Call Me Miz (5 page)

It didn’t occur to her until she was halfway to his place that she might as well have slapped a sign on her forehead reading “Ye-haw, pardner, I’m ready to ride”.

The aroma of grilled steak reached her when she hit the end of his drive. The rented cabin was in good shape. Shep Buchanan, the owner, was a local boy gone from home most of the time on business. Nobody seemed to know what his business was.

Nobody really cared either. He had a house by Point Harmony Lake and threw a big party whenever he was in town. The community counted on him for a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. He had money. Around here, that was pretty much the gold standard for character.

A motion sensor kicked on and the last part of her ride was illuminated, although branches blocked it in areas, leaving zones of shadow to pass through.
Creepy.
She felt as though she was riding into a cave as she approached Shep’s cabin. She forgot about the foliage that needed to be clipped when she saw the hunk of muscle leaning on the porch rail watching her arrival. She parked, put her helmet on the seat and walked up the steps.

“Smells good,” she said. He had on shorts. She’d already seen his chest earlier in the day but feasted her eyes on the quintessential male physique again. Just the right amount of bulk in his arms, muscular abs, hard stomach muscles. Her gaze drifted lower, disappointed when no conspicuous bulge flaunted itself.

“You want to eat now?” His voice was a deep rasp. “Or do you want to work up a sweat first?” His question hung in the air between them, leaving her in no doubt about what waited behind curtain number two if that was her choice.

Her tongue felt thick in her mouth, lust almost muting her answer. “Sweat now. Eat later.”

He threw her a towel, wrapped another around his neck and said, “I hoped you’d say that.”

He grinned wickedly at her and his eyes mirrored the amber color of the bulb overhead. He pointed at the door. “This time you go first and I’ll ogle
your
ass.”

Busted.
She hoped her appreciation of his torso had been less obvious. She grinned, letting her hips sway just a little more than usual and her legs stretch a little farther than natural. She felt her breasts bounce under the tank top and was glad she’d left off a bra. Her nipples were hard peaks rivaling his hard-on earlier in the day. She wrapped the towel around her neck, letting the ends dangle over the two perky tips, and walked through the entrance into his cabin.

“Nice furnishings,” she drawled. One big mat covered the middle of the floor. Nothing else.

“Yes. I saw you take on those two in the parking lot and thought you might enjoy sparring with me.”

A lie.
She’d seen his SUV today and that vehicle hadn’t been in the convenience store parking lot last night. How did he know about her fight? She uneasily remembered the feel of eyes watching her the night before.

What the fuck?
Was this guy stalking her? She tightened her grip on the towel and scowled at him. “I hope you are a martial artist or something, because a man should feel like he has a fightin’ chance when I kick his ass.” She would wipe the mat with him and work off her frustrations that way.
Dammit.

Pleasure in the evening diminished as unresolved lust made her even tenser. She burned from the inside out and wanted to fuck. But it was time to go home. He moved and stood between her and the door.

He shrugged. “Let’s keep it simple.” He shifted slightly, just enough to block the exit even better. “Last one with a stitch on wins.”

She looked at his single article of clothes, his shorts, and the bulge that had been inconspicuous before. It was no longer a hinted presence. It was the prow of a ship, pointing directly at her.

“Pretty confident?” Cocky bastard thought he could strip boots, shorts, tank top and a towel off her before she could jerk down his fancy boxers.

She relaxed, flexing her muscles, loosening the joints in elbows, hips and knees. For effect, she cracked her knuckles. “Let the games begin.”

“Kiss before the fight. That way when I strip you bare you won’t mind so much.”

Why, the arrogant s.o.b. “Pucker up and lay it on me, beast,” she invited him. He paused and drew back for a moment, then he flashed his teeth at her and nodded.

His stride was so damn sexy when he crossed the floor her insides quivered. She admired the smooth glide, trying to figure out if it was the way he held his knees or set his feet.

“Kiss?” He stood in front of her, his hands remaining on his towel, waiting for permission.

Take control of the situation.
Miz leaned toward him and brushed her lips across his. His teeth nipped her bottom lip. She gasped at the sharp sting. His tongue came from nowhere and licked the spot, then made its way into her mouth. She teetered, let go of her towel, steadied herself with her hands flat against his chest and sucked his tongue.

His hands came up, caught her shoulders, then moved to the back of her head as he deepened the kiss, angling her face for his best penetration. Miz slid her palms up his chest, feeling the heavy heartbeat on her way over the rippling pecs. He licked the inside of her mouth, tasting her and purring sounds of pleasure that turned her on. She didn’t want him to stop when he finally pulled away.

He was breathing hard, amber points of light flickering in his eyes, and his expression was almost feral when he finally broke contact and stepped back. He held her towel in his hand and smirked. She waved his back at him, satisfied to see the smug expression disappear.

“First match—even,” he growled and stalked to the corner of the mat.

Yep, he has a fine ass.

Chapter Five

Thomas didn’t know what was going on with the power thing between them but the kiss rocked him to the core. His cock was so hard he was afraid if she kicked him in the groin it might break off. His jaguar, on the other hand, was on the prowl. Fur rippled under Thomas’ skin and his teeth ached. The beast wanted to bite and taste her again. So did Thomas.

“Nice boots.”

“Thank you,” she said, waiting patiently in the center of the mat. “I aim to give you a closer look real soon.”

He held up his hand and motioned with two fingers. “Bring it on, sweetheart.” But he was the one who moved, drawn to her like a bee to honey. She crackled with energy. He circled her, the cat in him sizing her up as though she were prey. He wondered just how fast she was and tested her.

His leap carried him too close for her to get any leverage behind the kick, but damn if she didn’t whirl away and land leather in the backspin. The blow hit his shoulder with a force that would have felled a normal man.

Pretending to wince, he flexed his shoulder, acknowledging the strike. “Might need a massage when we’re through.”

“The place you frequented today—it’s booked full. Won’t be no more walk-ins taken there for a while.” Her voice was husky as she drawled her rejection.

He ignored her oblique message and delivered his own. “You’ll like it when I get you on your back. After that, you’ll let me walk in and out when I damned well want.” He taunted her, circling, darting toward her, trying to ruffle her enough to get through. He’d changed his mind. He didn’t want a long, prolonged bout of foreplay. He wanted to fuck her. Now.

“You some kind of sex fiend?” she asked.

“Do you want me to be? I like sex. A lot of it. Often. How about you?”

She shifted her stance and went airborne, landing her heel on his chin.
Ouch.
His head snapped back and his beast went crazy. He caught the next kick and pulled her toward him, holding her boot secure in one hand and tilting her leg higher, stretching its length. She didn’t make the mistake of leaning backward and giving up her balance. She pushed her foot at him, leveraging as much strength as she could. Before she could jerk loose, he had her boot off.

Her nails were painted red. She wiggled her foot and flexed her toes. His cat pounced at the new toy and nipped her big toe, then licked. Her foot jerked in his hand and she struggled like crazy trying to get free. It was too late. He’d already had a taste.

“What the fuck are you doing?” she demanded and grabbed his head, looking for hair to pull. When she found no purchase there, she grabbed his shoulders, her nails biting deep.

He licked the side of her foot.

“I sweat in my boots, you moron. Turn me loose, that’s gross.”

“No it isn’t.” He purred his assurance and nibbled his way up the arch of her foot. “I like the taste of your sweat.” He flicked his tongue over a point of interest and sucked. She squirmed, the scent of her arousal beckoning him.

Would you look at that?
He’d caught her foot in his hand and popped her open as if she were a clam.

Miz was stunned. Her chest heaved, pulling the material of the tank taut across her breasts. Her nipples were perky buttons decorating the front. Her shorts pulled tight against one hip, the other leg opening gapped. She twisted. He lifted her leg higher.

“So? You didn’t answer me? How do you like your sex? Fast and hard or slow and easy?” He flashed her a sly grin. “We’ll do both and you can decide.”

God, he was strong. She wiggled, trying to muscle loose. But her gyrations didn’t do anything but amuse him. He held her spread-eagled as though she were a wishbone. While she watched, appalled, he cradled her foot and nuzzled his way up her ankle, nipping his way past her knee, stopping when he reached her inner thigh to nibble. Her core temperature hit meltdown and she conceded.

She grabbed the condom out of her back pocket. Be prepared. Her motto.

“I want you in me,” she told him. “Now.”

In two seconds she was on her back, her pants hanging around the ankle of one lime boot, his shorts discarded and his cock dressed and saying hello. She dug her heels into the mat and shoved her hips high, taking him in what she intended to be a fast thrust to her core.

He grabbed her ass and tilted her, helping her on their agreed mission. His thick length stretched the walls of her pussy almost painfully. It hurt so good she wanted more. She wanted fast and hard. For a long time.

Miz raked her nails down his back and he growled his approval. His muscles rippled under her deep scratches. Returning the favor, he shoved her top above her breasts and bit her right nipple. His teeth closed on it, tugging at the end until she moaned. Then he licked away the sting.
Good, so good.
She bucked under him, taking another inch of cock and holding on to his head, encouraging him to visit her other breast.

Her insides trembled around him as her sheath hugged his dick. He nudged deeper and she couldn’t control her shriek of delight when he touched her sweet spot. She arched, rotating her pelvis and giving him a one-of-a-kind lap dance. Her hips rolled and she spread her thighs, rocking under him until he touched that place again. The spot guaranteed to make her come. The spot she’d only visited on her own.

“Do it,” she ordered him. He withdrew and slammed home. And did it again. And again. Tapping her right where it counted.

Miz locked her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck as his thrusts moved her, scraping her back across the mat. Her breasts flattened against his chest, catching his sweat and mixing it with her own.

He pulled out and she moaned a protest. He flipped her over and pulled her ass up, filling her from behind. Not to be outdone, she shoved backward, taking more of him.

He didn’t talk. Thank God. She didn’t much care for a running monologue. Some men couldn’t shut up, even when their dicks were busy. She heard only grunts and growls as Thomas handled her, both rough and careful at the same time. Gasping for breath, she looked over her shoulder and met his gaze. His expression was wild, almost feral, his eyes glinting with savage heat.

She came hard, her insides squeezing him tight, milking his length. He huffed, pulling her up on his lap, his groin plastered to her rear, his cock seated even deeper.

Her back was against his chest, her thighs on either side of his. Again he had her spread wide for his pleasure. He stroked her clit, making her climax ripple and grow, pulling ecstasy from her core and sending it to every nerve ending near and far. She slumped against him and he held her, purring his approval in her ear. Then he dropped his head, bit her neck and heat exploded inside her. She came again.

She was still recovering from the double O when he pulled out, laid her on her back and propped her legs over his shoulders.
Oh my God!
He took his time, lapping her cream as if it were ambrosia. He stroked two fingers in and out of her pussy while he sucked her clit, finally pulling on it with his teeth then kissing the sting away. Another climax crashed over her and she screamed and bucked under his mouth.

“Good,” he told her when he’d licked away her release.

She didn’t have enough strength to agree. He kissed his way to her stomach, played with her bellybutton and then moved higher to feast on her breasts again. Hours, maybe days later, she really couldn’t say, she lay sprawled next to him on the mat, her legs limp noodles, her thighs screaming pain from the last lengthy ride on his cock. She’d straddled him. He’d pinched her nipples, bitten the tips, and finally stroked her clit until her eyes crossed and she saw stars.

Nothing but the harsh pants of their breathing interrupted the silence between them. She closed her eyes and counted. After she’d come the third or fourth, maybe fifth time, he’d shuddered all over, his muscles going taut under her hands, and he’d roared like an animal. It had been sexy as hell.

She wondered if he’d spilled any inside her. He’d come so hard and so long that even through the barrier of the condom, she’d felt the heavy pulse of his cum. She felt wet, humid, fecund. It would have been nice to curl up and sleep.

She thought about getting up and groaned. Lifting her leg, she displayed the lime boot she still wore. Her shorts dangled around the ankle. “I win.”

Rolling to her feet, she scanned the room and spotted her tank top. She couldn’t really remember when it had been removed or why it was across the room. After she picked it up, she dressed silently. It didn’t take long to step into the other boot and pull up her britches.

She felt steadier than she had in days, maybe better than ever before. She glanced over at him. It was a damn shame. He was a good lover.

He lay lazily sprawled on the mat watching her the whole time.

When she headed for the door, he said, “I’ll have the steaks ready in—”

She turned and got in the last blow. She knew where to hurt a man the most—his ego. “Mr. Hunter, the fuck was good. It was real good. Maybe the best I’ve had yet. Thanks for that. But I’d not care to break bread with you. You’re a liar. I don’t much care for the likes. I don’t want to know you. Don’t bother me again.”

She was damn proud of her speech. She’d been composing it while the sweat dried on her. She’d figured he’d have something to say and she’d let him say it to her back. She didn’t allow for him being able to cover distance so fast.

He was a naked barrier blocking the door before she got to it.
How’d he do that?

“What did I lie about?” He didn’t do innocent well. His question was too cagey, testing what she knew without giving up information. Like a cheating boyfriend trying to see if he’d been caught.

Uh huh. An unrepentant sinner.
She rolled her eyes at him. She was too mellow to fuss so she explained in simple terms.

“You need to get your stories down better before you tell ’em. First off, you drive a late-model SUV and you keep it clean. You won’t find another like it in these parts. We take pride in our coats of dirt.

“Second of all, there was no
clean
shit-green vehicle of that nature sitting at the convenience store last night. You lied. You weren’t standing inside when I bought my groceries and you weren’t outside when they got pitched. I don’t know how you’re privy to the information, but you weren’t there watching the fight.” She shrugged.

He opened his mouth and she cut him off.

“Save your story. I don’t really give a damn. We had our fun. Now it’s over.”

He bristled as though he might want to go another round, but she was tired. Miz shook her head.

“Forget it.” Before he could anticipate her move, she touched the spot where neck connected to shoulder and gave him a jolt of power that should have disabled him. It didn’t.
Damn, what’s this guy made of?
She squinted up at him.

He laughed and then mocked her drawl. “
Sheeeit
green? The ride gets traded for another color tomorrow.”

She’d just brought out her heavy artillery and he stood there grinning and making jokes. He should have been on his knees
.
Maybe a do-over.

When she reached for him again, he grabbed her hand, clasping it in his. Big mistake. As she watched, his expression changed, relaxed, and he became serene.
Still got some of my mojo.
Her power pulsed into him and turned his will to mush. Patiently she listened as he spilled his guts.

“I was in a tree across the road. I saw you ride up and enter the store. You’d no sooner disappeared inside than the jackass decided to burn up your Harley. He didn’t even manage to get the gas on your bike. It blew back on him.”

Good to know my ward worked.
Her hand tingled, growing warmer in his. “And why might you be sitting in a tree in the middle of the country spying on folks? You some kind of perv?”

She looked up at him and smiled—showing him
her
teeth. It wasn’t much fun most of the time being a truth-sayer. But now and again it was. This time proved to be exceptional.

“I’m assigned here. I work for a subgroup of the NSA. I was on a surveillance detail last night.” Thomas opened his mouth and truth spilled out, gushing with gusto. He babbled, basking in the glow of her approval as he shared classified information with her.

And then his cat snarled a warning and he woke up. The woman had set some kind of spell on him. He remembered the words of the man she’d stomped the night before.
“Someday I’ll burn that witch.”

Witch.
Missouri Hess was a witch. Well, hello. Funny her being a healer hadn’t surprised him at all. But a witch? He’d thought they mainly showed themselves around Halloween. Fourteen or so years old, begging for candy and wearing green hair. But what did he know? He was a shape-shifter, no reason not to believe there were witches too. Real witches. Witches who could make you tell the truth.

He sealed his lips and held on to her hand, feeling the power surging from her.
I’ll let you show me your stuff, sweetheart. I can take the heat.
He didn’t speak but as soon as the thought popped in his brain she answered.

“Let me?” She flashed him another crazy-looking smile. Shit, he hadn’t said that out loud. His lips hadn’t moved. He knew it.