Hot and Bothered

by Elle Kennedy

  With a strangled groan, he shoved aside the crotch of her panties and found her clit, applying pressure with his thumb.

  Mac threw her head back and climaxed, a rippling explosion that covered his fingers with moisture and made every inch of him ache with raw, uncontrollable desire.

  “I’m taking you home,” he ground out, barely able to breathe, let alone speak. “Right now.”

  She looked up at him with glazed, sated eyes. “What?”

  “I’m serious, baby. I need to be inside you.” He took his hand out of her panties and quickly tugged her bra and shirt back into place.

  “But…” She shook her head as if trying to snap out of a trance. “What about Holly?”

  It took him a second to realize who she was talking about. His supposed new girlfriend. “You don’t need to worry about Holly. Just get in the car and drive home. I’ll follow you there after I talk to her.”

  “Will—”

  He cut her off with a harsh kiss, his tongue filling her mouth. Just as she began to respond, he pulled back. “Go home, Mac. And you better be naked when I get there.”

  MAC WAS FULLY CLOTHED when Will walked through her front door nearly half an hour later. During the drive home, and the subsequent wait for Will to settle things with the woman he was currently dating, Mac had had plenty of time to think and ask herself a few important questions.

  The main one being, what the hell was she doing?

  It was bad enough that she’d let Will bring her to orgasm in public, but agreeing to spend the night with him again? It was crazy. And foolish. Without the haze of sexual attraction fogging up her brain, she had a clear line of vision to the reason she’d always kept Will safely in the friend zone. Sex was temporary, but the friendship she and Will had wasn’t something she was willing to give up.

  And considering what she’d seen, she couldn’t allow sex to complicate their fragile relationship. If he died in that crash—she refused to use the word when—then she didn’t want their remaining time together to be messy and complicated. She didn’t want to fight with him.

  She wanted the familiar. Stable, comfortable Will, her best friend.

  But…what if he did die? Shouldn’t she allow herself one more night with him? She’d already decided to tell him about the vision, a goal she’d lost track of between watching Will kiss another woman and then letting the attraction distract her in the alley. She’d planned on doing it now, but suddenly she was reconsidering.

  One more night in his arms, in his bed. Didn’t she deserve at least that before she informed him of his impending doom?

  Her heart pounded as he kicked off his shoes and shut the door. The stark desire on his face took her breath away. No man had ever looked at her like that before, as if she were his entire world.

  “You didn’t listen,” he said huskily, moving toward her with catlike grace.

  “W-what?” she stammered.

  He reached her, his strong arms encircling her waist. “You’re still dressed.”

  It took every ounce of strength to shrug out of his seductive arms. “What happened with Holly?” She kept her voice firm, determined not to let him steal her common sense the way he’d done less than an hour ago.

  Will seemed irritated by the question. “I told her I was coming home with you.”

  Mac gaped at him. “And, what, you left her alone at Harriet’s B&B, in a strange town where she doesn’t know a soul? God, Will, you really are an ass!”

  The callousness of his actions was just what she needed to get her brain in check. It was far easier to be angry with Will than to lust over him.

  “No, I didn’t leave her alone.” He sighed. “Her boyfriend is on his way to pick her up.”

  Deafening silence filled the room.

  Mac stared at him in shock, the implication of his words whipping around in her head until an uncharacteristic growl ripped out of her mouth. “Her boyfriend?” she exclaimed. “You brought her here…kissed her…and she’s not even your girlfriend?”

  “Nope.”

  His cavalier tone added to the jolt of betrayal in her belly. “You tricked me? Why the hell would you do that?”

  He shrugged. “To make you jealous.”

  She’d known the answer before he even said the words, and she suddenly felt like a total idiot for playing right into his hands. Of course Will wouldn’t have fallen into bed with someone else a day after he’d slept with her. He wasn’t that kind of man. Will was loyal to the core, ridiculously stubborn, dead-set on getting what he wanted, and for fifteen years, he’d wanted her. So much so that he’d resorted to juvenile tactics to get her.

  And he’d succeeded, that son of a bitch. Mac knew without a doubt she wouldn’t have let him touch her in that alley if Holly hadn’t been in the picture. The sight of Will with another woman had made her insane with jealousy and driven her to give Will exactly what he wanted.

  “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” he said dryly. “You would’ve done the same thing in my place.”

  “Maybe in the sixth grade,” she huffed. “Damn you! It’s not fair to play with people’s emotions like that.”

  He moved closer again, the spicy, masculine scent of him filling her nose and weakening her resolve.

  She held up a hand. “Don’t you dare come any closer. I’m furious with you.”

  Another shrug. “Good. Angry sex can be damn hot.”

  She swatted at his outstretched hands. “I’m not having sex with you.”

  “Yes, you are.” His voice was smoky with heat and seduction.

  Almost immediately, her mind cleared of everything but the desire she felt for this man. She forgot about the vision of his helicopter, her anger about his lie, everything.

  Damn it, she wanted just one more night with him.

  Mac’s muscles clenched in anticipation as he thrust his hand in her hair and angled her head to accommodate his approaching mouth. The kiss was electrifying, molten hot and deliciously erotic. His tongue pried her lips open, delving into her mouth and flicking determinedly against her own tongue.

  Then his lips moved, and he was exploring her neck, nibbling her flushed skin. “You are going to have sex with me,” he rasped. “Tonight, tomorrow morning, tomorrow night, and the night after, and the one after that. I’m going to fuck you every second of every fucking day, until you won’t remember what it’s like not having my cock inside of you.”

  She whimpered.

  His mouth returned to hers, his tongue tracing her lower lip. “Now take off your clothes. I want to look at you.”

  She feared he might’ve cast a spell on her, because she found herself doing precisely what he’d asked. She stripped off her shirt and bra, then wiggled out of her jeans and panties. Just like that. He commanded, and she obeyed. She should hate herself for her weakness, for how easily she gave into this man’s husky orders and persuasive hands.

  Will’s dark eyes studied every inch of her exposed body. Each time his gaze lingered, flames licked at her skin. She was unbearably hot. Painfully aroused.

  Damn him.

  Features strained, Will unceremoniously ripped his shirt over his head, then tackled his jeans. After he’d shucked his boxers, he stepped toward her. Naked, beautiful, his cock jutting out eagerly.

  Moisture pooled between her legs. She wanted every inch of him buried deep inside of her.

  “Spread your legs,” he ordered.

  She did as he asked, shivering wildly as he sank to his knees and kissed the inside of her thigh. His big hands rested on her butt, drawing her toward his waiting mouth.

  Mac threw her head back and cried out when his tongue found her clit. The sensations swirling through her body were too much, too fierce and too hot and— “More,” she gasped. “Give me more.”

  He did, burying his face deeper, sucking harder on her clit until she couldn’t stay upright anymore. He tugged her down to the floor and repositioned her so that she lay flat on her back, legs wide open, her pussy ex
posed and aching for him.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said gruffly. “I want to eat you up, baby.”

  “Do it then.” The bold words slid out before she could stop them.

  He gave a faint half-smile and dipped his head. Her hips surged toward him, and she rubbed herself against his mouth, desperately taking every bit of pleasure he had to offer. He brought his tongue back to her clit, licking gently, while two long fingers worked their way inside her hot channel. The resulting orgasm sent a bolt of lightning up her spine, seizing her body and lighting it on fire.

  She heard her moans fill the room, but the reckless, blissful sounds seemed to be coming from far away. All she could hear, see and feel was Will, and his tongue, his fingers, his hot breath on her clit.

  Mac barely had a chance to come down from the orgasmic high when Will grabbed a condom from his discarded jeans, climbed up her body, and drove his cock inside her. There was nothing gentle about his movements. The hardwood floor beneath her back was cold and unforgiving, but it only added to the rising urgency, the rough, unrestrained thrusts and desperate groans.

  It had never been like this with any other man. So good, it was so damn good. Her arms tightened around his muscular back, nails digging into his sinewy flesh. Will let out a harsh curse, muttering, “Too fast,” even as he was shuddering over her, jerking wildly as he came.

  His breath came out in pants, his shaft pulsating inside her, and Mac found herself smiling as she looked up at his sexy, dark eyes. She liked seeing Will lose control. He was always so serious, his emotions never quite reaching his eyes, but not now. Now, she could see everything he was feeling. The raw desire, the tenderness, the love.

  Love.

  The notion made her stiffen, but Will quickly captured her mouth and kissed her. “No,” he ordered against her lips. “You’re not pulling back from me again.”

  She tried turning her face away from the possessive kiss, but he wouldn’t have it.

  “No,” he said again, and before she could blink, he withdrew, lifted her to her feet, and carried her into the bedroom.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  It only took two days for Will to accept that he would simply never get enough of Mackenzie. He wondered, as he strode out of the bathroom on Sunday night, if this was even natural. He and Mac had stayed in bed since the night of the carnival, only getting up to grab a quick bite or take a shower, though both activities had resulted in yet another round of hot sex.

  The only downside was that he sensed there was something on her mind. Every now and then she’d grow silent, bite her bottom lip, or look at him with a troubled frown. He hadn’t pushed for answers, though. The last thing he wanted to do was remind her of her previous reservations about him. About them.

  “Your phone rang again,” Mac told him as he resettled on the bed.

  Her raven hair was tousled, and the sight of her rosy cheeks brought a smile to his lips. She’d come only moments ago, and he loved seeing the remnants of climax on her flushed face.

  Drawing her warm, naked body toward his, he absently stroked her bare shoulder as he reached for the cell phone sitting on the dresser. The missed call was from Carson.

  Will sighed.

  Next to him, Mac peered at the phone and laughed. “Oh, call him back already. He can’t kill you when you’re here and he’s all the way in San Diego.”

  “Wanna bet?”

  “At least check your messages, then. Maybe he’s not even angry.”

  “Again, wanna bet?”

  Still, he punched in the code for his mailbox, then pressed the speakerphone button. A moment later, they heard Carson’s voice.

  “You kissed my girlfriend? My fucking girlfriend? I don’t give two shits if you’re my superior. I’m kicking your goddamn ass, Charleston!” Click.

  Will glanced at the naked woman in his arms. “See?”

  “Let’s hear the next one,” she said with a laugh.

  He hit delete and moved to the next message.

  “Holly just told me you had your hands on her ass. I swear to God, I’m tearing your throat out.” Click.

  “Had enough?” Will grumbled, about to toss aside the phone.

  Laughing uncontrollably, Mac grabbed the cell from his hands. “One more,” she begged.

  Carson’s voice again. “Okay, I may be starting to calm down. Holly just reminded me that I fucked my best friend’s wife not so long ago and—”

  “What?” Mac’s eyebrows shot to her forehead.

  “—a kiss isn’t as bad as sex. Nevertheless, asshole, it’s still pretty bad.” Click.

  “He had sex with his best friend’s wife?” Mac demanded.

  “Threesome,” Will answered, as if that explained everything.

  “Okay.” She studied him curiously. “Have you ever had a threesome?”

  “Nah, I’m a one-woman guy.” He grinned. “I’d rip the head off any man who tried to touch you in front of me.”

  “Interesting. I’m in bed with a barbarian.” She tilted her head. “Does that mean I can rip Holly’s head off?”

  He snorted. “Not unless you want to contend with Carson. Besides, that kiss meant nothing.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “So you didn’t get hard?”

  Will shrugged.

  “You did!” she exclaimed, jabbing an accusing finger into his bare chest. “I can’t believe you!”

  “I only got hard because I knew you were watching,” he admitted sheepishly.

  “Even when you knew it was driving me crazy with jealousy?”

  Another shrug.

  Mac’s lips curved in a devilish smile. “I think it’s time for some payback.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Mmm-hmmm.” She shoved away the sheets tangled between their bodies and straddled his lap. “Maybe it’s time I drove you crazy.”

  “Baby, you drive me crazy just by breathing.”

  Still, her wicked threat had intrigued the hell out of his cock, which was now harder than concrete and jutting out hopefully. Mac grinned when her gaze landed on his erection. She reached down and circled her fingers around the base of his shaft, tugging gently.

  A shudder wracked through him. “I was about to make us some dinner,” he protested.

  “Ha! Your cooking is as bad as mine. We’ll order pizza after I’m finished with you.”

  Despite the fact that he’d fucked her, oh, about five times today, his arousal levels skyrocketed. The tip of his cock tingled, anticipating Mac’s next move.

  Her next move consisted of sliding down his chest and taking him into her mouth.

  Heat speared into him. His balls tightened, his muscles grew taut. He would never tire of this woman. She was fucking incredible. Her mouth was hot and wet and tight, and he groaned as her tongue teased his cock. One hand pumped his shaft while the other cupped his balls, fingernails scraping over the aching sac.

  Will moved his hands to her hair, stroking the silky strands and guiding her head over him. It was hard to control himself, to stop from thrusting deep into her throat as far as his cock could go. His pulse pounded in his ears, pleasure sizzling through his bloodstream as the hot suction of her mouth and insistent strokes of her hand brought him closer and closer to the edge.

  His cock demanded to be inside her, to feel her wet pussy fisted over him, but Mac refused to release him. Her mouth devoured him, making its own demands, until the pleasure was too much and he came in her mouth.

  Heart pounding, he sucked in a lungful of oxygen, wondering how she did this to him. Made him lose control every damn time.

  “Okay, we’re even,” she teased, kissing his tip quickly before rising up on her knees. Her bare breasts were tinted red with arousal, but before he could reach for her, she swatted his hands away. “Order that pizza, Charleston. I’m hungry.”

  “Fine,” he grumbled.

  He dialed the number of the one and only pizza place in town and placed a quick order. He was assured the pizza would arr
ive within half an hour, and he couldn’t stop a grin. Thirty minutes was plenty of time to make Mackenzie come again. But just as he’d hung up the phone, it rang again.

  Rolling her eyes, Mac remarked, “Mr. Popularity.”

  He glanced at the screen, then stifled a groan. “Fuck.”

  Concern filled her eyes. “Who is it?”

  “My commanding officer.” Letting out a breath, he answered with a curt, “Charleston.” He listened to his CO’s brisk orders, hung up, and released another breath, this one tinged with regret. Raking his fingers through his hair, he glanced at Mac. “I have to go.”

  The concern in her gaze was joined by a flicker of panic. “Why?”

  “The team’s been called. We’re flying out tonight.”

  Since they’d been in this position a bunch of times before, him getting called out while visiting her, the horror that widened her blue eyes shocked him. He instantly sank to the edge of the bed. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  A shaky breath flew out of her mouth.

  “Mac, talk to me. What’s going on?”

  She stayed quiet for so long he began to worry, and just as he was about to pull her into his arms, she spoke.

  “Don’t go.”

  She sounded so agonized, he wondered if he was missing something. “What?”

  “Don’t go,” she repeated, her shoulders shaking as she sucked in a gulp of air. “Please, Will, you can’t go.”

  MAC’S HEART thudded so loudly she could barely hear her own voice. The entire weekend, she’d tried not to think about the vision. And it had worked. She’d spent the past two days in Will’s arms, kissing him, making love to him, laughing with him.

  She’d been wrong when she’d thought sex would complicate things. If anything, she’d never felt closer to him.

  But those awful images—the smoke, the helicopter—had lingered in the back of her mind, reminding her that any minute, any second, she could lose him.