by Vivian Arend
Lillie hesitated. She didn’t want to tell him too much, but she didn’t want to lie either. “No, I had this with me.”
He glanced in the mirror, adjusting his tie as he spoke. “Oh, in the bag you picked up from the valet.” He was deliberately not looking directly at her, she could tell. “I meant to mention. If you have a room booked for tomorrow night, why don’t you go ahead and cancel it. May as well save the money.”
Her cheeks were flushed. “I didn’t want to assume. I mean, I know you guys are taking off on Friday, but I’d like to stay with you, only any time if you don’t want me around anymore you have to let me know—”
He caught her gaze in the mirror and held her pinned in place with that alone. He didn’t speak for long enough she began to get squirrelly.
When he finally did say something, it was in a low, careful tone of voice. “I’m not making any demands. No expectations. You’re welcome to stay with me, that’s all I was saying.”
She nodded vigorously then turned away, cursing her situation.
“Did you have any other bags you need to rescue?” Jim asked. “I won’t ask any questions, just letting you know you can tuck them in a corner here so they’re safe.”
He was getting closer to discovering the truth every moment, and Lillie’s confidence wavered.
Maybe this wasn’t a great idea, hanging out with a man like Jim. He inspired her confidence and made it all too tempting to spill the beans. And yet, it wasn’t as if she were headed into a terrible situation. She was okay with what her future held.
Time to focus on the shining moments she had in the here and now. “My things are in storage. They’ll be okay until I go get them.”
Thank goodness, he changed the topic, dropping it completely as he brought her hand to his knuckles to make her body light up with desire.
“We’re sitting in a more private section for the show,” he informed her as they skipped the main entrance, and a side door opened before them. Uniformed servants slid out of sight as he walked her forward. “I thought it would make it easier for you to not have to deal with the crowds.”
“I’m getting more used to them,” she insisted, squeezing her arms as he guided her toward a loveseat in a private alcove. “And it’s easier when I’m with you. I feel safe.”
She didn’t get a chance to admire their surroundings, because the instant they were both seated, Jim leaned over and kissed her. She responded eagerly, hungry for more of his touch. He’d been a complete gentleman the entire afternoon, stealing small caresses but in a way that she didn’t feel pawed or owned.
She felt cared for. Valued.
So as they waited for the show to start, Lillie curled her fingers into his hair and soaked in the pleasure he offered. And when the lights went down and the curtain went up, she was sad all she had was his hand in hers.
Lillie snuggled against his side, pressing her palm to his chest as her gaze remained glued to the stage. He laid his hand over hers, outlining her fingers one at a time. A lovely caress that rooted her in place and let her relax from the small bit of tension that had come from having all those people around them.
She caught herself stroking him, and as the music rose in the performance, a contented rumble escaped from the man beside her.
“You keep doing that, and I’ll think you want me to pet you as well,” he warned, his lips brushing her ear.
Oh. Well now.
Temptation waved a set of pom-poms, and suddenly far more important than any of the acrobatics happening before her was discovering exactly what type of petting Jim had in mind.
She stroked in circles, twirling her fingers until she discovered his nipple under the dress shirt. She kicked off her shoes and adjusted her legs so she could reach better, undoing the center button on his shirt and slipping her hand under the fabric.
This time when she touched him she had fingers to bare skin. Brushing over the wiry hair on his chest to tease him, tweaking the flat disk of his nipple until he rumbled.
Up on the stage the dancing grew wilder, the music a heavy drumbeat, and her courage rose. Lillie made quick work of his next two buttons, leaving his collar and tie in place, his shirttails still tucked in, but now she had room to stroke and caress his muscular abdomen. To drag her nails over his skin.
What she really wanted was to undo his zipper and pull his cock free.
And then the realization hit—why not?
He hissed as she tugged at the metal tab holding back the solid rock in his pants. But he didn’t stop her. Not then, and not when she reached in and wrapped her fingers around the thick heat she found.
It was dark enough around them she didn’t think anyone could see what she was doing, even if they could pry their eyes away from the stage.
Jim shrugged out of his suit jacket and tossed it casually over his lap, easing his hips forward on the couch and laying his head on the backrest.
Lillie lifted onto her knees far enough to press her lips to his cheek. “Okay?”
Luckily something happened on stage at the same moment he let out a loud Ha, his exclamation buried under the applause and ooooohs and ahhhhhs.
“Tell me every dirty thing you want me to do to you,” Jim growled.
Lillie sucked in a quick breath. She stroked her palm over the soft head of his cock, spreading the moisture she found. “Right now?”
“Right now,” he whispered. “As long as you keep talking, I’ll let you keep stroking me. Let’s see who can last longer.”
As a challenge, something seemed off. “You’re going to come if I keep touching you.”
Another loud burst of applause from the audience.
“Tell me, sweetheart,” he insisted. “Or do you want me to touch you? Find a place where anyone could watch us, and for me to put my fingers on your pretty pussy?”
Lillie swallowed hard. “Um…no.”
She quickly thought of things she wanted to tell him, because if he kept talking? It didn’t matter whether he was touching her or not, she would be squirming so hard someone would figure out what was going on.
“I like you touching me,” she confessed, “but not where anyone can see us. I think it would be fun to be in total darkness. Not knowing where you would touch me next.” She pulled his cock free and stroked, rolling her hand up the length slowly.
He caught her wrist and brought her fingers to his mouth, licking her palm before replacing it around his erection. This time her hand slid smoother, and she resumed the slow, steady pulse.
“I’d like to try sex in the dark,” she stated firmly. “Not as if you’re chasing me, because I might get scared. But more like a treasure hunt. You’d have to touch me slowly, learning what I felt like since you wouldn’t be able to see me.”
Just like now, as she learned what he felt like. Her gaze fixed on stage as she concentrated on the subtle changes in his body on every rise and fall of her fist over his cock.
“And in the shower. Somewhere wet, although I don’t think a Jacuzzi is a good idea because it might be too hot, but a shower would be neat. Moisture would run down your body, and I’d lick it away. And you could rub us together, so slippery and warm that when you push into me it would be as if our entire bodies were connected.”
His cock jerked in her hand, more than slick enough now as precome spilled from the tip and over her palm. He covered her hand with his own, increasing the pressure and speed.
The challenge wasn’t over. Lillie squared her mental shoulders and went for broke. “But the one I want the most is from behind. Your big, strong body over top of me, your arms caging me in, but protecting me. I can feel you touching every part of my back—your groin tight to my butt. You would be so hard against me, and then you’d reach around and play with me. My breasts, between my legs…”
She shivered, her rhythm over his erection faltering as the images she described made her body ache. He kept the pace going, but now it was ninety percent his effort moving her hand over him as she conc
entrated on finishing.
“You’d rock between my legs—”
“My cock,” Jim demanded in a low growl as a clash of cymbals went off, and a performer soared across the open air. “Say it. Say you want my cock between your legs.”
“Yes.” Her breathing stuttered, increasing in tempo along with the music rising around them as the first act built to its stunning finale. “I want your…cock…between my legs, pumping back and forth. I can feel it rubbing over my…pussy. Getting you all wet, until you stop teasing and push into me all at once. Thick and hot and oh-so-good.”
He made a noise in his throat.
She probably sounded as hoarse as him.
“And then you…fuck me. Hard.”
“Lillie…” He closed his eyes, scrambling under the coat with his left hand. His fingers closed over hers as a stream of heat escaped, making her stickier as together they pulled another rasping gasp from him.
She squeezed her legs together, attempting to calm her breathing as the room exploded with shouts and bangs, the concluding crescendo of the first performance synchronizing with the final jerks of his climax.
A smile stretched her lips. Even turned on and aching, she had never felt more satisfied. At least, not until he stole her away during the third act, took her back to his suite and proceeded to do everything she’d suggested.
All night long.
CHAPTER SEVEN
One minute she was curled up in his arms, the next there was a heavy weight on his chest and he was gasping for air.
Jim shoved off the sheets, relieved to see he’d managed to avoid shredding them this time. Only familiar thing? Lillie was gone, and gone for long enough her spot was cool to the touch.
How did she manage to get out of bed without him noticing?
Thankfully, this time when he stomped into the living room, she was sitting there, a computer open on the coffee table as she bounced her head in time with a quietly playing music video.
His gaze darted to the corner of the room. Suitcases were stacked neatly in the corner, each large enough for an extended trip. Good-quality fabric, and Jim tucked the information away for future consideration. He was more interested in making sure she was happy for the time they got to be together.
It was only right.
She glanced up as he paced forward, that shy smile spreading over her face as she rose. “Hey. You’re finally awake, sleepyhead.”
He glanced at the clock. “It’s only seven a.m.”
“Half the day is practically gone.” She tucked herself against him, curling her arms around his back and lifting her face to be kissed. He had no objections whatsoever, falling into her soft touch for a couple of moments.
When she stepped away, he took a closer look to see what she was wearing. “You snuck into my wardrobe.”
Lillie glanced down at the plain white shirt she wore, the tails hanging past her knees. A mischievous smile greeted him as she headed toward the kitchen. “Would you like some coffee? I made a pot.”
“You could have called for butler service, you know.” Trailing after her was only logical, since it meant he got to look at her legs. “We’re getting you a different sleep shirt. That one covers too much of your ass.”
She paused in the middle of pouring him a coffee. “But if I take off the shirt, we’ll never leave the suite.”
Jim thought about her comment for a good long time—all the way until he took his first sip of coffee. “Nope. Just can’t see the trouble in that.”
Lillie poked his side gently as she passed him, curling her fingers around his hip. “Well, I have plans for the day. And if you want, you can come along, but otherwise I’ll meet you for dinner. It’s up to you.”
She wasn’t getting out of his sight. Not only because she still had all that extra cash on her, but because—
Just because.
It’s Wednesday already, dude. Time’s a ticking.
Shut up. It’s only Wednesday.
“What are your plans?” He settled beside her on the couch, his legs on either side of her body as she sat on the floor and opened a website.
“Look.” She tapped on the screen. “I already contacted them, and there’s a class at ten, so there’s time for breakfast before we go. Before I go. Whatever.”
Jim looked closer at the website, trailing his fingers through her hair as he examined the pictures. She hummed happily as he stroked the long tresses back over her shoulder and into a bundle. “Dance lessons. You mentioned that yesterday. Don’t they have lessons where you come from?”
She stiffened, and he pressed his fingers to her scalp, rubbing until her body relaxed. “Not this kind of dancing.”
He was far more interested in touching her than examining the details on the screen. “You have a hairbrush with you?” he asked.
She uncurled herself from the floor and headed to one of the smaller suitcases, opening the side pouch and pulling out a bristly object. “I think I have a bunch of knots,” she warned.
“Probably,” he said, resettling her between his knees. “You should have grabbed your brush sooner, but I’ll take care of you.”
He worked slowly, one section at a time, holding the molten mass in his hand and carefully working out each tangle. She leaned on his legs, her arms curled around his shins as she allowed him to move her head as he needed. Brush after brush, the small tangles pulled to shimmering lines of copper, until the morning sunlight burst in the window. Then he was brushing a fistful of sunbeams, sparkling jewels tangling around his fingers as he worked the bristles through again and again.
Sensual, and yet not. After all the sexual fun they’d experienced, in some ways this moment felt the most intimate. They were quiet together, no words needed as he cared for her and she trusted him.
When she sighed happily, closing the cover on her computer, Jim pulled her into his lap. Lillie tucked herself against his chest.
“I really am having the most marvelous time,” she confessed. “But then I start to feel guilty because we’re just having a fling, and I know you didn’t want anything long-term, and neither do I, but I still feel guilty even though it’s on my bucket list and—”
“Hush.” He pressed a finger over her lips and let out a deep contented sigh of his own. “No guilt necessary. I’ve been enjoying myself too. It’s been a long time since I simply played, instead of working. I should be thanking you for giving up so much of your vacation time to accommodate me.”
She wrinkled her nose. “It’s not really a vacation—”
The elevator buzzed. The door slid open, and Damon wandered in. “Top of the morning to you, mates. Are y’all ready for some crackin’ fine adventures on this bonny day?”
It was his own fault for giving the bastard a pass card for the elevator in the first place. Jim was ready to revoke Damon’s best-friend status. He stretched his arm over the couch and twisted to watch his friend approach. “Did I invite you?”
Damon shook his head. “If I waited for an invitation, I’d never get asked up here. I’m no dummy.” He dropped into the chair opposite the couch. “Morning, Lillie. Sleep well?”
Lillie wiggled out of Jim’s lap, crossing her knees carefully as she settled at his side. “Of course. Thank you for asking.”
Damon’s gaze dropped over her, taking in the shirt and her bare legs. His grin faded slightly, but only Jim who knew him so well would’ve noticed.
Something was wrong.
Then the wolf’s charms-their-panties-off smile returned. “Neither of you are ready for breakfast. Why don’t you go get dressed, Lillie? I need to chat with the Griz-Man for a mo.”
“Sure,” she said willingly, popping up from his side.
Jim caught her around the waist and sent her tumbling back into his lap. “You didn’t say goodbye,” he scolded.
Her eyes sparkled as she pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you for brushing my hair. And thank you for the shirt.”
Her lips moved along his cheek t
o touch the corner of his mouth, a light touch like a butterfly’s wings before she pulled away, off his lap, and slipped back into his bedroom.
He was still staring after her when Damon cleared his throat before speaking quietly enough Lillie couldn’t overhear.
“Two nights in a row? Aren’t you ready to trade her in for a new model?”
Jim glared at his friend. “Make up your mind. Didn’t you say something about how I should take time off, find someone to screw? I do believe that’s what you said.”
“It was, and it is.” Damon crossed his arms, concern painting his expression. “And I know you enjoy the ladies. Only something seems different this time. You just seem to be getting in really deep, really fast.”
Jim couldn’t stop it. A chuckle burst free.
Damon twirled a cushion across the room at him. “And you say I have a dirty mind.”
“You do,” confirmed Jim. “Why are you so tangled up about me finding someone who scratches my itch?”
“Did she tell you anything more about where she came from? Or why she’s here?”
Jim rolled his eyes. “Why? Do you think she’s an ax murderer in disguise or something?”
“She could be. You have no way of knowing.”
“Maybe I should go through her luggage and see how many poisoned blades she’s carrying.” Jim tossed a hand toward the luggage in the corner.
Damon’s eyes widened. “Maybe you should…”
“Stop right there.”
His friend froze in the middle of rising to his feet in an awkwardly tilted squat position.
Jim glared evilly. “Don’t touch her things. No, I haven’t tried to dig any more information out of her, because frankly, it’s none of my business. We’re having a good time together for a few days, and come Friday, she’s heading her direction and you and I are heading to the hills. Comprendo?”
A long pause followed as Damon switched to pacing the room. “I think you need to be smart about this.”
“I understand,” Jim insisted. “And your heart is in a good place, but your head is somewhere else. She’s here for a good time. I’m having a really good time—enough said. Thank you for your concern.”