High Risk

by Vivian Arend

  His endearment made a shiver race up her spine. “I love how you say my name. Like I’m delicious, and you can’t get enough of me.”

  She put her hands to his zipper and finished the task of lowering it. The clicking of the teeth separating echoed loudly in the hushed room. Smoothing her hands over his hips, pushing the material down, she knelt, keeping in contact with his body at all times. It would have been a moment’s work to remove his socks along with the jeans, but she hesitated. Drew out the motion. Let him balance on one foot then the other with her shoulder as an anchor as she removed every stitch of clothing from him.

  She deliberately stayed on her knees as she tugged his briefs off, his erection snapping up between them as soon as she’d freed it from the confines of the fabric. The hard length rose from the dark curls at his groin, and she wanted to touch, to taste, but first, she waited.

  The heat from the airtight stove draped around her like a blanket, the soft rug cushioning her from the hardwood floorboards. She rested on her heels and stared at his naked magnificence.

  Waiting.

  Marcus hadn’t once looked away. Every time she’d lowered her gaze to concentrate on her task, she’d returned to his face and discovered him watching. Tenderness in his expression. Hunger.

  His call. His command. Tonight was his game, and she was eager to play it. All worries, concerns, dread had vanished to be replaced with nothing but rising passion and full concentration on this man.

  “Touch me.” The words rasped out, barely audible. “Touch me, everywhere. At your pleasure. How you want. No demands, no agenda.”

  His order wasn’t what she’d expected. She sat dumbfounded for a moment, recalibrating her brain.

  He smiled, that corner teasing upward. The familiar expression gave her something to cling to as she switched gears. He shifted slightly on his feet, muscles flexing as he moved, and Becki stared mesmerized.

  Well, now. Anything she wanted—his demand might not be expected, but wasn’t it exactly what she’d been wanting?

  She got to one knee, moving upright to rest her palms against the outside of his thighs. She explored, stroked. Brushed the wiry hair on his solid thighs and skimmed past his hips. Moved into position to plant a kiss on that band of muscle that wrapped along the sides of his torso—the Adonis line. A perfect place to press her lips and tease with her tongue. Small circles over his skin, breathing deeply to take in the scent of him—masculine, addictive.

  She moved around his cock. The neglect not intended to torment him, but because he’d said to touch him everywhere. If she gave in already to her desire to adore his cock, she’d stop without tending to everything else she wanted to enjoy. His chest beckoned, and she rose higher to stroke and smooth the firm skin, his dusting of hair tickling her palms.

  Becki gazed into his face, her hands cupping his cheeks briefly before threading her fingers through his hair. He smiled but didn’t speak.

  “I like this game,” she whispered.

  His eyes flashed, but he stayed in one spot, allowing her control. She strolled behind him, impatient for more muscles to caress, his firm butt cheeks to admire with her fingertips. She was surprised her thorough examination wasn’t driving him crazy as she worked him over, reading every inch like Braille.

  No agenda—that was what he’d said—but suddenly there was one.

  She wanted to give to him. Needed to share what she was feeling with him. It took a split second to peel off her panties and bra and toss them behind her. She stepped against his body, sighing as the warmth of his back connected with her torso. Her breasts pressed tight to him, she eased her fingers around his waist, stroking that wonderful band of muscle again, this time from behind.

  When she curled her finger over his erection it was the first time since she’d begun she felt a reaction. Only because they were so close together did she know that her touch caused him to take a deep shaky breath.

  She fisted him, pumping slowly, moving with caution. Cupping her hand over the head to find the moisture gathered there and spread it on her palm. His seed acted as a lubricant, but it wasn’t enough. She licked her fingers, saliva coating her in exchange for the burst of his taste that came as her tongue made contact with his seed.

  Then she returned to the task at hand. Slow, even pumps, a pause to run her fingers over his sac, fingertips rolling his balls delicately. When she grasped him the next time, he countered, pushing into her hand, increasing her tempo. Becki laid her cheek against his back and worked as directed until he quivered in her embrace, torso shuddering as he came, liquid spurting over her fingers as she caught what she could.

  She felt strangely satisfied. Without a climax, without a touch, but endorphins were floating through her veins all the same.

  Marcus knelt briefly and scooped up his shirt, using the fabric to wipe her hand dry. Then he turned.

  She wasn’t sure what her expression would reveal. Contentment? Hopefully not gloating, but she was far too satisfied by what she’d accomplished to be able to easily explain herself. Marcus pushed her hair back, his gaze darting over her face. Then he nodded. Once.

  As he breathed slowly, his gaze finally moved down to trace over her body. The fire was nearly out, the candles around the room flickering with their last gasps. Still, enough of the pale yellow light remained to highlight her nakedness.

  “My turn,” he declared. “My turn to touch you everywhere. With my fingers, my tongue. My cock. Until I’ve pushed you past the brink again and again.”

  Her body quivered in response. To his words? Or to the thought of what was about to happen?

  He offered his hand and she took it, surprised again when he brought her around the room and they extinguished the candles one at a time. When he escorted her through the bedroom door, the only light remaining was the pale flicker of red and gold through the glass of the stove.

  Darkness filled the space. She might have been blindfolded again for how little she could see. Marcus didn’t seem to have any troubles guiding her to the end of the bed and pushing her back until she sat.

  “Stay here,” he ordered.

  This room wasn’t as warm as the living area, the heat from the fire lingering in the outside room and leaving a chill in the air. A match snapped, the instant flash of light bouncing off the cabin wall where Marcus brought the stick to the candlewick. The faint scent of sulfur carried back to her as Becki waited, curling up on the soft quilt covering the mattress.

  Two candles—three. Once he had a light source on every wall, he turned back to face her and her heart skipped.

  So beautiful. His rugged masculinity showcased in the shadows dancing over him. He held a casual stance for a moment as he looked her over as well, giving her time to admire him.

  Time to ache for him to move and do as he’d promised in the other room.

  She wiggled to her knees and smoothed her hands up her body, cupping her breasts as she stared at him. His cock jerked, the semi-aroused length hardening again.

  “I never told you to touch yourself,” Marcus warned.

  “I’m being innovative and trying to anticipate.” She twirled the tiny rings and moaned happily. “Of course, if there’s something else you’d like me to do . . .”

  Marcus stalked to the bed, and suddenly she was on her back with him over her, pinned in place with his weight, his mouth ravishing hers. She lifted her arms around his neck and held on for the ride, loving the near frantic thrusts of his tongue, the way his breathing skipped as he hauled their mouths apart to plant kisses down the length of her throat.

  When he caught hold of her breast with his right hand, Becki sighed, widening her legs to allow his hips to fall to the mattress. He licked and sucked, playing with the ring, using his teeth just to the edge of pain. One side, the other, desperate hunger in his moves.

  That he was reduced to such passion for her—priceless. She could only wonder and take it in. The way he made every inch of her tingle, sharp bolts of pleasure from his m
outh connecting through her nipples to tug at her core. She was so wet between her legs, so wanting to have him touch her.

  Yet when he moved lower, she regretted he’d gone. “No . . .”

  Marcus laughed softly. “Stop complaining. Touch your breasts how you like it—I have something else to deal with right now.”

  Oh God. She’d thought she was wet before? Marcus pushed her thighs wider and covered her with his mouth. No slow approach. No more warning than shifting his position and he was driving her mad. Tongue connecting with her clit, driving into her deep as he rolled one thigh up and out to give himself more room to work.

  She’d been primed before. Aching from teasing him and his breast play. The first climax hit her suddenly—shocking. Hard. Made her shake and gasp for air. When he didn’t slow, she ignored her tingling breasts and drove her fingers into his hair.

  To hold him in place or drag him away as she grew more sensitive, she wasn’t sure.

  He was having none of it. He picked up her hips and pressed his mouth tighter, not stopping until the slow curl was building again. When his fingers pierced her body, she cried out.

  So good. So what she needed. Somehow she got her feet to the mattress to find purchase, and she pulsed her hips against him, demanding what he so willingly gave. Her core stretched around a third finger as he slowed, brushing the front of her passage just right, and sparks flew in front of her eyes as another climax tore her apart.

  His name was still on her lips when he rolled her, pulled her hips into the air, and drove his cock into her from behind.

  She’d never been so full. So possessed. He went deep, his torso bending over her as his cock pounded in. Pulsing over sensitive nerves, refusing to let her move. A layer of sweat formed between them, the loud slaps of his thighs slamming into hers carrying to her ears. Panting breaths filled the air—hers? His? Nothing but pleasure rolling through her body, all because of him.

  Then he stopped. Completely. She gasped, body trembling on the edge, as she wondered and wanted.

  He lifted off her, the cold air skating over the sweat clinging to her torso.

  “Everything,” Marcus growled. Dangerously soft. “Give me everything.”

  Becki took a shaky breath, wondering what else she had to give.

  He stroked his fingers along her hip, playing so softly with her skin. Such a contrast between this tenderness and the wild ride of a moment before. She was still trying to catch her breath when his finger slipped between her butt cheeks and skimmed over the tiny hole there.

  Oh God. That was what he’d meant. She wriggled, not trying to escape, but not sure what he required.

  He caressed again, rubbing for a second before moving away. His cock still filled her, the pulse of blood through her veins going to take her into an orgasm without him doing anything other than possess her.

  Liquid slicked over her opening and he worked it in slowly. As if waiting for her to tell him no, but she’d already said yes to everything. She wanted, needed. Instead of words, she gave him actions, lowering her head and shoulders to the mattress and pressing her hips higher against him. Begging for him to continue.

  “Becki . . .” He slicked her up, moving quicker, as if his control was nearly gone. She arched her back and squeezed her sex around his cock in time with his finger pressing into her ass. “Yes, God, yes. That’s it. I’m going to take you here as well. Make you know every single . . .”

  His words faded away, but the meaning seemed clear enough to her. He was in charge and she was going to take him. However he wanted.

  An edge quivered through her. Need now like the blade of a knife just waiting to happen dragged against her nerves. When he pressed the top of the lube to her ass and squeezed she shivered. The coldness in the room forgotten—her skin was on fire.

  He tossed the container aside. She expected he would pull free of her body, but instead he moved slowly. Dragging his cock back then thrusting in. All the nerves that had slowed to a nice even tingle flared to life as he stroked them, drove his cock over them again and again until she was ready to burst.

  That was when he finally switched. Withdrew, pressed his cock to her anus and pushed forward. Becki bit her lip against the pressure. The pain opening her as she stretched radiated out and mixed with the still-frantic pleasure in her sex. It wasn’t enough. None of it was enough anymore, and she leaned back into him to try to hurry him up.

  Marcus caught her by the hip and stopped them, the fat crown of his cock popping through her tight muscle. “My speed. My pace.”

  “Oh God, please. More. Give me your cock. Fuck me now.” She was sure she kept talking, but she no longer knew what she said, because gloriously, he listened to her and drove in all the way. The sensation rippled through her entire body. Oh it hurt, but it hurt like the most indescribable pleasure. He pulled back and it wasn’t just his cock in her, it was him inside her entire body. Making her squirm, making her need.

  He planted his hand in the middle of her shoulders, rose slightly, and thrust forward. Driving her into the mattress as his cock reamed her. Opening her ass, taking everything she was willing to give. It was as if he were taking complete possession, working his cock in and out of her body, her ass slowly giving up resistance. Nothing but pleasure now as he buried himself deep and held himself there.

  Torso curled over her, bodies connected so intimately. She wanted to sing out her delight, but damn if she could say a thing.

  He kissed between her shoulders before lifting off and pulling his hips back until his cock popped free. He stroked her opening, and her anal muscles fluttered against his fingertip. Marcus caressed her hip for a second before placing his cock in position again. He pushed in slowly, her hole stretching wide with the faintest resistance around his hard length.

  He did it again. And again, the sensation making her tremble as he waited just long enough for her to fully feel him enter her body each time. So intimate. Such complete abandon.

  Trust.

  When he leaned over to kiss her once more, she was ready for the next step. Ready for him to grab hold of her and turn up the speed. He thrust in and dragged out hard now, torsos locked together, her ass burning as he plunged in again and again.

  When he reached between her legs and touched her clit, she buried her face in the mattress and screamed. Ass clutching him as her orgasm broke her down and tore her into ribbons of pleasure. Inside her sex the muscles pulsed, her breasts tingled—her entire body being taken along for the ride.

  “Becki.” He buried himself as deep as possible a second before his cock jerked, a flood of warmth filling her as his seed rushed out.

  They collapsed together, his cock still a part of her, their legs tangled, both of them sweaty and panting for breath.

  She’d never felt so alive in her life.

  CHAPTER 31

  Her cheek rested on something cold and solid, flakes of dirt and grit under her palms where they were pressed to the ground. Becki pushed to a sitting position with the caution born of a thousand climbs—testing each hold before trusting her life on it.

  She’d expected the spruce forest, but it had vanished, leaving nothing but the grey of cloud and granite. The rock she sat on was bombproof. Flat, solid. The perfect place to take a nap.

  Right—as if.

  Taking to her feet used more energy than she wanted, every muscle at the point of quivering in agony. Legs, head, torso—all a mass of aches and pains. Cold as well, as if she’d been motionless for a long time. She staggered under the pack’s weight, pulled off her helmet, and rubbed her aching temples. Whatever had happened, she was still standing. Still breathing. It wasn’t the end of the world. She stretched one arm back and clipped her helmet in place, the move more instinctual than planned.

  Even her fingertips hurt. She shook out her hands gingerly, trying to get them to warm up, and she brushed her harness. Another habitual move kicked into gear and she reached forward, grabbing the figure-eight knot she found anchored tig
ht. She slid her fingers upward to gather her rope and coil it neatly. When her hand slipped off far too soon, a rush of adrenaline shot through her. Sickening bile rose as her mind registered what was wrong.

  The rope ended barely a hand’s grasp from her harness.

  She stared down at the cut rope, the ends of the twist already coming unraveled. The moisture on her face—she wasn’t sure if it was the rain that had chosen that moment to become full out, or if it was tears.

  What had she done?

  * * *

  Becki woke first, sadness sinking into her brain like a heavy blanket as her dream slipped from the distant place of the night to the here and now. Understanding brought so much sorrow. She rolled slowly, taking herself from under Marcus’s left arm, which lay draped over her stomach.

  Recovering the memory was strangely anticlimactic.

  Maybe she’d been ready for it. Maybe that was why her heart wasn’t pounding like crazy. While the truth hurt, and finally knowing changed everything, at least she could go on from here. Do what needed to be done.

  That was at least something to be grateful for.

  She stopped beside the bed, her vision caught by Marcus. The blankets in disarray around him, his naked chest exposed, his head tilted to the side with his right hand near his temple. His left arm, the one that had held her to him, lay across his chest, the shortened section of his forearm ending abruptly. Maybe it should have shocked her how seldom she noticed his missing hand.

  He wasn’t lacking, though. In any way. Strong and determined. Giving and powerful. Since the moment she’d met him so many years ago up to now, the only word she had for him was extraordinary.

  Now she was going to have to leave him, and the realization hurt far more than she’d expected. The pain she anticipated taking control after her memory returned finally arrived. Only it was because having to say good-bye to Banff would mean leaving Marcus again.

  The first time, after their fling, she’d missed him, but with the ease of youth she’d moved on.