Darcy chewed her bottom lip and tilted her head as she studied him for a moment. “Are you going to be okay to drive after drinking half a bottle of wine?”
He chuckled. She was worried about him. How like Darcy. “I’m sure I’ll be fine but I’ll tell ya what, if I’m too shit faced, you can take my keys and I’ll bunk at Mom and Dad’s. Deal?”
“Deal. You grab the bottle and a glass and I’ll grab my glass and the munchies.”
It took them a little over an hour to work their way to the bottom of the bottle. They sat side by side on the couch, cradling their near empty glasses. A movie they had both seen before flickered on the screen in front of them. Darcy’s gaze was on the set, but Mac’s was focused on her.
With her legs curled up on the sofa, her skirt had crept up above her knees, revealing several inches of smooth thigh. The soft, creamy skin begged to be touched, tasted. He licked his dry lips. He sat close enough to be enveloped in her scent—vanilla and strawberries? He leaned a little closer and sniffed, careful not to be too loud. Yep, her hair smelled like strawberries. Now, he’d never be able to eat the fruit without getting hard. Wouldn’t that be a shock for his mother when she served her famous strawberry shortcake?
Pulling his gaze away from her legs, he found himself looking at her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra. He could see the outline of her nipples against the thin fabric, thanks to the chilly atmosphere dispensed by the central air. One of her arms wrapped around her middle just below, lifting the breasts even more. The small pert orbs would fit perfectly in the palms of his hands. He flexed his fingers at the thought. He’d caress, tease and taste the milky skin and the dusky rose tips with his hands, his mouth, his tongue.
His hard-on had him shifting slightly. Part of him wanted to leave now before he made a fool of himself, but he couldn’t bring himself to. He was glutton for punishment and discomfort apparently.
She turned toward him with a smile. “I don’t think the movie you wanted to watch starts for another half hour.”
“That’s okay. We can always use the time to catch up. It’s been a while.” He returned her smile. “So whatcha been doing?
“Working. What’ve you been doing?” she replied with a raised eyebrow.
“Working. Well, that covered a lot. What’s new in your life? Had any showings?”
“Nope, not since last winter.”
“I’m sure Richard is probably cooking something up for the end of summer here.”
“And I’m sure that’s the last thing on his mind right now.”
Okay. Something was going on there, a little trouble in paradise. Mac’s gaze traveled down her arm to the hand holding her wine glass. Aha, no ring. Unsure of where to start, he put an arm around Darcy’s shoulders. “What’s going on, Darc? You know you can talk to me. What’d the creep do?”
A chuckle quickly transformed to soft sobs that lasted a few minutes. Mac turned her in his arms and wrapped her in his embrace.
“Oh, for God’s sake, why I am I crying over him? He is a creep,” she agreed, pulling away and looking up at him.
Tears trailed down from stormy green eyes over her cheeks. Her lips parted slightly and her breath was a bit labored from crying. He pulled his arms from around her and cupped her face with his hands. Using his thumbs to whisk the wetness from her face, he leaned over and kissed her mouth gently. It lasted only a short minute, but the soft lips and her light indrawn gasp made his cock respond quickly. He shifted slightly and drew back.
“What’d he do to you, baby?”
With a sigh, she answered, “You’ll find out anyway. If not from me, from your mother, who’ll get the scoop from mine.” She inhaled deeply. “He cheated on me.”
Anger surged up as Mac saw the misery etched on her face. Keeping a rein on it, he managed to ask, “Do you just suspect? Or did he admit it?”
“He didn’t have to admit it!” Suddenly she stood, walked around the coffee table and paced the floor in front of the TV. “I caught him. With them!”
Holy Hanna. “Them?”
She stopped and stared at him, wide-eyed. “Yes, he was in bed with two women. Apparently cheating on me wasn’t enough. He had to go the extra mile. I shouldn’t be surprised, really. He always talked about wanting to try a…a threesome.” The word came out in a weak whisper before her voice rose again. “Of course, he would try anything to spice up my lackluster performance.”
“What are you talking about?” Mac rose off the sofa and went to stand next to her, to take her hands.
“Richard was all too happy to lay the blame at my feet. I’m not exciting enough in bed for him, so he had to get it elsewhere. There. Now, you know what’s new in my life. My humiliations. Everything.” She tried to pull away from him, but he held fast.
“Stop it, Darc. His cheating is on him. Not you. Don’t listen or believe his lies. He’s trying to justify what he was doing. He’s scum, and you’re better than that.” He pulled her into his arms and smoothed a hand down her ponytail.
A sniff and a small chuckle escaped her as she laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You never did like him.”
“Damn right I didn’t, and turns out for good reason.”
He closed his eyes and began to sway, moving them in a slow, music-less dance. He ran his hands down from the soft bare skin of her shoulders and upper back to the fabric clad hollow of her lower back, resting just above the slight curve of her ass. He felt her breathe deeply before pressing closer to him, tightening her grip on his waist. How far did he push her? God, he wanted her, but did she feel the same or was it just comfort she wanted? From a friend?
“He called me frigid. Cold.” Her voice was a whisper dancing across his neck. She leaned back, her belly pressed firmer against his hardening cock as she arched her back to see in his eyes. “I don’t feel frigid or cold with you, Mac.”
“Shhhh,” he murmured. “Forget what he said. He’s an idiot.”
“Will you kiss me?”
Oh God. How the hell would a friend answer? “Darc, make sure you really want something before asking.”
“Please, Mac, I really want you to kiss me. Just a kiss.”
“That’s the thing. It wouldn’t be just a kiss. It’d go further, and if you don’t want that, you better back up.”
“You want more?” Her eyes widened and her voice was breathless.
He groaned. “Honey, proof of that is digging in your belly right now.”
The surprise on her face disappointed him. Now it’d be awkward. He’d have to pretend this never happened. Pretend he didn’t want her and that he was just good ol’ pal Mac, just like always.
She pulled her arms away from his waist. He began to step back when she reached up and touched his neck. “I want more, too. Please.”
“You got it, baby,” he murmured as he cupped her ass, lifted and nestled her against his erection. His mouth found hers. He coaxed her lips open and delved his tongue inside the wet heat. She tasted so sweet and intoxicating, his head spun. A moan escaped her as he stopped the kiss. “Wrap your legs around me.”
Heat coiled as she shifted her hips, cradling him in the apex of her thighs. No woman had ever gotten him this hard, this fast. He scanned the room and eyed the couch before raising an eyebrow at her.
Shaking her head, she motioned toward the hallway. “My room.”
He couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Finally. At least they were assured privacy. Her parents would be gone for a while yet and hers was the only bedroom on this floor.
He strode down the hall until he came to her bedroom door. He stopped and looked at Darcy questioningly. “Last chance. Once we go in, too late, there’s no turning back.”
She played with the curls at the nape of his neck. “Already too late. Go in.”
Mac turned the knob and carried her into her bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.
He set her on her feet next to the bed and reached for the b
edside lamp. Light flooded through the room.
Darcy couldn’t breathe as her gaze met Mac’s, his intense gray eyes clouded with desire. No one had ever looked at her like that. Even in her past relationships, she couldn’t remember anyone wanting her so passionately or returning that longing herself.
He grasped her shoulders and turned her around. She heard the rasp of the dress’s zipper as he lowered it. His lips caressed her shoulders and his fingers slipped the thin dress straps down. The material whispered over her body and pooled at her feet.
Only her panties covered her, and the thin wisp of lace didn’t provide much to hide behind. The thought caused Darcy’s eyes to drift closed. It was the moment of truth. When she was in front of him, vulnerable, would he still want her? And so desperately?
Mac slipped his hands around her sides to cup her bare breasts. Her nipples immediately hardened to tight crowns. He rolled the sensitive nubs between his thumbs and forefingers, causing her breath to hitch and her knees to lock. Liquid fire pooled in her pussy and she leaned back against him, as much for support as to allow him easier access. He nuzzled her neck and nipped lightly at the sensitive skin. His breath was harsh as he licked along her ear lobe.
“I want you, Darc.” He turned her toward him and cupped her face. Holding her gaze, he ran a thumb along her bottom lip. “I’ve wanted you for so long.”
“I want you, too,” she whispered, putting her hands on his waist.
She would go mad if he didn’t make love to her soon. Sending up a quick prayer that he wouldn’t stop, she ran her hands along his waistband to the button of his jeans. A quick flick of her wrist released the button. His eyes drifted shut and his hands slid into her hair, pulling the elastic band out. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders. He buried his hands in it and pulled her closer until his face was obscured by the silky mass.
“God, baby, you smell good,” he murmured.
With her thighs quivering, she grasped his zipper and pulled it down slowly.
Muttering an oath, he pulled back slightly and leaned down. Hot and firm, his lips captured and assailed hers. His tongue coaxed its way in the warm depths of her mouth, dancing seductively. Hesitantly, she moved her tongue to mate with his, to taste him. It was like sipping strong, full-bodied liquor. Her head swam and her thoughts scattered. She grasped his shirt and pulled it out of his waistband. He sucked air quickly through clenched teeth as her hands slid over his chest. She loved the feel of the coarse hair tickling her palms, the tight flat nipples hard beneath her fingers.
He caught her bottom lip between his teeth as her fingers brushed over him. Releasing her hair, he pulled away from her long enough to yank the shirt over his head and send it sailing. Immediately, he embraced her again and pulled her against him.
Darcy found herself suddenly on her back against the mattress, Mac’s mouth on her neck. His hands cupped her breasts, teasing the nipples. Each small tug sent lances of heat straight through her. She opened her thighs to allow his knee to rest between. He captured a rose-tipped nipple in his mouth, gently suckling until she arched against him and grabbed fistfuls of his hair. He laved the shallow valley between her breasts before taking the other tight nub in his mouth. God, she didn’t want him to stop.
Every thought fled her mind. Only the sensations Mac brought to life within her existed. Faint tingles alighted as he ran a palm across her belly, lower and lower until the heel of his hand pressed against the front of her panties. She moaned and circled her hips, pushing against his hand frantically.
“Lift your hips,” he whispered against her damp flesh.
He pulled off her panties and threw them over his shoulder, drawing a small giggle from her. He straightened and simply looked at her—all of her.
Why was he stopping? Why was he staring? Something had to be wrong. Darcy moved to cover her breasts and her sex, but Mac grabbed her wrists and shook his head.
“Don’t.” His voice was hoarse. “Don’t cover yourself. You’re beautiful, Darc.”
He shifted and pressed a kiss against her belly. Using his lips, his tongue and his teeth, he had her writhing beneath him again, a prisoner to the onslaught of sensation. Shafts of hot desire speared into her pussy as his fingers slid though the soft curls between her legs. One finger slipped between the sleek folds of her sex.
Lifting his head, Mac watched, entranced, as her little pink tongue wet her parted lips and her eyes slid shut. She lifted her hips off the bed, silently begging him to stroke her more. He slid another finger inside. The cries from her aroused him almost as much as her tight pussy contracting around his fingers. He squeezed his eyes shut as he imagined his cock sliding home into that hot wetness. God, if he got any harder, he’d pass out.
“Please, Mac.”
He opened his eyes to find Darcy’s green ones on him. Increasing the rhythm of his thrusting fingers, he questioned, “Please what, baby? What do you want?”
“You. I want you in me. Now.” Her hips rose, punctuating each syllable.
He withdrew his finger and circled her swollen clit several times before standing to quickly shuck his jeans and boxers. Darcy only had a moment to admire his cock, hard and jutting, before he covered her body with his. Positioning the head of his cock at the opening of her pussy, he kept his gaze locked with hers.
“Look at me, Darc. Look at me when I make you mine.” He slid slowly into her.
“Ohhhh.” She let out a long breath as her body accepted him.
When he was deeply nestled in her heat, he captured her mouth again and began to move inside her. Soon her hips lifted to meet his strokes as they became harder and faster. Her fingernails raked over his shoulders, his back, before she splayed her hands on the taut muscles. Their mouths parted, and he ran his mouth along her neck, over her ear, her face.
More. More. The word repeated over and over in his head. He couldn’t get enough. A low moan reverberated in his throat, deep and primal. Her pussy began to spasm around his hard shaft. He lifted his head, his hips still thrusting over hers. Just watching her nearly pushed him over the edge.
Her teeth bit into her lower lip, her breath came out in small gasps. Sweat glistened all over her. Her eyes were closed, her head thrown back, exposing the creamy column of her throat. He dipped his head, trailed his lips along the silky expanse. His tongue darted out to taste her sweet essence blended with the saltiness of her passion.
Traveling along her throat, he stopped with his mouth against her ear. “Come, Darcy. Come with me,” he growled.
Mac reached down, grasped her thigh and pulled until her leg was wrapped around his moving hips. He plunged deeper, deeper, until her muscles tightened, milking his hardened cock, each heated contraction bringing him closer to coming.
She was falling, spiraling deeper into ecstasy. His hands grasped her hips as he thrust, harder, deeper, touching a part of her she hadn’t known existed. Desire. Craving. Yearning. All of it at an intensity foreign to her. Though unsure, she continued to meet him thrust for thrust. The orgasm overwhelmed her, its sweet torture eliciting a cry of surrender as she came, again and again. His muscles tensed beneath her hands. He continued, wet flesh slapping against wet flesh, until his hot seed poured into her. She gasped as the force pushed her up again. She tightened her thighs around his hips as her pussy clamped around his pulsing cock.
He collapsed on top of her, his breath ragged and muscles trembling. The sound of their harsh breathing filled the room.
She ran her hand down his sweat-covered back, loving the hard quivering muscles. “Thank you.”
Bracing his weight on his forearms, he grinned down at her. “Oh, it was my pleasure.” With a chuckle, he shifted to lie beside her and pulled her into the curve of his arm. Her head tucked beneath his chin, she watched his chest rise and fall for several minutes.
“Hmmmm, next time we need to go to my place,” he murmured.
Next time? “Why?”
“Your parents’ll be coming home soon, and I�
�ve got to go. Next time,” he paused to kiss on her forehead, “we’ll spend the whole night together. If you want, that is.”
She lifted her head. “Are you kidding me? Of course I do.”
A quick glance at the clock had him groaning. “The cards won’t keep them gone much longer. I better go.”
Darcy wrapped her arms around his neck and covered his mouth with hers. His tongue lazily traced her lips before delving in to dance with hers. With reluctance, they parted. She watched him dress quickly and reached for her own clothes.
“Hey, no need to get up. Relax, baby. I’ll turn everything off and lock up.” He laughed at her blank look. “I have the spare key, remember? Your mom always has me take care of things when they’re gone.” Leaning over to kiss her lips again, he whispered, “I’ll call you.”
Reaching over, he turned of the lamp, bathing the room in darkness.
Chapter Four
Darcy felt like turning cartwheels. She strode across the small community college campus toward her car. They hadn’t even waited to offer her the job—they laid it on the table right away. She would start teaching in a couple weeks for fall semester. Finally, her life was coming together. The desire to teach again had simmered in her mind for some time. Richard had always discouraged it, saying there was no need since her work was in demand. He couldn’t understand that she wanted to teach, that she enjoyed it.
Now she needed to start apartment hunting, because living with her parents indefinitely was not an option. As much as she adored them, she didn’t need the constant questions. Avoiding the subject of Richard and her engagement worked so far, but it was bound to come up. Her mother had to know what was happening at all times. Darcy wondered what the older woman would say if she knew that her daughter was involved in an affair with Mac, the man she always wanted Darcy to date.
Climbing into her car, she pulled her cell phone out of her purse and checked the messages. Damn Richard. Out of ten messages, eight were from him and two were hang-ups. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone? Apologies, attempted explanations and rationalizations met her ears. Anger surged and she struggled to push it away. She was not going to let him ruin this day for her.
The Boy Next Door Page 3