Hold Me Until Midnight

by Christina Phillips

  She licked her lips, taking her sweet time about it, and looked up at him through her lashes in a way that made him groan.

  “If you want me to stop, just say the word.” She popped his button and the relief was overpowering. “I don’t think you want me to, do you?” She grasped his length, and he wrapped his hand around hers, increasing the pressure. “But I wouldn’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

  Despite his discomfiture, he laughed. “Liar. You love it.”

  Her smile told him just how much she loved it. She dipped her head and the tip of her tongue swirled around the swollen head of his dick. He gritted his teeth and speared his fingers through her hair, holding her head as he pushed deep into her wet mouth. Primal lust surged through him at the sight of her on her knees, at the way her blonde hair contrasted with the black denim of his jeans.

  In his fantasies Scarlett was naked as she took him into her mouth. But it didn’t matter that she was fully dressed. Because her mouth was driving him to the edge of reason.

  He tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her back. Her teeth grazed his length and she looked up at him.

  Fuck. He damn near lost his load right then. “Need a condom.”

  She lifted her mouth from him. Her lips were all pouty. “It’s okay. I want to do it this way.”

  This was the best fucking Fourth of July he’d ever had. It was hard to think straight. “Babe, I’m clean. I’ve never had unprotected sex.” Not even as a reckless teen.

  “Nor have I.” She gazed up at him. “But I’ve never done this before.”

  It took him a heartbeat for her words to penetrate his lust soaked brain. And then his fingers involuntarily gripped her hair, holding her immobile, as he stared into her eyes.

  A virgin mouth-fuck. This woman would kill him.

  She roughly tugged his pants down his thighs and once again fastened her lips around him. He had to stop himself from gripping her head and forcing his length down her throat.

  Her cheeks hollowed from effort as she sucked on him and he stared at her, riveted by the sight, even as his body shook with the effort not to come too soon. He wanted to prolong this moment as long as he could. But when she cupped his balls with one hand and tightened her grip around his root with her other, his willpower splintered.

  He tried to pull out. She sucked harder. “Scarlett.” He didn’t recognize his voice. “I’m going to come.”

  She still didn’t let go. “Babe.” He tugged her hair. “You have to let me go.” Don’t ever let me go. “Can’t hold on any longer.”

  She stroked him with her fingers. She didn’t pull back. Does she want me to come in her mouth?

  It pushed him over the edge. He pumped into her, long and hard and hot. His vision blurred and all he could see was Scarlett on her knees, taking everything he had. He clenched his teeth and tangled her hair around his fingers. And fucked her sweet mouth until he had nothing left to give.

  Shuddering, he clung onto her head for a few dizzying moments until he realized she was trying to lift her face. He grabbed a hand towel from the marble topped vanity and sank to his knees before her.

  “Here.” His voice shook. Shit. He hoped she hadn’t noticed. But why did he hope that? She had to know how she affected him. Without waiting for her to take it he gently wiped her mouth with the towel. She coughed, blushed, and pressed the towel to her mouth.

  Transfixed, he watched her clean herself. He’d had countless blowjobs in the past. But he couldn’t remember any of them.

  He’d never forget this one.

  But they weren’t finished yet.

  “Touch yourself.” His voice was hoarse.

  She stared at him, disbelief replacing the glazed look in her eyes. “I can’t do that.” She sounded faintly shocked by the notion.

  “Do it for me.” If he touched her, God help them both. There was no chance she’d leave this bathroom without looking as though she had been taken every which way.

  Kneeling on the floor, their knees almost touched as her hand disappeared beneath her dress. That was no good. He hiked her dress up and watched her slide her hand inside her insanely sexy thong. The musky scent of her arousal filled his head, blocking out everything but the gorgeous woman in front of him.

  “Stroke your clit,” he ordered. Had she never touched herself this way before? It should be physically impossible, but his body hardened at the idea and he swallowed the groan that razed his throat. He didn’t know why it was such a turn on, knowing she had never done this before. But it was.

  Her eyes became unfocused and breathing erratic. He was caught between watching her expressive face, and the way her finger moved beneath the flimsy wisp of lace.

  He ached to go down on her. To taste her as she came inside his mouth. Instead he trailed his hand along her back and cupped her rounded ass.

  A shudder rippled through her and with a growl of possession he pulled her tight against his body. She bucked against him, biting his shoulder to stifle her gasps of pleasure as her orgasm claimed her.

  He lost track of how long he knelt there, holding her. He never wanted to let her go. Here in her arms was the only place he wanted to be.

  He closed his eyes and breathed in her familiar scent. He was still a little freaked by how much he wanted her, but it was a distant feeling. This had never happened to him before.

  I’ve fallen for Scarlett Ashford.

  Only when she lifted her head from his shoulder did he relax his hold on her. He grinned into her flushed face and she blinked back at him through mascara-smudged eyes. He’d never seen anything so fucking adorable before.

  “You okay?” He brushed a damp strand of hair back from her face.

  “I’m not sure. I might have died and gone to heaven.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “That’s my line, babe.”

  She let out a ragged breath. “You’re amazing, Jackson. I’d love to stay here all afternoon with you. But I guess we’d better show a face at the barbeque.”

  “Sure.” No one had ever called him amazing before. He pulled her to her feet and watched her have a minor panic attack when she caught sight of herself in the huge wall mirror. As she rinsed out her mouth and washed her hands, he shoved his dick back into his pants and then ran his fingers through his hair. “You ready?”

  She pulled an agonized face at him in the mirror and began to fluff up her hair.

  “Seriously, Scarlett, you’re beautiful. You don’t look as though you’ve been up to anything, trust me.”

  Unlike his comment after the first time they’d had sex, this time he actually meant to reassure her. By the way she bit her lip, it was obvious she wasn’t convinced.

  He wrapped his arms around her as she examined every inch of her face and neck for any signs of what they’d just been up to. After a few moments her tense muscles relaxed and he caught her gaze in the reflection.

  He didn’t want her stressed out at the thought of facing her family. “Believe me. The most anyone will think is we had a quick make-out session. That’s not so bad is it?”

  She stroked her fingers over his arms that circled her waist. “No. That’s not bad at all. This isn’t bad. I’m just…”

  “I know.” He breathed in the scent of her hair. “That’s why I couldn’t touch you just now. I’ll make it up to you later, Scarlett. Everything you want. All night long.”

  There was no hint of tension in the gorgeous smile she gave him. “You’ve already given me everything I want.”

  He had no idea what she meant, but it sounded good. “Ready to face the world?”

  She took a deep breath and then nodded. “Yes.”

  He slowly released her and stepped back. I want to take you home. Right now. At least she no longer looked on the point of freaking out. He just had to suck it up for a few more hours.

  No problem.

  She turned around and faced him. “Let me have a look outside and see if anyone’s nearby.” The
n she caught sight of the towels on the floor and hastily slung them into a laundry chute.

  “I’ve got a better idea. You go out through the house, and I’ll leave the way we came in. That way even if anyone’s spying on us they won’t get any incriminating photos.”

  She laughed and patted his chest, her hand lingering there for a moment. “Good thinking. If I didn’t know better I’d think you’d done this kind of thing before.”

  He tugged her hand up and kissed the tips of her fingers. “Nope. This is all new for me, babe.”

  Her lips brushed his. “See you on the other side.”

  He waited until she closed the door behind her before stepping outside.

  To find Edward Saunders glaring at him.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jackson ignored the other man. The afternoon was too good to ruin by acknowledging the jerk’s hostility. He strolled in the direction of the bar.

  Saunders stepped into his path. “Having a good time, Grayson?”

  It was hard to ignore someone when he shoved his ugly mug right into his face. Jackson stared him down for a few moments, easy enough to do, since he was a good four inches taller.

  Finally, the other man dropped his gaze and Jackson waited for him to get out of his way. But Saunders didn’t move.

  What the hell was it with this guy? “You got a problem with me? Aside from the fact I’m holding up your precious redevelopment?”

  Saunders gave a tight smile. “I’m not concerned with your paltry efforts to delay progress. But I do object to the way you’re attempting to use Scarlett to further your cause. It won’t work.”

  What the fuck? That was the second time in two days he’d been accused of using Scarlett for her connections. He forced a smile to his face, and took savage satisfaction at the way Saunders took a hasty step back. Clearly Jackson’s smile conveyed how much he’d like to shove the weasel through the nearest window.

  “You might use women for your own ends, Saunders. Doesn’t mean all men do.”

  Saunders sent him a twisted smile from the safety of three feet away. “I’ve seen her name on the petition, Grayson. I keep my ear to the ground and I know she’s sounding out her sources for you. Just how low can you sink?”

  Scarlett had signed the petition? Why hadn’t she told him? He’d not looked at it in weeks. And what the hell did Saunders mean by she was sounding out her sources?

  Saunders might by lying through his teeth. But his gut reaction knew the other man was speaking the truth.

  An odd constriction tightened his chest. It had never crossed his mind Scarlett would get involved. The possible loss of the dojo was his problem. He hadn’t even asked her yet if she had any ideas for helping to get the word out on saving Heyward Street from demolition.

  He refocused on the man in front of him. He’d love nothing better than to wipe that sneer off his face with a well-placed fist. But the days were long gone when he solved his arguments with violence.

  “Here’s the difference between us.” He was impressed by the even tone of his voice. “I don’t use women in that way. Whatever Scarlett does, she does because she wants to. Is that clear?”

  “Don’t give me that crap. Scarlett’s besotted with you. She’ll do anything for her bit of rough from the wrong side of the tracks. But that novelty will wear off soon enough.”

  Who the fuck did this little shit think he was? Jackson had moved toward him before he even realized, and only the flash of triumph on the other man’s face pulled him up short.

  Saunders 1. Grayson 0.

  He wouldn’t let that happen again.

  “You think?” He ground the words between his teeth.

  “No I don’t think. I know. Do you really imagine the Ashfords would allow something like you into their ranks? When it really counts, Scarlett isn’t going to choose you above them. She’s just having fun with you. Shame you seem to think it’s something more.”

  Don’t rise to the bait. Blood thundered against his temples, drowning out the distant sounds of the party. It was obvious Saunders was begging for a fight. And damn him, he was pressing all the hot buttons with his remarks. Because wasn’t that exactly what Jackson was afraid of, deep inside?

  That Scarlett was only with him for a bit of fun?

  A month ago that was all he wanted. He would never have guessed so much could change in four short weeks.

  He battled against the primitive urge to settle this score the way he would have ten years ago. What was it about Edward Saunders that made him want to undo all the years of training he’d undertaken?

  “There you are, Jackson.” Scarlett’s voice broke into his thoughts and gave him the answer to his question. The acidic knot in his chest eased and he looked her way.

  Her father was by her side.

  “Dad, I never got the chance to formally introduce you before. This is Jackson Grayson. Jackson, this is my dad, Marshall Ashford.”

  What were they supposed to do, shake hands? Jackson very nearly just jerked his head in the older man’s direction, but dismissed the idea instantly.

  Everyone at this barbeque except for Scarlett thought he was an asshole. So he stuck out his arm, and after a barely perceptible pause, Marshall Ashford took his hand.

  “Pleasure.” Jackson’s voice was neutral. Ashford’s grasp verged on brutal.

  “Likewise.”

  Jackson couldn’t figure out Ashford. If it had been anyone other than Scarlett’s father, he’d think the man was enjoying this encounter.

  “You can let go of each other now.” There was an edge to Scarlett’s voice and since Ashford appeared to have no intention of releasing his hand first, Jackson decided to be the bigger man and concede.

  But only because Ashford was Scarlett’s father.

  “Wonderful barbecue, Mr. Ashford,” Saunders enthused. What a fucking ass-licker.

  “Should be, considering how much it cost.”

  “Can’t beat good quality.” Saunders cast a pointed glance in Jackson’s direction.

  “Agreed,” Ashford said and Saunders looked ready to kiss the older man’s boots. Jackson recalled Scarlett once saying that her being with Edward would make her dad’s day. How could Ashford want someone like Saunders for his daughter? It was disgusting, and not just because of the sex aspect.

  “Mr. Ashford, there’s something I’ve been waiting to run by you. It’s to do with—”

  “I’m not discussing business today.” Ashford gave Saunders one of his cold smiles. Could he give any other kind?

  “Of course not. Absolutely. Another time then.”

  Ashford turned to Scarlett. “Don’t forget to introduce your friend to your uncle, honey. I know he’d like to meet him.”

  From her father’s tone Jackson could just imagine how much the elder Ashford would like to meet him.

  “Sure.” Scarlett looked at Jackson and gave him a smile that stabbed straight through his chest. Was she really oblivious to what her father thought of him? This isn’t still all a game to her. Not the way it had been on the night of her father’s wedding.

  Ashford strolled off. Saunders inched closer to Scarlett and Jackson stiffened. Any closer, buddy… He snapped the thought off before it could finish. Because there was only one way it could finish, and that was in him spilling Saunders’ blood.

  The thought was way too appealing for comfort.

  “Haven’t you met Crispin yet then, Jackson?” There was a false note of friendliness in Saunders’ voice. He’d obviously changed tactics now Scarlett was on the scene.

  “Oh, I didn’t know you were on first name terms with my father’s brother.” Scarlett smiled, innocence dripping from every word, and Jackson coughed to mask his snort of laughter. She might be too nice to cause a scene in public, but this was the second time she’d put Saunders in his place.

  Saunders grimaced through his teeth. It was obvious Scarlett’s put down rankled, and Jackson took an instinctive step closer to her. Just because she was ca
pable of standing up for herself didn’t mean he had any intention of standing by and letting her. If you even think about insulting her, it’s me you’ll be dealing with.

  “Jackson and I were having a chat before you arrived,” Saunders said, obviously deciding to ignore Scarlett’s last comment. Although why he’d want to tell her about their chat was beyond Jackson.

  Scarlett shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She might look fine, but that little shuffle was a dead giveaway. To him, at least. She wasn’t comfortable talking to Saunders, but she wouldn’t tell him where to get off. Would she kill him if he did it for her?

  “Really?” Her voice was so polite it hurt his eardrums.

  Saunders smiled, like a snake about to strike. “That must be some retainer you have him on.”

  The silence after that remark drummed through his head. And then both he and Scarlett spoke at the same time.

  “Excuse me?’

  “Watch your fucking mouth.”

  He saw the stricken look on her face before she managed to recover herself. Rage pumped through him at how easily Saunders had managed to hurt her. It didn’t matter that what he said was a pile of shit. There was a grain of truth buried in there, and that was why he was so fucking mad.

  “I’m sorry.” Saunders made a great show of looking shocked. “Was it some kind of secret, Scarlett? As far as I’m aware, it’s common knowledge that you hired Jackson for your father’s wedding. And then, of course, for the ball.”

  Jackson watched the blood drain from Scarlett’s cheeks. But she didn’t tell Saunders to go fuck himself. Didn’t tell him he had no idea what he was talking about. She looked completely mortified, and the primal need to protect her from this vindictive asshole surged through him and he stepped in front of her.

  “You need to check your sources before you start throwing allegations like that around.”

  “My sources are solid.” Saunders sounded infuriatingly calm. Unlike Jackson, who sounded damn near rabid. “You on the other hand, should start worrying about the integrity of your business dealings. Your judgment would be compromised if matters went to court.”