«Good morning.» His sleep-roughened voice slid over her nerves like velvet. His big palm slipped down to spread across her lower belly, pressing her deeper into his thrusts. «Did you sleep well?»
«Mmm…» A more articulate answer was beyond her. No, she hadn't slept well, but at the moment, she didn't care. All she wanted was for him to fuck her harder, faster, until the only thing she could think about was the mindless drive to orgasm. A deep pang passed through her as she realized she wouldn't-couldn't-tell him to stop. She wanted him too badly. She clenched her jaw tight as her need to protect herself warred briefly with her need for his touch, for connection, for pleasure. Swallowing back a hopeless, helpless moan, she gave in to the ecstasy he offered. Later was soon enough to kick her own ass for her weakness, her stupidity, her failure. Her hand wrapped around his imprisoning forearm, her nails digging in as she sought the freedom to move.
Ignoring her wordless demand, he flicked his tongue over the sensitive tendon that connected her neck and shoulder. She shivered, her nipples tightening in reflex. He noticed-of course he noticed, Jericho had never missed the merest hint of response from her-and his other palm moved to fondle her breasts, his fingertips whispering over her flesh. Just the way she liked it. How had he remembered after all this time? She gasped, her head falling back on his shoulder, her torso bowing outward as she struggled against his superior strength.
It was almost as good as when he tied her down to sex her up.
Just the thought was enough to fan the flames of her excitement, to make her wetter.
As if he'd read her mind, a chuckle vibrated through his broad chest. «Not this time, darlin', but soon I'm going to tie you to this bed. That fancy wrought-iron headboard will do just fine for what I have in mind.»
Oh, God, it would. She tried not to imagine it, and failed. Molten lava pumped through her veins, sped by her racing heart. Jericho bit her neck lightly and the unexpected sting made her cry out. She rocked her hips back, trying to take him deeper, to push him into going faster. Reaching back, she clamped a hand on the muscular globe of his ass, her nails gouging deep. «Now, Jericho.»
«Yes,» he gritted between clenched teeth. His hips bucked, and finally he gave her the hard penetration she craved.
The smack of his skin against hers, the hard impact of his belly on her backside, echoed in her bedroom. The bedsprings squeaked underneath them, the antique bed frame creaked. Their low groans and soft cries added layer upon layer to the carnal symphony they played together. Sweat dampened her skin, and her muscles strained as she pushed herself harder. More. She wanted more. She wanted everything.
He slipped his fingers down between her legs, rubbing her clit in time with his strokes, letting his movements drive her harder against his fingertips to increase the already unbearable friction. She was wet, hot. Her pussy clenched once, and he made a rough sound of pure pleasure that turned her inside out, it was so good. The way his cock filled her was perfect. It always had been, it always would be. She blinked back the sting of tears and clutched his arm, held tight to the moment she was in.
Shudders began building deep inside her, orgasm rising high and hot to claim her. She held it off, wanting to stay right here where everything felt good and right and perfect. Clenching her inner muscles did nothing to aid her, and a sob of despair slid from her. Too soon. It was ending far too soon.
«Shh, shh, darlin'.» His voice soothed and aroused, stroked over her as effectively as a caress. His free hand lifted to toy with her breasts, to pluck and twist her nipples until she bit her lip against another sob. «Trust me-I'll give you what you need.»
No, he wouldn't. She knew that, knew it all the way down to her soul, and it ripped at her, an agonizing pain that made her scream. Then he lunged deep within her, deeper than he'd been before, and the scream changed as she shattered. Her body exploded with an ecstasy that consumed every piece of her. She convulsed in his arms, her pussy flexing on his cock in rhythmic waves that dragged him down into the whirlpool with her.
«Tori, Tori, Tori.» His come flooded her, and they rocked together, savoring every single moment of the fiery pleasure they generated together.
She sighed and closed her eyes. Agony and ecstasy pulsed through her in equal measures that could only be defined by one whispered word-«Jericho.»
There was nothing else to say.
The morning was wonderful.
Jericho dragged her out of bed after their pre-dawn mattress romp and coaxed her into getting coffee from the best shop in town, Bean There, Done That. The little cafe was owned by his last client, Aubrey, so Tori went in to buy the liquid ambrosia alone, but then they meandered through the park and down a few quiet side streets-not talking…just being. It was nice. She liked it way too much and it sent a sick little twist through her stomach. She swallowed the mouthful of latte she had before she choked on it.
His eyes were pure mercury when he glanced down at her. «My apartment is just over there.» He tilted his head to indicate a pretty three-story converted Victorian across the street from where they were standing. «We still have hours before we need to be at work. Let me make you breakfast.»
That wasn't all he wanted to make.
Bleakness flooded her soul. She couldn't tell him no. She didn't even want to. Even if it was for her own good. «Okay.»
She followed him into the building and up the stairs, knowing it was a mistake, knowing she was going to get hurt, knowing that the only way to protect herself was to set the ground rules. As far as he'd ever know, she felt the same way he did, the same way he had felt from their first meeting. This was just sex, a good lay, a great fuck. There was no lovemaking, just hot, wild, lusty sex. If they didn't drag her battered heart into the equation, if they focused on the physical, and on the present, she might survive this.
Then again, it wasn't as if she could die again, was it? She'd already given everything she had. Body, heart, soul, life. Everything. And still she had failed.
Sucking in a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and stepped into his apartment. She wouldn't fail again. She was stronger than she had been, and she had a hell of a lot more experience. A hundred plus years on Earth would do that to a person. She wasn't the naive, sheltered girl she had been. She could survive this. She could survive Jericho, she could survive losing this connection again, she could and would do her job and walk away. She'd done it before, and while things were more complicated this time, it didn't mean she couldn't do it again.
Until it was time to leave, she was going to indulge herself in the sexiest man she'd ever known. She knew herself well enough to know she had no choice, so she wasn't going to fight it. The past was beyond her control, but the present and the future were hers to shape. Even angels had some free will, and she was going to exercise it.
Jericho shut the door and flipped the lock. The place was homier than she'd expected. The furnishings were comfortable and a little worn around the edges, heavy dark wood that was a direct contrast to the light beach house wicker at her cottage. It was very much Jericho, and nothing like the overtly gay man he was playing for this assignment. His inner sanctum. She slid her hands in her pockets and chuckled. They turned to each other, and she opened her mouth to tease him about it when he cupped her face between his big palms. The expression he wore was serious, but light glinted in his eyes. Her breath tangled in her throat, and her heart skipped a beat. She swallowed, tried to grin and break the sudden tension of the moment. He stroked a thumb over her lower lip, and her smile died before it fully formed.