Love's Taming (The Love's Series) Read online

  Stoney watched her remove the object and then kept his eyes on her to see what she did next. Glancing quickly between the anesthetic machine and the object, he watched her actions carefully.

  She laid the object in the tray next to the surgical table then turned back to concentrate on suturing the incision.

  “What’d you do with what you found last week?” he asked softly.

  Annie, not looking up from her work, answered, “I threw it away.”

  “Is he gonna’ be okay?” Stoney asked, looking back down and running his hands over Sarge’s coat.

  Smiling up at him, she answered, “Yeah. He seems to be doing great.” Sparing Stoney a glance she couldn’t help notice that his attention was on her, dark eyes piercing her. Licking her lips nervously, she looked back down at her patient.

  She walked over to the anesthesia and turned it off. Stoney did not move but oddly she did not feel crowded with him standing right next to her. After a moment, she pulled out the endotracheal tube.

  “He’s doing great,” she said, sighing in relief. Feeling Stoney’s heat at her back, she glanced over her shoulder then looked up as she realized how tall he actually was. His eyes met hers and the most amazing thing occurred – he smiled.

  Annie stared at his mouth. Full lips, perfect white teeth. His scary persona melted away as the smile of a relieved pet owner took over. God, he’s gorgeous. She couldn’t help but smile back.

  Stoney looked down at her as he stood as close as he could without touching her. He could smell her. Even through the surgical soap and medicinal smell of the clinic, he could smell the hint of floral shampoo. He wanted to bury his head in her hair. It had been so long since he had been around beauty. Another time, another place and I’d be planning on…

  Suddenly Sarge made a slight movement, breaking the spell between them.

  Jerking back, she focused her attention on Sarge once again. “We need to get him to the kennel area for recovery,” she explained.

  Stoney gently lifted Sarge in his arms and followed her to the next room. There were large kennels on the floor, with rows of smaller kennels higher. She quickly went to a cabinet and pulled down clean blankets for one of the large kennels.

  “You can place him here,” she said kneeling on the floor.

  He laid a still sleeping Sarge on to the floor in the kennel.

  “I’ll keep the IV in for just a bit to make sure everything is all right.” Her eyes moved over to Stoney as he leaned over Sarge, speaking softly to the dog. She couldn’t help but smile again. Devotion to pets told her a lot about people. He looked up at her, holding her gaze. The room seemed to slowly shrink until there were just the two of them there. His eyes did not waver; neither did hers.

  Suddenly self-conscious, she stood up. “I…need… um… to scrub off.” Turning, she quickly walked over to the counter and sink.

  Chapter 3

  Hands shaking, she washed them off in the sink just as he walked over and stood at her back. Reaching around her their hands collided under the stream of hot water. Jerking her hands back, she found them gripped in his much larger ones and placed back under the water.

  He began to wash her hands, sliding the liquid soap all around, gently massaging them under the water.

  The feel of his hands smoothing over hers felt sensual. The strange sensation of becoming aroused surprised her and she couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder and up into his face. Less frightened now, she could see his strong jaw despite the shaggy beard. His lips were full and she found herself licking her lips just staring at his. His face was chiseled with small lines coming from his eyes. And those dark eyes. Mesmerizing. Staring at her as though looking directly into her soul. Seeing her fears. Pulling her in.

  Stoney slid her hands out of the water as he turned her around. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as he continued to pull her toward him until their bodies were almost flush.

  She looked up at him with a mixture of indecision and passion. As though a magnetic force pulled the two of them together, they moved forward. She on her toes and he leaning down until their lips met.

  The kiss started softly. The gentle movement of lips on lips. He pulled back slightly, smiling when he saw her brow crinkle at the loss of contact. Knowing he should stop. Knowing he did not want to stop. Her call. It’s got to be her call.

  Annie’s eyes sought his again, then lowered to his mouth. The mouth that had just been kissing her. More. I shouldn’t, but I want more. More kisses. More something. Rising back up on her tiptoes she pressed her lips to his once again.

  That was all the encouragement he needed. It had been too long since he had been with a woman…a good woman. Angling his head, he took the kiss deeper. Licking the seam of her lips, he plunged in as she opened. Exploring every crevice of her mouth, he drank her in. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had kissed a woman. Not like this. Not where he wanted it more than his next breath. Tongues clashing, chasing each other, trying to dominate. He needed this kiss to chase away the darkness. Just for tonight. Then I’ll walk away and leave her alone.

  He slid his arms around her back and down to cup her ass. Hoisting her up he felt her wrap her legs around his waist, her center pressing onto the bulge in his jeans as he backed her up against the wall.

  Annie moved on instinct, the rational voices in her head reminding her that she did not do one-night stands, she did not have sex with strangers were drowned out by the sounds of her own moans. Feeling the pressure of his jean clad dick pushing against her aching core, she began to rub on him as though her will was gone.

  She was dimly aware of her scrub top being lifted and her bra cups pulled down, freeing her breasts. Her nipples were hard, but whether it was from the cool air of the surgery room or the heat from their bodies, she didn’t know. She didn’t care.

  Stoney kissed his way down from her mouth, across her neck as she arched her back, and down to the swell of her breasts. Pulling one nipple in deeply, he sucked hard, first nipping with his teeth and then soothing it with his tongue. Lifting his eyes he saw her head thrown back against the wall, eyes closed tightly, her perfect mouth curving in a smile. Moving to the other breast he gave it equal attention, not remembering the last time he suckled a woman for the pure pleasure it gave her. Or him, for that matter.

  Annie, lost in the euphoria of the feelings washing over her, gave in completely. Her hands grasped his hair as she pulled him in closer. With his mouth finding hers again, she was barely aware of being lowered to the ground until she felt her scrub bottoms being jerked down along with her panties, before being lifted back up. This time the friction of his jeans directly on her pussy was unbearable. Her undulations began again and she could feel herself close to the goal. Dimly aware, she realized oh my god, I am going to come just dry humping this sex god, as she heard the sound of his zipper.

  Stoney pushed her back away from him just enough to unzip his jeans, releasing his swollen dick. With one hand on her ass and his body pressing hers against the door, he reached down and pulled a condom out of his back pocket. Not gonna think about the last time I was with a woman. With her legs wrapped around his waist he was able to free his hands to roll the condom on quickly.

  Lifting her in his strong arms he seated her right at the tip of his cock. Pulling away from her kiss swollen lips, he pierced her with his look. “Last chance, Annie.”

  The roar of passion in her ears, drowning out all rational thinking, had Annie pulling his head back down to hers. Whatever comes, I need this now!

  No more hesitation, he plunged his dick to the hilt in her wet pussy, the tightness of it almost making his knees buckle. Jesus, she is so tight. I don’t want to hurt her. But I just gotta…

  He watched in surprise as she threw her head back crying out as her orgasm grabbed his dick in its vice. Her inner muscles clenched around him and he began pounding in and out, his control slipping. With only a few more thrusts his neck strained, the veins standing out, an
d he leaned his head against the wall next to her as his orgasm ripped through him. Fuck, she’s killin’ me. Never. It’s never felt like that before. Even before he had gone down into the rough world of drug dealers and pimps. Even when he could remember what it was like to hold a decent woman. Never before has it felt this good. This right.

  Bodies dripping in mingled sweat, breathing ragged, the two of them clung to each other in the aftermath until slowly the cool air around them began to seep into their consciousness.

  Annie kept her eyes shut tight, afraid to open for fear of what she would see in his eyes. What have I done? I don’t even date, but I just let a stranger fuck me against the wall of my own clinic. As she felt his breath even out she loosened her grip on him, hoping he would take the hint and let her go.

  He felt the change in her as soon as her guilt settled in. Lifting his head from her shoulder, he peered into her face before she quickly averted her eyes. Did I hurt her? Fuck, I took her too hard. She’s not like the skanks I have had to be with for the last couple of years. Jesus, what have I done?

  He brought his hand up to cup her face, turning it back toward his. “You all right, Annie? Did I hurt you?”

  She felt the fiery blush from her breasts to her hairline as embarrassment heated her skin. “I…um…I need to…um…the dog. I have to…um…check on Sarge.”

  “Annie. Did I hurt you?” his gravelly voice asked again softly.

  “No. Um…no. I’m fine. I…um…just need to…um. Please, put me down,” she said pleadingly. Please just go. Just go. Let me die here alone in my embarrassment. Having no idea how to deal with a one-night fuck up against a wall, she just wanted him to leave.

  Stoney slowly pulled out and with his large hands around her waist, he set her down. When he was sure her legs were steady under her he stepped back, his eyes never leaving her face. He could see the embarrassment and guilt racing across her features. Fuck. She was too good for this. She was too good for me. Or too good for who I’ve become. He stepped away tossing the used condom into the trash. With his back to her, he could hear the sounds of clothing rustling. Giving her a moment of privacy he fixed his pants before turning around. She had put her scrubs back on but had the look of a well-fucked woman about her. Long copper hair mussed and falling about her shoulders. Lips were red and kiss-swollen. And her green eyes…fuck. Green eyes shining with unshed tears.

  Annie glanced up at him unable to discern any emotion in his eyes. Feeling the sting of tears threatening to fall she quickly skirted around him and went over to Sarge’s cage. Sitting on the floor, she leaned in to ascertain his post-op condition. The anesthesia was wearing off, but the pain meds kept him quiet.

  “He looks good. We were successful with the surgery and he should be ready to go home once he wakes up. If you want to call tomorrow, I’ll have our tech get him ready for you.” I can do this. I can make this professional and just pretend the last few minutes of my life didn’t happen. Keeping her face away from Stoney, she did not want him to read her emotions. But it did happen. And it was good. Hell, it was great. I felt alive for the first time in a long time. Giving her head a quick shake, she continued her thoughts. Stop. It was a fuck. That was all it was to him, so don’t make this worse.

  Stoney walked over and squatted next to her, reaching out to touch his dog. “I’d like to stay if you don’t mind. I don’t want him to wake up and not know anything familiar.”

  Annie turned to look at the man next to her. Strong, handsome face, even with the shaggy beard. His long hair, messy but clean. His massive thighs next to her tiny ones. His large hands, gently stroking Sarge. Hands that were just as gentle when they were stroking her a few minutes earlier. Quickly sucking in her breath at the turn of her thoughts, she looked up into his eyes. Unreadable. His eyes were the only thing about his looks that just didn’t fit. Dark. Almost black.

  He continued, “Look, I know you don’t have any reason to trust me. I show up here in the dark alley with a sick dog. I guilt you into doing surgery and then I take advantage of the moment.”

  At that, the blush that had gone away flamed across her face once again and she dropped her eyes from his.

  His voice soft, “Annie girl. I’m all kinds of sorry that you regret what we did. I shoulda never let it go so far. But honest to God, woman. You’re the brightest thing in my world right now. I don’t want any trouble. I just wanna make sure my dog is okay and I need to make sure you’re okay as well.”

  “I’m… fine, Stoney. Honestly. I haven’t…well, I’ve never…um…done that…”

  Before she could finish, he interrupted. “I know you haven’t. Annie, I’ve been buried in the belly of the beast for a while, but don’t think I don’t know pure goodness when I see it.”

  Her eyes jerked up to his as he continued. “I don’t regret it. Not one second. The only thing I regret is you thinkin’ it didn’t mean anything to me. I felt somethin’. Don’t understand it. But I felt somethin’.”

  She looked back down nodding, sucking in her lips as his words poured over her. Taking a deep breath, she stood up. “I live upstairs. If you want to stay here to keep an eye on Sarge, I’ll let you. I don’t understand it either, but I trust you. I’ll be back down in the morning.”

  With that, she turned and left the room, not looking back. Walking up the flight of stairs in the back to her little apartment, she could feel the exhaustion taking over. Locking her front door behind her, she walked into the kitchen, grabbed a wine bottle and headed into the bathroom. Taking a long hot shower, she scrubbed her body thinking it would take away the shame, but as her hands lathered her breasts she could still feel his hands on her. Stop. You’re not in some romance novel. You just had a one-time…whatever.

  She then crawled into bed with the bottle of wine and tried to drink the memories away. Just my luck. The bottle was almost empty to begin with so I can’t even get drunk enough to forget. To forget the way his mouth kissed as though he was sucking my breath to live himself. To forget the way his arms felt as they wrapped around me. Protecting me, or giving himself something to hold on to. To forget how is dick felt buried deep inside. And to forget that orgasm. Nope, not happening. So she lay in bed, finally falling asleep dreaming about the mysterious man in the room directly under her.

  * * *

  A few hours later, Sarge was on his feet although still wobbly. Stoney rubbed his dog’s ears, speaking soft words to him as his hands were being licked. “What did I do, Sarge? The first ray of sunshine that enters my world in two years and I bang her up against the wall like some two-bit hooker.”

  The darkness of the past couple of years swept over him. The drugs, the fights, the lawlessness he had to participate in to get up in the organization. Every one of those actions took a little bit of his soul until he wondered if he had a soul left. Would I have gone down this path if I had known how it would have ended or how long it would take? Rubbing his hand over his face, he pulled himself out of the darkness that was threatening to overtake him.

  Sarge’s large doggie eyes looked into Stoney’s face as though he understood the words.

  Shaking his head he said, “What’s more, she’s the kind of forever girl I always wanted to find. And I have to find her in the middle of this fucked up mess. She’ll never know the real me and I can’t even stay around to explain it or make her feel better.” The realization that he should never see her again sliced through him. “I gotta get this done. Then I gotta get out. Then maybe…ah hell.”

  Bending down, he wrapped the blanket around his dog, then stood to his full height. Looking around one last time, he quietly left through the back door, slipping out into the night.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning, Annie jumped out of bed at the sound of the alarm without hitting the snooze button. Anxious to get downstairs to check on Sarge, she hurried through her morning routine. Looking in the mirror, she spent an extra minute on her simple makeup and smoothing her hair. What do I say to Stoney? What
do you say to a man that you had sex with on the first night? First night? Hell, it was an only night. Hanging her head in embarrassment for just a moment, she shook off the feelings and looked back into the mirror. Girl, for once you did something spontaneous. Get back down there and face him.

  Going with her pep talk, she hurried down the stairs and entered the clinic through the back door. “Stoney?” she called. “How’s our patient this morning?”

  The silent clinic was her only greeting. Walking into the recovery area her eyes darted around as she realized it was empty. No Sarge. No Stoney. The room looked just as she left it last night. Everything in its place. It looked as though there had never been any activity. Stunned, she walked over and peered into the laundry bin. There were the blood covered scrubs. It wasn’t a dream. He was here. The realization dawned on her. He couldn’t wait to get out. He didn’t want to see me this morning.

  A strange feeling of disappointment filled her. She walked slowly over to the wall where just hours earlier she had been with him. Placing her hand up against the cold surface, she wanted to feel some of the heat that she had felt then. But all that was left from last night was the cold on her fingertips and the memories. You are such a fool.

  Her eyes caught an envelope taped to the door that led to the alley. Walking over and with shaky hands, she opened it. Five one-hundred dollar bills were inside along with a note. Pulling the note out, she read: Thanks for the help. Sarge seems fine. I hope this covers the cost of the surgery. I needed to leave before the morning. Stay safe. Stoney

  Eyes closed, she clutched the money and note in her hand. Sucking in a huge breath, she suddenly turned and walked to the reception area. Putting the money in the bank bag, she headed out the front door. There is no way I can explain this to Suzanne. First stop, bank. Fine. I can do this. I had my one spontaneous one-night stand. No more. From now on, I play it safe and if I’m destined to be a cat lady, then so be it!