by Blue Remy
He hadn’t heard back from Jones, but figured he wouldn’t for a couple of days. Gut instinct told him who made the bomb, but he had no proof and couldn’t go in with guns blazing, or else it would mean losing everything.
Mace looked up when Amy stepped into the kitchen, openly studying her. The tensing of her jaw betrayed her frustration, her eyes full of remoteness; he knew then his idea was probably best with the given situation. Long strides closed the distance between them, his desperate needing to touch her and let her know he was there for her roared.
He stood in front of her; unspoken pain was alive and glowing inside her hazel eyes, causing his heart to sink. Reaching up, he tenderly pushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear. “I know it’s a dumb question, but are you okay?”
Amy shook her head as tears slowly found their way down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.” She sniffled, lifting a shaking hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
Mace couldn’t help but stare at her incredulously. “What? Why? You have nothing to be sorry for, Amy.” He pulled her into a tight embrace, rocking her slowly. “Your world came crashing down around you. If anyone should be sorry, it’s me.”
“I’m acting like such a girl. Crying at the drop of a hat and just being generally girly.” She rested the side of her face against his chest, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist.
Lips brushed the top of her head, allowing his cheek to rest there. “Ames, you just suffered a major blow. Someone blew up your house. You’re lucky to be alive. You could have been in it.” Mace pulled back, placing his knuckles under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Your whole family could have been in there. You got fucking lucky, and I will find whoever did this and kill them for it.”
Amy managed a small tentative smile, “Don’t go to jail on my account.”
“Pfft, I won’t get caught.” Mace waggled his brows. “I’ve got two horses saddled up and ready to ride. Are you up for it?”
A spark of life ignited in her listless eyes. “Really? I would love that. Thank you.”
“Anything for you.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze as he led her out of the kitchen toward the front door. “I took the liberty and grabbed two of my sweatshirts if it gets cold. You’ll just have to deal with it if it’s too big.”
Her lips twitched, fighting a smile that threatened to form. “I’m sure it’s just right.”
“You are horrible.” Shaking his head, he scooped up the sweatshirts and led her out of the house toward the barn. He knew where he wanted to take her. It would be perfect for her to just let go and try to enjoy herself amidst the turmoil she and her family were dealing with.
Swinging up onto Phaedra, he reined her around to face Amy. “It’s not that far, but I have a bottle of moscato in my saddle bag, so I don’t want to run them.”
The long lashes of her liquid brown eyes fluttered in surprise, a smile brightening her face. “How did you know?”
He couldn’t answer that he was a cop and it was his job to know these things. Instead, a thoughtful smile curved his mouth. “I raided your fridge a while back. I figured Stone and Romeo don’t touch the stuff.”
“Romeo will on occasion, when I make him drink with me.” She moved Little Joe next to him, “Lead the way.”
Turning Phaedra to the south end of the property, his legs tightened around the mare’s rib cage, urging her forward. They rode in comfortable silence, offering up small talk here and there. Mace wanted to give Amy space but keep her in the comfort zone of having someone to lean on if she needed it. It seemed to work. He could tell by the tight lines around her lips she was still fretting over everything, but they were gradually disappearing the further they rode from his home.
It was a fifteen minute ride to the clearing he wanted to bring her to. The sun started to lower behind the mountains. A gazebo stood in the center of the clearing, where they could tether their horses. Mace found the power switch, lighting the gazebo with hundreds of twinkle lights, giving the area a soft glow.
Off to the left was a pond and a massive gnarled oak tree with a low hanging branch. Tied off to the branch was a tire swing that his grandparents had used when they were courting. He figured being a kid for a few moments might brighten her day.
Dismounting, he tied off Phaedra and strode over to Amy. Placing his hands about her waist, he helped lower her off the stallion. He knew he had chosen right by the surprised parting of her lips and the sweet musing glint in her eyes.
She never said a word. All he got was a mousy squeak and she was gone. Amy rushed over to the swing, giggling like a little girl, as she slid her legs in and started to twist round and round.
Mace was relieved to see her letting go, forgetting her troubles for a few hours. Opening the saddle bags, he laid out the king sized, fluffy blanket. Setting out paper and plastic china, he laid out the food and cracked open the wine, pouring them each a plastic cup full.
Amy flopped down on the blanket as he set her cup to the side. She rolled on her back to stare up at the sunset blazed sky. “This was perfect, Mace.” Biting her bottom lip, she turned her head to look at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Picking up her cup, she propped herself up on her elbow. Mace tapped the edge of his cup against hers, then took a drink. He didn’t care for the wine, he was a straight up liquor lover, but he’d have a glass with her, even if he’d rather have it on her.
She must have seen the mischievous glint to his eye, “Spill it.”
Eyebrows arched up as he fought from smiling. “I would like to, and then when I’m done drinking my fill, I want to make you scream my name.”
A rush of pink stained Amy’s cheeks as she demurely lowered her gaze. Setting her cup aside, she pushed herself upright and turned to face him. Arms crossed at her waist, fingers grabbed the hem of her baby-doll t-shirt. She tugged it up over her head. Tossing the shirt aside, Amy leaned back on her hands, which in turn, pushed out her breasts. “What are you waiting for?”
His gaze riveted to her face, but slowly grazed over her body as she sat back on her hands, waiting. Mace scooted closer to her, watching her head tilt back, exposing the creamy expanse of her neck. The brazen red of her lace bra pushed her small breasts up, begging his mouth to cover them.
Mace hooked a single finger under the bra strap and pulled it down her shoulder. Leaning into her, his lips brushed along the smooth skin at her shoulder to the crook of her neck. Inhaling deeply, his eyes fell closed as lavender filled his senses. “Lean back further.” He whispered his demand against her skin.
He heard her breath catch at his dominance, but she did as asked. She lowered her body to her elbows; the smoldering flame in her eyes startled him. In her need to let go, she wanted to have her control taken from her, to be set free in the moment. He would happily oblige.
Mace wrapped his fingers around her neck, but didn’t squeeze, or try and kiss her. Instead, his palm slowly slid down the middle of her chest until he reached the front of her bra. Agile fingers wrapped around the front clasp, thumb and index finger moved in a snapping motion, unhooking the plastic clasp. Watching the fabric fall open, his eyes raked boldly over her.
Lifting up his cup, he tilted it over her breastbone, allowing the bubbling wine to trickle onto her skin. Quick inhale of her breath was music to his ears, his head dipping as lips parted; tongue darted out to lap at the sweet liquor on her breasts. His free hand cradled her waist, as his mouth traveled down her left breast until he reached the taut, dusky pink nipple. Taking the rosy bud into his mouth, tip of his tongue flicked over her nipple before his teeth tenderly nipped at her flesh, pulling and suckling it until she moaned in sheer agony of pleasure.
“I need you to love me, Mace.” Her voice was pleading, desperate to his ears.
A flat hand pushed her back into the blanket, allowing him to crawl over her until he was face to face with her. “I will.” His words were full of promise as he pushed hims
elf up to pull off his t-shirt and toss it aside. Lowering himself so half of his body laid over hers, he felt her heart beat against his chest.
He didn’t expect her to take control, but her leg curled in his and she rolled. Finding himself on his back was a welcomed turn of events. She tossed her bra over with their other clothing, a wicked gleam in her eyes as she turned to look at him. Straddling his hips, she lowered her torso to his, pressing her soft breasts against his chest.
He tangled his fingers in her silken hair when her mouth found his collarbone. Gentle and slow, she dragged her teeth along his skin, followed by her tongue. Nails trailed along his ribs, making his skin jump at the almost tickling, yet arousing touch. She was a biter. Mouth and teeth found every inch of his body while she worked her way down the length of his torso. She was trying to drive him crazy and it was working.
His pants grew uncomfortably tight, and the soft shifting of her hips against his didn’t help. He knew she could feel his arousal and was working it to her advantage. Shift of hips with a nibble against his ribs had him gasping for air.
Mace’s head lifted when Amy pushed up and scooted down to his thighs. Single brow lifted in silent question, which was answered when she met his eyes with her smoldering gaze and her hands took hold of his belt buckle. He couldn’t breathe when she unhooked the leather from metal and her deft fingers unbuttoned his jeans.
“Take your boots off.”
Yeah, that might help. He chuckled softly as he used the toe of one foot against the heel of his other to kick off his boots. She was going to push him to new limits if she kept this up. He thought she didn’t want control, but when she took it, he gladly gave it up. Too bad he didn’t bring his handcuffs…
Reality returned when he felt his zipper lowering, tooth by agonizing tooth. Opening his eyes, he found her watching him with an intent look, her eyes glassy, lips parting as her tongue swept out and across them. Jesus, the things he imagined her doing with that mouth.
She didn’t waste time, tugging his pants, forcing him to lift his hips and reach down to help her.
His boxers went with his jeans, tossed aside with ease by her eagerness. Amy stood, kicking off her boots, then wiggling out of her jeans to stand before him in her full naked glory. She was more beautiful than she gave herself credit for. Long toned legs, not too muscular, but enough from years of riding. Her stomach was almost flat, a tiny pooch he wanted to sink his teeth into, and he loved her perfect small breasts with large dark pink nipples.
His appraisal of her standing before him was evident when she lowered back down, spreading his legs with her hands. He couldn’t stop the quick inhale of breath when her hair fell against the very core of him, his body hypersensitive when he was fully hard. He was almost in pain with how hard he was and when the very tip of her tongue licked up the back of his shaft with languid ease, he nearly lost control.
“Shit!” He gasped, lifting his head to watch her. Her eyes locked with his as her lips parted, rolling completely over the head. Muscles jerked as he watched her mouth completely envelope his length. He felt her tongue swirl around the base of his shaft, her hot breath and warm mouth nearly driving him insane, making him forget to breathe.
His head fell back to the blanket, but his hands tangled in her hair. Her mouth made love to him, his hips moving in gentle timing to her suckling motions. He wouldn’t last if she continued, a man could only take so much, especially when she cupped his sac, massaged the twins as her other hand joined her mouth’s sweet movement.
The swelling of his shaft must have told her he was about to lose control, or it could have been the rigid legs and taut thighs, or perhaps even the curled fingers crushing the blanket under him. Whatever it was, he was grateful to be released from delicious pleasure.
It was replaced by a different pleasure.
She rose on her knees, a goddess in her own right, worshipping his body. She straddled his hips with her hands on his chest. He grabbed her hips, wrapped her fingers around him and guided her body on him. The cords of his neck strained when he tried not to lift his hips and impale himself into her tight folds.
Sweet and slow at first, her hips moved gently and methodically, matching his each upward motion. Her walls were tight and slick around him, her very heat driving him close to the brink. To be buried so deep inside her, watching her head fall back was almost more than he could take. Mace’s hand explored the small of her back and her hips, pulling her harder against him, urging her to speed her rhythm.
Brazenly taking his hand off her back, she placed his hand against her. Thumb pushed between her folds, finding the nub that would send her beyond ecstasy. Rubbing quick, then slow, the friction would send her closer and quicker to the edge with him. He wanted her mouth, to have her cries fill him, but she would have none of it.
He felt her walls quivering, clenching his very length, alerting him she neared climax. He added pressure with his thumb, but she swatted his hand away. Frowning when she rose off him, her movement was quick and sure as she turned around and sank right back onto him, forcing a cry from him. He didn’t expect her to want more penetration. She rode him backwards, angling her body slightly forward to allow him to thrust even deeper into her.
Teeth ground together as he grabbed her hips, pulling her down while he forced his hips up, not caring if she bruised. His sac grew heavy and tight, his shaft throbbing with need to release. He tried to hold off, to allow her to join him, but it wasn’t going to happen. She was too tight and too wet.
“I can’t—” Too late. His body convulsed and jerked, toes curling and his mind went blank. As he came, unable to hold back any longer, all thought disappeared. He was surprised when it triggered her own orgasm, her inner sanctum clenching and quivering against him while her body rocked and twitched.
She fell slightly forward, resting her arms against his legs, laughter and panting, causing him to twitch more, sensitive after their lovemaking. “That was … wow.”
He lightly smacked her ass, laughing. “You could say that.”
She lifted off him, falling back to the blanket, her sweat slicked body gleaming in the moonlight. “I think you prefer doing this outside, don’t you?”
“Nothing wrong with communing with nature.” He chuckled as he lifted up on his elbows, watching her from under the hair that fell over his eyes. “Just call it working up an appetite?”
She grabbed his shirt and threw it at him. “Very funny.”
He laughed and set his shirt aside. “I thought so. I didn’t spend hours slaving over a stove for nothing.”
“Don’t make me throw your belt buckle at you.” She rolled slightly and grabbed the wine and drank from the bottle.
“How about we get dressed and go back, and I’ll cook you a real meal?” He picked up his shirt and pulled it on. Pushing up, he rose off the blanket and grabbed his boxers.
“I like that idea. I’m sure everyone is hungry by now. We can show Dad and Romeo just how domesticated you really are.”
Mace flipped her off and pulled on his boxers. Just what he needed. More teasing from the guys. Her laughter was infectious. He slipped his boots on while watching her dress. How was he going to get her to believe him when the time came? He was falling for her, hell—he already had fallen, who was he kidding?
CHAPTER 19
Work had a way of getting the mind away from things one didn’t want to think about. Amy was all about working herself to death at the moment. It had been a week since the explosion and while living with Mace was everything she hoped it would be, it was also pushing her to the edge of a cliff she wasn’t sure she wanted to jump off yet. Instead of jumping, she threw herself into work, having a huge sale the same day as a club barbeque at Waller Park. Mace and her dad were upset she didn’t show but shit happened.
The sale was a great idea, even if she did piss off Maggie, who seemed to be Demon’s property these days. Maggie wanted to go. Amy kept telling her to, she had Antonia, but Maggie kept refusing
. Antonia had to push Maggie out the door and threaten to lock her out and fire her if she didn’t go to the barbeque. It worked.
Too busy to have any form of coherent thought, other than working the cash register and talking to customers about different teas and coffees was a welcomed reprieve from making herself sick thinking about her feelings. It must have been written all over her face when she handled one transaction. Antonia came over and whispered that he was about to play twenty questions in front of the customers if she didn’t smile.
Of course, it worked.
Amy wasn’t interested in Antonia’s version of twenty questions. They would scare the hell out of the customers, and he made everyone answer them, there was no getting out of it. That was exactly what happened once the store closed.
Amy wasn’t paying much attention to her surroundings at the coffee station, but the sound of the door locking woke her up. Looking over her shoulder, lips twitched, she tried not to smile at her friend’s antics.
Antonia laid back against the doors in a melodramatic pose, sprawled out like he was trying to stop anyone else from coming through it. “Why dah-ling, I declare!”
“I’m sorry, Scarlett. But frankly, I don’t give a damn.” Amy bounced her brows at Antonia, then set up her machine to brew the two of them cappuccinos.
Antonia swished over to the set of couches and flopped down onto one, kicking up his feet, displaying his new heels. “Oh, baby girl, you’re going to give a damn when I ask you twenty questions.”
Amy hung her head and groaned. “Do we really have to play?”
Antonia flashed his pearly whites, wagging a cherry red painted fingernail in her direction. “Mhmn. Question one. What the hell is on your mind that has you preoccupied and looking like you swallowed castor oil?”
