All In: Raising the Stakes

by Lane Hart

  "Come on, Katie Kat, this isn't that big of a deal," I tell the angry woman after buying her a gin and tonic at the bar. We don't have anything else to do, so I’m gonna try and get her drunk on the state's tab. "We're both adults, and we'll have our own beds. Besides, it's not like we'll be in there for anything but sleeping a few hours each night."

  She sighs, and then she visibly deflates, her posture slouching on her bar stool. I assume she's finally let it go. Thank God. The woman’s acting like sharing space with me for a couple of days is a death sentence.

  Her phone rings and she immediately jumps up, walking away to answer it. I take the opportunity to call Lacy to tell her the good news.

  "Joe? How's Florida?" she answers.

  "Haven't seen much, other than the really nice resort we're staying in. But get this, Katie and I are sharing a room."

  She laughs. "No shit? That’s great. Now, listen, this is very important. You need to go shirtless as often as possible. And if you get the chance, put your magical mouth between her legs. Oh God, I'm getting tingles in my panties just thinking about it."

  "Thanks for the tips." I chuckle. "So how are things in Charlotte?" I ask.

  "Good."

  "And you and Will?"

  "We had a good start to the morning," she says, and I can hear her smile.

  "Tingling in the panties good?" I tease.

  She laughs. "If I had been wearing any there definitely would’ve been tingles."

  "Glad to hear it. Well, I better go try and give a certain redhead a hard time. Or even better, some panty tingles."

  "Okay. Have fun seducing her!"

  "Thanks. Love you, Lace."

  "Love you, too."

  Still holding the phone in my hand, I try to decide if I should call Chad. I don't like feeling this...obligation to him, but at the same time, wouldn't I want to know if he was fucking someone else, or at least trying to?

  I hit his name in my contact list.

  "Joe?" he answers like he's surprised to hear from me.

  "Hey."

  "You make it to Florida?"

  "Yeah, we've been here a few hours."

  "Good. So what's up? Everything okay?"

  "Uh-huh. Katie's here. With me. She's the other new homicide prosecutor."

  "Katie? Wow. I bet you're excited."

  "I am. She's actually being nice which is unusual, but I'll take it."

  "Maybe you're finally softening her up."

  "Maybe," I agree. Glancing around I make sure she's still out of earshot. She's pacing a few hundred feet away and talking animatedly on her call. "So, um, crazy convenient, but the resort is packed so the two of us are sharing a room."

  "Damn. The odds that you’ll end up fucking her this weekend are drastically increasing," he says, and I'm not sure if he doesn't like the idea or is just stating the obvious.

  "They are."

  "Which means the odds of you and I fucking again are drastically decreasing."

  "Pretty much," I admit. "I thought, I don’t know, that I should at least tell you."

  "I get it, Joe. You've wanted her forever and now's your best chance. You'd be crazy not to take it. The woman is sexy as fuck. With her feistiness, I bet she's a damn Hellcat in bed. If nothing else, you owe me explicit details if the two of you hook up."

  I let out the breath I was holding, thankful he didn't go all jealous boyfriend on me. Oh shit. Is that what he is? Maybe I need this weekend to figure out what the fuck I'm doing with him.

  "Well, I guess I better go," I tell him as Katie approaches. "Have a good weekend and I'll talk to you Monday."

  "Have fun," he says.

  I disconnect the call right as Katie returns, ready to put on the best panty tingling moves I have. When she mounts her barstool I can't help but wonder what kind of panties she's wearing under her curve hugging jeans. I don't take her for a thong girl. No, I bet Katie is all about sensible and comfortable. She's probably wearing bikinis or boyshorts. It doesn't matter a bit to me, since I would probably bust a nut if I ever got a glimpse of her in size XXL granny panties. Hell, sharing a room with her might give me the opportunity to look at her panties this weekend. Not on her but on the floor or in her suitcase. Ah, I'd love to see her in a bathing suit. That'd be amazing. If I get a few more drinks in her maybe she'll relax enough to go to the pool with me later.

  "Can we get another round?" I ask the bartender, pushing my palm down on my cock to make it settle down.

  "Are you trying to get me drunk?" she asks, giving me an actual, rare smile.

  "I'd almost bet that you, Katie Kat, could benefit from a little more alcohol in your system. You're strung way too tight, woman. Relax, we're on vacation."

  "This is not a vacation. This is a working weekend."

  "Only when we have lectures to listen to. Today's free, and so is tomorrow night," I counter.

  Katie rolls her eyes in response.

  "When was the last time you got drunk?" I ask.

  She actually laughs. "Probably in my senior year of college."

  "So, about six years ago?"

  "Yeah."

  "Then you are long overdue to get tipsy," I tell her, pushing the new drink in front of her as soon as the bartender sits it down. Katie thinks it over for a minute, and then she picks up the glass and throws it back.

  "Keep them coming," she grins in challenge. I have a feeling it’s going to be a damn good night.

  Chapter Five

  Katie

  My body is loose and relaxed for the first time in...shit, I don't even know when. Before my sister was abducted and died because of a psycho. Before I became Drew's mother.

  Joe and I are on the beach, watching the tide roll in as we sit in shade covered lounge chairs. I feel like I’m in a freaking beer commercial. The whole scene is almost too perfect to be real.

  Joe's dress shirt is off, displaying his incredibly defined pecs and abs, his jeans riding low on his sexy indented hips, a pair of shades covering his blue eyes. We both lost our shoes to feel the sand between our toes before we sacked out in the chairs. Check-in was almost two hours ago and our room still isn't ready. Not that I’m complaining. Besides, thinking of being in a room with a bed, alone with the hottest man alive makes me more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

  I sneak another glance at Joe. Wow is the only word to describe him. His torso is actually drool worthy. My eyes follow the dark trail of hair that disappears down the front of his jeans, and I can't help but wonder what it leads to. Well, I know what it leads to, I’m drunk, not an idiot. I just want to see every single inch of his amazing body for myself.

  "You feeling okay?" his deep voice asks, and when my gaze reluctantly reaches his face again he’s giving me a cocky grin like he knows I was checking him out.

  "I'm feeling really good. Realllyyy good," I tell him.

  He chuckles, causing his six pack of abs to tighten. I want to lick the lines of each and every one. All the way down lower to what's beneath his jeans…

  "Hello?" he says, and I realize he's on the phone even though I didn't hear it ring. Holding it up to his ear causes his biceps to flex, and who knew shoulder muscles could be sexy? "Great, thanks.” Joe gets to his feet and tells me, “Room's ready. You want to head up?"

  "Yes. That's a great idea. To the room!" I say as I stand from my chair, a little unsteady on my feet.

  We stop by the desk for our key cards and luggage, and then take the elevator up to the ninth floor.

  "Ooh. This is nice," I say when Joe unlocks the door and we step inside.

  "Yeah it is," he agrees. We throw our luggage down in the entry way to check everything out.

  There’s a small kitchen across from a bathroom, two big queen beds and a living room area with a couch and chairs facing the flat screen TV. The balcony curtains are pulled, keeping the room dimly lit. Whoa, is it just me or does this feel all romantic-ish?

  Joe sacks out flat on his back on one of the be
ds. His dress shirt that he slipped on before we came inside still unbuttoned takes the room from romantic to a pornographic fantasy.

  "You mind if I take this bed?" he asks.

  Unable to help myself, I climb up beside him and stretch out on my side. "Yes, I do mind. I think I want this one."

  He laughs and rolls to his side to face me, his beautiful eyes searching my face. "You're drunk."

  "Yep," I say, lowering my own eyes to his naked upper body. I've always wondered what he looked like underneath those suits. The real deal is even more amazing than I'd imagined. He should be modeling underwear in a magazine.

  His body is dark and evenly tanned with no lines even though it’s fall, like it’s just his natural color. That perfect golden skin is stretched over a washboard until it reaches his belly button. From there down it’s a flat expanse, completely smooth like he manscapes everything, except for a faint line of dark hair that goes below his waistband.

  Before I realize what I’m doing, my fingertips reach out and trace along one of the muscular lines of his abs. Joe sucks in a breath like I've surprised him. Hell, I've surprised myself.

  When he doesn't voice any objections, my fingers run lower, down that dark line to the waistband of his jeans. I dip one down into it, following that tempting trail. The damn denim is in the way, so I pop the button and then grab the zipper.

  "Katie, what are you doing?" Joe asks, his hand covering mine.

  I look up into his cerulean eyes that are filled with both confusion and desire. Does he want me as much as I want him? That’s impossible. But I do want him and I want to see where this goes. I’m tired of fighting the intense attraction to him. I'll have this one weekend like I've always fantasized about before we have to go back home, and back to reality where I’m a mother and a serious attorney with no time for dating.

  "I'm following your treasure trail to see where it ends," I tell him.

  "Ah, I can see that, and any other time I'd love for you to...find my pot of gold, but you're drunk."

  "Do you want me to stop?" I ask, slowly lowering his zipper to reveal his black boxer-briefs.

  "No, that's not what I want, but you should probably stop before you do something you'll regret."

  "I'm not that drunk," I assure him, which is the truth. I still know exactly what I’m doing. I’m just a little more uninhibited than my normal, uptight self.

  "I thought you hated me," Joe says, sucking all the air out of my lungs. I deserve it for being such a bitch to him, but I've never meant for him to think I hated him.

  "I hate wanting you as much as I do," I admit as my fingers wrap around the hard, thick cock underneath the cotton. "And I can't tell you how many times I've thought about being with you."

  "Oh fuck," Joe groans, closing his eyes.

  He holds completely still while I yank the elastic waistband of his boxers down, freeing his very eager cock. I’m so distracted by his impressive length that I don't realize he's moved until I’m flat on my back with his big body hovering over top of mine.

  "Are you sure about this? Tell me now, Katie Kat," he says as his gaze lowers to my mouth.

  "Yes," I assure him, and then his soft, full lips brush against mine. His kiss is gentle, his tongue softly coaxing me to open for him. I’m more than willing. After pushing his dress shirt off, my fingers comb through his soft hair, holding his mouth to mine, my tongue desperate and needy against his.

  Joe's hips rock into my lower body, and I spread my legs wide, so I can feel him against my neglected sex.

  Sitting back on his heels, his hands go to my sides, pushing my shirt out the way for his mouth to lower, exploring my stomach, taking my breath away. His hands keep pushing on the cups of my bra, and when I raise my arms both pieces of clothing come off over my head.

  Joe's damp lips press kisses along my sternum then over to one of my breasts. His tongue snakes out and licks my nipple while he reaches down to undo my pants. A second later they’re being lowered. When I’m wearing nothing but my white cotton panties, Joe's mouth starts heading south, making me pant in anticipation.

  "Bikinis," he mutters against the sensitive skin around my belly button. "Fuckin' knew it. So damn sexy." He licks along the line of my waistband before tracing the hem on the inside of my thighs with his tongue. I feel his warm breath over the cloth at my entrance, making my body tremble with need. His nose and mouth tease me, placing kisses against the damp material until I’m pretty sure I might die before he touches my flesh.

  When his tongue snakes along the inside seam so, so close, I can’t take anymore. Too impatient to wait another second, I push my panties down my thighs and out of the way myself. My head falls back as I shout in gratitude when his tongue finally makes direct contact with my throbbing pussy. He begins a torturous rhythm, thrusting into me then quickly retreating, over and over again, fucking me so damn good with this tongue.

  "More," I moan desperately, my heels digging into the mattress as my back arches. "I need…I need more."

  Joe makes a sound of approval, then jerks my panties the rest of the way down my legs and off. Stretching out on his stomach, he slides his shoulders underneath my thighs and spreads me wide open like he’s settling in for an all-you-can-eat buffet.

  "Oh God, Joe. Yes!" I become lost in pleasure unlike anything I've ever felt before. My hips rock toward his mouth, begging for more while my body shakes with wave after wave of ecstasy. On and on it goes, one earth shattering orgasm right after another. My whole body becomes drenched in sweat, and my arousal runs down the insides of my thighs.

  "Stop...please, stop. I-I can't take anymore," I beg Joe, squirming to get away from his grip. This is the first time I've ever experienced pleasure overload. When his mouth finally relents, I sigh, and sink limply down into the mattress, feeling happier and lighter than I have in a long, long time. My vibrator has nothing on Joe's tongue. Not even close.

  My eyes refuse to open, but I feel the mattress dip when Joe moves off the bed and heads into the bathroom. When he returns the bed shifts again as he lays down alongside me and rubs his warm palm over my stomach. The ticklish feeling on my overly sensitive skin makes me giggle and wiggle.

  "You're fun when you're drunk," Joe says, the first words he's spoken in a long time.

  "I'm not drunk," I say, unable to keep the satisfied smile off my face. "Well, only fuck drunk." I finally manage to squint one eye open to look at him.

  "So you're saying you won't regret this is the morning?" he asks, his serious expression telling me he's genuinely concerned.

  When I finally open both eyes, Joe is hovering above me, so that I’m looking up into his beautiful blue ones. "No."

  He blows out a breath. "Good. I'm going to hold you to that."

  Unable to help myself, I reach up and run my fingers through the back of his thick, dark hair again. Joe's eyes close blissfully, and it’s impossible for me to resist him any longer. I lift my head off the mattress and cover his lips with mine. His arms wrap around me, flipping us until I’m on top of him. The hardness pressing into my stomach reminds me that while I'd gotten off so many times I'd lost count, he hasn't. I intend to remedy that immediately.

  I reach down and wrap my hand around Joe's thick, impressive length in his already open pants and begin stroking him while my tongue goes wild in his mouth. His hands grab both sides of my ass, grinding my body down on his in a simulation of sex.

  Joe groans as his hips come off the mattress. "Katie, stop. It's too…oh God!" He comes in my hand, surprising me at how aroused he'd been. "Fuck," he mutters. "You got me too worked up. I almost came while I was going down on you."

  "That felt really good, in case you couldn't tell," I say with an even bigger smile.

  He catches a strand of my red hair that’s dangling over him and twirls it around his index finger. That pretty much demonstrates the exact effect he has on me, wrapping me around his finger.

  "I could definitely tell," he says with a knowing, cocky smile.
I don’t give him grief for it like usual. He's earned it.

  "In my defense, it's been a while. What about you?" I ask, curious to know if he's been with anyone since he broke up with Lacy several months ago.

  Suddenly it’s like a wall slams down between us. Joe's smile disappears and he no longer meets my eyes. "Yeah," he says with an exhale. "I think I'm going to get a shower and then head downstairs."

  What the hell just happened? It’s like a completely different man is underneath me. One minute he treats me like I’m precious to him, and the next sentence he makes it sound like he can't wait to get away from me.

  I move off of him. He gets up and goes straight into the bathroom, shutting the door, and shutting me out without another word.

  …

  Joe

  Fuck, fuck, fuck!

  While pacing the bathroom floor I have an insane urge to bang my head repeatedly against the wall. What the hell is wrong with me? After all this time, I have the woman I want more than anything, naked and in a bed, actually wanting me and I can't do it. I can't sleep with her because I don’t deserve her. I'm still fucking Lacy, and I was with a guy as recently as last night. And the worst part, it was so damn good that I fucked him again this morning before I had to get ready to head to the airport. Chest to chest while I kissed him. God, just the thought has me hard.

  I quickly shower, and when I walk back into the room to grab some clean clothes Katie’s standing on the balcony. She's changed into a blue t-shirt and gray, cotton shorts that barely cover her ass. The outfit is the opposite of all her stiff and formal suits she wears to the office. With her long, red hair blowing in the ocean breeze she looks like a carefree teenager, not the uptight, harsh prosecutor she usually is.

  I indulge myself in just a few more minutes of seeing her so relaxed. After snapping a picture with my phone, I get dressed and sneak out the hotel door, running away like the asshole coward I am.

  Stepping out of the elevator into the hotel lobby, I have no idea what I’m doing or where I’m going. All I know is that I have to get away before I cave and sleep with her. I can’t do that to Katie. She'd regret it, despite what the alcohol has her saying tonight. And I'd regret being with her without being honest about my unknown sexual orientation. After she learns the truth, she’ll have all the more reason to hate me.