Evening Hours

by Mary Lynn Baxter

  “Where are you?”

  “On my way home. How about you?”

  “Working on getting out of the office.”

  “Homeward bound?” Kaylee asked.

  “As fast as I can get there.”

  “Want me to make something for dinner or do you want to go out?”

  “Neither.”

  “You’re not hungry?”

  He paused and lowered his voice. “Only for you.”

  Hearing that tiny but obvious catch in her throat turned him on that much more.

  “I can handle that,” she whispered.

  “I’ll see you shortly.”

  Thirty minutes later he walked in and pulled up short. Kaylee was naked except for a pair of strappy sandals.

  “I thought you’d never get here,” she said in a sweet, husky tone.

  Blood thundered to his loins as he reached for her.

  Thirty-Two

  “Ohh, Cutler, yes.”

  “Don’t hold back, baby. Let it go.”

  No way could she hold back even if she wanted to, not when his tongue had licked all ten of her toes, the insides of her legs and thighs, before moving up into her wet, hot center. Once there, he continued to make magic.

  Kaylee tangled her hands in his hair and bucked as sensation after sensation rocked through her. He knew just where to touch, to nibble, to suck.

  He’d been doing that since he had walked in the door and grabbed her. Clothes had been shed with haste, then after his hot mouth had devoured hers, he’d lowered her to the floor, where he’d licked and tugged on her nipples until she thought she’d go mad with desire.

  “Take me here,” she cried. “Now.”

  With his heated gaze centered on her, he pressed her against the carpet, spread himself over her and entered her with a deep thrust, not stopping until he’d ridden her hard and fast.

  Their mutual cries were stymied by his lips clinging to hers once again. Afterward, when they could breathe, he swept her into his arms, took her straight to the bedroom and into the shower. There they soaped each other, all the while laughing and nibbling on each other’s sudsy flesh.

  Then he lifted her and backed her against the tile wall. Once she’d locked her legs around his waist, he thrust inside her again. This time their orgasms were hard, deep and quick.

  Fifteen minutes later, after rinsing and toweling their bodies, they fell into bed.

  “Want to take a nap?” she asked in a dreamy, sated tone.

  He crooked his elbow and rested his head in a hand, then stared down at her. “Do you?”

  She licked swollen red lips. “No,” she whispered.

  “Me, either,” he said in a guttural tone, his eyes still heated.

  “Want something to eat?”

  “Yeah, you.”

  Her heart went into another meltdown. “Oh, Cutler, Cutler.”

  “Yes, Kaylee, Kaylee,” he mimicked with suppressed humor.

  Lifting her head a bit, she snaked out her tongue and traced his lips, not once but several times.

  He groaned, the light in his eyes flaring with fire. “God, what you do to me.”

  “And you to me.”

  “No matter how many times I’m inside you, it’s not enough.”

  “I feel the same.”

  “Right now I want you so much I’m about to explode.” He took her hand and placed it on his hard, throbbing organ.

  She shifted enough so that she could see and touch it. When her hand surrounded it and moved up and down, his head fell to the pillow and his moans grew louder.

  “If you don’t stop, I’m going to come.”

  “That’s all right.”

  His eyes opened. “I want to be inside you.”

  “How about in my mouth?”

  He drew in his breath. “Are you sure?”

  Her answer was to scramble to her knees, then lower her head onto the engorged flesh, taking it as far into her mouth as she could without strangling.

  “Oh, yes, yes,” he whispered, sounding as though he was in agony.

  She knew he was in agony, all right, but oh, such sweet agony as her lips and tongue continued to bring him untold pleasure.

  “I’m going to—”

  She felt his warm seeds spill into her mouth. Even then she didn’t remove her mouth, not until she was sure he had completely emptied himself.

  After she felt him go limp, she got up and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later she returned and crawled in beside him. For what seemed the longest time, they simply stared at each other.

  “You’re incredible,” he said at last, his voice croaky as if he had a severe sore throat.

  “You’re pretty incredible yourself, mister.”

  “I’ve never kissed a softer mouth.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Nor have I ever had anyone actually kiss me like you.”

  “Really?” she whispered, basking in the glow of his sweet and loving words of praise.

  “Really. It’s the nibbling, the gentle biting that makes my dick rise to the occasion instantly.”

  She giggled. “He likes me.”

  “Oh, baby, that’s an understatement.”

  “Okay, so he’s obsessed with me. How’s that?”

  “That’s hitting the nail on the head.”

  “Speaking of head—” Kaylee deliberately broke off with a mischievous grin spreading over her face.

  Laughing outright, Cutler grabbed her and rolled her onto her back. “I’m up for another round, my darling.”

  Her heart went crazy. “Do you hear me complaining?”

  “Wouldn’t do you any good.”

  “Hey, I’m easy,” she said, laughter further enriching her words. “But then you already know that.”

  “You’re so beautiful, so hot.”

  “Only for you,” she whispered around the fullness in her throat. He made her feel so special, so wonderful she could hardly believe it. She’d never thought life could be this perfect, much less marriage. She couldn’t imagine waking up without him beside her.

  “Whatcha thinking?” Cutler drawled, tracing her lips with a finger.

  She nabbed that finger between her teeth and sucked on it. He sucked in his breath, passion flaring anew in his eyes.

  “You’d best be careful or you’ll get something started I’ll want to finish.”

  “Is that a threat or a promise?”

  He smiled. “Both.”

  “Good. Either way I won’t lose.”

  His eyes turned serious. “I’ll never let you go, Kaylee.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, my darling. Ever.”

  He muttered something incoherently, then pulled her against him, burying her face against his chest, where he held her so tightly she feared she might smother. Yet she would never complain. She loved every moment of being against him. The most important thing was that she was with him.

  “Round two’s about to begin.” His grin was leering.

  “I’m ready,” she whispered, feeling herself tingle all over with anticipation.

  He maneuvered his way to the foot of the bed and began his love affair with her toes all over again.

  Finally reaching the center of her, his tongue stabbed, sucked and nibbled repeatedly until she thought she might not live over the tender yet savage assault.

  “Ohh,” she cried again.

  Somehow through the fog of her mind she heard him whisper, “Perfect” before he repositioned himself next to her, though not before he placed a hand between her legs, cupping her throbbing center.

  She placed her hand on top of his and pressed.

  “You’re aching, aren’t you?” he asked, his eyes probing.

  “Yes, but it’s a wonderful ache.”

  “I bet I know how to make it go away.”

  “I bet you do, too.”

  Cutler rolled over and took her with him. When he lifted her and the head of his spiked hardness met the folds of her softness, he stopp
ed as though having met resistance.

  “You’re so tight.” He ground out the words, his eyes questioning. “I’m not sure I can get in again. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.” Kaylee’s breath hung suspended.

  He took a nipple into his mouth and she groaned, feeling suddenly as though nature had reawakened her insides, giving him access to the heart of her as a flower opens to the sun after a storm.

  Once he was all the way inside her, he splayed his hands on her buttocks and began to move.

  “No,” she said. “Let me.” She moved slowly but deliberately, making each thrust count to the max. Finally, when she couldn’t take any more dallying, she upped the pace.

  It was a toss-up to see who moaned the loudest and the longest. But it didn’t matter, as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through them.

  With one last cry she collapsed on top of him.

  Cutler massaged his stomach. “Man, that was good.”

  “I thought so, too.”

  After their marathon session of lovemaking, they’d showered once again, then headed to the kitchen, where Kaylee had whipped up two omelets and opened a can of biscuits.

  “Thanks,” Cutler said, smiling at her out of still-glazed eyes after they had finished eating. “The old saying is the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Only, we both know that’s not true.”

  “You got that right, baby. It’s through the old dick.”

  “That’s where a man’s brains are, too.”

  He chuckled. “You won’t hear me deny that.”

  She answered his chuckle, then looked at the clock. “Can you believe it’s nearly three and we’re not asleep?”

  “I bet we can take care of that.”

  “Only, I’m not sleepy.”

  He gave her a teasing grin. “Last one back in the sack has to make up the bed.”

  By the time they reached the bed and fell on it, they were both laughing so hard they couldn’t get a decent breath. Soon, though, they were wrapped in each other’s arms, naked, the covers on the floor.

  After a lengthy silence Cutler asked, “Are you asleep?”

  Kaylee sighed. “No.”

  “So what are you thinking?”

  “How much fun it is to you-know-what.”

  “No, I don’t know. Just say it.”

  “I can’t,” Kaylee wailed.

  “Sure you can. It’s just a word.”

  “Okay,” she said, then got close to his ear and whispered.

  He pushed her away from him and stared at her in astonishment. “Why, Kaylee Benton McFarland, I can’t believe you said that.”

  Her eyes widened with a gasp. “You made me say it.” She giggled. “Actually, I’ve always wanted to blurt that out, and now I have.”

  He laughed out loud. “You’re something else.”

  “Do you think I’m terrible?”

  “Because you said fuck? Or because you like to fuck?”

  She felt a sting in her cheeks even though she knew he couldn’t see that in the muted light of the bedroom. “Yes, to both.”

  He laughed again and hugged her. “Honey, trust me, if that’s as bad as you ever get, then you’ll be real good.”

  “Thanks. I guess.”

  He leaned over and kissed her on the nose. “Maybe we should try and get some sleep.”

  “I suppose so. We both have killer days tomorrow.”

  Cutler groaned. “How ’bout we shuck it all, run the hell away and spend all our time screwing our brains out?”

  Kaylee stared at him wild-eyed.

  He hooted.

  “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a pervert?” she asked, jabbing him in the ribs.

  “Don’t you just love it?”

  I love you, she almost said, but didn’t. Instead she let out a deep sigh, and curled her body back into his and closed her eyes.

  “Wake up.”

  “I am. Awake, that is,” Cutler replied, shifting one leg over hers.

  “I want to talk to you about something.”

  Instantly Cutler came alert. He didn’t dare ask what. He didn’t want to know. Actually, the last thing he wanted to do was talk. The evening and night had been too perfect to let anything mar it. Talking could definitely make that happen.

  He suspected she wanted to discuss Drew, which was a subject that was taboo as far as he was concerned.

  “Did you hear me?” Kaylee asked in a voice that was only a decibel above a whisper.

  “I heard you.”

  He felt her pull back and look at him, though he was reluctant to meet her gaze. “It’s not about Drew, Cutler.”

  He swallowed an expletive. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  She punched him in the belly. “Because I know you.”

  “I’m not sure I like that.”

  “Get over it.”

  He chuckled, glad the tense moment had passed. “So tell me what’s on your mind before I ravish you again.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “Kidding?” He reached for her hand and placed it on his erection. “Now tell me I’m kidding.”

  She gave it a hard squeeze, then moved her hand.

  “How cruel is that?” he demanded in a strained but teasing voice.

  “You’ll live.”

  “I might not.”

  “Be serious, please.”

  “Okay, baby. I’m sorry.”

  “I was rummaging through the agency’s wardrobe room the other day and found something I shouldn’t have.”

  “Oh?”

  “Several small packets of pills fell out of some of the pockets.”

  “What did you do with them?”

  “I put them in the safe at the office.”

  He tensed. “Why did you do that?”

  “I wanted to handle the situation in-house.”

  “And have you?”

  “No, not yet,” Kaylee muttered in a glum tone.

  Cutler cursed.

  “That wasn’t a smart move, right?”

  “Right, especially when you don’t know what the pills are.”

  “My worst nightmare is that one of my girls is dealing.”

  He swung around and sat on the side of the bed with his back to her. “Bring the packets home tomorrow.”

  “I really don’t want to involve the law.”

  He swung around. “You just did.”

  “Sometimes I forget who you are.”

  “That’s a pretty lame excuse,” he responded in a grave tone. Then seeing her lower lip tremble, he reached for her. “It’s going to be all right.”

  “Oh, God, Cutler, I hope so, but I’m scared.”

  And well you should be, he wanted to add, but didn’t.

  Thirty-Three

  “Shut the door behind you.”

  Though Edgar’s heart flip-flopped, he did as he was told. His boss had “that” look on his face, which said he was not in a good mood.

  Edgar suspected he knew why.

  “Good morning,” he said in a jovial tone, hoping to lighten things a bit.

  “There’s nothing good about it,” Drew lashed back.

  “Sorry,” Edgar muttered under his breath.

  Drew flapped his hand toward the plush chairs in front of his desk. “Sit.”

  Rarely was Drew openly rude to him. Edgar had seen this side of him more times than he cared to remember, but the barbs had always been directed at someone else.

  “What’s on your mind?” Edgar asked, having complied with the command.

  “Do you know how Cutler found out I was his father?”

  Edgar had promised himself he wouldn’t react, that he’d take whatever was dished out to him with no expression and argument. Yet, sitting here in front of his old friend and boss, whose ire was clearly directed at him, he felt the urge to mess in his pants.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “You told him, did
n’t you?”

  “Why are you asking when you already know the answer?”

  Drew lunged out of his desk chair. “Dammit, Benton, you don’t have the right to question me.”

  When Drew called him by his surname, he knew he was in deep trouble. Today was no exception. The other times, however, had been work related.

  “Then, yes, I told Cutler.”

  “You looked at the papers in the safe, right?”

  Edgar nodded.

  “Damn you to hell.”

  “I deserve your condemnation.”

  “You betrayed me,” Drew said in a hard, unforgiving tone.

  “I won’t argue with that.”

  “I was so sure it was Mary who had spilled her guts, but when she so vehemently denied it, I believed her. If not her, then who? I thought back and remembered sending you to my house, to my safe.”

  Edgar didn’t respond.

  “It has to do with Kaylee, doesn’t it?”

  Edgar forced himself to sit as if he was frozen in a block of ice.

  “The more I thought about Kaylee and Cutler getting married, it dawned on me that it was too much of a goddamn coincidence.” Drew snapped his fingers. “And too quick.”

  “They fell in love.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “I can promise you Kaylee’s in love.”

  “Did Cutler pay you for the information?”

  Edgar blanched. “No, he did not.”

  “I should fire your ass, Benton.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

  “If I had wanted Cutler to know the truth, I would’ve told him. Did you stop to think about that?”

  Though Edgar still didn’t react, he again fought the urge to mess in his pants. When he’d used the information he’d found in the safe that day to blackmail Cutler, he’d known it was only a matter of time before Drew figured it out, through the process of elimination, if nothing else.

  What surprised Edgar was that it had taken Drew so long. He was one of the smartest and most astute men Edgar had ever known.

  “The only reason you’re still sitting in front of me is because of Kaylee. Not much is sacred in life to me. She happens to be the exception.”

  “Trust me, I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for her.” Edgar cleared his throat. “She absolutely adores you and thinks you can walk on water. Do whatever you want to me, but please don’t take this out on her.”