Can't Buy Love

by Rylon, Jayne

  “I’m careful. Never know when a customer will decide to follow me home for more.”

  He blinks at me, his fork frozen halfway to his parted lips.

  I wince. “Not like this. Never like this before. Sorry, it’s all so new. I guess my habits are old-fashioned paranoia.”

  “You’re not unreasonable, Sarah. Smart.” He twirls a piece of meat through the sauce on his plate then pops it in his mouth. “I’ve had to warn a slew of cretins from bugging Tommy’s girls. I’m glad you take precautions.”

  “Always. I adore my job. Truly.” I swallow my first bite of the meal I’ve prepared, pleasantly surprised with the tang spreading across my tongue. “Still, I never allow myself to romanticize the situation.”

  “I’ve noticed.” Rick groans. “Damn. This is fantastic.”

  “Thank Mari.” I grin.

  “Don’t worry, I will.” We both pause as the overtones hang in the air. Is it okay to acknowledge Rick’s visits to the other women in the district?

  “If you’re not comfortable…” He winces.

  “No, no. Please. We both know the score.”

  He nods then dedicates himself to worshipping the meal before him.

  When I finish my portion, I lean back and twirl the stem of the glass holding my respectable wine. I study Rick’s flexing throat, wondering how something as simple as a man eating can turn me on. Damn him and his sexy ways.

  He groans as he rubs his tight abs, slightly bowed from his indulgence.

  I rise to clean the plates and he attempts to follow. I still him with light pressure on his brawny shoulder. “Let me.”

  “Don’t assume you have to wait on me here.”

  “I realize you don’t expect me to serve you outside the window. Good thing too.” His concern warms my heart. “I’m choosing to do this. This time. Next time you’re on kitchen duty, big guy.”

  “Deal.” He smiles then wanders the main living area while I settle our plates and silverware in the dishwasher. “This place is fantastic, Sarah.”

  I glance over my shoulder to spot him running a fingertip over the intricate woodwork in the living room as he admires the view through the lace curtains shielding my window. Outside, an enclosed glass patio filled with greenery makes the ideal spot for sunbathing or tourist watching on warm afternoons. The details of the houseboat apartment have captivated me often. “I knew the moment I stepped inside this was my home. I’ve been talking to the landlord about buying him out. He’s hesitant to sell. I’m hoping some of the Kinkmas pageant paycheck will finally change his mind.”

  Rick nods, appraising the luxurious appointments in the cozy space. “A solid investment.”

  I towel my hands dry then wave him toward the private end of the boat. “The bedrooms are over here.”

  I take him through the efficiently concealed and stowed laundry space, the glistening tile of the main bathroom, the soft amber hues of the guest suite and finally to my haven. White silk floats over the canopy—and a mountain of decadent pillows—stirred by heat rising from vents in the base of the paneled walls.

  “I’m in a love goddess’s lair. Will you have to kill me now that I’m privy to the location of your secret hideout?” One corner of his mouth kicks up in a sultry smile. “Or maybe you’ll keep me chained to your bed for eternity. If I can’t escape, I can’t spill your secrets.”

  “I kind of like that option.” I grin. “Except, I think I’d like to try being the person tied up one of these days. You piqued my curiosity when you bound me with the Christmas lights onstage during the Kinkmas pageant. I loved being at your mercy.”

  “Shit.” He braces his broad palm on my dresser, shaking it with the contact. It never seemed dainty before. “I’m trying to behave.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, despite the fantasy-come-true it would be to lay you down on that cloud of fluff and make love to you so slowly neither of us can stand it, I won’t risk missing the chance to show you how much more there could be to this.” He waves his hand in the shrinking space between us.

  “The least you can do is hold me while we talk.” I reach for his fingers, entwining our shaking hands and lead him to my bed. I slip off my heels then crawl onto the center of the mattress, relishing the glide of my luxurious stockings and modest black dress against the rich, clean bedding. “I missed you.”

  Rick groans as he toes off his shoes and joins me. He bundles me in his arms, squeezing tight. My nest has never seemed as comfortable as it does with him beside me.

  “Me too, love.” He rubs his chin over my head. “I’m sorry both of us suffered. I had some serious thinking to do.”

  “What did all that brain power come up with?”

  “I decided I have to try this, try…something.” He’s never looked so serious before. “One of the reasons I’m so attracted to you is your uninhibited acceptance of nature. Of arousal. Of sexuality.”

  “You understand. I can tell you share my values.”

  “So, I hope you won’t freak out when I admit I don’t really believe people were intended to be monogamous. Too many relationships crash and burn in spectacular failures because of sex. Either one person loses the spark or they find it with someone else and hide the exhilaration of that discovery from their partner, who may or may not experience the rush for their mate any longer.”

  I don’t realize my grip pinches his arm until he flinches. Could he be saying what I think? “No kidding, Rick. Do you have any idea how many men, or women, I service because they need something they can’t find at home and are riddled with guilt over seeking it elsewhere?”

  “Because they still love their spouse, right?”

  “Yes. They just aren’t attracted anymore.” I sigh.

  “Or there’s so much tension built up over their different desires they can’t enjoy themselves with all that drama sleeping in bed with them.”

  “I suppose that’s true.”

  “I’m sure it is, Sarah. Story of my life really. My parents divorced before I finished elementary school. Both remarried a handful of times. They still love each other. It’s insane. They stay apart because of archaic social values they probably don’t even believe in. They’re not happy apart. They can’t stay together.”

  I burrow beneath his heavy biceps, nudging him until he rolls to his back and invites me close to his heart. I curl up against his chest, laying my cheek on the toasty sweater covering his pecs.

  “I always swore I’d never tie myself to one person, guaranteeing I’d continue the cycle of misery. I never understood why someone would believe any single woman could be enough.”

  “And now you’re going to tell me some Christmas miracle changed your mind?” As much as I wish it were true, my experiences make it hard for me accept monogamy as a viable long-term arrangement. Rick’s understanding has been one of the things I’ve always admired.

  “No. Sorry.” He strokes my hair absently, naturally.

  “Thank God.” I peek up at him and can’t resist stealing a taste of his taut lips. A tiny sip, a caress more intimate than the most crude fucks I’ve had through my window.

  “I guess I started to hope I’d finally found the one woman who could understand my viewpoint without trying to change me or convince me I need counseling. My mom said—”

  “Wait. You told your mom about me?”

  “Yeah.” His eyes turn warm and his smile reminds me of the time I bought him a half-smashed cupcake from the automatiek at Febo for his birthday.

  “Well, how the heck did that go?”

  “She smacked me upside the head for not inviting you to Christmas. Thanks a lot, by the way.”

  A chuckle escapes as I imagine his surprised offense. “Sorry. Still think I made the right call there. It’s one thing to break the news you’re crazy enough to date a prostitute in a quiet kitchen moment and another entirely to show up with her to Christmas dinner.”

  “I wish I didn’t agree…” He grimaced. “You were right. Anyw
ay, my mom said we each have to craft our own form of happiness and that she hasn’t seen me look this excited since her and my dad caved to my constant begging for a puppy when I was five.”

  “Glad to know I rank up there with Fido.” Damn. I didn’t mean to cloud his gorgeous eyes.

  “Carver.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “My dog’s name was Carver.” He cups my chin and tilts it up until I can’t deny the honesty in his gaze. Rick never lies to me. He never attempts to mask the gritty realities of our adventure together with sentimental smoke and mirrors. “I value this, whatever this is between us, and you far more than that mutt, and he was my best friend for close to fifteen years. No matter what happens here or if we can really pull off something this ludicrous, I’ll always have you on a pedestal.”

  Tears sting my eyes.

  “Hey, crap.” He pats my shoulder with an awkward jerk of his hand. “What’d I say?”

  “I guess that’s one of the few things that freak me out about my job.” I haven’t admitted this to anyone, even myself, so plainly before. “When men assume I’m less than human, some animated object they can rent for a handful of minutes because I chose this profession. I refuse to service clients like that for repeat performances.”

  “I’ve heard.”

  “You have?”

  “Sure. And bonus points to Mari for keeping my secrets like she promised she would.” Rick doesn’t continue.

  My lids sink until his wry smile turns hazy in my narrowed stare.

  “Don’t take it out on her. I made her promise not to blab about the guy I wiped the floor with.” His fingers flex on my ribs as though he can still feel the ache resulting from his legendary right hook. “Heard him bitching to his loser friend in the alley outside her window while I paced, waiting for you to finish up with someone else one night. I guess he’d had his pride stung when you refused to service him. He’d gone for a few brews then came back full of distorted perspective and unwise bravado, bragging about how he’d show you what you’d missed out on.”

  “Oh.”

  Rick traces the ring of my pursed lips with the tip of one finger.

  “The only thing that terrifies me about your job is the thought of someone hurting you. I’m not going to lie… I saw red when he described all he had planned, even though he probably couldn’t have gotten it up as drunk as he was. He took one step toward your window and next thing I knew I’d laid him out on the cobblestones. Mari tugged me off him before I went too far. She hustled me inside.”

  “Calmed you right down, did she?” I snort as I imagine how thrilled she must have been.

  “She’s pretty good at her job.”

  I laugh out loud, pressing my palms to his flaming cheeks. “So how odd does it make me that I’m glad you had someone there for you when you needed comfort?”

  “I’m confident you’re more rare than a 1926 Ducati SpA.”

  I arch a brow.

  “And despite the fact you have no idea what one of the coolest motorcycles of all time is, I still adore you.”

  The lavish kiss he bestows curls my toes and melts my insides.

  “Besides, I’m positive I’m a freak. Not only am I okay with you being with other guys, it sort of turns me on.” The enormous erection tenting his dress slacks declares his confession the understatement of the century.

  “It’s not the same, Rick.” I can’t help myself. I glide my thigh over the evidence of his approval. “With other customers. They’re all unique and none of them make me ache like you do.”

  “I wish I could see the difference.” His whisper turns rough. “I spent a hell of a lot of time fantasizing about what you asked the other day. I’d love to watch you with a client.”

  “I’m sure it can be arranged.” I moan when he tenses his hips, pressing closer to the juncture of my thighs. “The idea makes me hotter than you can guess.”

  “I can smell you, love.” He growls. “I didn’t plan to do this tonight, I swear I didn’t, but I think I’ll starve if you don’t let me have some of your sweetness for dessert.”

  “I might have to hurt you if you leave me like this.” I stroke my hard nipples across his abs. “Tonight, no one except you will satisfy my craving.”

  “Same here, Sarah.” He rolls over, pressing my shoulders into the down pillow-top. “You’re incredible, you know that, right?”

  “Many men have said so.” I shiver when he traces the delicate chain of my choker. “Their opinions never seemed as important as yours though.”

  Rick inches the loose, flowing fabric of my dress up my legs from my knees to my thighs. His fingers caress every centimeter of stocking he exposes with tiny swirls. I squirm beneath the tantalizing desire making my heart race and my insides heavy.

  “Son of a bitch. So sexy,” he mutters when he encounters the lace tops of my thigh-highs. Before I can beg for more, he dips between my spread legs, nudging them wide enough to accommodate his broad chest. Then he licks along the junction of the frilly fabric and my pale skin. “So sweet.”

  Rick’s hands glide upward, lifting my skirt to expose my matching panties. Stretchy lace highlights the toned curve and dip of my hips. He nuzzles the thin covering over my pussy, inhaling deep and strong until the scent of my arousal overflows his lungs. He releases his breath on a groan that rumbles across my clit.

  I whimper, spearing my fingers into the spikes of his hair.

  “Not yet.”

  I can’t tell who he’s reminding—himself or me.

  “Don’t have to rush tonight,” he murmurs as he nibbles my belly above the waistband of my panties. He licks, nips and kisses a path up my torso, removing my dress as he progresses slower than a dollop of ketchup leaving a freshly opened bottle.

  I hold my breath when he uncovers my push-up bra, which showcases my cleavage for his inspection. He surprises me by avoiding temptation a little bit longer. He slips his hands beneath me, his fingers practically encircling my ribs, then lifts.

  “Arms up, Sarah.” His command sends shivers racing from the base of my spine upward. I smile when the motion draws his gaze to my shimmying breasts. He’s not as impervious as he would like to pretend.

  Rick peels the dress from my torso, leaving my wrists tangled in the bunched fabric above my head. The angle prevents me from extracting them despite several experimental tugs. “I don’t suppose you’d like to free me?”

  “Is that what you really want?”

  “No.”

  “I didn’t think so. Stay still.” He takes my bottom lip between his and drags his teeth over the swollen tissue. My brain ceases to function as he seduces my mouth with endless barrages of coercion from his tongue, lips and teeth.

  Rick feeds me his affection, staring deep into my eyes as he savors our intimate interaction. For longer than I can keep track of, we’re content to indulge in the not-so-innocent exchange. I learn the contours of his mouth, every ridge and cranny guaranteed to make him moan or raid my open offering more completely.

  The luxury of enjoying the journey more than the destination is not lost on either of us. I could gladly kiss him for a year or twenty while he massages my scalp, lulling me into a trance filled with simmering heat and sexual energy so strong it has the potential to destroy us or send us to the moon.

  As long as we’re together, I don’t care which.

  The fuzz of his sweater rubs over my body. It’s soft and warm with the heat radiating from his powerful muscles, carefully restrained. I long to connect with him skin on skin. I reach for the hem of his sweater. My dress prevents me from obtaining my goal. I whimper when a rush of pleasure swamps my senses. Arousal spills from my pussy, dampening the thin barrier between my legs.

  Rick waits patiently yet expectantly. I can’t bear to disappoint him. Don’t wish to escape his clutches in any case. I stop struggling and melt beneath his fully clothed frame.

  “That’s right.” He purrs against my neck. “Tell me what you’re after. I’ll gi
ve you anything you like. Whatever you need.”

  “Have to feel you against me. Bare.” I would never have thought I’d beg a man for anything, but a plea escapes my parted lips before I can prevent it. “Please. Let me feel you.”

  Rick sits on his haunches between my knees, keeping one hand low on my belly until he’s sure I don’t intend to pursue him. He bathes in my adoring stare, deliberately displaying his magnificent physique for my hungry eyes when he crosses his arms over his head, grabs hold of his sweater and peels it from his upper body.

  The charcoal garment hits my area rug with a quiet whoosh.

  “Like this?” He leans forward, his slacks still fastened around his trim hips, driving me insane with the blend of raw masculinity and proper gentleman.

  “No!” I gasp around the urgent desire constricting my chest. “All of you. Naked. Nothing between us.”

  “Nothing?” He pops open the button at the top and sighs. The pressure on his rock-hard cock must be torture. “Not even a condom?”

  I shake my head. “Loved having you inside me, natural, at Triple X. After. Nothing’s changed for me. Only like that with you. I swear.”

  “Me too, Sarah.”

  I can’t engage my logic long enough to continue the discussion. Instead, I enjoy the brief show he gives me as he discards the remainder of his clothes. His cock dips, heavy with the weight of the blood pumping strong between his legs.

  I lick my lips.

  His thick erection bobs as if it’s straining to press inside my eager mouth.

  “Not tonight.” He strokes himself long and slow for several circuits, as though the pressure is too much to bear. “It’s important to me…”

  “What is, Rick?”

  “We should come together. With me inside you. Connected. Seal our promise. To support each other. Our commitment to whatever this is between us.”

  “Like blood brothers—” I stop myself when I realize he’s not laughing.