Tightly Wound Read online

  His heart pounded then broke in two at her confession. He fought the urge to smash her against him, to absorb every ounce of her bottled up pain. Yet he knew she wouldn’t allow it. Claire Steele was as tough as her name insinuated and sympathy was the last emotion she would tolerate.

  Careful to keep solid mental barriers in place, he tucked one side of her hair behind an ear. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. When Brett and I were born, the doctors told Mom it was likely one of us would be sterile. I’ve known a long time.”

  “Maybe science is wrong.”

  “Trust me, it’s true. I’ve never used anything and I’m not pregnant yet.”

  He tightened his jaw. He knew damn well there had only been two other men in her life and they hadn’t hung around long. No wonder she avoided intimacy.

  “If we do this, Claire, what’s going to happen if you’re wrong?”

  “That’s not even an issue, Shadow. There’s no way-”

  “Answer the question.”

  She held his gaze for a long minute. He felt her half-assed attempt to enter his head, almost as if she realized she wouldn’t get inside. Her eyes darted from side to side and then she answered just as he expected. “You answer it.”

  He didn’t hesitate. “That’s a chance I am more than willing to take.”

  Her sweet smile lightened her face and made his heart thump even harder. “Then why are you getting dressed?”

  Shadow straddled her hips and crowded her backwards with his chest until she lay beneath him.

  He eased into her incredibly tight channel, his dick on fire and almost screaming with insanity. “Claire honey, are you sure you’ve done this before?”

  Her light giggle floated through the heated moment and eased his aggravation. “Positive. It’s just been awhile.”

  Somewhat relieved, he strengthened his push. Her swollen inner muscles finally let go of him long enough to allow him to slide inside. Her wet, silky warmth surrounded him like velvet over steel.

  “Hell yeah,” he groaned.

  She moaned from under him. “More, Shadow. I want all of you.”

  Sweat coated his shoulder blades. “Easy, baby, we have to go slow until you’re ready.”

  “I am ready.” She lifted her hips and thrust, burying him to the hilt.

  His eyes crossed, his balls tightened, and suddenly he lay on his back with Claire straddled across his legs. His cock pulsed.

  He pinched a nipple then rolled it between his fingers. “I can’t believe I didn’t see that coming.”

  She arched her back and thrust her breasts further into his touch. “You’re taking too long.”

  “Ah, Claire Bear, now that you’ve had a taste of that almighty orgasm you want another, don’t you?”

  “God, yes.”

  “You’re convinced you can get it like this, huh?”

  She planted both palms on his chest and raised her hips, working his cock in and then out of her in the process. “Most definitely,” she answered around a sigh.

  In a flash, he rolled her to her back. “That’s what you think.”

  She moaned and wiggled beneath him. “Please, Shadow.”

  He leaned forward and drew one pebbled nipple into his mouth, traced the surface with his tongue, and then released it. “Please Shadow what?”

  “Love me.”

  He bent to suckle on the other nipple. “I do love you, Claire.”

  “You know what I mean,” she panted.

  “No.” He palmed both breasts then trailed his tongue down the valley of her cleavage. “Tell me.”

  She fisted her hands in his hair and attempted to force him inside again.

  He nipped the top of her collarbone. “Please Shadow what?”

  He lifted his head to gaze into her eyes, aroused as hell at what he expected her to say. She gazed back with a lust-filled gleam in her eyes.

  “Please Shadow, bury your thick, long, hard cock all the way inside of me until I scream bloody murder with a mind-bending orgasm.”

  His eyes widened. His dick throbbed. Nothing like a woman who demanded exactly what she wanted. He’d be lucky to get two good strokes before he erupted.

  “And make it last,” she added.

  He released a tortured groan and eased inside her warm, wet entrance, his cock squeezed in the base of her hungry muscles, and his balls pressed against her ass.

  She thrust her hips.

  “Dammit!” He clamped a hand on one of her thighs to still her movement, took a deep breath, then laid his forehead against hers. “We have to do this my way.”

  He waited for her to challenge him, reconciled to the fact that as soon as she wiggled and squeezed one more time, he wouldn’t be responsible for the consequences.

  Instead she nodded beneath him.

  He lifted his head and braced himself on his elbows. “Good girl.”

  Shadow began to move in and out of her, slow controlled strokes that made her whimper. Sweat coated his lower back as he worked to push her over the edge.

  She released another breathy moan and he increased his pace.

  “Shadow.” Her hips left the dampened sheets to meet his thrust and he slid deeper inside.

  “Now, Claire.” With one final hard stroke, she screamed as she clamped down on his cock. He finally released his control and allowed his own orgasm freedom as she squeezed him tight.

  He continued slow, easy strokes until she lowered her hips and pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss. He fought to control the overwhelming need to crush her against him and never, ever let go. To keep her prisoner for the rest of her life.

  “My mother would be severely ticked off.” Her soft voice teased him as he realized she managed to read his thoughts.

  He kissed the tip of her nose and then rolled beside her. “Stop snooping.”

  Claire giggled. “Hey, I take what little I can get. Face it, arousal and anger are your worst enemies.” He followed her gaze between his legs where his traitor of a dick now stiffened. “And apparently,” she continued with a smirk, “you can’t control either emotion.”

  He released a long breath, not willing to admit she had him right where she wanted him. He turned on his side and stroked a knuckle down the side of her cheek. “You better make a run for the tub before it’s too late.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I’d rather stay here.”

  He looked at his watch and groaned. “Not enough time. If we don’t call Brooks, he will show up unannounced.” He took her lips in a possessive, greedy kiss. “And no way will I let him see your sexy, little naked ass.”

  Claire rolled her eyes then left the tangled sheets. “I need bubbles.”

  “Under the cabinet.” He eased to his back, folded his hands beneath his head, and waited for her to ask.

  “You like bubble baths?”

  “No, you do.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “I’ve never been here.”

  He nodded, not ashamed of his next confession. “I keep a bottle anywhere I might see you, Claire. Just like you keep lemonade.”

  A wide, serene smile covered her face. “You are such a sap.”

  He grunted. “Go. I’ll call room service and get you some wine.”

  “I don’t have anything to wear.”

  “I’ll call the boutique downstairs.”

  “Think you can handle that?”

  Shadow snickered. There wasn’t one single thing about her he didn’t know. “No thinking involved. I know I can handle that.”

  He waited until he heard the water run in the bathroom before he reached for the telephone beside the bed. As soon as room service recorded his order, he dialed the boutique in the downstairs lobby and put a rush on her clothing. No way could he concentrate with her delectable naked body on display.

  He threw back the covers and climbed from bed, pulling on his jeans sans briefs. Who the hell wanted to kill her? The thought alone made his heart hammer and his knees weak. He sought the edge of the
bed to keep his knees from buckling. He ran a hand across the top of his head. This whole situation was screwed.

  As a SEAL, he’d seen his share of screwed, hell, participated in his share of screwed. But now, Claire was involved and, sonuvabitch, he’d never been more scared in his life.

  “Shadow?” Claire’s muffled voice floated through the bathroom door.

  He cursed under his breath and immediately cleared his mind.

  “Too late,” she sang, “come in here.”

  He stood and then entered the bathroom, determined to convince her she was mistaken about his fear. He grinned as she squeezed a pink poufy sponge thing over her wet, shiny breasts. Bubbles slid over the surface, coating her erect, dusky pink nipples and then drifting down her stomach into the tub water.

  Gotta love those bubbles.

  “Your wine should be here soon.”

  “Thank you.” The sponge moved across her chest and then down one arm. “I felt you.”

  Shadow kept silent. He couldn’t deny what he knew she felt. Anyone else maybe, but not Claire.

  “He can’t hide from me forever. Sooner or later he’ll make a mistake.” She sighed. “They always do.”

  “I’m not willing to wait.”

  She reached for his hand and braided their fingers. “There’s no other choice.”

  “Yes there is.”

  She squeezed his fingers. “I won’t hide.”

  “He can’t get you if he can’t find you.”

  “True.” She released his fingers and moved the sponge up the other arm, squeezing bubbles over her bare shoulder. “But he’ll wait until I return.”

  “Not if I obliterate him first.”

  She dropped the sponge and it floated on the pillowy water. One side of her mouth quirked. “You can’t eliminate everyone you suspect, soldier.”

  He bent forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “I’m too damn selfish, Claire. Now that I have you, the sick perp will die before he gets close.”

  She rose to her knees and then leaned over the tub. “You’ve always had me.” Her soft lips caressed his in a gentle kiss.

  Shadow growled when a knock on the main door ended the moment.

  “Wine,” Claire prompted.

  “Or clothing?”

  She reclined against the back of the tub and lifted one long leg. Her big toe traced the faucet then she rolled her head to the side to look at him. A sultry smile split her lips. “I really don’t need clothing if I’m stuck here with you.”

  “Yes, you do.” He stood and bent to kiss the top of her head. “I’ll be right back.”

  He chuckled as he left the bathroom. Despite her worry, Claire still had a way of calming him. Always had and probably always would. Even in the throes of combat, he felt her. Way back in the deep dark recesses of his mind her soft, gentle voice whispered reassurances and caused his anxiety to stray. There was no way this sick bastard would get her.

  Without meaning to, Shadow slung the door open hard. Both the room service waiter and the boutique owner took a step backwards.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled as he motioned them both inside and directed the clerk to hang the clothing in the bedroom. As soon as the waiter popped the cork on the wine and both attendants left the room, he delivered a glass of wine to Claire then sprawled out on the sofa to call Detective Brooks.

  Ten minutes later, the phone rang and Shadow directed the concierge to escort Brooks to the suite. Shadow met him in the doorway and then closed the door.

  “Anything new at the scene?”

  Brooks shook his head. “CSI is still combing through the rubble.” He glanced around the room. “Where’s Claire?”

  “Bathroom. She has an obsession with wine and bubbles.”

  “Should we wait?”

  “No. Believe me, she’ll be up to speed the minute she corners us.”

  “Is that possible?”

  Shadow gave a half laugh. “You ever worked with a psychic?”

  “No, but I agree with the department’s decision to use one.”

  “What about Claire?”

  “She hasn’t worked one of my cases.”

  “She never misses, Brooks. Never. You should probably accept that up front. Even if she tells you something you don’t want to hear, listen.”

  “Experience?”

  Shadow let a grin slip. “Yeah. Lots.”

  “She seems determined.”

  “Determined, hell. She’s like a pit bull. Sinks her teeth in a couple inches and refuses to let go.”

  “She’s well respected.”

  “Any leads on the nutcase who tried to take her out?”

  “Not much, except that whoever planted that bomb knew enough to be considered knowledgeable. The trigger was placed on her transmission. The timer was set to ignite exactly one and a half hours after the car shifted into park.”

  Shadow practiced restraint this time, careful to block Claire. “I’ve called for backup. Claire’s brother, Brett.”

  “Good plan. Does she have any idea who might be responsible?”

  Shadow eyed Brooks carefully, checking body language for any sign he might be on a fishing expedition. “Not this time.”

  Brooks ran a hand across his forehead. “What about you? Have you made enemies lately?”

  “Probably.”

  The sweet smell of vanilla invaded his senses and Shadow turned to see Claire walk toward them from the bedroom.

  “He’s not after Shadow, Matt. It’s me.”

  “You’re absolutely sure about that?”

  She leaned one hip against the back of the sofa. “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “What happened right before the explosion?”

  Claire shook her head. “Nothing unusual.”

  “You two were the only ones in the house?”

  “Yes.”

  “Neither of you saw anyone suspicious around the neighborhood or around the perimeter?”

  “Brooks,” Shadow drawled, “you know damn well what we were doing in the house. We didn’t see or hear anything.”

  “I would have known,” Claire insisted.

  Shadow grinned. “Not necessarily.”

  “Yes,” Claire pressed. “I told you before anger and arousal don’t work in your favor.”

  Brooks cleared his throat. “What about your last few cases?”

  “The last one I worked was the Dixon murder. He’s not coming back. Now I’ve been assigned to Gabe’s.”

  “Do you feel like this could be gang related?”

  A million and one questions crowded Shadow’s brain. He and Claire hadn’t had an opportunity to talk about her cases much. Funny how keeping her alive took precedent.

  Claire shrugged. “It’s strange, but I have no idea. For some reason, I can’t get a good read. I’m planning to walk the scene tomorrow.”

  Shadow didn’t hesitate to add his two cents. “Absolutely not.”

  In true Claire form, she simply patted his shoulder. “That’s the plan.”

  Brooks squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Uh Claire, I’m with Shadow on this one. I’m not sure you should leave the hotel until we get a handle on things.”

  Shadow caught a flash of defiance in the depths of her eyes. “We can’t catch him without a lure.”

  “I’m not real comfortable using you as bait.”

  Shadow had to give Brooks credit. He didn’t appear hesitant to challenge her. Sucked for him.

  She folded her arms across her beautiful lush breasts and smiled. “You don’t have a choice. I’m going.”

  Shadow took one look at the detective and shook his head. Don’t do it, Brooks.

  “I could lock you up.”

  Shadow seriously considered ducking for cover. One glance at Claire told him things would get ugly fast. He reached to unfold her arms, pull her next to him, and tuck her into the crook of his shoulder.

  “I’ll take her, Brooks. Send a car just in case.”

  “I don’t think —”
>
  Shadow clenched his jaw and sent the other man an icy stare. “Just do it.” Or we’ll both have hell to pay.

  Brooks paused, obviously reading Shadow’s silent message. “There better not be an incident,” he finally answered, “or I’ll haul you both in.”

  Claire flinched and Shadow pulled her closer.

  Brooks gave them one more silent stare before he spoke. “I’ll meet you back here tomorrow. We should all have information to share.”

  Once the door closed behind the detective, Shadow released Claire and slid the deadbolt on the door. “You know what I have to do.”

  She smiled and sat on the sofa, legs crossed. “Go ahead.”

  He ran a hand across the top of his head while he made the phone call that might very well render him dickless. He glanced at Claire, flipping through the case file, while he sweated bullets and waited for Steele to answer the damn phone.

  “Give him a minute,” Claire mumbled, “he’s busy.”

  Oh hell. Shadow exhaled a heavy breath. The connection Claire and her brother shared sometimes scared the shit out of him.

  “This better be important, Shadow,” Steele finally barked across the line.

  “I found Claire.”

  “Didn’t know she was lost.” Shadow’s heart pounded when a soft feminine voice spoke in the background and the line crackled. Steele exhaled a heavy breath. “Hold on a sec, Shadow.”

  Shadow waited and prepared to face the firing squad. Holly London, Steele’s fiancé, obviously sensed something through the phone call. And since she shared Claire’s talent, Shadow was pretty much DRT. Dead Right There.

  Claire giggled. “You’ll live.”

  He smirked. “Not sure that’s a positive.”

  Steele’s return to the line was exactly like Shadow expected. “What the hell did you do to my sister, Shadow?”

  Steele’s demand for explanation didn’t surprise him. “You really want me to answer that?”

  “What happened to her?” Steele growled.

  “Do you remember last week when Cpt. Sterling took us to The Cathouse?”

  “Vaguely.”

  “Claire and I had a heated … discussion that night.”

  Claire closed the magazine and raised both eyebrows.

  “And then she ran,” Shadow finished.

  “Thank Jesus,” Steele mumbled.