Stolen Petals (6 page)

Until the first climax rolled through her, blinding and intense. She gasped for breath and sweat beaded along her forehead. He planted a gentle kiss on her lips as her thighs shook until he slowly pulled his fingers out. She leaned into the kiss, intoxicated by his taste of cinnamon and bergamot and drunk with want for him.

Viola tugged her panties down, kicking them off, and then twined her legs around his waist. His erection brushed against her thigh, past her opening and a shudder pulsed through her. She slid up his length, hovering at the tip. His breaths steamed her ear and his arms trembled. She pushed down and he entered her. Her insides clenched with pleasure, a tingling, mind-numbing thrill, but she didn't go all the way, instead toying with quick motions along the tip, back and forth.

Suddenly she thrust down, all the way to the base. He moaned, his arms tightening around her. She pulled up, hovering by the tip and extending his torment.

Until she descended again, taking his full length inside her. His hazel eyes sparked amber and he growled, flipping her over onto her back.

He drove into her, seized with need and hot with desire. She pushed back just as hard, giving it her all. Equals—they were equal, dancing the same dance they had for years. They tumbled around on the ground, Viola stealing the top for a couple moments only for Edward to crush her to his chest and grab control. His cheeks flushed and his eyes shone with the promise of everything she hadn't dared to feel.

Edward grabbed her breast, kneading as he drove into her. The pressure built up, like a bubble ready to burst. His arms and chest had the glaze of sweat—close to coming. On her back, she lifted her leg, placing it on his shoulder. He pushed in deeper, sending a shudder wracking her body, driving her closer to the brink. Again and again, his rhythm steady, he sent spikes of adrenaline pulsing through her. The ache intensified. He leaned down and kissed her, this simple and sweet sensation pushing her over.

The orgasm rolled through her like honey, past her thighs and caused her legs to quake. Heat pooled into her and he tensed as he came, collapsing on top as she breathed in pine and sweat. He shuddered for a couple moments, emptying inside her as they both rode those waves a little longer.

He slumped over her, burying his face into the crook of her neck, with their sweaty bodies slick against one another. She traced the outline of his ear with her fingertip, trailing along his neck. After a couple seconds, Edward slid out of her, sitting upright and offering a hand.

"Why don't we find somewhere more comfortable than the floor?" A glib smile returned to his face, and the twinkle to his eyes.

"How appalling. What kind of a host am I?" she murmured, giving him a wink as she stood. "I suppose you want an invitation to my bedroom. I'll have you know, good sir, that's quite inappropriate."

"Given a bed, I could think of some very inappropriate things to do to you." He pressed up behind her, his heat making her stomach flutter.

"Promises, promises," she said, taking his hand and leading him to the bedroom. "And to think, we haven't even brought out any toys to play."

They barely made it through the door before his lips met hers and he had her against the wall again.

Epilogue

Sunlight filtered through her carved glass windows, casting diamond-shaped patterns on the ground. Viola sat up in her bed, surrounded by rumpled sheets. She glanced to her side. The bed lay empty. Heaviness settled into her chest followed by a familiar, bitter ache. She'd done it to herself, gotten her hopes up over nothing.

The stairwell creaked, and the faint sound of footsteps followed.

"What would you say to another joint endeavor?" Edward appeared in the door, holding his tablet. Viola gathered the blankets and pressed her chin against her knees. She forced back the tears stinging her eyes. He'd stayed. Warmth flooded her chest and she couldn't help the broad smile tearing across her face. Edward strode over, his chest bare and wearing tight trousers that fit his hips too perfectly. His disheveled brown hair slipped out of the ponytail, and a couple stray strands past his ears. He leaned down and tilted her chin up with his fingertips, planting a long, lingering kiss on her lips.

"The notorious Fox not dashing out the window the morning after? What's this world coming to?" She placed a hand over her chest.

"Maybe I was waiting for someone worth staying for." He grinned, seriousness in his eyes. She stared right back, no longer hiding behind masks or courtesies. "So what do you say, partner? Two bounty hunters are better than one."

"The two of us?" She laughed. "I don't think this town, let alone this country's prepared for what's coming." He climbed back into bed with her, his tablet still in hand. Heat emanated across the space they shared and she leaned back against her pillow, hands splayed over her head, which she tilted up to watch him work. Here they weren't Viola or Edward, or the Brass Violet and the Fox. For the first time, Viola could cast conceptions and propriety aside because around him, she didn't need them. Even their tough bounty hunter swagger faded until, together, they simply existed in this moment—and it was glorious.

About the Author

A modern day Renaissance-woman, Katherine McIntyre has learned soapmaking, beer brewing, tea blending, and most recently roasting coffee. Most of which make sure she’s hydrated and bathed while she spends the rest of her time writing. With a desire to travel and more imagination than she knows what to do with, all the stories jumping around in her head led to the logical route of jotting them down on paper. Not only can her poetry and prose be found in different magazines, but she’s had an array of novels and novellas published through Decadent Publishing, Breathless Press, Hazardous Press, and Jupiter Gardens Press. For more casual content, she’s a regular contributor on CaffeineCrew.com, a geek news website.

Other titles by Katherine McIntyre

By the Sea

Most kids had imaginary friends, but most weren’t like Megan’s friend Niall. There were rules: only at night and only by the sea. She could’ve sworn he was real, but when someone vanishes without a trace, what else can you believe?
All that was seven years ago, buried in the past until Niall shows up in town with his tight swimmer’s body and easy smile. For Megan, just the sight of him is enough to tear open a scar that never fully healed. However, their reunion only elicits more questions. Niall’s keeping secrets, unbelievable ones, and as Megan delves into the supernatural depths of who he really is, she’s sure he’ll vanish again.
Megan’s not stupid—she knows how bad it’ll hurt if she gets involved. The first time Niall disappeared, she never thought she’d recover. But the moment they lock eyes, it’s too late—because Megan will go to any length to see that boy smile.

Poisoned Apple

Snow White’s a goth and Prince Charming’s a jerk.
On Neve’s eighteenth birthday, her stepmother kicks her out. A group of diner rats offer her refuge—including Brendan, who offers his couch for her to crash on. But the more time she spends with him, the more he confuses her. One second, he’s kissing her. The next he’s pushing her away.
Believing her life has reached rock bottom, Neve struggles to ditch her “damaged girl” label. But when she uncovers the truth about her life, she’s rocked to her very foundation. Will Neve be able to hold on to the good things coming her way, or will her bad luck poison everything?

An Airship Named Desire

Ever since their last botched smuggling job, First Mate Bea and the crew of her airship can barely afford fuel, let alone a barrel of grog. So, when a gentleman from Old Germany offers them a fortune to steal a locked box from a British merchant airship, they jump at the opportunity.

Somehow, though, their employer forgot to mention the box's military escort, and the Morlock mercenaries who would kill to get their hands on it. Oh, and that if made public, the contents could engulf Europe in another devastating war. Stealing the box was the easy part. Now, with a target on their back, and some of the toughest characters in the sky after them, they have to find a way to survive.

If the crew of the Desire doesn't polish their pistols and prepare for a hell of a fight, they'll end up worse than grounded. After all, everyone from the Brits to the Morlocks will kill for the contents of that box, and no one survives an airship crash.