She nodded, relaxing. “Okay.”
Shane wasted no time reaching underneath her skirt to grasp the waistband of her panties and work them down her hips. Beth braced her hands on the marble table top and rocked her hips to help him. Once he got them off, he tucked them into his back pocket.
Beth gasped when her bare buttocks came into contact with the cold marble.
Shane grinned at her expression, his hand coming up to caress her face. “You are so beautiful. I look at you and lose myself, every time.”
He unbuttoned her blouse and pushed it off her shoulders, leaving Beth sitting there in her bra with her skirt bunched up around her waist. He reached behind her to unclasp her bra, and then he very slowly peeled it from her body. His eyes fastened hungrily on her breasts, and her nipples puckered instantly, whether from the cool air or from his frank appraisal, he wasn’t sure. Beth covered her bare breasts with her hands.
“Put your hands down, sweetheart,” he said.
Beth couldn’t stop shivering, and it had nothing to do with the temperature. She was sitting practically bare-ass naked in Shane’s foyer in the middle of the day while he was fully clothed. She believed him when he said he’d taken the elevator out of service, but still, they were so exposed like this, so out in the open. She couldn’t help thinking anyone could walk in on them at any moment. And if that happened, she would die of mortification. But Shane had promised her it was safe, and she trusted him.
Shane was watching her intently, probably watching for signs of anxiety. She was breathing hard, true, but it wasn’t because of anxiety. She was excited, and she thought he could tell that because he was pushing her a little bit.
“Beth, hands. Flat on the table.”
She dropped her hands to the table top and glanced up at him.
“Good girl,” he said, smiling at her as he brushed her lower lip with his thumb. “God, I want you. You want this? You want me?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes.”
That was all the green light Shane seemed to need, because he pulled her forward, right to the edge of the table, and dropped to his knees. When he pushed her legs wide open and stared at her sex, her legs started shaking. She would have closed them if he hadn’t been holding them open.
He looked up at her. “Okay?”
She nodded.
His eyes returned to her sex and he studied her, which she found very unnerving.
“Keep your legs open,” he said, removing his hands. He reached between her thighs and opened her up to his hot gaze. “You’re beautiful, so pink and glistening.”
He stroked her from her aching core to her clitoris, and she shivered. Then he leaned forward and followed that same path with his hot tongue.
“Oh, my God!”
And then his mouth was on her, his lips and tongue teasing her clitoris. She stared down at the top of his head, simultaneously shocked and aroused at the sight of him between her thighs. Her hands went to his head, but whether it was to push him away or pull him closer, she wasn’t sure. In the end, her fingers sank into his thick hair, and she gripped his head tightly as she squirmed under his assault.
“That’s right,” he said, his growl muffled against her slick flesh. “Put me where you want me, baby.” He ate at her like a starving man presented with a buffet, his tongue lashing at her clitoris. His hands held her thighs wide apart, and she leaned back, using her hands to brace herself on the tabletop.
Her legs trembled violently and her hips began rocking against his mouth. “Shane!”
He made an unintelligible sound between her legs, not bothering to lift his mouth from her sex. He licked at her, nibbling, stroking with his firm tongue. When he opened her even farther, his tongue pushed deep into her channel and she bucked frantically against his mouth. As he fucked her with his tongue, his thumb stroked her clitoris.
The two-pronged attack was more than she could bear, and the pressure built steadily inside her. Breathing heavily, he pulled back and inserted his index finger into her wet channel, zeroing in on a spot deep inside her, while his thumb continued to tease and taunt her clitoris. Dueling sensations spiraled upward inside her, and she felt herself shaking uncontrollably as her impending release rose higher and higher.
“Shane!” Her eyes closed tightly.
“I know, baby,” he said, peering up to watch her face. “Look at me. I want to see you come.”
She shook her head, panting as she fought against the inevitable.
“Look at me, Beth.”
She opened her eyes, and they were a little bit wild as she met his gaze.
“Just let it happen, sweetheart,” he said.
He was merciless as he stroked her sex, ratcheting her up, higher and higher, until she came in a blinding rush, crying out loudly.
Shane shot to his feet, swiping his hand across his glistening wet mouth. The scent of Beth’s arousal was strong in the air, and Shane’s nostrils flared wildly. His hands went to the fastener of his jeans and yanked them open, then shoved both his jeans and his boxers down far enough to free his rigid cock, which protruded from his body like a battering ram.
Beth took in the sight of his cock, long and thick, flushed a deep ruddy color. Her eyes tracked the thick vein ran the length of him. He fisted himself roughly, and a drop of glistening fluid seeped from the slit in the fat crown. Learning forward, he teased her opening with the head of his cock, coating himself with her arousal. He wedged himself into her opening with one hand, then drew her even closer with the other. He thrust his cock inside her with a savagery she’d never before experienced.
They cried out simultaneously as his cock sank deep inside her. She gasped, partly in discomfort and partly from surprise, as his cock pushed ruthlessly into her silky, wet channel. It didn’t hurt exactly, but the size of him stretched her wide, and she felt the burn as her body tried to accommodate him. Her hands went to his wrists, gripping him tightly.
Shane started to move then, with long, steady strokes, Beth gasping at the intensity of his thrusts. His mouth covered hers, drinking in her cries, swallowing her breaths and the keening sounds she made.
“God, you’re so tight,” he grated, his breath soughing as he stroked long and hard into her core.
Shane pressed his hot face into the curve of her neck, dropping kisses onto her pulse point and breathing deeply as he savored the scent of her damp skin. He couldn’t get enough of her scent; he wanted to immerse himself in it.
Finally, he pulled back, his gaze going to his cock as he watched himself tunnel in and out of her body, his cock dragging through her wet, swollen tissues.
“Watch us,” he said. “Watch your body as it takes in mine.”
Beth looked down between them, mesmerized by the sight of his cock sliding powerfully in and out of her body. Her body had opened and softened to the point that he could move easily inside her now. She watched his cock slam into her lush wet core, and then pull out only to slam right back inside.
Shane’s heart was pounding so hard in his chest it was nearly choking him. His entire being was focused on the sensation of burying himself as deeply in her wet heat as he could. The act was more than just a simple coupling, and the realization stunned him. What he felt for her – the way he roused for her, simultaneously wanting to dominate her and service her – was something he’d never experienced.
The idea that this was something different for him, that this – that she – was something different, shocked him. He grabbed her face and held her still for his kiss, his mouth stealing her breath and drinking in her soft whimpers. When his cock exploded inside her and he filled her with his scalding heat, he shouted to the rafters, his rough voice filling the room.
Beth’s mind reeled from the multitude of emotions and sensations hitting her all at once. Her sex burned from being stretched and pummeled, but it was a sweet fire that she reveled in. He’d taken her almost mindlessly, and she’d loved it. She’d always craved a physical union like this one, so hot
and fiery, all consuming, but it had always evaded her before now. Somehow, Shane had made it all right. Right now he was buried so deeply inside her she couldn’t tell where she left off and he began.
“Christ,” he gasped, leaning forward to touch his forehead to hers, his chest heaving. “You’re killing me, baby,” he said to her, his voice catching.
As the tremors from his climax subsided, Shane’s thrusts slowed to a gentle, gliding motion, and he relished the feel of his cock sliding in and out of her body. He stroked her slowly, gritting his teeth at the hypersensitivity of his cock.
Shane reluctantly pulled out of her body, and Beth looked down, captivated by the sight of his thick, ruddy cock coated with her body’s juices and his semen.
They looked at each other.
“Fuck!” he said, his eyes locked on hers. He gripped the sides of her head, his fingers tunneling through her hair.
“I guess we got carried away,” Beth said as she glanced down at the evidence.
Shane stared at her, dumfounded. “I’ve never forgotten to use protection,” he said. “Damn it, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she said. In truth, she was reeling from the intensity of the experience and didn’t know what to think.
“No, it’s not okay,” he said, his voice tight. “It was my responsibility, and I fucked up.” Shane stepped back from the table and pulled up his boxers and jeans.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” she said, watching as his jaw clenched so tightly she feared it would crack. She reached out and grasped his hand. “It’ll be fine, Shane. Don’t worry.”
Shane collected Beth’s discarded clothing and threw them over his shoulder. Then he swept her up into his arms. “Come on, sweetheart,” he said, kissing her sweat-dampened temple. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Chapter 24
The apartment was eerily silent as they stepped through the foyer door. Shane carried Beth to the master suite and laid her on the bed. After draping her blouse and undergarments carefully over the bench at the foot of the bed, he removed her skirt, then disappeared into the bathroom.
She lay on the bed feeling very self-conscious as she felt his semen leaking. Not really sure what the proper etiquette was in such a situation, she contemplated getting up and going to the bathroom herself to clean up when he returned with a warm washcloth.
“I think I’m making a mess on the sheets,” she said.
Silently, he proceeded to wipe her clean, his actions gentle and methodical. He said nothing, his expression tight.
His silence was starting to unnerve her. “Say something,” she said, when he’d finished and pulled the sheet over her.
He looked down at her. “What do you want me to say?” he said, his voice harsh. “That I fucked up?”
“Shane, you didn’t fuck up.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Last I heard, it takes two to tango,” she said. “It wasn’t just your responsibility.”
He looked far from convinced. “When was your last period?” he said.
She shrugged. She really didn’t keep track of her cycles. “A couple of weeks ago, I guess.”
He frowned. “You’d have nothing to worry about. You know that, right?”
She nodded. She might not know everything about Shane, but she knew without a doubt that he’d never shirk his responsibilities. “I know,” she said, reaching for his hand. “I’m not worried. But, Shane, it wasn’t solely your responsibility.”
“I’ll be right back,” he said, releasing her hand as he headed for the bathroom.
After he’d gone, she sat up in bed, feeling suddenly bereft. She knew he was deeply shaken by what they’d done, but she couldn’t help feeling like he’d shut her out. Afraid she’d worn out her welcome, she leaned toward the foot of the bed to grab her clothes.
“What are you doing?” he said, his tone almost accusatory.
Startled, she turned to look at him. “I’m – ” The words died in her throat. He was naked. She’d been expecting him to pack her up and send her home. Instead, he’d stripped naked, his body a very distracting vision of sinewy muscles and hard planes.
“Getting dressed,” she said, haltingly. “I should go.”
“Now?” he said, looking disappointed. “Can’t you stay a little while longer?”
Beth sat and tried to arrange herself in a somewhat demure pose, which wasn’t easy as she’d been crawling naked across his big bed. “You want me to say?”
“Yes, I want you to stay,” Shane said, as he climbed onto the bed and reached for her, pulling her to him. “You didn’t get much sleep last night. I thought we could rest for a while, and then have dinner. There’s plenty of pasta left over from last night, or if you don’t want that, we can order something in. And there’s more Tiramisu. You liked that.”
“Okay,” Beth said, grinning as she snuggled down on the bed beside him. His body radiated heat, and she sighed, taking pleasure from it. She could really get used to this.
Shane kissed her forehead and slid one leg between hers, the crinkly hair on his legs scratchy against the tender skin of her inner thighs. “Are you warm enough?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I know it’s no excuse,” he said, his expression as grim, “but back there in the foyer, I couldn’t have remembered my own name, let alone to use protection. I’m sorry, Beth.” He seemed truly shaken by the confession.
“I didn’t think about it either,” she said, melting into his embrace. She laid her head on his chest, right over his heart, and she could feel his heartbeat against her temple. She loved this, being close to him, feeling his warmth and the security of his embrace. Now she knew what she’d been missing.
Shane began to rub his hand up and down her bare back, and she groaned from the pleasure.
“Have you ever thought about having kids?” Shane said offhandedly. “I don’t mean now, of course, but someday. Do you want kids?”
“Sure,” she said, measuring the steady beats of his heart. “I’ve always wanted kids.”
Shane smiled. “I come from a big family, a big noisy family. When I was growing up, there was always someone around to play with. I want that someday for my own kids.”
Shane tipped her face toward his and kissed her gently. “You’ve had a busy weekend,” he said. “Are you okay?”
She smiled. “I’m more than okay. I’m wonderful.”
“Yes, you are,” he said, grinning. “I’ve loved every minute we’ve spent together.”
Beth frowned. “Well, maybe not all of it. Certainly not the drama and the hysterics last night. I’m sorry about that.”
“Hey.” He kissed her gently. “We got through it, didn’t we? And we did all right in the end. There’s absolutely no reason for you to reproach yourself.”
“It’s not going to be that easy,” she said. “The panic attacks come without warning.” She never knew when the next one would hit.
“I know,” he said, stroking her hair. “One day at a time, right?”
Beth gazed down at their bodies lying entwined, marveling at the differences between them. His body was so different from hers, and not just in the obvious ways. Everything about him was bigger, rougher, darker. He was just so male. His skin was tanned a warm golden shade, his muscles were so well defined.
She relaxed against him, her muscles turning to liquid, and her eyes grew heavy. She closed her eyes, just for a minute.
Shane smiled when he realized Beth had fallen asleep in his arms. She had to be exhausted. It had a been a whirlwind weekend, and she hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before. And then they’d spent most of their day walking around downtown. He was glad she felt safe enough with him to drift off to sleep. That had to mean something. He pulled her closer, practically wrapping himself around her body, and let himself take a cat nap.
The sun was starting to set when Shane woke. Outside, the sky was a light shade of indigo, and the buildings all around them were starting to lig
ht up the night sky. Inside his bedroom, it was twilight, adding to the sense of intimacy.
“Lights thirty percent,” he said. He didn’t want Beth to wake up in a dark room.
They were still wrapped in each other’s arms, so it was an easy thing for him to lean close and nuzzle her temple. He breathed in the scent of her hair, and it made him instantly hard. He trailed kisses down her cheek to her jaw and ultimately to her throat, where he pressed his lips against her pulse point.
It was incredibly satisfying to have her here in his bed. Before, he’d usually taken women to hotels for sex because he didn’t want them getting too comfortable in his home, or expecting more than he was willing to give. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a woman here at the penthouse, and he sure as hell never took a woman to his home in Kenilworth.
He’d always been upfront with women about what he wanted and what his intentions were. Sex was just a mutually satisfying encounter, where both parties got what they wanted and moved on. He was generous with his money, when it came to women – because it was just money. Money was simply a tool to be used to accomplish an end. He’d gladly wine them and dine them, take them to the best places, buy them clothes or jewelry or whatever it was they desired, fly them to New York City or Paris or London for a weekend of sex. But his personal space – that had always been off limits.
Until now.
As he watched Beth sleep, he couldn’t help wondering why this was different. He hadn’t wasted any time at all getting her to his penthouse, in his bed. He’d been with a lot of women, and he’d always walked away afterwards and never looked back. She was beautiful, yes, but he’d dated lots of beautiful women. He’d certainly dated women that were far more sophisticated and experienced. So why was it that every time he looked at her he felt like his next breath depended on her?
He stroked the bare skin of her arm with his fingertips and reveled in its softness. She was so soft, so defenseless. And she’d been hurt so badly. Once again, he felt a quiet, burning rage creep into veins, and he had to suppress the desire to end Howard Kline once and for all. He couldn’t let that monster continue to roam free, posing a threat to Beth or to any other woman. Somehow, some way, he’d find a way to end that bastard. It was only a matter of time – he knew that as surely as he knew his own name.
Vulnerable: (McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series - Book 1) Page 21