Zack

by M. Malone

  She clenches around my finger at the words and I have to pause and take a breath when my dick pulses dangerously beneath me. I need to summon some measure of control if I have any chance of making this good for her. With her thighs around my head and her nails on my scalp, I’m aware that I hold her pleasure in my hands.

  But god, the way she feels. It’s so hard to think when she’s whimpering beneath me. I love this, all of it, especially the sensation of being surrounded by her.

  “You feel amazing sweetheart, so tight and wet. I can’t wait to feel this sweet little pussy clenching when I’m deep inside you.”

  My dirty words only make her clench around me harder. When I flick her clit on my tongue over and over she comes immediately, shivering against me. I hold her in place, forcing her to take each lash of my tongue until she collapses, boneless and replete.

  I raise my head and the look of complete exhaustion on her face is exactly what I want to see. My woman utterly satisfied.

  The condoms I brought are in my pocket. I grab them and put the second one on her nightstand. Her eyes open and she surveys me lazily as I push my jeans and boxers down. A very satisfied smile covers her lips.

  “You really are perfect. Look at you.”

  I realize that it’s the first time she’s seen my tattoo in its entirety. The legs of the phoenix extend past my waist and the feet and talons wrap around my groin. She extends a hand and touches the part that covers my ribs.

  “It’s extraordinary. It’s almost a shame you have to cover it.”

  “I don’t think I’d get much done if I didn’t.”

  Her chest shakes with her laughter. “Definitely not. All the women coming to the shop would be there for more than just getting their cars serviced.”

  “Brat. That wasn’t what I meant.”

  “I know. But that’s what would happen. You are one sexy package, Zack Marshall.”

  Her fingers trail lower. My head falls back on my shoulders as she takes me in her hand, then touches the tip, rubbing through the moisture that’s gathered there. At my harsh groan, she snatches her hand back.

  “You’re so hard,” she whispers.

  “Getting harder every second.”

  I kick my jeans away from my feet and roll on the condom. When I climb back in the bed, she looks up at me trustingly. I rest my forehead on hers and flex my hips until I’m resting right at her entrance. The heat of her arousal almost unmans me. Every inch of me wants to just dive right into what I know is about to be the tightest pussy I’ve ever breached. But I grit my teeth and hold myself still.

  “If anything hurts–“

  “It won’t,” she assures me.

  “Or if you want to stop for any reason–“

  Her hips arch up so I’m forced into her a few inches. All my will to go slow disintegrates as my cock is enveloped in her wet heat. She lets out a cry and her legs tighten behind my ass. Her muscles tighten instinctively around me as if trying to keep me inside. I have no defense against the iron tight grip she’s got on my cock.

  “Oh fuck.”

  She melts beneath me as I sink deeper. I bury my face in her shoulder and rock slowly, circling my hips to open her up. Her hands travel over my shoulders and into my hair. I sneak a look at her face, looking for signs of pain or discomfort. Her mouth is open and every time I push home, she lets out a soft sigh.

  Before long I’m pushing in rhythmically until in one stroke she finally takes my full length. It feels so good that I feel like the virgin, completely innocent to how good it could be. Her pussy holds me lovingly, rippling and sucking me deeper and deeper with every stroke. Josie lets out another one of those soft cries that I’m helpless against and one of her hands slides down to my ass. She’s holding me to her tightly. Like she wants it all.

  The thought is so arousing that before I know what I’m doing, I push into her faster. My control is shot and I’m pure instinct, trying to make sure that every inch of our skin is in contact. Her legs curl around my waist and I hit a spot deep inside that pulls a long cry from her. I reach between us and rub her clit rhythmically. Moments later, she stiffens beneath me and then dissolves into a shivering orgasm that tightens all of her muscles simultaneously.

  I don’t stand a chance against watching her come apart beneath me. With the sound of her cries still in my ears, I give in and come too.

  We fall off the edge together and the pleasure feels like it never ends.

  †

  I wish I could say that we spent long hours stroking each other and basking in bliss. Unfortunately we’re interrupted by the unmistakable sound of the door slamming downstairs. Josie raises her head listening. Then every muscle in her body jerks. Not in a sexy way, either.

  “Oh my god, they’re back early!”

  “What?”

  She slaps a hand over my mouth. “Shh, they’ll hear you.”

  The way she’s moving around is doing interesting things to me since I’m still inside her. I’m half hard again just feeling her clench and tighten around me. Her expression turns from shock to disbelief as she looks down at where we’re still joined.

  “Seriously?”

  I wink at her then grasp the edge of the condom before I withdraw. “I aim to please.”

  She watches with interest as I wrap the condom in a tissue and place it in the small trashcan beneath her desk. When I stand up again, her eyes are still on me.

  “You definitely did that,” she murmurs in that throaty way that makes me want to get back inside her again.

  I listen and hear the sound of footsteps moving around below us. Then the sound of the television. It’s clear that wherever her brother and roommate were before, they’re back in for the night. Which means that the round two I was planning for Josie will have to wait. Josie sits up pulling the sheet over her breasts. The move makes me smile.

  I lean down and nuzzle her ear. “Already seen it all. There’s no use hiding those beauties now.”

  She rolls her eyes. “I’m not hiding. Just not used to flashing them around.”

  I watch as she slides out of bed and then starts picking up the items on the floor. She pulls her bra back on and then her tunic. She’s turning around in circles and I finally realize she’s looking for her panties. The ones I threw over my shoulder. I retrieve them from the floor on the other side of the bed and hand them to her.

  “Thanks,” she whispers without looking at me. She steps into them and then pulls her jeans back on. I dress silently, watching as she mentally retreats right in front of me. Every item of clothing she puts on is like another layer of armor she uses to keep herself protected.

  To hell with that.

  “Are you okay? Truly okay?” I stop her fidgeting by pulling her closer until her hands are trapped between us. Her hair is wild in the back where it was rubbing against her pillow and I tame the strands with my hands. “I want you to always be honest with me if you aren’t happy. Or aren’t satisfied.”

  She blushes deeply and buries her face in my shirt. “Not satisfied? Were you just here a few minutes ago?”

  “I just wanted to make sure. You’re not looking at me all of a sudden.”

  “Zack, I’m completely mortified that if they’d come home any earlier they would have heard me screaming the walls down. I wouldn’t have even heard them come in. You make me forget myself completely.”

  My arms tighten around her. It makes me feel proud, and also deeply satisfied to know that I gave her what she needed.

  “That’s the way it should be. So no thinking of England then, huh?”

  She laughs softly. “Definitely not. The only thing I was thinking was how to keep you right where you were.”

  “Believe me, sweetheart nothing could have dragged me away. Unfortunately this means that we can’t do it again but maybe that’s for the best. I’m greedy for you but you’ll be sore tomorrow as it is.”

  She curls against me. “I don’t care.”

  “I do. I never want to h
urt you. Only give you pleasure.” I sit on the edge of the bed. “Do you mind if I look at that album again?”

  She looks shocked but picks it up from the floor where it fell. I accept the book and start from the beginning instead of the middle like last time. Looking at these photos is like taking a visual stroll down memory lane. Some of the pictures are events that I wasn’t even aware she knew about.

  My first coffee shop performance. That was before I figured out that I hate playing in front of strangers. Some people have a deep-seated need to share their love of music and that’s great. There are so many musicians that I love listening to and I’m really glad they want to share. But for me, it’s not necessary. I play because it soothes me. Managing stress is important to my health and playing the guitar calms me.

  Josie captured the fear in my expression perfectly. If anyone else had taken this photo it would feel like a violation. But she’s managed to capture the moment in such a way that you feel like a sympathetic friend instead of a voyeur. Like you’re sharing in my fear and disappointment.

  As I flip each page, my heart opens just a little more. I can feel the love in the pages as she’s chronicling a life she desperately wants to share. Every image in this book is a reminder. No one has ever made me feel this way. No longer second best. I think back to what she told me before.

  “You don’t have to win my heart. You’ve always had it.”

  Josie has been arranging the sheets and blankets behind me. I stand so she can smooth the bedspread. The room looks the way it did when I arrived. After listening at the door, she opens it and then opens her laptop. If anyone comes upstairs, it will look like we’re just hanging out.

  After about ten minutes, footsteps sound on the stairs and Josie glances over at me. Her brother James passes by and then backtracks when he sees me sitting on the bed.

  “Hey, Zack. I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

  I stand and accept his handshake. “It has been a long time. It’s great to see you again.”

  James looks over at the images of me on Josie’s laptop. “So you’re Jo’s next subject?”

  He raises his eyebrows. I hold his gaze as I nod. Josie’s parents haven’t been supportive but she’s never mentioned if her brother has an issue with her new direction. If he does, then I’ll be here to rip him a new one.

  After an uncomfortable moment, he finally glances over at Jo. “So how did your session go?”

  Josie sighs. “Do you really want to know?”

  He appears to think about it. “Never mind. I’ll just say, ‘hope it was successful’ and leave it at that.”

  He salutes and then backtracks to the hall. A few seconds later, I hear a door close.

  I turn to her. “On that note, I should probably go.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to.”

  “Believe me, I wish I didn’t have to, either. But I don’t think your brother is going to believe that we’re working overnight.”

  She giggles and gets up from the desk. “Next time I’ll actually take some photos of you.”

  “It’ll be easier to take my clothes off then. And then I’ll take your clothes off afterward.”

  She moves sensually as she crosses the room and when she stands on tiptoe to kiss me, she makes sure her breasts brush against my chest in a slow drag. My breath comes out in a soft huff when she grabs my ass and squeezes.

  There’s a glint in her eyes that I’ve never seen before as she says, “Promise?”

  I think I’ve created a monster.

  chapter eight

  †

  JOSIE

  I walk him downstairs. The television is on blaring a commercial at top volume but there’s no one on the couch or in the kitchen. Jamie must have left it on. Izzie is nowhere in sight.

  Zack pulls his coat off the stand and shucks into it. I watch his movements, especially his mouth. Desire rises again when I realize he probably still smells like me.

  “Drive safely.”

  It’s a thing I’ve said to him a thousand times but suddenly seems really intimate. I’m guessing that everything is going to seem really intimate from now on. I know what he looks like naked. I know how he feels inside me. There’s no way to go back to what life was like before.

  No way at all.

  He crosses the room to me. Prowling is the only word for it. He’s all swagger and rolling hips and oh my is it hot as hell.

  “Can I come by tomorrow?”

  An enthusiastic yes is on my lips until I realize the date.

  “My parents’ annual anniversary party is tomorrow night.” I grasp the front of his coat and bury my face in his neck. “I really, really, really wish I could skip it now. It’s always boring but now I’ll be thinking about what I’m missing all night!”

  There’s no way I can pretend I forgot either since I know my mother will call tomorrow to remind me.

  His chest rumbles beneath my cheek with his laughter. “Do you want me to come with you?”

  My head shoots up. “Would you?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  “It’s black tie. And at the country club,” I add when he makes a so what face. “You’d be bored stiff within five minutes. I would never ask you to subject yourself to that on my behalf.”

  “I’m well aware that it’ll be boring as hell. I’m offering to come anyway.” He smiles down at me, his arms circling around my back to settle around my hips.

  Even though I came, loudly, several times less than an hour ago, just being this close to him already has my motor purring again. What the hell has he done to me? One evening in my bed and Zack Marshall has turned me into a sex fiend.

  “Well, you’ve been warned. It’ll be nice not to look pathetic all night while everyone asks why I don’t have a date. I’m assuming your tuxedo is already pressed and ready?”

  He gives me a look.

  “Just kidding.” My giggles are cut off when he scoops me up in his arms playfully.

  He sets me on my feet. “I’ll buy one, brat.”

  “Will you be able to get one that fits that quickly?”

  “You can get anything quickly if you have enough money.” His face sobers but he quickly covers the look with a smile. It doesn’t quite reach the corners of his eyes though and I recognize it for the mask it is.

  Interesting.

  After he found out about the money, Gabe ranted for days about their irresponsible father and how he’s trying to buy their forgiveness. Underneath his anger, I could tell that he was actually a little hurt. That the father they’ve never known could just waltz in after years of absence like it was nothing was more hurtful to Gabe than he’d wanted to admit.

  I could tell because I know Gabe so well, but Zack… he never seemed to care much about it either way. He’s such a vault sometimes. All of his emotions are so carefully locked down but then there are these moments where you get a peek at what’s beneath.

  “Okay. So I’ll pick you up tomorrow at…” He looks at me expectantly.

  “The party starts at seven so pick me up around six. That should give us plenty of time.”

  “Okay. Then we’ll pick up where we left off afterward. There’s a lot of fun stuff we didn’t get to tonight.”

  “Like what?” Of course I have a pretty good idea but I want to hear him say it. I love the way he talks dirty to me.

  “Things I can’t talk about if I have any hope of leaving you alone right now. I’m already halfway to booking a hotel and keeping you captive overnight. But I can’t do that.”

  “Why not? You don’t even have to take me captive. I surrender.” I pull him down for another long kiss. My fingers curl against the back of his neck as our tongues tangle and slide against each other. Who could have ever guessed that smart mouth of his would be so talented at turning me on?

  He breaks the kiss with a groan. “I’ll remember you said that tomorrow night. Because I don’t plan on going easy on you then.”

  “You’d better not. You’r
e leaving me all hot and bothered here.”

  He pulls me closer and I can feel his erection beneath his jeans.

  “I am, too. But tonight, when you’re lying in your bed aching, you’d better not touch this.” His hand presses between my thighs and his fingers curl into me, pressing my jeans into me slightly. A sudden throb of desire hits me so hard I sway against him.

  “What? You can’t tell me not to do that,” I whisper, completely scandalized.

  “I can and I am. This is mine. And I’ll know if you’re playing without me.”

  “How could you possibly know that?”

  The private smile he gives me is so sexy my knees actually get weak. “Because I plan on talking to her again first thing next time. She’ll tell me everything I need to know.”

  His thumb presses right against my clit and I can’t stop the hoarse, achy sound that comes out of my throat. His eyes close, like he’s savoring the sound.

  “Goodnight, Josie.”

  He kisses me on the forehead and then he’s gone.

  †

  By the next day I’m starting to wonder if I’ve made a mistake. Our country club is a microcosm of everything that I think is wrong with the world. A lot of self-important people trying to impress each other. I hate being there so why would I want to put Zack through the experience?

  Gabe has accompanied me to several functions there before and I never thought anything about it. Gabe is … well, he’s Gabe. The man is a chameleon and he can fit in anywhere. But Zack doesn’t care about fitting in.

  This might just turn into a disaster.

  I spend the afternoon at a photoshoot for a new client. I’ve been doing family portraits since I was seventeen and I’ve even done some wedding photography for friends of the family. I’ve always loved photographing people in love, capturing the beauty of deciding to spend your life with someone else. It’s the most gutsy thing in the world to put your all into trusting someone else with your heart.