Partners in Crime (Gambling on Love Book 4) Read online

  “Maybe he is waiting for the right time. He’s obviously interested if he’s coming in every day. Hell, it took Hank two months before he pulled the trigger.”

  “I guess. But we are not talking about my sad life right now. So, do you need a reminder on how sex works?” Zoe makes a circle with her thumb and middle finger and uses her pointer finger on her other hand to simulate penetration. I drop to the floor laughing my ass off.

  * * *

  I pace back and forth in my room, watching the minutes tick by on my phone. I’ve been ready to go since five. For the past two hours, I’ve touched up my make up six times, changed my shoes four times, and fixed my hair twice. To say I’m excited for this date would be an understatement. I’ve been floating on air all day.

  Right as the clock changes to seven, there is a knock on the door. Damn, Hank must have been waiting out in the hallway this whole time. I give my makeup and outfit one last check, I don’t want him to know I’ve been anxiously awaiting his arrival. My hand shakes as I reach for the knob. Slowly, I open the door and let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I’m greeted by Hank’s sexy, sweet smiling face. He looks absolutely scrumptious in his black leather jacket, white t-shirt, and dark jeans. This man could wear a garbage bag and still look sexy as fuck.

  “Wow, Nora, you look beautiful.” His smile grows even bigger as he eyes me up and down.

  “Thank you. You are looking pretty handsome yourself.” I return his smile, enjoying my own view. Hank reaches his hand out to me and I slide mine into his. A surge of electricity courses through my body. For a moment, I want to pull him into my bedroom and say fuck dinner, let’s start the night with dessert. Stay calm Nora, you have all night to get that man between your legs.

  “So where are we going?” I ask, as we make our way downstairs.

  “It’s one of my favorite places. They have the best tacos in all of Washington,” he replies.

  “Tacos are one of my main food groups.”

  Hank leads me past the front door and through the house to the back patio. Now he has me confused. We step out on the deck and to my surprise Hank has set up a picnic for us. There are pillows and blankets laid out on the lawn surrounded by bouquets of roses and peonies. The trees are adorned with twinkle lights and paper lanterns. How did he do all of this without me seeing him?

  “Hank, this is . . .” I’m speechless. No one has done anything like this for me before.

  “Do you like it?” he asks.

  “Hank, I absolutely love it. For a man who has never been much of a dater, you’re pretty romantic.”

  “I picked up a thing or two from Colby’s storybooks.” He leads me down to our picnic where there is a feast of street tacos, Spanish rice, chips and guacamole, and a pitcher of margaritas. He thought of everything. “I thought this would be better than going to some crowded restaurant.”

  “I think it’s perfect,” I say, taking a seat amongst the pillows. “The food smells amazing.”

  Hank cozies up next to me and starts dishing up a plate of tacos for me. “It should, I made it.”

  “You made all of this?” My eyes widen in surprise as I look down at my plate of food. I pick up a shredded beef taco and take a bite. A moan escapes my throat. These tacos are like sex in my mouth.

  “While you were out with Zoe this morning, I was making dinner.” He sits back against the pillows and watches me devour my plate of food. I’ve only seen Hank make breakfast for Colby. During the week, I make Colby lunch and dinner, and on my days off, I spend my time with my family to give Hank and Colby their space. So, I’ve never gotten the chance to see him work his magic in the kitchen.

  “These are the most amazing things I’ve ever eaten,” I mumble between bites. I want to lick my plate clean when I’m done. “If you are half as good in bed as you are at cooking then I’m never letting you out from between my legs.”

  His head falls back with laughter. “Only long enough for me to cook for you, right?”

  “That’s a given. I need to keep my energy up,” I say with a sly grin.

  “Eat up, because you are going to need your energy for what I have planned for us tonight,” he says matter of factly. His statement sends my imagination straight to the gutter. He set up a picnic in the backyard, keeping us close to home. Close to a bed. Get your mind out of the gutter Nora.

  I need to change the subject to get my mind off me climbing on top of Hank. “Hank, can I ask you something, and, if I’m stepping out of place, you can tell me to shut up.”

  “You can ask me anything, Nora. I will never keep secrets from you,” he replies.

  “What happened to Colby’s mom?” The only information I received from the agency when I was getting ready for my interview was that Hank was just a single father. In the short time that I have been working with them, I’ve never seen Colby go visit her mother or heard her ever mention her mom, for that matter.

  Hank sets his plate down on the blanket then takes a swig of his beer. “I haven’t spoken to Chloe since the night Colby was conceived. Chloe worked in the dispatch center, and we would run into each other at the local watering hole. Dispatcher’s, cops, and other emergency personnel tend to hang out in the same places. Anyway, I had only spoken to her a couple of times. Too much whiskey mixed with a handful of pills one night, and we ended up in bed together. I woke up the next morning and found the broken condom. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it because Chloe said she was on the pill. After that, she disappeared. I didn’t even know she was pregnant until the morning the social worker showed up at my door telling me I was a father. In the letter that she left at the hospital, Chloe had gone back and forth on whether she wanted to keep Colby or give her up. It wasn’t until Colby was born that she knew in heart she couldn’t raise her. So, she signed away her parental rights and left Colby at the hospital.”

  My mouth drops opens in shock. My heart aches for Colby. I can’t even fathom giving up a child. I know it can’t be an easy decision for anyone to give up a child. Maybe it was for the best that Chloe left Colby with Hank. Colby is thriving and so happy and joyful.

  “When the social worker said the word baby, I was fully prepared to put Colby up for adoption. I was in no condition to be raising a kid. I was a drug addicted, selfish asshole, and no child deserves to be raised in an environment like that. But then the nurse put Colby in my arms, and I couldn’t see my life without this little girl. She made me the man I am today. Colby is the best mistake to ever happen to me.”

  “You saved each other. Do you ever see yourself having more kids?” I ask, secretly hoping he says yes. I’ve always imagined having a big family like the one I grew up with. Maybe not ten kids, but four would be nice.

  He cracks a smile as he thinks about his answer. “I would love to have a big family. Growing up, I wished I had siblings, and I want Colby to have some brothers and sisters, especially if they are as beautiful as you.”

  A quiet sigh of relief escapes from my lips. “Can we finish dinner before we start making Colby a little brother or sister?” I half tease. I must be insane, I’ve only known this man for a couple of months, and I’m ready for him to put his baby in me.

  “I’ve waited this long, what’s a couple more minutes while you finish that taco.” He watches as I slowly bring my last taco to my lips. Just to tease him a little more, I take a tiny nibble and take my dear, sweet time chewing.

  He collapses back on the blanket. “You’re killing me, Nora.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Hank

  THIS HAS TO be a record for the slowest anyone has ever eaten a tiny fucking street taco. Fuck this. I reach out, grab hold of Nora’s wrist, and yank her down on top of me, then roll her onto her back. My body covers her tiny frame. She is under my control, I could do anything I wanted, but all I want to do is kiss her and taste these beautiful lips I’ve been dreaming about for two months.

  She nervously pulls her lower lip between her teeth. Her breas
ts rise and fall with her heavy breath. Those brown eyes sparkle with curiosity and desire. I pull her lip free with my thumb.

  “Hank.” My name falls from her lips in a breathy plea. I cup her cheek in my hand and slowly lean in. All the anticipation and flirting and want explodes in a fiery inferno when our lips meet. Her lips are warm and soft, and better than I imagined. Our tongues dance in her mouth. It’s a gentle dance until our hunger for each other takes over. I pull her up into my lap and bury my hands in her hair. Her hips grind against the growing bulge in my pants, hands fisted in my shirt, holding me tight against her. The beast roars to life inside me. He takes control, sucking, licking, and biting at her lips until they are red, swollen, and mine. Nora’s moans and whimpers only drive me harder.

  When we finally come up for air, we are breathless and panting. Nora’s eyes are closed and she’s humming in pleasure. She whispers a “wow” against my lips. I hold her in my arms, placing soft kisses along her face.

  “No one has ever kissed me like that before,” she says as her eyes flutter open.

  “That’s a damn shame, a woman like you should never leave the house without being thoroughly kissed. I will never let a day go by without kissing you like that,” I promise. I can’t imagine going an hour without kissing these lips.

  “You sure do know how to make a girl swoon. If I wasn’t sitting in your lap right now, I wouldn’t believe you existed.”

  “I’m real and I’m all yours.” I softly kiss her again.

  “And I’m yours,” she whispers between kisses. I smile against her lips. She’s mine, all mine. I’ve known it since the moment we met.

  “I’m supposed to take you for ice cream and a walk along the waterfront.” My lips move down her neck, tongue tasting her skin. She’s the sweetest honey I’ve ever tasted. The only thing I’m craving is more Nora. I wanted to take it slow, not force us to fuck on the first date.

  Be the gentleman she deserves.

  Fuck that, I want to be buried deep inside her, fucking her until we both pass out.

  “No ice cream, more kissing.” She grabs me by the jacket and lowers us back down on the blankets and pillows.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Nora

  I’M ADDICTED. ADDICTED to the taste of Hank’s lips, the way his hands feel on my skin, and the weight of him on top of me. I’m even addicted to the way he smells. This is just a tiny taste of him, once I have all of him, I’ll never get enough. No drug in the world could compare to the high Hank is giving me right now.

  “Let’s take this inside. I need to get you out of this dress and into my bed.” Hank runs his warm tongue up the length of my neck to my lips, stealing one more kiss before he stands. He helps me to my feet and keeps his arm around my waist as we walk back into the house. I’m so drunk on Hank my head is spinning. I’m surprised I can walk right now.

  The moment we cross the threshold, Hank’s got me trapped in his strong arms, his lips and tongue devour my mouth as we move our way through the house. We make it halfway up the stairs. Both of us too impatient to go any further. He breaks from my lips and pulls off his jacket, followed by his shirt. My fingers roam the hard plane of his abs. My hands move down to his belt, and I work the leather open and pop the button. Hank looks down at me with dark, hooded eyes as the zipper slowly opens.

  I’m the first woman in four years to touch him, kiss him, to have him inside them. I’m his first and I want to be his last. I want to make him feel so good. I bend over and kiss a trail from hip to hip, letting my tongue explore his warm skin. A deep moan rumbles from Hank’s chest, sending a shudder through my body. He pushes me down against the stairs and hikes up my dress. With his mouth crashing down on mine, his kiss is deep, primal, and wild . . . teeth biting, and tongue sweeping into my mouth. His hips grind against me as his hard length brushes against my clit through my lace thong.

  My arms wrap around his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as the fire builds inside me. “Hank, please,” I plead, desperately in need of him deep inside me.

  “Slide your panties to the side.” His voice is dark and demanding. I do as I’m told and slide the lace to the side, exposing my bare pussy. Hank licks his lips and growls. “So, fucking perfect.” He works his pants and boxers down off his hips. His erection springs free, and my heart nearly stops when I see how big he is. Long, thick, and hard as steel. He has the Superman of cocks.

  He presses his fat tip against my slit and slowly pushes inside me. My head falls back and my eyes roll to the back of my head. I almost black out from pure bliss. He wraps his arms around me as he thrusts deep and slow. “Look at me Nora,” he demands huskily.

  My eyes flutter open and meet his lust filled gaze. “You’re mine, Nora. These lips are mine.” He captures my lips in deep, pulse pounding kiss. “These beautiful tits are mine.” He slides the strap of my dress down, exposing my right breast. My back arches off the edge of the step when he sucks my nipple into his hot mouth, sucking and nipping at my hard-little bud. “Your tight, wet pussy is all mine.” He slams hard into me, letting me know he owns me. “Most importantly, I own your heart, and I will do everything in my power to protect it. You’re my girl Nora, and I’m going to love you until my last breath.” His words send me skyrocketing over the edge, coming so hard I see stars.

  “I’m yours,” I chant over and over as the waves of pleasure roll through me.

  Before I have a chance to come down from my high, Hank has me in his arms, my legs wrapped around his waist, and is moving up the stairs, leaving a trail of clothes in our wake. We make it as far as the wall outside his bedroom. The pictures hanging on the wall vibrate in rhythm with Hank’s hard thrusts. He’s like a wild, crazed animal. Marking me, claiming me, devouring me.

  The familiar fire builds again. I’m pulsing all around his thick length. “Come for me, Nora. Give it to me,” he growls in my ear. Licking the shell as he slams into me, coaxing me to come again.

  “Hank,” I cry out as my orgasm rips through me. This one more intense than the last.

  Hank’s thrusts become more erratic and wild. His whole body tenses, cock throbbing. He comes with a mighty roar. I hold him in my arms, gently stroking his back while his orgasm radiates through his body. We softly kiss, holding each other as we come down from our high.

  “I can’t get enough of you,” he whispers between kisses, slowly moving in and out. He’s still rock hard and hungry for more.

  “Take all of me. Use me until there is nothing left.”

  He moves us to the bedroom, and we crash down on the floor at the foot of the bed. Hank rolls onto his back, propping me on top of him. He’s so deep inside me, I can’t tell where I begin and he ends. I never want this feeling to end.

  “This is so much better than ice cream.” I giggle. My hips slowly rock as I ride him.

  “Eating ice cream off you sounds pretty good. You’d look good covered in mint chocolate chip.” He grins up at me.

  “A little snack for later.” I wink.

  “Fuck later,” he growls, flipping me onto my back.

  Hank takes his time exploring my body. Every kiss, lick, and tiny nip is like honey to my soul. He nestles between my legs and starts kissing a trail up my thigh.

  “Hank,” I shriek when he bits down on my inner thigh. He soothes the pain with a flick of his tongue. No matter where I look on my body for the next week, I will see Hank’s mark reminding me of how he has claimed me.

  The tip of Hank’s tongue traces my wet lips. “So, fucking good.” His moan, as he licks me from slit to clit, vibrates to my core. My body arches off the floor when his tongue finds my sweet spot. Two of his nimble fingers curl inside me. The sounds I’m making are not human. I claw at the carpet, body shaking and writhing against his face. It’s not long before he has me coming. He keeps pounding his fingers inside me, sucking harder on my clit as I come. It’s intense and like nothing I have ever experienced. My whole body shakes and my eyes fall closed as I pass out.

/>   CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Hank

  I’VE LAID HERE in the dark for the past hour listening to Nora’s cute little snores. The only thoughts I’ve had are if we can make it to Vegas, get married, and make it back to Seattle before my mom brings Colby home. Wouldn’t that be one hell of a surprise for Colby? “Welcome home, Princess, oh, and say hello to your new mommy.”To finally be able to give her the one thing she wants most, and for me to have a partner in crime, would complete the picture I’ve had in my head since Colby was three. Colby helped make me a better man, the kind of man Nora deserves.

  Nora rolls over, drapes her arm over my waist, and kisses my chest before resting her head on my shoulder. “What are you thinking about?” she asks.

  “Wishing the courthouse was open tomorrow, so we could get married,” I say, testing the waters. It’s fast and it’s fucking crazy, but I don’t want to wait another moment to put my ring on her finger.

  “Don’t you know it’s not nice to tease a half-asleep woman?”

  “I’m not teasing you. I’ve been lying here thinking if it would be logistically possible for us to fly to Vegas and back before Colby gets home tomorrow night.”

  Nora springs up, the sheet falls away from her body, and my brain ceases to function. “Are you being serious right now?” Her voice cracks in surprise. All I can focus on are her gorgeous tits. “Hank, are you even listening to me,” she snaps.

  “I can’t focus when your tits are begging me to suck on them,” I say, rising to flick my tongue over her plump pink nipple. The palm of her hand comes between my mouth and her chest, pushing me back down to the bed.

  “Hank, come on, be serious for a moment.” She scolds me like I’m a disobedient child. I pout when she covers back up with the sheet.

  “Nora, I am being serious. I knew the moment I held Colby in my arms I was ready to be a father, and I knew the moment I looked you in the eyes that you were mine.” I sit up against the headboard, keeping Nora locked in my gaze. “Tonight, you helped me realize I am capable of loving one woman. I was scared, that if we slept together, I would want to run like I did in the past, but the only thing I want to do is run to the alter with you.”