Crown and Anchor Series: Book 1-4

by Kerri Ann

  “Yeah, cool with me,” Risen says as two discards float onto the makeshift pile. “Hallette, I’ll take two cards, please.”

  Picking up his new ones, Risen doesn’t flinch. So far, he’s kept most of his clothing, and has ingested less alcohol than the rest of us. Sober, this man is kind of scary in his intensity. Partially liquefied, I think he’s even worse.

  “I’ll take one,” I pipe up, flicking my lone card down. I’m hoping for the card I need. Second to that, I hope I can keep my poker face intact. The rest of Risen is my prize, and I think I’ll have the hand to do it.

  Picking it up gingerly, I try my best to keep it abreast. The last thing I want is to show my hand. Staying still, calm and poised, I breathe gently. If there’s one thing my mother taught me, it was to stay in control and school your features. Don’t let them know. Don’t show your weakness. Don’t give in to anyone. I may not have appreciated it all before, but right now, I’m using that training like a Jedi knight.

  Placing the card in my stack, I slowly flicker them into a fan. A K Q J and 10 of spades. Sweet. It was that damned 10 killing me slowly. All is as it should be. Now, I just need to keep them guessing until the end.

  “Raise or call, Cathryne?” Hallette asks.

  Peeking around the table, trying to look sly, Cathryne folds up her cards and says, “I raise one shopping day at Bergdorf's on my card.”

  Not bad. I can take that bet.

  “Trevor?” As her hands inspect the planes of his chest, Hallette quirks a shy look his way.

  With a sharp intake of breath, Trevor tenses, then answers, “I can’t raise that, but I’ll guarantee if I pull you over, I’ll get you off.”

  “I think that’s already been established with Hallette, and I’m not sure you want to get me off. You sure you want to offer that to me or the other two girls?” Risen asks.

  Laughing deep, Trevor’s chest rumbles. “I fold. Risen is too much man for me.”

  That leaves us down to two. I think I have Catty, but it’s Risen that I’m really worried about.

  “Risen?”

  Contemplating his odds, he muses and ponders deeply the consequences of losing to us. I can see it as the wheels turn. Not a look I hadn’t seen on my brothers as they considered whether the jump was too big, or the turn too tight.

  He places his cards in his lap. “I accept that raise and re-raise you.” He stares directly at me. This isn’t someone else’s bet, this is a bet for me. He’s intense. “I raise you a race on the track. Just you and me, no one else. And if I win this hand, you go on a date with me to a place of my choosing.”

  What?

  I’m sure the shock is written on my face. Risen wants a date and a race on the track with me? Why? What for?

  Knowing I have a hand that he can’t beat, and a hand that Cat can’t take either, I calmly state, “I accept that bet.”

  Cathryne, feeling left out of the intense conversation, tosses her cards on the table. “I can’t beat that one.” Her cards flip, showing she had a full house of mixed hearts and clubs. “’Night, guys. See you in the morning. Oh, and just to be clear, I’ll be in Jamieson’s room because it’s quiet too.”

  Why are they both mentioning they’ll be in the west wing where no one else is located? Sure, Hallette and Trevor are inevitable, but Risen and I are not even close to the same level of intensity.

  Or are we?

  Yeah, we’ve been sitting nearly nose to nose on the couch, but there’s no funny business going on, no flirting like Hallee and Trevor, and no double-ended innuendos in our conversation. At least, as far as I’ve noticed there hasn’t.

  “’Night,” we say as bends over to pick up her stranded clothing.

  “I guess it comes down to us,” Risen taunts.

  Hallette has dipped her head behind the pillow, hiding her naked form, as the two speak in hushed tones.

  “What’s the story, morning glory?” I ask.

  She pops her head back up. “I can see the outcome of this. Trevor, you ready to win back some of those points?” She’s the consummate good girl in public, but she has a wicked bedroom streak. Trevor will never know what hit his hick ass. Well, he might. It depends on what she hits it with.

  With a quick goodnight over the shoulder, they head off to the west wing. Sauntering off and out of the room, the two of them are in constant contact. The remainder of their clothing will be stripped bare, and we’ll hear them fucking in the hall before they even make it to the guest end of the house, the end where Risen is currently housed.

  “Shit. He’ll be near me, won’t he?”

  “Yeah. Hate to inform you, but you just gained a roomie in your end of the house.” Sitting back against the pillow, taking in the last piece of clothing Risen has to lose, I can’t wait for his demise. “Show me your cards, Officer, and I’ll show you mine.”

  “That sounds like a dangerous request. I’m afraid of the outcome now.”

  “You should be. Present.”

  Flipping one at a time, I watch as J 10 Q K, all in diamonds appear.

  “Stop,” I say, placing my hand on his, commanding him to wait. Risen holds his last card as I flip down the same in matching spades. “This comes down to the last card. If I win, not only do you owe me that shopping spree and the shot of Jack, but the piece of clothing will be doubled to two. Fair?”

  Smiling, I start to worry if we’re on the same playing field. We might be, but in different sports. “I want to have you up it one then. I can’t be expected to lose the last of my clothing while you still have material hiding the goods.” Holding my gaze, he smirks. His eyes twinkle with mischief and I think I’m in trouble.

  “So, what do you suggest, Mr. Mason?” I’m screwed. I can see it like a car wreck. Everything is in slow motion and he’s about to take the last of my resolve. Showing the hint of a dimple, he smirks dangerously.

  Yep, I’m fucked.

  “A kiss.”

  “Didn’t you already take that in the office today, Officer?”

  “That was a forcibly confined lip lock. I want you to give it freely, Miss Crown.”

  Fuck me. My lace panties are swimming at the intense look. He wants me to kiss him of my own accord. Jesus, what’s this world coming to?

  “Fine. We’ll flip the cards at the same time, and if I win, you have a lot of explaining to do, Lucy.” I sing out my favorite sixties show, laughing at the thought of taking him for all he’s worth.

  “One, two, three!” both of us say in unison as we tip over the last card.

  RISEN

  Neither of us flipped, waiting on the other. Now the suspense is murderous.

  God dammit, I thought I had her.

  “Flip,” she says, as I’m waiting on her to do the same.

  “Together, I thought?” Smiling, I flick the card back and forth in my fingers, taunting her. China is so used to getting her way that I like making her sweat a bit. Especially after today’s antics.

  “Double or nothing?”

  “Really?” Jesus, she thinks her final card is that good. “Fine, flip it and let’s get this over with. But, if I win, it’s more than you might be willing to pay.”

  “Let’s see, Ri.” She flips the card over and I can’t contain the laughter that escapes my mouth.

  “Well, come on. Show me your card, Officer.” Flicking it onto the pile, I guarantee she’s as surprised about the outcome as I am.

  Pausing to stare at it, looking at me with her mouth agape, then looking back at the cards, China shouts. “You have to be shitting me!”

  Laying there, neatly on the table is her royal flush and mine, side by side, loud and proud.

  “This sucks. I didn’t win and you didn’t win, so what’s the outcome now that we tied?”

  Shifting closer on my side of the couch, leaning within her space where she sits across from me, I take in her delectable scent and fantastic eyes. They mesmerize me at every turn. “We tied, so we could split the spoils of war.”

&
nbsp; Lust fills her eyes as equally as shock shows the anticipation of what I just offered. It scares her. “What do I get?”

  Licking her lips, the wheels are spinning as she thinks up something devious. Without waiting, gripping the edges of my tee, I peel it up and over my head slowly until my boxers are the only things left. “That was my compromise to the two pieces. Now, you give me one piece of yours.”

  For a moment, her eyes travel the length of me, wide and full of questions. I expected that. “Now I see what the fuss was about. You’ll need to explain that to me, Mr. Mason.”

  “Later,” I say sternly. “My reward, please, Miss Crown.”

  Standing up and squaring her shoulders, Doll contemplates the consequences of either the top or bottom. To me, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be as hard as marble once she strips something off. Fuck, I’ve been sporting a semi for the last three hands. Hiding it under the T-shirt and boxers as best I could, it happened somewhere around the same moment her shirt and pants were removed.

  I was invested.

  I was a lost cause.

  I was the poor schmo with uncomfortable blue balls, and another hour long freezing cold shower. This moment was never intended, but there’s not a fucking chance I’m stopping us now.

  Moving forward, standing directly in-between my knees, and at most, a foot from me, Doll peels down her thin panties. This is where my chivalrous resolve ends. Her neatly trimmed pussy stares me down, daring me to avoid it. Daring me to walk away, and leave like a fucking gentleman.

  “Fuck.”

  “You mutter a lot, Mr. Mason.”

  “If I do, it’s because I’m afraid of you. You’re a danger to my cock, my job, and my life.” Shifting a step closer, I smell the sweetness of her, wishing it was on my tongue. Deciding it’s best to avoid that which is mere inches away, I rise to my full height and stare down at the instrument of my ultimate demise.

  “Mr. Mason,” she says demurely. It’s a taunt, a tease, and said with such an amazing tone, that I’m fucking screwed if I don’t walk away now.

  “Miss Crown, I think it’s time I said good night before I do something that you may regret in the morning.”

  She cocks her head to the side with a devious smirk. “Are you that bad in bed, Mr. Mason?”

  I clear my throat. “I have the feeling you’ll be the death of me, Miss Crown.”

  “You’ve told me that before. Are you afraid of me?”

  “Fuck yes. More than you can imagine.” What I wouldn’t do to this woman. She teases, then puts me in my place, making me second-guess myself at every turn.

  Feeling my breath rush out of me, China reaches a hand out. Stroking the marks on my chest, following the hair that trails to my belly, feathering the ink, stopping just short of placing her hand on or under my boxers, she teases the sensitive skin along the band. Sweeping the material lower and lower, China pulls at it until it’s lying below my hipbone, and just above the apex of my cock.

  “Wow. Now I know the joke.”

  “The joke?”

  “Yeah. Why Trevor calls you Anaconda. I’ve never had something so big,” she says with wide eyes. Not an unusual comment.

  Placing my hand on hers, I attempt to halt her advance. “China, please. If you start, I won’t be stopping you. I can’t.”

  “Then don’t,” she says before bending to kiss my pecs one at a time.

  “Jeaasus,” I grind out, just before her hand dives straight to my overexcited cock. Its tight, stiff, and achingly painful. I’m so fucking hard for this woman.

  “China,” is the extent of the words I can articulate. My brain can’t process anything coherent.

  “Risen, don’t deny me. Please, don’t. Everyone gives me distance to deal, but no one asks me what I want.”

  Moving of their own accord, my hands stretch out, gripping her hip in one hand, and her long hair at the nape of her neck in the other. “I’ve wanted to fucking pull your hair back to see that luscious neck straining since the day I arrested you. And ever since, all I’ve thought about is you bent over my fucking patrol car screaming my name.” Grabbing her hair tightly in my fist, I give it a light yank. “Would you like that? Would you like to be fucked while cuffed to a cop car?”

  “Only if it was yours.” Her breath is tight and fast as she strokes my dick in long languid motions. Her hand can’t fit around it, but I don’t care. It feels fucking fantastic.

  “Do you see what you do to me?” I growl out as she pulls it particularly low. I don’t have enough strength to keep this sweet attitude and subtle care going. I want to bend her over the fucking couch and plow into her until her cries break glass.

  Fuck, what she does feels fabulous. Attempting to find my voice, I mash my teeth and growl at the contact. “Do you like it rough? Or do you like it sweet and gentle? Because right about now, I don’t think I could do sweet or gentle for how hard I am, China.”

  “Okay.”

  “Please, say it. Don’t guess.” I shudder as she pulls particularly hard in a quick stroke.

  “Fuck, Jesus, mother of all fucking fuck, fuck.” With that outburst, China giggles sweetly, pulling at the hem of my boxers.

  “These need to be off.”

  “No, Doll.”

  “Yes, Officer. Or else.”

  “Or else what, China?” I ask her, gritting my teeth. Her devious grin creeps across her features, letting me know I’m in for something wicked. Pulling at the material while still grasping my cock, China slowly lowers herself down until my boxers rest on the floor. Kneeling in front of me, she looks like a wet dream come true.

  “I want this. Let me taste you.” Licking the tip of my head, she swirls her tongue along the underside of it, sparking a fire of need. Denying her, even if her friends walked in, is not possible as I watch her. China loops her tongue under the base, taking in the head before lowering herself down. Her mouth strokes me as she sucks it tightly, allowing her teeth to lightly graze the edges.

  “Standing will be difficult if you keep doing that.” I voice it without thinking. That inside voice that should have been contained breaks away.

  Pulling her hair back into a tail, I grip it, winding it around my knuckles, rejoicing in the feeling of her warm mouth. Her long pulls allow it to slip deep down her throat without gagging, leaving me to use every ounce of control I own not to push further. It’s tantalizing, excruciating, phenomenal, and mind-blowing all at once. I know if she keeps it up, I’ll be coming in no time.

  I need to stop this now if I want more than to have my dick sucked. Garnering every ounce of strength I possess, I gently pull her back by the hair. My cock makes a pop noise as her lips lose their toy, and I feel like a fool for stopping. “Time for bed, China.” Lifting her by the shoulders, raising her up and over, I sling her across my back. “Which way?”

  “Which way where?”

  “To your room, China Doll. I’m not going anywhere near Trevor right now, so which way to your room? Unless you want to wake up the house when you come screaming my name in here.” I want to enjoy her for hours in private. She’s getting fucked good and proper tonight, and for damn sure, it won’t be in the living room where everyone can find us.

  “Up the stairs, turn right. Fourth on the left, at the end.”

  Smacking her on the ass, I love how the red rises on the cheek. She yelps, but it’s half-hearted. “Did you like that?” I ask.

  Quietly, she responds. “Yes.” So I smack her ass again, this time a bit harder. China’s breath tightens as the mark I’ve left shows my perfect palm print.

  “Do you want more?” I smack it again as I wander up the steps toward her room.

  “Have you been spanked?” I tap her again, and the sound bounces off the walls.

  Gasping, her voice comes out on a pant. “No.”

  “Are you wet for me, China?” Reaching the top of the stairs, turning down the hall, I walk until we’re almost at her door.

  “Yes.”

  Turning the hand
le, I close it behind us, locking it tight. I want no visitors tonight. I want all of her to myself.

  Looking around the space, there’s a dresser, a walk-in closet, the second parlor like mine, the oversized bathroom on the left, and a large set of French doors leading to the back of the house, overlooking the pool and track.

  “You sure you can handle this? Handle me, Doll?” I ask as I smack her ass harder. Reaching up, I touch the soft apex of her sex. “I don’t play fair.”

  “Please,” she murmurs as I tuck my finger into the divine heat of her pussy. “Fuck, you like that, don’t you? You like being spanked. You’re drenched.”

  Turning, I lay her out on the bed’s edge. “Fuck, this is going to be fun.”

  Looking down at her prone body, laid out like a feast, I’m enticed to make her squeal. Without a second thought, I pull her to the edge, spreading her legs as wide as I can and kneel down in front of her. “I want to worship this.”

  Taking a deep lick, China squeals. “I want to devour you until you come over and over.” Pulling her clit into my mouth, she rises on the bed into a sitting position. It pops as I let it go. “Doll, lay back like a good girl.”

  “I don’t want to be a good girl.” Her eyes implore me.

  “Fine. Watch me devour every ounce of you as you fall apart for me. If you look away, I stop. You squirm away, I stop. You ask me to stop, I’ll wring every last orgasm out of you, but I’ll deny you my cock. I’ll keep you up all night and deny you sleep if you stop me.”

  “It’s hard to argue with that logic.” Panting with need, China places her hands on her knees, daring me to do as I’ve said.

  “Fuck. You will be the death of me.” Looking back at that perfect pussy glistening, waiting for me to devour it, I instead kiss her on the mouth. It’s needy, wet, and wanton. We’ve held the fire back for so long, that both of us are burning.

  Unhooking her last piece of clothing, sucking both tight nipples into my mouth, my fingers dance at the entrance to heaven. I’ve never wanted anything more than this moment, and I’m going to enjoy every fucking second of it.