Exception to the Rules

by Stephanie Morris

  “You don’t get my point. First time might be fast. Second time, we’ll go slow.”

  He blinked a few times, then leaned forward and kissed her briefly, but hard. “Gaea, you are a very smart woman.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Please with herself, and even more thrilled with the man on top of her, Gaea smiled slowly, watching him study her. He clearly liked what he saw, finding amazement in whatever his gaze caught, as if every square inch held new delightful surprises. It made her feel attractive and wanted and it fluttered in the depths of her stomach, no lower.

  She slid her hand down the length of his arm from shoulder to wrist, softly caressing, pleased with the suggestion of corded muscle and the silky softness of hair. When she paused, she tried to circle his wrist with her thumb and index finger, but she couldn’t. She studied him all the while, noticing a tiny twitch of his left eye, the way his nostrils flared, and his white teeth, not perfectly even, but made endearing by slight imperfections. It was as if her vision had gone far beyond the traditional twenty-twenty into a new sort of sight. Not because they were so close to one another, but because a veil of typical and ordinary had been lifted. She could read him like a book, his need, his tension, his excitement and his pleasure.

  More than simply noticing, she was intimately connected to him, feeling the very emotions she saw on his face. Gaea wanted him inside her, to make the connection stronger still. Something way beyond the five senses was at work here, and the closer they became, the stronger it would become.

  She shifted beneath him, Bas so still and watchful, and she lifted his large wrist, moving his hand to the lower part of her stomach. His eyes widened, dilated so that there was only a thin circle of green left.

  Bas leaned forward, near enough that their breath mingled, but she didn’t close her eyes. Captivated by his scent, his face, she met his gaze only inches away from her own. Gaea expected a kiss, but instead, he licked her lower lip with his tongue. His hands inched downward, underneath her panties, until she felt him in her thatch of curls, and then, his fingers touched her upper fold.

  He moaned very deep in his throat, using his talented tongue to taste her upper lip as he dipped inside her.

  She closed her eyes, not because she wanted to, but because the sensations were too strong. Her poor little brain couldn’t process so many stimuli at once, so feeling won out over sight.

  Her legs parted farther and he explored the soft, wet flesh between, inching down with the pads of his fingers, gently stroking as if she was skittish and he needed to reassure her.

  She didn’t want to be soothed. When he plunged inside, using two fingers, she moved those last inches that separated their months, kissing him hard, sucking his tongue as if it would save her.

  Bas moaned again, and she felt the vibration against her lips, in her chest. She arched her hips toward him, forcing his fingers deeper. He got to his knees, straddling her. Gaea wiggled a bit and got a smile in response.

  A tearing sound distracted her and she looked down to see him pull a rolled condom out of a foil packet. She watched, enthralled, as he unrolled it over his thick flesh. Then his hands moved to her hips where he grasped her panties and pulled them down slowly.

  He ran into a complication where his legs and hers touched. Instead of moving, he grasped one side of her satin thong panties in both hands and tore them apart. The sound, the rip, was louder than their combined breaths. He looked extremely pleased with himself as he dripped the ruined material. Slowly, patiently, he lifted one knee and moved it inside the V of her legs. Then he moved the other until she bracketed him. But it was clear his hold was superior as he pushed her knees apart, wider and wider until he was satisfied. His gaze traveled down from her face to her chest to the view he’d just created. Bas’s breath quickened, his chest contracting and expanding like a sprinter’s, his lips parted, his hands fisted at his sides, then opened with effort.

  She felt exposed, more naked than naked as he looked at her with his raw hunger, and she wanted him to enter her, to take her now.

  Just as she opened her mouth to voice a plea, he leaned down and braced himself with corded arms on either side of her. He shifted his weight to the right as he used his left hand for guidance.

  As she felt the tip of him touch her, he whispered, “Gaea,” forcing her gaze to meet his. The connection was electrifying and breathtaking as he slid into her wet folds inch by inch, filling her with his body, becoming something greater than him and her.

  Both arms now flexed on either side of her as he balanced on hands and knees. The tension in his body was like a bow string, drawing tighter and tighter, even the cords in his neck. He stared at her, his intensity making her tremble as he thrust in, pulled out, and thrust in again. She grasped the sheets in both fists, pulling the material up from the bed. Her hips rose to meet his challenge, and they found a feral rhythm that linked bodies and heartbeats.

  There were no words to describe the feel of him inside her, only gasps and moans, primitive and erotic.

  Sebastian’s eyes closed as his thrusts quickened, and her body responded in kind. It was coming, the corkscrew of tension deep in her body like a coil pulled tight. Her mouth opened and she heard her own loud cry as if from someone else, someone far away, and then the sound changed and it was her again as the last bit of tension fractured with an orgasm that started between her legs and spread like a raging wildfire throughout her body.

  He grimaced, arching his back, his head thrown back with a growl. One final thrust, so fierce she was pushed a foot up the bed, and then he froze, straining, and she trembled as another wave of pleasure swamped her.

  The room dimmed, another spasm racked her, and then she felt her legs and her hands, felt the air in her lungs, heard him take a ragged breath as he relaxed.

  He looked down and gave her a slow smile. “Damn.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better,” she replied, surprised her voice sounded so normal.

  “So it wasn’t just me?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  His grin widened. “Good.”

  Raising her hand, she pushed back his hair from his forehead, enjoying the soft texture between her fingers. “Does this ruin your research?”

  “Research? Oh, yeah. No, not at all. I’m thinking this is a very good thing.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah.” His smile faded. “I don’t want to, but I have to.”

  “What?”

  “Move.”

  “Okay.”

  Bas slipped out of her and rolled her onto her side. For several moments, her gaze focused on the rise and fall of his chest, then she looked up. “How is it a good thing?”

  “For one thing, I can maybe think a lot more clearly.”

  “In what way?”

  “Lusting after you was sort of occupying most of my brain.”

  “I see.”

  “And also, I’m thinking we’ve experienced something pretty intimate so that should make it easier for you to answer my questions.”

  “I wouldn’t be so certain about that.”

  “You don’t think this was a profound moment?”

  She gave him her “You’ve got to be kidding” look. “I’m not positive what this new level of closeness will do. What if I’m more reserved?”

  Having finally regulated his breathing, Bas rolled over onto his side, propping his head up on one hand. “You think so? Well, let’s test your theory. What’s the most exotic fantasy you’ve ever had?”

  “I thought we’d discussed fantasies.”

  “We have, but we’ve barely scratched the surface.”

  “Ah.”

  “Work with me. I want to know the naughtiest, most wicked thoughts you’ve ever had. The one that would get you arrested in every city but Las Vegas.”

  She laughed. “As if I would tell you.”

  He frowned with mock disappointment. “You said you would share everyt
hing. You gave me your word.”

  “Some things are better left unknown.”

  “Uh-huh. I can’t believe you. No way. You chickening out on me like this. I thought you were brave and willing to face a challenge head on, but sadly, I see I was mistaken.” He let his head drop to his forearm. “And after I’ve given you the best of everything I have.”

  She fought to keep from rolling her eyes. “Give me a break.”

  “Oh, no. Don’t try to take it all back now. The connection between us has been severed permanently.” He put his palm to his chest. “I’m wounded to the core.”

  “Okay. Okay. I’ll make a deal with you. You tell me your deepest and darkest fantasy, and then I’ll tell you mine.”

  His head was up in a second, resting once again on his hand. “Truly?”

  “You are completely incorrigible. You know that?”

  “Yes, but at least I’m determined.”

  She arched a dark brow in his direction. “Tell me this. Even if you do tell me something raunchy and sexually explicit, how will I know if it’s the most wicked one you have? Maybe you have a whole slew of wild fantasies, and you’re telling me one of the tame ones just to put the squeeze on me.”

  “Have I been dishonest with you up until this point?”

  “How am I supposed to know that?”

  “Let me help you out. No, I haven’t, and I never will.”

  “That’s what you say.”

  “I just think this is your way of wimping out.”

  “You could be right.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “Well, Bas, I hate to be the one who tells you this, but life is often not fair.”

  He got that Oscar winning astonished look again. “What? Tell me it isn’t so.”

  “No can do.”

  “That sucks.”

  “Yes, it does. But we have to deal with it.”

  He studied her for long moment. “As much as I hate to, we’re going to have to postpone this conversation just a few. You stay put. Don’t move an inch.”

  She exhaled dramatically. “I’ll do my best, but I make no guarantees.”

  Bas slid off the bed and headed for the bathroom while she boldly stared at his cute butt. When the bathroom door closed, she let her head rest against the pillow once more and closed her eyes.

  There was no questioning the fact that she’d just had the best sex ever. No competition, hands down. She’d experienced intense moments… Unimaginable. But also frightening.

  When he’d withdrawn from her, she’d felt as if she’d lost some part of herself. Surely that wasn’t supposed to happen during casual sex. Even before now, with men she really liked, there had been a feeling of relief when it was over. She’d never been the cuddling type and had often been accused of being like a guy when it came to that sort of thing. That’s why she never brought men back to her place. Because she always felt the need to make a quick getaway. But with Bas, she didn’t want to leave his embrace. She wouldn’t have pushed him away if he’d wanted to stay longer to cuddle. Strange. Alarming.

  Her gaze traveled to the door. The most concerning thing about him wasn’t this, although it came close, but the fact that as hard as she tried, she couldn’t find anything wrong with him. Perfection didn’t exist. No one she’d ever encountered was near perfect. So what was his vice? Did he hide behind his research? Was he commitment phobic? Did his relationships really dissolve because they weren’t meant to be, or did he change when he fell in love?

  It was something to consider. Not that it really mattered that much, because there was no way in heck she was going to get seriously involved with him, but still. It was absolutely confusing. Perhaps, if it were a different time in her life, she’d want to figure it all out. However, right now, she’d better keep her focus clear. Casual sex was casual sex. Even mind-altering sex. Not anything more.

  She sat up, and looked at the remaining material of her torn satin panties bunched around one leg. Taking them off, she threw them into the trashcan as she went to the closet and got her robe. It was late. She’d better get some rest. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

  Sebastian ran his hand through his hair, impatient to get back to Gaea, whether it was to pick up their discussion or something more physical, although the conversation so far had certainly piqued his interest. He couldn’t stop thinking about what had just happened. Hell, it was the most passionate encounter he could ever remember. Maybe it was the prolonged days of foreplay, but he wasn’t all too certain. Something was transpiring between them, but he was about to try to define it. What he needed was further investigation. Some hands-on research. His favorite kind. He hadn’t been dishonest when he said this was a good thing. With Gaea, the expectation into her mind, her sexual character, her method of approach, would definitely be enlightening. Revealing. Intriguing. He couldn’t wait to begin, and not just with questions about her fantasies, but her inspiration, her viewpoint on the male gender, and anything else he could uncover about her entire being.

  To be able to get to know someone that well would be life altering. There was no doubt in his mind. He’d gotten to know a few women very well. Helena and Linda for, certain, however, neither of them had incited this level of interest. By some wild shot of chance, he’d been given complete access to someone who not only stimulated him physically, but intellectually and emotionally as well. It was like discovering a rare work of art, a perfect, unmarred stash of infinite wealth, ready to be analyzed piece by piece.

  He made his way across the dark living room, his pace increasing as he neared the bedroom. Only, when he arrived at the door, he saw the empty bed. A flash of color caught his eye and he turned to find Gaea standing by the TV, her robe tied tightly at her waist, her arms folded over her chest.

  The vivacious woman he’d left the bed had vanished, substituted by someone he didn’t know. Quiet, withdrawn, aloof. What had happened in the short time that he’d been away?

  She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, full of caution.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No. I just saw what time it is. I’m not going to have many nights where I can get a good night’s sleep, so I’d better take advantage of it.”

  Even her voice sounded different. He felt exposed and defenseless standing in front of her, so he went to the mound of his clothes he’d so carelessly discarded on the floor near the bed. Bas pulled on his pants before he turned to face her, using the time to collect his thoughts, shoving his fury aside so he could try to comprehend this peculiar turn of events.

  When he faced her again, it occurred to him that she’d experienced the shock he had, and this was her way of handling it. That had to be it.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

  “No reason. You are actually right. Plenty of rest is exactly what you need. I know you have a lot left to do this week.”

  The tension in her shoulder dissipated. “Not that what we just shared—”

  “I know. So did I. You’re incredible. But the priority is the campaign, and I’m here to make sure nothing interferes with that. So why don’t you go get ready for bed? The bathroom is all yours.”

  “Oh, um, good.” Her smile faltered and for a second, he thought she was back, but then she set her shoulders, averting her gaze. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  Gaea walked past him, sure not to get too close. And then she was gone.

  More let down than he cared to admit, he picked up his clothes and headed for the living room. His gaze traveled to the closed bathroom door. Bas threw the articles in his arms onto the floor beside the couch and tossed the pillows on top of them. He pulled the bed out so hard the entire couch moved, but he didn’t care.

  So he’d cut her some slack. She was afraid. He understood. His mother would be pleased. So why was he so ticked off? He’d been given the short end of the stick. Even though he comprehended the reason, read the fear in Gaea’s body language, it did
n’t matter. He’d been more elated than he could ever remember being just a few minute ago, ecstatic as a kid on his birthday getting ready to open his gifts.

  Which had just been taken away.

  He got undressed again, slipping into a pair of shorts, then waited a moment to see if she would come out of the bathroom, and maybe… But a few seconds turned into a minute and a minute turned into several, and after a while, he didn’t care whether she came out or not.

  Bas crawled under the covers and beat his pillow until it had the perfect indentation for his head. Bas heard the bathroom door open, saw the light behind his eyelids fade as she slipped the switch, heard the soft footpads as she crossed the carpet to her bedroom. Even though she tried to mute it, he could hear the click of the door as she shut him out.

  It was a long, long time before sleep came.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gaea looked up into the darkness above her. For all her insistence that she needed a good night’s sleep, she certainly wasn’t getting one. The last time she’d glanced at the clock, it had been one-thirty. She’d tried her best to keep her eyes closed, did some relaxation exercises, but her thoughts kept returning to Bas and how she’d handled things.

  She could tell he was upset. Not that she blamed him. Talk about being wishy-washy. The poor guy hadn’t had any sort of warning. On the other hand, it was probably best that she’d called their sex-fest to an end. It didn’t feel like the right thing to do, but that’s only because it had been such a long time since she’d made love. So long, that somehow, she’d forgotten how much she enjoyed it. If she didn’t know any better, she’d have sworn making love with Bas was an entirely different experience than anything she’d done before, but that was crazy. The atmosphere, the conversation at dinner, the hotel suite, all had come together to turn the night into something extraordinary. And to be honest about it, she really did like Bas. He was a wonderful guy, and had it been a different time in her life…

  Oh damn it to hell and back.

  Gaea rolled over and hit her pillow. It didn’t help. Even she was stupefied by her own excuses. She liked the guy. Loved making love with him. Gaea wanted more. Was it actually possible to have? Bas and her career? Could she have missed a clue along the way that would prove she’d been completely wrong?