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

  Annie’s eyes narrowed at his words. “Are you saying I’m dumb?” her voice not hiding her irritation.

  “Just sayin’ you don’t know anything about me, yet you bring me up here where anything dangerous could happen. You do that often?” His dark eyes held hers until she looked away.

  Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out. “I want to be angry about what you just said, but I can’t. You’re right.” Turning her gaze back to him, she continued. “I don’t bring men here. Ever. But I think…I mean…I just feel that I can trust you.”

  Right then, another cat strolled into the room, weaving its body around Stoney’s legs.

  “Damn, doc. How many strays do you pick up?”

  Laughing, she scooped up the cat and rubbed its ears. “It’s hard not to care for a stranded animal. They just want to be loved.”

  “Is that how you see me and Sarge? Are we strays to you?”

  Shrugging, Annie answered honestly. “Kind of. You needed my help. I couldn’t turn you away.”

  His eyebrows raised. “Help is one thing, baby. What we did went way beyond help.”

  Annie’s blush returned as she buried her face in the cat’s fur. Looking back at him, she replied, “You probably won’t believe this, but I’ve never done that before. I’ve never slept with a man I just met. I’ve never been someone’s one-night stand.”

  Stoney leaned over, closing the distance between them, saying, “Baby, you don’t gotta convince me. Men can tell these things and believe me, there is nothing fake about you at all. You are pure sunshine.”

  Smiling, she set her cat on the floor, then leaned back into the sofa cushions. “So what do you do? I mean, I kind of thought you might be homeless when you showed up in the alley, but homeless men don’t leave five hundred dollars for vet expenses.”

  Holding her gaze, he answered, “I solve problems.”

  Waiting for him to elaborate, she quickly realized that nothing else was forthcoming. Wrinkling her brow, she cocked her head as she asked, “Solve problems? What kind of problems?”

  Sighing, he continued, “Simple. People have problems. I’m sent in to fix them. Any way I can. Any way that gets the job done.”

  Not having any idea what he was talking about, she probed. “Who do you work for, solving problems?”

  “Different people. Some better than others, but they all know I can take care of things.”

  By this time, Annie realized that he wasn’t going to give her any more information and what he had given her seemed a little scary. What kind of man have I invited up to my apartment?

  Recognizing that she was beginning to question his motives, Stoney knew that he needed to move the conversation to her. “So, tell me about being a vet.”

  Immediately the smile that lit her face took his breath away once again. Green eyes, bright and alert, turned on him as she effused. “I love it. It is the only job I ever wanted. My parents were afraid that if it didn’t work out, I would have no plan B. But I never needed a plan B.”

  “How long have you been in practice?” Stoney found himself wanting her to keep talking. He no longer cared about her talking so that they focus was off of him; he simply wanted that smile to continue to beam his way.

  “I’ve been out of vet school for two years. The practice downstairs was owned by Dr. Cranston and he took me in then made me a partner. He died six months ago and left me the practice and this apartment. His practice was a good one, but it has been hard to keep things going.”

  “Business is bad?”

  “No, actually there is a lot of business, but I had vet school loans to pay off and can only afford my two employees right now. And this apartment is free, but we work all the time.”

  Looking around at the old, minimally furnished apartment, he noted that it was clean and well kept. But still…facing an alley in an area not populated with other apartments for neighbors.

  “Do you feel safe here?” he asked with bite in his tone, his irritation showing.

  “It’s not so bad,” Annie admitted reluctantly. “I don’t go out at night. If I’m in the clinic late, then I use the inside staircase and I always keep the outside door locked.” Shrugging, she continued, “It works for now. Sometime, when there is more money, I can move out. But it keeps me close to the animals if we have a patient that has to stay over, like Sarge. That way my employees don’t have to try to come back.”

  “Who works for you?” As he asked, he found himself thinking when was the last time I gave a fuck about talking to a woman for any reason other than sex or information?

  “Suzanne is a dream. She is almost finished with her vet tech degree and we’ve become good friends. She could work anywhere but said she wanted to work for a female vet. She’s kind of quiet and doesn’t go out much, so she is willing to work for me as she finishes her classes. Leon is my vet tech and surgical assistant and they both are my receptionists for now. I’m hoping to move her to a full-time vet tech position when she graduates and then be able to hire a full-time receptionist.”

  “Money a problem?” Stoney asked cautiously.

  Laughing, Annie replied, “Who doesn’t have money problems?”

  She really didn’t know she was in possession of a quarter of a million dollars of cocaine. Twice. Throwing that shit out in the garbage.

  “But you know what is nice?” she asked as she looked into his face. “Suzanne and Leon aren’t just employees. It seems as though we are starting from the ground up, building something special. We work closely and we have fun. So even though I can’t pay them what they are worth, and after the business expenses and my loan payments are paid each month, there is very little for me to live on…I love what I’m doing and who I’m doing it with. That makes it special, don’t you think?”

  Stoney looked into the face of the woman sitting next to him. Eyes bright with excitement, not dull with drugs. Taking in a man and his dog, not expecting him to pay instead of trying to figure out exactly what she could extract from him. Stoney tried to remember a time when he knew women like Annie. But right now, all he could see in his mind was her. Her goodness.

  They stared at each other for a few minutes, the street noises fading away until the only sound they heard was their breathing. Slowly drawing toward each other as though a magnet was pulling, they met in the middle of the sofa.

  “Doc, I’ve fucked you up against a wall and then on the floor. A woman like you deserves to be taken in a bed by a man who cares. You got a problem with that?”

  Annie’s eyes registered surprise. “You care?”

  Stoney’s lips moved toward hers, stopping only when they were a breath away. “Girl, I’m so fucked, but yeah. I care.”

  Seeing the slight smile curve the edges of her lips, he couldn’t wait any longer. Pulling her toward him forcefully, he took her mouth in a possessive kiss. I need this now. The rest of this shit, I’ll figure out later. His tongue plunged into her mouth and she moaned as he sucked on her tongue.

  He stood, pulling her up with him, then scooped her up and walked past the kitchen counter. There were two doors, one obviously the bathroom. Turning right into her bedroom, he continued to kiss her as he slowly let her slide down his body. He could feel his dick tightly pressing into his jeans and knew she could feel it as well, as her body was pressed full frontal into his. Just as quickly as earlier he divested her of her clothes and for the first time perused her completely naked body.

  Petite, she couldn’t be over five feet five inches tall. But curvy. Tits, ass, and long coppery hair that waved down her back. Green eyes that stared directly into his. He felt her hand raise up underneath his shirt, sliding her fingers along his abs. Closing his eyes, he wanted to take it slow. Savor the feeling. Savor her.

  Annie watched as he leaned his head back, eyes closed as her fingers caressed his chest. She pushed his shirt up but was too short to take it off over his head. He completed the task for her. She placed her hands on the waistband of his jeans, unbuttoning
the top and sliding the zipper once again over his swollen cock. She pushed them down and as he kicked his pants and boxers off she ran her fingers back over his chest, up toward his shoulders. Standing on her tiptoes, she reached her fingers to the back of his head, pulling him down for a kiss.

  Breath mingling, tongues tangling, the kiss took on a life force of its own. What started as a soft, gentle kiss soon became a roaring flame, consuming both of them.

  He lifted her up in his arms and leaned forward planting her on her back on the bed, covering her body with his own. For the first time, with no clothing barriers between them, he reveled in the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest and his dick pressed against her mound. Jesus, I could lose myself in this woman. Then the realization hit him. I have lost myself in this woman. Holding himself up on one elbow, he moved his other hand to her breast, rolling the nipple between his finger and thumb, swallowing the moan elicited.

  She felt the jolt from her nipple to her pussy as his hands did amazing things to her breasts. Her hips began to undulate in the age-old mating dance as she desperately sought to ease the pressure building. She slid her hand between them to grasp his cock, feeling the bead of pre-cum pooling at the end. Sliding her legs open she moved to place the head of his cock at her entrance, but he stilled.

  “Not yet, baby. Wanna taste you first.”

  Before she could protest he slid down her body placing his face against her slick folds and used his tongue in ways she had only read about. His beard tickled her thighs and she squirmed as the sensations raced over her.

  “Never. I’ve never had…” was all she could say, before the building pressure exploded and she found herself flying over the edge. Crying out his name again, she felt the orgasm rip through her as he kept his head between her legs licking her juices.

  “Sweetest pussy I’ve ever had,” he said as he moved up her body, kissing her from navel to breasts again. Capturing her mouth he kissed her, desperate for more of her sweetness.

  Tasting herself on his kiss, she found she was turned on even more than she thought possible, while wanting to protest his reference to other pussy he had had. She heard moaning again before realizing it was coming from her. Eyes closed, she let his kiss take her away. Away from her tiny apartment with no view. Away from her loneliness. Away from her money concerns. Away to a place where her body vibrated with need. Pressing her hips up toward his once again, she just knew that she wanted him. Inside of her. Now.

  Stoney chuckled as he reached for the condom packet. Her need seemed to match his. Her wants were exactly what he was wanting also. Quickly sheathing himself he plunged in, burying to the hilt. He watched her face as he moved in and out, the feeling of her inner muscles clenching him tightly almost taking him over the edge way too quickly. Her trusting eyes stared into his as he felt her arms tighten around his neck.

  Annie felt the friction of his large cock sliding in and out of her tightness. She felt as though she were running a race toward the finish line knowing that the elation of crossing was going to be mind-blowing. She felt his pace increase and she raised her legs to his back to open herself as wide as possible.

  Stoney reached between them fingering her clit and pushed her over the edge.

  Annie’s orgasm exploded, taking her whole body in its wake. She was still floating when she felt him tense and she opened her eyes just in time to see him rear his head back, neck muscles straining as he powered through his release.

  He continued to pump slowly several more times before collapsing on the bed, rolling to the side taking her with him. He stayed inside of her with his arms wrapped tightly, pressing them full frontal together.

  Bodies slick with sweat, legs tangled, breathing ragged, they slowly pulled their lips away from each other. He smoothed his hand along her back, from her neck to her ass and back again. She cupped his face in her hand, running her fingers along the stubble on his jaw.

  “Do you want to stay the night?” she asked on a whisper. There was no reply, just his dark eyes staring into hers. Licking her lips nervously, she quickly amended, “You don’t have to. I just thought…well, maybe…um”

  “No, I want to,” he said. Leaning forward to touch his lips to hers, he repeated, “I. Want. To.”

  Smiling up at him, she simply nodded as she snuggled closer. She closed her eyes and felt his body settle around her. Arms around her, one leg slung over hers, as though he was afraid that she would slip away. Just a one-night stand. I got that. But I can pretend, can’t I? Just for now. Drifting off to sleep, well sated for the first time ever, she found herself feeling drawn in. Wishing it could be more. Wanting more.

  Stoney snagged the covers to pull over their bodies. Tucking her in closely, he wrapped his arms around her with her head pressed to his chest. He couldn’t remember the last time he spent the night with a woman. Certainly not within the last two years. But even before that, he didn’t spend the night. Sex was physical, for pleasure. He had dated before, but never found the right person. He liked control and it was hard to find a good woman who liked to give that control over. But the last two years? He shuttered thinking about some of the things he had done and some of the women he had been with.

  Smoothing his hand over her silky hair, he found a part of himself relaxing. Allowing Annie’s beauty and peace to sneak inside of him. Into the dark corners. Into the secret places. Trying to figure out how to make this work, he lay awake, listening to her steady breathing. She’s got to understand. She’s just got to. I’m not gonna let her walk away. Not without a fight.

  Chapter 6

  “Doc Annie? Doc Annie?” Leon’s voice yelled up the stairway to her apartment. “Where are you? And whose dog is this down here?”

  Annie’s eyes flew open and she looked at the clock. Shit! “Oh my god, it’s after eight o’clock. I’m late,” she said scrambling over Stoney’s body, jolting him from his sleep.

  He couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t slept that sound or that late in several years. Looking over to the side of the room, Annie worked in a blur, throwing her scrubs on and pulling her hair up in a ponytail.

  “Leon, sorry!” she screamed down the hall. “I over-slept and will be down in a minute. Can you start the preps for me?”

  “Sure, doc. You need me to come up and help with anything?”

  “NO! I’m fine,” she yelled back down, eyes darting over to the bed where the gorgeous man smiling at her was lounging against the headboard.

  “You can’t come down,” she whispered. “At least not to the clinic. Or maybe in a little while. Or maybe I can let you know when the coast is clear. Or maybe…”

  Stoney threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood, comfortable with his nudity. Walking over to her, taking in her wide eyes and stammering, he just laughed. “Doc darlin’. It’s obvious you have no experience in slipping men in and out of your apartment.”

  She was pulled in for a hug, feeling his chuckle deep in his chest against her cheek. “Of course I’m not used to it. I’ve never done it before!”

  Stoney tightened his hold, feeling her words sink into his soul, knowing she let him in and that was something she didn’t do lightly. Let him into her apartment. Let him into her emotions. Let him into her body. He looked down as he felt her turn her face up toward him.

  “I’ve got to go, but you can stay here and have some breakfast. I’ll check on Sarge for you. Then I’ll figure out how to get you out.”

  “Annie relax. You’ve got a back door. I’ll go that way and leave by the alley. No one will see.”

  Blushing, she dropped her forehead down to his chest. “I’m such an idiot. I forgot about that door.” Quickly looking back up, she said, “Stoney, I know what last night was and I don’t want you to feel any pressure. You can come in to pick up Sarge anytime.”

  His eyes darkened even more, if that was possible. “And just what in the hell do you think last night was, doc?” he growled.

  “I thought…that we…I… it w
as…” Her blush had deepened and her eyes grew wide at the tone of his voice.

  “What?” he growled louder.

  “I just thought that you… thought of me…as… convenient,” she stammered.

  Lifting his hands to cup both sides of her face he pulled her in close as he lowered her head. “Let me spell it out for you, darlin’. You’re no fuck. You got that? I don’t spend the night with a fuck. You let me in. You talked to me and you let me in. That means something to me. Things between us may be fucked up for a while until I can get some shit settled in my life, but last night was no fuck. You with me?”

  Slowly nodding, she stood on her tiptoes again to press a kiss against his lips. “I gotta go, Stoney. I gotta get down to the clinic.”

  He let his hands drift down to her sides as he released her.

  “But if you want to come back later… or tonight… that would be fine,” she whispered. Annie then witnessed a sight that stole her breath. Stoney smiled. His face which was handsome, but always so stern, broke into a smile and it moved right through her.

  “You get to work, but I gotta let you know, you spendin’ the night in my arms was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time, baby. You lettin’ me come back again, makes my fuckin’ day.”

  She jumped as Leon yelled back up the stairs. “I’ve got to go. See you later?”

  Touching his lips to hers once again, he replied, “Absolutely darlin’. I’ll be back.”

  * * *

  After checking on Sarge and giving Suzanne and Leon an abbreviated explanation of how the dog ended up in their clinic, she started to walk to the front rooms.

  “Are you going to tell us what you’ve really been doin’ this weekend?” Leon asked with his hands on his hips, staring her down.

  Annie turned, looking at him. “Wh…what? What do you mean?”