Her breathing quickened. Now he was embarrassing her. “That’s not true,” she whispered.
“Then prove it.” His expression turned fierce. “Prove that you’re not in control here.”
“What? H-how?” Meg took a nervous step back.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Why don’t you come press that smoking hot little body up against mine and see what happens? Why don’t you touch those sinful-as-hell lips to mine and see who’s in control?”
Heat scorched her cheeks. She stumbled back. “You’re crazy. I’m not going to do that.”
“Why not? If you think I’m in control, prove it. Cause’ I guarantee if you touch me, I’ll lose control of my brain and my body. You’ll be in charge, sweetheart. One hundred percent. And I won’t mind it one fucking bit.”
“Stop it!” She squeezed her eyes shut, willing him to go away. She counted to five in her head, slowly. But when she opened her eyes again, he was still standing there, staring down at her. “You’re the sheriff,” she whispered. “You shouldn’t be talking to me like that.”
He snorted. “Right now I’m not the sheriff. I’m just a man. I’m human, like you. I have feelings, wants, desires…just like you. Is that so hard to believe, or have you decided my title as sheriff makes me a monster like Cummings?”
Meg swallowed, unable to speak. He was nothing like Larry and he knew it.
“Believe it or not, I care about you,” he whispered. “I’ve even decided that I’m glad you used me, because if you hadn’t I wouldn’t even know your name right now. You want the truth, Meghan? I want you so fucking bad I ache. I dream about making love to you and I wonder if it will ever be more than a fantasy.”
Meg’s heart went a little wild then, thumping uncontrollably in her chest. “Stop it,” she whispered, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “You’re embarrassing me.”
He snorted out a humorless laugh. “I’m just being honest here. Unlike you, Little Miss Liar.”
She darted around him and headed for the back porch, her legs shaking so badly she nearly tripped as she crossed the yard.
He followed her, his hand grabbing her uninjured arm and swinging her back around to face him.
“What’s the matter Meghan?” His breath tickled her ear. “Am I scaring you? Getting too close? Cracking your shell? I’m not the one who’s afraid of losing control. You are.” He paused with his mouth hovering above hers. “I dare you to deny it.”
She swallowed hard. How did he read her so well? A tear pushed its way loose from her eye and trickled down her cheek. She stared at his mouth, so close, but not quite touching hers.
“Losing control once in a while isn’t so bad,” he whispered. “You might actually like it.”
He brushed his lips against hers, so softly, so tenderly, she let out a soft moan.
“Zach.” Her breath puffed out.
He leaned back, watching her.
As she stared up into his face, she realized she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to make her lose control. She wanted him to show her what she’d been missing for so many years. She wanted him to take her to that special place where lovers went.
She never thought she’d admit such a thing to herself, but it was true. Even if it scared her so badly her limbs quivered like the leaves of the quaking aspens in the yard behind her.
“Zach, what?” he hedged, his gaze intense on hers.
She felt a tic coming on and desperately fought it back. After a long struggle, she won. She sucked in a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
“I can’t sleep at night,” she admitted in a breathless rush.
Something flared in his eyes, something dark and desperate and…hopeful. “Why?”
She lowered her gaze. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you. I dream about you, too.” She thrust the file on Larry at him. “You want to know what I went to do? That’s all my investigation on Larry. I offered it to him if he would leave you and Kristen and Curtis alone. I was willing to give up my entire investigation to keep you safe.” She swallowed hard. “Because for some stupid reason, you’re getting to me and I’ve never let a man get to me before.”
He sucked in a breath, his hot gaze never leaving hers. “What do you want from me?” he asked hoarsely. “Just spit it out. Stop torturing me like this.”
Her face heated. “I don’t know. I…I want…you.” She swallowed hard. “Will you…” She couldn’t believe she was about to do this. “…Show me?”
Surprise flickered across his face, followed immediately by something hot and needy that made his eyes smolder. “It would be my pleasure.”
Before she could change her mind, he bent and scooped her up into his arms. The file hit the ground, forgotten. Meg clung to him, her heart racing, her eyes wide as she stared at his taught face. He strode up the back steps and onto the porch.
Oh God, what was she doing? Fear settled into her chest, squeezing tight. She couldn’t do this. He was right. She was terrified of losing control.
“No,” she whispered when he yanked open the screen door and stepped into the house. “No,” she repeated, louder. “I can’t. I—I changed my mind.”
Zach paused in the entryway, staring down at her. He closed his eyes a moment, then heaved out a sigh. His arms loosened around her. He set her down. Her legs shook as her feet touched the floor. She clutched his shirt as he started to turn away.
He halted, staring down at her hand.
“Please don’t hate me,” she pleaded. “I want,” she cleared her throat. “I want you to…to…” Heat crawled into her cheeks and she lowered her gaze. “I want you to make l-love to me, I just, I’m nervous, and I…you’re right. I’m scared of losing control.” So scared.
His gaze filled with tenderness. “Was that so hard to admit? It’s all right, Meghan,” he said gently. “I’m scared too.” Zach lifted her hand and pressed it against his chest. “Feel that? That’s what you do to me.”
His heart thundered against her hand: thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump.
Her gaze swept up to his. “I didn’t think you were afraid of anything.”
He closed his eyes, leaned his forehead against hers. “The way I feel about you scares the hell out of me.”
Meg stared up at him. He was serious. She lifted her hand to stroke his cheek. “Me too,” she whispered.
He captured her hand in his, pressed his lips to her palm. Heat flamed through her, igniting every inch of her body. Her legs wobbled.
“Let yourself go, Meghan,” he whispered, lowering his mouth to hers. “Just let go.”
He brushed his lips against hers, softly. He withdrew, gazing down at her, his eyes blazing. Then he lowered his head and his mouth took possession of hers. There was an urgency, a need in his kiss that hadn’t been there when he’d kissed her last night. She let out a soft whimper and clung to him. Desire coursed through her, making every inch of her body tingle with longing. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He slid his tongue gently along her lips, seeking entrance. She opened for him on a moan, dropping her hands to pull at his shirt, trying to get closer. She didn’t know where her sudden urgency came from, just that she wanted to see him, feel him, taste him everywhere. She undid the buttons of his uniform, then slipped her hand inside. His muscles tensed beneath her fingers and she paused, drawing back.
“Don’t stop,” he rasped, grabbing her hand and holding it against his hot skin. “Please don’t stop.”
He stood still, waiting while she explored his massive chest with her fingers. Lord, he was big and powerful. She traced her fingers over his pecs, marveling at the corded strength beneath her hands. How could any man be so beautiful?
She wanted to see his glorious body. All of it.
She lifted her gaze to his. Desire blazed hotly in his eyes, making her legs tremble.
Zach stepped back. He removed his belt with the gun and all the weapons attached to it, then set it on the kitchen counter. Meg stepped forward,
overcome with the sudden desire to undress him.
“Let me,” she whispered.
He went still, his hands dropping to his sides. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed hard.
Meg slipped her hands inside the open fabric of his shirt again and pressed her palms against his hot skin. His chest was smooth and hard and free of hair. His muscles quivered beneath her fingers. She laid her head against his skin, listened to the rapid beating of his heart. She was making his heart beat like that. Her. A hot thrill coursed through her. She never thought she’d be touching a man like this. She’d never imagined she’d want to.
She lifted her head away from his chest, gently tugged the shirt tails free from his pants. Reaching up, she pulled the shirt off his shoulders, dragged it down his arms, and let it fall to the floor.
Then she stood back and looked her fill. He was magnificent. A human stallion. Chippendales had nothing on him. His torso was thick and corded with muscle. He had a small circular scar on his left shoulder and a long, jagged scar on his lower abdomen. Battle scars? Meg gently traced the scar on his stomach.
“Are these…from Iraq?”
He nodded. Pointing to the scar on his shoulder, he said, “Iraqi bullet. And the one on my stomach is from flying shrapnel from an Iraqi bomb. I was lucky. So many others weren’t.”
She stared into his eyes. “I’m thankful you were so lucky.”
Zach cleared his throat. “My turn.”
He lowered his head to nibble at her earlobe. Meg shivered, her fingers curling against his chest. He trailed kisses down her throat, heading toward her breasts that strained against the fabric, aching for his touch.
She clutched his head, her fingers tangling in his short hair as he paused between her breasts. His mouth left a trail of fire across her skin. He scooped her up and deposited her on the kitchen counter. He stepped between her legs, continued to devour her with his mouth. The dress bunched around her hips, leaving her thighs exposed. He tangled a hand in her hair, tilting her head back, as he kissed his way back up her throat and nuzzled her other ear. “God, you’re sexy as hell,” he murmured. “You know that?”
She made a soft, whimpering sound when his mouth found hers again. Meg squirmed on the counter, arching against him, trying to get closer. He stroked a finger down her arm, making her shiver and moan.
Zach drew back, gently traced the stitches on the back of her head. “Is it still sore?”
It took her a moment to realize what he was talking about. The stitches. “Not really.”
His gaze locked on hers. “Do you like what I’m doing? Do you like how I touch you?”
Her cheeks heated. “Y-yes.”
He lifted a hand and almost reverently stroked her breast through the thin fabric, his thumb teasing her nipple until it hardened into a tight little nub. He watched her face.
She gasped.
“Do you like that Meghan?” he whispered. “Tell me what you like.”
“I like…all of it,” she admitted shakily. “You make me burn…”
That hot and needy look blazed in his eyes again. “Where?” he rasped. “Where you do burn?”
Her gaze dropped to where his erection bulged against his pants, so close to where she ached. She closed her eyes and arched out, pressing against him. The dress crept the rest of the way up her thighs, leaving her exposed. Vulnerable. Needy. With nothing but the tiny scrap of her panties separating them. “There,” she whispered.
Zach groaned deep in his throat. He slid his hands around her ass, pulled her closer, and pressed against her throbbing heat. But not crudely. Almost…gently…with great restraint. Before she could contemplate his unexpected gentleness, he kissed her again, hotly, his tongue delving deep, then retreating, again and again, devouring her. Her arms went around his neck again as she clung to him, kissing him back. She was on fire with need, arching toward him, needing more.
With a ragged gasp, he drew back. His breath hot in her ear, he whispered, “I want to see you. Can I?”
Meg hesitated, then nodded. Zach leaned back, his hands moving to the back of the dress. His eyes nearly black with desire, he unzipped the sundress and pulled the fabric off her shoulders and down, down…exposing her lacy, bra-clad breasts. His breathing quickened as he stared at her.
“God, you’re stunning, but I knew you would be.”
Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. “I…no one’s ever, I…”
He jerked his gaze up to hers. “I’m glad.” He paused, watching her face closely. “I was afraid maybe…” He broke off. “Can I touch you?”
She hesitated. He was asking? Her breath came out in a rush. “I…yes.” She pulled her gaze away.
“You’re sure?” he angled his head toward her so she was forced her to meet his gaze.
Meg looked into his eyes. There was no mistaking the desire in his hot gaze. He wanted her. A little thrill jolted through her, followed immediately by fear.
“Meghan?”
She lifted her mouth to his so she wouldn’t have to answer. He let out a soft groan, then kissed her long and slow, his tongue teasing her lips apart, darting in, then retreating, stroking, tasting, teasing, until she was burning with need, whimpering against him, clinging, her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, her legs around his waist, holding on tight.
She was a hot ball of fire, a blaze that couldn’t be extinguished. She rocked against his swollen groin again, eliciting a moan from deep within his throat.
“Meghan,” he breathed, lifting his head and gazing down at her. “I’m trying to take this slow, but you’re driving me insane. God, I want you.”
He kissed her again, fiercely. She clung to him, kissing him back, wanting more, wanting it all.
“Zach,” she whispered. “I...I’m on fire. It’s so hot.”
He made a sound in his throat and scooped her up into his arms. Trailing hot kisses down her neck, he headed down the hallway. Meg wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on tight, her heart hammering, knowing what was about to happen, but terrified all the same.
But oh, his kisses made her weak. She was burning. On fire with need. She wanted this.
Zach had no problem finding her bedroom. He strode into the room and set her down on the bed, his lips continuing their seductive exploration. He followed her down onto the bed, gently laying her back, and kissed down her throat, her collar bone, and in between her breasts.
Meg let out a soft moan. His hands stroked up her sides, then down as he removed the dress, pulling it down past her hips. She felt the release of her bra as he unclipped it, then cool air washed over her naked skin. Before she could contemplate what was happening, Zach’s hands touched her, gently stroking, kneading, squeezing. With a soft whimper, she reached for him, pulling his mouth back to hers.
He kissed her again while his hands continued to stroke her breasts. Meg fought the urge to let go. She couldn’t quite relinquish the fear of losing control.
“Relax,” he whispered. Then one of his hands ventured down, stroking along her stomach, pausing above that place where she burned so hotly. Meg tensed. The only thing between his hand and her throbbing core was her thin cotton underwear. She was so hot down there. She arched up, rubbing against his palm, seeking relief from the desire raging inside her.
His mouth left hers to trail kisses down her throat again. She let out a soft gasp when his mouth closed over her right breast, his tongue circling her nipple, teasing, tasting, until it throbbed into a hard, aching bud.
“Zach.” It came out as a desperate, strangled plea.
“Just let go, Meghan,” he whispered. “Stop thinking. Just feel.”
She swallowed hard. “I-I’m scared.”
He paused, lifting his head from her breast, his eyes filling with tenderness and concern. “Of what? Making love? Or losing control?”
She hesitated, then admitted, “Both.” Her cheeks grew hot.
“Do you want me to stop?” A pained expression cross
ed his face. He closed his eyes, breathed in deeply, then exhaled.
Did she want him to stop? No! Definitely not. She just…needed reassurance. She shook her head.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he whispered, as if he’d read her thoughts. “Okay?”
She nodded. “I…trust you.”
His gaze seared hers. He kissed her again, his hands touching her everywhere, making her squirm beneath him. Then his hand settled over that hot, aching part of her, his fingers seeking. Meg gasped and arched against his hand. Something strange was happening to her. Something she couldn’t control. Panic gripped her. She was about to lose it.
“Za-ach. I…please…I—”
“Let go of the control, Meghan,” he said huskily. His fingers continued to tease, rub, stroke, bringing her closer to the edge. “Just let go.”
She arched against his hand as a fiery explosion overtook her entire body.
“Zach.”
And with a soft cry of surrender, she let herself go.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Zach was on fire. He watched as Meghan came completely undone. He imagined it was the first time in her life she’d lost control. And he’d been the one to make her lose it. Him.
He was pretty sure he’d just given Meghan her very first orgasm. He planned to give her many, many more. He wasn’t letting her up until she’d screamed his name again and again and again. Until he’d loved every single glorious inch of her.
She opened her eyes as she slowly came down to earth. Her gaze jerked up to Zach’s, then down to where his hand still nestled between her thighs. She blushed furiously and tried to sit up.
“Oh no you don’t,” he whispered, springing over on top of her. “I’m not done with you yet.”
“Zach…” She pushed against his chest.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, sweetheart. I plan on making you feel like that again and again.” He lowered his voice and said huskily, “And again.”
Deceived (Unlikely Heroes Book 3) Page 26
