Reckless With Their Hearts

by Terri Anne Browning

  “Liking it isn’t the problem.” He muttered. “It isn’t safe or smart.” He cupped her face in his long fingered hands. “So beautiful.” He murmured, his dark voice turning husky and rough.

  Eve leaned into his touch, wishing his hands were all over her body. The palms of his hands were rough from hard work. He might wear expensive suits but he wasn’t afraid to truly work. She wanted those calloused hands to cares her body, rub across her aching breasts. She wanted them between her legs, sliding across her…

  With a curse he jerked away from her and got to his feet. “Eve…” He raked both hands through his blond hair that was in serious need of cutting. “I…” He gave her a long, hungry look. But then he shook his head. “Go back to sleep, E.” And he left, striding away so fast that he was practically running.

  Fighting tears of anger, the throbbing between her legs, and the sudden humiliation that came with his rejection she stood and went to lock her door. Finally she gave up and let the tears fall as she climbed into a steaming shower.

  Chapter 4

  Eve went to church the next morning. Like always she went alone. The driver, who had been with Garth for years, dropped her off then left with the promise of fetching her in a few hours. After the service she didn’t stay as she normally would have for confession. She wouldn’t even know where to start with the poor priest that morning.

  When the driver picked her up she asked him not to take her home. Normally when the family was home no one did anything on Sundays, just set around catching up. After her embarrassing episode with Sebastian the night before, she didn’t feel like sitting around chatting. No, it would make her feel way to exposed and everyone would know something was upsetting her.

  So instead she had a late lunch at a small Italian restaurant and took her time over dessert. By the time she was ready to go home it was nearly twilight. She made her way into the house and up to her room without bumping into anyone.

  With a tired sigh she locked her bedroom door and dropped down on her bed. Reaching for the remote to the flat screen hanging on the opposite wall she switched it on and flipped through the many channels. She wasn’t a big fan of television; give her a good book any day. But she was a little bored and on the verge of depressed but wasn’t up to facing her family.

  There was a detective show on—one that she liked so she kicked off her boots and changed into a tank top and shorts pajama set before snuggling under the covers to watch. A mini marathon of the show was on because she watched the rest of one episode and two more. She was half way through the last when there was a small knock on her door.

  “Eve?” Quinn called through the closed door.

  She climbed out of bed and crossed to open her door. Stepping back she motioned for the beautiful giant to come in. The taller woman sat down on the small sofa near the window while Eve returned to her bed and cuddled a pillow close.

  “How was church?”

  “The usual.” She smiled. “It wouldn’t hurt you to come with me sometime.”

  Quinn wrinkled her perfect nose. “No thank you. My mother use to force us to go to five o’clock Mass every morning. When she ran off with her gigolo we vowed to never step foot in church again.”

  “How were things here? Did Cameron eat us out of the house yet?” She grinned.

  Quinn grunted. “It is getting close. Daddy called the grocery store earlier. The truck will be here tomorrow.”

  They both giggled at that. Cameron loved to eat so much that food had to be delivered by the truck load. And the crazy—totally unfair—part of it was that he could eat and eat, never seem to get full and still not gain any weight. There were girls out there, Quinn and Eve among them, that would have loved having that special trait.

  “I’m a little restless.” Quinn said after about twenty minutes of small talk. “Let’s get the guys and go dancing.”

  “Oh, alright.” She stood and went over to her walk-in closet. “Go tell them while I shower. Then come back and do my hair.”

  “You got it, hon.” Quinn grinned. “Although it looks great as it is.”

  “It needs washed.” She lifted a long lock. “I’m thinking of cutting it.”

  Quinn shook her head. “You always say that, but you can’t bring yourself to do it. And if I had hair that gorgeous I wouldn’t be able to either.”

  --

  It was more than an hour later before they left the house for a club that Quinn had bought an interest in a few years earlier. Garth hadn’t come, saying that he would leave the night life to the younger generation. They piled into the back of the limo with Sebastian and Quinn taking up one side of the car while Cameron and Eve took the other.

  Cameron kept up the flow of conversation the whole ride by talking about his latest project. In a month he would have an exhibit at one of NYC’s hottest art galleries. Eve was glad for his conversation because it kept her from having to make small talk and she was able to keep her attention on Cameron rather than the one person she didn’t want it on.

  At the club she was the only one to get a stamp on the back of her hand, telling anyone and everyone that she was under the legal drinking age. Their coats were checked in at the door and they found a quiet—as quiet as a night club could be anyway—corner table to relax in for a little while.

  The music was pumping thanks to the talented DJ on the platform at the rear of the club. A waitress decked out in a leather mini skirt and a white tank top took their drink orders: three beers and a diet soda. Eve was pushed into a chair between Cameron and Sebastian and she found herself singing along to a popular song that had been remixed with techno that people where jumping to on the dance floor.

  Their drinks arrived promptly and the waitress, a leggy platinum blond with a chest to impress, turned her attention and powers of flirtation on Cameron. When he didn’t even attempt to flirt back, completely ignored her instead, Eve knew something was really wrong with her stepbrother. Undeterred the waitress shifted gears and targets. Sebastian was subjected to the woman’s full assault.

  Trying to fight the green monster of jealousy eating at her when Sebastian gave the blond one of his signature smiles Eve asked Cameron to dance with her.

  “I didn’t come to dance, angel.” He took a look swallow of his beer. “Came for the booze.”

  “You suck.” She stood and took his hand, pulling him with her.

  He moaned and groaned the whole time, but she got him to loosen up and soon they were moving to the music. She easily admitted that she was an above average dancer having taken ballet for years in school. Eve loved getting lost in the beat and let herself drift into the song that was currently rocking the club.

  After a few songs Quinn joined them. Eve hugged her and they fell into the rhythm of the song. The three of them danced together, ignoring everyone else as the dance floor began to fill up. With Cameron close to keep them from getting crowded and to keep the wolves at bay when guys tried to approach, Eve was really starting to enjoy herself.

  Finally out of breath and thirsty they returned to their table where Sebastian sat. He had finished two beers, if the empty bottles in front were anything to go by, and was half way through a mojito. Eve fell into her chair still laughing and reached for her now watered down soda.

  “Phew! This is a great night.” Quinn took a drink of her beer, fanning her flushed face with her free hand. After a few minutes of cooling down she turned her attention to her eldest brother. “Why aren’t you dancing? Did you tell the skank whore to get lost?”

  Sebastian shrugged. “I was enjoying watching you three tear up the dance floor. And yes, I did get rid of her.” He grimaced. “So don’t get any more drinks unless you go to the bar for them personally. No telling what might happen to them if she brings them.”

  Eve rolled her eyes but laughed. She took one more swallow of her Diet Coke and stood. “Come on. Let’s dance.”

  “I’m sitting this round out, love.” Cameron held up his hands and offered her a small but
warm smile. “You wore me out dancing and keeping guys away.”

  “Quinn?”

  “I’ve got to go talk with my friend up in his office. I have been meaning to check in around here but work has gotten crazy recently. Now I have to play catch-up.”

  “You guys suck.” She turned her green eyes on Sebastian. “Please?”

  She could see that he wanted to say no; could actually see the wheels turning in his mind to find a good enough excuse. But he didn’t have one and reluctantly got to his feet. “Chris, get me another beer.” He told the younger man as he took her hand and led her toward the dance floor.

  She was still embarrassed for having practically begged him to stay with her the night before. And yes, she would admit that she was a little angry too. But she pushed both emotions away in favor of letting the music invade her senses.

  Like most things Sebastian did, he danced perfectly. Unlike some men he was secure in his masculinity and not afraid to keep up with her. The dance floor was even more crowded now since a crowd had started coming in, so they were pressed closer than they probably should have been. A group of tipsy girls bumped into her and she fell against his chest.

  Strong hands shot out, catching her around the waist to steady her. She glanced up and met his blazing blue gaze. Her breath caught in her chest and she forgot how to breathe. Her heart was beating her to death and it had nothing to do with dancing. With a groan Sebastian jerked her against him, molding Eve to him from chest to thigh. There was no way she could mistake the evidence of his aching erection. Not when it strained against his pants zipper and pulsed against her lower stomach.

  One hand left her waist to tangle in her long hair, forcing her to keep hold of his gaze. He groaned again when her delicate pink tongue slipped out to dampen her full bottom lip. “You are just begging for trouble, babe.” He muttered. “I am two seconds away from pushing you into a dark corner.”

  “Oh yeah?” She breathed.

  “Yeah.” He ground his hips against her, just barely swaying to the music now to keep people from bumping into them.

  Her eyes closed from the pleasure of him so close. He was rubbing in just the right spot! “Then do it.” She commanded, opening her big eyes and meeting his blue gaze boldly. “Because if you don’t I’m going to come right here on the dance floor.”

  Chapter 5

  “Eve!” He bit out her name, aching to the point of pain. Slowly he backed her through the other dancers. Reaching the back of the dance floor he glanced first left, then right. There was no place to go and he was tired of fighting what he was feeling for her. He needed to kiss her, taste her ripe pink lips.

  But not in a club full of on lookers!

  “The limo.” She told him, sounding breathless. “The others will never even miss us.”

  He nodded, unable to speak just then. Sebastian pulled her out a side exit and with an arm around her waist rushed her toward the limo. Dave, the driver, was sitting inside with the car on keeping warm. Sebastian tapped on the driver window and the man stepped out with a frown.

  “Everything alright, Mr. Savage.”

  “Fine, just fine.” He pulled a few bills out of his wallet. “Eve was getting a little claustrophobic inside and needed some air. We thought we would sit in the car for a while. You go get yourself some coffee and dessert down on the corner.” He thrust the cash into the man’s hands. “Take your time.”

  Dave nodded. “Hope you feel better, Miss Eve.” He tipped his hat at her and started down the sidewalk to where an all-night diner sat.

  Sebastian opened the back door and pushed her inside before climbing in after her. Once seated he flipped a switch that locked every door and then turned on the overhead light. The light gave a soft glow that let them see without any possible onlookers being able to see inside.

  Finally he glanced at Eve seated beside of him. She was trembling and no wonder. It was freezing out and all she wore was a thin black sweater with matching skirt and knee high boots. “Come here. Let me warm you up.” He pulled her onto his lap. “You aren’t scared?”

  “Of you?” She shook her head, causing her long red hair to fall around her shoulders. “I would never be scared of you Sebastian.” She raised her hand to brush his hair back from his forehead.

  “Things were getting a little out of control in there.” He shook his head, letting it fall back against the seat. “I was about to lose my head.”

  A small smile teased her lips. “Me too.” She moved so that now she was straddling his hips. He groaned at the feel of her pressed against him like this. “Mm.” She tossed her head back in pleasure. “God, you feel like steel.”

  His hands caught her hips, forcing her to remain still. “Damn, baby! You are killing me and I haven’t even kissed you yet.”

  “So kiss me.” She laughed and it went through him like an electrical current. She leaned forward until her breasts rubbed against his chest and lowered her head enough so he felt her breath on his lips. “Kiss me Sebastian.” She whispered huskily.

  “No.” He breathed. “Not yet. First answer something for me.”

  She pulled back just a little. “Okay.”

  He stroked a hand through her hair, loving the silky texture that smelled like warm strawberries. “Are you a virgin, Eve?” He had to know. His father had kept her pretty sheltered, but that didn’t mean anything. She was nearly twenty years old and she hadn’t exactly been living in a convent. She had friends, some of them male…He wasn’t jealous. He wasn’t, damn it!

  Eve leaned back, blushing. “Yeah…Yes, I am a virgin.” She sighed. “But don’t think that I am completely repressed.”

  “Oh yeah?” He continued to play with her hair, almost unable to stop himself. “Tell me.” The thrill he felt at her answer was nothing, he told himself. He wasn’t happy that she was still virginal. Really it should turn him off. So why was he growing harder at just the idea of being the first—only—man to claim her sweet innocence?

  “I…” She dropped her eyes for a moment and sucked in a deep breath before meeting his gaze boldly. “I have wanted you for a long time Sebastian. When the wanting got too much to handle, I had to…” She blushed. “I…”

  “You touched yourself?” She nodded, causing pictures to run through his mind and a groan escaped him. “You would touch yourself and think of me? Imagine it was me sliding my fingers up into you? Playing with that beautiful, wet, little pussy? Pinching that throbbing clit?”

  “Yes.” She breathed.

  He couldn’t stop himself after that. Sebastian thrust his hands into her hair and pulled her head down for a kiss that curled his spine. She moaned, her lips opening ever so slightly to let out the little passionate sound. He took complete advantage of it and thrust his tongue inside to taste her. She was like warm honey and fresh berries on his tongue. He had never tasted anything so divine in his life.

  She kissed him back, innocently but nonetheless passionately. He could feel the heat of her through her panties and it was driving him insane. He broke the kiss to trail a path down her neck, his hands eased from her hair to skim across her breasts.

  “Ah!” She gasped when he touched her nipples. Her back arched, silently begging for more.

  “Like that?” He murmured, kissing her collar bone. “Do you want more?”

  “More!”

  With fingers that surprisingly trembled he reached for the hem of her sweater and pulled it over her head. When his eyes landed on what he had uncovered he was left speechless. Her light blue bra was transparent and showcased a set of breasts that were beyond perfect. Just looking at them he knew they would fit his hands perfectly. They were high and firm, the tips rosy pink and begging for his mouth.

  “So beautiful.” He murmured letting his fingers trace around each areola. Good Lord, she was so beautiful. “Do you want me to taste you?” She made a whimpering sound that he took as a valid ‘yes’.

  Sebastian pushed the cups away and took her left nipple into his mouth. S
he cried out and stabbed her fingers into his hair to hold him to her. She tasted clean and pure, his tongue rubbing back and forward across the distended nipple causing her to whimper again and again.

  He pulled back enough to turn his attention to her other breast and worship it with his mouth as well. “Bastian!” She cried in a whispery breath.

  His right hand went to the hem of her skirt and trailed up the inside of her thighs. When he came to the little triangle of fabric that was her panties he found her drenched and that was just the undergarment. He could just imagine how wet her pussy was and had to bite back a curse.

  His body was throbbing, pleading with him to put an end to his pain. But their first time…her first time ever…was not going to happen in the back seat of a car, even if it was a limo. Eve was special and she deserved a hell of a lot better than this for her first trip into lovemaking.

  That thought made him catch his breath. He had never thought of it as lovemaking before. In the past it had just been sex to him. Fucking on most occasions. The women in his bed hadn’t really been more than that. A quick fuck, some good sex. Most hadn’t lasted past the first night, others no longer than a week or two. But this was Eve. The only female to make him ache to the point of madness from simply looking at her. Eve, who made his heart race from the first addicting sweet taste of her lips.

  “Bastian?” She was frowning at him, obviously not understanding his sudden withdrawal.

  He gave her one more kiss, this one tender and precious compared to how he wanted to devour her lips. When he pulled back he gave her the sweater. “Not like this, babe. We need to go slow. I want you to the point of mind numbing madness! But that is not the way this is going to happen. Not when you are innocent. It will happen, Eve. Just not here like this.”

  Chapter 6

  The next day was Christmas Eve. She took her time wrapping the last of her gifts then carried them down to put under the tree.

  On the last trip down with an arm full of presents it was to find Cameron in the family room unloading his own presents from a large box. She sat down on the floor and began helping him. In truth she was worried about her stepbrother. They had always been friends. Maybe not as close as she and Quinn were, but still good friends.