Bare It All

chapter TWENTY-ONE

REESE FELT RIGID enough to break as he tried to recline. Now he knew what she had planned, and it ratcheted up his temperature and his need until he couldn’t get enough oxygen into his lungs.

“Relax.”

With every second that passed, Alice gained new confidence. He wanted her to have that confidence. With him.

Only him.

Letting out a long breath and concentrating on unkinking his muscles, Reese put his hands behind his head.

Until she stroked him through the athletic pants.

Every muscle knotted again in expectation of more to come.

She cupped his balls, cuddling until he clenched his teeth. “I love how you feel.”

“I love when you feel me.” Speaking wasn’t easy, but Reese hoped some errant humor might lighten the mood before he totally lost his grip.

She obliterated that plan when she stroked up along his erection, squeezing him through the material, then kept on stroking up his body until she sprawled out over him.

She kissed the bruised skin under his eye, then again near the cut on the bridge of his nose. “Even battered, you are the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.”

The way she rested on him, her breasts to his chest, one slender leg between his, the other outside his thigh, drove him nuts. “You said something about getting me naked?” And using that pretty mouth on me...

Her eyes looked darker, deeper. Full of secrets.

Secrets that, this time, he might enjoy.

Sitting up beside him, Alice touched his chest again, used her thumb to explore his nipple—almost making him leap off the bed—then moving down to his abs. “You stay in such incredible shape. I can’t imagine any woman not wanting you.”

Looking for reassurance? “Right now I only care about you wanting me.”

“Of course I do.” She bent to kiss his other nipple, and Reese bit off a groan.

Down to his sternum. Such a hot little tongue...

Over his abs. He locked his hands together behind his head.

She lightly bit his shaft through the material of the loose pants and his snug boxers, and before he could catch his breath again, she moved off the end of the bed and grabbed the waistbands of both. “Lift your hips for me.”

No problem. Anxious to be rid of clothes, Reese lifted up so she could strip them down his thighs. She got everything as far as his knees—and zoned in on his dick.

He tried to finish kicking off the pants, but Alice lay down crosswise in the bed, giving him a good profile view of her body, and he stilled.

He could feel her breath.

Taking him in both hands, her hold firm, she shattered all thought. The way she watched him so intently kept him on a precipice of suspense.

She nuzzled against him, breathing deep, making a small purring sound of pleasure. “I love how you smell.”

Ah...f*ck. Reese squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated on keeping it together.

There was no prelude, no teasing kiss or tentative lick. One second Alice held him—and in the next she slid her soft, moist mouth down around him.

A groan ripped from his chest. Without even realizing it, he pulled his hands out from behind his head and tangled his fingers in her hair. He’d had blowjobs before. Always enjoyable, absolutely.

But this was Alice. And that meant it went beyond the sexuality of the act. It was Alice’s scent, the way she looked while doing it, the soft sounds she made—how she meant so much more to him than any woman he’d ever known.

The emotional connection made everything different, more severe, sweeter and...hotter.

He couldn’t keep from growling, from urging her to take more of him.

Keeping her lips firm around him, she moved her tongue, teasing around the head.

She pulled back with a long, leisurely lick. “Good?” she asked with innocent curiosity.

His heart pounded. “F*cking great.”

“Mmm.” Pleased by that, she went back to work on him.

Not wanting to miss a thing, Reese rose to his elbows. He was draped across the bed. Alice rested on her belly perpendicular to him, legs bent at the knees, her pretty feet in the air, crossed at the ankles.

She could have been a posed centerfold model, she looked so enticing.

The fact that she had his dick in her mouth only enhanced the image.

Cupping his fingers around her nape, his thumb in the hollow of her cheek, he guided her, watching as her lips moved over him, as her fawn-colored hair fell onto the paler skin of his pelvis.

So f*cking erotic.

Her narrow shoulders flexed each time she drew back, and her toes curled each time she took him deep again.

Two more strokes and he’d be in oblivion. And much as he liked the idea of her finishing him off with her mouth, he wanted her to come with him.

He tightened his hand in her hair. “You have to stop now, Alice, or I’m a goner.”

She did, pulling away with another hot lick that damn near did him in.

Sitting up in a rush, she said, “Don’t move.” She finished yanking his pants and boxers off. “I’m going to grab a condom.”

Gaze molten, Reese watched as she left the bed and rummaged in the nightstand. Seconds later, she crawled back atop him.

What a sight. Alice naked on her knees, her hair loose, her breasts free, her expression lustful...

She settled on him with her legs open around his thighs. “Lie back.”

“Let me touch you first.” All over, with my hands and my mouth. “You need to catch up.”

She caught his wrist before he could reach her breast. “On your back, Reese.”

Damn. Their gazes clashed.

Putting both hands to his chest, Alice whispered, “Please?”

As if in slow motion, fascinated with this new take-charge mood of hers, Reese stretched out again.

“Tell me if I do this wrong.”

Not possible, because anything she did at this point would only add to the growing sexual tension. But he nodded.

She worked the rubber onto him—and, yes, that tormented him in wonderful ways. As soon as she had that done, she straddled his hips. “Reese?”

God, she looked amazing poised over him like that. Urgent breaths lifted her breasts and left her nipples darkly flushed and puckered tight. Excitement pulled her belly taut. She bit her bottom lip as she searched his face.

“What is it, sweetheart? Tell me what you want.”

Instead, she took his hand and carried it to her body—right between her legs. Her head tipped back the second his fingers brushed over her damp curls, then lower, where he found her hot and slippery.

Ready—but not quite enough.

He pressed his middle finger barely into her, testing her, teasing the slick, swollen lips, then used her own wetness to glide that fingertip over her *oris.

Whimpering, she clenched her legs around his.

With his other hand, Reese stroked her breasts. “You are so damn beautiful, Alice.”

Even now, lost in the carnality of the moment, she shook her head, denying that. “I’m just...me.”

I love who you are. Reese kept the words to himself and instead censored that thought to make it more acceptable to the moment. “You’re rare. And genuine. And, yes, Alice, beautiful.” He caught one nipple, rolling it gently, tugging carefully, insistently, until she groaned. “Especially now, like this.”

That seemed to bring her around. Eyes heavy, she moved his hands away and instead scooted up over him. “I want you inside me.” She flexed her legs, lifting up to arrange him for entry. “Now.” And with that, she eased down over him.

Tight. Slick. He throbbed as she worked the head in, stretching around him. Lips parted, she paused.

Putting his hands on her taut thighs, Reese whispered, “It’s deep this way, Alice. Tell me if I hurt you.”

She nodded—and took more of him, her breath catching with every inch that went deeper.

Apprehension trembled through her as she tried to adjust to his size.

Reese didn’t mean to, but his hands contracted on her soft flesh, keeping her from retreating again. “How does that feel, honey?”

She sucked in two fast breaths, pressed down more, and said on a moan, “Wonderful.”

Nothing could be more of a turn-on, Reese thought, than watching Alice as she took him, seeing how she enjoyed the snug fit despite any discomfort she felt.

Still on her knees, she stopped short from taking all of him, her head down, her hands braced on his chest.

God, he needed her to move. He could feel her body clasping him, squeezing in little spasms; he felt her wetness and her heat.

“Reese?”

Sliding his hands down to her knees, he opened her legs wider so he could better see where they joined. Voice rough and deep, he ordered, “More, Alice.”

Almost as if she couldn’t help herself, she rocked once, then stopped. “Not...just yet.”

Reese groaned.

And she asked in the softest of whispers, “How do you feel about me?”

He swallowed hard, doing everything he could to resist the urge to thrust up into her. She was so slight in comparison to his height and weight and bone structure that he could easily hurt her without meaning to, and he’d die before doing that.

This was her turn, and he’d give that to her no matter how difficult it might be on him.

She did another single slide of her hips before pressing down enough that they both gasped.

His cock swelled more, and he felt on the verge of exploding.

Breathy, strained, she asked again, “How do you feel about me?”

“You’re killing me here, Alice.”

“You want me?”

“Yes.” More than that, he needed her. Not just now. Not just for the physical release. But for...everything. A scary thought, one he tried to abolish by saying, “Ride me, honey.”

“Yes.” She lifted, sank down again, taking a little more of him.

Almost there, almost buried inside her.

“As soon as you tell me how you feel.”

It stunned Reese, but he finally caught on to her game. She was turning things around on him, using sex to get the answers she wanted.

Answers about his emotional commitment.

Admiration hit him first, followed by sultry acceptance. His heart thundered in his chest, and with every fiber of his being, he was aware of their connection, of the clasp of her body holding him so tightly and her hungry gaze watching for his reaction.

And still he wanted to see how far she’d take it. “I think you’re incredible.” He cupped a breast, plied her stiffened nipple with his thumb. “Now, ride me.”

As he said that, he lifted up a little, and she gasped. He rocked up again, slowly, giving her his entire length by degrees.

Eyes closed, body accepting, she whispered, “Are you interested in more than...sex?”

While continuing those easy, shallow thrusts, he used both hands to play with her nipples. “With you, yes.”

She groaned, gasped. “More than...ah! More than just...now?”

Now, tomorrow, next week and next month. “Yes.” He lifted harder, sank deeper. Release beckoned, boiling closer to the surface.

“Maybe...” She gasped, cried out, closed her hands over his, pressing his hands into her breasts. “Maybe commitment?”

Commitment? Well, hell, that startling question almost blew it for Reese—until Alice took over, riding him hard and fast as she sought an orgasm. She lifted so that he almost left her, then dropped down to grind on him with breathy moans.

Jesus, talk about torture.

“Reese,” she cried. “Tell me.”

He caught her hips, holding her closer, trying to slow her down. “Let’s talk about it after.”

Closing her eyes on a shuddering groan, Alice held still. “Let’s talk about it now.”

With him buried deep inside her, her breath coming in pants, she waited for his reply.

Why not tell her? Caressing her hips, Reese said, “I’m insanely attracted to you.”

“To this?” She clarified by lifting up and sliding down again, slowly this time, so slowly that they both had to struggle.

“Yes, that.” Reese strained under her. “But also you, Alice. Talking to you. Holding you while you sleep.” He held her hips and kept her flush against his body, knowing he filled her, loving the way her breath caught, how her muscles contracted. “I even like arguing with you. And, honey, I love the way you do payback.”

But for right now, he couldn’t take a second more. He brought her down to his chest, rolled to put her under him and took over. “Okay?”

For an answer, Alice opened her mouth on his chest, and he felt her sharp little teeth, not hard enough to break his skin, but definitely enough to send a rush of pleasure through him.

Luckily, he brought her with him.

Four strokes, five—and they were both coming hard. Alice held him tight until the last waves of her climax receded. Lying fully atop her, their heartbeats in sync, Reese felt her ease—her body, her thoughts. It took him another minute to recover enough, and then he pushed up to his elbows.

She wasn’t asleep. Her eyes were drowsy.

Sated.

She touched the bruise under his eye with gentle fingertips. And then the mark she’d left with her teeth. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not.” He smoothed back her hair. “I like it when you lose control.” He kissed her mouth and wanted to go on kissing her.

Her small laugh stalled him. “You’re insatiable,” she teased.

He put his forehead to hers. Only with you. But again, he held back. They still had so much up in the air, with killers on the loose and her safety in danger—far too much for deep declarations.

Cash whined at the door, giving Reese the perfect distraction. “He has impeccable timing.”

“He’s wonderful,” Alice whispered. “Like you.”

“Speaking of wonderful...” After levering off her, Reese sat on the side of the bed and rested a hand on her thigh. “That was...straight out of a fantasy.” He brushed his thumb over her silky skin. “Thank you.”

Her smile looked a little sad, but she stretched and then sat up. “It’s still early. Want to go watch a movie with Cash?”

He’d had a shit day that had put him in a shittier mood—until he’d gotten home to Alice. And now, after being with her, he felt...content.

Very soon, he needed to tell her how he felt, maybe get her input on a house for Cash.

He also needed to expose drug dealers who were heinous enough to tattoo women the same way ranchers branded their cattle. He had to protect Alice from men corrupt enough to kill a woman rather than let her escape.

But for right now, tonight, Alice and Cash would fill a void he hadn’t known existed until only recently.

“That sounds perfect.” He smiled at her. “As long as I get to pick the movie.”

* * *

FOR OVER A week he’d waited, spending many sleepless nights drenched in the sweat of his own worry. Hour upon hour, he’d sat in his car, afraid to leave, eating cold fast food and pissing in a cup so that he wouldn’t miss it, if or when Cheryl finally left the safety of her parents’ small home.

Luckily they lived in a congested area with a lot of side streets. Each day he parked in a different spot, sunup to sundown, cursing her and that goddamned busybody who’d interfered.

For a while there, he’d thought maybe Cheryl hadn’t gone home after all. Or that she was so spineless, she’d never leave the house again.

Unacceptable. He had to get her.

Woody Simpson was not a man you wanted to disappoint. His wrath was so volatile, he could kill as easy as laugh.

But now, finally, in the wee hours of the morning, Hickson saw Cheryl as she slipped out the front door.

“Cheryl, you stupid bitch,” he muttered to himself. It was because of her that the other one had been able to get the drop on him; because of Cheryl that he’d been made to look like an incompetent fool.

Using Cheryl, he’d find the nosy broad who’d dared to turn the Taser on him, and then he’d deliver her to Woody. That’d ensure she got what she deserved.

But Hickson wanted to dole out the punishment to Cheryl. And he would. Soon, very soon.

He started his car, staring as Cheryl walked out toward the street. She looked jumpy, watchful.

Probably still scared after running from Woody. Hickson snorted. Women were so f*cking easy to intimidate, even easier to control.

Looking up and down the street, car keys in hand, Cheryl headed for a little yellow Civic. Hickson didn’t see anyone else around, so he put his windows down, pulled away from the curb and rolled right up to her.

The second he approached, she went wild-eyed and started to run.

“Do it,” he told her, “and I’ll go talk to your family instead.”

Big tears filled her eyes. She looked around, probably hoping for help.

Hickson didn’t have time for her dramatics. “Call the police, scream, make a single wrong move...” He shrugged. “And they’re dead. Every f*cking one of them. Don’t doubt it.”

The tears spilled over. “Wh-what do you want?”

“Get in the car and we’ll talk about it.”

She didn’t want to—but she also didn’t want her family murdered. He’d been mostly bluffing about that. He didn’t mind doing what had to be done, but he wasn’t dumb enough or reckless enough to slaughter a whole family.

But Cheryl was too chickenshit to realize that.

Patience running thin, he leaned across the seat and shoved open the passenger door. “Get in. Now.”

Shaking all over, she joined him in the car.

The second her ass hit the seat, Hickson drove off. “Shut the goddamned door. And stop that sniveling!”

She obeyed the first but not the second.

Hickson rode to a quiet park, not stopping until he found a secluded area. He turned to face Cheryl, looked her over. She wore jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt. For only a moment, that amused him. “Hiding your tat?”

She rubbed her forearm as if it still hurt. “I...I...”

“Where were you going?”

Confusion mixed with the stark terror.

“Today,” he said, impatient with her hesitation. “Just now. You were slinking off somewhere, right? A new boyfriend?”

She shook her head hard. “No, I...” Swallowing, she swiped away her tears and met his gaze. “I had an appointment to see a doctor.”

“Yeah?” He looked her over again, but she didn’t look sick or hurt. “What’s wrong with you?”

That trembling chin went higher. “I was going to have the tattoo removed.”

Anger expanded. “That’d be a big f*cking mistake.” Before she could move, Hickson grabbed her wrist, then hauled her half over the console. He shoved up the sleeve of her shirt. “You see this? It stays, bitch. Do you understand me?”

Snuffling and sobbing, she fought to get away from him. Hickson tangled a hand in her hair and held her still. Now, with her truly hysterical, he said, “The one that helped you get away. What’s her name?”

Cheryl bawled and fought—until he tightened his hand in her hair. “Who is she?” he demanded.

“I—I don’t know.”

He snatched up her arm—the arm covered by a long sleeve even on what promised to be a blistering day. “Wanna do it the hard way, huh?”

“I said I don’t know! Alice something. She—she never told me her last name.”

Hickson read the truth of that in her wide eyes. “All right.” He rubbed his thumb over her wrist. “Tell me what you do know. And, Cheryl, honey, I hope it’s enough. Otherwise you and I are going to take a nice long drive to the river.”

Her slender throat worked before she finally got the words out. “She—she gave me a number to call.” Frantically, Cheryl dug in her purse until she found the scrap of paper. Hand trembling, she offered it to him.

“A number? What the hell for?”

“She said...in case I—I needed her.”

Hmm. Interesting. So the busybody had thoughts of playing in the big league? “That just might work.” He pulled out his cell phone and offered it to her. “Call it.”

Cheryl treated the phone as she would a two-headed snake. Hands pulled back to her chest, her expression horrified. “What—what would I say?”

Hickson grinned. “That you need her, of course.”

“Oh.” Tentatively, Cheryl accepted the phone.

“Ask her to meet you at the bus stop across from the tattoo parlor. And Cheryl? Pray that she agrees.”