by Patti O'Shea
She turned when she heard a knock. “Yeah?”
“That was Hayes on the comm,” Conor said through the wooden door. “He had news about our watcher.”
Mika stiffened. They’d sensed his presence tonight, and that had been the one dark spot in the evening. “What did he say?”
“He went through the veil into Orcus.” When she remained quiet, processing that information, Conor said, “Mika?”
“I heard. It makes sense,” she answered slowly. “I thought he might be studying us to learn about demons.”
“Maybe,” Conor agreed. “But at least we don’t need to worry about him anymore. There’ll be plenty of other demons to keep him occupied—probably for the foreseeable future.”
McCabe had that right. Mika laughed softly as he walked away from the door. Imagining what the vampire would be facing in the Other World, Mika almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
She tugged her towel free and tossed it in the hamper. The red silk chemise she shimmied into had thin, spaghetti straps and ended high on her thighs. There were tiny V-string panties that went with it, but Mika didn’t bother with those. McCabe would have them off her in about two seconds anyway. With a smile, she reached for the clip she’d used to keep her hair up and dry while she’d been in the shower, and let her tresses tumble free.
Time to go have some wild demon sex. The mere thought of her husband aroused her, and by the time she reached the bedroom, she was already primed. She stopped short in the doorway and watched Conor tie a second black bandanna to the headboard.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He glanced over his shoulder, then did a double-take. His reaction was everything she’d hoped for, and her smile returned.
“You like?” she asked, making a slow pirouette.
His growl, and the red glow in his eyes, were all the answer she needed. Conor had given up fighting his Kiverian nature. He continued to wear his tinted contacts outside the house, but when they were alone, he didn’t bother. Mika loved that—and not because she needed him to be demon, but because she wanted him to accept himself. Like she now accepted her human side. On that front, he’d been making exceptional progress.
“You were going to tell me what the bandannas were for,” she prompted when Conor did nothing but stare.
“They’re there so you can tie me up.”
Mika laughed. “Bondage, McCabe? I can’t believe I married a pervert.” She shook her head, but she was delighted.
His growl denoted frustration rather than arousal. “You wanted to be on top, right? I figured…well, if I was restrained, I’d be less likely to…Well, we’d be able to do it in that position.”
She grinned. “You’re incredibly sweet.” And he was. They’d tried more than once to mate with her in the dominant position, but they’d never made it long before Conor flipped her on her back and took charge. Of course, that was damn good too.
“Do you want to thank me now for finding Madam Christine’s business card in that mess of papers I filed for you?” Mika teased. “Or do you want to wait until after I make you scream?” She knew he’d never allow himself to be vulnerable without the protective field back around the house.
“Honey, you’re the one who screams,” he reminded her.
Mika hid her laughter with effort. “Are you bragging, Mc-Cabe?” When he merely shrugged, she shook her head and pointed something out. “You know, though, that you’ll be able to break free no matter how tightly I tie the knots…”
He nodded. “I know. The restraints will be more a reminder than a true imprisonment. At least, until we get something that can hold me…” He grinned.
Mika felt a burst of pure pleasure. “If I’d realized what you had planned, I would have bought a dominatrix costume instead of the nightgown,” she joked.
That earned her another grumble. “If you don’t want to try this, just say so. I can do without the cracks,” he complained.
“But I do want to try it.” Mika closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. All Conor wore was a pair of unfastened jeans, and she took a moment to stroke the bare skin of his back before biting his shoulder. Looking back up, she said, “Think of the teasing as a bonus you only get with me.”
His hands slid down her hips and under her chemise until he was cupping her bare bottom, and his lips quirked. “I think of the teasing as something I endure to have you,” he replied.
Mika laughed. Conor still didn’t banter with her enough, but it wasn’t as rare as it had been. She liked to believe that was her influence. Sobering, she said, “Thanks. I know giving up control isn’t easy for you.”
“Well…I trust you,” McCabe said. He leaned forward and kissed her slowly and thoroughly. “I love you, honey.”
“I love you too.”
And that was enough seriousness. “Now, are you going to strip out of those jeans or do you want me to yank them off?”
“You’re the boss,” he laughed.
Carefully, Mika pushed the denim down his legs until Conor could step out of them. “Sit on the bed,” she ordered. He obeyed with a smile that made her squirm. “Grab the headboard.” When he complied, she straddled him, making sure she rubbed against him every time she shifted.
Once she had Conor’s hands secure, she sat back and shrugged until the thin straps of her chemise fell down her arms. A few wiggles bared her breasts. Then, keeping her eyes locked on his, Mika provoked McCabe unmercifully with her hands, mouth, teeth and body. Despite what he said, she knew she might never get him in this position again, and she was taking advantage of it while she could.
He gripped the rails of the headboard tightly enough to whiten his knuckles, but he didn’t break free. He made it clear, though, when he’d reached his limit.
“Honey,” he said, his voice thick and grumbly, “we’re going to tie you up next time, and I won’t forget any of this.”
His eyes promised retribution, and Mika smiled as she reached for him, guided him inside her body. She’d love every second of his payback, not only for the physical pleasure, but because it meant that Conor had learned to play.
Thanks to:
Theresa Monsey and Melissa Lynn Copeland for always coming through for me.
My friends at NWA, TDD, PTN, RBL, and the Lunatic Café for their support.
Liz Maverick for the cool world.
And Chris Keeslar for allowing me to color outside the lines, and for always seeing the heart of my characters and their stories.
Critics Rave for Pearl Award-Winner Patti O’Shea!
THE POWER OF TWO
“Fabulous action sequences, an engaging and believable romance, and some of the most well-written lovemaking scenes of the year make the fourth entry in this exciting futuristic series terrific escapist reading.”
—Booklist
“Patti O’Shea pens a gripping tale that certainly lives up to the high standards set by the other authors in the 2176 series. Witty dialogue and an engrossing plot make The Power of Two a must read.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Make sure to fasten your seatbelt for this wild ride!”
—RT BOOKclub
“Ms. O’Shea has done a splendid job of furthering this series and I give The Power of Two my highest recommendation. Grab a copy today.”
—A Romance Review
RAVYN’S FLIGHT
“Danger, fast action, and alpha males and females create a nonstop futuristic keeper with a touch of alien mystery.”
—RT BOOKclub
“Intelligent, admirable, and appealing…There is a new star in the paranormal and futuristic heavens—Patti O’Shea.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Ravyn’s Flight is a strong military science fiction romance that once the plot goes into gear never leaves hyperspeed until the final pages are finished.”
—The Midwest Book Review
Other Books in the Crimson City Series:
CRIMSO
N CITY by Liz Maverick
A TASTE OF CRIMSON by Marjorie M. Liu
A DARKER CRIMSON by Carolyn Jewel
Other books by Patti O’Shea:
THE POWER OF TWO
RAVYN’S FLIGHT
Copyright
LOVE SPELL®
October 2005
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
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Copyright © 2005 by Patti J. Olszowka
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