"I didn"t for a long time. I still don"t about some things." Like his chances with a girl like her. He flexed his fingers on her a.s.s. "But I still have my hand. And I have my life. And I can hold you."
They lay silently for several minutes, chest to chest, two souls meshing. Despite his hold on her rear and their nudity, there wasn"t an overt s.e.xuality to the moment. They comforted one another, though he wasn"t sure yet what had traumatized her. They accepted each other.
Rayna shifted upward and threaded her fingers through his hair. She kissed him hard. "And you can f.u.c.k me. You better," she threatened good-naturedly.
Rolling, he trapped her beneath him. Her legs bracketed his hips. He flexed into her, wishing he"d already removed his pants. "Or else what?" he asked.
"Or I"ll...I"ll march over to the garage, just like this, and start handing out kisses to any man I see."
"Oh no you won"t." He kissed her hard, grinding into her until she writhed and moaned. Wriggling beneath him, she removed her panties while he opened the front closure of her bra. His breath caught as her small, perfect b.r.e.a.s.t.s fell free. "So beautiful," he murmured.
She trembled as he ran his thumb over one tip then took the peak between his lips. He sucked deep until she cried out and shook. Her fingers bit into his upper arms, but that was pure bliss in itself, for he knew the pain was due to her own pleasure.
"Oh yes, Jamie," she moaned. Her p.u.s.s.y flooded as she moved beneath him. She wanted the hard proof of his desire plunging into her. She pushed up into his mouth as his tongue lashed over her nipple, each pa.s.s making her c.u.n.t clench with the need to be filled by him.
His satyr smile edged up her desire even more as he slid her bra along her arms. With a wicked grin, he tied it around her wrists then re-clasped it around one of the bra.s.s rungs of the bed.
"No fair," she protested even though being tied up for him made her so hot she could barely think.
"Life"s not fair, sweetness," he growled, his brogue now almost as thick as the one Patrick had put on yesterday. G.o.d, she loved the accent on him. "And now you"re all mine. At my mercy."
She pulled at her wrists, not really trying to get free. "I was all yours before."
"Perhaps you should know," he said. "I have a penchant for tyin" up my woman."
At the moment, she had a penchant for being tied up by him. Who would have known? She"d never been tied up before, and her body had never responded so strongly to a man before either. Danger lurked inside him-nothing that would physically harm her. No, it was something that could possess her soul.
"I think you should have a penchant for removing your pants," she said.
"In time," he promised. Taking his time, he molded her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His fingers pulled the nipples, pinching and twisting to bring her the slightest pain but great bolts of pleasure. Her body vibrated with it, her pulse pounding, her blood burning. Her p.u.s.s.y was so wet, she knew his c.o.c.k had to be damp with it even through his pants.
"More," she whispered, breathing heavily.
Ignoring her plea, he abandoned her chest to move downward. His breath was hot on her as his thumbs caught her l.a.b.i.a and spread her wide. She screeched as he licked the length of her. She whimpered against the intense laps over and over as he took his time tasting her, dipping inside her channel-barely-and circling her c.l.i.t. When his lips closed on the needy bud, sucking hard, her hips jerked from the bed. Release rocketed through her.
"Jamie," she screamed. On and on it went as he suckled ruthlessly on the tiny nub. "Jamie, oh G.o.d, please Jamie," she begged. The clasp of her bra rasped on the bra.s.s post that held her as she struggled under her desire. But he wasn"t ready to let up on the tension coiling inside her. Two fingers thrust inside her quivering pa.s.sage as he nipped at her c.l.i.t. He rose over her, his fingers never relenting, and made tiny bites up her belly to her breast where his teeth sc.r.a.pped over one tip.
She bucked against him, needing him and crying out when his hand disappeared from her c.u.n.t. A moment later, she groaned in relief as his c.o.c.k lined up with her opening. Her legs wrapped around him, urging him forward and she felt the fabric of his pants against her thighs. He"d opened his trousers and pushed them down just enough to free himself. Before she could think on it, he surged forward filling her with his thickness and stretching her pa.s.sage. He didn"t pause for her to adjust-she didn"t want him, too.
Staring into her face with rigid determination in his green eyes, he pistoned in and out of her and claimed her as no one ever had. It didn"t matter who she"d f.u.c.ked before or who she might after, he was making her his. And she gave herself over to him, glorying in the feel of his possession and the rawness of being bound while he wasn"t fully undressed.
Her climax clawed up on her fast. She arched off the bed and pressed into him as hard as she could, taking him deeply as she could.
"Oh G.o.d, Rayna," he gasped, still driving forward. "So tight... Yes, sweetness..."
He stiffened, and she felt his release pour into her. The heat seemed to flood through her. She groaned, having an overwhelming sense of closeness to him. His head dropped to her shoulder, and he reached up, freeing her. She hugged him, the closeness morphing to protectiveness as he breathed heavily. Her hand smoothed over his back, each ridge of damaged flesh piercing her. She prayed nothing would hurt this man again.
Rising on his elbows, he looked down at her. Gently, he pushed tendrils of hair from her damp face. "Thank you, Rayna."
She shook her head, smiling and unable to believe he was thanking her. She had no words. Instead, she pulled him down into a kiss she hoped would show exactly what he meant to her.
Chapter Four
"Kelsey, oh thank G.o.d," Rayna said as she dusted the newly cleaned living room and held the O"Keefes" phone between her shoulder and her ear. "Antonio messed with my accounts. Can you please please look and see what he did?" look and see what he did?"
Her friend Kelsey worked at Vangaard Federal where Rayna had her accounts. Rayna"s ex, Antonio, was employed there as well, though at a higher level. Now, Kelsey babbled in Rayna"s ear about everything that had happened since Rayna had left town while Rayna finished dusting and moved into the dining room. When she could fit in a word, Rayna brought her friend up to speed on what was happening-minus the s.e.x.
Through an open door, she could see Jamie working on a computer in the small office beside the kitchen. She had no idea what he was working on. It wasn"t garage paperwork. He"s explained earlier that he went over to the shop and worked on the books a few times a week.
He looked up and smiled, creating a flutter in her belly. They"d made love again after the first time and hadn"t gotten out of bed until nearly noon.
It wasn"t until afterward that Rayna had realized they hadn"t used a condom. She"d been so caught up with him that she hadn"t considered it. At the moment, she couldn"t bring herself to be all that concerned over the oversight. Jamie a.s.sure her he was disease-free and it wasn"t her fertile time of month-not that that was foolproof. She"d deal with that later if need be. Right now, all her muddled brain kept circling to was her next time with him.
"Oh, I see what he did," Kelsey finally said. "He blocked access to your account by marking your cards stolen. I don"t have the access to fix it. I can report the misinformation, but that will leave you without funds for days still. I can also issue you new cards and have them delivered to you."
"That"s fine. As long as I have them in a few days..."
"He"s been by every day, you know. Fishing for information. I won"t tell him anything. Don"t worry."
Anger knotted the muscles across her shoulders, and she tossed her dust rag on the dining room table."It doesn"t matter what he knows. I"m not going back to him. You"d think after eight months he"d get the hint."
She heard Kelsey sigh on the other end of the line. "I still think he"s dangerous. I"m going to bury your contact information so he doesn"t find it until you"re out of there."
Rayna doubted that would work, but didn"t say anything. She didn"t know how the Vangaard computer records worked. After finishing with her friend, she hung up then carefully set the phone on the table though the ire tearing through her demanded a good slam. Seething, she stared at the far wall.
How dare that man? How dare he! Trying to control her life, trying to manipulate her into doing exactly what he wanted. He"d seemed so nice when they"d first dated and even until when they"d first gotten engaged. Then he"d changed. She didn"t doubt he"d try to track her down, that he"d manhandle her again. And what then? He"d start smacking her around once more? She hadn"t taken it before. She wouldn"t take it now. But the thought of facing him- "I"m going for a walk," she said. "I need to stop at the store and get some b.u.t.ter."
"Rayna," Jamie called, concern lacing his tone. She heard his chair roll back as he got up, but she was already out the door.
Last night"s rain had tapered to a misty drizzle that clung to her hair as she hurried down the driveway and onto the sidewalk. Leena"s store wasn"t far enough for Rayna to vent her anger, she decided as she jammed her hands into her pockets. Perhaps she"d walked to the edge of town and circle back.
"Rayna!" Jamie called again, and she heard his slightly unsteady gait as he came down the steps. She turned as he approached.
"I need to walk," she said.
Nodding, he settled a large jacket around her shoulders. His, she decided as his masculine scent rose from the fabric. He flicked open an umbrella to cover them. "I"ll walk with you."
"You don"t understand..." she murmured, turning into him and resting her forehead against his chest.
His arms came around her. "I understand that someone"s hurt you, and you"re p.i.s.sed. I heard you say you weren"t going back to him. Are you...married?"
"No, thank heavens. We were engaged when he started showing his true colors. I broke it off, but he"s been stalking me and occasionally getting violent. After the last time, the cops tossed him in jail for the night, and I took off. And right now, I"m ticked off that he had the b.a.l.l.s to get my cell phone shut off and mess with my bank account."
She felt rather than heard his growl as his arms grew hard around her. She looked into his stony countenance. His jaw locked, and he appeared as if he wanted to say something. Instead, his free hand took hers.
Slowly, they made their way toward Leena"s. Neither spoke, their silence a balm to her overwrought nerves. At the store, he kissed her tenderly.
"He"s not going to touch you while you"re here," Jamie promised.
She nodded, desperately hoping Antonio wouldn"t try to follow her. She didn"t want Jamie fighting him. And she had no doubt Jamie would.
"I"ll be on my way to Oregon before he figures out where I am," she said.
Again, Jamie"s lips pressed together as if he wanted to say something. She was quickly getting the feeling he held in comments when he disagreed or had something unpopular to say.
"Jamie...what-"
"I"ll be over at the garage," he interrupted. "Come over when you"re done here." He grinned then gave her a quick kiss and headed across the street, leaving her with the umbrella. Perplexed, she watched him go. His solid form, only amplified by his limp, endeared her and screamed how strong he was. For an instant, she wished she wouldn"t be leaving here so soon, that she could stay and peel away all the layers that comprised Jamie O"Keefe, enigma.
Leena opened the door behind her. "Get in here out of the rain, you. And what have you done done to Jamie O"Keefe? I haven"t seen that man smile in three years. In fact, I"ve barely seen him in three years. He either stays at home or huddles inside his hoodie. I swear sometimes it"s as if he believes he"s Quasimodo. People around here won"t love him less for a few scars." to Jamie O"Keefe? I haven"t seen that man smile in three years. In fact, I"ve barely seen him in three years. He either stays at home or huddles inside his hoodie. I swear sometimes it"s as if he believes he"s Quasimodo. People around here won"t love him less for a few scars."
Rayna shrugged with a self-conscious smile and closed the umbrella. It was more than a few scars, but they didn"t matter to her. "He"s a nice guy. I like him."
The other woman led her to the counter. "I think you more than like him," she laughed. "Coffee? I can do the fancy stuff like Starbucks. It was one of my conditions for moving here-not that not getting the equipment would have been a deal breaker, but don"t tell my guys."
"My lips are sealed," Rayna laughed, glancing at the syrup rack behind the counter. "I"d love a peppermint mocha."
"Coming right up. You sit yourself down right there, and we"ll talk about Daly."
For the next twenty minutes, Leena chatted about the people of Daly, the lopsided population and menage. It was matter-of-fact and not at all gossipy. Just factual. While Rayna digested information about a lifestyle she"d never imagined, Leena collected the b.u.t.ter Rayna had come in for then added it to a grocery bag along with a boxed-up, homemade pie-a welcome to Daly gift. The rest, she insisted, was "on the boys" account."
Leena was a whirlwind, Rayna decided as she crossed the street. Smiling, she entered the reception area of the garage. David and Sean were working together in the service area while Patrick was stocking a rack of key chains. Jamie leaned against the counter reading a magazine.
He looked up and smiled as the bell over the door announced her arrival. His hair and clothes were still slightly damp from the rain yet he was absolutely stunning. How could this man have spent so much time hiding away from people?
"Hey, baby," Patrick said, leaving the rack and heading for her. His hands fell on her waist. He pulled her toward him. "I didn"t think we"d see you until tonight."
He leaned forward to kiss her, and Rayna suddenly had a hand over her mouth.
"Mine," Jamie rasped.
Patrick straightened in surprise. A slow grin curved his lips while speculation filled his eyes. "Yours?"
"No one kisses her but me. Right, sweetness?"
She nodded, her whole body going soft at his possessive tone. Her tummy fluttered as she got wet just being near him.
"And s.e.x?" Patrick asked.
"You know I like to share. Sometimes," Jamie replied. He pressed up behind her, and his hand dropped from her mouth. His palm trailed to her breast. Long fingers found her nipple through her clothes and rolled the sensitive tip. She moaned, squirming at the tremors spiraling down to her folds.
Patrick grasped her a.s.s, lifting her, then ground his groin into hers. Rayna wrapped her legs around him.
"I think it"s time for our lunch break," he muttered into her neck. He carried her into the work area while Jamie locked the front door then followed. Seeing Rayna, Sean and David each closed the bay doors.
The scent of the garage, never all too arousing before, now spiked her excitement to a higher level. Perhaps it was the unusual venue for s.e.x. With four men. Rayna had never felt as wanton as she did around them with their intense gazes boring into her. Every nerve ending seemed to spring to life.
Patrick set her on her feet, and Jamie pulled her to him. He leaned against her car, resting most of his weight on the door and one foot. He drew her to straddle his leg as he took the lips he"d claimed as his own.
"Her mouth is Jamie"s," she heard Patrick say. "The rest of her is ours for the taking."
She lifted her mouth from Jamie"s then glanced over her shoulder at Patrick. She raised an eyebrow. "The rest of her is hers hers," she corrected. "You may borrow borrow it." it."
Turning in Jamie"s arms, she watched the three men shed the protective mechanic"s overalls they"d worn. David and Sean had apparently taken off their shirts earlier because of the humidity of the day. She bit her lip at their wide, sweat-sheened chests. Dropping to her knees, she caught David"s belt loops and pulled him close. She kissed his belly, tasting his salty skin, feeling his heat. Her fingers ripped at the closure of his jeans.
Her mouth covered his c.o.c.k as soon as he popped free.
"Baby..." he breathed, his fingers sinking into her hair. "Oh, yeah baby. Suck me."
"She"s so hot," Sean murmured. From the corner of her eye, she saw his pants open and his hand on his c.o.c.k. Slowly, he jerked up and down in time with her mouth on David. Her tongue traced every ridge of the width between her lips. He groaned as her teeth raked up his length until she sucked hard on his tip.
A shadow blocked the light and she lifted her gaze to see Sean hungrily kissing his lover. She drew harder, determined to claim his c.u.m. She wanted to taste every bit of this man...then Sean...then Patrick.
She felt Patrick kneel behind her. Trapped between the two bodies, she made small needy sounds and almost screamed her relief when Patrick shoved his hand inside her jeans. His fingers slid easily through her slick folds. Her hips undulated with the spikes of electricity as he rubbed her c.l.i.t with his callused finger.
"Let"s move her over by the tires," Sean suggested.
Tires? Huh? Her brain was a fog of sensation. Her brain was a fog of sensation.
"Good idea," Jamie said. Okay, whatever Jamie said was fine with her.
David gently pulled from her mouth. His thumb brushed over her damp lip. "I"ll want more of that in a sec, darlin"."
Yu-huh.
Patrick lifted her and carried her toward the back of the garage. Standing her beside two tires that had been stacked one atop the other, he took off her clothes. Gently, he forced her back to her knees and bent her over the wheels. She moaned as she rested on her arms. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s dangled in the well, swinging freely as Patrick adjusted her. The soft nubs on the new tires brushed her bare thighs.
David knelt in front of her. Eagerly, she took his c.o.c.k and lapped at the shaft. She flicked at the pre-c.u.m that gathered at the tip. His fingers slipped into the hair at the crown of her head while he began to f.u.c.k her mouth in earnest.
Peripherally, she saw Sean slip behind David. A few moments later, his fingers dug into David"s hips as David leaned slightly forward and rested his arms on the tire walls to either side of Rayna. Patrick moved her back to make room for David to slide in and out of her mouth while Sean f.u.c.ked him. David groaned deep in his chest as his lover took him, Sean"s thrusts propelling David along Rayna"s tongue.
A strange fuzzy feeling enveloped her at knowing the pair was letting her in on their relationship. And the two were so hot together, their bodies moving in tandem, it just got her all...hot.
Her cream rushed onto her thighs as her arousal flared out of control. She moaned, in need of filling as her empty pa.s.sage clenched.
Patrick nudged her thighs wide, making her lean more heavily on the tires. Suddenly, a burst of air pulsed over her folds. She trembled both at the chill and the force of it over her tissues. Another powerful whoosh shot against her c.l.i.t. Sweet lord, he was using the force air pump on her. A loud hissing heralded the air once more. This time was longer as he dragged it along the crease of her a.s.s, the blast licking at her protected skin. She bucked against it. Over and over, he drew the finger of air over her, taunting her flesh, arousing her with the shock of it.