by Oliver, Tess
“I’m feeling anything but hot right now.” I peered up at him and he lowered his mouth to mine for a kiss. We floated up as a small wave rolled beneath us. “I’m definitely shivering less now that you’re holding me. And I’m definitely not thinking about all the ugly, toothy creatures lurking around out here in the dark water.”
“Same ugly, toothy creatures that lurk here in the day. They just seem less menacing in the sunlight.” He gazed down at my nearly naked body. “I have to say, I’m not thinking about the cold at all.” He lowered his mouth to the swells of my breasts and kissed each one. Then he slipped the strap off my shoulder, exposing my already taut nipple to the cool night air. His mouth warmed it instantly. I relaxed my head back, resting it against the surface of the water. I arched my back to press my breasts harder against his mouth. The stars smeared into a glittery blur as his tongue teased me.
Cold water splashed over me, startling me out of the sensual moment of bliss. Denver lifted his face and grinned down at me. “I’m thinking this whole seduction thing would go a lot smoother if we weren’t standing in the icy Pacific.”
“Couldn’t agree more. It was a noble idea, but all I can think about now is a hot shower. Or something equivalent, if you catch my meaning.”
“Oh, I catch it and I second it.”
Reluctantly, I pulled my legs from his arms and lowered my feet to the sandy bottom below. We waded back toward the shore. The ocean breeze blew against us as we hurried to our clothes. Wet, cold skin made getting dressed a chore. I pulled on my shirt as he worked at sliding on his jeans.
I snatched up my pants. “It’s too cold and I’m too wet. I’m making a run for the blanket.” Numb legs and muscles made for a slow-motion journey but I reached the blanket, gave it a shake and threw it around my shoulders.
Denver came up behind with his jeans still slung open and his shirt and shoes in hand. I opened the blanket up like a cape, and he stepped into it. I pressed my body against his. The skin on his chest was cold and smooth. “Just so you know, I don’t invite just anyone under my blanket.”
“Is that right?” He peered down at me through clumps of dark, wet lashes as he wrapped his arms around me. “I just figured you were trying to mooch some of my body heat.”
I folded myself into his arms and suddenly became very aware of the erection straining against his underwear. I reached forward and brushed my hand along the line of dark hair leading down into his jeans. He sucked in his hard stomach muscles at the feel of my cold fingers on his skin. I let my hand travel farther and rubbed my thumb against the tip of his cock as it pushed against the cotton fabric.
Denver pulled in a deep breath before grabbing hold of my arms. This time his kiss was more urgent with just the right amount of punishment as his mouth devoured mine.
“Let’s get out of here,” he muttered without lifting his mouth from mine.
We grabbed up our things and managed to make short work of the two block distance back to the house. Denver grabbed the keys from his pocket and fumbled with them for a second before managing to unlock the door. He ushered me inside.
I dropped my shoes, jeans and the blanket on the floor. I heard the door shut a little harder than necessary behind me and turned around just as Denver reached for me. He twirled me so that my back was against the door. I was sandwiched between the door and his hard body, a perfectly acceptable predicament with the way I was feeling.
One strong hand held me while the other braced against the door. “God, you’re something, Holliday,” he growled against my mouth as his hand slid up beneath my shirt, smoothing along my bare back. He paused the kiss just long enough to yank off my shirt.
I smoothed my palm over the hard muscles of his shoulders and chest. He had several strategically placed tattoos, just enough black ink to work with the rest of him, cool, calm and confident. “Earlier, I told myself, take it easy, Jami. This is the type of guy to savor, slow and easy and tantalizing. That’s what I told myself.” I reached for his jeans and pushed them down to his thighs.
My head dropped back against the door as he lowered his mouth to my breasts. His fingers hooked around the bra straps and he pulled them down as his tongue and mouth caressed me. “But I don’t have that kind of self-control,” I said on a whisper. “You’re like one big, delicious chocolate truffle. No savoring. Just pop the whole damn thing and enjoy.”
He stopped and smiled up at my analogy. “I like your way of thinking.”
I dropped my gaze down to the erection that was nearly bursting out of the briefs. “And I like the way you look in this underwear. I think I could be having the worst damn day in my life, and if you stepped into the room wearing just this pair of briefs, my whole day would turn around.”
“Should I keep them on?” he asked with a crooked smile.
“Hell no.” I reached down to his waistband and tugged them down. They dropped to his feet. “Oh shit, you’re perfect. Head to toe and the stuff in between.” I swallowed hard. Looking at him was like looking at art. “Now I feel completely self conscious.”
“Are you fucking kidding?” He picked me up in his arms and carried me to the couch. “I can’t get enough of you, of looking at you, of listening to you, of touching you.” He lowered me onto the couch and knelt down on the ground next to it. His gaze brushed over me in such a way that it felt as if he was dragging his fingertips over my skin. Then he lifted his hand and placed it on my belly, letting it linger there for a few seconds, almost as if he was waiting for me to say no.
Little chance of that. I parted my thighs in invitation, and he slid his fingers beneath my panties. He curled his fingers into the dark hair on my pussy. Then, with much more urgency, he removed his hand and pushed my panties down to my ankles. I kicked them off and stretched my arms above my head to give him full access to all of me. I wanted badly for him to touch me, to kiss me. He obliged.
He leaned up over me and kissed my naked skin as his hand slid between my legs. He hesitated and gazed up at my face.
“I want this, Denver, please.”
Warm moisture pooled in my pussy as his fingers slid down into the intimate folds and along the tight bud of my clit. The intense sensation made me writhe against his hand. He was strong and confident in everything he did, and most especially now.
His fingers pushed inside of me, all the while making sure the heel of his hand stayed pressed against my clit. He knew exactly what he was doing, and I was quickly losing control of my senses. The light in the room splintered into glittering sparks and even though his hand was tucked between my legs, every nerve in my body reacted to his touch.
I opened my eyes just long enough to see his handsome face, smooth and serious, his eyes deep blue with the glaze of arousal, as he brought me closer to climax. I squeezed my thighs tight around his hand and rocked against the movements of his fingers, deep inside of me, strumming me along like an instrument being coaxed to play. My body tensed and a warm flush flowed over me, sending a surge of concentrated heat between my thighs as my pussy clenched in pulsating waves around his hand.
My shortened breaths finally slowed, and I opened my eyes.
His gaze was slightly unfocused. “Damn, you are gorgeous when you come.” His voice was tight and strained.
I turned on my side. “Make love to me, Denver, while I’m still aching for you.” I ran a long finger down his chest.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to rush you.”
“Oh no, I’ve pushed that perfection concept too far. You’ve already proved yourself in every way.” I sat up and patted the couch next to me. He sat down and I straddled his lap. I put my hands on his face and tilted it up. “Unless you don’t want to.”
A short laugh left his mouth. “Don’t want to? I’m about to splinter completely fucking apart with wanting you.” I could feel his cock pressing against me, w
anting desperately to be brought to climax. “I just want you to be sure.”
“Uh, do you remember my earlier analogy about you being—”
“A truffle?”
I giggled and kissed his mouth. “That’s right. No time to savor. Time to enjoy.” I leaned my mouth close to his ear. “Do you have a condom?”
His chest heaved with deep, quick breaths. “Yes,” he uttered hoarsely.
I lowered my lips to his mouth and whispered. “Then put that sucker on, baby.”
I climbed off. He lunged toward the pants he’d left on the floor. He rolled on the condom and sat back down on the couch. Once again, I straddled him. He lifted his face to mine.
His eyes drifted shut as I slid down over his cock. He was big, and the thickness filled me, stretching me to capacity as I lowered myself down as far as I could go.
His hands clutched my hips as my mouth covered his. A deep groan rolled up from his chest as I rocked back and forth, sliding over him, gripping him with my pussy with each pass.
I straightened and braced my hands against the back of the couch. I took a deep breath as I gazed down at him. He was the type of man who made you come just thinking about his hands and mouth on you.
“I like it fast and hard. Please, Denver.”
“And you think I’m the perfect one? Fuck, Holliday, where the hell have you been all my life.” He cupped my ass with his hands and drove against me as I plunged down over him. I curled my fingers through his dark hair and held tightly onto him as he thrust inside of me, my pussy swallowing him with each movement.
His grip tightened, and I could feel his entire body tense in my grasp. “Fuck yeah, baby,” he grunted as he held me down over him.
His hold on me lightened and he moved his arms up and around my back. I softened against him, reveling in the strong, secure hold he had on me.
Denver kissed my shoulder. “I think I’ve had the completely wrong opinion of band geeks all this time.”
I lifted my face to look at him. “Why yes, I’m here to break that stereotypical nonsense, even though I wasn’t in school long enough to be one or hang with them.” I lifted my finger. “But make no mistake, I would have been proud to sit with the band geeks in the lunchroom.” I relaxed and rested my head on his shoulder.
His hand lovingly caressed my back. A low laugh rolled up from his chest. “That last damn slice of pizza,” he muttered.
I sat up with a start. “All right, the band geek reference was understandable, but did you just call me a slice of pizza?”
He laughed again. It was a sound I could grow used to. “No. But if you were a slice of pizza, you would be the best damn piece in the box. I was just thinking out loud. I used to live at Cole’s house. One night I left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen, buck naked, my first mistake. Although, at the time, it seemed like suitable attire for sneaking the last slice of pizza. Kensington and Sayler, the two women you saw at the street fair today, were sitting in the kitchen having a midnight snack of their own, including the now notorious slice of pizza.”
I covered my mouth to keep from laughing.
“Yep, buck naked with only the refrigerator for cover. Anyhow, if it hadn’t been for that pizza, I’d probably still be at Cole’s. I wouldn’t have found this beach house to rent, and I wouldn’t be living beneath the most amazing damn woman in the world.”
Chapter 11
Denver
Cole met us at the back gate. “So weird having you come through the gate like a damn visitor.” He flashed his charming King smile at Jami. “I’m Cole, by the way, since we’ve only met over a flight of stairs. Welcome to the play yard.” He waved his arm around. “Kensington and Sayler will be here later for some barbecue. I know they’re dying to talk to you.”
“Can’t wait,” Jami said as her gaze circled the property. “I’m completely getting the play yard reference.”
Rodeo was circling the small dirt track on his bike. Jami stopped to watch him. “Is that freestyle?”
“Not quite.” I pointed to the narrow metal kicker at the back of the property. “That’s where we practice the jumps.”
She stared at it with a cute look of confusion on her face. “So, you just shoot up in the air and then drop back down?”
“Something like that,” Cole answered for me.
We headed toward the circle of chairs near the jumps, and Jami sat down.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Cole asked.
She smiled up at him. “No, I’m good.”
Cole sat down on one side of her, and I sat on the other.
I glanced back at the track. A thin layer of dust was hovering over that half of the yard. “Is Rodeo going to jump or what?” I asked.
Cole shrugged. “Claims his head isn’t in it yet. That’s why he’s circling the dirt. He’s trying to find his inspiration. We need to get him back to work.” Cole smiled at Jami to keep her in the conversation. “Rodeo gets a lot of bottled up energy when he’s got nothing much to keep him occupied. And Sayler’s been working all week, so he’s extra bored. Sayler is a dance instructor.”
“How fun,” Jami said. “I love to dance. I’ve got two left feet, but I love to dance anyway.” She turned my direction. “Do you dance?”
“Only when forced,” I confessed.
“Don’t let him fool you,” Cole said. “Denver is as smooth on the dance floor as he is with everything else he does.”
I leaned over to look at Cole. “Oh that’s right, boss, you and I have danced together many times. How the hell do you know if I’m smooth?”
“Saw you getting all cool and country at Finley’s fundraiser.”
“Didn’t know you were keeping such a close eye on my dance moves.”
“What was the fundraiser for?” Jami asked.
Cole stretched his feet out and crossed them. “My sister, Finley, and her boyfriend Rett run a farm animal sanctuary out in the valley.”
“What a great way to spend time. I love animals but my constant traveling makes it really hard to keep a pet.”
I stood up. I’d worn my pants and jersey but still needed to get my bike and gear from the garage. “Cole is Nicky King’s son. Nicky sang country tunes at the fundraiser. Have to admit, it was pretty sweet dancing to a live Nicky King performance.”
Jami turned back to Cole. “The Nicky King? I love Black Thunder. A few years back, I was in London for a tour. Can’t remember exactly how it happened but a couple of us musicians ended up at this fantastic estate. We got to play with Nathan Riggs. When he plays guitar, it’s like the whole world stops turning to listen.”
Cole smiled. “Yeah, Uncle Nate is the best. That’s cool that you got to jam with him. You are incredibly talented too. We heard you out there on the beach. I’ve never seen anyone draw a crowd like that.”
“With the exception of your dad,” she laughed.
“True. But really, you’re amazing.”
“Thank you.”
Rodeo raced toward the kicker but stopped short of riding up it. He propped his bike up on the stand and yanked off his goggles and helmet.
I glanced over at Cole. “Looks like someone couldn’t find his inspiration out there on the track.”
Rodeo headed toward us in an angry stomp.
“What’s wrong?” Cole called.
Rodeo shook his head and scowled down at the ground. “Gravity is fucking with my head today. Don’t know why. Just is.”
“I would imagine that happens a lot,” Jami said. “Sometimes, before performing, I get hit with this paralyzing stage fright, and I’m sure I’ll hit every wrong note once I lift my bow. I find it happens mostly when I’m over thinking stuff.”
Rodeo pointed at her, not rudely but to show agreement. “That’s it. Over thinking. I
t just gets in my way sometimes.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “Now Einstein, here, thrives on the whole over thinking thing. But I’m not naturally inclined to be a thinker. I’m a doer. But if that tiny little thinking devil on my shoulder gets a hold of me, then I’m screwed.” Rodeo’s scowl had vanished and he grinned at me. “Am I right?”
I gave a half-hearted nod. “A healthy balance, bro. It takes a healthy balance of thinking and doing. Speaking of doing, I’m going to head over to the garage and get my gear.” I looked at Jami. “I’ll be right back.” She’d worn a pale blue, tight t-shirt and I’d grown instantly fond of it and everything else about her, for that matter. She was completely at ease talking to Cole and Rodeo, like I knew she would be. I’d never felt so instantly comfortable with anyone like I had with Jami.
Rodeo sat down next to her and shooed me along. “Go ahead. Jami and I are going to talk about you over thinking types while you’re gone.”
Cole hopped up from his chair. “I’ll make the trek back to the house with you. I’ve got to start the barbecue.”
We walked across the yard toward the house and garage. “So, boss, any word on when we’ll be back on the job?”
“You know how those city council people like to drag their asses on everything. We’ve decided to give everyone two week’s pay. The company will absorb the loss. I can’t have all the subcontractors and their guys going off to find different jobs. Otherwise, when we are allowed back on site, we’ll have such a skeleton crew, it’ll take that much longer to finish.”
We stopped at the natural fork in the yard where one path led to the patio and barbecue and the other led to the garage. Cole shot a glance back to where we’d just come from. “She’s really something, huh? Can’t believe she was jamming with Nate in London. Small world. Just watch that you don’t get hooked too fast. You know how you get?”
My jaw tensed. It was rare for Cole to say stuff that pissed me off. That was usually Rodeo’s job.