Home Is Where the Heat Is

by James, Amelia

  She bent her knees slightly, raising her hips off the bed to give him access to her hungry clit, and he slipped a hand under her stomach and slid his fingers into her folds, spreading them, holding her captive while he licked.

  “Fuck me.” She moaned and bit the pillow.

  “Mmm… nope. Gotta finish my penance.” The longest finger on his free hand dipped inside her pussy, stroking and twisting while his tongue flirted with her clit.

  “Don’t stop. Don’t fucking stop!” She rocked against his hands and face, possessing him while he owned her demanding flesh.

  She let go of the pillow and grabbed her nipple, pinching shock waves down to her occupied bottom half. Ripples cascaded the full length of her body. Her toes curled and her roots tingled. “Ah shit! Not yet! I don’t want it yet.”

  But she couldn’t stop the orgasm from ripping her apart no matter how much she cursed it.

  Claire quivered on the damp sheets while JT kissed his apology all over her tender parts.

  “Ass-kissing is done.” He sat back on his knees and grabbed her thighs, yanking her back as he rammed his cock into her.

  “Oh!” She writhed on his lap. “What the fuck are you doing to me?”

  “Punishing you.”

  Deliberate thrusts rocked her. “Why?”

  “Because you need it.” He fell over her, pinning her thighs between his while they fucked. “You need to be reminded that you can’t always have what you want.” He grabbed her hair and fucked her full-length, grinding his hard body on her soft skin. “But I’ll do my Goddamn fucking best to make sure you get what you need.”

  “You bastard.”

  “That’s right.” He nipped her neck and growled in her ear. “If you think anything can keep me away from this pussy, then I’ve got to prove you wrong.”

  Mere words meant little to Claire—she’d heard them before—but when coupled with his compelling acts, his confession convinced her. A tear slipped down her cheek as he forced hard evidence on her, over and over again.

  He pulled her up on her knees, driving inside her as she slid against him. He turned her head and they shared a desperate, slippery kiss. His cock throbbed, pushing her over the edge.

  “JT!” She reached behind them and grabbed his ass, digging into his hot flesh while he came, groaning into her mouth.

  They fell on the bed, still tangled and sweating. His heart pounded against her back, and her breath came in short gasps as his weight crushed her into the mattress.

  “Thank you.” She sighed and he laughed. “Now I can’t remember why I was mad at you.”

  “That’s the idea.” He nibbled her neck, sending tiny waves of pleasure rippling down her spine.

  God, I missed this. “Oh wait.”

  “Damn it.” He rolled onto his side and swept clinging hair from her cheek. “Tell me.”

  Would he listen? Michael never wanted to. “I’m afraid… I tend to….” How could she tell him she felt threatened by another guy? “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.” He hugged her close and flipped the blankets over them, wrapping her in a cocoon of his warmth and security.

  Apparently he’d settled in for the night, and that lightened her heart, but she skirted around the truth. “I didn’t realize you worked so much. I guess the trial was kind of a vacation for you.”

  “Jury duty was a picnic compared to this project, especially since I got to enjoy you.” The tip of his nose brushed hers as he kissed her. “But my work schedule is overloaded right now because of the fire. My job is pretty much nine to five, Monday through Friday. And in the winter, I have lots of down time when the weather is bad.”

  She smiled and tucked his wayward bangs behind his ear. “Then I’ll hope for a blizzard.”

  “Ha. Wicked Rebel.” He slid his hands down her back, massaging as if to lessen the burden of his words. “Summer can get pretty busy, but even then I only have to work overtime when something unexpected happens.”

  It all made perfect sense. Even she spent more time at the office when Alex was preparing for a case. She couldn’t fault JT for dedicating extra hours to his business. “I know.” She pressed her face into his shoulder, breathing in his warm, masculine scent and letting it replenish her strength.

  His fingers curled in her hair, and he pulled her head back so she had to face him. “Then what are you afraid of?”

  She closed her eyes, unable to put off the real issue any longer. “Losing this contest.”

  “What contest?

  “You worked all week, and I understand that, but when you finally got some free time, you spent it with Kurt.” She didn’t mean to whine, but she’d gotten so tired of playing this old game—and losing. “I feel like I’m competing with him… and I don’t know how.”

  A goofy smile danced in his eyes, but lucky for him, the tightly wrapped blanket prevented her from smacking it right off his stupid face. Why did I think he’d take me seriously?

  He caught her flailing fingers and pressed them to his lips. “Trust me, Rebel, you aren’t even on the same playing field with Genius. You don’t have the same equipment, and I prefer yours.” He cupped her breast and flicked her nipple with his thumb.

  “That’s not what I meant.” But his persistent hand completely rebuffed her argument. She struggled as he rolled on top of her, binding their bodies closer together while he teased her mouth with his tongue. “Damn it, stop distracting me.”

  He pinched her nipple and wedged his knee between her parting thighs. “Do you want me to be serious now?”

  “Mmm… maybe.” Hot shivers rattled her composure as he ground against her, but she held on to one last shred of sanity and grabbed the back of his neck, forcing him to focus on her words. “I just want to know that I don’t have to fight for your attention. I know I can’t be your entire life, but….” She left that sentence unfinished as his jaw tightened. Holy hell, where am I going with this? Her fingers uncurled and she released him.

  Forever passed into oblivion, and her heart stopped.

  His gaze pierced her soul. “But you want to be the center of my world.”

  She shook her head even as her heart screamed yes. “I couldn’t ask for that much.”

  “You just did.”

  She tried to read him, but the gambler revealed no tells. “It’s not reasonable.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted, cracking his poker face. “Who says you have to be reasonable? We’re not in court anymore, Rebel. Take off your legal panties and grab what you want with both hands—”

  His firm ass tightened as she clamped down on it.

  He laughed on her lips. “And don’t let go.” He kissed her, hard and deep, sweeping his tongue into her mouth with commanding force.

  ***

  I can’t be your entire life.

  Well, why the hell not? Claire’s words made JT’s stomach quiver. Getting so serious so soon freaked the hell out of him, but only until he realized that Claire wanted to be his. She wanted him. He’d never been surprised when his relationships ended—he’d expected them to. True love did not wait for him despite what some cheap fortune cookie said, and never would. Her concerns about his work schedule could’ve been a deal-breaker, but they’d worked through it, and she wanted him right where she had him.

  Her death grip on his ass left little doubt about that.

  How could she have thought she had to compete with Kurt? He’d gladly ditch the geek for a night in her bed. “Why didn’t you come to the game with us?”

  She squirmed, realizing he’d called her bluff. “I didn’t want to intrude.”

  “You’re not much of a competitor. Ow.” He’d forgotten about her hand on his ass.

  Her lips made a pretty pout. “And I had plans.”

  Plans that obviously kept her at home near her phone. “Is that right? Did you enjoy them?” He leaned down and nibbled the pulsing skin under her ear.

  “Yes, I did.” She sighed indulgently. “I was having a w
onderful evening until you took over.”

  I took over? He recalled being made to kiss her ass. “I didn’t hear any complaining.” JT propped himself up on his elbow and played with her hair as she wound his chain around her finger.

  “The only reason I responded to your booty call was to burn off dinner.”

  Ah. So he’d interrupted her plans and forced his agenda on her with his text. “That was kinda rude, huh?”

  But a sparkle played in her eyes as she rolled him over. “And oddly appealing.”

  He caught her hips and pulled her across his lap, making note of her satisfied smile as she arched her back, displaying her beautiful breasts. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “I thought you just did.”

  “No, this was just for fun.” He palmed a breast and drew circles over her nipple with his thumb. “I blew you off all week and then went out with a buddy.” Taking Kurt to the game had allowed him to unwind and refocus his energy on Claire. “Making up for that is going to require days of rude but appealing sex.”

  Her face lit up. “Oh, I like that idea.”

  Collecting his thoughts proved to be difficult with her wiggling on his lap, but he managed to ignore his stiffening dick for the moment. “I gotta work this weekend to get the project back on schedule, but next weekend I’ll take you away from all of this—no work, no distractions, just us.”

  She purred and cuddled on his chest. “Keep talking.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair while mulling over their options. “Let’s go someplace close, but where no one knows us, where you can dress as slutty as you want, and we can play some risky games.” A couple of choices immediately occurred to him. “Maybe Blackhawk or Cripple Creek.”

  Her head popped up. “A gambling getaway?”

  “Yeah, unless you want to do something else.” He smoothed her hair. Have I forced my agenda on her again? He’d be perfectly willing to do whatever she wanted.

  She smiled and pressed her lips to his chest. “No, that sounds like fun. I’ve never been to Cripple Creek.”

  “It’s all tourist shops and casinos.” A tiny mountain town with not much to do but gamble. Fun but small scale. Better to show her an epic good time in a grand theater where she’d hold the audience captive. “Screw that. If we’re going to go, we need to go big.” Marquee lights danced in her eyes as he named their destination. “Vegas.”

  “Yes!” She seized the back of his neck and kissed him. “That’s quite a drive. Can we make it a long weekend? I can take Friday off. Or Monday if that’s better for you.”

  JT brushed her hair back over her bare shoulder. “I’ll fly us down there.”

  Her eyes widened as an excited smile touched her lips. “Do you have you own plane?” She slid her hand over his chest.

  “Yep. Bought a little four-passenger plane when I became the boss. It’s not much, but it’ll get us there faster than the interstate.” He stroked her creamy skin. Weekends often flew by, and he didn’t want to waste time traveling when they could be playing with each other.

  “My uncle had a two-seater. Why’d you get four?”

  Another one of his indulgences. “I splurged for the bigger one because I wanted to take Kaylee and her kids flying with me. She won’t let them go without her.”

  “I don’t blame her.” Claire shivered. “You couldn’t choose a less dangerous hobby? Maybe join a motorcycle gang?”

  His throat tightened—the one chance he refused to take. “I don’t ride motorcycles.”

  She tilted her head, and drew circles on his skin. “I saw a helmet at your house.”

  “That belonged to my dad.” His voice cracked. “He wasn’t wearing it the night he was killed. I kept it as a reminder that some risks are too big.”

  “I’m sorry.” She laid her head on his chest, pressing her cheek over his pounding heart. “Both my parents are still alive, but I can’t imagine losing one of them… even though they’re too wrapped up in their own drama to care how I feel.”

  “Losing him….” JT rubbed his stinging eyes. Years had passed and he thought the grief had faded. Why does it hurt now? “I don’t ever want to go through that again.”

  Claire looked up at him. “You might have to—your mom’s still alive, right?”

  Unreasonable pain sliced through his cold heart. “She’s already dead to me.” But he flinched, tipping his hand.

  Claire’s gentle touch soothed his clammy skin. “If she was, she wouldn’t still be hurting you.”

  That bitch is gonna live forever. “My mom thrives on causing pain. She came to my dad’s funeral to show off her new husband, bragging about her big expensive ring and their luxurious honeymoon. Kaylee had just gotten engaged, so my mom took the opportunity to rub that in my face too. I’d just been made foreman, youngest in the company, quite an achievement. But all she had to say was ‘Why are you still single? What’s wrong with you?’ My dad never got remarried, so Mom’s convinced the men in our family are unlovable.” Tension forced his lips closed, cutting off his words, but the pain still flowed.

  Claire rubbed his clenched jaw. “She’s wrong.”

  “Doesn’t matter what she thinks.” So why can’t I get past it? “All relationships end one way or another. I’ve got bigger risks to face.”

  ***

  All relationships end…. A bleak philosophy if she’d ever heard one. It held a certain truth, but Claire refused to acknowledge it or deal with the implications at the moment. “Isn’t flying a huge risk?”

  Her question seemed to snap JT out of his grim mood. The familiar playful twinkle returned to his eyes. “Not for me. I’ve had years of experience and training… and good luck.”

  She encouraged the change of subject. “How does luck fit into it?”

  “I crashed and survived.” His jaw tightened again. “My dad didn’t live through his accident.”

  Don’t let him go down that road. “Don’t you think skill had something to do with it?”

  “He was a good rider, but the guy who hit him never saw him. Dad never had a chance.”

  But maybe it would be good for him. JT had confided horrible stories about his mother; maybe he needed her to listen. “What about you?”

  He settled back against the pillow, hands behind his head. “One of my engines failed, but I was able to land in a field—wrecked the wings and broke my leg, but it could’ve been a lot worse.” His tone lightened, and the tension in his body eased.

  She followed his lead and let his past go. “Sounds like skill to me. I’ve always been impressed by a man’s skills.”

  His impish grin made her heart flutter. “I’ve always been good with my hands.”

  She snuck her fingers under the blanket wrapped at his waist, teasing his twitching abs. “Prove it.”

  He rolled over her and swept her fears away with a groping kiss that showed him a master of touch.

  She sighed and clutched him close. There’d be time to listen later… if their relationship didn’t take a nosedive first.

  Chapter 15

  The monitor flickered to life the instant Claire flipped the power switch, but the hard drive took longer to respond. “Come on, come on!” The thing finally booted up, and she immediately opened Alex’s calendar to write her name in the first available appointment. She had plenty of time to request next Friday off, but after JT’s dire relationship prediction last night, an urgent need to make concrete plans consumed her.

  She glanced at the clock and remembered her boss’s sly grin when he’d said he’d be in late. “Crap.” She moved her name from nine a.m. to noon. It would cut into her lunch break, but she didn’t need the whole hour.

  The morning rushed by as if hurtling toward an inevitable end. Alex walked in a few minutes after ten as promised, but ran out the door again. When he came back, he glanced over Claire’s shoulder at his calendar while she pressed the phone to her ear and typed up another brief.

  “We have a lunch date?”
He grinned and loosened his tie.

  “Huh?” She hung up and clicked the document closed. “No, I just need your attention for a few minutes.”

  “Come into my office.” Alex held the door for her while she gathered her wits. He sat behind his desk and motioned for her to sit too. “What’s up?”

  She got right to the point. “I’d like to take next Friday off.”

  He checked his schedule and typed ‘Claire out’ in all caps. “Okay. Anything else?”

  As easy as she’d expected. “Nope, that’s it.”

  “Big plans?” His eyebrows wiggled.

  Should I tell him? She bit her lip, but couldn’t say no to his evil smile. “I’m going to Las Vegas for the weekend.”

  “Alone?”

  Cheese and rice! She’d walked right into this cross examination. “No, with a friend.” Why did she bother trying to evade him?

  “A man?”

  “Yes.” Ha. He’d asked a yes or no question. Now he had nowhere to go with it. She braced her hands on the armrests and rose.

  “How did you meet him?”

  Claire sighed and plopped down in the chair. “Mutual friend.” She clasped her trembling hands in her lap.

  “What’s his name?”

  Alex knew every detail of every case better than he knew his long and impressive resume. He’d remember a name like JT Luck. “Jared.”

  “Does he have a last name?”

  She couldn’t help it. “Yes.”

  The skeptical prosecutor raised an eyebrow.

  Last name, last name… why can’t I think of anything but…. “Langston. And don’t you dare run a background check.”

  Alex laughed. “Vegas, huh? That’s where bad girls go.”

  “Spare me the expert testimony.” But wait…. Why not subject him to a cross examination? He’d never kept his unconventional relationship a secret from her, and he was the resident expert on getting what he wanted.

  “How did Talia…?” What am I thinking? She couldn’t put him on the spot and expect to win. “Never mind.” She stood. “Thank you for the day off.”

  He got up and followed her. “How did Talia what?”

  “Oh, I can’t….” Claire stopped and turned to him. Her face flashed hot as she framed one question after another, rejecting them all. Finally, she blurted out, “How did Talia talk you and Will into a threesome?”