Gage, Ronna - Send Her To Me (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Ronna Gage

  “Glad you like it.”

  Their waiter came by with two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. He held the bottle out for Carter’s inspection. He glanced at it, and then nodded his approval. The waiter poured them each half a glass of wine and left.

  Carter picked up his glass. “I propose a toast.”

  Kelli lifted hers. The sparkle in his eyes told her to be wary. “What are we toasting?”

  “That dress.”

  She looked down at the dress. “What about it?”

  “I really like that dress!”

  Kelli saw a mischief gleaning in his eyes. The last time she saw that look was at the pool two days ago. He’d caused her to have a short-term loss of speech. Knowing better than to mince words with him didn’t factor into what she said next. Curiosity got the better of her. “What do you like about my dress?”

  His gaze turned serious. He leaned forward and raised his glass to her. “Taking it off of you later.” He gave her a wink and clanked his glass to hers.

  Her mouth parted in surprise. Not a sound came out, but the image his words implied played out in her head.

  The chatter of conversations from the other diners surrounded them, but they didn’t notice. They sat and looked deeply at one another.

  Kelli barely tasted the grilled chicken entrée or the fine wine that never ended. She couldn’t keep her thoughts focused for more than five minutes on anything but Carter and his earlier toast. Embarrassed, Kelli diverted her eyes from him when he looked at her and took the liberty of stealing glances at him when she thought he wasn’t looking. Rich colors of brown and khaki made him as sinfully decadent to look at as the rich chocolate cake that they shared for dessert tasted. Tonight, his hair fell loose around his shoulders. She wanted to run her fingers through it.

  During the dessert course, images of Carter licking crème off her body flashed in her mind. No doubt about it, I want him, pure and simple. She tried to speak the words to make known her longing, but she couldn’t get them out. She took a sip of the Irish coffee she drank, hoping the extra alcohol inside would give her courage.

  When they left the restaurant, neither of them said a word as they walked to the Corvette. His hand heated the spot on her back that he touched, sending a spark of anticipation to ignite inside her. He held the door open for her. She turned to him. “There’s something I’ve wanted to say.”

  “Okay, what?”

  She gazed into his eyes and got lost in the depths of the windows to his soul. The moment lasted longer than necessary. Now what? What small bits of wisdom would she say to tell him that she wanted him? Would she look like a woman who didn’t know what she was doing? She leaned against the door. He stepped forward in close proximity of her personal space.

  “Carter, I…”

  He leaned in and kissed her, stopping the momentum of her comment. He tasted of Irish coffee. He stepped back. “Get in,” he instructed.

  She didn’t bother to retry her statement. Her mind mellowed with his kiss. Once she got in, he shut the door to join her. As the car drove away from the restaurant, her courage to tell him she wanted him stayed in the parking lot along with the dissipating need for him.

  During the ride home, concentrating on one particular thing proved a difficult task. Kelli focused her attention on the sound of the Corvette’s motor. The vibrations of it hummed through her seat and tickled the spot that desired Carter’s touch. She shifted in her seat to take advantage of the vibrations droning underneath her. The intensity of the sensations touched her clit in a way that made her want to jump in the driver’s seat and beg Carter to touch her. An agonizing inner battle ensued as she fought the urges between behaving like a proper lady and acting similar to a ravenous tigress that wanted his flesh on hers.

  Carter inhaled deeply, and then reached over and placed his hand on her leg. His fingers skirted softly on the hem of her dress before they vanished under the material.

  Kelli froze. As much as she wanted him to touch her, to take her and do all the things her body begged for and her mind fantasized, she couldn’t find the words to convey her thoughts to him.

  The moment of silence didn’t matter. Carter somehow knew. He pulled the Corvette into a darkened park, pushed the gearshift into place, and turned off the motor. He adjusted in his seat, unbuckled his seat belt, and then hers. He skimmed his thumb over her bottom lip.

  “I know what you want, Kelli.”

  “How can you possibly know what I want?” she asked, closing her eyes to the delicate touch of his thumb on her lip.

  “Because I want it, too.”

  If his comment shocked her, he didn’t give her a chance to say anything. His lips replaced his thumb and gave the most tender kiss she’d received to date. She melted with desire and opened her mouth for him, tasting the breath mint he popped after the first kiss in the parking lot. His fingertips burned a trail of heated desire from her throat to her breasts. He slipped his hand under the skirt of her dress, and then under her panties. Does he read my mind and know my lust-filled thoughts? Once he started cupping her, she didn’t care. She lost all focus of the ensuing battle inside her.

  The tigress won.

  His long, firm fingers opened the folds of her soaking pussy. At his touch, she moaned with pleasure. His fingers do magical things to me. His touch set her afire with a blaze so hot she felt it deep in her body, but it didn’t burn. It excited her. He slipped the crotch of her panties to one side and her legs opened on their own accord, giving him better access. Her hands covered his to push it away, but instead, she realized she helped him reach the place she wanted him to go. The building of suppressed tension started to ease its way to the top. Her womb contracted with such a force she soaked herself. Something was happening to her and she doubted her every move. “Carter?” She breathed his name and pushed his hand away. She could only imagine the color of her heated cheeks. Automatically, her hands patted her cheeks. They blazed at her touch. She envisioned a beet-red tint, a color derived by her arousal for him, mixed with her embarrassment for the way she reacted to it. In the shadow of the Corvette, his heavy breathing sounded rushed and loud.

  “What is it, Kelli?” Confusion laced his voice.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let it go that far.” She pulled her panties back into place and adjusted her dress back over her lap. The dark interior became a natural confidante to her. In it, she was blind to his anger and confusion and he to her embarrassment.

  “Please don’t hate me,” she begged. “It’s just that you smelled so good and looked so…and I…”

  “Kelli.” He took her hand into his. “First off, I could never hate you. I, or we, went too fast. We don’t have to rush anything. It’s up to you.”

  His words of endearment elated her. She didn’t want to rush into anything. Knowing he didn’t hate her made the moment more special. “Carter, that means so much to me. The fact that you are willing to take it slow.”

  She leaned forward to give him a small peck on the lips, just a brush of hers on his. Except, the tigress inside wanted to feel the heat of his skin on hers, to taste its salty pleasures. The second their lips touched, she lost sight of the goal to slow things down. She nibbled his lips as if tonight she tasted them for the first time. She deepened the kiss. Her hands roamed his body from his waist to his chest. His hard muscles enticed her to feel more and enjoy the exploration. His desires ignited and radiated heat from his pores. She smoothed her hand over his rock-hard shoulders and up his neck until her fingers threaded through his hair. Her hunger intensified. It wanted more. His hand eased up her leg and sent a powerful electric sensation through her. Soft fingertips found the folds of her clit again. She wanted to feel him inside her. Her legs opened to allow his finger to penetrate her swollen flesh. It wasn’t enough. Breaking the kiss, she shifted in her seat to better accommodate his probing finger. She faced him now. She thrust her hips up to meet his finger, but he didn’t begin to touch the deepest recesses of h
er desire. He wasn’t satisfying the tigress in her. She cupped his hand and opened her legs even more.

  His finger stopped moving. “What do you want, Kelli?” he whispered.

  She stopped her gentle thrusts. This was the question she both longed to hear and dreaded. Delirious with desire, she chose her next words carefully. Once said, there would be no turning back. She looked deeply in his eyes. “Take me home and make love to me.” Her voice came out in gasps.

  Suddenly, stillness filled the car. What did I just say? The moment stood charged with words that should have told them to stop what they were about to do and take it slowly. Instead, she heard him say exactly what her heart wanted to hear.

  “As you wish.” He started the car, drove out of the park, and sped down the road. Driving through the next exit, neither of them voiced a change of heart.

  Kelli realized he drove in the opposite direction of the apartments. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  “What?” She sounded desperate.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Goose bumps broke out on her skin. Kelli liked Carter’s surprises.

  Chapter Nine

  Carter pulled into the parking lot of a luxurious hotel in downtown Fort Worth. The tall building rose farther into the sky than the others on the street and took up a city block. A young valet opened her door while Carter tended to the parking attendant. Kelli waited as Carter handed the keys over to them and then came to her at the curbside. She looked up at the towering building and wondered if her gaze would ever stop at the top floor.

  In a matter of seconds, the valet drove the Corvette to the parking area. She looked at a smiling Carter. “This is the Lux Hotel.”

  “Yep, it sure is.” He took her arm and guided her to the hotel’s revolving door. “Have you been here before?”

  “Yes, but not in the manner you think. A friend of mine had her wedding reception here.”

  Kelli watched while Carter signed in at the reception desk. His assurance amazed her. He was confident in his surroundings, and knowing what she knew they planned upstairs, he didn’t seem ruffled at all. Must be part of his job as an investment broker. He handed his charge card to the clerk, and then turned back to her. Their gazes met, and within seconds, desire rushed through her. He stared at her as if he couldn’t wait to get her alone, and she creamed in her panties.

  “Mr. Banks.” Carter glanced away. The concierge smiled. “It will take a few minutes to prepare your room. May I suggest a cocktail for the evening, or you may sit in the lounge if you like.”

  “Thank you.” Carter led Kelli in the direction of the lounge area.

  Thankful for the distraction, Kelli didn’t dare look around the lobby. She knew with little doubt the people milling around would know their plans and voice their opinions. No, do not worry about what other people think. It will only cheapen this special night. Carter sat next to her on the sofa and casually rested his arms on his legs. Kelli picked up a Texas Monthly magazine from the stack on the coffee table. After thumbing through it, she sighed and tossed it back on the pile. Nothing in it held her interest. Still restless, she fidgeted in her seat. Unexpectedly, Carter’s fingers entwined with hers, and then closed over her small knuckles. Looking at his large hand, she couldn’t wait to feel it on her, stroking her naked skin inch by inch. But most of all, she wanted to feel his long fingers gliding inside her, and then his impassioned body covering hers, filling her to completion with his cock. Her nipples tightened, an unbearable ache formed in her chest.

  “Mr. Banks?” A young man called for him from the front desk. Kelli and Carter stood up. “This way, please.” The bellhop led them to the elevators and pressed the button for the fifth floor. At the door, he used the card key to open it and let them into the luxury room. The small sitting area, intimately lit with soft lighting, captured Kelli’s attention. A small sofa, two chairs, and an end table decorated the area closest to the balcony door. A queen-sized bed dominated the room, further capturing Kelli’s focus. Her eyes fixed on the spot that she and Carter would share in a matter of minutes. Goose bumps broke out on her skin again thinking of it.

  Carter tended to the bellhop. “Please place the do not disturb sign on your way out.”

  The young man looked from Carter to Kelli. She blushed. He smiled. “Yes, sir.”

  The second the bellhop left them alone, Kelli turned to Carter and waited for him to make the first move. Casually, he placed the card key on the counter. He stood gazing at her, saying nothing, but the glare of a controlled man followed her every move. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, his eyes wandered over her body. Yet, he remained composed and still.

  “How can you be so calm at a time like this?” Kelli forced herself to stand in one spot and not run to him.

  He took a step toward her. “I am waiting for you to give me the go-ahead.”

  Her heart raced with joy. She quickened her steps, rapidly closing the distance between them. And then, she threw herself into his arms, surrendering to the restive energy that inflicted her. The kiss summoned a hunger so deep, her knees weakened.

  Carter stopped the sensual kiss and slowly kissed his way to her neck. He quietly whispered her name, almost like a prayer. “Baby…Kelli.” He detached her arms from around his neck, which separated the warm heat of his body from hers. She looked into his eyes. Arousal lowered them to half slits. If she had any doubts about what he wanted, this one look told her that he sought her—probably with the same intensely burning desire. She watched him take a step back. His arms extended at his sides.

  “Go ahead, make your move,” he whispered. She took a step toward him. “Only, be gentle.”

  To her relief, he surrendered all control to her. They would go at her pace, not his. With trembling hands, she pulled his polo shirt out of the waistband of his jeans. She slowly removed his shirt, dragging out the moment as long as time allowed. She savored the touch of his skin with her tongue as her fingertips drew out the removal of his shirt. His cologne filled her nostrils, and the salty sweetness of his flesh filled her mouth with each inch of skin she exposed. She glided the material over his chest. Carter bent at his knees allowing her to pull it over his head.

  When he stood straight, she took in the sparse growth of hair on his chest. Funny, I didn’t notice it when we met at the pool. With light kisses, she touched the delicate joint between his left shoulder and arm. The salt of his body mixed with his after-shave became a delicacy she would hunger after for the rest of her life if she were to never have it again. . Her tongue swirled around his collarbone. She wanted to savor each contour, slope, and flat plane. Nibbling on the soft part of his neck, she felt the light, airy touch of his fingers moving her hair aside. He rained kisses along the uncovered skin.

  Small shivers of ecstasy traveled across her aroused body. He pulled her closer, and the quivers ceased to ravage her body. Please don’t stop. Keep the shivers rolling through me!

  “You said earlier.” He kissed the soft spot between her neck and ear. “You wanted me to fuck you.” His teeth nipped her tender flesh. “Is that still a part of your plan?” His voice was husky with his desire.

  “I don’t think I said that. I remember saying that I wanted you to make love to me.” She rephrased the statement.

  Carter’s hand reached up and cupped her breast through the top of her dress. She gasped with shocks of pleasure. His hands stroked her nipple, and she moaned. “Like this?”

  “More!” Her urgent demand came out in gritted retort.

  “How?”

  “I hope you can make love better than the meal you paid for earlier.” All of a sudden, his hands stopped caressing her. Her body begged for him to come back and continue the magic he created in her.

  His brows lowered to form a deep frown. “Uh, you didn’t like the meal? It’s one of the best restaurants in town…”

  Kelli smiled at his defense. His voice trailed off. Then, in a slow, calcula
ted move, she stood on tiptoes and brushed her lips on the pulse point of his throat, flicking her tongue on his skin.

  “I thought.” He stopped talking.

  She planted little kisses down his chest. “Do we have to discuss this now?” she whispered.

  “You brought it up.”

  “I don’t care for fancy restaurants.”

  Carter grabbed her shoulders and widened the distance between them. “That still doesn’t answer my question, Kelli.”

  Feeling frisky and coy, she narrowed her eyes. “What was your question? I got a little distracted by the topic of our dinner.”

  His finger journeyed to the delicate curve of her collarbone, and then slid to her breastbone. Another layer of goose bumps covered the earlier ones. His hand glided a path down to her tingling breasts along the border of the V-neckline. His knuckles brushed her right breast. “What do you want me to do?”

  Kelli swallowed the urge to scream for him to take her.

  “Say it, Kelli,” he murmured. “Tell me what you want.” He bent and kissed the exposed flesh between her breasts. Now, both his hands traced the plunging neckline.

  His whispered encouragement was like a beacon to her desire. Their gaze collided. She conveyed what burned inside her. “Make love to me, Carter. Make me want only you.”

  Carter slipped the material off her shoulders and down her arms. He let her dress fall to the floor and pool around her feet. She stood before him in a thong and bra. His strong, steady fingers skimmed over the skin down her arms. In no time at all, he unfastened the hooks on her bra, exposing her breasts to his waiting eyes, which feasted on her flesh, but Kelli didn’t flinch. His fingernails slightly scored her thighs. Her arousal burned just under the surface of her skin. Seconds passed before he removed her panties.

  A sudden heat of embarrassment burned her from her neck to her cheeks. Most likely, her skin was a deep crimson color. Carter stepped back and examined her body. She yearned to fold her arms over her naked flesh to hide herself from his penetrating gaze. “Okay, that’s enough.” She looked around for something to cover her body. The awkward moment changed the charged, tingling arousal to a cool chill.