by Mari Carr
Aaron smiled as he closed the phone. He’d grown up with the Collins siblings and they’d never failed to make him feel like part of the family. Realizing he was suddenly an official member made him happier than he would have expected.
He looked at his new wife, shooting daggers at him, and realized Tris was right. He was going to need luck—lots of it. “You were right. Johanna’s apparently been making a few calls home.”
“And rather than deny it, you told Tris we were married. Knowing perfectly well that I don’t want to stay married.”
Aaron narrowed his eyes warningly. “What you want and what you need are two different things right now. It won’t always be that way.”
“When did you get so stubborn?”
He reached over and pulled her toward him, silently rejoicing when, rather than fight him, she moved into him, accepting his embrace and wrapping her arms around his waist. “When something is really important to me, I go after it. I don’t think that makes me stubborn. Just determined.”
She rested her cheek against his chest and tightened her hold. “You’re going to be sorry about this one day. I’m not easy to live with.”
He chuckled. “Riley, I’ve been a part of your life for over twenty years and I’ve never wanted to leave. I don’t see that changing anytime in the near future.”
She stepped back and looked at him. Her eyes seemed to study every feature on his face and he wondered what she was thinking. Then she rose up on her tiptoes, pulling his head down to hers.
“You’re crazy,” she whispered. For the first time since they’d woken up married, she initiated a kiss. He let her lead the way, her lips betraying the conflicting emotions inside her. At first her kiss was soft, tentative, but within moments it became hard, needy, rough. She nipped his lower lip with her teeth and a growl rumbled in his throat.
His cock had never been this hard for this long. He was beginning to fear for his health. Sustaining an erection for hours on end couldn’t be a good thing. What did those warnings on the commercials for Viagra say? Four hours? No way would the doctors in the emergency room believe his was all natural.
Her tongue touched his and he realized if he didn’t break this off, he’d throw her down on the floor of the hotel lobby and give the gamblers a show.
“Riley.” He grasped her wrists, pulling them away from his neck. “We have to stop, sweetheart. Too many more of those kisses and we’ll both be arrested for indecent exposure.”
She opened her eyes. “Just for kissing?”
“It’s what your kisses make me want to do that could get us into trouble.”
She gave him a sexy grin. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I’m two minutes away from yanking those tight jeans of yours down and bending you over the check-in counter.” Her eyes darkened, letting him know she wouldn’t resist just such an occurrence, and he groaned. “Jesus.”
“I’m starting to think Trev can go hang.”
“Your headache?” he asked.
“Miraculously gone. The room’s only three flights up.”
He reached for her hand. Trevor was on his own.
“Excuse me,” the registration clerk called out. They turned to see the man waving them over. “Did you say your name was Riley Collins?”
“Yes,” Riley said.
“I completely forgot. You have a message. Perhaps it’s from your friend.”
“Hallelujah.” She took the slip of paper from the man. “Do you know when this was left?”
“Some time last night. It was here this morning when I came into work,” the clerk replied.
“What does it say?” Aaron asked.
“Says he doesn’t need his return-flight ticket. Shit.” Riley looked at his wrist. “Do you have a watch? What time is it?”
“A little after two.”
“Damn. So much for the plane tickets. My flight left at one-thirty.”
“You weren’t flying home today regardless,” Aaron said. “Honeymoon boom-boom, remember? What else did Trev say?”
Riley skimmed the note and cursed.
“He’s not going back to Baltimore. Says he and Bella are going to get married.”
“He’s already married,” Aaron said.
“Yeah, well, brainiac Trev has apparently forgotten that little fact.”
“Johanna will flip out.” Aaron glanced over his shoulder, afraid saying the woman’s name would conjure her out of thin air. “I guess it’s a good thing Trev decided to pull this shit out of town. There’s no way Jo got any of her hunting rifles on the plane.”
“Yeah, but it’s Vegas. What do you think the chances are she could buy a gun…or ten?”
Aaron frowned. “I don’t want to be the one to break this news to her. The woman is unstable on a good day. Pregnancy isn’t going to help that. Besides, if she starts crying again—”
“Well, don’t look at me. That crazy bitch already tried to take my head off today with a baseball bat.”
“So the game plan stays the same. We find Trev.”
Riley sighed. “I knew you were going to say that.”
“She’s having the man’s baby. They deserve a chance to work out their differences, Riley.”
“You know, this ‘protect and defend’ philosophy you live by really gives me a pain sometimes.”
“You love me and you know it.”
“I guess so, but this honeymoon totally sucks so far.”
He laughed, pleased to see her beginning to soften toward the idea of their marriage. “I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”
“So, Mr. Responsible, where to now? Seems to me we’ve hit a wall.”
“Not really.” Aaron took the note from Riley’s hand and pointed to the logo on the stationary.
“Sal’s Sex Shop? You aren’t planning to visit Sal, are you?”
“Worth checking it out and we can kill two birds with one stone,” he said.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You insulted my honeymoon.”
“So?”
“So maybe a few fun wedding gifts will make you feel better about being married to me.”
She gave him a naughty grin and he knew he was the luckiest man alive.
“Maybe they will,” she said.
* * * * *
The sex shop was within walking distance of the hotel. As they stood outside, Riley studied the small storefront with disdain. All the windows were covered with black paper and a cheap, blue neon light displayed the store’s name.
“Classy joint,” she mumbled.
Aaron opened the door and they stepped into the dimly lit shop. There was only one other customer in the place and Aaron decided the store was similar to every sex shop he’d ever been in. As a police officer, it wasn’t unusual for him to have to check out complaints about indecent exposure and the like at places just like this back home. “He doesn’t look like a Sal to me.” He pointed to the pimply faced young guy sitting behind the counter.
“Yep, it’s a safe bet he’s earning minimum wage, not top billing.”
Aaron nodded as the clerk flipped the page of his magazine. “Well, there are still perks to the job. He can look at all the nudie magazines he wants for free.”
“Some perk,” Riley said distractedly. He followed her as she walked down an aisle, looking at all the sex toys. He loved how she could step into any situation or place and never have trouble fitting in. Most women he knew would never dream of stepping into a store like this, but Riley didn’t even blink twice as she picked up the largest dildo he’d ever seen and waved it at him.
“What woman could possibly think this would be fun?”
He shrugged, picking up a neon green dildo. “Probably the same woman who would want to play with a green cock. You think it’s some sort of environmental statement? Go green?”
“Hey.” She took the dildo from him. “That’s kind of cool. Wonder if it glows in the dark.”
He chuckled.
“Move along, Mrs. Young. Your dildo days are done. I’ve got your cock right here.” He grasped her hand and let her feel his re-emerging erection.
She snorted but left her hand on him. “Glow in the dark is pretty hard to compete with. You think you’re up for it?”
Her comment certainly moved him further into the up position and she giggled as his cock thickened in her palm. “Guess that answers that.” She patted him lightly before walking away.
He closed his eyes and prayed he’d be able to follow. She was killing him.
“Vibrators could be fun,” she announced.
He nodded and took two painful steps toward her. She was bent over looking at the rabbit varieties, her ass taunting him. Coming to a sex shop when he was this horny was dumber than going to the grocery store hungry.
He bypassed her vibrators, his interest lying elsewhere. “This one,” he said, picking up a slim vibrator and handing it to her. “We’re getting this one.”
“Why?” She looked at his selection.
“Remote control.”
She laughed. “The ultimate guy accessory. Okay. Looks like fun.”
She continued walking and he noticed she’d picked up her pace. Glancing at the nearest shelves, he understood—and realized with glee he’d found a chink in his girl’s armor.
“Hey.” He grasped her hand and dragged her back to the shelves she’d just sped by. “You’re missing the best stuff.”
She raised a haughty eyebrow at him when she saw where his gaze had landed. “No. Way.” She enunciated both words clearly.
“Hell. Yes.” He mimicked her tone, grinning when she flushed. “Are you telling me, Riley Collins, that I’ve actually found something you’ve never done?”
“I’m not talking to you about this. It’s personal.”
Aaron laughed. “We’re married. Nothing’s personal anymore. You mean to tell me you aren’t a little bit curious?”
“That particular place is an exit, not an entrance. I plan for it to stay that way.”
He reached over to pick up a small butt plug. “We’ll work up to it.” He grabbed a tube of lubrication as well.
“Oh no, we won’t.”
He nodded, placing his hand on her back and directing her around the corner to the next aisle.
“You’re wasting your money on those things.” She pointed to the plug and lube.
He didn’t bother responding.
“You’re being stubborn again,” she added.
“Determined,” he replied.
“Annoying.”
“Is this some sort of name game?” he joked.
She glanced at the shelf behind him and an evil look crossed her face. He braced himself. Riley may get knocked down, but she never got knocked out. “Okay, if you’re buying those, I want these.” She picked up handcuffs.
“Sweetheart, I’m a cop. I’ve got at least a half-dozen pairs of those at home. And believe me, I’m more than willing to use all of them on you.”
“Oh, they’re not for me. They’re for you.”
He narrowed his eyes. Riley may know him as an easygoing friend, content to follow in her wake, but in the bedroom he liked to direct. She’d reacted to and assimilated that fact all morning. She liked it when he took charge. He could see it.
He tried to figure out the best way to proceed. He could see the blade of the guillotine poised over his head and his answer now could signal reprieve or death.
“You want to tie me up?”
She nodded.
Aaron leaned closer as he whispered his next question. “And what would you do with me once you had me at your mercy?”
“I have this fantasy,” she began with a smile and he wondered what he’d set himself up for.
“I’m in this empty room and there’s a gorgeous, naked guy standing in the middle of it with his arms chained above his head. Usually the guy is Ryan Reynolds, but I guess you’ll do.”
“Very funny.” He pictured himself bare-assed and bound in her room.
“Anyway, you’re completely helpless. I can do anything I want to you.”
He swallowed heavily and watched the guy in the next aisle take a couple steps closer to them. Great, she was attracting an audience in a sex shop. Typical Riley.
“I walk around you a few times, just touching you here and there.” She imitated her words with glancing brushes on his arm, his shoulder, the top of his thigh. “You’re rock-hard and aching for me, but I’ve warned you not to speak. If you talk—even to beg—I’ll leave.”
He knew it was just a fantasy, but for some reason he felt as if she’d just forbidden him to speak. The clerk behind the counter put his magazine down and looked up.
“I know you want me to touch your cock. I can see you pleading with your eyes, but you’re my toy and I’m not about to let the game end too soon. I move to stand behind you. You start to turn your head but I say no. You have to look forward.”
She moved into the position as she spoke and he only just stopped turning his head to look at her. The man in the next aisle had stopped pretending to shop and was now watching Riley, hanging on her every word. Fuck, so was Aaron for that matter.
“I run my hands along your back. I love your back, you know. So muscular and sexy. I love to watch you mow grass in the summer. Love to see you with your shirt off and sweat running down your tanned skin. So hot.”
Her fingers traced lines on the back of his shirt and he imagined she was touching the slick moisture. “I can sense how badly you want me, so I decide to offer you a small reward for your good behavior. I reach down and cup your ass, squeezing hard.” Her hand drifted down to touch his ass and he wished she would grab it like she’d described.
“I run my finger along the crevice there and tell you to spread your legs.”
He swallowed heavily. She moved forward to whisper her next words and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the customer and the clerk both lean closer to hear. “You obey because you’re such a good boy.” Her breath tickled and her words rankled a bit. She’d always given him hell for being too good, too perfect. The fact she thought he’d toe her line in the bedroom irritated him.
It was also a challenge. She was testing him. He grinned.
“I touch your ass, grip your balls from behind. You moan a little but I don’t punish you for it.” Her hand hovered on his denim-clad ass. He remained quiet. Biding his time.
“When I decide I can’t wait any longer, I move around to face you.” She walked to stand in front of him and ran her hand down his chest. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and she spoke louder. Oh yeah, she knew they had an audience. “You want to beg me, but you won’t.”
“You’re right,” he said. “I won’t beg.” He could see he’d surprised her by speaking. She narrowed her eyes. “I look right at you and tell you you’ve had your fun. I tell you it’s my turn and I command you to get on your knees.”
“Command?” He could tell she wanted to be offended, but her nipples had hardened beneath her T-shirt and he could hear her breathing accelerate.
“You obey,” he said, “because you’ve always been a very naughty girl.”
She grinned. “So I have.”
“Should I tell you how the fantasy ends?” he asked.
She looked around and acknowledged their audience. “Sorry guys,” she announced. “I think my husband and I are going to have to wrap this one up alone.”
Aaron tried to ignore the pleasure he felt at hearing her call him husband.
“Damn. Fucking hot fantasy. Lucky son of a bitch,” the customer said, looking at Aaron.
Riley smiled appreciatively at the man’s compliment and grabbed a pair of handcuffs, daring Aaron to say something as she headed for the register. He dropped his purchases next to hers and struggled not to gloat. She was oozing arousal from every pore and suffering for it. Good. Woman had kept him in a state of constant horniness for hours. Payback was a bitch.
“Hey,” he said to the clerk as he rang u
p the items. “Were you working here last night too?”
The clerk nodded. “Yeah, today was supposed to be my day off, but the stupid bitch who works the day shift called in sick…again. Third time this month.”
“You didn’t happen to see a burly-looking guy and a blonde woman in a sequin dress, did you?” Aaron figured it was a long shot, but he was out of ideas.
“You mean Bella?” the clerk asked.
Riley perked up. “Yeah. She was out with a friend of ours and we’re trying to track them down.”
“Tourist? Camouflage jacket? Receding hairline?” The clerk bagged their purchases as he spoke.
“That’s our friend.” Aaron handed over his credit card.
“They were in here looking at the pony girl stuff, but they didn’t buy anything.”
“Pony girl?” Riley asked.
“Yeah, it’s when the girl sticks a tail up her—”
“I know what it is,” Riley interrupted. “Just didn’t realize Trev was into that kind of thing.” She turned to Aaron. “I’m starting to think Jo might be better off if we don’t find him.”
“Oh, I don’t think he was all that interested,” the clerk replied. “That pony girl game is Bella’s thing. She’s bought stuff in here before. Your friend actually looked a little scared when she talked about it. Kinda funny.”
Aaron chuckled. Trev was getting a hell of an education with the hooker. “Why didn’t they buy anything?”
“Bubbles showed up.”
“Bubbles?” Riley and Aaron asked in unison.
“She’s a ho, works the street. She and Bella are kinda arch enemies. You know, like Superman and Lex Luthor.”
Aaron glanced down. The guy was reading a comic. So much for taking advantage of the perks of working in a sex shop.
“So what happened?” Riley asked.
“Nothing. I nipped it. Told ’em to take it outside. Those two are always fighting. It’s sort of a regular event around here, so most us know to move them out of the store pretty damn quick whenever they end up in the same place at the same time. Otherwise, shit gets broken and I can tell you right now, it ain’t coming outta my paycheck.”
“You don’t happen to know where they went when they left, do you?” he asked.
