Page 58 of Armed ’N’ Ready

A deep, guttural groan emanated from his throat, sending chills to her belly. “Do you like it when I touch you like that?” She did, and the only thing that could top it was to feel his hardened length without the encumbrance of his undershorts.

He laughed. “You can touch me anywhere you like.”

“Promise?” When he nodded and gave her that lopsided grin, an excited shiver shot through her. She clasped the waistband of his jeans, intending to push them down his legs when her hand contacted his gun.

“I’ve got this.” He pulled the holster and badge off the belt and set it on the bedside table. Next, he sat on the edge of the bed, untied his boots, and kicked them to the side before standing again. A grin quirked his lips. “Carry on.”

“Yes, Sergeant.” She gave him a coy smile, then slid her hands around his waist, shoving them beneath the waistbands of his jeans and undershorts to cup his bare muscled ass.

As she shoved his clothing farther down, her hands contacted more and more of his bare flesh, and he groaned again, louder this time. She loved having this effect on him.

His legs were long and strong, with a thin coating of dark hair. His eyes were closed, his jaw clenched. When she’d gotten his undershorts low enough, his erection sprang forth, and her eyes widened at how big he was. Could she really take him all in? For the past few years, her sex life had been all but nonexistent.

Unable to stop herself, she took him in her hands, gently stroking his hard length.

“Baby,” he growled, removing her hand. “Keep that up, and we won’t make it to the bed.” The look he gave her was tight with tension.

For a man with such big hands and fingers, he deftly unbuttoned her blouse and slipped it from her shoulders, running his hands down her arms. Tingles raced up and down her body, hardening her nipples.

This is really happening. Part of her couldn’t believe it, yet she’d sensed their relationship was coming to this. Despite her resistance, she’d known it deep in her heart.

He reached behind her and unzipped her skirt, letting it fall to the floor. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she stepped out of the skirt and kicked it aside. Her breaths came quicker, and her skin grew hot. With a flick of his thumb, he unhooked her bra, then tugged it off. His low rumble of appreciation made her hunger for him pulse hotter, faster, until she could barely breathe.

He cupped her breasts and rubbed her nipples with his thumbs until they were pert and erect. Watching his large, calloused hands caressing the smoothness of her bare breasts was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. Shockwaves of heat, lust, and desire ignited in her core. Now it was her turn to groan, and she pushed her breasts into his hands, wanting to experience all that he could give her.

When she met his gaze again, his eyes smoldered like molten metal. His lips closed around one of the hardened peaks, and she moaned louder, arching into his mouth. Energy hummed in her veins, and the hot, burning craving between her legs intensified until she wanted to scream.

“More.” She held his head tighter to her breast. “More. Please.”

He urged her backward to the bed, laying her down then slowly stripping off her panties. The tips of his fingers were rough against her skin, the motion gentle as he slid the silky material down her thighs. He was big and heavy as he lowered on top of her. “Am I crushing you?”

In answer, she wrapped her arms around his back, tugging him tighter against her and digging her fingers into his corded flesh. “No.” Then she pulled his head down for a kiss she hoped would drive him out of his mind because that was exactly what he was doing to her. The taste of him in her mouth, on her tongue, was nectar she could sip on for a long, long time.

While they kissed, his hand massaged her breast, his fingers fondling her nipple until she couldn’t take it any longer and twisted in his grasp, urging him to take the hardened nub in his mouth again. The moment his lips closed around her nipple, a sharp bolt of lightning shot to her core, and she gasped.

He continued plucking and teasing her with his tongue and teeth, scalding her body from the outside in, and still, it wasn’t enough. She moaned louder, cradling his head until he shifted position and teased her other nipple with the same enthusiasm.

Moments later, he kissed her again, deeper this time. So deeply it was as if he were touching her soul. She undulated her hips, rubbing herself against his hard length.

His tongue stroked hers as his hand skimmed down her hip to hike her leg over the back of his thigh. When he settled between her legs, his erection was hot and hard, making her writhe against him until she was wet with need. Regretfully, she ended the kiss, gasping for air and feeling stupidly naive.

“Nick, I’m sorry, I-I don’t have any—”

He cut her off. “I do.” Then he rose and retrieved his wallet from the back of his pants and pulled out several packets. He shoved two into his jeans’ pocket, then sheathed himself with the remaining condom.

Her heart squeezed. What is he doing with all those condoms in his back pocket? Please tell me he hasn’t been having sex with the Napkin Girls.

When he lowered himself on top of her again, he must have seen the distress on her face. “Hey.” He stroked her cheek. “I haven’t been with anyone in months, and that was just for sex. Since I met you, I haven’t wanted anyone but you.”

She gave him a skeptical look. “Not even any of the Napkin Girls?”

His rumbling laughter reverberated against her chest. “Not even the Napkin Girls.”

“Stop laughing at me.” She punched his shoulder, turning her head away when he tried to kiss her.

He stopped laughing and clasped her chin gently, forcing her to look at him. She was too embarrassed at her confession and shut her eyes.

“Look at me.” She shook her head, feeling like a jealous teenager. “Open your eyes.”