Murder List

  “Just remember,” he whispered gruffly as he reached her. “You started this.”

  He pulled her close, kissed her forehead, and then let go. Regan knew he was giving her yet another chance to change her mind, one last chance perhaps to tell him to leave.

  Like that was gonna happen.

  Alec held his breath while he waited for her to make up her mind. She put her arms around his neck and smiled up at him with that tantalizing dimple just above the corner of her mouth. Nope, he never had a chance.

  “Just you remember,” she said, “that I started this.”

  She kissed his chin, then moved lower and kissed the pulse beating rapidly at the base of his neck. He must have liked what she was doing because he pulled her tight against him, and so she did it again.

  And then he took over. He tilted her head back with a kiss that didn’t leave any doubt how much he wanted her. He lifted her off the ground as he ravaged her mouth.

  They were suddenly frantic to get their clothes off. His hands shook as he reached for the zipper at the back of her dress. It was awkward because he couldn’t stop kissing her long enough to pay attention to what he was doing, and she was trying to remove his shirt at the same time.

  She’d gotten a couple of his buttons undone, and was tugging his shirt from his waistband when she accidentally touched his gun and holster. She reacted as though she’d just touched fire. Flinching, she jerked back, but Alec was still quicker. He had her hand flat against his chest before she could pull away from him.

  “Could you …” she whispered. She was trying to ask him to remove the gun but couldn’t get the words out. He was distracting her by nibbling on her earlobe. “… get rid of …”

  “It’s okay,” he answered.

  She sighed. Her heart was racing, and she was trying to catch her breath. Kissing had never caused such a reaction before. Granted, she hadn’t kissed all that many men, but enough to know that kissing Alec was completely different. Maybe because she was already emotionally invested. Everything about him aroused her. She needed to slow down so that she could savor every single minute of this night with him, but at the same time, she wanted him to hurry up and take his clothes off.

  He made her step back so he could pull his shirt over his head. His chest was all muscle, swirling dark hair, and bronzed skin.

  He was beautiful. He pulled her back into his arms, and she felt his hot skin against hers. It wasn’t enough. She wrapped her hands around his neck and tugged on his hair to get him to kiss her again.

  The kiss was hot and wet. She felt like she was melting against him.

  He removed his gun and holster, and backing her to the side of the bed, he put the weapon on her nightstand and then forced himself to stop kissing her long enough to get her clothes off.

  That was the goal anyway, but the dress wasn’t cooperating. The zipper got stuck and wouldn’t budge, no matter how much he tugged on it. He thought maybe he’d jammed it. He clenched his jaw and tried again. He was usually a hell of a lot smoother undressing women, but tonight was different because he was with Regan. He had never felt this kind of desperation before. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go.

  He tried to concentrate on the task at hand, but she was making it difficult. She was kissing his neck again and stroking his back. It felt so good he didn’t want her to stop.

  “Turn around,” he whispered as he pulled her hands away and forced her to do as he’d asked. Then he tried again to get her dress unzipped.

  She tried to help, but her hands just got in his way. “How much do you like this dress? The thing … it’s stuck.”

  “The thing?”

  “The zipper.” He was smiling now because she sounded as rattled as he did.

  “I hate this dress,” she blurted out.

  She sure looked hot in it, but if he had to, he was going to tear it to shreds to get to her. The zipper finally gave and slid down … all the way to the base of her spine.

  She wasn’t wearing a bra. He noticed that right away. Then he noticed how flawless her back was. He slowly trailed his fingers down the opening until he reached a tiny wisp of black lace.

  He didn’t know which turned him on more. Her indrawn breath when he’d touched her or seeing that little bit of lace.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

  Regan reached up to pull the straps over her arms but suddenly froze when his hands slid inside her dress and began to caress her skin.

  His hands slowly circled her. She started to turn in his arms, but he wouldn’t let her, and when at last he touched her breasts, she made a tiny gasp in the back of her throat and fell back against him. Trembling with desire, she didn’t know how much of this exquisite torture she would withstand without coming apart.

  Her response drove Alec crazy. His head dropped down to the side of her neck, and his breathing became harsh. He managed to let go of her long enough to get undressed. Her dress fell to the floor, and she gracefully stepped out of it and reached for the covers. She pulled them back and then began to pull the clips from her hair. Alec’s shoes and socks went flying in one direction and her clips in another.

  He knew it was only a matter of minutes before he lost all control. He wanted her ready before he did that.

  “We’ve got to slow down.”

  He meant what he said, but then she turned around and those perfect breasts rubbed against his chest. Slowing down didn’t seem all that important any longer.

  They fell together onto the bed. He cradled her in his arms as he rolled her onto her back and nudged her thighs apart with his knee. He braced his weight so he wouldn’t crush her. Then he growled low in his throat with sheer male satisfaction because one of his fantasies about her was finally coming true. He had her right where he wanted her.

  She looked disheveled and thoroughly aroused. Her hair was spread on the pillow, framing her flushed face; her eyes were dark with passion, and her lips were swollen from his kisses. He knew it was a primitive, barbaric response on his part, but he was still arrogantly pleased that he had put his mark on her. He’d never felt this way about any other woman. What was next? he wondered. Would he start dragging a club and carrying her over his shoulder? Would he start shouting like Tarzan?

  He shook his head when she tried to pull him down to kiss her. He rolled to his side and took his time looking at her perfect body.

  “I’ve been thinking about this a long time.” He slowly trailed his fingertips down her neck, then lower to the valley between her breasts, smiling over the goose bumps he left behind. She tried to grab his hand when he reached her navel. He wouldn’t be stopped, though.

  And he wouldn’t be rushed. Ever so slowly he removed her lace panties, taking his time, savoring every inch of golden skin he touched.

  She battled her shyness, but she didn’t cover herself. She watched his face as he stroked her. His jaw was clenched tight, and sweat had broken out on his forehead. He seemed to be on the verge of losing his control.

  But then so was she. Her legs moved restlessly against him. He was tormenting her, making her crazed because he wouldn’t let her touch him. His hand moved between her thighs. She almost came off the bed then. His touch was magical and demanding.

  She couldn’t remain passive any longer. She pulled her hand away from his and reached up to stroke the side of his face. Her fingers slowly traced his mouth, then moved lower to caress his neck and shoulders. His body was absolutely perfect. His skin was hot, and she could feel the power of those hard muscles in his upper arms. The crisp dark hair on his chest tickled her fingertips.

  She took her time, for she was determined to drive him out of his mind, but he kept distracting her. He was stroking her breasts as he nibbled her neck.

  She closed her eyes, arched her neck back, and then trailed her fingers down his stomach. The muscles in his abdomen flexed in response, and he growled low in his throat.

  She knew her touch pleased him, but she wanted more.
Ever so slowly her fingertips circled his navel and then moved lower. Her hand slid down between his thighs. His deep indrawn breath told her how much he liked what she was doing to him.

  She became more demanding. She wrapped her hand around him … and sent him right over the edge. He grabbed her hand, rolled on top of her, and kissed her passionately. His tongue rubbed against hers as his hands caressed her. He moved lower, and when he began to kiss her breasts, she arched up against him and let out a ragged sigh. He told her he was going to kiss every inch of her body, and then he set about proving it. He tickled her navel with his tongue, then moved lower still until he was touching the very heat of her.

  The pleasure was exquisite, consuming. Her nails dug into his shoulder blades and she cried out.

  Alec’s control was in tatters now, and he was desperate to be inside her.

  “Alec …”

  “It’s okay. I just need to protect you.”

  He reached down and grabbed his trousers. Regan rolled on top of him and was fervently kissing his shoulders while he fumbled in the back pocket for his wallet. He found what he was searching for and gently rolled back until she scooted off him.

  When he was ready, he grabbed her hands, stretched her arms high above her head, and held her there. And then he once again began to make love to her with his mouth, his tongue, and his fingers.

  The first tremors of ecstasy caught her unaware. It should have ended there, but it didn’t. The pleasure was gathering, building, so intense she almost couldn’t bear it. Terrified of what was happening, she struggled to stop it.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered as he continued to stroke her. “Just hold me and let it happen. It’s okay, Regan.” He moved between her thighs, and with one swift plunge, he was inside her, deep inside. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw tight for the pleasure was almost too much to bear. She cried out and arched up against him, then drew her knees up and wrapped her legs around him.

  His control snapped. She felt so wonderful he couldn’t make himself slow the pace. Her passion more than equaled his, and her response to his touch was wild, uninhibited.

  She lifted her hips to meet each hard thrust, and when at last he climaxed inside her, she was there with him, screaming his name as she came apart.

  She thought she just might die from the sheer ecstasy shimmering through her. Alec collapsed on top of her and buried his head in the crook of her neck. It took him several minutes to calm his labored breathing.

  It had never been this good, no, not good, perfect before. She had overwhelmed him, and he was staggered by his need for her.

  He slowly regained enough strength to move. He lifted up and looked into her eyes. “You okay?” His voice was no more than a raspy whisper.

  She was still reeling from what had just happened. She’d read about it. She’d heard about it, but until tonight, she had never experienced it.

  Amazing, she thought. Simply amazing. And beautiful. There weren’t enough words to describe what had happened to her. She still felt a warm glow all over. Could he feel her heart pounding against his? Did he have any idea what he had done to her? Had he experienced the same splendor? Or was it different for a man? The wonder of their lovemaking stunned her, and she couldn’t stop trembling.

  “Regan?”

  “Yes, I’m okay.” That had to be a gross understatement.

  He kissed her once hard then rolled away from her and went into the bathroom.

  His abrupt departure startled her. She didn’t want him to leave, not just yet anyway. She wanted him to hold her in his arms and whisper all the romantic words she longed to hear.

  She could feel the tears gathering in her eyes. Oh, God, not now. Don’t let me cry now. She took a deep breath, groaned, and then pulled the sheet up and rolled onto her stomach. His scent was on the pillow. She had the urge to pick up that pillow and bury her head under it. She couldn’t believe how vulnerable and self-conscious she was feeling. What was the matter with her? She had started this. What had she expected? For him to drop down on his knees and tell her how much he loved her? That was the stuff of fairy tales.

  A tear spilled out on her cheek. She impatiently wiped it away. Tonight was driven by lust, not love … for him, anyway. She groaned again. She wasn’t going to regret tonight. Her heart was too fragile to ever let it happen again, but she wouldn’t be sorry.

  She didn’t hear Alec walk back into the bedroom. She felt him when he sat down on the bed beside her. “Move over,” he said.

  She rolled onto her side to face him just as he tried to yank the sheet down. She held tight. “I thought you were getting dressed.”

  “You didn’t notice my clothes are all over the floor?”

  “No, I didn’t notice.”

  They were involved in a tug-of-war with the sheet. He won. He stretched out beside her and pulled her to him. “I should go.” He began to nuzzle her neck. “Yeah, I should go. How come you smell so good?”

  “I bathe.”

  He laughed. Then he pinched her backside, and she yelped.

  “How come you’re so soft?”

  She kissed his neck before answering. “I’m a girl.”

  “Yeah, I noticed.”

  She couldn’t stop touching him. She loved the feel of his hard muscles beneath her fingertips. They glided over his shoulders and his chest. His body was warm and hairy and sexy. She wrapped her arms around his waist and decided she was never going to let go. He was going to have to peel her off of him. That image made her smile.

  “It was better than my fantasy,” he said.

  “You’ve thought about it?”

  “Oh, yeah. You did too.”

  She didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

  “Was it as good as your fantasy?”

  Her voice dropped to a whisper. “It was … so-so.”

  He laughed. Then he pushed her onto her back and leaned over her. “So-so?” he repeated.

  He looked a little worried. She realized then that there was a thread of insecurity hidden under all those layers of arrogance. She was stunned. How could he not know how much pleasure he had given her?

  She cupped the side of his face. “It was perfect.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. He thought it would be a see-you-later kind of kiss, but as soon as his mouth touched hers, everything changed. His tongue rubbed erotically against hers. He kept telling himself he just wanted a little bit more and he’d be satisfied. How come he couldn’t get enough of her?

  She moved restlessly against him. “Alec?” she whispered.

  “You want to go again?”

  Her eyes widened. She pushed his shoulders. “Go again? What kind of pillow talk is that?”

  She honestly didn’t know if she wanted to yell at him or laugh.

  Then he grinned and laughter won out. “I can do pillow talk,” he boasted.

  “Prove it.”

  He got sidetracked by the devilish way her lips curled up. The dimple was interfering with his thought process too, and so he looked into her eyes. It seemed to hit him all at once, the reality of what had just happened. This beautiful, sweet, perfect creature had taken him to her bed.

  She nudged him. “I’m waiting,” she whispered, and then she batted her eyelashes at him.

  He laughed again. “Okay. Here’s what I think we ought to do.” And then he explained in the most graphic detail how he wanted to make love to her and what he expected in return.

  By the time he’d finished, her cheeks were bright pink. “What kind of women have you been hanging out with?” she asked. She tried to sound shocked.

  “Gymnasts, acrobats. Why do you ask?” His hands moved down to her hips.

  “Alec, what are you doing?”

  “It’s called multitasking. I’m talking and touching at the same time.” He slowly moved down her body, and his mouth and tongue were driving her wild. “We could try something new,” he said. He kissed the valley between her breasts and then whispered, “But why m
ess with perfection?’

  Chapter Thirty-six

  ALEC WOULDN’T SPEND THE NIGHT. SHE TRIED TO ENTICE HIM, but she couldn’t get him to change his mind. He was far more concerned about protecting her good name than she was. She put on a blue silk robe that didn’t quite reach her knees and sat on the side of the bed while Alec got dressed.

  Her legs distracted him from what he was doing. When he realized where his thoughts were taking him, he turned and walked into the living room.

  “What’d I do with my phone?”

  She followed him. “It’s in your coat pocket.”

  He turned around to tell her good night. She stepped closer and buttoned his shirt for him while he clipped on his holster and flipped the leather snap in place over his gun.

  She stretched up on tiptoes and kissed him just below the jaw. “Sleep over,” she whispered.

  “No.”

  His harsh tone didn’t bother her because he was kissing the side of her neck while he refused her.

  “Don’t you want to?”

  “Of course I want to,” he said. “And if the circumstances were different, I would.”

  His hands slid inside her robe. He couldn’t get enough of her. Not good, he told himself. He pulled his hands back. “The whole world is watching you, and I don’t want anyone talking …”

  “The whole world? Surely not.”

  “You’ve got the police department, the security team, the hotel staff, and your brothers watching your every move. Did you forget there’s a policeman standing outside your door? I don’t want anyone speculating about you or gossiping or teasing …” She was kissing his neck and tormenting him with her tongue. “Stop that.”

  After giving the order, he put his hands on her shoulders with the intent of making her step back. He pulled her up against him instead. His chin dropped down on her head.

  “Am I the only one worried about your reputation?”

  “Apparently so.”

  He laughed. “Damn, you’re sweet.”