Chasing Happy (Texas Desires #1)

by Rylie Roberts

  “That’s refreshing,” he mumbled from behind her and reached past her to tap the window, pointing out toward the city. “You can see the Perot Museum in the corner there. Right past there is the bridge. It’s a clear night.”

  “I see it now,” she said, stepping a little closer to the glass. Maybe the alcohol had been a good thing. Reed seemed more relaxed now. Several moments passed before she asked, “Where do you live?”

  “In this building.” His voice was quiet, maybe reflective. He was close now. His breath stirred her hair when he spoke. His fingertips reached forward to gently caress both her arms until his hands rose to rest on her shoulders. His thumbs slid underneath her hair and began a tender massage along the tight muscles in her neck. They were soothing strokes and worked magically. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. Her body’s reaction to his touch was intense and violent, shaking her to the core. How had she forgotten how attracted she was to this man?

  “You’re exquisite,” he whispered, his voice husky as his breath touched her face. He used that same deep, rich tone from their phone conversation earlier. It sent shivers sailing across her body. “You’ve had me tied up in knots for days.” His thumbs turned sensual as he moved his palms up her neck, tangling his fingers in her hair.

  He crowded her and the neurons in her brain stopped connecting, she couldn’t think straight. Goose bumps sprang up across her arms. “Kiss me, Lara.”

  “You were meant for Kade,” she managed, trying to find her perspective. Unable to form reasonable thought, she anchored a palm on the window, trying to steady herself. She had to find balance as his nose ran along the shell of her ear, his breath coating her skin. The jeweled clasp holding her hair snapped free. Her body ignited. She bent her head forward, closing her eyes, just concentrating on not hyperventilating.

  “No. Not even a little bit interested in the same sex,” he clarified. He dropped his hand and turned her to face him. He moved that strong hand to her neck and his muscular arm snaked out around her body. She was hauled up against him, eliminating all space between them. With his adept thumb, he lifted her face as he began his descent. “I want you.”

  Their lips touched and fireworks exploded. He swept his tongue forward, easily breeching her closed mouth, not waiting for permission. He dominated her in a sensual dance of tongue and teeth. They were fluid in that one single moment. No hesitation, no awkward moments. She opened and he took.

  She felt small in his strong arms and he kept her pinned to the length of his body. His hands roamed freely, grazing up and down as his tongue conquered any lingering resistance. It wasn’t until his palm slid down between her legs and cupped her through her dress that she tore free of the kiss, panting for breath. She pitched her hips forward, pushing into his hand as he latched on to her neck, mouthing his way along her jaw.

  “I knew you’d be worth the wait,” he whispered against the shell of her ear, sending shivers racing along her already sensitive skin. He slipped his arm down her back, cupping her ass, shoving her forward against his hard thick length. Reed swiveled his hips, and Lara reached forward, fisting her hand around his bicep, trying for anything to help steady herself against the sensual onslaught. The evidence of Reed’s arousal was intoxicating. His fingers began to rub against her covered core. She was wet and instantly ready. He had to feel the proof through the sheer fabric of her dress. She hung on to his shoulders and buried her head into the crook of his neck. Unknown emotion coiled in her gut as overwhelming sensation made her desperate with need.

  “You’re already close and I barely touched you.” Her bare back hit the cold window intensifying the shiver running down her spine. She arched forward as his knee shoved between her legs. He roughly lifted her face and descended again. She opened immediately for a blistering kiss. So turned on, she fought for dominance this time, eagerly thrusting her tongue forward.

  He cupped her breast through her clothing and she moaned the second his fingers found the taut pebble of her nipple. The kiss turned frenzied as he yanked the straps off her shoulders, his bare hands molding the delicate skin of her breasts. It all became too much. Erotic desire coiled deep from some unknown place inside her. She abandoned the kiss, tossing her head back until it bumped against the glass. She panted uncontrollably as she fisted her hands to the front of his dress shirt.

  “Fuck, you’re a hot little thing. Come for me,” he instructed and continued the assault on one breast as he pressed his fingers deftly against her center. Then he pinched the very nipple he’d made so sensitive. Pulsing with passion, her body bowed. Her grip on his dress shirt tightened as her body strummed with desire. Seconds later, the earth fell away. With no fight left, she surrendered to the passion surging through her. Lara gave a deep, throaty moan as her eyes closed. She lost herself in the moment.

  He swept her off her feet and laid her across the small conference table. Breathing heavily, Reed leaned over, shoving his tongue back inside her mouth. She couldn’t do much more than hang on for the ride as Reed knocked away the last of her defenses. She wrapped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his soft, silky hair. Both of his hands worked their way between their bodies to cup her breasts, kneading and manipulating them as if they were the only focus of his life.

  As much as she wanted that kiss to continue, Reed wrenched free of her tight hold to trail sweet, tender kisses down her throat. The sensual, torturous descent ended as he lavished attention on each of her swells with that skilled, exquisite mouth. His hands molded and caressed as his mouth sucked ferociously at each tight pebble. With no time to recover from her first orgasm, she found herself arching her back, thrusting more of her nipple into his mouth.

  What in the world was happening to her?

  “Oh, Reed…” she urged him on, again threading her fingers back into his hair. His lips rose to hers and he plunged his tongue deeply inside her mouth, greedily taking anything she had to offer. She tried to keep up, wanted to add to his pleasure, but she barely managed to hang on. He was pure sensual perfection.

  She hadn’t even realized her skirt was hiked up to her waist until she felt skin on skin. His fingers slid between her folds, sending flickers of magical sensation throughout her body. Again, she arched up off the table, instantly ready for whatever he had to offer.

  “I shouldn’t…” Her fingers gripped into his hair and her eyelids slid closed as she tried for reason. It had been far too long since she’d had sex and it had never been this mind-blowing.

  “Shh, beautiful, just feel…” he encouraged above her while invading her channel with one long finger moving deep inside her body. The whimpers began. “Yeah. You’re not that much different now, are you?” His tone tender, but the words were off. His finger continued a steady urgent pump back and forth, moving in and out, over and over until he added a second.

  “You’re tighter than most,” he whispered as he spread her thighs farther, anchoring each high-heeled foot on the arm of a chair. His fingers never stopped teasing and torturing, taking her to the brink only to slow, not fully giving her what she wanted. She used her thighs to help drive her hips harder into his hand. She whimpered for something just out of reach. Then his thumb lowered to her clit, circling in small sweeping motions. He bent forward, sliding his other hand back and forth over her tightened nipples, caressing, searing, stimulating. “Keep your legs right there.”

  His hot breath ran along her thigh toward her core. Shivers raced up her spine. She scrambled up to her elbows, dislodging the hand at her breasts. On wobbly arms, she rose to see Reed lower his mouth. She watched as his tongue darted out seconds before he made contact and gave one long lick up her center, not stopping until he’d caressed every inch. The sight was almost as erotic as the feelings he evoked. She gave a small gasp and his eyes lifted as he eagerly began to eat her.

  Panting, she willed herself to watch as long as she possibly could. His fingers continued their invasion as he feasted on her body. Her hips rolled of their
own accord; she was powerless to stop them. His hand clamped down on her hip, holding her in place as his teeth nipped and his mouth suckled until his tongue replaced his fingers at her core. The move destroyed her restraint. Her arms gave way at the intensity of the climax, and she dropped backward, grinding her palms into her eyes as she began to unravel.

  She was too far gone to know when he stood, but her awareness of him returned as he ran both his palms across her sensitive mounds, rounding her nipples with his thumbs and eliciting a sensual moan from her orgasm-exhausted body. His hand reached behind her neck, lifting her body up to meet his.

  “You’re exactly what I thought you’d be. Taste yourself.” He kissed her provocatively as she opened at his insistence. The taste of herself mixed with the alcohol he’d drunk was a heady mix. Just the thought of what Reed had done to her sent a tremor of anticipation sprinting down her spine. She barely had time to wrap her lax arms around his neck before the kiss abruptly ended.

  Reed said something and released her to walk across the room to a back credenza. He was still dressed, but disheveled. To Lara, she was certain he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Her heart connected to Reed in this moment as she watched him rummage through the drawers, looking for something unknown. It wasn’t until he bent to search inside a cabinet that she realized the words he’s said after kissing her. “I need a condom.” He pulled a large box out and dumped the contents on top. Only one small package fell free.

  The action had the same effect as a bucket of cold water crashing down on her. He tossed the empty box beside the condom and grabbed the single packet. Reed pulled his dress shirt free of his slacks and unbuttoned it. He made a pit stop to pour himself another drink and swallowed the liquid down. Her heart sank.

  “You do this a lot, don’t you?” Her chest constricted and she fought the burning behind her eyes as she tried to decide which was more offensive—the empty box of condoms or the alcohol he required to continue being with her.

  “Enough.” The word was callously said, and he poured another shot, swallowing that down in another solid gulp. He wanted to have drunk sex with her. He removed his shirt, letting the material fall to the floor as he stalked toward her. She had caressed the muscles underneath his clothes, but to see him like this was an impressive sight. He wasn’t massive like Kade, but well defined. Not an ounce of fat to be seen anywhere.

  He knew how to draw her in. She was one of many that experienced these same gentle touches, and soft, insistent persuasions. He’d effectively clouded her judgement and broken long-standing barriers in just a matter of minutes. He was dangerous. She closed her legs and let shame wash over her as she sat fully forward, drawing the dress back over her body.

  “What’re you doing?” he asked, a few feet from her.

  “I’m leaving.” She scooted herself to the edge of the table.

  “What? No, you’re not.”

  “Yes, I am.” She was proud her voice remained firm. She shoved her hair out of her face and tried to tame the mass of her tresses.

  “It’s my turn. You got yours, now it’s my turn.” Could he be serious? She slid off the table, glad her legs held her up. She went for her discarded purse. He gripped her arm, drawing her back against his chest.

  “Let me go!” Anger washed over her at the touch of his hand, and she flipped her head in his direction, her eyes blazing as she yanked her arm free.

  “What happened? You were into this. I got you ready,” he said as she took several steps away from him.

  “Not anymore. I’m going home.” He went after her, but she again pushed him away, grabbing her purse before walking toward the office door. It all made sense now. She couldn’t help but flick the empty box, knocking the thing to the floor as she opened the door.

  Reality settled in, fueling her need for departure that much more. He’d probably thought he was doing her a favor. And worse than that, she’d fallen hook, line, and sinker for the gambit. Hell, not even an hour ago, she’d thought he was a gay man. Then all he had to do was look her way and the panties hit the floor. She wondered how many times a day that happened to him. The empty condom box painted the picture well.

  “Why are you leaving?” he demanded, storming behind her. She anticipated his touch and dodged the hold. “Such bullshit. I got you off, now you just leave?”

  “How many times have you done this exact move?” she asked, not looking back at him. She searched the outside of the elevator for a call button.

  “What? Do you want me to say you’re my first to get you back in there? Not even you can be that naïve.” She figured those hurtful words had the impact he’d intended. She reached for the only thing she saw, pushed and a small door opened with a single button inside. She reached in hoping that called the elevator, but he knocked her hand away.

  “I need the elevator; I’m going home.” She almost yelled those words.

  “Fuck, Lara, what the fuck’s your problem? It’s sex. Adults have it all the time. You want me. I want you.” He yelled those words right in her face. When she tried to press the button again, he reached out and knocked her hand away a second time. She went for the phone on one of the desks, but he was right behind her, slamming the phone down. “You’re a fucking cock tease. You’ve been giving me the signals all fucking week.”

  She schooled her facial features at his words. They were getting more derogatory with each comment he made. He was mad, but no longer pushing her to perform. Instead, he walked away, muttering, “I could have brought anyone up here tonight. You fucking wore that fucking dress, flashing me those fucking tits all goddamn night, and now you get a conscience?”

  Lara wanted out. She went for the call button and the elevator doors opened. She rushed on, fighting the tears his stinging words caused. “Goddammit! You’re fucking pissing me off.”

  He darted across the foyer, sticking a hand between the closing elevator doors. He entered, quickly working a hidden keypad on the inside. He left the elevator and the doors didn’t shut. Even when she reached out to push the close button, they remained open. He came back into view, and she moved to the far side of the elevator, wiping a stray tear away before it fell. He stepped back inside, this time with his suit jacket on.

  “What are you doing?”

  “You aren’t walking home alone.” He punched another code into the keypad. The elevator doors shut and they began to descend.

  “I don’t want you to walk me home,” she said defiantly.

  “I don’t care.” He stood at the front of the elevator and she stood in the back. Neither said another word. He walked out first, keeping his distance. She ignored him as he exited through his private entrance. She went the other direction through the parking garage. He frustratingly met her on the street at the front of the building. At the street corner, she was so disgruntled by his presence she didn’t see the car until Reed took her arm, hoisting her back on the sidewalk as it passed by.

  She’d have rather been hit by the car than to have him touching her again. She yanked her arm free with such force she stumbled several feet.

  “You’re a hard-headed, stubborn little thing.” Once on the street, she walked the distance to her apartment with him by her side. Aggravated, she whipped around when he entered her building.

  “Why are you following me? I’m not having sex with you at my apartment either,” she stated, trying for a cutting remark. Every eye in the foyer turned their way.

  “Yeah, that offer’s off the table now, babe. You don’t play fair,” he said, following her inside a waiting elevator. Thank God they weren’t alone. Reed had a way with biting words. They stung when he spoke. When the doors opened on her floor, she darted forward, and he no doubt followed just to piss her off. As she got to the door, she dug through her purse. Of course she hadn’t added her house key to the new bag. Looking up at the ceiling, she prayed Kade was home and knocked. When Reed’s hand touched her arm, she jerked it away. “Don’t touch me.”

  “I
’m sorry, Lara.” Reed reached for her again as she balled up her fist and banged harder on the door.

  “Don’t say anything. Just leave.” She refused to look his way. He didn’t listen and reached for her again.

  “Don’t let it end like this. We did have a good night,” Reed said from right beside her now. The apartment door opened, saving her from responding. Kade stood at the door, barely awake and only in his underwear. He looked at Lara, and a scowl formed immediately as he took in Reed. Lara walked inside, raising her hands to Kade’s chest, pushing him backward.

  “What happened?” Kade asked, letting himself be moved, but his stare remained only on Reed.

  “I don’t want to talk about it right now. Let’s just go to bed,” she said, and slammed the door shut behind her. Kade was on her heels as she walked past him to the bathroom. She shut the door in his face, tears were already falling freely.

  “I’m kicking his ass!” he called out, his voice fading. She stood in front of the mirror, not even recognizing the face looking back at her.

  “No, you aren’t. He’s not gonna be a problem ever again,” she called out, seconds before she heard the apartment door open again.

  “Yeah, because I’m kicking his motherfucking ass,” Kade yelled back, slamming the door shut. The tenant upstairs started banging on the ceiling at their outburst. She didn’t know if Kade was inside the apartment or outside, but Reed had had enough time to leave. If he was smart, he would have. She changed into her nightgown, washed her face, and piled her hair on top of her head. She opened the door to Kade standing there with athletic shorts now on, waiting for her.

  “I have to be up in a few hours.” The tears in her eyes softened Kade’s features. He stayed quiet, but followed her into her bedroom and crawled in bed beside her.