by Lauren Dane
But when he shifted in her direction, it was to find her having reached the bottom button on her shirt and then shimmying from it.
“Holy shit.”
He got to his knees on the bed to face her, kissing her bare shoulder. Her breath hitched, which sent her cleavage closer to his face, and he gave in, turning to brush his lips against the curve of each breast.
“No front catch?” he murmured as he slid his hands around to her back to unfasten all that lace and underwire.
“They’re too big for that stuff. I can’t afford to go busting out of a bra while I’m delivering a closing argument.”
He laughed, pushing her back, his hands going to the waist of her pants.
Gaze latched on to her face to gauge her willingness, he slid the button out of the hole and unzipped. She lifted her ass as he drew the pants, and a scrap of dark blue silk that was her panties, down her legs.
All that skin bared to his gaze and his gaze only.
Damn.
He took her in from the tousle of glorious hair, the hard, dark nipples capping breasts that made his mouth water, the dip at her waist, the flare of her hips, the curve of her thighs sliding into toned calves and then feet painted with the same pale pink she had on her fingers.
So feminine and sexy and in his bed.
One corner of her mouth lifted. “Come on then, Watson.”
He pulled his shirt up and off and was out of his pants and shorts in record time as he resumed his place on his knees, staring at her body again.
He whistled low. “Jesus. I can’t believe all this lives underneath your clothes. I mean, I was impressed before, but this? Wow.”
She reared up enough to grab his cock in her fist, squeezing just right. “Show me, don’t tell me.”
It was his turn to laugh as he bent down to take her mouth again. She nipped his bottom lip and slowly moved her fist up and down.
Then she rolled him over and kissed his neck as she straddled his body. She paused, listening to the music for long moments before she locked her attention back on him. “I love this song.”
“Is this what you do when your favorite song comes on?” He gave her a dubious look.
“Only with a chosen few people. I don’t even know who it is though. My country-music muscles are sadly pretty weak.”
He took her breasts into his hands, testing their weight before sliding his thumbs back and forth over her nipples until they went tight. “This is Kacey Musgraves. ‘Back on the Map’ is the name of the song.”
She wriggled free and kissed down his belly, and her gaze locked with his, licked up the line of his cock until he lost all words.
All he had was feeling. It washed through him as he watched her. Those lips wrapped around the head of his cock, the way her tongue swirled around him before she sucked him back into her mouth again and again and again until he nearly reeled with it.
He touched her shoulder. “Wait. Wait. Not yet. Want to be in you when I come.”
She paused, pulling off, that mouth of hers all swollen and glossy. “No. But you’ll have plenty of time for that too.”
The gentleman in him warred with the man who wanted to take and mark and ravage. He dug his fingers into the blanket trying to hold on to the former.
She pulled back again. “Problem?”
He shook his head, nearly frantic.
She cupped his sac, scoring it gently with her nails. “You’re hesitating.”
“Manners!” His voice broke halfway through the word.
She laughed, and while keeping his gaze, she licked over the slit like every single fantasy he’d ever had made into flesh. He swallowed his words.
“You made sure I consented. You’ll obviously make me come. So fuck manners, Royal. Let go. It’s just me and you here.”
Then she took him so hard and deep, he let go of his manners and thrust his hips. His fingers slid into her hair.
She took him into her mouth over and over and over until the pleasure was so sharp he had no other choice but to fall into a climax so hard he saw lights behind his closed eyelids. His skin went hypersensitive, shivers covering him when she kissed his hip.
“Give me a moment. I don’t have feeling above my toes yet.”
She laughed, moving to rest her head on his biceps as he stroked a hand through her hair.
He took a deep breath and stretched before turning and pinning her beneath him. She grinned. Damn he loved that grin of hers.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“I’m going to lick you now. Pretty much everywhere I’ve been fantasizing about since that first night in the grocery store.”
“You wanted to lick me even after I made you get cereal off the top shelf?”
“I like doing things for you. Plus, when you reach up your tits push forward and your ass arches back. It’s like the perfect position for your body.”
She laughed as he slid his tongue down her neck, pausing to lave the hollow of her throat. “You taste good.”
“I do?”
“Like the cold air outside. A little bit of your perfume I think. Your skin. Damn your skin is addictive.”
She arched back as he kissed his way down the middle of her chest and headed first to her left nipple and then her right.
“You’re really good with your mouth,” she breathed out.
He drew the edge of his teeth against her nipple before he continued down her body, kissing and licking as he went. “I haven’t even reached my final destination yet.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat.”
“Good, that’s where you need to be so I can eat your pussy.”
She gasped, and he paused, wondering if he’d gone too far. But she slid her fingers through his hair and tugged.
Guess not.
He pulled her open using his thumbs to part her to his mouth and his gaze. And when he took that first long lick, they both sighed happily.
He licked slowly, getting to know her, what she liked, what made her gasp and arch. She wasn’t shy about expressing herself, which was as hot as everything else about her.
Her thigh muscles trembled a little as he licked and nuzzled, drawing her closer to orgasm as her body readied for it. Her taste on his lips drove him. He needed to make her feel good, as good as she made him feel.
And when she came, she tightened her grip in his hair and that only added to the experience. To her taste flooding him as she climaxed against his lips.
“Yes.”
She sighed happily has he kissed his way back up her body and to her mouth.
“I think we need a break for a beer, and then we start round two of this party.”
“I’m all for that plan.”
She watched as he left the room. Spike burst through the door like they’d been hoarding bacon in the bedroom. He looked around, and satisfied there was no unclaimed bacon, he hopped up on the bed and put his paw on her exposed foot.
When she didn’t move quickly enough to pet him, Spike gave a little demonstration with his nails that had her sitting up.
“You’re bossy, cat. I sort of like that in a person.” Caroline scratched under his chin, and he flopped onto his back to give her better access.
“He’s easy for women.” Royal came in and handed her a beer. She took several gulps.
Caroline needed to come over here for this exact sort of stress relief because even after the day she’d had, she was really relaxed.
“Apple doesn’t far fall from the tree?” she teased.
Royal laughed, coming in to kiss her long and slow. “I’m only easy for a very few women. Lucky for me, you’re right here in my bed.”
She pushed him onto his belly and straddled his butt.
“You like being on top,” he said into his pillow. This morphed into a groan when she began to knead the muscles at his shoulders and neck.
“I figured you might be a little knotted up after all that physical work you’ve done and with all the deadlines you’re
facing.”
His skin was warm against her fingertips, pliant beneath her palms.
“Dear God. Just so you know, I don’t plan on giving you up. You’re smart, funny, gorgeous, your mouth is a deadly weapon and you give massages too. The perfect woman.”
She kept working, massaging the knots from his muscles until he’d loosened up into a warm mass of hot man flesh.
She dropped to the side, and he turned, seeing so much more than what was on the outside. Which she liked, but it scared her as well. No matter how much she imagined she’d be able to keep it light with this man, she was so wrong.
“Thank you.” Because the things he just said about her had made her happy and she wanted him to know it.
He stretched his arms up over his head and got bulgy and sinuous, and it made her a little breathless. He tipped his chin at her. “And thank you for that.”
“What? For what?”
Grinning, he got close enough to kiss her. “For the massage and for the way you just looked at me.”
“Oh. Well. I mean. Look at yourself.”
He rolled her over, pausing to kiss her again. “I’d rather look at you. Though looking at you does affect me.” He rolled his hips, grinding his cock into her thigh to underline his point.
“Well, thank goodness for that. How else could you fuck me otherwise?”
He nipped her bottom lip. “Damn I love your mouth.”
He leaned across her as he dug around in a drawer in his bedside table and pulled out a shiny foil packet.
“Thank God.” She’d only realized about five minutes before that she might not have any condoms. She was sure they could have figured out something else to do with their time without them, but she was glad they didn’t have to now.
“Since you like being on top, I’m going to stay with that theme.” He flopped onto his back and tore the packet open, rolling it over his totally revived dick.
She hopped over him, adding a little wiggle just to see the way his attention shot straight to her boobs.
Slowly—ever so slowly—she took him into her body. She wanted it hard and fast. Wanted him to maybe even leave a mark. But that first time she knew they were learning one another. Drawing closer and more intimate. It was hot without a doubt. But also tender, which she liked.
He hissed when she had him inside her fully. She sat, letting her body stretch around him. It had been a while and he…well he was pretty talented in the size game.
“Yeah, this is the fuckin’ way to spend a Sunday. Hands down. You’re so hot and tight I’m having to do math to keep this from ending before it even starts.”
She laughed, bending down to kiss him. “I’ll take this over brunch at my grandparents’ any day.”
He growled a little, all protective and stuff, and it sent a shiver of delight through her. No one had growled over her before.
And she found herself on her back, Royal looming over her as he stretched her legs, putting her heels at his shoulders.
“I like that you’re very flexible.”
She wasn’t in a place where she could form too many words. But she sure did like this being-overpowered thing. She liked the way he put her how he wanted, but even though it was a little rough and abrupt, he didn’t hurt her—not in a bad way anyway—as he did.
He was big inside her. Big and thick as he slid in deep over and over. As he thrust, he petted covetous hands all over her skin, every part he could reach.
“I’m torn. I want to come so bad I can feel it in my teeth.” He used those teeth, turning his head to give her ankle a nip. “But this. Caro, this is so good I never want it to end.”
“We can do it again, you know,” she managed to get the words out before he made her writhe once more.
“We can. And we will. I suppose now would be an important time to let you know how much I like sex.”
She tightened herself around him. “Good. I like it too. So get to it.”
He laughed, and slowly but surely, the force and depth of his strokes intensified until her boobs bounced. Not much else, given the way he had her positioned, but it left her open to his touch, which he provided.
He walked up her thigh with his fingers and circled her clit with just the right pressure. Slow but not so slow it frustrated. No, this was a seduction. A tease of what was to come. Of what he’d give her.
As he got closer, he brought her along, playing her body like a sex genius or something. And when she flew apart, arching, her eyes sliding closed as she rode her orgasm, her body tightening and convulsing around his, she heard his muffled curse and knew he was right there with her.
Long moments later he put her back on the mattress gently before disappearing and returning quickly.
He jumped into the bed beside her, pulling her close, and she was too relaxed and swamped with feel-good chemicals to protest at all. She nuzzled his throat, her nose buried there in all that muscle.
“Will you sleep over? I get up early, but then again, I bet you do as well. I’ll even make you breakfast.”
It wasn’t like she had the muscle control to drive a car just then anyway.
“Yeah. I need to be up at five thirty. I like to use the treadmill as I warm up for my day.”
“You can ride me instead.”
Laughing, she flopped onto her back, still in the circle of his arms. “That sounds way more fun.”
Chapter Ten
“You should come out to my place tonight after work.”
“I should?” She smiled even though he wouldn’t be able to see her expression over the phone.
“You totally should. I’ve been marinating these ribs all day. They’re going to be really good and I think you need that in your life today. With me.”
“You’re right. I’ll bring something sweet and beer.”
“Perfect.”
She paused and then forged ahead. “So I was thinking of leaving for the day.” She’d been planning on something like a manicure, several glossy fashion magazines and some time in her bathtub. But she’d far rather spend the time with him.
“I’m going to ride out and check some crops. Want to come along with me?”
“Yeah! I’ll go home to change and get beer and cake. Or maybe a pie. I’m not sure which way I’m swinging right now. I’ll know when I see it.”
“The way you view baked goods makes me hot.”
“That’s good as it’s an essential part of my makeup as a human being.” She saved and closed the document she’d been working on. “I should be there within an hour.”
“I’ll meet you at my house in an hour.”
She hung up and got her tail out of there before anything else hit her desk and needed her attention right then.
At her apartment she also packed a quick overnight bag. She’d leave it in the car just in case spending the night wasn’t looking like a reality.
The beer she already had so she put it in her trunk along with her overnight bag and a file she’d need if she was running late and headed straight to court rather than being in the office early. She had every intention of being at work early, but stuff happened and it paid to cover all your bases.
At the Honey Bear she waved at Maryellen Proffit. Since Caroline and Melissa had built their friendship, Mrs. Proffit was warmer, happy to see her. The Honey Bear, over the three weeks she’d been working at Chase and Chase, had become a safe spot for her, and she often took some of her work down in the afternoons after the lunch rush, to grab a booth and work while she had some coffee or tea and a snack.
It was a trophy of sorts. Her first official Caroline spot. Back in Seattle she’d had many of them. But each small inch of ground she gained in Petal was ridiculously hard fought. It meant a lot that she could come in and feel like they were happy to see her.
After making all her choices, Caroline paid and Maryellen bagged her order up. With a wink, she filled a little white bakery box with chocolate chip cookies. “With walnuts.”
“You’re a ba
d influence! I love that about you.”
Maryellen blushed. “Oh you. Now go on and have a nice time with Royal. If you see Melissa before I do, give her a hug from me.”
Caroline squeezed Maryellen’s hand before scooping her bag up. “See you soon, Mrs. Proffit.”
Maryellen had told her to call her Maryellen instead of Mrs. Proffit but Caroline hadn’t been able to do it regularly yet.
As Caroline pushed her way out, Beth and Anne stood just outside.
Beth smiled and Anne’s mouth faked one but didn’t bother to hide the lack of genuine feeling behind it.
“Hey there.”
“You here getting an afternoon snack?” Beth asked.
“Yeah and for after dinner too.” She could have said what exactly she was getting it for, but this tension between her and Anne was so stupid and such a big time-suck she just didn’t.
She wanted things to be civil with Anne. It made Royal upset otherwise. Angry and sort of embarrassed, and Caroline hated that Anne was making him feel that way. But at the same time she knew how much Royal cared for Anne and her family. She liked him way too much to not at least try to fit into his world with his friends, and it was clear that even though they liked Caroline they would line up with Anne.
And she understood it. But it sucked and it made her tired.
“You?” Caroline asked, meaning hey, now you share this personal thing about your life and that’s how you make friends.
“Joe has a late night at the garage and I need to go grocery shopping so I figured I’d just come in here and get him and Buck something to eat instead.”
“Buck’s the dog, right?”
Beth warmed, her smile sitting more naturally on her face. “Yes. He could come home with me and hang out and wait for his dad to get off work. But he believes he’s an integral part of the repair process.”
“Ah. So he’s Joe’s spirit animal?”
Even Anne thought that was funny.
“That’s exactly it. I’m going to have to share that one with Joe.”
Caroline stepped away from the door. “Sorry for blocking your way. I’ll see y’all around.”
“Wow, that y’all sounded almost southern,” Anne said.