High Risk

by Vivian Arend

  Marcus turned on another shower, catching Becki against him and tugging her under the spray.

  He rested her body against his chest, capturing one breast. Something hard brushed his palm and he glanced over her shoulder. “Sweet mother of God, you did pierce them. I thought I felt a ring.”

  “First summer break. I told you I was going to.”

  She had, and wondering if she’d ever done it had played a part in his memories during the time he’d been stuck in no-man’s-land. At least until he had decided that torturing himself that way wasn’t healthy.

  He fondled the ring in her nipple, tugging the tiny circle, and Becki dropped her head back and moaned her assent. He slid his hand down her body, over her belly to part her curls, and he swore again. “A clit bar? Jesus, Becki, I’m going to fucking explode.”

  He was one second away from coming all over the small of her back, his dick rubbing as she writhed under his touch.

  “More, Marcus. Harder.”

  He closed his eyes and fought the pressure in his body. One adjustment and instead of sliding his cock in the valley between her ass cheeks, he could be fucking her. But not until she came.

  He worked her, teased her, the steam from the shower billowing around them like some kind of sci-fi stage setting. Becki panted, little moans rising in volume as she spread her legs wide and thrust her sex against his hand. He slipped two fingers into her core and flicked the clit bar with his thumb, and she melted, body jerking as he supported her, all the weight of her torso held cradled.

  His arm still trapped Becki against his body as she drew herself to vertical.

  Marcus didn’t give her time to go anywhere. He squatted slightly, centered his dick against her heat, and thrust in from behind. Her welcoming gasp rang off the walls, but it was the tight clasp of her body that overwhelmed his senses.

  They stumbled a step to the side and Becki pressed both palms to the wall, thrusting her ass back toward him and offering herself. He stared at where they joined, mesmerized by his cock disappearing into her.

  “You going to stand there all day?” she teased, the words uneven and yet happy. He tore his gaze up to see her smiling over her shoulder at him. “Go on, fuck me hard.”

  Permission granted—there wasn’t much else he was capable of. Slowing down, certainly not. The only thing in control was his cock, balls as a backup, both demanding he drive into her warmth. His grip on her hip anchored him and allowed enough purchase so he could do as she’d demanded. One thrust after another, fucking, hard and dirty. Yet her sounds of pleasure continued, increasing his desire. He was so close, so close to the edge that one more move could shove him over. Bending over her, he thrust his right hand between her legs and found the clit bar.

  She screamed and shuddered. The tight squeeze around his shaft broke him, tore him apart, and his cock emptied, his brain fleeing into the wilderness.

  They stood locked together for the longest time, the heated water streaming over their skin. When his cock finally softened and slipped from her body, he pulled her upright and rotated her to rest against his chest.

  It might have been fucking, but it was also fucking good.

  He dragged his fingers through her hair, brushing the strands off her face and over her shoulders. He’d been right. One taste wasn’t enough. Their mad rush had done nothing but confirm he wanted her. Again and again.

  CHAPTER 16

  Sex in a shower room had definite benefits. Warmth flowed over her shoulders as Marcus adjusted their stance, their naked bodies still sealed together. Under her ear his heart rate slowly settled. Her breathing relaxed to something closer to normal.

  Becki stroked her fingers over his back as they relaxed silently, loving the feel of rock-solid muscles under the slick surface of his skin. She took her hands in circles—higher, lower. Cupping his ass briefly before repeating the move all over again.

  After a long dry spell, hard, fast, and dirty as all get-out had been a most spectacular sexual homecoming.

  “You keep touching me and we’ll be starting all over in three seconds flat,” Marcus warned.

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  His chuckle rumbled in his chest. “I’m taking you home, Becki. Feeding you. Then we can move to the next round.”

  Hmm, her earlier thought about how bossy he could be struck again. Not just domineering, but overlord-like. Parts of her loved having him order her around. Parts had no intention of giving up control so fast.

  Becki tilted her head back to take him in. She’d decided what she wanted—as per Erin’s excellent advice—so she’d taken. He enjoyed their time together as well, if that satisfied expression she was staring at meant anything, the interest in his gaze still keen.

  They hadn’t promised each other more than physical pleasure.

  She slipped away and stretched lazily, deliberately arching her back to display her breasts. Spread her legs wide and let loose a contented moan as a trickle of moisture escaped her core.

  A few porn style moves could be exactly what she needed to keep him off balance. “Well. I don’t know. What if I already had other plans for the day?”

  “You don’t, so let’s not play stupid games. You and I both respect the truth too much for that.” Marcus grabbed the soap from the wall dish and motioned in front of him. “Get back here so I can clean you up.”

  Definitely bossy. “I can wash myself.”

  “Becki.”

  She shivered as his tone tugged deep like a siren’s call. She lifted her gaze to his, and a pulse of desire struck her core, an echo of her recent orgasm. There was something about his expression. About the way he held his torso, all barely contained passion and tightly held control.

  Something inside warned her that following his commands would feel very, very good. Something inside was afraid of wanting that too much. She scrambled for a response other than the one her feet were only seconds from making for her. Of carrying her to his side and letting him . . .

  Anything.

  Hiding from urges that she didn’t want to accept. “The mannequins need to be cleaned, Marcus. There’s no use in us washing up twice.”

  He crossed his arms over his firm chest, and her mouth watered. Prime naked male, biceps glistening with water. A trail of dark hair led to where his semihard cock and heavy sac hung between muscular thighs. She was crazy to resist.

  “You start washing then. I’ll find us towels.” He dropped the soap back in the dish and rinsed his hand clean.

  His suddenly caving in to her request shouldn’t have left her so befuddled. His ass muscles taunted her as he walked away, each flex showing off the taut curves and making her fingers twitch with the memory of caressing said ass only moments earlier.

  She grabbed the first of the girls and scrubbed with more vigor than needed. Punishment for having denied herself another piece of the fine man she’d chased away.

  He returned a little later, dry towels tucked under his left arm, the two final mannequins under his right. Seemingly completely unconcerned that he was pulling a full frontal as she dragged away the mud-coated props.

  She didn’t stare, but oh, she wanted to. Wanted to ask for a chance to change her mind and have him soap her from head to toe. Because then? Then she could do the same for him. Touch him and drive him mad.

  “Once they’re clean we’ll leave them stacked in the corner. I’ll let David know and he can figure out which storage room he’d like them in,” Marcus offered.

  Becki blinked, pulling her thoughts into order. Switching from doing wicked things to Marcus to the ordinary and mundane.

  Your own damn fault, that dry internal voice taunted.

  “Sure. Sounds great.”

  What did she want to follow their frantic sex? She’d decided to take, true, but she hadn’t been so stupid as to think once would be enough, right?

  Suddenly the situation wasn’t nearly as difficult as she’d been making it. She’d do what she needed to do, an
d have a good time as well. And in the middle of carrying on, maybe either the missing portion of her life would show up or she’d learn to do without it.

  “I need some time to plan next week’s training. I would love to bring supper over, though. If you’re interested.”

  Marcus laughed, grabbing a mannequin and putting it into position as he’d suggested. “I already said I was. Yes, I want you to come to my house, and I won’t argue whether it’s now or three hours from now as long as it’s today. If you want to bring food, fine.”

  He was being far too agreeable. The expression on his face as Becki glanced up was nowhere near as relaxed as his tone seemed to imply. He refused to let her go, holding her with his sharp gaze. Heat and desire flooded her system as he spoke.

  “Make no mistakes, Becki, I want you in my bed. But it’s not just about giving pleasure, getting to enjoy more sex. I like you. We could be good for each other.”

  A rush of emotion swooped in. Sexual tension danced through her, strangely muted. Delight struck at his final few statements.

  He likes me.

  She laughed out loud, the setting so impossible. They had continued to work as they spoke, the showers a steady drip in the background, steam filling the corners. They were still stark naked and he was being wonderfully honest.

  “I’d rag you about showing your girly and emotional side, but you said sex a few too many times.”

  He shrugged. “I’ll say it again a few more if it makes you haul ass faster.”

  “What about training?” She was teasing now, and they both knew it. They knew where this was going to end up. His bed, as he’d pointed out.

  If they made it that far.

  Marcus swung past her as she held another mannequin under the shower for a final rinse. His hand smacked on her ass, and she gasped at the sting.

  “Training can wait until tomorrow. The team’s off all day. We can do anything we want in terms of climbing then.”

  Streaks of heat radiated from her butt cheek. “Between sessions of sex?” she asked.

  “You’re saying sex a lot,” he noted. “Which is not a complaint, mind you.”

  “I’ve kind of missed it, to be honest.”

  “Honest is best.” Marcus tilted his head toward an empty shower. “Go on, get cleaned up. I’ll finish dealing with the girls.”

  He didn’t want to wash her anymore?

  Becki stepped back and let her gaze trickle over him. It seemed as if he ignored her, working to clear away the rest of the mud, but his cock told a different story. The long hard length was back to full force, bobbing as he walked. Jutting upward from the dark curls at his groin to as good as shout that he wanted her again.

  She pivoted under a steady stream of water and lathered up. Asking why he’d changed his mind was stupid when she’d been the one to tell him to stop in the first place.

  Going forward, she was going to be careful what she asked for, because at times like this?

  Getting her way sucked.

  * * *

  Marcus took his time mopping the last of the mud from the floor. Becki dried off, dressed, and was out of the gym with a teasing smile before he lost control and dragged her under him again.

  She wasn’t twenty-three, both of them looking for nothing more than three days of all-out sex. They were going to work together as well as fuck, and he had to make sure he didn’t push too damn hard.

  Even though he’d wanted to. He’d wanted nothing more than to get her to stop running and trot herself over to his feet. He would have washed every inch of her delectable body before tasting her.

  Memories of their past time together meshed with what he planned to do with her in the coming days, and damn if he didn’t need to jerk off before he could dress and head home.

  Staying in control was his norm. This time it looked as if he’d have to stay in control of his urge to master her. It wasn’t what he wanted. Not in the long run, but for now? She’d lost her lover, lost her memory. He would not be the jackass David had called him, and he would let the woman call a few of the shots. No matter how much it burned his ass.

  At home he tidied up. Stared at the clouds that had turned the sky grey and threatened to dump more moisture on the town.

  Pulled clean sheets onto the bed.

  When the phone rang he’d just popped the cap off a bottle of beer, dropping into the leather recliner and flipping up the footrest. “What?”

  David’s sharp laugh made him smile. “Butt face.”

  “Yeah? What do you want?”

  “Heads up—the paper is sending someone around on Tuesday to talk to the team in prep for next Saturday’s event.”

  Great. Some of his favourite people were bloodsucking news reporters. “Can’t they call instead?”

  “Just passing on the message. You don’t have to be there. Alisha already said she’s willing to talk.”

  “Which means Devon will be there as well.” Becki was right. The competitions between those two grew borderline disruptive, but at least at times like this, it meant they were predictable. “I’ll deal with it. Thanks for the shout.”

  “No problem. You want to get together tonight and watch a movie or something?”

  Oh, no. “Already have plans.”

  What were the chances that simple announcement would be enough, and David would drop the topic?

  “Bullshit. You never have plans. You feeling okay after the incident earlier this week?”

  “I’m fine. Just . . .” Yeah, his chances were obviously slim to none of keeping his and Becki’s involvement under wraps from his brother for longer than twelve hours. “I invited Becki over for dinner.”

  “Hey, that’s an awesome idea. I’ll pick up dessert. What time is she getting there?”

  This was not happening. “It is awesome. But nowhere in there did I mention your name.”

  “I hadn’t even thought of it, but it’s a great idea. I know you met her for drinks with the team, but I haven’t had a chance to—”

  “David, you’re not invited. Period. Got it? You show up, and I’ll throw you out on your fucking ass.” Silence echoed for a moment before he heard his brother’s laughter. Oh jeez. “You’re such a shit.”

  David chuckled around his words. “Yeah, and you deserve a few pokes every now and then for the asshole you can so wonderfully turn into when I least expect it. Fine. I will not show up at your place with ice cream cake and shooters. You need anything else?”

  There was one thing to be thankful for. “You’re not going to lecture me and ask what the hell I’m doing with an employee of yours?”

  “Why? You don’t work for me. You’re both adults. Besides, I’m pretty damn sure she can kick your ass all on her own if you get out of line.”

  Marcus sat up, the footrest closing with a snap as the recliner shot to vertical. “You don’t need to sound so absolutely thrilled about that option.”

  “You shouldn’t assume it’s not a distinct possibility. She’s not going to take any guff. Not from you, not from anyone. But at the same time . . .” David trailed off.

  Marcus checked his watch “She’ll be here in a minute. You got anything else to say?”

  “Just that while I think you’re adults and all that, don’t go too fast, okay?”

  “Relationship advice from my younger brother who is, oh that’s right, currently not seeing anyone. Like I should listen to you about how to treat a woman?”

  “I think you know how to treat her. I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about you.”

  Twisted. And confusing. “You’re not making this easy, bro.”

  David sighed. “You’ve been through a lot. The other day when I said I wanted my brother back? I meant it. I don’t want to see you crash any harder.”

  His brother was concerned about him, not Becki? “I’ll be fine.”

  The doorbell chimed and Marcus ditched David, happy to have avoided any further emotional bonding. He was still grinning when he opened the do
or to let Becki in.

  She wore a dress. Her long legs showed all the way to midthigh, where the pale blue fabric stopped. Firm calves, lean but powerful quads. She had heels on—low heels, but heels nonetheless—and his jaw must have dropped a notch.

  She wriggled a little as she stood there, holding her coat over her arms. “Umm, is something wrong?”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  Becki tilted back her head and laughed, the sound bursting out and making him realize he’d been staring instead of moving out of the way.

  She held up her coat. “If you grab this, I’ll get the food. I didn’t want to try to balance it all at one time.”

  “I can get it—”

  “No worries. You hold the door.”

  Marcus stared mesmerized as her hips swayed when she walked away from him, the bottom edge of the short skirt flaring around her thighs and flashing him glimpses of the skin beneath. When she opened the car door and bent over to grab something, the material rode even higher. Miles of smooth soft skin that was on his menu plan, no matter what she had in the box she pulled from the backseat.

  He intended to taste each and every inch of her before the night was out.

  Marcus stepped clear as she moved through the door, the scent of something meaty and rich wafting past his nose. Becki placed the box on the table and turned toward him.

  “You have anything else in the car you need?” he asked.

  She hesitated for a moment. “There’s a bag I can get later.”

  She had brought things intending to stay the night. Marcus copied her nonchalance instead of grinning like a maniac. “I’ll grab it now so you don’t have to worry about it. You spread out dinner.”

  Becki tossed him her keys, and he slipped into the cool evening air with a whole lot of amazing thoughts warming him. As incredible as the sex earlier that day had been, having Becki James in his home and knowing she wanted to be with him for more than a mad screw changed something.

  Made him eager to see what new lessons they could discover together.

  CHAPTER 17