He found it funny she mentioned the plants hanging in the kitchen. “It’s not bad. But glad you approve.” He took a step closer. It was killing him he wanted to touch her so badly. Her hair had fallen in front of her eye, and he wanted to brush it aside. Her eyes were too gorgeous to be covered up. “Last chance, are you sure about this?” He watched her face intently, searching her eyes for any sign of doubt or regret. His shoulders relaxed a notch and he was glad to see neither. Her gray eyes shined like brushed metal; he’d never seen anything like it before. Maybe she wore contacts. If she did he didn’t want to know.
“I’m positive. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.” Karma smiled seductively. Jax’s cock twitched in his pants. It’s been way too long since he’d allowed anyone into his bed.
“Well, then, let’s not make you wait any longer.” They both took a step forward, meeting in the middle. “You’re gorgeous.” He reached forward and brushed the hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ears so he could see her better. His thumb made a slow stroke on the base of her neck.
Karma shook her head. Her porcelain face flushed. “Stop it. There’s no need for false flattery. I know I’m cute, pretty at best, but never gorgeous.”
What was wrong with women? Why didn’t they ever see themselves for what they were?
“Don’t underestimate yourself. I couldn’t stop thinking about your unusual gray eyes and heart-stopping smile since you walked in the door.”
Karma opened and closed her mouth like she wanted to say something but thought better of it and then demanded, “Shut up and kiss me.”
Jax could tell the compliment made her uncomfortable. She ran her hand up one of his arms and sighed. A shot of electricity ran up his arm at her touch. He drew her toward him until the tips of her breasts grazed his chest.
Without hesitating, his lips crashed down on her full lips. One of his hands ran along the nape of her neck, and the other slid down to her breast. Karma’s hand ran up his back, pulling him closer. Jax groaned into her mouth. His cock was so hard it hurt. He walked her backward towards his bedroom, his lips never leaving hers.
Frantic to get closer, Jax practically threw her on the neatly made up bed. His knees sank into the mattress as his body covered hers. He wanted her skin on his flesh. He ran his hand up her smooth inner thigh. She was soft and curvy in all the right places. Just the way a woman should be. Damn, he loved the way her long curly hair was splayed across the pillow.
Karma gasped when he stroked her lightly through her cotton panties. The sound drove him wild. She raised her hips and it nearly did him in. He wanted to bury himself so deep in her that she’d forget where he began and she ended. His pulse raced. Slow down. No one likes a minute man.
He leaned down, his body pressing firmly against hers, and sucked her bottom lip before he kissed her deeply, never wanting to break the connection. She tasted like mint and vodka. Her hands roamed up his shirt across his chest and then her fingers inched closer to the button on his jeans. Reluctantly, he broke the kiss. He wanted to see her naked and was glad she didn’t insist on the lights being off like some girls did. He leaned back and removed her heels one at a time. His hands lingered on her ankle and then ran up her calf. Her skin was so warm. His chest heaved up and down. He tossed his T-shirt aside.
Her eyes cast downward. “You’re perfect,” Karma said, her voice husky. Her hands trailed down his washboard stomach, and he was glad for his obsession with the gym.
Karma raised her hand to touch his face, brushing her thumb over his lips. Jax closed his eyes. Her touch was intoxicating. She made it hard for him to concentrate. Focus.
Jax grabbed the sides of her skirt and shimmed it down her full hips, then she leaned forward so he could pull her shirt over her head. She wore a black lace bra and matching panties. He wanted to rip them off her, but instead he slowly unclasped her bra, tossing it on the ground next to her clothes. Her breasts were just the right size and swelled in his hands. Her pink nipples and pale skin drove him crazy. He had to taste her.
Slowly, Jax flicked her earlobe with his tongue before he made his way down her neck. He could feel her pulse beating a mile a minute, like his own. He continued down running his tongue along her collar bone before making it to where he really wanted to be. Karma cried out when his tongue swirled around her taut nipple before he drew it into his mouth, and her back arched. Fuck, he loved that.
Her fingers twisted in his hair, and she moaned when he brought up his other hand and his thumb brushed her nipple.
Jax’s lips trailed down her warm stomach and he roughly yanked off her panties. Her body squirmed under his touch. God, he wanted her. He wanted to devour her. His fingers gently probed her, sinking into her warm flesh. Her legs fell to the side, giving him full access. And he felt like the luckiest man in the world.
All that was left between them was his boxers. Somewhere along the way he’d shed his pants.
He moved his fingers in and out, his thumb circling the sensitive nub, trying to prolong and bring her to climax because he didn’t think he was going to last long.
“I’m glad you’ll be my first,” Karma gasped out.
His body tensed. She had to have meant first one-night stand right? But she said she didn’t plan on making a habit of it. She couldn’t possibly mean she was a virgin. She was way too hot for that.
“What did you say?” Jax stopped, his fingers still buried deep inside and his mouth eager to taste her. His eyes searched hers.
“I said I’m glad you’ll be my first.”
Jax pulled away and looked down at her. “Your first? First what? First one-night stand, or first as in you’re a virgin?”
“Yes.” Her voice wavered.
Her face turned bright red, and she looked away, her eyes glistening in the light.
“Jesus, Karma. You don’t pick up a guy from a club for your first time.”
This could not be happening! Fuck!
CHAPTER 8
Why was he stopping? Her stomach clenched. She tried to still her frantically beating heart. Her mind screamed, don’t stop. Please don’t stop. She needed this experience. She wanted it with every ounce of her being.
“Don’t stop.” She hated the pleading she heard in her own voice.
“Karma,” he said as he closed his eyes and leaned back on his knees. “Tell me you didn’t go to a club to pick up a guy for your first time? What the hell...” He ran his hands over his face.
Karma was shocked by his reaction. “You sound like my father.”
Jax pulled away as if he’d been bitten by a snake. The look on his face was of total disbelief. Gone was the look of lust in his eyes. No. No. No. They were so close. Why did she have to say anything? She hadn’t meant to, it just came out like word vomit.
“You’re really a virgin?” He ran his hand through his inky black hair.
“Yes! I’m a virgin. Everyone has to lose it at some point.”
“My mother would kill me if I took a girl’s virginity on a one-night stand.”
“Why are we talking about our parents right now? We were about to have sex.”
Jax turned and pushed himself to sitting on the bed and dropped his head in his hands. His back was wide and muscular and covered in ink. How could one man be so devastatingly smoking hot? Leaning forward, Karma traced one of the images, some kind of Celtic symbol. She had to pull him back in. This was not at all what she had expected. Didn’t men love the idea of taking someone’s virginity? Karma got on her knees and leaned behind him, pressing her breasts to his back, her hands lightly running up his sides. She pressed her lips to his back, and he pulled away.
“Why is everyone making such a big deal of this? It’s my body. My choice. Period.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m sorry, I can’t do it.” Jax stood up and walked over to his dresser and threw her a T-shirt. “Put this on. Please. I have very little self-control left.”
“So you don’t want to
fuck me because I’m a virgin? That’s ridiculous.”
“Put the shirt on. I’m going to get a drink and try to calm down.” He glanced down at his boxers, where his arousal was very prominent. He turned and stalked out the door.
Karma fell back on the bed, her hand over her forehead. Leave it to her to find the only Boy Scout left in the world. What the hell were the chances? Why was this happening to her?
“Karma, please put on the shirt.” Jax startled her out of her thoughts when he came back holding a glass of water.
“Fine!” She yanked the huge shirt over her head and crossed her arms, leaning against the headboard. “I’m going to die a virgin.”
“I doubt that,” Jax said, setting the drink on the desk before pulling on his pants. He sat down on his computer chair—as far away from her as possible. He tried to hand her the drink, but she shook her head no. She didn’t want a god damn drink, she wanted to have hot sweaty sex.
“Damn it, Karma. What the hell were you thinking?”
She rolled her eyes. “I was thinking that I wanted to experience a man. Okay? I want to have sex. I don’t believe in happy ever after. How many people end up with their first sexual partner? Not many. Hell, I thought most guys would jump at the chance of having a virgin.”
“Oh, believe me, they would.”
“But just my luck you’re not most guys.” Karma crossed her feet at the ankles.
“Saying no to you may quite possibly be the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life. I want you so bad...” His voice was rough. He was so gorgeous it made her heart ache. She had been so freaking close.
“Then take me. I want you too. Please.” How pathetic was she? She was begging a guy to take her virginity—an all new low.
“I can’t, Karma. I’m the only son in my family, and I’ve got five sisters. I was raised to respect women. Taking a girl’s virginity on a one-night stand is far from respectful.”
Karma laughed bitterly. “Respect women? You were more than willing to take me to your bed before you realized I was a freaking virgin.”
“Yes, because it was your choice as a consenting adult.” His gaze met hers, unflinching.
“It’s still my choice,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
“And it’s my choice not to take something from you that you shouldn’t give away so easily.”
Karma snorted. “Easily? Hardly. The universe is against me. This is just yet another example. I am doomed to die a virgin. Apparently, it is written in the stars or something.” She paused. “I really want this, Jax. It’s not something I decided on a whim.” She knew her voice was pleading, but she didn’t care.
“A club? You went to a club to lose your virginity...” He shook his head in disbelief.
“Whatever. You know what, just take me home. This is humiliating enough.” She reached down, searching for her underwear. Where they hell were they? It didn’t matter, all she wanted to do was get out of there. She could feel the tears stinging, and she would be horrified if she cried in front of him.
Jax looked down at the ground. He picked up her black panties and handed them to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“I’m sure I’ll find someone eventually.” Karma blinked back the tears as she slid her underwear up her thighs.
Jax’s jaw tightened and he looked away. “I’ll make a deal with you. Spend three weeks with me and if you still think I’m worthy of your first time I’ll ravish your body until you can’t remember your name.”
Karma straightened up. Was he serious? “Three weeks?”
“Three weeks. But we really have to spend time together.”
Karma thought it over. Three weeks; she could handle that. She couldn’t imagine anything would change her mind. He looked like a damn Spartan warrior. Three weeks would be cake.
“I just want you to be sure. And not a drunken choice you’ll wake up and regret.”
She stared at him for a minute. His clear blue eyes looked sincere, and a little pained. She knew it really was hard for him to turn her down. That made her feel slightly better. “Fine. Three weeks.”
“Three weeks of no fooling around. Just getting to know each other,” Jax added.
“Not even kissing?” Karma pouted.
“No kissing.”
“You’re a very unusual man.”
“Thank you. Now get dressed so I can take you home before I change my mind.”
“Can’t I just stay the night?” Maybe if she stayed he would change his mind.
“No,” Jax said firmly. He pulled his shirt over his head and Karma’s heart sank. Another crash and burn to add to the list.
Karma entered her house and slammed the door. She peeked out the window and Jax was still there. When he saw her, he waved and backed out of the driveway. Men like him really existed?
“Did you get what you wanted?” Her dad’s voice cut through the dark room, startling her.
Karma turned. Her dad was sitting in the dark on the couch with Princess at his side. She’d been so distracted she hadn’t even noticed him when she walked in.
“Nope, still a virgin. I was close, though, but the guy backed out at the last minute.” Karma kicked off her heels and dropped into the couch next to her dad.
Relief crossed her father’s face and then confusion. “Wait, backed out? Why? Karma, guys don’t back out at the last minute.”
“This one did. Once he found out I was a virgin.”
“Interesting.”
Karma filled her father in on the deal they had struck.
“That’s very noble of him. I’d like to meet this young man.”
“Forget it. I’m not having him meet you guys, he might run off, and I’ll never have sex.”
Her father chuckled. “Well, if he’d run off that fast then I would say noble or not he does not deserve you.”
“Fine. I’ll let you meet him. He’s so hot, Dad. I mean like on fire hot.” Karma pulled herself up from the couch. “You really didn’t have to wait up for me.”
“Yes, I did. I was picturing all kinds of worst-case scenarios. Every one of them ended with you coming home crying and us devouring a pint of ice cream. I was already planning on a long run tomorrow to make up for it.”
Karma looked over at her dad and smiled. “I could use some ice cream.” He really was the best dad.
Her father jumped up, and she followed him into the kitchen, where he grabbed two spoons out of the drawer. They sat down and finished off the pint of chunky monkey.
Karma wiped her face with a napkin “Dad, it was humiliating. I can’t believe he didn’t want me. What if he doesn’t show up tomorrow?”
“Oh, Karma, I have a feeling he wanted you too much. I also have a feeling love is going to bloom.”
Karma snorted. “Yeah, right, Dad. Guys don’t fall in love with me. And I’m not looking for that anyway.”
“That’s when it usually shows up at your doorstep. When it’s least expected.”
“You really need to stop watching those Nicholas Sparks movies.”
Her father smiled sadly. “My little girl is all grown up.”
“Not yet.” Karma sighed. “Maybe in three weeks. Unless he decides he can’t stand me.”
“I doubt that, honey. You’re wonderful. And any man would be lucky to have you.”
“You don’t have to say that.”
“It’s true, and hopefully someday you’ll see that too.”
Karma stood up and hugged her dad. “Get to bed, it’s way past your bed time. You’ll have to do a mud mask and cucumbers in the morning.”
“Don’t remind me.” Her father stood up and cleaned off the spoons before tossing the empty container.
Maybe her dad was right. It was pretty sweet that Jax insisted on waiting and getting to know her better. But he was bat-shit crazy if he thought love would be involved in the mix. Karma trudged up the stairs, threw off her clothes, and fell into bed. Her mind raced mostly with t
houghts of Jax, watching shadows dance on the wall until she finally drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 9
The shrill ring of her phone jarred Karma awake. Eyes closed, she reached for her phone on the nightstand. The first attempt was a miss and then on the second she barely grasped the slippery sucker with her fingertips. “Hello.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Play-by play-details.” Eva’s voice crossed the line. Way too chipper for Karma’s taste. “Don’t leave anything out. I mean anything.”
Karma groaned, throwing her arm over her eyes. She was not awake enough for this conversation. “Ugh, I’ll call you later.”
“The hell you will. Details. Now.”
She knew Eva would keep calling until she gave in. Karma rolled over, sighing. “It didn’t happen, okay. I found the only man left with morals in the world. He freaked when he found out I was a virgin.”
Eva whistled under her breath. “He turned you down? Girl, you really can’t get laid, can you?” She paused then laughed. “Karma really is a bitch, huh?”
Karma chuckled, even though that joke grew old many years ago. In this case, it was fitting. She pushed herself up in the bed. She knew there was no going back to sleep now; might as well face the day.
“But he did say if I spent three weeks with him and still wanted him to be my first—he’d do the deed.”
The line was silent about a beat too long. “Wow. That’s like totally wicked. Sounds like you got a keeper.”
“Hardly, we have nothing in common. All I want him for is his body.”
Eva laughed. “We’ll see. When are you going to see him again?”
“No idea. I gave him my number when he dropped me off. Maybe he’ll never call and was just trying to get rid of me.”
“Somehow I doubt that, you’re offering him the Holy Grail. Go back to bed. I’ll talk to you later.” Eva clicked off.
Karma tossed the phone and lay awake looking at the ceiling. Ugh, she really hoped he called.
Two hours later, Karma stepped out of the shower to her phone ringing. “Hello?” Please let it be him.
The XOXO New Adult Collection: 16 Full Length New Adult Stories Page 250