Secretly Craving You(39)

"Get up there!" the idiot ordered.

"Nick, what the hell were you thinking?" Emily whispered, crawling to the opposite side of the mattress.

Damned if this wasn't killing Nick. He'd do anything for Emily, especially when she had such desperation in her eyes. But right now, he didn't have much choice. "I have a plan," he mouthed so the bastard couldn't hear him. "Trust me, Emily. You know I'd never hurt you, right?" he said aloud.

She nodded. The tears sparkling in her eyes made him feel as if someone had punched him in the stomach.

"Trust me," he urged. His plan would work only if she went along with it. "Please."

"Okay." At that moment, he sensed her profound trust as she locked her gaze onto his. And it meant more to him than he could ever express. He couldn't let her down. He had to keep her safe no matter what he had to do to accomplish that.

"Good." He helped her lie down, then leaned in for a kiss. Her lips were soft and sweet and so responsive to his. Her breathing changed, grew faster and shallower. She seemed eager for his mouth and tongue.

"Get going. Haven't got all night!" George ordered and held the stone phallus out to him. "Make her hold it. I want to see if it has any effect."

"Fine." He handed the object to Emily then glared at the psychotic bastard. "Give Emily some space. You've scared her. A woman can't get turned on if she's terrified, no matter what kind of paranormal powers this thing may have."

George backed up a few steps, the look in his eyes behind the mask shifting to contrite and his grip on the pistol less rigid. If Nick was guessing, he'd say this bastard was a porn addict.

"Is there some kind of legend that goes along with this object?" Nick asked, trying to buy some time.

"It belonged to some ancient Celtic tribe and was used in their fertility rituals. It is said to make a woman so horny she'll beg for it from any man." George's eyes gleamed with keen lust. And at the moment, that lust was directed at Emily.

Nick wanted to knock him on his ass now, but he had to be patient. "Why do you care so much about it?" If he knew that, maybe he'd know this guy's motive for killing Jared.

"That's none of your business. Now, get on with it!" The way George was staring at Emily's bare thighs, he was practically enthralled. That could only work to Nick and Emily's advantage.

Maybe George had committed murder because Jared had a fling with his wife. Didn't take much jealousy to inspire murder.

Nick turned back to Emily. Her eyes, wide with fear, urged him to do something. "Close your eyes and trust me, Em," Nick whispered. "I won't let him touch you. Pretend it's just you and me."

She nodded and did as he said.

"Do you feel the warmth?" Nick asked, observing the artifact in her hands.

"Yes."

"What are you talking about?" George asked.

"Emily says, when she holds the object, tingling warmth spreads from her hands and throughout her body."

"How are you feeling?" Nick asked her.

"Good," she breathed, her eyes growing darker. Her lips parted and her nipples hardened beneath her robe.

"You see? She's already showing signs of arousal," Nick said, hoping George would get so turned on by observing Emily, he would get careless. Then Nick could disarm him.

George nodded eagerly. "Touch her. I want to see if she's wet."

Damn him. Nick didn't want to expose Emily's crotch to the weirdo. But more, he didn't want the bastard touching her. That's why he'd suggested this.

He waved the gun. "Do it!"

Nick pushed up Emily's short pink robe, exposing her skimpy panties. Her legs were pressed tightly together and her eyes closed.

"Take her panties off," George ordered.

Hell, Nick hated that she had to go through this. He kissed her knee and spread her legs a couple of inches apart. He slid her panties down her legs and threw them aside.

"Yeah," George breathed. "Tell her to spread her legs."

Nick stroked a hand up the inside of her thigh, and she widened her legs.

Damn. Her beautiful sex lips glistened with moisture.

George blew out a sharp breath, his gaze locked on Emily's bared pussy. His gun hand was growing more unsteady and veering a little to the side. Not much longer and he'd be completely distracted.

Nick kissed her thigh. If he could get her wildly turned on, this wouldn't be so hard on her. And the more turned on she was, the more distracted George would be.

She was luscious, her pink lips shiny with slick moisture. Resting on one elbow between her legs, he parted her pussy lips and licked between. "Mmm, that's good. So sweet."

Her back arched and she gasped. She was so juicy he ached to slide his cock inside her. But he couldn't do that now. He had to somehow gain the upper hand.