Deadly Dealings (Hardy Brothers Security Book 13) (8 page)

“I’m going to settle for some new underwear and a few pairs of shoes.”

“I can live with that.” James rested his cheek against his wife’s head. “We have a chance to continue this fantastic life together, baby. I can live with anything knowing that.”

“That’s good,” Mandy said. “You’re going to have to live with giving me a massage now. I want a long one while we’re watching
Jaws
.”

“Way to milk the situation, baby.”

“James, I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“I should probably feel like a pervert for being in here,” James said, lifting the green lace teddy so he could study it up close. “I don’t like this. It has way too many buttons.”

“It unsnaps at the important spot,” Mandy said, tugging a strand of her blond hair behind her ear as she leaned forward. “See.” She pointed toward the teddy’s crotch area.

James lifted it so he could get a better look. “Oh, well, that’s convenient,” he said. “I like this.”

Mandy smirked. “I think you would have trouble filling the top out.”

“I like it for you, smartass,” James said, tapping the end of her nose. They’d been shopping for a grand total of twenty minutes, and despite his worry that Mandy would tire he was having a good time because she was enjoying herself. He was willing to look at thirty naughty outfits if it made her happy.

“I can’t wear that. It will cut me funny. My torso is too short.”

James held the lacy outfit up to Mandy’s body. “I’m buying it. I don’t believe you.”

“I know my own body.”

“Baby, I’ve been to more places on your body than you have,” James said, taking the pragmatic approach. “I think you’re going to look good in this.”

“That outfit is a hundred bucks if you’re wrong.”

“I don’t care.”

“I’m buying other outfits, too,” Mandy said.

“I’ll buy out the whole store if that’s what you want,” James said, hanging the teddy over his arm. “I want this one. I like the color.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “You’re sowing your oats today, so if you want to buy that outfit I’m going to smile as you do it and wear it for you.”

“Can I pick out other things, too?”

“Go nuts.”

Mandy moved to another rack and tempted as he was to follow her, James instead took a step away and perused a different rack. It was a subtle shift, and she wasn’t anywhere he couldn’t get to her if something happened, but he was working hard to give her what she needed.

Mandy selected a few outfits as James watched her out of the corner of his eye and then she started moving toward one of the dressing rooms. James followed expectantly. “Are you going to model those for me?”

“Not until we’re home.” Mandy grabbed the teddy from his arm and added it to her pile. “You’re not going to try and go in there with me, are you?”

James pursed his lips. This was a test. “I kind of want to see my outfit on you.”

“They’re going to think we’re doing it in there.”

“I don’t care.”

“If you see me in one of these outfits we might end up doing it in there,” Mandy said, changing tactics. “Personally, I’m ready for a little action. I’ve been feeling neglected. Are you?”

That was a challenge. James narrowed his eyes. “Listen, missy … .”

“Do you need a dressing room?” A clerk appeared out of nowhere, her eyes trained on James as she spoke to Mandy.

Mandy rolled her eyes. She was used to women checking her husband out. This was the first time it had ever happened in a lingerie store while they were picking things out together, though. “That would be great,” she said.

“Do you want to sit down in the lounge over there, sir, and wait for your … sister?” The clerk smiled at James coquettishly.

James wasn’t in the mood for games. “Really? You think I’m lingerie shopping with my sister? What kind of sick perverts do you get in here?”

Mandy wanted to laugh, but she managed to hold it in as the clerk looked taken aback.

“I’m sorry,” the clerk said. “I … .”

“Do you have any dressing rooms big enough for two people?” James asked.

“No. That’s … not allowed. We’re not that type of establishment.”

“First off, shame on you for thinking I’m going to push my wife against the wall of your dressing room and do her right here,” James said. “You have a filthy mind.”

The clerk’s cheeks reddened. “I think there’s been some misunderstanding.”

“Second off, you sell sex clothes and yet you say you’re not the type of establishment that likes sex in the dressing rooms,” James said. “It seems to me you’re cutting off a huge market there.”

Mandy found herself feeling sorry for the clerk. “James, stop messing with her.”

James shot Mandy a sidelong look. “You’re buying that one I picked out whether you like it on you or not,” he ordered. “When you’re done in there, we’re buying some of those lotions on that wall, too. I’m going to rub them all over you.”

Mandy giggled. “I know what you’re doing.”

“And after dinner tonight? Wife, you’d better get a hold of yourself because I’m going to give you more action than you can handle.”

“I knew calling your manhood into question would work out for me,” Mandy said, winking at him.

James grabbed the front of her shirt and hauled her to his chest so he could drop a smoldering kiss on her. “I love you. Buy whatever you want. I’m going to pick out some lotions and whatever other kinky stuff I can find.”

“I love you, too.”

“I FEEL
like my credit card looks tired,” James said, studying the rectangular piece of plastic before he shoved it back in his wallet.

Mandy smiled widely at him as she watched the clerk place her new shoes in a big bag. “I’m done. You don’t have to complain about my shopping habits.”

“I’m not complaining.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “This has been a big day for you,” she said, nodding in thanks to the clerk as she collected her bag. “You shamed a Victoria’s Secret worker, you picked out lotions to rub all over me, and now you bought me shoes. This has been your version of Hell.”

“I enjoyed shaming that chick at Victoria’s Secret,” James countered. “Seriously, who goes lingerie shopping with their sister? Only sick people do that.”

“She knew I wasn’t your sister,” Mandy said. “She was making sure you realized she was open for offers.”

“Baby, the only offers I want are from you.” James dropped a quick kiss on her mouth and then linked his fingers with hers. “This has been a great day, too. Don’t think I haven’t enjoyed myself.”

“You hate shopping.”

“I love spending time with you.”

“But you hate shopping.”

“I love spending time with you more,” James said. “Stop telling me how I feel. I feel better than I have in days.”

“Thank you.” Mandy’s eyes were sincere as they searched his face. “Thank you for everything, including being my husband.”

James’ heart rolled. “Thank you for being the best thing that ever happened to me.” He gave her a soft kiss before straightening. “Where to next?”

“Dinner.”

James arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I could help you pick out more underwear if you really beg me.”

Mandy grinned. “I’m starving. I want to go to a nice dinner and then take you home and … spend some quality time together.”

“Are you trying to seduce me?”

“That depends, am I going to have to work hard to do it?”

“No,” James said. “I’m going to do all the work.”

He led Mandy through the mall, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles as they navigated the busy building. His mind was on their return home, wondering how he was going to give her what she wanted without freaking himself out about tiring her, when his eyes landed on a blond man leaning against the wall close to the exit.

The man was watching Mandy, and even though James was used to men checking his wife out there was something different about this man. He was almost positive he’d seen the same face watching them cavort inside Victoria’s Secret.

James’ protective nature had him salivating over the prospect of approaching the man. He didn’t want to ruin Mandy’s happy day, or wipe the smile from her face even more, though. Instead, he slipped a protective arm around her waist as he ushered her through the glass doors and toward the parking lot, fixing a challenging look on his face when he met the man’s gaze.

The man quickly averted his eyes, and James was genuinely curious whether he was merely looking at a hot woman or up to something more nefarious. James studied the man’s features as he passed, memorizing them in case it was important later, and then followed Mandy out to his Explorer.

She was none the wiser and babbling about how she wanted Middle Eastern for dinner. James forced the man out of his mind and focused on his wife. She was happy … and she was alive. That’s all he needed right now.

JAMES
found Mandy in their bedroom about a half hour after returning from dinner. All the bags from their shopping excursion were unpacked, and she was stripping out of her shirt, her pants already discarded on the floor, in the entryway to her closet.

James studied her a moment, love washing over him. As if sensing his presence, Mandy lifted her eyes to his. “Are you ready to show me some action?” Her smile was enough to cause James’ heart to flip.

“I am.”

Mandy widened her eyes, surprised. “I thought you were going to come up here and give me an excuse because you’re afraid to touch me.”

“I’ll never be afraid to touch you,” James said. “I am afraid to hurt you, but we’re going to go slow tonight. I’m doing all the work. You’re going to let me love you my way.”

“Are you going to let me go to work tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Really?” Mandy exhaled heavily, relieved.

“I’m driving you to and from work and you’re not leaving the courthouse for lunch,” James said. “Promise me.”

“I know the drill.”

“Good,” James said. “Now strip the rest of those clothes off.”

Mandy did as instructed, James following suit and grabbing her around the waist so he could carry her to the bed. He was careful as he laid her down, running his hands over her shoulders as he lowered his mouth to kiss her.

“I love you, my baby.”

“I know you do,” Mandy said, grinning. “You’ve told me several times today. You’ve been a man of words. Now you need to be a man of action.”

“You’re pushing me to see if I’m going to be baited into playing rough,” James said, arching an eyebrow. “I won’t be. Stop doing it.”

“I don’t want you to play rough. I do want you to play, though.”

James wedged his hand under Mandy’s rounded rear and pushed her up the mattress until she was situated with her back against the pillows. His eyes were filled with lust as he looked her over, and he realized he needed this as much as she did.

He crawled on top of her, his hands gentle as they roamed her body. His mouth fused with hers as he cupped her jaw, their tongues touching sensuously. James moved his mouth to her neck, trailing a series of soft kisses down the vulnerable skin and not stopping until he reached her breast. He sucked the nipple into his mouth, rolling the pebbled flesh across his tongue and causing her to moan.

He gave both of her breasts equal attention before moving lower. Her thighs were shaking as he parted them and lowered his tongue to her waiting folds. He usually liked to play with her, use his tongue to torture her and make her beg for him to give her the release she needed. He had no intention of doing that tonight. He licked her with deliberate strokes, loving the way she cried out his name as she orgasmed, her hands digging into his hair.

James made sure her high was complete before he moved back up her body, carefully pulling her legs up so he could settle between them. He entered her smoothly, groaning as her warmth enveloped him.

“My baby.”

Mandy dug her fingernails into his back, wrapping her thighs around his waist and tilting her pelvis to give him easier access. James moved his mouth back to hers, letting their tongues tangle as he set a steady rhythm that would fulfill them both. He moved his hand back to her sensitive nerve bundle and rubbed her, forcing himself to remain calm until he felt her tipping over the edge again.

“James!” She convulsed beneath him, and only then did James let himself go inside of her.

He collapsed on top of her, making sure to rest his weight there without hurting her. He knew she loved the first few moments after a coupling. She liked it when he was still inside of her and yet covering her with his body.

“I love you,” James murmured, kissing her neck. “I’m going to hold you all night, baby. When you dream, try to remember I’m here.”

“I always feel you.”

“Good,” James said. “If you’re a good girl and sleep now I’ll wake you up with another treat.”

“Maybe I’ll wake you up.”

James hoped that wasn’t the case. The only thing he wanted now was a heavy, dreamless sleep for both of them.

“We’ll see who wins the wake-up prize in eight hours,” he said, kissing her deeply. “For now I’ve won the happiness prize so I’m forever yours.”

“You and me both, husband.”