Catch Your Breath

by Shannyn Schroeder

  “These are amazing,” he said as he palmed one breast and sucked the other nipple into his mouth.

  His mouth, now that was amazing. She arched into him. The slow ache began to build in her again. Barely moving his body off her, he managed to get his underwear off. He kissed her hard and insistently as he lay between her legs.

  Jimmy stroked her cheek and asked, “Is anything off limits?”

  The question startled her. Was there?

  The look on her face must’ve revealed something because he muttered, “Shit. You’re not a virgin.” He said it with just a hint of question.

  She laughed. “No.”

  “Is there anything I can’t do to your body?”

  She stared into his eyes and felt it through to the center of her being. “I don’t think so.”

  He leaned his forehead to hers. “You’re killing me here.” Inhaling deeply, he levered himself up a bit and said, “If I do anything you don’t want, you have to say so. Okay?”

  Her eyes were wide and her imagination sped through possibilities. She’d read about enough kink that a flood of thoughts blipped by. She swallowed hard and a thought hit her. “Wait.” It came out sharply and he froze, muscles taut. “Don’t pee on me.”

  He burst out laughing and collapsed on top of her. He weighed a ton, but feeling his hard muscles and long limbs surrounding her was delicious. His laughter filled the room, breaking some of the tension, and she felt her own giggle rise. “I didn’t think it was that funny.”

  Pushing up on his elbows, he looked into her eyes, his smile filling his face. “I don’t think I could do that right now even if I wanted to, which I don’t.”

  She laughed at the ridiculousness of what she’d said. He quieted her with another searing kiss and her mind emptied of all thought. Her legs curled around his hips.

  He kissed her neck and pushed her legs away. A whimper bubbled up in her throat. If he backed away again, she was going to cause some serious bodily harm. He chuckled and said, “I’ve waited too long for this. Don’t rush me.”

  With some men that would be an empty promise. With Jimmy, she had no doubt he would deliver. He explored her entire body, touching, squeezing, kissing, and licking. Every time she moved to touch him, he gently removed her hand and held it for a minute.

  Using his hands, he brought her to the brink of orgasm again and managed to hold her there. Her mind swirled out of control and her body moved instinctively to find release. Jimmy, however, continued to toy with her.

  Finally, she croaked out, “Jimmy, I can’t.”

  “You can and will.”

  She closed her eyes and grasped at what little sanity she had left. That’s when she heard the condom wrapper. Finally.

  She waited for the glorious pressure of his body pushing her into the mattress, sinking into her. But it didn’t happen. He’d pulled away again and massaged her thighs, his thumbs working their way up. He touched her, caressed her, but didn’t enter or touch her clit. She thrust her hips up, but he used his forearms to hold her down.

  Then his sweat-slicked body was on top and gliding into her. One long, strong stroke and he buried himself. The shock startled her and her intake of breath was sharp.

  His gentle, slow motions disappeared and he hammered into her at a frantic pace, but the collision of their bodies was needy and fulfilling. She bucked up to meet his thrusts, planting her feet flat on the bed beside his hips. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.

  He thrust his hands under her shoulders and pulled her entire body to him. The bed shook and slid into the wall. Their faces were barely an inch apart, their breath mingling, sweat dripping, flesh slapping.

  The ache in her was gone, replaced by a tight coil of nerves, and when Jimmy shifted, the orgasm ripped through her. She climbed onto him, wrapping her arms and legs around his body, every muscle strained, riding the wave of the orgasm. Jimmy released a guttural groan and went rigid.

  Moira didn’t know what happened, but she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see, couldn’t swallow. Somewhere in the recesses of her brain, she registered that Jimmy had slowed his pumping to a final few jerks of his hips, but she couldn’t feel her limbs. She told herself to move, respond, but her body wouldn’t listen.

  “Holy fuck,” Jimmy said. He lifted off her body.

  Her arms and legs slid away from him, totally useless. Her brain finally came back online as he rolled to the side. With him gone, she became cold, but her body was too exhausted to even shiver. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jimmy’s chest still heaving. He didn’t say anything, but reached out and held her hand.

  She fell in love with him all over again. It was stupid, starry-eyed kid stuff, so she closed her eyes. She didn’t want him to see. His weight shifted on the bed and she knew he was getting up. He kissed the back of her hand before letting go.

  “You okay?”

  She forced a swallow and licked her lips. “Uh-huh.”

  Without opening her eyes, she knew he left the room. She felt the absence of his buzzing energy. Jimmy had imprinted himself all over her. She rubbed her hands over her face and into her hair. She struggled against heavy muscles to sit up and open her eyes. Glancing down at her body, she saw no signs of a difference, a change caused by Jimmy, but she felt it.

  He came back into the room and studied her. “What are you thinking?”

  Knowing she couldn’t explain what she’d been searching for, she returned to her flirtatious roots. “I was thinking you asked about things that might be off limits, leaving my imagination to wander to all sorts of depraved things, but as amazing as that sex was, it wasn’t kinky.”

  He smiled and sat beside her. “I wanted to be up front about expectations. Tonight was about getting to know your body.”

  “What else did you want?”

  His face became serious and he kissed her. On her lips he whispered, “Everything.”

  The word settled heavily in her brain and in her chest, but she refused to acknowledge its weight. “Will you spend the night?”

  He lowered his eyelids. “I can’t tonight. I have something I need to take care of.”

  She tried not to feel disappointed.

  “I would, but this can’t wait.”

  “Who says I can?”

  “You’ll have to.” He bent over and pulled on his underwear.

  “Can I ask where you’re going and what you have to do?”

  “You could, but I won’t answer.”

  She shifted away from him, but he caught her wrist. “You need to accept that there are things I won’t talk about. My job tops that list. I’ll never be accused of oversharing.”

  “Fine, but don’t get mad at me when I withhold information too.”

  Laughter burst from him again. “You’d explode if you couldn’t share. You don’t know how to keep your mouth shut.”

  She swung her arm to thump his shoulder, but he caught it and held it over her head as he pushed her back into the mattress. His laugh faded into a sigh as he kissed her. His lips were still curved in a smile and Moira’s heart floated. As much as she liked the strong, silent, brooding Jimmy, happy Jimmy was a crap ton of fun.

  His free hand trailed down her neck, across her collarbone, and down to her breasts. “I have plans for these.”

  “If you expect me to wait, I suggest you get off me now, or I might be tempted to use your handcuffs to keep you here.”

  He stood, sliding away from her body. “Tease.”

  She watched as he stepped into his pants. His muscles bunching and twisting. He pulled on his shirt and started to button it. “Stop staring at me like I’m dessert.”

  “I bet you’re a tasty treat.”

  He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Come lock me out before you make me forget I need to go.”

  “Fine.” She stood and pouted, having lost the battle of getting him to stay.

  Jimmy stepped into the hall and stopped. “Put on a robe.”

  “What? I’m going to
lock you out and then I’m going to take a shower. I don’t need a robe. You’ve seen it all.”

  He pointed across the living room. “I prefer for your neighbors not to see it all.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’m on the third floor, Jimmy. Unless there’s a giant out there, no one is seeing anything.”

  He still didn’t move, so she gave in and grabbed her robe from behind the door. As soon as the satiny material kissed her overly sensitive skin, she thought about the last time Jimmy had seen her in the robe. It was the first time he’d gotten close to her and she’d been sure he was going to kiss her.

  Satisfied she was covered, Jimmy walked toward the door.

  “That first night you came here . . .” She followed his footsteps slowly.

  Jimmy paused at the door.

  “When you wanted me to lock up. Were you going to kiss me?”

  His shoulders tensed and she was sure he wouldn’t answer. He turned and grabbed the belt of her robe, pulling her into him. “Not only did I want to, but I almost did. It’s a sexy robe. Not to mention having a jar of wax thrown at me was extra hot.”

  He gave her a brief kiss and walked out the door. “Lock up.” He knocked once and she locked it behind him.

  In the silence of her apartment, smelling of sex and feeling satisfied, her brain went back to Jimmy’s statements earlier. What did he mean when he said he wanted everything? More importantly, could she give it?

  CHAPTER 13

  Jimmy walked to his car and checked the time. If he drove fast, he’d make it before Liam left work. As much as he didn’t want to, he had to have the conversation that should’ve taken place before laying a hand on Moira. He drove into downtown and parked down the street from the restaurant. Before getting out, he checked his reflection in the rearview mirror. He hoped he looked the same instead of like a guy who just got laid.

  He walked to the lot and found Liam’s car. He waited, growing impatient, when restaurant employees began filing out the back door. Some gave him a look but they said nothing. Jimmy heard Liam’s voice before he saw him. Liam said good-byes and headed his way. When he saw Jimmy, there was a hitch in his step. “What are you doing here?”

  “I need to talk to you. Want to grab a beer?”

  Liam shoved his hands into his pockets and shook his head. He stepped closer.

  Jimmy blew out a breath. Liam knew the reason for his visit and now he wanted to make him squirm. He rubbed at his head and searched for the words. He’d always been honest with Liam. No reason to change that now. “I slept with Moira.”

  Liam jumped, and his fist connected with Jimmy’s jaw before Jimmy saw it coming. The punch knocked him back a step, but Jimmy regained his balance and put up his arms in defense. He didn’t want to fight Liam, but he refused to get his ass kicked. Liam already dropped his fist, so Jimmy rubbed his sore jaw.

  “What the fuck, Jimmy? You could have any woman. Why Moira?”

  “I don’t know. She does something to me, man. I can’t explain it. I’ve stayed away from her for a long time, but this case has put her in my path time and again.”

  Liam’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean you’ve stayed away?”

  “Shit, she caught my attention when she was a teenager. I felt guilty as hell thinking about her like that. She was a kid. Your kid sister. So I steered clear of her.”

  “So you’re going to fuck her and then what? You’re going to hurt her and I’ll fuck you up. Friend or no.”

  “She’s more than a fuck, and she’s not a kid anymore, Liam. This was as much her decision as mine. I have no intention of hurting her.” He leaned against Liam’s car, absorbing the conversation.

  “Rarely do people intend to hurt someone. What do you think is going to happen? She’s going to walk away from her career to sit around the house waiting for you?”

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re figuring things out. I care about her.”

  Liam paced in a tight circle. “Don’t do this.”

  “It’s already done. I’m not asking your permission. I was just informing you.” This conversation headed downhill fast. Who knew it could get worse than his friend leading with a punch?

  “Then there’s nothing left to say. Get off my fucking car.” Liam approached with his keys in hand.

  Jimmy said nothing, but he stepped aside. Liam would be fine once he cooled down. With any luck, that would happen before Liam rushed off to the other O’Leary boys to send a mob to his house. He walked back to his car.

  With the euphoria of amazing sex subsiding, Jimmy could think, but he didn’t like where the thoughts headed. Liam had a point. How did Moira fit into his life plan?

  She was definitely the married, settled down with kids type, but she had a career she not only liked, but was good at. She was in the middle of striving to take her career higher. He remembered her excitement in talking about her new story.

  Which reminded him that he was supposed to learn more about the story to make sure he didn’t get into hot water at work. He didn’t have a shot of thinking about work when Moira was warm, wet, and willing in his arms. He pushed thoughts of a naked Moira from his mind and focused on how he could learn about her article. A casual conversation over dinner should do it.

  And if by chance, she was too close to the investigation, he’d tell her to back off before his superiors found out. No problem.

  Moira slept soundly and woke in a flurry of mixed emotions. She and Jimmy were a couple. Excitement and anticipation trickled through her as thoughts of Jimmy bombarded her every move. No matter what she did or where she moved, she thought of him. As she walked out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth, she stared at the wall where he licked her until she came. In the living room, she saw the couch and remembered snuggling against him while watching a movie together. Her front door reminded her of being wrapped around him as he tore her clothes from her body.

  It didn’t matter that they’d only actually had sex once; she began to imagine going all the way in each of those scenarios. And Jimmy was phenomenal in every scene.

  She dressed and loaded her laptop into her bag. Work was so not going to happen in her apartment today. She’d work at the coffee shop, and hoped that once she had more of Jimmy, she’d be able to function like a regular human being.

  The late morning air was cool, a nice change of pace from the sticky humidity they’d had for days, so she walked to Starbucks. After ordering her coffee and finding a comfy chair to work in, she shot a text to Liam. He’d said that he was off on Wednesday, and given this new development with Jimmy, she needed to get things straight with Liam.

  She didn’t expect to hear from him for a couple of hours because he liked to sleep in on his days off, so she booted up her computer and sipped on her sweet brew. Before starting any new articles or proofing things she needed to submit, Moira spent time gathering her thoughts on the escort services she’d called.

  In a new file, she took notes about Billie and Lisa and Jenny and Piper. They all seemed like totally normal people, like regular people she might meet and interact with on an ordinary day. Part of her article should address the perceptions people have about escorts. That got her wondering about the clients. Would they be considered johns? Probably not unless they had sex for money, but most of the girls seemed to act like that was a given.

  How desperate would she have to be in order to have sex for money? If she didn’t have her family to fall back on in hard times, would she have considered it? Letting her mind wander to the what-ifs was not going to get her work done, so she closed the file and opened the articles she needed to proof one last time.

  Proofreading was by far the most boring part of her job, and her mind did continue to wander, but it didn’t go to hookers.

  Jimmy starred in every image and thought.

  Moira always liked the new lust and fascination stage of a relationship. The way the feelings consumed her and energized her was intoxicating. Everything with Jimmy was e
xponentially potent, and even as she reminded herself that she was in public, heat crept into her cheeks and hormones surged.

  Then her phone rang, drawing her attention. Liam. “Hello.”

  “Where do you want to meet for lunch?”

  “You still sound pissed off, so maybe you should pick.”

  “Choosing where we eat isn’t going to make me feel better. Why don’t you head over here and I’ll cook?”

  “You cook all the time. Today’s your day off. Let someone else do the work.”

  “I love what I do, so it’s not a chore. Besides, cooking relaxes me, which might work in your favor.”

  She sighed. Why she thought she’d be able to lay down the law to any of her brothers eluded her. No matter what, she’d always be their little sister. “Fine. Want me to bring anything?”

  “Nope. See you in an hour or so.” Then he hung up.

  She wasn’t used to Liam acting like this. He’d always supported her against their brothers, and a sinking feeling settled on her. What if he couldn’t accept her relationship with Jimmy? What then? She couldn’t go there. Not now. Cutting the legs off a relationship that had barely started was not her style.

  Refocusing on the article in front of her, she forced her attention to stay on the words on the page. At least until her phone rang again. She considered ignoring it, but then she saw it was Jimmy. “Hey.”

  “Hi. What are you up to?”

  “I’m at Starbucks working.”

  “Why there?”

  “I was too distracted in my apartment. But then I discovered the distraction followed me and it’s really hard to focus.” She toyed with her cup and felt foolish for being so happy that he’d called.

  “If it makes you feel better, I’m off my game today too. I was calling to see if you’re free for lunch.”

  She winced. For once, she planned something and now she’d miss out on a much better offer. This was why she liked to keep her options open. “Sorry. I made plans to have lunch with Liam.”

  “Shit.”