Nine Rules of Engagement (Barrington Billionaire's Series Book 9)

by Jeannette Winters

  His hands glided over her as he washed her back, then dropped down to his knee and washed her legs as well as her sweet round ass and hips as he made his way back up. Then he reach around her again, his body now pressed against her backside, as he washed her front. The sponge dropped as his hands came up over her breasts. He didn’t need it. His fingers gently rolled her taut nipples and she leaned into him. The water quickly washed away the soap. She turned toward him, and Roger bent his head and kissed her gently. It wasn’t long before his lips found their way across her jaw, down her neck, and over her collarbone. He moaned against her. “Gia, I want to make love to you.”

  “Roger, I want you to,” she moaned as he claimed her lips again. Slipping his hands around her bare back, he felt her quiver at his touch. He brought his hands down, cupped her ass, and lifted her high into his arms. Her legs wrapped around him, and he could feel her womanly flesh pressed against his abdomen. His cock was hard and throbbing, but he refused to give into his own needs. Gia wanted a night she’d never forget, and he was going to give her one. Give us both one.

  “I want to feel your hands on me,” Gia said breathlessly.

  “What about my hands and my tongue?” He lifted her high into his arms and flicked one nipple with his tongue.

  She arched her back and said, “I want it . . . all.”

  As he sucked her nipple, he mumbled, “You’ll have all of me . . . in time.”

  Once his lips came in contact with her nipple, he felt her body quiver in unison with his.

  “Roger.” Her voice trembled with need. He ignored her pleas and continued to flick with his tongue and nip with his teeth. “Roger,” she pleaded again, her voice barely a whisper now.

  Oh, God, I can’t wait. I want her now. His own desire was building quickly, almost uncontrollably. Forcing himself to think only of her, he reached behind her and shut off the water. Then he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

  Gia tugged at him trying to pull him down to her. “Roger, I want you so much it . . . almost hurts.”

  “You drive me wild, Gia,” he said before claiming her sensual mouth. She was perfection. He could inhale her intoxicating scent—like sweet honey and flowers—and never grow tired of it. But her scent was only one part. Her body was teasing him beyond anything he’d ever wanted before. His cock was pressed firmly against her thigh as he rested himself on top of her. The look in her eyes enhanced his hunger for her. He rolled over onto his side and pulled her close, claiming her lips once again. She tastes so sweet. I want to taste every inch of her.

  As he continued exploring her mouth, one hand came up to caress her breasts again. Her nipples hardened instantly at his touch. The need to have more of her was driving him mad. “Gia, your body feels so damn good against mine.”

  “Roger, you’re killing me,” she whimpered as he sucked her nipple.

  “There’s no rush, honey. I want to hear you scream out my name and forget yours,” Roger said, nipping her other nipple. Her skin was like silk, and he couldn’t take his hands off her.

  “Roger, I need you now,” Gia tried demanding, but he ignored it.

  “Patience, honey,” Roger said, his words muffled against her cool flesh.

  Her moans grew deeper as he rolled one nipple between his fingers and continued sucking the other. “Please, Roger, I need . . .”

  He didn’t deny her. He moved one hand from her breast and reached between her legs, finding her swollen clit with this thumb. Her back arched, and she opened her legs wider for him.

  Slowly, he circled it, bringing her higher. As her body trembled, he repositioned himself so his mouth was only inches away from her center, spreading her farther until he had full access. Her hands gripped the blanket as he slipped one finger inside her and pulled it back out. Again and again.

  Breathlessly, Gia begged, “I want you. I can’t . . .”

  “You’ll have me, but first I want to watch you come undone as you lose yourself to my touch,” he said as his finger entered her again, and he continued to circle her clit. She cried out in pleasure. It was more than she’d ever experienced. He was giving, not taking.

  Faster and deeper he entered her with his finger until her body began to jerk violently. He felt her body clench around his finger with her powerful release.

  “Yes! God, Roger. Oh, yes! Oh, yes!”

  Her cries filled the room, but Roger wasn’t done. He realized he’d left his jeans in the bathroom. Kissing her briefly, he leaped off the bed and retrieved the condom from his wallet. He tore open the foil packet, sheathed himself, then settled himself between her legs.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and breathlessly said, “Thank you.”

  “For this?” he asked, once again letting his fingers stroke her clit. “Or for having a condom?”

  Moaning and arching her back she said, “Both.”

  He’d been holding back, trying to go slow, but her beautiful full breasts pressed against him and the heat from her core on his fingers was sending him over the edge. Moving back to her lips, he kissed her hungrily one more time. Then dragging his lips from hers, he slowly kissed his way across her jaw to the curve of her neck, stopping to feel her racing pulse. I haven’t even begun.

  She whimpered softly, “Roger, please. I . . . you . . . please.” Gia’s hands dug into his biceps as she clung to him.

  The fact she could barely catch her breath was driving him wild. He knew what she meant and what she wanted. His cock did as well. Each moan or plea made him harder with anticipation. He ached to be inside her. “Soon, honey.”

  Gia reached down, brushed his cock, and cupped his balls. His body tensed instantly, and he wanted to enter her right then. Their eyes never broke contact, and her tongue slowly traced her lips. She knew she was teasing the fuck out of him. He could only imagine how fucking incredible her lips would feel around his cock. But if they were, he’d explode. There would be no way he could hold back. And he wanted, no needed, to be inside of her.

  “I want to . . . have all of you, Gia.”

  She pulled him down to her. “Roger, I can’t wait any longer. I need you to touch me. I want to feel you inside of me.”

  Gia arched her back, offering herself to him. He could feel the heat and juices from her first climax as her legs opened and her soft wet flesh touched his hard, hot cock. Fuck yeah. He reached between them and gripped his cock, slowly stroking her between the folds.

  “Oh, Roger,” she said, moaning his name again and again.

  No one had ever been so responsive to his touch. How is it possible to need someone more than life itself?

  “I could touch and taste you forever.” He plunged his tongue into her mouth wildly. She met him just as eagerly. Then he urged her legs apart. “Damn, you’re so wet.”

  She opened unashamedly, giving him full access. It wasn’t that he wasn’t ready, but he wanted her to explode for him again. As he rubbed the head of his cock over and over again on her clit, she whimpered and trembled against him.

  “I . . . need . . .” she cried, her voice barely a whisper.

  He planned to explore every inch of her, but his body ached for only one part of her right then. He couldn’t hold back any longer.

  “Gia, I don’t want to hurt you.” His voice was deep, almost a growl, as he tried to control his own need. “I’ll try to be gentle.”

  She opened her legs wider. “I need all of you, now.” She guided him, raising her hips to take him inside her.

  He couldn’t stop if he wanted to. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her to him and thrust fully into her. She cried out, not in pain, but in pleasure. Roger waited until she adjusted to having him inside her. Then slowly he entered her again and again. The more she moaned in pleasure, the faster and harder he pumped. Oh, God. His own body wanted to let go, but he held back.

  “God honey, you feel so damn good.”

  “Don’t . . . stop. Please, Roger . . . I’m . . .” He felt her body begin to ten
se again as he continued. She was on the brink, and he wanted to take her over the edge again. He entered her harder, faster, until she cried out his name over and over again. “Roger! Roger! Roger!”

  Once he felt her releasing, he plunged deeper inside her as his orgasm met hers, rocking him to the core. He rode the waves of pleasure with her, stronger and more powerful than he’d ever felt before.

  When he was spent, Roger collapsed and rolled onto his back, bring her to rest on top of him. Her breath was coming in gasps, the same as his. It may have only been seconds, but it felt like forever before either of them could speak.

  Roger reached up and rubbed her back with long strokes. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Gia shook her head. “The only pain is from it coming to an end.”

  Roger laughed. “The night is far from over.”

  She snuggled up closer to him. “What are you offering?”

  He rolled over again, this time she was lying beneath him. “Although your shower is nice, my room has a Jacuzzi.”

  “That sounds good. Maybe we can save that for round number three,” Gia said with a playful wink.

  Roger didn’t need any further encouragement. Claiming her lips again, his body eagerly recovered for round two.

  He wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring, but tonight he planned on giving her as much of himself as he could. Because tonight might be all they’d ever have.

  Chapter 9

  She didn’t want to move. Gia couldn’t remember ever being so comfortable. Lying in Roger’s warm arms was heavenly. Reluctantly, she untangled herself and slipped out from under the sheets. The cool air sent goosebumps over her naked body.

  “Where are you going?” Roger mumbled, half asleep.

  Gia fumbled in the dark. She heard her cell phone, but she had no idea where she’d left it. “My phone is ringing. I think I left it in my bedroom.” She scurried across the cold floor and located it on her nightstand. Her heart was pounding because her phone never rang this early. She’d missed the call, but checked the caller ID. Mom.

  She called her right back. “Hi, Mom. Is everything okay?”

  “Oh, Gia.” She heard the tears in her mother’s voice and her stomach dropped. “Your father had a heart attack. They’re rushing him to the hospital now.”

  “Dad,” she whispered, gripping the phone tightly. Knowing she needed to be strong for her mother, she asked, “Is anyone there to take you to the hospital?”

  “Yes. We’re going now.” Her mother sniffled. “But you should come too. He was . . . unconscious when the ambulance took him.”

  Gia hoped her voice was steady when she asked, “What hospital are they taking him to?”

  “RI General. Please, Gia,” her mother pressed, “I need you home.”

  Nothing could keep her from her family. “I’m coming, Mom.”

  As soon as her mother ended the call, Gia rushed back to Roger’s bedroom and flipped on the light switch.

  “Roger,” she uttered urgently as she sat at the edge of the bed, “I need to leave.”

  He sat up, squinting at the bright light. “What’s wrong?”

  “My father is being rushed to the hospital,” she explained. “It’s his heart. I have to go right now. Can you drive me, please?”

  Roger was out of the bed and pulling on clothes. “Is the hospital in Rhode Island?”

  “Yes,” she confirmed as she ran back to her room to find some clothes herself. Since she hadn’t unpacked, it was easy enough to do. Gia reached down and picked up the clothes she’d worn yesterday. Not ideal, but practical.

  As she finished dressing, Roger joined her. “I know someone. We’ll get a helicopter to fly back. Considering the circumstances, he won’t mind.”

  She looked up at him. “I told you, I don’t fly.”

  Roger walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Honey, it’s a four-hour drive or a one-hour flight.” He gave her a comforting squeeze. “You’re not going to be alone. I’m going to be right beside you the entire time.”

  It made sense to take him up on the offer. But getting in the helicopter wasn’t going to be easy. She was an emotional wreck already, thinking about her dad. The stress of the flight might be too much.

  “Roger, I’m not sure I can do it . . .” Her voice trembled as she said it.

  He tipped her chin up to look him in the eyes. “I know you can. Let me make the call. We can be in the air in thirty minutes.” She stared at him, not sure what to do or say. “Trust me, Gia. I’d never let anything happen to you.”

  She wanted to remind him they’d be hundreds—no, thousands—of feet up in the air. He couldn’t guarantee his safety, let alone hers. But this wasn’t about her. She needed to get to the hospital as quick as possible. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded her approval.

  Roger rushed out of the room to get his phone, she suspected, which left her with a few minutes to finish getting ready. She grabbed her toiletries and freshened up a bit. By the time Roger returned, she was set to go.

  “Is this ready?” he asked, pointing at the suitcase.

  “Yes.” When he went to pick it up, she grabbed hold of his arm. “Thank you for doing this.”

  He nodded. “I told you; I’m here for you.” Roger picked up her bag and said, “The helicopter should be here any minute. I suggest we get going.”

  Her stomach dropped. Did he just say . . . “Here?”

  “Yes. There is a helipad on the roof.”

  “How efficient . . .” Gia said as she followed him. “Did I mention I’m also not a fan of heights?”

  “No. But that surprises me since you took me to the top of the Empire State Building.”

  She laughed. “But that was different. I was trying to get a kiss.”

  As she and Roger rode the elevator, he said, “I’ll kiss you the entire way back to Rhode Island if you need me to.”

  She appreciated his effort to lighten the mood. If she’d been alone in New York when she’d received that call . . . Well, she had no idea what she would’ve done. Roger was, once again, taking care of her, of everything. Gia had never considered herself to be a needy person. Or maybe it was because she never let anyone in close enough to help. Either way, she was glad he was there.

  Gia was about to tell him it wouldn’t be necessary, but when the doors to the roof opened and she saw the helicopter, her heart started racing. Roger was a step in front of her with the luggage so he couldn’t see her panic. That was a good thing. She couldn’t rely on him to be there every step of the way. She was thirty-one years old, for goodness sake.

  Forcing her feet to move, she made her way to the helicopter steps. “Mr. Patrick,” the pilot greeted Roger. “it’s been a long time. Good to see you again.”

  “Good morning, Roberto. Sorry about the short notice,” Roger said.

  “I was glad to receive your call,” the pilot said as he took the bags and put them inside. As Gia approached, he said, “Welcome, miss.”

  “Thank you.” Gia took Roger’s hand as he helped her inside.

  Looking around, she thought: If I’m about to die, at least I’ll die in style. The helicopter was fully loaded. If it wasn’t for the fact it was about to be flying high above the city, she would’ve thought it was more like a limo. Maybe even better.

  “You’ll want to buckle up,” Roger said.

  She found her lap belt, did as he suggested, then immediately gripped the arms of the white leather captain’s chair she was in. Roger sat to the right of her, and once he was settled, he reached over and covered her hand with his. It helped, but no matter what, this was going to be tough.

  She turned to look at him, and his expression wasn’t one that was relaxed either. If she wasn’t in such a state herself, she’d ask him what was wrong. Maybe later. Right now, she held her breath as the helicopter lifted off. God, please don’t crash. Her eyes were squeezed so tight they hurt, and she was pretty sure her nails were digging into the leather
arm.

  “It’ll get better once we’re up,” Roger said softly.

  She had no choice but to breathe, but her eyes weren’t opening. If he asked, she could tell him she was thinking about her dad. That was true. If it wasn’t for him, her ass never would be on this thing. What I do for the ones I love.

  Gia felt guilty. She had promised her parents to make an effort to come home more often, but didn’t. It had nothing to do with avoiding them. It was just too hard to flip the switch from Boston: always-in-a-rush mode, to Maplesville: get-to-it-when-we-can mode. And when she did go and stay with them, her parents did what all parents do: nag her about marriage and children, like that was the only option for a woman. They thought she focused too much on her career and would be an old spinster someday.

  That was funny, because as long as she had Vickie around, that would never happen. All she needed to do was give Vickie the green light and she’d hook Gia up on a hundred blind dates, all local guys. But this trip wasn’t a visit. And hopefully it wasn’t a goodbye either. There was so much she had yet to tell her dad. A zillion things came to mind, but the only one that mattered was, I love you.

  “Are we almost there?” she asked.

  “About halfway,” Roger replied.

  She opened her eyes and noticed his were closed. Maybe he was tired. They didn’t sleep much last night. But that wouldn’t explain the tense jaw. Was he upset their getaway was cut short? He hadn’t appeared to be earlier, but something was definitely off.

  Gia was about to ask when it flooded back to her. Oh my God. Roger was doing this for her. The stiffness within him made perfect sense. How could she have forgotten? His parents died in a helicopter crash.

  He’d been covering her hand with his so far. She slipped hers out and covered his. He opened his eyes and turned to her. “Not scared any longer?”

  It was odd, but in that very moment, she wasn’t. “No. I have you here, remember?”

  He smiled down at her. “That you do.” Then he said, “Did you want to call and check on your father?”

  She had her cell phone in her pocket and was tempted to. But she was also afraid of what she might learn. “I’m not sure.”