Biding His Thyme: 4

by Shelley Munro

  “Why yes I am.” Sorrel stood, her hands going to the buttons of her new red shirt. The fabric was soft against her skin instead of abrasive like her robe. The sensual drape delighted her, made her feel sexy and womanly. Aware of his close attention, she slid the next button out of its hole and the next. The silky material gaped to reveal her new black bra.

  “You must be more comfortable without the binding.”

  “Much,” she said with feeling. Another button slipped from its hole and another until she was able to shrug out of her shirt. The garment slithered to the ground. Her jeans were next. She gave a wriggle of her hips, a tug, and the denim gave way and peeled down her legs. She stood before Jake in her matching bra and panties. Pleasure and awareness streaked through her and heat pooled low in her belly.

  He stood and went to her then, his calloused hands sliding over her shoulders and down her upper arms. Appreciation glowed in his dark eyes, his gaze tracing the lines of her body.

  “Lose the robe,” she whispered against his neck. “It’s ugly, and it brings back memories I’d rather forget.”

  Jake pulled away and ripped off the robe, tossing it aside without ceremony.

  “I’m sure your underwear isn’t regulation Children of Nature,” Sorrel said, fascinated by the way the tight white boxer-briefs cupped him, covering yet displaying his masculine assets in a totally sexy way.

  Jake grunted. “I wasn’t about to show Brother Rick my underwear. I’m not that guy.”

  A giggle burst from her, the merriment unusual yet enjoyable as it spilled into the bedroom.

  His hand snaked behind her back, and her bra sagged. “I still have it,” he said. His fingers slipped beneath her bra to cup the warm flesh of her breasts.

  She sighed her pleasure at his touch, leaning into him and savoring his strength. “I didn’t realize how much I needed someone to touch me. Before you my life…” She shook her head. “It was barren. Thank you.” Even if this was all the time she had with Jake, she’d always remember him, remember this.

  He drew her bra down her arms, the cool air making her nipples pucker and pull to hard nubs. She sucked in a quick breath when he dragged his thumb over one nipple. The tug, the friction on her flesh reverberated through her body. His touch was still so new, yet it was familiar too. He did it again, this time harder, and she gasped. She arched into his touch and offered her mouth, desperate to step into the sensual snare he cast. He bent his head, took her lips with his, demanding a response from her.

  She didn’t even have to think. His touch fuelled her actions, left her wanting more. She shivered when his lips traveled across her jaw and down the side of her neck. The scrape of his teeth brought another tremor. She couldn’t think when he was touching her. All she could do was wonder at the sensations he drew from her and how much she wanted him.

  His hands tightened around her, and she felt the sensation of weightlessness.

  “You enjoy toting me around like a box of bath bombs.”

  “It makes me feel manly.”

  She bounced on the mattress, and he loomed over her.

  “Take off your underwear,” she said. “Let me see you in the light.”

  “You want to ogle me.”

  “Guilty. You’re so pretty. I like ogling your muscles.” She stared at him while he pulled his underwear down his long legs. She admired his muscular thighs and the hair she knew would feel a little tickly against her own limbs, but in a good way.

  He tugged at his beard, a rueful gesture. “I keep telling you I’d be even prettier without this scruff on my face.”

  “Are you asking me for more compliments?”

  “I can’t wait to shave off the bloody thing. I’d much rather talk about something other than undercover operations.”

  “I thought it might rain today. From what I hear the local farmers are hoping for the same thing,” Sorrel said, trying but not managing to restrain her grin.

  “People have had their bottoms smacked for less.”

  Her grin widened, an impish mischievousness springing to the fore in her. “They were discussing spanking at the lab this afternoon. I think I’ll learn a lot of interesting things there.” This could backfire. Already embarrassment crept into her face, making her skin prickly and hot.

  “We’ll explore them,” he promised.

  “All of them?”

  “If that’s what you’d like to do.”

  “Yes,” she said slowly, liking him so much in that moment she struggled to take her next breath. Freedom was a heady thing. She stretched out her arms, silently asking him to join her on the bed.

  He was at her side in an instant, his naked body covering hers. Their lips met and the laughter and teasing faded away. His lips were soft, and a hungry little sound escaped her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let the passion sweep her under.

  She’d half expected him to hurry the process because she knew he’d have to leave soon, but he didn’t. He gentled the kiss, the lazy stroke of his tongue teasing. A row of kisses down her neck shouldn’t feel so decadent, nor should the skim of his hands as he touched and caressed her shoulders. His fingers dipped close to her breasts, then darted away. She let out cry of frustration, desperately wanting him to tug her nipples again, to taunt and tease her to a point shy of pain.

  “Tell me what you want.”

  “You know what I want.”

  “Tell me,” he prompted again, his husky voice sending a shiver through her.

  She tugged on her bottom lip, her earlier bravery deserting her. The last thing she wanted was to sound silly. She didn’t want to chase him away because of a sudden loss of confidence.

  “Sorrel.” He lifted his head to stare down at her. “I like your new confidence. I like the way you’re smiling more. The sound of your laughter—it makes me happy. Tell me what you want me to do next.”

  Sorrel sucked in a quick breath for bravery. She knew what she wanted. All she needed to do was get the words out. Another breath inflated her lungs. She breathed out, ordering her thoughts then started. “I want you to touch my breasts. Suck them into your mouth. Bite my nipples and soothe them with your tongue.”

  “I can do that. Anything else?”

  “I want you to kiss and tongue my private parts. Then I want to try out the vibrating condom.”

  Jake barked out a laugh, but she sensed he was surprised and pleased by her requests. “Sounds like a perfect plan to me. Let’s get started.”

  The pulse at her throat beat a tattoo, an indication of the exhilaration flying through her. His warm mouth traveled down her throat, alternatively nibbling and soothing. She was never sure whether she’d feel the sharp nip of his teeth or the delicate stroke of his warm tongue. The sensations bled into each other, her pussy clenching, as if hungry for the act to come.

  Soft, needy sounds spilled from her mouth, her body arching when his lips encircled one nipple. She felt the sharp tug bungee downward, springing back, reverberating. Each of his touches was an erotic assault, and she quivered, desperate for more.

  When he lifted his head, satisfaction curved his sensual mouth. “I’m doing a good job.”

  “Yes, you are,” she agreed.

  Through her heavy fog of desire, she watched him kiss his way down her body, dipping his tongue into the indent of her navel. His lips skimmed the jut of her hipbones. His teeth scrapped the tender skin of her inner thighs. Automatically, she parted her legs, allowing him free access to her body. Approval flashed across his face when he glanced up at her, a captivating smile, followed by a wink. Then he lowered his head again, sliding his hands beneath her butt, lifting her.

  The first stroke of his tongue took her by surprise, the wet warmth of it. The delicate touch grazing down her folds. She caught her breath, desperately wanting him to repeat the move. How else would she know what she liked best? The thought made her smile, but the second stroke of his tongue brought a frisson of pleasure. One long finger pushed inside her, filling her before
she’d even realized that was exactly what she’d craved. He feasted, each added intimacy turning her breathing shallow.

  “Jake.” It was a request for him to move faster, and thankfully he seemed to understand. He focused on her clitoris, circling the hard nub with his tongue, sucking with his mouth. She moaned, sparks of light exploding behind her closed eyelids. His finger plunged deep, and hot, sensual flames licked across her skin. His lips teased, tongue delicately massaging while the pressure within her grew hotter, more. And then she was exploding, taking flight from her body while he maintained constant contact.

  Gradually she returned to herself, the tension fading from her limbs. She sighed.

  “Good?” He removed his finger from her, licking away the juices that made it glisten, watching her all the while.

  “Better than good.”

  “Where are the condoms?” He lowered his hand, his dark eyes gleaming. All over again, she felt the heat of desire strike at her, her pulse race for what she knew would come next.

  “In the red-and-white striped bag, the one sitting on the floor in the corner of the room. The vibrating condoms are the ones in the red packaging.”

  He retrieved the condom, scanned the instructions and rolled it onto his cock. Moisture pooled between her legs, the scent of her desire and his, heavy on the air. Joining her again on the bed, he took the time to brush his fingers across her cheek, his expression soft before his lashes shielded his thoughts.

  “Jake, please.” She wanted to feel him inside her, feel him plundering her body.

  “Patience, sweetheart.” Jake moved between her parted legs, guided his cock to her and pushed inside. Fully embedded, he paused, letting her body adjust to his size. He bathed the puckered tip of one breast with his tongue before he withdrew and glided inside her again. He paused for a second, reaching down to push on the power switch. The vibrations lined up with her clit, dragging a startled moan from her.

  A muttered curse escaped from him, a grunt that was half laughter. “That’s different.”

  “A good different,” she said. And it was. His hard, almost forceful strokes filled her, and each time he plunged inside her, the vibrations connected with the base of her clitoris, rekindling excitement inside her.

  Jake increased his speed, his large body trembling as she wrapped her arms around him. This felt so right, so perfect, and there was nowhere, no one she’d rather be with.

  Her climax broke over her on his next stroke—long, languorous pulses that seemed to go on forever.

  Jake’s breathing was loud in her ear, a rough growl vibrated in his chest and he stilled. She glanced up at him, seeing the tautness of his face, the closed eyes. They opened without warning, and she was trapped in his gaze, the fierce joy and satisfaction. Still the vibrations of the condom continued, almost painful against her tender clit.

  “What say I get rid of this thing?” An edge of humor lurked in his raspy voice.

  He withdrew, dealt with the condom and returned to her side. Their skin stuck together, clammy and uncomfortable when he pulled her against him, yet Sorrel didn’t want to move. Languid and lazy after her orgasm, already sleep pulled at her. Her last thought as she drifted into sleep was that she’d miss Jake when he returned to his soldiering. Yeah, she’d miss him a lot.

  Chapter Twelve

  Brother Rick sat in a cafe table near the window and glared at the woman crossing the road. Brother Tyrone was right. He had seen Bitter in town the other day.

  His eyes narrowed as she entered Kellie Anne’s Ladies’ Wear, hate writhing through him like a parasitic worm. It was all her fault. She’d driven him to take this path.

  If only—

  He broke off the thought. Wishing things were different would yield nothing. No, that was a self-destructive direction, and he knew better. He was cleverer than that, which was why he was the leader of Children of Nature.

  The stupid bitch had no idea Brother Samuel had wanted her to take over the leadership role. And she hadn’t even offered an argument when, on Brother Samuel’s death, he’d taken control.

  Now, everything was falling apart. He needed money, damn it. Despite the ideals of Children of Nature, it was ludicrous thinking one could get through life without cash.

  Money was everything.

  Money was king.

  He’d made a serious error. Now, he needed to get Sister Bitter back to the compound and under his control. His mouth pulled tight over his teeth, and the small child at the table next door started wailing on seeing his expression. If he’d known she held the key to him getting the Children of Nature money, he wouldn’t have expelled her from the compound.

  Fuck, he hated making mistakes.

  No, he had to get her back and by the end of the week.

  Sister Bitter left the shop, a shopping bag in her left hand and a happy smile on her face.

  Brother Rick stood and left the cafe. He strode across the street, waiting impatiently for a vehicle to pass before he could get close enough to speak with Sister Bitter.

  “Bitter.”

  Her steps faltered before she recovered. Her shoulders stiffened but she kept walking.

  Brother Rick started running to catch up. He grabbed her arm and yanked her to a stop. “I’m talking to you, Bitter.”

  She was shorter than him, but she still managed to look down her nose at him. The snooty glare she sent him pissed him off. “My name is Sorrel. You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

  Brother Rick took note of the changes in her then. Her hair—it was a different color—and the new clothes. His gaze dropped to her breasts and the deep cleavage between. “You have breasts.” He snapped his mouth shut, appalled at the comment. Fuck, he sounded like an imbecile.

  Sorrel tugged her arm free and stalked away from him. Once again the differences in her assailed him. She was thinner, bustier. How the hell had she managed the transformation from plain to outright sexy?

  “Wait.” He grabbed her again and forced her to face him. “You have to come back to the compound.”

  “No. I don’t.”

  A car pulled up alongside them. An elderly woman wound down the window. “Sorrel, I’m going to the factory. Would you like a lift?”

  “Harriet, thank you.”

  Sorrel pulled from his grasp and darted away, jumping into the passenger seat of the vehicle before Rick could protest. He cursed under his breath and swore again as the car pulled away from the curb.

  He’d done a good job of alienating Bitter from Children of Nature. Too good. She hated him, and it was obvious he’d have to find another way to get her under his control. She’d sign the bloody document the bank required to let him withdraw the deposit if it was the last thing he did.

  He’d worked hard for the money, and by damn, he was going to take it. Bitter wasn’t going to muck up his life any longer.

  * * * * *

  Children of Nature Compound

  The roar of motorbikes split the air, drowning out the dinner bell. Birds roosting in the nearby trees took flight with squawks of indignation.

  Inside the compound, Brother Rick stilled, a sliver of fear sliding down his spine. Shit, this wasn’t good. He had to get Bitter soon. Failing wasn’t an option.

  And meantime, he’d just have to bluff it out.

  “They’re here,” Brother Felix said.

  “Remember I told you I thought they’d send someone. That’s what I’d do in their position. We’ll have to stall them until we get our hands on Bitter.”

  Brother Felix frowned. “I thought you said she refused to return.”

  “She did, but there’s a reason I’ve been following her around and getting to know her routine. Tomorrow we’ll grab her. I’ll force the bitch to sign the document then get rid of her.”

  “Murder?” The color fled from Brother Felix’s face. “You can’t…I can’t… No.”

  Rick made a sound of disgust, deep in his throat. “Not murder, you idiot. I thought I’d give her to the l
eader of the Rebel Brothers. He has a weakness for women. He’ll take her off our hands with no questions asked.”

  “But I’ve seen their women…the drugs…” Brother Felix trailed off.

  “Don’t go weak on me now, Felix. We need to stick together and sweat this out or else we’ll lose everything. Felix?”

  Felix sighed and gave a curt nod, acting more like his normal self. “You’re right.”

  “Excellent. Let’s go and greet our visitors and show them how good our hospitality is out here in the country.”

  Rick strode from the office he and Felix had holed up in to discuss what should be done. Of course, there was little doubt in Rick’s mind as to what the solution to their problem was, but it didn’t hurt to maneuver Felix on side. He couldn’t do this alone, needed Felix’s help. He aimed for confident as he stalked toward the entrance.

  Outside, the sound of motorbikes faded, replaced by chatter.

  “Open the gates,” an imperious voice shouted.

  The two elderly men on security looked to Rick when he approached. Rick nodded. “Please open the gates and let our guests enter.”

  The gates groaned as the men unlocked them.

  “About time,” the man at the head of the group said.

  Brother Rick curved his stiff lips into a welcoming smile. Despite his words to Felix, worry churned his gut. He wanted to tell them to leave, but he wasn’t stupid. He held his hands behind his back in an effort to hide his tremors.

  “Welcome to Children of Nature, Elijah,” Rick said. “Good timing. We’re about to have dinner.” The last of his words were drowned out by the roar of motorbikes. They sped past him, ten in all. Not good.

  Pulling confidence around him like a cloak, Rick glanced at Felix and walked in the direction of the gang members. Ten Rebel Brothers. The rest of his day promised excitement, if he lived to tell the tale.

  * * * * *

  “Luke, something is going on here at the compound,” Jake said in a low voice while scanning his surroundings. “Ten members of the Rebel Brothers have turned up. I’ve no idea why they’re here, but Brother Felix is green around the gills. Brother Rick is harder to read, but even he is uneasy.”