God help her, she wanted him to kiss her.
“A pissing contest? That’s what tonight was about?” Her breathless voice betrayed her need.
“Tonight was about your life, sweetheart. Vincent won’t stop. Not until he gets what he wants from you.”
“I can’t hide here forever.” She refused to be ruled by fear. Vincent wouldn’t get what he wanted from her. Not ever. But, staying with Caleb would end up hurting her more than Vincent ever could.
She twisted out of his hold, unable to think with him so close.
How could she make him understand?
“Trust is a two way street. You expected me to cause a scene and I didn’t. I could have. I wanted to. Do you know how hard it was for me to keep my mouth shut and wait for you to notice us? Of all people, I would’ve thought you’d get it, that you’d understand what it took for me to stand down, to count on you.” She shook her head in wonder. “After everything we’ve been through, you still keep me at arms length. You share your body with me, but nothing else. I put my faith in you tonight, Caleb. Is it too much for me to ask for the same courtesy?”
His expression blanked, making it impossible to read his thoughts. His silence proved what she’d already known—he wanted something from her that he wasn’t willing to give in return.
Pain and sadness filled her chest. She loved him, but what kind of future could they have if he wouldn’t share his life with her? She wanted more than sex. She wanted the whole package, his joys, his fears. She wanted his heart. If he were unwilling, then she had no choice but to walk away.
“That’s what I thought. Good night, Caleb.” Samantha turned in the direction of the spare room. A perfectly good evening spoiled by the elephant in the room.
Trust.
She was an idiot. Caleb wasn’t capable of trusting anyone outside his own kin, and sometimes she wondered about them too.
“Trying to run away from me again?”
She jumped at his voice in her ear. His arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her flush against his chest.
He felt so good. Solid and steady. She longed to lose herself in him again. To forget the last ten minutes and pretend that maybe, in some other place and time, they’d have a future together.
“There’s nothing to run away from. I’m going to bed.”
Her eyes drifted closed as his lips brushed her shoulder. Her body came alive at his touch. The subtle hint of spice from his cologne went straight to her head. He smelled delicious. His lips continued a path along her shoulder until he reached the curve of her neck. He hesitated and, unable to resist, she tilted her head in invitation.
He was a master of seduction. Coaxing her body with his wicked lips. Lips that worked their way up her neck, until his breath was in her ear.
“Is that right? Sweetheart, my bed is the other direction. This looks like running to me.”
His voice, laden with lust, sent shivers across her skin. Her nipples puckered against the soft silk of her dress and begged for attention. His hand wrapped around her throat and tilted her head back. So gentle, as if she was made of fine china.
“I know what you’re doing,” she breathed. “It won’t work.”
He nipped her earlobe. “You’re going to deny us the perfect ending to our first date?”
Date.
The word was ice water to the flame. He should’ve quit while he was ahead.
Samantha jerked from his grip and retreated to the other side of the couch, putting as much distance between them as she could. “Date? Tonight wasn’t a date, Caleb. It was a summit meeting. A cease and desist mission. Not a date.”
A date meant the start of something. Or at least the potential for something. They had sex and an agreement that it would all end once Matteo was neutralized.
“A date means two people getting to know each other, learning about each other. I’ve answered your questions, shared the ugliest parts of my life, and what do I get? You couldn’t even tell me the truth about why we went out tonight.”
A low growl rumbled from his chest as his good humor vanished. “What the hell do you want from me?”
I want you to love me.
“Nothing, Caleb. I don’t want anything from you.”
Samantha crossed her arms and forced herself to stand firm through the most intense stare down she’d ever experienced. She’d never imagined being here with him. Standing at a crossroads as if their very future was in question.
“Damn you,” he growled. “No man likes to feel cornered.”
She gave him a patient smile, even as her heart sank. Damn her, indeed. Too late for that. She was already damned. Damned to love this hardened man. This beautiful, stubborn, willful man.
Emotion played across his face. Anger. Desperation. Need. The force of it stole her breath. “Cornered? No one is forcing you to do anything, Caleb. You have a choice here.”
“Some choice. You want full disclosure? You show me yours and I’ll show you mine, right?” He shook his head. “I don’t work like that, baby, but not for the reasons you’ve got your mind set on. As for tonight, I did what I felt was necessary to get the job done, and I won’t apologize for it. Not to you, not to anyone.”
Of course he wouldn’t. Caleb Martin didn’t apologize to anyone for anything. “Which is why I’m going this way.” She hitched a thumb in the direction of the spare room. “And you’re going to bed alone.”
* * *
Caleb knew a no-win situation when he was smack in the middle of one.
Samantha wanted some grand gesture, proof that he trusted her. He wouldn’t do it. Any declaration he made now would fall on deaf ears, forced from his lips as a way to placate her. That’s how she’d see it.
He had a much better idea. Words were what she wanted, but words were cheap. The essence of a man dwelled in his actions. She wanted proof? He’d give her proof.
He’d been a fool to believe she’d be better off with another man. No other man could give her what she needed. His wild Irish beauty needed a man who wouldn’t crumple under the strength of her will. She’d never be happy with some sniveling, spineless jackass who’d bow to her every whim, any more than he’d be happy with a woman who hung on his every move.
He wasn’t perfect—far from it. He was as stubborn and set in his ways as she was. His baggage was heavy. If there was a woman alive who could handle the weight, it was Samantha.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stop right there.” Caleb used a tone sure to get her attention.
Her feet came to a halt. The muscles along her spine tensed as she squared her shoulders. “What did you say?”
Caleb bit back a smile. “You heard me. The view of your ass is incredible, but I’m getting damned tired of watching you walk away from me.”
Under the silken sheath of her dress, the cheeks of her ass tightened. Tempting little minx. He’d have her ass tonight. He’d have every delicious inch of her and, before he was through, he’d have her heart.
She already had his.
“Then give me a reason not to,” she demanded, keeping her back to him.
Now, he did smile. He knew the signs of her arousal. The tremor in her voice, the pretty blush of her skin. Her nipples would be hard, too. Peaked and ready for his tongue. She wanted him, but she wouldn’t give in easily. Not his Samantha. She’d make him work for it.
“I’ll give you a reason.” His voice darkened with sensual promise. “Come here.”
She turned, her expression mutinous even as she took a step forward. “Why should I?”
“Because, I want you here.” He pointed at the floor directly in front of him. “And this time Samantha, it’s my way.”
“Or the highway?” She smirked.
“Choose carefully,” he warned.
“You’re serious.”
“I am.”
“What does your way entail, exactly?”
He reached a hand out to her. “Come here and find out.”
&
nbsp; Two long strides would close the distance between them, but she only took one. It killed him to stand there, to not throw her over his shoulder and cart her off to the bedroom like a caveman.
“What are we doing?” she whispered huskily.
Caleb assumed the question was rhetorical, but he answered anyway. “Take that last step and you’re mine. You’ll do exactly what I say, without argument. No more hiding. No more holding back. You’ll give yourself to me, completely.”
Take the step. Take the step.
Lust and indecision burned in her gaze, and christ, she was beautiful. Long, red curls framed cheeks flushed with arousal, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth as she studied him.
“And what about you?” she said finally. “Will you give yourself to me?”
Caleb held his breath as she moved forward, her hands coming to rest on his chest. God, he needed her. Needed to be inside her. Needed all of her.
“My sweet Samantha, you’ve already got me,” he said and crushed his mouth to hers. He swallowed her protest and cinched an arm around her waist. She tried to hold herself from him, as if her stubborn will needed time to catch up with the decision her body had made.
Within seconds, he felt her resistance fade. Her body melted against his. He wanted to shout in victory as she opened her lips and let him in.
Far beyond being gentle, he devoured her. He was lost in a sea of sensation, his love for her making every touch, every stroke of her tongue against his more potent, more essential. His cock thickened further as need raced through his system. He pressed the hard ridge of his erection against her, letting her feel his desire.
He tore his lips from hers, his chest heaving. He slid the straps of her dress over her shoulders. “This dress has tempted me all night. I’ve been dying to find out what treasures are hidden underneath.”
Her eyes were glazed as she pulled away from him. “If you’re expecting sexy lingerie, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”
The dress slid down and caught against her hips. She reached up and cupped her bared breasts, raising them to his gaze. She pinched each nipple before moving down over her stomach.
“You never disappoint me,” his voice was rough as he untucked his shirt and worked the remaining buttons.
“No?” Her thumbs hooked into the fabric at her hips. She turned, arching her back as she exposed the naked globes of her ass. “I’m glad to hear that, because I’m afraid you’ve sampled all the treasures I’ve got.” The dress pooled at her feet.
He tore his shirt off and tossed it aside. He jerked her back and filled his palms with her breasts. He tugged and rolled her nipples as he pressed his cock against the crease of her ass. “Not all.”
A moan drifted from her throat and she rocked her hips. “Not yet,” she corrected.
Damn, he loved this woman. So willing to share her body with him, but tonight, it wasn’t just her body he was after.
“Had I known you were naked under that dress, I might’ve done this sooner.”
He released her breasts and roamed down to the line of curls on her mound. She made a noise in protest when he kept going and palmed her inner thighs, the silken lips of her pussy moist and hot against his thumbs.
“What would you have done?” she asked.
Her hands settled on top of his. She eased her fingers around, trying to take control of her own pleasure, to coax him to give her the touch she needed.
Not this time.
He chuckled at her effort as he moved her hands up, around his neck and waited until she laced her fingers there. The position arched her back, thrust her breasts out until they were too much of a temptation to resist.
“I’d have taken you to a dark corner of the gardens.” He massaged her breasts, pushed the creamy mounds together and imagined how it’d feel to slide his dick through the smooth valley and into the warmth of her mouth.
Fuck. He wasn’t going to last another minute with thoughts like those.
“Then what?”
His cock pulsed behind the zipper of his slacks, demanding freedom. He swallowed hard, fighting back the lust that threatened his control. She wanted a story? He was more of a show than a tell kind of guy.
He ducked out of the circle of her arms and led her to the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed and positioned her between his knees. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stood before him, unabashed by her own nakedness.
He ran his hands up the back of her thighs. Cupping the warmth of her ass, digging his fingers into the firm, round flesh, he pulled her closer.
“Then, this.” He drew a tightened nipple into his mouth and sucked hard. Her hands cradled his head as he used his tongue to flick the bud, then his teeth to gently nip.
“And this.” He switched to her other nipple, offering the same treatment, alternating between the two until both were rosy and slick from his mouth.
“How do you do that? My nipples have never been so sensitive before.”
He smiled against her breast. “I know what you need, baby.” He ran his hands over her hips, and tugged her forward to straddle his lap. “Undo my pants.”
“I like the way you think.” She hummed softly and settled her knees on either side of his hips. The need in her gaze humbled him. She was already there and he’d hardly touched her.
She fumbled with the button of his pants, reaching in to wrap her hand around his length before she even had the zipper down. He groaned at the feel of her around him, squeezing him. It took every ounce of his control not to flip her over and fuck her until she screamed.
Twice.
Gripping her wrist, he pulled her hand from him. It was agony to be without her touch, but he was too wound up. A couple more strokes and he’d blow.
“That’s enough of that.”
“But —”
“My way, remember?” He pressed against her chest until she sat back on his thighs, her body open and completely exposed to his gaze. “Close your eyes,” he commanded softly. “Arms at your sides,” he added when she reached to place her hands on his shoulders. He wanted her off balance, struggling to find solid ground as he played across the landscape of her body.
Her lips spread in a sexy grin as her eyelids drifted closed. “Bossy.”
Always pushing.
“I’m just gettin’ started, sweetheart.”
He gripped her ass, his finger finding the tight bud hidden within the crevice. Her stomach rolled and tightened as he skimmed over the puckered skin before trailing lower to the wet folds between her legs.
“Do you know what it does to me to know you were bare all night? Bare and wet, just for me.”
She gasped as he eased a finger inside her. Scalding heat wrapped around him and he added a second finger, shoving deep to reach the sensitive tissue within.
“I’m dying to be inside you. Here…” He gathered her juices and pressed a slick finger against the entrance of her ass, breaching the tight bud. “And here.”
Her sharp intake of breath stilled him. “Have you ever touched yourself here, sweetheart?”
“Yes.” Her voice was thick with arousal.
He slid his finger further into her ass. “Jesus, you’re so tight. Have you ever allowed a man to take this sweet ass, baby?” He added another finger and she clamped hard around him.
“Oh, god.” She rocked her hips and tried to push him deeper.
He eased his fingers from her and forced her hips to still. “Answer me, Samantha.”
“No. Only a vibrator. No other man. Just you, Caleb. Just you. Please.”
Sweet mercy, she was going to kill him.
His need to go slow, drag out their pleasure, vanished in an instant. He ignored the fingernails that pierced his shoulders as he took her mouth in a savage kiss. The need to mark her as his was nearly overwhelming.
“I need you, sweetheart. I need all of you. Right now.”
He flipped her onto the bed and jerked her to the edge. He shoved his pants down
and impaled her in one, smooth thrust. He fell forward, bracing his hands on the bed. Her nails bit into his biceps as he bucked against her, hunger driving his every move.
Samantha writhed beneath him, her head thrown back in a silent scream as he felt the first pulse of her orgasm. Perspiration gathered on his brow as he fought the need to come.
He slowed his strokes until the last spasm of her release faded. Her muscles relaxed around him, but he wasn’t done. He pulled from her. “On your knees. Hands on the headboard.”
He couldn’t form better directions than that. The tension in his body had him strung tight as he wrestled from his pants and went to the side table and reached into the drawer.
Much to his surprise, Samantha moved quickly and without snark. She groaned and arched her back when she saw the lubrication in his hand. He tossed it on the bed and moved in behind her.
“You’re so gorgeous like this. So wet. So ready for me.” He slid his cock through her slick folds, teasing her until she shuddered.
“Caleb, stop teasing me.”
“My pleasure, sweetheart,” he growled and eased back in to the heaven of her body.
She’d never given another man what she was about to give him. No other man would ever get the chance again. She was his, and he wasn’t about to let her go.
He smoothed a hand over the silken curves of her ass and grabbed the bottle. He lubricated two fingers, his hips working a slow grind against her. He circled her tiny entrance, stimulating tiny nerve endings that would drive her wild once he was inside her.
She jerked and cried out when he slipped a finger through the tight outer ring of her ass.
“Easy, sweetheart,” he soothed and slid a second finger alongside the first. He moved his fingers in tandem with his cock. Through the thin barrier separating her pussy from her ass, Caleb could feel everything. The hard ridge of his cock, the pulse and release of her inner muscles. Every. Fucking. Thing.
“Not easy.” She angled her hips to give him better access. “Hard. Please, Caleb.”
Moving slowly, Caleb eased away, only to reposition himself at her back entrance. Sweat dripped from his brow as he pressed forward, the head of his cock slipping into her tight channel.
Shadow of Sin (The Martin Family) Page 18