The Fire Within (20 page)

When she slid on to her side of the bed and reached for his cock he had to hold himself back by sheer force of will. He would do exactly what she’d asked of him and give himself to her, knowing that in the end it was he who’d ultimately claim her.

Elizabeth set her glasses on the end table before curling up next to him, her leg thrown over his, her damp pussy brushing against his thigh. She sucked him once more into her mouth, her head bobbed up and down, making him crazy with need. Dante gripped her hair and helped set the rhythm, their pants and sighs the only sound in the quiet room.

He wanted to taste her, to have her come on his tongue, but he doubted she’d allow it. Already she was trying to drive him to orgasm, sucking on him with such enthusiasm that if the need hadn’t been there to claim her he would have spilled in her mouth.

“Elizabeth.”

She sucked on him harder.

“Let me taste you.” The request fell from his lips before he could stop it.

She shuddered.

“Please.”

She slowly slid off his cock. “All right.”

Her voice was breathless, but her movements sure as she carefully crawled up his body. She made sure not to touch his wound. “If this hurts, it all stops.”

He bit back his response. It would hurt so good, but only if she allowed it. “I promise, if we hurt my arm we’ll stop.” Right now, the only thing he felt was the need to be buried to the hilt inside her.

Instead, he leaned forward and lapped at her pussy, smiling when she gasped. “You taste so good,
tesoro
.”

“What does that mean?”

“Hmm?” Dante could barely concentrate with such a feast in front of him. He lapped at her clit carefully, not wanting to strain either of them.

“
Tesoro
. What does it me—” Her hips thrust forward the tiniest bit, and he knew he’d found a hot spot. “Mean?”

“Treasure. Honey. Darling. All that and more.” It was his favorite term of endearment, the one he’d heard his father use for his mother for years.

It was odd, but he’d never once called Lillian his treasure, but Elizabeth had been so since the moment he realized he wanted her.

“Dante.” Her fingers were tugging on his hair, pulling him closer, and he obliged, sucking her clit into his mouth. She writhed against him, her hips moving, her head thrown back in ecstasy. He remembered how she’d reacted to his fire before, how she’d come and come against him, on him, around him, and he let it loose, let it warm her flesh.

Elizabeth screamed, her body shuddering in climax as his fire stroked over her pussy. Dante was awed at the beauty of her pleasure.

She really
was
made for him.

He licked his lips, her flavor on his tongue. “More?”

She whimpered.

“Would you rather ride me?”

The demanding look she shot him was kinda hot. “Don’t.
Move.
”

Dante froze. “Yes, ma’am.”

She slithered down his body, her skin caressing his, her breasts stroking him. She paused only long enough to kiss his injured arm before sitting up, the top of his cock nudging at her opening. “I’m warning you, Dante.” She leaned over him, arms on either side of his head, no part of her touching him as she lifted her hips away from him. “Or it all stops.”

“Gonna tie me up?” The thought of being at her mercy didn’t scare him at all. He trusted her, more than anyone other than his brothers.

Even shock looked good on her. “You’d like that?”

He shrugged his good shoulder. “Only if I get to return the favor.”

She laughed, low and husky. “Then we’ll have to invest in some rope.”

He grinned. “I guess we will.”

She sat up again, but this time she slid down his cock until his balls rested against her ass. “You’re mine, Dante.”

He smiled. “Prove it.”

She began rocking her hips, fucking him gently. Her face was full of desire, her lips parted, her cheeks flushed as she rode him. When she cupped her breasts and played with her nipples Dante felt a stab of envy. He wanted to be the one to touch her there, but watching her toy with herself was the next best thing.

Dante wanted to stroke her sleek skin, hold her hips and thighs while he thrust into her, but he knew if he so much as twitched wrong she’d slide off him, leaving him desperate for her. So he did the only thing he could do.

Dante lit his inner fire.

She gasped, her eyes going wide, her movements stuttering to a halt. “Jesus.”

“Nope. Dante.” He sighed sadly. “Someday you’ll get that right.”

She stared down at him. “What are you doing?”

“Touching you the only way I can.”

She moaned as his fire touched her, his heat licked over her skin. Twin flames danced around her nipples and she came again, her back bowed, her thighs clamping around him.

So beautiful. So his.

She clamped her hands on his thighs and began riding him in earnest, her body slipping and sliding over his, her thighs bunching and flexing as she took him inside over and over. Dante sent his fire licking over her pussy, warming her clit as his cock warmed her on the inside.

He’d never tried this before Elizabeth. He’d been too afraid of burning his partner. But somehow Elizabeth was immune to his flame.

She gasped, coming again, her pussy squeezing him so tightly he groaned.

Perhaps immune wasn’t the right word. She seemed to get off on it, to find unbearable pleasure in his fire.

So Dante gave it to her, let his flames lick her skin, her hair, her pussy. She cried out, her movements becoming erratic, the bed frame squeaking with the force of their lovemaking.

He felt the inferno build, the fire within him growing until there was only one way, one resolution. “
Tesoro.
”

She stared down at him, her gaze filled with passion. “
Tesoro.
”

The fire erupted.

Dante filled Elizabeth with his seed, his passion, his fire, until he didn’t know where he ended and she began. Elizabeth shrieked, her whole body clenching in an orgasm that looked almost painful. He shuddered, gasping for breath as the ecstasy almost blinded him.

When it was over she collapsed beside him. “Dear mother of God.”

Her voice was shaking, husky from her screams. “Amen.”

She turned to him and laughed, curling up on his good side, wrapping herself around him. “Have I ever told you you’re hot?”

Their shared laughter filled the empty place that he hadn’t even realized was there.

He loved her, and he from now on he was keeping her.

Chapter Seventeen

The light slanting in through the curtains woke her up long before the alarm did. Turning over, she studied Dante as he slept. He looked worn—dark circles still under his eyes, his face scrunched up even in sleep.

When he’d been shot, she’d thought her heart had stopped. It almost had, until she’d heard his cursing, but it had still taken the trip to the hospital and that sweet kiss to reassure her that he was okay.

If he had asked the moon of her last night, she’d have given it willingly and never counted the cost.

It scared her, the hold he had on her now. She knew, all too well, what love could do to someone who wasn’t cautious, who didn’t hold back a piece of themselves from their lover. She’d seen her parents go from partner to partner, throwing themselves into their new relationships only to find that what they thought was love was just lust.

But something about Dante, the way he held her and kissed her, told her it was much more than lust. She felt safe in his bed, sleeping in his arms. She’d opened herself to him completely, and she didn’t think she’d ever be able to remove him from her heart.

Oh, she was strong enough to walk away if she had to. Watching her parents’ disintegrating marriages had proven that. She’d leave an integral part of herself behind if she did, one she’d miss like hell. She’d probably learn to live without it eventually, but what would be the point?

No one wanted to live without their heart, and Dante held hers firmly in his grasp.

He sighed in his sleep, and her attention focused once more on him rather than the misty future. She carefully lifted the covers, trying to see his arm, but instead she found herself pinned under him. “Um. Good morning.”

“Was there something you wanted?” He pressed against her with a wicked grin.

“To check your arm.” She’d gotten him a pain pill after she’d gotten her breath back last night, but it should have worn off by now. He should be achy and sore. “Does your arm hurt?”

“It’s fine.” His voice was muffled against the softness of her breast. Before she could think of a reply, he took her hungrily into his mouth and began to suckle her. “It’s another part of me entirely that aches.”

She shifted slightly and felt his erection press into her thigh. “Since you’re not wearing pants, I won’t ask if that’s a gun in your pocket.”

He nipped playfully at her neck. “Nope. Not a banana either.”

He kissed his way down her body slowly. Tendrils of pleasure raced through her as his mouth descended on her stomach.

Was he going to do that fire thing again? She shuddered at the thought. She’d never thought she was so fond of heat until Dante licked her with his flame.

When he winced she stopped him. “No, Dante.”

He whimpered. “Aw, c’mon. I haven’t had breakfast yet.” He leered and licked his lips.

“Remember the rules?” She glared at him. “You’d better follow them, or there will be no nookie.” She shook her finger at him. “No nookie for you!”

He sighed and rolled over onto his back. “Sit, Dante. Stay. Woof.”

She shook her head at his silliness. Who knew Detective Zucco was such a little boy inside? “If you’re not up for this we could skip the whole morning sex thing and go for donuts.”

He started whining.

“What, I thought cops like donuts.”

“You suck.”

Aw
,
look at the puppy eyes.
“Not yet I don’t.” She was barely holding back a laugh. Most of the men she’d dated didn’t know how to have fun in bed, but Dante made everything that much brighter.

“Fine. Here I am, an almost-virgin sacrifice. Do with me what you will.”

He sounded so put-upon. “Like I said, if it’s too much trouble...”

He growled and tugged her down. “Kiss me good morning, damn it.”

Beth did as he asked, careful not to jar his arm. “We need to get you a pain pill.”

His expression was determined. “Priorities, Elizabeth.” He tapped his cock against her thigh. “Priorities.”

She started to laugh. “You are such a pig.”

He sniffed disdainfully before starting to laugh himself. “Well,
one
of us has to remember what’s important.”

She managed to effectively stifle his laughter when she took him into her mouth and began to slowly, methodically pleasure him. She used her tongue, stroking his shaft, pulling as much of him into her mouth as she could.

He put his hand in her hair, guiding her movements, groaning when the tip of her tongue caressed the weeping hole at the tip. “Mmm, yes, Elizabeth.”

She hollowed out her checks, sucking on him as hard as she dared. He hissed, hunching his hips at her face, slipping his cock further between her lips. She sucked greedily at him, using rapid little strokes of her tongue, pumping her head faster and faster. His hand clenched in her hair as she brought him to climax that left him gasping and groaning.

She patted his hip as she released his cock. “Pain pills?”

He moaned a laugh. “You are evil, woman. Pure evil.” But he grimaced as he shifted. “But you’re a right evil woman.” The puppy eyes made another appearance. “Can I have some donuts?”

She loved this cute side of him. She wondered how many others got to see it, and had the sneaking suspicion few ever had. “You’re pushing it, copper.”

“And coffee?”

“How about a cafe mocha vodka valium latte?”

“Make it a grande, please.” He yawned. “Oh, and jelly donuts?”

“Guess I’m running out for breakfast.” Beth wasn’t going to complain. She really couldn’t cook. Even scrambled eggs were beyond her. She ate most of her meals out of a microwave pouch. “I’ll bring back enough for tomorrow too.”

“Mm.” He was mostly asleep already. “Love you. Be careful.”

Beth froze, unsure if she’d heard him correctly. “Dante?”

His quiet snore was her only answer.

“Damn it, Dante.” She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “I love you too.” She dressed quickly and stole his keys off his dresser. This wasn’t how she’d planned on confessing to him. Maybe next time she said it he’d be awake for it.

He was still asleep when she returned with the coffee and donuts, so she left his by the bed along with his pain pills. She wrote a quick note telling him she was headed into the office and her apartment, adding she’d return with orange juice and milk since he was out. She made sure to lock the door behind her.

Hopefully he’d sleep most of the afternoon. As much as he thought he was all right, she’d seen how pale he was after he came. He needed to rest, and it was too tempting to give in to him when she was lying right beside him.

Beth took less time than she thought at the office. There were a few messages from Mr. Blake—she’d have to deal with them soon, but first she wanted to sink her hands into the mess Kensington had made of her apartment. She made one phone call before heading over. “Andi?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you busy right now?”

Beth heard the rustling of papers. “I can free up an hour or two. Why?”

“We, Dante and I, think the killer was after something and trashed my place to get it. I need help on clean-up, but I also need help looking for anything he might have left behind.”

“I’m on my way. Anything I should bring?”

“Six gallons of Mr. Clean and a bazooka to kill the guy who did this.”

Andi laughed. “Sure thing. See you soon.”

Beth hung up and headed back out to Dante’s car. She headed for her apartment, ready to face the mess inside.

When she entered the apartment the smell of kerosene and rotting food was so strong she had to take a quick step back. With her hand over her mouth she ran for the sliding glass doors and threw them wide, hoping the fresh air would blow some of the stench away.

It had gotten bad much faster than expected.

Turning, she surveyed the mess. There was no way, absolutely no way she could let this mess sit until Dante was ready to help her. She was doubly glad she’d called Andi.

Sometimes it paid to have friends.

“Mother of God.”

Beth grimaced at the shocked tone. Andi stepped gingerly into her apartment, her high-heeled boots wobbling as she stepped on a broken bit of end table. “Your friend threw one hell of a party, didn’t he?”

“The son of a bitch shot Dante.”

Andi almost fell on her ass. “What?”

“Yup. We went to talk to this guy, Robert Kensington. We think he’s blackmailing either Todd Blessing or was blackmailing Jennifer Blake. We’re not exactly sure.”

“You’ve got Sam looking into it, right?” Andi picked up the table leg and set it gently aside.

“She’s checking everything she can.”

“Are you sure Kensington is your man? Because if he’s not, then whoever did this might come back.”

“I’m reasonably sure, but...” Beth remembered how Dante told her he wasn’t sure Kensington was a Shem. “But he might not be.”

“Do you think the bad guy knows Sam is working with you? If so, he might go after her next.”

Beth cursed. “I didn’t think of that. I’d better call her and warn her.”

Surprisingly, Sam picked up on the first ring. “Hello? Beth? What’s wrong?”

“I forgot to tell you yesterday, but my apartment was broken into and trashed.”

“Are you all right?”

Sam sounded breathless with fear. They’d seen each other just yesterday, but Sam was probably in the zone and wasn’t thinking straight. “It’s okay, Sammie. I’m fine. I wasn’t there when it happened.”

“Oh. Oh, good.” Her relief was obvious. “Do you need anything? Should I come over?”

Beth smiled. As flaky as Sam was, she was loyal to the bone. If Beth asked, Sam would rush over to help. “Andi’s here helping me clean.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes, then.”

“Wait, Sammie. That’s not why I called.”

“Then why did you?”

“Dante and I think they tossed my apartment looking for something on the Blake case, or to warn me off it.”

Sam sucked in a breath. “And you think they’ll come after me.”

“Yeah. Andi mentioned it. If I’d thought of it I would have warned you yesterday.”

Sam giggled. “I have Precious, remember? Anyone breaking in would have to deal with her.”

Beth didn’t think Sam’s pit bull could stop a Shem. “This guy is serious, Sammie. He might hurt Precious.” Hell, she doubted Precious would make the guy pause. If Kensington really was a Shem he’d be far more powerful than a dog, no matter how big.

Besides, Precious was a huge teddy bear. Kensington would just have to bring a bone and she’d let him steal whatever he wanted. But most people took one look at the dog and assumed she was vicious, and stayed away from Sam.

It was a shame. Precious was the sweetest dog she’d ever met. She’d seen the dog stare at Sam and wag her tail until Sam got up and fed her, but she wouldn’t eat until she saw food on Sam’s plate as well. It was almost as if Sam were the puppy Precious had decided to take care of.

“Listen. Seth and Abby already know what happened, and as preggers as Abby is she’d still try and come over and help, so don’t call her. And Dante got shot yesterday, so he can’t help either.”

“Man, you’ve had a busy couple of days.” Andi grimaced as she pulled on some thick rubber gloves.

“Dante got shot?” She could almost picture Sam waving her hands around. “Is he all right? No, of course he’s not all right. Oh, Beth. I’m so sorry.”

“Calm down, Sam. He’s hurt, but he’s going to be fine. He’s already home, recovering.”

“Is he safe there? You want me to take Precious over? We can watch him until you go back.”

Beth smiled. “Sweetie, keep Precious with you. Dante’s safe, for now anyway.” She blinked. “Wait. How did you know I was staying with Dante?”

Sam giggled. “I just do. You think the big, bad detective would let you stay anywhere else? Especially after your apartment got trashed? It was obvious when I saw you guys. Besides, you still had morning-after Muppet hair, so you didn’t just arrive with a bran muffin and a smile. I’m flaky, but I’m not blind.”

Beth grunted. Sam had a point.

“All right. What do you want me to do?” She heard the creak of Sam’s office chair.

“Keep Precious close, and if you suspect
anything
is out of the ordinary you run. Got it? Don’t try to play hero.” Beth watched as Andi began shoveling rotting food and debris into an industrial strength trash bag. “If Precious growls, run faster.”

“Tell Dante I said I hope he feels better. As soon as I have some more information I’ll give you a call.”

“Thanks. Take care, Sammie.”

“You too, Bethie.”

Beth smiled as she hung up the phone. “She’s going to be all right.”

“And if she’s not I’ll take her to Piotr.” Andi paused. “You know she’s trying to get a job there? That’s where her interviews have been.” Andi smiled. “I think she’s going to get the job too. She’s got mad skills, and Piotr’s always on the lookout for good hackers. And I put in a good word for her.”

Beth’s brows rose. “Um, Andi?”

“Hmm?”

“Piotr
might
be a suspect.”

Andi paused, some soggy bagels in her hand. “What?”

“The money that was embezzled from the Blessing campaign came from Piotr. We haven’t been able to track any other source for the funds, and it was directly removed from his account and deposited to the campaign bank account.”

Andi laughed. “And you think he’d go after you for that?”

“Well...”

“Trust me. He’d go after the bad guy, not you.”

“But he might come after my computer to find out who I thought the bad guy was.”

Andi shook her head. “Trust me. This—” she waved her hand around “—isn’t his style. He’d hire someone like Sam to hack your computer. You wouldn’t even know he’d been there.”

“You really trust him that much?”

Andi stared at Beth, a soft expression on her face, and nodded. “With my life. He’s a good man, even if not everyone can see it.”

She trusted Andi, and her intuition. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Thanks.”

Beth was standing over the ruins of her computer, frowning. Something didn’t seem right.

“Remind me next time you call for a
little
help to ask what the little help is.” Andi gagged. The stench was truly horrendous, despite the open doors and windows.