by Melody Anne
Now, she wasn’t so sure. Pain filled her at the loss of her brother, but what if it truly had been an accident? What if Nick was innocent? She just didn’t know anymore. Could a man fake the pain he was obviously going through as he stood there nearly shaking at what he’d just had to relive?
He’d been so emphatic when talking with his friend. If she were on a jury, she would have a hard time not believing him. Chloe wasn’t sure what was the truth and what the lies were anymore.
She found herself stepping closer to him, knowing full well she didn’t have all the answers. But she knew that no matter what happened, she took her job seriously. Even though her objective all along had been to find something to incriminate him, she had still planned on healing his injury. She wouldn’t risk her job. She’d told herself she wanted him healthy when he went to prison. But it went beyond that.
She’d been hating herself for feeling so attracted to him. But if he truly was innocent, then the unusually strong emotions she’d been dealing with weren’t so wrong. She wished she weren’t as confused as she was. She should retreat, but Chloe found herself moving closer to him instead.
“Are you okay, Nick?” She was surprised by the question. What she should do is run for the hills, or the ocean, or anywhere but closer to him. She should let him have his pity party―whether it was deserved or not. But instead she was moving closer still. She couldn’t seem to stop her forward momentum.
“No.” The one word was almost curt. His eyes flashed open, and the look he gave her sent a shudder through her. She wasn’t sure if it was fear or desire―maybe a little bit of both. One thing she knew was that she should get the hell out of there . . . and do it fast.
“I’m sorry. I should leave you alone then,” she said.
Chloe hadn’t ever been hunting. Her family hadn’t done it either, but she imagined as she looked at Nick, and the light he got in his eyes, that it was the same look any predator had when it spied its prey. She took another step back.
“We have some unfinished business, doc,” he said, his tone changing abruptly. He moved toward her.
She slowly began backing away, her eyes shifting to the door, wondering at her chances of escape. He was moving quicker these days, but she might still be able to get the jump on him. With that look in his eyes, she wasn’t so sure, though.
“You know what, we’re both pretty tired. I think any, uh . . . business we might have would best be discussed in the morning.” She took another step back. He slammed down the remainder of his alcohol and took another step toward her.
“Aren’t you the one always saying that things shouldn’t be put off, that you have to tough it out even if you don’t want to?” he pointed out. His words made her eyes narrow at him.
He was so calm, but the light in his eyes was agitated. She knew when to stay and fight and when to retreat, and at this moment, it was best to call it a day before the tidal wave hit. He didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was ogling her body, taking extra time on her breasts, her hips, the crease between her legs. She felt as if she were standing there completely naked. She didn’t like the feeling.
Her legs clenched together as heat flooded her. She should hate this man, not be turned on by him, especially by nothing more than a look. But that look reminded her of what had happened only a few hours before, of how it had felt to have him standing between her thighs while his mouth did wicked things against her skin.
“I heard some of what you were talking about earlier,” she told him. His gaze narrowed a bit more. She took another step back. “I’m really sorry. I’m sure you need time to process it all.” Her words came out in a rush. She was becoming more nervous and confused by the second. He’d been bold in the weeks she’d been there, but there was an entirely new light in his eyes―one she didn’t trust at all.
With each step he took closer to her, she felt her heart race a bit faster, her skin tremble a little more. The hungry look in his eyes was making her core tight and hot, and she wasn’t sure what to think about it. She wanted him, that was definite. But she also knew she shouldn’t be having those feelings.
Chloe knew beyond a doubt that she would regret sleeping with the man―regret it deep in her soul. It would be a betrayal to her family―to herself. She had to get control over this situation and get the hell away from him fast. Even with this knowledge, she wasn’t trying to run fast enough. He was taking two steps forward with every one of her retreating moves. She didn’t think she wanted to be captured, but that’s what it seemed like.
Nick’s eyes never leaving hers, he lifted his fingers, his movements slow and deliberate. He undid the top button of his shirt, then the next . . . and the next. She was mesmerized by the widening view of skin he was showing. She trembled as she continued moving backward while he advanced, his shirt slowly coming open.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice shaky. Her tongue came out and moistened her dry lips, her legs stopped wanting to work.
“I’ve had a really bad day, and I’m getting more comfortable,” he said as the last of his buttons came undone and he moved to his cuffs, undoing those before he shrugged out of the shirt and dropped it, the light material floating to the floor.
She watched the movement, completely mesmerized. Then her eyes shot back upward, landed on his solid chest, and refused to budge from that delicious sight. She’d seen him several times without his shirt, and she’d seen fire burn in his eyes before, but not like this. There was hunger in the air. Nick was taking aim, and she was his target. She knew if she refused him, of course, he’d let her go. She just wasn’t sure she had the willpower anymore to do what she should.
Chloe continued moving backward, the gap between them only a couple of feet now. She hadn’t even realized she’d been moving down the hallway until she found herself at her bedroom door. The thought of the large bed on the other side of the solid wood sent a rush of wetness to her panties.
Her fingers shook as she lifted her hand to the knob and turned it, the door squeaking open. But she just stood there, gazing at the man following her.
“I’m sorry you’ve had a bad day,” she whispered, her voice deep and husky. Her eyes caught the flex of every muscle as he approached. She was surprised she didn’t sink down to the ground in utter submission. “I’m going to turn in now.”
She stepped into the room and pressed her hand against the door. A very small piece of her knew she should thrust it closed, but she’d barely pushed it a few inches before he stepped forward, stopping her from shutting him out. One word, or maybe a few, and she knew he would go away. Why couldn’t she say the words?
“I want to keep talking,” he told her as his eyes raked over her, making her visibly quiver.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now,” she said. He was too close to her, and she gave up on shutting the door, deciding pulling back farther was the safer method. It seemed the best option. “I’m exhausted and I should sleep.” The words were a lie. Sleep would be impossible given how she was currently feeling.
He called her on it.
“You aren’t tired, Chloe―you aren’t tired at all. You’re aching, and you’re fighting it. You want me as badly as I want you, but you’re afraid to admit it. Let’s help each other tonight―no games, no lies, no threats. We want each other, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Just admit how much you want me,” he demanded.
He was so close she could feel heat radiating off his body. She wanted to reach out and touch him, but she knew if she did, it would be all over. She wanted to lie down on her bed and let him take her to the sweetest recesses of heaven.
She didn’t feel ready for that―and really not ready with this particular man. It was a mistake, her mind was shouting at her, but her body knew exactly what it wanted.
He closed the gap between them, and slowly, achingly, his arms reached out. His hands slipped over her hips and cupped her behind her back as he pulled her forward. He didn’t move quickly, givin
He leaned down and pressed light kisses to the corner of her mouth, and her body trembled, but then he pulled back, his eyes burning, his arms shaking with the restraint he was using. It only made her want him that much more. She wanted to lean forward and take his mouth, but she wasn’t sure quite how to do it.
Her reservations were quickly disappearing. She was trying to tell herself it was just sex―only sex. But when was sex just sex? For other people it might be that way, but not for her. She equated sex with love―with intimacy. She couldn’t do it with the enemy. But even telling herself this, she wasn’t pulling away. They were in a standoff, her bed only two feet away, his body hard and unyielding.
“Do you still want to talk, Chloe?” he asked as he licked her bottom lip. She opened to him, but he didn’t dive inside her mouth. “Or do you want something else?”
It was a taunt, and she knew it. It was a challenge. He could walk away from her, she was sure of it. Was that what she wanted him to do? The thought of him seeking satisfaction with another woman after she’d been the one to bring him to this state of arousal made her stomach sick.
“Nick . . .” She wasn’t sure what she was planning on saying, but his name came out as a deep sigh. She ached for him.
He tugged her against him, all of her softness pressed against his hardness, and the feeling was absolute euphoria. She could stand there like that with him for hours or days―get lost in his embrace.
A moan escaped her tight throat before she could hold it back, and he rewarded her by leaning down and running his tongue up her throat. Then he kissed her softly again. She didn’t want softness anymore. She wanted hard and scorching.
Her breasts ached where they pressed against his solid chest. Her stomach trembled where his arousal pushed against it. She wanted to shed her clothes and feel all of his hardness pressing into her soft curves.
One of his hands drifted down and curved around her butt, squeezing her as he lifted her higher so his thickness could be pressed against her aching core. She was so tightly pressed against him, if there weren’t clothes in the way, he would be slipping inside her. She closed her eyes and sighed at the beauty of it.
Clenching her fists together to keep from reaching for him, Chloe struggled with what to do. If he moved the slightest bit, put any more pressure on her body, she might come from just that. Maybe then her mind would clear and she would return to her senses. She wiggled against him and moaned at how good it felt.
She was wrong, though. That just made the ache deepen. It did nothing to satisfy the cravings he was creating within her. She wanted him. Could she admit it? It seemed he wanted her to say the words. She wasn’t sure she could do that either.
Lifting her leg up, he slid between her thighs, mounting the pressure ever higher. They were in a dance that could go on for a lifetime.
“We’ve been here before, Chloe. You want me, but you’re afraid to admit it. As soon as you let down your guard, as soon as you tell me how much you want this, I’m going to slide my mouth over every single inch of you. I’m going to strip off your clothes and make you come over and over again. I’m going to slide inside your tight, wet body and make you scream my name. All you have to do is let go―admit this is right between us. Let me take the pain away for both of us. Tell me you want me,” he demanded.
He spoke against her ear, his tongue tracing the lobe before he bent and sucked on her neck while his hips pushed forward in circular motions, rubbing against her wet heat. She whimpered in his arms as she strained against him, feeling his hardness pulse against her body. It could all be hers with just a few simple words.
She buried her head against his chest, and her lips traced over his nipple, her tongue sliding out to take a taste. He gasped in pleasure as his hips thrust forward. She was on fire.
Reaching out, he tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her face back so she had no choice but to look into his flaming eyes. He kissed her a bit harder this time, still holding himself back, though.
He spoke while his lips were still against hers. “What do you want, Chloe? Your body is telling me exactly what it needs. But you have to say the words.”
She licked her lips again, her tongue caressing his mouth at the same time. She groaned at the taste of him, wanting him to devour her. Opening her lips, she invited him in, but still he didn’t take the bait.
She didn’t want to say the words, didn’t want to admit how badly she needed this. That would be a betrayal to herself. If she simply gave in, then she could tell herself it was in the heat of the moment, couldn’t she? But if she voiced her wants, there was no taking them back.
Nick reached between her thighs and caressed her heat, pressing upward so his fingers were touching her exactly where she wanted. He squeezed his fingers and she whimpered again. Shifting, she tried to put him where she needed him, but he wasn’t doing what she needed. There were too many clothes in the way.
“My stubborn little doc,” he said with a sigh. “Don’t you realize that as soon as you voice your wants, I’m going to lay you back on this bed and strip your clothes away? I’m going to sink so deep inside you, you won’t know where you end and I begin. We’re wasting these precious moments on your internal battle―moments I could be taking you to the highest reaches of pleasure. Give in to me, darling, and I promise you’ll have no regrets.”
Chloe shook her head, and he stepped back from her. Panic zipped through her entire body. Was he going to leave her like this? She wouldn’t be able to handle it. She looked up, met his eyes, and saw triumph in his expression. She let out a breath as she clenched her fingers together.
He began to undo his pants, and her gaze zeroed in on the new flesh he was showing—on the part of his body she hadn’t yet been able to gaze upon. She’d felt him so many times, but she hadn’t yet gotten to see his perfection. She had no doubt he would be perfect. How could he not be? Every inch of his skin was flawless―even the scars only added to his overall appeal.
Within seconds, he was standing a couple feet away―naked. His beautiful erection was hard and thick, standing up, making her mouth water with her need to touch him―taste him―have him sink within her. He was even more perfect than she could have ever imagined.
As she gazed at his stunning thickness, it pulsed, a bead of moisture escaping from the tip, making her want to drop to her knees and taste his essence. She quivered uncontrollably as she stood there gazing upon him.
“I’m all yours, Chloe,” he told her as he reached down and wrapped his fingers around himself, stroking up and down as she gazed at his magnificence. “I want your fingers and mouth on me. I want to be buried inside you. As soon as you tell me you want it, too, we will make explosions happen together.”
He stepped forward again, and she didn’t even think about retreating. He easily pulled her into his arms, and she sighed at how good it felt to have him naked against her. The fight within her was lost. She reached for him, moaning as her fingers wrapped around his solidness.
“Yes, Nick,” she said, her words barely audible as she pressed her body against his burning heat.
“What?” he asked, pushing his thickness against her palm as he moved his lips to her neck and sucked hard. She could feel him losing control, and she reveled in knowing it was her doing it to him.
“Yes, Nick, I want you,” she said.
The words freed her. She nearly cried in her euphoria at knowing he would be sinking inside her, that he would make them one. She couldn’t have regrets. This was too perfect to not want it.
He didn’t hesitate. He gripped her shirt and thrust it over her head before undoing her pants and shoving them down her legs. Her underthings went away in seconds, and then she was before him—naked, hot, wet, and needy.
“Make me come, Nick, please make me come,” she said in a sob as she pushed against him, seeking relief. His fingers trailed across her naked back until they gripped her butt and pulled her tightly against him. He spread her thighs, and his thickness slipped between them, rubbing on the outside of her core.
She squirmed against him, trying to get him to push inside her, but he was punishing them both, pressing their bodies together without entering her. She reached behind him and tugged on his head, needing to kiss him. This teasing had gone on for far too long.
A switch flipped inside Nick, and he growled before gripping her ass and lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around him as he moved his hips, his erection rubbing against her and spreading her wetness. She tried to shift, tried to bring him inside her, but he continued moving in slow circles, rubbing every inch of her sensitive flesh without diving inside where she wanted him most.
She tugged on his hair, and he leaned forward, his lips finally taking hers the way she needed him to. He owned her mouth, his tongue slipping inside, his lips urgent as he possessed her. She clung tightly to him, her ankles locked together behind his back, her fingers yanking at his hair as she tried to get ever closer to him.
Chloe was completely consumed by Nick, and she didn’t mind getting lost in him, didn’t mind the way his fingers squeezed her flesh so hard there would be bruises. He groaned into her mouth and sipped at her. He easily slid along the outside of her folds, her heat soaked wet in her excitement.
“I didn’t want this to be so fast,” he groaned. “But you’re so damn beautiful, so ready for me.” He bit her lip, causing her pain, but even that was perfect. “I need to be inside you.” The words came out almost as an apology.
“Then take me,” she encouraged him. He’d teased her long enough. She wanted him to fill her. “I’m protected.” She knew his medical files, and she wasn’t worried about him.
That was all it took for him to let go of his final bit of self-control. He moved forward and pressed her into the wall. The coolness against her back and the heat at her chest was even more stimulating. She wiggled in his arms. He pulled back just enough to position himself at the heart of her opening.
-->
