by Katie Reus
She’d called him on his shit literally the first time they’d met. And the feisty woman had just looked so damn sweet when she’d done it, there’d been no way he could be rude to a woman like her. She was always going out of her way to be kind to people at work whether they deserved it or not. For some reason she liked to see the best in people. She’d definitely seen it in him.
She smiled softly. “Me neither.” The exact words he wanted to hear. He pushed out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
There was such a raw vulnerability in her eyes that it was like a punch to his senses. Sierra was so funny, smart and incredibly talented that her being nervous now surprised him. But after meeting her sister a few months ago, maybe he should have realized. The woman was gorgeous to be sure, but nothing compared to Sierra.
Even though his cock was aching and he had the most beautiful woman naked and willing next to him, for some reason he wanted to talk. Fucking talk. He inwardly sighed. Sierra totally owned him even if she didn’t realize it yet. Maybe he should shelve the conversation, but he wanted to know everything that made this woman tick. “When I met your sister a few months ago…” Before he’d even finished, she stiffened beneath his hand and went to pull the sheet back up. To cover herself.
Hayden grabbed it and shoved it off her. Now that she’d bared herself to him, there was no way he was losing sight of her sweet body. She made a protesting sound but he rolled over and covered her petite body with his. Her legs automatically wrapped around his hips, pulling him close. He settled against her, savoring the feel of her beneath him, all warm and soft. With his cock so damn close to her pussy it was hard to think straight but he needed to make one thing clear. “A few months ago when your sister blew into town, I saw a side of you that I never want to see again. You were a totally different person when she met up with us. You withdrew into yourself, as if you were afraid to outshine her.”
Sierra had been stiff up until that moment, but she snorted. “Outshine?”
Hayden frowned. “Yeah. Anytime I mentioned one of your accomplishments or even talked about you, you shut me down. Your sister is pretty, so what? She’s also an asshole. You’re fucking beautiful inside and out and you’re amazing. You’re fucking twenty-two and head chef at Cloud 9.”
Sierra’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
He rolled his hips, dragging his erection over her belly. He wanted to shift positions and move lower but once his cock touched her pussy, it would be over for him. “You are beautiful.”
Now she rolled her eyes, frustration clear on her face. “Not that. I mean about my sister.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t like the way she treated you. She talked down to you and made you feel like shit. Siblings shouldn’t do that. And you put up with it. I…It’s why I left early that night. I couldn’t stand seeing it and I knew I’d say something I’d regret if I stuck around. Fair warning; if that ever happens again, I won’t sit back and watch.”
She watched him carefully for a long moment, as if assessing him. It looked as if she might say something, but then she cupped his face with both hands and leaned up to kiss him. Relief slammed into him that she didn’t care what he’d said about her sister. If Sierra wouldn’t stand up for herself, he damn sure would.
Sierra didn’t know when it had happened, but she’d completely fallen for this man. When he’d said this wasn’t casual for him, she was relieved but she hoped that meant the same thing for him that it did for her.
But she wasn’t going to worry about that. At least not at the moment. No, she was going to take exactly what she wanted. Hayden was right about her letting her family treat her wrong. Growing up with such a gorgeous sister and a mother who placed a priority on looks had taken a toll on her self esteem. Moving away for school and developing her own circle of friends had made a huge difference in the way she looked at herself. Intellectually, she understood all that but when her sister had stopped in town for a few days, Sierra had felt like that chubby fifteen year old again. It hadn’t helped that Shae had flirted mercilessly with Hayden.
He’d barely tolerated Shae. Something that hadn’t gone unnoticed. She’d been secretly pleased, and had fallen for him a little more that night. Sierra just hadn’t been sure why he’d acted the way he had.
Until now.
As she held his face in her palms, Hayden’s hands started roaming her body in a way she’d only fantasized about. After the orgasm she’d just had, she wasn’t sure if she could have another but she didn’t even care.
She wanted to feel him inside her, to be completely possessed by this man. When one of his hands cupped her breast and began rubbing her already sensitized nipple, she arched her back, pushing into his grasp.
As his other hand cupped her mound and slid two fingers into her slick opening, she felt as if she could combust on the spot. Feeling that thickness inside her made her entire body tingle because she knew soon it wouldn’t be just his fingers.
He pulled his mouth back from hers and she started to protest, but his lips trailed down her jaw to her neck and he lightly tugged her earlobe between his teeth all while continuing the soft thrusting of his fingers. When he added another, she instinctively arched her back again, enjoying the fullness of him stretching her body.
Reaching between them, she wrapped her hand around his cock, amazed by the thickness and heat. She wanted to touch all of him, to stroke him the way he was her. Even more, she wanted to pleasure him, to learn his body and what he liked.
He groaned against her ear, the sound almost guttural as his entire body shuddered under her hold. “No touching,” he growled.
“I never agreed to that.” She barely rasped the words out as she continued stroking him. Just the feel of him in her hand made her feel powerful and sexy.
The hand that had been cupping her breast suddenly moved and encircled her wrist. He sat back so he could look down at her, hunger on his face as he moved her hand away from his hard length.
“This might hurt the first time.” He looked so stricken she couldn’t fight a smile.
“I know.” She didn’t care because she knew it wouldn’t last. So many times in school she’d worried that she was an idiot for waiting but now she was glad she had. No one could ever compare to Hayden. It just wasn’t possible.
His expression softened before he leaned over and snagged the condom. After sheathing himself, he covered her mouth with his. As his tongue danced against hers, he settled between her thighs, his cock nudging her opening. She clutched onto his shoulders in an attempt to ground herself. He slowly pushed into her a fraction, then stopped, letting her body adjust to him.
With his size, she’d worried it would hurt but she was so slick, so turned on, her inner walls were tightening, just waiting to be filled by him.
Rolling her hips, she tried to force him to move deeper but he just laughed lightly against her mouth. His lips trailed lower once again, nipping and teasing until he found her aching breast.
Sierra slid her fingers into his dark hair, clasping his head as he flicked his tongue across her nipple. Almost simultaneously, he began rubbing her clit again in a slow motion designed to torture her, she was sure. His thumb and forefinger increased in pressure when his tongue did.
She shuddered and increased her grip on his head as more pleasure spiraled through her. Tightening her legs around him, she dug her heels into his ass. “I need more, Hayden.”
The second she said his name, it was like something in him snapped free. She could still feel him keeping a tight rein on his control, but he finally pushed deeper, giving her what she needed.
Both his tongue and expert fingers kept up their teasing as he pressed into her, then pulled out. He pushed in deeper the next time. In and out, not deep enough to give her exactly what her body craved, but enough to push her right to the edge.
She hadn’t thought it possible, but she was close to coming again. “I’m close,” she whispered, unable t
o get out more than that.
Her inner walls clenched tighter and tighter, trying to draw him into her as he tweaked her clit. When he lightly pressed his teeth down on her hard nipple, the sensuous action set off her release.
As her climax slammed through her, Hayden thrust fully inside her. All the breath whooshed from her lungs as he buried himself deep. The pain was fleeting, mixed with the surging orgasm punching to all her nerve endings.
“Sierra,” he groaned. Hayden buried his face against her neck, letting out a strangled moan as his thrusts grew harder and more unsteady.
Rubbing her breasts against his chest, she savored all the sensations overwhelming her as she tightened her grip on his head. She felt as if she was holding onto him for dear life as he continued pumping into her.
She felt his heat, his stomach muscles clenching and when he let out a strangled moan against her ear, a raw type of power filled her as he climaxed long and hard. Eventually his thrusting slowed, though his breathing was erratic as he pulled his head back to look down at her.
Staring into those blue eyes, she thought she could drown in them and not care. Before he could ask her if she was okay, she smiled, unable to stop herself. “That was amazing.” He was still half hard inside her so she tightened around him, dragging a shudder from his big body.
“Yes it was,” he murmured before kissing her lips. Even though the caress was light, it still felt as if he was claiming her in some way and she was more than happy to let him.
She just hoped that wasn’t wishful thinking on her part because she had completely fallen for Hayden.
Chapter 6
Hayden traced his finger down Sierra’s bare stomach and grinned against the top of her head when she covered his hand with hers to stop him.
“That tickles,” she murmured, still half asleep.
She was tucked up against him, her compact body snug and exactly where it should be. The feel of her ass right over his cock was driving him crazy, but it was worth it to have her in his arms. Now that he had her in his bed, he wasn’t letting go.
In response he nipped her shoulder with his teeth then followed up with a swipe of his tongue.
“Oh my god, are you a morning person?” she groaned and wiggled against his erection. “Let me sleep, you maniac.”
He chuckled, despite the ache between his legs. “It’s almost noon.”
She stiffened then turned in his arms. Her green eyes were bright with surprise. “Are you serious?”
“Yep.” Hayden tightened his arm around her, pulling her close.
Her breasts rubbed against his chest as she wrapped her arms around him, making him shudder. He’d never get tired of the feel of her in his arms like this. It wouldn’t take much to slide right into her, but he worried she’d be sore after last night. After their first time together he’d assumed she’d be too sore to do anything else but they’d made love again in the shower a few hours later. Thankfully he’d lasted a hell of a lot longer then. Getting inside her that first time had been electric. He’d felt like a fucking teenager barely able to control himself.
“I can’t believe I slept so long,” she murmured against his chest as she snuggled closer.
“A lot happened yesterday and we were up very late. You needed it.” He slowly rubbed his hand up and down the length of her spine, enjoying the way she felt against him.
When he went to cup her ass, she laughed and pushed at his chest. “No. I need to brush my teeth and I’m starving.” Almost on cue, her stomach rumbled, which made her cheeks flush that shade of pink that drove him crazy.
He could eat too, though he’d rather eat her. But after the day she’d had yesterday, he was taking care of her right now. The most primal part of him wouldn’t allow any less. “Jay dropped off some groceries a few hours ago so come downstairs when you’re ready.” He threw off the covers and slid out of bed because good intentions or not, if he stayed there, he knew what would happen between them.
A soft smile played across her lips as her gaze tracked his movements. It roved over his entire body in a way that made his cock even harder. Something he hadn’t thought possible.
“Keep looking at me like that and you’re not leaving that bed.”
Her eyes met his and he could tell she was contemplating just that. But…she needed sustenance. Groaning, he dragged on a pair of boxers and hurried from the room. The sight of her naked and willing in his bed was too much for his restraint.
Downstairs he started making turkey sandwiches. He was so thankful Jay had brought food over even if he was a little embarrassed by how bare his fridge had been. If he’d thought Sierra would be coming over he’d have made sure he was better prepared. At least his place was clean.
A few minutes later Sierra came downstairs looking refreshed and wearing one of his T-shirts. And nothing else. She was so petite it fell almost to her knees, covering more than some dresses he’d seen her wearing. Still, it would be so easy to push his shirt up and—
“No way.” Sierra stepped into the room with a half smile. Before he could ask what she meant she continued. “After last night I recognize that look very well and I’m hungry and…a little sore.”
Guilt instantly flooded him but she crossed the short distance to where he stood at the counter. She went to wrap her arms around his middle and he tugged her close, embracing her tightly. “Sorry, I wasn’t even thinking.”
“I didn’t even realize it until I got out of bed. I think I just need a few hours and I was thinking…”
“What?”
“I called my doctor and she can fit me in today. Since I have the next few days off I’d like to get a prescription for the Pill as soon as possible.” She looked almost nervous as she said it. He couldn’t understand why.
The thought of getting to be inside her with no condom made him shudder. “I’ll take you.”
“Really?” She seemed surprised.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Worry slid into her eyes as she looked up at him and he knew she was thinking of the attack. “Have you heard anything from the casino?”
Hayden shook his head as he cupped her cheek and gently turned her face. Anger surged through him at the sight of her bruise. It was a little darker today, a faint purple staining her temple. “They’re ripping apart the video feeds, trying to see if they can get another shot of the guy running away and Iris has brought in all new tech guys to comb over the system for glitches or signs of outside hacking.”
“It seems like a lifetime ago,” she murmured, laying her head against his chest.
“I hate that it happened to you.” He slid his fingers through her hair, cupping the back of her head and holding her close.
“I do too, but I’m not sorry about what happened between us.”
“Me neither.” He hated that it had taken her being attacked to wake him up, but now that he had, he wasn’t letting her go.
* * *
Sierra tossed a new toothbrush and tube of toothpaste into her hand-held basket. After going to her doctor, she’d dropped off her prescription for birth control at the pharmacist and had decided to wait the hour it would take for them to fill it instead of coming back. Hayden didn’t want to wait, but he was just being difficult and it was silly to go all the way back to his house, then come back here. Yes, someone had attacked her at work, but unless he was keeping something from her, she doubted someone was stalking her and she refused to stop living her life.
It was a little odd to have Hayden with her though. She was so used to doing things on her own. “You don’t have to hover,” she murmured, unable to ignore his giant presence behind her as she tried to decide which shampoo she wanted.
She lightly nudged him with her elbow only to come in contact with pure muscle. He let out a pained sound. Immediately she turned and looked up to find him grinning at her.
Then his expression turned serious. “I just don’t like having you out in public.”
“It
’s not like there’s an assassin hiding in the candy aisle.” She nudged him again when his gaze immediately went in that direction.
He looked back and started to respond when his phone buzzed. “It’s Iris,” he murmured. “I need to take this.”
As he slid his phone out, she mouthed the word ‘restroom’ and handed him her basket. He started to follow her, but she glared at him. She certainly did not need any help in there.
He held up a hand in a defensive gesture as he answered, but stayed put. Probably because he could see the entrance to the short hallway where the restrooms were.
Sierra hurried, not wanting to take the chance he might actually follow her in. The sexy man had been her shadow all day—which she appreciated. But there were some things she didn’t need him for.
As she stepped inside the florally scented room with small square green tiles reminiscent of the seventies, she let out a sigh of relief. Being with Hayden all morning was wreaking havoc on her senses. The man was walking talking sex appeal and he was hers. At least for the moment. She was trying to wrap her head around her new relationship along with the craziness of yesterday. Before she’d taken another step, the closest bathroom door opened and her friend Marty stepped out. He worked in hotel security analyzing videos.
And he was pointing a gun right at her.
It was as if all the air in the small room was sucked out. For a moment all she could do was stare at the weapon and him. “Wh…” She cleared her throat, trying to find her voice. “What are you doing?”
His dark eyes narrowed, his face twisted into an expression of rage she’d never seen on anyone. “You’re coming with me, slut.”
That word was like a slap to her senses. “What?”
“You heard me,” he growled, though he hadn’t made a move closer yet. And his gun hand never wavered. Which told her he was pretty damn comfortable holding the thing.
