RJ (HC Heroes Series Book 7)

by Donna Michaels

  He hadn’t meant to take Lori within minutes of finishing their pizza. Hell, he hadn’t meant to take her at all.

  When he’d knocked at her door, he’d planned to drop off the sketchpad, then leave. But the usual happened whenever he was in close proximity to the beguiling woman. His mind, his intentions, his resolve…all of it shut down, and his body—need—took over.

  And not just his.

  He tweaked her nipple back and forth, waiting until it was good and stiff before leaning forward to close his mouth around the beauty and sucked. He’d fantasized about this for a long time and was blessed that she was interested in another night.

  She was so damn responsive to his touch, it went a long way to removing his self-inflicted, busted ego.

  Lori let out one of her sexy moans and gripped his biceps while she arched her back, giving him one hell of a beautiful view. He nearly lost it when she rocked against him and he clenched his jaw to hang onto his control.

  “RJ…please,” she implored, staring down at him, her eyes so vibrant with need they were a beautiful brilliant hue.

  Wanting to make sure she was ready for him, he slid a finger between her open thighs, and she immediately rocked against him again.

  So damn wet…

  “I need you inside me.” And to prove it, she lifted up, positioning herself over his tip, silently inviting him where he wanted to be the most.

  Buried to the hilt deep inside the incredible woman.

  Beyond ready, RJ, held Lori’s gaze, grasped her hips and thrust upward while she sank down on him.

  Fuck...

  Their cries of satisfaction echoed through the room, upping his need.

  “Damn, Lori, you feel so good.” He cupped her sweet ass and moved slowly, determined to savor the exquisite feel of her warm, wet heat surrounding him. “I’ve dreamt of this.”

  Her eyes widened. “You have?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “Every damn night since I was with you last. This is where I wanted to be then and where I don’t want to leave now.”

  Pure heaven.

  “Mmm…” She ran her hands over his chest and grinned wickedly. “Well, you’re here now and it was so worth the wait…Rocky.”

  “Rocky?”

  That was twice now she’d called him that. No one had ever called him that before.

  She nodded. “Yeah…you’re rock-hard. Everywhere.”

  He chuckled, then nearly swallowed his tongue when she began to move again.

  “Hell, yeah,” he muttered.

  His pulse picked up speed, until she stilled her movements.

  “This isn’t too much strain on your back, is it?”

  Only a mild twinge of discomfort whispered up his spine. Nothing compared to their last foray, and definitely nothing to make him halt things now.

  Not even the hounds of hell could do that.

  He’d wanted to be in her like this for far too long, and she felt so damn good. No way would he stop.

  “No.” He smiled, brushing the delectable heavy underside of her breasts with his thumbs. “But it is putting a strain on another body part.”

  She chuckled and flexed her hips.

  Damn, that felt good.

  Sitting back, he trailed his hands down to her hips, where he gripped tight and held her immobile as he pulled nearly all the way out before thrusting back up into her sweet warmth.

  “I can either give you what you want, or you can continue to take it,” he murmured, completely fine with whatever she chose.

  A wicked grin spread across her lush lips and tripped his pulse. “I choose both.”

  With the power to kill him, she slapped her palms on his shoulders, arched her back, and proceeded to ride him for all she was worth, shifting his spine in the very best possible way.

  Needing to taste her enthusiasm, RJ leaned forward and kissed her deeply, sweeping his tongue into her mouth, adopting the same rhythm as their thrusts. His heart pounded rapidly in his chest, and when she let out a moan that made him sweat, he broke the kiss to sit back and watch her again.

  The sight of the free-spirited woman using his body to pleasure her own was a high he’d never known.

  Damn, she was hot.

  A vision. A healing balm to his soul.

  He hadn’t realized how much he’d needed this…needed a positive encounter. To feel capable, hunger…wanted.

  Lori’s face was flushed, and the pert tips of her bouncing breasts scraped tantalizingly against his chest with every mind-blowing move of her bucking body.

  She was bucking beautiful.

  And his…at least, for tonight.

  Although RJ wanted nothing more than to stay buried deep in Lori for a hell of a lot longer, he knew the time for prolonging pleasure was over. His whole body was tight and throbbing, needing to get them to the next level.

  Besides, he had another condom to help them climb to this state of ecstasy again tonight.

  “RJ…I need…more…” Her voice trailed off, as if she were too lost in ecstasy to finish.

  Knowing exactly what she wanted—what she needed—he gripped her hip with one hand and gave her the more she needed with a brush of his thumb over her center.

  She cried out, clutching his shoulders as she rode him hard, climaxing around him with delicious, pulsing tugs that nearly melted his spine.

  That incredible massage was his undoing. RJ stilled their movements before he thrust up deep, his vision blurring as he followed her over with a release that surpassed his fantasies and drained every ounce of his strength.

  A few seconds later, completely spent, he dropped back, and she flopped on his chest, her spurts of breath warm on his skin. They stayed that way a long time. He knew he was playing with fire when he’d come to see her alone, but it had been something he had to do, as if compelled. Not just to deliver the sketchpad. No. It was purely selfish.

  RJ slid his hands up and down her spine, loving the soft murmurs she made against his throat.

  He needed this connection, needed to touch her and be touched by her, and he was damned if he understood the reason.

  Right now, he didn’t care about the why. All that concerned him was the right now.

  ***

  The next morning, RJ awoke before the alarm, his spine a little stiff, and his body a lot relaxed, thanks to the amazing woman snuggled against him.

  Lori…

  Smiling, he stared down at the sexy woman sleeping with half of her warm, soft curves on his body. That beautiful face of hers rested on his chest and he marveled at the length of her dark lashes and how they cast shadows over her cheek.

  The irony wasn’t lost on RJ that the woman whose beauty deserved to be captured on the canvas preferred to do the capturing.

  She inhaled then sighed. The delicious friction of her sweet curves brushing his skin flickered the dormant heat in his veins back to life.

  He really was a lucky son-of-a-bitch. That star of his continued to shine down on him. Why else would the hot, vibrant, incredible woman in his arms give him another night?

  Their attraction—the pull—hadn’t dwindled, even after their two-condom evening. His throbbing body was proof. The sight of her warm, naked sexiness had him hard with the pulsing need to thrust inside of her lush curves.

  RJ clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, trying to talk his body back from the edge. For one thing, he didn’t have another condom. And there was no guarantee Lori would be on board with a morning romp. No, he needed to regain control of his libido. Yeah, it had been neglected for most of the past ten months and was currently addicted to the gorgeous woman pressed against him.

  Although, he knew that addiction had nothing to do with his lack of sex. His body blazed and his pulse pounded hard and fast because Lori was special. Something about the beauty got his motor running. Even if he had been sexually active right up until he moved to Texas, Lori would still be the one his body craved more than air.

  He opened his eyes and ran his han
d lightly down her arm, brushing his thumb over her wrist. The realist in him demanded he recognize their chemistry was potent as well as unique, and to enjoy it as much as possible because life could take it away tomorrow.

  RJ knew he’d been spared in the crash but didn’t know why.

  Was Lori the reason?

  “Yeah.” She sighed, her eyes fluttering open to smile sleepily at him. “That’s nice. I could get used to this type of morning alarm.”

  Fighting a grin, he trailed his hand up her arm then down her side. “Do you want the regular model? Or the deluxe?”

  “What’s the difference?” She brushed her mouth over his pec before propping up on her elbow to stare at him.

  The tip of her gorgeous breast poked his side, and heat instantly rushed through his body.

  “Well, the regular model comes with this,” he said, leaning forward to lightly kiss her cheek.

  She grinned. “I like that. What does the deluxe provide?”

  Surging up, he used the movement to knock Lori off balance and had one of her gorgeous nipples in his mouth before her back hit the mattress.

  She gasped and shoved her hands in his hair. “This one…I’ll take this one, please.”

  He gave her nipple one more tug before releasing her. “Yes, ma’am.” Smiling, he glanced at the clock on her nightstand. “But if I continue, you’ll be late for work and I’ll miss my morning run.”

  RJ would much rather put his energy into a creative workout with Lori than running with Cooper and Dean.

  But the choice was up to the naked goddess beneath him.

  “I don’t have to go in just yet.” The hunger in her gaze stoked the heat in his veins, while her wicked hand reached between them to stroke his thickening erection. “Mmm…Rocky is back.” She smiled up at him. “What about you? Are you okay skipping your run for a much more satisfying workout?”

  “Satisfying is always better.” He thrust into her palm as he dipped down to nip at her neck.

  His spine was stiff, but he had another bone that was even stiffer and right now, and it was calling all the shots.

  “I agree.” Her voice was sexy and low, and it increased the need rushing through him. “Nothing better than satisfying, I always say.”

  He stilled his movements and held her gaze. “Mind-blowing does. Allow me to show you.”

  She inhaled and her gorgeous gaze smoldered. “Okay,” she murmured, spreading her legs in a delicious invitation.

  Needing no more prompting, RJ settled between her legs, more than happy to deliver the workout he’d promised.

  ***

  A grin still tugged at RJ’s lips when he walked into the open bay door at ESI ten minutes early that morning. It was going to be a great day. He could feel it. Hell, it already was great. Lori had seen to that.

  As usual, most of the crew were already in the garage area, located in the back of the building. Cooper and Dex were sparring on the mat in the center of the room. Mac was lifting weights in the corner with Carter spotting him. Rylee was probably in the breakroom having coffee with Mac’s wife and Carter’s fiancée. And Dean, no doubt was rushing here from the bakery.

  RJ hadn’t bothered to stop for his usual coffee and bun order. No need. He’d enjoyed something much sweeter. And hotter. Twice.

  Hearing Lori call out his name while he tasted her release was damn addicting. He craved it more than his own release. The fact she claimed to enjoy his taste just as much and proved it with bone-melting tenacity was like hitting the freaking lottery.

  It was his own fault for missing out on that pleasure since June.

  He was an idiot.

  But not anymore.

  “Hey. Where were you this morning?” Cooper asked, halting his attack on Dex. “You missed your workout.”

  Dex turned to RJ and narrowed his gaze. “No, Coop. I don’t think he did.”

  “Yes, he did,” Cooper insisted. “Dean and I waited on his back deck for over ten minutes, but RJ was a no-show.”

  Mac stopped pumping iron, sat up, and regarded him closely. A smirk pulled at the side of his boss’s mouth. “Dex is right.”

  Carter nodded. “RJ definitely got in some morning exercise.”

  “Ah.” Cooper grinned. “Good for you, man.”

  Damn former operators. Nothing escaped their radar.

  Of course, it shouldn’t. Uncle Sam had invested enough money in their training,

  his included.

  “Here, Romeo James.” Dean strolled in carrying a white bag he threw at RJ. “Lori told me to make sure you got them. She arrived at the bakery a few minutes ago, sporting an identical smile to the one splitting your ugly face.”

  Cooper chuckled. “About time you got your head out of your ass where she’s concerned, RJ.”

  Several yeahs echoed through the garage.

  Since they were absolutely right, he nodded before pulling out a still warm bacon-maple bun.

  “Damn, that smells good.”

  He grinned. “Tastes even better,” he said between bites.

  Mac snorted. “All right, everyone. Hit the showers if you need to. No doubt, Rylee will be here shortly, and seeing as everyone else is finally here, morning meeting in ten.”

  RJ saluted Mac with the half-eaten bun in his hand, then polished it off in two more bites on his way to the breakroom to make coffee if the pot was empty.

  It wasn’t. Thank God.

  Unless Mac made it. The guy’s brew had the consistency of sludge.

  Lifting the pot from the machine, RJ exhaled at the moving liquid. Good. Not sludge. That meant Rylee must’ve put it on before heading next door. Bless her.

  Dean followed him in. “Going to share?”

  “Coffee? Yeah, there’s enough for everyone,” he said, pouring himself a mug before moving out of the way.”

  The rumble of his buddy’s snort sounded behind him. “I meant your bacon-maple buns.”

  Now RJ snorted. “Why? Didn’t you have your cinnamon ones?”

  “Yes, I had two,” Dean replied, pouring himself a coffee. “But, I’ve yet to try the bacon buns.”

  He fished the last one from the bag and studied it. “Didn’t you tell me Lori told you to make sure I got them?”

  Dean’s gaze narrowed. “You know I did.”

  Bingo.

  Smiling, he bit into the delicious bacon-fest.

  It wasn’t like the guy was hungry.

  Dean snorted. “You’re an ass.”

  “You’re a bitch,” he countered, falling into to their usual banter as they headed to the boardroom across the hall.

  “It’s good to see you happy, man,” Dean said.

  It was good to feel happy.

  “Same to you.” When RJ had first arrived in town, he couldn’t get over the transformation in the guy. The last time he’d seen Dean had been in a California hospital room before RJ had headed to Iowa. He’d hated leaving his brother behind, but Dean had insisted. Told him not to be stupid. To take the chance to get to know his birth family.

  He had…and he was glad he’d done it. But that didn’t stop the guilt.

  “Been meaning to tell you, relaxed and happy looks good on you, Dean.”

  His buddy pulled out a chair and sat down. “A friend of ours once told me that a good woman changes your perspective. Fills holes in your psyche you didn’t even know were there. And he was right.”

  “Of course, I was,” Cooper said, entering the boardroom. “I learned that the hard way. But I wised up and am now the happiest I’ve ever been.”

  RJ took a seat. “It shows. And you deserve it, man.”

  And to think the happy father-to-be had almost gotten a vasectomy because “he didn’t want to pass down his shit genes.” That, right there, was proof that Cooper had definitely found the right woman in Abby, and she’d definitely healed some of his buddy’s invisible wounds.

  Mac walked in and took his seat at the head of the table, while Carter came in and took the seat closest t
o the door. The computer guru had been known to leave meetings when something from the pit—his computer den—required attention.

  “Mmm…it smells like bacon in here,” Rylee said, breezing into the room with coffee in hand. “I could smell it all the way down the hall.”

  Dex followed close on her heels, and since the two lived together it never raised a brow whenever the guy pulled out a chair for her—like he did now—then took one to her right.

  Mac, Carter, and Dex were all former Delta operators RJ, Cooper, Gabe, and Dean’s SEAL team had worked joint ops with when they’d all been active duty.

  Christ, that seemed like another lifetime ago.

  “All right, let’s get started,” Mac said.

  While the boss began briefing them on their security job in Austin tomorrow, and two others for next week, RJ wondered how much longer he would be stuck at a desk. He loved the planning side, it’s what he excelled at, but every once in a while, he needed to put his other skills to work. Hell, if he didn’t go out in the field soon, he was going to rust.

  Even his doctor had green-lighted him last week.

  Tempting fate was not common practice for him. He prided himself on making smart choices. Practical ones. It had served to keep his ass alive during his years in the military. And he liked to think it had helped to pave the path that put him on Mac’s radar and led to his job with ESI.

  Despite his discharge status, he would always consider himself a SEAL. Bottom line, there were times when he needed to put a plan in motion and help it play out.

  On the bright side, if he stayed behind again, it would mean no time away from a certain sexy cake decorator…

  “So,” Mac said. “Slight change of plans tomorrow. I have to go to Houston, which means, RJ, you’re up to bat. I want you to take lead in Austin. Since the doc cleared you, and you’re the one who planned the op, I know it’ll run smoothly.”

  Hot damn.

  “Roger that,” he said, his pulse kicking up at the thought of finally getting out in the field.

  “All right, now to some news,” Mac said, sitting back in his chair. “One of our Delta brothers will be joining ESI soon.”

  “Sweet.” Carter smiled. “Who?”