‘Take off your clothes,’ he said, ‘and lie face-down on the bed.’
He pulled the covers out of the way for her. He folded them all the way down to the footboard, leaving only the crisp fitted sheet. It was white, and it brought some light back into the room.
Emphasising to her what was going to happen.
He moved her pillow down, too. ‘Prop up your hips with this.’
Erin’s eyes widened as she stared at the bed. Energy buzzed through her, yet her muscles were becoming more and more lax. Inside her chest, though, everything was tight.
Did she really want to do this? They were getting back into the greyer areas of sex, the ones where she was unsure. The ones where she was totally out of her depth. Could she do it now that she knew what was to come? She remembered the sting of his palm contacting her vulnerable bottom. She remembered the heat and the fervour. Her eyes drifted shut. She remembered the way she’d climaxed when he’d slid his fingers inside her.
Quickly she yanked off her boots and peeled off her jeans. She pulled her long-sleeved Georgetown T-shirt over her head. When she went for her bra, she felt Colton watching her hard.
Self-consciousness nipped at her – and an even tighter kind of arousal. Her hands shook as she took off the rest of her clothes. She took a step towards the bed and felt her knees shake. She hurried the rest of the way. She could feel him watching as she crawled naked across the mattress to position herself where he’d instructed. The pillow felt plumper as it lifted her hips than it had ever felt under her head.
She almost let out a moan.
That scandalous question from the charity event rang in her ears. ‘What’s Erin’s favourite sexual position?’
This one was making her feel things already, and he hadn’t even touched her. The stern palm of his hand hadn’t yet come down, but her bottom was lifted almost lewdly, ready to take it.
‘Spread your legs wider.’
A short sound escaped her. Her thighs clenched, but then opened.
This time, Colt was the one who groaned. ‘Oh, Erin. You’re so pretty this way.’
She rested her head against the mattress, but raised it back up when his voice sounded in her ear.
‘Let’s just put this on.’
Something dangled in her peripheral vision. A blindfold. Fear suddenly pressed back her excitement.
He knelt beside the bed and looked into her face. ‘It’s me, Erin.’
Her Colton. He looked so virile and male. He was watching her with that gleam in his eyes, the one he got whenever he was aroused, but there was concern on his face.
‘I know.’
‘Are you sure you want this?’
No, she wasn’t sure at all. Yet she watched him holding back. Waiting. She licked her lips.
‘Yes,’ she whispered. She’d waited for him for ever.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. ‘Any time it gets to be too much, you just tell me so.’
She trusted him to the ends of the earth. ‘Put it on.’
When he did, her other senses sharpened. She could smell the candle she’d burned over dinner earlier in the night. She felt a nip in the air. She could feel every inch of her exposed skin, but most of all she sensed him.
The mattress dipped as he climbed onboard with her. He came up from the foot of the bed and found his spot between her spread legs. His knees nudged at her inner thighs, opening them wider.
Erin couldn’t help it. Her butt muscles clenched.
She waited for a sharp slap, and her anticipation coiled tighter when it didn’t come. She lifted her hands up to shoulder level and dug her fingers into the sheet.
She jolted when his hands finally fell upon her, but it wasn’t at all what she’d prepared herself for. He’d caught a globe in each hand and was massaging her bottom in deep, heavy strokes.
‘Ohhhhh,’ she groaned.
He used long, sweeping caresses, coming back again and again. His nimble fingers sought out tender spots. There were more than a couple of them, and the feeling wasn’t comfortable.
Until she felt the warmth start to spread.
His hands were slick with ointment, and it had started to heat. The sensation was astounding as it took over her entire backside. She turned her head, but, blindfolded, she couldn’t see him.
‘What is that?’ she asked.
‘Warming body oil.’ His mouth pressed against her ear. ‘And lubricant.’
She liked it.
She dropped her forehead back to the mattress as her world narrowed to only this room, only the feelings starting to gush through her. She liked it a lot.
His fingers spread wide, and her curves filled his palms. He squeezed deliberately, and she bit her lip. It felt so good.
‘Is your bottom warm, baby?’ he asked.
She let out a laugh. ‘You let me think…’
‘I know what you thought.’ He nipped at her earlobe. ‘And believe me, I considered it.’
Her bottom clenched, and he gave her a swift spank.
Desire flooded her, and her leg bent reflexively.
Over and over again, he massaged her, spreading that slow fire. Erin shifted as the sensations intensified, but he pulled her hips right back into place.
‘Colton, I –’
His hands stopped on her tingling skin.
She was so aroused. She wanted him inside her, but it felt bold to ask. He had her blindfolded and she was…she was submitting to him. Was she allowed? ‘I need you.’
‘I know, baby,’ he said roughly.
His hands left her, but they soon came back – this time on her breasts. He slid them underneath her body, and she instinctively lifted herself up, arching her back and bracing her forearms against the mattress.
Her neck craned back even farther when he started plucking at her nipples. She recognised the unnatural heat coming from his fingertips. He’d stopped for more oil.
‘Ahh,’ she gasped.
The heat was brighter as he plucked and played. Her nipples felt huge as they burgeoned under his manipulation. Huge and hot. The sensation shot straight down to her core. The need she’d tried to communicate became voracious.
But he pulled back, returning to that bottle of devil’s dew.
‘How are you doing?’ he asked softly.
Her foot kicked up behind her again, and he chuckled softly.
‘Then you’re going to like this.’
His hand swept between her legs, and behind her blindfold Erin’s eyes suddenly opened. Her head spun, but then righted quickly to home in on exactly what he was doing to her.
His fingers stroked firmly along her already distended pussy lips. The heat came faster now, but it was none the less shocking. He dipped deep into her grooves, but her lungs worked harder as she waited for his final destination.
She knew where he was going to touch her with that stuff.
Moaning, she cupped her breast and squeezed, trying to stop the heat that still lit up her nipple. She couldn’t take that down there.
But she wanted it.
Her hips quivered, but his touch lightened as it approached that tender nub. Became almost air. It circled her clit in barely a tickle, but the moisture of the lubricant was on his fingertip.
All she felt was the fire.
It swept throughout her entire body, and she could no longer lie still. Her body bowed in reaction, and Colt’s mouth came down on her neck, wet and soft. His arm swept around her to regain possession of her breast, and he kept the fire boiling by lubing up her sensitive nipple yet again.
Erin’s knee bent. Her hips rose. Her hands clenched the sheets. He let her move, giving her the option to leave if she wanted, but she stayed. Too much pleasure was slamming through her.
When he thrust into her, he did it slowly and deliberately. She pushed back against him. She wanted him to thrust hard, to bang her and push her over the edge into completion, but her body jerked when she felt fire inside as well as out.
He’d lathere
d the lubricant all over his cock.
‘Oh, God,’ she cried. ‘How can you stand it?’
‘I can’t,’ he said in harsh breaths.
His thrusts settled into a slow, grinding rhythm. Erin stared into the darkness, but she could picture how the two of them looked. She could see him, so big and muscled, taking her from behind. He felt massive this way, going deep. With her hips lifted on the pillow, she was there for the taking.
And he was taking her.
He was taking everything she had.
When his hand settled on to her bottom again, she let out a moan that just wouldn’t stop.
Yet it jumped into a cry of surprise when he parted her cheeks and with his finger of fire circled the puckered opening hidden there. Erin’s thoughts went haywire. Her body tensed, and he paused at the end of a thrust.
She trembled as he touched her so intimately.
Or was he the one who was shaking?
Before her arousal could work up to fear, before she could ascertain exactly what was happening, before she could beg him for it, his finger penetrated her.
Her body resisted, but then she submitted fully. To everything.
He pushed that hard finger deep into her back door. It was unfamiliar, shocking and so very wicked. He began thrusting his hips again, and Erin felt overwhelmed. Overfilled. Overjoyed.
‘Ah, Sunny,’ he called.
That was it. She felt like the sun was burning from within her.
Her senses were bombarded. The heat. The pressure making her open. The need.
When he worked a second finger into her ass and started scissoring it, she flew straight into the sun. She came with orgasms that hit her one right after another.
Behind her, Colton’s control snapped. He fucked her hard, his hips smacking against her overheated bottom. Erin squeezed her eyes shut as she took him. His cock. His fingers. His come.
He came with a loud shout that gave her almost more pleasure than anything.
When his weight finally slumped onto her, she relaxed into a heap. His breaths came fast against her ear. She covered his hand with hers and locked their fingers together. She could do this for him. More importantly, she was just beginning to understand that she needed it from him. She needed all his rough edges and sharp corners, because they were what made him the man he was.
If this was how it had to be, she’d sneak around with him for ever.
They were both quiet long into the night, but neither of them slept. Erin traced lazy circles around Colton’s elbow. They were lying on their sides, spooned together, with his arm around her waist. His hand lay protectively over her stomach, and his body cocooned hers.
She slid her toe against his shin. The moon had passed and the room was now dark as the back of the blindfold she’d worn, yet she felt no fear. She was safe and satiated, warm and possessed.
Yet one thing niggled at her.
It had been in the back of her mind for weeks, maybe longer. She’d tried to forget it and had tried to make it go away, but it lingered. Like a pebble in her shoe, it bothered her.
‘Colton?’ She said his name softly. If he didn’t answer, she’d never bring it up again.
‘Yes, baby?’
Her touch on him hesitated for a split second, but she sent her finger for another loop around his elbow. It was now or never.
‘Why did you use Luxxor?’
His hand flexed almost imperceptibly against her belly. ‘I used them for the same reason you did. There were times I needed to go to an event, but I didn’t have time to round up a date.’
The words hung there for a moment.
She should just let it go – and she would have if he hadn’t added, ‘Or want to.’
Her curiosity grew. She didn’t like it when she didn’t know things. It might be personal, but she hoped she was now part of his private life. She needed to understand.
‘You told me you didn’t need them for dates. Did you ever hire them for…the other reason? The one that you said makes them the most money?’
He went quiet behind her. He’d told her once not to ask if she didn’t want the answer, but she did. They were together now; it shouldn’t matter. Wouldn’t matter. She refused to let it come between them, but the rock in her shoe wasn’t going away on its own.
‘Yes,’ he finally admitted. ‘Twice.’
She’d known it would hurt, but she hadn’t been prepared for how much. The pain was deep down under her breastbone. Instead of pulling away, though, she cupped her hand around his elbow. ‘Why?’ she breathed. ‘I know you’ve had girlfriends. I know you were even serious about that Vanessa girl.’
The assistant DA whom she’d utterly despised. The woman was ruthless in the courtroom, and she’d been the same way outside it. She’d trolled the upper society events where Erin had always been a member. From the brunette’s words and actions, Erin knew she was the better person, but the lawyer’s accomplishments and stylish poise had intimidated her.
And made her jealous.
She’d spent years trying to tempt Colton, but that was the kind of woman he went for?
‘Vanessa was serious about me,’ Colton said, ‘but she wasn’t what I needed.’
Erin rubbed her toe against his shin again, very aware of them together on the bed. She was even more aware of what they’d just done upon it. When he said need…‘Did Luxxor’s escorts provide that?’
‘They tried.’
Erin went quiet. She felt like she was standing on the edge of a bottomless chasm.
He let out a low curse. ‘I was trying to scratch an itch, Sunny, but nobody could quite reach it.’
She bit her lip, but couldn’t hold back the words. ‘What itch?’
He shifted away, and a click came from the lamp on the nightstand. He rolled her on to her back, and the lightbulb was too bright. Erin didn’t want him looking at her face right now. Everything suddenly felt too raw.
‘I told Nina exactly what I wanted,’ he said. ‘The women had to be tiny, blonde and sassy.’
Erin felt her eyes go big. She swallowed hard. ‘Your “wish list”?’
He was propped up on his elbow beside her, but with the light at his back, his face was hidden in shadow. His voice seemed just as far off. ‘This all happened after you accepted Marty’s proposal.’
‘Oh,’ she said in a tiny voice.
Oh!
‘Just what the hell was up with that year-and-a-half-long engagement, anyway?’ he blurted. ‘Were you going for a Guinness World Record, or what?’
Erin’s brain was turning fast. ‘I…I think we both were subconsciously reconsidering.’
Marty had kept pushing the date back, and she’d kept adding more details to the ceremony and the reception. She’d choreographed their first dance and had designed all the invitations and save-the-date cards. She’d gone overboard, and she’d talked about her plans non-stop to her mother, Sienna and anyone else who would listen. Had Colton been within hearing range?
‘Did it work?’ she asked. ‘The escorts?’
‘It didn’t come close.’ He passed his hand through his hair, and his chest expanded as he took a deep breath. ‘I felt unclean afterwards. Both times. I couldn’t stand myself.’
She didn’t know what to say. All she could see was him with other women who looked like her.
His hand shook as he cupped her face. He looked more miserable than she felt. ‘I used protection, and, like I told you, I got tested. I would never put you in danger like that.’
‘I know.’
‘Fuck,’ he breathed as he rolled on to his back. He stared up at the ceiling, and she rolled towards him. ‘I’ve come a long way, Erin, but in a lot of ways I’m still that same screwed-up stray your brother brought home with him.’
‘I don’t see that.’
She’d never seen that.
‘I hide it well.’
He didn’t hide things, he kept them buried.
She snuggled closer to him. He tried to
shift away, but she followed. ‘I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as you do, Colton, and you’ve risen up so far from where you started. You’re well respected in your field, you’re nice to my parents and you have friends who like to throw hard orange balls at you.’
That made him laugh, but the sound was short.
She bit her lip. ‘I worry that you’re out of my league.’
His head snapped towards her. ‘You do not. I’m the one who’s not good enough for you.’
Her pulse began to pound in her ears. He had things so backwards. ‘Don’t mistake privilege for superiority,’ she said softly.
She knew the truth. She’d been lucky by birth. ‘I didn’t work hard. I’ve had things handed to me my whole life. I’ve never had to struggle for money or attention or love.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’m nice and I try to help others, but most people just think I’m a spoiled princess.’
‘Erin, you can’t control the life or family you’re born into. It’s what you do with it that counts. You’ve volunteered for everything as long as I’ve known you. You don’t put on airs, and you’re down-to-earth. You have empathy that others in your situation don’t, and you have no idea how important your efforts are to the people who need them most.’
‘I help serve food others cook or I buy pretty blankets for shelters.’ She poked him in the chest. ‘You just got a woman the respect she deserved in a court of law – and I know about the pro bono cases you’ve taken on.’
‘You’re too hard on yourself,’ he growled.
She laid her head on his shoulder. ‘So are you.’
‘I don’t deserve you.’
‘Yes, you do.’
She loved him just the way he was. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought, including him.
Chapter Thirteen
Christmas came upon them much too quickly, and it was uncomfortable. Colton sat in the elegant front room of the Fosters’ house with the family laughing and chatting all around him. The room was one they used only for entertaining and special occasions, and to Marilyn Christmas was the most special occasion there was. She was eager to exchange gifts.
He adjusted his tie and finally loosened it. Even though the tradition was for family only, it was still a dress-up affair. He’d tried to decline the invitation, but Marilyn had got her hooks into him for Thanksgiving. She’d let him know how much she wanted him here for Christmas, and he hadn’t been able to refuse.
Courting Innocence Page 18