Scarlet Woman

by Shelley Munro

  Saber squeezed her hand in silent reassurance before climbing out of the SUV, and Emily’s heart pumped out an uneven beat. She swallowed a lump of emotion and fumbled for the door handle. Time to admit it. Maybe time to stop running as well. Saber Mitchell had crept up on her when she wasn’t looking. Now all she had to do was decide if she wanted to take the risk…

  Emily unlocked her front door, slipped off the high heels she’d worn with the borrowed skirt and stepped inside. She led the way to a spick-and-span kitchen with everything in its place. Professionally decorated, Emily had hated it on sight. Being away for a day hadn’t changed the room or the house she disliked but, somehow, somewhere, in that time she’d transformed. Emily frowned at the designer bench and cupboard units.

  “It’s difficult to imagine you in this kitchen,” Saber said from behind her.

  Perceptive man. “Michael had very fixed ideas on how he wanted things. We did a lot of entertaining and appearances were important. At the time, I didn’t mind. And since his death, I’ve been too wrapped up in misery and self-pity to worry about change.”

  “You’re making changes now,” Saber observed.

  “Yes, I guess I am.” Moving to Middlemarch was a change all right. Working. Cooking again. Saber… “I’ll go and pack.” Emily was aware of Saber following her. It wasn’t that she could hear him, more instinct, the prickling awareness that told her he was behind her.

  “This room isn’t you either.” His words confirmed she’d been right about him following. He peered over her shoulder at the monochromatic room. White—the color of purity. The color of lies.

  “Dreadful, isn’t it?” Emily crossed over to the wardrobe and yanked open the door. She stood on tiptoe, straining to reach a suitcase on the top shelf.

  “I’ll get it.”

  Saber made the whole process look easy. He set the suitcase down and advanced on her, a determined expression on his tanned face. His green eyes glowed with purpose. “We’ll make some good memories right now. Before you do your packing and make the phone call.” Saber toed off his shoes and yanked off his socks then stood. His fingers worked the buttons of his denim shirt. He shrugged it off, baring his golden skin to her gaze. Muscles rippled below the surface as he unfastened the metal buttons on his jeans and slid them down his legs. He wore boxer shorts beneath his jeans, a white pair that clung to his hips and cupped his penis, leaving nothing to the imagination.

  “Memories?” Emily said with a trace of a stutter. Those stupid kangaroos were doing a number inside her stomach again. She moistened her bottom lip and couldn’t resist staring when he removed his boxers.

  “Yeah.” He prowled toward her and Emily found herself backing up until the wall behind stopped further retreat. “Not scared, are you?” The words were a soft, sensual taunt, and they sent excitement whizzing through her body. Her breasts felt suddenly ultra sensitive, the tips abrading against the lace of her bra.

  He leaned into her, rubbing his cock against her belly and caging her against the wall. Saber stared down at her, a handsome man with spectacular green eyes and a very sexy grin. Difficult not to stare when a man looked that good, and difficult to believe he seemed to want more than the one night she’d originally committed to.

  “You’re overdressed for the occasion,” he murmured.

  A grin burst from her without warning. “I’d hate to be the odd man out.”

  “I’m the only man required,” he fired back, pokerfaced.

  Emily sobered for an instant. Yes, he was the only man she wanted, but she didn’t intend to tell him—not until she’d known him for a little longer. “How long do you think it will take me to undress? Taking bets now.”

  Saber’s sinful mouth curled into a lazy grin and it echoed in his eyes. “I wonder if I should worry about your predilection for games. First poker and now betting.”

  “It’s you,” Emily blurted, barely understanding herself.

  The grin widened to a toothy smirk. “We’ll discuss it later, but right now I have other things on my mind.”

  “Judging by the iron-hard thing poking into my stomach, I think I can guess where your mind dwells.”

  “Nothing wrong with sex,” Saber said cheerfully. “I happen to like sex. Two minutes,” he added.

  “Two… You’re on! I bet I can do it in one.”

  Saber backed away to sit on the bed. He propped up the pillows, whacking them with his fist until he was comfortable and settled back. “One minute. I’d like to see that.”

  Emily yanked the borrowed blouse over her head and wriggled the skirt over her hips. One flick of her hand and wrist loosened her bra. She flung it away. The boxer shorts she’d borrowed from Saber were next, and they hit the top of the pile of clothes seconds later. Fully naked, Emily posed, one hand on her hip and a triumphant grin on her lips.

  “Two seconds over. I win,” Saber said.

  “You don’t have a watch. How would you know?”

  Saber reached out and grabbed her hand. He tugged her toward the bed and pulled her down so she lay at his side.

  “Actually, I’m wrong,” he murmured. “We both win.” He rolled, his mouth slamming down on hers. The need for argument seeped from Emily the second his lips hit hers. She opened to him, and he thrust his tongue inside her mouth. His previous gentleness and consideration disappeared, replaced by aggression, determination. Excitement on her part. Her heart rate increased as arousal swept through her. She wanted him. Now. Forever, her conscience whispered. Emily ignored the traitorous whisper and went with the flow. Their limbs tangled with urgency.

  “Too fast for you?” he demanded an instant before he nibbled at her neck.

  “No. I want you to go fast.” Emily sucked in an excited breath when he nipped again. His touch was a primitive throb through her veins. Faster. More. Now. Her womb ached as the slow slide of his tongue soothed the nip he’d inflicted. His finger lightly circled her nipple while his leg slid between hers in silent encouragement for her to give him access. When she obeyed and parted her legs, he pinched her nipple. The small pain arced straight to her pussy and brought a low moan of approval from deep at the back of her throat. She felt his aroused penis nudge at her leg then he shifted and slid into her womb in one seamless thrust. Emily shuddered, the throbbing hardness of him just what she needed to ease the relentless ache inside. She’d barely taken a breath when he started plunging deep, retreating and filling her again.

  “Close your eyes,” he ordered. “Feel the way I move inside you.”

  Emily let her eyes slide shut. She clutched at his shoulders, moving with him with increasing urgency. Deep in her cunt a heavy, pulsating sensation pulled at her. Saber thrust again. Hard. An almost painful fullness held her in thrall. Emily held on tight and arched into his next thrust, shuddering at the breadth of his cock. She kissed his shoulder.

  “Bite me,” he suggested.

  The husky command stirred carnal fantasies. She liked the idea of marking him, branding Saber as her man. His earthy masculine scent surrounded her. Enticed. Emily bit down, savoring the salty wetness of his flesh.

  Saber made a dark sound. Exquisite pleasure engulfed her without warning. She shuddered, adrift on the hit of adrenaline, overdosing on his scent, his touch, the taste of him. The next powerful thrust of his body pushed her into climax. A fiery explosion rocked her body. He sucked hard on her shoulder and introduced the merest suggestion of teeth. The pain was fleeting, brushed away in another intense explosion as wave upon wave of spellbinding pleasure speared through Emily. Overwhelming and awe-inspiring, she’d never felt the like before. Emily clawed at his back, riding out the primitive throb that sang the length of her body. She felt the spill of his seed deep in her womb. His large frame shook, each breath coming deep and unsteadily, then he stilled and hugged her tightly to his chest. He sought her lips and kissed her deeply, cupping her face with his hands.

  Emily’s eyes flickered. She focused on his sexy face and smiled. “That was wonderful.
I’ve never felt like that before.”

  Saber kissed her again, lightly on the lips, his green eyes alight with laughter. “Better memories now?”

  Emily chuckled, stretching slowly beneath him. Her pussy flexed, tightening around his cock. “Oh, yeah.” This bed had never seen action this hot. A giggle escaped. “I like the way your mind works, Saber Mitchell.”

  Saber hoped she liked him enough that she’d agree to stay in Middlemarch after Charlotte was ready to work again, but he wasn’t fool enough to voice the thought. He stroked her soft hair and rolled so they were still connected, but Jo lay on top of his larger frame.

  “That’s better,” she murmured. “You were getting a bit heavy.”

  “Wouldn’t want murder by squashing,” he said, tugging lightly on a golden curl. “Why don’t you shower and pack? I need to catch up with my younger brothers.”

  “You want to shower with me?”

  “I’ll join you in a minute.” Saber lifted her off his chest with a trace of regret. She belonged with him. The minx waggled her backside as she sashayed from the bedroom, pulling a grin from him.

  The water pounded through the pipes and pelted the glass walls of the shower stall. He heard the shower door open and close before he rummaged through his jeans to retrieve his cell phone. He flipped it open and pushed speed dial for Joe’s phone.

  “Yo! How’s it hanging?”

  Saber rolled his eyes the minute he realized he’d glanced down to check. “It’s hanging just fine. Sly, what are you doing answering Joe’s phone?”

  “Joe’s a bit busy at the moment.”

  He heard the humor in his younger brother’s voice and that, combined with a feminine moan, filled in the blanks. “I’ll talk to you. Do you know where Jo’s friend Maggie is?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And?” Saber prompted, holding onto his patience.

  Another feminine cry sounded.

  “That’s it, Mags,” Saber heard Joe say.

  Saber shook his head and couldn’t help a grin. “Jo wants Maggie to keep an eye on her house for her. Do you think she’ll do it?”

  “I don’t know. She said she doesn’t want to talk to Jo because she’s too angry.” He paused before saying, “Do you think Jo would let us look after her house? Joe and I could do with a place in Dunedin rather than finding a hotel each time we come to the city.”

  Saber wanted to act the big brother and protest. His two youngest brothers were the instigators of most of the mischief. The idea of them having a base—no—they were adults and responsible for their own actions. Saber took a deep breath and went against gut instinct. He had to let them make their own mistakes, and he trusted them enough to know that they’d do nothing to endanger the feline population while they were away from Middlemarch. “I’ll check with Jo and ring you back.”

  “Give us half an hour,” Sly said. “We’re going to be busy for at least that long.”

  “I won’t ask.” Saber clicked his phone shut and pulled on his jeans. He strode through to the bathroom and entered at the exact moment Jo shut the water off. The door opened and she reached for a towel. Droplets of water beaded on her body, drawing his gaze. Jo blotted up the water with a buttercup yellow towel. “Let me do that.”

  A spluttered laugh escaped and she backed away until the bathroom wall got in the way. She held the towel up in front of her breasts, her brown eyes alight with mirth. “I’ll never get my packing done if I let you help.”

  “I can’t tempt you?”

  “Always,” she said with an honesty that kicked him in the gut.

  His mate. Saber closed the gap between them and brushed his fingers across her lips, then tempted by her soft sigh, he kissed her, nibbling gently at her lips. Pulling away, he inhaled her soapy scent and ran his hand through her damp hair. Knowing that she wanted him as much as he wanted her was a balm to his spirit and made him step away and stop pushing. When they were back at Middlemarch and settled into a routine would be the right time to take their relationship that step further.

  “Maggie is with my brothers,” he said, stepping away so she could dry herself and dress. Saber leaned against the wall, fascinated with the process she went through before she dressed. He watched her smooth lotion on her skin, onto her arms and legs, shoulders and breasts. She dabbed a different lotion on her face before padding back through to the bedroom.

  “What do you mean Maggie is with your brothers?”

  “Together sexually.” Saber didn’t feel right talking about his brothers’ sex lives. Coping with his own sex life was enough.

  “Three of them?” Jo sounded faint.

  “Yeah. They sounded perfectly happy. Sly asked if he and Joe could look after the house for you. I presume Maggie would be involved in the house sitting.”

  “Three of them together?” Shock colored her words, and her eyes were big and round. As was her mouth.

  Saber tapped her sagging jaw with his forefinger. “My younger brothers like a ménage. It appears that your friend is inclined that way, too.”

  Jo held up her right hand in a clear stop signal. “Too much information. They… Maggie…” She shook her head. “Maggie never gave any indication. You don’t—”

  “I’m strictly a one-woman man.”

  “Well, thank goodness for that.” Jo gave a self-conscious laugh.

  “The house?” he prompted, hiding his amusement. “Can Sly and Joe housesit? Or you could charge them rent.”

  “I guess,” she said, but she didn’t look that convinced. “Would they agree to a trial basis?”

  “Good idea. I’ll start on your fridge while you pack.”

  “You’re going to help?” Intense astonishment touched her face.

  Of course he intended to help. The ex had done a real number on her confidence and given her a poor perception of males in general. He chuckled suddenly. “I do have an ulterior motive. I’d like a date. Dinner out together. Maybe a movie before we drive back to Middlemarch. What do you say?”

  “I can’t remember the last time I went to a movie.”

  “Better get moving then,” Saber said. In truth, it was a first for him, too. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been on a date. He hadn’t wanted to get to know a woman or considered how she felt. In the past, it had been about sex. Disappointment and finally acceptance that there was no mate for him had made him this way. Saber glanced at Jo as she opened a drawer and pulled out black lacy underwear. With Jo, it was different. With a sense of wonder he realized he really wanted to know what made her tick. The Scarlet woman had not only triggered his mating instincts, but he was coming to care for her, too.

  Chapter Seven

  Despite the late night, Emily was up early the next morning. She slid from beneath the covers, trying not to wake Saber. A tanned hand snagged her hand and hauled her back.

  “Jo, kitten. It’s early. We have plenty of time to wake up in a civil fashion.”

  Emily eyed the tented sheet covering his groin. “I don’t think down and dirty sex equates with civil. Civil is tea parties and cucumber sandwiches.” She had to tell him her name wasn’t Jo. When she’d thought it would be for one night, a false name was sensible. Things had changed the minute she met Saber Mitchell.

  “Come back to bed.”

  “Not now.” His sleepy green eyes were a temptation hard to resist. If ever a man possessed bedroom eyes, it was Saber. “I need to find somewhere to live. I can’t stay here with you.”

  “What?” The word came out at a roar. Saber dropped her hand and leapt from the bed. “Jo, stay. I want you in my life.”

  “Saber, I want my own space. Everything is going too fast. I want to slow down.” His fierce glare told her what he thought of her reasoning. Didn’t men like easy sex with no commitments? No strings. Michael certainly had. Yes, she liked Saber a lot but she wasn’t ready to commit to a man again. She wanted independence, to run her own life and make her own decisions. And…and… She was scared. There! She’d
admitted it, even though it was only to herself. “I need to slow down.”

  Saber scowled. “I thought things were going well between us. That we might have a future.”

  A future. Emily swallowed nervously. She was hurting him and she hated herself for it. But better now than later when the damage could be even worse with her heart involved. She really liked Saber, but the things Michael had done, her past history, kept intruding, feeding her fear and making it difficult to trust. Was it so wrong to want time to think and make sure she wasn’t going to make another mistake?

  “I really like you, Joanna. Please stay.”

  Emily closed her eyes for a second. Each word was a body blow, weakening her resolve, even though she knew she was doing the right thing in waiting. Delaying. Pain throbbed behind her eyes. She wished she had her glasses to hide behind, but they were out in the kitchen where she’d left them last night. A part of her wanted to walk into his arms and never leave, but she had to face Maggie and Maggie’s parents soon. Despite her current differences with Maggie, she refused to walk away and end their long friendship this way. Over a man, or men in Maggie’s case. She cast a quick glance at Saber and noted his clear expectation, the impatience with her fears in his unyielding jaw. It rattled her temper and loosened her tongue. “Oh, for goodness sake! My real name is Emily. I didn’t even give you the right name. Our whole time together has been based on a lie. Don’t you see? I’m not capable of a relationship with a man. I couldn’t keep my husband’s interest. Give me time, dammit.”

  “Emily? But why did you tell me your name was—never mind.” Saber gave an impatient shrug. “It’s not important. I can’t believe you’re going to walk away without even giving us a chance.”

  “I’m not exactly walking away. I’m stepping back to take stock.” No. She wasn’t going to lie to herself. Terror filled her at the idea of giving her total trust again. Yep, no doubt about it. She was a scaredy cat, and she needed distance to make sense of what was between them. Emily had to be sure.