Lethal Game

by Christine Feehan

  Her tongue moved on him again and he couldn’t help but use his hips to inch farther into that hot, tight tunnel. He was careful, but he couldn’t stop the movement, rocking into her, pulling back just enough to let her breathe and then pushing in again. He didn’t try to go too deep, but he felt that suction, drawing his balls up. The slide of her tight fist with one hand while she continuously caressed his sac with the other brought chaos to his brain.

  “Baby, you have to stop,” he tried to warn her. “I’m going to blow big, and your first time you don’t want to swallow. Most women don’t like it.”

  She didn’t let up and he was already so far gone there was no stopping. His seed boiled up and rocketed out like a volcano. His cock jerked over and over. Hot seed sprayed into that hot cavern. He felt her mouth moving. Felt her throat working. His cock just kept trying to find more to give her before it finally lay peacefully on her tongue.

  Amaryllis’s long lashes lifted, and he found himself looking into those blue-flamed eyes. He realized he was still gripping her hair tightly in his hands. She smiled around his cock. He pulled out slowly, savoring the sensation as he dragged over her tongue.

  “Baby, you didn’t have to do that.”

  “I wanted to,” Amaryllis stated. She sat up and looked around.

  He snagged the water bottle and handed it to her. “That was indescribable, but if you want to repeat that at any time, I’m more than willing.”

  She smiled at him, her blue eyes dancing. “It was rather fun. I really do like the way you feel and taste, Malichai. And respond.”

  He was good with that because he was addicted to her taste and scent. To her body. Every part of her body.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I felt like you got to explore. It was only fair that I had a turn,” she explained.

  “Anytime, baby.” He held out his hand and she passed him the water bottle. “We need to get back inside before it gets much later. You need to get some sleep. I’d like you to sleep in my room tonight. With me.”

  She moistened her lips with her tongue. “I don’t know, Malichai. I’ve never really slept with anyone before. This sleeping together might not be such a good idea.”

  “We’re getting married, remember? You’re going to snuggle up next to me every night after we’re married. That’s kind of nonnegotiable.”

  “Is it?” She knelt up on the futon mattress, her hands going up to push back her hair. “That was never disclosed before I agreed to marry you. I feel like that could negate all business transactions.”

  She was beautiful, the moonlight shining down on her like a spotlight, highlighting her soft skin and the curve of her breasts. He tackled her, taking her back down to the mattress.

  “It’s a hostile takeover, then, baby.”

  Her laughter spilled over, bright and filled with light. Even her eyes danced at him, sending his stomach on a roller-coaster ride. He held her down easily, his larger body blanketing hers. She raised her head off the mattress so she could brush kisses over his chest.

  “Is that even in the rule book? I feel like you’re making new policies up to benefit yourself.”

  “And your point is?” He took advantage, feasting on her breasts, ignoring all the little squeals and writhing she did.

  “My point is, you’re cheating.”

  “Have you ever heard the expression ‘All’s fair in love and war’? Because this is love, and if you don’t marry me, it’s also going to be war.”

  “Hmm.” She pretended to think it over, but she cradled his head to her breast and let him have his way.

  He used his tongue and teeth and then his fingers, taking full advantage. He loved the feel and shape of her, just as she loved his cock. Those full curves took his mark easily, and when his hand slid to the junction between her legs, he found she was once again slick. He loved that her breasts were so sensitive she would immediately get ready for him.

  He lifted his head and looked down at her. “What’s the verdict?”

  “I forgot the question.” She laughed, the sound rueful and joyous at the same time.

  “I want you sleeping in my bed with me.”

  “I’ll get in your bed, but I don’t know about sleeping. I swear I’ll try, though.”

  He was definitely falling in love with her. “Hot bath first. Let’s get moving.” He stood and began to put items on the tray and then gather their clothes.

  “We can’t go naked, Malichai,” she protested, laughing all over again.

  “We can’t? Who are we going to run into? Just wrap the blanket around you. I’ll take the sheet. Be daring, baby.”

  “You’re not kidding, are you?”

  “No. I don’t see what the big deal is. You have my ring on your finger and it’s no one’s damn business what we do or where we do it. Just put the blanket around you and we’ll hurry to the room. The only one I’d worry about is Jacy, and she’s in bed asleep. Everyone else pretty much knows about sex, and if they don’t, it’s time they did.”

  Amaryllis caught up the blanket and wrapped it closely around her. He took the sheet and wrapped it around his hips, making a sarong out of it. She rolled her eyes. “That’s cheating.”

  “How is this cheating? I need my hands free to carry the tray.” He strode to the door leading back into the house.

  “You planned that all along. I can’t get away with that because women aren’t supposed to show their breasts.”

  “Which, by the way, few men find reasonable. I wouldn’t mind if every woman in the world decided to show her breasts. It would make for a very nice world.”

  She had to jam the corner of the blanket into her mouth to muffle her laughter as she shuffled down the hall on bare feet. He loved watching her. The way her eyes lit up. The way she looked wrapped in the ridiculous blanket, tight across her little ass and drooping around her shoulders, leaving them bare, with just that hair of hers falling down her back. The shuffle was probably the cutest thing ever, but he wasn’t a man who used words like “cute” or “adorable,” so he didn’t say them aloud.

  Once in his room, he went through the door leading to the bathroom he shared with Craig Williams. Craig was meticulously clean and Malichai appreciated that about him. He locked that side of the bathroom and ran his woman—his fiancée—a bath. She leaned against the door, watching him, those blue eyes fixed on his face. The laughter had faded and she looked very serious.

  “What is it, baby?” He kept his voice gentle, afraid she might be considering reneging on her word now that the beauty of the orgasms had faded. He might have to handle the next few minutes with extreme care.

  “You are an amazing man, Malichai, and I can’t believe you chose me. When did you know? Because you seem to have been set on this path from the very beginning.”

  This could be dangerous ground since Whitney was known for pairing couples. “I knew when I first laid eyes on you. I observed the way you were with Marie and Jacy—the way you worked, letting Marie have so much extra time with her daughter even though it meant you worked long hours. I couldn’t help but see how protective you were of them, and I wanted that for myself, for my children, for Wyatt’s children and Trap’s. For all of them living in the compound near us. I know that sounds selfish, but hell, baby, you’re like this fresh summer breeze that can move mountains when you go from breeze to hurricane force winds. Not to mention, I find you damned sexy. Who wouldn’t want that?”

  She gave him a small smile. “From time to time, I’m going to have to ask you that question again. I hope you don’t mind. It’s just that I think you’re this extraordinary man and having you choose me—maybe fall in love with me—want me as the mother of your children . . .” She shook her head. “That’s almost too incredible to believe.”

  “That’s Whitney feeding you bullshit, baby.” He crossed the short distance between them a
nd pulled her into his arms, uncaring that the blanket fell to the ground. He kissed her. Hard. Meaning it. Wanting her to feel everything he felt for her. He’d gone from physical attraction to love in a very short time for a very good reason, and she was in his arms, her mouth moving under his.

  11

  Malichai lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, Amaryllis cuddled close to his body. He hadn’t been a man who ever slept with a woman close. Or at all. It wasn’t his thing, until right then. He needed her close to him. When she’d gotten up and said she was going back to her room, he hadn’t been able to stand the idea of the two of them apart.

  But still . . . there was something nagging at him. It just wouldn’t leave him alone. His brain refused to shut down, alarms whispering, looping through his mind over and over. The warnings weren’t loud, just a soft background noise that refused to be quiet. Something was wrong. Something was off and he needed to figure it out. He knew it wasn’t immediate, no one was threatening them, but once he felt this kind of warning, he knew it was only a matter of time before trouble was on his doorstep. He also needed to tell Amaryllis what they had learned from interrogating Henry Shevfield. He wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.

  “Malichai?” Amaryllis’s voice was soft, a barely there sound, as if instinctively, she was aware of the need for silence. “Can’t you sleep?”

  He stroked a caress over her hair, trying not to get lost in the feel of silk. Her head was against his bare chest and the slide of silk over his skin sent hot blood rushing to his groin. He’d been enjoying the sensation, liking that his woman, even in her sleep, could arouse his body the way she did, but there was that whisper in his mind that something wasn’t right. Something was off. Maybe he just needed to have that difficult talk with her he didn’t want to have. He knew better, but it was one more thing . . .

  “I can go back to my room,” she offered. “You’re not used to sleeping with anyone.” There was a hint of satisfaction in her voice.

  “Go back to sleep, baby. I think I’m just going to take a quick walk around the house and make certain everything is quiet.” She wasn’t getting out of sleeping with him, no matter how hard she tried.

  She wrapped her arm around his hips. “Talk to me, honey. What’s got you uneasy?”

  “I don’t know. That’s the problem. Something’s nagging at me—” He broke off, because what was it? Something silly, really. “How did Tag know Lorrie was here? Those women were actually very smart covering their tracks the way they did. They gave up their place, renting it out so they don’t lose anything, and couch surfed, so they didn’t leave a trail. This was the first time they paid for a place to stay. Maybe he had someone watching for credit card activity, but that seems a little over his head.”

  Amaryllis sat up slowly. She stayed close to him, fitting her body against his hip. “No, they actually paid cash. Marie told me because it’s extremely unusual. They paid for a month’s stay for the three of them.”

  He heard the sudden concern in her voice and it spurred his alarm even more. “So, if they paid cash, did one of their friends give them up to Tag? If so, why?”

  “What are you thinking, Malichai? Are they in more danger? What?”

  “I’m thinking I don’t like anything I don’t have answers for, that’s all. I didn’t mean to alarm you, babe. I’ll just take a look around, maybe contact my brothers and see what they’ve seen watching the place. Fortunately, no one knows they’re close by.”

  “You really think something’s wrong, don’t you?” she challenged. “You still haven’t told me what happened when you went swimming. You’ve been avoiding talking about it.”

  He sighed. He’d known he was going to have to tell her and she was going to freak out on him. Instinctively, he reached down and pulled her up and over him so he could roll over and pin her beneath him. Immediately, suspicion etched a little frown into her face.

  “So, it’s bad.”

  “Yes. I think so. Very bad. Dozer got something right. Diver tried to kill me. We got him in our trap and took him to a place Zeke rented to talk to him.”

  She made a face. “I can imagine.”

  “Zeke can be intimidating without having to touch anyone,” Malichai assured. “I didn’t get anywhere near the jerk and it was a good thing. He was a local. A hit man. He didn’t do Anna and Bryon, but he happily told us of several others he’d done for the same people, all over the last two years. He was also contracted to create a diversion for those same people by killing the owner of a bed-and-breakfast, her daughter and her manager. Then after the cops were inside, he was to burn the place to the ground, drawing all the cops and fire engines there.”

  He felt the breath leave her body. Her face went white there in the darkness, so she looked almost transparent.

  “You’re talking about here. Us. Marie, Jacy and me. He’s supposed to kill us and burn this beautiful place down.”

  “And he didn’t even so much as flinch talking about killing a child when he’s married and has children of his own,” Malichai said.

  “You should have told me right away.”

  “There’s no immediate threat. We’re setting up a sting.”

  “You can’t know there’s no threat.”

  “He’s dead. He was stupid and made a try for Zeke. Rubin is going to be arrested on suspicion of killing Anna and Bryon, and then released because he didn’t do it, but there will be a write-up in the paper portraying his past as being murky. Whoever these people are that hired Henry Shevfield will need another local fast. We’re hoping they’ll contact him, especially because he’s staying here.”

  “They won’t fall for that. It’s too easy.”

  “Sometimes, easy is best.” He brushed kisses in her hair and then dribbled more down the side of her face.

  “Stop trying to change the subject.”

  Malichai rolled her over fast, so she was on top again, his mouth on hers, creating fire, igniting a storm between them. He felt it in his belly, hot and wild, in his groin, rising like the tide. She tried to sit up and he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her down over top of him again. She landed, chest to chest, her breasts pushing against his bare skin. He loved the feel of her. He could lie there all day with her body sprawled out, arms and legs on either side of him, surrounding him with her heat. Her softness.

  She lifted her head, her blue eyes colliding with his. There was laughter there. “How easily you distract me.”

  “Clearly I haven’t distracted you properly.” His mouth took hers again, his palm curling around the nape of her neck. He loved kissing her and he took his time. A slow assault on her senses. On his. Building the fire until it poured down their throats into their bellies. Until it spread like a wildfire out of control through their veins. Until he could almost—almost—ignore that warning that had ratcheted up a notch and nagged at the back of his mind.

  He broke the kiss and once again found himself staring into her eyes. “I love kissing you.” He rubbed the bare cheeks of her ass. He loved that as much as, or more than, staring into her eyes.

  “I know you do. The feeling’s mutual.” She shifted her weight and casually reached for her tank top. “Babe, I can tell when you’re uneasy. You’re a soldier. You think something isn’t right, we don’t ignore that.”

  “Are you feeling it at all?”

  She shook her head. “I feel you. Your mouth. Your cock. I’m a little sore, but in this wonderful, delicious way. I’m still wrapped up in us. But if something’s wrong, honey, we need to find out what it is in order to protect everyone at this inn. Marie can’t afford to lose the place, not even with you helping her so much. And she does love it.”

  Amaryllis pulled her tank top over her head, covering her breasts, much to his dismay. She rolled to the very edge of his bed and nabbed her yoga pants. He was a little in love with those pants, especially whe
n, like now, he knew she wasn’t wearing anything beneath them. The stretchy material clung to her curves lovingly, drawing attention to the shape of her bottom and her slender legs.

  Malichai slid to the opposite side of the bed and reached for his clothes, no longer fighting the nagging whisper that something wasn’t right—wasn’t adding up. He had to block out everything and just hear it. That was how he’d stayed alive for years. Now he had Amaryllis to look out for. And the bed-and-breakfast. He told himself it wasn’t immediate, but it was still a warning. He had to get past what she did to his body and listen to the warning system that was always set to alert him to possible threats.

  Malichai pulled his clothes on slowly, sorting through the dozens of questions in his head. It always came back to two. How had Tag found Lorrie? Why was that answer so important?

  “Do you want me to make us some coffee?” Amaryllis asked.

  Malichai glanced at his watch. He loved Amaryllis’s coffee. Everything she did was done with the utmost care for detail. Part of the reason her food was so delicious was because she cared about the person eating it. “Will Marie be up? Who’s working on breakfast?”

  “That would be me. I have to start work in another hour. Marie has the day off, remember? She’s taking Jacy to a couple of appointments and then they’re going to catch a show. Marie always likes to end the day with something very fun for Jacy, especially if they have numerous doctor appointments.”

  “Smart woman. Coffee would be great, baby. I’m going to walk around and see if I can figure out what’s going on that’s bugging me.”

  “I’ll do the same. I’ll try to puzzle out how Tag could have found Lorrie. You know, Malichai, we can’t always rule out coincidence. It does happen. It’s that unexpected thing that you don’t count on that trips you up sometimes. Tag might have been at the beach and seen her. Maybe one of his friends did.”