Betting the Bad Boy (Behind the Bar)

by Stefanie London

  “Christ, Paige.” When she gave a sharp little tug, he almost dropped to his knees. “Shower. Now,” he growled.

  With a cheeky grin, she slipped out from between him and the wall, her bare ass tempting him to swat her as she got beneath the spray. “I thought I was supposed to be undressing you?”

  “If you kept that up I’d have a mess in my pants before I even got naked,” he said, yanking his belt.

  He dragged the zipper down and removed both his jeans and his jocks. Her eyes never left him, eating him up with greedy desire. Noah knew he had a good body—he worked out and did a lot of manual tasks at First. But he’d never felt on top of the world like he did with Paige looking at him like she wanted to devour him.

  “Like what you see?” He sauntered toward her.

  “Gee, you should work out once in a while.” The sarcasm was playful, as was the roll of her eyes. “Take care of your body, would you? Those abs don’t quite look like they’re made of stone yet.”

  “You’ll give me a complex,” he said as he stepped into the shower, backing her up against the tiled wall.

  She quirked a brow. “Really?”

  “Not a chance in hell.” He grinned. “Now turn around.”

  “You going to frisk me or something?” She turned and planted both palms against the tiles.

  “Or something,” he murmured, his lips at the back of her neck.

  Water ran in rivulets down her body, the spray hitting them from the side. He grabbed the bar of soap and massaged it over her back, tracing the contours of her waist and working the foam into her creamy skin.

  “I thought a lot of things could happen when I came up here.” She sighed as he worked the bar of soap up the inside of her thigh. “But getting a thorough cleaning wasn’t one of them.”

  He brushed his hands high up, but stopped short of her sex. Teasing her. A frustrated noise bounced off the walls, and she shifted, moving her hips back and forth. His fingertips traced the underside of her butt, the slowness killing him as much as it was torturing her.

  “What did you think would happen?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, something more along the lines of ‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am.’”

  He snorted. “That’s insulting.”

  “Why? I know why you invited me up here, and it wasn’t for a friendly drink.”

  “I meant the ‘wham, bam’ bit.” If she thought he was all about the instant-gratification quickie then she was going to be sorely disappointed—or rather, sore and satisfied, if he had his way.

  “That’s not to say that I thought you wouldn’t last long. You don’t look like the type who struggles with…I mean, I’m sure you’re a stallion…” She’d turned back to face the wall, but he could tell she was blushing. “I’m going to shut up now.”

  “Don’t be too quiet.” He pressed into her, the hard length of his cock rubbing against her. “I need to know that you’re enjoying yourself.”

  He reached around in front of her and delved between her legs. The sharp sound of her gasp sent endorphins rocketing through him. She was so hot. So wet. So ready.

  “Oh, I am,” she said with a moan.

  Her forearms came up to brace against the wall, and she rested her head between them. The gentle rocking of her hips matched the timing of his strokes, and he felt her quiver. The soap on her skin helped him rub against her.

  “You need a condom,” she said suddenly, her voice tight. “I don’t want to ruin the mood but—”

  “It’s okay.” He pressed his lips to the back of her neck. “I’m not going to put either one of us at risk.”

  Cold air hit his heated skin as he stepped out of the shower and grabbed the box of rubbers that he had in the cabinet behind his mirror. Within a few seconds, he had himself sheathed and was back in the shower—trapping her with his body.

  “I bet you’re used to women who are smoother than me,” she said quietly as he pressed her back against the wall.

  He tipped her face up to his and brushed the damp strands of hair from her forehead. “What I see is what I get with you. I like that.”

  She closed her eyes and laughed. “That’s me. Little Miss No Filter.”

  “It’s good. No head games or power plays.” He ran a hand up her rib cage and palmed her breast. “No lies or other manipulative bullshit. You’re refreshing and sexy as hell—don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.”

  “Okay.” She bit down on her lip as he plucked her nipple in a slow, steady rhythm.

  “Now stop talking and let me do my thing, all right?”

  Her eyes sparkled and she nodded, miming the turn of a key at the corner of her mouth. The cheeky expression melted as he dipped his head to hers, pushing his tongue into her mouth and taking a kiss that was fueled with pent-up arousal and their drawn-out foreplay.

  His hands were all over her—cupping her breasts, grabbing her hips, parting the slick folds of her sex. She panted, and her head lolled back against the tiles. Working Paige up into a frenzied state was incredible, but his cock was begging for release. So when she dropped her hand down between them and filled her palm with his girth, Noah groaned.

  “Christ, Paige.” He rested his forehead against hers and thrust slowly into her wet palm.

  Her strokes grew more confident at the sound of his pleasure, and she twisted her hand when she reached his head, squeezing in a way that pushed him hard up against the edge. If he didn’t have her soon…

  “I need to be inside you.” He growled the words into her ear, and a tremor ran through her.

  She nodded. Sliding his hand over her ass and down the back of one thigh, he lifted her leg to open her body to him. Her delicate hands guided his erection, and her eyes blinked wide and dark. Water droplets clung to her lashes. She was the most beautiful creature on earth.

  “Ready?” He peppered kisses along her jaw, and she urged him on with a soft groan and the bob of her head.

  In one stroke, he pushed slowly into her, easing them into position and giving her time to adjust. She was tight and so hot he had to stop himself from blowing his load with one thrust.

  “Paige,” he moaned as she rolled her hips, telling him with her body that she was ready for more. “You feel so fucking perfect.”

  Her arms looped around his neck and she crushed her mouth against his, greedily seeking his tongue. Nipping at his lips. Marking him. Devouring him. He sank his fingers into her hips and thrust into her, burying himself over and over. Steam filled the shower, making everything dreamlike. But the feeling of Paige’s hands tugging at his hair and her teeth scraping along his neck were vividly real.

  “Noah,” she moaned, rocking back and forth to meet his pace. “I think I’m going to…oh God.”

  Her inner muscles clenched around him as she came, her moans turning to cries as she tipped over the edge. He wanted to hold on—to let her have her moment before he sought his own release—but the sight of her face flushed with pleasure and the sound of his name on her lips was too much.

  Noah buried his face against her hair as he found his own release, coming so hard he had no idea how he kept them both upright.

  …

  Paige woke the following morning with Noah’s arm resting heavily over her midsection. She wasn’t used to sharing a bed with someone—well, barring the few times she’d woken up to Damon needling his claws into her thigh. But now she was trapped in Noah’s giant bed, his muscular thighs cradling her butt, and the gentle sound of his breath whispering across her skin. It was strangely comforting. Intimate in an entirely new way.

  Part of her had assumed, after their interlude in the shower, that he might give her the hint to leave. Or maybe offered to walk her home or call a taxi as a way of reclaiming his space. But instead, he’d handed her a thick fluffy towel and poured another round of drinks. They’d sat on the couch talking until some indecent hour, when he’d taken her to his bed and touched her all over.

  When she’d made some weak suggesti
on about heading home, he’d shaken it off and told her to stay. Was that usually how casual sex worked? Sex with Noah, however, felt anything but casual. He acted like he cared about her feelings, about her pleasure and making her feel comfortable. Those weren’t the hallmark items of a one-night stand.

  “Your brain is noisy.” Noah’s sleep-fuzzy voice brought an instant smile to Paige’s lips. “Stop thinking so loud.”

  “I was wondering if it was time to start gnawing my arm off.”

  He snorted. “I might believe it if you weren’t screaming the house down last night. You’re not in a rush to go anywhere.”

  Paige shifted in his grip, turning to face him. “Are you always this cocky?”

  “Yes.” He grinned. “Do you always avoid the truth by asking questions?”

  “I’m not avoiding anything.”

  There would be absolutely no point. Noah was 100 percent right—if she’d been any louder they might’ve had a noise complaint from the apartment next door. But what was she supposed to do when he was using his supremely talented tongue to make her come over and over? Hell, it felt like they’d broken a Guinness World Record.

  She giggled to herself. Was there a world record for most orgasms achieved on a first date?

  It’s not a date. Get that out of your head right now, because if you go expecting anything from him then you’re going to end up disappointed.

  But what were they supposed to do now? Go back to having a boss-employee relationship? Did she really think she could sit back and watch him move on to another woman?

  Her stomach pitched. What if another new girl started at First and she had to witness him using all the moves he’d once put on her? She wanted to be sick. This was why she shouldn’t have gotten close to him. Because now she wanted to claim him. Keep him.

  Make him hers.

  “What’s going on in that sexy mind of yours?” He nuzzled at her neck, nipping at her still-sensitive skin.

  “Never you mind.” She shoved the doubts to one side and planted her hands on his chest, pushing him back so she could straddle him. “I’m more interested in actions than thoughts.”

  “I like the sound of that.” His palms smoothed up her thighs to the edge of the T-shirt he’d given her until his hands captured her hips.

  He was hard as stone, the long ridge of his cock rubbing deliciously against the inside of her thigh. After all they’d done last night, Paige would’ve thought she’d be satiated. Apparently not. Noah had woken the beast inside her.

  “I want to hear you beg,” she whispered into his ear. She had to shut her eyes because the idea of being so bold made her flush, but if this was only going to be sex, then she was going to make sure she got what she came for.

  An uneasy feeling rocked in her stomach. She wasn’t ready to let this go.

  Think of it as a much-needed escape from reality. You’ve been safe, and you went in with your eyes open. Enjoy the moment and move on.

  “I don’t beg, Paige.” His teeth scraped along her neck, sending a shudder through her. “I prefer to be the beggee rather than the beggar.”

  She laughed. “Beggee is totally not a word.”

  “Is so.” He rocked up against her, making her moan. “The one who receives begs.”

  “Well, I bet I can be the first girl to make you beg.” She wriggled against him, the thought of shimmying down his body and taking him in her mouth driving her wild. “Someone has to break you eventually.”

  “That so?” He flashed her that hotter-than-sin smile. “What do I get when I win?”

  “When? Tsk, tsk.” She rocked back and forth, rubbing herself against him. Shameless and high on the power that she could make a man like Noah Reid groan with pleasure. “So very cocky. What do you want?”

  “How about another night with you?” His eyes were smoky. Dark.

  Another night? Her heart soared. So he wasn’t ready for this to be over yet, either? Maybe she wasn’t wrong about those niggling feelings. Maybe there was more than lust, more than physical attraction.

  More to be explored.

  “Done.” She leaned forward and tugged on the glinting silver piercing at his nipple with her teeth. His hips bucked, pressing hard against her.

  “Nope.” The word was broken off by a moan. “Not begging.”

  “What about if I do this?” She slid a little farther down and ran her tongue along the flat plane of his stomach. She nipped at his hip bone, enjoying the little flash of pink that rose to the surface of his skin.

  “Definitely not begging.” His hands bunched in the sheets as she licked along the edge of his black boxer briefs. “Not even a little bit.”

  Paige was almost at eye level with his cock. She pressed her lips to the part of him that strained against the cotton of his underwear in a kiss that felt far too chaste for its location. Above her, a hum of pleasure sounded.

  “How about now?” she teased as she walked her fingers up the length of him, hooking one into the waistband of his briefs.

  “Ahhh…nope.” The word came out jagged. He propped himself up on his elbows so he could watch. “You should keep trying, though.”

  Paige chuckled. “You don’t get the prize unless you say the magic words.”

  “Never.”

  She tugged the waistband of his boxer briefs down to expose him. A nervous feeling fluttered in her stomach—like little beating wings of butterflies tickling her insides in anticipation. She wasn’t sure what he liked, and even though she’d taken the lead, she wasn’t sure if she should ask him, either. No matter. She’d let his sounds be her guide.

  Her tongue darted out to swipe at his head, the earthy taste surprisingly pleasant. Kneeling between his legs, she wrapped her fingers around his thickness and stroked up and down while she drew him between her lips.

  “Christ, Paige.” Noah’s labored breath sent a shiver of delight through her. His fingers tangled in her hair, not pulling or pushing, but merely hanging on as though he needed something to keep him grounded. “That’s so fucking good.”

  Pausing, she looked up. “Would you like me to keep going?”

  He made a sound that was halfway between a growl and a laugh. “Who would have thought the good girl from the country would be so damn feisty in bed?”

  “I’m full of surprises.” She hovered, her lips close, waiting for him to give in to her. “Just say the word.”

  “Fuck,” he muttered, shooting her a wry smile. “You’re difficult to resist, Paige.”

  “We can finish this,” she said, emboldened by the tension in his body. She’d never felt so powerful before, so confident and in charge. “All you have to do is say Paige, you’re the winner. I’ll never be stupid enough to bet you again.”

  When he hesitated, she darted her tongue out and made him groan. “Paige,” he gritted out. “Bloody hell. Okay, you win.”

  “And you’ll never be stupid enough to bet me again.”

  His head rolled back. “And I’ll never be stupid enough to bet you again.”

  Victorious, she dipped her head, taking him into her mouth and learning the shape and feel of him. Learning his taste and that he seemed to like it when she lingered at the tip of him, hollowing her cheeks as she sucked. His hips bucked when she squeezed the base of his cock, a string of muttered curse words flying from his lips. She liked his dirty mouth very much.

  “So fucking good.” He tried to reach for her arm.

  Her breath hitched, the praise washing through her. “I want to finish you…with my mouth.”

  His eyes glittered wide and black. “Do you have any idea how incredibly sexy that is?”

  “I have some idea.” She flushed and tried to hide it by dropping her mouth back down to him.

  “How did I get to be so fucking lucky?” He dropped his head back down to the pillow and let out a soft groan.

  It was impossible to ignore the little pulse of satisfaction that flowed through her veins. Never in a million years would she have imagined s
omeone saying that about her. As she worked him up and down in long, steady strokes, his hips rolled, matching her rhythm.

  Noah swore again and tightened his fingers on her hair, losing the easy restraint he had a moment ago. “Paige, baby, I’m so close,” he gritted out.

  He pulsed in her grip, a roar shattering the quiet of the early morning as he emptied himself down her throat.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Who knew that blow jobs could be enjoyable for the person giving them? Paige pushed up from the bed and took in Noah’s disheveled appearance. His blond hair was in disarray, the sheets were knotted at his sides, and his chest rose and fell in gulping breaths. It would be easy to stare all day at that incredible body, to trace every ripple of muscle with her tongue until she’d covered every inch of him.

  How was it possible that he’d turned her into this lusty thing after only one night?

  “You’re amazing,” he said, his voice gritty and rough. “That was…amazing.”

  “Running out of adjectives?” she teased.

  “Seems all the blood in my body is somewhere other than my brain.” He rolled onto his side. “Are you running away?”

  “I’m going to grab a drink.” She sucked on her lower lip. “But I can head off if you need to get ready for work…or something.”

  “It’s early. I was thinking we could grab breakfast before I go to First.”

  Happiness shimmered in her chest. “I’d like that.”

  She padded out into the main area of the apartment, feeling as though she were floating rather than walking. There had been a very real fear that sleeping with Noah would go the same way as her first time—and she didn’t want to relive that pain. Being an open book, her life had been fraught with the opportunity for her to say or do the wrong thing, socially. Being too honest or too open had hurt her on a number of occasions. And rejections stung as much now as they did back then.

  But Noah seemed to like her for who she was.

  She reached the refrigerator and yanked the door open, relishing the cool blast of air on her heated skin. Searching for something to quench her thirst, she found a bottle of orange juice and then hunted for a glass. He had a typical guy’s kitchen—all the basics but nothing fancy. A small collection of novelty shot glasses. No decorative items and nothing stuck to the fridge door.