Run the Risk

He sucked and licked his way to the upper swells of her br**sts—and then down to her left nipple. He sucked her in, his rough tongue laving, his mouth hot.

“Logan.” Holding his head to her, she arched up.

He groaned. “You are so sweet.”

No, sweet was not a word that applied to her. “I need you, Logan. Right now.”

“Not yet.” He kissed his way to her other breast, drew on that nipple, too.

“Logan.” Voice high and thin, she said, “It’s too much.”

“Let me help.” He insinuated his hand between their bodies, cupped over her mound with his fingers softly playing, searching. He parted her swollen lips, then paused. “You’re already wet.”

“I need you inside me.”

He worked two fingers deep. “Better?” he asked while kissing the corner of her mouth, her jaw, her throat.

“Yes, but not good enough.” She caught his face to end his teasing. “I need this, Logan. Right now. No seduction. No reservations. Definitely no apologies.”

His fingers still deep inside her, his chest hair tickling her ni**les, his weight a warm comfort, he said, “God, I need you, too, Pepper. But—”

“Shh.” She kissed his mouth. “I’ve thought about this ever since you first moved in next door to me. So, please. Put on the condom and let’s both take what we need.”

After a searching look, he kissed her long and hard—and rolled away. In seconds, he had the condom out of his wallet and rolled on.

Throbbing with need, Pepper reached out to him. He settled back between her legs, kissed her again and kept on kissing her while opening her with his fingers, pressing in a little.

She freed her mouth to groan.

He captured it again—and thrust deep.

Ah, now this was what she wanted. His taste, his warmth, the press of his body over hers, his breath on her face, his scent all around her.

He tangled one hand in her long hair, and with the other he held her breast, a little rough, a lot amazing.

The bed bounced against the wall, but neither of them made a move to readjust. She didn’t care, and she wasn’t sure Logan even noticed. In minutes, pleasure began to coil, growing tighter and tighter. Her groans turned into throaty moans. Her heels pressed into his back. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.

She strained against him, reaching for release, needing the oblivion so badly…

Logan put his head back, his jaw tight, his teeth locked. She knew he fought off his own release to wait for her—and that did it.

Pleasure rolled over her, a giant, pulsing tide of sensation. She arched hard, crying out, holding tight to Logan until she heard his vibrating groans fading.

Slowly, he settled his weight back down over her, then rolled to his back while keeping her close. It was dangerous, but she allowed herself a single minute of luxuriating in what they’d shared. Her heart continued to pound—and Logan continued to idly stroke her.

There were no words. What could she say? You owed me that? Well done? Thanks? Hell, no.

Not only didn’t he deserve that from her, but…it would cheapen it all. Even hurt and angry, she couldn’t do that.

But she could get herself together and protect her heart from further damage.

She stroked his damp chest, touched his whisker-rough jaw and sat up.

His hand trailed from her shoulder down to her wrist to catch her fingers. When she looked at his face, she found his gaze wary but relaxed, possessive and yet watchful.

Don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t—she leaned down and kissed him, a complete wimp when it came to resisting him. Thankfully, she summoned the wit to keep it light. “Sleep well.”

She stood and reached for her shirt.

Logan came up to one elbow. No longer so mellow, he asked sharply, “What are you doing?”

No way would she look at him again. Already the hurt in his voice knotted her stomach. She pulled on her shirt and tried to sound cavalier when she said, “Heading back to my own room.”

Finally catching on, his expression hardened. He sat up on the side of the bed. “You could stay here with me.”

“Thanks, but no.” She pulled on her panties.

“Pepper—”

Please don’t let me crack until I’m  alone. “’Night, Logan.” She opened the door, slipped out and pulled it closed behind her. Both Reese and Dash remained at the table, cards spread out in front of them. They tried not to look at her, but they failed.

Chin up, feigning as much attitude as she could muster, Pepper went to the room assigned her. She closed her door with a soft click, then pushed in the lock.

Awful pain squeezed her heart, and emotion choked her until she couldn’t breathe right. Slowly, she slid down the door to sit on the cold wooden floor, her knees drawn up, her eyes burning. She hugged herself and did her best to swallow back the tears.

She’d always known that a normal life wasn’t in the cards for her.

But then, she’d never figured on meeting a guy like Logan Riske.

* * *

LOGAN WAS THE FIRST UP the next morning. Then again, he hadn’t gone to sleep. On the couch, Reese stirred, grumbled at Logan and rolled to his side.

Reese overflowed the couch by a good foot. He had to be miserably uncomfortable. Today he’d go back into town armed with a story for the lieutenant and a cover that would allow Logan to stay with Pepper.

He carried the cell with him, but so far, Rowdy hadn’t called.