“He didn’t like to dance?” Jack asked incredulously. “How could any man be married to Kate Born-to-Shake-It Livingston and not like to dance?”
She blushed and shook her head. “It wasn’t that he didn’t like to dance, he just . . . he wasn’t . . .” Kate took a deep breath. “Ian couldn’t keep a beat if a hammer was pounding it on his head.”
“That bad?”
“Ooooh yeah. To say he was rhythmically challenged was an understatement. I always teased him it was a good thing we weren’t Catholic.”
Jack threw his head back and laughed heartily. When he looked back at Kate, his eyes were filled with humor, but there was also a tenderness that tugged at her heart.
“You think that’s sacrilege?” she asked.
“What?” Jack gave her a spin.
“Knocking my deceased husband while dancing with my lover?”
“Not at all, but say that again.”
“What?”
“That last part where you called me your lover.” He pulled her in closer. “I like hearing you say that.”
“Laaahver,” she said, feigning a sexy voice and then giggled.
“God, woman, you drive me crazy.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed it.
She tilted her neck, cutting off his assault. Leaning back, she asked, “Why is that?”
“You make me laugh. You can be so overwhelmed by the world at times, but then this innocent child in you escapes and you giggle, which drives me crazy by the way.” He leaned in and kissed her neck again.
She pushed him back. “So it’s all about the laughs, huh?”
“Hell, no.” He dragged her back into his arms. “You’re the sexiest woman I know, and you don’t even realize it. Sometimes when we make love, I see a tunnel with a light at the end of it.”
“You’re so full it.”
“I’m serious. It’s a constant battle to keep my mind off all the things I want to do to you.”
As if the combo had heard their conversation, they began a slow, smoky version of the Gershwin Brothers’ “Embraceable You.” She looked at Jack. The passion blazing in his eyes reflected what she was feeling. He pulled her in so close they were touching from thigh to her shoulders. Her face lay against his chest, breathing in the smell of him mixed with his cologne. Jack brought in their hands so they were tucked between their bodies. His other hand glided over her bare back. Their dancing slowed until it was only a slight back and forth step. Jack’s head moved so that he could lightly press his lips against her temple.
They could argue they were still dancing, but their bodies knew it had become foreplay. The touch of his fingers was electric on Kate’s skin. She was growing swollen and damp with need. Her pulse grew more rapid, and she realized Jack was experiencing the same need. She could hear his rapid heartbeat and feel his hard length.
“Let’s get out of here,” he whispered. She pulled back to leave, but he held her tight. “I’m in a bit of a predicament here, thanks to you. I need you to walk in front of me.”
Kate teased him. “Jack, you have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“Thanks, but help a guy out.”
They left the bar, walking closely in single file, Kate trying not to snicker. As soon as they were in the hallway, Jack grabbed her hand and led her up a small flight of stairs that opened into what appeared to be an empty reception hall. He stopped so that they were still in the shadows, grabbing her and taking her mouth, as hungry for her as she for him. They were burning out of control, but she was able to break their insanity.
“We can’t do this here,” she said, her breath harsh.
Jack looked around, and then pulled her into a nearby elevator, pushing the button to close the door. Kate had enough experience with Charlie pushing elevator buttons to know that if they didn’t press a floor, the doors would remain closed. They had some privacy at last, but it wasn’t guaranteed. The danger of being caught in such a public place, combined with the passion flaming through them, drove them into a frenzy. Jack took her lips voraciously, but it wasn’t enough. He reached under Kate’s dress and found she was only wearing a garter belt and stockings. He groaned and grabbed her bottom, lifting her against his erection.
Fighting her body’s need, she pushed away. “Hold on.” She was consumed with the man. She needed more, wanted to go further, and he made her feel free to do so. Kate turned to check the elevator doors. She turned back and gazed at him with smoldering eyes. She hesitated for just a second before unbuckling his belt.
“Kate,” he moaned, his breath as harsh as hers. His thumbs slipped beneath the sides of her halter dress and stroked her nipples until they were stiff peaks, waiting for his mouth. The sensation distracted her from her mission. Reluctantly pulling away, almost in a fog, she moaned, “Wait.”
“I don’t think I can.” He continued his caresses.
But when she reached into his pants, he stopped his torment. Freeing him, she eyed his rock-solid erection. “God, I love your . . .”
“My what?” Jack stared into her eyes, taunting her.
“Your cock,” she said bravely, waiting for his reaction, but he didn’t laugh. “I love your cock,” she repeated, grabbing him with both hands.
“Oh, baby, he loves you, too.”
She stroked and then squeezed him, confidence filling her.
Jack stilled her hands. “You’re killing me.”
Kate looked into his eyes and took a fortifying breath. “I promise I won’t bite.” Lifting one brow, she smiled wickedly.
There was one beat before Jack’s eyes widened. Kate stared into them, confirming what she intended. Keeping her eyes locked with his, she slowly slid down to her knees, loving the sound of his groan. He made her invincible.
She moved his hand to the control panel. “Don’t let go of this,” she said as she placed his finger on the “close door” button. She held him with both hands and barely brushed his glistening tip with her tongue. He hissed out a curse. She tentatively licked him and then took him in her mouth. “Kate,” he groaned. His response fueled her on. Her desire led her movements. He grabbed her head, pulling her closer.
The bell of the elevator suddenly interrupted them, announcing a stop at the next floor. “Shit.” Jack pulled Kate up so forcefully that her feet left the floor. She turned, standing in front of him, her back pressed against his throbbing erection. She was hoping that, to the oncoming guests, they would look like a couple heading up to their room for the night.
An older woman entered with a polite smile and then abruptly turned to face the closing doors. It was then that Kate noticed the mirrors on the top half of the elevator walls. She saw her rumpled hair, smeared lipstick, and Jack’s flared nostrils and heaving chest. They weren’t fooling anyone. The woman exited at the next floor, and Kate burst out laughing, having suppressed it as long as she could.
But Jack was in no mood to laugh. He grabbed Kate’s waist and swung her to face the mirrored wall. “I can’t wait,” he insisted. Kate started to protest as he pulled up her dress. But then he pushed into her, and everything but the feel of him disappeared. She grabbed onto the handrails for support when he lifted her hips up to meet his deep thrusts. He had never been so rough with her, but it didn’t frighten her. In fact, it excited her so much that the pleasure seemed to reach a new level.
Jack’s body was building toward release, but he wanted more. Not just a physical sensation, but all of Kate. In the mirror, he could see their bodies slamming together. Kate’s head was bent down, but he needed to see her, needed to see the wildness she’d let free. “Look up.”
Kate lifted her head, but her eyes were closed. Moans escaped her mouth with each of his thrusts. “Look at me.” Her hooded eyes connected with his in the mirror, all the while their bodies crashed together. He marveled at what she was giving, their primal feelings linked. And yet he wanted more. He needed to know she too had lost all control. “Tell me what you want.”
Her head dropped, her body s
uccumbing to the pleasure, only able to moan her need.
“Tell me!” he yelled.
She looked up in the mirror, staring into his eyes with trust he’d never seen before, and groaned, “Fuck me, Jack.”
The words ignited him, and he drove into her with even more force. Kate cried out as her body spasmed around Jack’s. He let out a guttural groan as his body jerked with release. He almost collapsed on top of her but stopped himself, grabbing on to the handrail.
They were both gasping for air, their bodies locked together, quivering. They were beyond talking. No words could describe what they’d just experienced. Finally, their breathing slowed and reality returned. Jack hadn’t noticed they’d stopped or heard the doors open.
“Shit.” He leaned over and pushed a button, closing the doors, and then returned his attentions to Kate, who didn’t seem aware of anything around them. Jack gently kissed her neck. Rubbing his lips over her back, he hesitantly asked, “Did I hurt you? Are you all right?”
Kate let out a raspy laugh. Taking in a deep breath, she answered, “Hurts so good.”
Jack reached one arm around her waist, pulling her even closer to him. He rested his head on her back. “What are you doing to me?”
“This is security. Is there a problem?” a voice from the intercom interrupted.
Kate gasped, jerking up. But then she started to laugh and almost collapsed trying to suppress it.
“No. No. There’s no problem,” Jack answered between laughs. He composed his voice. “Thanks for checking.” Jack pulled down Kate’s dress and quickly zipped up his pants.
The elevator tone rang again, and they quickly assumed their previous cover pose. Kate leaned against Jack, and he could feel her legs shaking. “Come here.” He pulled her out of the elevator.
“Where are we going?” Kate paused momentarily. She appeared half drunk, and he was pleased to know her looseness had nothing to do with alcohol. “I don’t think I can walk.”
“What am I going to do with you?” He lifted her up into his arms. “We’re going to have to work on your endurance.”
She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Whatever you say.” He carried her to a door marked “President’s Suite.” Jack pounded on the door and yelled, “Let us in! I have a woman out here who can’t walk. We need help!”
Kate sobered immediately and tried to get down. She hissed, “What are you doing?! They’ll call security!”
“Shhh.” He set her down and pulled a key card from his pocket. He smiled and then softly kissed her lips. As he unlocked the door, Kate asked, “What in the—?”
“Surprise!” He lifted her up again and carried her into the suite, shutting the door with his foot. Passing through the luxurious living room, he took her into the bedroom and tossed her on the mammoth bed. Then he jumped and landed right next to her.
Kate shrieked with delight. Just the reaction he was hoping for. She propped herself up on her elbow to face him.
“You’d planned this all along?”
He shrugged. “Not the elevator, but hell, I’m willing to improvise anytime you want.” Kate fell back on the bed and threw her arm over her face. He pulled it away and gave her a gentle kiss. “I told you, I want to show you a good time.”
She looked around the bedroom. As he’d requested, there were arrangements of fresh flowers—everything from red roses to gardenias—throughout the room. He hoped she was pleased.
“It’s beautiful.” She caressed his cheek, and her eyes were filled with gratitude. He’d slay dragons for that look.
He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “You deserve the best of everything.” Their eyes remained locked. Jack wondered if her world was rocking. He didn’t want to be the only one experiencing the earthquake. He told himself it didn’t matter. Things would return to normal at the end of the week.
She stood and walked into the living room. She called back, “Jack, this is . . . this is beyond . . . you shouldn’t have.”
Jack walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Hush,” he whispered into her ear. “Let me do this for you.” He took her hand and pulled her back into the bedroom.
“It’s no fun having money if you don’t indulge yourself every once in a while.” He pulled her down on the bed. “According to Forbes, I’m very good at what I do.”
Kate rolled over on top of him and gave him a sexy smile. “Oh, honey, you are very, very good at what you do.”
He laughed, but then his smile faded. He gently stroked his finger along her face, following the path with his eyes. When he looked back into her eyes, his voice was strained. “You’re incredible.”
He could feel Kate stiffen, and she immediately lowered her head to his chest. “Let me rest my eyes for just a minute.”
He didn’t say anymore. It took a while, but her breathing slowed and her body relaxed. He could tell when she fell asleep. He kissed the top of her head. “Rest easy.”
Kate woke alone in the dark. They hadn’t bothered to close the curtains, and the lights of the city illuminated their window. Definitely different from suburbia. Hell, she was different. Elevator sex. You wild woman. She couldn’t believe she’d done something so risky. But it’d been so amazing. A. Ma. Zing.
She rolled to her back and stretched, feeling very proud of her aches. From the bathroom, she could hear water running. Jack was singing David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” A great sense of euphoria spread over Kate. When she heard his futile attempt to recall the lyrics, she surprised herself with a giggle. This feels so good. I feel so happy.
Wrapping herself in a robe, she walked into the bathroom. An enormous soaking tub was filling with bubbles. The steam on the mirrors was proof that the water was hot, the way she liked it.
Jack was brushing his teeth at the sink, wearing only his pants, his bare chest displayed for her viewing pleasure. If they used this picture to promote dental hygiene, there’d never be another cavity. When he saw her, he finished and said, “Did you catch a few winks? I thought you might like to soak for a while.”
“That sounds heavenly, but first, I’d love to brush my teeth. Did you pack one of those for me by chance?” she asked, pointing at his toothbrush.
“Of course,” he said, handing her a new one. As she brushed and he turned off the tub, she was taken by how domestic it felt. So comfortable. Too comfortable.
She eventually settled into the bath, reveling in the hot water. “Oooh, this is heaven. Why don’t you join me?”
“Give me a minute.” He went back into the bedroom. Kate could hear him unzipping a suitcase that she’d missed when they entered the suite. Of course, her mind hadn’t been very clear when they’d entered. She sunk deeper into the fragrant water, letting the heat soothe her well-used body. Oh, Mr. Graham.
“Jack.”
“Yeah, babe,” he called from the bedroom.
“That elevator ride was . . . well, unreal.”
Jack stepped into the doorway and smiled. He walked over, grabbed the back of her neck, and kissed her lavishly. “That’s the understatement of the year, sweetheart,” he said, winking, then went back to the bedroom.
Feeling less self-conscious with Jack out of the room, Kate confessed, “That’s always been one of my fantasies. I have to say it was better than anything I’d ever imagined.”
Jack walked back in and knelt beside her. “I’ve always wanted to try that myself. I’m glad it was with you.” He pushed a wayward curl behind her ear. “I love watching you let go.”
After everything they’d done, how could that embarrass her? She lifted a handful of bubbles and blew them in his face. “So are you getting in or what?”
Jack wiped off his face and then dropped his pants. Kate didn’t think she’d ever seen such a fine-looking man. Her pulse quickened just watching him. He stepped into the tub. “So what do you think about exploring—holy shit!” He immediately jumped out. “That water’s scalding.”
“Just give it
a minute. Once you get used to it, you’ll love it.”
Carefully, he put one foot into the tub, wincing. “Well, if I survive this boil,” he said, placing his other foot in, “what do you say we try another fantasy?”
“With you? Hhmmm.” Kate pretended to be thinking it over with great consideration while assessing his body. “I’m game for anything. Well, almost anything.”
“Well, I have an idea, but you’re going to have to trust me.”
Kate panicked. “Oh God, Jack, please don’t tell me this is some sadomasochistic thing that involves whips and handcuffs. Well, maybe handcuffs, but nothing that requires a safe word, okay?”
Jack laughed. “Woman, I don’t even want to know all the dark places your mind goes. Now, compared to what you were imagining—and by the way, I’m going to hold you to the yes on handcuffs—this fantasy will be easy.”
“Okay. So what does it involve?”
“Trust me. You’ll love it.” Jack winced and sat down in the tub, the pain clearly written on his face.
“You know I don’t like to hand over control. It makes me nervous.” She crinkled her nose. “But in this case, a little excited, too.” She looked into his eyes and considered telling him she’d do anything he ever asked of her. Pushing down this strong feeling, she shrugged. “What the hell? I mean, look how great my fantasy turned out.”
Jack smiled and leaned back against the tub, his discomfort obvious as more of his body was exposed to the heat. “You know, if we jump in a cold shower right now, we might be able to prevent blisters from forming.”
She kicked bubbles at him. “You’re such a wuss.”
“Come here.” He pulled her over and wrapped her legs around his hips. He kissed her, working her desire up to a frenzy with just his lips. Just when she started to settle over him, he pushed her away.
“Damn, I can’t take this.” He got out of the tub, dried off, and held out a huge, fluffy towel for her. “Time to get out.” He patted her dry and led her into the bedroom. The comforter was off the bed, and the soft Egyptian cotton sheets called to their bodies. He laid her on the bed, and she closed her eyes, lifting her arms back against the soft, down pillows, feeling the freedom of her body. “You’re very good at this fantasy thing.” When she looked up, he was standing over her with a bottle in his hand. “What’s that?” she asked.
Then He Showed Up Page 17