Badass (17 page)

That was too much. “How about if I fix you some lunch at my house and we have a civilized conversation? I don’t think the party is a good idea.”

“I will change your mind.”

“You can try.”

Damn, she was sassy. As she sashayed by him, he reached and grabbed her, pulling her hard against his body for a quick kiss that stole the air from her lungs.

“No fair,” she whimpered. “You know I crave you like chocolate.” Was there any use pretending?

Chuckling, he let her go. “That’s what I’m counting on. Consider that kiss a down-payment on what I plan to collect – later.”

In a daze, she left the church, locking it carefully behind them. He helped her in the van, fastened her seat belt and gave her the tenderest, most luscious kiss she had ever fantasized. Nothing she had ever written in any of her books even came close. He had shut the door and walked off to his truck, starting the engine before she opened her eyes and remembered what planet she was living on. “Wow,” was all she could say as she drove the van to the shop and took time to tell Tricia what was going on. “Remind me to tell you the microphone story.”

“The what story?” Her friend was about to ask questions, but when she looked up and saw Isaac standing in the door waiting for Avery, Trisha pushed her toward him. “I want to hear the story – later. Go.” So, she did.

Isaac’s King Ranch had bench seats, he had led her to the driver’s side door, opened it and before she could squirm, squeal or skedaddle – he had picked her and placed her gently in the seat. And when he had settled behind the wheel, he had instructed, “Sit close, baby. I want to snuggle.” She had hesitated, but when he had curled his big hand around her thigh and pulled her toward him, she had gone. This was going to kill her. So, she had inched up close, trying to keep a little distance. But he had made a game of it, tugging and tickling her till he had her giggling. And when he tucked his fingers underneath her leg, there was no way he could miss how she trembled. “Now, lay your head on my shoulder and let’s talk.” Avery tentatively placed her head on his shoulder and when he turned and kissed her forehead, she couldn’t help it – she wrapped both hands around his muscular arm. This had to be heaven – her death must have been quick and painless.

“Why don’t you already have a date for the party tonight?” Whoops! She hadn’t intended to ask that question; it just popped out on its own.

Isaac didn’t answer right away; instead he took off his Stetson and tossed it in the back seat. She didn’t often see him in a cowboy hat – God, this was a whole new level of sexy. “I can’t do any proper kissing with my hat on. Now, to answer your question – I don’t date much. In case you haven’t heard – my reputation is in sore need of repair.” When he put on his blinker, Avery peeked out of the truck to try and see where they were. They certainly hadn’t made it to her house. As far as she could tell, he had pulled down a side street into somebody’s pasture access road. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you, Avery. Your house is just too damn far.” Parking, he adjusted his seat until it was pushed all the way to the back. “Come here, baby. Straddle me.”

Avery thought about it, but only for a moment. She didn’t understand this – it seemed more like a dream than reality. But she wanted it, God, how she wanted Isaac McCoy. “All right, Isaac. Are you sure I’m not too heavy?” She couldn’t miss the confusion on his face.

“What are you talking about? I am six five and weigh over two seventy-five. Next to me, you’re just a little bit of a thing.”

Facing him, she was partially standing with one knee on the seat, when he took her by the waist and pulled her over him and on top of him. Her legs fit neatly – one by the door and one folded down beside his hip. The really intriguing part was that her pussy fit exactly over the swell in his jeans.

“Now, doesn’t that feel good?”

“Yes,” she sighed. Her body softened and even though there were two layers of material between their bodies – it seemed like she could feel his heat. Avery had to bite her lip to keep from groaning.

“See how good we fit together – like two pieces of a puzzle.” Isaac began rubbing her back and down her arms as if he was gentling a skittish little animal.

“You’re making me crazy,” she admitted. Lord, she couldn’t breathe – there was no way she could draw air in her lungs. This was just insane. Isaac was looking at her so intently, she felt trapped in his gaze. It was wild. There was so much heat and hunger in his eyes. Avery tried to reason this all out, but she couldn’t think straight. All she wanted was to feel his lips on hers one more time. She was tempted to lean forward and just take what she wanted. God, she wanted him so much. “Kiss me now, please. Don’t make me wait.”

Damn! She wanted him enough to ask – that was so hot. With shaking hands, he framed her face. “Look at you,” he whispered. “I don’t know where you came from – heaven, I guess.” Reverently, he kissed her eyelids and her soft, smooth cheeks. And when she turned her mouth and sought his, he thought he would shout from sheer happiness. She fit her mouth over his and the tip of her tongue played along the seam. “Kiss me baby,” he begged and when she opened her mouth to let him in, he thought he would cum in his shorts. God – she was like honey – hot, velvet – the sweetest thing he had ever tasted in his life. A little whimper of need came from her throat and he tightened his arms around her - feasting at her lips, making up for the lost years and the lonely nights and the broken dreams of a lifetime of wanting something he never thought he’d be lucky enough to have.

Isaac bit at her lips, licking them – sucking them – loving the fact that she held nothing back. Sliding his mouth to her cheek, he gasped for breath. “You are a really good kisser,” she whispered and followed him, seeking to meld their mouths back together.

“I’m glad,” he said between kisses. “Can I touch you?” Asking was new to him, but. Isaac didn’t want to do anything to scare this angel. She was breathing so hard, he felt guilty. “Do you feel okay? Do you want to stop?”

“No, please no. Don’t stop. Touch me.” She picked up his hands and put them on her breasts. There was no doubt where she wanted to be touched. Happy to oblige, he cupped her breasts. The first touch was so soft; she pushed her tits into his hands, begging for more.

“Steady, baby. We’ll get there.” He nibbled and sucked at her lips – first the top and then the bottom.

Everything within her wanted to cry out for what she wanted. While Tricia had prepared breakfast this morning, she had made use of her partner’s laptop. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her. Avery wanted to know everything she could about the Dom/sub relationship Isaac had mentioned to her. Now that she knew what turned him on, she ached to know more. What little she had learned affected her in ways she had never expected. Avery wanted to submit. She needed to submit. “Isaac, I need you to . . .” she started to just ask, but would it sound dumb? “Would you let me sub. . .”

The blowing of a car horn startled them both. “Damn.” His cock was so hard, he was afraid it would break off if anything bumped it. “What were you about to say?”

“We need to go, Isaac. That truck wants to drive by us,” She maneuvered herself off of his lap, embarrassed to be caught by the occupants of the other vehicle. Had the proverbial bell saved her?

“I want to know what you were going to say.” He bit out the words as he backed over to one side to let the annoying driver pass.

Her courage had faded fast. Could she ask him to teach her submission? Would that be like asking for a commitment from him? It wasn’t marriage, but it was a type of commitment, nevertheless. Just the thought of her Dad trying to force him to marry her sent a fresh wave of humiliation over her. She’d better give this a little bit more thought. “Nothing important.”

“We’ll talk about it when we get to your house. I won’t forget.” He didn’t sound angry – what he sounded was desperate. And that she didn’t understand. Even though, he held out his hand for her to draw closer, Avery politely turned him down. She had to get a handle on herself before they got to her house. The last thing she needed was to just fall into bed with him without both of them knowing exactly what they were doing. “Sitting over there by yourself isn’t going to solve anything.”

No, but it did help her think. When he pulled into her driveway, she used her garage door opener to let them in. By the time he shut his driver’s side door, she was out of the truck and going in to the kitchen door of her small cottage. “Come in, please,” said the fly to the spider.

“You ought to lock your doors, sweet cheeks. If you don’t, there’s no telling who’ll walk in on you.” She didn’t argue with him. Perhaps he was right. She was too trusting. “I guess it’s a good thing you won’t be living by yourself any longer.” He walked around her little house as if he were looking for something – maybe, he was looking for evidence of the real her. If that were the case, he was out of luck. Her house didn’t hold any secrets; they were all in her heart.

“Stop that, Isaac, I’m not moving in with you,” she had walked into her kitchen and went right to the refrigerator. The cool air felt good to her overheated body. “I don’t have a lot to choose from. Perhaps we should have stopped for take-out.” Inspiration struck, “I know. We’ll have macaroni and cheese. I think I have some canned milk for it. That’s fast and filling.” Hooking her foot under the leg of the kitchen stool, she pulled it over and agilely climbed up and stood on tiptoe, straining to reach the very top shelf.

“Dammit! Avery, what do you think you’re doing?”

Avery jumped at the sudden voice, lost her footing and fell right into Isaac’s arms. “What did you yell at me for? You scared me. I was just trying to reach the box so I could fix you some lunch, you behemoth! I keep it up high, because it’s fattening. I won’t eat it so often if it’s hard to reach. Put me down,” she demanded. Her heart was beating so hard, she was afraid it would pop out of her chest.

He didn’t put her down; instead he backed up and sat down in a dining table chair, with her still in his arms. “Don’t do that. You might fall and hurt yourself, and that won’t ever do. You belong to me. I want to take you home with me. Did you know that?” Isaac spoke so matter-of-factly, that Avery was momentarily at a loss for words. Lord, it felt good to be held close. His chest was so broad and his arms so strong that she felt completely protected and safe from the world. But, she had to keep reminding herself – that was an illusion – Isaac had no real interest in her, he was only feeling guilty for taking her virginity.

Wiggling until he released her, Avery put the width of the room between them. “Please, don’t talk like that. I’m not moving in with you. You know that.” Oh, this was going to be harder than she thought. It was like turning down a huge lottery win after having spent your life savings on the ticket. Isaac could move fast for a big man. Before she knew it she was caught up against him. He held her hands gently behind her back and she was totally at his mercy. Thrills shot through her. She knew what he was doing, this was classic Dom behavior. He made her feel helpless – and helpless before Isaac was heady, indeed. His eyes searched her face, as if for any sign of panic, then he claimed her lips giving her a long, soft, consuming kiss. When he drew back, Avery was dazed with pleasure – eyes closed – and instinctively leaned forward, wanting more.

“Feel, Avery. Feel what I do to you,” he bucked his hips, pressing his cock into her softness. “Feel what you do to me.” Nudging her forward, she couldn’t help but rub her breasts against his chest. Dang, she was like a cat and he was a huge hunk of catnip. Intoxicating.

“Do you know how rare this is? How can we turn our backs on this? I thought you said you loved me.”

Wiggling anew, she tried in vain to get loose. “I was acting crazy. Besides, you don’t love me, Isaac. You are only willing to marry because you feel sorry for me and you think you’ve contributed to my fall from grace.”

Her huffy little speech was pushing her breasts against him and Isaac was having a hard time concentrating. So, he let her go and paced to the other side of the room. It was time to come clean, this was just too important. “You want the truth? I’ve been attracted, infatuated – hell, almost obsessed with you for years.” Avery looked at him with disbelief. “Remember what I said to you in front of the drug store?”

She didn’t believe him. “Yes, but when I came to you at the bar . . .”

With hands on hip, he studied her – weighing his words. “I never said I was smart, in my own stupid way I was trying to protect you.”

“And now that I’ve contaminated myself at the brothel – and thrown myself at you, it’s okay . . ?”

Isaac got right in her face, taking her by the shoulders. “Don’t you dare say a word against yourself – not a word. The only man who has been lucky enough to touch you has been me, and you are exquisite.”

His conviction took her breath away. “So, what are you proposing?”

“I am proposing – that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Not that she was considering it, but she couldn’t help but be curious. It was like a child being let loose in FAO Schwartz. “How would that work – our being married? Would it be a real marriage or just until the hoopla dies down?”

Isaac paused, thinking. What was she saying? Didn’t she want a real marriage? Better focus on the image instead of the physical. “You will be a McCoy. We are involved with all kinds of benevolent organizations – hell; we have a few of our own. You won’t just be a barkeeps wife.”

That just made Avery mad. She pulled out of his arms and put at least three feet between them. It was hard. He was everything she had ever wanted. Being near him like this just made her ache. “But it’s you I wanted – not the McCoy name or the McCoy land or the McCoy money. Wherever you were, whatever you were doing – that’s what I wanted to be a part of – you. And I know all about your benevolent activities – you know that. I was usually right there with you.”

“Wanted?” Past tense? If he hadn’t been so pissed, he would have appreciated the color in her cheeks, the way her nose turned up and how she slung that sexy hair back over one shoulder. Avery was hot – there was just no two ways about it.