Sinking his teeth into her neck, he muttered, “It’s a deal.”
13
CARLY HADN’T forgotten what she’d learned the last time she ended up in Matt’s arms. The grand realization was that when it came to him, she couldn’t separate heart from body, that she was incapable of enjoying the sexy stud without losing herself to the man.
She knew exactly where she would land once Matt reached her bedroom, and it wasn’t just her bed. But darned if she could be near him without opting to dismiss all that and take what she could get. He was like her own personal compulsion, an impulse item she couldn’t resist at the checkout even though she knew she’d end up with buyer’s remorse when she balanced her account.
She’d tried not to gleam when he’d called her a hot-blooded sex kitten. She’d swallowed down that flutter when he’d said she was the best sex he could remember. And for well over an hour she’d worked hard to forget he’d said she was the kind of woman guys fall for—noting that he hadn’t necessarily been speaking about himself. He’d said guys, as in, those other guys, and she knew better than to add words that hadn’t been spoken.
But despite it all, the man excited her in ways she couldn’t ignore. Every time he got close her body heated and swayed, her pulse flickered and her sex clenched. It was as though he came electrically wired to set her off, to put her every nerve ending on heightened alert, and the longer she spent subjected to the charge, the weaker her defenses became. As much as she wished otherwise, as much as her mind begged her to place her affections somewhere else, Matt Jacobs was the man who lit her on fire—and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.
She’d done the safe nice-guy thing before. For once in her life she wanted that thrill only Matt could give her, and if she lost her heart in the process, she’d have to accept it as the ticket price for a ride well worth it.
Reaching the edge of her bed, he placed her on the floor and wasted no time in pulling her shirt up over her head, leaving her breasts bare and exposed. The cool air raised goose bumps on her skin, but they quickly smoothed away when he bent and took one nipple in his mouth, cupping the other with his big, warm hand. She laced her fingers through his hair and drew him close, curving her spine in an attempt at drawing nearer.
Already she was wet and ready, his sexy moans vibrating through her chest and settling between her thighs. This could be over so quickly if left up to her, but she knew he was only getting started—and where he planned to take her this time, she could barely imagine.
He switched breasts, giving the other equal attention while he moved his hands to her sweats, tugging open the drawstring and letting them pool at her feet. And when he slipped a finger between her folds, he shuddered and dropped to his knees.
“Take your clothes off,” she said.
He pressed his lips to her navel and began kissing a path south. “That’s not advisable if you want this to last.”
He kissed lower, reaching the edge of her curls before darting east and heading toward a thigh.
Her legs weakened. His hands slid around her waist, then dug into her ass, pulling her against his mouth as he trailed his tongue in one direction, then turned the other way. She cupped her hands to his head for strength, but every press of his lips left her weaker.
“Then at least let me sit,” she begged.
Accepting her request, he stood and began removing his shirt, when he caught sight of them both in the mirror.
He lifted a brow. “Mirrored closet doors?”
She glanced to the foot of her bed, where one wall of her small bedroom had been encased in floor-to-ceiling mirrored closet doors. It was one of the first things she planned to get rid of once she had the money to replace them, never getting used to her own puffy face staring back at her first thing every morning.
Matt had thrown his shirt on the floor and was pulling condoms from his wallet, the calculating look on his face not settling well with her.
“Oh, no. Don’t get any ideas,” she warned.
He pained. “I thought you told the truth on that survey.”
“Seeing myself naked isn’t my idea of a turn-on,” she said. Pulling his jeans and boxers down off his waist, she saw Matt’s thick cock spring forward, prompting her to add, “Now, seeing you naked is a different story.”
He scowled and turned back her buttercup eyelet bedspread, pulling out the blue-and-yellow pillows, stacking them against the maple headboard, then settling down on the bed. He leaned back against them so he faced her mirrored wall, then held out a hand.
“Come here,” he said, and she obliged, moving over his lap and straddling his legs.
“No, turn around.”
She looked him in those evil, smiling eyes. “Oh, no. I told you—anything but the mirror.”
“Why not?”
Though Carly had never been overly self-conscious about her body, she wasn’t exactly comfortable with it, either, and making love while staring at herself wasn’t tops on her list of turn-ons. “I’m telling you, if you’re trying to make me frigid, force me to stare at myself naked in the mirror.”
“Babe,” he said, grabbing her waist and turning her around so her back was to his chest. “First rule of great sex is to be comfortable in your own skin.” He spread his legs and motioned her down between them. “Sit back against me.”
She followed his order, though not happily. “But—”
“Trust me,” he whispered in her ear.
Reluctantly she settled against him, a spray of warming afternoon sunlight spilling from the window and warming the chill from her skin. His hard chest felt good against her back, and his erection pressed promises against the base of her spine. She really wasn’t sure of this, but the wonder and anticipation over what he had in mind had her going along.
“Scoot down farther,” he said. “Rest your head against my shoulder.” And when she did, she found herself staring square at their reflection, Matt’s tanned, handsome face smiling seductively over her shoulder, his strong arms embracing her and those firm runner’s legs stretched out on either side of her hips.
Feeling much more comfortable with his naked body than hers, she decided to focus on him. He began by smoothing her hair over her shoulders, his warm breath tingling over her skin and causing her to wiggle against the hard cock at her back.
“No fidgeting,” he said. “I’ve got lots of ideas for you and I’ll have to scratch half of them if you can’t do this.”
“Do what?”
He pressed his lips to her neck. “Accept how beautiful you are.”
A hot flush came over her, but his assuring words piqued her curiosity, and she dared to take a glance. “That’s good,” he whispered. “Keep your eyes focused on the mirror.”
He circled his fingers around her breasts. “Look how perfect these are.”
“They’re small.”
Cupping his hands over them, he replied, “They fit perfectly, see?” before returning to the slow massage. He smoothed his hands down her stomach and around her hips. “I love these curves.”
She typically referred to it as cellulite, but she kept that opinion to herself.
“A man likes to know he’s making love to a woman,” he said. Then he clasped his hands to her waist. “Soft yet firm. Exactly the way I like it.”
The unbridled admiration in his eyes felt contagious despite her discomfort at seeing herself sprawled naked on her bed. His hands roamed over her, trailing fingers over her collarbone and up her neck while he spoke words of appreciation, telling her what he liked about every inch of her until she actually began to believe it. And just in case she didn’t, he occasionally pressed his erection to her back as proof his words were true.
Slowly she began to relax against him, mesmerized by the feel of his warm hands and the sweet whispered sensations. She’d never considered her body especially desirable, but nestled against his, the contrast of her soft curves against his hard lines, her pale skin against his tanned, rugged flesh,
it began to feel sexy. He massaged the tension from her shoulders, toyed with the dark strands of her hair until her muscles fell limp and she’d grown used to the figure staring back at her.
Instead of fretting over her reflection, she basked in the hard feel of him, the salty scent of man, the warm sun streaming over their bodies. The soft stubble of his chin occasionally scraping against her neck. And when she reached the pinnacle of comfort, he moved his hands down under her thighs and gradually parted her legs, bringing her knees toward her chest and exposing her sex to the mirror.
She stiffened. “Oh, no—”
“Yes, baby,” he whispered. “I want you to see how sexy you are when you come.”
She shook her head and tried to pull her legs back together. “I don’t think I can—”
“Shh, yes you can.” Slipping his hands between her thighs, he began stroking the flesh around her slick nub, pressing his mouth to her neck and nibbling the sensitive skin just above her shoulder. “Relax and watch the woman in the mirror. If it helps, pretend it’s not you. Imagine it’s an erotic movie on TV.”
Her body couldn’t help but respond to his touch. Sensations oozing over her, she sank heavily against him, her clit pulsing and aching for more pressure, but she had yet to glance back to the mirror. It felt so good she didn’t want to ruin the pleasure.
“Come on, babe. Look in the mirror. Watch me looking at you, pleasuring you.”
Reluctantly she allowed herself a glimpse, catching his face first, and for a moment he held her gaze, nodding his acceptance before guiding her down with his eyes. And when she took in the sight before her, flames of pleasure licked through her.
Her cheeks were flushed, her breasts had perked tightly, her nipples hard and pointed, and when she caught the rhythm of his fingers in the mirror circling between her legs, one hand digging into her thigh, she leaned back and soaked it all in.
She had to admit, this was ridiculously sexy. Watching them both was like watching a film with Feel-O-Vision, like some virtual sex machine that pleasured through all the senses. With his fingers spreading her open, she watched her clit pulse as he circled it, moving in close, then sweeping away, coming near, then pulling away, near and away, until she squirmed against the strain.
A film of moisture glistened her skin, making her appear surreal, and as he increased the speed, her breasts heaved as she began panting for air.
“This is hot, isn’t it, baby?”
All she could do was moan.
He slipped one finger inside, and her moan deepened to a groan. “How about I talk dirty to you?”
She watched her chest rise and fall as she worked to catch her breath, the pressure between her legs mounting when he slipped a second finger inside and began circling her clit faster.
“I want to come,” she begged.
“Watch it happen for me.” He circled closer, brushing against her nub and nearly sending her over the edge before he pulled back away.
“Look at the need in those eyes,” he whispered.
Her eyes were needy.
“Look at your beautiful mouth, lips full and moist, open for me as you move closer to the edge.”
She sucked in a breath as he swept back in, stroking over her clit and sending another wash of tingles shooting through her.
“Look how you’re squirming against me. You’re getting me harder.”
Grasping handfuls of pale yellow sheets in her fists, she arched against his hand, needing more pressure, aching for the climax he continued to deny.
“You’re close, aren’t you?”
“Please,” she whispered, and he obeyed, moving in for the final few strokes.
“I’ll give it to you, but you’ve got to watch.”
She held her eyes on the wild, pleading woman in the mirror.
“Watch yourself shatter in my arms,” he said, sweeping over her clit again. “Then you can watch me as I bring you to your knees and fuck you from behind.”
The bold comment shot straight through her and she came apart in his arms, her eyes squeezing shut from the tight and violent clench between her thighs, her body convulsing against him, her back rocking against his stiff cock, getting him harder, making him ready for the promise he’d just made.
And heaven help her, but she wanted to see it. The very idea of watching him thrusting into her carried her climax for another beat before the waves settled and she calmed against his chest. Her eyes were heavy and her cheeks red as cherries.
For a long moment she rested, Matt’s hands toying with her breasts, lightly stroking her nipples until her breathing resumed. She raised her eyes to his.
“My turn,” he said, nudging her forward, then coaxing her to her knees.
As she stared at them both in the mirror, she saw him grab a condom and sheath himself, his erection twitching as he rolled the latex over his shaft. Then he positioned himself behind her and guided her down on all fours.
She glanced in the mirror before her, liking the image she saw staring back at her. Her hair hung haphazardly around her face, dipping over one eye the way she’d seen in sexy Cosmopolitan shots. Bent over like this, her breasts appeared fuller and her thighs more shapely rather than plump. Her lips and cheeks were still flushed from her climax, and with a thrill that nearly startled her she realized she actually felt sexy. In fact, she felt more than sexy. She felt hot.
“Arch your back, baby,” he said, slipping two fingers into her and using them to guide his cock to her entrance.
She did, and he scooted closer, widening his legs to get lower as he clutched a hand to her hip and readied himself. Then with a smooth, slow thrust, he pushed himself inside, his face relaxing with a sigh as he slid into her slick core until the base of his shaft met the soft rounds of her ass.
“You’re so tight like this,” he groaned, and she arched up farther, wanting to take him in more.
Already her pulse began a steady climb as his thick, heavy cock filled her. He stroked his hands over her hips and around her waist, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror as he moved and thrust behind her. The muscles along his arms, chest and abs rolled and contorted, the veins along his pecs bulging as he gripped her tighter and increased the pressure.
The man was ravishing, statuesque in this naked form, with eyes, dark and focused, savoring her body as if it were a fine piece of art. And when she was with him like this, that’s how she felt. Valuable and precious, sexy and desired, her power to move him to climax not missed in the reflection in the mirror.
His expression grew more intent, his face coloring under the stubble of his beard. She wanted to see him unravel inside her, watch this tight, controlled man succumb to complete withdrawal. The anticipation throbbed against her already-swelling sex. He wrapped his hands around her and began stroking her again, a dark smile curving his lips when her eyes met his in warning. She was brimming near the edge, and as his playful look sobered, she knew he was brimming, as well.
Pushing and stroking, they upped the beat, faster and faster until her cheeks slapped against his waist and the ache of restraint burned red in his face. “Oh, babe,” he cried, then he followed it up with a curse, his gaze churning toward need as the pressure built and the pace quickened.
Digging her fingers into the eyelet comforter, ripples of pleasure swept through her, slow at first, then picking up speed as he drove them both to ecstasy. And when he pressed his lips together and the first signs of climax crossed his features, she came apart completely.
She didn’t recognize the deep wail as the sound of her own voice, her tight muscles clamping hard around him as the orgasm swept her away. Her eyes shut tight as hot white beams ripped through her, but she pulled them open in time to watch him unravel. His body bucking and jerking against her, he shoved his cock deeper, pushing harder and farther until his back curved into hers.
He pressed his lips between her shoulder blades, his warm breath dampening the skin under his loving kisses. Sweat set their bodies aglow under th
e darkening afternoon sky, and the only movement or sound between them was the pull of heavy breathing as they worked to regain their composure.
Still squat on her hands and knees, her arms began to tremble. He pulled away, scooped her into his arms and rolled against the bed, cradling her into his chest.
His breath still deep from climax, he brushed the hair from her neck and whispered in her ear, “You still got a problem with mirrors?”
She chuckled. “No. I think I’ll keep the closet doors for a while.”
He turned her to face him, and the look in his eyes stabbed at something deep inside her.
“You realize you’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.” He used a finger to swipe a strand of hair from her face. “Everything about you is beautiful.”
And with that one statement, with his soft, loving gaze and gentle caress, Carly realized she’d gone and done it.
She’d just fallen head over heels for Matt Jacobs.
14
MATT LAY ON HIS back in a dark, desolate room, fighting for air, the weight against his chest getting heavier, pressing harder with each passing moment. Blackness enveloped him. The only sound filling his ears was that of a lone bird chirping. He tried to move his arms, but they remained fastened in place by restraints he couldn’t feel or see. He tried to cry out, but his voice was silent, his body frozen.
The vise around his chest tightened, weighing like bricks against his ribs, forcing his lungs to accept only slight shallow breaths. And as every moment passed, the vise clamped harder.
The bird chirped. He gasped for air, wishing desperately he could lash out in this blackened space and free himself from the bonds that held him captive. Air. He needed air. But the weight continued to press and squeeze against his breath. He felt a shroud coming over him, the dark mass of a life nearing its end, and just as he was certain he’d gulped in his last and final breath, his eyes flipped open.
He glanced around the room, the dark cloak clearing as he worked to find his bearings. This was Carly’s bedroom, the lone chirping a bird calling from the purple plum tree outside the window at his right. It had been a dream, a weird, crazy dream, the remnants of which still weighed heavily on his chest.
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