by Peyton Banks
His breath caught in his throat as he took her in from afar. Even in the low-light establishment, he could see her beauty from where he stood. Her bronze skin practically glowed. Her long hair flowed down her back in curls. A flower was tucked in behind her ear, holding her hair back. She stood at the bar sipping on a drink. Her black dress did nothing to hide her curvy frame.
Declan’s mouth watered at the sight of her body. Another man coming to stand next to her brought on a growl that escaped from his chest. Before he realized it, his feet were already carrying him across the room.
“Hey, pretty lady. A man shouldn’t let someone as beautiful as you wait,” the man was saying.
Declan casually made his way to Aspen’s other side.
“Let me buy you a drink,” the stranger pressed.
“No, thank you,” she replied casually, barely looking at the man.
Declan almost felt sorry for the guy, who was average-looking and hitting on her. Declan wasn’t sure why, but he was itching to plow his fist directly in the jerk’s face.
“Your date is —”
“Right here,” Declan growled, sending a glare the man’s way. He knew that better men couldn’t return his glare, and this one just shrank back, his gaze meeting Declan’s.
Aspen turned toward him, and their eyes connected. Lust and need slammed into his chest as he gazed into her dark irises. His attention traveled down toward her plump lips that he wanted to slam his mouth to, but he figured he’d at least introduce himself first. His perusal trailed farther, and he had to fight to adjust his cock that was pressing against his pants. Her dress dipped low to put her ample breasts on display.
“Are you sure—” the man stuttered, but Declan flickered his eyes back to him, cutting him off.
If he didn’t get the message, Declan was sure his fist would deliver it more clearly.
He got the message.
He visibly swallowed and nodded before walking away.
“Declan, I presume?” She leaned against the counter. Her perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose as she studied him. Her gaze made its own way down his body.
He had to control his breathing.
He wanted her.
Maybe he owed Evie a thank you.
“Yes, ma’am,” he murmured, leaning closer to her.
She tilted her head back and studied him some more. He returned the favor and could see that she was guarded.
Alarms went off in the back of his head, but he pushed them back. This was a blind date, of course she’d be guarded.
“Well, Evie certainly did not fib. You are quite handsome,” she said, a small smile appearing on her lips.
“I’d have to say that she fibbed to me.” He had to touch her. He reached up and readjusted her flower that didn’t need to be adjusted. He just needed to find a way to get a hand on her. He trailed his fingers down the side of her face, caressing her soft brown skin.
“She did?” Her sexy little eyebrow rose again.
“Yes, she didn’t tell me how sexy and beautiful you were,” he said.
Her smile widened at his words.
Pleased that she seemed to relax with him, he held out his arm. “Shall we?”
“We shall.”
Chapter 3
I’m a lady. I’m a fucking lady, Aspen had to chant to herself. I will not throw myself at this man.
Declan Owen was all man, and his heated gazes had her taking another healthy sip of her wine. Her eyes met his across the table, and she bit her lip to keep from moaning aloud.
When he’d first arrived at her side and saved her from the third man trying to hit on her, she had thought she had died and gone to Heaven. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. His hard glare had sent the nameless guy scrambling away. It was definitely a turn on for her.
His alpha personality weakened her legs. There was nothing sexier than a man who was in control and knew how to exert himself. Her breath had been ripped from her lungs the moment he’d turned his attention to her. His eyes had practically undressed her, leaving her body strung tight.
Their dinner had been going well. She tried to avoid certain questions as she had been instructed. She had to remember everything she had been coached since entering the witness protection program. She couldn’t go into too much information about herself. He, on the other hand, was open about growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, serving in the Navy and working SWAT now. He seemed to be an all-round great guy.
She bit back a sigh.
Again, her life was taken from her and was being guided in a direction she had no control over. Nothing would be able to come from this date.
Declan was great with his conversation and would be the type of guy she’d pursue, but alas, her future was still blank. Soon, she’d have to go back to California and testify against the man who was like an uncle to her, who she’d gone to confront about her findings and witnessed him kill someone in front of her.
She tried to push away the memory of the faceless man’s body hitting the floor before her.
“I guess I’m losing my touch,” Declan’s voice broke through her thoughts.
“I’m sorry.” She tried to smile and met his eyes. But her attempt at smiling was lost on him. He read right through her.
“I seem to have lost you for a second. Is everything all right?” He cocked his head to the side, his curious eyes studying her.
The sound of music filled the air. She looked over at the band that began playing. She smiled, taking in a few couples making their way to the dance floor.
What she wouldn’t give to just have a normal life. One where she didn’t have to worry that someone would try to kill her to keep her from spilling secrets.
“Yes, everything’s fine,” she lied. She wiped her mouth with her napkin and knew that he knew she was lying. She swiveled her eyes back to the couples dancing to the music. The sound of Declan’s chair pushing back from the table grabbed her attention. She watched as he made his way around their table.
She greedily took him in. The man was physically fit, and it was apparent that he took care of himself. He’d folded his sleeves, displaying his tattooed forearms. Aspen wasn’t sure when she began thinking forearms were sexy, but his definitely did something for her.
“Dance with me,” he murmured, holding his hand out.
Without hesitation, she placed her smaller one in his and allowed him to pull her from the chair. She may not know what the future held for her, but she was willing to grab on to what she could for the moment, and if dinner and dancing with Declan was right now, she’d take it.
He guided her to the dance floor and swung her around before pulling her close to him. She gasped as her body molded against his. He left no room in between them. His hard length pushed into her stomach. She bit her lip and tilted her head back to gaze up into his hooded eyes. Their bodies fit together perfectly. Everywhere he was hard, she was soft. She felt protected in his arms while their bodies swayed to the music. Declan knew exactly what he was doing. He was wooing her.
She wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation of Declan Owen. She’d tossed caution to the wind. She’d take this night and hold on to it. She’d be selfish and take great pleasure with Declan. Tomorrow, she’d go back to her everyday routine that she’d established here in Columbia.
“So do all you southern boys know how to dance?” she murmured, loving the feel of his hand on the small of her back. For someone who was as large as he was, Declan sure knew how to move. Dancing was one of her favorite pastimes, and tonight she had a great partner.
“My mother believed all southern boys should learn the basics.” He laughed, twirling her around before bringing her flush to his body again.
“Well, one day, I’ll have to thank Mrs. Owen for teaching her son how to dance.” She laughed, too, but then caught what she’d said. She held back a curse at her slip-up.
There would be no future meeting of families.
He must have felt her stiffen. A frown ap
peared on his face before disappearing. She avoided his eyes and laid her head on his strong chest, her thoughts racing. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, but Declan’s hand on the small of her back slid down lower onto the swell of her ass.
The sexual tension surrounding them could be cut with a knife. His body called to hers, and it was getting harder to resist. It didn’t help that he wasn’t even hiding his hard length from her.
“So, Sergeant Owen, is that a gun in your pants, or are you just happy to be dancing with me?” she asked, trying not to laugh at her horrible attempt at a joke.
“Oh, I’m very happy to be dancing with you,” he growled, his fingers digging into the meat of her ass.
She bit her lip again and eased back to glance up at him. His hooded eyes met hers. She slid her hand up his hard chest, and it found its way to the nape of his neck. He slowly lowered his head to hers and covered her lips with his.
She sighed and leaned into him. His tongue thrust forth, sweeping into her mouth to meet hers. She wasn’t shy in meeting his tongue with hers. The kiss was downright scathing hot, open and deep. The restaurant was forgotten; she was lost in Declan’s kiss. Her nipples painfully pushed against her bra, demanding to be set free.
The attraction between them was intense and had Aspen wanting to climb up and wrap her legs around Declan, but the dance floor was certainly not the place. A small protest escaped her lips, and he pulled back and leaned his forehead on hers. They both were slightly out of breath from the kiss. Aspen’s body was on fire for him. She entwined her fingers at the base of his neck.
“Wow,” she gasped.
“Aspen, I don’t want to lead you on or anything,” he said.
Her eyes flew open.
Doubt entered her mind. Was the attraction all one-sided? Did he not feel what she felt?
“Okay,” she responded slowly, unsure of where he was going with this.
“I don’t do relationships,” he began.
She bit back a sigh of relief. As much as she would want to see where this thing with him would go, she couldn’t afford to be in a relationship. She had too much on her plate at the moment.
“I know you feel what is between us,” he said.
She nodded, their bodies slowly swaying with the beat of the music. The feel of his hands on her made it hard for her to concentrate. His possessive touch was obvious every time she glanced around and saw another man eyeing her. Declan would shoot off a glare to warn them off.
“I want you,” he declared.
The muscles of her stomach quivered at the hunger in his eyes. Relief filled her. She gripped him tight to her, pushing her breasts against his chest.
His nostrils flared as she smiled up at him. “I don’t want to lie or make any excuses at all.
“I want you, too,” she replied. She shyly lowered her eyes to his stubble. The dark shadow on his chin had her fingers itching to rub his jaw. She ached to feel the stubble between her thighs. She traced her hand down his chest and settled it over his heart, unsure how to make the offer for him to come back to her apartment.
“No strings is what I’m offering.”
Their bodies paused. He stared down at her while she contemplated his admission. Little did he realize that ‘no strings’ was right up her alley.
Sex.
That’s what he was putting on the table. With the state of her life right now, that’s all she wanted.
No strings.
Just someone who could work her body into a delicious orgasm.
She knew Declan could be that man.
“Will you come home with me?” she asked, raising her eyebrow. He’d put the offer on the table, and she was accepting.
Graciously.
The growl that vibrated from his chest had her core clenching.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 4
Declan drove them to Aspen’s home. He didn’t like the thought of her walking to the restaurant. Her home was only a few minutes’ car drive away. He kept flicking his eyes to Aspen while she sat quiet in the passenger seat.
“Two more houses and that’s me on the left. The one with the light on. Just pull up to the side door.” She pointed at a cozy little home.
He nodded and followed her directions. He knew the area and wasn’t sure he liked her living in this part of town. He parked in her driveway between the two houses and turned to her, finding her eyes already on him. It was late, and the street was dark and deserted.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked. He knew they had only just met, but he needed to be certain that she was on board with what he was asking. Something was off about her. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was. Every time she mentioned something about the future, she almost shut down.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” She nodded with a small smile lingering on her lips.
He dropped his gaze to her plump lips and ached to taste them again. He reached for her, and she came willingly. He gripped her by the neck, crushing his lips to hers.
Her mouth opened immediately. The kiss was hard and desperate. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, meeting hers. Her groan fueled his desire for her. She climbed over the arm console and straddled him.
Her fingers dove in his hair, and he angled his head to deepen the kiss. He gripped her ass tight, bringing her core flush with his cock that was straining to burst out of his slacks.
She released a moan as he trailed a string of kisses along her jawline and toward her neck. The smell of her scent filled his nostrils. He breathed in deeply, memorizing the sweet smell of her perfume and her womanly scent.
“Declan,” she groaned.
He slid his hand beneath the edge of her dress, moving it along her supple thighs and disappearing farther, exploring her soft skin. He found her panties and pushed them to the side and dipped his finger between her slick labia.
“Yes.”
He locked his eyes on her as she gripped the back of his neck. She took his breath away with all the emotions flashing across her face. He found her swollen clitoris with his finger.
“Aspen, baby,” he muttered, unable to take his eyes off her.
She rode his fingers, threw her head back, thrusting her breasts toward him, and he was lost to her. He knew they should move this into the house. Taking her for the first time in his truck wasn’t how he’d imagined their first time together, but at the moment, there was no way he could stop.
They were sliding down a hill at full speed with no brakes.
Unable to resist, he reached with his free hand and pulled the top of her dress down, revealing her breasts. Her hips thrust against his hand as he continued to stroke her clit. He quickly undid the clasp of her bra, freeing her beautiful mounds.
“Fuck me,” he ordered, taking the first one in his mouth. He gripped it with his hand, bathing her taut nipple with his tongue before suckling it deep within his mouth.
Her gasps and moans filled the air.
“Declan.”
His name on her tongue had him harder than steel.
“Aspen, take me out of my pants,” he urged, releasing her breast from his lips.
Her eyes flickered to his, and she reached down between them. His cock pressed painfully against his shorts underneath his pants while she struggled with the belt and button.
“I have to warn you, it’s been a while,” she said, finally opening his pants.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you,” he promised.
She slid her hand inside of his boxer briefs.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. Her hand encircled this thick length. He bit back a curse as she worked to free him from his pants. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d had sex in a vehicle. They were both acting like horny teenagers and both laughed and shifted, trying to make sex work in his truck.
He reached down and adjusted the seat, giving them more room.
“Sorry, pretty lady. I haven’t done this since I was a teenager.” He chuckled.
“You haven’t had sex since you were a teen—”
“No…yes, I’ve had sex since I was a teenager,” he stammered. He laughed at her wide-eyed look. Plenty of sex. At the moment, she had him just as flustered as a boy with his first girl. He didn’t know what it was about her, but all of his blood had headed south, leaving his brain to fumble for responses. He needed to hurry and bury his cock deep in her. The feel of her slowly stroking his length was making it harder to think. “I just meant in a car.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip. A sheepish expression fell across her face. “Well, I thought you were going to say you were a born again virgin or something. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of you.”
“Come here.” He pulled her close with a growl, the tip of his cock brushing her slick folds. He couldn’t wait any longer. He lined up the blunt tip of his cock with her slit and guided her down onto him.
The sound of her deep moan tore through the air as she impaled herself on his length. He thrust forward, fully seating himself in her tight sheath. Tiny beads of sweat slid down his temples, and he tried to concentrate on not blowing his load.
He released a curse at the tightness of Aspen’s walls. She was a small woman, and he was fighting the urge to pound into her.
“Oh God,” she cried out.
“I got to move.” He lifted her and slammed her back down.
Aspen’s fingers dug into his shoulders, and she moved along with the pace he set. He locked his gaze on her face. Her eyes were squeezed shut with pure pleasure plastered on her face.
He dug his fingers in to her ass and guided her up and down on his length.
“Declan,” she gasped.
Her breasts danced in front of his face. His tongue ached to taste her again. He pulled her forward to allow him to capture her bobbing breast in his mouth. Her fingers threaded their way into his hair, gripping him to her as she rode him hard.
The sounds of their coupling filled the air while the heat of their passion steamed up the windows. They were lost in their own little world. The familiar feeling of his release built in his testicles.