C onnor pinched the bridge of his nose and put down the last report in his stack. He checked his watch. He and Kane had been sequestered for the entire afternoon. They’d crawled through the lives of every single person even remotely attached to Lyric or her tour. The problem was, there were more than a few who’d raised serious flags. How they ever got hired in the first place would remain a mystery to Connor. Which further cemented his opinion that Lyric’s entire operation was half-assed and run by morons. He laid aside four profiles that required more than a cursory runthrough. One guy in particular had riled Connor’s what-the-fuck meter. He had priors for assault. There were two restraining orders issued by former girlfriends, and his old man was in jail for domestic violence. Still, Connor had his money on the two fuck-buddy bodyguards. Maybe he was prejudiced against them, given that they’d slept with the woman he was currently sleeping with, but the evidence was stacked against them. They had opportunity and access. What Connor wasn’t sure of, however, was motive. He picked up the phone to call Gray. He and Nathan could do quite a bit of legwork, which would leave Connor to focus his attention on the most important thing: Keeping Lyric safe. “Hey, man,” he said when Gray answered. “Hey, stranger. You’ve survived Lyric, I see.” “She’s not so bad,” he defended, and then winced. He needed to just shut the hell up. “Uh-huh. So what’s up?” Connor relayed the information to Gray, who stopped him so he could take notes. “Can you fax me those reports you have?” he asked after a moment. “I’ll e-mail them to you. Kane has them on his computer.” “Kane?” “He’s heading up the security team Armstrong hired.” “Ah okay. He good?” “Yeah,” Connor said. “Seems on top of things.” “What the ever-loving hell?” Kane said from across the room. “Hang on a second, Gray.” Connor put the phone down to his leg and frowned over at Kane, who was looking out the window. “Something wrong?” Kane turned around, his lips twitching. “Depends on whether you consider a pool full of naked girls a bad thing.” “What?” Connor got up and strode across the room to look down at the pool below. “Oh Christ!” He yanked the phone back up. “Gray, mind telling me what the hell your wife is doing over here? And naked, I might add. For God’s sake, man, she’s my sister! My eyes are burning!” “What the fuck are you talking about? Faith is out shopping with the girls.” “Uh, no. They’re all in Lyric’s pool. Butt-ass naked, I might add.” There was dead silence on the other end. “Look, I got to go. I need to handle this,” Connor said. And before Gray could respond, Connor cut the connection. “Looks like a hell of a party,” Kane murmured. Connor followed Kane’s gaze to the clothing draped from one end of the pool area to the other. Hell, there were panties dangling from the shrubbery. He closed his eyes. “Why me?” “Clearly I don’t have your issues,” Kane said in amusement. “None of them are related to me.” “You just keep your damn eyes to yourself,” Connor growled. “They’re all attached. Very attached.” Kane raised an eyebrow. “Oh? I hadn’t realized Lyric was taken.” “Fuck you,” Connor muttered. He turned and started down the stairs, trying not to focus on the fact that five very naked, very beautiful women were swimming in the pool. Or how the hell he was going to fish them all out. Preferably before their very pissed-off husbands showed up. He found the kitchen in turmoil. Every single one of the kitchen assistants was busting his nuts to be the one taking trays out to the pool. He stopped them with a single glare. They retreated into the kitchen, nearly stumbling in their haste to avoid Connor. He stalked toward the door leading to the patio and pool area. As soon as he opened the door, the air was filled with chatter and laughter. Music reverberated through the air, and to his horror, the girls had taken up a game of volleyball, using an imaginary net. Nothing, however, was imaginary about the way they came out of the water to hit the ball back and forth. He quickly scanned the patio but found only Sam, standing legs apart, arms over chest, his gaze focused on an area much higher than where the girls were swimming. “Anyone mind telling me what the hell is going on here?” he demanded. Five women simultaneously slid under the water until only their noses were visible. “Well hell, don’t hide now. Not like everyone in the house hasn’t seen you by now.” Lyric scowled. “Sam alerts us when anyone steps out of the door. Or he did anyway. Somehow you got by.” “Uh-huh. And the security team, which is charged with your safety, mind you, are all getting an eyeful as we speak since they can’t very well not protect you and watch out for you just because you decided to have a party. Which, I might add, was completely unauthorized, and you were specifically told you couldn’t have company. Nor were you to so much as take a piss without mine or Kane’s knowledge.” Julie giggled. Then Serena joined in. Angelina snickered and Faith sighed. “Okay, okay,” Faith said in resignation. “So he totally does have a stick up his ass.” The four other women burst into laughter. He glared at every one of them, not that it did a damn bit of good. They laughed and kept laughing until tears ran down their cheeks. “I’m glad you find this so damn amusing,” he growled. Lyric swam over to the side of the pool where he stood, and before he could react, she pulled herself out and stood before him, naked as the day she was born, and goddamn if he didn’t react to the sight of her dripping wet, beads of water running over some very strategic areas. Goose bumps immediately dotted her flesh, causing her nipples to tighten as she shivered in front of him. “For God’s sake,” he said hoarsely. “Where are your damn clothes? You’re going to freeze to death.” She stuck out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. “We’re having fun, Connor. The guys are looking out for us, right? What could possibly happen? Are you expecting a team of assassins to swoop in and murder us all in the pool?” “That’s not the point and you know it.” “Look, I didn’t know they were coming, but I wasn’t going to tell them to go away. I enjoy their company. You and Kane were off doing your thing. I was happy to have them over. I like them.” “We like you too, Lyric,” Faith called. She turned and grinned over her shoulder. “And you have a very nice ass,” Julie said solemnly. Connor closed his eyes. “For the love of God...” “If I was a lesbian, I’d totally do you,” Serena offered. Connor sighed. He stared at the women suspiciously. “Just how much have you girls had to drink?” “Uhm, you’ll have to talk to the chef. Or the bartender. Yeah, the cute young guy. He makes the most yummy drinks,” Faith said. Connor rubbed a hand through his hair. He glanced over at Angelina, who was tucked behind a float. “You okay, sweetie? You haven’t been drinking, have you?” She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, for Pete’s sake, Connor. I’m fine.” “Can I get back in now or are you shutting us down?” Lyric asked. “Would you listen if I said no?” he asked dryly. She smiled cheekily. To his surprise she leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him full on the mouth. He was so shocked he just stood there with a blank look on his face as she pulled away. “Probably not.” With that she turned and hopped back into the pool amidst cheers from her very inebriated accomplices. His cell phone rang and with a groan he pulled it out. “Yeah,” he said shortly. “Is my wife over there? And more important, is she naked?” Nathan demanded. “Hell,” Connor muttered. “Get her some damn clothes. I don’t want the whole security team looking at what’s mine.” “Too late.” Nathan cursed. “What the hell are they thinking? Are they crazy?” “You’re asking me?” Connor asked in exasperation. “They’re demented. But they’re not my damn responsibility. Only one woman is. You think I like seeing my sister in the buff? I’m going to have nightmares for a week.” “I heard that!” Faith yelled. “Asshole.” “I’ll kick his ass for you,” Julie said. “You tell Julie to stay her ass in the pool,” Nathan said, overhearing Julie’s exclamation. “Look, I’m not getting into this,” Connor said wearily. “They’re having some kind of goddamn party. Sam is here. I assume he’ll make sure they all get home okay. I’ll drive them myself if I have to.” Before Nathan could argue further, Connor hung up. He surveyed the girls again, glad that dusk was falling and it was more difficult to make out their nudity in the water. But it was also getting cooler and they were just drunk enough not to figure out they risked hypothermia gallivanting around wet and naked. “Let me guess. No one knows where you are.” Serena snapped her lips shut and slowly shook her head. “Nice. Throw me under the bus. Now all your husbands will be pissed at me,” he grumbled. “You need to get that stick out of your ass,” Faith said darkly. He stared at her in surprise. “I’ve defended you long enough. You need to chill the fuck out.” Connor’s eyes widened. “Uhm, Faith? Just how much have you had to drink tonight? I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to be in the pool. It’s too chilly out here. You’re all going to get sick.” “Sam’s acting as our lifeguard,” Julie pointed out. “Besides, the pool is heated. It’s only cold when we get out.” “You need some help, Connor?” Kane asked lazily. Connor turned and fixed Kane with his stare. “I told you to stay inside.” “Yeah, well, you looked like you needed backup.” Amusement was heavy in Kane’s voice. “Uh-oh,” Lyric muttered. “Party’s over. Mr. Makes Connor Look Relaxed is here.” Faith giggled. “Is he that bad? I don’t know, Lyric. He’s cute.” Kane lifted an eyebrow. “Cute? Why do I think I’ve just been relegated to puppy-dog status?” “He’s mean to me,” Lyric said. “Connor isn’t.” Angelina frowned in Kane’s direction. Serena and Julie both crossed their arms over their breasts—thank God—and glared at Kane. “Why are you being mean to Lyric?” Serena demanded. “Want us to kick his ass?” she asked Lyric. Kane laughed softly. “You couldn’t fight your way out of a paper bag in your condition, sweetheart. I’m not mean to Ms. Jones. I just expect her to cooperate with my desire to keep her safe.” “Oh,” Faith said. “Well, that’s different, I guess.” “Now, as much as I’d like to let you ladies continue enjoying yourself in your present state, I’d appreciate it if you could stop giving my men a heart attack and maybe put on some robes if we got you some. We’ll be happy to ensure your safety if you’d like to continue eating or drinking. I’d just like you to be dressed and out of the pool when you do it.” “Oh, he’s good, Lyric,” Serena murmured. “Very smooth.” Kane smiled. “Glad you think so, Mrs. Roche.” At that she frowned. “How do you know who I am?” “It’s my job to know everyone who comes into contact with Ms. Jones.” Faith thrust out her chin. “Just don’t be mean to Lyric. We’ll kick your ass.” Kane chuckled. “I have no doubt you’d try, Mrs. Montgomery.” “Oh, all right. Get us the robes,” Julie grumbled. “But I go on record saying you’re even less fun than Connor.” Kane raised his hand and, a few seconds later, one of his men came out carrying several fluffy robes. Connor took them and then motioned for both Kane and his man to leave. He’d be damned if they saw any of the women naked. He turned back in resignation of the evening ahead. “If I lay these on the table, can I trust you to get out of the pool and into them?” “You know, if you’d just leave, we could enjoy our nekkid swim party,” Lyric grumbled. “I think I’m being reasonable by allowing it to continue and not tossing everyone off the grounds.” Several sounds of exasperation echoed from the water. “I’d like to see you try to toss me anywhere, Connor Malone,” Julie muttered. He grinned. “You know I love you all dearly, but you’re interfering in my job, not to mention I’ll now have to answer to guys I work with as to why I allowed their women to cavort around in the nude.” “Oh, we can handle them,” Faith said with a sniff. “It’s not like we had an orgy or something.” “Though that could be fun,” Lyric added. “I think the only thing I haven’t been accused of is a lesbian orgy. Maybe we should call one of the tabloids.” Connor groaned. “For the love of God. Just get out of the pool and into your robes. I’ll make sure your bartender and the chef supply you with booze and food. If you really want to be good and get dried off and dressed, you can continue this inside where it’s warm.” “Hot chocolate would be nice,” Serena mused. “And it is getting cooler. March is such a screwed-up month. Hot, cold, hot, cold.” Connor closed his eyes and sighed. Any other man would be in heaven surrounded by gorgeous, naked women all slicked down with water and all sporting chill bumps from hell. He, on the other hand, was praying for deliverance and for a little cooperation before all hell broke loose. “Okay, okay, he’s getting that look,” Lyric said. “Let’s get out and get dressed. We’ll take over the living room and kick all the guys out. What time are you guys supposed to be home anyway?” There was a moment of silence and then Faith said, “What time is it?” Connor checked his watch. “Six thirty.” Serena giggled. “I think we said we’d be home by five. Oops.” “Mr. Roche is aware of your delay,” Sam said calmly. “It would appear that Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Tucker are as well,” Faith said on a laugh. “Which only leaves Micah. Angelina? Are you going to call him?” Angelina shook her head. “Huh-uh. I’m still riding the marriage card. He’s so happy I said yes, he can’t possibly get pissed at me.” “You know, I’m starting to feel real sorry for the guys,” Connor said. Lyric climbed the steps from the pool and it took all his discipline not to stare. She walked over and snagged one of the robes and wrapped it around her shivering body. Hell, he wanted to wrap himself around her until she was warm and soft against him. “Trust the guys to stick together,” she drawled. “Come on, girls. Let’s take this party inside.” Connor whirled around and strode to the door before the other women took their exit from the pool. Their laughter followed him all the way inside. CHAPTER 24
C onnor and Kane got Julie, Angelina, Serena and Faith into the car while Lyric watched from the front door. As they drove away, Lyric waved. Connor and Kane walked back to the door and Connor looked harassed. His cell phone rang and he jammed his hand into his pocket to silence it. “Get some damn clothes on,” he said under his breath when he walked by her into the house. She tugged the robe tighter around her and grinned. “I’m perfectly covered!” “Yeah, but I know your naked underneath that robe and so does everyone else. For God’s sake show a little mercy here.” “Okay, okay. I’ll go up.” She hesitated a moment and then looked at both Connor and Kane. “Are you guys going to be around for a bit?” Kane looked curiously at her. “If you need us to be.” “I won’t be but a minute upstairs. I’d like... I’d like to talk to you when I get back down if you have the time.” “Of course I have time.” She glanced at Connor and he nodded, his eyes never leaving her face. She smiled. “Okay, I’ll be right back down.” “Want some more hot chocolate?” Connor asked gruffly. “Yeah. That would be nice. Thanks.” She skipped up the stairs, bobbled a bit, then clung tightly to the railing. She’d sort of forgotten how much she’d had to drink and, as a former nondrinker, she’d discovered she was a lightweight when it came to alcohol. After steadying herself a moment, she continued up the stairs and into the bedroom. Deciding to take a quick shower to take care of the pool hair, she hopped in and out, threw a towel around her head and quickly dressed. She combed her hair down and left it wet before heading back down the stairs feeling a good bit more sober than she had fifteen minutes ago. She found Kane and Connor in the living room sprawled on the couches. Connor looked tired and she almost giggled when he reached into his pocket to silence yet another call. Between her manager, her label and the girls’ husbands, Connor was getting it from all corners. “Feel better?” Kane asked when he looked up and saw her. “I didn’t feel bad before,” she said with a grin. “Today has been... liberating. Fun.” Connor leaned forward and picked up a steaming mug of hot chocolate. He held it up but didn’t make a move to bring it over. He was enticing her to come to him. Once she caught a whiff of the decadent aroma, he didn’t have to do much to get her to do his bidding. She went over, took the cup from him and then sat forward on the couch next to him, cradling the warm mug in her palms. Connor’s hand immediately went to her back, stroking up and down. She drew comfort from that gesture. She loved him touching her. She was so contented right now that she could curl into his arms like a satisfied kitten and purr endlessly. “What’s on your mind?” Kane asked. She pulled the mug away and held it on her lap. She pursed her lips a moment trying to formulate her thoughts. This was new territory for her. For so long she’d relied on others around her, her management team, her record label, her security, her handlers, to make decisions for her. Her motto was show up, do what she needed to do and then move on to the next show and do it all over again. Firing Paul had been huge for her. She doubted even Connor knew just what a momentous step it was. It had been a much-needed slap in the face. A wake-up call that her life was out of control because she’d allowed it to be so. “I’m ready to make some changes.” She swallowed. It took all her courage to say the next. “I’m a little afraid. I would like your help.” Connor’s hand stilled on her back, then slid up to her nape and squeezed reassuringly. “Okay,” Kane said. “I don’t want my label to hire a new security firm.” Kane frowned. She turned slightly to see the same frown on Connor’s face. “What I mean is that I don’t want Phillip to choose. He means well. I have no doubt that he has my best interests and my safety in mind. He’ll hire competent people. But I think I should be the one who decides who holds my safety in their hands.” She sucked in another deep breath, gripped the mug a little tighter and then glanced up at Kane. “Would your firm be willing to take over my security while I’m on the road?” Kane didn’t respond right away. He glanced at Connor, then back at Lyric. “I understand if you’re not set up to travel. It’s just that I...” She wrinkled her nose. “I trust your team more than some random firm that Phillip hires. I don’t know them. I know you... now.” “I’m sure something could be worked out,” Kane said slowly. “But you need to consider whether this is going to cause you trouble with your label.” “I’m going to tell Phillip that from now on I’m going to have a more active part in my career. To be honest, I think he’ll be relieved and more than willing for me to take the reins.” Connor’s thumb tightened at her neck. He ran his other hand over her arm and squeezed lightly in approval. Kane’s eyes glinted and then he smiled. “I think I may have misjudged you, Ms. Jones.” “Oh please, call me Lyric. Ms. Jones sounds so stuffy.” “All right, Lyric. The problem is that I can’t assemble a team as soon as two weeks. Less than two weeks now. I’ll need to handpick men for the detail and I’ll want to oversee the operation for the first little while until I’m satisfied that everything is progressing well. If you want the best, it’ll take time.” “I don’t go back on tour right away. I’ll be in the studio recording for a bit. I also have a few appearances but they could be cancelled. My tour picks up in six weeks. Runs for two months and then I have a break at which time I’ll finish recording the next album. Would that give you enough time?” “I think you need to decide if you can afford me first,” Kane said. She laughed. “If I want the best, I have to be prepared to pay for it, right?” “Then the first thing you need to do is ask for a bid. You’ll want to know everything I can do for you and you’ll want to know how much it’ll cost you. I’ll want complete control over picking the men for the detail, and each one will be screened personally by me.” She nodded. “How soon can you get that to me?” Kane smiled. “Now we’re talking. You catch on quick.” She turned to Connor and slipped her hand into his. “I know I probably shouldn’t ask this. But again, I’m a little nervous. I don’t think it will be a problem. But...” “Just ask, baby,” he said softly. “I want to fire R.J. and Trent. Buy them out. Whatever. The problems are that I’m not sure what, if any, out I have in the contract, and they’re supposed to come in for the rodeo performance. They aren’t going to take it well. I’ve allowed them far too much latitude in their job. My fault, but there you have it.” He put a finger to her mouth. “I’ll take care of it.” She breathed out a sigh of relief. “Any other earth-shattering changes you’re contemplating?” She pressed her lips together and scrunched her brows. “I want to go whole hog. I’ve surrounded myself with people I don’t trust, who don’t care about me, have no investment in me beyond the paycheck I provide them. I know it sounds hypocritical. They don’t owe me anything other than to do the job they’re paid to do just like I don’t owe them anything beyond that paycheck. But I don’t want it to be that way. I want... I need a change. I don’t like my life very much.” “Then do it,” Connor said. “If anyone can turn things around, it’s you. I don’t think there’s a person in the world who can run over you unless you let them.” A smile twitched at her lips. “Yeah, I am a good bitch on wheels when given the right motivation.” Kane chuckled and she turned quickly back to glare at him. “You are not to agree with that statement.” He held up his hands in surrender. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing. It’s never too late to regain control over your career. And your life.” “I can’t wait to see what the tabloids do with all of this when it gets out,” she said wryly. “They’ll have a field day. It’ll likely be reported that I’ve checked into the funny farm.” “Fuck ’em,” Connor said. “You’ll know the truth. The people who care about you will know the truth. That’s all that matters.” “And who are the people who care about me?” she asked softly. He looked straight into her eyes. Then he reached out and touched her cheek, just one gentle brush with his fingertip. “I do.” CHAPTER 25
C onnor returned from taking the cups to the kitchen and saw that Lyric had fallen asleep on the couch. Not that it surprised him. She’d been bobbing and weaving for over an hour as she sat and talked to him and Kane. It was obvious she had no desire to go up to her room. Alone. She’d clung to their company until fatigue had overcome her. “Want me to get her a blanket?” Kane asked. Connor shook his head. “I’ll take her up. She’ll be more comfortable in her bed.” “I’m going to turn in then. See you tomorrow.” Kane walked quietly out of the living room and Connor stared down at Lyric, who was curled against the end of the couch, her head on the arm rest. He reached down and touched a strand of her hair that had fallen over her eyes and gently pushed it back. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you,” he murmured. “Just when I think I’ve got you all figured out, you manage to surprise me all over again. I wonder sometimes if you even know who you are.” He leaned down and slid his arms underneath her curled-up body and hoisted her up. She stirred and made a murmur of protest and then promptly cuddled into his chest. He liked the way she felt in his arms. All soft and snuggly, her head tucked underneath his chin like she was made to go there. Slowly he navigated the stairs and headed into her bedroom, where he deposited her onto the bed. She yawned and then her eyelids fluttered open and she blinked up at him. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “You going to be okay?” As he drew away, uncertainty, and a little fear, flashed in her eyes. She was clearly torn between wanting him to go and not wanting to be alone. He wasn’t going to push her. She had to make the choice herself, even if he had no desire to go anywhere. There was something infinitely fragile about Lyric. Behind the badass persona was a fascinating mix of fear and insecurity that he still hadn’t been able to discern the reason for. “Stay,” she said. Her gaze traveled over his face and he saw a hint of uncertainty. “I mean, I’d like you to stay. If you want...” He bent down and shushed her with a kiss. He was purposely tender, allowing his mouth to melt over hers. “I want. I want very much. How about we get more comfortable and get into bed.” It hadn’t been his plan to make love to her, but he’d gone instantly hard the moment she’d given him that sleepy, seductive look. She rolled to the side of the bed and rose. He watched in the low light as she began undressing. She pulled her shirt over her head and then peeled down her jeans until she was clad in only her bra and panties. It was a sight to make a red-blooded man get a raging case of lust. Jet-black and lacy. Ultrafeminine but it also screamed “Bad girl gonna rock your world.” When she turned, he could see the mounds of her breasts pushed up to their best advantage, and the slightest hint of a peach-colored nipple peeked from above the cup. As if he weren’t even there, she stretched lazily and then pushed the frothy lace from her body. As soon as she was naked, she crawled onto the bed and stretched out on her side, her vivid blue eyes trained on him as if telling him it was his turn. He wondered if she knew what a provocative image she posed. Probably. She was likely grinning like a maniac on the inside because he was standing here with a bulge at his crotch that would make taking his jeans off painful and damn difficult. When she shifted restlessly and slipped her fingers between her legs to delve into those soft folds, he lost what little patience he thought he was holding. He yanked his shirt off and then fumbled with his pants. The condoms were where he’d left them—thank God—and he reached for one of the packets on the nightstand while he unzipped his jeans with the other. She continued to stroke herself and made soft little sounds of pleasure that drove him insane. He itched from the inside out, like he’d been invaded by a thousand bugs. He finally managed to get his pants and underwear off and he had to work at getting the condom on. He was so hard, the latex stretched tight over his aching erection until he worried he’d split the damn thing. He strode to the bed and she gave him an innocent little smile that told him she knew precisely how naughty she was being. He reached for her ankles, yanked her around and then pulled her to the end of the bed. He spread her thighs, held them wide apart and then stroked inside her with one forceful thrust. Her pussy rippled over his flesh, hugging, fighting, sucking him deeper. His entire body went so taut he was going to get a frigging cramp. But damn, she felt good. So good. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, determined not to come. He was close. After one thrust he was fighting off his release with everything he had. He leaned down and kissed the valley between her breasts as he pulsed inside her, dying to move, dying to thrust hard and long until she begged him to stop. Drawn to the plump swells of her breasts, he slid his tongue over the underside and then up over her nipple. A spasm rolled through her body and her pussy contracted around him in little, fluttery pulses that damn near made his eyes roll back in his head. He nipped at the taut peak and then sucked it strongly between his teeth. She flinched and moved restlessly beneath him and then finally dug her fingers into his shoulders and lifted her hips. “Please, Connor,” she gasped. “Move. Fuck me. Do something.” “Christ,” he muttered. “I’m going to come, baby. Give me just a minute to calm down. I want to make this good for you, not get inside you and be done within two minutes.” She laughed softly and stroked her hands over his back, up the column of his neck and then into his hair. She was everywhere, touching, caressing. She curled her legs around his waist and arched into him, trying to get him deeper. As if that were possible. He was already balls deep, pressed so tight against her ass that it would take a crowbar to separate them. “Relax,” he whispered. “I’ll make it good for you. Let me love you. Let me show you how good it can be with someone who cares for you.” She went so still that he worried he’d crossed some invisible line. She looked—for lack of a better word—lost. Worried he’d lose her, he kissed a line to her jaw and then nibbled over to her lips before sealing his mouth over hers. He was consumed by her. He had to be careful or he’d devour her. He had to pace himself and measure his kisses. She just tasted so good that he lacked control. Raising his hands to frame her face, he pulled back just an inch or so and then thrust again as he claimed her mouth once more. Their tongues slipped over each other, exploring and tasting. He began moving, withdrawing and thrusting, slowly at first and then harder and faster as he finally managed to leash the raging caveman inside who just wanted to claim his woman, mark her and slake his lust endlessly. Oh yeah, he could do this all night. Touching her. Tasting her. Getting so deep inside her that she couldn’t shake him. He wanted her to believe in him. He wanted her to trust him. He wanted a lot of damn things. He wanted to wrap himself around her so tight that nothing or no one could ever get to her or hurt her. He wanted to be her refuge. His mouth slipped from hers and glanced over her cheek to her ear and then down her neck, kissing and sucking. He hadn’t given her any sort of foreplay but he couldn’t even muster the regret he should. She’d been sleek and ready for him. Hot and damp. So fucking tight that he thought he’d die getting inside her. “Connor,” she whispered. “I’m close. I can’t hold back.” He closed his eyes. Damn, but he didn’t deserve this. He hadn’t done anything to ensure her pleasure. He’d gone after her like a rutting pig. Pinned her to the mattress and held her down while he got inside her. It took everything he had, but he pulled out of her. His cock screamed hell no. She let out a whimper of protest. He kissed her belly and then dropped to his knees between her thighs. He was determined to make her feel every bit as good as he did. Her pussy was swollen from his invasion. The soft pink lips were spread and her opening was red and distended from his size. Damn, but she was sexy. He pressed his mouth to the opening. She flinched and let out a sharp cry of pleasure. Then he swept his tongue over and then pushed in until he tasted the very heart of her. She went satiny sweet in his mouth. Like liquid silk. Her legs came up and looped over his shoulders, squeezing his head and holding it in place. She pulsed against his mouth. Shudder after shudder rolled through her body. She lifted her hips but he grasped them and held them in place for his seeking mouth. He tongued her clit, rolling the tip in a tight circle and then sucking softly at the quivering peak. She was as tight as a bow at full draw, her thighs rigid on his shoulders. “Connor,” she said softly. So sweetly it was like music over his ears. “Connor,” she said again on a sigh. He rose and stared down at her half-lidded eyes, glazed with passion and yearning. She was sprawled out like a feast before him and he ate her with his eyes. Then he reached and flipped her over until she was facedown on the mattress. She turned her head so that her cheek rested against the mattress and she closed her eyes as if anticipating where he’d take her next. He cupped her plump behind and kneaded the soft flesh, pushing and spreading so that her pussy was bared. He pulled until she was bent over the edge and then he pushed into her from behind, his abdomen pressing into her as he stroked deep. Man, he loved her like this. His hands left her ass and smoothed up her delicate spine to her shoulders, and then he gripped her neck and thrust again, pulling her to meet his forceful thrusts. He leaned down until his body was completely covering hers. Protecting. Sheltering. Completely blanketing her. Then he began fucking in and out, the sounds of his hips slapping against her ass rising in the silent room. She moaned and stretched her arms out above her head as if surrendering completely to his dominance. He nipped at her shoulder, lightly at first and then harder. He wanted to own her. He wanted to put his mark on her, to let her know she belonged to him. No one else. No other man would touch her. No other man would possess what he considered his. She may not know it yet, but he was it for her. It was going to require patience. He was a patient guy when the reward was high. She was going to be the biggest challenge of his life, but he was up to it. He wasn’t going to fail. She was his. He lowered his body until his chest was flush with her back. She was cupped perfectly to him and he moved both their bodies as he stroked in and out in long, lazy thrusts. Over and over he made his point, driving her so close to orgasm and then stilling as she moved restlessly beneath him, trying to make him take her over the edge. He waited and then began all over again, pushing into her, feeling the exquisite sensation of her pussy clutching at him. “You’re mine, Lyric,” he whispered next to her ear. And then he thrust hard and deep and began pumping against her with renewed urgency. He planted his palms on either side of her and levered himself up so that he could power more forcefully into her. She cried out and went slick around him so that he glided with ease so deep, into the very heart of her. Faster. Harder. Mindlessly he kept thrusting, even when her entire body went rigid and his name spilled from her lips over and over. He chased one orgasm from her and went after another. Relentless. Wanting her to know who she belonged to. Who commanded her body and her pleasure. She begged and pleaded. More. Stop. Don’t stop. Oh God. Again. “Connor!” Her fingers curled into fists above her, and she raised her head and pushed back against him as another orgasm raced through her body, igniting fire within him. “Oh God, I’m coming. Baby. You feel so good. Come with me, Lyric.” He swelled within her, so tight he could barely move even after she’d come twice and her moisture bathed him. He withdrew and rolled her over roughly, spreading her legs and mounting her again, this time face-to-face. He wanted to see her. He wanted to drown in her eyes while he finally came. He plunged deep. Withdrew and then plunged one last time. She wrapped herself around him. Arms, legs. She raised her head and buried it in his neck. He came apart. It was the most gut-wrenching orgasm of his life. He couldn’t be still. He kept thrusting and thrusting, like he was about to come out of his skin. He came and came, and he worried about the condom but he couldn’t stop. She held him, stroking her hands over his back, clutching at him with her legs, pulling him deeper until there was no separation between them. He slumped down over her, embedded deeply in her pussy as the last of his release tore from his body. He sucked in deep breaths. His entire body shook. He couldn’t catch up. Couldn’t process the magnitude of what he’d just felt. It was earth-shattering. Weren’t women supposed to be the ones who came undone during sex? He’d never felt so damn vulnerable in his life. Knowing he couldn’t stay inside her after coming so violently, he groaned and rolled to the side, still holding her tightly against him. He eased out of her, hoping like hell the condom wasn’t already leaking. Then he reached down and pulled it off. He leaned back and aimed for the garbage can but he didn’t give a shit if it made it or not. He’d clean it up later. Right now he didn’t want to separate himself from Lyric even for the two seconds it would take to dispose of the rubber. She trembled against him and was so quiet, it worried him. What was he supposed to say after something like this? What was there to say? He’d scare the shit out of her if he spouted what he was thinking or feeling. Hell, any woman would waste no time getting the hell away if he told her that he wanted to tie her to him for the next year and never let her out of bed. Sex made a man crazy. There was no other explanation for it. No, it wasn’t sex. And maybe that was the problem. He knew it went far deeper than that. It hadn’t been sex even that first time. He knew it. He accepted it. He just didn’t know what the hell he was supposed to do about it. Worse, he had no idea how to handle Lyric. He couldn’t afford to fuck this up. One wrong word and the walls would go up and he’d be frozen out. How the hell was a man ever supposed to know the right thing to say or do at precisely the right time? It was a wonder relationships ever worked. Relationship. Hell. He was getting way too far ahead of himself. He was thinking too much. You weren’t supposed to think after mind-blowing sex. That was his problem. He was getting all analytical—and, God help him, all touchy-feely—when he needed to just enjoy the moment and take things as they came. Weren’t women supposed to be the emotional creatures who couldn’t separate sex from love? He was fucked. So fucked. He glanced down to see her eyes closed and her chest rising and falling as she cuddled against him. With a resigned sigh, he made the mental effort to shut his brain off. One should never make life-altering decisions when holding a naked woman in his arms. For a long moment they lay there, silent and unmoving. He was about to drift into sleep himself, content that she hadn’t hauled ass, when she stirred against him and started to push away. The alarm went off in his brain as she started to roll. He reached for her but she slipped from his grasp. “I need to go to the bathroom,” she whispered, just as she’d done the first night they’d made love. And he knew, just as he’d known then, that she wouldn’t be back. CHAPTER 26
