by Maya Banks
She relaxed a little. “You don’t think I’m weird?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I think you’re weird, but not because you have kinky sex fantasies.”
She surprised him by throwing her arms around him and hugging tight. He eased his arms around her and held her, running a hand through her curls. He probably shouldn’t push things yet, but he’d been dying to taste her all night.
He tugged gently at her hair until her head fell back. He cupped a hand to her cheek and gently ran his thumb down her jaw. Her lips fell open in silent invitation and it was all he needed.
His lips found hers, hot, flushed and needy. She tasted sweet, and she felt incredibly soft against his hard body. He loved that, loved the way she fit so perfectly against him.
Her mouth opened wider against his kiss and the tip of her tongue feathered over his. He caught it and sucked it further into his mouth. Their tongues rolled and tangled as the sounds of their breathing echoed into the night.
If they were anywhere but at the lake on a cold night, Luke would lay her down and strip her naked. He’d get between her thighs and slide so deep into her pussy that she wouldn’t know where he began and she ended.
With more willpower than he thought he possessed, he pulled away from her.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Yeah, wow,” he agreed. “I had a feeling we’d be like an inferno if we ever got together.”
She stuck her hands in her pockets and looked away for a minute. Then she glanced back at him, her eyes still echoing her need. He reached out a thumb to glide over her swollen lips. Lips he wanted to devour again.
“Want to go out again tomorrow night?” she asked. “I pick the place this time.”
Luke looked at her in surprise. Was this another test?
“Okay. Sounds good to me. What time should I pick you up and what should I wear?”
“Eight o’clock and jeans and a T-shirt are fine. Don’t overdress. You’ll be getting hot.”
His body surged to attention at her words. Innocent or not, they were full of innuendo. But she didn’t elaborate, so clearly she was going to let him ponder just what it was they were doing.
Chapter Six
Gracie waited inside the door for Luke to come to the steps. He’d seemed bent on coming to get her last night, so she’d waited tonight.
He mounted the steps and knocked lightly. She opened the door and bit back a smile of satisfaction at his double take.
“You look…fantastic,” he murmured.
She reached for her jacket and noted his disappointed grimace when she slid it on. “Ready?” she asked.
She grinned smugly all the way to the truck. The top she’d chosen was more suited for warmer weather. The thin straps looped over her shoulders and the built-in shelf made wearing a bra unnecessary. The material molded and cupped her breasts like a lover. Every curve was outlined in vivid detail. She liked to call it her bitch in heat shirt. And where they were going, she planned to work up a sweat.
“So where we going?” Luke asked when they got into the truck.
“Downtown,” she said vaguely.
He looked curiously at her but started the engine and drove out of her driveway. Fifteen minutes later, they got off the freeway and headed toward the downtown section.
“Take the next left,” she directed.
They turned onto a smaller street and she pointed toward a stop sign.
“Take a right.”
She leaned forward in anticipation as she spotted the club. “Here, turn into the parking lot,” she directed.
Luke pulled in and parked then cut the engine. He looked over at her. “Rave? We’re going to Rave?”
“You don’t dance?” she asked innocently.
“I’ve been known to dance,” he said slowly.
“Then let’s go.”
She slid out of the truck and met Luke around the front. She’d shed her jacket and hopped a bit to keep warm in the cold air.
“Let’s get inside before you freeze,” Luke muttered.
As soon as they stepped inside, the fast beat of the music swelled and pounded. It vibrated the floor beneath their feet and exploded off the walls. Her pulse quickened as the beat invaded her veins.
“Let’s dance,” Luke shouted beside her.
He tugged her out toward the crowded dance floor. Couples moved and gyrated in time with the music, their bodies meshed in sensual poses.
Gracie hesitated, unsure of herself for the first time.
Luke leaned in toward her ear. “Pretend for a minute that I’m one of your boyfriends. You’ve brought me here to dance. Come on, Gracie, what would you do?”
He was taunting her, daring her. And damn it, she never backed down from a dare.
She looped her arms around his neck and swung her pelvis into his groin. She moved and swayed, getting into the heady beat. She closed her eyes and threw her head back as she rubbed her breasts across his chest.
After a few moments, she rotated in his arms, grinding her ass into his hard cock. Oh yeah, she could feel the bulge against her behind. She leaned into him and reached up, twining her arms behind her around his neck.
She writhed against him, bumping and thumping as he moved in sync with her. His hands crept around her, moving slowly, seductively over her belly.
She shivered as a flash of need, centered in her abdomen, shot out in ten directions. Her pussy tightened, her nipples beaded and the hunger within her grew.
His hands moved up inching closer to her breasts. Would he touch her in public? She knew the club goers here were about as uninhibited as they came, but she wasn’t sure if Luke would feel comfortable indulging in that sort of activity.
Then he cupped both breasts through the thin material of her shirt and she gasped at the erotic sensation that bolted through her body. He massaged and plumped them both, lightly caressing the sensitive flesh.
One of his hands dropped, sliding down her body as the other kept kneading her breast. Lower still until his thumb brushed over her belt loop and caught there. His fingers dipped to the juncture of her thighs until he touched her pussy through her jeans.
Her body jerked in reaction and she moaned softly. He continued to rub up and down, dipping farther between her legs. She ground her ass against his cock, her movements becoming more restless by the minute.
“Undo your jeans for me,” he said close to her ear.
“Here?” she asked.
“This is your place, Gracie. You wouldn’t have brought me here if you hadn’t wanted this to happen.”
She gulped nervously and reached down with shaky fingers to undo the snap of her jeans. Around them, the dancing continued and no one seemed to notice or care what she and Luke were doing.
“Arms back up now,” he ordered.
She slid her arms back up over her head and wrapped them around his neck until she was once more locked in his embrace.
The hand he had on her breast lowered to the hem of her shirt. He dipped underneath until his hand came into contact with her bare skin. Then he slid his hand back up toward her breasts until he flicked over her nipple.
The nipple ring dangled and he plucked gently at it.
“Very nice,” he said in her ear.
She’d forgotten all about the nipple rings and how he might react to them, but based on his response, he was far from turned off.
He continued to play with the nipple ring as his other hand delved into her pants. She sucked in her breath as his fingers found her clit and began rubbing in a slow, torturous circle.
“I want you to come for me, Gracie. Right here, right now.”
Oh God, if he only knew just how close she already was.
He pulled harder at her nipple ring and bent his head to nibble at her neck. His fingers moved faster over her pussy, separating the folds and flicking at the button between them.
Her breathing sped up. Then just as he sank his teeth into her neck, he pulled sharply at the nipple ring a
nd he pinched her clit.
She exploded against him in a rush of heat. She sagged heavily in his arms, and he caught her against him, holding her tightly. Wave after wave of exquisite pleasure poured over her as the music swelled in the background. Her legs shook, and she felt weak all over.
Finally he eased his hand from her pussy. He let his other hand fall from her breast and carefully withdrew it from her shirt. He reached around her with both hands and redid her snap before arranging her shirt for her.
“Maybe we should get a drink now,” he suggested.
She nodded numbly and followed him off the dance floor. They took a table far enough from the dancing and music that they might actually be able to hear each other without shouting.
“What the hell was that?” Gracie asked after they placed their drink order.
Luke fixed her with one hell of a sexy stare. “I should be asking you that. Didn’t you set me up for that?”
She opened her mouth but couldn’t think of a single thing to say. “No, I mean yes, but no, I wasn’t setting you up. I just wanted to see…”
“If I’d run scared if you took me to a place like this?” he finished.
“Yeah,” she finished lamely. “Something like that.”
“I’m not like your other boyfriends, Gracie.”
“No, you’re not,” she said truthfully. “That was, honest to God, the hottest thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.”
Luke grinned. “Honest. Yep, that’s what I love about you.”
“You didn’t…you didn’t mind the nipple rings?”
He stared strangely at her. “Mind? I was turned on as hell. I can’t wait to see them. I bet you look incredibly sexy with them dangling from your nipples.”
She grabbed for the drink being delivered and drank greedily. God, she had to do something to cool off or she was going to go up in flames.
Finally she put it down and stared intently at Luke. “Is that where we’re headed, Luke? Are we going to have sex?”
“I could lie and say no, but I won’t. That’s precisely where we’re headed, Gracie.”
Delicious tickles licked up her spine. Her insides quivered and her nipples tightened. For the first time in a long time, she looked at sex and had no idea what to expect.
“Not right away,” he continued. “I want to see you a few more times. I’m having fun seeing you as more than a buddy. You’re a beautiful woman, Gracie, and I’m enjoying you very much.”
He leaned in toward her until his mouth was inches from hers. “Would you trust me enough to go somewhere with me for the weekend? For Valentine’s Day?”
“Valentine’s Day?” she echoed.
“Call it our fantasy weekend,” he said. “Make plans to get next Friday off work. I’ll pick you up Friday morning, and we’ll spend the weekend together. I promise you won’t regret it.”
She sat back in her chair and stared at him open mouthed. Spend an entire weekend with him. Having sex. A fantasy weekend. Her entire body tingled at the thought.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
She nodded. “You know I do.”
“Then let me plan this. Say you’ll go.”
She must be out of her mind. No one did this sort of thing after two dates. But this was Luke. Not some schmuck she’d just met. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her and would probably give her the best sex of her life.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll do it.”
“Good. That’s just next weekend. Not long at all to wait.”
“No,” she agreed. “So what do we do in the meantime?”
“We get to know each other better,” Luke said. “And we dance some more.”
He gestured toward the dance floor. “You ready for round two?”
Chapter Seven
“So what is Jeremy doing for you for Valentine’s Day?” Gracie asked as she leaned against Michelle’s kitchen counter. She, Ellie Turner and Michelle were all gathered in the kitchen while the men sat in the living room ready to watch the fight.
Michelle stopped stirring the tea and set the pitcher aside. She smiled ruefully. “Nothing romantic I imagine. He’ll probably finish painting the baby’s room and we’ll probably go pick out the crib.”
“Sounds exciting,” Gracie said dryly. “What about you, Ellie? If I know Jake, he’s planned something terrific.”
A blush worked its way over the pretty brunette’s face. “I don’t know exactly,” Ellie said. “He told me not to make plans.”
Michelle grinned. “Jake does plan the most wonderful surprises.”
Gracie nodded. “Lucky bitch. What I wouldn’t give for a man to look at me the way Jake looks at you, Ellie.” Even as she said it, the memory of the way Luke had stared at her on their date sent a slow burn straight up her spine.
Ellie laughed and blushed again. “I’m not complaining. I’m so lucky to have him.”
Michelle reached over and patted her arm. “No, honey, he’s lucky to have you.”
“No doubt,” Gracie agreed. “Who else would put up with all that testosterone?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Gracie. You have to admit all that bottled he-man stuff is awfully sexy,” Michelle said cheekily.
“I swear those pregnancy hormones are raging. You must keep Jeremy awfully busy,” Gracie said dryly.
Michelle blushed. She actually blushed. Gracie crowed in delight. “Busted!”
The three women dissolved into laughter.
“What about you, Gracie? Got any plans with Luke?” Michelle asked pointedly.
Gracie felt her cheeks heat, but damn it, she was not going to betray herself like the other two women. “Yeah, we’re spending the weekend together.”
Michelle raised one eyebrow. “The weekend as in you’ll have a couple of dates or the weekend as in spending every minute together?”
“The latter,” Gracie replied.
“Wow, you guys move fast. Going anywhere special?”
“I don’t know exactly. He’s planning it. I just know it involves sex.”
Michelle pinned her with a questioning stare. “You nervous?”
“Of course I am. This isn’t just any guy. I don’t want to screw things up.”
“You’ll do fine,” Michelle soothed.
“Luke’s a great guy,” Ellie interjected.
“What are you girls doing in here?” Luke asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“Gossiping, of course,” Michelle said lightly.
Luke dropped a kiss on Michelle’s cheek. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
Michelle smiled at him. “I’m doing good. Baby’s growing like a weed.”
He turned to Ellie and gave her a quick hug. “What about you? Jake treating you good?”
Ellie’s smile lit up her entire face.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Luke said.
Then he turned his attention to Gracie.
Gracie felt an odd shiver as Luke reached to pull her into his arms. He kissed her lightly on the lips before pulling away.
“The fight’s starting. I wondered if y’all needed help with the snacks,” he said.
The girls put it into high gear. Gracie shoved a tray at Luke while Michelle collected the tea pitcher and the bags of chips. Ellie grabbed the glasses of ice and followed everyone else into the living room.
It was a familiar scene. One that brought Gracie comfort. All of them gathered at Jeremy and Michelle’s to watch a UFC fight.
“Hey, Gracie, come sit,” Wes called. He patted the spot beside him on the couch.
Luke sat down on the floor in front of her and leaned back between her legs so his back rested against the couch. Ellie sat nestled in Jake’s arms, and Gracie felt a pang of longing at the couple’s obvious devotion.
They spent the evening laughing and having a good time. Luke didn’t go out of his way to latch onto her in front of the others, a fact she was grateful for.
She didn’t want to flaunt her budding relationship with L
uke. She still felt awkward about it and didn’t want to extend that discomfort to the rest of the group. And to everyone else’s credit, they’d acted completely normal.
The fight had been over a few minutes when the doorbell rang. Jeremy got up and disappeared from the living room to answer it. A few seconds later, he reappeared.
“Gracie, Keith is at the door for you.”
Gracie stiffened. Why now of all times? Did he never think to call or at least go by her house if he had something he wanted to say? Why he was fond of making a scene in front of her friends, she’d never know.
“Has he been drinking?” Gracie asked as she got up.
Jake’s eyebrows shot up, and his face darkened.
Jeremy shook his head. “I don’t think so, and he’d be a damn fool to show up here if he had.” He winked at her. “I gave him my best cop stare and told him he better not start any shit.”
Gracie grinned. “Thanks, Jeremy.”
Luke put a hand on her shoulder as she got up from the couch. “I’m going out with you.”
She hesitated for a moment then nodded. As they left the living room, Luke slid an arm around her waist and squeezed reassuringly.
When she opened the front door, Keith, who was standing on the porch with his back to her, turned around. His lips curled in distaste and his eyes glinted with a little fear as he spotted Luke.
“What do you want?” Gracie asked.
“I’d hoped we could talk alone,” Keith said, looking pointedly at Luke.
Luke pulled her closer up against him, his hand resting possessively on her hip. “Whatever you have to say to Gracie can be said in front of me. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
“So you’re with him now?” Keith demanded.
“It would appear I am,” Gracie said calmly.
“Damn it, Gracie. You don’t even give a guy a chance,” Keith complained. “You can’t expect to spring shit on me like you did. I know I reacted badly, but what did you expect?”
Gracie raised her eyebrows. “Expect? I don’t guess I expected anything from you at all, Keith. I’ve said all I intend to say on the matter. We’re finished, and I’d really appreciate it if you’d quit coming over to my friends’ house.”