technicality.
“When you come, I said. Are you going to?”
Sherri’s knees jiggled. “Not long.”
The fingers of one hand made circles around her nipple. First lazy and slow, then faster. The fingers of the other did the same to her clit. How did he do that and still keep rhythm?
Tension wound through her core. Over and over, she gasped desperately for air.
“Turn around.”
Ohmygod. “You’re kidding.” This time, Sherri was the one to growl.
Ash pulled back, out, and stepped away. “Turn. Lean back.”
She rolled her eyes, but complied. “You’d better be planning to get back in—” Oh, he sure as hell was.
With one swift move Ash thrust inside her, deep in a way that caused a satisfying ache. His hands went under her thighs and stayed there as he licked a trail up her chest and neck. “Put your arms around my neck,” he murmured.
She hooked her arms around him, holding on for dear life. He stood and lifted her, pulling her against his body as if it were nothing. The up-close view and the bright light in the room made his eyes appear warm and swirled with honey.
He kept his gaze on hers as they crossed the room. She tightened her legs around him and hoped he knew where they were going. When her back met the door he sped up, releasing a snarl that exposed his sharp canines.
He thrust faster, and with ferocity. It didn’t hurt, but he held her body in a grip that might leave marks, and she’d bet she’d have bruises from the door. Good.
A glance over his shoulder stopped her breath. Hanging from the end of a shelf full of binders was a picture-sized mirror, and for a frozen moment Sherri saw a woman she didn’t recognize: flushed face, swollen mouth gasping for air, disheveled hair spilling over her shoulders.
Who was this woman? Old Sherri had been structured and careful. Was this someone new, or someone she’d always been? Someone hidden until meeting Ash?
Ash kissed her again, and she didn’t care.
“Sherri, I’m so glad you came back. I didn’t realize...”
Didn’t realize what? Don’t wonder.
She loved the way he kissed. Sensation enveloped her, the velvet of his tongue against hers, and his stubble caressing her chin. The warmth of his skin brushed over her, hard muscle and soft chest fur, moving in bursts of energy that ratcheted her need tighter and tighter.
Their lips were close enough to share breath. Sherri couldn’t take her eyes away from his.
Footsteps approached and somebody knocked on the door as Sherri’s orgasm hit. She buried her face in Ash’s shoulder, hoping his body would absorb the noise.
With his shout of “Coming!” he pulsed inside of her with deep staccato thrusts.
Sherri sank her teeth into Ash’s shoulder to keep from laughing at the absurd timing of the moment.
“Shh.” Ash chuckled. “Who’s there?”
“It’s Mary. Stop sending strays to my kitchen.”
He smiled as he set Sherri down on the floor. “This is my restaurant, Mary. Can you use her or not?”
“Maybe. I’m telling her to come back tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry.” When he turned to speak, Sherri was already grabbing her clothes.
She smiled. “It’s your restaurant. I should be apologizing. I should also let you get back to work.” She rushed to get dressed.
“You don’t owe me any apology. I dragged you back here. Hell, you wouldn’t be here at all if not for Jojo.”
“Your little feud aside, I’m not sorry he sent me here.” She paused in the middle of fastening her blouse. “He really hates you?”
Ash pulled on his pants and walked over, carelessly ignoring that the fly was open. He kissed her again, like he meant to taste her. “The feeling’s mutual,” he said. “I’m pretty sure Jojo inherited all of the stupid and crazy in the family. He’s young, reckless, and greedy. I think I also mentioned stupid.” Ash laughed as he pulled on his shirt. “He’s also next in line to take over as pack alpha, so I fear for