Big Bad Marine Read online

  But he didn’t push yet, no, he just teased her a little with it, almost but not quite there, his weight pressing down on her as she twisted and wriggled, trying to urge him deeper.

  She began to pant, attempting to throw off the hands around her wrists. But it was like trying to pull off iron manacles. “W-West.”

  The fierce intensity in his eyes didn’t lessen, the storm in them getting darker as he remained utterly still, utterly silent. Totally calm while she felt like she was in the middle of a hurricane.

  “West,” she gasped, half out of her mind. “I need you. Please.”

  7

  Looking down into Rose’s flushed face, West was certain of only one thing. That he was a bad man and that hell would welcome him with open arms.

  Who else but a bad man would put a woman so much younger and so inexperienced over his knee? Would spank her ass until it was bright red? And then hold her down in preparation for fucking the hell out of her?

  And not just any woman. Duchess’s little sister. The girl he’d sworn to protect ever since she was sixteen.

  But this was all part of that protection. Spanking her and touching her, making her scream into the quilt, making her cry. Fucking her hard. Showing her the truth of him so she’d never want to come near him again.

  Yeah, you can justify it however you like. You just wanted to screw the living daylights out of her.

  This time he didn’t avoid the thought. He let it sit there, an uncomfortable truth. Because yes, he did want to screw the living daylights out of her.

  And he was going to. And he had no regrets whatsoever about it.

  Of course, a good man would have had regrets. A good man would be pulling away and letting her go. A good man wouldn’t have even done it in the first place.

  But he'd known for years that he wasn’t a good man.

  He was the man whose sister had been raped by a friend he’d brought home, a sister he’d failed to protect. And what had happened to her should have turned him off wanting to hurt any woman again. Yet the desires inside him wouldn’t go away. His father had told him that if he wanted a decent military career, he’d have to overcome his flaws. Stop drinking and partying. Control his temper. But he hadn’t listened. Until Carly had been hurt and descended into an endless cycle of depression and addiction.

  He blamed himself for not protecting her. For not being there for her. For shouting at her when he shouldn’t. So, he’d tried to get a handle on himself, tried to control himself. Tried to be good.

  But he couldn’t escape what he was. Those uncontrolled tendencies, those intense passions were still there inside him, and now it was Rose who was the focus of them, and all he could think was ‘fuck, yes’. He’d done all those things to her and she hadn’t balked. She hadn’t pulled away. And now she was looking up at him with nothing but desire…

  No, he didn’t regret a fucking thing.

  West pressed her wrists down into the pillow, his impatient cock right at the entrance of her body. The heat of her was insane, momentarily stealing his breath.

  She gave a throaty moan, arching beneath him, her arms straining against his hold as she tried to move, take him deeper.

  It was so fucking sexy he nearly obliged her. But he’d already decided that this was all about punishment, about showing her who was boss, and so he remained still, wanting her even more desperate, even a little crazy for him.

  “W-West…” Her blue eyes were nearly black with desire, sweat shining at her throat. “You b-bastard…”

  He loved hearing his name, all husky and soft and soaked through with desperation. Which was exactly how he’d wanted her.

  “I told you I wasn’t going to go easy on you, darlin’.” Hell, his own voice sounded as ragged and hoarse as hers. “If you can’t take it, you’d better tell me right now.”

  Defiance flared in her eyes. “I…can take it. I can take anything you give me.”

  Of course, she could and he’d realized that as she’d lain across his knees, shivering as he’d brought his palm down on all that pale flesh. She’d refused to give in even then. But he wasn’t surprised. It’s what she’d been doing for the past few years, teasing him, testing him, refusing to back down.

  She’s testing your limits. Now you want to know hers.

  The desire inside him grew teeth at the thought, biting down, sinking into his flesh. Because yes, he did. He wanted to tie her down and spank her, see how far he could push her. Pay her back for all the pushing she’d done to him. And that was a very bad thing to want to do.

  He’d allowed himself this one time with her, but no more. This was all he had. She wasn’t ready for all the things he wanted to do to her, and besides, even apart from the fact that he was older and she was Duchess’s little sister, they worked together. And kinky sex had no place in that kind of relationship.

  “Sure, you can,” he murmured, his own patience running thin. She was so hot, the clutch of her pussy around the tip of his cock insanely distracting.

  Jesus, if he wanted to stay in control of this, he was going to have to move.

  He shifted his hips, easing into her slick heat, watching her eyes get wider, her breath getting shorter, harsher. He didn’t stop, but he didn’t rush either, sliding even deeper, not taking his eyes off her as her head went back against the pillows, exposing the elegant arch of her neck. She groaned, her lashes drifting shut. “West…God…”

  It was good, watching her. Seeing what he could to do her. How desperate he could make her. Shit, it was a good test of his own control, too, because if he wasn’t careful, she was going to make him lose it.

  Releasing one of her wrists, he slid his hand down and beneath her thigh, lifting it and hooking it high around his hips, opening her up, allowing him to slide deeper still.

  “Yes,” Rose whispered, her body angling to take him. “Oh, God, yes…”

  ‘Yes’ was fucking right. Certainly, that’s all he was thinking, the feel of her pussy around his cock sending every other thought clean out of his head.

  Hot. Slick. Tight.

  Holy Jesus Christ. So fucking good.

  He slid in right to the hilt then he paused, moving his hand from her leg back to her wrist again, keeping both her hands pinned to the pillow on either side of her head.

  She was panting and trying to move, all restless and desperate beneath him. So sexy. He couldn’t look away, completely mesmerized.

  “West,” Rose moaned. “You need to move…. Please….”

  But he didn’t. He stayed where he was, shifting his hips just a little to add a slight bit of pressure to her clit, watching her face as she felt it, her pupils dilating, another low moan escaping from her.

  Okay, so there was nothing to say he couldn’t test her more right now, while she was naked under him. He wasn’t going to get this chance again, after all, so why not?

  “W-What are you doing?” she gasped. “I need…God, I need…”

  “I know what you need. But you’re not going to get it, not yet. You said you can take anything I give you, so how about you take this?” He leaned down, brushing his mouth over hers, another tantalizing kiss designed to inflame and tease, but not satisfy. “You’re not coming until I say.”

  “Bastard.” She shifted yet again, her hips lifting, seeking more friction, but he was letting his full weight rest on her and she could barely move him. “You heartless bastard.”

  “Turnabout is fair play, don’t you think?” He nuzzled at her throat, tasting the salt on her skin. “Anyway, you’re strong, darlin’. You can take it.”

  Like he’d said the magic words, she gave a groan then lay still, her breathing fast and harsh, trembles shaking her body.

  “Good girl,” he whispered, watching the frantic beat of her pulse at the hollow of her throat, then bending to taste it. “Keep still and do what I say, and you might get a reward.”

  He eased, back nice and slow, almost pulling out of her then sliding in again, another long, slow mo
vement. She gave a small cry, her body shaking, her fingers curling into fists. But she didn’t move. Obeying him.

  It was intoxicating to see her like this. Her doing what he told her to do and trying to do it well. Wanting to please him, because that’s why she was doing this, wasn’t it? Because she was a gorgeous girl who wanted to please.

  So, he kept going, building up an easy rhythm, taking his time. Slow and deep and hot. It was a test of his strength and his patience, too, no fucking doubt about it, but he was equal to it. He had to be.

  Rose’s eyes had drifted closed, her head back, the muscles of her neck drawn tight with the strain. And he totally indulged himself by trailing burning kisses over her skin, licking the sweat from it, biting the delicate tendons in her neck. She shuddered, panting, but stayed still.

  So, he moved further down to her perfect, round tits, teasing her nipples with his tongue before drawing one into his mouth and sucking hard.

  She gave a hoarse wail, her back arching, her hips lifting against his. But only for a moment. She lay flat again, freezing into place, obviously remembering what she was supposed to be doing.

  He lifted his head from her breasts, looking down at her, keeping up the slow thrust of his hips. Her eyes were closed, tears glittering on the ends of her lashes, her breathing harsh and ragged.

  His chest tightened inexplicably. Had he pushed her too far?

  Isn’t that a good thing? You don’t want her to come back for more, remember?

  Yeah, but still. She’d only been with one man, for fuck’s sake. Then again, he’d told her she could say stop and she hadn’t yet. She’d handled what he’d given her. Perhaps though, it was time for a reward. For both of them.

  “Rose,” he ordered quietly. “Look at me.”

  Her lashes fluttered then lifted, her gaze black as she stared up at him.

  “Keep looking at me.” He began to move, faster, harder. “Keep those big blue eyes on me.”

  And she did, staring at him as if he was her last chance of salvation, shaking and shuddering and trying to stay still, because she was trying to prove herself, even now.

  West leaned down, his mouth almost but not quite covering hers, tilting his hips so the angle of his thrust ground against her clit. “Time for that reward,” he murmured. “Come for me, darlin’.”

  She gasped, arching up, her leg tightening around his waist, her knuckles going white, and then she screamed, her pussy convulsing around his dick, doing exactly what she was told. And doing it beautifully.

  He lost it then, the leash he’d put on himself snapping. And he had to let go of her wrists so he didn’t hold her too tightly, bracing himself on the mattress instead, slamming himself into her. Fucking her hard and deep, and rough. Over and over. Until he lost the rhythm himself and there was nothing but sensation, a sharp, jagged electricity uncurling up his spine, exploding through every nerve-ending and out through the top of his head.

  He wasn’t conscious of much after that, only of collapsing back down onto the bed, with her soft and warm under him. And of one single, strange thought: that even if they didn’t get this skip, the trip would have been worth it for this moment alone.

  Rose woke up to the sensation of blankets being pulled off her. Still half asleep, she made an annoyed sound and tried to grab them, only to feel them being ripped out of her hands. Cool air washed over her bare skin, making her shiver.

  Dammit. She didn’t want to wake up, really didn’t. Perhaps if she kept her eyes closed, whoever it was annoying her would give up and go away.

  “Get up, Rosie girl,” a deep, masculine voice drawled. “It’s morning and we got to get on the road.”

  Rosie girl? What the hell?

  And then she remembered.

  West. The night before. His hands on her, his cock inside her, his mouth on hers. Doing everything she’d ever fantasized about and plenty more she’d been too inexperienced to even think of.

  Cracking open an eye, she nearly flinched at the bright light streaming in the window. Okay, so he was right. It was morning. But did that really mean they had to get up? She could do with another couple of hours of sleep at least, especially since she felt like she hadn’t had much. At least she was pretty sure she hadn’t, not when West had been keeping her awake with his insatiable demands.

  A shiver crept over her at the memory, and she was suddenly conscious of unfamiliar aches in intimate places. Very pleasant aches.

  She gave a sigh and turned onto her back, blinking at the man standing at the foot of the bed. He was fully dressed, in a dark blue T-shirt this time and faded blue denim, which was a pity since she would have preferred him wearing nothing at all.

  He had his arms crossed, his clear gray gaze firmly on her face. “C’mon, sleeping beauty. Time to go.”

  She put her hands behind her head, pretty damn satisfied with the way his attention began to move down over her naked body. “Are you sure?” She raised an eyebrow. “We could stay a little while longer if you like. I could help…wash your back or something.”

  A muscle in his jaw leapt, which was also extremely satisfying. But all he said was, “Get dressed. If you’re down at the car in five minutes, we’ll get waffles.”

  Oh, well. She did like waffles.

  She sighed. “I guess I’ll see you in five minutes then.”

  West gave a short nod, then much to her surprise, he turned toward the door.

  “Hey,” she said, sitting up. “Are you packed and ready to go already?”

  “Yeah.” He didn’t look back, reaching for the door and pulling it open. “Don’t be too long.” Then he stepped through the doorway, shutting the door firmly behind him.

  Rose frowned. So, she didn’t know what the right etiquette was the morning after, especially since he was the only man she’d ever actually spent the night with, but she was pretty sure it didn’t involve pulling the covers off your partner, telling them to get dressed, then leaving the room before they’d even had a chance to give you a good-morning kiss.

  A sliver of hurt slid under her skin. Had she done something wrong the night before? He’d told her that them being together was a one-off and she got that, but…Did that really involve him being rude to her?

  He’s not being rude. He’s only acting like he normally does. It’s you who’s expecting more.

  Rose swallowed, staring at the doorway, trying to ignore how the sliver of hurt slid deeper. Which was stupid. She wanted more sex, sure, but that didn’t mean marriage and two point five kids. She wasn’t looking for permanent. Shit, she was only twenty-one, she had plenty of life she wanted to live and plenty more guys she wanted to sleep with before she settled down. If she ever settled down.

  But hey, if West didn’t want more sex, then that was fine. She’d just go and find some other man to fulfill her needs.

  Oh, sure. You couldn’t find anyone before. Why do you think you will now?

  Grumpy all of a sudden, Rose shoved away the thought and pushed herself off the bed. No point sitting around reflecting, not when she had five minutes to get dressed and be at the car in time for waffles.

  And as for West, well, if he was going to act like a douchebag, then he could. What the hell did she care anyway? They’d only had sex, nothing major, right? The fact that it was the culmination of everything she’d been fantasizing about for the last few years made not the slightest bit of difference.

  Pulling on her jeans and a fresh top – a loose white one that left one shoulder bare – Rose then went into the bathroom for a quick wash up and the world’s fastest make-up application. Then, deciding to leave her hair loose, she went back into the main room and stuffed any remaining clothes lying around into her duffel bag, before heading out the door and down to the parking lot.

  West was leaning against the Impala, his arms folded in that ‘do not fuck with me’ way, his expression impassive. Even so, Rose couldn’t help blushing as she came toward him, her heart beating a little faster, unable to keep from remem
bering how that tanned skin had felt against hers. The rough touch of those large hands. The heavy weight of that hard, muscular body on hers…

  “Hey,” she said breathlessly, coming to a stop. “Am I in time for waffles?”

  He gave a short nod and opened her door for her. “Sure. We’ll stop on the highway somewhere.”

  “Okay, cool.” She paused, clutching the strap of her bag, his manner making her nervous all of a sudden. “Is…uh…everything okay?”

  “Yeah.” His gaze flickered. “Why do you ask?”

  Dammit. Now she wished she hadn’t asked. But she had, which meant she had to keep going. “Oh, well. You just seem…” She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know, kind of…cool, I guess.”

  He let out a breath, glanced away from her then back again. And this time the look in his eyes was very direct, very sharp. “You remembered what I said, right? That last night was a one-off?”

  Of course, she did. How could she forget? She swallowed, ignoring the lurch of disappointment in her gut. “Yes. Though, you didn’t actually say ‘last night’. You said ‘this’.”

  “Whatever. I meant it. Last night won’t be happening again.”

  “Why not?” The question came out before she could stop it. Which was great, because now she probably sounded a bit desperate. “It was just sex, West.”

  “A lot of reasons,” he said shortly. “Not the least of which we work together, and sex and work do not mix, okay? Anyway, all you need to know is that last night was it. The end.”

  “Oh. Right.” Honestly, it was ridiculous how disappointed that made her feel. Especially when she’d told herself just before that she was fine, that she didn’t need more from him. That she could get the same astonishing, thrilling, exciting ride from any other man.

  “Was it me?” Because apparently she couldn’t help herself. “I mean, did I do something? Or not do something? I know I wasn’t experienced or anything, but—”