Her First Choice

by Lynda Chance

  Leaving the jewelers, they went into a hotel restaurant and had a quick meal, and her mind shied away from what had happened next. They hadn’t packed for an overnight stay, and she hadn’t understood why he’d checked into the hotel after they ate. Her stomach had been tied in knots through the meal anyway, and apprehension and nerves screamed in her bloodstream as he pulled her by the hand up the elevators to a room.

  The minute the door had clicked shut, he turned to her and began unbuttoning her blouse.

  Panic attacked her and she put her fingers over his to stop him. “What are y-you doing?”

  He brushed her hands aside and continued to strip her. “Consummating the marriage,” he answered harshly.

  “Why? Can’t we wait?”

  “No. I want it consummated now.”

  Disturbed by what they were doing and his reasons for it, she tried to slow him down by lightening the atmosphere. “Why?” Her voice was soft, trying to soothe him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  His eyes lifted from her buttons and tangled with hers. “No. You can bet your ass you’re not going anywhere,” he answered severely, his voice dripping ruthless possession.

  Her pulse went spinning as he unhooked her bra and pushed it out of his way. He pulled her over to the king sized bed, and unhooked her skirt. “Step out of it.”

  Her mind in a daze at the speed of his movements, she stepped from her clothes and moved onto the bed.

  He quickly stripped and pushed her legs apart and climbed on top of her. Her heartbeat going wild, she spoke in a whisper of defiance. “Just for two years.”

  The challenge was a mistake.

  His nostrils flared at her words and he grabbed her wrists, lifting them over her head. His erection huge and pulsing, he began to push into her. He stretched her completely, transferred her wrists to one strong hand, and lifted her face to his with the other. “When I’m good and goddamn ready. And not a day before.”

  ****

  The plane began its descent and Jenna pulled her mind from the troubling thoughts. His entire demeanor had changed after the marriage vows had taken place. It had only gotten worse after he had consummated the marriage.

  Suddenly, he owned her.

  He began to wake up from the change in cabin pressure, and she took the opportunity to slip her fingers from his.

  With hands that shook, she smoothed the creases from her skirt just to give herself something to do. She could feel his eyes on her.

  The drive from the airport was well under way when she glanced over at him, his focus on the road. “It’s too late for me to pack tonight. Just drop me at my house and I’ll pack tomorrow.”

  His eyes cut away from the road and landed on her. “No.”

  “David, I—”

  “Don’t start with me, Jenna. You’re not spending our wedding night away from me.”

  “But, I—”

  “The subject’s closed.”

  She sucked in a breath as her nervous tension heightened.

  When he pulled into his garage and the doors shut behind them, her apprehension worsened. She was bone-deep tired, her nerves were stretched thin, and she suddenly felt like crying.

  He helped her out of the car, and trailed her into the house. All she had with her was what she had grabbed that morning for the one day trip. She had a toothbrush, some make-up and the clothes she was wearing. Her blouse was silky and comfortable, and she guessed she would have to sleep in it. The thought of climbing into his bed naked was not appealing. Would he want sex again? She desperately needed some time alone to regroup.

  She softly announced her intentions. “I’m tired. I’d like to clean up and go to bed.”

  He stood in the foyer, looking through the mail. He glanced up when she spoke. “That’s fine. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Jenna turned away and silently headed for the stairs. She hadn’t been upstairs yet, but knew she would find what her body was aching for. A bathtub.

  The second door she came to was a bathroom located between two bedrooms. She looked in and saw the large, oval shaped tub. She closed the door, turned the taps on, and tested the temperature of the water filling the tub. She wanted it hot. Satisfied, she turned away, brushed her teeth, and clipped her hair on top of her head.

  Minutes later, her eyes were closed and she was relaxing in the water. Or trying to.

  She could hear him banging around downstairs, slamming doors and getting ready for bed. Finally, silence descended, and she slowly began to feel the tension seep from her limbs.

  The water was heavenly, washing away her anxiety and the smell of the airports, taxi-cabs, and stale smoke that had been around her all day.

  Her mind froze and her relaxation fled as the door opened with a snap.

  Her eyes popped open to find him in the doorway, his stance rigid, his expression clouded in anger.

  “Why are you up here?”

  Shock held Jenna silent for a moment as he stepped into the room and placed his hands on the edge of the tub, leaning over her. Her insides quivered when his eyes dropped to her body, showing clearly through the water. She crossed her arms over her exposed breasts as volatile emotions charged through her.

  Anger that he was invading her privacy battled with her insecurities over the situation she found herself in. What had happened to her life in the last few days? How had it gone so badly off the rails? She blamed herself as well as him. She was deeply ashamed of the anger she had felt that had goaded her into accepting his indecent proposal.

  She wanted to scream; she wanted to cry.

  She did both.

  Her eyes flooded with tears as she screamed at him. “I’m taking a bath. Get out!”

  He didn’t move an inch. “Why aren’t you downstairs in my bathroom?” he asked, his voice harsh.

  “There’s only a shower down there,” she answered, piercing him with her stare. “Get out.”

  He reached down and swiped a wrist and held it tightly. “Is that the only reason?”

  She pulled on her wrist and felt a tear spill down her cheek. He held tightly. No, that wasn’t the only reason, but she wasn’t stupid enough to tell him that tonight. She didn’t have the stamina to deal with any of this tonight. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

  She quit trying to get her wrist free and forced herself to relax in his hold. She wiped the tears with the back of her free hand and looked away from his intent scrutiny. “David, please, I just want a bath,” she whispered.

  He studied her a few seconds and then released her from his hold, moving to the door. “Thirty minutes. If you’re not downstairs in thirty minutes, Jenna, I’m coming back up here to get you.”

  The door clicked shut behind him.

  Her bath ruined, her thoughts in turmoil, Jenna slowly climbed from the water and began to dry off. Not even twenty-four hours since he put the ring on her finger, and she was already questioning where her sanity had been when she agreed to this.

  So what if he was a fantastic lover? So what if she had unreasonable debt? Where the hell had her brain been when she’d agreed to this madness? He would take over her life if she let him. He was already showing the signs of it. And did she want that? No. Absolutely not. He only wanted to use her for two years, get what he needed from her, and then throw her aside. What the hell had she been thinking?

  She raged at herself as she rinsed her panties and bra out in the sink. Washing her things only got her more riled up. He didn’t care about her comfort. He didn’t care if she didn’t have fresh things in the morning. All he cared about was himself. His reasons for needing a wife.

  She was just an object to him. An object to be used. Already she could tell what kind of marriage this was going to be. A marriage of his convenience. Was it too late? Could she get out of it? Suddenly, the impact of him consummating the marriage so quickly blew through her brain. Had he anticipated her reaction? God, he was manipulative! But he hadn’t paid her the hundred grand yet. They were supposed to take
care of that on Monday when the banks were open. Tomorrow was Sunday. Or today was Sunday already. She yawned and climbed into her silk blouse. It barely covered the tops of her thighs. She felt naked and exposed without panties.

  Her mind continued around and around. Maybe she shouldn’t take the money. Maybe she should just run. Run for her life.

  Castigating herself for being so melodramatic, she brushed out her hair, cut the light out and walked downstairs.

  As she took the last step down, shock held her rigid as she saw him sitting in a large armchair in the living room, facing the stairway, waiting for her. His hair was damp from a shower, and he wore nothing except boxer briefs.

  She swallowed hard and stalled her movements. His eyes were dark, intense, fastened on her completely. A river of both fear and arousal hit her in the stomach and coursed through her body as his intent stare penetrated her.

  She lingered by the stairway as her heartbeat went into overdrive.

  “You ready?” he asked, his question salient, punctuated.

  Chapter Eight

  She stood without answering, her hand on the banister for support.

  He pushed to his feet and stalked toward her, one purpose radiating from him.

  Jenna felt helpless as he wrapped a brawny arm around her middle, lifting her torso into his, and went for her mouth like a starving animal.

  She hung in his grasp as once again, he began to dominate her physically, sexually.

  He was blatantly male, his erection pushing against her, the need to mate consuming him in a way that left no room for anything else.

  It was too much. It was too soon. She fought back.

  She began pushing against the hands that held her, driving her arms between them, trying to wedge herself away from him. She squirmed against him in an attempt to get free, she ripped her mouth from his and turned her face away. “No.”

  He growled low in his throat and pulled her mouth back around to his.

  She sealed her lips tightly together and stiffened her body in negation.

  “Why?” he questioned in a voice that was guttural, a raspy noise low in his throat.

  Her body went limp in his arms as suddenly, she lost all energy, all will to fight. She sagged against him and answered him softly. “I can’t deal with anymore tonight. I’m so tired. I want to go home. I shouldn’t have done this, shouldn’t have agreed to this marriage.”

  David’s mind reeled as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her. His need for sex was intense. His need for her total acquiescence was more so.

  He heard a small sob in his shoulder and was pissed at himself for making her cry. He reached down and lifted her in his arms, shouldering the door open and walking into the master suite. Putting her in the middle of the bed, he switched off the light and gathered her in his arms.

  She went stiff against him, but he soothed her with small sounds. He ran his hands over her in gentle movements, trying to calm her.

  She sobbed softly again, and he kissed her hair gently.

  “Shh, shh. Don’t cry, baby. It’ll be okay.”

  “I want to go home.”

  His body went rigid and his voice roughened. “No. It’s too late. Just go to sleep.” He kissed her brow and smoothed his hands over her stomach. “I’ll leave you alone so you can sleep.”

  His intentions were noble but her scent was driving him crazy.

  She turned her face toward him and began to try to reason with him in a small whisper. “This isn’t going to work. I can’t take the money.”

  Jenna watched him in the dark, trying to make out his features. She was lying on her back, and he was on his side, hanging over her. It was too dark to see anything more than the outline of his face and the width of his shoulders. She waited in silence, her announcement in the air between them.

  She gasped out loud when she felt his hand fall unerringly on the softness between her thighs. He ignored what she said as if it held no importance and squeezed her mound in a statement of possession.

  David shoved her blouse up until it was scrunched around her belly. His palm moved to her soft stomach and brushed against the feminine flesh under his hand. God, she was so tempting. So soft, so lush, her flesh and her scent inflaming him. Her argument was dismissed from his brain; he would handle her concerns tomorrow. She wasn’t getting away from him, and for now, she either needed to go to sleep immediately, or get ready for what was about to happen.

  He heard another small whimper, and mindful of her tears, set out to calm her down. He smoothed his hand over her stomach, down to the soft, sweet mound between her thighs. Her legs were closed, and he pushed against her pubic bone, swirled his hand up and away, and back again. She sucked in her breath. His mouth went to her ear and he began to whisper to her. “I want to touch you.” At the same time, he put his hand between her knees and pushed her legs apart. His hand smoothed up her thigh and gripped the hot flesh that was driving him out of his mind. “You drive me crazy. I want to touch you, Jenna.”

  His finger went to her slit and he carefully, gently opened her. He heard her catch her breath as she trembled against him.

  “N-no.”

  His finger moved to her clit and pressed. “Why not, baby?”

  “We shouldn’t have done this,” she answered, her voice a mere whisper.

  He ignored her statement and kissed her ear, swirling his tongue over the delicate lobe and gently tugging it between his teeth. His hand left her thighs and moved to her soft stomach, worshipping her flesh, sliding his hand up her torso until it fell on a firm breast. Her nipple was tight and stabbed at his palm. He rubbed it, tweaked it, moved his hand to its twin and did the same until she was softly undulating against him.

  He left the heaven of her breasts and caressed his way back down to her feminine core, found the wet nirvana that awaited him, and sunk a long, thick finger into her.

  He hissed in her ear. “I want to touch you. I want to make you come.”

  Her arms wrapped around his head, and her legs opened further, allowing him access. When he felt that small acknowledgement, his mind almost splintered completely and he had to viciously rein in control. He needed to woo her, make slow love to her, not hold her down and ram her like his body was screaming for him to do.

  His guts in knots, he fought ferociously with himself. He felt a small, smooth hand touch his cheek and a whispered plea. “Please.”

  It calmed the raging fires within. He allowed her to turn his face, take the kiss, opening her mouth against his. Her tongue came out, dipped into his mouth and swirled inside. His grip tightened on her unconsciously.

  Jenna was swimming under a multitude of emotions. She had gone from panic to arousal in no time at all and couldn’t seem to concentrate on why she should keep saying no. Currents of pleasure were running through her from the smooth strokes of his hands. He was being so gentle. She liked it. Her body awash from the slow, caressing strokes, it was all the more shocking to her when he suddenly stiffened, pushed her legs apart and rose over her in one swift moment.

  She was knocked from sweet desire back to distress in seconds.

  David felt the moment he lost it and lost her at the same time.

  Jesus Christ! He needed to learn some control with her, and fast. What the fuck was it about her that made him respond this way? His mind felt separated from his body, and the animal inside was winning.

  He hissed in a breath, reached for her hips, flipped to his back and brought her over him, straddling him, all in one quick motion. He lay still beneath her, his hands on her hips, his breathing ragged. His cock was thick and engorged, and it pulsed against her, riding up between the silky cheeks of her ass. He was about to explode. He gritted his teeth and began reciting pi in his brain. Three. Point. One. Four. One. Five. Nine. Two. Six.—

  Jenna’s breath hitched as she found herself spread out over him, her hands on his chest. Her feminine core was parted against his stomach, and his shaft pulsed against her, hot steel nestle
d against her butt. It was an intimate position that was blowing her mind.

  She sat still and tried to assimilate the changed position and situation. Her eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and she could see the feral look on his face, even though his eyes were closed. Goosebumps slid across her skin as he lifted his hands from her hips, slid them up on either side of his head, palms up, in an act of submission.

  Then he slowly opened his eyes.

  Their gazes clashed in a tangle of need, his pulse beating under her hands, and from his shaft pushing against her cleft. Her heart was beating so hard it hurt. They continued to stare at each other.

  His hand slowly reached up and slid to her shoulder, cupping it in his rough palm. “Do you have any fucking idea what you do to me?”

  Need coursed through her at his vulnerable tone.

  She shook her head softly, her hair whispering over her shoulders, over his hand. “No, I only know what you do to me,” she answered, her voice trembling.

  His hand tightened on her flesh. “What do I do to you?” he demanded, his free hand reaching to the nightstand and picking up a condom.

  Jenna could feel what he was doing in the dark, she knew he was rolling a condom on behind her. How could that be sexy? She hated that he knew she would give in to him.

  He reached for her hips and demanded again, “What do I do to you?”

  “You tear me up inside.” She held herself stiffly over him while he rubbed her hips with smooth, circular strokes and listened. “You make me want you and you take my body but I don’t think—I don’t think that’s enough for you. I think you want my soul.”

  His hands tightened involuntarily. She was right. He wanted everything. But he knew that was crazy. It was too soon to be feeling shit like that with her. He refused to think about it.

  He didn’t answer, just continued to take strokes of her body. His hand swirled over her breasts, down the valley between them, and around her nipples, but without touching the peaks. He heard her inhale sharply. He swirled his hand down to where her femininity was stretched open on his stomach. He put his finger over the spot he knew she wouldn’t be able to resist.