Edge of Midnight (McClouds & Friends #4)(110)

“Ah.” Her arms tightened. She pressed her warm, soft lips against his shoulder. “And did you think that—”

“No,” he broke in savagely. “I didn’t think. Kev’s been dead fifteen years. And I still didn’t think. See? That’s my problem. I never think.”

“No.” Her soft voice was stubborn. “You don’t have a problem. You think just fine. You just think…differently. But you’re brilliant.”

The burst of laughter hurt his throat. “Brilliant. Freaking out over a kite while I’m supposed to be protecting you? Yeah, babe. Genius.”

He stared into those black-fringed gray eyes. Felt sweaty-palmed hunger grip him, revving his engines. Adrenaline, shifting into lust.

She sensed it, and stiffened. “Don’t you give me that look, you sex freak. You’re not going to get lucky with me on a public beach in broad daylight, so get it out of your head.”

He saw a solution. Made for it, towing her behind him.

“And just where do you think you’re taking me?” she asked.

He jerked his chin at the building. “That hotel.”



Liv stumbled into the hotel room, backing up as Sean advanced on her. She circled the bed, putting it between them. He pulled the drapes closed with a hard yank. They stared at each other in the dimness.

That predatory look in his eyes made her feel like a quivering virgin who could barely guess what was in store for her. Heart hammering, belly tightening, breathless excitement. Her lips, her breasts, her crotch, all tingled and buzzed. Her laughing, teasing, playful Sean who wheedled and coaxed and patiently, skilfully seduced her into sex was nowhere to be seen.

This man would not coax. He would take what he wanted.

He made her stammering and stupid; his big, gorgeous body, the stark beauty of his battered face. Those eyes. He could ignite desperate yearning inside her with just one smoldering look.

And it was all the more potent for the silence, the waiting.

He ripped off the shirt he’d bought that morning. She just couldn’t get used to the lean, sinewy perfection of his body.

“You’re wearing some of that sexy underwear under that dress?” The seductive rasp of his voice dragged over her nerves like silken fur.

She tried to reply, but her breath was too uneven. A stuttering squeak came out. She opted for a nervous nod.

“Strip,” he said softly. “Show me.”

She leaned down, began unbuckling the delicate ankle straps.

“No,” he said. “Leave on the shoes.”

She straightened, running her hands over the curves of her body, modeling the stretchy sheath dress for him. It was sexy, comfy, a blend of rust, orange and brown. The nine hundred dollar price tag that had dangled from the sleeve was a blatant provocation. “Do you like my dress?” she asked shakily. “I hope so, because you paid enough for it.”

“I like it fine,” he growled. “Get it off.”

She took her time, tugging up the clinging skirt, in no hurry to reveal the lingerie she’d put on that morning. The thigh-high brown stockings, trimmed with brown and gilt lace that by some freak of masterful design actually stayed up. The chiffon panties, the sheer, clinging chemise. The transparent demi-bra, which hoisted her boobs up to unheard-of heights while still managing to look delicate.

She pulled the dress over her head, careful not to dislodge the wig, and shook the unfamiliar wavy locks loose over her shoulders.

“Take off the wig,” he commanded.

Liv ran her fingers through the curls. “I kind of like it. Pretending to be someone else is freeing, you know? I’m just some anonymous blonde in a hotel room. Who knows which way I’ll jump?”

“I’ve f*cked lots of anonymous blondes in hotel rooms,” he said. “I’m bored with it. I want to f*ck you. Lose the wig. Now.”

She peeled the wig off, muttering under her breath as she plucked out pins, and shook the dark mass of hair down into a kinky, tangled cloud over her back. She lifted her chin. “Happy now?”

“I’m getting there,” he rasped. “Soon. I’ll be happy very soon.”

She backed up against the vanity. He loomed over her, stealing all the oxygen, blocking all the light. Her bottom pressed hard against the cool, varnished wood. He kicked her legs apart and stood between them. The fine chiffon snagged on the rough spots on his hands.

He sank down onto his knees in front of her, took one of her feet, caressing it in his big, warm hands before draping it over his shoulder.

“Pull the crotch away,” he directed her. “Show me your *.”

She shivered with dizzy excitement as she tugged the damp scrap of chiffon out of the way. She was so aroused, puffy and pink and wet.

He let out a long sigh of delight. “Wow. So shiny and pink. You glow. Put your finger inside your *. Show me how wet you are.”

She bit her lip, shaking uncontrollably as she parted her labia and slid her finger inside herself. She wanted to do it seductively, like a strip tease, but she was too aroused to choreograph herself.

She pulled her finger out. Sean seized her hand, dragged her finger into his mouth. The hot, tight suction sent delicious shivers of longing through her. He pulled her finger out of his mouth.

“Hold your panties out of the way while I get my fix,” he ordered.