When you hear that rattlin` sound

Oh I said you better run real fast
Or this one's gonna knock you down
Rattle Snake Smile –Christian Kane

The two females flailed away at each other and it took Nate with Hardison helping him to keep them apart. Eliot picked Katie off of the ground and carried her out of Parker's reach.

"She started it!" Katie yelled, attempting to escape his grasp. He heard Parker cursing and wrestling against her restraint as well. Parker had wicked fighting skills, but he knew Katie had grown up around a bunch of men on a ranch. He was surprised by her wiry strength.

Pushing her hard into a chair, he ordered, "Sit." He held her wrists securely down to the arms of the chair.

Katie glared. "Fine. Just don't expect me to beg for treats."

"You'd be wise not to fuck with me right now, Kate," he warned as he glared back.

"No, your friends interrupted that."

"Oh Eliot…" Sophie started, then shook her head.

Katie smirked. Eliot needed a minute or he might end up hurting her. He released her arms and gave her a warning look when she tensed up to move. Rolling her eyes, she settled back into the chair.

Assuring himself that Parker was a safe distance away, he stormed into the kitchen and grabbed a beer out of the fridge, hoping it would cool him off. He turned it up, gulping it down, and rummaged through the cabinet looking for something stronger.

How could he have been so stupid as to fall for a con? Him, of all people? He didn't trust anyone! He poured himself a large glass of whiskey. After a few swallows, he regained some control over his anger. He came back into the living room and everyone stared at him, except Katie who was looking around as if she was bored.

"Is John really dead?" he glanced over at Hardison.

Katie jumped up and yelled, "Like I would lie about that, you son of a bitch!"

"Why not? You've lied about everything else," Sophie pointed out.

"I didn't lie about everything. Look, you people don't even know me and you assume because of some lies on the internet that I'd try and con Eliot."

Eliot knew how to play this. She might be a con artist but she wasn't very good. Well, not nearly as good as he was. He walked over to her slowly and smiled. "All right, we'll play your way, darlin'. Why don't you try the truth this time?"

"Everything I told you was the truth," she began, tears filling her eyes.

"If she starts the waterworks, I'm beating her ass." Parker attempted to get out of Hardison's grip.

"Okay, mostly everything I told you was the truth. But I didn't tell you everything yet. I was going to…but I had to find out what exactly you were into before I could trust you completely."

"So I left you alone in Nate's apartment." Eliot raised an eyebrow. "Which I assume you searched."

Katie shrugged and nodded. "And attempted to hack the computer."

"There's no way you hacked my computer system," Hardison argued. "No way."

"You're right. I tried but then you guys came back." She grinned at Hardison before adding. "Much respect on the security by the way."

"And what did you find out?" Nate asked, sitting down as he put his fingers to his temples.

"Nothing I didn't already know from Sterling's computer."

"Wait…you're working with Sterling?" Eliot felt like his head would explode at this point.

Katie had the audacity to look offended. "No! That fucker is trying to take me down for arson. And when he saw this…" She reached into her jeans pocket and withdrew a picture, handing it to him. "He assumed we were 'associates'." Unfolding it, Eliot saw an old snapshot of him and John. "After I hacked his computer, I found out about Nate so I was trying to get to you to help me clear my name."

Nate settled back in his chair before speaking, letting his fingertips touch in front of his face. "You're wanted for both local and federal charges in two states. That doesn't even include the insurance fraud charges. Are you trying to convince us you're innocent?"

"Well…not completely. But then again, none of you are completely innocent either, are you?" Katie shrugged.

She reached out her hand and touched Eliot's. "I was going to tell you everything. I just hadn't gotten around to it yet."

Eliot studied her face and knew she did feel genuine guilt for lying to him. He sighed. It'd be much easier if she'd been unrepentant. Now he had to try to figure out what were lies and what was the truth. Feeling that she would be less likely to open up to him with everyone there, he thought it best if he tried alone.

"Guys…give me some time alone with her. We'll talk tomorrow and I'll make sure she doesn't go anywhere before we get some answers," he said.

"If you're going to torture her, can I watch?" Parker asked, before Hardison pulled her out the door.

Nate opened his mouth to say something but when Eliot gave him a reassuring look, he reluctantly got up and left. Sophie was the last to leave, but before she did she asked Eliot to give the two of them a few minutes alone. Unlike Parker, he knew Sophie wouldn't resort to physical violence. He walked to the door and waited outside for a few minutes, then locked it after she left.

Eliot walked over to Katie and, taking the bottom of his shirt, he wiped the rest of the blood off her mouth. It bothered him that she flinched when he touched her. She wouldn't look him in the eye but he saw both the fear and guilt written on her face.

"I didn't mean for it to happen like this," she mumbled. "I just…I don't know. We were alone and I was able to forget for awhile what else was going on."

"I know. But now you have to tell me the whole truth," he said gently.

Tears filled her eyes again, but she wiped them away angrily. "I told you the truth when I said I lost it all. When John died, it started falling apart and I couldn't stop it. Everything I did seemed to make matters worse and the next thing I knew I was a … criminal. My friends wouldn't help me; no one would have anything to do with me."

"The gambling? Losing the ranch and the money?"

Katie shook her head. "No. I told the truth about that. It was after the fire that I found out that everything they were trying to say about John was a lie. I have no idea who set the fire but it wasn't me. You know that ranch has generations of my family's blood, sweat and tears poured into it. After the horses were sold off, the house was all that was left. It was a controlled burn, none of the land or surrounding buildings were damaged. There is no way it was an accident. Everyone knew it so I told the insurance guy the same thing. He brought in Sterling. Next thing I know, he's accusing me of setting the fire."

"Sounds like Sterling," Eliot replied. Going into the kitchen, he grabbed some more beer and handed her one when he returned. "So then what happened?"

"I … found… his laptop and hacked it after he started grilling me about you. I found his files on you. Then I deleted everything on his hard drive. 'Course he probably has hard copies or backups somewhere. I don't know. I got busted coming out of the office. Then I knocked out a cop…well a couple of them." When she saw his amused expression, she grew indignant. "It's not funny."

"Please don't touch me." He held up his hands in mock fear, as he chuckled. He wasn't expecting her to launch at him, knocking them both onto the floor. He had flipped her over and his hand was halfway to her neck, when he realized she was laughing. He relaxed his grip on her but didn't get off of her.

"What happened earlier in the bedroom…" Her voice was soft as her hands moved to his face. "That wasn't a con."

He flipped them over again, sitting up with her straddling him. He put his arms around her waist. "How do I know that you aren't conning me now? How can I ever trust you again?"

Katie glanced down but he tilted her chin up to face him. "I can't say anything that will make you trust me. I was desperate, but then you made me feel safe and wanted. I pushed everything out of my mind at that point and just tried to enjoy that feeling."

Eliot kissed her softly, drawn to her vulnerability. He still didn't know if he could trust her but he owed it to John to at least try to help.

Giving him a mischievous look, she asked, "Can we go back to what we were doing before we were interrupted? I promise you can interrogate me afterwards but right now I can't stop thinking about you naked."

He didn't know if he was unable or just unwilling to resist at this point. Besides, he had never needed trust to sleep with someone before. Hell, not trusting her made it easier to get over the fact he was going to fuck his best friend's little sister.

"Get up," he whispered, and when she stood up he rose from the floor.

She must have seen him wince because she looked at him with concern. His ribs were still hurting and wrestling with her tonight hadn't done either of them any good.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have tackled you like that. Maybe we shouldn't…"

Eliot chuckled and grabbed her hand, pulling her to the bedroom. "It'll take more than a few bruised ribs to stop me. And don't think of trying to take advantage of that fact either."

"I wouldn't," she smiled. "But perhaps I should make it easier for you."

Turning when he reached the bed, he cocked his head to the side. "Honey, you might be younger than me, but I can still outlast you."

"I hope so," she whispered as she moved into his arms. "Because I really think I might keep you up all night."

"As long as you don't plan on walking much tomorrow."

Katie chuckled. "I'm hearing a lot of talking. Not seeing a whole lot of action."

Eliot silenced her with a kiss.

oOooOo

Kate melted into his embrace, submitting willingly to him. His tongue dominated her mouth. She felt dizzy under the assault on her senses, drunk with passion. His hot lips left hers, scorching trails down her throat as she gasped for breath.

Starting late in life and being very picky, she'd had a few lovers but nothing like this. They had been amateurs, in it for their own pleasure. She'd never felt so overwhelmed with raw animalistic passion.

Eliot slid her shirt up and she raised her arms, pulling it over her head. She noticed when he glanced up, that his eyes had changed color from crystal blue to showing flecks of green in them. The way he looked at her sent a shiver up her spine and she felt goose bumps rise on her arms. As he began undoing her jeans, he lowered his mouth to kiss her breast. When she moaned, he suckled hard, his tongue flicking rapidly across her nipple now, causing her to arch up to him as her fingers tangled in his hair.

He released her breast as he unzipped her jeans. When his hand slipped into her panties, he growled as his mouth returned to hers with hunger. As she gasped for air he murmured against her lips, "You're so wet."

"Please, don't tease me. I want you," she replied against his lips as she lowered her hands to his jeans.

"I'm going to give you all you want and more, baby." Eliot brushed away her hands. "First, I want to see all of you." He began tugging on the denim and she let him slide her jeans over her hips. She stepped out of them as he hooked a finger in the waistband of her thong pulling it down as well

His eyes raked over her body. Reaching back, he grabbed his shirt and pulled it off. He caressed her breasts again, his calloused hands sending a thrill through her.

Unable to wait any longer, she began fiddling with the buttons of his jeans, her hands shaking in her eagerness. She allowed him to take over after the task seemed to be taking much too long. Careful not to interfere she moved her hands over his stomach before bending over and running her tongue lightly down the dark 'happy trail' that led to what she really wanted.

As soon as he had freed himself from his clothes, he brought her arms around his neck then lifted her up. He wiped the dresser off with one hand, sending his few belongings scattering on the floor before resting her on the top edge.

Kate jolted, feeling his thumb on her clit. Her head fell back as she moaned.

"Look at me," he commanded and her eyes flew to his. He seemed to be waiting for something, his thumb circling her clit as finger slipped into her. "You're so beautiful, Katie."

The way he said her name sent her mind spiraling and she couldn't speak. He continued to drive her crazy with his hand. He watched her intently, making her feel like he could read her mind. Slipping in another finger, he moved his thumb even faster and she cried out, closing her eyes.

"No, keep your eyes open," he demanded and she did, biting her lip hard, trying to maintain control. She reached down, grasping his cock firmly and was rewarded with his moan. He pulsed and surged in her hand as she stroked him.

"Come for me…" he whispered, moving his thumb faster. He pushed her to the edge and she felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Please…" she pleaded attempting to pull him into her but he shook his head, simply moving his fingers into her faster.

"Oh God," she cried out, grinding down against his hand as she was hit by an intense orgasm.

When she thought it couldn't possibly feel any better, Eliot kneeled down and opening her fully, drove his tongue deep inside her. She stiffened and bucked into his mouth, him alternating between tongue fucking and sucking her, while his thumb continued to rub her clit. He didn't stop until she collapsed back against the mirror. Standing up, he grabbed her, his mouth coming down hot on hers. She tasted herself in his mouth and moaned, stroking him harder.

When he released her, he whispered with a grin, "You can't fake that."

Kate didn't know how to answer him so she just watched him. Suddenly he looked annoyed and she asked, "What?"

"Condoms. I've been working and haven't had a chance to go to the store. I don't think I have any," he replied with disgust.

"Are you serious?" Her mouth fell open slightly. His face showed he was completely serious.

Katie knew the risks of being with someone like Eliot, but she also knew that to him the body was a temple.

"I can go get some…" He started to pull away but she held him firmly.

Nervously, she said, "I'm on the pill and I don't sleep around. It's been awhile too."

Eliot thought for a moment and she worried she had pushed him on trusting her again too soon. "Or I could…you know…return the favor?" she offered.

Grinning he pulled her close to him. "Oh, you will be returning the favor before the night is over, I assure you." He kissed her, and then looking down, he growled. "I cannot fucking believe this."

Neither could she. Fate was cruel.

"Oh fuck it," he said before returning his mouth to hers. His hands moved to pull her legs around his waist.

He slid into her slowly, savoring the feeling of her heat enveloping him. She was so damn tight and he didn't want to hurt her. Her position on the top of the dresser became awkward very quickly. Withdrawing, he pulled her down. A wicked thought entered his mind when he saw her reflection in the mirror and he turned her around. He cupped her breasts as he thrust back into her, deeper than before.

Placing her hands on the dresser, she braced herself as he pushed fully into her. She moaned and licked her lips. Gripping her hips now, he withdrew almost completely before driving himself into her again. Her eyes met his in the mirror as she tightened around him.

"More," she moaned.

"Rub your clit." When she reached down obediently, he thrust into her rapidly. Seeing her pleasuring herself made him crazy.

"Faster," he urged her as he plunged deep into her. He wouldn't come before her but he knew he was dangerously close.

She began meeting his thrusts by slamming back into him. Unable to stop himself he ground into her hard causing her to cry out. Katie tightened and he felt her climax around him. As soon as she peaked, he fucked her faster.

"Eliot!" she screamed when he plunged into her hard, holding her tightly. He moaned, throwing his head back and coming deep inside her. She gasped for breath as wave after wave of orgasms hit her. He felt her legs trembling and grabbed her around the waist to keep her from falling.

After he withdrew, he helped her to the bed where the two collapsed face to face.

"Holy shit," she exclaimed when she was finally able to catch her breath afterward. "So that's what everyone's been talking about."

Eliot smiled then he caught what she said. Wait. She wasn't a virgin. She said there'd been others. Propping up on his elbow, he looked down at her. "You've never done this before?"

She grinned. "I wasn't a virgin so don't freak out. I've just never…you know."

His mind raced when she blushed. "You've never had an orgasm before?"

Her blush increased and she looked away. "Well, I thought I had. It's felt good before but it's just never felt, you know, that good before. I guess I just never completely got there until tonight. But then no one has ever gone down on me."

Eliot didn't know whether to feel thrilled or like he'd just taken advantage of her. "Katie, how many men have you been with?"

"Three. Why?"

Lying back on the bed, he stared at the ceiling. She wasn't a virgin but she was pretty damn innocent! He ran his hands through his hair. He never thought she would have been the slutty type but she was twenty six, he assumed she'd been a little bit more experienced than that.

"Sorry to disappoint you," she whispered and moved to get off the bed.

Throwing his arm around her waist, he smiled. "You didn't disappoint me."

"Then what is it?"

God, when her eyes were so lost and unsure she reminded him once again how far apart their worlds really were. Her innocence and naiveté were refreshing but it made him feel like an old pervert. And now he worried that she'd fall for him. That was the last thing he needed; to break her heart. Usually the women he was with understood without saying that there were no strings attached.

"I'm feeling like maybe, we should have talked a bit more before it got this far," Eliot began, then hesitated, wondering how he could put this so she wouldn't feel used. "Normally, I just assume the woman knows that it's just sex and…"

She laughed. "And you're afraid I'm going to fall in love with you because you gave me my first orgasm?"

"Something like that."

Katie wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. "Eliot, I knew what kind of guy you were before I did this. Just because I don't sleep around that much doesn't mean I'm completely naïve. Remember who my brother was. I know all about one night stands and the 'no-strings' rule."

Eliot relaxed, relieved now that she'd said that. Good to know his old friend still played by the same rules, saved his ass tonight for sure. Damn he hoped she wasn't lying about being on the pill.

He noticed all the little bruises on her and realized he'd gotten a little bit rough. "Did I hurt you?"

She shrugged. "A little, but I bruise easily. And I've never been with a guy as big as you so that hurt a bit but it also felt incredible."

"So, I totally rocked your world?" He teased.

Rolling her eyes, she grinned. "Yes. Okay, you totally rocked my world. Enough ego stroking for now?"

"Unless you want to do some other kind of stroking." Eliot leaned over to kiss her. Once again, she wrapped herself around him in her delightful way. "Give me a few minutes to recover, sweetheart." He allowed her to push him on his back.

"Can I help that?" She kissed his chest, swirling her tongue in small circles as she slid down further. She nipped him with her teeth lightly.

"You already are." He moaned as he buried his hand in her hair. All caution was thrown to the wind when she flicked his hardening cock with her tongue.

"I've never done this before. Tell me what to do," Katie whispered and his cock jumped, fully aroused now. The thought of being the first cock being buried in her mouth was too hard to resist. He was too hard to resist.

"Take it in your mouth slowly," he whispered, watching her. God, she was going to be the death of him.

Katie sucked him into her mouth and he groaned, resisting the urge to thrust deeper. What she lacked in skill, she made up for in eagerness to please. Her tongue moved against him constantly and the sight of his cock in between her full lips thrilled him.

"Can you handle more?" His breathing was uneven now, when he remembered to breathe. She sucked about half his cock into her mouth and he almost exploded at the sight. "Your hand…"

With one hand, she caressed his balls causing him to clutch the bedspread in an attempt to control himself. Her other hand moved to the base of his cock and he began to slide through her grip into her mouth in slow easy strokes. She quickly caught on to what he wanted and began stroking him as she sucked on him. He didn't need to instruct her further; she seemed to be a natural.

He was going to come if she didn't stop soon, he reluctantly attempted to withdraw. She hungrily sucked more into her mouth. Eliot groaned her name, which sped up the movement of her tongue.

"Katie…stop…or I'm going to come." There, he'd warned her and if she kept going, he wasn't responsible. He moaned when her mouth left him, a little disappointed. Then the little minx began to lick down his cock teasingly. He almost lost it when she sucked one of his balls into her mouth.

"God damnit!" He grunted. Her hand continued to stroke him, faster and harder as she went to town on him. As soon as the head slipped back between her lips, he bucked into her. He lost control for a moment and drove into her a few times. He had to stop her or he was going to end up choking her with his cock or get bit.

Grasping her hair, he pulled her off him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath trying regain control. Katie pushed his hand away and mounted him quickly. He pulled her down hard then held her still for a few moments, just savoring the feeling.

When he opened his eyes, the sight of her made him throb. Her hair was as wild as her eyes. Knowing how much she enjoyed going down on him fueled his desire. She rode him, with all the skill and precision she'd learned over a lifetime of horse riding. He let her go; this was her show now, he just met her strokes. When she arched her back, he lifted her enough that he could slam into her rapidly. Feeling a second wind, he let her ride out another orgasm. She screamed his name, her nails digging into his stomach but she maintained her position flexing her strong leg muscles. He gave her everything he had.

As soon as she began to move slower and her eyes returned to his, he grasped her ass and rolled them over. He moved into her slow and easy now, wanting desperately to prolong this incredible feeling.

Katie kissed him, her tongue dueling with his. He couldn't remember the last time he'd wanted to actually make love to a woman rather than just fuck her senseless.

He knew these feelings were dangerous for him. Emotions were messy and complicated his life too much. He used his fists because he could control his rage. Even his pleasure could usually be controlled by his mind and body, but this was anything but controlled.

God, he was fucked.

"Eliot?" Katie looked into his eyes intently. "Did I do something wrong?"

It caught him off guard. He shook his head, caressing her cheek gently. He could handle this, worry about the consequences later. Right now, he would just savor … whatever 'this' was.

She continued to watch him with a searching gaze. Tenderly, he licked her lips before trailing his lips down her jaw, then her throat. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he continued to move slowly into her.

"Mmm, this feels so good," she murmured, her fingers trailing down his back.

"Just good?"

Katie chuckled, a sound that made his heart skip a beat. "Okay, you win. You're perfect."

"Perfect? Hmm, I like that." Sucking her nipple into his mouth, he flicked his tongue rapidly.

Her movements sped up and he matched her pace.

"Come with me," he murmured in her ear. He didn't want this to end but he could barely hold back.

"Now," she replied arching up to him as his mouth met hers and they came together.

"Oh god, I could get addicted to this," Katie moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Eliot grinned. "Count on it." He lay back and she wrapped her arm around his waist, nestling her head against his chest.

She was silent for so long he thought she'd drifted off to sleep. He debated waking her up. They needed to talk but he felt so peaceful, he didn't want to disturb that.

"Thank you." Her voice was soft, barely a whisper.

Eliot sensed she wasn't talking about the sex so he waited for her to continue. She rose up to face him.

The tears glistened in her eyes. "Thanks for making me feel some hope again. It's been a long five months of hell and I honestly thought there wasn't any hope left. That's why I came to you, because I knew what you'd been through in your life and how strong it made you. I'm not strong. Until the last few months, I never had any reason to be strong. I was always protected by my parents, then John."

"I'll protect you, Katie."

Smiling sadly, she shook her head. "No, you need to teach me how to protect myself. Because I know you; you're not always going to be there. And it's not your job to be there, to catch me when I fall."

Eliot nodded silently. "But I think you're underestimating yourself. You made it the last five months without me or John or anyone else. You're stronger than you realize and you're smart. Your daddy didn't raise a fool. Your parents would be proud of you."

"For becoming a criminal?"

"You're not a criminal. You broke the law because the law wasn't protecting you. We're going to find a way to fix this, I promise you."

Before she could answer, there was knocking on the door again. He rose and put on his jeans, annoyed that people couldn't seem to leave him alone tonight.

"I guess that's our wake up call," she said, watching him longingly.

Sadly he realized she was right in more than one sense. They had to return to the real world now. "I'll be back." He kissed her, lingering for a moment before he went to answer the door. He glared at Hardison and Nate.

"Your phone is still off," Hardison said apologetically.