Ransom (The Player Book 5)

by Nana Malone

  But first, he needed to taste her. Needed to see her melt apart on his tongue. He wanted her to see him, the man, not the hockey player. Releasing her nipple with a loud popping sound, he kissed his way down her torso.

  Her breath was short and panting, and she gasped his name over and over again. "Ransom, Ransom, Ransom." Occasionally punctuated with yes, more, and another yes.

  When he reached her belly button, he dipped his tongue inside, teasing the sensitive spot until she giggled. And then he tugged down the elastic of the yoga pants, kissing the flesh that was exposed, inch by inch. When he had yanked them off, he stared at the feast before him. Holy cow. She was so perfect. Sweet, wet, pink lips. And she was waxed. Not entirely, though, she left a thin strip like an arrow pointing the way. As if he could ever get lost. But God, he could already see her dewy wetness over her slick flesh.

  "Widen your legs for me."

  "What?" she whispered.

  "You heard me. Legs wider. I want to see you."

  She hesitated. "Ransom, I don't—"

  "I said, open your legs."

  She gave him another shaky breath, but then she parted her thighs wider. He knelt in front of her, and then pressed his lips on her skin, laving her slick flesh from clit to dewy center.

  "Oh, shit." She flung an arm over her eyes, as her other hand slid into his hair, helping guide him, showing him what she liked, when to stop, when to keep doing exactly what he was doing. Yeah, she liked that.

  Against her flesh, he muttered, "You want to know how you taste? Like the fucking sweetest silk I've ever tasted in my life. Buttery soft, and so good. So, so, good."

  For several moments, all that could be heard was the whisper of his name on her tongue, and her murmurs of appreciation, as he continued to lick, taste, tease. She melted on his tongue, melted just for him. And then her fingers clutched tight into his hair.

  "Oh, my God. Ransom, I'm going to—"

  He worked his tongue deep inside her, holding her hips steady as she rocked them on his tongue. Over and over and over again, as the waves overtook her. Yes. That's what he wanted. Her coming on his tongue, his fingers, his cock.

  Another orgasm wracked her body, and this time, her hips lifted. And he held her tight to him as she melted. He continued to gently, slowly lick the sweet dew from her flesh. All the while, he took a thumb and teased that tight patch of skin just below her center. "Yeah, that's it. Open up for me."

  One of her legs locked around his head for a third time, and her scream echoed through the kitchen. He smiled against her lips, and gave her one more long, leisurely lick, before brushing his lips along the inside of her thighs and kissing his way back up her body.

  Her eyelids fluttered briefly, and the gaze she gave him was sleepy, and half-lidded. "Oh, my God."

  "You okay?" He asked as he held back the chuckle. He loved that look on her face, though. It was perfect.

  "Am I okay? I don't think I've ever, ever been okay before. Matter of fact, I feel like I'm being okay for the first time in my life."

  He grinned. "In that case, let me help you feel even more okay." He picked her up, and carried her to his bedroom. The whole time, she giggled and told him to put her down, that she could walk under her own steam.

  "Not on your life."

  When they reached his room, he held her by the hips and deposited her gently onto the bed. Then he turned his back, and shucked his sweatpants, before reaching over to the bedside table for a condom. Lexa's eyes immediately went to his dick. And then they widened. Her lips formed an O shape as she stared.

  "Too much for you?" He held his breath. He prayed she didn't say no, but he prepared himself for that response.

  Her gaze flickered back to his, before landing back on his cock again.

  "You are…wow."

  Okay, wow was good. Right?

  "I mean, holy cow." She reached out tentatively, and gently ran her finger over the top of his dick, rubbing in the drop of moisture.

  Fuck. He was going to come. Just like that. And all it took was one touch.

  Shit. If she kept doing that, he was really going to. But he watched, fascinated as she licked her lips. She wasn't running. Matter of fact, she looked like she wanted to taste him. Which, he was certainly not opposed to.

  The look she gave him was shy, and even in the dim light of his room, he could see the slight flush on her cheeks. "Do you mind?" she asked softly.

  Mind? Was she kidding? He shook his head. "No. I definitely do not mind."

  She pushed him back to where he lay back against the pillows, and then she crawled over him. Teeth grazing her bottom lip, she watched him, assessed him. When she reached out a hand and wrapped it around the base of his dick, Ransom couldn't hold back the string of curses.

  Jesus Christ, that felt incredible. Her delicate hands didn't even reach around him, but when she used both of them, it worked just fine. And then she leaned over and licked his head clean, and Ransom knew he was lost.

  Her lips wrapped around him and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying desperately to hold on to the reins of control that were slipping freely out of his fingers. She bobbed her head down, taking him as far back as her throat would allow, and then she did the most incredible thing, she inhaled and relaxed her throat. Taking him even farther.

  Ah fuck, he was too close to coming. The tightening of his balls, the need for release building at the base of his spine. His muscles went tight, taut, he wanted to be inside her. He didn't want to come in her mouth.

  Okay, who the fuck was he kidding, yes, he did, but before that, he wanted to be inside her.

  Taking a tight rein on his controls, he gently tugged her head back. "Baby, wait. Lexa, Jesus, you have to stop. I am going to come if you keep doing that, that's not how I want the first time to go."

  She blinked at him. Eased back off his cock, and said, "But what if I want to taste you?"

  Oh, hell. Yes, that was what he wanted, too. No, you want to be inside her. Shit. Choices. But he stuck to his guns. Gently he rolled her onto her back. Then, he reached for the condom he'd dropped on the top of the nightstand. He tore the thing open with his teeth, before rolling onto his side to glide it on. When he repositioned himself between her thighs, she gazed up at him and rubbed a thumb over his cheek.

  "Ransom, please— "

  With gritted teeth, he wrapped his hand around the base of his cock, and gently guided it to her. With the tip, he teased over her slit again and again, making sure to tease her clit, making sure she was just as desperate he was. She was so wet.

  With the tip of his cock nudging her tight entrance, he took a deep breath, met her gaze, and slid inside.

  Her eyes went wide, and she held on to his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin.

  "Fuck. Lexa, are you okay?" He held himself perfectly still.

  "Wow, you’re big. But yes, I'm okay. More, please."

  Shit, she wanted more? "Lexa, are you—?"

  When he didn't comply, she lifted her hips, taking him another inch deeper. She cursed again, and her body went tight.

  "Lexa, you're not supposed to do that. Just let me be in control for a second."

  For several minutes, he inched forward, and withdrew again, waiting until she was slick enough. He teased her nipples and kissed her deeply, making sure she still rode the waves of pleasure.

  Slight forward, slight back. With every slide forward, he regained another centimeter, and fought back. With every retreat, he reached between them and used his thumb to slide over her clit. She moaned.

  When he slid back in, he knew he was hitting exactly the spot she needed, because her eyes rolled back, and her spine arched into every deep stroke. "Yes. God, Ransom."

  "Lexa. So tight—so fucking—good." Her body tight and snug around him, he let himself go, he let himself whisper all the things he dreamt about doing. How long he'd been dreaming of doing it, how bad he wanted her. How much he wanted to feel her come all over him.

  "Ransom, it
feels so—oh, my God—"

  "Do you know how long I've been dreaming of fucking you?" He punctuated the question with a kiss to her throat. "You like what I'm doing?" He deliberately slowed his stroke on each retreat, where the head of his cock hit that little bundle of nerves deep inside. And then he would hitch forward just a tad, before fully retreating out again. Every time he did that, she gave him a low, primal moan.

  "I like it."

  He reached underneath her, cupping her ass with one hand, and then flipping them over so she sat on top of him. "Show me how much you like it."

  This way she could control the penetration. And, bonus, he could watch her. One hand cupping her breasts, taking one of her nipples between his fingers as his free hand occupied itself with sliding over her clit, he knew what his job was. His job was to make her come as often as possible, and make her come hard.

  Lexa threw her head back. "Oh, my God, Ransom, I'm going to—"

  He gritted his teeth. Her inner muscles clamped tight around his cock, and he shuddered as her whole body shook over his. Not yet. Not yet. Not. Fucking. Yet. She dropped her hands so that she propped herself up on his chest with them. Ransom reached around her, cupping her ass, helping her move. With every uptick of his hips, her eyes rolled to the back of her head. With his middle finger, he gently teased her tight pucker. When she rocked up, his finger would gently nudge the entrance. When she rocked onto him, he was out. They continued that pattern, over and over and over again, with each rocking motion of her body. He so very gently penetrated her, making her his in every way.

  "Oh. Ransom—Ransom—Ransom."

  He could feel her, this was it. She was going to come again. With a curse, he gripped her hips with his free hand. And could only hold on for dear life as she exploded around him this last time. Her body went limp above him, but he didn't let her rest. Instead, he flipped them both back over so she lay on her back, panting, every breath making her breasts bounce, drawing his attention.

  He took both of her wrists in one hand, splayed her legs wide, and he drove deep. Deeper, and deeper, his thumb rubbing furiously on her clit, drawing out her orgasm. Her body jerking beneath his. And then it hit him with the force of a tidal wave. The orgasm wound around his spine, ricocheting through his body, making him explode into a thousand tiny shards.

  Holy shit. Lexa Carlisle was going to kill him.

  Lexa held herself still. Under normal circumstances, when she'd slept with the wrong man, kind of like last night, an escape would be imminent.

  Except, this time, there was nowhere to escape to. It wasn't like she could leave. Her car was still stuck in a ditch about a mile from his place. The rain still pelted the window with sizable drops.

  And really, there was nowhere to run to. She was going to have to face last night's decision eventually.

  She wasn't sure at what point his breathing had changed from the deep, even pace of heavy sleep, to something lighter. But when the low rumble of his voice whispered behind her, she nearly jumped.

  "Thinking about making your escape?"

  Lexa turned around, careful to keep her breasts covered. "Well, the thought came to mind. Except, there's nowhere to go exactly. Sorry about that. Or maybe I should just head to my room?" Yeah, dummy, that would have been a terrific idea. Then, she could have showered, and also, not have to face him. That would've been brilliant, if she’d thought of it. But oh no, she'd stayed. Because you're a glutton for punishment.

  Ransom exhaled a long breath. "Are you…hurt?"

  What? "No. Why would you think you hurt me? I mean, I'm a little sore, because, well, you know how big you are, but not hurt. I sorta feel delicious, actually." Did she just say delicious? Shoot her now. She needed a muzzle.

  Ransom sat perfectly still for a moment, before turning to study her. "Why are you ready to run then?"

  She sighed. "Well, for starters, I was figuring that might be how you preferred it. I don't usually do one-night stands. I don't know what to do. Hell, even when I'm with someone, that's usually the preference. So, I figured you wouldn't want to wake up next to me. That you'd want your space, or whatever." Stop talking. Just stop talking. You're only making this worse.

  She sat up, wrapping the sheet more tightly around her. "Matter of fact, I should go and shower. I'm sure you want to get some rest." She tried to jump out of the bed, but he reached for her, wrapping his much larger hand around her forearm easily.

  "Did I say I wanted you to go?" His voice was low.

  Lexa bit her lip. "Well, you seem annoyed. So I can only assume it's because this was a mistake. We shouldn't have done this. You know, all the reasons. I mean, you're the famous Ransom Cox, and now that we've slept together, you're probably bored, or are wishing I was Giselle Bündchen, or something."

  A slight crease formed on his brow. "You read her book."

  That was a statement rather than a question. Lexa nodded. "Yes, I did. I'm sorry. I should've said so before. But honestly, I didn't see you in that book. For anyone who really knows you, none of that is you. Not even a little. Most people clearly see that that book was about a woman scorned." She tucked her hair behind her ear. "Except, this morning, given my own history, and the fact that you probably sleep with dozens of women a week, I figured maybe there's some truth to that part. I mean, you're a superstar. Women line up to sleep with you."

  He pushed himself to sitting, and the sheet gave way, baring broad muscles, a tattoo on his shoulder, and that ridiculous pack of abdominal muscles. "Lexa, I'll ask you again. Did I hurt you? Is that why you're running?"

  Why did he keep asking her that? Callie insinuated that sleeping with him was painful. That he was too demanding. At least that was the insinuation. That he was a sex maniac. "No, dammit. You didn't hurt me. And yes, that part of the book was total bullshit. I told you. And Lord, I might not be able to walk right for a week, but none of that hurt. I know you wouldn't hurt me. And if you don't mind me saying so, Callie's pretty much a bitter bitch who didn't know what she had. Still doesn't change that we probably made a mistake. It doesn't change that you probably still want me gone, but unfortunately, we're still stuck together. It doesn't change that I still pick exactly the wrong men. I mean, look at you." She gestured at his perfectly sculpted body. "The quirky, yet kinda cute, nerdy girl does not get the guy that looks like you. It's just not what happens."

  His frown deepened. "So this is about you thinking you're not cute enough, which is asinine, by the way. Not because I was too much? Not because I hurt you or scared you?"

  Lexa swallowed hard. "When you say that out loud, I seem nuts. Yes, this is about my own insecurities, nothing to do with you specifically." She gripped the sheet tighter in her hand. "I’m just gonna go now."

  He shook his head. "No, don't. I like talking to you."

  "Oh." She had no idea what to say to that.

  "How is it you haven't told me a thing about your job?"

  Lexa shrugged. "I don't know. I guess maybe because I'm not that proud of it."

  Ransom frowned once more. "I remember you being really great at writing. And you were super-interested in journalism."

  "I still am super-interested in journalism. But the work I do at Blink, is not journalism. They're basically one step up from a tabloid rag, all wrapped up in a much prettier package. All I ever get to do are fluff pieces."

  His brow furrowed. "Why do I feel like my mother told me that you did freelance?"

  She nodded, her body still semi-curled into his. "I do. I was hired at Blink as a stringer, basically a freelancer. I get to work on a lot of different kinds of assignments, but none of it is particularly meaningful. I do a lot of my own freelance assignments, too. That's way more interesting. That's the stuff I'm proud of."

  His voice was soft. "Maybe I can read some of it sometime?"

  She turned more fully to face him. He wanted to read her work? "Why would you want to read that?"

  "Because it fascinates me. I want to see that girl from high schoo
l who used to put our English teacher to shame."

  She flushed. "Oh, my God. You remember that class?"

  He grinned. "How could I forget? Whenever you got up to do a presentation was one of the few times I paid attention. You were so much better at engaging us than old man Harris was."

  She laughed softly. "I loved that class. But I’m pretty sure Harris was glad to be rid of me."

  "It showed." He shrugged. "I really would like to read some of your stuff."

  She knew it was probably one of those things that people said. But still, it made her feel warm inside, the warmth spreading the center of her chest through her whole body. "Thank you. I made a bit of a mess with my career at Blink, so I gotta come up with a crazy-good story to get back into my boss' good graces. Or rather her boss’s good graces. When I started I had some great stories and opportunities. And it’s a great stepping stone to build my career. Plus Cora Daniel is the Senior Editor of Features. I have followed her work for years. I’ve always wanted to work for her. Somehow though, things didn’t quite work out that way."

  "You didn't mess up a story, or something, did you?" He played with a lock of her hair.

  "If only it was that simple. It was a guy thing. I started dating this guy. Turns out, he was also dating my boss. And then he proposed to her. And then, instead of keeping it quiet and pretending none of that ever happened, he told her. So that made things awkward for me in the office."

  He cursed low. "That's harsh. What a fucking asshole."

  "Right? My sentiments exactly."

  "Do you want me to come to New York and kick his ass for you?"

  "That's tempting. But no. I need to clean up my own messes. It's okay. Once I get a good story this will all work out. I just have to think of something compelling enough." She licked her lips nervously. She didn't want him to stop talking. Nor did she want him taking too close of a look at her failures. "What about you? Hometown boy does good? I was surprised to see you at home. But I guess it makes sense. Your mom will never leave Hope."

  "Tell me about it. I've been trying to get her out of here for years. I promised to buy her a big, crazy mansion in New Orleans, but this is her home and she won't budge."