Aces Wild: A Sin City Collectors Novella

by Amanda Carlson

  Neve nodded and simply said, “I do.”

  He loved that she wasn’t ashamed to admit it. “If we’re going to do this now, we have to make sure you stay you the entire time.”

  “I can’t guarantee I’ll stay coherent, but there’s really only one way to find out.” Her fingertips brushed down the front of his chest, sending chills racing through him. She ended by grabbing his hand. “Come with me.” She tugged him forward. “I’m thinking you’re dirty, too. We could both use a shower.”

  He followed behind her with zero reservations.

  Neve tried to push away any anxiety and trepidation she was feeling as she led this strong, beautiful man who wanted her for the long haul into the bathroom. It felt right to be with him. Exactly right, in fact. But actually allowing herself care about someone was another thing entirely, but she felt ready to try.

  Without stopping, she dropped his hand and walked purposefully over to the shower. She reached in and turned the dial to hot. She wanted steam. She needed to cleanse away everything that had happened today.

  She slowly turned back around.

  Jake had moved to the sink, propping himself against the granite, his strong arms crossed, as he watched her intently.

  She felt like blushing, but that was silly.

  “Neve, I want you to know that I’m not going to hurt you. My instinct is to protect those I love and I’m extremely good at it.”

  Neve paced to him and nudged his legs wide with one knee, making her way into his space like she owned it, and said, “I know.” She could tell she’d surprised him. He opened himself up and drew her in, his big hands warming her waist, his eyes combing over her with enough intensity to send chills racing through her body. “Jake, this is me. I promise. I want this.”

  “How am I going to know if you’re not…the real you as we proceed?” His voice conveyed his worries.

  Neve bit her lip. “I’m not sure yet, but let’s keep checking in. Maybe we need some kind of trigger word?” she half-joked, suddenly feeling nervous. “Or some kind of question-and-answer scenario?”

  “I like that,” he answered, “and if you can’t answer me, I stop.”

  “Okay,” she replied. “How about you ask me something like, ‘What do you want more than anything?’ and I reply with, ‘A hellhound in my bed’?”

  She felt him go hard immediately, but instead of backing away, she snuggled closer, enjoying his arousal.

  “Neve, I don’t think—”

  “Shh,” she said, going up on her tiptoes and covering his mouth in a playful kiss. “Just go with it.”

  He didn’t need any more prodding. His mouth was back on hers in less than a second. His lips were hot, with just the right amount of firmness. She couldn’t help sighing as she collapsed against his chest, as though the biggest issue in her life had finally been resolved. He growled slowly as he kissed her, the sound coming from deep within his chest, rumbling through her. It was blissful. This time her flesh broke out in goose bumps as she wiggled closer.

  He immediately broke the kiss, his face a mask of concern. “Are you still with me?”

  “Hmm,” she mumbled.

  Jake immediately brought her out to arm’s length, his expression pained. “Nevada, is that you?”

  “Jake,” she said, gazing up into his beautiful gray eyes. “I’m here. We just started and you’re worrying too much.” Neve didn’t know how to explain to him that she felt different this time. More relaxed and in control. The tipsiness she felt right now, drunk on his kisses, was much different than what she’d felt before when she’d been in denial and spaced out of her mind. She brought her hands up to cradle his face to assure him, caressing it with her thumbs, enjoying the feel of his dark stubble underneath her fingertips. The bathroom was starting to get steamy, and she licked her lips in anticipation. “It’s still me.”

  “I don’t like this,” he grumbled as she stole another kiss. “I need to be sure. I’m not going to take advantage of this situation. I need to know every step of the way that you’re with me.”

  “Okay, what would make you the most comfortable?”

  “Let’s make it simpler,” he said. “What’s your favorite poker hand?”

  “Aces wild.”

  “Aces wild isn’t a poker hand. Do you mean four of a kind?”

  “Nope.” She smiled. “I like it when aces are wild.”

  “Neve, aces aren’t usually wild—”

  She kissed him hard, and then broke from him, grinning. “The ace is the most powerful card in the deck, Jake. And the post powerful cards are never wild, but they should be. Therefore, my favorite poker hand is: aces wild.”

  He drew in a sharp breath, leaned over and picked her up, walking her backward over to the steaming hot shower as she wrapped her legs tightly around him. She immediately began to unbutton his jeans. He shifted her in his grasp so she could finish her task, his muscles rippling as he maneuvered her around with ease. Weight wasn’t an obstacle for this man, and that delighted her. She scooted both his jeans and his boxers down around his hips, and once they were down he took over and shook both them off, discarding them by kicking them away.

  Before she could get her own vest unbuttoned, he seared her with another burning kiss. She opened to him, loving his taste and craving his strength. Her hands went to his hair, and she moaned into his mouth.

  He broke apart after a few moments, breathing heavily. “Are you still with me, Neve?”

  She smiled, kissing the tip of his nose. “Aces wild.”

  Once her clothes were off, he carried her into the shower. The heat was intense and it felt amazing. “I’ve wanted you for so long,” Jake said in a deliciously husky voice. “Ever since that first night. My mind nearly went insane with you. It was hard to cope.”

  “I know. I craved you, too, but I wouldn’t let myself go there,” she replied. “I couldn’t or it would’ve destroyed me.” She loved watching the water cascade over his broad shoulders, how it flowed over all his indents and curves. She leaned over and ran her tongue over his hard pec, landing right on the center and biting down.

  “Gods,” he swore, edging closer to her, running a hand up her back as she melded against his chest.

  “Hmm, you liked that, didn’t you, hound?” she whispered, her lips pressed against his flesh.

  “Yes, it’s nothing short of fantastic.” His head tipped back as she continued to lap and nibble at his hard chest, running her hands down around to his backside, gripping firmly. The water streamed around them, and she paused to lap it off his various dips and grooves as he groaned.

  “There’s more where that came from,” Neve said, her own voice becoming deeper because of the building lust. “And before you ask, yes, my aces are still very, very wild.”

  “My turn,” he said gruffly, pivoting her around and pressing her backside against the cool tiles. He picked up the soap and tore through the wrapper with one hand. The stream of water was cut off from her by his broad back, but Neve was far from cold. The room was thick with steam, and it enveloped her as Jake braced her firmly against the wall. With one hand anchored around her hip, he brought the other soapy hand up to her chest. “You’re going to love this.” He bent to her ear and whispered, “I promise.”

  Then he kissed her deeply as his soapy hand slid languidly down her front.

  “What’s not to love—ohhh,” she cried as Jake ran his slick hand over her tight peaks, but didn’t linger, in favor of going straight for the prize.

  His hand dipped low, and Neve shouted as he hit his mark on the first try, immediately making lazy circles against her heat. Neve’s knees quaked in her overwhelming pleasure. The cold tile against her back was the only thing rooting her in reality, otherwise she would’ve floated away.

  “Move your head back, Neve,” Jake whispered gruffly. “So I can explore you better.”

  She complied and angled it away from him.

  He immediately dipped his head down and took a nippl
e in his mouth, sucking hard. Her hands were still wrapped around his backside, and as her nails began to sharpen in her ecstasy she had to ease them back.

  She did more than moan this time, she yelled as his tongue flicked over her again and again, his fingers keeping up their pace below. “Jake,” she panted, “you’re…a very talented man.”

  He glanced up at her, lust and satisfaction in his eyes.

  She saw the stark need there and knew it was mirrored in her own eyes. This man was incredibly sexy with his dark, wet hair and intense gray stare. The water glistened off his chest and face like some kind of Adonis. She was having trouble believing he was hers for the taking.

  “Are you still with me, Ace?” he asked with a lopsided grin.

  She half-giggled, half-moaned as his fingers kept encircling her. “If you keep doing that, I’ll be past you, not with you. And, yes, I’m here.” She brought her hands to his face and angled his head up and took his mouth greedily.

  He growled, lifting her and turning them both so Neve’s back hit the heated stream as their tongues intertwined. His hardness was not something she could miss, and now that it was pressed between them, she moved slowly against it.

  Jake angled her to rinse her off, keeping her close. She obliged by leaning back so the soap he had rubbed all over her body could run off. While her head was arched under the water, Jake took advantage of what was presented to him and dipped his head, teasing a nipple between his teeth.

  She gripped his shoulder hard and called his name.

  He immediately eased her up, his mouth still locked around her. He strode out of the shower and carried her into the bedroom without bothering to turn off the water.

  Jake reached the bed and ripped the covers off in one motion, tossing them into a careless heap on the floor. He laid Neve down gently on the sheet and gazed down on her in awe.

  She was hot and wet, and the look on her face surpassed any he’d seen thus far.

  Contentment and happiness weren’t anything he’d ever thought he’d see on her face, and they made her breathtakingly beautiful in his eyes.

  “Are you still with me, Ace?” His voice was gruff in his own ears.

  “I am.” She shivered. “Please come and warm me up.”

  Her eyes appeared clear, but Jake wanted to be damn sure.

  He leaned over her, bracing his arms on either side of her head. She still looked lovely to him. “Tell me something about yourself I don’t know.”

  “Jake, I can probably recite the Gettysburg Address if you wanted me to.” She chuckled. “But I think it might ruin the mood.” Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her.

  He went willingly.

  Her mouth was soft and sweet, and he took her lips like a man who hadn’t had a drink of water in years. She was not shy with her tongue. It stroked in and out of his mouth until he thought he might go insane. He broke the kiss, wanting more, but needed to know she was still with him. After a quick glance into her eyes, he ran his lips down her front, stopping to give attention to each breast.

  They were pure perfection, firm and tight.

  She was so responsive when he suckled her there, he could’ve lingered all day. And would in the future, loving the fact he was able to tease her beyond reason. He also delighted in the fact that as he gave each breast attention, her back arched her into his mouth, her hands urging him closer.

  This woman was made of passion.

  Breaking the seal on her nipple gained him a low moan. He kissed his way down to her navel, stopping to explore it with his tongue. Her hands flew to his face, pressing against him as she writhed like a siren beneath him, the anticipation likely killing her.

  Nevada Hamilton wasn’t one to wait patiently for anything.

  Once he reached the tops of her beautiful thighs, he brought his hand up again, but was surprised when she stilled him with a sure grip. “No, no more of your talented fingers, Jake. I’m too close.” He glanced up and saw her eyes spark with intent. “I need you.”

  The message was clear, and her words made a single shiver race through his body at breakneck speed.

  He knew this coupling was important. This was the start of his new life with this amazing woman. He nodded and rose over her, taking her mouth again. Her lips were sweet and full. He broke the kiss and his eyebrows furrowed. “Are you sure you want this?”

  “Yes, Jake, I’ve never been more sure.”

  He leaned over and slid his hand under her backside, maneuvering her to the end of the bed. He was harder than he’d ever been in his life, and as he gripped himself, he shuddered in anticipation. Then he took one of her beautiful legs and brought it up high, resting it against his shoulder. She moaned, wiggling against him. “Nevada, I want you to look at me while I enter you.” His voice shook with emotion. “I want to know you’re with me the entire time.”

  She obeyed and stared up at him, her gaze heated, but clear.

  While his eyes were pinned on hers, he rubbed his tip against her. It seared him and he stifled a howl. He shouldn’t have been surprised by how hot she was, but he still was. He stilled, taking a long breath, trying to steady himself. As he did, the minx rubbed her softness up and down against him. “Good gods, Neve!” His voice was ragged. “You keep that up, and I won’t have a chance to get inside you first.”

  “Ah, but I need you inside me, Jake,” she teased.

  He lingered in ecstasy as she continued to rub herself up and down on him, then not being able to wait one more single second, he plunged deeply into her, never taking his gaze off of hers.

  Her body rose up to meet his, and he grabbed on to her hips, seating her fully against him, using all his considerable strength. “Neve, you’re wicked,” he groaned as she rocked up against him even harder.

  “I hope that’s not a problem for you,” she panted.

  He gazed down on her. She looked incredible with her long wet hair fanned out on the bed, her body still slick from the shower.

  “Just the opposite.” His voice wasn’t above a whisper. “I might die of happiness. Seeing you passionate like this makes something inside me break. It’s a kind of contentment I’ve never experienced before.” He drew himself out slowly, unclasping Neve’s hands from behind him, and plunged into her again, hard.

  “Yes, Jake, just like that,” she moaned.

  He bent over her, still seated deeply.

  He didn’t want it to be over too quickly, and he knew they were both close. He drew back, bringing his tip out, and before she could protest, he dove back in, starting a quick rhythm he knew would take them both over the edge.

  As he thrust into her, Jake gently spread her leg back even farther, needing to find a way to be even closer to her. “Neve, am I hurting you?” he asked, both to make sure she was still with him and this position wasn’t hurting her.

  Her eyes sparkled with need. “You’re not hurting me, Jake, and if you stop anytime soon, I might have to kill you.”

  Jake clasped one of her breasts in his mouth as he pumped in and out of her. Gods help him, he wanted it all. Her response was immediate. She arched up against him, pressing herself into his mouth, grabbing on to the nape of his neck as her other leg locked around his ass, urging him to go even faster.

  He was so close, but there was no way he was coming to this party first. He pulled back, breaking his seal on her breast, and arched above her, slowing his speed.

  “What are you doing?” Neve panted, twisting her head back and forth, fisting the sheets.

  “Just making sure you’re still with me, Ace, and I’m going to enjoy watching you reach the finish line.”

  “And how are you going to do—”

  He’d grabbed onto the insides of both of her thighs with his hands, spreading them apart as he eased her backside up on the bed. Then he leaned over and grabbed a pillow and shoved it under her, quick as lightning, as he continued to languorously draw in and out of her wetness.

  “Slow and stea
dy wins the race, Neve.” A breath caught in his throat. Without her urging, he picked up the pace, angling himself to hit her just right, the tip of him against the top of her.

  She cried out, thrashing in pleasure. “Jake, you’re killing me.”

  “I know, love. I know,” he said as he rocked into her.

  The pleasure was almost too intense.

  Jake was so big, and every time the man moved inside her, the tingles threatened to overwhelm her. And he’d just called her “love.” Her mercury tears leaked out the sides of her eyes before she could stop them.

  She couldn’t help it.

  Emotion threatened to overwhelm her as she gave herself permission to feel everything. And, surprisingly, this was the first time she thought having feelings wasn’t going to kill her. It was just the opposite. This time she was sure they would free her.

  She didn’t want to have her release alone, and she knew Jake was waiting for her. “Jake, you have to stop,” she moaned.

  He obeyed her instantly, halting mid-thrust. But he didn’t pull out, which was a blessed relief. “What’s wrong? Are you still with me?” he asked.

  “Yes, but I want to do this together.” But even as she said it, she undulated against him, easing his hardness in and out of her, earning a low groan from him.

  He just felt too good.

  She finally stilled and focused her gaze on him, smiling. “When we finish, I want it to be together. It feels important.”

  Jake nodded and bent down, scooping her up in his arms, still keeping them connected. Neve wrapped her arms around his neck, placing her lips on the side of his cheek as he moved them. Her mouth trailed to the edge of his ear and whispered, “You are the most amazing lover.”

  “You’re not too bad yourself,” he said. “We’ll do this any way you want to.” He immediately turned and sprawled out on the bed, seating Neve firmly on top of him, never once breaking their connection. “You lead, and I’ll follow. Don’t worry about the pinnacle, I’ll be right there with you. I’m barely hanging on as it is.” He grinned.