by Jane Cousins
“We… probably shouldn’t be doing this.” She plucked at the material in frustration wanting it gone… wanting to feel him, run her fingers freely over his body.
“No.” He nuzzled the velvet soft skin along the side of her gorgeous throat. “Worst idea ever.”
“I don’t normally do….” Earth, what was he doing with his teeth? “…corporate types.”
“And I don’t usually do…” He bit down lightly on her earlobe. “… tree huggers.”
Serena swallowed a moan. “I don’t get attached…” Earth, that felt good. “To places or to people.”
Locke sank his fingers into the glorious mass of her hair. “Good… because I’ve always found attachments to be annoyingly complicated and exceedingly tiresome.” He captured her lips with his, melting into the warmth and softness of her pillowy lips.
Breaking their kiss she swooped lower placing a soft hot kiss against the side of his neck and then another one on the throbbing pulse point at the base of his throat. “You know what else I’ve always found tiresome?” Her nimble fingers found the buttons of his waistcoat and flicked open three in quick succession. Her hands splaying out over the silky thin barrier of his expensive shirt, loving the feel of his warm hard chest beneath her touch. Her mouth dipping to place a soft kiss at the top of his sternum just before she magically parted all the buttons of his shirt down to his trousers. “Clothes… I’ve always found clothes to be ridiculously tiresome.”
Locke shrugged out of his shirt and waistcoat dropping them with a careless disregard onto the grass. “I had kind of guessed that about you the first night.” He pulled her back close, finding her lips as her inquisitive fingers created havoc with his senses as they trailed over his chest, ribcage and lower. “It was a bit of a giveaway when you twitched that gorgeous naked ass of yours in my face barely four hours after we’d met.”
“You…” Her eyes practically rolled back in their sockets as he tilted her head to the side and nuzzled hot teasing kisses down the side of her neck. “Think my ass is gorgeous?”
“Face… breasts… legs… shoulders…” He continued to kiss his way down her throat. “You name a body part and I’ll wax lyrical about how Goddess fucking sexy I find it.” His large hands ran up over her body, gripping her in close. “I hope you meant what you said about clothes.”
“What… oh.” There came a distinct sound of material ripping as her dress fell away leaving her in nothing but a strapless pink bra and matching lace knickers.
“Fuck you’re gorgeous.” Okay it wasn’t exactly an eloquent compliment from such an educated man, but it was decidedly heartfelt, sending a thrill of excitement down her spine.
“This… us, it…” She gasped as he pulled her back into his arms, his lips finding hers, drugging and confusing her with his intensity and passion. Earth what had she been going to say?
“Can only be…” He took up the rest of her sentence, bringing her in closer still, running his fingers across the sensitive skin of her lower back. Enjoying the way she arched into him in reaction.
Their lips broke contact for a brief moment as they in unison finished the sentence. “Temporary… right?”
They both frowned in surprise for a split second before nodding and reclaiming each other’s lips. She moaned as he lifted her all too easily into his arms, throwing her head back as he trailed hot kisses down her throat.
“Tonight.” She gasped out between soft breathless pants.
“All night.” He agreed.
Toeing off his shoes, Locke didn’t even wince as his feet came into contact with the soft grass he was that distracted by her wandering hands and even better wandering lips as she found his right nipple and laved it with attention. Goddess she was going to kill him and he’d die a happy, happy man.
Serena made a soft whimpering sound as he moved them away from the grass; it would have made the softest of beds. Emitting a grateful sigh a few seconds later as Locke set her butt down on the waist height sturdy shelf in the outdoor shower alcove, uncaring that they sent a number of beauty products tumbling to the ground.
His hands ran hot and feverish over her velvet soft skin; every tremor, every shiver telling him just as surely as his truth magic what she liked, what she needed from him. He parted the hooks of her bra with knowledgeable ease just as she was reaching for the buckle of his belt. Distracted, she arched into him as his hands cupped her breasts, bending to latch onto first one nipple and then the other. All around them the garden sang and swayed in ecstasy, feeding off their union, revelling in their coming together. Locke suckled, nibbled and used the edge of his teeth to tease and torment her perfect rose tipped flesh.
“Locke…”
Just the sound of his name on her lips sent a tremor of desire piercing through his gut. Goddess, she looked glorious, her hair tumbling down now over her back and shoulders, her lips swollen, her eyes heavy lidded with passion and need.
“Locke… please.” Serena wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted, what he was already doing to her senses was too much but she wanted more, she wanted all of him.
Straightening he reclaimed her lips, tugging open his belt and shedding his trousers and boxers in careless disregard, kicking them away, so they weren’t hampering his movements.
“Soon… Witch.” He promised, his hands sliding down her back, biting back a moan as her inquisitive hands slid down over his hips to his stomach before she palmed his cock with one strong petite hand, milking him ever so excruciatingly slowly from the tip all the way to the base. “Oh Goddess… Serena.”
“Now Locke.” She insisted with a throaty demand.
Locke laughed and moaned at the same time. He dug the fingers of one hand into her soft thigh as she tightened her grip ever so slightly on his cock, sending the lightest of electrical impulses through his rock hard flesh. Goddess yes she was a wanton little witch. He’d teach her to tease him. Moving his hand up along the inside of her thigh he pulled away the lacy edge of her soaking wet knickers and zeroed in on her aching core. She gasped his name and practically fell off the shelf as he teased her pulsating clit with a dexterous finger. Only Locke’s muscular thighs wedged between her legs kept her in place.
“Fair’s fair witch.”
“Damn you Valhalla.” She arched her back as first one finger, then two slipped inside her, stretching and filling her. “Oh…” She had any number of things she wanted to say but the ability to form words escaped her.
“Surrender?” He gasped through a groan as she began to pump his cock faster.
“Surrender?” She managed to echo his question back at him through shallow breaths as his long fingers slid in and out of her slick heated core.
“On three?” He bit down on the side of her neck.
“I… don’t think I can hold out that long.”
Her admission stopped him in his tracks. Goddess, she was like liquid fire under his touch, all he could think about was being immersed cock deep in her core. Though if she didn’t stop what she was doing to him immediately that was not going to happen soon enough for his liking. Abruptly he withdrew his fingers from her, likewise she let go of him.
Reaching up Serena gripped his tight biceps, her fingers digging into his flesh hard with want and need. “Locke.”
“Lift up.” He dragged her knickers down and threw them away over his shoulder, hateful things for getting in his way.
Cupping her gorgeous ass he bought her flush against him. For a moment he paused, sanity… the truth, something caused him to hesitate. It was like he was standing on a precipice, he knew if he took this leap there’d be no going back, no take backs… no escape? He tried to clear his head, maybe he should think more about this… under him Serena moaned, squirming, trying to get closer. That small needy sound undid him. Pulling on her hair he tilted her face up, claiming her lips at the same time surging forward, sinking into her tight molten core. Against his lips she moaned his name and it was all he could do to lock his knees and thrus
t deeper still.
Serena gasped as the sensations rocketed through her, bringing her legs up even higher to give Locke better leverage… oh yes that was the spot. Her eyes almost rolled back in her head as he thrust even deeper, filling her completely yet at the same time her body craved more.
“Harder…” She gripped his hips urging him deeper still. Earth and Moon it had never felt like this before. She wanted to devour him. Be devoured by him.
Thank the Earth when he picked her up, slamming her back hard up against the shower wall. Hooking her ankles around his hips she titled her lower body. Clinging to him she moaned as his thrusts became harder, deeper… oh heaven. She never wanted him to stop but at the same time the building ache between her legs demanded to be fulfilled. Clenching her inner muscles tighter she smiled against Locke’s lips as he uttered a heartfelt moan of appreciation.
“You little… witch.” He gripped her ass even harder, thrusting at just the right angle to run the length of his cock back and forth over her needy clit.
Oh the Earth and all the Stars… yes there, right there. She couldn’t help but cry out as once, twice… she needed more and thank the Moon Locke delivered as he thrust one last time, sending them both over the edge with a harsh guttural triumphant shout.
Her cry of pleasure echoing loudly around the garden as she practically sobbed his name out loud. Oh the Earth what had she done? How would she ever be able to walk away from him now?
Sweat dripping down his back, the muscles in his legs spasming from the exertion Locke managed to settle Serena’s butt safely back on the shower alcove shelf. Still inside her he dropped his forehead to rest on hers. Their mutual panting the only sound besides the rustle of leaves in the night breeze.
Goddess that had been… words failed him. He shifted his stance slightly, his foot brushing against something. Glancing down he noted his trousers, crumpled and smeared with dirt on the ground. He knew he should care… but when he’d shifted Serena had made the most distracting sexy little groaning sound at the back of her throat. He couldn’t help himself, he shifted again… and yes he was rewarded with that little whimpering groan of hers. Instantly he was hard again. This time causing Serena to give a breathless moan of part delight, part disbelief.
“Locke… oh Earth… we shouldn’t… umm.”
“When I said all night… I meant all night.” The truth of his words settled heavily over her like a mantle, a shiver of desire coursing through her, causing all her inner muscles to clench.
She couldn’t care about tomorrow, or anything else right now. All she could think about was Locke hard inside her and how since she was already damned by his masterful display of cocksmanship she might as well be twice… hopefully thrice damned.
“Bring it Lawyer man.”
Chapter Twenty
Serena was afraid to open her eyes. She was perfectly safe, lying face down in the middle of Locke Valhalla’s bed. The man himself, naked and drowsy was lying next to her, wedged up so close that she could feel the beat of his heart against her shoulder blade. One of his large warm hands was resting possessively on her bare butt and in the grand scheme of things it should have been a wonderful way to wake up. Her problem was even behind her closed eyelids she knew the sun was high in the sky, mid to late morning at least. And there in lay the rub, she and Locke had only agreed to one night together… and several times after dawn and let’s not forget half an hour ago.
The two of them had managed to grab only a few minutes sleep here and there throughout the night. Even now the temptation to snuggle into Locke and sink back into slumber beckoned. But just how much longer could she put it off? No matter how tired an exhausted she felt after their all night sexual marathon she couldn’t keep burying her head under the pillow and extend the time frame any further… could she? Plus they should talk, shouldn’t they? About last night? Though what was there really to say? They were two consenting adults who’d agreed to keep their interaction short and sweet.
And it had been… sweet that is, and hot and sexy. She’d never shower again without blushing, the things they’d done when they’d showered together outside under the stars… well it was enough to make her squirm, even now when she should be sated the pulsing between her legs turned into a throbbing. Earth, how was it possible to still crave him, considering she barely had enough energy left from their night of passion to lift her head.
Next to her Locke muttered her name under his breath, squeezing her butt in a rough caress even as his lips brushed soft nuzzling kisses along her shoulder to the back of her neck. Okay, so technically it was still night somewhere in the world, they probably had some more time up their sleeves… that’s if either one of them had been wearing clothes. Smiling she was just about to turn over to return his kisses when the insistent ringing of his mobile phone shattered the moment. She prayed to the Mother of all Goddesses that he’d ignore it.
Except he didn’t, rolling away from her to scramble for it on the bedside table. The loss of his warmth and touch was almost enough to make her whimper. Biting her lip she opened her eyes. Watching Locke, all mussed hair, sexy dark five o’clock shadow with heavy lidded eyes turn on the phone and mutter Hadleigh’s name.
Damn, how dare his sister ring them at this perfectly respectable time and interrupt their sex-athon. From the tense tone of Locke’s voice as he spoke to Hadleigh she was guessing their night together was officially over. Well fine, she was a big girl, savvy in the ways of the dating scene; once he got off the phone they’d have their awkward stilted ‘thanks for the fun’ conversation and go their separate ways. And why did that thought make her want to cry?
Earth Serena, remember you don’t get attached to people. People weigh you down. They expect you to remain in one place. More importantly this was Locke Valhalla she was talking about; he’d made it very clear that he didn’t do attachments. Clinging to him would only turn what little respect he had for her Earth Witch ways to cold contempt. Instead better to wrap the memories she had of last night around her and let them keep her warm for the rest of her solitary existence. Because let’s face it, any man she ever took up with now would only rate a very poor second. Damn Locke Valhalla to the centre of the Earth.
She watched as Locke turned off the phone and placed it back on the bedside table. Hmmm, looks like it was time for that awkward conversation. “So…”
“They want us at Maat Towers right away. Hadleigh’s come up with a plan but from Vaughn’s shouting in the background I’m not sure we’re going to like it, seems we get to be the tie-breaker.” Locke was already pushing away the tangled sheets and heading for the bathroom.
“Umm…” Serena clutched the sheet to her chest. Okay scratch the morning after conversation, how about just plain awkward. Was he not even going to acknowledge her existence with eye contact? Wow, the man sure did move on fast.
Locke halted just before he entered the bathroom, Serena’s heart leapt, surely he’d turn give her a smile at the very least. But no, all he did was toss terse words back over his shoulder. “So we need to get showered and dressed.”
Serena watched Locke’s bare back and tight buns disappear into his bathroom. It didn’t look like he would be issuing any invitations for her to join him in there. “Ah, okay. Well I’ll head back to my room and get dressed then…?” She waited several heartbeats and for her trouble only the sound of his shower being turned on was her reward. Looks like the only thing she’d be getting this morning was awkward silence, well that was just great. Flinging back the sheet she stomped off to her room.
Locke ducked his head under the icy stream of water and contemplated of all the ways he’d imagined the morning-after playing out, a call from his sister and a demand for their immediate presence was not one of them. He had been contemplating asking Serena to open end their agreed timeframe, one night wasn’t going to be enough. He was pretty sure he would have convinced her to agree, especially since he intended to ask her whilst he teased and titillated every
one of her erogenous zones he’d discovered throughout the night. Not exactly fair he knew but he was a lawyer, he used every weapon he had in his arsenal. And now thanks to Hadleigh and the Chippendales, the opportunity was lost.
He was beyond pissed off, and despite the icy shower his body still craved Serena’s touch. Goddess he could barely stand to look at the woman and not want to jump her. Especially when she lay in his bed looking so damn rumpled, sexy and downright doable. And now that he’d missed the perfect moment to convince her to extend their agreement, what did he have left available to him? If the little witch hadn’t been so damn distracting last night he could have manoeuvred her into agreeing to a continuation then. But no, he’d been so caught up in the moment, caught up in her… that he’d let the opportunity slip through his fingers. Goddess damn him, the only conversation left for them now would be the one where she said goodbye.
His gut tightened at the very idea. Serena leaving? It was what he’d wanted from day one but now that the time was fast approaching he was conflicted… fuck conflicted, he was infatuated with the woman. Which pissed him off even more. Last night’s giving into temptation was supposed to satisfy his desire for Serena instead he was pretty sure he’d just thrown gasoline on the flames. Goddess double damn him, he was in so much trouble.
Shaving in record time he’d slammed out of the shower, brushed his teeth, dried off and dressed in the first suit that came to hand, a light grey bespoke single breasted from Italy. Goddess he couldn’t even dredge up interest in his clothes, he was that darn tangled up over Serena Chastain and her wicked wanton witchy ways.
The witch in question met up with him at the linen closet door. Wearing a pale yellow dress she glared at him. “Have you seen my shoes?”
“Not lately… no.” Locke replied as blandly as he could.