by Lisa Eugene
“Yes.” His dark eyes dimmed.
She made a move to slide off her stool, but his body stalled hers, effectively trapping her between his thick arms. She took a deep breath, inhaling his strong musky scent. It floated through her lungs and diffused into her cells. His smooth chest was just inches away and unable to resist, she pressed her fingers against his warm skin. She was inundated with his masculinity. When his head tilted down to hover over hers, she sucked in another breath, wanting to savor more of him. She parted her lips as his mouth landed on hers, at first gentle then demanding. He sank his tongue into her mouth, and she sucked on the succulent flesh like it was a sweet treat. Gabe pulled her off the stool and molded her against his body. She gasped, surprised by the erotic feel of his damp skin. If someone had ever told her that she’d enjoy pressing against a man’s sweaty body, she’d have declared them insane. Her? No way! But, Oh. My. God. He felt so good. She groaned, realizing what felt even better was the press of his rising erection.
He lifted his mouth from hers and smacked his lips together. “That is good coffee.”
“Um-huum…” she crooned, her focus now elsewhere. She flexed her hips into his groin.
His fingers gripped the fluffy end of her pony tail, pulling it down hard and lifting her face up to his. “I need you. Come upstairs with me.”
She reflexively tried to turn towards the messy counter top, but he held her head fast. She really couldn’t leave the counter like this. It would just keep bothering her. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip.
“Umm…I need to clean up. I’ll be up in a sec.”
He paused for a minute and his brows drifted together, then his eyes turned to murky crystals. He looked at the countertop. Maggie watched, shocked as he leaned forward, reached out a long arm and in one smooth motion swiped away the dishes from the top of the shiny counter.
“Gabe!” She stared in disbelief as porcelain cups and delicate floral plates crashed onto the floor. The clattering rang in her ears. Coffee spilled over the dark wood in shapeless puddles and flaky crumbs scattered across the dark wood like clumps of brown sand.
“It’s cleaned.”
She started to complain about breaking the dishes when his large hands girded her hips and lifted her onto the edge of the island. Caught off guard, she braced her palms on his wide shoulders. He snuggled his hips between her thighs and pressed in close. Maggie felt the breath shake from her lungs at the feel of his thick rod nudging against her center. His fingers gripped her butt cheeks, scooting her closer. Because of his height, her head was just a fraction higher than his and their hips lined up perfectly. She peered into his dark eyes and clucked her tongue disapprovingly at him.
“I can’t believe you just did that. You are crazy.”
“Then that makes both of us.”
Gabe looked into Maggie’s smiling blue eyes. They were shot through with darts of pewter, which he now knew was a hallmark of her desire. Good. They were on the same page. Sun streaming into the bright kitchen set fire to her blonde hair, almost lighting it white in some places. She took his breath away. His potent attraction to her combined with the adrenaline from his run was winding his body tight with need. The pillow of her breasts against him, her silky pale skin, and the heat between her legs were tempting him beyond reason. He quickly drew her shirt over her head.
He’d have to complain about the bra later, because as he unsnapped it and her heavy breasts spilled out, his brain lost all ability to contact his vocal cords except to send them intermittent signals to grunt like a caveman. And he did. He felt so primitive in his lust, so base in his need for this woman that the potential dependence frightened him. She excited him like no other. The pleasure she brought him was staggering. He caressed the large mounds, lifting and kneading them. Every moan from her parted lips drew on the swollen head of his cock, making it leak into his pants. He swirled his tongue over the pointed tips of her breast, then sucked each globe like it was ripe fruit, tasty and succulent.
His passion registered higher and he sank his teeth into her flesh, not hard enough to break skin, but hard enough to release a strangled moan from her throat and satisfy his urge to mark her as his. The sound from her throat came out deep and smoky, lighting a fuse inside him. He needed to get her shorts off. Now. He needed her scent, her taste, and her fluids on him. He needed to hear more sounds of her satisfaction and bury himself deep inside her incredible heat. Disdaining to move away, he jerked his hips into her, stabbing his solid length along the damp seam of her shorts. The sensations weakened his knees, but he jerked his hips again and absorbed the pleasurable waves.
“Lay back, Maggie,” he managed to say, and winced at the gruffness in his voice.
He helped to settle her back on the counter top then trailed his fingers to the button on her shorts. The contrast of her light creamy skin on the dark granite was erotically beautiful. Her pale golden hair fanned out; her startling blue eyes and her lips reddened from his kisses took his breath away. Pursing his lips, he blew out a breath, forcing himself to calm. He was way too worked up.
She lifted her hips as he peeled her shorts and underwear from her body, letting them fall to the floor. He was standing between her parted legs a second later, pressing close with his fingers circling her thighs. The expanse of her belly called to him, and with a growl, he leaned over and nipped the gentle curves with the edge of his teeth. His tongue found her belly button, twirling deep. He moved his head down and buried his nose in the fluffy vee of pale curls, inhaling deeply. Quickly he migrated south, eager to taste the source of this heady fragrance. With her thighs resting on his shoulders, he used two fingers to part her ruffles, and he dove in greedily, moaning at the splash of flavor over his taste buds.
He heard her hum of pleasure and it spurred him on. He used his tongue to forage deep, twirling and soothing, supping on her delicious flesh. His body was sizzling with the exquisite ache of his desire. He quickly yanked his sweats below his hips and freed his pounding hard-on. He gripped the thick base and delivered several hard strokes, hoping to relieve some of the burning pressure. Slick fluid leaked into his palm when he reached the bulging tip, and with a groan, he released himself, afraid he was doing more harm than good.
He listened to Maggie grow close to her climax. He could tell by her ardent cries and the quick snaps of her hips. But reluctantly he eased away. He wanted to heighten her passion but desperately needed to feel her rippling over him when she reached her peak. He kissed the soft skin inside her thighs, and then bracing them, shrugged them from the slope of his shoulders. He stood and towered over her, staring into the azure glass of her eyes. He found himself unable to define the emotion in his heart. He was stunned by its depth, but was only willing to tuck it into a box, close the lid and label it lust.
His palms traveled down her silky legs. He stepped back, lifted them, and curling his fingers around her naked ankles, brought her insteps to his chest. He leaned in so that her legs bent at the knees, resting on her body. He watched her eyes widen as he brought one soft instep to his mouth and scraped it with the edges of his teeth. He did the same with the other foot and felt a shudder pass through her. His tongue bathed the small hill of her ankle, and his teeth scraped a portion of her heel. He craved her like a starved man and wanted to eat her up. Every creamy inch of her.
Unable to wait a moment longer, he let her thighs fall to the side, then rolled his sweats further down his hips and gripped the wide root of his member. With deliberate intent he rubbed the wet, reddened tip through her creamy folds. He looked down and the sight made bombs explode in his skull, shooting bliss into every neuron of his brain. He tucked in the broad head and with one fluid stroke sank into the luscious tightness. He heard the echo of his name and reveled in the sound. The suffocating grip on his cock caused a shiver to pass through his balls and make its way along the length of his shaft. Pleasure gripped him with a hard spasm.
“Oh fuck, Maggie. I could live here forever! So. Fucki
ng. Good.”
Each word was punctuated with a deep thrust and each thrust was punctuated by a feral grunt as he was determined to get every last inch inside her haven. Dark wiry curls kissed a pale blonde tuft every time he ground into her. Her beautiful breasts bounced from his sharp stabs and he knew he wouldn’t be able to last much longer. His balls were filled to bursting and clamoring for relief. No. Too fast. He reduced his pace, slowly circling his hips into hers. He delighted in her cries when he circled deep, seeming to stroke a particular point of pleasure. He was able to maintain that pace for a while until he started to feel the eager squeeze of her moist heat. His hips bucked restlessly. She slid up the counter top as he pushed into her, her fingers white with her grip on the edge of the stone. Her moans of pleasure were a musical inspiration, a sensual operetta that drove him.
Taking a small step back, he pulled her butt partially off the counter top. He wrapped his arms around her hips and palmed her ass cheeks, holding her steady to his pounding assault. He became wild and relentless with his need, taking her at a brutal pace. She arched her back and his eyes locked on her face. Her lids were squeezed tight and her moist lips parted in a tight O. Her face was suffused with color. He wanted to weep at the beautiful sight. He started to feel the grasping waves of her channel and pleasure twisted violently through him.
“Is it good, Maggie?” he hissed, his hips snapping rapidly.
“Yes!”
“Tell me, honey.”
“Oh God, Gabe!”
“Tell me. I need to hear it!” he demanded roughly, his voice a cry of anguish.
Her blue eyes snapped open and locked with his. “Yes, Gabe! Yes! It’s unbelievable! You’re unbelievable!” she gasped as she spasmed on the hard granite.
Gabe felt his gut wrench. He loved hearing her voice. Needed to hear it and have it brand him. Needed to hear that she was happy, that he was giving her pleasure. Needed to hear that he was doing something right. Needed absolution. She believed in him.
His shoulders bunched and his glutes clinched tight, imbedding his thickening cock inside her. The orgasmic fire ball started burning in his shaft then rolled like a meteor up his spine and to the distal reaches of his body and his universe. His roar shook the room as he ejaculated in unrelenting spasms and filled her, for once feeling the pain and guilt leave his body. Unable to stay upright he collapsed on top of her, his neck and upper chest cushioned by the magnificent bounty of her breasts. He felt pressure prick the back of his eyes and blinked hard, determined to keep control. He was panting each breath, the rasping sounds mingling with hers. He turned slightly and kissed the dewy skin beneath his lips when he felt her arms rub over his back and shoulders. He stayed put for several long moments enjoying the cocoon of her warmth, absorbing the peace she gave him.
But soon he realized that the hard surface of the counter top, plus the added weight of his big body must be causing her discomfort. His sweats had fallen down to his ankles and the tie had come loose from his hair, leaving it hanging around his head in disheveled springs. Their bodies glisten with sweat and the smell of sex was heavy in the air. He ran his fingers through his locks as he hauled himself up, pushing it back from his face.
“Are you okay, Maggie?”
She was lying with her eyes closed and a forearm tossed over her forehead. The rest of her body looked sated and relaxed, limp from her exertions. She nodded and smiled at him, but kept her eyes closed. He jerked up his pants then circled her wrists and pulled her flaccid body to a sitting position. She winced slightly and guilt shot through him. His fingers rubbed up and down her arms.
“Sorry. Your back might be a little stiff.”
“Back? I think even my hair will be sore…”
She smiled cheekily at him, but concerned, he frowned. “I’m sorry. Was I too rough?”
“No. It’s a good sore, Gabe,” she assured, trying to gingerly hop down from the counter.
He lifted her off and she scrambled to retrieve her clothes. He watched her hastily shimmy into them, a blush breaking through her rosy post-coital glow. He walked over and hooked a finger under her chin, tilting her face up to him. Her bright blue eyes stared up at him and something shifted inside.
“You sure you’re okay, beautiful?” he asked softly.
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. “I’m okay, but…” Her head lifted and her gaze landed on the broken debris and dark coffee puddles on the floor. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and her face crunched into a frown. “I feel bad that we’ve broken these people’s beautiful dishes.”
“Humm…” He followed her gaze. His mother was not going to be happy about it either. But at least it wasn’t her English bone china. She’d kill him! Plus, he’d have a hard time explaining the circumstances.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said as she started to pick up the broken fragments. He pulled her back into his embrace. “I’ll clean up. There’s a Jacuzzi tub in the master bath with your name on it. You should soak. It’ll help with the soreness. I’ll be up soon.”
She frowned, and then turned her gaze back to the floor. “You sure?”
“You know you want to.”
She smile broadly, and he knew the idea of getting clean was a seductive lure. Plus he needed the alone time to get his head together. He’d nearly come undone moments ago. What the fuck was happening to him?
“Well, if you insist.”
She pecked him on the lips then skipped away quickly. He couldn’t help the chuckle that followed her.
The only reason Maggie surfaced from the Jacuzzi tub was because she was starting to shrivel like a sun baked raisin, otherwise she would have soaked her day away in the frothy heaven. She dried and wrapped a fluffy towel around her body then padded into the sunny bedroom. The bath had done wonders on her body, but she could still feel the delicious ache of her flesh. God, that man was amazing! Every stroke was a pleasurable oblivion. Intense! Although their lovemaking had been as incredible as ever, she felt that this time had been somehow different.
Gabe was generally aloof and stubbornly independent, but today she’d sensed the full force of that rare vulnerability she saw sometimes deep in his dark eyes. He’d needed affirmation of some sort that went beyond praise for his sexual prowess. She’d noticed that since they’d arrived at this house he’d become more pensive. A few times she’d found him just sitting in the library, his eyes black and unfocused. She’d love for him to share his feelings with her, but knew if she pressed him, he’d add more bricks to his already formidable wall. Although he was attentive to her and sometimes even playfully teasing, he never let her get close, never let her in. She supposed that was a good thing. It would make their parting much easier.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that the steady bleeping sound filling the room took time to register. When it did, she whistled out a shocked breath and ran to the door, yelling for Gabe. He was at her side in mere moments, his expression acknowledging the signal from the computer. Silently, she followed his long strides to the desk, her heart pounding against her ribs. The blinking cursor seemed to wink at her, a beacon of hope and promise, or death and despair. She didn’t know. She took a deep breath and watched Gabe’s long fingers fly across the keyboard.
DR. ROLLINS?
She held her breath, wondering how Gabe could appear to be so calm. A full minute passed and she could feel rivulets of sweat slide down her back. She was just about to question Gabe when the cursor started jumping with letters.
Victoria: WHO IS THIS?
Gabe: ARE YOU VICTORIA ROLLINS?
Victoria: YES. WHO IS THIS?
Gabe looked at Maggie, his onyx eyes pensive. “We can’t be sure it’s her.”
Maggie chewed on her bottom lip, her fingers twisting nervously. “We have to take the chance…This is too important.”
“I don’t want to walk into a trap, Maggie. There’ve been too many.”
Maggie gasped. “Wait! Ask her her grandmother�
��s name.”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
“I’ll explain later, just ask her!”
She watched as Gabe obeyed and typed in the question.
Victoria: ‘MILLICENT’
“It’s her, Gabe! I’ll explain later.’
Her heart leaped in her chest as Gabe took a leap of faith and started typing.
Gabe: ‘I’M A FRIEND. I HAVE YOUR RESEARCH DATA’
There was another long pause where Maggie thought she’d pass out from lack of oxygen. She felt such anxiety that her brain kept forgetting to tell her lungs to expand.
Victoria: THANK GOD!! I NEED IT BACK. I’VE BEEN GOING CRAZY. I’M SNOWED IN IN AUSTRIA. BEEN GETTING SKETCHY REPORTS FROM MY SCIENTIST. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAB?
Gabe: CANE HOWARD
Victoria: HE CAN’T BE TRUSTED!!! HE’S BEEN TRYING TO GET THE DATA. WHAT DO YOU WANT? I DON’T HAVE ANY MONEY.’
Gabe: NOT MONEY
He gave Maggie a sidelong glance, then his fingers raced across the keypad again. ‘I NEED INFO ON CANE.’
Victoria: INFO?
Gabe: YES. SOMETHING I CAN USE AGAINST HIM.
Another pause had Maggie wringing her fingers white. She hadn’t expected this.
Victoria: I HAVE SOMETHING. BUT I NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? WHY ARE YOU GIVING IT BACK?
Gabe sent Maggie another glance, then wrote:
BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I HAVE TO SIGN OFF NOW. WILL BE IN TOUCH SOON.
Maggie felt her heart pump out pure undiluted joy and a profound tenderness for the man sitting in the chair next to her.
Gabe paused. ‘DO NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS
CONVERSATION. SOMEONE IN YOUR COMPANY GAVE CANE ALL OF YOUR LOG IN CODES AND SECURITY SCHEDULES. DO NOT TRUST ANYONE.’
‘WAIT!! HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH—’
The screen went blank and Maggie exhaled a tormented breath. Her stomach was performing a complex routine of acrobatics, and her mind was barely managing its balancing act. Her thoughts were about to tumble everywhere. She saw Gabe expel the breath he’d been holding and realized how risky their endeavor had been. She couldn’t help but feel good about it, though.