by Callie Croix
"I've never danced like that,” she said, nodding toward the couples moving around the floor.
"What, two-stepping?"
She nodded. “Do you know how?"
He looked insulted. “Sugar, I was born and raised here.” He took a swig of his beer and regarded her with those sexy blue eyes.
"Would you teach me?"
Something flickered in his eyes for a moment, but it was gone too quickly for her to decide what it was. “If you want."
Oh, she wanted. Far more than was good for her. And he wanted her, too. But he didn't seem thrilled about the idea of dancing with her. She took another swallow of her whiskey. Hardly burned at all now. “It's all right if you don't want to. I'll just ask someone else to—"
Deke set down his beer and grabbed her hand, pulling her from her stool. “Come on, tenderfoot."
She felt almost dizzy as he led her out onto the floor. Then he turned to face her and slid an arm around her waist as he raised their joined hands and gave her a gorgeous smile. Her stomach did a flip-flop. She set her free hand on his hard shoulder, molding it to the muscled contour. Every cell in her body feasted on the sensory input of being held in his confident grip. Her heart sped up, and her nipples tightened. A warm glow started between her legs.
"Ready?” His voice carried over the music.
More than. She nodded and forced her muscles to relax as he led her slowly for the first few steps. He guided her with sure, firm directions from his hand and arm, the front of his thighs brushing against hers as he moved them to the music.
Staring up into his deep blue eyes, she lost sight of everything but him. The music seemed to dim, and the other couples faded into the background. The sexual power radiating from Deke made her mouth go dry. She knew exactly what kind of lover he'd be. Experienced. Dominant. Thorough. The knowledge was enough to make her moan aloud.
She'd never wanted a man this much. Did she have the guts to go after him?
The tantalizing thought took root in her brain while she held his gaze.
Her whole life she'd been independent and practical. Responsible. One night with a near stranger wouldn't undo all of that. She deserved some enjoyment, and she was positive Deke would give her that and more. All the other girls except Bridgette had hooked up with one of the guys already. What was so wrong about her doing the same?
"You keep eating me up with those eyes and I'll forget my manners."
She stilled for a moment, losing her footing, and would have stumbled if he hadn't caught her full length against his body. The unmistakable hard ridge of his erection pressed against her belly. Her sex swelled and dampened in response.
Holding her still as other couples swirled past them, Deke watched her intently. Then he bent his head until he was an inch away from her mouth and his warm breath brushed her lips. “Careful what you wish for, sugar. You might bite off more than you can chew."
She didn't care. She wanted to feel the explosive heat she sensed beneath that controlled exterior. Her lashes fluttered down as she lifted her face toward him. The brush of his lips over hers sent a bolt of heat into her belly, but then he pulled away. Confused, shaken, she stared up at him.
"Bad idea,” he muttered and spun around to tow her back toward the bar.
A wave of embarrassment washed over her as she followed, staring at his broad back. She tugged against his hand, but he didn't let go. He pulled her up to the bar and sat her on the stool she'd left. His eyes glittered with arousal and frustration.
She tried to slide off the stool to put some distance between them, but he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Let me go,” she snapped.
"We need to talk."
"No, we don't."
He raised her chin up with one finger and fixed her with a hard stare. “Yeah, we do.” Releasing her, he snatched up his beer and tipped his head back on a long swallow. When he looked at her again, she could see the battle raging in his eyes. “I like you, Jess, but this isn't going to work so you need to stay away from me."
More than the warning, the intensity of his deep blue gaze made the breath snag in her throat. She'd sensed this sharp edge to him, but couldn't figure out why it was there. “Why?"
He gave a humorless laugh. “Trust me, I'm not your type."
Her type? He sure as hell was. She tossed her hair back, unsure whether to be insulted or not. “What's my type?"
"Vanilla."
He thought she was a prude, she realized as she stared at him. “You don't know that, because you barely know me."
"I know enough."
She folded her arms across her chest, emboldened at the way his eyes fastened on her breasts beneath her halter-top. “Why should I stay away from you?"
In answer, he set down his beer and moved in close, caging her between him and the bar as he set his hands on either side of her. His gaze raked over her face, down to the cleavage exposed by her filmy blouse before coming back to her eyes and holding there. The naked lust raging in his eyes made her mouth go dry as he bent his head until his lips hovered inches from hers. “Because I like control."
Her nipples instantly tightened inside the lace cups of her bra, and her belly curled in the most delicious way. He'd just taken her hottest fantasy right out of her head and voiced it for her. She swallowed, the sudden rush of sexual hunger making her light-headed. “Oh..."
Oh, God...
Holy hell.
Deke stared into her wide eyes and couldn't look away. He could barely breathe.
He'd expected to see shock. He'd even expected annoyance.
Anything but the sudden flare of sexual need in her whiskey-colored eyes. The stark craving he saw there punched him square in the gut, so hard it made him dizzy.
Staring up at him with those amazing eyes, Jessica moistened her lips. He watched the glide of her pink tongue over her lips with predatory interest. She hadn't moved. Hadn't so much as leaned away to put some space between them after his blatant declaration. No, she was completely still, gazing up at him. As though waiting for him to do something.
Well, well. Wasn't that interesting.
He slid his gaze down to the lush curves of her breasts displayed so prettily for his view by her sexy blouse. Her hardened nipples poked through her thin bra, denting the material. His cock lengthened instantly. Suppressing a growl, he dragged his gaze back to hers and met her hungry stare. But there was vulnerability there along with the heat. She was way too inexperienced to realize what that combination did to someone like him.
Fuck. Sugar, don't look at me like that.
She swallowed again, the convulsive movement of her lovely throat broadcasting her anxiety. Yet, she still wasn't backing away. “In...bed?"
Fighting a predatory grin, he nodded. Damn she was a gorgeous little thing. The curious light in her eyes was killing him.
She searched his eyes, a hint of nervousness creeping into her expression. “What...what sort of control?"
The words were barely a whisper, but they slid over him like a lover's caress. He stepped in closer until his body brushed hers, breathing in her scent and letting her feel the bulge of his erection against her abdomen as he pressed her lower back against the bar. Trapping her. He dropped his voice to a murmur. “Total control."
In answer, her full lips parted slightly, and her eyes darkened, the pupils dilating until they practically swallowed the golden irises.
His body tightened with the need to pin her, dominate her right here and now. He wanted to. Christ, he'd love nothing more than to take her into the back room, tie her to the bed, and suck at her nipples and pussy until she begged for release. To make her feel more than she'd ever felt before.
Tamping down that primitive side of him, he focused on the lingering uncertainty he sensed in her. “Jessica."
She blinked, as if he'd hypnotized her and she was coming out of a trance. “What?"
"Do you understand what I'm telling you?"
"Y-yes."
>
He stayed absolutely still. “But you're not pushing me away.” The tantalizing knowledge kept his attention riveted on her face and made his body burn. He'd have given anything to know what was going on in her head.
She shook her head, her expression almost mesmerized, loose curls tumbling over her creamy shoulders. Her gaze dipped to his mouth in blatant invitation. The conflicted expression on her face made the beast inside him howl. She knew she should run, yet she wanted him anyway.
He lowered his head until only a breath of air separated their lips. The primal side of him roared to life at her quick inhalation, the tremor of anticipation that ran through her. He reached up to toy with a curl that had fallen over her forehead. “You like the thought of giving me that kind of control?"
She kept staring at him.
"Answer me."
A pretty blush rose up her neck and face, but she held his gaze. “Yes."
The brave whisper unlocked his corded muscles. Her stark honesty undid him.
As he watched, a tiny frown creased her forehead. “But..."
"But what?” He could barely get the words out.
Her eyes searched his. “You wouldn't...hurt me."
He imagined the thoughts running through that pretty head. No doubt she wondered whether he got off on tying his partners up and whipping them raw. He swallowed a laugh. “No. But I'll push your boundaries.” It was how he was wired.
Her sigh of relief tightened something inside him. The interest and growing need in her eyes sparked something far more primal and possessive.
Without warning, the dark hunger he'd held at bay swept over him in a powerful wave, making him light-headed with the need to take her. Testing her resolve, he closed his hands around her slender wrists and held them to the bar top as he bent to taste the skin beneath her right ear. Her swift intake of breath made his cock surge.
He kissed the fragile pulse point, savoring the frantic beat of her blood beneath his lips for a moment before nipping gently. She jerked in his hold and made a little sound of arousal when he soothed the tiny sting away with his tongue. A tremor rolled through her body, goose bumps breaking out across her smooth skin. Then slowly she let her head tip back a few inches, offering her throat.
The subconscious surrender in the movement made his heart pound. He hoped the hell she understood what she was signing up for, because he was more than ready to deliver.
He could feel the tension gripping her body as he held her there, trailing feather-light kisses across her jaw to the corner of his mouth. Keeping her hands in place to introduce her to the sensation of being restrained, he hovered a breath away from her tempting lips. And waited.
A moment later, she closed her eyes and turned her head to kiss him. A slow mingling of lips and tongue, as addictive as a drug. She softened, yielded. Her timid, yet sensual response went to his head like a fifth of whiskey. Before he could take things further, he pulled back. When she opened her eyes and gazed up at him in silent question, he released her wrists and stepped away. “Let's go,” he said in a rough voice.
She straightened slowly, watching him with equal parts arousal and indecision. Deke held out his hand and waited. Her gaze slid down to his palm, and he could feel her struggling with herself. She studied his hand, and he knew she was taking in its size, how much stronger it was than hers. What his control over her would mean during sex. If she put her hand in his, she was his for the night.
Meeting his eyes, she finally lifted her hand and settled it on his palm. Her skin was cool and soft, delicate compared to his. Something to be treasured. He closed his fingers around hers and squeezed, her need and unspoken trust in him easing something in his chest.
Oh, sugar. You're mine.
Without a word, he turned and guided her out of the bar.
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Chapter Five
Oh God, what had she done?
Jessie's heart slammed against her ribs as he led her to his truck, parked in the shadows at the back of the lot. She kept remembering that smoldering look in his eyes when he pinned her up against the bar. I like control.
The words and the erotic possibilities behind them made her shiver. She'd always fantasized about what it would be like to have a lover tie her up in bed, dominate her as he took her. The difference was Deke wouldn't simply pretend to be into that kind of play for her benefit. It was who he was. The knowledge made her hot enough to melt.
Deke glanced sideways at her. “Cold?"
"No.” Scared spitless of what he'd do to her. Of what she might let him do, of what he'd make her feel.
And that she'd love it so much she'd crave more.
His large hand tightened around hers, then he stroked a thumb over her knuckles. He unlocked her door without releasing her, but instead of opening it, he crowded close behind her and set his hands on her hips.
The heat coming off him settled over her back. He was so much bigger than her. Yet despite his size, his touch was as gentle as it was arousing. He bent his head until his breath brushed over the sensitive skin on her nape. She bit back a gasp when he feathered a kiss below her hairline, then more across to her bare shoulder. The unexpected tenderness mixed with the threat of the unknown, pushing her arousal higher. Reaching the juncture between neck and shoulder, he nipped lightly. She rose on her toes, hands gripping his to anchor herself as the world spun. The moist heat of his tongue on her skin made her knees wobble.
"Turn around.” His deep murmur sent a blast of heat pooling between her legs.
She faced him, straining to see his features in the darkness. There was just enough light for her to make out the sexual gleam in his eyes. He was her darkest fantasy come to life. All potent, hungry male, waiting to devour her.
Deke released her hips to slide his hands into her hair. Long fingers trailed along her scalp, flexing slightly as he cradled her head. Holding her firmly in place, he tilted her head back and kissed her. She moaned at the feel and taste of him, opening for his tongue. She revelled in the hard man and velvety soft lips faintly scented with the beer he'd never finished.
Her hands sought his shoulders and squeezed, her spinning senses delighting in the ridges of muscle she explored. All that power and hunger tightly controlled while he took the time to gently introduce her to this new experience.
He wedged in tighter until her breasts pushed against his chest. Pressing a hard thigh between her legs, his tongue entered her mouth in a slow, velvet thrust.
She whimpered into his mouth and clung to his broad shoulders, rubbing her breasts against him to relieve the ache in her suddenly hypersensitive nipples. In answer, he took her deeper and rested more of his weight against her, that thick thigh between her legs getting her wet and ready for him. Oh God, he knew how to kiss. Knew how to tease, to seduce with his tongue until she was ready to rip his clothes off and climb his body.
"You feel good, sugar,” he murmured against her mouth.
"You do, too.” She wanted more of him. Wanted to strip his shirt off and run her hands over all the muscles beneath the soft cotton. Her fingers grasped the open collar of his shirt, but he raised his head and stopped her with his hands. She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off with a searing kiss. When he pulled back, she could see the smile playing about the edges of his lips.
"Get in the truck, Jess."
The dark promise in the words made her mouth go dry, but she quickly opened the door and scrambled into the cab. He climbed behind the wheel and shut the door, enclosing them in silence. The subtle spice of leather and his cologne swirled around her as he put the keys in the ignition and looked at her.
After a second, he dropped his hand from the steering column. “C'mere."
Before she could move, he reached across the space separating them and wound a hand behind her nape, giving her a tug. Balancing one hand on the center console, she leaned toward him, the glow in his eyes making her wetter by the second. His lips claimed hers hungrily, yet wit
h a seductive languor that made her turn liquid. She opened for his caressing tongue and reached for his shoulders to steady herself.
The hand against her nape kneaded gently, soothing some of the tension away. The other cradled her cheek a moment before sliding into her hair. He tilted her head back and kissed her harder, deeper, until she squirmed against the leather seat. Long fingers swept from her hair to her bare shoulder, pausing to skim lightly along her collar bone. His palm hovered deliciously close to one aching breast, the heat making her nipple bead even tighter. Begging to be touched.
Closing her hands around his shoulders, she made a soft whimpering sound and arched closer, wordlessly asking for what she wanted. But he didn't give it to her. Just kissed her until she could hardly breathe. Growing impatient, Jessie took his wrist and tried to tug it downward. He didn't budge.
Lifting a breath away from her lips, Deke smiled and nuzzled her jawline. “Undo your blouse for me."
It took a moment for the words to register, and when his intent became clear, a blush stole up her cheeks. Watching her with a heated expression, he eased back and waited for her to comply.
Jessie swallowed, fingers creeping up to the halter tie at the back of her neck to slip it undone. Already hard, her nipples throbbed inside the cups of her bra. Meeting his gaze, she gathered her courage and slowly lowered the ties, exposing the tops of her breasts for his inspection. She held her breath while his deep blue gaze raked over her with frank male appreciation.
But for all the leashed hunger she sensed in him, he didn't move. “Now the bra."
It fastened at the back, so she had to arch her spine to reach the clasp. Her fingers shook slightly as she found the hooks and undid them, pausing for a moment to let the anticipation build before she released them and pulled the garment away from her flushed skin. She let it drop to the floor and licked her lips, berating herself. It was stupid to feel so exposed now. He'd warned her about what he wanted, and she'd asked for it anyway.
A muscle jumped in Deke's jaw as he stared at her naked breasts, his gaze so hot it singed her skin. She was half sprawled against the door almost panting with arousal, hardly able to believe she was half naked in the cab of a truck with a man she barely knew. And more turned on than she'd ever been in her entire life.