Stroke of Midnight

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

Cobblestone Press www.cobblestone-press.com

Copyright ©2008 by Madison Layle and Anna Leigh Keaton First published in 2008 NOTICE: This eBook is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution to any person via email, floppy disk, network, print out, or any other means is a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines and/or imprisonment. This notice overrides the Adobe Reader permissions which are erroneous. This eBook cannot be legally lent or given to others. This eBook is displayed using 100% recycled electrons.

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Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

CONTENTS Author Bio ****

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Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Stroke of Midnight Copyright© 2008 Madison Layle & Anna Leigh Keaton ISBN: 978-1-60088-336-1 Cover Artist: Sable Grey Editor: Tracy Seybold All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Cobblestone Press, LLC www.cobblestone-press.com

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Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

The heavy thump of bass beat a little faster than his heart, making him feel as if his body were off kilter. His sparkling water with lime was not what he wanted tonight, but it was all he could have. By his calculations, he could reach NAS-Jacksonville in plenty of time to catch a Mac-flight back to Camp Lejeune so long as he was on the road by 0200. He should've made the long drive up the coast already. If he had, he could've taken an earlier hop and been resting in his officer's quarters by now. But his leave wasn't officially over just yet, and it was New Year's Eve, not the type of night meant to be spent asleep on base—at least not if he could help it. He sipped his drink and glanced around the nightclub. Why he'd chosen to come here tonight, he wasn't sure. He wasn't looking to get drunk or laid, but that seemed to be the expectation if the centerpieces were any indication. Each table around the dance floor sported an odd assortment of taxi-cab business cards and condom packets arranged like floral bouquets. He chuckled as he plucked one of the blossoms. A very young couple bumped into him by accident, and the girl erupted into a fit of giggles as if overcome by laughing gas. "Sorry, mister," the boy said, trying to support his date, though he seemed a bit unsteady himself. He urged his giggle-happy girlfriend to apologize, too, but the most he got out of her was a snort and playful slap to the chest. Despite 5

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

his obvious intoxication, evident wariness filled the boy's rounded, bloodshot gaze. "No problem." A nod of reassurance that no brawl was imminent sent the couple stumbling on their way. When they moved on, he turned back to his unused condom collection ... and water. God, he felt old. "Too old for this shit," he murmured to no one in particular. It was true; he was too old to hang out in a place where the average age was just above legal. Thirty-eight wasn't exactly ancient, but he'd seen too much, survived too much. Resting his elbows on the tiny table where he sat, he brushed his fingers through his crew cut and sighed, then gripped his head between his hands. He really should get back to base. He and his men would soon ship out for what amounted to his third tour to the Middle East. The battalion of Special Operation Marines he commanded depended on him. And, in the last two tours, he'd seen too many young men die. Boys just starting out their lives. Young husbands who'd never make it home to their wives. Fathers who wouldn't see their babies' first steps. Just one of the many reasons he'd avoided similar commitments in his own life. He wondered if it was his turn to die, if his number would come up this time around. Last time, he'd taken some shrapnel from a roadside bomb that blew up the Humvee, but his wounds had been superficial. The same bomb had killed one of his boys and sent another home without his right leg. 6

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

He wasn't afraid to die, and he was proud to serve his country, but the aches and pains of old injuries took their toll. Despite the fierce fitness regimen his pride and military training demanded, he wasn't the gung-ho young Marine any longer. This would be his last tour regardless of whether he made it home alive. The end of this tour would mark twenty years of service to the Corp. Although his father and grandfather—both decorated Marines and foreign war vets in their own right— wanted him to stay in and get his stars, he just didn't have it in him any longer. He was tired and had no desire to exchange field work for the desk jobs necessary to gain the higher, star-studded ranks. Glancing out at the dance floor where young twentysomethings writhed and ground against each other—some necking, some doing more than that—he came to another startling conclusion. He was fucking lonely. He wanted to settle down in one place and enjoy the love of one woman before he was too old to give a shit. Preferably, a woman willing to cater to his darker urges for the long term. With his job and the risks he took because of it, he'd kept women at a distance, except for the occasional one-night vanilla fuck. When he got home in six months, that would change. But not yet. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his ankles under the table, sipped his mineral water, and watched the action around him, trying to enjoy the evening. The monstrous twostory nightclub was decked out with silver and blue streamers and balloons for the occasion. Glancing at his watch, he 7

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

realized there were only about forty minutes left until the clock struck midnight and the new year rolled in. Once he returned to base, he'd have to complete final debriefings before he boarded the transport that would take him back to hell. "Hey." He looked up from his watch to see a gorgeous woman in a skin-tight, leather mini-dress. She was older than the mean age group of the club—maybe closer to thirty than twenty— but still a knockout. And brazen. He raised an eyebrow when she slid into the chair opposite him, her ample breasts almost spilling from the cups of her bustier. "Name's Tara," she said with a flick of her long, auburn hair. He smirked and lifted his glass in silent greeting. Something about her seemed slightly familiar, but he couldn't figure out why. He couldn't place her name, either, and since he had to leave soon anyway, he didn't volunteer his. She was damn nice to look at, though. Her makeup wasn't layered on so thick he couldn't see her face, although her eyes were outlined in dark kohl, which made their green color seem brighter. They sparkled in the flashing lights of the club. "A Marine?" She brushed a long, red-polished fingernail over the tattoo on his forearm and watched him watch her. He nodded. Her smile was full-lipped and sinful. "You got a name, Marine?" The tip of her shoe touched his calf and slid upward. 8

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

Against his better judgment, his cock stirred, but he kept his lips sealed. She leaned across the tiny table and, the way her top pulled so tight, he figured if he stared hard enough, he might get a glimpse of nipple. She murmured in his ear. "Okay, Mr. Mystery Marine. You under orders for radio silence or can you talk?" He chuckled and shook his head. "Just enjoying the show." As she sat back again, he eyed her breasts, making sure she knew exactly what he meant. She had Fuck Me written all over her, and if he had the time, he'd be happy to take her up on the offer. She was beautiful, smelled like heaven, and had full, red lips he was sure would feel perfect if wrapped around his cock. He didn't have the time, though. Her laugh was light and teasing, and she ran her hand over his shoulder, down his arm, as she sat back in her chair. She really was striking. Her eyebrows were just a shade darker than the deep auburn of her hair, and she had the features of a supermodel. High cheek bones, cute little chin. "You here alone tonight?" she asked, her volume a little louder amid the brief lull between songs. She didn't seem intimidated by him, which was a surprise. Women usually got one good look at him and ran the other direction. His buddies said it was because he always looked ready to kick some ass. He nodded. "So am I." 9

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

His first thought was that no woman should be in a nightclub alone, and his second was that she must be on the hunt. From his experience, women usually hunted in packs. Safety in numbers and all that. "Don't frown at me, Mr. Marine. I'm a big girl and can take care of myself." He hid his urge to smile by taking a sip of his mineral water. "Not much of a conversationalist, are you?" He shrugged, that urge to grin growing stronger by the second. "I know. You're the strong, silent type." She had the sexiest smile he'd ever seen. Tempting and flirtatious, but not overdone. If he were of a mind to get her into bed—which of course he wasn't because he didn't have the time—he was sure she'd be an honest fuck. She looked as if she knew what she liked and didn't mind demanding it. "Conversation can be overrated," she continued, her gaze colliding with his, "especially when action can be so much more ... thrilling." Again, he raised his eyebrow. When he set down his glass, she reached for it and took a sip, then grimaced. He laughed, and it felt good. He hadn't found much humor in anything for a very long time. "Well, at least you're not drunk." She batted her eyes. "You're a tease," he chided. She propped her chin on her hand and stared at him for a long moment, a tiny, secretive smile curving those fucking hot lips. "No, I'm not teasing," she finally said. "You know 10

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

what I want. I can see it in your eyes. Really sexy eyes, too, if I may say so." Yeah, he knew. If he let them get close enough, women tended to fall for his baby blues. No surprise there. What did surprise him was how spot on she was in her observations. He'd never considered himself an easy read. If he'd been at Incognito, that little gem of a fetish club he'd discovered while on leave, he would not have had a moment's hesitation. He scanned the crowd and let his gaze settled once more on Tara. But he wasn't there, and vanilla sex in some cheap-assed hotel didn't fit in with his plans for tonight, despite the luscious temptation before him. "Sorry, honey. I can't tonight. Nothing personal." Her lips turned down in a slight pout. "Well, that sucks." Damn those lips of hers. He couldn't keep himself from fantasizing about them, and his cock pulsed with need. "You ever going to tell me your name?" He shook his head and grinned when the pout got a little more oomph behind it. "Just call me Marine." She rolled her eyes. "Are you a commander by any chance?" He was, but he didn't advertise. "Why?" She stood up with that sly smile on her lips, leaned over, and said in his ear, "Because, Marine, you could've had command of me any day." When she pulled back, gave him a saucy wink, and turned to walk away, he grabbed her wrist and surged to his feet, pulling her tight against his chest. Her breasts pressed into 11

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

him, and her eyes widened as she sucked in a quick breath of air. She was tall in her fuck-me stilettos. At six-foot-two, it wasn't often a woman didn't have to tip her head all the way back to look at him, especially when they were this close. Her forehead aligned with his nose. "You shouldn't go around saying things like that to just anyone, honey. It could get you into trouble someday." "You're not just anyone," she purred. In time with the erotic, musical beat, she swiveled her hips slightly, grinding herself against his aching hard-on. Primal lust infused his body at her blatant display of sexual prowess. She was like a cat in heat. Ready, wanting. And the hell of it was he hadn't been quite so turned on in years. "You don't know me." He gave in to the urge to glance around the club to see if one of his men was somewhere in the shadows watching, if maybe one had put her up to approaching him. Unlikely, since he was hundreds of miles from their usual haunts, but still... She laid a hand on his shoulder as the other scooted around his side and grabbed his ass. The move dragged his gaze back to hers. "I know that a strong, sexy guy like you shouldn't be all alone on New Year's Eve when there's so many more enjoyable ways for two adults to spend the time ... together. I know you caught my eye and that you like what you see." He liked even better what he felt. Damn, she was hot. All lithe muscle with those breasts that just about burst the seams of that skintight leather. 12

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She squeezed his right butt cheek, which made his cock jump behind the buttons of his too-tight jeans. Her throaty chuckle just about sent him over the edge. He pressed his hand between her shoulder blades, forcing her chest tighter against his. She tossed her hair again and met his gaze. Her neck was long and slim, and he had the undeniable urge to taste her skin. "I dare you," she whispered. So he did. He leaned down and opened his mouth against her neck, swiping his tongue over her speeding pulse. She was sweet and slightly salty. She moaned and leaned into him even more. Her hand left his ass and moved to the back of his head, pressing him against her. He nipped the pretty little indentation between neck and shoulder, sucked the skin there, and she shivered against him with a soft whimper. "Who's the tease now?" she murmured. He slid his hands down her back and splayed them over her leather-clad ass, pulling her tight against his cock. He nibbled on the sweet, succulent flesh of her neck, up to her ear where he captured the lobe and the tiny diamond stud between his teeth. "Ohh," she moaned. "Damn." "Shh." He issued the order out of habit. No one could hear her soft sounds over the music. He licked the shell of her ear as he slowly, gently, rocked his hips against hers, creating a friction that damn near sent him over the edge. Her tight skirt prevented him from getting 13

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

too close to her core, though, which was where he wanted to be. "Tell me. You do like to be in control, don't you? To command." "Shut up." He suckled her earlobe again, his heart pounding hard against his ribs. He loved being in control. Thrived on it. Lived on it. It's what frightened some women. Most women. He didn't think Tara was frightened, though. Not the way she clung to him and tipped her head so he could get better access to the sweet spot behind her ear. He inhaled deeply; her hair smelled of flowers. And then he captured her mouth with his. Hard and deep and wet. Her lip gloss tasted of cherries, and he groaned as he sank his tongue past those full lips to sweep into her mouth. She tasted slightly of rum, but she wasn't drunk. Her eyes were too bright for her to have consumed a lot of alcohol. She knew what she was doing. Her long fingernails scored his nape, and a shiver streaked down his body straight to his groin. Shit. If he didn't get inside her soon, he was going to come in his pants like a fucking teenager. He pulled back from the kiss, panting, and stared into her eyes. "I don't have much time." A wicked gleam entered those gorgeous eyes as her lips tipped up in a sinful smile. "How much time do you need?" He narrowed his eyes at her for an instant, reading the challenge in her comment and the way she boldly stared at him. Lifting his left hand from her ass, he brought it up so he 14

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

could glance at the time over her shoulder. 11:42. "Eighteen minutes." She laughed and raised her eyebrows. "Well, aren't we specific?" "Seventeen minutes," he said as the minute hand on his watch clicked one space. "You're going to make me come in seventeen minutes? Or are you only worried about yourself, Marine?" He grabbed a handful of her hair in his fist and pressed his lips close to her ear. "I can make you come no less than three times before the stroke of midnight. That's a guarantee, you little minx." She shivered, and her laugh was deep and rich, sending that spike of lust through his body again. His cock surged against the front of his jeans, and he hoped to God he could walk, because they couldn't do it right here at a table next to the crowded, well-lit dance floor. "Come with me, Mr. Marine." She grabbed his hand and tugged him away from the table, but not before he snatched up his condom blossom, which he stuffed in a pocket. Expecting her to head for the exit, he was somewhat surprised when she led him straight through the grinding mass of dancers to a staircase that wound upward toward the top of the club. An O-shaped balcony overlooked the main dance floor, with a bar on each side. They weaved upstream through the flow of descending people and found it easier to move along the railing, but at the top of the stairs, she paused. It was crowded up here, too, which seemed to 15

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

disappoint her, but what could they expect? It was New Year's Eve. The place was packed. She finally turned to face him, her expression one of surrender, her tone one of disappointment. "I thought it'd be easier to locate a quiet, isolated corner up here, but I don't see any." Quiet was impossible at a nightclub, especially on a night like tonight, but he looked around and realized isolation didn't matter. Couples were making out in nearly every shadowy recess. The rest of the crowd around them was so drunk or caught up in the music and revelry that no one paid them any mind. Besides, it was darker up here beyond the reach of the flashing colored strobes, and the public nature of the location could prove beneficial, if he played his cards right. He glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes left. He had a promise to keep. "Here's fine." Giving her a sly grin, he turned her away from him and toward the railing into a nook where two bundles of helium-filled balloons were tied down, their strings left extra long and curled to drape over the side for effect. She gripped the rail with both hands and twisted to look at him over her shoulder. "Here?" Her kohl-lined eyes rounded wider than ever, and he grinned at witnessing the first chink in her emboldened armor. "Have you ever been fucked in public before?" She shook her head, wisps of hair falling across her forehead. Her accelerated breathing told him the idea both excited and frightened her. 16

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Though he'd dabbled with exhibitionism in the right venues, he'd never taken a woman in quite so public an arena before either. So, he could relate to her nervousness, but a promise was a promise. And he always kept his word. "Look down there." He directed her attention back to the dance floor below them. The music was a rhythmic, erotic beat that had the masses gyrating in a sex-frenzied manner, a suggestive visual that pleased him. "Everyone's in their own little world." He stepped up behind her and slid his hand around her slim waist, forcing her to sway with him to the music. The black lambskin leather of her mini-dress was soft and supple against his palm, her hair like silk against his face as he dipped his head toward hers. With fingers splayed over her flat abdomen, he inched downward past the skirt's hem and between her thighs. "No one's watching where I put my hands." He kissed her bare shoulder, her neck, and nipped her earlobe. "My lips." Then he pressed his body up against hers, pinning her against the rail. "Or where I'll soon put my cock." She groaned, adjusted her footing to allow him better access to her cunt, and gripped the rail with white-knuckled fists. He kept her grinding to the music while he explored further and found her panty-covered pussy moist with arousal. When he pressed two fingers against her clit and rubbed, she bucked slightly against his hand. He licked the delicate curve of her ear. "Even if they are watching, does it matter? I don't think so. No, I think you like it. You're so hot for a hard fuck, you're 17

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

wet already, and I've only just begun. A few witnesses won't matter." Except for turning me on even more. She wiggled her ass against his groin, but he wouldn't be rushed. He had to make her climax at least twice before he fucked her to a third. "Have you come already?" She shook her head. "Good, I would've had to spank you for taking that pleasure from me, and I don't have the time for such things." He pinched her clit through the fabric of her tiny panties. "Oh!" She ground her ass against him, making him grin, and then she reached a hand around to grab his ass once more. The buxom bombshell apparently liked it rough. A fucking shame he hadn't discovered her at the start of his holiday leave. Now, he'd have to make the most of what little time he had left. He kept his body pressed tight against hers as he pulled his hands away and reached over the railing for some of the excess strings that held the balloons in place and cascaded over the balcony. She gave a whimper of disappointment and tried to twist around to hug him, but he stopped her—forced her to face the rail. "Be still," he said. With efficient motions, he used the strings of one balloon bundle to tie her right wrist to the rail before quickly moving on to do the same to her left wrist. One song ended, which allowed him to catch the aroused sounds coming from the bound woman before him. She tugged on the binding, but it held firm. 18

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

He brushed his lips against her ear. "Be a good girl, and I'll cut you free after I'm done." She jerked to no avail, stopped, and glanced back at him. As the next song erupted from the speakers, he swept her hair to one side to gain access to her slender neck. He placed a light kiss on it. "Dance with me," he said, snuggling up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he ground his groin against her ass, which set her hips in a tandem motion that matched the rhythm of the music. While the whirlpool of humanity ebbed and flowed around them as well as on the flashing, multi-colored floor below, he turned their dance into something much more provocative and risqué. If he'd had the time, he would've stripped her naked and tormented every inch of her body with foreplay that would've had her pleading with him for a climax, but time wasn't on his side. And he hadn't forgotten his vow. He slipped his fingers back under her G-string panties, which he easily tugged out of his way. She gave a moan of encouragement, so he flicked her clit several times. Her head fell back against his shoulder as he alternated between rapid tweaks and hard, circular rubs. A glance down at her voluptuous chest made his mouth water. He wanted to pull her top down and see just how well those delicious tits fit in his hands. His fingers didn't pause beneath her skirt as he raised his other hand to grab hold of one breast. She sucked in a deep breath. "Like that, Tara?" he murmured with a low growl. 19

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

"Mmm hmm." She kept her head against his shoulder, her dance movements slowing. He bucked once against her backside, and his dick throbbed in response, the need for relief almost too much to bear. Her curves aligned perfectly with him; their tight proximity to his body made his erection pulse painfully with each beat of his heart. "Don't stop moving now. This dance is just getting started." He kneaded her breast and plucked her clit faster and faster until he heard her whimper over the music and buzz of the crowd. He continued to toy with her clit while he mimicked the ultimate dance of raw sex. "What would you say if I bared these luscious tits to everyone down there?" She bit her plump bottom lip and shut her eyes tight. But she didn't protest. "Want to give them a thrill?" He chuckled. It wasn't as if everyone looked up from below. He'd told her the truth about the crowd being in their own little world, busy dancing and drinking and partying. He ran a finger across her collarbone, down over abundant cleavage to slip under the edge of her leather top. There, he played with a hard, pebbled nipple. He tisked. "Such a shame to keep all of this hidden." Although he'd willingly enjoy some overt exhibitionism tonight, he knew the shadows, decorations, and his body gave her some protection from curious glances. But they were close to the stairs, so someone headed in the right direction could spot her. Judging by the heady thump of her pulse, he suspected the idea of an eyewitness held an attraction for 20

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

her, even if she refused to admit it. As tight as her strapless dress was, she'd been flirting with the possibility of exposure already anyway. And her pleasures as well as his own were foremost in his thoughts, so if the idea turned her on... He plunged his hand inside her top and lifted one breast enough to expose her nipple over the rim of the leather bodice. Her back went ramrod straight, which managed to thrust her chest out more. She let out a whimper, so he switched hands, his left taking over between her legs, his right dipping in to free her other nipple. "That's better. Damn, you're pretty." She groaned and pulled against the ties that bound her hands to the rails, but they held firm. Whether she wanted to get free to cover herself or sought freedom to better participate in the exhibitionist fucking, he couldn't tell. Not that it made any difference now; as hot and horny as she was, he had no intention of stopping. Instead, he redoubled his efforts between her legs and teased her nipples until she squirmed. He should've refused earlier, been a bigger ass, and made her want to leave him the fuck alone. He should've been strong enough to resist her siren's call. But he wasn't, and now the male in him wanted nothing more than to take her, hard and fast against the rail. The Dom inside him didn't give a damn who witnessed it. Why she'd chosen him, dared to approach him, remained a mystery, but it didn't matter to him. He had her exactly where he wanted her. He just wished he had more time ... damn it to hell. 21

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She should respond to the intense clitoral stimulation like most women he'd fucked before—he hoped. He expected that, along with the added arousal of exposure, it would send her over the initial peak. He relaxed a fraction when his speculation was proven correct a few flicks later. She jolted as the first climax seized her by surprise. A hint of relief struck him, yet some tension remained. Knowing time was running out, he commanded her to, "Come again," and nipped the flesh where her delicate neck met a sleek, bare shoulder. While his teeth didn't break the skin, the shock of his action was enough to startle and ignite a firestorm of arousal inside her. Air burst from her lungs. She arched her back, pressing her breast into one hand while her hips bucked against his other, the beat of the music forgotten amid the urgency of sensations. He rapidly thumbed her clit and plunged two fingers into her damp pussy. Then he bit her again, sucked on her skin, and laved the spot. "Oh, oh, ohh ... yeaahh," she said on a half sigh, half moan, just as he felt the second climax ricochet through her system. The contraction of her inner muscles around his fingers made the orgasm obvious. "That's it, Tara. Ride it out." She humped his hand with quick jerks of her hips. He added a third finger as he answered her need and pumped them into her warm cunt.

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Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

Fuck! She felt so damn good that he longed to ram his cock into her instead. No, he didn't just want to; he needed to... He plucked one of her nipples for added pleasure and sucked harder on her flesh, ensuring she'd bare a mark to remember him by, at least for a little while. Vaguely he heard the DJ rile the crowd up in preparation for the final song of the year. He let go of her but didn't back up. Her head dipped so her hair fell forward like a curtain of privacy. Yet, she clawed at the railing and wiggled in protest over the departure of his touch. He pulled out a condom from his pocket and ripped it open, then dared a quick glance at his watch. He smiled. The song should end just in time for the countdown to midnight. He bent toward her ear so she'd have no trouble hearing him. "My turn, honey." He opened his fly, released his cock, and donned protection. He settled both of his hands on her hips just as the rock music began once more and, drawing her into a dance-like motion, he slid her miniskirt higher with every beat. A startled gasp came from a club patron nearby, but he ignored it. "Oh, my ... Are they? Look. I think they're fucking," said the stranger, a female off to his left. Not yet, but ... He yanked Tara's G-string out of the way and rammed his cock into her slick pussy. Now we are. Though he heard the rumbles of witnesses close to him— some surprised, others amused—he tuned them out as he 23

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

focused on Tara. The moment he entered her to the hilt, she squealed and bent forward over the railing, which gave him the perfect angle. The move also caused her breasts to pop out of her dress completely, so he cupped them with both hands as he set a pace that matched the raunchy, frenzied beat of the music. He had one more orgasm to enforce, not counting his own. He pinched her nipples, squeezed her breasts, and fucked her with strong, thorough strokes that shoved them closer to that invisible peak even as they pinned her against the railing. "Yesss," she hissed, which echoed his own thoughts. "Fuck me, you little minx. You feel that?" He pushed as deep as possible while her muscles fisted his dick. A whimper was the only reply, so he adjusted his grip to her hips and ground into her body. Her climax engulfed him, milked him, but he gritted his teeth as he fought to delay his own release. "Ten," the DJ shouted over the speakers, and the crowd joined in. "Nine ... eight ... seven..." With each second, he slammed into her and felt the pressure build. "Six ... five ... four..." She grunted with each impact. He panted as his pulse raced, the throb the strongest in his cock. "Three ... two..." "One," he shouted, with a final hard shove inside her pussy. His orgasm exploded from him. He held her hips in a 24

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

bruising grip, and Tara screamed, her voice nearly drowned by the cheering crowd, as she experienced her fourth climax. Raucous cheers erupted everywhere. A storm of confetti, streamers, and balloons fell from the rafters. He remained buried in her body for several suspended seconds while he recovered. His pulse slowed. His breathing returned to normal. Draped over the railing, Tara didn't move until he pulled his cock free and set her back on her heels. "Holy shit," she said with obvious awe. "I've never..." Her words died on her lips as, unable to turn around, she twisted to look at him over her shoulder. He busied himself with removing the condom, which he tossed aside, and righting his clothes before he met her gaze. Her face displayed a mysterious expression, so full of mixed emotions that he couldn't decide how to read it. He pulled a small pocket knife from his jeans and cut the strings that bound her right hand to the rail. She faced him the instant she could, and his gaze drank her all in. Damn, she made an amazing sight. Her auburn hair framed a wild vision of wanton beauty. Her gorgeous breasts remained bare, suspended over her bunched-up leather bodice. Each breath she took lifted them a fraction higher like a plump temptation, subtle and constant. Her skirt had succumbed to gravity enough to cover her pussy, if not her sexy ass, but the G-string panties had fallen to mid thigh. He didn't bother telling her she could free her other hand by herself. The look in her eyes told him she already 25

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

understood he'd done all he would in that regard. A hint of longing in her gaze reflected his own selfish thoughts, but he couldn't cave now. He had a job to do, a duty to uphold. His country, his men, counted on him, and they were waiting. So, while the civilians celebrated in their own way, he welcomed in the New Year by saying goodbye. He cradled her face in both palms, lifting her chin just enough, and then gave her a slow, tender kiss on those seductive lips he'd never forget. One-handed, she grabbed his shirt, fisted it, and held him close. Still, he pulled away, paused, and stared at her, memorizing every inch of her. "Don't go," she said, the words barely heard over the sounds of revelry. Fuck... "Happy New Year, Tara." He wanted to say more but couldn't. With sheer resolve, he turned away and, before she could free her hand and fix her clothes, he disappeared into the crowd. To be continued...

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Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

Author Bio Anna Leigh has been reading and penning romances for as long as she can remember. After she met and married her very own real-life hero, romance took on a whole new meaning. She now knows married life can sizzle and romance can be erotic—even in her own home. Madison Layle avoided her childhood chores on the family farm by curling up with books, and disappearing into other worlds of fantasy, adventure, and romance. With maturity came the love of her own real-life hero (a.k.a. "my darling hubby"), and a real understanding of why her parents locked their bedroom door. Madison and Anna Leigh first met online through a critique group, a meeting which sparked a strong friendship and a fun partnership. Together, their writing has taken on a spicier flavor, so while their hubbies are off at work, they let their imaginations soar.... You can visit Madison and Anna at their Web sites: www.madisonlayle.com, www.annaleighkeaton.com, or check out all the exciting happenings at Incognito at: www.incognitoseries.com. **** VISIT COBBLESTONE PRESS, LLC WWW.COBBLESTONE-PRESS.COM 27

Stroke of Midnight [Incognito Book 10] by Madison Layle, Anna Leigh Keaton

ROMANTIC FANTASIES FOR EVERY READER! MAINSTREAM, SENSUAL, AND EROTIC ROMANCE LIT, PDF, HTML, AND MOBI FORMATS AVAILABLE

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