“I know I said I’d be a gentleman, but something about you doesn’t let me be. No matter how hard I try.” His heated gaze raked down the length of her then returned to her eyes. A deep-dimpled devilish grin spread his lips then disappeared as his tone took a somber turn. “Cherry, I fucked up by leaving that hotel room like I did. I’m sorry. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but if you’ll give me a chance, I’d like to earn it.”
She didn’t say a word or move as he reached around her, turning on the other showerhead and nozzles. Water shot from almost every angle imaginable, hitting the aches and pains just right. She sighed but didn’t drop her shields. He squirted shampoo into his hand then turned to her, reaching for her hair. She stiffened.
“Cash, I’m not sure we should be doing this. You hurt me and what you said in the woods didn’t make it better.” She lowered her gaze. The sight of his cock jutting straight at her let her know he was horny, which irked her even though she wanted him. She snapped her eyes upright, meeting him with a fierce stare and hardened her tone. “Is that because of me, or does it react to any naked body in your shower?”
“I was trying to explain what happened to me, how being with you made me feel, but I didn’t word it very well. You’re not a dark dose of anything. You’re beautiful.” He released a heavy breath, letting the shampoo drip from his palm. The look he gave her reached deep inside her soul, begging for forgiveness. “Cherry, knowing you were naked in my shower gave me instant wood. I couldn’t concentrate enough to cook. I had to join you. See you naked.” He licked his lips nervously but held her gaze. “That night with you, I felt something I’ve never experienced before and it scared the hell out of me.” He thrashed the shampoo-covered hand through his hair. “Aw, hell, Cherry.” He sat on the bench. “I screwed up bad with you didn’t I?”
The distress she read in his face touched her heart. He was telling the truth. She stepped closer to him, and cupped his chin in her hand, keeping her gaze locked on his. Before she thought better of it, she decided to come clean, let him know just how she felt and how deeply he’d cut her.
“Cash, since we seem to be baring our souls, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. When all the girls in high school had a crush on the star quarterback, I wanted his younger brother.”
Cash sat back, eyes widened but didn’t pull away. “What?”
“Yeah, that’s right, Cash Dupree. I’ve had a crush on you since high school. I watched you flit from pretty little thing to pretty little thing. I even made it onto the cheerleading squad, hoping you’d take notice, but you didn’t. Instead, you got involved with Allie. That bitch didn’t deserve you, but she fit your type to a T. Tiny. Petite. Blonde and agile.”
He quirked an eyebrow and shot a heated glance down her body then back to her eyes. “As I remember it, you were pretty damn agile in that hotel room.”
She shook her head. “I’m being serious here, Cash.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to stand between his thighs. “Me too. From what you said to me in that restaurant when we ran into each other, you seem to think my issue with you has something to do with your size.”
“Well doesn’t it?” she snapped, trying to push out of his arms, but he wouldn’t let her. “I’m not ashamed of my size. I work out, go to the gym, but I love to eat too. I’m not about to diet to fit into some mold society claims is perfect. I’m happy with every full-figured inch of—”
Tugging her forward, causing her to lean, Cash cut her off, catching her mouth in a hot and heavy kiss. His hand tangled in her hair, holding the back of her head as the kiss deepened. When they finally separated, he stared directly into her eyes while still cupping her head.
“It’s not your size that sent me running. I was in no way ashamed of being with you, if that’s what you think.” He gently clasped one of her hands and guided it to his solid rod. “As you can feel, just looking at your smoking hot body has me rock-hard and hurting to be inside you.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She slowly stroked his cock, loving holding it in her hand. It was something she didn’t think would ever happen again. “Then why’d you leave? I’ve never had a one-night stand before, and your leaving without a word, especially after some of the things you said.” She bit her lip, took a breath and hit him with more of the truth. “You hurt me. I’ve dated and had relationships that ended, but waking to find you gone after that one fantastic night, it was the most painful experience of my life.”
“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Hell, Cherry, I was scared. There was a connection between us that was so strong it rocked me to the core. It’s something I didn’t want to admit was happening to me. That was the dark dose of reality that hit me. I wanted you more than anything or anyone.” He paused as if gathering the strength to tell her something. “Allie did a number on me. Made me never want to have another relationship or admit to loving someone ever again.”
She leaned her forehead to his as she whispered, “I’m not Allie.”
“No. Babe. You’re not like her at all. You’re a strong, confident woman. You’ve got an inner beauty that matches your outer beauty. She was just a bitch.” He kissed her, not passionately, but tenderly, then pulled back meeting her gaze again. “I ran because I was falling in love with you. Fast and hard.”
Her insides quaked and her heart thudded with joy. If she were a vindictive person, she’d step out of that shower and leave him wanting, but she wasn’t. She wanted him and here was another chance. “Are you ready now to test this connection as you called it?”
“I am. Not sure how far we’ll go, but I’m willing to try.”
For a second, she almost pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming this. Cherry gave him a wicked grin as she stroked his cock. “This most definitely is hard. I’ll take you fast up against a wall anytime.”
She knew she should take things slow, protect her heart but she’d wanted this man since she was a gangly, overweight teenager. Now, she’d grown into those long arms and legs, filled out nicely in all the right places and planned to show him just how much she wanted him. He was about to get a lesson in loving that only a big beautiful woman could teach him.
“Up against the wall.” He grinned, standing, easing her back into the direct water flow. “I like the way you think. But first things first.” He filled his palm with shampoo. “You’re going to get the fully devoted to you treatment. Starting with the best shampoo of your life.”
“Cash—”
He nipped her lip, shushing her. “It’s all about the foreplay. In that hotel room, it was straight up fucking.” He massaged the shampoo into her hair, rubbing her scalp as he gave her a deep, dimpled grin. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I plan to take my time, worshiping every sensual inch of you from your head all the way to your toes.”
She closed her eyes, enjoying the magic his fingers were working in her hair. He rinsed out the shampoo then conditioned until he’d removed every tangle, gliding his fingers from her scalp to the ends. After rinsing that from her hair, he grabbed the soap and washcloth. The simple swipe of the cloth across her breasts made her tremble.
“Guess these are sensitive.” He flicked each nipple with the tip of his tongue and she moaned. “Yep. I was right.”
He teased every erogenous zone on her with that soapy cloth, his mouth and his fingers until she practically begged for mercy. “Cash, please.”
The soap and cloth hit the floor as he grabbed her in a tight hug, rubbing both their soapy bodies together. “Please what?”
“Fuck me.”
Chapter Five
“My pleasure.”
He kissed her as he lifted her, spun around and planted her bottom on the high bench, which made for the perfect position to fuck. At the moment, he was damn glad he’d built that into the design. Cherry’s legs wrapped around him in a strong hug that he had no intention of ever running from again. Cash sank home in her heat. Pumping into her, he
knew this was right where he was supposed to be. He grabbed her hips and held on tight, as he increased the pace.
Cherry groaned against his mouth, dug her nails into his shoulders and met him thrust for thrust. Her breasts bounced, enticing him to go faster. He loved the way they danced, naturally in rhythm with their lovemaking. He let go of her hips and clasped her breasts, mashing them together in his hands, even though they overflowed his palms, and toyed with her nipples with his thumbs.
“Cash! Oh God, Cash,” she screamed. Her heels ground into his buttocks and he knew she was on the brink of orgasm.
He pounded into her harder, pinching her nipples and catching her mouth in an all-out battle of tongue against tongue. He caught hers and sucked it. She practically growled as she bucked against him. Cash let go of her mouth, grabbed her thighs and plowed into her over and over, bringing her to orgasm for a second time before he couldn’t resist any longer. He tried to pull out, but she locked a death grip with her ankles behind his waist.
“Cherry,” he gasped on a graveled breath, “we don’t have a condom.”
Her wide-eyed lusty gaze met his as she rasped, “I’m on the Pill. I’ve never had sex condomless before. I want to feel you explode inside me.” She caught his face in her hands as she breathlessly added, “Please.”
The dam broke. He couldn’t have stopped if he wanted. Cash pumped into her one long, hard stroke and that was it. The sensation of her inner walls massaging his cock, milking him of his cum, weakened his knees. Damn this woman was hot and the sexiest he’d ever seen, from her heavy-lidded, just-fucked, glazed-over gaze to the wild array of wet, red hair draped around her face. He lifted her from the bench, holding her until she gained her balance, then rinsed them both, ridding them of any remnants of soap.
“I haven’t had sex without a condom since my marriage ended.” He shut off the stream then kissed her nose. “Just thought you should know, I’m clean. Allie was the only woman I ever had bareback sex with, until she left. After that, never without a condom, until you.”
“Well, you’re my first.”
He smiled, took her hand and helped her out of the shower. “Let’s get dried off. I put a quiche in the oven before I came up here. It should be thawed and ready to eat by now.”
He wrapped her in a towel then dried himself, knotting it around his waist when he was done.
“You made a quiche? Wow, sexy and a cook, what more could a woman ask for?”
“I have to admit, I didn’t make this quiche. Emmett’s wife, Violet, did. Don’t get me wrong,” he said as he took her hand and led her into the bedroom. “I love to cook. I’ll try anything as long as I’ve got a decent recipe. But quiche. I can’t seem to get it right and Violet’s got a way with them. She made a couple of my favorites, froze them and gave them to me. Makes for an easy meal.”
Cherry breathed in deeply. The scent of bacon and cheese filled the air. “I’m taking it you like bacon?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “What man doesn’t?”
“I love it too,” she replied as she slid the navy-blue V-neck T-shirt over her head. It landed at mid-thigh and looked sexy on her. It made him smile knowing she wore no panties. She tossed the sweatpants at him. “I don’t think I’ll be wearing those.”
He caught them and wagged his eyebrows. “Aw yeah. A woman after my own heart. Loves bacon and being half-dressed. You look tired. How about I treat you to breakfast in bed?” He tugged down the tan comforter and matching sheet, plumped the pillows and motioned for her to climb in.
“Sounds like a plan.” She yawned and stretched then crawled onto the mattress, giving him an awesome view. Cash gave her a gentle smack on the bottom. “Hey,” she replied playfully.
He held up his hands as he walked toward the door. “You put it out there in front of me. It was a temptation I couldn’t resist.”
He scooted out the door and down the back stairs, which led directly into the kitchen. Cash pulled the quiche from the oven. He’d set the timer so it wouldn’t burn, which had already shut off the oven. It took him a matter of minutes to plate a couple of generous slices, pour two glasses of milk, gather silverware and napkins and put it all on a breakfast tray. After making sure Max had water and food, he hustled back to the bedroom.
“Umm, the scent of bacon is making my stomach growl,” she said sleepily as she repositioned on the bed. Cash set the tray across her lap. She ran her hand along the handcrafted legs. “Did you make this?”
“Yes,” he replied as he got situated beside her. “You like it?”
“I do.” She leaned sideways, getting a better view of the design. “You’re extremely talented.” She glanced around. “I take it you made all of this furniture.”
He gathered a forkful of quiche. “It’s what I do.” He held the fork to her lips and she took it. “I’m a third generation woodcarver in a family-owned business. We take pride in everything we design and build.”
She scooped a forkful and held it to his lips, feeding him as he did her. “Now that your brother is home, will he be working there?” He fed her another forkful as well.
He chewed and swallowed. “Yeah. He’s a damn fine designer and woodcraftsman. He worked there before he went into the Marines and any time he was home, he always built something just to keep his skills honed. You should see the cradle he created that he plans to give to Violet when she gets pregnant.”
“Ahh, that’s so sweet.”
He fed her more, liking the way her lips sampled the fork. It made him ache for a kiss. Her mouth was perfect and he imagined it caressing his cock, if he were lucky and she liked to give blowjobs. At the moment, this day was all about her, making her forgive him for being a total jackass.
“Yeah, my brother got all the sweetness.” He removed the tray with the empty plates and glasses to the nightstand.
“What did you get?” she teased, snuggling into the covers. In a swift movement, she removed the T-shirt, launching it at him.
Cash caught it and grinned as he dropped it. He slid in beside her, pulling her close. He tasted her mouth, enjoying one of his favorite flavors, then grinned down at her. “I got a woman who tastes like bacon.”
“Umm,” she sighed. “Sounds like you got the better end of that deal.”
“You aren’t kidding.” Cash kissed her again, brushing his hand down the wondrous curve of her body to land on her hip.
He guided her leg to lie across his thigh, opening her to his exploration. Stroking her sheath moistened his fingers with warm wetness. He didn’t stop kissing her as he glided into her heat. Slow and steady, he rocked in a sensual rhythm, luring a moan to escape from Cherry.
“I take that back,” she spoke on a husky breath. “I got the better end.”
Cash massaged her bottom, pushing into her on a hard upward stroke. He eased her onto her back, lifted her legs and hooked her ankles behind his waist. The urge to fuck her hard and fast was all-consuming. He leaned forward, holding his weight on his forearms. This gave him a great view of her breasts as they danced, teasing him to take them in his mouth and he did just that, capturing a nipple and tugging it gently then sucking it in as far as he could, rolling his tongue around the tender flesh. Cherry bucked against him, groaning and begging for more.
“Don’t stop. Oh God, Cash. That feels so good when you tease my nipple like that while we fuck.” She arched, taking his cock in deeper, thrusting wildly beneath him.
He grinned around her nipple, knowing he’d found something that turned them both on, fiercely. He’d always liked real breasts and Cherry’s were plump with large, deep-red areolas and sensitive nipples that reacted to the simplest of touches. He blew a heated breath to the nipple he played with and she gasped. Cash switched breasts, teasing and tugging, sucking harder and farther into his mouth as he pumped into her at a steady pace.
She grabbed his head, holding him in place, screaming his name. Her inner muscles clamped around his cock and it was the end for him. Her orgasm cascaded al
ong his dick, sending his balls into hyper-drive release. Sex with Cherry was mind-blowing. He lay on top of her, resting his weight on his arms so as not to crush her. Even though she was a healthy gal, he wasn’t a small man at six-four and a tad over two-twenty. He wasn’t flopping down on her, knocking the wind out of her. Nope, he wanted her to breathe, fill her lungs and recuperate in hopes of doing it again in a bit.
He feathered kisses to her closed lids, her nose, then gently brushed a kiss to her lips as he rolled to lie on his side next to her. Cash watched her for several long seconds, taking in her relaxed state. Sleepily her eyes opened and met his gaze. He smiled.
“You’re so beautiful,” he stated, tucking her hair back from her face.
She returned his smile, as she touched his face. “I’m glad I was wrong about you.”
“I’m sorry I was such an asshole. I shouldn’t have allowed fear to rule me. We could’ve been doing this for the past month rather than you hating me and me beating myself up over my stupidity.”
“What happened with your ex? I understand not wanting to get involved with someone else, but she’s been gone for years. What the hell did she do to you?”
He hesitated for a moment. The subject of his ex was something he never discussed. The bitch had destroyed his soul with her lies. Looking at Cherry, he saw concern, not pity. She was his chance at redemption from this lonely hell he’d imprisoned his heart in. “I never told anyone this, not even my folks, my brother or my best friend, Bill.”
“I promise. It doesn’t leave this room.”
The look she gave him made him believe he could trust her. Now that was something new for him—a woman he could trust other than his mother or his sister-in-law. “Allie and I got married too young. She wasn’t ready, didn’t know what she really wanted, but I did. I wanted a family. For years, we tried to have kids. Until I found out she was secretly on the Pill the whole time. She’d been stashing money in an account, saving to build a new life away from me. She left because she had bigger dreams than a small-town life could provide. What I wanted and what she wanted were two different things. When she walked away, I became a bitter man. Women were just sex toys until that night with you. You made me feel again and it scared the hell out of me.”
2HotCurvesAhead Page 4