26 Hours in Paris

by Demi Alex

  “You know the money doesn’t matter. Not to me. Not to Paul,” he insisted. “So if it makes you feel any better, give me the confirmation and I’ll take care of it. You’re not leaving. You relinquished yourself to me for the day. I say what happens. I decide.”

  Relief replaced her concern. From the soft flow of her breath to the moisture in her eyes, to the return of her color, she told him everything her mouth wouldn’t. She didn’t want to go. Marko released her wrist, and she didn’t step away. She remained by his side. Relief flooded through him, as well.

  “I warned you that I would not allow you to run.”

  She needed this. He needed this.

  Kat held his gaze, her breathing loud and her curiosity piqued.

  “You will find a way to write the damn thing, regardless of where you are. You’re not leaving.” He added the me silently. “I won’t let you go. However, I will discipline you for considering the ridiculous idea.”

  Her mouth dropped into a pretty circle and her pupils dilated wide. The black practically covered all the beautiful color of her eyes. A pink flush marked her cheeks, and her chest rose and fell rapidly. The cotton T-shirt did nothing to conceal her hard nipples, while his cock jerked against the harsh denim.

  He sat in the center of the couch, spreading his legs to accommodate the painful swelling in his jeans. She still hadn’t moved. She watched him with a hunger in those dark eyes that begged for him to continue. His Kat craved limits. She needed restraints.

  “Come here,” he said, pointing down at the plush carpet.

  She shuffled and stood between his feet.

  “Good.” He rewarded her with a tap on her ass. “Take off your shirt.” He held his hand out, palm up, and watched as her fingers fumbled and lifted the white cotton over her creamy, tempting skin. The full smoothness of her heavy breasts bounced free as she tugged the shirt over her head, and his damn cock burned for her.

  Still wordless, she laid the shirt in his palm and stood with arrogant pride. Her breasts pushed forward, curving slightly upward as her nipples grew even harder.

  “Very nice,” he said. Rewarding her obedience, he circled a fingertip around one nipple until she moaned. He pinched it between his thumb and forefinger, then gently tugged on the excited peak to make her shift her stance and face him.

  Her breasts were inches from his mouth, offered seductively as she looked through her long lashes at him. He could suck and lick her to orgasm if he chose, but . . .

  “I promised to mark your ass so you couldn’t sit comfortably for a flight, but now you require punishment for errant thoughts as well.” He rolled the tender flesh, and she gasped. He pinched it hard enough to let her know this wasn’t a gentle act.

  Taking the other delicious bud between his lips, he kept her in his mouth, nipping at her softness with his teeth, then soothing the ache with his tongue, only to suck harder and deeper the next time around. Teeth grazed a little bit closer to the taut tip each time he repeated the actions, until he felt her knees release and come to rest against his thighs.

  Moaning, she arched her back. Her legs strained to hold her.

  Greatly responsive, she would submit quickly.

  He licked and nibbled, first one, then the other nipple, until her control broke and she straddled his thigh. He allowed her to work herself up, grinding against him, sliding a hand inside the boxers, and rubbing herself toward a much-needed climax. Her face flushed, her chest heaved, and the honeyed scent of her sex filled the air.

  He wanted to watch her like that for a very long time, riding the edge for hours, and pining for a release only he would grant her. The power she gave him in knowing that he could either keep her from what she yearned for or grant her what she desired was so addictive. He shook his head. He had to focus.

  “This is a punishment. Stand,” he instructed, lifting her effortlessly off his thigh.

  Somehow, she managed to steady her shaking legs and find the energy to stand. Her hand, still shoved in the boxers, moved beneath the cotton with sinful intent. The guilty look on her face confirmed she continued to work her clit, even as she dropped her gaze to his feet.

  He had to fight to keep from smiling. Greedy little wench. She’d learn to wait.

  “Clasp your hands together behind your back,” he reprimanded.

  She did. He pressed his face between her breasts, then leaned around her and secured her wrists with the T-shirt. The sound of the material tearing as he pulled it tight startled her and she jumped. He nipped at her breast and she stilled. “You’re very responsive, bella, but you need to learn patience and how to release control.”

  “Okay,” she whispered, a plea in her tone. “I’ll do that.”

  With a small tug, he lowered the oversized boxers off her hips. “I don’t believe you know the meaning of letting go, but if you don’t learn fast, your ass will be so sore that you won’t be able to sit for weeks.”

  He guided her over his knee, smoothing a hand up her spine and draping her silky hair over her shoulder. “Tu est très jolie comme ça.”

  The first smack landed on the underside of her right ass cheek, but before she’d finished crying out, the second followed in the middle of her receptive flesh. Her skin promptly displayed two pink impressions that were so maddeningly pretty.

  She groaned in pain and he was almost tempted to stop. Almost. The way her shoulders relaxed and her body went spineless urged him on. She needed this.

  The soft sigh escaping her lips had him raising his hand above her ass and deciding on the next landing.

  “The first two were to keep you uncomfortable on the plane. The next five are for disappointing me with your thoughts,” he explained. “They will sting more than the first.”

  “More?” Kat’s question was a whisper.

  “More,” he confirmed. “Next time, I won’t be as gentle as I was on the initial ones, nor will I be as lenient on the amount. Count.” He snapped his wrist and met her soft flesh.

  “One!” she cried, her nails digging into her fisted hands.

  “Two!” Her legs tensed and kicked back.

  “Fall into the burn.”

  “Three.”

  “Très jolie. Let the darkness relieve you.”

  Sweat beaded on the small of her back, but her arms had relaxed and her hands were held together only from the bound material.

  “Four . . .” Kat said, when his hand slipped between her legs and found her soaked with desire.

  “Not quite, sweetheart.” He rubbed through her swollen folds and circled her nub. “This is a caress. And it’s not your ass that I’m caressing yet.”

  Her head fell freely. He released her hands from the binds. One arm remained atop her back and against his torso, the other dropped to her side. She’d let go. She’d sunk in to the pleasure of the sting. His Kat had truly placed herself in his hands.

  Four and five were light snaps, but she was too far gone and he could barely hear her count. So damn responsive. “Why did I wait so long?”

  Securing her in his arms, he rose from the couch and carried her toward the stairs. There was only so much control left in his own body, and he needed to be inside her with an urgency he’d never known. There was no time to take her upstairs and be gentle.

  He needed her.

  “Hold on to me,” he said, slightly shifting her body and placing her arms over his shoulders. “Don’t let go, sweetheart.”

  “I won’t,” she breathed, linking her hands behind his neck and nuzzling into him. “I won’t.”

  He pinned her back against the wall, holding her feet off the floor and brushing his mouth over hers. She responded, and they kissed and kissed and kissed, sharing a passion that had been denied for too long.

  “I want you,” he said, supporting her with one arm, while the other hand unbuttoned his fly. “Tell me you can take me now.”

  “I can take you,” she rasped, wriggling beneath him, searching for footing.

  “Wrap your le
gs around my waist,” he said, freeing his erection and pushing up against her sweet heat.

  Thankfully she’d retained the ability to wrap her legs around his waist. He stroked up his length, positioning himself at her opening, and in one sure movement, drove into her welcoming body. He thrust long and hard, setting a grueling rhythm that had her tightening around him in seconds. He sank into her warm and moist haven, rougher than he logically knew was right, but he was unable to satiate the need to stake his claim until he felt her building climax push her over the edge.

  First to surrender to the ecstasy, her muscles convulsing around his driving cock, she called his name. He freed his control and joined her in a blinding orgasm that kept rolling through them.

  Marko gathered her close, holding her in his arms and turning to sit on the steps. Her breath was ragged and her body spent, but he soothed the shivers from her back and somehow he had managed not to collapse into a heap on the floor. He held her on his lap, dropping kisses on her hair and inhaling her sweet scent.

  “Je t’aime, bella. Je t’aime.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Bella, you need to sit in the tub. It’s a soothing oatmeal bath. Your favorite.”

  She knew the voice. Had heard the words before. She tried to turn over, but hit a wall of muscle. More resistance.

  “Wake up, Kat. You need to soak or you’ll be very sore later.”

  Awareness dawned, and she didn’t appreciate the light invading her sleep. Marko was holding her in a candlelit room, over a steaming fragrant bath. It wasn’t just oatmeal. A sweet field of lavender called to her. But, no matter how lovely it smelled, she didn’t want to wake up.

  “I can’t,” she said, burrowing into his chest. “Please let me sleep.”

  “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll do this together.” He took a step forward. His thigh brushed her sore backside as he lifted his leg, and she groaned her discomfort. Hearing the water splash and feeling his lips on her forehead soothed away any anxiety. She returned to the tranquil euphoria of his strong arms.

  “I’m going to sit in the bath now. Don’t be shocked when you feel the water.” Marko lowered them into the aromatic indulgence and fit her snugly between his outstretched legs. He wrapped an arm beneath her breasts, and reclined her head against his shoulder. “Sleep. I’ve got you. Je t’aime.”

  He’d said it earlier. He had. Kat had heard his husky proclamation, but her voice wouldn’t work and her eyes wouldn’t open. She stayed in the security of his hold, warm and happy in his embrace. Her body and soul complete in that specific moment in time. And again, she slept.

  * * *

  When Kat opened her eyes, the image of the handsome man sitting on a cream-colored lounger, his bare feet resting on the edge of the bed, filled her chest with warmth and belonging. She watched him, appreciating the stretch of the grey sweater across his shoulders and the long lines of his legs in slacks down to his bare feet. But so much more about Marko held her heart. He was the total package of a dream man. In her book, nobody else compared.

  She didn’t speak, and her heart thundered in her chest as she recalled just how much of the total package he was. He was loyal, caring, and more than she’d imagined in the past. He truly valued the people he let into his life. Maybe a little arrogant on his abilities, but he’d certainly earned, even deserved, that personality trait with his track record of success.

  The concentration in his eyes as he scanned the tablet in his capable hands gave her a small glimpse of his business prowess. Oh, the hands . . . those wonderful hands, the mere thought of the security and safety coupled with mind-blowing sensuality had her squirming beneath the comforter. She groaned as the soft cotton scraped over her tender backside.

  “Ciao, bella,” he said, as he caught her staring. He smiled and blew her a kiss.

  “Ciao, bello,” she replied, returning his kiss and snuggling against the down pillow at her side in order to reduce the pressure on her butt. Damp hair fell over her shoulder, and she was grateful for the added warmth of the fireplace.

  “Did you wash my hair?”

  “Had to.” He dropped his feet to the floor and placed the tablet on the side table. “It was full of oatmeal . . . like the rest of you.”

  He lowered the screen on the laptop, which was perched on an ottoman, and placed the computer beside the tablet. Like a jaguar leaning for his prey, he reached and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “How do you feel?”

  “I feel great.” And she did. Stretching her arms over her head and sticking her toes past the edge of the mattress, she twisted and turned, feeling more energetic than she had in ages. She rearranged the covers, folded her hands under her cheek, and gave him her best come-hither look.

  “Great?” Marko asked, raising a sexy brow and pointing to where she’d moved the comforter off her bum.

  “Okay. A little sore,” she admitted.

  “That’s better.” He grinned, then joined her on the bed. Spreading out that wicked body next to hers, he ran a large hand over the curve of her waist to the swell of her hip. “Otherwise, we’d need to press rewind and repeat.”

  Cozying up against his solid warmth, she lazily kissed the side of his neck. The yearning to strip off his clothes and paste her naked body up against his bare skin gained in popularity with each yummy taste of the man. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s not as sore as I originally thought.”

  “It’s always an option, baby.” Holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he lowered his mouth and swept his tongue across her lips. “Or I can put some more lotion on that pink little ass of yours.”

  “You really marked my ass?”

  He leaned over her shoulder and nodded. “Absolutely. I promised I would.”

  Excited by the image his words created in her mind, she pushed off his chest and tried to get up so she could catch a glimpse in the mirror. But he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her back to the bed. She kicked her feet, but playing too hard made the soreness burn.

  “I want to see. Let me up.”

  “Lotion,” he growled, turning her on her stomach and clasping her wrists in one hand. He softly leaned over her legs and secured them between his thighs, keeping his weight on his knees. Marko kissed between her shoulders and held her still. “I’ll take any excuse to keep you in bed and to myself.”

  “I like that idea.

  “Which one?” When he dipped his head beside hers and looked at her, a daring twinkle played in his eyes. He traced down her nose and settled on her lips.

  “Both of them,” she said, sucking on his finger and swirling her tongue over the tip. “First, let’s get done with the lotion. Then we’ll think of what else we can do.”

  He straightened and set to his original task. Cool, gentle fingers soothed over the burn and silenced her. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the message those fingers relayed. No words needed. He was taking care of her. Kathryn sighed and buried her face against her arm.

  Minutes of pure bliss passed, he released her legs, then kissed the spot between her shoulders. Once satisfied she was relaxed and comfortable, he settled on the pillow next to her. “That’s better.”

  “It is,” she said, turning on her side and touching his jaw. “It wasn’t that bad before, but whatever you did was heavenly. Thank you.”

  “Anytime, bella. Anytime.”

  Curling around him, she pressed against the man of her dreams and slipped her hand down the clichéd washboard abs women expected on the hottest men. Her heart skipped at the knowledge that there was nothing cliché about Marko, and she was privileged to have firsthand experience on that front. Those muscles supported a body and mind that surpassed any woman’s stereotype of a hot man.

  “So not typical,” she said, lifting his hand to her lips and circling a fingertip. Licking down one finger and up the next one, then taking it into her mouth and enjoying the anticipation that lit his features. Question lines formed at the corners of his eyes and
across his forehead, but she continued over all his fingers with no explanation. At last, she suckled on his pinky as if it was the tastiest treat in the world. Which, for the record, it almost was.

  She splayed her hand over his stomach, skimming beneath his sweater and loving the way the soft hair, just below his belly button, trailed to the world’s true tastiest treat.

  “I don’t think it’s fair that I’m totally naked under here and you’re totally clothed,” she said, raising her brow and giving him a taste of his medicine. She pushed the sweater up. “This needs to go.”

  “Never let it be said I’m less than accommodating,” he said, pulling it over his head and tossing it on the lounger.

  She skimmed slowly down his chest, loving the feel of taut muscles and the soft sprinkling of dark hair.

  The buttons at his waist were easy enough to undo and the zipper slid down with little effort. Quality was quality. With his help, she managed to rid him of the urban dreamboat pants, and was pleased to find he hadn’t bothered with underwear.

  She cupped her hand around his heaviness and moaned with pleasure as his cock jerked from her touch. Rubbing his thick erection in long, hard stokes, she pressed a slow line of wet kisses from his belly button, over his goody line, then nuzzled and tasted beneath and around the treat she ached to enjoy. His breath caught and his delicious skin prickled each time her tongue licked over it.

  Consumed with the desire to please him, she couldn’t get enough of him in her hands and mouth. She worked to grip him tight, stroke up his length, and keep him in between her lips, as he swelled in her hold. Her tongue lavished the broad smoothness of the round head, and her mouth watered at the first taste of his excitement.

  A groan sounded his erotic appreciation. Strong fingers tangled in her hair, cupping her head and massaging her nape. Kat licked up and down his length, and when his intoxicating flavor was too much to deny, she tried to relax her jaw muscles and take as much of him as she could in her mouth. Marko slid over her tongue, stroked the back of her throat, but as the heaviness between his legs tightened, he pulled away and hauled her up his body.