by Cathryn Fox
She mumbled something in her sleep and rolled onto her side. He fought down the urge to crawl in next to her. Just to hold her in his arms. But he didn’t want to wake her up. She needed to sleep. Especially for what he had planned for them tonight.
Last night, he’d shown her another side of him. Shown her there was more to him than just a sex-crazed playboy. That he could be around her without ravishing her gorgeous body. And at the restaurant he’d shown her how good they could be together outside the lab.
Tonight, however…tonight was a different story. He wanted to show her how good they could be between the sheets. His sheets. It was time to finish what they’d started. He wanted to take his time and make slow, passionate love to her, until she gave herself over to him.
Suddenly it dawned on him that they were to test the stability of the libido suppressant.
He frowned. Damn.
That was really going to put a crimp in his plans.
Chapter 10
Laura’s exhausted body fought against the sound of chirping birds intruding on her well-deserved slumber. Her eyes fluttered open, and then slid shut against the bright sunshine seeping through the paneled curtains. She shifted and snuggled into the warm sheets.
Her tender muscles ached, bringing back memories of every erotic activity she’d engaged in with Jay.
The birds continued chirping, pulling her awake. She stretched, feeling more refreshed than she had in ages. She opened her eyes and glanced at the bedside clock. Her lids sprang open. Ten-thirty! She’d set it for five. What the heck had happened? She jolted upright and scanned the room, searching for Jay. Had he already gone into the lab? A sinking feeling settled low in her stomach. She needed to get hold of Erin.
She climbed from the bed. The hardwood floors felt cool beneath her bare toes. She spotted a pair of slippers near Jay’s nightstand, slipped into them, and pulled on his robe.
Finger-combing her hair, she padded down the hallway. “Jay? Are you here?” She made her way into the kitchen and found a note sitting on the dinette table.
She read his familiar handwriting. He’d left the coffeepot on and fresh fruit and muffins in the fridge. Her usual breakfast.
She ran her fingertips over the words as warmth washed over her. It amazed her how observant he was, how he knew so much about her likes and dislikes.
The phone rang. She followed the sound until she found it.
“Hello.” She pressed the receiver to her ear and began rifling through his cupboards in search of a coffee mug. She really needed to caffeinate before she faced this day.
“Hey, Laura. I didn’t wake you, did I?” The sound of Jay’s voice awakened every nerve in her body.
“No. I was just about to pour a cup of coffee.”
“I’m on my way home and I wanted to see if you needed anything.”
Her heart did a little pitter-patter in her chest. It was the way he said it. Home. It filled her with longing. She took a moment to imagine what it would be like to share a warm, welcoming home with him. To share an intimate evening after a long day at the lab. To fall into bed every night and make sweet, passionate love. She fought down the tug of emotions that swept through her.
Her throat felt tight. “I need to speak to Erin.”
“I’m not at the lab. I’m in the car a block from home.”
Laura nibbled on her lower lip. “Did you take the suppressant?”
He hesitated before answering. “Yes.” His voice sounded strange.
“Did Erin administer it?” She held her breath.
“Yes.”
Oh God!
She tried to keep her voice steady. “How, uh…how do you feel?” He ignored her question and asked one of his own.
“What are you wearing, Laura?” The arousal edging his voice invaded her body with panic. With excitement.
Ohmigod, Erin must have switched the vials!
Her heart rose in her throat and she felt color bloom high on her cheeks. She had to tell him her suspicions. Didn’t she?
“I just pulled into my parking spot. I’m coming up.” He sounded so feral, so on edge.
Laura hung up the phone and ran to the bathroom to freshen up. His scent lingered in the room from his earlier shower. The aroma stirred her senses. Pleasure shifted inside her and her whole body began to moisten with indecent thoughts.
Thoughts like what it would be like to disregard the fact that he’d been given an enhancer. To give in to her desires and make love to him. To have his naked body move over hers and to run her nails over his back while he pushed his length and thickness deep inside her.
Lost in her mind’s wanderings, she didn’t hear his footsteps approaching. Didn’t know how long he’d been standing there watching her.
“Hey.”
She spun around, met his direct gaze, and drew in a quick, sharp breath. “Hey, yourself.”
She recognized that look in his eyes. It was dark, wolfish, and wild, the look of an untamed animal stalking its prey. It was the same look he’d given her just before he’d made love to her with his fingers and his mouth.
She swallowed. Hard. “Are you okay?” Her pulse began to drum and her legs went rubbery beneath her.
He edged closer, until she could feel the warmth of his body. “Not really.” His voice was like a rough whisper.
She frowned in concentration. “What is it?”
He grabbed her by the waist and drew her to him. He pushed his hips into her.
She felt his erection. Her heart did a somersault. It secretly thrilled her. Keeping the pleasure from her expression, she took a small distancing step backward and plastered on an air of professionalism.
“I see.” God, she wanted him so much it hurt. But it was wrong, wasn’t it? To make love with him knowing what Erin had done? Knowing that he wouldn’t make love to her under normal circumstances. Her botched seduction while in the tub last night proved that.
“I guess the potion didn’t work after all. Perhaps we should head back to the lab and run some tests,” she suggested.
Conflicting emotions passed before his eyes when she stepped away from his embrace. He grabbed her elbow and hauled her back. As her body collided with his, every nerve ending came alive.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. She shuddered as her tongue darted out to moisten her dry lips.
“Everything’s working, Laura. Everything is as it should be.” The roughness in his voice gave way to softness.
What did he mean by that?
“Let me make love to you, babe.” The need and untamed passion in his eyes ignited her blood.
Oh God, she had to tell him. It was the right and logical thing to do. He brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheek and looked at her with pure desire. Hot flames licked a path up her legs.
She opened her mouth, but no words formed. A hunger she couldn’t seem to assuage moved through her when his fingers wandered lower and lower until they hovered only inches from her swollen nipples.
Suddenly she knew she was too far gone to deny herself the pleasure of his kisses, his touch. They might have no future together, but they had this moment. And for now, that would have to be enough.
What she was about to do wasn’t smart—hell, it wasn’t even moral—but she couldn’t stop herself. After today she would never have another chance with him. She reached out and combed her fingers through his hair, guiding his mouth to hers.
Opening herself to him, heart and soul, she slipped out of his robe and let it fall to the floor. She whispered into his mouth, “Make love to me, Jay.”
With her mouth poised open, Laura pressed her hot body against his and trailed her nails over his back. The cords in his muscles vibrated with each sensuous stroke.
He lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. The second his lips closed over hers, he had to remind himself how to breathe. He felt her body soften beneath his and thought he’d go crazy with desire.
Moments ago, when he’d come around that corne
r and had seen her standing there, looking sexy and beautiful in his robe and slippers, he felt as though he’d been sucker-punched. A fierce longing overtook him. She was an erotic combination of innocence and seduction. It was a combination that made him ache with the need to make love to her.
His erection throbbed against her stomach. His muscles trembled with need. He’d waited too long for this. There was no taming the lust in him. His control snapped as the primal beast in him took over. He needed to take her right now. Hard and fast. It was frightening how much he craved the feel of her.
Their lips separated and he inched back. As his eyes fixed on her mouth, his hands stole up her T-shirt. He nearly passed out when his fingers tangled through her damp curls.
“Christ, Laura, you’re not wearing panties.” She was wet. So very, very wet. He blew out a shaky breath and stroked her swollen clitoris, making it tighten in pleasure.
“They were stolen,” she whispered.
He pushed a finger inside her. Her body responded and quaked at his touch. Her actions were so telling. She wanted this as much as he did. He groaned deep in his throat as hunger prowled through him.
“Oh thank God,” he murmured.
Her eyes were deep, glossy. She ground her hips into his hand. “Jay, you’re completely overdressed,” she said, tearing at his shirt with impatient hands. “I need to touch you.” Her voice was edgy, desperate.
He stepped back and tore his clothes off until he stood before her, naked and needy. She eyed his engorged cock and sucked in a breath. Licking her lips, she crooked her finger, motioning for him to come closer.
Moving swiftly, he reached under his bathroom cabinet, grabbed a condom, and quickly sheathed himself. He edged forward and closed the small gap between them. None too gently he pulled her shirt up to her waist, snaked his hands around her back until he gripped her backside, and lifted her onto his hips.
She gasped in surprise and gyrated against him. He felt her dewy folds slide open and cradle the tip of his erection.
His muscles tensed and he went suddenly light-headed as his cock absorbed the heat radiating from her sweet spot. “Wrap your legs around me,” he growled.
After she obliged, he took two small steps and pressed her back against the bathroom wall.
The scent of her arousal reached his nostrils and he went mad with the need to ravish her. Within seconds, his mouth was all over hers, warm, wet, and hungry. He touched her, everywhere, yet he couldn’t seem to get enough of her.
He buried his face in her neck and murmured, “Laura I can’t slow down.”
“I don’t want you to.” Her raw, frenzied voice filled him with a rush of emotions.
He swallowed and struggled to speak. “I wanted the first time we made love to be slow and passionate. You deserve that.”
Her breathing grew fast and shallow. “Make love to me later, Jay. Right now I just want you to fuck me.” Her shirt pooled around her hips as she tightened her legs around his back. She rocked against him until his cock breached her tight opening.
Groaning, he cupped her breasts and caressed her puckered nipples through the thin material of her shirt.
Heat raged through him. “Are you sure?” Need made his voice husky. “I wanted to pleasure you first and make sure you came.” His own breathing was labored.
Color bloomed high on her cheeks. “I will come. Now, please, Jay. Fuck me.” Her voice was a pleading whisper. She clenched her teeth and rocked harder. He felt the tight walls of her channel open for him.
With little finesse and much voracity, he ripped her shirt off and thrust his hips forward. He drove his cock all the way into her. She began panting as he stretched her wide open. Without giving her time to get used to the fullness, he pumped in and out of her hot, slick entrance.
She arched her back and pushed her breasts against his face. He drew one pebbled nub into his mouth and sucked until his cheeks hollowed. Paying tribute to her other breast, he covered it with his palm and pinched her dark nipple. She cried and writhed and clawed at his back.
“More…harder…please…” Frantic, she threw her head back and cried his name. “Jay…”
He drove into her so hard his balls slapped against her ass. The look in her eyes and the flush on her cheeks told him she was close.
She squeezed her lids shut.
His heart pounded in his chest. “No, baby, let me watch you come. You’re so beautiful. God, I love you so much.”
Her lashes fluttered open and met his gaze. Her mouth parted, but she made no sound.
A cocoon of warmth wrapped around him as he felt her sex muscles quiver. He moaned with pleasure when she reached down to stroke her own clitoris. Her hands worked feverishly between her legs. Remaining deep inside her, he rotated his hips in a circular motion, coaxing an orgasm from her. Her body tightened and a rush of liquid heat seared his cock as she came apart in his arms.
“That’s my girl.” Excited by her pleasure, he felt his cock begin to pulse with pent-up tension.
She buried her face in his neck. He felt her hot ragged breath on his moist naked flesh. He drove into her once again as he approached his own release. Savoring the sensations rippling through him, he impaled her again and again. Her arms coiled around his neck, pulling him closer and closer. Her full breasts crushed against his chest. With one final thrust, he felt himself let go.
He shouted and stilled his movements as he lost control of his own orgasm. She squeezed her sex around him, milking every last drop of his heated juice. His climax ripped through him with such power and intensity it left him shaking right down to his toes. He exhaled a low groan of satisfaction.
He remained inside her for a very long time. Neither one speaking, both concentrating on regulating their breathing.
Finally Laura broke the silence.
“Jay?”
“Mmmm…”
“My legs are numb.”
He stepped back from the wall and eased her from his hips. His semi-flaccid cock slipped from her vagina. “Sorry about that.” Her feet touched the floor and he noticed her wobble. He slipped his hands around her waist to steady her.
She gave him a feeble smile. “I think I need to sit down before I fall.”
He gathered her in his arms and carried her naked body into the living room. Gently, he sat her on the couch. He took a seat beside her and cupped her face in his hands.
“Laura, I have a confession.”
She nibbled on her lip. “I do, too.”
“Okay, you go first.”
Chapter 11
God, she had to tell him. Had to tell what Erin had done. He was going to hate her for doing something so devious, for letting him believe the project failed, but she couldn’t live with herself otherwise. He needed to know there was nothing wrong with the libido suppressant. She didn’t want him to think his career was in jeopardy.
She laced her fingers together and stared at her lap, trying to figure out a way to soften the harsh truth. Suddenly she felt so drained, emotionally and physically. Keeping her voice low, she said, “The potion didn’t fail.”
His brows knitted together. “No?”
She drew a breath and blurted out, “You took the enhancer again.”
She stole a peek at him, gauging his reaction, waiting for his mood to blacken. Was that amusement in his eyes? Why on earth would he be amused?
“Erin switched the vials,” she said, expecting her words to wipe the grin off his face.
“She did? Why would she do that?” He put his hand on her leg. It was warm and smooth on her flesh. An involuntary shiver skipped down her spine.
She rushed on. “Because I told her I wanted to finish what we started and she suggested I switch the vials again, but I would never do that to you. I may have considered it, a time, or two, or a million, but would never go through with it. So you see, she must have done it anyway or you wouldn’t have been so aroused.” She was rambling, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
&nbs
p; His chin came up a notch. “You wanted to finish what we started?” His reaction confused her. She’d thought he’d take offense at her testimony.
Her words spilled out. “Yes. So you see, you wouldn’t have slept with me if Erin hadn’t switched the vials.”
“Is that so?” He withdrew his hand from her leg, stretched his arms over his shoulders, and sank farther into the sofa. Her skin felt suddenly chilled at the loss of his touch. Becoming conscious of her nakedness, she folded her arms over her chest and crossed her legs.
“Why would you think that, Laura?”
“Because I’m a nerdy scientist and not a carrot stick, like your usual cuisine.”
She listened as his breathing seemed to change. Tensing, she glanced sideways at him. Her gaze dropped to his exposed groin. She could have sworn his penis just twitched.
“I guess now it’s my turn to confess.” His voice was rough with emotion.
Hands neatly folded on her lap, she nodded. “Okay.” She had no idea what he wanted to confess. She only knew it could never match the atrocity of her admission.
“Erin wasn’t at the lab this morning. I called her and gave her the day off.”
She stiffened, perplexed. “But you said—”
He cut her off. “I know, sorry about that.”
“Then who administered the potion?”
One side of his mouth twisted up. “No one.”
“What do you mean, no one?”
“I didn’t take the potion.”
Her head jerked back with a start. His words took the wind out of her. “What?” She nearly bounded out of her chair.
“I didn’t take it,” he said with an easy shrug.
Her mouth went suddenly dry. “Why not?”
He twisted sideways to face her. His eyes turned serious. “Because I happen to like nerdy science girls. One in particular.”
She gulped.
“Like you, sweet Laura, I wanted to finish what we started.” His deep voice rolled over her like an intimate embrace.
Her heart flipped in her chest and she shook her head to clear it. Was she hearing him right, or was she still lost in a haze of euphoria from their unbelievable sex?