Carlie found it hard to think as Nick’s tongue traveled downward and he sucked on her shoulder. She dug her fingers into his back, wanting him, though she tried to focus. “Are you sure that’s enough? That you’ll be happy living like that?”
“Do you love me?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He tucked his hand up her shirt, stroking her belly and sending goose bumps racing across her skin. “Then it’s more than enough.”
His fingers once again reached her breasts, kneading the flesh and teasing her nipples erect. She sighed and tipped back her head while Nick’s lips and teeth went to work on her neck once again. Her panties were already soaked and they’d barely done anything. Just knowing Nick wanted forever with her, the feel of him against her, it was nearly enough to send her into shudders of ecstasy right there.
She ran her fingers through his hair, catching hold of it and pulling lightly, tugging his mouth to hers. Plunging her tongue inside, she lapped at him hungrily, needing him more than she’d ever needed another person.
“I want to make love to you,” she said, nipping at his lips and stroking his shoulders. “I want to have complete control over you, and I want you to have complete control over me.”
“Complete control?” He nuzzled into her neck again, and Carlie wondered if she’d orgasm before he ever undid her jeans.
“Tell me what you want me to do,” she whispered. “Complete control.”
“Fine.” Nick pulled away and looked at her. “We’re both control freaks, it seems. What’s something you’ve never been able to give up enough control for and do in the bedroom? Something you really want to do?”
She licked her lips and looked away. Now would probably not be a good time to talk about her former lovers’ lack of imagination. “We already fulfilled my desk fantasy.” Heat burned her cheeks, but she went on. “What about a strip tease?”
“Am I stripping or you?”
She laughed at the seriousness of his question. “Me, but we’ll get your clothes off eventually.”
“Sounds like a great plan.” He settled back into the couch cushions, clasping his hands together across his stomach and favoring her with an attentive look.
“There are some rules.” She hopped up and went to the entertainment center, turning the television on to one of the cable radio stations that wouldn’t have interruptions in the music. Lively hip hop filled the small space of the living room. Carlie twitched her hips experimentally, excitement running through her at the knowledge Nick stared at her ass and desired it.
“What are the rules?” he asked, once Carlie stopped twitching.
“I can do whatever I want to you, but you aren’t allowed to touch me. Not unless I tell you to.”
He lifted one dark eyebrow. “Sounds like I’m the one giving up all control, not you.”
“For starters,” she agreed. “But we’ll trade off on who gives the orders.”
“Really?” His eyes traveled up and down her body. “Deal.”
She had a momentary qualm, wondering what he might have her do. Then again, she wanted to be with Nick completely. Whatever he ordered, she’d do it. Anything to please him and prove they could trust each other.
Before she could question it further, she pushed the coffee table out of the way and stood in front of his seated position. To the beat of the music, Carlie wiggled her body, hoping she didn’t look ridiculous. Unfastening her pants, she flexed and shook until they slipped to the ground.
“Nice,” Nick rumbled, appreciation clear in his voice.
Her confidence bolstered, Carlie backed up to him, shaking her booty in his face before straddling his knees and backing into him. He reached around her, grabbing her breasts and forcing her onto his lap.
Carlie ground into him, delighted at the change in his breathing, but she grabbed his hands and pulled them away. “No touching.”
He groaned and planted them on either side of the couch, flexing his fingers into the fabric. “Cruel.”
Laughing, she stood and turned to face him, slowing her hips to a gentle sway as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse. When all the buttons were undone, she let it float around her body, but left it on her shoulders, climbing onto Nick’s lap and planting her knees on the outside of his thighs. She ground her pelvis against his crotch, pleased at the stiff bulge beneath his jeans.
“I want to touch you, Carlie.” His voice was husky, snarly and so masculine, it sent a shiver of anticipation through her.
“Not yet. Keep your hands to yourself.” She rubbed against his crotch harder. The rigid edge covering his zipper stroked her clit through her panties and she moaned. “I’m so hot for you, Nick.” She rubbed herself up and down until the need to be closer to him was too much to handle. She fell against his chest and breathed heavily into his ear, sticking her tongue briefly inside it. His groan of pleasure made her even wetter.
Nick’s hands found the globes of her ass, pressing her harder into him. “You are so damn hot.”
“Bad boy.” She laughed. “No touching.”
He once again obeyed, though grumbled about the unfairness of it.
She went to work on his shirt, stripping it over his head and then taking his flat nipple into her mouth. At the same time, she unbuttoned his jeans. “I think it’s time for you to be naked.”
After she climbed off his lap, Nick quickly shed his clothing, kicking it into a pile out of the way before resuming his seat on the couch and patting his thighs. “Come back here.”
Carlie couldn’t help but admire him. Karate definitely toned Nick into a magnificent specimen. She could never get enough of looking at his chiseled abs or his defined chest and arms. Even his legs were muscular and a total turn on. She thought about how he effortlessly held her against the wall when they made love standing up. The power in him was so alluring.
His hard cock strained for her, its swollen girth begging Carlie to hop on, but she wasn’t quite done with her strip tease.
She licked her lips and attempted a sultry pout. “You’re definitely the hottest man walking this planet, Nick.”
“And you are the most beautiful woman.” The gentleness in his voice took her by surprise. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She twirled to the music and slowly let her shirt slide off her shoulders while she danced. Once free of it, she unfastened her bra and stopped dancing so Nick could watch clearly while it came off.
When her small bust was totally free, he gripped the couch more tightly. “Any chance those are coming closer to my mouth?”
Laughing, she turned around and backed up to him, shaking her ass once again to tempt him while she peeled her soaking panties from her body. Behind her, Nick’s hand slipped into the crevice of her legs, stroking her ass all the way forward to lightly flick her clit. He moved back a little bit, dipping a finger inside her. His teeth grazed across the skin of her buttocks while he fingered her with one hand and gripped her thigh with the other.
Although what she really wanted was more of him inside her, Carlie jerked away, breaking the contact and glancing over her shoulder at him. “You’re not good at following rules, are you?”
He shook his head. “I told you I like to be in control.”
“I know that. So what, exactly, do you want me to do?” She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back. “Should I get on your lap again?”
He nodded, though he didn’t lift his hands to touch her. “That’s a good start.”
Straddling him once more, she pressed her chest against his, rubbing her hardened peaks across his smooth pecs. “What else should I do? Should I take you in my hands?” She reached between them and circled his girth. “Stroke you?” Matching actions to words, she ran her hands down to the base of his shaft. “Fondle your balls?”
“Oh, God.” He raised his hands, but stopped just short of touching her.
Part of her ached for his fingers on her skin, wished he’d lose control and grab her, pull her onto him
, and bring them both to mind-numbing orgasm. Her breathing was as fast as his, and she rubbed the head of his penis over her throbbing clit. “Tell me what to do, Nick. Take control of me now.”
“Kiss me,” he commanded.
Carlie hastened to comply with his wishes. His tongue slipped into her mouth and she groaned into him. “I’m so ready for you.” She pulled away slightly. “Do you want inside me?”
“I do, but not yet.”
“Really?” She didn’t know how he could last longer, because she was more than ready.
“I can’t touch you.” He winked, obviously enjoying his new thought. “Touch yourself. Show me where you wish my hands were. Make yourself come for me.”
“You want...” Carlie faltered, feeling naughty but extra excited at the same time.
“I’m in control now, and that’s what I want you to do.” His voice was firm, growly again. “Show me.”
Letting go of him, Carlie raised both hands to her breasts, pinching and pulling on her nipples. “Like this?”
“Mmmmm. Yes,” he purred. “For starters, anyway.”
Moving one hand down further, Carlie crossed it over her bellybutton and onward, slipping her hand across her own wetness. “Here?” She looked up, but Nick’s eyes were on her crotch.
“That’s it. Show me how you’d have me touch you, if I were allowed to.”
Flicking her fingertips against her tight nub, Carlie stroked it while keeping her eyes on Nick. While it felt much better to have him touching her, there was something erotic about him watching her. She moaned and tipped her head back, continuing to rub herself while she dipped her other hand back to his crotch and gripped his length, stroking him in time with the caresses to herself.
“Don’t stop,” he whispered, circling his arms around her back and pulling her chest to his mouth.
When his teeth found her nipple, Carlie cried out, consumed with need for completion. “Please, Nick. I’m ready. I want you inside me.”
“Don’t stop,” he said again. He slipped his hand between them, helping her stroke herself, moving down further to stick two fingers inside her.
Unable to wait longer, Carlie pushed his hand out of her way, taking Nick’s girth firmly in her hand and guiding him to her opening. “I want you now.” She slid down his shaft with a satisfied squeal, nearly orgasming right then.
Though she wanted to ride him with wild abandon, Nick’s hands clasped onto her hips, stopping her from moving. “Have you ever heard of tantric breathing?”
She met his dark eyes and shook her head, wishing he’d just let her have her way with him. “I’m so ready. Please. Touch me wherever you want, but touch me.”
“I don’t want to just have sex with you, my lady.” He trailed his hands up her sides and Carlie shivered with pleasure. “I want to join with you. Body, mind, and spirit. Anyone can screw. I want to make love.”
Though she felt like she was on fire, she nodded. “That’s what I want too.”
“Match your breathing to mine,” he ordered. “No big movements and don’t stop looking at me. Concentrate on every sensation and know that I love you.”
Doing as he wished, Carlie focused on the rate of his breathing, matching his slow, deep breaths. She contracted her muscles around his penis, focusing on how good he felt, how much he filled her up.
He rocked his pelvis slightly, and Carlie matched him, feeling her excitement building even more than she thought possible as she stared into his hawk gaze. Nick’s hands caressed her back with feathery touches that caused her to tingle and shiver all at once.
He kissed her deeply, not closing his eyes, so Carlie didn’t close hers. After what felt like an eternity in his embrace, fire racing along her entire body, Nick increased his breathing. His hands roamed all over her, and Carlie returned the favor, exploring the topography of his chest with gentle fingers.
Unable to stop herself longer, she shifted in small circles, moving Nick gently inside her. “Please,” she murmured, lifting herself off him slightly by pressing her knees into the couch.
The quality of his breathing changed and he closed his eyes, leaning forward to kiss her neck once again. His teeth grazed her and the sensation was too much. The throbbing and pulsating jumped up another notch, and Carlie panted with passion, tipping her hips back so Nick penetrated her at a slightly different angle.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she cried.
The desperate need inside her exploded, and she impaled herself along Nick’s rigid length. He let out his own victorious shout, and the tremors of her orgasm raced through her body, pulsating around Nick as his hot liquid filled her and he shook beneath her.
Her release went on and on and Carlie flung herself against his chest, hanging on as she was swept away by the tide of ecstasy.
***
Nick had never been so drained in his life. For several minutes, all he could do was pant while waiting for his heart rate to return to normal.
“Holy shit, Carlie.” He cuddled her body tight against him, not ready to separate from her yet, although his tongue was so dry it stuck to the roof of his mouth. “That was amazing.”
She kissed him softly and snuggled into his neck, sighing contently. “Better than amazing, but I’m too exhausted to think of a word right now.”
“Thirsty.”
She chuckled. “That’s better than amazing?”
“I’m thirsty,” he clarified.
“And now that we aren’t moving, it’s getting chilly out here,” she admitted. “Should we grab some water and go cuddle in bed?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Carlie didn’t bother to put her clothes back on, so Nick followed her beautiful booty into the kitchen. The fact that he didn’t feel much stirrings of desire, even if she was gorgeous, let him know how truly spent he was.
They quickly made their way to the bedroom and snuggled under the covers. Though Nick didn’t want to ruin their afterglow, he knew they had to talk about tomorrow. If Carlie was still in town and alive by Saturday, Paul would turn Stephen loose. They had to leave before that happened.
“I know I haven’t given you much time to think things over, but will you leave with me?” He held his breath, worried she would change her mind.
Carlie simply nodded and hugged him to her. “If they’re watching us, I should open the store tomorrow, though. We can’t leave until Donovan gets you the money.”
“Exactly right.” He was glad she was thinking rationally. Then again, he didn’t know why that surprised him. She was used to evading people who wanted to kill her. “I figure we’ll just go about business as usual, but instead of coming home after closing the shop tomorrow, we’ll head for Canada. My house is only about a four-hour drive. We can make it there tomorrow night.”
“And you’re sure the FBI guy doesn’t know about this house? No one is going to find you there?” She sighed and looked up at him. “What about new IDs and back stories. How can we survive in another country?”
“I told you, Donovan took care of all that. I have passports and IDs. Everything we need.” He didn’t dare tell her they would be posing as a married couple. If he and Carlie were to be married, he wanted the entire proposal, ceremony, and everything that went along with that. He wanted to marry her for real.
“Fine.” She kissed him once again. “I’ll need to take care of a few things tomorrow night before leaving the shop. I’m going to send a letter to Bradley and explain about the store being his and that I had to leave. I won’t tell him where I’m going. He knows enough about my history without knowing my actual history. He won’t question it.”
Although Nick didn’t like her leaving behind any sort of clues that could lead someone to them, he had to remind himself that she knew how to run undetected. She was probably better at it than he was. “Okay. I’ll get stuff packed tomorrow, as much as I think I can get away with taking unnoticed, and I’ll pick you up at the store when everything is ready.”
“Thank
you.”
Startled at the change in her voice, he glanced at her in the semi-darkness. “What for?”
“Everything.” She shrugged. “For coming to my rescue against Stephen and teaching me to defend myself. Most of all, thank you for finally being honest with me and giving me the best Thanksgiving ever.”
Guilt panged through him. Did it matter that he hadn’t told her the complete truth? She’d never know the difference. Nick was giving up everything for her. He would never be a secret agent again, so was there any difference if he didn’t tell her that he was one?
He kissed her forehead and tried to calm the fears in his heart. She’d never find out the truth. They could live happily together forever, have the sort of life he never dreamed he could. Telling her now would destroy all that. He couldn’t take that risk.
“I love you, my lady. You’ve made me happier than I thought possible. I’m so glad we’re spending our lives together.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Carlie tried to act like everything was normal the following day at the shop. Ethel and Henry came in for lunch, telling her excitedly about their grandchildren visiting for the holiday. It made her sad that the older couple wouldn’t be able to come in for cupcakes the following Friday.
Madeline and Donovan had a late start, barely leaving the shop a few minutes earlier and it was nearly closing time. Carlie wondered if they had trouble getting the money from the bank or if it was due to regular delays that came with having small children.
When she hugged them goodbye, she wondered if she’d ever see them again. However, Donovan and Nick were close, practically family. Carlie had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last holiday they spent together, which was nice, actually. She really liked Colton and Josephine. Being with the children made her miss Gabriela more than usual, but it was fun being with them and teaching Colton to cook.
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