Bet Me to Stay

by Candace Havens

  She shrugged and then closed her eyes again when she took a sip of the stew. “Oh. My. God. You made this?”

  “Yes. My grandmum’s recipe.”

  “It tastes as good as it smells. Like, I’ve never had better.” She opened her eyes, and those honey-colored orbs honed in on him. “It isn’t fair. A man who can fuck like you do, looks like you do, and can cook like you do—it’s ridiculous. No wonder you can have your pick of women.”

  He laughed, not really sure how to respond to that. “I read one of your books.”

  Shit. He hadn’t meant to say that.

  Her spoon dropped against the bowl, her eyes going wide. “What?”

  This time he was the one who shrugged. “I was curious, so I looked you up. And then I started reading. It’s good. You’re a great writer.”

  She blushed. “I— Thank you.”

  “So are you writing another one of those sweet romances?”

  The blush deepened.

  “Maybe you’re delving into science fiction and someone’s DNA is the only thing that will save planet Z? Or writing about a billionaire cowboy with a big, uh, ranch.”

  She shook her head, but a smile crept up her face.

  “So tell me, Ms. Writer, what exactly are you working on?”

  Biting her lip again, she stared up at the ceiling. “Sexy. Okay. It’s a super sexy romance. I moved the location to a pub, which is why I’m here. This place fuels my creativity. Also, I might be addicted to your sweet tea. Your brother insisted I try it. There’s like five thousand calories in every glass, right? And you put crack in it, because I cannot stop drinking it.”

  “Don’t change the subject.” He reached across the table and clasped her wrist, running his thumb along the inside of it. “Tell me about this sexy book you’re writing.”

  “Oh, a writer never talks about their work. You know, uh, we write messy first drafts, and I’m sort of figuring things out as I go. I’m in the early stages of revising, and it’s just a big, fat mess at the moment.”

  “So why are you changing it up and not writing the same sort of thing?”

  She took a drink of the whiskey he’d left on the table and then cleared her throat. “The market is always changing. I have to adapt if I want my career to survive. It’s a crazy industry that runs in cycles, and honestly depends on what’s happening in the world. Worse things are, the bigger the escape people need. And I guess, at least according to my agent, the big money is in sexy books.”

  “Ah.”

  “Not that I’m just doing it for the money, but a girl has to make a living.”

  “Can’t argue with that.”

  They ate for a bit.

  “So, you own the bar with your brother?”

  “I do. It’s been in our family since the twenties. My grandparents owned it, and then when we moved here from Ireland about fifteen years ago, my parents took it over. Mum and Da left it to us when they went back to the Old Country.”

  She smiled, and it did strange and wonderful things to him. Things he didn’t want to think about. “So,” she said, “that’s why you have an accent. You were born in Ireland and lived there as a kid.”

  He nodded. “It comes out now and then.”

  “I like it when you call me lass,” she said.

  “Do ya, now, lass.”

  She laughed. Then she ate a bit more. He liked the fact she had a hearty appetite. “I’m confused… If your grandparents lived here, why were your parents in Ireland?”

  “Me mum lived in Galway her whole life. It’s my dad’s grandparents who owned the place, and then later his parents. Mum met Da on a trip to the States on one of those college things where you visit a different school during a semester. They fell in love, and he followed her back.”

  “Oh, that’s so romantic. And then they ended up taking over for his parents to keep it in the family? It’s awesome that you kept up the tradition.”

  He nodded as he tried to forget that he’d given up the life he’d planned for himself. But he wasn’t one for sour grapes. He had a good life, and whether he liked to admit it or not, he’d been headed home anyway.

  “What does your family do?”

  She coughed and then took a sip of tea. “Sorry. I don’t— I don’t like to talk about my family.” She paused and frowned. “They don’t really get what I do. I mean, they know I write, but— Yeah. It’s— They aren’t super supportive. I mean, they aren’t awful people or anything. I—I’d rather not talk about them.”

  “They’re bloody idiots if they can’t see your talent. I couldn’t stop reading your stuff this afternoon. Damn near burnt the stew.”

  His hand was still on her wrist, but she pulled away. “You’re sweet. Really, for saying so. But I told you before, you don’t have to flatter me.” She lowered her voice. “You—you were wonderful last night. Truly. It was, and I’m a little embarrassed to say this to you, one of the best nights of my life. I appreciate the effort you’re making to make me feel better, but it isn’t necessary. I should probably get home.” She put some bills on the table and closed her laptop.

  “What the bloody hell are you talking about? I’m sitting here eating a meal with you because you’re the most fascinating woman to cross my doorstep in years. I can’t get you out of my fucking head, and every time you bite your lip, I think about that sweet mouth around my cock.”

  She blanched and then stared down at her hands.

  “That was crass,” he said. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

  “Are you kidding me? It was fucking hot. Like, you say those things and the lower half of my body just does flip-flops. It’s a big cheerleading squad down there going, ‘oh, hellzzz yes.’”

  “Lass, are you saying you want to suck my cock?” He wasn’t sure what he’d do if she said yes. He was already finding it hard to sit still, the need for her stronger than he’d ever truly admit to himself.

  “Yes. I do believe that is exactly what I’m saying. Now, if you have the time.”

  Well. Fuck. No way he’d say no to that.

  “Grab your laptop and let’s go.”

  Liam reached back to grab her hand, and as she placed hers in his, that connection settled the anxiousness he’d been experiencing all day. Crap. That scared the hell out of him. Still, he held on to her like his very life depended on it.

  This was happening—again.

  Tonight would do it.

  He had to get this woman out of his system.

  All day, she plagued his mind and he found it difficult to focus, he’d been truthful about that. They pushed through the patrons at the bar. As he and Cassie passed by, Finn grinned and shook his head. Liam shot him the finger, not for the first time that day.

  Five minutes later, they were in his place.

  “So where do you want me?”

  He chuckled. He wasn’t sure when he’d laughed so much. She brought that out in him, and lust. Pure, unadulterated lust. “You’re always rushing.” He turned some of the lights on, and some music, and then guided her to the couch.

  “You don’t have to try to romance me,” she said. “I’m pretty much already there.”

  “God. Woman. Let’s get something straight. I don’t ever do or say a fucking thing I don’t want to. Ever. Everything we’ve done is because I fucking want you more than I have anyone for a very long time. So, like I said last night, let me savor my time with you, okay?”

  Then he pulled her on top of him to straddle his lap and kissed the bloody hell out of her. Damnable woman. Couldn’t get enough of the sweet taste of her, and it pissed him off. He didn’t want this. Didn’t want this need. Didn’t like the fact that he enjoyed just being around her.

  She did that thing where she sucked his tongue into her mouth, but then she cupped him, and he went hard as a fucking stone. As she kissed him, her fingers flew across his button fly and then her hands were in his pants.

  “Sweet fuck, woman. You’re going to be the death of me.”

&nb
sp; She nibbled on his lips. “I can’t think of a better way to go,” she said against his mouth, and then she slid down his body, her hands pushing his jeans and boxer briefs down so that he sprang free.

  “You don’t have to do this,” he said, and he meant it. He was ready to fuck her right then and there.

  She glanced up at him. “Let’s get this straight. I don’t fucking do or say anything I don’t want to.”

  And then her tongue circled the head of his cock, those beautiful eyes of hers glancing up to make sure he was watching.

  Oh, fuck yes, he was watching. As she sucked in his tip, her teeth grazing the sensitive head, it was his turn to hiss.

  “Fuck,” he said. And then she sucked him down to the back of her throat.

  Chapter Six

  While it had seemed a chore with her last boyfriend, with Liam, sucking cock was a whole different story. Her pussy tightened, heat flooding her thong as she took him deeper and deeper.

  I have no idea what I’m doing.

  But every time he moaned, her body thrummed with pleasure. How hard could it be? She’d seen women do this in the soft core porn Tansey had lent her, but she’d never had a gargantuan cock in her mouth. So there was that.

  Her jaw ached a bit already, and then he moaned again and the pain was forgotten. It was all she could do to not stick her hands down her panties. Her whole body had become a tightened coil of need.

  She came up for air and licked his head, tasting the salty pre-come like it was icing on a cupcake.

  “Stop,” he said as he gently pulled her head back.

  She frowned. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “Fuck no. But I want to eat the fuck out of you while you’re sucking my cock. Strip for me.”

  “I don’t understand.” She stayed on her knees, not sure what to do.

  He chuckled. “I’m going clean that pussy of yours dry while you’re sucking my cock. We’re just switching positions, lass. Because watching you suck my cock, well, we’ll be done before we begin. You’re fucking amazing at it. So strip.”

  She didn’t suck at blow jobs.

  Yay. Me.

  The minute he called her “amazing,” she would’ve done anything he wanted. She didn’t remember taking off her boots, jeans, bra, thong, or top. The next thing she knew, she stood naked in front of him. He’d rid himself of clothes. His cock reached out to her, but before she could kneel again, he shook his head.

  “So fucking perfect.” His hand glided from her breast down her stomach to her slick, wet pussy. Then he teased the inside of her thigh with his fingers.

  He threw the cushions off the couch and lay down. “I want you to come all over my face while you’re sucking my cock with that sweet mouth of yours.”

  Oh, hell. She was going to come just standing there listening to him.

  “Lass, give me that tasty cunt of yours.”

  She positioned herself so that her heat was just above his mouth, and she used her hand and her mouth on his cock. His fingers pulled her pussy lips apart and he licked her clean, sucking as he went along, and then those fingers and his mouth worked her hard and he touched places inside of her that even she didn’t know she had. It was all she could do not to forget what she was doing to him.

  More determined than ever to give him every bit of pleasure he’d given her in the last twenty-four hours, she sucked him harder and deeper, even as she was coming apart on his face, his magical fingers and mouth taking her into one orgasm after another.

  “Fucking tasty cunt,” he said. “My favorite fucking flavor is you.”

  Then she was on her back. Jelly and in a haze. He straddled her stomach. “I’m going fuck these beautiful tits of yours, lass. I’m going to come all over them, hard.” He leaned over and kissed her; she tasted their juices mingling, and it was so fucking hot she thought she might melt into the sofa. Then he lifted and placed a pillow under her head.

  “Grab those luscious tits I’ve been thinking about all day and squeeze them around my cock,” he said as he started thrusting forward and back. She cradled him and then sucked his tip when he got closer to her mouth. His fingers slid back into her pussy and pushed with every thrust of his cock. Then he stuck a third finger into her, and she convulsed around him.

  He shot come all over her boobs. Watching him as he came all over her was the hottest thing she’d ever seen. He was so out of control and wild for her. She’d thought the night before had been hot, but this was—there were no words. He lifted himself off her, and then he scooped her up as if she weighed nothing.

  “Let’s get you cleaned up,” he said as he moved through his bedroom. He set her down on the bathroom counter then turned on the shower. “You okay? Was that too much?”

  How did he expect her to talk after all that? “What? No. That was so hot. Like, I’m still processing. I haven’t—I’m not as experienced as you are. Some of this is new to me. No one has ever come on my tits like that or given me so many orgasms. I’ve had more of those with you in twenty-four hours than I have in my whole life.”

  Stop talking.

  But her mouth didn’t get that memo. “I mean… Is it always like this for you? I would be having sex nonstop every day if I thought it could always be like this.”

  He turned, his eyebrows drawn together in a sort of scary frown.

  She held up her hand in apology. “I, uh, you don’t have to answer that. I don’t want to know how many women you’ve slept with. I’m just grateful. Tonight was—for a writer I’m having the toughest time forming words. I just mean, you’re better—I didn’t know it could be like this. Did I say that already? Crap. Nothing is coming out right.”

  He kissed her hard. Then he lifted her again and set her in shower. “None of them were you, lass, and no. It isn’t always like this. Only with you.”

  She started to tell him that he didn’t have to say stuff like that to her. That she didn’t need him to flatter her, and then she remembered what he’d said before. He never did or said anything he didn’t want to.

  Still, her brain didn’t understand why he felt that way.

  After testing it to make sure the water was warm enough, he soaped her up and she did the same to him. She lost track of time as they kissed and caressed every inch of each other. Then he turned off the water and wrapped her in a towel.

  Life was good, and she’d committed every moment to memory, knowing at some point she’d have to sneak away and write it all down. Thank God she walked into The Boar’s Head last night.

  It had to be the best decision, at least for her career, that she’d ever made.

  He brushed a hair away from her cheek. Her heart squeezed tightly in her chest.

  Yep, good career move, but I’m not so sure about my heart.

  …

  What was it about the woman lying next to him that had him turned inside out? He’d fucked her more than anyone since his ex, and he still couldn’t get enough. Then there was that fucking time in the shower. She’d been so tender and loving, and scarily, he’d been the same.

  That wouldn’t do. The last time he’d felt like this… No. She was a sweet piece of ass. That was all. And she had a sense of humor, which might be one of his favorite things about her. Well, perhaps her brain was the sexiest part of her. The way she observed the world fascinated him.

  It bothered him that she had no idea how gorgeous she was. Who had she been with before him? Someone had done a number on her. Arsehole deserved to be strung up by his toes.

  And she was so unsure of herself when it came to sex, but she was fucking brilliant at it. She gave as good as she got and was willing to try anything.

  She stirred next to him and threw her arm around his waist. A sense of protectiveness coursed through him as he pulled her tighter against him.

  Fuck. He didn’t want to let her go, but he didn’t do this sort of thing. Didn’t let women stay. Hell, this was the first time—well, second time, after last night—he’d had a woman in his place i
n years.

  But it felt right having her here.

  Fuck.

  A bit anxious, he carefully slipped out of bed and pulled his jeans on.

  Grabbing his favorite Gibson, he sat down on the sofa. He didn’t play much anymore, but it was the best thing to soothe his nerves. Maybe it’d help him get the woman out of his system. Wasn’t long before he was lost in the music.

  An hour or so later, he glanced up to find her watching him from the doorway. Hair tousled and sheet wrapped around her, she appeared like a Grecian goddess.

  “That was beautiful,” she said. “Like, you should have a record deal beautiful.”

  He set the guitar down. “Nah. There’s a man like me at every subway stop, waiting to be discovered. The pub is my life now.”

  “So you did play for other people at some time.”

  He saw no sense in lying. “Yep, until Da had a heart attack and my parents moved back to Galway.”

  “It’s a shame. And you shouldn’t downplay your talent. If you sang in your pub, God, you wouldn’t be able to hold all the people who came to see you. You’d have to expand, and add a stage, and…”

  “Come here, lass,” he said. He needed to change the subject, but equally so, he wanted her naked and on him.

  She shook her head. “You don’t want to talk about it. I get it. There’s something—important I need to tell you.”

  The miserable look on her face tied his stomach in knots. “Are you married?”

  “What? No. What kind of person do you think I am?”

  “Well, my engagement ended a few years ago when I found out my fiancée was with another man.” Hell. He hadn’t meant to spew that.

  “I’m not married or engaged,” she said quietly. Something was bothering her.

  “Okay, if you aren’t running from the law, which I doubt, then whatever it is, I don’t need to know.”

  “But I—”

  “Nah, lass. I say we both leave our pasts behind. It’s new, but we have something good here. Even I can admit that, and it’s only been two days. We like fucking each other, so we can keep doing it until one of us is ready to stop.”