Slow Hands (26 page)

She wanted to claim this man in a very primal way. Conquer his body if not his heart. And she knew exactly how she wanted to do that.

She fondled him a moment, then stood and unbuttoned his shirt, shoved it off his shoulders. Straightening,
she dropped her robe, then slowly, seductively, peeled off her camisole and panties. Standing naked before him, she crooked a finger. "Stand up, please."

Shrugging off his shirt, Alec stood. Keira quickly tugged his jeans down.

A gasp escaped her as his engorged shaft poked straight out. No matter how many times she saw him naked, the sight of him fully erect stole her breath. His penis swayed, heavy. Bold.

Inviting.

Her eyes drifted up, taking in the sleek rippled muscles of his abdomen, the dark whorls of hair on his chest. She shoved him down to the bed. His hands grasped her waist, pulling her along. She climbed on top of him, her legs spread over his hips.

His hands cupped her buttocks, pressing her close as he ground his erection against her mound.

"Easy," she whispered. "I have plans for you. Lie back."

When he obeyed, Keira sat up. And grabbed his hands, one by one, pulling them over his head.

She had no illusions. Knew he
let
her tug his hands over his head. But she had other strengths.

"What kind of plans?" he asked.

She scooted up, straddling his chest before lowering her breast to his mouth. "Naughty ones."

"My favorite." Alec latched on, drawing her nipple deep into his mouth, then suckling as if he'd devour her.

Keira felt an orgasm build, fought it. She was dripping wet, hot. But focused. She held both his hands in one of hers as she shifted, offered her other breast.

Distracted, Alec didn't realize her game until it was too late.

She tugged the sash that now bound his hands to the headboard.

He frowned. "What's this?"

"Let me show you the only reasons to ever tie someone's hands."

She pressed a kiss to his forehead, then to each eye. She kissed his cheek and gently nibbled at his bottom lip before delving deeply into his mouth. Capturing his tongue, she sucked it. Alec made a low noise of approval.

You haven't seen anything,
Keira thought.

Moving lower, she dragged her breasts across his chest, taunting him. The wiry hairs tickled lightly. Her nipples were already sensitized, elongated from Alec sucking them. They drew even tighter with anticipation.

She kissed his neck, nibbled at his collarbone, then took his small flat nipple into her mouth.

When she bit softly, he hissed. When she blew air across the wet surface, he groaned. And when she moved to his other nipple, he begged for more.

His erection pressed along the crease of her bottom. Lifting slightly, she rubbed against it, teasing.

Again, Alec groaned. The bed creaked as he tugged against his restraints. "Careful," she warned. "You'll distract me."

He relaxed his arms. "Wouldn't want to do that."

Moving lower, Keira ran her tongue down his ribs, then bit the tender skin below his navel. She had his erection caged between her breasts, felt the prod of his long shaft.

She looked down at the swollen crown, watched fluid seep from the tip. She moved, kneading his erection between her breasts.

Alec bucked.

"Can't take it?" she taunted.

"I can take anything you can dish out," he gritted.

Smiling, Keira moved lower. "I'll go easy on you."

"Don't."

Avoiding the obvious, Keira skipped down to the inside of his thigh, running nibbling, biting kisses down to the knee of one leg and back up the other.

When her hand finally closed over his shaft, Alec groaned.

She stroked him firmly, fascinated anew by the length, the width, the heat. This part of him was so unique, so different. So male. The flesh was hard as granite, the skin soft as a whisper, quivering with restraint, straining with need.

She lowered her mouth to the pulsing head, licked the single drop of promise.

A shudder rocked him as her mouth dipped lower, her tongue tracing the crooked vein that ran down one side. She licked at the wide base, teasing, testing, before cupping his sac carefully in her hand, weighing the heavy testicles.

This was power. This was trust.

Alec was bound, at her mercy, vulnerable, as she stroked and caressed this most sensitive area. She felt humbled to realize she'd never hurt this man in a thousand years.

Crooning softly, she moved lower still, mouthing the large glands, squeezing ever so gently, massaging.

Alec started swearing, tugging harder on his bonds.

"Easy," she whispered. "We're just getting started."

Drawing back, Keira took the swollen tip of his penis into her mouth, flicked her tongue yet again along the underside. She gently grazed her teeth along the ridge, then closed her mouth tightly over the head and sucked. Hard.

Alec thrashed from side to side.

Emboldened, Keira took him deeper, then drew back; deeper, then drew back, repeating the motion, taking her time, relaxing her throat, practically swallowing him, until most of his shaft disappeared beneath her hungry lips.

"Christ, babe! Harder!" Alec encouraged.

Keira complied, working her mouth up and down his turgid flesh until she felt his control surge near the breaking point. Then she started sucking. Again.

Alec convulsed. "Stop!"

Keira paused long enough to look up at him, continuing to stroke him with her hand. "You didn't say
please."

Then she lowered her mouth, resuming the strokes with her lips, her tongue, the pace frantic.

Color burst behind Alec's eyes. He'd never again say
please
if this was the consequence.

He glanced at the straining muscles of his raised arms, felt the fabric digging in at his wrists. Then he looked down at Keira.

Her fiery red hair was spread out gloriously around her, trailing across his chest, his arms. She shifted, flicking her hair aside with one hand, giving him a clear view of her mouth devouring his flesh.

He could have stayed suspended in that moment forever. Watching her mouth exploit his cock, feeling her hot tongue torment him. It was the perfect balance between two worlds: Heaven and Hell. The best of each. The wicked and the sublime.

Alec started shaking. He felt his limbs grow more taut, muscles bunching, a warning. And still Keira kept at it. Sucking harder. Torturing.

Sensation spiraled, winding tighter. The feeling built, sweeter than life. Utopia was within his grasp.

There was a tearing noise as he ripped free of his bonds. Keira felt the bed shift as Alec raised up. His hands dug into her hair, encouraging her, holding, guiding. Praising.

"That's it, Keira. God, that's it."

She flicked her tongue back and forth, just below the head.

He panted as breathing became difficult. A primitive noise tore from his throat, his voice harsh, ragged, as he recognized the warning signs. "If you . . . don't stop . . ."

She paused, glanced up. "You'll what? Lose it?"

Her hand continued to stroke his penis. The shaft was engorged, swollen to a painful shade of deep purple. His skin felt stretched to bursting.

Locking her eyes on his, she slowly, deliberately lowered her mouth, ran her tongue over the crown, licking him.
In control.

He hissed, tried to speak.

"Give it up, Alec. You're mine," she whispered.

Her mouth closed over him for what she knew would be the final time. She'd give him no choice but to surrender.

Taking his shaft willingly, deep in her throat, her hands groped lower, closing over his testicles. She clutched softly but firmly, then rubbed her thumb along the circle of flesh just behind his sac.

She felt him jerk, struggle for restraint. She pressed, squeezed, denying him that option.

Alec bucked once, twice, knew he was lost, and reveled in her selfless gift. He felt himself start to come, the hot ejaculate seeming to sear his insides as he exploded into her mouth with a raw shout.

She didn't let up, drawing him even deeper as he went over the edge, shouting her name.

Chapter Fourteen

Alec
rose before dawn, to resume his watch on Griggs.

But he couldn't leave without making love to Keira one more time. His cock surged, greedy. He nuzzled her neck, barely bringing her up from sleep before driving into her with a strength and fullness that surprised him.

The room smelled of sex and sweat, with a faint overlay of honeysuckle. They'd made love countless times during the night. That he could even get a hard-on after Keira went down on him was a miracle. He'd never experienced an orgasm that deep, that powerful. That draining.

She stirred beneath him now, all soft, all feminine. So tight. So hot. He pumped his hips, fast and furious. She came quickly. Alec, too, the intensity all the sharper for the brevity. He held her close, felt a sharp yearning for time to stop. A wish it could
be
this way always. It wouldn't.

"Go back to sleep, babe," he whispered before leaving.

He stopped at a diner outside of town and grabbed coffee to go. He debated briefly about taking a cup back to the motel for Keira. She was probably still in bed ...

A Dodge truck pulled into the diner's parking lot. Eddie Barry climbed out, sauntered over to where Alec stood.

"Heard you were looking for me yesterday." Eric scratched his beard. "Got a problem?"

Alec had a problem with anyone who harassed Keira. Especially the Barrys' particular brand of harassment. "No. You do. Stay the hell away from Keira Morgan."

Eddie smiled. "If she can't take the heat, she needs to find a different line of work."

"Maybe it's you and your brother that need to find a different line of work. I hear she's practically run you out of business."

The other man's smirk disappeared. "We can't compete with somebody who spreads her legs to get business. And everybody knows that's how she steals our jobs."

Alec moved closer, felt his temper flare. "She gets bids because she gets the job done right. Without trying to extort kickbacks."

"Why you—" Eric took a swing, caught Alec's jaw. “Course, maybe I'd feel the same way if I was fucking her."

Alec retaliated with a punch to Eddie's stomach. Eddie swung again, missed.

Alec caught him with a solid uppercut. "You're not fit to say her name."

Eddie fell back, hit the ground, and rolled away.

A hand grabbed Alec's shoulder. He turned quickly, fists drawn, and found two of Keira's employees standing behind him. The men had obviously stopped for breakfast on their way to the job site.

Jake, Keira's senior crew chief, looked at Eddie. "If I were you, I'd stay down."

At first Eddie didn't move. He swiped a hand across his mouth, saw the blood. "If my brother had been here .. ."

Alec shrugged. "Your brother knows where to find me."

The other man, who had arrived with Jake, cracked his knuckles. "He knows where to find me, too. We'll settle it once and for all."

Swearing, Eddie pushed to his feet, making his way to his truck on unsteady feet.

"Keira won't like it when she hears," Jake said. "She doesn't want anyone fighting her battles."

"Guess she'll have to fire me," Alec replied.

He talked with the men a few more minutes, then headed back to Freedom.

Decking Eddie Barry had felt damn good. And while he doubted the man would change completely, he'd bet Eddie would think twice before harassing Keira again while Alec was in town.

But would he remember the lesson once Alec was gone?

Back at the motel, Keira tried to go back to sleep but couldn't. Her mind wandered down dark tunnels, even as her body ached with a desire that seemed only to grow with each encounter. As if she gave a little part of herself to Alec each time they made love.

Last night, he had again urged her to move in with him. It was tempting, but she held back.

Moving in with him seemed too . . . permanent. Too much like a long-term commitment. And it was fraught with potential for heartache. It was too easy to form attachments, to surrender her independence.

To be shattered when he left again.

Restless, she rose, showered, and headed to work.

With Sally's wedding looming, Keira only stayed one night in Hot Springs. She saw little of Alec, though they talked frequently on the phone.

She knew his frustration over the assignment mirrored her own. The sheriff's department had found no clues from the spider incident the other night. Griggs seemed indeed the model parolee.

She'd heard about the brawl between Alec and Eddie Barry. Normally, the news would have infuriated her. Instead, it made her feel soft, which she resisted.

Soft meant vulnerable. A no-no where Alec was concerned. And even though Alec didn't really work for her, she made a point to chew him out in front of a few other employees. She wouldn't tolerate her authority being undermined.

Thursday evening the bridesmaids treated the bride to dinner, and Friday was the rehearsal. Keira spent both nights with Franny.

While she still felt uneasy about being in her apartment, she'd forced herself to spend a little time there each day.

It angered her to think that someone had shattered the sense of safety she'd always felt at home. Still, she had a sophisticated alarm system installed. And found herself more frequently checking the gun Alec had given her.

Saturday morning dawned with the promise of beautiful weather. A perfect day for a wedding. Even the unrelenting heat took a vacation, leaving the air comfortable and pleasant for a change.

The bride and her attendants descended early on Franny's shop, which was closed to the public.

The other salon hairdressers manicured, pedicured, washed, and rolled the females of the bridal party, then glitzed and glammed them till they sparkled like jewels.

Mabel limited them to two glasses of champagne each. "Don't want anyone stumbling up the aisle," she said firmly. "And there'll be plenty of time to party afterward, at the reception."

Sally looked radiant, with her dark glossy hair and huge brown eyes. Her gown was a delicate, strapless creation of lace, pearls, and crystals, with a long, fan-shaped train.

The six bridesmaids' dresses mirrored the bride's summery strapless look, but in pale green silk. Pearls and baby's breath were woven into the bridesmaids' hair, completing the simple but elegant look.

At three-thirty, two limos arrived for the ladies, transferred them to the church.

A string quartet played at the front, near the altar, as guests were escorted in. Finally, the groom and his party entered with the preacher.

A hush fell over the crowd as the organist began playing. All eyes turned as, one by one, the bridesmaids started up the aisle.

Keira found herself looking for Alec, knew he was there. She'd spent two restless nights dreaming of him, of making love to him. Her thoughts as she glided up the aisle were definitely not suited to a church.

When the wedding march started, a collective
"oh"
went up from the crowd as they pushed to their feet.

Sally's father accompanied his daughter up the aisle in a motorized wheelchair. When they reached the altar, her father suddenly stopped the chair and stood, walking the last few steps to proudly announce that "her mother and I give our daughter, in love."

There wasn't a dry eye in the place.

Keira watched the ceremony with a lump in her throat. The candlelight service, traditional and reverent, was lovely beyond words. Boisterous, energetic Sally could scarcely repeat her vows.

 
I, Keira, take thee Alec . . .

How many times had she practiced those words? Then banned them from memory.

It was times like these, when the beauty of a moment threatened to overwhelm her, that she realized how embittered she'd grown after Alec's betrayal. She really hadn't gotten over him. She'd put away her feelings, learned to soldier on. Had even built a satisfying life.

But she'd never contemplated marriage with anyone else.

The guests erupted in applause, and Keira realized the preacher had just announced them man and wife.

She dabbed at the corner of her eye, thankful once again for Mabel, who'd handed each bridesmaid an embroidered handkerchief just before the service started.

The bridal party remained at the church with the photographer. The next thirty minutes were a haze of flashing lights and commands to smile.

At last, they were free to join the reception at the adjacent social hall.

Alec approached Keira as soon as she entered, pressed a drink in her hand. His eyes flicked over the pile of curls pinned atop her head. He'd have fun undoing it later.

He bent forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. He glanced down, admiring the soft swell of bosom visible above her gown.

"You look gorgeous," he murmured. "And sexy. I hate when you're dressed like this around other men."

Keira found his remark titillating. "All the bridesmaids are wearing the same dress."

She accepted the drink, a champagne cocktail, letting her eyes drift approvingly over Alec. He looked exceptionally sharp in a dark Armani suit and tie.

She noticed several women eyeing him with interest until he took her hand and kissed it. There was no doubt about the possessiveness of that action. She'd just been claimed. A shiver coursed up her arm.

Darryl and Franny joined them. Darryl nodded at Alec's glass. "You'll need several to catch up to them. I know a case of champagne was delivered to the salon this morning."

Franny giggled. "There were a lot of us there. Besides, Mabel cut us off, made us promise not to get drunk until after the
I-do's.
All bets are off now, though."

Alec looked at Keira and lifted his glass in a mock salute. "The ceremony's over: Time to celebrate. And I'm
your
designated driver. Have at it."

The wedding coordinator appeared and herded Keira and Franny off toward a front table.

Dinner was a sumptuous, nontraditional Hawaiian luau. The best man and maid of honor narrated a brief slide show featuring the most embarrassing childhood pictures of the bride and groom. Afterward, toasts were made and the cake was cut.

"Party time," Sally announced loudly. She raised her glass to Keira and Franny. "To girlfriends."

"To girlfriends." Keira drained her glass.

By the time the music started playing, Keira was feeling no pain, but neither was anyone else. It felt good to be in a safe place, surrounded by friends, raising the roof for a happy occasion.

After the required first dances for the bride and groom, and parents, the DJ announced a dance just for the bridal party. Alec pulled Keira to her feet and onto the floor.

"You're not part of the bridal party," she pointed out.

Alec shrugged. "So?" He swept her softly to the music. "I'm tired of sharing you. For the rest of the evening, you're mine."

His words, the tone, made her feel wistful, made her want to melt. She tried to keep distance between them, but Alec wouldn't cooperate.

He tugged her close, pressed his mouth against her ear. "Did you ever think about us having a big wedding like this?"

Keira mis-stepped, but Alec covered, leading her right back into sync. A sharp, familiar spasm washed over her.
Regret.

An emotion she was tired of feeling. And the only way to banish the emotion was to face it.

"I think every female entertains the idea at some point," she began cautiously, avoiding his eyes. "Franny and I probably planned our weddings a hundred different times."

"To a hundred different men?"

She faltered. Franny had planned to marry several rock stars. But Keira had only ever wanted to marry one person.