by Kristen Echo
I exhaled and dropped my hands by my side. I didn’t come all this way to hover in the corner. If he was going to kick me out, he’d have done it by now. He wasn’t going to. But my legs wouldn’t move.
The breeze from the open door caressed my skin making me shiver. At least I blamed the wind, but it could easily have been Brent’s dark eyes causing my reaction. In case he wasn’t alone, I’d left the door open for my escape, but the curtains were mostly closed. No one could see me except him.
“Your room is nice,” I said, filling the silence. His one-bedroom suite was identical to mine. A big fourposter bed dominated the space, a desk and chaise were placed in the corner by the attached bathroom. Through the open double doors was a living area and a small kitchen. “It’s romantic. I like what they did with your bed.”
He swallowed audibly. Damn he was sexy.
“Christy, we shouldn’t do this.” He closed his eyes.
Shouldn’t. Not wouldn’t. “Look at me,” I said. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“You don’t want to know what’s going through my head right now.” He scrunched his eyes tighter. “We can’t undo what’s about to happen. If you don’t put on clothes in the next few seconds so help me.” He bit on his fist.
I stepped closer, away from the shadows and curtains and more into the light. I stopped within arm’s length. “Help you what? Please look at me.”
His eyes fluttered open, branding me with his stare. “You look good wearing my camera.” His lip lifted into a sexy smirk. “But shouldn’t I be the one holding it?”
The camera hung against my breasts. I lifted it and snapped a few candid shots of Brent. I closed the distance, naked in only my heels.
“Take it,” I breathed.
I wanted his hands on me. Only inches apart, we weren’t close enough. His deep breaths matched mine. He didn’t reach for it. He seemed equally affected by the chemistry radiating between us. My thighs clenched together.
“Where do you want me? Nothing is off the table. I’ll do you anywhere.” My eyes widened at my blatant slip of the tongue. “I meant I’ll pose anywhere. Be as creative as you’d like.”
Seduction wasn’t as easy as they make it seem in the movies. My palms were sweaty, and my pulse raced so fast I felt light headed. If he didn’t say something or touch me soon, my heart was bound to beat right out of my chest.
He growled low and deep, making my insides quiver. The sound was so primal it sent a surge of arousal straight to my core. He reached towards me. His fingers grazed my shoulders as he removed the camera from around my neck. The simple touch took my breath away.
“I’ll take your picture if you promise never to share them with anyone.” He gripped my chin, tilting my face towards his. “That’s non-negotiable. Something like this could ruin everything you’ve worked towards.”
I smiled, knowing it might start with pictures, but we’d be doing more before the night ended. I didn’t care about any consequences as long as I got him. “The pictures are only for us. I promise.” I crossed my fingers over my breasts, drawing his eyes to my erect nipples.
“If Max ever got wind of what—”
I pressed my finger over his lips. They were even softer than I imagined. “Don’t think about anyone else but me right now. It’s just us. Pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.”
He pulled my hand from his lips, letting my fingers trail over the soft hair on his chin, down his throat and over the rippling muscles on his chest before he let go. “Turn around and lock the door. I don’t want anyone interrupting us.”
My smile reached from ear to ear. This was really happening. Brent Miller was going to take pictures of me naked. I pivoted, added an extra sway to my step and closed the door to the lanai and locked it. He followed behind me, and drew the dark, red curtains fully shut. Intentional or not, his arm grazed mine, and another wave of arousal traveled through me. I never had this kind of visceral reaction to anyone else. Only Brent.
“Before we start, let me be clear.” He brushed the hair off my neck, sweeping it to one side. His breath caressed my skin as he moved behind me. “This is a photo shoot like any other. If any position makes you uncomfortable, we’ll stop. At any point if you feel uneasy, tell me.”
“Don’t worry. I’m vocal when I need to be.” I let that sink in before I continued. “But I’m fairly certain nothing will make me uncomfortable.” I bit my lip and glanced over my shoulder. “I’m excited for all the positions you can show me. Don’t go easy on me. I’m game for anything,” I replied.
“Good to know.” He smirked as he backed away. “Stay there and don’t move.”
He switched the lenses on his camera, played with the lighting in the room and lit several candles. The gentle flicker added more romance to the setting. Then he cranked the rock music, killing the sweet vibe in the room.
I shuffled my feet. “Are you upset I came over?”
Flashes brightened the room as he moved around behind me. “No. I’m not upset.” More flashes went off. “Grab the drapes and tease me.”
The heavy cotton filled my hand as I covered half my body and played peek-a-boo with various body parts. Mostly focusing on my back and side, only hinting at my front. Every move was carefully orchestrated to arouse.
Brent kept his distance as he told me what to do next. He called the shots. I was used to his commands and following his orders. We found a sensual rhythm that made me so hot. The steady drum beats and quick guitar riffs only added to the electric pulse in the air. He snapped shots of me against the wall, by the door, bent over the desk. Each angle avoided a full-frontal view. This was a long and sensual form of foreplay.
He opened the champagne and poured two glasses. “Props,” he explained, setting them on the nightstand next to the strawberries. “Crawl slowly towards me, and then lie on your stomach,” he ordered, kneeling across the opposite side of the bed.
My body was vibrating with need. I couldn’t recall the last time I was this wet. As I crept on the bed towards him, I was ready to tackle him and mount him.
“I want you to capture every angle.” Instead of going on my stomach as directed, I flopped on to my back and kicked off my shoes. “I’m not shy,” I proclaimed, cupping my breasts.
He coughed and covered his mouth. “Timid is definitely not a word I’d use to describe you,” he said, standing.
“What words would you use?” I rolled onto my side, facing him and propping my head in my hand. My hair spilled over my chest, covering me.
His shutter went off in rapid succession. “Ambitious, determined, ballsy, and without a doubt the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen,” he said, handing me a chocolate covered strawberry.
I smiled and flipped my hair back, showing him everything. “Thank you.” I slowly licked and kissed the fruit before eating it. “Any body part in particular that catches your eye?”
My fingers wandered over my collarbone, across the swell of my breasts and then between them. He took more pictures but didn’t answer. I circled my puckered nipple and moaned. His sharp inhale was my reward. My hand traveled lower, over my stomach and caressed the top of my mound.
“You spent a lot of time photographing my backside,” I said, lifting my leg and showing him my wet pussy. “Don’t be afraid to get closer. Being around you does this to me. Are you as worked up as I am?”
The camera lowered as he gazed between my legs. “Christy you… your dripping.” He ran his hand over his facial hair and took several deep breaths. “You need to stop talking.”
Once again, he didn’t answer and hid behind his camera. He stood on the bed, hovered above me and snapped more shots. We took lots of pictures and he made me feel comfortable and beautiful. But he never touched me. I saw the evidence of his desire straining against his zipper. A quick reach, tug and he’d be free. It thrilled me to know I turned him on. I giggled and spread my legs wider, letting him capture the moment.
“Are you a breast or an ass man?
”
“I’m pleading the fifth,” he replied as he bent closer, taking shots from above.
Fanning my hair across the bed, I smiled. “Guessing a breast man and that’s why you’ve been avoiding this angle.” Using both hands, I pinched my nipples. Tugging the hardened tips, I moaned and thrashed on the soft petals.
“Fucking hell. Are you trying to kill me?”
His words emboldened me to keep going. I moved one hand down and rubbed between my wet folds. My legs opened wider while I moaned louder. I wanted his fingers on me and in me. “I’m trying to get you to notice me,” I answered.
He hissed and jumped off the bed. “I see you. Fuck. I’ll never be able to un-see you,” he huffed. “I… We’ve got plenty. We need to stop.” He removed the camera and set it on the nightstand.
His back muscles flexed as he marched over to the desk and plugged his card into the computer. A moment later, pictures of me filled the screen. He would not touch me. My hands fell by my side and I rolled off the bed. We’d come too far to stop now.
“We’re just getting started.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my breasts against his upper back. With my body blown up on the screen, I rubbed my hard nipples against him. “In case you need an invitation, I want you,” I said, inching my fingers down his arms.
He growled and gripped the edges of the desk. “Christy, you have no idea how hard this is for me,” he replied, lowering his head. “I’m trying to be a good guy. Do the right thing.”
“Us being together is right. I know you feel it too. Brent, I’m not a child. I’m in love with you,” I blurted.
Those words had the potential to ruin everything. No man wanted to hear the three little words too soon. I stood upright and stepped beside him. His eyes were closed.
“You must feel the live wire pulsating between us. It’s not an everyday occurrence. Trust me when I say I’ve never met anyone else that takes my breath away the way you do. No one else makes me so hot I feel like I could explode. It’s you,” I said. “It’s us together. Every time I’m near you, it’s like a volcano erupted. We’d be so good together.” I finished my rant and tried to catch my breath.
“Hotter than lava,” he whispered.
The chair rolled back, and Brent grabbed my hands as he mumbled under this breath. Something about being old enough to be my dad and Max killing him if he didn’t back away.
I laughed. “You’re not that old. I like that you’re experienced.” I straddled his lap. “It turns me on that you are a steamy daddy. I’ve been fantasizing about you and this moment for way too long. If you knew the naughty things I want to do with you, you’d run,” I confessed as I placed my hand over his heart.
“I’m not running,” he said, placing my arms over his shoulders and pulling me closer.
With our bodies flush against one another, I felt like our hearts were beating as one. It was crazy. Intense and consuming.
“No. I guess you’re not.” I looked into his dark brown eyes and licked my lips.
His mouth captured mine in a kiss every bit as uncontrollable and hot as a volcanic eruption. I melted into him and whimpered. My lips parted and his tongue pillaged every inch of my willing mouth. He groaned, making me even hotter. He kissed me like he never wanted to stop.
My fantasies were coming true.
CHAPTER FOUR
Brent
My willpower evaporated in the lust-filled air. I’m not sure I ever stood a chance at resisting Christy. Her body would bring any man to his knees, but I coveted her heart most of all. It was the soul inside her perfect shell that captured my attention.
She pulled on my hair as I devoured her lips. Our tongues attacked like we were starved beasts. I growled into her mouth as we kissed. The attraction was more than skin deep. Though at that moment, the physical need to claim her and make her mine overwhelmed me. Her magnetism was unequaled. Somehow, I managed not to ravage her the second our lips touched. I didn’t want to scare her. I knew of her limited history and could count her boyfriends on one hand. We had to slow down.
I ran my fingers down her spine and made love to her mouth with slow languid strokes. She let me control the pace. I kissed her like she was breakable. She wasn’t. I was the breakable one. The old-fashioned guy who still believed making love bonded people for life. I’d had a total of two sexual partners, and I’d married both.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, dragging her tongue along my jaw to my ear. “Don’t slow down on my account. I want this. I want you.” She rubbed her arousal against my skin and sucked my earlobe into her hot mouth.
“Hold on.”
My fingers dug into her ass cheeks, lifting her as I stood. Her arms rested on my shoulders and she wrapped her legs around my hips. She never stopped kissing me. The bed itched to be used, but not yet.
The bathroom door was open, and I carried her into the walk-in shower. I turned the nozzle and blasted the cold water. She shrieked and clung to me.
“That’s freezing. What the hell!” she yelped when I didn’t switch it hotter.
The cold water invigorated my senses, washing away the fog we’d been in. “We need clear heads. Between the music and the skin, I can’t think. All I want to do is sink into your hot wet pussy and kiss you senseless.”
“Sounds good to me.” Her lips curled into a breathtaking smile.
I pressed my forehead against hers, letting the water soak us. “I’m old school in a lot of ways. Taking advantage of the situation feels wrong. I know you’ve had a crush on me for a long time. You’re attracted to me because I’m older and—”
“Hot as fuck. Yeah, don’t forget that part,” she said and shivered.
Despite my attempt to have a serious conversation, a chuckle escaped. I moved her out of the stream and let the water strike my back. “I’m flattered you have feelings for me. And I care for you too. Way more than I should, but we—”
Her lips smacked against mine. Hard. Jarring my teeth. She pushed her tongue into my mouth. I responded and kissed her back. Kissing her was as natural as breathing. Christy was shaking and trembling in my arms. I reached behind me and swiped at the nozzle. Distracted by her lips, it took several minutes to switch the temperature. Once the water turned hot, I brought her under the flow. She moaned and tore her mouth away.
“I’m only saying this once. So, listen good.” She wiped the water from my face and stared into my eyes. Hers were so blue and captivating. “Yes, I’ve been crushing on you since I hit puberty. Not because you’re older. Not because you’re gorgeous and covered with sexy ink. I love you because you’re Brent Miller. One of the few people in this world I trust. You’ve always taken care of me. When I was too overcome with grief to open my eyes, you and your family helped me through.”
“We were all grieving,” I said. “Your parents… Lucille.” Even saying her name made my heart skip a beat. Death hadn’t dulled my love. Not in the slightest.
“I love you because you won’t take advantage of me,” she said. “Because deep down you are in love with me too.”
“Put a lot of thought into this haven’t you?” I smirked, trying to lighten the emotional load.
She smacked my arm. “I may have,” she whispered and bit her lip.
Closing my eyes, it suddenly felt like the weight of the world had landed on my shoulders. My legs caved, and I sat down before we fell over. I was so broken and messed up. She deserved way better.
The water continued to cascade over us. I buried my face against the crook of her neck. If my baggage was too much, I’d understand. But, she was right. I did love her. So deeply, I had no idea where to place it. Instead of dealing with the emotions, I’d been avoiding her. That wasn’t fair to either of us.
“You talk about me the way I… this is hard to say.” I cleared my throat. “One look at Lucille and I was hooked. She taught me how to love and how to be a man. She made me a father. I loved her so completely that I still don’t know how to love without her.
When the cancer took her so young, I was mad. I am still mad.”
“Of course you are,” she added. Her fingers trailed along my arms. The gentle touch gave me strength.
“She’s supposed to be by my side. We were together for a long time, but not long enough. And our kids.” My throat tightened. “Life isn’t the same without her. I miss her. I’m afraid I won’t be able to love anyone else the way they deserve.”
Christy cupped my cheeks and peppered my face with kisses. “You can. I already feel it when you look at me. I feel your love when you kiss me. It will only get better and stronger.”
I shook my head. “Jessa believed I’d come around, but I never could. Not like a husband should love his wife. She was right to bail.”
Her eyebrows scrunched together, and her nose wrinkled in the most adorable way. “Jessa wasn’t right for you. Max and I were blown away when you married her because you barely knew her. I won’t pretend that didn’t kill me a little. Especially since she’s kinda psycho. The twins hate her and so do I.”
I laughed. “Jessa can be intense and a tad irrational,” I admitted.
Our relationship had moved too quickly. Being with her had dulled my pain slightly. I was such an asshole for clinging to the chance of escaping the black hole of misery I’d been wallowing in for so long. No matter how much I tried, we never seemed to sync.
“Like her or not, she experienced just how fucked up I am,” I continued. “I hurt her by rushing. Those mistakes can’t be repeated.”
“Then don’t.” She pressed my hand over her heart, and she placed her hand over my chest. “Answer honestly and without hesitation. Tell me the first response without filtering. Do you want to make love to me?”
“Yes.” Without question, I wanted her. That didn’t make it right. Didn’t mean I wouldn’t unintentionally hurt her.
She smiled. “Good. Are you in love with me?”
“Yes.” The word flowed as easily as the water above us. “Love is easy. Christy, life is more complicated. I’ve always been a decisive person. Knowing what I want, taking and grabbing it with both hands.”