Seduction's Dance (McKingley Series) (6 page)

“Oh, that smells so good.”

He went to get them a beer and handed it to her. “Thanks. Our dad made sure all of us could grill.” A brief shrug. “The others try, but I’m just better at it.”

She rolled her eyes and took a swig of her drink. “Modest, I see.”

“Just calling the facts as we know them.”

“I bet any of them would say they’re better than the others.”

A boyish smile. “Probably. But they’d be lying. Let’s face it, I’ve had more practice. I’m the eldest.”

“Wow. You think because you’re the oldest you can grill better than the others.” It wasn’t a question.

“Not think. I know. Sure, they’re good, but I’m a master. I’ll have you know I’m known as the ‘king of the grill’ and that’s by my family.”

“Is that something you told them when they were babies they had to call you?” She rolled the bottle in her fingers.

“No. I earned this title and no one will take it from me.”

“Is that a fact?”

He gave a perfunctory nod. “You can bank on it, baby.”

She dragged her tongue over her lips. “Well, I hate to be the one who tells you this then.” She shook her head. “Nope, not really. It actually gives me great pleasure. Your steaks are burning, oh wise n’ all knowing ‘king of the grill’.”

* * * *

Dimitri watched Shannon as she worked on her kickboxing on a thick mat with her cousin James. They were outside, enjoying the cool day.

Shannon had dressed in some heather-gray boy shorts and a teal sports bra. Her feet were wrapped with white tape. It had been two days since they’d first slept together. And if he were honest with himself, he’d rather be home in bed—his or hers he wasn’t picky—instead of out here with her cousin. But she’d told him she had plans with James and was coming here.

He knew it wasn’t an ultimatum, from her, it was what it was. A statement. She wouldn’t whine and make him try to feel bad if he didn’t show up. She would be here and if he wanted to see her, he had to be as well.

Which explains why my ass is here watching her.

He settled back in the chair and waited for them to finish. He was impressed with her ability, yes. Still, he wanted her to himself. Right now, he was feeling a bit greedy. He had one more day off and wished to spend time with her, not share her with her cousin.

“You want a go?” James asked after helping Shannon up from the ground where he’d just put her.

“No, thanks. I will take your cousin though.”

James walked off muttering to himself.
At least he’s wearing clothes for the moment.
Dimitri got up from the chair and moved to where Shannon stood, hands on her hips and breathing hard.

“You okay?”

She looked up at him, sweaty and winded. “Sure. I love getting my ass kicked by him.”

“Do you have to work today?”

She shook her head, still breathing hard.

“Come on,” he said.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Just hush, Shannon.” He took her hand and led her to his car. Once she was in the passenger seat, he got behind the wheel and started the engine.

She kept her silence as he drove back to his house. They walked inside after they parked. Down the hall, he escorted her to the bathroom and knelt by his sunken tub as he adjusted the water, and began to fill it.

Back on his feet, he went to the cabinet and withdrew a small pouch. He tipped some of the contents in the increasing water. Immediately the room filled with the combined smells of rosemary and spearmint.

“What’s that?”

“Bath salts. Lis left them here a while ago. She uses this one after training for her triathlon. She claims this helps in removing mental and physical fatigue as well as restoring her energy and alertness.”

Facing her, he took in the exhaustion upon her features. Without another word, he went to her and lowered the zipper on her bra. She stared at him as he slid it from her torso. Then he dropped to his knees and tugged down those damn enticing boy shorts, as well as her panties. After getting up, he found a pair of scissors and cut the wrappings off her feet.

Ignoring, or doing his best to, the fact she stood before him completely naked, he said, “Get in.”

She climbed in and when it covered her up to her chin, he shut off the faucets. He placed a towel behind her head then brushed a kiss over her forehead before walking out of the room. A short time later, he returned with a shirt of his for her to wear and found her where he’d left her.

Standing over her, he looked down into the water at her firm breasts and bit back his groan. Christ, he wanted her so much. Her eyes remained closed and he allowed his gaze to linger along her toned legs and up to where they met.

“You planning on joining me or were you just going to stand there?”

He tore his stare from the juncture of her thighs and found her watching him, amusement and relaxation upon her face.

“Well, I do like what I see.”

“As do I, but were you to climb in here, I could do more than just look at you clothed.”

He needed no other encouragement. It didn’t take him long to shuck his clothing and lower himself into the bath. The water, still hot, made him moan in pleasure. He settled beside her and she rested her hand on his thigh.

“Want the jets on?”

“Mmm.”

He took it as a yes and reached out and around to press the button. The machine started up and soon the jets and the pulsing water they created were massaging them.

“You need a hot tub,” she remarked.

“Do I?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be nice to sit out in one and watch the sunset. Or sunrise?”

Her fingers moved closer to his cock yet still didn’t touch.

“Yes,” he said.

“See. It could be so nice.”

Taking her hand, he placed it where he wanted it, on him—not near his shaft. “And this hot tub would make you happy?”

She readjusted herself so she straddled his lap, her pussy rubbing along his shaft before she took him deep. “I think it would be awesome to have you fuck me outside in a hot tub.”

He palmed her breasts, struggling to stay focused on the conversation. It wasn’t easy, not with her wet sheath cradling him. Tugging on her nipples, he watched her head drop back as she captured her lower lip in her teeth and began to slowly move.

“Do you now,” he muttered.

“Oh yes.” She undulated her hips and ground on him.

“How about me doing that right here?”

She stared at him, her eyes hazy with desire. “I think you should be doing instead of talking.”

He rumbled deep in his throat and lifted her off him before slamming her back down.

“Oh shit!” she cried out.

He dug his fingers into her hips, working her hard on him. Up and down. He thrust deep and fast. Her lips were parted and her breaths came out in sharp pants and mewls. Water sloshed over the side and he didn’t give a damn. All that mattered was the woman who sat upon his lap, gripping his cock in a vice-like hold.

There were no words to describe how it felt to be buried inside her. He just wasn’t that articulate of a man. Either that or the word hadn’t been created yet.

She came hard, back bowing, muscles tightening, and a scream ripped from her throat. The action shoved her breasts up to his mouth and he took the offered treat. Drawing one into his mouth, he sucked hard on it as she continued to work her muscles around his cock. With a nip, he moved to her other breast and did the same.

His balls had tightened and he knew he couldn’t hold out anymore. She rolled her hips and kept moving even as she worked through the remnants of her orgasm. Releasing a low growl, he shot his seed deep into her.

It hit them both at the same time—her eyes flew open and they stared at one another, breathing hard and deep. He anticipated her move and countered it, keeping her where she was. On his cock. Where he wanted her.

Did he want her pregnant? No. Not at this moment. Was he sorry for coming inside her? Also a no. Being inside her without a condom had been heavenly.

“Stay,” he muttered, flexing his fingers upon her hips.

She did and he smoothed some hair away from her face. Her features were flushed, lips parted. He reached into the water and came up with their hands joined, fingers intertwined. Brushing a kiss along the back of her hand, he continued to stare into her eyes.

“Let’s go out to dinner,” he said softly.

“Why?”

“Because I want to take you out.”

“I don’t have anything to wear.”

He shook his head. “Bullshit. I know you, Shannon. You carry an extra set of clothes in your bag.”

“So causal?”

“Yes.” Although he would love to see her in a dress. Long or short, it didn’t matter. Something tight that showed off her figure.

“Right now?” She tightened around him and he hardened inside her.

“Nope, not right now. We’re taking a bath. Allowing the salts to revive us.”

“Feels like someone is already revived,” she teased with a lift of her lips.

He winked at her and began to move. “So I am.”

They remained in the bath for a while before climbing out and drying off. She ignored his shirt and walked naked through to where her bag sat. He loved how unashamed she was of her body.

He observed her, tucking a towel around his waist, as she dug through and pulled out a pair of warm-up pants and a T-shirt. Followed by that were bra and panties. Five minutes later they were both dressed and in his kitchen.

“Come on,” he said, closing the fridge and forgoing his attempt to find something to eat.

“Where are we going?”

“Miniature golf.”

A smile lifted her lips, making him pleased with her reaction.

“Let’s go.”

He walked to the door with her only to stop on the porch then led her to his garage after making a decision. Opening the door, he smiled at her whistle of appreciation.

“Damn.”

He stared with pride over his classic truck collection. Lately he’d not been able to spend as much time on them as he’d like.

“Which one are we taking?”

He loved the anticipation in her voice. “The ’31 Ford AA.”

“Awesome.”

She hurried over to the medium-blue colored truck. Her fingers glossed over it as if she were touching a lover, gently and without hurry. He joined her and held the door for her. Soon they were on their way, traveling slowly along the back roads until they got in town where the speed limit was lower anyway.

At the golf course, he noticed all the looks they got when they climbed out. Well, to be fair, it wasn’t them who got the looks, it was the truck. With his arm around Shannon’s waist, they made their way to the front door.

He paid and they got their clubs then headed out to pick one of three options for courses. “Which one do you want?” he asked in her ear.

“Doesn’t matter to me.”

“Take number three.”

She led the way and he followed, his eyes glued on the seductive sway of her hips. As she moved, he recalled how she moved on him. They played the course then stopped at the concession stand for a bite to eat. The sun had begun to set as he drove back to his place.

Shannon had just climbed out of the truck when her phone rang. She answered immediately. “Conner.”

As she talked, the subtle changes that came over her took away the soft woman who was hell on his libido and replaced her with the consummate professional. By the time she hung up, he was already aware of what it meant.

“You can take my car,” he said without preamble.

“You sure?”

“Yes. Grab your bag while I get my keys.”

They split up in the house and met again at the front door. He grabbed her and planted a kiss on her lips. “Be careful.”

“Always am,” she retorted. “I had fun today, thanks.”

He traced her lower lip with his thumb. “Thanks for coming with me.”

She took the keys and dashed over to his sports car. Only after she’d whipped around and driven off, spitting gravel, did he realize he wasn’t the least bit concerned with her handling one of his own cars.

Chapter Five

Shannon drove to the station, Dimitri falling from her thoughts the closer she got to her destination. Yes, the day had been fun, but work had called and that required all her attention. She wasn’t going to become a statistic just because her attention was on someone else instead of the job.

She parked his car then jogged inside to change into her uniform. Buckling on her belt, she slammed her locker shut with a shoulder then engaged her lock once her hands were free.

“Thanks for coming in,” the shift commander said when she walked up to his office.

“No problem, sir.”

“You’re going to be riding with Nick. I know, I know,” he said cutting her off before she could comment. “He’s a rookie. I don’t want him out there alone, so you’re going to have to sit on your desire to ride alone for the night.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. He’s waiting for you by the car.”

Grabbing the handles of her bag, she began the trek to her temporary vehicle.

“Hey, Conner. What are you doing here?”

She glanced over her shoulder to see Mario leaning there, his thumbs hooked in his duty belt, trying to look so much more impressive than he was.

“Working. Shouldn’t you be doing that same thing?”

The man scowled at her and she walked off before she did something like kick him in the balls, just on principle.

Nick waited for her by the squad car. She sighed as she took in his face. Fresh from the academy, he looked like he was barely old enough to grow a beard, much less do the job.

“Deputy Conner,” he said, straightening up.

“Evening, Nick. Call me Shannon. You’re driving, let’s get going. Have you gone through the checklist?”

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

She tossed her bag in the trunk next to his before climbing in the passenger seat. “Let’s do this then.”

Thankfully, the night went relatively smoothly. A few stops along the road, which she had to say he handled extremely well, and a couple of inside buildings. Around four in the morning, she fought off another yawn. She’d just not been expecting to be working tonight and hadn’t gotten enough sleep.

“Need some coffee?” Nick asked as he stopped at a red light.