Getting the Edge: Betrayed Book 1 (10 page)

He felt her nod against his chest and pulled her back so he could see her face. He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Tough.”

She stiffened and pounded her fists against his chest. “Damn you!”

Brandon flipped her over quickly and gave her a hard slap to each ass cheek. “Enough, Mandy. Damn it, enough!” He flipped her back over in his lap. “You could try the patience of a saint!”

She grinned at him now. “Uh huh.”

Chapter Twelve

Mandy watched him and felt a surge of desire. It was obvious that he was irritated with her, but she knew he wasn’t really mad.

Her bottom was stinging a bit, and she wiggled against his legs. “That kind of stung.”

“Good,” he muttered. He leaned in and kissed her hard. “You deserved it.”

“Feel better?”

He seemed to think about it a moment. “Yeah, I do. You?” His fingers came to her cheek and he brushed the dampness away. She leaned into his touch.

“Yes,” she admitted. “Thank you.”

He kissed her again. “You’re very welcome. Next time, how bout you just ask for the spanking without trying to piss me off first?”

She giggled, then sobered. “Are you going to make love to me?”

He nodded. “Oh yes,” he said. “Most definitely.”

Mandy felt her heart race and she shivered. It had been so long! She was suddenly self-conscious. She’d lost a lot of weight. She was way too thin, she knew.

Unless he’d been with someone since he’d been released from jail, he hadn’t been with anyone in two years—neither had she. “Maybe we shouldn’t.”

Brandon stiffened. “What game are you playing now?”

Mandy pulled away from him. “Why would you want to?”

Brandon pulled her against him. She relaxed, enjoying his warmth. She could feel his heart beating against her cheek, and never wanted to be out of his arms again. How could he want her after what she’d done to him? It made no sense to her.

“Mandy, I’ve always wanted you. Since the day I met you. I am beginning to think I always will,” he admitted gruffly. “We have a lot to talk about, I know. And I’m sure that some of it will be hard for both of us. But right now, the only thing I want to do is make love with you. Okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed softly.

Brandon moved his hands to her blouse and pulled it off, being careful of the bandages on her arm. He moved his fingers to the clasp of her bra and undid it. His eyes were dark, and she was amazed to realize that he really did want her.

When he’d removed her shirt and bra, she was suddenly embarrassed. He was still fully dressed. She put her arms over her chest.

“Don’t. Don’t hide yourself from me. You’re too damn thin, but still beautiful,” he said. “Let me see you.”

Slowly, Mandy pulled her arms down; she expected to see disgust, but she only saw desire in his dark eyes. She watched, transfixed, as he moved his fingers to her breasts. His fingers found her nipples, and he rubbed them gently between his fingers, causing her to moan softly as she arched her back. Each soft tug seemed to move straight to the heart of her desire, and she moaned again. “Please,” she whispered.

“Slowly, love. We’re going to go slowly. It’s been a long time for both of us, I think.”

Mandy stiffened. “I—”

“Shh. Close your eyes and just feel,” he ordered softly. “Just feel.”

Mandy did as he’d asked and closed her eyes. She felt the cool air on her nipples as his fingers left them and wanted to grab his hand and put them on her again, but she needn’t have worried.

He lifted her up and placed her in the center of the bed. She opened her eyes and looked up when he didn’t join her. She’d thought he’d changed his mind, but he apparently hadn’t.

He’d stood and was pulling his shirt up and over his head, exposing his chest and abs. His skin was much paler, but he’d developed muscles he hadn’t had before. She had always loved his body—but now it was even better than it had been before.

His eyes never left hers as he unbuttoned his jeans and slowly lowered them down his lean hips. Mandy gulped. She’d loved his body before. He was muscular without being the body-builder type. She could see the proof that he really did want her when he lowered the black boxers he wore under his jeans.

It had been a long time. Could she do this? Should she do this? That was a better question. Her own body was already readying itself for him. All she had to do in the past was see that look of desire on his face to want him. Now, it was there, and despite all the reasons this shouldn’t happen; she didn’t think she could have refused him even if she’d wanted to.

“What are you thinking?” Brandon asked as he came back beside her in the bed and pulled her against him.

“You’re beautiful.”

Brandon rolled his eyes. “Yeah, okay. Men aren’t beautiful.”

Mandy ran her hand down his chest, running her fingers along the ridges of his six-pack. “You’re more muscular.”

“Yes,” he replied. “Now, are we done discussing my beauty?”

Mandy blushed. “Be nice.”

Brandon’s hand found its way to her breast and she felt him tease her nipple gently. “I am being nice,” he purred. “Now, hush and let me love you.”

Mandy nodded as his fingers moved over her. She’d loved the feel of his hands on her—from the first time he’d made love to her so long ago. Now, though it was so different. She wasn’t that woman anymore. She put her hand over his. “You don’t have to—” Before she could finish her words, a hard hand came over her mouth.

“Look at me, Amanda,” he said, his voice rough.

Slowly, Mandy forced her gaze to meet his. She couldn’t speak; his hand was still covering her mouth.

“A lot has happened. There are still answers that I want and need. We have a lot to talk about; I realize that, believe me. But there is something you need to understand.” He removed his hand from her mouth and ran his finger gently over her lips. “I want you. I have always wanted you. If you don’t feel the same, this ends here. Do you want me to stop? Or do you
think
you should want me to stop?”

“I—I just don’t know how you can still even look at me,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Brandon rolled onto his back and pulled her over him, his hand cupping her bottom. “Quit, Mandy. Believe me; I have no problem at all looking at you. Now, answer the question. Are we making love, or am I just holding you?”

Mandy ran her own hand across the stubble on his cheek. “If you really want to…”

Brandon flipped her over, and moved over her quickly. Mandy’s thighs parted automatically, making room for him between them. “Yes, I want to. But it’s not going to be quick. It’s been a long time for me, and I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Okay.” She could feel his hard length against her and all she wanted was to feel him inside her. She didn’t need the foreplay at all, really. “But, I wouldn’t mind quick.”

Brandon grinned and eased just an inch or so inside her, gauging her readiness. “Maybe.”

No more words were spoken as he lifted up and braced his weight on one arm so he had a hand free. He lowered his head and nibbled on her bottom lip. When she gasped, he deepened the kiss and she felt his hand move to her breast, gently kneading, then pinching her nipple gently. She arched her back, trying to urge him to move inside her.

“Impatient, are you?” he teased as he slid inside her just a bit more.

“Yes,” she admitted. “Please, come inside me. Now.”

Brandon moved his free hand between their bodies and touched the small nub nestled there between her soft folds, causing Mandy to moan and arch against him again, wanting more.

He lowered his head and kissed her again, his tongue driving deep as he moved his hips and slid fully inside her. Mandy tensed then relaxed as he slid inside. It had been so long. He was large and it was a bit uncomfortable. He seemed to know, because he didn’t move. He ended the kiss, and she opened her eyes.

She looked into his eyes, and realized he was watching her. “What are you waiting for?”

“For you,” he said roughly.

Mandy clenched her inner muscles and smiled when he groaned. She ran her fingers down his back. The discomfort was gone and all she felt was the pleasure of feeling him inside her once more. “Please,” she whispered urgently.

Brandon began to move, rocking his hips slowly, his eyes never left hers. He kept his weight to the side and moved his free hand to cup her breasts, first one, then the other, teasing her nipples. When he lowered his head and kissed her again, he began to move hard inside her, the thrust of his tongue matching the thrust of his body.

Mandy bent her knees and clung to him. God, she’d wanted this. Dreamed of this, but she’d never thought that he’d make love to her again. She felt tears burning in her eyes. After all she’d done to him; he was still here with her, like this. Like they’d been before. She couldn’t stop the tears that flowed down her temples.

Brandon froze. “What’s wrong?” He brushed the tears away and kissed her very gently. “Am I hurting you, love?”

“N-no.”

“Then why are you crying?” He started to pull out of her; sure he must be hurting her—though it would kill him to stop now—when her hands moved to his ass and held him tightly. He waited, looking at her.

“I just didn’t think we’d ever have this again,” she admitted.

Brandon cursed himself for being a fool. This should have never happened until they’d talked. But, damn, it had been so long for them both, and spanking her cute ass had done more than just alleviate his frustration—it had turned him on big time. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. Just feel.”

He knew just how to work her body to draw out the most pleasure for her. Her breasts were very sensitive. He lowered his head and drew one nipple into the hot suction of his mouth, nipping gently with his teeth and once more felt her arching against him. He began moving inside her again, slow, steady thrusts. He wanted this to last, but wasn’t sure how long he could hold off. Not this first time.

With a last gentle nip on one nipple, he moved his head and treated the other to the same, nipping and then laving it with his tongue. When he finally lifted his head, his own breathing as ragged as Mandy’s was. The tears had stopped, at least. He smiled down at her and then kissed her hard.

Finally, he braced his weight on both forearms. “Wrap your legs around me, Mandy.”

Once she had, he moved strongly inside her, with each hard thrust, he felt her muscles clenching around him and knew she was close to her release. He wanted to bring her with him. He moved his hand between their bodies and found that small nub again and gently circled it, before pressing hard on it as he thrust faster, harder, driving them both to release. He came inside her with a groan as he felt her come apart beneath him.

Brandon rested against her, keeping some of his weight on his arms, while he regained the strength to move. It had been too fast, and probably too soon, but just maybe she’d be more open with him.

Finally, he rolled to his side and brought her over with him. “Better?”

“I can breathe,” she teased.

“I didn’t hurt you?”

“Oh no,” she said with a slight flush. “Not at all.”

Brandon cupped her ass and squeezed. “Still hurt?” he asked.

She looked into his eyes. “A bit.”

He grinned, kissed her nose, and gave her bottom a pat. “Good. I think I’ll be doing that again, too.”

“Okay.”

He laughed. “I guess we’re a bit kinkier than I thought.”

“I still think you stopped too soon,” she admitted.

Brandon grew serious. “Mandy, I mostly spanked you because I think you wanted me to. But, I promise you, you’re safe with me. I’d never hurt you.”

“I know.”

“Let’s take a nap, okay? We can forage through the fridge for lunch in a little bit, how’s that sound?” he asked. He wasn’t really tired, but she looked absolutely exhausted. Her face was still flushed from their loving, and her lips swollen from their kisses. Her eyes, though, told a different story. She was tired, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

“It feels like I slept for hours, though.”

“Drugged sleep doesn’t count. You need some real rest.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. “Close your eyes and try to sleep. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

“’Kay,” she said, closing her eyes.

Brandon smiled and kissed her forehead. “Good girl,” he teased.

He held her while she slept, his mind whirling. It had likely been a mistake to make love to her when there were still so many unanswered questions.

He also wasn’t sure that they were at all safe here now. Without thinking, he’d given her real name to the medics. If someone had flagged her name, or if he’d been followed, it was entirely possible someone could have tracked him here.

Hell, he’d been a cop a long time, and hadn’t noticed anyone following him, but it was still possible.

When she woke up, he decided, he’d tell her they needed to find somewhere else to go. He yawned, and realized he was tired, too. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep with Mandy tucked safely in his arms.