by Joan Hohl
It was as good an excuse as anything else she could come up with on the spur of the moment.
As Jen drove past the two stone pillars on either side of the road to the house, she thrust her arm out the window in a wave and gave a quick honk of the horn in greeting to the guard, as she had been doing every time she left or returned to the ranch. The guard gave a honk and flashed his lights in response.
Watching for it, she noticed neither Marsh nor the guard acknowledged one another.
She was not surprised; she imagined he saw no reason to greet his employees every time he left or returned to the property. He paid his people very well—Jen knew because she cut the checks, her own included. She presumed he figured that was acknowledgement enough. And it had been, for her. Until he’d broken their delicate truce with that kiss.
And that proposal.
Suddenly tired, Jen pulled into the space Marsh had allotted her in the garage and killed the engine. Marsh pulled into the slot next to her. A deflated sigh whispered through her lips as she got out of the car and walked to the trunk to retrieve her shopping bag.
“Let me help you with that,” he said, plucking the Victoria’s Secret bag from her fingers. If he only knew what’s in that bag, she thought.
He trailed her through the doors and up the stairs to her apartment. As she never locked the door, she walked right inside and turned to relieve him of the bag.
Marsh was right behind her and closed the door with a quiet but definite click.
Jen arched her brows in question.
“Aren’t you going to offer me a reward for carrying your bag?” he asked.
“Reward?” Her brows lowered while her eyes narrowed. “What sort of reward?”
He almost smiled.
He’d been smiling all day. She wondered if it had hurt his lips, then chided herself for the snide thought.
“Coffee, wine, something stronger?”
“Something stronger, huh?” Jen asked in a wry tone. “You wouldn’t be thinking of getting me tipsy, would you?”
Marsh made it all the way to a real smile this time. “Not at all, coffee will be fine. The last thing I want is for your mind to be cloudy when I take you to bed.”
His response stopped her cold. Well, not exactly—while it gave her chills on the surface of her skin, it ignited a blaze inside her.
She was silent for a moment, staring into the heat burning in the depths of his eyes. Coming to her senses, she said, “Excuse me?”
“I think you heard me.”
“I thought we had more ‘talking’ to do, Mr. Grainger.”
“We do. But it’s a very special kind of talking,” he said, giving her a smile so charming she felt it all the way down to her toes.
She broke eye contact and hurried away, into the kitchen.
“Coffee will take only a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable.” Jen was amazed at how calm and composed she sounded, when what she was feeling was confused and, yes, so turned on she could hardly breathe.
She spilled coffee grounds from the measuring spoon as her trembling fingers dumped them into the basket. She also spilled a few drops of water as she poured the water into the well.
Damn, she thought, what was it about Marsh that could rattle her so easily? Okay, he was handsome in a rough-hewn, chiseled way. But he was too arrogant and full of himself. His reputation with women was less than sterling, a living, breathing bad boy.
Except in his case he was most definitely a man.
She had read somewhere that every woman wanted to be the one to tame a bad boy. At the time, Jen had expelled a very unladylike snort of derision.
Yeah, she had thought at the time, that was what she lived for—being one of whatever number of eager females in line to tame a bad boy.
Why would any woman think that—after who knew how many a womanizer had been with before—she would be the one to bring him to heel and keep him there? More to the point, Jen mused, why would she want to?
If he’s as hot as Marsh… said a little voice in her head.
Had Marsh Grainger managed to change her stance on bad boys?
“Coffee ready?”
Jen jumped but managed to swallow the yelp of surprise that sprang to her lips.
Marsh was standing behind her, close, too close. She gathered her composure as she drew a quick breath.
“Yes.” Jen was satisfied with the even tone she had managed. “It only takes a few minutes for—” She stiffened, her voice cutting off completely. He had lifted her long hair away from her shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
Brilliant. She knew exactly what he was doing.
“Smelling you,” he murmured, slowly inhaling her scent. “You smell good.”
The tip of his tongue touched the sensitive skin near the back of her ear. She grew cold, and then hot. “M…Marsh?”
“You taste good, too.” His tongue slid the length of her neck to the curve of her shoulder.
Jen gasped as suddenly he turned her around to face him. “Marsh…you… I…”
“I want you, Jennifer. I’ve wanted you since I set eyes on you and that kiss only made me want you more.” Lowering his head he brushed her mouth with his, gliding his tongue along her bottom lip. “And I think you want me, too.”
“I…I don’t… Oh!” She trembled as he moved, pressing his body to hers. “You shouldn’t…”
He did. Cradling her face with his hands, he again touched his mouth to hers. His kiss was gentle, sweet, soft.
Knowing she should resist, push him back, away from her overheating body, Jen instead surrendered to the neediness gnawing inside her. Curling her arms around his taut shoulders, she gave up her mouth to him.
Marsh took her mouth, owned it, claimed it with the thrust of his tongue, and in that instant she was his. Bad boy or not.
So much for her brave words about resisting a womanizer. Too late…she was lost.
Later, Jen would wonder how they had managed to leave a trail of clothing from the kitchen to her bedroom without once breaking that kiss.
When at last he lifted his mouth from hers, they were both naked, heaving in deep breaths of air. Shivering, tiny hitches of breath still catching in her throat, Jen stared into his eyes, fascinated by the blaze of desire she found in their depths.
Without a word, Marsh tossed back the top sheet and puffy white comforter she had bought for her bed. Then he reached for her, gently settling her on the smooth white sheet in the center of the mattress, stretching his long, hard body next to her.
“I was going to ask you to put on that pretty little red nightgown you bought for tonight, but I think I like you better like this,” he growled.
Jen felt herself turning bright red at the image of Marsh looking in that bag while she’d been in the kitchen making coffee. She wanted to insist that she hadn’t bought the nightgown for tonight, but she wasn’t sure if that was true or not. And it certainly didn’t matter now.
Marsh caressed her jawline, outlined her lips with his fingers. His touch was so very gentle yet so very arousing. Jen lifted her head, inviting his kiss.
“Yes,” he murmured, lowering his head to glide his tongue over her lips, then fusing his mouth to hers.
Jen loved the taste of him. His long, deepening kiss made her ache for more. She slid her free arm around his neck and thrust her fingers into his hair.
A low sound of pleasure whispered from her mouth into his when his left hand slowly moved from the curve of her neck to the curve of her breast. Leaving her mouth, his lips followed the path of his hand.
Jen was on fire inside. She moaned and arched her back when his tongue gently lashed the now hard tip of her breast. A moment later she arched her hips as his hand moved down her body to cup her mound before inserting one finger inside her. In the next instant, a soft cry spilled from her throat as he brushed his thumb over the most sensitive spot there.
In her mind, Jen saw herself as a flame, burning higher and highe
r just for him. She arched again, harder against his hand, into his teasing fingers.
Straightening his arm resting against the bed, Marsh moved his long body to cover hers, cradling himself between her thighs.
She could feel him, the length of him, the hardness of him nudging the entrance to her body. She moved in silent invitation for him to enter.
With one swift, deep thrust he was inside her, tightly, uncomfortably filling her.
Jen expelled an involuntary cry of pain as her body tensed and stiffened.
He froze in place, shock in his silvery eyes.
“What is it? Have I hurt you?” His voice was strained.
Before she could respond, he said in a tone of near disbelief, “Are you…a virgin?”
Jen’s harsh breaths were beginning to ease. “No…no, I’m not a virgin.” She drew a deep, calm breath. He began to withdraw. She grasped his hips with her hands, holding him in place. “No,” she repeated, the tension now easing from her body.
“If I’m too big for you…” Concern colored his voice, not quite hiding a hint of disappointment.
“It’s okay.” She offered him a small smile. “I’m adjusting. It’ll be all right.” She curled her legs around his waist, holding him to her. “Just give me a moment.”
“Okay,” he agreed, his expression puzzled, his voice a little breathless. “You want to tell me what happened there?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been with a man, that’s all,” she said, adding with a little laugh, “and you’re big.”
“And you’re tight,” he said, desire flaring in his eyes.
Jen maintained his gaze, watching it change as she started to move her hips slowly, seductively against him. The flame inside her was quickly flaring to life again as her body relaxed, adjusting to the new sensation of the fullness of him.
Fleetingly, she recalled her painful though limited experience while still in college. In comparison to Marsh… In truth, there was no comparison. Wanting more, Jen moved against him, letting him know she was ready.
Exhaling a long sigh, Marsh began to move with her, his expression still wary but his body eager for hers. He began slow and easy, but with the urgent feel of her fingernails digging into his hips, he increased his tempo.
Faster. Deeper. More, more, Jen demanded with her body, claiming him as he claimed her. Tension tightened inside her, driving her wild. “Faster. Deeper.” She didn’t even realize she had cried aloud.
Marsh was with her, every literal inch of the way. It was building inside his body. Jen could feel him keeping pace with her, getting closer and closer to the edge. Her strained breaths were keeping time with his.
Gazing up at him—at the tautness of his face, at the tendons standing out in his arched neck—excited her, gave her the will to wait for him.
The world exploded for both of them. They cried out as if with one voice. Never in her life had Jen experienced anything so all-consuming, so carnal and beautiful, so completely fulfilling.
Easing his body down to hers, Marsh buried his face in the curve of her neck. Jen circled her arms around his sweat-slicked shoulders. Ever since that fumbling, inept jock in college, she had been afraid she could never experience the sheer pleasure she had heard about, read about in books. Her fears were the main reason she had tried so hard to keep her distance from men—from Marsh.
Foolish woman.
“That was wonderful.” Jen was so satiated and content she was barely aware of speaking the words aloud.
Marsh lifted his head to look at her, his eyes now a soft gray. “That was way more than wonderful,” he said between slowly leveling breaths. “That, lady mine, was absolutely mind-blowing.”
Lady mine. Jen shivered, wondering if he called all the women he had been with “lady mine.”
“You’re cold.” Easing himself from her, he sat up and pulled the comforter over them. Curling his arm around her, he drew her body to him. “Better?”
“Yes.” Jen sighed. It was true, it was better. In spite of all the rumors, the chattered gossip about him, she felt warm, safe and at home in his arms. She knew it was temporary—she was probably temporary, unless she accepted his crazy proposal. But she didn’t want to think about that.
For now, she was content.
But her contentment lasted all of a few moments.
“Okay, let’s hear it.” His voice, though quiet, was demanding.
Jen lifted her head from his chest to frown at him. “Hear what?”
“You said it had been a while since you’d been with a man. Exactly how long is a while?”
Jen wet her lips, thinking Dammit. And she had been so comfortable. “I don’t think that is really any of your business,” she said, dredging up her most haughty tone of voice.
Marsh appeared less than impressed. “It is now. So tell me.”
“And if I choose not to?”
His arm tightened around her. “I’ll keep you right here in the bed until you do.”
Jen blinked. “You wouldn’t.”
He smiled. “Try me.”
Standoff. Jen knew he meant what he said. Still it bugged her to give in to him, even though she had obviously given in to him in a much bigger way mere minutes ago. Of course, that was different—her body had made that decision for her.
She heaved a dramatic sigh.
“Oh, brother,” he drawled. “What’s the big deal? Tell me and get it over with, then we can both get some sleep.”
He hesitated, adding with a wicked grin, “Maybe.”
Maybe? Jen felt a twinge of excitement zinging through her. Did he mean…? Of course that was what he meant, she chided herself.
“The big deal is,” she began, trying and failing to ignore the flame that was very quickly coming back to life inside her, “I hadn’t been with a man since my senior year in college.”
Marsh jackknifed to sit up, staring down at her in shock. “That would be how many years ago?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” she said, impatiently. “Do you want to hear about it or sit there staring openmouthed at me in disbelief?”
“I didn’t say I didn’t believe you,” he shot back at her. “Even though you must admit that is hardly the norm for a woman like you.”
It was Jen’s turn to sit up and glare at him eye to eye. “What do you mean, a ‘woman like me’? What kind of woman would that be?” she demanded, completely unaware of her exposed breasts.
“A gorgeous, sexy, incredibly responsive woman.” He was glaring right back at her. Even his glare was turning her on.
She lowered her eyes. “You think I’m gorgeous and sexy?” Jen knew full well she was beautiful, but hearing it from Marsh…well…the flame inside her burned even hotter.
“You know damn well you are both those,” he retorted. “You’re also exciting and good company and have a great sense of humor.” His brows shot up. “Okay?”
“Yes,” she murmured, glancing up at him. The comforter had dropped to their waists but the shiver that coursed through Jen’s body had more to do with his compliments than the chill in the air. “You’re not bad yourself,” she said, daring to hold his bold stare.
Marsh actually laughed. “Thanks.” Taking her with him, he lay down again, pulling her to him before tucking the comforter around them again.
“Okay, Jennifer,” he said, tilting her face up to plant a kiss on her lips. “Talk to me.”
“It’s almost funny now, but at the time it was anything but,” she began. “He was a jock…of course,” she continued. “I had been curious about sex, as all my friends seemed to talk about it exclusively. Yet up until that point I hadn’t felt attracted to any man.” She wasn’t about to elaborate—she had worked too hard to forget that incident in the school parking lot to dredge it up now, here, with Marsh.
Expecting some sort of wry remark from him, possibly concerning her sexual proclivities, she raised her gaze to his. His expression was attentive, free of either ridicule or disbelief.
Encouraged, she rushed on to relay the whole stupid incident to him and have it over with. “What had attracted me to him was that he was not only athletic, he was very nice as well as intelligent.” She paused, wincing as the memory played in her mind.
“Go on.” His voice was soft, kind. Jen was aware that she was seeing a side of Marsh she hadn’t seen before, and it touched her.
“I agreed to go out with him,” she said. “It wasn’t a big deal, just to the Pizza and Beer Joint—which, by the way, is the actual name of the place. I had one glass of beer with my pizza, and he had five. He wasn’t drunk,” she added, “only a little tipsy and talkative.”
She paused, the memory uncomfortably vivid. “At least I thought he wasn’t drunk.” She closed her eyes. “How’s that saying go…he holds his booze well?”
Again Marsh tilted her head up to gaze into her eyes. “Jennifer, I have a distinct feeling you have never told another person about this encounter. Am I right?”
She answered with a quick nod of her head.
“Figured.” His voice actually held a note of compassion. “You know,” he continued softly, “I’m convinced you’ll feel better if you get it out in the open once and for all. And I promise I won’t alert the media immediately after you’ve finished,” he teased.
She smiled, chiding herself for feeling stupid over an error in judgment years ago. Knowing Marsh was right she drew a deep breath and went on.
“Walking back to my off-campus room he put his arm around my waist and drew me against him. Although he was still talking away, his steps were steady, even. When we got to my room, he just walked in as if it were his own. I opened my mouth to protest, he silenced me with his lips pressing hard against mine.”
Jen grabbed another breath before rushing on. “I really didn’t mind the kiss—I rather liked it. But within seconds he had me flat on my back on the bed. His hands were everywhere, his tongue was scouring the inside of my mouth.”
She paused for a moment.
“I tried to push him away, if only to breathe. When I began to struggle he lifted his head. His breathing was short and raspy, his voice raw as he said how badly he wanted me beneath him. Yanking my pullover up, he opened the front clasp of my bra and took my breast into his mouth. While shocked, I must admit the feel of his wet mouth on my breast sent an exciting sensation through me.”