Brady popped a toothpick into the corner of his mouth. “The way you’re looking at those townies.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I can’t figure you, Alex. I didn’t think you cared anything about her.”
“Lay off.”
“Matter of fact, I’d just about decided to talk to you about her.” He transferred the toothpick from one corner of his mouth to the other. “I figure, even though she’s a thief and you seem to hate her guts, you don’t have the right to work a pregnant woman so hard.”
“Who told you she was pregnant?”
“We all just figured. The night of the surprise party, you didn’t exactly look like a happy bridegroom.”
Alex clenched his jaw. “She’s not pregnant.”
The toothpick drooped in Brady’s mouth. “Then why the hell did you marry her?”
“None of your damn business.” He stalked away.
It was a little before midnight when they were done working. As usual, when he entered the trailer, Daisy was asleep, but instead of being tucked away in a nest of rumpled sheets as she normally was, she lay on the couch in her costume, almost as if she had sat down for a few minutes and dozed off without planning to. He decided it was one thing to toughen her up, but it was another to drive her to the end of her strength, and at that moment he knew he couldn’t keep working her so hard. As far as he was concerned, she’d paid her debt to society, and it was time to ease up.
Her dark hair fell onto the couch pillow in silky streamers, and her lips were slightly parted. She slept on her stomach, and his mouth went dry as he saw that sweet little ass sticking up, covered only by the diamond-patterned web of her black fishnet stockings. The narrow ribbon of sequins at the center made the sight that much more alluring. Forcing himself to look away, he stripped off his clothes, stalked into the bathroom, and plunged into an ice-cold shower.
The noise of the running water must have awakened her because, when he came out wrapped in a towel, she stood at the sink with his blue terry cloth robe tossed on over her costume. Although she’d turned up the sleeves, her small hands barely peeked out from beneath the cuffs as she opened a loaf of rye bread.
“Would you like me to fix you a sandwich?” She sounded more chipper than she had in days. “I fell asleep before I could eat, and now I’m hungry.”
His robe parted, showing the curves of her breasts beneath the sequin flames on her costume. He dragged his eyes away and instead of thanking her for the offer, snapped at her. “If Sheba catches you lying around in one of her costumes, she’ll have your hide.”
“Then I’ll just have to make sure she doesn’t catch me.”
The renewed spirit in her voice lifted his own mood. “I guess, you can’t be expected to learn everything at once.”
She turned, but whatever she had been about to say seemed to die on her lips. Her gaze trailed down over his chest to the pale yellow bath towel looped low on his hips.
He wanted to yell at her, to tell her not to look at him like that unless she wanted to find herself on her back. His flagging self-control slipped another notch.
“Would you—uh—like your robe back?” she asked.
He nodded.
She tugged on the sash, slipped out of it, and passed it over to him.
He let it fall to the floor.
She stared at him. “I thought you wanted it.”
“I wanted it off you.”
She licked her lips, and he watched her struggle for a response. Even as he called himself every kind of fool, he knew he couldn’t stay away from her for another night.
“I’m not sure exactly what you mean by that,” she said hesitantly.
“I mean that I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep my hands off you any longer.”
“I was afraid that’s what you meant.” She took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “I’m sorry, but I’ve decided I can’t do that with you. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it wouldn’t be sacred. I place value on making love. It’s not something I would do with just anyone.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Pulled by a force he couldn’t resist, he walked over to her.
She drew back against the counter, even as she continued to meet his eyes. “I couldn’t do it casually.”
“I hope this means I don’t have to worry about catching any of those nasty little sexually transmitted diseases you mentioned to that waitress a couple weeks ago.”
“Of course not!”
“Good. You don’t have to worry about me, either. I’m clean as a whistle.”
“That’s very nice for you, but—”
“Has anyone ever mentioned that you talk too much?” He set the heels of his hands on the counter behind her, effectively trapping her.
“We need to talk about this. It’s important. It’s—”
“What we need to do is stop talking.” He cupped her waist with his hands. “We’ve played cat and mouse long enough, angel face. Don’t you think it’s time we get serious?”
Her perfume drifted up to tantalize him. He gazed down at her body, so enticingly revealed by the skimpy flame red sequin costume, and her soft breathing stirred the hair on his chest.
“How—how can you even think about doing something like this with a person you don’t respect?”
Her eyes drifted shut as he dipped his head and nuzzled the side of her neck with his lips. “Why don’t you let me worry about that?”
“You think I’m a thief.”
“Let’s just say I’ve cooled down a little.”
She tilted her face up to his, and another pang of guilt struck him as her violet eyes came alive with joy and her soft, silly mouth curled with pleasure. “You believe me! You know I didn’t steal the money!”
He hadn’t said that. He was simply no longer as angry. Although he couldn’t condone what she’d done, he knew she’d been desperate, and he no longer wanted to serve as her hanging judge.
“I believe you’re sexy as hell.” He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip and found it moist to his touch. “Are you taking care of birth control, or do you want me to do it?”
Her eyes flared. “I’m on the pill, but—”
“That’s good.”
He dipped his head and caught her mouth beneath his own. It quivered. God, she was sweet. She must have nibbled one of the ripe plums in the bag on the counter because he tasted the fruit on her breath.
Her lips parted a bit, but the movement was hesitant, as if she were still making up her mind. He found something infinitely exciting about her tentative, uncertain welcome. At the same time, he knew he wasn’t going to give her any more time to think, and he drew her closer.
Outside the small world of the trailer, the first drops of rain began to fall, hitting the metal shell with gentle taps. The sound was soothing and hypnotic. The patter of the rain somehow isolated them, set them apart from everyone else in the universe and gave them a private place.
Daisy sighed as she felt Alex’s kiss, gentle and patient. The icon he wore rubbed against her, and as the tip of his tongue brushed the sensitive inner surface of her bottom lip, warm honey poured through her veins. In that moment all her principles evaporated, and any idea she’d had of denying him disappeared. From the beginning she’d wanted him like this, and she could no longer resist the force that pulled her toward him.
Opening her mouth, she let him in.
He took his time invading her, and when he did, his kiss was deep and full. She responded with fervor, and he let her play as she wished.
She used her tongue on him and her lips, kissed the corners of that hard mouth, delved inside again. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and, standing on tiptoe, nipped his earlobe. She left little teeth marks at the corner of his jaw before she returned to plunge inside his mouth.
Enter and play.
Withdraw and explore.
Inside again.
/>
Her excitement mounted, fueled by the rasp of his breathing and the feel of his hands clasping her so tightly, one at her waist, one splayed across her back. How could she ever have been afraid of him? The image of the whips stored beneath the bed flicked through her mind, but she pushed them aside. He wouldn’t hurt her. He couldn’t.
She licked a sweet trail from his neck to his chest and poked the tip of her tongue through the dark hair that dusted his pectorals until she could press her lips to the skin beneath. His breathing came more rapidly now, and when he spoke, his voice sounded hoarse.
“If this is the way you kiss, angel, I can’t wait to see how you—” He moaned as she found his nipple.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and one of her fingers caught in the gold chain that held the icon. This game of hot kisses and new touches was so delicious she couldn’t get enough of it. His body was hers to explore, and she yearned to see every inch of it.
“I want to take off your towel,” she whispered.
His fingers sank into her hair.
She reached for the knot, only to have him press his hand over hers. “Not so fast, sweetheart. First you’ve got to show me something.”
“What do you want to see?”
“I’ll let you choose.”
“In this costume, I think I’ve already shown off just about everything I have.”
“Maybe I want a closer look.”
She’d known sex could be exciting, but she hadn’t expected the sensuous teasing note in his voice. It flashed through her mind that perhaps she should confess that she was a virgin, but then he’d think she was a freak. And he’d never know if she didn’t tell him. Contrary to romantic fiction, fragile maidenheads didn’t survive twenty-six years of physical activity and doctors’ exams.
Tilting back her head, she watched his eyes roam over her as she stood before him in her showgirl’s costume, and she found the idea of playing the experienced femme fatale infinitely exciting. She’d read lots of books, so maybe she could even pull it off. What could she do that was naughty?
She turned her back to him, trying to give herself a moment to think, and in the process saw that the limp blue curtains hanging on the small window just above the kitchen table weren’t closed all the way. She doubted anyone would be passing by in the rain, but just in case, she hurried over. Bracing one hand on the Formica top, she leaned across the table to close them.
She heard a muffled sound behind her, almost like a groan. “Good choice, sweetheart.”
She had no idea what he was talking about until she felt him come up behind her and rub against her out-thrust bottom. He massaged the flesh through its diamond-shaped veil of fishnet. Her nipples tightened and her skin grew flushed at the unfamiliar sensation. At the same time, her nervousness escalated. No matter what she wanted him to believe, she had no experience with ordinary lovemaking, let alone anything exotic.
One of his fingertips slipped beneath the strip of sequins and traced the cleft of her bottom. She bit her lips to keep from crying out with pleasure. His touch crept lower.
Unable to take any more, she wiggled upright and turned in his arms. “I—I want to kiss again.”
He groaned. “Your kisses are a little more than I can handle right now.” He adjusted the knot at his belly, and she saw that the towel no longer lay flat against him. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t even close to being flat.
She stared and her mouth felt dry. “I st-still want to kiss.”
“We’ll negotiate. You open up the hook on the back of that costume, and we’ll kiss all you want.”
She reluctantly raised her eyes from the towel and lifted her arms to unfasten the hook. As it opened, the bodice began to fall away. She clasped it to her chest.
He ducked his head, brushed her lips, and took one of her wrists in each of his hands. As his tongue slipped into her mouth, the costume fell to her waist. He backed her against the wall on the far side of the table, drew her wrists upward, and pinioned them on each side of her head.
“Not fair,” she whispered into his mouth as he held her against the wall. “You’re stronger than I am.”
“It’s my turn to play,” he whispered back.
And play he did.
Keeping her wrists gently pinioned, he used only his mouth to excite her. He nibbled at her earlobe and the side of her neck. He nipped at her collarbone and the base of her throat. But then he drew back just far enough to be able to gaze down at her body.
Her position against the wall had tipped up the crests of her breasts. He toyed with first one, then the other, suckling until the pool of heat inside her burned so fiercely she could hardly bear it.
“Stop,” she gasped. “Let me go.”
He immediately released her wrists. “Am I hurting you?”
“No, but—you’re going too fast.”
“Too fast?” He regarded her with a crooked smile. “Are you criticizing my technique?”
“Oh, no. Your technique is wonderful.” The words came from her in a rush, too earnest, too eager, and he smiled. Embarrassed, she avoided meeting his eyes by staring at his mouth. Then she realized that if she were to make love with this fierce, proud man, she had to meet his strength with her own.
Lifting her head, she met his gaze. “I don’t want you to take over yet. Maybe later, but not yet.”
“Is this your way of telling me you want to direct the action for a while?”
She nodded. Even though she was nervous, she wouldn’t let anything prevent her from investigating the wonderful mysteries hidden beneath that towel.
“One condition, angel.” He hooked the edge of her costume where it lay at her waist “It’s just going to be you and those tights. Everything else comes off.”
She swallowed. The tights had no panty built into them. They were sheer from waistband to toe, and the diamond-pattern was too loosely woven to hide anything.
He raised one eyebrow in challenge, then released her and sat down on the end of his bed. “I want to watch you undress.”
This was getting very naughty. She cleared her throat and spoke as casually as she could. “Do you mean right here? With the lights on and everything?”
“You’re stalling. Peel it down real slow.”
She gathered her courage, determined to keep up with him. “You understand, don’t you, that your towel’s coming off next?”
“One thing at a time.”
She slowly slipped the costume over her hips, leaning forward as she lowered it to hide her nudity from him. The costume dropped to her ankles. She brushed a spec of lint from the top of her foot, inspected the wear in the carpet, listened to the rain tap on the trailer’s roof.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” He chuckled. “Straighten up. And leave that costume right there on the floor.”
The smoky undertone in his voice nearly undid her. Her hands trembled as she did as he said.
“Beautiful,” he whispered, as she stood before him, naked except for the frail black showgirl’s tights that enhanced, rather than concealed, the lower part of her body.
She decided the time had come to test him. “Lie back on the bed,” she said softly.
He hesitated for only a moment before he stretched out on his side and propped himself on one elbow. “Like this?”
“Oh, no. That won’t do at all. On your back, please.”
To her delight, he did as she said. He also propped his head up on two pillows so he wouldn’t miss anything.
She licked her lips, not quite certain she could pull this off, but determined to give it her best. “Now raise your hands until they’re touching the wall. And, Alex, I want you to keep them there.”
He gave her a lazy smile that turned her bones to water. “Are you sure about this?”
“Very sure.”
He did as she said, making her exceptionally proud of herself. She approached him. His eyes burned on her breasts and belly in a way that made her feel more naked in the tights than she would
have without them. By the time she reached the bed, every part of her body tingled with excitement and anticipation. For a moment the thought of the whips stored just underneath them intruded, but she pushed it away.
She gazed down at him lying with his arms in mock bondage. Her captive. As long as he stayed as he was, every part of his body was hers to explore, including the imposing mound that destroyed the smooth surface of the towel. She drew her eyes away and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Remember what I said,” she whispered. “You have to keep your hands where they are. You can’t move them.”
“If you open your legs just a little bit, sweetheart, I’ll be as cooperative as I know how.”
Fair was fair, she decided, and she eased her thighs apart. He gazed at what she had revealed. His right arm twitched, as if he were getting ready to move it, but then he relaxed.
She lowered her head and began tasting him again, nibbling near the bottom curve of his rib cage. His flesh was firm and tightly muscled. She slid her hands over his chest, enjoying the texture of hair and skin gone moist. She couldn’t resist those brown nipples and ran her lips across them, making him writhe beneath her. Reaching up, she clasped his biceps and squeezed. Her thumbs discovered the pulsing veins that ran beneath his skin. She traced them downward and found her way to the soft hair in his armpits. As she dallied there, goose bumps broke out over his damp skin, and he made an inarticulate noise deep in his throat. Slowly lifting her head, she met his eyes.
“I’m going to take off your towel.”
“Are you now?”
The raw desire in his eyes reminded her she was playing with fire. But she had no intention of turning back, and she moved her hands to the top of the towel. With one smooth motion, she opened it and spread it apart.
“Oh . . .” He was magnificent. She extended her hand and touched him tentatively with the tip of her finger. He nearly leaped off the bed, and she snatched back her hand.
Her gaze flew to his face. It was contorted as if he were in pain. “Did I hurt you?”
“You’ve got sixty seconds,” he croaked, “and then I’m moving my arms.”
A thrill of pleasure shot through her as she realized this was all part of the game. “Not till I give you permission,” she said sternly.