“I’m already in agony, damn it. Just do it.” She lifted her chin and closed her eyes, hoping it wouldn’t hurt too much.
The punch never came. Strong arms wrapped around her waist and her back pressed against the side of the SUV. A big firm body pinned her there. She opened her eyes and was stunned to realize Smiley had her.
“No one is going to hit you. It could break bones. You’re too fragile. You can take the pain.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I can’t.”
“Smiley,” Brass urged, “I’ll be careful.”
“Bullshit. You can’t guarantee you won’t break her jaw.” Smiley’s face bore an angry expression and he suddenly lifted her off her feet, putting her at his face level. “I swore no one would hurt you and I keep my word. I’m going to kiss you. It will distract you from the pain.”
Vanni forgot how to breathe when he leaned in and lowered his gaze to her mouth. She could have turned away but didn’t. She’d like to have blamed it on the drug, the pain, but had to admit she wanted him to. It seemed more than likely that she’d die and she’d been attracted to him since they met. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the first light brush of his soft lips touching hers.
He pressed tighter against her and released her hip to tangle his fingers in her hair as he deepened the kiss. He tasted of cherry—probably what had flavored his soda. The pain faded to be replaced by need. She wanted Smiley more than she’d ever wanted any man. Her breasts ached and the desire to rub against him, feel him inside her became so intense she moaned from the need.
“Let her go,” a deep voice demanded. “Smiley!”
Smiley broke the kiss and turned away to shoot a fierce look at Brass. “You’re not hitting her.” Smiley faced her again. It was too dark in the alleyway to really see his eyes. “Let me take care of you. I can keep away the pain with pleasure.”
“It’s a bad idea.” Brass lowered his voice. “Don’t forget that she might be the one who dosed your drink.”
Smiley held her gaze. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t stand to see her suffer, knowing the pain she’ll face.”
He freed his hand from her hair and gripped her hips, rubbing against her. The feel of his stiff cock trapped inside his jeans brushing against her excruciatingly swollen clit was heavenly. Raw pleasure had her closing her eyes again and moaning louder. Part of her was horrified that there were people around them, strangers, but it did take away the pain. She clutched at Smiley as if he were a lifeline. He’d become one. She spread her legs and wrapped them around his hips, locking herself to him.
“Secure the perimeter,” Smiley demanded. “Give us privacy.”
“Fuck,” the angry-sounding Brass muttered. “You heard him. Lock this area down and give them space. Eyes elsewhere.” He paused. “At least get her inside the building, Smiley.”
She barely heard the words as Smiley continued to rock his hips, thrusting against her in a slow rhythm that made thinking impossible. Her clit was so sensitive she couldn’t focus on anything else but that firm rhythm of his sex against hers. It was the most powerful awareness of a man she’d ever experienced.
His hands left her hips and slid to her ass, cupping both cheeks and grinding their bodies together more effectively. Vanni buried her face against his neck and opened her mouth, desperate to taste any part of him since he’d stopped kissing her. She licked him just under his ear then latched on to his earlobe, lightly sucking it.
He shuddered against her and made a sexy sound. His mouth found her throat and he brushed kisses there. “Vanni.”
Her name on his lips made her burn up inside. It might be just another hot flash but she didn’t care. She couldn’t get close enough to Smiley with their clothes on. She needed to feel his skin and she ached to have him inside her. An image flashed in her mind—what it would feel like if they were naked and he fucked her—sending her into orgasm.
Vanni released his ear and pressed her lips against his throat, crying out. Her entire body shook from the force of it. Ecstasy tore her away from any sense of reality while she rode out the mother of all climaxes.
Smiley stilled his hips, his breathing harsh. “I’m here. I’ve still got you.”
She slowly became aware of their surroundings again. The night air chilled her skin. Her skirt was hiked up and bunched between her thighs and his jeans. His cock was hard and pressed firmly against her pussy through the layers of clothing. She hadn’t come in her underwear since she was a teenager messing around with her first boyfriend, too afraid to have sex for fear of it hurting when she lost her virginity.