by Karen Kelley
She pulled her emotions close to her and raised an eyebrow. “Rockets? Sex and a trip to outer space? Sorry, but I don’t believe it could ever be that good.”
“But then, you’ve never been with me, have you?” He lowered his head, his lips brushing across hers.
End it now, her brain screamed, but how could she when he was awakening sensations inside her that had been dormant for too long? She’d been with other men, but none who could satisfy her. They’d left her wanting, needing more.
Just a kiss, just a taste of him. That would be all she’d take.
Her mouth opened and he entered. His tongue was hot and searching until it found what it wanted. He stroked her, then deepened his kiss. Shivers swept over her. Without conscious thought, she pressed closer to him. Her breasts crushed against his chest.
His hands slid lower, cupping her butt, edging her nearer, until she was nestled against his hard length. Her fingers twined in his hair as their bodies continued to sway to the music. She’d been right, his hair was just long enough to pull him nearer.
Thunder rumbled, lightning cracked as the song on the jukebox continued in a crashing crescendo of power unleashed, then softened, slowed, and when Josh’s lips left hers, she felt more than a sense of loss.
She drew in a deep, shuddering breath, staring into his face. She untwined her hands from around his neck, but before she stepped away, she lightly touched the side of his face.
“We’d be good together. Can’t you see that?” he said.
She shook her head. “We’d have good sex. There’s a difference. We’d only end up hurting each other.” He opened his mouth, but she hurried on before he could speak. “We wouldn’t mean to, but we would.”
She turned before he could say another word. A deep, cavernous ache welled inside her. One part of her said she was a fool while the other knew she was doing the only thing she could.
She wasn’t good with people—never had been. Why else were all her past relationships so messed up? But she had a feeling Josh was right. They’d have been damn good in bed together.
And that was probably what was at the heart of her problem. Maybe they would be too good. When he said good-bye, and he would say good-bye, how much of her heart would he take with him? She didn’t have enough left to spare.
He grabbed her arm before she made it out the door. “I need you,” his voice rasped. His fingers caressed her arm.
Josh wasn’t playing fair—not at all.
“One night alone with you,” he said softly. “Maybe then you won’t haunt my dreams.”
She drew in a deep, shaky breath. Her whole body ached with need. One night. What would it hurt? Maybe then she could forget about him, as well. She closed her eyes, trying to resist, but treacherous visions filled her mind: the two of them naked, straining toward fulfillment.
Damn, when had she become so weak? “The Harris Motel. I’ll meet you there.”
“We could go to my place.”
“No.” Nothing personal. That’s the way it had to be. Ah, damn, she was such a fool, but at least she’d be a satisfied one. Unless he was a lousy lay, but maybe then she might be able to forget about him. Either way, she’d win.
She pushed out the door and stepped into the night. It was only moderately cooler than it had been this afternoon. Her legs trembled as she climbed on the Harley. The motor roared to life when she turned the key.
Don’t think about what you’re doing, she told herself. Just live for the moment. Tomorrow morning she would wake satisfied and ready to move forward. No harm, no foul. Then why did she have a strong suspicion that this was not a smart thing to do?
But how long had she dreamed, fantasized, about sex with Josh? Too damn long. It was time to put the fantasy to bed so she could concentrate on her job.
She followed behind him through the dark streets. The traffic was light. She pulled into the motel behind him, waiting while he got a room, then followed him to the parking space. They didn’t speak until they were inside.
“Lady, you’ve been torturing me with that sexy body of yours for months now.” He pulled her into his arms and lowered his mouth.
She’d never thought about how a man tasted until Josh had kissed her the first time. Cinnamon and heat. She couldn’t get enough of him. Everything she’d held at bay was suddenly unleashed. She tugged at his T-shirt, he tugged at hers. Their arms tangled. The tension melted away. Their eyes met and they laughed.
“It’s your own fault for making me wait so damn long.” He grinned and her world turned upside down.
“Well, I’m not making you wait now.” She pulled her shirt over her head, tossing it to the side, then unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor.
He just stood there, staring. “Damn, you’re so fucking sexy.” He reached out, cupped her breast, his thumb brushing across her already hard nipple.
Lord, it felt so nice when he touched her. Liquid heat pooled low in her belly. She tugged on the hem of his shirt, drawing close so she could pull it over his head. Her breasts brushed across the hairs on his chest, stealing her breath. Josh took his shirt the rest of the way off, but instead of removing all of her clothes, he wrapped his arms around her.
He ran his tongue lightly over her lips. “You taste sweet…and hot, like a woman ready for sex.”
His words sent tingles of pleasure over her. She gasped when his teeth scraped her earlobe, taking it in his mouth and gently sucking before letting it go.
“I want you so damn bad I’m about to burst.” His tongue delved inside her ear.
Oh, God, he started an ache deep inside her. She pressed her body closer, rubbing against his jeans-clad thigh. But rather than relieve her frustration, he lightly bit her ear and moved away. It took her a moment to regain her equilibrium.
So, that was his line of attack, tease her until she begged for mercy. Two could play that game, and she was more than ready.
“Think you can hold out longer than me?” she purred.
He grinned. “Yeah, I do. I’m pretty damn good at the art of seduction.”
“We’ll have to see if you like to paint by numbers, or if you’re another Rembrandt,” she said, running her hands over his nipples. They immediately tightened into hard little nubs. Leaning forward, she flicked her tongue over each, scraping across them with her teeth. He sucked in a deep breath. She smiled, letting her hands drift over his six-pack abdomen. Any woman would fall off the wagon for a chance to caress his abs.
When she slipped her hand inside his waistband, he groaned. “Still think you can last longer,” she asked, tugging the top button undone and slowly sliding the zipper down. She brushed her knuckles against him, and he jerked forward.
Josh was definitely ready—his hard length was proof without him having to say a word.
“I just thought you fought dirty—you play dirty, too,” he said.
“Does that bother you?” Her words were husky, wanting him free of his clothes. She’d denied herself far too long. She wanted him naked—now.
“Bother me?” He shook his head, his gaze capturing hers. “Not a bit. In fact, I kind of like it.”
“Oh, I can get real dirty.” She shoved his pants downward, then pulled at the elastic of his briefs. Her gaze lowered. “Nice,” she breathed before pushing them down, exposing all of him to her view.
“Enjoying what you see?”
She shook her head and grinned. “I like closeups much better.” She knelt in front of him, her hands gliding over his hard erection, her thumb tracing the tip. He rocked his hips toward her, his eyes closed. “Do you like that?” she innocently asked.
“Umm, yeah.”
“Then you’ll like this even more.” She started at the base of his erection, finding the quarter-size area on the underside, lightly massaging while gliding her tongue over him. “Ah, nice,” she murmured, closing her eyes as she took him into her mouth.
“Sweet Jesus,” he gasped, grasping her head.
She freed
him, circling his penis with her tongue. “You taste good,” she said before sucking him back in her mouth. Salty…musky…
He groaned.
She slid her hand between his legs, letting his balls rest in her hand, gently massaging. She was so lost in her own enjoyment that it took her a few seconds to realize he’d placed his hands beneath her arms and was pulling her up.
“So soon?” she taunted. “I was almost certain you’d be able to last much longer.”
“I’m not ready to stop the games, sweetheart. I’m just getting started. Turnabout is fair play.”
“But I don’t play fair, remember?” she said.
One side of his mouth lifted. “Yeah, but neither do I.” He jerked the top button of her jeans out of the buttonhole and slid the zipper downward.
It didn’t take him long to get her out of her pants. She stood before him in only a red thong.
“Lie down on the bed,” he ordered.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
He walked behind her, his hands cupping her butt. She could see him in the mirror above the dresser. His hands moved over her hips, then came back up to cover her breasts, tweaking her nipples.
“I want you to lie down so I can suck on your breasts.”
His hands glided over her rib cage, over her flat stomach, down her thighs, close to the vee of her legs, but he didn’t touch her. The mirror captured her gaze as she watched through half-closed lids. He caressed her body, slipping his fingers beneath the elastic of her thong. Oh so near the heart of her desire, then trailing away. He left her wanting…aching for more.
“I want you to lie on the bed so I can slowly strip these sexy little panties off you. Then I’m going to spread your lips and look at you for just a moment before I taste you. I want to lick you, draw you into my mouth.”
Her knees went weak, but she didn’t have to worry about falling. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Then he lay beside her, his hands massaging her breasts before he leaned over her and captured one taut nipple, drawing it into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue.
She arched toward him, gasping with pleasure as sensations swirled downward. Closing her eyes, she bit her bottom lip and lost herself in his touch.
“You taste good,” he said, moving so he could give equal attention to her other breast. “Do you like what I’m doing?”
“Yes,” she groaned.
“Do you want me to move lower or stay right here?”
“Not fair,” she groaned.
His chuckle filtered through the haze that had enveloped her. “Didn’t I mention that I don’t play fair? So what do you want?”
She arched her hips. “Lower,” she cried. “Go lower.”
He licked her abdomen, his tongue swirling around her belly button before dipping inside. Her body was like a wire strung tight, and any minute she would snap.
“Please, Josh, please.” She pushed his head downward.
“Spread your legs for me.”
She obeyed without hesitation. The ache inside her was growing stronger with each passing second.
His breath fanned her sex before he kissed her through the red silk panties, his tongue scraping over the material already damp with her juices.
“You smell sweet,” he said. “But I want to see all of you. I want to taste all of you.” He moved to his knees and pulled her panties down her legs.
Her breath was coming in ragged puffs. She couldn’t think; all she could do was let the pulsing sensations wash over her in waves. The need to have him take her in his mouth was growing stronger. Her body was on fire. One touch from his tongue and she’d incinerate.
And then his mouth covered her. He sucked, drawing her inside his mouth, then released her clit only to begin licking, thrusting his tongue at her sex.
“Come for me, baby.”
She cried out, holding his head and straining to get closer. The first waves of her orgasm rocked her whole body. She barely knew when Josh quickly pulled on a condom and entered her.
Before her orgasm ended, he began thrusting inside her. The tension started to build once again. She grasped his shoulders, wrapping her legs around his waist, drawing him in deeper.
“Look at me. I want to watch you when you come.”
She opened her eyes, their gazes locked. She met him thrust for thrust. His body tightened, but he didn’t slow until she felt the spasms grip her body in wave after wave of heat. Only then did his body shudder with his own release.
His gaze continued to hold hers until he rolled to his side, taking her with him. She buried her face against his chest as they tried to catch their breath. She listened to the pounding of his heart until it finally began to slow to a more normal rate.
She’d known this wasn’t smart, but still she’d given in to temptation. Damn it, how could she have known it would be like this? So fucking intense.
“Don’t think about it,” he whispered close to her ear.
But how could she not?
Chapter 3
Cody unlocked the door to her apartment and stepped inside. After locking the door behind her, she slid the deadbolt into place and dropped her keys in the dish on the small table.
A shiver washed over her, making her wonder how low she’d set the thermostat. She checked. Seventy-four. Not that cool. Maybe it was the apartment itself. Or that her body wasn’t curled up next to Josh right now. She’d refused to spend the night, and instead pulled on her clothes and left the motel.
Having sex with Josh had been a mistake. She ran a hand through her hair. Tonight should’ve taken away her desire for him, not made it worse.
Had he thought her cold when she’d refused to stay the night? Why should she care? He was a player. And she wasn’t cold—just cautious.
Her gaze slowly skimmed the open layout of her apartment as if seeing it for the very first time—and she didn’t really like what she saw. Stark white, except for the wall that looked like a post office with wanted posters plastered all over it.
Cold.
Maybe it wasn’t that bad. Her black leather sofa and chrome lamps sitting on black end tables were…sleek, with clean lines. Yeah, right. The place could’ve come right off a showroom floor. No rugs, no family pictures, no clutter. Nothing that would say this was a home. It looked very institutional.
Great, now Josh had her questioning how she lived.
Rather than go to The Blue Eagle, then the motel, she should’ve gone to the gym and worked off her frustration. Moji had given her a key to his gym about a year ago.
Moji. She shook her head. She only thought her life was screwed up. What kind of name was Moji for a short, middle-aged, gay white man, anyway? A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. If nothing else, Moji was flamboyantly entertaining, and she liked him. He was probably the closest thing she had to a friend.
She gave her apartment another sweeping glance. Did she really care what Josh thought? Hell no. They’d had—she swallowed past the lump in her throat—sex. Nothing else. It was over now. There was no big mystery anymore. Maybe that was her problem. There was no mystery. She knew exactly what she could expect if they had sex again.
Liquid heat swirled in the pit of her stomach. She drew in a ragged breath.
No, she wouldn’t give tonight another second of her attention. Resolutely, she grabbed the black marker off the entry table, and strolled to her wall of wanted posters, drawing a big X through Leonard’s picture. Job finished. On to the next one, tomorrow. And she would forget about everything else that happened. Even if it killed her.
She sat in the nearest chair and struggled with her boots for a few minutes. Finally, she got one off and dropped it to the floor. The other followed. Grabbing the remote, she turned the television on to the news channel. Anything to unwind.
They were showing a car bombing. Death and destruction, that’s all she ever saw anymore.
She started to turn it off when they switched to another story. They showed a
man walking into the courthouse. She didn’t have to turn the sound up to know who he was—Adam Sinclair.
A damn shame. The man had had it all. He’d gone from the slums to the big time, but greed got the best of him and he was about to go to trial for the murder of his partner. Why the hell would he throw it all away?
She flipped the television off and stood, padding across the room in her socks.
And Josh was wrong. Her apartment suited her just fine. No fuss, no worry.
She yanked her T-shirt over her head, letting it drop to the floor.
All her life, Pearl had had cheap, dollar-store knickknacks all over their tiny apartment. Her mother crammed them into every available spot, in every corner, until there wasn’t any room left.
Cody stopped long enough to yank her jeans and socks off and continued on her way to the bathroom wearing only her panties and bra.
Her mother was…odd. She refused to move from her apartment. It was home. Besides, she was still waiting for Cody’s father to return. She’d never said as much, but Cody knew that was the reason.
She snorted. As if that was going to happen after twenty-seven years. Besides, if Pearl was so anxious for Cody’s father to come home, why had she let men move in over the years? Ain’t love grand? She doubted the real reason would ever surface. Speculation, that’s all it was.
Cody walked inside the bathroom and turned the water on, tested the temperature until she had it at just the right degree of warmth, then went to the kitchen.
Hell, technically it wasn’t even her mother’s apartment anymore. Cody paid the rent, and if she stopped, it would force her mother’s hand. The landlord was a bastard. He’d kick her mother out and then Pearl would have to move to a better place.
Maybe move in with her. Wouldn’t that be a damn shame? Having to live in a decent neighborhood with her one and only child.
With her hand on the refrigerator handle, Cody paused, then jerked the door open. Pearl would probably get a cardboard box and take up residence in one of the alleys before she’d move away from the area where she now lived.