Aline Hunter - Make Me Shiver

“Look at you, blushing and excited,” Candice snickered. “No wonder Mike was a goner.” She reached for her glass. “I go to a club in Atlanta when the mood strikes. That’s why I needed an invitation to Fantasia. I never mix my personal life with pleasure, so it’s necessary to travel to a location where no one knows me or asks questions. Besides, most of the time I’m too busy working to find time to play.”

“That’s all it is for you? Work and play?”

“I don’t want a serious relationship, Lace.” Candice wasn’t smiling anymore. “After college I made the decision to keep all of my romantic involvements strictly sexual. I have a job I enjoy, a home I’m proud of and I don’t feel the need to add anything else to it.”

“Doesn’t that get, you know… lonely ?”

“I’m sure it might be to some people. It works just fine for me.”

“So the cop who came to your apartment,” Lacey noticed now it was Candice who appeared uncomfortable, “was he strictly a sexual partner? Because he didn’t look like he was into casual.”

“He was something that never should have happened.”

“Why not?”

Candice planted her glass on the table, causing tea to slosh over the top. “I was on the job. I never should have let anyone or anything distract me. He just happened to rescue me from a needy sub who was drawing unwanted attention, and I took advantage of the situation. In retrospect, it was sloppy and foolish on my part.”

“What are you going to do?”

“About?”

“Tall, dark and handsome officer.”

“He knows I’m not interested.”

“You told him?”

“I did.” Candice rose from the table and collected her plate. “He wasn’t happy about it but he’ll adjust.”

It was probably stupid to ask but it was obvious Candy wasn’t telling her everything. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Will you adjust?”

Candice turned. The sadness in her eyes was almost as heartbreaking as her resolve. “I adjusted a long time ago, Lace. This is who I am.”

Lacey remained seated as her friend walked into the kitchen. It had been years since she’d seen Candy express any interest in a man, much less lose her cool over one, and Candice Bradshaw was definitely not her usual self when it came to Brady Stone.

No matter how much she might deny it.

Lacey had opened her door to walk Candice outside when she saw the strange car in her driveway. Michael was passed out behind the wheel, his head resting against the seat.

“It seems like I’m leaving just in time.” Candice chuckled and gave her a hug.

Hugging back, she muttered, “He knows he’s in the doghouse.”

“Don’t be too hard on him.” Candice pulled away and looked at the car. “It looks like he’s had a rough night.”

Jealousy reared its ugly head again. She could only imagine how rough his night with Aly had been. “I’m sure he has.”

As Candice walked to her car, Lacey strode over to Michael. When she got closer, and got a decent look at his face, her insecurities and anger faded. It looked like he’d gotten the shit beaten out of him. His nose was swollen and bruised and his lower lip was cracked right down the middle.

“Michael?” She knocked softly on the window and he opened his eyes.

He blinked several times and gazed at her. The moment recognition struck he opened the door. He seemed primed to go another round, gazing in the direction of the unknown vehicle in the driveway until he saw her visitor was Candice. The tension around his eyes softened. He waved at Candice, gazed away from her friend and gave her his undivided attention.

She reached out before she could stop herself and touched his lip. “What happened?”

“I had to break up a fight and managed to get caught in the middle of it.”

She stepped back as he climbed from the car. “You didn’t say anything about fighting. I thought you were going to the club.”

“Brian and Conner had issues to sort through.”

“So they used you as a punching bag?”

His chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. “Not exactly.”

“Are you okay?”

“I am now.”

She gasped as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest. He’d recently showered. She could detect the lingering fragrance of Dial soap. Gazing up, she noticed the bristle forming along his jaw. The dark shadow added to the bruises and cuts on his face, giving him the appearance of a street brawler.

“So how’s Aly?” She wanted to cringe at the cattiness in her voice.

“You’d have to ask Brian and Trevor. I was there for moral support, not for Aly.”

“That’s not how it seemed last night.”

Michael’s face hardened. “I’m not going to apologize for helping my friends.” He glanced at Candice’s car as it vanished from the driveway. “Would you say no to yours?”

Her airway became tight. Talk about feeling lower than the low.

She hadn’t really thought about it like that.

“No, I wouldn’t.” She rested her hands on his arms. “It’s just been a rough night.”

“I second that.” He kissed her lightly, brushing his lips over hers. “I should tan your little ass for hanging up on me earlier.”

“Consider it payback for leaving me high and dry.”

“Payback, huh?” He pulled away, and the heat in his eyes made her instantly wet.

“You had it coming.” Was that her voice? Jesus, she sounded like a cigarette-smoking phone sex operator.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I haven’t come all night.” He cupped her face and ran his thumb along her cheek. “Are you ready to learn how I punish a naughty sub who hangs up on her concerned Dom?”

“Yes.” She looked down, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze. He wouldn’t allow it, lifting her chin with his fingers.

“Yes what?”

“Yes Sir.” Her body was already trembling in anticipation. Being angry flew out the window. In the presence of this man, she couldn’t think about anything else.

“Good, because I’ve had hours to think of the things I’m going to do to you. You weren’t the only one who was robbed last night. So was I.”

He lowered his arms and started walking to her home, leaving her to follow behind him. Her heart hammered inside her chest, the pulsing drum of blood pounding in her ears. She had no idea how long he’d been waiting outside but if what he said was true, she could only imagine what to expect.

He opened her door, waited until she came inside, closed it and turned the lock.

“Strip.”

The sweet man with the battered face was gone, replaced by pure Dom. She started removing her clothes and he addressed her in the same tone. “I’m going to have you get on your knees and suck my cock. Would you prefer a condom? Or do you trust me when I tell you I’m clean?”

Holy Mother.

Her shaking fingers made it difficult to undo her bra. “I trust you, Sir.”

“That makes me a happy man, darlin’.” He unzipped his fly and pulled his fully erect length free.

“I didn’t want latex to prevent me from feeling every inch of your sweet little mouth when I fuck it.

Come here.”

She walked to him on wobbly legs and went to her knees when he put his hands on her shoulders and applied pressure, bringing her face to his cock. There was no way in hell she could take the entire length into her mouth. He was too long and wide. She reached out to grasp him at the base when he stopped her.

“No hands, just your mouth.”

Unsure of how to start, she ran her tongue along the mushroom-shaped tip and tasted him for the first time. He was a mixture of musk and soap, the semen at the tip slightly salty and bitter. Opening her mouth, she took the head of his cock inside. He was so wide he stretched her lips.