by Paige Warren
“One does not brush curly hair,” she told him. “Not unless you want to look like an electrocuted poodle.”
“I didn’t say a word. Besides, you look cute.”
Yeah, because cute was what she’d been going for. A grown-ass woman didn’t want to hear that she was cute. Of course, if she wanted him to tell her she was sexy, she probably should have chosen a different outfit. Not that she owned many sexy clothes, if any. There was a sundress or two that might make the cut, but just barely. Her wardrobe was functional more than anything else.
“Hungry?” he asked.
Her stomach chose that moment to rumble and she blushed. “A little.”
He chuckled and rose to his feet. Opening the oven, he removed a plate of eggs, sausage, and bacon. “We weren’t sure what you liked to eat. I’ve kept this warming for you, but if you want something else, just say so.”
“No,” she said, taking the plate from him. “This looks good. I can’t remember the last time I had a breakfast like this.”
Beau frowned. “Just how bad have things been, Elodie? And don’t deny that they are. You just lost your apartment and someone ran off with your money and your car. I think you’ve pretty much hit rock bottom, as they say.”
She shrugged a shoulder. “My refrigerator broke and I lost all of the groceries I’d bought last week. All I had left were ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches. Until I collected that tip money the other day, I was broke. If I hadn’t done well, I wouldn’t have been doing much, including going to work because the car was almost out of gas.”
Beau cursed under his breath. He shook his head and speared a hand through his hair. She wasn’t sure if he was upset with her situation, or with her. She supposed she hadn’t been doing a very good job of taking care of herself, but she’d been doing the best she could with what she’d been given. No one could fault her for that.
“I’m glad we came along when we did,” he finally said. “The thought of you out on the streets curdles my stomach.”
“I would have made it.”
“Let’s just be thankful that you don’t have to. You can stay here as long as you need to.” He leaned a hip against the counter. “What time do you need to go to work? Or are you off today?”
The eggs suddenly stuck in her throat. “About that. I, um, kind of don’t have to go in anymore.”
His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean you don’t have to go in anymore?”
“I have to pick up my final check sometime today. Elliot fired me.”
Beau’s face flushed in anger and he cursed a blue streak, paced a bit, then stopped in front of her. She gripped her fork and bit her lip, uncertain if she should say or do something to calm him down. Hopefully, he would just leave the matter alone. What was done was done. There would be no changing Elliot’s mind, that much she knew for certain.
“You were shot. In his alley. And the asshole fired you?”
She nodded.
“How did he expect you to take care of yourself without a job? What did he expect you to do for rent and food? Did he even care that he was tossing you out like garbage?”
“He’s already hired a replacement. I can’t get my job back.”
Beau’s jaw tensed. “Fine. You’ll work for us, then.”
Her eyes widened. “You?”
“Well, obviously not right now, not while you’re healing. But we could use someone to help pick up around the house, help with meals. Nothing you couldn’t handle. You’d get a room and you’d have your meals here with us, and we’d pay you a fair wage.”
“Don’t you need to discuss that with Beck?”
He shrugged. “Beck would agree with me.”
“I’ll think about it. You’ve already done so much for me. I’d feel like I was taking advantage of you.”
“Honey, if anything, I’m taking advantage of you. Do you know how nice it was knowing you were in the house this morning? Just the thought of seeing you before heading out to work put a smile on my face.”
She felt her cheeks flush.
Beau leaned forward, caging her between his arms. “If you’re going to stop me, do it now. Because in a minute, it’s going to be too late.”
“Too late for what?”
His eyes flicked down to her lips. “This.”
He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. He placed feathery kisses against her lips before cupping the back of her neck and giving her a long, lingering, drugging kiss. The kind that made her toes curl, her heart race and made her forget where she was. His tongue stroked her bottom lip and she opened, moaning as he tasted her, their tongues tangling, dancing. Beau angled his head and deepened the kiss. It was so intense, so thorough, that she could do little but tremble in his arms.
Beau pulled back, his eyes dark with desire as he observed her. “Now you know why I’m selfish, why I’m taking advantage of you. I’ve wanted to do that since the moment I saw you across the diner. That and so much more.”
She swallowed hard. “More?”
“Much more.” His gaze traced the curves of her body. “I want you under me, Elodie. I want to feel that hot, wet pussy gripping my cock as I lose myself in you. I want to hear you screaming my name, feel you clawing my back. I want you wild and reckless, and aching to be mine.”
Her eyes grew wider by the moment.
“Do you know how much restraint it’s taking to not pull your pants down, bend you over this table and fuck you? I want to pound into this luscious body until you have no doubt who you belong to.”
“Oh my,” she said softly. Her thighs clenched together as moisture soaked her panties. Her chest rose and fell with each labored breath, her nipples rubbing against her top.
He nibbled her ear. “Is that what you want, Elodie? Just say the word, sugar, and I’m all yours.”
She made a squeaking sound, torn between begging him to fuck her and wanting to run away. She’d never been faced with such blatant male attention, such need, desire. The heat in his eyes scorched her and left her aching for him, just as he’d wanted. Her hands clenched at her sides in an effort to keep from reaching for him.
“Are you aching, my sweet, Elodie? Do you burn for me?”
His breath tickled her ear, sending chills down her spine. Her nipples hardened damn near to the point of pain. She did; she ached for him; she burned. She felt like she would combust at any moment if he didn’t touch her.
“What do you want? Tell me what you want, Elodie.”
She swallowed and looked up into those commanding eyes. “I want you to touch me.”
“Here?” he asked, his fingers trailing along her jaw and down her neck.
She shook her head.
“Maybe here?” His hand dipped between her breasts and her breath hitched in her throat. “Hmm. I’m thinking no, but I’m close, aren’t I?”
She nodded, incapable of speech, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.
“Stand up.”
On shaky legs, she rose, facing him, the table against her right hip, the chair against the backs of her legs. Her breasts felt heavy, her clothes too confining. His hands skimmed the hem of her shirt, caressing her belly before slipping around her back. With his free hand, he pushed her shirt up over her breasts, looking his fill.
His palms cupped them, thumbs stroking her nipples. “So beautiful.”
She trembled, leaning into his touch.
“Do you like that?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “More.”
He smiled. “More what?”
“I-I want you to play with my nipples.”
He gently tweaked one. “Like that?”
She gasped and nodded emphatically. Breasts swollen, nipples aching, she needed so much more from him, but was too embarrassed to ask for what she wanted. This was new territory for her. She was a virgin in the strictest sense; she had a vibrator after all, but she’d never been with a man before.
Her nipples were tightly beaded and sensitive. He ap
plied a little more pressure on the rose-tipped peaks and she moaned, creaming her panties even more. Beau gave her a knowing look.
“I know you aren’t satisfied yet, sweet thing. Tell me what else you want.”
A tremor racked her from head to toe. Could she do this? Was she really that brave, that bold? Could she be that woman who went after what she wanted, so confident and secure in who she was? Was it possible for her to own her sexuality and make demands, tell him how to please her?
“I want you to suck them,” she said, her voice sounding deeper than usual.
Beau lifted her breasts, and with his gaze on hers, he leaned forward and took one of the tingling buds into his mouth. Oh sweet heaven! His mouth was hot, wet, and felt like silk caressing her. Her womb contracted, her need growing with each suck and lick. His teeth gently scraped her and she cried out, burying her fingers in his hair. Elodie held him to her, not wanting the sensations to ever end.
He released her other breast and slid his fingers down her abdomen until he reached her pants. Popping the snap at her waistband, he slid the zipper down and his hand dove inside, curling over her sex. She moaned, knowing he had to feel how wet she was, how much she needed him, wanted him. He found her clit through her panties and ground the heel of his hand against her. The onslaught of his mouth and his hand was just the perfect amount of right and she came, calling out his name.
Beau released her nipple. “Face the table, honey.”
She turned and he pushed against her back until she leaned forward, bracing her hands on the wood surface. Her shoulder ached, but she didn’t care in that moment. All she could focus on was Beau and what he was doing to her.
Beau eased his hands inside her panties along her hips and pushed down, dragging her clothes down her legs.
“Step out,” he growled in her ear.
She kicked a foot free and he nudged her legs apart. With her ass in the air, her breasts on display, she should have felt exposed, but she just felt really, really hot. This wasn’t quite what she’d dreamed about for her first time, but reality was so much better. She heard the rustling of clothing then a ripping sound. A moment later, a condom wrapper went sailing over her shoulder onto the table.
Beau placed his hands on her hips and she felt his cock brush against her pussy lips. She could feel his denim clad legs brush the backs of her thighs and knowing that he was still dressed seemed to turn her on even more.
“Tell me to stop now, angel. If you don’t want this, this is your last chance to say something.”
“I want you, Beau.”
With a groan, he sank into her, slowly, as if savoring her. She gasped as she felt him stretch and fill her. He was larger than her vibrator, much larger. He stopped when his cock kissed her womb, then withdrew and surged back in. She heard him curse under his breath and felt his hands tighten on her.
“This is going to be quicker than I thought. You’re just so damn tight. Play with your clit, Elodie. I want to feel you come around my cock.”
She slipped a hand between her legs and circled the sensitive bud. Between the stimulation she provided and the feel of him tunneling in and out of her, it was a matter of seconds before she was coming. As pleasure tore through her, sending delicious ripples from her head to her toes, she heard Beau’s groan as he ground his hips against her.
Her shoulder was screaming in agony and she realized that perhaps this wasn’t the best activity to engage in when one was healing, but it had been so worth it. Beau was incredible, had made her feel things she’d only ever dreamed of. She felt him withdraw from her and she straightened. Turning to face him, she saw the tender look in his eyes and smiled. He gave her a brief kiss before removing the condom and tossing it in the trash. On top. Where Beck would see. How was she supposed to look the man in the eye after that?
“We better get dressed, sweet thing. Then I’ll run you in to town to pick up that check.” He caressed her cheek. “I’ll have to do some work out in the barn after that, but I will definitely be thinking about you, about this moment, for the rest of the day.”
She flushed with happiness and smiled at him. Pulling up her pants, she fastened them and slipped her flip-flops back on. She didn’t even remember kicking them off, but apparently she had. Beau cleaned himself off with a wet paper towel then zipped up. He held his hand out to her and twined their fingers together. Feeling happier than she ever had before, she allowed him to lead her out to an SUV she hadn’t noticed the night before.
“This one’s mine,” he said. “The truck belongs to Beck.”
She climbed in and fastened her seatbelt.
Beau cranked the engine and country music spilled from the speakers. He adjusted the volume then reached for the hand lying on her thigh. He covered her hand with his and laced their fingers together. She looked over at him and he smiled at her.
“No regrets?” he asked.
“No.”
“I didn’t mean to take you against the table like that. Our first time together should have been in a bed, but I just couldn’t keep my hands off you.”
“I liked it,” she assured him.
“So am I the first guy to take you like a rutting bull?” He snorted. “I promise, I usually have more finesse.”
She flushed and clutched his fingers, dropping her gaze.
“What is it, Elodie?”
“That was my first anything.”
“First any—shit. You were a virgin?”
“Sort of. I mean, I have a vibrator I’ve used for years, but I’ve never been with a man before.”
Beau cursed under his breath. “I’m sorry, honey. If I had known, I would have done things differently.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing, Beau. It was wonderful.”
“Next time we’re doing things differently.”
“Next time?” she asked.
He glanced at her. “You don’t want there to be a next time?”
“No, it isn’t that. I just…I wasn’t sure if this was a one-time thing.”
“Honey, now that I’ve had a taste of you, I’ll never get enough. I’m already thinking of ways I can get back inside of you.”
“You want me again, already?”
“If I hadn’t just promised myself I’d do things the proper way, in a bed, I’d pull this truck over and take you right here and now.”
She creamed her panties and licked her lips. He tracked the motion and groaned. Pulling over onto the side of the long driveway, along the fence line, he reached for her. Beau popped her seatbelt and pulled her into his arms, devouring her mouth with his. She kissed him with wild abandon, matching his passion and need. He hit a button beside his seat and it slid back.
“Pants. Off,” he commanded.
A shiver of desire raked her. She liked it when he got that tone. As quickly as she could, she obeyed, kicking off her shoes and slipping out of her capris and panties. Beau shoved his jeans down to his knees and helped her straddle him.
“Shit.” His head fell back.
“What?”
“I don’t have another condom with me.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip.
“I’ve never been with a woman without using one before. Beck and I both were tested just last month so I know we’re clean. Neither of us has been with anyone since then.”
“Well, you know I’ve never been with anyone else, but…I’m not taking anything, Beau. I’m not on birth control.”
She watched a myriad of emotions cross his face and wasn’t sure what was going through his mind. She knew he wanted her, his cock was hard and bobbing between them, ready for action. But without her being protected, they would risk a chance of her becoming pregnant. She didn’t think it was her fertile time, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
“Fuck it,” he said. “If something happens, we’ll deal with it then. I want you too damn bad right now.”
Beau helped her ease down on his cock and she gripped his shoulders. With his shaft buried ins
ide of her, her ass resting on his thighs, she closed her eyes in ecstasy.
“God, Beau. You feel so good.”
“No, angel, you do. Being inside of you is heaven.”
She lifted then sank onto him again. Elodie clenched her inner muscles, squeezing his cock, thankful for those kegel exercises she’d always done.
“Fuck! Do that again.”
She smiled and squeezed him again, lifting up then sliding back down.
“Jesus. I’m gonna come if you keep that up.”
Elodie reached between her legs and fingered her clit. Beau’s hands rested on her hips, helping her move up and down as she rode his cock. Her pussy began to tingle and her nipples ached. She knew she was close, so very close, and rubbed her clit faster and harder. She felt herself coming and squeezed his cock as hard as she could. Her breath caught in her throat as she exploded in dizzying sensations.
Beau gripped her hips and thrust into her once, twice, then buried himself to the hilt on the third stroke, coming inside of her. “Fuck! I’ve never felt anything like that before. Are you sure you’re a virgin, sweetheart? Because that was porn star worthy.”
She giggled. “I’m sure you’ve had better, Beau, but thank you for the compliment.”
He kissed her soundly. “Never doubt that you’re the best I’ve ever had.”
“We should probably go, before someone comes along and finds us like this.”
“The only person who might find us would be Beck.” He grinned. “Might make riding that horse a bit uncomfortable for him, but it isn’t like he’s going to get mad.”
Elodie climbed off him and put her clothes back on. “The diner, Beau. And no more distractions.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled up his pants and zipped up. “I’ll be extra good, so maybe you’ll let me be naughty again later.”
Elodie laughed and shook her head at him. Beau smiled at her as he pulled back onto the dirt drive and then took a right onto the paved road toward town. Being with Beau was certainly different, but a good kind of different. No one had ever made her feel so desired, so wanted. Hell, he more than wanted her, he’d needed her. She already knew if he wanted her again, she wouldn’t tell him no.