Lee had gone back to The Covington after some convincing that they’d be all right without her at his place for the night. Marchetti was going to lie low, at least tonight. He was hit and bleeding. Pete had checked in with Raleigh Carter. Told him to be on the lookout for the guy. Even though his CI was shaking in his boots, he’d agreed to let Pete know if Marchetti crossed the Antioch scum radar. One good thing about Raleigh was that the meth-head knew them all.
He’d bade Nikki goodnight and she’d headed up to his room. Pete could have slept in his guest room, or let her take it when she’d offered, but had thought it better they had one storey between them. Although a staircase and a hallway did nothing to his want. It was still killing him to know she was up there. In his bed. Alone.
“Pete?”
Eyes flying open, his heart thumped and he startled, one hand on the butt of his gun. “Jesus!”
Nikki slid closer, her palms flat and high. “Sorry. It’s just me.”
Shit.
He hadn’t heard her come back downstairs.
Forcing himself to relax and let go of his weapon, he took a deep breath. “Are you okay?” he croaked.
“Me? Sure. I wanted to make sure you are. Tonight was crazy. And… I needed to apologise.”
“For what, darlin’?” Pete sat up straighter and made himself scoot back a little when she took a seat beside him.
“Our argument.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’re cooped up together—no surprised things can get heated.”
She smiled and gave a small nod. Nikki tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear and leaned closer.
Heated. Sure as hell the wrong choice of words.
His gaze travelled her gorgeous form. She was dressed in her same outfit of barely-there sleepwear—a pale green spaghetti-strapped tank and matching shorts that stopped at her ass. Smelt good, too. Something clean and floral.
Damn, she had great legs…arms, neck, everything.
Nikki moved closer, her thigh touching his. She put her hand on his leg. The warmth of her touch sank into the jeans.
Pete’s cock jumped, begging her to move closer to his crotch. To touch him. Stroke him. Free him.
Their lips met on a mutual groan and he yanked her onto his lap, deepening their kiss. Nikki straddled him, her thinly covered sex hitting him with enough impact he was rock hard in less than a second.
She pushed her hands up under his shirt at the same time he spread his palms beneath her tank across the soft skin of her back.
He needed her bare.
Now.
She rocked in his lap, her tongue mingling, dancing and duelling with his.
His abs quivered under her seeking fingers and Pete’s heart hit overdrive. He kissed her harder, pressing her into his chest until her hands had no room to roam and her breasts were flat.
Nikki moaned and kept his pace, slanting her mouth against his again and again.
A voice popped up in his head to stop, reminding him this wasn’t right, but there was no saying no.
She was passion and heat, and he
needed
her.
“Pete,” Nikki breathed against his mouth.
He stopped kissing her though his body screamed a protest, and pulled back to meet her eyes. Heavy-lidded and almost black, he read desire as strong as his. Pete’s cock throbbed.
They panted against each other.
“Darlin’? Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head. “I want to go to your room. Now.”
Conscience broke through from the back of his mind, and he sucked in a breath. “We shouldn’t do this,” he whispered.
“I want you.”
Pete’s whole body stuttered. God, she was going to kill him and she hadn’t even touched his cock yet.
“Are you okay?” Nikki whispered.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.”
Hurt crossed her gorgeous face.
If he rejected her, it would be it for them. Dead in the water before they could even be. Pete would never have another shot with her, forbidden or not.
Nikki put her hands on his shoulders and squeezed. “You want me, too.” Statement, not question.
Pete didn’t say anything. Opening his mouth would result in a resounding
yes
and he wasn’t ready to admit it.
It’s wrong. So wrong.
Irritation flashed across her expression, and she pulled away. “Are you denying what’s between us?” Her whisper was thick and he bit back a wince.
He wouldn’t hurt her again.
She rocked in his lap, tearing a moan from his lips. “Because this feels like we’re on the same page. Am I wrong?”
“Damn, that’s unfair,” Pete groaned.
Nikki grinned.
Fuck it.
Cupping her face, he devoured her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back hard, like she wasn’t done proving her point.
“Upstairs, now,” she ordered against his lips.
He stood without breaking their kiss, gathering her up in his arms and hitting the stairs.
When he set her to her feet in his room, Nikki looked up at him, her expression open and earnest. “Pete, I—”
“Shhh.” He pressed his finger to her kiss-swollen lips. “I want you, Nikki. Never doubt that.”
She threw herself into his arms and Pete laughed as he caught her up. He took her mouth and carried her to his bed, then set her down at the centre. He took a step back to rip off his shirt.
Nikki stared. “You have a tattoo.”
“Yeah, I was young and dumb once.” He gestured to the badge and gun on his chest, wishing he had enough chest hair to obscure the thing.
She laughed. “Oh yeah, you’re just so ancient, Detective.”
Old enough to know better than this.
But he couldn’t say it. Nikki was in his bed. She wanted him. He wanted her. Pete was going to have her.
“Lose the clothes, Ms Harper,” he said, ignoring her jibe.
Giggling, she nodded. “You, too, Detective Crane.”
Pete grinned and slid the holster off his belt, setting his SIG on the nightstand. He tried not to stare her down when she lifted her gorgeous bottom and pushed the pale green shorts off her hips. Tried not to gulp at the first glimpse of her sex.
Her tank followed and she was in his bed, naked.
Body supple, curvy in all the right places. Breasts perfect, round and high. He would taste them again—and the rest of her. The trimmed strip of red curls between her legs made him groan.
She made no efforts to hide herself from him. Looked in his direction with desire and heat in her brown eyes. Waiting for him
.
Wanting
him
.
Pete itched to touch her. His mouth went dry. He swallowed hard, fumbling with his zipper, but he refused to look away from Nikki.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this quiet,” she whispered, holding out her hand to him. She rose to her knees.
“Because you’re so damn gorgeous,” he managed, kissing her knuckles as he stopped at the edge his bed.
She blushed and flashed a smile that had his heart thundering in his ears.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Detective.” Her hand skimmed his chest and the sparse blond fuzz.
His nipples peaked as her fingertip traced his pec.
He clenched his jaw. “You’re killing me.”
“Well, we’re just getting started, but it looks like you need some help.”
Pete let her open his belt and lower his zipper. His abs and cock jolted at the same time, but she didn’t pause, pushing the jeans off his hips and down until he could step out of them. He made quick work of his cowboy boots and socks.
With a strength that surprised him, Nikki snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him down. They moved onto the bed in unison, Pete fusing their mouths as he settled into the cradle of her body. His cock threatened to blow when her bare skin met his.
Kissing her harder, he rocked his hips. His erection was trapped pleasantly between them, throbbing against her hot core.
She moaned and writhed under him. Her arms tightened as he dragged his tongue in a path down her neck. Whimpering, Nikki rubbed her pelvis into his.
After he suckled one nipple, she arched, burying her hands in his hair and holding him to her. Prevented him from continuing.
Pete chuckled. “I need to breathe.”
She panted, wiggling. “Sorry.”
He smiled as he circled the hard peak with his tongue, blowing gently before nibbling.
Nikki moaned his name, tugging his hair with tight fingers.
“Smother me against your beauty anytime.” He licked his way downward, lavishing the soft part of her belly before urging her thighs wider.
He parted her curls with his tongue. She was hot, wet. Pulling her swollen clit into his mouth, he sucked hard until she screamed and yanked his hair again.
Pete didn’t care if she made him bald as her essence greeted his tongue, he just needed more. He licked and nipped up and down her slick folds, sliding one finger inside, then two.
Moving his hand in rhythm with his tongue, he tasted her fresh arousal as more moisture rushed her sex and her core pulsed around his fingers.
She threw her head back and yelled, lifting her hips off the bed. Her muscles tightened, and she panted his name. “Pete, I’m…I’m…”
“Let go, Nikki. Come for me, darlin’.”
He looked up at her, gloriously laid open for him on his bed, flushed pink from head to toe, her thick red locks spread out in waves on his pillow.
Pete gulped. His balls tightened like he was about to climax. His cock jerked. Fighting for control, he whispered her name as her inner muscles gripped his fingers.
He stroked her thigh and helped her ride out the orgasm. She clutched at him, hands grasping for purchase on his forearm.
Nikki’s brown eyes were almost black as her gaze collided with his. “I…need…you…inside.”
Dropping his body over hers, Pete stared into her flushed face. “Condom?”
“I’m on birth control.”
“I know, but—”
“I trust you. I…don’t…want anything between us.”
His heart thudded and he studied her. “I don’t know what to say,” he whispered.
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Then get inside me. I need you.” Nikki raised her pelvis.
Pete didn’t wait for another word. He gripped and positioned himself, pushing into her in one full stroke.
He stilled, looking down when she gasped. “Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head.
He let the sensation of her contracting muscles wash over him. Damn good thing he took a moment to breathe, it was the only thing that kept him from losing it before the first thrust.
Nikki was perfect surrounding him, holding him snug within her.
He groaned and his blood pounded in his ears. His body screamed and throbbed, begging him to move forward. But he needed to taste her mouth first.
Leaning down, he let her pull him close as his lips took hers. He kissed her long and thoroughly, starting to move his hips.
She didn’t disappoint, tilting to take him deeper and meeting each thrust.
Slow and tender was what he’d been aiming for. It didn’t matter, because as they moved together, each thrust was more frantic. Her nails sank into his ass as she squeezed and urged him on.
Pete grunted as he propelled forward again and again. She begged him for more and he gave her what she wanted.
Sweat covered them both. Nikki kept up with him, shifting under him, with him, shoving her hips up to meet his when he moved away.
When her body stiffened and she screamed his name, it was too much. The tingling in his spine shook his balls and took his control. He thrust forward one last time hard, pleasure hitting him like a ton of bricks as his release shot into her.
Her sex squeezed him like a vice, milking him as he rocked his hips, and Nikki continued to writhe against him.
Pete panted, freezing above her. Sensations threatened to bowl him over and he locked his arms to keep from collapsing on her, crushing her.
Her brown eyes were hazy with passion. Her gorgeous breasts lifted and fell, tickling his nipples as she panted.
Nikki’s arms shot around his neck, yanking him down.
Pete took her mouth without thought. He deepened the kiss, exploring, plundering. She mated her tongue to his, her moan spreading a languorous heat over his sated body.
God, she was fantastic. His cock was softening inside her, but he wished he was ready to go for round two.
Sex had always just been sex.
But this—the difference made his heart stutter.
He pushed the feeling away. Lust was better.
Focus on the lust
.
She pulled away from him, colour spreading across her lovely cheekbones. “What’s wrong?” The whisper was worried, belying her expression.
“Nothing, darlin’.” He kissed her again.
She made a grab for his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. “Your kiss changed. What’re you thinking?”
Damn, she’s spot on
. Pete bit back a gulp. “I’m thinking I wanna stay here with you tonight.” He shifted, slipping from her body and rolling over. Tugging her to his side, he wrapped his arms around her.
Nikki stared. Her beautiful eyes asked,
Are you sure?
“I’ve wanted you for ages, I’m not pulling couch duty now,” Pete said, praying he sounded sincere. He meant every word, but it scared the shit out of him.
“I want you to stay here with me. Your bed, after all,” she whispered, her shoulders relaxing as her body loosened over his. She sighed and kissed his chest at the same time he pressed his lips into the crown of her red hair.
He flashed a smile and met her eyes again. “Good. I’m not done with you.”
Finally grinning, she scooted closer.
Pete cradled the back of her head and held her to him, nibbling her bottom lip and deepening the kiss when she opened for him. Nikki moaned, and his cock stirred.
She’s exquisite.
God, he could get lost in her perfection, her taste, her everything.
He pulled away before he wouldn’t be able to, struggling for coherent thought as his chest heaved.
“I hope you’re never done with me,” Nikki said.
Resting his forehead against hers, he ignored the fluttering in his stomach as he met her half-lidded dark eyes.
He didn’t answer. What the hell could he say?