Sweet Revenge

Chapter 8

He needed to touch her more than he needed to breathe. For years, when his subconscious had relaxed, he’d dreamed about love, about peace. Those fantasies didn’t come close to the reality with Laney. She was kind, she was sweet… and for the night, she was his.

As a person, as a woman, she was breakable, and he needed to be careful.

He’d finish himself before he broke her.

So he settled over her and wanted nothing more than to lose himself in her. All of her.

He maneuvered up her body. The scent of woman and vanilla filtered through his senses and landed around his heart. Hard and absolute.

He’d trained to seduce women until he hated them as much as himself, and the idea of somebody good, of somebody kind, was a temptation he’d never resist. Add in courage and a lonely heart, and he couldn’t turn away from this amazing woman.

Plus, he needed to taste her. Needed to know her.

So he slid up and angled his mouth over hers, trying to convey more than he’d ever be able to say. The words weren’t his to give.

Manacling her hip, he plunged inside her with one strong stroke.

Her eyes widened, and she gasped.

He kissed her again, taking her under, waiting for her body to accustom itself to his size. Slowly, her muscles relaxed, and her internal walls gripped him with so much power it was all he could do to remain still.

He might quite happily stay joined with her forever. He reveled in the moment, in being so in tune with her. No dark thoughts existed for him when he was inside her. No danger, no despair. Only pleasure.

She took a deep breath, a tumultuous grin teasing her lips. Her eyes softened, and she reached around to skim her palms against his lower back, her fingers along his ribs. “This is nice.”

“What is?” His biceps vibrated as he kept himself in check.

“You. Being inside me. Joined.”

For the first time, he saw the real woman behind the brave and giving bartender. Vulnerable and open.

He wasn’t strong enough to protect himself from such femininity, and he wasn’t cruel enough to shut her down. It was a mistake they’d both probably pay for, but for the moment, he didn’t care. He needed her. Even more, he got the feeling she needed him.

So he slid out and back in, losing himself in the sensation of heaven. Tight and hot, she gripped him like she’d never let him go.

For one moment, in one woman, he found home.

She arched against him and whispered his name.

The sound of her soft voice would stay with him. Through whatever the future held, he’d carry the moment. This woman should be savored, and there was no way he could keep her at arm’s length. She’d slid right into his heart, and instinct told him she’d always live there. For the short time he had left, she’d be with him. Even if he moved across the world from her.

“Faster,” she breathed.

He fought the demand, wanting to stay with the bliss.

But she grabbed his ass and squeezed.

His control snapped. Electricity danced in his balls. Gripping her, he began to pound… hot, fast, with just enough pressure to have her moaning beneath him. She met him thrust for thrust, her sighs mixing with his groans.

A white-hot burst of pleasure roared through him, and he spread her legs wider. Keeping her open for him. Tight. Wet. Hot. She was everything he could’ve dreamed. He lifted her so she could take more of him, so she could take all of him.

Suddenly, she tightened like a bow that had been struck, cried his name, and exploded around him.

The sensation was too much to resist. His heart exploded in unison with her body. He thrust harder, unerringly hitting her G-spot, prolonging her orgasm. As soon as she went limp beneath him, he let himself go.

Lava ripped down his spine to spark his balls on fire, and he came like a teenager. Hard, fast, and complete. The release blinded him, coursing through him, leaving him empty and panting. The moment left his legs trembling.

Finally, he lowered his forehead to hers. “You’re perfect.”

“Mmmm.” She stretched against him like a lazy cat.

Her satisfaction filled him with pride. Sure, he’d slept with women. Either to get off or to gain information, and they’d both been satisfied. For the first time, he felt a sense of pride in supplying the satisfaction. Because it mattered, and this woman mattered.

He grinned at her whimper when he pulled out and disposed of the condom. “Are you all right?”

“Perfect.” Almost naturally, she curled right into him. Seconds later, her breathing deepened.

Amusement filtered through him. She’d fallen right asleep. “Isn’t that my role?” he whispered into the darkness.

For answer, she turned around and pressed her butt into his groin.

He hardened instantly but slipped an arm around her waist to tuck her tight. Holding her felt like something good, something he couldn’t identify.

Sure, he’d screwed up. His plans to possibly seduce the other two women for information had just gone up in flames because he wouldn’t hurt Laney. Not like that. So he’d have to think of another approach.

Contentment filtered through him followed by unease. Sex was one thing, but he was feeling something for this woman. He’d told her it was temporary, but for the first time ever, the thought tasted sour. Laney was a keeper. With his life, did he deserve a keeper? Most likely not. The reality sliced into his heart with the odd comfort of a familiar pain.

He slowed his breathing and heart rate in order to catch some sleep. With Laney in his arms, his body relaxed beyond the norm. Even so, his senses tuned in to the world around them in order to keep her safe.

The commander could never learn about Laney… nor could Emery. For years, Matt and Emery had battled out rank and superiority. Matt cared nothing about rank or pleasing the commander, but every time he won, he gained something for his family. A sense of safety for his brothers.

Emery didn’t play fair… He never had. He’d broken Shane’s arm when the kid was only eight, and Matt had instantly retaliated by breaking Emery’s wrist. A year later, Emery had broken Jory’s femur, and a femur injury often got a cadet removed from the facility.

While strategy dictated Matt go after Emery’s youngest brothers, he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t go after kids smaller than he and hurt them.

But he’d hurt Emery. Badly.

Once recovered, Emery left the Gray brothers alone. As he trained and prepared, there was no question in Matt’s mind someday they’d fight again. This time to the death.

News had reached Matt recently when Shane’s wife had been captured by the commander that Emery was working with him.

God, when Josie had been taken, Shane had been beyond fierce.

As Matt held Laney, unease rippled through him.

He’d studied psychology, and he understood people. More important, he understood himself. As a personality type, he was a protector… probably because he was the oldest, and if he screwed up, people he loved died. From day one, he’d been a fierce and deadly protector of his brothers. He’d known. He’d known without a doubt if he ever found a woman to love, if he was ever weak enough to fall, he’d be caught forever. He’d live for her, and he’d die for her. God help the woman if she didn’t understand him. God help them both.

Laney stretched awake, caught short by an iron band around her stomach. Her eyes flashed open. Oh God. A male body, hard as steel, cradled her from behind.

Matt Dean. No question, that body belonged to Matt Dean. She closed her eyes, and images from the previous night paraded through her mind. Five times. She’d orgasmed five times.

Matt had come three times.

Clearly, she’d won.

She snorted, although this wasn’t funny. This was so far from funny she couldn’t breathe. So she smiled.

The sex had been incredible.

Her heart thumped. Gosh darn it. Her heart needed to get a grip. Matt was dangerous, and he was temporary. No heart palpitations involved. Plus, it wasn’t like she’d been completely honest with the guy.

She’d let him in—too much. Not only into her heart, but into her life. He couldn’t stay, and she couldn’t reveal herself in such a way again. Even so, the need to burrow closer to him, to really know him, ached within her.

His palm flattened against her abdomen.

Her breath caught.

“You’re thinking awfully hard there,” he rumbled, his voice rough with sleep.

She tried to cool her already heating libido. “You know. Morning-after stuff.”

“Hmmm. Me, too.” He maneuvered farther down and over her mound, one finger entering her. “Mainly, I’m thinking about how to best use the morning. Forget the stuff.”

She wanted to say no, but the sound came out as more of a sigh.

His head dipped down, and his breath brushed her ear. “You know I like your legs open, darlin’.”

God. The simple words from the deep voice with just enough of an order instantly made her wet. “I don’t take orders from you.” Yeah. The breathlessness of her voice may have ruined her defiance.

His index finger slid out and slowly circled her clit. “Is that a fact?”

Heat washed under her skin to pinpoint right where he played. The fierce line of his cock pulsed against her butt. “What are you, a machine?” she mumbled.

“Nope. Flesh-and-blood man. You can tell from the nail marks you left in my back,” he murmured, continuing to torture her.

Unfortunately, they’d blend in with the rest of the old wounds on his back. She hadn’t looked, but during the night, her touch had felt several healed bullet, knife, and other odd scars. As a soldier, he’d seen his share of battles.

He sank sharp teeth into the shell of her ear. “Give me one more, baby.”

She turned into him and flattened her palms against his chest, careful to avoid the stitched wound, even though it had healed surprisingly fast. Maybe he hadn’t been as injured as she’d thought. “Come with me.”

“Fair enough.” He rolled her onto her back and thrust inside her.

Her breath caught at the painful pleasure. Her body felt oddly relaxed and well used. They’d only had one condom, and after a frank discussion regarding recent medical checkups for them both, Laney had admitted she was on the pill. Skin on skin had felt amazing. Sure, she shouldn’t have trusted a guy she just met, but she did. Somehow, she did trust him.

He frowned and brushed hair off her forehead. “Are you sore?”

Hell yes, she was sore. The guy was hung like a stegosaurus. “I’m fine.”

His eyes narrowed. “Hmmm.” He withdrew, and his frown deepened as she winced. “I was too rough.”

“You were amazing.” Which was the absolute truth. The man started to glide down. “Where do you think you’re going?”

His smile promised pleasure. “I can’t leave you like this.” Inching down her body, he kissed her navel and licked farther down. “I’ll make it quick.” And he did. He’d learned her body too well the night before.

In fact, somehow he’d been able to anticipate her every move, her every need. The man was immensely talented.

One finger stretched her as his rough tongue scraped her clit. Waves of pleasure rippled through her, and she rode out the orgasm, her eyelids fluttering shut. She came down with a soft whimper. “I think you killed me.”

He nipped her thigh. “A guy likes to try. What’s on your agenda today?”

She glanced at the clock. “I need to make more soup for the testers. But, ah, what about you?” The guy still had a raging hard-on.

He rested his chin on her leg, gray eyes focusing on her. “I’m good and hoping we can do this again.”

Even after the crazy night, her face heated. “Um, me, too.”

Pleasure curved his lips. “You’re blushing. I’ve kissed every inch of you, and you’re still blushing.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t do one-night stands. Ever.” While she only did temporary, she rarely involved other people. Casual sex didn’t appeal much to her. She didn’t want to know about him… She really didn’t.

“You’re special, Laney. Very.”

How did he know just what to say? “So are you.” In a different world, maybe they might have meant something to each other. “What’s your plan today?”

He exhaled. “I thought I’d head to the family clinic and have a doctor take out these stitches.”

Good idea. It was amazing the guy hadn’t caught an infection already. She eyed the perfectly stitched fishing line across his chest. “You do good work, though.”

“Thanks.” He wiggled his eyebrows and pushed off the bed.

She chuckled. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Hmmm.” He stood up, a naked modern-day warrior, scarred and magnificent. “I’ll have to convince you later tonight.”

“I think we’ve already run the gamut of possibilities.”

His eyes darkened, and a wicked grin creased his cheek. “Oh, baby, we’ve barely started.”