by Joni Hahn
Gasping, Natalie whipped around, her back to him.
Ho-ly shit.
She wore a pair of black, silky panties that barely covered her ass, three tiny straps wrapping around each hip. A matching bra criss-crossed her back, with three tiny straps wrapping around the sides of her breasts. She had the sexiest back he’d ever seen, her pale skin immaculate.
“I can’t believe you’d do this.” Her arms covered her breasts.
“Believe it.” Turning her around to face him, he gave her a full onceover.
Full, rounded breasts were covered in tiny scraps of black, her belly flat and…
“Is that a belly button stud?” He knew his eyes were like saucers but he couldn’t help it.
She lifted her chin. “So? What’s wrong with it?”
He shook his head with a smile. “Not a damned thing. It’s sexy as hell.” Bending down, he kissed her there, his tongue snaking out to tease her.
She sucked in a breath. “Riordan...”
Straightening, he pulled the clip from her hair and let it fall around her shoulders. He took his fill of her, his vision of perfection, his voice of sanity.
His greatest fear.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, hoping his words, his voice conveyed the reverence he felt.
A blush blossomed over her chest, up her long neck, to her face. “This changes nothing, Rior-“
He crushed his lips to hers, pouring all of his regret, his need into his kiss. He cradled her head with a gentle touch, trying not to show his complete and utter desperation for her.
She opened for him, her mouth cool, her kiss slow, luxurious. Her palms rested against his chest, hot, soft, before curling into his shirt.
God, yes. This was it. Where he belonged. The reason why all he’d endured before had been worth it.
Pulling away, he stared into her hazel, passion-glazed eyes. With her hair mussed, her skin flushed, she had to be the most stunning thing he’d ever seen.
His hands rested on her bare back. She sucked in a breath. Her skin felt soft, velvety against his palms. He slid his hands down to her waist, a shiver following down her spine.
Slipping beneath her panties, he clutched her backside and squeezed, his fingers gentle, her breathing harsh. He kneaded her there, her hands clinging to his biceps, her cheek against his arm.
“Riordan…” she said, her voice raspy, breathless.
Feathering his fingers through the narrow straps at her hips, he stopped there before trailing them around to slip under the elastic at her thigh. He teased her there before slipping to her center.
Swallowing hard, he gritted his teeth against the rush, the hunger that threatened his reason. He would lose it completely, if he didn’t gain control. He couldn’t afford to scare her.
Bathing his finger in welcoming heat, her body dampened more the longer he played, her hands in a vice grip on his arms.
Sweat dotted her shoulders, his lips finding her there. The salt on her skin excited him, his body hardening to the point of pain.
It had been too long.
He took her to the brink, her gasp echoing in the otherwise silent room.
“Please Riordan…”
“Please, what, baby?” He teased her unmercifully.
She swallowed hard. “Please-“
Her cry of release rang sharp, her breath hot against his skin. She shivered in his arms, the scent of her desire filling his nose.
He’d nearly walked away from her? From this?
Kissing the top of her head, he held her tight - and hoped like hell, she forgave him.
“Well, okay. Maybe we can negotiate.”
Natalie smiled against Riordan’s shirt, his laughter rumbling against her ear. She knew he struggled with trust and she hadn’t exactly been receptive to him, but she’d thought they had a connection. An unspoken bond.
She’d felt it, anyway. That’s what had scared her. He tempted her, drew her to him without any energy on his part. Right now, in his arms, proved to be the most exciting yet comforting experience she’d ever had. He’d given, not taken, with only reconciliation in mind.
Riordan didn’t want to be away from her. The thought made her smile.
“Natalie, this I can’t be myself crap stops tonight. No more hiding. If your father, or the world, doesn’t like it, they can all go to hell.” Kissing the top of her head, he held her away from him. “I’ve got your back, baby.”
His blue eyes swirled with defiance, his nostrils flared. He would take on the world if she asked, protecting her, whether he trusted her or not. She’d fallen in love with a warrior.
She proceeded to unbutton his jeans. “You don’t know what you’re suggesting. I used to be a hellion, Saint. I’ve been known to change lanes without a blinker. Once, I even snuck into a movie without paying.”
Her attempt at humor didn’t garner so much as a half grin. “I’m not kidding. The disguise gets trashed tonight.
The woman that called me earlier, the one that laughed and acted like a total loon…” He grinned. “I want to see more of her.”
How could she do that? The thought of showing the world her true self and seeing its reaction, terrified her. Yet, having Riordan beside her, brandishing his attitude and magnetic hands, gave her courage. Made her giddy with hope.
Shoving down his jeans, her hands molded to his cotton-covered rear. His erection stood proud and strong behind navy boxer briefs. He stepped free of his jeans and kicked them aside.
“I’ve been mixing painkillers and alcohol, Riordan. Do you want me to remain perpetually high?”
He shook her in a gentle grasp. “Yes. I want you high on life. I want you high on you.” His hands went to her face. “On us.”
Her heart pounded against her ribs. “There’s an us?”
Nodding, he gave her a small smile. “If you have a thing for bloody daft agents that can’t quit thinking about you.”
God above, yes.
Giving him a demure smile, she whipped his shirt over his head and spread her hands over his hard, muscular chest.
“Well, you are a hottie and you did save my life.” Her fingers traced over one of his copper and gold armbands. “And, you are one of four men in the world with super powers. You’re a definite maybe.”
His eyebrows shot high on his forehead. “A maybe?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her into his arms and headed for the bedroom.
“Although…” Inhaling deep, she caught the scent of spicy musk behind his ear. She pressed her lips against his throat. “… that orgasm definitely made you brownie points.”
Gently, he laid her on the bed, his gaze a thunderstorm of desire. Shucking out of his briefs, he stood before her, scarred and tanned, his armbands lending to his warrior’s air.
She sighed. Riordan St. James looked as alpha as they came, his body hard, his gaze direct. She always knew where she stood with him. He didn’t treat her with kid gloves, didn’t hide his true agenda.
Right now, his agenda was obvious – he wanted her.
Turning off the bedside lamp, he left the room in faint shadows from the bathroom vanity. “I’ve got more where that came from.”
Backing toward the headboard, she gave him a slow onceover.
“I’m counting on it.”
Grabbing his hand, she pulled him onto the bed. He sat facing her, his eyes serious.
“So, we have a deal? I only get the real you from here on out, right?”
Leaning forward, she gave him a lavish, open-mouthed kiss.
“Do we have to discuss this now?”
He held her away from him. The man really did have strong restraint.
“Yes. I don’t want to do this and have you run from me tomorrow.”
Slumping her shoulders, she dropped her head. “You don’t know what you’re asking, Riordan.” Looking back at him, she hated the tears in her eyes. “How many people would see a psychologist that had a belly button stud or listened t
o Saving Abel?”
He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Who cares? Do you really need to work? If it confines you, shut down the practice.”
Panic clenched her chest. “I’ve worked hard to build my practice, Riordan.”
“Why? Because it’s what you want or because it’s what your father expected of you?”
Dammit, she hated that he knew what buttons to push.
She clenched her jaw. “My image is important to my father’s position.”
“No, your father’s choices and platform are important to his image. You didn’t choose to run for office.”
Now who was going full-on doctor on her?
“Are we really going to discuss my father right now?”
Clutching her arms, he shook her. “Don’t you get it, Meeks? I’m not doing this unless I get the real you. If the woman I met that first day at D.I.R.E. is you, so be it. But tonight, I heard different. I see different.”
Showing her true self terrified her as much as her love for Riordan. The potential for pain was huge, for regret, certain.
Yet, the possibility excited her. To shut down her practice and go to art school would be a dream come true. To trade in her European sedan for a sports car, a bonus.
To have Riordan with her, worth the risk.
A grin bloomed on her face. If he wanted the real her, she’d give him the real her.
“You’re smiling,” he said, his grin a brilliant white.
Pushing him back on the bed, she winced as she climbed on top of him with careful movements, her hands holding his wrists against the mattress. She leaned over him, her breasts inches from his mouth, her hair falling over one shoulder. His eyes darkened to sapphires.
“Be careful what you wish for, Riordan.”
She kissed him then, her intent clear with each thrust of her tongue, each tug at his bottom lip. She felt him grow beneath her, long and hard, exciting her. Sitting up, she grabbed one of his hands and turned it toward her, palm out.
“Can you get this for me?” She nodded at the front clasp of her bra.
Swallowing hard, he nodded once against the mattress.
Her breasts sprang free of the binding, heavy and full, as she let him have his fill of her. His hand held hers where it lay on his chest.
“You’re perfect, Meeks.” His breath came in harsh pants.
Releasing his hand, she let the bra trail down her arms and tossed it to the floor. He reached for her. She stopped him with a sharp grab of his wrist.
He gave her a cocked brow. She reciprocated.
Pinning his arms above his head again, she bent over him, her breasts dangling within inches of his mouth. His rough breathing echoed in the room, her hair brushing over his chest.
She rubbed her bottom against him, her movements lazy and selfish along his length. “You feel… promising, Riordan.”
Cursing low, he released a rough bark of laughter.
“Damn, I didn’t know you had this sadistic streak.”
She smiled against his forehead before kissing him there.
He cursed again.
“Is there a problem? I thought you wanted the real me.”
“Yes,” he growled. “But, you’re a damned tease.”
She trailed kisses over his clenched jaw before stretching out on top of him. The feel of his hair-roughened chest against her bare breasts shot a vein of desire through her. A moan escaped, echoing his own.
“I resemble that remark, Riordan.” Placing a chaste kiss on his mouth, she gave him a cheeky grin.
“At least we agree on something.”
Releasing his hands, she proceeded to explore every inch of his shoulders and chest with her lips. He tasted of salt and soap, his skin a mishmash of textures against her tongue. She kissed every scar she found, spending more time on the long slash just inches from his heart.
A heart she wanted for herself.
Her kisses became more explicit the closer she got to crux of his thighs.
“Meeks…”
She placed a wet, open-mouthed kiss just shy of his navel. His body tensed.
“Natalie, no.”
“Don’t tell me the man of steel is losing his strength.” Her tongue lavished his head.
Sucking in a breath, he flipped her onto her back, careful of her leg. His eyes blazed with navy fire, his nostrils flared. He held her hands beside her head, his shoulders tense and massive.
“I’ve waited too long for this.”
She smiled up at him. “Three years without sex?”
His whisper washed over her cheek. “A lifetime without you.”
Her smile vanished. Her heart pounded so hard she knew he could feel it against his chest. Riordan had a romantic streak inside that outspoken head, a sentimentality she’d never expected to find.
With resolute intent, he ripped off her panties and tossed them on the floor. Finding his way back to her, he thrust into her with a low growl, filling her, claiming her.
Perfecting her.
“Natalie…” His voice sounded choked as he stilled above her.
Clutching his face in her hands, she made him look at her. His eyes held pain, restraint and something she didn’t recognize. “Are you okay?”
“You feel so damned good and it’s been… so long…” He gritted his teeth, his neck a map of bulging veins, his shoulders a wall of control.
“Use me, Riordan. You won’t hurt me. I trust you.” She gave him a soft kiss. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Lifting her hips, she took him deep into her core. “I’m yours, Riordan.”
Groaning aloud, he thrust inside her once, twice, his length sending shards of hunger crashing through her. He bucked against her, each thrust faster, thrilling, wild…
“Riordan...” Her release came swift and powerful.
“Natalie, I can’t-“
With a shudder, Riordan stilled above her. He spilled into her, his purge lengthy, before collapsing on top of her.
“Would it be rude to whoop aloud at this point?” Riordan said against her shoulder.
Natalie’s musical laughter made him smile. Rolling onto his back, he tucked her into his side.
“You mean like this?” Tilting back her head against the mattress, she let loose a loud, high-pitched whoop.
“You stole my thunder.”
She brushed back the hair from his brow. “Snooze you lose.”
Laughing, he stared down into her shining eyes. God, he loved her like this.
“And, just for the record, when you smile at me like that Mr. St. James, it’s a guaranteed sure thing.”
At this rate, he may never lose this damned grin.
He cocked a brow. “Really?”
Breathing in the ocean scent of her hair, he kissed her behind the ear.
She nodded against the pillow. “Hmmm, and when you do that, too.”
“Hell, with weapons like this, I didn’t need these armbands.”
He felt her still beside him. “Riordan, why did this Richey person need your identity to infiltrate Powers’ company?”
Raising his head, he met her gaze. Did he just spring it on her? She deserved to know. It just wasn’t something to drop in normal conversation like the weather or the latest sports score.
Then again, what they’d just shared wasn’t normal. It had been freaking amazing.
“He and the person that planted him believe Luke Powers is my father.”
She sat bolt upright. “What?”
He sat up to face her. “Mitchell is working on confirmation but, based on pictures, I look a lot like him.”
Her hand cupped his cheek. “And you didn’t know?”
He kissed her palm. “No. My mother never talked about him.”
Covering her smile with her hand, she said, “This is so rich, Riordan. When my father finds out-“
“He already knows.”
“What do you mean?” Reaching for the sheet, she pulled it up her body.
Did he tell her? D
id he let Mitchell tell her? The last thing he wanted was animosity between them. He didn’t want to lose what they’d just shared.
“My father is the one that planted him, isn’t he?”
Thank you, God.
Riordan nodded. “Yes. We also think he’s the one that paid to have me sent to Mongolia.”
Instant tears flooded her eyes. “No.” Shaking her head with vigor, she stared down at her lap.
As much as he hated Dan Meeks at the moment, he wanted to be wrong. For her. For them.
“We think he’s working with Warner in some way.”
Her head shot up. “John?”
“You know Warner is a competitor of Powers’, right?”
He could see the wheels turning in her head. “So, this started three years ago?”
Trailing a hand down her arm, he nodded. “That’s what we think.”
“But, Warner Management was thriving three years ago. It was only after-“
Shaking her head again, she tried to rise from the bed. He stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“Hey…” He kissed her temple. “What’s wrong?”
“This, us, shouldn’t have happened.” She pressed her palms to her temples. “What have I done?”
Panic seized his chest, stopping his heart. “Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. What just happened here was damned near perfect. I’m not letting you run, Natalie.”
Her turbulent gaze shot to him. Sitting up straight, she took a slow, deep breath. “You’re right. I made you a promise.”
Thank you, God. Again.
“Baby, if this is about you and Paul Warner…”
He gritted his teeth. He couldn’t think about her with another man – especially like this.
“I know you two were together when he-”
“Blew himself up?” She covered her face with her hands. “God, Riordan, I can’t believe I was so blind. That I didn’t see it coming.”
She couldn’t be serious. Pulling down her hands, he held them between his.
“You blame yourself?”
Her round, distressed eyes searched his. “Of course. I was his doctor and I slept with him.”
“You’re not a mind reader, Natalie.”
“Riordan, my job is to help people in trouble. Anyone thatcommits suicide is troubled.” She released a breath. “Maybe shutting down my practice is a good idea.”
