Cop's Passion Page 18

  Swinging out of the car, he leaned his forearm on the hood and looked across at her, sweeping his gaze across her face before regarding her steadily.

  Maddy arched one brow.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be keeping me calm?” he drawled.

  “Sure. Aren’t you calm?”

  “What do you think?”

  Moving around to his side of the car, she stood on the other side of the door and regarded him with her head angled to one side. “Huh. You look calm to me, so you must be calm.”

  “If you only knew.” Bending suddenly, he retrieved the two bags from the floor of the car and shut the door. Taking a step forward, which put him right in front of her, he bent down to whisper in her ear, “And you will know. It’s only a matter of time, Nurse.”

  Ignoring the way her heart bumped around in her chest at the delicious threat in his voice, she smiled up at him, pulled his house keys from her pocket and waggled them. “Ready for bed?”

  Oops, totally the wrong thing to say. His eyes darkened and his gaze dropped to her breasts. “Oh yeah.”

  “Oh no!” She cleared her throat. “I mean, you need a rest and-”

  “I’ve been resting for two days.” Those hot eyes travelled up her throat. “In bed all alone. I’ve had enough rest.”

  “I’ll call Rick.”

  “I don’t want him in my bed.”

  “You’re not getting anyone in your bed until you’ve recovered.” Turning on her heel, she crossed to her veranda and turned the key in the lock of the security screen. “Now behave yourself.” Unlocking the doors, she opened them and stood back.

  “After you,” Mike said, ever the gentleman.

  A little uncomfortable at being the first into his home, Maddy entered but stood to the side as he came in behind her. She followed him into the kitchen, immediately aware of how not only his big frame filled the room, but his very presence was everywhere at once.

  “It’s good to be home.” Mike dropped the bags onto the table, his fingers briefly brushing the surface.

  The surface where he’d held her down while he’d taken her from behind, where he’d pushed her up that delicious- Maddy blinked and looked up to meet his hot eyes.

  Uh-oh, he was remembering, too.

  Seeking to divert his thoughts, she turned hurriedly to the bench and reached for the small pile of mail. “This is the post that came while you were in hospital and-” She froze.

  He was right behind her, his ribbed abdomen against the small of her back, his chest against her shoulders, and his breath stirring the hair at her ear as he bent and said in a rough velvet voice, “I’ll behave if you promise to get into my bed soon. Very soon.”

  “Mike!” She tried to step back, but his bigger body didn’t shift and she only succeeded in pressing back against him, against all that delicious heat and hardness. “Mike, you can’t be doing this, you’re just out of hospital and-”

  Big hands cupped her upper arms and ran gently up and down, sending warm shivers through her. “I missed you.”

  “I visited.”

  “You weren’t there all the time.” He nuzzled her temple.

  Maddy closed her eyes. “I-I’m not here all the time, either.”

  “But you’re just next door, just on the other side of the wall.” He inhaled deeply. “You smell so good.”

  Little tendrils of heat sparked in her veins but she managed to keep a rein on them. “This isn’t a good idea.”

  “It’s a great idea.”

  “You promised to behave.”

  “You didn’t give me a promise in return.”

  Maddy swallowed. “At the hospital-”

  “That was then. We’re home and I’m in charge now.”

  “What? No.” Turning her head, she looked up at him. “You have to take it easy. Don’t you have any idea how serious your injury was?”

  Stepping back only enough so that she could turn around, Mike stretched out his arms and rested his hands on the bench each side of her. Resting his weight on one bent leg, he leaned down so that they were face-to-face. His gaze slowly slid over her face, studying her so intently that she could swear she felt every sweep of his gaze on her skin.

  Looking directly into her eyes, he said softly, “I know. I also know that you probably saved my life. I know that I waited eagerly for you to walk through that hospital room door every day.”

  Warmth swept through her at the candidness of his words and expression. Her heart started to slow down and she took a deep, easy breath.

  “Every time you walked through the door, Maddy, the day became brighter. Even when you made me take the damned pills.”

  Meeting his gaze, she reached to stroke one finger along his jaw. “You needed them for your headache.”

  Bending his elbows brought him closer, and his deep voice was gentle. “You were there for me.”

  “How could I not be? You’re there for everyone else.” She smiled slightly. “You’re always there to tell me off about something.”

  “I warn you,” he corrected.

  “You threaten.” Her fingers trailed down to his neck as she marvelled at the heat of his skin.

  “Different points of view.”

  “You’re so stubborn.”

  “What?” He laughed softly. “And you’re not?”

  “Not at all.” She smiled up at him.

  Mike leaned in further, closing the small gap between them as his breath feathered over her lips. “My experience tells me different.”

  “Your experience isn’t enough to go by,” she murmured.

  “Just keep arguing that, Maddy.” His lips brushed across hers, making her catch her breath. “You’re the only one of the two of us to believe it.”

  “So sure of yourself.” She moistened her lips.

  Heat flashed in his eyes and immediately he closed the last few inches between them, capturing her mouth in a hard, quick kiss. Lifting his lips briefly, he said almost harshly, “Absolutely.” And then he claimed her mouth again, his hands shifting from the bench to splay across her bottom, his palms cupping her generous curves as he pressed her to him.

  The heat from his body, the silky firmness of his lips, his strength, it all combined in a delicious melding with his clean, male scent.

  The fact that he could actually want her never failed to amaze her, but it was there in the way he looked at her, the way he held her, and undeniably in his stiffening shaft against her belly.

  His kiss turned hungrier and her ardour rose to match it. This time it was she who sought entrance and he opened to her. His taste flooded her, so male, so clean, so much him that she couldn’t get enough, wanting more.

  Maddy pressed hard against him, her breasts crushed to his chest as he gathered her so close she was dimly aware that there was no space between them, that from thigh to mouth they were almost fused together.

  Heat washed though her, little sparks that ignited and made her pulses beat erotically, and when Mike took control back of the kiss she could only go where he led.

  One big hand left her bottom to slide up her back and nape and into her hair, fisting into the silken strands gently but firmly as he angled her head to the side. She almost whimpered when he left her mouth, his tongue lashing once across her lips in a half teasing, half erotic lick, and then his hot mouth was sliding down the length of her throat and his tongue laved the pulse that beat so wildly.

  His mouth was hot, decadent, and she couldn’t prevent herself from rubbing her belly against his shaft, one of her legs gliding against his.

  “God, Maddy,” he groaned. “I need you now.” Lifting his head, he looked down at her out of hot eyes. “I want you stretched out beneath me, all naked and lush.”

  His words made her damp with anticipation, but the sight of that primapore patch glowing like a white warning through the strands of his dark hair brought her back to her senses.

  “Raincheck,” she gasped, pushing him back, or trying to, her hands braced on hi
s chest no match for his greater strength.

  “Raincheck, hell,” he growled, and started to move back, his hand on her bottom pulling her effortlessly forward.

  “No.” She dug her heels in, only to tumble forward when he tugged suddenly and she tipped off balance. Falling against his chest, she looked up to see his wolfish grin, and that grin combined with his dangerous looks made her heart almost jitter-bug all through her chest. Grabbing onto his shoulders, she regained her balance and managed to frown up at him. “No.”

  “Why?” He was still moving backwards and, damn it, taking her with him.

  Did the bloody man not even feel her weight?

  It was hard enough trying to get her galloping emotions under control without Mike looking like dangerous sin. “Because you’re supposed to be resting.”

  “I’ll rest afterwards.” His smile wasn't just sin now, it was pure hedonism.

  “No!” Grabbing onto the door frame, Maddy managed to jerk them both to a halt. “Not now, Mike.”

  “Maddy-”

  “Unless you intend to drag me to your bedroom kicking and screaming, the answer is no.”

  He shook his head at her. “Maddy, I’m fine. Trust me, I-”

  “You just got home from hospital. You’re recovering from concussion. Damn it, Mike, I don’t want you ending up with a relapse.”

  “I’m not going to relapse.”

  “Because you’re a medical expert, right?” Folding her arms, she frowned up at him. “I was worried sick about you and I’m not going to let you risk any problems by not following the doctor’s orders.”

  He looked down at her for several seconds before there was a little softening of his expression. “You were worried about me?”

  “Of course I was, you lunkhead.” Relieved that he was finally listening, Maddy shook her head. “Dragging your big Neanderthal hide out of here in your yellow ducky boxers with Alan was a good indication of that, don’t you think?”

  Hands on his hips, Mike hung his head while he contemplated the floor.

  A little worried now, she took a step forward. “Are you all right?”

  “Just trying to get myself under control.” He glanced up at her with a twinkle in his eyes, eyes which still held heat.

  Warily she stopped. Yeah, his eyes might have a hint of humour in them, but the sexual heat was still burning.

  “You can come closer. I’m not going to jump you.” His grin was slight, dangerous, and still had a hint of carnality. “Not yet, anyway.”

  “I think I’ll just put the kettle on.” Taking a breath of relief, she swung around and went to the sink.

  She’d only just grabbed the empty kettle when she sensed him behind her, but she didn’t have time to even turn before he was pressed against her back, his mouth at her ear and his breath a hot promise as he growled, “This is just a rain check.”

  “Okay.” She swallowed.

  “Because I will have you beneath me, naked and writhing.” He thrust once against her, making her breath catch at the hot, hard brand that was evidence of his arousal. “Very soon, Maddy. So very soon.”

  And then his heat was gone and she almost dropped the kettle in relief and - damn it all, yes, disappointment again. She really had to get her professionalism back in the control seat.

  Taking a deep breath, she managed to glance over her shoulder while filling the kettle with water in time to see him gather up the bags and leave the room. Just before he disappeared around the corner of the wall, he looked directly at her and the promise she saw smouldering in his eyes was enough to make her insides curl in delicious anticipation.

  Shaking her head, she plugged the kettle in and leaned against the bench. No woman who didn’t know him would ever guess at the carnal passion he had burning deep inside him. She still found it hard to believe that his carnal passion was for her. It made her hot and giddy all at once, and if she had to be truthful, it also scared her a little.

  Getting two cups out from under the sink, she spooned coffee powder into them while frowning. She knew why it scared her, and she didn’t like the answer.

  Once he saw her fully naked, would that passion disappear?

  “Maddy?”

  She looked up to find Mike studying her as he crossed the kitchen floor holding the boxers he’d worn in hospital.

  “Are you all right?” Stopping directly opposite her, he reached across the bench to gently push a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

  The gesture was so familiar, so comfortable, that she couldn’t stop the little catch of her breath. She smiled at him. “Fine.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  “Nothing to talk about. Honestly.”

  He searched her face for several seconds before he finally nodded and continued on to the laundry. Opening the door, he went inside.

  Oops. Maddy waited. And waited. There was only silence, so she poured milk into the mugs and crossed to the table, placing the mugs opposite each other on the wooden surface. Sitting down with her back to the laundry door, she cupped her hands around the warm china and waited.

  The door of the laundry shut and she listened to Mike walk across the room. He sat down opposite her and when she lifted her gaze to meet his, it was to find that familiar, forbidding scowl on his brow.

  Typically, he picked up the mug and took a sip without removing that laser-piercing gaze from her. Replacing the mug on the table, he leaned back in his chair, folded his arms, and continued to regard her steadily.

  “What?” She raised her brows.

  “Don’t play the innocent with me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Why is that fur ball still in the laundry?”

  “Because that’s where you left it.”

  “For one night.”

  “Actually, it was one day, remember?”

  “It’s not staying here, Maddy.”

  “I never said it was.” Calmly, she took a sip of coffee.

  “Just so you know.” He picked up his mug again.

  “I know.”

  Scowling, he sipped at the coffee. “Bloody thing has taken over the wash basket.”

  “The nights have been getting colder.”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “So,” she said brightly, “how does it feel to be home again?”

  After several seconds of gazing at her, he suddenly relaxed in his chair and glanced around. “Good. Very good.”

  “I thought I’d make a casserole for tea.”

  His face brightened. “Okay.”

  Nothing like food to divert a man.

  ~*~

  Oh yeah, Mike sure did like having Maddy around. He relaxed in the lounge on the sofa with his feet propped up on the coffee table, watching the motorbike races. Beside his feet stood a cup of hot tea and a little plate with some homemade cherry slices on it. In the kitchen he could hear Maddy moving around and the delicious smells coming from there had his stomach rumbling.

  It was such a homey atmosphere and he couldn’t wait for the day when Maddy was there all the time, and if he had his way, it wouldn’t be long.

  Of course, he’d have to welcome that blue-eyed cat into his home as well, but for Maddy he’d put up with Chaz. He doubted Chaz would have any problems settling in, the weird cat thought Mike was his best friend ever. Then again, maybe Chaz thought every person who walked through the door was his best friend ever.

  Sighing contentedly, Mike wiggled his toes. The only thing missing was Maddy tucked up at his side watching the races with him, but he’d seen the roll of her eyes when he’d flicked to the sports channel. His Maddy wasn’t into motorbikes. He’d have to see what he could do about changing her mind on that particular subject.

  She came in after about a half hour to check on him.

  “Want to look into my eyes?” Mike winked at her. “My mouth? My pants?”

  “Good grief. What happened to that bad-tempered cop who yelled at me for getting on the roof? And
climbing the ladder?”

  “I’m off-duty.”

  “You were off-duty then.”

  “Oh. I’m on sick leave?” He patted the sofa seat hopefully. “Want to hold my hand and feel my brow?”

  “I can see you’re just fine.” Maddy shook her head, her deep grey eyes twinkling. “I need to go home and feed Chaz.”

  “You could always bring him over while you stay the night.” His gaze swept slowly over her, taking in those generous curves, and he knew his smile was decidedly on the lewd side.

  Yep, there went that delightful flush filling her cheeks. “I’m not staying the night.”

  “So how do you intend to keep an eye on me?”

  “I’ll pop over a couple of times and check.”

  All playfulness fled. “What?”

  “I’ll pop in and check on you.”

  Jesus, she said it so blithely. Mike frowned.

  “What?” It was her turn to ask.

  “Let me get this straight. You’re going to come over during the night to check on me?”

  “Yes.”

  His frown turned to a scowl. “No, you’re not.”

  “Don’t be such a macho man.”

  “It’s not being a macho man. Maddy, you’re not going to be coming over here in the night to check on me.”

  “You need-”

  “I need to know that you’re safe. You’re not going out in the dark of night and trotting over here to check up on me.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he growled, “No. Emphatically, absolutely, no.”

  Annoyed, Maddy folded her arms, and if she only knew how that movement lifted her breasts and made his mouth water, but he refused to dwell on that delightful little musing right now. Not when she as going to be stupidly careless.

  “You need to be checked overnight.”

  “So stay here.”

  “I don’t think that’d be very restful.”

  “I’d know you were safe.”

  “No.”

  “Mike-”

  “No.”

  “Fine.” She sighed suddenly.

  Oh yeah. Satisfaction flowed through him and he relaxed. “You’re staying here, then. It’s settled.”

  She looked down wryly at him. “Nice try, but no.”

  “Then what are you going to do?” Leaning back in the sofa, he laid his arms along the back of the sofa and arched a brow challengingly at her. “I refuse to have anyone else but you stay over. I also refuse to let you come over in the dark. You refuse to leave me overnight without checking on me. So I guess that leaves only one conclusion.” Oh yeah, one conclusion only, and it meant she stayed in his home, and not in the guest bedroom either. Oh boy.