by T C Archer
His friend laughed. “You’re not thinking a woman like that would settle for a cowpoke like you?” Jace realized that was exactly what it sounded like he was saying, but before he could reply, Ryan added, “Or is it your reaction to her you’re worried about?”
Ryan slid a hand into his jean pocket and pulled out a condom. He tossed it. Jace snatched it out of the air and stood silent as Ryan turned and headed down the hall. A few seconds later, the door clicked shut and Jace wondered if he could move. What was he supposed to do now?
Food. He’d promised her food.
Chapter Nine
Half an hour later, a knock sounded on the door. Jace strode down the hall to the door and opened it. A waiter stood outside with a pushcart.
“Room service, sir.”
Jace stepped aside. “Come on in.”
The waiter pushed the cart down the hall and into the living room.
“Champagne.” He pointed to the bottle chilling in a silver ice bucket.
“Shrimp cocktail.” He lifted a small silver lid to reveal a bowl of a dozen shrimp on the rim of a crystal bowl filled with red cocktail sauce. “Strawberries.”
The waiter lifted another lid. “Chocolate.”
Jace froze when the waiter lifted yet another lid. What had he been thinking ordering strawberries and chocolate sauce? Lorna was going to think he was a pervert. Hell, he was. He pictured the chocolate sauce dribbled across her breasts, then trailed down to her pussy where he would—
“Melon,” the waiter said.
“I’m sure it’s all here,” Jace interrupted. How much food had he ordered?
He fumbled a twenty from his pocket and tipped the man.
The waiter gave a slight bow. “Anything else, sir?”
A brain, he replied mentally, but said, “No, thanks.”
“Very good, sir.” The waiter nodded and left.
Jace surveyed the tray. Hell, maybe he’d get lucky and she’d sleep through the night. Would he be able to bunk on the couch knowing she was right there in the bedroom? Was she sleeping already? He and Ryan and given her a helluva workout. Should he wait until she got up? He turned toward the bedroom, then stopped short. Lorna stood in the doorway as naked as she’d been when he put her in his bed. No robe, no sheet…no inhibitions. His cock jerked.
He forced back the lust that sent blood pounding through his veins, and asked, “Hungry?”
Her gaze shifted to the tray. Her brows furrowed in obvious curiosity and she crossed to the food. She trailed a finger down the cold bottle of champagne then, one by one lifted each lid. When she’d lifted the last lid, she looked at him.
“You and Ryan must be hearty eaters.”
“Well-actually, Ryan left. That’s for you and me.”
“Left?”
“Yeah, he uh, well…” How could he explain that Ryan wanted to give Jace a chance to fuck her all by himself?
“I did not please him?”
She seemed genuinely surprised.
“Hell, no—I mean, sure, you pleased him. He’d have to be dead not to have been pleased. He just figured that maybe you and I could get to know each other a little better.” Upon rational thought, they wouldn’t have asked her to accommodate them both at the same time again, anyway.
She nodded. “Then it will be just you and I.”
He smiled, glad he’d put on his jeans in readiness for the food delivery. If she saw the way his dick was swelling, she’d never believe that he genuinely wanted to see her fed and comfortable.
“Would you like a robe?”
Her mouth twitched in amusement. “My body doesn’t please you?”
“Honey, I couldn’t be any more pleased.”
A blush crept up her cheeks as it had in the bedroom. Something stirred deep inside him. She ducked her head and lifted the lid on the shrimp.
“I’d like to try these, please.”
* * * * *
Jace laughed. They lay stretched out in front of the fire, plates of food between them, and Lorna had squealed when she dropped cocktail sauce on her arm.
She paused in licking it off and looked at him. “I made a mess.”
He laughed harder. When he spread the food out on the rug in front of the fire, she’d eaten the shrimp in dainty bites. He figured her for one of those women who pretended they subsided on practically nothing. But with each dish her gusto increased. She’d tasted everything, and they’d finished off half the food.
“I adore champagne,” she said. “It’s been far too long since I’ve had it.” “Have all you like,” he said. “We can order more.”
“You wouldn’t be trying to get me drunk, would you, sir?” She smiled, eyes bright.
“No ma’am,” he replied. “I would never do such a thing.”
She laughed full and throaty, then finished off her champagne and set the glass on the carpet between them. “You haven’t touched the strawberries.” She looked up at him. “You don’t like them?”
“I like them just fine,” he said. “They’re best with chocolate sauce.” His heart jumped into high gear as he lifted the lid on the chocolate.
Her eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas. “Strawberries and chocolate.”
She picked up a strawberry and dipped it in the thick sauce. When she slipped the chocolate covered tip in her mouth, Jace thought he would come in his jeans. Her lips closed around the fruit, leaving chocolate on her lips. Her tongue flicked out, lapping at the chocolate.
He swallowed, but managed in an even voice, “Here, let me help.”
He leaned across the food and brushed his lips against hers. She closed her eyes as though savoring him as she had the chocolate. There was something about her, the way she focused her attention on him as if he was the only man in the world. One night, he reminded himself, and realized what it was he’d glimpsed in her eyes when they met. This woman wasn’t made for a one night stand.
He pulled back and she opened her eyes. Her smile nearly stopped his heart.
“I like chocolate, too,” she said.
“I see,” he replied. “So, what do you do?”
“Do?” She bit the rest of the strawberry from the stem.
“Work, what do you do for a living?”
“What do you do?” Lorna reached for another strawberry.
Was she avoiding his eyes? Had she gotten as little information about him and Ryan as they had her by whoever had set up this date for her?
“I work on a ranch here in Montana.”
It wasn’t a total lie, but he felt guilty nonetheless. According to Abby, the men and women in the Hit It and Quit It Club underwent scrutiny that would make the FBI jealous. He didn’t have anything to worry about. So why was he suddenly on alert?
Lorna looked up at him. “Work on a ranch?”
He detected no guile. “Yeah, herding cattle, stuff like that.”
She gave him another brilliant smile. “You are a cowboy?”
Damn, she acted like she didn’t care that he might be some hired hand.
“That’s right, I’m a cowboy.”
“I’ve never known a cowboy.”
“This is your first time in Montana?”
She nodded.
“How do you like it?”
A shadow flickered across her features, but was gone before he could be sure what it was. She glanced out the window. The snow had stopped and soft moonlight spread an ethereal glow around the snow-covered evergreens.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
Desire uncoiled inside him. “You’re beautiful.”
She glanced at the chocolate and then looked at the empty plate of strawberries. He had to laugh.
“You want more?” he asked. “I’ll call room service.”
A mischievous look entered her eyes. “No need.”
She moved the three empty platters from between them, pushed onto her knees, and picked up the small bowl of chocolate. Lorna dipped a finger in the dark sauce, then pushed it past her lip
s. His heart pounded as her finger disappeared inside her mouth. Her cheeks hallowed in a sucking motion and his cock jumped—hard. She withdrew the finger and he realized he’d been holding his breath.
Jace remained motionless as she unbuttoned his jeans. When she tugged them downward, he lifted his hips. She pulled them free of his legs, then tossed them aside. Eyes locked with his, she picked up the chocolate. He tensed in readiness for another exhibition with her finger. Instead, she grasped the waistband of his boxer briefs, pulled them down and dribbled chocolate along his stiff rod.
“I like chocolate,” she said.
She lowered her head. When her mouth closed around his chocolate covered dick, Jace’s last coherent thought was to wonder how he got so lucky.
Chapter Ten
Lorna did love chocolate, though she had never indulged in this manner—with chocolate, or with a man. The dark, sweet liquid mingled with Jace’s musky scent to create a heady sensation that she could lose herself in. She took him deep in her mouth. He moaned. She withdrew, sucking hard, and swallowed with a big slurp.
Chocolate still remained on his engorged shaft and she ran her tongue from tip to root, then back up again. She lapped at the tip. No man had ever tasted so good. Lorna swirled her tongue around the head, then swiped at the slit before sucking him into her mouth again, sucking and licking. Each stroke made him pulse in her hand and mouth.
He squirmed, thrust past her lips, and trembled. “Sweetheart, you’re going to drive me out of my mind.”
Desire vanished with a wrenching twist. She’d heard that same phrase enough times to know what it meant. Jace was consumed by lust. Her chest tightened with the realization that she had let her guard down. He had charmed her.
She choked back tears, never faltering from the in and out rhythm that was pulling him higher. He thrust into her mouth. His rod lengthened. She had thought to escape Aeden. Instead, fate had brought her back where she belonged. She was to be the Queen of Shade. Jace abruptly grasped her head and pushed her upright. She blinked, but before she could comprehend his meaning, he shoved his undergarments from his body and gently urged her onto her back.
He came down on top of her and covered her mouth with his. His body enveloped hers. Her mind whirled. He thrust his tongue past her lips, tasting, sucking…savoring. She’d never had this happen before. No man had pulled his rod from her mouth when she had him on the brink of release. Jace broke the kiss and trailed moist kisses along her cheek and down her neck. Her heart rate increased. Had she done something wrong?
“Did I not please you?” she managed.
He lifted his head and met her gaze. “Not please me? You’re driving me out of my mind.”
“But you stopped before I gave you pleasure.”
He traced her cheek with a finger. “It’s not all about me, darlin’.” A wicked grin curved his mouth upward. “Did it occur to you I might get plenty of pleasure out of making you moan?” His gaze shifted to where heat crept up her cheeks, then came back to her eyes. “That made you blush? Just wait.”
She frowned in surprise. Just wait? He shifted and took a nipple into his mouth. Pleasure splintered through her. Lorna grasped his shoulders, suddenly aware of his shaft lying heavy on her belly. He seemed to realize her awareness and undulated his hips against her. She sucked in a breath as the rigid tool dug into her flesh. He sucked her breast harder. She arched into his mouth. His tongue flicked the swollen areola causing her pussy to tighten. Lorna shifted a leg so that he settled closer to her mound and wrapped the leg around his hip.
Jace shifted to the other breast and suckled. He flattened a palm on her stomach. His hand, calloused and strong, made her breath catch when he slid it downward into her curls. His finger dipped into her moist folds. The warm digit played at her sensitive nub. She whimpered with need. He flicked with his finger. Pleasure surged.
He pressed harder. “You like that, sweetheart?”
She couldn’t answer. Fog blanketed her brain. She could feel only his weight pressing her into the carpet, his finger on her sex, teasing, pushing her beyond thought. She clamped her leg hard against his thigh.
“You’re getting close,” he whispered.
Lorna cried out as a convulsion wracked her body. She arched into his hand, pressing him between their bodies. She stiffened as the orgasm rippled through her. Jace abruptly released her. She tightened her grip on his shoulders. He pulled another of the small packets from his pants’ pocket and tore it open. He kissed her hard, then straightened and rolled the sheath over his cock. She blinked up at him, and he was over her, urging her legs apart with his knees. He reached between them and inserted a finger into her channel.
Jace groaned. “So wet.”
He fitted his shaft to her opening and shoved inside. She sucked in a breath at the exquisite intrusion. He pulled out, then plunged deeper. He kissed her. Lorna wrapped her arms around his neck. Pleasure mounted in her core on a rising tide that threatened to spiral her out of control. He pounded into her and another, stronger wave crashed over her. She screamed his name. Jace pumped harder. Her walls contracted. Pleasure shot through her. He came in a burst that tightened his arms around her in a breath-stealing hug.
When he collapsed on her, his breathing had become labored. He lay unmoving for a long moment, then slid off, pulling her close. Lorna pressed her ear against his chest, lost in the rampant beat of his heart. He still quivered.
At last, he released a slow breath. “Why are you here?”
She tensed. He couldn’t possibly know.
“You’re too damned beautiful to need a dating service. And sweet as honey. Don’t tell me you got wrangled into this like I did.”
“Wrangled?” she repeated.
“My mother—stepmother, though she’s the only mother I’ve never known—set this night up for me and Ryan. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d accept a blind date, much less a one night stand paid for by my mother.”
Lorna rose onto an elbow. Jace lay facing the ceiling. His expression was as much innocence and honesty as his face was handsome and masculine. She might stare at that face forever, eager for every look, longing to see every expression he was capable of. Why did she feel this way?
Another wonderful expression played over his features. “I hope we can spend more time together.” She frowned, and he added, “Tonight, that is.”
Chapter Eleven
Lorna blinked into focus the pink morning sky outside the living room window. Snow-covered fir trees stretched out as far as the eye could see. She lay, her back nestled against Jace’s groin in front of the hearth. She looked down at his arm wrapped around her waist. Embers bathed his muscled flesh in soft light.
Sometime during the night she’d awakened to his caresses, strokes that lifted her into another frenzy of pleasure. Her sex tightened with the memory of his strong hands on her. She had never experienced a man as she had him. Yes, she had taken pleasure from all of them, but no fond memories had lingered the following morning. Why did Jace have this affect on her?
“I hope we can spend more time together. Tonight, that is,” he had said.
She choked back tears. Like the others, Jace Buchanen wanted only to enjoy her body for the moment. Despite the millennia that had passed, her beauty hadn’t brought her love. If she had accepted her fate as one of the cunning folk, her life and agony would have ended long ago. Instead, she would spend eternity knowing even great beauty hadn’t made her worthy of love.
The click of the door opening from down the hallway intruded upon her thoughts. Lorna tensed. Ryan. She had forgotten him. Aeden could claim them both. Tears rushed to the surface. They hadn’t saved her, hadn’t loved her, but it wasn’t their fault that she was unworthy of love. They didn’t deserve to live out eternity in Shade. A figure stepped into view and Lorna gasped. Aeden. What was he doing here? He always appeared inside the vortex that connected Shade to the mortal realm. His mouth was set in a thin line of anger. His gaze slid
down her body, then rested on Jace’s arm wrapped around her waist.
“What the hell.” Jace’s voice boomed in her ear. She started to rise, but he shoved her back down and jumped to his feet. “Who the hell are you?” he demanded.
Aeden looked at Lorna. “We must go, now.”
Panic bubbled to the surface. “He is not like the others,” she said as she pushed to her feet. “He doesn’t belong in Shade.”
From the corner of her eye, Lorna saw Jace shift. Too late, she realized his intent. He threw a right punch to Aeden’s jaw. Aeden’s head snapped back with a crack and he stumbled backwards.
“Aeden,” Lorna began in a rush.
Aeden seized Jace’s neck. Jace punched his belly. Aeden gave a low laugh. Lorna launched herself onto him as he threw Jace backward. Jace hit the wall beside the hearth and crumpled to the carpet. Lorna shoved Aeden with all her might. He propelled through the air and slammed into the desk near the window. She whirled. Jace was on his knees and pushing to his feet. Aeden rushed toward him. She shot forward, intercepting Aeden. They crashed into the small table, her arms wrapped tight around him as they slammed into the couch. He broke free. She leaped to her feet as he did.
“You cannot kill him!” she shouted.
“No mortal attacks me,” he snarled.
Her mind whirled. Jace had attacked Aeden. No other man had done that. When Aeden came for her after her other lovers had been tested, the men hadn’t fought for her.
“What the fuck is going on?” Jace demanded. “You know this man, Lorna?”
She jerked toward him. He stood, shoulders squared, weight balanced, ready to battle Aeden.
Jace’s eyes shifted to Aeden. “Who the hell are you?”
A corner of Aeden’s mouth lifted in a predatory smile. “I am your new master…and her mate.”
“Mate—what—”
“Bring him,” Aeden ordered.
Lorna’s mind raced. Jace had fought for her. Was it possible he cared? Was she free? Aeden hadn’t appeared from the vortex. Why? Something was different about this time.