“Is that it?”
Pearl’s eyes flicked open and she discovered she’d stopped moving, slumping forward onto his chest. “I…sorry…I…um…distracted.” Heck, that had never happened before either.
He chuckled, his chest shuddering beneath her in amusement. He rolled suddenly and she stared up at him in befuddlement. The man was full of surprises and yet she’d thought she knew him well. He caged her beneath his bulk, making her feel feminine and vulnerable yet protected. Then he started moving, plunging in and out of her vagina with hard, no-nonsense thrusts. His gaze didn’t leave hers the entire time. Connected. She’d never felt it before, and in that instant she handed over a piece of her heart.
A visible shudder tore through his body, his hard strokes making the bed creak and groan. One final stroke and he stilled. Pearl savored the rapid thud of his heart, the pulsing of his cock deep in her pussy and the scent of ylang ylang and sex surrounding them both.
He shifted, separating their bodies and he tossed the condom aside. Darkness had fallen and the muted notes of a rock ballad came through the open bedroom window. Justin switched on the bedside lamp and turned off the main light before returning to her side and taking her into his arms.
“I think I won that bet. We’ll have breakfast at the café near your apartment after we’ve stopped by to grab a change of clothes for you.”
On principle she should have argued because the man was bossing her around and hadn’t really won their bet, but instead, she cuddled against his chest, feeling so lazy and replete she couldn’t be bothered. Oh heck. Why didn’t she just admit the truth? Spending a day with Justin wouldn’t exactly be a hardship, and if tomorrow night was anything like tonight…
Bring it on.
Chapter Three
Pearl woke during the small hours of the morning. Darkness filled the bedroom, and for an instant she wondered where she was and whose callused palms smoothed up and down her spine.
“Pearl?” The husky voice gave her the answer, and the events of the previous night came tumbling back.
“Justin.” Pearl scooted back against his chest, his warmth searing her back. His cock dug into her backside, and she grinned. It was so nice to wake up with masculine arms wrapped around her and not alone to worry about the strange, creepy sound that had jolted her to consciousness.
Justin pushed long strands of her hair aside and nuzzled at her neck, the light suction bringing a rush of arousal. He flexed his hips, shifted his legs and suddenly his cock hovered at her wet core. Pearl trembled, wanting him fiercely.
“Wait! No condom,” he said.
They both froze but didn’t move. Pearl sighed, aching, needing him so badly her body trembled.
“I need you,” she said, pushing down. His cock slid deeper into her drenched pussy.
“What if you get pregnant?”
Pearl swallowed. A pregnancy would change everything. She’d be trapped. Justin would ask her to marry him. She knew it as well as she knew her middle name was Jennifer. Pregnancy wasn’t in her plans, not unless she had a ring on her finger and a doting rich husband. Her eyes squeezed shut. She should run screaming from the room. She should do a lot of things, but instead, all she could think about was the pleasure she’d found with Justin and the way his cock felt piercing her pussy. Her vagina clenched with fresh hunger and she moved, taking the decision from maybe to done deal. He filled her. So sweet. So good.
Justin didn’t say another word but he loved her with his body, filled her until sensation throbbed both inside and out. He clutched her in his arms, his hot breath caressing her neck, big hands squeezing and tugging her nipples as his cock drove into her. He whispered sweet words, nasty words, licked the shell of her ear. He fingered her clit and she shattered with a violent spasm of pleasure, convulsing around his cock. Justin came seconds later with a raw, guttural groan in her ear. He held her tight until their breathing settled, neither saying a word about the possibility they’d created a new life.
She must have fallen asleep but woke when he turned in his sleep. She breathed in his scent, listening to his breathing. He was so big, solid. Reliable. No matter what went on in her life she knew he’d make time for her. It had been like that since high school. They’d paired for a science project and remained friends but had never been lovers until tonight. Time wasted, she thought. So much time.
She ran her hand down his triceps and curled her fingers around his bulging biceps. Emboldened by his lack of movement she continued with her exploration, trailing her fingers down his rib cage and across the muscular stomach.
“This should be interesting,” he murmured.
Pearl let out a shriek. “I thought you were asleep.” She aimed for indignation but spoiled it with a laugh.
“If a man wakes up to find a woman’s hands all over him, it’s natural that he get certain ideas.” He moved her hand lower and placed it on his erection. “Are you ready for more?”
“Yes.” She didn’t even have to think about it.
Justin moved and seconds later the soft glow of the lamp pierced the darkness. He opened the bedside drawer and pulled out a bottle of lube, placing it within easy reach. Her heartbeat increased while she thought back to everything he’d said he wanted to do with her, to her. His big hand cupping her butt cheek added to the clues.
“You have a beautiful ass, Pearl.” His eyes, heavy-lidded and so sexy, bore into her when she glanced over her shoulder. She offered him a tentative smile and turned into his arms. Crushing his mouth to hers, he skimmed her body and breasts with his hands, exhibiting both purpose and skill. The velvety head of his cock left a damp trail on her upper thigh. When he finally lifted his head they were both breathing hard. “Have you done this before?”
A sliver of apprehension slid through her mind. “No.” But oh how she wanted to experience everything with Justin.
“We’ll take it easy, work up to it gradually.”
“You don’t have to. We can do it now.”
“Babe, I felt your hesitation so we’ll give you a taste instead. There’s plenty of time.”
While Justin moved away from her to remove something else from the drawer, she wondered at his words. Plenty of time. That implied a future. Normally she’d have panicked at the thought of heading into a future without plans or prospective husband budgets and forecasts—all the normal procedures she went through to decide on her target. But all she did was lay there waiting for him to make his next move. With Justin she was learning she liked surprises, and money didn’t make a blind bit of difference when it came to emotions.
“Turn over for me, babe. Lie on your stomach and part your legs.”
Without hesitation she followed his instructions, heart thumping not in fear but in sweet anticipation of a treat. Pleasure.
The wheeze of liquid squirting from plastic sounded, and she heard him set the bottle aside. She felt the touch of his lips when he trailed a line of kisses down her spine. He kissed the curve of a buttock, nuzzled it with his nose and made her jump when he used his teeth. He ran his finger down the crevice between her buttocks, running his finger back and forth over her anus. Cool liquid smoothed his way.
“Wow.” She hadn’t meant to say anything but it slipped out.
“Feel good?”
“It feels…naughty,” she said finally.
“Nothing that feels good is naughty,” he stated in a firm voice. “Just relax. Yeah, just like that.” His voice had thickened, turned gritty as if touching her this way excited him.
Pearl drifted, soaking in the sensations, the excitement generated from his touch. He teased her a little more, slipping his finger inside, pushing insistently until the ring of muscle released and gave him entrance. More cool liquid filled her, bringing a shiver. Her vagina pulsed, feeling empty.
“I’m going to put a butt plug in you, babe.” He pushed the foreign item slowly, inexorably. A flash of pain made her tense but he slipped a hand beneath her to finger her clit and pleasure an
d pain warred. Harder he pushed the plug, withdrawing it slightly before pushing it deeper. Finally, he stopped pushing and ran his large hand over one buttock.
“That’s it. All done. Now we can have some fun.” He praised her and lifted her so she knelt on all fours. The distinct crackle of a condom wrapper brought a shudder. Breathing deeply, she waited anxiously, her body feeling full and unbearably aroused.
She felt Justin’s body heat as he moved close behind her, the prod of his cock before he tunneled into her pussy. With the butt plug in place it felt like a tight squeeze. A little painful, but when he played and strummed his fingers across her clit, it was like magic. Hungry little noises emerged from deep in her throat while every inch of her skin hummed with bliss.
“How’s that feel?” he whispered next to her ear.
“Good.”
“How good? Tell me what you’re feeling.”
“Every time you thrust I can feel each inch of you. All the ridges and veins. And I feel stuffed full.”
He pushed inside, pulled out, shafting her deeply. Nuzzling her neck, he said, “Touch your clit.”
Pearl didn’t hesitate. Balancing carefully, she slid one hand down her body. The tension inside her ramped up the instant her finger massaged her swollen nub. With another easy glide he pushed into her.
“Come for me, Pearl. I don’t want to come until you do.”
And she did—she stroked herself. She soared into climax, ripples of pleasure arcing through her sensitized body. Pearl gasped, each breath of air ragged and uncontrolled. Justin stilled behind her, the clenching of her cunt milking him to completion. Head dropping, she trembled when Justin pulled away from her. God, how could she go back to plain missionary with fake orgasms?
She was vaguely aware of him removing the plug and his condom, him cleaning her with a warm and damp cloth. Exhausted but still quivering with pleasure she surrendered to sleep.
* * * * *
The next morning
Justin hadn’t seen her Viaduct Harbor apartment before because she always visited him. Never the other way around. Unaccountably nerves jumped inside her stomach when she unlocked the door and stepped inside. His solid warmth heated her back, seeping through her skimpy clothes and tempting her to turn and throw her arms around him.
Last night…
Incredible didn’t begin to cover…
A shiver, erotic in its intensity ran down her spine, sinking into her pussy. Pearl groaned inwardly, heat crawling from her face and down her neck to tug at her breasts. She wanted him so badly. Her steps slowed.
“Pearl?”
She swallowed, realizing she couldn’t put what she felt into words, not when the emotions coursing through her were so raw.
Intense.
Unpredictable.
And most of all—surprising.
His hands settled on her shoulders, curving slightly in a silent demand for her to turn to face him. The understanding and gentleness in his gray eyes brought the prickle of tears to her own. Wordlessly, she stepped into his arms, pressing her face against his chest. The slow, steady beat of his heart soothed her, as did the warmth and gentleness of his touch. This…thing between them felt so right it scared her. As a mechanic, Justin was nothing like the man she’d planned on for her future.
“Go and change into something casual and comfortable, babe.”
Pearl hesitated. “Do you want a coffee or something?”
“I’ll wait until we get to the café. Don’t worry about me. I have a couple of phone calls to make.”
Nodding, Pearl walked through to her bedroom. She went through the motions of showering and dressing on automatic pilot. Jeans. A pale blue shirt. Sandals with a slight heel. Pearl frowned into the mirror while she considered her makeup. Her eyes sparkled and delicate color kissed her cheeks. Her lips looked swollen. A smile bloomed when she reached for her bronzing powder. After brushing a thin layer over her face, she grabbed a hairbrush and drew it through her hair. Loose, she decided.
The low rumble of Justin’s voice brought another smile when she walked out to join him. A whole day in his company. Another night in his bed. Her body tingled at the thought, and in that moment she decided to follow her heart instead of her head.
Justin looked up when she walked into her lounge. He snapped his cell phone shut and prowled across the red Oriental rug to join her. “Pearl, you look beautiful.”
The sincerity of his compliment brought a rush of warmth to her chest. Deep inside she glowed with pleasure even though he wasn’t touching her.
“Thanks.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she said, and blushed when he winked at her. Andrew had disliked her healthy appetite, but she didn’t feel she had to hide her hunger with Justin.
“Let’s go then.” He put his arm around her shoulders and ushered her outside, waiting patiently while she locked her apartment. Outside, they walked through the Viaduct Harbor complex, stopping at a café overlooking the water and several moored boats.
The day was fine and sunny and they elected to sit outside under one of the blue-and-white umbrellas. Tubs of colorful pansies and petunias sat around the paved area, separating them from the footpath. The waitress came and took their order, and in a comfortable silence they watched the crew of a super yacht moor and several passengers disembark. Waves slapped against the walkway, the muted roar of traffic familiar and comforting.
“I love people watching,” Pearl said.
“What are you going to do?”
Pearl’s stomach hollowed with sudden fear. What if Justin didn’t want anything more than this one last day? Once the thought took hold, it wouldn’t leave.
“I don’t know,” Pearl said. “I haven’t thought about it much.”
“Good.”
His succinct answer left her even more confused. Good? What the heck did that mean? Maybe she should ask?
The waitress arrived with a pot of tea for her and a coffee for Justin. Moodily she poured her tea, stewing about what she should do.
“Pearl! There you are. I’ve just been to your apartment.” Andrew stood beside her, panting from his run from her apartment building to the café. Pearl studied him closely and couldn’t even find it in her to resurrect the anger she’d felt the previous evening. In the inevitable comparison between the two men, Andrew came up wanting with his slight paunch from too many long boozy lunches and his thinning hair.
“Collet.” Andrew nodded at Justin with polite deference before turning back to her. “I didn’t realize you’d find someone else so quickly. My loss. You’re a good woman, Pearl.” And with shoulders straight, he walked over to his convertible and drove away.
Pearl’s mouth dropped open with shock. What had that been about? And why hadn’t he bothered talking to her? He’d obviously come to see her for a reason, but the minute he’d seen Justin he’d backed off. “Are you acquainted with Andrew?”
“We’ve met.”
But Justin hadn’t said anything earlier. He never spoke about her boyfriends unless she brought up the subject first. Whenever they were together they spoke about sport, about old school friends, the movies they’d watched, their families.
The waitress arrived with their breakfasts. Today Pearl had gone for a full-cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns and fried tomatoes. Toast. She cut a piece of bacon and bit into it with relish, remembering the last time she’d had breakfast out with Andrew and his friends. The women in the group had all stuck to dry toast and fruit while looking askance at her. She’d intercepted pointed looks at her curves. Today when she’d ordered, Justin had grinned with approval, the heat in his eyes making her feel so sexy her pussy clenched in a demanding ache.
“I thought we might play tourists today,” Justin said.
“Sounds great.” And it did. With Andrew and previous boyfriends it had been about parties and business dinners. Serious stuff where the lawyers made contacts and good behavior remained necessary, at least
until the boss departed for the evening.
After breakfast they visited the aquarium on the Auckland waterfront and did the snowmobile ride through the Antarctic exhibition. The penguins fascinated Pearl but her favorites were the seahorses who swam about in matched pairs, their tails twined. Pearl wanted that sort of togetherness for herself, wanted it so badly her heart ached.
Justin reached for her hand, threading their fingers together as if he recognized her longing. They wandered through the large transparent tubes, pointing out huge sharks and stingrays to each other, laughing at the antics of a curious fish staring them in the eye.
“Justin. Good to see you’re having a day off for a change,” a man said. He stopped to speak with Justin for a few moments and introduced his wife and child.
“This is Pearl,” Justin said without hesitation. He didn’t ignore her in favor of speaking business, even though it was obvious that was where the two men had met, and he retained his gentle clasp on her hand. Slowly Pearl relaxed enough to chat to the man’s wife and admire their toddler.
“See you next week,” the man said, and with a wave he left.
“I’m not ashamed of you, Pearl. Unlike Dickins, I’m happy to introduce you to my friends. We’ve known each other for a long time.”
Her mind writhed in a mass of confusion. By holding her hand and introducing her, he’d shown more acceptance and friendship than Andrew ever had. She blinked and swallowed with difficulty.
He shot her an impassive glance. “Are you ashamed of being seen with me?”
“No!” Her reply was fast. Instinctive. Her words held the ring of truth and his broad shoulders relaxed. She drew a sharp breath and plunged ahead. “I was wondering if you saw this as a one-time thing.”
Ain't Misbehaving Page 4