by Ellen March
“Oh shit, do it again,” breathed Savannah, curling her fingers tight against the wall and spreading her legs even wider.
Micah grinned and again slowly withdrew before gripping her tight and slamming up. He snaked both arms around her waist and powered in deep, but then his tight rein on his control broke and he began taking her hard and fast.
“That’s it, Micah,” she moaned. “Oh, Christ, keep doing that. It’s so, it’s oh ….”
Her words were sending him over the edge.
“Please, I need …. Oh, what are you doing? That feels so good …” she mewled at each driving thrust as he filled her. He was ploughing deep and plunging into her with incredible speed. Her stomach was on fire, as was each nerve, shredding her to pieces.
Micah could feel himself splintering apart and he nipped and sucked on her neck, pushing himself further than he ever had. Only this wild crazy woman was capable of making him lose control.
“Micah!” she screamed, and her eyes widened suddenly. She was scared of the intensity that was invading her, swamping all reason. She arched back as tight as a bow and gave herself over to the orgasm blasting through her. Tears rolled down her face, and she sucked in a shuddering breath as her body took what Micah was giving her.
Micah closed his eyes and growled as he came hard. At the same time, her sex clenched him, milking him dry, drawing him out and stretching his climax. He burst, pounding against her ass. He writhed and gyrated his hips, surrendering to wave after blissful wave. Finally Micah stilled his thrusting and simply held her. His whole body was quivering.
That hadn’t just been sex—it had been so much more. Too late he remembered with a start that he hadn’t worn a condom.
Reluctantly he unsheathed and turned her round. She was uncharacteristically quiet. The cubicle was silent, apart from the tinkling of splashing droplets from the shower. Placing a finger beneath her chin, he tilted her head up and was stunned to see her face awash with tears.
“Anna, what’s wrong?” He was scared he’d injured her. He’d been so absorbed in her body that he’d taken her hard. “Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head, and a tremulous smile teased at her lips. Her watery gaze settled on him, and slowly she raised her hand. Her palm cupped his cheek. “No, Micah, it was beautiful. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
His stomach contracted involuntarily; her response was so sweet that it hurt. “Good,” was all he managed to say. He lowered his head, and his tongue traced her lips before he gave her a slow, soft, and searing kiss. Savannah’s arms stole around his neck, and she held him tight, locking him to her.
Micah discovered he didn’t want to move, ever.
Then he recalled Rio’s words. Had he been tamed?
Her tongue circled with his, and he sucked it, tasting her. Eventually he pulled back. “Honey, I didn’t use protection. Are you on the pill?” He tried to keep the panic and anxiety out of his voice.
But didn’t quite manage it.
Hearing the undercurrent in his question, Savannah decided to stretch the truth. “Yes.” Because after the skin on skin session she’d just had, no way was she going without. Technically she was on the pill; she just kept forgetting to take it. Up until now that hadn’t been a problem. From here on in, she’d just have to remember it, because she wanted sex without a condom.
While she had Micah in her life Savannah intended making the most of it. Because the day would surely come when he’d move on. He was too good a dream to be true. He’d said over and over that it was short term, only while he was here, and that implied a passing affair. Well, if that was all that was on offer, she’d take it. He’d given her the truth, and Savannah knew she should at least be grateful he wasn’t a liar.
She’d attempted to hold back, to not give in, but something drew her. Heck, it didn’t just draw, it inflamed every part of her, waking and sleeping. So what? Couldn’t she for once have some fun? Enjoy herself in the arms of a beautiful male?
She gave a shudder. Whatever dreams she’d have, she’d also have the sweetest memories. Of her delicious male making love as if she were the most precious thing in the world. For a short time, despite her reservations, she wanted to revel in that sensation. To be loved, even if it were a pie-in-the-sky dream.
He was too hot to remain with her—she knew that. So she slapped back the sadness that threatened. Savannah didn’t know how she’d cope when that time came, when he moved on. And he would, it was his mantra: he was here for a short while.
But ever the optimist, she didn’t despair. She would cross that bridge when she needed to.
***
Micah breathed a sigh of relief on two counts. One, she wouldn’t get pregnant, and two, he could ditch the condoms. Yet he had to question why she was on the pill, and did, speaking his thoughts out loud.
“Just because I was a virgin didn’t mean I wasn’t on the lookout.” Savannah flashed him a grin. “My motto is, ‘Be prepared.’ ”
Micah didn’t like her reply, didn’t like the thought of her having sex with anyone else. But he let it go. He didn’t want another argument and besides, he’d be leaving soon.
The bet over.
Chapter Fourteen
The club was busier than usual, a teeming mass of bodies. And Micah was fretful. He’d seen Savannah enter but couldn’t keep the usual eye on her. And for some reason he was both nervous and restless.
Again he scanned the sea of bodies, searching for her dark head.
“She’s here—stop panicking,” said a voice beside him, and looking down, he locked on Charu.
“How do you know I was looking for Savannah? I’m merely doing my job.” He didn’t like being so obvious.
She grinned, and it wasn’t pleasant. “Yeah, whatever.” She indicated the crowd with a nod of her head. “Quite a few here tonight.”
“Yep,” he replied, his distraction obvious. He’d spotted a thatch of red hair and remembered the man from the café, the same one who had appeared at the club before.
Charu ran her nails down his arm. They scraped a slow, seductive path. “You free tonight?”
Micah shrugged his arm away. “No.” He didn’t have to think twice. Then he returned his gaze to the red-haired man. And cursed.
He’d disappeared.
***
Savannah watched from the shadows as Charu homed in on Micah.
She could see him craning his head over the crowd. And also how the bitch coveted him, the way her hand sneaked up his arm. A smile curved her lips at his lack of interest, the way he shrugged her off.
And with a satisfied smile she wandered out of the club for some fresh air. For the moment she’d put her jealousy to rest.
Unaware of the set of eyes that followed her.
***
Savannah stared up at the moon that was glowing high in the sky. A soft rush of a breeze blew over her. She held back a grin at the throaty chuckle from behind a nearby bush where a couple was silhouetted in a passionate clinch. She moved around the back of the house, flinching at the intruder light that suddenly flared. It lit the area, and the pool glistened invitingly, a sharp electric blue. A ripple shuddered across the still water.
Savannah ambled towards it and paused at the edge. Stooping down she trailed her hand in it. Despite the heat of the sun earlier, it was freezing cold and she shivered.
Suddenly hands pushed against her back and she tumbled in with a screech, along with a small splash. Her arms thrashed wildly and her eyes were wide with terror. The water engulfed her, and slowly she began to sink beneath it.
***
Micah strode through the club, his temper short and rising. He couldn’t find her, and his stomach roiled with worry. Neither could he see the redheaded man. He debated checking outside. Surely she wouldn’t leave the building, he thought, anxiously recalling the attack in the lobby and his warning to her. But then, he reflected, look who he was dealing with—a woman who did as she wanted.
With a final glance Micah left the house, his strides short and sharp. He glanced across and saw a group of men having a cigarette, including the redhead. He breathed a sigh of relief and stood for a moment watching them before moving away.
Again he hesitated, still trying to gauge where the idiot would be. The nervous fear remained with him—a very real worry of what could happen to her. When he found her, he’d give her a piece of his mind. Because she would start listening to him. He was determined to drum some common sense into her before he left.
Hell, he thought with a sharp squall of anger, she’s an irritating little witch.
***
Savannah was choking.
Her lungs squeezed tight and with terrified eyes she stared up from beneath the water at a hazy figure. It disappeared as she sunk farther beneath the depths, a searing pain gripping her chest, her last thought of Micah.
Her body ceased its struggle and floated lifeless on the water that covered her.
***
Micah loped towards the rear of the house and glanced around. He squinted, spotting something dark out of the corner of his eye. He stared into the pool.
“Shit!” Instantly he dived in, grasping Savannah’s lifeless body in his arms. He swam to the end and hauled her out. Her lips were blue, her skin freezing cold. Laying her flat on her back, he pinched her nose, covered her mouth, and breathed into it. His hands were shaking with fear and he began administering CPR.
“Come on, Anna!” he shouted, pressing against her chest. “Breathe, goddamn it.”
Over and over he repeated the compressions, swearing and praying beneath his breath. She wasn’t leaving him, couldn’t. No way.
Suddenly she began coughing and Micah sucked in a quivering breath, rolling her to her side as a stream of water dribbled from her mouth. He continued tapping her back and holding her.
Never in his life had he been so scared. His hands were still quivering.
“Jesus Christ, Anna, you frightened the hell out of me.”
She turned, gasping huge gluts of oxygen, and suddenly retched, throwing up on him. Her eyes were red and she couldn’t speak. Her head ached and a pain racked her chest. Shivering violently, she vomited again.
Micah tried not to cringe. He could see she was freezing, and scooping up her trembling body, hurried towards the house. She lay weak in his arms, continuing to cough and retch up water. Once in the lobby he keyed in the code. He was about to push open the door when Charu came in.
“What happened?” She stared at the two of them, dripping wet.
“Savannah almost drowned.” He kept his explanation brief, eager as he was to get her stripped out of her soaking clothes. “I’m taking the night off. I’ll be staying with her.” As he pushed towards the stairs, he yelled over his shoulder, “Ring for a doctor.”
Charu nodded, shooting a glare at his departing back. Damn, why did he have to go looking for her? She shook her head in frustration.
Then reluctantly dialled the number.
***
Micah carried her into the bathroom. Flicking the shower on, he quickly tugged off her clothes, along with his own.
“Come on, honey.” He pulled her beneath the steaming shower, his hands rubbing over her skin to get the circulation moving. She was trembling, and Micah wrapped her close to his body. Letting her feed off his heat, he held her, pressing a stream of tiny, petal-soft kisses to the head that rested weakly against his chest.
Gradually her shivering ceased as the heat began to infuse her body.
“I was so scared,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
“Hush, baby, you’re safe now.” The fight he knew was overdue could wait—he was so relieved he’d reached her in time. “But how did you end up in there?”
She gave a loud sniff. “Someone pushed me in.”
Micah froze. “What? Who? Did you see them?” He didn’t like where his thoughts were taking him.
She shook her head, then wished she hadn’t. It hurt, along with everything else. Her throat, stomach, chest … it all ached as if she’d been run over by a steam roller.
Micah flicked the shower off, and clasping a large towel, patted her dry. He noticed she was lethargic, almost dazed. He wasn’t surprised. If he hadn’t gotten to her when he did, she’d be dead. And a shaft of pure pain lanced over him. “Come on, honey, let’s get you into bed. The doctor will be here soon to check you out.” Keeping the towel wrapped around her, he picked her up and carried her to his room.
“I don’t need a medic. I’m fine,” she muttered.
“Like hell you are. I’ll believe his opinion and you will see him, so shut up.” Tempering his frustration and worry with a short smile, he gently placed her on the bed and pulled the sheets up. “I’ll fetch you something to put on.” He rang down to the club to confirm that Charu had called the emergency services and a doctor was on the way. Then he returned to Savannah.
“Honestly, Micah, I’ll be all right,” she groaned as he helped her into a loose T-shirt.
“You’ll do as I say for once in your life.” He closed his eyes, tugging on her panties. He was getting his priorities straight by covering her up.
“Micah, will you do me a favour and put something on?” She couldn’t stop her gaze from wandering to his lazy lob. It wasn’t sexual, far from it, but hell, even now she had to admire his physique.
He looked up in surprise, suddenly realizing he was still naked. He’d been so worried about her he’d forgotten to dress. He quickly shrugged into a pair of jeans.
***
It was passing on to midnight by the time the doctor left after giving her a thorough examination, along with a warning that if she experienced any shortness of breath, he was to rush her to casualty.
Micah shot her a glare, daring her to disagree. Seventy-two hours the doctor had said to monitor her, giving him a prescription for medicine to keep her lungs and blood healthy.
Micah sat down on the bed, which dipped beneath his weight, and took her hand in his. “How are you feeling now?”
She looked up at him, the fear evident in her eyes. “Scared.” She sniffed at the encroaching tears. “Why would someone want to kill me?”
“I don’t know, but from here on in, you don’t leave my side.” He fetched her hand to his mouth, softly kissing her fingers. “No one will hurt you, Anna, I swear.”
Giving him a tremulous smile, she nodded. She trusted him implicitly.
“What happened to the previous owner?” he suddenly asked.
“Don’t know,” she muttered tiredly.
“I’ll ask Charu.” He rose and tugged his jeans off. “In the meantime you need to sleep.” He flicked the light off, and she felt the bed dip again and Micah’s arms encircle her. Pulling her close, he rested his chin on her head. “Sleep, my Anna.”
***
Savannah glared at Micah. For three days she’d been a hostage in his bedroom, her only other contact her brother Cato, who Micah had rung. She’d spent over an hour assuring Cato she was safe.
She threw the quilt back and dared Micah to say a word.
Instead he quietly watched her from across the room. He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him.
Savannah was frustrated, bored, angry, and above all worried that he hadn’t made love to her. Instead he’d held her close. Not even a stirring of a hard-on. She wondered if he was taking a bromide to stop his erections. Heck, one moment he wanted her, and now it was goodbye?
Savannah frowned. It was more than likely he didn’t fancy her anymore. A horrid thought occurred to her. Was he screwing that bitch Charu? He’d locked the door when he was working downstairs at night, visiting her at regular intervals. Then she wondered if he was pissed because she’d thrown up on him when he was doing CPR. Every possibility scrambled through her, and still she couldn’t understand why he hadn’t made love to her.
Hell, it wasn’t her fault she’d been sick. She shot him another vicious glare. “I’ll be gla
d to get out of here.”
“Feel free, now that you’re healthy again.” He hid his relief that she’d gotten past the seventy-two hours without a hitch.
“I will.” Sniffing her armpits, she decided a shower would be her first stop on her release from jail. “You didn’t have to take what the doctor said literally.”
He didn’t answer, merely smiled. A lazy, sexy grin.
Savannah stared at him and wished he wouldn’t do that. Then the suspicion returned. It grew and flourished, nurtured by jealousy. He was sleeping with Charu. That’s why he didn’t want her. Her glare blistered into him.
“I want the door to my bedroom fixed. I’m sleeping there tonight,” she announced.
He merely nodded in acknowledgement and watched her stalk towards the door. Her hand reached out for the handle. She felt his palm cover it. “I’ll fix it, but you know I’ll be sleeping with you.”
Her gaze fired over him. “No, you won’t. You’re screwing Charu; it’s obvious.”
He sucked in an impatient sigh. “How many times do I have to tell you?”
“Well, you haven’t wanted me.”
“Wanted you? Woman, are you crazy? It’s all I’ve thought about.” He threw his hands in the air, frustration flooding through him. “How do you think I’ve felt, holding you sleeping, unable to touch you?”
She hesitated and glanced up at him. “You have? Then why?”
“Why haven’t I made love to you? Because I was scared shitless that you’d have lung complications. I’ve never even heard of secondary drowning.”
She tipped her head to one side. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I spoke to the doctor privately and apparently, after a near drowning, you may feel well but could suffer from a pulmonary oedema.”
“A what?”
“You could drown in your own body fluid,” he supplied.
His words, calmly spoken, stopped her in her tracks. “Shit, that doesn’t sound good.”
He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. “That’s why I’ve been so strict with you. I didn’t want anything bad to happen.”
