by Virna DePaul
“Oh. Well in that case, I’m okay with not being normal. But can we go inside? Please.”
He hesitated again. “You don’t know me, Kat. I’m afraid you’re feeling reckless because of what happened to you. Because you’re feeling unsettled with your life and confused about your career and simply want to forget all that for a little while. Because despite what you said earlier about not needing someone to take care of you, I make you feel safe. But I’m probably more dangerous to you than you think.”
His words gave her pause, but at the same time they also got her heart beating faster. If there was ever a warning, that was it. He was right, she didn’t know him. But what she’d seen, she liked. And what he’d said about him being more dangerous to her? She didn’t believe he’d ever hurt her physically. As for other ways he could be dangerous? To her heart and mind? Well, she already knew he was dangerous.
But she liked it.
“Would that be such a bad thing? Forgetting our troubles for a few wonderful moments? Taking a chance that we can give each other what the other needs? Because you’d be taking a chance, too, Luke. You really don’t know me at all but you claim to think I’m special.”
“You are special, Kat.”
“Don’t just tell me. Show me.”
* * *
Silently, Luke got out of the car, opened Kat’s door, and then escorted her to her cabin with his palm on her back. As soon as they were both inside, he locked the door, lowered the fabric shades, and then checked every room in the house. She watched him, her brow furrowed even though she knew what he was doing. Taking care of her again. Because of what she’d told him had happened to her. She’d noticed he’d been doing it all night. How in spite of showing her a good time, he’d kept his gaze sharp. Stayed close to her.
Not knowing what else to do, she went to the kitchen and poured them both a glass of wine. She was facing the counter, taking a sip, when she felt him move up behind her. She caught her breath at the graze of his chest against her back, acutely aware of the way he’d backed her up against his kitchen counter earlier. Slowly, she turned to face him, the wine forgotten.
He lowered his head as she pushed up to her toes and placed her hands against his hard chest. Their lips brushed. Luke let out a low growl and let his arm slide down lower, cupping her bottom and pulling her in tighter. He held onto her possessively, but he still didn’t move to kiss her again. She made another pass at his lips with hers, and then another. The third time she let the tip of her tongue drag across his lip. His free hand moved up and gripped her braid lightly, using the hold to angle her head.
He covered her lips with his and thrust his tongue into her mouth in a take no prisoner’s kind of kiss. His groan rumbled against her palms, making her moan in kind. His kiss was dominant and possessive. She wanted more and he gave it to her, pushing her up against the counter and molding their straining bodies together.
When he broke the kiss at last, she was panting so hard it sounded like she was about to hyperventilate. He grinned at her, breathing heavily himself. “Ready for me to show you how special you are?”
The words inflamed her desire. His hands found the zipper on her dress and let it down. They moved into the bedroom and he swiftly stripped her, then pushed her lightly until she lay back on the bed. Standing above her, fists clenching, mouth parted, he looked overcome by hunger but desperate to hold on to his control. Exhilaration swept through her as she watched him take off his clothes. When he was naked, his cock jutted upward from his lean and tightly muscled body. It was as large and thick as she had imagined and she swallowed hard as he joined her on the bed, the mattress sagging slightly below his weight.
He kissed her again. She drank in the flavor of his mouth while his hands explored her body, his fingers moving between her legs to find her wet and willing. He probed her depths, stretching her open.
His body was heavy, hot, and strong. Her fingers ran over his back, feeling the flow and snap of his muscles before she lowered one hand to stroke his cock. It thickened beneath her touch, and she whimpered as her legs spread further for him.
Suddenly, he flipped her over. Kat got on her knees, expecting him to enter her. Instead he kneaded her ass cheeks, lifting them up and then massaging them. Her whole body shook. Her fingers twisted into the bed sheets, mussing them.
Her nipples scraped across the covers as her body swayed toward him. His fingers slid around her waist, found her clitoris and rubbed it, making her knees go weak. Her face pressed into the pillows, the scent of detergent and fabric softener filling her nose.
He moved both hands to her ass again, pressing his thumbs into the muscles just below her buttocks in away that almost hurt but brought pleasure right on its heels.
Her legs spread, and she felt the cool air caress her mound, exciting her further. His body bumped against hers, his cock sliding between her legs but not penetrating her. She cried out long and loud.
His fingers went back to her clit. He ran one finger around it in a slow, maddening circle then he thrust his fingers into her again. Her hips jerked back and forward. “Please, Luke. Please give me what I need.”
“What do you need, Kat?”
“You!”
“How do you need me?”
“Inside me. Filling me up.”
“Yes, I’m going to fill you up. Better than you’ve ever had. But I want to give you something else first. Something that will help you let go. I want to spank this beautiful ass of yours. Would you like that?”
She froze. He wanted to spank her? She’d never been spanked before. No one had ever dared suggest it to her before. She’d never considered herself kinky. But with Luke, she felt different. She was different. She’d known it the minute she’d fantasized about him being rough with her. “Yes,” she said. “Do it, Luke. Spank—”
He smacked her right ass cheek.
“Ahh,” she cried out as the sting of pain registered. Almost immediately, bolts of pleasure shot through her. Her head hit the headboard but she didn’t care. His hand came down on her left cheek while his other hand slid around to her clit again. His thighs pushed against hers and his cock rested right below her body, trembling against her belly and outer labia.
He spanked her again. She pressed her fist to her open mouth to keep from screaming. Her bottom lifted, her forearms pushing her higher while her head hung between her shoulders, her hair obscuring her face. The sensations running through her were so intense she could barely breathe. She was being carried away by those sensations, taken to a place where the pain of his spanking met the pleasure brought by it.
His breath washed over her back and shoulder. His hips pulled back. She heard the telltale rip of foil and she whimpered, her need so high she couldn’t even form words.
His latex encased cock slid into her, just a bare inch. His hand cracked down on her bottom again and suddenly her climax began, a low pulse beating in her depths.
He thrust hard and fast. He pumped his hips forward, going deep, and stretching her open as he filled her clinging, soaked sheath with his flesh. Kat could no longer deny the need to come. Her walls tightened on his flesh, clung to it as he withdrew then thrust forward again.
His hand tangled into her hair. His nails scratched her scalp, making it burn and tingle. He jerked her head back and his teeth met her neck as he withdrew and thrust again, his breath and wet mouth causing rippling sensations to spread across her upper body.
His testicles slapped against her body. His lean thighs pushed and bumped against hers. Kat’s toes curled as the aftershocks of her intense orgasm began to crest, ebb, and crest again.
Her cries were guttural and low. His moans were louder, lower, and his fist tangled into her hair even more tightly as he jerked forward once more before going rigid, his cock thudding heavily within her body.
They collapsed on the bed. Luke lay there, his body pressing hers into the mattress until her breath was literally gone. He withdrew slowly, lifting his body away fr
om hers. The phantom warmth left behind made her smile.
He took off the condom and tossed it into a nearby waste can. Then he pulled her into his arms and snuggled her close. The smell of their sex hung heavy in the air, a pleasant smell that made her grin wickedly.
Luke ran his hands up and down her body, his fingers brushing against her softened nipples, and then the skin below her belly button. Kat had never been so content to lie in a man’s arms after sex.
“I’ve never been spanked before,” she confessed.
Luke chuckled and pulled her tighter against him. “I sensed your surprise. But you seemed to like it.”
“I did. I’ll have to think of naughty things to do to inspire you to spank me again.”
“I’ve got several suggestions if you need them. And believe me, just looking at you is inspiration enough.”
She smiled. God he was sexy. Strong. Dominating. But fun and tender, too.
She pressed her face into his neck. The tang of sweat, and the faint trace of cigarettes smoked by people at the casino filled her nose, but natural scent was stronger. She inhaled deeply, relishing that complex, masculine odor.
The quiet washed over them. As his breathing returned to normal, she placed a hand on his chest, feeling it rising and falling beneath her fingers, feeling the heavy, steady thump of his heartbeat.
Luke played with her hair and kissed her neck, cheeks, and lips. Soft little butterfly kisses, making her feel sexy, beautiful, and desired. Desirable.
And he’d been right about what he’d said earlier.
He made her feel safe.
Chapter Ten
Luke breathed deep, soaking in all that was Kat. Her back was pressed against his chest, her soft hair tickling his face and her soft form cradled against him like she had been carved to fit every hollow of his body. She sighed and shifted, indicating she was still awake, and his cock automatically hardened at the luscious feel of her ass wiggling against him.
The ass he’d spanked.
He’d spanked women in bed before, but he’d never gone there until he’d slept with the woman several times. That kind of thing took some leading into, to feel the woman out, to make sure it truly turned her on. But with Kat, his instincts had driven him there. Probably because he could sense how worried and tightly wound up she was, and it only made sense that being able to completely let go in bed would do her a world of good.
His instincts had obviously been right. After only a brief hesitation, she’d surrendered herself to his care and his domination. Kat was the best kind of lover, sensual and open. She was earthy and wild at heart and as far from a diva as a woman could get.
His plan to win her over had worked.
But not without a cost.
Now that he’d won her, how was he going to keep her? Because he had no illusions that once she found out he’d lied to her, it wasn’t going to be easy.
He was about to speak when she suddenly whispered, “Shit,” then began pulling herself out of the tangle of his arms slowly and carefully. He almost tightened his arms around her, but her muffled curse made him hold back. Fucking her should have drained her body and her mind of tension, but he could practically feel it pouring off her in waves. Quietly, she dressed, then made her way to the living room.
He waited for the sound of her opening the front door, prepared to go after her if she did, but the sound never came. After several minutes, he got up and pulled on his jeans without bothering to button them. He did, however, retrieve the gun and leg harness he’d slipped under the bed earlier, when she’d been busy pouring them wine in the kitchen. After quickly arming himself and concealing the weapon with his pant leg, he went after her. He paused in the bedroom doorway when he saw her curled up on the sofa, staring out the window.
“Having regrets?” he said quietly, causing her to jump.
She laid her hand on her chest and laughed nervously. “God, you scared me.”
Raising one arm, he gripped the doorjamb, and waited.
She bit her lip, then shook her head. “No regrets,” she said.
Her answer caused the tension in his chest to loosen. “Then what?”
“I’m just feeling anxious. It’s not unusual. I tend to run things through my brain, both good and bad, and it makes it hard to sleep sometimes.”
Hating the idea of her feeling anxious, he moved to sit beside her. When he held out his arms, she immediately sank into him. He sighed and tightened his arms around her.
“Sometimes it helps to talk things out. What are you feeling anxious about?”
She pulled back, gazed into his eyes, and swallowed hard. For several seconds, the silence throbbed between them, and he mentally urged, Come on, angel. Confide in me. Share your troubles and let me help.
Instead, she just gave a half shrug and said, “Well, one thing I’m worrying about is easy to fix. Bella.”
His brows shot up. “What about her?” He ran a hand down her back, disappointed that she obviously didn’t trust him enough to share what was really bothering her but still needing that physical connection.
“Bella’s been alone for a while now and as much as I’d love to fall asleep in your arms, we should probably take her for a walk, don’t you think? And who knows, maybe the cool night air will invigorate and inspire us.”
“I’m pretty invigorated and inspired right now.”
She gave him a quick kiss. “Come on. Walk. Then bed.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
* * *
As Luke rose to grab a shirt, Kat couldn’t help but admire Luke’s magnificent body, highlighted by the dim light. His powerful muscles flexed and snapped, and his quick movements were slow but steady. Her belly fluttered and renewed desire stroked her senses.
For a moment she was tempted to pull him back into bed, but she figured the walk would be good for her. It would help clear her head and put things into perspective. As he’d pointed out, they barely knew each other. Yes, he was amazing. And yes, they’d had amazing sex. But there was no reason to think that it was going to be more than that.
To her amazement, that’s what had been making her anxious as she’d lain in bed with him. She had a stalker threatening her and had been almost run off the road several days ago, but the thing that was keeping her up and occupying her thoughts was Luke and her fear that this night was all she was ever going to have with him.
After they were dressed, they headed to Luke’s cabin, where Bella greeted them affectionately. A minute later, they set off down the trail, Luke holding Bella’s leash.
Night had fallen and the trail hung deserted and silent around them. Their feet crunched on the occasional fallen twig. Luke whistled long and low, and a night bird answered, making Kat clap her hands in delight. “Do it again.”
Bella, with her usual labradoodle aplomb, ignored the whistles that were not directed at her, earning her a pat on the head from Kat. Luke slid an arm around Kat’s neck and she leaned into his body, letting her arm find his waist and rest there. It was a comfortable thing, and she was shocked by how easy it was to be with him.
“I feel so at home here. So at peace.”
“I take it your regular life isn’t peaceful?”
Kat shrugged. “Acting brings me peace, whether I’m in a studio or running through the jungle trying to escape something chasing me. It’s the only thing I’ve done where I feel I’m giving something to the world but giving myself just as much, if not more. Corny, I know. I said that once to a reporter and she winced. Like, she pulled this huge grimace. I could tell she thought I was being a haughty bitch and maybe I was. But that’s not how I meant it. It’s just, as weird as it sounds, it’s only by pretending to be someone else that I can show the world who I truly am. It’s why I keep doing it, even if part of me has started to hate the way it impacts my life when I’m off the set. And I’m not even talking about the person threatening me.”
Luke looked up at the sky then at her. “You mean the lack of privacy in
general.”
He’d hit the nail on the head. “I’m grateful that I have fans, of course, but I can’t help feeling that I bare so much of myself for my movies, I have a right to keep some of my life just for myself. For those I love.”
“You do. But people would have a hard time overlooking you no matter what you did, Kat.” He tossed a stick for Bella and released her leash to allow her to go get it. “So what are you going to do? When you’re done hiding out here, I mean.”
“I’m thinking about going back to school. Did you go to college?”
* * *
At Kat’s question, Luke hesitated, knowing from what she’d said earlier that she’d seen him wearing his dad’s old LAPD shirt and believed he was a cop. Finally, he said, “Sure.”
“Which one?”
“The college of hard knocks.”
She laughed and Luke smiled.
“I started college but never graduated. I’ve always been good with my hands and more streets smart than book smart. Taking a job protecting others just seemed the thing to do,” he said, watching her carefully.
“It’s an honorable profession,” she said.
"Yeah,” he said, the guilt almost crushing him. “So have you talked to anyone about wanting to go back to college? Friends? Family?”
“My friend Ben. And my mom. She’d love it if I went back to school but that’s more because she fears the world and thinks academia is at least a little safer living than being an actress. If it was up to her, though, she’d have me take classes online.”
“Why’s that?”
“She’s agoraphobic. Rarely leaves the house.”
"I’m sorry to hear that. Does she live with you?”
Kat shook her head. “She lives by herself. I see her a lot. I also make sure she has everything she needs to be comfortable.”
"Hmm.”
“What?”
“I know you mean well, but it sounds like you’re feeding her illness a bit, making it easier for her to stay home.”