Sex, Lies and Midnight

by Tawny Weber

  “Likewise,” Hunter murmured.

  His gaze didn’t leave them as they crossed the room. Maya waited until they reached the crowd surrounding Caleb and Pandora before saying, “Wow. You said he’s a friend? That’s odd that you would be friends with a guest of my brother’s.”

  “Very odd. It’ll give your brother and I something to talk about during the ammo tour tomorrow,” Simon joked.

  “Well, some friend,” she said, wondering if she could talk Caleb out of being a bully. “He acts like you’re a criminal or something.”

  Simon’s laugh sounded a little choked.

  10

  SHIT.

  Simon wanted to pace. He needed a little space and time to think. To figure out what he should do next.

  But he couldn’t do any of that.

  Not with Maya staring at him like she was trying to delve into his brain and suck out all his secrets.

  “Great party,” he said, opening the front door to the inn and gesturing her ahead of him. “Your brother and his fiancée seem really happy. When is the wedding?”

  “Soon, I guess. Caleb doesn’t want to wait,” she said, her tone just as suspicious as the look she was giving him. “So who was that man? Where do you know him from?”

  “He’s an…” Simon hesitated, wishing like crazy for just two private minutes so he could call, text or email Hunter and get their cover straight. “An associate.”

  “One of your investing clients?” she asked.

  “Welcome,” Mr. Hamilton greeted in a guttural voice reminiscent of Lurch from the Addams Family. “I hope the two of you had a lovely evening? I have wine in the parlor if you’d care to join me for a New Year’s toast.”

  Simon narrowed his eyes. While he was grateful for the distraction, he didn’t like the way the old guy was looking at Maya. Calculating, and definitely creepy.

  Maya’s steps slowed, but she didn’t stop. Instead she gave a casual finger wave and said, “No, thanks so much, Ham. We had enough to drink at Caleb’s engagement party tonight.”

  Simon wondered if she realized she’d scooted closer to him. Whether Maya knew it or not, she trusted him. At least enough to want his protection against creepy old men.

  “We served a nice chocolate gateau this evening,” the innkeeper said to Maya’s chest. “I can deliver some to your room. Personally.”

  “No, thanks,” Simon said before Maya could respond. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave the guy a chilly smile that ripped the leer right off his face. “The two of us have other things to do right now.”

  “Indeed,” the old guy said, giving Simon a look of disdain that made it clear he thought the younger man was totally unworthy to be touching Maya. Then he turned his gaze back on her and said, “Your aunt called earlier. She’d hoped the two of you could go to the party together. I assume you met there, instead? Perhaps you’d like me to get a hold of her and arrange for a breakfast tomorrow? Or another lunch? Just the two of you?”

  “Thanks, but no,” Maya said with a stiff smile. Then, as if she were trying to hurry without making it obvious, she shifted toward the stairs. “I’ll call my aunt tomorrow, and we’ll figure something out.”

  “Indeed,” Mr. Hamilton said, stepping aside so they could pass him to climb the staircase. Simon didn’t bother to look back. He had been stared at often enough to know that the old guy watched their assent. Or, more to the point, watched Maya’s.

  The old guy sparked a protective streak in Simon, above and beyond the standard serve and protect. He didn’t like how the man watched Maya. He was probably harmless, but Simon figured keeping him as far from her as possible couldn’t hurt.

  Maya didn’t say anything until Simon opened the door to his room. For expediency, and just in case the innkeeper was skulking behind them, he gestured her in first.

  “Not that I wanted room service, since the idea of Ham near my bed is the stuff of nightmares,” Maya said, tossing her wrap on his dresser as if it were her room, too, “but dessert did sound good, didn’t it?”

  “Didn’t you get dessert at the party?”

  “No,” she said, giving him a fake glare. “First you made me mad, then you dragged me out of there with the promise of something hot and sexy. Then we were toasting the happy couple, making New Year’s wishes and drinking champagne. Somehow, all of that came without the delight of chocolate.”

  The mention of hot and sexy pushed all thoughts of Hunter, and of the creepy innkeeper, straight out of Simon’s head.

  “I think I have a few breath mints in my bag. Want to call that dessert?”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “No? Then how about we snack on each other? I’m pretty sure you taste better than any form of chocolate I’ve ever had,” he said, walking forward to take her into his arms.

  But Maya sidestepped his embrace. She gave a quick finger wiggle toward his face and said, “Oh, no. I want chocolate. It’s a personal policy of mine to always welcome in the year with something delicious.”

  Giving him a naughty look that said she wouldn’t mind including his body with that chocolate treat, she hurried across the room toward her adjoining door.

  “I’d rather play a game instead,” he said. Not because he didn’t want to be her snack. But he didn’t want her calling room service and bringing Mr. Creepy up for another leer.

  “What kind of game?” she asked, pausing in the doorway to give him a curious look over her shoulder.

  “How about Simon Says?” he teased. “I’m fond of that game.”

  Laughter gurgled, warm and inviting. Simon’s grin widened. She was so damned gorgeous.

  “I like the sound of that,” she offered. “Are there rules?”

  “Standard Simon Says rules, of course. I say, you do.”

  “Intriguing.” She gave him a long, considering look, then shook her head. “But I want my New Year’s chocolate first.”

  Simon sighed. Then, stiffening his shoulders, he prepared to glower at the creepy dessert delivery man.

  But ten seconds, and no sound of a phone call later, Maya was back. In her hands was a large plastic container, wrapped in a purple ribbon.

  “This is the dessert Cassiopeia sent back with us after the party, remember?” she said as she brought it in and set it on the tiny table by the window. Pulling a chair closer, she gestured that he grab the other one. “She said it’s magic or something. It’s called Four-layer Foreplay cake.”

  Simon was suddenly starving for dessert.

  Crossing over, he pulled a chair up to the table and watched Maya unwrap the treat. “Doesn’t Moonspun’s cafe claim their food to be aphrodisiacs?”

  Maya’s grin was wicked as she pulled the lid off the box. “That’s the rumor.”

  “Then let’s get to eating.”

  “What about your game?”

  He laughed. “Okay. Simon Says, let’s eat.”

  Her smile dimmed a little as she looked into the box. She wrinkled her nose and poked out her lower lip. “No utensils,” she realized. She gave him a questioning glance. “Don’t suppose you have a fork or spoon hidden in your luggage, do you?”

  He had a Glock, two knives and a 9mm hidden in various places in his luggage. But no forks.

  “Nope, sorry.” He eyed the rich brown chocolate, with its gooey layers of frosting between and what looked like chopped, toasted pecans along the side. “It does look good, though.”

  The look he offered her was pure challenge. “Don’t forget, Simon Said. So you have to eat it.”

  Her smile flashed, both playful and naughty. As if she’d just been waiting for permission, she reached into the box and with two fingers, scooped up some of the rich, moist-looking cake.

  “Well if Simon Says, then I have to obey,” she agreed. Then, instead of tasting the cake herself, she held her fingers out for him.

  His eyes locked on hers, Simon leaned in and took her fingers into his mouth. Rich, delicious sweetness exploded on his tongue. He wasn
’t a big chocolate fan, but this was probably the best thing he’d ever tasted. Other than Maya herself, of course.

  “Damn,” he muttered. “That’s incredible.”

  “My turn,” she urged.

  He scooped up his own portion of cake and held it out to her. She took the bite, closed her eyes and gave a low groan. Then, opening them, she grabbed his wrist before he could pull it back. Holding him still, she wrapped her lips around his still chocolate-smeared fingers and sucked.

  Simon almost came right then and there.

  “More,” he said, using the same term they’d used over and over while making love the other night.

  Recognizing that he was talking about a whole lot more than cake, Maya’s golden gaze darkened. She bit her lip, then licked at the bit of frosting there. He figured they’d better eat this cake damned fast, before he went insane with desire.

  “We’re going to get messy,” she noted, glancing from the cake to his suit, then her fancy dress.

  “Simon Says strip.”

  Her eyes widened, then her smile followed suit. Maya glanced at her fingers, then with a shrug licked them clean.

  She slid sinuously to her feet, then reached around behind her to unhook whatever was holding her dress together. Turning around, she gave him a naughty look over her shoulder, then reached up and slid the zipper low.

  The rasping sound, and Simon’s suddenly heavy breathing, filled the room. He leaned back in his chair, ready to enjoy the show. Because there was nothing on earth as fabulous to look at as Maya, naked.

  Maya shrugged one slender shoulder and the fabric slipped. She shrugged the other and it fell. Her back was bare. No bra. Simon puffed out a breath of air, glad he hadn’t known that earlier. Her back still to him, she caught the bodice before things could get too interesting.

  “Taking your time?” he asked.

  “Anticipation is almost as delicious as that cake,” she returned with a wink.

  She turned, slowly. Her hand still holding her dress over the interesting parts, she tossed her hair back, then slipped one arm free of the filmy sleeve. Then the other.

  Her bare arms glowing gold in the gentle light of the Tiffany lamp, Maya lowered her chin and offered a sultry, come-hither type of look. Simon obediently unfolded himself from the chair and stepped forward. Before he could get too close, though, she held out one hand.

  Her tongue, so wet and pink and tempting, moistened her lower lip. Then, her eyes locked on his, she let go. With both hands outstretched at her sides, the fabric slid in a sensuous dance down her body. It puddled in a pool of black at her feet, leaving her body gorgeously bare.

  Simon’s gaze took a slow journey upward. Starting at her slender feet, still wearing black high heels made all the sexier by the ribbon wrapped around her ankle. Her legs, so long and toned, were showcased in sheer black stockings that ended at the top of her thighs, held up by tiny ribbons and a garter belt.

  Simon’s brain stuttered.

  A lacy, black garter belt.

  “Oh, babe,” he whispered, his words reverent.

  A black satin triangle protected her modesty, so to speak, and was the only other thing she was wearing, other than her wicked smile.

  He reached out to cup the pink tipped globes, his mouth watering to taste her. Before he could touch that silken flesh, though, she held up her hand again.

  “Nope. Uh-uh.”

  “What? Why?”

  “You get to play Simon Says,” she told him. “But I get to play Maya May I?”

  “I love how you think,” he said, laughing. He was seriously afraid he was beginning to love every single thing about her. “So is my game over, then?”

  “Of course not. We’ll take turns.” She arched her brow at his still-clothed body and tilted her head, waiting. “Well?”

  Never a slacker when it came to the games, Simon asked, “Maya May I take off my clothes?”

  “Oh, yes, you may.” Gloriously naked except for her panties, garter belt and those do-me shoes that were making him want to beg, Maya gracefully sank back into the chair and gestured that he get to it.

  Ever-obedient to the demands of a gorgeous, mostly naked woman, he got to it.

  A quick shrug removed his jacket. He started to toss it on the bed, then realized they’d be using the bed for something a lot more interesting than holding clothes soon. So he tossed it on the dresser. His tie swiftly followed.

  Nothing sexy about his shoes, so he toed them off to kick them aside, out of tripping danger.

  When his fingers reached the buttons of his dress shirt, Maya started humming a sassy little stripper ditty.

  Simon grinned. “I wish I had rhythm. I’d add in a little dance for you.”

  “Oh, no,” she insisted with a shake of her head. “You just keep on getting to it. I’m happy to wait for your rhythm moves later. When we’re both naked.”

  Looking forward to it more and more each second, Simon made quick work of his buttons. He undid the cuffs and let his shirt slide to the floor. His hands were working so fast he almost fumbled his belt, which made him stop and take a breath.

  Acting like a lovesick teenager about to live out his fantasy with the head cheerleader was not going to score him any points, or impress Maya. Reeling back in his control, he forced the edgy need back.

  “Don’t stop now,” she insisted, obviously enjoying the show. So much so that she reached over and scooped up a fingerful of cake and popped it into her mouth.

  Her eyes half-mast, she gave a little moan and shivered with delight. “So good.”

  Screw scoring points. Simon ripped the placket of his slacks open so fast, the metal hook zinged across the room. A second to unzip and the black material and his boxers both hit the floor to join her dress.

  He glanced down. His socks weren’t as sexy as hers, so he tossed those aside, too.

  “Oh, my,” she breathed, giving him the same hungry look she’d given the cake earlier. “Don’t you look tempting?”

  Her eyes were as hot as a caress as they slowly traveled the length of his body, then returned to his straining erection. She licked her lips and gave a deep sigh.

  “My turn,” he told her before she could suggest anything else.

  “Your…?” She dragged her gaze away from his package and met his eyes. “Sorry, what? I was distracted by the view.”

  “My turn,” he said with a grin. “Simon Says.”

  “Oh, right.” She sounded a little disappointed, like she was ready to move on to a different game. But he had plans for this one.

  He joined her at the table. He carefully scooped up just the rich frosting. Her eyes widened in anticipation. He arched one brow, then smeared the chocolate confection over the head of his dick.

  “Simon Says, enjoy your dessert,” he said.

  “I love this game.”

  Still curled up in the chair, she reached out to curve her hands over his hips. Simon obediently moved forward so he was right there, in easy licking distance.

  Maya gave a hum, then leaned forward. Wrapping her hair around one hand to keep it out of the way, she licked a tiny bit of the frosting away. Before she could get a good taste, though, Simon had a scary thought.

  “No biting,” he warned.

  Her laughter gurgled. She flashed a toothy smile, then warned, “You want to play, you take your chances.”

  But those straight white teeth were nowhere in evidence when she leaned forward again and licked, with long slow swipes of her tongue, around the head of his throbbing dick. Then she took him into her mouth, sucking clean every bit of the sweet treat.

  His blood rushing to his erection, Simon’s body tensed. Her mouth had him right there on the edge between pleasure and pain. When she started licking her way down the length of him, he almost lost control.

  “Wait,” he gasped. She didn’t stop, though. Instead she sucked him into her mouth, sliding her lips up and down in a deliciously slow, deliberate rhythm.

  “May
a May I?” he groaned desperately.

  Magic words.

  With one last slurp and a kiss to the velvet tip of his throbbing dick, Maya gave a reluctant sigh, then leaned back in the chair.

  “Yes?”

  “May I have my own dessert now?” he asked.

  Her pout turned into a smile.

  “Yes, indeed, you may,” she purred. “Shall I serve?”

  “Thanks, but I’ll help myself.”

  Taking her hand, he pulled her to her feet. He scooped more frosting, this time with just a little cake—because he did plan to nibble. Like an artist painting a canvas, he spread the decadent treat over her nipples. Then, meeting her eyes, he lifted his still-chocolaty fingers for her to lick clean.

  Her eyes were so dark he could barely see the golden rim of her iris. Her breasts rose and fell as her breath, a little choppy with need, rushed through her. Simon was suddenly starving for her.

  He leaned down, licking a path clean right over her hardening nipple. She gasped. Her fingers dug into his shoulders. He licked swirls around the areola, then sipped at her nipple in a gentle move almost as sweet as the cake.

  She pressed her hips against his straining dick, the silk of her panties rubbing an enticing invitation over his hard flesh.

  He licked the other nipple clean, then nibbled his way back and forth between the two. They were rock hard now, pouty with need.

  “Simon,” she groaned. “Please.”

  He barely remembered the condoms he’d stashed on the bedside table. Reaching over to grab one, he covered himself, then grabbed Maya again and yanked her against him. He shifted so her back was against the wall.

  The panties barely made a sound when he ripped them from her body. His hands filled with the soft flesh of her butt, Simon plunged. Her legs, wrapped tight around his waist, gripped him as he pumped into her with a wild, out-of-control rhythm.

  He closed his eyes, riding the wave as it climbed higher, higher, then higher still. Maya made a keening sound, then threw her head back. Her body stiffened and she let out a loud groan. That’s all it took to send Simon tumbling over the edge.

  His world exploded. Everything went black in his brain. The only thing real was Maya. Her body wrapped around his, filling his hands. Welcoming and milking him of every last drop of pleasure.