Dark and Deadly: Eight Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance (80 page)

His release was coming fast and hard. But before that happened, he felt a strange, almost uncomfortable sensation. She’d slipped the tip of a finger into his anus. With that realization, his whole body tightened.

“Shhh,” she whispered as she continued to work his length with her other hand. “Relax for me. This is as far as I need to go.”

Threading his fingers in her long silky locks, he gave in to her.

Almost instantly, the pressure intensified and what was once uncomfortable was now extremely stimulating. His fingers and toes went numb and a roaring sound rang in his head. She was saying something else, but her words were lost to him as a ferocious wave of pleasure, unlike anything he’d felt before, slammed into his body.

When it was finally over, he drew in a ragged breath, almost surprised to find that he was still leaning against the tile counter. He helped Olivia to her feet and pulled her close.

“Incredible,” he murmured into her hair. “What you did with… I never would’ve thought…” Hell, he couldn’t even formulate a complete sentence.

Her laughter was lighthearted and sweet. “You liked it, then?”

He answered by pressing his mouth to her swollen lips.

The little death
. And now he understood exactly what that meant. He was pretty sure that in this small bathroom above Reckless Motor Sports, she’d stopped his heart.

“I am not sitting in this tub alone.” Asher checked the temperature and turned on the hot water again.

“It’s not big enough for both of us,” Olivia protested, one hand on the bathroom door. “I’ll take a quick shower after you’re done.” She had planned to give him his privacy as he soaked. It would give her a chance to check her messages. She’d missed a few calls from her mom. It was too late to call her back, but she’d send another text to say she was fine and should be home in the morning.

“It’s plenty big enough. We’ll make it work.”

She eyed the confined space. “But—”

“Olivia, you’re bathing. With me. Now.” Without waiting for a further response from her, he grabbed the hem of her dress and lifted it over her head, tossing it into the corner along with his T-shirt and jeans. A moment later, her bra and panties joined the pile.

His eyes were hooded as he looked at her. One of the tiny braids hidden in his hair had fallen forward and a black bead at the end caressed his cheek. Her skin heated in response to the possessive way he stared at her, and she felt her nipples tighten.

“Holy Fates, Liv.”

He did it again. Used another nickname. It was surprisingly intimate, as if he’d been saying it for years and knew everything about her. Something warm blossomed in her chest.

His fingers curved around her hipbone and with his thumb, he caressed the skin of her stomach. “Soft, delicate, and yet so strong. I don’t imagine either of us will get much sleep tonight.”

Her inner muscles clenched a few times at the promise of his words, and a trickle of heat slickened her sex. His nostrils flared slightly as if he could sense her arousal.

The water was hot, but not too hot. Once they were inside, she settled between his bent legs, her back to his front.

“You see, lass? It’s a perfect fit. I can reach everything I need.” One hand came around and cupped her breast.

“But I’ll jostle you. You’re still healing.”

He didn’t answer. She looked over her shoulder at him.

He was frowning and rubbing his collarbone.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Not anymore.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m…fully healed.”

Back at the car, before they came into the garage, she was certain he still had multiple injuries. She hadn’t inadvertently healed them all, had she? Was he trying to convince her he was feeling better and could manage a whole night of sex? “That’s impossible. I didn’t heal you.”

He splayed his palms out in front of him. “See for yourself.”

Water sloshed over the edge of the tub and she turned, placed her hands on his chest and concentrated. Her Talent detected no broken bones, no cuts or bruises, no sprains or torn cartilage.

“I don’t understand. How could that have happened?”

“You had to have done it, Olivia. Against my wishes.”

She couldn’t tell if he was really angry or if he was teasing. There was nothing in his expression either way.

“I swear, I didn’t do it on purpose. I knew you didn’t want me to heal you and I honored your wishes. When you kissed me, I remember thinking how easily my energy was moving into you, but then I lost my train of thought after that.” She also recalled how quickly she’d healed him back in the city with hardly any effort. While focused on his pleasure, she could very well have let her guard down. But why wasn’t she feeling more tired?

He smiled, but it was a devilish smirk. He reached for a bar of soap, turned her around and began to lather her back and arms. “Do you know what happens when someone defies my orders?”

She licked her lips and swallowed hard. “What?”

“They get punished.”

Images of Asher paddling her bare butt with a leather riding crop flashed in her head. Even though her sexual experiences had never gone in that direction before, she was more than a little intrigued. “Punished? What do you mean?”

“I’m not talking about a simple spanking,” he said as if reading her thoughts. She was glad he was behind her and couldn’t see her face. It had to be beet red right now. “Although that can be arranged. What you did was very serious. I told you specifically not to do something and you defied me. When I give orders, I expect that they’ll be followed.”

“Okay.” Her heart quickened. “Then what
is
a fitting punishment?”

“Hmmm.” His sudsy hands slipped along her belly and breasts, and she became acutely aware of the hard length of his shaft at her back. “I was thinking more along the lines of teaching you by example. That really is the best way to learn.”

She chewed on her lip, trying to control her growing excitement. “Which means…”

“Lean back,” he ordered. “I’m going to wash your hair.”

She did as she was told, laying her head back against his stomach. He adjusted his position so that her ears were just above the level of the water. Squirting some shampoo into the palm of his hand, he began to wash her hair. She closed her eyes, concentrating on his fingers massaging her scalp and sudsing each strand. A girl could get used to such pampering.

What sort of punishment was he dreaming up?
If it involves more of this, then sign me up.

Soon he was helping her from the tub. When they were both wrapped in towels, he put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. The glint in his eyes was pure wickedness. Her breath caught in her throat.

“I’ve decided on your punishment, Olivia.” He’d gone all formal on her again.

“You have?”

He brushed a thumb over her lower lip, leaving a trail of sparks. “For the next week, you’re going to be staying here with me.”

Her gaze snapped up to his. “What? Here? With you?” He stared at her with that ruggedly handsome face, gauging her reaction. She had heard him correctly. “I can’t stay for that long.”

“I don’t see why not,” he said matter-of-factly. “The HOT isn’t expected to reopen for days, your car is still trapped in the garage, and you don’t have a job anymore.”

Yes, all that was true. But still. She’d just met him. He couldn’t really be serious about her staying the week with him, could he? She needed to hide out for a while, wait until things calmed down…but with him? “What if I have other plans?”

“Cancel them.”

His arrogance should’ve pissed her off. Instead, she was secretly thrilled. “Why would I want to do that?” she asked, feigning indifference.

“Because I’d like to spend the next few days fucking you, Olivia, and I want you all to myself.”

Her mouth dropped open. She was pretty sure she would’ve staggered backward if he hadn’t been holding onto her. She was both shocked and turned on by his brazen vulgarity. Molten heat burned between her legs and her inner muscles tightened in response. “And that’s my punishment?”

Without asking permission, he pulled down her towel and lazily circled her areola with a long finger, causing her nipples to peak even further. “No, because I’ll make sure you enjoy it as much as I will.”

She had no doubt he would, because she was on the verge of coming and he hadn’t even slipped a finger inside her yet.

“So if that’s not my punishment, what is?” she asked, huskily.

He pursed his lips and frowned as if he were thinking, all the while teasing her breasts. She knew damn well that he already knew the answer. “During your time with me, you must submit to everything I ask of you.”

She swallowed nervously and thrills of pleasure ran down her spine. “You mean like…be your slave?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, Liv. You will be my slave for the week.”

She’d always been completely in control of her own life, moving around, never letting anyone in too close. But Asher knew her secret and he’d proved he could keep it. It might be interesting—and fun—to relinquish control just this once.

“Will there be any limits?” she asked. “Because I’m not doing anything illegal or disgusting.”

“Nothing like that. I promise.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

She considered her options and decided that waiting until next week to look for another job wouldn’t be a big deal. “And at the end of seven days?”

“We go our separate ways. I’m not looking for a courtship, Olivia. This is just for fun.”

After her last relationship fiasco, she wasn’t interested in anything long-term, either. She was just looking for a good time with no strings attached. Glancing at his motorcycle boots thrown carelessly on the tile floor, she remembered her vow to stay away from the bad boys.

That could start next week, too.

***

Before she could get used to their new arrangement, he was giving her his first order.

“Go to the bed,” he said, pointing. “I want you on all fours, facing the headboard. And lose the towels.” She started to gather up her things from the floor of the bathroom, but he stopped her. “I said now.”

“But they’re the only clothes I have and they’re filthy. Let me wash them out in the sink.” Hopefully, they’d be dry enough by the time they left to pick up Conry.

He cupped her chin and lifted it. A fiery light sparkled in his eyes. “Rule Number One this week: You’ll do as I tell you. Rule Number Two: No talking back.”

“But—”

“Olivia,” he warned, his expression darkening. “I’m not going to ask again. If I do, there will be consequences.”

A little thrill shot through her. Just what would those consequences be? In a show of quiet defiance, she raised an eyebrow at him and tossed the towels to the floor. Finger-combing her hair so it wouldn’t dry weird, she strode into the bedroom and climbed onto the bed.

“Excellent,” he said from behind.

She heard the squeak of wood. Turning around, she saw him rummage through the top drawer of his dresser and pull out what looked to be an unopened box of condoms and a plaid scarf. Was he going to tie her up? But instead of reaching for her wrist, he slipped the scarf over her eyes and her world went black.

She started to protest, to tell him that she was a visual person and wanted to watch his body slide into hers, but he reminded her of Rules Number One and Two again.

The mattress sagged as he climbed onto the bed behind her. Warm, calloused hands caressed her butt, then ran up the small of her back to her ribcage. He mumbled something in a language she didn’t understand, then feathery light kisses trailed down the skin of her neck and back. She was expecting to hear the sound of the condom package ripping open. Slick heat gathered in her sex as she waited to feel him there. He was big. She hoped he’d go slow.

But instead, he grabbed her wrists and placed each hand on the metal headboard in front of her. “Hold on here,” he told her. “And spread your legs a little wider.”

She did as she was told with no arguing. He noticed, too. “Good job,” he said, chuckling. “You’re a quick study.”

“My teacher is very demanding.”

She heard a lamp click on and suddenly the darkness inside the blindfold didn’t seem quite as black.

Given what she’d done to him earlier, maybe he planned to do the same to her. She had to admit, she’d surprised even herself when she’d slipped her pinkie inside him. She’d never done something like that before and wasn’t sure how the idea had even occurred to her. Maybe she’d read about it in a women’s magazine or something.
Five Surefire Ways To Satisfy Your Man
.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Being Naughty in Bed
.
Give Head Like a Hooker
. Or maybe, subconsciously, she just knew it’d rock his world.

God, was there ever a man who looked as beautiful as Asher did when he came? She thought about how his muscles had gone all tight and hard, the cords in his neck straining. Another reason why having this blindfold on sucked. She wanted to see what he looked like as he moved inside of her.

It occurred to her that she should’ve told him she wasn’t a fan of backdoor sex, that she’d tried it once and it wasn’t for her, but then she remembered Rule Number Two and stayed quiet for now. For all she knew, this might be regular old doggie style.

She felt something brush against her leg and the mattress shifted again. She was preparing to feel one or two of his fingers sliding into her from behind, but instead, his hands were on her inner thighs, spreading her wider.

Wait. Something about the way his palms were positioned did not seem conducive to doggie style.

“Sit down a little more, lass.” His voice came from beneath her, his breath hot on her sex. “I can’t quite reach you.”

Blood pounded in her temples as she realized what was going on now. She gripped the headboard tighter and did as she was told.

“Yes, that’s it,” he said as she lowered herself. His voice was husky and low. “God, you’re beautiful, Liv. So silky and wet. I can’t wait to taste you.”

With firm but gentle fingers, he parted her folds. His sinful tongue slid along her center and a jarring shock of heat surged through her. He’d barely started and she was already close to climaxing. She hissed in a breath and arched her back brazenly, but a hand on her butt held her firmly in place. His tongue probed her deeper, causing nerve endings on top of nerve endings to tingle with pleasure. Her hips moved and he moved with her.