His touch moved over her midriff to below her waist, halting there for a second before his lips tore from hers and Gypsy realized she was panting, desperate for air, yet just as desperate for his kiss again. A shaky moan left her lips and her lashes fluttered open as his kiss slid over her jaw to the sensitive line of her neck.
She arched against him helplessly, a mewling little whimper leaving her lips as his fingers tightened in her hair again, tugging at it. His teeth scraped against her neck, causing her to arch to her toes as a wave of exquisite pleasure exploded beneath his caressing lips and at her scalp at the same time.
She felt as though her nerve endings were racing to get as close to his lips and his tugging hand as possible. Her breasts were so swollen above his other palm that it was all she could do not to beg him to touch her.
All this was happening right here, in plain sight of anyone who might drive down the street behind the store.
It wasn’t exactly the outskirts of town. She lived only two blocks from Main Street, for God’s sake.
“Do we do this here?” he growled at her neck. “Or do we do this in the comfort of your bed?”
Her bed?
The implications of what they were doing exploded in her head.
“No.”
Who was more surprised when she tore away from him and managed to duck beneath his arm to escape to the bottom of the steps, her or Rule?
As she stared back at him, the glow of his eyes, like neon flames, seemed to lick over her body in promise.
It was a promise that sent a bolt of fear tearing through her.
When his gaze met hers, there was a warning in them as well. One that stroked over her body and seared her senses like a brand and assured her that he wouldn’t let her run for long.
“You don’t run away from pleasure that extreme, little girl,” he assured her, a confident smile curling at the corner of his lips.
“Watch me.” She wasn’t waiting around for him to actually touch her again and prove his words.
Jerking her house key from her back pocket, she fumbled for a moment before she turned and ran up the stairs. She heard him pounding up the steps behind her. A second later the key slid in, the door opened, and she jumped into the apartment, slamming the door behind her and sliding the deadbolt home just as she heard him reach the narrow deck outside.
A chuckle whispered through the door. “Who are you scared of, Gypsy? Me, or yourself?”
Him, she assured herself. It was definitely him scaring the shit out of her, not her response to him, not the knowledge that she was throwing her life away to have sex with a Breed if she continued this course.
“You are insane,” she accused him, her voice rough. “Stop trying to seduce me, Rule. It’s not going to happen.”
The low male laughter sent a shudder of need clenching at her pussy.
“Tell yourself that while you’re whispering my name and spilling all your sweet cream along whatever toy you use to get yourself off tonight, Gypsy.” There was the slightest edge of knowing irritation as he growled the words.
Gypsy closed her eyes tight, knowing she would be doing just that and hating him for it.
God, she so didn’t want to want him like this. Like he was the best thing since breathing and she needed him just as much as she did the air she took in. But even now, she ached to feel his lips on hers again and she could have sworn the taste of peppermint was lingering in her senses.
As she inhaled hoarsely, her fingers drifted over the tops of her breasts, her breath catching at the pleasure—
“I can make it feel better, baby,” he crooned through the door. “All night, while you’re screaming because the pleasure is so damned good, each orgasm so hot and exciting that all you want to do is reach out for the next one before the last one is finished pulsing through that hot little pussy.”
“Go away!” Jumping away from the door, Gypsy turned to face the panel, heat surging through her as she had to force herself not to open the door for him.
“Sweet dreams, lovely Gypsy,” he repeated, the amusement in his voice lazy and arrogant. “I’ll see you soon.”
See her soon?
“Not if I see you first,” she muttered.
“I heard that. My sense of smell isn’t my only talent.”
Of course he had an excellent sense of smell. Of course he knew just how desperately she wanted him. That was her damned luck.
She was hot, the sensitive flesh between her thighs so swollen and needy it ached, her clit filled with such heat it was nearly unbearable.
He had to be able to smell it, because fate certainly wouldn’t allow her to deny it.
Her face flamed with embarrassment. “I’m calling the sheriff.”
He didn’t answer.
What was the pervert doing now?
“Did you hear me? I’m calling the sheriff.”
Listening closely, hearing nothing but the racing of her heart thundering in her ears, eyes wide, she tried to determine whether he was still out there.
The faintest sound of a Desert Dragoon starting up, its powerful motor echoing from the front of the building, had Gypsy racing into the living room to peek between the heavy curtains hanging there.
Gazing down at the lighted street, she watched as the black all-terrain vehicle eased from its parking spot and then, with a burst of speed, raced down the street.
“Playing with fire, Whisper? And here I thought you understood the rules? Tell me, did you even search his suite as you were supposed to?”
She laid her head against the window at the sound of the low, grating voice behind her.
She should have expected this.
CHAPTER 5
“What are you doing here?” Turning, Gypsy faced the member of the Unknown who had accepted her as a contact only months after the death of her brother.
The same warrior who had given her the terms of her participation.
She must always remain a virgin.
Was he trying to make her insane now? Was every man she knew trying to drive her freaking crazy this month?
“Checking on you.” Crossing his arms over his broad chest, the tall figure leaned against the frame of her bedroom door.
She didn’t even try to see what he looked like, she knew better. The war paint that marked his face was done in such a way as to make it impossible to distinguish his features, no matter how close she came or how hard she attempted to find a distinguishing angle.
She spread her hands out from her body and gazed back at him mockingly. “All in one piece.”
Literally. Even her virginity was still intact.
Which was all he was probably worried about.
“I had no doubt. But now, I wonder,” he assured her, the confidence in his voice grating on her already heightened nerves.
“Then why check on me?” Moving from the window, she strode across the living room to the kitchen, glancing back as she passed the counter that divided the rooms. “Want a drink? I’m having one.”
“No, thank you.” His answer didn’t surprise her.
Pulling the refrigerator door open, she snagged a long-necked bottle of her favorite beer and twisted the cap off in disgust before taking a long drink.
“You’re twenty-four years old, aren’t you, Whisper?” He spoke as she swallowed the bitter brew.
“What does it matter?” Turning to face him, she leaned back against the fridge, seeing the gleam of hazel eyes. The last time she saw him, they looked blue.
“You’ve remained a virgin for nine years in order to work with us. You’ve had no lovers, you have few friends and you began separating herself from your family even before Mark’s funeral. Tell me, how long do you think you can remain isolated among the people who so love you? Or this Breed who seems intent on having you?”