Necessary Risk

by Sidney Bristol

  She gave a slight yelp of surprise, then a grunt as her back hit the wall. It wasn’t the smoothest kiss. Instead of pushing him away, Ivy wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

  Part of his mind wanted to scream at her to push him away, but it was getting drowned out by the ever-present need for her.

  He groaned and gave in, trapping her between the wall and him.

  She still tasted like cherries, albeit it was faint now.

  Ivy moaned and arched her back, pressing her soft breasts against him. That was all it took for him to get rock hard. One fucking kiss. He wasn’t sure if that was pathetic or not.

  He slid an arm around her waist and hauled her up against him. She reacted faster, and the next thing he knew her legs were wrapped around his hips.

  Killam braced a hand on the wall for support and palmed her ass. Her bare ass.

  Fuck.

  His fingers found the lacey edge of her flimsy thong.

  He needed her. Or maybe he wanted her so bad he’d tell himself anything to justify it.

  Killam managed to turn them and head for the bed, all the while Ivy’s hands were in his hair and her mouth moving in time with his. Her tongue teased him one moment, then the next she bit his lip.

  His shins bumped the mattress not a moment too soon. He leaned forward and let go of her.

  Ivy fell back, landing with her hair spread out and his shirt hiked up to her hips, showing off the sky blue lace covering her mound.

  She was so fucking beautiful and so God damn frustrating.

  One side of her mouth hitched up and she held out her hand. “Come here.”

  He wanted to go to her. Sink into her. Taste her all over. It would be over with far too fast though.

  Ivy traced a line up his thigh with her toes.

  “What?” Her lopsided smile widened.

  She was fucking amazing.

  She was beautiful.

  A dozen things raced through his head and there were more if he thought hard enough. But words like that would make this mean something, and it couldn’t. What happened now was about satisfying a need. Nothing more. That was all it could be.

  He wrapped his hand around her ankle and tugged, scooting her to the very edge of the bed.

  She sat up, pulling out of his grasp. He stood between her knees now, everything he wanted right there. And yet all he could do was stare at her.

  Ivy reached behind her head, grabbed the shirt and pulled it off slowly. He watched as inch by inch she revealed more skin. The curve of her waist. A scar on her ribs. Full breasts. Pink nipples. Bare shoulders. She let the shirt drop to the floor. It was loud in the silence.

  His mouth dried up and all he could do was look.

  She didn’t seem to have any such problems.

  Ivy reached out and wrapped her hand around his cock, her fingers twisting in the material of his shorts. He sucked in a breath at the firm touch. She merely grinned at him while her fingers explored him through the fabric. He reached out and gripped the spindly poster at the foot of the bed to keep his balance.

  “I think this is in the way,” she muttered. She hooked her fingers in the waistband of his shorts. She pulled them down and her brows arched. “No underwear?”

  Answers spilled into his head, but he couldn’t make himself say anything.

  His shorts hit the floor and he stood there, unable or maybe unwilling to move.

  Ivy reached out and caressed his stiff flesh. Her fingers were soft against his heated skin as she stroked him.

  “Christ,” he muttered.

  She chuckled. “He speaks.”

  He tightened his grip on the bed as she twisted both hands around him now. “What are you doing?”

  She peered up at him through her lashes, her smile barely visible. “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “Ivy...”

  Killam needed her hands off him. Maybe then he’d complete an actual sentence.

  She bent her head. Her wet, hot tongue licking the underside of his length. His vision hazed and he shuddered. His hand closed around her hair and he held on tight to the strands as her lips feathered a kiss on the head of his cock.

  “Fuck,” he muttered.

  She didn’t let him catch his breath one bit. Her lips wrapped around him and she sank down, enveloping him in the heat of her mouth. Her hand worked in tandem, stroking him down to the base. She even hummed, the vibrations sinking into his skin to the point his balls tightened from the sensation.

  He watched her ease her body back while her hand slid to the base of his shaft. She glanced up at him and the skin around her eyes crinkled, as if she were smiling. Ivy rocked forward and his vision hazed. He felt himself bump the back of her throat. She sucked and his knees knocked together.

  “Ivy,” he gasped.

  Her other hand caressed his balls before moving to his hip. She pushed at him and he moved.

  This had to stop.

  She dug her nails into his ass and he thrust into her mouth. He felt and heard her gasp all around him.

  Ivy was a woman who got what she wanted. Every time he meant to tell her no, he found himself going along with her mad schemes.

  Now she wanted him? Who was he to say no?

  He eased away from her and wound her hair around his palm until they were intertwined. She looked up at him, her hazel eyes darkened with lust. He thrust into her mouth. Her nails scraped the back of his thighs, urging him deeper.

  God, this felt amazing. He shouldn’t be doing this, but he couldn’t stop either. Not when it felt this good.

  Killam let his eyes shut and gave himself over to the feel of being in her, the way her tongue stroked him.

  It had been too damn long.

  And what was even better? She knew who the hell he was. Nothing about this moment was a lie. It was all true.

  A tingling sensation started at the base of his spine and his balls tightened.

  He roughly pulled on Ivy’s hair, forcing his cock out of her mouth. It was the last conscious thing he was able to do before the orgasm took over.

  Ivy’s hands stroked him as his vision blurred. He couldn’t help but rock into her grasp.

  Even that felt like heaven.

  Killam’s knees wobbled and he leaned against the bed. His fingers were still tangled in Ivy’s hair, her hands on him though she’d taken mercy and let go of his cock.

  He cracked an eye open and wanted to kick his own ass for not stopping this sooner.

  It had been over a decade since he’d come on a woman. Still, Ivy didn’t seem to be concerned with the fluids on her legs or stomach. She was watching him with a gaze he couldn’t read.

  Killam twisted his hand in her hair. She tipped her chin up, lips still damp with no hesitation, and damn if that wasn’t what did him in. That moment of acceptance, or wanting, and he was a goner.

  He bent and kissed her, tasting himself mixed with the sweet cherries. Her hands gripped his shoulders and she pulled, but he resisted her.

  He could be a team player. He’d show her that.

  IVY WASN’T USED TO being affected by a blowjob. Sure, she liked driving a man crazy as much as any woman, but they didn’t do a lot for her. When she’d decided to take the reins, it had more to do with praising the hero of the hour than anything else. That, and she’d felt as though she’d burst if he kept staring at her forever.

  Killam’s tongue slid between her lips and stroked her own. He cradled her head now, where moments ago he’d pulled almost roughly.

  The joke was on her.

  She wanted him more now than she had before.

  He was still a lone wolf type. He’d never work well with others. And she didn’t doubt that he’d done things in the name of the job that she wouldn’t agree with. But right now? Tonight? She’d seen him do the right thing. It made resisting the attraction that much more difficult.

  Killam pulled back. She leaned toward him, greedy for more. He tugged her hair once, then let go. His other hand wra
pped around hers and he pulled her to her feet.

  How was he able to stand? Her legs wanted to give out on her.

  “Come with me,” he said and turned.

  Her stomach knotted up at the order.

  She managed to follow him across the room and into the bathroom. It still smelled of lemons and cleaning products.

  Killam flipped a switch and turned a dial before leading her to the shower stall.

  The glass enclosure was almost the size of the bedroom in her first apartment.

  “Shower, setting C,” Killam said.

  Something chimed and the water turned on. Blue and purple lights around the shower made the water glow.

  Ivy chuckled. She couldn’t help herself. “This place is something else.”

  Jets mounted to the side of the shower turned on right before the glass fogged up too much for her to see.

  Killam edged closer, tightening his grip on her hand. She looked up at him as he wrapped both his arm and hers around her waist.

  “You’re something else,” he muttered.

  When he looked at her like he was now, she felt powerful. Different.

  “What would that be, hm?” Somehow she managed to keep her voice steady. Flirty even.

  “You know we shouldn’t be—”

  “Sh.”

  Ivy knew very well they shouldn’t be getting involved with each other. It was logic. Their job was complicated enough without involving themselves with each other sexually. And yet, every time she looked at him she wanted to jump his damn bones. It was distracting. In her book, the best way to deal with that kind of a distraction was to indulge. Though she had a feeling that when it came to Killam, one taste wouldn’t be enough. That was how a bad boy hooked you. And she didn’t even care right now.

  The key would be to remind herself that despite the kisses that made her weak, he wasn’t a man who she could count on to do anything except leave. It was the nature of his work.

  He was a hero in the shadows, though he’d never want the title. He was a good one, despite the tough calls.

  For a moment they just looked at each other.

  They both knew full well this—tonight—was a bad idea.

  He took a step away from her, their fingers still interlocked.

  She followed.

  Damn the consequences. She’d have tonight at the very least.

  He led her to the door of the shower, then stopped. Without looking away from her eyes, he hooked a finger in the thin strap over her hip.

  Right.

  She let go of him and pushed the thong down. It wasn’t like this was his first time seeing her naked. He’d gotten an eyeful that first day. Still, this was her choice.

  Killam took her hand and lifted it to briefly kiss her knuckles. It was an oddly charming gesture coming from him.

  He took a step back and she followed him as he led her into the shower with its colorful jets of water.

  This was not at all what she’d expected. She’d thought Killam would either go to sleep or pounce on her. Instead he drew her under the spray of water, grabbed a bottle of soap and poured some in his hands. Need was what she’d been prepared for. This tenderness took her by surprise.

  He slicked his soapy hands down her stomach then up to cup her breasts. She sighed at the touch and arched her back. He captured both nipples between his fingers and tugged. Not hard, then again she was so sensitive and turned on even a gentle touch was almost too much. She gasped, clung to his shoulders for support.

  Killam growled something she didn’t understand, then turned her so her back was to his front.

  The warm jets of water pelted her front. He bent his head and kissed her shoulder, then bit it. She shivered and chuckled while his hands slid over her stomach and hips.

  Her body wanted him now. She’d never been one for a lot of foreplay.

  Ivy grabbed his wrist and guided his hand lower. He slid his fingers over her bare mound. Even that touch without some kind of barrier was intense. She shivered and leaned against his chest. The hot water pelted her breasts, overloading her with sensation.

  “Ivy,” Killam muttered.

  Whatever else he said, she didn’t hear as he slid his fingers through her folds.

  “Yes,” she hissed.

  He grunted something and palmed her breast. She arched her back and shifted her hips, urging his fingers deeper. He obliged her, circling her entrance with gentle touches.

  She whimpered her frustration.

  Killam kissed her cheek and she turned her face, seeking his mouth.

  Her gaze locked with his and he thrust inside her. She sucked down air at the feel of his thick fingers stroking her. He kissed her, possessing her mouth and pussy, all while the jets of water pelted her too warm flesh.

  She reached up and over her head, holding onto him the best she could.

  Killam let go of her breast, tugged on her hair just enough to bend her head back enough to the point where it was almost uncomfortable. At the same moment his thumb found her clit.

  She shuddered at the first touch. The second had her whimpering and by the third her knees buckled as ripples of pleasure shook her body.

  Before the orgasm was over, Killam was pulling his fingers out of her. He turned her around and kissed her while her body continued to throb.

  She still wanted him in the very core of her being.

  He walked her back until her shoulders pressed against the cool glass. He pinned her there, kissing her breathless. She had to cling to him for support.

  “Stay right there,” he growled and took a step back.

  She blinked at him.

  If only he knew she didn’t have the strength to move. She’d hauled backpacks through sand that weight half as much as she did and never missed a step. Now she couldn’t trust herself to take one.

  Killam reached out of the shower and into a basket mounted to the outside. He pulled out a strip of condoms.

  A laugh bubbled up in her.

  This was absurd, and yet she wasn’t going to complain about a well-stocked bathroom.

  He looked straight at her as he tore a packet off and tossed the rest on the shower floor.

  The need in his eyes echoed her own.

  Tonight they’d own this need. They’d satisfy it and be done. Giving in wasn’t a crime.

  Killam tore the packet open as he stalked toward her. She took it from him and rolled it on his already hard length.

  No part of her would be sorry for this.

  Killam wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted.

  Her stomach did a flutter. She wasn’t exactly a small woman, yet he made the motion look easy.

  He pressed her to the glass again and took a moment to kiss her. She poured herself into that kiss, hoping he felt all the good they had.

  Killam bit her lower lip and reached between them, sliding his cock through her folds. She whimpered and moved her hips in time with him until finally he pressed against her. He leaned back just enough to look at her, then eased inside. She felt every hard inch of him stretching her, eased by the orgasm and arousal.

  “Fuck,” he muttered and leaned his forehead against hers.

  “You feel good,” she whispered.

  “You’re so damn wet.”

  She grinned and shifted.

  He groaned then kissed her again, this time the need nearly stole her breath away as he took. And then he moved. He lifted her, showing once again that he wasn’t just a hot body and a pretty face. He had real strength in those bulging arms of his. He thrust up into her and she shuddered, feeling every bit of him inside of her and around her.

  “Oh, yes,” she whispered.

  His muscles bunched under her hands. She tightened her thighs around him, doing what little she could to work with him.

  “You make me so damn crazy,” he muttered against her cheek.

  Ivy bit her lip to keep from laughing. They did seem to have the knack for getting under each other’s skin. It wasn’t a b
ad thing. She saw him for who he really was and understood him better for it. There was a heart of gold under all those protective layers. She knew it.

  His thrusts were long and hard, driving her to the edge of pleasure. Given no other option, she clung to him. Their wet bodies slid against each other. The jets of water pelted them every so often, adding another sensory layer to it all.

  Killam thrust deep. So deep she gasped for air and her vision blurred.

  He pinned her to the wall like that.

  “Killam.” She arched her back, her orgasm just out of reach.

  He didn’t move, just looked at her.

  She forced her gaze to focus on his face and found him looking at her with an odd expression.

  “What?” she demanded.

  “That sounded weird.”

  “What?”

  “You calling me Killam instead of Piers.”

  “I thought you’d like that.” Honestly thought hadn’t been involved, but he didn’t need to know that. The odd look was still there. “Or deep down do you like it when I call you Piers? I want you to fuck me, Piers. I’m so close.”

  His gaze narrowed in a familiar way. She would have smiled if he hadn’t kissed her.

  Killam lifted her higher still then thrust. She moaned into the kiss as the first ripples of pleasure went through her. He growled something against her lips and kept going. She dug her nails in and let go.

  “Piers!” She came, calling out his name.

  Killam kept moving, in and out of her, drawing the pleasure out. He was rougher now, and for the first time she realized she was getting to see all of him. Not just the polished man he showed the world, but the real man.

  Ivy buried her face in the crook of his neck and wished for all she had that they’d met somewhere else. That this wasn’t the only time she’d allow herself to have him. But she knew the truth.

  Piers Killam wasn’t going to be her hero. He would help her, and likely be the reason she got out of this safe, but their paths would part and she’d never see him again. They’d never have this again. And it hurt. As high as the peak of pleasure could be, so was her sorrow for what would never be.

  10.