Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  And then his brows knit, and he draws back and climbs out. He opens my car door, all business-like and I sigh at a moment lost. I really wouldn’t have minded him kissing me pretty thoroughly just then. But he’s still worried, no matter how glib he’s trying to be.

  I allow myself a tiny smile as we head into the building. I’m definitely going to have to think of a way to get rid of that scowl. And I know the best way of going about it…

  ***

  Nick

  So I’ve extracted a promise from Detective Matthews that he’s going to do his best to protect Sienna. An announcement is going out tomorrow about the find. Hopefully this ‘Big Johnson’ will see it and realize she’s no longer got access to the drugs.

  And leave her be.

  I’m not holding out much hope. Actually I’m fucking terrified. I’m proud of her, of course I am. Who wouldn’t be? She’s sticking her neck on the line to do the right thing, but part of me wishes she’d just accepted my offer to find these guys and hand all the stuff over.

  It’s selfish but Sienna is my priority. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to her. I rub a hand over my jaw and grimace when my fingers rasp over stubble. I feel wrecked. Unease is eating at my gut. I can hear Sienna singing in the kitchen as she prepares dinner. She’s relieved. She thinks it’s all over.

  I think we’re just getting started.

  She saunters in from the kitchen and stops in front of me. A little flesh is visible above the waistband of her denim shorts, right in my line of sight and my mouth dries.

  “Dinner will be about an hour,” she declares, moving closer. She threads her fingers into my hair and urges me to look at her. “What’s going on, Nick? Why do you look so grim?”

  I try to smile but fail miserably. I really don’t want her knowing how shit-scared I am for her. When I don’t respond, she flattens my head against her stomach. I grip her hips and hold her close. She smells like pasta sauce and flowers. It’s a pretty heavenly combination actually.

  I nuzzle her skin, inch up her T-shirt and kiss her exposed flesh. Sienna draws in a startled breath and I hold her tighter. I don’t want to lose her. Those words keep pounding through my head. Can’t lose her, can’t lose her. I’ve waited so damned long for her, I can’t let anyone harm her.

  Her fingers continue their journey through my hair, massaging my scalp. It’s soothing and slightly erotic. She doesn’t realize that just touching me turns me on. I continue to kiss across her stomach, this time using my hands to shove up her tank top and gain better access to her skin. I lick and suck at the slight rise of one hip sticking over her jean shorts.

  When her hands leave my hair, I peer up. Sienna smiles down at me. A soft, teasing smile that has my heart flipping in my chest. With slow, deliberate movements, she begins to peel up her top, taunting me with an increasing expanse of smooth skin. I think I groan aloud as I hold onto the belt loops of her shorts for support.

  She whips the top over her head, sending auburn hair spilling over her bare shoulders. My fingers tingle with the desire to reach up and tear her bra from her but I feel kinda weak right now. And she’s instigating this. No way am I interrupting whatever she’s got planned.

  Reaching behind her, she unhooks her bra quickly and slips down one strap, then the other, supporting the black lacey cups in one hand. I think my mouth is open. My tongue feels like sandpaper now. Then she releases them and I definitely groan aloud. Blood pounds in my ears and I eye those gorgeous swells, her nipples hard and ready for my touch.

  Using the leverage I have on her shorts, I tug her down, just enough so her nipples reach my mouth. She breathes my name as I take one of those hot peaks into my mouth and tug it with my teeth. Sucking on it, I savor her small sounds of appreciation, enjoy how aroused she is. I turn my attention to the other one and slide my hands down to cup her ass.

  Sienna straightens, laughing as I make a noise of disappointment when those amazing breasts move away from my mouth. But she rewards me with another sassy grin and puts her hands to her shorts. Snap. She pops them open. Rasp. Christ, she slides the zipper down and reveals matching black panties. The lace is so thin I can see everything underneath it. And all I see is skin. Skin, skin, skin.

  I dart my gaze up in surprise and she offers me an embarrassed shrug.

  “I thought you might like it…”

  I nod. Oh yeah. I like it. Her smooth, bare pussy. Oh God, do I like it. But I like Sienna however she is. I try to think of some way of saying so but my tongue trips over the words and something incoherent comes out. She just laughs and draws off her shorts and underwear in one go. When she flings them aside, they wind up hanging from her bookshelf, making her grin expand.

  I can’t laugh or grin though. While she seems so free, so light, my heart is heavy. Heavy with fear and heavy with lust. The ache in my crotch is unbelievable. She’s standing there, the afternoon sun licking through the curtains and onto her skin, completely bare and naked for me. Exposed in every way.

  For me.

  I feel like I’ve been handed the best gift in the world and don’t quite know what to do with it. I’ve spent so long coaxing and cajoling and seducing. Now I’m the one who’s being seduced and I’m stumped.

  Even though I’m still dressed, she straddles me, silver eyes glinting with amusement. I’m thinking she likes the change in power.

  “Fuck, Sienna. What did I ever do to deserve you?”

  “Funny, I’ve been asking myself that same question.” She lowers her mouth to mine and I caress her back. That warm, feminine body flattens against me and makes me shudder. Hard nipples press through my T-shirt, the heat like a scalding shower on a freezing morning. Soothing and shocking at the same time.

  Kissing me tenderly, she rocks into my erection as it strains in protest against my fly. There’s something insanely hot about being fully dressed and having a totally naked woman writhing around on top of you. Fingers pressing into her ass, I move with her and try to ease some of the tension. I explore her mouth gratefully and push my fingers through her hair. She’s got it loose and, God, do I love the feel of it. I use it to hold her in place so I can kiss her deeply until we’re both panting. I swear, I am going to bring her so much pleasure… Just the thought of her squirming and begging for my touch is enough to make me explode in my pants. By some miracle, I keep control of myself.

  I’m not quite sure how it happened but she’s somehow managed to wriggle a hand between us and is unbuttoning my fly. I hiss when she connects with my cock through my briefs, the touch pretty damn close to electrifying. Christ, this woman makes me lose my mind.

  I place kisses along her jaw—frantic, erratic ones. There’s no finesse behind my lovemaking today. I’m too scared, too grateful to take it slow. Scared I’m going to lose her. Grateful she’s safe. Also kinda hopeful this crap with Rob is over. I think—I fucking pray—it is.

  And now it’s up to me to erase every bad memory and replace it with good ones. I’m going to try damned hard to ingrain myself in that pretty little head of hers. There’s still work to be done with Sienna. Hell, I’ve still got to somehow persuade her to marry me. So I need her thinking of me and nothing else.

  Just like she’s all I think about.

  Those slender fingers slip beneath my briefs and she curls them around me, causing me to buck my hips. I bite down on the crook of her neck, and she moans, tilts her head and gives me better access. I continue nipping along her smooth skin while she works her hand up and down me, as much as my jeans let her.

  Muttering a curse, I lift my hips and shove my jeans and briefs down far enough to allow her more movement. I can’t even be bothered to remove them all the way. If I do that, I might have to lift her off me and, at the moment, I really don’t want to do that. Sienna is too hot and too stunning, all naked on top of me. It would probably kill me to be separated from that lush body for even two seconds.

  But then… “Oh fuck.” She slides down and settles between my legs
.

  I know exactly what she’s going to do. I’m not entirely sure I can survive this. Her tongue darts out and licks across her bottom lip while she eyes me, just the way she always does when she’s having filthy thoughts. I would smile if I wasn’t trying so hard to maintain control. Sienna is so easy to read.

  The heat of her mouth surrounds me, one luscious movement at a time. I feel her tongue on me, the tiniest scrape of teeth and I watch. Her gaze connects with mine, wide and lust filled. Holy shit, I have the hottest woman on the planet, totally naked, taking me into her mouth and staring at me completely unashamed. I feel a little like high-fiving myself. Go, Nick.

  Jaw tense, I lean back against the couch and close my eyes. As much as I want to watch her, it’s too much. I will come way too early if I keep looking at her. So I enjoy the suck of her mouth, the searing wetness, and the play of her tongue over me.

  Soon I can’t take anymore, so I grab her elbows and place her back on my lap. Sienna wastes no time impaling herself on me. She’s wet, I’m wet… I fit so perfectly inside her, it’s insane. I let out a harsh groan and she begins to move. I’m still pretty much fully clothed but her hands keep sneaking under my T-shirt and plucking my nipples. If I touch her too much, I don’t know that I’ll last much longer, so I hold her hips and help her ride me.

  We don’t kiss. Just kind of stare at each other. I’m not stupid. I know this is only so amazing because I love her. It’s not kinky or creative or crazy sex, though it’s so hot. It’s just us and that’s what makes it so incredible. My heart feels like it wants to burst and poetic words come to mind—words the guys at base would rip into me for—but I can’t seem to get them out. So I look at her and hope I’m conveying it with my eyes.

  Her minx-like expression drops and grows serious. She tightens around me and I think I did it. I think I made her realize how much I love her.

  Knowing I can’t last much longer, I press my thumb over her folds while my other hand continues to keep the pace. Sienna jerks and moves with me, up and down and in small circles against my thumb. Head thrown back, her hair teases my hand on her hip and breathy ohs come from her. Her release comes quickly and she cries out my name. I’m not sure how, but I manage to hold off and just marvel at her climax. It’s only when she draws her head back up, locks gazes with me and utters those words that are guaranteed to clutch at my heart, do I let go.

  “I love you.”

  With both hands clasped around her, I hammer her down onto me and clench my eyes tight. Colors flicker behind my eyelids as I come inside her, and maybe I shout her name. Sienna’s forehead dropping onto my chest causes me to open my eyes. I kiss her hair and stroke her back then clutch her tightly. She retreats a little, and nuzzles into my neck.

  And though I can’t deny I feel a hell of a lot more relaxed, the way she does it brings my protective instincts back to the surface and I recall how close to losing her I’ve come these past couple of days.

  “Say it again,” I murmur into her hair.

  “Say what?”

  “Tell me you love me.”

  She draws her head up and gazes down at me. Her hair is disheveled and there’s a slight sheen on her skin. I have to skim a thumb across her cheek. I mean I have to. I can’t resist.

  “I love you,” she says again, eyes soft and loving.

  I put a hand to my chest and groan. “Ah, that’s the one.” She gives me a bemused grin. “You have no idea how long I’ve been dying to hear those words.”

  “You practically forced them out of me yesterday.”

  “Yeah, but this time there was no forcing.”

  She glances down at our still joined bodies. “I don’t know. There was a little forcing.” Her eyes twinkle, her lips twitch.

  “You’re a minx.” Fuck, I love this. I swear I could stay like this forever. No dealing with crap at work and living like a student. As much as I love the guys, they could never take priority over this gorgeous, funny woman. This is who I fell in love with. Thank God Rob didn’t destroy her completely. I have to keep a hold of this somehow. The idea of going back to my one-man room and shitty canteen food is plain depressing.

  “Marry me,” I spill out. She goes rigid. Fuck. I hadn’t meant to say it like that. I’d meant to lead up to it. Broach the subject slowly. Maybe seduce her into saying yes. What can I say? A sexy naked woman on your lap can screw with a guy’s head.

  “I—”

  “Marry me.” I wrap my arms around her and hold her in place. If by some miracle, she says yes I don’t think we’ll be repeating this story to the grandkids. My lips twist. Yeah buried to the hilt in her exquisite body… what a time to ask. “I love you. I would do anything for you, Sienna. Die for you, kill for you.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  Okay so that wasn’t the best thing to say considering everything she’s been through recently. Get a grip, Nick. “Fine, I would live for you. I would spend my every waking hour devoting my life to you.”

  “I know you would.” A soft smile flickers on her lips. “You’re amazing, Nick. I love you very much. But this is too soon…”

  I press my thumb into her lip. “We’re best friends, babe. I know you, you know me. We’ve been working on this attraction for a long time. How can it be too soon?”

  “I’ve only just buried my husband!”

  “But your marriage was dead ages ago.” She winces and I groan inside. “Shit, I’m messing this up but it’s only because I need you so bad, short stuff. I want you to be mine. I want to come home to your beautiful smile and lush body. And I want to be the one making you smile.”

  She gazes down at me and gives a little wriggle while running her hands through my hair. My body almost instantly springs to attention.

  “Damn it, don’t distract me, Sienna.”

  “Am I distracting you?” Her lips land on my neck and trail to my ear. She tugs on my lobe with her teeth, sending a shiver through me.

  “You know you are.” I frown.

  Maybe she realizes I can’t take any more teasing as she relents. “I’ll think about it, okay?”

  I nod. Hell, I’ll take what I can get and it wasn’t a no. I can talk her around. If I can stay focused. My gaze lands on her breasts as she begins moving again. This is not going to be easy.

  ***

  As I sip my coffee and study the morning news, Sienna saunters looking as gorgeous as ever in a little sundress thing. “I’m going back to work tomorrow.”

  I lift my head and scowl at Sienna over the newspaper. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I can’t stay off forever.” She settles on the bar stool opposite me and rests her hands on my knees. “They’re short-staffed. It’s not fair. And at this rate, I’ll have used up all my vacation and have nothing left to have a real holiday with.”

  “Your life is more important than work or holidays.”

  “It’s in the paper now. Big Johnson will know I don’t have the drugs. And I’m sure I won’t be in danger at work.”

  “Don’t forget you were nearly attacked there.”

  “I’ll be extra careful. I won’t park around the back and I’ll get one of the security guys to escort me to my car if it’s dark.”

  Her grey eyes are wide and pleading. If this wasn’t her life we were talking about I probably would have given in long ago. The first thing we did was check the papers. I wish to God they’d put the find on the front page. I flick open the paper and jab at the story on page five. “They might not even see this. Or they might not realize this is the stash they were after.” I shake my head. “It’s too dangerous.”

  “The article names Rob! Look… ‘Found in a locker leased by an R. Wright.’”

  “Okay, but still it’s only on page five…”

  “In the biggest local paper. Criminals probably check the papers daily. And hopefully the TV news people will pick up on it soon.”

  I lift an eyebrow. “Expert on criminals now, are we?”

 
“I’m going back to work, whether you like it or not.”

  She sets her jaw and I know I’m fucked. The woman’s so stubborn, I haven’t got a hope in hell of changing her mind.

  “Fine, but I’ll drive you in and pick you up.”

  Sienna narrows her eyes but nods. “Deal.”

  “And for Godsakes, be careful. You’re too damned trusting.”

  “If I didn’t know you were worried for me, I’d be insulted. I’m not stupid, you know?”

  “I know you’re not.” I squeeze her thighs. “I just have this feeling. In my gut. Something tells me this isn’t over.”

  She stands and pats my stomach before coming behind me and wrapping her arms around my neck. “Stop worrying. You’re just waiting for the moment that you need to leap in and be a hero, but it isn’t going to happen. The cops are hanging around just in case. I’ve already seen a patrol car go by this morning. Everything will be fine, I promise.” A kiss lands on my cheek. “At ease, soldier.”

  I let go of the tension in my muscles but I can’t ignore the gnawing feeling in my belly. Maybe she’s right—I’m looking for danger where there isn’t any. The soldier in me is just waiting for something bad to happen. Guess that’s the joy of the job. Trained to kill but expected to blend in with civvie life at a moment’s notice.

  Sighing, I drop the paper on the breakfast bar. “Okay, so seeing as I have a whole day with you and I trust you not to get in trouble while I’m at your side, what shall we do?”

  Coming to stand in front of me again, her gaze darts to the bedroom and her cheeks go all cute and red. This woman will really be the death of me. We already managed to keep each other up most of the night. I swear she’s insatiable. This new found confidence of hers is both a blessing and a curse. I can’t deny having a hot woman ready to go at any moment is any man’s dream, but I am thirty. I snort inwardly. At least I won’t need a workout today. I’ve had enough exercise to last me the week. I have to fight the smug smile threatening to slip across my face.