“Desire isn’t a bad thing and I’m totally onboard with it.” She dropped her arms from hugging her legs and leaned forward, her hands flattened on the bed and she exposed her lovely, rounded breasts to him. “You appreciate bluntness so that’s exactly what I’m going to be. Inhale and you’ll know how much I want you if feeling how wet I am wasn’t enough to convince you. Use that enhanced sense of smell of yours if your sense of touch didn’t convince you.”
“I came at you without regard to your fragility.”
To his amazement, she grinned and her blue eyes sparkled with humor. “I’ve been described as a lot of things in my lifetime but that term isn’t used often. At least not more than once because I usually take down guys who pull that crap. I’ll make an exception for you because you’re as cute as can be and you’re different from other men. I don’t think I could take you down in a sparring match, not with your reflexes and strength. You aren’t going to break me in bed though.”
“I forgot you were human,” he admitted.
“Is there a difference?”
“Yes.” He closed his mouth, not wishing to speak more on the matter.
“I’m smaller than your women, not as strong or as buff. It doesn’t mean I’m less tough though. I can promise you that.”
His body wanted to believe her but his mind was in charge. “I could have harmed you severely. You need to understand that.”
“Okay. I do but you stopped whatever you thought would hurt me.”
She lowered her chin a little and her blue eyes tracked him as she crawled a little closer. He couldn’t help but react to the incredibly sexy picture she made on her hands and knees, coming at him. His heart hammered, his cock jerked in response to the need to take her and he resisted the urge to tackle her flat and fuck her.
“We’ll work through this, take it slow, so you don’t get scared.” Her smile widened. “We did this once and I want to do it again.”
“Jessie,” he growled in warning. “Stop. I touch you and have a difficult time keeping in control of my urges.”
“Your urges felt pretty fantastic until you stopped.” She halted and sat up, her legs parted and her hands gripped her inner thighs.
His breathing increased to a pant, his gaze lowered and a purr tore from his throat. It alarmed him that he couldn’t stop doing that with her, embarrassed him slightly, but the scent of her need drove him insane. He wanted to shove her onto her back, bury his face between those lovely thighs and taste her.
“You want me,” she whispered. “I want you. What’s the problem?”
“You have no idea.” He trembled again and knew he should leave. His body didn’t respond to the demand to stand though and his gaze refused to budge from the sight of her tempting strip of paler red hair, which barely concealed where he wanted to put his mouth. “I’m dangerous.”
“I’m an adrenaline junkie and you’re extremely sexy, Justice. We’re both adults and naked in my room. Do you need more incentive?”
He nearly lost his mind when her hand released her thigh, slid closer to her body and her finger slid over the slit of her pussy. She pulled it away, glistening with her honey and he lost the ability to think.
Chapter Ten
Jessie knew she pushed Justice to the breaking point when his catlike eyes fixed on her every movement as though she was the most fascinating thing in the world to him. His breathing grew erratic. The soft sounds he made were purely animalistic and turned her on further.
He had admitted to being dangerous but she didn’t believe for a second that he’d hurt her. It might be nuts but her instincts were always something she counted on. No alarms were triggered when it came to the New Species leader. Her attraction to him wasn’t the smartest thing she’d ever felt but she refused to deny it. She wanted him enough to fight for him. That meant being provocative in bed and making him break his iron control.
He grabbed her finger without warning and pulled it to his lips. Jessie was stunned when it disappeared into his mouth, he snarled, and he sucked. It was erotic watching his reaction. The need tightened his features and pure desire shone in his gaze as he stared at her. He eased his tight hold with his lips and tongue on her finger, slowly pulled it out and glanced down at his lap. Her gaze followed his to appreciate the rock-hard condition of his sex.
He moved suddenly and his hand shot out to grip her shoulder but his hold was gentle. He pushed against her skin, urging her back and disappointment hit. He was refusing her again. She didn’t need the words to know this was one battle of wills she’d lost. She sat back on her ass on the bed, ready to draw her knees up to her chest to cover her body since he didn’t seem to want to see it any longer.
He released her shoulder and both of his hands gripped her calves. She was too shocked to do anything but fall back. Her legs fell open when he yanked her flat, dragged her toward him a good foot and spread her knees farther apart.
Jessie gasped when Justice leaned forward to bury his face in her lap. He nuzzled in tightly and purred loudly. He released her legs to grab her inner thighs, spreading her open for his tongue to brush over her clit. He lapped at the bundle of nerves in a rapid lash of his strong, raspy tongue and she cried out at the instant pleasure.
Her fingers grabbed for the bedding near her hips, dug into the comforter for something to cling to. The urge to grab his head wasn’t easy to resist but she clutched the soft material instead of grabbing fistfuls of his hair.
“Oh God,” she panted, hearing how loud her voice sounded but couldn’t have cared less. Justice felt too good. She couldn’t think and didn’t want to. “Yes!”
He was relentless, finding the exact spot that made her gasp, groan and grind her pussy against his mouth. She wanted to come and knew she was about to. Her body tensed, every muscle tightened. Her back arched off the mattress as the pleasure turned to near pain, the climax building to the point of no return.
He stopped and she cried out in protest. She had been so close. His tongue lowered instead and drove into her pussy before she could utter real words to convey that she didn’t want him to stop tormenting her clit. The sensation made her throw her head back and a different kind of pleasure tore through her body. No guy had ever done that before, fucked her with his mouth and she realized she’d been missing out on a lot. He slid his tongue a little deeper, moving in and out of her slowly and his nose nudged against her clit.
“Justice,” she moaned. “Please?” She wasn’t above begging. She just wanted to come, needed to. Her body burned. “Please, baby?”
His tongue withdrew and his lips nibbled higher, sealed around her swollen clit. His tongue pressed down against it and he purred loudly. The vibrations and manipulation of her sensitive nub as he began to suck on her drove Jessie insane. It felt too good, too intense and she couldn’t take it. She whimpered and moaned. Panted. Her body bowed and she sucked in air as ecstasy struck with blinding intensity.
“Justice!” Her body jerked hard.
His mouth tore away from her clit while she shook, reeling from the strongest climax she’d ever experienced in her life. It barely registered to her blown mind when his hands released her inner thighs and one dug under her ass to cup a butt cheek in his big hand while his other one curved around her hip. Jessie didn’t have the strength to express her surprise when Justice flipped her over onto her stomach. His hands adjusted, gripped her hips and her body slid down the bed as he pulled her closer to him. She didn’t care why he did it or what his intent was. Her body was still tingling with pleasure from his amazing tongue skills. The mattress moved when his weight left it as he slid off the end of the bed.
Justice pulled her until her legs were off the bed, made her stand and leaned forward to keep her bent over the mattress. One of his feet hooked around her ankle, spread her legs and the crown of his cock pressed against her pussy.
Pleasure filled her as his thick shaft slowly penetrated her from behind. Jessie moaned as he stretched her vaginal walls. He pushe
d in deeper, going so slowly that it almost felt like torture. The sexy sounds he made matched hers as she urged him on, her fingers fisting the bed to brace. He withdrew a little and slowly began to rock in and out of her. Loud purrs filled her ears when his hips thrust faster. Jessie wanted more. She could sense he was holding back and she didn’t want him to.
“Faster. Justice, you feel so good,” she panted. “More. Give it all to me.”
His face buried in her neck and it muffled the snarl as he seemed to give up whatever restraint he had. He drove into her deeper, his hips slapped against her ass and the rapid drag of his cock against her nerve endings sent her to heaven. It swamped her senses, her body tensed again and she cried out when a second climax struck. She bucked under him, her muscles clamped down tightly around his sex and sharp teeth bit down on her skin at the top of her shoulder. He groaned loudly and jerked against her, his cock going deep and staying there as she felt the warmth of his semen bathing her inside.
Jessie couldn’t move. She was so sated she didn’t know if her body was flesh and bone anymore or pudding. Justice’s body kept her from sliding off the edge of the bed to collapse into a limp mess on the floor since her legs wouldn’t have held her up for anything. They panted, his teeth eased away and hot breath fanned her skin while they recovered. It was apparent that he kept his weight from totally crushing her, allowing her to catch her breath.
The haze of sexual bliss cleared, normal function returned and she grinned, wishing she could see his face. She said the first thing that came to mind. “That was a fifteen on the one-to-ten-wow-factor scale.”
“I’m so sorry, Jessie. I never meant to lose control. You’re so small but I wanted you to the point that I couldn’t think. Can you forgive me?”
She laughed. “You’re apologizing to me? Seriously? There’s nothing to forgive.” She turned her head just enough to meet his concerned gaze and kept the smile in place. “That was perfect, amazing and wonderful.”
He broke eye contact, lowered his face and brushed a kiss on the back of her neck. “You are delicate and just don’t seem to know it. I could have really caused damage to your body.”
“I’m small, I can’t dispute that, but your version of thoughtlessness was mind blowing.”
Justice breathed on her neck, keeping his face where she couldn’t see it. “You need to trust me when I say that you are fragile compared to me. Are you sore? Was I too rough?” His voice softened. “Do you need me to call the doctor?”
“I don’t need a doctor. You’re making too much out of this.” She wanted to laugh again at his overblown concern—it bordered on ridiculous—but she didn’t want to risk hurting his feelings. It touched her deeply that he’d be so anxious over her well-being.
A growl rumbled from his chest. “I took you like you were one of our women but you’re not. Thankfully I didn’t lose all control.” Justice moved back from her, withdrawing his weight completely. “I don’t know what is wrong with me when it comes to you. I’m not myself.”
Jessie rolled over to stare up at him, admiring the view of tan, tall and sexy. She just knew the sight of his sculptured muscles and strong build would always affect her.
“Maybe that’s the problem. You took on this big responsibility of becoming the face of New Species.” She sat up, comfortable in her nakedness and peered at him with compassion. “I know what it’s like to pretend to be someone you’re not. My father is a senator. I was raised around politicians and other idiots and had to don this perfect image my father demanded.” She shrugged. “The truth is, I’m not really that polite. I’m a tomboy more than a lady and what I really wanted to do was smack most of the people I was forced to carry on polite conversations with.”
Justice sat down on the edge of the bed, turned his body sideways, and watched her, a little confused. “I don’t understand.”
“You stand before those cameras, the reporters, and the world pretending to be totally human but you’re not. You can just be yourself with me, Justice. I accept you for who and what you are. You’re the guy who purrs and growls, gets a little out of control when we kiss and there’s nothing wrong with that.” She pushed forward, her hands flattened on the bed and she rose to her knees. Her gaze held his as she tried to show him she meant every word. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Justice North. I think you’re amazing and I don’t want you holding back with me. I want to get to know the real you, not some image you’ve tried to perfect for your job. You’re off the clock and it’s playtime. I’m going to teach you how to have fun and tear down those walls you’ve built. I’m safe, Justice.”
Justice wanted to reach out, pull Jessie into his arms and hold her. She offered him acceptance, understanding and the opportunity to be the male he’d been before he’d volunteered to represent his people. Longing gripped him to the point of pain and he knew in that instant what had to be done. A sharp jab stabbed his heart but he’d made a promise, sworn to do the job and too many were counting on him for him to follow his heart.
Clarity hurt more. He was falling in love with Jessie Dupree, probably had been since the moment he’d torn her from the arms of another male, shielded her with his body and she’d smiled. She believed she embodied safety to him but she couldn’t be more wrong. The adorable redhead with her quick smile, generous heart and welcoming arms had to be the most dangerous yet beautiful temptation that had ever crossed his path.
“Are you hungry? Did you eat? I could make you something.”
He took another hit to his heart. She wanted to feed him a meal, cared that he might be hungry and was nurturing. It also reminded him that she definitely wasn’t Species—their females preferred that the males totally tended to them after sex.
“Hello? You’re staring at me but you’re not answering.” She leaned closer. “Are you tired? I have to warn you that I like to sleep skin to skin. I plan to wrap around you and get close.”
He was going to snap again, lose control and kiss her soft mouth. The urge to knock her flat on her back and make love to her raged through his veins again. His fists clenched as he fought the desire to return to her heavenly embrace. It wasn’t just his own life he needed to remember but what being with him would do to hers as well. He blurted out words that would make her withdraw.
“My kind bite during sex and it would hurt since you are much less tolerant to pain. I had the urge to sink my teeth into your skin until I tasted your blood, Jessie. I don’t want to scare you but you wanted honesty. I’m really strong and you wouldn’t stand a chance against me if I ever lost control. I could accidentally break your bones or I might not stop if I get out of hand. I’m dangerous.”
“You’re not going to hurt me.” No fear showed in her blue eyes and she didn’t jerk away. “I’m not into pain but I’m not afraid of your teeth either. You won’t bite me hard enough to break my skin. I refuse to believe you’d do any of those things. You’ll totally get that after a few nights with me.”
He needed to leave, to get away from her, before he gave in to his desire to be selfish. His people depended on him to be strong, expected it, and he’d made the promise to do so. Nothing good would come of them being together for Jessie either. Her kind wouldn’t understand and her father wouldn’t support the NSO anymore. Everyone would suffer.
She’ll grow to resent you when she’s stuck living at Homeland after the hate groups target her. Don’t forget about Valiant telling you how Tammy’s best friend cut ties when she refused to leave him. Who will Jessie lose? How long will it take before she hates me? It’s better to give her up now, before either of us get hurt more.
“There will never be another night of us being together. I’m sorry but we can’t do this again.”
Her shocked expression made him wince.
“What?” The surprise quickly turned to anger as her gaze narrowed and her nose flared. “No way. You’re attracted to me and I feel the same. You’re being paranoid.”
“It’s for the best. We were drawn t
o each other but it must end.”
She withdrew finally to collapse on her ass on the bed. Her chin lifted and she stared at him. “You just wanted a two-night stand. Got it. I read things wrong by thinking there was something between us but obviously there’s not. I read you loud and clear now.”
He’d hurt her and knew it. She tried to hide the pain but her expressive eyes gave the emotion away. She mistook his words to mean that what he wanted from her had just been a passing flare of lust. A smart man would have allowed her to believe it but his heart had other priorities. He’d rather be honest than leave her feeling rejected.
“I don’t trust myself with you and you scare me, Jessie. I’m always in control but I wasn’t tonight. The other part of me wanted to posses you in every sense. I wanted your scent and your…feel. I—” He took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to explain it but damn it, I lost control and I’d rather never touch you again than risk hurting you.”
Her gaze softened and her tense shoulders relaxed. “You won’t hurt me.”
“I don’t know that and neither do you, Jessie.”
“I’m really trying to be patient with you but you’re starting to make me mad. I’m a big girl, an adult, and if it’s risky, I’m willing to deal with the consequences. I trust you and that’s the bottom line.”
“You’re human.” He welcomed anger over the sadness of giving her up. “This is why I never got involved with one.” He ran his fingers through his hair, clenched his teeth together and tried to center his thoughts. “It’s best if we end this before it begins.”
“You’re honestly frightened.” She suddenly smiled. “Of me. That’s kind of funny.” Her gaze raked down his body before returning to his eyes. “We said we’d sleep together and I’m holding you to it.” She patted the bed. “What side do you prefer?”
He wanted to stay, to hold her and to know what it would be like for the first time in his life not to sleep alone. His females never wanted to be held for longer than necessary. He wavered on his need to leave and his desire to spend more time with Jessie. Desire won out. It was one night, the last they’d ever share and he refused to deny himself that pleasure.