Armed and Delectable: Coopers' Companions, #4

Chapter One

Her mouth fell open and she pumped her hips as the powerful orgasm swept through her body, curling her toes and leaving her brain fuzzy. The man on top of her grunted, muttered, "God!", and collapsed.

Breanna Talmage smiled. A mind-blowing orgasm always made her smile.

She enjoyed the feel of his weight for about fifteen seconds before she patted his butt, her signal for him to move. With another grunt, he pulled his softening cock from her channel, fell to his back next to her.

Damn, that was good. He turned his head toward her. Wasn’t it?

Breanna stretched her arms over her head and arched her body, enjoying the little pings of pleasure still flowing through her. She knew Clarke would want confirmation of his lovemaking skills. He always did. It was very good, Clarke.

He beamed. Breanna wondered why he needed praise. He’d worked for Coopers’ Companions for two years. He wouldn’t still be employed by the male escort service if women had complained about his prowess. He always did whatever necessary to make her come. She gave him points for that. Not every lover had been so considerate.

She rolled to her side to face him. His eyes were closed, a soft smile played over his lips. His dark-brown hair, almost black eyes, and deep tan made him a very good-looking man. Her gaze wandered over his hairless chest, his washboard stomach, his condom-covered cock. He had a very nice body to go along with his good looks.

Desire stirred inside her again. Clarke recuperated rapidly. She also gave him points for that. However, she didn’t want him again tonight. He’d been a little clingy lately. She’d love another session, but should send him on his way. Rolling to her other side, she sat up on the edge of the bed and reached for her red, silk robe draped over the bedpost.

Before she touched it, Clarke took her arm. Hey, you gonna let me spend the night?

No. She stood, which caused him to release her arm. She made sure she’d tightly belted her robe before she looked at him again. That’s against the rules, Clarke. You know that.

He flashed her a smile she supposed he thought charming. Rules can be broken.

"Not my rules."

His smile slowly faded. Why won’t you let me stay with you, Breanna?

God, please don’t whine. That’s not my thing, Clarke. I like to sleep alone.

He slung his arm in an arc to indicate the king-sized bed. You have a huge bed. You wouldn’t even know I’m here.

Trust me, I’d know.

He sat up on his side of the bed, his back to her. He plucked a tissue from the box on the nightstand to wrap around his used condom, then tossed it in the wastebasket. Not bothering to put on any clothes, he rounded the bed and stopped in front of her. We’ve been dating for three months—

We don’t date, Clarke. We fuck.

A scowl drew his eyebrows together. "We make love, Breanna."

Oh no. You are not going to get all sappy on me. She’d been completely honest with him from the start of their physical relationship. Feelings weren’t supposed to be part of the deal. Call it what you want to, but it’s sex. That’s all. And if you’re confused by what happens in my bed, I’ll pay you like other women do.

No, damn it, I don’t want you to pay me. He cradled her face in his hands. I love you. I want you to love me, too.

Breanna sighed. Love shouldn’t have ever entered into this. Clarke, you and I are sex partners.

What if I want more than that?

Then you’re out of luck, because that’s all I want from you.

She didn’t expect him to grab her, or kiss her so hard their teeth knocked together. His arms banded around her, making her unable to move or get away from him. After some squirming, she managed to shift one hand to his cock and twist it.

He released her as quickly as he’d grabbed her. "Goddamn it! He covered his abused flesh with his hands. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I don’t like being pressured into something I don’t want. Get dressed and get out of here. Now. And do not come back."

His face turned red. Breanna wondered if he would do as she said or refuse to leave. He abruptly turned, gathered his clothes from the floor, and dumped them on the bed.

I should’ve listened to the guys, Clarke said, jerking on his briefs. They told me about you, how you use men like sex toys and toss them aside when you’re tired of them.

If the ‘guys’ you’re referring to are some of the escorts, they have no room to talk when they get paid to have sex with women.

That’s not the way it is and you know it. We’re paid to escort them, not have sex with them. He fastened his jeans, reached for his pullover. Arthur told me I should be careful, too.

She didn’t remember an Arthur being one of the escorts. Who is Arthur?

My brother. Clarke stopped in the process of tying his shoes and looked at her, disbelief on his face. You don’t remember my brother? You fucked his brains out for three weeks before you dumped him.

Breanna crossed her arms beneath her breasts and said nothing. She couldn’t be expected to remember the name of every lover she’d had.

"My God, you fucked a guy for three weeks and don’t remember him? He stood and walked to her. You really are a slut."

She’d had enough abuse from Clarke. Breanna drew back her arm to slap him. He caught her wrist before her hand connected with his cheek. Leaning closer, he spoke directly into her face.

I made the mistake of falling in love with you. So have other guys, but you didn’t care about any of them or how you hurt them. He tightened his hold on her wrist. Breanna clenched her teeth to keep from wincing at his fingers digging into her skin. Your time is coming, baby. Someone is going to teach you a lesson. Soon.

She jerked her arm free. Get out.

With pleasure.

He threw his final words over his shoulder as he stormed out of her bedroom. Better watch your back, Breanna.

A few moments later, she heard the front door of her condo slam shut. Her body began to shake as she remembered the fury and coldness in Clarke’s eyes. Rubbing her wrist, she stumbled to the bed and sat on the side before her legs gave out. He’d threatened her. Clarke had actually threatened her. She never would have believed he could be so cruel to her.

Breanna took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm herself. Clarke had just spouted off in anger. He didn’t mean he would really hurt her. So she didn’t remember his brother. So she liked sex with different guys. That didn’t make her a slut. It made her...adventurous.

Feeling dirty with Clarke’s scent on her skin, she changed the sheets on the bed and headed for the shower. While the warm water flowed over her body, she thought back to that first time with a guy when she was seventeen. Both virgins, they didn’t know what to do. Even with the fumbling and bumbling, Breanna knew right then that sex would be a big part of her life.

She’d told her mother, Jade, about the incident. Her mom hadn’t exactly been thrilled with Breanna’s confession of losing her virginity, but understood how strong the pull of hormones could be. She’d married Breanna’s father at eighteen, given birth to Breanna ten months later. Hormones had to play into her becoming pregnant so soon after marriage.

Breanna smiled as she turned off the water and stepped from the shower. Her mother was so cute. She and her father had divorced four years ago when he left her for a younger woman. Thanks to Breanna’s intervention, a male escort had taken her mother to a social function for the hospital where she worked. Jade had fallen in love with Zach Cooper almost immediately, despite her concern about being ten years his senior. They’d gotten married two years ago and were deliriously happy.

No longer an escort, Zach ran the business with his sister, Michelle, and brother, Brent. Breanna didn’t know for sure how much money they made, but it had to be a shitload with thirty-five male escorts working for Coopers’ Companions.

Marriage worked for her mother and friends, but it didn’t interest Breanna at all. She couldn’t imagine being with the same man for the rest of her life. She liked her regular routine of job and law school, yet wanted variety in bed. Being with the same man day after day had to get incredibly boring.

Living with two men might be okay, like Michelle did. She’d hooked up with two of Coopers’ Companions’ escorts, Andre and Nathan. They’d lived together for two years. The situation worked for them.

Wrinkling her nose in distaste, Breanna swiped a towel over her body. Even two men would get old. Besides, she didn’t want to live with anyone. She enjoyed her independence way too much to answer to anyone.

The other people in her life could be married or live together. Breanna would stay happily single and unattached.

Slipping between the clean sheets, she leaned against the headboard and thought about what she would do for a lover now that she’d ended the arrangement with Clarke. If the escorts talked about her, like Clarke said, she couldn’t get involved with any more of them. She’d have to meet a guy some other way. That wouldn’t be easy when she worked part-time at her father’s law firm while she went to law school. She had to cram a lot into her days, which didn’t leave much time for hunting out prospective lovers.

Her cell phone rang before she had the chance to pick up her book from the nightstand. Checking the caller ID, she saw her mother’s picture and number. Smiling, she pressed the button to accept the call. Hi, Mom.

Hi, sweetie. Are you busy?

Nope, just reading. What’s up?

Could you pick up a dessert for dinner on Sunday? I’m making a German chocolate cake Sunday morning since that’s Michelle’s favorite, but I’d like to offer everyone a choice.

Sure, no problem. Do you want a pie or cheesecake or something else?

Whatever you decide will be fine. I’d bake something tomorrow, but I’m working on the hospital Christmas party. It’s two weeks away and I still have a ton to do.

Breanna believed her mother had to be the hardest worker at North Texas Highland Hospital. As the assistant hospital administrator, she had a wide variety of duties. You shouldn’t have to work all day Saturday and then have everyone expect you to prepare a feast on Sunday.

I love preparing feasts, you know that.

Yes, she did know that. Jade’s caring, nurturing nature was one of the reasons Breanna loved her so much.

Besides, Jade said, I won’t be doing all the work. Zach is baking a prime rib. I just have to do the rest.

Want me to come over early and help you?

I’d like that. We can visit while we cook.

I didn’t say anything about cooking. You know I hate to cook. I was thinking of setting the table, maybe loading or emptying the dishwasher.

I’ll give you something easy to do.

It’ll have to be damn easy.

Breanna, Jade said in her watch-your-language tone.

Her mother was hopelessly old-fashioned when it came to foul language. Breanna loved that about her, too. "Sorry. It’ll have to be darn easy. Better?"

Better.

Breanna grinned. What time do you want me there?

Nine would be good.

Is the whole family coming?

Robin and Brent, Michelle and the guys, Colleen for sure. I invited your Uncle Paul, but he’s in New Mexico and may not get back in time.

Sounds like a holiday meal instead of just dinner.

I love it when everyone comes over. We shouldn’t wait for a holiday or special occasion to get together.

Breanna knew how much her mother enjoyed preparing a large meal for those she loved. This would be a birthday dinner for Michelle, who turned twenty-nine yesterday. Breanna planned to treat Michelle to a girls’ night out tomorrow with three other girlfriends, including a trip to LaBare in Dallas. Are you sure you don’t want to go to LaBare with us tomorrow night?

Jade released a sound halfway between a laugh and a snort. I doubt if you want your mother hanging out with you and your girlfriends.

That isn’t true. I love to hang out with you. You’re the coolest mother in the world. And don’t you want to see all those hunky guys shaking their tushes?

I’m married to a hunky guy. His is the only tush I want to see.

Breanna understood why her mother had eyes only for her handsome, sexy husband. Let me know if you change your mind. I’ll swing by and pick you up.

Thanks, sweetie, but you go with Michelle and the other gals and have a good time. I’ll see you whenever you get here Sunday.

Okay. Love you, Mom.

Love you, too. ’Bye.

Breanna disconnected the call, laid her cell on the nightstand, and picked up her book. She read two pages before her eyes grew heavy. Laying the book back on the nightstand, she