Tempting Christa: An Irresistibly Mine Duet - Book 1

by Delaney, Tracie

  I gave the milk to Max as Dayton returned with a coffee for me and a candy bar for Max.

  “Hey, buddy,” Dayton said, smiling. He unwrapped the candy and handed it to Max who grabbed it and bit off a huge chunk.

  “He shouldn’t be having chocolate this close to his dinner,” I said stiffly.

  Dayton flashed me a furious glare. “That’s all you’ve got to say?”

  My cheeks heated once more. I lowered my chin to my chest. “I don’t know what to say. I saw something in the park. It startled me. When I saw you with Nina, I wasn’t thinking straight. I thought… well, you know what I thought.”

  “Yes,” he said in a clipped tone. “Unfortunately, I do.”

  I rubbed the space between my eyebrows and kept my attention on Max. Kids were great for when a distraction was desperately needed. I held his milk and wiped chocolate from his mouth, hoping that the longer the silence continued, the more likely Dayton would be to break it. Turned out he was an expert at letting silences linger. After five minutes, I caved.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  I clenched my jaw. I shouldn’t be surprised he wanted me to suffer. If the tables were turned, I’d have done the same. I listed my infractions.

  “For calling you a liar. For not listening to you when you tried to explain. For saying you were an asshole.” I chewed on my lip. “For throwing my bracelet at you.”

  He stroked his beard, his gaze locked on mine. “That’s quite a list you amassed in about thirty seconds of interaction.”

  “I’m very productive,” I said. “Ask my boss.”

  His lips twitched. Thank goodness. Maybe he was coming around.

  “You said something startled you in the park. What was it?”

  I gestured dismissively, not keen to revisit the sense of unease, of menace, a simple case of mistaken identity had caused. “Oh, nothing. I was just being silly.”

  Max wriggled to get off my lap, but there was nowhere for him to play here. I put him back in his stroller, where he proceeded to wail loudly.

  “Sorry, but I need to get this little one home.”

  Dayton got to his feet and tapped his phone. “I’ll take you.”

  “No need. I can get a cab.”

  He leaned down, his lips touching my ear as he whispered, “You need to learn the difference between an offer and an order.”

  His comment should have annoyed me. Instead, wetness pooled between my legs, and my stomach somersaulted about five times. How could Dayton ordering me about turn me on? What kind of sicko did that make me, especially with my history?

  By the time we got outside, his car was already waiting. Paul, the magician, had done it again. Dayton stared at me until I took Max out of his stroller—the poor kid had been in and out of that thing so many times in the last hour—and then he collapsed it and put it into the trunk. The car seat was still in the back.

  “Permanent fixture,” I said, arching an eyebrow.

  “It seems so,” Dayton murmured, but I was sure I spotted something akin to serenity cross his face.

  I settled Max into the car seat that was beginning to feel like his, then climbed in beside him. Dayton got into the front next to Paul.

  “Ms. Adams’ place,” he instructed, clipping his seat belt into its holder.

  Max acted up on the way back. Luckily, I found a toy car at the bottom of my purse, and by joining in the play, and adding lots of vroom vroom noises, I managed to keep him occupied until Paul pulled up outside my building.

  “I’ll see you up,” Dayton said, glancing over his shoulder, his firm expression daring me to argue. He got out of the car, and by the time Max and I joined him, he already had the stroller set up.

  “You’re turning into an expert,” I said, going to put Max inside.

  “No, Momma, me walk.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Okay, but hold my hand.”

  Dayton collapsed the stroller without a murmur of dissent and followed me inside. It was slow going because Max insisted on stopping every few feet with some distraction technique or other, but when Dayton picked him up and settled him on top of his shoulders, then set off running, Max’s peals of laughter filled the hallway, and warmth flooded my heart. Perhaps Isla had been right; good things were in my future, in the shape of the man holding my son.

  “Would you like to come in?” I asked Dayton when we got to my door. “I need to feed Max then get him ready for bed, but if you have the time to hang around, I shouldn’t be long.”

  “I have time,” he replied, his eyes promising a difficult conversation ahead.

  It took an hour to feed, bathe, and put Max to bed. Dayton surprised the hell out of me by helping. It was testament to his superior persuasion abilities that meant Max ate his dinner without throwing any at either me, or the walls, and as I bathed him, Dayton cleaned the kitchen and poured us a glass of wine.

  Exhausted, I flopped onto the couch and kicked off my sneakers. I must look an absolute mess, but I was too tired to care. If Dayton wanted me—if he still wanted me after my performance today—then he could put up with me at my absolute worst.

  “He’s such a terrific kid,” Dayton said.

  I pinched my nose between my thumb and forefinger. “I love him to death, but sometimes, he tests every single nerve I have.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t profess to know a lot about children, but isn’t that par for the course?”

  “So it seems,” I said, briefly closing my eyes.

  The couch shifted, and then Dayton was behind me, his fingers kneading my shoulders. I made an appreciative noise, relaxing into his touch, and shutting my mind off from figuring out how he’d acquired such incredible massaging skills.

  “I am sorry about today,” I said with a lot more feeling than my earlier apology.

  He sighed heavily but kept digging his fingertips into my knotted muscles. “What I’m more interested in, Christa, is why you found it so easy to jump to the conclusion you did? I know I have a reputation as a womanizer, but I’m not a cheat. I asked you to be my girlfriend. In my mind, that meant exclusivity.”

  I let my head rest against the back of the seat. “I guess it was the way you looked at her, with so much adoration. I was… jealous. Before you told me she was your sister, of course.”

  He came to sit beside me, taking my hand in his. He stared at where we were joined for a few seconds, then lifted his chin. “I do adore her. Nina and I are very close. Our childhood wasn’t easy, but we got through it together. I’m very protective of her.”

  My curiosity spiked, but I refrained from questioning him. He’d shown me respect by not pressing me for information. I owed him the same courtesy. If this thing between us went somewhere then he’d tell me in his own time.

  “She seems lovely.”

  “She is.”

  Something Nina had said nudged at me, and I smiled. “Did you really talk about me a lot?”

  He rolled his eyes. “She’s also very indiscreet. Anyway, I’m much more interested in getting an answer to my question. Am I to infer, given that you were unnecessarily jealous, you’re willing to give us a chance?”

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” I said, grinning and purposely avoiding answering his question. “How many times per day did you mention me?”

  Dayton growled, the sound rumbling through his chest and calling to a deep, ancient instinct within me. My heart rate escalated, drumming hard against my ribcage, and a faint sheen of perspiration dampened the back of my neck. An image raced through my mind of Dayton laying me flat and fucking me. In my dreams, he wouldn’t be gentle, he’d be hard, rough, taking what he wanted while giving me everything I needed.

  Except ruining the dream was the image of me insisting clothes on and lights off. Oh, and hands where I can see them, please.

  “Christa, answer my question.”

  I returned back to the present. I’d figure it out, somehow. I deserved to be happy, to live a full life. To do
what every other girl my age was doing—learning about themselves through relationships and love, experiences both good and bad, taking risks and reaping rewards.

  “My answer is yes.”

  15

  Dayton

  I wasn’t sure I’d heard her correctly, and I couldn’t afford to fuck this up. “You’re willing to try?”

  The nod she gave was the affirmation I’d been waiting for. I took her face between my hands and kissed her. I moved slowly, taking my time, savoring the taste of her. It had only been a few weeks since she’d freaked out in the back of my car, and as much as I was desperate to lose myself, I held back. Even when she thrust her hands into my hair and tugged hard on the roots, I managed to stop myself from rolling her onto her back, removing her jeans, and fucking her senseless. I wanted to, badly. I hadn’t gone four months without a fuck since junior high, but if I pushed her now, I’d lose her forever.

  I drew back, softening my rebuff with a peck on her lips. “I’m so glad.”

  She covered my hands with her own, pressing them against her cheeks. “You need to know something that might change your mind.”

  I shook my head. “Nothing you say will change my mind. I want you, Christa, and I’m not talking about fucking. I want you. To spend time together, to really get to know you. I don’t only want to be your lover, but also a friend, a confidante, the person you laugh with, the one with whom you share ideas and plans for the future. These past few months, so much has changed for me.” I chuckled. “Do you know you’re the first woman I’ve ever pursued?” I waggled my eyebrows. “Egotistical, right?”

  She laughed, and it lit up her whole face, chasing away the shadows that briefly appeared. Clasping a hand to her chest, she pretended to faint. “I’m so honored.”

  I pulled her onto my lap and kissed her again. “You should be. I’m quite the catch.”

  She grazed a hand over my beard, softly scratching my jaw, her expression growing somber once more. “Dayton, listen to me. What happened a few weeks ago on the way home from dinner with Marin… it could happen again. It probably will happen again. You’re going to need to be patient with me, and at times, you’ll get frustrated. But know that I’m trying, really hard. It’s just that…” She took a deep breath.

  “Christa—” I interrupted, but she stopped me with a finger over my lips.

  “Let me finish, please. Something happened in my past, and it’s made it difficult for me to be naked, and intimate with someone. I will get there, but you’re going to need to build my trust in you first.”

  An uncomfortable feeling at what she was intimating tightened my stomach. I had to ask.

  “Were you sexually assaulted?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not surprised you asked that, but no, that’s not the reason.”

  Relief rushed through me. Violence of any kind toward a woman turned me sick, but in my opinion, sexual assault was among the most heinous of crimes. “Whatever you need, Christa, it’s yours.”

  She nibbled her lip, her eyes cast downward as she tugged at a loose thread on her T-shirt. “We can do… stuff, but you’ll have to let me lead on what I’m comfortable with.”

  I cocked an eyebrow and grinned. “Stuff?”

  She giggled and playfully shoved me in the chest. “Stop teasing me.”

  “Why, when it’s so much fun?”

  She pouted and tried to get off my lap. I tightened my hold.

  “Stay,” I said, nuzzling her neck.

  She smelled of peaches and the subtle scent of perfume. I couldn’t get enough. She made this adorable little contented noise, and something happened inside me, like a fist around my heart and a pulling sensation across my chest. I was hit with an urge to protect this woman who’d stumbled into my life and forever changed it. To kill for her. To die for her.

  “Tell me more about this ‘stuff’ we can do,” I murmured against the shell of her ear, a purposeful distraction technique to stop me thinking too much.

  She drew back, her eyes searching mine, and then her lips curved into a secretive smile. “I’d rather show you.”

  She shuffled backward, and her fingers went to the button on my pants. She flipped it open, then unzipped me. I held my breath as she dipped her hand inside, burrowing beneath the waistband of my boxers. Her fist closed around my dick, and my head fell back, a low groan of pleasure easing from my throat.

  “Close your eyes,” she whispered. “Keep them closed.”

  I did as she asked, savoring this moment that I’d fantasized about many times. Clearly, I needed to work on my imagination because the real thing was so much better. She slipped from my lap, and then, oh God, her soft lips closed around me, sucking me deep into her warm, wet mouth.

  “Fuck, Christa,” I hissed as the head of my cock hit the back of her throat. “Jesus.”

  I had to see, despite my promise. I kept my head against the back of the couch and peeked through half-open lids. Her dark hair had fallen around her face, but that didn’t obscure the view of my cock disappearing into her mouth as she sucked me almost down to the base.

  I slipped my hands into her hair, not forcing, not controlling, just holding. I needed to anchor myself to this moment somehow, and the feel of those silky strands provided at least a fictitious foothold in reality.

  Her tongue wrapped around me, licking enthusiastically. She kept making these noises, like she was really enjoying it, as though she was getting as much pleasure from sucking my dick as I was. Talk about a fucking turn-on. A warm palm cupped my balls, and she massaged softly, in direct contrast to the hard suction she applied to my cock. My mouth fell open. I was having an out-of-body experience, and my whole body started tingling.

  “Christa, stop. I’m gonna come.”

  She didn’t stop. She sucked harder, deeper, used even more tongue. Maybe she hadn’t heard me, or maybe she didn’t care.

  “Christa,” I warned again, but it was too late. “Oh, fuck.”

  I climaxed, my entire body jerking as if I’d been electrocuted. It was, singularly, the most intense orgasm I could remember having, and the fastest since I was a boy. I squeezed my eyes closed, conscious that I’d tightened my grip on her hair, but unable to stop myself. The sucking, pulling sensation carried on, until finally, I had nothing left.

  Lazily, I opened my eyes. “Wow,” was the only thing I could think of that came close to explaining the feelings she’d drawn from deep within me.

  She smiled. “That kinda stuff.”

  I tucked myself away then reached down, lifting her back onto my lap. I traced her face with my fingertips, memorizing every hollow, every dip, the softness of her skin. “And what about you? What can I do for you?”

  She exhaled a shuddering breath and lowered her gaze. “Give me time.”

  I pulled her close and kissed her, tasting the saltiness of my cum on her tongue. “All the time in the world belongs to you, angel.”

  * * *

  “I’m glad you could come.” I kissed Christa on the cheek and helped her out of her coat, hanging it on a hook in the entranceway. I led her into the penthouse. “How’s Max?”

  “Excited about spending his evening with Mrs. Flannigan. Sometimes I think he prefers her to me.”

  I chuckled. “I’m sure that isn’t true, but it must make it easier to leave him.”

  “It does.” She sniffed the air. “Something smells good.”

  “That’s me,” I whispered in her ear, earning a dig in the ribs.

  “I mean the food.”

  “Oh, that.” I gestured dismissively. “You’ve got Nina to thank for having something edible to eat. She’s the cook in the family.”

  My sister wiped her hands on her apron and came out from behind the kitchen counter where she’d spent the last few hours cooking.

  “Christa.” She held out her hands and took Christa’s, squeezing them warmly. “I’m so glad you could come.”

  “Thank you for inviting me. I didn’t mean to encroach on
the time you have with Dayton.”

  “Not at all,” Nina said. “He’s fed up with me already.”

  “That’s true,” I said, grinning.

  Nina rolled her eyes. “The truth, dearest brother, is that you’re glad to have me around to spice up your dull and boring existence. Although…” She glanced between us both. “This year, I think you may have other things on your mind.”

  Christa blushed and ducked her head. I widened my eyes at Nina who shrugged nonchalantly.

  “Dayton, why don’t you get Christa a drink while I finish up in the kitchen. I’ll be serving up shortly.”

  “Wine?” I asked her, going over to the fridge where I’d chilled a nice Gavi which would match perfectly with the meal Nina had cooked.

  “That’d be lovely,” Christa replied.

  I grabbed the bottle and two glasses and led Christa over to the living area. I poured her a glass and indicated for her to sit close to the fire. I settled next to her and rested my arm across the back of the couch, but in seconds, I couldn’t resist touching her, my fingers playing with the hair on the back of her neck.

  “Sorry I haven’t been around these last couple of days,” I said. “Sadly, when you own the company, it’s hard to get any length of time off.”

  “I understand,” she said, following up with, “I’ve missed you.”

  A rush of pleasure surged through me, and I leaned in for a kiss. “I missed you, too,” I murmured against her lips.

  “Have you asked her yet?” Nina called over from the kitchen.

  “She’s been here five seconds,” I said. “What do you think?”

  Nina rolled her eyes, muttered, “Men. Useless beings,” then shouted, “Well, get on with it.”

  “Asked me what?”

  I drew my knuckles down her warm cheek, reveling in the feel of her soft skin. “Every year on New Year’s Eve, Nina and I attend a charity ball. It’s full of dullards with more money than sense, but it raises a lot of money for a very good cause. I want you to come with me.”