Once Is Never Enough: Delta Heat, Book 5 Read online

  Mondo gave them all narrow stares, but they simply gave him blinding smiles and waves. They were impossible. The whole group was too incestuous. No one understood the concept of privacy anymore. Their closeness was something he’d treasured, but it was beginning to feel restrictive, like a noose tightening around his throat.

  He’d give the party a skip. They’d get the message then.

  Sunny probably wouldn’t even show. His shoulders slumped. He’d wanted to see her again. But on his terms. In an environment he could control. In his mind, he’d run through several scenarios, all of them with him instructing—no more deviating from his usual methods. No tender moments, except when she needed reassurance, but nothing that would draw them closer. He’d pushed too hard. Forgotten himself. So why was he disappointed?

  Shouts sounded on the field. Craig accepted the snap, threw the ball high over the heads of the firemen, straight into Gus’s waiting hands. Gus, although large, was swift-footed. By the time the firemen changed direction and raced to halt his momentum, he dragged two of them, clinging to his middle and his legs, across the goal line.

  Mondo shot up from his seat, whistling and clapping. Better to pretend everything was right in his world or he’d never get the guys off his back.

  Sunny was dressed in jeans and an altered gray tee, the neck ripped out and curled, the opening large enough it draped to expose one shoulder and the black strap of her bra. She wore plain leather sandals. She’d even dusted her face lightly with powder and a light bronzer, a swipe of clear gloss on her mouth. She’d gone for casual—so casual that no one who rapped on her door would know she’d been waiting for someone to arrive and invite her to join the party next door.

  She didn’t want to seem overanxious or even that interested. But she was. Her plainly varnished nails were nipped to the quick.

  Despite the lectures she’d given herself since her encounter with Mondo on Thursday night, despite the sudden panic that had sent her fleeing the club, once again, her stomach was assaulted by the flutter of a thousand nervous butterflies.

  Her sleep had been restless, filled with dreams of Mondo standing over her, dressed in black leather and wielding a whip. Of her naked and tied spread-eagle while he lashed her tender skin, lifting welts.

  And she woke every time drenched between her legs. Aching for release she refused to give herself—because he hadn’t given her permission. Because he said that waiting made the orgasm so much more intense. And she wanted that intensity. Wanted his focused attention, his harsh paddles, his tender caresses.

  He’d awoken something inside her. Shown her what she’d been missing in her life, and now she was greedy for more. But she didn’t know how to approach him, or whether he was done with her after the way she’d flown out of the playroom too overwhelmed to process the emotions that had roiled inside her.

  So she watched through her slatted blinds as darkness fell and cars arrived. Laughter filled the air, coming through the windows. Quiet murmurs. Smacking kisses. Sure, the affection they shared as a group had been shocking, but it had also been a revelation. She craved another of Pansy’s soft girl kisses. What did that say about her? Everything she’d thought she knew about her sexuality had been challenged by her introduction to the friends. She was confused. But so much more than curious. She felt on the cusp of a journey, which made no sense at all. All she really knew was that she couldn’t turn back.

  Just when she’d finally worked up the courage to march out the door and across her yard to Pansy’s, the doorbell rang.

  Panic gripped her for a second, followed quickly by a deep sigh that calmed her heart. She strode toward the door and opened it, hugging the edge with one hand while she stared straight into a pair of sparkling blue eyes. “Hi, Marti,” she said, eyeing the woman’s casual tee with its asymmetrical hem.

  “We’ve all been waiting,” Marti said and then waggled her eyebrows. “The guys are working on the crib. We’ve been making mojitos and one’s got your name on it.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of Sunny’s lips. She let it go, feeling warmth suffuse her cheeks. Pansy’s warnings about Marti’s girlie interests flashed through her mind. And oddly, her pussy clenched. Sunny twisted the lock on the door handle and stepped outside. “You said the guys…”

  “Mondo’s not here yet,” Marti said, grabbing her hand and threading her fingers through Sunny’s. “But he will be. He’ll want to make an entrance, and make us sweat a bit. The man likes to be in charge and Jenn all but ordered him to come.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment so acute it killed her smile swept through her.

  Marti leaned close, so close her breasts pressed against Sunny’s, and she gave her a one-armed hug. “Mondo is very proud and independent,” she said, her face so close Sunny could see little sparkles on her cheeks. “And while he knows a thousand ways to make a woman scream, he doesn’t know his own heart. Have patience. You’re his other half. He just doesn’t know it yet.”

  Sunny barely breathed. But her nipples tingled, tightening into sharp beads. Afraid the other woman would notice, she nodded, hoping she’d draw away.

  But Marti narrowed her eyes and one side of her mouth curved up. Slowly, she reached up and skimmed her hand beneath Sunny’s hair, forcing her head to tilt toward hers.

  The kiss was soft, just a sweet press of pillowy lips. Sunny drew in a breath, but couldn’t resist the other woman’s magnetic pull. She touched her tongue to Marti’s bottom lip and gave it a swipe. Strawberry flavor exploded on her tongue and she gave another less-timid stroke.

  Marti murmured and pressed closer, slipping a hand between their bodies, cupping Sunny’s breast. She pinched the nipple, and Sunny gasped, clenching her thighs against instant arousal. Good Lord, who was this slut? She barely recognized herself.

  “Marti…?” came a low growl from beside the women.

  Both drew apart. Sunny pulled up her neckline to cover her shoulder, feeling exposed. She’d just kissed a woman in broad daylight on her front porch. Her gaze flew to Jackson, Marti’s husband, who glowered at his woman.

  Marti laughed, the sound like tinkling bells, and cupped Jackson’s cheek. “It’s not cheating if I know you’re watching, lover.”

  Sunny’s cheeks burned, but Marti still had hold of her hand. She hadn’t even realized he’d been hovering in the darkness.

  With a flip of her hair, Marti pulled her closer. “We’re all gonna be besties, whatever that stubborn Latin decides. But he better make up his mind quick, because I think I’d like a threesome.”

  Sunny choked.

  Jackson shook his head, his mouth a thin straight line, but heat simmered in his eyes. “Not gonna happen.”

  Marti sighed. “I know, but you are gonna have to paddle me for making that suggestion.”

  Jackson looked past Marti to Sunny. “Stay away from this one. She’ll lead you into sin.”

  God, she really hoped so. Sunny only pretended to drag her footsteps as the couple led her across to the other house. Maybe she was building up her expectations. Maybe the party really was just a regular old party with the girls getting tipsy while the guys turned screwdrivers and argued over specs. The fact they talked about their sexuality so openly added its own layer of excitement.

  But who was she kidding? If Mondo didn’t show, or worse, if he came and then ignored her, she’d be devastated. The only way to know where she stood with the enigmatic man was to put herself out there. Join the happy group. Perhaps Marti had only been partially joking about welcoming her in even without Mondo as a partner. But if she became close to the group, she’d have many more opportunities to get to know the man who excited her more than anyone she’d ever met.

  After days of miserable introspection, she’d decided she was in this for the long run. Although fast would definitely be better.

  Inside the house, Jackson peeled away, heading up the stairs af
ter smacking Marti’s ass and telling her to behave.

  Marti led her to the living room where the women were seated with overstuffed chairs pulled close to the couch for cozy conversation.

  Jenn waved, giving her a friendly smile. She looked cute as hell, dressed in shorts and a silky halter top, her long hair held back in a tight ponytail.

  Pansy wore a lemon-colored smock over jeggings. “Yes, I blend right into the walls.” She patted the cushion beside her. “Have a seat. Marti’ll get you a drink. Your’s won’t be virgin. You have some catchin’ up to do.”

  Sunny kicked off her sandals and sat, curling her legs beneath her. “Thanks for having me over.”

  Pansy arched a brow. “Think we were gonna let you off the hook? You held out so long we were sure you were ditching us.”

  Heat suffused her cheeks. “I had just gotten up the nerve to come when Marti arrived,” she admitted, giving an embarrassed shake of her head.

  “Tell the truth,” Marti called out from behind the bar. “It was my superior kissing skills that tipped the scales.”

  Sunny’s jaw dropped as the heads of the other two women in the room swung her way.

  Pansy giggled. “She does give great smacks, doesn’t she?”

  Sunny ducked her head and cleared her throat before quipping, “Not as good as yours though.”

  Pansy whooped and tossed a pillow at Marti. “Hear that?”

  “Those sound like fightin’ words,” Marti said. “Can’t have that.” She brought a tall glass to Sunny. “Drink up,” she said clinking her own against Sunny’s. Standing over Sunny with her hip cocked, Marti arched a brow. “I think we ought to have a little kiss-off to settle this once and for all.”

  Jenn chuckled. “Why don’t you say that just a little louder. Jackson’ll be all over your ass.”

  “Think I’m scared?” Marti said with a waggle of her brows.

  The women laughed, and Sunny held her breath. Were they serious?

  “Make room,” Marti all but purred, edging onto the sofa beside Sunny, forcing Sunny closer to the pregnant blonde.

  Sunny lowered her legs to the floor, and the women seated on opposite sides of her put down their drinks, shared small secretive smiles and then turned their attention to Sunny.

  Blowing a breath out between pursed lips, Sunny eyed one then the other, noted the gleam of anticipation in Marti’s and the narrowed challenge in Pansy’s. Her own anticipation ramped up.

  The two women leaned closer.

  Pansy tucked a strand of Sunny’s hair behind her ear and rubbed a soft fingertip around the shell.

  Marti trailed a finger along the edge of Sunny’s jaw, tucked it under the center of her chin and turned her face towards hers. “I like kissing girls,” she whispered. “Jackson knows that about me. Encourages it even, although you’ll never hear him say it. I like doing other things too.”

  And then she leaned closer. Sunny didn’t move, not away, not closer. She waited, giving Marti the lead, ready to do her will. The other woman’s words, spoken on a throaty murmur, had squeezed the tips of Sunny’s breasts into hard little points. A hot throb had kicked up in her core, moistening her sex. Good Lord, she wanted to play.

  Then Marti’s pretty plump mouth moved in. A soft mouth made for kissing sucked at her lower lip. Marti darted out her tongue, rimming Sunny’s mouth, then she latched her lips to Sunny’s and suctioned softly, drawing on them, drawing her closer. Her hands framed Sunny’s face, tilting it. The kiss deepened.

  Sunny moaned into the other woman’s mouth. The kiss was flavored with rum and mint and was cool and hot at the same time. Delicious.

  Marti’s tongue stroked inside, caressing Sunny’s and then withdrawing. She leaned away, tucked her finger under Sunny’s chin again and turned her face toward Pansy. “Your turn, sweet cheeks.”

  “What the hell?”

  Startled glances swung toward the man standing in the doorway.

  Sunny sucked in a startled gasp.

  Mondo’s hands were on his hips, his eyebrows lowered in a dark frown. “Jackson, Beau,” he shouted without ever looking away from Sunny.

  Heavy steps tumbled down the stairs. Tall, muscular frames crowded the entrance.

  Sunny’s cheeks grew scorching hot as the men stared at the three of them nested so closely Sunny’s shoulders were surrounded by soft bosoms. She licked her lips, knowing they were swollen.

  A pinch hidden against her side from Marti, made her give a little jerk, but she’d needed it. She lifted her chin and met Mondo’s hot stare. “You might have let us know you were here.”

  Marti muffled a giggle. But a curl of Jackson’s finger had her sliding off the couch and walking in a beeline to his side. He gripped her elbow and led her away.

  Beau cleared his throat and signaled to Pansy with a flip of his fingers.

  Pansy made a show of edging off the seat, her hand pressed against her round belly, but she too was led away with Beau and Billy flanking her.

  Jenn edged away, lifting her shoulder in apology to Sunny but following the stomp of Aiden’s heels. Craig shook his head but followed the pair, a smile beginning to stretch.

  Which left her alone with Mondo, who had yet to move or glance away.

  Her body stiffened and then began to grow hot. Just meeting his steady stare frightened and excited her. And there was relief, because she’d missed him and now he was here. She’d take anger over absence. At least now she had his attention.

  At last, Mondo dropped his arms. She noted his clothing, faded jeans, frayed at the knees. A signature dark tee hugged his torso. He wore casual work boots, black.

  “Look at me.”

  Her gaze snapped back up to meet his, locked by his command.

  “I didn’t want to come,” he said, his voice a low, grumbling rumble.

  Sunny swallowed, feeling a burning begin at the back of her throat, but she swallowed it. She wasn’t going to cry.

  “I didn’t want to come because if I kept my distance, I could tell myself what happened between us was a fluke. That I couldn’t possibly want you as much as I did.”

  Her heart stuttered, and now her gaze clung to him of her own volition. She understood what he was saying, because until she found him standing there just a few feet away, she hadn’t really believed in the power of their attraction. But it was there, warming the air, an electric spark that shivered over her skin.

  “So this is happening.”

  She shook her head, unsure what he meant.

  “You’re mine, Sunny.”

  “For how long?” she asked, her voice raw, and she almost bit her lip, thinking she’d made a mistake saying that.

  “For as long as the fire burns between us.”

  Forever then, she said to herself, because she couldn’t imagine her need lessening. Ever.

  “But there will be rules. Get up.”

  Sunny pushed off the seat and stood. Not wanting him to say more before he knew her intentions, she walked toward him, her head down. When she stood in front of him, she knelt and clasped her hands behind her back.

  She went a step farther because she needed to touch him, to be reassured he was real. Leaning forward, she rested her cheek against his thigh. And she waited. Unmoving.

  He touched her hair, opening his palm to cradle her head. She nestled closer, sighing, relief too pale a word for what she felt. Gratitude, too tame.

  Her eyes burning, Sunny acknowledged he filled a need she would never have discovered if she hadn’t met him. Sunny wanted to be owned, consumed whole by this man. Whatever he asked of her, she would do for the simple pleasure of his touch.

  Chapter Seven

  Mondo cupped her bent head, staring downward. He’d acted on pure gut when he’d entered the room, the sight of sweet, innocent little Sunny sitting between Pansy and Marti too se
xy to bear.

  Dios, he’d been jealous of the soft moan she’d given Marti, of the moistness of her well-kissed mouth. And then she’d given him this. Every warning he’d given himself on the drive over here, about how he ought to proceed if she was interested in continuing her training, went right out the window.

  At this moment, with her kneeling so sweetly at his feet, her small body quivering and her cheek nestled against his thigh, all he wanted to do was lift her to her feet and smother her in kisses.

  But what did Sunny really want? Him or the Master? He shook his head, for once not quite knowing how he wanted to approach a woman. Seeing her again, her willingness to submit evident in her posture, something inside his chest gave. Like a sigh he didn’t dare release.

  Mondo tugged on her hair, tilting back her head to raise her gaze to his. “What do you want from me, querida?”

  Her almond eyes blinked, her lips trembled. “I want you, Sir. All of you. Everything you want to give, I’ll accept.”

  On his terms. Whatever they might be, she left unsaid, but he read her intent in her solemn gaze. Mondo shook his head. How she pleased him. Just looking at her filled something inside him. A sweet, growing heat crept from his balls outward to shiver through his frame.

  His mouth curved slowly. “Let me show you something.” He held out his hand, waiting for her to place hers in his palm, and then helped her to her feet. When she stood, she swayed, and he wrapped his arm around her, drawing her toward his chest. Her breasts flattened against him, the curve of her back deepened as she fit herself to his frame, tilting her head back.

  The unspoken request was there, and he wanted nothing more than to please her, so he kissed her. Closing his eyes, he sank into the moment, drinking from her lips, savoring the hint of mint he tasted, stroking inward to tangle with the warmth of her soft tongue. They kissed, lips drawing, heads slanting to align in that natural way lovers did to find just the right angle to increase the pleasure and ease a long exploration.