Sawyer, Rita - Uncommonly Brazen [Brazen Sisters 4] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Rita Sawyer

  “Yes. I suppose I should be the one to tell my sisters about us.” Since she had no idea if they were going tease her—it was a damn good probability—she’d rather not have him see that.

  “All right. Anything else?” His voice sounded deeper, but still not angry.

  “Well, now that you mentioned it. My brothers-in-law and Jake are no doubt going to get an earful from my sisters, so you and I should agree on just what we’re going to tell people.”

  “I’m guessing you’ve already thought that out?” He didn’t actually smile, but the corners of his mouth tipped up a little.

  “Well, I figured we tell the truth. You were a client, and we’ve decided,” she paused and smiled at him, “at your insistence, to start dating.”

  He didn’t smile back. He actually frowned. “So, if I say no to any of this, are you going to say we’re back to business only?”

  She’d expected this to be a rough spot. “Yes. I’m sure if you think about it for few minutes you’ll understand.”

  Cameron didn’t respond. He got to his feet and walked over and held his hand out to her. Joey put hers in his, expecting him to shake it and seal the deal. Instead, he pulled her to her feet. Standing this close, her breasts teasingly brushed his chest, and she didn’t know what to say. Unfortunately for her, Cameron did.

  * * * *

  Cameron’s patience had been wearing thin, and this whole speech of hers made it snap. She could try and validate their attraction, but he wasn’t going to let her get away with it. Not now after she’d basically told him just being around him was enough to drive her to distraction. Damn, she’d done a really good job of hiding it. He figured once her family found out they weren’t going to let her pretend things weren’t evolving, either. She would either have to admit she wanted him, or he was going to back off completely. He wasn’t going to be a plaything she could try and control.

  “What I understand is that I bother you enough to have you worried that our attraction is going to distract you enough to interfere with your ability to concentrate.” He knew his smile was a bit cocky, but he wasn’t going to act like he wasn’t proud that he was getting to her.

  “You would get that out of everything I just said.” She wished she hadn’t spilled that fact.

  “Honey, I got it all,” He chuckled and brought them closer together, “but yeah that little tidbit really stood out. So what do you suggest about the way we act in public?”

  “Well, since most of the town is under the impression we’re already a couple, which I blame you and Georgie for, I suppose we act just like any other couple.” She’d always believed the simplest plan was usually the best plan.

  “We get to hold hands, and I can wrap my arm around your shoulders, tucking you up against my side for all the guys in town to see?” Her breath hitched as he pressed his hips against hers.

  “I didn’t realize you were the possessive type.” She felt the hard ridge his cock made behind his fly and forced herself not to move.

  “Joey, all men get possessive over the right woman.” He sure was, and if he guessed right, she liked it.

  “And I bring it out in you. Lucky me.” Her sarcastic comment slipped out before she could stop it, and he didn’t bother to hide his smile.

  “You know, every once in a while you turn into a sassy vixen. I think I like it.” Not often, but every once in a while when she wasn’t fighting to hide from him, she’d let her guard down and let him see it.

  “I do not. Stop teasing me. Do we have a deal?”

  Cameron knew this was going to hurt. A lot. But it needed to be done. He lowered his head and brushed his lips lightly over hers. Joey leaned in, closing the space between them. This time, when his mouth touched hers it was all he could do not to lose control. He wanted to peel her clothes off and take her right there. On the table, she’d be a delicious feast just for him. Against the wall, hard and fast. He’d love to drive her that wild. On the floor, with her writhing beneath him, he’d make sure they both got what they needed. Up until today, he would have taken her any way he could, but with just a few words she’d changed everything.

  He ran his tongue along her top lip where the taste of the strawberries still lingered. Unable to help himself, he did it again, teasing them both. He caught her lower lip between his teeth and tugged gently. She sighed and leaned into him more until their bodies were perfectly aligned. Cam settled his hands low on her back just above her ass and held on tight to keep himself from going any further. He barely managed to keep himself from deepening the kiss and pulled away from her.

  “No.” The simple, one syllable word felt like it was torn from his throat.

  “W–what?” She blinked her eyes a few times, still lost in the passionate fog that had settled around them.

  He made sure she was steady on her feet before he let go stepping away. “No, we don’t have a deal.”

  Need and desire raced through him, but he knew he was doing the right thing. Hard as it was, he ignored the stunned expression on her face. Cameron grabbed their empty bowls and fled from the too small room into the kitchen. He put the dishes in the sink and grabbed onto the counter with both hands. Head bowed he closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. It took him a minute to get himself under control and to the point where he could think clear. At least, as clearly as he could when he was near Joey.

  He could hear her moving around in the other room, but he wasn’t ready to go face her yet. Instead, he decided to pay the other female in his life some special attention. He yanked the cabinet open and pulled out a can of tuna. After getting every last bit, including the juice, he carried the little pink dish he bought for Mrs. Whiskers over to the matching placemat. He made the silly kissy noise the vet had taught him, and Mrs. Whiskers charged into the room. He scratched between her ears and watched her eat.

  “Is it because I finally said yes that you’ve decided you’re not interested.” The anger and pain in her voice he expected, but the tinge of contempt was a surprise.

  He slowly rose to his feet turning to face her. “Being interested isn’t the issue, but just for the record I still am.”

  “Then explain to me why we don’t have a deal.” She jammed her hands on her hips—a move his sisters used when they were pissed at him.

  He countered by crossing his arms across his chest. “I refuse to put restrictions on our relationship. If you want someone you can control like that, you’re looking at the wrong guy.”

  “I’m not trying to control anything. I just want to—” She stopped talking, and he wondered if she couldn’t find a good way to explain herself.

  “Call the shots.” He offered for her. “I don’t think anyone should have that much power in a relationship.”

  She gasped. “You think I’m on power trip.”

  “Power, control, leverage. Call it whatever you want, but you want to be the one with it.” He knew he sounded smug, and that was fine with him.

  “I do not. I could care less about being in charge. I just want to keep our business and personal lives separate.” She had to know that would be impossible.

  “I could promise that, but I won’t.” He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “Either you agree to let me all the way in, or I’m staying out. All the way out. No touching, no kissing, none of that other stuff you like, either.”

  “You,” she pointed at him then stabbed the same finger at her chest, “are giving me an ultimatum?”

  “Call it whatever you want.”

  “I call it blackmail.” She huffed, heading for the office.

  He wanted to follow her and iron things out. If he did, he knew the chance of him giving in was too great, so he stayed right where he was. She grumbled loudly enough for him to hear, but not actually make out anything. The cat rubbed against his legs, purring her thank you loud and clear. What he wouldn’t give to hear Joey purr right then. He could only stall for so long before he need to deal with the position
he’d just put himself in.

  Using the only excuse he had to stay in the kitchen, Cameron picked up the cat’s empty dish and rinsed it out. All the noise in the other room came to a sudden stop. He turned, ready to ask Joey if everything was okay. The towel he’d been using to dry his hands fell to the floor in a heap. He couldn’t speak, and only one part of his body was doing any thinking.

  Joey stood there staring at him. Was she just waiting for him to say something? If she thought he was capable of seeing her standing there like that and still be able to speak, she was giving him way too much credit. Coming to the sudden realization that he was standing there gaping, he snapped his mouth shut so hard his teeth gnashed together. The loud click that filled the air reverberated through his body.

  Chapter Eleven

  Joey knew this risky move could easily backfire, but he deserved it. As she stood there in the small doorway, it gave her a sense of satisfaction that he seemed unable to do anything but stare. According to her sister Georgie, the silk and lace was designed to elicit just that type of response from a guy. She’d let her think that was the reason she bought it, but really it was because it felt amazing against her skin. Of course, they’d fought over the color. Georgie had wanted her to go with black or red, but she’d gone with white silk and soft pink scalloped edged lace.

  The set was sexy, yet classy. The silk cupped the lower portion of her breasts coming over just enough to cover her nipples. Then there was about an inch of the lace over the top curve of her breast. As for the panties, they were high cut on the thighs with the pink lace stretched from hip to hip across her pubic bone. Cameron’s eyes traveled over every inch of her bare skin.

  She fought a smile as she lifted her arms and braced her hands out to her sides on the door jamb. The move enhanced the fullness of her breasts and had them straining against the stretched material. Joey saw him swallow before he tried to smother a groan.

  He’d been so proud of his ability to distract her, but the affect she had on him was much more noticeable. The bulge behind his zipper was hard to miss. She bit her lower lip and rocked her hips forward just a touch. The logical and age-old question popped into her head. Was he wearing boxers or briefs? Shit, he could be going commando.

  “This isn’t going to change my mind.” He didn’t sound very convincing, but it didn’t matter since that wasn’t her goal.

  She tipped her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “You know, that’s twice tonight you’ve suggested I’m trying to manipulate you. I’m starting to get annoyed.”

  “You have to admit,” He waved his hand up and down her body in a jerky move, “in that, it’s a damn good possibility.”

  Joey took a deep breath and took a second to reexamine things from his point of view. She’d only been trying to think responsibly for both of them, but Cameron hadn’t seen things that way though. To have him suggest she was trying to control him pissed her off. In a way, his accusation wasn’t too far from the truth, yet at the same time it was. Still, it had been a big mistake. And now he thought she was using her body to coerce him.

  She wanted to make sure he understood exactly what she was doing.

  Joey walked over and laid her hand on his chest, feeling his heart race under her palm. “The only thing I want to manipulate is your body.”

  “Have you taken the rules off the table?” His question sounded more like a plea.

  “I suppose we can play things by ear for now.” She ran her hands down to his waist and started tugging up his shirt.

  “For now,” he agreed, yanking the shirt over his head tossing it aside as he lowered his mouth to hers.

  His kiss was urgent, yet tender. Instead of the devouring she’d been expecting, she got teasing gentleness that made her want more. Joey felt his muscles quiver under her fingers and felt emboldened. She moved her hands down his chest to his waist and fumbled with his belt. His hands covered hers, and she figured he was going to help her. Instead, Cameron made a tsking noise and removed her hands. Before she could ask why, he had her in his arms and was striding through the kitchen. He carried her up to his bedroom.

  Once he put her down, he grabbed her hands and put them back on his belt. Joey laughed as she undid the button and zipper. Her fingers brushed against his cock, and he hissed. She tugged the jeans over his hips and let them fall to the floor. Hooking her fingers in the elastic of his boxers, she slid her body down with them. She reached up and took his shaft in her hand. Cam looked down at her as she stroked him with a firm pumping action. A drop of clear liquid crested the slit at head of his cock.

  She leaned forward and licked the spot before closing her lips around the now glistening top. She kept moving her hand as she sucked with what she hoped was the right amount of pressure. She’d never done this before, or even wanted to, but now she really wanted to do it right. Cameron moaned, and his hand landed on her head, fisting in her hair. She took it as a good sign and increased the speed of her strokes.

  “Fuck, Joey, you need to stop.” He pulled away and helped her up.

  As he did, he managed to strip her bare. He eased them onto the bed, hovering over her. She opened her legs, and he settled himself between them. Using a trick she’d learned fighting with her sisters over the years, she twisted and rolled them so she was on top, straddling him. She grabbed his hands and held them to the bed. Joey raised up onto her knees, hovering over his cock. Slowly, she slid down onto it. She let go of his hands and used hers to brace herself on his chest.

  His hands went to her hips, but he didn’t try to control her movements as she rocked herself against him. She could feel the tension in her building and suddenly Cam pushed his pelvis up, which sent him deeper. Joey cried out for him to do it again, so he did. This time, though, he reached up and grabbed onto her shoulders pulling her down at the same time. Her body trembled, and she fell against his chest. Cam held her there and kept pumping into her, setting off little aftershocks.

  He rolled them over, never leaving her body. He built up the intense pressure in her again and, just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, he pushed her over the edge. They came together, both of them shouting the other’s name. Joey closed her eyes, needing a few minutes to gather what was left of her mind.

  * * * *

  Joey eased out of Cameron’s bed, lifting the cordless phone from its base on the nightstand. She crept into the bathroom, not wanting to wake him or have her sister hear his snore. Not wanting to wake the whole house, she dialed Georgie’s cell number.

  It only rang once before she heard Georgie grumble. “Hello.”

  “Hey, it’s me.”

  “Like anyone else would dare call me at three a.m. I take it you’re not coming home tonight?” Georgie was right about that.

  Joey glanced into the bedroom where Cameron laid stretched across the bed and closed the door. “Actually, I was hoping you could swing by Cameron’s place before work and drop me off some clean clothes.”

  “Sure. So does this mean you and Cameron came to an understanding?” She should have known Georgie wouldn’t want to wait for morning for answers.

  “Sort of. We’ll go to the diner. I’ll buy you breakfast and tell you all about it.”

  “In detail, I hope.” Georgie hung up on her without even a goodbye.

  Joey laughed and ended the call on her end. She opened the door and screamed. Cameron laughed and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet. She threw her arms around his neck and held on. He carried her to the bed and fell backwards onto it, bringing her with him. Joey’s surprised gasp turned into laughter as he rolled them over so he was on top.

  “I was worried for a second that you skipped out on me. Then I heard you whispering.”

  “Well, I didn’t see a reason to wake you yet, and if I stayed out here I would have had to shout to be heard over your snoring.” She teased, loving the way he laughed right along with her.

  “I only snore when I’m really, really tired. So I gue
ss that could be blamed on you since I spent every ounce of energy I had satisfying you.” He lowered his head and kissed her neck.

  “Then I guess you’re excused, but maybe I’ll have to test your theory and sleep with you when you’re not wiped out.”

  “Anytime. Now, for the big question.” He pulled back and looked in her eyes. “Do I get to go to breakfast with you in the morning?”

  “Sure.” She lifted her head off the pillow and gave him a kiss, which quickly got out of hand.

  Chapter Twelve

  The loud knocking had them both groaning. Cameron covered his head with pillow and started snoring again. Joey squinted at the clock. Six o’clock in the morning. Where had the night gone? Georgie was either really hungry, or she couldn’t wait to hear about her wild night with Cameron. Joey slipped her panties on and stole one of Cameron’s T-shirts from the pile of folded clothes stacked in the chair by the door. She tugged it over her head as she bounced down the staircase.

  Thankfully, his shirt reached her upper thighs. She briefly wondered if she looked as compromised as she felt. It really didn’t matter because it was either answer the door wearing this or wrapped in a bed sheet. Georgie would read whatever she wanted into it, anyway. A huge yawn overtook her as she yanked the door open.

  “Surprise!” two teenage girls, a woman Joey guessed to be in her thirties, and an older, gray-haired woman shouted.

  Was it ever. Joey barely held back the scream lodged in her throat. The two women’s eyes went wide as they took her in. Heat bloomed throughout her and settled on her cheeks, making them burn red hot. Joey wanted to slam the door, but her manners kept her from doing it. Whoever these people were, they were just as surprised to see her as she was to see them.

  “Sorry,” one of the girls finally said, breaking the awkward silence. “We’re looking for Cameron Elwood.”