Charade

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Charade Page 28

by Lori Foster


  Did two people ever come from more different backgrounds? Emily was cultured, refined, elegant. She had a poise that never seemed to leave her, and a way of talking that implied gentleness and kindness and...all the things he wasn’t. That refined speech of hers turned him on. Everything about her turned him on.

  He had to quell those thoughts. Emily wasn’t for him. From what he knew of her parents, they would balk at the mere mention of her getting involved with someone like him. And he didn’t want to add to her problems there. She evidently had some very real differences with her parents, but at least she had parents. And probably aunts and uncles and grandparents, all of them educated and smelling of old money.

  The only smells Judd had been familiar with around his house were stale beer and unwashed dishes. Max had tried to teach him a better way, but Max had been a simple man with simple manners. He hadn’t owned a speck of real silver, yet that was exactly what Emily stirred her tea with. And he couldn’t be certain, but he thought the teacup she’d used earlier was authentic china. It had seemed delicate and fragile—just like Emily.

  He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to close out the image of her lying soft and warm in her own bed, her dark hair fanned out on the pillow, those big brown eyes sleepy, her skin flushed. He wanted her, more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. He hadn’t known a man could want this much and live through it. She was right down the hall, and he suspected if he went to her, she wouldn’t send him away.

  But as bad as he wanted her, he also knew he had no right to her. So he continued to stare at the ceiling.

  Somewhere downstairs he heard a clock chime eleven. Then he heard a different noise, one he hadn’t heard yet, and he turned his head on the pillow to look toward the door.

  Emily stood there, a slight form silhouetted by the vague light of the moon coming through the window. He couldn’t quite draw a breath deep enough to chase away the tightness in his chest. When she didn’t move, he leaned up on one elbow. His voice sounded low and rough when he spoke. “Are you all right, babe?”

  She made another small, helpless sound, then took a tiny step into the room. Every muscle in his body tensed.

  He couldn’t make out her face, but he could tell her gown was long and pale and he could feel her nervousness. He didn’t know why she was here, but his body had a few ideas and was reacting accordingly. He was instantly and painfully aroused. “Em?”

  She took another step, then whispered in a trembling tone, “I know you said it was too soon. And you’re right, of course. I told myself this wasn’t proper, that I should behave with some decorum.” Her hands twisted together and she drew a deep, shaky breath. “But you see, the thing is...”

  Judd knew his heart was going to slam right through his ribs. He couldn’t wait another second for her to finish her sketchy explanation. She was here, she wanted him, and despite all the reasons he’d just given himself for why he shouldn’t, he knew he wanted her too badly to send her away.

  He stared at her in the darkness, and then lifted the sheet. “Come here, Emily.”

  Chapter Seven

  SHE MOVED SO fast, Judd barely had time to brace himself for her weight. Not that she weighed anything at all. She was soft and sweet and she smelled so incredibly inviting—like a woman aroused. Like feminine heat and excitement. Her brushed-cotton gown tangled around his legs when he turned and pinned her beneath him. He felt her body sigh into his, her slim legs parting, her pelvis arching up. In the next instant, her hands cupped his face and she kissed him. It wasn’t a gentle kiss. She ate at his mouth, hungry and anxious and needy.

  So many feelings swamped him. Lust, of course, since Emily always inspired that base craving, even when she wasn’t intent on seducing him. And need, a need he didn’t like acknowledging, but one that was so powerful, so all-consuming, he couldn’t minimize it as anything less than what it was.

  But first and foremost was tenderness, laced with a touch of relief that he wouldn’t have to pull back this time; she would finally be his. She had come to him, and she was kissing him as if she wanted him every bit as badly as he wanted her. That wasn’t possible, but if her need was anywhere close to his, they both might damn well explode.

  “Emily...”

  Her kisses, hot and urgent, landed against his jaw, his chin, the side of his mouth. Her nipples were taut against his chest, her breath hot and fast. He wanted to touch her everywhere, all at once, and he wanted to simply hold her, to let her know how precious she was. He slid one hand down her side, felt her shiver, heard her moan, and he nearly lost his mind. He gripped her small backside with both hands and urged her higher against his throbbing erection, rubbing sinuously, slow and deep, again and again. He wanted to drown in the hot friction, the sensual feel of her warm body giving way to him. Her legs parted wide and she bent her knees, cradling him, offering herself.

  Judd groaned low in his throat and went still, aware of the soft heat between her thighs now touching him. He knew she was excited, and the fact was making him crazy. “Too fast, honey. Way too fast.”

  Emily wasn’t listening. Her hands frantically stroked his naked back and her legs shifted restlessly, rubbing against his, holding him. She continued to lift her hips into him, exciting herself, exciting him more. Judd dropped his full weight on her to keep her still, then carefully caged her face. She whimpered, trying to move.

  “Shh. It’s all right, Em. We’ve got all night.” Then he kissed her. She tasted hot and sweet, and when he slipped his tongue between her lips, she sucked on him with greedy excitement.

  Judd had never known kissing to be such a deeply sensual experience. To him, it had always been pleasant, sometimes a prelude to sex, sometimes not. But he’d never felt such a keen desire just from kissing. Emily was driving him over the edge, and he hadn’t even touched her yet.

  He caught her slim wrists in one hand and trapped them over her head. He had to take control or he’d never last. She muttered a low protest and her hips moved, rubbing and seeking beneath his, finding his erection and grinding against it. Her nightgown was in his way and he knotted one fist in the material and lifted, urgently. He needed to touch all of her, to explore her body, to brand her as his own. Emily squirmed to accommodate him, allowing the material to be jerked above her waist. When Judd felt her bare, slender thighs against his own, he growled and pushed against her.

  It almost struck him as funny, the effect she had on him. Prim, polite, proper little Emily. He dipped his head and nuzzled her breasts at the same time he slid his hand over her silky mound, letting his fingers tangle in her damp curls. Emily stopped moving; she even stopped breathing. Judd felt her suspended anticipation.

  He released her wrists long enough to jerk the buttons open on the bodice of her nightgown so he could taste her nipples, feel the heat of her flesh, and then he wedged his hand back between her thighs. He pressed his face to her breast and kissed her soft skin, his mouth open and wet. Emily shifted so her puckered nipple brushed against his cheek and Judd smiled, then began to suckle, drawing her in deep, stroking with his tongue, nipping with his teeth.

  Her ragged moan was low and so damn sexy he moaned with her. His fingers slid over the tight curls, felt her slick and wet, hot and swollen with wanting him, and then he slid a finger deep inside her. She was incredibly tight and he added another finger, hearing her groan, feeling her body clasp his fingers as he forced them a bit deeper, stretching her.

  He began a smooth rhythm, and with a breathless moan, her body moved with him. His thumb lifted to glide over the apex of her mound, finding her most sensitive flesh and stroking it, while his mouth still drew greedily on her nipple, and Emily suddenly stiffened, then screamed out her climax. Judd went still with shock.

  Her slim body shuddered and lifted beneath his, her face pulled tight in her pleasure. He watched her every movement, her intense delight expressed in her narrowed eyes, her parted lips, the sweet sounds she made. Judd knew he had never seen anything so beautif
ul, so right. It seemed to go on and on, and as her cries turned to low breathless moans, he kissed her, taking her pleasure into himself.

  When she stilled, he continued to cuddle her close, his own need now put on hold. A tenderness he’d never experienced before swirled through him, and he couldn’t help smiling. Miss Cooper was a red-hot firecracker, and he must be the luckiest man alive. “You okay, Em?”

  She didn’t answer. Her breasts were still heaving and her heartbeat thundered against his chest. Judd placed one last gentle kiss on her open mouth, then lifted himself away to reach for his pants. He fumbled in the pockets until he found his wallet and located a condom. When he turned back to Emily, he saw her watching him, her dark eyes so wide they filled her face. Her bottom lip trembled as she slowly drew in uneven breaths. Damp curls framed her face and her expression was wary.

  She was probably a bit embarrassed by her unrestrained display. He didn’t have time to soothe her, though. He needed to be inside her, right now, feeling her body clasped tight around his erection just as it had clasped his fingers. With the help of the moonlight, he could see her pale belly and still-open thighs. He bent and pressed his mouth to her moist female flesh, breathing in her scent and his need for her overwhelmed him. His tongue flicked out, stroking her, rasping over her delicate tissues and he gained one small taste of her excitement before Emily gasped and began struggling away.

  He caught the hem of her gown and wrestled it over her head, chuckling at the way she tried to stop him. She slapped at his hands, and when she realized he had won the tug-of-war, she covered her face with her hands. Once the gown was free, Judd tossed it aside and then immediately pulled her hands away from her face. The feel of her naked body, so warm and soft and ready, made him shudder. He covered her completely and said in the same breath, “You are so beautiful, Em. I’ve never known a woman like you.”

  She peeked one eye open and studied him. “Really?”

  “Oh, yes,” he answered in his most fervent tone.

  She said a small, “Oh,” and then he lifted her knees with his hands, spread her legs wide and pushed inside her. She was tight and hot and so wet... Slowly, her body accepted his length, taking him in by inches, her softness giving way to his hardness. Judd had to clench his teeth and strain for control. She made small sounds of distress, and he knew he was stretching her, but she didn’t fight him, didn’t push him away. Her small hands clenched on his shoulders and held him close.

  It didn’t take her long to forget her embarrassment once he was fully inside her. He ground against her, his gaze holding her own, seeing her eyes go hot and dark and intent. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and arched her neck.

  “That’s it, sweetheart.” He drew a deep breath and began moving. Emily rocked against him, meeting his rhythm, holding him tight. He pressed his lips to her neck, breathing in her scent. He slid his hands down her back and cupped her soft bottom, lifting her higher. He felt her nipples rasp against his chest. Every touch, every breath, seemed to heighten his arousal. When she tightened her thighs and sobbed, her internal muscles milking his erection until he wanted to die, he gave up any effort at control and climaxed with a low, rough endless growl.

  It took him a few minutes to realize he was probably squashing Emily. She didn’t complain, but then, she wouldn’t.

  He lifted up and stared at her face. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and he could see her fine, dark hair lying in disheveled curls on the pillow. Her eyes were closed, her lashes weaving long thick shadows across her cheeks. The whiteness of her breasts reflected the moonlight, and Judd couldn’t resist leaning down to softly lathe a smooth, pink nipple. It immediately puckered.

  He smiled and blew against her skin.

  Emily squirmed. “You’re still inside me.”

  “Mmm. I’m still hard, too.”

  “I noticed.”

  Her shy, quiet voice touched him and he smoothed her hair away from her forehead. “I’ve wanted you a long time, Emily.”

  “We haven’t known each other a long time.”

  She still hadn’t opened her eyes. He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember. It doesn’t matter that we hadn’t met yet.” She shivered and Judd touched his tongue to her shoulder. “Your skin is so damn soft and smooth. I love touching you. And tasting you.”

  He licked a path up her throat, then over to her earlobe. “I could stay like this forever.”

  Emily drew in a shuddering breath. “No, you couldn’t.”

  He laughed, knowing she’d felt the involuntary flex of his erection deep inside her. He wanted her again. “If I get another condom, do you promise to stay exactly like this?”

  “Will you let me touch you a little this time, too?”

  His stomach tightened at the thought. And he hurriedly searched through the wallet he’d tossed on the floor only minutes earlier.

  But once he was ready, he still couldn’t let Emily have her way. Watching her react, touching her and seeing his effect on her, was stimulant enough. He’d thought to go slowly this time, to savor his time with her. But every little sound she made drove him closer to the edge. And when he entered her, the friction felt so unbearably good, he knew he wouldn’t be able to slow down.

  He’d told her the truth. He’d been waiting for her forever. But now he had her, and he didn’t want to let her go.

  * * *

  Emily woke the next day feeling fuzzy and warm and remarkably content. Then she realized Judd was beside her, one arm thrown over her hips, his face pressed into her breasts. His chest hair tickled her belly and their legs were entwined. They were both buck naked.

  She should have been appalled, but seeing Judd looking so vulnerable, his hair mussed, his face relaxed, made her heart swell with emotion. Very carefully, so she wouldn’t awaken him, she sifted her fingers through his hair. It felt cool and silky soft. Emily wouldn’t have guessed there was anything soft about Judd. She placed a very careful kiss on his crown.

  He shifted slightly, nuzzling closer to her breasts and she held her breath. But he continued sleeping. She was used to seeing the shadow of a beard on his face, but feeling it against her tender skin added something to the experience. She looked down the length of their bodies, and the vivid contrast excited her. He was so dark, so hard and muscled, while she was smooth and pale and seemed nearly fragile beside him.

  She almost wished he would wake up, but he appeared totally exhausted. His breathing was deep and even, and when she slipped away from him, he merely grumbled a complaint and rolled over onto his back.

  Lord help him. The man did have a fine body. It was certainly shameful of her to stand there leering at him, but she couldn’t quite pull her eyes away. Dark hair covered his body in very strategic places, sometimes concealing, sometimes enhancing his masculinity. And Judd Sanders was most definitely masculine. He took her breath away.

  Emily might have stood there gawking until he did wake up, if she hadn’t heard a knock on her front door. She gave a guilty start, her hand going to her throat, before she realized Judd had slept through the sound, and the person at the door had no notion she was presently entertaining herself with the sight of a naked man.

  She snatched her gown, then ran to her own bedroom to retrieve the matching robe. By the time she got downstairs, the knocking had become much louder. “Just a minute,” she mumbled.

  When she peeked out the small window in the door, she couldn’t have been more surprised. For the longest moment, she simply stood there, crying and laughing. When her brother shook his head and laughed back, she remembered to open the door and let him in.

  She grabbed him into her arms, even though he stood much taller than herself, and squeezed him as tight as she could. She couldn’t stem the tide of tears, and didn’t bother trying. “Oh, John, it’s so good to see you.”

  “You, too, Emmie. What took you so long to let me in?”

  Emily froze. Uh-oh.

 
“Emmie? Hey, what’s up?”

  She shook her head. “What are you doing here, John? I thought you were still out of the country. Did Mother and Father come with you?”

  He set two suitcases just inside the door then walked past her, heading for the kitchen. Ever since she’d bought the house, the kitchen had become a kind of informal meeting place. Whenever John visited, they sat at the kitchen table and talked until late into the night.

  “John?”

  “Could I have something to drink first, Em? It’s been a long trip.”

  Emily stared at John, trying to be objective. He looked better, so much better. The scars on his right temple and upper cheek had diminished, and now only a thin, jagged line cut through his eyebrow. He’d healed nicely, but his eyes still worried her. They seemed tired and sad and...hopeless.

  “You look wonderful, John. The plastic surgeons did a great job.”

  He scoffed. “You call this a great job? This is as good as it gets, Em, though Mom keeps insisting she’ll find a better surgeon who’ll make me look as ‘good as new.’ She refuses to believe nothing more can be done.”

  Emily closed her eyes, wondering why her mother couldn’t see the hurt she caused with such careless comments. “John, I never thought the scars were that bad. I was more concerned about your eyesight, and once we realized there wouldn’t be any permanent damage there, I was grateful. You should be, too.”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m real grateful to look like a freak.”

  For one of the few times in her life, Emily lost her temper with her baby brother. It was so rare for her to be angry with John, she almost didn’t recognize the feeling. And then she slammed her hand onto the counter and whirled to face him. “Don’t you ever say something so horrible again! You’re my brother, dammit, and I love you. You are not a freak.”

  John seemed stunned by her display. He sat there, silently watching her, his dark eyes round, his body still. Emily covered her mouth with her hand and tried to collect her emotions. Then she cleared her throat. “Are you hungry?”

 

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