There was only one thing he wanted. But no one could bring Courtney back to him, and unfortunately, he had to figure out a way to come to terms with that.
Or die trying.
Chapter Ten
Impulsive? Her?
Okay, maybe a little bit.
Twenty-two months ago
The intimate Italian restaurant Max had taken Courtney to had been magnificent. Not only was the food incredible, but the entire outing had been far more romantic than she’d thought it would be. To be honest, it’d been exactly as a date should’ve been, though she hadn’t anticipated that with Max. Perhaps that was because he had an entourage of security following them, she didn’t really know. Or possibly because there were several patrons, as well as the owner of the restaurant, who wanted to bestow their high praises on him. It was like a scene directly out of The Godfather.
She’d been hesitant to go with Max when he had called and made the offer, but as the evening was coming to a close, she was glad she’d accepted. It’d given her a chance to watch Max, the way he interacted with others, the way others interacted with him. Throughout the meal, she’d even managed to get a few answers to her questions, although he had perfected the art of dodging more than he actually answered.
Now, as they arrived back at his home, where she’d insisted they meet prior to going out, she was trying to come up with an excuse to simply get in her car and go home before the inevitable happened.
This thing between them, the chemistry … it was already smoking, threatening to set off the fire alarms, and the longer she was with him, the more she wanted him, the more she craved his smile, his kiss, his touch. It was a recipe for disaster, and she was hard-pressed to ignore it.
Which was ultimately the problem.
A solid month had gone by since the last time she’d seen him, the night he’d cooked her dinner and then given her the most explosive orgasm of her entire life right on his dining room table. She hadn’t had to avoid him, because Max had done a good job of that himself. Although they had talked on the phone a few times, shared some rather sexy text conversations on top of that, she hadn’t seen him until tonight. Needless to say, the anticipation had been building.
Leyton pulled the Cadillac CTS through the main gates and headed toward the house. She was hoping he would pull up next to her Camaro and she’d be able to avoid going inside Max’s house altogether and just be on her merry way, but to her dismay, he pulled around to the back of the house and parked in the garage, the door closing silently behind them.
Max exited, holding out his hand for her, and she took it, scooting toward him and climbing out behind him. By the time Max closed the door, she realized they were alone in the garage. Although garage was a slight understatement for the monstrous room that housed at least seven cars and not a single tool. The floor was tiled with travertine, the walls painted a rich brown and made to look like leather. Or hell, maybe that was leather.
With her hand still encased in Max’s, she followed him into the house, where he went directly toward a set of stairs.
“I should—”
“No, you shouldn’t,” he interrupted, stopping on the first step and turning to face her.
Courtney wanted to argue, but she couldn’t find the words. He stole her breath with just a look. The man was temptation personified, and Courtney never did have the ability to fight her impulsive nature around him.
Before she could come up with something to say, he continued, “You should stay with me tonight.”
Courtney knew she should refuse. It wasn’t going to benefit either of them if she stayed. Well, other than possibly explosive sex.
The heat in his golden gaze spoke of promises and orgasms, and her traitorous body found a way to overrule her common sense. The next thing she knew, they were stepping into a beautifully decorated bedroom on the second floor.
Max’s bedroom.
Another room that looked as though it should be pictured in a magazine with its oversized masculine furniture, dark hardwood floors, rich silk bedding—black and maroon, which matched the large rug on the floor. On the far side of the room was a monstrous stone fireplace that was the focal point of one entire wall. She found it interesting that there wasn’t a television in sight, but considering all she knew about Max, she assumed there was one hidden somewhere for when he needed it.
A tray containing a decanter of what she assumed was brandy, considering Max’s preference for the stuff, along with two crystal tumblers sat on a table near a set of French doors that were standing wide open.
Max released her hand and moved toward the liquor while Courtney made her way out onto the balcony. The night air was warm and humid, but the light breeze coming through the wide space was refreshing. It did little to cool her off but managed to calm her rioting nerves somewhat.
When he joined her a moment later, Max handed her a glass and then leaned against a column to her right, his eyes on her.
“It’s beautiful up here,” she told him as she peered out over the acres of land and trees before her. In the distance, she could see a pond with the moonlight bouncing off the water.
Max didn’t respond, but she hadn’t needed him to. Sipping from her glass, she did her best not to think about him or the fact that her body temperature continued to rise with each passing second. There was no doubt in her mind what would transpire between them tonight, but somewhere deep down, she knew there was a reason she should go.
Getting close to Max wasn’t in her best interest. At least not like this.
She’d managed to get little to no information on the man in the past few weeks, settling on taking a few small jobs that kept her close to home while she anticipated the opportunity to see him again.
It was one thing to dig for information, but Courtney knew that patience was a virtue when it came to getting that level of detail from a man like Max. If she had come on too strong, he would’ve pushed her away. And if she had tried to avoid him, the chances of her getting anything at all were nil. So she was caught between a rock and a hard place.
And she was hoping that hard place would soon be Max’s warm body, as fucked up as that might sound.
Several minutes passed before Max came to stand behind her. He took her glass from her and placed it on the balcony’s ledge, and then his strong hands were on her shoulders.
Courtney trembled, his mere touch threatening to make her knees buckle. She’d dreamed of him touching her again, of her being able to do the same. She wanted to know how his hard body felt against her palms; she wanted to see more of him, taste all of him.
Max turned her to face him, his big hands cupping her jaw as he seemed to enjoy doing while he stared down at her.
“I can’t stop thinkin’ about you,” he told her, the raspy rumble of his voice rattling her nerves delightfully, making her insides tingle with awareness.
“Me, either,” she whispered back, her eyes roaming over his face, taking him all in, his dark eyebrows, his perfect nose and smooth cheeks, those full lips, and his square jaw. The man was too handsome for words.
Devastatingly beautiful, she’d have to say, which was a total contradiction to the man’s soul.
“I’m gonna touch you, Courtney. And I’m not gonna stop.”
Courtney nodded. She wanted that. She wanted it more than she wanted oxygen or water or… Hell, she wanted it more than she wanted anything.
When his hands caressed her bare arms, his lips pressing gently against hers, holding back just enough to keep her wanting more, Courtney thought she would spontaneously combust. Even the slightest touch made her body quiver, and she ached to feel him touch her in other places, intimate places. She wanted his mouth on her the way he’d done the last time.
He was going so slowly. Too slowly. She wanted to feel him everywhere.
Leaning up on her toes, she met his mouth with hers, desperate to taste him. When she coaxed her tongue into his mouth, she tasted the brandy as well as the dark promises of dirty, raunchy se
x and glorious orgasms. This man knew his way around a woman’s body, and hers was ready for his perusal.
The kiss lingered, slowly at first, but the heat between them intensified. His hands moved over her arms, her shoulders, her neck. He never stopped touching her, leaving a trail of warmth over her sensitive skin. And then he was reaching behind her, lowering the zipper on her dress, and pushing the material down her body until it pooled around her ankles. Stepping out of her heels, she grabbed his head and pulled him down to her, unwilling to release his lips.
A rough groan escaped him when she tugged on his hair, anxious to get closer. She wanted him to take her into his room and throw her down on the bed and have his wicked way with her, but Max had other ideas.
“Let me look at you,” he mumbled against her mouth.
Reluctantly, Courtney pulled back, her hands gripping the rail of the balcony at her back, which thrust her breasts forward. Her nipples hardened as Max’s eyes traveled the length of her body, ever so slowly. His fingertips grazed her collarbone and the slope of her breasts. He deftly unhooked the front clasp of her strapless bra, allowing the black lace to flutter to the ground.
A moan escaped her when he cupped each breast, kneading them firmly, sending electric pulses firing straight to her clit. The man had fantastic hands. Warm, big, and surprisingly smooth.
Her eyes followed his movement as he leaned down and sucked one nipple into his mouth. Arching her back, she attempted to get closer, aching for more. He continued to give both nipples his full attention, and when he went to his knees before her, Courtney could hardly breathe.
His fingers drifted down her sides, curved beneath the band of her panties as he tugged them down her hips, leaving her completely naked standing outside on his balcony. It was a rush being where anyone could see them. The erotic element only made her body burn hotter.
At twenty-four, Courtney had been with only three men in her life, and none of them had been even remotely as skilled at the art of seduction as the gorgeous man kneeling before her.
“Spread your legs,” Max demanded.
Her body instantly responded. She widened her stance, watching as his eyes raked over her most intimate place, his fingers smoothly caressing her sensitive flesh as he separated her slick folds. Her breath caught in her throat; a moan rumbled up from her chest as he licked her.
“Max,” she whispered, releasing the railing and gripping his thick, dark hair, holding him to her as he ravished her with his mouth.
There was no way she would survive a night with him. No way would she live to see tomorrow, because he would surely kill her with pleasure. And for the first time in all her life, Courtney was ready to hand over every ounce of herself to someone else. To him.
And for one night … this night … Courtney was going to give herself over to Max without thinking about the repercussions. Tomorrow she would find a way to put the pieces back together once he shattered her world completely, which, undoubtedly, he would do.
Even if that wasn’t in his plan.
□»«□»«□»«□
Max couldn’t hold back any longer. He needed to bury himself inside of Courtney’s wet heat, to feel her body grip him, to lose himself in her arms while he fucked them both to another plane of existence.
For nearly a month, he’d fought the urge, punished himself for wanting to lose himself in a woman who could so quickly bring down his family should she get too close. The only pleasure he’d found was with his own hand, and that hadn’t been even remotely enough.
Pushing to his feet, he glided his hands over her glorious curves. “Don’t move,” he instructed.
Taking his drink, which he’d set down beside hers, Max moved to one of the chairs and set it on the small table. Turning to face her, he slowly undid his slacks, freeing his cock. Slowly stroking himself, he carefully took a seat, adjusting himself accordingly. While he teased his erection, he continued to look at her, to drink her in, to allow himself a few minutes to breathe before he took her hard and fast. When it came to Courtney, he knew the moment would be explosive, and he welcomed it, but he wanted to relish the sight of her for a little while longer.
“Max.” The way she whispered his name, her gaze lingered between his legs briefly before lifting to meet his again, her naked body trembled slightly made his cock jump.
Placing his glass on the table beside him, he released his cock from his slacks, continuing to eye her as he stroked himself slowly. He needed to feel her lush lips wrapped around his dick, sucking him deep into the furnace of her mouth.
“Come here,” he said, his voice rough and raspy with need.
He was hanging by a thread, desperate for her, aching for her, but he continued to torture himself because he knew the pleasure he’d find when they finally came together would forever change him. It wasn’t something he took lightly considering the consequences of his actions and what that could mean for his family and his organization, but Max couldn’t bring himself to listen to reason.
He wanted her.
All of her.
Courtney released the railing, taking one step closer, then another until she was standing in front of him.
He brushed his thumb over the swollen head of his cock. “I want to feel your lips on me. I want to fuck your sweet mouth, Courtney.”
Her hooded gaze lowered as she slowly went to her knees before him. He didn’t release his shaft as she knelt, needing to apply just the right amount of pain to keep him from going too far.
“Open your mouth for me,” he instructed. When she did, he slid his fingers into her silky hair, pulling her head closer. With his eyes glued to her mouth, he tapped the swollen head against her lips. The warmth of her breath against the sensitive area sent a chill racing down his spine.
He urged her forward, tightening his grip on her hair and tilting her head so that he could feed his cock into her mouth. Her eyes closed, and a sexy moan escaped her as she laved him with her tongue. With trembling hands, Max pushed deeper into her mouth, forcing her to take him all the way to the root. Her lips closed around his shaft, her tongue gliding over him, and he never took his eyes off her.
He controlled the pace for a minute, maybe two, loving the way she sucked him, licked him, teased him. His muscles tightened as the pleasure accosted him.
Giving her free rein, he dropped his hands to his sides. “Suck me, Courtney. All of me.”
Christ, it felt so damn good, the way her mouth worked him. She knew exactly the amount of pressure to apply with both her hand and her lips as she alternated between stroking him and sucking him. He kept his eyes on her fingers wrapped around the thick shaft, thinking about all the things he wanted to do to her. All the crazy, wicked ways he intended to make her come for him.
Not tonight, though.
Tonight was an introduction to his world. He’d anticipated this moment, tested his own patience even. And now that she was there, he intended to take full advantage by making her need for him grow as great as the need he had for her.
“Ahh, fuck,” he groaned, unable to hold back. He thrust both hands into her hair, tugging hard as his hips drove forward, his cock tunneling in and out of her mouth. “So good. I’ve imagined you on your knees, thought about what it would feel like to fuck your mouth, to watch you take my dick, but nothing compares to this.”
Max tried to relax, reveling in the pleasure as she cupped his balls with her free hand. The coolness of her fingers against his hot skin had him damn near seeing stars.
When the sensation became too intense, the need to come nearly taking over, Max stilled her head by pulling her hair roughly. Her gaze flew up to meet his as he took his dick from her mouth and helped her to her feet.
Without even attempting to be gentle, he launched to his feet, gripped her hips, and lifted her so that she was forced to wrap her arms and legs around his body. He then carried her inside to his bed, where he laid her out before him, never taking his eyes off her. She was perfect. Her smooth, tan s
kin glowed, her sex glistened as she spread her legs for him, beckoning him toward her with her eyes.
Drawing from his dwindling pool of patience, Max managed to undress as he observed her.
“Touch yourself,” he ordered. “I want to watch.”
Her hand drifted down over her belly, her slender fingers sliding over her mound, before she slipped one finger into herself, her back arching off the bed, her eyes glowing in the dimly lit room.
Courtney Kogan was by far the most exquisitely beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and Max had been with beautiful women before. But there was something about her that was different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what that was, but he intended to find out. Until then, he wanted to lose himself in her body, to make her scream and beg as she climaxed. He wanted her as addicted to him as he seemed to be to her.
Gripping his cock and stroking slowly, he retrieved a condom from the bedside table, but he didn’t put it on. Crawling between her splayed thighs, he dropped the condom on the bed as he leaned over her.
“Touch me,” he ordered.
When her hands roamed over his torso, Max claimed her mouth and pressed his cock between her thighs, his body coming down atop hers, their lips never separating.
They were like teenagers, grinding, groaning, eager to get closer but managing to hold back just long enough to make the ache nearly unbearable. When it was too much, he fumbled for the condom he’d tossed on the bed as her nails scraped over his skin, her body writhing beneath him in an attempt to get closer.
“Max.”
He loved the way she said his name.
“Tell me, Court. Tell me what you want.”
Kneeling between her thighs, he sheathed himself with the condom and then resumed his position above her.
“Tell me,” he growled, wanting to hear her say it.
“Fuck me,” she said firmly, her eyes locking with his.
It was a battle of wills. She was trying to gain the upper hand, and that spurred him on like nothing else. This wasn’t a meek, timid woman who would allow him to pleasure her the way he wanted. No, Max sensed that Courtney knew what she wanted and knew how to go about getting it.
Beautifully Brutal (Southern Boy Mafia #1) Page 9