by Sophia Rae
“Please,” Chloe cried. “Marcus.”
“Tell me what you want,” he said against her mouth.
Her reply was simply another one of her moans as she rode his hand, nails digging into his shoulders.
He knew her climax wasn’t far. With this bit of information, he shoved a third finger inside her, clamped his mouth over a breast, giving her the orgasm she’d been pleading for.
Those sexy little moans turned into a full fledged scream as she came, her body shuddering against his. Marcus moved from her taut breast to her full, lush lips to drink in her cries.
Once her tremors stopped, he yanked on the scrap of lace panties, tearing them off her. He brought them to his mouth. “I knew you’d taste good there. Sweet and sexy.”
Chloe reached up to take the tattered panties from him, tossing them down. “Why settle for second best when you can have the real thing?”
Shit, her voice was sexy now—low and sultry. He didn’t know what he wanted to do more, go down on her or plunge deep into her wet muscles.
Before he could make up his mind, Chloe dropped to her knees. His cock twitched with anticipation. Yes. God, yes.
One perfectly polished red finger came up to wipe the bead of moisture at the head of his shaft before her soft, delicate hands circled behind him to grab hold of his ass and pull him forward. He entered her mouth in agonizingly slow increments. His hands fisted in her hair while her tongue did amazing things to him.
As if to drive him mad, Chloe’s mouth moved up and down with the same slow deliberation. And she went all the way, taking him fully.
One hand came from behind to follow up and down with her lips. He was close, and he didn’t want to be in this position when he came. He wanted to be looking at her, watching her eyes as she came undone around him, as he spilled into her.
Marcus pulled back. With confusion in her eyes, she gazed up at him. She remained on her knees, so he knelt to join her on the warm, wooden porch floor.
“I want to be inside you before I come,” he whispered against her lips.
“Do you have protection?”
Protection. Yes. Safe sex was good. “I’ll be right back.”
“Hurry.” The urgency in her voice matched his burning need.
Giving no thought to his state of undress, he dashed into his room and came out within seconds, fumbling to put the condom on. Damn, he was so horny he couldn’t concentrate.
With quick movements, he spread a blanket flat on the porch and pressed Chloe onto her back as he lowered himself over her, pleased to see the hunger still burning in her eyes. “Fast enough for you?”
She smiled up at him, stretching her arms above her head. Her shapely body shifted slightly under his. Marcus grabbed her wrists with one hand, holding them in place.
“I want you in me, Marcus. I want to feel you inside me so I can come again.”
In an attempt to lighten the intense mood, he pecked little kisses all over her face. “In a while.”
“Now,” she demanded. “I can’t wait.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and wiggled against him, trying to get what she so desperately craved.
“If you’re a good girl, I’ll give you what you want. But you have to wait a minute and let me have my fun first.”
Her pink swollen lips went into pout mode. He couldn’t help himself, he leaned down to suck her bottom lip into his mouth, further tormenting her and himself.
When he lifted his head again, her eyes were glued to his. Damn, she was beautiful. “I want you to promise me you’ll lie here while I have my way with you.”
A sly grin appeared on her flush face. “What did you have in mind?”
He released her wrists, slid down her body and spread her legs wide to show her—with one lap of his tongue up her slick, swollen folds, savoring the musky scent and sweet taste. “I was thinking something like that. But I’ll stop if you don’t keep your hands up there, out of my way.”
She bent her knees and opened her legs wider for him, exposing her red, silky clit. He used the pads of his thumbs to rub up and down the moist nub then dipped his head to suck, savor and enjoy.
She lifted off the blanket, and he shoved his hands under her smooth, bare ass to bring her closer to his mouth. Little moans continued to escape her as she pumped her hot sex up and down against his tongue.
Gently, he lowered her back to the quilt, never breaking contact with her. He slid one finger, then two, inside her while he continued to devour her. He couldn’t get enough. Would he ever?
From the corner of his eye, he saw the tips of red fingernails gliding down her belly as if to assist him. He lifted his head. “Keep those hands up there, young lady.”
“God, please. Marcus.”
Well, shit. The way she said his name in that sexy, husky voice was too much. He shifted into position over her. She was more than ready for him, and he was already on the verge of exploding. He hadn’t even been inside her yet.
“Look at me.” He waited two agonizing seconds for her to comply before he plunged into her. They both cried out with pleasure. Once again, she brought her legs up to circle his waist, opening herself further, taking him deeper.
Heat raged through him. Grey-green eyes met his for an intense moment. And right at that second, Marcus Delaney was lost in a way he’d never been with another woman.
****
Chloe loved the way Marcus looked at her. If she weren’t so close to orgasm, she might read more into it, but damn, she was on the brink. She arched her back, tilted her pelvis and made his shaft sink deeper. She bucked beneath him as bursts of light flickered behind her eyelids. “Oh, God!”
“Open your eyes,” Marcus demanded, his voice rough with need.
Chloe did as commanded. She drew her liquefied arms around his shoulders and yanked his head down to engage them in an earth-shattering kiss while sensations rocked throughout her body. His tongue plunged in and out of her mouth, mimicking his cock’s thrusts.
As her orgasm tapered, her body felt light and sated. But she knew she wasn’t done—at least not with Marcus. She wanted to make it feel just as good for him as he had for her.
Using the palm of her hand, she pushed him over so he was on his back and she graciously straddled him. Keeping the tip of his shaft at the opening of her wet center, she teased him.
“How close are you?” She knew the image she portrayed—breasts high in the balmy night air, nipples erect and wet from his mouth, long flowing hair cascading around her.
“Damn it, woman.”
It was all the answer she needed. She sank down on him…hard. Keeping her back straight and upright, she rode him. Back and forth, up and down. She squeezed her inner muscles around him, encouraged when he groaned.
Faster now, she picked up the pace. He smoothed his hands up her ribcage to palm each breast. Squeezing, stroking, kneading. Her head fell back as warmth flowed through her body. Those big, strong hands of his seemed to be all over her at once. He managed to keep one breast cupped while trailing the other hand down her abdomen to her clitoris. As she rocked, he rubbed.
She came for a third time, convulsing around him, clenching harder, riding faster. In seconds, she felt his body tighten. Grinding, he forced himself deeper, then deeper still as his body erupted.
As the trembling ceased, Chloe collapsed onto Marcus’s firm chest. Their breaths came hard, but steadier.
The soft caress of his hand up and down her back sent shivers racing through her again. God, the man knew where to touch, but more importantly, he knew how to touch.
“Wow,” she said after a quiet moment. A nervous laugh escaped her. “My mind’s pretty blank other than that.”
His deep throated chuckle vibrated her body. Obviously, he was just as speechless. She really hated the awkward moments after sex. It always came. But casual sex was nothing new to her. She could manage to put on a good act.
“I’ll never look at this porch the same again,” he said into the hair
that had fallen around his face.
Chloe sat up, Marcus still buried deep inside her. She felt him twitch slightly. Dear God, how could he be up to par so soon? Of course, she’d set a record herself with three orgasms in one night. No man had ever given her that much attention.
“I think I’ll skip that reading and head straight to bed.” She disassembled their bodies and stood to rummage around on the porch for her clothing. Some faired better than others, but hey, that’s the price you pay for life-altering sex. And this had definitely been worth it.
She needed to purchase new underwear anyway, and since her Victoria’s Secret credit card hadn’t been used for a while, she’d put it to good use just as soon as she returned home.
By the time she gathered her things, Marcus had pulled on his boxers and folded the quilt. She hoped it wasn’t something his Great Grandmother Ethel made. That would be a little too weird.
“I have to be honest,” she said, surprising herself. “I’m not good with this…”
A devilish smirk slid across his face as she struggled for words. “With what?”
Damn him. He knew what. “With the aftermath of great sex.”
The smirk turned into a full fledged grin. “So you think it was great, huh?”
Hell yeah. She wanted to scream it from the rooftop. Instead, she lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “It wasn’t bad.”
Marcus threw his head back and laughed.
She put a hand on her hip, chin jutted out. “Just what do you think is so funny?”
He stalked toward her. To some, his big build would be intimidating, but to Chloe, it made her heat up all over again. Damn her body for betraying her. This couldn’t be anything but what it was—a one-night stand.
The moonlight seemed to aim right for his dark, exotic eyes. She had no doubt those eyes, along with his chiseled features, had lured women into his bed countless times. But how many?
Wait a minute. What did she care? This was just a case of good old-fashioned spontaneous, hot and sweaty, down and dirty, earth-shattering sex. So why was she thinking of his past lovers? God knew she’d had her fair share.
“I think you’re getting nervous for no reason,” he said, answering her question. “There doesn’t have to be any more than sex here. I enjoyed it, you enjoyed it. Perhaps we can do it again before you leave.”
She nodded. That’s exactly the answer she wanted.
So why did she feel empty inside? Because the emptiness was inevitable, it always hung around.
“Maybe we can,” she said non-committingly. “But now, I’m turning in. I’ll try not to disturb you tonight.”
Without so much as a good-night kiss, she spun on her heel, went into her room and closed the door. Firmly.
Chapter Five
The woman had come three times. Three damn times, and she had still stalked away from him like she was angry. Angry!
How could someone be angry after a night like that? Could she have been embarrassed? Maybe a little regretful? Marcus doubted it. He didn’t know what the problem was, but he intended to find out—later. Something had definitely scared her off the balcony.
He had eaten his breakfast earlier than usual this morning on purpose, leaving Chloe a note propped against the wooden napkin holder on the kitchen table. He’d left her a plate of sausage links and pancakes in the oven.
Due to his built up frustration, he was able to clean out the garage and get it organized, something he’d been putting off for a while. Once that chore was finished, the dew on the grass had dried, so he spent the next three hours between the riding lawn mower, the push mower or the weed-eater. A job that needed to be done yesterday, but a certain curvaceous blonde—a natural blonde—had his mind on other things.
The little vixen. It was almost like she’d played him. He didn’t get played. He’d always done the playing. But the sex had been incredible, so why was he still dwelling on it?
Chloe hadn’t come out of the house, at least not that he’d seen, but he knew they couldn’t put off the inevitable. They had to talk sometime. About what, though? Neither one wanted more than sex, they had made that perfectly clear. So what had she been so upset about and what the hell had his nerves all jumbled?
Wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, Marcus entered the house through the utility room door. His mother had always insisted they use that entrance in order to take their shoes off and anything else that was grimy. Even now that she was gone, he still obeyed her rules—most of them anyway. He figured the rule about having girls in his room was a little outdated.
Taking a seat on the little wooden bench by the door, he toed off his grass-stained tennis shoes. His sweaty, greasy T-shirt came next. The instant he stepped into the kitchen, a smell like no other overpowered his senses. God in heaven, what was it? Bread of some kind, but was that cinnamon he smelled?
On the creamy ceramic-tiled counter sat a cooling rack with two loaves of bread. Bread like that would be perfect with a thick layer of cream cheese. He moved closer to the sinful aroma for a better whiff, his stomach growling with approval. He had no idea what kind of bread it was, but he knew who made it.
“Chloe!” he yelled.
When she didn’t answer, he searched the first floor. No sign of her. He peeked out the front window and noticed her Lexus still parked out front, so he made his way up the narrow staircase.
The scent from the kitchen seemed to drift all through the house, mocking him.
Her bedroom door was shut. He lifted a hand to knock but caught himself just as her voice drifted through the door.
“I don’t care, Melanie. I don’t want the money.”
Money. What money? He remained still, listening to something he knew he had no business hearing. His legs, however, were immobile.
“All my parents ever did while they were alive was try to buy my affection. I didn’t want the money then, and I sure as hell don’t want it now that they’re gone.”
Gone? Had they died? How long ago? Who was Melanie? All of this was none of his concern, but he remained, listening at the door just the same.
“Fine. I’ll call you once I decide what to do. Thanks, Melanie.”
Should he knock now? Maybe he would wait a minute before he intruded. She’d sounded pretty upset. He really should walk away and mind his own business. Actually, he should go shower, seeing as how he’d just got done working out in ninety degree heat for the past three hours.
Instead, Marcus propped a shoulder against the door facing, wondering how long he should give her to calm down from an obviously upsetting phone call. He’d almost convinced himself to walk away and forget about the phone call, but he heard soft whimpering. Chloe was crying. She’d seemed so tough yesterday, so in control. Was it all an act? Was she trying to convince him? Or herself?
Well damn. Should he leave her alone with her grief? One night of hot sex didn’t give him the right to intrude into her private affairs. Not to mention the fact he’d been eavesdropping. That probably wouldn’t set too well with her. Women were funny about their personal life.
Even though the sound of her weeping tore him up, he made himself walk away. Numbly, he moved into his own room and out onto the porch.
The sun, cast high in the sky, beamed down onto the house, making the wooden floor beneath his feet warm, but not too hot. He made his way over to one of the Adirondack chairs and settled into it, letting the warmth of the day soak into him. Legs stretched before him, ankles crossed and hands clasped behind his head, Marcus couldn’t get Chloe out of his mind.
Never once did she mention her parents or their death. He’d asked about where she came from, but defensive walls had immediately gone up. There was no doubt she was a private person. Even Sara had picked up on that in the few minutes she and Chloe had chatted.
The opening of her French doors drew his attention across the porch. The lady on his mind came to life and walked out to lean against the railing, paying no attention to the fact he s
at a few feet away. As he studied her, he saw her composure was back now, though the tear-stained cheeks told a story all their own. Her back was rigid, the muscles in her arms flexed taut as she gripped the rail. To any other eye, she would appear calm, but he knew she hurt. And he wanted to know why.
As she lifted her angelic face to the warm August sun, Marcus felt like he’d been punched in the gut. She was so complex beneath all those layers, but right here, right now, she was breathtaking. He found himself falling deeper and deeper into a world he knew nothing about.
This was insane. He’d only known her for three days, counting today. He knew nothing about her.
Oh, yes, he amended. He knew every spot on her body that made her moan with pleasure, he knew she could work in a kitchen and come up with delightful dishes, and he knew her heart was breaking. Just as he knew his heart was slowly swelling with something greater than he could comprehend.
Turning to go back inside, she jumped and brought a hand up to her chest. Dried tears streaked her cheeks, but her composure remained perfect. “Marcus, I didn’t see you there.”
He remained still. “You looked like you were deep in thought. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
She cleared her throat and offered a not so convincing smile. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made some bread.”
“Not at all,” he said sincerely. “If you keep baking like that I’m going to be fat by the time you leave.”
Her eyes widened. “You could never be fat. You’re so...so...ripped. I’m the one who should be worried about weight.”
Marcus sat up a little straighter in his chair. “Your weight is perfect, and your curves are sexy as hell.”
The corners of her mouth tried to lift again but failed.
“Is there something on your mind?” He wished she would open up.
She shook her head. “I’m just tired. You wore me out last night.”
Okay. If she wanted to talk about sex, they’d talk about it. But he wanted more than just talk. “You didn’t seem to put up much of a fight.”