Mary Wine (13 page)

* * * * *

Morning wasn’t kind. Groaning Roshelle dragged her body out of Jared’s bed. There was something wrong with her. It had to be impossible for a virgin to become such a wanton in exactly four days.

Her body ached as she forced it to stand and walk. Jared’s bed had dark sheets that sported tattletale stains, making her blush. Roshelle grumbled as she yanked her clothes on and pulled the sheets off the mattress.

Since she’d become such a pushover, it seemed rather stupid to be blushing. The scent of coffee caught her attention as she headed down the hall. She stuffed the sheets into the washing machine before going in search of some hot caffeine.

She peeked into the kitchen, but it was empty. Morning sunlight streamed in making the newly washed floor gleam. The coffeemaker was patiently keeping its half-f pot hot. Next to the white machine was a plate covered by a dishtowel.

Pulling the fabric up revealed breakfast. The eggs and potatoes were cold but Roshelle’s stomach grumbled greedily for it. Lifting the plate, she placed it in the microwave before turning back to the coffee.

A cardboard box sat on the counter next to the coffeemaker. It hadn’t been there the night before. Roshelle looked into it to find a small collection of books.

Her emotions rolled dangerously as she considered the gifts. They were presents. Jared had left them neatly for her. It was so much easier to think about last night as sex. Looking at the evidence of his care for her comfort moved the encounter into something Roshelle wasn’t sure she could name.

Or maybe she just didn’t want to.

* * * * *

“You don’t look half as troublesome as I’ve been told.”

The book went flying as a slight yelp escaped her startled lips. Engrossed with her first entertainment in a week, Roshelle was startled to find company so close.

“Hello.”

Roshelle narrowed her eyes. Oh, she knew that tone! Smooth as hundred-year-old scotch and just as devastating. Her company raised an eyebrow in response. Moving her eyes over him, she took in the family resemblance. Black hair, green eyes and fifty push-ups not likely winded the man.

“I’m just determined, not troublesome.”

“Says you.”

Retrieving her book from the wooden planks of the porch, Roshelle precisely opened it and gave the page her complete attention. Jared seemed to have company in his lack of social graces. Their mother must have been a Marine drill sergeant.

“I believe I should apologize.”

“Don’t waste your time.”

“A guy could wish you’d look at him while you cut him down.”

Closing the book, Roshelle stood up while running her eyes over the man in front of her. He was one handsome brute, and she didn’t have the patience to suffer through his little amusements.

“I suggest you find someone who’s impressed.”

His playfulness evaporated the second she issued her opinion. The man’s features set into solid intent as he pulled away from the doorway. Roshelle found herself the object of intense scrutiny as he moved his eyes across her face. The familiar feel of her thoughts being inspected caused her to thrust up a barrier to keep him out.

Not certain if it was her defense or her knowledge of his intentions, Roshelle watched as her company regarded her from half-closed eyes.

“I’m Jared’s brother, Rourke.”

“Obviously.” His eyes inspected her with the same razor-sharp edge as he reached right into her mind for a moment. That seemed to be the family form of greeting.

“Relax, brother, I concede defeat. She’s yours.”

This time she jumped. Jared stood two inches from her back. His eyes moved over her momentarily before returning to his sibling. The tight set of his features didn’t convey a hint of family bonds.

“Remember that.”

“I will.”

The tension broke a mere second later as the two men clasped each other in an embrace that caused Roshelle’s jaw to drop in wonder. The extremes these men crossed so quickly left her scrambling to keep pace.

“Good evening, Roshelle.”

Her face set into lines of disapproval with the familiar use of her name. Both men were watching her with blatant superiority. Roshelle sent them both a flash of temper at becoming their sport for the night. She tossed a particularly scathing look at Jared. With the territorial attitude the man had adopted, Roshelle almost asked him where his club was.

“If you’ll excuse me, I believe the testosterone levels here are currently toxic to females.”

Watching her stomp off the porch caused Rourke to regret the business that had taken him off the mountain this last month.

“You have a few too many teeth, Rourke.”

Spreading his lips apart in a smile, Rourke eyed his brother. Maybe that fine little piece was off limits, but watching her twist Jared into knots could be just as entertaining.

“What’s wrong, Jared? Something keeping you from getting your beauty sleep?”

“Very funny. Roshelle is not exactly a paper cup type of girl.”

Rourke nodded in agreement. Roshelle was not the type a man tossed away when he was finished. Both men kept their wanderings to the take it and leave it variety of women. Their lives were simply too uncertain for anything else. Roshelle wasn’t just in another category, she was in the one both men knew the least about.

“She’s a lady.”

Jared knew that. He’d gone to great lengths to avoid using the actual word. Hearing it confirmed in his brother’s voice just forced the issue. Jared would, and often did, find time to associate with females and women. He avoided the lower moral ones because they reeked of their dishonesty. But ladies…well, that was something he never even took a second look at.

Tasting the sweetness of innocence, coupled with the pride that kept Roshelle from yielding her body without her heart, was working through his bloodstream with the force of opium.

Just like any addiction, each taste just increased the craving. Finding another male near Roshelle brought his temper to the surface. Especially Rourke. His brother made a habit of seducing women.

“You must be rusty; I believe she turned you down flat.”

Spreading his arms out wide, Rourke executed a low bow.

“Too sad. But true. I think I’ll just take myself off in search of her companion.”

With a mock salute, Jared watched his brother clear the porch railing with one long-legged jump. His body halted in mid-stride as he tossed an amused look over his shoulder.

“Walk softly, brother; ladies can be very creative when planning retaliation.”

One eyebrow lifted as Jared contemplated his brother’s advice. Turning about, he took a hesitant step into his kitchen.

* * * * *

His?

When Hell froze over! When pigs took to the air in flight! When…

Oh, when was she going to stop lying to herself? It was such an annoying habit. One that seemed to have been acquired just about the same time she met Jared.

Roshelle sent the dryer door closed with a shove as she firmly set her steps towards the master bedroom. She considered the view from the window and the guard standing there with his rifle.

Bitterness rose up in her throat as she discovered a growing knowledge of this world. Each day the foreign edge blurred, running closer and closer into her life. The fear of the two becoming entangled grew inside her heart. As much as she might wish it, Jared would firmly sit inside her memory despite any effort she made to evict him.

The man was completely under her skin. It was almost eerie the way she could feel him. Pulling the sheets out of the dryer, Roshelle stepped back into the master bedroom. Pure male aggressiveness brushed across her skin, raising it into uneven bumps as her hands pulled the sheets over the corners of the mattress.

Her eyes shot wide open as she realized just what her mind was trying to tell her. She spun on her heel to find her mental dilemma materializing into flesh. Too caught up in her emotions, she had missed the fact that Jared was moving all too close to her. On silent feet, he was stalking her through the house.

“Clean sheets should never go to waste.”

His meaning was crystal clear. The desire running through her body leapt across the few feet that separated them. An ache was rapidly spreading up her body, clawing its way over her protesting common sense.

“You feel it, too.” His hand hooked into the waistband of her jeans halting her retreat. Her hands slammed into the solid wall of his chest in a vain effort to hold him off. Each inch he advanced on her drove rational thought further away from her grasp.

His mouth settled on top of hers, driving the last shreds of control completely from her. Her hands greedily grasped at the heat beneath them. His flesh was alive and she very much wanted to press her own against it.

Jared growled in approval as she ripped the buttons on his shirt from their holes. Her hands dove into the opening, scraping across his chest. Her tongue mimicked his own as it boldly advanced on his flesh.

Roshelle pulled her head back to look at him. Her fingers had told her how strong he was. Right then she wanted to see it. The afternoon sun showed her a chest that made her passage clench with need. His hands were pulling on her clothing. A faint ripping hit her ears making her pull out of his embrace. She didn’t have anything else to wear.

“Come back here.”

Instead, Roshelle very deliberately began to open her top. The harsh enjoyment written on his face fueled her self-confidence. The last snap opened and she rolled her shoulders to gently push the fabric off her body.

“I think you can stay right there.”

His jaw clenched but one corner of his firm mouth twitched. Jared wasn’t a man accustomed to taking orders. Especially from a woman. Roshelle trailed her fingers up her body as she reached for the hooks on her bra. The small bit of power made her brazen as she considered the idea of playing with their attraction instead of just feeding it.

The bra followed her top to the floor as she slowly stepped further away. One black eyebrow lifted as Jared took a step after her. His mouth lifted into a grin as he stopped and firmly lowered his zipper. The harsh metal sound made her nipples tighten.

“Temptation is best played with two players, honey.” His swollen rod fell out of his open fly.

Roshelle caught her breath as she eyed the evidence of his intention. His boots were laced over the bottom of his pants. Her body shivered as she contemplated whether or not she could wait for him to take the footwear off. The ruby head of his cock made her hunger acute.

“Did you shave again this morning?”

Roshelle gasped, but couldn’t stop the naughty little smile that raised her lips. The feeling of his fingers on her bare mons had been wicked. Now she understood why women endured the pain of waxing.

Jared reached forward to smooth a hand over a breast. “You’re so damn beautiful.”

He reached the top of her jeans and pulled the snap open. He slid the zipper down as Roshelle used her hands to ease them over her hips. His lips stayed turned up in a grin as he knelt to pull the pants completely off her.

The passion was still undeniably hot but it also balanced on the edge of playfulness. Instead of overwhelming, it was simply intense.

He lifted her off the floor again. A hot kiss hit her belly as he took the single step that would let him lay her down on the bed. He didn’t follow her this time. Instead he pressed her thighs apart with sure strokes of his hands while he watched her settle onto the bed.

Her body spread completely. Exposing her tender flesh to his sharp eyes. His hands stroked her inner thighs as tension crossed her face.

“Honey, close your eyes. I’m going to taste you.” She fused her wide eyes with his instead. Jared firmly pressed his palm over her sex and listened to her gasp. “Trust me. Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“When you remove one sense, the others become heightened.”

Roshelle wasn’t sure she could take any more sensation. It was already intense. Blind, she would not even know when that moment of contact would happen. She would be suspended on the end of a string as she waited for his touch.

She rapidly blinked before making the effort to keep her eyes closed. Her chest rose with a deep breath as she forced herself to comply. A huge smile lifted his lips as Jared watched her. Trust wasn’t something you took. It had to be given.

His mouth burned her. Roshelle jerked off the bed but Jared firmly pushed her back down. His tongue made another pass over her exposed sex before settling directly in front of the small swollen bud at the top of her passage. Pleasure and pain tightened together as he flicked his tongue over and around that cluster of nerve endings. His hands held her in place as he drove her past need and into desperation. Suddenly he sucked the entire thing into his mouth. Her body ripped in two as pleasure shot up from the pressure. Her lungs couldn’t seem to draw in enough breath as she frantically pressed her hips towards his mouth.

Jared cursed softly as he rose above her. He hadn’t meant to take her again with his pants still on but he just couldn’t wait. He thrust into her body and clenched his teeth as she tipped her hips towards his possession. Her mind lay open as he merged into her as their bodies blended together. Pleasure erupted through them both as their minds reflected it back and forth endlessly.

He loomed over her but Roshelle clung to the wide shoulders. Each thrust split her passage, every penetration tempting her to attempt to spread her body even further open. He didn’t seem deep enough. When he withdrew, the moment before penetration stretched into forever. His fingers curled into her bottom as he lifted her off the bed. His thrusts became harder and she rose to sheathe him.

The cry that came from her throat mixed with the hard grunt of male satisfaction. Both bounced between their minds, as the flesh of one body became a unity of one pleasure.