No Chance in Hell

by Jerrie Alexander

  He tasted of mint toothpaste. The subtle scent of his cologne drifted through her, turning on heat sources and sending fire licking through her blood. An alarm went off inside her head. If they didn’t stop, they’d wind up naked and on the floor. Reluctantly, she slid her hands down to his chest and lightly pushed.

  His gaze was dark, full of lust, and smoldering hot. He blinked once and then backed away, leaving her regretting her decision to end the kiss.

  He ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “We’d better go,” he said. His words were thick and husky.

  “Yeah.” She picked up her purse, removed the gun, and handed it to him.

  So many emotions coursed through her. Matched only by the number of questions. What did this attraction mean? A fling for the duration? A growing, evolving relationship?

  The ride down the elevator was silent. Both she and Marcus seemed to be lost in thought.

  “Let’s buy that purse,” he said, guiding her into the boutique.

  Chris sorted through the small evening bags, mentally fitting her pistol into each one. A small silver one looked perfect. “This will work.”

  Once they were in the hallway, Marcus pulled her in front of him and took her new purse. It was much heavier when he handed it back.

  “Feel better?” His hand rested at the small of her back.

  “I do. Thanks.”

  Dinner was quiet. Neither of them seemed to know what to say or how to act. Chris vacillated between ignoring the elephant in the room and initiating a conversation. After a delicious steak and two glasses of wine, she was much braver.

  “Marcus, we need to—”

  His cell, which he’d placed on the corner of the table, buzzed. An omen she should keep her mouth shut?

  His eyebrows drew together. “It’s Nate. Can’t be anything good, because I just talked to him.”

  Marcus answered the call. “What’s up?”

  His eyes close briefly. The nerve in his jaw jumped as he listened. “I guess you’re right. It could be a ploy to get us back to the office.”

  Chris’s mind raced in different directions. He disconnected, his broad chest rose and fell in a big sigh, and then he picked up his drink. The glass looked small in his hand as he swirled the whiskey, watching it dance in a circle.

  He lifted his gaze and met hers, sending a chill racing up her arms. The fact that a smile played at the corners of his lips made him even scarier.

  “I’m afraid to ask.” She ached to reach across the table and take his hand.

  “Bastard blew up my car.” Marcus’s voice was calm, monotone. He might as well have been reading the phonebook.

  “But Nate was driving your car.” A knot formed in her heart. “Are they okay?”

  “Yeah. Luckily, he left mine on the lot and drove his pickup home.” Marcus lifted a shoulder in a way-too-casual manner. “It’s not unusual for Nate and Kay to have both their vehicles at the office.”

  “None of you are safe. Not as long as you’re helping me. What are we going to do?”

  “We’re going to sit right here and enjoy ourselves.”

  “How can you even suggest that?” He’d lost his mind. If that had been her car, she couldn’t have turned off her anger so quickly.

  “Nothing we can do about it tonight.”

  “But—” She pressed her fingers into her temple, trying to stem the brewing stress headache.

  “My day will come. And when it does, that asshole will regret that he terrorized you and torched my house and car.”

  Chris folded her napkin and placed it on the table. “I’m exhausted. Are you ready to go upstairs?”

  Their waiter appeared at Marcus’s elbow with the bill. He signed for dinner and requested their appreciation for a great steak be delivered to the chef. Marcus walked around and held her chair for her.

  “Don’t forget your new purse.” His voice and demeanor were so calm it unnerved her.

  They rode up the elevator with a pleasant older couple who’d come in from Florida for their granddaughter’s wedding. Marcus chatted casually with them until they reached their floor.

  Nobody maintained their cool after losing their home and car. He’d barely closed the door to their suite when she whirled on him. “Who are you? Does nothing agitate you?”

  The corners of his mouth lifted into that little half smile. “I get agitated.”

  Marcus advanced toward her as if he were a big cat stalking dinner. She braced herself for a lecture. He took her purse from her hand, set it on the table, and then moved further into her space. When her breasts almost brushed his chest, he stopped. His gaze, steamy and full of lust, locked on hers. Chris swallowed hard. God, she wanted him to touch her. More than any man she’d known, he stirred a desire in her, a deep aching need that only he could soothe.

  “Some people get agitated over anything and everything. I like to pick and choose. On the other hand, I do get excited from time to time.”

  “Marcus,” she growled. “If you’re going to kiss—”

  He slid his hands around her waist, fisted the back of her blouse, and then pulled her tight against his chest. “Oh, I’m going to kiss you all right.”

  He lowered his head. This wasn’t the hard, take-no-prisoners kiss they’d shared before dinner. Instead, this was a slow and sensual awakening. He moved her head, angling for better coverage. His tongue swept inside her open and willing mouth. Chris relaxed into the growing need, the pulsing craving between her thighs. He tasted every inch of her mouth, while teasing her, encouraging her to join him.

  Chris dissolved into his arms. Pent-up desire she’d held at bay exploded. She rose up on her tiptoes, buried her hands in his hair, and met his tongue, pulling it deeper into her mouth. The hard line of his erection pressed against her, sending moisture south in anticipation. Marcus kissed down the side of her face to her neck.

  He lifted his head and pinned her with his gaze. “I want you. But the decision is yours.” He seemed to be waiting for her answer. “Be sure this is a good idea.” His gaze, deadly serious and clouded with lust, rested on her face. His desire was so honest. So gorgeous.

  “It’s not a good idea,” she whispered. At the same time, she began unbuttoning her blouse. “It’s a great idea.”

  His hand stilled hers at the second button. “No. That’s my job.”

  Marcus worked quickly, and soon, her blouse hung open and loose on her shoulders. He ran his fingers up the lapels, barely grazing her skin, blistering their way to her collar and sending chills racing across her flesh. With a flick of his wrists, her top slid to the floor, leaving her bare except for a thin lace bra.

  “Jesus, you are beautiful.”

  “You’re staring.” Heat rose up her chest and face from his approving reaction.

  He lowered his head, kissing the skin just above the lace on both breasts before taking her nipple into his mouth. Chris’s back bowed, offering her body to him. With one hand. he unhooked her bra and shoved it to the floor on top of her blouse.

  “You’re quite accomplished in that maneuver.”

  He lifted his head but never took his gaze off her naked breasts. “A guy learns that in his early years. It’s a pity, because we’re way too young to appreciate the gift beneath that slip of material.”

  His hands, strong yet gentle, skimmed across her body. She trembled, her nipples reacting to his touch, and a soft moan escaped. He cupped her swollen breasts as if they were china.

  “I need to see more.”

  “But I’m the only one half-naked.”

  “I can fix that.” He unbuttoned his shirt then tossed it aside.

  She swept her hands up the hard, lean muscles of his arms and over to the hair sprinkled across his chest. She flexed her fingers against the shapes and contours of his body. She leaned over, took his nipple into her mouth, and sucked gently. He hissed, prompting her to be even more aggressive. She scraped her teeth over the tip.

  “Enough.” Marcus scooped h
er into his arms and carried her to the bed, setting her on the edge. He knelt in front of her and removed her shoes, slacks, and then panties. His gaze journeyed across her skin, blistering furnaces as they glided back to her face.

  “Your turn.” Chris reached for his belt.

  Marcus caught her by the wrist, reached back, and removed his gun, setting it on the nightstand. He kicked off his boots, pants, and then underwear in record speed. He grabbed his wallet, fished out a condom, and then placed it on the nightstand.

  It was her turn to stare. Naked, he was magnificent. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and his hips framed an erection that sent her heart racing. The word “mine” raced through her thoughts. He lifted her to the middle of the bed.

  “I could look at you forever.” He sat next to her. His gaze slid across her body. “Does this make you uncomfortable? It shouldn’t. Your body is perfect. You were made to be worshipped.”

  “It should, but it seems I have no shame with you. I can’t be embarrassed when all I want is you inside me.”

  “Not yet.” His fingers circled her ankles, skimming and then massaging her calf muscles. He continued up her thighs and stomach to her breasts, taking his time and occasionally leaning forward to nip her skin or trail his tongue over a curve.

  Slowly, he lowered his head, took control of her lips. Hard and soft, his tongue slid in and out, pushing her, driving her until she writhed under him. He moved to her breasts and hungrily pulled one nipple into his mouth before moving to the other side, leaving her chilled at his absence. His hand slid down her body, fingertips deftly massaging her stomach, lingering to trace a pattern.

  Every nerve in her body silently begged for more, for release, for this pleasure to never stop. Heat spiraled downward between her thighs. His hand found her wet and wanting as he inserted a finger, dipping it in and out.

  “Finally,” she moaned. She opened wider for him, baring herself and wanting more. Her hands raced over his body, lingered as his muscles quaked. Glorious, him touching her, her touching him. Her thoughts were of nothing but desire and need. The need to touch and be touched. The need to caress and be caressed. Every inch of her skin burned, as if on fire, and cried out for his attention.

  “Watching your expression of pleasure could drive a guy over the edge.”

  She smiled. “You should be on the receiving side and feel what I do.” She lifted her hips, offering herself to him.

  “I’m happy right here for now.” He moved down the bed and wedged his shoulders between her thighs. She rose up on her elbows and watched as his head moved lower down her body. Chris widened her legs, giving him free access to her most private parts. He worked his way past her navel, raining kisses as he went. She trembled. He was so near. So damn near her needy core.

  While keeping his gaze locked on her face, Marcus spread her folds and kissed between her legs.

  “More,” Chris begged. She dropped her head back and relished the sensations. She was lost as his tongue, warm and probing, slipped inside. He took his time, increasing the pressure and pushing her to the verge of climax. Just as she thought she couldn’t take anymore, he’d slow down and let her cool off.

  His thumb and finger found her clit. He rubbed in a circle for a minute before pinching softly. The rumbling started way down deep inside her. Gathering steam, rolling and getting larger, until all she could do was plead with him not to stop. She dug her hands into the bedcovers and held on for fear she’d fly off the bed when her orgasm hit. Her body quaked and trembled as stars exploded behind her eyes. Marcus didn’t let up. He pushed his tongue deep inside, drawing out every last drop of her climax. He leaned forward and kissed her, mingling her juices with the taste that was uniquely Marcus.

  “I need to feel you inside me.” Her hand dropped to his burgeoning erection.

  He slid to the edge of the bed. The muscles in his back rippled as he rolled away to cover himself. Then he was above her, kissing her again. Hard and soft. Deep and long. Reawakening her desire. His erection pressed at her entrance, and he breeched her slowly.

  “You feel so good around me,” he whispered.

  A piece of her heart shifted as if a section now belonged to him. He moved her with his unselfish giving, but she couldn’t allow herself to hope for more than what they had now. She’d lost a lot in the past few years, but losing him would be the worst.

  ****

  Marcus buried himself deep in Chris’s warm and welcoming body. He stopped for a second to let her adjust to his size, then he lifted her legs and hooked them over his forearms. Slowly, he slid out until just the tip of his erection was inside her. Damn, he wanted to slam home and pound into her until nothing existed except the two of them, but he held back. This would be nice and easy until he could bring her to the edge with him, and she surrendered everything.

  She lifted her hips, pulling him deeper. Again, he pressed deep inside her body and again, he withdrew. Next time, he went a little deeper. Good Lord, she was tight, hot and wet, ready to take him all the way inside. He thrust once, seating himself all the way in. Her eyes flashed wide, and she smiled.

  “So good,” he whispered into her lips.

  Her fingernails dug into his ass. “Marcus, I’m not going to break. Make love to me.”

  “My pleasure.”

  They moved in unison, quickly reaching a rhythm as if they’d been intimate many times. Her hands clutched his shoulders, and she met him thrust for thrust.

  He increased his speed, pumping in and out, faster and faster. His climax roared to the point of explosion, but he tamped it back and concentrated on her orgasm. Her long fall of hair had spread across the pillow, so he tried counting the different shades of blond. He reached between them and massaged her clit.

  “Marcus,” she cried.

  “I’m right here.” He aimed for that spot that would give her the most pleasure. A tidal wave had headed to the surface, gaining strength until he fought his orgasm with each stroke. Her eyes fluttered closed.

  “Look at me, baby,” he said. Her eyes opened, and she locked on to his gaze. The passion on her beautiful face pushed him close to the end. “Come with me.”

  He sped up his movements. Faster. Harder. He pounded into her, pulling her climax to the surface. “Come for me. With me.” Urging her on, he lowered her legs, and then slid his hands under her hips. Lifting her, he continued to thrust.

  “Oh, God,” she moaned.

  Her inner muscles contracted. Her eyes fluttered and then closed. Witnessing the look of ecstasy on her face, he lost it. While he was buried deep inside her, his spine stiffened for a split second, and then he exploded. Saying her name, he emptied himself to the rhythm of her tremors.

  Sweaty but satiated, neither spoke for a few minutes. A dull ache started in his heart the second he rolled away to dispose of the condom. He turned back to her and propped himself up on his elbow. He leaned over and kissed her. Her lips were so very soft and swollen from his kisses.

  “Hair mussed, lipstick gone, and sleepy-eyed, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled and stifled a yawn. “For everything.”

  “Can you reach the light?”

  “I can.” She turned off the bedside lamp, rolled over, and nestled her head on his chest. The darkness was a good thing. No way could he explain the silly grin on his face.

  “You’re beautiful, too,” she whispered.

  “No more sex for you. It makes you delirious,” Marcus said on a chuckle. “You’d better get some rest.”

  “Not delirious,” she said behind a yawn.

  Marcus lay in the darkness and tried to analyze why he’d let this happen. Did he want this thing between him and Chris to be real? Could he leave the past buried and start again? In his line of work, he couldn’t even guarantee he’d come home at night. Sex with Chris would have to be a short-lived affair, nothing more. Besides, there’d be no reason for her to stick around once the killer was be
hind bars.

  Chris shifted and pushed hair off her face. Her breathing said she was still awake.

  “You’re thinking too much.” He smoothed his hand up and down her spine. “Stop trying to analyze what just happened.”

  “You don’t know what I was thinking,” she said.

  “I can guess. And you’re wrong. I don’t regret making love with you,” Marcus said, surprising himself by saying it out loud. In fact, he felt good.

  “Neither do I.”

  “Then what’s got your neck and back tied in knots?” He walked his fingers down her tense muscles, while he waited and wondered if she’d tell him.

  “When you spoke to Nate earlier, you sent someone named Holly your love. Who is she?”

  Marcus smiled to himself at Chris’s question. A long time had passed since anybody had been the least bit possessive of him. Somebody caring felt damn good. “Are you jealous?”

  She lifted her head, propping up on her elbow. “I’m sorry. I had no right to ask.”

  The overhead light in the outer room cast a shadow across their bed, but the embarrassment in her eyes was easy to see. He cupped her cheek, pulled her back onto his chest, and then kissed the top of her head. “Hey. I’m flattered. I don’t mind you asking. I’ll tell you anything you want.”

  She popped back up on her elbow. “Really? Mr. I Play My Cards Close to the Vest is willing to answer any question?”

  He leaned up and kissed her. Damn, she tasted sweet. So he kissed her again. This time she joined in, making it difficult for him to remember the question.

  Chris broke the kiss, then went back to her position on her elbow. “Is she an old girlfriend?”

  “No. But I do love her. Holly Hoffman used to be a close friend of Kay’s. Now, she’s more of a family member to all of us at Lost and Found. Holly was our first rescue as a team. We didn’t get to her in time to keep her from getting abused and beaten.”

  “Is she okay now?”

  “She’s dealing. The whole thing traumatized the hell out of her. I think she quit her job and moved to Hill Top because being around us served as a constant reminder of everything she went through. She’s the assistant librarian at the Hill County Library and teaches night classes in English as a second language. Nate was telling me she’s moving back to Dallas. She’s apparently looking into becoming a nurse.”