male prowess demanded the latter.
"Making a run for it?"
Brodie jumped at the sound of Declan's voice.
"What the hell are you doing out here? "Brodie tossed his wallet into the front seat of his pickup, giving Declan a dirty look.
Declan raised his mug. “Enjoying a cup of coffee while I watch the sunrise, wondering where the hell my roommate spent the night. Dude, I was worried,” he said with a shitty grin and a huge dose of sarcasm.
"Right. Besides I sent you a text telling you I wasn’t coming home." Brodie reached in the cab and turned the key. The engine roared to life. He glanced over his shoulder, hoping it hadn’t woken Harper. The last thing he needed was for her to think he wanted to avoid the morning after.
No. He wanted a good morning only lovers could share.
“Imagine my surprise to see your truck here all night, but your bed was never slept in.” Declan smirked. “Where, oh where did you sleep?”
“I’m not going to answer that,” Brodie said, biting back a smile.
“So, you and the new investigator, eh?”
“Shut up Captain Obvious and you’re not Canadian.” Being single meant anytime he took a girl out, his fellow firemen could and would harass him. It was always all in good fun. While his ego preferred to be on the other side, his body was quite pleased.
“What’s she like?” Declan asked, blowing into his mug. “Besides being smoking hot.”
“Did you seriously just ask me that?”
Declan rolled his eyes. “I meant her personality. I can tell by the smile on your stupid-ass face that the evening festivities were mind-blowing.”
“Screw you,” Brodie muttered as he covered his mouth with his palm, his thumb and forefinger tracing his jaw, as if to erase the evidence from last night.
He liked everything about Harper from her off-color remarks, to her sexy body, but especially the way she held her end of a conversation. Smart didn’t cover her intelligence.
