Page 16 of Prisoner of War
She could see his eyes narrow even in that low light. The gleam in them shaded. “You know, I’ve had a whole day of tryingto get things done and having people slip out from under my grip.”
Calli kept her expression neutral, though she already knew from Josh and others in the household that Nick’s day had been more than usually frustrating. “Awwww, poor baby. Losing your grip, Escobedo?” It was a deliberate taunt.
He lunged again and almost had her. It was only because she was ready for his move that she escapedhim. As it was, the closeness made her gasp. Her heart pounded. Nick Escobedo, even tired and distracted, was fast indeed.
She danced away again and teased him with a laugh. “Too slooow,” she crooned.
“¡Ahora le tendré!”
Calli couldn’t help the high, gasping shriek that escaped her as she turned and ran down the beach as if her life depended on it. She could hear Nick pounding after her, veryclose. It gave her speed. She knew Nick would soon catch her, but for a few moments she kept ahead.
Calli could feel herself beginning to tire. That was when Nick caught her. He didn’t tackle her from behind or grab her arm. He scooped his arm around her waist and lifted her right off her feet. At that pace, though, the momentum was too much even for a man of Nick’s strength and speed. They toppledinto the soft dry sand and rolled over.
Calli struggled to be free. She pushed at his shoulder, kicked and wriggled. She could hear his breath, heavy and broken, as he worked to overcome her struggles. There was an odd sort of pleasure in the struggle. Nick was using little of his full power against her, yet the idea of him using brute strength to overcome her made her belly ripple with growingarousal.
She gave a small, breathless exhalation as he grabbed her arms and threw himself on top of her to keep her still. He was breathing deep and steadily while her chest heaved. “What is this,mi dama fuerte?”
“Bully. Want to get off me?” She heaved with her hips and almost dislodged him.
Nick swore under his breath and straddled her hips, clamping them with his knees, his hands still anchoringher wrists in the sand. He looked down at her and even in the little light available, she could see the sexual heat in his eyes. He had responded to her mood.
“Take off your shirt,” she said. Her voice was husky.
“And leave your hands free? Do I trust you?”
“Your choice.”
He brought her wrists together, clamped his hand around both and used the other to pull the short-sleeved shirt right overhis head. He shrugged one arm out of it before moving her wrists to the other hand and dropping the shirt to the sand.
Calli stared at the rounded caps of his shoulders, the gleam and shadow play over his chest. Nick Escobedo was a fine man indeed. Watching him, Calli felt a liquid heat spread through her. She couldn’t help the sinfully proud thought;And he wants me.
Nick returned her handsto the sand, holding them down easily. When she tested his grip, it tightened just enough to still her movements. “What is this, my long, tall lady? What has inspired this mood?”
“Why should I tell you?” She struggled again, but it was a pathetic movement, made helpless by the powerful arousal shooting through her. She wanted Nick to tear her jeans from her. She wanted to be plundered in themost archaic way. Portraying reluctance was becoming more difficult by the moment.
Nick rode out her struggles easily, watching her. “I see,” he said. His voice was low and thick with his own driving need. She recognized it and shivered in anticipation.
He leaned down to kiss her and she averted her face.
“Are you sure you want to play this game?” he asked, his voice soft. He sounded dangerous.
Calli did wonder if she was being wise. There were undercurrents in Nick’s voice that she didn’t understand. Before she could reconsider, Nick dipped his head and kissed her. His teeth nipped the delicate flesh of her lip. Calli groaned, racked by a burst of pleasure.
Now Nick was playing by his own rules. His exquisite torture did not let up for a moment. He seduced her with hard, rough movements.He knew her every weakness and delight and he spared her nothing.
Calli lost track of all but what Nick was doing to her. The soft pounding of the surf a few feet from them faded. The breeze did not register on her skin.
Her eyes had closed and her hips arched hard. Her hands curled into fists, trying to grasp the sand, as her head rolled back. She was panting.
And still he did not spare her.He took her there on the beach, casting aside every layer of her clothing and driving himself into her with hard movements, until her climax tore through her and induced his own.
Afterward, he almost collapsed upon her. He held himself up with one arm and she could feel him trembling with the aftermath. Then he drew a deep lungful of air, slid his arm beneath her and rolled over onto his back,turning her and bringing her with him so that she lay across his chest.
He caught her face in his hands and brought it down so he could kiss her, slow and deep. Then he let his arms fall back to the sand.
She smoothed his brow. “So...no more tension?”
He was silent for a moment. “Someone’s been telling tales.” His tone held a tiny note of irritation.
