Beneath the Layers Read online

He stopped moving for a second before he said, “I do.” The rumble of his voice against her neck speared downward. “But I’m thinking two might not be enough tonight.”

  “Some men say it with flowers. But you? Damn.”

  Stretching to her toes, she tried and failed to hook one leg around his waist. He was so much taller than she was without the killer heels. Orin cupped her ass and hoisted her to the back of her couch. When she locked her ankles around his waist, he pressed into her. Midge let a moan speak for her. Then his lips were on hers again, delving deeper with every flash of his tongue. She writhed against the ridge of his cock. Denim had never felt so good.

  He braced one hand on her back, the other kneading her breast in time with her gyrations. His low groan rumbled down her throat. Her body clenched at the sound. Then he ground into her pussy. She broke off the kiss with a gasp, offering her throat once more. Orin nibbled his way downward, shoving her tank top up and her bra down. She fumbled for the hem, dragged the garment over her head and threw it aside.

  Hades will love making a nest of that.

  A flick of Orin’s thumb released the hook on her bra. The straps fell. Before she could pull her arms free, he captured his prize, sucking one nipple hard while he twirled the other between his thumb and forefinger. Midge fisted the back of his shirt and pulled it up. He stopped long enough to yank it off. She placed her hands over his pecs, loving the strength she felt and damning the semi-darkness that kept her from seeing him clearly.

  But she could feel, and he did nothing to stop her from doing so, emitting soft sighs and grunts of pleasure with every sweep of her hands. She brushed her fingers through his chest hair, palmed his hard nipples, traced the contours over, down, around and up to his shoulders. Puckered flesh halted her exploration.

  “What’s this?”

  Orin caught her wrists, thumbs poised over her pulse. “It’s nothing, really.”

  Another topic off the table. How many more did he have? It really killed the mood. Maybe she’d be wise to set a few ground rules of her own.

  He sighed and dropped his hand to her waist. There wasn’t anything turned-on about the sound this time.

  “It’s a bullet wound,” he said. “I got it in the line of duty last year.”

  That spawned a lot of questions, none of which she was going to ask.

  “And you don’t want to talk about it.”

  “I don’t,” he replied. “At the risk of sounding crass, I like you enough to want to have crazy sex with you. But I don’t know you well enough to share my life stories with you…yet.”

  It was lovely to know they were on the same page. “I appreciate that and concur. Shall we take this up to my bedroom?” She brought her lips a breath away from his. “I want your body on me.”

  He slipped his hands around her back. “And I want my body in yours.”

  Before she could realize what he was going to do, Orin scooped her into his arms. “I’m presuming up the stairs?”

  “Yes.”

  She wanted to protest, wanted to tell him to put her down, but his alpha male tactics made her heart tumble a little bit more. Midge draped her arms around his neck.

  “Don’t kill us.”

  Orin’s smile and the gleam in his eyes devastated her senses. “Stop distracting me by being so hot.”

  She laughed. “Oh my, I do love having my ego stroked.”

  “Is that all you like stroked?” He kissed her quick and started up the stairs, halting halfway up.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s hard to walk with a cat curling through your legs.” Orin put Midge down and scowled at Hades. “I have to admit this is the first time I’ve been cock-blocked by a cat. If you cut it out, I’ll let you watch. You might learn a few things about the ladies.”

  Hades meowed.

  “Neutered, huh?” Orin replied. “Pity. Still, I’ll let you watch and you can dream of things you’ll never have.”

  Hades actually managed to sound mournful.

  “I hear you, buddy.”

  Midge laughed. “His pain is real. He has a love interest who won’t give him the time of day.”

  “Been there, done that.”

  Orin scooped him up in one arm and draped the other around Midge’s shoulder. There went her heart again. She was liking Orin more with every second. That dinner out he’d suggested sounded awesome. This could be the start of a new relationship. Yet here she was in disguise, walking up the stairs toward her bedroom for that crazy sex he’d mentioned. And, really, wasn’t that all he wanted? He’d said as much minutes ago. She’d leave the wig on.

  He set Hades on his feet when they reached the second floor. The cat flicked his tail and trotted into her bedroom, most likely to his favored spot on the windowsill. Midge laced her fingers through Orin’s as she led the way those last few feet.

  “We need a few ground rules,” she told him. “I don’t want the momentum shattered by any false moves.”

  He pulled her into his arms when they crossed the threshold. “‘No’ works very well for me. It doesn’t matter how far along we are at the moment. If you say ‘no’, I stop. But I agree knowing what’s off-limits first might be good.”

  She pulled in a breath and released it slowly. “It freaks me out when someone starts running their fingers through my hair. I’m very tender-headed.”

  Midge hated herself for the lie. Having a man dig his fingers in her hair was a major turn-on…when done right. Her instincts told her Orin would be that person. He’d start at her nape, then slowly crawl his fingers up. A shiver ran through her. She hoped he didn’t notice.

  “I’m with you on that. I don’t like people messing with my hair or my beard.”

  “And I prefer sex in the dark. Night-lights notwithstanding.” Liar, liar.

  “Me, too. Now, for what I do like.” He pulled her against him, cupped her ass and walked them toward her bed. When the mattress hit her legs, he unzipped her skirt. Midge wiggled free of it and sat down. Kneeling, he tossed the garment aside.

  “I love undressing a woman.” He brushed his hands up her legs, stopping when he reached the lace at the top of her stockings.

  “Taking my time.”

  The barest touch of his thumbs over her exposed skin made her body sizzle. She curled her fingers over the edge of mattress, frozen in place and waiting for his next move.

  Orin toyed with the lace, running his index finger under one band then the other. He was close enough that her arousal had to be obvious. Her panties were damp with want and her clit was swollen. She’d never been with a man who’d taken his time with seduction. While her body screamed for relief, she was more than content to let that need build, to let Orin have his way with her. Who knew when she’d have the opportunity again?

  He slowly peeled one stocking down, pausing at her knee. His breath danced over her thigh. She parted her legs, giving him better access. The feel of his lips on her skin took her breath away. Eyes closed, she basked in the tremors ignited by his slow crawl upward. Once he reached the top, Orin skipped to her other thigh, peeling her stocking away, kissing what he’d exposed all the way to her ankle.

  “You’re shaking.” He reached for the remaining hosiery, feathering his fingers down her leg.

  “I can’t ever recall being this turned on before.” And, by the way, I want to clamp your head between my thighs while you trace your tongue through my lady parts.

  “Talk about an ego-stroker. That really puffs up my…chest.”

  Midge giggled and traced her toes over his cock. “Did you know I can pick up a roll of quarters with my toes?”

  “Now I’m more turned on than I’ve ever been.”

  He chuckled and reached for her panties. The slither of microfiber had never felt more sensual. When that last impediment was gone, Orin stood and shoved his hand into his pocket to retrieve a condom.

  “Uh-uh. My turn. You aren’t the only one who likes to unwrap presents.”

  She hooked
her finger through his belt loop and pulled him against the bed. He started to reach for her head, then yanked his arms to his sides. The little package crinkled in the crush of his fist.

  Midge thumbed open the fly button as she traced her tongue over his six-pack. The musky scent of his arousal coiled around her, stirring her juices.

  “Excuse me if I’m not as patient as you are.” The telltale quiver of anticipation wiggled through him, much to her delight.

  She caught the tab of his zipper between her teeth and pulled down. Heat basked her face. Grabbing the waistbands of jeans and boxer briefs, she yanked them down. His cock bounced free, hitting her cheek and leaving precum behind. She flicked it away with her finger, then slowly sucked the digit clean. Hard breaths lifted his shoulders. The tension in his fists doubled.

  Midge pushed the clothing to his ankles, but his shoes kept her from removing them. Orin wasted little time pulling free, taking shoes and socks with him. When he reached for her, she pressed her breasts against his thighs, tickled her fingers up the backs and raised herself until his cock was cradled between her breasts.

  “You realize I’m about a breath away from coming,” he told her.

  “So if I dig my nails into your ass, you’re toast?”

  He chuckled. “Oh, yeah.”

  “Hmm.”

  It thrilled her to know she’d turned him on that much—again, something no other man had ever admitted to before. She eased away and crawled backward on the bed, pushing the covers down as she went. Orin took his sweet time putting on the condom—gathering his control, she’d bet.

  We’ll see about that.

  Midge toyed with her nipples. His sharp intake of breath speared through her. The mattress dipped with his weight. She parted her legs ever so slightingly, inviting him in. Orin took his time about it, kissing and licking his way up her body and setting little fires in his wake. She reached for him when he hovered over her, wrapping her arms around his steely torso. He brushed his fingertips over her cheek, kissed her nice and slow then sank his cock deep inside.

  Her brain shut down, lost not only in the feel of his possession but the swirl of emotions that engulfed her. At some point she realized Orin hadn’t moved—not even his lips. It was as if they were frozen in this moment. They ended the kiss at the same time. Orin released a hard breath and pressed his forehead to hers. She tightened her hold on him, never wanting to let go. He made her feel…whole.

  “Afraid to move?” she asked him.

  “Not afraid to. I just don’t want to. You feel like…” He lifted his head, gaze locked on her. “There are no words.”

  He slipped his hand between them, nestling his thumb on her clit. “I love that you’re as hard as me. Come with me. I want to feel your muscles clamped tight around my cock.”

  Then he moved—a slow glide in and out that invited her to join him. She coiled her legs over his calves, catching his rhythm, loving the rise in momentum and speed that matched the flick of his thumb. Orgasm raced over her. She relished the feel of him coming with her. The sensation hovered, demanding and getting more from them both. By far, it was the best orgasm she’d ever had.

  Their hard breaths mingled in the aftermath. She basked in his kisses and caresses. No flopping over in bed for this guy. Another first, as was never having come at the same time as her lover. Now that she’d experienced how delicious it felt with him hot and hard inside her, Midge hungered for more.

  “We are so doing this again,” he murmured against her lips.

  “I totally agree.” She grinned. “And if it’s just as good as the first time, I might be willing to break into my stash of condoms.”

  “I love a challenge. Allow me to show you my moves.”

  He rolled to his back, taking her with him.

  Chapter Three

  “Michelle!”

  Bernadette McFee’s shrill voice reverberated from the living room below, piercing Midge’s dreams.

  “I need to borrow your iPod, but I can’t find it in all this debris. This is most untidy of you.”

  Kill me now. Better yet, she could kill her intrusive landlady. Any jury in the world would consider it justifiable homicide.

  “It’s in your lease that the unit be kept in peak order.”

  Midge groaned. Sated from a long night of sex, she hadn’t bothered to pick up once Orin had left at four. She hadn’t done anything except yank off the wig and throw it aside before going back to sleep.

  “This is a great inconvenience for me. I know you’re still here. I saw that huge vehicle of yours in the garage. I do wish you’d park it outside.”

  Only because she wanted to park her blasted Cadillac dead center. Midge wasn’t going to budge on that issue. Her lease indicated she could park in the garage and that was where her SUV was going.

  Midge heard footsteps stomp her way. Bernadette was coming up the stairs. Nothing was sacred. Privacy was a foreign word to her.

  Hades’ snarl told her that Bernadette had entered the room. Midge cracked open her gummy lids. The chubby little blonde dangled last night’s attire on the tip of her finger as if afraid mere contact would soil her expensive chartreuse linen suit and fuchsia silk blouse.

  “It’s on the dresser. Leave me alone.”

  She groaned, glanced at the bedside clock and tried to turtle back under the warm bedclothes. Being around her neighboring landlady was a painful experience under the best of circumstances, but especially so at seven-forty in the morning when she had a pounding headache.

  Seven-forty in the morning? Oh, crap, I’m late for work.

  She tossed back the covers, scattering pillows in her leap from bed, realizing too late that she was naked. Bernadette gasped and averted her eyes. Ignoring her dramatics, Midge grabbed her glasses from the nightstand and dashed into the walk-in closet.

  There wasn’t time for a shower. If she wasn’t in the courtroom in twenty minutes, the judge would crucify her. She was never late. Never. She’d either slept through her alarm or forgotten to set it.

  “This hideous costume smells like a filthy ashtray.” Bernadette’s screech filtered into the closet. “If this carpeting absorbs the odor, I’m going to have to charge you for a cleaning service.”

  Midge grabbed a clean pair of panties and bra, then fumbled around on the floor for an olive-drab T-shirt. Her shapeless camouflage uniform was hanging on a hook, waiting to be ironed. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. The T-shirt wasn’t clean and her uniform was creased. She’d planned to do laundry before Susan and Jeremy had arrived last night. Then there was Orin.

  A shiver coursed through her. He’d kissed her senseless before he left, trying to coerce her phone numbers from her. Midge had placated him with a promise to call him tonight by nine and the reminder that he knew where she lived.

  “Michelle, you aren’t paying attention.”

  Will her tirade ever cease? Just take the iPod and leave, bitch.

  Midge longed to let loose and give the woman a piece of her mind. That whole confrontation thing reared its ugly head. That—and the lack of time.

  “I said I was looking for your iPod. I know you have one. You wear it when you run. I desperately need it.”

  “I told you it’s on the dresser,” she shouted back.

  She burst from the closet, buttoning her cammie blouse with one hand, carrying her heavy black military boots in the other. At least they were clean and polished, one positive thing in her favor. She sank to the edge of the bed to put them on.

  “You got in late last night. What is this, pray tell?” She dropped the red wig next to Midge on the bed.

  Her mind raced for an answer. Time was a bigger enemy than Bernadette and Midge had had enough.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but it belongs to a friend.” After she twisted her unruly dark curls into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, she snagged a tote bag from the closet then grabbed her keys off the dresser.

  “I have to go. You can let yourself out.�
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  “I saw you with a man last night.” Bernadette remained rooted to her spot, blocking the exit. “You’ve never mentioned having a brother. Are you seeing anyone? What is the polite term for that sort of activity these days? I noticed he stayed rather late.”

  Interfering bitch. One day, she was going to get up the guts to really tell Miss Priss where to go. If only she had time to unleash her inner warrior queen. Shoving past her was the best Midge could do. She dashed into the bathroom, randomly tossing bath accessories into the tote. If luck was with her, she could take a fast shower when the judge called recess.

  Bernadette hovered by the door, arms crossed. Midge darted past her and ran down the stairs. Bernie dogged her steps.

  “Late nights really don’t agree with you, dear. You’re being quite rude.”

  With that remark, the bitch made her exit, without the iPod. She’d probably never wanted it in the first place and had been fishing for information about Orin. Bernadette’s idea of exercise was an all-day shopping spree down in Palm Springs. Even then, she selected high-end boutiques where clerks brought the clothing to her while she sipped champagne and ate chocolates.

  She loved the house and the rent was reasonable, but the fact that Bernadette used her pass key to come in whenever she needed something—a bottle of wine, a magazine, food—rightfully pissed Midge off. She valued her privacy above all things.

  Seven-forty-five. Damn, damn, damn.

  Snagging her purse from the couch, she dashed into her kitchen, grabbed the box of cat chow from the pantry and shook a cupful into Hades’ bowl, ignoring his this-won’t-do snort.

  “Don’t start with me, mister,” she muttered. “I’m having a very bad morning.”

  She darted through the side door. The garage she shared with Bernadette’s adjoining home was quiet, no sign of her nosy neighbor. Thank goodness for small favors. Bernadette was probably calling one of her cronies to report the encounter.

  Midge punched the button for the garage door opener, started up her silver SUV and backed out with a roar, careful not to get too near Bernadette’s cherry-red Cadillac. One scratch and she’d be in small claims court for sure.