He scooted his chair as close to her as he could and sat the mixed drink on the table. A smile crossed his face when she took a long drag. The man wanted to get her drunk. Flattered a sexy creature like Noah wanted to sleep with her, she took another drink and dreamed of seeing his dimples in the morning sun.
“You have the cutest dimples I’ve ever seen.” They made her body warm when he used them on her. Who was she kidding? She wanted to take him home and make him smile, put dimples on his face for hours. And she wouldn’t let guilt cloud her mind about this. It had been far too long since a man had held her through the night.
To her disappointment, he stopped smiling and scowled. “What’s wrong?” Knots formed in her stomach, and she found it hard to breathe. Had she done something to cause the sour look?
“Nothing.” He took a drink from his refilled mug.
“Did I do something to upset you?” She’d never seen a person change moods so quickly. Was this his temper surfacing again? Well, plain and simple, she needed him for a short time. Then she could say good-bye and get back to her boyfriend-temper-free life. “If we’re going to pull this off, then I need to understand your moods.”
Swallowing hard, he ran a finger around the rim of his mug. “It’s nothing, really. I just got a bit of heart burn there for a second.” He pushed on his chest.
“Oh. Do you want to leave?” Go on, say it. You know you want to. “Maybe see where I live? I mean, since I’ve told everyone you’re over all the time, you’ll need to know where it’s at.”
His eyes widened in surprise. Had she shocked him? Moved too soon? Would he think her a slut? She tried to read his face, but she didn’t know him well enough to understand his expressions.
“Yeah, let’s get out of here.” Gently he took her hand in his and stood up. “Did you drive?”
“No. I grabbed a cab. You?” She scooped up her purse and walked to the lobby with him.
He opened the lobby doors and walked her to the parking lot, still holding her hand. The farther she walked, the more disbelief washed over her. “This can’t be your car,” she said when he stopped at a 1966, charcoal gray, Chevy Nova.
“Why not?” He unlocked the door and opened it for her to get in.
“Because, this thing’s sweet.” Plum interior. Sleek and modern. Forget Tyler’s sports cars. A classic turned her to mush and a ‘66 Nova was her favorite. She slid inside and Noah closed the door. Crushed velvet seats massaged her thighs.
When he climbed inside and looked at her, she felt warm and fuzzy. Like a teenager on her first date, but in a better car.
He fired it up and the hotrod purred.
“Wow.” Another stupid teenage thing to say, but it was the only word she managed to form.
A smile returned to his face, and tingles went down her spine. The illusion of the perfect guy began to build. Something she’d done with every other relationship in her life. She’d float on a cloud until the cloud dissipated and the fall would take her by surprise, knock the beat from her heart. Hey, this time she could allow an illusion. They were pretending anyway.
She gave him directions to her house. A few streets over and a couple of blocks down. They’d be there in no time.
Riding in his car, excitement bubbled around in her stomach. Energy rushed though her veins as other drivers stared and honked.
The short drive ended too soon. She wanted to ride in his car a bit longer, but they turned into her drive. He opened her door for her again. Most modern women would be offended. She, on the other hand, liked a man to take care of her. In more ways than one, and if he was this thoughtful in everyday actions, how much more would he be in bed?
The thought of their naked bodies entwined invaded her mind as they walked to the door. She fumbled with the keys and finally found the right one to unlock the door. “This is it. Home sweet home.”
* * * *
Noah closed the door behind them as Val flipped on the light. An oversized sofa and four brown wicker chairs with beige cushions made a U around a coffee table. An armoire filled the wall opposite the sofa. Magazines were spread out on the coffee table. A few plants sat around and an abstract painting covered the largest wall.
“This is the living room.” She laughed when she looked at his face.
His thoughts must have been written all over him. It looked more like a doctor’s office than a living room.
“I know what you’re thinking. It doubles as a waiting room for clients.” She took his hand and led him through an open doorway. “Kitchen and dining are this way.”
He followed close behind her as she showed him around. The place needed to be familiar to him if they had dinner here with her parents. Maybe they should have dinner at a restaurant, give themselves less to worry about.
The dining room appeared as stiff as the living room. Plastic plants covered surfaces and everything shined. A far cry from his grease stained clothes and furniture. “Why so many fake plants?”
Laughing again, she squeezed his hand. “Because I tend to kill the real ones.”
Taking a few more steps, she showed him the kitchen and an enclosed back porch that felt more relaxed. Like a place he could kick his shoes off, throw her on the couch and make love all night under the moonlight.
“This is one of my two private spaces. I like to sit out here and look at the stars, read a book or just have friends over. We don’t spend a lot of time in the living room. Even on cooler nights, I fire up the wood burning stove to warm the space. TV’s out here, as well as the computer and stereo.”
Crickets chirped and the quiet hum of the night filled his ears. Aromas of roses and lilies filtered through the large screens. Val’s skin glowed in the light of the moon. It was the natural time to kiss her. Would have kissed her, if they’d been on a real date, but they weren’t. He was a business deal to her. A way to get back at her ex. Did she even find him interesting? Charming? Or did she pick him because of his boy-next-door look?
Maybe she didn’t believe he was a threat to her. That he wouldn’t make a move. It dawned on him it could be the reason she’d invited him to her house. She did think he was the sweet, next door, boy persona. Well, he’d show her he could take charge and be a fabulous lover.
He would have kissed her, but she tugged on his hand and led him back through the kitchen and into the hallway.
“I converted the second bedroom to my salon.” She opened the door and quickly showed him her salon—a desk and a few chairs, tools and shelf after shelf of nail polish.
“The bathroom’s through this door.” She gestured to a closed door between the salon and what must be the master bedroom. “And behind here,” she opened another door and flipped on the light, “is my other private space, the master bedroom.”
She said master bedroom as if the tour had been completed. Good, because he had some exploring of his own to do.
Chapter 3
Val turned around to see Noah taking in the room.
“Have I ever slept here?”
“Yeah, a few times. However, I’ve only told that to my girlfriends. So you don’t have to tell my parents you have.” Her parents were open-minded about those sorts of things, but it still felt odd discussing her sex life with them. Or lack of. She hadn’t been with a guy since Tyler, and he had claimed to be tired all the time from working on his film career. The film he’d claimed had been a documentary about an ill child.
Some documentary. Turned out to be two barely legal teenage girls and neither one looked sick. Blondes with double D cups, tanned skin, and flat stomachs. Straight porn, nothing else. No wonder he didn’t want sex with her anymore. Well, she’d dropped those extra twenty pounds of flab and turned it to muscle, boxing in the gym. It’d done hell to her nails, but she’d taken some time off to make them nice for tonight.
Noah stepped in farther and walked to her bed. “Which side do you sleep on?”
Any side you want. “The right side. Unless you sleep on the right side. Then I coul
d sleep on the left. It really doesn’t matter to me.” Stop blabbering like an idiot. Why was she so nervous now when she’d been so cool and in charge at the hotel? Because the last three men who’d been in her bedroom had lied, cheated and broken her heart. Tyler being the latest and most devastating.
Well this was different. Sam wasn’t real, and Noah would play a part, take his grand and walk away. She might as well get her money’s worth. It had been too long since she’d had sex, and she was too embarrassed to buy a toy. Even from the internet, someone had to deliver it.
The bed creaked as Noah sat down on the mattress and pushed a few times. “Firm.”
She turned her back and slipped off her shoes. Looking at him on her bed made her want to pounce on him, yet her body shook in fear. What would he think when he found out how inexperienced she was? The man had to have women lined up and throwing themselves at him.
Warm, rough skin caressed her waist, making her jump at the unexpected touch.
“They’ll never believe you if you jump when I touch you.” He put his other hand on her waist and pulled her onto his lap.
Every muscle in her body tensed, and she sucked in her breath. They’d known each other a few short hours, and she’d brought him to her house. He could be a serial killer or a rapist. What was she thinking?
“Relax.” His husky tone and soft breath on her skin eased her nerves. “We’ve been intimate before.”
Only in her dreams and her lies. But he was right about one thing. She had to play the part of the love stricken girlfriend in a new relationship. It shouldn’t be too hard with Noah playing Sam.
She let out her breath and relaxed. Her body molded to his as he wrapped his arm around her. He traced a finger over her waist, up her side and brushed the underside of her breast. Heat ignited in her bosom, sending tingles to her nipples. Juices flowed between her legs. If she’d worn panties tonight, they’d have been soaked by now.
He tipped his head and leaned down. Soft, tender lips swept across hers. He hesitated and pulled back. The sweet taste had been like a drop of liquor to an alcoholic. She cupped his face and covered his mouth with hers. Darting her tongue inside, she explored and searched. Licked. Sucked. Tasted beer and discovered muscle. The man was rock solid from tongue to toes.
His chest rose and fell in quick bursts as he spoke. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’m sure people will believe us as long as you look at me like you are now.”
Oh, but she wanted to do more. See more. Taste more. She licked her lips and kissed him again. His hands dug into her hair, and he pulled her closer. As his breaths grew rapid, his muscled pecs brushed her nipples—which ached to be freed from the constraining bra, begged to be touched.
She stripped his shirt off and pushed him back on the bed. Was she really doing this? Meaningless sex with a man she barely knew? Her eyes took in his washboard abs, stone pecs and bulging biceps. Yeah. Oh yeah, she was doing this.
Straddling him, she touched the smooth skin stretched over hardened chest muscles. All steel, as in her dreams, not a strand of hair grew on his lean waist or torso. His eyes blazed with desire as he slid her blouse over her head. The sheer fabric of her bra exposed puckered nipples. A low moan vibrated through his throat.
Thoughts invaded her mind again. Pestered her with questions of why she would give herself to a complete stranger. All reason fled as his hands caressed her legs.
Slipping off her bra, she threw it to the side. It didn’t hide anything. Only got in the way of what she wanted; his hands massaging her breasts.
He granted her wish. Tugged at her nipples. Pleasure ran down to the pit of her stomach. She arched her back and ground against his crotch. His pants separated her growing need from the one thing that could quench her desire—the hard thick cock between her legs.
Releasing her breasts, he slipped his hands up inside her skirt, over her legs and stopped at her hips when he found no underwear. He sucked in his breath and slid a hand between her legs.
* * * *
“Oh, fuck.” Noah moaned. Finding no panties revved his cock into overdrive, but touching her pussy dripping with juices exceeded his expectations. Her breasts fit great in his large hands. Lips of silk. Curves that only a racecar driver could handle. Fourteen days would never be long enough to make love to her like he wanted to. And oh how he wanted to. Wanted to leave her begging for more.
He rubbed his finger between her slick folds. She whimpered and ground her hips across his engorged dick. His thumb flicked over her clit, and she bucked. Again, he used his newfound power over her. Another quick flick of his thumb, and she bucked with a moan. Hair inched down her back as she arched her neck, eyes closed, mouth opened in sweet pleasure.
A few more flicks and then he slid a finger inside her velvet pussy. Tight and wet. Tighter than he’d ever felt before. He wondered when she’d had sex last. Could she handle his thick cock or would he hurt her? Bragging about his package wasn’t in his nature, but he was experienced enough to know his dick was thicker than most.
Maybe he should pleasure her in other ways first. He unzipped her skirt and slipped it over her head. Then he sat up, wrapped his arm around her and laid her on the bed. She tugged at his pants, but she didn’t know what she asked for. The take charge, fuck-her-brains-out attitude would have to take a backseat. Right now, she needed sweet and tender love. Shaking his head, he bent to kiss a breast. A thin layer of sweat covered her and he could taste the salt as he kissed her skin.
She moaned, wiggled beneath him and rolled her head from side to side as if she hadn’t been touched in a long time. He kissed a line down to her navel. When he stopped there and licked a circle around it, she pushed on his shoulders, urging him to go down farther. His ego swelled with pride and his cock thickened with need.
Her legs opened to him. He ran a hand through the neatly trimmed curls between her thighs, parted her pretty pink nether lips and kissed her swollen clit. Flicking his tongue in the same way as his thumb had before, he slipped a finger inside.
“Oh, God!” She moaned, dug her hands in his hair and pushed his face into her pussy.
She threw her head back into the headboard with a thud, her breath ragged; rocking and grinding across his tongue and fingers. He enjoyed knowing he was the cause of her pleasure. Enjoyed knowing she couldn’t be thinking about pinching his cheeks right now. Enjoyed knowing she blazed with passion for him.
Desire to see her face consumed him and he gazed up at her beautiful body. Sweat trickled down her temples as she moved her hips faster. More secrets revealed themselves when she gripped a breast and squeezed, tugged at her nipple.
He continued to pleasure her with his finger, sliding in and out. His thumb rubbed her clit as he sat up on his knees and watched her hands, now both on her breasts. Glorious sight to watch. “That’s it, baby. Squeeze those beautiful breasts.”
How much could he take? His cock strained and hurt, wanting to be where his finger was, wanting to feel the warmth and wetness. But he knew he’d hurt her. Her pussy was still wrapped tight around just one of his fingers. How much width could she take?
He slid another finger inside. She sucked in her breath as he pulled them out and pushed back in. After a few strokes she relaxed. Warm liquid trickled on his palm and he began to rub it on her clit, faster and faster.
Crying out, she convulsed around his fingers. Rolled her head back and forth and rocked against his palm. Wave after beautiful wave. What would she do with him inside her? Would she thrash about or would it hurt too bad to feel good? He wanted to know, but he wouldn’t try if she’d had enough. As much as he wanted to take her, show her he wasn’t a nice guy, he couldn’t. All because, well, he was a nice guy.
Rising up, she kissed him and worked to unfasten his fly.
“Don’t you want to be pleasured?” She kissed him again, and pushing her hand down, grasped his shaft.
Instant pleasure gripped him. Soft, smooth skin on his cock. Tender
touch. Fire ignited in a split second within his soul. He opened his eyes and saw hers widened, her hand frozen on him. Was she frightened by the size? Please say no.
She pulled her hand out. Shit! He should have stopped her, or at least warned her. Why hadn’t he? Why hadn’t he controlled the situation for a few more minutes? It was obvious she had only taken a few laps around the track, but that excited him.
They sat on their knees. Silence filled the air. Was she at a loss for words? When she made no move, he reached for his fly and started to zip it back up.
“No.” Her hand covered his. “Take ‘em off.” She tugged at the waistband.
Shocked and a bit nervous, he obliged. “Yes, ma’am.” He pushed them off and tossed them to the floor. Then he waited, nerves twisted in a tight ball in his chest.
With his pants off, she looked at what her hand had felt. A smile washed over her face. Weight lifted from his chest. She shifted closer and stroked his cock. Positioned the head at her opening. He swallowed hard. Wetness and warmth awaited him, enclosed the tip. One small push of the hips and he’d slide inside to find heaven. Seeking restraint, he inched his hips back.
“Val,” he whispered and placed a kiss on her neck.
“Yeah?” She continued to stroke him.
Words caught in his throat as her hand massaged him. “Maybe you should lie down so it doesn’t hurt as much.”
She lay down. Lust and desire raged in her eyes.
Hovering over her, he watched her face. Would pain replace the sweet desire? His stomach twisted. The last thing he wanted was to cause her pain, but if they were to ever make love, she’d have to adjust to him.
The tip threatened the opening of her again. She gave a small nod. He slipped the tip in and pulled back. Another nod came, and he pushed the head inside. Her muscles tensed, eyes flashed with a touch of pain.
He pulled back even though he wanted to thrust inside. Feel her tightness surround him. She pulled on his hips, urging him to give her more.
No words passed between them, only looks and body language. Never had he felt so in tune with another human’s soul as he did with her, right now.
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