by L. Wilder
With a surprised look on his face, he looked down at me and asked, “You wanna tell me why you’re down there instead of up here with me?”
“I just need a moment.”
“Okay? You wanna tell me why you need a moment?”
“No, not really.”
“You having regrets already?” He teased.
“Um … no. Not yet, but I’m afraid I might if you keep kissing me like that.”
Clearly amused by my quandary, he asked, “Is there something wrong with the way I kiss?”
“No. I love the way you kiss.” I looked up at him as I continued, “That’s the problem.”
“And why is that a problem?”
“I know it’s a little late for me to be telling you this now, but there’s a good chance I could suck at this. Unlike you, I haven’t had a lot of experience with sex.”
Using my own words against me, he teased me. “Sex? Who said anything about sex?”
“I’m just saying if we get to that point, and I really hope that we do, I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
“There’s no way in hell I would ever be disappointed, not when you kiss like that.” With his brows furrowed, he glanced down at the bulge between his legs and growled, “Hell, woman. Can’t you see what you do to me?”
It wasn’t until exactly that moment I noticed he was aroused, and my confidence returned with a warm rush after I realized I’d done that to him with just a kiss. I eased back up on the sofa, and as I settled in next to him, I wished I could go back in time and take back my momentary lapse of judgement. Wanting to pick right up where we’d left off, but knowing where it could lead, I needed him to take control of the situation, proving that he wanted this just as much as I did.
11
Murphy
She challenged me at every turn and made me rethink everything I believed in. I shouldn’t have been surprised. I knew from the start that she was trouble. I could feel it in my fucking bones. Everything about Riley Nichols, from her sharp wit to her innocent smile screamed red flags, cautioning me to steer clear, and yet, I found myself wanting to ignore all the warning signs. I couldn’t understand it. When I was with her, the walls I’d put up would disappear, like they never even existed, and instead of focusing on all the things that could go wrong, I wound up thinking of all the possibilities. That was Riley. She’d caught me in her spell and turned me inside out. I’d let myself get drawn in, and now that she’d pushed me into a corner, I had to decide what I was going to do about it. I could take a chance and see if she was right, or stick to my guns and walk away before things got even more complicated. The decision might’ve been easier if she didn’t look so damn beautiful sitting there and staring at me with those gorgeous dark eyes, waiting to see if I was going to kiss her again.
For weeks, I’d imagined what it would feel like to have her mouth on mine, and now that I’d actually had a taste of her, there was no way in hell I could resist having another. As I leaned towards her, I said, “I’m going to take a chance here, and I’m going to kiss you, Riley. I’m going to kiss you long and hard. I’m going to make you forget every doubt you ever had and show you exactly what you do to me, but before I do, I need to tell you … I’m going to want more than just a kiss. I’m going to want all of you … every fucking inch, and once I have you, there’ll be no walking away … no letting you go.”
“Okay.”
“You need to be sure about this.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she leaned in towards me and replied, “I am sure, Murphy.”
“There’s one more thing. Murphy is my road name. It’s something my brothers call me. My real name … the name I want you to call me whenever we’re alone together is Lincoln.”
“Lincoln,” she whispered.
Hearing her say my name did something to me. I needed to hear it again, so I demanded, “Say it again.”
Her eyes met mine as she repeated, “Lincoln.”
Unable to wait any longer, I slipped my arm around her waist and drew her closer as I lowered my mouth to hers. I couldn’t believe how good she felt in my arms, like her body was meant to be next to mine, and I cursed myself for the time I’d wasted trying to keep my distance from her. When she inched her way closer, I knew I was done. Even if it meant the end of me, I wouldn’t waste another second. I pulled her over my lap with her knees straddling me as I delved deeper, tasting her, teasing her, driving us both crazy with need. Her hands slowly drifted over my chest as she grazed her center against my throbbing erection. Knowing there was just a tiny piece of fabric between us was driving me to the edge, and hearing all of her little moans and whimpers wasn’t helping matters.
“Riley,” I rasped. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“Me either. I want you so much.”
“Maybe it’s best that we just stop … at least for now.”
Her eyebrows furrowed as she protested, “I don’t want to stop, Lincoln. I want this.”
At the sound of my name, I lowered my hands to her hips, carefully lifting her as I stood up from the sofa. I took a step forward, and her legs instinctively made their way around my waist. My breath caught when I felt her body pressed against mine. Damn. Need surged through me like a fucking wildfire. I feared if I didn’t extinguish the burn, it would completely consume me. As I started up the stairs, I had to fight the urge to stop and just take her right there on the fucking steps. When we finally made it up to my room, I carried her to the foot of the bed and slowly lowered her feet to the floor. With her standing before me, I brought my hand up to her face, and ran the pad of my thumb across her bottom lip as I said, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about this moment.”
“I’ve thought about it, too … many times, but I never dreamed it would feel like this.” She took a step back and said, “I didn’t know it was possible to want someone like I want you right now.”
With her eyes trained on mine, she pulled her little black dress over her head, revealing her black lace bra and panties. I’d never seen a more incredible sight. From head to toe, she was absolute perfection. I watched in awe as she reached her arms behind her, removing her lace bra. She stood there in nothing but her lace panties looking at me with needful eyes, waiting for me to make my move. I could hardly restrain myself with her looking so unbelievably beautiful. I was barely able to keep it together, and seeing that spark of eagerness only made it more difficult as I kicked off my boots and removed my shirt.
I dropped my hands to her waist and slowly lowered her sexy little body onto my bed. Impatient for more, her hands quickly dropped to her hips as she slowly lowered her panties, inch by inch, down her long legs. Her eyes never left mine as she kicked them off the bed. She lay there, her naked body sprawled across my bed as she waited for me to come to her. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
“Lincoln, please.”
I was done. I had to have her. I let my eyes drift down her body, and her delicious curves called me as I lowered myself down onto the bed next to her. I watched the goosebumps rise along her skin as I began to trace the slope of her breast with my fingertips. She was perfect, every damn inch of her. I’d waited so long to find her—someone who could make me feel again. My mouth moved to her neck, kissing and nipping gently at her soft skin before traveling to her collarbone and then her breast. I rolled my tongue around her nipple and watched with satisfaction as her back arched off the bed, silently pleading for more. I glided my tongue along her stomach ever so slowly, trailing kisses here and there as I settled myself between her thighs. “You’ve got no idea what you do to me, but baby … you’re about to find out.”
Without waiting for a response, I lowered myself between her legs. I needed to taste her, to see for myself just how turned on she really was. I slid my hands under her ass as I lowered my head between her legs and ran my tongue ever so slightly across her center, teasing her, tormenting her as she squirmed beneath me. Damn. Everything about her had me burn
ing for more. I never dreamed I could want anyone like I wanted her. She gasped and her back arched off the bed as I pressed the flat of my tongue against her clit. I loved seeing her come apart, knowing that I was in complete control as I watched her body respond to my touch. I wanted to make her come undone. I wanted to hear all of her little gasps and whimpers again and again as I pushed her to the edge of her release.
“L-Lincoln,” she stammered as her fingers dove into my hair, guiding me as her knees opened wider. With the sounds of her moans echoing through the room, I placed my hands on her thighs, holding her in place as I continued to lick and suck while easing my fingers deep inside her, searching for the spot that would drive her wild. When I found it, I covered her with my mouth, tormenting her until her body started to tremble beneath me. Her hands dropped to her sides as she clutched the sheets, tugging them tightly as her orgasm surged through her body like a bolt of lightning. As she gasped for air, I could hear her mumbling, “Oh, my God.”
She was still lost in the haze of her release when I stood up and removed my jeans and boxers. I quickly pulled on a condom, then lowered my body on top of her. Eager for more, her thighs spread as she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me close and grinding her hips against mine. I raked my throbbing erection against her, and as soon as I felt the warmth of her center, I whispered, “Do you feel that? That’s what you do to me, Riley.”
“Lincoln,” was the only word she could muster.
I knew right then that I would never get tired of hearing her say my name in that breathy, wanton tone like she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. She pressed her lips to mine in a possessive, demanding kiss as she used her legs to pull me forward, and I felt her tremble beneath me as I slid deep inside her, giving her every aching inch of my cock. Fuck. She was so tight, so warm and wet, engulfing me in splendor. After pausing for several breaths, I started to move, slowly rocking against her. I watched as she started to writhe beneath me, her neck and chest flushed red with desire, and her eyes clenched shut. For the moment, she was lost in all the sensations, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. The mere sight of her called to me, making me want to claim her, and as much as the thought rattled me, it didn’t stop me from wanting to make her mine. I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her deep and rough before I started to increase my pace. I thrust against her, hard and demanding, and her head fell back with a pleasured moan when I hit that spot that drove her wild. Her hips rolled into mine with the same fevered rhythm as my own. She wasn’t holding back. Instead, she met my every move, letting me know without words exactly what she wanted. Her nails dug into my lower back as she lifted her hips, trying to force me deeper, and when she started to tighten around me, there was no question that she was getting close. I could feel the pressure building, forcing a growl from my chest. Unable to resist, I began to drive deeper, harder, and her head reared back as she cried, “Yes! Lincoln! Don’t stop!”
“That’s it, beautiful.” I couldn’t wait to see her orgasm take hold once again, to hear those little sounds she made over and over. “Come for me.”
Her body grew rigid, and she started gasping for air as her thighs clamped down around my hips. I knew she was close to the edge, unable to stop the inevitable torment of her building orgasm. The muscles in her body grew taut and still as she held her breath for several long moments. Finally, her muscles began to quiver and a rush of air escaped from her lungs. With my impending release quickly approaching, I continued to drive into her with the sounds of my body pounding against hers echoing throughout the room. With one last deep-seated thrust, I buried my cock inside her as my orgasm finally took hold. After several deep breaths, I lowered myself down on her chest. I rested there for just a brief moment, then I rolled onto my back, slid off the condom and tossed it in the basket by my night table. When I pulled her over to me, she rested her head on my shoulder with the palm of her hand on my chest and a satisfied smile on her face. After a few moments of recovery, I was pleased to see that Riley was more than willing to have another go, and then another. In fact, we spent the entire night tangled up together, and would’ve continued on even longer if my burner cell hadn’t started ringing.
I reached down and grabbed my jeans from the floor then pulled my phone out of my back pocket. When I saw that it was Gus calling, I answered, “Hello?”
“Is Riley there with you?”
“She is. Why? Is something wrong?”
“Yeah. You could say that,” he huffed. “Her father just called looking for her.”
“He did? What made him think to call you?”
“Apparently, some guy has been calling her all night and all morning, and when she didn’t answer, he called her father to see if she’d made it home.”
“That’d be, Grady,” I grumbled, catching Riley’s attention.
“Yeah. That’s him,” Gus grumbled. “Seems he told her father that you came in the bar and carried Riley out on your shoulder against her will?”
“Wasn’t exactly against her will.”
“Um-hmm,” he scoffed. “Well, now he thinks you’ve kidnapped his daughter.”
“Damn.”
“You might wanna have her call him and let the guy know she’s all right before he does something stupid,” Gus suggested.
“I’ll have her call him right now and get it sorted.”
As soon as I hung up the phone, Riley turned to me and asked, “What was that about?”
“Your father …. You need to call him and let him know you’re okay.”
“Why? What makes him think I’m not okay?”
“Grady called him looking for you, and after he told him about last night, your dad called Gus looking for you.”
“Damn. Grady and his big mouth,” she complained. “You’re right. I better call him. Do you mind if I use your phone? Mine is downstairs.”
As soon as I handed it to her, she took it and started dialing her father’s number. She bit at her bottom lip as she waited for him to answer. When she heard his voice on the other end of the line, her back stiffened as she said, “Hey, Dad. It’s me.”
“Riley! What the hell is going on?”
“I’m fine, Dad. I’m with … “
Before she could finish her sentence, I heard him bark, “I know who you are with Riley! Grady told me all about you and that Murphy fella.”
“I am, and like I said earlier, I’m fine.”
“No, Riley. You’re not fine!” he roared. “That man is dangerous, and you damn well know it.”
“I don’t know that, and honestly, I don’t want to talk about it right now. I was just calling to let you know I was okay,” she snapped back in return.
“Listen to me, Riley. You need to get the hell out of there!”
“Goodbye, Dad. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
She hung up the phone and tried to act unfazed by the conversation with her father as she handed it back to me. Once I’d laid it down on the side table, she returned to her spot in the crook of my arm and rested her head on my chest. As I ran my fingers through her long dark hair, I whispered, “You okay?”
“I’m more than okay.”
“You sure about that?” I looked down at her as I said, “It didn’t sound like your father was very pleased about you being here with me.”
“No, he wasn’t, but I’ll talk to him when I get home.” There was no hiding the concern in her voice as she asked, “What about you? Are you okay?”
I kissed her on the shoulder and answered, “Honestly, I’m better than I’ve been in a long time.”
A beautiful, bright smile slowly crept over her face as she said, “I’m glad to hear you say that.” She turned to her side so she could face me when she asked, “I’ve been thinking about something.”
“Okay? What have you been thinking?”
“I was just wondering … if your name is Lincoln, why do your brothers call you Murphy?”
“I was wondering when you’d get around to as
king that.” I chuckled. “Have you ever heard of Murphy’s Law?”
Her brows furrowed as she asked, “Isn’t that the saying … if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong?”
“Yeah. That’s the one. My brothers picked up on the fact that I like to be prepared. I try to think of the things that can go wrong in any given situation, and I do my best to ensure that those bad things don’t happen. It’s one of the reasons why they made me their sergeant-at-arms.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a position in the club.” I didn’t want to go into great detail, so I told her, “It’s my job to make sure things go the way they’re supposed to.”
She smiled. “I bet that’s not always easy when you’re dealing with grown men.”
“No, it’s not, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.” I leaned down and kissed her on the temple before easing out of bed. I walked over to my dresser and grabbed her a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. I knew they would be too big for her, but at least they were clean. As I offered them to her, I asked, “You hungry?”
“I could go for a cup of coffee, but afterwards, I should probably get going.” She sat up on the bed and started to put on the clothes I’d given her. “I have a big test tomorrow, and I need to help clean out the stables or Hunter will never let me hear the end of it.”
“Okay”—I grabbed some clothes for myself and started to get dressed—“but, I’m gonna have to see you again soon.”
She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck as she replied, “And I’m going to have to see you, too.”
I leaned down and kissed her, long and hard, giving her something to remember before she left. As soon as she’d gathered her things, she followed me downstairs and I made us both some coffee. Before we left the house, I gave her my cell phone number, warning her not to contact Gus unless it was an emergency, then I took her back to her car. My chest tightened as I watched her get out of the truck and walk over to where she was parked. I waited as she unlocked the door and tossed her things in the backseat. Just as she was about to get inside, she stopped and turned back towards me. She looked at me for a moment, then rushed back over to the SUV. When I opened the door, she reached for me, kissing me tenderly before she asked, “Soon, right?”