Betting the Moon: Cannon Pack, Book 4 (17 page)

“A little. But it gets better every day. I’m sure I won’t feel his touch much longer.”

“I hope you’re right. But don’t worry.” He slid an arm around her. “I’ll keep you warm.”

She followed his glance to the pack members sitting in the audience.

“I just wish Bascom hadn’t gotten away from Daniel. We still don’t know how he managed to slip Lillian out from under the pack’s watch.”

Mari scooted out of his hold, then shot him an apologetic look. “We don’t want everyone to know about our relationship yet. Do we?” Although she’d wanted to keep the information quiet, hoping to stem the flood of inevitable questions, she doubted it would be possible for much longer. A lot of people had seen their earlier kiss in this very room.

But after the tournament was over, then no holds barred. She thrilled at the thought of being with Tucker without worrying about their relationship going public.

“Whenever you’re ready for the world to know about us, I’ll be ready.”

“Ms. Thornton? Mr. Manning? We’re ready to begin.” The same tournament director was back in charge and waving them to the table.

After the introductions and announcements had been made, the lights and cameras centered on the two players seated directly across from each other. Mari adjusted the red silk top she wore and smoothed her black skirt.

“Lookin’ good there, darlin’.”

A few men chuckled. “Why thank you, sir.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder, exposing more of her cleavage. “I’m happy you noticed.”

“Oh, I did. I did.” Tucker sorted his chips. “Hey, how about a side bet?”

Mari sensed the reporters edging closer. Audiences loved side bets. She acted nonchalant and toyed with her stack. “What do you have in mind?”

“Do you remember the chair?”

Thrown off base, she looked into amber-flecked eyes. “The chair?”

“You know.” Tucker placed his forearms on the nonexistent arms of his chair, then pretended to try to pull them loose. “The chair.”

Heat whipped through her. “Oh. The chair. Right.” She was almost afraid to ask. But too excited not to. “What about it?”

“If I win, you have to sit in that chair.”

Mari swallowed at the lust in his expression and hoped no one else recognized the look for what it was. “And when I win?”

Tucker grinned. “Whoever wins controls the chair. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”
Oh, Tucker, I am so going to win.

The dealer dealt the cards, drawing her attention back to the game. Mari lifted her cards and blinked. She was surprised her mouth didn’t hit the table. She fanned her cards, staring at them for longer than necessary, then placed them facedown on the table. Lady Luck was definitely on her side. Mari shook her head, refusing to take any cards.

“None?” Tucker narrowed his eyes. “You’ve either landed an incredible—not to mention almost impossible hand—or you’re bluffing.” He studied her a bit longer before pushing all his chips to the middle of the table. “I think you’re bluffing.”

The collective inhale from the audience was no surprise to Mari. No one ever went all in on the first deal. Mari let out a breath, picked up her cards, then matched Tucker’s bet.

Again, the audience reacted, cheering at the phenomenal nerve of both players. The announcer tried to keep his voice down, but his excitement had his pitch rising as he related what had just happened. Both players had made bold moves. But who would win?

“Are you sure you didn’t use magic? I mean who gets a royal flush on the first deal?” Tucker gave Mari a suspicious look.

Laughing, she shoved him inside his hotel room. “What can I say? Lady Luck likes me.”

“I’ll say. And who can blame her?”

Mari flipped the championship belt over her shoulder, pumped a fist into the air and chanted in a singsong voice, “Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I won, I won, I won.”

“Damn. Lousy winner, maybe?”

She spread the belt across the dresser, then turned and pressed her back against the edge. “Sore loser, maybe?”

“Maybe.” He pulled her to him, pressing her body close to his.

The flash of heat swallowed her and made the room swim around her. She laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes. How could someone so rock-hard feel so comforting? His arms felt like a blanket, and the only thing she wanted to do was to wrap it around her and feel safe and secure.

The heat didn’t stop there. Warmth flooded between her legs, reminding her that comfort wasn’t the only thing she wanted. She pulled away from him, swayed over to the chair and patted an arm. “Time to pay up.”

Tucker arched one eyebrow. “What? Did you think I’d renege? Although I do have to admit. I’m pretty bummed about not being the one in control. I had all kinds of fun stuff in mind for you.”

She leaned over the chair to tempt him with an eyeful of her cleavage. “But why not let me be in control again? Didn’t you have fun the last time?”

“Well, yeah.” He sauntered over and tried to grab her, but she kept the chair between them and stayed just out of his reach.

“Do you want to do something different this time?”

If he’d been in wolf form, his ears would’ve pricked up. “Darlin’, I’m always up for something different.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Waving her hand, she lifted him, the power in her magic obeying her command.

“Hey!” Tucker floated in the air, then fell backwards as another wave of her hand tossed him onto the bed. “Take it easy, witch.”

Mari clicked her fingers, and invisible bonds wrapped around his wrists and ankles, then around the headboard slats and the posts at the end of the bed. A wave of her hand, and the nightstand drawer popped open. A cock ring floated out of the drawer and into the air to hover over his head.

“Aw, darlin’, you’re just hurting my feelings now.” He puffed out a breath to send the cock ring a few inches higher. “I don’t need any delaying techniques. I’ve got all the stamina you need.”

Mari made a show of considering his statement, then waved her hand and the cock ring disappeared. “When you’re right, you’re right. Then how about this instead?” Another wave and a candle stuck in a base shaped like a gravy bowl bobbed in the air above his stomach. The flame flickered in the breeze from the air conditioning vent.

Tucker’s eyes grew wide. “Hey, I don’t mind being tied down. In fact, I like it a lot. But dripping hot wax on me? Not so much.”

“Don’t worry. You’re going to enjoy this.” A spell later and both of them were naked. Tucker whistled low, his hot gaze flowing over her.

“Darlin’, you’re torturing me. Come on. Hop on top of me.”

“In a minute.” She licked her lips. “I’m a little hungry.” With one thought, the candle tilted and poured a small stream of its contents.

Tucker jumped, trying to throw his body out of the way as much as the restraints would allow. But when the stream hit his stomach, he gaped at it, then laughed. “Chocolate? Why didn’t you say it was chocolate? You, lady, are one wicked witch.”

“Am I?” Mari crawled onto the bottom of the bed and slipped in between his legs. The candle traveled along his body, down one leg, then up the other. It stopped directly over his crotch to pour chocolate over his already extended cock. Once his shaft was covered, the candle rocked back and forth, spreading the dark treat over his stomach, his six-pack and along the wide expanse of his chest.

Tucker raised his head and watched, excitement lighting his features. “Oh, yeah.”

Mari bent over, keeping her eyes on him, and slid her tongue to trace a delicious trail from the tip of his toes up to his knee. She giggled as she raked her tongue along his inner thigh. “Oops. It’s starting to drip. I’d better get it before it hits the sheets.”

Shooting him a sexy grin, she lowered her head between his legs. The fragrance of chocolate mixed with the musky scent of his crotch to form an enticing new aroma. “Mmm, good.” She licked the chocolate off one ball, then sucked it off the other.

“Holy shit.” He threw back his head and lifted his ass. “I think some of it’s going down my butt crack.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get it.” Mari pushed harder against his body, craning her neck to slide her tongue in his crack. He moaned, the muscles in his legs tightening under her hands. When at last she lifted her face, she was covered in chocolate.

“Looks like you got a little on you.”

She licked her lips like a satisfied kitten. “I do?” Swiping a finger along her cheek, she sucked the chocolate off, then purred with delight. “You know what? I think I need more.”

Slowly, seductively, she lowered her body and scooted over him like he was a chocolate Slip ’n Slide. Chocolate spread over her breasts and stomach, until she finally came face to face with him. “You taste so good.”

He lifted his head and licked her cheek. “You’re right. The stuff is delicious.”

“I wasn’t talking about the chocolate.”

Tucker moaned and thrust his hips upward, causing her to slide off him. The candle still floated in the air above them. “Uh-oh. See what you did, Tucker? I want more.”

“I have enough left on me. Then, of course, there’s some on you I’d like to taste.”

Mari shot him a sexy look. “Not yet. Me first.” She motioned, and the candle tipped and poured, forming a brown pool on his flat stomach. Mari swirled her finger in the gooey puddle, playing her fingers up and down the ridges of his abdomen. Lying next to Tucker, she spread it over her body.

Tucker’s lips parted, and his eyes fogged over with lust. Amber flecks dotted the blue. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”

“Uh-uh. No way.” She dipped two fingers into the sweetness on his abs, then pushed her hand between her open legs.

“Aw, hell. Turn me loose.”

She shook her head and watched him. Mewing, she slid her fingers between her folds and rubbed the chocolate over her pussy. Rubbing her clit, she brought her nipple to her mouth and sucked off the tasty goodness. Tucker struggled against the invisible bonds but never took his focus from her.

Rubbing harder, Mari circled her hips and kept sucking on her now-clean nipple. Before long her body stiffened, ready for the climax. She cried out, clutching her breast, and rode the wave.

“Woman, if you don’t turn me loose soon, I’m going to blow just looking at you.”

Mari glanced at him from lowered lashes. “You’re going to blow, huh? Don’t you dare.” Moving quickly, she twisted around to straddle Tucker and placed her head over his chocolate-covered cock. Wrapping her hand around him, she cupped his balls with her other hand. The slippery confection warmed against her skin.

“Damn!” Tucker lifted his head, trying desperately to reach her pussy only inches from his face. “For the love of poker players everywhere, turn me loose.”

She ignored his plea and tossed her hair over to one side, then the next, to let the golden tresses feather over his skin. He moaned and jerked on his bindings.

“If you won’t let me go, then at least move closer. Quit teasing the hell out of me.”

She turned to shoot him a big grin. “Whatever you want, wolfman.” Taking a firm grip of his shaft, she slid her tongue down the curve to meet the white, curly hair, then shifted to lick her way back up the other side.

She lowered her bottom, and Tucker’s growl heated her pussy. Although expected, his touch made her jump away, and he protested. She lowered her body again and welcomed his tongue as he lashed her tender clit. He sucked, then nibbled, then sucked some more. Sparks flew through her, turning desire into unyielding lust. Pressing her breasts against his oh-so-solid abs, she pumped his shaft with her hand and with her mouth.

Using only his mouth and tongue, Tucker sent her flying, climaxing multiple times. Her body trembled, and she gasped, her pulse picking up speed to match the pounding of her heart. Moaning little sounds of pleasure, she renewed her attack. Keeping his shaft in her mouth, she circled the hardness, loving the unique smell of him along with the tender feel of his skin against her cheeks.

Although she would have thought it impossible, his shaft lengthened, then hardened more. She pushed her hands under his legs and held on. This was her man. Her delicious man.

Tucker never tired. His tongue whipped her clit, first sending quick zings of pleasure with a quick lashing, then pressing against her to give her longer surges of lust. She cried out, once again climaxing.

Drained, she fell on top of him, her face next to his cock, his between her legs. “Oh, wow.”

“Turn me loose, Mari.”

She stiffened. His tone was harsh, demanding, and held no plea. She slid off him, then went to her knees. “Are you all right?”

Amber eyes met hers. His expression was unreadable, making the tone of his voice all the more unnerving.

“Turn. Me. Loose. Now.”

Fearing she’d made him angry, she snapped her fingers and removed the invisible restraints. “Tucker, are you—”

He had her on her back before she could finish her sentence, then grabbed her wrists and thrust her hands above her head. Placing his body over hers, he pushed her legs apart, his pelvis holding her down. His fierceness frightened her, but it was the gleam in his eyes that took her breath away.