Strictly Confidential

by Lynda Aicher

  The clock on the dashboard said it was after midnight when he followed her directions off the highway to her place. The end-unit townhome was basic from the outside, but the two-car garage hinted at the luxury within. The quiet neighborhood gave off an air of sophistication his street would never conquer. Groomed landscape, swept drives, every unit painted in the same shade of unassuming beige. Uniformity at its best.

  “Are you coming in?” she asked when he didn’t move to exit.

  He studied her in the dim glow provided by the outside lights. “Am I invited?”

  An element of uncertainty crossed her features before she shut it down. “Yes.”

  “Then, yes.” He drew her in only to ghost his lips over hers. Her quick hitch of breath spoke of the promises yet to come.

  Hunger gnawed at his need as he exited the car. The full force of his dominant side locked in before he helped her from the car. It shifted his headspace to one of complete control. He was responsible for her and everything she wanted right now.

  He brushed a lock of hair from her cheek, tracked his hand around the side of her neck. Her freckles spoke of innocence she didn’t possess. Did they fool others?

  “Are you mine now?” he asked. No assumptions.

  She grabbed his wrist, squeezed, but her eyes never left his. Anticipation hung suspended in the long moment before she answered. “Yes.”

  He swept in to finally take the kiss he’d wanted to claim the entire night. He took with a barely controlled demand, teasing out her moan and finding the last hint of the gin that lingered on her tongue. His chest ached with restraint, but damn how he wanted her. Needed her.

  Her breaths were short like his when he backed away. His head buzzed with the carnal craving she’d freed as he guided her to her door. He’d given up trying to figure out what it was about her that incited the urge he’d smothered for so long. It didn’t matter anymore.

  She paused, her key in the lock, turning to him. “I might be yours, here, tonight, but don’t abuse it.”

  He took every word with the seriousness in which they were delivered. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” She studied him, uncertainty flickering. “I treasure everything you give me. I’d never diminish it,” he added. He ran his fingers down her jaw, his honor surging up. “I’ll leave, if that’s what you want.” In a heartbeat. Her needs came first. Always.

  “I don’t want you to.” Her soft response registered as she turned back and opened her door.

  He locked it behind him before following her down the hallway past the open living room. Her home was a statement in efficiency. Clean lines, glass tables, white furniture set against beige carpets and walls. The monochrome pallet was offset by a pop of yellow pillows that were fluffed and centered on the couch.

  The fastidious neatness would pass any military inspection and fail every kid-filled home. A moment of doubt slowed his steps. Was there a point in going forward if she was only interested in now? His dick screamed yes, his heart hesitated.

  She laid a hand on the bannister and had one foot on the bottom stair when he spoke. “Wait.”

  She halted, turning back to him. That little line appeared between her drawn brows. Damn his heart and his dick too.

  He turned on the row of light switches on the wall with deliberate flicks. Lamps lit up and the overhead light blazed, knocking back the shadows. Power curled between his shoulder blades along with the drive that constituted his foundation.

  He titled his head, eyes narrowing. What did she need? How could he help her?

  “Take off your dress.” The lowered timbre of his voice rolled through the quiet.

  Her eyelids dipped, that frown line disappearing. A small note of victory chimed next to the hunger that continued to grow.

  She set her clutch on a step, a lush softness overtaking her features when she straightened. “I’ll need help with the zipper.” She pivoted to present her back, her smile full of that devilishness he loved when she peered at him over her shoulder.

  He stopped his progress toward her when he was centered before the large sliding glass doors. The darkness beyond offered no hint to what was behind her home. Was there a fence? A section of the golf course they’d driven past? More homes?

  “Come here.”

  She glanced at the window, bit her lip, but pure lust shone in her eyes when she strolled toward him, hips swaying, chin lifted. She owned that strut just like she owned the choice she made to obey him.

  And that right there was hotter than any dress or figure or piece of lingerie.

  The corner of her mouth lifted in a taunt, her eyes dropping to his lips. Her slow turn was yet another tease that fired the want already roaring in his chest.

  “You’re asking for trouble.” He had no doubt of that.

  “I believe I’m only following your orders.” A hint of stubborn innocence laced her tone.

  He couldn’t deny that. Her sass was implied more than blatant. It hit that right note of defiance without defying that worked for him. He’d known men who’d wanted total submission from their partners. His wife had given him that when he’d never asked for it.

  He wasn’t a Dom. He didn’t want to be a Dom, but he did love control.

  He drew a finger down the line of her zipper. Her back rolled in a slow curl that matched his descent. A smattering of loose curls danced at her nape, enticing him as they’d done at the benefit. Now he could finally give into the urge that’d taunted him all night.

  He eased his finger back up, drew her zipper down a fraction. A hiss of breath escaped her when he dragged his teeth over the tender stretch of space on the back of her neck. It fed his craving, his chest expanding with things he still hesitated to fully embrace.

  “Kennedy,” he whispered, trailing a line of kisses to her ear. He nuzzled the sensitive spot just below it before tracing the shell. “The things you do to me.”

  Her breath released on a long exhale, her head tilting. She ran a hand over his hip, her low hum speaking for her. It rumbled with appreciation and agreement. This thing between them was mutual, he had no doubt of that.

  He forced himself to step back, drawing her zipper down in a long path that ended at her tailbone. A series of freckles trailed between her shoulder blades to provide another source of temptation. They thickened near her shoulders. Brought on by the sun? There was so much about her he didn’t know. So much he wanted to learn.

  He eased her dress from her shoulders until she took over. She let it fall down her arms, glanced back. There was that mischief again, sparkling in her eyes before she turned away. The dress caught on her hips, but a little swivel and push had it falling in a pool of dark silk at her feet.

  He tracked the length of her legs up past the skimpy thread of her thong. The single strap of her bra cut a clean line across her back, hindering his view. He unhooked it. She inhaled. The item dangled in his hand until he let it fall beside the discarded dress.

  His erection ran thick and hard against his lower stomach. She made him hard when she was clothed. Now…

  He took her hand to help her step from the material. She slid free of the heels in the process, leaving her in nothing but the thong when she finally faced him.

  The sultry seductress was in full attack mode when she looked up at him through her lashes. Her tongue slid over her bottom lip. “My dress is off.”

  A dozen different thoughts breezed through his mind, each of them dirtier and more wicked than the next. Some would bend her over the couch and spank her for her insolence. Others would tell her to pick up her dress and then ignore her.

  Him, though, he only wanted to sink into her long and slow until they were both lost.

  “It is,” he finally agreed.

  He drew his gaze over the stunning sight before him. Her nipples were peaked, her breaths slow, her hands held relaxed at her sides. She was comfortable, confident even. How lovely was that?

  He let his focus shift to the window, slowly brought it back to her. He caught h
er quick glance following his point. Her breaths picked up.

  “What’s behind you?” he asked.

  “A golf course.”

  “No watchers, then.” He drew a finger down her chest.

  “Probably not.”

  He circled his fingertip around one nipple, careful not to touch it. “And if there were?”

  She closed her eyes, shoved her chest out, but he avoided her swivel to get his finger where she wanted it. Her frown had that line digging in between her brows. He bit back his chuckle, loving her frustration.

  “Then they’d see you doing nothing,” she snapped, her eyes flying open to scorch him with her annoyance.

  He let his laugh out as he looped his finger over to her other nipple so he could slowly circle it. “But I’m not doing nothing.”

  She dropped her head back, hands fisting. “You’re not doing enough.”

  “No?” He trailed his finger down to tease the edge of her thong. He dipped beneath it, but only drew it back and forth in a mimic of how she’d once taunted him. “What would you like me to do?”

  She raised her head. Her eyes had darkened to match the hunger in her expression. “Whatever you want,” she said with an edge. “Just as long as it ends with your dick in me.”

  The harsh crassness picked at the dirty raunchiness rooted within him. He plunged his hand into her panties, grazing her pussy before he shoved two fingers into her. She gasped, hands flying up to grab his arms as he gripped her nape with his other hand and drew her in.

  She stared up at him, her panted breaths hitting his face. There was only lust in her eyes, though. Lust and want.

  His kiss contained all the longing she’d pulled from him. He swept his tongue into her mouth with the same forceful strokes he used in her pussy. She stiffened at first, her whimper reaching him, but it held surprise more than desire.

  He cursed, easing off until she gripped him tighter, halting his retreat. He gentled his kiss, teasing her lips with light strokes and her clit with little flicks. Her next moan was pure desire. It fed his need and eased his worry.

  He could give her this. Give her rough and gentle. Lust and passion.

  “I’m going to fuck you, Kennedy,” he murmured between kisses. She moaned her agreement when he swept his tongue back in to play with hers. She drew him closer, her hips undulating against his hand.

  He could take her there, but he wanted something better than a quick fuck against a wall or over the couch. He had her all to himself, and he wasn’t going to squander it.

  She chased his lips when he pulled back, slipping his fingers from her tempting heat. She stared at him in dazed confusion when he took her hand.

  “I’m going to fuck you in a bed.” He drew her toward the stairs. “Hard, long and so damn slow you’ll never forget me.”

  Her gasp floated through the quiet. She stared at him, a flush rising on her cheeks. They were halfway up the stairs before her mumbled whisper floated to him. “That hasn’t been a problem so far.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  That flutter in Kennedy’s chest did a double kick and sigh as Matt led her into her bedroom. He flipped the light switch, illuminating the room. The bedside lamps gave off a soft glow that left the perimeter in shadow.

  He guided her to the edge of the bed as he made a quick scan of the room. She knew it was as impeccable as the rest of her home. Even here, in her most private space, she upheld the standards set down by her mother. Everything had a place and it should be in it.

  She’d tried to dispel the old habit multiple times only to find she couldn’t. And now, with Matt standing in her room, she didn’t have to worry if there was dirty laundry on the floor or if her sheets were clean.

  He drew the duvet down, flipped the gray covering back, along with the top sheet. His movements were precise, like so much that he did. Very few men had seen her home, even fewer had seen her bedroom. Bringing a man home usually led to expectations she never wanted to mess with. Yet here Matt was.

  Nerves scrambled in her stomach, but they were in anticipation more than concern. Her nipples ached for contact, her breasts heavy, panties damp.

  She was basically naked, him fully clothed—again. The power dynamic fulfilled that silenced desire she only released with him. And he hadn’t abused it. Not in the Boardroom and not this evening.

  She reached for his tie when he faced her. His brows drew in, but he didn’t stop her when she loosened the knot and drew it free. The classic tie instead of the traditional bowtie worked on him. It held that edge of different he embodied without thought.

  He took the tie from her, setting it on the nightstand. His eyes were dark when he turned back. Lust smoldered from them along with something softer. Kindness. That’d been there too. He held himself to a strict code of honor that both fascinated and comforted her.

  He continued to study her as she slid the buttons free on his shirt. He brushed the back of his finger over her cheek in a touch she was beginning to crave. It was soft and tender, caring.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  His words weren’t new, but the honest wonder behind them curled her toes and had her heart fluttering again. He was so damn dangerous to her, and yet, here she was, charging in anyway.

  She lifted up to press her lips to his. The contact simmered over her before it faded into the growing ache. He cupped the back of her head when she started to drop back down. He held her there, inches away, eyes piercing hers.

  Desire thread its insidious demands through her core. She had never let it own her, instead owning it. But now, she gave it all to him.

  She let her muscles go lax, her trust handed over.

  “Kennedy,” he whispered before he crushed his mouth to hers.

  Yes. God…yes.

  His control swept over her with each thrust of his tongue. He held her tight, her nipples chafing on his shirt. The delicious tease balanced the full assault on her mouth. He played with her tongue, plunging deep before backing off with softer brushes. Every lick sent a rush of pleasure straight to the building urgency.

  Her pussy contracted, and she clutched him tighter, digging her fingers into his scalp in her hunt to get closer even though there was nowhere to go. He did that to her. Unleashed the crazed side she usually kept locked down.

  He ripped his mouth free on a curse, and she sucked in a needed breath, head spinning. Wet kisses trailed up her neck, his breaths heating her skin. Goose bumps prickled over her chest, setting off a buzz of blind want.

  His hands were everywhere. Cupping her ass, running up her sides, dipping beneath her thong. He teased her crack, bit her shoulder in a wild shot of pain that blended with the sweet joy consuming her.

  She tumbled back at his urging, the bed catching her as she stared up at him, breaths coming too quickly. That dark predatory edge of him shone through in the wicked curl of his lips. He made a slow scan over her, her skin tingling everywhere his gaze landed.

  “Should I fuck you hard?” he asked, hooking a finger at the edge of her thong. He yanked the flimsy material down before she could respond. It dug into her skin, catching on her hips, but another jerk freed it. He discarded the material without a thought to where it landed, and for once, she didn’t care.

  She rested her feet on the edge of the mattress, scooting back as he discarded his suit coat. He undressed with sharp tugs and quick snaps that hinted at the lust he contained. She caught her breath when he stood over her, naked and so damn sexy. She adored a man in a suit, but this…was even better.

  He was raw power beneath a hard chest and tight abs. She followed his treasure trail down to his erection, which stood proud between strong thighs. Her mouth watered, yet her throat was so damn dry.

  He propped a knee on the bed, nudged her legs apart before kneeling between them. She spread them willingly. God, anything to get him in her.

  He grabbed her knees and shoved her legs up in one quick motion. He held her suspended in the curled position, her pussy open and
fully exposed to him. Air teased every crevasse in a declaration of vulnerability.

  Heat whipped through her core straight to her cheeks. She wasn’t shy by any means, but this was…humbling—until he ran his tongue through her pussy.

  She cried out, shocked and undone by the action. One swipe, that’s all he made, then a slow-blown breath over the very track he’d just set on fire. She squirmed beneath the tease, her muscles tensing, too wound up to stay still.

  “You have a fucking gorgeous cunt.” The low rumble was filled with admiration. “It’s begging for my dick.”

  Her walls pulsed, that damn heat bursting into flames. His groan tore away any hint of embarrassment that’d dared to creep in. Wonder lined his face right next to the hunger that flared his nostrils and shortened his breaths. She clenched again.

  His eyes darted up to nail hers. “You are so naughty.”

  She started to shake her head only to stop. Her lids lowered as she owned his accusation. “So are you.”

  His response was to suck her clit into his mouth on a long, hard pull. Her hips rolled up, her mouth dropped open in silent acknowledgement of the surge of pleasure. He flicked the sensitive nub, sucked again and again before he returned to a persistent hard rub with the flat of his tongue.

  Her orgasm roared to a head on a hitched gasp and hoarse cry. “Matt.” She reached for his head, holding him in place as she strained for that last…little…edge. “Yes!”

  She crashed into the blinding release with a freedom she rarely took. It trembled through her limbs on little shudders after the initial tide subsided. Her muscles relaxed with her huge exhale, the room floating around her.

  “That.” He placed a kiss on her hip. “Was.” Another kiss landed on her stomach. “Absolutely.” He sucked a nipple into his mouth. Her back arched. She gasped. “Gorgeous.” He took the other nipple in, needling it with his teeth. Sharp darts of pain laced her chest on heightened receptors that enhanced and softened at once.