Fast Burn (Body Armor #4)(44)

He’d inferred so much, she licked suddenly dry lips. His hand being right there made it difficult to think. “Will we be in a relationship?”

“You’re naked under me.” His fingers probed, parting her so that his middle finger could press barely inside her. “You’re getting wet.” He lightly swirled that intruding finger. “I’d say we already are.”

Around a gasp of pleasure, Sahara thought, Oh good. A relationship. Now if he’d only get on with it. “So not just sex?”

“With you? No.”

She liked the way he said that, as if he couldn’t help himself from getting involved—especially if they were to be intimate. She accepted that she was already far too drawn to Brand, so it was nice to know she wasn’t alone. “You won’t be mean, will you?”

He raised his head, his expression concerned. “Do you really have to ask?”

She gave it some thought—not easy considering what he did to her—then shook her head. “You wouldn’t be.”

“No, I wouldn’t.” He withdrew his finger, only to slip back in with two, this time going deeper. “But I will enjoy taking the lead.”

“In bed?”

“Definitely.” He kissed her, longer this time, his tongue stroking into her mouth in the same rhythm as his fingers.

Loving the taste of him, his heady scent, she clung to him, her hands reaching as much of him as she could. He really needed to lose the boxers so they’d both be naked.

When he ended the kiss, she started to tell him so, but he didn’t give her a chance. “In bed, and any place outside of your work.”

Outside of work could cover a lot of ground. She wasn’t sure about committing to that.

Brand insisted. “Tell me you agree.”

Damn him, his fingers were still again. “I think this level of teasing falls into the category of being mean.”

“Then agree,” he said, grinning at her. “I know your word is good, but keep in mind, honey, you can call it quits anytime you like. You won’t be permanently locked in.” As he spoke, he pressed his fingers deeper, curling them so they touched in just the right spot to shoot sensation through her body. As if that weren’t enough, he brought his thumb into play, slicking up and over her clitoris. The dual assault stole her thoughts, her breath, even her will to deny him.

She lifted into the touch, whispering, “Agreed.”

Proving he’d gotten what he wanted, Brand stopped teasing and instead went about devastating her. His mouth latched on to a nipple, sucking strongly. His fingers found a rhythm that quickly drove her to the edge. She felt him hard against her hip, with the boxers still between them.

Pleasure grew in an ever-tightening coil. Heat built in pulsing waves. She gasped every breath, desperate for release...then groaned as the climax washed through her. Brand released her breast to lift up, watching her as she bowed and twisted. She squeezed her eyes shut, her lips parting on a low cry.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, but he didn’t let up.

Just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, he left her.

Standing beside the bed, he said, “I’ll be right back. Don’t move. Not a single muscle.”

Sahara leaned up to look at herself. Legs sprawled, skin damp...damper between her legs. She went flat again with a sigh. Was this part of his plan to take charge in bed? Did it matter?

“Yeah, sure.” She didn’t think she had the energy to do much moving anyway.

He walked out, but was back seconds later with a condom. She turned her head to watch him, but otherwise remained boneless.

Holding the packet in his teeth, his gaze burning hot on her body, he shucked off his shorts.

Finally. And damn, he looked fine, as amazing as she’d imagined, maybe more so.

Naturally, she’d never been with anyone who wasn’t attractive. She had standards, and while intelligence and kindness might rank at the top, being physically appealing was important, too. Yet, she’d never been with anyone so finely honed, with muscles cutting everywhere, across his shoulders and chest, down his abs, through thick thighs and strong calves.

His movements were fluid, his strength flexible. He paid no attention to his body, and she couldn’t look away.

A fighter, ripped and ready to engage.

With her.

Sahara touched a hand to her throat, nearly overcome with anticipation. Her skin tingled, and her heart started pounding all over again. She felt the pull of excitement in her nipples, her stomach...and between her legs.

Dark hair sprinkled his upper chest then bisected his body in a narrow line, swirling around his navel, then cutting low again to frame his erection. Even that part of him was enough to steal her breath.

As she stared, he wrapped a hand around himself and stroked once.

“I like how you look at me.”

Her attention shot to his face. His incendiary dark gaze bored into hers.

“I knew fighters had sex appeal,” she explained. “It’s why I was so keen on hiring them for the agency.”

His gaze narrowed. “You’ve thought about the others the same way?”

Unable to keep her gaze off his body, she shrugged. “I suppose I have, in a mercenary, detached way.”

He stepped closer, both hands now dangling at his sides, the condom held between two fingers. “Explain that.”