A Sure Thing

by Marie Harte

  She froze.

  The doorbell rang, and she hurried upstairs to answer it. It had taken her a while to get used to having her bedroom and office downstairs. But with this layout, she had spectacular views of Lake Union off the main living space. A glance out the peephole showed Landon standing with his hands in his pockets, looking larger than life.

  She yanked the door open then dragged him inside, locking up behind him. “Do you have my phone?”

  He smiled and held it out, making the thing look tiny in his large hand.

  So grateful she could weep, she took it and grabbed him for a tight hug.

  He didn’t move, and she felt a little silly. When she pulled back, she tried to go get her robe, but he latched on to her wrist and refused to let her go. A hysterical part of her wondered if she should use her self-defense move, to see if it would work in a real-world situation.

  “What are you wearing?” His slow smile turned into a laugh. “I’d imagined something a little different. Are those tiny snowmen on your socks?”

  She frowned. “Yes, they are.”

  “I like them.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.” He let her go after caressing the inside of her forearm with his thumb. A tiny touch, yet it felt overwhelming.

  She prayed he couldn’t see her nipples beading under her sleep shirt. She’d removed her undergarments, planning on going to bed. A big believer in airing out at night, Ava now wished she’d been a little more buttoned up.

  She cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest. A pitiful defense, but it was all she had. “Thanks so much for bringing this by.”

  “I had a feeling you’d need it.”

  “Yes.” They stared at each other.

  “Well, I guess I should go,” he said, at the same time she said, “Would you like a cup of tea?”

  His slow grin heated her up from the inside. “Sure. That’d be great.”

  “I’ll be right back.” She hustled downstairs to get her robe, then returned and found him studying some of her family photos in the living room. “What kind of tea would you like?”

  “You pick.” He lifted a frame and studied it, then her. “How long ago was this taken?”

  She stepped closer and took it from his hands with a smile. “Ah, that was right after college. A vacation to Germany with my parents.”

  “You look a lot like your mom. She’s pretty.”

  Ava blushed. “Thanks. What about you?” She put the frame back. “Do you look like your parents?”

  “A lot like my dad, but I have my mom’s coloring. And personality, according to my brothers and Hope.” He shrugged. “Mom’s type A, and so am I. We’re effective go-getters. Kind of like you.” His sly smile unnerved her, and she made a pretense of turning away to make him tea when she was really trying to escape the strange heat filling her.

  “Moroccan Mint okay?”

  “Whatever. Sure.” He followed her into her tiny galley kitchen and stood at the doorway, blocking her in. Probably not his intention, but with his size and the small space, he pretty much had her pinned to the room. He took off his jacket, still staring at her.

  “You can toss it on the couch.”

  He stepped out to rid himself of the coat, and the kitchen again felt bigger. Until he returned.

  He leaned against the open doorframe and crossed his arms over his broad, broad chest. The dark brown sweater he wore only enhanced his golden coloring. But she’d bet her last dollar he had no idea of his impact.

  Landon seemed at ease with his masculinity and had no reason to play up his impossible-to-ignore maleness. Her girlie bits did flips of joy just being near the man.

  She swallowed a sigh and turned on her electric kettle.

  He frowned. “Seriously? You plug it in and turn it on? What happened to the old-fashioned whistle kind?”

  “It’s called technology. Your water will be ready in three minutes. Your tea in eight, after it’s had time to steep.”

  His lips quirked. “You’re a very precise kind of gal, aren’t you, Ava?”

  “Precise is good. It’s difficult to get things wrong when you’re precise.”

  He nodded. “I one hundred percent agree. I wasn’t being critical, just making a point.”

  “What point?”

  He stepped closer, and her pulse raced. “That we’re a lot alike. We’re both professionals. We’re driven. We like to be precise,” he said in a low voice as his gaze traveled over her body and lingered on her breasts—once again nearly exposed because her stupid robe refused to stay closed.

  Damn, the things felt heavy, her nipples like tiny pebbles.

  “R-right.” If she crossed her arms now, he’d know she meant to hide her chest. And with a man like Landon, it paid to look in control. She’d pretend she suffered from the cold. He would be none the wiser, especially if she didn’t react to that sexy, slumberous look on his face.

  God, his eyes had half closed, his lips had parted, and he seemed to be breathing faster.

  Considering her willpower seemed to be at an all-time low when it came to not kissing the man—what had she been thinking after the restaurant?—she sincerely hoped she could not sleep with him as well.

  Not wearing any panties didn’t help, because her body seemed to be readying itself to receive him even now. I am not growing wet because he’s here. No. Not that desperate. Am I?

  Before she could unfortunately answer herself, the timer dinged.

  She sagged with relief. “Water’s ready.”

  He nodded, still watching her like a hawk. She turned and poured them both a cup of tea, then looked for her timer that refused to shut itself off.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t find my apple timer. It’s cute. A little red timer shaped like an apple. It turns when it’s ticking.” She found it behind the coffee grinder and hit a switch.

  “Uh-huh. Why don’t you just watch the clock on the microwave?”

  Had he stepped closer?

  “That’s a good idea.” She turned and found him standing in her personal space. But she couldn’t back up because she had the counter directly behind her. “Landon?”

  “You know, something else we both have in common. We love our families. I could tell by that picture, by the way you mentioned your parents, that you guys are close.”

  “We are.” She sucked in a breath when he toyed with the hair on her shoulder.

  “Are they in town?”

  “N-no.” She concentrated on being cool. “They’re out East. My uncle and cousins are here though. You met Elliot and Sadie. So I have a great support system. Lots of family, friends.” Her family were her friends, really, but she didn’t want to look pitiful. “I have a great life.”

  “Yeah?” He leaned close, inhaled, and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, the gold flecks in his irises mesmerized her. “You smell like flowers.”

  “It’s my soap.”

  He nodded. And somehow his hands were on her shoulders, one of them stroking a length of her hair so close to her breast. “While we wait for our tea to be ready, maybe I could get that kiss you paid for.”

  “What?” She couldn’t look away from his descending mouth.

  “You know. You paid the tip. I figure I owe you for it.”

  “Tip?” Now just a mass of desire, she moaned as he laid his mouth over hers.

  Hot. Not warm or cold or in between. The man was flipping hot, his lips like silk as they teased hers to open farther. Then his tongue was there, coaxing, delving deeper. She wanted to pull him closer, to fuse them together until she felt only him. Nothing made sense but Landon kissing her, touching her.

  She ran her hands up his strong arms, gasping when he lifted her and hugged her tight, then sat her on the counter and spread her legs so h
e could step between them. He slid the material up her thighs while he kissed her into an almost-orgasm.

  “Yeah, Doc. You taste like I thought you would.”

  The man could think? She sure as hell couldn’t. “Uh-huh.”

  She arched her neck while he ran his lips over her throat, to her ear, then nibbled on her earlobe.

  A burst of pleasure coursed through her body and centered between her legs. She ached, wet and aroused to the point of mindless desire.

  “Like honey. So sweet. And sticky. And addicting.” Landon stuck his tongue in her ear, and she gave a breathy moan.

  He kissed her some more, his hands moving up and down her inner thighs, stroking but not close enough to where she really wanted him.

  “Landon.”

  “What, baby? What do you need?” His low voice sounded more like a growl.

  She felt him, hard and insistent, pressed against her inner thigh. His erection enormous, and doing her no good so far away. Ava drifted in a fugue of pleasure as Landon played her body as if he owned her.

  “You’re so pretty. So soft.” He ran a hand from her leg up her belly and cupped her breast. “So fucking perfect,” he rasped.

  He held her breast, and she shifted, needing him inside her.

  Then he pinched her nipple, lightly grinding the heel of his hand against the nub.

  She yanked him by the neck closer and kissed him, ravaging his mouth.

  She felt him breathe into her. Sensed the shiver pass over him, and then his hands were there, sliding up her thighs, pushing her sleep shirt higher. His fingers grazed her slick folds, and he swore.

  “In me,” she breathed, on fire to have him. Never so desirous of anything in her life. But she felt like she’d die if he didn’t do something!

  “Oh fuck. Yeah, that’s what I want. You, Doc.” Landon pulled his hands away, and she could have cried. But then he was between her legs, his face pushing closer, and he sucked her clit with deep draws.

  She cried out and clutched his hair, trying to get closer.

  Landon licked and sucked, throwing her into an orgasm with little effort.

  Ava came hard, crying out as she rocked over his amazing mouth while he continued to lick and tease her into a second, even more powerful climax. This time he added a thick finger, and she swore she lost awareness of everything for a moment.

  When she could think again, she felt his kisses on her thighs. He rose to his feet, his large hands gripping her legs hard enough to leave bruises, and the pain felt surprisingly pleasurable.

  “God, Ava. You look fucking sexy as hell right now.” He stared down at her, seeing her face sans makeup, no doubt slack with the bliss she could feel to her bones.

  Landon kissed her again, and she tasted herself on his lips. So sexy, that he’d kissed her there. So intimate. She’d claimed a part of him, and she wanted to claim even more.

  But Landon swore and stepped back, his erection impossible to miss. Talk about huge.

  He saw where her gaze had gone and sighed. “I should go.” He glanced at her, sitting on her kitchen counter with her shirt still hiked high enough to see everything, her robe doing her absolutely no good untied and parted, and moaned. “I want to fuck you so hard. Bend you over and just take you until we’re both screaming.” He sounded hoarse.

  So do it!

  “But I didn’t bring any protection with me. And if I get anywhere near that pussy, I’m coming inside.”

  His frank language did nothing but turn her on all over again.

  Landon surprised her by moving once more between her legs. This time he pulled her sleepshirt down and retied her robe, covering her back up. Then he kissed her with all the passion inside him and left her unable to do more than groan and beg him to continue.

  “That’s what you need to remember, Ava.” He kissed down to her throat and sucked. Hard.

  She gasped, stunned at the painful pleasure.

  “Me. My mark. We’re going to have so much fun when we finally hit the sheets.” He leaned back to stare down at her. “I like being in charge in bed. You liked me eating you out, baby?”

  She could do no more than nod.

  “Then just think how good I’ll make you feel when I’m driving into you.” He leaned closer and whispered right into her ear, “When I’m coming and you’re gripping me tight with that pussy. Or when I’m thick and hard and between your lips. When my mouth is sucking that sweet clit until your cream rushes down my throat.” His hand crept to her neck, and he gave a little squeeze. “I’ll never, ever hurt you. But I’ll show you so much you never knew you liked. You’ll beg for it and love when I give it to you.”

  She couldn’t believe how aroused she was from hearing his bossy talk. Oh. My. God. What was this man doing to independent and powerful Ava Rosenthal?

  He lifted her from the counter and stood her back on the floor. Then he tugged her with him to fetch his coat and walk to the door.

  He stopped to put on his coat, then he took her chin in his hand.

  By this time she’d gathered her wits. What the hell had she done?

  His satisfied smile belied the tension in his frame and the erection she could still see. “You liked what we did.”

  “So what? You did too,” she said, no hesitation.

  He nodded. “I loved it. Tasting you, seeing you come. I’ve never seen anything sexier in my life.” He continued to hold her chin, still taking charge.

  Because she’d let him.

  She tugged her chin free, and his smile deepened. “Don’t get any funny ideas. It was great sex. But you don’t own me.”

  “Not yet.” He licked his lips. “But I think we could have a lot of fun together. Exploring.” He paused. “You liked me taking charge, didn’t you?”

  “I did.” No point denying it. Ava refused to be ashamed of her sexuality. “As much as you liked dominating.”

  He nodded. “I want that with you. I want sex. I want a lot of it.”

  She could have slapped herself. On the first date, Ava? Really? “It got out of hand. I hadn’t expected this.”

  “Me neither.” He pointed to himself. “You see this, right? I didn’t bring any condoms with me.”

  She flushed. “Yes, yes, I see it. You don’t need to point.”

  He chuckled, and the sexual tension lowered but didn’t dissipate. “So you still coming to the game tomorrow?”

  “Yes, but I’m unequivocally stating I refuse to have sex with you on the second date.”

  “Actually, it’ll be our third date. But I’m fine with that.” He shrugged.

  “Really?” She nodded to his groin.

  “I’m not driven by my hormones. I’m in control of myself.” He lifted his chin. “I can wait until you’re ready.”

  “I’m not making babies with you,” she said bluntly.

  “Good, because I’m not ready to be a father yet.” He continued, “I’m clean. Always use protection. And I’m assuming you do too.”

  “Of course I do.” She paused. “Shouldn’t we have had the safe sex talk before you went down on me?”

  He blinked. “Wow. Went down? Yeah. I sure did. Didn’t think you’d want to talk about it though.”

  She raised a brow. “I’m a therapist. We’re allowed to talk about sex.”

  “And glad I am about that.” He chuckled. “Relax, Doc. Just because you came, hard, doesn’t mean I’m winning any contests.”

  “Do tell.”

  He laughed again. “And yeah, I should have asked first. But you made me so crazy. We have some seriously hot chemistry. I want to eat you up all over again.” His eyes darkened.

  Ava wanted the same thing, and she had no idea what to make of her suddenly overactive libido. “That was nice.”

  “Good. I was striving for nice.”

  “Oh, sh
ut up.”

  He laughed. “I should go before you start avoiding me again.”

  “For the last time, I wasn’t avoiding you.”

  “Liar.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Okay, gorgeous. Here’s the deal. You say when we have sex. But I say how we have it. I get to be in charge. But you set the pace. Third date, fourth, tenth, your call.”

  “Hmm.” She liked the idea. A little too much. “Well, I don’t know…”

  “What’s not to know? Don’t you want to feel me inside you the next time you come?” His eyes widened. “Now you’re blushing? Seriously?”

  “Would you hush for a second?” She took a deep breath and let it out, trying to be rational. “I’m very attracted to you. I admit it. But I’m also out on the dating scene, looking for compatibility in a man.”

  He frowned. “Your point?”

  “I have a date with Charles on Sunday. A follow-up.”

  “Follow-up. Sounds like a dental appointment,” he huffed. “So break it.”

  “No.”

  His frown turned into a scowl. “Look, I’m not interested in you sexing up the male population to see who fits you best.”

  “Neither am I.” Seriously irked, she shoved him back a step. Or at least, she tried to shove him back. The mountain of a man wouldn’t move. “Look. You’re not my type, but I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. Something I’m right now regretting.”

  He grabbed her by the arms and turned her around, then backed her up against her own front door. Pinning her there, his hard body against hers, she felt his heartbeat racing, his cock grinding against her belly. He was forceful but not scary. In a word—sexy.

  “Regretting, huh?” He kissed her, showing her no mercy, until she panted and clawed at his shoulders for more. “Regretting that too?”

  She wanted to slap him, but his arrogance was having the opposite effect. She wanted him again.

  “You want me, Doc. As much as I want you. I don’t share. You want to play around with some wussy wannabes? Fine. But this mouth belongs to me. So does this pussy.” He cupped her between her legs, and kissed her.

  By the time he’d finished, she’d come again while he seemed even more frustrated.