by Dana Volney
His tongue collided with hers, and she ran her palm up through his thick hair, going around his head until her index and middle fingers straddled his ears. He bent down a little and picked her up at the knees and her back. The nape of his neck was exposed and she kissed it, sliding her tongue from one kiss to another only millimeters away. He laid her down on the bed and nearly covered her. She was trapped between the soft bed and Eliam’s hard chest, and the pressure turned her on even more. His spicy scent captivated her, freeing her to be in the moment, feel their skin touch, give in to the yearning and desire, be with this strong man fully.
He reached for the hem of her shirt, gliding his smooth hands up her belly, ribs, then her breast. Tingles between her thighs tormented her even more at his touch. In one move—she wasn’t even sure how it happened—his lips caressed hers, her bra was unhooked, and his palm was on her bare breast. She raised her arms to shed her shirt and bra, and he pinned them above her head with one arm while his other hand lovingly explored her taut nipples and the surrounding sensitive skin. He trailed kisses along her jawline to her ear. She opened her eyes and saw only faint shadows the little light from the bathroom created on the wall, and she smiled. All that existed in the world right now was them in this room, on this bed.
His hand traced the curves of her body down to her pants. No buttons. Her yoga pants just needed to slide off. He pushed the top down off of her hips. She let out a deep moan that filled her ears and rumbled over her skin. Every part of her body was his and she didn’t want it back—he could do whatever he wanted with her. His palm traveled around the top of her bare legs, belly, and then slowly slid down to the curly hairs between her legs, where he slid two fingers into the slickness that ached for him.
She arched her back at the feel of his fingertips exploring, swirling, and slipping in and out of her. He let go of her wrists and she took the opportunity to help him out of his black shirt. When she laid her head back on the bed, his arm was under her and she threaded her right arm through his to touch his bare back. His palm had left her sweet spot and she groaned when he returned it, circling her clit a little more vigorously. Why weren’t they both completely naked? She wanted to feel his skin on hers everywhere—touching and exploring him. But she didn’t want him to stop either . . .at this rate she never wanted him to move his hand. The man knew what he was doing. Oh God. If she lived in the moment any longer, she was definitely going to orgasm. Was that what he wanted, or should she slow them down?
She gripped the back of his neck, splaying her fingers in his hair, as their kisses intensified. There was nothing this man was not mind-blowing at—her expectations for the night rose tenfold.
“Let go,” he whispered into her ear and nipped at her earlobe. He rolled her into him and balled her hair in his fist as he gripped the back of her head. His thigh slid up her right leg, catching it like a hook, then moved back toward his body—with her legs spread. Again, why he wasn’t naked and inside of her was starting to become a real mystery. One that had to wait because she had only enough mind space to hear herself breathe, more intensely with every moment, and feel Eliam’s lips on her neck, then collarbone, chest, and, oh yes, he trailed his kisses to her breast and circled the tip of his tongue over her nipple. He teased. He played with her emotions until she was bursting in his arms—maybe quite literally soon. He sucked on her nipple, still teasing the sensitive area with his tongue, then teeth. That was it. One more nip with his teeth and she would cross a barrier there was no coming back from. Her back arched more this time and most of her body tensed while the areas he toyed with gave in to the exceeding pleasure he provided.
“Oh my God.” She sucked in air as waves of desire relentlessly crashed, crashed, and crashed. Eliam didn’t move his hand, but let up the pressure a little. “Holy shit.” Her breathing was labored and she brought her free hand up to her belly in a fruitless attempt to calm herself. But she didn’t want to calm down. She loved the feeling of satisfaction that pulsed out to every single cell she possessed. Down to the tips of her toes, she was gratified.
When she opened her eyes, the sliver of light from the bathroom was enough to see Eliam’s smile.
“Who knew a bombing could get you so excited?” His eyebrows waggled a couple of times as his deep laugh filled the room.
She couldn’t help but laugh herself. “Shut up.”
Yep, the bombing had definitely been what turned her on tonight. The explosion, fire, and subsequent ringing in her ears was the best aphrodisiac in the world. If she could have a great orgasm with Eliam after a night like that, what would it be like to be with him on a mundane day?
“No more bomb talk. Or work talk. Or anything to do with anything.” She kissed his chest.
“That doesn’t leave much to say.”
“There’s other ways to talk. If you were naked, for example, I can think of many ways we could communicate.”
“You have my full attention. Both verbal and nonverbal.” He lay on his back and she propped herself up on her elbow to look at him.
“What are you thinking about?” She ran her palm over the hair on his chest and swirled it around. She ran her hand a little lower, near his belly button, and felt more than heard his breath catch.
Yeah, this was going to be a fun night.
“I’m not really thinking about anything, actually, which is new. I’m trying to decide whether I like it or not.” He turned slightly to look at her, and their eyes locked in the dimness of their room, causing a flutter to start in her midsection and travel south.
“A mind that runs a million miles a second is taking a break? I feel like we should remember this moment for posterity.”
He laughed again and she leaned down to kiss his chest, lingering a little longer this time.
“I’m also not sure how this happened.”
Oh no, he was getting serious. Why did this night have to be ruined by real-life talk? Couldn’t a girl indulge in a little escapism once in a while? The answer was probably yes, provided the other person knew exactly what was going on and they weren’t a client. Okay, this one was on her. But she didn’t want to roll off the bed and run far and fast, so that was a weirdly positive note.
“This?” She tried to sound nonchalant.
“Death threats, running from some virtually unknown person. Makes you think about life and choices.”
Oh geez, Winter, could you be any more self-centered? The guy’s life is in danger. He’s not thinking about you. Eliam’s explanation should’ve been great, exactly what she wanted. But it wasn’t. Had she actually had her hopes up that he would want her, want to attempt a future together? Casual sex was hard. Especially with a client. Which was why it wasn’t supposed to happen. Since they were already in bed and half-naked, she wasn’t shutting things down yet—she had plans for Eliam—but she wouldn’t let it happen again. Because it wasn’t right. And she needed to protect herself and the feelings he’d stirred up in her again.
“Hmmm.” She was done talking. Talking was for the light of day, and that was not where they existed tonight. They existed somewhere between foreplay and all-out lust.
She leaned down and kissed him. She slid her palm across his broad, hard, and chiseled chest, then down his side until she hit the top of his jeans. She hooked her finger under the top of the waistband and slid it across until she hit the button, unlooping it easily, which surprised her. Buttons were hard. And, holy shit, so was he. She didn’t have to move her hand down to feel him pressing against his boxers. She clicked the zipper down to the end and brought her arm back up to help him take off his pants. Things were getting real and clothes weren’t allowed. Eliam took the hint and shed the only two items left covering him.
She straddled him, purposefully sitting lower on his hips. She bent to meet his mouth, kissing then trapping his bottom lip between hers.
“I think we should forget about life and choices for a little bit longer.” She pulled back so he could hear her while not letting he
r chest leave his.
His arms wrapped around her and his palms lay on her shoulder blades. “You read my mind.”
She grinned and kissed his cheek. “I bet I can guess other things on your mind.”
The lightness of his fingertips, centered on her spine, gliding down her back, nearly made her laugh because she’d always been ticklish there, and simultaneously welled a yearning in her so strong she almost came right then and there.
“Are you ticklish?” he asked in a low voice.
Damn, they were in sync.
“Yes. Especially delicate touches in certain areas. My back being one of them.”
“Mmm. I look forward to finding the others.”
“You can look forward to that—I’ll look forward to other things.” She reached between them and wrapped her palm around him.
He moaned and she stroked him base to tip, gently, slowly.
His hand ran up her back, faster this time, through her hair and cupped her cheeks before he kissed her. His hands were so big they nearly took up the entire sides of her face. His kisses intensified and their tongues teased, collided, and swirled. She was wet for him again; she could practically feel herself pulse in desperate need for him.
She pulled back, and this time she sat up on her knees and glided him inside of her. For a moment her mind blanked at the sensation of Eliam filling her. Such a sweet, sweet feeling of being connected that she wanted it again and again. She rose up to slide back down him and then his hands were at her hips, moving to her ass, coaxing her. She leaned back down, keeping their slow rhythm, enjoying every movement, closing her eyes as she kissed him to let her other senses take over. He smelled of rich spices and sweet jasmine; his breath was labored, which turned her on even more.
He wanted her. Obviously. But there was a difference between being turned on by someone and wanting them. And he wanted her. The way he caressed her back and ass, with a need that she was feeling, too. The way their lips met and didn’t leave each other. She opened her eyes to watch him need her. One of the sexiest looks on a man was when his eyes were closed and he was kissing her. She’d always enjoyed that peaceful view. Eliam’s entire being was focused on her and what they were doing together. There was no doubt in her mind that they were in sync.
Oh shit, we’re going to need a condom. Needed. They’d already failed to remember. She tried to remember what she was even able to grab out of her SUV. Her catch-all bag. Were there condoms in there?
“What is it?” Eliam asked.
“What?”
“You . . .stopped.”
“Oh.” Good thing it was fairly dark in their room or he’d be seeing red on her cheeks. “Condoms.”
“Dammit.”
My sentiment exactly. “I was trying to remember what is in my black bag.”
“Good God, get up and check, woman.”
She laughed again. At his reaction, at the way he said it, at the way he practically lifted her up and off of him. She hadn’t laughed this much or freely in a long time. She hurried over to her bag, which had fallen off of the bed to the floor. She checked a side pocket and bingo! Four condoms. Stockpiling things in her vehicle was starting to have rewards.
“Got them.” She threw one at him in the dark, hoping she was close to his hands, or face, or that it landed somewhere he could find it. She heard the tear of foil as she laid the handful of wrapped rings on the nightstand.
He reached over, hooked her around her waist, and brought her down on the bed. He rolled her past him and then he was on top of her. Between her legs.
“I hope there was more than one in that bag.”
“Consider your hopes fulfilled.”
“Now we just have to work on the dreams part.” He stopped kissing her. “Wait. Already done.” He smiled, then kissed her again.
She chuckled at his cheesiness. He pulled up one of her legs and she rubbed her knee against his side. She felt his hips pull back then, oh God help her, Eliam was in her again, moving back and forth. Filling her deeply every time.
There was no teasing in either of their actions this time—a carnal need was driving them. She scraped her fingers down his back and groaned. The pleasure drove her head into the bed and flexed her hips into him. A breathy sigh escaped her lips; she was in complete euphoria. He kissed her collarbone then sucked on her neck. She couldn’t hold back; the thrills sparked and set off her entire body. His pace quickened. She couldn’t find her voice, all she could do was tighten her grip on his back. Waves of satisfying, rolling pleasure washed over her.
“Ahhh, Winter.” Eliam groaned into her neck and made more low, indiscernible, satisfied mumblings.
She rubbed her fingertips down his back then grabbed his ass. There was something sexy about a business tycoon relenting . . .until he wanted to be in charge. She hoped he found her just as sexy—because she sure as hell wasn’t about to change, nor could she ever go back to not being in charge. At least professionally. Personally she could maybe yield on a couple of things—like if they ever danced, she’d probably let him lead.
Chapter Eleven
“Are you expecting someone?” Eliam’s palm glided up her naked shoulder blades to the base of her neck.
“What?” She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, hazy from sleep. The hotel room was still dark, and she tried to see the alarm clock from her left side. Eliam kissed the tip of her shoulder and goose bumps rippled down her arm.
If they were awake, she was not going to waste the moment. She kissed him, hard, running her hands over his arm and side and squeezing a healthy chunk of his ass.
He was eager, too, flipping her on top of him.
Loud rapping on their hotel door made her freeze. Then her cell phone chirped.
She moaned disapprovingly and rested her forehead on Eliam’s cheek. She rolled off of him, over to her phone, and squinted at the bright light of her screen.
Felix had texted, “It’s me. Open up.”
Shit. She rushed out of bed and tried to remember where her clothes had been tossed last night.
“What happened?”
“Felix is here. We need clothes.” She swung her legs over the bed and fumbled for the switch on the lamp. He must have information. I hope they found Holland.
Eliam groaned. She couldn’t help but smile.
I feel the same way.
• • •
Eliam found his black shorts and shirt and had them on just as Winter answered the door.
“Hey,” she greeted Felix.
“Sorry to wake you.” Felix strolled in and his eyes darted from Eliam to the bed and back. “Did you get enough sleep?” Felix asked Winter.
“Ya, we’re good to go.”
“That’s good news because I have some really bad news. You might want to have a seat.” Those last words were clearly directed at him.
Felix did not come across as someone who ever messed around; however, his somber tone and the intensity of his stare this time caused a wave of numbness to spread throughout Eliam’s entire body. He had no idea what Felix was going to say, but he knew for a fact he wasn’t going to like it.
Winter sat at the table set in the far corner by the second-story window and Eliam claimed the other chair in the room.
Felix moved to stand between them. “Franklin’s dead.”
“What?” Eliam and Winter asked in unison.
“Bomb. Same as yours.”
If he weren’t already numb, he would be now. Franklin was dead. Permanently. This wasn’t a game or something he’d look back on years from now and laugh about—this situation was real and people were actually dying. Franklin was a bastard, but no one deserved to go out like that.
“And he’s actually dead, not pretending?” Winter asked, her voice calm.
What does it take to rattle this woman? She kept calm throughout things that should make any normal adult want to bash out the walls of the nearest Denny’s with a barbell. He surely would’ve lost his mind already had he not
had Winter there to guide him through this cluster.
“I have the pictures if you’d like to see.” Felix had his phone in hand.
Eliam swallowed. For all the times he’d wanted Franklin dead, would have volunteered to actually strangle the man himself, he didn’t have any intention of following through.
“I’ll pass.” Eliam quickly raised a palm in the air toward Felix.
“This doesn’t make sense.” Winter shook her head.
“Holland cleaning house?” Felix sat on the edge of the bed.
Holland?
“No, that’s not his style.” She rubbed her index finger behind her left earlobe. “I need to call him.”
“Who’s Holland?” Eliam asked.
“When did the bomb go off?” Winter asked.
Felix checked his phone. “Eddie says about the same time as your place.”
“Get Eddie over here with his equipment. I need to call Holland, and Eddie needs to track the call.”
“Who is Holland?” Eliam used his presidential voice. He was not going to be kept in the dark, dammit.
“He is the guy that hands out contracts to hitters. We think, or thought, Franklin went through him to have you killed.”
Oh. Then who the hell is trying to kill me? His situation just went from bad to worse. Knowing who the enemy was turned out to be more comforting than not knowing.
“The only way Holland would do that is if Franklin was a target, not a client,” Felix said while texting on his phone.
There was definitely some unspoken communication happening between Felix and Winter. “Guys?” Frustration was starting to well up in his chest.
“It seems,” Winter said, “that someone wanted both you and Franklin dead. Which means it was someone other than Franklin who put up the money for your contract.”
“Our leads today went nowhere, and we weren’t able to track down Holland. They didn’t give Alex access to anything.” Felix crossed his arms, displaying his unhappiness.
