In Deep

by Lulu Pratt

  My mother had been stunned silent and my father had turned so red, I thought he would faint.

  “I bet they were. You’re their only child, right? I’m sure they only wanted the best for you.”

  “The navy was the best for me. It taught me everything I needed to know about life. I ended up getting my bachelor’s degree while I served so it worked out eventually.”

  She smiles at me, letting me know she’s pleased by this new information.

  My dick reawakens for the first time since the restaurant at the sight of her smile.

  There’s nothing I don’t find sexy about this woman. And I can’t believe I’m walking around an empty campus sharing my life story with her.

  A woman I’m supposed to deliver to Brick in less than two weeks.

  We walk and talk for a bit longer before Grace starts discreetly yawning and I know she must be exhausted.

  I get us back to her place and walk her to the front door, still not quite ready for our time together to end.

  “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Jameson,” she says shyly and it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever fucking witnessed.

  “The pleasure was all mine, Ms. Chambers,” I say truthfully. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun with a woman outside the bedroom.

  I step forward, closing the space between us and the heat radiating between us is palpable.

  She’s just as aroused as I am and the thought drives me wild.

  Grace Chambers wants me.

  Leaning down, I cover her lips with mine and savor the taste of Grace. Her lips are pliant against mine and I kiss her hard before my tongue slips out to get in on the action.

  I hear a thud as her purse hits the ground, then her arms are wrapped around my torso, hugging me to her as she deepens the kiss.

  Wanting to get as close as possible, I back her into the door and grip her hips possessively.

  I need her.

  As her lips continue to brush against mine, the hypnotizing scent of her perfume drugs me, making me crave her even more.

  Panting, I tear my lips from hers and stare at her stunned face.

  “You’re going to be the death of me, Grace Chambers,” I whisper as I plant a soft and final kiss on her lips.

  She’s speechless.

  I bend down to retrieve her purse from the ground and hand it over.

  “Go inside before I change my mind and give your neighbors the show of their lives,” I tease.

  “Goodnight, Jameson,” she sounds just as dazed as I do.

  I know it won’t be much longer before we both succumb to the lust building between us but it can’t be tonight. I have too much to handle at the moment.

  Patiently, I wait while she secures the lock, chain and deadbolt on her door. To others it might seem like overkill but I was pleasantly surprised when I’d entered her apartment and saw the extra safety measures in place.

  There was even a baseball bat resting against the table in the foyer and I was happy she seemed aware and capable of handling any lurking danger.

  As I walk back downstairs, I allow myself to relish the kiss once more before my thoughts shift to more daunting territory.

  I need to come up with a plan to protect Grace before that bastard finds her on his own.

  Despite the late hour, I pull out my cell phone and call Mendoza letting him know we need to meet up as soon as possible.

  Chapter eight

  GRACE CHAMBERS

  “What do you think about this one?” Stephania asks, holding up a silk blouse from across the store.

  I look up and run my eyes over the piece of clothing, ultimately deciding that it’s not her style.

  “Too stuffy for you,” I say distractedly, returning my gaze to the sales rack in front of me.

  Stephania and I are out shopping to celebrate payday and successfully making it through another work week.

  Normally, I’d be absorbed in scoring the best deals but my thoughts are scattered thanks to Jameson.

  We’ve talked on the phone every night since our date last Friday and he sends me the most wicked text messages throughout the day.

  I’d nearly ruined another pair of panties today when I looked down at my phone during a rather important branch meeting at the credit union.

  The man is too much.

  But I’m hooked. I don’t know what I’ll do if he ever loses interest. The thought is an unwelcome one but something about this whole thing seems fleeting. Too damn good to be true.

  I walk over to Stephania, brooding. I can’t focus on shopping right now.

  I need to get laid or I will go absolutely insane.

  A deep frown sets in when Stephania sees my empty hands.

  “What has gotten into you, girl?” she fusses, reaching up to touch my forehead as if to check for a fever.

  I swat her hand away, irritated and make a suggestion.

  “Let’s go to that chocolate shop on the other side of the plaza.”

  If I can’t have Jameson then decadent, overpriced chocolate will have to do.

  “How’s work?” I ask, launching us into a conversation about our respective bosses.

  She’s been having some trouble with the administration at her school.

  “The principal is a legitimate ass,” she huffs, shifting her shopping bag from one hand to another.

  “What’s she done now?” I ask picking up on the ire in her voice.

  “So I finally got the field trip approved for my group of seniors. But here’s the kicker — I can only do it if we go at six in the morning on a Saturday!”

  “Are you serious?” I ask, shooting her an incredulous look.

  “Dead serious,” she sighs. “I originally planned to do it on a Friday morning. But that got shot down. So, I can completely scrap the idea and look like a liar to my kids. Or I can suck it up and go when she says.”

  I shake my head, annoyed for her.

  “Do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be trying to round up thirty teenagers on a weekend?” she finishes on a groan just as we reach the store.

  We decide to split a sundae.

  As we sit down at a table for two, Stephania seizes the opportunity to grill me about my mood.

  And Jameson.

  “How are things going with you two?” she asks sliding a curious glance my way.

  Exhaling, I contemplate how to answer that question. What are Jameson and I doing? What are we to each other?

  I honestly have no idea what we are to one another and I say as much.

  “The man wants you bad, Gracie. I saw the way he was looking at you before your date last week. There’s no denying it. You won’t be on the market much longer,” she predicts.

  As much as I love the thought of being claimed by Jameson, I have to be realistic.

  “His wanting to fuck me and be in a relationship with me are two very different things,” I reason, dipping my spoon into the cup and taking a generous scoop of the dessert.

  Perceptive eyes bore into mine before she asks her next question.

  “Wait. Do you even want a relationship with him?”

  I shrug, pondering my response.

  Jameson is gorgeous as sin and probably incredible in the sack. But that doesn’t mean I should throw caution to the wind and get involved with a man I know so little about. The last time I did that, I’d ended up with my crazy, controlling ex.

  “My last serious relationship was a shit show, Steph,” I say honestly. “I don’t know if I’m ready to go down that road.”

  She nods but continues to stare at me, allowing me to speak uninterrupted.

  “You know I always say I’m not ready to date again but I definitely do feel something for Jameson. Mostly lustful feelings,” I admit.

  I sigh, staring out of the window beside our table.

  “Maybe a strictly physical relationship wouldn’t be so bad right now.”

  *****

  Can I see you tonight?

&nbs
p; I stare down at the text from Jameson before reaching down to finish applying a top coat of polish to my toes.

  The doorbell rings before I have a chance to tap out a reply and I waddle to the front of the apartment.

  Before hopping in the shower, Stephania warned me that the pizza she ordered may be arriving before she finished.

  As I reach the kitchen, I grab the cash she left on the counter.

  “Who is it?” I ask before I even touch the locks.

  “Delivery!” a male voice calls through the dense wood.

  After undoing the locks, I swing the door open and come face to face with Jameson.

  He’s holding a pizza box and greets me with a crooked smile.

  “You always answer the door wearing so little, Grace?”

  His words make me look down at my outfit selection.

  I’m wearing an old midriff-baring tank and a pair of worn-out cotton shorts that barely cover my ass.

  His eyes roam my frame from head to toe and I feel naked under his scrutiny.

  “Where’s the pizza guy?” I ask instead of answering his question.

  “He left after I tipped him. Can I come in, Grace?”

  I step back and allow him entry.

  Saying thanks, I take the greasy box from his hands to go set it on the kitchen counter. I can feel the heat of his gaze on my behind as I walk away. I place the crumpled twenty dollar bill back in its original place.

  “Jameson, what are you doing here?”

  “Didn’t you get my text?”

  The text had come through less than five minutes ago.

  I decide to have some fun at his expense.

  “Isn’t it rather presumptuous to show up before I give you an answer? How do you know I don’t have plans?”

  Jameson’s eyes darken dangerously and I almost shudder from the intensity.

  “Plans doing what? With who?” he asks, all traces of earlier amusement gone.

  His territorial tone is so damn sexy, I shift from foot to foot as the pulse between my legs quickens.

  “I don’t have any plans,” I give in.

  I witness the tension in his shoulders lessen gradually.

  “Good, because I want to take you out.”

  I stare at him, completely enthralled by his brazen attitude.

  “Go get ready, Grace,” he says as I continue to stand there entranced.

  I turn and walk to my room, completely confused by the sensations rolling through me at his commanding tone.

  I have never been attracted to domineering men in the past, but Jameson’s severe demeanor and impatient words are one hell of a combination.

  Chapter nine

  JAMESON WILCOX

  I traded in the bike for my Porsche tonight and as we zip through town, I’m pleased with my decision.

  I get a better view of Grace this way and she’s stunning as usual.

  Her hair is up tonight, showcasing her slender neck and all I can think about is marking it up and claiming her as mine.

  We reach our destination swiftly and she reads the sign on the building before turning to me.

  “Why are we at a gun range?”

  “Let’s go inside and find out,” I say, vacating the driver’s seat to walk around and open her door.

  An hour later, I’m rock hard in my trousers and second guessing my sanity.

  I’d had the bright idea to teach her how to shoot a gun but didn’t take into account just how much we’d be rubbing up against each other.

  I stood behind her for the first thirty minutes, molding her hips into the right stance and adjusting her shoulders before she fired the gun.

  The contact was torturous and heavenly at the same time.

  But we need to get out of here before I have an embarrassing accident in my pants.

  “Are you hungry?” I ask as my hand finds her lower back to lead her out of the building.

  “A little. What are you in the mood for?” she asks turning to me.

  As I examine her face under the street lamps, I almost blurt out exactly what I’m in the mood for but I rein in my lascivious words.

  “I have a place in mind,” I say instead.

  We walk over the rough gravel of the parking lot until we reach my car. Before opening the passenger door, I trap her between me and the door and my head falls to her neck inhaling her signature scent.

  Even after an hour surrounded by dusty debris and shell casings, she still smells edible: a hypnotizing mix of rose and vanilla.

  I can’t help it when my tongue darts out to taste her.

  She whimpers, her body melting into the side of the car. I suck viciously, spurred on by her reaction.

  “Let’s get out of here,” I murmur finally pulling away.

  *****

  My favorite diner is buzzing with customers, typical for a Friday night.

  Grace and I sit side by side at the bar, opting not to wait for a booth to come available.

  We have a front-row view of the cook as he prepares our enormous burgers.

  “How was your week?” Grace asks, her fingertips lightly drumming the countertop as she sways in the swivel barstool.

  I turn to face her and words fail me.

  She’s a goddamn siren who’s stolen my ability to think straight.

  “Well, mine was good,” she says picking up the conversation with a teasing lilt in her voice.

  She swivels on the barstool and her legs swipe mine pleasingly.

  That’s it, I decide.

  Clearing my throat, I call out to the waiter that we’ll have our food to go.

  Grace looks amused yet confounded in the same breath.

  “Hey, what are you doing?”

  “Come home with me tonight,” I implore, my voice rigid and firm.

  If she’s startled by my sudden request, she doesn’t show it.

  “Okay,” she agrees just as the waiter brings our food.

  *****

  I violate a long list of traffic laws to get us to my place in record time.

  A forty-minute drive is nearly cut in half.

  Inside, we leave our shoes at the door and Grace trails behind me as I walk to the kitchen to store our food.

  “Let me give you a tour,” I offer absentmindedly.

  We don’t make it down the first hallway before I’m drawn by the irresistible urge to claim her mouth.

  I corner Grace against the wall and drop kisses down the column of her neck. Then I consume her lips with a hunger I can’t explain.

  “I want you, Grace,” I mutter between kisses, my body pushing into hers.

  The contact is dizzying and my cock strains harder, desperate for release.

  In the light of the wall sconce next to us, I can see her eyes are hooded and dark.

  Wordlessly, she initiates a ravenous kiss of her own and moans into my mouth as I grind against her.

  “I need you, Jameson.”

  Those words set me in motion. My hands fall from cupping her face to the button of her jeans.

  Her breath is coming out in short gasps, her anticipation evident.

  With the button and zipper undone, I shove the waistband down past her hips.

  The softness and fullness of her hips makes me bite my lip.

  She’s incredible.

  I move away from her so that she can step out of the jeans, leaving her clad only in her panties and top.

  I reach up to remove the pretty blouse she has on and my breath hitches when I see she isn’t wearing a bra.

  Her full breasts are inviting, her nipples already puckered tautly due to her arousal.

  The visual is incredible.

  “Fuck, Grace. Are you trying to kill me?”

  In seconds, my head is bent to sample her perfect tits. My tongue greedily circles her nipples as my teeth nip at her sensitive flesh.

  “You’re perfect,” I declare as I kiss her hard and begin to unbutton my shirt.

  Her hands are occupied, roving over my shoulders an
d getting lost in my hair as she succumbs to the pleasurable stimuli I’ve inflicted.

  “I want to fuck you. Hard.”

  “Please,” she pants against my lips.

  With my shirt gone, I undo my belt buckle and push my pants and boxers down in one swift motion.

  My cock relishes in the freedom, the head glistening with pre-cum as it rests against the base of my abdomen.

  “Turn around,” I grunt hoarsely.

  But she’s too busy biting her lip as she admires my length intently. I can almost see her mouth water.

  My hands find her waist and I turn her to face the wall. Her cheek presses against the surface as her hands reach back to pull me near.

  With a firm tug, I rip the lace panties from her frame and kneel behind her.

  Instinctively, she arches her back so that her tits are pressed firmly against the wall while her ass is elevated, exposing her opening.

  My tongue finds her slit slick with desire, as my nose takes in the delectable scent of her arousal.

  I kiss her deeply there, savoring her unique taste. My hands are planted firmly on her hips to hold her still as I sample her eagerly.

  She is divine.

  “Jameson,” she whimpers helplessly. “Yes… yes, oh God yes!”

  Her moans embolden me and I don’t relent until I suspect she’s right on the edge.

  Then I stand hurriedly, bracing one hand against the wall and anchoring the other on her hip as I push into her with one hard stroke.

  We cry out in pleasure together as I fill her to the brim, stretching her tight pussy to accommodate my thickness.

  Her walls clench mine torturously and I know our first fuck will be hard and fast.

  I’ve waited too long for this to hold back.

  Pulling out completely, I lean down and nip at her neck. Slowly, I rub my cock up and down her slit until she’s whining and begging me to fill her.

  Relenting, I push back inside of her drenched walls and start pumping furiously.

  “Jameson.” It’s the only word she seems capable of as I swivel my hips, driving into her with a force that shakes us both.

  Grace keeps her back arched and begins to grind back into my forward thrusts, pushing me to fill every inch of her.