Red Zone (Red Zone 1)

With clear reluctance, he pried his lips from hers. “You feeling pain? The car rolled some ways across that field. I found you wedged under the back seat. With that damned rattler wrapped arou

nd you like you were his favorite toy.”

She couldn’t remember getting under the seat. All she remembered was the snake biting her kidnappers and the car speeding out of control. “I’m a little stiff.” She couldn’t resist arching up to push her breast into his hand.

He shook his head with lazy amusement. “I see that, chère.” His voice dropped an octave as his thumb rasped over her nipple. “But that’s not what I meant. No headache anymore?” That deep drawl of his should have been registered as a potent aphrodisiac.

It took her a minute to focus on his words rather than his touch. He was circling the areola around her poor neglected nipple. “No headache.”

“That’s good. I gave you pain meds while you slept. Just in case. Then I used magic cream on your bruises. They’re mostly gone now.”

She couldn’t stop the smile this time. “You were pretty busy while I was asleep. Magic cream, huh?” Her voice was unintentionally breathless as he abandoned one breast and moved on to the other. Her legs pressed together, and she began to squirm. It was hard to think. Hard to concentrate on anything but his touch.

“It makes bruises disappear. That shit is magic.”

He trailed his hand down her stomach, slipping the sheet lower as he went. His movements were slow and controlled, a look of intense concentration on his face.

“You’re going too slowly,” she complained.

He smiled as he playfully dipped a fingertip into her navel. The heat in his eyes made her want to give him anything he asked of her. Give him everything.

“I’m learning you, bébé.”

She licked dry lips. “Does that mean I get to test you on your knowledge when you’re done?”

“Mm-hmm. I’m gonna ace that test for sure.”

“Cocky.”

He chuckled as his hand slid beneath the sheet to play with the curls covering her mound. Her hips automatically lifted into his touch, searching for more.

“Nuh-uh, bébé, Slow. Remember you’re bruised.”

“I don’t feel bruised.” She cast around for the words. “I feel needy.”

“Is that right?” His fingertips slid through her wetness. She gasped; one hand flew up to clutch his shoulder, the other curled into the sheet beneath her. “We can’t have that. People be sayin’ I don’t look after my woman if she’s feeling so needy.”

His touch was slow, languorous, torturous. Delicious.

“When do I get to learn you?” When do I get to torture you?

His finger circled her clit, making her moan, then the devil threw himself onto his back beside her.

“Have at it.” His grin was wide as he clasped his hands under his head.

Friday glared at him. “That was mean.”

His look of faux innocence made her want to laugh. He was playing with her, and she loved it. There hadn’t been a whole lot of time to play in her life, and this man made up for it.

“I got no idea what you’re talking about. I’m doin’ everything I can to please you. I thought you wanted to learn me. All I’m doin’ is accommodating you, chère. You think you’d be a little more appreciative.”

“You’re a devil.” But excitement surged at the thought of getting her hands on his body. Muscles like those were made to be studied.

She knelt up beside him, uncaring that she was naked in her eagerness to get her hands on him. He was an all-you-can-eat-buffet, and she was a starving woman. Her eyes roamed over every inch of him. Over the strong line of his throat, across those overly muscled shoulders, down his rippling abs, and then they got stuck on his very impressive erection.

“I don’t know where to start.”

He chuckled, low and deep. “I find that hard to believe. You’re looking at me like you’re gonna eat me up.”