Red Hot Lovers: 18 Contemporary Romance Books of Love, Passion, and Sexy Heroes by Your Favorite Top-Selling Authors

by Milly Taiden

  Not that I had to ask, because he’s slamming into me as grunts escape his lips. My orgasm builds quickly, and within moments I cry out.

  Derrick isn’t there yet, and I think about how he liked taking me from behind. I push him off me and slide to the floor. Bending myself over the granite, I grab the other edge and lay my chest down.

  Yanking me toward his groin he thrusts into me with force, and my hips slam against the granite. The pain confirms the bruises I suspect are there from last night as I arch back and give Derrick all I can.

  He likes this because a few more pumps and he yells my name as he comes. Collapsing on top of me, his arms hit the cold stone with a thunk of bone and he says, “That’s cold, and hard.”

  He stands, and I hear the elastic of his shorts snap. Turning to him I rub my sore hipbones. He lifts my shirt and says, “Jesus, did I do that to you?”

  “Yeah, but I liked it.” I smirk, but his frown tells me he doesn’t.

  “I don’t like that I hurt you, Gretchen.”

  “Hey, I don’t mind. I like it rough.” I reach up to scrape my finger with his stubble, and he grabs my wrist.

  “Rough shouldn’t leave marks on you.” He pulls me against his chest and whispers in my hair. “What am I going to do with you?”

  Keep fucking me senseless, if I have any say. Only, I’m not so sure I do.

  I push away and answer, “Give me coffee.”

  He squints his eyes at me as if to say the conversation isn’t over, but I ignore it and ask, “Where are my clothes?”

  Walking around the island to throw out the used condom, he says, “In the wash. I figured you might want them for work today.”

  “Wow, you do offer full service.” I take the mug of coffee he hands me. It’s steaming, and I welcome the odor floating up to my nose, knowing what caffeine can do for me. The cup scorches my fingers, and it’s halfway to my mouth before I remember to let it cool before I take a sip. “I’m going to go shower. Okay if I take this with me?”

  “Sure, don’t forget it’s really hot.”

  I lower my gaze to his crotch and then up again. “I like hot.”

  He chuckles as I walk up the stairs with a couple dogs in tow.

  ***

  The greasy smell of pork wafts toward me when I open the bathroom door. I’m in my work clothes and have my wet hair pulled back. The scent sends my stomach grumbling. I know I shouldn’t eat much considering the fries and lack of a serious workout yesterday, but I’m famished.

  When Derrick slides a large portion of eggs, bacon and toast my way, I dig in with reckless abandon. I can work out hard later.

  I almost finish before I’m full. “You’re spoiling me. I’m going to burst.”

  “You’ve got a long day ahead. You need the protein. You’re at the club and then the rec center, right?” Derrick takes a sip of his coffee and I watch his throat work.

  “Yeah, a ten-to-ten day.” I stand to clear our plates.

  “How close are you to being able to buy a car?”

  Flipping on the water to rinse our dishes, I answer, “About two more weeks and I should be good. It’ll be nice to work one job again.”

  Derrick sets his cup down with a thud. “Gretchen.”

  Glasses rattle when I pull open the dishwasher. I stop and give him my attention. “Yeah?”

  “Would you consider letting me upgrade your car for you?”

  “What? No.” Most definitely not. Money comes with strings, and no way do I want to go there.

  “I thought you would say that.” He sighs and then says, “I worry about what you can afford. I don’t like thinking of you driving around in an unsafe car.”

  Holy shingles. He’s so arrogant. I glare at him trying to find the right words. “You know what? I managed just fine before I met you. Most of the world doesn’t drive freaking Land Rovers, buddy. And just imagine how many of us are still alive.” I know my cheeks are flushed with anger, and I force myself to shut up before I say something I’ll regret.

  “Did it ever occur to you I didn’t ask for this fucking money? And that just maybe I want to share it with someone who matters? Someone who can benefit from it?” His eyes are blazing, and damn it; he looks so frigging hot right now.

  I matter? Okay, that was sweet even if he yelled it. What do I say now? “Um, no. I guess not.” I bend down to put the dishes in the dishwasher and let my anger fade.

  The plate twangs against the plastic tongs a few times before I get it right. I wonder just how much money he has, and what his parents must do. Are they famous? I rack my brain trying to think of any connections to go with the last name Hamilton. But that’s hard, considering how common it is.

  He’s come around the counter and pulls me into his arms. I say, “I’m sorry. I’m used to making my own way. It’s something I’m proud of, considering what my parents think of my lifestyle. I’m kind of touchy, I guess.”

  “And you work hard for your money. I don’t. Hell, you won’t even let me overtip you, Gretchen.”

  His eyes are a warm, dark brown, and I reach up and place my hand on his cheek. “I’m sorry. If you want, you can leave me ten extra dollars beyond the twenty percent, okay?” I grin and hope he’ll think I’m funny.

  He smiles back. “It’s a start, but don’t think I’m done with this.” He kisses me on the top of my head.

  “Got it.” But, holy hades, this has the makings of that horrible word, commitment. I swallow my relationship claustrophobia down and excuse myself to go brush my teeth.

  ***

  Derrick drops me at work and heads to the pro shop to arrange a tee time this afternoon. I’m hoping for a busy day because my head is reeling with all that’s happened since I left yesterday.

  I reach down and press my hipbone. It’s tender, and I think about how it bothered Derrick that he bruised me. One thing is for sure; the sex we had was mind-blowing. Damn, he was good at the rough and dirty. The gurgle of the coffee machine lets me know I can pour a cup. I take a break from setting up my bar rack and pour the dark liquid into a white ceramic mug. One sniff reminds me of the strong coffee Derrick made, and it makes me long for that instead.

  I nod at Lyndsey as she walks by with a tray full of condiments for the tables. Sweet citrus floats toward me, and I think how appropriate it is the bubbly girl would wear a sunny scent.

  I’ve had a few boyfriends, and I usually have to warm them up to the idea of what I like in the bedroom and on the counters. Some take to it better than others, and one actually took it a little too far. But Derrick is so already on board it’s scary.

  I make a trek to the walk-in cooler to retrieve my fruit tray and juices. Rick is cutting onions and chewing gum to keep the tears at bay. “Hey, how was your night?”

  I feel a ridiculous grin cover my face. “Great. Yours?”

  He shakes his head. “Probably not as good as yours.”

  “Yeah, probably not.” I flip my ponytail to my back, and saunter by as I hear him snort at my display.

  Frigid air blasts out in a fog of white when I open the cooler door. What I really need to figure out is why the normal sex Derrick and I had was the most mind-altering experience last night. My core twitches thinking about it.

  I carry my tray back to the bar, and Lyndsey is sitting on a stool rolling silverware. I guess she wants to talk, and I’m pretty sure what the topic will be.

  The mini fridge opens with a click, and I pull out the cut fruit buckets to restock. Lyndsey says, “I hear you had a date with the hunk last night.”

  “I did.”

  “So?”

  “So I was wrong. He is my type.” I wink at her.

  “Oh, my God. Does he have tattoos?” Lyndsey’s blue eyes are wide.

  “That’s not what I meant. I’m just saying I had a great time.”

  She squints her eyes at me. “You didn’t answer me.”

  “And I’m not going to.” I slide open the beer cooler to make sure I’m set for the shift.r />
  She sighs. “Guess I’ll have to cross that one of my list. I swear, it isn’t supposed to be that hard to get a boyfriend in this town.”

  I smile at her. “Stop trying then. Besides, what’s it been? A month?”

  She blushes. “Good point. I’m just kind of—”

  “Horny?”

  “Yeah.” She giggles.

  “They make hand-held machines for that.” I chuckle at her shocked look, and I squat down to check the kegs. But I get it. Especially when my mind returns to sex with Derrick.

  When I stand up my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out to check the text and my heart skips hoping its Derrick. It’s from Dannika.

  “Did u do it?”

  Oh boy, doesn’t anyone think this kind of thing is personal? Like I’m going to talk about this with her.

  “My lips are sealed. Have you talked to Derrick?”

  “Yes, thx for tking care of dogs. <3”

  “You’re welcome.”

  I think about Cleo and wonder if she’s doing well. She was a little tired this morning but in good spirits.

  Nika texts back.”BTW, I’m in ur wedding I lk gd in blu”

  So not touching this. “You look good in anything. How’s the shoot?”

  “OK rdy 2 cm hm”

  I think about Derrick telling me about her fear of being one pound away from being fired, and imagine how stressful that would be.

  “We miss you. The dogs do too.”

  “Thx luv u”

  Love? Why is it girlfriends have no trouble throwing that out to each other? Because I almost texted it back.

  CHAPTER 18

  I fan out my cards and arrange them by suit. Trying to void myself of one, the cards are slick in my hand as I pull out my three clubs and set them down to pass to Lori. Girl’s night this week is at Megan’s and we’re playing hearts. The plan is for all of us to gang up on Megan and break her winning streak.

  She and Nick live together in a one-bedroom apartment, and it’s tastefully decorated in thrift-store chic. The scent of cinnamon is in the air from a candle burning. “Okay, Gretch, spill it. How are things with Derrick?” Megan has patiently waited until I’ve had a martini before she asks. She knows I’m more likely to share with a little alcohol pumping through my veins.

  “Things are pretty awesome.” I pick up the three cards Casey handed me and hide my glee. She gave me the queen of spades and a couple hearts. Without any clubs, I can figure out a way to make sure Megan gets the thirteen points against her by laying down the queen on a trick she’ll win.

  “Uh-huh. So he’s not too vanilla for you?”

  I smile coyly at Megan, and Casey banters back. “He might be now, but our Gretchen will teach him her evil ways. The real question is—is he trainable?”

  She chuckles, and I give her a glare but I’m not mad. I’m willing to share a lot with these girls. Probably too much, but Lori keeps me from going too far. She’s a sweet little cupcake, and I love her enough to keep from making her uncomfortable.

  “No training needed.” I wink and know Megan has an idea what I mean while Lori might not. Casey, she’s my one confidant, and as my roommate she’s already seen my bruises. I throw a diamond on the club that was led for the first round.

  Lori lays the ace of clubs down and scoops up the cards. She says, “Trainable?”

  Megan and Casey look at me with curiosity about what I’ll say. I answer, “I like sex a little differently than most girls, and have no trouble asking for it.” I wink at her as she blushes and leads with a spade. The ace of spades swishes over it as I throw it down, making it clear to Megan I know she doesn’t have the queen.

  Megan, the never-ending peacemaker, pipes in. “I’m an all about touch girl. I love the feel of Nick’s skin. You know?”

  Casey says, “And smells. I know it should be gross, but I love the smell of Jason’s sweat. My pheromones definitely dig his testosterone.” She has that moony, in-love smile on her face.

  I joke. “He must love the smell of you too. He deals with those feet.” I flick down a low diamond, hoping Lori will take the trick and start off with a low club.

  “Hey! My stinky feet get such a crappy rap. They aren’t that bad.”

  Megan snorts. “You sure you want to go there? I remember a certain experiment last winter.” We all laugh, remembering how two male instructors spent almost a whole winter trying to determine which person in the locker room was putting their overwhelmingly pungent boots on the dryer each night, making the locker room stink every morning.

  Casey grins and says, “What I remember about that experiment wasn’t my boots.” The day the guys figured out Casey was the culprit, Lori and Kaleb got caught making out in the ladies’ room.

  She glances at Lori, who shrugs. “I like it all. Smells, touch, tastes, his eyes, his body. I like the way I know he loves me. Kaleb is the whole package. He’s so hot that sometimes I just have to drag him into the bathroom for some of his everything.”

  Her candor makes us all laugh. Since Lori moved here she’s opened up a lot, and I’m happy she feels comfortable enough with us to joke around.

  Lori leads with the three of clubs, and Casey follows with the four. Yes! I casually snap down the queen of spades and Megan glares at me, but she’s not angry. “Nice play.” She takes the cards graciously.

  When the round is finished, I get up to refill drinks. Ice cubes clank against the metal shaker cup when I drop them in. I think about what Lori said about the whole package. For the first time, I’m with someone who is entirely it sexually. I do like the smell of Derrick’s sweat, the taste of him, the sound of his voice, and the feel of his—his everything. Except love, we’re both clear on that. Aren’t we?

  I shudder a little and pull out my phone to check for a text. Nothing. My heart sinks because I haven’t spoken to Derrick in two days. I click off my phone and shove it in my back pocket with a sigh.

  Pale pink liquid fills each martini glass halfway except mine. I fill my glass and then top off the other girl’s drinks with seltzer. Cards flutter while Meagan shows off her shuffling skills and I set down a drink for her and Lori.

  When I return to the kitchen I gulp down a big swig of my cocktail. Barely feeling the burn of vodka in my throat, I pull out my phone. What the hell. I text Derrick.

  “How’s Cleo?”

  I return to the table with the two remaining drinks. I ask, “So what are the guys doing tonight?”

  Lori says, “They’re playing poker at the big house.” Jason and Kaleb live in a large, log cabin–style house with six other instructors. A great place for parties, I picture the big, picnic-style table full of empty beer bottles and guys playing cards.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out hoping its Derrick.

  “She’s just fine. How’s girls’ night?”

  How does he know I’m at girls’ night? “Good. How’s your night?”

  Casey leans over to see who I’m texting. Her voice sings, “Aww, he’s texting you.”

  Cards slide across the table with a swish as Megan deals. Lori says, “He’s texting you in the middle of poker? He’s totally into you.”

  “What? He’s at poker night?” I grab my drink because this news unsettles me.

  “Yeah, Kaleb saw him at the grocery store and invited him to play.” Lori’s brown eyes study me, I hide my uneasiness, and the gulp I take of my drink is louder than it should be.

  I say, “That was nice. I’m sure he’ll have a good time.” My phone vibrates on the table, and I find Derrick replied.

  “I’m losing at poker.”

  I smile and text back. “Good, you’re giving away some of that money.”

  Gray dots dance, telling me he’s typing. “Maybe we should play. You can pay in clothes. ;)”

  “Yo, quit sexting and pass your cards, Gretch.” Casey elbows me and tries to read what I’m typing.

  I turn away from her and send the text. “Now that’s my kind of poker.�
��

  I pick up my cards, sort them, and quickly pass three to Casey when my phone bleeps with Derrick’s reply.

  “Where are you tomorrow night? Want to come over when you’re done? I can come get you.”

  I curl my toes instead of letting out a squeal. I throw down a club and pick up my phone to answer.

  “I’ll be in the weight room at the rec center until nine. Yes, come get me.”

  I return my focus to the game and realize I don’t know what has been played. That doesn’t erase the grin on my face, or the way my body is tingling in anticipation of seeing Derrick tomorrow night. Yeah, I want his everything.

  CHAPTER 19

  “Save room for dinner, I owe you.” Derrick’s text makes me glance at the canned tuna I’m about to scarf down before going to the rec center. The fishy smell causes my stomach to growl, and I take a bite because I’m not going to last without something. I’ll bypass my snack later.

  “What are you making?”

  “I’m making trout almandine, steamed kale, and saffron quinoa.”

  I salivate and shove another forkful of fish in my mouth. Dinner is going to be worth waiting for. I text back. “Wow, you know how to treat a girl.”

  “That’s me, a full-service kind of guy.”

  I smirk at that comment because full service is definitely on my menu. A glance at the time gets me moving so I won’t be late. I hop down from the counter, and the can clinks against bottles when I throw it in the recycling bin. I have to bike over and will need an extra fifteen minutes.

  I double check to make sure I have what I need to do a quick freshen-up in the gym bathroom before leaving with Derrick. While a shower would be ideal, it’s not going to happen. The lace of the sexy underwear set I packed slips through my fingers and reminds me of the night outside the dance club. The thought of Derrick’s fingers under my dress makes my core flutter.

  On impulse I race to Casey’s room and grab the black dress and heels. She won’t mind, and I recall Derrick’s gaze practically undressing me the first time he saw me in it. I think a fancy dinner calls for a something short and sexy.