by Marci Baun
He rolled off her. “Are you okay?” Concerned laced his voice.
“Uh-huh,” she said, her bones like jelly. “More than okay.”
“Why didn’t you tell me in advance?”
She shrugged and cracked her eyelids open. Intense hazel eyes stared back at her. For some reason, she didn’t want him to know one bad experience in college had kept her from experiencing life. She’d always thought of herself as a strong, independent woman with a mind of her own. Now, she realized fear had controlled her for most of her twenties…up until this moment. It embarrassed her she’d allowed fear to control her.
Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten dinner yet.
“We should eat,” she said, rolling over, but before she could stand, he stopped her.
“Wait,” he said and jumped to his feet. He pointed at the bed. “Stay there.”
Striding toward the bathroom, he left her to admire him from behind. Broad shoulders narrowed to slim hips and buttocks—a body a model would envy. Muscles flexed and relaxed with every step he took. Heat pooled in her core. She wanted him again. Screw food.
The sound of running water reached her, and she rose to a sitting position. He’d said to wait, but maybe he wanted to shower with her? Or take a bath in that tub large enough for four people. The thought perked her up, and she swung her legs over the side of the bed. But the sound of the water ceased, and he returned with a washcloth in his hand. Without a word, he knelt between her legs, his dark head once again close to her pussy. A tremor ran through her at the memory of earlier when his mouth closed over her clitoris and made her scream. She’d had to pretend someone had gone down on her before or tip him off to her secret. If that’d happened, she could’ve missed out on the most amazing sex of her life. She giggled. The only sex of her life.
A warm washcloth brushed against her inner thighs. She propped herself up on her elbows, staring down at the top of his head, and asked, “What are you doing?”
Not that she’d fight him unless he did something really questionable. Her toes curled at the thought of what he might do next.
“Cleaning you up.” He continued washing her.
“Oh.” Disappointed, she said, “I didn’t think of that.”
He glanced up at her. A twinkle and something other than lust lurked in his eyes. If looks could melt a body into a pool of desire, she’d be a puddle on the floor.
“Joe….” She reached for him, but he drew away.
Narrowing her eyes, she considered him. His beautiful body tempted her, and his smile promised more carnal delights, but then he opened his mouth.
“We should eat and talk. Okay?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she sighed, grabbed a condom, and crossed the room to the closet. Opening the door, she pulled out a red silk robe with CR embroidered on it and slipped it on, dropping the condom into the pocket. Why couldn’t he just let it go?
“Sure.”
Perhaps she could distract him again and avoid the conversation entirely. A weekend of distraction sounded perfect.
All of the years of waiting, of letting Mason’s actions of almost ten years ago control her life, just seemed stupid. Whether she wanted a relationship with Joe, or anyone, or not, remained to be seen, but sex she could do. She smirked and sauntered into the living room.
Oh, yes, sex she could definitely do.
Joe stood and frowned at her departing back. His body responded to her swaying hips and provocative scent, but he didn’t like her answer. Why was she avoiding his question? Did she harbor some deep, dark secret?
He snorted. Why did it matter to him? She was great in bed, despite her lack of experience. Sure, he felt things toward her he’d never had with anyone else, but he didn’t have time for anything beyond this one-night stand, what with his business going full force. Maybe he should just let it go and enjoy it. Tomorrow, they’d go their separate ways.
Except going their separate ways didn’t sit well with him. She’d kiss another man, tease him with her walk, and.... His chest tightened, and he clenched his hands. He didn’t want any other man doing what he’d just done to her, or anything remotely sexual. Ever.
Slow down, Joe. You’ve just met her.
“Are you coming?” she called to him.
“Be right there.” He pulled on his boxers and joined her in the other room, sitting next to her on the couch and draping his arm behind her.
She glanced at him then back down at the menu and leaned into him. “What do you want to eat?”
Her smoky voice washed over him, and his cock twitched. He studied her, taking in the fall of her dark hair over the red silk, the robe gaping open enough for him to see the tops of her breasts. His groin tightened, and he shifted.
“Do you see anything you like?”
“Yes,” he growled.
She turned to face him, their gazes connecting. Her eyes widened then darkened with a passion matching the one consuming him. Her lips parted, and her pink tongue darted out. Unable to resist her silent invitation, he leaned in and kissed her. She pressed into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her nipples pebbled under the silk robe and rubbed against his bare chest. Jolts of desire pulsed through him.
Slipping a hand between them, he cupped a breast and lightly pinched the nipple. She moaned and squirmed. He shifted her onto his lap.
He groaned and broke the kiss. They shouldn’t be doing this so soon. Her body needed some time to recuperate. Didn’t it? Gently, he set her back on the couch next to him and picked up the menu. An image of her straddling him, her head back, her breasts swaying with the rhythm of her hips filled the pages. His cock hardened, and he shook his head.
She leaned in and licked his nipple, nipping it teasingly. Mischief and desire twinkled in her eyes. Lust arrowed straight through him, and his balls tightened. God, he was on the edge of coming again.
With a groan, he stood on unsteady legs. “I really don’t think we should do this again so soon.”
She grabbed his hand and yanked. He toppled back onto the couch next to her.
“Don’t think,” she said, pushing him backward until he lay face up and straddling him.
The heat of her arousal penetrated his boxers, and he opened his mouth to say something, but she pressed herself against him, and the words fizzled in his throat. Her long hair spilled over him, caressing his skin. Sitting up, she smiled and shrugged her shoulders. The robe slipped down and pooled around her waist. Her dusky-rose nipples pebbled and begged to be suckled.
She knew her body. Far be it for him to protest what this sexy woman wanted.
Unable to resist any longer, he leaned forward and drew one into his mouth.
Chapter Seven
Desire snapped over her nerve endings and electrified every cell in her body.
Holy cow!
She whimpered when his mouth left her nipple, but he quickly drew her other nipple into his mouth, and she arched her back. Gripping his shoulders and groaning, she ground her hips against his erection. She wanted him inside her now. Pushing away from him, she slid down his body and tugged at his boxers. He lifted his hips, and his underwear slid down his legs. She pulled a condom from her robe pocket and handed it to him.
Panting, she said, “Put it on now.”
He growled and rolled it on. Before he could do anything, she positioned herself over his cock and guided it into her.
“Oh,” she moaned, her eyes closing and head dropping back at the sheer pleasure of it.
Up and down, she rode him. The head of his cock rubbed against her G-spot with each stroke. Her hair swirled around them. Some strands stuck to her sweaty skin, but others tantalized over-sensitive areas of her body. She’d never known how erotic her hair was. Shaking her head, she loosened a few strands, and they cascaded over them.
Joe grabbed a handful and pulled her head down until their lips met. He thrust his tongue into her mouth in rhythm with the l
ovemaking. Her nipples rubbed against his chest. The sensations built until a wave of rapture crested over her, and she screamed her release into his mouth.
He thrust again and again, clutching her hips. With a shout, he came, pulsing inside of her.
Naia fell forward, resting her head on his chest and panting. She nuzzled his chest and smiled.
Joe wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. His breathing slowed, and contentment stole over him.
“I could sleep like this.”
His arms tightened around her. “Me, too.”
“We should eat,” she murmured.
“Uh-huh.”
Neither of them moved, but he needed to take the condom off, or it’d make a mess, and she could get pregnant. A vision of her pregnant with his child filled him with a possessive longing. The yearning scared him. He could see himself with her for the rest of his life, and he didn’t really know her. It had to be the fatigue.
Reluctantly, he eased out of her.
“I need to clean up.”
She nodded and rolled off. Her sex-mussed hair and sleepy bedroom eyes tempted him, but he reined in his libido and stood. She draped herself on the couch and closed her eyes.
“I’ll be right back.”
Without opening her eyes, she nodded again. Her face was so peaceful and lovely, she could pass for an angel. And her beautiful body…. He wanted her again. He wanted to wake up to her every morning. He wanted….
Not finishing that thought, he snatched up his boxers, turned on his heel, and strode to the bathroom. He’d had many things happen to him in his life, but never had he been struck with such an intense feeling of rightness. She belonged in his life. At least, he thought so.
He hoped she agreed. Life would suck if she didn’t.
He swiped his hand across his face. He’d always been one who decided things quickly, but this was ridiculous. Love at first sight didn’t exist, right? He braced his hands against the counter and stared blindly at himself in the mirror.
Slow down, Lover Boy.
But his mind raced, and his heart kept pace. More images of the two of them together with a family of their own paraded through his mind, even as his common sense balked. His business was booming. He had little time for a relationship.
The images persisted.
With a frustrated sigh, he pulled off the condom, tied the top, wrapped it in toilet paper, and tossed it in the trash. Washing his hands, he remembered Brandon mentioning how Liz’s best friend lived conveniently close—so close they ate lunch together at least once a week. This meant he lived close to Naia. At least in the Bay Area. He dried his hands, slipped on his boxers, and returned to the bedroom to retrieve his clothes. They’d be the perfect barrier.
He snorted, a rueful chuckle escaping him. Some barrier they’d proved to be earlier. Just in case, he grabbed another condom from the nightstand and put it into his pocket.
Whether they married or not, he’d like to see her after the weekend. Dating would be good. He’d start with dating.
His footsteps shushed across the marble floor. She waited until she knew he’d left the room before she opened her eyes.
The longer she could put off their conversation the better. Part of her protested. Not that he really needed to know. Not that it was any of his business. They weren’t going to date and get married, surely. The thought of being married to him, waking up next to him every day, and maybe having his babies instilled a mixture of fear and yearning in her. If sex was like this every time, she’d gladly date him. But marriage?
She shivered.
Funny, hot, and sweet, Joe ticked off all of her must haves, but Mason had, too. People wore masks all of the time. If they saw each other more beyond this night and Liz’s wedding, she’d take it slow. Ha! She wanted him again. Good luck with taking it slow.
A little voice inside of her whispered he wasn’t Mason. He was a different man, but she’d been burned once. She also had a child to consider. Better to be single than in a bad relationship.
But how would she survive without the sex? Once home, she’d be back to her routine with no time for casual sex or even dating. You could make time. Megan would understand. She snorted. She didn’t really want casual sex. Well, maybe she did. If she survived the night, she’d have to find a fuck buddy because she couldn’t return to celibacy. Maybe she needed a BOB. Liz had sworn by hers before she found Brandon.
Maybe Joe’d be my fuck buddy.
Lost in thought, she didn’t realize he’d returned until his deep, sexy voice interrupted her train of thought, and shivers raced down her spine. God, the man oozed sex appeal. She turned and looked at him. Sadly, he’d put his clothes back on, but, with or without them, he oozed sex appeal.
“Hi,” she said, not sure how to respond. What did people talk about after sex? “So, do you want to order dinner?”
He smiled. “Have you looked over the menu yet?”
“No. I was”—embarrassment heated her cheeks at the idea of sharing her thoughts with him—“just relaxing.”
Well, it looked like BOB would be a better choice. She’d never get over her nerves and ask him. Heck, she might not even be able to get over them to buy a vibrator. The thought of going into a store to get one mortified her. Her cheeks burned. She’d just have to shop for one online and then get some instructions from Liz or online.
“What are you thinking?”
He interrupted her wandering thoughts once again.
“Um….” Looking down at the menu, she said, “I was just considering what I wanted to eat.”
He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he turned his attention to the menu, too.
She leaned back against the couch and relaxed. Maybe he’d forget to ask her about her virginity and her reasons for it.
Gah! So, she’d been burned and celibate for twenty-nine years. Big deal. She’d let some jerk rule her life, and now she didn’t. It was stupid and…had worked for her. But now she knew what she’d been missing, she didn’t plan on keeping it that way. She opened her mouth to tell him the story and closed it when he picked up the phone and called room service.
“Yes, I’d like to order a cheeseburger and fries.” He turned and raised his eyebrows at her.
“I’ll have the same,” she said.
“Make that two cheeseburgers and fries.” He paused. “Twenty minutes? Great! Thanks.” He hung up the phone and smiled at her. “It’s nice to see you didn’t go for a salad.”
She shrugged and grinned. “I’ll need the protein and carbs for tonight.”
The look he gave her could’ve melted an iceberg, and she squirmed. How could she possibly want him again?
“We have time for a quickie,” he said, grinning and waggling his eyebrows at her.
She swatted his shoulder and chuckled. “Eat first, sex later.”
“Or you could tell me why you waited so long.”
With a sigh, she stood and walked to the large windows overlooking the Strip. She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her arms. He stepped up behind her and enfolded her into his arms. His body heat warmed her suddenly chilled skin.
“You don’t have to tell me if it brings you pain,” he murmured.
“No, it’s not that. I….” She took a deep breath. “I was burned in college by a boyfriend. The night I was going to cave to his prodding, I walked in on him with another coed. And, then, when my sister died and left her daughter in my custody soon after, sex—relationships—nothing was as important as my niece.” With a self-deprecating laugh, she said, “I made all of it not important. Looking back now, I’m embarrassed I let his actions control me for so long.”
His arms tightened around her, and she leaned into him.
“My ex-fiancée left me to ‘find herself’ in Asia. She asked me to come, but neither of us really wanted me to, so I stayed home. It hurt she’d choose Asia over me, but,”—he shrugge
d—“it was probably for the best. We were growing bored, picking at little things the other did, and, while it hurt my pride, I didn’t care as much as I thought I should. And”—he turned her to face him—“I wouldn’t have met you.”
Chapter Eight
She pulled away, her entire body taut as a drawn bowstring, and Joe wondered if he’d just blown it. When she remained silent, he rushed into the gap.
“Not to mention I’ve spent every spare moment growing my business, which I couldn’t do with her around. She complained about how much time I spent at the office, even accused me of cheating a few times. I hadn’t, but insecurities wouldn’t let her believe me.”
He stopped. The tension around her eyes had lessened, and a small smile teased the corners of her beautiful lips.
“What do you do?” she asked.
“I own a masonry company. I started laying brick in college to help pay my way through school. Being a journeyman pays well, but I’ve always wanted my own business. I got my MBA in college, and it just seemed natural to start my own masonry company. I worked for a few years for another company during the week and did projects for friends and family on the weekends. It’s been hard going, but we’re finally turning a corner. My vision of where I wanted the company to be when I first started it is getting closer.”
She ran her hands up his chest and clasped them around his neck, pressing her breasts against him. “Well, that explains the muscles.”
Tingles followed her touch, and heat spiraled to his groin. He shifted, trying to focus on their conversation, and asked, “What about you?”
With a grin, she kissed his chin and said, “I design and program websites. I run my own business, too, although I’d never intended to work for myself. It sort of happened.” Her expression grew somber, and she turned to face the window again. “I was studying computer science in college when my sister died. Once I became my niece’s guardian, my parents disowned me—”