Search and Seduce Read online

  He felt the moment her body tightened around him. He saw it in her eyes. She let out a low moan, a sound he knew would be burned into his memory.

  “Come with me,” she said.

  His jaw clenched as the first spasm shook him, his body ready and willing to follow her orders. He kept his eyes open, letting her watch as the sensations ripped through him. Emotions followed as if surfing the waves of his orgasm, leaving behind words and desires that did not belong in this moment.

  Mine. Don’t let her go.

  Mark rested his forehead against the door, closing his eyes. He’d meant to do this right, to lay her down on the bed and make love to her. Amy ought to be cherished, not taken up against the door in a frantic mating. This should have been about her, damn it. He knew she’d come, but that wasn’t enough.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, slowly stepping back, holding his breath as he waited for her to pick up her clothes and run away again. After the way he’d given in to his desires, he deserved to be left alone to battle his need to keep her.

  “For what?” she asked, her voice still breathless as if she was just now finding her way back to reality.

  “I didn’t mean for it to be like this.”

  She took his hand, leading him past the pile of clothes on the floor, to the bed. Releasing him, she lay down on her side, one elbow bent with her head resting in her palm.

  “If you think you can do better,” she said, her voice filled with a sensual promise. “Show me.”

  17

  AMY PATTED THE MATTRESS with her free hand as her challenge hung in the air between them. Stretching her legs, allowing her thighs to rub together, she drew his gaze to the parts of her that begged for more. She couldn’t imagine anything better than the feel of his powerful body pushing into her with her back up against the door. His lovemaking had felt urgent and necessary, as if waiting would deplete them both of what they needed.

  But then he’d apologized while she was lost in the aftershocks of an orgasm. The parts of her still reeling from pure pleasure begged to know what he’d envisioned for tonight. Right now, she’d willingly follow him anywhere. He could tie her up, blindfold her, whatever turned him on.

  When she’d set out to redefine her life, she’d never imagined she would end up here. He had awoken something inside her, leaving her blissfully uninhibited. The shy girl who’d waited, watching her life slip by—that girl was gone.

  Amy rolled onto her back, running her hands over her breasts, teasing her nipples. She heard his sharp inhale.

  “Mark,” she said, turning her head to look at him, noting how quickly his body was recovering from their first round. “Come here.”

  Jaw tight, he nodded, turning first to his bag and withdrawing a second condom. But instead of rolling it on, he set it beside her on the bed and climbed up, straddling her hips. Gently, he drew her hands away from her breasts and covered them with his own.

  He stared down at her, studying her. Amy knew his face. She had spent years reading his expressions. But this look, lust tempered with something more, was new and unfamiliar.

  Amy held her breath as Mark leaned forward, lowering his lips to her neck. He trailed kisses over her skin, swirling his tongue, driving her to arch up and press the hard points of her nipples into his hands. He nipped her earlobe, and she moaned, a soft throaty sound she couldn’t control.

  “Amelia Mae.” His rough, low voice left her reaching for him, needing to touch. “I’m going to worship every inch of your body. I am going to feel you come against my mouth, my hands, and then with your tight heat wrapped around me.”

  “Yes,” she pleaded, closing her eyes.

  In the back of her mind, that one word—worship—echoed. Make love to her, deliver orgasms in sweet succession—yes. She did not want adoration, not from Mark.

  His mouth claimed hers, kissing her deeply. His fingers pinched her nipples as his hips lowered to hers. He rubbed against her without slipping inside, and that word drifted away.

  “Yes, please, Mark,” she said. “Show me.”

  * * *

  HOURS LATER, AFTER he’d fulfilled his promise, bringing her to one orgasm after another, he fell back onto the sheets, breathing hard. Amy smiled down at him, her body still humming with mind-blowing pleasure as her mind moved away from a solitary focus on words like yes, more and Mark to the one that hovered over them like a rain cloud. Leaving.

  It was time for her to go, return to her own bed, before she woke up in the morning with regrets. Sitting up, she moved to the edge of the bed, her feet touching the bare floor.

  “Amy, don’t go.” He reached for her hand, interlaced their fingers. “Let me hold you.”

  Slowly, knowing she was perilously close to breaking rule four—no strings and no promises—she slid beneath the sheets. Mark pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her as if he worried she might bolt if he let her go.

  “I’ll stay, Mark,” she said, resting her head on his chest. “I’ll stay.”

  In the back of her mind, she knew she wasn’t the one who needed to say those words. But she could revisit that thought in the morning, maybe find another loophole. Right now, Mark was here with her, safe in bed, holding her tight.

  * * *

  AMY STARED AT the guest room ceiling listening to the unfamiliar sound of a man snoring softly beside her as sunlight peeked in through the bedroom windows. Add in the fact that his arm rested across her middle, his hand covering her breast as if even in sleep he couldn’t stop touching her, and her world felt as if it had rotated one hundred and eighty degrees. Her stomach rumbled, punctuating the thought.

  Carefully, she slid out of bed and headed for the door. In the hall, Jango fell in step beside her, his head nudging her hand. She led the dog to the back door without offering excuses for leaving him on the other side last night. She’d taken something for herself and given everything she had to offer, in bed at least, in return. She refused to feel guilty. She opened the door, and Jango dutifully trotted out. Turning back to the kitchen, Amy headed for the coffeemaker.

  Strong arms wrapped around her waist as she poured in the water, drawing her back against a wall of muscle.

  “Good morning,” Mark said.

  Amy smiled. “Hi, sorry to sneak out, but I was hungry.”

  Mark released her, turning to the fridge and opening the door. “I heard you leave, sweetheart,” he said, his tone light and teasing.

  Amy fumbled the coffee filters, spilling the box on the counter. But Mark scanned the empty shelves, seemingly unaware. Gathering the scattered filters, she placed one in the coffeemaker, focusing on her task, not the surprise at hearing endearments from her friend.

  She’d woken wondering if Mark would struggle with the secret she’d shared last night. Would it haunt him, hanging over them like a cloud?

  But the day felt new and fresh. He’d teased her, calling her sweetheart. If he was struggling, he was hiding it well.

  Mark closed the fridge and turned to her, holding out a paper plate covered in plastic wrap. “It’s leftover mini quiche and cookies or nothing.”

  Amy laughed, leaning toward him, brushing her lips across his as she took the plate from his hands. “Perfect.”

  Mark followed her to the table and sat beside her. “What’s on your list for today?”

  “I think you boys have earned a break.” She selected a jam-drop cookie. “This is your vacation, after all.”

  Mark took her hand and squeezed. “I’d rather spend my downtime with you, than kicking around this town.”

  “Great.” Amy glanced at their joined hands. “I know one little puppy who will be happy to see you.”

  Today was her new beginning. She had to hold tight to that thought. And Mark wasn’t leaving. Not today, and probably not tonight.

  * * *

  MARK FOLLOWED AMY, cradling Rosie in his arms. The other puppies raced ahead into the fenced-in area containing the obstacle course, but Rosie seemed content to snuggle close,
occasionally lifting her nose to lick his chin.

  Amy stopped in front of the kiddie pool filled with plastic balls. Foxtrot glanced back at them as if asking for permission.

  “Dive in,” Amy said as she turned and took Rosie from his arms. Her hands brushed his chest. The casual touch felt intimate after last night. He’d caressed every inch of her body, learning the places that sparked her desire.

  “Sorry, girl,” Amy said. “But you can’t spend all day in his arms.”

  But you could. His jaw tightened as Amy bent over and set the reluctant pup in the pool alongside her brothers and sisters. He resisted the urge to wrap his hands around her waist and press up against her. He couldn’t. Not out here in the open. But in the veterinary exam room?

  His cock stirred, picturing the way she’d looked yesterday, her hands flat on the metal table. He’d told himself last night was enough. But seeing her smiling, devouring cookies with her coffee, had left him wanting more, another night to make love to her and fall asleep holding her close.

  “We could let them explore. They won’t drown without water in the pool.” He moved behind her, his hands giving in to the urge to grab her hips, allowing her to feel how she turned him on.

  She leaned her head back against his shoulder. “Can you hold that thought until the end of the morning training session?”

  “How long do you plan to keep them out here?” He nipped at her earlobe, needing a taste. “Might get a little uncomfortable.”

  “Hmm,” she murmured, rocking her backside against him. Releasing her right hip, he ran his hand over her jeans, down between her legs, pressing the heal of his hand against the place he’d licked and sucked last night.

  “If we wait too long, I might strip you down out here.”

  “I’m not that wild,” she said, stealing glances at the puppies, who were actively exploring the obstacle course.

  “Yes, Amy. You are. You’re wild and fun.” She turned in his arms, mirroring his movements as she wrapped one hand around his hard length through his pants. Mark closed his eyes.

  “And I want to play,” he added, his voice a low growl of need.

  “A game?”

  He opened his eyes, his lips forming a wicked smile. “I’m going to count to ten, and then I’m going to find you. And when I do...”

  Amy laughed, breaking free from his arms. “You’d better start counting. And no peeking!”

  Mark obeyed, ticking off the numbers as he listened for movement. He had years of search-and-rescue training. He could find one woman when the prize was a helluva lot more exciting.

  “Ten,” he called, opening his eyes and scanning the fenced-in area. “Ready or not, here I come.”

  He swore he heard the words oh, I’m ready, coming from the far left corner of the obstacle course. The tunnel. Mark jogged over, peered inside and found Amy.

  He extended his hand to draw her out. “Wasn’t much of a challenge.”

  “Hmm, maybe not.” Her hands moved over his chest as she stepped into his embrace. “But I wanted to get to the ‘here I come’ part.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Mark wrapped his hands around her hips. “As the winner, I deserve a reward.”

  Her blue eyes flashed with sensual promise. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I want your shirt.” He stepped away, placing his hands on his hips, waiting for her to strip it off.

  She slowly raised the fabric inch by inch, revealing her smooth stomach, the edge of her lace bra. Drawing the T-shirt over her head, she tossed it aside. A second later, Mark had her in his arms, his hand running over the lace, touching and teasing her breasts. His lips found hers, kissing her deeply.

  “Amy?”

  He felt her tense at the sound of Luke’s voice and broke away. Stumbling back, her eyes wide, she looked past him. The door leading to the kennel slammed.

  “Maybe they didn’t see,” she said, confirming that both Benton brothers were headed their way.

  “Amy.” His voice remained calm despite the waves of guilt crashing down on him, one after another. She was topless in a field because of him, dammit. “We’re not that far from the door.”

  And they’re soldiers. Nothing wrong with their vision.

  Mark turned to face the two men marching toward them, careful to keep Amy hidden behind him. He kept his gaze on the brothers as he tugged his T-shirt over his head and handed it back to Amy.

  With Luke and T.J. only a few feet away, Mark widened his stance, bracing for a hit. He stood a few inches taller than the brothers, but it would still be two against one. And Mark didn’t plan to fight back. Shit, if he’d caught a man touching Amy, he’d do the same. But for different reasons.

  Barking, high-pitched and fierce, diverted his attention from the approaching men. He glanced sideways, watching as Rosie raced in front of him. She stopped short of clamping her jaw around Luke’s or T.J.’s ankles, but refused to let them closer. Foxtrot and Charlie followed, ready to join in the fun. The Benton brothers halted, both knowing better than to challenge the pups.

  Amy issued a sharp command, but the puppies ignored her. Bending down, Mark quickly gathered Rosie into his arms.

  “Calm down, girl,” he said. Luke stared at him as if debating whether he was trying to use the puppy as a shield. Once Mark felt the dog relax, he set her down at his feet. “Stay.”

  Arms crossed in front of his chest, he stood to face the brothers.

  “Mind telling me what that was?” Luke demanded. His carefree, smiling veneer had vanished, replaced with a cold, hard glare. The threat of a fist to the jaw alive and present in his tone.

  “It looks like someone has a hard time keeping her clothes on around Mark,” T.J. added, sliding his hands into his pockets.

  “None of your business.” Amy moved to Mark’s side, his T-shirt hanging down to her thighs.

  Luke and T.J. ignored her, focusing on Mark.

  “When you said there were guys in town getting ideas that Amy might be available,” T.J. said mildly, “you failed to mention you were one of them.”

  “I didn’t want to be.” Mark didn’t owe these men an explanation, but they needed to understand that what had happened here was mutual. “But—”

  “I am available,” Amy cut in, taking a step toward her angry brothers-in-law.

  “Not to him you’re not.” Luke’s gaze never shifted away from Mark as he raised a finger and pointed at his chest. “I can’t believe you. He was your best friend. And here you are, like a mutt searching for scraps.”

  Fury rushed to the surface. Mark raised his fist. Amy was not a scrap. The beautiful, brave woman standing beside him was not something to be set aside and discarded. First, Darren had acted as if the gift of having her in his life, loving him, wasn’t worth damn near everything. And now Luke Benton stood before him suggesting that she was someone else’s leftovers. Mark couldn’t fight a dead man, but his brother?

  Oh, hell, yeah.

  “No, Mark.” Amy wrapped her hands around his biceps. “Don’t. Please. If that is what they see when they look at you, they’re blind.”

  “Amy, it’s okay. I know who I am,” Mark said. He was still the outsider, the kid with less than everyone else. But these past few days with Amy had shown him that being the “mutt” wasn’t so bad.

  “But does she?” T.J. challenged. Unlike his brother, the youngest Benton didn’t sound hell-bent on proving that Amy still belonged to Darren. There was honest-to-God concern in his voice. “You’re leaving, man.”

  Those words hit home. Mark lowered his hand, gently trying to shake off Amy’s hold, knowing he didn’t want her close. Not for this.

  “You can let go,” he said tersely.

  “Mark,” she said. “This doesn’t concern them.”

  But he shook free from her hold. He stepped over Rosie, stopping within arm’s reach of the brothers. He deserved to get the shit kicked out of him because when it came down to it, he wasn’t any better than his friend. He’d never hur
t Amy the way Darren had. He would never ask for her trust while he put himself in harm’s way and then use the distance as an excuse to mess around behind her back. No, he was too damn afraid to commit to her in the first place.

  He’d told himself over and over it was because he didn’t want to leave someone behind if he lost his life doing his job. But coming home, taking a long hard look at the child he’d been and the man he’d become, he realized he’d offered excuses, same as Darren. He’d told himself it was better for everyone if he breezed in and out of her life—better if he stuck to her rules.

  But if another man did that to Amy? He’d start throwing punches. Some rules were meant to be broken.

  “Go ahead, Luke,” he said. “Take a hit.”

  18

  “ARE YOU CRAZY?” Amy rushed in front of Mark. If the Benton brothers wanted to take a swing, they had to get through her first.

  She ignored him, focusing on T.J. and Luke. “Who I date is none of your business.”

  “She’s got a point, bro,” T.J. said, rocking back on his heels. “Time to stand down. Both of you.”

  Luke took a step back, shaking his head. “Ames, you deserve more than a quick fling. And that’s all this is, right? A fling?”

  The men fell silent, their bodies still poised for battle, waiting for her answer. She’d made love to Mark blindfolded, lost in fantasy. But beyond the bedroom, he’d opened up to her. And she’d trusted him with her secrets. Any other man could walk in and out of her life, but not Mark. She needed him in ways that had nothing to do with sex.

  Was this a fling?

  No! Yes! It had to be.

  A few nights. Nothing more. She’d written rules. It was her turn to decide what she wanted out of life and go after it, damn it.

  “It’s none of your concern, Luke,” she said, hearing the slight waver in her voice.

  She felt Mark’s presence, solid like a wall, ready and willing to offer her support. He leaned close, whispering in her ear, “Let’s go inside, Amy.”

  Amy’s hand reached for Jango and came up empty. There was nothing at her right side but air. She’d left her dog inside, away from the puppies while they focused on training.