ThreeReasonsWhy Read online

  His hands left her completely and she heard jingling behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched him retrieve the keys to the cuffs before removing his gun belt.

  He released the handcuffs and dropped them to the floor. She tried to summon the energy needed to punish him for his joke, but her body was too busy clamoring for more. Turning, she attempted to pummel him but he stopped her before she landed a single blow, catching her fists in his hands and pressing them against the door by her head.

  His lips descended, kissing her until she was certain she’d sell her soul to the devil to keep this man’s lips on hers for the rest of eternity. She shoved off his hands at her wrists, reaching out to touch his hair, his face, his neck, his shoulders. She wanted to touch him as he touched her. Wanted the opportunity to look and feel. Dragging her hands along his tight abs, she released his shirt from where it tucked into his pants, desperate to caress his bare flesh. He pushed her skirt off with her panties.

  “I want you naked,” he muttered against her lips. He pulled her shirt over her head before unhooking her bra and adding it to the pile of clothing at their feet. He pushed her shoulders against the door, leaning back to look at her with hungry eyes.

  Dammit, this was wrong. This was the beginning of the end and she knew it, but she couldn’t resist the idea of being with him. The fantasies of him inside her had haunted her for weeks, months, years. She pulled him toward her, gripping his shoulders for support while wrapping her legs around his waist and grinding her aching pussy against his clad cock.

  “Think you can keep up with me?” she taunted, rubbing harder, trying to find relief and fanning the fire he’d started.

  “I’m going to fuck you long and hard, pixie,” he said. “But first, I want you to repeat your promise.”

  His hands slid down her shoulders and cupped her breasts. He gripped them firmly as his fingers pinched her taut nipples tightly. She fought against the scream building in her chest. He hadn’t removed a single piece of his own clothing and already she was fighting off her orgasm, unwilling to give in to the gloriousness just yet.

  “What?” she gasped. “What promise?”

  Her mind wanted to protest whatever he requested, wanted to resist whatever it was he planned to say. She hadn’t made him any promises, had she?

  “Just me,” he repeated. “I’m your only lover from now on.”

  “Wes, please.” Her pride was tattered and tossed to the wind.

  “Say the words, Jill. Promise me.”

  “Only you,” she whispered when he followed up his demand with another strong tug on her nipples. “Oh God, only you, I promise.”

  Her mind fought to comprehend her promise. Before she could think about her agreement further, Wes pushed his hips closer and rubbed his hard-on against her clit. Why wasn’t he naked? When would he come inside her?

  Gently, he pushed her legs down. His hands moved at lightning speed, quickly divesting himself of his pants and boxers. She reached out to unbutton his shirt, pulling it over his strong shoulders.

  She didn’t have a moment to regret the step she was about to take as Wes bent over and picked her up. “Not here. Not for our first time.”

  He carried her to her bedroom and she prayed this first time wasn’t the only time. God willing there would be more. Lots more before—

  She shut the thought down. She was going to live in the moment, revel in the joy of being here with the man she loved.

  He gently placed her on the bed. She watched him don a condom and briefly, she realized the mistake she was about to make. Unfortunately, Wes was too fast.

  He leaned over her, pushing her legs apart. “Put your legs around my waist,” he commanded, his husky voice letting her know in no uncertain terms he wouldn’t be denied. This moment was long overdue. They both knew it.

  She did as he said, grateful for the soft mattress at her back as Wes covered her with his rock-hard flesh.

  “I want to go slow, Jill, but—”

  “I don’t need slow. Just you. Please. Just you. Now.”

  She fought back a gasp as his cock slowly entered her tight sheath, and any chance she had at resisting fell away.

  Once he was seated to the hilt, he stilled. “Okay?”

  She smiled and tried to hold back the tears gathering in her eyes. “Perfect.”

  “Been a long time coming.”

  She laughed lightly at his joke. “Shut up, Wes. Shut up and fuck me.”

  He gave her a quick kiss as his cock retreated from her body. Her pussy clenched in response.

  He groaned. “Christ. Perfect is right.”

  She silently rejoiced when his body shuddered slightly. She’d never felt so overwhelmed by joy. To know she instilled the same response in him thrilled her.

  As he pushed back in, it was her turn to moan. He captured the sound with his lips, kissing her. She savored the taste of the peppermint gum he chewed on his breath. His tongue tangled with hers as she clung to him, digging her fingers into his muscular shoulders.

  He was rock hard—the living, breathing embodiment of a Greek god. What had Cheryl called him? Adonis? Her friend was right. Wes was simply too handsome, too perfectly put together to be a part of this modern-day world.

  He cupped her face in his hands as he deepened the kiss they shared. His air became hers. His hips mimicked the driving thrusts of his tongue in her mouth, each motion driving him deeper into her body.

  She fought for air, fought for purchase, fought for more. He was taking over every part of her and she was surrendering willingly.

  “Faster,” she murmured when he released her lips. “God, move faster. I need you so badly.”

  Wes ran his lips over her cheek, the gesture so sweet, so loving, her heart beat harder. She’d had sex far too many times in her life. She’d never once made love.

  Her traitorous heart tried to deny the truth of that thought.

  No, she thought. It’s sex. Only sex.

  Wes wiped away all her anxieties when he lifted her legs above her head. The new position allowed him to thrust deeper. She gasped as his cock touched parts of her that were previously uncharted. No lover had ever taken her so completely.

  Thrashing her head against the pillow, she fought against coming too soon. She was in no hurry to give up Eden after only walking through the gate.

  “God,” she cried when he pushed in even stronger. His hips slapped against her thighs powerfully. He was staking a claim that could never be questioned or refuted.

  “Fuck, Jill. So fucking good.”

  Her mind could only conjure up the words, No shit.

  Instead, she merely hissed, “Yes.”

  Over and over, he moved inside her, deeper and harder. His cock pounding into her body in a marvelously steady rhythm. She thrust her hips against him as much as her position would allow, anxious—greedy—for more.

  At last, she admitted defeat. She had to give in to her orgasm or die. She screamed as his cock throbbed with its release.

  Wes held her tightly for several long moments as her body trembled with the aftermath of their combined climax.

  When her strength returned, she lowered her legs, leaving them dangling from the edge of the bed.

  Wes rolled off her, pulling her into his tight embrace, and Jill’s wits returned, resounding in her brain like the pealing of a bell. Her reasons for running, for hiding, for resisting Wes crashed in on her, and panic gripped her chest.

  The damage was done. Wes had overpowered her better judgment and claimed the one thing she’d never, ever given to anyone—her heart.

  Problem was, she couldn’t accept his in return. Not without destroying him.

  * * * * *

  Wes opened his eyes in the dark room and grinned. He and Jill had dozed and made love off and on all afternoon. A quick glance at the clock showed it was nearly nine. They’d skipped dinner, neither of them hungry for anything outside the walls of her bedroom. He’d taken her three times and already his
body was hardening, readying itself for more.

  Jill curled against his chest like a kitten searching for warmth. He pulled the covers over her shoulders and tightened his grip. He knew without a shadow of a doubt Jill was his destiny. The way her body responded to his had only solidified the truth he’d known since walking into her diner all those years earlier. He’d taken one look at this little blonde pixie, and the blinders he’d worn for years fell away.

  Like a fool, he’d thought his future was set, his life determined. He had his dream job in the DEA, a roof over his head, money in the bank and the occasional hook-up in his bed.

  Meeting Jill proved all those things were insignificant distractions. She was the real deal, the only thing that mattered.

  Unfortunately, for some reason she still hadn’t told him, Jill was working overtime to deny the truth. He’d hoped getting her into bed, making love to her would penetrate the damn defenses she’d erected between them. Sadly, that didn’t appear to be the case. Though her body responded to his, her heart was closed against him. He could sense her holding back, restraining from giving herself to him fully.

  Why?

  Her hand drifted along his chest and he listened to the subtle change in her breathing that told him she was awake.

  “Hungry?” he asked.

  She shook her head. She lay quietly, and he wondered what she was thinking about. When the silence lingered for longer than was comfortable, he rolled to face her.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded and gave him a smile tinged with sadness.

  He narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t used to this quiet Jill. He preferred the woman who always had an answer—smartass or otherwise. He touched her face, stroking the soft skin of her cheek. “Talk to me. Was it awful? Did you hate it?”

  She shook her head, confirming he hadn’t misread his earlier assumptions that the sex between them was off-the-charts hot. “Hardly. God, can you die from too many amazing orgasms?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’m willing to give it a try if you are.”

  She leaned forward and placed a quick kiss against his lips. He loved when she initiated the kiss. “Are you spending the night?”

  He nodded. “I was planning on it. Is that okay with you?”

  She didn’t answer right away, and again he sensed she was trying to keep that cursed distance between them. It pissed him off.

  “Goddamn it.” He pushed her to her back, rolling on top of her. “Stop that.”

  “Stop what?”

  “Pushing me away.” Before she could reply, he pushed his cock inside her body. As always, she was wet and ready to accept him. “Feel this?” He pushed deeper as he spoke.

  She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist. The movement allowed him to thrust deeper.

  “I want to be inside you, Jill.”

  “You are.” She gasped when he pulled back, her pussy clenching around his hard flesh. It was a heady sensation, and he returned quickly with a strong shove.

  “Not just your body.” He moved again, shallow, light movements meant to stoke the flames.

  “God, Wes,” she cried out, trying to direct his motions with her legs. “More.”

  He answered her request, thrust deeper, harder. “Like this?”

  He stopped again and she squeezed his upper arms tightly. “Please.” Her hips wriggled, trying to instigate movement. “Give me more.”

  He responded, thrusting inside her body in the way he’d learned that she liked. When he reached the tipping point, he froze. “Let me in,” he repeated.

  She gave him a puzzled look. “You are.”

  He shook his head. “Not like this.” He bent down, gave her a long, hard kiss, relishing her hungry response. They were well-matched in passion. “Let me in,” he repeated, moving slowly, deeply.

  Her orgasm built quickly and he knew he’d rather cut off his left arm than stop now. He pushed her—and himself—higher, both of them giving in to the heat together.

  He shuddered as his climax took him, her pussy gripping him tightly. Jill was a vocal lover. Her soft, panting cries sounded like music, driving him higher, dragging out his orgasm until he became lightheaded.

  As he filled her with his come, he realized he’d forgotten to put on a condom. Jill trembled slightly beneath him but he could see by the look of bliss on her face she hadn’t realized his fuckup yet.

  Resting on his elbows, he kissed her softly. “Let me in,” he whispered once more.

  Jill looked at him with unshed tears. “I can’t.”

  He wanted to argue, wanted to rage against her continued protest, but something in her face stopped him. It was giving her no joy to refuse him. Her face was etched with pain. Something was seriously wrong but until she opened up to him, Wes knew he didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of claiming her heart.

  He kissed her lightly before moving to the side of the bed and rising.

  If he’d expected her to protest his leaving, he would have been disappointed. But he knew she’d offer no complaint. Leaving was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do, but he knew that this battle was lost. Better to regroup. The war was far from over.

  “Good night, Jill.”

  Chapter Five

  Two days later, Jill was home pouring her second cup of coffee when a loud crash came from downstairs in the diner. “What the hell?”

  She was barefoot and dressed in just her robe as she threw open her door and nearly collided with Cheryl in the hallway.

  “What the hell was that?” Cheryl asked.

  “No idea. Come on.” Jill led the way down the staircase. A chilly breeze caught her at the bottom, causing her to shiver. As she entered the diner, she saw that the plate-glass window at the front of the dining area had been shattered. Glass covered nearly every inch of the floor.

  Jill stepped into the room, instantly treading on a sharp piece of glass. “Dammit!”

  “Well, hell,” muttered Cheryl from behind her. “Somebody broke the glass.”

  “No shit.” Jill hopped back out of the dining room with Cheryl’s assistance and sat on a chair in the hallway.

  “Lemme see.” Her friend leaned down. “Yep, the glass is still in there. Hold still a second.” Cheryl pushed on the sole of her foot.

  “Dammit, Cheryl, what are you doing? That hurts.”

  “I’m trying to dig it out. Stop squirming.”

  Jill closed her eyes to block out Cheryl’s poking and prodding, the sight of the blood making her queasy. She’d never been able to stomach blood—hers or anybody else’s.

  She hadn’t slept a wink since Wes left her bed two nights earlier. The defeated look on his face as he’d walked away had eaten at her soul until she thought she’d go mad. She’d picked up the phone a thousand times to call him, but she never got beyond the fourth digit before she hung up. What could she say?

  I’m sorry I hurt you, but this is for the best?

  While her head knew that, her heart didn’t concur. Her main fear was that he’d answer the phone and she’d beg him to come back. What good would that do? Better to make the break now.

  “Ouch.”

  “There. I think I got it out. Let me grab a towel and Band-Aid from the kitchen.”

  “Call Drake while you’re in there,” Jill shouted. She was careful to specify which member of Madison’s police force she wanted to answer this call.

  “Okay,” Cheryl called out in response.

  “Asshole vandals, throwing damn rocks at my windows, clogging my toilets, keying my car,” she muttered. “Damn it, I do not need this aggravation right now.”

  “Talking to yourself isn’t going to help.” Cheryl bustled out of the kitchen with a wet towel and bandages.

  “Maybe not, but seeing as how I can’t yell and scream at the idiot who broke my fucking window, I don’t have anyone else to berate. Ouch, Jesus, Cheryl! Stick with waitressing. It’s clear you’ll never be a nurse.”

  “Oh hush up. You’re acting
like a big baby. It’s just a little cut. I want to get the blood cleaned up so the Band-Aid will stick. Now then, that’s good. I’ve got some Neosporin here too. Want me to kiss and make it better?”

  Her friend finished patching her up as Jill smiled. Cheryl was truly her best friend. She figured no one else but the straight-shooting, chain-smoking waitress could put up with her and her cutting way of communicating on a daily basis.

  “Sorry. Didn’t get my second cup of coffee yet.”

  Cheryl grinned. “Well, that explains it then. Even I know better than to break one of your windows before you’ve had your daily fix of caffeine.”

  The sound of a siren broke through the quiet morning air.

  “Damn Drake,” Cheryl said. “Why in the hell does he think he needs to blast that siren? He’ll wake up the whole damn town and have them over here poking their noses in our business.”

  “Gotta love Madison. Drake’s probably been looking for a reason to turn on those flashing lights for weeks,” Jill replied. “Let’s face it. We’re gonna be the big news today with that broken window.”

  “Hell, we’re probably gonna be on the front page of the paper for the next week and a half.”

  They were laughing when Drake and Wes came through the kitchen door. Cheryl had unlocked the back door for them so they wouldn’t have to tramp through the sea of glass out front. Jill tried not to let her eyes eat up how gorgeous Wes looked in his police uniform.

  “Glad to see you’re finding some humor in this situation,” Drake said.

  “What did you do to your foot?” Wes asked, and Jill was amazed by how quickly he’d noticed her tiny Band-Aid.

  “Stepped on a piece of glass. It’s okay now.”

  “Why the hell are you running around barefoot?” His hands were braced on his hips, and Jill saw Cheryl’s eyebrows rise at his tone.

  “Oh, I don’t know, Wes. Maybe because it’s six o’clock in the fucking morning and I don’t sleep in shoes!”

  “Uh, Drake, why don’t you come on in the kitchen with me? I’ll get the coffeepot going.” Cheryl opened the kitchen door, making a hasty escape with the sheriff. It was on the tip of Jill’s tongue to beg her friend to stay, but there was no use in putting off the inevitable. Madison was a small town and there was no way she could avoid Wes forever.