One night, she might be able to handle.
More than an evening of decadent pleasure? She’d have to be crazy. He was overwhelming, and much too much like the other men in her life for her sanity.
Besides, what if she sucked at the pleasure stuff? All she had to go on was her sex life with Joseph. And if that was any measure, she was severely lacking.
Apparently one of Max’s myriad skills was the ability to read faces. Noting the regret on hers, he smiled and shrugged.
“Think about it, okay?” He gave one of those guy head nods that spoke volumes. Acceptance, regret and still that lingering desire. Sophia wanted to throw her purse on the ground, kick her feet and have a tantrum. Dammit, couldn’t she have the desire without all the baggage?
“I guess this is good night, then,” he said, stepping closer, his hand briefly taking hers before moving up her arm to rest on her shoulder. Hearing the regret in his voice, Sophia felt something inside her shift.
“No,” she told him, wetting her lips nervously. Terrified excitement buzzed in her ears. A little light-headed, as if she’d just guzzled a magnum of champagne, she reached out to rub the lapel of his jacket between her fingers.
His smile had a hint of wickedness, at war with the sudden caution in his eyes.
“You don’t want me to leave?”
“I want you to come up,” she said, as close to innuendo as she could get.
“For a drink?” he clarified, stepping closer. Without thinking, Sophia stepped back, her spine plastering itself to the brick wall of her building.
Sophia swallowed hard, then forced herself to meet his eyes. “For the night.”
She knew her words had an effect. She was close enough to feel him suck in a surprised breath as his fingers briefly clenched her shoulders. But his charming smile and that mellow look in his eyes didn’t change.
Sophia lifted her chin, promising herself that once she got him upstairs, she’d damn well break that control of his. Even if she had to dance on his face to do it.
“You’re asking me upstairs…for the night?”
“Yes.” Sensing a little gentlemanly reluctance, she bit her lip and took a chance. Reaching out, she tiptoed her fingers up his chest. Then, her eyes locked on his, she slid her fingernails back down in a teasingly erotic caress.
His eyes narrowed.
“And you’re asking me upstairs, specifically, for sex,” he said slowly, his blunt terms no doubt meant to shock her into… What? Thinking twice?
Instead, the raw words sent a shaft of heat through her. Sophia pressed her thighs tight against each other, the satiny slide of her hose adding an extra punch of delicious pleasure.
“I’m suggesting we go upstairs and keep our minds open to the myriad of possible…positions—” she paused, running her tongue over her bottom lip “—we might find ourselves in.”
His heart pounded against her fingertips.
“And, believe me, it pains me to even ask this, but after we see what comes up, shall we say, you expect me to just walk away?”
Her lips twitched at his innuendo. She tilted her head in question, the sensual caress of her own hair sliding over her oversensitized skin adding another layer of pleasure.
“I’m saying that we have an opportunity to enjoy ourselves. And if you’re interested in a short visit, then I’d love to chat.” She bit her lip. A part of her wanted to promise to spend his entire leave rolling around together naked. But even though she wanted him like crazy, the two main issues remained. One, he was undoubtedly bad for her. And two, what if she sucked in bed? She’d rather not see him after sunup if that proved to be the case. Better safe than sorry.
“As for tomorrow,” she finally said, “we’re both busy. You have family commitments. I have a show coming up that needs all my attention. Why put the pressure of promises on either of us?”
His groan was almost silent, but she felt it anyway and grinned.
“I don’t know if I can—”
A quick thrill of panic pushed Sophia right out of her comfort zone and into bold sauciness. She let her hand trail down his rock-hard abs, almost groaning herself at the feel of them, over the leather strip of his belt. Then she cupped her palm over his zipper and grinned at the large bulge pressing against her hand.
“Oh, I definitely think you can.”
His laugh was a little breathless, a smidge desperate. It was all Sophia needed to hear. She felt more powerful than she’d ever imagined she could. She could climb mountains. Slay dragons. Blow Sergeant Maximilian St. James right here in the alley leading up to her apartment.
Or better, tempt him up those stairs where he’d show her delights she’d spent years wondering about. Did he do all those sexy things she’d read about? Nibble and lick and touch in the ways she’d dreamed of? Did he go down and did he like it? Would he let her try and would she like it?
It was as if a whole new world was right here, throbbing beneath her fingers. She leaned forward, trapping her hand between his heated length and her own body. On tiptoe, her free hand using his shoulder for balance, she pressed her mouth to his.
His lips parted, soft and welcoming. She licked the fullness, reveling in his taste. Wine, a hint of chocolate and something deeper, darker and ultimately more tempting that was all Max.
She couldn’t let him refuse.
Tossing pride aside, for once not waiting for the guy to make the proper move, she took charge. After a quick, gentle nip at his lower lip, she slipped her tongue along his. Swirling and sliding.
He groaned, both hands sliding down her back to cup her butt. Fingers curved into her cheeks, he pulled her closer, lifted her higher.
Their tongues danced, slow at first. She gently sucked his into her mouth. He gave a low groan, his hands convulsing. He slid one in a gentle sweep up her back, curving his fingers behind her neck, cradling her head gently.
And then he got serious. The kiss went from tentative to intense with the stab of his tongue. They dueled. They danced. They delighted each other into going deeper, into wanting more.
It was a dance in which they both led. She tempted, he teased. She moaned, he laughed. His mouth, his hands, his body. She wanted them all.
Sophia had never felt like this. So sexy, so powerful. God, so ready to come.
Wet and throbbing, she rubbed against his throbbing erection, needing something, anything, to relieve the building pressure. His hand shifted, releasing her butt to gather the filmy fabric of her skirt. His fingers warmed her bare skin above the lacy elastic of her stockings.
Sophia moaned her approval, pressing her hand against his chest for support. She shifted, giving thanks to Pilates as she balanced on one leg, wrapping the other around his hard thigh.
“Upstairs,” she breathed against his mouth.
He pulled back to stare at her, then closed his eyes as if he were trying to get a grip on his control. Nope, not what she wanted. Desperate to stay in control, and to get her way, she took his hand in hers, pressing it against her aching breast.
His groan was pure surrender.
She slowly slid her leg down his, making sure her heel grazed all the way down his thigh and calf. He gave a little laugh, the helpless kind that sent a shaft of excitement through her ego. He met her eyes with a dark, intense look that promised her the night of her life.
“You’re determined to drive me crazy, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she confirmed with a wicked smile.
Still holding his hand, she turned and pulled him up the stairs with her. She could feel the warmth of his gaze on her swinging hips as if it was a physical thing. Her knees trembled. Excitement, she told herself. There was nothing to worry about.
She was calling the shots tonight.
She was barely aware of taking her keys out and opening the door. So ingrained were her manners, she was sure she said something to welcome him to her apartment, but for the life of her, she had no clue what it was.
As soon as he closed t
he door, she pounced. With the living room illuminated only by the porch light dimly shining through the lace curtains, she grabbed Max by his lapels and steered him toward the couch. Once there, all it took was a gentle push to send him lying flat, his grin glinting in the dark room.
Thankful for her floaty skirt, she straddled his body. Palms flat on his belly, she pressed them up the hard planes of his chest and gripped his solidly muscled shoulders.
“Yum,” she murmured as she leaned down to brush a soft, open-mouthed kiss over his chin. “I’ll bet you’re even tastier than dessert.”
“I don’t know,” he said, his hands sliding up her stockings and under the fluttery handkerchief hem of her dress. Sophia shivered at his touch, his fingers making her thighs tingle with desire. “That was a damned good dessert. You might want to do a lot of tasting to compare.”
“I’m a dessert expert,” she declared, nibbling down his throat and breathing deeply. God, he smelled good. Hot, spicy male. She breathed deep, noting no cologne. Just a hint of soap, shaving cream and Max himself. Delicious.
His shirt was in the way. With nimble fingers, she unbuttoned the crisp cotton. When she reached his belly—and oh, God, who knew bellies could be that toned?—she tugged the fabric from his slacks. He lifted his torso so she could shove his shirt and jacket off his shoulders. Those incredible abs contracted. Sophia whimpered. His body was a work of art. And she had a great appreciation for art.
She needed to touch. To taste. She waited until he’d tossed his shirt and jacket aside before pouncing.
Her thighs gripping his hips, she nibbled her way down his throat again, flicking her fingers over a nipple. He groaned. She flicked again. She ran her tongue over the other nipple, then scraped her nails gently over his belly.
The feeling was incredible. Free reign to enjoy his body, to let herself do, taste, have, anything she wanted. Power mixed with pleasure, both sending tighter swirls of desire deep between her legs.
His hands gripped her thighs, this time a little rougher. She gasped. What was he going to do? Where would he touch? Her heart pounded in anticipation. He curved his fingers over her butt, then continued the upward motion under her dress to her waist.
Getting the hint, Sophia straightened. She reached across her chest, her arm brushing the already aching tips of her breasts as she unhooked, then lowered the side zipper of her dress. She looked down at him, raising her arms in silent command.
Deliciously obedient, he slid his hands higher, pulling the fabric over her head and tossing it somewhere in the direction of his shirt.
Sophia slowly lowered her arms. Swallowing her nerves, she pretended she wasn’t self-conscious of his gaze on her almost-naked body.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he breathed, his fingers skimming a heated trail over her shoulder, down her chest and over the lush curve of her breast to swirl a design around her aching nipple. He blazed the same trail down the other side of her chest, this time brushing the tips of his fingers over her hardening tip. Then with both hands, he cupped her heavy breasts in his palms as if paying homage to their weight. She squirmed, hot desire dampening her panties. The move taunted, tormented and brought a hint of relief to her aching body.
Time to kick this into high gear, she decided.
She shimmied down his body, keeping the delicious pressure of his hard thigh between her legs.
Sprinkling hot, wet kisses over his chest, she slid lower, still. Her teeth scraped over the beautiful definition of his abs. Her hands made quick work of his belt, then the snap of his pants.
The point of no return, she knew. And she also was positive she didn’t want any returns. So she shoved his pants and boxers lower. She shifted, reluctantly ungripping his thigh with her own, to push the cloth down farther. With a quick move and talented toes, he kicked off his shoes, pants and socks.
Sophia grinned as he arched a brow.
“Impressive,” she complimented.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” he promised.
Her eyes dropped to the huge, glistening length of his erection and she sighed. He was right. But she intended to see, touch, taste and experience it all before the night was over.
“Yum,” she said again.
One of his hands curved over her back, the other brushed through her hair as she slid down his body again.
She blew on the tip of his dick, smiling at the mercurial response as it gave a little jump. She swirled her tongue over the head. He groaned. She sucked the velvety tip deep into her mouth.
“Uh-uh,” he groaned before she could do much more. “We’ll be through before we start if you keep that up.”
“Keeping it up is your job, isn’t it?” she asked with a naughty look.
He laughed, but still pulled her head away from his.
In a masterful move right out of a movie, he gripped her body and flipped their positions so she lay on the couch, the nubby fabric of the couch rough against her bare back. He loomed over her, his hot gaze scanning her body. Then he gave an appreciative hum of pleasure.
“You’re gorgeous.”
She’d never been called gorgeous before. It was a heady experience.
“Turnabout tasting time,” he said in a husky tone, his intention clear on his face.
Sophia giggled. It was wildly inappropriate and would probably piss him off. But she couldn’t help it. But Max grinned, his light laugh as much a turn-on as the hand he snaked down her body as if he was making a test run to see which erogenous zone he wanted to taste first.
His fingers brushed her nipple. Sophia sucked in a breath. Apparently that was all he needed to make his decision. He lowered his head, sucking one aching tip into his mouth. The intense power of his mouth on her body sent her spinning on a wave of desire.
“Your bedroom,” he muttered, his mouth sliding lower to her naked belly.
“This is it,” she gasped.
He pulled his head back to frown at her, giving the large airy studio a quick glance. “Bed?”
“Couch pulls out,” she said, shifting her hips to remind him that there were more important matters at hand.
He blinked as if trying to figure out a problem that just wouldn’t compute. Then apparently realizing it didn’t matter, he shrugged.
“At least we made it to the bed, then,” he said before lowering his mouth again. His tongue snaked down to her belly button. His breath warmed the damp silk of her panties. She lifted her hips for him to pull them off. He just grinned and with a quick snap, ripped the fabric from her body.
Her eyes flew open in shock. Sophia swore she actually came a little. Her body constricted, wet and swollen. Her muscles tensed, even as her thighs fell apart to make room for his shoulders.
She shivered when he slid his hands beneath her hips, his fingers caressing her butt, lifting her higher. Anchoring her elbows for leverage, she lifted her head so it rested on the arm of the sofa. She had to watch him. Had to see, to stay in control.
His dark hair was so short, there was barely any tousled evidence that she’d ran her hands through it as he kissed his way down one thigh and then back up the other.
When he reached the crux of her legs, he glanced up and met her eyes. His were glinted with a hunger she’d never seen before. Desperate, wicked, intense. And all for her.
Holding her eyes, he leaned forward and licked the damp juices coating her swollen bud.
She shuddered, her fingers clenching the rounded strength of his shoulders. It was like grabbing rocks. The muscles were so hard, there was no give. Oh, baby, he had an incredible body.
As if he was making a wish, he blew out a puff of air, his hot breath on her oversensitized flesh making her gasp. Then, apparently through teasing, he went to town.
He tasted her, his lips creating a delicious torment. Sophia dropped her head back, unable to think anymore with all the wild sensations he was showing her.
Intensifying her pleasure, he smoothed his other hand up her torso in a tingling caress. He c
upped her breast, his fingers tweaking her nipple as his mouth drove her higher.
He slipped one finger into her. Then two. His fingers swirled, his tongue sipped.
Light exploding behind her eyes, she mewled her pleasure.
Sucking her swollen, aching bud into his mouth, he nipped gently as his fingers speared in, then out. In, then out.
She exploded in a burst of color and pleasure.
“Oh, God,” she moaned over and over, her breath coming in pants that burned her throat. Pleasure pounded at her while lights burst behind her closed eyes. Stars. She swore she actually saw stars.
Max pressed a gentle kiss to the swollen bud he’d just tormented before laying his head on her belly and wrapping his arms around her hips in a hug that was both sexy and affectionate at the same time.
Her insides all melted together in a puddle of mind-blowing pleasure, she forced herself to move. This might be the only night she got with Max. She was going to make damned sure it was incredible.
For both of them.
Sliding her legs from under him, she shifted into a sitting position. His eyes heavy with desire, Max fell to the couch in the space she’d left, grabbing her hand to make sure she didn’t go far. Lying there on his side, his head propped on his fist, he shook his head in protest.
“Come back,” he murmured.
Her eyes traced the hard, delicious length of his body. From his sexy feet—when the hell had feet become sexy?—to the light dusting of hair on his muscled thighs. She swallowed hard when her eyes rested on his jutting erection. That marble statue had nothing on Max. Pure male perfection. She wanted to touch him, taste him again.
She forced her eyes to continue their journey up the drool-worthy planes of his six-pack to the hard span of his chest.
“You’re perfect,” she said, repeating the compliment back to him. And he was. His body was a work of art. A part of her wished for her camera to preserve this moment. To take it out later to savor. She wanted to know if his beauty was real, if this pleasure was as immense as her mind, and her body, were telling her.
She met his gaze and the need to analyze disappeared. For the first time in her life, she felt like she could trust her own eyes.
Uniformly Hot! Volume 1 from Harlequin: Letters from HomeBreaking the RulesComing Up for Air Page 24