The gorgeous man standing behind Brimstone burst out laughing. “Brim, I like her. Hello, my sweet, I’m Slade. Don’t mind my friend here, he’s got a real dragon of a temper.”
Slade moved around the big lug and took hold of Amber's hand. Brimstone growled low and threateningly at Slade, his hands clenching and his jaw so tight, Amber thought he might break both teeth and bone.
Brim’s jealousy and his caveman tactics made her hotter than the Darwin sun.
Slade took no notice of Brim’s behaviour. She shook his hand and he let go and stepped back when Brimstone growled out the word, “Mine.” She realised he might punch his friend.
“Nice to meet you, Slade.”
She smiled back, admiring his golden boy, beach surfer good looks. Another hero to add to my collection.
“You promised to be mine; you said you wanted me to be your hero. Am I no longer good enough?”
She rolled her eyes and hid her smile at his insecurity. Men! Just when you thought you had them figured out.
“Hero?” Slade’s mirth-filled gaze turned on Brimstone.
Amber giggled. “It’s a long story. So, are you two coming on the tour?”
“Yes,” Brimstone barked before Slade could answer.
“Great.” She tried to hide her happy-sappy grin, and turned to the now red-faced, bus driver. “Sorry, Sam, is it alright if my friends join the tour?”
The driver cleared his throat. “I, uh… we do have a spare spot, but we prefer if they book in advance.”
“Mr. Goolia is not coming, so Brimstone can take his spot, which is already paid for.”
“I can pay my way.” Slade pulled out a wallet stuffed with cash, handing over a few hundred dollar notes before the driver could protest.
“Right this way.” The driver stepped back, waving them towards the bus. “It may be a good idea if, uh, Mr. Brimstone sat at the back with his, uh, long legs, he'd be more comfortable.”
“Thank you.” Amber boarded and the bus and the chattering tourists fell into a hush of quiet when she felt the presence of Brimstone close behind her. She stifled a giggle, glancing over her shoulder. He looked so uncomfortable; his huge frame made the bus look like a sardine tin.
None too gently, he pushed her into the corner seat, taking the one in the middle, caging her in. She opened her mouth to take him to task on his pushiness, but he leaned in, grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her hard on the mouth. She groaned, her fingers curling around his rock hard bicep, her body melting against his, totally forgetting why she was annoyed in the first place.
He pulled back and she opened her eyes, her lips tingling and her body throbbing. Despite still being sore from last night’s sex marathon, she wanted him again. What was it about Brimstone which flipped every switch she owned?
“I missed you,” he rumbled softly, his lips against her forehead.
She frowned in concern. “It’s only been two hours. Should I worry about how clingy you’re getting? We’ve only had one night together; what happens when we end? You’re not going to turn into some crazed stalker with super soldier training are you?”
“We’re not.”
“Not what?” She arched her eyebrow.
“Going to end.”
“We aren’t?
“No.”
“Oh.” Amber frowned, unsure of how to come back to that one. “Look, you’re a nice guy and all, but I don’t think—”
Laughter from the other side of Brimstone made her lean over to see Slade almost rolling in his seat. “Brim? Nice guy?” Slade continued to laugh hysterically.
“Shut up,” Brim warned his friend, following up with a low growl.
“I really like her, she’s funny and sexy.”
“If you like to keep your teeth inside your mouth, shut it, Slade.”
“Ohhh…” Slade drew in a deep breath. “Thanks for the laugh.”
“Um, you’re welcome, he's such a sweet talker.” Amber shook her head, setting Slade off into another round of hysterical laughter.
Amber decided to quit while she was ahead. She would come back to the topic of Brimstone’s possessive behaviour later, after the tour.
“Anyway, I’m glad you got my note. We can spend this time getting to know each other.”
“There will be no more notes.”
“There won’t?”
“No.”
“Why not?” Amber head spun with a sudden deja-vu.
“Next time, you aren’t leaving.”
“Ooh-kaay. There’s going to be a next time?” She was thrilled with the knowledge he still wanted her, but scared at the prospect of another go with the sex machine. Her body may not survive. Then again, it was a hell of a way to go—death from too much, fantastic sex. Was there even such a thing?