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  “Damn, you’re tight.” He wedged two inside her this time, pushing against her tender flesh. “I’m not going to last long once I get inside you. I’ve never felt such sweet pressure.”

  “Oh, God. Please. Please let me come.”

  She didn’t care how desperate she sounded. He’d taken her higher than she’d ever been, and she knew if he didn’t let her come soon, she might just melt into a puddle of lust.

  Roman chuckled against her flesh, pulsing her clit. “Okay. I’ll let you come. Now throw your head back and scream for me.”

  His name vibrated off the walls, as his mouth latched around her clit, his fingers pumping her slick flesh. Everett groaned his release as hers rocked through her, sending her pussy into spasms, her vision exploding into shards of colored light. Roman hummed against her flesh, the sound of him lapping up her juice only prolonging her orgasm. She’d never come that hard before and was somewhat frightened at the thought of him making love to her. What if she lost consciousness? Or worse. What if she lost her heart?

  Scarlet fluttered open her eyelids just as Roman moved over her, his cock nudging her weeping sex. She didn’t know when he’d stripped off his clothes, but the feel of his hot flesh against hers made another ripple of pleasure shiver through her. He smiled at her reaction, inching inside her, when Everett’s voice sounded behind them.

  “Fuck this. I can’t see anything if you fuck her that way.” The man scraped his chair closer, remnants of his climax still clinging to his skin. “I want her on her hands and knees. I want to see those tits bounce as you pound her from behind. What good is having an ass like that if you don’t use it?”

  A deep flush laced heat down her neck as the man moved into a more favorable position. She’d always considered her ass to be a bit on the ample side, its mounds matching the large swell of her breasts. But the way the men at the Manor had been sizing it up, she was starting to see it in a different light.

  Roman tensed above her, and for the first time since he’d touched her, she saw uncertainty. She met his gaze, reading his thoughts in the shift of his eyes. He didn’t want to take her like that…didn’t want to cheapen what they were sharing for the first time.

  She smiled and brought her lips to his ear. “Nothing can change what this means to me. So take me anyway you want.” She dipped her tongue inside the shell. “You can make it up to me next time. And I’m counting on there being a next time.”

  Roman grunted, whether from her actions or words, she didn’t know. But before she could feel the loss of his cock, he had her flipped onto her knees, one hand wrapped around her hair, the other gripping her waist.

  He tugged on the strands, arching her head back as he whispered against her neck. “You’ll pay for allowing me to take you like this, and I can’t wait to spank that pretty ass. But for now, give him a good show, ’cause he’s right. Every man dreams of thrusting against an ass like this.”

  Scarlet cried out when he connected his hand smartly with her buttocks as he plunged his cock home, sheathing himself inside her. He tugged on her hair again, adding a sharp sting as he pulled his shaft back through her tissues, rimming the edge of her sex with the crown before reclaiming the lost inches, making the muscles on her ass shimmy from the impact.

  “Ah, fuck. You’re so damn beautiful.” He moaned as he slammed home again, locking his sac against her clit. “I’m not going to last long. You’re just too damn sexy.”

  “Then fuck me, hard!”

  She tossed her head back as he tugged more firmly on her hair. God, when had she turned into a masochist? She’d never allowed any lover to inflict even a hint of pain. But every sting of her scalp, every firm slap on her ass only increased her desire until she begged for more.

  Roman answered her plea, peppering her cheeks with forceful taps as he drove into her, pumping his hips like a man on a mission. He rode her hard, plunging deep with every stroke until she wondered if she might split. She’d never had a man claim her so completely, taking her to the threshold between pleasure and pain. Every thrust set her on fire, every slap intensifying it until she didn’t know which pleased her more.

  “Fuck, darling. I can’t hold it off. Come for me. Give me what I want.”

  He released her hip as he smoothed his hand down her thigh, cupping her mound. He paused as he circled his fingers around her sex, touching her skin where it opened to accommodate his driving shaft. He grunted again, sliding his finger up to her clit, rubbing the roughened pad across the tight nub. Her breath hitched as the extra stimulation rocked her higher, suspending her on the verge of climax.

  He left her there, hanging, for three agonizing heartbeats before slamming into her. His body clenched, and he tightened his hand around her hair a moment before he shouted her name, the hard pulse of his cock sending her over the edge. She echoed his scream as her pussy milked his shaft until she wasn’t sure how he stood the pressure. He tugged her head back, granting him access to the sleek line of her shoulder. Scarlet tried to breathe, to gather any form of control, when his teeth locked around her flesh and her world exploded.

  Pain and pleasure merged into one, draining her strength, Roman’s grip the only force holding her up. She fell back to earth, her body spent, tears burning behind her closed lids, his name a whisper from her lips. Roman curled into her, easing her against his chest, holding her possessively around the waist. He mumbled something, but all she could do was breathe.

  The chair scraped against the floor, the sudden sound startling her. She forced open her eyelids, tensing when Everett stared at her, a cruel smile curving his lips. He stood, yanking up his pants before shuffling over to them, the stench of his aftershave smothering her.

  “Now that’s how you fuck a bitch.” Everett gazed openly at her as he joined them on the rug. “I can see why you want to keep her undercover. She’s one hell of a feisty little fuck. Okay, you’ve proven your claim. Meet me back here…ten o’clock sharp, and I’ll take you along. But make sure you bring cash. My supplier doesn’t take credit.”

  Everett’s laughter followed him out of the door, the solid thud shattering the intimate atmosphere. Roman sighed against her back, resting his forehead against her head. Uncertainty bunched her muscles as he gave her a squeeze, gently shifting her forward as he eased free of her body. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, but all she could focus on was the empty feeling between her legs and how cold she felt without him wrapped around her.

  His footsteps sounded on the floor behind her, and she took several deep breaths before finding the courage to turn, inhaling sharply as she watched him tug his briefs over his hips. God, the man had a perfect ass, the muscles rippling as he adjusted himself before grabbing his jeans and tugging them on. He turned, his gaze traveling the length of her body as she kneeled on the rug, too shocked to do more than stare at him.

  He gave her a stunning smile, bending down to offer her the robe. “You okay?”

  His words snapped her back to into focus and she nodded, knowing her voice would carry the desperation strumming through her veins. She didn’t want to get dressed. She wanted Roman to make love to her again. Gently this time. Have him claim her in another way—one that would ease the erratic pounding of her heart and settle the need clawing at her conscience.

  “That’s my girl.” He darted to the door, checking the hallway before glancing back at her. “All clear. But we really should go…call the lieutenant and arrange for backup. Whoever Everett’s supplier is, I don’t want to go in there with just our service weapons as cover. Chances are we’ll be facing some pretty impressive firepower. We need…”

  As his voice trailed off, that wicked mouth of his pursed into a slight frown. She managed to gain her feet, her fingers white-knuckled around the fabric as she held the robe closed, a strange ringing in her head.

  “Scarlet.”

  She gave herself a mental shake, meeting his gaze.

  He moved over to her, giving her a tilt of his head. “You s
ure you’re okay?”

  She faked a smile, a mixture of terror and desire still flooding her system. Shit. One taste and she couldn’t picture loving another man. Couldn’t think about her future without him in it. Hell, he’d been her partner for years, yet she’d given more of herself in that one act than in all the time they’d spent together before. She’d surrendered her soul to him and she wasn’t sure she could get it back.

  She drew herself up. “Fine.”

  He snorted. “Did you hear a word I said?”

  “Sure. The lieutenant…backup. More weapons…”

  He sighed, brushing his thumb across her jaw as he leaned in, dropping a light kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I know you probably have a thousand questions, but… Let’s just get through tonight. Put Everett’s ass in jail and bust whoever’s selling him that poison. Once we’ve wrapped this up, we’ll talk. Promise.”

  She swallowed past the thick feeling in her throat. She recognized the tone of his voice, that look on his face. The way his pitch rose at the end as his lips twitched ever so slightly. He was buying time. Telling her what he thought she needed to hear so they could do their job. God, had it only been his job?

  Hurt dropped her stomach and she cursed the tears that threatened to slip free. “I’m fine, Roman.”

  She moved past him, methodically planting each step, afraid any distraction would send her to her knees. What the hell had she been thinking? Did she honestly think she could just have sex with Roman and not have it mean so much more? Have it mean everything?

  Roman huffed behind her as she left the studio, the warm blast of late summer air drying the tears pooling in her eyes. It’d all be over tonight—she just didn’t know if they’d finish more than the assignment.

  Chapter Two

  “You ready?”

  Detective Roman Kincaid glanced at Scarlet, frowning when she didn’t reply. She stared out of the window of their sedan as they sat in the abandoned parking lot. They’d followed Everett to a warehouse by the pier, waiting for the man to signal them to enter—aware this was the moment they’d been working toward since arriving at the playmate mansion. But the prospect of ending the case didn’t hold the appeal it had a week ago. And the reason was sitting next to him.

  Roman studied her face in the ghosted reflection of the glass, noting the firm press of her lips and the troubled look in her eyes. She hadn’t been the same since they’d left the studio and prepared for the drop.

  He groaned inwardly. He’d fucked up. Literally. And he doubted there’d be any turning back—not now that he’d finally gotten a taste of her. Felt her body give beneath him, warm and welcoming as he’d shouted out his release. Hell, he’d half convinced himself that he wasn’t really attracted to women. That his feelings for her were a by-product of the long hours together. Her easy acceptance and unparalleled faith in him. But there was no mistaking Scarlet lit him on fire. Made his stomach flutter and his brain go fuzzy. He’d only ever felt that way with one other person.

  Warning bells sounded in his head. Despite his doubts, he’d been attracted to Scarlet instantly—from the moment the lieutenant had first introduced her and suggested they’d make a good team. They’d been partners ever since, spending more time with each other than most couples. But he’d managed to keep his growing feelings for her tightly tucked away—until Everett had threatened to expose them and offered him a way out.

  And he’d taken it. Taken her—with a force that had surprised him. He wasn’t generally that dominant in bed, at least not the first time with a partner. And knowing he’d shown her a side of himself few people were privy to rocked him to the core.

  He speared his fingers through his hair, using the slight scrape of his nails to calm himself. He wasn’t sure what unsettled him more—that she knew the kind of lover he was or that she’d embraced his firm touch. Encouraged it. He knew she wasn’t the type of woman to give up control, and the fact she’d surrendered so completely to him blew his mind.

  He cursed under his breath, nudging her with his elbow. “Hey. You with me?”

  She frowned, glancing at where his arm still touched her as she exhaled a harsh breath. “I’m a foot away from you. Of course, I’m with you.”

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

  A strange emotion shaped her features before she punched him in the shoulder. “I’m fine. Just a bit edgy, which is normal, considering we’re about to walk into a warehouse full of people who’d love nothing more than to kill us.”

  “You don’t have to do this if it doesn’t feel right. Despite what headquarters thinks, this isn’t worth dying over.”

  “Now who’s not listening? I said I’m fine. I’ll have your back, just as I always do. Nothing’s changed.”

  Roman stilled as her voice cracked slightly on those last two words.

  Nothing’s changed.

  Fuck. He should have talked to her, first, instead of worrying about the case. Even if it’d only been to reassure her that their tryst hadn’t been based solely on the situation. That he’d been falling in love with her a bit more every day since they’d first met.

  He turned toward her when Everett walked out of the warehouse, the man’s body backlit by a harsh light from within the building. Roman pushed aside his other thoughts. He could make it up to Scarlet later, once they’d dealt with the scum inside the building.

  “Showtime, darling. Stay close and don’t do anything heroic.” He snagged her arm as she moved to open her door. “And we will discuss everything once this is over. So don’t get any bright ideas about ditching me once the cavalry rides in.”

  Scarlet merely huffed, stepping out of the car as Everett stopped several feet back, that creepy gaze of his roaming her body. Roman clenched his jaw. He should have beaten the fucker senseless instead of allowing him to see even a glimpse of her. Of course, they wouldn’t be moments away from breaking their case wide open if he had.

  He reached into the backseat, grabbing a briefcase off the floor before climbing out of the car and shutting the door. They’d done what was necessary to get the job done. He’d fix this situation with Scarlet soon. Until then, he needed to focus on keeping them both safe.

  Scarlet walked around the hood of the sedan, maintaining a noticeable distance back from Everett as the man waved at them, spinning on his heels and heading toward the warehouse. Roman fell into step beside his partner, unease prickling the back of his neck. He didn’t like going into the building blind. But questioning Everett hadn’t been an option. The man was already suspicious and despite the lengths they’d gone to mollify those suspicions, Roman knew the creep still didn’t fully trust them.

  Everett stopped, waiting for them to move in behind him. “Here’s how it’s going to be. We walk in there. You two stand still while my friend ensures you’re clean, then we talk business. You got the money?”

  Roman raised the case. “What did you think was inside this? A change of clothes?”

  “A mouth like that might just get you a few extra holes.” Everett leered at Scarlet. “Of course, I’d be real nice to your girl. Make sure she didn’t feel alone.”

  “Touch her, and you’ll be the one who doesn’t leave here alive.”

  Scarlet glanced at him, raising an eyebrow as she gave him a curt shake of her head.

  He simply smiled at her. He didn’t care if it he stepped over a line. Fuck the line. Keeping her safe was his primary goal, and he wanted Everett to know he meant what’d he’d said. Scarlet was his. Period.

  Everett glared at him. “Just do what you’re told, and we’ll all walk out of here in one piece.”

  The man motioned them inside. Roman gave Scarlet one last glance then headed into the building. The door closed behind them, glaring light gleaming off the metallic walls. A black suburban sat off to one side, four men flanking the vehicle.

  Roman scanned the surroundings as they made their way across the cement pad, noting two more men positioned on an upper level,
rifles aimed their way. He watched as a blonde in a skimpy outfit bounced over to Everett then hung off his arm as Everett followed behind them, the man’s gaze clearly focused on Scarlet’s ass, despite the glare his date gave him.

  She nudged Roman, not turning to face him. “Everett is the least of our worries. Those bastards up high have Remingtons. Betting those boys by the suburban have forty-fives.”

  “Just stick beside me. I’ll make sure you get clear when our team busts down the door.”

  “I don’t need you to protect me. I can take care of myself.”

  “I’m intimately aware of what you’re capable of. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stand there and watch you risk your life.” Roman leaned toward her, still keeping his voice low so only she heard him. “Stick to my ass, or I’ll spank yours red.”

  Her breath hitched for a moment, a muted hum barely reaching him as they stopped in front of the truck. Two men darted forward, patting down their clothes before shaking their heads and returning to their positions. The rear passenger door creaked open, and a tall man in a gray suit stepped out, moving slowly toward them. He looked about forty, with salt and pepper hair and a slim build. He paused beside the other men, visibly measuring them up.

  Everett darted forward, a smug smile curving his lips. “Here they are. Just like I promised.”

  The older man sneered at Everett, stepping slightly ahead of the group. “Your loyalty is the only reason you’re still alive. Don’t get smug because you did what I pay you to do.”

  The smile faded from Everett’s mouth as he moved back, yanking the woman harder against him. He muttered something under his breath as he stood there, pouting.

  Roman eyed the exchange, an uneasy feeling gnawing at him. Something felt off. He inched closer to Scarlet, noting the way she’d tensed. She obviously sensed the same odd vibe he’d picked up on. Pride warmed his chest. Damn, she was good at her job. And if it weren’t for the fact the thought of losing her scared the hell out of him, he’d be able to relax a bit—knowing she had his back. But just picturing her injured…