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  He had the key, giving her reason to look over her shoulder at him with nothing hidden from him in her gaze. His body brushed against hers as he reached around her to slide the key into the hole. She absorbed his scent and heat without touching or tasting him. Tiny bells jingled in every vein, and her thighs ached to grip him tight to her body. She was alive with anticipation.

  The door swung open, and the first thing she saw was that monster-sized bed with the dozen plump pillows and lofty mattresses. Her bed of many pleasures waited. But not for long.

  Gun took her arm, holding her in place until he shut the door. He hadn’t spoken, simply touched her bare neck with his fingertips and traced her spine with the same gentle touch. No, wait a minute. He had unsnapped two of the tiny hooks that held the dress together over her rear.

  Ali couldn’t stand to be that close and not wrap herself around him. She turned to face him and draped her arms around his neck. Still, she wanted to tease him a little longer.

  “What’s your hurry?” Her hips bumped against his.

  He cupped her ass in his hands, molding her to his cobalt-hard cock. “I thought we might play alligator, now that we’re alone.”

  She let her lashes lower for a second before meeting his hot gaze. “You’d lose, Gun.”

  Chapter 12

  Gun’s words crackled with pent-up desire. “Hell, I’m used to losing.”

  He jerked Ali away from the door and hugged her to his chest, her arms hanging limp while he clamped his mouth over hers. Getting enough of her wasn’t going to happen in one night. Donavon was hot, too, and wasn’t coy about it, moving her hips against his and jamming her hands down the front of his slacks.

  Moving her backwards across the plush carpet slowed up the process of getting in her pants. He wondered if his nuts would stand the delay. A familiar pressure under his arm reminded him there was a fully loaded weapon on his body.

  “Don’t go anywhere, Donavon.” She looked at him with annoyance when he let her go and began to unbutton his shirt. “Gotta get rid of the rod.”

  “Let me do that.” Ali clenched her teeth and moved his fumbling hands aside.

  She gripped the collar of his shirt and yanked until buttons ricocheted off in all directions. Hell with the buttons.

  “I didn’t like the damned shirt anyway.” Reaching around her, he released the final small hook at her waist. The sheer bodice of the dress slipped off her shoulders and settled precariously on her hips. “I want to see your legs.”

  She pushed the dress over her hips and shivered when it slipped to the floor. Lord be praised. The woman was perfect. Nice, handful-sized breasts, trim little ribcage, and great, rounded hips.

  He leaned to one side and grinned as he took in the shapely length of her tanned legs. “Hey, Donavon.” He couldn’t let this chance go by without making his request. “Don’t take those shoes off just yet.”

  It must have taken her ten minutes to turn around. Her smile struck up a jazz band in his balls, making his cock stretch another inch while she skinned her lace panties off. He got his slacks and shirt off in one ripping frenzy, kicking his boxers across the room.

  Her fine brows lifted slightly. “I hope you don’t intend to keep your shoes on.”

  He stepped out of his shoes and yanked his socks off, grinning at her. “I’ll be wearing nothing but a smile.” For the first time, he had trouble getting the damned snub-nosed .38 out of its holster, and a spark of frustration burned in his gut. He settled down under her firm touch.

  She pressed her hand to his chest, caressing the pistol as if it were part of him. “There’s something so sexy about a man with a gun.”

  “I’m not stingy. You can play with mine all you want.” His wolfish grin urged her to be more aggressive. “Wanna hold it?”

  “You’re scoring points, mister. I like sharing, too.” She wrapped her fingers around the grip of the pistol and pulled it up an inch. “Hmm, I like the feel of it.”

  He chuckled and squeezed her ass a little before bragging to her. “It gets better when it’s warmed up.”

  “Where do you do that?” She gave him a hot come-hither smile.

  No use getting in a hurry. Donavon wanted foreplay. “You got a warm place to put this thing?”

  Her pink lips opened, and her tongue peeked out for a second before she breathed, “Yeah.”

  His body went into a flameout mode. His animal instincts howled for him to simply throw her on the floor and go at it. Slow down; take it easy.

  Urgency to have her drove him into going the extra mile to do whatever she wanted. He couldn’t slow down. He was too horny. Damn, she was sweet, playing games with him, not caring if he didn’t know where he would be tomorrow or when he was coming back or that he hadn’t mentioned love. Time to find that warm place.

  “Show me where, pretty lady.”

  “Here.”

  He slid his hand between them, moving it to the down-covered slit between her legs. He’d never felt anything so damn sweet and absolutely earth shaking sexy. “Here?”

  He liked the tiny waver in her voice when she affirmed his find. “Yeah, that’s it.”

  “Feels sweet out here.”

  “Hot enough to heat up your nice big rod?”

  “Mighty damned perfect.” His finger teased the plush lips of her pussy. The feel of woman drove him nuts. Holding her still wasn’t easy, not while she climbed him, clamping her mouth to his.

  Her hips bucked against him as he slid a finger inside her slick little heater, moving it in and out in rhythm with his tongue in her mouth. He groaned as her fingers gripped his cock.

  “Gun,” she murmured under his lips. “Don’t stop with one.” She held his hand to her, helping him insert a second finger, whispering encouragement. “You’re a Titan.”

  A guy’s legs were supposed to be strong, but right now, his were putty. Her laughter struck new fire in his balls, and he couldn’t stand up against the pressure much longer. She had taken over his cock again, gripping his shaft and thumbing the head until he put his hand over hers.

  “Here, let me help you.”

  She leaned back and smiled at him, a real seductress with sex on her mind. “My first time.”

  “Getting a guy off?”

  “Getting help.”

  He laughed and grabbed her in a hard embrace, kissing her taunting mouth. Deep, marauding kisses that left him wanting everything. He was too hot to wait much longer and picked her up. His stride was swift, long, and strong as he carried her to the bed to drop her onto the bouncy mattress, following her down to lie between her legs as she obligingly opened for him.

  She wasted no time driving her fingers into his hair, seeking his mouth with feline licks and nibbles, finally biting like a wildcat. Her sweet-tasting tongue forced itself between his lips to probe every corner and hiding place. She stripped him of any secrets he might have had. All the while she claimed every inch of him, she moaned and made hot, sexy sounds loud enough to bounce off the walls and ceiling.

  He liked it, the way she stroked his ass and thighs, tangling her fingers in his coarse pubic hair and working her fingers up and down the length of his dick. He winced when her teeth settled around his nipple and closed. But she didn’t bite down, just sucked until his cock quivered and bounced against her belly. He couldn’t remember ever being so damned hot.

  “Donavon, are you ready to put it in the oven?”

  She tried to grab his arm as he rose up to look at her stretched enticingly beneath him. He cupped her breast, squeezing the small, rosy nipple until it beaded like a ripe raspberry. Her laugh was like a drug, pinching his balls with its teasing sound.

  “No, you haven’t licked the bowl yet.”

  He growled in male frustration and slid down to fasten his mouth on her belly button. “Okay, gator-gal, I’m going to see if your box tastes as good as it smells.”

  She laughed aloud and sat up to slap his cheek. “It probably tastes better, damn you.”

&
nbsp; Her laugh of delight spurred him hard and made him want to give her his best. She was soft and firm at the same time, satin skin and curves and hollows in all the right sexy places. He gripped her knees, pushing her legs up and apart to get at her cute twat. He heard no more arguments as he licked and nibbled her hot little slice until her thighs quivered and tightened around his shoulders. Her moans quickly gained enough volume to shake the drapery moments before she pulled a pillow over her face and let loose a scream. Man, she reached climax like a Texas cyclone.

  “I’m hot as canon, baby.” His words were raspy and labored. “Tell me right now if you’re finished!”

  She jammed her fingers in his hair again and it hurt like hell. Images of being scalped burned in his brain. He forgot that pain when she put her feet on his shoulders and arched her back, lifting her hips up to his chin. Shoes. Damned shoes. He grabbed her feet and pulled the platforms off, throwing them across the room. Cupping her ass in his hands, he bent to taste her once again, dipping his tongue deep inside her, alternating between thrusting into her slick, warm center and sucking the sassy clit in her rosy folds. Her next climax came with a wild rush of laughter and gasping moans.

  She went limp for one second before clutching his upper arms.

  “Gun.” Her eyes narrowed, and the muscles of her flat stomach spasmed when he stuck his tongue in her belly button. “Show me all of that again.”

  “Damn, if you keep me working all night, I’m going to have to call you chili pepper from now on.” He eagerly gave her everything she wanted, pushing her legs apart to nuzzle her slit, licking and mouthing her clit. She came again, a powerful, electrically charged orgasm that rocked her into submission. She fell back, smiling at him.

  “Are you ever going to put that longhorn in the corral?” She straightened her legs to rest on either side of him and lifted her arms above her head.

  He slid up to brace his weight over her, eyeing her sleek body. “You’re one fine woman, baby. Fine.” His voice was husky, rough with desire. He wished he knew what the hell she was thinking. “You’re just waiting to attack me, aren’t you?”

  Before he could react, she tangled her legs with his, clamping her arms around his waist. She whispered against his mouth.

  “You had better give me what I want.” She slapped his ass and laughed.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He covered her nipple with his mouth and sucked hard until she issued a soft warning.

  “Don’t make me wait, Gun.” She sealed the statement with a nip to his lower lip.

  Her hand gripped his cock, ending the keep-away game, especially when her warm palm cupped his balls. He was too excited to breathe, but managed to wheeze out a final comment. “It’s gator time.”

  He’d had plenty of sex lots of ways, but this was something brand new. Blood-pounding excitement no drug could deliver. His cock jumped like a toy on a string at the first touch of her silky, slick pussy and swelled in girth and length until he figured it would explode. Hot need surged through him just feeling her beneath him, the arching of her hips to take all he had. He thrust deep, shuddering when he thought he could feel her heartbeat.

  The need to come gripped his entire being, but he didn’t want to stop moving against her, or end the press of her legs around his waist. It was all too good, too good to pull from the tight, slick warmth between her legs. Way too awesome to end all that while she moved under him, sliding her sexy tongue in his mouth every time he plunged into her. Her cries of ecstasy were like hot lead in his blood. Not yet, not yet, his libido snarled. Fuck her all night.

  He couldn’t hold out. Desire for relief won and he pumped harder, his effort moving them several feet across the bed until her muscles clamped and her nails raked his back. He caught her scream of delight in his mouth, kissing her until the shock waves of the tsunami quieted.

  Two hours later, Ali lay on her back, eyes closed and wearing a tiny smile of victory on her full pink lips. She sighed when he moved a strand of hair from her cheek.

  Gun didn’t have enough strength left to move when she plopped her leg across his waist. Fuck. She couldn’t want to screw again. He groaned and laid his hand on her knee.

  “Easy there, chili pepper.” He figured she would hit him, but he didn’t care. “Go to sleep.”

  She draped her arm across his chest and tickled his ribcage. “Talk to me, Gun.”

  “No. I’m tired.” He caught her hand and kissed her thumb, sucking it into his mouth.

  She tightened her grip on his waist and hissed in his ear. “But there must be talk after sex.”

  “Okay. What?”

  “What do you mean, what?”

  “I never talk after knocking off a piece.”

  Her silence told him he’d made a mistake. He exhaled and sat up to look at her. Damn, now she was his bed partner. She was going to expect stuff. “Okay. We’ll talk.”

  She flung his hand away and rolled onto her stomach. “Go to hell.”

  “That your final answer, Donavon?” His gaze latched onto the inviting mounds of her ass, hard as nails, glutes perfectly defined under smooth skin. He grinned, leaning over to inspect a curiosity at the base of her spine. The thing he had barely glimpsed earlier. “What’s this?” He traced the tattoo of a small pair of handcuffs before leaning over to kiss the artwork. “Tying them together with that red ribbon is a nice touch.”

  She rolled onto her side. “I didn’t ask for your okay. Maybe I don’t like the scars on your legs or the one on your ribs.” Her hand covered the pale, jagged scar on his pec, and the expression in her eyes was close to sympathy.

  Gun regretted he had chosen to cut her off from himself and tried to make amends. “Yeah, they are pretty bad. Do I gross you out?”

  She got to her knees and put her arms around his neck. “Don’t be stupid. We all have scars.”

  He hugged her close, enjoying her warmth. Sometimes it was nice just being with someone who cared a little for you. “There’s not a damned thing wrong with you, Donavon.”

  Chapter 13

  Ali slipped out of bed and went out on their small balcony to listen to the morning rain. It rushed off the overhangs and splashed down to spray the brick courtyard in the back of the hotel. The humidity and sound of heavy downpour made her think of Charleston and its warm summer morning rain. She wondered if she would ever get back there.

  Rustling of the bed sheets and an audible groan made her look over her shoulder at Gun. He had tangled up in the sheet and lay on his belly, face turned toward her. She rolled her eyes, thinking about the rowdy sex they’d had a short time ago. Leaning around the doorway, she grabbed the half-full pack of cigarettes off the dressing table and lit one. She blew the smoke out toward the rain, watching it disappear.

  Regret squeezed her hard while she thought of all the sane reasons to avoid such crazy behavior. Not because he didn’t give a rat’s ass about her. Hell, no. She didn’t exactly like him, either. Well, that was a bold-faced lie. She did like him, damn it. He was a man wanting no ties, no soft emotion, and she knew all that. After all, she was in no rush to feather a new nest with some lying son-of-a-bitch anytime soon.

  Not wanting to think about how fast she had jumped in the sack with him, she snuffed out the cigarette and went back into the room. Making as little noise as possible, she went in the bathroom and brushed her teeth. No wonder she was hungry. Seven in the morning was a late start for her.

  No telling when “dream man” would regain consciousness. She had her robe off, ready to shower, when her cell phone rang. Not wanting to wake Gun, she grabbed it.

  “Yeah.”

  “Come back to bed.”

  Gun. She peered around the door to see him kicking the tangled sheets off and trying to sit up and hold the phone to his ear. He yawned sleepily and gazed around the room as if he were lost. She crooned into the mouthpiece.

  “Go to sleepy, little baby.”

  He stunned her when he finally broke his silence. “Speaking of babies, I do
n’t recall taking time out to get rubbers for our party.”

  Ali had never expected Jack Gunnison to spend time reflecting on the night before. “Gun. You’re not my first.”

  The silence was long, and she eyed him through the small space left between the door and the wall. He looked at the phone with a grin before speaking to her again.

  “Damned right, I’m not your first.” He threw the sheet aside and sprawled on his back. “I would have taught you a few things.”

  Resentment brewed in her stomach. What did he mean by that crack? It would be a cold day in hell before she let him touch her again. Not caring that she was nude, Ali opened the door. She walked to the bed to look at his smug face.

  “Not that I give a damn, but just exactly what did you find objectionable or lacking in my sexual performance?” Her narrowed gaze sought out his cock. He was rigid; his cock pressed so close to his belly, she might have a hard time getting her fingers around it. “Looks like part of you thought I was pretty good.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bed. “I don’t know. You’ll have to talk to him.” His gaze flicked over his member and back to her face.

  “Him? That has a gender and a name?”

  “Donavon’s jelly roll.” His chuckle was a sweet aphrodisiac, deep and rough, just like him.

  She stayed on her knees and braced her weight on his belly, avoiding the warm length of dick near her hand. Sex wasn’t on her mind at the moment. She didn’t know if she liked him well enough for another romp. The tips of her fingers grazed his chest, and she didn’t smile when she spoke.

  “Are you ever serious about lovemaking?”

  “Donavon.” He ran his hand up her arm and met her serious gaze, gesturing in a show of exasperation. “We fucked. That’s it. We fucked.”

  The slap of her palm to his belly rang in her ears. “You fucked. I made love.” She slapped his cheek for good measure. “You’re a pig, you know that? No wonder your wife left you for a lawyer.”