by Marie Harte
“Hey, I let you invite them to water down our date. You owe me,” he said.
“Water down?”
“You’re a slick one, I’ll give you that. So where are we headed next? A walk to Newport?” He liked how her hand felt under his. Smaller, slighter, yet strong. Maya had little give to her, and he couldn’t wait to test her boundaries.
“My place.” She gripped his hand harder, stroking her thumb along his knuckle.
Sad how her simple touch made him so hard. If he lost his wits for even a second, she’d have him on his knees and begging.
“Your place for some conversation, right?” He glanced down at her. “Remember, you’re the one who said no sex while we’re dating.”
“I did say that, didn’t I? But plans can change.” She winked at him, and he suddenly found it uncomfortable to walk in his too-tight jeans.
“Let’s talk about something I find fascinating.”
“Besides me?”
“Indirectly. Tell me about your mom.”
That teasing sense of fun left her face. “Why?”
“Because I want to know more about you. This is a date where we talk. Have fun. No sex.”
She frowned. “Sex is fun. My mother is not fun. She’s dead.”
“Right. And she died…what? Twenty-some years ago? Tell me about her.”
“Nothing to tell.” She tried to tug her hand from his and scowled when he refused to let go. “She had me. She left. She died. Happy now?”
She left? “How did she die?” he asked.
“Car accident. I barely remember her. It’s just been dad and me for years. I doubt Bev will last longer than six or seven months. That’s his M.O.”
“Yeah? What’s yours?”
She squeezed his hand. “If I’m not bored out of my mind by date two, I try on the guy for size. If he’s not bad at sex, I can usually go a few months before losing my patience. Then we split.”
“And you’re happy with that?”
“Don’t judge. What about you?”
“I’m not judging. I’m asking a question.”
She shrugged. “I’m not upset about it. It is what it is. I’m not a long-term-relationship girl. If that’s what you’re angling for, go somewhere else.”
“Now why would I do that when I have the sexy Maya Werner by my side?”
She blew out a loud breath. “You’re cute but annoying.”
“So it will say on my tombstone one day.”
She chuckled.
“Anyway, to answer your question in a non-defensive manner—unlike some people—I’ve had a few long-standing relationships. But my career came first for me when I was in the service. Then my trips abroad made it difficult to be in a steady relationship.”
“But now you’re home. Looking for a wife and two-point-five kids?”
“You forgot the white picket fence.”
She snorted. “Figures.”
“As usual, you made a wrong assumption. I’m not looking for a wife, kids and home. I’m setting up for a new phase in my life. I’m back with family and friends, have a steady job, and eventually I’ll find Mrs. Black.”
“No rush?”
He glanced down at her, intrigued by her deliberate casual air. “No rush.” Not when I’m already holding her hand.
“That’s good.” She cleared her throat, her hand feeling warm in his. “I mean, it’s like people turn thirty and feel the need to race to the altar. Hell. I don’t ever plan to get married. I’m good with how things are now.
“And how are they?”
She shot him a sly glance. “I get sex whenever I want. I don’t answer to anybody and do what I want. I’m still in my ‘all about me’ years.”
“Which implies someday you’ll be out of those years.”
“Yeah, then I’ll be into my traveling phase. So again, no ties to any one guy. I’m too free-thinking for that anyway.”
“Oh? So you’re an orgy girl?”
She punched him in the arm. “No, jackass. I just don’t need a man by my side to be happy.”
“Never thought you needed one to be happy, but it’s nice to have someone special to share things with, isn’t it?”
She shrugged. “I guess. Why all the heavy chatter?”
“Just making small talk. Why so defensive?”
“I’m not defensive.” He just looked at her until she swore. “Fuck off. I’m not.”
“Uh-huh.” They walked in silence, nearing her home. “So why are we heading to your house, exactly?”
She smiled at him, and he felt like a mouse being hunted by a large, hungry cat. “To talk. You’re all about communicating, aren’t you? That’s what these dates are about. Us getting to know each other, right?”
“Yes.” I know what you’re up to, Maya. But it won’t work.
She stroked his hand again, and he contained a shiver.
“Nope. Not gonna happen.”
“What?” she asked, all innocence.
“Nothing. Now where were we?”
“We’re here,” she said as they approached an aging Craftsman-style house on the edge of a cul-de-sac. “Welcome to my home.”
“Said the spider to the fly,” he muttered.
She grinned and unlocked the door, then pushed it open and stood back, waiting for him to go in first. “Don’t be scared, baby. I promise not to hurt you. Much.”
He frowned at her as he entered, ignoring her laugh. I won’t touch her. I won’t. I can’t. Must. Stay. Strong.
He had to convince himself to remain firm, hearing the soft snick of her door closing and the overloud sound of the lock sealing them together. Alone. In private.
This was going to be a long night.
Chapter Six
Now that she had him all to herself, she didn’t know where to start. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him since yesterday, when he’d made her see stars.
If only she could have kept her prurient curiosity to his body. Picture him just as a walking pleasure machine. All brawn, no brain. But she kept wondering what he did in his spare time, what he liked to eat and drink, his favorite sports, how his parents had fared in his absence, if he thought about her…
She forced herself to stop thinking like a lovesick moron. “Something to drink?”
He eyed her warily. “Uh, I’m good.”
“I’m getting a glass of wine.”
He shrugged. “Fine by me.”
I wasn’t asking for permission, she wanted to say but didn’t. Instead, she smiled at him, left him in the living room and returned with a large glass of red. She fortified her nerves with a sip, then sat on the couch as he continued to loom over her, looking around her house—as if he hadn’t already barged in before.
The forty-year-old home suited her—not too big, not too small. She’d designed a garden feature outside, as well as the garden dragons and gnomes to guard her flowers. She’d found most of her furniture through yard sales and flea markets. A few pieces she’d traded for with other artists. A buddy of hers who worked with wood had made her coffee table and side table. She’d also shared some sack time with the guy and enjoyed the fact he knew how to use his hands.
A glance at Dex reminded her that he too was an expert “handyman” as well as having a truly gifted mouth. Jesus. Remembering his wicked tongue, she needed to fan herself. She felt all tingly and drank more wine.
“I didn’t see too much of your place the last time I was in here. I like it.” He nodded and smiled down at her. “It’s you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. It’s artsy but not frilly. Everything is practical yet fun. Totally you.”
“Gee. How nice to be called practical. That’s right up there with interesting or being called nice.”
“Ouch. I only meant I liked
your place. Touchy, aren’t we?” Instead of sitting next to her on the couch, he took the large chair and sank into it. “Oh wow. This is terrific. I could go to sleep right here.”
A spot she often settled into when needing a rest. The thing practically swallowed her friend Ann whole, but for normal or larger-sized people, like her and Dex, the chair was a thing of beauty. “Did you enjoy our date?” she asked, gearing up to taunt him into another kiss.
“I did. Even though you tried to sabotage it by inviting your dad and Bev to stick around, I had fun. Learned a lot about you.” He put his hands behind his head, the king of the manor.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re a pain in the ass to everyone, not just me. Your dad is a hell of a nice guy. Must be sainted after raising you.”
“Asshole.”
“Wait, I’m not done. I also learned that Bev is a genuinely nice lady. I think she suits your dad.”
“She will, but not for long. They never stick with him,” she said, shocked to hear a trace of bitterness in her voice. What was that about? She glanced at the wine and moved her glass aside.
“And I learned that you’re attracted to me and scared because you like me so much. But then, I always knew that.”
Realizing her mouth was open she snapped it shut. “How’s that?”
“Well, you invited your dad over to meet me. Obviously we’re taking things to the next level. Meet the folks—check.”
She rolled her eyes. “I brought him over to save me from you.”
“You were so cute and shy, not wanting to hold hands with me where he could see.”
“I didn’t want to hold hands with you period. Guess what, genius? Dating through blackmail isn’t the same as dating because I like you. There’s a difference.”
“Aha! So you like me.”
“I never said that.”
“Sounded like it.”
“Fuck off.”
“You couldn’t stop yourself from watching me. Oh yeah, baby. I saw you checking me out at dinner. How you watched me chew up my meager slices of pizza—since you stole the other one.” He grinned. “Admit it. You love my mouth.”
“When it’s frickin’ closed,” she muttered, wishing she’d stop blushing around the man.
“I’m not done.”
“I think you are.” She left the couch and launched herself at him.
He caught her with an oof, and she straddled him before he could breathe. With her knees on either side of him, her breasts right in his face, she waited for him to make a move.
She watched him swallow—hard—and slowly lift his gaze to hers. To his credit, he didn’t linger overly on her lips. “Ah, this chair’s occupied.”
“Is it?” She sat over his lap and ground down against him, not surprised to find him aroused. “Hmm. I’m comfy enough. How about you?” She put her hands on his shoulders and rubbed, then moved to his neck. When she caressed his nape, he shivered, and she smiled.
“Christ. Cut that out. This is a friendly date. No sex. Your rules, remember?”
More than pleased at the lust in his voice, she squirmed over him and felt his hands on her waist. But he didn’t push her aside.
“We’re friends, aren’t we?” God, his eyes are so pretty.
“Are we?” he asked. This close, she could see the darker band of gray around his lighter irises. Like a storm warning, his gaze darkened as his body tensed.
She wanted him, no question. And he wanted her. But the jerk wouldn’t initiate anything. He sat like a stone, unmoving. She squirmed again and watched his pupils dilate.
“Sure, Dex. We’re good friends,” she whispered over his lips and kissed him. “Kiss me back,” she said against his mouth.
He tried to pull back but she followed him and became the aggressor. Since he wouldn’t kiss her, she took charge kissing him. She could feel his bundled energy under her. His grip on her hips would leave marks, but he didn’t deepen the kiss, just let her control it with her lips and tongue. God was it sexy.
His moan made it impossible not to ride him—until he stopped her with his hands. He pulled away from her mouth, forced her up on her knees and glared at her. That mean glint turned her arousal from a ten to off-the-charts.
“No sex,” he growled.
“Not even a little?” She leaned her chest closer, rubbing against his.
He closed his eyes and swore as she nibbled his bottom lip.
“Fuck, Maya. Back off,” came out in a half moan, half snarl as he opened his eyes again.
She smiled and leaned back. “Tell you what, sexy. You ask a question and I’ll answer it. That way we’ll still get to know each other. But I want a kiss for each answer you get.”
“Maya…”
“What? I thought we were friends.” She loved being the aggressor, loved too the fact Dex wasn’t as in command around her as he wanted to be.
“Fine. But you have to answer honestly.”
“Anything you want to know.” Then, because she was curious, she added, “And you have to answer me honestly too.”
“Yeah, okay. But sit over there—”
“We can’t kiss if we’re too far apart.”
“Maya…”
“Dex…” She made a face and stole another quick kiss.
He growled when she pulled back, his body vibrating under hers. So much power, so much muscle. She stroked his shoulders and sat on her haunches, which put her directly over his massive erection.
“Why did you freak out about your mom?” Figured he’d ask the question she wanted to answer least right out of the starting gate. “And answer honestly.”
She ground against him, enjoying his sensual pain. “Bastard. You want to know?”
“Yes, damn it.”
“You know my mother was Native American.”
“Paiute, right?”
She blinked at him. “Um, yeah. Well, she and my dad had a fling. But Dad thought it was more than that. Mom only wanted to get laid. Unfortunately, she had me. I came out a little lighter than she liked, and after suffering with me for a few years, she took off.”
His hands were rubbing her hips, then her back. Stroking with comfort in mind, not sexual promise, which she found odd. “Sorry, baby. That sucks.”
She shrugged. “I was little so it wasn’t a big deal for me. But she broke Dad’s heart. He’s never been the same. Never been with a woman for more than a year at most. That’s why Bev doesn’t stand a chance.” His relationships had always taken a backseat to raising Maya. Yet even after she’d grown, he still played around, not content to be with one person. Just like her. Not meant to settle down with someone who had the ability to crush you with rejection. What made it worse was that she knew her father could have moved on if he hadn’t had to raise Winona Timican’s daughter.
“I think maybe it was a big deal to you,” Dex said quietly.
She didn’t like him asking stupid questions she didn’t want to think about, so she rubbed against him, reminding his body what it wanted. “I answered you.”
“Honestly?”
“As honest as you’re gonna get,” she promised. “Now kiss me.”
He shocked her by planting a doozy on her. His tongue, lips and teeth took charge until she was a heartbeat away from begging him to fuck. God, with just his mouth he could make her forget every bad thing in her life and concentrate on nothing but feeling good. He was like magic.
Then he yanked himself back and loosened his hold on her hips. To her satisfaction, he must have forgotten his pledge of no sex because he’d been grinding into her something fierce.
“My turn,” she said when she could speak.
He cleared his throat and leaned as far back as the cushions would allow.
“Why the blackmail for a date, Dex-ter?” She drawled his name and st
roked the back of his neck.
He blinked. She could almost hear the wheels in his mind turning.
She put a finger over his lips. “Uh-uh. Honest answer.”
He nipped her, and she ignored the rush of electricity that traveled from her finger to between her legs.
“The truth? I missed you while I was gone and wanted to see if you were still as much a pain in the ass now as you were then.” He stared at her with heat in his eyes. “And you are. How’s that for honesty?”
“Okay, I guess.” He thought she was a pain? Should she be flattered or insulted?
“So why are you so against dating me?”
“Because I don’t like you?” Shoot. She’d meant that to be a statement, not a question.
“Try again.”
Exasperated, she blew out a breath. “Because dating and I don’t mix. I have my friends if I want to hit a movie or do dinner. When I need sex, I find a guy I like and am attracted to. We hit it off, we’re happy, we’re done. No mess, no fuss.”
“Haven’t you ever had a serious boyfriend?” He looked fascinated.
She frowned. “A few over the years, and they only reinforced what I know—that I don’t do long term. It’s too bad I’m not gay, but women do nothing for me sexually. Men do, but they bore me.” She stared into his eyes. “It doesn’t take long to learn that your gender wants to be catered to and taken care of. Frankly, I have better things to do with my time. I want heavy furniture moved? I can call a moving service. I want sex? I can use a vibrator. So what are you good for?”
“But that’s not quality sex.” He rubbed her sides. “That’s not fucking-against-a-wall, get-your-girl-begging-for-it sex.”
She felt her heart race and did her best to relax.
“Come on, baby. Admit you liked feeling me hard and thick inside you,” he murmured and pulled her closer. He whispered into her ear, “Remember how good my mouth felt over your clit? How sweet it felt to come over my lips?”
“Dex,” she gasped.
Before she could kiss him again, he stood with her in his arms, as if she weighed nothing. He took a step to the side and dumped her on the couch.