He lets out his breath.
Blair considers him. “Take your hoodie off.” A little smile plays around the corners of her mouth.
Nathan reaches for the collar around his neck and pulls the thick, cotton material over his head, tossing it on her dresser. He’s still wearing a white T-shirt and jeans.
They eye each other. She leans closer and whispers, “It’s your turn.”
And those three words stir some kind of voodoo magic in his blood.
“Your shorts.” His voice comes out hoarse as he looks down at her waist.
He can tell she’s surprised he didn’t ask for the shirt, but this way he gets to see those legs as she pushes the covers aside and wiggles out of the shorts. Watches her toss them over on the dresser with his hoodie.
Blair is sitting up now, knees folded beneath her, eyes roaming over him, and he wonders what her next request will be.
“Your pants.”
Nathan gets off the bed, trying to hide his grin. He unzips his jeans and shoves them off, so all he’s left wearing is the T-shirt and a pair of blue boxers. The T-shirt is long, but not long enough to hide the hard-on tenting his boxers.
Blair’s eyes linger on it, and the way she’s lingering is making him go even harder.
“See anything you like?” he asks.
“I do.”
Blair is still sitting on the bed with her legs folded beneath her and gives him a coy smile. “Your turn.”
Nathan takes her in, liking what he sees, too. Can’t wait to see all of her. “The shirt.”
She reaches down for the hem of her shirt and pulls it over her head, throws it over with the rest of the clothes on her dresser.
Lust hits him hard at the sight of her nearly naked body. His breath catches, and he automatically starts telling himself to relax. We got time. No big rush. Her breasts are nice and fit the elegant way she’s made. Nipples a rosy pink. But the most amazing part is her skin, so pale and smooth it’s nearly luminous. Didn’t get to see this last night.
Blair’s watching him, and he wonders if she can see his strong reaction to her. “Come here,” he says, surprised at the command in his voice.
But she slowly shakes her head. “No.”
He chuckles then lets out his breath, putting both his hands behind his neck and takes another breath. “All right, what’s it going to be?”
“Your shirt.”
Nathan reaches back and yanks his shirt overhead, tossing it aside. Her eyes are on him, roaming so intently, he’s relieved to not be the only one affected.
“Now, your underwear,” she says, a little catch in her voice.
He smiles to himself. He likes that little catch. “Don’t think so. My turn, remember?” She’s wearing pink-striped panties. His pulse kicks into overdrive. “Take ’em off, babe.”
Blair’s fingers slip into each side of the fabric as she slowly slides them lower, revealing what he can see even in the dim light is a red bush that’s only a shade darker than the hair on her head. That, he does remember from years ago. Not likely to forget it, either. Despite an attraction to redheads, he’s only been with a few women who were natural.
“Satisfied?” she asks softly.
“Very.”
She looks pointedly down at the last vestige of clothing between them, so he pushes his boxers off quickly and kicks them aside. His erection bobbing free. “Now come here,” he tells her.
Blair is shaking her head again, though. She lies down on her side. When she speaks, her voice is playful. “No, you have to come to me.”
Blair watches him get on the bed. He starts with her left foot, holding it in his hand, kissing the side then the top, playing with her toes. “What are you doing?” She giggles. “Do you have a foot fetish?”
“Looks that way.”
She’s lying back on her elbows, taking in the way Road’s head is bent over her foot, his blond hair falling forward as one hand holds her calf and the other plays with her toes. She giggles some more. The excitement of being with him like this, the joy of it, and the complete disbelief are all exploding inside her.
So much for having him sleep on an air mattress.
But how do you resist years of erotic fantasies being offered up on a silver platter?
Suddenly, Road nips her instep, and Blair lets out a small shriek.
He chuckles. “I have a fetish for all the pretty bits I’m seeing here.” He runs his hand over her calf, working his way up her leg. Touching her knee, inner thigh, stroking her hip. By now, Blair’s giggles are gone, turned into something else entirely.
“Kiss me,” she says, breathless, reaching for him.
But Road isn’t in any hurry. Instead, he’s still gazing at her under the soft bedroom light, stroking his hands over her body. “You have amazing skin,” he murmurs. “Just beautiful.”
This quiets her. Blair closes her eyes, and all she can think is thank you. Thank you, God, the universe, whatever it is that’s letting her have this moment.
Road shifts position and moves up, so their faces are close. His large body presses against her. As always, she can smell him. His smoky scent drifts over her and she inhales, takes a deep hit off him which sends desire careening through her.
His hand moves up to her breasts, stroking and molding as Blair studies his face, grateful for the light so she can see him. He’s watching his hand touch her, but then turns his head. Their eyes meet. Golden-green, the color she’s been in love with her whole life, and she realizes it doesn’t matter if she’s alone in her feelings. She’ll never regret being with him like this. No matter what. Not ever.
I don’t care if it kills me.
“What did you say, babe?”
She licks her lips. “Kiss me, or else.”
“Or else?” A smile plays on his mouth.
Blair doesn’t reply, only slides her hand from his shoulder, down his muscular body, right to his cock. Wraps her fingers tight around where he’s hard, hot, and clearly in need of attention.
Road’s breath hitches.
“Or else I’ll stop doing this.”
His green eyes go half-lidded with pleasure. That little smile is still on his lips, but she sees the exact moment his arousal eclipses it.
And then he’s on her, kissing her with demand. Nearly consuming her, until she’s turned inside out.
God, he really knows how to kiss.
She made such a study of Road all those years. Her endless quest to understand the mystery of him. What a thrill to find territory she’s never explored. A new continent. Because it’s obvious now the drunken night they had years ago was a false version of reality.
Road breaks the kiss and before she knows it, he’s wrapping his arms around her and rolling them both over, so she’s on top. She gives a breathless laugh and brings her hands up. Her long hair falls around them, and she pushes it over to one side.
He kisses her some more then lightly slaps her on the ass.
“Hey, watch it.”
“Or else?” He’s breathing hard, but there’s a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Don’t test me. There’s still an air mattress with your name on it.”
Road chuckles. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He grips both her ass cheeks. “Scoot up, time for me to explore Red Willow Valley.”
“What?”
“You heard.”
Blair rolls her eyes and laughs to herself. Red Willow Valley? This isn’t the first time a guy has commented on her being a natural redhead, though no one’s ever called it anything quite so imaginative.
“Come on.” There’s another light slap. “Move up and give me a taste.”
Blair would be lying if she said she’s never had this fantasy about Road. If she had to add up all the times she’s thought of it over the years, the number was probably about . . .
Oh, one million.
Not bothering to hide her grin, she does as he asks and scoots up. Road’s hands are still on her ass, and he seems e
ager to start his exploration as he helps negotiate her into a sitting position over him.
She reaches out to the wall in front of her, feeling shy suddenly about this kind of exposure, but when she looks down and sees the intent expression on Road’s handsome face, her shyness fades.
His hands are caressing her skin, hips, thighs, and ass. One slips between her legs, gently stroking, opening her a little for him, and then he lifts his head and she feels it. His mouth, right there.
Blair’s eyes fall shut.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
She sucks in her breath.
God.
“Move a little closer,” he breathes, pulling her hips down.
She lowers herself more and then he does exactly what he said. He tastes her. And then he tastes her some more, and then he keeps tasting her until it’s all Blair can do to not shatter into a million pieces.
One hand is on the wall to steady herself, the other grips his head. Blair opens her eyes, determined to fully experience this. The pleasure like a flame, licking at her, ready to consume. Shadows from her lamp bounce on the wall. When she looks down at Road, his eyes are closed and she watches him.
His head nods with the movement of his mouth, his lips and tongue. Wet sounds. She swallows, and a whimper escapes.
Road’s eyes open at this. He’s looking up at her and when their eyes meet, a powerful emotion surges through her. Takes her breath away. Electric.
This is the only man I’ll ever love.
It comes to her with absolute certainty. The truth. She doesn’t understand the why. Doesn’t understand the near mystical power he continues to hold over her.
Their eyes are still on each other as the flames grow hotter. His are glazed with lust, but mine are glazed with love.
And then the fire takes her and all she knows is mindless pleasure. Hot and indecent. Lets it consume her finally. Burn her up.
Ohmigod.
It takes her a long time to come down. She’s shaking all over, still on her knees, forehead pressed against the cool wall.
Road’s hands are sliding over her body, soothing her. She takes a deep breath, then another.
“I forgot to be quiet again,” she mutters.
“Thank God.”
She looks down at him. He’s watching her with a little grin, so she changes position and lies down beside him. Kisses him. Puts her hand up to his face, damp from her, and kisses him again with everything she’s got. He grabs a handful of her hair, and like last night, he takes her other hand and puts it directly on his cock. And like earlier, he’s hot, hard, and definitely in need of attention.
Drawing back, she watches Road in the dim light as she works him with her hand. The grin on his face is long gone and all she can see is the need.
“Am I doing it right?” she asks softly.
“Yeah.” Road licks his lips, his breath unsteady. His hands are on her body, roaming from breasts to ass, though his eyes are on her face and she’s surprised to see he wants the intimacy of that. “You’re doing it just right.”
So she continues, his gaze half-lidded, and it doesn’t take long before she’s the one putting her mouth over his, swallowing his deep groans of pleasure as he gives in to it, being consumed.
It’s the crying that wakes her. Her bedroom’s dark, Road’s warm body still beside her. She wondered if he’d go back and sleep in the office now there’s a bed in there, but he didn’t.
“You awake?” he whispers over her shoulder.
“Yes.”
They’re both quiet, listening to Fiona’s dramatic sobs. Road’s arm is still around her.
“How long has she been crying?” Blair asks.
“Don’t know. I just woke up.”
Mr. Maurice jumps on the bed. Blair didn’t even know he was in the room with them. Another loud sob drifts through the walls. “Are you sure I shouldn’t go out there to her?”
“Doubt she’d want that.”
Blair remembers how Fiona acted earlier today, staring out the window then lashing out when Blair tried to be sympathetic. Road is right. Fiona doesn’t want to be comforted.
Mr. Maurice moves up on the bed between them, purring loudly, and Road reaches over to pet him.
They can hear Fiona’s voice talking on the phone to someone.
“Have you ever met Sachi?” Blair asks, curious.
“Yeah, met her once in London.”
“What’s she like?” Fiona was so beautiful, but it was hard to imagine anyone willing to put up with her personality for long.
“Sachi is all right. Not what you’d expect.”
“Is she beautiful like Fiona?”
“No.”
“Is she a bitch like Fiona?”
Road chuckles. Mr. Maurice rubs his head against Road’s hand. “Sachi seemed more the quiet type to me.”
“Fiona obviously loves her, though. Do you think there’s a chance they’ll get back together?”
“Can’t say for sure, but I’m thinking no.”
“Really?” Blair looks over at him, just barely making out his features in the dark. “Why do you say that?”
“Just an impression. But I don’t think she’s in love like Fiona is.”
“Poor Fiona.” Blair lets out her breath. “There’s nothing worse than loving someone who doesn’t love you back.”
Road continues to pet Mr. Maurice, but she senses a shift, his laser focus turned on. “Sounds like you speak from experience.”
Blair is quiet, realizing she probably shouldn’t have said that. She closes her eyes and thinks of the irony of having this conversation with Road. “I do,” she finally admits.
Having his boy-crush satisfied, Mr. Maurice now remembers Blair is the one who feeds and houses him and perhaps deserves some attention, too, so he nudges his head against her hand.
“Did someone break your heart?” Road asks.
“Yes.”
“A recent thing?”
She nods.
“Didn’t know that. I’m sorry to hear it.”
Blair rolls over, lies on her back and continues to pet the cat, listening to his purr. Road is propped up on his elbow beside her.
“It’s not that Graham dude, is it?”
“No.” She pauses. “It’s someone else.”
“Are you still in love with him?”
Blair feels her throat tighten. What a question. “Yes, I am, but he doesn’t love me back. He never did.”
Road is quiet, absorbing her words. He puts his hand on her hip over the covers. “That’s rough, babe.”
She nods. Her breath goes shaky and her eyes sting with tears as she tries to contain herself. “It is,” she agrees.
Road’s hand slides up from her hip, caresses her arm. He leans over and kisses her lips, soft and sweet. Tears are sliding down the sides of her face into her hair as he kisses her, but she does a good job hiding her crying from him.
“This guy must be a real dipshit,” he whispers.
And Blair smiles, despite herself. “Yes, he is.”
Road kisses her again, strokes her hair. She touches his face, runs her fingers over the stubble on his cheeks and chin. “Have you ever been in love?”
“Yeah.”
“With who?”
He draws back and takes a breath. “Gwen.”
Blair’s mouth opens with surprise. Gwen was the live-in girlfriend who cheated on him years ago. “So, you were really in love with her?”
“I was, yeah.”
I should have known. The way he was drinking so much that night.
“Even thought I was going to marry her.”
This gives Blair great pause. “Really?”
He chuckles. “You sound shocked.”
“I just didn’t know your feelings for her were that strong.”
He shrugs. “They were. Once.”
“Is she the only woman you’ve ever been in love with?”
Road goes quiet at this, doesn’t ans
wer right away, and Blair has a premonition she isn’t going to like his answer.
He licks his lips. “There’s someone else, too. Right before I came out here.”
Blair tries to hide the riot of emotion coursing through her. She feels queasy, thinks about those letters she saw. “And you’re in love with her?”
He rolls over onto his back. “She’s Spanish and wanted me to come to Madrid with her, but I didn’t go.”
“Why not?”
“Came back here instead. Decided to come home.”
“I see.” Blair swallows, is finding it difficult to breathe. She notices he didn’t answer her question, either. He never said whether he was in love with this woman or not.
Road snorts softly. “Guess we both have problems with our love life, huh?”
“Guess . . . so.”
He rolls toward her, his body close so he’s lying over her. As always, his smoky scent goes straight to her head. “What do you say we forget about our problems for a little while?” He puts his mouth to her ear and whispers, “Maybe that guy isn’t here for you right now, but at least I am.”
SO, THIS IS my new life.
Every night for the next week, Road is in her bed sleeping beside her, his warm body wrapped around her after bringing her indescribable pleasure.
It hasn’t killed me.
Not yet anyway.
It hasn’t cured me either, though.
Sometimes, they go right to sleep after, though more often they wind up talking, especially if Fiona is carrying on. He tells her stories of his travels, so many remarkable places he’s been these past five years, so many people he’s met. Some of them she recognizes from his book, but others, the more recent places he’s traveled are going in the next book.
“Are you ever scared?” Blair asks one night, thinking she’d be scared to travel alone to some of the out-of-the-way places he’s been.
“I’ve felt nervous,” he admits. “But that’s how life is. Sometimes, even if you’re scared or nervous, you still have to go for it. I always try to stay safe, though.”
She listens with a combination of admiration and envy as Road describes his adventures, and the more she listens, a realization comes to her.
Return of the Jerk (Sweet Life in Seattle, Book 2) Page 20