Sensual Stranger (14 page)

A throaty chuckle bubbled from her. As he withdrew his hand,
she lowered her arm and clawed damp hair from her neck. “Only when I screw up.
And I don’t do it all that often. Can’t afford to keep getting my leather pants
and jacket fixed, you know?”

He didn’t. She worried more about hurting her clothes than
injuring her body. “What exactly do you do in your performances?”

“Just the usual stuff.” She ticked off the acts, each new
one sounding worse to him than the others.

At last, he interrupted, “T-bone? Roll-over? Suicide twist?”

Composed, her lids heavy, she regarded him. “There has to be
a little danger involved or no one would come.”

And then she wouldn’t make a living. She wouldn’t have a
place to stay at night or anything to eat. What in the fuck had brought her to
this rather than a normal life with a permanent home, friends, a family to
worry about her, to be there if she needed help? She wasn’t uneducated. Her
diction and world-view—that she’d unknowingly shared with him at dinner last
night—were solidly middle-class.

He recalled what Em had said this morning.

You’re actually going to let her go back to that daredevil
stuff?

“You like doing that kind of work?” he asked.

Her eyes closed. She took a deep breath. Zach’s gaze fell to
her breasts, her nipples rosy and puckered. His cock stirred. Toni mewed. He
lifted his eyes.

With what seemed great effort, she parted her lids and spoke
without artifice, her voice soft. “It’s what I know.”

Why? Who had taught her? Who had brought her into that
world?

She cleared her throat, then continued quickly, her tone
suddenly neutral, controlled, as though she wanted to hide her feelings from
him or didn’t want him asking anything too personal. “If you can get the better
gigs, it pays very well on the circuit, more than a nine-to-five job that might
not be there tomorrow, at least in this economy. And it’s not that hard. Hell, even
Ann-Margret did some of the stuff I do.”

She’d lost him. “Who?”

Toni laughed, the sound unexpected, vibrant, filled with
life.

Zach’s body responded instantly, a flush of warmth engulfing
him.

With her laugh mellowing to a soft chuckle, she explained,
“Ann-Margret’s an old Hollywood star, one of Lucky’s favorites.” Her smile
widened, lighting up her face. Gaze turned inward, her voice grew distracted as
though she recalled a particularly pleasant memory. “I bet he’s watched Viva
Las Vegas a hundred times. Ann-Margret starred in it with Elvis Presley. You do
know him, right?” she asked.

Zach rolled his eyes.

Looking pleased with her teasing, Toni continued, “There
were some outtakes at the end of the video. In between takes, Ann-Margret was
horsing around on her cycle, standing on the seat while it was tooling down the
road.”

Confused, Zach shook his head. “You mean, the damn thing was
moving and she wasn’t even driving it?”

“How could she? She was standing on the seat.”

“And that’s what you do?”

Toni nodded. “Better than her, I might add. But I’d never
say that to Lucky. To him, she’s a freaking goddess.” She smiled gently. “Belle
often jokes that the only reason she started dyeing her hair red was because of
his obsession with Ann-Margret. It’s not true, of course. They’re very
committed.”

“They’re motorcycle performance artists too?”

The corners of Toni’s mouth trembled slightly, erasing her
smile. Vigilance returned—a look of wariness at what else he might ask. Turning
her head from him, she glanced at the water. “Do you want me to finish washing
up?”

“No. I’m going to do it.”

Her eyes slid to him. “You’ve done this before?”

Never. “You’re the first.”

Pleasure shone in her eyes, their color so amazing, Zach’s
heart turned over. “Drape your arms over your head.”

She did as he wanted. The look on her face, the water
sparkling on her skin, brought him back to an X-rated film he and his high
school buddies had watched one dateless Friday night. The actress who’d starred
in it was frequently wet from the hot tub, shower or pool where she and the
plumber went at it like there was no tomorrow. Smiling at the memory, Zach ran
the dampened sponge over Toni’s skin.

As he finished washing her arms and smooth pits,
concentrating next on the swell of her breasts, Toni lowered her arms and
studied him. In a smoky voice, she asked, “Enjoying yourself?”

More than he had in years. “Lift your leg.”

Water sluiced down her firm flesh as she met his request.
Her mouth hung open on a surprised gasp at his fingers wrapped around her calf,
holding it up while he ran the sponge down her inner thigh to her dark bush.

Lids fluttering, breath halting, she murmured a particularly
salty oath.

Zach’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. “Bad girl.”

“The worst,” she agreed. “Punish me,” she murmured.

Releasing the sponge, he ran his hand over her cleft,
separating her lips, plump with desire, locating the hard rise of her clit.

Water splashed against the sides of the tub with her attempt
to move her body closer to his hand. Chastising her, as she wanted, Zach eased
his fingers away, just out of her reach. On the heels of her protest, he
lowered his head, latching his mouth onto the inside of her thigh, just below
her knee.

Toni inhaled sharply, following it with a faint moan at his
suckling.

With her attention on pleasure, he moved his hand closer to
her nub, stroking it.

A new oath escaped her. She released all of her breath in a
noisy sigh and slid down until the water touched her chin.

“You’re not about to fall asleep on me, are you?” Zach
asked, a smile in his voice.

Her eyes remained closed. She worked her mouth a bit and
grunted, “Uh-uh.” Inhaling deeply at his renewed stroking, she sighed out her
next words. “I could stay like this forever.”

Zach ran his fingers over her sensitive nub, then withdrew
his hand. “And miss what I have in store for you in the bedroom?”

With loving care that surprised Toni, he washed her, leaving
no part of her body untouched. His meticulousness proving there wouldn’t be an
inch of her he’d fail to claim this night.

Scented with lavender, weakened with need, she grew
increasingly lightheaded as Zach patted her dry, paying particular attention to
her breasts and cunt while suckling her neck.

Sounds poured from her. She barely recognized them as human.
They seemed more feline than anything else.

Finished, he lifted his head and dropped the thick white
towel at the base of the tub.

Toni’s heart banged against her ribs as she recalled his
earlier question about what he had in store for her in the bedroom. Unable to
stand the suspense any longer, she asked, “What have you planned?”

Hunger shimmered in his eyes. Indecency quieted his voice.
“Exactly what I want…what you’re going to allow.”

Toni moved into him, the tips of her breasts brushing his
naked pecs, her mound to his luscious bulge. “Do whatever you want.” She
snuggled her face into his throat.

Hand on her ass, he squeezed her tattooed cheek. “I fully
intend to.” With a playful swat, he ordered, “In your bedroom. Now.”

The few steps down the hall seemed endless, her body so
wired from anticipation it felt heavy, her limbs weak. Swinging open the door,
she caught the scent of fabric softener on the freshly washed sheets…no doubt
another of Zach’s tasks while he’d been gone from the garage.

She teased, “You played hooky from work to do the laundry?”

From behind, his voice hushed close to her ear. “I own the
place. I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

And he would too.

Bursts of heat radiated from her ass to her pussy as Zach
ran his fingers down the furrow between her cheeks, pausing, lingering on her
anus.

“The sheets smell good,” she managed, her voice breathless.

“They will,” he corrected, “when they smell of you and me.”
His finger stroked her tight, pink ring.

At the sensations raging through her, Toni went to her toes.

Removing his hand, Zach kissed her shoulder and ordered, “On
the bed.”

With her gaze darting to it and her thoughts whirling at
what would soon transpire, Toni padded inside.

Beyond the filmy curtains, the last rays of sun streamed
over the hills, bathing the room in frail, golden light, deepening the shadows,
glinting dully off the brass headboard. She noted the comforter turned down at
the baseboard, the pillows removed, a single red scarf in their place.

What have you planned?

Exactly what I want.

Her heart skipped several beats as she imagined Zach’s
purpose in buying the scarf, knowing instinctively it hadn’t been in his
possession this morning.

In her peripheral vision, she caught something new on the
dressing table. Turning her head, she saw numerous candles of varying heights,
each a deep violet shade. In front of the largest stood a tiny bottle of
liquid, a shimmering saffron color in the waning light. Curious, she bypassed
the bed and Zach’s command to see what it was.

Her brows rose when she read the label. Heat burned her
cheeks as Zach reached her side. In a voice rasped with desire, she murmured,
“Bad boy.”

He took the bottle of oil, manufactured for the enjoyment of
anal sex, and put it next to the packets of condoms she now noticed. No doubt
for his use as he penetrated her tightest opening.

“On the bed,” he repeated, his tone impatient.

Toni backed up to it, her legs bumping the mattress, her
pulse racing as she watched him light the candles. The bobbing flames provided
a romantic and magical touch, turning the bedroom into a place of refuge,
comfort and unrestrained passion for them, no one else…no other woman.

For tonight and the few to follow, Toni had no doubt she
belonged here with him.

You’ve done this before,
she’d asked.

Never.

Pleasure and appreciation welled up in her, emotions so
strong, her throat constricted. Tears burned the corners of her eyes. For the
first time in too long, she wasn’t alone.

She would be again, in a few short weeks, though not now.

Concentrating on that, she watched Zach.

With the last candles lit and the lavender fragrance filling
the room, he grabbed the oil and several foil packets, then turned to her.
Toni’s breath caught at his alluring masculinity, enhanced by the shadows
playing across his handsome face and naked chest. He was nothing but hard
angles—firm, muscled flesh that could easily subdue and conquer her, using her
as he willed and she desired.

Crossing the room, he stopped so close their toes just about
touched.

Toni lifted her face and stared, fascinated by his beautiful
eyes, long lashes, the dark bristles of his coming beard, his scent and obvious
strength. Cupping his face, loving the way his roughened cheeks bit her palms,
she lowered his head, mewling loudly as their lips touched.

With a need so fierce it alarmed her, Toni kissed him in a
way she had no other man. Not able to get enough, she angled her head for
deeper penetration, sweeping her tongue around his hot, wet mouth.

Zach allowed it for only a moment before jerking free. With
a slightly dazed look, he ordered, “On the fucking bed now. I’m not telling you
again.”

Outwardly obedient, but smiling inwardly, Toni sank to the
mattress and drew up her legs. Eyes on him, she scooted to the center of the
bed and laid down on it, draping the silk scarf over her breasts, hiding them
from him.

Although Zach’s eyes narrowed, he couldn’t quite stop his
smile. “Take it off.”

“No.”

He cocked one brow at her sass.

She offered her own demand. “You do it.”

Something flickered across his face. Pleasure at her
challenge? Determination to tame her?

Grabbing the scarf in his free hand, placing the oil and
condoms on the comforter, he raked his gaze over her full length, settling on
the springy dark curls between her thighs. “Roll over, on your hands and knees,
legs spread, ass lifted.”

At the image his words created—the thought of him taking her
anally—warmth flooded Toni’s chest and throat. She glanced at his jeans,
wondering if he’d take them off when she had her back to him.

Wanting him nude, desperate to have him in every part of
her, she rolled over, assuming the position…her body supplicant and exposed,
ready for his use.

Seconds ticked by. Shadows trailed over the mattress,
bobbling slightly with the candles’ flames. The air conditioner’s fan clicked
off. Chilled air whispered around the room, magnifying her nudity and wanton
pose.

Zach made no move to mount her, nor did he speak. Keeping
her tongue, Toni waited, willing to have him control the act, to observe every
part of her.

Her breathing hitched and her cunt tightened as she imagined
his eyes trailing over her buttocks. The tattoo she’d gotten to prove to
herself she’d always be a part of Belle and Lucky’s life. That she was like a
daughter to them, not just a desperate teen they’d taken in and given a home,
then taught her their trade.

She expected Zach to trace the design with his fingertips as
he’d done so many times in the last day.

He did not. He simply observed while she remained
vulnerable, her skin tingling with expectation, picturing him staring at both
of her openings, desirous of each.

At last, he got on the bed, the mattress dipping beneath his
weight. The bottle of oil rolled into Toni’s knee. In the corner of her eye,
she saw the shiny packets of condoms.

Blood pulsed in her ears.

His command cut through the sound. “Lift your hands.”

Her eyes jerked to them. With her elbows supporting her
weight, Toni followed his order, lacing her fingers, watching as he looped and
knotted the scarf around her wrists, tying the ends to one of the headboard’s
brass slats, imprisoning her.