Cedric closed her door behind her and walked the short distance to his car. A smile curved his lips. While it was true that his father and uncles had drilled into his, Jeremy’s and all their male cousins’ heads the proper way to treat a woman, Cedric had a little something else in mind. Kissing her.
Chapter 4
Randi glanced in her rearview mirror and saw Cedric behind her. She must have been out of her mind to agree to let him follow her home. Okay, so she thought it was cool he wanted to be all chivalrous, but they weren’t dating, so he needed to save that for some other woman. Their dinner conversation played in her mind. His father and uncle had to have had the utmost trust in Cedric and Lorenzo to turn the company over to them without warning and at such a young age. She frowned. He’d said he had worked there for twenty years, so that meant he had to be older than she originally thought. She’d put him around her age, but realized he had to be a few years older.
She rehearsed in her mind what she would say once they reached her place. A quick thank-you for dinner and for making sure she got home safely, then send him on his way. Easy. Randi pulled up to her complex, punched in the gate code and drove around the side to her condo. Cedric parked in one of the few uncovered spots nearby and got out of his car.
“Nice area,” he said as they walked to her unit.
“Thanks.” She stuck the key in, unlocked the door and faced him. “Thank you for dinner and for making sure I got home safely.”
“You’re welcome.” He moved closer and brushed a kiss across her lips.
Whatever else she had planned to say went right out of her head. Instead, she asked, “Would you like to come in for a minute?”
He gestured for her to go in first, then closed the door behind him and rested against it. He must have sensed her hesitation because he said, “Second thoughts?”
“No. What about you?”
Cedric laughed softly. “I never have second thoughts about spending time with a beautiful woman.”
The brother was smooth. “Um, would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” He wrapped an arm around her waist. “What I want, with your permission, of course, is to kiss you.”
Randi’s gaze dropped to his sexy lips. She shouldn’t even be contemplating saying yes, but his smile and those dimples were doing her in. And what happened to her little send-him-on-his-way speech? He leaned down, leaving a mere inch between their mouths. “Yes.” Before she could get the word out good, his lips came down on hers. His tongue tangled around her own and she lost all track of time and place. He reversed their positions and her back hit the door. She moaned at the feeling of his hard body pressed against hers. Randi ran her hands up his strong arms and over his muscular chest.
“Not one part of your body has fallen off the wagon,” he murmured as his hands traveled from her thighs and hips to her breasts, caressing each part before moving to the next.
His touch set off a blaze and she arched closer. She wanted to feel more of him...all of him. Her hands slid beneath his shirt to touch his bare skin and she felt the muscles of his abs contract.
Cedric let out a low groan and stilled her hands. “Doing that is going to get you into trouble.”
She stared up at him. “I can handle any amount of trouble you can dish out.”
He lifted a brow. “You sure about that?”
“Positive.” Common sense said she should stop this right now, but she’d left all her good sense behind the moment she invited him inside her home.
A smile tilted the corner of his mouth. “Then let’s see how much trouble we can get into.”
Once again, he captured her mouth in a scorching kiss, this one more intense than the previous one. He brought his hands up to frame her face, angled his head and deepened the kiss. Randi felt every inch of him, especially the solid bulge of his erection pressing against her belly.
Cedric lifted her to the fit of his body and trailed kisses along her jaw and neck. “Can you handle this?”
The only thing she could manage was a soft moan. He reclaimed her mouth and gently sucked on her tongue while slowly gyrating his lower body to the same rhythm. A flurry of sensations whipped through her and she sensed herself on the brink of an orgasm already. She wrapped her legs around him and he gripped her hips, moving her in time with him. Her body trembled and she came in a rush of pleasure. She tried to tell herself it was because it had been a while since she’d been with a man, but Randi knew that had nothing to do with it. The man knew his way around a woman’s body and they were still fully clothed.
He eased her to her feet and slowly, methodically divested her of her clothing. He continued to use his hands and mouth to tease and heighten her desire.
When it came time for his clothes, Randi moved his hands away. “It’s my turn.”
Cedric spread his hands in surrender. “By all means.”
She treated him to the same unhurried pace, gliding her hands beneath his shirt once again to touch him. Using her hands and mouth, she caressed and kissed her way up his body. She removed his shirt and tossed it aside and couldn’t take her eyes off his smooth chest and rock-hard abs.
“Problems?” he asked with amusement.
“None at all. Just admiring the scenery.” Her hand went to his belt.
“Hold on a minute.” He squatted down to remove his work boots and socks, then straightened. “I’m all yours.”
She wanted to tell him that he didn’t belong to her and she didn’t belong to him, but for tonight, she’d just roll with it. She resumed the task of undoing his pants and pushing them down and off. His erection strained against the navy boxer briefs and Randi ran her hands over his length before hooking her thumbs in the waistband and removing them. Her gaze roamed over his nakedness. The man didn’t have one ounce of fat anywhere. Cedric retrieved a condom from his wallet and slid it into place. “My bedroom is down—”
Cedric slowly shook his head. He grasped her buttocks and lifted her in his arms. They shuddered as their bare bodies collided. “Right now, right here.”
Randi closed her eyes and clung to him, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist and her arms clasped around his neck. He locked his mouth on hers and eased his shaft inside her until he was embedded deep within. He didn’t move for several seconds and she opened her eyes. As if that was what he was waiting for, he began moving, plunging deep and retreating in a slow, erotic cadence that sent heat spiraling through her. She moaned. He kept up the pace, each stroke going deeper and deeper. She didn’t realize they had moved until her back hit the cool wood door. Cedric planted his feet and increased his movements. He dipped his head and latched onto an erect nipple. The contact sent a jolt straight to her core and she cried out. He sucked and licked until her body trembled, then lavished the same sweet torture on the other one. “Cedric,” she whispered on a ragged moan.
“What, baby?” He transferred his kisses to her exposed throat. “I’m going to work your body in every way and give you everything you want,” he said in an intense rush. His words heated her even more.
“Don’t stop.”
“I won’t stop until you ask me to, until you tell me you’ve had enough.”
He kissed his way back to her mouth and moved in and out, mimicking the movements of his lower body. Pressure built and flared out to every part of her body and she erupted again with a force that snatched her breath. She screamed out his name.
Cedric drove into her faster and moments later, he went rigid, threw his head back and exploded. He let out a low groan. “Damn, girl.” He rested his head against hers, their breathing ragged. “Soon as I catch my breath, round two. This time in a bed.”
Randi chuckled softly even as her body tingled in anticipation. He gripped her tighter around the waist, holding her in place. As her breathing slowed, she felt him growing hard inside her again. Her head popped
up.
“I’m going to stay inside you until you’re completely satisfied.”
No problems there. He’d already satisfied her, but her body was ready for more.
* * *
Cedric woke to Randi’s hot tongue skating across his chest. He sucked in a sharp breath.
“Wake up, sleepyhead. Time for round three.”
He hardened immediately. “We’re going to have to be a little creative, since I only had two condoms.”
Randi held up a condom. A slow grin spread across her lips. “Then it’s a good thing I have one, huh?”
“A very good thing.” He gritted his teeth as she rolled it over his engorged length, teasing and tormenting him. He muttered a curse.
“Problems?”
“Yeah, just one.”
Her brow lifted. “And that would be?”
“I’m not inside you.”
She smiled. “I think I can help you with that.” She lifted one long, toned leg, straddled his body and lowered herself inch by inch onto his erection, swirling her hips in a figure eight.
Cedric groaned.
“I think I want to take a little ride.”
“I’m game,” he said with a grin. She braced her hands on his chest and slowly moved up and down. His hands made a path up her smooth honey-colored skin and settled on her breasts. The soft light from the nightstand lamp afforded him the opportunity to see the play of passion on her face. He massaged the full mounds, then leaned up to capture a pebbled nipple between his teeth and tugged gently, drawing a sharp cry from her.
“Cedric!”
The sound of her husky voice calling his name and the subtle color change in her eyes sent his desire into overdrive. He grabbed her hips and guided her to move faster. Her hands dug into his shoulders and each time she came down, Cedric thrust up to meet and match her strokes, going deeper each time. Her inner muscles clenched him tight and he could feel himself teetering on the brink of his control, but he wasn’t ready for it to end. His body trembled slightly and he closed his eyes as the sensations intensified. “I can’t get enough of you.” He pulled her into a passionate kiss.
Abruptly, she broke off the kiss and let out another scream as she climaxed all around him.
He tightened his hold on her hips and growled hoarsely as an explosive orgasm ripped through him. She collapsed on top of him and he wrapped his arms around her. Breathing harshly, he kissed the top of her hair. He’d known from the moment they met it would be like this between them. Now he had to convince her.
At length, Randi slid off his body and lay on her back.
Cedric rolled his head in her direction and studied her pensive expression. “Regrets?”
She didn’t answer immediately. Finally, she said, “As much as I should have them, no, I don’t.”
He leaned up on his elbow. “I hear a but.”
She blew out a long breath. “We can’t do this again, Cedric.”
“Why not?”
She met his eyes. “You do remember I’m investigating the arson at your site.”
“And you do remember that I promised not to ask you any questions about the case.” He stroked a finger down her cheek. “Baby, I won’t do anything to jeopardize the case or your job. I just want to spend time with you and explore whatever we’ve got going on.”
“I don’t know. I’m not really looking for some kind of permanent relationship.”
“Neither am I.” He gathered her in his embrace. “And you said yourself there aren’t any rules against us seeing each other.”
“But I can imagine the looks I’d get from my colleagues if they see us together.”
“So, if I act like there’s nothing going on between us in public until the case is over, would that make it easier on you?”
Randi sat up and observed him. “You’d do that?”
“Of course. If it means I can have you to myself in private, I’ll ignore you all day.”
She burst out laughing and flopped back down on the pillow.
Cedric chuckled. “What? You said you didn’t want your coworkers eyeing you. I’m just trying to help a sistah out.”
“More like trying to help yourself out,” she mumbled, still laughing softly.
“That, too.” He nuzzled her neck and idly stroked her thigh. “So, what do you say?”
“I can’t think while you’re doing that.”
“So that would be a yes?”
She lifted her head and kissed him. “That would be a yes, Mr. Hunter.” She laid her head on his chest and draped an arm over his midsection.
They lay quietly for a while. He wanted nothing more than to make love to her again, but he had to be in San Francisco early in the morning. And he never stayed the night at a woman’s home or she at his. He didn’t want to give the impression that the relationship was anything more than physical. He and Randi were on the same page and that suited him just fine. “I need to get going. I’ve got an early morning in Frisco.”
“What time do you need to be on the road?”
“Six.”
Randi looked over at the nightstand clock, then back at Cedric. “You’re going to be exhausted. It’s after midnight and you have to drive home. I hope you don’t live far.”
“I live in Rocklin.”
Her head came up sharply. “That’s not close. We were already on your side of town for dinner and you followed me all the way over here. You could’ve been home by now.”
Cedric pulled her on top of him. “True, but if I hadn’t followed you home, I would’ve missed out on this incredible night with you.”
“Mmm-hmm, I bet you say that to all the women.”
“I don’t have all the women. I’m very selective.” Even more so in the last year. In his younger days, he might have had a different woman every other month. Now his liaisons lasted a bit longer and were fewer and further in between, but he still had no desire for anything permanent. He chalked it up to getting older and minimizing the drama in his life. “And I don’t ever cheat.”
“I’m glad you cleared that up because I don’t share, even if it’s for a short time.”
“Then we’re in agreement.” He slanted his mouth over hers in a hungry kiss. He’d meant it to be only a short one, but the erotic way her tongue tangled with his had him contemplating one more round. It took all his control to end the kiss. “I’ve got to go.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh. “I have an early meeting, too.”
“Where’s your bathroom?”
She pointed to the other side of the room. “Right through there.”
Cedric went to do a quick cleanup. He’d shower once he got home. When he came out of the bathroom, Randi was leaning against the bedroom door wearing a robe. She followed him out to the front and watched him dress. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“The number on the card is to my office. Let me give you my cell.”
He dug his phone out of his pocket and input the number she recited. He hit the call button and let it ring a couple of times. “Now you don’t have to worry about getting my number.” He gave her a quick kiss, being careful not to touch her, then stepped out into the brisk night.
“Drive safely.”
“I will. Good night.”
“Night.” She gave him a little wave and closed the door as he loped down the walk.
It took Cedric half an hour to get home and he headed straight for his bedroom. As he emptied his pockets, he noticed the light flashing on his cell. He read the text from Lorenzo, sent a quick reply and went to shower. Afterward, instead of going to bed like he should have, he found himself standing outside on the balcony off his bedroom. The brisk air blew across his bare chest as he stared up at the clear black sky. The temperature had dropped, taking the night into the forties. He stood there, ignoring the chill and
thinking about Randi. Though he hadn’t been surprised they’d ended up in bed, he just didn’t think it would be so soon. Tonight, he’d told her he’d go along with the pretense of nothing going on between them in public, something he’d never done with a woman, and he didn’t understand it. He’d never gone through these kinds of lengths to be with someone. Why her? And why now? Looks like I might be getting that $200 sooner than I thought. Lorenzo’s words rang in Cedric’s ears and he promptly dismissed them. It wasn’t the first time he’d been attracted to a beautiful woman and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Neither of them was looking for anything long-term, so he’d enjoy the ride until it ended. And like always, it would end.
Chapter 5
Randi sat in the back of the conference room Tuesday morning drinking her second cup of coffee. It had taken a good two hours for her body to come down off the high she’d been on with Cedric. Even now, the remnants of last night’s encounter played havoc with her mind. On some level, she had known sex with him would be incredible and parts of her were eager for a repeat. She’d told herself one and done, but it had taken only a kiss and a suggestion to make her fold and agree to continue seeing him. Pushing the seductive memories aside, she refocused her attention on Detective Warner’s voice. A few of the test results had come back and confirmed what they already knew: the cause of the fire was arson.
“We’re still waiting on the results from the paint used to write the message found at the Hunter Construction site. For now, I want that information to stay in this room. The less the arsonist knows, the better chance we’ll have of catching this guy or guys. My guess is that whoever set the fire wrote that message for their own personal satisfaction and never intended for it to survive. Randi, you met with Cedric and Lorenzo Hunter yesterday, right?”
The mention of Cedric’s name sent her mind back to the two of them naked against her door. “Ah, yes. Neither of them could think of anyone who would have set the fire, no disgruntled employees. I have a list of all the employees who’ve worked on the site. We found fingerprints in the unburned areas and I’m sure most of them will belong to the crew.”
Spark of Desire ; All for You Page 5