Big Bad Beast
Page 31

Dont laugh, he told himself. Do not laugh.
How she came up with special friends he didnt know, but man was it lame.
But Ric didnt care. In less than five minutes he had Dee-Ann Smith stalking him around his kitchen and putting moves on him hed only seen in documentaries on animal-mating rituals.
Even better, she was leaning in and sniffing him. Considering he hadnt showered, she should be kind of turned off, but she looked to be about seconds from rubbing her body all over his.
Special friends? he repeated back to her. Is that like special needs?
Look, she snapped when she opened her eyes and glared at him. Lets not make this complicated.
But it is complicated, Dee-Ann. We work together, were friendsand, he added in a moment of sheer brilliance, I cant handle another morning waking up all alone after some female has had her way with me. Only calling me when she needs me to service herlike some stud bull. Dee focused her gaze over to the refrigerator, taking a moment to squeeze her eyes shut, her entire body shuddering a bit as she let that sink into her stubborn brain.
When she seemed to be calm, her gaze returning to his, Ric added, I just dont want to be used anymore.
Okay, okay! Dee paused, the look on her face telling him her mind was racing, trying to convince him this was the best idea ever. God, he was good. Uncle Van would be proud. You . . . wont be used anymore. Well simply take this slow. Keep it between us, but . . . um . . . Her gaze focused on his mouth. You know, itll be like a . . .
Relationship?
Yeah. Sure. Why not?
Youll be here when I wake up tomorrow, and youll let me feed you?
Uh-huh. Sure.
Ric brought his hand up and used his fingertip to trace the lines of her mouth. You promise, Dee-Ann?
Her panting worse, she said, I promise. Promise, promise, promise.
All right then, Ric said, his finger gliding across her jaw to her ear, until his hand slid into her hair and gripped it hard, pulling her head back a little so he would have a better angle on her mouth.
As long as you promise, he whispered, before he took her mouth and made it his.
Wait. Hold it. When did she lose control here?
She had no clue, but when both his hands held her head and he kissed her with that much intensity, she stopped caring. Instead, she let him kiss her like that, her body pulled tight into his.
His tongue swirled around hers, teasing, engaging until he pulled back slightly.
I have to take a shower, he said, his lips brushing against hers with each word.
A shower? Now?
I didnt get a chance after practice.
Yeah, but
Youll join me. He grabbed hold of her hand and stepped away from the counter, pulling her behind him as he walked out of the kitchen. Two birds, one stone. Together they walked down the long hallway until they entered his big bedroom with the astoundingly big bed.
Is that the bear-sized queen? she finally asked, seeing as shed always wondered.
Yes. I thought about going for the bear-sized king, but I was afraid Id end up in the middle and get lost forever.
She chuckled as he led her to the ultra-bright and clean bathroom.
Still holding her hand, Ric pressed a button beside the enclosed shower and five of the seven heads inside burst to life, a little digital readout next to the button stating that the temperature was a warm seventy-eight degrees.
The man certainly did like his luxuries.
He turned toward her and finally released her hand, but thats when he started stripping her naked. He slid her jacket off her shoulders and untucked her T-shirt from her jeans. He stepped in closer, eyes locked on hers, and reached around her, removing the sheathe that held her bowie knife and the holster that held her gun. He placed those carefully on the counter and returned to her. He gripped the bottom of her T-shirt and lifted it up and over her head, letting it drop to the floor. With his finger he unhitched the front clasp of her bra and used both hands to push the cups aside.
Ric stared at her for a long moment, his eyes feasting on her before he slowly brought his hands up and palmed her breasts, stopping to squeeze.
Dees eyes closed, her toes curling inside her boots. He squeezed again and Dees panting began to fill the enormous bathroom along with the sound of the running shower.
Im sorry, he said politely before moving his hands away from her breasts and down to her waist. I simply cant wait. Then he leaned over and caught one of her nipples in his mouth. Dees panting turned to groaning, her head falling back, her hands reaching over and gripping his shoulders.
He sucked and toyed at the hard bud with his lips and tongue, his fingers digging into her flesh.
Her hips began to move, slowly tipping forward in time with each tug and suck of her nipple.
Ric released the one he was working on and moved to the other while one of his hands moved away from her waist and went to the button of her jeans. He opened it and unzipped the fly. He pulled her closer with the hand still on her waist and tugged at her jeans until they dropped to her feet. His hand slid between her legs and cupped her pussy, one finger teasing her clit through her black cotton panties.