Tempting Grace: The Vaughn Series, Book 4

by Anne Rainey

  She smiled as the waitress brought their checks. Jackson could only sit there, staring like a horny teenager with his first nudie magazine. By the time they were headed out of the restaurant he had his voice back and his cock was only semi-erect. As they reached the elevator, he took her arm and turned her toward him. “Come up to my room for a drink.”

  “You aren’t going to molest me, are you?”

  Her soft smile as she looked up at him caused his gut to clench. Her sweet innocence was intoxicating. He could well understand why her family wanted to wrap her in cotton and set her on a shelf. On the other hand, he wanted nothing more than to show her all the dirty sex acts he’d learned over the years. Things that would leave them both gasping for air. The elevator dinged and opened. Another couple stood inside waiting for them to get on.

  “Come on,” he urged as he pulled her along beside him. The doors slid shut, sealing them in with the other two. The walls of the elevator were mirrored, and he was able to see the other couple behind them, kissing. Christ, that was all he needed, a visual aid.

  Grace rose on her toes and whispered, “You’re blushing.”

  Jackson’s patience snapped. He cupped her chin and ground out, “Keep pushing me and you’ll get more than a drink when we reach my room.”

  She tried to step away from him, but he had his hand wrapped around her forearm, preventing her escape. “I know better than that, Jackson. The other night is proof I have nothing to fear from you.”

  She just wouldn’t let it go that he’d left her. Couldn’t she see he’d done it for her own good? He could have stayed and made love to her the entire night. Hell, the entire weekend. He’d tried to give her time to accept him, to accept a relationship with him. All he’d done was make it worse. One step forward, ten steps back.

  Jackson’s gaze took in the tight black dress that accentuated her small breasts and slender hips. He imagined slipping her out of it. Inch by delicious inch. Would she be wearing panties this time? “We’ll see,” he murmured.

  As the elevator stopped on their floor, he looked in the mirrored wall again. The couple had practically climbed each other. The woman’s head was thrown back in rapture, and the man was in the process of nibbling his way down to the brunette’s cleavage. Jackson peeked over at Grace, gauging her reaction to the pair of exhibitionists. Her eyes were round as quarters, but she wasn’t looking away. He noticed her nipples were hard little pebbles beneath the black silk. She liked watching. Interesting.

  He tugged on her arm to indicate the elevator had stopped. She cleared her throat and walked through the open doors, completely ignoring him. He ended up getting dragged along in her wake. Jackson couldn’t tell if she’d decided to go to his room for a drink or not. He’d never seen her act so damned mysterious. When she turned right down the hall, which would take her to his room instead of left toward her own, he let out a breath, thankful he wasn’t going to have to toss her over his shoulder and haul her cute ass to his suite by force. He was just desperate enough to do it.

  He moved alongside her and let her pull her arm away. As they approached his suite, she stopped and adjusted her purse higher on her shoulder. “Drinks. Nothing more.”

  He moved to close the gap between them and let his fingers trail down her check. “Unless you want more.”

  “I don’t.”

  Her voice wasn’t quite as steady as it had been in the restaurant. Jackson had to hold back a triumphant grin. “Little liar.”

  She was about to say something more, something caustic, no doubt, but he took his keycard out of his pocket and slid it through the slot. He pushed the door open before stepping aside. “After you, Gracie.”

  Her nose shot in the air as she walked past him. He took in the sway of her hips and her tight, slightly rounded ass. God in heaven, the woman was a gift. Her body made his every instinct kick in. He wanted to slam the door shut and fuck her into submission. Force her to accept him as her lover—her only lover. Soon, he promised his overeager cock. Even in his lusty fog, he noticed there weren’t any panty lines, but that wasn’t enough proof. The only way he’d know for sure if she had anything on under the sexy dress was to get her out of it.

  Jackson stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him, then flipped the security lock into place. As he hit the switch, illuminating the room, and moved toward her, Grace licked her lips, her posture stiff as a board. He could see the war going on inside her pretty head so clearly. She wanted him, but she wasn’t happy about it. By the time they went back to Ohio, she would belong to him. The only other option was just too damned depressing to consider.

  He went to the desk at the far side of the room and picked up the phone. “Champagne or wine?”

  “Wine.”

  Jackson ordered a bottle of Merlot, then looked at Grace as an idea struck. “We’re also going to need a deck of cards.” He watched her frown at him from across the room. When he hung up, he said, “You’ve never played poker with me. Since we’re in Vegas and all, I thought it seemed appropriate.”

  “Be warned. I’ve been playing poker since I was big enough to walk. My dad taught me. I’m not bragging when I say I’m good. In fact, poker helped pay for books and gas when I was in college.”

  “I know. I’ve seen you play with Blade and Merrick. You’re very good. But so am I. What do you say to a few hands of five card stud?”

  Grace went to the couch and sat. “Sure, why not? But you’d better not be a sore loser. I hate sore losers.”

  “Ditto, Gracie,” he said. A knock on the door indicated room service. After taking the wine and cards, he tipped the guy and went to the chair next to the couch. He poured a glass of wine and held it out to Grace. When she took it, he poured another glass for himself. They were silent as they each took a sip. He set his on the coffee table and opened the box of cards. As he shuffled, he explained the rules. “Five card stud, nothing wild.”

  “Easy enough. Are we playing for money?”

  “No, not money. Information.”

  “Huh?”

  “If I win, you have to tell me three things about yourself. Good things, not like ‘I like the color red.’. If you win, I have to tell you three things about myself. What do you say?”

  She grinned. “You’re going to be doing a lot of talking.”

  He didn’t speak as he dealt. He waited for her to look at her hand. When she discarded two, he slid two new cards across the coffee table. She picked them up, but Jackson couldn’t tell if she was happy or not. She was good at not giving herself away. He looked at his own cards and discarded one, then waited for her to show her hand. She had two pair, kings and deuces. All he’d ended up with was a pair of nines. He placed his own hand face up on the table and watched her expression change from blank to pure wickedness.

  “Start talking,” she demanded.

  Shit, he’d wanted to find out more about her. He’d been sure he could beat her. Next time, he vowed.

  “Let’s see… I have a fondness for motorcycles. I always have. I have two that I keep at my brother’s place. I can’t stand movies with sad endings. They’re a complete waste of time to me. Also, my mom has always wanted to go to Ireland, so my brother and I are pitching in and sending my parents there for their wedding anniversary next year.”

  “Ah, that’s so sweet,” she said, her face softening. “I bet she’ll be thrilled.”

  “She’ll probably get on us for spending so much money, but, yeah, she’ll be pleased as hell too.”

  “Okay, my turn to deal.” Grace scooped up the cards and started to shuffle. He’d seen her at work before, but her skill with a deck never failed to impress him. She dealt five cards each, then placed the deck in the center. He looked at his hand and had to stifle a grin. “I’ll stay.”

  No expression from Grace as she picked up her cards and tossed one down and picked a new one up from the deck. She looked at him, and he laid his cards out face up. “Three aces.”

  Grace showed her
hand. “That beats my lousy pair of fours.”

  “Three things. Start talking.”

  “I’m not that exciting, but okay. I collect snow globes. All sizes. Expensive ones, cheap ones. I just love snow globes. I enjoy old black and white movies. In fact, Bette Davis is my favorite actress. Third fact. I hate food that’s yellow. Corn, squash, bananas, I can’t stand any of them.”

  He laughed. “What do you have against the color yellow?”

  She played with the cards, shuffling in various ways. “I don’t know, it’s the strangest thing. I’ve just always hated yellow food.”

  Jackson held out his hand. “Give them over, my turn to deal.” She placed the cards in his hand. Their fingers touched. Sparks jumped between them. “One more hand to break the tie,” he murmured.

  She cleared her throat and took a sip of her wine. “Just don’t pout when I win.”

  Jackson dealt the cards. They both seemed to be on pins and needles, as if this last hand meant more to them both than merely breaking a tie. Or maybe he was just reading more into their game than what was there.

  Grace threw away two cards, and he dealt her two more. He tossed down two of his own cards and took two more off the top of the deck. He watched as she showed her hand. Damn, a flush. He showed his own and growled, “Two pair. You win.”

  “Come on, I get three more Jackson facts.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m a black belt in Karate. The only books I ever read are business related, though that dirty book in your apartment has me thinking I’ve been missing out on a lot.”

  “It’s not dirty, it’s romance.”

  He took a sip of his wine, draining the glass. “Last thing. I watch you walk when we’re at the office. Not a day goes by that I don’t stare at your ass.”

  Grace shook her head. “I’m not sure that qualifies as a fact.”

  He leaned across the table and whispered, “Do you care?”

  Suddenly she stood and moved toward him, her steps precise. He couldn’t read her mood now. “Not really,” she stated, her voice so low he barely heard her.

  Jackson stood too. His fingers stroked the baby-soft skin of her cheek. “What do you want?” Her mesmerizing gaze drifted over him, teasing him to full alert status. “Gracie?”

  “This,” she whispered, before rising to her toes and pressing her lips to his. She was gentle, shy, as if unsure what to do with him. When her tongue slid over his bottom lip in a curious perusal, he gave up any pretense at control. He enfolded her in his arms, pulling her against his body, fitting her curves to him. He thrust his pelvis against her lower abs, saying without words what he would demand from her if she continued her little game. She moaned against his mouth and dug her fingers into his hair, then brought one leg up to wrap around his waist. Jackson cupped her ass and lifted her off the floor, forcing her to clutch onto him with both legs.

  He pried his lips from hers and gave her one last chance to walk away. “Be sure, baby. Be damned sure this is what you want.”

  Her breath came out in pants as she said, “You left me. I needed you, and you left me.”

  “Never again,” he promised as he strode across the room. “I swear it.”

  “I’ll knee you in the balls if you ever do that again, Jackson.”

  It wasn’t until he entered the bedroom, flipped on the bedside lamp and sat on the end of the bed that her words registered. “I don’t doubt it for a second,” he murmured as he tasted her lips with his tongue. He coaxed her to open for him. When she surrendered, he delved inside, addicted to her sweetness. The flavor of her…there wasn’t another woman on earth who tasted as sinfully sweet as Grace.

  With her straddling him, Jackson’s cock was so hard he was afraid he’d end up with an imprint of his damned zipper, but he was loath to let her up long enough to undress. She dipped her head and licked his neck, teasing and nibbling at his overheated skin. Her lower body gyrated against his. Jesus, the woman was hot. Sexy and hot and all his. He lifted away from her and grasped her waist, standing her in front of him. Grace’s cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen. Several locks of hair had come loose from her twist. She looked ready to fuck. “You make me crazy, baby. But why the change of heart? Why now?”

  “I decided I didn’t want to deny myself anymore. I’ve wanted you for so long, Jackson. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but I don’t feel like questioning it tonight. I just want you to touch me.”

  “I’m going to do more than touch you, baby. A hell of a lot more.” He smoothed his palms up her sides until he reached her breasts. He cupped them through the black silk of her dress. He let his thumbs tease the hard tips, and Grace swayed. He pulled his hands away and ordered, “Undress.”

  Grace didn’t speak, though her expression conveyed all he needed to know. She was nervous. Excited, but still a little afraid of his sexual appetites. “Don’t think so hard, baby.”

  “I’m not.” They both knew she was lying, but he let it go and waited. She took a deep breath and moved her fingers to a hidden zipper along her right side. As she worked the straps off her shoulders, the dress fell free, landing in a black pool at her feet. His gaze went straight to her pussy. No panties. Oh, hell. His hand lifted, cupping her neatly trimmed mound. “Mmm, I missed this little pussy. I’m going to fuck it so hard.”

  “Jackson.” His name came out as a pleading whisper, and it was music to his ears.

  He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to her clit. “My dick is going to feel so good sliding inside of you.” He reached behind her and unhooked her bra, his attention rapt as her breasts were bared for him. He leaned forward, unable to help himself, and tasted one turgid peak. Grace shuddered and tunneled her fingers in his hair. He swirled his tongue around the puffy areola before sucking as much as he could into his mouth.

  “Yes, just like that,” she breathed out. “Oh, God, that feels so good.”

  He pulled back and stared at her. “Take your hair down, Gracie,” he commanded as he rose to his feet. He started unbuttoning and unzipping his slacks as Grace lifted her fingers to her hair. She pulled several pins free, letting them fall where they may. She shook the shiny strands out and finger combed them. In the dimly lit room, her hands now clasped together in front of her, Jackson thought she looked like a sweet angel. An innocent, untouchable being that he had no business breathing near, much less fucking. And if anyone would’ve attempted to keep him from her in that instant, he would’ve fought to the death to get to her. It didn’t much matter that he was too old for her, too hard and too experienced. She was his, and he’d willingly shed blood to keep her.

  Naked finally, he closed the few inches between them and cupped her cheek, her desire and trust clearly visible in her expression. His gut clenched. “I’ve wanted you here like this for so long. I have a lot of ideas. Dirty ideas. Things you’ve never considered doing, probably, but I won’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you, Gracie.”

  She slid a hand between their bodies and wrapped it around his cock. “I may not be as experienced as you, but I’m not a little girl. I want to be here. It’s my choice to be here with you.”

  The grasp she had on his dick seemed to prove her point rather well. “Have you ever played with bondage?”

  She arched a brow. “You want to tie me to the bed?”

  “Not quite, no.” He stepped away from her, forcing her to release her hold on him. He’d been too damn close to coming. He went to his suitcase and pulled out a length of rope, holding it out for her to see. “I want to bind your breasts. Have you ever had a man bind you, baby?”

  Grace’s eyes widened. “You want to do what?”

  He chuckled. “Don’t look so scandalized. It doesn’t hurt, I promise. You do trust me, don’t you?”

  She bit her lip and covered her breasts with her palms, as if to protect them from his evilness. “I-I trust you.”

  “Prove it,” he growled. “Come here.”

  Grace padded softly toward him, a frown crea
sing her brow. “I’m not into pain, so if you hurt me I’ll make you pay for it later.”

  He tugged her hands away, then let his gaze take in the sight of her. Her nipples were pebble hard, her lips swollen from his kisses. “Pleasure, my pet, only pleasure.”

  “There you go with the pet thing again.”

  He leaned down and kissed the spot behind her ear, enjoying the little shudders his touch evoked. “You don’t want to be my pretty little pet, Gracie?” He licked the shell of her ear and nipped at the delicate lobe. “Are you so sure of that?”

  “Please, Jackson, you’re making me crazy with this slow loving. I need you inside of me. Now, or I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

  He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “First I’m going to bind you, pet, then I’m going to fuck you. After we’ve recovered, I’m going to show you something else I’ve been dying to do to you since the first time we met. Any objections?”

  “Just one.”

  Shit, he hadn’t expected that. “What?”

  “Quit talking and fuck me,” she ordered.

  The woman definitely had a way with words. He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Chapter Seven

  She’d let herself fall. It was that simple. She’d been so strong, resisting him, pretending to remain angry over his hasty departure in her apartment. The truth had smacked her in the face the instant she’d entered his suite. She’d known the only reason she’d let him talk her into a nightcap was because she knew where it would lead and she’d wanted it to lead there.

  Jackson’s fingers trailed over her nipples and she nearly came standing up. He moved around her until he was at her back, then he wrapped a length of the rope around her torso, just below her breasts. Grace grabbed his hand. “I’m not sure about this.”

  He cupped her breast as he held the rope in place with the other hand. “Don’t be so suspicious, baby. You’ve known me a little over a year. I don’t hurt women.”