Fatal Deception (4 page)

Harrison was having a hard time wrapping his mind around that. He knew Mara could defend herself well enough. He’d showed her some moves and she took various aerobics classes like kickboxing, but to bring down two grown men? And she
took
a bunch of weapons? He didn’t want to spend any time speculating what-if scenarios with his brother. Hell, he didn’t want to talk about this anymore. He felt as if someone had slammed a two-by-four into his stomach. If his wife was capable of taking out two men, he wondered what else he didn’t know about her.

“Thanks for the help, Porter. I’ll let you know if I need anything else.” Harrison disconnected before his brother could respond. He was too damn embarrassed that he’d had to resort to following his own wife for answers.

Pushing aside the fact that he was tailing the woman he loved and clearly didn’t know as well as he’d thought, he focused on the task at hand. He’d put a tracker on Mara’s car and in her phone—even if he’d felt scummy doing it. The tracker in her phone was damn near undetectable so on the off chance that she looked for one, it was unlikely she’d find it.

Watching the small computer screen that displayed a moving dot of her location, he shook his head as she took another left turn. She was going in circles, which meant she was worried about being followed. Interesting—and it only made him wonder if she’d had training of some kind. That thought opened up a whole mess of other worries. After driving around for half an hour, he realized she was finally making her way to an actual destination. At first he thought she was taking Pamela’s car back to the shelter, but then she slowed and stopped. Though he didn’t have a visual on her, he could see the address on his computer.

She was at a self storage place. Probably to stash the weapons she’d taken. From a thug. Who the hell was this woman that he shared a bed with? A life with. Anger and raw pain surged through Harrison as he wondered if he really had married a stranger.

Chapter 4

Mara steered her vehicle into the two car garage she shared with Harrison. His truck was already there and that surprised her. She’d hoped she would have some time to decompress. After dropping off her stash of weapons and disguise at a storage place, she’d returned Pamela’s car then hightailed it home. All she wanted was a hot shower and some hot sex. She desperately wanted to reconnect with Harrison, but she had a feeling the latter was out of the question considering Harrison’s attitude toward her during their last conversation. And she didn’t have the energy to seduce him tonight, even if she wanted him so badly her entire body ached with the need. At least she didn’t have to cook. The only silver lining.

As she stepped inside the kitchen from the garage, she was surprised that all the lights were off. She’d assumed he would have dinner out for them since he’d said he was bringing home takeout. Before she’d even put her purse down on the counter, she felt a presence behind her. The only thing that stopped her from lashing out was Harrison’s distinctive male scent. Natural, spicy, and so unique to him, it made her lower abdomen tighten with need.

He pulled her back tight against his chest and tossed her purse to the tiled floor. Though she was much shorter, she fit perfectly against him, her head right under his chin. She could feel the leashed power in him as he wrapped his arms around her. Her heart began to thud heavily.

The room was dark, as was the rest of the house that she could see. Outside light streaming in through the half open blinds and the neon glow from the built-in microwave barely illuminated the room. Darkness and shadows surrounded them, but she wasn’t afraid. Never with Harrison.

From the feel of his erection at her back, he had something fun in mind tonight. She needed a little fun in her life right now. With one arm a steel band around her chest, he leaned down and nipped her ear. His breath was hot against her face and neck as he slowly ran his tongue along the shell of her ear, then pressed his teeth to her lobe.

She shuddered at the contact, wanting a whole lot more.

“Take off your sweater, but don’t turn around,” he whispered in her ear, pure domination in his voice.

Another shudder rippled through her, this time more obvious. Her panties dampened at the not-so-subtle order in his voice. She loved when he got like this. When he took complete control and she didn’t have to think about anything other than pleasure. Right now she desperately needed a release. A way to forget how she was lying to him, how she’d kept secrets from the man she loved and how she might be leaving soon.

She swallowed hard, shoving the thought away as she tore her sweater off and blindly tossed it away. When she went to take her bra off, he growled softly.

“I didn’t say the bra.” Harrison’s strong, calloused hands settled on her shoulders. He played with the straps for a moment, then slowly slid his hands down until they covered her breasts.

Her breasts were small and she’d never felt they were much to look at until Harrison. He loved every part of her and never let her forget it. With quick fingers, he unclasped the front snap and drew the lacy material away, uncovering her.

Cool air rushed over her already hardening nipples. She involuntarily clenched her thighs together. He’d barely touched her and she was ready to go.

She started to place her hands on the counter in front of her to steady herself, but he slowly drew her straps down her arms. Instead of taking her bra completely off like she expected, he tugged her wrists together and quickly and efficiently tied her hands behind her back using her entire bra. This was something they’d done many times before. Harrison had a dominant streak and while they weren’t into anything kinky, bondage was part of their lovemaking at least half the time. She’d never even thought about letting someone tie her up before Harrison had come into her life, but he stripped away her control and she loved it. Mara was the ultimate control freak most of the time. During her years at Cambridge then when she’d been recruited by the British government, she’d had to be. She’d had to plan missions and prepare for a dozen different outcomes for each of them, leaving nothing to chance. Being able to let go and just
feel
pleasure was heaven.

She tested the bra by tugging and realized he’d completely secured her wrists. Yeah, he didn’t mess around when it came to restraining her.

As his hands settled on her waist, all she could think about was what he would do next. How would he touch her? Would he be gentle or rough? She didn’t care which, as long as he made it good for both of them. Not being able to see his expression or what he was about to do always turned her on even more.

His hot lips pressed against the top of her spine, lightly brushing her skin. She shuddered out a long breath as he continued his hot trail all the way down to the top of her jeans. She wore low-rise jeans so he had a lot of skin to cover. And with each kiss, she got even wetter.

She squirmed slightly, wanting to feel him pushing deep inside her. She wanted a release so bad she was practically trembling for it. But she knew him well enough to realize that he’d be drawing this out. When he was edgy or stressed he liked to exert control in the bedroom.

Harrison reached around to her front, unbuttoned her jeans, then slowly pulled her zipper down. The sound seemed over pronounced in the quiet room. Instead of pulling her pants down like she expected, he tugged her flush against his chest and slid his hand down the inside of her panties. His fingers stroked over her skin.

“I missed you today,” he murmured against her ear as he cupped her mound.

Her clit pulsed, begging to be stroked, but he held his hand still instead of giving her what she wanted. He lightly bit her ear and tugged. Oh, the man was such a tease.

“I missed you too,” she whispered, growing wetter each second that passed. She wanted to order him to start touching her, but knew it would be fruitless. If anything, her demand would make him extend his teasing even longer.

Thankfully, he started moving his middle finger, just barely stimulating her clit as he grazed the sensitive nub. Her inner walls tightened almost painfully.

“The first time I saw you, all I could think about was shoving up your skirt and fucking you hard over your desk.” Harrison’s voice was raspy and uneven.

He almost never talked during sex so it surprised her that he was now. She didn’t want words. She wanted action. His cock inside her, thrusting deep until she climaxed around him. But he liked to torment her until she was trembling.

“So charming,” she murmured, unable to hold back a small giggle. Harrison was so blunt sometimes and she loved it. He wasn’t romantic or charming and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

His hand moved lower until the heel of his palm was pressing on her clit and he slid a finger just barely inside her.

So close. She tried to grind against his hand, but his other hand tightened on her waist and held her firm. Slowly, he began rubbing his palm against her, the friction making her nerve endings tingle and her nipples tighten with need.

“You’re such a tease,” she managed to gasp. Why wouldn’t he move? He knew exactly how to get her off.

He snorted softly. “You teased me for months.” His finger pushed deeper.

Sweet relief. Almost. She tightened around him, but he held still, making her inner muscles clench wildly. “I did.” He was right. She
had
teased him for months before finally letting him into her bed. Then they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other. But why the hell were they talking now?

“I’ve told you everything about my past. I have no secrets from you.” God, his voice was so controlled and rigid.

A warning bell went off in her head. Or maybe it was the guilt living inside her. He started grinding the heel of his hand against her clit and she moaned despite the worry threading through her. She wanted to pretend she didn’t understand what he was getting at by talking about secrets now of all times. He wanted to know
her
secrets. All of them. Oh God, did he know she’d lied to him today? She’d been so careful about making sure she wasn’t followed, but maybe he still knew somehow. And what, he thought he could use sex to get answers?

“I love you, Harrison.” It was all she could give him. The other words just wouldn’t come. She couldn’t force them. Not when they could put him in danger. If she told him her secrets, he’d want to protect her and she fought her own battles. She always had. If she let Harrison fight for her and he got hurt or killed, she’d never forgive herself. The man coming after her was so utterly evil she couldn’t risk it no matter how much she wanted to collapse in Harrison’s arms and confess everything.

Fuck.
She had to leave. Tomorrow. It was the only way to keep him safe. She’d been selfish by staying here anyway.

Harrison cursed softly behind her and withdrew his hand. Her entire body mourned the loss of him, but then he sharply tugged her jeans down to her ankles. She tried to spread her legs farther, but found it impossible.

When she heard the sound of clothes rustling she realized he’d taken off his sweater. Then the sound of his zipper rent the air and she could imagine his cock springing free. Her fingers itched to grasp his hard length, stroke him as he moaned her name, but she was still restrained.

Without warning, he slid a finger along her slit, testing her wetness, then his cock slid into her in one long thrust. The action made her stomach muscles clench and she fell forward, unable to control herself. Harrison’s arm slid around her and he shifted them until her hips pressed against the counter, giving her support.

With her jeans and bra restraining her, she actually felt helpless. Despite the fact that Harrison was clearly angry at her, she knew he would never hurt her and she was incredibly turned on. And there was no doubt that he was.

One of his hands slid up her ribcage until he cupped her breast. At first he slowly strummed her hard nipple in soft little strokes. His thumb was calloused and rough, adding to the friction. Her inner walls clenched around his cock. She desperately needed him to move.

The stimulation of his thumb was perfect, but she needed more to come. As if he understood completely, he began thrusting inside her in a harsh, unsteady rhythm. Harrison almost never lost control, but he was close to snapping now. She could feel it to her core. His breathing was ragged and his entire body was taut, like a snake coiled, ready to spring.

The untamed wildness rolling off him was almost a palpable thing. She struggled against her bindings, wanting to turn around and embrace him, but it was useless. She had a desperate need to hold him and show him how much he meant to her. Even if she couldn’t find the right words, she loved him more than anything.

He increased his movements, sliding his other hand to her clit as he did. A light pinch of her sensitive bundle of nerves pushed her over the edge. She shouted as her climax punched into her with all the subtlety of an explosion. Her body jerked as the pleasure rolled through her, affecting all her nerve endings with no restraint.

Harrison gripped her stomach and pulled her back tight against his chest as he buried his face in her neck. With a muffled groan, he came inside her. His hips rolled against her until he was completely spent. Wetness rolled down her inner thighs, the proof of both their releases marking her.

Breathing hard, Harrison lightly kissed her neck before releasing her wrists. Before she could think about moving, he helped her tug her jeans and panties completely off, then scooped her up. Now she could see his face and his espresso eyes were sharp and wary even if they were tinged with lust.