by Elaria Ride
Luke barks another humorless laugh. “For a fucked-up control freak like me? That’s scary. So I’ve tried harder to control you.” He huffs out a breath that ruffles the hair around his face.
I squirm again around the pounding between my thighs. Fuck, I’m so turned on… what does it say about me that I’m so turned on by how vulnerable he’s being?
“I’m not telling you all this to make you feel sorry for me,” Luke blurts after a minute, staring into his empty coffee mug. “I just... I couldn’t let you go another second thinking that any part of me doesn’t want you. And—”
But I never find out what else he was going to say… because in one swift motion, I lean across the countertop and capture his lips in a crushing kiss. He freezes for a split-second before relaxing against my mouth with a groan.
“Fuck, Mariah,” he groans, and then his lips are off mine. I blink around, lust-addled and confused, until I feel his big, strong arms wrapping around me again. He must have darted around the counter because now he’s standing beside me, his hands caressing my sides. His tongue darts out to part my lips, and this time, I know he’ll give in to the passion behind his eyes.
I whimper as his mouth descends my jawline, and I arch my back against his fingers. Shit, I’m wet… so completely, overwhelmingly consumed by the pressure of his hands and the groans ripping from his lips. My legs feel like Jell-O as his warm palms drift confidently beneath my pajama top, and when he ducks down for another searing kiss, he does nothing to hide the erection that caused problems before.
To the contrary, he arches an eyebrow, his breathing ragged. “Do you feel that, Princess?” he demands, cupping my face in his hands. “Do you feel what you do to me?”
I whimper through a nod, rubbing myself against the stiff peak in his pants. Without breaking eye contact, I reach out a shaking hand and begin to rub against the rigid outline of his cock. Luke tolerates this for about a split-second before a growl rips from his mouth. In one fell swoop, he lifts me in his arms to position me right at the edge of the counter.
I give him a startled look, but Luke just smirks. Still cocky, I see… but maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll get to see just how cocky. As if reading my mind, Luke crushes his lips to mine again as his large palms wrap around my waist.
“I need to taste you,” he mutters against my mouth, his hands sliding my pants down. “Now.”
I can only whimper in response and drape my arms around his neck. I have a brief moment where I regret my pajama choice. I should’ve gone with the sexier chemise… the one he (apparently) likes quite a lot. But then Luke’s left hand spreads my legs while his right hand drifts up my chest, and I stop wondering about anything at all.
“You’ve been naughty, Princess. Not wearing any panties.” Then his hand drifts to my soaking center, grazing against my clit. My breath hitches in my throat.
“Fuck, you’re wet,” he whispers. He moans with a kind of surprised reverence as the pad of his finger begins massaging my clit. “You’re so fucking wet for me, Mariah… and now…”
He pulls back with a wink, pulling my pants off completely. He moves with agonizing slowness as he sinks to his knees in front of me, that cocky smirk returning to his lips. “Now,” he says deliberately, grabbing fistfuls of my ass and sliding me to the counter edge. “I’m going to make you come. Hard.”
I only have time for an inflamed whimper before his face dives down, his tongue finding purchase on my clit. I arch my back, releasing a startled moan as he begins to swirl and suck, nibble and bite. It’s clear he’s done this — a lot. But right now, as he’s bringing his middle finger up to part my folds and press inside me, and I can’t be bothered to care. Before I know it, I’m teetering on the brink… his tongue and his finger working in measured, even strokes to get me over the edge.
Luke looks up at me a moment later, his eyes hooded and dark, his lips swollen from sucking me. “Come for me,” he rasps, his voice so deep and rumbling I feel it through my body, too.
I’ll be damned if his words don’t compel me, right over the edge. With a final scream, I’m there… my whole body exploding in white-hot pleasure as my pulse races faster and faster, cresting on wave after wave of bliss. I’m hardly aware that my thighs are clenching around his head as a keening wail escapes my lips. My arms cling to his shoulders as the final aftershocks of my release spread through my body like currents…
And it’s only minutes later, when I finally open my eyes to look down at Luke, that I realize I’ve never come that hard. I bite my lip, drinking him in as he palms the erection tenting his pants. I have no idea what will come of this… but if he wants to make me happy, I won’t stop him.
18
Luke
Mariah is really fucking sexy when she comes.
I suppress a moan as I stare up at her, watching her return to earth. Normally, I’m much more controlled and patient… but now, all I can think about is finally, finally being inside her.
A primal male part of me roars with pride as I observe her post-orgasm haze… one of my own doing. Mariah’s chest and cheeks are flushed pink, her eyes heavy-lidded, her body limp on the countertop.
She blinks a few times as she returns to her body. It’s all I’ve been waiting for.
“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” I murmur, kissing the inside of her thigh. “I’ve wanted to lick that pretty little clit. To feel you pulsing against my tongue.”
If possible, Mariah flushes more. But quickly recovers. Just as quickly, I remember who I’m dealing with.
“Have you wanted to fuck me too, Luke?” she asks, batting her eyelashes. She hops down from the counter, still naked from the waist down, and drags a fingernail across my chest. “Because I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve thought about you fucking me, too.”
Shit.
I gulp as she pulls back, beginning to saunter to her bedroom. When she’s at her door, she turns to me with that same coy little smirk. “Coming?”
“Not yet.” I take two heated steps forward. Surely, she knew better than to think she’d get away with that.
Mariah lets out a startled shriek as I lift her beneath her legs, draping her across my arms. “Well,” she purrs, batting her eyelashes again. “You sure know how to make a girl feel like a true Southern belle!”
I laugh and kick open her bedroom door, but I’ve got more pressing issues… like the erection that’s quickly becoming painful. I spare no time in tossing her down on the bed. She arches an eyebrow but scoots over to make room for me. Good.
“Take off your shirt,” I command, positioning myself for better access to her neck. Fuck, she feels so good… her curves slide against me like we're matching pieces of a puzzle. Like we’ve each been missing something that we only found in each other. I clear my throat, shaking my head. I have no idea what the hell that thought was, but I need to take control. And fast.
“You first,” she manages, arching her back against my fingers. “You’re still wearing all your clothes. Hottie Guard.”
I stare down at her for a nano-second before deciding it’s better to comply. At least for now. I pull my shirt over my head, delighting in the way she stares at the ridges of my chest. While I’m at it, I slide my pants down, too. I have absolutely no shame in my body. If anything, I want her to see what she does to me. I want her to witness the proof of what her body makes mine do.
Mariah’s eyes pan down my body, widening when they catch a glimpse of how hard and thick I am. A predatory growl crawls up my throat when she leans in, almost imperceptibly… but it’s not until she licks her lips that I lose it, once and for all.
I clear my throat as I feel my cock dribble a bead of pre-cum. “Hey. Eyes up here. And fair’s fair!” I nod towards the shirt still covering her upper half.
Mariah gives an adorable blush before making good on her end of the bargain. She crosses her arms over her chest and pulls her shirt off. Fuck. My fists clench at my sides. I know I’ve seen parts of her in magazines for ye
ars, but I don’t think words can describe how amazing her breasts are. They’re perfect… absolutely perfect. Fleshy and round, with rosy pink nipples begging to be licked. I’m scarcely aware of my legs taking me to the bed, of the way I lean down to take one into my mouth.
“Fuck, Mariah,” I groan, massaging her other breast while flicking the left with my tongue. She arches into me, her thighs pressed together. Before I can help it, I realize I’m grinding my cock against her thigh, even as I continue to lick and swirl.
Mariah rather primly clears her throat. “Ahem. Eyes up here,” she mimics with a wink. I chuckle, spreading my palms. Yeah. I can admit I’ve been a little… consumed. Then she gives me a soft smile, drawing me closer for a kiss. And I know she’s as ready as I am.
With a wink, I adjust, propping my elbows on top of her. Her thighs open for me, and for the first time, I notice the wetness from her pussy gleaming beneath the overhead light. She’s so, so wet… for me. I arch down for a kiss, and Mariah lets out a keening moan as the tip of my cock grazes against her heat.
“I have an IUD,” she manages, as I drag my cock up to massage her clit.
I nip at her neck. “I know.”
She peers at me curiously for a few seconds, but then her face relaxes into a smile. “Okay,” she purrs, leaning in to wrap her legs around my waist. “Why don’t you show me how badly you want me,” she whispers, “Mr. Hottie Guard?”
With a shudder, I comply. I need to comply, or I’m going to lose it. I grab my cock in my right hand and begin feeding it inside her, both loving and hating each tight, wet inch. It’s mortifying, but I have to stop myself twice, my jaw clenched... fuck.
It’s never been like this before. Not with anyone else. Even when I was a teenager, I’ve never been close to popping off before I got inside. I shake my head and try to convince myself that it’s only because I’ve fantasized about her for so long…
“This won’t change anything,” I mutter, mostly to myself, when I’m finally inside her.
“Never,” she breathes, tenderly caressing the side of my face. I take two seconds to blink at her earnest eyes before ripping my head away. No. I need control.
“Say my name,” I demand, beginning my even, measured thrusts. I try to move slowly, but her hands clawing at my back make concentration near impossible.
“Luke,” she whispers, rotating her hips around me.
I moan, lifting her ass with my other hand to apply the perfect pressure. “Yes. Now, I’m gonna make you come again, Princess... are you gonna come for me?”
She gives me a vigorous nod. I chuckle and dip my hand to where our bodies are joined. The pads of my fingers skate across her clit, providing the same pressure I did a few minutes ago… the same pressure that got her off the first time. She reacts immediately, tilting her head back, her whole body pressed for better access.
“Luke,” she repeats, her voice close to a plea. “Please. I—”
And then she lets out a shuddering, breathy wail as her walls twitch and tense around me… providing the most delicious pleasure I’ve ever felt. With a final jerk of my hips, I bury myself inside her. My cock explodes in white-hot bliss that spreads through my limbs. A garbled variant of her name leaves my lips, one I’m scarcely aware of saying… and then, I’m left on top of her. Panting and boneless.
With a final groan, I roll away, my breath still heaving in my chest. “That was…”
“Incredible,” she supplies faintly.
I smile as I feel my eyes closing, as sleep takes me over.
Yeah.
Incredible sums it up.
19
Mariah
A sudden burst of shouting from the front door rips me from a very pleasant dream. I sit up in alarm and nudge Luke in the ribs with my elbow.
I don’t know who’s there, but I know the tabloids would have a fucking heyday if they caught snaps of what I’m looking at right now. At what I did all night. And this morning.
“Get up!” I hiss, climbing over Luke to throw on some clothes. He lets out a confused groan… one that reminds me far too much of the noises he makes when he spills himself inside me…
No. I clear my throat and pull my nightdress over my head. I know Luke wasn’t faking when he’d started at me with those soulful eyes. When he’d finally shared things about himself that I’d spent weeks wondering. When I’d finally, finally acted on the feelings I’ve had for him for longer than I’m willing to admit.
But when you’re sleeping with the man who’s been hired to protect you from a crazy stalker, the afterglow will always be a little weird.
“There’s someone here!” I add, bending over to pick up my robe and tie it around my waist. The gravity of the situation doesn’t slam into Luke until he hears the front door beep open amidst continued shouting.
“Sir!” shouts Rodriguez from the foyer. “Stop moving, right now, or I’m placing you under arrest! This domicile is part of an ongoing investigation, and—”
“— do you see me movin’?” drawls a disgustingly familiar voice. “Partner?”
I shudder, running a hand down my face. How the hell did Colt make his way up here? Luke looks over at me, his face contorted in confusion — and I almost laugh before I remember we’re supposed to keep his presence in my room a secret. He’s paused halfway up pulling his jeans over that tight, muscular ass, but his face is so damn serious I could swear he’s in a courtroom.
I swallow a giggle and place a finger over my lips, hoping stay put and don’t talk is a command he’ll just infer. Luke narrows his eyes and finishes pulling up his jeans, but he doesn’t question it. For now, at least.
I close the bedroom door behind me, shooting him a final warning look as I do. He spreads his palms in surrender, but I’ve known Luke long enough to accept he might not go along with my plan.
“I’ve just got some questions that need answerin’, ya see,” Colt drawls as I step into the kitchen.
God. I suppress an eye roll, just from the sight of him. It’s only now I realize that Colt’s a cowboy caricature of everything Luke really is. Colt’s wearing tight designer jeans, a fancy buckled coat, and a wide-brimmed leather hat that’s probably more expensive than my car.
Of course, he hasn’t bothered removing the hat, even though he’s indoors. Which tells you a lot about how seriously he embodies the life of an old-school country gentleman.
I do my best to look surprised to see them both as I bustle into the kitchen. Rodriguez shoots me an apologetic wince.
“Well, Mr. Colt Waverly, I do declare!” I provide my ex-boyfriend with a fake smile. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company at” — I pretend to check the kitchen clock — “8 a.m. on a Saturday?”
Just as Colt opens his mouth to respond, I turn my back, flipping on the switch of the coffee grinder. The deafening whirr cuts through whatever justification he’s trying to make, but I don’t miss the way Rod snickers over the sound.
“Oh, what’s that?” I ask, batting my eyelashes. “Can’t quite hear you, dear. You see, it’s not exactly polite visiting hours, and I’m afraid I don’t have any coffee prepared!”
Colt gives me an annoyed glare that I catch over my shoulder. “Well, you won’t answer my calls or texts, Mary! You know how hard it was to make my way into your apartment? This place is on some serious lockdown!”
Rod snorts from beside him. “Good. That’s the damn point — keeping out unwanted guests. And trust me when I say, Mr. Waverly, that we will be finding out how you got the roof access code in the first place.”
Colt disregards this, turning to me with puppy dog eyes. “What’s a guy got to do?” he asks, under the evident impression that he’s charming, “to speak with the woman he loves?”
I let out a laugh and turn to flip on the coffee grinder again. For God’s sake, what a moron. I shake my head as Rod rolls his eyes. I’m only embarrassed I ever fell for that act.
“Tell me, Colt,” I wonder aloud, transferring the groun
d coffee to the machine. “Does a man run to the tabloids and tell them the woman he loooooves is a cheating whore?”
Annoyance flashes across Colt’s face. “I was upset, Mare,” he pleads. “We all make mistakes when we’re upset.” He opens his arms wide and gives me an encouraging smile. “But if you give me a hug, right now, I swear that—”
This time, I can’t even feign Southern niceties. I throw my head back in laughter. A hug, of all things! Who the hell does he take me for?
“Colt,” I say firmly, once Rodriguez and I have both recovered. “We both know damn well that I still wouldn’t be interested — even if my only choices were between you and the ghost of Hank Williams.” I arch an eyebrow and grab some mugs from the cabinet. “So please, let’s cut the crap. What are you doing here?”
Colt shoots me a scathing look but doesn’t fight my proclamation. Even he knows it’s true; he's probably just making one last attempt at using me before he gives up entirely. With a sour expression, he reaches into the interior pocket of his fancy coat and removes an envelope before tossing it across the countertop.
Shit.
My breath freezes in my throat. Rod and I exchange worried eye contact before he rips his head away to send a text, but we’ve reached the same conclusion: it’s too much of a coincidence that this threat’s in an identical envelope to the others.
“Some dude told me to give you that,” Colt says, bored. “Apparently it’s proof you slept your way to the top!” He clucks his tongue and shoots me another indigent glare. “Not that I needed more proof that you’re a fat slut, of course.”
“That’s enough!” booms an unexpected voice from behind me. I jump at the sound. Luke strides into the kitchen, his hair dripping wet, his clothes from yesterday haphazardly thrown on. Rod’s phone chimes with a call, and he turns away to answer it.
