Illicit

by Opal Carew

  “All right.”

  A wide smile spread across his face, lighting his midnight eyes. “Just give me a minute to change.”

  Erik turned and headed toward the hall, then disappeared around the corner. She leaned over and pulled on her shoes.

  “Well, here we are. Alone at last.”

  She started and turned to Connor, who still wore only a towel draped around his waist. Thoughts of his big, heavy penis dangling beneath the covering wafted through her brain.

  He chuckled. “Come on. I’ll get you a drink.” He turned and walked toward a door off the dining room.

  She hesitated, then realized it would be silly to just stand by the elevator for ten minutes waiting for Erik to return. She followed him, her gaze drifting to the towel on his hips that slipped lower and lower as he walked. Her breath caught as the towel started to drop free, but he caught it and tucked the end securely into place again.

  She followed him through the door into a huge kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, tall stools at the counter, and a table and chairs in a generous eating area near a huge window with a great view of the pool.

  Connor opened the fridge. “We’ve got beer and juice. Or I could make you a margarita or something.”

  “A juice, please.”

  He twisted the top off a bottle and handed it to her, then opened one for himself.

  “This is a really nice place,” she said, glancing around at the beautiful dark wood cabinets, black shiny countertops, and the glossy hardwood floor.

  “We like it.”

  She sat on one of the high stools at the counter and sipped her drink.

  “Do you all live here together?”

  He leaned against the counter and smiled. “Yeah. We moved in about three weeks ago. Before that, Travis and I were roommates. Now it’s the three of us.”

  “Three of us?” Erik said as he walked into the room, wearing dark jeans and a striped cotton shirt. “Are you joining us, Connor?”

  Connor chuckled. “I wouldn’t think of it.” He grabbed his juice and walked to the door. “I think Travis and I will catch a movie tonight, then head over to that new club. But I’d better put on some clothes first.”

  As Connor disappeared out the doorway, Lindsay stood up, ready to leave.

  “Go ahead and finish your drink. There’s no rush.” Erik sat beside her at the counter.

  “Connor was just telling me you all moved in here recently.”

  Erik glanced around. “Yeah. We’re still getting used to the place.”

  “It’s a gorgeous apartment. And I can’t believe you have a pool right outside the door. Is it just for your use?”

  “That’s right. It’s totally private.” He turned toward her, leaning his elbow on the counter. “Speaking of which, I assume that earlier you saw Connor and Travis outside doing more than swimming.”

  She pursed her lips and nodded. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude on their privacy.”

  “Not at all. I’m sure they didn’t care at all that you saw them. Travis was just reacting to the fact you were leaving and I’m sure he thought it was because you saw them and were making”—he shrugged—“I don’t know, some kind of judgment about them.”

  Her chest tightened. “Oh, no. Not at all. That’s not why I was leaving.”

  “I know. I just wanted to explain why Travis acted that way. Don’t worry, Connor will explain the mix-up to him.”

  “Hey, you two.” Connor poked his head in the door. “Travis and I are leaving now. Want to ride down with us?”

  Lindsay took a last sip of her drink, then followed Connor to the entrance. Travis stood inside the elevator holding the doors open. Connor grabbed her purse from the floor and handed it to her.

  Lindsay preceded him into the elevator. She felt tiny standing amongst the three tall men. The doors closed and the elevator began to move. Erik stood at her side with Connor and Travis behind them. At the heat of their bodies so close to her, her insides quivered. They were so hot and sexy. She drew in a deep breath, trying to suppress the steamy images fluttering through her brain. Of Connor stepping forward until his hard body pressed the length of her. Of Travis sliding close beside her and stroking her hair from her face, his fingers trailing lightly across her temple, then his lips nuzzling her ear. Of Erik stepping in front of her, then taking her in his arms and capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.

  Erik coughed and she glanced up at him. He smiled at her, a twinkle in his eyes, and she could almost believe he could see the images in her head. Even though she knew that was impossible, her cheeks flushed.

  Erik continued to smile at her, as if he knew just what she was thinking.

  Damn it, what came over her in elevators? At least, in elevators with these three men.

  When the doors opened, she practically lurched into the lobby.

  Connor and Travis said good-bye as they headed for the elevator to the parking garage and Erik walked with her to the front door.

  They stepped into the warm evening air and walked along the sidewalk. It was still early on a summer’s evening so the sun wouldn’t set for a while yet. They walked by a restaurant with planters of pink and purple petunias out front, then crossed at a light and continued down another block.

  “Here it is.” Erik opened the door for her and she entered the welcoming cool air of the bar.

  Soft music was playing and she noticed a dance floor near the back. The hostess guided them to a quiet table, then a waitress came by and took their drink order.

  “You live in a really nice neighborhood,” Lindsay said. It was definitely a prime area. She wondered how they could afford such an extravagant place in such a posh area.

  “We like it. We haven’t had much time to explore yet. We’re still settling in.”

  The waitress brought their drinks.

  “So why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself?” Erik said.

  “Oh, well, I’ve lived here all my life. I went away to college, but came back right after that. My father and stepmother live in a big house in the suburbs, but I prefer to live downtown close to the office.”

  “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

  “I like movies and books, but I’m also pretty active. I like snow skiing, not that I get a lot of chances to do that, and I really like the water. Swimming, boating, going to the beach.”

  He smiled. “That’s why you like our pool so much.”

  “Yeah. I’d love to have a pool right outside the door like that.” She swirled her finger around the rim of her glass. “So what about you?”

  “I grew up in New York. I moved out here about eight years ago, just before I joined the force.”

  “You’re a long way from home. Do you miss your family?”

  “No. Connor and Travis are the only family I need.”

  His expression closed up as soon as she mentioned his family. She’d have loved to ask him more about them but sensed he wouldn’t appreciate it.

  “Hey there, do you mind if we join you?”

  She glanced up and saw Connor approaching the table, Travis by his side.

  “It turns out we have about twenty minutes to kill before the movie.”

  Erik glanced at her questioningly, and she nodded. The two men sat down, Connor beside her and Travis beside Erik.

  The waitress stopped by to take their drink orders.

  Then the four of them chatted for a bit about the movie the guys were going to go see.

  “So how long have you all known each other?” Lindsay asked.

  “Travis and I have known each other for seven years,” Connor answered, “and we met Erik five years ago.”

  “Connor and I met at the university,” Travis said, “then became roommates after we graduated. We met Erik at a party.”

  “Yeah, you could say that.” Erik turned to her, a big grin on his face. “I was actually on duty and came to break up a fight at said party.”

  Her gaze
flicked to Connor and Travis. “Were you two in the fight?”

  “No, we were trying to break it up when he arrived,” Travis said.

  Erik nodded. “They’d been drinking so they weren’t being all that effective, but everything settled down when my partner and I arrived, so we didn’t have to arrest anyone. I saw these two in the coffee shop near the campus a few times after that,” he continued, “and we got to talking, and wound up becoming friends.”

  Connor chuckled. “And more.”

  “Well, you’ve seen the man in his uniform.” Travis grinned.

  She loved that they were so open and easy about their sexual interest in each other.

  Lindsay smiled. “It’s true. He does look pretty good in that uniform.”

  The thought of him in his dark blue shirt, stretched taut over his big chest, badge gleaming, and a look of authority in his eyes set her blood simmering. She imagined him ordering her to turn around and rest her hands on the table, then running his hands up and down her body, searching her. His fingers would glide over her breasts and pat them. Her nipples hardened at the thought of his big, masculine hands squeezing lightly before continuing down her hips, then over her ass.

  Erik’s gaze shifted to hers, and his eyes seemed to darken.

  “Hey, how can you sit here with such a beautiful woman and not ask her to dance?” Travis asked.

  “That’s a great idea,” Erik said, his gaze boring into her.

  She shifted her focus from Erik’s searing gaze to Connor. “But you two are only here for a little while.” Although Lindsay would love to be in Erik’s arms right now, she didn’t want to be rude.

  “Forget about that,” Connor said. “We have to get going anyway.” He drained his beer and stood up. “Ready, Travis?”

  Travis stood up, too. “You two have fun.” Then he followed Connor from the bar.

  “Well, would you like to dance?” Erik asked.

  She smiled and extended her hand.

  He took it in his and led her to the dance floor. His big fingers wrapped around hers sent heat thrumming through her. He took her in his arms, drawing her close to his solid body, and she settled her hand on his broad, muscular shoulder. Her breath caught. He was so big and so … masculine. She felt tiny and very feminine in his strong arms. He guided her around the dance floor with a masterful authority and she found herself longing to be mastered by him in other ways.

  After a couple of songs, they returned to the table and had another drink, then when a slow, romantic song came on, he asked her to dance again. She was feeling more relaxed with him and she rested her head against his shoulder. He held her close, his solid chest tight against her. Her insides melted at the heat of him and she had to suppress her desire to nuzzle his neck.

  “You feel so good against me,” he murmured.

  “Mmm, you, too.”

  His lips nuzzled her temple and shivers danced along her spine. After a couple more songs, her body was quivering with need. She couldn’t help imagining his lips moving along her cheek, then finding her lips. His tongue slipping into her mouth and exploring while his hard body pressed even tighter against her.

  “You know,” he murmured against her ear, “Connor and Travis will be out for several hours. The penthouse is empty if you’d like to go back for a drink. We could sit out by the pool. Maybe go for a swim.”

  “That sounds like a great idea.” Though swimming was the last thing on her mind.

  He led her from the floor and returned to their seats. He tossed some money on the table, then she grabbed her purse and followed him from the bar. The warm air outside did nothing to cool down the desire burning within her. Soon they were in his building with the elevator doors closing behind them.

  He gazed at her, his eyes like burning embers, but he didn’t make a move toward her. The previous two times she’d been in an elevator with him and his two friends, steamy fantasies had danced through her head. Now that she’d felt his body against her for real on the dance floor, and experienced his lips on her skin, she could hardly contain herself. She quivered with desire.

  But he was holding back. Being a perfect gentleman.

  The hell with this. She stepped forward and rested her hands on his muscular shoulders, then lifted her face to his.

  “Kiss me.”

  Four

  Lindsay watched his eyes darken as his arms wrapped around her, then his mouth captured hers in a passionate kiss. His lips were firm and confident as they moved on hers, then his tongue glided into her mouth and swirled inside, taking her breath away.

  Too soon, the elevator doors opened, but he scooped her up and carried her into the apartment, then headed toward the couch.

  “No. The bedroom.” She knew where this was going and didn’t want the other two men walking in on them.

  He smiled broadly and changed course. In moments, he set her on his bed.

  She gazed up at him, her breathing erratic, and started to unbutton her blouse. He knelt in front of her.

  “Let me.”

  Slowly, he unfastened her buttons, one by one, revealing the swell of her breasts. When he was done, he parted the fabric. Her nipples hardened as his gaze ran over her blue lace–clad breasts, his eyes full of admiration. He leaned in and nuzzled her neck, then gazed down at her breasts again.

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  The words made her feel beautiful, and so did the way he was staring at the outline of her swelling nipples.

  She slipped the blouse from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor, then stood up and unfastened her jeans. He watched with avid interest as she dropped them to the floor, revealing her tiny, blue lace panties.

  “Now you,” she said.

  Lindsay licked her lips, longing to see the broad muscular chest hugged by the striped cotton fabric.

  Standing in front of her, he unfastened his top button, then the second, revealing tanned flesh. Her throat went dry as he continued downward. He dropped the shirt over his shoulders and let it slip away, revealing a broad, muscular chest and tight ridges of muscle defining his abs. She stared at him, salivating, her insides flashing with heat like a wildfire.

  He unfastened his pants and pushed them to the ground, then stepped out of them. She stared at the huge bulge in his boxers, showing her exactly how much he wanted her. She almost giggled in delight.

  He stepped closer and stroked her hair behind her ear. Her nipples swelled at his touch, and she longed for him to caress them. He cupped her face, then his lips meshed with hers.

  Heat blazed through her and her inner passage clenched as she longed for his cock to be inside her. His tongue slid along the seam of her mouth and she opened, then her tongue dodged out to meet his. They tangled together, then he pulled her closer as he drove into her mouth. She ran her fingers through his short hair and she murmured as sweet yearning pulsed through her.

  When he released her mouth, she sucked in air. He stroked down her neck to the swell of her breast, then glided his finger along the edge of the lace cup of her bra. She wanted him to slip underneath and touch her naked flesh. He dipped his head to kiss her neck, his lips fluttering along her skin.

  Behind him, she noticed his dark blue police hat sitting on the top of his armoire and images of him when he arrived at the penthouse in his uniform sent heat thrumming through her. He had been so big and sexy and … authoritative, standing there in his blue uniform, with his brimmed hat and his badge.

  He lifted his head and gazed at her. “You like the fact I’m a police officer.”

  “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”

  He turned to the armoire and grabbed his hat. “You’re looking at this, right?” He placed it on his head and her breath caught.

  She nodded, unable to utter a word as he approached her. He was a cop. His big, broad chest was naked. A huge erection pushed at his boxers. And he was about to have sex with her.

  He grinned. “You know, it’s okay. Cops are allowed
to have sex. Especially when they’re off duty.”

  She nodded again.

  He laughed and pulled her into his arms, then captured her lips. She could barely catch her breath as his tongue stormed her mouth, his arms tightening to crush her against his solid chest.

  When he released her, she gazed up at him and licked her lips.

  His smile faded as he took on a serious expression and backed her toward the bed. “Ma’am, you’re acting very suspicious.”

  She stopped when she bumped against the bed. He towered over her, the glint of amusement in his blue eyes a contradiction to his stern expression.

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to strip-search you.”

  He reached behind her and unfastened her bra with one quick flick, then he eased the straps from her shoulders. He didn’t pull it away, though, so she drew in a deep breath and dropped it to the floor. His hot gaze dropped to her naked breasts and her nipples swelled in response. His big hands cupped her and she felt faint with desire.

  With one hand on her shoulder, he pressed her to a sitting position, then onto her back. He crouched between her knees and caressed her breasts, sending thrilling sensations dancing through her. His hands patted down her sides and over her hips, then he tucked his fingers under the elastic of her panties and drew them down and off. His hot gaze on her exposed folds made her melt inside.

  “Officer, are you going to put me in jail?” She gazed up at him innocently.

  He smiled. “Not if you cooperate.”

  She rested her hand on his chest and drifted downward, loving the feel of his hard muscles beneath her fingertips. “Of course, Officer. I’ll do anything you want.”

  He stood up and she continued gliding down his stomach, then over the big bulge straining at his boxers. He groaned as she reached inside and wrapped her fingers around his thick, hot flesh. She drew out his cock and gazed at it. He was so big, and hard as marble. She leaned forward and licked the mushroom-shaped crown, to his groan of appreciation.

  “Do you like that, Officer?”