Love So Irresistible

by Marquita Valentine

  And forget him going down on her.

  “Normally, when a man takes off a woman’s panties, she looks excited, not like she’s about stab someone. Unless you’re into that.”

  Their eyes met and Skylar blushed, mortified she was so easy to read. “I’m not into that.”

  “Good. Because I wasn’t quite sure how that would work.” He tilted his head to one side. “But I was willing to try if that did it for you.”

  She simply stared at him. “Are you making fun of me?”

  “No. Sex isn’t a laughing matter. Little Big Mason would never come out again.”

  Little Big Mason? Biting her lips, she rose up on her elbows and attempted to glare at him. “Mason.”

  “Skylar.” He nuzzled her curls, his hot breath making her gasp. “Do we need to talk about what’s on your mind, or can I take your mind off it?”

  “I…”

  He parted her with his tongue, and her hips shot off the couch. “Liked that, huh?”

  “I’ve never had an orgasm during sex.”

  Not missing a beat, he licked her again. “You never had sex with me.”

  “But—”

  “Hush.” He pushed a finger inside of her, then added another. “Just enjoy the ride.” Liquid heat spread through her, and when he lowered his mouth, fire sparked.

  Falling back to the sofa with a moan, she spread her thighs wide and shoved her hands into his hair. He licked and sucked and ate her like he had all the time in the world. There was no hurry to his pace.

  “That’s right, baby. Let it come,” he murmured before sucking her clit into his mouth.

  She exploded.

  She screamed his name.

  She panted like she’d just played for hours without stopping.

  With a satisfied smile, Mason kissed her one last time and gently pulled his fingers from her body, then stretched out on top of her and covered her mouth with his.

  She tasted herself. Desire spark again as he rocked against her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and ground into him.

  “Baby, stop. I have to—damn.” He dropped his head to her chest.

  “Let me take care of you,” she said, unlocking her legs from around his waist. She pushed out from under him and unbuttoned his pants, taking his erection in her hands before kissing the head.

  He groaned, watching her.

  “Your turn to enjoy the ride.” She ran her tongue down the hard length.

  Then she made good on her promise.

  Mason stared at the ceiling, still reeling from what the woman in his arms had done to him with her mouth. What he had done to her with his. Shit. He’d enjoyed every minute of both, but maybe he’d taken things too far.

  Maybe he’d gone too fast. Maybe this overriding need to attempt to live in order to honor his brothers, and using Skylar in the process to see if he could, was an asshole move.

  All right, so it was more than an asshole move. It was a he-should-be-taken-out-back-and-shot kind of move.

  But if he were using her, he sure as hell wouldn’t have made her—who was he trying to kid? He would have made her come. He loved women’s bodies and the way they looked when they orgasmed. The way their skin flushed and their nipples got all hard.

  Skylar was no different. Except that she was different. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met before, and it drove him crazy. He should be concentrating on the future, on what he would do next with his life.

  Skylar scooted closer to him, resting her head on his chest. “Penny for your thoughts.”

  A gun to his temple wouldn’t have made him share his thoughts with her. “How long do you plan on living in Jessamine?”

  “Oh, caught that, did you?”

  Caught what? “Yep.”

  “Moving around is in my blood, but I made myself buy this house. It’s paid for free and clear with the money my dad had left to me with his life insurance policy.” She played out a beat on his chest and then rose up slightly to look at him. Her dark hair glided forward. “I’m putting down roots here.”

  So was he, and damn if his heart didn’t start beating harder at the thought of their roots intertwining. “Right before my last deployment, I had talked to a guy about starting up a diving and chartering business—take people out so they can fish and the more adventurous out ones diving. There are a ton of shipwrecks off the coast.”

  “Tons of sharks, too,” she pointed out.

  He laughed. “Would you stop with the sharks?”

  “Someone needs to worry after you.”

  “You signing up for the job?” he asked, cupping her cheek. Damn, she was beautiful.

  “Already told you that you’re my business now.”

  “So you did.”

  “Your mother called me to invite us to a family dinner.”

  He stiffened, and not in a good way either. “Damn it, Skylar.”

  “Consider her invitation, Mason. Just consider it and consider her feelings.”

  “I’m not promising anything,” he said as he rubbed his thumb along the line of her jaw. “Too many people, remember?” Besides, the last time he’d eaten there, he’d insulted everyone at the table and pissed off his dad.

  “That’s why I said it needed to be only us.”

  Mason’s brows shot up. “You told my mother who to invite to her own house?”

  Skylar made a face. “No. I only suggested that she should keep it small.”

  “And she went for that?”

  She sighed. “Baby, she’d do anything to see her son.”

  He considered her words for a moment, and the fact that she’d gone to bat for him. That she’d expressed what he couldn’t to his own family.

  “I’ll call her.”

  “Does that mean we’re—?”

  “I’m done talking.” He brought her mouth down to his and kissed every last word out of her.

  *

  The next evening, Mason picked Skylar up in his truck and drove them to his parents’ farm. It was situated right outside of town, with over a thousand acres of land that his dad either farmed himself or rented out.

  As the truck bumped down the one-lane road that led to the house, Skylar unbuckled her seatbelt and scooted closer to him. The scent of her shampoo and lightly scented floral perfume washed over him.

  “I think we should work out a code for when you’re ready to go,” she said, nibbling on his ear.

  His eyes almost crossed. “Pretty sure that’s a damn good code you’re working on right now.”

  “Not this. This is to take your mind off things before you have to put your mind on things.”

  He sliced his gaze to her. “You make no sense at all.”

  “I make perfect sense. Your parents will want you to stay for as long as possible, and you might not want to stay that long.”

  “True. But—”

  “Trust me, Mason. I’m here to help you. We’re a team. I got your back.”

  “The code is I’m ready to leave.” He parked the truck and unbuckled his seatbelt, then turned to her. He framed her face in his hands. “I’m not lying to my parents, no matter how sweet your intentions are.”

  Her lips parted. “Whatever you want.”

  I want you. “Thank you.” He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose before claiming her mouth with a hot kiss. Somehow he managed to pull away from her and get out of the truck. She slid out behind him and slipped her hand into his, lacing their fingers together.

  “Go Team Maylar.”

  “No.”

  “Skyson?”

  “Really?”

  “Works for celebrities.”

  “We’re not celebrities.”

  “You might not be,” she said, all ridiculously haughty. “But once upon a time, I was famous.”

  “Do tell.”

  “On the Carnie circuit, I was way famous,” she said with a grin. “Dancing bears and bearded ladies stood in line for hours just to hear me play.”

  “I bet th
ey did.”

  “You didn’t laugh.”

  “On the inside, I was dying.” Actually, on the inside, he had been dying until she came into his life.

  With a pleased smile, she shut his truck door and they started for the house. His parents came out to greet them, a trembling smile on his mother’s lips.

  Guilt lanced through him. He’d done that to his mother. He’d made her cry and think that he didn’t want to see her. Fuck.

  “I made your favorite—at least, I hope it’s still your favorite,” Dinah began, clearly hoping for his approval.

  It made him feel worse. “Everything you cook is my favorite…Momma.”

  Skylar squeezed his hand.

  His dad smiled approvingly.

  And his mother…she simply put her arms around him and held on tight.

  Chapter Eleven

  ‡

  “Would you like to come inside?” Skylar asked as he pulled up to her house.

  “For a bit,” he replied.

  Dinner with his parents hadn’t been bad at all, and it was all thanks to the woman he assisted out of his truck. She had made his parents laugh and kept him from having to talk more than he wanted.

  The food had been damn good and as far as being around his family…if that was a sign of things to come, he could handle that. Hell, he might even look forward to it one day.

  Maybe even a dinner with the entire family.

  But not yet.

  After unlocking the door, he followed her inside. There was a light on in the hallway and in the kitchen. “Did you leave those on?”

  “Yes. I hate coming home to a dark house.” She stopped to set her purse on the table. “It’s a safety thing, too. Someone broke into my apartment a couple of years ago, and it felt like I’d been violated. I slept with every light on in the place for months.”

  The thought of something happening to Skylar, even in the past, filled him with terror and pissed him off at the same time. “Did they arrest the guy?”

  “Not at first. He broke into a dozen more before they finally caught up with him.”

  “I’m sorry they didn’t get him earlier. Bet you would have slept better.” He remembered not sleeping when he first came back. Hell, there were nights he didn’t sleep at all now. Fucking nightmares.

  “It’s okay. I sleep really good knowing there’s a SEAL next door to protect me.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. “How about you show me your music room?”

  “You’ve seen it, but okay.”

  He kissed the side of her neck, enjoying the way she trembled in his arms. “No, I want to see your private one. The one where you serenade me every night.”

  “How do you know it’s not one and the same?”

  “The sound comes from a different direction.”

  “Stupid military training,” she muttered, and he grinned. “Fine.”

  “If you don’t want to, then I’m not going to make you, but it’s the least you could do for making me eat dinner with my parents.”

  Her mouth formed a perfect O before she smacked him. “That was low. I can’t believe you—”

  He cut her off with a kiss. “Show me, sweetheart. Play something for me.”

  Taking him by the hand, she led down the hallway to a room on the far end of the house. “This was the selling point of the house.”

  “I thought the SEAL next door was the selling point.”

  She rolled her eyes and opened the door. “I didn’t see you until after I’d moved in.”

  He stepped inside and gave a low whistle. “I can see why this is your private music room.”

  In the shape of an octagon, the room was filled with stained glass windows and a pair of large French doors that had a clear view of the sound. Beyond it was a small patio and a rose garden.

  “I don’t remember the garden ever looking that good.”

  She shrugged. “Right before I moved in, the owners did some landscaping—I think. I never could get a straight answer from the realtor.”

  “It’s pretty.” He walked across aged, hardwood floors to a baby grand piano and ran his hand over the curve of wood sticking out. Turning to her, he said, “Play for me.”

  Moonlight made the stained glass glow behind her as she moved to the piano bench. Settling down gracefully, she positioned her fingers over the keyboard, bent her swan-like neck, and began to play.

  Mesmerized, he stood there, watching as her hands moved swiftly over the keys, as if they were barely touching them at all. Yet, music filled the room, filled his body, and soul.

  Ensnaring him.

  Enchanting him.

  Walking up behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and slid them down and over her breasts. There was a slight pause. “Don’t stop, beautiful.” He left her perfect breasts and ran his hands down her thighs, then back up again, pulling her skirt with him and revealing beautifully smooth skin.

  He pushed her panties to the side and found her hot, wet…so wet.

  Skylar let out a ragged breath and leaned back into him. He bent his knees slightly, his bad leg shaking, but he refused to give into it. He was strong and his body could be pushed to endure, especially when it came to pleasuring this woman.

  As she played, he touched her, caressed her, made her tremble until she stopped playing and gave in, his name echoing in the room. A sound so damn sexy that he almost lost it then and there.

  She stood, her shirt slipping over her shoulders. Her bra was next to go, followed by her skirt and panties. Before he could get his shirt over his head, her small hands were at the waistband of his pants, tugging and pulling, her hot mouth making him groan.

  He spun her around and sat down on the bench, gripping her hips tight. “There’s a condom in my left pocket.”

  “I have more upstairs,” Skylar said, leaning to one side to grab the small square. Ripping it open, she smoothed it down over his hot length, hands trembling like it was her first time.

  Well, it was their first time, and she hoped she didn’t screw it up by being awkward.

  “Tell me if I do something you don’t like,” she said before straddling his legs and positioning herself over his erection.

  “Sweetness, I like everything you do.” He grabbed her hips, and she trailed her fingers down the length of him.

  “You feel so good. So hard,” she whispered.

  “Skylar,” he groaned, pushing up.

  She closed her eyes to the pleasure of him filling her. His fingers dug into her hips when she tried to move.

  “I’m not all the way in,” he said, claiming her lips. “I can make you wet enough to take me.”

  She slid down further, her nails digging into his shoulders. “Mason.”

  He buried his face between her breasts, turning his head slightly to lick the swell of one. She moved her hips experimentally and he thrust into her hard. She cried out.

  His mouth wrapped around her nipple and began to suck. Tease. Bite.

  He made her lose her mind as his mouth, hands, and cock drove her to the brink. Her body tightened and tightened in on itself.

  “Come with me, beautiful. I got you. Let me…let me,” he whispered against her skin. “I have you. You’re so beautiful like this. So pretty.”

  Leaning back, she grabbed her ankles and began to rock her hips. His strong arms came around her, pulling her to him, molding her body to his.

  “Want to feel you, baby. Need you with me. Close.” His hands stroked down her back, cupped her bottom, and then started all over again as he drove into her.

  Even with her on top, he had to be in control. “I’m here. I’m with you,” she said, rubbing the tips of her breasts against his chest. “I’m here.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “Oh,” she moaned as tremors rocked her body.

  “There you go.” He cupped the back of her neck and covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply.

  The friction of their bodies made her jolt, made
her want to scream.

  Mason’s free hand came between them and stroked her clit. Once. Twice. Over and over until she broke apart and screamed his name.

  With a hoarse shout, he followed her, still teasing her swollen clit, still thrusting inside of her until she was sobbing his name.

  He muttered a curse and kissed her face, kissed her lips until she was kissing him back, and he became hard again.

  With a grunt, he maneuvered them to the rug on the floor and began to drive into her hard. She grabbed his back, urged him closer, faster…to take what he needed from her, but he slowed his thrusts and searched her face.

  His blue eyes glinted. “You’re what I need. You’re all I need,” he said softly.

  She felt the same way, wanted to say the words, but they were lodged in her throat. Instead, she leaned up and kissed him, made him slide so deep inside of her that he groaned her name.

  Then he made her scream his.

  Later that night, a muffled shout jolted her awake. She found herself pressed nose first into a wall of solid muscle that was throwing off major heat.

  Despite that delicious heat, she was shivering because the covers had become all twisted around Mason’s legs.

  Yawning, she reached over him and suddenly found herself flat on her back with his hand on her throat.

  Her eyes widened at the man above her. His face was hard, and his eyes were like cut glass. She didn’t think he recognized her at all. Terror and pity flowed through her, confusing her body with wanting to fight him and wanting to comfort him.

  “Please.” She grabbed his wrist and tugged as tears gathered in her throat and pricked at the back of her eyes. “Mason. Let me go. It’s Skylar.”

  Nothing.

  His fingers flexed, but he didn’t cut off her air supply. Oh God. What if he did? She began to pray, tried to think of a way to help him while attempting to not let fear make her frozen, but she was so damn scared that all she could do at first was cry and try to pry his fingers off of her.