Bare It All

chapter SIXTEEN

ALICE’S EYES WENT wide. God love the man, she would never tire of seeing his body.

When he snatched the blankets away from her, tossing them to the floor, she gave a startled yelp but then just froze. What else could she do?

She pressed her thighs together and folded her arms over her chest. “I’m cold.”

Wearing a half smile and nothing else, Reese stretched out next to her. He took his time pulling her hands away, arranging them over her head so that she was stretched out on the bed. After looking her over with appreciation, he cupped a hand to her breast, used his thumb to tease her nipple and said, “Don’t be nervous about tomorrow.”

Tomorrow? What was he talking about?

“I’ll be there with you.” He lightly caressed the other breast, too, then moved his hand down to her belly.

Alice sucked in a breath. His hand was warm, a little rough.

“Logan doesn’t bite, and Peterson doesn’t bite too hard.”

He slipped his fingers lower, pressing them between her thighs, and her breath rushed out. “I don’t want to talk about that.” She wanted him to kiss her, but when she tried that, he gave her only a warm peck.

Against her lips, he asked, “Do you still have contact with him?”

With his fingers playing against her, she couldn’t think. “Who?”

“Your savior.” He kissed her again, this time deeper, hotter. “Trace Miller.”

Her brain stalled. “Reese...”

He nuzzled her neck, his beard shadow prickly, his breath warm and soft. “Do you?”

“I...” She felt his tongue and started breathing harder. “Sometimes.”

He barely moved his fingers, pressing them there, his palm over her mound. It made her nuts. It made her want to move her hips, but she held still. Barely.

Opening his mouth over the sensitive spot where her shoulder met her neck, he treated her to a damp, tantalizing love bite. “How often?”

Unable to think beyond her growing need, Alice tilted her head more, giving him better access, encouraging him to do more of that, and hopefully less talking.

And damn it, her hips moved after all.

“How often, Alice?”

“He...” Reese opened his mouth on her again, sucked at her skin, and she knew he was marking her. It was so erotic, so sexy. And it felt so good. “Occasionally he...checks on me.”

Reese looked at her, his gaze sharpened. “Have you seen him?”

“No.” She shook her head. She didn’t need to see him. She knew Trace would be there if she ever needed him. “I...I haven’t seen him since he got me the weapons.”

“The CCPs?”

She had no idea what that meant.

“The conceal and carry permits. He got those for you?”

“I guess. Yes. He gave me papers.” She tipped her head back, moaning softly as his fingers both excited and teased. “But I haven’t seen him since.”

Relaxing against her again, Reese nipped her earlobe, dipped his tongue inside. “Are you sure?”

Who knew her ears were so erogenous? “It’s been forever.” She moved against his hand to get him back on track.

Taking the hint, he whispered against her skin, “Spread your legs.”

Even that, the coarse timbre of his voice, sent sweet lust coiling tighter. Knowing what he would do, anxious for him to do it, Alice opened her thighs.

Teasing over her moist flesh, he parted her, barely entered her, stroking and exploring until his fingertips were slippery wet—then going high in the briefest touch to her *oris.

Her hips lifted in reaction; her gasp faded out to a vibrating groan.

Green eyes heated, voice lower still, Reese whispered, “Right there, huh?”

How in the world could he continue talking? Why did he want to, anyway? Barely able to breathe, Alice nodded.

“Like this?” He drew his fingers up and over her again, and her body clenched in delicious ways.

“Yes.” Exactly like that.

“What about this?” Slowly, he worked two fingers deep inside her. Against her cheek, he murmured, “So snug, Alice. Nice and wet. Hot.”

That felt wonderful, too, and again her hips moved despite her best efforts to keep still.

“And this?” He used his thumb with amazing impact.

Holding her breath, her body taut with need, Alice nodded hard.

In a soft, raw growl, he asked, “And this?” before closing his hot mouth over her right nipple. He tugged with a gentle, insistent suction that sent new sensations flooding her body.

Oh, God, it was incredible. Almost too much. Alice lowered her arms so she could hold him close. A climax built inside her, throbbing, receding, coming back stronger, closer.

His fingers filled her, his mouth pulled at her and he kept up that slick, rhythmic friction with his thumb, working her until she knew she couldn’t hang on any longer.

Head back, heels pressing into the mattress, her fingers tangled in his hair, her body arched hard. He stayed with her, letting her ride out the release until only little reverberations of pleasure remained. She collapsed flat to the bed again, struggling to get enough oxygen into her lungs.

Reese released her nipple with a soft lick that made her moan. Slowly, he withdrew his hand, and even that, the rasping of his fingers leaving the tight clasp of her body, sent off more aftershocks.

In seconds he was off the bed. Alice got her eyes focused in time to see him open a condom packet. Lethargic, still tingling in select places, she soaked up the sight of his awesome physique. Renewed interest started a pulse beat of need between her legs as she watched him roll the rubber on his engorged shaft.

Large, capable hands. Tensed shoulders and thighs. Six and a half feet of undeniable strength and raw masculinity. Disheveled blond hair and darkening beard shadow only made him sexier.

Alice could barely believe he was here, with her, and that he wanted her. Again. “You are so beautiful.”

Reese glanced at her with burning eyes. “You’re seeing through a haze of satisfaction.” He strode over to her, settled atop her and wedged her legs apart.

Alice loved the press of his weight, the blanket of his heat surrounding her. His broad, sculpted shoulders made her feel smaller and more female, but in such a wonderful way.

Cupping her face, he kissed her and said, “Let’s see if I can get you there again.”

She inhaled deeply of his wonderful scent and ran her hands over the crisp hair of his chest, already halfway there.

Balanced on a forearm, Reese adjusted, using one hand to guide himself—all the while holding her gaze in his. Alice felt him there, ready to thrust in, and her body trembled in anticipation.

He waited, breathing deeper, his expression strained as he teased the head of his erection against her. “So damn wet,” he murmured.

“Do it,” Alice whispered. She curled her fingers against his pectoral muscles, lifted her hips on a wave of expanding need. “Do it.”

His green eyes darkened, narrowed—and he thrust in, burying himself deep. They both groaned, and seconds later he took her mouth in a consuming kiss.

They moved together, harder and faster and within minutes the pressure began to build. She freed her mouth to gasp for air.

Reese rose up on straightened arms. “I want to see you come again.”

The idea of him watching her might have been embarrassing, except that release rolled over her too soon for her to give it much thought. She grabbed for his biceps, thrilled at his rock-solid strength. Crying out over and over, she let the pleasure take her.

Watching her, Reese muttered a low curse, and she felt him pumping into her as he gained his own release.

Carefully, he lowered his body down to hers, his heartbeat pounding fast and strong against her breast.

Her brain buzzed; her body went limp. Even getting her eyes to open was a chore too difficult. All she could manage was deep breathing that tried to lure her to sleep.

After a few minutes, she felt Reese lift away from her, leaving her skin exposed to the cooler air. She couldn’t react, could do no more than lay there in a state of contentment.

Reese left the bed, but not for long. He returned, spread the sheet and blanket over her, called Cash up into the bed and stretched out beside her. He pulled her close, his arm around her waist, his leg over hers.

Cash walked the perimeter of the mattress, came up to snuffle her neck and ear then crashed at the foot of the bed.

“Sleep, both of you,” Reese muttered around a yawn.

Something, some strange sense of unease, tried to worm its way into Alice’s exhaustion. It didn’t succeed.

Tucked warm and secure against Reese’s body, she faded into sound slumber.

* * *

THE NEXT MORNING, Reese watched Alice sleep—his brain buzzing with questions. Sex with Alice was something special. Real special. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she surprised him again.

Wrapped around her, replete from a mind-blowing release, he’d slept like the dead—and awakened with a damned smile.

Seconds after getting his eyes open, the problems all came swarming back.

How did Alice contact the wraith? Did she use her computer? Had she lied about the phone number?

It had been dirty pool, using her lust against her. Unfair but effective. He felt bad about it...a little.

But as a detective, as a man physically and emotionally involved with her, he needed to know.

If it weren’t for her sexual interest in him, if he hadn’t snuck the questions in while she was in need, would she ever have told him?

It seemed doubtful.

Were there more secrets that she kept from him?

Hoping not, he kissed her bare shoulder, and wanted to go on kissing her. All over.

He’d been pissed when they went to bed last night, rightfully so. But knowing what she’d been through, how she’d rehashed it all for him, he couldn’t make himself walk away. She didn’t want to sleep alone.

He didn’t want to sleep away from her.

Last night had been...amazing. It was such a contrast for Alice to be so contained in most aspects, only to let it all loose in bed.

With him.

It made Reese smile again, thinking of how she’d stripped off that gown, how she’d stood there buck-ass, challenging him to ignore her.

Not likely.

Since the day he’d met her, he stayed so aware of her that she plagued his thoughts. He wanted her always, but when she showed her daring, her vulnerability, he had no resistance at all.

A unique blend of curious innocence and hot carnality, Alice tempted him on every level.

There were many ways he wanted to take her, many positions he wanted to explore with her.

Hoping both she and Cash would sleep a little longer, Reese eased the coverings off her narrow shoulder, down the dip of her tiny waist, past her rounded hip. He dragged the blankets all the way to her adorable knees.

Such a great ass.

There were many things he had to figure out, but damn, it’d be easy to obsess over having her again and again. He’d love to get her on her knees, take her from behind, burying himself deep while holding her breasts in his hands...

On a deep stretch and wide yawn, Alice turned to her back. She settled again with a sigh—then popped her eyes open. Immediately her gaze clashed with his.

Finding him so close, realizing he’d uncovered her, left her eyes nearly crossed.

“Morning.” Reese cupped her breast, enjoying the way her soft nipple immediately beaded tight. “Sleep well?”

She bolted upright, and it so startled Cash that he nearly fell out of the bed. His long ears perked up in interest. He looked from Alice to Reese and back again.

Alice grabbed for the blankets and pulled them to her chin.

Amused, Reese said, “Cash doesn’t mind seeing you naked. And I enjoy it.” He gave a playful tug to the blanket, but she held on.

“How long have you been awake?”

That sounded like an accusation, making him grin. “Only a few minutes.” Lacking her modesty, he stretched and got out of bed. “I’ll take Cash out, then how about we shower?”

Still a little foggy, she dropped her gaze over his bare body and swallowed. “Together?”

“Yes.”

Another look, longer this time.

Much more of that, and he’d be sporting a boner. “Alice...”

Her grip on the blanket loosened. “Okay.”

It was a nice thing, to be wanted so much by Alice. “Be right back.” He pulled on slacks, grabbed up his wallet and cell phone, and by the time he hit the door, Cash was with him. “Good boy. You’re learning, aren’t you?”

Cash waited like a gentleman while Reese attached the leash, and on the way down the steps, he only pulled Reese off balance twice.

The progress the dog made pleased him. In such a short time, Cash had learned to hold it until he got outside, and he hadn’t chewed up anything in, oh, a day or two. Definitely getting better.

Alice had a lot to do with that. Her gentle, calm nature went a long way toward reassuring Cash and helping him recover from any past abuse. The fact that Alice worked from home, so therefore spent more time with the dog, helped, too.

She was a good influence—on Cash, on Reese.

But she still had those damned secrets.

Reese took out his phone and dialed Rowdy.

On the fifth ring, Rowdy answered with a grouchy, “What the f*ck, Reese? Do you know what time it is?”

“Sleeping in?”

“I had good reason.”

Ah. “Company, huh? Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. Was time for her to go, anyway. Hang on a sec.”

Reese heard Rowdy talking low, heard a grumbled female protest, insistence from Rowdy, then the louder sounds of a woman scorned.

Had Rowdy wakened her just to tell her to leave? Brutal. But that was Rowdy, hard-edged, coarse and apparently inconsiderate to women.

Not his sister, who he cherished.

And being truthful, Rowdy had never been inconsiderate to Alice either.

Reese winced, remembering how he’d gotten answers from Alice last night. But damn it, he’d had good reason.

What possible excuse could Rowdy have for kicking a woman out of bed?

Feeling like a hypocrite, Reese considered calling back when Rowdy might be less occupied. He was about to disconnect when he heard the woman’s complaints soften to pleas.

Low conversation, followed by a gruff, suggestive laugh, filtered through the phone lines.

A door closed, bed springs squeaked and Rowdy said, “So what’s up?”

Unbelievable. “You’re alone now?”

“Yeah. And given I was occupied for most of the night, I’d like to get a little more sleep. So unless you have a good reason for this call...?”

“I do. I wanted to talk while I’m outside with Cash.”

“Meaning away from Alice?”

Exactly, but Reese didn’t want to say that. “The girl that Alice helped yesterday—do you know anything more about her?”

“Not a thing. She’d already taken off on a bus by the time I caught up. I asked, but Alice said she’d only given the girl money, not bought the ticket, so she didn’t know where she was headed.”

Reese didn’t buy it. Alice wasn’t one to leave things to chance. “You believe her?”

“Hell, no. Alice is a little too sharp for blind trust.”

That Rowdy knew her well enough to understand that rubbed Reese the wrong way. “She told me the girl had a unique tattoo.”

“Told me that, too. So?”

Damn it, he did not want Alice confiding in Rowdy. Jealousy was a son-of-a-bitch, so Reese did his best to deny it.

He heard a toilet flush, heard water run. “You still there, Reese?”

“Yeah.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, he said, “It could be unrelated.”

“I need coffee, so if there’s a point to this, let’s get to it.”

“All right.” Going to the requisite tree—the spot Reese now thought of as his “taking out Cash tree”—he leaned against the trunk and gave Cash enough leash to explore. “Peterson found a similar tattoo on another girl.”

“No shit? Maybe a new fad, huh?”

“The girl was dead.”

Rowdy fell silent. “You said it was like the tattoo Alice described?”

“From what I could tell, yes.”

“One girl running, another dead, both with the same tat. That’s one hell of a coincidence.”

“I know.” Since Alice often surprised him by joining him outside, Reese kept watch on the apartment doors while telling Rowdy what he knew about the tattoo. “You think you can keep an eye out?”

“Sure thing. I’ve already noticed a couple of tattoo parlors not that far from the mall. I’ll check them out.”

“Thinking of getting inked?”

Rowdy snorted. “Not my thing. But I’m buying a bar, so I scoped out the area.”

Buying a bar? That was news to Reese. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah. Alice didn’t tell you?”

Damn it. There was a lot Alice didn’t tell him. “She hadn’t mentioned it, no.”

“It’s not a big deal. I figured since Pepper was settling down here with Logan, I may as well do a little settling of my own.”

A bar counted as being settled? To Rowdy, probably. “Is it nice?”

“Hell, no. It’s a total dump. But I have plans for it.”

Interesting. “I owe you, so if there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

“Maybe. We’ll see.” Rowdy paused. “So...I guess I’m up now after all. Might as well go check on those tattoo parlors. I think I get the gist of the design, but if you can text me over a photo, it’d help.”

“I’m not officially back on the clock yet, so it’ll probably be a couple of days before I can do that. But soon as I can, I’ll take care of it.”

“We’re meeting at the station today?”

“Early afternoon.” Which would give him time to prepare Alice first. If what she’d said was true—and with Alice, he wouldn’t swear to anything—she hadn’t been in a police station since the days immediately after her knight in shining armor rescued her.

Thinking that soured Reese’s mood real fast. How often did she touch base with the elusive bastard?

“Don’t worry about it then,” Rowdy said, adding with thick sexual innuendo, “I’ll see if Peterson will give me a peek.”

Innuendo was wasted on Peterson, but he still chuckled. “She’ll neuter you if you’re not careful.”

He heard the grin in Rowdy’s tone when he said, “Later, Reese.”

After disconnecting, Reese called over Cash, and together they went in to find Alice. Anticipating a shower with her, thinking of how he’d help brace her for the interview at the station, he walked in...and found Alice sitting in the kitchen.

Eating jelly beans.

“For breakfast?” he asked.

The look she gave him didn’t bode well. Body slumped in the chair and her head propped on a fist, she tossed back two more jelly beans while glaring at him. She looked pissed, but when Cash came over and leaned on her leg, she made him feel as welcome as ever.

While getting the dog fresh water and food, she said, “I forgot last night, and then again this morning.” She ate more jelly beans.

Hmm. Alice hit her candy the way some people hit alcohol. Reese crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “Forgot what?”

She cast him a dirty look and set the dog’s dishes back on the floor. Snatching up the bag of jelly beans, she marched into the other room.

Hands on his hips, Reese took in her stiff spine and squared shoulders as she left. She expected him to chase after her, to ask her what had her upset.

As if he didn’t already know.

But damn it, he was the one with a bone to pick. Let her stew, he decided, and went about making coffee. He was filling the carafe when she stormed right back in. She ate three more jelly beans while staring a hole in his back.

“Something on your mind, Alice?” He added the water to the machine and turned it on.

“I’m mad at you.”

And so she went on a jelly bean binge? “Care to tell me why?”

“I thought we’d be more comfortable on the couch, away from Cash. I don’t want to upset him.”

Instead, Reese pulled out a chair. “Soon as I get my coffee.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You want to do this here, in front of him?”

“Plan to shout, do you?”

“Maybe.” She hunted through the bag for a red candy. “It’ll be better if I just go take my shower while you get your caffeine fix.”

Before she got too far away, he spoke softly, calmly. “I thought we were going to shower together.”

“Why?” She kept her back to him. “Did you want to interrogate me more?”

A sneer from Alice? Great. He must’ve really hurt her feelings, and suddenly he felt guilty. “Until I get all the answers, yes, I’ll keep asking questions. But that’s not why I wanted to shower with you.”

She pivoted to face him. “Why, then? Did you hope to get busy in the shower, too?”

Forget guilt. It annoyed him that she kept using Rowdy’s term for sex. “Actually, yes.”

Her chin lifted. “I was hoping so, too. I’ve never had sex in the shower.” Taking two steps closer, the bag of jelly beans clutched in her hand, she lowered her tone from annoyed to more curious. “How’s that work exactly?”

Leave it to Alice to turn him on in the middle of an argument. There was nothing conventional about her, and he liked that. A lot.

Slowly pushing back his chair, coffee forgotten, Reese approached her. She didn’t storm away.

Nice. Definitely not the typical female response.

He took her shoulders and turned her around so that she faced the fridge. Staying close to her back, he aligned their bodies. “First I’d wash you all over,” he whispered near her ear. “My hands would be soapy and slick and they’d slide over your wet skin.”

She held still and nodded.

So quick, so easy to turn her on. Even in the middle of anger and hurt feelings, she didn’t deny either of them.

That was a very special thing—because their relationship was special. He wondered if Alice realized it.

“Here,” he said, caressing her breasts, moving his palms over her nipples. “And here.” He lowered a hand over her stomach, pressed it between her legs.

Her head fell back to his shoulder. “Would I wash you, too?”

He was already half hard, and with her provoking question, he went fully erect. He could practically feel her small hands working over him, and he said hoarsely, “If you wanted.”

“I would.”

Yes, she would. Alice never held back during sex.

If only she was that honest the rest of the time.

Unwilling to have that thought intrude, Reese blocked it and instead concentrated on the here and now with Alice. “After we’re both nice and clean—”

“And excited.”

Taking the bag of candy from her, Reese tossed it onto the counter. “I’d position you in a way to make it easier. Like this.” He took her wrists, helping her to plant her hands flat on the front of the appliance. “Leave them there, but step back a little. Widen your stance, but keep your legs straight.”

Her ass cuddled into his groin.

Biting off a groan, Reese held her hips. “That’s it. Now arch your back.”

She did, and he thought he’d lose it. He trailed his hands up her taut body, over her waist to her breasts. “I could take you like this, with the water running over us.” He matched action to words, pressing the hard ridge of his erection to her sweet bottom. “It’s a favored position of mine. I can easily hold your breasts and play with your nipples while going deep.”

She groaned.

Giving up, Reese said, “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

Her nipples were tight, her breath broken and fast. “Okay.”

Damn it, he’d just had her last night, not that many hours ago. But with Alice, it didn’t matter. Each time he had her just made him want her more. “I had to know, Alice.” God, he hated to admit the truth, even to himself, but she left him strung so tight... “I was jealous.” Of a f*cking phantom—her white knight.

Another man, one who’d been there—thank God—when she needed him most.

Alice turned so suddenly that they both stumbled. Since he’d been leaning into her, lost in lustful visions, she ended up flattened against the refrigerator, his body crowding into hers. “You were jealous? Seriously?”

Trying to reorder his thoughts, Reese cupped her face. “And worried. I can’t protect you if I don’t know everything.”

“Okay, I get the protection part. You’re a detective.”

Did she think he went around getting intimately involved with every woman who faced danger?

“But...jealous?” she said with a puzzled frown. “Of Trace? With me?”

That annoyed him. “Why not you? You’re the most fascinating woman I know.”

“Trace saw me only as a victim.”

“Then heroic as he might’ve been, he was also a blind idiot.”

Alice considered that, her thoughts almost transparent. She touched his chest, brushed her hand over his left nipple—which had a very different effect than when Nikki had done it—and she made up her mind.

Smiling, she grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

“To the shower?” Please let it be to the shower.

“Yes.” She hauled him into the bathroom and went to work on his slacks. “But Reese?”

His pants loosened, and she put her small hand inside, wrapping her delicate fingers around him. He caught his breath. “Hmm?”

“I really enjoy sex with you.”

Damn it, why did that offend him? Because with Alice, he wanted it to be more than just sex.

How much more, he didn’t yet know. But definitely...more. A lot. Maybe...everything.

Thoughts like that were way too heavy for the moment. Reese managed a nod. “Ditto.”

“Please, don’t mess things up by playing games, okay?”

“Maybe not that game,” he conceded. He took her hand and removed it from his person, then bent to lift her nightgown up and over her head. “But there are other games, Alice, games that you’ll absolutely enjoy.”

Naked, excited, she stared up at him. “You’ll show me?”

Hiding his smile, he turned on the shower, took her hand and helped her step inside.

“Give me two minutes to brush my teeth and shave.” He trailed the backs of his fingers over her belly, then lower. Meeting her gaze, he said, “I don’t want to leave you with whisker burns.”

She released a trembling moan and nodded. “Please, hurry.”

So incredibly sweet. So f*cking hot. And so trusting—at least with this.

Somehow, some way, he’d earn her trust in all things. But for now, he considered this a great start.