Like Arrows (Cedar Tree #6) Read online

  "That's not good news," she says looking solemn.

  "It is and it isn't. Yes, he's powerful but now that we have confirmed his connection to Vedica, we know what we're up against. Drew is calling in the FBI. I've no doubt they would've swarmed in at some point, considering what we're dealing with, but with Drew beating them to the punch, it becomes more of a collaborative effort than a turf war. In the meantime, my focus becomes keeping you safe until they can pin him down."

  "Haven't you been doing that from the start?" she points out smartly, making me smile.

  "Yes. But now I get to devote all my time to it." The implication is thick and she gets it. Gives it away with the sharp inhale of air and the quick look down at her hands.

  I slip out of the truck and move to the passenger side to let her out, craving the opportunity to put my hands on her to help her down. Her body is so soft and warm, I can't resist wrapping my arm around her waist and pressing her against the door. With the back of my fingers I stroke the skin of her cheek.

  "So soft," I murmur. "Every bit of skin I've touched on you so far has been softer than anything I know. Can't wait to explore every last inch."

  Her eyes grow large at my hungry words, and I'm sure the raging hard-on pressing into her belly is not going unnoticed either. I lean in for a taste of her mouth, but before I have a chance to explore too deeply, someone clears their throat nearby. I look up to see an elderly couple patiently waiting to get into their car. The one parked right beside my truck.

  With a smile of apology, I move from between the vehicles, pulling Kim along with me.

  "Where is Boo?" she finally asks as we step into the elevator.

  "With Caleb at his place. He's got a big mutt, Blue. I thought the two might get along. Seem to be so far."

  "Blue?"

  "Actually Katie's dog. Walked up to their house a stray and he kind of adopted Katie. Has proven to be very protective of her and Mattias. He is very alpha, which didn't seem to bother Boo much. I'm sorry to say, your dog rolled over on his back the moment those two met. Totally submissive."

  Kim giggles out loud, despite the hand she puts over her mouth. Love that joyful, unrestricted sound. When the elevator doors open, I grab her hand and walk her to the door, where she stops. Pulling her hand from mine, she starts digging through her purse for the key card. I reach around and take it out of her hand, sliding it in the lock and pushing the door open.

  Without a word, she drops her purse on the dining room table, and turns around to face me.

  "Do you want a drink? We don't have beer, only wine. Or coffee? I could make some coffee." She wrings her hands nervously as she slips past me into the kitchen.

  I don't let her get far before I come up behind her and cage her in between my arms leaning on the counter. With my head bent down I breathe in the scent of her, my lips skimming the shell of her ear. I can feel a shiver running down her body.

  "Turn around, Nizhóní."

  Her body turns slowly, before her luminous eyes make it all the way up to mine. I make no effort to hide the hunger I feel for her and I can see a touch of fear and a whole lot of uncertainty in her face. But the moment her small white teeth bite down on her bottom lip, I put my hands under her arms and lift her on the counter. As her eyes widen in surprise, I put my hands on the outside of her knees, pushing her dress up as I go. Her skin is so fucking soft and smooth. Wedging my hips between her legs, my hands find her luscious ass and I press my hips into her heat at the same time my mouth slams down on hers. A small sound of protest escapes her but in the next instant her hands come up and curl around my neck. The small grunts she makes in the back of her throat drive me wild. So fucking responsive. I can feel her nipples pebble against my chest. I revel in the feel of the soft stroke of her tongue against mine, the lush flesh of her ass pliant in my hands. I have to have her. With one hand on her ass, I bring the other around to stroke over her thigh up to the slick evidence of her arousal.

  "God," I pull my mouth from hers, "you are so ready for me." I look down and watch my two fingers slide inside her tight channel and pull away slick. "Lean back," I tell her before pulling her ass to the edge of the counter and sinking down to my knees. In one swift move I have her panties down her legs and her feet propped up on my shoulders, her shoes discarded on the floor beside me. The view is fantastic. The trimmed patch of soft dark hair stark above the flushed deep pink of her pussy. Her scent is even better and I lean in to have my first taste.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  "There is nothing as eloquent as a rattlesnake’s tail."

  ~ Navajo

  Kim

  "Mal..."

  His name slips from my mouth when the heat of his tongue touches me. My feet are up on his shoulder and my knees fall open wide when he presses the inside of my thighs with his hands. His thumbs spread me open and the long rasp of his tongue along my crease, just shy of my clit has my back arc up off the counter. Another stroke, firmer, this one also stopping just short.

  "You're delicious," he mumbles as he licks me a third time, but this time he flicks just the tip of his tongue over the little bundle of nerves, already screaming for his attention. My thighs clench around his head, my clit already almost too sensitive to the touch.

  How did I go from zero to a hundred in an instant? I've never enjoyed oral. Not on me and not by me. But I'm starting to think it wasn't in the experience but in the execution, because this is fucking phenomenal. I feel a sense of abandon, lying here spread out like a banquet while this gorgeous man feasts on me. The two fingers he slides back in stretch me to the edge of painful. Only for an instant though, before his lips and tongue flicking and sucking my clit bring me back from that edge. I've read about G-spots and only had an abstract idea until his fingers curl inside me and press up. It's like a magic button. With the strong tug of his mouth, and his fingers' firm pressure, I come apart. My vision blurs and my head is light as my hips inadvertently twist and jerk against his persistent mouth.

  "My God..." I manage, barely coherent. When I look down between my legs, his dark obsidian eyes are watching me.

  "Fucking glorious, watching you come apart for me."

  With a simple kiss between my legs, he stands up, wraps my legs around his hips, and with his hands firmly clasping my ass, lifts me up.

  "I'm too heavy," I protest, grabbing on to his shoulders.

  "Which one is yours," he growls, not responding to my words, but simply carrying me in the direction I wave my hand. The door is open and he walks right over to the bed where he gently lays me back. I instinctively close my legs and roll protectively on my side, but he won't have it.

  "Do not hide yourself. I think your body is fucking amazing—don't you dare hide it from me," he says as he turns back to shut the door.

  Well. Okay then. I try not to think about how I must look to him when I roll to my back, my jelly belly on full display. My attention is immediately drawn to him. He stands by my feet, looking at me like a starving man and I'm the last slice of bread in the basket. Without taking his eyes off me, he grabs the edge of his T-shirt and whips it over his head, pulling his hair tie out along with it. His almost black hair falls around his shoulders. He looks magnificent. Strong angular features, dark arched eyebrows and a slight bump halfway up the bridge of his shapely nose, nicely shaped full lips and a square jaw down to the strong column of his neck. I let my eyes drift lower and take in the wide shoulders and muscular arms, the tattoo of three arrows pointing up to his shoulder and a tribal band around his arm. I focus lower, on the ridges of his abdomen and the fine dusting of hair narrowing toward where his hands are working on the buttons of his fly. With swift movements he pushes his jeans and boxer briefs over his hips, pulling a condom from the pocket as he shoves them down his legs. I can't help my gasp when his formidable cock is released. As strong and long as his physique, it juts out from his body proudly, like the man. A bead of pre-come visible at the tip and I inadvertently lick my lips. He tosses the condom p
acket on the bed beside me.

  "Uhh..." I mumble when he sets a knee in the bed, coming toward me. "Don't know if that will fit."

  One side of his mouth tilts up into a cocky little smile. "Oh, it will fit. Don't you worry." His movements are predatory and I'm not sure if I shouldn't be feeling a little concern. Damn.

  Sitting back on his calves, he pulls me up to a sitting position before finding the zipper to my dress, which is bunched up around my waist.

  "You can leave that," I try, but again, my protests go unheard. Instead, he pulls the dress over my head and off. And just like that, I'm sitting, buck-assed naked across from this virtual God.

  "Lay back, nizhóní," he says softly, mesmerizing me.

  "Nizo... whatever. You've called me that before, what does it mean?"

  "Nizhóní, it means beautiful. Not just a description, but more a concept. Now, Beauty, I believe I told you to lay back. Let me look my fill before I bury myself inside you."

  With a little shiver at his words, I do as he asks. Even if he hadn't just called me beautiful, the expression on his face is clearly one of appreciation. He reaches out a hand, spreads his fingers wide and drags them from my hairline, gently down my face, over my chin and neck, between my breasts and over the soft swell of my belly to the hair between my legs.

  "Open for me," he whispers, barely making a sound and without thinking I find myself opening wide.

  In that moment I would do anything he asked. I'm so entranced by his focus, his words, his touch. With legs open, eyes open and my heart open as well, I watch him roll on the condom before lowering himself on top of me.

  Ahh, the feel of his skin against mine. So incredible. My arms immediately go around his shoulders and my fingers tangle in his long strands. His mouth takes mine and when his tongue slips inside, I can still taste myself on him. The blunt head of his cock teases my slick entrance before slowly advancing inside. The stretch burns and I inhale sharply through my nose.

  "Relax honey, let me inside. Trust me," he mumbles against my mouth. I let my legs fall open wider and slowly breathe out as he slides in. All the way in.

  He's careful, very gentle when he first starts moving inside me, but despite having come minutes before, I quickly become restless.

  "Please, Mal, I need to... Harder, please," I plead with him, needing more. My hands grab on to his firm ass, encouraging his movement.

  He slips an arm around my back, pushing me up the bed against the headboard, stuffing a pillow under my ass.

  "Brace yourself." Is all he says before grabbing the back of my knees and pulling my legs around his hips. With one of his arms propped up against the headboard, the other hand guides his cock as he slams home, balls slapping against my skin. The pace is fierce, furious, and I find myself bracing both hands above my head, bucking my hips in tandem with his. Sweat glistens from his face to his chest, showing the straining tendons in his neck.

  "Close," I breathe, "so close..."

  The moment his thumb presses on my clit, he takes my mouth in a plundering kiss, swallowing my cry of release. His own movements become erratic and ripping his lips from mine, he throws his head back and roars out his own orgasm.

  Absolute beauty.

  Mal

  "Stay," I mumble when Kim tries to slip out of bed. "Too early."

  Actually, a quick glance at the clock shows it's seven in the morning. After we both came hard last night, fatigue took over and she'd been asleep on my chest in minutes. It had taken me a lot longer, listening to hear deep breathing, my fingers trailing up and down over her soft skin, until I finally dozed off well after I heard Katie and Emma come in.

  I sit up, wrap my arms around her midsection and pull her back down on me.

  "Mal, I need coffee," she mutters, struggling a little but without much conviction. I flip us, so she is on her back and I'm half on her, my leg keeping hers trapped and my head up on my elbow so I can look at her. With daylight filtering in, I'm able to take in the tousled hair, slightly swollen eyelids that give her a sultry look and a red spot on one cheek, from sleeping on it. She lies perfectly still while I let my eyes wander to her ample breasts, pink tips tightening under my scrutiny. I can see the moment she tries to suck in her stomach and I guess it's instinctive for her, but I don't like it. Putting my hand on the soft pillow of her belly, I look back to her face.

  "I like this belly. I like how it welcomes my body when I rest on you. Love how my fingers can sink into your flesh, making me feel like we're melding. You're soft and round all over, in perfect contrast with my angles and hard lines. Nothing I would change about you. Not a thing."

  I see her swallow down her reaction before she visibly relaxes under me, her big shiny eyes on mine when she starts talking.

  "I'm ashamed that I'm ashamed of my body. Does that even make sense? I mean, I was raised to believe it was a shameful thing to be bigger than average. It's all I've known. Even as an adult I equated success with slim people and failure with fat ones."

  I don't bother rejecting that notion, because it's ludicrous.

  "I'm starting to understand that makes me as judgmental as anyone out there." Her eyes trail off to the side and for a moment I think I've lost her to her thoughts, but then they snap back to me. "When I left Vegas twelve years ago, I'd just found my boyfriend and my best friend naked on the couch in his apartment. On my birthday. He said some things that hammered home what my mother had been telling me for years. It didn't help Mia was tall and svelte and gorgeous. Her betrayal was almost worse than his."

  "What's his name?" I find myself grinding out through clenched teeth, but Kim just chuckles, lifting her hand and stroking my face. Soothing.

  "He doesn't matter. But I did see Mia last night. She pretended not to know me but since she was our waitress it was difficult for her to keep the act up. Especially after I made it clear I remember her quite well. All these years I'd been thinking that the pretty girl won. And all this time she'd been thinking I was the lucky one. Ironic, isn't it?"

  "Is that why you didn't want to go out after?" I ask, lazily stroking her stomach.

  "No. Maybe partially. I was really tired. I tire easily and didn't want to wake up hurting today, with Kerry coming in tonight."

  "I may have tired you out more. Are you sore?" I feel only a hint of guilt for almost attacking her last night. Wanting to sleep with her wasn't why I had to come, but it had taken only one look at her luscious body in that deceptively seductive dress, one whiff of her unique scent, and being inside her was all I could think about.

  The smile on her face softens her words. "I am, but only because I was out of practice. Twelve years out of practice, so trust me when I say, I welcome this kind of sore."

  Twelve years of abstinence? I mean, I haven't been with anyone since before I took Kendra on a date, but prior to that I would occasionally hook up with Serena when the mood hit me. And before that—before I changed my life around—I'd tap anything willing. So I can't say I've been a choirboy, but since settling in Cedar Tree my priorities have started changing. Now that I've met Kim, I know they're in the right place. I might not have recognized all she has to offer back then.

  "Holy shit," comes out of my mouth and I watch her eyes go big in response before she bursts out laughing. Fuck—I love hearing her laugh. Just as fast her face turns serious again.

  "Not that I'm...I mean, I'm not assuming...I don't have expectations, if that's what you think. I didn't say that to put any pressure on you. I mean, I don't want to sound like—" I shut down her stammering by closing my mouth over hers and kissing her until I feel her hands tangle in my hair and her breathing turn choppy.

  "Kimeo." I barely make a sound when my lips move against hers. "Not going to take that gift lightly and most definitely coming back for more. I played—plenty. Can't lie about that, but I'm not playing with you. Pleased as fuck you trust me with you, and I'm right where I want to be. Don't doubt my intentions, Nizhóní."

  For a moment she simply
stares at me, a war of emotions raging in her eyes before she finally nods. "Okay." He voice is a mere whisper.

  "Okay," I whisper back. "Now I believe you mentioned coffee?" I add on a smile, getting a timid one in return before she comes up, swings her legs over the side, leans back to me and kisses my lips lightly. I watch her as she—still a little uncomfortable in her skin—moves over to her suitcase and pulls out a shirt and some stretchy pants. Clothes clasped to her chest, she darts into the bathroom, giving me a splendid view of her jiggling backside.

  By the time I've pulled on my jeans and tugged my tee over my head, I head into the kitchen where Kim is bent over snatching her shoes and underwear from the floor. I'd forgotten we'd left them discarded on the floor. Poor Kim looks mortified when I take the items from her and gently nudge her back into the kitchen.

  "I'll take these to your room. Relax."

  Her eyes shoot fire when she hisses, "Relax? You realize that would've been the first thing they saw coming in last night?"

  As if she summoned them, one of the doors on the other side of the living room opens, revealing a sleep tousled Katie. Complete with a Cheshire cat smile.

  "I'm guessing it's a good morning?" she teases.

  "Katie..." I warn her when I notice Kim's look of mortification.

  "Chill, little brother. I'm nothing but happy. For both of you."

  The little brother remark almost has me laughing because by my count, Katie is still younger than I am and certainly a shitload smaller. Katie's focus is on Kim though, walking straight up to her and putting her arm around her, squeezing her shoulder.

  "So. You do coffee and I'll cook breakfast when Emma wakes up?" I hear her say to Kim when I walk into the bedroom and toss Kim's stuff on the bed, before taking my turn in the bathroom. I left my bag out in the truck, so after my shower I slip into my jeans sans underwear and use Kim's toothbrush. Hope she doesn't mind.