“For a guy who doesn’t do relationships, you seem to have a good handle on how they work.”
“I have a good handle on what I need.” His fierce blue gaze riveted her. “I expect that you’ll tell me what you need.”
Her hands slid down his damp back, caressing the hard slabs of muscle bracketing his spine. Steam billowed around them, but the warmth she felt came from inside her. “I don’t know what I need. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about it.”
“So while I’m out tonight, think about it. Just make sure I’m in there somewhere.”
“I’ll be wishing you were in me.” She reached between them and fisted his erection. “You’re a deadly weapon all by yourself. Did you know that, Deputy?”
He snorted, his grip tightening on her hips.
“I bet there isn’t a woman alive who’s said no to you in your life. I’m just one of the many to fall under your irascible charm.”
“Look who’s talking. You’re a man-eater.”
With a two-handed grip, Darcy stroked him from root to tip. Her gaze lowered to the thick column of flesh in her hands, her heartbeat quickening at the impressive length and thick network of veins that coursed along it. It was a brutal-looking instrument of pleasure, as primal as Jared’s sexuality. That dichotomy—his powerfully elegant build and fallen-angel face paired with a curt temperament and raunchy sensuality—fascinated her.
“What a lovely idea,” she murmured.
Backing up a step, she sat on the tiled bench seat. It put her eye level with the object of her desire, which caused a hot flutter in her belly. She licked her lips, surprised at how turned on she was.
“What are you doing?” he asked gruffly. “You’re not sucking my dick.”
Her brows rose. “The hell I’m not.”
He slapped her hands away when she tried to tug him closer. “Christ, Darcy. You were just bawling your eyes out. The only reason I’m naked is because I haven’t got a change of clothes and the only way to get to you was to get wet.”
Her mouth twitched with the urge to grin. He looked so affronted. As sexual as their relationship was, it wasn’t all he wanted from her. That was good to know. Wonderful actually. Because as much as she wanted his body, she wanted more from him, too.
She pointed at his cock. “He’s ready to play.”
“What’s new? I’ve had a perpetual hard-on since I met you. Since I first laid eyes on you.”
“I cause the problem; let me take care of it.”
“It’s not a problem and I don’t want you to take care of it,” he snapped. “I want to take care of you.”
“I’m okay.” Darcy held his gaze, let him see the clarity of her eyes. The ache in her chest would never totally go away, she knew, but it was easier to bear than it had been just that morning. That she could feel differently was a miracle to her after living with it unchanged for so long, that her chronic pain could be alleviated at all. God…it had been so nice to lean on someone in the cemetery and have her grief accepted without reservation. “You wanted to make me feel better and I do.”
“Fuck that.” He scowled. “I’m a selfish bastard. I wanted to make myself feel better. Seeing you hurting was killing me. Watching you suck me off would make me feel worse. Hell…I’m not a douche.”
“When did I give you the impression that I was the type who went down on a guy without really wanting to?”
His scowl grew fiercer.
“Right.” Her gaze lowered. Her mouth watered. “You have the most perfect cock, Jared. Did you know that? It’s a thing of beauty.”
“You’re scrambled.”
“Actually, I’m ridiculously pleased with myself. I managed to snag exclusive access rights to your delicious body, which I’d like to exert now.”
His hand moved to grip the object of her desire. His fingers curled around it and stroked from root to tip. “I have work to do.”
“So stop lagging and let me have it.”
Releasing himself, he stepped forward and cupped her face in his hands. He searched her features, his gaze softening. “Are you okay, Darcy? Really okay? Or are you feeling shaky?”
She caught him by the wrists. “I think you’re feeling shakier than I am. I’ve had three years to deal with this. You’re the one who’s been blindsided by a cold case.”