Players

by Rachel Cross

  He leaned over and brushed his lips briefly across hers before chuckling.

  “Why are you laughing?” she asked.

  He brought her hand to his lips. “Because, I can’t believe I just told you that. Malcolm would have a heart attack if he could see me now.”

  She nodded. “This friend and lover thing is new to you, but don’t worry, it’s only for one weekend.”

  Disappointment flashed in his eyes so briefly she couldn’t be sure if it was really there. Regardless of what he may think, this couldn’t last more than a weekend. Once her virginity was gone, she could start looking for a husband. Jared was the last man she needed to keep around if she wanted to get married.

  Instead of replying to her comment, he tugged on her arm. “Come on. Let’s go eat before I say anything else that can be classified as romantic, noble, or decent.”

  She laughed and followed him out.

  Chapter 12

  Jared cursed himself a thousand times as he and Tasha walked along the pier in Waterfront Park. He couldn’t believe he’d told her they didn’t have to sleep together until Sunday. He was really acting like a punk. The minute he’d seen her standing in the bedroom he’d wanted her, but her racing heart and stiff body had gotten to him. He knew she wanted him too, but he didn’t want to rush her first time. Still, the amount of lust coursing through him was playing havoc with his patience.

  He could have easily overcome her anxiety—the way her body melted when he kissed her neck told him that—but he wanted her to come to him, the same way she had at the park and in her house before they left: without hesitancy. But to give her until Sunday to relax and come to him was a bit much.

  He walked behind her on purpose. His eyes followed the soft sway of her hips beneath her dress. He would have a serious case of blue balls if she wasn’t ready until Sunday. There weren’t any panty lines visible beneath her dress. His erection had doubled in size when he’d felt her bare breast earlier. Did she just slip out of the shower and into that dress? All he had to do was slide it up and glide himself right into her wetness.

  Jared groaned and she turned to face him with a frown. “Are you okay?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  “Then why are you groaning?”

  “Just thinking about something I need to do for my product line. We’re trying to get my line at the Farmers Market and I forgot to update the superintendent.” He lied easily. One good thing about being a player was he could come up with quick excuses. He ignored the twist in his stomach at the thought of playing Tasha. That wasn’t what he was trying to do with her.

  She smiled and walked over to lean on the rail overlooking the river. “That’s one of the things I like about you. You’ve always pursued your dream with tenacity. Even way back when I first met you and you were just starting out as a personal trainer, you pushed your services and your fitness ideas with such enthusiasm.”

  Jared rubbed his jaw as he walked to stand beside her at the rail. “You make me sound like some hustler.”

  “Not like that. I just mean I could tell you really believed in yourself and what you were offering. Plus you care about your clients. You never were just another muscle head leading people from machine to machine. You want them to succeed. I knew you would be successful one day. I just didn’t realize how successful.”

  He turned to look at the harbor. “I’m doing okay.”

  “Okay?” she said with a laugh. “You have an infomercial.”

  “Sales ad,” he quipped.

  She rolled her eyes. “Infomercial, and from what I hear it rivals the top selling workouts in sales and intensity. You recently launched your product in two large retailers, and you own a huge production facility. And let’s not forget the gym franchise.”

  “It’s only a few dozen gyms.”

  She playfully hit his shoulder. “Will you stop being modest, it doesn’t suit you, Casanova. On the real, I’m proud of what you’ve done. It’s a testament to you and your skills.”

  As Jared looked at Tasha’s upturned face there was a tightening near his heart. He’d had women praise his workouts, looks, and dick size, but never his skills outside of the gym or bedroom—two of his best rooms if anyone were to ask. Until that moment, he hadn’t believed her when she said she’d picked him because she respected what he did. He’d assumed she was like the other women he knew that wanted him in their bed.

  The sunlight brought out red highlights in her curly hair and he couldn’t resist the urge to play with a tendril that blew softly in the breeze.

  He leaned down and softly kissed her. “Thank you,” he said.

  She blushed but didn’t pull away. “You’re welcome.”

  He ran his hand across her cheek and studied her face. He may have given her until Sunday to say “let’s get it on” but that didn’t mean he couldn’t try to speed her along. And right now, the only thing he wanted to do was kiss her until she insisted they forget food and go back to his condo.

  “Let’s get something to eat,” he told her, but didn’t remove his hand from her face.

  “Then let’s go back to your place.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She stood on tiptoe and kissed him again. “Yes.”

  To hell with food, was Jared’s immediate thought. He could always order something afterwards. Calm down, man. At least now you know you won’t have to wait until Sunday.

  “How about we get something quick?” he said.

  “What do you want to eat?”

  “You.” It was an automatic response.

  She blinked a few times before lowering her eyes. “That won’t fill you up.”

  He stepped close. “We’ll both be satisfied once I’m done.”

  Tasha turned to lean on the rail. The wind blew the hair away from her face and the humid smell of the river drifted over them. “I doubt it. I don’t see what the fuss is about. It’s messy for men and uncomfortable for women. The entire act is overrated.”

  Jared laughed loud enough to draw the attention of a few passersby. “Are you sure you’ve done it before? Or were you only trying to get to me?”

  Tasha looked around before whispering. “I’ve done it before. I just didn’t like it.”

  “Who was he?”

  She shrugged as if it were no big deal. “My high school boyfriend.”

  Jared waved his hand dismissively. “That’s the problem. We don’t know what we’re doing in high school. He probably went at it like he was eating an apple.”

  “More like a dog lapping water from a bowl,” she said with a shudder.

  He chuckled. “Even worse.”

  She turned and placed a hand on her hip. “What makes you so good? The act is the same no matter who’s doing it.”

  Jared leaned over and lowered his voice. “Because I don’t eat it. I kiss it. I use my tongue, teeth, and lips to taste, kiss, and savor every drop of goodness coming from you.”

  The cockiness of male pride filled his chest when her breathing increased. He knew she wanted to know if he could do it better, and he was absolutely certain he could. She licked her lips and his tongue itched to retrace her actions.

  She looked at him and he almost lost himself in her honey colored eyes. “You said you only do it with the right people. What makes me right?”

  Jared couldn’t answer that question. He hadn’t kissed a woman’s lower lips since a Hollywood writer had decided to give a play-by-play of his technique on her blog six months ago. The blog had caused women to throw themselves at him for over a month, but they were all disappointed. He didn’t like his business in the street and wasn’t going to give another woman fuel.

  But ever since Tasha had come to him with her request, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting to taste her. He wanted to see her face when he gave her the ultimate lovers’ kiss, and feel her body climax around his tongue. She didn’t need to know how much he craved it—he didn’t understand it himself.

  “I want to i
ntroduce you to your sexuality. I can’t hold back any of my techniques if I were to do that,” he said.

  She frowned and he loved the way her nose crinkled up. “Maybe you shouldn’t do that. I should save something for my husband.”

  Jared checked his annoyance at the mention of a non-existent husband. “Number one, you have to know what you like so that you can tell your husband.”

  “He’ll know what to do.”

  “Men aren’t mind readers, Tasha. You have to say what you like, otherwise he’s going in blind. Just like your high school sweetheart. Number two, you love my kisses and I know you want me to kiss you everywhere.” He ran his hand slowly down her arm. Goose bumps raised on her soft skin, sending his already heated body went into overdrive.

  He bit back a smile—her thoughts were back on him.

  “I wouldn’t say that I love your kisses,” she said softly.

  “Well, I damn sure like yours.” He pulled her close and lowered his lips to hers. He couldn’t get enough of kissing her. He didn’t care that they were on the harbor surrounded by tourists. He’d ignored Monica’s calls offering easy ass ever since Tasha asked him to take her virginity, and he could barely walk straight from the constant arousal. He’d be damned if he got through the weekend without her feeling the same.

  His tongue glided back and forth over the fullness of her lower lip until she opened her mouth with a sigh. Wasting no time at all, his tongue slipped past her lips to kiss her fully. He loved every inch of her mouth until she was weak and clinging to him. Thoughts of doing the same to every fold of her lower lips caused his dick to throb and he pressed it against her, letting her feel just how hard she’d made him.

  “Get a room,” somebody called out.

  Tasha stiffened and tried to pull away but he didn’t let her. Instead, he leisurely ended the kiss, sucking gently on her lower lip before gradually letting it slide between his lips. Her eyes were like molten pools of caramel as she stared up at him. Damn, if they weren’t so exposed he’d hike up her dress and take it right here.

  “I think it’s time to stop the torture. Let’s go back to my condo and let me make love to you.” He’d never told a woman he wanted to make love to her. Let’s have sex, do it, or fuck were common phrases he’d used, but not make love. Yet, that was what he thought of with Tasha. He’d always been a giving sex partner, with women coming back for more, but he wanted to do more than pleasure Tasha’s body. He wanted to worship her body.

  “Let’s go.”

  He couldn’t stop the cocky grin from spreading his face. He grabbed her hand and nearly sprinted back to his place. There was no need to try and hide his anticipation, she wanted him just as much. He was going to make sure the feel of his body remained with Tasha for the rest of her life.

  Chapter 13

  Tasha didn’t have time to think as Jared hurried the few blocks to his condo. It amazed her things could accelerate so quickly between the two of them. Thirty minutes had barely passed since she was hyperventilating as he’d held her. Now, she was just as anxious as he to get back to his place and, as he said, end the torture. Just thinking about him kissing every part of her body the way he’d kissed her mouth on the harbor had her on fire. Saying she should leave something for a future husband was her last attempt to keep herself from getting completely caught up in Jared’s spell.

  The inside of the lobby was a blur on the way to his condo. On his floor, Jared rushed inside and pulled her into his arms in a flash. In the next instant, his mouth was on hers and Tasha softened against him. He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Instead of carrying her to the bedroom, he placed her back against the wall and kissed her with as much tenacity as he’d done on the harbor. Every sweep of his tongue against hers caused heat to pulse between her legs. She was so wet she wouldn’t have been surprised if his shorts were damp where they pressed against her.

  Jared broke the kiss and Tasha groaned in disappointment. He laughed softly against her throat. “Don’t worry, I’ll kiss you some more.”

  “That’s not the only place I want you to kiss me.”

  His head lifted from her neck and his eyes met hers. A wicked grin spread across his face. “That’s what I’m talking about. Tell me what you want.”

  Tasha carefully took her hands from around his shoulders, afraid that if she let go she might fall. He didn’t show a sign that her letting go made it harder for him to hold her. His arms flexed beneath her behind and around her waist and another rush of desire flooded her. His strength was so damn erotic.

  She pushed the dress away from her shoulders and pulled her arms from the straps exposing her breasts. She didn’t think it was possible but she felt him get harder between her legs and she flexed the muscles of her sex in response.

  “Kiss my breasts.” It was barely a whisper she was so embarrassed to say it out loud.

  “Hold them for me,” he said.

  She blushed as she took a breast in each hand and lifted them up. Jared hoisted her higher so that her breasts were at eye level and she tensed in anticipation. He buried his head between the two mounds, kissing the valley in between. Tasha moaned as he licked the same spot before kissing and licking his way up the sides. He sucked each of her fingers on his way to her nipple, which became pebble hard and aching for his touch. When his warm mouth finally covered the peak she gasped as pleasure rocked within her. He gently sucked one breast before moving to the other. Tasha gyrated her hips against him, his rigid stiffness creating mounting waves of excitement whenever her aching flesh pressed against it. Her movements became more frantic as the pleasure built. Between his mouth on her breasts and the pressure between her thighs she felt as if she was on the way to an explosion.

  When she was on the edge of ecstasy, he pulled away from her breast with one last suck and carried her from the wall.

  “No, you don’t. You’re not coming until I’m ready.”

  She tried to press her body against his but he kept space between them. “What are you doing? Why did you stop me?” She grabbed his face and kissed him frantically as she tried to press her hot center back on his hardness.

  Jared carried her into the bedroom. He dropped her on the bed, then climbed on, his knees between her thighs and a hand on each side of her head. “Dammit, Tasha, I want to take it slow but if you keep this up I can’t promise that.”

  Slow. Not when her body was on fire from within and she was so close. “I didn’t ask you to take it slow.”

  She sat up and pulled his shirt over his head. His muscles seemed to bulge even more than usual and the veins in his arms were prominent beneath his tan skin. She ran her hands up and down his arms, then ran them over his chest to pause at his pecs. “Make them jump.”

  He smiled. “You like that?”

  “Yes.”

  Jared flexed his right one before doing the left. Then he picked up the pace flexing them both at the same time. Tasha leaned forward to kiss his chest and smiled when she felt his body tremble. Her lips closed around one of his hard nipples and Jared cursed before pushing her away. Tasha pushed his hand away and took the other nipple in her mouth.

  He pressed her shoulders back against the mattress and pulled her dress roughly down her hips. She lifted her legs so he could pull it off and he threw the garment across the room. His hands rested at the waistband of her thong as his eyes traveled over the length of her.

  “Your body is beautiful.”

  For the first time since they’d started Tasha felt shy but didn’t cover herself. The look in his eyes was a mixture of desire and adoration, as if he’d never seen another woman’s body as beautiful as hers. She knew that wasn’t true, but she didn’t want to think about how many other women he’d said that to.

  The throbbing between her legs was insistent. Without thought, she ran her hand down her belly and into the waistband of her thong. Jared’s breathing hitched and his eyes grew darker. With one smooth motion, he pulled her underwear off. She jerked
her hand away, but he took her wrist in his hand. “Touch yourself.”

  She didn’t know if her face burned from self-consciousness or desire. She’d masturbated before—just because she was a virgin didn’t mean she was completely unknowledgeable—but obviously never in front of another person. But the heat in his eyes evaporated any shame she may have felt. There was something erotic about the way he watched her.

  She slowly began to massage her outer lips, spreading her wetness around. She used her fingers to open herself and slowly rubbed her clitoris. Jared’s dark eyes were focused on her movements. His body was tense and his breathing labored as he rubbed the rock hard staff between his legs. Tasha lifted one leg and closed her eyes as she slipped her middle finger inside of her dripping core.

  “That’s it. Show me what you like,” he whispered.

  Turned on by his encouragement Tasha’s eyes closed as she continued to glide her finger inside of her, before slipping it out and over her aching nub. She became so engrossed in her own pleasure, her moans and sighs echoing in the room, that she wasn’t aware of Jared moving lower until he moved her hand and replaced her fingers with his tongue. Tasha cried out as he slowly licked from one end of her goodness to the other. True to his words, Jared kissed her lower lips just as thoroughly as he kissed her mouth, his tongue doing a wicked dance with every nook and cranny. She thought her heart would stop from the pleasure. When his mouth closed around her swollen clit she yelled as an orgasm unlike any she’d ever felt rocked her body. The spasms clenched in her womb and stars burst behind her eyelids.

  She tried to curl up into a fetal position as the aftershocks went through her body, but he didn’t let her. He opened her legs and reached into his pocket for a condom. She watched as he pulled down his shorts and underwear and his erection sprang forth. She’d seen penises before—mostly in porn that Shayla sent her—but Jared could give any porn star a run for his money. He tore open the packet with his teeth and quickly slid on the protection. His movements were effortless, another sign he’d done this often.