Position Secured (4 page)

“It’s okay, Marienna.” He reached down and held the condom as he pulled out. “I’m not expecting anything—”

“No, it’s not that. Not really.” She waited until he tied a knot in the condom and tossed it in the bedside trashcan before rolling against his side. “I want you to stay. I just didn’t know if you’d want to. I mean…” She gathered her thoughts, trying not to sound like a clingy psycho lay. “I don’t want you to think I’m trying to make more of this than you…”

“Marienna, this is all new to me too. I’ve never slept with a stranger.” She tried to hide her relief, but he had to have seen it, because his lips quirked in a smile. “If it’s awkward for you, I can leave. No hard feelings. No regrets.”

“That’s the problem. It should be awkward.” She fanned her fingers over his dark chest hair. “But it isn’t.”

He grinned, a cocky tilt to his lips. “So you’ll let me stay for a while?”

“I thought a guy was supposed to buy a girl dinner before he got in her pants.”

He rolled on top of her, kissing her through his laughter. “It’s too late for that. We’re doing things a little backward.”

She squealed beneath his tickling hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll make dinner, but you owe me dessert.”

“Mmm.” He sent his tongue deep into her mouth, licking her tongue like it was a melting Popsicle. “I know just what I want for dessert.” He pulled her upright and handed her his T-shirt. “Just that. Nothing else.”

She didn’t argue. The fabric held his scent and draped over her skin, brushing her nipples. He nodded his approval, then pulled on his boxers.

She threw together a stir fry. Marc wasn’t much help in the kitchen. He followed her around, kissing her neck, grinding his hips into her ass, and asking, “Can we have dessert yet?” She thought he might lose it when she actually did put a gooey caramel cake in the oven while the water boiled for the rice.

“Smells delicious.” He wrapped her in his arms from behind. She covered his hands with hers and took a moment just to indulge in his presence. This wasn’t going to last. She needed to enjoy it while she could.

By the time they finished eating, side by side, perched on stools at the kitchen island, Mari was squirming with suppressed desire. His not-so-innocent touches and winks were one thing, but the message behind his eyes was another. She’d never met a man who could turn her on with just a look. Her hands even shook when she put the dishes in the dishwasher and brought out the cake.

“It needs to cool.” She threw the potholders on the counter and turned to face him. His eyes had narrowed. No wonder she felt naked. He’d undressed her from across the room. Perhaps the shirt didn’t cover her derriere as well as she thought. Especially when she bent over the open oven door. “You look hungry.”

“I am. Come here.” He gave the empty stool beside him a little pat.

She sauntered around the kitchen counter. She swore she could feel the heat coming off of him the nearer she got to his nearly naked body. She adopted her sassiest tone. “I told you, the cake has to cool.”

“Screw the cake.” He gathered a handful of his T-shirt and dragged her between his knees. Her hands automatically came to rest on his thighs.

“Hmm, that might be interesting.” She grinned.

“We’ll have the cake after dessert.” He deftly reached behind her and lifted her legs over his until she sat on his thighs. She loved how he handled her, without straining or groaning. She might as well weigh ninety pounds. “Your skin is so soft. You feel like warm silk.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been with someone who enjoys my body as much as you do.”

He ran a finger down the crease of her thigh and teased her opening. “Stupid motherfuckers.”

She flushed with pleasure. He wove a web of seduction around her, drawing her closer to him, and she was powerless to resist. By the time their lips met, she already had hers parted, her tongue reaching for his. She nibbled his lips, she licked his teeth and she breathed his breath.

Delicious.

“Thank you for dinner,” he mumbled.

“Time for dessert?”

She held on to his shoulders and hooked her feet around his waist, trying to keep them from toppling, but she didn’t have to worry. Marcus was as solid as a statue, but warm and alive.

He lifted his shirt off her hips and massaged her ass. She shimmied up his lap until her crotch hovered over his. The thin fabric of his boxers tented with his erection, and she ground her hips against it. By circling her hips, she was almost able to create enough friction on her clit. She squeezed her legs around him to get closer.

“Hold on.” He cupped her ass and slid off the stool. Another rush of desire washed over her. Either she’d been dating men who weren’t able to support her weight, or she’d never allowed them to try. But with the amount of muscle that Marc carried around, she wasn’t worried he’d collapse. He didn’t even groan. He just kissed her all the way down the hall and didn’t stop until he deposited her on the bed.

“Take off my shirt.”

She did, stretching her body into a seductive line, purring like a well-fed lioness. He took the T-shirt and shoved his arms into the sleeves.

“What are you doing?” She pushed herself upright.

“I have to go.”

Her heart dropped. She could feel the blood drain from her face. He was leaving? She watched him pull on his pants next, then his communicator, cell phone and wallet were shoved back into his bulky pockets.

He was leaving.

She suddenly felt very naked. She reached for a corner of the sheet and clutched it to her chest.
Snap out of it, Mari, he doesn’t owe you anything.

Already she’d gotten more than she’d bargained for.

“Don’t look at me like that, Marienna. I have to go. I don’t have another condom. There’s a drugstore down the street. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh,” she sighed.
He’s coming back.
“Okay.”

He put one knee on the bed and reached for the sheet in her hand. “And don’t hide from me.” He bared her, his gaze roaming freely. “Ever. I’ll be back in about ten minutes. I expect to find you right here, naked and wet. Got it?”

“No problem, Papi.”

He grinned, then he crawled up to completely cover her. “One more kiss.”

That one kiss turned into five minutes of tongue tangling, and Mari still didn’t want to let him go. Just as she considered telling him to forget the condoms, he backed away.

“Remember what I said. Naked and wet. I’m going to be walking through the drugstore with a hard-on.”

She laughed, then lay on one elbow, trailing the other down to tickle her wet folds. “Hurry.”

He moaned and made it halfway to the door before turning around to retrieve his rifle.

“Don’t come without me.”

Chapter Three

Mari cut herself a slice of gooey caramel cake and, just for good measure, gave it a liberal shot of caramel ice cream topping. She’d dressed in her short pajama set an hour ago. That was after the first hour of lying spread eagle on her bed teasing herself. Once it got dark enough that she had to leave the bed to turn on the overhead light, she realized he wasn’t coming back.

“It doesn’t matter,” she told Chester. “It was a good little fantasy.” She shouldn’t let Chester on the table, but he was just too cute, and she needed the company. She pinched off a piece of the moist cake and laid it by his front paws. Mari licked the sticky caramel from her fingers. “Better than a date with Bob, right?”

Chester looked at her, then returned his attention to the cake. He didn’t understand. How could he? She barely understood the evening herself.

“It’s not like I expected him to move in or anything.” She pointed her fork at her cat. “Just because we had a great time in the sack, that doesn’t mean he’s my soul mate.”

Yes, this was the sour-grapes approach, but it worked for her. If only he hadn’t made it sound like he really was coming back. But he’d been careful to clear out everything that belonged to him. All that was left was the used condom and wrapper in the trash can. Otherwise she might be able to convince herself she’d imagined the whole thing. He could have been honest and said, “Thank you, ma’am”.

“He even took his shirt.” Mari snorted. She squirted more caramel topping on her cake, then added some to Chester’s crumbs. “I liked that shirt.”

The cake was good. Still a little warm.
Serves him right
. She smashed her fork onto one chunk. The crumbs oozed between the tines.

He’d said
screw the cake
. She snorted again.

Chester lifted his head and licked his lips. It was good to have someone on her side.

She poked at the cake. Was it a dream? It started out with her lying in the middle of her bed, and that’s where it ended. Had she shut her eyes and dreamed the whole thing? Hell, if so, she had a great imagination.

And he’d changed her mind about cops. Maybe they weren’t all power hungry assholes. Marc had put her pleasure first, something an arrogant authoritarian never would. He was tender and demanding at the same time. Maybe her mother was on to something.

Her heart pounded at the memory. She couldn’t help but grin. Who needed him? She could relive the whole experience with Bob. She could use this memory for the rest of her life. It’s not like she would forget the texture of his chest hair. Or the spicy musk of his cologne. Most of her friends had their own little one night flings. This wasn’t that different.

Yes, a nice little memory to keep her warm on lonely nights. Wasn’t that just what she needed?

Yes. Exactly. She put the rest of the cake under a plastic bowl and cleaned up her crumbs. Maybe there would be a nice chick flick on the classic movie channel. What better way to end her self-indulgent Friday night?

Feeling rather proud of herself for her new positive attitude, she fairly skipped into the living room.

She’d made it twice through the circuit of channels when her doorknob jiggled.

Marc heard the television from the front stoop. He’d hoped she would be asleep. Or in that big bed, naked and wet. That was hours ago.

She sat in the middle of the couch, a pillow clutched against her chest and a what-the-hell-are-you-doing-here look on her face. Or maybe it was more of a how-the-hell-did-you-get-in-here look. He’d unlocked the door using the set of keys he’d lifted from the chair where her purse had spilled. Had he returned in ten minutes as planned, that little fact wouldn’t be an issue. Now, the theft of her keys wouldn’t help his ass kissing mission. The good thing was, she didn’t look pissed.

“Hey.” He tossed the keys back near her purse, which was still on its side in the chair.

“Hey.”

It was his turn to speak. Now was the time to explain where he’d been. The words he’d scripted on the way faded from his mind, and he could only stare. Two years of Army boot camp, six years of military training, and he was quaking in his boots when faced with this woman. This virtual stranger. She didn’t make a move to leave the couch, and he seemed to be glued to the spot on the carpet. The television blared a laugh track, but he couldn’t say what was on.

He’d never been good with words. Yes, sir, no, ma’am, Alpha confirm. He was used to letting his actions speak for him. He didn’t see a reason to change things now. Marc stuck out his chin and stomped across the room. Good thing he was thinking with his big head. His little one hadn’t evolved from its primitive mating instinct, and his cock jumped to life, making him want to throw her over his shoulder, maybe even drag her down the hallway by her hair to her bedroom and fuck her brains out. Instead, using his slightly more civilized half, he offered her his hand and held in a breath.

She took it, but he didn’t breathe again until she rose to her feet. He didn’t look away from her chocolate eyes as he led her down the hallway. The fact that she followed along so docilely sent even more blood to his loins.

He sat on the edge of the bed, pulled her between his knees and traced each contour of her face. Her skin was soft and smooth. She could be in a skin care commercial. Two plump red lips parted, and her tongue peeked out.

He groaned. “I’m sorry I’m late. It couldn’t be helped.”

She slipped her fingers beneath his shirt and ran both hands up his back. Shit, he must be fevered, because they felt so cool against him.

“I didn’t think you’d be back.”

“I got another call.”

“Everything okay?”

“Take off those clothes and I’ll tell you.”

Marienna stepped back, crossed her arms over her torso and peeled off the tight-fitting tank top. Each inch of creamy mocha skin she revealed sent him one step closer to a lust-induced frenzy. He curled his hands into fists to keep himself from tearing the cloth from her body and mounting her like a wild animal.

He groaned when she revealed two smooth globes of flesh with erect tips poking out toward him. Finally the damn shirt was off. She shook out her hair, tossed the top aside and met his gaze. He loved her curves. The fact that he could handle her without worrying she’d break only ramped up his desire. She was comfortable in her skin. She didn’t try to hide from him, or make excuses for any extra flesh. She stood before him, proudly displayed for his pleasure.

The lust that burned in his gut was reflected in her clear brown eyes. He’d never met a woman who could send him reeling with just a look. He unclenched his hands in order to reach for her and covered each luscious breast. Warm, soft and firm. He circled his palms over her nipples, and her eyes glossed over.

He nodded toward her sleep-shorts. “Those too.”

One quick shove, and he watched the shorts drop to her feet. God damn. Her toes were adorable. Perfectly formed, toenails painted a dark red. Shapely calves, smooth as silk thighs, and then that pussy.

“Fuck.” His heartbeat pounded in his ears. It had been only a few hours since he’d been inside her and his entire body was screaming to get back. “Spread your legs for me.”

She did, taking two steps until her feet were up against the insides of his. Marc released one breast to open her up. Christ, she was wet. He hadn’t even kissed her yet and already she was slick with a thick creamy lube coating her lips. He trailed one finger through her, gathering a drop onto the tip of his finger. He brought it to his mouth, and when he licked it clean, she whimpered. Her need for him made his balls ache.

“You taste damn good, Marienna.”

With another feminine moan, she reached over his shoulders, gathering his T-shirt in her hands. A quick flick and the offending garment was over his head. He pulled his arms free and tossed it aside. He didn’t like having his hands off of her for even that split second. He wanted everything this woman had to give, every secret her curvy body held, every scent, every taste. He focused on her breasts. He’d start right there.

He suckled Marienna’s nipple into his mouth, drawing it as deep as he could without hurting her, but then she leaned closer. She was as hungry for him as he was for her, and it drove him crazy.

“Marc, that’s good…so good,” she panted against his hair.

“Mm hmm,” he agreed. He slid his hands around her back, and pulled her closer. Marc brought one hand back to unbuckle his belt. It seemed to take him longer than usual. He could shoot a target dead center ninety times out of a hundred, but right now he was shaking like a man palsied. Finally, he released his cock from its confines, and he grunted in relief. It throbbed and waved in the air between them. Almost as if it was pulled by an unseen force toward her.

“I’m glad you came back.” Her voice was husky and low.

“I wouldn’t miss dessert.” He released one nipple to latch on to the other. He slid both hands under her ass, separating her cheeks, exposing her heat to the air.

“I want your ass.” He blurted, then cursed.
One sure way to send her running. Damn it, Marc.
“Someday.”

“I’ve never…”

“It’s okay. Maybe someday. Tonight, I want this.” The crease of her ass was warm, directing his fingers from behind and into the heat that called to him. “Damn, Marienna, have you been this wet since I left?”

“No, just since you walked back in.”

“Fuck.” What a sexy woman. Wet and ready, flushed with desire.

“Please.”

“I was going to…ah…tell you where I was…”

“After.”

Thank God. He couldn’t form words anyway. The musk of her arousal wafted to his nostrils, filling his head with everything Marienna. He struggled to kick off his boots. When she squatted down to untie them, he had to look up at the ceiling rather than at her body bent over between his knees. She pulled off one boot, then the other, and he swore his prick was about to explode. He’d just shot a man in the arm after a tense standoff, followed by all the damn paperwork, and he was so ready to lose himself inside her.

She tugged on the cuffs of his pants and pulled them off and away. He scrambled out of his boxers, exposing his hot, rigid flesh to the air-conditioning. He wanted her to touch him, but he knew if she did, he’d probably embarrass himself.

Then she leaned in and kissed the inside of his knee. He fell back, stiff-arming the mattress to keep upright. The plain light fixture in her room started spinning when she dropped cool, moist kisses up the inside of his thigh. Her mouth hovered over his crotch. Holy Mother, she kissed his balls. Her breath stirred his pubes. Hot and moist. Her words were spoken so low, they vibrated against skin stretched so tight and hot, he thought he might combust. Wait. She said something? He finally looked down to see her, one hand on each of his thighs, her face an inch away from his swollen cock and looking right at him.

“What did you say?” The words spilled out of his mouth, making them into one long slurred word.

Her eyes twinkled. “Condoms? Did you bring some?”

He blinked a few times.
Think, Marc. Focus.
“Oh, yeah…yeah. In my pocket.”

She kissed his balls again, this time with a little swipe of her tongue. He sucked air through his clenched teeth. He trained his gaze on the light fixture. If he watched her, on her knees between his and looking up at him with that fire behind her eyes, he’d lose what little control he’d maintained. Another kiss, a press of her parted lips, a swirl of her tongue at the base of his cock. Long, hot, and wet. Her hands gripped his legs, her fingernails dug into his thighs, spreading them apart.

“Marienna…”

“Hmm?”

“I need to be inside you.” He choked out the words.

She kissed the tip of his cock, that same long, slow, French kiss, her tongue teasing the slit. “How do you want me, Lieutenant?”

He loved the way his title sounded coming from her lips. He groaned, but managed to speak fairly clearly. “I want you every way. Right now, face down on the bed.”

She crawled onto the bed, and he took a few deep breaths to control himself before fumbling through his pockets. He rolled on a condom and looked at her. Her ass, so perfectly round and flawless, rose then curved down to her spine. He followed the dip of her backbone and up until he met her eyes. Oh, God, the woman was smiling at him. She enjoyed his appraisal.

“You look so hot.” He let his hands roam over her skin. Soft, warm, and a gorgeous shade of brown. “Beautiful,” he whispered. He moved onto the bed and covered her, his cock wedged between her ass cheeks, his legs lying between hers, and he slid his hands up her arms to weave their fingers together. “I’m about to come and I haven’t even kissed you.”

“Then quit messing around.”

He kissed her through their smiles. The angle was awkward, but she had no problem sucking on his tongue. She tasted sweet, like sweet spices. Caramel. Woman. He stroked inside her mouth,

He hooked his chin on her shoulder and relaxed atop her. Her ass cradled his cock perfectly, gripping him in the warmth. He couldn’t help but send it deeper into the crevice with a long, grinding stroke.

“Spread for me, Marienna. Wide.”

She did, and he adjusted his hips, just enough to position the head of his cock at her entrance. Her heat enfolded him, drawing him in. One quick movement and he slid home.

“Holy Mother.”

“God, yes,” she panted. Her pussy squeezed him. Tight.

He hissed. The need to start pumping inside her was almost too much to resist when every instinct told him to fill her fully, completely. “Do that again.”

He had no idea how she did it, but he swore he felt her muscles grip him in undulating waves from the tip of his prick down to the base and straight to his balls. Like some exotic sex toy from his dreams.

He untangled his fingers from hers to tuck his hands underneath her. Her tits were flattened against the sheet. He held them in his hands, pinching and rolling her nipples until she writhed beneath him. The movement shifted her walls around his erection, but he wasn’t ready to fuck her yet. This felt way too damn good.

He latched on to her neck. The bruise he’d left on her earlier made his blood boil. He soothed the mark with a long kiss, and his cock thickened. She milked him again.