by Betty Womack
He didn’t hold back. He picked out a large crispy breast and tore off a hunk with relish. “My favorite.” He wasn’t discreet about where he looked either. His dark gaze moved over her body in an unhurried, sensual stroke. When he spoke to her, his voice drifted over her body like a light stroke. “You’re the perfect woman, Carol.”
Almost choking on a bite of mashed potatoes, she laughed and attempted a suitable reply. “I wouldn’t go that far.” After getting the food down, she teased him. “But I do have an eye for great men.”
He used the remote to turn on the huge television in the entertainment center before commenting. “We are a long way from being perfect.” He moved closer to her, listening to the soft music. “I can promise you there will never be any reason for you to be sorry about spending time with us.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” She wanted to lose the serious feeling in the room and stuck her finger into the cherry pie he’d brought in for her. “Open your mouth, Sham.”
She wondered if he sensed the spiraling heat making its way through her every nerve. The moment his lips closed on her finger and sucked, her sensors flared with smoldering desire. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the brush of his fingers trailing down her neck to her shoulder. He’d gotten the message, opening her blouse to cup her breast in his hand, pressing his lips to hers, coaxing and deepening the exploration in urgency. He released her hands to unbutton her shorts and pushed them down her legs with her help. She eagerly pulled off her blouse and threw it behind her.
He dragged her arms up to his shoulders, and she tightened her grip, giving herself over to the unbearable ache in her pussy. She loved his body, leanly muscled and on fire for her, the press of his hard cock assuring her he was game for what she wanted. He was in no hurry, laying her back on the floor to ease in between her legs. She stretched out, arms above her head while he licked and sucked her nipples until they stiffened into sensitive peaks. His hair was too much temptation to resist, and she managed to take the braid apart and wrap the sleek ebony strands around her hands.
He sat up, quickly unbuttoning her shorts and pulling them from her quaking body. He looked down at her, his soft midnight eyes, heavily lashed and slumberous, stirring her to fever pitch.
“Here,” she whispered. “Let me do that.” He relaxed, allowing her to unzip his pants and push up his shirt. “Take it off. I like the feel of your skin on mine.”
“I want to taste you, beauty.” He finished undressing, tossing his clothing to the side before bending to her throbbing slit.
She stiffened with extreme pleasure when his fingers parted her nether lips, his thumb making light circles around her clit until she gasped. She bit back the desire to scream like a savage at the wet, warm pressure of his mouth. He sucked her pulsing clit into his mouth and licked fast and hard, nibbling on her until she arched her hips to get more of heaven.
Her orgasm was so near tiny flares of heat and sweet agony rushed through her until he moved up to fill the space between her legs. Aware of his sweet cock’s little secret, she bucked up to take him in, fast, not slow, until the empty space inside her filled with his hot length. He thrust deep, kissing her into wild oblivion. Nothing seemed real but them being one, thrusting, clenching, and struggling to achieve the star-wrapped explosion. Greed set in, and she locked her legs around his lean waist, feeling him at the end of her channel until the pleasure was too great to hold on any longer.
“I’m coming, Sham,” she gasped. She didn’t know if he heard her, but his rhythm was doubled until she went into a swirling, lightning charged orgasm, her body on fire with the release. He held her so tight her ribs ached when he came. They collapsed in delicious exhaustion, their kisses gentle and lingering.
“I see I’m too late for dinner.” Baron sat in a chair watching them regain their senses. “I’ll bet you two could use a shower. “ He got up to take a piece of chicken from the bucket. “You go ahead. I’ll be up later.”
Chapter Nine
Carol walked up the stairs behind Sham, still reeling from a mind-blowing orgasm, her legs and her mind unsure. She hesitated in the hallway, glancing around the elegant area.
“Sham, just a minute.” Shrugging lightly, she touched his cheek when he walked back to her. “Where is my space?”
“Anywhere you want it to be.” He tugged her a few feet down the hall to an open door. “I know this is hardly what a woman wants, but I was in a hurry.”
Poking her head around the door, she grinned. “What’s not to like? Damn, you’re good.”
The bedroom could have been straight out of a House Beautiful edition. A cream colored coverlet graced the four poster bed. Pale pink pillows had been propped up invitingly against the cherry headboard. Soft pink and white French silk curtains hung in the windows, and a beautiful cherry desk sat waiting for her near the windows. Sham touched her shoulder.
“It’s yours to do with as you please, baby.”
“I love it.” She turned to hug him, her heart full because of the caring man. “I have never seen anything so beautiful.”
He held her fast, meeting her gaze, his expression serious. “And I could fall in love with you, Carol. Deeply.”
Okay, sister. What now? Say what you’re feeling, even if it comes out all wrong.
“I don’t use that word unless I’m sure.” She became flustered, embarrassed to be in that situation. “Love hasn’t caused me anything but trouble, Sham. I do know I love being with you. Is that okay for now?”
He laughed and took the clothing from her arms. “I’ll be happy with that and not ask for more. Let’s hit the shower.” He quieted for a moment. “Your bath is just off to the right. Unless you’d rather have me wash your sweet backside.”
“Some things a woman does best alone.” She patted his hard rear and sauntered off toward her private bathroom. “I’ll see you after I’m squeaky clean, and we can finish our dinner.”
Sham watched her walk away, his smile encouraging her to sway her hips more than usual. Inside the spacious bathroom, she leaned against the double vanity, considering her looks. Long, tousled brown hair and a fine whisker burn on her chin really made a great picture. How many times had she slept with Baron and Sham in just a few days? She’d never been one to keep track, but with her new guys, it seemed to be an endless activity.
She turned the shower on and watched the fine spray splash into the tub. Stepping into the shower, she pulled the curtains, her thoughts settling on her work. She couldn’t slack off on contracts she’d signed. She had committed to several new jobs, and her clients wanted the ad proofs as soon as possible. Now all she had to do was keep her panties on and get to work. Play would come later.
The pink bath bar she used released a soft fragrance of apple blossom, leaving her skin smooth and sleek after she dried off. Nothing but the best in this house left her with more questions about Sham and Baron. Baron was a ranch boy, but Sham came from surroundings where luxury was common. She concluded opposites attract, and this was a bang-up job.
Looking through the meager items she’d brought, she thought it more puzzling they had sought her out as a permanent companion. Looking at the simple white T-shirt in her hands, she shrugged off her questions. What the hell, enjoy them and the sex for now. You’ll know when it’s time to cut the cord.
She’d just gotten her shorts and top on when Baron knocked on the open door.
“Hey, sweet cheeks.” He didn’t walk in, simply leaned against the door frame, sizing her up with a warm smile. “We have to go out for a while. You going to be okay here alone?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to sound gruff. “What am I? Seven?” She brushed at her damp hair. “Sure, I’ll be fine. I’ve got work to finish anyway.”
“Great.” He turned to leave, but looked back at her. “There’s plenty of food left. It’s your house, baby. Help yourself to anything you want or need.”
She heard the murmur of their voices as they went out of the hou
se and the rumble of Baron’s truck when they backed out of the garage. Silence closed in around her, and she didn’t like it. To calm her feeling of loneliness, she turned on the music center Sham had set up for her in her room. The soft rock music lightened her mood and gave her a boost in energy. It was a perfect time to work on the new designs.
How could you have been so stupid?
She had brought two artists pens and nothing else to work with.
It was clear her emotions had taken precedence over common sense. That had to stop immediately. This was her livelihood and her way of never having to ask help from anyone.
Only one thing for her to do now. She slipped on a pair of flip flops and went downstairs to see if the guys had left keys to a car. She raised her arms in a show of victory after finding a set of keys on the kitchen counter. The logo on the starter key meant she would be driving Sham’s big-assed car. Well, Baron had said help herself to anything.
She picked up her purse and went out to the garage, getting into the car before she lost her nerve. Sitting in the seat where Sham’s rear had been gave her a little jolt of pleasure. She backed out of the garage and drove away without a hitch, the car easy to handle, much to her relief.
On her way, she made a mental note of all the things she needed to pick up. Definitely her perfume and maybe a decent dress just to be sure she would have something nice in case they went out for dinner.
The drive wasn’t long, and in ten minutes, she was back in her own driveway. The sun had gone down, and long shadows lay across her tiny lawn. She did a double take, noticing the lamp in the living room was on. She must have been in a hell of a hurry to be with Baron and Sham to have forgotten to turn it off.
She got out of the car and crossed the lawn, the damp grass cold on her toes. A sense of wariness touched her for a moment. Grimacing in disgust at her cowardly ways, she opened the door and went inside the quiet living room.
Something wasn’t right. The drapes stirred in a draft, and she couldn’t remember opening a window. A shadow fell across the open doorway, and her heart went to her throat.
“Gordon!”
The desire to scream was too much, so she shouted at her ex-husband.
“You scared the hell out of me!” Anger replaced fear, and it was all aimed at the slender man smiling at her. “How the fuck did you get in here, and why are you here?”
He shrugged and held his hands out to his sides. “You left your window unlocked, and I wanted to see you.”
“Why?” Anger mushroomed as she looked at the cause of a long miserable time in her life. “What kind of trouble have you gotten into?”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because that’s what you’re best at.” She stood with her hands on her hips, wanting to slap his lean cheeks. “A whole year of not hearing from you, and now you break into my house. I sure as hell got used to not putting up with your bull crap.”
“I’m sorry about that, babe, but I’m desperate.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I need a place to stay for a few days. I’ll leave before you know it.”
His pleading eyes struck a pity nerve in her. “Every time you’re around, trouble follows. I have gotten accustomed to not hearing sirens in the driveway and cops pounding on the door. I don’t want you anywhere around me.”
“We used to be close, Carol. I love you, and I’m in trouble.” He hung his head like he always did to soften her heart. “I know I’m a no good son-of-a-bitch who treated you bad and let you down.”
She could hardly find the words to scald him with. He’d been the worst part of her life, and here he was, hat in hand. Damn it. “You’re a grown man, Gordon. Get yourself out of this mess.”
“I’m really sorry for all the things I did, baby, but I’m in real trouble this time.” He raked his fingers through his long black hair. “I may go to prison this time. I mean it. Please.”
Her heart fell to her feet. Prison. No, she couldn’t turn her back on him now.
“Tell me it isn’t murder or rape or dope.” She couldn’t stop the shaking of her hands. “If it’s any of those things, you can get your sorry ass out of here right now.”
“You know me better than that.” He didn’t smile when he filled her in on a few details. “The Feds are on my ass over some little deal I made with another guy they’re after. Nothing like the things you said.”
With Gordon, that could mean any number of things. She didn’t want to know. She just wanted to get back to her new life. “Okay. I won’t be here anyway, so you can stay a few days.”
“I don’t have a dime on me, honey.” He looked like a puppy dog in trouble. “I don’t suppose you could loan me a few dollars.”
She dug in her handbag and pulled out her wallet. “I don’t have a lot of money, but you can have enough to buy groceries while you’re here.”
“What about gas money?” He took the bills she held out to him. “I’ll need a car.”
“My God, Gordon.” She gave him the rest of her cash, scowling at him. “Don’t wreck it or mess up anything in here.” What more could she say or do? The guy still seemed like family, and he needed her help. “I have to get some things, so just make yourself at home. Within reason.”
He stuffed the money in his jeans pocket, eyeing her with a grin. “I’d say Carol has herself a new set up with all the trimmings.” He gestured to the window overlooking the driveway. “Hot car. Must take a lot of lovin’ to earn something like that.”
She turned on him with a frown. “A, it’s none of your business and B, it’s still none of your business. One more word and you’re out of here. Got it?”
He laughed the way she had once found irresistible. “Got it. You coming back once in awhile? To see about me?”
She ignored his question because she was busy picking up sketch tablets and pens. In the bathroom, she found her perfume and birth control pills and quickly stuffed them into her purse. After taking a pair of jeans from the closet, she went back into the living room and found Gordon stretched out on the couch, the TV tuned in to a gangland documentary.
“Some things never change, Gordy, and you’re one of them.”
He smiled at her and bunched a pillow under his head. “I know you still love me, babe.”
“Like a broken leg.” She carried the pile of supplies to the door. “And I will be checking up on you. When you least expect it.” She opened the door, pausing to add a last comment. “Lock the door.”
He waved nonchalantly, mouthing the words, yeah, yeah. “See you soon, hot stuff.”
She got in the car, torn between kicking Gordon out and protecting him from whatever was chasing him. She turned the key in the ignition and drove away at a crawl.
Stop worrying about him. He’s a grown man.
* * * *
Baron groaned as he lowered his night vision field glasses. “That’s her, damn it.” He handed the binoculars to Sham and stared at the Escalade driving away. “What a mess this has turned out to be.”
Sham handed them back to his upset partner. “We could have just rushed them both and got her really upset and filled with hate for both of us.” He tapped the window several times before trying to soothe Baron’s ruffled feathers. “We can keep an eye on him until he decides to move on. She doesn’t have to know.”
“Bullshit. Something will louse it up. We have to make a move soon and take our chances.” Baron shook his head and started the truck. “And you know we can’t let him go.”
“I know, but it got your attention.” Sham let his seat down and closed his eyes. “Give her enough time to get back to the house. Wouldn’t want her thinking we’ve been spying on her.”
Baron nodded in agreement. “Wonder what she saw in that prick.”
Sham’s chuckle answered his question. She’d found him sexually attractive and probably a little unavailable. America’s bad boy. But he’d probably been easy pickings for her once she set her hot green cat eyes on him. Damn, the thought of it pissed
him off. He knew that was a dumb way of thinking about this guy. Gordon Bell was nothing more than money in the bank.
Movement at his side roused Baron from his thoughts. Sham pointed ahead with a grin. “Let’s have a drink at Johnny’s before we head for home. I hear a beer calling my name.”
“What’s it calling you? Sucker?” Baron laughed at his own words. “She’s driving your car.”
“That’s okay.” Sham slid a CD in the slot and sighed. “You’re right, buddy. This will work itself out. Damn, I hope so, because if it doesn’t, we are not ever trying this again. Carol’s it for me.”
Baron sent Sham a look, trying to read his expression. “Same for me. We’ll have to make this work, one way or another.”
Sham nodded and clamped his hand on Baron’s thigh. “Let’s have a drink in celebration of finding our perfect mate.” He laughed softly. “She’s got it all. Looks, brains, and plenty of nerve.”
“Let’s not shortchange her supercharged sexual appetite.” Baron tapped the steering wheel, listening to his favorite country song. He shot Sham a mild look of warning when he lowered the volume.
“Okay, let’s get serious here for a minute, Baron.” Sham wasn’t smiling now. “She’s aiding and abetting a wanted gun runner. That puts her in danger as well as in big fucking trouble.”
“She doesn’t have any idea what he’s been doing.” Baron’s voice rose in anger. “Don’t you ask her about that bastard. It’s obvious she has a soft spot for the bum. We’ll wait.”
Sham shook his head and turned up the volume.
* * * *
Carol arrived back at the house with no trouble, yet her heart continued to pound in her chest. She carried her sketch pads and pencils up to her room and immediately crumpled into the slipper chair near the bed.
