She flopped onto her hotel bed and grabbed the new novel she picked up before leaving Albuquerque. Attempting to read it turned out to be a mistake. Buying it was a mistake. The book was boring, flat, and refused to hold her interest. She tossed it on the floor and picked up the TV remote, instead. She was not a big fan of network television, preferring to create her own stories, but sometimes a little mental vacation was nice.
She sighed as she made the fourth trip through the channels and thumbed the off button. I was right, a buncha crap. Her thoughts turned to JT and his obvious lack of sleep. She wondered what was bothering him so much that he pushed himself to exhaustion. Ever the mother and the fixer, she wanted to do something to help.
She relaxed her mind, hoping to do something she had never been able to accomplish before: bring on her sensitivity at will. If she could only feel what he was feeling, know what he was thinking, maybe she could do something to alleviate it. Even if that meant talking to Paul or Rafe and revealing how she knew what was wrong. If they looked at her funny later, so be it. The man was obviously suffering, and the show would suffer, as well, if he didn’t have his usual energy.
Once again, she and JT shared a common wall, the one her headboard was bolted to. Geeze, they even screw the stuff down in expensive hotels. She piled the pillows behind her and leaned back, trying to loosen her thoughts and concentrate on making the connection, of getting that jolt of energy he seemed so able to cast in her direction without her knowledge.
She closed her eyes and pictured his face. Skin that still held a few shades of bronze from summer afternoons…the three boyish freckles crossing the bridge of his nose, and the smattering sprinkle of them over his muscled shoulders… thick shoulder-length hair that normally tended toward a dishwater brown, except that it, too, had been kissed by the summer sun, burnishing it to gleam honey and gold, streaking even lighter through his brush of bangs…. long patrician nose, perfectly straight but with a rounded tip (he’d thankfully not inherited the dreaded British Hook) that added strength to his face …captivating eyes of electric emerald lit with blue and gold flecks that seemed to dance when she held his gaze a little too long…his head held with a slight, arrogant backtilt, and cocked a few millimeters to the left as well, as if he were listening to a faint, far-off melody… the dimple in his cheek when he brought out his often-worn smile, and the explosion of laugh lines that crinkled the corners of his eyes… his soft full lips…
She let the vision fade. All she saw now was the darkness behind her lids. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe what I’m seeing is that he’s asleep at last…
Kori was startled from a light doze by the sound of a knock at her door. “Coming,” she called out, rubbing her neck as she rose. Smart, Kori, sleeping on a pile of pillows. She was startled again when she looked through the peephole. It was JT.
She opened the door, and one glance told her he had not been sleeping. He looked like death warmed over, slung in a skillet, and refried. “Hi, JT. Come on in.”
He semi-stumbled into the room. “I can’t sleep,” he said simply. “Needed to talk to somebody. Wanna listen?” His words were slurry around the edges, but from lack of sleep or trying to drink himself into passing out, she wasn’t yet sure.
“That’s what I’m here for, right? You pay me to listen to you talk.”
“No, no, no, this is just between you and me.” He glanced at the hand massaging her neck. “Are you alright?”
“I fell asleep sitting up. It’s just a little stiff.” Kori sat on the edge of the bed, slowly turning her head to loosen the muscles. JT remained standing; the prospect of sitting in the low-slung club chair in her room wasn’t appealing.
“I can rub it for you, I’ve been told I have good hands for that sort of thing,” he offered, his reason for knocking momentarily forgotten. He scooted in behind her on the mattress and shooed her hand away. At the first firm pressure of his thumbs on her tense muscles, she felt it. That frission of connection.
This time he didn’t overpower her thoughts, but rather coexisted within her mind, the way she normally ‘picked up’ people. He didn’t speak as he worked the tightness away, but she heard his thoughts quite clearly. What cried out loudest was the loneliness. It tugged at her soft heart that this man, after whom so many women lusted as the ultimate object of their fantasies, was a lonesome heartache on legs…
–Sure, I have my mates, they’re my closest friends, but they’re all involved, have someone to go home to when all’s said and done….wish I did, too….never know when someone wants to know me for myself and not because of my fame….even you, when this is over, have someone to go home to….
No, he hasn’t been drinking at all, she thought. Just can’t turn off the internal chatter. I wonder what brought this on? She half-sighed, half-grimaced as his hands found a particularly tender spot. Her mind flooded with the sultry images her groan pulled from his memory.
–Sounds like she did for the last two nights, through that damn paper-thin wall….oh, Lord what I did when I heard them….so glad she doesn’t know….
He was an emotional tangle of regret, shame and lust. The images from the night before flooded his, and subsequently her, mind…her lips and mouth on his cock, fingers twisted in her hair… He unnecessarily brushed her curls over her shoulder, just so he could feel her hair.
–Yeah, it really is like silk…maybe this was a bad idea, after all… he imagined lowering his lips to kiss the back of her neck, that gentle curve of shoulder….
Kori felt herself being nudged further aside as his emotions became stronger and his thoughts filled her mind.
–Would she stop me?….slap me?….tell me to get out?….not that I wouldn’t deserve it…..she’s married, off-limits….what is it that has captivated me so about her, anyway?…she’s not my usual type….too short, muscular yet so curved and soft…. such a beautiful face, but she doesn’t act like the beautiful women I’ve known…with such a creative mind that makes me want to know how it ticks, and why….I could just stay here all night, touching her skin and listening to her sigh…but this time, I’m the one making her sigh….
She was beginning to get the now-familiar sense of being outside herself, as if she existed only in his imagination.
–I wonder if the rest of her is as soft….mmm, to brush over it and find out…dammit, now I’ve started it again, Christ, how many hard-ons do I have to have around this woman?….
Kori sighed again as his lust slammed into her full on. She was aware of his hands becoming gentler, almost a caress. Her head dropped closer to her chest, exposing more of her neck. Oh, hell—
–I want to feel you under my fingertips….make you breathe out my name….
He brought his mouth closer, still not daring to touch. She was dimly aware of his breath fanning over her shoulder. She felt helpless to stop him, and wasn’t sure she wanted to. The imaginary sex was fantastic; how mind-blowing would the real thing, with his thoughts pouring through her, be? Would it be cheating on Mark if they did, since she, her unknowing husband, and JT had already shared a ménage-a-mindfuck anyway?
–She’s not pulling away…yes just a little closer… so close I can feel her heat on my lips….need to taste your skin…..so close…..please don’t move away….please….
“Please,” she echoed, so softly he almost didn’t hear it.
–She wants this….wants me….oh God baby what I want to do to you….
Hot thrills of desire crashed through him and sent Kori reeling. He closed the final distance, tasting her warm skin under his lips. The loop closed, pushing away all but the awareness of her body and the sensations he brought forth. And his longing. She was out of her own control, moving to the rhythm of his feelings and thoughts as though they were her own.
–So soft and sweet….
He nipped lightly at the gentle curve of her shoulder, then soothed it with his tongue. She whimpered, lost and gone.
–Sweet Christ yes…she wants me….ne
ed to feel more skin….taste more of you luv….
His fingers found the hem of her shirt, and eased it upward. She didn’t resist.
–Thank God for small favors, no bra to fight with….I want to fill my hands with you…take those rosy nipples into my mouth and taste….can I?….will she?….oh please sweetheart don’t stop me….
“Don’t stop me,” she echoed so softly the ‘me’ was lost in her ragged breathing. All JT heard was, “Don’t stop.”
Need flared through his tired mind, throwing her further into his dizzying passion.
–No, no, luv, I won’t stop, not if you want me like I want you….want to take you right now…just throw you down on the bed and bury myself in you…feel you under me…fuck you so hard, so good….make you moan that way for ME…my God, baby, I want to take you over the top again and again….slow DOWN, JT, get a hold of yourself….this is no band-slut groupie…. slow…easy, now…
He released a shuddering breath, trailing his lips over the silky skin of her neck to gently attack the other side. He smoothed his hands over her ribs, easing forward, desperately wanting to claim the soft prizes only inches away, but willing himself to make it last. His fingertips traced light patterns on her sides, taunting both himself and her.
–So soft, goddamn….just like her lips….want to kiss those lips again….
He dragged his mouth slowly to the shell of her ear, tugged her lobe gently with his teeth, his rapid breath tickling seductively inside. His fingers swept a hot trail over her shoulder, up her throat, to softly cup her chin.
“Kiss me,” he murmured into her, tilting her face up toward his. Torturously slow, he lowered his lips to feather tiny kisses over her mouth. Korina whimpered, lost in sensation and desire. With that tiny sound—
–Oh Christ how I want you—
—his mouth closed over hers with a groan. He pulled at her lips, his tongue tracing the line where her lush bottom lip blended into her mouth. JT shifted his weight to one arm, burying the other in her hair, pulling her even closer. Kori’s breath fell faster on his cheek as she returned the kiss.
–Yes, luv, that’s it, kiss me….need to….aahh yes, deeper….more…need to feel you….
He eased her down, his tongue never ceasing its intimate dance with hers. Untangling his hand from her hair, JT shifted until he was laying completely over her, weight resting on his elbows.
–Holy shit, you feel so good against me….so yielding….want to feel your skin under mine….oh, more…pleeease, baby…..
He pressed her into the mattress, deepening his kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him nearer still. He groaned into her lips.
–Oh fuck but how I want you….need to feel you against my cock…God the throbbing…help me….touch me….please touch me….
At his begging thought, she dragged her hands down his sides and tucked them into his back pockets, tugging him closer. He came unhinged.
–Yes sweet yes….that’s it…oh, luv…..take me…want you to take me….all of me…want to be inside you….buried deep….goddamn…
Her thighs parted as he ground against her.
–Christ, that feels so good…but not enough…not better, just worse….have to feel your skin…take those clothes off….want to touch you everywhere….everywhere…..
“Everywhere,” she repeated against his lips as she reached down, rubbing her palm against his zipper. A dim part of his rational mind realized she’d just spoken his thought.
–Did she do it again? get wrapped up in my thoughts again? but this feels soo fucking wonderful…no, luv, don’t stop…if I made her do this, it would be wrong to push her….but she feels so damn perfect…so hot….yes, keep touching me….do whatever you want….
Nearly all of her mind was blown away by JT’s passion, but a tiny, powerless part of her remained aware. Yes, she did want this. Want him. Shouldn’t, but she did. Not that she could stop, anyway, unless he did. His desires were in command of her body.
He rolled to one side just a bit, to fumble with the fastenings on his jeans, needing to feel her on his bare skin.
–Please, luv, touch me….
She eased his pants down just enough to free his straining cock into her hand, encircling him with her fingers—
–HOLY FUCK! I’m gonna lose it….so close already….wait…please….oh but that….feels amazing….
She squeezed him tighter, pulling at the sensitive flesh, pleasing him her only thought. Or was it his? No matter…
–GOD baby….oh yeaahh squeeze my cock….so good, so goddamn good…you’re gonna OH SHIT no, please not yet, not so soon…..but you’ve got me so close….gonna drive me over the edge if you keep….
Feeling his excitement careening through her brain, she moved faster, wanting to give him the sweet release he craved.
—Ah, Christ, oh fuck….can’t wait….baby PLEASE….shit I’m gonna….but…wanted to…mmmm, yes, more, …faster, now….that’s…that’s….oh..oh…NOW!
With an incoherent moan, he thrust once into her hand, then erupted in her tight fingers, spilling himself onto the soft skin of her stomach, exposed when he’d eased up her shirt. He shuddered, breathing fast and ragged, as she squeezed and stroked his throbbing arousal one last time.
She felt his release as intensely as if it were hers, sighing deeply. A feeling of peace washed over him then, as his breathing began to slow and the tremors subsided. She raised her fingers to her lips, tasting him, licking them clean. He watched with widening eyes. She gave him a slow, seductive smile, then reached behind her for a tissue to blot her stomach.
He was suddenly so very tired. He wrapped his arms around her warmth, sighing into her hair. “My God, Kori. That was…” his voice trailed away, sleep taking him at last.
Incredible, she heard him finish in his thoughts, as he took her down with him into slumber.
****
Kori slowly surfaced to consciousness, burrowing deeper into the arms that held her from behind. The wrongness of their weight, where they bent to surround her, penetrated her groggy brain. Whose arms—?
Her eyes snapped open.
She didn’t recognize the room, the bed wasn’t her soft pillowtop, she had unfamiliar arms draped around her. Where the hell am I? She resisted the urge to bolt from the bed. The light was still on; she glanced around the room, realization dawning.
Hotel room. Salt Lake City. Then, those arms must belong to—
The memories and images returned in a heated rush.
Oh, shit, what have I done? This seals it. I simply don’t dare be alone with the man. He invades me and I’m gone. I never should have let him in. But he looked so pathetic, how could I not? And, technically, it’s not like I cheated, not really. Not yet, anyway. She realized she was trying to talk herself out of feeling guilty. But I can see it happening, way too easily.
What time is it? Her travel alarm clock (never without one nearby, it seemed) was on the bedside stand, the face just out of her line of vision. She eased an arm forward, not wanting to disturb JT and the sleep he so desperately needed. She wasn’t ready to face him, to confront her own feelings and questions yet, let alone his. Her fingertips made purchase on the top of the clock; she tilted it enough to read the time. Four-fifteen. Too early to get up, and if she tried to slip out of his arms, he would certainly awaken. But did she really want to go back to sleep in his embrace? Could she, anyway? It felt unfamiliar, but not uncomfortable.
She decided to turn out the light, if she could reach it, and just stay where she was. If sleep returned, so be it. If not, she would use the time alone to think. Kori fumbled for the toggle on the base of the lamp, it was almost out of reach. She flicked a finger forward and held her breath (as if that could somehow help), and was rewarded with sweet darkness. Spots of light danced before her eyes and she released her breath with a sigh. She settled back against JT’s body, trying to get comfortable again, if that was possible.
Her movement disturbed his sleep; he pul
led her closer, throwing one leg over her hips. She could feel his arousal pressing against her through her sweatpants.
He sighed softly into her hair. Tendrils of his desire brushed over her mind. Dammit, now what am I to do, short of waking him up? We’re touching almost head to toe, he’s going to have me under that spell again… Another, stronger wave of lust shimmered into her brain. He moved his hips against her, a slow and gentle thrust in his sleep. Images of tangled limbs, of passion and skin damp with perspiration, flooded her awareness. He’s dreaming, she realized in the part of her mind not yet overtaken by his.
JT’s arms tightened around her as the rolling of his hips became stronger and more insistent. He moaned quietly. She saw her own face in his dream, felt his lips on hers. Oh, God, it’s hopeless… her will was banished to oblivion as his powerful emotions took over. She surrendered to what she’d been denying she really wanted.
She wriggled her hips against him, pressing back against his thrusts. She felt his dim awareness as he began to awaken.
–Is this real? Am I still dreaming…?
She took his hand and slid it slowly up her body to rest on her breast. “I’m very real,” she breathed.
“Mmm, yes,” he murmured, cupping the soft mound, running his thumb over its hardening center. His desire soaked into her skin, fueling the passion she’d stopped refusing.
He remembered how he affected her, how she connected with his thoughts. Is this what she wanted, or something he was projecting onto her? With sleep had returned some measure of control; he would stop if she was doing this purely from his influence. He parted his lips to ask.
She answered before he uttered a word. “Yes, I feel you. And I want what you want.”
What I wanted was a clear answer, and that really wasn’t it. “But do you want this, do you want me?”
“I have for years,” she whispered.
All fragments of his self-control burned away in a blaze of desire. Korina gasped as it hit her like a freight train.
Dream Me Off My Feet (Sex, Love, And Rock & Roll) Page 12