Hard to Fight

Somewhere in my fuzzy mind, I’m screaming at myself to stop. But my lust and everything else Raide are clouding my judgment. I can’t take it any longer. I reach up, curling my fingers into his hair, pressing my body up into his. My mind is spinning, my heart is pounding, and it feels amazing. I kiss him hard and I kiss him deep, taking all of him until both of us are panting. His naked body is hot against my skin, and I don’t even try to stop my fingers from roaming down his back and over his muscles.

“Dress off,” he murmurs, reaching down and pulling my dress up. He shifts his body just enough for me to flick it off.

He slides a hand behind my back and unclips my bra, then he flicks that off right along with my dress. Then his mouth is closing over my nipple. I groan, slapping my hands out my sides and curling my fingers into the sheets. His tongue flicks and taunts, swirling and teasing until I’m begging him for more. Then his mouth is moving down my body, his fingers gliding along my skin.

I shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t … Oh God, he’s kissing me over my panties.

“Raide,” I pant.

He says nothing, he doesn’t need to. His presence is all the man anyone needs. He’s dominating and powerful, I don’t need to hear him speak to know that. He hooks his thumbs into my panties and suddenly they’re gone. Then he’s right there. Right where I need him. Right where I’ve imagined for so long. His tongue dives into my flesh, tormenting my clit until I’m bucking beneath him. One of his fingers finds my entrance and he slides it in, slowly fucking me with it while his mouth devours me.

I arch against him, wanting and needing so much more. I reach up, curling my fingers into his hair and tugging harshly. He grunts against my flesh, but he doesn’t stop. He sucks my clit into his mouth so hard and deep, I scream his name as my body shudders with orgasm. He doesn’t pull back right away. He sucks every tremble from me before slowly sliding up my body.

I’m barely down from my high when I hear the sound of a foil wrapper, and then he gently nudges my legs open. His mouth is on my neck, his hands are running up my sides, and when his fingers find my nipples, he gently rolls them until I’m thrusting up for him, wanting more. The tiny buds are straining against his hand, needing more.

“More,” I breathe. “Dammit, Raide, don’t make me wait.”

Before I can think or process any further, he’s inside me. A choked moan gets stuck in my throat, and my body arches as he fills me, inch by inch. He’s big, solid, and damn, he feels amazing. His cock throbs in my depths and he lets out a long, guttural moan.

“Raide,” I breathe. “Oh God.”

“Fuck,” he grunts, curling his fingers into my hair and bringing my head up so we’re kissing with hungry intent.

Then he’s fucking me.

I don’t have anything else in my head, not for a blissful moment. It’s all Raide. All his body. He’s making me feel things I’ve never felt before and I don’t want it to end. My nails are in his skin, my legs are wrapped around his waist, and we’re moving at a frenzied, desperate pace. Our skin is slapping together, he’s got a sheen of sweat covering his body, and his muscles are straining. He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and brings me up closer, just close enough so I can feel his breaths against my lips.

“Raide,” I gasp.

“Baby,” he grunts.

“God.”

“Yeah.”

Then I explode, I explode with his hand curled around my neck, with his body covering mine, with his gorgeous amber eyes locked to my own. When he sees me lose it, his eyes soften and he gets a deep, passionate look that has my heart twisting. Then he’s right there with me, growling my name, jerking his hips in quick succession until we’re both limp and tangled in each other.

“Dammit, fuck me,” he breathes into my ear. “You’re beautiful.”

Oh God.

Why does he have to do that?

Why does he have to make this harder than it already is?

Chapter Thirteen

Sunshine burns into my eyes, waking me from a deep slumber. I blink rapidly and groan when I realize how damned hot it is in here. It takes me a good minute to realize the reason it’s hot is because there’s a big, hard body wrapped around mine. My eyes pop open and I gasp. Raide. I’m in bed with Raide. I slept with Raide. Oh dear Lord. This is bad. Very, very bad.

I try to shift out of his hold, but he’s got his arm around my middle, large chest pressed to my back. One of his legs is tangled with mine. Dammit. I start with his arm first, gently lifting it and attempting to push it off, but it quickly tightens and hauls my body closer to his. Shit. “Thought it was supposed to be the man who snuck out,” he rumbles into my ear. I shiver all over.

“I, ah, I need to pee.” Such a liar.

“Mmmmm,” he mumbles.

I push out of his arms and swing my legs over the side of the massive bed. My ankle is throbbing and I have to hobble the entire way to the bathroom. When I’m in, I shut the door and press myself against it, clenching my eyes shut. What’s wrong with me? I had one job: to bring him in. How did it get so messy? I rub my eyes, trying to fight back the guilt and heavy disappointment lying on my chest.

I’m a failure.

If Don ever found out—God, if my dad ever found out! They’d be so let down. It shouldn’t have come to this, and yet I can’t make myself regret what happened last night with Raide. I can’t stop thinking about his body, his mouth, the way he made me feel. I swallow back the tears threatening to spill over, and force myself toward the sink. I’ve screwed up, but I can fix it. I’m in the perfect position to bring Raide in.

I just have to make the call.

Something angry twists in my chest, and I realize it’s pain. What is wrong with me? I shouldn’t be feeling sorry for a man who is possibly a murderer. Who am I kidding? I know he’s not a damned murderer. I don’t know how I know this, but I just do. Something deep lies behind Raide’s story, but that’s not up to me to decide. It’s up to a judge and a courtroom, and my only job is to get him there.

I wash up, trying to avoid thinking about anything else but finishing this job so I can move on.

I avoid Raide’s eyes as I rush back out into the room, dressing and gathering anything that I left behind. I find my phone and realize it’s dead. Just great. I’ll have to go into work and call it in that way. If Raide will be here for the next hour, it won’t be hard. I’d hoped to be there for the takedown to make sure it went smoothly, but maybe it’s better if I’m not. I don’t know if I could bear it.

“You always run out on men without even a good morning?” he murmurs from the bed.

I don’t look at him. I can’t.

“I, ah, I have to work this morning.” Liar.

“Right,” he mutters.

Swallow back the pain, Grace. Do your job. This is your choice. This is your career. This is what you signed up for. If you can’t hack it, you shouldn’t have fought for it.

I don’t realize I’m crying until warm arms circle around my waist and soft, sweet lips hit my neck. “Baby,” he murmurs.

God dammit. One word, and he’s crushing my soul. “I have to go,” I whisper.

“Why?”