PASSIONATE ENCOUNTERS (23 page)

Emma laughed huskily. “I think it’s called trying to turn
you on.” She squirmed against Mike, every nerve ending in her body alive with
pleasant sensation as he continued to run his palms over her. “I guess Amanda’s
a bad influence.”

“You get my cock hard without half-trying, honey. Remind me
again to send Amanda flowers.”

He gave her bottom a rough squeeze, growling low in his
throat.

His fingers were hot against her flesh, branding Emma where
they touched her. “I don’t think it was meant as a form of punishment,” she
teased, arching her hips into the cradle of his, taking pleasure in the power
of his full erection.

It occurred to Emma that if they were to unzip his pants and
move her thong aside he could slip inside her where they both wanted him to be.
Her breath began to come out in little pants at the picture that presented, of
them making love before the fire. Before she knew what she was doing she
unbuttoned several buttons on his dress shirt, and put her mouth on his hot
flesh.

“Sweetheart…” He sounded as though he was in pain.

His hard-on throbbed strongly against her. Emma continued to
run her open mouth along his hot flesh, going a little crazy when one of his
fingers dipped teasingly between her legs, brushing over the thin fabric
covering her mound. Emma bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out with
pleasure.

She pulled back to meet his desire-filled eyes, knowing the
emotion mirrored what he saw in hers.

“Yes, you want me to stop, Detective?”

“Hell no.”

As Mike’s finger continued to flick over the thin barrier
covering Emma’s pulsing clit her hips began to move as if they had a mind of
their own. Her soft moans were overshadowed by the crackling fire. She arched
against his cock wildly, wishing there were no clothes between them.

God I want him!

Mike must have guessed her growing ardor. The next thing she
knew his finger was slipping beneath her thong and into her wet pussy,
burrowing deeply. His mouth swallowed her cry of surprise. And then Emma gave
in to the fierce need riding her.

She closed her eyes and moved her hips, meeting each thrust
of his finger eagerly. He made sure to include her swollen clit until she was
trembling and gasping helplessly against him.

“Do you know how badly I want to be inside you right now?”

Mike’s whisper was hot against Emma’s neck. His hips moved
with subtle precision, fueling the hunger coursing through her. Lord what she
wouldn’t give to have his cock buried deep inside her right then. But it didn’t
stop the pleasure building to gigantic proportions until she lost control.

“Mike!” she whispered against his mouth. The sweet rush of
release caused her body to twist atop his.

“Let it go, honey.”

He held her easily until the tremors subsided.

It felt like forever before Emma’s breathing calmed down.

“I can’t take you home tonight,” Mike said after a long
silence.

“I can sleep on the couch.” She’d be cozy there next to the
fire.

“Like hell you will. I want you in my bed. I’ll take the
couch.”

As much as Emma yearned for Mike to join her in his bed, she
knew his integrity as a father wouldn’t allow it. Not as long as there was a
chance Melissa could surprise them. She loved him all the more for his strength
and caring, sensing it was as much for his daughter as it was for her.

Her tongue came out to stroke across his bottom lip. She
felt a violent shudder rack his body, even as he distanced himself emotionally.
Disappointment laced her words, in spite of her attempt to keep her tone light
hearted.

“Then kiss me goodnight, Detective, and show me the way.”

Chapter 20

Mike stood at the foot of his bed, staring down at the
sleeping angel tangled in his covers. The fact that Emma was lying there,
against his sheets, leaving her scent upon his pillows, was a surprising turn-on.
She was on her side with one pillow clutched to her as if she were holding her
lover close, a secret little smile on her lips as she dreamed.

Is she dreaming of me?
He liked to think so.

He carefully reached forward, and brushed the wild hair off
her face so he could better see her. When she stirred slightly he held his
breath, though she only moved closer to the pillow, moaning softly in her
sleep. Mike pulled the quilt over her, reluctant to leave but knowing he must.
Melissa was waiting for him downstairs, or so he thought.

“Dad?”

He pivoted to see her standing in the threshold of his
doorway, and quickly raised his finger to his lips in a gesture for her to be
quiet.

“How do you feel, kiddo?” he asked after shutting the door
so they wouldn’t disturb Emma. “You’re dressed,” he added with surprise, taking
in her jeans and heavy sweatshirt.

“It’s a school day,” she reminded him in a tone that
revealed she was surprised he could forget. “Friday, remember?” She hopped down
the stairs in front of him.

“I thought you weren’t feeling well.” He naturally assumed
she’d be staying home. However, Melissa wasn’t like some kids who came up with
any excuse not to attend school. She actually liked it.

“Emma fixed me up. I’m okay now.”

“What about breakfast…”

“I’ll eat a breakfast bar on the way to school.” She reached
for her coat, her eyes straying to the living room and noticing the blanket and
pillow on the couch. “Did you sleep on the sofa last night?

Not because he’d wanted to. “Yep. Mrs. Dawson left Emma
stranded here. I couldn’t take her home and leave you here alone.” He watched
her zip up her coat. “You sure you feel well enough for school?”

Nodding, Melissa explained, “I don’t want to miss today. I
have a big science test and Mrs. Waller doesn’t give make-ups unless you have a
doctor’s excuse. She’s a real…”

“Melissa…”

“Witch,” she continued, pulling a knit hat down on top of
her head with a big grin. “You know, I really like Emma, Dad, and she’s crazy
about you.”

Mike’s brows rose and he crossed his arms.

“And you’re crazy about her too. Admit it.”

“How did you get to be so smart?” he questioned with
amusement, not bothering to argue with her when deep down he knew she was
right. He was more than crazy about Emma. And he was glad Melissa liked her
too.

She paused to think as if her answer really mattered. “I
think certain wisdom comes with entering womanhood,” she said with seriousness.

Mike nearly bit through his bottom lip to keep from
laughing.

“You like her, don’t you, Dad?” She opened the door, waiting
patiently for his response, her eyes watchful.

Mike could see the approaching school bus barreling down his
drive. He was lucky the bus driver didn’t mind coming all the way down his
road, since they were the only ones who lived there.

“The bus is here.” It quickly became apparent she wasn’t
moving until he answered her. He sighed deeply. “Yes, I like her. Satisfied?
Now go to school!”

A wide grin broke out on her face and she gave him a big hug
and kiss on the cheek before twirling and running for the bus. Mike closed the
door and turned, his eyes automatically drawn to the top of the stairs where
his sleeping angel stood with her arms crossed and a pleased expression on her
face. He moved until he was standing directly at the bottom of the stairs, his
eyes eating her up.

“Good morning, Detective,” she said in a smooth-as-honey tone,
sleep still evident in her eyes.

“Good morning. Did you sleep all right?”

Emma nodded. “Very comfortable, thank you.” Once the polite
necessities were over she got right to the point. “Melissa’s feeling better
this morning?”

He gave a brief nod.

“So, you like me,” she commented with an impish smile on her
sleepy face.

She looked lost in his shirt, making the mistake of crossing
her arms. Suddenly the hem was sliding higher than mid-thigh, giving Mike a
better view of those shapely legs.

“Maybe just a little,” he replied, holding his hand up and
making a gesture with two fingers showing her how much. “Do you like me?” He
took a step up, then another. A burst of laughter escaped Emma, her cheeks
coloring a becoming shade of rose. Mike had the sudden urge to run his hands
through the wild hair falling around her shoulders, knowing that even as it
appeared tangled it would be silky and full of life.

“Maybe just a little,” she said, mimicking his words and his
gesture. “Now that we have that settled, what’s next?”

He took a step up, his eyes holding hers captive.

“You look kind of hungry, Detective.”

“I’m ravenous,” he said simply, taking another step, his
eyes moving over her like she was the next best thing to chocolate. All at once
he untied his robe, slipping it off and letting it fall to the floor behind
him.

In turn Emma began to slowly unbutton her shirt, mildly
surprising Mike.

“I think you’re going the wrong way. The kitchen is that
way.” She indicated the direction with a sweep of her arm, her gaze running
down his length. “I like the sexy, low-hanging pajama bottoms,” she said
outrageously.

Mike ignored her last comment. “Maybe what I’m hungry for
isn’t in the kitchen,” he explained in a teasing drawl, continuing his slow
ascent.

With every step Emma undid another button.

His mouth began to water with anticipation, his gaze falling
briefly to take in the narrow strip of honeyed flesh she exposed. No bigger
than an inch but with enough power to send a strong man to his knees.

“I haven’t been able to get last night out of my mind. The
way you responded. Your flushed beauty. I have a hankering to see it again.”

Holding her ground in spite of his obvious intentions, Emma
asked huskily, “Really? And how do you plan to do that?” She undid the button
between her breasts. The last button.

Now Mike was the one laughing, but it didn’t stop his
progress as he took the last two steps to reach her. His gaze dropped to the
triangle piece of lace that covered the heart of her, recalling the night
before when he’d held and caressed her. And his finger had slipped inside her
honeyed warmth until she’d come.

She didn’t back down or show the slightest inkling of doubt
when he reached forward, slipping his hands inside the shirt at her waist and
giving a sharp pull until she was flush against him. Her head fell back and her
lips parted with pleasure when his hands continued around to caress the satiny
half-moons of her naked buttocks.

“How about if I just show you?” he said hoarsely, before
leaning down to give her mouth a tender kiss. He’d meant it to be a brief
sampling but the taste of mint on her mouth held him captive.

When he broke the kiss, she murmured, “I hope you don’t mind
that I borrowed your toothbrush.”

The thought of her using something so personal of his, so
intimate, fueled Mike’s need. He lost himself in a more thorough kiss,
practically devouring her soft lips. Her moan of pleasure calmed his fears that
he was hurting her. She wound her arms around his neck and held him even
closer, the lower half of her body moving purposefully against his, and firing
his blood. And fueling his hunger to gigantic proportions.

Yet as turned on as Mike was, he was clear-minded enough to
realize the dangerous position they were in at the top of the stairs. With a
growl of frustration he scooped Emma up in his arms and headed for his bedroom.
Her mirrored cry of disappointment turned into a small whimper. Glancing down,
Mike felt his heart slam in his ribs at the wider strip of smooth flesh
revealed by his actions, the tempting curve of her full breasts.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but I want to do this right. Tumbling
down a flight of steps isn’t in my plans.”

She smiled but remained silent.

When he reached the foot of his bed he gently lowered Emma
to her feet, turning her in his embrace and kissing her hungrily, like he was
never going to let her go. His hands again slipped inside her shirt pulling her
to him, and keeping her close to his aroused body.

However, Emma needed no persuasion. She willingly melded
against his length, her soft moans of pleasure echoing through his bedroom.

His hands began to roam over her satiny skin with purpose,
smoothing up and down her back before exploring the sensuous curve of her hips.
Her flesh was soft as a rose petal, and just as fragrant, begging Mike to taste
her. When his mouth left hers she cried out with protest but he didn’t go far.
He ran his tongue along the arch of her throat and over her collarbone, nipping
her tenderly as he went along.

She began to tremble wildly in his arms, mewling softly.
Clutching him to her, she strained against his hard-on until he nearly sank to
the floor in weakness. He nudged the shirt aside so he could continue his
erotic journey, tasting her, following the line of her collarbone with his lips
as his hands searched for pleasure points that left her whimpering and gasping
with pleasure.

Her hands fell to his pajama bottoms, her fingers confident
in their quest to undo the drawstring. The material parted slightly, but instead
of slipping her hands inside as Mike silently yearned for her to do, she was
content to tease and explore him from the outside. The muscles in his legs
quivered when her trailing fingers raked up and down his hard cock. He felt a
hotness in his loins that signaled how easy it would be for her to send him
over the edge.

“Emma, sweet Emma!” He pushed his erection against her
teasing fingers, silently pleading with her for more. “You’re going to tease me
into spoiling the moment for us if you’re not careful,” he rasped in a hoarse
tone.

“Really?” she gasped with pleasure, the light in her smoky
eyes revealing her desire. “No willpower, Detective?” she asked huskily,
trembling uncontrollably.