Savor the Danger
Page 96

Alani looked to the front door and saw Tai and Sargie looking out, big brown eyes hopeful, their noses pressed to the screen.
She laughed. “They are such big, sweet muffins.”
“Liger is more undecided.” Chris smiled back at the dogs. “But then that fat cat doesn’t stir himself for too many people, so why would he bother with another animal?”
“If Priss hears you call him fat, she’ll skin you.”
Chris laughed. “Actually, Trace is more defensive of him now than she is.”
“Yeah, that’s great. Good for Liger.” Impatient, Jackson scooped up the cat, stroked him a few times, whispered in his ear, then handed him over to Chris. “Thanks.”
Pretending great distress, Chris put a hand to his head. “First you want me, now you’re giving me the brush-off.”
Jackson gave him a light shove. “I said I needed someone like you.” He reached for Alani. “Besides, Dare would never give you up.”
“Course he wouldn’t. I’m too valuable.”
Alani hesitated. “You’ll let me know if Grim has any problems?”
“I will, but don’t worry. He’ll be fine.” He gave Jackson a level man-to-man stare. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” And with that, he walked off.
Jackson stood there a second. “What wouldn’t he do?”
Tugging him toward the house, Alani said, “Knowing Chris, it’s all fair game. And right now, that works just fine for me.”
“Much more talk like that,” Jackson murmured behind her, “and I won’t last.”
“We have the rest of the night.” The dogs had left the front door to follow Chris, so as she led Jackson through the house, they ran into no one. She propelled him into the room they’d use. “I’m interested to learn more about this quickie you mentioned, but—”
His mouth landed on hers. She found herself backed up to the closed door, his hips pressed to hers, his hands on her br**sts.
Oh, my. He really was impatient.
Alani ran her hands over his wide, hard back, down his spine and onto his sexy muscled backside.
He jumped as if pinched. Rearing back to see her, gaze hot, he whispered, “You little tease.”
Did her touch really cause so much reaction? Infused with confidence, Alani smiled. “I’d like a turn.”
Still with his hands on her br**sts, his thumbs teasing her ni**les, he asked, “At what?”
“Being the…aggressor.”
As they stared at each other, she felt the rise of his erection and his body heat.
When he said nothing, she gently pushed away from the door. “Let’s switch positions.”
“Yeah, okay.” But for once he seemed clumsy. Eyes narrowed with sensual intent, he watched her. “Woman, what are you planning to do?”
“Nothing you haven’t done to me.”
He sucked in a ragged breath. “Yeah.”
“Nothing I haven’t already done—except that you don’t remember.” She gazed up at him. “And you didn’t let me finish.”
Another breath. “Okay. Sure. If that’s what you want.”
“I want you, Jackson.” She opened his belt buckle.
In a rush, he shifted, reaching back for his holster as she slid the belt free.
Alani held out a hand, and he surprised her by placing the holstered gun in her palm. It was heavy but warm from his body. She set it, with the belt, on a chair beside the bed.
Avoiding Jackson’s gaze, knowing he had the power to throw off her plans with but a look, she concentrated on his jeans. The snap opened easily.
“Careful now,” he told her.
And he held his breath as she eased the zipper down over a solid erection. Slipping her hand inside the open jeans, she stroked him. The feel of him through the cotton boxers excited her.
She wanted more.
She dropped down to her knees.
Jackson rasped, “God, woman.” His big hand settled in her hair. “Gotta say, you look good down there.”
“That’s what you said the first time.” She smiled. “Let’s get off your boots so I can get you naked.”
He didn’t reply, and when she looked up, his long fingers worked through her hair. His chest labored, and color rose on his high cheekbones.
“You gonna blow me, darlin’?”
That was the plan, but she hadn’t expected him to outright ask. “Let’s play it by ear.”
He massaged her scalp. “Let’s play it by tongue.”
So suggestive. And since when could a hand on her head make her insane with need?
Since Jackson, obviously.
She turned her attention back to his boots, unlacing them and, when he lifted a foot, removing them. She peeled off his socks.
Even his big feet were sexy, she thought, especially with the way he braced them apart in anticipation of what would come.
Alani looked up the length of his tall body and came back to her feet.
“You’re killing me here.”
“A big, strong guy like you can take it.” Catching the hem of his shirt, she drew it up his torso. His skin was hot, and other than a sprinkling of body hair, smooth and sleek over iron muscles and long bones. Leaning forward, Alani kissed his chest, lightly bit a pectoral muscle, teased her tongue over a flat nipple.
His head went back. “If I come in my pants, it’ll be your fault.”
She stalled. “Is that a possibility?”