FORSAKEN: On The Edge 0f Oblivion (Beauty 0f Life Book 1)

by Laura Acton

  When he pulled a firearm out of the pocket of his jacket, Lexa tensed, and all her senses shifted to high alert. Why the heck does he have a handgun? Cautiously she began to move her hand to her purse. Like the majority of constables, she didn’t carry an off-duty weapon, but Lexa had a phone and knew how to use it—speed dial to the direct line of TRF, if need be.

  Dan noted the change in Lexa in his peripheral vision. “Just putting my pistol away. Don’t worry it’s unloaded, but I do possess an authorization to carry.”

  “Why do you have a gun?”

  “It was a gift from my grandfather. I retrieved a few boxes from storage yesterday and … well … I forgot the gun was in there. I couldn’t leave the weapon in the room unattended. So …”

  “So, you took it with you.” Lexa understood his reasoning for taking it, but he violated the law by carrying it into a place where alcohol is served. The cop in her wanted to point this out, but the profiler in her got a strong military vibe and a sense he wasn’t a criminal—only a person who sought to secure a weapon properly. Plus he said it was empty and on him would be better than left unguarded in a hotel room. She decided to let the matter drop.

  “Sorry if I freaked you out.”

  “Not freaked out. What kind of pistol?” Lexa asked and relaxed, putting her hand on her hip instead.

  Dan rose and brought his handgun with him as he strode over to her. Holding the old weapon in his palm so she could see, Dan said, “This belonged to my great-grandfather. His service pistol in World War II. An Enfield No. 2 Mk I. Grandfather replaced the grips with ivory when he restored the pistol after his father passed away. When my grandfather died, he willed it to me. It’s been in storage for decades.”

  “Nice. The Enfield is a double-action revolver, right?”

  “Yeah, how’d you know?”

  Lexa smiled. “I like weapons.”

  “Really? What’s your favorite?” Dan grinned. A sexy, petite woman who likes guns. That is hot.

  Lexa reached out and brushed a fingertip over the ivory grip. “Depends on the purpose. I like my Glock and Remi.”

  Dan didn’t register her words as he focused on Lexa running her finger over the grip and heat coursed through him. He pivoted abruptly, stalked back to his boxes, knelt, and put away the firearm. Dan stood, turned, and studied her as she set her small pocketbook on the desk—suddenly feeling like an inexperienced schoolboy. Damn, I’m so out of practice.

  Setting aside her handbag an electric quiver raced down Lexa’s spine. What I’m I doing here? A one-night stand with an amazingly hot man I know nothing about isn’t like me. Her logical mind told her she should go, but her burning excitement caused her to release the purse. Peering up at him, the fervor in his eyes killed all remaining prudence. He wanted her, and she … him. The physical attraction undeniable, Lexa took a step towards him.

  Dan moved one stride to her. His heart rate increased.

  Both stepped again and again until they were a fraction of an inch apart. Each felt feel the heat radiating off the other’s body. Who would make the first move?

  Dan stood seven inches taller than Lexa in her two-inch spiked heels. He estimated her height at five-two against his five-eleven. Perfect fit, Dan thought as his eyes riveted to hers. The golden flecks in her beautiful hazel eyes mesmerized him. His heart-rate increased yet again.

  His fingers which had itched to run through her auburn hair, now tingled with anticipation as he raised one hand. Dan’s rough, calloused fingers tentatively touched soft and silky tresses as he gradually threaded them through her hair. All I imagined and more.

  A current of fiery electricity ran from the top of her head where he stroked her all the way to her core. It stoked the fire burning there. She needed to touch him too. Reaching up with both hands, her right landing on his chest over his heart. The increasing thumping of his heartbeat registered on her palm as her left one continued up to his dreamy face. Faintly touching, her fingers trailed down his tanned cheek. Caressing him ignited a flashover of intense heat to pool at her essence. A single touch never affected me this way.

  Dan tilted his head into the soft caress. So long since anyone touched me like this. One hand reached around her waist, pulling her close.

  Lexa registered that he leaned into her caress as her body melded to his. A perfect fit. Heat intensified as their bodies touched. She gazed at him noticing the small scar over his right eye, mostly hidden in his soft golden eyebrow. Her eyes moved to his sensual mouth as he dipped his head. Lexa’s heart hammered against her ribs as she tilted her head up to meet his lush, warm lips.

  Sweet, soft, succulent, and oh so kissable. Dan scarcely brushed his lips against hers. An urge to go fast and hard grew, but he held back. The first kiss must be right—full of promise. He pulled Lexa closer as their lips softly touched, released, and touched again. Capturing her luscious, delicate, lips a third time they fused more urgently. His tongue darted out to savor her as he inhaled an intoxicating fragrance of jasmine. She tastes and smells so sweet.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, drawing him nearer, Lexa parted her moistened lips, welcoming him, ready to dance. Her tongue pirouetted with his tasting a light hint of beer. Lexa breathed in sharply as his hand moved to her bottom, bringing her hard against him. His heady scent is irresistible … masculine, clean, woodsy.

  All senses overwhelmed, lost in the haze of their kissing, Dan’s eyes glazed over with passion and lust. No woman ever affected him like Lexa. Must have her closer. Dan’s hand caressed her perfectly formed derrière, awakening a ravenous beast inside him. The peaks of her breasts rubbed on his chest. Craving shot through his body—needing to devour her now.

  I must touch her … feel her. Surrendering to his need, edging a hand down he slipped underneath her dress. A thong! Holy Grail! His fingers amorously kneaded her smooth yet firm backside as he lifted her a little.

  As he continued to plunder her mouth, Lexa’s yearning to touch him in return caused her begin tugging his button-down dress shirt and t-shirt out of his pants. Once his shirttails were freed, her hands slid beneath them, gliding up his back. His muscles rippled under her soft ministrations. His magnificent body is rock-hard—not an ounce of fat on this man.

  His hand on her rump, lifting her, and crushing her into his body drove her wild. The now soaking wet thin strip of lacey material of her underwear became an unwanted barrier between them as his length throbbed against her stomach. I need more, and so does he.

  Lexa broke the kiss and stepped back. She reached for the hem of her red, curve-hugging, pull-over dress, and in a single fluid movement she lifted and peeled off her slinky garment, revealing her assets.

  Dan’s gaze transfixed on the alluring woman in front of him clad in only a red, lacy, barely-there bra and matching thong. Her bosom heaved with her aroused breathing, which matched his. He gaped as she undid her bra, letting the scrap of lace fall to the floor with her dress. The ingrained soldier in him briefly thought I should pick those up.

  Breathing became near impossible when she slipped off the thong, standing before him entirely naked. He ached to suckle and nibble her breasts. Beautiful goddess. An illusion of loveliness. Exquisite!

  Lexa smiled witnessing the effect on him as his hungry, glazed eyes consumed every inch of her freely offered body. Her voice sultry, she said, “Show me my dish.”

  Dan kicked off his shoes and slid out of his jacket letting it drop to the floor—all thoughts of things needing to be in their proper place gone. He fumbled with his buttons as he continued to stare at Freyja the Norse goddess of love. I’d willingly die now so she can take me from the battlefield.

  Seeing him struggle, Lexa stepped forward and expertly undid them. She slid off his button-down shirt, leaving his undershirt on as she moved to unbuckle his belt, unbutton his pants, and unzip them.

  Her brows rose, and eyes widened when the full length of him popped out, hard and ready. Commando! Thank goodness! Her hand encircled his thick,
hard, long member, stroking him delicately.

  Dan sucked in a breath as she tenderly fondled him. He became harder and closed his eyes, gulping for breath and seeking control. You’re not a rutting teenager … you can hold out … oh, oh, oooooh! His eyes flew open, and he nearly came when her hot, wet mouth enveloped him, moving up and down as her tongue played along his length.

  He barely registered her sultry voice saying, “Mmmmm tasty.”

  Unable to take much more of her ministrations without exploding, Dan grasped her arms, pulling Lexa off her knees as he stepped out of his pants pooled at his ankles.

  “My turn to dine,” he said in thick and gravelly voice. Easily lifting her up, her legs wrapped around his midsection as their lips met again in a feeding frenzy, both wanting the other and neither able to stop the flaring passion.

  Dan carried her to the bed and sat on the edge, trailing kisses down her throat. As she arched backward, his mouth seized one nipple and sucked with vigor while his hand kneaded the other.

  Lexa shivered with heat as he captured her breast. Arching back and moaning, her hips moved against his lap. Mewling and purring noises emitted as he lavished attention on one then another. She moaned loudly as his skillful fingers slipped into her moist, heated, cleft. His calloused fingertips found the perfect spot, and she began to vigorously buck as he worked magic, driving her upwards seeking release.

  “I want … need …” Lexa moaned, beginning to pant heavily as every nerve ending sparked adding fuel to her bonfire. She pushed Dan back onto the mattress taking control. I need to feel him in me … now!

  Dan ended up on his back as Lexa plundered his mouth and maneuvered herself above him. His fingers still played with her. She is so close she’s pulsing. He slipped three fingers in deeply, moving in and out rapidly as his thumb continued to stroke her special spot. His own body throbbed in cadence to her rocking motion and escaping moans.

  When she tried to remove his hand, and replace it with his shaft, he rolled over, regaining command. Dan pinned her with his weight as his lips recaptured her breasts. He alternated between suckling, nibbling, and tracing her hardened peaks with his tongue as he increased the speed and pressure on her nub.

  Driven up, higher, and wilder, Lexa bucked hard against his hand. Crying out with release as she crested the summit. Tumbling down, her body pulsed as he coaxed every last tremor from her.

  Feasting on her supple skin, leaving a searing trail of kisses from her breast to her enticing mouth. Dan stopped to suck the pulse point of her neck, marking her before continuing his sumptuous journey.

  When Lexa’s shuddering body could breathe without gasping, she sighed, “Why did you stop me?”

  Pulling back slightly from the heated kiss, Dan gazed into Lexa’s smoldering hazel eyes, the golden flecks reflecting passion in her soul. Taken off-guard by her charms in the bar, he forgot he didn’t possess a condom—hadn’t needed one in a long time. He promptly checked his boxes when he entered the room, on the off chance he could find one, but came up empty.

  He decided it would be enough to pleasure her, to taste her. And maybe, if lucky, she would pleasure him in other ways. Sighing, Dan confessed, “Out of protection.”

  “Stay right here.” Lexa smiled as she pushed him off her and stood. Her knees weak from the intense release she just experienced, she stumbled a bit on the way to the desk. Damn, he’s a skilled lover. With his looks, he surely had lots of practice, enough that he doesn’t have any protection left.

  Dan lay on the bed, his lower half naked as Lexa ambled away from him, confusion entered as she picked up her purse. Is she leaving?

  Lexa searched her bag a moment. Bingo! Turning back to him, holding up a small square package, she smiled broadly. “I have what you need.”

  He couldn’t stifle the chuckle. “Yes, yes, you do.” God, if she only knew how true her statement is. He focused on her smile, not thinking about the condom she was now opening as she sauntered back to him.

  Returning, she noted he remained very much at attention. Her eyes moved from his engorged maleness to his irresistible eyes. His sapphire orbs are so fascinating. She focused for so long on them when he blinked Morse code at the bank. In the dim room, they appeared darker than in the light of day.

  Being so close now, she detected a shadow or dullness in them—something she couldn’t quite place. A disquieting feeling entered her as she continued to stare. Who is Broderick and what caused the lingering darkness in the depths of his eyes? She dismissed the thought as her appetite for hot-blooded sex with the mysterious man flourished anew.

  Lexa tore her eyes from his and raked them over the rest of his body. Laid out for her like a buffet—anything she wanted she could have, but then she noticed he still wore his t-shirt and socks. It struck her as funny, and she laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” Dan asked with a bemused expression. The sound of her laugh is musical.

  “We were so … well … in to it, I still have my heels on, and you still have your socks and shirt on. I think I need to remedy that.” She kicked off her heels, knelt down, and removed his socks. Then she crawled up and straddled him. Wrapping her hand around his staff, Lexa stroked with a light touch enjoying the feel of his hot, velvety, steel rod.

  “Now, where were we? Ah yes, I remember. Your turn.” She rolled the condom into place.

  Lexa leaned down, and as she lifted his shirt, she trailed heated kisses from his abdomen to his collarbone. She pulled the undershirt off wishing for more light so she could view his chest and abs. Lexa settled for exploring him with her hands, lips, and teeth as she rocked herself against him, renewing the heat within both of them.

  Relieved the room was dark enough his scars and bruises were not visible, Dan relaxed and enjoyed the pleasure she gave him. With the way she’s dining on me, I might have a few more marks by tomorrow. Never been with a woman this bold in bed … quite a turn on.

  Trying to hold out and let her do what she would with him, Dan’s body strained, but the need to be inside her quickly grew. When she suddenly nipped his nipples, he lost his battle as his hands landed on her waist and lifted her over him. He pulled her down on him until she was well seated. God, she’s so tight and hot … fits me like a glove.

  Lexa sat atop him, buried to the hilt. “Oh, God!” she breathed out as she began smoothly undulating her hips. The sensation of sheathing all of him within her sent bolts of pleasure through her entire body.

  Dan swayed his body allowing her to set the pace. Oh, sweet mercy! Rock me gently, slowly. So warm, so tender, so right. A small ember flickered to life in his soul as his need rose. Her moans and purrs drove him wild. He rolled them over, keeping their bodies connected. Leaning down, seeking her delicious mouth, he deepened his kisses, plunging his tongue matching the rhythm of his hips. Slow and tender as she wrapped around him, pulling him in deeper.

  Her body coiled with tension and need as Dan struck a spot inside no one ever had, causing her breathing to become erratic. She squeezed her legs needing him to touch her repeatedly. “Deeper … faster … harder …”

  Dan complied. Their pace became frenzied, hard, deep, fast. He grunted with each stroke as his release built to a fevered pitch. She moaned and moved in rhythm driving him closer to the edge.

  Soaring to heights never known, circling, climbing, Lexa reached the peak again as bright flashes of light burst forth illuminating the dark recesses of her heart. Trembling with a second release, she cried out, “Daaaan!”

  Driving home hard and deep one last time, Dan’s intense release muted the world around him. Pulsating with shockwaves of his explosion, he didn’t realize a breathy, “Lexaaaaa,” escaped his throat. His body utterly spent after seven weeks of only a few hours of sleep each night, a mild concussion, and an intense physical release, oblivion pulled him into its embrace.

  Lexa attempted to breathe as she came down from the heights, but found it impossible with his weight on top of her. She managed to roll their s
weat covered bodies to the side. Her respiration steadily improving now that she could get air in, she lay staring at the blond. Amazing! I’ve never found release twice in a night. Never has anyone driven me to such heights. Mind-blowing.

  Reaching out a hand, Lexa caressed his face and ran her fingertips through his damp hair. His eyes were shut, but she thought she saw a ghost of a smile when her fingers stayed in his hair. Little by little his ragged breathing returned to normal like hers.

  When his eyes remained closed, she lightly tapped his cheek. He didn’t respond. Wow, he fell asleep.

  Studying his face for a long while, hoping he would wake up, but he didn’t. As she sat up, she wondered if she should just leave or write him a note. Staying the night isn’t an option. I must be at work at five for pre-shift workout or Jon will assign me to mop floors—rather count ammo. Smiling, she realized she already had quite a workout tonight.

  Lexa gazed upon Dan again. He appeared even younger sleeping. A lot younger than her. She turned thirty last April. Sleeping, as he was now, this man looked to be in his early twenties, maybe twenty-five. She chuckled as she thought she might be cradle robbing.

  She listened to his regular breathing, lost in thought. Mind-blowing sex! Twice in one night for me—a first. An enjoyable and unforgettable evening. Should I try to rouse him? He seems so peaceful. Things might become awkward if I wake him. Never had a one-night stand before with a veritable stranger—another first. How does one leave in this type of situation?

  Making a decision, Lexa stood, put on her bra, pulled her dress over her head, and slipped into her shoes. She picked up her wet thong and wondered what to do with it.

  She laughed as a quirky idea popped into her mind. I’m blaming Loki’s warped sense of humor for this. The Norse god of mischief is rubbing off on me. Going to the desk, she used the hotel pen and notepad to write a quick note. She laid the thong next to it.