Only Skin Deep Read online

  Jason shut her door and rounded the front to get into the driver’s seat. “Buckle up, beautiful.” He slid on the seatbelt. “Still live in the same place, or did you move in the past week?”

  Taleena buckled her seatbelt. “You remember dropping me off?”

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “You dropped me off one time over a year ago. No one’s memory is that good.”

  “What do you want to hear?”

  “How about the truth.”

  He slid easily into traffic heading toward her residence. “One of us guys follows you home when we work the late shift. When you get in and the light goes on, we radio to each other and then leave.”

  She fiddled with her hat. “I’m both insulted and comforted by that.”

  “I’d apologize if I was sorry.”

  “How sexist of you.”

  Jason parked outside her house. “I’ll be that as long as you’re safe. I’d do the same for any other woman, if there were more on our team. It pays to be safe, Leena. You know that better than anyone. Thanks to our profession, people get crazy ideas that we can be forced to give them vital information.”

  Taleena opened her door and got out. She fished her keys from her pocket. “I can walk to the door, don’t need the neighbors talking.”

  Jason chuckled and followed her. “No, I bet you don’t. You still got that old broad living next door?”

  “Yeah, she watches out her frilly windows all hours of the day and night. We don’t need neighborhood watch since we have her.”

  She rounded on him and whipped out her gun, cocking it. “Still think I need protection?”

  He reached behind him and pulled out his pistol. “This isn’t the kind that has the little flag.” He eyed her with deadly intent. “Lower your weapon.”

  “Make me.” She backed up slowly with even steps.

  “You do realize you have to unlock your door, so you’ll have to turn your back to me?” Smirking, he advanced on her. “I’ll have you in a matter of seconds, sexy. Drop it.”

  Jason waited for her to realize he had her at a disadvantage. Once he heard her soft sigh of defeat, the tension in his gut loosened. He hid a grin as she awkwardly pulled her keys from her pocket while still holding the gun. The moment she found them and turned her back to unlock her door, he made his move.

  He closed in, putting no more than an inch between them, breathing against the nape of her neck.

  “Put your gun away.”

  “That’s not my gun.” He gripped her waist and ground his hips. His cock throbbed against the seam of her ass.

  “Ohhh,” Taleena moaned as she pushed the door open.

  Jason propelled them inside, grabbed her keys, and locked the door behind him. He took her props and tossed them on the floor. He found the clasp on her studded bra, unclasping it with deft fingers.

  “Jason…” She shrugged her shoulders, causing the straps of her top to lower until it fell to the floor. She stepped forward and pushed aside his jacket, unbuckled his belt and slid it out of his pants. Her fingers brushed against his erection. When he groaned, she massaged him through the fabric.

  “Give it to me.”

  “Bossy, aren’t we?” he asked as he watched her disrobe, which was a tortuously slow process. She had the most beautiful nipples and areolas he’d ever seen. He reached out to touch them, brushing a thumb against one, and then the other.

  She moaned, easing the chaps off. “You’re making me hot.” She was about to take off the boots when he halted her.

  “Leave the boots and hat on.” He gripped the shorts in his hands and tugged, tearing the material in two. “Very sexy. Shaved, too.” He fished his wallet out to find a condom. “Very nice,” he repeated and dropped his trousers and boxers.

  Taleena ogled his cock. “Oh, damn.”

  Arousal speared him. Jason ripped the condom packet open and sheathed his cock. “Where’s your room?”

  “In the back.” Her voice wobbled and her breath hitched when he picked her up, impaling her on his shaft. He took his time walking her to her room, stretching her with each step. Her cunt dripped with wetness. The pads of his fingers bit into her thighs. “Fucking tight.” Jason hastened his pace to get them where he wanted.

  Upon entering her room, he lowered her onto her bed. For a brief second his body left her warm sweetness. He fused his mouth to hers, dipped in with long strokes, his aim to devour her succulent taste. Her hair hidden by the hat prevented him from sinking his fingers into silk tresses. He remedied the problem by flicking the barrier off her head and, anchoring her even more to him. By her eager encouragement, he brushed his fingers against her wet pussy and dived in, finger fucking her hard.

  His pleasure came from her ragged breaths into his mouth. He sucked them up with greed and toggled her nub between lazy strokes of his digits.

  Taleena pulled back. “I need more,” she pushed her hips down, “Jason.” She nipped his lip with her teeth and then let go.

  Jason turned his heated gaze on her and brushed a finger across her lip. “Shh! Savoring.” He withdrew his fingers and chuckled at her mutinous expression. Taking his time, he kissed his way down her body, hitting the hot zones and her navel.

  When her expression changed and her body melted, he bit the inside of her thigh, brushing just momentarily over her clit with his tongue. Her skin felt so soft under his hands. Jason lifted her leg, kissing the back of her knees before positioning himself at her center and sliding in just as she began to protest. Even with the barrier of protection, heat scorched him. A groan of satisfaction left his mouth as he pushed, inching his way deeper into her channel. He watched her back arch off the bed, and his arousal heightened at her sweet sounds of pleasure.

  With each pump of his cock in her core, her breasts shook. Up her leg he stroked, grabbing the flesh of her hips as he ground his pelvis to hers, then soothed the skin he’d handled roughly. “Such smooth skin should be a crime.” He bent over her body and let go of her leg to tweak her nipple with his mouth.

  “Mmm. Don’t stop that.” Taleena released the crumpled bedding and ran her hands up his chest. “I love hair on a man.” She brushed her palms across the sparse hair on his chest and pinched his nipple.

  Jason cupped her breasts, rolling his hands around them while looking into her eyes.

  He loved everything about her, from her saucy mouth to her pretty painted toes. However, he wasn’t stupid enough to voice his thoughts. He did the next best thing, kissing her breathless again, then eased her from the edge of the bed to the middle, laying his full weight on her. On his forearms, he stroked her hair and slowed his thrusting to a calmer pace, bringing the tip of his cock out and rubbing her inner lips.

  “What?” She moved up, meeting his thrusts.

  Jason kissed the tip of her nose and drew his thumb down her jaw line. “Should’ve kissed you long ago.” Around his cock, her pussy pulsated and contracted. She’d become so wet, he threatened to spill before he was ready. He made ruthless love to her mouth and body, taking his sweet time with a clenched jaw as sweat dripped from his brow. Each mewl and shudder brought him closer, his balls tightening.

  “Jason,” she cried out, her hands gripping his arms.

  “Oh yeah, Leena.” Her climax pushed him to fuck her harder with her body trapped under him. The bed heaved under him, creaking on its legs. Her sweet haven drew him in. He grunted with the exertion of holding back his own pleasure. Under him, Leena bucked and turned her head from him. “I want to see you come again.” He brought her eyes back to meet his and got lost in her chocolate gaze. Her eyes fluttered and her body tensed. He stroked faster, his pleasure cresting with hers, his seed filling the small reservoir of the condom.

  Her quickened heartbeat matched his own frantic pulse. He blew out a breath and placed kisses along her jaw. “You okay?” He shifted off her body, collapsing on his back beside her.

  “Mm-hmm,” Taleena moaned as she rolled over and pressed he
r head into his shoulder.

  Jason caressed her hair. “I need to clean up.” He eased out from under her and walked to her bathroom. Get a grip. Intense sex brought on trouble. Emotions. Needs. Future. He snapped out of his thoughts and pulled the condom off his cock. With an irritated grunt, he tossed the rubber in the trash and turned on the water to wash his hands. One look down told him he hadn’t gotten his fill of his co-worker. Hands pressed against the granite counter, he stared into the bathroom mirror and erased all thoughts of having a relationship from his mind. It wasn’t that Taleena wasn’t prime girlfriend material. Business and pleasure simply didn’t mix well.

  “Leena,” he called out. Unsure of what to say, he headed back to her bedroom. He witnessed her innocence in slumber standing at the door. Instead of rousing her and taking her again, like he wanted, he dressed quietly and left.

  Chapter Two

  “Motherfucker.” Taleena woke up to find Jason gone. Fumbling around on her nightstand, she picked up her cell phone only to find no calls. Anger set in. She hurried out of bed and ran to her kitchen. The magnets on her fridge remained unused, and her table clean of clutter. Jason hadn’t left a note, not a message, nothing. After giving her steamy sex, he’d simply left.

  How mortifying and un-fucking-believable. Believe it, sister, she chided herself for becoming a new booty call. So much for knowing someone. Two years of working next to the sexiest man since time began, and look what it got her. The drought she’d recovered from had opened up a new flood of need. Her body still hummed from the workout he gave her, her limbs aching. Sore and annoyed, she took a quick hot shower, hoping to erase the night from her memory. His touch was everywhere, his scent all over her room. Angry with herself more than Jason, she got dressed in her plain uniform. Her gaze drifted to her crumpled bed linen as she stormed out of her room and snagged her keys off the table.

  Taleena’s fury didn’t abate. Sitting in front of her apartment was the car she’d left at the party. Instead of being thankful she didn’t have to call a cab, she gritted her teeth and drove to work. He couldn’t just expect her to act like nothing happened between them, could he? No. That would be cruel.

  Before she knew it, she’d pulled into her parking spot. Living a few blocks from work didn’t help matters.

  I can do this. I can walk in there and be okay. Last night was fun, but this is my job. I won’t let one night of hot sex affect me. I won’t give him the satisfaction of my attention.

  She opened her car door, got out, and shut it. The twerp of her car alarm activating hit her ear. Head held high, she walked into St. Bartle’s Armored Services and clocked in. As usual, the team was assembled in the meeting room with the daily job itinerary. Taleena checked her weapons and belt and slipped into her seat. Despite her bravado, she felt a flush steal over her cheeks.

  Officer Bradshaw began the meeting. “We have our normal pickups today plus two additional ones. Flannery Jewels has a case for us to collect and deliver to their bank vault. We also have a piece of art to cart to the museum.”

  Bradshaw put down his clipboard. “Jason, your team will do the normal route and pick up the art. Marvel, your team will do the banks downtown and get the jewelry.” He paused and then said, “Dismissed.”

  Taleena ignored the curious glances sent her way. So much for stepping outside my comfort zone.

  “Hey, girl, you looked hot at the party.” Caleb smiled at her as he filed out of the room.

  “Uh, thanks.” She blushed again catching Jason undressing her with his eyes. She turned her back to him and walked out, hoping he choked.

  “Taleena, stop.” Jason grabbed her arm and spun her to face him.

  “What? Now you have something to say?” she all but whispered, thankful the rest of the crew was not in hearing distance.

  “Let me explain.”

  “Tell it to someone who cares. I have work to do.” She brushed past him, forcing him to let go of her arm, and headed for their work truck.

  * * * *

  From that point on, the day went to complete shit. Taleena’s head hurt from the boiling indignation. Having to ignore the thick tension between her and Jason as it blanketed over them all in the back of the work truck had her nerves standing on end.

  “You okay, doll?” Caleb asked.

  She forced a smile. “Just have a headache.”

  Caleb frowned as they waited in the truck for the holding compartments to be brought to them. He moved behind her and settled his hands on her. “Neck tense?” He brushed her hair out of his way and began kneading her shoulders.

  “Oh, that feels so good.” Taleena moaned as the tension begin to ebb. “How did you know?” She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

  “Used to do this for my girl and my mama.” Caleb stroked with sure but soft presses on the knotted muscles causing her migraine.

  “Mmmm.” She dropped her guard and relaxed.

  Caleb began massaging her temples. “The guys wanna know if you’re available to date.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, after the work party, do you honestly have to ask that?”

  “All I did was dress up.” Taleena tilted her head to the side. “That feels wonderful. Your ladies are lucky to have you.”

  “You did more than dress up, girl. You came out of your shell. Damn sexy of you to do that.”

  “So now that I’m sexy, people want a date—Oh yeah…right there…” She squeaked just as Jason opened the door with their goods.

  “You two need some privacy, or are you on duty?” Jason snapped and slid into the back with their cargo.

  “Sorry, sir. I’ll log it in and call out our departure.” Caleb exited.

  Taleena clenched her lips tight and watched from the back as Brandt climbed in the driver’s seat with Caleb in the passenger’s side. She heard their muffled speech but couldn’t decipher what they were saying. All she noticed was the smell of Jason’s cologne and the sound of his haggard breathing. “What’s your problem, Jason?”

  He locked in the cargo and took the seat opposite her, anger riding in his eyes. “You let him feel you up?”

  “It’s none of your business,” Taleena snapped. She wasn’t about to tell him he was the cause of her distress or that Caleb took away her pain, if only for a few minutes.

  “Damn that. Anything and everything, especially on company time, is my business.”

  “And off?” she taunted.

  “We’ll discuss that, later.” He sat back. “Buckle up, we’re departing.”

  She secured her seatbelt and sighed. “You have no right, not after you just left.”

  Jason leaned forward.”I’m sorry I left you.” He sat back and snapped his own. “Trust me, if we weren’t in this truck and on company time, I’d show you.”His harsh stare out the windshield and white-knuckled grip made her question pushing him to his breaking point.

  “Tonight, then.” God, what a wuss she was. I’m sorry and chocolate eyes begging for a second chance, and she was sucked right back in. At least she took it that way, although he didn’t look like the begging type. She needed to justify her quick forgiveness.

  “Tonight it is.”

  * * * *

  Dayum. Sweat dribbled down Jason’s back, and Taleena couldn’t avert her fixation on his body. The drop of the ball hitting the hot pavement did little to distract her from following the sweat gathering between his flexing shoulder blades. The moisture’s path down his lower back brought a sigh out of her lips. What she really wanted to do was play towel girl, using her tongue to lick him dry. With a sigh, she watched him land a three point shot. She turned her gaze to Donato begrudgingly appreciating how well he countered her man for every move.

  Then her brain went from him playing basketball to the night of their big blowup. Nothing turned her on more than the memory of him getting her home and proceeding to show her just how well he could apologize.

  Fresh roses stood in a beautiful blown-glass vase. He’d placed can
dles all over her apartment and cooked her favorite dish. She was touched he’d gone that far in his apology, but it didn’t stop there. He’d turned her living room into a massage parlor and brought out the glow in her skin by using his hands, lips and cock—and after he’d brought her mind-blowing pleasure, he’d asked her to be his woman. No engagement ring just yet…not after just one night, instead a beautiful start to a new relationship.

  Now, sitting in the gym, she realized a membership was by far the best perk of her job. Taleena took a drink from her water bottle and leaned back against the bleachers. A shadow blocked her line of vision.

  “Welcome back.” She smiled at Nadja. “Donato is losing.”

  “That’s too bad.” Nadja grabbed the spot next to her.

  “What’s your plan?”

  “I don’t have one. I’m missing that go get him gene in my personality,” Nadja said.

  Taleena sighed. “Nothin’ like a sexy, sweaty man. He’s into you. Jason told me.”

  “I just don’t know how to get his attention. He’s the hottest bouncer at the bar. Girls look at him and I bet they just cream instantly.”

  Taleena pulled her attention from Jason to look at Nadja. “Girl, you’re an entertainer. You gain male attention by the flip of your hair, or the gyration of your hips, and then you have that soul seduction voice that would make the sirens in the oceans envy you. Go! Get your man!”

  When Nadja sighed with that resigned look on her face, Taleena also sighed. “Come on, let’s go. You need an intervention.” Hell, if she could get past the no dating within the company rule, her friend could too. She took one last glance at her man dominating the court, and then tossed her water in the trash. Taleena draped her arm around Nadja’s shoulder and headed out of the gym with her, a surefire plan formulating in her mind.

  Flaws and All

  Chapter One

  How to Seduce Your Man. Nadja Mederios thumbed through the book she’d picked up at the local bookstore. Chapter one sealed her fate. She possessed none of the social skills necessary for snagging men—or rather one man in particular, Donato Falcone. He was tall, tanned, broad shouldered, and muscled. A host of ideas came to mind involving herself and her sexy co-worker in the heat of the night. She wanted to be the woman gracing the cover of the book in her hands—craved to feel the intensity the model projected and relish in the savage hunger of the male holding her. To make it a reality meant she’d have to step out of her safety net.