A Hero to Dance With Me (2 page)

Normally, Elle didn’t dance more than one dance with a patron. It tended to lose her tips if someone ran out of a beverage while she was “goofing off.” But when Steve Carver refused to let her go after their line dance to “Footloose,” she didn’t beg off. Instead, she nodded at one of the girls taking tables next to her section. Rose nodded in acknowledgement, silently agreeing to cover her for one dance. When the music slowed and Steve pulled her into his arms, Elle forgot exactly why this wasn’t a good idea.

Time seemed to slow, the world existing in a vacuum that consisted only of those blue, blue eyes of his. They didn’t so much dance as sway to the music. Steve’s arms were like unbreakable bands around her body, holding her close to him as they moved. Elle’s hands rested lightly on his chest, her fingers molding the hard muscles there. God, he smelled good! Clean. Masculine.

Sexy.

“When do you get off work?” His voice was husky, gruff. The deep timbre sent chills through her body to settle low in her belly.

“I don’t date for tips, Mr. Carver,” she chastised softly with a smile. “I’m afraid you’ll simply have to settle for this dance.”

“Well, given it’s not much more than an hour ’til closing, waiting you out won’t be a problem.”

Dammit if her stomach didn’t flutter all the more. Elle wanted this man. It didn’t matter if it was outside her normal comfort zone, she wanted him to wait for her, to take her someplace quiet and get to know her. In the Biblical sense. The lust filling his eyes said he had much the same idea. But it was important to her he not think badly of her, that she was easy.

“Sorry, big guy. Not tonight.” With effort, she pulled herself away from him and went back to her customers. It would take her a while, but she had to pull herself together before she went back to their table. Maybe it was a good idea to let Rose check them out, even if it meant giving up the tip.

“I’ll find you later,” he called. Elle hesitated, glancing at him over her shoulder. Those eyes of his seemed to bore into her soul, his intent clear. Before the night was out, he would definitely find her. What would happen next didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out. Instead of encouraging him, however, she simply went back to work.

Catching Rose, she asked the other women, “Do you want to check out six? They’re good tippers and you can keep it if you like.”

“Now, why would you give up the Carvers?” Rose’s eyes twinkled as she spoke. “Not thinking of meeting up with that hunk of man you were dancing with, are you?”

“Give me a break.” Elle laughed nervously. Was she giving herself a way to see the devastating Steve Carver if he made good on his promise? “I was just trying to thank you for covering for me.”

“Right. For a whole five minutes. Girl, you done went and lost your mind.” Rose waved her away. “Go get your money. Anyone else but you, I’d take it in a heartbeat.” With that, Rose sauntered off to her own tables.

Well, shit.

Elle tried her best to act as if nothing had happened between her and Steve, that their dance had been nothing out of the ordinary. But, damn, if she couldn’t still feel his strong body wrapped around hers. It had only been a dance. True, it had been a little more intimate than she’d intended, but it hadn’t been provocative or anything. She hadn’t led him on, promising something she had no intention of delivering. Quite the opposite. Elle had told him plainly he didn’t have a shot with her. Tonight, anyway.

When she returned to Steve’s table, all the men looked at her intensely. So much so, Elle was extremely uncomfortable.

When Melanie stood, she leaned close to Elle. “Don’t let him win too easily. They enjoy a challenge and you’ll be much better off in the long run.” With a grin, she slid easily under the arm of her man as they walked away. Steve…just sat there.

“Is there something wrong?” Elle wanted him gone. Okay, so that wasn’t entirely true. But he made her uncomfortable and this was her job, after all. She didn’t want to get in trouble.

“Yeah. You’re not in my arms,” Steve replied, his gazed riveted on her like a predator’s.

“Look,” she said, lowering her voice. “You’re going to get me into trouble. I said no. If you don’t leave, I’m going to get my manager to ask you to leave.”

He just smirked at her. “Go for it. I’m still sitting here until you get off work.”

“Are you insane?”

“My buddies all think so.” He shrugged. “Insane or not, I’m not leaving here without you.”

Why did his words send a thrill through her? Elle wasn’t the kind of girl who did one-night stands, but she was seriously considering throwing caution to the wind and hooking up with this guy. Normally, she had no problem rebuffing men. She did it on a nightly basis. But Steve...he was the kind of man a girl could dream about having all her life but never actually find. Not only was he handsome and spectacularly built, but there was that not-so-subtle hint of danger clinging to him. All the Carver men seemed to have it, but Steve even more than the others.

Before she could change her mind, she said, “Fine. I walk to work because I only live a couple of blocks away. You can give me a ride home.” What was she doing? Practically inviting a strange man home with her? True, the Carvers were regulars, but this was so outside her normal MO it wasn’t even funny. This man was making her reckless beyond imagining.

With a carnivorous smile, Steve nodded. “How long?”

“Less than an hour,” she managed, her throat suddenly dry as the magnitude of what she’d agreed to washed over her. “Thirty minutes maybe.” Sweat dotted her upper lip and she was trembling where she stood.

“I’ll be right here,” he said, raising his half-finished beer in salute. It irritated Elle that he seemed to be completely at ease while she was a nervous wreck. Of course, he no doubt had his pick of women. Why would he be nervous?

“Right,” she said, rolling her eyes. If he could play it cool, so could she.

Fifteen minutes later, her boss shoved her out the door with a laugh. “Sorry, kiddo. That Carver dude is making me nervous. He says he’s only waiting on you to get off work, so off you are.”

“I can’t believe you’re letting him bully you like this.” Elle laughed, only half feeling it. Those nervous butterflies took wing in her stomach and she wasn’t sure if it was fear or anticipation. And, if it was fear, was it fear of Steve or that she couldn’t satisfy him? Or that, when it was all over, she’d never be satisfied again?

When her boss shut the back door in her face, Elle had a brief moment of disappointment that Steve wouldn’t know where she was, but a large warm hand on her shoulder soon dispelled that thought.

“How did you know I’d be out back?”

Steve gave her a wolfish grin. “I hounded your manager until he did exactly what I wanted to get rid of me. Besides. He’s an old friend.”

“In other words, he sold me out. Figures,” she harumphed, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Come on.” Steve grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. A shiny black F-150 sat next to the curb, running as if ready to make a quick getaway. He helped her up into the jacked-up ride on the driver’s side. When she would have slid over to the passenger side, he stayed her with a big hand on her thigh. “Don’t.”

“Safety first,” she squeaked. “I need my seat belt.” In response, he reached around her and fastened her into the middle seat belt. “I didn’t know they still made those,” she muttered.

“Show me where you live.” Steve pulled out of the parking lot, following her directions. Her apartment building was only a couple of minutes away and before Elle truly had a chance to process her situation, they’d pulled into the parking lot and he’d dragged her out of the truck.

“I don’t normally do this, you know,” Elle said as she fumbled with the keys to the door.

“And you won’t ever again,” he growled.

After she made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to open her door, Steve simply took the keys from her trembling fingers and did it himself. No sooner did he shove her inside than Elle found herself against the banging door with Steve’s big, muscular body pressed against hers, his mouth finding hers with a desperate, possessive hunger.

Steve knew Jezelle was hesitant, but he also knew she wanted him. Even if he was pushing through her reluctance, it still maddened him. He needed her willing, pliant in his arms, eager for his touch. Fortunately, the longer he kissed her, the more she complied with what he needed.

Backed up against the door, she clung to him, gripping his shoulders as she accepted his kiss. Tentatively, her tongue dueled with his, seeking entrance to his mouth even as he plundered hers. Steve ground his cock against her belly, needing more. Needing to plunge deep inside her, to claim her, to…figure out how to get his goddamned jeans off without separating from her.

“Steve…” Jezelle’s breathy sigh was his undoing. Forgetting the damned jeans, he picked her up, urging her legs around his waist, and began thrusting against her. With a growl, he took her mouth again, this time taking what he needed. Branding her the only way he knew how.

Over and over he thrust against her, needing to prove he could satisfy her in every way, could meet her needs. As his cock swelled in his pants, Steve groaned, holding on to his control with the iron will he’d developed over years of SEAL training.

And just like that, something inside him clicked. This was what he’d been born to do. The U.S. government might own his body temporarily, but this woman owned his soul. Permanently. It was as if all his training, all the time he’d spent in the classroom and the gym and the battlefield training his mind and body had been for her. His whole focus in life shifted with the needy cries of the tiny woman in his arms. He was meant to protect her, satisfy her...cherish her.

The epiphany nearly caused him to spill against her. When she screamed his name as she came, he had to pull away from her and bite his cheek to keep from following her. The last thing he wanted to do in that moment was come in his pants.

When Jezelle slumped in his arms, her body limp with the aftermath of her release, Steve carried her to the tiny bedroom. There was room enough for the double bed, one dresser, and little else, but it was neat and clean. Painfully so.

With a flick of his wrist, he turned down the sheet and quilt on her bed, laying her on the cool surface as he undressed her. The sight of her naked body only made his cock ache that much more. He needed inside her and fast. But that would end the night too quickly. Steve needed more. Demanded it as his due.

Before he yanked off his own clothes, he wanted to taste her, give her a sample of what he’d be doing to her the rest of the night. He said nothing, but held her legs apart and dipped his head between them. At the first swipe of his tongue against her wet flesh, she arched her back, crying out and spearing her fingers through his hair to hold him to her. With a groan, he found her clit and pressed his tongue to it, licking and flicking the little nub until she shrieked her pleasure. Moisture flooded her sex. Steve licked and slurped the dampness with a greedy intensity that surprised him. Never had he been so hungry for a woman. No. Hunger wasn’t the word. He was ravenous for her.

Like a starving man, he ate at her sex, lapping up her moisture only to flick her clit and make her flood him with more. Sweat dampened her skin until his arms glided with every movement over her thighs where he held her. The dim light from the outside street lamp flooding through her window seemed to make all that dark skin shimmer in the light with every movement of her body.

There was no way to stop. Not now. Not ever. Steve stood, jerking off his clothing with quick, awkward movements. He was shaking so badly with the intensity of his need that he nearly stumbled when he stepped out of his jeans. Finally, once he was naked, he crawled onto that small bed with her. Those large, luminous eyes seemed to beg him to take her and take her hard and fast. God knew he wanted to. Never had he been this ready for a woman.

Settling himself over Jezelle, Steve aimed his cock at her entrance, the slickness of her sex welcoming him. As much as he wanted to, he didn’t immediately plunge into her. Instead he slipped just the head inside her, retreating and slipping in over and over, teasing, driving them both insane.

“Oh, God! Steve, please!”

“Please what?” he growled between clenched teeth.

“I need you inside me.”

“You want me to fuck this sweet little cunt?” Steve had no idea why he felt the need to talk dirty to her. He’d never done so with a woman. But what he felt for her wasn’t all sweetness and roses. It was raw. Untamed. Savage.

“Ah!” Jezelle’s cunt squeezed his cock head almost painfully as she came. His words seemed to be the trigger for her this time. There was a burning need inside Steve to build on that intensity, to leave Jezelle completely and utterly spent before morning.

He waited until the spasms faded and she began to come down from her orgasm before he moved again. This time, he shoved himself inside her in one swift stroke. She screamed, digging her nails into his shoulders. If the way her channel gripped his shaft was any indication, she hadn’t cried out in pain. Another swift, intense orgasm overtook her, her body convulsing around him in a rush. Moisture gushed from her, wetting his cock even more as he slid out of her only to slam back in.

“That’s it, love,” he managed to get out around clenched teeth. “Come on my cock.”

Once he was certain he was in complete control of himself, Steve began a driving rhythm, surging forward with stronger and stronger thrusts. Starting out levered above her on straightened arms, Steve soon settled his full weight on top of Jezelle, wrapping his arms tightly around her so they were as close as they could get. Her legs tightened around him, her heels digging into his lower back, urging him on. When she raked her nails over his back as she screamed out yet another orgasm, Steve lost his mind.

Snarling and growling, Steve pumped into Jezelle, staking a claim as much as seeking relief. He braced himself on his knees as he thrust, needing to be as deep inside her as he could get. Arms still clasping him to her, his lips at her neck, Steve felt the most intense orgasm of his life begin to build.

“Claw me, little kitten,” he bit out. “Mark my body as yours.”

When she thrashed in his arms, her hips bucking against his, matching his own erratic rhythm, Steve let himself go. As he pounded into her repeatedly, his orgasm crashed around him. His vision blacked as the pressure released, his whole body feeling it. Hot seed released into Jezelle with a staggering intensity. Her screams echoed his own shout of completion, her nails still digging into his shoulders, her legs still squeezing his waist.

For several moments, they lay there unable to do anything other than catch their breath. Steve knew he needed to move off her, to make sure he wasn’t smothering her, but the thought of letting her go wasn’t even within the realm of possibility at the moment. Instead, he lifted her off the bed, his cock slipping wetly from her even as he urged her to keep her legs around his waist. He carried her to the bathroom, setting her on the counter next to the sink.

“Where are the washcloths?” he asked gruffly. This was new for him. In the past whenever he’d taken a woman to bed, they’d had a pleasant romp, but neither had bothered with anything afterward. Certainly not making sure the woman was comfortable. Sure, there had been a couple of women who’d tried to take more than he’d offered, pouting prettily and trying to get him to be all domestic and caring. They’d soon given up. Mainly because Steve was many things, but domestic wasn’t one of them. Besides, they all knew the score before they’d hooked up. He was a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy.

But this…

When Jezelle indicated a drawer on the other side of the sink, Steve turned on the hot water and wet a cloth after it heated. He urged her to spread her legs and cleansed her with gentle strokes, not stopping until chill bumps erupted over her skin, her eyes going dark with desire. She tried to push him away, but he refused, continuing to stroke with the cloth lazily, his gaze firmly fixed on her upturned face.

“Steve?” Her questioning look told him she had no clue what he expected from her. Hell, he had no clue what he expected himself. He only knew he wanted this woman to have more pleasure than any other women in the history of the world. He needed it with every fiber of his being.

“I love how you’re so responsive to me. Are you going to come for me again?” Jezelle nibbled her bottom lip, nodding several times in short, crisp movements. “Then do it.” Steve hardly recognized his own voice. It was gruff, low, hardly the smooth timbre he was known for with women. Instead, he sounded as needy and pleasure drugged as she looked.

With a soft cry, Jezelle let her head fall back against the mirror as she came. Her pussy clenched, pulsing under his hand as he continued to stroke her. When she relaxed once again, her eyelids heavy as she gazed at him, Steve cleaned himself then lifted her in his arms once again. He wanted her back in bed, needing more.

Setting her gently in the bed, Steve crawled in with her, pulling her back to his front. Lifting her leg over his hip, he stroked her with his fingers once again to make sure she was slick for him. Ensured of her readiness, he guided his cock to her entrance and rocked into her.

Jezelle whimpered, one arm reaching behind her to circle his neck. Steve found her cheek, kissing her until she turned her head to find his lips with hers. With a gentle thrust of his tongue, Steve took her mouth as completely as he took her sex. One of his arms pillowed her head while the other slid around her waist, holding her to him and occasionally flicking her clit with one finger.

“Steve, I can’t possibly--”

“Yes, you can. I want all of you, Jezelle. You’re mine. Now. Forever. Give me more.” Steve had no idea why he demanded this of Jezelle when his whole adult life had been spent making sure he had no permanent relationship with a woman. He wasn’t the kind of man who could be tied down. Right? So why now? Why this woman?

When Jezelle whimpered softly into his mouth, her orgasm beginning, he forgot to question the “why” of it and concentrated on making sure she got the most pleasure any man could give a woman. His hand slid down to find her clit once more and stroked it gently. Immediately, her cunt grasped him, milking him until, with a hoarse shout, Steve came inside her once more. It caught him completely by surprise, the force intense, hard, and fast. He ejaculated more than he thought possible, the pulsing of his cock continuing long after the rest of his body went limp.

Once again, he was compelled to clean her, to make sure she was comfortable when she slept. He recognized she was too spent to move so he left her this time, but begrudged every second it took him to return to her. This time, his ministrations were purely for her comfort, not attempting to arouse her once again.

When they were both cleansed, he crawled into bed beside her, covering them with the sheet and quilt. He pulled her back against him, spooning her so his body curved around her protectively. One arm draped over her waist, the other pillowing her head, he let Jezelle drift into what had to be an exhausted sleep.

*****

Steve’s eyes snapped open. The scent and feel of warm woman surrounded him like a soft, fuzzy blanket. What. The. Fuck? This wasn’t him. True, this wasn't how he'd felt when they'd been making love. All he'd wanted to do was brand her as his so she'd never get away from him. But could he really change his life to accommodate a woman? Did he even want to try? He was a SEAL, for crying out loud! He had no time in his life for a woman. Even one as passionate and giving of herself as this one was. Jezelle surpassed his wildest dreams. Any man would be thrilled to have her in his bed and on his arm. Not Steve. He didn’t need a woman other than to sate his lusts. He should have made sure she understood that. As it was, he might have given her the false impression he wanted more from her.

Careful not to disturb her, Steve slipped from her bed, resisting the urge to tuck the covers in around her so she didn’t get cold. Fists clenched, he stared down at the woman he’d found such pleasure with. Why was it so hard to leave? He’d never had this problem before. Steve Carver hopped from one woman’s bed to another. This feeling of not wanting to leave spooked him.

Quietly, Steve dressed, his heart racing with the enormity of the night. He had to get a fucking grip. Quickly. Taking a couple of deep breaths, he made a decision. He’d return to base. He might be back a little early from leave, but he could use the time to catch up with anything the team was working on while he’d been gone. He’d throw himself back into work and forget all about little Jezelle Temple and their erotic dance.