Take the Money and Run: #1 Malone Brothers Read online

  He must have read her mind. Leaving her mouth, he nuzzled her neck at the spot just below her ear. “Undress me, sweetheart.”

  Backing up half a step, he gave her room to get her hands between them so she could unbutton his shirt. This was a first for her. The guys she’d dated in the past had always undressed themselves before hopping into bed with her. After she had finished with the last button, her hands stroked up his torso and burrowed under his shirt. How could his skin be so soft, yet so hard at the same time? God, she wanted to lick him. Taste him. Devour him. She’d never felt this alive before, this empowered and she didn’t want the feeling to end.

  Pushing the shirt off his shoulders, she let it drop to the floor and lowered her hands to attack his belt buckle. All the while, KC kissed and nibbled on her shoulders and neck. Having trouble with the buckle and not being able to look down with his head in the way, she had to beg him. “Please, help me.”

  He didn’t stop what he was doing, but his hands went to his waist and within seconds he had the annoying accessory open. Instead of undoing the button and zipper of his pants, he brought her hands back so she could do it for him. It didn’t take her long, and she shoved the khakis from his hips, revealing his black boxer briefs. KC kicked off the pants, then made fast work of removing her bra and underwear.

  Picking her up in his arms, he skirted the bed and placed her in the middle of the mattress. Lying beside her he started to bestow more kisses on her body as if he were worshiping her. His mouth slowly worked its way down her neck to her shoulder and then further to the valley between her breasts. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, heating her flesh as they caressed her waist, hips, back, and legs. He stroked her outer thigh and then torturously began a slow advance to the pulsating heat between her legs. The torment was so intense, she wasn’t sure how much she could take before begging him to touch her where she needed him the most.

  His hand stopped at the crease of her hip and simultaneously, his thumb flicked her clit as his tongue swiped her nipple, and she nearly jolted off the bed. “Oh God!”

  KC didn’t break his stride as he continued the thrilling assault on her body. He pulled the stiff peak of her nipple with his lips and teeth, before giving the same attention to its twin. His deft fingers found her labia soaking wet as he stroked her, matching the rhythm of his mouth. She squirmed and tried to get closer to him. She wanted him inside her . . . now!

  “Not yet, sweetheart,” he murmured into her skin. “Just relax and enjoy.”

  “C . . . can’t . . . mmm . . . more! Please!”

  KC smiled against her skin. “Oh, there’ll be more, my sweet. Plenty more.”

  His fingers still stroking her, KC’s mouth began a painstakingly slow journey down her torso, pausing briefly to lick her navel as he shifted lower on the bed. Kissing her hips, he settled himself between her knees and paused, staring at her wet sex. Moriah felt embarrassed by his scrutiny. Another first—she’d never had a man just stare at her pussy while licking his lips. “What’s wrong?”

  “Absolutely nothing. You’re so beautiful.” He lifted his gaze to hers, and she blushed at the heat she saw there. He glanced back down to where his fingers continued to softly caress the curls of her pussy hair. “I knew when you blushed you would turn pink all over. God, how I fucking love that.”

  KC brought his mouth to her clit and began to give it the same attention he had laved upon her nipples. Moriah struggled for breath as her back arched off the bed, and her hands gripped the bedspread. She gasped and rolled her hips, trying to get closer to his teasing mouth. “KC! You’re killing me!”

  She felt him laugh against her swollen folds, the vibrations taking her higher. “No, I’m not, sweetheart. I’m pleasing you and enjoying every minute of it.”

  Involuntary moans escaped her as two fingers breached the slit of her weeping vagina. Her body instantly yielded to the invasion and with one more swipe of his tongue over her clit, Moriah experienced another first—she climaxed for the first time in her life. Until now, she’d never thought she was capable of having an orgasm. She screamed her release. A bright white light blinded her, even though her eyes were shut, as a flood of pleasure she never knew existed washed over her. Fucking her with his fingers, KC let her ride out the violent storm, but before she fully recovered, he lowered his mouth to replace his fingers. His stiffened tongue penetrated her as his thumb brushed over her clit, sending her over the edge of another incredible orgasm and making her quake uncontrollably. Her response scared and elated her at the same time. This was beyond anything she could have ever dreamed of.

  * * *

  This time, KC allowed her to come down from her orgasmic high. As Maura lay breathless, he reached over and retrieved a condom from the nightstand drawer. Shoving his briefs down his legs, he kicked them off while using his teeth to rip open the small package and swiftly sheathed his throbbing dick. Crawling up her body, he stopped to hover above her. She looked beautiful and sated, but he was far from done with her. “Open your eyes, honey.”

  Her lashes lifted, exposing the blue eyes he could drown in and die a happy man. Reaching down, he lined his cock with her slit. She was so incredibly wet, making his entry easier. Her hips tilted upward as he slid in and out of her, going further with each pass. She grabbed his upper arms and dug her nails in as KC eased himself into her, filling her. She was so tight he worried he might be too big for her. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “Yesssss—” Her hiss was cut off by a gasp as his pelvis tapped her clit on an inward thrust. She shifted her hips again, pulling him further into her moist heat, and KC groaned. Her walls were as snug as a glove, and the drag of his cock against them was killing him. He lost all control and slammed into her. Tucking his face in the curve of her neck, he nibbled the spot over her pulse. He had wanted to take things slowly for her, but his body had other plans. Quickly finding the right pace to make her moan and scream again, he pounded into her as she matched him thrust for thrust. He didn’t know how long he could hold back his own orgasm, but he desperately wanted her to cum one more time. Increasing the tempo, he felt her begin to shudder. As she climaxed again, her inner walls tightened around him. With his own guttural cry, he came with such force, he thought he might pass out as wave after wave of ecstasy hit him.

  Resting his head against her shoulder, he tried to regain his breath and from what he could tell, she was having the same trouble. Reluctantly, he slowly withdrew from her and rolled to her side. The cool air in the room felt good against his fevered body, slick with perspiration. Not wanting to leave her, he sat up, removed the condom, tied it off, and tossed it in the trash pail next to the nightstand. Laying back down beside her, he smiled as she cuddled up to him and murmured, “So that’s what I’ve been missing.”

  A minute later she was sound asleep in his arms.

  * * *

  KC awoke on his left side, spooning the woman who lay beside him, her back to his chest, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist. He pulled her closer and inhaled her scent. It was a distinct smell—female, flowers, and sex—but it was all Maura. They had made love twice more during the night, but he still woke up hard and wanting her again. If he lived to be a hundred and had her every day, he didn’t think he would ever be satisfied.

  Checking the bedside clock, he noted it was 8:00 a.m. That was the latest he’d slept since his second night in the house. As much as he wanted to wake Maura slowly and fill her again, he knew she needed some sleep. The only other thing he could think to do was run off his excess sexual energy.

  Easing himself away, so she wouldn’t awaken, he climbed out of the bed and headed to the bathroom to relieve himself. A few minutes later, dressed in his usual running shorts and T-shirt, he left her a quick note with a pen and paper he found in a drawer of the nightstand.

  Didn’t want to wake you. Went for a run. − KC.

  With his socks, sneakers, and a towel in hand, he left the bedroom, closing the door as quietly
as possible. He made a quick stop in the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator. Exiting through the back-porch door, he found his brother Brian sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee, staring at the ocean. “Hey, bro! Good to see you. Why didn’t you knock or let yourself in?”

  Brian was two years KC’s junior and the spitting image of their mother. With his brown eyes and dirty blond hair, he’d won his senior class yearbook category of “Best Looking”—a fact he never let his other brothers forget. “Uncle Dan suggested you might need some extra rest.” He smirked. “Guess he was right.”

  Knowing his brother was aware of Maura’s presence and had figured out their uncle’s attempt at matchmaking, KC ignored the man’s sexual snark. Sitting in one of the deck chairs, he went about putting his socks and shoes on, leaving the towel and water on the table. “Want to take a run?”

  After swallowing a sip of coffee, Brian shook his head. “Nah, I already did my five miles this morning. I’ll just relax and wait for you to get back.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  “I always do.” And wasn’t that the truth?

  KC started out at a steady pace along the edge of the surf. He felt exhilarated this morning, and it had everything to do with the woman he had left in his bed. He doubted she fell into bed with just anyone—her lack of experience and shyness had all but proven his theory—and he considered himself incredibly lucky to have been one of the few.

  They had spent much of the night exploring each other from head to toe. There were areas of her body that, if touched or kissed, made her gasp. Other areas made her moan. And one or two even made her scream. He grinned at the thought. She had screamed in delight many times during the night, and he couldn’t wait for a repeat performance. Yup, he definitely was a lucky man.

  An hour later he returned to find his brother exactly where he left him. Brian tossed him the towel. “Your lady friend hasn’t come out, yet. She too . . . ahem . . . worn out to join us?”

  He growled. “Watch it, asshole.”

  Leaning back in his chair, Brian propped his feet up on another one. “So, tell me about this mystery woman Uncle Dan rented the cottage to.”

  Wiping the sweat off his face, KC shrugged. “No mystery. Maura was in an abusive relationship. When she’d had enough, she took off running. She’s just afraid the jerk will come after her, so she’s keeping a low profile. Uncle D. felt sorry for her and decided to rent her the house.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He didn’t like the skeptical response. “Come on. You know Dan. Always bringing home strays.”

  Tilting his head, Brian conceded . . . a little. “Of course, but this is the first time you ever became involved with one of those strays.”

  His eyes narrowed. It wasn’t like his brother to stick his nose in any relationship either of his siblings got involved in. “I won’t deny I’m attracted to her, but I’ve only known her less than a week. Who knows where this is headed? For now, I’m enjoying myself, and so is she. No harm, no foul. So back off.”

  Brian held up one hand as a sign he was doing as requested. “Okay, bro. I just don’t want you getting involved in someone else’s troubles.”

  “She left those troubles behind her.”

  The door behind him opened, and they both turned to see Maura emerge from the house, oblivious to their conversation. KC grinned at her rumpled state, but she looked rested and incredibly sexy. She had thrown on a pair of black sweatpants and a gray T-shirt. Even though he could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra, KC knew Brian would never embarrass her by mentioning it or giving any indication of the fact. He had grown up learning the same gentlemanly traits KC had.

  When Maura noticed KC wasn’t alone, her gait and smile faltered. Both men stood, and he took care of the introductions. “Brian, this is Maura Jennings. Maura, this is my brother Brian. He’s a detective with the State Bureau of Investigations out of Elizabeth City and lives about forty minutes away in Camden.”

  * * *

  At the mention of his career, Maura paled slightly but quickly recovered. KC may not have noticed, but Brian definitely did, and it piqued his curiosity about the woman even more. Studying her with the eye of an experienced detective, he stepped forward and held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  She cleared her throat and, after a moment’s hesitation, shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” He noticed her swallow hard under his gaze, and she tugged her hand from his. Struggling to smile, she turned to KC. “I’m going to make some coffee; do you want some?”

  Wanting to look around inside without either of them there, Brian spoke up. “Why don’t I make it? You two sit and relax.” He pointed at a paper bag sitting on the table, which he’d brought with him earlier. “I picked up some bagels and scallion cream cheese for breakfast. I’ll bring out plates and utensils, too.”

  Not waiting for either one of them to turn him down, he made a beeline for the door. Inside the cottage, he quickly gathered some plates, knives, and napkins and placed them on a serving tray. As the coffee brewed, he glanced around the kitchen, not seeing what he was looking for. He tiptoed back into the living room. Spotting a small purse on the back of the couch, he glanced toward the porch. Making sure KC and Maura couldn’t see him, he quickly opened the purse and found her wallet. “Moriah Jansen” was the name on the Illinois driver’s license next to a picture of Maura.

  Huh? Now why was the lady using an alias? Probably for nothing good. Memorizing her date of birth, Brian put the wallet back in the purse and left it exactly the way he found it. Going back into the kitchen, he poured two cups of coffee and put them on the tray along with the milk and sugar. Putting on an air of nonchalance, he picked up the tray and headed for the porch door.

  C

  HAPTER 13

  P anic assailed Moriah as she watched Brian enter the cottage. Oh, God, a state investigator! What were the fucking odds KC’s brother would be in law enforcement? This could get very ugly, very quickly if she didn’t get herself under control. She couldn’t do anything that would raise suspicion and that meant she had to act as normal as possible, and she did everything in her power to appear unflustered. Pretend he’s a stock broker, she told herself. Yeah, right. Good, fucking luck with that.

  KC reached out, took her arm and pulled out a chair for her. A shiver traveled up her spine as he whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful this morning.”

  Moriah wasn’t sure if the trembling she felt was a reaction to KC or fear. “Th-thanks.”

  His eyes narrowed as he inspected her face. “Everything okay?”

  “Um, yeah.” She smiled. “Just trying to wake up. You wore me out last night.”

  Grinning, he placed a kiss on her lips. “Right back at you.”

  A noise behind them had Moriah and KC turning and the latter rushed over to open the door as Brian carried a full tray out. Noting the coffee, KC raised an eyebrow. “Just two cups? You’re not having any?”

  “No, sorry Bro. I just got paged into the station. You two enjoy breakfast.” He regarded Moriah in a way which made her want to squirm. “It was nice to meet you, Maura.”

  She prayed neither of them could hear the hammering of her heart. “It was nice to meet you, too.”

  “I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”

  She nodded and told herself not to read into those words. He was just being friendly, wasn’t he?

  Twenty minutes later, her stomach churning, Moriah sat there, picking at the bagel KC had placed in front of her but never bringing a morsel to her mouth. His brother’s visit and fast exit bothered her. She tried to convince herself there was no way he could know about her and her past, but something about their whole interaction left her unsettled.

  Devoid of an appetite and needing the think things over, she stood, obviously catching KC off guard. “I’m going back to bed.”

  “Mind if I join you?” There was no missing the hopefulness in his question.

  “I’m
sorry, KC, I’m not feeling well.” At least, it was the truth. “I think I’m coming down with something. Maybe a nap will help me feel better.”

  Clearly not happy about it, KC bit his lip and nodded, but she was grateful he didn’t push the issue. “Okay, you go rest. Let me know if you need anything.”

  Not wanting him to worry, she leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “Thanks.”

  On her way to her room—not his—Moriah grabbed her purse from the couch. She shouldn’t have left it out in the open last night, with her real ID in it, but then again, she didn’t even recall how it ended up there after they arrived home. She had been too busy kissing KC. Closing the bedroom door behind her, she turned the lock, then tossed her purse on the nightstand as she flopped onto the bed.

  She couldn’t shake her uneasiness about Brian Malone. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have let her guard down? She had been crazy to think she could settle down here. There was no way she could do anything normal again. To do so could end up with her being killed.

  Shit! She had just spent the most incredible night of her life with the most amazing man in the world, only to discover he had a detective for a brother. Now she would have to leave sooner than she’d expected, and the thought of leaving KC was tearing her apart. It shouldn’t, considering she barely knew him. But it was. She was probably just another conquest in a long line of women he had slept with. The thought made her jealous, although she had no right to be, and she chastised herself. Last night was just a one-night-stand. He hadn’t professed love for her. They had known each other less than a week—there couldn’t be love there. That only happened in romance novels and fairy tales, didn’t it?

  But Moriah knew it was there, deep down in her heart. She had fallen in love with KC the first time he had kissed her on the beach. His touch and scent were forever burned into her memory. She would never forget him. But she couldn’t stay and risk her past catching up with her—it would only place him in danger, as well, and she couldn’t do that to him. Somehow, she would have to pretend that nothing was wrong for the rest of the day. She couldn’t have KC suspecting she was planning on running away. It would create too many questions, and she was having a difficult time leaving him as it was.