While Levi was gone, Sarah finished cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast and watched a few shows on TV, keeping an eye on the time since she was scheduled to work tonight and needed to leave in a few hours. If Levi didn’t return soon, she was going to have to figure out where the nearest bus stop was so she wasn’t late for her shift. He might have insisted that she call him if she needed anything, but she had no idea what errands he was out doing or how important they were, and she didn’t want to be an inconvenience.
She’d spent years making it on her own and figuring out ways to improvise in less-than-ideal situations. Lately, her life had become such an upheaval of events, one right after the after, and she was just trying to push through the chaos like she always did. That was one thing she was good at, putting one foot in front of the other despite whatever circumstances or obstacles were set in front of her. And ever since losing her parents, she’d encountered a lot of stumbling blocks, and endured a wealth of heartache, too.
Sarah curled her legs beneath her on Levi’s soft couch and released a weary sigh. Not because she was physically exhausted, but emotionally she felt utterly wrung out. She was so tired of struggling every single day, of making wrong choices that led to even more misery. The horrible situation with Dylan being her latest bad decision, all because she’d let down her guard and believed the promises he’d made. Or rather, the lies he’d told her.
And here she was again, falling back into that same familiar pattern with Levi. Yet, even as that thought entered her mind, she had no doubt that he was a man of his word. In the past week alone, he’d proven himself in a multitude of ways, protecting her and keeping her safe when she once again had nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. He’d asked nothing in return, and no red flags waved in her face. And, if she had to admit the truth, there always were red flags. No, there was no comparing Levi to any of the guys in her past who’d taken advantage of her.
She trusted Levi implicitly, and it scared her just how hard and fast she was falling for him, even as she tried to keep her emotions out of the equation, which was becoming more and more difficult with every passing day. Heck, she’d been fighting her attraction to him since the first day he’d walked into the convenience store and flirted with her. Having spent time with him outside of work, and after everything they’d shared in the past twenty-four hours, she couldn’t deny her feelings for him were intensifying quickly.
He was the kindest, most caring and honorable man she’d ever met despite his own damaged past, and even though he was helping her right now and seemed willing to let her stay here with him as long as she needed, she’d learned from experience that nothing this good could last forever. It never did. Something always happened to remind her that she wasn’t worthy of being loved, which connected to another deep fear of hers, that she didn’t deserve to be happy, not when she’d been the only one to survive the fire that had killed her entire family. Even after all these years, the guilt and grief still had the ability to consume her and fill her with overwhelming sadness.
The sound of someone entering the house from the garage pulled her out of her dismal thoughts. She glanced down the hall just as Levi walked into the kitchen carrying a flat cardboard box and a plastic grocery sack. She moved off the couch to join him, inhaling the delicious, savory scent of the pizza he’d brought home with him, a treat she hadn’t enjoyed in way too long. Her mouth watered when he opened the lid and she saw the pepperoni, mushrooms, and gooey cheese toppings.
She took down two plates, realizing how comfortable she already was in Levi’s kitchen. In his home.
Don’t get used to it, her subconscious taunted, and she quickly squashed the thought before it could depress her.
She handed him one of the plates and took a slice of the pizza. “Why is it that I’m always eating when I’m around you?”
“I’m just contributing to those extra pounds you need to gain,” he said, reminding her of their conversation this morning and where he preferred those curves—her hips and butt. “And I figured you hadn’t had anything for lunch, so this should hold us through the night so we don’t have to worry about dinner.”
She was so used to not eating on a regular schedule that skipping meals happened all the time. “I’ll definitely have a full belly when I go to work tonight,” she said happily.
He looked at her for a long moment as if he wanted to say something, but instead he glanced away and served himself a few pieces of the savory pie. They both leaned against the counter near one another, content to eat their pizza right there in the kitchen.
After a few bites, she broke the easy silence that had settled between them. “Did you get all your errands done?”
“Yes.” He held his plate with one hand and reached into the front pocket of his jeans with the other. Withdrawing a small wad of bills, he handed it to her. “This is yours.”
Tentatively, she took the money, completely confused. “Mine?” She shook her head and frowned, trying to wrap her mind around how he could have gotten the stolen money back. “Where did you get it?”
“It’s not the money that was missing from your room,” he said, dispelling that notion. “But I did stop by the motel’s office to report the break-in and get you a refund on the rest of your week’s payment since you’re not staying there any longer.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “I’m shocked they gave it back to you.”
He shrugged, as if it weren’t a big deal. “The guy needed a little motivation to hand over the cash, and I gave it to him.”
Setting the money aside, she grinned in amusement, certain she knew what the motivating factor had been. “You flashed your badge and played the big, bad cop, didn’t you?”
He chuckled unapologetically. “I might have.”
“Well, thank you,” she said sincerely. “I appreciate it.” It wasn’t much money in the scheme of things, certainly not as much as had been stolen, but every dollar made a difference to her and her future.
They finished their pizza, and even though she got the impression that other things were on Levi’s mind based on his contemplative expression, he didn’t share whatever had him distracted. She helped him wrap up the leftovers in tin foil and put them in the refrigerator. While he took the cardboard box outside to the trash, she set their plates in the dishwasher and wiped down the area, enjoying the domestic chores.
The plastic sack he’d brought in with him earlier was at the far end of the counter, and she grabbed the bag and reached inside to put away whatever he’d bought. She pulled out a black box of Magnum condoms just as she heard Levi walk back into the kitchen.
She glanced up at him with wide eyes and he gave her a sexy grin.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, humor lacing his tone as he approached her. “Too presumptuous of me?”
After what had happened this morning between them—in bed and in the shower, she didn’t blame him for purchasing the protection. With her staying here under the same roof as him, they both knew that sex was inevitable.
But she raised a brow and couldn’t resist teasing him a bit. “Presumptuous because you bought the condoms or because you got the Magnum size?”
His laugh was low and wicked as he pinned her against the counter purposefully, his eyes blazing with heat and desire as he looked down at her parted lips. “Sweetheart, you had your hand wrapped around my hard dick this morning, and as much of it as you could handle in your mouth. Maybe you need a reminder of what you’re dealing with?”
The question was more like a salacious dare, and her body responded with a rush of moisture between her thighs. “Yeah, maybe I do.”
He dipped his head so his warm breath touched the shell of her ear. “Then let’s get you reacquainted with the length and width of my dick so there’s no doubt in your mind about the size.”
Grabbing her hand, he pressed her palm against the fly of his jeans and curled her fingers around the substantial erection already forming. “And since your hand and mouth are having a hard time remembering the exact dimensions of my cock, let’s see how it measures up in your tight pussy.”
Oh, God. The man’s mouth was so filthy, his words so obscene, and it made her hot and wet as hell. She wanted everything he was offering, except the timing couldn’t be more wrong. “We can’t,” she managed, her disappointment clear in her voice. “I have to leave for work soon.”
The lust in his gaze cooled a few degrees, enough for her to see the uncompromising glint in his eyes as he looked directly into hers. “You’re not going in tonight.”
She stiffened against him. What the heck was he talking about? “Of course I am.”
“No, you’re not,” he reiterated, his expression unflinching. “I made a call to the store manager and told him that you quit.”
She gasped, shock rendering her momentarily speechless as she absorbed what he’d just said. She knew he hated where she worked, but she couldn’t believe he’d do something so rash that directly affected her livelihood. “Levi, I need that job.” Panic immediately settled in, and she tried to move away from him.
He grasped her hips, keeping her right where she was. “Calm down, sweetheart,” he said in a placating tone. “I promise, you have a job. A new one where you’ll be safe and you don’t have to worry about some prick pointing a gun at your head again. You’ll even make more money than you do at the store.”
Her head was spinning as she tried to make sense of what he was saying. “I don’t understand.”
He smiled, though she didn’t miss the cautious look in his eyes as he continued to gauge her reaction. “My brother Clay is hiring you to work at his bar as a cocktail waitress. He pays all his employees way above minimum wage, plus you take home any tips that you make. And he’ll give you as many hours as you want or need, and you start tomorrow night.”
Completely overwhelmed, she stared up at him as the realization of what he’d done sank in. What he’d done for her. It was such a thoughtful and kind gesture, and it meant so much to her that it was difficult to hold back the tears threatening to emerge. “Levi—”
He pressed a finger to her lips, cutting her off. “Please don’t be mad,” he said in a rush, the look in his gaze so caring it made her heart hurt. “I know I should have asked you first, but I didn’t want to give you the chance to argue or say no. I can’t stand the thought of you working at that store after what happened to you.”
His intentions were so good and pure, and she wasn’t used to anyone being so selfless on her behalf. “I’m not upset,” she said, swallowing back the tightness gathering in her throat. “Actually, I’m very grateful. Thank you.”
He exhaled a deep breath, his relief so profound that the tension in his body eased and he smiled at her again. “It’s a good thing you agreed, because I seriously thought I was going to have to get out the handcuffs and use them to keep you here.”
She didn’t miss the devious look in his gaze, and the thought of being bound by Levi’s handcuffs, and letting him have complete control over her pleasure like he had this morning, sent a secret thrill rippling through her. Now that they had all night together, she wanted to take advantage.
Meeting his gaze, she gave him a sultry, inviting smile as she lifted up on her toes and brushed her mouth against his in a tempting kiss. “Go ahead and cuff me, Officer Kincaid,” she dared in a seductive whisper. “You know you want to.”
“Jesus,” he said on a low, fierce growl that made her shiver with anticipation.
He grabbed one of her hands in his, then picked up the box of Magnum condoms she’d set on the counter and led her out of the kitchen. She thought for sure they were headed for his bedroom, but he stopped in the living room in front of the soft, plush couch.
“Stay right here,” he ordered, tossing the box of protection onto one of the cushions. “I’ll be right back.”
She didn’t have to wait long for him to return. While in his bedroom, he’d taken off his T-shirt and now only wore his jeans and a wicked-as-sin smile on his gorgeous face. His feet were bare, and a pair of silver shackles dangled from his hand.
Oh, my God, they were really going to do this. She was going to allow this man to restrain her and take her however he desired. And every part of her wanted him to.
He stood beside her, his dark green eyes searching hers. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then let’s get you undressed.” He dropped the cuffs next to the box of condoms, then slid his hands beneath the hem of her T-shirt, pushing the material slowly up her body.
She shivered as his fingers skimmed along her bare flesh, and she raised her arms over her head so he could remove the top. Reaching behind her, he unclasped her bra and let that fall to the floor, too. Her breasts swelled beneath his avid gaze, and she bit back a moan when he tugged her nipples into tight, aching points before trailing his fingers down to the button of her jeans. Leisurely, he unfastened them and lowered the zipper. He shoved the denim down to her thighs, then let her take them the rest of the way off.
That left her in just plain, boring cotton panties, but the way his hungry gaze roved down the length of her made Sarah feel incredibly sexy, and even beautiful.
He picked up the handcuffs and turned back toward her.
“Are those real ones?” she asked curiously. They certainly looked like it.
“Yes. They’re my service handcuffs, and I can’t wait to see them on you,” he said gruffly.
She held out her hands, offering herself to him without hesitation. “Then cuff me, Officer Kincaid,” she said huskily. “Make me yours.”
* * *
Make me yours. Sarah’s words sparked something hot and possessive in the depths of Levi’s stomach and made him realize in that moment just how much he wanted this woman to be his. And more than just physically.
It was a crazy thought, considering he’d spent his entire adult life avoiding committed relationships and never investing his emotions when it came to sex, or females in general. But as he looked at Sarah now, standing in front of him vulnerable and nearly naked with her arms extended toward him with such sweet acceptance, something inside of him shifted in a way he’d never experienced before because he’d always been too guarded.
Knowing Sarah’s past and her issues with trusting people made this acquiescence of hers all the more humbling, and he saw it for the gift that it was. Her blue eyes were wide and guileless and her body completely relaxed, yielding to him even before he demanded it.
She was fucking perfect for him, in every way.
He’d restrained other women because of his need for control, but Sarah was the polar opposite of every one of those brief, short-lived encounters. She wasn’t one of those uncomplicated, mindless fucks he’d sought out in the past, and he refused to treat her the same way. But he wasn’t going to lie—the thought of his handcuffs dangling around her delicate wrists made him hard as granite. Restricting her ability to use her hands became all about him heightening her pleasure in every way imaginable and not about his own personal hang-ups.
She expected him to secure her hands in front of her, but he did the opposite and drew her arms behind her back, where he proceeded to latch the steel loops around her small wrists. He made sure they weren’t too tight, then couldn’t resist caressing a finger slowly down the indentation of her spine. She shivered, and the soft, delightful moan she released went straight to his already pulsing dick.
She turned her head and tried to look at him. “Is this where you get to frisk me?” she asked breathlessly, playfully.
He smiled. “You want to be frisked?”
She nodded her head. “Yes, please, Officer Kincaid.”
Still standing behind her, he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties and pushed them down her legs until they dropped to her feet. Moving closer to her backside, he nudged his knee between her thighs. “Spread these gorgeous legs for me, dirty girl. I want to make sure I do a very thorough search.”
She widened her stance, then sucked in a quick breath when he reached around and took her breasts in his hands, fondling them and lightly pinching her nipples.
“What are you hoping to find?” she asked oh-so-innocently.
“A soaking-wet pussy,” he breathed into her ear as his splayed hands slid down her stomach toward his destination. “It’s my job to make sure that this body is ready to be fucked, Magnum style.”
She laughed softly, then moaned when his fingers delved into her soft folds of flesh, already slick with desire. “Am I wet enough for you?”
“Not yet.” He bit the bare curve of her neck, drawing a startled gasp from her that made him smile. “But you will be after I make you come.”
He released her and stepped away, and she made a sound of protest at the loss of his touch.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he said as he walked around in front of her and gently trailed the backs of his fingers along her flushed cheek. “I’m not going to leave you hanging for long.”
Initially, he’d had every intention of bending her over the couch so he could drive into her from behind, hard and deep, but he quickly changed his mind because everything about being with Sarah was different. She was different, and when he pushed his cock into her this first time, he wanted to see her face as her tight pussy gradually stretched to accommodate all of him. He wanted to watch as she unraveled just for him and wanted to feel her internal muscles clench around him as she came all over every inch of his shaft, right before he let go of his own release.
He quickly shucked his jeans and briefs, then sat down on the sofa in front of where Sarah was still standing. Her glazed eyes took in the hard, thick length of his erection as he tore open a condom and sheathed himself. She licked her lips, and as much as he’d love to have her delectable mouth on him again, he wanted deep inside her more.
“Come here and straddle me,” he ordered softly, and when she stepped forward, he grabbed her waist and helped her to kneel above his lap. She started to lower herself, but he shook his head and kept her poised above his thighs.
“Not yet,” he said, smoothing his hands down her hips and along the creases of her thighs, until his thumbs were spreading her pussy open so he could see all the pretty folds in between. “I want you wetter than you already are so you can take all of me.”
He pushed two long fingers inside of her, rubbed his thumb against her swollen, needy clit, and she dropped her head back on a shuddering moan. He continued to stroke her, slow and deep, enjoying the front-row seat he had to watch her uninhibited response to every seductive touch, every intimate caress that brought her closer and closer to where he needed her to be. With her hands cuffed behind her back and her knees braced apart, there wasn’t much she could do except rock her hips back and forth and ride his hand in an attempt to chase her elusive release.
His dick twitched impatiently, and then he finally felt what he’d been waiting for . . . the fluttering sensation around his fingers, the fresh rush of moisture that coated his hand, and the inarticulate sounds she made as an orgasm started to roll through her.
An orgasm that belonged to him. He wanted it. Needed to be a part of it, and a part of her. Knowing he had to act fast, he pulled out his fingers, aligned the head of his cock to the entrance of her body, then took hold of her waist and pulled her down hard at the same time he bucked his hips upward, burying himself to the hilt. She cried out at the initial deep, endless thrust that filled her completely and literally stole his breath from his lungs.
And before he could recover, his sweet, sexy, beautiful Sarah went wild on him, her pretty breasts bouncing enticingly as she slid up and down his throbbing shaft in jerky movements. Her thighs clenched against his as she undulated her hips while grinding her pussy hard against his pubic bone for added friction, for both of them.
It was all too much. Sensory fucking overload.
Belatedly, Levi realized why he didn’t normally care for this position, why he’d always avoided it in other encounters. Because despite Sarah having her hands restrained, she was still able to strip him of control, and for the first time in his life, he didn’t try and take it back. He let her have it. He fucking encouraged her to take it.
He tunneled his fingers into her hair, cupping the back of her head and forcing her dark blue gaze to meet his. “Fuck me, Sarah,” he commanded gruffly. “However you want. Whatever it takes to make you come.”
She whimpered as she moved more rhythmically on top of him, then leaned into him and brought her lips close to his. “Kiss me, Levi,” she said, her voice ragged with need.
Tightening his fingers in those silky strands, he slanted his mouth across hers. She welcomed the thrust of his tongue, sucking on it and making him groan low in his throat. Perspiration slickened their bodies as they strained against one another, but it still wasn’t close enough. Hard enough. Deep enough.
He feared it never would be.
He released her hair and grabbed her ass in his hands, hauling her forward in a way that scraped across her clit and made her entire body quake. Desire, lust, and need collided inside of him, sending Levi over the edge as Sarah’s inner walls gripped him tight, squeezing every ounce of pleasure out of him and milking his cock until he had nothing left to give. Until he knew he’d never be the same.
Sarah had no idea, but she fucking owned him.
