Searching for Beautiful

by Jennifer Probst

  "I'm done with excuses and conversation and politeness. I'm over this bullshit of you questioning the power you have to grip me in a vise so tight I can't even breathe without wanting you with my last breath. I'm tired of walking around with a dick that won't go down when I catch your scent, or look at your sweet curves, or imagine being buried deep within you. Are you still listening, Gen?"

  Her body flamed so hot and bright she was surprised burn marks didn't appear on her skin. She began to shake, and her belly uncurled so a river of warmth coursed between her thighs, tightening her muscles, gripping her with a need she'd never experienced or believed could be real. "Yes," she whispered.

  "Good. Because tonight I'm going to fuck you. All night. If I was a true friend, I'd walk out that door and give you the space to rebuild your walls. You deserve that. But I'm a selfish prick who needs you in my bed so bad I'll trade my soul to the devil for one taste of you. Still listening?"

  "Y-y-yes."

  "I'll give you three seconds to run. It's the smart thing to do. Just walk away from me and we'll never mention this again. We'll go back to being friends, push this whole episode aside, and go on pretending. But if you're still standing here after that, you're mine. Every part of you. And I promise you'll never question your ability to cast a sexual spell on a man so deep and encompassing he'll spend the rest of his life comparing you to every other woman he touches."

  Her head spun, the room tilted, and she grasped his arm to keep her balance. "Wolfe."

  "One."

  Her stomach dropped to her toes. His mouth moved closer.

  "Oh, God."

  "Two."

  She swallowed, one foot poised for flight, knowing it would wreck everything, change their relationship forever, open a door that could never be shut and locked again.

  "I don't--"

  "Three. Too late. You belong to me for tonight."

  "I think--"

  "Don't think. Just give me everything you got."

  He cupped her cheeks, dropped his head, and took her mouth.

  twenty

  HELL WAS SO very worth the trip.

  From the moment Wolfe began driving to his apartment, his gut screamed foul. He'd finally turned around, cursing the whole way, and figured he'd stake out the place to make sure no one bothered her. The idea of meeting her one-night lover screwed with his head and his stomach, but he'd honor his promise.

  When he spotted her car, he only meant to peek through a window and make sure she was safe. That's all. Nothing else. Until he heard the sobs. Sheer panic hit him, and the adrenaline rush was wickedly high. He'd been ready to kick ass and throw his fists, but she'd been alone on the bed, weeping her heart out until he felt as awful as after a three-night binge in Vegas. Gathering her in his arms was so natural, he never thought about anything but getting her to calm down, and taking away the pain. Then he'd kick the shit out of someone.

  She was so damn beautiful--makeup smeared, lips swollen, hair messy and sexy over her shoulders. When she confessed what had happened, it took him a while to recover his powers of thought and speech. To think a man out there couldn't want her was beyond him. He lived with the knowledge and torture every minute, every day, a priceless treasure within reach that he was unable to touch. The self-disgust within her eyes tipped the scales. He was done. There was no way he was walking away without proving how gorgeous and hot and desirable she was.

  Yeah, it was a real sacrifice.

  Wolfe played fair and gave her the opportunity to run. When she still stood before him, the victory that she'd be completely his almost brought him to his knees.

  Until his mouth took hers.

  And he realized he'd belong to her just as completely.

  She owned him. He expected softness and surrender and a complete relinquishment of control. He intended to dominate, pleasure, possess. But she was so much more. Her tongue battled his when he parted the seam of her lips to plunder and invade. When his fingers gripped her hips to lift her up, she wrapped her legs around him, tangling her fingers in his hair and holding on tight. Her dress hiked above her thighs, and his erection pushed against the fragile barrier of her panties, demanding entry. She made a low, whimpering sound in the back of her throat and he went wild, walking her forward so her back slammed against the wall and he was able to get more leverage. He bit and sucked her lower lip, diving back deep to relish her taste--that combination of fruit and honey he couldn't seem to get enough of. She twisted against him, just as wild and hot to get at him, and the damn dress cock blocked him until he wrestled one hand to rip at the back.

  Their mouths broke apart and she panted, "Get it off."

  "Trying. Zipper's stuck. Do you love the dress?"

  "Kind of."

  "I'll buy you another." Holding her braced tight against the wall, he grasped the top of the delicate lace crochet thing and roughly pulled.

  The tearing sound cut through the air with total satisfaction. He removed the ripped fabric and came in contact with warm, soft skin, bare and fragrant and delicious. Her full breasts were restrained in a black bra, and tiny lace panties covered the juncture of her thighs. Her thighs squeezed and one of her spiked heels dug into his ass. He grunted in heaven and a bit of pain.

  "Oh, sorry."

  "Don't be. It's gonna get a hell of a lot worse. Jesus, you're more gorgeous than I imagined. Look at you."

  He cupped her breast, flicked the tip with his finger through the lace, and watched in satisfaction as her nipple tightened to a hard point. Her chest moved up and down for gulps of air, and her pulse beat wildly at the base of her neck. A rosy glow flushed her white skin. "I dreamed of this for so damn long, but the reality of you is so much better." He lowered his head and sucked on her nipple, nibbling with his teeth and getting her all wet. His fingers flexed to dive deep into her pussy to find the same, but he was afraid he'd come in his jeans like a horny teen if he took too much of her too soon.

  In typical Gen fashion, she went after what she wanted, arching up for more and bumping her pussy against the hard ridge bulging from his jeans. She scratched at the back of his neck and wiggled, trying to get the bra off. "Stop teasing, and take this thing off me."

  "Might as well buy you a new bra."

  "Huh?"

  He tore the front in half and her bare breasts sprung into his palms. Her nipples were tight and stiff, pushing against him in demand, and he plumped them up and feasted, sucking hard and circling his tongue until she grabbed at his back, trying to inch up his shirt.

  "Get naked. Now."

  He ignored her demand, twisting her nipples the same time he dove back into her mouth, needing to get drunk on her essence. She cried out in pleasure, and he swallowed the heavenly sound. "So sweet." He kissed her again and again. "So fucking sweet. But I need more." He wanted her crazed, until she didn't care about hurting him or doing anything but getting satisfied by orgasm after orgasm. He scented the musk of her arousal and knew he'd find her dripping wet, ready for him. The knowledge she wanted him as badly shook his center, and he fought for control as she pulled him into the tide of raw emotion and want he'd never experienced before.

  "If you don't get those damn jeans off I'm gonna lose it." She panted out the threat as her body melted and writhed against his fingers and tongue and teeth. Her fingers weakly pulled at his clothes, fumbling to unsnap and free him, stroking the hard bulge of his dick, and that's when he decided he couldn't take it any longer.

  He needed her to come.

  Now.

  "After." His hands left her breasts, slid down her trembling belly, and tucked under the elastic. "Designer panties?"

  "Yes, they cost more than the dress--oh, God!"

  He tore them quickly, tossed them aside, and drove two fingers into hot, sweet heaven.

  "Wolfe! Ahhh, that feels so good . . ." she moaned long and low, her pussy clenching around his fingers and refusing to let go. His thumb swirled gently around her clit, teasing, using hardly any pressure while he pum
ped inside of her with slow, deep strokes. He captured the pretty little sounds emanating from her throat, swiping his tongue over her plump bottom lip, and watched her face tighten as she neared her climax. Her pupils dilated and every muscle in her body stiffened, arching harder against his palm, reaching for something only he could give her with one final stroke of his finger.

  "So close. Can't take anymore, oh please--"

  He circled her clit one last time, slow and lazy. "Come for me, Gen. Now."

  He rubbed hard at the same time he thrust upward.

  She broke apart, shaking uncontrollably as the orgasm hit her. Her nails dug hard into his shoulders, and she clung with a superhuman strength to his body, her flesh wrapped around every part of him. He helped her ride out the spasms, soaking in every flutter of her expression: the way her teeth dragged at her lip, the misty look in her eyes, the dampness to her skin, the wet heat clamped around him, refusing to let go.

  "You're so fucking sexy," he muttered darkly in her ear, biting hard on her lobe and absorbing the shudders that wracked her. "I gotta do that again."

  "No." Her word sounded slurred. "First naked. Off with the clothes."

  "You're not the boss in this bedroom, baby." He kept her legs apart, not wanting to slide his fingers out of her pussy until the last possible moment. His tongue plunged back into her mouth to shut her up, and he wondered if he'd ever get tired of watching her orgasm. It was the sexiest thing on the planet, and already he wanted to do it again. And again.

  She uttered her next words like a drunk desperate to communicate. "Give me some equal time on my knees and I'll have to disagree with you."

  He laughed, adoring her smart mouth and humor and passion. How could such basic lust be entwined with playfulness? He'd never laughed before during sex or foreplay. But already she was trying to drag his shirt off again with shaking fingers, refusing to give him an inch.

  He loved it.

  "I intend for you to spend a long time on your knees," he said, picking her up in one swoop and carrying her to the bed. "But I only started. Now let me look at you."

  Her hands hovered in midair, ready to cover herself in an innate modesty he intended to strip her of immediately. "I'm not like the models you date. Or sleep with."

  He swore right then and there he'd never date a skinny-assed woman again. Hell, after seeing Gen's killer curves, unblemished skin, and ripe breasts, he'd never look at another female anyway. He worshipped her petite shape, so easy to pick up and cuddle. Loved the map of her body, each rise and fall of her anatomy. But nothing compared to the sight of her wet pussy, swollen and bared before him. Plump lips just begging for his mouth and tongue, knowing her taste made him intoxicated.

  Time for truth. "I never slept with her, sweetheart. I thought of you the whole night and couldn't do it. But I needed a barrier between us."

  "Why?"

  "Because I wanted to jump you bad."

  She smiled, but her hands still stayed by her breasts, as if worried he wouldn't like what he saw. As if that were possible.

  His voice lashed like a whip. "Don't you dare cover yourself. I love your body and always did. Remember what I said before?"

  She rested her hands back on the mattress and shook her head.

  "We don't apologize to each other. Not for what we do together or feel. We own it all, Gen. And I intend to do every filthy, dirty thing I've imagined without fucking apologizing. Part your legs."

  Her thighs slid open and he feasted on all that pretty pink flesh laid out for him. While he looked, he jerked off his clothes, finally standing naked before her. She leaned up to look at him, but Wolfe knew there was plenty of time later. Right now, he needed to taste her, push her to come all over his tongue and lose herself again in his arms.

  "That Brazilian is the sexiest gift a man can ask for, sweetheart." He knelt between her thighs and blew hot breath over the swollen folds. She jerked and moaned, her fingers clutching the sheets. Yeah, she was beyond primed. Once she lost her ability to yell at him or demand, she was caught in her body's grip. Just like he wanted. Her clit was so tight and hard, one good flick of his tongue would make her come again, but he wanted her crazed first, the sound of his name breaking from her lips.

  Wolfe bent his head.

  Swiping her slit slow and easy, he tasted, teased, sipped like she was fine champagne and he intended to make the drink last. His arms pinned her flailing body down with an iron strength, never rushing his pace, her cries filling the air with a desperate hunger that would haunt his dreams. Wolfe inhaled her musky scent, licking the hard nub, and pushed his thumb in and out of her soaking channel. Her pussy clamped down hard and tried to suck him deeper, but he teased until she was a thrashing, senseless being held on the edge.

  "No more," she gasped, her blue eyes fierce and past sanity. "Damn you, Wolfe, make me come before I kill you."

  With a low chuckle, he took her clit between his lips and sucked. Hard. Harder. Pinned three fingers together and plunged in deep.

  She came again, and he drank it all, never stopping the suction motions so she fell into another orgasm so beautifully he wondered if he'd ever allow her out of bed again. She clung to him with a sweet desperation he couldn't refuse. Sliding up her body, kissing every inch of her skin, he paused again at her mouth, nibbling at her lips, cradling her face in his hands as he adored her.

  "Son of a bitch," she said, her voice a thin whisper of sound. "You're killing me. Still need more."

  "Me, too." He kissed her long and deep. "See how good you taste on me? I can't get enough. I'll never get enough."

  "Inside. I need you inside me." She arched up, her honesty and openness humbling him until he wanted to drop to his knees and worship her all over again. "Please."

  "Jesus, sweetheart, I forgot a condom. Have any?"

  "Top drawer. Hurry."

  He retrieved the box quickly, fit himself with a condom, and settled her deep into the mattress. Lifting her ankles up and pushing them forward, he opened her fully to his gaze and paused at her threshold. Her body shook slightly underneath.

  "Are you ready?"

  Half-lidded eyes stared back up at him. He fell into her gaze as easily as he'd fallen for her the very first time they met. Skin slick with sweat, curls framing her face, swollen lips bitten and bruised, she invited him in, hands clinging to his shoulders as if he were the only steady thing in her world.

  "Take me, Wolfe. Take it all."

  He cursed viciously and surged forward.

  Deeper, deeper, he pushed until he slid home, buried inside her raging, wet heat, desperate to hold on and not come immediately. He watched her face, each expression more delicious as she adjusted to his length and never backed off. Her nails cut, and her thighs squeezed tight, refusing to let him go.

  Wolfe tried to breathe, tried to go slow, but there were too many sensations breaking over him to know anything but the driving need to claim her.

  He groaned. "I'm gonna lose it. It's too good."

  "Don't stop," she panted. "Please, I need--"

  He didn't wait. Just pulled all the way out, then slammed back inside. Again. Again.

  He kept the ride slow and steady, building with intensity as she neared climax again. He gritted his teeth against the explosion ready to detonate, his balls tightening, each slide in and out better than the last. He worked one hand on her clit, rubbing, watching her hover on the edge, eyes mad with lust and need. Shifting his hips a bit, he drove back in, making sure the edge of his piercing rubbed against the sensitive wall of her channel. Her surprised cry told him he'd succeeded, so he did it again, and again. Rubbed her clit harder. And then--

  She screamed his name and shuddered beneath him. Fierce satisfaction caused an animal howl to escape his lips, and he finally let himself go, pumping frantically as he emptied his seed and light exploded in his head. The orgasm went on so long and so hard, he didn't think he'd ever be able to pull out. A wall trembled around the most private part of him no one had
ever been able to touch. And as they collapsed onto each other, wrecked, Wolfe realized something else.

  He'd never be able to make love to another woman again without wishing for Genevieve Mackenzie.

  "DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR date's last name?" Wolfe murmured against her shoulder.

  Her ass was cushioned against his thighs. His rapidly rising fiftieth erection nudged securely between her legs, and his arm banded her tight to him so she was open to any nibble, lick, or caress he bestowed on various body parts. Deep satisfaction loosened her muscles, and Gen felt like she'd swallowed an aphrodisiac. Her body was primed to want everything and anything he gave her, upping the ante like the slut she'd always craved to be.

  She loved it.

  He plucked playfully at her nipple.

  "Why would you need his name?"

  "I want to send him flowers. You know, as a thank-you."

  A laugh bubbled from her lips, then turned into a low moan as her nipple hardened and begged for more. "You're beastly."

  "You're gorgeous." He chuckled as he pinched her nipple, making streams of heat shoot to her pussy. "And hungry. And so fucking responsive I can't stop."

  Gen stretched, offering up her naked body, feeling like a goddess under his hungry, lust-filled gaze. "Who says you have to?"

  He growled low and flipped her over onto her tummy. "You're right. But first I want to see the tat. Who else saw it?"

  The thread of possessiveness thrilled her, even though she knew it was just for the night. "Just Kate. And the artist."

  "Good. Now lie still like a good girl."

  Her heart pounded madly. He was beyond an amazing lover. He played her body like a musician, but was able to switch from loving and sweet to dirty talker, dom, and rocker bad boy. She loved every aspect of him, hard and soft, and knew she could spend the rest of her life relishing each part he wanted to show her. Gen thought he'd give his body to her, but it was so much more than she imagined. In only a few hours, he had shared parts of his heart, and she'd treasure that for the rest of her life.

  The rational voice tried to chime in with warnings. She realized it was only about one night. One night to satisfy their sexual urges, be together as man and woman instead of friends, and that he'd never allow himself to move further into a relationship with her. By dawn, he'd be freaked out, terrified, and begin to retreat.