Staking His Claim (7 page)

“That’s the other reason I lied,” she whispered, trying to ignore the stab of hurt over his statement. She didn’t want to hear that. Wanted to keep imagining that he’d been so attracted to her that he’d had no choice.

Eyes closed, Matt shook his head. “It can’t happen again. It
won’t
.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I fucked you on your hands and knees on the floor of a dingy motel room that rented by the hour. More than that, I—”

“Spanked me. Manhandled me.” She didn’t know where the words came from, only knew that now that they’d been spoken, the air thickened between her and Matt. In the space of seconds, her breath had grown shallow, cheeks flaming. She might have stopped there, but Matt’s chest shuddered and she couldn’t hold back the truth. “I liked it, Matt.”

“
Stop
.” He stepped even closer, contradicting his harsh command. As though he couldn’t help himself, his gaze dropped to her breasts where, thanks to her excitement, they swelled at the top of her dress. “It doesn’t matter. Now that I know who you are, touching you would be inexcusable.”

“But you want to.”

He sucked in a breath. “Lucy, that’s
enough
.”

The authority in his voice brought her back to the motel room, when he’d given her no choice but to obey him. If his intention was to push her away, his demands were having the opposite effect. Her pulse drummed loudly in her ears; her hands ached to run up his sculpted chest. She’d come out here to apologize for her lie, but now that they stood so close and she could feel the undeniable pull between them, she wondered if her lie had affected yesterday’s outcome whatsoever. This attraction would have been there even if he’d known her identity from the beginning. She was sure of it.
This
wasn’t a lie.

The girl she’d been before, the one who catapulted headlong into the unknown, wanted to push him to admit it. What they’d shared couldn’t be chalked up to convenience. A way to kill time as the car was repaired. No, he’d shown her a part of himself she suspected he didn’t reveal to many women. In turn, he’d taught her something about herself. Unlocked a side to her she hadn’t known existed. Lucy closed the distance between them, letting her curves brush against him. His muscled chest heaved before her eyes. She could feel him, huge and straining at the front of his dress pants. For her. It was the final encouragement she needed. “I thought of you every time I sat down today. Just like you told me to, Matt.”

As if a rope had snapped inside him, Matt fell on her with a strangled groan. His hands dropped to her bottom, hauling her off the ground. Their mouths fought a battle, but she was too overcome with need to acknowledge the stakes. She processed movement, registered Matt walking them into a darkened doorway just off the street. Lucy tunneled her fingers through his hair, letting her head fall back as his teeth raked up the side of her neck.

“Goddammit, I shouldn’t be doing this.”

She gasped as he bit her ear. “W-what are you doing?”

“I’m considering giving you my cock right here and now. Would you like that, baby girl? Would you like to be rewarded for following my instructions?”

“Yes, please.” She slid her inner thigh up his leg until it reached his waist, moaning when he gave a quick pump of his hips against her core. Already, she was damp for him. She felt trapped in between Matt’s demanding body and the hard surface behind her. It was an amazing feeling. New and familiar at the same time, as though she’d been desperate to be immobilized without consciously knowing. When his hands wedged between their bodies to squeeze her breast with just the right amount of pressure, Lucy writhed, desperate for everything he could give her.

“What the fuck am I supposed to do, Lucy?” He grated the words against her lips. “Now that I’ve felt the tight squeeze between your legs? Watched your ass absorb my punishment? I’m fucked now, aren’t I?”

“Matt,” she breathed, trying to hook her legs more firmly around him. “I need to feel you again, too. Please.”

A car passed, blaring music. She could feel Matt come back to himself then, as if an invisible tether had yanked him back to reality. His fist connected with the wall behind her as he slowly put distance between them. Lucy wanted to sob at the loss of pressure and heat.

“Come back,” she said shakily.

“No.
No
,” Matt ground out, frustration visible in the tight lines around his mouth. “Even if you weren’t Brent’s sister, which is more than enough in itself…”

“Yes?” Lucy prompted him after a moment.

Haunted eyes met hers. “I don’t tolerate liars. Ever. I’ve been there. You’re all the same and you never change.”

Lucy couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe around the ache his words spawned in her chest. What could she say? He was right. She’d deceived him, making her the liar he accused her of being. Measuring her with a final look, Matt walked away and left her there, not glancing back once.

Chapter Seven

Matt stood in the precinct locker room, securing his Kevlar vest and buttoning his NYPD Emergency Service uniform shirt over it. When he heard Brent ribbing another officer in the next aisle, an uncomfortable feeling settled in his chest. He might have done the right thing by walking away from Lucy last night, but that hadn’t stopped every imaginable sexual scenario from playing out in his head after he’d left. Starring Brent’s deceptively sweet-looking little sister. Sure, she might taste sweet, but the things she’d said to him as they stood face-to-face on the sidewalk last night proved she was the furthest thing from it.

She’d known exactly what buttons to push to test his control. Looking up at him with those contrite green eyes, she’d stripped his defenses and tapped into his base desires so effortlessly it should have alarmed him. No one had ever seen through him like that. It was unacceptable. Only he’d been far from alarmed. He’d been turned on to the point of frenzy. Inside the party, his resolve had been unshakable. But with just the two of them standing there, memories sparking between them, everything had changed. She’d been asking him for something he desperately wanted to give her. What felt like his
duty
to give, even if that made no sense.

He’d gone home and unzipped his pants the second he walked in the door. Picturing Lucy’s mouth, breasts, reddened ass, he’d pressed his forehead to the door and jacked himself off like a horny teenager. He’d thought one time would be enough. Then her words would drift through his head.
I thought of you every time I sat down today. Just like you told me to, Matt.
Just like that, he’d grow hard again, treating him to a vicious cycle that had lasted until the early hours of the morning. Still,
still
, he wasn’t satisfied. Might never be again. Not after he’d experienced his real-life fantasies with Lucy. Making it twice as difficult, she wanted to do it again. Had begged him for more.

No. He couldn’t allow it to happen. Not only did his desires have no place around a younger girl with a brighter future, but he hadn’t lied to Lucy. Lying was a deal-breaker with him. For the first time, he welcomed a bitter memory that he normally kept hidden under lock and key, hoping it would serve as a distraction. His ex-fiancée’s utter horror over his “disgusting” needs. Her seeking comfort from his best friend. It had all rushed to the surface last night when he found out Lucy lied to him. After exposing himself to her the way he’d done, it had felt like the worst kind of betrayal. It’s why he was so careful about who he spent time with, who he could actually call a friend. Once you’ve been burned, that shit didn’t come easy anymore.

Had the lie stopped him from wanting Lucy? Hell no. If anything, he wanted to find her this minute and punish her in a way that ended in her screaming his name. He wanted it so bad, his hands shook. The urge was painful to deny, especially knowing she would wrap that limber body around him and tell him to give it to her hard.
Fuck
. He had to stop thinking about her now or work would be impossible. Loss of focus in his line of work was tantamount to failure, and he refused to fail at his job.

Matt stowed his neatly folded street clothes in his locker just as Brent rounded the corner, followed by Daniel Chase, his other best friend. The newest member of their group, Troy Bennett, trailed behind, giving Matt a quick nod that he wordlessly returned. Matt had a hard enough time keeping two friends at a comfortable distance. He hadn’t quite gotten around to figuring out how to fit Troy into his organized blueprint. Thankfully, Troy seemed just as content to maintain their casual acquaintance, not pushing for anything more.

He transferred his attention to Daniel, who had a look of exasperation on his face, which was usually the case any time he’d been talking to Brent.

When Brent caught sight of Matt, he did a double take. “Hey, dickhead. You just disappeared on us last night. You’re lucky I don’t have the ability to be insulted.”

Daniel stripped off his shirt and threw it into his locker. “Yeah, you bailed before Story and I even got there. What gives?”

Matt started to answer with some vague excuse about being tired, but caught sight of the thin red scratch marks on Daniel’s back first. Brent noticed at the same time and they exchanged a look. “What happened to your back, bro?

Daniel looked momentarily confused by the question, then he grinned. “Ah. It turns out my girl gets a little crazy after a few glasses of pink champagne. Didn’t even make it in the door. Take note, gentlemen.”

“Why, Daniel, you filthy animal.”

Even though he felt like shit joking around with Brent after what had transpired with his sister, Matt couldn’t help but be amused. “Maybe you should buy stock in the company.”

Daniel pointed at him. “I like the way you think.”

“All right, idea man. Enough stalling.” Brent tugged his king-size Kevlar vest over his head. “Did you bail because of my sister, or what?”

Matt froze in the process of securing his locker. “Excuse me?”

“Lucy’s accordion playing.” Brent snickered. “She’s been known to clear a room.”

Actually, everything about her performance had been adorable. Her obvious nerves, the soft, husky quality of her voice as she sang in French. She’d practically sparkled. Such a parallel to his shadowed life, he could do nothing but stare, feeling ashamed of himself. He’d taken that girl, the blushing girl with curls framing her face, and used her to slake a need she had no business even being aware of. That thought had finally sent him out the door, needing to escape the reminder of what he’d done. How he wanted to do it again. And again.

Then she’d followed him and every self-issued warning had gone flying out the window in a matter of seconds.

Troy saved him from having to answer. “Why did you ask her to play if she’s so terrible?”

“See, that’s how this sibling thing works. I embarrass her because I love her.” Brent strapped on his belt. “Don’t worry, she’s already thinking of a way to get me back. Let’s just hope it doesn’t involve burning my house down.”

Or fucking your best friend blind.
Feeling nauseous, Matt considered the possibility that Lucy might have seduced him to irritate her brother, but just as quickly, discarded the notion. She might have lied to him, but you couldn’t fake their kind of chemistry. Or the way her body had responded under his treatment.
Christ.
Stop thinking about her.

Brent wasn’t finished talking about his sister, however. “I should be getting a call any time now to come bail her out. Maybe turn on the news and see her bungee jumping from the Chrysler Building.”

Matt frowned into his locker. That didn’t sound like the girl he’d spent the day with. A double major at Syracuse. Smart and logical, with an amazing sense of humor. A girl with job opportunities lined up. A detailed itinerary for her week in the city.
Then I heard you call me a nuisance…and I guess I just wanted to be someone who didn’t inspire irritation. Just for one day
. Sympathy stirred inside him before he ground it to a halt. No way would he feel sympathy for her. Anger, yes. Lust,
hell
yes. But he wouldn’t feel sorry for her. Not after she lied.

Daniel laughed. “She’s still up to her old tricks?”

“Actually, she’s been quiet lately. Must be gearing up for a big explosion.” Brent slammed his locker shut and twisted the lock. “I haven’t met her friend Sasha, who she brought with her from Syracuse, though. Maybe she’s the good influence.” He tipped his chin toward Matt. “You gave her a ride. What’s she like, Matty?”

Matt’s eyes slid shut and he fought the sudden urge to punch his locker. Lucy obviously hadn’t told Brent she’d come alone. Why? He didn’t know. Nor did he understand the wave of uneasiness that came with the knowledge that she’d be alone in the city all week. He only knew he was being dragged into her lie now. Making him something he hated. Unless he came clean now. Intending to do just that, he turned. Brent watched him expectantly, perpetually goofy smile in place. Matt couldn’t do it. Maybe if he hadn’t dragged her into a doorway last night and said all manner of dirty things to her, knowing full well who she was, he could have done it. But he had. He even wanted her again, despite her identity. And he didn’t belong anywhere near her.

“Jesus, Matt. You were born in the wrong era.” Brent finished tying the lace of his boot. “You would have made one hell of a silent film star.”

All four of them received an emergency page at the same time. Matt breathed a sigh of relief as they holstered their weapons quickly and left the locker room. His mind should have been on the situation they were heading into.

Instead, he thought about the itinerary Lucy had accidentally left in his car.

…

Lucy picked a spot off to the side of the gathering crowd and spread her blanket down on the grass. She thought she’d gotten to Bryant Park early enough to get a better view, but it was fifteen minutes before the outdoor screening of
Back to the Future
was set to begin and the entire lawn was packed. Couples and groups of friends munched on popcorn or hot dogs; some moviegoers were even sneaking covert sips from brown paper bags. Evening had just fallen and the buzz of excited conversation made Lucy smile. She might be alone, but with so many people around, it didn’t feel quite as lonely as she’d expected. The last six years of her life had been spent hunching over a textbook in a deathly silent library. There was no comparison.

She stretched her legs out on the blanket and kicked off her sandals, enjoying the warm breeze as it lifted the hair from her neck. It felt like she’d been living in jeans and a sweatshirt for most of grad school, so she’d worn a lightweight dress tonight. Freshly shaven legs, a sundress, and no assignments hanging over her head felt divine. She leaned back on her elbows and closed her eyes, for the first time letting herself enjoy what she’d accomplished. The feeling only lasted a few minutes because a prickling started along her scalp. Peeking one eye open, she moved into a cross-legged position and searched for the prickle source.

It didn’t take her long at all to spot him. His stillness gave him away. Across the park, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest, stood Matt. For a split second, before he’d gotten his mask in place, she saw hunger tightening his darkly handsome features. It sent heat moving through Lucy in a slow ripple, making her aware of every inch of her exposed skin. She could hear the quick pace of her breathing, loud to her own ears. The blanket underneath her legs went from comfortable to caressing. What was he doing here? Did he come just to stand there in his uniform looking delicious, merely to torture her? If so, holy smokes, it was working. With desire coursing through her, she felt indecent just being in a public place with so many witnesses.

The movie started then, giant projection screen at the front of the park flashing white, then rolling the opening credits. Still, Matt didn’t move. Why did it feel like he was touching her from a hundred yards away? Everyone around her had settled onto their blankets, wrapped up in nostalgia as Marty McFly enters Doc Brown’s garage in the first scene. She tried to ignore Matt, she really did. He’d made it perfectly clear last night that he wanted nothing to do with her. But her gaze continually returned to him, making sure he was still there. His steady perusal of her distracted her to the point she couldn’t focus on the movie. Finally, she’d had enough. She needed to force him into coming closer or leaving.

Please let him come closer.

Lucy unfolded her legs and slid forward onto her belly. She propped her chin on her hand, and crossing her ankles, she let her legs sway back and forth in the air behind her. It was a provocative pose, especially for a girl sitting by herself, but she took comfort in the fact that no one sat behind her to see her bare thighs on display. As she predicted, though, Matt didn’t like it. When he pushed off the tree wearing a warning expression, a low thrumming began in Lucy’s stomach, spreading lower with each passing second.

These instincts she had where Matt was concerned were completely new, yet she somehow trusted them. She knew what turned him on because it did the same to her. Driving him crazy, pushing his limits, made her feel desirable. It gave her a sense of control while simultaneously giving her permission to lose control. She wanted to tempt him past the point of return so he’d have no choice but to fulfill his needs with her. Somewhere underneath his stoic expression, he wanted it, too, or he wouldn’t be here.

Hands clenching and unclenching at his sides, Lucy could tell he wanted to close the distance between them. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, exposing her neck, while at the same time writhing her hips ever-so-slightly on the blanket. When Matt began stalking his way to her through the crowd, she felt a surge of triumph, but lust quickly blanketed it. Female heads turned in his direction as he passed but he didn’t remove his eyes from her once. Matt held an air of command at all times, but he wore his uniform today, only increasing his air of authority. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted him to refuse to kiss her. Nothing made sense any more.

Matt finally reached her, but she made no move to change her position. A growl lingering in his throat, he knelt down on the blanket beside her.

“Sit up,” he commanded, keeping his voice low. “Immediately.”

“I’m good.”

His gaze lingered on her bottom before coasting down over her thighs. “You’re the opposite of good.”

Everything below her waist tightened. “W-what are you doing here?” she managed.

He sat back on the blanket keeping his legs bent, moving like such a sleek animal that Lucy’s breathing faltered. “Your brother doesn’t know you’re alone. Apparently you weren’t finished lying when I dropped you off on Friday.”

His harsh comment hit home and she finally sat up, wondering if he’d known calling her on her lie would achieve his goal. “Mood killer,” she muttered. “If you came here to knock me down another peg, it’s not necessary. You did a bang-up job of it last night.”