“What?” Kamaria’s eyes flew open.
“Our safe word.”
“Liverwurst has got to be the least sexy thing to say during foreplay.”
He hovered over her face, rubbing the very tip of his nose gently against hers. “That’s the idea. My Nonna would make me eat liverwurst sandwiches every day after school. I hate the stuff. Mentioning it is the quickest way to pull me out of the mood.”
“But when you think about it, deli meat looks kinda hot.” She stroked the outline of his cock with her toes. He grabbed her foot, carefully extending the line of her leg until it rested on his shoulder. His nose nuzzled her inner thigh.
“I think you’re hot.”
Jack sank onto his elbows and knees. He buried his face into her sweetness, transporting him from memories of a cold cut nightmare—and Jesus, only this woman could make him laugh one second and have him hotter than hell in the next—to the impossible heat and beauty that was Kamaria Wilson. Each time her hips swayed or pitched forward, he was right there with her. Never relenting in his pursuit of her pleasure. He knew she was close when she started to pant.
“Jack. You… I…” He inserted his fingers into the mix to finally take her over the edge. Her entire body tensed, and then she convulsed, her body tightening. She made the sweetest, sexiest sounds he’d ever heard when she came.
He knew she had returned to earth when she gasped, “Liv…wurst.”
He reached up to remove her hands from his cuffs. He had left them just loose enough for her to slip out with a gentle tug.
“Wait.” The single word stopped him. “I want you to leave them on.” Satisfaction warmed his belly. He could totally fall for this woman.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Everything about this was too right. There had to be a way to make this work between them past Sunday…
Still relishing his moment of glory, Jack rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. With her arms bound and body sprawled against the sheets like some exotic offering for his pleasure, she was the sexiest fucking thing he’d ever seen. He quickly slipped on a condom and slid deep into her heat.
“Faster. Please,” she begged. He grinned as he felt her back arch.
“No.” He continued to take his time despite feeling her clench and strain around his cock as he drove deep. “You’re still in trouble, naughty girl.”
“Please.” She nuzzled against his chest, one leg massaging up along the side of his body. If he’d freed her hands, he knew they would’ve wrapped around him and held him close. He shook his head in response as he continued his leisurely pace. One agonizing stroke at a time.
“This is torture,” she hissed. She raised her head so their chins touched.
“That’s the idea, sweetheart.” He wedged his hand between their bodies, reaching down to tease her clit between his fingers.
“What if…” He shifted his stroke and she gasped. A few labored breaths later, she continued. “What if I say the safe word?”
Dammit. He stopped and studied her face. Her eyes shone with mischief. He narrowed his eyes at her. “That’s not gonna work this time.”
He nuzzled the length of her neck as he picked up the pace. Her sweet body arced again, tightening its seal around him. He responded with a flick of her right nipple. He had already figured out that one was the more sensitive of the two. She mewled her surprise. If she thought she could goad him into coming first, she had another thing coming. He had no intention of losing this round.
“Promise me.” By now, he had her legs around his waist with every thrust hitting its mark. “Promise you’ll still be in my arms when I wake up.”
“I promise.” And then her body shivered in surrender. Pulsing, clenching, dragging him over the edge with her in a shattering release.
A few seconds later, she smiled up at him. “I should be bad more often.”
“Don’t push your luck.” He smiled against her skin. “I’m pretty sure you won’t be sneaking off to go anywhere tonight.”
Kamaria sighed. “Not. Funny…”
“Fine.” He jiggled the chain between her cuffs with his fingers. “I won’t do this again.”
“The hell you won’t.” She slipped out of one of the cuffs and laced her fingers around his hand. He was happy to see her enjoying the intimacy between them. Finally.
He settled beside her. She snuggled up against him, a leg thrown across his hips, her head tucked beneath his chin. Her heart thudded against his. It was a while before her breathing slowed and her pulse settled.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you.” Her other hand found its way to his back. Score. He shifted and turned off the bedside lamp so she couldn’t see his smile. His little gambler might not realize it, but she craved their intimacy as much as he did.
“I’m originally from Pennsylvania. My mother and my Nonna are still there. My baby sister is getting ready to graduate from college. Family means everything to me.”
“What about your dad?”
That question made him hesitate. Would the truth make a difference to her? He decided to go for it. “He’s dead. He ran up some gambling debts with the wrong people and…you know.”
Her toes stroked his leg. “I’m sorry. And then someone like me pops into your life.”
“Yeah. But you’re different. You’re actually trying to get better. It’s one of the things I like about you.” He reached over and stroked her face. “It’s one of the things I really like about you. I know it’s tough. And I know this doesn’t make any sense, but I’d like to get to know you better, support you any way that I can.”
There, he’d said it. The truth was, he was beginning to have all kinds of feelings about her. A slight catch interrupted the even rhythm of her breathing, but she was otherwise quiet.
“You don’t have to say anything, Kamaria. I broke the ‘it’s over when someone gets caught up’ rule. You win.” Not that he was going to allow a few silly rules spoken in the heat of the moment to stop him from pursuing what he wanted. But, seriously, her silence was killing him. After a few seconds of deafening quiet, he had the sinking feeling that he’d overplayed his hand. He threw the pillow over his head.
“I…I like you too.”
He swiped away the pillow. “What was that?”
“I said I like you too.”
He cupped her face between his hands. “Are you serious?”
He felt her nod her head as he leaned in to kiss her. Her tongue met his in a desperate duel. This kiss was just as intense as the one they shared earlier. But this time, they were on the same page.
He butterfly kissed his way down her neck, finally landing on the hollow of her collarbone. She rewarded him with a moan when he traced the line leading to her shoulder with his tongue. She wrapped her legs around his waist. He sank his weight onto her torso just enough to hold her there.
She could go over-think why falling for him was a mistake later. “Seriously, you made me forget about all the temptation waiting for me outside that door. I feel like I’m using you.”
Jack pulled her closer, tucked her on her side and draped an arm over her waist. “Then use me. I already told you, I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re too nice for your own good. You’ve purposely made it too hard to not get attached to you.”
“That was the idea, sweetheart. Now get some sleep.”
Kamaria wiggled her butt against his still hard cock. “What about you? I’m down for round two.”
“Tonight was all about you.” He rubbed her hip. “Just don’t tell Chastity.”
“Not all of my business is Chastity’s business.”
Jack kissed her earlobe, causing her to shiver. “Good. Now go to sleep.”
“Yes, Mr. Alderisi.”
“Mm, I like the sound of that.”
When Jack woke up, Kamaria was nestled against his side with her head on his chest. He grinned. Right where she was supposed to be.
He played with one of her locks that ha
d fallen from her updo style. The expression on her face was the most serene he’d seen on her since they met. As much as he wanted to pursue this thing between them, he was beginning to see the toll that being in Las Vegas was taking on her.
Jack tightened his arm around her waist and gave it a quick squeeze. The best thing to do was make the most of this weekend, and then let her go home. But he didn’t want to do the “right” thing anymore.
The truth was, he didn’t want to let her go. He had to figure out a way to keep her close. She had mentioned something about living in Arizona. One state over. That was close enough, right?
She wriggled against him. “I really want you, Jack.”
Jack fumbled for a condom on the nightstand. He pressed it into her hand. “Ride me.”
Kamaria smiled in acknowledgment. “As you wish.”
She made quick work of rolling the condom onto him. With the morning light streaming through the window, she looked the happiest he’d seen her since they met. He had to catch his breath as she lowered herself onto him. She pressed her hands into his chest, leveraging herself over him, joining them in one smooth glide. His breath shuddered out of him as she sucked the underside of his jaw.
She leaned forward and began sucking his earlobe. “I like the way you fill me.”
She ground herself against him, circling her hips. Her figure eights around his cock felt better than any massage he’d ever had. He reached for her, but she was too quick. She grabbed his wrists and pinned them to his sides.
And then, she squeezed him. Like a damn clamp.
Jack never heard himself moan like that before. Could this woman be any more perfect?
“Yeah. I’m close too,” she purred into his ear. Her vice-like hold on his cock eased. “But I’m not done with you yet.”
He gave a short nod in response. Kamaria sank her full weight on him again. He cursed. The further he delved into her softness, the more his control slipped. He squeezed his eyes together. Then, she cried out as her core fluttered around him.
He gripped the sheets to keep from joining her. His control was slipping by the second. “Stop moving.”
She stilled halfway up his cock. “I’m sorry I came so fast, Jack. That’s never happened…”
He felt her thighs tremble as she readjusted herself.
“Please.” His eyes flew open. Did he just whimper?
She looked as overwhelmed as he felt. The sunlight streaming from behind her made her post-coital glow turn golden. Her brown skin glistened with sweat, making her look like a bronze goddess. How could this woman be real?
He let go of the sheet to touch her. Oh yes, her warm, slick thigh was very real. He continued on to palm the soft flesh of her belly. Its slight give made her more real than any of the rail-thin showgirls on the Strip. He tweaked her nipple. Her breasts jiggled against the rise and fall of her chest as she struggled to regain her breath. Those were most definitely real.
“Jack, my leg. I can’t…” She slipped back down his length.
“But I can.” He rolled her over onto her back, sinking himself back into her depths. He shifted his angle. She clutched his forearms.
“There,” she breathed. “Right there.”
Them, together like this… God, it felt like home. He began moving. Slowly. Deeply. Tenderly. Taking care with each stroke to return to that same spot, to her “there.”
His teeth gnashed together. Every muscle in his body tensed. If he relaxed, even a little, there would be nothing left to curb his release. He closed his eyes. He wanted to last for her. Hell, he wanted to last forever.
This moment felt like a turning point. The linchpin he needed to convince her that just this weekend would never be enough. Her mouth opened. Her bottom lip quivered. She pulled on his arms. He quickened his thrusts, complying with her unspoken request.
Her eyes rolled back. Then, dammit, she squeezed his cock and wailed as she came.
Her unexpected movement sent him over the edge. As the last of his control exploded, he could see it all with her—a wedding, babies, growing old together, everything. Those images—each one all too real. He cradled her head as he filled her with all his possibilities.
Their ragged breaths became one as he continued to plank himself over her. His biceps trembled from the exertion, but he was in no rush to break their physical connection. If only he had the power to stop time. There was no way he’d be satisfied with just this weekend now, but there was no way he would ask her to stay longer. He looked at the clock. Her speech was in little over an hour.
And just like that, good old responsible Jack was back. He rolled onto his side and broke the connection. “C’mon, it’s getting late.”
He stood, swept her into his arms, and carried Kamaria into the bathroom. He pushed the sliding door open, then turned on the water to its full spray strength.
Only then did he loosen his grip as he carefully placed her into the shower stall. He caressed her face. “Don’t move.”
He returned to the sink and rifled through the cabinet until he found a shower cap. He carefully covered all of her hair with it until the elastic band was secure around her hairline. “I saw how long it took you to twist and style your hair yesterday. I’ll be damned if I get it wet again.”
He guided her further into the shower. Then Jack unhooked the showerhead and proceeded to wash his woman. He had to chuckle to himself about those rules she had established. Hold back his emotions? Hell, he broke that rule on day one.
When he was finished, he twisted the knob to turn the water off. He turned his back just long enough to snatch a towel from the rack next to the shower. Then he got down on one knee and proceeded to carefully towel off her body. He paused to take extra special care of her breasts, lapping up any water droplets with his tongue. He felt her entire body shudder under his attentions, causing Jack to smile around her taut nipple. Her arms cradled his head. She didn’t need him to shield her from temptation. She needed him to create a safe space for her to figure out how to deal with her demons on her own.
He swept her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom where he gently plopped her down on her bed.
He stood before her. His cock was ready for more. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”
Kamaria smiled saucily up at him. “You’re not playing by the rules.”
“I never was.” He coaxed two more orgasms out of her before she reluctantly evoked their safe word again.
Kamaria played with a few strands of his hair between her fingers. In a quiet voice, she said, “Thank you.”
“For the sex?” He stroked the length of her spine with his fingertips. His lips then followed in their wake. The delicious sensation made her shiver. “The pleasure was all mine.”
“Well, thanks for that, too. But no, thanks for understanding. I might joke about it, but those poker tables downstairs were calling me like a siren’s song. I’m too weak to fight it on my own sometimes.” It was the first time she admitted so much out loud. Saying so felt like a cinder block had been lifted from her shoulders.
“That’s my job.” Jack crawled down the bed on his hands and knees to her feet. “That’s why I’m here.”
Kamaria took a quick glance at the clock on the nightstand. “Ugh, we really have to get going now.”
“Mm-hm.” He took her foot into his hands. It looked like a toy cupped between his huge palms. Jack began kneading her sole with his fingers. Kamaria licked her lips. She could definitely get used to having this man around for the long haul. She quickly pushed that thought from her mind. Her life was such that she could pick up and live anywhere she wanted. Well, anywhere but here in Nevada. And Jack lived here.
Just enjoy the moment. She lowered herself from her elbows down to the bed. She had a tendency to over-think a good thing. She needed to break that habit. Starting now.
He proceeded to “help” her put on her shoes. Using his hands and tongue, he started at her feet, working his way up her legs
and beyond. After he got her off, he pushed himself to his feet and retrieved her dress she had selected for the day. He lowered the dress carefully over her head. “That crazy agent of yours will have my head if I make you miss your speech.”
“I’d much rather stay in bed with you.” Kamaria bit her lip. “As a matter of fact, I’m thinking about extending my stay. I believe I owe you two more days together.”
Jack stood up with his back to her. Each movement emphasized the definition in the musculature on his back. And then there was his ass… Chastity had been so right. He had a perfect ass.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” He flicked on his shirt. “C’mon. Let’s get you downstairs.”
Chapter Seven
The volume in the medium-sized ballroom increased the moment she and Jack stepped into the room. The chatter sounded like double the fifty or so people already seated. Since this luncheon was sponsored by an online book club that had recently featured her work, she knew the reason most likely had to do with both Jack’s striking resemblance to the cover model on her book and the way they’d disappeared from the book signing the day before.
“I saw them running away from a screaming stampede…” She felt her cheeks warm at that wisp of loudly whispered gossip. She couldn’t help feeling that more than one person in the crowd was speculating, with some accuracy, of how she and Jack had spent their evening. They must all think she was some kind of delusional celebrity who pumped her self-esteem by dragging around some boy toy.
Jack bent to whisper in her ear. “I need to stay here by the door.” He tapped his security earpiece. “We’re all on alert that some known troublemakers just entered the casino.”
“Fine,” she murmured. What was his deal? She admitted her feelings, just like he wanted, and now he was pushing her away. She felt like such a fool. Yeah. It sucked. But she was a big girl. And she’d get through this day and then the rest of the conference and then she’d haul her ass far, far away from Vegas.
Focus. If only the room wasn’t so cheery, so yellow. A few readers she recognized from the book signing, before everything went crazy, called out to her. She drifted over to greet them, hoping that the fear gripping her insides didn’t show on her face. She was happy to see a pile of four or five books stacked at each place setting. She handed each of them a postcard with a free digital download code on them to add to their convention swag.
Calling Her Bluff (What Happens in Vegas) Page 7