Jack drew back to take a look. With a slow smile, he cupped her cheek with one hand, lightly stroking her skin with his thumb. Before she knew it, his other hand slipped around to her backside and he firmly pulled her against him.
Her nipples pressed into his chest and they both inhaled sharply. He was already hard and ready, just as she was swollen and wet. But he didn’t rush her. Only brushed a light, gentle kiss across her mouth. Wanting more, she leaned harder into him and parted her lips. His tongue slid inside, stroking hers, swirling and tasting, until her whole body started to throb.
He eased back, ignoring her protest. “Let’s get these off you,” he said, and it took her a moment to realize he meant her panties and thigh-highs.
She glanced down and swayed to the side. He steadied her with one hand on her hip, the other clasping her arm. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Too much champagne.”
The intense way he studied her face made her silently curse her big mouth. She should’ve known better than to blame anything on booze. Jack wasn’t the type to take advantage of a woman. If he thought she was even the slightest bit impaired he’d do exactly what he was doing right now...backing off.
“It’s not the champagne,” she said, catching his arm and tugging him back to her. “I just— I can’t quite believe I’m here. With you. Like this.”
He didn’t seem 100 percent convinced. With surprising tenderness, he swept the bangs out of her eyes. “How about we sleep first? Just a short nap.”
Waste time sleeping? “Are you out of your mind?”
“Probably,” he said with a smile. “You’re tired from working long hours and I don’t want you to regret anything later. Or worry that you crossed a line.”
“I know exactly what I want. To be right here.” She pressed herself against him, loving the feel of hard muscle and warm skin underneath her palm.
He kissed her lips, the side of her mouth, her jaw, and skimmed his hand over the curve of her hip before crouching in front of her. “Nice,” he said, tracing a finger along the lacy top of her left thigh-high. “I think we’ll leave these on.”
“Um, really?” They were ultra sheer and ultra expensive.
Jack smiled. “Don’t worry. I break ’em, I buy ’em.”
Carly laughed. Great. Now he could read her mind. It was easy to be relaxed with him. Maybe too easy, but for tonight she wouldn’t think about such things. She wouldn’t even worry about her stupid stockings.
His lips followed the trail of his finger and then he kissed the soft skin between her stockings and panties. Balancing herself, she held on to his shoulders and watched him. His lashes seemed especially thick and long from her position above him, and as hot as he looked clean shaven, the faint stubble shadowing his jaw was definitely doing it for her.
He moved to her lower belly, pressing a kiss there, through the damp silk panties.
Unprepared for the intimate gesture, Carly shuddered. Feeling the slide of his finger underneath the elastic, she clutched at his hair, tensing, waiting to see what he’d do next. Without hesitation he stripped her panties down her legs. Carefully he freed one of her ankles before cupping her backside and pulling her against his mouth.
The first long, slow stroke of his tongue had her fisting his hair more tightly. She automatically clenched and tried to squeeze her thighs together but that made him more determined. He used his fingers to spread her, and used his tongue to drive her wild. She bucked against his mouth, triggering a deep low groan that came from his throat and sent warm breath rolling over her sensitive wet flesh.
“Jack...please.” She wanted him naked and horizontal, lying beside her on the bed, bare skin to bare skin. What she got was the firm tip of his tongue circling her clit, two long fingers pushing into her and testing the limits of her control.
She didn’t want to climax too quickly, yet she didn’t want him to stop. She wanted the pressure to continue to build, wanted the delicious warmth enveloping her body to last forever. And most of all, she wanted him inside her. Soon.
Just not yet. Not when he seemed to know just how to touch her, how to do everything exactly how she liked it. His left hand stayed cupped over her bottom, holding her captive against his mouth. His palm was hot and rough, the slightly callused texture unexpected and arousing against her skin.
His tongue and fingers continued to tease and probe and push her to the brink of insanity, demanding her last shred of control...
She convulsed around him and bit down on her lip to keep from screaming out. Her body quivered as her muscles contracted, and no matter how much she squirmed, he wouldn’t let up. He kept pushing her further and further, and when she thought she couldn’t take any more, he pushed her all the way to the edge, prolonging her climax until her knees went weak.
Jack slowly raised himself while rubbing his hands up her back and keeping her steady. “Hold on to me,” he said, tightening his arms around her.
Before she could make sense of what he’d said, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her the few feet to his king-size bed. He laid her down gently in the middle, and she stretched out on the decadent satiny bronze sheets. Holding her breath, she watched him get completely and gloriously naked. She’d known he would be amazing, but now the word hardly seemed adequate. Jack was stunning.
And all hers for the night.
“I should’ve asked before now...can I get you anything?” he said. “Some water, maybe?”
Carly thought for a moment. Sending him to the kitchen meant she’d get a great backside view. But no, she was too impatient. “No, thanks.”
He opened the nightstand drawer and brought out a whole handful of condoms. Oh, she did like a confident man. But then he leaned over and turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Barely able to see him, she let go a whimper of frustration.
His low husky laugh didn’t help. “Hold on a second.”
Her eyes hadn’t adjusted yet when flames flared in the fireplace. Startled, she turned back to Jack. Flickering firelight lit his face.
“Not wood-burning,” he said, dropping a remote control on the nightstand. “But so much easier.”
“Not wood-burning?” she repeated, her hand covering her mouth with shock. “But it looks so convincing. How can I ever trust you?” She inched over when he crawled in beside her.
“You shouldn’t. I have all sorts of wicked things in mind... Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m giving you room.”
He closed his fingers over her hand, holding it captive. “I want you right here.”
Moving with spellbinding grace, he covered her body with his, resting his hips against hers and bracing himself on his elbows so that his chest grazed her breasts. His arousal lay hot and heavy on her stomach and his breath was warm on her face as he looked into her eyes.
“You’re beautiful, Carly,” he whispered, brushing the hair away from her cheek. “Inside and out.”
The sincerity on his face stole the air from her lungs and all her words. This was just sex, she reminded herself. Only pillow talk, and she’d be a fool to forget. She lifted her mouth to him, and he kissed her long, deep and perfect.
10
AFTER SEVERAL ENDLESS MOMENTS, they broke the kiss so they could both breathe. Carly’s breasts rising and falling against his chest were driving him insane. Jack had wanted to take his time with her, but he wasn’t sure he could hold out long enough. Her hips were moving, putting pressure on his cock, and that alone might be the thing to do him in.
She reached around and squeezed his ass. “You take your workouts seriously,” she said, and he grinned.
“Nope. I only use the gym during the winter. When the weather is good I run, play pickup basketball and kick ass on the company’s softball team.” Okay, this was better. Talking was a good distrac
tion. Only she wouldn’t stop moving her hips.
He rolled onto his side.
“Hey.” She gave him a fierce little frown that was actually kind of cute. “Why did you do that?”
“Because...” He leaned over and kissed her breast. “You were teasing me.”
Shuddering, she strained toward him, her nipple a tight bud and damp from his mouth. “It’s not teasing if I plan to go through with it.”
“Go through with what?” He caught the mischievous gleam in her eye a second before she wrapped her hand around his cock. Something between a grunt and a laugh slipped out of him. “Easy.”
“Am I hurting you?” she asked, eyes wide with fake innocence as she started stroking him.
“Carly...” God, he needed to make her stop. But it felt good. So damn good. Giving up, he fell onto his back and closed his eyes. She knew just how much pressure to use, just when to ease up.
It was tempting to let her keep going but this wasn’t how he wanted their first time to go. A few moments later he realized he’d started thrusting his hips. On a deep inhale he froze and caught her wrist. His cock pulsed against her warm palm.
“Please, Jack, let me,” she whispered, the raspy need in her voice stoking the fire inside him.
He licked her breast, then sucked the nipple into his mouth while he pried her fingers away from his throbbing erection. She whimpered and he sucked harder. She tasted sweet, so tempting, so responsive. He’d be a fool to think he could last much longer. He slid his free hand between her legs, the back of his knuckles skimming the soft silky skin of her inner thighs, and man, how could that in itself be such a major turn-on?
Finding her wet and ready, he easily slid his finger deep inside her. She gasped, her moist breath washing over his ear in a heated rush. He lifted his head, blew lightly on her damp nipple and then kissed her lips before coaxing her mouth open. Their tongues touched and circled each other. He reminded himself he wasn’t in a hurry but that did no good when Carly bucked against his finger.
He inserted a second one, curling it slightly and watching her face, hoping he’d hit that perfect spot to give her pleasure. Her breathing came harsh and fast, and she arched off the bed. Her head tilted back, her lips parted, she panted his name. His cock twitched. In a few moments he wouldn’t be able to do anything but bury himself inside her slick wet heat.
She twisted her hand, fighting his grip on her wrist until she broke free. “I want you inside me, Jack,” she said, her voice whisper soft. “Please. Now. It has to be now.”
With a start, he realized she’d already grabbed a packet off the nightstand. While she tore it open, he kissed the side of her neck, but then quickly took the condom from her because he didn’t trust his raging body.
“I can do it,” she protested, her gaze lowered on his cock.
“No. I can’t take the chance.”
Her gaze moved up to his face and she blinked.
He sheathed himself as he watched confusion turn to a small smile of satisfaction.
* * *
CARLY FELT FIERCE and powerful. It didn’t matter that she was a trembling shivery mess. She’d pushed Jack to his limit. This beautiful, intelligent, compassionate man wanted her. He wasn’t faking that look of raw need. A need tinged with desperation. The need for her. She’d never experienced anything like it before.
“Carly?” He spread her thighs wider and got between them. “I’m sorry if this first time goes too fast.” He leaned down and kissed her mouth. “I’ll make it up to you later,” he murmured, and pushed deep inside her.
She was breathless for a moment, from the quick unexpected entry, from the moan trapped in her throat. Her desperate inhale came as a surprise. She must have been holding her breath for too long. Now she was gasping as she wrapped her legs around his waist and he pulled them up higher so he could go deeper.
They groaned at the same time.
His jaw clenched, he rocked his hips against her. Slow, measured movements, she could tell, were taking all of his control. He cupped her face with his hand, the slightly rough texture of his palm pressed against her cheek. He leaned down, one strong arm supporting his weight as he kissed her.
“You don’t have to go slow,” she whispered. “I’m ready.”
A low growl escaped him and he began to move again. Faster, deeper, with more intensity. She gave up her tight grip of the sheets to cling to his shoulders.
He groaned, the otherworldly sound coming from the depths of his throat and his whole body shuddered. She wrapped her arms around him and was startled when the first shock wave swept over her. She could hear the thudding of her heart. Feel the heat rush through her veins. He gathered her in his arms and, with his body, pressed her into the soft mattress, kissing her face and neck while she weathered the storm.
Jack waited until the shuddering stopped and their breathing had slowed, then holding her tight, he rolled onto his back. She ended up on top of him, her breasts pressed against his chest, her arms feeling like rubber. She didn’t know how he’d managed it. She was too weak to move a muscle.
“Hi.” He untangled the hair from her lashes and smiled.
“Hi, yourself.” She let her head drop to his chest. “I can’t move.”
“You don’t have to.” He stroked a hand down her back. “Try to sleep.”
She rubbed her cheek against his warm skin. She really was groggy. “Maybe a short nap,” she said, and tried to move off him. But Jack tightened his arms and kept her right where she was.
* * *
CARLY REALIZED SHE’D have to open her eyes eventually. Just not yet. Knowing she was still in Jack’s bed was enough for now. His ridiculous high-thread-count sheets had her spoiled for life. She arched her back, stretched out her arms, then her legs. And tried not to wince at the soreness between her thighs. She’d gone too long without, and then made up for it all in one night.
But boy, what a night. There’d been everything but fireworks.
Finally, she forced herself to open her eyes. Mostly because she thought she smelled coffee. She turned her head and saw Jack entering the bedroom carrying a tray. He wore a smile and nothing else.
And already her exhausted body was responding. Good grief.
“We have coffee, water, orange juice and aspirin if you still have a headache.” He set the tray down at the foot of the bed, then sat at the edge and kissed her. “How are you feeling?”
“Actually, it’s not my head so much that’s aching.”
He thought for a moment. “Ah. Sorry.”
“I’m not complaining,” she said. “I’ve been so busy working lately, you probably saved me from atrophy.”
Jack laughed. “No, we wouldn’t want that.” He caught the hand she’d placed on his chest and lightly kissed her fingertips. “I’ll have to be more creative for a while.”
A shiver slid through her. From the look in his eyes, he wasn’t bluffing. They weren’t done. She pulled up the sheet to hide the goose bumps. “Right now, I need coffee. Seriously. Or I will have a headache. I live on caffeine.”
“That’s not good. We’ll have to see what we can do about that.” He got up to go to the tray and he was already half-hard. “I brought milk and sugar. I don’t have cream.”
She was trying to tell him she’d drink it black but the words weren’t coming. Between his obvious physical desire for her and his casual use of we she was getting a little dizzy.
“You want me to fix it for you or bring you the tray?”
“Just black would be good,” she said finally, and looked away. Her gaze landed on the digital clock. She blinked. “It’s 2:15. Afternoon or morning?”
She looked to him but she already knew. Sunlight was seeping in from the draped windows.
“Carly, relax.”
“I’m so s
crewed. Why didn’t you wake me?”
“I only got up half an hour ago myself. Here, drink.”
She waved away the red mug. “I don’t have time.” She fought her way out of the sheets and swung her feet to the floor.
“You do.” He set the mug on the nightstand. “I’ve checked with the airlines. Come here.”
She wasn’t sure she liked that he could be this calm. He knew she wanted to go see her family. “I’ve never slept this late in my entire life,” she said as he put his arms around her. It wasn’t good news. She could feel it. “Just tell me. Can I get on a flight?”
“Not today, I’m afraid. It’s Christmas Eve and lots of people are camping out at the airport hoping for cancellations.”
“Oh, God. Did you only check flights to Pittsburgh? Maybe I can fly back to New York and get to Pittsburgh from there.”
“I doubt it. Look, I know you want to make it to Brent’s party tonight—”
“I don’t care about that anymore.” She pulled away, shaking her head. “I don’t. But my folks—I can’t disappoint them.”
“You won’t.” He caught her face between his hands. “You have two choices. I found a flight open tomorrow evening. Or I can drive you.”
“To Pittsburgh?” She let out a laugh. “Do you know how far that is?”
“We can get cleaned up and leave in half an hour. Obviously you still wouldn’t make the party—”
Carly put a silencing finger on his lips. She could tell he meant it. All she had to do was say the word. She looped her arms around his neck. “What about your Christmas plans? Wouldn’t your family miss you?”
He looked at the clock. “My parents are boarding a plane right about now. They’re headed to their home in Barbados for a week.”
“So your father wouldn’t be here when the sale went through...”
“Yep.” Jack sighed. “Man, is he in for a surprise.”
Carly smiled. Of course Jack wasn’t looking forward to that confession but he seemed calm, not resigned either, but relaxed. As if he understood he’d done the right thing and that’s what mattered. He’d also taken her need to go home seriously, which she appreciated.
Wild Holiday Nights: Holiday RushPlaying GamesAll Night Long Page 20