by Sheila Kell
“Um hmm,” she hummed.
Reaching down her body, he grasped his cock and notched it against her core, sliding it around her wet folds to have her juices coat him before he entered her. Settled and ready, he looked up in her eyes. “Look at me, Caitlyn. I want to see you when I push inside you.”
Her lust-filled gaze stared back at him with eyes where the blue darkened over the green.
The tip of his cock slid inside her, and he halted. She may have said she was ready, and they may have made love already, but he wouldn’t take anything for granted.
“You’re so damn tight,” he groaned. How could he have forgotten that little bit of information in such a short time?
“I want all of you, Matt.”
He held his breath and slid inside her in one swift thrust. When she gasped, he froze. “Shit. Did I hurt you?
She shook her head back and forth on the pillow. “No. The fullness just surprised me.”
Thank God. Slowly, he began to move, sliding out to the tip of his cock and then gliding back inside.
Damn, he had to be in heaven, because nothing should feel that good. The only thing he imagined would feel better was bareback. It’d probably knock his socks off.
When she wrapped her legs around his waist, allowing him to push deeper inside her, any thoughts of her having fear washed away, so did his resolve to go slow. Accelerating his thrusts brought a moan out of Caitlyn. She closed her eyes, and her head fell back.
“I want you to come again, Caitlyn.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Touch yourself. Make yourself come with my cock inside you. I want to feel you clench my cock. If you don’t, then I will, but you’re faster at it, and I can’t hold out much longer.” When they’d first been learning to pleasure each other, they’d shown the other by pleasing themselves. It was so fucking hot they’d kept it in their lovemaking. It was time to bring it back.
Caitlyn looked at him and then eased her hand down between them to her clit. Just the idea of her touching herself had him wanting to explode.
Her head fell back again, and she moaned in ecstasy at the combined efforts of her and him getting her to orgasm. “Faster, Matt,” she demanded.
He happily obliged, sliding in and out with force. With the hastened movements, he gritted his teeth while he held back from coming.
“I’m close,” she breathed.
Thank the fuck for that. His restraint was only so strong.
“I’m… I’m…” she gasped out. The next minute, she was moaning and writhing beneath him and clenching his cock so tightly he almost couldn’t move it in and out of her.
The sight of her gasping her rapid breaths and the flush in her face did it for him. Satisfied she’d come a second time, Matt let go and jerked as an orgasm to beat all orgasms ripped through his body, leaving him physically drained. He collapsed on her body, then swiftly moved off her, before ensuring he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
After he’d caught his breath, he moved. “I need to get rid of the condom.”
“Hmm. Wait, do you need me to do it?”
Sitting on the side of the bed, he welcomed the calm resting within him that she had wanted to support him… care for him.
“No, there’s what’s called a bed-to-bath method that will make it quick. Nothing to use long term, but it’ll work.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I love you, Caitlyn Robinson.”
With a smile, she returned his sentiment. “I love you, Matthew Hamilton.”
Hell, he hadn’t been called Matthew in longer than he could remember. And he loved it coming from her lips.
Things would work out with them. He knew it would. Whatever it took, he’d be by her side and protect her forever.
CAITLYN AND TONYA scooted off to Caitlyn’s room to get ready for the fundraiser. Tonya had a lovely periwinkle blue dress to wear that Caitlyn imagined would look fabulous on her friend. Before dressing, Tonya’s task had apparently been to get Caitlyn to wear that damned red dress. Admittedly she’d felt beautiful when she’d tried it on at the shop, but wearing it in front of other people seemed almost as difficult as going naked in front of them, and the dress wasn’t really that bad considering other attire she’d seen at these types of events.
“I am not wearing that red ladder dress,” she stated firmly as she crossed her arms over her chest.
With her arm held high and the hanger holding said dress, Tonya countered, “Yes, you should wear it. I picked up the pasties, but looking at it now, it’s not as low-cut as I thought it was, so you could just probably wear a strapless bra with it.” She turned from the dress to Caitlyn. “And I know you have one of those.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe we didn’t just check first before I bought those things.”
Caitlyn had thought of the fact she could wear a strapless bra during every conversation about her wearing the dress. She’d always kept mum on the topic, hoping Tonya would let it go. Considering Tonya’s tenacity, that had been a silly notion. Tonya wanted her to wear the seductive dress. Yes, she called it seductive because of the openings on her arm, the clinginess of the fabric, and the plunging neckline in front and back that made her feel wonderful. Due to their different standards, Tonya might not call the neckline plunging, but she did.
As if reading her mind, Tonya broke into her thoughts and the excuses she’d been preparing. “It’s not too revealing for the event if you plan to use that as an excuse. When I set the attire, making it casual versus formal, I imagined you wearing that dress to the event. So don’t disappoint me and chicken out.” She shook the clothes hanger, and the dress swayed with the movement.
Changing the subject, Caitlyn asked, “I saw the list of RSVPs. You did a great job, Tonya. I hadn’t expected many to make it since it was short notice.” Then she realized they’d already discussed that and tried to think of something else to talk about besides her attire for the event.
Tonya shrugged. “We couldn’t grab some of those who I think would be big contributors because they were already booked. But”—she grinned—“they want us to throw another one where they can see the dogs and what they do.”
Caitlyn wanted to jump off the edge of her bed and hug the woman for such a creative idea to acquire donors, but she wouldn’t because Tonya still held the cursed dress aloft.
“Well, if there will be more of these small fundraisers, maybe I should save the dress for next time,” she tried.
“No. I’m telling you as your employee, friend, and fashion guru, this is the dress to wear tonight. Besides,” she said with a noticeable twinkle in her gaze, “don’t you want to look good for your man?” With the corner of her lips twitching, Tonya shook the dress to emphasize her point.
When Caitlyn didn’t respond, Tonya took the dress off the hanger and laid it on the bed beside Caitlyn. It took all her willpower to not jump away and put space between the inanimate object and herself. She knew she was being silly, but she just didn’t know if she could pull it off.
“I’m not listening to you any longer on what I should purchase. Had you not been there, I wouldn’t have even looked at it,” Caitlyn said jokingly.
“Humph.” Tonya turned to her dress she had hung on the back of the closet door. While sleeveless, Tonya’s dress covered to nearly her neck. Caitlyn wouldn’t balk at that dress to wear. She shouldn’t balk about the one Tonya was pushing her to wear either, she admitted to herself. She really did want to look good for Matt.
A girlish giggle almost burst from her. She’d have eye-candy with her all night. Then her laughter died. Damn. There would be a bunch of rich women—single rich women—at the event that Caitlyn didn’t trust not to try to steal him off for the night.
To keep his attention away from them, she’d wear that damn dress. There. Decision made. No more excuses. She wouldn’t have to hear any more about it. “I’ll wear it.” Her voice held conviction. With a smile from Tonya, Caitl
yn went to the bathroom to put on her makeup, with her thoughts running in and out on how she should wear her hair. Up or down? If up, then how? No, she’d go with down. Matt liked it that way.
Caitlyn was nearly finished with her makeup when Tonya settled her makeup bag down on the “his” side counter on the his-and-hers sinks. “I’m glad things are safe, but I miss those men hanging around.”
Caitlyn’s hand halted while brushing on mascara. “Any particular one you’re missing?” she fished.
Tonya’s flustered state amused Caitlyn. “Yes. No. I mean they were all good men.”
Sticking the mascara wand back in the tube and screwing it closed, Caitlyn held back her laugh. “I noticed you talked to Ken a lot.”
“Yeah. Well…” Tonya applied powder on her face with an incredibly large brush. “He’s nice, but he doesn’t live here.”
Caitlyn’s heart sank to her stomach with that simple statement. She didn’t want to worry about her and Matt’s relationship, but what Tonya said summed it up. They lived in different parts of the country. No, she told herself forcefully, I won’t let anything ruin tonight—my last night with Matt.
“If it’s meant to be….” She trailed off, not even being able to be positive of that.
The two women chatted about the fundraiser as they continued preparing. All four veterans had agreed to come and proudly show off their dogs. Caitlyn could barely contain her excitement over it. They’d each be near a corner in the room, and allow people to greet the dog and show them a few simple tasks the dog did that made the difference to the veteran. With them spread out, there shouldn’t be a large group huddled around a single veteran and dog, which pleased her because two of the veterans had problems with large crowds, but they’d assured her that having the dog there would help.
As the two women slipped into their heels, Caitlyn mused out loud, “I hope we can get more donations. After this is over, I’m hiring one of the two grant writers I found to help us. There’s a lot of money to grab if you have the right submission.”
“Have you… had the books audited recently?” Tonya’s nervous voice surprised her.
“No. Rick does a great job on them.”
Tonya bit her lip as if contemplating her answer. Keeping her gaze on Matt and Rick, who were at the open bedroom door, she said, “I think you should have them audited. It’s the smart business thing to do.” She turned and left a stunned Caitlyn in her wake. By the time she came out of her stupor, Tonya was chatting with the two guys, who’d been waiting so they could all go over together.
What had she meant by her statement? Was Rick not as experienced as she’d been led to believe? Maybe it’s too much over his head. That had to be it. She’d been wrong to tease him into the position with more pay. Maybe his errors could be good in their favor. Her heart sank at the thought it could be worse.
Whatever the reason, it had to wait, because they had to get the show on the road. Whether their bank balance was higher or lower based on potential errors in accounting, they still needed more money to get them through the remainder of the year.
She stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, making sure she looked all right. A groan escaped. Maybe she shouldn’t be wearing this dress. It felt more like date-wear versus open-your-wallet-wear. Then again, she and Matt could be considered on a date for the evening.
Liking that, she nodded to herself and turned from the mirror only to almost run smack into Matt who’d walked into her room without her notice. When she stepped back, she lost her balance both mentally and physically, but Matt’s hands grabbed her before she fell on her backside.
Wow was a good word to describe Matt. Clean-shaven—she missed his perpetual five o’clock shadow—he wore a charcoal gray suit that failed to hide his bulging biceps, topped off with a red tie. Holy crap, his tie matched her dress. Surely he hadn’t known what she’d planned to wear. Heck, even she hadn’t. But still, he looked like he belonged in a boardroom giving orders. He exuded strength and raw masculine sexuality. Holy crap, the women would be all over him tonight.
“Are you okay?” He still held her, steadying her.
With her faint nod, he released her. “You look great.” He could’ve worn just about anything to go to the event, but this was above and beyond in her book.
He smiled. “Thanks.”
She appreciated the hell out of it his going the extra mile to look good tonight, but she’d have to stick with him to keep any barracuda teeth from latching onto his yummy body.
“You look beautiful, Caitlyn.” He leaned toward her, but she edged out of his reach.
“It took long enough to get this makeup on, and you’re not going to mess it up.” She grinned, pleased he’d complimented her outfit. Score one for Tonya.
“Then expect me to mess it up at the end of the night.” He held out his arm, and she looped hers through it and smiled. Her stomach fluttered considering the evening to come. She definitely would allow him to do whatever he wanted.
Her heart pounded and her pulse rate increased at the thought. Tonight. Their last night. She’d enjoy every second of it.
DAMN, Caitlyn looked smokin’ hot in that dress. With the way it fell around her perfectly shaped body, she took sexy to a whole new level. One Matt definitely appreciated. How the hell was he to remain vigilant—because his gut still churned they’d missed something or someone—when his dick just wanted to pant after her all evening like a lusty schoolboy?
The short walk from the house to where they were holding the fundraiser went quietly. She seemed to be lost in thought. Maybe she was getting into the right mindset to ask for money? He sure as hell knew requesting it would be a tough job to handle, and he was in awe she was able to do it so well. True, he’d only seen her work with Hart, and she’d explained that was a different case due to the amount of money, but she was confident, passionate, knowledgeable, and not afraid to talk about funding.
No sooner than they’d entered, Hart attached himself to Caitlyn’s other side. The man explained that most of the people in the room appeared to know each other and he knew no one, so he was glad Caitlyn had arrived when she had.
Scanning the room, Matt had to agree many had clustered in small circles. Only about twenty people had already arrived. While some had come together near a standalone bar where the caterer was serving drinks. For the meal, the chef and helpers had taken over Caitlyn’s kitchen and the small work area in the training facility—but the majority of potential donors were watching the dogs and the veterans. Matt had thought that the dressed up rich people would prefer to stay away from the dogs and dog hair, but it appeared Caitlyn knew her audience well.
Everyone greeted her, and Matt—not being introduced as her fiancé, which surely pleased Hart—remained steady by her side, receiving quite a few winks, either from some secret he’d missed or in flirtation. He hoped not flirtation, because the women were too old for him and the men were… well, men. He didn’t hold anything against someone who swung that way, but he loved women. Not all women, just his Caitlyn.
As she worked the room, more and more people arrived. She’d explained that only half of them were actual donors, and the others were their plus-one, and some had their own large pocketbook. That made him equally ecstatic for Caitlyn’s purpose and uncomfortable with how he’d keep her safe. If only Hart would quit sticking to her, he’d feel better. There was no doubt in his mind that when it came to Hart, it was 100 percent jealousy. Would this man swoop in while he was in Baltimore closing up his life there while he found a way to move to Winchester? No, he assured himself. Caitlyn loved him. She wouldn’t turn to another man as soon as Matt was out of sight. He knew better than to even think like that. Caitlyn had been through a lot, and he’d been the one to help her recover. Oh, she hadn’t recovered fully—probably never would—but she’d opened herself to him.
A catering employee whispered in Caitlyn’s ear, and she nodded. “It’s time to eat. Would you both excuse me so I c
an announce it to everyone else?” She pointed to a table on the opposite side of the room. “Tate, your table is over there.”
How had she known that off-hand? Surely she’d reviewed the seating charts, but to remember where the man sat stuck in Matt’s craw. Maybe his jealousy wasn’t unfounded because she’d set him across the room from her.
“I’d love to sit with you,” Tate nearly gushed like a schoolgirl.
Caitlyn shook her head, her hair flowing around her to perfectly frame her beautiful face. “I’m sorry. Seating has already been assigned, and my table is full.”
Hart looked over her head at Matt and gave him a “watch your fucking back” look. It took a good amount of his resolve to not punch the prick right in his face. He didn’t want her party to be ruined over bloodshed of a potential donor.
Matt wondered why the dickwad hadn’t donated yet. He’d talked to everyone on staff and watched plenty of training. He best not be stringing her along, hoping for a hookup with Caitlyn as part of his reward. Matt would have to kill the fucker if that were the case. Tonight, they’d have to make sure they tried to firm up his donation.
Turning to Matt, Caitlyn placed a hand on his chest and quietly told him to go sit, and she’d be right there. He didn’t like it, but their table was front and center anyway, so he could keep a close eye on her. When he arrived at the table with Rick and his partner, along with Tonya and her plus one—a not so bad looking man even though he didn’t rate other men. A snort almost escaped at the memory of when he was in high school telling Brad how handsome he was because it meant his twin—himself—would also be handsome. It’d been vain, but he’d been a teenager, and a girl had said he was ugly. Of course, that’d been right after the twins had broken each other’s nose. He probably hadn’t looked that ruggedly handsome.
Vivian Blanche, who had to be in her seventies, rounded out the table of eight with a young, muscular man doting on her. The man blushed when Vivian introduced him as her date for the evening. Later, Matt learned from the man that he was a nurse with the group that cared for Vivian. She might act like a spry spring chicken, but she was sicker than she wanted people to notice. For some reason, that wholeheartedly included not worrying Caitlyn with the fact.